This US-based team of specialists together with local healthcare providers, performed some 38 adult and paediatric surgeries at the GPHC between March 16-22, restoring mobility to persons with debilitating orthopaedic conditions.
Cuba ready for any potential attack from U.S. amid oil blockade, envoy says
Pres. Ali pushes profit margin cuts as oil prices climb
Exxon’s 8th oil project to produce 1.8M tonnes of greenhouse gases annually, EIA finds
HINGTON, March 22
(Reuters) - Iran said on Sunday it would strike the energyandwatersystemsof its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through with a threat to hit Iran’s electricity grid in 48 hours, escalating the threeweek-oldwar
Theprospectoftit-for-tat
strikes on civilian infrastructure could deepen the regional crisis and rattle global markets when they reopenonMondaymorning. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel from the early hoursofSunday,warningof incomingmissilesfromIran, after scores of people were hurt overnight in two separate attacks in the southern Israeli towns of AradandDimona.
The Israeli military said hours later that it was strikingTehraninresponse.
The tanker RARITY sits at anchor as lightning flashes in the distance, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, off Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman, March 21, 2026. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas
Trump threatened overnight to “obliterate” Iran’spowerplantsifTehran didnotfullyreopentheStrait of Hormuz within 48 hours, barely a day after he talked about “winding down” the war Hemadethenewthreat as U.S. Marines and heavy landing craft are heading to theregion.
But while attacks on electricity could hurt Iran, they would be potentially catastrophic for its Gulf neighbours, which consume
around five times as much powerpercapita.Electricity makes their gleaming desert cities habitable, and most of them produce nearly all of their drinking water by purifyingitfromthesea.
Iran’s Parliament
Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf wrote on X that critical infrastructure and energy facilities in the Middle East could be “irreversibly `destroyed” should Iranian power plants beattacked.
Iran’s powerful RevolutionaryGuardssaidit would also mean the shippinglanewhereafifthof global oil and liquefied naturalgasnormallytransits along Iran’s southern coast wouldremainshut.
“The Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not be opened until our destroyed power plants are rebuilt,” the Guards said inastatement.
More than 2,000 people have been killed during the war the U S and Israel launched on February 28, whichhasupendedmarkets, spiked fuel costs, fuelled global inflation fears and convulsed the postwar Westernalliance.
‘TICKING
“PresidentTrump’sthreat has now placed a 48-hour tickingtimebombofelevated uncertainty over markets,” said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore,whoexpectsstock markets to fall when they reopenonMonday
Oil prices jumped on Friday, ending the day at
blackouts, crippling everything from pumps and refineriestoexportterminals and military command centres.
The United States and Israel say they have seriously degraded Iran’s ability to project force beyond its borders ‘with their three weeks of intensiveairstrikes.
But Tehran fired its first known long-range ballistic missiles with a range of 4,000 km (2,500 miles) on Friday towards a U SBritish Indian Ocean militarybase,expandingthe risk of attacks beyond the MiddleEast.
their highest in nearly four years.
Markets already under severestrainfromblockaded shippingwerefurtherrattled last week when Israel attackeda majorgas fieldin Iran, and Tehran responded with strikes on neighbours Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, raising the prospect of damage hindering energy output even if tankers resume sailing Iranian attacks have effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, causing the worst oil crisis since the 1970s. Its nearclosure sent European gas prices surging as much as 35%lastweek.
Iranianmediaquotedthe country’s representative to the International Maritime Organisation as saying the strait remains open to all shipping except vessels linkedto“Iran’senemies”.
A
waterway was possible by coordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran. Ship-tracking data showssomevessels,suchas Indian-flagged ships and a Pakistani oil tanker, have negotiated safe passage through the strait. But the vast majority of ships have remainedholedupinside.
Iran’sKhatamal-Anbiya military command headquarterssaidonSunday iftheU.S.hitIran’sfueland energy infrastructure, Iran wouldattackallU.S.energy, information technology and desalinationinfrastructurein theregion.
Striking major Iranian power plants could trigger
An Iranian strike also landednearIsrael’ssecretive nuclear reactor about 13 km (8miles)southeastofthecity ofDimona.
The war has been taking place alongside a confrontation on a separate front between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, backed by Iran, with Israel saying on Sunday its troops had raided a number of the armed group’s sites in southernLebanon.
Hezbollah ‘said it had attackedseveralborderareas in northern Israel. Israeli emergencyservicessaidone person was killed in a kibbutz near the border, the first fatality in Israel killed by fire from Lebanon since theescalationbegan.
Hezbollah has fired hundredsofrocketsatIsrael since it entered the regional war on March 2, prompting an Israeli offensive that has killed more than 1,000 peopleinLebanon.
Israel said it had instructed the military to accelerate the demolition of Lebanese homes in “frontline villages” to end threats to Israelis, and to `destroy all bridges over Lebanon’s Litani River which it said were used for “terroristactivity”.
PopeLeoappealedforan endtotheconflict “Thedeath and suffering caused by this warareascandaltothewhole humanfamily,”hesaid
A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last week found 59% of Americans disapprove of U.S. strikes against Iran, while 37% approved. The war has become a major political liability for Trump ahead of November elections for Congress.
Guyana’s oil reserves have been stagnated around 11billionbarrelssince2022, despite major new discoveries.
According to president of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge,thisissobecause “proved reserves” only increase when a project is financed.
In its 2025 Annual Report,Exxonreportedthat, “Additions to proved reservesinclude2.1GOEB (billion oil-equivalent barrels) from extensions anddiscoveriesprimaryin the United States and Guyana and 0 1 GOEB related to United States acquisitions.”
Routledge was asked by KaieteurNewshowmuchof the 2.1 billion increase in reserves were from Guyana. While he did not offer a direct response, Routledge sought to clarify the terms “resources”and“reserves.”
He said, “So this is probablythespacewherewe get into the difference between resource versus reserves. So, every time we fund a project, we move resource to an approved category So, resource is estimated, as ultimately recoverable,whenwedrilla well and we penetrate a reservoir, and we say, we
the report, Routledge said that Exxon added to its proved reserves after the Hammerhead project was approved. Be that as it may, the country’s estimated
Consequently, the country manager noted, “On the estimated ultimate recovery, it’s still, you know, close to 11, is somewhere in that vicinity
“It doesn’t move to ‘proved’ (resources) until you fund a project” - ExxonMobil Guyana President,Alistair Routledge
ultimaterecoverablereserve stillstandsaround11billion barrelsaccordingtohim.
think there’s this amount of resource that we could recover from that reservoir But it is founded on a number of assumptions. It doesn’tmovetoproveuntil youfundaprojectthatcan developthatresource.” Meanwhile, when asked whether there was an increase in proved reserves inGuyana,ashighlightedin
President Irfaan Ali has called on the privatesectortoadjustitsprofitmarginsinthe interestofconsumers,asthecountrynavigates ongoingglobaleconomicpressures
SpeakingonThursdayatthe136thAnnual GeneralMeeting(AGM),theheadofstatesaid thegovernmenthasbeenutilisingallavailable macroeconomic tools, and businesses must nowplaytheirpart
“Here is where social responsibility from businesses comes in When the state has maximised its tools, the private sector must support,”PresidentAlisaid
He pointed out that the Guyana Oil Company(GUYOIL)iscurrentlyoperatingat adeficitandwillneedtoatleastbreakevento help stabilise the market Against that backdrop, he urged businesses earning profit margins as high as 30–35 per cent to make adjustments
“This is the time for you to make some adjustmentsintheinterestoftheconsumers,” hestressed
The president acknowledged that such discussions may be uncomfortable, but said they are necessary to foster genuine partnership between the government and the privatesector
“It is partnerships like these that allow citizens to see the real benefits of collaboration,”headded Fuelsecurityandrefinerytalksresurface
At the same forum, President Ali also raisedconcernsaboutfuelsecurityandfreight costs, signalling that the government is revisiting discussions on establishing a local oilrefinery
This follows recent global oil price volatility triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East Prices surged after Iran intensified strikes on energy infrastructure in the region, including an attack on a major liquefiednaturalgasfacilityinQatar BrentcruderosetoUS$10865perbarrel-
its highest closing level since July 2022-after briefly climbing to US$119 during trading Meanwhile, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate(WTI)settledatUS $9614per barrel after touching US$100 earlier in the day
Amid these developments, President Ali said Guyana must strengthen its capacity to withstandexternalshocks
He explained that increasing fuel storage capacitycouldhelpcushionpricefluctuations, while a refinery would enhance national energysecurity
“”ButnowIbelieveweshouldreturntothe conversationofarefineryfornationalsecurity, because this challenge has really opened up discussions globally and reinforces what the US policy for theWestern Hemisphere may be That is, we have to, in this hemisphere, optimise our resources, optimise the development of our resources, optimise the development of our resources, for the protectionofthehemisphere,fortheeconomic viability of the hemisphere, for the energy viabilityofthehemisphere,”thepresidentsaid
He said, “Well, in the reserves,whenweapproved theHammerheadproject,we added, I mean, I think our share of, you know, roughly 40 per cent of the resource that we said was proved, as w e d e v e l o p t h e Hammerhead project would then be added into that provedcategoryforus.”
The petroleum engineer argued, “Investors have nothing to do with reserves. That’swhatthisguyisgood at-bringing up things to confusepeople.”
He reminded that in the earlydiscoverydays,Exxon offered prompt reserve updates and did not wait for aninvestmentdecision.
On resources versus reserves, Dr Adams explained, “Oil resources is (determined based on) a technical calculation the reserves add the economic component to it. It says you maytellmethereissomuch oil and I can technically recover so much of it, howeverbecauseoftheprice ofoil…rightnowbecauseof the price of oil this reserve should automatically go up because it varies with oil price.”
But there’s a lot of, as we continue to do, appraisal work, and we produce reservoirs and we gather data There’s, you know, puts and takes as we go throughthatassessment ” In an invited comment, formerExecutiveDirectorof the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams said the company was once again attempting to confuse the country using technical terms.
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Ramadan,amonthofself-denial,searchingforacloser connectiontoGod. Acalltofastingandprayer,ofcaringfor others. The best in men and women responding to the divinehandinsideofthem,andseekingtolivebetterlives. President IrfaanAli attended worship celebrations, shared refreshingwordswithhisaudience,andbeyond.
Part of his Eid-al-Fitr day message had the hum of a violin. “When we achieve inner peace, we are able to spreadpeacewiththosearoundus.Weareabletoliftothers up,spreadjoyandteachpatienceinourownlives.” When “weachieveinnerpeace,weareabletospreadpeace”,lofty pathsaretraveled. Wethankthepresidentforhisthoughtful words on a solemn day, and encourage him to think some moreaboutwhathesaid,whatthosewordsmean,howthey applytomanyGuyaneseinalandthatexistsinaseaofoil.
Inner peace comes when one’s feet are firm on the ground, one’s head is clear, and there is contentment that life, despite its challenges, is livable. Inner peace is not fosteredwhentheflamesofneedandhungerbitedeeplyand constantly Fromwherewilltheinnerpeacetobeachieved ofwhichthepresidentspokesoblandlycome? Whenthere istheperceptionthatlifeisunfair,thattherichesthatbelong toallGuyanesehavebeenhijackedforthebenefitofafew? Itdoesn’tinspirepeace,whenthereisawarenessthatmost of those in the ranks of the few well-connected are from within President Ali’s inner circle. Among his listeners, thoseabsorbinghismeaningfulwords,therehadtobethose struggling to cope with survival in a harsher and harsher Guyana environment. They must have been wondering, looking for a connection between the president’s words about“innerpeace”,andthegrimnessoftheirownreality, andthatoftheirneighborsandcommunity
There is sure to be the inner peace that the president urged, maybe of a different kind, in the hearts of the Guyanesebillionairesclosetohim. Butwhatpeaceofany kindforthemanywhostraddlethedevastatingpovertyline in Guyana? A mother who does not have enough in her pursetopurchasebasicfooditemstodayforherfamily,and knowingfullwellthatshehastorepeatthatcycletomorrow, whatinnerpeaceisthereforher? Whatinnerpeacecanshe orherpartnerorherchildrenachieve,whenthereisdistress that Guyana has so much wealth and there are many like themwhoareinthesameboat?
The president’s preference may be to pretend at not knowing, or burying his head in the sand, like an ostrich, from any such knowing, but there are Guyanese who are angry Theirangeranddisgustarelikelyintensifiedwhen theyhearhimpreachingtoGuyanesewhosestomachstwist with pangs of hunger, and anxieties that come from knowingthattheyarelosingtheirbattlewithmakingitinan oilrichcountry Wethinkthatafairquestionthatmanyof themcouldbeaskingthemselvesiswhetherthepresidentis playing some funny game with them, mocking their condition. Where is the inner peace going to come from? From where when so many Guyanese live with a sense of being tricked and cheated by a government that is callous, oftendisdainful,oftheircircumstances?
ForallGuyaneseto“achieveinnerpeace”thatPresident Ali made a central pillar of his message during Eid-al-Fitr celebrations, there must be fair and equitable sharing of Guyana’srichpatrimony
When conclusions in the national space are that his government’spoliciesenrichGuyaneselife,andthatallare abletocopecomfortably,thenhedoesn’thavetoissuethe call about achieving inner peace and spreading it. Guyanese will spread that peace on their own. Because their own conditions inject that state of mind that prompts reaching to others in a spirit of fraternity and not hostility Guyanese will not look upon other Guyanese as competitors,northosewhobenefitattheirexpense. Inner peaceflowsnaturally,becausethereisn’tadividedGuyana, butone.
Since the Consulate in NewYorkstartedissuanceof passports and birth certificates, the office has been overwhelmed with applicants since August. In the recent past, from last August, passports processingusedtotakeupto twomonthsforrenewalafter receipt at the Consulate –done through mail in diplomatic pouch Now, there is an improvement in service.
Processing is done on line within a day and the passportisprintedinGuyana andthensentuptoNYinthe pouch for mailing or distribution or mailed directly to the applicant within a couple weeks Renewalofpassportsrequire biometrics done at the consulate office; applicants have to come in through an appointment process. It is noted that those, of all ages, who have not renewed passports for decades have been seeking services Virtuallyanykindofservice isattendedtoinNYoratany of Guyana’s Consulate’s in USA For example, the Consulate notarizes various formsofAffidavits,‘depoll’, name correction, identity affidavits,etc.
The delivery of service and professionalism of the Ambassador (Michael
Brotherson) at the mission and the staff have significantly contributed to the positive image of the consulate in the greater NY area. It should be noted that before Amb Brotherson, the Consulate was run below par,offeringwhatmanysaid was low tier service. He really has uplifted service, elevating the image and standing as well as professionalism of the consulate. TheAmbassador i s c o m m e n d e d b y community leaders for fostering stronger connections within the Guyanese and Caribbean diaspora in greater New York.
Passport renewal applicants have to make appointment on line Demand has been very high and appointment date can take longer than two weeks. But the Consulate continues to address emergency services for those who need to travel urgently Those seekinganykindofservices at the NYConsulate say the staff, in spite of rising demand,hasrespondedwith efficiency and efficacy in delivering services. Waiting time has been cut down tremendously in recent months.
Communityleadershave expressed deep appreciation to Ambassador Michael
Brotherson and staff for expanding services especially in processing passport and birth certificates requests. They note the recent elevation in Guyana’s consular services. TheythankAmbBrotherson and consulate and staff for warmth reception, dedicationtotheirwork,and excellent services The
Ambassador said the consulate responds to feedbackfromthoseseeking services and from community leaders and reporters to continuously provideneededaswellason improving services. He said one can count on the consulate to respond to the needs of the community, pointing out that “we are heretoserve”.
Brotherson applauded community leaders for their services to the diaspora including organising charitable events and celebrating various festivals and the national days Guyana Consulate recently celebrated Republic Day at several programs at which the public was invited Various religious festivals (Hindu, Muslim, and Christian) were also organised at which the Ambassador and or his representatives were guests. The Ambassador will be a guestattheannualPhagwah
ParadeonMarch29inLittle Guyana.
At the republic Day celebration, Brotherson thanked organizers and patrons for their dependable supportandvariousformsof assistance, volunteering time and expertise in organising the program, entertainment, catering, etc. tomakeGuyanesefeelproud of their country and of promoting Guyana. for his dependable assistance with logistics and event support. Severalgavetimeandtalent tomaketheeventsasuccess. He expressed gratitude to everyone for their steadfast commitment to Guyana. He said: “The government and the Guyana government are grateful that community leaders and volunteers have helped to strengthen the Guyanese presence and the image of Guyana in NYand around the United States”. Healsothankedmembersof the media for reporting on events so that Guyanese at homeandinthediasporaget to know about the activities and programs of the Consulate and of the communityinAmerica.
Brotherson also thanked theconsulate’sstafffortheir hard work. “The success of theConsulateistheworkofa committed staff who consistentlygoaboveand (Continuedonpage06)
, Allow me to make a specificandatthesametime general comment on your March 21, 2026 report, “Despite paying no tax to Guyana,Exxonshutsdoorto talks with Govt. on windfall taxes”.
Fordevelopingcountries that are in the process of negotiating a PSA with an international oil company (IOC), study Guyana to avoid multibillion-dollar pitfalls.
The agreement is so lopsided something all, including those who are against “renegotiation”, agree¯thatthiscountrywill forever remain frozen out fromsharingwindfallprofits oftheIOC(Exxon-Mobilin thiscase).
Many countries neighbouring Suriname and Trinidad&Tobago¯include in their PSAs some provision to benefit from
windfall profits, like a windfall tax/ surtax on “extraordinary profits” resulting from sudden, favourableeconomicshocks rather than their own strategicinvestments.
The supply shock from Iranwartriggeredasurgein crude prices, from around $60/bbl before the war to over$100/bblandrising.
Under the 2016 Exxon PSA for the offshore Stabroek Block, Guyana gets not even a dull penny fromthewindfall.Why?
The agreement prohibits the Government from altering the (fiscal) terms of theagreement,likeimposing a surtax What’s more, Exxon’s operations in Guyana is tax-free because the Guyanese Government must pay Exxon’s corporate income tax liabilities, out of its own share of profit oil. So, even if the Government was able to impose a
windfall tax, it would be meaningless because the agreement makes the surtax functionally circular — the Government collects $X with one hand and hands back Exxon $X with the other The government is essentially sending a bill to itself.
Youcannotcomeupwith a better way for a poor country as Guyana and its negotiators giving away the nation’s most prized but finite natural resource. It’s tragic. So: who benefits from windfall oil profits? Clearly Exxon and its partners Recall: recently, at the 2026 GuyanaEnergyConference, DanAmmann (ExxonMobil VP) said in Guyana: “Then, there’swhattheenergyfrom Guyana can do to improve thelivesofpeopleallaround the world it helps lift people out of poverty and raisethestandardoflivingof
Guyana’s energy develops Guyanabutithelpstheentire (globe) and that’s what this conferenceisabout.”
Hyperbole, of course, considering:
1 Guyana’s 900,000 bbl/dayisnoteven1%(only 0.8%) of total world oil production/consumption, hardly significant to “help the entire(globe”,“improve the lives of people around theworld”;whereas
2. That same 900,000 bbl/dayapproachesone-fifth (18%) of Exxon’s global oil production(inoilequivalent barrels) making a big contributiontoExxon’scash flowandnetprofit.
One hopes that going forward, Guyana’s PSAs with the IOCs include provisions to share in windfall profits, and there aremanywaystodothis.
Sincerely TerenceM.Yhip
,
It is well known that for more than six decades, the international system has witnessed the sustained application of economic sanctions as a central instrumentofforeignpolicy, most notably in the cases of Cuba and Iran. While such measures are often justified as tools for promoting political reform or ensuring international security, their long-term humanitarian, legal, and geopolitical consequences demand criticalreassessment.
Increasingly, global discourse is shifting toward a central question: do these policies advance human dignity and stability, or do they instead entrench hardship, exacerbate conflict, and undermine the veryprinciplestheyclaimto uphold?
The case of Cuba remains one of the most enduring examples of economic isolation in modern and contemporary history The United States embargo comprehensive in scope and extraterritorial in applicationhassignificantly constrainedCuba’saccessto globalmarkets,finance,and e s s e n t i a l g o o d s International observers, including United Nations experts, have warned that recentmeasures,suchasfuel restrictions, may violate international law and the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention. The cumulativeeconomiccostof the embargo has reached into the trillions of dollars, affecting three generations of Cuba’s population and nearlyeverysectorofCuban
society Further, its humanitarian impact is
equally profound, contributing to shortages in food, medicine, fertilisers and critical infrastructure, placing disproportionate strain on vulnerable populations particularly children, women, the differently able and the elderly
A comparable, yet distinct, experience is evident in Iran. Decades of sanctions, compounded by recent geopolitical escalation, have severely constrained the country’s economic capacity Inflation, poverty, and food insecurity have risen sharply,withlargesegments of the population experiencing significant hardship. More recently, the escalation into direct conflict particularly the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel has had far-reaching global consequences Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energysupply,haveaffected nearly20%oftheworld’soil trade, approximately 20-21 millionbarrelsofoilperday, triggering price surges and raising the specter of global inflation and recession
Several analysts have warnedanditsnowquitethe
unwelcome reality that such instability is already driving increases in food, medicine andenergycostsworldwide, withdisproportionateeffects on developing and importdependentnations.
Theintersectionofthese crises is particularly significant for small developing countries like Guyana and small island states especially Cuba.As a small, import-dependent e c o n o m y a l r e a d y constrained by sanctions, Cubaisacutelyvulnerableto global shocks in fuel, food, and fertiliser prices. The continued escalation of conflict involving Iran whether viewed as a defensive assertion of sovereignty or as part of a
compounded the economic pressures facing the Cuban people. In this sense, the hardships experienced in Cuba cannot be viewed in isolation; they are part of a wider system of economic and political pressures that reverberate across the GlobalSouth.
Iranitselfalongwiththe overwhelming majority of United nations member stateshavearticulatedstrong opposition to the sanctions
regime imposed on Cuba, characterising it as a violation of international law and the fundamental rights of the Cuban people. This position reflects a broader alignment among n
have experiencedsimilarformsof economic coercion and underscores the shared principle of sovereignty, the right of each state to determine its own political and economic system, free fromexternalinterference.
C
longstanding contributions to global solidarity remain noteworthy Thecountryhas
assistance, educational support, and technical cooperation to a wide array of nations across Latin America, the Caribbean,
Jamaica,Barbados,Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, South Africa,Angola,andAlgeria, among many others, have directly benefited from Cuban expertise. Cuba has also maintained cooperative relations with major global actorsincludingChina, (Continuedonpage06)
The President must ask a broader question
DEAREDITOR, The question as to whetherGuyanashouldhave itsownoilrefineryshouldbe expanded to a question focused on whether the region should increase its refinery capacity As previously mentioned, CRG r e c o m m e n d s t h e establishment of a regional strategic oil reserve that is supported by all oil and gas producers in Caricom Likewise, any discussion pertaining to an oil refinery should be within this context.
The oil refinery in Trinidadhasexcesscapacity and languishes due to a lack of use resulting in financial losses. It would be foolish for Guyana to install additional capacity within our country while excess capacity exists within the region As a founding member of Caricom and the homeofitsheadquartersitis our duty to take a broader perspective on economic development. We are doing so in the agriculture sector, and we should also do so in theoilandgassector
A partnership between Guyana, Trinidad and Surinameshouldbepursued with smaller producers such as Barbados and Belize given the option to also participate in this regional initiative.PresidentAlimust takeabroaderperspectiveof our local sectors to leverage the benefits gained from regional integration and cooperation. Buying power, negotiatingpower,increased expertise and increased demand from a regional approach will strengthen many of the initiatives that our nation is pursuing under his administration. We must not neglect the fundamental reason for the establishment of Caricom. Guyana must always remember its role as a leader in our region and
economic development, and prosperity President Ali should always fully support the objectives of Caricom and seek solutions within thisframework.
Bestregards, JamilChanglee
, WhenAlistairRoutledge stood before the press and dismissed the conversation on windfall taxes with that peculiar blend of power and disdain, it felt like déjà vu from another era. It wasn’t just arrogance — it was the postureofpossession.
In his voice echoed an age when Guyana’s resources were extracted under the watchful eye of imperial masters from the verandas of colonialism, whenthelandyieldedplenty yet the people owned
nothing. Today, we are told that time is past — yet here standstheMassareborn,this time cloaked in corporate polish and crude-oil diplomacy
But what’s more alarming than the arrogance ofEmpireistheobedienceof its overseers. President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo have perfected the art of smilingservitude—offering reassurances to the foreign barons that Guyana is a “secureinvestment,”thatwe will “honor contracts,” that they need not worry about
demands for fairness. They mistake obedience for stability, forgetting that the people’s patience is not infinite and that our independence was never meant to be merely ornamental.
Let this be plain: we are not beholden to Routledge, nor to any foreign master We are not dazzled by glass buildings or slick public relations.
The citizens of this country have broken free frommentalshacklesforged in colonial deceit and
postcolonial compromise We are no longer a people waiting for permission to think, to question, or to demandourdue.
Our desire is not for extravagance or exuberance —itisforequity
For a just share. For governance that answers to the governed, not to the powerful. The oil beneath our feet belongs to the people above it, and no politician or profit-thirsty corporation has the moral right to barter away our future.
So, hear this, Massa and Overseers alike: this sequel played out long ago. We
know the script, we recognise the cast, and we reject the ending. The same instruments once used to chain our ancestors — fear, ignorance, dependency — nolongerworkonafreeand awakenedpeople.
Today’s generation was bornfromapeopleforgedin blood, sweat, tears, resistance,andfortitude.We arethelivingcontinuationof those who toiled and fought so this land might be ours.
And we intend to proudly defend that legacy — to ensurenoforeignoverlordor local collaborator ever feels empowered enough to desecrate their memory or
erase their history Our sovereigntywasboughtwith sacrifice, and we will guard itwithequalresolve.
The People of Guyana stands resolute: no retreat, no surrender We were not born to serve; we were born tostand.
And if need be, we will remind every would-be Massa that this land, its wealth, and its destiny belongnottothem—butto us,thepeopleofGuyana.
In this sequel, we the people, write the script, are participants in the cast and directtheending.
Regards
HemduttKumar
Frompage04 beyondduty.Ourpartnersandfriendsinthe community collaborate with us without seeking rewards. They provide space and refreshments to us when we do outreaches. The community leaders care about Guyana and they come forward to assist with our programmesandvariousactivitiesespecially when we organize national celebrations and take services to communities.Their warmth reception and hospitality define our culture
thatweareaccustomedtoinGuyana”. Brotherson also expressed appreciation forthemanysupporterswhohavehelpedto elevate Guyana’s profile He urged Guyanese to be patient as his staff seeks to cut down on waiting time on appointments for passport renewals. Demand is beyond expectationsasGuyaneseseektorenewtheir linkwiththemotherland.
Yourstruly VishnuBisram
Frompage05
Russia, Mexico, Spain, and Vietnam, as well as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) This extensive network of partnerships reflects a history of international engagement grounded in cooperation rather than coercion.
In light of this history, there exists a compelling moral and diplomatic case for reciprocal support Nations that have benefited from Cuban assistance, as well as those with the economic capacity to provide aid including Canada, members of the European Union, Brazil, India, Russia and emerging economies should consider expanding much needed h u m a n i t a r i a n a n d developmental assistance to Cuba. Such support could take the form of medical supplies, food security initiatives, infrastructure investment, and energy cooperation, all delivered in a manner that respects Cuba’s sovereignty and nationalpriorities.
The recent remarks by PresidentIrfaanAlithat“the
statusquocannotremain”in Cuba reflect a growing regional consensus. Indeed, meaningful change requires both internal adaptation and anexternalenvironmentthat enables rather than constrains development
Constructive engagement, rather than prolonged isolation, offers a more effective pathway toward sustainableprogress.
At a broader level, the experiencesofCubaandIran highlight the limitations of coercive approaches in international relations Economic sanctions and militaryinterventions,while often framed as instruments of liberation or stability, have frequently produced unintendedanddestabilising consequences as the world sawinIraq,Sería,Libiaand Afghanistan.
The current global climate marked by conflict, economic uncertainty, and rising inequality calls for a renewed commitment to diplomacy, multilateralism, and respect for international law
Ultimately, the principle of sovereignty must remain central Nations must be
afforded the space to determine their own trajectories, even as the international community continues to advocate for human rights and development The Cuban people, like the Iranian people and others facing similar pressures, deserve the opportunity to pursue a better quality of life free from undue external constraint.
The time has come for a recalibration of global priorities The easing of economic restrictions on Cuba, coupled with increased international humanitarian assistance, would not only alleviate immediatesufferingbutalso contribute to a more stable and equitable international order
In an interconnected world, policies rooted in empathy, cooperation, and mutual respect are not merely idealistic, they are essential.
The world needs a reset for peace, prosperity and respect for international law andsovereignty
Yoursrespectfully, JermaineFigueira
Guyana is accelerating its transformation into a regionalaviationhub,askey stakeholders converge in Georgetown to craft a modern, forward-looking Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) that will guide the sector’s long-term expansion.
The Guyana Civil AviationAuthority(GCAA), with support from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), hosted a five-day high-level technical training from March 16–20, bringing together top aviation officials, airport executives, regulators, and tourism leaders.
Participants included representatives from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Eugene F Correia International Airport, local international air operators, the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), the Guyana Tourism Authority, and the Civil Aviation Training School The sessions were led by internationally recognised ICAO aviation specialist RobertoSosa.
Minister of Public UtilitiesandAviation,Deodat Indar, said the training was a timely one, and that the Government is developing a Civil Aviation Master Plan that is aligned with His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision and incorporates the views of industrystakeholders
DirectorGeneralLt.Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field, A.A., underscoredthefar-reaching strategic significance of the initiative for Guyana’s aviationlandscape.Henoted that the training was specifically designed to strengthen participants’ technical capacity and institutional knowledge, equipping them with the expertiseandanalyticaltools necessary to produce a
robustCivilAviationMaster Plan.
A Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) serves as a comprehensive, strategic roadmap for states to chart the long-term development and modernisation of their national aviation sectors. The plan addresses critical p i l l a r s i n c l u d i n g infrastructure expansion, airspacemanagement,safety oversight, security frameworks, and economic regulation, ensuring that national aviation goals are firmly aligned with broader economic development impe
and
he S
a n d a r d s a n d Recommended Practices (SARPs) established by ICAO.
Underscoring its commitmenttotransforming Guyana into a regional aviation hub, the Government of Guyana is making significant capital investmentsacrossthesector in 2026, including: the construction of a second passenger terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport; the relocation and construction of a new Air Traffic Control Tower complexatthesameairport; the development of new municipalairportsatLethem (Region 9) and Rosehall (Region 6); and the rehabilitation of more than 30 airstrips across Guyana’s hinterlandregions. Acentraloutcomeofthe training is the collaborative enhancement and updating of Guyana’s 2020 Civil Aviation Master Plan, ensuring it accurately reflectsthecountry’scurrent growthtrajectory,expanding aviation infrastructure, and ambitious long-term development agenda. The training was funded by the Government of Japan and conducted by the Global Aviation Training Office of ICAO.
So m e t h i n g extraordinary is taking place in Guyana. It is a sudden and powerful movement, and it ishappeningrightbeforeour eyes.
Across the country, systemsthatwereonceused mainly by residents are now
being flooded with applications from abroad. Overseas-based Guyanese arerushingtoensuretheyare registeredforlocalIDcards. They are applying for Guyanese passports. Those overtheageof65aresigning up for old-age pensions. At thesametime,thousandsare goingonlinetofilloutforms to secure house lots. This is notatrickle.Itisasurge. Whatmakesthismoment evenmorestrikingisthatitis not only the migrants themselves Their children—many of whom werebornoverseasandhold foreign citizenship are also entering the system. Because their parents are Guyanese, they are eligible for Guyanese citizenship. And they are claiming it in growingnumbers.
Whynow?Theansweris
simple. Guyana has changed.Thecountryisnow an oil-producing nation
Wealth is growing
Opportunities are expanding. Land values are rising.Governmentbenefits,
such as cash grants, pensions, and access to house lots, have become more attractive than ever before. And so, people who left decades ago and their children who have never livedherearenowseekingto secure a share of these benefits.
There is, of course, nothing wrong with being proudofone’sroots.Thereis nothing wrong with reconnecting with one’s homeland. But what we are seeing goes far beyond sentiment or identity It is driven by economics. It is driven by opportunity And, inmanycases,itisdrivenby greed.
The numbers tell a troubling story During the last cash grant distribution, some 600,000 persons registered. That figure is far higher than the total adult population of Guyana. It raises serious questions How is it possible? The answer is clear The list has been swollen—by overseasbased Guyanese, and possibly by duplicate registrations. If this trend continues, theconsequenceswillbereal andimmediate.Considerthe cash grant. A fixed sum of G$70 billion has been set asideforthisexercise.Ifthe number of registrants doubles, the amount each
person receives must fall. What might have been a meaningful grant could shrink to a much smaller sum. A benefit designed to ease the burden on citizens couldloseitsimpact.Instead of $100,000, persons could end up only receiving $50,000.
The same concern applies to house lots. For years, thousands of Guyanese, especially young families and low-income earners, have been waiting patientlyforland.
They have applied, waited, and hoped. Now, they may find themselves competing with applicants wholiveabroad,whoearnin strongercurrencies,andwho may not even intend to live in Guyana. Many of those overseasjustwantthelandto flip. What happens to the dream of home ownership for those who have stayed, struggled, and contributed locally?
And what of the pension system? If large numbers of overseas-based Guyanese begin to register for old-age pensions,thestrainonpublic resources will grow. While the present rules now only permit persons who live in Guyana, the number of persons registered for oldage pensions is believed to surpass the adult population aged65andover
Demboyssehdon’ttrusteverythingyou see on screen—especially when it come to themglossyfruitvideosfloatingaroundon YouTube.Youknowtheones:slow-motion shots of golden pineapples, mangoes shining like they just came out a beauty pageant, bananas lined up like soldiers on parade The camera angle sweet, the lightingperfect,andthevendorsmilinglike hegivingawayblessingsforfree. Ispuretemptation.
You watching the video and already planningyourfruitsalad.Youcouldalmost taste the sweetness through the phone.You telling yourself, “Today is the day I go eat healthy.” You even feeling like a new person—like if one slice of watermelon go washawayallyoursins.
But wait… where is the price? The cameraman doing all kinda gymnastics—zoom in, zoom out, drone shot, close-up—but somehow the price tag missing like it owe somebody money.That is not by accident, you know That is strategy Becauseifthemnumbersshowup on screen, half the viewers would faint beforethevideodone.
Imagine you reach by the stall, still
smiling from the video. You point at a banana. The vendor seh, “$500 a pound—Brazilian.”Youpause.Youlookat the banana. The banana look back at you. Foramoment,youwonderingifitdoessing ordoesgrantwishesforthatprice.Bananas now so expensive, you can’t even slip on onepeelagain—toomuchinvestmentgone towaste.Anddon’ttalkmangoseason.Five for $1000. Not ten, not eight—five. Them mangoesbettercomewithWi-Fiandasmall data plan.Two little pineapples for $1000? Them pineapples so small, you need a magnifyingglasstopeelthem.
Watermelon prices now ranging like a whole Chinese food -$1600 to $3000. You don’t buy watermelon anymore; you apply forit.“Sir,yourloanforoneslicehasbeen approved.”
And yet, every speech you hearing is about “food security.” Well, we secure all right—secure from being able to afford it.
So next time you see them pretty fruit videos, don’t just watch and drool.Ask the real question: “How much?” Because in Guyana today, the fruit might look sweet—butthepriceiswhatreallybitter Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
O v e r s e a s - b a s e d
Guyanese have found ways tobeatthesystem.Theyuse their foreign passports to travel in and out of Guyana but they apply for the pension with their local passports When the authorities check the records, the local passport office shows no evidence of the person leaving Guyana on the local; passport and thus, these persons are registered for old age pensions when they do not liveinGuyana.
The pension funds were meant to support the elderly whoresidehere,whodepend on local systems, and who have spent their lives contributing to the country But this scheme is being abused by overseas based Guyanese.
The government is now preparingtolaunchanappto register persons for the cash grant. This is an important step. But it must be done carefully If the app is accessible worldwide, it could open the floodgates even further It could make an already difficult situation worse Persons living overseas will register easily now; they don’t have to come to Guyana to collect thecashgrant.
There is a simple solution. The system should prioritize residents. Access to the app should be limited tothosephysicallypresentin Guyana, or at the very least, those who can prove continuous residence Strongverificationmeasures must be put in place to prevent duplication and abuse.
The app should be so developedthatitcanonlybe accessed in Guyana. What we are witnessing is extraordinary Butitisalsoa warning. Without clear policies and firm action, this rush could create deep inequalities and lasting resentment. If we are not careful, the very benefits meant to uplift the population could be diluted, stretched,andundermined.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the
or and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
JuanEdghillisaspiritual man. Morethananordinary one,aBishopheis. Receive abowBishopEdghill. Now, the difficult part: where art thou,Eminence? Thoushalt be seen and heard (minister andevangelise),butofthose nary a whisper, not even the thin squeaking of a puppy that’sstillababy
When women are impugned obscenely in moblike public forums, when the tools of our times are twisted viciously to
pierce. To savage those Guyanese who are seen as parasites, who matter as muchasrodents.
The women in the PPP have wrapped themselves in frightened silence, which is regrettable. Butwhatofyou, BishopEdghill?
Apreachermustbemore thanapiousspeakerfromthe pulpit on Saturdays and Sundays. Hemustbeaman of substance, living what he preaches and teaches, fighting for the rights of the
afflictedanddowntrodden. Isn’t that so, Bishop? I believethatJuanEdghillthe minister of politics must be identical to the minister of religion. Can we agree on that, Eminence? The Ten Commandments must be lived by all, especially us two.
And this other one that I am presumptuousness enough to lay at Bishop Edghill’s feet. Thou shalt fear no man. I shall speak, stand for what is right. Go ahead, make my day: fire me. A former minister, but still a presence in the PPP with Cabinet power, lashes out at a citizen, and where areyou,BishopEdghill? Spiritual standards and political standards couldn’t be further apart in this country, in the PPP Govt. But of that I am waiting to h e a r a m o r s e l o f disappointment, Bishop, a drip of impatience, that this hasgoneontoolong. Bishop,youareamanof Christ. Iimploreyou:liveit, Padre. Youknowthecallto
sacrifice,mayactuallyteach it. Hence, it follows, that youshouldbeanexampleof suchsacrifice.
What will the president and vice president do, takeaway your job, replace the bright light that hangs over your head, but which may be misplaced? I am bold enough to assert, Bishop, that you can afford thesacrifice,havingbeenso close to power for so long. Colleagues curse women, abuse children, and make a mockery of virtues, and where are you, Bishop Edghill? Where is that strong, searing man of Christlikevoice?
Surely, his words are heard, but cannot have so little meaning, outside of Saturdays and Sundays, Lordship. Try these words. Thou shalt not kick people. If so for the friendly, then thatmustalsoapplytothose seenasenemy
A Mash Day comment embedded in a letter to the president should never provoke such a desecration
in a democracy Nor what is abhorrent to the deity with whom Bishop Juan Edghill has had such a long, glorious, andprosperousrelationship. If everyone else in this country should see nothing wrong with what is odious. Or, seek shelter in flights of silence, then it is imperative that a man of God, a man of the spiritual caliber, such as BishopEdghillstirsfromhis slumber, and whispers openly
This will not be allowed in my presence This monstrositywillnotbreathe. This foulness must not linger Nobrotherworkerof mine, no comrade of mine, will dare engage in the obnoxious,andfoolishinthe belief that he can get away withanysuchdeformity
Anewstandardhastobe set In the way that expression is presented in thepublicspace. Intheway thatcommunicationfromthe PPP, as a group, as a government,issharedforthe world to digest. Guyanese
hearenoughaboutroadsand airports, and all the great public works that spring up overthiscountry
They wait to hear what Guyana stands for, what Bishop Juan Anthony Edghillisallabout,andwith what there should never be any quibbling. No shifting ofyourfeet,Bishop,toslide around (or away) from challenges.
Nomovingoftheeyesso as not to see what isn’t wished to be seen. Nor rebalancing of the head, Bishop Edghill, so there is shrinking from weighing in, pronouncing. IfyouBishop Edghill cannot see nor hear Nigel Dharmalall, then darknessanddeafnessreign.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere contributing to global warming and climate change In a single project, ExxonMobil will add 1.8 million tonnesofgreenhousegases(GHG) into the atmosphere on an annual basis.
This is outlined in the EnvironmentalImpactAssessment (EIA)submittedforthecompany’s eight deep-water development, Longtail. Guyanese have long arguedthattheStabroekBlockdeal offers little to Guyanese compared with the extent of damage to the environment; and while financial resources cannot reverse these types of impacts, they can help developing nations like Guyana better prepare for disasters caused by climate change, such as flooding.
Accordingtothestudydoneby Exxon’s consultant, Acorn International,“Projectoperations will generate approximately 1,790 kilotonnes per year (or about 1.8M tonnes) of direct GHG emissions (estimated maximum annual during the production operationsstage).”
Comparing this to the country’s totalGHGemissionsin2022,itwas noted that “Guyana’s estimate of annual GHG emissions in 2022 was approximately 1496 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent”
Emissions from Exxon’s Longtail project is expected to increase Guyana’s annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by approximately 11 per cent. To this end,Exxonsaid,“thisamountwill compriseonlyabout1.1percentof
One of the FPSOs that operate offshore Guyana
Guyana’s total carbon sink and a fractionofapercentoftheregional (LatinAmericaandtheCaribbean) GHGemissiontargets.”
The company added, “Predicting the potential impact of localGHGemissionsonglobal(or local)climatechangeisnotfeasible
d u e t o t h e m u l t i p l e factors—beyond that of a single project—that drive global climate changepredictions.
Further,thecompanynotedthat there are no applicable regulatory criteria against which these direct GHG emissions can be compared, however, the emissions will be reportedinaccordancewithGIIPto aidinmanagingGHGemissionsat
anationalandinternationallevel.
DirectGHGemissionsfromthe project were estimated based on several factors, including activity levels, fuel types, equipment capacities, vendor-provided data, emission factors published by the American Petroleum Institute, and standard emission factors published by the U S EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
During the drilling and installationstageoftheoperations, total estimated annual direct GHG emissions are expected to grow from 235 kilotonnes per year in 2027 through 2029 to 2,530 kilotonnesperyearin2030through 2031.
Thecompanyhascommittedto implement several measures to reduce GHG and other air emissions during project activities especially where flaring is concerned It said a backup generatorwillbeincorporatedinto the design of the Floating ProductionStorageandOffloading vessel(FPSO)toreduceupsettime as part of its flare management plan;installingwasteheatrecovery units on turbine generators to reduce the demand of more power generation or fired heaters, thus decreasing fuel gas consumption andusingaclosedflaredesignthat allowsforcertainlevelsoflow-rate gas releases to be collected and
contained within the flare piping system and recycled back to the process gas handling system insteadofgoingtoflare.
ExxonMobil is now mandated to report on carbon dioxide pollution or scope 3 emissions, following a court ruling in March 2025. Two citizens, Wintress MorrisandJoyMarcus,hadfileda legal action against the EPA for failing to ensure the impacts of ExxonMobil’s seventh oil projectHammerhead-isproperlyassessed.
The EIA explained that Exxon planstodrillapproximately24to60 development wells, with developmentwelldrillingscheduled to begin in 2027 and possibly extending as late as 2031 and beyond Itsaidinstallationofsubsea components is slated to commence in 2028 with installation of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), commissioningandstartupplanned tooccurfrom2028to2031
Longtailisexpectedtocontinue foratleast30yearsaccordingtothe project schedule. Unlike previous developmentsfocusedprimarilyon oil, Longtail will focus on gas production It will produce hydrocarbons from the nonassociated gas fields and potential proximal resources according to theEIA.
TheFPSOisbeingdesignedto produce 250,000 barrels of condensateperday(bpd)withagas production capacity of 1,200 millionstandardcubicfeetperday (MMscf/day) BlackRock Midstreamdescribescondensateas extremelylightoil.
Dozensofpatientsliving withdebilitatingorthopaedic conditions are getting a second chance at active, independent lives as the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation (GPHC), in partnership with the Health and Education Relief Organisation (HERO), rolls out a week-long surgical mission.
From March 16 to 22, a combined team of local and international specialists is performing 38 adult and paediatric procedures, targeting conditions that severelyimpactmobilityand qualityoflife.
For many patients, these surgeries represent not only relieffrompain,butalsothe opportunity to regain independence and return to daily activities. The visiting HERO team, led by Dr Wayne Bazil, began consultations shortly after arrivingonFridayMarch13, 2026, working alongside GPHC’s orthopedic unit to
patients.
The surgeries include anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions,
clubfoot repairs, meniscal andlabralprocedures,many using minimally invasive techniques made possible through GPHC’s recent
acquisition of arthroscopic technology GPHC says the intervention not only deliverscriticalcarebutalso reduces the need for costly
overseas treatment, while improving recovery times and long-term outcomes for patients.
Themissionalsosupports
skills transfer, with local medical staff receiving hands-on training and exposure to advanced surgical techniques, strengthening Guyana’s capacitytodeliverspecialised orthopaedic care HERO, a U S -based non-profit founded by Guyanese physiciansinthediasporaand it is driven by a shared commitmenttogivingbackto their homeland The organisation has been conductingbiannualmissions since 2007, facilitating hundreds of life-changing surgeriesacrossthecountry
Theteamiscomprisedof Dr Wayne Bazil, President of HERO, along with Dr Rory Lewis, Dr Ronald Chase,Dr ClaudeScott,Dr Brody Dawkins, and Dr Shanay Fischer The collaboration underscores ongoing efforts to expand access to specialised healthcare and improve p a t i e n t o u t c o m e s nationwide.
(Reuters) - Oil prices look set to rise further on Monday, having closed before the at their highest in nearly four years, after U.S. and Iranian threats to target energy facilities, analysts saidonSunday
U.S. President Donald
Trump on Saturday threatened to “obliterate” Iran’spowerplantsifTehran didnotfullyreopentheStrait ofHormuzwithin48hours,a significant escalation barely a day after he talked about “winding down” the war, nowinitsfourthweek.
Iran warned on Sunday it would attack U S -linked infrastructure, ‘including energy and desalination facilities in the Gulf, if Trump carried out his threat
OnFriday,Brentfutures forMaysettledup3 26%at $112 19abarrel,thehighest sinceJuly2022
“President Trump’s threat has now placed a 48hour ticking time bomb of elevated uncertainty over markets,” said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore If theultimatumisnotwalked
back, oil prices will spike onMonday,hesaid.
“It clearly means more escalation which means higher oil prices. Some are incorrectly thinking,
however, that Iran may cave,” said Amrita Sen, founder of EnergyAspects.
“Trumpistryingtoshowhe can out-escalate and that way ends in scorched earth
forGulfinfrastructure.”
Iran has ports ‘and refineries in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar in retaliation for attacks on its infrastructure.
The closure of Hormuz resultedinalossofafullfour days of global supply - or some 440 million barrelsduringthe22daysofthewar sofar
Tehran has so far refrained from attacking large desalination plants in Saudi and the ‘UAE, which areresponsibleforthewater supply for millions of people.
Large scale damage to those facilities could make some cities in the Gulf uninhabitable within weeks and force mass evacuations and cascading power failures, according to the AtlanticCouncil.
Brent ‘gained about 8.8% last week, while the front-month WTI settled down around 0 4% compared with last Friday’s close. WTI’s discount to Brent hit its widest in 11 yearsonWednesday
Restoring supplies from the Middle East Gulf could ‘take up to six months, InternationalEnergyAgency chief Fatih Birol told the FinancialTimesonFriday T h e T r u m p a d m i n i s t r a t i o n i s considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island to pressure Iran to reopentheStraitofHormuz, AxiosreportedonFriday
(Reuters) - Cuba is prepared for the unlikely possibility of a military engagement with the U.S., Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said at the weekendinresponsetoU.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to take over the CaribbeanIslandnation.
H a v a n a a n d Washington entered talks earlier this month as an oil blockade imposed by Trump pushes the Communist-run nation deeper into economic crisis
‘Trump on Monday escalated his rhetoric
against Cuba, saying he expected to have the “honor”oftakingCuba
“Our country has historically been ready to mobilise as a nation as a whole for military aggression We don’t believeitissomethingthatis probable, but we would be naive if we do not prepare,” deCossiotoldNBC’s“Meet the Press” in remarks aired onSunday “We don’t see `it would have to occur, and we find no justification whatsoever ” Reports had suggested the Trump administration was seeking to remove
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canelfrompower
De Cossio also said any suggestion of the nature, the structure, ‘or members of the Cuban governmentbeingsubjectto negotiation in talks with the U.S.isuntrue.
He added a regime changeis“absolutely”off the `table in discussions withtheUnitedStates
The U.S. military is not rehearsingforaninvasionof Cuba or actively preparing ‘to militarily take over the island, the top general overseeing American forces in Latin America told lawmakersonThursday
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio speaks during a press conference following an armed incident involving a Floridaregistered speedboat and a Cuban patrol, in Havana, Cuba, February 26, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Alien Cabrera
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d)
Mark Phillips has called for urgent, deeper cooperation between Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, positioning the partnership as critical to tackling shared global challenges. Speaking at the CELAC–Africa High-Level ForuminColombia,Phillips emphasised the need to strengthen South-South collaboration through joint action on climate change, food security, technology andeconomicdevelopment.
“Wehaveanopportunityto collaborate in sharing experiences, technical cooperationandjointadvocacy intheseareaswhichimpactthe development of our societies Issues of the environment, climate change, food security, improved health care systems, digital connectivity and technology, and peace and security, which continue to be ofinterestandconcerntoboth our regions, can in reality be honed as the pillars of our development cooperation.”
Prime Minister Mark Phillips highlightedclimatechangeasa key area for cooperation, recognising Guyana’s vulnerability as a low-lying coastal nation and reaffirming its commitment through the Low Carbon Development Strategy and the Global Biodiversity Alliance. He also called on both regions to collectively pursue the 1 5 degrees Celsius target and financing for resilience building, adaptation, and loss and
damage.
Turning his attention to foodsecurity,hecalledforthe establishmentofjointresearch programs,coordinatedsharing ofagriculturaltechnology,and theexchangeofbestpractices to build climate-resilient agricultural systems. He emphasised that such collaboration can stabilise food supply chains and improve long-term sustainability “There are lots of lessons to be learned and technologytobesharedacross our continents, which can support sustainable and climate-resilient agri-food systems,” the Prime Minister added
The Prime Minister also addressed historical and culturalties,notingthedeeprooted connections between Africa and the Caribbean. Hereiteratedtheimportance of continued advocacy for reparatory justice, noting CARICOM’s ongoing efforts through its ten-point action plan. On economic cooperation, he identified trade and investment as central pillars for advancing development. He called for theestablishmentofspecific bi-regionaltradeagreements
to improve market access, the initiation of targeted private sector partnership programs, and the development of transport connectivity p
betweentheregions.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Mark Phillips stressed the importance of
CELAC–Africapartnershipto ensure sustained and meaningful engagement, stressing that establishing a Joint Commission would be critical to advancing cooperation and delivering tangibleoutcomes Hepraised Colombia and Burundi’s leadership in convening the forum, reiterating that increased cooperation among developingregionsisvitalina
landscape. The forum, led by Colombia (Pro Tempore President of CELAC) and Burundi(ChairoftheAfrican Union),markedamilestonein formalising cooperation “Let us seize this historic opportunity as leaders of countries within our regions, to d
determination and resolve to forge a sustainable and equitable future for our countries,” he urged Prime Minister Phillips reaffirmed Guyana’s unwavering commitment to the CELACA
o d u c t i v e partnership process and to the implementation of cooperation programmes conducive to an inclusive and mutually beneficial socio-economic agenda (DPI)
1,000 prisoners trained yearly as Guyanadrivesrecidivismtorecordlow
Approximately 1,000 prisoners each year are being equipped with critical skills through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, as part of a national push to reduce recidivism by prioritising rehabilitationandreintegration.
Inmates across Guyana’s prison system arebenefitingfromawiderangeoftraining initiatives focused on behaviour change,
entrepreneurship, and academic development preparing them for a smoother transition back into society
Speaking at the just concluded Guyana Prison Service (GPS) Senior Officers’ Conference, Director of Prisons (ag) Nicklon Elliot revealed that prisoners are nowenrollingintheGuyanaDigitalSchool platform to further enhance their personal skills. HealsoaddedthattheGPScontinues to expand the reintegration process by providingprisonerswithatoolkitupontheir release, which would contribute to their employment,thusgivingthemafreshstart. “Overall, these efforts contribute significantly to the decline in persons
committing offences and returning to prison. Hence, Guyana has recorded the lowestrecidivismrateof14percentwithin theCaribbeanregion,andweareworkingto further reduce this number,” the director stated.Beyondinmateupskilling,thedirector notedthatofficersarealsoundergoingtraining programmes to improve their personal skills andbettersupportrecidivismreductionefforts
Atotalofsixofficerscompletedtheirmaster’s degrees in public administration, human resource management, health care managementandsocialwork
Another 12 completed their bachelor’s degrees, 35 completed their diploma programmes, 17 earned technical certificates, and 362 participated in tertiary certificateprogrammesinthefieldofprison management. Meanwhile, in advancing technology, the GPS collaborated with the National Data Management Authority (NDMA)todigitaliseprisoners’recordsand warrants, as well as staff personal files.All staff personal files have already been digitalised, while 90 per cent of prisoners’ recordsandwarrantshavebeendigitalised, withtheremaindertobecompletedshortly. (DPI)
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AIDS-related deaths across the Caribbean have dropped by more than 60 per cent since 2010, a major public health breakthrough, but regional leaders warn the fight is far from over.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, made the disclosure while attending the 10th Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners in Trinidad and Tobago, where officials are assessing progress and tightening strategies to combat HIV.
Dr. Anthony said the sharp decline in deaths is the result of years of sustained investment, expanded treatment access, and coordinated regional action. “This progress did not happen by accident. It happened be-
cause governments invested in treatment. It happened because of our collective work to provide dignity and care…it shows us something important: that when the Caribbean commits to a challenge, it can deliver results,” Dr. Anthony stated according to a Department of Public Information press release.
The meeting, which ran from March 17–20, brought together National AIDS Programme managers, chief medical officers, permanent secretaries, and representatives from finance, planning, and community development sectors, reflecting a multisectoral approach to addressing HIV in the region.
Despite the progress, Dr. Anthony cautioned that the Caribbean continues to record approximately 15,000 new HIV infections annually, with young people remaining among the most vulnerable
groups. He highlighted that the Caribbean now has access to stronger tools than ever before, including expanded HIV testing services, improved treatment regimens, and innovative prevention methods.
Among the key government and regional initiatives driving progress are: expansion of HIV testing and treatment services across public health systems, improving early detection and long-term care outcomes; scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) access, contributing significantly to reduced AIDS-related mortality; regional coordination through PANCAP, strengthening policy alignment and technical support among CARICOM states; integration of HIV services into primary healthcare systems, improving accessibility at the community level; targeted prevention programmes for
key populations and young people, aimed at reducing new infections and specialised laboratory equipment to conduct viral load testing, ensuring patients are effectively monitored.
The minister further called for enhanced regional cooperation to secure affordable medicines and emerging technologies, while maintaining a people-centred approach that prioritises vulnerable populations. “We have proven that we can deliver results. Now, we must decide, will we manage AIDS, or will we end it?” he said. Minister Anthony reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to accelerate progress toward the goal of ending AIDS in the Caribbean, noting that coordinated action will be critical in achieving long-term success.
Iran says Hormuz open to all but ‘enemy-linked’ ships
An LPG gas tanker at anchor as traffic is down in the Strait of Hormuz, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Shinas, Oman, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo 48 hours.
DUBAI, March 22 (Reuters) - The Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to “Iran’s enemies”, Iranian media reports on Sunday quoted Iran’s representative to the U.N. maritime agency as saying.
Ali Mousavi’s comments came from an interview published on Friday by Chinese news agency Xinhua, before U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to target ‘Iranian power plants if the strait was not “fully open” within
The threat of Iranian attacks during the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has kept most ships from getting through the narrow strait, the conduit for around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, threatening a global energy shock.
Mousavi, who is also Iran’s ambassador to ‘UK, was also quoted as saying that Tehran would continue to cooperate with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to improve maritime
safety and protect seafarers in the Gulf, adding that ships ‘not belonging to “Iran’s enemies” could pass the strait by coordinating security and safety arrangements with Tehran. “Diplomacy remains Iran’s priority.
However, a complete ‘cessation of aggression as well as mutual trust and confidence are more important,” Mousavi said, adding that Israeli ‘and U.S. attacks against Iran were at the “root of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz”.
The four children who were injured in Friday’s deadly crash along the Airy Hall Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, have all been discharged from the Mahaicony Public Hospital andarerecoveringwell.
Relatives confirmed to Kaieteur News on Sunday that the children, who sustained minor injuries, were discharged on Saturday
Theyarecurrentlybeing caredforbyfamilymembers at Tuchen, East Bank Essequibo.
The children are relatives of Seerochanie Khemraj of Tuchen New Housing Scheme, who lost her life in the crash. Also killed was the driver of the hire car, Nicklas Lillah of Lot 918 Tuchen Housing Scheme.
Among the injured are Khemraj’s 14-year-old daughter, along with her husband’s nieces and nephews:a14-year-oldboy, a 17-year-old girl, and a 12year-oldboy
Relatives explained that Khemraj had been traveling to Mahaicony with the children on Friday to visit her stepdaughter and other relativesinBerbicewhenthe tragedyoccurred. Khemraj’s daughter, nowleftwithouthermother, is being supported by cousins and other family members as they cope with theloss.“Sheisdoingokay; she’s with her cousins who are helping her,” a relative said.
Family members
described the incident as shocking and said it has opened wounds of grief among relatives and close friends. “It’s shocking news because nobody expected it,”therelativeadded.
K h e m r a j w a s remembered as a kind and lovingperson.
A post-mortem examination is expected to beconductedonMonday
According to a report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), preliminary investigations revealed that Lillah was driving hire car
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) joined the international community in observing the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Saturday under the theme, “Mobilising Political Will: 60 Years of CommemoratingtheInternationalDayfortheEliminationof RacialDiscrimination.”
In a statement the ERC said the milestone offers an opportunitynotonlytoreflectonglobalprogress,butalsoto reaffirmtheurgencyofsustainedactiontoeliminateallforms ofracialprejudice.
The ERC noted that in Guyana, where diversity is a defining feature of national identity, the Commission emphasisesthatharmonymustbeactivelynurturedthrough understanding,respect,andinclusiveengagement.
“The ERC remains committed to its constitutional mandateofpromotingharmonyandgoodrelationsamongall ethnicgroups,recognisingthatsocialcohesionisessentialto sustainablenationaldevelopment.”
Thecommissionsaidoverthepastyear,ithasadvanceda range of initiatives aimed at strengthening public awareness and encouraging responsible social conduct These include nationwide school and community engagements, extensive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) trainings within the publicandprivatesector,andongoingmediamonitoringand investigativeeffortstoaddressinstancesofraciallyinsensitive orprejudicialremarks,particularlywithindigitalspaces
“While progress continues to be made, the Commission notes that emerging challenges, especially within online platforms, require sustained attention The ERC therefore encouragesallcitizenstoexerciseresponsibilityintheirpublic discourse and to contribute positively to the promotion of mutual respect and understanding On this observance, the Commission calls for continued collaboration among public institutions, civil society, private sector entities, and communitiestoreinforcethevaluesoftoleranceandinclusion TheCommissionreaffirmsitsdedicationtofosteringaGuyana in which our ethnic diversity is respected, differences are understood, and all citizens can coexist in an environment of peaceandharmony,”theERCstatementconcluded
HD 5859 east along the northern side of Huntly Public Road, Mahaicony, behind a line of traffic
While attempting to overtake, the vehicle collided with the rear-view mirror of motor car PAN 2760,whichwastravelingin thesamedirection.
Police said the driver continued at a fast rate of speed and, upon reaching Airy Hall Public Road, lost control while negotiating a sharp left bend. The car struck an aluminium rail, continued north along the eastern side of the road, and then collided with a GPL utilitypole.
The impact left the hire car extensively damaged LillahandKhemrajwhowas seatedinthefrontpassenger seat, sustained severe injuries and were found unconscious at the scene. They were taken to the
The car involved in the accident resulting in the death of taxi driver Nicklas Lillah and passenger, Seerochanie Khemraj, also leaving four children injured.
Mahaicony Public Hospital, wheretheywerepronounced deadonarrival.
The four children, who were also in the vehicle, were taken to the same hospitalfortreatment. Investigations into the accidentareongoing.
Trinidad and Tobago social media personality, Jamel Sampson is set to expand his ice cream brand, Certified Scoop, into Guyana with a new location atTAJDreamOgle.
According to a press release issued March 18, the new outlet will form part of the TAJ Dream Ogle development,amajormixed-
use
constructionneartheEugene F. Correia International Airport.Thestoreisexpected toopeninmid-2027andwill be the brand’s third location and its first outside of TrinidadandTobago
“Guyana is one of the mostexcitingmarketsinthe Caribbean right now,” Sampson said “Opening
Certified Scoop at TAJ Dream Ogle and purchasing my first condo in the development was an easy decision. I believe strongly inthefutureofGuyana,both for business and for real estate.”
Sampson,whohasbuilta regional following of more than four million across social media platforms, has
grown his brand into a recognisable name across the Caribbean. His existing outlets in Trinidad have attracted strong customer turnout, driven by both the product and the brand’s entertainment-focused experience.
The Guyana location is expected to replicate that model, combining premium ice cream offerings with the personalityofthebrand.The expansionisalsoexpectedto create employment opportunities locally, while incorporating characters from the Certified Sampson brand into the in-store experience.
Developer Giovanni Mola said the move signals confidence in Guyana’s growingeconomy
“The fact that he is not onlyopeningabusinesshere but also purchasing a condo speaks volumes about the confidence regional entrepreneurs have in Guyana’sfuture,”Molasaid.
TAJDreamOgleisbeing developed by Coastal Rim Properties in partnership with former NBA Hall of FamerHakeemOlajuwon.
Theprojectformspartof a broader surge in commercial and residential investments across Guyana, driven by rapid economic growth in recent years. TAJ Dream Ogle is slated for completion and opening in mid-2027.
(Reuters) - Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi cruised to victory at the MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday for his fourth consecutive Grand Prix win and now leads the championshipstandings.
The 27-year-old Italian, starting second on the grid, quicklygrabbedtheleadand never looked back for his second win of the year after his triumph at the seasonopening Thailand Grand Prixearlierthismonth.
stretchtoclaimthird.
Bezzecchisaidheandhis teamwereforcedtodigdeep after struggling during Friday’srain-hitpractice.
Jorge Martin made it an Aprilia 1-2 and VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio held ‘offMarcMarquezdownthe
“Itwasatoughweekend, itwassupertoughonFriday, westartedinabadwayandit was difficult to keep the motivation super high,”
Aprilia Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi
You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries. Your persuasivemannerandgentle nudges are just enough to get peoplewhereyouwantthem.
When faced with ten entrees onthemenu,itmightbehard for you to choose just one. Feelfreetoordertwoormore, Ta u r u s D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down.Atthesametime.
Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act onthem,Gemini.Nooneelse is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take mattersintoyourownhands.
If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them nomind,Cancer Youhavethe righttoliveyourlifeanyway youwantto.
Reachforthepotofgoldatthe end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closerthanyouthink.Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.
VIRGO
Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think aboutwhatitisthatyouwant most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to howfaryoucango.
Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra.
opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm.Followthemusic.
Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring moremagicintoyourlife.
Today is an excellent day for you,oneinwhichyou'llfinda great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius Trust that your instincts are serving youwell.
Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you needtomakesenseofitall.In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through.
Mix your reality with a bit of fantasytoday,Aquarius.Allow your feet to come off the ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.
Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor Dreamasbigasyour mindallows.
Bezzecchisaid.
“But the guys did a wonderful job and I pushed myselfoverthelimittotryto compensate everything I could and at the end we found the way to make the bikeinafantasticway
“I adjusted some details on my riding `from this morning I felt better, so I said,‘Okay,maybeIcantry to fight.’It was an amazing race,I’msuperhappy.”
With the win, Bezzecchi overtook KTM’s Pedro Acosta and now leads the championship standings by 11points.
Bezzecchi dedicated the victorytohisfriendRoberto Lunadei, a 42-year-old mechanic who died in ‘a road traffic accident last week.
Theracedistancewascut from31lapsto23amidtrack degradation concerns and scorching temperatures in Goiania, a change that was only announced just before thestart‘oftherace.
Saturday’s sprint race wasdelayedbymorethanan hour as officials carried out urgent track repairs after a large hole was discovered nearthestartingline.
The competition at ‘the Ayrton Senna Circuit
marked MotoGP’s return to Brazil for the first time in morethantwodecades.
(Cricinfo) - The Pakistan Super League (PSL)2026willtakeplacein front of empty stadiums owing to the ongoing West Asia crisis. The tournament hasalsobeenreducedtotwo venues, and not six, as was originally scheduled All PSL matches will now take place in Lahore or Karachi. The opening ceremony in Lahore has also been cancelled.
PCB chairman Mohsin
Naqvi left open the possibility that the later stages of the tournament could be held with crowds, butthatwouldbecontingent on the “crisis” in Iran ending. “Perhaps it ends in 10days,perhaps15.”
TheconflictinWestAsia has also resulted in a global oil crisis, the impact of
whichhasbeenkeenlyfeltin Pakistan,especiallywiththe disruptions to oil supply in the Strait of Hormuz. “The PrimeMinisterrequestedall of Pakistan to restrict their movements because of the fuelcrisis,”Naqvisaid.“We closedschoolsandinstituted work from home and increasedthenumberofEid holidays. We don’t know howlongthiswarwilllast.
“Looking at all of this and after discussions with our security agencies, we decided that the PSL would continue as per the original schedule. But we can’t ask people to restrict their movements and then have 30,000 people in stadiums everyday
We decided that as long as this crisis is ongoing, we will not have crowds at
matches.Thiswasadifficult decision, but it needed to be made The opening ceremony will also be cancelled.”
Naqvi said the PCB would compensate the franchiseownersfortheloss of revenue resulting from empty crowds, the large majorityofwhichgoestothe franchises.
He also promised to refund all those who had already bought tickets for the tournament He apologised to the cities who would no longer get to host matches, especially Peshawar, which was scheduledtohostonematch on March 28, and promised that the PSL would be open to more venues the followingyear
“Because there are no crowds anyway, there was no reason to go to those cities And we have to restrict our movements so resourcesarenotwasted.”
The PSL is set to begin on 26 March, with the final on3May
PCB ‘will take action’ against players opting out forIPL
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has promised to take legal action against players whohaveleftthePSLforthe IPL at the last minute, with the two leagues clashing for thesecondyearinarow
Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka has become the second player to do so, opting out of Lahore Qalandars’ roster to replace the injured Sam Curran for RajasthanRoyalsattheIPL.
Australia allrounder
Daniel Sams will replace Shanaka at Qalandars Blessing Muzarabani had alreadypulledoutofthePSL after securing an IPL deal with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
“We will take action against those players according to the rules,” NaqvisaidonSunday
There was a case last yeartoo[CorbinBosch,who wasbannedfromthePSLfor oneyear],andthesamething willhappenthistime.”
Bosch was a diamond pickforPeshawarZalmilast time but he made a late switch to play for Mumbai IndiansintheIPL.
“ClashingwiththeIPLis not an issue because if players are going there, we’re getting excellent playerscominghereaswell. We could not afford to postpone the PSL because wehavenootherwindowall year.”
There have also been other withdrawals this PSL, with Gudakesh Motie, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ottneil Baartman and Spencer Johnson among those pulling out, though most of them have cited personal reasons.
ThePSLissettostarton March 26, two days before the IPL kicks off across the border
The PSL will be played behind closed doors, however, Naqvi announced onSunday,becauseofanoil crisis amid the West Asia conflict. The venues have also been trimmed from the original six to just two: LahoreandKarachi.
(Cricinfo) - Pivotal handsfromGeorgiaVolland Ellyse Perry then critical spells from Alana King and Kim Garth helped Australia seala2-0seriesvictoryover West Indies despite a stunning half-century from Hayley Matthews that brieflythreatenedtostealthe gameinKingstown.
Voll’s blistering 39 from 23 and Perry’s classy 42 from 28 underpinned Australia’s 164 for 5. It was anidenticaltotaltogameone but it was reached in completely different fashion with Voll smashing six boundaries and a six in a brutal powerplay onslaught before West Indies’bowlers peggedAustraliabackinthe second half of the innings.
PhoebeLitchfieldalsomade 35 off 29 as West Indies’ bowlers shared the five scalps between them however they lost Chinelle Henry to a left hand injury while fielding in her follow through.
Garth’s opening spell, whichincludedamaiden,set up Australia’s victory as Matthews struggled to 1 off 12 before finally breaking free to make 56 from 41 to give West Indies hope of haulingin75fromthelast48 balls with nine wickets in hand.ButKingextinguished all hopes, picking up Matthews and Stafanie Taylortofinishwith2for25 and the player of the match award.Garth deserved more
rewardsinheroutstanding0 for 20 from four overs but a late missed chance off her bowling allowed Deandra Dottin to finish with 39 not out from 28 and cut the margin to 17 runs when it wassettobemuchlarger
The win handed Sophie Molineux her first series victoryascaptainhavingnot bowled or batted in either game after carrying a back injuryintothetour Australia also lost Ashleigh Gardner pre-game to hamstring tightness.
Vollfiresinthepowerplay
Voll exploded out of the blocks. Two powerful pull shots and a pair of cracking drivesoffbothfeetfoundthe rope inside the first two overs She also inflicted more damage beyond the scoreboard A brutal off drive damaged Henry’s left hand as she tried to field in her follow-through The allrounder only bowled two oversbeforeleavingthefield andlaterdidn’tbat.
Voll kept going, slog sweeping Karishma Ramharack for six before thumping her straight down the ground. But her innings ended when she tried to go again off the last ball of the powerplay, miscuing Ramharack to mid-on Australia posted 54 for 1 in the first six, in spite of Beth Mooney failing to score at higher than a run-a-ball in the powerplay for the fifth straightT20Ithisyear.
WestIndieshaulitback Australia’s innings stalledafterVoll’sfireworks. Mooneywasdeceivedbyan exceptionalpieceofbowling from Afy Fletcher The legspinner celebrated her 100th T20I wicket in style with drift and drop, undoing Mooney who was beaten in flight to be bowled after a wildswipe.
Litchfield and Perry shared a 58-run stand but it was less than fluent Litchfield struggled for timing while Perry did most of the heavy lifting as she foundtheboundarysixtimes including two delightful strikes over and through
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Jaquan Smith equalised before later netting again to spark a comeback. Malachi Charles then struck the decisivegoaltocompletethe turnaround.
In another exciting contest, Three Mile Secondary struck early to defeat Carmel Secondary 2–1, with Joshua James and Durel Washington scoring within the opening six minutes.
Terry Bruce pulled one back for Carmel, but the earlydeficitprovedtoomuch toovercome.
Annandale Secondary opened their 2026 campaign withacomposed2–0victory over Mackenzie High, courtesy of first-half goals from Lephan Henry and
Malachi Jarvis Despite efforts to respond, MackenzieHighwereunable to recover from the early blows.
After that, New
Amsterdam Secondary edgedGoodHopeSecondary 3–2 in another closely contested match, with Jaffarrie Albert, Eon Williams and Enqi Leacock providing the goals. Kareem Critchlow and Emmanuel WhartonrespondedforGood Hope, but their efforts fell justshort.
Lodge Secondary marked their return to the championship with a solid 3–1 win over New Central High Dane Vancooten netted a first-half double, while Kemonthy Jones opened the scoring with a
well-takenfreekick.
Meanwhile in the final fixture, Santa Rosa Secondary secured a 3–0 victoryagainstSt.Stanislaus College.
Darren Williams struck twiceintheopeningstagesto puthissidefirmlyincontrol, before Jamal Abrahams added a late third to seal the result.
Aftertwodaysofaction, the tournament is already taking shape, with several teams laying down clear markers as the competition intensifies in the coming days.
The tournament is sponsored by Massy Distribution, with support from Demerara Mutual Group and the Ministry of Education.
cover She did benefit from Jannillea Glasgow dropping her at mid-off on 21 However, Australia only scored 39 runs in the last 30 balls of the innings with Litchfield and Perry both holingout.NicolaCareywas the only batter to find the rope in the last three overs, doing so twice, as Jahzara Claxton and Dottin finished wellwiththeball.
Matthewsmixedshow West Indies’ powerplay was disastrous by
comparison toAustralia’s as they scored just 26 for 1.
Garth was exceptional, bowling a maiden to Matthews and then another overthatcostjustthreeruns. It should have been one as a pair of needless wild throws cost two runs when West Indies’ batters weren’t running.
Qiana Joseph’s running wascostlyasshewasrunout trying for a straightforward single.
Matthews’ early lack of
intent was confusing. She scoredjust1fromherfirst12 ballsandbarelyplayedashot inangeruntilsheslogswept King for six Once the fielding restrictions ended, Matthews then took more risks with four out and went on a rampage Carey dropped a catch on the rope to hand Matthews another six She thumped seven boundaries and two sixes to reachherhalf-centuryoff38 balls and reduced the equation to just 75 needed from 48 balls with nine wicketsinhand.
King’sclassshinesagain Matthews had taken King for 19 from her first two overs, but King extracted her revenge in the 13th over as Matthews miscued to mid-off She weaved her magic to take 2 for7fromherlasttwoovers to ruin West Indies’ chase. Taylor ran past a beautifully bowled leg break to be stumped by a large margin. Georgia Wareham bagged Shemaine Campbelle to add to their woes before Garth returned to close it out. She deserved the wicket of Dottin who skied a slower ball straight up however Mooney misjudged it in the wind.ButDottinwasunable to clear the rope enough in thefinalover
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their previous 10 Premier League matches and their chances of a top-five finish wereatriskofslippingaway after three Premier League defeats But, buoyed by reachingthequarter-finalsof the Europa League in midweek, Villa were a constant threat in a marked improvement from their recentleagueform.
Captain John McGinn opened the scoring with a sweetleft-footedstrikefrom
the edge of the area, teed up by Jadon Sancho in a setpieceroutinestraightoffthe trainingground.
That was just one of many Villa chances in the first half with Watkins also twicegoingcloseandLucas Dignefiringwide.
The hosts also had a penalty decision overturned
Watkins in the area - referee PaulTierney was sent to the monitor by the video
assistant referee (VAR) and quickly changed his decision.
Itwasadeservedvictory for a side hunting a fourth successive season of European football with the PremierLeague’stopfiveall butguaranteedaChampions Leagueplace.
Villa will enter the international break fourth in the top flight, five points clear of Liverpool in fifth, while West Ham remain 18th,onepointfromsafety
Santa Rosa Secondary keeping a clean sheet against St Stanislaus College in their opening encounter
Sunshineandsteady
breezes set the s t a g e f o r a dramatic second day of action in the 12th Annual Massy Distribution Boys’
Under-18 Secondary
S c h o o l s F o o t b a l l Tournament, but nothing could have prepared spectatorsforthesheerscale of domination that unfolded at the Queen’s College ground.
Headline honours
belonged to Chase’s Academic Foundation, whose ruthless 22–0 dismantlingofTheBishop’s High sent an early and emphaticwarningtotherest of the field. Last year’s runners-upneededlittletime toassertcontrol,runningriot inaone-sidedaffairthatnow stands as the most lopsided
result of the tournament’s openinground.
Nyron Barrow and Germaine Garrett each recorded hat-tricks, while Dimani Hardy, Shaquan David,MarkGlasgow,Jadan Tasher,FabioKowlessarand Jadan Christian all contributed braces in a relentless attacking display Kemron Pellew, Aaron Vasconcelos and Darius
Chester also found the scoresheet to complete the rout.
Earlier in the day, Belladrum Secondary made an equally strong statement, brushing aside New Campbellville Secondary 5–0.DeadrianMcKenzieled the charge with the tournament’s first hat-trick, setting the tone for a commanding performance
Chase’s Nyron Barrow goes on the loose against the Bishops
from the East Coast side. KahienHerculesandRoland Daniels added further goals tosealacomfortablevictory Anna Regina Secondary edged a thrilling contest against President’s College, prevailing 3–2 in a hardfought encounter Goals from Darius Pearson, Nickeem Braithwaite and Jerry Stephen proved decisive, handing P
n
’ s College traditionally
ve resilience—anearlysetback. We s t D e m e r a r a Secondary also secured a narrow 3–2 win over Brickdam Secondary in one of the day’s more competitive fixtures. After an early opener from Brickdam’sCherbubTrim, (Continuedonpage25)
( B B C S p o r t )Nottingham Forest took a giant leap to safety and plunged Tottenham further intorelegationdangerwitha devastingvictoryatSpurs.
Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo
Awoniyi settled the basementbattletoliftForest three points clear of the PremierLeague’sdropzone.
ForestleapfroggedSpurs into16thtoleavethehostsa pointabovethebottomthree after West Ham’s defeat at AstonVilla.
It casts further doubt on the future of Tottenham interimmanagerIgorTudor, whohasonlybeenincharge sevengames.
Tottenham failed to sign Gibbs-White last summer, a transfer saga which left Forest threatening Spurs withlegalaction.
Fastforward seven-anda-half months, the England midfielder’sgoalcouldhave helpedpushedthemcloserto the Championship with a huge result for Forest - their first win in the Premier LeagueundermanagerVitor Pereira after he joined in February
Spurshavenownotwon in the top flight since 28 December, have lost six of their past seven league games and are falling apart underTudor
The Croatian has lost five of his seven games in charge and Sunday’s result could be the most damaging ofall.
Tottenhamwereontopin thefirsthalfbutIgorJesuswho had earlier turned the ball onto his own crossbar while defending - nodded in the opener in first-half
stoppagetime.
Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi celebrates scoring their third goal (Reuters)
Mathys Tel hit the bar before the break as Spurs searched for an instant response but fell further behind after 62 minutes
when Gibbs-White was left unmarkedintheareaandhis shot from Callum HudsonOdoi’scutbackwentthrough GuglielmoVicario’shands. Once Spurs substitute
LucasBergvallslicedagood chance wide there was no coming back and Awoniyi added a third with three minutes left, leaving Tottenhamwithsevengames
tosavetheirPremierLeague future.
Watkins on target as AstonVilla
Ollie Watkins ended a six-match Premier League goal drought as Aston Villa boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a comfortable win over relegation-threatened West Ham.
Theforwardwasleftout of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad earlier this week but appeared keen to impress and was rewarded for his efforts in the 68th minute, doubling his side’s leadwhenheproddedinthe rebound after Mats Hermansen saved from MorganRogers.
Unai Emery’s side had earnedjustninepointsfrom (Continuedonpage25)
When day three action of the East Bank Inter Village Football tournament organised by Sports Extra unfolded at the Eccles EE Ground on Saturday evening, Upper Soesdyke needled Circuitville whilst Swan upstagedHerstelling,4-1.
Swan’s win over
Herstelling who won their opening match Against Lower Soesdyke has left GroupBinterestinglypoised asawinforLowerSoesdyke in their final game against Sawn would mean that goal differencewilldecidewhich two villages advance to the quarterfinals.
A fit looking Swan unit was led to their win by AbrahamWebbwhonetteda first half double that effectively knocked the wind out of the sails of Herstelling. Webb was on target in the 12th and 33rd minute. The opening goal was scored by Timothy Adrianinthe8thminute.
Herstelling found it difficult to contain the Soesdyke Linden Highway based village and did not help themselves when Orlando Dickie was red carded in only the 12th minute which placed then underpressure.
Swan further increased theirleadinthe46thminute when Devon Lonke found
the back of the nets and despite Herstelling pulling one back in the 50th minute through a Malcolm Hendricks goal, the task of stopping Swan was beyond them.
Circuitville,comingoffa heavy 2-7 loss to Grove in their opening Group C match on the first weekend of action, looked very purposeful in their clash against Upper Soesdyke, matchingthemplayforplay foralmosttheentiregame.
When it seemed like the gamewasheadedforadraw, Circuitville’s goalkeeper misjudged a shot taken by Tyrone Khan in the 66th minute, it was the goal that madethedifferencebetween thetwovillages,earningthe win for Upper Soesdyke whilst it also signaled the end of Circuitville’s campaign as they lost both theirmatches.
Upper Soesdyke and Grovewillbattleinthefinal groupmatchtodecidewhich ofthetwovillagewillendas group winner, both have booked their spots in the quarter finals, the first two villagestodoso.
Action will continue Sunday night with another double header, Kaneville, freshofftheirupsetwinover Timehri will take on Friendshipintheirfirstgame of the tournament from 18:00hrs with the feature
showdown between Mocha alsointheiropeninggameof the tournament against Agricola who must win to remain in the tournament. Agricola lost their opening gametoKuruKururu.
- Lodge, Santa Rosa, Three Mile Sec’ among first round winners
