Kaieteur News

Opposition Leader,Aubrey Norton

AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes

No gas deal with Turkish power company before elections

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said government will not enter into any deal with Karpowership to use the

offshore natural gas currently available from the Stabroek Block to generate electricitybeforeelections.

He acknowledged that Karpowership made a good proposal, but explained that if government decides to go inthatdirection,nodealwill be finalised with the company before elections.

“So right now, we are not going to conclude any arrangement with Karpower before the elections. As I said,lastweek,Itoldyou,we are not going to have any movement on the gas monetisation project before the elections, and also the signing of the prospecting licences for the oil and gas sectorbeforetheelection.So letmeaddthattothetwothat Ispokeofalready

We're too close to the electionstodothat,”Jagdeo said.

Electionsareslatedtobe held on September 1, 2025. Recently,itwasdisclosedby Prime Minister (Ret'd)

Brigadier Mark Phillips that the GTE project is further delayedandisnowexpected to be completed by mid2026 Karpowership- the Turkish firm, which already supplies power to Guyana

through powerships stationed in Berbice and Demerara, is offering to deploy a floating power plant capable of generating 300 megawatts (MW) of

country's natural gas reserves from the Stabroek Block, where oil production is being carried out by American oil company ExxonMobilanditspartners HessandCNOOC.

Jagdeo had previously statedthattheproposalcould save the country as much as US$1 million per day by replacing expensive heavy fuel with natural gas-based generation “If we could generate 300 megawatts of power from say the use of a bargeuntilthepowerplantis readythatthatwouldsaveus about a million US per day because to buy the (heavy fuel) to generate 300 megawatt of power it will cost us about a million US per day,” the Vice President hadexplained.

Jagdeo had pointed out that the transmission infrastructure must first be abletoabsorbanddistribute the full capacity “When we got the proposal, we were examining the technical feasibility, because if you generate 300 megawatts of power offshore on a barge, usingthegasthat'salreadyin the pipeline, basically because it's completed, whether we can transmit or utilise all 300MW at this stage, given this the transmission lines, that assessment is ongoing, regardless of the outcome, wearenotgoingtoconclude anydealwithKarpower,”he stated.

He had said that, “If we can'tuseallofitandwehave

to pay for it and can't use it because they would want youtopayforallofit,abig facility they'll bring down, then it wouldn't make sense.”

Notably,Karpowership's offer would see the Turkish companybringinginitsown barge, which could be operationalinabout90days oncegiventhegreenlight.

Moreover, Jagdeo said that since Karpowership havebeensupplyingGuyana with power, government have been upgrading the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) system. As such, he thinks GPL have adequate powerfortheneartermforat leastuntilpasttheelections.

Whenaskedhowwillthe gas be transported, the Vice Presidentexplained,“Sothis will be an entirely new ship that is dedicated to processing the gas to generatesomeliquidsandto

Barticamangets20years forraping12-yr-oldgirl

Jerome Rodriguez, 23, who was foundguiltyoftherapeofatwelveyear-old girl, has been sentenced to 20yearsinprison.

expected to come on stream in 2026, despite initial promises for late 2025 Disputeswiththecontractor, Lindsayca/CH4, have furthercomplicatedthefinal cos

chedule Brassington had previously assured

h

once operational, the project wouldcutelectricitycostsby 50%,deliveringpowerat12 US cents per kilowatt-hour, down from the current 24 to 30UScents.

M e a n w h i

usethegastogenerateabout 300 megawatts of power If you move to doing that so it will be located closer to the pipeline Then you will decommissionthetwoships that we have Berbice and Essequibo should not come in.”

The power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility at Wales are now

h e government had already turned to temporary powership solutions to ease the country's persistent power woes Last November, there was a

d agreement between the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) and UCC Holdings for a second powership.

The deal for the second powership is for the company to supply an additional 75 megawatts of power to the national grid.

Guyana's first powership is being rented from the same companyforaperiodoftwo years That contract was signed between GPL Inc. and UCI, a subsidiary of UCC Holdings, a company incorporated in the state of Qatar UCC Holdings reportedly has a strategic alliance with Karpowership International, a Turkish company That deal is for some 36 megawatts of power Karpowership arrived in May and was set up at Everton, Berbice, Region Six. For the first vessel, Guyana had to pay a mobilization fee of US$1M to get the ship here, and the contract, according to GPL, includes the provision of operation and maintenance services as part of the agreement.

At his trial, Rodriguez had pleaded not guilty to the allegation. He was represented by attorneys Latchmi Dindyal and Paul Fung-a-Fat. State counsel, Caressa Henry, presented the case. In handing down the sentence, the Judge started with a prison term of 30 years but deducted 10 years for thefactthattheaccusedhadnopriorbrushes withthelaw

However, the prosecution noted that Rodrigues showed no remorse for his actions and that the sentence should be in keeping with the impact and nature of the offence committed.As a result, the convict wasgiven20yearsinprison,whichthecourt saidwillactasadeterrenttosuchacriminal act.

The sentence was imposed by Justice Navindra Singh at the Essequibo High Court.The charge was that between the 1st and30thdaysofJune2023,atThreeMiles, Potaro Road, Bartica, in the country of Essequibo, the accused engaged in sexual penetration with a child of the age of 12 years. The details of the case are that in June 2023,Rodriguezmetthe12-year-oldvictim onThreeMilesRoad,Barticaandtoldherhe wantedtospeakwithher Theyounggirlwas in regular communication with the perpetrator over the phone, and she knew himfromthecommunity Atthetimeofthe incident,heaskedthegirltospeakprivately with him and called her into some bushes where he held her and forcefully had sex withher.

VicePresident, Bharrat Jagdeo

KaieteurNews

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Formula, only the formula, Jagdeo

WhenGuyana'sVicePresidentwithResponsibilityfor Oil,OilManagement,andNationalPolicymaking,Bharrat Jagdeo, is uncomfortable, he first squirms, then goes around in circles that go all over the place and which still endupnowhere. Heprovidesalessoninartfuldodgeryfor students,youngandold. Hewasaskedasimplequestion, theanswertowhichoughttohavebeenathisfingertips,yet heflitted,likeamosquitofromplacetoplaceinsearchofa hidingplace,butfoundnone. Thequestionwaswhatisthe formulabeingusedforcalculatingtheprofitfromoil,and what he offered as an answer was an exercise in the convolutedandthecircular

Thequestioninpartwas:“canyouexplainExxonand its partners reporting that their profits for 2024 being $10 billion,butGuyanaonlygot$2.6billionUSdespiteitbeing a 50/50 profit sharing?” This was section one of his answer: “so I saw, I saw something about Exxon, um reportingatrilliondollarsinprofitoverthe3yearsandthey said that the government got about $1.3 trillion. So that's aboutconsistentwiththeformula,whichsaysthat14.5per centofthe25percentwhichissetoutforasprofitsharing would result in those that configuration, and they would have10.5percent.Sothat'sconsistentfromwhatIsaw It can't be any different in these years.” The question was very specific: “profits for 2024…”. But there was Guyana's oil czar responding with “profit over the three years…”. Whenhebeginsinthatmanner,thenGuyanese knowbynowthatwhattheywillgetissomeverbalsix-fornine.

Jagdeo didn't disappoint, for he continued with “so that'sconsistentwiththeformula…”. Whatistheformula, and how does it result in unequal dollar amounts for GuyanaontheonesideandExxonMobilanditspartnerson theother? WeuseJagdeo'ssubmissiononthisformulathat was causing him to experience a spell of blurred vision: “…saysthat14.5percentofthe25percent…wouldresult inthosethatconfiguration(sic)andtheywouldhave10.5 percent.” Only in the new math world concocted by Guyana's former Finance Minister, and now its Vice President of Oil, Bharrat Jagdeo, could US$10.4B for ExxonMobilanditstwopartnersandUS$2.6BforGuyana besaidtobeequal. Andfor2024only,andnotthis“over the three years” outlier that he slickly inserted into his answer By any existing math and accounting standard, there is no way in the world, no matter how it is bent or squeezed that ExxonMobil's US$10B balances with Guyana's US$2.6B. However, this is twiddled and tweaked,halfandhalf,or50:50,oranyotherarithmetical construction,Guyanastillcomesupveryshort. Guyanais 'holdingthewrongendofthestick',asanothercrudelocal politicaloperatoroncesaid.

ThequestionthatweatthispaperhaveiswhyisJagdeo sodeterminedtoavoidsharingwithGuyanesetheoilprofit formulathatisbeingusedtocalculatetheprofit? Onpaper, it's the equal profit share of the two partners? What is it aboutthisprofitformulathathasnowgrownintoacreature of mystery that is triggering the equivalent of epileptic twitches in the man that put himself in charge of this nation's great oil wealth? What is in this formula, if one indeedexists,thatithastobekeptasecretfromGuyanese? Perhaps, in the consideration of Jagdeo and his PPPC Government, what is one more little secret to add to the mountainofoilsecrets? Onlyonemoresecrettowhathas been compiled during his leadership of this oil sector that hascometomeansomuchforthecitizensofthiscountry? Theissueforuswithwhatmaybeanotherlittlesecretfor Jagdeo is that it leads to a big dent in the pockets of Guyanese.

We don't' know how long Guyana's oil leader will continue along the mystery path he has chosen. What we do know is that when Jagdeo does so, the people of this countrypayheavyprices.

China and Guyana's National Security

DearEditor, China celebrated 53 yearsofdiplomatictieswith Guyana Unlike other countries like ABCE and India, China has not stood firmly with Guyana on the border controversy with Venezuela although it has been the largest beneficiary ofourresources.

China has been exploiting our natural resources(gold,timber,fish, diamond, rare earth, manganese, sand or silica, among others) and dominating construction industryaswellasproviding loans at exorbitant interest rates.Guyanahashugetrade links (deficits) with China and Chinese businesses, cleaning out our foreign exchange.Theyareknownto be deeply tied to corruption and undermining local businesses as well as hard working truckers who can't compete with Chinese truckers who enjoy special privileges and engage in unfair practices The Chinese illegally engage in sand pitting and ownership of mines.Yet, China has not founditprudenttosidewith Guyana against Venezuela's illegalclaim.Chinawantsto retain close relations with Venezuelawhilefetchingour resources that is used to transform China into a first world nation while we remainthirdworld.

Clearly, China cannot be trusted to defend Guyana's national territory or national interests, and must, therefore, be handled firmly asitrelatestoVenezuelaand

on matters of national developmentandsecurity In contrast, the USA is fully with Guyana and has come out firmly on our side, denouncing Venezuela's claim to our territory Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated unequivocally that the US will defend Guyana's territory and

American companies operating in Guyana's waters. We can trust the Americans, not China when it comes to defending our territory And Washington is deeply concerned with the ChinesepresenceinGuyana.

China's increasing presence in Guyana and the greater Caribbean (Latin American) region pose a security challenge to USA andtoourcountry Chinahas had a global geo-strategic presence in Africa, the Pacific, and Indian Ocean

challenging historic

American dominance globally since the end of the cold war in 1990. The large Chinese military has been bullying nations in the Pacific (Philippines, Vietnam, among others) and India and other SouthAsian nations and China has refused to submit itself to international courts on conflicts. The Chinese has built ports in Latin America and has sought military installations, passed off as civilian, in Guyana and neighboring countries China's global military foraysareofseriousconcern to global security; the widespreadLatinpresenceis alsoofparamountconcernto

Washington. The Chinese has a presence all over Latin America that is of economic and strategic value; China has invested tens of billions in American dollars in the regionandloanedover$150 billiontogovernmentsinthe region. China owns some 25% of the Stabroek block, obtaining billions of

Amer

n revenues annually since 2019 and returning virtually nothing in terms of grants and aid to Guyana from the re

as

, American owned Exxon does spons

y community and sports projects and off trading to Guyaneseinthehundredsof millions in American dollars; China's grants are minuscule compared with ExxonandtheAmericans.

ic leverage in the region has had serious geo-political consequences. In Guyana, alone, the Chinese has invested close to ten billion dollars in recent years and have extracted resources worthover$100billionover the same period; gold, lumber, manganese, and other critical minerals have been shipped out of Guyana almost daily over the last coupledecades.TheChinese has provided large amounts of loans to Guyana and has heavilyindebtedthecountry which may have difficulty repayingandsufferthefaiths that have befallen Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, andBangladesh,andAfrican countries Guyana's per

capita debt is perhaps the largest globally It is not an exaggeration to say that China will soon own Guyana. It is rapidly taking over Guyanese family businesses that have been complainingtodeafear

The Americans are closely monitoring Chinese presenceinthegreaterLatin American and Caribbean region and Guyana The government Guyana must avoid deeper entangling of our country (investment, trade, loans, military presence, satellite links, and other security matters) with China. The Americans will offer protection against gangs coming from Venezuela and drug cartels smuggling drugs and gold and protect our forests and seashelf.

A group of Guyanese in the diaspora and in Guyana are advocating for a close linkage with USA for security against Venezuela and narco-trafficking. Some are even proposing that Guyana becomes a territory of USA. The power and influence of USA cannot be underestimated and President Trump who has showntobeamongthemost powerful President in the historyofAmerica.USAwill not allow China to undermine the American interestsintheregion.China willnotbeabletoorwilling toprotectGuyana;itisnota power we can trust. Our future and security are tied withUSA,notChina.

Yourstruly, Dr VishnuBisram

The APNU and AFC can form a Coalition to Contest the Upcoming Elections

DearEditor, The PNC/R, APNU in strategizing should focus on building a more diverse team. It is difficult for the APNU to win the elections without the AFC. I find it difficult to accept that the opposition would have such ahugebodyofknowledge–vast experience, knowledge, know-how, outside of a coalition to challenge the PPP/C at the upcoming General and Regional Elections Heavyweights from the PNC/R opposition are Carl Greenidge, Joseph Harmon, former President David Granger, Basil Williams, Volda Lawrence, Winston Jordan, Roysdale Ford,SharmaSoloman,andI am still including Amanza Walton-Desir under the PNC/R, for this purpose.

From the AFC, there are Nigel Hughes, Raphael Trotman, David Patterson, Catherine (Cathy) Hughes. The WPA has Dr David Hinds, Rohit Khanai, Tacuma Ogunseye and KadakieAmsterdam. Others who can make a substantial contribution to a coalition governmentareDr Terrence Campbell, Dr Yog Mahadeo,SimonaBroomes, Glenn Lall, Nigel London andthelistgoeson.

Now,thisisanoilandgas economy The fastest growing economy in the world and where are the heavy weights in the PNC/R? This is not only about getting votes but also about having the capacity andcapabilitiestogovern,it is about mobilizing resources and bringing

people on board who can help in these areas. The political landscape is changingrapidly,andIhope that it will change in the direction of anAPNU+AFC Coalition, so that they will have a greater chance of winning this election. With the recent events, if the opposition supporters will not be voting for the APNU+AFC,thisishowthe opposition supporters votes couldgo.Somewillvotefor APNU, some will vote for AFC, people are already planningtovoteforAmanza Walton-Desir,sothatshecan get at least one seat in parliament,theothersmaller parties together under a joinder arrangement may alsogetaseatinparliament.

I have separated AzruddinMohamedbecause

as we know, he has a few things to work through, but hemayalsogetaseatortwo inparliament.

Icannotunderstandwhat is so difficult Any government will have thousands of opportunities for all of those persons mentioned above and so many more. Are you telling me that the PNC/R, APNU and AFC cannot form a coalition to contest the upcoming elections? I know thatcoalitionsaredifficultto build. I am a partnership practitioner who has studied the science and art of building partnerships I wrote a manual on partnership building; developed several training modules on building, managingandsustaining (Continueonpage5)

Permanently suspend abusive drivers from our public transportation system

DearEditor,

I wish to kindly ask the police to look into some bus drivers who should be stripped of their licence to operatepublictransportation becauseofgrossmisconduct andabusemetedouttoother bus drivers on the 40 Route. I spoke to other bus drivers who said they have been putting up with their bullying,'thiefing'behaviour goingonyearsnow,anditis about time the police put an endtothisdailyrobberyand cultureofmisbehaviour

The biggest problem on the40RouteBusParkisthe 'hot plate' issue where the route's most aggressive and abusive drivers who should

not be driving public transportation period, engage in stealing tens, possibly even hundreds of thousands of dollars daily from the mouths of the families of other bus drivers who wait in line. On any given day without police intervention,abouttwentyor more buses full their buses on the hot plate every hour

Calculated at $1,400 for 14 passengers,thisworksoutto $28,000 being stolen every hour from other bus drivers. In a ten-hour day, this calculatesto$280,000stolen fromotherdriverswaitingin line. In a week, $1,960,000, in a month, $7,840,000, and $94,080,000inayear Thisis

a visible crime and

representsagreatlosstolaw abiding bus owners and drivers.

AsI'vesaidbefore,these vagabonds who parade as busdriversstealingfromand abusing other bus drivers should have their licence to operatepublictransportation forfeited permanently The Police Traffic Department should have records to advise them and consider permanently stationing traffic wardens on the 40 Route Bus Park, and maybe other zones which have significant complaints amongtheirdrivers.

Yoursfaithfully, JermaineHarding

Setting the record straight

DearEditor,

The Ministry of

Education notes a letter to your columns from Mr Vishnu Bisram that contains inaccuracies both by commissionandomission.

The facts have been brought to the attention of Mr Bisram, which he acknowledged, but he has declined the invitation to correct the record. It falls uponus,therefore,todoso.

On May 9th, 2025, MinisterofEducation,Priya Manickchand was clear in her condemnation of the lyrics of one calling himself “Baby Skello.” She said, "I stand with the Hindu community unreservedly in condemning the idiotic mumblings by some Baby Skello The “singer's” apparentexplanation(which he offered it appears with a viewtoabsolvinghimofany wrongdoing) worries me more He says he was speaking of someone's Mother and not Mother Latchmi And I'm here wondering when and who allowed him to think “singing” anything so crass andcrudeandabusivewould be acceptable Are we listening to [unacceptable, abusive content], and then complaining when it goes too far? How is that music?

Wehavethepowertocensor artistes ourselves. Not by law (And I don't believe in state censorship.) But by consciously deciding not to listen, buy and/or in any other way support their brandandproducts.”

Indeed, Minister Manickchandwasoneofthe firstpersonstocondemnthe said offensive piece. Ms. Priya Manickchand, both in her capacity as Minister and as a citizen long before she becameMinister,hasalways stoodwithwomen,defended them against abuse and promoted their rights and opportunities. She has also consistently spoken out against inconsistent and odd court decisions In fact, today (June 19), Facebook reminds us that on June 19, 2020, she said as follows:\“Letusexaminethe uncomfortable question of why the APNU/AFC has takentheunusualdecisionto file its latest application in theCourtofAppeal.Arethey

judge shopping? Judge shopping is a term used to identify the search for what t h e s h o p p e r believes/perceives are pliable/ biased/ sympathetic judges.AndaretheCourtof Appeal Judges not uncomfortable with and resentful of the fact that A P N U / A F C s e e m s comfortable not only with judge shopping but with doingitinfrontoftheeyesof theworld?Attheendofthis, and there is an end, we will all have to account to the freedom loving citizens of thisworldandtogenerations to come for our actions Individuallyandcollectively Hardquestions Answerswill reveal themselves in time” Wearecollectivelyveryglad thatonthatoccasion,thethen opposition member was not cowedbywhatwasbeforethe courts

ShenaHenry Senior Public Relations

Officer, Ministry of Education

The APNU and AFC can form a

Frompage4 partnerships; conducted several training on building partnerships, so I know a thing or two about partnership building and while partnerships are difficult, they are not impossible.

Let me share with you a difficultsituationthatisnow a good news story for the APNU+AFC coalition

government which is GuySuCo. Do you know how the management at GuySuCo under the

APNU+AFC government was able to survive an extremely disruptive reorganizingprocesswiththe closure of four estates, in a highly political environment andstillproducedovertwoto three times more sugar from 2016 to 2020, even with less resources than the corporation produced from 2021 to 2025? They did it withexperience,commitment but most importantly, maturity Themanagerswho I worked with at GuySuCo from 2016 to 2020 were someofthemostmaturemen and women I have ever met. WhenIwenttoGuySuCoin 2016 and people asked me where I was working and I said GuySuCo, their response used to be 'I will pray for you' because GuySuCo was seen as an extremely political place However, the managers and staff in GuySuCo knew that something had to be done to save the business and industryandtheyrosetothe occasion. In my view, they were ready for change. My

job was to assist in leading the change management process and prevent the company and Guyana from descendinginchaos. Buildingpartnershipsisa science and an art which worked at GuySuCo. The corporation's revenue was US$200 million more from 2016 to 2020 than it was from 2020 to 2025. I also worked with a group of waste recyclers or waste pickers at the Haags Bosch Landfill Site. My job was to train them to work together, develop more cohesion among them and help them to form and register a waste recycling organization Whatstartedoutasadifficult task, with me in the landfill site every Thursday afternoon for months training the waste pickers, ended with them planning their speech f

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on the importance of informalwasterecyclingand with them planning their speech for parliament on waste recycling. The waste pickers learned to work so well together that they

Coalition...

eventually formed and registered an organisation, GTRecyclers.

Ifthewastepickerscould have formed and registered an organisation and successfully work together in the landfill site and pool their resources together, are you telling the people of Guyana that leaders in the APNUandAFCcannotform a coalition to contest the upcoming elections, and govern this country together? This decision is unacceptable!

Thisisamomentintime forthePNC/R.Thepartyhas a real opportunity to evolve as the national political party,asthelargerpartyina broad coalition. However, the question is, will the leadership of the PNC/R be magnanimous and rise to meet this moment, or will they see this moment through a pigeonholed view that people are only coming for something, instead of placing a value on people's desire to contribute to their countryinthismoment?

Sincerely,

Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

Why is the Government of Guyana allowing Critic to verbally abuse a sitting MP?

DearEditor,

Inthepublicdomainisa circulated video of “Critic” aka Mikhail Rodrigues berating, with vituperative language, our Guyana's current Minister of

Education, Honourable PriyaManickchand,because sheofferedanopiniononthe currently unfolding “Baby Skello” brouhaha Ms Manickchand is also an Attorney-at-Law Critic IS

NOT Ms Manickchand's

education spectrum in Guyana and thousands of childrenofallagebecomes her responsibility Should

GWI SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON CLAIMS OF 'BURST MAIN' AT FREEMAN STREET

DearEditor,

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) strongly refutes the misleading claims published in the June 19 edition of Stabroek News under the headline "Residents slam GWIoverburstmainatFreemanSt.”

The assertions made in the article are inaccurate and paint a false narrative of GWI's operations in the East La Penitence area. Contrary to what has been reported, there is no burst main at the entrance of FreemanStreet.

What residents are observing is the intentional opening of air valves by GWI's technical team, which is a necessary and routineoperationtoremovebuilt-upairfrom the system and facilitate the restoration of normal water pressure to affected communities.

This activity is part of a comprehensive network stabilization exercise currently underway across East La Penitence, which has already begun yielding positive results. In fact, many residents have expressed satisfaction with the ongoing efforts, noting

improved water pressure in their homes.

GWI has been working around the clock to complete this process and restore optimal servicedelivery Itisdeeplyunfortunatethat despite being informed of the nature of the work being conducted, certain individuals chosetomisrepresentthefactstothemedia.

To suggest that GWI is ignoring a “broken main” when the photo in question depicts a deliberate pressure-regulation process is not only inaccurate, but mischievous and irresponsible.

Weurgemembersofthepublicandmedia to seek clarification through the proper channels before publishing or circulating unverified information. GWI maintains an open-door policy and encourages accurate and constructive reporting that supports national development rather than misleads thepublic.Thecompanyremainscommitted to transparency, accountability, and delivering reliable water service to all Guyanese.

Regards, GuyanaWaterInc

the children/ parents see/hear of Critic's public abuseofMs.Manickchand,I surmise that that would be counterproductive to the Ministry of Education and by default, the Government of Guyana. Editor, whilst I would defend one right to freedom of speech, I categorically decry Critic's

generallytoallwomen

His theatrical antics and spewed emotions may garner a cult following but his total disrespect for our Guyanese womenfolk, in particular, should NEVER becondonedatanyleveland inanyfora.Thoughfreedom of speech in a democracy is guaranteed, certain caveats areembeddedtherein.

continuance

Respectfully, JonathanSubrian,Esq.

At the very least Critic should offer an unequivocal apology to ALL women including Ms. Manickchand for the vulgar and revolting excrement that gushed from his mouth. Additionally, I petition the Government of Guyana, whose largesse, Criticseemstobeenjoying, to put a leash on Critic unless there are invisible m

We must hold our leaders accountable to ensure Guyana’s future is not dictated by “Lagoobagoos” Editor,

The political landscape in Guyana is rife with opportunities and challenges as we approach the 2025 Elections. While anyone canclaimthetitleofapresidentialcandidate, trueleadershiprequiresacalculatedstrategy thatresonateswiththediversepopulace.

Aubrey,withhispragmaticapproachand dedication to addressing the needs of the underprivileged, has positioned himself as a serious contender, even if he doesn't fit the typical mold of a charismatic leader His recognition of the historical significance of representation, particularly with a female Indigenous Prime Minister candidate, outlines a progressive vision for Guyana's future.

Asthecampaignsunfold,itwillbecrucial to monitor the evolving dynamics between candidates like Aubrey and Azruddin, especiallyastheydrawsupportacrossethnic lines.

Political maneuvering will undoubtedly influence the outcome, and past experiences

will weigh heavily on voters' minds. The growing dissatisfaction with the current governmentcreatesanopportunityforashift in power, but every candidate must remain alert to the intricacies of ethnic sentiments that have shaped Guyanese politics for decades.

In this critical period, the question remains: who can truly unite the people and offer a vision that transcends historical divides? The upcoming months will reveal that—andmore.

The call for transparency, accountability, and genuine representation has never been louder, and as the party shenanigans commence, we must hold our leaders accountable to ensure Guyana's future is not dictatedby“Lagoobagoos”butbythosewho truly understand and embody the aspirations ofallGuyanesepeople.

Yoursfaithfully, M. SHABEER ZAFAR, B.A., LL.B., L.E.C. BarristerSolicitorNotary

Some political parties want elections to be pushed back -sayunreadyGECOMarecipeforchaos

By Shania Williams

Several of the small political parties hoping to contest the upcoming elections have expressed serious doubts about the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission's (GECOM)

preparedness for the September 1 polls, deeming the body's unreadiness a recipe for chaos, and formally called for the electionstoberescheduled.

On Thursday, sixteen political parties attended a briefing hosted by GECOM

to review the final procedures leading up to Nomination Day and the September 1 General and Regional Elections

However, several parties raised strong doubts about GECOM's readiness Alliance For Change (AFC) members, Nicole Trotman and BeverlyAlert, speaking with reporters after the briefing, criticised the Commission's failure to resolve longstanding issues, particularly those affecting smaller political parties Alert, in particular, pointed toGECOM'sinactiononthe “joinder list” mechanism, a system that allows smaller parties to combine forces and share parliamentary representation.

“The intent of the meeting was to share information ahead of the 2025elections.

Many of the concerns raised, especially by the smaller parties, pertained to the joinder system, s p e c i f i c a l l y, h o w representativesareidentified for the National Assembly,” Alert said. “It is clear that GECOM has not addressed this.They have not put their minds to it. They have not addressed so many other things.

Ihavezeroconfidencein GECOM holding elections. They are absolutely not ready.”

Trotman added that the Commission's inability to answer fundamental questionsdespitehavinghad yearstodosowasalarming. “If you have smaller parties that are very interested in joining, and you've had this veryissueforovertwoyears, and then come to a briefing where you can't answer a fundamental question, then that shows the level of preparednessGECOMhas,” she stated. Both members concluded by calling on GECOM to take the “honourable” step of

rescheduling the September 1 elections. “Of course, GECOM should do the honourable thing. They are simply not ready,” they declared.

Chairman ofANew and UnitedGuyana(ANUG),Dr Mark France, also harshly criticised the Commission over its failure to address longstanding concerns regarding the joinder list system. France pointed to systemic gaps that have already negatively impacted ANUG's participation in the electoral process. “One of themajorcontentiouspoints —andthisissomethingthat has affected ANUG — is how the joinder list actually functions. GECOM has had two and a half years and is stillunabletodeterminehow a joinder list should operate with regard to the combination of lists,” Dr Francesaid.

He cited ANUG's past experience with Dr Asha Kissoon as an example of how the current system fails inpractice.

“Wehadtheunfortunate experience ofAsha Kissoon replacing her representative from the list, and that representative was put through a faulty system Clearly, GECOM hasn't addressed it. If it wasn't resolved in two and a half years, how can they address itinamatterofdays?”

France expressed concern that, despite claims of readiness, GECOM has neglected one of the few tools smaller or newer parties can use to compete meaningfully

Outoffrustration,France also announced that ANUG will be pursuing legal recoursetocompelGECOM to clarify its position on the matter before Nomination Day “The current executive ofANUGisplanningtotake this matter to court. This is something GECOM must have a position on before elections. You can't have an issue that's gone unresolved fortwoyears,”hewarned.

Nigel London, a representative of The People's Movement, echoed the same sentiment of GECOM's unpreparedness for the upcoming elections.

London also criticised the Commission's failure to resolve ongoing issues related to the joinder list. “GECOM is unprepared to holdelections.

If there are ten parties seeking to enter into joinder arrangements, GECOM

Representatives of some of the small political parties outside GECOM's headquarter

cannot say at this point how they intend to address this. It's unfortunate, and it is a clear sign that they are not ready for this election,” he stated.

Additionally, Simona Broomes, representing the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), accused GECOM of treating smaller political parties unfairly compared to the more established ones. Broomes criticised GECOM for what she described as a lack of consistency and fairness in its approach to parties seeking to participate in the upcoming elections

“GECOM has a mandate to educate and to treat all parties contesting these elections equally,” Broomes said. “You cannot have the olderpartiesbeingtreatedin a particular way, and then when it comes to newer parties trying to enter the process,thereisthisconstant backandforth.”

She emphasised that the unequal treatment undermines the democratic process and discourages political participation by emerging movements. “I thinkit'sawasteoftime,and GECOM must treat all partieswiththesamelevelof respect,”sheadded.

Meanwhile, members from the PPP/C and We InvestinNationhood(WIN) offered a more balanced perspective on GECOM's readiness. AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, along with Agriculture

Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha,bothrepresenting the PPP/C, described the meeting as a routine and procedural engagement

under the elections framework.

“This is a normal

procedure. Every election, you have a briefing to deal with the technical aspects to prepare your list of candidates — that is all,” Mustaphastated.

When pressed on criticisms surrounding his advisory role to GECOM and whether it might c o m p r o m i s e t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s independence, Nandlall respondedwithafirm,“No,” and declined to take further questionsashewalkedaway

fromthepress.

Speaking with reporters, Charles Sugrim of the Azruddin Mohamed-led political party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), highlighted some key concernsheraisedduringthe meeting.

He said, “The issues I raised were the number of electors, ensuring that it is correct,howtoaddresscases where someone's name is deleted, and laying out the timeframe.” Despite these

concerns, Sugrim expressed confidence in GECOM's overallperformancesofar GECOMmaintains readiness

For their part, Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Aneal Giddings, assessed the meeting as successful overallbutconcededthatthe joinder list mechanism remains unresolved: “We consider it a burning issue now What I promised the party is that at the next statutory meeting at the Commission,wewillraiseit. Atthispointintime,wedon't havetheanswer I would prefer to be guided by the Commission's decision.”

Regarding broader preparations, Giddings expressed confidence:

“From the point of view of theSecretariat,whereweare with preparation, where we arewiththeworkplan,Iam confident that we will deliver a free, transparent, credible election come September 1.” He further noted that over 1,000 deceased individuals have beenflaggedintheelectoral register, with a deadline set for next week to finalise cleanupefforts.

AFC Leader confirms no more

coalition with APNU

Leader of the

Alliance For Change (AFC), NigelHughes,confirmedon Thursdaythatanyremaining prospectsofacoalitionwith A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are now effectivelyoffthetable.

Hughes made the announcementone day after t h r e e s e n i o r A F C members—Sherod Duncan, Juretha Fernandes, and Deonarine "Ricky"

Ramsaroop jumped over to APNU by submitting their names to APNU's list of candidatesfortheupcoming General and Regional Elections,withoutinforming theAFC.

In response, the AFC issued a statement on Wednesday announcing the termination of membership forthethree,statingtheyhad independently verified the trio'salignmentwithAPNU. As a result, the AFC stated

that the former members' decision to appear on APNU'scandidatelistwasa clear indication that APNU “wasandisnotinterestedin acoalition.”

Thisunexpectedshifthas deepenedthepoliticaldivide between the two parties and left the AFC reassessing its electoralstrategy

Speaking with reporters

outside of GECOM's headquarters, Hughes confirmed that there would

be no coalition between the AFC and APNU going forward.

“It is unlikely to be any more coalition, I'm afraid. I don'tthinkitwillassisteither side to go into what did and didnothappen.

It hasn't happened, and thattimehasgone.Ithinkwe are all going to concentrate ontheelections.

And in the case of the AllianceForChange,weare pretty certain that our policies, once presented to the public, will speak for themselves,” he added, emphasisingthatthepartyis now focused on moving forward.

During the interview, Hughes explained that the decision to expel the members was grounded in the party's constitution, which prohibits members from aligning with other political entities while maintaining membership in the AFC. “Our constitution isquiteclear

You cannot pledge an allegiance with another politicalentitywhilebeinga member, and so those persons cease to be members.

So theAPNU have three former members of the AllianceForChange.”

In terms of Juretha Fernandes, who was the AFC's spokesperson on finance, she would now serve as APNU's Prime MinisterialCandidateforthe upcoming September 1

elections.

However, H

hes revealed that Fernandes had not been involved in any o ff i c i a l c

t i o n negotiations, much less identified for the PM candidacy in previous discussions with the two parties.“Shehasneverbeen featured at all in the discussion because the discussions essentially were a

n Presidential Candidate, who theAPNU insisted to be the person on PNC identified, but it was never about personsorpersonalities.

Theonlypersonalitywas who they said must be the Presidential Candidate,” he said.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , acknowledging the weight of the defections, Hughes admitted the party would feel the loss of the three seniormembers.

“Of course, we must have an impact. They have beenintheparty

They are Members of Parliament They were

identifiedbymypredecessor and his administration as persons who would be representing the party at the National Assembly, and the factis,thepartywouldhave animpact.”

Prior to the official announcement of elections, AFC and APNU had engaged in coalition discussions over several months. However, repeated disagreements led to a breakdownintalks.

Initially, the AFC proposed a 60/40 split in favour of APNU. Later, the party returned with a 60/35 proposal, in which APNU would nominate the Presidential Candidate, and AFC would nominate the Prime Ministerial Candidate.

That proposal was ultimately rejected by APNU.

With APNU now absorbing several of the AFC's former key figures, Hughes has confirmed that the AFC will be contesting the September 1 elections independently

Azruddin Mohamed’s party is

‘WIN’

- Party symbol revealed

The party name for presidential hopeful, Azruddin Mohamed, was revealed on Thursday outside the Guyana Elections Commission by representative Charles Sugrim.

Sugrim told the media that the party is called "We Invest in Nationhood (WIN)”, while declaring that they will win the September1,2025elections.

Later in the evening, the party's symbol wasrevealed,itfeaturedtheparty'sacronym 'WIN',incapitalletters,colouredblue,black and white with a picture of the national animal,thejaguar,nexttoit.

OnMay27,thispublicationreportedthat the businessman had announced his candidacy for the upcoming Regional and General Elections, a move that will likely shake up the local political dynamics and drawintensescrutinyfromtherulingPPP/C administration.

Mohamed and his father are currently under US sanctions for allegedly smuggling gold out of Guyana.The younger Mohamed isalsochargedwithallegedfalsedeclaration

party's symbol.

on several luxury vehicles he imported here inrecentyears.

In a recorded video posted on his Team Mohamed's Facebook page, Mohamed had said that he stands ready to raise his hand, “putmyshouldertothetask,anddedicatemy mind and heart to building a world-class Guyana where every citizen is treated equally,notthroughbuzzwords,butthrough thehardworkofrebuildingtrustandforging genuineharmony.”Sincethen,hehasbeenon the ground campaigning, drawing sizeable crowds across the country In recent days, Mohamed has intensified his outreaches in Amerindiancommunities.

The

AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

The Unkindest Cut

Building a pre-election coalition is never easy It takes more than meetings. It takes more than deals. It takesafoundationoftrust,a commitment to principle, and a shared vision for the future Without these, coalitions fall apart before theyevenbegin.

DavidGrangerknewthis better than most. He had led a coalition government. He had seen the strengths and the failures of such arrangements. That is why he warned that coalitions mustbebuiltonpoliciesand programmes, not on positions and power His words were not just theory—they were born of hard political experience Theywerealessontoanyone attempting to build a united frontagainsttherulingPPP Forbes Burnham had said plainly that he would never again lead the PNCR into a coalition. He did not need to He resorted to rigging elections to stay in power Thisiswhythe2015 Cummingsburg Accord was ofsuchhistoricsignificance. Unfortunately, that coalition held together only in form; but never in substance Granger would have been a witness to the problems associated with coalitions between parties of vastly unequalstrengths.

The PNCR and theAFC had engaged in negotiations aimed at forming a preelection coalition

Unfortunately, it does not appear that either party had heeded Granger’s wisdom. Instead of focusing on a common programme of action, the negotiations, it wouldappear,weremiredin talk about seats, portfolios, and who would get what aftertheelection.

It appears that little attention paid to what a coalition would do for the people. No bold plans. No policy agreements. Just oldfashionedhorse-trading. Butthegreatestfailureof all the most devastating blow was not about policies. It was about trust. Trust is the oxygen of any coalition.Withoutit,nothing survives. And in this case, that trust was shattered, not by those who left the AFC, but by those who poached them.

Threeseniormembersof the AFC reportedly have defected to the PNCR. That in itself is not unusual in politics People change allegiances. People have a right to defect. But what made this different was the context.

The AFC and PNCR weremonthsagoincoalition talks.Theyweresupposedto beworkingtogethertobuild aunitedplatform.Theywere supposed to be partners- inthe-making. And yet, after these talks reached an impasse, the PNCR reached into the leadership of the AFC and pulled out key

individuals Even if the p e r s o n s m a d e t h e approaches, the PNCR shouldhaverefused.

Byacceptingthesehighlevel defections, the PNCR hasweakenedtheAFCfrom within. And it was done at time when there was still a flicker of hope that a preelectioncoalitioncouldhave still been arrived at. That is theunkindestcutofall.

No coalition can survive suchamove.Nopartycanbe expected to continue negotiations after its very leadership has been undermined by a party with whichithadhopedtoforma pre-election coalition. The PNCRhasactedinbadfaith.

TheAFChaseveryright to feel upset. It had invested timeandpoliticalcapitalinto talksaboutcoalitioninorder to pose a credible challenge to the PPP But instead of partnership, it received a knife in the back.And let us be clear: the knife was not held by the defectors. It was heldbythePNCR. They made the choice to poach.Theymadethechoice tobreachtheunwrittenrules of alliance-building. They made the choice to destroy the very trust on which a coalitionmuststand.

Now, any talk of resuming coalition discussions is pure fantasy Thebridgehasbeenburned. The damage is irreversible. Whatbeganasashakyeffort atunityhasendedindivision

DEM BOYS SEH

Everybody in Guyana is a President!

Guyanese is de most political people pon dis earth. Not even America, widalldemcablenewsand fancy think tanks, could beat we. In Guyana, every man is a political analyst, every woman is a pollster, and every child born is either red, yellow or green—long before dem getdehbirthcertificate.

Dem boys seh politics in other country is like weather People talk ‘bout it, den move on wid dem life But in Guyana? Politics is religion, sport, romance, and family feud—allbundledintoone. You can’t even go to a wedding without hearing somebody whisper, “She boyfriend is a big man in theparty,yuhknow!”

All over de world, people know dem don’t control nuttin. Dem know politicians don’t read dem Facebook post or listen to dem bar talk. But in Guyana, we get delusions of grandeur Man sit down in rum shop and argue ‘bout budget allocations like dem is Minister of Finance One man seh, “Dem ain’t manage de sugar industry properly,” likeheownasinglecane. Election time? Whole country does turn into political WWE People doescuss,fallout,andstop talking to family and friend—not because dem get raise or dem child get scholarship—but because “we party win!” Or worse ”we party geh rob!”Demboyssehisaset-

and mistrust The AFC

cannot and should not—enter into any further discussions with the PNCR. Not now Not after what has happened.Todosowouldbe to ignore the most basic lesson of coalition-building: That without trust, there is nothing.

The PNCR has shown it cannot be trusted as a coalitionpartner Ithasacted notasacollaboratorbutasa competitor Ithasnotsought

up.Becausewinorlose,de small man still punishing. Afteralldenoiseandrage, de pothole still deh. De garbage still pile up. De price for cooking oil still high. And dem who cuss and fight and split family still got to go hustle next day

Guyanesebelievewhen dem party win, light go shinefromheavenandbills gon disappear We put so muchpassionintopolitics, like it gon fix we marriage orcuregaspains. Dem boys seh, maybe is time we realize de only “power to the people” we reallygetisblackout. Butdon’ttelldemthat. Next thing you hear is, “You soundin’ like yuh switchside!” Talkhalf.Leffhalf

consensus; it has sought control. And in doing so, it hasdestroyedanyremaining hope of a pre-election alliance. It is not enough to wanttoremovethePPPfrom office. That cannot be the sole objective of any politicalalliance.Becauseif thatisallyouhave,youwill not know what to do once you get there. Power cannot bethedestination.Itmustbe the means to a higher end governance, service, reform.ThatiswhatGranger understood. That is what is nowlost.

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

Opposition Leader

Mohamed concerned about move to revive murder allegations against him

Presidential candidate for the fledglingWe Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed, has called on Guyanese to remain vigilant,ashesaideffortsareafoot to revive allegations that he killed Ricardo Fagundes, called Paper Shorts,backin2021.

Fagundes was shot more than 20timesinMarch2021bytwomen momentsaftersteppingoutofPalm CourtonMainStreet,Georgetown. The men had emerged from the backseatofawaitingwhiteToyota Fielder car, which was heavily tinted. Police had later found a burnt-outcaratalocationalongthe Soesdyke/LindenHighway.

In a statement on his Facebook page on Thursday evening, Mohamed said he was willing to cooperatewithanyfairandcredible investigation into any allegations madeagainsthim.“Itisunfortunate that I must divert my time and energy from addressing the needs of the people to addressing these baseless claims designed to

damage my reputation as a candidate in the upcoming general and regional elections,” Mohamed said. He noted that over the past months, “I have seen continuous efforts to attack my character, tarnish my name, and discredit my family I strongly reject these actions.Letmeremindyou:Ihave never been named a person of interest or a suspect in any murder investigation.”

Mohamed noted that in September 2022, the Regional Security System (RSS) report clearlystatedtherewasnoevidence of corruption or a cover-up in the investigation into the 2021 murder ofRicardoFagundes.“TheGuyana Police Force also publicly confirmed that I was never a suspect This information is publicly known, and I remain committed to clearing my name. Unfortunately, a fair process is not always guaranteed. That's why I askyou,myfellowcitizens,tostay alert and take note of the ongoing

Ricardo Fagundes, called 'Paper Shorts'

political efforts to undermine my credibility and hinder my campaign These attacks are politically motivated, planned by thethreatenedPPP,andcarriedout by their associates to push false narratives.”

Mohamed said that ever since his announcement to contest these elections, he has noticed the

Presidential candidate of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed

following tactics: “Defaming my family in the media; blocking my visits to indigenous communities; false accusations of tax evasion; false allegations of rape and now, revi

allegations.”“IcallonallGuyanese toremainvigilantandsupportafair electionprocess,onethatisvoidof political mischief and abuse of

power,”thestatementconcluded.

KaieteurNewshadreportedon September 10, 2022, the Home Affairs Ministry stated that the Regional Security System (RSS) had found no evidence of a police cover-up in the murder of Fagundes.Instead,accordingtothe Ministry, accusations made by police Sergeant Detective Dion Bascom that there was a cover-up wereonly“hearsay.”

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali had requested the services of the RSS after the detective, via his lawyer, Nigel Hughes, had asked him for protection. Bascom's need for protection arose after he had madeaFacebooklive,accusinghis superiors at the Police Force's CriminalInvestigationDepartment (CID)ofacceptinga$30Mbribeto coverupPaperShorts'murder The GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF)hadnot only denied the claims but had called Bascom a liar and even investigated him for breaching its codeofconduct.

‘Peace, insecurity cannot be divorced from development’

Addressing the United Nations

S e c u r i t y Council's Open Debate on 'Poverty,Underdevelopment and Conflict,' Guyana's Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd said that sustainable development in developing countries is impossible without peace and security, urging global leaders to recognise their inseparablelink.

M i n i s t e r T o d d emphasisedthatastableand secure environment is

critical for any kind of growth to occur in developing countries

“Peaceandinsecuritycannot b e d i v o r c e d f r o m development.

P o v e r t y a n d underdevelopment are common features across many of the situations of which the Security Council isseized,”hesaid.

The foreign minister argued that the issue of poverty could not be solved byrelyingsolelyonpolitical resolutions but requires a

broad-based approach that answers lingering socioeconomicquestionsaswell.

Minister Todd explained that prioritising political solutions alone in conflicts characterisedbypovertyand underdevelopment will not lead to comprehensive and sustainablepeace.“Wemust therefore address inter alia, l a c k o f e c o n o m i c opportunities,lackofaccess toeducation,unemployment andexclusion,”hesaid.

Recognising that this requires a multilateral

– Min. Todd at UN Security Council

solution, the minister called on international financial institutions to reverse their modus operandi and make financingmoreaccessibleto developingcountries.

He said this will allow for a broader-based approach to answering the world's biggest problems –poverty, underdevelopment andconflict. “Thereistruth inthesayingthatbeingpoor is expensive since developingcountriesexpend more to access finance,” he stated.

“The global financial architecture should be more responsive to the needs of developing countries as a whole,particularlycountries transitioning out of conflict.” The minister also called for increased support foryouthandwomen,urging greater investments to e x p a n d e c o n o m i c opportunities that address specific needs At the

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd

beginning of June, Guyana assumed the Presidency of theUNSecurityCouncilfor onemonth.

This comes after the country was elected to the SecurityCounciltoservefor twoyearsfromJanuary2024 toDecember2026.

The last time Guyana served on this high-ranking councilwasin1986.During

the month of its presidency, Guyana is expected to organisetheannualChildren and Armed Conflict Open DebateonJune25.

Minister Todd was supported by Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and Guyana's Permanent RepresentativetotheUnited Nations,CarolynRodriguesBirkett.(DPI)

CDB president calls for stronger institutions to drive Caribbean resilience ‘Hold the line of battle’

At a defining

moment for the r e g i o n , President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), DanielBest,underscoredthe urgentneedtobuildstronger, moreadaptiveinstitutionsto help Borrowing Member Countries(BMCs)withstand globaldisruptionsandshape their own development future.

Delivering his inaugural address at the 55th Annual Meeting of the CDB Board of Governors on June 11 in Brasília, President Best shared that “Resilience, in today's world, means empowering institutions to adapt in real-time to an increasingly uncertain global landscape, shaped by geopolitical fragmentation, shifting international policies, and economic shocks.

These forces demand that we protect and support our institutions, not just as safeguards, but as the mechanismsthatenableusto have a seat at the table, a voice in defining our future, and control over our destiny.”

The President pointed to recent achievements to strengthen the Bank's

presence in the region, including the launch of the US$58 5 million SuRGE Programme, a just energy

e supported by Canada, and a significant increase in the Bank's Green Climate Fund accreditation—from US$50 million to US$250 million unlocking new resources for climate adaptation and resilience

The Bank is also advancing innovations under its Balance Sheet Optimisation Framework to expand lending capacity, and a recent Exposure Exchange Agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will unlock additional resources for the region's sustainable developmentagenda.

Framed by the Annual Meeting's theme, “Building the Future: Resilient Institutions for a Greener, Stronger, and Inclusive Caribbean,” the President's addressalsooutlinedabold, forward-looking vision for reshaping the region's developmenttrajectory Atthecoreofthisvision is what he described as the “Rebirth of the Bank”, a transformationofCDBitself

ile, responsive, and catalytic institution capable of tackling the Caribbean's mosturgentchallenges.

President Best revealed that consistent with his vision, the Bank is working on a new 10-year Strategic Plan that will guide CDB's priorities in the near and medium term The forthcoming plan will redefine the region's development path, with key prioritiesincluding:

-Embedding climate resilienceasacornerstoneof securityandprosperity

- I n c e n t i v i s i n g sustainable governance throughsmartfiscalreform.

-Leveraging digital infrastructure for inclusive economicgrowth.

-Making gender equality and social inclusion pillars ofprogress.

-Unlocking the private sector's full potential as a partnerindevelopment.

The CDB's 55th Annual Meeting concluded on June 12, 2025. Discussions this week have underscored the Bank's commitment to bold, future-oriented action that responds to the needs of its Borrowing Member Countries.

- Jones urges PNCR members

Amid a flurry of defections from the PNCR, Chief Whip of the Opposition, Christopher JonesonThursdayhascalled forunitywithintheparty

Inastatement,Jonessaid thePNCRisapoliticalparty forallseasons,notingthatit is the political party that led Guyanatoindependenceand statehood and crafted and created the many national government agencies and institutions in service to Guyanese “The PNC is intricately intertwined into the Guyanese fiber and fabric, and our politics and identityasanation.Thus,the PNCismorethanapolitical party. It is a national institution. In the words of ourpartybattlesong,itisthe institutionthatledus“outof ages of oppression, independentnowwestand.”

Jones said throughout its rich history, the PNC has confronted many threats to

itsidentityandexistenceand has never wavered in d

Guyanesepeople.“Ourparty battlesongurgedusto“hold the line of battle” as we confront all challenges and uncertainties and not surrender in defence of just causes and threats. As we have seen, some threats

challenge our existence. But as a national institution, our existence and purpose cannot be extinguished overnight.Therewillbelow points in our history and trajectory

Therewillbetrials,BUT theywillbetriumphs”Jones said the party will always reboundandsurvive,because the linchpin of this national institution are people who believeinitandwillfightfor ittobeatitsbest “ThePNC willcontinuetoleadandfight for the Guyanese people and provide the hope we all need whenallmayseemlost Inthe APNU alliance we will muster all the strength with those that join us to rally the masses “from field to office andfactory” Neverconfusea single defeat with a final defeat The PNC is not dead Let us begin the work to electoral victory on September 1, 2025,” Jones concluded.

Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones

‘Fish’ gets 11 years for manslaughter

Phillip Bacchus, called 'Fish,55,ofMahdia,Region Eight, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Thursday for the unlawful death of LeavernDaniels.

Bacchus was originally indicted for murder, but he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter It is th allegedthatbetween9 May, th 2019andthe10 May,2019 at Princeville Village, Mahdia, Bacchus killed Daniels, called 'Toy' and 'Roy'. His sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh at the EssequiboHighCourt.

StateProsecutor,Caressa Henry,hadaskedthecourtto consider aggravating factors to the crime, such as the weapon[aknife]usedinthe commissionofthecrimeand thenatureandseriousnessof the injury sustained by the deceased. JusticeSinghhad initially imposed a 24 years prison sentence but eight years was deducted for the guilty plea, four years for a favourable probation report which reflected that he has no prior issues with the law, three years for genuine remorseandtwoyearsadded for the impact, the killing

hadonthevictim'sfamily. In handing down the sentence, the judge noted thattherewasafundamental breakdown- the accused's response to being annoyed was unreasonable. He said persons must endeavour to resolve conflicts and perceived issues by walking away; the accused did not have the necessity to resort to violence As such, the judgesaidthemessagemust be sent to persons so that they understand that in a civilised society, conflict shouldnotbeaddressedwith violence-personsmustlearn

avoidance. According to facts of the case, Alexcena Joseph, a witness to the th crime, said on the 9 May, 2019, she came to the bar where she works in Princeville Village to sell gold,andsheboughtitfrom Bacchus.

She claimed that on the night of the incident, she heard him [Bacchus] saying loudly that he wanted to kill somebodyandthathewould killsomebodythatnight.She was in the bar at that time, but she peeped out and saw him repeating those words overandover However,she was not clear who he was talking to. She related that Bacchusandtwoothermales wereatthebarthatnight,and the deceased was in that sameyard.

Laterinthenight,around 2:00 am, another patron, Valarie Edwards, called out to her and told her to come see something ugly that happened. She then opened the door, went outside and

Phillip Bacchus called 'Fish' (Photo credit: Stabroek News)

sawthedeceasedbehindthe buildinglyingontheground withhis“guts”out.Shethen calledthepolice.Onthesaid th10 May, 2019, a detective stationed at Mahdia Police Station visited the scene in Princeville Village and observed the deceased lying ontheground.Heexamined thebodyandsawawoundon the left side abdomen, and hisgutswereprotruding.He thenescortedthedeceasedto Mahdia Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On th12 May,2019,thedetective arrested Bacchus as he was

seatedonatreestumpinthe vicinity of Kangarara Backdam.

Bacchus was told of the allegation and reportedly admitted to committing the crime.Hereportedlytoldthe police that he was imbibing when an Amerindian man came up to him and called himaracistslur Hesaid“we end up in a heated argument and me stab he with a knife andmerunaway”. Bacchus latertoldthepolice,“WhileI wasstandingbytheshoptwo Amerindianmencameupto me, one was in front of me and the other one was standingbehindme.Theone that was standing in front of me start to tell me about black man and me and he startedtoargueandIbecame annoyed.Atthetime,Ihada white handle knife in my pants waist and I take it out and I stab the Amerindian man who was arguing with meandIrunawayandwent into my camp and sleep… I amsorryforwhathappen.”

Entertainment Kaieteur Entertainment Kaieteur

Local entertainment company's annual reunion party showcases how four young friends turned creativity into Guyana's hottest events

Saturday,July19th, Black Magenta will transform into a nostalgic playground asTopFlightEntertainment presents their highly anticipated annual event, "AlmaMater."Butthisisn't just any party, it's a celebration of friendship, memories, and the entrepreneurial spirit that turnedfouryoungGuyanese menintooneofthecountry's m o s t i n n o v a t i v e entertainmentcompanies.

"Alma Mater is really a school reunion," explains Ato Greene, co-founder of Top Flight Entertainment. "Everyone is always longingforareuniontolink upwiththeiroldfriendsthey haven't seen in a long time, and class reunion plans almost always fall through. We took up the mantle to hostanannualpartythatcan bedubbedareunion."

This year's theme, "Career Day," encourages patronstodressaswhatthey wanted to be when they grewup,aplayfultwistthat captures the essence of childhood dreams and aspirations The event promises local artists performing beloved throwback songs, an atmosphere designed to trigger school-day nostalgia, and a $100,000 prize for the best-dressed female.With doors opening at8:00PMandadresscode

encouraging participants to "repyourschool,"theevent embodies the company's mission to create unique experiences that bring Guyanesetogether

The story behind Top Flight Entertainment reads likeatestamenttothepower

Aspartofitsongoingdriveto c

opportunities and build an inclusiveeconomy,theGovernmentof Guyana continues to invest in initiatives that uplift and empower its citizens,particularlywomen.

One such initiative came to life on Tuesday with the official launch of a garment construction hub under the Women's Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) in Cane Grove village, East Coast Demerara The sewing facility represents the latest move by the government to strengthen women's economic participation and promote sustainable development throughthecreativeindustries.Thehub also aims to empower small business owners and aspiring designers within the community by providing access to industrial-grade equipment, a functional workspace, and hands-on skill-building support in garment production.

The training will be led by Jane C

professionalfromCaneGrovewhohas passed on a wealth of knowledge to members of the community over the years. Eulette Munroe, a professional seamstressforover15years,isgrateful for Clarke's mentorship and believes the hub will have a positive impact on the livelihoods of many women and allow them to inherit a wealth of generational knowledge Monroe herself plans to make her contribution by eventually offering garment construction classes and unlock the economic potential of women in communitieslikeCaneGrove.

“Sewingisawell-establishedand lucrative skill, and we have been training many women through the WIIN programme across the length and breadth of Guyana,” said MinisterofHumanServicesandSocial

of friendship and

innovation. What began as two friends providing security services at Outside Lounge has blossomed into one of Guyana's most talked-about entertainment companies.

Ato Greene and Travis Belgrave, both in their twenties, started their journey in November 2022 with nothing more than an idea and the courage to experiment.

"We decided to play around with the idea of throwing events," Greene recalls.Theirfirsttestwasa simple takeaway lunch, but its success sparked somethingbigger

Recognizing the potential, Greene and Belgraverecruitedtwomore friendsfromtheirclose-knit circle, Kareem Lewis and MalachiRichards.Together, this quartet of young entrepreneurs took their biggestleaponFebruary23, 2023, hosting "We Linkin" on Mash Day The concept was simple yet brilliant, bring friends together to celebrate Guyana's Mashramaniinstyle.

Even when heavy rainfall threatened to dampen spirits, the event proved successful, validating their belief that Guyanese craved fresh, premium entertainment

experiences. This success fueled their ambition, leading to events like "La Belle De'hors" and the expansion of their services to include hookah and Tuesdaykaraokenights. What sets Top Flight apart is their understanding of what Guyanese want, connection, nostalgia, and quality experiences. "Alma Mater" exemplifies this philosophy perfectly In a country where class reunions often remain wishfulthinking,TopFlight created an annual tradition where old classmates can reconnect in an atmosphere that celebrates their shared (Continuedonpage22)

New sewing hub 'stitching' a path to women's empowerment

Security Dr Vindhya Persaud Dr Persaud reaffirmed the government's commitment to fostering growth and development through these types of community initiatives She also emphasised the importance of nurturinglocaltalentandensuringthat womenhaveaccesstosafe,productive spacesthatfuelindependence.

“We have trained over 17,000 womenindiversefields,andyouare going to add to that complement of women.Idon'twantittobeaone-off hub where one group comes and that'stheendofit,Iwouldliketosee continuity,”theministersaid.

Meanwhile, in addition to commissioning the garment construction hub, Minister Persaud launchedtheGoldenGenerationsHub, an initiative to provide a safe and nurturing space for the senior citizens. The space, located at the garment construction hub, is designed as a

sanctuary of comfort and relaxation, equippedwithengagingandinteractive features facilitated by the ministry's Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) andtheSexualOffencesandDomestic Violence Policy Unit The hub will provide elders with a welcoming environment to express themselves, share their lived experiences, participate in health and wellness programmes,andengageina“wisdom circle”activity (DPI)

Founders of T

One of the participants, Eulette Munroe operating the sewing machine

E-Mashaya Ministry set to elevate audiences with third Concert "Elevation"

E-Mashaya Ministry, a dynamic collective of approximately 40 young Seventh-day Adventists from across Guyana, is preparing to deliver their most ambitious musical showcase yet with "Elevation:AnotherLevel" on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the National Cultural Centre.

The concert, which begins at 7PM, represents the third iteration of EMashaya's signature "Elevation" series, a name carefully chosen to reflect theministry'scoremission.

"We believe people should take a step closer to God every day, and that is done through the process of elevation," explains Andel H i g g i n s , E v e n t Coordinator and Founder of E-Mashaya Ministry

"WebelieveifyouputGod first, anything else you're looking for in life will follow,asthescripturesays 'Seek ye first the kingdom ofGod.'"

Operatingforfiveyears since its inception in July

2020, E-Mashaya has established itself as more than just a musical ministry The name itself carries deep spiritual significance. "E-Mashaya" translates to "God with us bravewarriors,"combining "Emmanuel"(Godwithus) with "Mashaya" (brave warriors) This identity reflectstheirdualapproach of combining artistic e x p r e s s i o n w i t h community service and evangelism.

Under the current leadership of Director NygilDrepaul,theministry has executed numerous community initiatives including health fairs at Stabroek Square, dental checkups, blood drives, andvariousconcerts.Their ultimate goal remains unwavering,“witnessingto people about God with hopes that they would give their lives to Christ,”

Drepaulsaid.

"The concert will showcase the local talent that the Seventh-day Adventist church has," n o

H

s , emphasizing the platform the event provides for emerging artists Many p

compositions, including Shermon Hawker, The Messengers, Vocal Fusion, and Shaquana Goodluck, offering audiences fresh musical expressions of faith.

The evening will also feature performances by Damion Layne, Frieanna Atkins, Ronetta Cort, and Heavenly Harmony, creating a diverse lineup that spans various gospel

generations.

The concert's major drawcomesfromitstrioof headline acts, representing someofthemostprominent voices in contemporary gospelmusic.BjornPierre, recognized as the biggest SDA artist in the Caribbean, will share the stage with internationally acclaimed Sherwin Gardener and Guyana's own Samuel Medas,

creating a powerful combination of local pride andregionaltalent.

E-Mashaya has structured ticket pricing to ensure broad accessibility to the community

Auditorium front seats are priced at $4,000, rear auditorium seating at $4,000,andbalconytickets at $3,000, making the concert accessible to

v

le maintaining the venue's premiumatmosphere.

The event has garnered support from several local b u s i n e s s e s a n d organizations, including EZ Tax Trade & General Services, Shawn Holder (Furniture Expert/Car Brokers), Pure 95.1 FM, RAJ Costumes House Broker & Shipping Agency, and Fantasy E n t e r t a i n m e n t , demonstrating the community's investment in youth-led spiritual and culturalinitiatives.

A s E - M a s h a y a Ministry prepares for

El evation: Another Level," theconcertrepresentsmore than entertainment, it embodies a movement of youngpeoplecommittedto using their talents for spiritual and community transformation For an organization that has consistently demonstrated its commitment to service and evangelism, this concert serves as both celebration and mission, i n viting audiences to join in their journey of elevation towarddivinepurpose. Tickets are available at NCC for what promises to be an evening where local talent meets international acclaim, all unified under the banner of faith and communityupliftment. For more information you can contact Andel Higginson612-0653

FiregutsEastStreetsalon

Afireofunknown origin destroyed a salon located on East Street, Georgetown, onThursday

The BV by Victoria Beauty Salon, located at Lot 345 East Street, operates fromthetopfloorofathreestorey building owned by Nitin Mehra. The fire reportedly started in the salon.Atthetimeofthefire, nobodywasinthebuilding.

Duetotheswiftresponse from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), firefighters were able to extinguish the fireinatimelymannerwhile saving the rest of the building.

Divisional Officer for Operations,Andrew Holder, told this publication that the FireServicereceivedthecall at 1:54 pm, and at 1:58 pm,

fourwatertendersarrivedon thescene.

“Four water appliances from around Georgetown arrived with a total of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 5

firefighters After some amount of challenge, we were able to gain entrance into the top floor of the building.

After about 10 to 15 minutes of firefighting, we were able to completely extinguish the fire,” Officer Holdersaid.

Meanwhile, during an interview with Kaieteur News, the owner of the salon, Victoria Aguiar, a native of Brazil, was moved totears.

Through a translator, the womansaidthatshereceived a call informing her that the salonwasonfire.

Tyler Perry sued by actor on 'The Oval' for sexual assault and harassment

( A S S O C I AT E D PRESS) An actor who worked on the Tyler Perrycreated TV drama “The Oval” has filed a lawsuit alleging Perry leveraged his industrypowertorepeatedly sexually assault and harass himwhilekeepinghimquiet.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by actor Derek Dixon, who appeared on 85 episodes of theBETseries,seeksatleast $260 million in damages

“Mr Perry took his success and power and used his considerableinfluenceinthe entertainment industry to create a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr Dixon initially promising him career advancement and creative opportunities, such as producing his pilot and castinghiminhisshow,only to subject him to escalating sexual harassment, assault andbattery,andprofessional retaliation,”thelawsuitsays.

The lawsuit was filed Friday and first reported Tuesday by TMZ. Perry's attorney, Matthew Boyd, said its allegations are false.

“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothingmorethansettingup a scam,” Boyd said in a statementTuesday

“But Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”

The lawsuit says that Perry first noticed Dixon in

“Wegetacallthatthefire start and the fire people just reach here and they have to investigate to know how the firestart.Amanwaspassing and he call the fire people

Courtney John evokes nostalgia with Cool Me Down

2019whenDixonwaspartof the event staff at a Perry party, and later offered an audition.

Dixonwouldfirstappear in a small role on the Perry series “Ruthless” before gettingthebiggerroleonthe political drama “The Oval.” Perry soon began sending u

, according to the lawsuit, which includes screenshots ofseveralofthem.

“What's it going to take for you to have guiltless sex?” one of the messages says.The lawsuit says Perry

o f f e r e d D i x o n a n increasingly prominent role on the show as his sexual advances became more aggressive. The actor says he tried to remain friendly

while maintaining boundaries. “Dixon did his best to tiptoe around Mr Perry's sexual aggression

whilekeepingonMr Perry's goodside,”thelawsuitsays.

“Mr Perry made it clear to Dixon that if Dixon ignored Perry or failed to engage with the sexual innuendoes, Dixon's character would 'die.'”

The lawsuit says Perry

including an instance where he “forcibly pulled off Mr Dixon's clothing, groped his buttocks, and attempted to force himself on Dixon ” Dixon clearly told Perry “No,” but was initially ignored until he was able to de-escalate the situation and c

ct, accordingtothelawsuit.

Thefollowingday,Perry apologised, and told Dixon he would work with Dixon on a TV pilot Dixon was seeking to produce. Dixon laterreceivedaraisethatthe

lawsuit suggests was part of anattempttokeephimquiet. He said the fear of his character dying kept him quietasintended.

Perry also produced and boughttherightstothepilot, called “Losing It,” but the lawsuit alleges Perry had no intentionofsellingtheshow and was using it only for leverageoverDixon.

The lawsuit describes several other assaults, including one where Dixon was staying in a guest room of Perry's house when Perry climbed into bed with him uninvitedandbegangroping him, the lawsuit alleges Dixon would eventually move fromAtlanta, home to Perry's production studio, to Los Angeles to put distance betweenthetwoofthem.

Dixon in 2024 filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and when that didn't result in any action from the show's producers, hequit.TheAssociatedPress does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly asDixonhas. “TheOval”is oneofmanytelevisionseries executive produced by, written by and directed by the 55-year-old Perry, who first became known as creator and star of the “Madea”filmsandhassince built a major production empireinTVandmovies.As anactorhehasalsoappeared inthefilms“GoneGirl”and “Don'tLookUp.”

( J A M A I A C A OBSERVER) Courtney Johnrollsbacktheyearsto revisit the vintage reggae soundscape with his latest releaseCoolMeDown.

The single's summery musicalmeasurebringsback memories of quiet Sunday afternoons in rural Jamaica when easy-listening selections bellowed from boomboxes, stereos and

Trevor McKenzie on bass. We recorded [the song] in January or February [of this year],” the artiste told the Jamaica Observer, explaining that the single went through several iterations, over the better partofadecade.

”Iwrotethesongin2016 with a songwriting bredrin basedoutofParis…Mylast album, he produced it. So

record players, while the freshly done rice and peas and fried chicken is being served with shredded vegetablesontheside.

T h e b r a n d - n e w recording could easily be shelved among any collection of beloved timeless classics from the genre. “I got some musician friends of mine together: Kirk Bennett on drums, Beezy and Khan on guitar, Duke Dawes on keys, and

we've had the demo version since 2016 and I have been toying to put it out every year, every summer It's a summer song, so it's not somethingyoucanputoutin winter.

But the moment has never been right,” Courtney John said, adding that latest version of Cool Me Down was refined through studio rerecording as well as from being workshopped during (Continuedonpage22)

then we got the call. Every singlethinginthestoreburn up, everything destroyed,” thefriendrelayed. TheGFSisinvestigating theincident.

The outside of the BV by Victoria Beauty Salon

Tyler Perry

GDF to construct $241 M Air Corps hangar at Timehri

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will soon construct a hangarfacilityforitsaircraftatAirCorps,Timehri,EastBank Demerara(EBD).

This was revealed at the recent opening of bids at the

Bidder

National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)officewhichrevealedthattheprojectisestimatedto cost$241,041,177. AccordingtoNPTABinformation,atotal ofeightcontractorshavebidfortheproject.

This publication understands that the GDF has a hangar locatedattheCheddiJaganInternationalAirportinTimehri. InMarch,theGDFcommissioneda$231MhangarattheOgle Airport.

Below are the companies and their bids:

GuyanaDefenceForce ConstructionofHangar,AirCorps,Timehri.

BMPropertyInvestmentsInc.

EmeraldsGeneralContracting&Distributors

DigitalDesignConstruction, Logistics&Supplies

IndustrialFabrication Inc.

DundasConstructionInc.

WestbrookCaribbeanInc.

GraceEnterprise(Guyana) Inc.

Supergraphics

Engineer’s Estimate

AmountTendered

$267,771,243

$287,434,753

$242,859,418

$271,090,001

$237,672,100

$285,903,476

$330,147,084

$482,530,361

$241,041,177

ExtensionandrehabilitationofOfficer'skitchen andmesshallatBaseCampStephenson.

Bidder Amount Tendered

ACL Construction Guyana

Westbrook Caribbean Inc

STS Investments

Grace Enterprise (Guyana) Inc

Innovative Development Solutions Guyana

Digital Design Construction, Logistics & Supplies

BM Property Investments Inc

$45 803,410

$47,047,078

$46,337,100

$46 438,860

$46,050,930

$35,215,900

$59,828,900

Bidder

Constructionofequipmentandvehicle bondatBaseCampSeweyo.

BMPropertyInvestmentsInc

DigitalDesignConstruction,Logistics&Supplies

WestbrookCaribbeanInc

BMLArchitects&Engineer’sInc

DundasConstructionInc

Engineer’sEstimate

ProcurementofInterventionalRadiology Supplies&DisposableSheets.

AmountTendered

$212,921,500

$148,141,880

$195,294,590

$166,974,080

$146,176,765

$150,860,720

GeorgetownPublicHospitalCorporation ConstructionofaDiagnosticCentre.

MinistryofHomeAffairs

ProcurementofTools&Equipment-GuyanaFireService. Bidder Amount Tendered Optimum Supplies $4,775,000 Industrial Safety Supplies Inc $22,989,820

60 Offshore Inc $25,147,160 Supply&DeliveryofFogging

Strengthening cooperation and exchange with BRICS countries key to advance priority health commitments -PAHODirectorsays

The Pan American Health Org

n (PAHO)Director,Dr Jarbas Barbosa, has called for joint effortsandnewpartnerships to address the priorities outlinedintheBRICShealth agenda, including innovation, equity, food systems for healthy diets, andpandemicpreparedness.

“The BRICS countries are not only economic and political powers but also public health leaders,” said Dr Barbosa during the opening ceremony of the 15th BRICS Ministers of Health Meeting, in Brasilia, Braziltoday “Together,your countries represent over 40% of the world's population, and your advancesinhealthcoverage, epidemicresponse,andlocal innovation have global relevance.”

For the PAHO Director, thecountriesoftheAmericas – particularly in Latin AmericaandtheCaribbean–face similar structural challenges as BRICS countries and are working towards aligned health priorities, including through addressing the burden of noncommunicable diseases, modernizinghealthsystems, preparing for the impacts of climate change on health, promotingdigitalhealthand innovation, eliminating communicable diseases and promotinghealthierdiets.

initiativesthatelevatehealth as a driver of economic opportunity and social inclusion,” the Director added,underscoringtherole of the Organization as a strategicpartner

The 15th BRICS MinistersofHealthMeeting, held on 17 June, brought together Ministers of Health an

“These shared goals present a clear opportunity for BRICS and countries of the Americas to learn from one another, collaborate moredeeply,andco-develop the tools and solutions needed to protect health and advance development,” he said “PAHO is fully committed to supporting

following countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and the UnitedArabEmirates.

During the Meeting, the BRICS delegates also approved a Declaration to strengthen cooperation in health Under the Declaration, the countries willworktogethertoaddress global health challenges,

through Global South collaboration.Otherareasof focus include strengthening local and regional production of medicines, vaccinesandhealthsupplies; accelerating health equity through the elimination of socially determined diseases; ensuring equitable access to tuberculosisrelated innovations; advancing voluntary regulatory convergence; expanding health research; promoting vaccine research a n d d e v e l o p m e n t ; strengthening Artificial Intelligence in healthcare; and promoting sustainable and resilient health infrastructure.

“I would especially like thank the World Health Organization (WHO) and PAHO, represented here by Dr JarbasBarbosa”,saidthe MinisterofHealthofBrazil,

Alexandre Padilha, following approval of the Declaration.

Addressingnoncommunicablediseases

During the Ministerial Meeting, Dr Barbosa also participated in a High-Level event on the Promotion of adequate and healthy eating practices a

p

v e n t i o n o f Noncommunicable Chronic Conditions Globally, N C D s , i n c l u d i n g cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are r e s p o

i b l e f o r approximately 71% of all deaths, many of which are preventable. Yet while the world has seen a dramatic and sustained rise in the burden of NCDs “less than 2% of official development assistance is allocated to

NCDs,” said the PAHO Director “Unhealthy diets –rich in trans fats, saturated fats,freesugars,andsodium, and poor in whole grains, fruits, legumes, and vegetables – are a central driver of the NCD epidemic,”headded.

Thesedietsaredrivenby the global rise in ultraprocessed foods, the aggressive marketing of which has “fueled a rapid nutritional transition across both high- and low-income countries,”saidDr Barbosa. To address these issues the PAHO Director and the BRICScountriessharedkey experiences and lessons learned to prevent noncommunicable diseases, such as front-of-package warning labels, taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages and regulation of unhealthy foodmarketing.

WANTED VACANCY

Driver for canter truck and Porters to work in warehouse, experience is an asset. Call: 673-7373.

Job openings: truck Drivers, AC Technician & Health & safety Officer. Apply via Whatsapp: 689-1111/ 6082114.

Cashier (9pm - 6am), Inventory clerk, pastry maker, roti cooks. send applications to Roti Hut, 18 North Road Bourda. Call: 227-4949 ext 1137 / 656-7686.

Wanted one Maid. Contact: 680-1282.

One male Gardener to work at Ogle, ECD. 7am-4pm MonFri, $6000 per day. Call: 6117839.

General Domestic to work in the West Minister area, one day per week. Call: 683-3417/ 646-7400.

Wanted One person skilled in Welding and Fabrication from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Training will be provided. Contact 621-7861 for more information

ENTERTAINMENT

Aracari Resort crystal clear pool, family fun, safe kids & adult sections, music & food. W.B.D. Call: 264-2946-9

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. For more information Call: 649-0956.

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

2005 Nissan Tiide for sale as is $450,000. Call : 6115814.

FOR SALE

T RUCK TIRES 295/ 75R22.5 $40K EACH. CALL/WHATSAPP: +592688-3201.

For Sale 6 used American made Dental chairs excellent condition contact Mr Vino on 661-3030 or 626-8918

House and Land for sale. Contact : 645-9805.

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

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

Maid for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

One (1) Male cleaner for Eccles office. Call: 615-9132.

One (1) Painter needed. Call: 615-9132.

General Domestic, Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 5 day work.

One night Watchman. Call: 731-2125.

Excavator Operator for Interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 672-9383.

GOAL Graduates! Start your career at Aracari Resort- great pay, growth, perks. Apply now! Call: 264-2946-9.

Vacancy for Elderly Caregiver @ Republic Park. Please Call or WhatsApp: 656-1875/ 233-5160/6096952.

Vacancy for o ne Kitchen assistance (Monday to Friday) $5000 per day. Call : 696-2520.

Regular & Punctual workers needed to work in Boutique at Soesdyke, 35 k. Call :6699258 /664 -3411

SERVICES

VISA Application for USA, Canada, UK, ETA, ETC. Natrualisation guidance + application filling, ECT. Tel: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

FOR RENT

Newly constructed two bedroom apt in a safe and healthy environment. Call: 698-6496/ 737-0225.

One Business place to rent 183 Quamana Street, South Cummingsburg. Tel : 6122125.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari Hotel, WBD (Versailles, Vreed-en-Hoop) - A/C, all amenities & breakfast included. From $78 US. Call: 264-2946.

UN warns of starvation in ‘hunger hotspots’

Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali face immediate risk as extreme hunger rises in 13 locations.

Aljazeera - Extreme hunger will intensify in 13 global hotspots over the coming months, with five states facing the immediate risk of starvation, according to a United Nations report.

The report, Hunger Hotspots, released on Monday by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), blamed conflict, economic shocks, and climate-related hazards for the threat of starvation in Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali.

The report, which predicts food crises in the next five months, calls for investment and help to ensure aid delivery, which it said was being undermined by insecurity and funding gaps.

The people living in the five worst-hit countries face “extreme hunger and risk of starvation and death in the coming months unless there is urgent humanitarian action”, warned the UN agencies.

“This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat – it is a daily emergency for millions,” said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu. “We must act now, and act together, to save lives and safeguard livelihoods.”

“This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,” said WFP Executive Di-

rector Cindy McCain. “Without funding and access, we cannot save lives.”

For famine to be declared, at least 20 percent of the population in an area must be suffering extreme food shortages, with 30 percent of children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or malnutrition and disease.

In Sudan, where famine was confirmed in 2024, the crisis is likely to persist due to conflict and displacement, with almost 25 million people at risk. South Sudan, hit by flooding and political instabil-

ity, could see up to 7.7 million people in crisis, with 63,000 in famine-like conditions, the report said.

In Palestine, Israel’s continued military operations and blockade of Gaza have left the entire population of 2.1 million people facing acute food shortages, with nearly half a million at risk of famine by the end of September, the report said.

In Haiti, escalating gang violence has displaced thousands, with 8,400 already facing catastrophic hunger. In Mali, conflict and high grain prices put 2,600 people at risk of starvation by the end of

August. Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are also flagged as hotspots of very high concern. Other hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.

“Preemptive interventions save lives, reduce food gaps, and protect assets and livelihoods,” the report stresses.

In contrast to worsening conditions in the 13 states identified, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been removed from the list.

Local entertainment company’s annual reunion...

From page 15 past. The company’s rapid rise reflects a broader trend of young Guyanese entrepreneurs identifying gaps in the market and filling them with creativity and passion.

From door staff to event hosts, from a lunch trial to

major productions, Top Flight’s journey demonstrates how innovation and friendship can create something extraordinary.

As patrons prepare to dust off their school memories and career dreams for July 19th, they’re not just

attending another party, they’re supporting a homegrown success story that proves big dreams can start with simple ideas and strong friendships. Top Flight Entertainment’s

“Alma Mater: Career Day” takes place

Saturday, July 19th at Black Magenta, with assembly at 8:00 PM.

For a generation of young Guyanese, it’s more than an event, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to celebrate where you came from.

Courtney John evokes nostalgia with Cool Me Down...

From page 18 touring. “I was reading somewhere, in the latter part of last year, that the summer of 2025 is going to be the hottest in history,” the Okapi Entertainment principal said, adding that he had to strike while the iron was hot. “I had to get Cool Me Down out, so I went back into the studio and rerecord the whole thing… had to get back in the groove. It took a month to mix… the end product, I’m satisfied with it… people seem to love it.”

The singer is known for songs such as I Go Crazy, Sometimes, When You Say, Lucky Man, and Baby To-

night. “I am doing the digital groundwork, reintroducing myself to the people… every 10n years there is a new set of people who don’t know who you are… make them aware of you. So far it’s being going good. People seem to be happy that I am still doing music,” the songwriter, who is also a producer, told the Observer.

“I’m taking my time with it, I am not falling into trying to feed the algorithm. I am going to take my time with my songs, give it to the people bit by bit. I am of the philosophy that songs are like rivers, they eventually find the

ocean.”

The artiste disclosed that he has several projects in the works; one of which is possibly releasing an album.

“I don’t think the market right now is albumdriven…we have to adjust to the market. It is really a singles-driven marketplace now, but mi have the songs ready… Just gonna drop a couple songs and then I’ll just release the bigger body of work.

“[But] the album is written already…the songs kind of capture a moment. I want to figure out the [album’s] direction in terms of sound. But

the good thing with technology is, it can give you a snapshot of what the people dem ah vibe to,” the musician said. He added that the “numbers don’t lie” and the statistics reflects the pulse of the musical climate and is a general guide for artistic direction. Also in the pipeline, disclosed Courtney John, is a collaboration with fellow singer-songwriter Tanya Stephens. “I am supposed to do something with Tanya Stephens, for how long now,” he shared. “I really ah try make it happen for this record. She’s my all-time favourite. Tanya Stephens is poet.”

Gaza is among five ‘hotspots’ where the threat of starvation is imminent, the UN report says [File: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Photo]

Tropical Shipping hosts disaster preparedness workshop

Tropical Shipping on Wednesday hosted a disaster management workshop at here attracting more than 70 representatives from emergencyserviceagencies, businesses, and tourism organisations.

Under the theme “Beyond the Storm: Strengthening PrivatePublic Partnership for Resiliency,” the workshop was held at the Marriott Hotel.

In a press release, Tropical Shippping said the workshop was aimed at building private-public partnerships to enhance Guyana's resiliency after a disaster strikes “As a shipping company, we recognise the essential role that strong private-public partnershipsplayineffective disaster management,” said Tropical Shipping Country ManagerGlenisHodge.

“Prior to a natural disaster, close coordination with government agencies enables us to anticipate disruptions, strategically position resources, and support prepa

dness efforts.Intheaftermath,this collaboration becomes even morecritical,facilitatingthe swift reopening of ports, restoring supply chain operations, and ensuring the timely delivery of essential goods such as food, water, and medical supplies to affected communities,” Hodgeadded.

Meanwhile, Ma

, Preparedness & Response ManageroftheGuyanaCivil Defence Commission in remarks stressed that partnerships are critical for

preparedness and response.

networkscanbeidentifiedor built with key persons trainedforspecialistrolesin disastermanagement. Inresponsetoadisaster, the private sector can mobilize resources and finances for the response, includingspecialistssuchas medical, aviation, technology, etc., who will aid response actions in the affectedareas.”

P a r t n e r s a n d organizations that attended

From left: Natasha Mustapha-Scott, Regional Manager (S.E. Caribbean), Glenis Hodge, Country Manager Guyana, Tropical Shipping, Jennifer NugentHill, Senior Director of Governmental and Community Affairs, Tropical Shipping, Chandradat Chintamani, General Manager, Muneshwers Limited

theworkshopincluded:

Ÿ Ms. Kathy Smith, P r e s i d e n t , Georgetown Chamber

of Commerce & Industry(GCCI)

Ÿ Mr. Komal Singh, Chairman, Shipping Assoc.ofGuyana

Ÿ Mr Rafeek Khan, President, Guyana Manufacturing &

S

(GMSA)

Ÿ Ms Dee George, President, Tourism & Hospitality Assoc. of Guyana

Ÿ Major Lakshman Persaud,Preparedness &ResponseManager,

Ÿ Civil D

C

Guyana

Ÿ Mr Chandradat Chintamani, General M a n a g e r , MuneshwersLtd.

Ÿ Mr ShaneRam,CEO, Shane Ram Coaching &Consulting

Ÿ Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, Deputy ExecutiveDirectorof

Ÿ Caribbean Disaster

E m e r g e n c y

Management Agency (CDEMA)

Ÿ Professor Roy Watlington (retired), University of Virgin Islands

Tropical Shipping said that it has held annual disaster preparedness workshops throughout the Caribbean for more than 25 years.

The sessions focus on how communities can develop recovery plans so businesses, schools, and governments can resume operations after a major hurricaneorevent.

“ T h i s p o w e r f u l partnership ensures more effectivepreparedness,rapid response, and resilient recovery efforts, ultimately savinglivesandspeedingup

rehabilitation and reconstruction for sustainable development,” said Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, Deputy Executive Director of the Caribbean Dis

ster Emergency Management Agency(CDEMA).

Tropical Shipping was recentlyexemptedfromnew port fees imposed by the Trump Administration, a

huge relief to the Caribbean marketitserves.

The company said the workshops are important to strengthening the region, so that a natural disaster does not devastate its economy The company said it has scheduled other disaster management seminars on other islands this year “Part of our company's mission is to support the health and well-beingoftheCaribbean, and Central and South Americabefore,during,and afteranaturaldisaster,”said Tropical Shipping President Tim Martin. “Our commitment to the communities we serve is to strengthen them, and these workshops are tools for resilience,”Martinadded.

Tropical Shipping is headquartered in Riviera Beach, Florida, and has servedtheCaribbeanmarket since1963andGuyanasince 1 9 9 4 T r o p i c a l ' s transportation services include refrigerated, dry, Full-Container-Load(FCL), Less-than-Container-Load (LCL), small package, consolidation, inland transportation, and global logisticsservices.

Final preparations to open $688 million Christ Church Secondary underway preparations

The Ministr

Education reported on

preparations are underway for the opening of the new $688 million Christ Church Secondary School, located on the corners of Camp and M

t s , Georgetown.Inapostonits Facebook page, the Education Ministry shared,

Final preparations are c

“Today, the Honourable MinisterofEducation,Priya Manickchand, visited Christ Church Secondary School, where she met with the school's administration

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during her visit to Christ Church Secondary School on Thursday. (Photos: Ministry of Education)

y, including the placement of furniture and other lastminute arrangements before thestudentsaremovedin.” C h r i s t C h u r c h

Secondaryisoneofthenew secondary school buildings that the Education Ministry will open in the new academic school term, whichbeginsinSeptember

The original building was destroyed by fire in January 2023, and students were relocated to the Cyril PotterCollegeofEducation, Turkeyen. In June that year, the Ministry of Education signed seven contracts totalling $688.1 million to rebuildtheschool.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, during her visit to Christ Church Secondary School on Thursday. (Photos: Ministry of Education)

The ministry disclosed that the school will have 20 classrooms to accommodate 450to520studentsandwill be furnished with science, TVET, electrical and woodworking, Information Technology and Home Economicslaboratories,and ArtandMusicrooms. Theschoolwillalsohave firepreventionandretardant m e c h a n i s m s a n d components. Some of these include, but are not limited to,fireextinguishers,smoke detectors, and some materials that will be used that are not highly flammable.

Major Lakshman Persaud from the CDC making his presentation

Aljazeera - Atleast92 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip as desperate Palestinianscontinuetoseek food amid an ongoing hungercrisis.

Amongthosekilledsince dawn on Thursday, 64 were in Gaza City and the north and 16 others were waiting for aid assistance near the Netzarim Corridor, which splitsnorthandsouthGaza.

Starving Palestinians have gathered in the area daily to receive packages

Israeli attacks kill at least 92 people including aid seekers in Gaza

At least 16 Palestinians waiting for food aid, and 13 others charging electrical devices, were killed by Israeli troops.

said the attacks on people at aid sites are becoming a “dailyroutine”.

forces in the area of Netzarim in a way that had endangeredthem.

from the United States- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which the United Nations has condemned for its“weaponisation”ofaid.

BassamAbu Shaar, who witnessed the Israeli attack at the aid site, told the AFP newsagencythatpeoplehad gathered overnight in the hopeofreceivingfood.

“Around 1am [22:00 GMT Wednesday], they started shooting at us. The gunfire intensified from tanks, aircraft and

quadcopter bombs,” he told AFPbyphone.

“We couldn’t help them or even escape ourselves,” he said, adding that the size of the crowd had made it impossibleforpeopletoflee Israeli fire near the Shuhada Junction.

In recent weeks, Israeli attacks on Palestinians attempting to receive food aid have increased, killing dozensofpeople.

Reporting from Deir elBalah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’sTareqAbuAzzoum

“Morethanthreemonths of full [Israeli] blockade on border crossings has turned Gaza into a hunger point wherepeoplehaverunoutof all kinds of humanitarian supplies and now found themselves to be forced to move to these designated centres to get bags of flour, bottles of water and alongside food boxes that, according to nutritional experts, contain low nutritional value,” Azzoum explained.

“These attacks are still unfolding, turning all humanitarian corridors into killinggrounds,”hesaid.

AccordingtotheReuters news agency, the Israeli military claimed, without providing evidence, that there were attempts by “suspects” to approach

The army added that forcesfiredwarningshotsto prevent suspects from approachingthem,anditwas currentlyunawareofinjuries intheincident.

Separately, an Israeli drone attack on a makeshift tentwherePalestinianswere charging their electrical devices inAl Shati Refugee Camp, killed 13 people, while an Israeli aircraft also launchedintensiveairstrikes and bombarded several homes in Jabalia, northern Gaza.

Reporting from Deir elBalah, Al Jazeera’s Hind KhoudarysaidIsrael’sattack on the charging point at the Al Shati camp came after “more than a-year-and-ahalf” without electricity in theenclave.

At the same time, the

attacks on aid distribution centresareatestamenttothe “deteriorating” situation in Gaza that has forced Palestinians to put “their lives at risk for food”, Khoudaryadded.

“Only a limited, very limited number of trucks coming in [to Gaza] every single day and people are verydesperate;they’rebeing killed as they try to take whatever is on the trucks,” sheadded.

Over the past 24 hours, 69bodies,includingtwothat were recovered after an attack, and 221 wounded people were admitted to hospitals in the besieged enclave, medical sources said.

Since the war began in October 2023, at least 55,706 people have been killedand130,101wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry

Iran strikes Israeli hospital; Trump to decide on US role in conflict within ‘two weeks’

T E L AV I V / D U B A I -

WASHINGTON, June 19 (Reuters) - Israel bombed nuclear targetsinIranonThursdayandIran fired missiles and drones at Israel after hitting an Israeli hospital overnight, as a week-old air war escalatedwithnosignyetofanexit strategyfromeitherside.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has kept the world guessing about whether the United States mightjointhewaronIsrael’sside, said he would make a decision withinthenexttwoweeks.

“Basedonthefactthatthere’sa substantial chance of negotiations thatmayormaynottakeplacewith Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, quoting a message from the president.As president,Trump has commonly used “two weeks” as a timeframe for making decisions,meaningitmaynotbea firmdeadline.

“Iran has all that it needs to achieveanuclearweapon.Allthey need is a decision from the Supreme Leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon,” Leavitt said Israel launched a sweeping aerial

campaign against Iran on Friday, calling it a preemptive strike to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied planstodevelopsuchweaponsand retaliated by launching counterstrikesonIsrael.

Israeli Prime Minister

BenjaminNetanyahusaidTehran’s “tyrants”wouldpaythe“fullprice” for a strike that damaged the Soroka medical centre in Israel’s southerncityofBeersheba

“Arewetargetingthedownfall oftheregime?Thatmaybearesult, but it’s up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom,” Netanyahu said. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilians in the hospital attack. “That is state-sponsored terror and a blatant violation of international law,” Defrin told a pressbriefing.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted Israeli military and intelligence headquarters near the hospital.An Israelimilitaryofficialdeniedthere weremilitarytargetsnearby Israel attacked the special forces headquarters of the internal security apparatus inTehran in the last 24 hours, Defrin said. Earlier, Defence Minister Israel Katz said

the military had been instructed to intensify strikes on strategicrelatedtargetsinTehraninorderto eliminate the threat to Israel and destabilise the “regime” of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As darkness fell on Thursday evening, Iranian media reported air defences engaging “hostile targets” in northern Tehran.Israel’sairstrikesaimtodo more than destroy Iran’s nuclear centrifuges and missile capabilities. They seek to shatter the foundations of Khamenei’s government and leave it near collapse, Israeli, Western and regionalofficialssaid.

Netanyahu wants Iran weakenedenoughtobeforcedinto fundamental concessions on permanently abandoning its nuclear enrichment, its ballistic missile programme and its support for militant groups across the region,thesourcessaid.

Three diplomats told Reuters that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since last week. In an apparent reference to the U S , Iran’s Supreme National Security CouncilsaidonThursdayitwould use a different strategy if a “third

party”joinedIsraelinthewar STRIKESONNUCLEAR SITES

Earlier,Israelsaidithadstruck Iran’s Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites. It also targeted the partially built Arak heavy-water research reactor,alsoknownasKhondab,in central Iran Airbus Defense satellite imagery published by the Open Source Centre, a Londonbased research group, showed a large,blackenedholeintheroofof the Arak reactor and destroyed heavy water distillation towers nearby Heavy-water reactors produce plutonium, which, like enriched uranium, can be used to makethecoreofanatombomb.

David Albright, a former U.N. nuclear inspector and head of the Institute for Science and International Security, said the Israelis hit the facility because of concerns about Iran’s declared intention to begin operating the reactornextyear

The Iranians “play all these different games so Israel took it out,” he said.Aweek of Israeli air and missile strikes has wiped out the top echelon of Iran’s military command and killed hundreds of people. Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed at least two dozen civilians in Israel. On Thursday,

Iran’sRevolutionaryGuardssaidit hadlaunchedcombinedmissileand drone attacks at military and industrial sites linked to Israel’s defence industry in Haifa and Tel Aviv Iran has been weighing its wider options in responding to the biggestsecuritychallengesinceits 1979 revolution. A member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Committee Presidium, Behnam Saeedi, told the semiofficial Mehr news agency Iran couldconsiderclosingtheStraitof Hormuz, through which 20% of daily global oil consumption passes.

‘STAYAWAYFROMOUR COUNTRY’ Israel, which has the most advanced military in the Middle East, has been fighting on several fronts since the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas triggeredtheGazawar IthasseverelyweakenedIran’s regionalallies,HamasinGazaand Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and has bombedYemen’sHouthis. Theextentofthedamageinside Iran has become more difficult to assess in recent days, with the authorities apparently seeking to prevent panic by limiting information.

Women at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City embrace, while mourning loved ones during the funeral of Palestinian aid seekers killed by Israeli fire [Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]

Usain Bolt Named Guinness World Records

SportsMax - Jamaican sprintlegendUsainBolthas

added yet another prestigious accolade to his glittering legacy, being named a Guinness World

R e c o r d s I C O N i n recognition of his recordbreaking career and global

impact Bolt, widely regarded as the greatest sprinterofalltime,holdsthe

world records in both the 100m (9.58 seconds) and 200m(19.19seconds),setat the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

Now 38, the eighttime Olympic gold medalist said he was “honoured” to be part of the exclusive group of I C O N S w h o h a v e

through theirextraordinary complishments.“I’malways happy to be recognised by Guinness World Records,” said Bolt, who retired from

following the 2017 World ChampionshipsinLondon.

“I’m honoured to be part of the greats, being an ICON is what I strive

for. It shows that the work I put in really matters, I’m happy to be partofit.”

ICON certificate during a surprise visit from Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief a

G

Manchester

Friday June 20, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

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

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

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.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

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

CANCER(June21–July22)

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

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

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(Aug.23–Sept.22)

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.

Wo

“Usain Bolt is more than just a recordholder,” said Glenday. “He’s a global ICON who has demonstrated what the human body and spirit arecapableof

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra.

e opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm.Followthemusic.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

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.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

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

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

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

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb.

18)Mixyourrealitywithabit of fantasy today, Aquarius. Allowyourfeettocomeoffthe ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

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.

Aswecelebrate70years of record-breaking, we’re honoured to recognise Usain’s extraordinary journey and invite people everywhere to get inspired, get involved, and be part of it.”

Bolt joins a select list of Guinness World Records ICONS that includes double amputee triathlete Billy Monger, polar explorer Preet Chandi, pop megastar Taylor Swift, and recordholders like the tallest and shortest women in the world,RumeysaGelgiand JyotiAmge

In addition to his newly minted ICON status, Bolt holds 15 Guinness World Records titles

These include the fastest 4×100m relay time of 36 84 seconds, achieved at the London 2012 Olympics; the most IAAFWorldAthleteofthe Year awards, which he won six times between 2008 and 2016; and the distinction of being the youngest male junior world champion at just 15 years and 332 days old, following his gold medal performance at the 2002 W o r l d J u n i o r Championships in Kingston,Jamaica

This ICON honour cements Bolt’s status not only as a sporting titan but also as a symbol of excellence whose influence extendsfarbeyondthetrack.

ENet recommits to Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast

Enet,Guyana’sonly5G network, has reaffirmed its commitment as a key partner for the third season of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tape-ball Blast, which issettocommenceonJune 28 in Berbice The telecommunications giant will enhance the fan experience by gifting three cellular phones to lucky spectators over the course ofthetournament.

Asiscustomary,ENet,a leading provider of digital cable television, internet, information technology, and media services, will provideextensivebroadcast coverage, airing the zonal semi-finals, finals, and the highly anticipated national finals.

Nichola Parasram, Trade Mobile Coordinator at ENet, underscored the company’s dedication to grassrootssports.

“We are always happy tosupportandplayourrole in development and giving youths a platform to showcase their talent, and this is just another step in that process,” Parasram stated She expressed enthusiasm for the tournament’s growth and encouraged community supportforthematches.

Yusuf Ali, Co-Director of the Kares One Guyana T10 Blast, extended gratitude to ENet, highlighting that their supportextendsbeyondthe directgiveaways.

He emphasised that ENet’s wide-reaching network enables the tournament to be viewed

Co-Director of Kares One Guyana T10 Blast, Yusuf Ali, collects the cellphones from Nichola Parasram, Trade mobile coordinator at Enet.

globally, significantly broadeningitsaudience.

For more information about ENet’s products and services,visitwww.enet.gy.

This year’s tournament has undergone a significant expansion and aims to feature up to 80 teams, marking a substantial growthinitsthirditeration.

The preliminary rounds will be held across four distinct zones: Berbice: June28-29;EastBank/West Demerara: July 5-6; Georgetown/East Coast Demerara: July 19-20 and Essequibo:July26-27

The competition will culminate in a grand finale onAugust3attheNational Stadium, Providence, where the ultimate championswillbecrowned.

The stakes are high, with lucrative prize money on offer for participating teams. Zonal winners will

earn G$300,000 and secure a coveted spot in the nationalfinals.

The ultimate national champion will walk away with an additional G$1.7 million, while the runnersup will receivea handsome G$700,000 Even losing semi-finalists and zonal finalists are set to be rewarded, with purses of G Y $ 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d GY$100,000,respectively Registration for the tournament is currently open, with a fee of GY$30,000 per team Organisers are confident of reaching their target of 80 teams,giventheearlysurge of interest. For registration and further information, interestedteamscancontact Akeem Greene via WhatsApp at +592-6352235 or visit the “One Guyana T10 Tape-ball Blast”socialmediapages.

GFF appoints new General Secretary following global search

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday announced the appointment of Pushpargha Chattopadhyay as its new General Secretary The Indian national is expected to officially assume duties on August1.

According to the GFF, Chattopadhyay’s selection follows a rigorous international recruitment process conducted in collaboration with FIFA. The search attracted over 40 candidates from across all fiveofFIFA’sglobalconfederations.

In his role as General Secretary, Chattopadhyay will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the GFF Secretariat, implementing the strategic vision of the Federation’s President and Executive Council, and ensuring that the GFF’s activities remain aligned with the goalsofbothConcacafandFIFA.

Withmorethan15yearsofexperiencein football administration, Chattopadhyay brings a strong background in strategic leadership and organizational development, having worked across some of Asia’s most competitivefootballlandscapes.

He has held several senior roles within the All-India Football Federation (AIFF), includingHeadofStateDevelopment,Head of Clubs and Licensing, and Head of AdministrationintheTechnicalDepartment. The noted, that Chattopadhyay also served as CEO of the Indian Football Association (West Bengal) and worked as a Senior Project Consultant at Ernst &Young LLP Chattopadhyay holds an MBA from VancouverIslandUniversityinCanadaanda Master’s in International Business from the UniversityofHertfordshireintheUK.Heis fluentinEnglish,Hindi,andBengali.

‘One

Guyana’King and Queen of

the Sand Football Final three of 8 male teams for quarterfinals to be decided Saturday; female teams already known

Thefulllineupofteams for the knockout rounds of the ‘One Guyana’King and Queen of the Sand Football championships in Linden will be confirmed on Saturday night when the final round of the group stagesiscompleted.

In the male/king segment of the competition, onlygroupsB(top2)andD (second team) are to be decided as groups A and C along with the female qualifiershavealreadybeen confirmed.

Group B is interestingly poisedwiththreeofthefive teams locked on 7 points each, the top two on goal difference (GD) set to play their final matches and will both be seeking wins to advance. Spaniards are top with a +6 GD and will face bottom of the table UDK Victors.

Second in the group is Young Gunners with a +2 GDandtheywillopposeLil Ballers who are just above UDKVictors,bothoutofthe race. Foundation Family is alsoon7pointswitha-2GD but they have exhausted theirquotaoffourmatches.

The other undecided group is Group D with one spot on the line as Bomberz have already qualified havingaccumulated9points from 3 wins and 1 loss YMCAandGoalIQhaveall to play for as both have a chance of being the team to join Bomberz in the knockoutround.

YMCA(+5)areaheadof GoalIQ(+4)byasinglegoal withbothonsixpointsfrom twowinseachandaloss,so this showdown which is the final match of the night is expected to be a humdinger ofaclash.

The other teams already qualifying are: Group A (Hard Knocks and One Syde),GroupC(LABallers and Team Minerals) and GroupD,Bomberztodate.

I n t h e Q u e e n s competition, GDF with a game in hand have already booked their place in the semifinals and they are joined by Hururu as the Group A top two. Over in Group B, Iconic Ballers havetoppedthegroupwitha perfect three wins from as many matche

h defending champions,

Speightlandhavingwonone andlosttheothermatch,set

t

Rockstone in their final game,onSaturday. B

defending champions will most likely take care of business to seal the other spotfromtheirgroup.

Finalgroupstage matchesforSaturday, June 21st.

Time Team Team 18:30hrs Young Gunners vs LilBallers19:10hrs GDF vs Circuitville(Queens) 20:00hrs HH Ballers vs Turf

President 20:50hrs

Speightland vs Rockstone (Queens)21:40hrs

Spaniards vs UDKVictor’s 22:30hrs LA Ballers vs TeamMineral 23:20hrs YMCA vs GoalIQ

Banks DIH joins forces with Petra Organisation for ExxonMobil U14 Football C/ships

Beverage giants Banks DIH Limited, under their popular brands I-CEE Soft Drinks, Manta Supreme, Rainforest Water, QiinandDuettoBiscuits,alongwithTastee Snacks,haveofficiallythrowntheirsupport behind the sixth edition of the PetraorganisedExxonMobilUnder-14Boys’and Girls’ Schools Football Championships. The highly anticipatedtournamentis set to kickofftomorrow,Saturday,June21,atthe Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

This year’s tournament will feature a total of 56 school teams 32 boys’ and 24 girls’competinginseparatechampionships fortheprestigioustitleandachancetowin substantial cash prizes directed towards school development projects of their choice.

In addition to Banks DIH, the tournament has secured sponsorship from severalotherprominentcompanies,further strengthening its resources and reach.Title

sponsor ExxonMobil leads the way, joined by Sky Tek, Stena Drilling, MVP Sports, and Demerara Mutual. Key government agenciessuchastheMinistryofEducation, theMinistryofAmerindianAffairs,andthe Ministry of Culture,Youth and Sport have also pledged their support to ensure the event’scontinuedsuccess.

The opening day will feature a packed schedulewith26matches(10girls’and16 boys’)games,promisinganexcitingstartto the2025edition.Actionkicksofffollowing the traditional March Past ceremony, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Chasing the spotlight in the curtain-raiser will be Chase’s Academic Foundation and East RuimveldtGirls.

Football fans can look forward to three weeks of thrilling, talent-driven competitionfromJune21toJuly12,asthe Petra Organisation sets the stage to crown the next Under-14 Schools Football Championsofthe2025season.

West Indies women’s all-rounder Aaliyah Alleyne and opening batter Qiana Joseph were fined for breaching Level One of the ICC Code of Conduct. were

openingbatterQianaJoseph were fined for breaching Level One of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Women’s One-Day International (ODI) against SouthAfricaatthe3WsOval in Barbados over the weekend.

Theduowerebothfound guiltyofviolatingArticle2.8 oftheICCCodeofConduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.”

Alleyne, who was fined 10percentofhermatchfee and handed one demerit point, displayed her frustrationbygesturingwith open arms and hesitating to leave the field after being adjudgedoutbytheon-field umpires.

Joseph, on the other hand, committed the same offence in what was describedasamoreforceful manner She was fined 50 percentofhermatchfeeand received two demerit points onherdisciplinaryrecord. Bothplayersadmittedto theirrespectiveoffencesand

Jamaican Olympic medallists Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell complete switch of allegiance to Türkiye

Jamaican Olympic medallists Roje Stona and Rajindra Campbell.

SportsMax - Jamaican Olympic medallists Roje

Stona and Rajindra Campbell have formally committed to switching allegiancetoTürkiye.

The move renders both men ineligible to represent Jamaicaatglobaleventsfor the next three years, includingthisyear’sWorld Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The revelation, first brokenbySportsmax.

TVonSundayandnow confirmed by TVJ Sports today, follows covert negotiations reportedly led by a prominent American sports agent known for his d e e p t i e s w i t h i n internationalathletics.

Stona and Campbell have both accepted offers thatincludesaUS$500,000 signing bonus, monthly stipends, and six-figure incentives for podium finishes at major championships.

Stonamadehistoryfor Jamaica by becoming the country’s first Olympic champion in a throwing event with his triumph in the discus Paris last year while Campbell claimed bronzeintheshotput. Those are just the first dominoestofall,however, as a prominent long jumper and triple jumper are also among those believed to be making the switchaswell

Alleyne, Joseph sanctioned for dissent in second ODI against South Africa

accepted the sanctions imposed by match referee Akhtar Ahmad of the Emirates ICC International Panel, avoiding the need for aformalhearing.

The charges were brought by on-field umpires Jacqueline Williams and Nimali Perera, third umpire CandacelaBorde,andfourth umpireMariaAbbott.

Level One breaches carrypenaltiesrangingfrom an official reprimand to a maximumfineof50percent of a player’s match fee, alongwiththeimpositionof oneortwodemeritpoints.

According to ICC regulations, if a player accumulates four or more demerit points within a 24month period, they are

converted into suspension points,leadingtoaban.Two suspension points translate toabanfromoneTestmatch or two ODIs or T20Is, depending on the format scheduled next for the player

Demerit points remain on a player’s record for 24 months before being expunged.

SportsMax -West Indies

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova to retire

BBC Sport - Double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova has announced that shewillretirefromtennisat theendofthissummer

The Czech player won the ladies’ singles titles in 2011 and 2014 and also reached the final of the

AustralianOpenin2019.

In recent years she has fallendowntherankingsand last made the quarter-finals ofaGrandSlamin2020.

She missed the whole of 2024 to have her first child andonlyreturnedtoactionin February

Kvitova said on X that she had surpassed her dreamsduringhercareerand will retire after September’s USOpen.

She said, external: “I never imagined becoming a professional tennis player, beingabletotraveltheworld

and play in the most beautiful stadiums around theworld.

“I’vebeenprivilegedto reach incredible heights over the past 19 years and accomplished more than I couldhaveeverimagined ” The former world number two was the only non-British player named in the initial batch of

Wimbledon wildcards announcedonWednesday

Kvitova was the first Czech since Jana Novotna in 1998 to win Wimbledon when she beat Maria Sharapova in the 2011 final, and Novotna and former Czech great Martina Navratilova were in the Royal Box to see her win

Real forward Mbappe in hospital

BBCSport-RealMadrid forwardKylianMbappeisin hospital with gastroenteritis after missing their Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal.

The France captain, 26, missed training on Tuesday withafeveranddidnotplay in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against the Saudi Arabian side.

A Real statement on Thursday said Mbappe has “an acute case of gastroenteritis” and was admitted to hospital for “a seriesoftests”.

Gastroenteritis is an infection in the gut which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Real’s next game is against Pachuca on Sunday at20:00BST

Depending on how Mbappe responds to treatment,heislikelytomiss that game but could potentially return for Real’s finalgroupgameagainstRB Salzburgon26June.

Mbappe scored 43 goals in 56 games in all competitions for Real in his firstseasonafterjoiningona free transfer from Paris StGermain.

This is Real’s first competition under Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti as manager at the endoftheLaLigaseason.

RealwontheUefaSuper C u p a n d F i f a Intercontinental Cup in Mbappe’s first season in Spanishfootball.

Kvitova was 21 when she beat Maria Sharapov in the 2011 final. (Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe was involved in Real Madrid training earlier this week in Palm Beach, Florida. (Getty Images)

Youth Golf Development on the Rise in Guyana - Hussain

Whatbeganasa small pilot programme during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 has now become arguablythemostsuccessful youth sports initiative in the country Just4yearsago,the Guyana Golf Association

(GGA) and Nexgen Golf Academy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, introduced golf intosixsecondaryschoolsas atestprogram.

At the time, GGA presidentAleemHussainset outonwhathebelievedwas a long-term potential of the

initiatives which were geared towards youth developmentingolf. Today, that vision has transformed into a national successstory Withsteadfast supportfromtheMinistryof Education, the Ministry of Culture,YouthandSport,the Guyana Tourism Authority,

andlong-timeindividualand corporate sponsors, golf now the fastest-growin sportinGuyana.

Thousands of students

across the countr participate in the spo during their Physica Education classes, and this year, over 350 students took golf as an elective at the CSECexaminations.

These results of th programme will be on full display at the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolfor Avenue on Wednesday, July 3, when the Guyana Golf Association, Nexgen Golf Academy and the Ministry of Education host the Third AnnualNationalJuniorGolf Championship.

The championship will see350participantsfromsix regions, solidifying golf rightful place as a national sportinGuyana.

- As GGA 3rd Annual National Junior Golf Championship looms

Sunshine Beverages, s Ltd, ardens, curity sity of ancellor

amed, d Ltd, K 2000

Towne olutions rtising, Suites, Gouveia ways), TriStone ward B up of

“We’vecomealongway, and it’s thanks to the

Ministry of Education, Guyana Tourism Authority, Regal Stationery &

Cost to all players meals, snacks, and through theGuyana Commissioner c k e n , transportation will be provided for competitors fromRegions2,3,5,and6.

GGA president Aleem Hussain is expecting this year’s national youth tournament to unearth more talent for the future.

‘One Guyana’ King and Queen of the Sand Football Final three of 8 male teams for quarterfinals to be decided Saturday; female teams already known already

The GFF’s new General Secretary, Pushpargha Chattopadhyay.

GFF appoints new General Secretary following global search

These players from Hururu (left) and Avacado Ballers battle for the ball on the opening night.

Banks DIH joins forces with Petra Organisation for ExxonMobil U14 Football C/ships

Usain Bolt Named Guinness World Records

Beverage giants Banks DIH Limited Rep Clayton McKenzie, Brand Manager I-CEE Soft Drinks, hands over the sponsorship to official of the Petra Organisation Troy Peters.