Kaieteur News

More detailed studies

needed

to

ensure

white

GTE

elephant

Home Affairs Ministry commissions over $337M in projects in Region 2

Suriname to elect first female president today

...citesconstantlymovingdeadlines,ballooningcosts-Patterson

Man allegedly kills common-law wife, attempts suicide

Political leaders must act responsibly, promote peace ahead of elections - ERC

‘Going hungry’: More than 700 Palestinians killed seeking aid in Gaza Palestinians say they have no choice but to go to deadly US- and Israeli-backed aid sites amid growing starvation beneath Wenot “superpit”

CEO Elaine Ellingham: Omai’s underground drilling of historic Gilt Creek deposit to go project is not Guyana’s

Guyana exports over US$6.6M in rough diamonds in 2024

The $215 million Police Divisional Headquarters atAnna Regina, Region Two.

Jennifer Geerlings-Simons

-Patterson

More detailed studies needed to ensure GTE project is not Guyana’s biggest white elephant

...cites constantly moving deadlines, ballooning costs

The Government of Guyana should conduct additional detailed studies into the infamous Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project to preventitfrombecomingthe country's biggest white elephant, Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC) and spokesperson for the party on oil and gas, David Pattersonsaid.

Patterson told reporters on Friday, during theAFC's weekly press conference,

that the latest saga

s u r r o u n d i n g t h e government's “flagship”

project is further confirmation that it is being poorly planned and executed.

He reminded that the projectwaslaunchedin2021 at the State House in the presence of the diplomatic community Its initial price tagstoodatUS$900Mwitha

completion date of September2024.

“On April 30, 2021, the AllianceForChangewarned the country that the project proposedbythePPPwasnot economically, technically or

environmentally sound or sustainable, the promises reduction of US$0.05 per MW was based on “voodoo economics” – we further urged the PPP to conduct further detailed studies beforethecountryissaddled with the largest ever PPP white elephant project,” Pattersonstressed.

He said that within the last four years, instead of takingthecautiousroute,the government has instead chosento“recklesslyplough ahead with this project, completely disregarding all warning signs, launched personal attacks against any citizenorpoliticalpartywho dared questioned what was plainly obvious to entire nation, a project that was failing.”

The projected final cost of the project now stands at over $US2 4B and it continues to climb, an increase he estimated to be over 170%. In addition, the completion date has moved from September 2024 to September 2026, even though the listed project

deliverable of 300MW has notchanged.

“Overthelastfouryears, the PPP has changed their promises made to the country, at the launch in 2021, they promised electricity rates would be US$0.05perMW,twoyears later that promise was changed to “will cut electricitybillsinhalf”tothe current promise – on completion, the project will “reduce electricity bills”,” theformerMinisterofPublic Infrastructurelamented.

Todate,theGTEproject has been subjected to two international arbitrations, andtherearerumoursthatan additional claim is being prepared It has been confirmed that the joint venture partnership will soon be dissolved, further delayingtheproject.

“In2021,thePPPsought to justify that this project was urgently needed, since the electricity demand was slated to peak at 407MWby 2025, a figure that the AFC challenged as inflated and unrealistic, and simply a

figure used to justify the project Currently, the current peak demand is estimatedat220MW,almost 50% below this projection,” Pattersonadded.

Patterson said while the party is acknowledging that there is need for improved powergenerationinorderto meet the energy demands of the country's citizens, it is maintaining that the project has been poorly designed andexecuted.

“ to ensure that the country receives value for money, immediately after Septemberelections,wewill conduct a full audit (financial and technical) of theproject,andwiththehelp of qualified resource personnel, seek to ensure that the final project will deliver to the nation a workable power solution,” Pattersonsaid.

OnJuly4,KaieteurNews reported that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo stated that the Government of Guyana (GoG) is aware of a split between the joint venture involving CH4 and

Lindsayca, the two companieshiredfortheGTE project.

TheGTEproject,located inWalesontheWestBankof Demerara, includes a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt powerplant.Naturalgaswill be transported from the offshore Stabroek Blocks Liza oilfield via a 12-inch pipelinetothesite,where50 millioncubicfeetofgaswill be converted to electricity daily

B a c k i n 2 0 2 2 , government hired CH4 (Texas) and Lindsayca (Puerto Rico) for the construction of the power plant and NGL facility at a

Chairman of theAlliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson

costofUS$759million.

“We've been hearing about the breakup of the consortium, and we're told that this is to facilitatebecause they have internal disputes - to facilitate the completionoftheprojectby thatdeadline,”Jagdeosaidin relationtothesplit.

Heoutlinedthatthesplit would allow the companies to accelerate work due to “internal wrangling” that had affected the pace of implementation of the project.

“So, I'm told that it's a positive thing that is happening, but the technical people have to examine that,”Jagdeotoldreporters.

Suriname to elect first female president today

Suriname to elect first femalepresidenttoday

The Guardian - Suriname is expected to elect its first female president this Sunday, the congresswoman and physician Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, 71, who will run unopposed after the ruling party decided not to field a candidate.

Geerlings-Simonswillsucceed current president Chandrikapersad Santokhi, 66, who has been in office since 2020 and was eligible for re-election – but whose party failed to secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority required in the country's indirect voting system.

Shewilltakeofficeatamoment of profound contradiction for the former Dutch colony Independent since 1975, it is still one of the poorestcountriesintheregion,yet Suriname has recently discovered significant offshore oil reserves

that could generate billions of dollarsinrevenueoverthecoming decades The country is not expected to begin production until 2028.

Geerlings-Simons began her rise to power on 25 May, when voters elected the 51 members of Suriname's National Assembly, though the results produced no clearwinner

Her National Democratic party securedanarrowleadwith18seats, just ahead of Santokhi's party, whichwon17.

In the days that followed, she managed to form a coalition with five other parties, giving her the minimum 34 seats required to be appointedpresident.

Last Thursday, which was the deadl

ng presidential candidates, Santokhi's Progressive Reform party announced it would not be putting forwardanominee.

Geerlings-Simons's party was

founded by Dési Bouterse, who ruled as a dictator from 1980 to 1987, a period during which his regime was accused of executing 15 political opponents in 1982. Following Suriname's return to democracy, Bouterse was elected presidentin2010andre-electedin 2015, before handing over to Santokhi.

Thecurrentpresidenttoldlocal media there would be a “smooth transition”ofpower Corruptionscandalsmarkedhis five-yearterm,andhewasforcedto seek

International Monetary Fund to stabilisetheeconomy

While his austerity measures helped restructure Suriname's public debt, they also triggered violent protests in the country of 600,000people.

During his presidency, oil reserves were discovered 90 miles (150km) off Suriname's coast.The projecttoextractthemisledbythe

Dr. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons

F r e n c h m u l t i n a t i o n a l

TotalEnergies,whichannouncedin October that it would invest $10.5bntodeveloptheoilfield. Santokhi went so far as to propose a “royalties for everyone” scheme, under which every Surinamese citizen would receive US$750inasavingsaccount,with an annual interest rate of 7%. The planwasoneofhiskeyre-election pledges – but it wasn't enough to

securehispartyamajority With more than 90% of its territory covered by tropical rainforest, Suriname has come under increasing pressure over illegal gold mining and logging, practices that Geerlings-Simons publicly condemned during her time as chair of the National Assembly,wheresheplayedarole in advancing environmental regulations.

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

Canadian investors

Where there is the potential for rich returns, investors will flock from everywhere. Investors are not going to squander their fortunes, their investment dollars, where rewardsarelessthanpromising,theoddslong. Asidefrom its massive oil discoveries, and the downstream opportunities, Guyana has long had a reputation for being rich in minerals, much of it unexplored and untapped. Accordingly, return hungry investors will come from all over,betheyasfarawayasAustraliaandChina,orCanada and India, they will run to Guyana of their own will and at high speed. It is how business works, with businesses (investors)goingwherethemoneyis,whetherintheformof gold,ormanganese,orbauxite.

WethoughtthatbynowthatPresidentIrfaanAliwould have grasped this. He can hail Canada for its 'major' investments in Guyana, but it is wasted energy This is because the riches of Guyana are now its biggest selling point. It could be on land, or it could be offshore, and Guyana has a foundation built on rich mineral resources. The evidence keeps growing, and in Guyana's gold sector alone,therearefiveCanadiangoldcompaniesthatcannow celebrate their assessments and projections of 15.5 million ouncesofgold. Bloodtoasharkandmeattoalion,andthe scentofthathastobecompellingtootherinvestors. Byany standard,Guyanaisavirtualmineralrichbasin,avastone. Investorsaredrawntothat,cannotturntheirmindsaway fromsuchaprospect,ofwhichtherearemany So,instead of PresidentAli hailing Canadian (or any other) investors, webelievethatthereisamoreconstructivewayinwhichhe canusehistime. SinceGuyana'srichesarenowlikeaselfdriving vehicle, the president should be focusing on extractingthebesttermsforcitizens. Whereisthesensein speaking so positively about major Canadian investors in Guyana'sminingsector,whentherearesomanyGuyanese living in, or close to, poverty? At current prices, 15.5 millionouncesofgoldrepresenttensofbillionsofAmerican dollarsinrevenues. Howmanyofthosebillionsaregoing intoGuyana'sTreasury? Weappreciatethatgoldpricesare volatile and can experience lengthy slumps, but even makingallowancefora50%dropinthenextfewyearswhen productionandexportationrachetup,therevenuesrakedin wouldstillbeinthetensofbillionsofUSdollars,albeitata lesserlevel.

So, we put the question again before the president and the public. Why are there so many hungry and nervous Guyanesetoday? OnefactorcouldbethatGuyanaistrading its gold riches far too cheaply Nine years ago, Guyana undertheAPNU+AFCCoalitiongovernmentgot'thewrong endofthestick'fortheiroilwealth. Everyone,includingthe peopleatExxonMobil,knowthat2%royaltyandzerotaxes, among other negatives, more resembles a commercial robbery than what should be a fair deal in an equal partnership. Today, Guyanese for generations to come coexistuneasilywithaninvestor,acompany,thatsomehow findsthefacetocallitselfapartner Today,onthebrinkof fiveyearsofPPPCgovernance,theAPNU+AFCCoalition contract ignominy, its 2016 oil deal, should be used as the benchmark to be avoided at all costs. Every investor expectationhastobewiselymanaged,everyconcessionand provision must be a two-way street, with both sides benefiting handsomely And every gold contract finalized standonitsown,duetoitsrichtermsandconditions,notjust for the foreign investors, but for the people of this country also.

Considering 15.5 million ounces of gold set to be harvestedinthecomingyears,andwithgoldpricesholding up reasonably well, Guyana's gold earnings could be competing with what comes from oil. More investors will come to Guyana without too much marketing from the president or any other. What Guyanese are not hearing is how does Guyana prosper alongside the foreign investors, from wherever they originate. President Ali loves to sell himself, make himself look good. He must also love negotiatingtogetthebestdealsforGuyanese.

Kaieteur M@ilbox

CARICOM risks becoming irrelevant

DearEditor,

This letter is in two sections and is inspired by an online article which I heard on the issue of Venezuela's claims against Guyana.Ihopetheletterwill draw some attention from both decision makers and citizens in Guyana and acrosstheCaribbean.

In the Caribbean, there aretwomainburningissues. ThefirstistheissueofHaiti which was pushed into a certain position by the socalledCoregroupofleading countries in the Western hemisphere. They have had an agenda for Haiti and insisted there must be a foreign occupying force That force has been in Haiti for some months, and nothing spectacular has taken place except war, mayhem,anddeath.Inallof

this, I don't hear as a citizen intheCaribbeananycallfor a n y r e p o r t i n g o r accountability of the Core group.

The Core group is unaccountable.Thereshould beareportoftheCoregroup which pushed Haiti into the transitional government undercertainconditions,that thisgovernmentmustaccept a foreign occupying force. The Core group does not report periodically, and should report, to any department to the United Nations that the public knows about. These reports should be public and evaluate what has happened since the Kenyan police force have been introduced into Haiti to justify the action. It has been a totally unaccountable action that goes on and on and all we

hear is of more death and dispersalofthepopulationof Haiti. That cannot go on. Theremustbeaccountability atthehighestlevel.

The second issue, that must be addressed is Guyana'snewoilwealth,and the attractiveness of all of this to Venezuela, that is claiming the oil and wishes to bait Guyana, using their allies.

Guyana has one professedally:theneighbour to the North with a long history in the hemisphere, and as far as some of us are concerned is not proactive enough on this matter to safeguard the interests of Guyanese.

Thereviewarticlewhich Ireferredtoexploredvarious waysinwhichVenezuela,in theshort-andlong-term,can come into possession of

Guyana's territory. This is a world question in which the so-called and self-styled revolutionarygovernmentof Venezuelahasbecometome Napoleonic in its ambitions. It is trying to straddle Guyana and block its development.

I will make a simple suggestion.

In the Caribbean, we have the CSME (the Caribbean Single Market Economy). It is one of the means that can resist the takeoverofGuyana'soil.The former Trinidad & Tobago primeministerKeithRowley had offered in the past to refine Guyana's oil and gas. But there seemed to be no public response consistent with a serious attitude to regional economic integrationconsistentwitha (Continueonpage5)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Our nation

deserves better — and together, we can achieve that

DearEditor,

With the signing of the proclamationonWednesday, July3,2025,pavingtheway forthedissolutionofthe12th Parliament, I take this moment, with a heart full of gratitude to express my deepest thanks to the people of Guyana for affording me the honour of serving as a Member of Parliament over thepastfiveyears.

I extend my personal thanks to former President and Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Mr David Arthur Granger, for his confidence inmeandforgrantingmethe opportunity to represent and serveallGuyanese.

I also acknowledge the invaluable support and cooperation of my former parliamentary colleagues, the Clerk of the National Assembly, his hardworking and dedicated staff, and former Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Joseph Harmon.

The past five years in Parliament have not been without significant challenges.

Working with an administration whose priorities often appeared misaligned with the urgent needs of ordinary Guyanese has been particularly disheartening.

Motions I tabled such as those addressing the high cost-of-living were repeatedly sidestepped and l e f t u n a d d r e s s e d

better future

Additionally, motions concerning the tragic deaths of Isaiah and Joel Henry, which have remained on the Order Paper since 2021, were neverbroughtforward.

The motion on gas flaring, moved by my colleague Mr David Patterson, similarly languished, dying with the dissolution of the 12th Parliament; along with many other vital matters of national importance

(Guyana Parliament Order Paper,2021–2025)

Despite these setbacks, I remain steadfast in my commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability I envision a Guyana where everycitizenistreatedwith dignity and afforded the opportunitytobenefitfrom our nation's vast wealth, a patrimony richly endowed bytheCreator

I dream of a united Guyana, one in which we coexist peacefully, upholding the principles of equality and justice for all. As we approach the general and regional elections on September 1, 2025, I urge all Guyanese to remain focusedanddiscerning Let us not be swayed by politicalnoiseordistraction. Instead,letusevaluatethose seeking our vote based on their track record, their policies, and their demonstrated commitment tothepeopleofthiscountry

These elections are critical to the future of our Republic. They represent a pivotal opportunity to safeguard our democracy and restore confidence in institutions that have, in recent times, been o v e r s h a d o w e d b y allegations of corruption, political weaponization, and risinglawlessness.

We cannot forget the tragic death of Adriana Younge in April 2025, or thebrutalmurdersofIsaiah and Joel Henry in September 2020 These cases, and others like them, highlighttheurgentneedfor justice, security sector reform,andtherestorationof publictrust.

As I bring this message to a close, I again express my sincere gratitude to all who supported me through prayers, encouragement, and solidarity during my tenure in Parliament Whether serving at the national level or in another capacity, I remain fully committed to serving you, thepeopleofGuyana.

May God's blessings be upon each of you Our n a t i o n d e s e r v e s better and together, we can achieve that better future

Long live the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Yoursfaithfully,

AnnetteFerguson

Former Member of Parliament-APNU+AFC

Urgent need for strategic road infrastructure to ease traffic congestion in Guyana

DearEditor, I write to express growing concern over the persistent traffic congestion that continues to plague Guyana, particularly in and around Georgetown and alongtheEastBankandEast C

ownership, expanding development, and rising commuter demands, it is evident that the current road network is under immense strain. The time has come f

infrastructureinvestmentsto alleviate pressure and better connectourregions.

Firstandforemost,while the current plan for the new Demerara River bridge is welcome, I strongly suggest that a second crossing be constructed further upriver

A location beyond the

bottleneck—perhaps in the vicinityofGardenofEdenor

directly serve traffic headed to Linden, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and

hinterland regions This would divert a substantial volume of through-traffic away from Georgetown altogether

Secondly,thecreationof a new inland highway

aback of the East Coast communities would be transformative.

Such a corridor would open vast areas for future

providingafaster, (Continueonpage13)

CARICOM risks becoming...

Frompage4 singlemarketeconomy

Somethinginthepresent atmosphere internationally remindspeopleofmyageof 1939whentheSecondWorld Warbrokeout.Iamthinking in particular of the

aggressiveness of neighbouring Venezuela in its territorial claim against Guyana This is a very dangerousmomentforallof us I think of Andaiye, GeorgeLammingandWalter R o d n e y a n d t h e i r contributiontohumanismin the Caribbean and elsewhere.And if they were all alive, I would appeal to themtousetheirinfluenceto organize a peace conference

on this question of Venezuela's claim to Guyana's territory, which in the first place was indigenousterritoryandthen colonized.

It only became an independent country after a process of international socialization that we cannot deny A peace conference, a United Nations type conference in the hemisphere,wouldcallupon Venezuela to desist and to renounce all claims of ownership of the Essequibo, which is one of the most irresponsible claims I have heard. I don't know where theenergytoorganizesucha conference will come from, but it is necessary In this case, we have Venezuela having no cultural connections to Essequibo at all, electing a government and carrying out all types of acts of provocation. It will take the Caribbean and hemisphere further in opposing those who grab territory

Let those who grab

territory continue their dirty work, if they must but let Bolivarianandothernations that fight for their own freedom bring something of a new element to international life: peace, friendship among nations, and respect for countries, greatandsmall.Withoutthis shift, CARICOM risks becomingirrelevant.

Yourssincerely, EusiKwayana

Omai's underground drilling of historic Gilt Creek deposit to go beneath Wenot “superpit”

- CEO

Canadian miner, O m a i G o l d M i n e s , h a s

embarked on an aggressive explorationcampaignaimed at unlocking deeper mineral potential at its historic Gilt Creek deposit as well as beneath the Wenot deposit. This is according to President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ElaineEllingham.

Omai holds a 100% interestinthepast-producing Omai gold project in Guyana, located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) The project encompasses two orogenic gold deposits: the shear-hosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusive-hosted Gilt Creek Deposit.

Inarecentinterviewwith Crux Investor, Ellingham confirmed that the third rig began drilling at Gilt Creek, located approximately 400 meters north of the Wenot depositwhichisconsidereda “superpit.”

Ellinghamexplainedthat

The

theGiltCreekdepositholds particular significance as it was the original site on which the Omai mine was established “The Gilt Creek deposit is what the Omai mine was initially built for and so we are working on the underground extension of that,”shestated

She noted that the company completed an initial hole before Christmas which yielded promisingresults,andthata second hole is currently underway “So, we're down at about, I think 1,60 metres and so we've been drilling through that Gilt Creek intrusion I think

between 200 [metres], I think [to] 275 [metres],” she explained.

Thedrillhole,Ellingham said, will extend to a depth ofabout1,100metersandis designed to probe beneath the Wenot deposit to assess whatshedescribedas“bluesky potential” in deeper zones Blueskypotential,is a term used in the mining industry to refer to the possibility of uncovering significant, previously unknown mineralization While not yet confirmed, such potential represents a high-reward opportunity for Omai, as deeper drilling couldrevealnewhigh-grade gold zones well below the existingresource.

Shesaid,“We'regoingto extend that hole because that'sgoingtogounderneath the Wenot deposit to explore the blue-sky potential I guess we could call it at depth underneath Wenot because remember, they'reverticalzones.”

A 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the gold project outlined 2.0 million ounces of gold indicated and 2.3 million ouncesinferred.

Once a prolific gold producerfrom1993to2005, the mine yielded 3.8 million ouncesofgold,producingan average of more than 300,000 ounces of gold per year during a period when gold traded below US$400 perounce.

Since its return to Guyana's mining industry, Omaihasbeenmorefocused ontheWenotdeposit.

Wenot and Gilt-Creek deposits

Six bid to review Guyana's hospitality and tourism education

T

he Ministry of

Education has received six bids from consultancy firms and overseas institutions to review the quality and relevance of Guyana's hospitality and tourism education. In June, Kaieteur News reported that the ministryissuedarequestfor expressions of interest for thecontract.

In response, six bidders from Canada, Jamaica and Guyana signalled their interest At the recent opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB) office, it was disclosed that the following companies submitted bids: SouthernAlbertaInstituteof Technology (SAIT) (Canada), College of North Atlantic (CNA) (Canada), Mona School of Business & Management (Jamaica), Unique Helping Hands (Guyana), Fiscal Frontier Inc (Guyana), and Dunn, Pierre Barnett & Company CanadaLimited(Canada).

The education ministry in its tender document said

that the Government received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) towards the cost of the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute Projectandintendstoapplya portion of the proceeds to eligible payments under the contract. “The Ministry of Education is the Executing Agency of this Project and now wishes to procure consultancy services for Review of the Quality and R e l e v a n c e o f t h e

Programming in theArea of Hospitality and Tourism Studies – Guyana,” the tendernoted.

It was reported that the objective of the consultancy is to review thecurrentstate of hospitality and tourism education in Guyana, including existing curricula at the Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE) and the University of Guyana (UG), but not limitedtopublicinstitutions.

“To review and incorporate the curriculum developed by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), ensuring its relevance to the Guyanese context while maintaining alignment with regional and international standards,” the ministry said o

successfulfirm.

Further, the successful firm will be required to develop a curriculum framework that incorporates the latest trends in hospitality and tourism, including digitalisation, sustainability, utilisation of novel technologies, tools a n d e q u i p m e n t , methodologies, praxis and customerserviceexcellence.

“To design and develop competency-based teaching andlearningtools,including syllabi, training manuals, and instructional guides, ensuring they are accessible andcompatiblewithadigital platform, (and) to integrate gender-responsive, socially inclusive, and culturally sensitive approaches to address the needs of marginalizedandvulnerable

An artist's impression of the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute which is being constructed in Region Six.

populations, and to develop competency-based learning and assessment materials, including syllabi, training manuals, and instructional guides, “ the document detailed. The consultant is expectedtoworkforaperiod offourconsecutivemonths.

G u y a n a '

i r s t Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute is being constructedinRegionSix.

InFebruary2024,thesod

US$7,002,126 Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute, a being funded by the CDB in collaboration with the Ministries of Education, Finance, and Tourism.

Kares Engineering Inc. and the architectural engineer,DeenandPartners, wereawardedthecontract.

Kaieteur News reported that the Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute, whencompleted,isgearedat training personnel to ensure that they are equipped with theskillsandknowledgethat are necessary to staff and managethegrowingtourism and hospitality sector in Guyana.At the sod-turning ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond,saidtheinstituteis aimedatequippingstudents

(Continueonpage13)

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!

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

MONDAY–JUNE30,2025

The50-50split Guyana finds itself lookinglikeafoolintheface of the rising profits being d e c l a r e d b y t h e E x x o n M o b i l - l e d consortium. The agreement betweenthegovernmentand the oil companies was supposed to be simple—an equal 50-50 split of profits derived from oil Plus Guyanagets2%royaltieson top. In short Guyana, gets 14.5% profit oil and the oil companies12.5%.

But like most things concerning governance in Guyana, the reality bears little resemblance to the promise. The oil companies appeartobeenjoyingprofits that eclipse Guyana's share manytimesover Thisisnow headlinenewsandiscausing not simply concern but consternation.

This difference is not a minor accounting hiccup Thisisnotamisstatementin afootnote.

This is the mother of all illusions And the government, instead of removing the illusion, has become the magician's assistant—wavingthewand, drawing the curtain, and smilingastherabbitescapes the hat with the nation's wealthintow

TUESDAY–JULY01,2025

Talksaboutelections, notaboutourwealth

Everybody is talking about the September 1 elections, with many diagnosesandpredictionsof what is going to happen between now and then. But few persons are talking about the oil bounties this country has been blessed with.

Talk and more elections talk from today, with a watchful eye on July 14, Nomination Day Due to the damagingdevelopmentsthat have been part and parcel of many elections in Guyana, all of them, there are also anxietiesabouthowthepostSeptember1dayswillbe.

Whether smooth or scorching,thatremainstobe seen. Wethinkthat,atmost, there may be some halfhearted sounds and movements, but that should bethesumofit.

Thepresenceofsomany

foreigners with a vested interest in oil and gold virtually guarantees such an environment Oil and gold—especiallyoil—rarely stir excited, passionate conversations, and when they do, it's only as a quick sidebar

WEDNESDAY–JULY02,2025

Electioncampaign gonewild

The PPP/C's ferocious attacks on Businessman, Azruddin Mohamed as he visitscommunitiesaspartof his elections campaign continuestounnervecitizens who are interested in justice andfairplay

Guyanese are all aware of the US sanctions against the Mohameds and the allegations of tax evasion filedbytheGuyanaRevenue Authority, but his right to campaign and be part of the electoral process is not one forthePPPanditssupporters todecide.

Guyanesevotersdeserve better They deserve rallies, not riots. They deserve to heareveryvoice,notjustthe one that currently holds power. They deserve to cast their ballots free from fear, not amid the howls of politicalmobs.

The election campaign must be peaceful, fair, and opentoall.

History is littered with the remains of democracies that allowed political intolerancetomasqueradeas strength If the PPP continues down this path, it may soon find itself the architectoftheverypolitical hostility it has long claimed to oppose. In the end, the question is not whether

d onkeys and horses need light—but whether the PPP still believes that the people of Guyana deserve the light ofdemocracy

THURSDAY–JULY03,205

Misuseofpublicfunds

The government's use of stateresourcestopayalobby firm to attack a presidential candidateisabreachoftrust andmisuseofpublicfunds.

State funds are c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y appropriated for public purposes, not partisan warfare.

When a government spends national revenues to secure the vilification of a citizen abroad—much less a political opponent running for public office—it crosses alinenotmerelyofpropriety butoflegality

This is the use of a foreign policy apparatus to achieve partisan ends It weaponises diplomacy as a bludgeon against the democratic process In a functioning democracy, this wouldbegroundsnotmerely for outrage but for impeachment.

FRIDAY–JULY04,2025

Ifheissoirrelevant, whythedesperation?

The gove

nment, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has seen it fit to spend US$50,000 per month—public funds, not party coffers to hire a l o b b y i n g f i r m i n Wa s h i n g t o n , D C Regrettably, it has been revealed that the firm scripted tweets which constituteanattackagainsta political rival of the PPPC, Businessman, Azruddin Mohamed.

ThetaxpayersofGuyana are now

campaign against one of theirfellowcitizens.Andnot just any citizen—but a man with the

merity to challenge the ruling party at the ballot box. Mohamed has announced that he is running for elections this year.Thismeans that he is a Presidentialcandidate.

The government claims Mohamed is a non-threat, a sideshow,adistraction.

And yet, it is believed that it is behind the mobilisation of the tweets against Mohamed One wondersifheissoirrelevant,

Jagdeo’slogicandthe$10M-a-monthlonerangerlobbyist

Itmusttakeastaggering amount of audacity—or an unshakable belief in the gullibility of the Guyanese people—for Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to look this nation in the face and suggest, with his usual certitude, that the Government of Guyana hiredaWashingtonlobbying firm to “represent” the country’s interest in relation to Venezuela, but gave no instructions or clearance regarding the content of politically explosive tweets linking a local presidential hopeful, Azruddin Mohamed, to the Maduro regime.

Wearenottalkingabout some mid-level PR consultant in a basement making offhand comments. Wearetalkingaboutahighpowered lobbying firm, beingpaid,reportedly,tothe tune of G$10 million per monthfromthepublicpurse.

The Vice President would have us believe that this firm, retained to act on behalf of the State, fired off communications to members of the United States Congress making boldpoliticalclaimsabouta Guyanesecitizen—onewho just happens to be emerging as a political rival—without so much as a nod from the governmentthathiredit. IsthiswhatJagdeowants us to swallow? That we are payingafirmwithourtaxes and it is acting unilaterally, without instruction or supervision? That it is

functioning like a lone ranger, issuing unsolicited warnings to American lawmakers and naming names all without checking with the very governmentitrepresents?

Theideaissolaughable, so patently absurd, that it should not have survived one round of journalistic inquiry But herein lies another travesty: the stunning silence of the local press corps. Why haven’t our journalists, with access to email, phones, and WhatsApp, asked the lobbyingfirmoutright:Who instructed you to send those tweets? Did you receive clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Were you acting at your own initiative?Whatevidence,if any, do you have to back up the claims you made about Mohamed?

The government’s default response to scandals has long been to blame everyone but itself, to issue blanket denials with smug impunity, and to count on a compliant or distracted media to do nothing more than publish the press release and move on. But this time, the stakes are dangerously high The tweets in question were not mere policy points; they were politically damaging attacks, shared with influential U.S. lawmakers, essentially labeling a Guyanese businessman and potential candidate as a stooge for a hostile foreign

power That is no small accusation. And if it turns out those messages were sentunderthegovernment’s contract,thenJagdeoandhis colleaguesmustexplainwhy S t a t e f u n d s w e r e weaponized to attack politicalopponents.

If,ontheotherhand,the firm acted without clearance, then Jagdeo’s admission is just as damning It means the government has lost control of the very firm that it is paying handsomely to represent our national interests In any selfrespecting democracy, this alone would be grounds for terminating the contract immediately, if not for launching an independent investigation into the chain of communication between the firm and the Ministry of ForeignAffairs.

Lobbyists are not freelancers.Theydonotfire off messages in a vacuum. Their job is to carry out the precise instructions of their client.Everytweet,letter,or talking point sent on behalf of a sovereign state is by protocol supposed to be clearedinadvance.Theidea that a firm could send such explosive content without t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s knowledge is, frankly, insultingtoourintelligence. Jagdeo’sclaimcollapses under the weight of its own contradictions. If the firm acted independently, why hasn’t it been publicly rebuked? Why hasn’t the

DEM BOYS SEH

Dem boys seh is one thing fuh set a password, but is another thing when de password decide fuh pack up and lef yuh brain three days after People got deh best intention—deh seh, “I gon use something secure...likeP@ssw0rd#2025!”Butbyde third day, all dem remember is de frustration, de sweat, and de tears trying fuhresetdedamnthing.

One man seh he set a password wid plenty meaning: is he wife birthday, de wedding date, de car number plate and de dogname—allinone.Butwhenhetryfuh log in, he type “HappyAnniversary123!” and get lock out. He forget he add “!” or was it “@”? He cyah remember if he use uppercase,lowercase,orcusswords.

Dem boys seh people treating p a s s w o r d s l i k e N e w Ye a r resolution—write it down today, forget it tomorrow.And leh we not talk ‘bout dem who write down de password on a paper andhideitina“safeplace.”Sosafe,even demcyahfindit.Iseitherbetweenpage92 and93ofoneoldReadersDigest,orbehind

Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal clarification or retraction to U S lawmakers? Why is the government not demanding an apology or, at the very least,anexplanation?Andif the government did instruct the firm, then Jagdeo is being deliberately deceptive and using the smokescreen of plausible deniability to avoid the politicalfallout.

This is not a partisan matter It is a question of accountability, of how public funds are used, and whether the machinery of theStateisbeinghijackedto malign and destroy political competitors Guyana’s democracy is still young, still fragile. It cannot afford

to be bent into a tool of political warfare by those entrustedtoupholdit.

The lobbying firm must now go on record. It must say clearly whether it received any guidance or green light from the government before sending the tweets. It must say who suppliedtheinformationthat constituted the accusations contained in the tweets. It

must disclose what evidence, if any, it has to supportsuchseriousclaims. If it refuses, then its credibility,alongwiththatof thegovernmentthathiredit, should be irreparably damaged.

AsforJagdeo,heshould know that every time he opens his mouth to defend

the indefensible, he chips away further at the dwindling reservoir of public trust. If the Vice President expects the public tobelievethat$10milliona month buys you a firm that answerstonoone,thenheis not just insulting the people—heisgamblingwith theirpatience.

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

defridgeneardepoisonfuhroach.

One lady seh she set she password to “Iwillneverforgetthis1.” De computer seh, “Youlie.”Nextthingyuhknow,shecalling she neighbour grandson fuh help reset it, but now de grandson got access to she Netflix, Gmail, and maybe even she bank account.All because she forget if she use “I”or“1”or“!”or“eye.”

Dem boys seh is now a password pandemic. Every website want strong password. Must got number, capital letter, symbol,emotionaltrauma,bloodtypeand deanswerto“Whatislove?”

Yuhain’tevengetachancefuhenjoyde security before yuh get a message: “You have tried too many times Account locked.” Dem boys seh some people now just giving up. De password now is “123456.”Orbetteryet—”Iforgetagain.”

Demboysseh…ifyuhcan’tremember yuh password, just accept yuh fate. But remember this: de password ain’t forget yuh…yuhforgetdepassword. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

Gambling on a principled president

On Monday, September st1 ,Guyanesewillgooutand voteforthepoliticalpartyof their choice. When those casting their ballot do so, theyare,ineffect,votingfor the head of that party's list, the presidential candidate. May only those who are eligibletovote,exercisethat right for their national and regionalchoices. Onceonly Apresidentialcandidate, whatshouldGuyanesethink is of vital importance, look for, in such a person? In a country devastated by a history of the weakest, slipperiest, and most tragic assortment of leaders, the presidential candidate voted forhastobeacutabovewhat has gone before. If the Guyanesevoter,whoholdso much power in his or her hand, vision is for a basement apartment and a minimum wage job in New

York, then the kind of presidential candidate given thatprized'X'doesn'tmatter If, on the other hand, the commitment is to a longterm place in this oil rich countryofcountries,thenthe ideaofwhatthepresidential candidate should embody takes on new meaning

Powerful meaning Unambiguous meaning Nonnegotiablemeaning.

The question before everyGuyanesevoterhasto be:whatkindofpresidentdo I want? Which of the presidential candidates is worthmytrust? Inwhattype ofpresidentialhandswouldI be comfortable placing my children's future? And, on the ballot paper string of presidentialcandidates,who standsoutasoneofhisorher word, someone of principle, a political presence that prioritizes personal honor?

These have not mattered much before, as Guyanese know all too well. But they hadbettermatternow,unless being bottom feeders and servile citizens is the height oflocalambition.

Taking a backward glance is recommended, so as to be better positioned to move forward without misgivings, because there is the strength of conviction. What luck have Guyanese had with their presidential candidates? Especially those of more recent times, and now with that date with st the Fates, September 1 drawing ever closer? It should never have come to this (luck). The luck of the draw and resignation with the card pulled. From the record, Guyanese voters have compiled a record unmatchedbyanyinturning up either jacks or jokers. I

grew up with a set of those being called knaves Guyanese are overdue a change from their run of rotten luck with presidential candidates, but there is one handicap. The cards just aren'ttherethistimearound. The lesser of a half dozen evils is just as unpalatable and indistinguishable as the lesser of two. What's in a number if the result leads to thesameplace?

From the record again, what do the presidential candidates vying for political power represent, project,inthedepartmentsof ethics and self-respect? Guyanese are not so stupid as to be unable to detect putridityfromprinciple. But it can be an near insurmountable task for the simple, decent folk of Guyana to separate nonvenomous snakes from

venomous ones. More candidly, there is some difficulty encountered by local voters in recognizing Charles Ponzi from Peter Principle, or conman from politicalcontestant. Whena contestantisacomrade,with the tighter linkage of clansman,thentheinterestin principle is hurled overboard The pathetic floats to the surface, and from there to the winner's circle. Countryandcitizens have paid a bitter price for willful blindness, due to the kindofrecklesscarefreeness and shortsightedness generatedbytribalheritage.

have lived with, come to accept as the norm. Like a child bullied continuously for his pocket money, that hasbeenthelotofGuyanese whentheclawsandfangsof their presidential candidates change overnight into their worstnightmares.

Overtheyears,Icringed onhearingableatinglament.

Thestakesarehigherthis time, never have been higher This is where matters que up. Five more y e a r s o f d o c i l e domestication that put to shame that hallmark of sovereignty (national selfdetermination),orafightfor the national dignity and prosperity due. Regarding self-determination, Winston Churchill fought, insisted, thatthesubcontinentIndians werenotready Whatwould hehavesaidnow,ifhewere alive and at full capacity?

Slight adjustment, please: half capacity, because even withthatdeficit,hewouldbe appalled at what Guyanese

“Is bess leh de white maan come bak and tek ovah de contree.” Hehas,hasn'the? And now with Guyana's riches trapped in his hand. The honour of that development belongs to thosepresidentialcandidates who became national leaders. They celebrate by putting on global display their anatomical shortages, their defects in capacity, integrity, and devotion to national duty When a presidentialcandidateeasily abandons principle and patriotism's highest ideals, then that Guyanese is most unfittobepresident. Overto thevoter

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

Political leaders must act responsibly, promote peace ahead of elections - ERC

With the 2025 general andregionalelectionsslated to be held in less than two months,theEthnicRelations Commission (ERC) on Saturday issued a call to all political leaders contesting the elections to act responsibly and ensure that their conduct promotes national harmony and good relations across Guyana's multi-ethnicsociety

The Commission said it is concerned by recent incidents reported in the media that have increased tensions among supporters ofvariouspoliticalparties.

In light of this, the ERC remindedallpoliticalleaders of their duty to set a tone of respect, restraint, and unity, before, during, and after the elections.

The ERC urges political

leaders to: denounce and refrain from all forms of violence, incitement, and intimidation, including threats or harassment at rallies, meetings, or any public engagement; consistently urge their supporters against acts of provocation,intimidation,or hostility toward others and avoid language that incites division or violence, especially along ethnic or politicallines.

M o r e o v e r , t h e

Commission underscored that it firmly opposes and rejects any form of violence or intimidation throughout theelectionsperiod.

ERC urged against threats, harassment, or disruptions at political activities or in any public space and urges against language intended to incite violence or hostility toward candidates, agents, or supportersofanygroup.

The Commission remindedthatelectionsarea democraticrightandmustbe conducted in an atmosphere ofpeaceandmutualrespect. Politicalleadersareurgedto lead by example and help ensure a safe, inclusive, and respectful electoral process forallGuyanese.

“TheERCintendsto (Continueonpage13)

Man allegedly kills common-law wife, attempts suicide

A 38-year-old man tried to take his own life after allegedlykillinghis50-yearold common-law wife on Friday at their Lot 193 Ivan Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara(EBD)home.

Dead is Bibi Salima Persaud and hospitalized is Dinesh Ram, a mechanic who police suspect killed her

The dead woman's son, Sankar Persaud, made the gruesome discovery around 23:00hrs on Friday when he and his brother returned to theirhome.

He recalled that upon entering the yard, he heard thesuspectgroaninginpain.

Sankartoldpolicethathe asked the suspect if he was okay and noticed him lying

inapoolofwaterformedby heavyrainsintheyard.

“He immediately began shouting for his mother and gotnoanswer,”policestated before adding that Sankar then checked the house and found his mother (Persaud) lyingmotionlessonthefloor withawoundtoherthroat.

Sankar reportedly called thepoliceimmediately

When police ranks arrived, they found the suspectlyingintheyardwith agreensubstancearoundhis mouth.Theysuspectedthatit might be a poisonous subs

anks immediatelytookRamtothe DiamondRegionalHospital, where he was admitted as a patient. Other ranks checked on

the victim and found her lying face up Police reported that there were wounds seen on the left side of her forehead, her mouth, her left wrist, right hand, neck,andface.

“A kitchen knife was seenonthefloor,coveredin blood. Also, a bottle of suspected pesticide was found near the door of their home,”policesaid.

Sankartoldinvestigators that the couple would frequently have heated arguments. The suspect, he alleged, would accuse his mother of having an affair because she spent a lot of time on her cell phone. The mansaid,“thoughtheyhave frequent fights, they would alwaysmakeup.”

Chenapou Village to get $63M health centre

The Regional

D e m o c r a t i c Council(RDC)of Region Eight has issued invitation for bids for the construction of a health centre at the Amerindian VillageofChenapou.

According to the bid document, the project is estimated to cost $63.27 million. The RDC is also seeking bids for the construction of a sixapartment doctors' living quarters at Mahdia. That project is estimated to cost

$27.95million. These projects form part of the region's $1.1 billion budgetary allocation for healthdelivery Bids for the project is expectedtoopenonJuly15, 2025 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board ( N P TA B ) o f f i c e .

Meanwhile, on numerous occasions, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said that the government is constructing health centres and posts across the country

to complement the regional hospitalsandensuremodern facilities for healthcare workersacrossthecountry

expanding the range of public healthcare services provided to citizens, enhancing accessibility for communitiesnationwide.

Since assuming office, the government said it has enhanced healthcare access through the construction of 25 new health centres and health posts across the

country Notably, close to 380 health facilities are operatinginthecountry

understands that the health centres that are being

constructed offer a wide range of services, including

healthcare, family planning, general outpatient services,

management, school health programmes, pharmacy services, and home visits, ensuring comprehensive health support for all residents.

TheAmerindian Village of Chenapou in Region Eight. (Photo courtesy, President IrfaanAli/ Facebook)

a

Measles cases rise in the Americas in 2025

A total of 7,132

confirmed cases of measles and 13 deaths have been reportedintheRegionofthe Americas as of mid-June 2025,accordingtothelatest epidemiological update from the Pan American

Health Organization (PAHO). This represents a 29-fold increase compared to the 244 cases reported during the same period in 2024.

effective response To contain the outbreaks and prevent the spread of this vaccine-preventable disease, the Organization recommends the urgent implementation of

intensified vaccination campaigns in affected areas and in those areas at risk of spread PAHO does not recommend implementing restrictions on international travel.

Pensioner dies, motorcyclist injured in Le Ressouvenir accident

The upward trend

The rise in cases underscores the urgent need to address gaps in routine immunization PAHO is callingoncountriestoreach and sustain 95% coverage with two doses of measlescontaining vaccine, especially in communities with low coverage or active outbreaks.

PAHO is providing technical cooperation to mostcountriestostrengthen e p i d e m i o l o g i c a l surveillance,trainhealthcare workers, and engage with communities to ensure timely detection and an

Nine countries have reported cases in 2025, with Canada (3,170 cases, 1 death),Mexico(2,597cases, 9 deaths) and the United States (1,227 cases, 3 deaths), accounting for the majority Other countries reporting cases include Bolivia(60),Argentina(34), Belize (34), Brazil (5), Peru (4) and Costa Rica (1). The outbreaks originated from importations from countries both within and outside the Region. The most affected age groups are children under5andadolescentsaged 10to19years.

Politicalleadersmustact...

Frompage7 with hands-on training in a world-class facility that would enhance their knowledge of the sector, i n c l u d i n g m o d e r n approaches required to operate at international industrystandards.

Importantly, the skills acquiredwillnot only allow for access to direct tourism

jobs but also indirect jobs and opportunities. “As we build out the curriculum, it will distinguish itself as beingparticularlytailoredto our Indigenous services and ourIndigenouscommunities andfocusonbuildingoutan eco-tourism product that is environmentally sound and friendly,”theministersaidat thetime.

ChenapouVillagetoget...

Frompage11 have a Code of Conduct

signing following Nomination Day, whereby

all political parties contestingtheelectionssign to uphold these and other values foremost in the Code ofConductduringtheperiod of General and Regional Elections 2025. Notably, all parties contesting the 2020 elections signed the ERC Code of Conduct aimed

towards maintaining electoral peace,” the Commission said in a statement.

Urgent need for...

Frompage5

e for commercial and commuter traffic,bypassingtheheavily populated and congested coastalstrip.

Finally, I urge the continuation and extension oftheOgletoEcclesbypass road further south and inland, with a long-term visionofreachingSoesdyke. This would provide a parallel artery to the East Bank Demerara Road and the Heroes Highway, offering much-needed relief and resilience to our transportsystem. Guyanaisontherise,and with it must come forwardthinking infrastructure planning.

These projects will not only ease daily travel but also stimulate economic growth, unlock new lands for housing and agriculture, and connect people and regionsmoreefficiently

Sincerely,

R.Yusuf

mirrors the global situation, where surveillance data from the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 188,355 suspected cases and 88,853 confirmed in168countriesasof6June 2025 The E

rn Mediterranean Region accounts for the highest share(35%),followedbythe African Region (21%) and theEuropeanRegion(16%).

Guyana exports over US$6.6M in rough diamonds in 2024 –KimberleyProcessReport

Guyana has exported more than US$6.6 million in rough diamonds in 2024, Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) an international watchdog established to curb the trade in conflict diamonds hasreportedinits2024Annual GlobalSummary

The 2024 summary was published on June 17, 2025, and includes diamond trade data from more than 70 countries.

KPCS is the mechanism, which the KP uses to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. Launched in 2003, it is enforced individually by KP Participant countries to ensure that rough diamonds in the legitimatesupplychainareKPcompliant The report shows that 53,497.45 carats of rough diamonds were exported from Guyana in 2024 at an average price of US$125.06 per carat, amounting to a total export valueofUS$6,690,284.40.The data also indicates that the country did not import any rough diamonds during the year, nor was any domestic

productionofficiallyrecorded.

The KPCS summary noted that 23 export transactions were officially declared by Guyana in 2024. Guyana is a participating member of the Kimberley Process and is requiredtosubmitannualtrade data, verify the legitimacy of diamond exports, and ensure compliance with global standards.

Notwithstanding the KPCS report, it should be noted the Bank of Guyana (BOG) 2024 Annual Report states that Guyana's diamond industry recorded export earnings of US$12 million in 2024. That report states that the diamond subsector produced 55,971 metric carats for the year, representing a 17 percent declinecomparedto2023.

Road rage assault results in stabbing death of motorcyclist

The stabbing death of a man at Albert Street, Georgetown on Friday wasaresultofroadrage.

Kaieteur News published a story on Saturday about the murder but at the time of publication, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) did not issue a statement. However, on Saturday, policereleasedastatementidentifying thevictimasJamalGreene,a26-yearold mechanic of D'Urban Street, Lodge.

The suspect was identified as Keon Belgrave, a 30-year-old taxi driver of Sophia Squatting Area. Belgrave is currently in police custody

The stabbing occurred at around 13:30h Belgrave was reportedly driving his car south along Albert StreetwhileGreenewasridingbehind him.

“It is alleged that the victim rode up alongside the suspect and told the suspect(Belgrave)thatheshouldhave hithimwithhiscar,”policestated.

Greene then rode up a short distance and stopped his motorcycle. Belgrave drove to the area Greene stoppedandexitedhiscar

Aneyewitness,whowasatastore located at the corner of Robb and Albert Streets told police that he saw Greene hit Belgrave with a piece of irontohisback.

Belgrave then entered his car and

returned armed with a knife. He approached the victim and a scuffle ensued during which he stabbed the victimthreetimestothebackcausing thevictimtofalltotheground.

The deadly scuffle was caught on camera. A cellphone recorded video showed Greene attacking an armed Belgraveduringthescuffle. Greenefellontopofhimandthen

suddenly started screaming, “Ahhhhhh”. Persons intervened and soon realized that he had been stabbed.

An ambulance was called to the scene and Greene was reportedly rushed to the hospital where he died whilereceivingtreatment.

Belgrave was reportedly arrested atthescene.

The deadly scuffle

Upper East Coast Youth Federation reigns supreme in Speaker's National Youth Debating Competition 2025

The Upper East Coast

Youth Federation has emerged victorious in the Final of the Speaker's National Youth Debating Competition 2025, narrowly edging past the Ruimveldt Life Improvement Centre Youth Ministries Group in a gripping showdown that showcased the finest youth debatersinthenation.

The hybrid event, held in the Chamber of the Public B

Georgetown at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025, drew an enthusiasticcrowd,including the Hon. Aubrey C. Norton, M P , Leader of the Opposition, Opposition Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,BestDebatersfromthe 2025 Speaker's Regional and National Youth Debating Competitions, students, educators,parents,andonline viewersacrossthecountry

According to a statement issued by Parliament Office, the moot for the final debate, “Nationalism is a threat to peac

challenged participantstothinkcritically about global and national dynamics.

The Upper East Coast Youth Federation, debating ontheopposingside,secured anaveragejudgescoreof218 points, narrowly surpassing the Ruimveldt Life Improvement Centre Youth Ministries Group's 216 points.

Despite being away for a Church Conference in the USA,Ms.MarinellaGlasgow oftheUpperEastCoastYouth Federation joined the debate online, delivering a compelling argument that

contributed to her team's victory The champions received a trophy and cash prizes for their stellar performance.

In a testament to the calibre of the competition, Ms. Shontell Davis-Daniels of the Ruimveldt Life Improvement Centre Youth Ministries Group was awarded the Best Speaker Awardforthefinaldebateand alsoreceivedtheBestOverall Debater trophy for the 2025 competition. Her team was awarded trophies and cash prizes for their remarkable journey throughout the tournament.

The competition concludedwithaprize-giving ceremony, where the Best Debatersfromeachmatch-up intheSpeaker'sRegionaland National Debating Competitions 2025 were recognised with trophies for t h e i r o u t s t a n d i n g contributions to youth debate in Guyana Judges who dedicated their time to adjudicating the debates also received tokens of appreciationfortheirservice.

Hon. Manzoor Nadir, M.P.,SpeakeroftheNational (Continueonpage48)

Veteranjournalist

RickeySinghdies

VeteranjournalistRickey SinghdiedonSaturdayathis home in Barbados In a statement, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) said Singh, a Guyana-born journalist published his first story in 1957 at the Guiana Graphic. He moved swiftly fromcoveringgeneralstories and beats to political reporting covering various issues in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Singh was also a columnist who wrote on politics and social issues in theregion.

“ R i c k e y S i n g h contributed to several wire services and publications in the region, including Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica andTrinidadandTobago,the BBC Caribbean Report and Caribbean News Agency (CANA) as well as services in North America and Britain,”theGPAsaid.

Singh was a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West Indies (UWI) for his contributions as a journalist in regional affairs. In 2023, Singh was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement AwardinGuyana. Hewasalsoafounderand first President of the now defunct Caribbean Association of Media Workers(CAMWORK).

“The Guyana Press Association extends condolences to the family, friends and regional media colleagues of journalist and columnist Rickey Singh Singh transitioned at his home in Barbados on Saturday.”

Veteran Journalist, Rickey Singh

Winners of the Speaker's NationalYouth Debating Competition 2025

Guyanese beautycrowned

The Waterfalls Waterfalls

Miss Grand Texas 2025 Former UG lecturer,

Alifetimedevotedtoeducation,service,andherfaith…

Miss Texas Grand 2025 Lieve Blanckaert (center) and runner up winners after she was crowned

Dr. Valarie Goorasammy -Smith

Dr. Goorasammy-Smith and three sons Gregory, Fabian and Seon.

AaliyahMisir

Meetthe charmingAaliyahMisir,a19-year-old beautyambassadorwhohailsfromBartica,RegionSeven.Aaliyah wasrecentlycrownedMissTeenCharmGuyana’25;afranchiseofMissTeen CharmInternationaloneofthetopfivemostprestigiousteenpageantsglobally Aaliyah planstousehertitletoadvocateforsafespacesforchildrencomingfrombrokenandtoxic householdsbecauseshebelieveseverychilddeservesaspacewhereheorshefeelsprotectedand loved.Herfavoritequoteis“Thefaithbestoweduponmebythoseinmylifepushesmefoward.”

HaitiIsBleeding-AndtheCaribbeanCannotLookAway

Haiti continues to wallow in deep c r i s i s a s criminalgangsentrenchtheir violent control over nearly 90percentofPort-au-Prince and other parts of the country Thesearmedgroups have become a de facto regimeofterror

Especially chilling is the rampant sexual violence being used as a twisted reward for gang members, some as young as 14. As I noted in my previous commentary, young women and girls are being raped withimpunityinareasunder gangrule.

Kidnappings for ransom are an everyday fear, and normal life is grasped in the briefmomentsthatitcomes. The trauma inflicted on Haitian society is incalculable.

The Transitional National Council (TNC), charged with governing Haiti until February 2026, has been unable to contain thisdescentintochaos.

The Haitian National Police are both outmanned and outgunned. Meanwhile, the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission of m o s t l y K e n y a n troops deployed in the absence of a UN Security

Council-authorised force—islargelyconfinedto barracks.

Starved of funding and operating without a clear mandate to use force, their capacity to confront the gangs is essentially nonexistent.

Faced with these dire realities, the TNC has taken an extraordinary and controversial step: hiring a private mercenary group to combat the gangs. Until last week, this initiative

remained unannounced and unexplained.

The TNC had not identified the group involved, disclosed the financialterms,ordescribed its rules of engagement

Surprisingly, this development has received scant international press coverage. But details are nowbeginningtoemerge.

According to the UK Guardian newspaper, the mercenary group has deployed “first-person view” (FPV) kamikaze drones equipped with commercial mining explosives—to identify and kill gang leaders. But after three months of drone operations,notasinglegang leader has been confirmed killed.Instead,severaldrone strikes have damaged buildings in gang-controlled zones and may have harmed civilians.

These are dangerous occurrences in a fragile and densely populated environment.

YettheTNC’sdecisionis not without logic. With a paralysed MSS, a compromised national policeforce,andnoexternal militaryassistanceunderUN authority,Haitianleadersare at the end of their tether In thisvacuum,themercenaries appear to be the only actors taking the fight directly to the gangs. And this has led even some Haitian human rights defenders to reluctantly view the use of mercenaries as a “necessary evil.”

But this course of action is fraught with risk. As I warned earlier, it is only a matter of time before the gangs strike back using the same technology That time may be fast approaching.

Reports surfaced last month of three alleged gang members being arrested in neighbouring Dominican Republicwhileattemptingto p u r c h a s e d r o n e s Meanwhile, the mercenary group in Haiti is reportedly building a 150-person strike force from among overseasbased Haitians with prior serviceinthemilitaryforces of Canada, France, and the UnitedStates.

A substantial weapons cache has already been movedintothecountry

Iamnotsurprisedatthis development.Morethantwo years ago, leaders in the Haitian diaspora in the United States told me they were willing to organize themselves into a militarystyle force under credible leadership to confront the gangs. They already had an organizational blueprint. That vision now appears to betakingform.

Some voices—like that of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have suggestedthat,inthefaceof UN Security Council inaction,theOrganizationof American States (OAS) should take the lead However, the OAS has no military capability, and its Charter forbids intervention in the domestic affairs of its Member States. Even if the Haitian government invited them, governments would stilldrawbackintheabsence ofinternationalauthority

It is in this context that the OAS held its 55th Regular Session of the General Assembly on June 27, 2025, in Antigua and Barbuda The Assembly adopted a resolution, “Calling for Concrete Solutions to Resolve the Grave Security and

Institutional

CrisisinHaiti.”

T h e r e s o l u t i o n acknowledges Haiti’s deep security,political,economic, andhumanitariancollapse.It

calls for urgent and coordinated international cooperation multilateral, regional, and bilateral—to support Haiti; assistance to restore law and order, facilitate humanitarian aid, and organize free and fair elections; increased contributions to the MSS mission and the Haitian police; stricter enforcement of arms embargoes and illegal weapons control; judicial reform and anticorruption efforts to tackle rootcausesofinstability;and a 45-day deadline for the OAS Secretary General to present a consolidated Action Plan—developed in consultation with Haiti and the UN to provide a structured roadmap for institutional support and nationalrecovery.

The problem with the resolutionisthatitisbinding onnoone,andtheSecretary General cannot develop a plan that is not approved, mandated, and resourced by MemberStates.

So, while the

r e s o l u t i o n i s encouraging, it is still words on paper Haiti needs action, not just the expressionofcommitments. Itrequiresresources,notjust rhetoric.

Worsenow,USPresident DonaldTrumphascalledfor slashing $9.4 billion in UN contributions. As columnist Jacqueline Charles pointed out recently in The Miami Herald, this would jeopardize programmes for Haiti, including the MSS mission.

I f t h i s c r i s i s escalates—as it now seems settodo—theconsequences will not stop at Haiti’s borders.

Regional migration pressures, transnational crime, and humanitarian spillovers will affect us all. Warfare of drones, gangs, and mercenaries will not spare the Haitian people fromsuffering. It may seem necessary out of desperation, but the longer this violent path continues, the harder it becomes to find a peaceful solution.

CARICOM does not

Sir Ronald Sanders

have the money or troops to helpHaiti.

Still, it does have the capacity for diplomatic coordination, humanitarian response, and high-level advocacy at the UN, as well as for assisting the OAS Secretary General’s plan to becomeareality The Caribbean cannot look away CARICOM governments must continue to seek new ways to offer H a i t i m e a n i n g f u l engagement.

(ThewriterisAntigua andBarbuda’s AmbassadortotheUS andtheOAS.Heis alsotheDeanofthe OASCorpsof Ambassadors.Theviews expressedareentirely hisown.Responsesand previouscommentaries: www.sirronald sanders.com)

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY Guyanapaidover $500BintaxesforExxon andpartnersin2024

Despite the billions in profits recorded by the oil companies operating in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, the country continues to shoulder their tax burden. In 2024 alone, the government paid over $500 billion in income taxes on behalf of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and its partners Hess and CNOOC, under the terms of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing the StabroekBlockoperation.

ExxonMobil Guyana is the operatoroftheStabroekBlockwith a 45 percent interest, while Hess Guyana holds 30 percent and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limitedholds25percent.

Accordingtotheoilcompanies’ financial statements for 2024, Guyana had to pay $260 billion in taxes for Exxon, $219.3 billion in taxes for Hess, and $23 billion for CNOOCatotalof$502billion.

For 2024 EMGL recorded an operating profit before taxation of $1 255 trillion The company reported a tax expense of $260 billion and a total comprehensive income of $995 1 billion Hess’ $219.33billionintaxesfor2024is an increase from the $131 56 billionin2023.Forthatsameyear, HessGuyanarecordedastaggering $840 billion in profits. CNOOC reportedUS$2.5billioninprofitfor 2024. CNOOC’s 2023 tax expense was $37 billion and in 2024 it droppedto$23billion.

According to the PSA, the Stabroek Block partners are allowedtorecover75percentofthe oil produced to recover their investmentcosts;theremaining25 percent is considered profit, which is split between Guyana and the StabroekBlockconsortium,giving each 12.5 percent. However, the consortiumpaysa2percentroyalty from its share to Guyana. From its 14.5 percent, Guyana then has to paytaxesfortheoilcompanies.

Article 15.4 of the Petroleum Agreement states, that the sum equivalenttothetaxesowedbythe company, will be paid by the minister responsible for petroleum totheCommissionerGeneralofthe GuyanaRevenueAuthority(GRA). The contract also allows for the issuingofareceipttoExxonMobil, indicating that it has met the local tax requirements to avoid the burden of double taxation. Article 15.5ofthecontractstates,“Within onehundredandeighty(180)days following the end of each year of assessment, the minister shall furnish to contractor proper tax certificates in contractor’s name from the Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority evidencing the payment of the

contractor’s income tax under the IncomeTaxActandcorporationtax under the Corporation Tax Act Such certificates shall state the amount of tax paid individually on behalf of contractor or parties comprisingthecontractorandother particulars customary for such certificates.”

FigueiraresignsfromPNCR

Member of Parliament, JermaineFigueira,hastenderedhis resignation from the PNCR with immediateeffect.

Sources say he is expected to endorsePresidentIrfaanAli.

Figueira served two terms as a MP for the APNU, representing Region10.

His letter to the PNCR Leader, AubreyNorton,indicatedthatheis also resigning as a Member of the National Assembly He was the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly

In his letter, captioned, ‘Resignation from The Central Executive and Membership of the People’s National Congress R e f o r m ( P N C R ) a n d Representative of the party in the National Assembly of Guyana’, Figueira wrote: “Dear Mr Aubrey Norton, with respect to the above caption, I the undersigned herby tender my resignation with immediateeffect.“

Only on Friday at his weekly news conference, Norton was questioned about Figueira and whether he will feature on the party’s list as a candidate for the upcoming elections Norton said Figueira was approached, but was yettocompletethepaperworktobe onthecandidate’slist.

“Ihavealwayssaidthatthereis aplaceforJermaineFigueirainthe PNCR and theAPNU.At least, up untilnow,hehasn’tsignedbutonce hedisposedtobecomingamember ofthelist,hewillbe,”Nortonsaid.

Figueira has become the fourth MP for the coalition to have resigned from the PNCR in recent weeks The others are: Amanza Walton-Desir, Geeta Chandan-

EdmondandNatashaSingh-Lewis. Other notable defections are: Region Four Regional Chairman, Daniel Seeram, and the Regional Vice Chairman, Samuel Sandy Norton has maintained that the PNCRisaninstitutionthatisstrong and unbreakable, and that no number of defections and/or resignationswillcauseittofall.

Last week, former president David Granger had compared the currentsituationwithpastpolitical realignments in Guyana’s history, noting that while some defections had major historical significance, the present developments are unlikely to undermine the PNCR’s foundation.

Granger said that except in the cases of Guyana’s grand historic schisms, such as those of Forbes Burnham’sseparationfromthePPP to establish the People’s National Congress in 1957, and Hamilton Green’s and Raphael Trotman’s defections from the PNC to establish the Good and Green Guyana (GGG) in 1993 and the AFCin2005,respectively,solitary defections,suchasBrindleyBenn’s departurefromthePPPtoformthe Working People’s Vanguard Party in1969,remainjustthat.Heargued that recent defections, though newsworthy, are driven more by personal ambition and internal disputesthanbyideologicalshifts.

“Defections,despitetheirshorttermshockeffect,tendtobedriven by private desires and personality clashes rather than by the determination to fulfil the legitimate expectations of the people from whom they expect electoral votes and money The notorious defection of an AFC parliamentarianwhovotedwiththe PPPC Opposition in the National Assembly in December 2018, however,wasextremelydamaging. Itnotonlytriggeredthecollapseof the government and precipitated freshelectionsintheshort-termbut also fomented the lingering, longtermdistrustbetweenthepartiesto thisday,”Grangersaid.

Still, he acknowledged that the resignation of the three young female coalition MPs is a matter

ThoughGuyana’spopulationis more than 800,000, the minister outlinedGuyana’soilboom,noting that the country produces more barrels of oil daily than “it has people.”

MinisterMoonilalhadoutlined T&T’s regional strategy to prioritise energy cooperation with Guyana, Grenada, and Suriname. He stressed that it is critical for T&T state enterprises to establish themselves as serious entities in Suriname, Guyana and Grenada. “Thatisourvision,thatishowyou will become the hub, you will not become the hub by out producing Guyana…we will not become the hub by out producing Suriname withgas,”Dr Moonilalsaid.

that must

“The…opposition parties need to address, not dismiss, the internal ‘push factors’ that triggered their decisions Desertions are always likelytooccurinGuyanesepolitics and,thoughundesirable,shouldnot be unexpected. Elections are not won by splendid defections, howevernotoriousandwell-timed. Equally, they do cause uneasiness in the wider electorate, especially amongwomenvoters.Itwouldbea serious error to discount the possibilityofthe‘copycat’effectof the departures Guyanese have endured turbulent weeks but more shockingeventsarelikelytooccur overthenexttenlongweeksahead untilE-Day,”Grangersaid.

MONDAY

T&Twantsstronger footholdinoil-richGuyana …new govt. blames Rowley for missed opportunity

TrinidadandTobago’sMinister of Energy, Dr Roodal Moonilal, last week criticised the former administration for throwing away what he described as a prime opportunity to establish the twinislandstate’spresenceinGuyana’s boomingoilandgassector

Speaking during the debate on the Finance (Supplementary Appropriation) Bill for the 2025 fiscalyear,Dr Moonilalsaiditwas a “sad reality” that despite over a centuryofexperienceinoilandgas industry, Trinidad and Tobago had no official government-led presence in Guyana or Suriname, two CARICOM nations now rapidly advancing in energy production.

“Imagine the territory with the most expertise, with the major infrastructure, human capital, had no footprint in Guyana and Suriname None,” Dr Moonilal said.

He added, “It was the service contractorsofTrinidadandTobago whooftheirownwill,bytheirown hardwork,wenttoSuriname,went to Guyana… but they had no help fromthegovernment,none.”

Oil production offshore Guyana’sStabroekBlock,operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL),beganinDecember2019. Sincethen,productionhasgrownto 650,000barrelsperday(bpd)from three sanctioned projects: Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, and Payara. This output is set to increase with theimminentstart-upofYellowtail, the fourth development, later this year Exxon already has two other sanctioned projects under its belt, the Uaru and Whiptail The companyhasalreadysubmittedthe Environmental ImpactAssessment (EIA) for its seventh project, Hammerhead, with production targetedfor2029.Thecompanyhas also filed an application for an eighth development named Longtail.

Dr Moonilal said Trinidad missedtheopportunitytocapitalise onthisboomduetowhathelabeled poor policy decisions by the previous government “We discovered that even when there was a serious attempt by national energytogetinvolvedinGuyana… the government of Trinidad and Tobago at that time said no…they said it was too risky and national energy should not participate in Guyana in that way While you could have had a foothold in Guyana a few years ago,” T&T’s energyministersaid.

Dr Moonilal stressed that the lack of strategic regional engagement not only lost Trinidad and Tobago potential foreign exchange earnings, but also employment and economic opportunities that could have been gained through cross-border collaboration.

“There was no concerted attempt to get a footprint into energy-producing countries wherewecouldprovidehelp,raise revenue, collect taxes, generate foreignexchange,”hestated.

Further, the minister reiterated that the current administration intends to correct course by strengtheningtieswithCARICOM nations such as Guyana, Grenada, and Suriname. The administration hassetitssightsonGuyana’soil

Continued on page 21

EMGLPresident, Alistair Routledge

CEO of Hess Corporation, John Hess

President of CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, Lian Jihong

Frompage20 resourcestosupporttherestartofits refinery, as well as access to Guyana’snaturalgas.

Mohamed,ANUG signcoalitionpact …as founders of ANUG resign from party

In a major move ahead of the September 1 general and regional electionsthefledgling-ANewand United Guyana (ANUG) has officially joined forces with We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) under theWINbanner,tocontestthe2025 GeneralandRegionalElections.

A signing ceremony was held on June 28, 2025, at WIN’s Head Office, where Mr Azruddin Mohamed, Political Leader of WIN, and Dr Mark France, Political Leader of ANUG, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective parties,ANUG said in a Sundaymorningstatement.

“This historic step reinforces the growing strength and momentum of the WIN campaign. With ANUG’s addition under the WIN banner, the movement gains valuable electoral experience and national reach, making ANUG the firstpoliticalpartytoofficiallyjoin the WIN platform,” the statement noted.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to a clean, fair, and respectfulcampaign,and“together, wecallonthepeopleofGuyanato be part of this new political direction.Weareconfidentthatthis agreement will enhance our collective capacity to deliver meaningful change and marks the beginning of a broader national movement to unify and uplift Guyana.We invite all Guyanese to join us on this exciting journey toward a stronger, more inclusive future,”thestatementended.

Meanwhile, shortly after the news broke of the parties coalescing, founders of ANUG: Ralph Ramkarran and Timothy Jonas posted on their facebook pages that they had resigned from theparty “GoodMorningMark.As youknowIhavenotbeenactivein ANUG for about five years now and I have paid no membership dues. I am therefore unclear of my status.IntheeventthatIstillremain onthebooksasamember,Ihereby formally tender my resignation,” Ramkarran wrote For his part, Jonas said: “This serves to inform thattodayIresignedasamemberof ANewandUnitedGuyana.”

It is believed that the resignations of both men come amidfearsofanybacklashfromthe United States given that the Mohameds have been sanctioned bythatcountryforgoldsmuggling. Back in June last year US Treasury’sOfficeofForeignAssets Control (OFAC) had announced sanctions on Guyanese billionaire NazarMohamed,hissonAzruddin

Mohamed and government official MaeThomas.

The OFAC made allegations against the Mohameds for a series of corruption – including gold smuggling It is alleged that Thomas,thePermanentSecretarey (PS) for the Ministry of Labour, misused her position to offer benefits,likegovernmentcontracts totheMohameds.

Meanwhile, on the issue of WINcoalescingwithANUGmany expressed surprise as Mohamed in Maythisyearhadmadeitclearthat hewillnotbeteamingupwithany of the Opposition parties ahead of the September 1, 2025 elections, sayingthenthathewasconfidentin his ability to win on his own

Althoughheisyettoannouncethe names of some of his candidates, the businessman had revealed that hewasindiscussionwithmembers ofallthreemajorpoliticalparties–the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the A Partnership for NationalUnityandtheAllianceFor Change (AFC). According to him, “We have a lot of candidates now fromthePPP,APNUandAFC.All partieswanttocomeonboard.Very soon we will put out all this in the public.”

When asked if he intends to coalescewithanyoftheopposition parties, the young Mohamed respondedinthenegative.Hemade it clear, “We have the strength to win the elections on our own. We did a sample of about 80,000 personsthroughoutthiscountry,we sampled and we got 65% of the votes and that’s why they (the government) are behaving like this…sheer political persecution.”

Postelections,hesaidheiswilling to partner with any of the political parties in the best interest of the country “Whenitcomestomaking rightdecisionsforthebenefitofthe country, when it comes down that road,wewilldecidebutrightnow, wewillnotcoalescegoingintothe elections,” Azruddin Mohamed explained. Similarly, he said he is willing to partner with the PPP, APNU or AFC in the National Assembly on decisions to benefit thecountry

TUESDAY

NewUS$133.8MOgleto Ecclesfour-lanehighway officiallycommissioned

PresidentIrfaanAlionMonday joinedtheMinistryofPublicWorks andotherstakeholdersinofficially commissioning the newly constructedUS$133.8millionfourlanehighwaylinkingtheEastCoast of Demerara (ECD) from Ogle to the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) atEccles.

As reported previously, in June 2022, the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Workshadsignedtheroadcontract withAshoka Buildcon Limited out

of India, to initially commence works for a four-lane road link between Ogle and Eccles. At that time,thecontractwassignedtothe tune of US$106.4 million. It was reported that the project was being financed through a loan provided bytheIndianExportImportBank.

Inclusive of the supervisory services and additional works, it was announced by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Vladmin Persaud that the overall total amountstoUS$133.8million. This newhighwaywhichnotonlywould ease commute time between the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, was built to create critical investment opportunities, accordingtoPresidentIrfaanAli.

Delivering the feature address, thePresidentsaid,“Manytimeswe have explained that this project is notonlyaboutaroad,development is facilitated by the investment in these critical infrastructures, but sometimes you have to understand what comes with these critical investments what are the opportunities that these critical investmentscreate.”

He said that this new road and all other roads that are being built between the East Coast and East Bank have already opened up tens ofthousandsofnewhouselots,and creating the opportunities for the thirdphaseofhousingdevelopment acrosstheEastCoastandEastBank corridors. The President noted that this economic expansion that is being created through these infrastructure forms part of the “transformative future” that his government envisions. The new landsthathaveopenedasaresultof this highway he said will not only be developed by government but alsothroughtheprivatesector

Detailingthenewopportunities thatthehighwaywouldbecreating, the Head-of-State said that along thenewhighwaytoBuzzBeeDam, EBD,somesixnewinternationally brandedhotelswillbeconstructed, some of which are nearing completion.

Also, he noted there will be somefivenewhospitals(publicand private hospitals), thousands of

President IrfaanAli commissioned the new four-lane Highway linking Ogle, East Coast Demerara to Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

industrial hubs and two massive manufacturing hubs, which would be facilitated by the private investment.

“Along this road also is the massivenewtransmissionlinethat isgoingtointerconnectEastCoast, East Bank, Berbice, RegionThree. So it’s the power interconnectivity andallofthesenewinfrastructures are built on smart technology, so that the latest technology is what we’re utilizing.This road also will benefit from the electronic ticketing system and the e-traffic management system that we are bringinginplace,”hesaid.

Further,outliningthatthisroad isthe“corridorofopportunity”,the President mentioned that this highway opens up new lands and communities that would stimulate investment and drive inclusive development. “This road is about improving the quality of life of everyGuyanese.Roadsarenotjust about movement they are catalysts for broad-based national development Where road goes, opportunities follow and where opportunity flourishes, so too human dignity, industry and prosperity This bypass road is opening up far more than an alternative route This opens up lands for housing, agriculture, commerce, warehousing and industry This opening up the arteries of our economy, so goods can flow, people can move, and servicescanexpand.Itisnotjustan engineering feat It is a socioeconomicenabler,”hesaid.

Meanwhile,speakingaboutthe road project, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill highlighted that this project was long on the table for execution. He mentioned that the new highway was to be builtunderthepricetagofUS$275 million by the formerAPNU/AFC administration. “I want to put on record,andIwanttobeclear,even if I sound controversial, when we came to government, we met a projectthatwasUS$275millionby theAPNU/AFC government to do exactlywhatwedidhere,”hesaid. He explained also that the

financing from the Government of India for the project was secured since under the Donald Ramotar Presidency “For five years of the APNU/ AFC rule, nothing was done, just like the money that was available for the ferry from Georgetown to Region One,” he related.

During his remarks also, the Public Works minister announced that the same Indian company was contracted by the government to further carry the road link to Providence. “This afternoon and the President will commission this new road I would also like to announce and let the people of Guyana know that under the leadershipofHisExcellency,atthe same rates, we have engaged Ashoka Buildcon to continue this road to Providence, where it will connect with the new Demerara River Bridge. So there will be a seamless transfer that when you comeoffthebridge,theroundabout which is being constructed right now at Heroes Highway, then you continueforanother2kilometersto connect with this, and then you couldgetalong,”heannounced.

Speaking also was Indian High CommissionertoGuyana,Dr Amit Telang and External Affairs

Minister of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar who congratulatedboththegovernment andAshokaBuildcononthetimely completion of the road linkage They stated that the road linkage will stand as a testimony to the long-standing friendship and cooperation between India and Guyana Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar also spoke at the commissioningceremony

Govt.accusedofusing USlobbyfirmtoattack Mohamed …drafts tweets label businessman as Maduro’s puppet Businessman and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Presidential Candidate,AzruddinMohamedhas comeunderattackafteraUS-based lobbyingfirmhiredbythe Continued on page 22

Frompage21

Guyanese Government drafted a series of tweets accusing him of links to Venezuelan President NicolásMaduro.

Themovecomesevenas the PPP/C Government has been ramping up their attacks against Mohamed who has been attracting sizablegatheringsduringthe many outreaches across the c o u n t r y I n s o m e communities considered PPP strongholds, Mohamed has faced intimidation and attacksbyPPPactivists.

The five proposed

tweets, prepared by Continental Strategy LLC, refertoMohamedasa“proMaduro puppet” and were submitted to a U S congressional office as part ofthefirm’slobbyingefforts onbehalfoftheGovernment of Guyana Already one

Congressman Carlos Gimenez published one of the tweets from his personal account, echoing the firm’s accusations. He stated: “In the U.S. Congress, we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela’s attempt to undermine#Guyanathrough its pro-Maduro puppet

candidate Azruddin

M o h a m e d , w h o i s sanctioned by OFAC! The Western Hemisphere must remain a stronghold of freedom — not a breeding ground for communist dictatorships.”

According to public filings with the U S Department of Justice, the Guyanese Government

signed a six-month agreement with Continental Strategy LLC in December 2024. The contract is worth US$50,000 per month and outlines that the firm would provide lobbying and

government relations

services to Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The aim, according to the filing,isto:(1)increaseU.S. trade and investment in

Guyana; (2) assist in financialsectorreforms;and (3) raise Guyana’s profile in theUnitedStates.Thefirm’s duties include lobbying, preparing and disseminating informational materials, and engaging directly with U.S. policymakers.

OnJune23,JohnBarsa,a partner at Continental

Strategy, emailed the DirectorofCommunications for U S Congressman CarlosGimenez,sharingthe five draft tweets In the email,Barsaclarifiedhewas sending the material “on

behalfoftheGovernmentof Guyana.”

The drafted tweets read asfollows:

“US-sanctioned gold mogul Azruddin Mohamed is running for president in Guyana. This isn’t just a local scandal it’s a warning The Western Hemisphere must remain a stronghold for democracy, not a playground for authoritarianinfluence.”

“A sanctioned Maduro ally running for president in Guyana? This isn’t just politics—it’s a red flag. The Western Hemisphere must not become a safe haven for authoritarianexpansion.”

“Venezuela’s attempt to encroach into Guyana through pro-Maduro puppet Azruddin Mohamed’s presidential run is alarming. The Western Hemisphere must remain a stronghold of freedom not a breeding ground for communist dictatorships.”

“Maduro’s sanctioned puppet Azruddin Mohamed running for president in GuyanaisVenezuela’slatest attempt to creep into a sovereign democracy The Western Hemisphere must reject authoritarian influence #Guyana #Venezuela#FreedomFirst”

“U S -sanctioned businessman Azruddin M o h a m e d , s e e n a s sympathetictoMaduro-style politics.”

These tweets were included in Continental Strategy’s public filing with the U S Department of Justice. In a swift response, Mohamed said it has emerged beyond any reasonable doubt that the “PPP-led Government of Guyana has used taxpayer’s

funds to finance the US lobbying firm to launch a campaign aimed at falsely portrayingmeasanagentof the Maduro regime in Venezuela.” Mohamed said he rejected Venezuela’s claimtotheEssequibo.“My father is Essequibo-born. I would never betray the soil my family is rooted in I stand firmly for Guyana’s sovereignty; I always have andalwayswill,”Mohamed.

He said documents and filings under the U S ForeignAgents Registration Act (FARA) show that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid the U.S. lobbying firm

Continental Strategy $50,000USDpermonth,and a total of over $300,000

USD, to distribute defamatory information and push a misleading narrative about me and my family to

American lawmakers, including false tweets describing me as a “proMaduro puppet” and a “threat to democracy.” This isnotthefirsttimetheyhave donethis.

“Whatwearewitnessing is not foreign policy Once again,thisisthePPPusinga foreign nation to attack me, my reputation and my credibility By falsely linking me to a hostile regime, the Government is deliberately placing my safety and that of my family at risk. They are attempting to delegitimise my candidacythroughdeception andfearmongering.”

Mohamed said this follows a deeply troubling p a t t e r n b y t h e administration, noting that among other things the PPP allegedly spreading lies and misinformation about political opponents; state

media being weaponized to defameGuyaneseandgiving false information to foreign governments to persecute citizens. “I am currently in consultation with my legal team about pursuing civil and criminal action against the Government of Guyana for issuing and financing these false claims through a registered foreign agent I amalsoexploringdiplomatic channelstoensurethisabuse is exposed I urge every Guyanese, regardless of political persuasion, to be vigilant.Iftheycandothisto me,theycandoittoanyone ofus.Wemustnotallowthis dangerous precedent to stand On September 1st, Guyana has a chance to choose a different path; a path where political competition is not met with persecution,” the statement concluded.

Mohamed, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June 2024,officiallylaunchedhis presidentialbidinMay2025 undertheWINpartybanner The party recently faced a setback when the Guyana Elections Commission, rejected its proposed symbol—thejaguar—onthe grounds that it is a national emblem depicted on the Guyana Coat of Arms and therefore cannot be used for politicalpurposes.

WEDNESDAY

GlennLallrenewscall for25%oilroyalty tobeonballotpaper

As Guyanese prepare to head to the polls on September 1, businessman and advocate for a better oil deal, Glenn Lall, is again calling for a referendum on the current oil contract signed between the Government of Guyana and USoilmajor,ExxonMobil. Lallsaidspecifically,the referendum must allow citizens to vote on the demand for a 25 per cent royaltyinsteadofthecurrent 2 per cent, which the previous coalition government had negotiated with ExxonMobil back in 2016 There have been widespreadcallsforchanges tothecontract,andlastyear, some citizens had called for themattertobeputtoavote, but this was resisted by the government.Areferendumis a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has

been referred to them for a direct decision Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo hadsaidthenthatwhilethere might well be issues regarding bringi

g ExxonMobil to the table even with a successful referendum,hewouldprefer to deal with the matter after the general and regional elections.

He had said then, too, that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should focus on preparing for the 2025 general elections, and that any discussions on areferendum could be postponed until aftertheelections.“Wehave timeenoughtodealwiththat after the elections. But right now,GECOMmustfocuson one question, which is holding elections within the constitutionally prescribed timeframe,”Jagdeohadsaid.

The vice president had highlighted that Exxon has madeitspositionclearthatit will not be up for a renegotiation of the oil deal. That deal waives all taxes andcatersforittobepaidby the government out of its share. Guyana receives a 2 per cent royalty; it allows Exxonanditsco-venturersto recover up to 75 per cent of production costs before the remaining 25 per cent is shared between Guyana and theStabroekBlockpartners. After accounting for the 2 per cent royalty, cost recovery, and profit sharing, Guyana’stotaltakefromthe oilproducedis14.5percent of the total value of the oil.

Jagdeo added that any Guyanese, including himself, would want more outofthedeal.“WouldIlike tohave75percentinsteadof 52 per cent in the future when all the costs are taken into consideration? We would love that But the government of 2016 signed an agreement that says the onlywayyoucouldhavethis amicably solved is with the agreement of the two parties,”hesaid. However, Lall, who was at the forefront of that call then, has brought the matter back into the spotlight, saying Guyanese have had enough of the promises by the political leaders Speaking during one of his social commentaries, Lall said the time for silence is over “The days of begging these three political parties for dignity, decency, and honesty have long gone…Today, I am calling on every single Guyanese to

demand that this Exxon oil contract be placed on the ballotpapercomeSeptember 1.”

“Let your vote… let my vote… let every Guyanese vote for what we want from this wealth God has blessed us with. Let us choose,” he said.Thebusinessmanasked whether Guyanese want to continue to survive “on this miserable, shameful 2 per cent royalty — the crumbs that the PPP, PNC, andAFC soldusforordowedemanda fair share — a minimum of 25percentroyalty—sothat all of us, our children, our grandchildren, and generations to come can eat properly, live with dignity, andwalkwithpride?”

Noting that the choice is simple, Lall said a 25 per cent royalty will bring real salaries that reflect an oilproducing nation. “25 per cent will ensure quality education with qualified teachers 25 per cent can provide free modernised healthcare that will serve all our people. 25 per cent will pave our roads, provide clean water, and create real jobs. 25 per cent will pull Guyana out of darkness and into the light of prosperity,” the businessman said He charged that if citizens sit down and accept the current 2percent,thentheymustbe prepared to live with “that sameoldsalary,cashgrants, and vouchers And stop complaining while billions of your wealth is being shipped out every single day.” He said the oil resources were meant to be Guyana’s,thisoilwasmeant tobeablessing,butbecause of the “greedy, selfish, and heartless politicians, it has becomeacurse.Acursethat hasmanyofourbrothersand sisters building cardboard shacks for shelter, while foreigners build castles overseas…”

Fiveinjuredin three-waycrashalong RupertCraigHighway

F i v e m e n a r e hospitalized following a three-way crash on Tuesday along the Rupert Craig Highway, East Coast Demerara(ECD).

Among the injured are, Neil Lewis, Kamel Daniels and Narayan Sikandar, drivers of the three cars involvedinthecrash.

Lewis,63,wasthedriver ahirecarbearingregistration numberHD3223while Continued on page 32

Businessman, Glenn Lall

Oneoftheprimary i n h u m a n e treatments that a parent,grandparent,relative, orbosscanbemetedoutbya parent, grandparent, or boss is favouring one child over another

One of my casual

thoughts is that the unfavouredchildisaffected. Little do you know both are and in some cases, the favoured child had the biggest challenges in life compared to the unfavoured child.

Favouritism, both in childhood and in other

contexts, can have significant negative impacts onmentalhealthandislonglasting, even extending into adulthood and potentially leading to depression, anxiety,andlowself-esteem.

Especially parental favouritism,thesignificance of its impact on mental health, is a disaster for both favoured and unfavoured children.Itcanalsoresultin strained relationships, trust issues, and a tendency

towards performance

anxiety or imposter syndrome later in life. What is more telling is that favouritism becomes a generational trauma For instance, a preferred child’s spouseandchildrenwillalso bepreferred,whereastheunfavored child’s spouse and kidswillcontinuetoholdthe legacyofignorance

So, what makes favouritism so dangerous is theunfairsupportshownto one person or group, especially by someone in authority and with reasonability The unfair support is interrupted, and rightfully so, it feels seen as being betrayed and rejected. Itissayingtotheunfavoured child that you are not deserving,special,orunique to be accepted and treated fairly You are not welcome.

Unappreciated Your existenceoffends.

To the favoured child, being preferred means and can be interpreted as being better than the rest. Their statusashumanismishigher for acceptance that you are judged by a different standardandseendifferently than others. You are beyond normal to your environment and the people you are with. That you are cared for and protected ImpactonFavoredChild: PressureandAnxiety: Favoured children may experience intense pressure

Towards a better life with your psychologist Favouritismandmentalillness

to maintain their “perfect” status, leading to performance anxiety and fear of failure. The platform they are put on makes it difficult for them to accept criticism and the challenges of life. They are unable to regulate their emotion and s u s t a i n c h a r a c t e r development.

DistortedSelf-Perception: They might develop a sense of entitlement or struggle with forming healthy relationships due to over-reliance on validation

and difficulty with boundaries. Most favourite childrendeveloppersonality disorders such as antisocial personality disorder and narcissism Becoming narcissists. Entitled, lacking empathy, and craving the need for administration Obsession with power, Grandiose.

When this is not given, they are made to earn it. Anger management is needed, among other psychological interventions. Paranoid and ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder

ConductDisorder

DifficultywithIntimacy andrelationship:

They may find it challenging to form genuine connections, potentially leading to issues with trust andabandonment.Unableto deal with relationship failures and tend to be transactional in relations Later in life, even their boyfriends/girlfriends or spouses find them “clingy” and “needy”, eventually separating them. Moreover, the unfavoured child never developsahealthybondwith the “favoured” part even though it is nobody’s fault, nor do they seem to settle in terms of individual relationships, whether romanticornot.

Impacton Non-Favored

Child

: LowSelf-Esteemand Depression: Non-favored children may experience feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and depression due to perceived lack of parental - affection, acceptance, approval, affirmation, attention and support I have several clients aged 29 to 47 years old,andtheyarestillfighting to get validation from their parents. To be seen, heard, recognized, and shown that youbelong.

Resentment andtrustIssus: They may harbour

resentment towards their siblings:bitterness,jealousy, discontent, heartache and even death. Not being the favoured child stings very intently

Poor conflict resolution is a reality of this family environment; the lack of cooperation, unity and support for lacking is very high Toxicity and mode regulationareproblematicin this environment, with the unflavored child being hypervigilant and hypersensitive.

Favouritism can create deep-seated trust issues, making it difficult for them toformhealthyrelationships andtrustothersinthefuture. The unfavourite child

becomes emotionally unavailable and can use silenttreatmenttopunish.

Anxiety: They experienceanxietyrelatedto t h e i r p e r c e i v e d shortcomings or unfair treatment Overthinking always creates a worst-case scenario Restlessness, inability to focus or concentrate Suicidal ideations.

Ahome with a favourite childisatoxicandunhealthy environment Favouritism was introduced into this family by a parent or caregiver struggling with their mental health created bytheimpactofchildhoodor adult trauma. Maybe they were once a favourite or unfavorite child.As parents, they cannot regulate their emotions and provide positive parenting. Maybe theyareusingfavouritismto punish a child or a child’s parent.Eitherway,thisadult parent is psychologically strugglingwhileabusingand destroyingthelivesoffamily members Parents who exhibitfavouritismmayalso experience distress, guilt, or difficulty maintaining healthyrelationshipswithall theirchildren.

Howtoheal:

For the favoured child, psychotherapy is the first step to address possible personality disorders and distortion of self and behaviour towards others. I will cover other aspects of favoured children in the followingarticle.

For the unfavored child or person, psychotherapy is needed. Also, you can use some firsthand approaches and methods to commence yourrecoveryandhealing.

Nurture your inner child: - You may want to

startwiththebasics.Startby identifying the child within who feels uncared for. Identifyhowyoucancarefor and nourish that child now Say the statements to yourself that you most need to hear from your parents, and you learn to provide yourself with the love, validation, and support that you always needed Nurturing your inner child also involves remembering you were not at fault — not then,notnow

Understand your parents: - It is not about accepting or justifying hurtful behaviours, but rather the reasons behind those.Thinkaboutwhatyour parent(s) must have experienced for them to become an unloving parent. Recognizing that they may have gone through trauma themselves may help you

realize that the way they treatedyouwasnotpersonal. Instead,itwasasymptomof what they experienced themselves and had nothing todowithyou.

By

Validate your pain:What you feel is natural, valid,andnotuncommon.

“Remind yourself that it is OK to feel exactly how you do Sometimes, our feelings were not acknowledged or validated inmeaningfulwayswhenwe were kids, and doing so for ourselves as adults is empowering.

Identifyexpectations:It is a good idea to explore if you are still expecting something from yourparentsthattheycannot provide Most healing moments for adults who w e r e u n l o v e d o r unfavourited as a child is when they realize how they

were treated reflects the adults who mistreated them, not the children they were. Realizing that there is nothing you can be or does, thatmayleadyourparentsto show you love can be a liberating feeling. Being an unloved child is not something you cause or deserve.

P r a c t i c e s e l fcompassion: - It is not easy to go from self-criticism to self-love, but all selfcompassion needs to look like it’s trying not to put ourselvesdown.

Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst Unwrapping Gift -Clinic

GNBS IN FOCUS

STANDARDISATION WITHIN THE CARICOM REGION

Did you know that the products you use every day such as bottled water, household items, and even construction materials are safer and more reliable thanks to regional standards?

AsGuyanaanditsCaribbeanneighbours preparetocelebrate52yearsoftheCaribbean Community (CARICOM), we are shedding light on the vital system that supports regional integration and economic development – Standardisation. In Guyana, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)playsakeyroleinactivelyadopting and promoting CARICOM Regional Standardstoensurequality,safety,andtrade readinessofourproducts.

At the heart of this effort is the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), which has beenworkingbehindthescenesforovertwo decades to ensure that standards are developed for goods and services produced andprovidedacrosstheregion.CROSQwas establishedonJuly5,2001,andcontinuesto

play a critical role in promoting quality, efficiency, and fairness in regionaltradeand production.

CROSQ comprises National Standards Bodies (NSBs) from CARICOM Member States, such as GNBS, the Trinidad and TobagoBureauofStandards(TTBS),andthe Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ). These NSBs lead the development and implementation of national standards, many of which evolve to become CARICOM RegionalStandards.

But what makes regional standards so important? These standards are crucial for facilitating trade, protecting consumers across the region, promoting sustainability, andensuringefficientproductionandservice delivery Regional standards facilitate the onenessofrequirementsacrosstheregionto reducetradebarriers.

ThisisinalignmentwiththeWorldTrade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), an agreement adopted by most CARICOM

countries.

TheGNBSplaysakeyroleinadvancing CARICOM’sgoalsthroughtheadoptionand promotion of these regional standards. To date, GNBS has supported the development and adoption of approximately 73 CARICOM Regional Standards, many focusing on agriculture, food safety, and consumergoods.Manyofthesestandardsare actively applied within Guyana’s industries to improve the quality of locally produced goodsfortrade.

Further,CROSQaidsmemberstateslike Guyana to build strong Quality Infrastructures (QI) which include Standardisation, Conformity Assessment (testing, inspection, and certification),

Accreditation and Metrology (weights and measures).Through CROSQ, countries gain access to technical support, capacity building, and global best practices, further enablingsustainabledevelopment. Standards may seem invisible, but their impactisfeltinthebottlesofwaterwedrink, the buildings we enter, and the products we buyanduse.

As we celebrate CARICOM Day on Monday, July 7, let us take pride in how far we have come and in the systems we have builttosupportStandardsandQuality

For further information on this subject, contact GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190064 or 219-0065, WhatsApp us on 6924627orvisitourwebsitewww.gnbsgy.org.

Guyanese-born Winston Kassim invested with Order of Ontario

...receives Guyana's High Commissioner to Canada award for excellence

G u y a n e s e - b o r n b u s i n e s s m a n a n d philanthropist, Winston Kassimwhowasrecognized with the Province of Ontario's highest civilian award in January 2025, is formallyinvestedwithOrder ofOntario.

The order was bestowed onhimonJune16,2025for

his four plus decades of world-wide humanitarian and volunteerism work in morethan25countries. He was the first-born Guyanese to be awarded a Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.), the nation's highest civilian honour for Canadian citizens in 2009 and was accorded with the

G u y a n a H i g h Commissioner's award for st excellence on June 1 in Ottawa.Heisalsoarecipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal and many o t h e r a w a r d s f o r Volunteerism. Mr Kassim began his business career with Barclays Bank in Guyana and the Caribbean

b e f o r e immigrating to Canada in 1975. He then joined Royal Bank of Canada where he enjoyed a distinguished 40 year career, eventually retiring as the executive Head of Financial Performance Management andBusinessStrategy

Theawardeeisacertified board director and has servedonavarietyofboards including Royal Bank Barbados Limited. He also supported a number of notfor-profit Boards including the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, CanadianMuseumofIndian Civilization, Sunatul Jamaat of Ontario Canada and privatecompanies.

In Guyana, he, his late mother Noorun Nisa Kassim, late brother Dr Sultan Farook Kassm, r e t i r e d D e p u t y Commissioner of Police, Sultan Feroze Kassim, sistersBibi,Dolly,Anneand Ingrid have been supporting the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana for over 40 years. Mr Kassim

The Order of Ontario was bestowed on Winston Kassim on June 16, 2025 for his four plus decades of world-wide humanitarian and volunteerism work in more than 25 countries

Guyanese-born businessman and philanthropist, Winston Kassim

also played a key role in establishing the Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce and the Doobay Gafoor Medical Centre. In Canada,“ Mr Kassim along with his wife, Kameni and children,Nadina,Shaunand Sara have been significant supporters of the One Guyana Forum (Canada) initiatives” according to Mr JerryKaramat,oneofOGF's primaryconvenors.

Mr Kassim has advised

global organizations on business opportunities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, India, South America, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA), an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Management (AGDM) and is a Certified Corporate Director, Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD D University of Toronto).

In many ways, Mark Cuban’s words describe my lived experience My dissertationexploreshowAI can improve academic outcomes for vulnerable learners. I code withAI, use

it to streamline our organization’s workflows, consult with U S educational systems on AI trainingforteachers,andfall asleep each night to the voicesofleadingthinkerson AIpodcasts.Ibelievetherise of artificial intelligence will bethemostdefiningforceof our lifetime. That’s why our leadership team has committed to ensuring our organizationleadsthewayin AI education in the K–12 technologyspace.Wesimply can’t wait for the rest of the country to catch up. AI is here.AIisnow.Andthenext generation of Guyana’s leaders must be prepared today to compete in the globalAIarena.

Mark Cuban’s words hit likeathunderbolt: “If I were 16, 18, 21, starting today, I would spend every waking minute learning about AI. Even if I’m sleeping, I’m listening to podcasts talking aboutAI.AndthenI’mtrying everything, because there’s so much changing that rapidly.” His urgency puts words to what I’ve been feeling, and living, from our corneroftheCaribbean.

T h e t r u t h i s uncomfortable but undeniable,AIisn’tcoming. It’s here It’s already reshaping how we work, how we live, and how we think. The real question for Guyana, and for the developing world more broadly, is how we will respond. Will we become passive consumers of someone else’s innovation? Or will we participate fully inshapingourdigitalfuture?

“If I were 16, 18, 21, starting today, I would spend every waking minute learning about AI…” – Mark Cuban

EricSchmidt,theformer CEO of Google, delivered a sobering reality check when he warned that “countries that do not prioritize AI development will be left behind not just in business, but geopolitically.” These words land differently when you live in a country where schoolsareunder-resourced, power outages are common, andourbrightestmindsoften leave for opportunities elsewhere.

Still, I remain hopeful. I believe in our people. I see the potential in our youth. And I see that many parents aren’t waiting for the government to act, they’re stepping up to prepare their c h i l d r e n f o r t h i s unpredictable 21st-century reality. Muthoni Wanyoike, the visionary Co-founder of Nairobi Women in Data Science and an organizer of one of Africa’s largest AI conferences, captured it perfectly,“Wedon’tneedselfdriving cars We need better planning ” She reminds us that our (developing world) AIdreamsmustberootedin our realities She also challenges us to localize our AI responses, to ensure AI works for us, in our context, with our experts leading the way

In Guyana, AI could revolutionize how we tackle agricultural inefficiencies, climateresilience,education gaps, and healthcare access. But this will require much more than just tech tools. It demands a national strategy where students are trained, teachers are equipped, governments are aligned, and innovators are unleashed, without fear or politicalfavor

Yet even as we imagine these possibilities, we must face AI’s environmental costs.Trainingasinglelarge

model like GPT-3 generated as much carbon as five cars would emit over their lifetimes (Strubell et al , 2019).Ifwe’reseriousabout buildingasustainabledigital future, this matters. That’s why breakthroughs like DeepSeek, an energyefficient m

del that maintains performance while using less energy, are critical.And that’s also why theglobalracetowardviable nuclear fusion is so important. Nuclear fusion, the same reaction that powers stars, offers the promise of clean, abundant energy,andcoulddrastically

reduce the carbon footprint of AI, making participation more accessible to every nation We also can’t ignore the ethical stakes Who decides what data is used? Who takes responsibility when AI systems reinforce bias or enable mass surveillance?Thesequestions aren’t abstract, they shape howjust,fair,andhumanethe futurewillbeforeveryone. We’re already seeing the consequences Microsoft’s recent layoff of 15,000 workers, tied in part to AI automation, is a chilling reminder of what’s at stake (Reuters,2025).Ifengineers

are being replaced, what doesthatmeanforcallcenter workers in Georgetown? In this new economy, those who masterAI will not only survive,they’llthrive.

So what should we do in Guyana? We prepare, deliberately We train our teachersinAI.Weintroduce Scratch and Python in every afterschool program We teach prompt engineering. We draft AI governance strategies.We push for open data policies. We partner with regional experts. We launch fellowships and seed funds for youth-led AI innovation In short, we

build a future that reflects our needs, our dreams, and ourvoices.

Cuban is right, the urgency is real. But this moment also offers us something rare, a second chance to leapfrog into a future we help create. If I were21again,I’dstilllisten toeverypodcast.ButI’dalso be building every day, for a future where the next generation of Guyanese doesn’t just consume technology,butshapesit.

TheAIrevolutionishere. Let’s make sure we’re not justalongfortheride,we’re inthedriver’sseat.

Frompage21

Daniels was the driver of PAK 9877 Sikandar was driving an orange Altezza, PMM 3778. The two other injured men were passengersinLewis’car

Police reports are that Daniels was driving his car PAK 9877 east along the northern driving lane of the highway He was allegedly speedingwhenhelostcontrolofhis carinthevicinityoftheUGAccess Road.

“…The vehicle swerved south into and over the concrete median which separates the northern and southern carriageways,” police said, while adding that the front of his car collided with the right portionofSikandar’scarwhichwas proceedingwest.

The impact then pushed Sikandar’s car into Lewis’hire car alsoproceedingwest.

“Asaresultofthethree-vehicle collision, the vehicles were damaged extensively, and the drivers of all three vehicles, along with the two occupants, received injuries on their bodies,” police detailed.

All of them were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) by publicspiritedcitizens.

Sikandar reportedly suffered a fracturedrightarmwhiletheothers were treated for pains in the chest, as well as lacerations about the face.Theirconditionsareregarded asstable.

A cellphone recorded video of the crash painted an almost gruesome picture The vehicles were mangled and all of the occupants appeared unconscious. Sikandar was seen lying in his car whileothervictimswereseenlying ontheroadway

After receiving the news and

hearingaboutthevideo,Sikandar’s sistermadeaFacebookpost. She wrote, “woke-up to phone call from my sister-in-law saying my brother was in an accident and there’s a video of the crash on

F a c e b o o k a l r e a d y . ” ”I refuse to believe that’s the last time I’d see my brother alive. But it’s not up to me to make that call. My prayers are going out to the medical team working to help him throughthis,”shead

THURSDAY

Govt.nowsays20%ofStabroek BlockrelinquishedbyExxon

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), announced on Wednesday night that the long awaited relinquishment of 20% of theStabroekBlockbyExxonMobil GuyanaLimited(EMGL)hasbeen completed.

The deadline was October 2024.

“ the ministry wishes to confirm that it has, in partnership with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), completed its review of EMGL’s relinquishment proposals of the renewal of the Stabroek Block Petroleum Exploration Licence,” the ministry said in a statement Wednesdaynight. Under the terms of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), ExxonMobil is required to return acreage where no commercial discoveries have been made, in production, appraised or areas where there is potential commercial interest. It should be noted that Exxon was required to return a portion of the Block to Guyana since October 2023; however, former President David Granger had granted the company an extension in 2020 to conduct further exploration activities. This

extended the deadline to October 2024.

The government has agreed withExxonthataminimumareaof 2,534 km² (square kilometer) has been relinquished. The Stabroek Block spans approximately 6.6 million acres, about 26,709 km² (square kilometer), making the agreed relinquishment a minimum of9.5%ofthetotalblockarea.

MNRadded,“Furthermore,the ministry wishes to state that the legal aspect of the renewal is also complete,which involvedthefinal compliance checks and drafting of applicableregulatoryinstruments.”

MNR’s announcement follows a Wednesday July 2, 2025 publication by Kaieteur News highlighting that the 20% relinquishment of the block was stillpendinggovernmentapproval. The article was attributed to Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, the 30% stakeholder in the Stabroek Block. Hess, in its 2024 financial statementsobtainedfromtheDeeds Registry,said,“Theendofthefirst renewal period of the exploration licence in October 2024 which requirestherelinquishmentof20% of the acreage not held by discoveries is pending approval by thegovernmentofGuyana.”

Before last night’s update, the last update received from the ministry was in April 2025, in response to an article on the relinquishment process In that statement the ministry said that it wasstillfinalizingthereviewofthe relinquishment.

‘Highgradegolddiscovery inGuyanaislikeamine withinamine’–Canadian miningcompanyCEO …aims to reclaim Omai’s position as major gold producer in South America

OmaiGoldMinesCorp.hasits eyes set on reclaiming its position as a top gold producer in South America, through its Guyana gold project. Omai, a Canadian gold

company, holds a 100% interest in the past-producing Omai gold project in Guyana, located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The project encompasses two orogenic gold deposits: the shearhosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusive-hosted Gilt Creek Deposit. A 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the gold project outlined 2.0 million ounces of gold indicated and 2.3 millionouncesinferred.

During a recent interview with Crux Investor, Elaine Ellingham, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai, spoke abouttheprogressthecompanyhas made since returning to Guyana’s goldindustry “We’vebeenmoving forward on our project down in Guyana, Guyana being in South America we’ve drilled 30,000 meters since then [2024] and so we’re just working our way up to thatnextresourcewhichwethinkis going to be quite substantial,” Ellinghamsaid.

Once a prolific gold producer from 1993 to 2005, the mine yielded3.8millionouncesofgold, producinganaverageofmorethan 300,000 ounces of gold per year during a period when gold traded belowUS$400perounce.

Since its return to “miningfriendly” Guyana, Omai has revitalised the property, which benefits from much existing infrastructure Of the two gold deposits located on the property, Omaihasbeenmorefocusedonthe Wenot“superpit”

The Wenot deposit is located some 400 metres from the GiltCreekdeposit.“Sowehavefocused ourdrillingontheWenotshear,it’s like 2 and a half kilometers long. Mostofwhatwedidprevioustolast year was above 350 metres but we’ve been, you know, after we proved it was shallow, now everyonesaysdoesitgodeeper,so we’vebeendrillingdeepersoyeah so we’ve drilled about 30,000 metres since our last resource,” Ellinghamsaid.TheOmai Continued on page 33

The mangled cars involved in the accident

Frompage21 president explained that drilling deeper at the Wenot deposit has revealedsignificantlyhigher-grade gold than previously recorded Ellingham labelled this as “pretty exciting” and explained that historically, the Wenot deposit recorded gold grade at about 1.67 g/t (grams per tonne). However, to date, she said the company has proventhatitgetstohighergrades. Sheoutlinedthatwhatchangedthe game was when Omai’s recent drillingrevealedwideinterceptsof high-grade gold zones of 4.5 g/t over57metresand3.16g/tover68 metres.

“Sowewenthuhyouknowit’s likehavingaminewithinyourmine and so we continued to step out on the 2 and a half kilometer deposit butthenwedidsortoftrytoexplore that higher grade zone to see you know, exactly how big is that, what’s the extent, so that’s been exciting,”sheadded.

Notably, while Ellingham agreed that Omai could have stopped and focused on infill drilling, she highlighted that the companybelievesthatthereismore valueinexploringandprovinghow bigtheWenotdepositis.

Moreover, Ellingham stressed that while Omai has been focused on what actions will create more value for its shareholders with a fairly substantial deposit of 2 3 million ounces of gold indicated –she outlined that players have entered Guyana’s mining sector with large-scale projects. With the aimofhavingamulti-decademine, Ellingham reminded that the Omai gold mine was the largest primary gold producer in South America when it was in production. To this end,sheadded,“Sowethinkitcan bethereagain.”

FRIDAY

PresidentAli dissolvesParliament …saysconfidentinGECOM’s abilitytodeliverfree, fairandcredibleelections

With the 2025 general and regional elections slated to be held in less than two months, President Irfaan Ali signed proclamations to

h dissolve the 12 Parliament of Guyana and the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) on Thursday

T h e s i g n i n g o f t h e proclamations was done in accordancewiththeConstitutionof Guyana and paves the way for the electionstobeheldonSeptember1.

“Free and fair elections are the lifebloodofademocraticstate.The upcoming elections represent our country’scommitmenttorenewing the democratic covenant between its citizens and government,” PresidentAlisaidviahisFacebook page.

The head of state said that elections provide an opportunity for citizens to exercise their democratic right to elect their leaders “I urge all eligible Guyanese to participate in the upcoming elections, and in so doing, be part of this critical decision-making process of the state,”headded.

Ali, the presidential candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic(PPP/C),saidthatheremains confident in the Guyana Elections Commission’s(GECOM)abilityto hold free, fair and credible elections.

“I all urge all Guyanese to support the work of GECOM,” he added.

WorkofGYEITI stalledfor6months …as body questions Govt’s commitment to transparency

The Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) is blaming the Government of Guyana for being inactiveforthepastsixmonths.

InastatementonThursday,the body said that this raises concerns locallyandinternationallyoverthe country’s commitment to transparency in the extractive sector It was explained that the government’s silence followed the publication of GYEITI’s Sixth Annual Report in December 2024. Sincethen,allfunctionsofthebody have come to a standstill, with no explanation from the Ministry of Natural Resources or the GYEITI NationalSecretariat.

Itwasstatedthateffortsbycivil

ExxonMobil Corporation CEO, Darren Woods

society groups and industry representatives to clarify the status ofGYEITIhavegoneunanswered. The International EITI Secretariat has also made multiple inquiries butreceivednoresponse.

In January 2025, Policy Forum Guyana submitted a list of civil society nominees to the Ministry, requesting formal Letters of Appointment to the MultiStakeholder Group (MSG) No replyhasbeengiventodate.

“Thislackofengagementposes significant risks for Guyana Notably, the production of the Seventh Annual Report is now delayed, jeopardising Guyana’s compliancewithEITIstandards,”it wasstated.

Notably, the second Validation of Guyana’s progress is also due this year It was explained that a poor showing, particularly in the absence of a functioning MSG, could lead to suspension from the global initiative The matter has alreadybeenflaggedwiththeEITI Board.

Concerns have also mounted over the conduct of the GYEITI National Secretariat. The current NationalCoordinator,whosethreeyear term has ended, is being accused of bypassing proper oversight and acting as an arm of theministry

GYEITI said, “The National Coordinator has operated as an extensionoftheMinistryofNatural Resources,raisingfurtherconcerns given his lack of qualifications or experience in the extractive industries, and the perceived politicization of the role. Since the

Chevron CEO, Michael Wirth

President IrfaanAli displays the signed proclamations dissolving the 12th Parliament and Regional Democratic Councils

end of the National Coordinator’s 3-year contract early this year, we are unaware of any public call or public advertisement inviting suitablecandidatestoapplyforthe positionofNationalCoordinatorof the National GYEITI Secretariat –which is the procedure for GYEITI’s transparent contracting oftheNationalCoordinator.”

Further, GYEITI noted that the stalled appointment of the MSG anditsnon-functioningforthepast six months, the impending Validation, and concerns over leadership, competence and independence of the National Coordinator require urgent action.

“Continuing silence will undermine Guyana’s commitment totransparency,accountability,and good governance in the extractive sector,”thebodyadded.

SATURDAY

Decisionreachedin ExxonMobil,Hessdispute overChevrongainingaccessto Guyana’sStabroekBlock

Adecision has been reached in the dispute involving oil majors ExxonMobil Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) over a US$53billiondealthatcouldgrant AmericanoilgiantChevronaccess toHessCorporation’s30%stakein Guyana’sprolificStabroekBlock.

Reuters on Thursday reported that according to sources familiar withthematterthearbitratorsinthe legal dispute have reached a decision.According to the Reuters reporttheParis-basedInternational Chamber of Commerce, which is overseeing the arbitration case, is reviewing the decision before it is releasedtotheparties.

However, it is unclear what the arbitrators decided or when the decisionwillbereleased.

“We remain confident in our position and appreciate the arbitration panel giving this issue the due consideration it deserves,” an Exxon spokesperson said in a s t a t e m e n t t o R e u t e r s ExxonMobil Guyana holds a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana holds 30% interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited with

25%interest.

In October 2023, it was announced thatAmerican oil giant Chevron will be acquiring Hess Corporation for some US$53 billion. The takeover would give Chevron access to Hess’ most valuableassetinGuyana.However, this led to ExxonMobil Corporation, the parent company for ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, the operator of the block filed for arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, arguing that it has a right of first refusaloverHess’stake.

InMay2025,theoilcompanies through their lawyers face off bef

arbitrationtribunal.

ExxonMobil Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods had told Reuters the company filed for arbitration because discussions were not happening with Chevron and Hess around the right of first refusal provision. “Those discussions needed to happen and hadn’t been happening,” Woods saidinaReutersarticle. He said Exxon wanted to have its right of first refusal recognized beforeitcoulddecideonitsstrategy for the Stabroek block. An Exxon executive has said the arbitration couldtakefivetosixmonths.

Meanwhile, CEO of Chevron, Michael Wirth had said Chevron had done extensive due diligence on the operating agreement between Exxon and Hess in Guyana and has extensive experience in those types of agreement around the world Chevron is looking forward to affirming its understanding of the contract in the arbitration, he added.

Despite Exxon and CNOOC’s claim of right of first refusal on Hess’ share, Hess expressed confidence that the merger would proceedasplanned.

“WethinkExxon’spositionand CNOOC’s position is without merit, baseless. It’s about the right of refusal.We think it’s very clear, the words on paper in English law thatthere’snorightorrefusaltobe exercised.So,we’reveryconfident thatmergerisgoingtogothrough, and we’re getting prepared for that,” John Hess, the CEO of Hess Corporation had stated

The Stabroek Block located about 120 miles offshore Guyana, spans 6.6 million acres. Oil production offshoreGuyana’sStabroekBlock, began in December 2019. Since then, production has grown to 650,000barrelsperday(bpd)from three sanctioned projects: Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, and Payara. This output is set to increase with theimminentstart-upofYellowtail, the fourth development, later this year

Exxon already has two other sanctioned projects under its belt, theUaruandWhiptail.The Continued on page 34

Frompage33 company has already s u b m i t t e d t h e Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its s e v e n t h p r o j e c t , Hammerhead, with production targeted for 2029.Thecompanyhasalso filed an application for an eighth development named Longtail. Notably, the deal governing the Stabroek Block extends favourable terms to the oil companies, providing unlimited tax waivers, uncapped interest rates and perhaps the lowest royalty rates known to the industry, at a meager two percent.

Nortonsaysunbothered asnoheavyweight hasleftPNCR …says Figueira was ‘the occupier of a seat’

Despite the recent

departure of several

members of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), party leader Aubrey Norton says he remain

“heavyweight” has exited theparty

At a PNCR press conference on Friday, Norton dismissed concerns about the exit of Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Jermaine Figueira, Amanza Walton-Desir, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Natasha Singh-Lewis, and current Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram, amongothers.

“In the first place, none of them are heavy weights. H e a v y w e i g h t s a r e determined by our party based on one, the work you do, and not solely the position you hold,” Norton said.

Figueira, who recently announced his departure from the PNCR, was the party’s representative for Region 10, its traditional strongholdandhepreviously served as the shadow minister for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. However, Norton said that Figueira had long been inactivebothwithintheparty and in the Linden community

Norton noted that while Figueira held the shadow portfolio, several issues in the ministry went unaddressed. He said since assigning the post to Nima Flue-Bess, there has been moreprogress.

“I invite you to go through the performance of Figueira and see what it suggeststoyou,thathewasa heavyweight performing incredibly for theAPNU. In fact,youth,sportandculture

only became a focus after I removedFigueiraandplaced NimaFlue-Bessandsheisa heavyweight,inmyopinion, Figueirawastheoccupierof a seat, not a heavyweight,” saidNorton.

Further,thePNCRleader said the former MPfailed to d e l i v e r o n h i s r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , disqualifying him from “heavyweight” status Nortonexplainedthatamong those who resigned, only Figueira held an executive position.

Yet,eveninthatcapacity, Norton said Figueira had been largely absent from both party activities like the central executive meetings andonthegroundwork.

“A heavy weight gets into the community Relate to people, do what has to be done. There are many other things,butIdon’twanttoget intothem.Buttosaytoyou,

so far, none of the persons who would have departed havecancarrywiththemthe support from the APNU,” Nortonstated.

“When it comes to the likes of Jermaine Figueira, thetruthmustbetold,hehas not been a leading person in Region 10,” Norton told reporters.

When asked whether Figueira’s departure could impact the PNCR’s support base, Norton dismissed the suggestion. He stated, “I do not believe him leaving will causethepartytolosevotes, and a lot of the charitable work you’re talking about wasn’tdoneonbehalfofthe PNC.”

As for Walton-Desir, whohassinceformedanew political party, Forward Guyana,Nortonsaidshehas potential but lacks political experience.“She’smadeher choice, and it’s within her

right,”hestated.

Regarding Region Four Chairman Seeram, Norton said, “Daniel Seeram has never worked in the interest of the People’s National Congress Reform Unfortunately, there is no recall legislation at the level of the RDC [Regional Democratic Council], so he could not have been removed. But were there recall legislation Daniel Seeram would not have lastedayearbecausehewas not doing anything in the interest of the People’s NationalCongressReform.”

On Singh-Lewis, Norton shared, “Natasha Singh Lewis said in real terms that she could not work with me as leader, because her friend Amna Ally said if she worked with me, the friendshipisover.Sheopted for the friendship. I can’t do anythingaboutthat.”

THE SECRET GARDEN

Onceuponatime,in a large, old mansion in the English countryside, there livedayounggirlnamedMary Lennox. Mary was not an ordinary girl; she was quiet, oftensullen,andhadgrownup in India with little love or attention from her parents. When they passed away, Mary wassenttolivewithherdistant uncle,Mr Craven,inagloomy, vast mansion called Misselthwaite Manor. The house was full of mystery, withlong,emptyhallwaysand roomsthatseemedtowhisper secrets.

Mary was left to explore the grounds on her own, and she soon heard whispers of a strange place a hidden garden that had been locked away for tenyears Ithadonce belongedtoMr Craven’swife, who had died tragically In his grief, Mr Craven locked the gardendoorandburiedthekey, vowing never to speak of it again

Mary’s curiosity was piqued.Shewantedtofindthe secret garden and discover what lay behind the locked door One chilly morning, while wandering the grounds, she spotted a friendly robin perchedonabranch.

The robin seemed to be tryingtotellhersomething,so she followed it through the gardens and along a wall covered in ivy To her amazement, the robin led her to a spot where the ivy was thin. As she dug through the earth, Mary’s fingers brushed against something cold and metallic—akey!Couldthisbe thekeytothehiddengarden?

With the key in hand,

Mary’s heart raced as she searchedforthegarden’sdoor

Aftersometime,shefoundit, hiddenbehindacurtainofivy

The door was old and weathered, but the key fit perfectly With a deep breath, Mary turned the key and pushedthedooropen. What she saw took her breath away. Inside was a wild, untamed garden. Tall treesreachedforthesky,their branches twisted and tangled. Weedshadtakenover,andthe once-beautiful flower beds were choked with thorns and vines.

But despite the overgrowth, the garden had a magical quality, as if it had been waiting for someone to returnandbringitbacktolife. Mary decided then and there that she would restore thegarden.Shereturnedevery day,clearingawaytheweeds, planting new seeds, and nurturing the plants that had been left to wither The work was hard, but Mary didn’t

Colorful Handprint Parrot Craft

To make our

mind.As the garden began to flourish,sodidMary.Shefelt a happiness she had never knownbefore.

One day, while tending to theroses,MarymetDickon,a boy who lived on the estate. Dickonhadaspecialwaywith animals and nature; it seemed like every creature in the garden trusted him. He was kind and full of life, and he quickly became Mary’s first true friend. With Dickon’s help, the garden grew even more beautiful, bursting with colorful flowers and lush greenery

As the days passed, Mary discovered another secret her cousin Colin, who lived in the mansion,hadbeenhiddenaway just like the garden Colin was sickly and believed he would neverbewell

Hewaspaleandweak,and heneverlefthisroom Butwhen Mary told him about the secret garden, something sparked inside him For the first time, Colin wanted to see the world beyondhisroom

The things that make me happy

ByUncleRoy

IfeelsonicewhenIeatIcecream, cookiesandfruitcake,Chocolate,candy andothersweets,Aswellasburgers,pizza andmilk-shake.Ialsogetveryhappy WhenIcelebratemybirthdayGotothe park,seawalland creek,Andenjoy Christmasandotherholidays. Butthe thingthatmakesmefeel the best,And makesmeproudindeed,IswhenItryto helpsomeone,Orgivethemsomething theyneed. Istartbydoingmoreworkat home,Thentrytomakemyfamilyfeel good;NextIamkindertoallmyfriends, And helpmyneighboursinanyway Icould.

handprint parrot you will first need to print the parrot template.Theremainderof the supplies include cardstockinyourchoiceof colours, a black sharpie, glue, and scissors Handprint Paper Parrot Craft Step by Step Directions Print the template Cut out the pieces.Thetemplateshould include the parrot’s body base, beak and eye. Trace and cut out the patterns from the cardstock colours

WiththehelpofMaryand Dickon,Colinwastakentothe garden At first, he was nervous and unsure, but as he breathed in the fresh air and felt the warmth of the sun on hisface,somethinginsidehim changed.Thegardenbeganto work its magic on Colin. He returned day after day, and soonhewaswalking,running, and laughing with Mary and Dickon.

The garden, once forgotten and neglected, becameaplaceofhealingand joy.Mr Craven,whohadbeen awayforalongtime,returned to Misselthwaite Manor. When he discovered what Mary, Dickon, and Colin had done, he was overwhelmed withemotion.

The garden had been his wife’s pride and joy, and seeing it alive again, filled with laughter and love, broughtpeacetohisheart.

The secret garden was no longeraplaceofsorrow Ithad transformedintoahavenof

(Continuedonpage48)

of your choice. Also, trace andcutouthandprintsfrom your cardstock colours of choice Make them as colourfulasyoucanorstick with a colour theme. Make yourparrotshoweveryou’d like!

Glue the beak cutout to the front side of the head part.Gluetheeyecutouton the head part. Then use a sharpie to draw in the detailsforthebeak.

Take any 3 handprint feather cutouts and join them together like a chain, keeping the fingers facing

downwards. This pattern will be the tail feathers of thepapercraftparrot. Glue the handprint featherchaintothetailpart ofthebodybase. Now, glue a different coloured handprint feather cutout near the tail feather pattern Glue another cutout near the previous one. Try to cover bottom half of the base with the handprint feather cutouts. Finally, glue a handprint feather cutout for the wing to complete the papercraft parrot.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Strive to be Happy

People often feel that, because there is nothing really exciting happening to them at any one time, they cannotenjoylife. Thefactis that real enjoyment of life doesnotcomefromthrillsor extraordinary events. One can derive the greatest pleasures from the simple thingsaroundatanytime–a w a l k i n o n e ’ s neighbourhood, observing the beauty of nature in the trees, the birds and animals, eventhepeoplegoingabout their everyday tasks. Of course, we all know the joy we feel when we join with familymembersandfriends in various activities which can be most uplifting to our spirit. The list can be endless if you tax your own

mindtocomeupwiththings todo. One of the ways in whichyoucanincreaseyour happiness is to be content withwhatyouhave. Eachof us at any given time must havewhatisneededtomake us happy if we only appreciateit,anddonotlust over what other people possess. Your own health and talents, the love of your family, how you are being successful at what you are doing, no matter how small thismayappear,allthesecan make you feel contented. Happiness is a choice, and you can be happy in any circumstances if you have a contented mind. This must thus prove to you that your happiness is mostly under

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

your own control, although this can be enhanced by otherfactors,suchashaving agoodjobandcareer,which will take care of your

moreover make you feel

contributionyoumaketothe organisation for which you work,aswellastosocietyas a whole Contributing

community effort can also provide this result. This means that you should not always directly pursue happiness,butitwillbejust as successful to engage in habits associated with this

feeling. One very importantfactor,andmaybe the most effective, that will gobeyondallothersinyour achievement of a happy life is spirituality When we earnestly indulge in prayer to the Almighty in giving thanks and asking for the things we need, we can be assured that happiness will eventually come about This can be augmented by meditation, which has been foundtohelpintheabilityto focusonwhatweneedinour lives,andsoproduceresults thatcanleadtowell-beingin our spirit, as well as our mindandbody

Fill in the blank squares so that each row and each column contain all of the digits 1 thru 6. The heavy lines surround areas (called cages) that contain groups of numbers that can be combined (in any order) to produce the result shown in the clue, either using addition (+) or subtraction (-) as shown in the clue. For example, 12+ means you can add the values together to produce 12. Numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the same row or column.

Toeverymanbornonthisearth Ofwhateverstrainorlevelhebe, Hemustbearhisshareofpainandstrife, Andstruggletogrowandachieveprosperity

Soletnotthehardshipsyousuffer Takeawayfromthejoysthatareyourdue, Inwhateverconditionyoufindyourself, Happinessisbutyourstochoose,

Weneedonlytolookaround; Toseesomuchtomakeusglad, Theyarethethingsweneedtodo, Togleanallthehappinessthatcouldbehad.

Wefirstmusttaketimetosocialise, Withourlovingfamilyandfriends, Givingprioritytoourmateandkin, Andworkingtogethertosecureourends.

Celebratingourwins,enjoyingourwork, Givingservicetothosewithless, Exercise,dietandbodilycare Togetherwillkeepusblessed.

Thenaboveallwemuststrive ToserveandthanktheLord, HavehopeandfaithinHisgoodgrace, AndliveaccordingtoHisword.

Solutions to last week’s

INKIES

Georgetown Film Festival to host screening, workshop in August

The Georgetown Film Festival (GFF) is scheduled to host its annual film screening and workshop on August 7 to 10,2025attheSt.RosesHigh School auditorium The screening will display short films from all variations including horror, comedy, thrillers, and documentaries, just to name a few The workshopwillprovidetraining in cinematography, script writing, acting, directing and theimportanceoflighting.

The GFF is headed by its founder Wiltshire who is also the executive producer of the GFF,followedbyAkbarSingh the Co-founder and head of admin and marketing, and Kevin Garbaran, the head of programming.Garbaran is also the writeranddirectoroftheshortfilm, ‘OldToyTrain’.

Kevin Garbaran, Head of Programming at the Georgetown Film Festival and Writer and Director of the short film, “Old Toy Train”

will be held in collaboration with the Copix Foundation which is a company in Suriname which promotestheartoffilmmaking.”

Speaking with this publication, Singh the organization’s cofounder said that “The workshops

The idea for creating films and the group started off with Singh, Nickose Layne and Rae Wiltshire aboutsixyearsagowithpiecesthey created and posted on YouTube,

there things took a turn for thebetter

“We used to just like, youknow,playaroundwith and these short clips and uploadthemontoYouTube and eventually we applied and got a grant from the Ministry of Culture which we use to pull off our very first workshop which is n o w o u r a n n u a l workshop,”Singhtold The Waterfalls

Henotedthatduetothe success of the first workshop several people came together and decided that the event is an incredible way to promote filmsandtheGFFwasborn.

The GFF was registered in March 2023 as a nonprofit organization and has been operatingforlittleoverthreeyears. Theaimofthegroup/organization istoproduce,distribute,screenand train people in film making. Over

Rae Wiltshire, Founder and Executive Producer of the Georgetown Film Festival

the past three years, GFF has received several international awards and nominations for its films.

To date, GFF films have been shown in over 35 countries worldwide.

In June 2025 the GFF won the Chief Judge’sAward and Viewers’ Choice Award for its short film, ‘Old Toy Train’at the GATFFEST FilmFestivalinJamaica,hostedby the University of the West Indies, MonaCampus.

The film focuses on a young lady who had to take her ailing fathertohischildhoodhomeinthe Guyanese Countryside. She was faced with a difficult choice that hadthepotentialtocreateadeeprift betweenherfamilymembers.

Anyone who may be interested in being a part of the GFF or attending the annual event can contact the ‘Georgetown Film Festival’ on all social media platforms or +592 710-8413 for additionalinformation.

Inaugural

MissCaribbeanBeauty andIntelligencePageant

to be hosted in Guyana

TheMissCaribbeanBeautyandIntelligencePageantissetto take place right here in Guyana is a brand-new empowering initiative. This pageant represents a new tourism product for GuyanawhichwillseepageantsistersfromtheCaribbeancoming toGuyanatoenjoyallofitsglory

Attheheartoftheevent,eachparticipatingcountrywillhost itsownlocalpageantorappointanationalqueen,whowillgoonto representhercountryontheCaribbeanstageinGuyana.

Thepageantcelebratestheelegance,intelligence,confidence, andculturalprideofCaribbeanwomen.It’snotonlyaboutouter beauty, it’s about purpose, poise, and power while breaking the stereotypes in pageantry by being the only Caribbean pageant to allow mothers to participate. Local queens from across the Caribbean are coming together to explore and enjoy Guyana through cultural showcases, talent presentations, and impactful interviews. The pageant also creates a platform for leadership, sisterhood, and regional pride. This year’s pageant is promoted underthetheme,“TheExperience.” Itwillbeanexperiencefor thecontestantstoexperienceGuyanaandallitswonders.

The inaugural event, will include nine contestants in total includingMissBarbados,MissGrenada,MissGuyana,MissSt Martin,MissStLucia,MissSuriname,MissTrinidadandTobago ,MissUSVirginIslands and MissAntigua

To find out who will be crowned the first Miss Caribbean BeautyandIntelligence;patronscanpurchaseticketstoattendthe th NationalCulturalCentreonthe20 August2025.

Tickets are $12000 auditorium front and $7000 auditorium rare.TheseticketswillbeavailableattheNationalCulturalCentre andArtistry byAmber, located on the upper floor of the Fashion BoxonNorthRoad.

The contestants of Miss Caribbean Beauty and Intelligence Pageant

Dr. Valarie Goorasammy-Smith

Dr. Goorasammy-Smith and three sons Gregory, Fabian and Seon.

Alifetimedevotedtoeducation,service,andherfaith…

Dr.ValarieGoorasammy-Smith

Teaching others, is not justacareer,it'sasacred calling It's about shaping minds, instilling values, and building better citizens for tomorrow

While countless educators in Guyana have contributed to the nation's academic wellbeing, Dr ValarieGoorasammy-Smithstands a unique figure having an unblemished record of selflessly servingintheeducationsectorand mouldingmindsofmanyleadersin theirrespectivedisciplines.

For over 47 years, Dr Goorasammy-Smith has dedicated her time and efforts to the field of education, impacting generations with passion, persistence, and profoundconviction.

The retired lecturer from the University of Guyana, humanitarian and Apostle hails from a humble village in Bath, Mahaicony where she said her humblebeginningshelpedtoshape her value system and carve out a lifedevotedtotheserviceofothers.

Dr Goorasammy-Smith's career and faith have led her to classrooms and pulpits across the globe, where her life is a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, perseverance, and faithconverge.

This week's Special Person is more than an educator She is a nation-builder,amentor,aspiritual leader, and a voice for the voiceless.

Dr Goorasammy-Smith's contributionshavebeenrecognized with numerous accolades, including two-time Interfaculty DebateChampionattheUniversity of Guyana; Victories in international debating competitions (NewYork, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands), University Council Award (1997) for outstandingcampusinvolvement. She also holds an Honorary

Doctorate in Theology (Delaware, USA)andhasbeenChiefJudgeof the Speaker's National Debating Competition in Parliament for the pastfiveyears.

Intimetocome,herlegacywill be a testament of her continued impact on the institutions and ministries,whichshehasbuiltfrom thegroundup.

EARLYLIFE

Born on June 30, 1959, at her parents'homeinBath,Mahaicony, ontheEastCoastofDemerara,Dr Goorasammy-Smithwasraisedina modestyetnurturinghousehold.

Her father, Ramersamy Goorasammy, worked as a farmer andcattledealer,whilehermother, Rosaline Goorasammy, was a housewifeandskilledseamstress.

She was one of eight siblings, though she alone remained in Guyana, a decision, which she made early in life, convinced she was meant to serve her homeland.

“I believed from a very early age thatIwasborntoservemycountry andtobeateacher,”sherecalls.

Atjust17,Goorasammylefther village,havingearnedherGCEOLevel certificates from Mahaicony Secondary School, and moved to NewAmsterdam,whereshebegan her teaching career at the primary level.

After three years, she recognizedhertruecallingliewith olderstudentsandpursuedadouble major in English and Mathematics at the Lilian Dewar College of Education.

“After teaching for three years intheprimaryschool,IknewthatI do not have the urge to teach the littleones!Iknewdeepinmyheart that my preference was to teach secondary school children,” she said.

CAREER

From primary schools to the University lecture halls, Dr. Goorasammy-Smith's impact has

a 'Special Person'

Former UG Lecturer, Humanitarian, and Apostle is

Today,theimpactandgratitude for her effort extend far beyond UG, with some students even surprising her on her international travel “I've been greeted in Germany, New York, London, Trinidad,Antigua,andotherplaces with remarks like 'Miss Goorasammy, you taught me at UG!'” she shared warmly “Those moments are always cherished,” sheadded.

The seasoned educator is renowned for guiding students from the brink of failure to outstanding success, grounded in herdeepbeliefthateverychildhas potential, no matter their starting point.

To that end, Dr GoorasammySmith holds these words as a personalmantra,“Nevergiveupon any child,” she said “It is a philosophyIhavelivedby.”

Dr. Goorasammy-Smith and one of her mentees at Mastering theArt of Public Speaking Graduation

spanned the full spectrum of the education sector in Guyana. She joined the workforce at the University of Guyana (UG) in 1999, where she taught for twenty

Dr. Goorasammy-Smith during her time as a lecturer at UG

yearsuntilherretirementin2019. She told The Waterfalls “I lectured at UG in the Faculty of Artsfor20years.”Duringhertime at UG, Dr Goorasammy-Smith was known for offering students voluntary grammar and writing classes.“I would host them at my homeforfree.Manystudentsfrom variousfacultiesincludinglawand sciences benefitted from those classes,”sherecalled.

FAITHANDFAMILY

Thoughherlifetodayiswhat many would describe as a shining example Dr

Goorasammy-Smith's path hasn't been easy. She recalledthatatonepointin her life, she was a single mother to sons, Gregory andFabianShaw She endured domestic violence, financial hardship, even homelessness, and rejection.Yet,throughitall,she remainedgroundedinherfaithin God.“I managed to keep my boys in the light of God by never allowing them to know the true depths of our suffering,” she shared.

Despite those hardships, she graduated from the University of Guyana w

, represented the institution in nationalandinternationaldebating competitions, and secured a better life for her family Today, both of her biological sons are successful (Continuedonpage43)

Students of Goorasammy Royal College

In the world of

pageantry, many dream of being crowned queen. Some give up after their first attempt, while others settle as a runner-up But Lieve Blanckaert,aGuyanese-born modelandwellnessadvocate, refusedtostopshowingup.

Now, after years of persistence and near wins, she has earned her biggest title yet, Miss Grand Texas 2025, an international title she won over 18 impressive contestants.

Representing the city of Dallas, Blanckaert secured her place on the national stage. For the 26-year-old, thisvictoryismorethanjusta crown. It represents a tenyear journey of grit, grace, andgrowth.

“This isn't just a crown,” Blanckaertsaid.“It's10years of trying, growing, not quitting, coming back,

Camille's

Miss Grand Texas 2025

believing, falling apart, and still choosing to show up,” shesaid.

Next, she will represent Texas at Miss Grand USAin Las Vegas on August 14, bringing with her not only poise and purpose , but a deeply personal story of strength.

FUELED BY LOVE AND LOSS

Blanckaert's Miss Grand Texas win comes just six months after her emotional return to pageantry at Miss WorldGuyana2024,herthird appearance on the national stage.Shepreviouslyheldthe MissIndiaGuyana2015title and was First Runner-Up at MissUniverseGuyana2023.

But this most recent comebackwasn'tjustanother competition; it was an act of healing Her decision to return came only two weeks after the sudden loss of her (Continuedonpage43)

Academy to introduce int'l certificate programme for robotics, coding, and AI

...As school signs MOU with RoboChamps India

Anew partnership has been

forged which will see a group of Guyanese students benefitting from world-class training in robotics, coding, Artificial Intelligence (AI),anddronetechnology

Camille's Academy Inc (CAI), a private education institute in Guyana, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RoboChampsIndia(RoboChamps.in),a globally recognized training company that has been helping create dynamic robotics and AI labs for schools in variouspartsoftheworld.

The signing took place at Oxford University during the World School SummitUKhostedonJune28last.

Academic Director of Camille's

Academy, Dr Camille Deokie-Gorakh attendedtheUKSummitwhereshemet with representatives of RoboChamps India. During the summit, Camille's Academy was hailed for its efforts in offering a curriculum that promotes holistic education in Guyana. The CAI which was among fifty awardees from differentcontinents,representedschools from the Caribbean for its work in innovationineducation.

According to the Principal, through the collaboration with RoboChamps India,Camille'sAcademywillintroduce robotics training for Grades 4-11, introduction to coding and programming, AI education, and drone technologytoitscurriculum.

Additionally, the school will benefit

from an internationally-recognized curriculumandcertificationprogramme, complimentsofRoboChamps.in.

TheDirectorexpressedexcitementat theprospectofthenewpartnership.She noted that CAI is committed to empowering the next generation of innovatorsandtechleaders.

“We are very excited to announce that we are bringing this curriculum to Guyana It is globally recognized; RoboChamps India even holds a Guinness World Record for hosting the largestroboticsclassroom,”Dr DeokieGorakhsaid.

Shecontinued,“Thisisthefutureof educationandwhattheworldwillbelike 10yearsfromnow Wehavetoinnovate (Continuedonpage43)

Dr. Camille Deokie-Gorakh,Academic Director of Camille'sAcademy following the signing of the agreement with RoboChamps India Founder, AkshayAhuja at the World School Summit UK

Miss Texas Grand 2025 Lieve Blanckaert (center) and runner-up winners after she was crowned

Miss Texas Grand 2025 Lieve Blanckaert being embraced after she won the 2025 title

Miss Grand Texas 2025

Frompage42 beloved mother, Lynette, who had been her lifelong inspiration.

“I could've let the pain stopme,”sheshared.“ButI chose to honor my mom by continuing to follow my dreams. I felt her presence with me on that stage. The first thing I did when I was crowned Miss Grand Texas was thank God, and thank herinheaven.”

QUEEN WITH A PURPOSE

A c c o r d i n g t o Blanckaert, Miss Grand Texas is part of the Miss GrandUnitedStatespageant system, which feeds into Miss Grand International one of the fastest-growing international competitions. With its global message of “Stop the War and Violence”, the platform encouragespeace,unity,and empowerment,whichaligns perfectly with Blanckaert's personalmission.

“It'saplatformthatgoes beyondbeauty Itfocuseson being a voice for compassion, unity, and positivechange,”shesaid.

Blanckaert's decision to enterMissGrandTexaswas not just about winning a crown, it was a way to continue her life's work: empowering women and honouring her Guyanese heritage,andusingthestage todrivereal-worldimpact.

“After being honored as runner-up in both Miss Universe Guyana 2023 and Miss World Guyana 2024, I felt a profound calling to persevere and continue my journey in pageantry one that reaches far beyond competitionandcrowns.It's a commitment to use this powerful platform to amplify voices, inspire meaningful change, and uplift communities Pageantry has become my way to connect deeply with others, share my story, and embody resilience, purpose, andgrace.

As a proud dual citizen of Guyana and the USA, entering Miss Grand Texas gave me the incredible opportunity to represent my American community This journey is about growth, service,andmakingalasting positive impact Most importantly,itisapledgeto inspire women everywhere to keep moving forward, even when the path is uncertain and the outcome

Lieve Blanckaert, a Guyanese-born beauty is crowned Miss Texas Grand

unknown,”Shesaid. “After being honored as runner-up in both Miss Universe Guyana and Miss World Guyana, I felt a profound calling to persevere,” she said. “This journey is about growth, service,andmakingalasting impact It's my way of r e m i n d i n g w o m e n everywheretokeepgoing— even when the path is uncertain.”

HOLISTIC LIVING

Her platform, holistic living, is more than a pageant theme , but a lifestyle she lives and teaches through her brand, Habitual Lifestyle. With a background in Business Management, she built the platformtopromotemental, physical, and spiritual wellness, especially in fastpaced, high-pressure environments.

“My platform has alwaysbeenaboutnurturing the mind, body, and soul,” shesaid.“ThroughHabitual Lifestyle,Iofferworkshops, wellness content, and communityevents.Iwantto help people reconnect with themselves and live healthier, more purposeful lives.”

GUYANESE

ROOTS

Born and raised in Georgetown, Guyana, Blanckaert grew up in a lively home as one of eight siblings. From as early as agesix,hermothertookher and her sisters to visit

Camille's Academy to introduce int'l...

Frompage42 to dominate. This is the direction in which the entire education fraternity is headed; in the direction of robotics, coding, and ArtificialIntelligence. We must innovate if you want to stay ahead; we are preparing our students for the future, wher

p

c e s a n d organizationswillbeusinga lot of Artificial Intelligence and o

her types of technology We can't run from it, we must prepare them for where the world is headed, or they will be left behind.”

According to her, students will start to yield benefitsofthepartnershipas earlyasSeptember.

“This July and August, RoboChamps India will be training our trainers (teachers) in robotics, Artificial Intelligence,

Drone Technology, and two months of intense training, we will be rolling out the courses for students at four of our locations,” Dr Deokie-Gorakhadded.

She noted that several of the courses will be tested at the school's annual summer camp programmes during theJuly-Augustperiod.

Additionally, the CAI Founder announced that RoboChamps India will facilitate the establishment of a State-of-the-Art RoboticsLabtobelaunched inSeptember

“RoboChampsIndiawill be building the lab and furnishing it. We will just providethespace,”shesaid

A B O U T

ROBOCHAMPSINDIA

RoboChamps.in is trusted by 100+ schools in India, has impacted over 200,000 students, and expandeditspresenceto10+

countries with custom RoboticsandAIlabs.

In the height of COVID, Robochamps, an Edtech startup dedicated to introducing kids to early AI education, has launched its online courses in Robotics andCoding.

Available in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, and English, the company has providedfreecoursestokids in the age group of 6 to 17 livinginruralareas.

The company entered into the Vernacular segment owing to a sudden surge in thenumberofinquiriesfrom Tier2andTier3citiesacross India, post the launch of its Englishonlinecourses.With less than a month from the launch of their English onlinecourses,theyreceived 3 million visits to their website. Their Hindi and Vernacular course numbers arealsoincreasing.

Former UG Lecturer, Humanitarian...

Frompage41 businessmeninGuyana,asis her adopted son, Seon Darlington.

orphanages. By 14, they were organizing clothing drives,

,

n redecorating rooms for underprivilegedchildren.

Those acts of kindness planted the seeds for her lifelong commitment to service and shaped her into thewomansheistoday

“We didn't have everything,” she recalled, “butwehadlove,unity,and a commitment to giving back. That's what grounded me.”

Her Guyanese and Belgian heritage plays a pivotal role in her identity and mission. Even as she represents Texas, she proudlycarriesherroots.

“Guyana is my heart,” shesaid.“WhileIdidn'ttake home the crowns in Miss Universe or Miss World Guyana, I've always stayed connected to my culture through service, food, storytelling, and fashion Representing Texas now givesmethechancetohonor bothpartsofwhoIam.”

Withherjourneygaining momentum, Blanckaert has oneheartfeltmessageforthe nextgeneration:

“Follow your dreams, even when they feel far away Even when you're tired; even if you've failed before; you are allowed to rise again. And if you don't know where to start, reach out — I'm here. We rise together.”

“There are times when it was overwhelming but I have learnt over the years to takenecessarybreaksbefore I experience any 'crash'! My boys are overly grateful for allthesacrificesIhavemade to bring us where we are today,”shesaid.

HUMANITARIAN

A humanitarian at heart, Dr Goorasammy-Smith donatestohelpthoseinneed atleastthreetimesayear

“The humanitarian work extends to various parts of Guyana, even in the US and Canada. I give out school supplies to 200 to 300 studentsannually.”

Added to this, Dr Goorasammy-Smith is the Director and Founder of Goorasammy Royal College,aninstitutionborne out of service, faith, and an unwavering desire to uplift thenation'schildren.

After over 15 years of runningafter-schoollessons, she was encouraged by parentsandherfaith,toopen herownschool.In2007,Dr. Goorasammy-Smith launched Berea Royal CollegeInternational,which was later rebranded as GoorasammyRoyalCollege after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registered with the Ministry of Education, the school caters to children from nursery to secondary levels and prepares them for both national and regional

examinations.

“I intend to continue nurturing all children with learning needs We are equipped and ready to take your child and nurture them into becoming children of excellence,” she proudly affirmed.

Adding to the Academy, Dr Goorasammy-Smith is also the founder of Mastering the Art of Public Speaking (MAPS), a p o w e r f u l o r a t o r y programme that has trained 18 batches of students. Its alumni include doctors, parliamentarians, teachers, media professionals, and even housewives, all of whom are now using their voicestoimpactlivesacross theglobe.

APOSTLE

Beyond education, Dr Goorasammy-Smith has answered a higher spiritual calling. She is the Apostle and founder of Graceful Church without Walls, a ministry that spans Guyana, theUSA,Canada,India,and the Caribbean. With a following of over 150 members and 14 spiritual leaders, she continues to shepherdothersintheirfaith journey As part of her Ministry, Dr GoorasammySmith also offers marriage and youth counselling services.

Balancing ministry and professional commitments have not always been easy, but she credits divine wisdom and the guidance of theHolySpiritforsustaining her

When asked about her greatest achievement, she said, “My greatest achievement is to have served as an educator in Guyana for 47+ years and I was never tempted even great persuasion came to teachincountriesabroadfor far greater remuneration. I remained faithful to serve mycountryregardlessofthe financialchallenges.”

Shecontinued,“Mysons are all successful in their respective businesses and I amfilledwithgreatjoytosee how God has brought us out ofpovertyandhasblessedus to the point where we are abletoblessothers.”

Each year, the family provides scholarships to students in need, both at her school and through the MAPS programme, fulfilling her lifelong mission of empowering others.

LOOKINGAHEAD

Andthoughherrésuméis already extraordinary, Dr. Goorasammy-Smith shows no signs of slowing down. She plans to expand Goorasammy Royal College, grow the MAPS programme, and extend her ministryinternationally

Her mission remains clear:Toserve,touplift,and toempower

To young educators, she offers wise counsel: “Teaching is not just a job, it'sacalling.Believeinevery child, especially those who seem hardest to reach. And never stop growing yourself.”

‘Goinghungry’:Morethan700PalestinianskilledseekingaidinGaza

Aljazeera - More than 700 Palestinians havebeenkilledtryingtogetfoodintheGaza Strip over the past few weeks, according to new figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, spurring renewed condemnation of a contentiousUnitedStatesandIsraeli-backed aidscheme.

TheHealthMinistrysaidonSaturdaythat atleast743Palestinianswerekilledandmore than4,891otherswereinjuredwhileseeking assistanceatGazaHumanitarianFoundation (GHF)distributionsites.

The GHF, which began operating in the bombarded Palestinian enclave in late May, has drawn widespread criticism amid multiplereportsthatitscontractorsaswellas Israeliforceshaveopenedfireonaidseekers.

“The tragedy is that this is again a conservative reading of casualties who were at these distribution points, waiting for food parcels,”AlJazeera’sHaniMahmoudsaidof theministry’slatestfigures.

Reporting from Gaza City, Mahmoud said the attacks on aid seekers come as Palestinian families are desperate to feed their families amid dire shortages caused by Israel’sblockadeofGaza.

“People are going hungry People are rationingsupplies.

Alot of families are not eating. Mothers here skip meals in order to provide for their children,”hesaid.

Earlier this week, a report by The Associated Press news agency quoted American contractors who said live ammunition and stun grenades have been fired at Palestinian civilians seeking aid at GHF distribution points. Two unnamed US

Palestinians say they have no choice but to go to deadly US- and Israeli-backed aid sites amid growing starvation.

Palestinians walk to collect aid supplies from the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in KhanYounis, southern Gaza, on May 29, 2025 [Hatem Khaled/Reuters]

contractors toldAP that heavily armed staff membersappearedtobedoingwhateverthey wanted.

The GHF denied the news agency’s reporting as “categorically false” and said it takes “the safety and security of [its] sites extremelyseriously”.

The administration of US President Donald Trump also has stood by the GHF, withaStateDepartmentspokespersontelling reportersonWednesdaythatthegroupisthe “one entity that has gotten food and aid into the Gaza Strip”. In late June, the Trump

administration pledged $30m in direct fundingfortheorganisation.

On Saturday, the GHF said two US workersatoneofitssitesinsouthernGaza’s Khan Younis were injured when grenades were thrown at them at the end of food distribution.

“The injured Americans are receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition,”thegroupsaid

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack Leading humanitarian and human rights groups

have demanded the immediate closure of the GHF, which they accused of “forcing two million people into overcrowded, militarized zones where they face daily gunfireandmasscasualties”.

Amnesty International has described the group’s operations as an “inhumane anddeadlymilitarizedscheme”

“All the evidence gathered, including testimonies which Amnesty International is receiving from victims and witnesses, suggest that the GHF was designed so as to placate international concerns while constituting another tool of Israel’s genocide,”Amnestysaid.

Still, faced with dire shortages of food, water and other humanitarian supplies under Israel’s blockade, many PalestiniansinGazasaytheyhavenochoice buttoseekassistancefromthegroup,despite therisks.

“I was forced to go to the aid distribution centre simply because my kids had not eaten for three days in a row,” Majid Abu Laban, a Palestinian man whowaswoundedinanattackataGHFsite, toldAlJazeera.

“We try to fool our children by all means, but they are starving,” Abu Laban said

“So I decided to risk my life and head to [an aid distribution point] at Netzarim,” he said, referring to an Israeli militaryestablishedcorridorsouthofGazaCity

“Itooktheroadatmidnighthopingtoget some food. As crowds rushed in, Israeli forcesfiredartilleryshellsatus.Inthechaos, everyonewasjusttryingtosurvive.”

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Home Affairs Ministry commissions over $337M in projects in Reg. 2

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday commissioned over $337 million in projects for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in Region Two.

The $26.9 million Charity Boathouse which was commissioned on Saturday.

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This is according to a release from the ministry which stated that the projects comprise of the new Anna Regina Divisional Headquarters, the Anna Regina Command Centre, a fully reconstructed Charity Police Station, and the newly established Charity Boathouse.

Present at the commissioning ceremonies were Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Andre Ally and Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ Mr. Errol Watts.

The ministry noted that the four major security infrastructure projects represent a combined investment of more than $337 million.

These projects, the agency noted are aimed at enhancing public safety, strengthening law enforcement capacity, and bringing essential services closer to residents.

Detailing the projects completed, the ministry shared that the Divisional Headquarters in Anna Regina, completed at a cost of $215.1 million, is outfitted with modern policing amenities including male and female lockups, interview rooms, childfriendly and domestic violence units, traffic and CID offices, a conference room, and an IT-enabled command centre.

Adjacent to the facility is the Anna Regina Command Centre, constructed for $32.4 million, which includes an operations room, administrative offices, and space for strategic planning and emergency

coordination.

Down in Charity, the fully reconstructed Charity Police Station, was built at a cost of $62.7 million and now features upgraded male, female, and juvenile lockups; a witness and ID parade room; marine and immigration offices; CID and traffic departments; and accommodation for officers.

Further, the station also includes a child-friendly area and a dedicated unit for responding to domestic violence, making it one of the most modern and responsive stations in the region.

As it relates to the Charity Boathouse, the new $26.9 million facility is aimed at strengthening marine patrol and riverine response.

The ministry added that it was designed with a secure structure, a watchtower, and both fixed and floating walkways.

“The boathouse ensures the safe deployment and docking of police vessels regardless of tidal changes. It will play a crucial role in securing border areas, supporting rescue operations, and patrolling remote waterways

Upper East Coast Youth...

From page 16 Assembly, and Hon. Aubrey C. Norton, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, delivered remarks during the awards ceremony, encouraging participants to continue using their voices to contribute to nation-building.

The final debate was broadcast live on the Parliament of Guyana’s website, Facebook, and YouTube pages, and was also streamed on Globespan and Guyana TV, allowing a wide audience to witness the impactful discussions led by the nation’s youth.

“As preparations commence for the upcoming 10th Annual Youth Parliament in August 2025, participants from teams that advanced to the second round of the Fifth Speaker’s National Debating

Competition will continue to refine their oratory skills and civic engagement,” the statement said.

The winning teams of the Speaker’s National Youth Debating Competitions from 2021 to present include: Cummings Lodge Youth Movement

The Golden Om Dharmic Youth Organisation Young Influencers Youth Group Helpful Hands Youth Group Upper East Coast Youth Federation

The Parliament of Guyana remains committed to fostering spaces for young people to engage in democratic processes, critical thinking, and public speaking, empowering the next generation of leaders to shape Guyana’s future.

of the Lower Pomeroon,” the ministry reported.

At the commissioning ceremonies, Minister Benn described the developments as both symbolic and strategic.

“We are confident that justice will prevail and that the sacrifices of those who built Guyana from this region will be honoured.

These facilities are more than infrastructure; they are a symbol of national pride, unity, and our commitment to a safer, more resilient country,” the minister said in his remarks.

According to the ministry, the minister also emphasised the link between peace and development, noting that the government is investing in the resources to build a Guyana where all citizens feel protected.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary (PS) highlighted the increase in government investment in Region Two’s security sector noting that “between 2020 and 2025, the government invested over G$1.5 billion in security infrastructure in the region. In comparison, only G$25 million was allocated during the previous five years, a 6,200% increase.”

Notably, PS Ally said the improved facilities helped to reduce serious crime in the region by 18% but also urged community responsibility.

“We are pleased with the progress, but we must also address rising traffic acci-

dents, particularly among young motorcyclists not wearing helmets. Safety is a shared responsibility,” PS Ally noted.

Regional Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Khemraj Shivbarran welcomed the commissioning of the facilities, describing them as a long-awaited and muchneeded development.

“These buildings represent a significant transformation in the delivery of national security services…They will bring vital services closer to the people and ease the burden on those who previously had to travel long distances to access policing support,” Commander Shivbarran noted.

Additionally, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Errol Watts, noted that the projects form part of a broader national strategy to modernize law enforcement across Guyana.

He said that over the past five years, some 23 new police stations were completed while there are 74 additional projects nationwide.

“We now have the resources, we must take care of them,” he urged those who would be utilizing the facilities.

“Mr. Watts noted that the administration of the Force will implement a dedicated administrative team to ensure the facilities remain clean, functional, and accessible to the public,” the ministry disclosed.

THE SECRET GARDEN...

From page 36 hope, healing, and friendship. Mary, who had once been lonely and unloved, had found her place in the world, surrounded by friends and the beauty she had helped create.

And Colin, who had been trapped by his fears, had learned that with courage and the support of those who cared for him, he could overcome anything. And so, the secret garden remained a cher-

ished place, where life and love could grow, and where everyone who entered left a little happier, a little stronger, and a lot more hopeful. The end.

Follow-Up Questions:

· Why was the secret garden locked away for so many years?

· How did Mary’s discovery of the garden change her life?

· What role did the garden play in Colin’s recovery?

River Seine reopens to swimmers in Paris after century-long ban

BBC - The River Seine in Paris has reopened publiclytoswimmersforthe first time since 1923 after a century-longban.

The seasonal opening oftheSeineforswimming is viewed as a key legacy

of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open

water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waterswhichwerespecially cleanedfortheevent.

On Saturday morning at 08:00 local time (07:00 BST) a few dozen swimmers arrived ahead of the opening and dived into the water when they wereabletodoso

There are three designated areas for public swimming in the Seine - one near the Eiffel Tower, another close to Notre Dame Cathedral and a third in eastern Paris

Zones have changing

makepeopleill.

A map of central Paris showing the river seine flowingthroughthecityand three areas plotted as to where the open swimming will be allowed during seasons

Ahead of last summer’s Olympics more than €1.4bn (£1 2bn; $1 6bn) was investedintocleaningupthe Seine.

But,intheleaduptothe games there were doubts as to whether the River Seine would be ready for the Olympics after it was revealed it failed water qualitytests.

swimming sites will be open for free at scheduled times to anyone with a

rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, which allow for up to 300 people to lay out their towels U

minimum age of 10 or 14 years, depending on the location

Lifeguards will also be present keeping an eye on thoseintheriver

The promise to lift the

swimmingbandatesbackto 1988, when then-mayor of Paris and future president

Jacques Chirac first advocatedforitsreversal.

Improvements over the last 20 years have already

led to a sharp reduction in faecal bacteria entering the river

For100yearsswimming was banned in the river because of the levels of water pollution that could

Organisers blamed rainfall for the increased pollution which limited athletes’abilitiestotrainfor the triathlon, marathon s w i m m i n g a n d paratriathlon.

Last July, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and other members of the Olympic committee went into the Seine to prove that it was safetoswimin.

Pope Leo takes first action to address abuse by Catholic clergy

Pope Leo XIV looks on during a meeting promoted by the Dicastery for the Clergy in Rome, Italy, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo

VATICAN CITY, July

5 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on SaturdayappointedaFrench archbishopasthenewleader of theVatican’s commission onclergysexualabuse,inthe U.S. pontiff’s first public

move to confront an issue that has damaged the global Church’scredibility Thibault Verny, 59, will bepresidentofthePontifical

archbishop of Chambery in southeastFrance. TheReutersTariffWatch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global tradeandtariffnews.Signup here. TheVaticancommission

wascreatedbyPopeFrancis in 2014 in an effort by the late pontiff to respond after sexual abuse scandals affected the Church in countriesacrosstheworld.

The scandals have damaged the Church’s standing as a moral voice, led to lawsuits costing millions in countries across the globe, and resulted in a number of resignations of bishops.

Verny said he was committedtoimprovingthe Church’s safeguarding measures

“We will promote the equitable sharing of resourcessothatallpartsof the Church, regardless of

geographyorcircumstance, can uphold the highest standards of protection,” he saidinastatement.

Verny replaces Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the former archbishop of Boston O’Malley, 81, had been serving beyond the Church’s traditional retirement age of 80 for bishops

O’Malley had led the groupsinceitscreation.

While some victims h a v e p r a i s e d t h e commission’s efforts, it has also been roiled by the resignations of several of itsmembersovertheyears

In 2023, a prominent Jesuit priest and papal

adviser stepped down, saying publicly that he had concerns over the way the groupwasoperating Verny was first made a memberofthecommission by Francis in 2022 He has also led the French Church’s safeguarding efforts

O’Malley praised the appointment, saying in a statement Verny is “a collaborative leader committed to advancing the global adoption of p r o t e c t i o n a n d safeguarding, to as best possible assure the safety of those in the care of the Church throughout the world”

The Bras Marie site is one of three areas in Paris open for seasonal public swimming (Reuters)

US A b a s e d

Guyanese,Rajiv Ramdeholl, is the latest person to provide support to this noble initiative done jointly by AnilBeharryofGuyanaand Kishan Das of the USA. Ramdeholl, Senior Vice President, Mortgage Loan Originator, has donated one pair of cricket shoes,

Kallicharran, former West Indies‘B’allrounder Ramdeholl, indicated that he has been following the work of this project and its reach to young cricketers in Guyana and is very impressed, hence his contribution We thank Ramdeholl for his donation and assure him that a deserving young cricketer willbenefitfromit. T

continuetoimprovethelives

community We are pleased

Sunday July 06, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Something is currently compellingyoutobemoreof a world citizen than usual, Aries. You may find this somewhat disturbing You feel as though the roots of youridentity

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Your surroundings are currently changing, Taurus. Perhapsyourcircleoffriends has already undergone a majorchange.Thefactisthat you no longer have so many prejudices about the people youmeet.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Gemini, you're demystifying theconceptoftalent.Youused to look enviously at other peopleandthink,"IwishIhad anaturalabilitylikethat."

CANCER(June21–July22)

Areyouthinkingofgoinginto businessforyourself,Cancer? Being self-employed doesn't automatically mean you will have more freedom Of course, you will be your own boss.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Within the next few days, you'relikelytogainaccessto dimensionsofperceptionyou neversuspected,Leo.Perhaps you will become aware of certain energy phenomena, peakexperiences.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Often fiery temperaments like yours are drawn to fight for great causes despite the better judgment of more down-to-Earth people. As a result, you have great leadership potential that may emergetoday

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your optimism is likely to receive a little boost today, Libra.Amemorableemotional encountermaybethesourceof some extra zeal. Or you may derive great satisfaction from beingpartofagroup.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Perhaps you should suspend your inhibitions for the day, Scorpio, and let your dreams guide you. For instance, you mightimaginethattheneedto make any choices has vanished.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

This is the type of day you enjoy The climate is positive, and the energy is flowing. It's as though you have a magic wand.Yougiveitawaveandpresto - the day's tasks and chores are done! By this evening.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

If the world collapsed today, you wouldn't bat an eyelash. You're perfectly content sailing along on cloud nine! Thesourceofyourblisscould bethatnewpersoninyourlife.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You may have had some emotional disappointments lately, but today will restore yourfaithinlove.Allyouneed to do is act. Your amazing lucidity and realism keep you from hoping for the impossible.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Put on your traveling shoes, Pisces. Fear of the unknown may have prompted you to postpone certain trips. You claimedyouweretoobusy,but noonereallybelievedthis.

tobepartofthedevelopment of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports,cricketinparticular Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the countryandclubleadersalso assist to identify same Progressive and well managedcricketclubswitha youth program, will also benefit.

Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

Rajin Ramdeholl

Daren Thomas glut steers Cotton Field Boys to second win

Action continued yesterdayinthesixthannual ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ Under-14 Football

Championship at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground, with 26 matches wrapping up the secondroundofplay

Following an exciting opening round, teams returned to the breezy and rain-slicked MoE pitches to battle in what is considered the most-watched U14 tournament on the school sportscalendar

The girls’ division opened the day in thrilling fashion. Bartica Secondary dominated Vryman’s Erven Secondary with an 8-0 rout, led by Genesha Spencer’s precise finishing. Spencer netted a hat-trick to power her team, supported by a brace from Nerismar Williams and goals from Virlerkys Simon in the 6th and 19th minutes Kelys Williams also added a 4thminutestriketocompletethe carnage.

Waramuri Secondary followed suit with a commanding 9-0 win over Hope Secondary Shanesha Thomas was the standout performer, scoring a hat-

Bygeval Secondary goal scorers in 4-3 win againstAbram Zuil.

trick in the 16th, 24th, and 30th minutes Darwina Boyal added a brace, while Nikeisha Williams struck in the 8th and 22nd minutes.

Zabita Harris and Breanna Henry also chipped in with goals in the 20th and 26th minutes,respectively Other results included; Chase’s Academic Foundation edged

YarrowkabraSecondary1-0, Good Hope Secondary narrowly defeated New Campbellville Secondary 10, Marian Academy battled to a 1-0 win over a tougher opponent, thanks to Ashley Wharton’s10th-minutegoal.

Dolphin Secondary overcameChristChurch1-0 before St Joseph High earned their second

consecutive win, defeating Bush Lot Secondary 1-0, withDenaPabloscoringthe lonegoal.

The boys’ competition continues to impress, with several emerging talents on display in Round Two Georgetown teams faced tough outcomes, notably Charity Secondary, who cruised past North Ruimveldt Secondary 4-0. Johnny Smith, building on his strong showing last week,nettedtwiceinthe3rd and5thminutes.Teammates Shaqcoby Wills and Micah Jamesaddedonegoaleach. Annandale Secondary was also dominant, beating LeonoraSecondary6-1.The goals came from Shaquan CalendarandMalachiJarvis

Desire Doue’s second-half strike was his 16th goal of the season in all competitions. (Getty Images)

with two each, and solo efforts by Jayden Havercome and Zephan Henry

One of the round’s most thrilling clashes saw Bygeval Secondary edge Abram Zuil Secondary 4-3 in a nail-biter Bygeval’s goals came from Richardo Wills, Rafael Aguilar, and JahieemHenry,withanearly own goal helping to secure thenarrowvictory.

StJohn’sCollegelooked unstoppable; routing La’Venture Secondary 11-0. Robinho Abrams netted a hat-trick,DexterJohnscored twice, while Shangi Welch and Jasiah Nedd added their namestothescoresheet.

Meanwhile in other notable results, Chase’s Academic Foundation thrashed East Ruimveldt 60, thanks to goals from Trevon Glasgow, Jashan Haynes, Nyron Barrow, Fabio Kowlessar, and Jadan Christian Cotton Field Secondary mirrored that result with a 6-0 win over Christ Church, featuring a standout performance from Daren Thomas. Waramuri Secondary edged Lodge Secondary 1-0. Good Hope Secondary outclassed

Goals Galore! St John’s College thrashes La’Venture Secondary 11-0.

Brickdam Secondary 4-2. West Demerara Secondary beatWestminsterSecondary 3-1. Marian Academy boys bounced back with a resounding 6-0 win over Hope Secondary Belladrum Secondary secured back-toback wins, downing New Central High 3-0 New Amsterdam Secondary narrowly defeated South Ruimveldt3-2. The tournament is

sponsored by ExxonMobil, with support from MVP Sports, SkyTec, Stena Drilling, I-Cee Soft Drink, and Demerara Mutual. It is sanctioned by the Ministry of Education and endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, YouthandSports. Round Three action resumes today at the same venue, promising more excitementinboththeBoys’ andGirls’divisions.

Nine-man PSG beat Bayern to reach Club to reach Club World Cup semi-finals

Frenchside.

DesireDoue,whoscored twice in PSG’s Champions League final win over Inter

Milan, sent a 78th-minute low,left-footeddriveintothe cornerfortheopeninggoal.

And despite having Willian Pacho and Lucas

Hernandez sent off, Ousmane Dembele added a second in injury-time to set upalast-fourdatewithReal Madrid or Borussia Dortmund.

his left ankle, while a distraughtDonnarummahad to avert his gaze as the Bayernphysiosrushedonto thepitch.

out for offside, while the video assistant referee (VAR) overturned a penalty in favour of Bayern just beforetheend.

Frompage55 (Bel/Alpecin-Deceuninck) 3hrs 53mins 1sec

ClementRusso(Fra/Groupama-FDJ)

PaulPenhot(Fra/Groupama-FDJ)

Biniam Girmay (Eri/IntermarcheWanty)+4secs Soren Waerenskjold (Nor/Uno-X Mobility)+6secs AnthonyTurgis (Fra/TotalEnergies) +10 secs MatteoTrentin(Ita/Tudor)Sametime

Matteo Jorgenson (US/Visma-Lease a Bike)

MariusMayrhofer(GerTudor)

SamWatson(GB/IneosGrenadiers) Philipsen wins stage one to claim...

At the end of an entertainingbutgoallessfirst half in Atlanta, Musiala –making his first start of the tournament after recovering frominjury–wascaughtby PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma while chasing down Michael Olise’s loose passnearthebyeline.

Germany international Musiala emerged clutching

Dayot Upamecano had a header ruled out for offside moments earlier for Bayern, while their keeper Manuel Neuer made an outstanding stoptodenyBradleyBarcola earlyinthesecondhalf.

Four minutes after Doue’s strike, PSG had defender Pacho dismissed for a high lunge on Leon Goretzka, while full-back Hernandez was also given hismarchingordersinadded time for catching Raphael Guerreiro.

England captain Harry Kanealsohadaneffortruled

Referee Anthony Taylor initially penalised Nuno Mendes for a high challenge on Thomas Mullerbut,afterreviewing the incident on his pitchside monitor, the Englishman overturned his initialdecision.

The result meant 35year-old forward Muller, who replaced Kingsley Coman with 10 minutes remaining, had played his last Bayern game after a

17-year career with his boyhood club

BBC Sport - Paris StGermain edged past Bayern Munich to reach the Club World Cup semi-finals in a game overshadowed by a serious-looking ankle injury to Jamal Musiala and featuredtworedcardsforthe

MyFourBestEverWestIndiesTestFastBowlers!

ByColinCroft–Former Guyana, Lancashire CCC & West Indies International Cricketer

Naming the best of anything is contentious

Opinions are always subjective.

Television, radio, social media and newspapers commentators, most either uneducated or uninformed about international cricket’s

h i s t o r y , w a f f l e unintelligently on the “best” of all aspects of cricketworld’s best ever batters, world’s best ever fast bowlers, WI’s best ever batters, WI’s best ever WI fastbowlers;onwards.

My father, Ivor, and my step-father, Edgar, (Yes. I was very lucky I communicated very well with,andwaslovedby,both) – always reminded me that “opinions are neither right nor wrong.” What I think has nothing to do with your thoughts, even in sports, religionorpolitics.

A b u s e , t h r e a t s , disappearances, even wars occur when one’s opinions do not coincide with others’ opinions. Just listen to the news!

I was once nearly seriously stabbed, with a long-bladedknife,atBourda Oval, during its final TestWIvSouthAfrica;2005-for suggestingthatwhileformer GuyanaandWIcaptainCarl Hooperlookedelegantwhile batting, he was not a better batter than former Trinidad & Tobago and WI captain, perhaps less elegant, but much more productive, BrainLara.

Said the wild-eyed, knife-wielder;“CahlinCraff is a f@#%$&g Guyanee. I gun kill he muddah s&%$t. He gaffoe support ahwe bhoy!”. Thatconfrontation wasoneofthreetimesinmy 72 years alive when I came extremely close to killing a supposedhuman!

Hooper’s Test batting average; underwhelming at 36.46;5,762runs;102Tests; bowling, 114 wickets; avg. 49.42. Lara’s Test batting average; superlative at 52.88; 131 Tests; 11, 953 runs Lara is always included in “All WI Test Teams.” Not so Hooper Thetruthmustprevail!

Formy“AllWITestXI”, four fast bowlers are included, plus former Guyana and WI off-spinner Lancelot Gibbs; (79 Tests, 309 wickets; avg. 29.09), plus Barbados and WI ‘six-

cricketers-in-one’, genius all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers;(93Tests,8032runs; avg 57.78; bowling, 235 wickets; avg. 34.03). Five more players to be added; oneawicket-keeper.

Criteria for my four best ever WI fast bowlersdominance, productivity, consistency, impact, effectiveness, longevity, shock value, over 85 mph (137 kph). No ‘medium dobblers’allowed!

(1) Sir Wesley Winfield Hall-_Barbados 48 Tests; 192 wickets; avg. 26.38. Eleven years (1958 – 1969) of leading

Oh,forthoseheadydays of climatic, focused, glorious, exciting radio commentary!

Sir Wes was the first modern-day fast bowler.

No-one carried that responsibilitybetter,tosling a 5.5 ounce (155.9 grams) ball towards batters 22 yds (20.12m)away. Fast. Fast. Fast!

My introduction to Sir We s w a s h e a r i n g commentary,asasevenyear old; middle of many nights; on our Phillips dry-cell batteryradio(asbigasa15inch television), from WI tour to Australia 1960 / 61,

WI’s attacks everywhere ICC-ranked No 3 WI bowler; No 27 World Bowler; 898 ICC points. No-one in fast bowling history frightened more batters world-wide, epitomizing“pacelikefire.”

That description was coinedbythebesteverradio commentator, late Englishman John Arlott, during WI’s Tour to UK 1963. Sir Wes named his 1965 biography by that phrasetoo.

Through BBC’s Test Match Special archives, Arlott’s slightly hoarse, throaty,slowbaritonecomes alive powerfully after more than60years:

“Wesley Hall – tall, languid, loose, athletic –accelerates on this long, curving approach of his, jumps and fully elongates himself, then hurls himself and that red ball towards (Ted)Dexter-pacelikefire–the ball flashing past Dexter’s bat, collected at shoulder height by young wicket-keeper Deryck Murray, a small man, standing well, perhaps 30 yards,back….”

Bowler 912ICCpoints. Sir Amby is the best righthanded fast bowler cricket has ever seen since Test cricket’s inception; 15 March 1877, a special day. Tight yet loose, as guitar stringsheplays!

WI’s highest rated bowler ever, no batter

bettered him His aggression, longevity, seriousness, control and consistency collared all batters. He should have completed100Tests.

Sir Amby led a long, strongWIfastbowlinglineup for twelve years (1988 –2000) - Malcolm Marshall,

the tour that brought much respect to WI cricket and firstTiedTest.

IsawSirWesbowl‘live’ onlyonce,averyscarysight; v Australia, Bourda Oval, April 1965; my first Test attendance experience. Sir Wes trundled in like anAM General “Hum-Vee”, big golden crucifix dangling, white teeth glaring, with high, straight armed action likewindmills.

Sir Gary, then a slippery medium-fast bowler too, opened bowling with Sir Wes in that Test. Sir Gary quickly clipped Aussie captain R B “Bobby” Simpson’soffstump;outfor 09;beforeoff-spinnerGibbs completedthecarnage.

Australia lost by 212 runs. Sir Wes two wickets, Sir Gary four wickets, Sir CharlieGriffithtwowickets, Joe Solomon one wicket, Gibbs nine wickets; an excellent bowling attack led bySirWes.

(2) Sir Curtly Elconn LynwallAmbrose –Antigua &Barbuda

98 Tests, 405 wickets; avg.20.99. ICC-rankedNo. 1 WI Bowler; No. 7 World

avg.20.97. ICC-rankedNo. 6 WI Bowler; No. 37 World Bowler; 890 ICC points. “Big Bird”, mean as a ravenous rattle snake, is the best Test fast bowler with whom I have ever played. Fortenyears(1977–1987), he petrified batters with his “Yorkers.”

Six feet nine inches tall (205.74 cm), 240 pounds (108.9 kg), muscled like a racehorse, everything in correspondingly proper proportions, Garner always looked like he could stamp on batters with his size 17 shoes. He was seriously terrifyingasafastbowler

CourtneyWalsh,IanBishop, Patrick Patterson, Kenny

Benjamin, Winston Benjamin, Reon King, Merve Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Nixon Mc Lean, Franklyn Rose, Eldine

Baptiste, Patterson T h o m p s o n , C o r e y Collymore, Ezra Moseley, PedroCollinsetall.

My best recollection of Sir Amby’s talent, speed, focus and production came, v England; Queens Park Oval, T&T, 1994; England set 194 to win in four sessionsonDay4andDay5.

SirAmby exploded. So fiercelydestructivewashein his 2nd innings spell, that cars, trucks, even perhaps airplanes stopped, so that drivers and aviators could listen to our radio commentary.

Ten devastating overs; Sir Curtly 6–24; England decimatedfor46allout. WI won by 147 runs. Walsh 3–16; 9 1 overs They

scourged Test teams

everywhere Most

damagingwasSirCurtly (3) Joel GarnerBarbados 58 Tests, 259 wickets;

Colin Croft

“bouncer”, caught by Alvin Kallicharran at slip; my match figures 53-9-186-4. Goodstart. Betterwas“Big Bird”,bowlingveryfrugally in that drawn Test; match figures63–18-130-6. (4) Malcolm Denzil Marshall–Barbados

Malcolm “Macco” Marshall was unbelievably good. 81Tests,376wickets; avg. 20.94. ICC-rankedWI BowlerNo.2;WorldBowler No. 11. 910 ICC Points. Thirteenyears(1978–1991) of ultra speed, guile, aggression, innovation, destruction,production.

Pakistan’sSafrazNawaz and Australia’s Merve Hughes were faster bowlers to purvey the art of “reverse swing” regularly, but it was “Macco”,withhisincredibly quick arm speed, angled approach and delivery, who perfectedthatart.

No “big” man, not even greatbasket-ballerShaquille O’Neil, moved such a big frame with such ease and elasticity Garnerisstillthe best gully fielder ever seen anywhereinTests.

Colin Croft - 27 Tests, 125 wickets; avg 23 30 Perhaps surprisingly for some, I am actually ICCranked No. 7 WI Bowler; World Bowler No. 38; 889 ICC points, just one point lessthan“BigBird”Garner

True, despite many denigrating my Test career CheckwithICC. Notbad!

My Test debut, v Pakistan, 1977, coincided with Garner’s. Most of my Testswereplayedwith“Big Bird” trundling earthquakes at the opposite end. He couldbowlwellonsawdust.

PlayingwithGarnerwas somuchfun. Inourfirstever Test in Australia; Brisbane, 1979-1980; we put on 56, then a WI 10th wicket record. Imade2no.,batting for90minutes;Garnermade 60!

I got a wicket; Rick Mc Cosker hooking at the 1st ever ball that I bowled in Tests in Australia, a

“Macco” called us - Sir Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Colin Croft - “my big brothers”. He was diminutive by our standards – 5’ 11" tall (180cm) - built more like a tall jockey than the height and bulk of supposed “standard” fast bowlers. At performing prime, Colin Croftwas6‘6"tall(192cm), 215pounds(198cm/98kg).

“Macco” had his main break when WI “Kerry Packer” players went to Australia instead of officially touring India with WI in 1978/79 When “Macco” rejoined us to Australia 1979/80, England 1980, Pakistan 1980/81 and Australia 1981/82, he was wellversedinfastbowling.

My best memory of “Macco”wasWITourtoUK 1984. He batted; No. 11; with a broken hand, damaged while fielding, to allowT&T’sHiliary“Larry” Gomestogetacentury;103 no.,atLeeds.

“Macco’s” seven wickets in the 2nd innings beat England. He was truly magnificent.

I have been fortunate to knowthemall,playingTests with two. Those four fast bowlersare,forme,thebest evertohaveplayedTestsfor WI. Agree or not, I do not care. Cheers. Enjoy!

WI Fast Bowler Joel Garner

WI Fast Bowler Malcolm Marshall

WI Fast Bowler Wes Hall

WI Fast Bowler CurtlyAmbrose

Half-centuries from Smith and Green give Australia control

ESPNcricinfo - A pristineinningsfromSteven SmithandCameronGreen’s firsthalf-centuryatNo.3put Australia in control of the secondTest in Grenada on a day limited to 58.3 overs by three rain interruptions, a lethargic over rate and latterlybadlight.

B u t r e g u l a r breakthroughs after tea kept West Indies in touch

although the surface remained a challenge for batters.

Smith, playing with the lingering effects of the dislocatedfingerhesuffered in the World Test Championship, barely put a footwrongduringaninnings studded with classy drives. Therewasgeneralshock,not

least from Smith himself, when he fell lbw to Justin Greaves for 71 shortly after tea-theDRSconfirmingball hadstruckpadfirst-leaving theseriesstillwaitingforits firstcentury Greaves became the somewhat unlikely figure to keep West Indies’ hopes alivewhenhethenhadBeau Webster edge to a lone slip.

After a third shower briefly suspendedplay,TravisHead was cleaned up by Shamar Joseph,defeatedbytheangle from round the wicket, leaving Alex Carey the key figureintermsofhowmany more Australia could add.

After the second day’s play, Roston Chase said West Indies would be confident chasinganythingunder200-

Rain puts Kares

they are now going to need considerablymorethanthat.

There remained regular signs of uneven bounceGreen received one early on whichscuttledforfourbyesbut the ones that shot low were either not straight or wereabletobekeptout.

As had been evident on the first two days, batting becamemoremanageableas the ball got softer which added to the importance of the 93-run stand between Green and Smith in taking thestingoutoftheattack.

Green,whohaddonethe hardworkinthefirstinnings but couldn’t take advantage ofbeinggivenalife,brought up his first half-century as a Test No. 3 with a perfect straight drive. However, he

was again left furious when he chopped on next ball, dropping his bat to the ground in anger before trudgingoff.

Overall, though, it was a stepintherightdirection.He nearly fell for West Indies’

T10 East Bank/ West Demerara zone on hold

Pe r s i s t e n t

i n c l e m e n t

weather has

forced Kares One Guyana T10TapeballBlast,FLSport organizers to postpone the East Bank/West Demerara zone matches after heavy rain drenched all three venuesonSaturday FLSportannouncedthat effortsareunderwaytoplay some round-of-16 matches onMonday,July7,provided conditions improve Alternate dates of Saturday, July 12, and Saturday, July 26,arealsoontheagendato crown a zonal champion before the national finals on Sunday,August3,2025.

“The inclement weather

h a s b e e n a j o lt t o proceedings today, but we have options to ensure all zones are completed before the finals on August 3,” explained John Ramsingh, Co-Director of the organizingcommittee.

Sixteen teams are slated to compete in the

E a s t B a n k

D e m e r a r a / W e s t Demerara zone, all vying for a coveted spot in the national finals These teams include Diamond Gunners, Soesdyke XI, Eccles All-Stars, 592

Gunners, Hyde Park, You

The action is on pause due the rain in the zone.

Visionary Vipers (from Saxacalli), Trendsetters, The Guard, Stripling Warriors, Tourism Guyana Titans, Young Steppaz, CJIA Warriors, andK&BAll-Stars Beyond the prestige of reaching the national final, the zone champion will be rewarded with a signific

compete for a further GYD$1 7 million in the national f

runner-up in the zone final will also receive a substan

GYD$100,000

The stakes will be even higher at the national finals, where the runner-up will take home

with a trophy and medals, while the two losing semi-finalists will each

Cameron Green dropped his bat in frustration after being bowled by Shamar Joseph. (AFP/Getty Images)

receiveGYD$300,000. The tournament will c o n t i n u e w i t h t h e Georgetown/East Coast Demerara zone scheduled for July 19-20, followed by the Essequibo zone on July 26-27 The grand national finals are slated for Sunday, August3.

T h e K a r e s O n e Guyana T10 Tapeball

Blast has garnered support from Kares Engineering Inc , the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, G u y

C

Contracting and Scrap

Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant and L

E

N

Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet

G u y a

Technology, Camille’s A

Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, C

Technical Solutions.

short ball plan when he topedged short of deep square leg, but he defended solidly andwaitedforanythingwith a hint of width to put away throughtheoffside.

Australia’s bowlers will hope they can get a cushion ofanother50runs. Scores: Australia 286 and 221 for 7 (Smith 71, Green 52, Greaves 2-22) lead West Indies 253 (King 75,Campbell40,Lyon3-75, Hazlewood 2-43, Cummins 2-46)by254runs.

Philipsen

wins stage one to claim yellow jersey

BBC Sport - Jasper PhilipsenwillweartheTour de France’s yellow jersey for the first time in his career after winning stage oneofthe2025edition. A sprint finish was expected after a flat stage beginningandendinginLille, and Alpecin-Deceuninck’s lead-out train delivered the 27-year-old in the perfect position to claim the stage win TheBelgianbeatBiniam Girmay by a comfortable margintoclaimhis10thstage win on the Tour, with Soren Waerenskjold third The pelotonsplitabout17kmfrom theendofachaoticopeningday, with general classification contenders Remco Evenepoel andPrimozRogliccaughtinthe second bunch Reigning champion Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, who is expected to be his main rival, were in the lead group along withmostofPhilipsen’steammates “It’s really amazing,” said Philipsen “My 10th victory is something I will neverforget “Itwasaperfect teamperformance Ithinkwe were there all day in a really nervous stage but we knew it couldbeourdayandwehadto be at the front when the split happened

“The team did amazing andintheendwecouldjust useourstrengthandfinishit off.”Philipsenclaimedfour stage wins in 2023 and finished that edition of the Tour with the green jersey as the points classification leader He said he had

“dreamt” about wearing yellow. Already I had the greenjerseyfromtwoyears ago but to have the yellow jersey hanging somewhere inmyhouseisamazing,”he said. A five-man breakaway was caught with more than 100kmtogoonthe1849km loop route, which was affected by crosswinds and featuredmultiplecrashes

Ineos Grenadiers rider Filippo Ganna was forced to abandon after going down with British debutant Sean Flynn, and he was soon followedbyfellowtime-trial specialistStefanBissegger Benjamin Thomas will wear the polka-dot jersey as mountain leader after winningtwooftheday’sthree climbs, wiping out Matteo Vercher as he lunged for the line to claim his second mountainpoint

Then came the split, which resulted in Roglic and Evenepoel crossing 39 seconds after Pogacar and Vingegaard,andthelatter’s British team-mate Simon Yates struggled. The Giro d’Italia champion got a puncture and tried to recover but ended up coming in more than six minutes after the lead group Stage two is a 209 1km hilly ride from Lauwin-Planque to Boulogne-sur-Mer today, Sunday

General classification standings after stage one JasperPhilipsen (Continuedonpage53)

GBA names strong team for OECS Boxing Championships

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has announcedwhatitdescribes as a formidable squad to compete at this year’s Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championships, scheduledforAugust1–3in StLucia.

Leading the six-member team is Abiola Jackman, last year’sBestEliteFemaleBoxer, whomadehistorybybecoming the first Guyanese male or female to win gold at the

A m e r i c a s B o x i n g Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships

She will be one of two female boxers representing Guyana, alongside Akeelah Vancooten, a former national representative at the World Junior Championships The

remainder of the squad features Caribbean standouts

Shakquain James, Teevin Wintz,EmanuelPompey,and Juel Williamson, who are all expected to deliver strong performances as they aim to match or surpass Guyana’s showing at last year’s tournamentinSt.Lucia. In a statement, GBA President Steve Ninvalle

stressed the association’s strategic focus on developing young, up-and-coming talent

t

exposure “Wewanttoensure that our next generation of boxers are not only welltrainedbutalsowell-exposed Tournaments like the OECS Championships provide another platform for our athletes to gain valuable international experience,” Ninvallesaid

Ninvalle further underscored the GBA’s commitment to creating pathways for promising boxers to showcase their skills on the international stage. “Our goal is to give the best boxers, and those with real potential, the opportunities they deserve, notjusttocompete,buttobe

seenglobally,”headded.

At last year’s edition of the OECS Championships, held at the Vigie Sports Coamplex in Castries, Guyana finished second overall in the Invitational Category, despite fielding a relatively small team of six boxers Guyana tallied an impressive14points,securing fourgoldandtwosilvermedals

The much largerTrinidad and Tobago contingent, with 16 boxers,toppedthetablewith33 points, while Barbados placedthirdwith13points.

Amongthestandoutswere Abiola Jackman (Elite) and RyanRogers(bantamweight–Schoolboys),whocapturedthe Best Female Boxer and Best Junior Boxer awards, respectively

The full 2024 team also included Alesha Jackman (middleweight–Elite,gold), S h a k q u a i n J a m e s (lightweight – Junior, gold), A n g e l i n a R o g e r s (bantamweight – Junior, silver), and Junior Madray (31–33 kg – Schoolboys, silver). The team was led by national coach Lennox Daniels, and the late TerrencePooleMS.

Archery Guyana is all Set to Host the National Outdoor Archery Championship 2025

TwoDaysofCompetition,Precisionand NationalRankingOpportunitiesatLeonora

The National

A r c h e r y Federation will be staging the National O u t d o o r A r c h e r y Championship 2025 from July 12–13, 2025, at the Leonora NationalTrack and FieldCentre.

This annual tournament represents the pinnacle of local outdoor target archery competition and brings togetherthenation’sbestand emerging archers across divisionsandagecategories. Spanning two intense days

of qualification and elimination rounds, the Championship will feature disciplines in Recurve, Compound, and Barebow, acrossMen,Women,Under21 Men and Under-21 Womenclasses.

EventSchedule:

CompetitionCategories: Athletes will compete across three groups: Beginners, Developmental andAmateur

Shooting distances will vary by group and equipment class, ranging from 30M to 70M, with target face sizes adjusted accordingly Notably, all Recurve Amateur archers will shoot at 70M using a 122cm target face which is theOlympicstandard. Toupholdtheintegrityof rankings and competition progression, athletes who have medaled or excelled at alowerclassaremandatedto compete at the next higher class This step-wise

Day 1 – Saturday, July 12: Qualification Rounds (9:00amto5:00pm) Day2–Sunday,July13: Elimination and Final Rounds(9:00amto5:00pm)

approach supports skill

d encourages athletes to grow withinthesport.

National Ranking and TeamSelection; Performances at this championship will be

corded in A

y Guyana’s National Ranking System and will contribute toward selection for highlevel training squads and future national team consideration.Athletesmust also comply with sport integritystandardsincluding WADA,RADO,andNADO requirements.

FormatofPlay:

Qualification Round: 72 arrowsshotin12ends

EliminationRounds: Recurve&Barebow:Set system(firstto6points)

Compound: Cumulative score(max150pointsover5

ends)

TeamEvents; Only registered clubs may participate in team rounds Team categories include:

Men’s Teams (3 same bowtype)

Women’sTeams(3same bowtype)

Mixed Teams (1 male, 1 female,samebowtype)

Teams must confirm their roster within 15 minutes of seeding announcement.

Registration Link: https://formsgle/HJeVhSiK 9CipoY32A

President of Archery Guyana, Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon stated; “We are proud to deliver another nationally significant event thatembodiesourmissionof sporting excellence and athlete development The

organising team is all set—thefieldcrew,certified national judges, and our IANSEO scoring officials are in position and ready I invite all archers across the length and breadth of Guyana to take this opportunitytotesttheirskill, grow in competition, and enjoy the camaraderie that archeryuniquelyoffers.”

ArcheryGuyanaextends sincere appreciation to Director of Sport, Mr Steve Ninvalle, and the National SportsCommissionfortheir unwavering support and partnershipinadvancingthe sport of archery across Guyana The Board also expressed thanks to

Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Minister Charles Ramson, for his support and permission to use the

Prestigious Leonora Track and Field Centre.Thanks, is also expressed to CEO Mr Samuel Arjoon of Guyana Beverages Inc. and Oasis Water as the official beveragesponsor The Board of Directors also wish to acknowledge the support from Dr Shannon DaSilva of DaSilva’s Optical, Mrs A l a n a K i n g a n d Management of Toucan Distributors and the Management of El Dorado Security Service for their contribution towards procurementofthetargets. Archery Guyana encourages all eligible archers, clubs, and supporters to participate or attend this exciting national event, which continues to raise the bar for competitive archeryinGuyana.

Juel Williamson Shakquain James

Akeelah Vancooten and Director of Sports Steven Ninvalle

Emanuel Pompey (left)

Teevin Wintz

Abiola Jackman

2025 CARICOM Classic Team Chess Tournament

Surinamese Jason Yeung Defeats T&T’s Joshua Johnson

Trinidadian FM Joshua Johnson suffered his first defeat by checkmate to SurinameseFMJasonYeung inRoundSevenonSaturday, July 5, 2025, in the CARICOM Classic Team Chess Tournament being played at the Pegasus Hotel.

Inamarathonfightingmatch thatlastedfourhours,Yeung closedinonJohnson’s monarch with his Rook, while a Knight and passed pawn prevented the escape ofthehaplessKing.

TrinidadandTobagoand Suriname, both CARICOM nations, ended their round with an even score of two wins and two draws apiece.

Trinidadian FM Kevin Cupid defeated his youthful Surinamese opponent Ethan Tjin Kon Kiem to balance theRoundSevenfortunesof the Trinidadian team

Female Trinidadian players WFM Ysvett Hermoso Rodriguez and WCM Zara La Fleur drew with their Surinamese

counterparts WCM Victoria Kaslan and WCM AlexandraKaslan.

OTHERROUNDSEVEN HIGHLIGHTS

Guyana Team B was paired with Dominica in Round Seven Saturday CM Sachin Pitamber’s match ended in a loss for his Dominican counterpart, CM Nigel Francis. The two opponents reached an endgame with Pitamber’s Knightandsixpawnsversus theDominican’sBishopand fourpawns.Pitamber’sextra pawns, marching to the promotion and supported by hisKnightandactiveKingin thefight,successfullystaged a breakthrough to overwhelm Francis with the materialedge.

Guyana’s Sandiford, in an endgame with four menacing pawns, defeated EdgerBerridgein32moves. The pawns, somewhat restrictedatthebeginningof

Sandiford’s formidable endgame resource as foot soldiers to dominate his opponent.

In the same round, Guyanese female player Aniyah Couchman was on the verge of skillfully delivering a smothered checkmate using her Queen and Knight when her Dominican counterpart Liudmila Domennova resigned on the 28th move.

WCM Sasha Shariff drew her match with Dominican AyaniCasimir ROUNDSIX HIGHLIGHTS

In Round Six, Guyanese Team B players CM Sachin Pitamber, Keron Sandiford, Aniyah Couchman, and WCM Sasha Shariff lost to Jamaicans FM Joshua Christie,FMShreyasSmith, Amy Stephenson, and Kaia Gayle CM Pitamber’s confrontation with FM JoshuaChristieconcludedin the endgame as Christie

began marching his unchallenged extra two pawns to promotion for a convincing win. Pitamber resignedonmove50.

Sandiford faced FM ShreyasSmithwherehehad to contend with a battle on

two fronts; Smith’s passed pawn occupied the sixth square on the verge of promotion, coupled with an immobileBishopabouttobe captured In a losing position, Sandiford gave up thefightonmove34.

On the distaff side, Aniyah Couchman, in a severely restricted position, lost to her Jamaican c o u n t e r p a r t A m y

Stephenson Stephenson aimed her unchallenged Queen and Rook to pursue Couchman’s King, which was only defended by a weaker Rook and Bishop. Couchmanconcededtheloss s

checkmate Shariff was pairedwithKaiaGayle,who invadedShariff’svulnerable King’shaven withaRookonmove37, pinning Shariff’s Queen to theKing.Facedwiththeloss of a powerful Queen, the Guyaneseplayerresignedon thenextmove.

Guyana’s Team A, comprisingCMTaffinKhan, Kyle Couchman, WCM Aditi Joshi, and Ciel Clement, had a strong p

F

day, securing three wins and a draw

Khan, Couchman, and Joshi captured wins from Francis, Berridge, and Domennova, respectively Clementdrewherencounter w

Casimir After seven rounds of the nine-round event, the team points standings are Trinidad & Tobago 13 (24

game points), Jamaica 12 (24 5 gam

nts), Suriname 11 (20.5 game points), Barbados 11 (19 game points), Guyana 10 (18.5gamepoints),Cayman Islands4(10.5gamepoints), St Lucia 6 (11 5 game points) and Dominica 0 (1.5 gamepoints).

TheUnder-16individual category sees a tight race after seven of nine rounds, with Barbadians Mileke Sinckler and Noah Clarke, and Guyanese Alexander Zhangalltiedfortheleadat 5.5 points. Just half a point behindareSuriname’sThieYen Fung and Barbados’s AaronJaikarran,bothwith5 points. Results for Rounds Eight and Nine will be finalized as the tournament concludes.

The event features forty players competing in the team categories and fortyeightvyingfortheindividual Under-16title.

The FIDE-rated tournaments are being monitoredbyFIDEArbiters, IA Kelvin Daniel from Barbados, Guyanese John Lee, Reyna Frijde from Suriname, and Jessica Callender from Guyana National Arbiters, Kim Shing Chong and Treskole Archibaldarealsoassisting.

FM Joshua Johnson (L) and JasonYeung.

Round 7 Trinidad &Tobago vs Suriname.

(AFP/Getty Images)

Scenes from round two clash between Waramuri Secondary and Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary.

Steven Smith was trapped lbw by Justin Greaves.

Steven Smith and Cameron Green added 93 off 153 balls for the fourth wicket. (AFP/Getty Images)