Israel’s food distribution points are ‘human slaughterhouses’ ...as more that 50 killed yesterday
Canadian mining company eyes 66,000 ounces of gold annually at Guyana project …constructioncouldstartnextyearafterapprovals
$6.6billionDiamondhospitalcommissioned
...says citizens' trust has been repaid with secrecy, arrogance, betrayal, and deception
Underpressurefor his involvement in the alleged
evasion of taxes by Businessman, Azruddin Mohamed, President Irfaan Ali has come under further attack, for his government's mishandlingoftheeconomy and about-face position on thelopsidedoilcontract.
This assessment was made by prominent
Chartered Accountant and Lawyer,ChristopherRamin ascathinglettertotheeditor of this newspaper Mr Ram said that the evolving posture of duplicity and convenience, denial and indifference, is part of President Ali's playbook “He campaigned on a promise to renegotiate the 2016 oil agreement– by far the worst in modern oil deals ” However, once elected, Ram said President Ali has hidden behind the doctrine of sanctity of contract.
Not only Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo backin2019asLeaderofthe Opposition had also committed to renegotiating the contract. He said thusly while being interviewed on 94.1 FM: “They sold us out to the foreigners – the oil
companies.Everytimethere is a find there, our people should be sad because nothing comes our way We are going to renegotiate those contracts because that's not what we had in mind. When we were in the earlydays,wewerecoaxing thepeople(ExxonMobiland partners) to go along. They (APNU+AFC) came into office (and met) 3 billion barrels of proven reserves and then gave up zero royalty, no taxes, no ringfencing,no localcontentfor these people to spend any moneyhere.”
He continued: “Paying our people GY$72,000 a month when the foreigner is
California to drink here. We are paying for all that Landscaping – they wanna contract it to a company comingfromabroadandthe Trinidadians and others are just walking in not only in the oil sector but they are getting all the prime lands too… So that is why I got back into politics. I'm not preparedtoseethishappen;I have no desire to be President again.” Guyanese have been demanding a renegotiationofthetermsof
theoilcontractsincethedeal
contractor. For instance, Guyana receives a meagre 2%royalty,oneofthelowest known across the industry Exxonanditscontractorsare also exempted from paying taxes Meanwhile, each month,theoilcompaniescan deduct up to 75% of Guyana's oil to recover its investments The oil companies still benefit from the remaining 25% which is split evenly with Guyana as profits.
B a c k p e d a l o n investigation
President Irfaan Ali
Meanwhile, also called out the President and his partytoabandontheirpledge to investigate the circumstances into signing of the Exxon contract under the APNUAFC Coalition Government. Ram said that pledge has morphed into a refusal to release the Clyde & Company report on the agreement.“Grovelingtohis new masters, he refuses to exercise the government's rights to apply ring-fencing, enforce relinquishment, and conduct serious audits
Audits are delayed, cost claims go unchallenged and
publishedinformationbythe oil companies are deceptive and misleading. Is that truly what the President thinks Guyanese deserve?” Ram said.
And most disturbingly, Ram said the President Ali government has refused to disclose who issues tax certificates to the oil companies – allegedly used toclaimforeigntaxcreditsin the United States “This refusal shields the process from public scrutiny and makes the state complicit, perhaps even an accessory, in facilitating offshore tax evasion ” Ram also criticised the President over the recently enacted oil spill legislation, deeming it the worse as it completely ignores the environmental risks “to our neighbours –includingonewaitingforan excuse to pounce, should an offshore spill affect its territory.” The chartered accountant also cited government's dismissal of citizens'righttohaveasayin the Bill “Is that the responsibleandpatrioticact, PresidentAli?'Ramasked.
He said President Ali's actions constitute a grave betrayal of the Guyanese public who gave him the
CharteredAccountant andLawyer, Christopher Ram
privilege of being their leader “When concerns were raised over the nature and speed of his academic qualifications, the public chosetolookpastthem.And when the APNU+AFC coalition attempted to subverttheelectoralprocess in 2020, Guyanese of all backgrounds defended Ali's constitutional right to assumeoffice.
That trust has been repaid with secrecy, arrogance, betrayal, and deception.Inanenlightened country driven by truth, principle and integrity, that betrayal should be cause for hisresignation.Bythesame yardstick,heoughtnottobe re-elected Unfortunately, the several persons I spoke with this past week have all expressed pessimism about the future of the country September 1 will tell us whether those fears are well founded,”Ramconcludedin hisletter
China has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening tieswithGuyanathroughits global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with Beijing's top diplomat in GuyanadeclaringthatChina stands ready to help drive Guyana'smodernisationand economictransformation.
The call was made by Chinese Ambassador Yang Yang during a reception hosted on June 5 to commemorate the 53rd Anniversary of diplomatic relationsbetweenChinaand Guyana.
I n h e r a d d r e s s A m b a s s a d o r Ya n g
underscored China's commitment to Guyana as a strategic partner in the Caribbean and Latin America. She described the bilateral relationship as one
marked by mutual respect and development synergy, and called for Guyana to remain actively engaged in theBRIframework.
“Wewillencouragemore qualified, reputable, and capable enterprises to invest in Guyana, encourage them to actively participate in the modernisation, and encourage them to deliver greater achievements through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation,” AmbassadorYangstated.
The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by ChinesePresidentXiJinping in 2013, is China's global infrastructure and development strategy aimed at enhancing regional
connectivity through investments in roads, ports, energy, and other critical
sectors.Guyanasignedonto the BRI in 2018 and has since seen increasing Chinese investment in infrastructure and public services.
Ambassador Yang noted thatChinawascommittedto helping Guyana tap further into its development potential, particularly as the country undergoes “the largest economic and social transformation in its history.” She revealed that futurecooperationwouldnot be limited to traditional sectors like energy, mining, infrastructure, and agriculture.
“We are also willing to work with Guyana to tap deeper into cooperation potential, and to expand our
collaboration from traditional areas such as
e n e r g y , m i n i n g , infrastructure, and agriculture to emerging fields like the digital e c o n o m y , g r e e n development, and artificial intelligence,”sheadded.
China's footprint in Guyana has expanded significantlyinrecentyears.
In 2024, bilateral trade reached US$1 4 billion nearlyfourtimeshigherthan in 2019 Direct Chinese investment in Guyana also skyrocketed from US$256 million in 2019 to US$10.6 billion last year, driven by majorinfrastructureprojects such as the New Demerara River Bridge and regional hospitalupgrades.
Ambassador Yang described the cooperation between China and Guyana as“hot,”referringnotonlyto
the warm reception she has received since her arrival over 50 days ago but also to theintensityofcollaboration acrossvarioussectors.
“In the past fifty days, I exp
Guyanese government and thepeople,thescorchinghot weather, and hotness of
cooperation between China and Guyana across various sectors, ” she said Ambassador Yang said, “Chinahasandwillcontinue to treat Guyana as good friend, good partner, and good brother and sister So, letusworktogethertoshape an even brighter future for ourbilateralrelations.”
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
President IrfaanAli insists that under his leadership, the PPPCGovernmenthasbeenthecleanestinGuyana'shistory AttorneyGeneralAnilNandlall,SC,hasrepeatedlytrumpeted howthegovernmenthas'respectfortheruleoflawandorder' Both men should be commended for daring rough seas to deliverthoseposturesandthemessagesembeddedinthem.
There are claims about what is clean and respect for the law,ontheonehand,andthentherearedevelopmentscoming out of the US that involve sanctions The two don't go together,becausewhatisbeingsaidhereatthehighestlevels, and what is coming out of the US from high government offices, are at war with each other What is going on in Guyana,andwhoisontherightsideofthelaw?
Oneroundofsanctionsmaybegivenanodasarandom development,anoutlierthathasnorelevancetothetruestate ofwhereGuyanaistodayunderthePPPCGovernment,and withPresidentAliinthedriver'sseat Buttherehasbeenmore thanonesetofsanctions,andthenotherdevelopmentsthatare notunrelated Insummary,theactionsofUSauthoritiesgive every appearance of sanctions under a different cover at differenttimes. Amongthose,werespecialairportescorts, temporaryairportstoppagesoffreepassage,forthepurpose of questioning right there in the airport facilities. Among those given the special welcome by US authorities were government ministers, government friends, and senior policeofficers. Forthosewhohelddiplomaticpassports,the precaution of sensible pre-travel preparation arranged with attorneyshelpedtoavoidtheworst.
OneofthefirstclueofwhatwasinstoreintheUScame about when a permanent secretary had her cellphone taken away at anAmerican port of entry She was more than an ordinaryandveryseniorgovernmentofficer Herroleplaced her very close to Guyana's national security apparatus But sheendedupbeingplacedontheUSsanctionslist,givinga blackeyetothePPPCGovernment. Tomakemattersworse, governmentactionsandthoseofsomeofitsseniormembers led observers to believe that the sanctioned permanent secretarywasbeingcoddled.
Also, some members of a Guyanese family were also sanctionedbytheUSOfficeofForeignAssetsControl,which identifiedalitanyofallegations Buttherewassomethingthat stoodoutlikeasorethumb,againsetthosesanctionsapart It was public knowledge in Guyana that the family enjoyed a verycloserelationshiptothePPPCGovernment,andaneven closeronewithPresidentAli. Citizensdonotputtheirvery expensive luxury vehicles at the disposal of a president for useathisinaugurationceremony
No ordinary relationship was that one, which has since blown up due to allegations of tax fraud, and counter allegationsofleadershipcollusion Ithasbeenaroyalmess with national implications, while leaving a trail of national embarrassment Nowtheembarrassmentextendssomemore, withmoresanctionsonarangeofGuyanese.Thelatestlistof USsanctionsidentifiesfourGuyanese,themostprominent of which is a senior superintendent in the Guyana Police Force. He is not a stranger in the local environment. His namehadfeaturedheavilyintherecord-breaking4.4tonsof cocaine seized by US law enforcement at Matthews Ridge deep in Guyana's remote rainforests. The Guyana Police and the Guyana Government are not having one of their better days. The now sanctioned senior officer was first transferredtooverseeavehiclerepairshop,andonlynowis being sent on leave. There is the right to due process, and there is what gives the smell of protecting a fragile human asset, a friendly one. Due to the tattered state of local law enforcement, it is reasonable to believe that there could be moretroubledofficers.
ThislatestblowcomingoutoftheUS,withfourGuyanese named,leavesthePPPCGovernmentinashakyplace Claims about clean government shatter on the rocks of local conditions,thelocalcorruptionculture Sanctionshavebeena nightmareforthePPPCGovernment Guyanaismadetolook likeagangster'sparadise
DearEditor,
The presidency is the most sacred office in our Republic - its occupant sworn to uphold the Constitution and to serve all the people without fear or favour Under PresidentAli, that office has been diminished - through evasion,manipulation,anda style of governance that rewards loyalty over merit, secrecy over transparency, and partisanship over national unity. It is a presidency that serves first theParty,thenitsleaders,its loyalists, and finally, their familiesandfriends.
The recent exchanges between President Ali and Azruddin Mohamed are a symptomofthereliabilityof his (Ali's) words and his personal credibility When confrontedwithdocumented evidence - via WhatsApp messages-thathefacilitated the undervaluation for customs purposes of a highendvehicle,Aliridiculedthe source. Pressed further, he hid behind the standard “I cannotrecall,”blamingiton receiving too many messages. Ali, a borderline Generation X andYleaderwho wants to position GuyanaasaglobalITandAI hub - expects Guyanese to believe he does not know that WhatsApp messages do not overlap but scroll, that theydonotdisappearbutare stored in the Cloud. Is that thebestPresidentAlicando?
Butthisevolvingposture o f d u p l i c i t y a n d convenience, denial and indifference, is part of PresidentAli'splaybook.He campaigned on a promise to renegotiate the 2016 oil agreement - by far the worst in modern oil deals. Once elected, “unable to recall”, hehidbehindthedoctrineof sanctity of contract. His
Party's pledge to investigate the circumstances into that agreement,hasmorphedinto arefusaltoreleasetheClyde & Company report on the agreement. Groveling to his new masters, he refuses to exercise the government's rights to apply ringfencing, enforce relinquishment, and conduct serious audits Audits are delayed, cost claims go unchallenged and publishedinformationbythe oil companies are deceptive and misleading. Is that truly what the President thinks Guyanesedeserve?
And most disturbingly, the government refuses to disclose who issues tax certificates to the oil companies - allegedly used toclaimforeigntaxcreditsin the United States This refusal shields the process from public scrutiny and makes the state complicit, perhapsevenanaccessory,in facilitating offshore tax evasion Worse still, the recently passed Oil Spill Liability Bill completely ignores the environmental risks to our neighboursincluding one waiting for an excuse to pounce, should an offshore spill affect its territory Not to mention the government's complete dismissalofcitizens'rightto haveasayintheBill.Isthat the responsible and patriotic act,PresidentAli?
At home, when twenty children perished in state custodyatMahdia,President Ali appointed a commission of inquiry designed not to pursue the truth, but to control the result The government also quietly bought off an Amerindian childvictimofserioussexual misconduct. And then had theaudacitytodeclare-ashe didjusttwodaysago-thathe would dedicate his life to lifting the children of
Guyana. Does our President notrealisethatthissmellsof hypocrisy?
His commitment to the administration of justice is nolessduplicitous.Hislong and oft-repeated promise to address the confirmation of the Chancellor and Chief Justiceis asclearasignalas a n y t h a t j u d i c i a l independence remains hostage to polit
l expediency and subject to r
a n d weaponisation.Histolerance for unprincipled and even lawless conduct is equally evident His government openly rewards those who cross the floor and punishes those who dissent. The case of Dr Asha Kissoon - who unlawfully overstayed her time in the National Assembly and was warmly welcomed into the PPP - is further evidence of the culture of reward for improper conduct. President did the same with Charrandass Persaud, who betrayed the APNU+AFC
Government and was rewarded by Ali with a topleveldiplomaticposting. He is comfortable using public funds to pay officials not for what they do, but for what they are willing not to do. The Commissions of Information, Public Procurement, and Integrity areclassicexamples-offices reduced to sinecures, betrayingtheirconstitutional mandates and the public trust. Instead of embracing theruleoflaw,thePresident is content to reward donors of dark money to his campaign coffers, refusing to consider any form of campaign finance reform. His PPP/C operates entirely outside of any legal framework and is almost certainlyinviolationofantimoney laundering rules - as
dotheOppositionparties.In ignobleacts,heisatonewith theopposition.
The structure of his administrationisbuiltnoton law,butonfavoursandfeara deliberate strategy of reward and punishment. In hisdistortedeconomicorder, the poor survive on occasional handouts of $100,000, while those with connections benefit to the tune of millions - through contracts, tax concessions and sweetheart deals. One example close to him is the Silica City project, which is not accounted for or disclosed anywhere in the nationalBudgetorthepublic records.Theprojectisrunby the Ministry of Housing, of which he was once Minister and which has, since then, been mired in allegations of corruption.Letusnotrepeat thepast.
Thepublichasalsotaken note of the now-revealed relationship between President Ali and businessman Mohamed. But whatbeganasconcernovera personal association has evolved into something deeper Theepisodeexposed a culture of proximity and privilege -where access to the President silences scrutiny, stifles competition, andreaffirmsthatinGuyana, political interests and connections trump transparency Through all this,thestate-fundedmediawhich falls under President Ali - remains closed to opposition, independent and civilsocietyvoices.Citizens are denied a platform for response, even as they fund the very institutions that attackandexcludethem.
Perhapsmostrevealingis that President Ali was quite prepared to accept Mohamed'slargessuntil (Continueonpage5)
DearEditor,
An individual going by the name “Critic” stated on social media a few days ago that the Mohamed's traveled toBarbadosacouplemonths ago and met with US government officials Critic's social media reports afewdaysagostatedthatthe Mohamed's must have revealed information about narcotic dealings by Guyanese. No one knows what really transpired betweentheMohamed'sand USofficialsasitisnotpublic
information. But by making t h e s e s e r i o u s unsubstantiated allegations, Critic is placing the lives of theMohamed'sindanger Similarly, on June 7, Critic made unsubstantiated allegations that one Veerasammy Rammayah was pulled over by US officials at JFK and interrogated regarding association with the Mohamed's. This is nonfactual Mr. Rammayah statedthathewasnotpulled over or quizzed by US
officials. Critic is spreading falsenarratives. Criticiscontradictingthe US Ambassador press statements on sanctions on the Mohamed's. No one can besanctionedforassociating with or voting for the Mohamed's or joining the Mohamed's movement or being part of their campaign orbeingacandidateontheir slateorsigningtheirpetition. Only if one does business withtheMohamed'scanone be sanctioned. Critic brags about his relationship with a
US official who he claims provides him with informationaboutGuyanese who are quizzed by US officials and or who are sanctioned. We don't know who this US official is feeding him information if indeed Critic's bragging is indeedfactual.
Guyanese are calling on the American Ambassador and the American government to review Critic'svisastatus.
Yourstruly, DannyRamnarain
DearEditor,
The Bartica United Youth Development Group (BUYDG) issues this statement in direct response to the recent refusal by the Chairwoman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh, to support the proposal put forward by Commissioner Mr Vincent Alexander as well as our organisation's own previous written appeals for all eligible Guyanese citizens held in state custody to be allowed to vote in the upcoming general and regionalelections.
Thisresponseisnotonly in light of our prior written requests, but also in solidaritywiththepublicand constitutionalargumentsput forward by Mr Alexander We stand firmly with his position, and we reject the suggestion made by the Chairwoman that there is a law barring communication with inmates which would prevent the facilitation of their participation in elections. Such a claim is unfoundedandmisleading.
We challenge the Chairwoman to state which specific law prohibits society, civil organizations, or electoral authorities from speakingwithinmates.Even ifsuchapolicyexistsinany
department, it does not and
Cooperative Republic of Guyana, which clearly outlines that only persons convictedofelection-related offences or those legally deemed insane may be deniedtherighttovote.
We further emphasise that our organisation, BUYDG,hasnotonlymade repeated written appeals but hasalsosubmittedadetailed, practical system to facilitate the smooth, secure, and constitutionally sound voting of inmates a system that mirrors how voting is organized for the
Disciplined Services
However, neither the GECOM Chairwoman nor any representative of the People's Progressive Party Civic(PPPC)hasresponded to or acknowledged these proposals. Their silence is unacceptable and speaks volumes.
We are therefore forced to question whether the Chairwoman's position is being guided by political influence, particularly from the ruling PPPC The government has repeatedly failed to address the inhumane conditions within the Guyana Prison Service and continues to ignore credible reports of abuse.
These include serious allegations such as female prison officer Lewis slapping remand inmate Leon Bishop, and male prison officer violently stomping inmate Samuel Commings, leading to his death from internal injuries, bleeding from the ears and nose. U
APNU+AFC government, hundreds of rehabilitated inmates, including those serving life sentences, were grantedearlyrelease,parole, or pardon, after being deemed fit to return to society Under the current PPPC adminis
ion, however, despite millions reportedly spent on rehabilitation programs, therehasbeenminimalorno s
or reintegrationefforts,proving thatthisadministrationlacks the will to protect the rights and dignity of incarcerated citizens.
Webelievetherefusalto support inmate voting stems from political fear, that inmateswillvoteagainstthe government, given their lived experiences of abuse, neglect, and systemic failure. The PPPC General Secretary himself declared that the party would campaign based on its track record,butinthecaseofthe
Frompage4
exposing the transactional nature of Ali's associations andimpropermotives.
President Ali's actions constituteagravebetrayalof the Guyanese public who gave him the privilege of beingtheirleader When concerns were raised over the nature and speed of his academic qualifications, the public chosetolookpastthem.And when the APNU+AFC coalition attempted to subverttheelectoralprocess in 2020, Guyanese of all backgrounds defended Ali's constitutional right to assumeoffice.Thattrusthas been repaid with secrecy, arrogance, betrayal, and deception.
In an enlightened country driven by truth, principle and integrity, that betrayal should be cause for his resignation. By the same yardstick,heoughtnottobe re-elected Unfortunately, the several persons I spoke with this past week have all expressed pessimism about the future of the country
prison system, there is no track record worth defending.
We therefore reiterate ourdemandforGECOMand its Chairwoman to act in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana and the oath of office taken by the Chair We call for immediate steps to facilitate voting by all eligible incarcerated citizens We call on the Opposition parties to take this matter beforethecourtsintheform ofaconstitutionalmotion,so that the rights of inmates many or all of whom are eligible voters being held withoutconvictionorforany electoral crimes can no longer be disenfranchised. This issue is not about whetherMr Alexanderacted based on the call that was first made by the BUYDG; this is a constitutional issue that needs to be addressed andrespected.
If you do not wish to solelytakeupthechallenge, and if the Government or GECOM does not support the call for inmates to vote, then we call on the Opposition to provide us with lawyer(s), preferably offering pro bono services, as we are a non-profit, nongovernmental organization, and we will move forward with this challenge to the court. We can be reached at the contact numbers listed below, where you can speak
September 1 will tell us whether those fears are well founded.
Yoursfaithfully, ChristopherRam
directly with one of our executiverepresentatives.
We are also open to engaging in dialogue with the GECOM Chairwoman and any Government or PPPC officials to ensure the voting rights of inmates are upheld.
We wish to remind all partiesthattheCarterCenter also recommended that inmates in Guyana be allowed to vote, in keeping with international human rights standards and supportive United Nations laws.
1. Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Ÿ Article 59: “Subject to the provisions of Article 159, every personmayvoteatan electionifheorsheis oftheageofeighteen yearsorupwardsand is a citizen of Guyana.”
Ÿ Article 159 (2): “No person shall be qualified to be registered as an elector who is found or declared to be of unsound mind or is under sentence of d e a t h o r imprisonment for an offence connected with the election process.”
Interpretation: This means that only those convictedofelection-related
offences or legally declared insane are disqualified. All other inmates, including those on remand or serving timefornon-election-related offences, retain the right to vote.
2.UniversalDeclaration ofHumanRights(UDHR)
Ÿ Article 21(1): “Everyone has the right to take part in thegovernmentofhis country, directly or through freely c h o s e n representatives.”
Ÿ Article 21(3): “The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government;thiswill shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections.”
These articles support universal suffrage, with no lawful basis for blanket exclusion of inmates unless justified by specific and proportionatelegalreasons.
3 International Covenant on Civil and PoliticalRights(ICCPR)
Ÿ Article 25: “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity…tovote (Continue on page 6)
DearEditor,
Last week, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo highlighted encouraging economic data regarding the personal disposable income of Guyanese. He noted that, in the past three months, approximately 9,999 new vehicle registrations were recorded, particularly for privatevehicles.
This statistic indicates the rising personal disposable income and reflects the financial wellbeing of Guyanese households. The increase in vehicle purchases suggests that personal disposable income is indeed on the rise in Guyana. In economics, personal disposable income refers to the income that individuals or households can access after taxes are deducted According to Statista, the forecast for household disposable incomepercapitainGuyana in2025isUS$12,600.
This data reflects the effectiveness of the Government of Guyana's policies aimed at increasing disposable income and overall quality of life for Guyanese citizens. Recently implemented measures include adjustments to income tax rates and thresholds that particularly benefit lower- and middleincome individuals, thereby bringing more income to Guyanese households. For instance, the personal
income tax rate on the first income band has been reduced from 28% to 25%, effective in 2025 These policies introduced by the Government are designed to provide financial relief and foster a more equitable tax system for Guyanese, and it is evident that they are working.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Guyana for its inclusive growth policies, noting that social transfer programs have effectively increaseddisposableincome and lowered poverty rates.
The IMF commended the government's initiatives in improving overall income levelsforallGuyanese.
In 2025, the government distributed additional cash grant programs designed to boost Guyanese household incomeaswellasdisposable income,includinganational cash grant of $100,000 for everyGuyaneseaged18and older, a newborn cash grant of$100,000,andauniversal health voucher of $10,000. These initiatives provide immediate financial support to increase disposable incomeacrossthecountry
Another crucial factor contributing to increased personal disposable income is the projected growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The IMF estimates that Guyana's economy will grow by more than 10% in 2025. A growing economy
typically results in higher wages and job creation, which enhance overall disposable income Specifically, Guyana's real GDP and real non-oil GDP are expected to grow by approximately 10.25% and 13%, respectively, in 2025. Other factors that will significantly influence personal disposable income include rising wages and employment rates, social transfer programs, and government subsidies in areas such as housing, healthcare, and education. Thesecanhelpfreeupmore disposable income for other expenses, including purchasingautomobiles.
Over the past five years, Guyana's public sector has seen strong salary growth—rangingfrom6.5% t o 1 0 % annually—culminating in a cumulative 46% increase in nominal wages, alongside broad enhancements to allowances,bonuses,andthe pay scale structure
Simultaneously,the36%rise in the minimum wage in 2022raisedincomelevelsin the private sector These initiatives have significantly increased household disposable income, as reflected by rising vehicle registrations and heightened consumer spending The substantial wage increases across sectors have emerged asakeydriverofimproved (Continueonpage9)
GECOM chairwoman's refusal...
Frompage5 and to be elected at genuine periodicelections…without unreasonablerestrictions.”
Guyana is a party to the ICCPR, and broad denial of voting rights to prisoners is consideredan“unreasonable
restriction” under international human rights law unless linked to the seriousness of the crime and clearlyjustified.
4 United Nations Human Rights Committee (General Comment No. 25 onArticle25oftheICCPR)
Ÿ The Committee has stated that prisoners should not be denied the right to vote solely because of imprisonment and that restrictions must be “proportionate andreasonable.”
In 2006, the Committee explicitlycalledoncountries to review laws that restrict
prisoners' right to vote, especially where the restrictions are blanket or arbitrary
5 The American
Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) (if applicableregionally)
Ÿ Article 23: Ensures the right to vote and t a k e p a r t i n government without u n r e a s o n a b l e restrictions.
6 The Carter Center Recommendations (Guyana Elections)
Ÿ The Carter Center, a r e s p e c t e d international election observationbody,has recommended that Guyana extend voting rights to inmates, particularly those on remand or not convicted of d i s q u a l i f y i n g offences.
These recommendations are in line with UN principles and international bestpracticesfordemocratic inclusion.
7. Relevant Precedents a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l Jurisprudence
Ÿ Hirst v United Kingdom (No 2), European Court of HumanRights,2005: The blanket ban on prisoner voting was found to violate the E u r o p e a n Convention on HumanRights. Guyana's democracy mustbeinclusive.Nocitizen shouldbedeniedtherightto vote based solely on their placeofcustody
Yoursfaithfully, KellionLeps
GenerlPresident(ag)
United Youth
(BUYDG)
What could be so difficult with government publishing its much-vaunted oil depletion policy, if it has one? The PPPC Government either has one or it doesn't.
On one hand, a robust depletion policy represents the level of prudence that the government's leaders and thinkers, oil planners and managers, has invested for teasing out and harvesting the most benefits out of the booming oil and gas sector.
On the other hand, it is how much care is obvious from the provisions in such a policy to ride the demand and price peaks and troughs of a volatile commodity, to sustain this precious asset the longest.
Without a doubt, it is a delicate balance, especially for a new oil producing country such as Guyana, one that has so many urgent structural needs that demands huge sums of money. To have built a depletion policy on those two prongs would provide the best indication of a government that is caring for citizens, and not racing to comply with the ever-increasing demands of profit driven oil companies.
Ramping up daily production levels that were already beyond recommended safety limits is heavily focused on an extraction state of mind, and has little to do relative to a depletion policy.
Former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr Vincent Adams has said that government needs to understand that oil spill and pollution do not respect geographical or political boundaries.
He was at the time addressing a question from this publication at the Alliance For Change (AFC) pressconferencelastFriday The question was a reaction to Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo's comments that if countries like Trinidad are affected by an oil spill here they would have to sue E x x o n M o b i l f o r compensation.
Jagdeomadeitclearthat hisgovernmentlegislatesfor "the state of Guyana. They have to provide financial assurances consistent with the new law or their liabilitiesunderthenewlaw So, the assurances they give must cover all of those liabilities, that's what we want.” He continued: “So, I suspect if you're talking about like Trinidad and Tobago. I don't think they'll legislate for Guyana when they look at oil spills etc., they can sue the company too they can sue the
c o m p a n y ( t o b e compensated).”
It was reported that as many as 14 island countries could be affected by an oil spill in Guyana. Dr Adams explained that during his time at the EPA under the coalition government, unlimited liability coverage waswrittenintothepermits, statingthatitdoesnotmatter wherethespillwent,evenif it was as far as Jamaica, Exxonastheoperatorwould
beresponsible.
Citing all of the internationalobligationsthat w e r e b r e a c h e d a s highlighted by international lawyer Melinda Janki he stressed that Judge Sandil Kissoon's ruling which upheld the full liability was the right thing since
“whateveritcost,they'vegot to cover it. It doesn't matter where it goes, because pollution and spills do not seegeographicalboundaries or political boundaries. So yes,it'sinthere…that'swhy this bill is so important and egregious, because it is dismantles all of those
guardrails and protection, not only for Guyana, but for therestoftheCaribbean.”
Former Minister of Public Infrastructure and spokespersonfortheAFCon OilandGasDavidPatterson told reporters that Jagdeo's comments which he pulls fromthetopofhishead,are
an insult to our CARICOM neighbours The former minister explained that “In the process, we are signatories to, not only the Treaty of Chaguaramas, we're also a member of Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency(CDEMA)andtheir obligationsandtherearealso obligations for us under those treaties, which is obviously to protect our mutualenvironment.”
Pattersonwentontosay, “So for him to say, though, that you make laws only for Guyanaandtheyhavetosue Exxon is quite frankly idiotic, and well, we don't expect much from him anyway.”
“They are already concerned about what happens in the event of us, but it's all on record for him tosayitout…thatyouwould disregard the comments of ourneighbourswhowehave treaties with, to say to that they have to fend on their own and they have to sue Exxon.It'sreallyshowsyou h o w m y o p i c t h i s government is when, when we're dealing with oil spills, ourneighbourshavealready signaledthere's potentialfor harm that can happen,” Pattersonsaid.
Heexplainedthatshould there be an oil spill to their waters, livelihoods in the fishing industry etc will be affected.
”Obviously, the Vice President is not well informed. He's never well informed. He bluffs his way on these matters and bullies hiswayonthesematters.So, it'sdisappointing.”
He reminded the media t h a t d u r i n g t h e Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)foroneof Exxon's previous projects the fisher-folk of Trinidad had written a complaint, the Tourism Association of Barbados had also sent in their concerns which are all onrecord.
NEW YORK, June 6 (Reuters) - Rising OPEC+ supplies and new streams of oil coming online globally are increasing options for European andAsianrefinersandweighingon exportdemandforlightsweetU.S. crude, contributing to lower prices inthecountry'smainoil-producing regions.
The U.S., the world's largest crudeproducer,isfacingincreasing competition as the Organization of thePetroleumExportingCountries anditsalliespumpmoreoilinabid to regain market share and punish members that over-produce. Since April, OPEC+ countries including SaudiArabiaandRussiahavemade or announced increases totaling 1.37millionbarrelsperday,or62% of the 2.2 million bpd they aim to addbacktothemarket.
Theadditionalsuppliescomeat a time of broad uncertainty for global oil producers as they assess how volatile trade policies are impacting the world's economic outlook and prepare for a longer-
term future in which greener fuels coulddisplacetheirbarrels.
FortheU.S.,lowerdemandfor a significant portion of its crude will likely add to a complicated outlook for producers already digestingon-again,off-againtariffs from President Donald Trump's administration Companies are consideringcuttingoutputandjobs even as Trump urges higher domesticproduction.
U.S. exports fell to an average of 3.8 million bpd in May from an average of 4 million bpd in April, according to an analysis of weekly E n e r g y I n f o r m a t i o n Administrationdata.
Priceshavedeclinedforcrudes suchasWTI-Midland,akeysweet grade from the U.S. shale region. SinceearlyMarch,itspriceisoffby 45% to a 60-cent premium to U.S. crudefutures
LightLouisianaSweetfromthe U.S.GulfCoasthasfallenbyabout 30%toa$2.70perbarrelpremium overthesameperiod.
"That's a part of OPEC accelerating Light sweets are weak, broadly speaking," said Jeremy Irwin, global crude lead at Energy Aspects, adding that demand is expected to fall further asEuropeanrefinersfavormedium crudes in the summer months.The U.S. sent 1.4 million bpd of light, sweet crude to Europe in May, versus1.6millionbpdinApril,data from Kpler showed. In May 2024, theU.S.exported1.7millionbpdof light, sweet crude, which is lighter in density and lower in sulfur content, to Europe. It aims to generate at least 60% of its electricity from renewable sources by2050,andthewindfarmsvisible offitswesterncoastareamajorpart ofthoseplants.
Whilelightcrudesaretypically easier for refineries to process, many global refineries have invested in upgrading capacity to run heavy-sour grades, which are usually cheaper and still yield sufficient quantities of highervaluefuels.AsAsianrefinerscome
of turnaround season - when
maintenance purposes
and European refiners ramp up fuel production going into summer, demand for medium-sour grades hasincreased.
GLOBALSUPPLYMEETS UNCERTAINDEMAND
Increased OPEC+ exports will primarily flow into Asia. Lower prices for Murban crude produced in the United Arab Emirates have madeitunprofitabletoexportWTI to Asia, said Richard Price, an oil marketsanalystatEnergyAspects. OPEC+ is increasing output more quickly than expected this year to punish allies such as Kazakhstan, which has produced well above its OPEC+target.
"The rise in Kazakh crude pro
availability of CPC blend crude, which is increasingly competing with WTI into Europe," said Matt Smith, a lead oil analyst at Kpler CPC Blend is light density crude, s
Additionally, Guyana and Brazil's exportsintoEuropecouldincrease from the 400,000 bpd they each already send, if European refiners canabsorbit,Smithsaid.
Other sweet grades including barrelsfromLibyaandAlgeria,and Norway's new Johan Castberg stream, are giving European refiners more choice, Vortexa analystRohitRathodsaid.
Global petroleum consumption isexpectedtogrowby970,000bpd in 2025 and 900,000 bpd in 2026, the EIA said, while global crude production is expected to grow by 840,000 bpd in 2025 and 680,000 bpdin2026.
Butdemandgrowthcurrentlyis mainly fueled by oil products that are best refined from heavier barrels, said Janiv Shah, vice presidentofcommoditymarketsat Rystad Energy "As such, we expect increased throughput of available medium sour barrels and some discounting of light sweet grades.”
Now,Iknowsomeofyou, myreaders,maybethinking: “Whatkindofmonsterdenies a poor incarcerated soul the righttoelecttheveryleaders who are responsible for his incarceration?”Well,sittight, dear reader, because this is a story of a peculiar contradiction: how can someone be declared unfit to be present in society, yet simultaneously fit to help decideitsfuture?
Let's begin with the law Yes,thatstubbornsetofrules weliketoquotefromwhenit suits us and conveniently ignore when it doesn't The Constitution of Guyana (a bedtimereadIrecommendif you're suffering from insomnia) outlines several rights that citizens enjoy: freedom of movement, freedomofexpressionandthe right to participate in decision-makingprocessesof the State. But here's the kicker:thesearenotabsolute
The Constitution itself says so Article 40 talks about fundamental rights and freedoms being subject to suchlimitations designedto ensure that the enjoyment of the said rights does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or the public interest Translation?
Your rights are like your granny's sponge cake nice, butnotalwaysavailable
When someone is convictedandsentenced,they don't just lose their liberty theylosetherightto
move,toassemble,toprotest, and (here it comes) arguably therighttovote.Incarceration is society's polite way of saying: “You've made decisionsthatputyououtside themoralconsensus We'llbe handlingthingsforawhile”
The voting booth is a sacred place It is not a vending machine for second chances It is the collective mind of a nation deciding whatkindofmessitwantsfor the next five years And frankly, if someone couldn't be trusted with a bottle of El Dorado and a cutlass and knife, I'd prefer they not weighinonfiscalpolicy
Now some moralists will insist that prisoners are still human beings No argument there Butsoismypetparrot, and he too is barred from voting not because he's unintelligent (he can mimic three politicians and a drunk uncle),butbecausehecannot fully understand or abide by the responsibilities of civic engagement
Voting is not just a right It'saprivilegethatflowsfrom one's capacity to exercise responsible citizenship That's why toddlers and people with severe cognitive impairments don't vote It's not discrimination it's democracy with seatbelts. The notion that prisoners should vote is often peddled under the banner of rehabilitation But rehabilitation begins with accountability You don't ask someone to help choose the
village chief while he's still serving time for burning downthelastone'shut.
And let's not ignore the optics. Could you imagine a political campaign trail that includes mandatory stops at the Mazaruni prison? “Vote for me and get double mattresstimeandbettercable TV” Before long, we'll have special manifestos: “Free Plantain Fridays for Block C!” “Voting rights for parole officers!” “An MPfor Every Felon!” If prisoners are grantedtherighttovote,then by logical extension they mustalsopossesstherightto be informed and to engage meaningfully in the electoral process, which includes the ability to be canvassed by candidates and to participate in political campaigning However, prison regulations typically prohibit such activities on security and administrative grounds, creating an in
erent contradiction. You cannot claim to uphold democratic rightswhiledenyingthevery m e c h a n i s m s f r e e information exchange and political engagement—that make tho
substantive Voting without access to campaigning is not democratic participation; it is tokenism. If we're being h
imprisoned isn't about civil rights. In a system where every vote counts, political parties know that a captive audience literally could sway a close election
These days, when police try to arrest people, is like a boxing match break out. Peopleducking,weaving,andthrowingfists like they training for the Olympics. Is like everybodyreadingsomefakelegaltextbook that tell dem they got the “right to resist” oncetheyfeeldearrest“nahfeelright.”
Demboyssehdepolicedon'tevengetto finish saying, “You are under arres—” beforeaflyingkneelandindemribs.Thenis phone camera come out, and suddenly, everybodyturnhumanrightsactivist.
But leh we talk straight: resisting arrest ain'tsomeTikTokchallenge.Isacrime.Full stop.
People forget that police ain't just walkingaroundlookingforpeopletoharass. Most of dem out there trying to maintain orderinaplacewhereplentypeopleallergic tolawandstructure.
Dejobofapoliceisnotafashionparade. Islonghours,lowpay,andthelovelyriskof gettingablackeyejustfortellingsomebody, “Youcan'tparkyah.”
Andlet'sbereal—ifpeopledidn'tbreak thelaw,there'dbenoreasonforalawmanto arrestthem.Yetsomehow,everyscampthat get ketch doing something wrong want to playvictim.
Dem boys seh people vex when police
Imagine a world where politicalpartiesstarthosting voter registration drives in prisons before they visit indigenous villages.
g demonstrably broken the law to participate in shaping the very laws they violated undermines the integrity of the legal system It is both illogical and c
empower those who have shown a clear disregard for theruleoflawtoinfluenceits formation or enforcement
Disenfranchisement during
imprisonment reinforces the p
democratic process is i
m a commitment to lawful conduct Soyes,dearcitizens of Guyana, let us uphold the principlethatincarcerationis more than just spatial relocation It's a declaration
use force. Yes, the law say force must be proportionate to the threat—not turn the suspect into mashed potato—but if a man got a cutlass, yuh can't expect de police to showupwithaholybookandasmile.
When the police talk soft, people cuss dem. When they shout, people record dem. Whentheydonothing,peoplesaytheylazy When they act, people say they brutal. De poorpolicecan'twin.
Butletonebanditrobsomebodyorsteal someone's Carl minibus, and is de same peopleshouting,“Wheredepolicedeh?!”
Wequicktocriticize,slowtopraise.We only clap for police when they escort a wedding or play music at a funeral. Yet everyday,theywalkingintotheunknownso therestofwecouldsleepinpeaceandsnore likedieselengine.
So next time you see a video of a man wrestlingacop,don'trushtojudgment.Ask yuhself:whoreallystartthetrouble?
Becauseresistingarrestmightmakeyou famousonline,butitalsomightlandyouina place where the only thing you resisting is thejailfood.
Demboysseh,ifyuhcan'tdodetime,at least try not to punch the police in the meantime.
Talkhalf.Leffhalf
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
ned period your ability to participate in civic life is paused When your time is served, when you've repaid yourdebt,andwhenyoucan onceagainwalktheseawalls without supervision or handcuffs then, and only then, should you rejoin the civicfeastandtastethesweet, occasionallysour,fruitofthe ballot Until then, let's be honest: if your biggest decision today is whether to tradeyourboiledeggfortwo biscuits, perhaps your input ontradepolicycanwait
Frompage6 personal disposable income, fueling greater economic participation and consumer demand.
In addition to wage increases and tax reforms, government energy subsidies have played a pivotal role in enhancing disposableincome.Overthe past five years, the Government of Guyana has allocatedbillionsofGuyana dollars to stabilize electricity prices through direct subsidies to the Guyana Power and Light
(GPL), introduced a G$30,000 annual electricity credit for pensioners, and maintained statutory fuel pricecontrols.
These subsidies have significantly reduced utility costs for households and shielded consumers from globalenergypriceshocks.
As a result, Guyanese families have been able to redirectmoreoftheirincome toward savings, investment, or consumption thereby increasing their effective disposableincome.
Guyanese households
are benefiting from the focused economic policies implemented by President Ali's government, which are aimedatimprovingpersonal disposable income and overall financial well-being, this translates to overall better quality of life for Guyaneseacrossthecountry It also shows that given the economic success of Guyana, these are being shared with the Guyanese people.
Respectfully, Dr. Tilokie Arnold Depoo,Economist
What formula is Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeotalkingaboutrelative to how oil profits are shared between Guyana and the Exxonconsortium? Isitthe energy giving Gerber Baby formula? Is it Formula 1 motorracingengineoil? Or, is he talking about the old Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup? Whatever his secret formula, it is not working, induces pneumonia, diarrhea, and insomnia Maybe, even a touch of dementia.
Notinme,butinBharrat “Baby Formula” Jagdeo
Whatever his formula, whatevertheprofitnumbers he uses, the result always brings back to the same place: Guyana is getting shortchanged Or to paraphrase one Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the short end of the stick. The dirtyandjaggedend.
The year under consideration is 2024, and the issue is oil profit, i.e., profit sharing. I start with the simple, what is believed to be straightforward Exxon Guyana's profit haul wasUS$6billion. Guyana's was US$2 6 billion
Ignoring royalties, since when is US$2.6 billion half of US$6 billion? Keep in mind the profit sharing standard (formula) fixed in contract stone is half and half. HalfforExxonandits two partners, half for Guyana. Whatever profit formula Dr Jagdeo has, it does not translateto half for Guyana (but less), nor half for Exxon (but more). I go deeper
In 2024, Exxon made US$6 billion (GY$1 25 trillion), Hess reported US$4 billion, and CNOOC US$2 5 billion Simple
arithmetic indicates that the total profit by the Exxon consortium is US$12 5 billion. The figures carried by foreign media, such as Zacks Investment Research, Reuters,andMSNtonamea few identify a total profit of US$10.4 billion for Exxon, Hess, and CNOOC. I use this lower profit number to address this business of a formulafromJagdeo.
Now, unless somebody says otherwise, and on irrefutable grounds, I am treating the consortium (Exxon,Hess,andCNOOC) as one half of the profit-
sharing formula, and Guyana as the other However, I now find myselfnotbackatsquare one, but at a much larger square The Exxon consortium earned US$10.4 billion in 2024, but Guyana is still stuck at US$2 6 billionasitsprofit. Inahalf andhalfdeal,somethinghas gone wrong with either conventional accounting, or Jagdeo's formula. I try another approach for simplicitysake.
Subtract 75% for costs from total 2024 revenues, andtheresultshouldthenbe divided by two. Of the two equal profit shares that result, one goes to Exxon and its two partners in the consortium, and the other halfgoestoGuyana. Yet,in thisoilmath,oilaccounting, Exxon Guyana oil reckoning, the foreign oil operators collect US$10.4 billion,whileGuyanahasto be satisfied with US$2.6 billion. I may be a dummy, but not so much of one, that 10.4versus2.6couldbeseen as a 50:50 split. I dig out another commonsense spannerfrommybag.
Hess has a 30% share in Exxon's half of the partnership, but collects moreprofitthanGuyana. In effect, Hess's should be collecting 30% of 50% (Exxon's half in the deal), which is really 15%, but it getsmoreprofitdollarsthan Guyana Meanwhile, CNOOC holds 25% in its partnership with Exxon, or 12.5%oftheprofitfromthe Stabroek Block, but its own profit in 2024 is almost on the same level as Guyana's. The2%royaltythatGuyana collects nudges it past CNOOC(US$2.6billionfor Guyana, US$2.5 billion for
CNOC). Pretaxornetoftax, it is all the same, since neither Exxon nor Hess nor CNOOCpaysanycorporate taxes Turn this profit scenario and profit-sharing inside out, or upside down, or flatten it with a steamroller or pump it up withhydrogen,andIstillend upatthesameplace:Guyana is falling under 50% in its 50%ofprofit. Thisisacase whenhalfisnotreallyhalf.
Last, Dr Jagdeo can try that Houdini math of 12.5% of25%,thatwhatisleftfrom revenues after 75% in costs are deducted By any analysis, Guyana is still mired in the same place. I try working this backwards, togiveMr Jagdeo'sformula achancetoproveitself. The 25% net remaining after costsisExxonetalUS$10.4 billion plus Guyana's US$2.6 billion. Therefore, from US$13 billion, Guyana's 50% portion of that amounts to US$2 6 billion Forward or backward, and whatever Bharrat Jagdeo's formula is, it is either one of three things. Theequivalentofthe Nobel Prize in mathematics and economics and physics combined. Orhisversionof Einstein'srelativitytheory(e = mc2). Or, nothing but a load of pure bull. I know which one has the most weight, and why that alone makes it so beloved by Dr Jagdeo.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The state-of-the-art DiamondRegionalHospital, valued at $6.6 billion, was officially commissioned on Sunday
The facility is located at Lot E, Great Diamond HousingScheme,EastBank Demerara, and offers free healthcare services This facility is the first of six regional hospitals to be commissioned as part of a broaderinitiativetoenhance access to quality healthcare across Guyana. The project is a result of a partnership between the Government of Guyana and China's Sinopharm International, aimed at modernising the country'sregionalhealthcare system. The agreement was
signed in 2022, with construction beginning in 2023.Thehospitalwasbuilt by VIKAB Engineering in collaborationwiththeChina National Pharmaceutical GroupCorporation.
The new hospital occupies four acres of land
Two men were killed in separate accidents on Saturday,oneofthemadriver who lost control of his car at Camp Street and Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown and the other who was crossing the road at Triumph, East Coast Demerara(ECD).
The victims have been identifiedasAntonioIgnatius, a 51-year-old construction worker of Lot 77 Triumph Sideline Dam, East Coast Demerara and 31-year-old Christopher Rohaman of Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara Rohaman was killedduringtheweehoursof Saturday (00:20Hrs.) after he lost control of his car and crashedintoalamppoleinthe vicinityoftheEverestCricket Club Ground. “The vehicle ended up in a nearby trench several feet away The driver waspinnedinsidethevehicle and sustained injuries to his body”, police stated An ambulance responded to the accident and Rohaman was
pulled from the wreck in an unconscious condition. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where doctors pronounced himdeadonarrival.
Later that evening, Ignatius was killed while crossing Agriculture Road at Triumph, East Coast Demerara.Policesaidhewas struck by a car around 19:15hrs. “Enquiries disclosed that motor car #PAH 5305 was proceeding north along the western side of Agriculture Road at a fast rate”, police said before adding “The driver alleged that the pedestrian suddenly walked across the road from east to west, into the path of his motorcar and a collision occurred”.
Ignatiuswasflungintothe airbeforelandingontheroad surface. He was pronounced dead at the scene by an emergency response team attached to the Melanie Fire Station.
and features a modern twostorey building with a total floor area of 6,000 square meters. It is a fully airconditioned facility with 75
hospital beds, with each r o o m d e s i g n e d t o accommodate five patients
Hundreds of residents witnessed the commissioning
individual washroom and toilet facilities. The hospital
offers a wide range of 24hour services, including an (Continuedonpage16)
Canadian mining company MakoMiningCorp,ishopefulthat by 2026 it receives the necessary approvals from Guyanese authoritiestobeginconstructionon its Eagle Mountain Gold Project Guyana.
The update was shared in the company's first quarter 2025 earningsreport,releasedonJune2, where Mako outlined ongoing exploration efforts and the expectedtimelinefordevelopment oftheGuyana-basedproject.
Mako Mining's 5,050-hectare site includes the Eagle Mountain project which is 4,784-hectare and Kilroy Mining Medium-scale which covers an area of 252 hectare. The project has two gold deposits, the Eagle Mountain and Salbora, as well as several other explorationtargets.
According to the company, US$1 5 million was spent in exploration and evaluation expenses during the quarter with US$1 million directed toward EagleMountaininGuyanaandthe remaining US$0.5 million in areas surroundingitsflagshipSanAlbino
mineinNicaragua.
“Mako's rapidly growing cash position will be used for the developmentofEagleMountainin Guyana, which we expect to be permitted for construction by Q2 2026,” the company stated Notably, the company plans to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and mining licence application to Guyana's
Environmental Protection Agency by late 2025. Pending approvals, Mako intends to start construction by2026,withfirstgoldproduction from Phase 1 targeted for 2027. A feasibilitystudyforPhase2,which will target deeper fresh rock resources,isalsoplanned.
Mako holds a 100 per cent interest in the preliminary economic assessment (PEA)-stage
EagleMountainProject,locatedin the Mahdia district, roughly 200 km south-southwest of Georgetown. The company says the site is currently undergoing engineering, environmental, and mine permitting activities, as it p
developmentphase.
A 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for Eagle Mountain Gold outlines that the projectcanproduce66,500ounces of gold annually on average for 15 years,LifeofMine(LOM).
MakoMiningispushingahead with its Eagle Mountain gold projectitacquiredthroughits2024 takeoverofGoldsourceMinesInc. Mako inherited a resource base of nearly 1 2 million ounces (indicated) and 582,000 ounces (inferred).
Recent project updates highlighted high recovery rates from shallow drilling and note the significant potential for deeper mineralisation Mako considers Guyana an emerging gold mining jurisdiction, citing a miningfriendly permitting environment
andgrowingforeigninvestment. Kaieteur News had reported that in its April 2025, “Profitable and Scalable Gold Production in the Americas” corporate presentation, Mako Mining disclosedthatworksareongoingto unlock the property's untapped potential. The company noted that ongoing exploration is targeting deeper mineralisation that remains largelyuntested,whileengineering and permitting activities are movingforwardonschedule.
Under the heading, “Guyana thenextgreatminingjurisdiction”, the company referenced several positivesthatallowittoexecuteits mandate.
“Mining-friendly permitting process; Emerging as one of the most attractive South American mining jurisdictions; Government supportforminingcombinedwitha favorable permitting regime enables tangible opportunities for accelerated permitting timelines. In-country mining pedigree and growth of foreign mining investments accelerating in recent years,”thepresentationsaid.
The New Demerara River Bridge (DRB) isnow90%completeandremainsontrackto meet its August 2025 deadline, according to theMinistryofPublicWorks.
On Saturday evening, the final concrete pourforPier35markedthecompletionofall 62bridgepiers.PublicWorksMinisterBishop JuanEdghillandMinisterwithintheMinistry, Deodat Indar, were on-site to witness the milestone.
Minister Edghill told reporters that all girdersonthewesternsideofthebridgearein place, while the remaining girders on the eastern side are expected to be installed by June 15. The cable-stayed main span is also progressing,withall10segmentsfinishedon thewesternendand9outof19completedon theeasternside.
The bridge's completion deadline was previously shifted from March 2025 to August 31, 2025. In 2022, a US$260 million contract was awarded to a joint venture comprising China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Limited, China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co., Ltd, and China Railway Construction Bridge EngineeringBureauGroupCo.,Ltd.
The new bridge is expected to be a fixed high-levelstructurewithfourvehicularlanes and an uninterrupted passage of Handymax
vessels through a cable-stay navigational span.Notably,theministerconfirmedthatthe bridge remains within its US$260.8 million budget and is being built by a team of more than1,300workers.
Minister Indar highlighted that the new bridgewillsignificantlyimprovetrafficflow Thestructuregraduallyelevatesfrom2.5%to 4.8%,allowingforasmoothcommuteacross the river.The project is a major campaign promise of President Dr Irfaan Ali and is expected to transform connectivity for thousandsofGuyanese.Thesupervisoryfirm, Politechnica,hasconfirmedthatconstruction is on schedule and up to international standards.
During a previous media engagement Minister Edghill had noted that no decision has yet been made on what the old Harbour Bridgecouldbeusedfor Hehadsuggestedit could serve as a crossing at Kwakwani, betweenLeguanandWakenaam,oracrossthe Canje Creek. He disclosed that a report on thesepossibilitieshasalreadybeencompleted butstatedthatthefindingswouldbedisclosed at the right time. On the matter of current bridge staff, Edghill assured that no one will be left without a job, noting that while they maynotbeworkingatthesamelocationthey willstillhaveajob.
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall interacting with farmers of Plegt Anker in Region Six
For the first time, approximately 50 families and farmers of Plegt Anker in Region Six will receive certificates of title for the lands they have been occupyingfordecades.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, MohabirAnilNandlall,S.C., made the announcement duringalandRegularisation exercise at Plegt Anker Primary School in Region Six The exercise was facilitatedbytheMinistryof Legal Affairs and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) on Friday This undertaking is oneofthepromisesmadeby President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali during a presidential outreach in Maraabouttwoyearsago.
“You have been occupyingtheselands.You havebeenfarmingonthese lands…These lands have benefitted from your collective sweat. But yet you don't have a piece of paper that the law recognises as ownership
foranyofthelandsyouare occupying,”hesaid.
The attorney general further explained,” The process we are going to launch this afternoon will result in each family getting a legal title for the lands they have been occupying for all the decades you have been here.”
He emphasised that a certificate of title is a stable and secure form of legal ownershipforafamily This legal document can be used ascollateralsecurityatlocal banks for loans, enabling residents to undertake variousventures.
He said, “This is a very crucialprocess.Thereisno greater way to empower the people than to give them titles for the lands theyareoccupying.Thisis the key that can open the d o o r t o s o m a n y opportunities.”
Land surveyors will b e g i n c o n d u c t i n g occupational surveys to identify land boundaries in Plegt Anker very soon. AG
Nandlall told the residents that their cooperation is paramountforthesuccessful completion of the regularization process, assuring them that their families will benefit when theprocessiscompleted.
“Itisgoingtotakesome time. This is not an easy process. It will be tedious. T h e q u i c k e r y o u cooperate, the smoother the process will flow,” he added.The government will be facilitating the fees for thisprocesstobecompleted, bringing greater benefit to thefamilies.
Minister Nandlall informedMararesidentsthat he needs to consult with the President to determine whether the government should continue with the issuance of leases for the residents or convert Mara intoatitledarea.
Minister Nandlall was accompanied by Regional Chairman David Armogan and Manager of Surveys at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Rene Duesbury (DPI)
Air Transat will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, from December 16, 2025, to April 24, 2026
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has announced that Guyana will welcome CanadianAirlineAir Transat inDecember2025,markinga major milestone in the country'saviationsector
The minister made the disclosure during KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' inaugural flight to Guyana at t h e C h e d d i J a g a n International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri last Wednesday Guyana has welcomed air services from Dominican Republic air carrier, Sky Cana, BritishAirways, InterCaribbeanAirways,JetBlue, Fly Always, Suriname Airways, and now KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in just fiveyears.
“June 4 marks the progressmadeintheaviation sector from 2020 to 2025. This [KLM Royal Dutch Airlines] is the ninth international carrier that I have had the opportunity to stand at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and welcome to Guyana… Our air navigation services in Guyanaaresecondtononein this hemisphere,” Minister Edghill stated. He added that
itsignifiesGuyana'sgrowing prominence on the global stage.
Hefurtherrevealed,“And I believe with the good support and the rational, responsible actions of the Guyanese people on December 16, we would be able to stand here and welcome the tenth Air TransatfromCanada.”
Air Transat service will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, from December 16, 2025, toApril 24, 2026. Air Transat will operate the new route with the A321LR, an aircraft known for its efficiency The A321LRprovidespassengers with a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience withitsergonomiccabinsand cutting-edge in-flight entertainment system. It also hasclubclassseats,allowing passengers to enjoy a premiumtravelexperienceto theirdestination.
Air Transat is a leading travel brand that was voted the2024World'sBestLeisure Airline by passengers at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.In December 2024, (Continueonpage16)
Some of the citizens who assisted in the national clean up
Despite persistent rain President Irfaan Ali, on Sunday morning,ledthenationalcleanupinitiativeandparticipatedin atree-plantingexerciseatthenewVreed-en-Hooproundabout inRegionThree.
The initiative first began in 2022, under President Ali's leadership,andhassincebeenrolledoutannuallyacrosstheten administrativeregionsincollaborationwithkeystakeholders.
The president remained hands on with the initiative, frequently joining citizens in removing waste and scrap metal fromcommunitiesnationwide.
WhilethepresidentwasinRegionThree,othergovernment officials including the Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips,membersofcivilsocietyandtheprivatesectorwereat differentlocationsplayingtheirpart.
Members of the joint services including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) turned out in their numbers, demonstrating the public's widespread support for the government's cleaner and greener Guyana initiative Following the clean-up and tree-planting exercise, President Ali journeyed to the Hydronie-Parika Markets. He interacted withvendorsandshoppersandlistenedtotheirissues.(DPI)
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The benchmark of world food commodity prices dropped in May as marked declinesininternationalquotationsformaizeandpalmoil outweighed historically high prices for butter and bovine meat, the Food and AgricultureOrganizationoftheUnited Nations (FAO) reported on Friday
The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally tradedfoodcommodities,averaged 127.7 points in May, down 0.8 percent from April but remained 6.0 percent higher than a year earlier
The FAO Cereal Price IndexdeclinedinMay,down1.8 percentfromApriland8.2percentbelowitsMay2024level. Global maize prices declined sharply, owing to strong harvests and robust availability in Argentina and Brazil and expectations of a record crop in the United States of America.
Worldwheatpricesedged down due to improved crop conditions in the northern
hemisphere, while the FAO All-RicePriceIndexincreased by1.4percentinMay,driven by firm demand for fragrant varieties, higher prices for Indicarice,andcurrencyfluctuations.
The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index dropped by 3.7 percentfromApril,withquotationsdownforallmajoroils. International palm oil prices declined markedly primarily due to seasonal output and availability increases in SoutheastAsia,globalsoyoil prices were impacted by higher supplies in South America and subdued demand for biofuel feedstock, rapeseed oil prices eased on improved supply prospects intheEuropeanUnion,while sunflower oil prices fell due to weakening global import demand and reduced price competitiveness.
The FAO Sugar Price Index decreased by 2.6 percent in May amid concerns over theuncertainworldeconomic outlook, possible weaker demand from the beverage and food processing industries,
and expectations of a recovery in global production next season.
The FAO Meat Price Index increased by 1.3 percent fromitsrevisedAprillevel,as a result of higher quotations for ovine, pig and bovine meats, with the latter reaching a new historic high. By contrast, poultry meat prices declined, driven by lower quotationsinBrazil,wherethe detectionofhigh-pathogenicity avian influenza on a commercial farm in mid-May prompted import bans by severalmajorimportingcountries,resultinginsurplussupplies.
The FAO Dairy Price Index rose by 0.8 percent in May, with strong demand from Asia keeping internationalbutterpricesathistoric highs and spurring higher prices for cheese and whole milkpowder
Cerealsupplyanddemand intheyearahead
FAO also released a new Cereal Supply and Demand BriefonFriday,forecastinga record global cereal produc-
From page 11 emergencydepartment,laboratory, imaging services such as ultrasounds, postural scans, CT scans, and a dental suite. There are three fully equipped operating theatres, along with an additional theatrelocatedintheemergency department for urgent surgical procedures. Each bed is fitted with a nurse call button to ensure prompt patient assistance. The facility is also equippedwithitsownoxygen plant, a blood bank system, and six mortuary chambers. The Diamond Regional Hospital is staffed by 45 patient assistants, 50 nursing assistants, and 40 registered nurses. The medical team includesapproximately70physicians, comprising consultants, registrars, and government medical officers. Of the
16departmentsatthefacility, 14 are led by female department heads.
Meanwhile, hundreds of residents from nearby communities turned out to witnessthecommissioning.Duringhisfeatureaddress,President Irfaan Ali noted that such investments as this will increase the life expectancy ofcitizenacrossthiscountry “Thisisnosmallinvestment. This is an investment in the peopleofGuyana,especially in the people on the East Bank Demerara. An investmentthatwillincreasethelife expectanciesofthecitizens,” he said.
He also outlined the next phase in the government's healthcare transformation agenda. This includes the completionofanewmaternal and paediatric hospital set to
From page 15 Air Canada announced plans to launch direct flights between Guyana and Canada in 2025. The minister noted, “Guyana and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport have been positioned as a majorhubofconnectivityand weareservingbecauseofour geographical location…The more carriers we get into the CJIA and into Guyana [will help us to] open up the world in positive ways.”
In addition to unlocking newcommercial,tourism,and economic opportunities in Guyana and the Caribbean, these new airlines have greatly improved connectivity between numerous na-
tions.
More than one million passengers have already arrivedinGuyanasofarin2025, whichisa15percentincrease fromthepreviousyear Allof these undertakings form part of the government's plan to position Guyana as a critical hub for air travel. The public works minister described the PPP/C government as an overachiever,citingitsextensive track record of meeting and surpassing its commitmentsinfiveyearstoimprove the livelihood of every Guyanese and spur Guyana's economic growth.“We did not just do what we promised. We did more than we promised,”hestressed.(DPI)
tionof2911milliontonnesin 2025, up 2.1 percent from 2024.
Worldcerealutilisationis forecast to increase by 0.8 percent in 2025/26, reaching 2 898 million tonnes. Global food consumption of cereals is predicted to grow by 0.9 percent, while feed use is forecasttoexpandby0.5percent. With cereal production expectedtoexceedutilization, world cereal stocks are predicted to expand by 1.0 percent in 2025/26 to 873.6 million tonnes, partially recoveringfromtheircontractionin the previous year
Basedonthecurrentforecasts,theglobalcerealstockto-use ratio should remain broadlystableat29.8percent. Globalcerealtradeisalsopredicted to rebound by 1.9 percent in 2025/26 to 487.1 milliontonnes,witha3.8percent growth in wheat trade expected to offset a 0.7 percent contractionforrice.TheBrief has also updated the estimatedproduction,stocksand trade figures for the 2024/25 marketing season.
become fully operational in the coming year, the establishment of a national health emergency operations center to coordinate land, sea, and air ambulance services, and thedevelopmentofabranded hospital in the upcoming SilicaCity.Additionalinnovations announced include the introductionofdronedelivery systems for transporting medical supplies between hospitals,theimplementation of robotic surgery, the retrofitting of dialysis facilities in everyregion,andthedeploymentofartificialintelligence (AI) in healthcare—particularly for imaging interpretation. “Let us not take these investments for granted,” PresidentAli urged. “I'm just giving you a taste of what is yet to come—but only if we candothistogether,andonly if you are serious about your future.”
Minister of Health, Dr FrankAnthony, echoed similarsentiments,expressingoptimism about the hospital's future impact. He noted that the new Diamond Regional Hospital was established to replace the previous facility, which was commissioned in 2007. Since its construction,
the hospital has already created over 1,000 job opportunities for residents along the East Bank of Demerara. Dr Anthony also emphasised thatthefacilityisstaffedwith highlytrainedmedicalprofessionalstoensurethedelivery of quality care. “The growth ofthecommunitymustnotbe short of quality healthcare,” the minister asserted.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, praised thestrongdiplomaticanddevelopmental partnership betweenGuyanaandChinaduring her remarks at the commissioning ceremony. She highlightedthattheDiamond Regional Hospital is the first healthcarefacilityjointlyconstructed by the two nations. Ambassador Yang emphasised the quality and standards of the project, stating,“Thishospitalisadapted toChinesestandards,ranking among the world's leading standards.”
Theotherregionalhospitalscurrentlyunderconstruction are at Enmore, Lima Sands,Lethem,Bath,Number 75 Village, and Kato. The EnmoreRegionalHospitalis expected to be the next to be commissioned.
(Trinidad Guardian)
Local national security and law enforcement officials met yesterday evening to discussallegationsofalocal linktodestabiliseVenezuela.
Contacted yesterday, Defence Minister Wayne Sturge confirmed the meeting with high-ranking officials.
Earlier yesterday, Sturge confirmedthatinitialchecks bylawenforcementofficials to confirm the identity of a man, who Venezuelan officialsclaimedwasaT&T national and involved in the reported attempt, proved unsuccessful.
“All we have is a name (Guis Kendell Jerome), and we don't have a person like that in the criminal records database,”Sturgesaid,ashe notedthathewasawaitinga
furtherupdatefromtheT&T Police Service (TTPS)'s CrimeandProblemAnalysis Branch(CAPA).
A high-ranking source within the TTPS confirmed Sturge's statement as he noted that stringent checks showed that the name was not within the database, which records when people arechargedandconvictedof criminaloffences.
The diplomatic tension between the countries arose earlier this week when
Venezuelan Justice Minister DiosdadoCabelloallegedon hisprogrammeConElMazo Dando that a Trinidadian national, whom he named “Guis Kendell Jerome”, had been captured while travelling to Venezuela with a group labelled “terrorists” in an attempt to destabilise
revealed that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar also weighed in on the issue as she warned the Venezuelan Government that T&T was off-limitsandthatshewould puttheCoastGuardonalert to use deadly force if any vessel from that country soughttoaccesslocalwaters illegally
wedge between this UNCled government and the US government We stand solidly with the American government on the issues concerning Venezuela. That willnotchange,”sheadded.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Venezuelan Government led by
thatcountry'sgovernment. Responding to the claim at the post-Cabinet press briefingonThursday,Sturge noted that his ministry had initiated a probe although preliminary investigations
(Jamaica Observer) The National Disaster Risk Management Council has insisted that the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Office of Disaster PreparednessandEmergency Management (ODPEM) and the local government ministry use disaster assessment technologies
drones and artificial intelligence — to speed up reliefresponseinthewakeof disasters.
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, who chairs the council, said, “This is something that we recommend strongly that capability needs to be integrated into our disaster response.” He was speaking to disaster response agencies last Wednesday at the Ministry of Local GovernmentandCommunity DevelopmentonHagleyPark RoadinStAndrew
“As I flew over the damaged areas the day after Hurricane Beryl hit [on July 3, 2024], I had my notepad, and as I was flying over the coast I could do a rapid assessmentjustbyflyingover and I suspect that the JDF does that with their aerial capabilities, but there are far more efficient technologies
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew
addresses the National Disaster Risk Management Council Meeting (Jamaica Observer photo)
using artificial intelligence that can scan areas and tell you which roof was damaged, the extent of the damage, and then you can use that data to make assessmentsastohowmuch should be assigned to persons,”theprimeminister said. According to Holness, this data would be of invaluable support to social workers in the field conducting their relief responseduties
“The on-the-ground social worker coming to knockonyourdoorandlook, thateffortcouldbeenhanced
greatly by the deployment of disaster assessment technologies, using the available technologies through drones and artificial intelligence, which would give you rapid assessments which would help to speed up the process of response,” he said. And, addressing the issue of individuals building in disaster-prone areas despite persistent warnings, the prime minister said the Government “will have to strengthen our settlement policy ourenforcementas it relates to where people settleandhowtheysettle
“Today,Iwanttomakeit very clearto theVenezuelan Government and officials that they can do whatever they want on Venezuelan territory, but they cannot come here. T&T territory is off limits to them,” she declared.
“No amount of rhetoric f r o m t h e M a d u r o government will drive any
President Nicholas Maduro called on the T&T Government to tone down the deadly force rhetoric used.
“The Prime Minister's virulent and high-handed attitude raises serious suspicions of complicity and undermines the good cooperative relations betweenourcountriesinkey areas,”thestatementsaid.
The Venezuelan communiqué added that the country's officials had
“captured criminals of Trinidadian origin” who confessed to the alleged incursion.Itclaimedthatthe men'sstatementswere“duly supported with compelling evidence”.
(Al-Jazeera) Israeli forcesareturningUS-runaid distribution centres into deadly ambush sites following yet another mass shooting of hungry aid seekers earlier at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
( G H F ) s i t e s , t h e Government Media Office
says. It said in a statement the GMO described the aid zones – set up in Israeli military-controlled areas –as “human slaughterhouses” where starving Palestinians areluredandthenshotdead.
“These are war crimes and crimes against humanity,”itsaid,callingfor
an independent international investigation and the immediate suspension of GHF's delivery model, whichhasbeencriticisedby rights groups and the UN as o n e t h a t v i o l a t e s humanitarianprinciples.
The director of Gaza's Health Ministry warns that
hospitals could become “graveyards” in 48 hours if no fuel is providedto power crucialgenerators. At least 50 people have beenkilledandmorethan100 woundedinthelatestincident ofIsraelitroopsopeningfire on hungry Palestinians seeking aid in south Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance factions have a c c u s e d t h e G a z a HumanitarianFoundationof involvement in “death ambushes”, noting daily massacres at the aid sites under the guise of humanitarianrelief.Inajoint statement, the factions said the true aim is to dismantle theroleoftheUNagencyfor
Palestinian refugees UNRWA,pavingthewayfor
forced displacement and ethniccleansing.Thegroups cautioned Palestinians against trusting “false promises” by Israel and its allies, and warned any individuals or groups
cooperating with the foundation wo
consideredcollaboratorsand legitimate targets They urged international legal bodies and human rights organisations to investigate the “suspicious intelligence role” played by the US project, linking it to the killing of more than 126 Palestinians at its aid dispersal sites. The factions demanded the full return of aid distribution under UN
agencies, especially UNRWA, which they said
has the experience, legal mandate, and neutrality to carryoutthemissionsafely Israeli forces have also raidedthevillagesofTaland Qaryat near Nablus in the occupied West Bank a short whileago,firingliverounds, stungrenadesandteargas.
Quotingsecuritysources, the Wafa news agency reported dozens of Palestinians were treated after inhaling toxic gas duringtheraids.
Theincursionsarepartof near-daily Israeli attacks across theWest Bank, which have escalated in scale and intensityinrecentmonths. Theyofteninvolvehome raids and live fire with multiple detentions typically carriedout
Activists say
Israeli troops have boarded a yacht trying to bring humanitarianaidtotheGaza Strip, in defiance of an Israelinavalblockade.
"Connection has been lost" on the Madleen, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) campaign group said ontheTelegramapp.
Itpostedaphotoshowing people in life jackets sitting withtheirhandsup.
Appearing to confirm that the ship had been boarded, Israel's foreign ministry said the yacht was "safelymakingitswaytothe shores of Israel" and its passengers were "expected to return to their home countries".
Climate activist Greta Thunberg is among those aboardthevessel,whichwas reported to be off the Egyptaincoast.
Israelsaysitsblockadeis necessary to prevent weapons from reaching HamasmilitantsinGaza.
After reporting that the yacht had been boarded, the FFC posted short, pre-
recorded videos of some of the activists, including Thunberg.
In the footage, activists say"ifyouseethisvideo,we have been intercepted and kidnapped" by the Israeli militaryorforcessupporting Israel.
The FFC earlier said the vessel, which left Italy's island of Sicily on Friday, was carrying humanitarian aid and had been "prepared for the possibility of an Israeliattack".
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had warned that the yacht should turn back and that Israel would act againstanyattempttobreach theblockade.
He wrote in a post on X on Sunday: "I have instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to act to prevent the 'Madeleine' [sic] hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza - and to take whatever measures are necessarytothatend."
Katz says the purpose of Israel's blockade, which has been in place since 2007, is to "prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas" and is
essential to Israel's security asitseekstodestroyHamas.
The FFC has argued that the sea blockade is illegal, characterising Katz's statement as an example of Israel threatening the unlawfuluseofforceagainst civilians and "attempting to justify that violence with smears".
"We will not be intimidated. The world is watching,"FFCpressofficer HayShaWiyasaid.
"The Madleen is a civilianvessel,unarmedand sailing in international w a t e r s , c a r r y i n g humanitarianaidandhuman rightsdefendersfromacross the globe... Israel has no righttoobstructoureffortto reachGaza."
The Madleen is carrying a symbolic quantity of aid, including rice and baby formula,thegroupsaid.
Citizens of Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden andTurkeyareonboard.
In 2010, Israeli commandoskilled10people when they boarded Turkish shipMaviMarmarathatwas
leading an aid flotilla towardsGaza.
Israel recently began to allow limited aid into Gaza after a three-month land blockade, prioritising distribution through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,whichisbacked by Israel and the US but widely condemned by humanitariangroups.
The UN's human rights chief, Volker Türk, said last week Palestinians were being presented with the "grimmest of choices: die fromstarvationorriskbeing killed while trying to access
themeagrefoodthatisbeing madeavailable".
But in a post on X early on Monday, the Israeli foreign ministry said: "While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purposewastogainpublicity - and which included less thanasingletruckloadofaid - more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directlytociviliansinGaza.
Arecording on board the Madleen shows the crew with their hands in the air as the ship was boarded [Handout via Sosyal Medya/Anadolu]
"There are ways to deliveraidtotheGazaStripthey do not involve Instagramselfies." It is almost 20 months since Israel launched a militarycampaigninGazain r e s p o n s e t o t h e unprecedented Hamas-led cross-borderattackonIsrael on7October2023,inwhich about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were takenhostage.
At least 54,880 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry (BBC)
Kyle Karran struck a belligerent,unbeaten107for
Cool Runningz who defeated Royal Challengers
by 118 runs in the continuation of the 2025 OntarioRound-ArmSoftball
Cricket Association (ORSCA) Regular Season
T 2 0 r o u n d - r o b i n competition.
Theright-handedKarran hammered 11 sixes during his56-ballshowatthecrease as Cool Runningz rattled up
acompetitive219-6fromthe allocated20-overs.
Karran then returned withtheballtoprovehisallround capability by snaring fourwicketsfor15runsfrom hisfourmaximumovers.
The action took place at Firgrove Public School ground in Brampton last Sunday where Royal Challengers responded with 101-9whenthe20-oversran out.
Karran launched his
historical knock after Cool Runningz lost Jordan Bacchusforonlyone.
The 20-year-old Kyle and his twin-br
Kristopher Karran then linked up and put together a steady, 58-run second-
Kristopherdepartedfor24.
Cool Runningz suffered a middle-collapse but Kyle Karran continued to bat positively
He got some support
from Navindra Nauth who made 33 down the order while C
Guyanese Muniram Karran, aveteransoftballplayerand the father of Kyle and Kristopher, contributed 20 notout.
Armogan Gopaul took two wickets for 38 runs off his four overs while Rajesh Seelall also with identical figures bowling for Royal Challengers.
WhenRoyalChallengers batted, Reginald Noray
Frompage21
Deitzremainedoptimistic.
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You're terrific at following through with projects, Aries, but perhaps not so great at starting them. There's a great deal of force out there to help you boost your rocket off the launchingpad.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Your self-esteem is apt to be quite high today, Taurus, and you may feel an extra bit of fire helping you throughout the day Take the lead on projectsthatseemtobegoing nowhere.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
There may be a bit of tension and conflict in your world today, Gemini. Be prepared formildcontentionthatcould turn into an all-out war if you aren't careful. Don't take thingstoopersonally.
CANCER(June21–July22)
There may be tension in your heart today that could be difficulttoshake,Cancer You might find it hard to relate to people or that others aren't hearingyouverywell.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Try not to be impatient today, Leo.Thiscouldbeonedayin which you feel restless, and everything seems to take much longer than you'd like. Try your best to go with the flow Don'tgetsowrappedup in making sure things happen byacertaintime.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
Tofightornottofightmaybe thequestionoftheday,Virgo. Your sensitive, feminine side islikelytosayonethingwhile your masculine, combative sidesaysanother Thekeyisto notacthastilyinanysituation.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Be careful that you don't put yourfootinyourmouthtoday, Libra. You may have a tendencytojumpthegun,sobe consciousofhowyouuseyour energy Afalsestartislikelyto getyoudisqualified.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Thiscouldbeaproductiveday foryouifyouapproachitinthe right way You will find that you have an added burst of energy that could help you conquerjustaboutanytaskyou setyourmindto.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
You may feel a bit anxious today, and it may be hard to settledown.Youprobablyhave many irons in the fire right now, and they're all starting to heatupatonce.Itmightbebest toputupsomeshield
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Your heart should feel quite generous today You're most likely feeling the need to keep everyonesmiling.Spreadyour sunshine everywhere - it will beappreciatedtoday
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Youmayfeeltheurgetogetup andgotoday,Aquarius.Follow this instinct and get to work. You're anxious to get the ball rollingoncertainprojects.The keyforyounowistomakesure that the ones that are already started get done before you tackletheothers.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Youmayfindthatthereissome opposition from other people today, Pisces, especially concerningemotions.Youmay feel threatened in some way Anaggressiveattitudecouldbe makingyoufeelinferior
strokedafighting40notout asnootherbatterwasableto makeanimpression.
Supporting Kyle Karran was Jai Shivgobin, who claimedthreewicketsfor19 runsfromhisfour-overstint.
Meanwhile,KyleKarran registeredacenturylastyear
and recently Kristopher made a significant impact with the bat in a winning effort.
B o t h K y l e a n d Kristopher have been playing hard-ball cricket professionally in Ontario too.
"No,Ithinkthegirlshave a pretty good understanding ofwhereweareat.Acouple of them made their debut, and they're just happy to be outtherelearningtheircraft. Weknowbiggerthingsareto come in 2026, and we are focusedongettingbetterand ready to take on the world," thecoachstated.
Hayley Matthews could make a return from a shoulderinjuryfortheSouth Africaseries.
With the team returning hometofaceSouthAfricain three ODIs starting on Wednesday, Deitz revealed that they could get a boost withthereturnoftwooftheir experienced stars for the upcomingseries.
"Chinelle [Henry] will be back, and Hayley [Matthews]willbemanaged throughthatsotheywillboth be able to contribute Deandra[Dottin]isoutabit longer until she is fully fit, but that's OK. Chinelle will be very much welcomed back; she's been a big improver over the last few months, especially in T20 cricket. We are looking forward to having her back forsure,"Deitzended.
Sunday night action in the inaugural June Madness
Futsal Championship powered by the Ministry of Culture,YouthandSportand Ansa McAL was nothing short of epic as the final six matches in the first round marinatedtheatmosphere.
Fans and players alike soaked up some riveting actionespeciallyinthethird match of the night between Linden All Star and Show Stoppers Linden was limitedintermsoffirepower from the onset as they only had five players available whilst their opponents had theirfullcomplement.
It would have seemed likeasetbackforthesidethat travelledafewhourstoplay but they showed grit and determination to book a place in the next round. Damien Williams fired Linden into the lead in just the first minute and that
advantage was doubled in the 4th minute when Omar Williams netted the first of hishat-trick.
Show Stoppers pulled one back off the boot of Yannick Norton in the 11th minute and then was again ontargetinthe19thtobring them level. With the score locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time, extra time was needed to arrive at a winner
Even with this being required, Show Stoppers would have fancied their chances of victory but that was not to be as Linden All Starsfoundthewilltobattle, play for play Four of the Linden players were issued yellow cards in the first half fornotwearingshinpadsand whenthescoreroftheirfirst goal, Damien Williams received a second card with 5' 13” on the clock to full time,itmeantthattheywere
further constrained, now havingtoplaywithjustfour players. It certainly wasn't a setback for them Omar
Williams netted his second in the first minute of extra time but two minutes later, Show Stoppers' Darius Chesterdrewthemlevelat33. With just one minute remaining in the allotted 10 minutesofextratime,Lamar Phillips handed Show Stoppers the lead and they felt that that was enough for the win. However, Omar Williams' shot across the Show Stoppers' goal nestled inthebackofthenetsonthe buzzer and while the initial call by the referee was to disallow the goal, the fans and players erupted in supportofagoal.
Earnest deliberations for a few minutes eventually saw the referee signaling to the center confirming that the goal stood, much to the delightofallandsundry The ensuing kicks from the penaltymarksawLindenAll Stars converting their four (4) kicks with Show Stoppersonlyabletoconvert three(3),handingtheLinden team a memorable win and placeinthenextround.
The round-of-32, which
will feature the first-round winners against the top 16 seeded teams, is set to kick off on Wednesday at the same venue. Albouystown willopenagainstBentStreet 'B'at20:00hrs.
This would be followed
by Spaniards facing
Stabroek 'B' , Game
Changers vs Stabroek Ballers, Corinthians taking on Espanyol and Youngs Stars challenging Gold is Money
Thefollowingarethefull resultsfromSundaynight. Fullresults
Mt.1
StevedoreBallers1vs WestsideBallers3 th JoshuaPoole8 (SB) th MarcusBamfield7 (WB) th th OrlandoLovell20 ,20 (WB)
Mt.2
MochaRedForce6vs TimehriWarriors0
JermaineHarry5th, 27th
SeonGrant26th,30th
JamalHarry12th
AkeemJames27th
Mt.3
LindenAllStar4vs ShowStoppers4
st DamienWilliams1 (LA)
OmarWilliams4th,
30+1,30+5(LA)
YannickNorton11th, th19 (SS)
DariusChester30+3 (SS)
LamarPhillips30+5 (SS)
LindenAllStarswon43viapenaltykicks Mt.4
GazaSquad2vs Gladiators0
DelroyJoseph14th
KiyozeRichardson23rd Mt.5
RealSport2vsKitty Hustlers3
JonathanBasanta3rd, th18 (RS)
th DoaldMcKenzie7
th AlistairHolder9
th SherlonMillington25 Mt.6
NorthRuimveldt3vs TeamFamily(Mocha)2
AntoniAllen29th
JermainePadmore30+7
StephonWalton30+8
AzrielCampbell29th, 30+2(TF)
In a major step toward strengtheningthestandardsof boxing officiating in Guyana,
the Guyana Boxing
Association (GBA) successfullyconcludedafourday Referee and Judges SeminarheldfromMay29to June 1 at the Andrew 'Six Head' Lewis Gym in Albouystown The seminar was conducted by James Beckles, an esteemed
International Boxing Association (IBA) ThreeStarRefereeandJudge.
Beckles, who also serves as an Olympic and World Boxing Referees Instructor and Evaluator, brought unparalleled expertise to the certification process Most notably, he recently served as the Chief Instructor and Lead Evaluatorforofficiatingatthe upcoming Paris 2024 OlympicGames,atestament to the high calibre of instruction received by participants.
Theseminarwasablendof theoreticaltrainingandhandson practical application, offering participants a wellrounded understanding of the rules, ethics, and procedures involvedinboxingofficiating
The initiative comes as part of the GBA's ongoing efforts to professionalize the sport, particularly at a time when amateur boxing in Guyana is undergoing a significant resurgence, especiallywithinitsyouthand junior divisions Atotal of 15 individuals successfully completed the course and earnedtheircertifications
At a modest closing ceremony, each participant was presented with a certificate in recognition of theirachievement
Beckles, alongside GBA President Steve Ninvalle, handed over the awards and officially welcomed the new
referees and judges to the sport Ninvalle praised the group for their commitment andexpressedoptimismabout the positive impact their involvement will have on the
(SportsMax) - Despite a 6-0seriessweepontheirtour of England, West Indies women's head coach Shane Deitz continues to focus on the long game, as he views the tough outing as an essential step in a larger rebuilding process that will seetheteamgearingupfora packedcalendarin2026.
Reflecting on the tour, which ended with a ninewicket defeat in the final ODI at County Ground in SomersetonSaturday,Deitz
s p o k e o f g r o w t h , opportunity, and the importance of what happens off the field in the coming months.
“Greatopportunityanda learning experience for the new players we are introducing We had a chancetobringsomeplayers in, and that is what we are shooting for I think, really, our sort of season, so to speak, begins in February next year; it will be a busy year for us. We have 15 O D I s , Wo r l d C u p qualification, a Test match, and a World Cup," Deitz shared.
"So we are applying the rebuild situation now, and we have another eight months to really work hard. Whatwedoforthenexteight months off the playing field is going to be key to our
performance next year," he added.
While the results were disappointing, with England's depth and polish onfulldisplay,Deitzsaidthe t o u r s e r v e d i t s purpose giving younger players invaluable experience and helping the coachingstaffassessexactly what the team needs to progress.
“Wehadnothingtolose; wejustwantedtogooutand compete and review the individuals and see how we cangetbetter
So all we could do on a tour like this is get better every day, and a lot of playershavedonethat.Now wefocusondevelopingtheir skills and their lives off the field as professional cricketers,"Deitzsaid.
A major emphasis moving forward will be intensive skill development
and building mental and physical resilience, both of which Deitz considers critical factors if the West Indiesaretoclosethegapon theworld'stopteams.
“Irarelygetmuchtimeto work with players one-ononeasheadcoach,andthatis what we are going to try to do; get everyone together andreallyworkontheirskill set.Ourskills,especiallyfor the younger ones, have to improve to be world-class. Weneedworld-classplayers to beat world-class teams," theAustraliandeclared.
Jannillea Glasgow among those that gained experiencefromtheEngland tour
Thatsaid,Deitzoutlined a comprehensive plan that includes practice games, tactical training, and a strength and conditioning push during the extended off-fieldwindow " I n t e n s e s k i l l development period, develop some tactical expertise,anddefinitelyalot of strength and conditioning so we can be more consistent. That's it. That's how we will be able to compete with the best," he noted.
Whenaskediftheheavy defeats could have a lingeringmentalimpact, (Continueonpage19)
futureoflocalboxing.
The seminar marks another key milestone in the GBA's strategic push to
improve officiating quality and uphold international standards, ensuring that the next generation of Guyanese boxerscompetesinafairand professionally managed environment. (GBA Press Release)
(ESPNCricinfo)-Harry Brook had said at the toss that he "fancied a chase" in the second T20I in Bristol. Well, he was handed one all right,asWestIndiesobliged in trademark style, serving up a six-laden display of power-hitting that included five in a single 31-run over from Adil Rashid - the second-most expensive in England's T20 history - and 75 runs off the final four oversoftheirinnings.
Despite 15 blows over the ropes in total, and a stiff target of 197, even that was notnearlyenoughtoreinina newly liberated England batting line-up that responded with a salvo of cameos to hunt down their target with nine balls to spare.
F r e s h f r o m h i s matchwinning 96 on Friday, Jos Buttler was once again the top-scorer, with 47 from 36, while Brook led as he would wish to be followed with 34 from 20. However, the star turns came from the young guns Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton in the middle order, whose combinedhaulof56from21 balls drove England to an
unassailable 2-0 series lead withTuesday'sfinalmatchin Southamptonstilltocome. Woodbringsthewheels In a match marked by such formidable hitting, however, it was a bowler in his first international appearancesinceSeptember 2023whomadetheultimate difference Brook had wanted a "point of difference", he said, in confirming Luke Wood's recall for his first international fixture since September 2023. His leftarm pace is an attractive option at the best of times, butwithastrongcross-wind cutting across the County Ground,theconditionswere tailor-madeforhisinswinger totheright-hander S o E v i n L e w i s discoveredwithanExocetof a first delivery - full, fast, tailing in at the toe, and extracting an immediate verdict from umpire Martin Saggers, even as Wood charged down the pitch in full celebappeal mode. His follow-up to Shai Hope wasn't quite as intended - a wild full-toss as the yorker slippedout,buttwooversfor four runs in the powerplay
kept West Indies very much underwraps.
B r y d o n C a r s e ' s introduction gave a more accurate reflection of the carnage to come, however With England once again opting for just two frontline quicks, Carse's more conventional angles were verymuchtoHope'slikingwith two fours and three sixes, each of them creamed over long-off as he opened his stance to take advantage of the short straight boundaries.
HopeandCharlesfailto kickon
England's plethora of spin options were rolled out after the powerplay, as Hope'searlymomentumwas stalled Johnson Charles, who had hitherto been the silentpartnerintheirsecondwicket stand, took a few early lumps out of Bethell and Adil Rashid, whom he slammedovermidwicketfor six, through the grasp of a leaping Wood on the boundary'sedge.
In the same over, however, Rashid followed up with a ripper - a dipping, fizzing legbreak to Hope, that turned sharply past the
The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and NationalSportsCommission launched a historic flash-
drive distribution programme in an effort to provide coaching and refereeingvideoresourcesto communities throughout all tenadministrativeregions.
This was done to decentralize sports developmentandunleashthe immense potential of Guyana'shinterlandregions.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle disclosed that important coaching and refereeingmaterialforthe13 core sports disciplines was included in 219 flash drives that were distributed at the National Toshaos Council late last month at theArthur Chung Convention Centre. Thetargetedsportsaretrack and field, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, football, hockey, rugby, squash, swimming, table
tennis, tennis, and volleyball, Ninvalle disclosed.
HeaddedthatMinisterof Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., is the driving force behind this innovative programme, which seeks to level the playing field for aspiring players and officials by imparting the same fundamental knowledge of these sports to rural populations.
T h e D i r e c t o r acknowledged the substantial unrealized potential that exists in these communities and is confident that having access to this vital information will be essential to fostering and developing the next generation of Guyanese athletes.
He applauded the effort ofAssistantDirectorofSport Melissa Dow-Richardson in obtainingthedata.
The recent laptop distributiontothehinterland areas by the government is inextricably tied to the success of this effort Because of this earlier
edge for Buttler to complete thestumpingasWestIndies' captain toppled out of his creasefor49from37balls.
At 90 for 2 in the 11th, Sherfane Rutherford was pushed up the order in a bid to pick up the tempo. But WillJacks-adecentmatchup to the left-handercramped his style with a seriesofoffbreaksacrosshis body, before Bethell sent himonhiswayfor6from8, asTom Banton hoovered up aslogtolong-on.
single to backward square from Holder off the fourth ball, to mock boos from an enthusiastic contingent of WestIndies'fans.
investment in digital infrastructure, these vital coaching and refereeing resources will now be distributed effectively with the aid of the local sports officers and sports councils, furtherguaranteeingthatthe material is utilized to its full potential.
"The Ministry and NationalSportsCommission envisioned that this project will contribute to the expansion and advancement of sports at all levels by significantly raising the caliber of coaching and officiating in these hinterlandareas.
This historic project demonstrates the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport's steadfast dedication todevelopingathrivingand encompassing sports culture across Guyana, ensuringthatnocommunity is left behind in the collective and national quest for athletic greatness," the Director of Sportconcluded
Charles connected for a third six, off Rashid, but 15 dot-ballsoutof38toldatale of an innings without fluency Carsereturnedwith a change of ends to make amends for his profligate opening gambit, but it was Wood who prised him outsecond ball of his second spell - via a deflection onto middlestumpashefollowed thebatteroutsideoff.
Powersurgetofinish
W e s t I n d i e s ' extraordinary depth of power-hitters means that someone is bound to come goodintheend orseveral people, as it turned out. Rovman Powell was briefly the man as he brought Friday'shero,LiamDawson, downtoearthwith20offhis finalover,andhehadblatted his next ball, from Carse, over deep midwicket for another six before Wood clung onto an excellent tumbling take on the cover boundary
But, with Brook trusting his senior man Rashid to bowl the 19th over, Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd turned on the afterburners, amid scenes of certain carnage that were reminiscentofthatinfamous finaloverinKolkatain2016. Rashid was smoked for five sixes out of six - the exception being a scuffed
Wood restored a degree of decorum - and capped an excellent comeback with figures of 2 for 25 - as Shepherdwasrunoutfor19 off 11, but Roston Chase smacked his first and only balldownthegroundforsix, the 15th of the innings, as West Indies finished on a healthy 196 for 6 that included 75 from the final fourovers.Brookhadgothis chase.
Buttler,Duckettstartwith poise
With ten an over needed fromtheoutset,JamieSmith didn't hang around, twice slogging Holder through the line and holing out to the secondattemptfor4.Buthis second-over departure meant the in-form Jos Buttler had all the longer to marshal the chase, and in Holder's next over, he signalled his poise with an imperious driven six over long-on.
Ben Duckett, however, was the impish source of earlyimpetus,withhisarray of sweeps and dinks including a reverse-scoop overtheropesatfineleg.He had a life on 11, when Evin Lewis couldn't cling on at point, but - after setting up the chase in a 58-run powerplay - Duckett miscued a pull off Shepherd and was spectacularly grabbedbyaleapingPowell atwidelong-onfor30off18.
Buttler took up the cudgels, including an audacious reverse-hoick for six off Gudakesh Motie's second delivery But, on 43 from29,hehadareprievein themidstofapacyoverfrom Alzarri Joseph, in which he was tempted to take on the
shortstraightboundariesand instead miscued a short ball to deep midwicket. Charles, however, couldn't settle under the swirling ball, and themomentwaslost.
BantonandBethellapply thelateflourish With the run-rate nudging above 11, it was Brook's turn to come to the party in a 20-run over off Shepherd that included an extraordinarycutforsixoffa fast,straightfulltoss,aswell as a misfield from Charles thatearnedhimfurtherstick from an invested Bristol crowd.
But,justwhenitseemed the worm was turning in England's favour, Buttler reversed his hands on a sweep off Akeal Hoseinfreshofftheplaneat7.30am afterhisvisaissues-andthat man Charles was on hand at deepthirdtosendhimonhis wayfor47.
Brook greeted the offspin of Chase with an open-shouldered launch down the ground, but two balls later, he picked out Powell for an easier grab in the deep. At 126 for 4, the innings was in danger of slippingaway Tom Banton, however, slog-swept his first ball for sixtolaydownamarker,and though Motie's next over started tightly, Banton showedhisversatilitywitha reverse for four and a muscularstraightsixtokeep the chase right on track. Bethell immediately got the memo with three more startling blows over the ropesinJoseph'snextoverhis fast hands belying his apparently slight frame. He ruinedhiscameobydinking the final ball straight to Chase at short third, but his 26from10ballshadbroken the requirement into tiny pieces.
Af t e r a
scintillating
final of the
ExxonMobil Guyana Future Warriors tapeball blast
Demerara leg on Sunday, GrovePrimaryemergednew champions after beating the reigning champions, Stella Maris Primary by six wickets.
In the main event at the
National Stadium, Providence following overnight showers, the East Bank Demerara-based
Grove Primary won the toss and inserted the City side, StellaMarisPrimary
Stella Maris were containedto47fortwoafter their eight-over allotment expired but Grove Primary survived an early scare to eventually reach 49 for four with10ballstospare.
WayneGreenprovideda late impetus for Grove hitting two fours and a six duringhistopscoreof17not out while getting support from Roles Melville who
made12fromsixballs.
TitusAllicockchippedin with nine not out to see his sideovertheline.
Eyeon Glasgow was the pickofthebowlersforStella Maris, taking 2-14 after removing Sherwin Bunbury and Terrence Frank with threedeliveries.
Earlier, Stella Maris were gifted 26 extras as Glasgow top scored with 12notoutfrom20balls
Melville ended as the leg's Most Valuable Player
GlobalSuperLeague… Ali feels 'very proud' to represent Guyana Amazon Warriors
Mo e e n A l i expressed his p r i d e i n playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors once again, ahead of the upcoming ExxonMobil GlobalSuperLeague(GSL), which will be held at Providence Stadium from July10to18.
The English all-rounder revealedthatpriortojoining thefranchisein2024,hehad only visited Providence once. Now, he's thrilled to return and represent the Warriors in the second edition of the five-team tournament.
“Guyana for me to visit is amazing. The people are obviously very supportive andbrillianttowardscricket. I get that cricket is huge out there, much bigger than I thought it was. And the ground to play, you look forward to every game. So yeah,wearelookingforward to playing in front of a big crowdagain.”
Knownasaglobe-trotter in the world of cricket, Ali has represented England across all formats and featuredinvariousdomestic leagues worldwide. He first appearedontheinternational scene in the Caribbean in 2014. However, it wasn't until 2024 that he finally made his debut in Guyanafirst in the T20 World Cup semifinal between England and India, and later in the CPLandGSL.
Having played 298 internationalmatchesbefore retiring from international cricket in 2024, Ali relishes the high-level competition andatmospherethattheGSL brings.
“IthinkforGSLtohave the teams coming from different countries, strong sides, it's something that feels a bit closer to playing against country to country I'm representing Amazon Warriors,Ifeelveryproudto do that. And I've only been thereforayear,anditreally doesfeellikehomeandfeels like I'm part of something special.
“I'm representing a group of people where the passion for the game is amazing.AndGSLdoesgive that international feel to it. It'sagreatcompetition.Last year was obviously the first one. The first one is always thehardesttodo.Ithinknow it's going to flow and it's amazingthatit'sbeensetup. It's going to feel like a ChampionsLeaguealmost.”
Reflecting on the tournament'stimingthisyear - being held before the Caribbean Premier League insteadofafter-Alibelieves it could be a crucial advantage for his team if they can carry winning
and leading wicket taker with nine scalps to his name while Stella Maris' ClydeJacobsfinishedasthe leg's leading run getter with 8 8 m s c o r i n g t h e tournament's lone half century
In the semi finals, Stella Maris opened the day with a victory over WestRuimveldtPrimaryin a one sided nine-wicket win
Stella Maris won the toss and inserted West Ruimveldt Primary who made 67 for three after Steven Orie clubbed four boundaries in his innings of 20notout.
momentumintotheCPL.
“I genuinely think if we win GSLthe preparation for CPLwillbeamazing.Ithink winning trophies is a habit and winning competitions is something you get used to and it's something that we obviouslywanttotryanddo. Onceyougetthatfeelingand you are in those moments, that crunch moment when you win the trophy, then I thinkit'sgoingtostandusin good stead for CPL. It's a massive one, so it's a very, very important one, not just forGSLbutalsoforCPL.”
In the inaugural edition ofGSL,Aliscored93runsin four innings including a fighting half century at the top of the order against Victoria that helped the GuyanaAmazonWarriorsto finishthird,aheadofLahore Qalandars and Hampshire Hawksonthepointstable.In 2025,theWarriorswillbegin their quest for supremacy against defending GSL champions, Rangpur Riders under lights on the opening day (GSL)
The day was an action-packed one.
Support came from Seon Harsham (13) and Eli Henry(12notout).
Stella Maris then raced to69foroneinfiveoversas Jacobs smashed five fours andasixonhiswaytoatop scoreof35notout.
Aaron Perkins belted two sixes in his 12-run cameo.
Inthesecondsemi-final, Grove Primary benefitted from three dropped catches bySt.Piustoadvancewitha six-wicketvictory
Grove also won the toss and elected to field where theycontainedSt.Piusto40 for four as no batsman reached double figures and
extrasaccountedfor22.
Melville continued his impressive form with the ball,taking2-8.
In the chase, Joshua Ramotar, who opened the batting steered his side to victorywithacomposed14ball 24 not out. His innings featured three fours and a six.
Kevon Pile looked to secure St Pius' spot in the final, taking 3-10 but it ultimately came down to dropped catches saw them losingthematch.
The tournament now heads to Berbice where 16 teams will compete this weekend
Rovman Powell takes the plaudits after a spectacular catch in the deep (Getty Images)
