Gaza’s deadliest day at aid sites 89 Palestinians in
Guyana to help supply
one-third of global oil output by 2030
…warnsglobalconflictswillputmarketatriskassupplysettooutpacedemand p. 13
Man found dead slumped over boat at Wakapoa
Thief tied up, beaten to death at New Star Backdam Education Minister calls ‘Critic’ an idiot …saysheisnotacrediblejournalist
GuySuCotostartplantingrice,cassava
…as President pushes struggling entity to diversify operations
The government of Guyana has announced plans to diversify the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) beyond sugar and its by-products by producing rice,corn,andcassava.
The announcement was made by PresidentIrfaanAlionMondayatthe77th anniversary observation of the Enmore Martyrs,atEastCoastDemerara,wherehe outlined a strategy to reimagine GuySuCo’s role in Guyana’s agriculture sector
“Wehavetothinkstrategicallyofhow wewillexpandtheroleofGuySuCo.And perhaps it is time for us to reimagine GuySuco’s role altogether Why must its mandatestoponlyatsugar? GuySuCocan andmustbecomeahubofruraleconomic development,”thepresidentsaid.
Despitethegovernmentpumpingbillions of dollars into the sugar corporation, the companyhasfailedtomeettargetsand,more so,becomeprofitable.
President Ali said that GuySuCo’s land, infrastructure and knowledge base can supporttheproductionofothercropsaswell as livestock operations, agro-processing hubs, farmer trading and extension services, fabricationandengineeringservices.
“The global machinery industry historically recruited machinists and fabricators from GuySuCo. We have to leverage this human capital and human potential. AndinembracingthisfuturethatI speak of, there will be some exciting opportunities. Crop diversification, skills
President Irfaan Ali
diversification, income diversification,” the presidentannounced.
President Ali said that the plan to diversify GuySuCo will benefit sugar workers. “We don’t only want the sugar workers to rely on their income from sugar Wewanttoconvertacreageoflandintohighyielding production, high-value production, butproductionthatisownedbytheworkers,” hesaid.
President Ali also revealed that the government plans to co-invest with workers toestablishneweconomicactivitiesandthat morethan20businessproposalshavealready been submitted for manufacturing and other venturesinEnmore.
“That is why we have to put in this infrastructure so rapidly,” he added,
highlighting the urgency of these developments.
Looking ahead, the president also announced that an additional 3,000 hectares of land will be converted to supportmechanisationin2025.Thisisin addition to the more than 5,000 hectares alreadyconverted.
The President’s proposal to diversify the sugar company comes as GuySuCo continues to operate at a loss. The APNU+AFC administration had closed fourmajorsugarestates–Skeldon,Wales, EnmoreandRoseHall.
The decision to close the estates was taken because the sugar industry’s cash flow was insufficient to maintain operations The People’s Progressive PartyCivic(PPP/C),whileinopposition, hadvowedtorevivethesugarindustryonceit regainedpower
Fulfilling its promise, the PPP/C government pumped billions into the sector thathasfailedtoreturntoprofitability
In 2020, the government boasted that Dubai saw sweetness in Guyana’s sugar and said that it will partner with Guyana to revitalisetheindustryandmakeitprofitable.
The government’s announcement was made
following a visit by an eight-member delegation from the United Arad Emirates (UAE)thatyear
However,itwasreportedinAugust2024 that the government’s hope in sugar revival fell flat after Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo saidthatnodealwasmade. Nevertheless,he argued that sugar production is the primary source of job opportunity for families in Berbice–astrongsupportbaseforhispartyand said that removing such disposable incomefrompeoplewillaffectthemgravely
This year, government allocated $13 billionforGuySuCointhenationalbudget.
During the 2025 national budget presentation, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the sugar sector is projected to growby115.4%thisyear,withaproduction target of approximately 101,000 metric tonnes. His prediction was made following anotherdeclineinsugarproductionin2024.
GuySuCo has continuously blamed the weatherforitsinabilitytomeetitstargets.
Recently, GuySuCo attributed its underperformance in the 2025 first crop to heavyrainfallandongoinglabourshortages. InastatementinMay,GuySuCosaidthatits first crop production stood at 15,980 metric tonnes,fallingshortofyetanothertarget.
KaieteurNews
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The state of the opposition
Atbest,itcouldbesaidwithsomelibertiestakenthatthe twooppositionpartiesarethere,andnomore Atworse,both thePNCRandtheAFCareashadowofthemselves.
Theyprojectasenseoflittletonosubstance,oftwogroups contenttomakeupspace,makeafewsoundseverynowand then They then make their way into the smog that now features so prominently in their existence. Their challenges that have come to light are not that many, but theyaresubstantial. Ifthisistheleveloftheirdifferences, asventilatedintheopen,thenitstandstoreasonthatthereis somuchmorethatweakenstheminternally.
ThemainoppositionPNCRhasbeenlosingpeopleina steady trickle. They are not only from the rank-and-file membership,butevenfromwithintheheights of the party's executive. ThisdoesnotbodewellforthePNCRasagroup that should be held as a serious political contender in the September1elections.
Thepartydoesnotinspire,theleadershipisdulltothepoint ofbeingunconvincing,andthemembershipiswonderingwho wouldbethenextstalwarttojumpshipandjoinhandswith the ruling and dominant PPPC. In a nutshell, the PNCR ship looks more and more like a leaky boat, struggling to stay afloat, chart a clear path. When hopeful Guyanese look for a new dispensation, anything to provide a little inspirationforthem,thebesttheygetisthePNCRandthe AFC pretending at strength and projecting nothing but weakness.
OppositionLeaderAubreyNortondoeshisbesttoexude graceunderfire,butmakesamockeryofwherehispartyreally is 'Weremainstrong'and'weareconfident.' Thisisdespite a stream of defections, with shaky (and greedy) insiders seemingly waiting for the opportune moment to part company with their political brothers and sisters. The PPPChasthemoney,andaccordingtoVicePresidentand GeneralSecretaryJagdeo,nodefectorshavetoanswerfor PNCR attempts at rigging. There are some who will see thatasanaddedincentivetomaketheirdecisiontomoveon from the PNCR. Against this background, and the odds that are against him and his party, Norton still pretends at strengthandconfidence.
InGuyana'sGoldenAgeofOil,theoppositionisallleaden leadership, and a support base that has lost faith Guyanese whoaredisgustedwiththe PPPC Government, its unclean cast of principals, and its corrupt practices, resign themselves to that unhappiest emotional state. Acountry lackingapoliticaloppositionthatofferssomepotency,the potentialforconstructivechange. Insteadofbeingtrapped withthechoiceofthelesseroftwoevils,prospectivevoters are alarmed at being left to face one supreme evil in the PPPC. That's not a choice; that is tantamount to committingsuicidethroughmarkinganXonSeptember1 for the group that has already devastated Guyanese aspirations, sabotaged their will. When an opposition is neededthemost,itislost,whethermeasuredasonegroupora coalitionoftwo WhilethePNCRcontinueswiththeshamof beingacontenderofmerit,theAFCfirstlostitscredibility, then its voice, and lastly its footing. There is this ugly public fight over a consensus candidate for the leadership spot. Onesidesaysthatitiswillingtorelinquishaclaimto the leadership mantle. The other says that it is open to listening, could even look favourably on what gives the bestchanceofvictoryoverthePPPConSeptember1. The leadershipofboththePNCRandtheAFChasindicatedthat they are willing to go to the polls alone. Whatever voter numberstheypretendtohave,thisishowtheymisleadtheir own respective bases, through bluff and soundbites that meannothing. AprimeexampleofthisisAFCleaderNigel Hughes, who entered the political milieu with a bang and has since collapsed like a punctured balloon. Guyanese votersarelookingfortheirshareofthenationalwealth They arehopingtofindaleadertheycantrust Theyarerewarded withfarces
How can any country, boasting of its accomplishments in freedom of speech, jail a man for immoral words in a song?
DearEditor, The recent discourse s u r r o u n d i n g t h e imprisonment of Daniel Wharton- popularly known as “Baby Skello”- for his offensive remarks about a reveredHindudeitydisturbs me.
I am a Christian, specificallyaCatholic,tous Christians, Jesus IS GOD, and I don't know how many times I heard the swear “Jesusf..kingChrist”evenin movies, for heaven's sake. And I cannot begin to describehowoffensiveIfind it to be. Whatever movie or programme I am involved with,Iimmediatelyswitchit off.
Iamnotgoingtogetinto any argument on the matter ofwhetherwhatBabySkello said was morally correct, or ifwhathesaidwasoffensive
and disturbing to a certain sectionofthepopulation.He is guaranteed freedom of speech under the Guyana constitution; he can, of course, be sanctioned, as in the banning of the song. I understand he has already quite appropriately issued a publicapology
In the landmark case of Sunday Times V United Kingdom (No. 2 ) in the European Court of Human th Rights, of 26 November 1991, Series A No 217 Paragraph 50 made the following declaration: Freedom of speech constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic Society, subject to the prescribed exceptions in the covenant, it is applicable not only to information and ideas that are favourably received or
regarded as inoffensive but tothosethatoffend,shockor disturb Such are the demands of that pluralism, t o l e r a n c e a n d broadmindedness without whichthereisnoDemocratic Society Guyana signed the Covenant of Civil and Political Rights [CCPR] on th15 February1977.
th On April 6 2024 [that's last year, Editor] the government of Guyana published a very long letter captioned “Guyana proud of itsachievementsinCiviland Political Rights” and after a very long harangue of identifying the wonderful, broadminded tolerances exercised by the Guyana Government, it was signed Ministry of Parliamentary AffairsandGovernance.
How can any country, b o a s t i n g o f i t s accomplishmentsinfreedom of speech, jail a man for immoral words in a song? Offensive? Yes. Disturbing? Yes.Immoral?Certainly But warranting jail? I think not. It's not as if I know the man or that someone has asked metosaysomething,Inever even heard the offending song, I consider jailing that manaviolationofmyandhis constitutional rights to free speech. And it could be extended to violate even more of our freedom of speech rights, unless that man is released from prison today! There are, of course, exceptionstoarticle19ofthe UN Covenant of Civil and P o l i t i c a l R i g h t s guaranteeing free speech, butnoneofthemapplytothis matter.
Regards,
TonyVieira
When a person abuses goddess Lakshmi, it is an abuse of god and the Hindu faith
DearEditor,
Several articles have been published with mixed opinionsontheremandingof Skelloaswellasonhislewd remarksonaHindugoddess. Some say he should not be punished because he enjoys freedomofexpression,while others take the opposite position. Some say his remanding is excessive. Arrest, indictment, and punishment are for the court a n d t h e l a w O u r constitution,likethatofmost countries,grantsfreespeech but with limits. Skello's free speech falls within those limits. One of the limits is respectingapeople'sfaithor deities (who in Hinduism is god or goddess) that Hindus worship. All countries put limitsonoutlawinghateand disrespectingfaith.
Somesaytheblasphemy lawisoutdated.Thejudgein Guyanaisinthebestposition to interpret the law on blasphemy (attacking God) orhateordisrespectingfaith and assigning punishment accordingly Skello attacked Hinduism; he engaged in blasphemy
Hehurtthesentimentsof Hindusandreligiouspeople. He abused freedom of speech For all of those reasons and more, he ought to be held accountable in a court of law The judge determines the course of action His lawyers will representhim.
Please note that in Hinduism, the almighty is male or female And in Hindu worship, great reverence is placed on goddesses, the most important or revered being goddesses Lakshmi (which i s t i e d t o D i w a l i celebrations), Durga (Kali), Saraswati, Parvati, Sita, Radha, among others.A l of l them are the same god (or goddess)knownorcalledby different names (including Rama, Krishna, Ganesh, etc.). When a person abuses goddess Lakshmi, it is an abuse of god and the Hindu faith. The same would hold true for any attack on religiousfiguresinIslamand Christianityoranotherfaith.
Skello'ssong,ifitcanbe called that, is indefensible; that is now allowable free speech in any society, not eveninthemeccaoffreedom like the USA. Religion is a very sensitive, touchy issue that can lead and indeed has led to violence in many countries, including in Europe and America. When religiousfiguresinIslamand C h r i s t i a n i t y w e r e disrespected, serious violence followed; those who were thought to disrespect those faiths were attacked, and many were killed. Tens of thousands were known to be killed in the name of faith or for engaginginblasphemyinthe Middle East No county
allows unlimited freedom.
The Guyana constitution, indeed that of all countries andtheUNCharter,prohibit languagethatspreadshateor disrespects faith. Also, the Commonwealth has “SummaryOffences”rule,if not an Act, that carries indictmentandprisontimeif convicted of attacking faith.
The Magistrate or judge makes that determination basedonthelaw
Some claimed that the blasphemy law is outdated and that Skello's remarks were not blasphemous. Let him make remarks about Christianity and Islam in Europe or the Middle East; he would know what is blasphemy Hindugoddesses aretheessenceofHinduism. Sayingonewantstoperform sexual acts on a goddess is blasphemy Attacking a religious figure is not free speech but blasphemy that can lead to divisiveness and seriousviolence.
In a -culturalmulti Caribbeancontextandinthe diasporic countries, all of which are multi-cultural, faiths are respected. In the USA, the mecca of freedom of expression, artistes don't attackreligiousfigures.Why should Skello get a pass under a claim that it is freedom of expression?
Several prominent figures, including Anil Nandlall, Pandit Ubraj Narine, Dr Vindya Persaud, Rhyaan
Shah,SwamiAksharananda, President Irfaan Ali, Ravi Dev, and this writer, among others, assailed Skello for disrespecting Hindus and Hinduism.
Ubraj Narine and a few othersshouldnotbetheonly panditsorreligiousfiguresto come out publicly in the mediaexcoriatingSkello.
Iwouldliketothinkthat there are also other courageous pandits who are not afraid to voice their opinion when Hindus are attacked or feel they are m a r g i n a l i s e d o r discriminated against A Minister of the PPP government, as well as a GECOM ommissioner, are C of the view that remanding Skello to prison is an extreme punishment The duo has no business becoming embroiled in this controversy
They are public figures; the matter does not relate to their work. They are not lawyersonrecordforSkello. LetSkello'slawyerapproach thecourtforrelief.
If they wish to petition thecourtonbehalfofSkello, thentheyshouldresignfrom their respective position and jointheSkellodefenseteam. Blasphemy or not, there mustbelimitstofreespeech. Attacking people's religious sentiments is not protected byfreespeech.
Yourstruly, DrVishnuBisram
Govt ministers using State resources to campaign
DearEditor,
As our nation prepares for General and Regional Elections on September 1, 2025, it is evident that several ministers are now actively engaged in public outreach under the guise of governance. They are using state resources to campaign, making grand promises in a bidtowinvotes.
Take the Ministry of Housing, for example. Its Ministers are distributing houselotsacrossthecountry
Yet many allottees are left frustrated, unable to access theirlandorsecuremortgage financing.
Despitetheseunresolved issues, the PPP/C continues to push propaganda, ignoringpublicconcernsand relying heavily on misdirection.
Fortunately,withtherise of digital media, their narrative is being exposed. Thegovernmentoftenboasts
aboutongoinginfrastructure projects, proudly declaring “promisesfulfilled,”evenas many remain incomplete They appear either unaware
or unconcerned that accountability is fast approaching What is particularly disappointing is that at his regular press conferences, Mr Bharrat Jagdeospeaksoneveryissue under the sun, except the $8 6B, 12-storey office complex This glaring omissionisstriking. The 12-storey office complex, a massive public investment under the Ministry of Public Works, has been awarded to Caribbean Green Builders Inc., with $8.6 billion in funding approved by the National Assembly to date. Yet, while Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar continue to inspect other infrastructure works; roads, bridges, and the like, they
appear completely disinterested in the status of thisflagshipbuilding.
It has now been approximately three years since the public was shown artisticrenderingsofthissocalled “state-of-the-art” complex.
Arecentsitevisitleftme disturbed and disappointed; there is no foundation, no superstructure, no visible progress at all.Aside from a newly erected billboard (likely to cost millions), there are only scattered mounds of sand and a few idlepiecesofequipment.No active workforce. No heavy construction Nothing to showfor$8.6billion.
Since 2022, I have closely monitored this project. Its initial allocation was $2 6 billion, and subsequent increases have brought the total to $8.6 billion as of February 3, 2025 During multiple
The PPP/C's intimidation tactics at GECOM must stop
DearEditor,
Once again, the PPP/C has shown its complete disregard for democratic norms and decency. It has beenbroughttoourattention that the PPP/C has shamelessly set up tents directly opposite the Good Hope, East Coast Demerara GECOM office, where they are actively coercing and manipulating electors who are engaged in the lawful Claims and Objections process.Thisisnothingshort of political intimidation, designedtointerferewiththe independence of GECOM's work and to create an atmosphere of fear and undue influence among ordinarycitizens.ThePPP/C must immediately cease these actions GECOM's operations must remain free frompoliticalinterferenceif we are to maintain even a shred of credibility in this electoral process The PPP/C's desperate attempts to control and direct voters reflectapartythatisterrified
of facing the people's judgment at the ballot box. They know the electorate is fed up with the rampant corruption, the abuse of power, and the blatant disregard for accountability thathasbecomethehallmark oftheiradministration. Nopoliticalpartyshould be allowed to camp outside of GECOM's offices and harass citizens exercising their legal rights.This is not democracy, this is desperation. The people of Guyana deserve free, fair, and transparent elections, notacircusorchestratedbya government clutching at strawstoclingtopower
We call on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to act firmly and decisivelyinthebestinterest of all Guyanese. GECOM has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that the electoral environment remains free, fair, and impartial. The Commission mustnotallowitsworktobe contaminatedbythePPP/C's
b u d g e t d e b a t e s (2022–2025), my colleague David Patterson and I repeatedly pressed for clarity Minister Edghill consistently evaded our questions, vaguely claiming that steel frames are being fabricated in Turkey and Colombia, without providing verifiable evidence.
Now that the National Assembly will not reconvene before the elections, I am bringing this matter to the public. The Ministry must explain how $8.6 billion has been spent, when there is virtually no work on site as of June 15, 2025.
Ÿ Does the President or any Minister have a personalinterestinthe Sheratonproject?
Ÿ Ihavehighlighted,and will do so again, that several projects initiated after the office complex are already completed or nearingcompletion:
Ÿ Aiden by Best Western–Completed
Ÿ K i n g s H o t e l (Waterloo&Quamina Streets) – Nearing completion
Ÿ Bank of Baroda (Carmichael & Quamina Streets) –
Steel structure up; activeworkongoing
locatedinGuyana?
2. Is this company still contracted to build the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, or has it subcontracted the projecttoaChinesefirm?
3. Who are the principal officers of Caribbean Green BuildersInc.?
4 Would Minister Edghill be willing to take a polygraph test to confirm that none of the $8 6B allocated for the office complex has been used for theSheratonproject?
5. Have any steel frames from Colombia or Turkey arrived? If not, what is causingthedelay?
desperate and reckless attempts to influence voters through proximity, intimidation, and pressure tactics.WecallonGECOM, theinternationalcommunity, and all right-thinking Guyanese to condemn this dangerous practice and demand that the PPP/C respect the sanctity of the electoral process. Guyana mustnotbereducedtoastate where voters are pressured, monitored, and manipulated underthewatchfuleyeofthe ruling party Democracy demandsbetter
Regards, APNU
Twoyearsago,Ipublicly suggested that this funding may have been redirected to the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, which is being constructed by a Chinese contractor along Cane View Road, South Ruimveldt. I was ridiculed and called “irresponsible” for making that claim Yet today, constructionontheSheraton is visibly progressing, while the 12-storey complex remains dormant. What is reallygoingon?
Ÿ It is time for transparency The PPP/C must publicly declare:
Ÿ Who are the owners and investors behind the Sheraton Four PointsHotel?
Ÿ If this is a private development,whydid President Irfaan Ali visit the site in May 2025?
Ÿ WhyhasthePresident not visited the stalled 12-storey complex or the regional hospital sites?
Ÿ Brickdam Police Headquarters – Steel frameup;construction progressing
Ÿ Campbellville Health Centre – Foundation
demolition
Ÿ Numerous police s t a t i o n s a n d magistrates' courts –Completed
* Headquarters for GWI and CHPA are currently underconstruction.
So why is there no progress at Haags Bosch Road, where the 12-storey complex is supposed to be built?
I now publicly call on Minister Edghill to answer thefollowingquestions:
1. Where is the official office of Caribbean Green Builders Inc physically
6. How much of the $8.6B has been disbursed to Caribbean Green Builders Inc.?
Finally, I remind Minister Bishop Juan Edghill,asaclergyman,that he has a moral obligation to speak the truth and avoid publicmistrust.Myappealis simple: Come clean Account for the people's money
I am sharing two images withthisletter:oneshowing progress at the Brickdam PoliceStationHeadquarters, and the other showing the barrenstateoftheprojectsite at Haags Bosch, where the 12-storey office complex shouldberising.
I n o w a w a i t a professional and transparent response from the Office of Minister Bishop Juan Edghill,MP.
YoursSincerely, AnnetteFerguson,MP
DearEditor,
Rohee must stop the pretence
ThePeople'sProgressive Party (PPP) has no desire, interest, or respect for free, fair, and credible elections, theveryprinciplestheyonce championed while in opposition. Now that they are in power, the fundamental right of oneman-one-vote, which workers fought to secure, only matters to them if the votecanbeused,whetherby fair or foul means, to return them to office. That is the unmistakable message PPPnominated commissioner Clement Rohee sought to convey in his response to concernsexpressedbyyours trulyabouttheimportanceof free, fair, and credible elections.
Reference is made to his
letter dated 5th June 2025, “Mr Lewis, Where Were You in 2020?” Let me say directlytoRohee:Istandby every word of my letter
“Guyana is not ready for free, fair, and credible elections” (KN, 1st June, 2025), which seems to have offended you The o b s e r v a t i o n s a n d recommendations in that letter would only offend those pursuing lawless and nefarious actions to produce outcomes they dishonestly claim reflect the people's will. The PPP's shenanigans togainpowerareamatterof public record, even if some seek to hide or ignore them. Over the last two decades, thisnationhasnotforgotten:
The 1997 Doodnauth Singh debacle, when a president was sworn in before the results were verified, elections that were latervitiatedbythecourt.
The 2006 elections, when the (Guyana Elections Commission) GECOM awarded an Alliance for Change (AFC) seat to the PPP,thentoldtheAFCtogo to court—fully aware the casewouldbelost.
The 2011 elections, when GECOM tried to
award an A Partnership for NationalUnity(APNU)seat to the PPP, a move thwarted only by the intervention of t h e O p p o s i t i o n commissioner before the declaration.
The 2020 elections will go down in history as one whereGECOMandexternal forces trampled on statutory r e q u i r e m e
determining a valid vote. This resulted in the PPP's returntooffice,despiteclear evidence present in the
shenaniganswererampantin PPP strongholds This lawlessness was enabled by a complicit court and external forces bent on regime change not on upholding the legitimate electoralprocess,outlinedin the Rule of Law in keeping w
electoralsystem.
Rohee must stop the pretense.
Thecallstillstandsfor: A clean, credible voters list, Biometric voter verification,and TotalreformofGECOM.
Equally, the call stands for “fellow Guyanese to support every lawful action
necessary to protect our democratic rights We cannot remain silent while our democracy is being dismantled before our eyes. And the time to act is now, not tomorrow Now!” The PPP shouldn't be afraid of these basic requirements if confident the party could win an election by fair means.
IstillbelieveGuyanacan afford to implement biometric verification and produce a clean voters list before going into another election with a fraudulent process.
Itisnottoolatetotakea page from the 1990 experience of President Desmond Hoyte and Minority Leader Cheddi Jagan, who responded to publicdemandsforelectoral reform. From 2020 to 2025, these demands have been ignored by GECOM, the
PPPregime,andacomplicit diplomatic community, which appears more concerned with their own self-interest, failing to understand that what affects oneaffectsall.
If Rohee wants to i n t e r p r e t m y recommendations as lawless, that is a figment of his imagination or a reflection of his fear that others are now prepared to meet the PPP where it stands—asalawlessregime. MyadherencetotheRuleof Law has always been clear andunambiguous.Istandby everycommentmadeduring the2020elections,including theRecountExercise,Order 60/2020, and GECOM's failure as a constitutionally independentbodytoexecute andimplementthatOrderto itsfinality Mywritingsfrom that period are supported by law and principles and
remain available in the public domain for review I make no apology for standingonthesideofright, evenifrightmayhavelost. Let me touch fleetingly on the diplomatic community and Rohee's interpretationthatmyarticle was an attack on them. I would have expected that theywouldreadmyarticlein its entirety For they too, must be held accountable in helping to fix the very problems they have identified, and in some instances, helped to create. Accountability does not discriminate Smart diplomats understand this and would seek to address the situation, not deflect fromit.
Moreover, it would be a stretch for the diplomatic communitytotakeseriously, withouttheirowninquiry, (Continueonpage23)
Taking swift and proactive measures now is essential
DearEditor, Operating as a public communication analyst has placed me in a unique position to listen to the concerns of my fellow citizens
One issue that is currentlyoneveryone'smind is the re-emergence of COVID-19,whichhasleftthe public wondering about safety and health measures movingforward
Many businesses and organisations are now working to implement safety protocolstoprotecttheirstaff and visitors, while public health centers and hospitals remain on high alert to help keep the wider community safe
However, in my view, some of the public health interventions that were used during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic should have remained in place to someextent Thiswouldhave
betterpreparedcitizensforthe current situation and may have helped to keep more i n d i v i d u a l s s a f e Additionally, I strongly urge all food handlers and transportation providers to diligently implement all necessary safety measures to protect public health during thistime
None of us wants to experience a repeat of the economic stagnation at the national level that resulted from the last COVID-19 pandemic outbreak Taking swiftandproactivemeasures now is essential to safeguarding both public healthandtheeconomyofour country
Sincerely, Blane
R.Bunbury PublicCommunications Analyst
BLUNT BLUNT
Supplementary budgets and campaign funding
Earlier this month, the PPP/C Government used its one-seat majority in Parliament to pass a whopping $57.5B supplementary budget. The opposition believes that much of that funding will be siphoned off to help fund the government's re-election bid.
Since the PPPC government took office in the post-2020 era, national budgets have broken record after record. Each year has seen a whopper of a budget, and 2025 has continued the trend with a record-breaking $1.382T, 20.6% greater than the budget of 2024.
Yet there is the amazing thing that just happened: the PPPC Government went smartly to parliament and used its one-seat majority to approve an additional $57.5B supplementary budget. To seek a 4.1% funding supplement over this year's biggest budget may appear to be minute, but nothing could be farther from reality Why is this amount needed so soon, a matter of slightly over three months, since the passing of the huge national budget? How is it that $57.5B is introduced in parliament so casually, passed so quickly, with the government moving on, as though this is routine?
Questions have been raised about the extent of planning that went into the preparation of this year's budget. We at this paper believe that when sizable supplementary budgets become routine, it suggests that the careful planning expected in the minister's final budget is more imagined than real.
Education Minister calls
‘Critic’ an idiot
…says
he is not a credible journalist
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, at the sidelines of an event on Tuesday, called out Makhail Rodrigues, better known as the 'Guyanese Critic', for “abusive” and “vulgar” commentshemadeabouther during his live morning showairedonFacebook.
'Critic' called the education minister, a jack*** and a**h*ole for condemning the decision to remand Daniel Wharton, popularly known as 'Baby Skello',forallegedlysinging asongthatwasblasphemous aboutaHindugoddess.
While Manickchand condemned the song, she still defended Baby Skello's
righttopre-trialliberties.
“We are jailing someone for mumbling or trying to sing something offensive
Guyanese Critic
against a female goddess (which was terrible and should never be encouraged or listened to and which I
Mali takes control of Canadian-owned Barrick Gold mine over tax dispute
The Associated Press— Ajudge in Mali on Monday ordered Barrick Gold's Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex to be placed under provisional administration forsixmonthsinanongoing dispute between the Canadian mining company andtheWestAfricannation's military government over unpaidtaxes.
Zoumana Makadji, an accountant and a former Malianministerofhealthhas been appointed as the company's provisional administrator within 15 days, Judge Issa Aguibou Diallo said in a statement to Barrick'slawyers.
BarrickisAfrica'slargest gold producer The LouloGounkoto complex and its Kibali mine -- located in Congo--rankamongthetop 10 gold mines globally, according to the company's website.
BarrickGoldhasbeenin conflict with Mali's military rulers over alleged unpaid taxes and unfair contracts with past governments. The dispute culminated in an arrest warrant in December for Barrick CEO Mark Bristow and the company's offer to pay $370 million to thegovernment.
“While Barrick's subsidiariesremainthelegal owners of the mine, operational control has been transferred to an external administrator,” Barrick said inastatementonitswebsite
followingtheruling. In December, Barrick submitted a request for arbitration to the International Center for Settlement of Investment
Disputes to address disagreements with Mali concerning the LouloGounkoto complex, where theminesarelocated.
Despite this, the government took a series of escalatory measures, including the arrest of Barrick Gold employees, who remain detained, and the suspension of gold exports.
Barrick, which has been present in Mali for three decades,emphasizedthatthe arbitration process was still ongoing and reaffirmed its commitment to “engaging with the government of
personally condemned) but failing to address speedily DV (domestic violence) matters where women are at the mercy of the court, failing to address matters of cyber bullying where women's nude photographs arepublishedonlinewithout their consent and other truly egregious crimes against women,”theministersaidin aFacebookpostlastweek.
The 'Guyanese Critic', during his morning show, attacked the minister for her views on the 'Baby Skello' matter in a “vulgar” and “abusive” way, saying “She is supposed to be the last bady (person) to be defendingBabySkello.”
In response, Manichand said,'Critic'is“anidiot”and “notajournalist”.
“What the critic fellow saidwasignorant,asinit,did not have contained facts. It wasvulgar,itwasabusive,it was profane, and it was uncalled for All of that makes that a crime against the State under the
cybercrime legislation,”
Manickchand said, while adding that if she were to waste her time to file a complaint against him, she would still fight for his pretrialliberties.
“If he were charged, and hewentbeforethecourt,two thingswerehappening:One, he would get bail, which would reinforce my point that these things are not applied consistently, and we needtogettothatplace,orhe would not get bail, and he would be thrown into jail until his remand, until his nexthearingdate.Andifthat weretohappen,Iwouldfind it absolutely ridiculous, and as much as I think he's an idiot, and not credible and
notajournalist,”theminister said.
Theministersaidthatthe 'GuyaneseCritic'istryingto twist what she said in the condemnation of Baby Skello's remand and called himabully
“I wouldn't bother too muchwithhim,butIwillsay this. He's a bully, and there are very many bullies like that. In households across this country,” the minister said before adding, “And to the girls and women who have to put up with people like that, I say, defend yourself, and deal with them.”
Minister Manickchand concluded that 'Critic' is a “stupidyBill”.
Mali,inparallel,toidentifya constructive, mutually acceptablesolution.”
T h e c o m p a n y ' s statementonMondayadded: “The ongoing detention of (our) employees -- who remain unjustly imprisoned and used as leverage in this p
is deeply concerning and inconsistent with the trust, transparency and accountability required for a genuine long-term partnership.
“To date, no credible rationale has been presented to justify this detention and the Government's position, and the Government's everincreasing demands have lackedbothfactualandlegal foundation.”
Mali is one of Africa's leading gold producers, but ithasstruggledforyears
The injured police officer receiving help at the scene.
A policeman was air-dashed to Georgetown on Mondayafteranall-terrainvehicle(ATV)crashedintoa truck belonging to the Guyana Manganese Inc. (GMI) along the trail to Port Kaituma, North West District, RegionOne.Theaccidenttookplacearoundnooninthe vicinityoftheChinesemanganesecompany'soldlaterite pit,leavingtheofficerseverelyinjured.
Reports reaching Kaieteur News are that the policemanisbasedatBaramitaandwasenroutetoPort KaitumaonanATVwithanotherpolicerankonboard.
Theotherrankescapedwithminorinjuries.
Cell phone recorded videos showed public-spirited citizens rendering assistance and trying to revive the seeminglyunconsciouscopwhowaslyingfacedownon the road.Eyewitnesses said that the injured policeman, whosefacewasbloody,lostsomeofhisteeth.
KaieteurNewslearnedthathewasinitiallytakento PortKaitumaHospitalbeforehewaslatermedevacked to the city.The injured law enforcement officer is a patientattheGeorgetownPublicHospitalCorporation.
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand
Policemanhospitalisedafter crashingintomanganesetruck
Does the mandate of the Ethnic Relations Commission extend to offensive but non-racial comments?
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) of Guyana was established under Article 212A of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Its functions, elaborated in Article 212D, reflectanambitiousnational objective: the promotion of ethnic harmony, the elimination of ethnic discrimination, and the safeguarding of equal
opportunity among Guyana's diverse ethnic communities.
ButasGuyanacontinues toconfrontthechallengesof
an evolving public discourse particularly in social media-level exchanges—questions arise as to whether the ERC's mandate encompasses all “offensive” speech, includingvulgarorinsulting language that is not explicitly race-based For instance, what if a citizen publicly insults or curses another citizen's family? Does this fall under the ERC'sjurisdiction?
To answer this question, it is essential to begin by understanding the functions of the Ethnic Relations Commission as set out in Article 212D of the Constitution The Commissionischargedwith a number of important responsibilities. It is expected to promote equality of opportunity for allethnicgroupsandtowork actively to eliminate ethnic discrimination wherever it arises. It also has a duty to
discourage behaviours and language that could incite ethnic tension or lead to the exclusion of any group Where instances of racial discrimination are reported, the Commission is empowered to investigate these complaints and to recommend appropriate corrective measures
Beyond these enforcement roles, the Commission is also expected to play a unifying role by fostering understanding, tolerance, and cooperation among the various ethnic communities inGuyana.Insupportofthis, it is mandated to encourage education, promote conciliation, and utilise othermechanismsofdispute resolution that can help preserve and strengthen ethnic harmony across the country
Themandateisexplicitly and repeatedly tethered to ethnicandracialdimensions ofsociallife.Nowhereinthe constitutional text is the ERC conferred a general power to act upon every form of vulgarity, insult, or offensive speech between private individuals, unless it implicatesrace,ethnicity,or nationalorigin.
Accordingly, if a citizen curses or insults another citizen's family, however distasteful or degrading, such conduct would not, on itsface,fallwithintheERC's remit—unless the nature of theinsultevokes,implies,or is grounded in racial or ethnic identity The Commissionisnotageneral
Dem Boys Seh...
tribunalofpublicdecencyor interpersonal conduct; its jurisdiction is purpose-built to guard against ethnic division, not general incivility
Yet, complexities do emerge The ERC is empowered under Article 212D(1)(q) to investigate “any issues affecting ethnic relations,” on its own initiativeorbyrequest.This broad clause might be interpreted to permit investiga
comments carry ethnic undertones, or where cumulative patterns of speech, including familybasedinsults,contributetoa wider climate of ethnic hostility In such cases, the ERC
n ostensibly personal insult as a
c vilification. Nonetheless, this interpretative leeway must be approached with caution. The doctrine of legality, f u n d a m
constitutional governance, p
ic bodies especially those with investigative or adjudicative powers—must actwithinthefourcornersof theirlegalmandate.Toallow the ERC to investigate all “offensive” conduct between citizens, regardless of ethnic content, would be to stretch its authority beyond what the framers of theConstitutionintended. Moreover, there are constitutional implications. Article 146 guarantees the
De Party Promise De Moon, De Stars, and Mars Too
Dem boys seh election season come again and one political party seh dem gun give everybody de moon and de stars. Not metaphorically Literally Dem seh de first 1,000 supporters gon get a plot on de moon complete wid solar lights and galacticWi-Fi.
Dem launch de manifesto last night under a big tent. And dem had holograms floating over de crowd. One hologram was de candidate himself, waving from de surfaceofMars.Heseh,“Votefuhwe,and y'allgonlivelikeastronauts.”
Dem boys seh de manifesto got 99 promises and not one is realistic. Dem promise to end blackout by importing sunshine in bottle. Dem seh dem gun ban potholes by sending all dem to de asteroid belt. One minister-in-waiting seh de only traffic dem supporters gon face is satellite traffic.
Dempromisefreehouselot—onSaturn ring! Free health care—by alien doctors trained in Jupiter University. And education? Every child gon get a
right to freedom of
expression, subject to reasonable restrictions “in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health,”orfortheprotection oftherightsorreputationsof others. If the ERC were to begin policing general offensiveness insults about family honour, for example it could be accused of interfering with this fundamental right, particularly where the expression is not motivated byracialanimus.Theburden would then fall on the ERC to demonstrate that such intervention is both lawful andproportionate.
This leads to the second inquiry: by what criteria does the ERC determine which offensive comments are worthy of review and which are not? This is not a procedural triviality but a questionoflegallegitimacy The Constitution does not prescribe a standard for filtering complaints
Consequently,theERCmust develop and publicly communicate clear, principled guidelines that define the threshold for investigation. Without such guidelines, its decisionmaking risks appearing ad hocorselectivelyenforced.
In practice, the
Commission may receive complaints ranging from egregious cases of racebaiting to relatively trivial instances of community gossip or personal insults. It mustthenassesswhetherthe conduct complained of: (a) invokesorimplicatesraceor ethnicity; (b) has the potential to inflame ethnic tensions;or(c)contributesto structural or systemic patterns of ethnic exclusion ordiscrimination.Ifnoneof thesefactorsarepresent,the ERC would likely be exceeding its constitutional brief by acting on the complaint.
It is important to acknowledge that other constitutional or statutory bodiesmayhavejurisdiction overoffensiveordefamatory conduct of a non-ethnic nature. For example, the courts may entertain actions for libel, slander, or intentional infliction of emotional distress The Human Rights Commission mayaddressissuesrelatedto dignity or privacy that fall outside the ERC's purview
The ERC should not encroach upon these areas, lest it dilute its core mission a n d c o m p r o m i s e institutionalcoherence.
While the Ethnic
Relations Commission can play an important role in fostering ethnic cohesion in Guyana, its powers are c i r c u m s c r i b e d b y constitutional design Its jurisdiction does not extend to every offensive or vulgar remark between citizens, including those directed at familymembers,unlesssuch speechisethnicallycharged.
The Commission must remain vigilant not to overreach,evenasitremains responsive to evolving societal dynamics Its legitimacydependsnotonly on the quality of its interventions but on the constitutional fidelity of its actions Clear standards, legal restraint, and principledinterpretationwill ensurethattheERCremains a guardian of ethnic harmony, and not an arbiter ofallspeech.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)
scholarshiptotheIntergalacticAcademyof CosmicExcellence.
Demboyssehdepartyevenpromiseto buildafloatingbridgefromGeorgetownto NewAmsterdam—made outta stardust and cloudfoam.
People ask dem how dem gon fund all this.Demsehoilmoney.Notthisoil.Future oil.Oildemain'tevenfindyet.Oilin2080.
Dem boys seh is only one thing dem didn'tpromise—adoseofreality.Is likede whole campaign write by a man who sniff helium and drink Red Bull mix wid porridge.
Butlehwebefair Demgetvision.Big, bigvision.Toobaditain'tgotnotelescopeto backitup.
Sodemboyssehwhenyuhgotovotein 2025,remember:ifsomebodypromiseyou demoonandstars,checkifdemevenowna ladder
AndifyuhseeaspaceshiponBrickdam, just know—de campaign tek off, but de countrystillgrounded. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Baby Skello, another go
There are lessons from Baby Skello developments that keep coming, leaving me standing on edge. The artist is now in jail. If for offensive lyrics, then what next? A line or para interpretedtobeseditiousby those who enjoy exclusive rights to such conclusions? Like some that come in this spaceandthispen? Or,what is deemed hostile and
possesses many elements that inflame, upturn, and incite? Once the first steps are taken on that Baby Skelloroad,theremaybeno limit to where such leads. I hope that the vaunted and also tormented Ethnic Relations Commission is listening- also the Guyana Broadcasting Authority, Guyana Press Association, the all-but-useless-to-
Guyanese attorney general's chambers, and a Guyana Police Force that is not worth the effort expended. The checks and bulwarks of the State all point in one direction. Its long arms reaching, groping for suitablevictims. Andnever more so than when a cherished constituency of the PPP government is involved,insulted.
Insulting it was, and I take offence at those degrading lyrics. I do so to honour the beliefs of ancestors The Hindu community is rightly incensed, and I commend it for standing up, speaking out. Lesson number one. Lesson number two is that the Baby Skello matter has now proceeded too far, with what has gone beyond reasonable censure It's what I interpret to be the worst political pandering. TherewastheERCjumping outoftheblockswithenergy and authority Then, the Guyana Police leapt like some guided missile to do bidding. Now, there is the magistracy dipping its toes into the unthinkable. Jail time is the consequence for rhyme time. Cooling his heelsinacellwillhelpBaby Skellorediscoverhissenses, know better than to mess withpowerfulfolks. Lesson number three comes in the form of overreaction and overkill Andanenvironment now increasingly moving towardsthelethaltemperature ofbeingover-frozen. Withthe cold claws of the PPP Government reaching out to raise hell across the faces of those who cross its path. Or thatofitspeople.
I have some difficulty with what has been meted outtoBabySkellosofar,but itisnotinsurmountable. My bigger problem is how his situation serves as the standard, a chilling precedent? If for a song today,thenwhynotforother etchingsthatflowtomorrow
from pen to paper to people? Etchings in any form. Such as this one When the mere speaking about what has become the fate of Baby Skellomakespeoplelikeme a marked man, then the probabilities of what could happen are open-ended Isn't that so, General Nandlall? For emphasis, speaking out against his condition,whetherrightlyso orwronglyso,butnotsiding withhim,Mr AG.
Give or take, some five hundred years have passed since Copernicus came out with his blend of lyrics, which was followed by the trial of Galileo. Theocracy astaughtbytheChurch,and held holy by it. I write as a Christian believer, follower But I differ, with more following below Does that make me a heretic or a lunatic? There is a more enlightened world in Guyana (supposedly) in this m i l l e n n i u m , w i t h democracy's ideals sung from every rooftop Freedom of thought is one, freedom of speech is another. Freedom to share with fellows, a third. Look at the vilifications and crimes those have brought down on my head, compliments of the JagdeoledPPPGovernment. Ihave a question for General Nandlall: Are those still about the nobility of democracy, sir? And now thereisBabySkello. Forget aboutleewayforthelyricist. Thebestrecommendationof a society is when it can rise
above the vomit, slime, and sleaze that are sometimes thrown at it. I have no admiration for what Baby Skello put out in the public domain. He should have known the reception to foreign lyrics about police targeting, gender bashing, and the like. He didn't, or didn't care. So, now he is made into an example, one with which I differ I recall Voltaire: 'I disagree with what is said, written, but count on me to object to the lastbreath.'
Now this hurls me into more familiar territory -the Christian community It would have pleased to hear, to read, to absorb similar outrage when Vybz Kartel degraded Jesus. I compliment the Hindus for their rage over Lakshmi. I pity the Christian religious groups, leaders who feared Caesar more than they respected God. For some, profane prominence trumped the profound. The lure of lucre conquering living the life of Christ, for him. Since they could have b e e n s o , t h e P P P Government and Vybz were coddled, condoned, even cherished. Now that is understanding and forgivenessinaction. I'dsay democracy,too.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
ExxonMobil commences drilling at Hamlet-1 and Lukanani-2 wells in Stabroek Block
ExxonMobil Guyana
Limited (EMGL) has commenced drilling operations at two separate well sites in the Stabroek Block. This is according to notices published by the Maritime Administration Department(MARAD).
MARAD said that EMGL began drilling at the Hamlet-1 well site on June 15, 2025 The drillship MODU Stena Carron will carry out operations at this location until August 31, 2025.TheHamlet-1wellsite is located approximately 104 40 nautical miles (193.40 kilometres) off the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 0 29 square nautical miles (1 square kilometre).
The Hamlet-1 prospect was previously identified by EMGL President Alistair Routledgeasakeytargetfor n e w p o t e n t i a l o i l discoveries.InFebruarythis year, Routledge said the company had identified Hamlet-1asaprioritywellin the southeast portion of the Stabroek Block, adding, “That well will be called Hamlet- the Hamlet One well.That's actually looking for an oil play in the southeast portion of the Stabroek Block,” Routledge added ”Meanwhile, in another notice, MARAD
said that drilling has also started at the Lukanani-2 well site, another key location within the Stabroek Block. MARAD said that drilling at th
s site commenced on June 11, 2025, and is expected to conclude on July 31, 2025.
TheStenaCarrondrillshipis also being used at this well, w h i c h i s s
d approximately 110 53 nautical miles (204 39 kilometres) off the coast of Guyana and spans 0 29 square nautical miles (1 squarekilometre).
The Lukanani-2 well follows the Lukanani-1 discovery, which was announced in April 2022. Lukanani-1encountered115 f
(35 m
sandstone and was drilled in a water depth of 4,068 feet (1,240 meters) The find contained gas condensate
and added to Exxon's growinglistofdiscoveriesin theprolificStabroekBlock.
Todate,ExxonMobilhas made 46 discoveries in the 6 6-million-acre Stabroek Block. Six projects, namely Liza 1, Liza 2, Payara, Yellowtail, Uaru, and Whiptail, have received regulatory approval for d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d applications have already beensubmittedfortwomore projects. Notably, the first three are already producing an average of 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). Production is expected to increase further with the start-up of Yellowtail later thisyear.ExxonMobilisalso seeking approvals for additional developments at Hammerhead and Longtail, with plans to raise Guyana's dailyoilproductioncapacity to1.2millionbarrelsperday by2027.
The Stena Carron drillship
'Baby Skello' released on $45,000 High Court bail
Local artiste, Daniel Wharton, called 'Baby Skello', who was remanded to prison for blasphemous libel last Friday, was released on $45,000 High Courtbail.
Wharton made his first court appearance at the DiamondMagistrates'Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman, who remanded him to prison until July 1, 2025.
The charge stemmed from a 'distasteful and vulgar' song Wharton released on his TikTok page back in May, about the
Hindu goddess, Mother Lakshmi.
During Tuesday's court hearing, Wharton appeared beforeJudgeSimoneMorris at the Georgetown High Court,wherehewasgranted bail.
The local artiste was represented by attorneys Dexter Todd and Everton Singh-Lammy, who requested bail on his behalf.
During an interview with Kaieteur News, Todd said thatbailwasrequestedonthe grounds that the offence is one that offers bail, is a minor offence and that the
magistrate had no evidence before her to suggest that Wharton was a flight risk or that he would not appear for histrial.
The attorney added that Wharton appeared in court on his own free will without being arrested by police. He noted that the prosecution had no objections to bail, resulting in them supporting theapplication.
Wharton's remand had evoked widespread condemnation from civil society, including government and opposition officials.
Education Minister and a t t o r n e y , P r i y a Manickchand, attorney Sase Gunraj, who sits as a commissioneroftheGuyana Elections Commission (GECOM),attorneysDexter ToddandRonaldDaniels,all publicly condemned the court's decision to remand Wharton.
Minister Manickchand took to her personal FacebookpagelastFridayto express her disapproval, describing the court's decision as inconsistent and misplaced, particularly in contrast to how other, more seriousmattersarehandled.
“The bench needs to be consistentandsensibleinits application of the law We are jailing someone for mumbling or trying to sing something offensive against afemalegoddess(whichwas terrible and should never be encouraged or listened to and which I personally condemned) but [the court is]failingtoaddressspeedily DV [domestic violence] matters where women are at the mercy of the court, failing to address matters of cyberbullying where women's nude photographs arepublishedonlinewithout theirconsent,andothertruly egregious crimes against women.Itrulyhopehehasa lawyer who will have this odd decision reversed at the
High Court,” the minister said.
AttorneyGunrajsaidthat “the remand of Baby Skello is unnecessary and excessive. His attempt at music was undoubtedly b l a s p h e m o u s a n d disrespectful, but refusal of bail ought not be used as a penalty.”
Meanwhile, Todd criticised the ruling, questioning its rationale: “Why would a person be remandedforsuchacharge? What is really going on in thiscountry?”heasked.
Similarly, attorney Daniels argued that the decisiontoremandWharton speaks more to the arbitrary use of institutional power than to a sincere effort at
justice.
“We cannot rectify, repair or mitigate this by selectively punishing one sinner while we cast a blind eye and deaf ears to all the other angels and advocates ofthedevil,”hesaid.
On Monday, the A Partnership for National Unity had called for the immediate release of “Baby Skello, criticising what it called a severe court decision.
“Thedecisiontoremand himtoprisonis,inanycase, disproportionate and threatens our basic freedoms. Guyanese must continuetoraisetheirvoices in condemnation. Release BabySkellonow!”theparty declared.
Guyana stands out amid moderate growth in Caribbean - CDB
The Caribbean economy, excludingGuyana,expanded at a moderate pace, buoyed by steady global growth of 3.2%, led by the United States of America (US), the region'smaintradingpartner, the Caribbean Development Bank said in its economic outlookfor2025.
The Bank said regional real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 1 7%, supported by the continued expansion of tourism services and increased commodityproduction.
However, the overall picture is nuanced, with economic performance
varying across the Borrowing Member Countries (BMC), as they encountered a diverse array of opportunities and challenges. Several BMCs grappledwithsetbacks,most notably with the impact of Hurricane Beryl laying bare
t h e r e g i o n ' s h i g h vulnerability to natural hazards.
Four BMCs, including Haiti, remained below their pre-pandemic output levels, with Haiti's ongoing instability continuing to hindereconomicprogress.In contrast, Guyana achieved extraordinary growth, expandingatarateof43.5%, fuelled by the continued expansionofoilproduction.
Looking ahead, CDB said regional growth will remain moderate. Excluding Guyana, the Caribbean economy is projected to expandby2.5%in2025,but prospects vary across countries, with some anticipating a more robust expansion than others Tourism and construction activity are expected to remain key drivers of growth. The fiscal and debt position is expected to
improvefurtherandcontinue to support economic growth andstability
However,somecountries that are scaling up public investmentorwithscheduled general elections are expected to face heightened expenditurepressures.Many governmentswillcontinueto faceconstraintsfromlimited fiscalspaceandriskstofiscal and debt sustainability; notwithstanding, fiscal responsibilityframeworksin severalcountriesshouldhelp maintain sustainable fiscal outcomes.
Theoutlookisshadowed bythepotentialescalationof geopolitical tensions, a slowdown in major export markets, and possible disruptions to global trade flows resulting from the surge in protectionist policies, as well as the recurrent threat of natural hazards.
Local artiste, Daniel Wharton
Ministry to provide new date for reopening of schools for September term
With general and regionalelectionsscheduled for September 1 later this year, Minister of Education, Priya Manikchand, said her ministry will announce a new date for the opening of schools for the 2025 September
Initially, school was expected to be reopened on September 1, but with the critical elections in play, Minister Manickchand notedthatanewdatewillbe madeavailable.
She provided the update on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the annual Technical and Vocational Education and Training(TVET)Fair,atthe Arthur Chung Conference CenteronTuesday
According to the minister, general and regional elections are
The Minister of Education, Priya Manikchand, at the TVET opening ceremony on Tuesday
important as they reinforce and refresh democracy She noted that schools are usually used as polling stations.
“Wearehappytogiveup the schools for that important purpose of allowing people to exercise theirwill,andtherewillbea change that will be announced later We usually accommodate it,” the ministersaid.
She reassured the public
that a smooth transition of the classrooms can be done, since it was done in the past withanationalexamination.
“In previous years, I believe it was 2015, we had electionononedayandmath examsthefollowingday,and we were able to move into school that night, fix them backforexamsandhavethe mathexamssatbytheentire country the following day Wearequiteorganised,”she noted.
Manfounddeadslumped overboatatWakapoa
A pensioner was found dead on Tuesday morning, slumped over his canoe at Wakapao, Moruca district, RegionOne.
The dead man was identified as Archelous Hendricks of Hassacobra- a littleislandlocatedalongthe MorucaRiver
Speaking with Kaieteur News, Wakapoa's Toshao, Andre Mohabir, said that Hendricks is believed to be around69yearsold.
Thepensionerreportedly lefthishomeonMondayand paddled his canoe to Mora Settlement to visit his relatives. However, he did notreturnhome.
His wife reportedly said that sometimes he would spend a while, but when he did not return to his home, she became worried Unfortunately, she did not haveaboatwithinherreach tosearchforherhusband.
However, on Tuesday morning, when she looked outofherhome,shesawher husband's boat a short distance away, stuck in weedsintheriver She subsequently got accesstoaboatandtravelled tocheckonherhusband. She reported that as she got closer, she discovered herhusbanddead.
Analarmwasraised,and othervillagers,includingthe ToshaoMohabir,venturedto
the area where Hendrick's bodywasfound.
“Part of his body was in the boat and part was in the water,”ToshaoMohabirtold Kaieteur News, adding that the canoe was stuck in the grassandcouldnotmove.
Villagers recalled that hiscellphonewasrightnext tohimandwasringingwhen theyarrived.
It is unclear how Hendricks died, but it is believedthathedrowned.
Villagers surround Hendrick's boat
US oil majors dive into Brazil's environmentally -sensitive area
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 17 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil and Chevron on Tuesday took their first steps toward exploring for oil in Brazil's Foz do Amazonas basin, scooping up offshore blocks auctioned by the country in the promising but environmentally sensitive area.
Thebidscameasstate-run Petrobras touted signs of breaking a stalemate on licensing in the offshore region near the mouth of the Amazon River, after years as the only oil firm working to overcome environmental concerns there. The auction triggered backlash from I n d i g e n o u s a n d environmental activists, who said oil exploration near that stretch of the Amazon coast threatens local ecosystems andtraditionalcommunities.
Two consortia involving Petrobras and Exxon Mobil secured 10 blocks in total, with the Brazilian firm acquiring five blocks as operator and the U.S. major taking the other five as operator. A Chevron-led consortium,includingChina's state-owned CNPC, acquired nine blocks Petrobras, Chevron, and Exxon Mobil shareswereupmorethan2% on Tuesday, also buoyed by higheroilprices.
The Foz do Amazonas basinispartoftheEquatorial Margin, Brazil's most promising frontier for oil exploration due to shared geologywithnearbyGuyana, where Exxon is developing huge fields. Brazil's Mines and Energy Minister AlexandreSilveiracelebrated theauctionresults,callingoil exploration in the Foz do Amazonas region a "winning ticket" to reducing poverty in northernBrazil.
"The interest from the U.S.companies,Chevronand Exxon,whichalreadyoperate in Guyana, demonstrates that our potential is gigantic," Silveirasaidinastatement.
"The bid round was a success and showed the companies' interest in exploring the Equatorial
uncertainty," said Rystad Energy analyst Flavio Menten.
Brazilissettocollect989 millionreais($181million)in signing bonuses for a total of 34 blocks, also including areasintheSantosandPelotas basins purchased by Shell, Equinor,KaroonandDillianz.
LICENSINGHURDLES
Foz doAmazonas' blocks accounted for the bulk of the signing bonuses, totaling 844 million reais It says the investment is intended to support the construction of new infrastructure, including ports.
As well as supply chain manufacturing, Petrobras has spentyearsseekingpermitsto drillinthearea.Adecisionby environmental agency Ibama last month let it move a step closer to the goal, but came with an important caveat for futurepermitsinthearea.
CEO Magda Chambriard told Reuters this month she believes Petrobras will clear thelaststeptogettingapermit to drill in the second half of July
"Seeing more companies gettingin,themajors,addsto the pressure for licenses to explore in the Equatorial Margin," said a Petrobras executive, who was not authorized to speak on the record.
Silveira said he was sure Ibama would speed up the licensing process after the auction, which came as Indigenous and non-profit groups such as the Arayara Institute protested outside of the venue against what they calleda"doomsdayauction."
"Drilling new wells will increase the risk of environmental disasters, worsen the climate crisis and deepen inequalities, " Greenpeace Brasil's oceans coordinator, Mariana Andrade, said in a statement. "Thebidroundwasasuccess and showed the companies' interest in exploring the Equatorial Margin even amidst uncertainty," said Rystad Energy analyst Flavio Menten.
Section of the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) road corridor between Grove and Good Success, which is under construction. (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Public Works)
Only trucks, public transportation to use Grove to Good Success main road – Minister Edghill
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, has advised that only trucks and public transportation would be allowed to use the East Bank of Demerara corridor s t r e t c h i n g f r o m Diamond/Grove to Good Success.
The advisory, which takes effect from June 17, comes as that section of the mainroadiscurrentlyunder majorconstruction.
A c c o r d i n g t o information provided by the ministry, Minister Edghill, alongside traffic chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, and head of the special projects’ unit ofthepublicworksministry, Mr.ColinGittens,andother staff, visited the project site where the new traffic diversionswereannounced.
The ministry, in a release, said, “To facilitate the smooth implementation oftheworksandtominimise traffic disruption, a temporary bypass route was initially established This bypass was designed to accommodate light vehicles such as cars and pickups, while heavier vehicles, including trucks and lorries, were to remain on the main carriageway through the activeworkzone.”
The ministry noted that although all classes of vehiclesarepermittedtouse the public road, light vehicles are encouraged to utilise the bypass road, whichmayprovideaneasier and more efficient route for theirpassage. Heavy vehicles, due to
structural and safety considerations, are not permitted to use the bypass and must continue to traversethemainroad.
“The Ministry of Public Works urges all motorists to exercise caution when passing through the constructionzone,adhereto all traffic signage and direc
om flag personnel,andreducespeed forthesafetyofworkersand fellow road users,” the ministryadded.
Looking to have this project completed in a timely and safe manner, the ministry is urging all road users to comply with the traffic advisories in place.
The Guyana Police Force’s traffic department will also beontheroadwaystoensure asmoothtrafficflow
The ministry had noted previously that the East Bank thoroughfare has endured significant stress, resulting from both the volume of vehicular traffic, as well as the weight of trucks, and both articulated and non-articulated vehicles.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the $1.3 billion road project is being financedbytheGovernment ofGuyanaandformspartof the wider rehabilitation project of the East Bank roadway It was reported that the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n DevelopmentBank(IDB)is financingtheupgradeofthe East Bank of Demerara roadwayfromGoodSuccess toTimehri.
ExxonMobil plugs $10M into upgrade of UG Mechanical Lab
TheUniversityofGuyana(UG) has taken another stride in its mission to deliver world-class engineering education with the enhancementofitsMechanicalLab at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology(FET).
Theupgradewasmadepossible througha$10million(US$50,000) grant from ExxonMobil Guyana and includes new industrial-grade equipment aimed at improving hands-on learning and technical innovation, the university said in a pressrelease.
The upgraded facility was officiallylaunchedduringaribboncutting ceremony held on June 9, 2025, at the Turkeyen Campus. It forms part of UG’s long-term vision outlined in Blueprint 2040, which includes goals focused on
advancing science, technology, engineering, and innovation, and ensuring students are equipped for the rapidly evolving local and globaleconomy
Thenewlyprocuredequipment includestwoSmithyGraniteXT3in-1 Machine; a Miller Multimatic 215 MultiprocessWelding Plant; a Baldor-RelianceIndustrialGrinder 1217W; and a Jet HVBS-712DV Horizontal/Vertical Bandsaw 7" X I2" Deluxe. These replace older machines that were in use since 1979 when they were first donated bytheBritishCouncil.
This revitalisation effort began when the Laboratory Technologist in FET, Mr Bruce Nigel Haynes, had advocated for the replacement ofkeylabequipment.Theproposal was later taken forward by Vice-
From left: FET’s Lab Technicians, Mr Kishan Jhandoo and Mr. Bruce Nigel Haynes; Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ms. Elena Trim; Mechanical Engineering students, Joshua Joseph and Ezron Bishop; Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin; Community Relations Advisor at ExxonMobil, Ms. Lasawhna Prescott; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), Dr. Kofi Dalrymple; fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student, Dwayne De Costa; Assistant Dean of FET, Mr. Basheer Khan; Head of Department of Architecture, Dr. Anna Perreira; and former Dean of FET, Ms. Verlyn Klass.
Chancellor Professor Paloma MohamedMartin.
Inherremarks,Prof.Mohamed Martin said: “We’re not only speaking about becoming a worldclass university, we have a plan, andweareworkingthatplantoget us there. While we are delighted that students now have access to this equipment, we also urge them to take care of it, not just for themselves,butforthemanyothers who will benefit in the years ahead,”theVice-Chancellorshared attheceremony.”
The VC also expressed sincere appreciation to ExxonMobil Guyana for their continued partnership with the University over the years, noting that their sustained support has been invaluable to both the institution anditsstudents.
Dean of FET, Dr Kofi Dalrymple, noted that the addition of the modern tools is expected to significantly boost the learning experience for UG’s engineering students. “These tools are more than machines; they are the instruments that will allow our students to build their skills, work with purpose, and prepare to meet the real-world demands of the engineering profession This investment reflects a shared vision with ExxonMobil to develop a stronger, more innovative Guyana,”hesaid.
Expressing appreciation on behalf of her department, Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, Ms. Elena Trim, said theimpactofthiscontributionwill be long-lasting. “Words cannot express how happy we are about this donation. Our students will now have the tools they need to create, test, and refine their finalyear projects. We’ve already seen their excitement and drive; it’s uplifting.”
mechanical engineering students Joshua Joseph, Ezron Bishop, and Dwayne De Costa shared their collective gratitude. They said the upgrade significantly enhances the labasitwillhelptobridgethegap between theory and practice, and provide the tools to develop realworld skills and open up new opportunities to work on meaningful projects and enter competitions.
Representing ExxonMobil Guyana, Community Relations Advisor, Ms. Lasawhna Prescott, reaffirmed
h
company’s commitment to education and the future of STEM in Guyana. Ms Prescott said, “For ExxonMobil Guyana, we see education as the cornerstone of development STEMinparticularisafocusforus, not only to prepare young Guyanese for the oil and gas industry but to build their capacity for a much broader outlook in a varietyoffields.It’simportanttous thatwehaverealimpactstodaythat translate to even bigger impacts tomorrow Collaborating with the University of Guyana has given us many opportunities and many successes that empower future leaders.”
TheMechanicalLabupgradeis onlythebeginning.TheUniversity plans to expand the facility’s capabilitiesbyprocuringadditional equipment, integrating interdisciplinary research projects, and furthering collaborations with international academic and industry partners This latest investmentisnotonlyaboosttothe university’s infrastructure but also a reflection of UG’s dedication to producinggraduateswhoareready to meet the engineering and technological challenges of the future, locally, regionally, and globally
Guyanatohelpsupplyone-third ofglobaloiloutputby2030-IEA
…warnsglobalconflicts willputmarket at riskassupplysettooutpacedemand
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is warning that global oil supply growth is set to significantlyoutpacedemandinthe coming years, as geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, pose serious risks to energy security
In its latest medium-term report, Oil 2025, released on Tuesday, the agency noted, “As Israel-Iran conflict focuses attention on immediate energy security risks, new IEA mediumtermoutlookseesglobaloilsupply increase set to far outpace demand growthincomingyears.
With intensifying geopolitical strains and heightened uncertainty about global economic prospects, oil markets are undergoing structural changes as the key drivers of supply and demand growthofthepast15yearsstartto fade.”
The IEA projects that between 2024 and 2030, global oil demand will rise by 2.5 million barrels per day (mb/d), reaching a plateau of around105.5mb/dbytheendofthe decade However, production capacity is expected to grow by more than 5 mb/d to 114.7 mb/d, with strong contributions from natural gas liquids and other noncrudesources.
The United States, Canada, Brazil, Guyana and Argentina are expected to dominate this nonOPEC+supplyincrease.
The IEA stated that these five countries will collectively provide nearly one-third of the world’s oil supplyby2030,withtheAmericas accounting for nearly all the 3.1 mb/d growth projected for nonOPEC+duringthisperiod.
“When we look at oil market trendsoverthepastdecade,wesee
aremarkabledoubleact–thanksto the shale revolution, the United Stateshasaccountedfor90%ofoil supply growth worldwide, while 60% of the rise in global demand has come from China. But these dynamics are shifting,” said IEA ExecutiveDirectorFatihBirol. Birol added, “Based on the fundamentals, oil markets look set to be well-supplied in the years ahead – but recent events sharply highlight the significant geopolitical risks to oil supply security When it comes to energy
security, there is no room for complacency The IEA remains deeply committed to working with energyproducersandconsumersto safeguardenergysecurity.”
Accordingtothereport,China, which has driven the growth in global oil demand for well over a decade,issettoseeitsconsumption peak in 2027, following a surge in electric vehicle sales and the continued deployment of highspeed rail and trucks running on natural gas. At the same time, US oilsupplyisnowexpectedtogrow ataslowerpaceascompaniesscale backspendingandfocusoncapital discipline, although the United States remains the single largest contributor to non-OPEC supply growthinthecomingyears.
Moreover, it was stated that Guyana continues to play an increasingly prominent role in g
Currently, oil is being produced from the prolific Stabroek Block, which is estimated to hold 11.6 billionbarrelsofoil.
The operator of that block is ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL),whichholds45%interest alongside its partners Hess with 30% and CNOOC with 25%
Offloading (FPSO) vessels, the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity, are in production, with another FPSO expected to come onstreamlaterthisyear
The three active FPSOs collectively produce around 650,000barrelsofoilperday(bpd). To date, Exxon has received regulatoryapprovalforsixprojects and has already submitted applications for a seventh and
HammerheadandLongtail.
TVET is a strategic pillar in building a prosperous and inclusive nation
–DeputyChiefEducationOfficerforTechnicalEducation
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is nolongerasecondaryoralternative pathway but a strategic pillar in buildingaprosperous,resilientand inclusivenation.
This is according to Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Technical Education,Dr.RiteshTularam.Dr. Tularamwasatthetimespeakingat the Ministry of Education's annual TVET Fair and Exposition being held at the Arthur Chung ConferenceCentre.
Dr Tularam pointed to the historic investments and achievementsundertheMinistryof Education and the government of Guyana These include the construction, retrofitting, and retooling of TVET facilities in every region; the ongoing training ofTVETeducators;therevisionof thecurriculumatGrades7to9;the rollout of Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) programmes in 74 schools, up from just 9 in 2019;thedevelopmentofGuyana's first-ever TVET Policy; and the creation of a TVET Management Information System to ensure equitable access and quality deliveryacrosstheboard.
He emphasised that the expositionisnotsimplyadisplayof skills, but a powerful showcase of what happens when young people are provided with the tools,
training,and support to succeed.It iswhereideasaretransformedinto prototypes, where ambition is shaped into innovation, and where dreamsfindapathforwardthrough purpose Dr Tularam saluted instructors, institutions, industry partners, and other stakeholders whose unwavering commitment is bridgingthegapbetweeneducation and employment, ensuring that every Guyanese has a stake in the nation'sprogress.
The Deputy Chief Education Officer with responsibility for TechnicalEducationremindedthat Guyanacurrentlystandsatacritical point of transformation, with growth in sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, technology, construction,andrenewableenergy demanding a skilled and adaptable workforce.
Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) for Technical Education, Mrs. Marcia PaddyAndrews, emphasised the transformative vision that underpins this year's theme: “Empowering Youths, Elevating Skills: TVET as Catalyst for Inclusion ” She described the theme as more than a catchphrase, but a call to action that recognises the urgency of investing in young people, refining practical skills, andremovingsystemicbarriers.
The ACEO (Tech) pointed to the significant strides made by the
ministryoverthepastfiveyearsin strengthening technical education across Guyana. She underscored the ministry's commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of geographic location, is afforded the opportunity to explore at least one area of technicalandvocationalstudy
This has been made possible through targeted financial investments by the Government of Guyana, resulting in the construction and rehabilitation of Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) and Practical Instruction Departments (PIDs) across all educationaldistricts.
She described the exposition not merely as an event but as a movement,adynamicplatformfor unlocking the untapped brilliance ofyouthandpositioningTVETasa cornerstone for national development and equity Mrs
Paddy-Andrews noted that the fair isanintersectionwhereinnovation meets inclusion, where skills intersect with opportunity, and where empowerment converges with equity She praised the youth of Guyana for not waiting for changebutbecomingtheveryforce driving transformation through TVET
Throughout the expo, patrons canwitnessfirsthandtheingenuity and innovation of students and institutions across the country From sustainable energy solutions and green technologies to construction prototypes, digital creativity, and advancements in smart agriculture, the exhibits demonstrate the diverse and meaningful opportunities that TVET provides. The public can expect to see displays and demonstrations in areas such as electrical installation, welding,
carpentry, fabric decoration, agroprocessing, aquatic farming, and blockmaking,amongmanyothers. These disciplines reflect the everyday applications of TVET, from how we eat and sleep to how we travel, work, and engage in recreation.
Mrs Paddy-Andrews highlighted the contributions of schools toward national food security and economic growth. Schoolshavecollectivelyproduced more than 25,000 pounds of chickenannually,cultivatedsteady supplies of fresh produce, and expanded into agro-processing IndustrialTechnologydepartments and PICs have manufactured furnishingssuchasbenches,stools, andworktablesforschools.
These efforts speak volumes abouttheintegrationofTVETinto the heart of community and (Continuedonpage22)
Minister of Education and students at the TVET ceremony
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Allegedthieftiedup,beaten todeathatNewStarBackdam
A24-year-oldgoldminer was tied up and beaten to death by four persons on Monday, after he allegedly broke into their shop and stole a number of items.
Dead is Mark Thomas of BlackWaterVillage,Baramita, North West District.
TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) reported that the incident occurred at approximately 09:15h at New Star Backdam, North West District.PoliceidentifiedthesuspectsasEwartWilson,Diane Wilson, a female called 'Kizzian'andamalecalled'Po-
Pal'.
Police said that Thomas and the suspects are known to each other
Reports are that the suspects received information that Thomas broke into their shop and stole a number of items, which caused the suspects to contact the miner
“The suspects tied a rope around Thomas' waist and they tied up his hands. The suspects then dragged and beat Thomas. Subsequently, the suspects fled the scene, leaving Thomas in a critical state. Thomas subsequently
stopped breathing, which caused a report to be made at BaramitaPoliceStation,”police said in a statement.
According to the report, when officers visited the scene, Thomas was found lying motionless, facing upwardswhiledressedinatorn pants with long boots on his feet.
It was also observed that Thomas had a rope tied around his waist and several bruises on his body. He was takentotheBaramitaCottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
TVET is a strategic pillar in building...
From page 21 nationallife.Meanwhile,Minister of Education Priya Manickchandreflectedonthe transformational progress thathastakenplaceunderher leadership since 2019. She said that at that time, only nine secondary schools were offering four CVQ subjects. Today, due to strategic planning,carefulinvestment,and theestablishmentofsupportinginfrastructure,74secondary schools across Guyana now offer 24 CVQ programmes.
Minister Manickchand described this as a clear reflection of love, investment, and deliberate efforts to prepare the nation's children for the future.
She shared recent milestones,includingthecommis-
sioningoftheMabarumaPID in Region One, the Hopetown, Region Five, Beterverwagting, Region 4 and Fellowship, Region Three PICs, and upcoming commissioning events in St. Ignatius, Region Nine, and Bartica,RegionSeven.
These developments bring the total number of regions with state-of-the-art TVETinstitutionstonineout of ten.
The Ministry of Education, through its Technical andVocationalEducationand Training (TVET) Unit, openeditsannualTVETFair andExposition.
Thetwo-dayevent,which runsfrom9:00AMto4:00PM daily, brings together more than44participatingentities, including secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, public and private sector businesses, governmentministries,non-governmental organisations, and representatives from the health, hospitality, construction, agriculture, and oil and gas industries.
Minister Manickchand stressed that education in technical fields is no longer an afterthought but a mainstay of national planning. Withnewfacilities,expanded programme offerings, and a relentlessfocusonaccessibility,theMinistryisbuildingan ecosystem in which children and young adults, regardless of background, can be trained,certified,andempowered to contribute meaningfully to Guyana's development.
Brazil's Bolsonaro accused in spy agency case as coup trial is ongoing
(AL-JAZEERA)Brazil's federal police have formally accused far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro of involvement in an illegal spying network that allegedly snooped on political rivals, journalists and environmentalists duringhisadministration.
Court records allege that under one of Bolsonaro's aides, Brazil's spy agency, Agencia Brasileira de Inteligencia (ABIN), ran a “criminal organisation of high offensive capability” from 2019 to 2023, local mediareportedTuesday
According to the police, ABINusedasoftwarecalled FirstMile, developed by the IsraelicompanyCognyte.
A Supreme Court document contains the names of several Brazilian public figures who were targets of the snooping operation, including Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, former Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria, and the current head of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies or lower house, ArthurLira.
The agency was also used to illegally spy on tax auditors who were investigating the president's eldestson,FlavioBolsonaro, according to prosecutors Theintentionwastofinddirt on them to halt a corruption probe from when the younger Bolsonaro was a RiodeJaneirocouncilman.
Namesofseniorofficials from the Brazilian Institute
of Environment and
Former Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro [File: Eraldo Peres/AP]
Bids open to rehabilitate Animal Clinic at Zoological Park
Withover$2billionallocatedfrom the national budget to upgrade the Guyana Zoological and Botanical Gardens this year, the National Parks Commission is preparing to spend a portiontorehabilitatetheAnimalClinic
there.Duringtherecentreadingofbids attheNationalProcurementandTender Administration Board office it was revealed that 13 contractors have expressed interest in the project. The Commissionstatedthattheseworksare
estimatedtocost$15million. Additionally, the National Parks Commission is planning to construct a QuarantineHoldingFacilityattheZoo, works which are estimated to cost $15 million.
Bids open to rehabilitate Animal Clinic at Zoological Park
MinistryofHumanServicesandSocialSecurity
Supplyandinstallationofwaterfiltrationsystems,Lots1-3 Bidder Amount Tendered Tricore Solutions Inc Lot1 $14,038,500
WorksatDayandNightCareCentreat Providence,EastBankDemerara.
Bidder
Andrect Engineering & Construction
JOP SP Construction Services Inc
The allegations add to a slew of probes against Bolsonaro, who was renderedineligibletorunfor office in 2030 after a failed 2022 re-election campaign. He is also embroiled in a jewellery embezzlement case as well as a case pertainingtohimforginghis COVID-19vaccinerecords.
Last week, Bolsonaro appeared before the Supreme Court for the first t i m e a n d d e n i e d participation in an alleged plot to remain in power and overturn the 2022 election result that he lost to current left-wing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The SupremeCourtheadquarters in Brasilia was one of the primary targets of a rioting mobofsupportersknownas “Bolsonaristas”, who raided government buildings in January 2023 as they urged the military to oust Lula, an insurrection attempt that evoked the supporters of BolsonaroallyUnitedStates President Donald Trump on January6,2021.
Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) were alsoonthelist.Aspresident, Bolsonaro cut the budget of IBAMA by 30 percent between 2019 and 2020, while also cutting funding for other environmental agencies. When he was in office, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon surged, and Bolsonaro was accused of facilitating this destruction.
Amount Tendered
$59,259,238
$58,681,586
NationalParksCommission
RehabilitationofAnimalClinicattheZoologicalPark.
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Trevor&SonsGeneralConstructionServices
DiversityInvestmentsInc
OfficeProEnterprise&ContractingServices
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$13,546,250
$14,852,220
$13,873,200
$14,080,250
$15,170,075
$14,938,700
$14,931,600
$13,596,700
$15,935,300
$13,012,430
$14,731,500
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$15,257,170
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Bahamas pauses recruitment of nurses from Cuba
The Bahamas government says it is pausing the recruitment of nurses from Cuba and will also cancel its existingcontractswithaCuban recruitment agency Health and Wellness Minister, Dr MichaelDarville,whopaida visit to Havana two weeks ago to review the current recruitment programme, told Parliament that the government will enter into direct employment contracts with Cuban healthcare workers who are currently in The Bahamas. “Following discussions with the US government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my ministry negotiated new contractual terms with the Cubanrecruitmentagencies,” Darville told legislators
duringthe2025/2026budget debate “After fruitful negotiations,weareprepared to cancel all existing contractual agreements and enterintoadirectcontractual agreement with Cuban healthcare professionals currently in The Bahamas “Those who agree to these terms will sign the new employmentagreementbymy ministry and remain in [the] countryfordeploymentacross theFamilyIslands,”headded Last week, the Guyana government said it would be implementing new conditions under which Cuban health professionals will be employed there as it plans to embark on the “aggressive” recruitmentofforeignnurses to work at several new
hospitalsthatarebeingbuilt across the country “We're recruiting people from around the world not confined to Cuba but we're workingtoensurethatpeople who come here from Cuba that they meet the definition because of what the US Secretary of State mentioned that the conditions of work here don't run afoul of the requirements set by the United States of America,” Vice President Bharrat Jagdeotoldhis weekly news conference.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have defended the Cuban health brigade programme after Washington announced the expansionofanexistingCubarelatedvisarestrictionpolicy
that targets “forced labour” linked to the Cuban labour exportprogramme.
US Secretary of State, MarcoRubio,saidthisexpanded policy applies to current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, includingforeign government officials,whoarebelievedto be responsible for, or involvedin,theCubanlabour
export programme, particularly Cuba's overseas medicalmissions
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants who left Cuba in pursuitoftheAmericandream, said that the new policy also appliestotheimmediatefamily of those people supporting the Cuban programme.“The department has already taken stepstoimposevisarestrictions
on several individuals, including Venezuelans, under this expanded policy,” he added
Rohee must stop the...
Frompage6
thewordsofamanwhoonce could not differentiate the DominicanRepublicfromthe C o m m o n w e a l t h o f Dominica If Rohee cannot get basic geography correct, then one cannotexpecthimtograspor be correct on more complex issues to which he remains a stranger. Finally, let me advise Rohee: I am proud of myancestry.Unlikehim,Iam not ashamed to identify with mypeople IfIcannotspeak forthefreedomsandrightsof the group I belong to, then I
forfeit the right to speak for any other Rohee will not deterordrivefearintomefor being proud in my skin representing and holdingaccountablemyrace oranyotherwhenitcomesto standing up for what is just and fair, consistent with time-honoured principles, international conventions, andlocallawsthatflowfrom them.Likewise, I will unflinchingly challenge any actorbehaviourthatseeksto tramplethese.
Regards, LincolnLewis
Israel kills at least 89 Palestinians in Gaza's deadliest day at aid sites
(AL JAZEERA) Israeli troopshavekilledatleast70 Palestinians and wounded hundreds as they sought aid inGazaonTuesday,firingat them with tank shells, machine guns and drones. Those casualties are among the 89 Palestinians killed in attacks across the besieged enclavesincedawn.
Israeli soldiers fired at the desperate crowds of aid seekersonTuesdaymorning as they gathered along the main eastern road in the southern city of Khan Younis.
It was the latest in a sustained wave of carnage since the Israel- and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) launched operations to distribute food in the territorythreeweeksago.
Thedeathtollisexpected toriseasmanyoftheinjured are in a critical condition, according to medics at Nasser Hospital, where the
casualtiesarebeingtreated.
Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal added that more than 200 people were injured, although reports concerning the number of casualties varied.
“Israeli drones fired at the citizens. Some minutes later, Israeli tanks fired severalshellsatthecitizens, which led to a large number of martyrs and wounded,” the spokesman said, noting that the crowd had assembled in the hope of receivingflour
Al Jazeera's Hani
Mahmoud, reporting from GazaCity,saidIsraelitanks, heavy machine guns, and drone strikes were “raining down”oncrowds,according toeyewitnesses.
The death toll of more than 70 people made Tuesday the deadliest day around the GHF sites so far Previously, that grim record wassetonMonday,when38
while trying to collect aid from the GHF since it launched operations
Israel and Iran trade strikes on fifth day of conflict
(CNN) IsraelandIran aretradingstrikesforafifth day,withciviliansin flashpointareasfacing wavesofattacks.Israel's defenseministersaidthe countryplansonstriking “verysignificanttargetsin Tehran.”Iran'smilitarysaid itstruckanIsraelimilitary intelligencecenterinTel Avivwithaguidedmissile.
Israel's air force is targeting ballistic launching sites in Isfahan, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Effie Defrin said Tuesday evening. He said12sitesarebeingstruck in the current wave of attacks.
Israel has targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities, including Isfahan, since it launched strikes on Iran.
Meanwhile in Iran, state television Press TV said Iran's air defenses were dealingwithafreshwaveof Israeli attacks in “densely populated” Tehran neighborhoods.
TheIDFreleasedavideo which it said showed three key sites for storing and launchingsurface-to-surface missiles that were struck in
CNN obtained satellite imagery from a space imaging company, Maxar Technologies, which showed that several areas of the facility were damaged in the strikes.
Isfahan on Tuesday CNN has not been able to independently verify the video.
“Thanks to our strikes, the forces of the Iranian regime have been pushed toward central Iran,” the spokesperson said “Now they are concentrating their effortsonlaunchingfromthe Isfahanarea. They have withdrawn fromwesternIran—butwe arerightbehindthem.”
President Donald Trump is warming to the idea of using US military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, two officials tell
CNN.
The US military is preparing for the possibility that Trump decides to order the Air Force to help refuel Israeli fighter jets as they carry out strikes over Iran, accordingtosources.
Trump warns Iran: Trump also issued a series of warnings to Iran, calling Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei an “easy target” and demanding “unconditional surrender.”
The president this morning said he's looking for a “real end”totheconflict,notjust atruce,afterleavingtheG7 summitearly.
inGazaonMay26.
'Shreddedtopieces'
“Dozens of civilians, including children, were killed,andnoonecouldhelp or save lives,” survivor SaeedAbu Liba, 38, toldAl Jazeera.
YousefNofal,whocalled the event a “massacre”, said he saw many people lying motionless and bleeding on theground.
The soldiers continued tofireonpeopleastheyfled, hesaid.
“I survived by a miracle,” said Mohammed AbuQeshfa,whomentioned both heavy gunfire and tank shelling.
A l J a z e e r a ' s correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, quoted medical sourcesatNasserHospitalas saying many victims were “unidentifiable” because they had been “shredded to pieces”intheattack.
Colombian senator in 'extremely critical condition' after being shot
(BBC) Doctors treating Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay have warned that he is in an "extremely critical condition"afterbeingshotin thehead10daysago.
Uribe underwent emergency surgery on Monday to stem a bleed to the brain, according to a hospitalstatement.
His wife said that the hours after the operation would be critical and asked Colombians to pray for his recovery
The June 7 attack on Uribe has shocked Colombians,whoturnedout in their tens of thousands to attend silent protests held across the country on Sunday.
"Miguel continues to fight for his life like never before," his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, said outside Santa Fe hospital, whereheisbeingtreated.
"We need all the prayers andwordsoflove.It'sloveis keepinghimalive."
The 39-year-old conservative senator, who was seeking his party's nomination for the 2026 presidential election, was
Colombians have taken part in marches in support of Uribe after he was shot (BBC photo)
shotthreetimesataneventin thecapitalBogota.
A teenage suspect was arrestedashewasfleeingthe scene. The 15-year-old has beenchargedwithattempted murder and pleaded not guilty
A man accused of providing the shooter with the gun has also been detainedaswellasawoman suspected of providing "logistical support" for the attack. However, police are still trying to determine the possible motive for the attack and who may have orderedit.
The brazen attack on the politician-inbroaddaylight ashewasgivingaspeechina
middle-class neighbourhood inBogota-hasbroughtback memories of the turbulent decadesofthe1980sand90s in Colombia, when several presidential candidates and influential Colombian figureswereassassinated.
Uribe's own mother, journalistDianaTurbay,was kidnapped by Los Extraditables in 1990 - an alliance created by leading druglords.
She was held hostage by them for five months before being shot dead during a botchedrescueattempt.
Uribe often cited her as his inspiration to run for political office "to work for ourcountry".
peoplewerekilled,mostlyin theRafahareasouthofKhan Younis.
Reports indicated more than 300 people have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded
Palestinians injured by Israeli fire receive care at Khan Younis' Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on June 17, 2025 [AFP]
Sabalenka apologizes to Gauff for post-match comments after French Open
BERLIN (AP) - Aryna Sabalenka says she has written to Coco Gauff to apologize for the “unprofessional” comments she made following her loss to herAmerican rival in the finaloftheFrenchOpen.
Speaking to Eurosport Germany, the top-ranked Sabalenka said her remarks afterher6-7(5),6-2,6-4loss
to Gauff at Roland-Garros thismonthwereamistake.In her post-match press conference in Paris, Sabalenka had suggested that the result was more due to her own errors than to Gauff'sperformance.
“ T h a t w a s j u s t completely unprofessional ofme,”Sabalenkasaid.“Ilet myemotionsgetthebetterof
Gauff of the U.S. holds the trophy while being interviewed, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP
Wednesday June 18, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Passionandromanceareinthe air, so make the most of the great atmosphere! Everyone seemstobeinafestivemood. You feel close to others and feelprofoundgratitudeforthe lovedonesinyourlife.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You may receive some upsetting news from a family member today It could have you reeling for a moment,but whenyoutakethetimetothink about it some more you'll realize that things aren't as troublingastheyfirstseemed
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Youmustweighyourphysical limitationswithyourdesireto get everything done, Gemini. You run the risk of wearing yourself out and getting sick justasyoufinishyourtasks.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Todayyoucouldrealizethata friend is actually your soul mate, Cancer You've been spendingalotoftimetogether attending social events, and you've come to realize how much you look forward to eachother'scompany
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Youmayfeelatoddswiththe restoftheworldnow,Leo,as youyearnforsomequiettime alone. See if you can find a balance between spending time with your family and timealone.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
Youhaveawarmandsensitive nature, Virgo, and today you could be feeling especially tuned in to the feelings of others.Romanceisverymuch onyourmind,asareallthings sensual.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Thismaybeatrickyday,Libra, as you feel the pull of conflicting demands and desires. On the one hand, you feel obligated to your career and fulfilling the demands of youremployer
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
It doesn't seem fair that your workload has increased these last few days Never mind that youstillhaveallofyournormal tasks to do, your boss expects youtofinalizeanewbudgetand writeaproposalaswell?
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
You've been extremely busy these past few months, working extra hours at the office, then going out with friendslateatnight.Thissortof behaviorisknownas"burning thecandleatbothends,"andit rarelyhasahappyending.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Expect today's planetary energies to raise your social consciousness,Capricorn.You may be distracted with thoughts of the homeless person you saw today, or the television special you saw on babieswithAIDS.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
You may be asked to swallow your pride and give in to someoneelse'swilltoday This will be difficult for you to do. Try to concentrate on your good reasons for obedience, and work out your frustration bytakingabriskwalk.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
The planetary energy makes this a good day for contemplation rather than action, Pisces. If you feel the urgetobuy,don't.
me.IabsolutelyregretwhatI said back then. You know, we all make mistakes. I'm just a human being who's still learning in life. I think weallhavethosedayswhen we lose control. But what I also want to say is that I wrote to Coco afterward — not immediately, but recently.”
Sabalenkahit37winners butfinishedthefinalwith70 unforcederrors—compared toGauff's30.
She said she wrote to Gauff to apologize and “make sure she knew she absolutely deserved to win the tournament and that I respecther.”
“I never intended to attack her,” Sabalanka added. “I was super emotionalandnotverysmart at that press conference. I'm not necessarily grateful for whatIdid.Ittookmeawhile togobackandthinkaboutit, to approach it with open eyes, and to understand. I realized a lot about myself. Why did I lose so many finals?”
Sabalenka, a three-time majorchampion,alsolostto Gauffinthe2023U.S.Open final,whereshealsowonthe firstset.
“I kept getting so emotional,” Sabalenka added. “So I learned a lot. Aboveall,onething:I'mthe one who always treats my opponents with great
respect, whether I win or lose. Without that respect, I wouldn't be where I am today So it was a
me.”
tough but very valuable lesson for
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus yells in frustration during the final match of the French Tennis Open against Coco Gauff of the U.S. at the Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (APPhoto/Lindsey Wasson)
Coco
Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Guatemala stun spineless Boyz in Gold Cup opener
SportsMax - They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and Jamaica's Reggae Boyz found out just how bitter it can taste on a mild California evening at Dignity Health SportsPark
Just six days removed from handing Guatemala a 3-0 drubbing inWorld Cup qualifying, the Boyz returned to the pitch looking a shadow of themselves, as Guatemala flippedthescriptwitha1-0 win in their opening ConcacafGoldCupGroupC clashonMonday
Itwasahistoricresultfor the 106th-ranked Central Americans, as it marked theirfirst-evervictoryover the 63rd-ranked Jamaicans inthecompetitionandtheir first win against the Caribbeansidein13years
Withthewin,Guatemala join Panama, who registered a 5-2 win over Guadeloupe, on three points,whiletheBoyznow face a steep uphill battle They must win their next two games to keep their hopes of progressing from thegroupstagealive.
The game's lone goal came in the 33rd minute, when Oscar Santis pounced onadefensivelapsetopoke home what proved to be the decisivestrike.
After Darwin Lom cleverly backheeled a lofted ballintoSantis'spath,the26year-oldslotteditpastAndre Blake, punishing a moment of disorganization in Jamaica'sbackline.
Itwasastingingreversal for the Reggae Boyz, who came into the game as favourites but looked nothing like the side that
dominated Guatemala less than a week prior Sloppy in possession and disjointed in attack, Jamaica were on the back foot early, lucky to see an earlier Guatemala goal chalkedoffforoffside. Theyfoundbriefsignsof lifeinthe26thminutewhen Leon Bailey was brought down just outside the box after a promising break. But Demarai Gray's resulting free kick soared harmlessly over Moments later, RenaldoCephasbrokedown the left, but his cross was snuffedoutbeforeitcoulddo damage.
T h e n c a m e t h e breakthrough, and with it, a shift in momentum Jamaica'sdefensivelinewas caught napping on a long balloverthetop.
AquicktouchfromLom,
acoolfinishfromSantis,and suddenly the Reggae Boyz werereeling.
Gray tried to respond before the break, winning possession high up the field in the 42nd minute, but his shot lacked power and directionastheGuatemalans carriedaquietconfidenceas wellastheleadtothebreak.
To their credit, the Boyz came out stronger in the secondhalfastheyincreased theirintensity,pushedhigher upthepitch,andfashioneda few half-chances But despite their improved effort, they failed to test Guatemala's goalkeeper, Nicholas Hagen, with any realconviction.
Guatemala nearly doubled their lead against the run of play in the 70th minute when Rubio Mendez's header forced a brilliant diving save from Blake.
Fourminuteslater,Pedro Altan's low left-footed drive againtestedBlake,whowas sharpthroughout.
With time running out, head coach Steve McClaren turned to Michail Antonio, who made his first appearance since a horrific accident sidelined him in December
Antonio nearly made an immediateimpactinthe87th minute, linking up with Bailey in the box, only for the winger's shot to be blocked.
The Boyz threw everything forward, and theirbestchancecamewhen Bailey floated in a perfectly weighted cross to Ethan Pinnockatthefarpost.
But the big defender's header sailed over in time added.
Guatemala players celebrate during the match.
Guatemala and Jamaica players battle for possession during the match.
Elton Dharry, Keevin Allicock, Dexter Marques
Return to Ring for August 2 Night of champs
Gu y a n e s e
boxing fans are in for an electrifying night as threeofthenation'smost celebrated fighters, Elton Dharry, Keevin Allicock, and Dexter Marques make their return to the squared circle on August 2, in what promises to be one ofthemostthrillingproamboxingcardsinrecent history
This event is a crucial warm-up in preparation for what is expected to be the biggest boxing spectacle in September when Guyana hosts its first male World Title fight featuring Elton Dharry Dharry, a former WBA Super Flyweight Interim WorldTitlecontender,is nostrangertotheglobal boxing stage with over 25 professional wins, Dharry has earned a reputation for his toughness, ring IQ, and resilience His 2019 world title bout against
Andrew Moloney in Australia solidified his standing as one of Guyana's greatest modernfighters. Allicock is regarded as one of the most naturallygiftedfighters to come out of the Caribbean in decades. Known for his speed, technical prowess, and fighting spirit,Allicock has captured multiple national and regional titles in the amateur
ranks.
Since transitioning to the professional level,hehasmaintained a perfect record and continuestoevolveasa futureworldchampion. MarquestheVeteran stillHasFire
Arespectedfigurein Guyanese boxing, Dexter Marques brings over two decades of experience to the ring. The former CABOFE Flyweight Champion, Marques has faced some of the region's toughest fighters and built a career on heart, discipline,andringcraft
In addition to the marqueenames,thecard willfeatureeliteamateur bouts, showcasing the next generation of Guyanese boxing talent. Fromyouthcontendersto seasoned amateurs, the August2eventwillbea celebration of boxing excellence across all levels.
Tickets go on sale July 1st, with details to beannouncedshortly
Keevin Allicock will also look to make an impression
Shabazz credits Slingerz FC's perfect start...
Frompage28 (GDF)FC,GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF)FC, andWesternTigersfortheirconsistency Currently, Slingerz FC leads the table, followed by Western Tigers in second, Police FC in third, and the back-to-back championsGDFinfourthafterashakystart.
“Matches among us and these clubs is whatgeneratestheinterestintheleague.The biggest marketing success of this league is therivalrybetweenthesefourclubs.Andthe interest these clashes generate,” Shabazz noted.
Hefurtheradded,“Thenthereareteams like Santos, Dem Amstel, Conquerors and Monedderlustwhowillgivethebigteamsa runontheirday TeamslikeAnn'sGroveand Gold Stars need to show a greater commitment to training if they want to compete.”
Shabazzsharedhisdeepconnectionwith theclub,stating,“I'minlovewiththisteam; it'sanhonourandaprivilegetobepartofthe Slingerzfamily IpraythatAllahblessesthe investment made by Javed Ali and his family.”
Elton Dharry heads the cast of boxers.
Guyana Cup returns August 11 with over $50M in prizes up for grabs
…Popcaan, Machel Montano to headline post-race concert
The gates are set to fly open once againforGuyana's biggest day in horse racing, astheGuyanaCupreturnson August 11 at the iconic RisingSunTurfClub,witha record $50 million purse up forgrabs.
Unveiled yesterday at BanksDIH'sThirstPark,the 2025 edition promises to surpass last year's spectacle, both in the intensity of the races and the scale of entertainmentonoffer
A total of 11 races are carded, and with over $50 million on the line, marking the largest prize pool in Guyana, and one of the most lucrativeintheCaribbean.
ButtheGuyanaCupisno longerjustadayattheraces, it has evolved into a cultural spectacle, a perfect fusion of
horsepowerandstarpower
Once the final gallop is done and the dust settles on thetrack,theRisingSunTurf Club will transform into a concert arena, headlined by Caribbean music royalty; Machel Montano, Popcaan, andRaviB.
At the official launch, Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Choo-Hen, Guyana Cup Operations Manager Andre Rochford, and event
passionately about the growth and evolution of the GuyanaCup.
All eyes will be on Olympic Kremlin of Slingerz Racing Stables.
Last year's feature race saw Olympic Kremlin, the pride of Slingerz Racing Stables, put on a masterclass in dominance, leaving a stacked field of ten in his waketowinthe1600mmain event.
The chestnut sensation, later crowned 2024 Horse of the Year, surged past the finishlineaheadofNovaSol (2nd), 2023 champion Easy Time(3rd),andOyVey(4th), cementing his legacy as the newkingoftheturf.
As anticipation builds for
August 17th, all eyes are on whether Olympic Kremlin can defend his crown, or if a newcoltwillrisetochallenge thethrone.
Shabazz credits Slingerz FC's perfect start in Elite League to players commitment …former
National Coach focused despite Slingerz FC's dominance
For Slingerz Football Club head coach Jamaal Shabazz,whilehissideisoff to a flawless start in their questforasecondGFFElite League title, he remains groundedandfullyawareof the challenges that lie ahead as Round Two kicks off on July26.
Shabazz, a seasoned tactician, served Guyana's national team from 2003 until parting ways with the Guyana Football Federation inOctober2024.
During his 21-year tenure, he had a record four stints at the helm of the Golden Jaguars and also coached the Trinidad & Tobago men's and women's nationalteams,aswellasSt. Lucia'smen'sseniorteam. His appointment at Slingerz FC sparked renewedinterestinthe2025 GFFEliteLeagueseason,as fansandfootballenthusiasts were eager to witness the returnoftheformernational coachonthedomesticfront.
Slingerz FC, arguably Guyana's most popular football club, along with Shabazz's star power, has beeninstrumentalinpacking
Daniel Ross is having an exceptional performance this season with Slingerz FC.
the stands at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence,thebattleground forEliteLeagueclashes.
After nine matches, Slingerz FC sits atop the standings with nine wins fromnineoutings.
Reflecting on his role, Shabazzsaid,“Iseemyrole asCoachatSlingerzFCasa
continuation of my
commitment to the development of Guyana football.”
“Wesethighstandardsin our training, planning and
what is expected of the players and staff Our interest goes beyond the pitchwewanttodeveloprole models through football in Guyana,” Shabazz pointed out.
With43goalsscored,the most in the league, and only two conceded, the fewest so far, Slingerz FC has been dominantatbothendsofthe pitch.
“I'm very pleased with the players' commitment to training and delivering results on matchdays,”
Shabazz noted. “I am very pleasedwithcommitmentof the players to training and getting results in the matches.”
According to Shabazz added, “We are unbeaten because the administrators, playersandstaffhasinvested time energy and resources. And it seems like Allah has accepted our sacrifice and therewardisninewinsfrom ninegames.”
“Opponents whose players miss training, are unfit or who fail to commit will get a reality check from our efforts on the field. We wantthesuccessandwewill continue to work hard to achieve it. There is no easy street or short cuts for us,” the usually candid Shabazz said.
Leading the attacking lineforShabazzisJamaican forward Kemar Beckford, who has been nothing short of electric this season. With 16goalsinninematches,he currently leads the league in scoring.
“Beckford is genuine goal scorer and though he misses a few he has demonstrated that he must
Jamaal Shabazz and his goal scoring machine, Kemar Beckford.
knock in one or two goals a game. However, our team has additional strengths for instance Curtez Kelman and DarronNilescommitmentin midfieldandwehaveseena return of the controversial JobCeasar.”
“AkelClarkeandJeremy Garret have shown tremendous leadership in organizing the team on the
pitch. Generally, we have a team with good leadership where on any day Kelsey Benjamin,QuincyAdamora Leo Lovell can step up and carry the team,” the Trinidadiansaid. Commenting on the competition,Shabazzlauded defending champions GuyanaDefenceForce (Continueonpage27)
'One Guyana' Kings and Queens of the Sand Football
Final group stage matches set
for this Saturday as quarter final stage takes shape
The final night of the group stage for the third edition of the One Guyana KingsandQueenoftheSand Football championships is set for this Saturday in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden at the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP-C) Linden office ground.
With some of the teams alreadyassuredofaplacein the knockout stage/quarter finals,otherswillbeseeking to cement their spots by the endofSaturdaynight.
In Queens' action, the GDF,withonegametoplay is top of group A with a perfect record of two wins from as many matches, followed by Hururu with 4 points from their full quota
Followingarethefullresults
FridayJune13
Queens
Fearless7 vs Rockstone0
RhennitaRomalho3rd,7th,8th,10th,15th,16th
RoshellBrutus15th
Kings
YMCA3 vs Rockstone0
JamalBentick8th
RyanNoel19th
KevinGittens26th
L.ABallers9 vs Swan2
AndreMayers5th,12th,26th
MickelJeffers14th,29th,30th
OwnGoal24th
JashawnMoore25th
MarcusTudor27th
MarkLoncke6th,20th
GoalIQ5 vs HardballManagement2
DonovanFrancis5th,29th
JamalHaynes18th
ShaneHaynes22nd
TrevonArchibald26th
MarcusForde23rd
DeonBarkoye27th
Team Minerals got a walkover from Fearless Hardnocks4 vs H.HBallers2
DeonCharter3rd,5th,11th
OmarWilliams9th
SaturdayJune14
Queens
AnthonyLayne2nd
EmmanuelAtkinson24th
AvacadoBallers2 vs Circuitville2
AlejandroHenrito12th,15th
Kings
EuclinAshby6th
PheanyRose22nd
Hardnocks11 vs AvocadoBallers3
CarlosEscobar6th,7th
AngelHines14th
DeonCharter3rd,15th
OmarBrewley7th,8th,27th
OmarWilliams23rd,24th, 28th
ColwinDrakes26th,27th, 29th
Swan FC gained a walk over from Fearless
LilBallers3 vs UDKBallers2
RashawnPitte8th
BarackJohn13th
AnthowneGuillaume26th
JamalWhite4th
KennethJones11th
Bombers were awarded a walk over from Hardball Management
YoungGunners2 vs Spaniards2
SelwynBarnes7th,24th
ShaneLuckie2nd
GerryBurnette28th
matches.
OveringroupB,likethe GDF, Iconic Ballers are perfect after three matches with 9 points and have sealed their place in the knockoutround.
Defending champions, Speightland with a game in hand,areon3pointsandare assured of a place in the next round barring a disastrous display in their final group game. Over in theKing'ssegmentofplay, leading the groups so far, in group A: Hard Knocks andOneSydehavealready
Gunners; group C: LA
2025 CPL draft to stream live today
TheRepublicBank
C a r i b b e a n Premier League (CPL)isexcitedtoannounce that the official player draft show for the 2025 season will be broadcast today, Wednesday,18Juneat10am ECT/3pmBST/7:30pmIST Fans across the region and around the world can tuneintocatchalltheaction as the next chapter of CPL cricketbegins.
H o s t e d b y t h e charismaticAlexJordan,the show will feature in-depth analysis and expert insights from cricket pundits Daren Ganga and Nikhil Uttamchandani Viewers will get the exclusive first look at the full line-ups for the upcoming season, as the retained, signed, and newly
drafted players for all six Men's CPL franchises are officiallyunveiled.
This year's CPL will featurethefollowingteams:
Ÿ Antigua & Barbuda Falcons
Ÿ BarbadosRoyals
Ÿ Guyana Amazon Warriors
Ÿ St Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Ÿ SaintLuciaKings
Ÿ Trinbago Knight Riders
The 2025 tournament is scheduled to run from 14 August to 21 September, promising six weeks of thrilling T20 cricket, electrifying performances, and unforgettable moments.
The season will bowl off in StKitts&Nevis,thentravel across the Caribbean, with
matches hosted in all participating nations The tournament will culminate with the playoffs and grand finalinGuyana,whereanew CPL champion will be crowned.
Withablendofseasoned stars and rising talent, the draft show will set the tone for what promises to be another spectacular season ofCaribbeancricket.
There is an added dimensiontothisyear'sdraft with the last three rounds reserved for players who took part in the West Indies BreakoutLeague. Teams will have to play at least one of these players in every match. The show will be broadcast on the CPL's YouTube and Facebookpages.
Minerals, and group D: BomberzandYMCA
Lil Ballers
Fearless goal scorers
Avocado Ballers (left) and Circuitville goal scorers.
Yarrowkabra Sec' thump BV to claim 2025 Inter-School Challenge Trophy title
The tarmac of the National Cultural Centrecamealive
on Sa
Yarrowkabra Secondary School (YSS) captured the 2025 Inter -Secondary Schools Challenge Trophy
b y d e f e a t i n g Beterverwagting (BV)
Secondary School in an excitingfinalofthetapeball cricketcompetition.
Bat
Seco
d a competitive 68-4, thanks largely to a fluent 33 from the in-form Khemraj Hajraj. His stroke-filled innings gave BV a solid platform, though Yarrowkabra's Leon James pegged them back withfiguresof2-22.
I n r e s p o n s e , Yarrowkabra chased down thetargetinfinestyle.Wazin Ali led the charge with a stylish30,ablysupportedby
and
champions.
During the post-match presentation, hosted by James Lewis, YSS's Jaydon Peters was named Player of the Tournament for his
performances throughout thecompetition.
The event was made p
generous sponsorship of Cummings Electrical Co., Gafsons Industrial Store, and Colin Klass and Associates Accountancy Business.
Meanwhile on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation took the 'One
o competitiontitlefollowinga 76- game streak while second place went to GNBS with62games.
ForeignAffairsdefeated Ministry ofAgriculture and Guyana National Bureau of Standard (GNBS) in the final to take the 2025 crown
The winning team comprised of Devaugh Jackman, Marc Forde, Kerwin Clarke, Dwight Redman,DeandraDavidand RoslynJohnsoncartoffwith championship trophy and cashprize.
Alex Paul who added
partnership poweredYSS to 70-3, sealing victory with deliveries to spare
Yarrowkabra Secondary wins 2025 Inter-Secondary Schools Tape Ball Cricket title.
Winning moment! Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation takes 'One Guyana' Inter-Ministries Domino Challenge title.
Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Championship 2025 opened yesterday in Barbados-BrittonandVanLangetotakefirststrike
Atalented fourm a n t e a m a r r i v e d i n Barbados yesterday to represent Guyana at the 2025 Caribbean Regional T a b l e T e n n i s Championships, which got underwayTuesday(June17) andrunstoJune22attheSir Garfield Sobers Sports GymnasiuminSt.Michael.
As part of its rebuilding strategy, the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has named a youthful, promising squad featuring Junior Under-19 Champion Niran Bissu and the prolific Elishaba Johnson. With a strongfocusondevelopment and competitive experience, Team Guyana is set to participate across multiple categoriesinthisprestigious regionaltournament.
The full squad in Barbados includes; Niran Bissu, Jonathan van Lange, Elishaba Johnson and ShemarBritton.
The team will be led by veteran player and former Caribbean men's bronze medalist and Under-21 champion,ShemarBritton.
Guyana will compete in theMen'sSinglesandMen's
Doubles categories The doubles pairings will see: Shemar Britton / Jonathan vanLangeandNiranBissu/ Elishaba Johnson for this year'schampionship. Meanwhile, a statement issued by the GTTA informed, “We extend our full support to the team and look forward to solid performances over the coming days.We encourage all table tennis enthusiasts andsportsfanstofollowthe team's progress as they representGuyanawithpride anddetermination.”
Team Guyana opens
Shemar Britton leads Team Guyana at 2025 Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Championship.
their campaign in Group 3,
powerhouse Dominican Republic and the steadily improving Saint Lucia Vi
opponents will be critical in advancing to the knockout andmedalrounds.
The dynamic quartet kicked off their 2025 campaign yesterday in the Men's Team event against Dominican Republic at 16:15 hours. They are set to returntoSirGarfieldSobers GymnasiumtodayforMatch 3againstSaintLucia,action servesoffat09:30am.
The talented Jonathan van Lange aims to advance to the knockout stages.
2025 CPL draft to stream live today
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League will stage their official player draft show for the 2025 season which will be broadcast today.
(L-R)At the official launch, Banks DIH's Dwain Bristol, Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Choo-Hen, Guyana Cup Operations Manager Andre Rochford, and event founder Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr.
