Kaieteur News

...morethan800aidseekerskilledsinceMay

‘PPP eyes big win’

…aspartykicksoffelectioncampaignwithpromisesof: over$100Kcashgrant higher salary and pension more opportunities in oil sector bigger incentives for miners

Two men stabbed to death at Tuseneng

OMAI aims to return to annual gold output of 300,000 ounces …saysevenifgoldpricesfall, producerswillstillbehappy U.S. sanctions U.N. expert critical of Israel’s war in Gaza

AFC in talks with other parties for joinder list - Hughes

SupportersfromacrossthecountryconvergedattheKittyMarket converged SquareforthePPP/C’selectioncampaignlaunchonSunday

OMAI aims to return to annual gold output of 300,000 ounces

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai Gold Mines Corp., Elaine Ellingham, says the company is aiming to return to an annual gold output of 300,000ouncesasitchartsa pathtowardproductionatits brownfield project in Guyana.

Omai, a Canadian gold company, holds a 100% interest in the pastproducingOmaigoldproject inGuyana,locatedinRegion Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) The project encompasses two orogenic gold deposits: the shear-hosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusive-hosted Gilt Creek Deposit. A 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the gold project outlined 2.0 million ounces of gold indicated and 2.3 million ouncesinferred.

Speaking in a recent interview with Crux Investor,Ellinghamsaidthat while the company is focused on optimising

development plans, the cost of building a processing plant will be a major determinant in the scale of operations.

“I think the key thing is you have to build a mill there,rightyouhavetobuild a process plant and the, I thinkthebigquestionishow big is that plant, because a bigpercentageofthecostof a big large scale mine is the processing plant, so I think that’s going to drive the overallcost,”shesaid.

D e s p i t e t h e s e considerations, the CEO noted the site’s historic production figure remains the benchmark “Just remember [Omai] produced 300,000 ounces a year average before and I think that’s a good aspirational goaltohitagain,”shestated.

Once a prolific gold producerfrom1993to2005, themineyielded3.8million ouncesofgold,producingan average of more than 300,000 ounces of gold per

year during a period when gold traded below US$400 perounce.Sinceitsreturnto “mining-friendly” Guyana, Omai has revitalised the property, which benefits from much existing infrastructure. Of the two gold deposits located on the property, Omai has been more focused on the Wenot “superpit”.

Notably, gold prices are

proportionally, not so much yet…and I mean the gold price now it’s far beyond what most of us, we’re happy If it comes down quitesubstantially,we’llstill behappyasproducers.”

Ellingham said the company is advancing well with environmental and permitting requirements She shared that an environmental permit had already been secured and thatOmaiisworkingclosely w i t h G u y a n a ’ s Environmental Protection Agency(EPA).

currently high, fetching a price of $3,100 per ounce.

Ellingham added, “You’re well aware the inflation has not really kept up with the goldprice,likesometimesin the past when the gold price came up the cost came up

“Weactuallyreceivedan environmentalpermit,it’san interimonefortwoyearsbut I think it was a great milestone especially compared with some of the o t h e r p r o j e c t s i n country…We just recently engaged ERM, which is a

large international firm s p e c i a l i z i n g i n environmental studies…and we’reworkingwiththeEPA i n G u y a n a , t h e Environmental Protection Agency, and they’re very knowledgeable on Omai for sure,”shesaid.

E l l i n g h a m a l s o highlighted the benefits of Omai being a brownfield project. She said that since the site was already cleared and does not fall within a regenerated natural environment, the permitting hurdles are relatively lower

“There’s no endangered species there and it’s not a natural environment which they recognize… Even in Guyana the permitting process is fairly quick but I wouldexpectustobeonthe leading edge of that timeline,”shesaid.

The French naval vessel FS LA CONFIANCE sailed into Georgetown’s harbour on Sunday marking the start of a three-day official port call aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between GuyanaandFrance.

According to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the vessel arrived at the GuySuCo Wharf where it was met with a formal reception party comprising representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Harbour Master’s Office, the Ministry of Public Health, the French Attaché, and the GuyanaDefenceForce(GDF)CoastGuard.

Commanded by Lieutenant Commander François Bichon, FS LA CONFIANCE carries a complement of 27 military personnel, including six officers, 17 petty officers, and four seamen. During its stay in Georgetown until Wednesday, July 16, the crew will participate in a robust programme of military engagement, cultural exchange, andgoodwillactivities.

French naval vessel makes official port call to Guyana

The French naval vessel FS LA CONFIANCE in Guyana’s waters

Highlightsincludecourtesycalls,suchas a scheduled visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, familiarization tours with GDF Coast Guard membersaboardthevessel,andvisitstokey landmarksacrossGeorgetown.

The FS LA CONFIANCE, a 61-metre offshorepatrolvesselwithagrosstonnageof 720, operates in the Caribbean as part of France’s regional maritime security framework.

Its visit to Guyana serves not only as a gestureofgoodwillbutalsoasatestamentto the deepening defence and diplomatic ties between the two nations. The vessel is scheduled to depart the Coast Guard Wharf on Wednesday evening, before exiting Guyana’sterritorialwatersshortlythereafter

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai Gold Mines Corp., Elaine Ellingham

PMPhillipspromisesbiggercashgrantifPPPisre-elected

Prime Minister

Mark Phillips on Sunday promised that if reelected the PPPC Government will deliver more cash grants not less than$100,000.

“Last year, we paid 100,000cashgrantforevery Guyanese 18 years and above. And it didn’t done deh, because once we start something, we got to continue it, and if we pay $100,000,nexttimeweain’t gone pay you less than 100,000 so you figure it out foryourself,morecashgrant coming, and it will not be lessthan$100,000,”Phillips told a large crowd of PPP supporters at their election campaignlaunchinKitty

Earlier this year General Secretary of the PPP and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, shared similar sentiments where he announced that future cash grants will be distributed if the PPP secures a next term inoffice.

“You will get your cash grants in the future too,” Jagdeosaidasheaddresseda gathering at Babu Jaan, Corentyne, Berbice. “Just imagine the next term in officehowgloriousthatwill be,”headded.

During his address, Jagdeo reaffirmed that the PPP stands by its commitments. “When we make these promises that PresidentAli spoke about in the next term, you best believe that they will be delivered,”henoted.

Meanwhile, Phillips recounted the party’s commitment made during

PPP supporters at the party’s campaign launch

the 2020 election campaign, saying, “We came with a manifesto with a lot of promises, and today, we are reportingtoyouthatwehave fulfilledourpromisestoyou.

It’sacaseofpromisesmade, promisesdelivered.”

According to Prime Minister Phillips, from the hinterland to the coastland, the PPP/C government, overthepastfourandahalf years, has implemented a national development

agenda characterised by

roads, new educational

healthcare access, and

opportunities

“We have brought five years of development to Guyana And you know what?Yougotoeverypartof Guyana,everyregion,every village, every community, the people say they benefit

from our policies,” he underscored, according to a Department of Public Informationreport.

He also highlighted the effortsmadetorevitalisethe agriculture sector under the leadership of President Ali.

“Thisisthegovernmentthat brought life back to Guyana’sfarmlandandpride to the people who feed our nation,”hestated.

“And guess what? They did a survey only two

monthsago,andrevealedthe f i n d i n g s o f t h e survey…Guyanaemergedas the number one nation, the top nation that can feed its population.”

This was not political rhetoric, PM Phillips stated, but lived reality for communities across all ten administrative regions

“Thosewhohaveeyestosee must see, those who have ears to hear must hear, and those who can feel must

feel,”heasserted.

The Prime Minister also referred to the PNC-led opposition as “a coalition of lightweights” and “dead weights,” accusing them of racist remarks and a superficial approach to diversity and youth engagement.

He described the PPP/C as a “national and multiethnic party” representing “all the colours of Guyana, alltheracesofGuyana.”

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EDITORIAL

Cost of living and food prices

In our lead article yesterday, we reported that poor Guyanese who do their shopping at the Bourda and Stabroek markets paid significantly more for some of the everyday food items than they did just three years ago, as prices for meats, vegetables, and seasonings continue to rise.

Infact,ananalysisoftheJuly3,2025pricelistfromthe GuyanaMarketingCorporation(GMC)showswidespread increases in both wholesale and retail prices for key commodities. Among the steepest climbs are seen in the meat category, where local chicken, which retailed for $381.55 per pound in 2020 and $488.33 in 2022, is now selling for up to $560 per pound at Stabroek Market and $520perpoundatBourda.

Beef,pricedat$430.37perpoundin2020,hadreached $659.74in2022,andnowstandsat$950perpound,more thandoublingits2020cost.Porkhasalsoseenasustained increase,nowretailingat$750perpound,upfrom$585.46 in2022and$417.17in2020.Asitrelatesto,vegetablesand seasonings,thesefooditemsarenoexceptiontothetrend. Bora which was selling at $348.19 per pounds in 2020, surged to an extraordinary $6,915.31 by 2022. The 2025 pricehasstabilisedsomewhattoabout$2,100perbundle.

High cost of living has been suffocating citizens for overtwoyearsnow The‘small’moneythatcitizenshave in their hands buys less and less when they go shopping. Shoppingforessentials,especiallyfoodandmedicines,can be a parent’s worst nightmare, a state of intensifying fearfulnesssincehigherpricescouldbewhatawaits,have tobepaid. ThePPPCGovernmenthasmoremillionsinits hands, but it does not prioritise what is helpful to hurting people, but is more about projects, where underhanded activities have drained the nation’s coffers, and enrich politicaloperators.

Struggling citizens have scant interest in another project that involves cement and steel, and the many millionsthatgointothem,toerectnewmonumentstoour prosperity Whose prosperity, certainly not the many citizens living in poverty, and often hungry? Guyanese learnofmoreloanstaken,andmoremillionsborrowedfor buildingroadandeducationalandhealthcapacity,andthey wonderwhatabouttheyawning,gnawingcapacityintheir stomachsthatcannotbehalf-filledalmostdaily Whyisit with all the sweet political speeches from leaders that citizens still live at the same standard (perhaps worse) as eightyearsago,whenthefirstannouncementscameabout oildiscoveries?

ThestatisticssaythatGuyaneseareincrediblyrich,yet there are all these citizens of Guyana that struggle to buy greensandvegetablestoputasimplemealonthetablefor their families. The PPPC Government, an unequalled masteratpropaganda,hassaidthatitcares. Thequestion thatcanbeaskediswhatdotheGovernmentanditsleaders reallycareabout,asidefromtheself-enrichinginterestsof both. When everything else becomes a distant second, when the struggles of poor and weak and vulnerable citizensamounttomoreopportunitiesforpoliticalgames, then care is not a factor But only another instance of the conceits and corruptions that control the minds of the governmentspecifically,andlocalpoliticiansingeneral.

Handing out money as an expression of care for childrenandtheplightoftheirparentsisnotonlyhelpful, but also inspired. When, however, there is the taint of encouragement for elections purposes, because of the timing,thentalkaboutcarecomesacrossascircumstances of hardship converted into circumstances of political expediency and convenience. A good thing, what was believedtohavestartedoutasmeaningfulandhelpful,falls flatonitsface.

What about when there are no elections on the calendar? Are those in need then callously left on their

‘Juretha

Fernandes: ending indigenous marginalisation’

DEAREDITOR

After considering their socialcondition,inaletterto thepressin2009Iconcluded that‘iftheindigenouspeople are within a reasonable time to share equitably in what Guyana has, they need to develop their specific political organisation and agenda and use their statistical weight to force its implementation. Of course, I am not for one moment denyingthatGuyananeedsa n e w m a n a g e m e n t arrangement and that Amerindians are well locatedtofacilitateachange, but even here I will argue thattheywillbebetterableto aid that transformation if driven by their specific needsandagenda.’

It is not precisely as I imagined, but if properly orchestrated, with Ms Juretha Fernandes as his prime ministerial candidate, Mr Aubrey Norton is suggesting an end to hundredsofyearsofrelative Amerindian marginalisation andpoverty

In March 1778, the first Great Durbar between representatives of the government of the day and Amerindians was held at

Fort Island. According to ARF Webber, ‘The Indian chiefs were presented with sticks with large silver knobs … hats with large silver pointed plumes, blue drill-coloured cloths, axes, ribbons,lookingglasses,and other articles, and asked to visit the Fort from time to time The visitors were thereafterentertainedinhigh revels, with ‘kiltum’ (cheap rum), bread, and provisions. On their part, the Indians promised to be faithful, and to render assistance whenever called upon ’ (Centenary History: HandbookofBritishGuiana’ 1931).

In 1793, Amerindian slaverywasabolishedandin 1802,aProtectorsofIndians was appointed to, inter alia, catch the slaves who had escaped the plantations Indeed, in about 1810, a Convention of Friendship was concluded between the British and the Caribs at whichtheGreatCaribChief Mahanarvinhispresentation to the Court of Policy stated that if no one was willing to purchase the slaves in his possessionhewouldhaveto kill them! In exchange for the promise of annual gifts,

the governor prevailed upon the chief to forswear such a radical solution. ‘These revels and presentations were maintained from year to year but discontinued when the menace of revolting Negro slaves no longerexisted.’(Ibid).

Given this backdrop, in 1828,beforetheabolitionof African slavery, William Hillhouse, Quarter Master GeneralofIndians,madethe following succinct but propheticstatementastothe trajectoryoftheAmerindian condition.

He claimed that ‘the Indian policy of the G o v e r n m e n t w a s transformingtheIndiansinto pauperized pensioners.’ He wasimmediatelysackedand ordered ejected and not to againtrespassonanyIndian settlement.Webbermadethe interesting comment that ‘Hillhousewasright;butthe wayofthereformer,likethat of the transgressor, who but transgresses against established things, must alwaysbehard’(Ibid).

Coming some 200 years afterthefirstDurbar,writing on the dawn of the Cooperative Republic, Hon. H. O. Jack, a minister in the

government of the People’s National Congress (PNC), bemoaned the fact that the hinterland remained totally underdeveloped. According tohim,‘Developmentofthe interior was actively discouragedsincethismight havemeantcompetitionwith the sugar planters and a threat not only to their financial but also to their socialandpoliticalposition.’ (Co-operative Republic, Guyana”1970).

The PNC did make a substantial effort: for example, the 1976 amendment to the Amerindian Act designated 77 areas comprising about 16% of Guyana as Amerindian land And, perhaps because of his determination to grow an authentic national culture and his rumoured Amerindianheritage,Forbes Burnham left significant national indigenous imageries: the Golden Arrowhead, Mashramani, theCaciqueCrown,Timehri (nowCheddiJagan)Airport, the Umana Yana, etc. The People’sProgressiveParty’s (PPP/C) government continuedwiththeeffortsin (Continuedonpage06)

OurYouths Must be sensitised on the Genesis of Free Tertiary Education

DEAREDITOR, In this election season, many Guyanese primarily theyouthpopulation,willbe bombarded by many promises at political rallies hostedbythecurrentregime.

As it relates to the abolition of tuitions and tertiaryeducation,ouryoung people must be directed and guided by Article 27, paragraph 1, of Guyana’s Constitution which states

that every citizen has the right to free education from nurserytouniversity,aswell as at non-formal places where opportunities for education and training are provided.

Contextually our youths being beneficiaries of free tertiary education is not a campaignpromiseaswhatis promulgated but rather a constitutional mandate and entitlementtoeverycitizen.

Our youths must be reminded that during the year 1976 under the auspices of the People’s National Congress (PNC) later (Reform) free tertiary education was in effect until the late 1990’s when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) assumed office, where tuition fees wereintroduced Years later President Irfaan Ali on October 10,

own,togetbyhowevertheycan,bywhatevermeans? Caringthatisgenuineisfull-time,and ithasnostringsthattieittoanything.Thereisnothingthatlinksittothepoliticallysuspect, what could be interpreted as the calculating underhandedness of politicians with no heart, most likely little by way of integrity and plain human decency left. Tens of thousands of Guyanese across the various regions are grappling with cost of living, especially in the remote hinterland communities of our first peoples, and all they are useful for is to fulfill somerolethatkeepspoliticiansinbusiness,andenrichthemfurther

WecanbeproudofthehundredsofbillionsinGuyanesedollarsthatspentforwoodand glass, sand and asphalt, but our left behind do not have enough to buy food. High cost of livingisnotabigtablewithnumbersonit;highcostoflivingisatablewithoutenoughfood onit,itisahousewithlessandlesserhope,asthedaysgoby WhensomanyGuyaneseare faintwithhope,soinfirmoffeet,whenforcedtofacevendorsandsellers,thenallthischatter aboutcaringandworldclassrichnessmakesamockeryoftheirpainfulexistence.

No government should be pleased to stand over such a situation. No President of authenticleadershipattributesshouldpresideoverwhatGuyaneselivewith,leavingthem unabletocope. Onlythesustainedandthemateriallysignificantinhandisgoingtomakea differenceandnottheusualpolitickingandself-congratulatingbythisPPPCGovernmentat thecontrols.

d in Parliament that from January, 2025 tuition fees will be abolished at the UniversityofGuyana.

While this has come into fruition, where myself and many University students can finally breatheasighofrelief,our youths must not be carried awaybythis“reliefmeasure taken by the state” as it should have been implemented from the time they (the PPP) took over in 2020.

Our Youths must be guided by the veracity of who implemented free tertiary education and not offer commendation for a measure that is a constitutional mandate and isenshrinedinourlaw

To this end, I urge fellow Guyanese to be witty and not be lured into the political optics and cajolery by the incumbent administration,bewise Regards, AntonioDey

PPPhas best machinery for Guyana elections

DEAREDITOR

PPPisthemostdominant party in the country, and it has been this way for decades even during the period of dictatorship. It is the only party to win clear majorities in free and fair elections since universal suffrage. Also, Jagdeo and Irfaanaretheonlyleadersto truly claim mass appeal almost throughout the country over the last five years.Anyonewhodoesnot acknowledge these facts are fooling themselves. Irfaan and Jagdeo and the party’s dominance put them in a strongposition.

PPP’s strong position cannot be reduced to Jagdeo’spopularityalone.It is true that under his watch, the PPPhas strengthened its electoral operations, engineered broad-based social coalitions, and struck useful alliances. But Irfaan has also worked the ground with cross over appeal. The party has several crossovers becauseofIrfaan;leadersof a few small parties and defectors have endorsed Irfaan All of this has improvedhisandtheparty’s statureandpopularsupport.

Money and organisation are critical two factors that influence outcome of elections. The PPP has both on its side. The PPPhas the best campaign organization for election which is won with an effective election day machinery.Aparty will havetobewell-resourcedto implement its plan in order to be victorious provided it has a chance of victory; the PPPhasthemostfunds.The opposition APNU and the newly formedWIN lack the kind of organization of the PPP And the small parties have no chance of a victory Some will not even win a seat; their best bet is the joinder list, pooling their resources to get a seat or more or even to bury their ego and link up with one of theaboveparties.

As noted, elections are a b o u t m o n e y a n d

organization The betterfunded and organised party has the advantage. The PPP hasfarmoremoneythanany other party; they are in a much better position financially and in terms of resources. Also, they are emboldened by the fact that they are the incumbent, accessing state resources. It uses its tenure in office, incumbency, to its advantage. A lot of favours areusuallygivenoutinorder topersuadethevoter During anelectioncampaignalotof transactions go on. There may or may not be money, but a lot of favours are usually given out and promises made in order to persuadethevoter.Manyare not pleased with the government. But there isn’t v e r y s t r o n g a n t iincumbency Further, the opposition is not attractive and is disarray The opposition is adrift and enfeebled; the oncepowerful opposition party appears to have exhausted muchofitspotential.Antthe other challengers are not very credible although one of them has been gaining traction, giving the PPP headaches.

The governing PPP has seen it fit to focus on its a c h i e v e m e n t s a n d performance that it claims speaks for itself as the party encouragesvoterstore-elect it The government is claiming that it has worked, performed, and delivered and that the electorate should re-elect it based on the record. The opposition, ontheotherhand,isfinding andhighlightingweaknesses oftherulingparty PPP also has the best organisation on the ground. Thepartyisconsideredtobe a cadre-based party with volunteersandpaidworkers atalllevels–fromthestreet to the polling division. Its campaign is powered by an indefatigable network of workers, many of whom are foot soldiers who are clamorousonthestreetsand

going house to house to convince people to vote for PPP Nootherpartyhassuch machinery

The party has also thrivedongenerousfunding from businesses and the unwavering support of a wide swathe of media personnel. There is also an unbending focus on unity; eitheryouarewiththeparty oragainst,nomiddleground isallowed.

Fromallindicators,alot of work has been done over the years and is presently beingdonebythePPPonthe ground where, on election day, that is what will matter most.Organisationhastodo with bringing out the votes. For months, PPP workers, morethanthatofAPNUand AFC activists, have been on the ground checking the voters’ list continually to make sure all the persons thattheyanticipatewillvote for their party is registered and transferred to the new votingdistrictiftheymoved recently Thevolunteersand paid workers have been roaming around for months and update their list of prospective supporters They know who migrated and who passed away or moved to another district. Theymakesuretheychange the address of the voter and registernewones.Theyalso reach out to voters and address their basic needs as well as providing them hampers,houselots,etc.The expansion of welfare to pensioners, retirees, and low-income earners is anotherreasonwhyPPPisso popular

On election day, grassroots members are assignedaboothwherethey collect as much information as possible on voters and then try to persuade them to votefortheirparty sincethe volunteers have already knownthevoters,theycheck in with these people – see if they have voted, if they are getting out to vote, etc. One ormoreactivistsisassigned (Continuedonpage06)

Guyana must rise-stronger, fairer, and more united than ever before.

DEAREDITOR

, As political parties vie for control of our country ahead of the critical September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, I havebeencloselyobserving theunfoldingdevelopments. Likemanycitizens,Isharea deep concern for the future of Guyana; a nation blessed withimmensenaturalwealth and now bolstered by oil revenues.

Our people are yearning forreal,lastingprogress.

These elections are not justanothercontest,theyare a defining moment. It is the people who will determine, through the ballot box, whichpartyisbestequipped to manage our national resourcesandchartajustand prosperous course for all.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C)hashad fiveyearstoproveitsability to lead. In my view, they havefallenshort.

They have squandered an opportunity to transform Guyana meaningfully, and I believe they do not deserve anotherterm.

What’s even more troubling is witnessing political figures, some of whom once stood firmly in support of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and its core principles, now aligning themselves with the PPP/C. How can one justify embracing a party with a documented legacy of extrajudicial killings, corruption, institutional discrimination, and a repeated disregard for democraticnorms?

Let us not forget the erosionofourparliamentary democracy, the ongoing margina

communities,theworsening conditions for women and girls, and the widening gap in how oil wealth is distributed.

As campaign activities ramp up, with flags waving and posters everywhere, it’s disheartening to see people

being mobilized to intimidate opponents, deface property, and sow division Even more alarming are the violent confrontations and threats involving weapons at political events Such b e h a v i o

m u s t b e unequivocally condemned. Wearebetterthanthis.

At the heart of this election must be a clear, achievable vision for Guyana’sfuture.

The APNU has put forward a development plan grounded in unity and realisticprogress,onethatis already gaining traction among voters. Meanwhile, thePPP/Cappearstrappedin acycleofblame,focusedon attacking the Coalition’s 2015–2020recordinsteadof presenting solutions We must remember: the Coalition inherited broken institutions, decaying infrastructure, and an economy strained by 23 y e a r s o f P P P / C mismanagement.

Despitehavingnoaccess to oil revenues during its short tenure, the Coalition madetangibleprogresswith limitedresources.

Today, even with billions in oil income, many Guyanese still face daily struggles.

Just do a walk-through

South Georgetown, Albouystown, Agricola, or East and West Ruimveldt, and the signs of neglect are

everywhere.

The PPP/C’s muchtouted housing program has failed to deliver on its promises Of the 50,000 house lots pledged, t h o u s a n d s r e m a i n unallocated or inaccessible. Now, with elections looming, the government is scramblingtoshowcaseland distribution in a bid to gain favor

But Guyanese must not be misled by last-minute theatrics. APNU’s proposed “rent-to-own” housing model offers a more practical, dignified path to homeownershipforworking families.

To my fellow Guyanese: this election must not be treated casually We are at a crossroads that requires serious, deliberate decisionmaking.

The future of our nation depends on it. Let us vote w i t h p u r p o s e f o r accountability, fairness, and arealchanceatabetterlife.

Our right to vote was won through struggle and sacrifice.

Letushonorthatlegacy Letusnotforgetvictimsstill awaiting justice, like the grieving parents of young Adriana Younge. We owe it tothem,andtoourselves,to stand for justice, unity, and meaningful change. Guyana must rise—stronger, fairer, and more united than ever before.

May God bless our belovedcountry

Sincerely,

AnnetteFerguson

Region 10 riverine communities communities connected to Govt. wifi

The Office of the Prime Minister,

through the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), has

achieved 100% LEO satellite connectivity for all 18 riverine and remote communities in Region 10 under the Government’s WiFiGYprogramme.

Approximately 7,917

residents in these communities now benefit from free high-speed internet access in public spaces, facilitating access to education, e-services, communication, and economic opportunities

‘Juretha

Frompage04 health, education, etc , i n t r o d u c e d a n e w Amerindian Act and began landtitling.

However, the World

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release, the final two communities—Kaitapin and Parapi, both located along the Upper Berbice River—were brought online over the weekend, completing full coverage of Region 10’s riverain and remote areas under the initiative.

Prime M

r, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips, described the achievement as a reflection of the Government’s ongoing commitment to equitable developmentinRegion10.

“This progress is a clear testamenttotheGovernment’s unwavering commitment to national digital inclusion and the transformative power of technologyinimprovinglives a c r o s s a l l communities—Region 10’s riverain and remote areas are no exception The Government has made substantial investments in the holistic development of Region 10, spanning education, infrastructure, andsocialadvancement.We will continue to make sustainable and impactful investments to ensure that the people of this region are

Agovernment wifi sign posted on the home of a resident

fully equipped to participate inandbenefitfromGuyana’s continued growth and development.”TheNational

DataManagementAuthority is expected to complete connectivity in the remaining 15 Hinterland,

Remote, and Riverain (HRR) villages nationwide by the end of September 2025.

Fernandes: ending indigenous marginalisation’...

Bank 2009 Country Assistance Strategy stated that: ‘The Amerindians, the minority group largely residing in isolated rural interiorareas,experiencethe highestpovertyincidencein the country (around 78 percent).

This ethnic group represents only 9.2 percent of the population in Guyana but contains one third of the extremelypoorpopulation.’

The 1973 ‘Manifesto of the Quechua and Aymara Indians’ofBoliviamadethe seminalpoint.

‘Neither formal education nor party politics nor technical advancement has brought about any significant change in rural life. We peasants are convinced that development will take place in the countryside and in the country as a whole only when we become the designers of our own progress and masters of our destiny.’

Today, after 30 years o f P P P r u l e , t h e indigenous people are still the poorest, and where governance is concerned, the president of the Amerindians Peoples’ Association (APA) at the 2025 United Nations Permanent Forum on indigenous issues made a plea for help from the internationalcommunity Among many other things, he claimed that ‘while the government

o f t e n h i g h l i g h t e d indigenous community benefits from the low carbon development strategy this narrative does not tell the full story the process in arriving to this

agreement where deeply flawed; again we were not properly consulted on how our forest and land would be used in this scheme we were not allowed to consent to this program with the mandate of our peopleandwewerenotpart of any negotiation to determine how our people could have benefited from the national initiative according to our needs prior to the carbon sale agreement.’

‘The government current practices violate the indigenous people’s collective rights to self determination and land ownership our sacred lands that have been handed down through generations with care and reverence are being stripped, our rivers poisoned We also ask that the Permanent Forum monitor the government’s process to ensure that

Guyana Indigenous Peoples are part of this national exercise that will determine the future of our rights, culture and lives (https://nycaribnews com/

un-amerindians-ofguyana-have-no-rights-toland-title-forum-says/)

As the oligarchy that controls the largely East Indian-supported PPP seeks to entrench itself in government, the story has been similar for other ethnicgroups

As noted above, urgent constitutional reforms to make the p o l i t i c a l s y s t e m inclusive is vital and so too are transparent efforts to identify and deal with ethnic, gender, s e x u a l a n d o t h e r disparities

But in the meantime, the present constitution could facilitate a shared vision and given the opportunity, Mr Norton should use it to create sufficient policy space to put an end to indigenous marginalisation and relative poverty by their becoming, within the ethnic context of Guyana, ‘the designers of their own progress and masters of theirdestiny’

Regards

Dr HenryJeffrey

PPPhasbestmachinery...

Frompage05 a street to get out the vote.

They even provide transportation No other political party, including the PNC which dominated politicsfor33years,hasthis type of machinery and the type of large membership andtightorganizationasthe PPP

The PPP is effectively engaging in micro-

campaigning on a nationwide scale, and so

gaining a significant advantage in mobilising voters.

In terms of getting out the voters on election day, every party has runners; youngstersinthecommunity whose job it was to deliver messages who have not voted as yet to go to vote duringthecourseoftheday

The runners and everybody havetobeontheirPsandQs.

IwasarunnerforPPPin the 1968 ad 1973 elections

before leaving Guyana for tertiary education in USA where I continued my activismfordemocracy Activists motivate voters, cautioning or warning them that if they don’t,theotherracewillwin. The focus of organisation is onthepollingbooth. The well-oiled PPP machinery is not second to any

Yourstruly, VishnuBisram

AFC in talks with other parties for joinder list - Hughes

Leader of the Alliance for Change, Nigel Hughes saidFridaythathispartyisin active discussion with “like minded parties” to form a joinderlist.

A joinder list is an agreement, making new partiessubjecttothetermsof anexistingpactasiftheyhad

riginally signed it

Commonly, it is used in the context of shareholder agreements, where new persons, investors or parties acquiring shares need to be bound by existing rules and obligations In signing a joinder agreement, the new party ‘’joins’ the original

agreement which ensures that they are subjected to all ofitstermsandconditions.

At the party’s weekly press conference, Hughes was asked if his party was considering such an agreement.

“We have been in discussions with like-

minded parties to look at that. GECOM has provided uswiththeirinterpretationof thelaw,”hetoldjournalists.

He said whether or not the interpretation is consistent with the law, the ruling of the court is an entirely different matter altogether Nevertheless,the AFCisinactivediscussions with other parties to explore ajoinderlist.Onesuchparty is the Assembly for Liberty andProsperity(ALP).

In the 12th parliament, there was a joinder list comprising the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), A New andUnitedGuyana(ANUG) and The New Movement (TNM).However,theparties experienced some setbacks when Dr Asha Kissoon of TNM refused to vacate the seat upon the completion of herservice,asagreedbythe parties.

Lastmonth,formerlegal advisor of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Kurt Da Silva clarified that the law providesnoflexibilityinthe allocation of seats under the joinder list system, emphasising that there is no provision for sharing seats betweenparties.

Da Silva explained that the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) clearly defines the joinder list and leaves “no room for deviationontheallocationof seats.”Hestressedthatwhile GECOM must formally address the matter, “it can only do so in accordance

with the provisions of the law.” Da Silva said in the case of how it should treat ‘joinder lists’, referred to in RoPA as a ‘combination of lists,’ “the law is very clear andleavesnoroomforeither GECOM or the parties themselves to treat with the allocation of seats in a differentmanner.”

The issue of joinder lists was raised by especially small parties during a briefing hosted by GECOM late last month. The parties had expressed strong doubts a b o u t G E C O M ’ s preparedness, raising concerns abou

he unresolved joinder list mechanism.

Some parties criticised GECOM for its inaction on the issue, which has been ongoing for about two years without resolution Many parties emphasised that the joinder list system could give smaller and newer parties a better chance at gainingseatsinParliament.

In a release last week,

GECOMclarifiedthatwhile two or more parties can come together to form a joinder list, the combination is treated as one list for the purposeofseatallocation.

GECOM explained that in the case of a seat within the combination, the party with the largest number of surplus votes will get that unallocatedseat.

In the case of only one seathavingbeenwonbythe combination, that seat shall go to the party that received the largest number of votes amongallofthepartiesinthe combination.

The elections body said each party in the joinder r e t a i n s i t s o w n representative and deputy representative for the purpose of extraction of candidates to become members of the national assembly

Therefore, it is only the representative or deputy representative of the party(ies) that are allocated seatscandosuchextraction.

Leader of the Alliance for Change, Nigel Hughes

Guyana’s political titans and the rise of AZMOism

Guyana’s two political

titans the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) have lost their bearings. They are adrift, and more dangerously, they are being seen as indistinguishable in their ideologicalemptiness.

Buthowdidthishappen?

The PNCR once carried itself as the vanguard of cooperative socialism, a stern nationalist experiment that married autarky with autocracy Theideologywas flawed bloated with slogans and drained of practicality—but it had a certain tragic coherence. It promisedanewsociety

When the Cold War ended and the taps of socialist benefaction dried up, the PNC was forced to reckonwithitsowndisaster

Theeconomywasbankrupt, the credibility gone, and the rhetoric exhausted

D e s m o n d H o y t e

Burnham’s accidental heir—coulddolittleelsebut abandontheideologicalruin left behind. In a sweeping ideological volte-face, he welcomed the free market, foreign investment, and the IMFwiththeenthusiasmofa manenteringanewreligion.

The party’s name changed.Thephilosophydid not evolve it simply

flipped Cooperative socialism was out; neo-

liberal orthodoxy was in. Prominent businessmen were invited into the party leadership.The“Reform”in the party’s name signified nothing more than the embracing of global capital, without a corresponding vision of what kind of societythePNCRnowstood for It was the sort of ideological shallowness that had no anchorage in either memoryoraspiration.

The PPP, once the embodiment of Jagan’s ideological stubbornness, fared no better Cheddi had long believed in a form of socialism with a moral face, a doctrine that paid homage to the poor but never flirted with radicalism. After his death, the party, stripped of its last ideological conscience, fell into the hands of a more calculating breed of technocrats and profiteers Neo-liberalism was no longer tempered—it was canonized Markets were liberalized, deals were made behind closed doors, a n d t h e b u s i n e s s class once the wary o p p o n e n t o f t h e PPP—becameitsbenefactor and,intime,itsmaster What we are left with today are two parties whose ideological identities have collapsedintothesamepit:a tired neo-liberalism that has failedtodeliver Theyspeak indifferenttones—onewith the clipped technocratic

efficiency of spreadsheets, the other with the nostalgic bray of burnt-out nationalism but their policies differ little. Both have surrendered to the imperatives of global capital. Both have presided overaneconomythatseems to dance more than it delivers. And both, more crucially, have failed to address the growing chasm betweenwealthandpoverty

The PNCR’s great afflictionisnotmerelythatit haslostpower,butthatithas lost belief belief in anything larger than the persons who seek to lead it. The party, once cloaked in the rhetoric of cooperative socialism, now flounders in a void where no unifying ideology exists to bind its members to a common cause In this vacuum, personalities emerge as substitutes for principles, and factionalism becomes inevitable. Persons do not rallyaroundideas;theyrally around themselves The resultisapartyinpermanent rupture, a house divided by ambitionandvanity

By contrast, the PPPC has not descended into such chaos, not because it has held fast to its founding ideals, but because it has been quietly commandeered by a new ideological class the bourgeois elite—who, through wealth andinfluence,haveimposed

DEM BOYS SEH

Line up fuh submit List

DemboyssehOppositionparties behaving like Black Friday shoppers outside Courts. Yuh wouldasweardemliningupfuhflatscreen TV or free groceries. But nodem lining up outside de Umana Yana, fighting fuh de prestigious honour of being first or second to submit dem List of Candidates. Wah madness!

Last week some party pitch tent like dem heading to de bush fuh gold mining. Camp stove, water cooler, mattress, even mosquito net! One man even bring he grandmotherfuhmoralsupport.

Dem boys seh he party ain’t ready fuh govern if dem can’t even take turns like decentschoolchildren.

It remind dem boys of de days when peopleusedtolineupfuheverything.Line fuhcookingoil,cookinggasandifyouwas reallucky,linefuhDunlopboots.

Dem seh people used to see a line and join it just sothen ask, “Wah deh selling?” Now look who in de line againde same set who had everybody lining up back in de

orderanddirection,however self-serving. Their ideology may not speak to the poor, but it disciplines the party, imposes coherence, and suppresses dissent. In the PNCR, there is no such disciplining force—only a mirrorinwhicheveryperson seesaleader Itisintothisideological conundrum that AZMO has stepped Not with grand plansormanifestos,butwith a tone and posture that resonates with the disenchanted. He is not a manburdenedbyhistory He hasnotgoverned.Hehasnot betrayed.Hehas,atleastfor now, the advantage of having wealth and therefore not in need. That is enough for many They are looking for someone outside of the redandgreenbinarythathas d e f i n e d a n d strangled Guyana’s politicsfordecades.

AZMO’s WIN party does not offer a full-blown ideology WIN in fact does not offer any policy It does not need to It offers something more elusive but nolesspotent:thepromiseof moral indignation That indignationissharedwidely

It bubbles in the squatter settlementswhereoilhasnot trickled. It festers in the minds of young people who see their futures contracted out to the highest foreign bidder It whispers in the corridors of shops and minibus parks, where everyone knows someone whohasgottennothing.

This is not yet electoral conversion It is electoral curiosity Butcuriosity,when mixed with desperation, can becomemomentum Boththe PNCRandthePPPshouldbe deeply worried Their legitimacy rested on either loyalty or delivery Today, loyalty is fraying, and deliveryisataletheytelleach other,notthemasses Andthe neo-liberalism they both embraced so easily, so uncritically—has failed to provide an answer to the everyday realities of Guyaneselife.

Worse yet, neither party appears interested in rethinking its ideological footing. They chase optics, launch slick campaigns, and speakofdevelopmentasifit were an abstract noun divorced from lived experience. But ideology is

not just policy It is a story a vision of the society to come. The PNCR andPPPnolongertellstories that people believe. Their mythsareexhausted.

ThatiswhyAZMO,with his simple man’s voice and outsider’s stance, is gaining traction Whether it will translate into votes is uncertain But what is certain is this: the ground is shifting. And when people no longer believe in the dreams their leaders once sold them, they begin to dream new dreams. Even with unfamiliar names Someone once said that historyisbuiltupontheruins of forgotten ideologies. In Guyana, those ruins are not forgotten they are still visible, still crumbling, still bleeding relevance The tragedy is that those who built them have learned nothing. And that is why otherswilltrytobuildanew

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

day!Demboyswantask:ifyuhListstrong, wahitmatterifyuhsubmititfirstorlast?Is not like GECOM giving prize fuh punctuality Is not Olympics, man! But nodem treating it like a sprint final, and everybodywantpoleposition.

Onepartymanevenseh,“Wehadtoget hereearlytoshowweserious.”

Serious? Dem boys seh serious people writepolicyandgoknockondoorsnotcamp out like dem by de seawall waiting fuh fireworks.

Andlehwetellyall:thisline-updrama entertaining

Ifdemcantagreeonwhogoingfirstto hand in paper, how dem gon run a whole country?

So Dem Boys seh, instead of fighting fuhfirstinline,fightfuhfirstinideas,first in integrity, and first in solutions. Not first fuh who pitch tent in a democracy like is a campingcompetition!

Demboyssehitbest:deonlylistpeople reallycareboutisdegrocerylist. Talkhalf.Leffhalf

Profilesinleadership-thepresidentfirst

Profiles in Leadership is a 5-part effort. Fromacontributorandservant,notcomrade, not partisan. Called and written, as seen, interpreted. AllGuyanagetstodecide. The presidentisfirst.

The president started out beautifully All therightthingssaid Hehasn’treallystopped, other than for some stray moments when the realman,therealleader,escapedfrominside of him. If ever there was a president of Guyanawhocouldpromiseandpromise,itis theincumbentofthelastfiveyears. Promise isthefatherofproduction.

handed to them, move on to the next performance. Whenthereisnoapplause,no award, they imagine hearing both in the set recesses of their thinking. What has the presidentdelivered?

Theforemostnationalleaderonpaperhas been pleased to be first a motion picture producer, then an actor Actors read lines

I repeat the question: what has this presidentof2020-2025giventotheGuyanese people? Fromtheirrecordbudgets Fromso much drawn out of their oil savings. From the borrowing and spending on steel and cement There are ribbons of roads (infrastructures). Thereareflocksofforeign investors(comehither….).

There are gallons and galleons of oil (Exxon)gushingoutofGuyana’snowsacred seas IthankthepresidentofGuyanaforhis efforts;profusely,too. Becauseofthesethree lynchpins (record budgets, foreign investments,oil)ofhispresidency,Guyanese should be better, healthier, happy, then happier Are they? From those three only The president should be a figure of inspiration,oneincitingtrust,forthereisthat indefinablequality:believability Doeshe?

Respectfully, I remove those Guyanese who support the opposition from this part of thecontribution,andforthemomentonly Is thepresidenttrustedbyhisownpeople? The poor ones. The older ones. The younger oneswithfamilies. Itakethebitinmyteeththepresidenthasnot. Forthealreadyrichand well-positionedyes,indeed. Forthepoorand leftbehind,that’sanotherstory

Theylookaroundandaskthemselves,how couldtheybefallingfartherbehindinacountry with this kind of wealth In a time, when Guyanese are the envy of the world. In an era, when money floods this country from different sources more than the rains of the lastfewmonths.

Since December, as someone represented tomerecently TheseGuyaneseatthebottom, belowthemiddle,arethecitizensthatstandas the test case for the commendations or condemnationsduethepresident. Whenthe Guyanese from the opposition are reintroduced into the mix of poverty and expectation, of plenty money and heavy anxiety, the president’s record goes from damningtodetonating.

The president has the greatest program marchingunderthesweetestbanner:National DevelopmentPriorities America’sFDRhad his New Deal. JFK had his New Frontier Guyana’s president has his New Maneuver Or New Sweetener I serve the menu.

Guyanesegettoselect. Nowthisbringsme to this damning business of what has been happeningwiththepeople’smoney

Allofit,underthecamouflageofnational developmentpriorities Hereisthetroubling issue that gives away the president, exposes his hindquarters. The World Bank doesn’t havethekindofstatsthatitneedstoprovidea picture of where matters stand in Guyana. Six years after the last poverty report, the World Bank is empty-handed, and not for lackofinterest,ortrying.

Whenstatsthatfavor,orthosethatcouldbe manipulatedbyhelpers,speaksoglowinglyof these billions and those other billions used here and over there, it is bewildering that what would lend credence to the World Bank’senergiesisinsuchshortsupply

Itistothepresident’sdiscreditthat,despite his wash of words, the rash of numbers, Guyanesearegrapplingwithwhatistheirtrue foodinflationrate(inflationitself,also),their realunemploymentrate,andtheirrealcensus numbers. Ifnotthose,thenofwhatgoodare alltheothers? Ipinpointtheonce-in-a-while welfarepaymentdeliveredunderthecostume ofcashgrant.

The president as trustee decided on that allowancefortheunderagedchildren Moreto the detriment of the president’s record was how Guyanese ran over each other in many placestogettheirhandsonthat$100,000. It shouldhavetoldthepresidentwhattheworld reeled from: the richest people in the richest countryintheworldwerethatdesperatefora dollar How about that for an irrefutable statistic!

Regardingwheremuchofthehundredsof billionsbudgetedoverthelastfiveyearswent, I have a two-word answer for the president: unexplained wealth. He knows where he should start before progressing to ministers andpublicservants. SincetheSpeakerofthe NationalAssembly banned the c word from parliament.Iobey Mr President,sir:Iseea presidency in disarray, a leader grievously wounded by his own hand. Blessings, dear leader Nextup,Mr AubreyNorton.

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

Two men stabbed to death at Tuseneng …police issue wanted bulletin for suspect

Wanted man, Kendel Joseph called ‘James’

TwomenwerelastFridaystabbedtodeath during a drinking spree at Tuseneng Creek, NorthPakarimasandpolicehavesinceissued awantedbulletinforthesuspect

In a press release police say they are investigating the alleged double murder committed on Clifton Thomas, 34 and Sylvester Thomas, 20 both of Micopara Settlement,TusenengVillage.Policesaidin

their release that the suspect has been identifiedasKendelJoseph,called‘James.’ Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased men and the suspect were imbibingwhenanargumentensued. During the altercation, the suspect allegedly stabbed both victims, inflicting injuriesthatresultedintheirdeaths.Hethen madegoodhisescape.

‘PPP eyes big win’

higher salary and pension more opportunities in oil sector bigger incentives for miners

Presidential candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) President Irfaan Ali on Sunday evening kicked off the party’s 2025 election campaign, reminding supporters of his administration’s achievements over the past five years and urged them not to sell their dignities (votes)tootherpoliticalparties.

Delivering his address to thousandsofsupportersgatheredat the Kitty Market Square Ali said, “So let me thank all of you for coming out in such massive numbers, massive, massive numbers.Youdidnotjustshowup.

You showed the whole country todaythatPPPisready,Guyanais readytodeliverthebiggestvictory ever for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.”

Headded,“Wearenotgetting weaker We are getting stronger, bigger, louder, and come September 1, we will sweep the polls like never before in the history.”

For the PPP next term, Ali promised higher salaries, pension, more cash grants and reforms in housing, finance, technology, and also traditional sectors like agricultureandmining.Heoutlined

Scenes from the launch of the PPP/C 2025 election campaign launch

the party’s plan to expand wealth creation opportunities for citizens.

“Webuildschools,hospitals,roads, jobs and homes. We don’t say things to win elections. We say things, we do what we say and the lastfiveyears,wehaveproventhat we are the party that delivers, the

party that performs, the party that you can trust every single day you’ll see the work of your government,”Alisaid.

Notably, he also stated that the PPP will create opportunities for small investors in the oil and gas sector He noted too that oil brings

revenue and that wealth is created by the policies the government pursues by using those revenues.

“People don’t invest in a sinking ship. People invest in a rising tide. People don’t take risk with their moneyiftheydon’tseeafuture,if

Continued on page 16

PPP/C presidential candidate Irfaan Ali

Job creation, infrastructure drive youth support for PPP/C

During the People’s

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) election campaign launch on SundayattheKittyMarketSquare, many young people turned out, citing infrastructural development in the country and increased job opportunities as key reasons for theirsupport.

Kaieteur News spoke with several attendees to understand why Guyana’s youth are rallying behind the PPP/C ahead of the upcomingpolls.Onesupporter,28year-old Emmanuel Luther from Berbice, highlighted the government’s focus on education andinfrastructure.

“I came out to support the PPP becausetheyarepeopleofpromise and,theyshowthepeoplethatthey never go back on their word and teach young people to push themselvestodobetter.”

Askedaboutthebenefitshehas receivedduringthePPPC’stenure, Lutherresponded,“Ithasbenefited me workwise. They built a lot of roads,alotofschoolsformykids, and we’ve all benefited from the major development happening in the country right now. There are things I never expected the governmenttodo,andit’samazing toseethattheyaretrulylookingout forthepeople.”

Luther, who has been supportingthePPP/Cforabouttwo years, expressed satisfaction with the party’s performance. “From supporting the PPP to now, I can saythatIamgratefulforwhereIam today Myfamilyisokayandthat’s the most important thing,” he added.

Twenty-two-year-old Makeda Williams from East Bank Demerara, said she has backed the PPP/C for the last two years. “I’m

here to support the PPP because I have experienced a lot of change within the five-year mark and I’m here to show my support for the nextterm.”

Williams shared her personal gains under PPP’s governance. “I have been able to obtain a house, my own company, and better road accessthroughourstreet,”shesaid. While satisfied overall, she called for further improvements in healthcare under another PPP/C term.

Georgetown resident Kadeem Gordon, 30, described joining the PPP/C as a “no brainer.” “The policies are for everyone, old, young, and people looking for opportunityineverysector It’sano brainer… it is the only party that has the interest of Guyanese at heart ” He highlighted several policieshesupports,particularlyin theareaofeducation.

“We have seen tertiary educationbecomefree,we’veseen the GOALscholarships, and at the CSEC level, the government is paying for eight subjects,” he explained. “There are so many investments being made in different schools, and they are making these investments so that students can become more educated and equipped in terms of choosingwhattheywanttodowith theirlife.”

Whenaskedaboutthepersonal benefitshehasreceivedasayouth under the current government, he responded confidently: “I got my cash grant, I’m a GOAL scholar, and I’m now studying Law at the University of Guyana. Through GOAL, I’ll also be pursuing a master’s in International Law.” He also pointed to infrastructure improvements, particularly road development, as another key

benefit.“Wehavebetterroadsnow With better roads, your food becomescheaperbecausetrucksno longer have to drive on bad roads, whichincreasesmaintenancecosts and,ultimately,thecostofgoods.” He concluded by expressing full confidence in the current administration, stating, “this government has demonstrated its abilitytoleadthepeople.”

In Berbice, 25-year-old Karen Luther echoed similar views: “I cameoutheretosupportthePPP/C because of the changes in a lot of youngpeople’slives.Isawalotof drastic changes that created job opportunities for young people. theystandontheirpromisebecause Iremembercoupleyearsagowhere APNU/AFC has promised young people jobs and they did not fulfill it.And when the PPP/C came into power, jobs were being available foryoungpeople,”shesaid.

When asked what changes she believes could be made for the country’s future development, Luther expressed strong confidence in the current administration. “So far, they are doing everything that needs to be done, and they know what the peopleneed,”shesaid.“Evenwhen they go back in power, I have 100 percenttrustinthemthattheywill do even more, things that will surpriseus.”

Echoingsimilarsentimentswas SeonWilliams,who has supported the PPPC for just over 3 years. He pointedtoadvancementsacrossthe country “I have seen rapid developmentsuchasinfrastructure and community development,” he said Highlighting the party’s impact on young people, Williams added, “They have created job opportunities for young adolescents,suchasroadcontracts. No one in the village can say they don’thaveajob.”

Michael Desouza, a young father attending the rally with his family underlined the appeal of newinfrastructureandjobcreation. “I have seen a lot of development throughout the country Their policieshavebenefitedmeandmy family such as workwise. they can continue within the same line,” he said.

A longstanding supporter also voicedherapprovalofthePPP/C’s policies and progress Pamela Sugrin, 31, shared her lifelong supportfortheparty,saying,“from smallgoingup,IwasPPP I’veseen progress.In2015,whenAPNUwas in power, they took away the cash grantanditwasveryhard.SonowI am encouraging young people to support the PPP, it is a lifetime change.”

Berbice’s John Rudder scores 103

John Rudder has scored 103

Flanked by family members and a small cluster of church folk, John Walker Rudder, born July 12, 1922, commemoratedhis103rdbirthdayonSaturday

Rudder grew up in the East Bank Berbice village of Korthberaadt between 10 siblings, all of whom he has outlived. The centenarian is a major highlight of his community of Islington, where his inspiring natural endurance is a frequent feature in casual conversations amongtheyoungandold.

Inhisearlieryears,Rudderdedicatedhimselftothesoil as a farmer to provide for his family He took to cane harvestingattheProvidenceEstatealongtheEastBankof Berbice,afterwhichheworkedasawatchmanatthatvery estate.

He is a father to seven children, and shares a modest dwelling place with his wife Margeret Haynes- Rudder, who is close on his heels at age 95, and to whom he has beenmarriedforanastounding70years.

At103,themanwhotranscendedmanygenerationsis notably capable of shuffling on his own two feet. His vision, even at over 100 years old, remains superior to many who are way below his significant age. He credits theseremarkablethingstoGod.

Rudder is a staunch Seventh-day Adventist. He remainsactiveinbiblestudieswithmanywhostopby His voice,thoughdiminishedbyage,stillharborsclarity,and hisexpressionofthoughtisascoherentasalearnedlawyer

John Walker Rudder and his wife, Margeret at their home in Islington, East Bank Berbice

Karen Luther, supporter of PPP/C Seon Williams

Longstanding supporter, Pamela Sugrin

Police honour fallen ranks

TheGuyanaPoliceForce(GPF)onSunday honouredthelivesofservicemenandwomen whodiedinthelineofdutyovertheyears

The occasion was a wreath laying ceremony held at the Monument for Fallen HerosinthePoliceOfficers’MessCompound, Eve Leary, Georgetown, as part of the GPF’s celebrationofits186thAnniversary

The event saw the Minister of Home

Affairs,RobesonBenn,MP;NationalSecurity Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan; Commissioner of Police, Mr Clifton Hicken along with his Deputy Commissioners, Commandersandotherhigh-rankingofficials of the Force with widows, children, relatives andfriendsofthefallenheroeslayingwreaths atthebaseoftheMonumentofFallenHeroes.

Policemen and women stand at ease during the wreath laying ceremony for the fallen ranks

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn (right), Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan (left) and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Clifton Hicken

AFC wants party reps, observers to scrutinise encoding of candidates lists

Aheadofthesubmissionofthe lists of candidates by the various politicalpartiestoday,theAlliance for Change is urging the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ensure that there is scrutiny by partyrepresentativesandobservers oftheliststhatwillbeencoded.

In a statement to the media the party said Sunday evening, “procedurally, when the chief electionofficerreceivesthelistsof candidates from political parties, they are passed on to a team of encoders to verify the information forcandidatesandnominators,and

toensurethenumberofnominators for each region is accurate. Typically,theselistsareverifiedin the order in which they are submittedtotheCEO.”

The party explained that the verification process is done to ensure candidates and nominators do not appear on multiple lists, hence each party’s list is verified against the ones that came before them.

“We wish to emphasise the importanceofGECOMprocessing thelistsofcandidatesintheorderof submission to ensure the process

remainsfairandtransparent.Given GECOM’s pattern of favourable actions towards the Peoples Progressive Party and the fact that the chief election officer distorted

the order of contesting parties camping outside the Umana Yana, weareconcernedthattheencoding of the lists may also be manipulated,”itsaid.

Furthermore, as a contesting party interested in fairness and transparency in the elections,AFC is calling on GECOM to allow scrutinyoftheverificationprocess frombeginningtoend.

On July 12, party leader Nigel Hughes called on GECOM to outline clear procedures for nomination day, in order to avoid chaosandconfusionwhenitistime

for parties to submit their list of candidates.

Hughes said Friday that his partyhadwrittentheChiefElection Office (CEO) Vishnu Persaud specifically asking him about the procedure for the presentation of thelist,buttodatehavereceivedno response.

He lamented, “what we know today is that the presentation will take place at the UmanaYana. We have engaged with the Guyana Police Force in an effort to make surethatatleastourpresentationis Continued on page 16

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U.S. sanctions U.N. expert critical of Israel’s war in Gaza

(Reuters) The United States last week, imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, who has been very critical of U.S. ally Israel’s war in Gaza.

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“Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt (International Criminal Court) action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

In a post on X late last Wednesday, Albanese wrote that she stood “firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done,” without directly mentioning the U.S. sanctions. In a text message to Al Jazeera, she was quoted as dismissing the U.S. move as “mafia style intimidation techniques.”

Albanese, an Italian lawyer and academic, has called on states at the U.N. Human Rights Council to impose an arms embargo and cut off trade and financial ties with Israel while accusing the U.S. ally of waging a “genocidal campaign” in Gaza.

Israel has faced accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the ICC over its devastating military assault on Gaza. Israel denies the accusations and says its campaign amounts to self-

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The United Nations special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, in Madrid on June 23. defense after a deadly October 2023 Hamas attack.

In a report published earlier this month, Albanese accused over 60 companies, including major arms manufacturers and technology firms, of involvement in supporting Israeli settlements and mili-

tary actions in Gaza. The report called on companies to cease dealings with Israel and for legal accountability for executives implicated in alleged violations of international law.

Albanese is one of dozens of independent human rights

experts mandated by the United Nations to report on specific themes and crises. The views expressed by special rapporteurs do not reflect those of the global body as a whole.

Rights experts slammed the U.S. sanctions against Albanese. Dylan Williams, vice president for government affairs at the Center for International Policy think tank, labeled them as “rogue state behavior” while Amnesty International said special rapporteurs must be supported and not sanctioned.

“Governments around the world and all actors who believe in the rule-based order and international law must do everything in their power to mitigate and block the effect of the sanctions against Francesca Albanese and more generally to protect the work and independence of Special Rapporteurs,” Am-

nesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard, a former UN special rapporteur, said. Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has stopped U.S. engagement with the U.N. Human Rights Council, extended a halt to funding for the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA and ordered a review of the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO.

He has also announced U.S. plans to quit the Paris climate deal and the World Health Organization. His administration-imposed sanctions on four judges at the ICC in June in retaliation over the war tribunal’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

AFC wants party reps, observers to scrutinise...

From page 15 done as orderly as possible.”

He said he understands GECOM is likely to be at the location around midnight on Sunday, but currently there are four political parties camping outside of the Umana Yana.

The APNU arrived first, AFC second, followed by ALP, and then Forward Guyana.

“…and we really believe that this country has reached a stage where everyone ought to know what the specific procedures are at every

given stage in the electoral process. So, we shouldn’t be hearing on Saturday or Friday or Sunday what the procedure is for the presentation of the list, because this is particularly important, and it has consequences for the persons who are on the list,” he said. It is in the interest of this that the AFC is repeating the call it made on July 1, when it wrote GECOM to let all parties and the public know “specifically what the procedures are for the submission of the list.”

‘PPP eyes big win’

From page 12 they don’t see profitability, if they don’t see success. And the world, is converging on Guyana today to invest here because they see a strong, stable government…,” Ali said.

Among the key initiatives announced was a plan to guarantee home ownership for every Guyanese family, with continued support through steel and cement initiative, tax rebate, and new incentives to reduce construction costs and lower interest rates on housing loans. He said the goal was to ensure no citizen is left renting in the future.

Ali added: “Over the next five years, we will reform and modernise our financial sector so that you can have greater ease at doing businesses in the banks and across this country, we have to remove the burden that you go through.”

He also pledged to introduce a National Development Bank, and provide zero-interest loans for small and medium enterprises.

Further, Ali also spoke about a portal giving citizens real-time access to bank ac-

counts and transactions from the comfort of their homes.

He noted that his administration will continue the push for a digital economy.

He also outlined plans for further integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the various sectors and government entities.

Ali said, “Artificial intelligence is an important part of the development strategy of any nation.”

In relation to income generation, Ali said the PPP is not only focused on increased salaries.

“We want to widen the stream of income for every single family, because you can’t grow prosperity only on salaries,” he said.

Ali said PPP plans to create additional forms of income.

He committed to creating co-investment opportunities between citizens and the state, explaining that government will create financial vehicles offering returns of 10% to 12%, and expanding the income base beyond traditional salaries.

Moreover, Ali said in his next term his administration will also invest to create an ecosystem for sports and entertainment.

He also disclosed that the PPP plans training for coaches and the construction of the best facilities for athletes to excel.

He said the investments will ensure that the athletes and entertainers have the necessary facilities to grow.

“That is why we will build an indoor arena that can host any international event, MMA, boxing, fitness, Brittany Spears, Rihanna, because that is the future that will create the next wave of excitement,” Ali noted.

Mining and agriculture

Moreover, Ali outlined plans for the mining and agriculture sectors.

He said that small miners will benefit from more access to lands, incentives, and capital support.

“Over the next five years, we’ll position the mining sector for long term success and unlock its potential and increase small scale miners participation in the sector.

We want our smallscale miners to grow faster and better by making more lands available, by giving them more incentive and by supporting them and getting their capital so they

can invest.”

As it relates to the agriculture sector, Ali said the PPP intends to open hundreds of thousands of new acres of farmland, construct cold storage facilities in every region, and develop a world-class food terminal to export local produce globally.

He said, “We will expand value creation in agriculture, specifically targeting young people and women, because we want more of our young people and women to be involved in food production and in the agricultural sector.”

Further, he reminded citizens that their vote is their dignity and not to sell that dignity.

“When you vote, you’re voting for your children, future, your family future, your community, future, your country, future, and anyone who believes that they can pay you for that dignity is someone who is classless, someone who has no dignity,” he said.

“We will not just win, we will make history, but for that to happen…come out to the polls and you mark your x in a box next to the cup,” Ali said.

More than 25 candidates are under 25-Jagdeo -

boasts that PPP is ‘youth centered’

like as the PPP is the only national party He told his party’s support base that the PPPisallaboutdevelopment andthecountry

As such, it is really easy for the party to campaign, since Guyanese have all witnessed the change in the country over the last five years.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

o n S u n d a y assured supporters that the party they back is youthcenteredandforthecitizens.

does not vote and therefore all of the other political parties that are using the internet as a means of campaigning, “posting nice images of themselves, the Mohameds and the others, without facing the media, theyhavenopolicy

They’re playing the victim.

‘crookedness’andtherefore, theymusttobediligent.

Addressing a sizeable crowd at the Kitty Market Square, during the official launch of the PPP’s election campaign, Jagdeo urged supporters to show up at today’s Nomination Day activity scheduled for the Umana Yana to “see where the focus of the PPP really is.” “…We have over 25 of our candidates under 25 years old, young people as well as experienced people ofeveryrace.”

Jagdeo said the list will be a true representation of Guyana, and what it feels

“I don’t need to tell you about roads we have built becauseyouhaveseenthem. Idon’tneedtotellyouabout health care or housing or water or education because you’ve experienced them. So, it is an easy campaign that we have here today, but what is important for elections is getting people out to vote and getting the votescounted.”

The VP said the internet

Nothing, nothing to talk about. But the internet doesn’tvote.

People do, and we have the numbers here, but the massivevictoryIspokeof,it willbeinevitableonlyifyou dotheworkthatisnecessary between now and election day, (and) we have to be vigilant.”

He warned supporters that other parties will come

Jagdeo urged the crowd to go back to their communities and assist in ensuring that the message the PPP is trying is to proclaim is understood, and that they be activists, bringing out their comrades onelectionday,sothat“this overwhelming victory will beareality.

It does not happen by itself,andIneedeveryoneof you here, man, woman, youngpeople,old,everyone here to promise me that when you go back to the communities, you will work tocarryourmessage.

Youwillgetengaged.We are moving from here to different parts of the country.”

OAS Chief Albert Ramdin makes Haiti his top priority

(Jamaica Gleaner)Finding lasting solutions to Haiti’s deepening political, security, and governance crises is a top priority for Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General,AmbassadorAlbert Ramdin, during his 20252030tenure.

“I have made Haiti a priority and we are working veryhardonHaiticurrently That is an effort that goes to the heart of the OAS, in terms of its core principles, about democracy, human rights, security and about development. And in Haiti, regretfully, all these issues are challenged at the moment, in the absence of a legitimate government,” he told The Sunday Gleaner in aninterviewlastweek.

Forced migration from Haiti to nearby Caribbean nationslikeJamaicaandThe Bahamas underscores the regionalimpactofthecrisis. Ramdin reiterated his commitment to reestablishing the ‘Group of Friends of Haiti’ within the OAS and collaborating closelywithCARICOMand international stakeholders “Ihadgoodconversationsin JamaicaaboutHaitiwiththe CARICOMleaders,withthe Honourable Prime Minister AndrewHolness.AndIwant tomakesurethatweareclear

about it,” said Ramdin, who attended the CARICOM Heads of Government MeetinginMontegoBay,St James,lastweek.

He praised CARICOM foritsworkinthesearchfor solutions.

“CARICOM has done great work in facilitating a process of governance by b r i n g i n g t o g e t h e r stakeholders to form the Transitional Presidential Council as a form of governance in absence of electionsofaparliamentand a cabinet government I know that we need to work towardsthatend.ButIsalute CARICOM’s efforts of the Eminent Persons Group, the CARICOM chairpersons of Guyana and Suriname and

also Barbados and now Jamaica,”saidRamdin.

Long-termstrategy

TheOAS,headded,will align its efforts with CARICOM’s framework and contribute to a broader, long-term strategy under a five-pillar ‘Haitian Road Map’ developed with Haitianauthorities.Thefirst critical focus: restoring security,especiallyaccessto vulnerablecommunities.

“We need better security in Haiti We need access roads to people who are in need of assistance to be free We needtheportssecure

And so security in different manifestations needtobeaddressed

S e c u r i t y a n d humanitarian assistance are to be provided, but they need to be well organised,” hestated.

“Once this plan is developed and we are in thefinalstagesofit,itwill bepresentedtotheHaitian authorities It will be presented to other stakeholders, including the United Nations and CARICOM We want to showcase how much is already beingdoneinterms of assisting Haiti,” said Ramdin.

The OAS is also working on citizen

identification projects to support future elections and democratic processes Coordination meetings with CARICOM and the United Nations are expected by month-end to consolidate efforts and avoidduplication

In addition to the OAS, other regional and internationalagencies–such as the Inter-American Development Bank, Pan A m e r i c a n H e a l t h

Organization, and InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture – are engaged in Haiti’s recovery

Beyond food and water, Ramdin said there must be focus on education, healthcare, and getting childrenbackinschool.

“We need to get the political stakeholders which have been mobilised by CARICOM to develop a forward-looking agenda for

Haiti, in terms of political andconstitutionalreform,as wellaseconomicrebuilding. Key issues on health and education and security should lead us to elections,” he explained. Despite its unique challenges, Haiti shares common issues with other Caribbean nations –climate change, debt burdens, migration, and underdeveloped education systems – which demand a unifiedregionalresponse.

OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Latest Israeli attack on south Gaza brings Sunday’s death

toll to 104 - more than 800 aid seekers killed since May

(AL-JAZEERA) - The

number of starving

Palestinianaidseekerskilled by Israeli forces has surpassed 800 according to Gaza authorities, as malnutrition and starvation continuetogrowintheGaza Strip

Sources at Nasser

HospitalinKhanYounistold Al Jazeera that a Palestinian man,hiswifeandthreeofhis children were killed in an Israeli attack on their tent in the al-Mawasi area, west of the city where 92 people werealsokilled.

Another12werekilledin an attack that turned the crowded marketplace into a scene of carnage, with bloodied food stalls and panicked civilians

attempting rescues Witnesses described victims as being “targeted brutally without warning” while gatheringbasicsupplies.

Gaza’s water crisis has intensified since Israel blocked nearly all fuel shipments into the enclave on March 2. With no fuel, d

The Israeli military says its soldiers and tanks are expanding their ground invasion of Gaza on July 13, 2025 [Handout via Israeli army]

displaced Palestinian, says her family doesn’t get enough water for their basic needs.

“There’sneveranywater inthetoilets.

There’s barely enough drinking water So we have nothing left for personal hygieneortowashclothes,” shesaid.

According to th

Committee, most people in Gaza now receive far less than the World Health Organization’s emergency minimum of 15 litres per personperday

Mohammad Abu Afsh, thedirectorofmedicalrelief inGaza,saysmedicalteams have been severely exhausted due to the overwhelming number of injurieseachday

Without immediate fuel access, he warned, hospitals may see a surge in patient deaths.

Meanwhile, families of IsraelicaptivesheldinGaza hav

ccused P

ime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of once again trying to create a “false impression” that reaching a comprehensive ceasefire agreementisimpossible.

T h e y s a y t h e government has “failed time and time again” in securing the return of captives due to “narrow politicalinterests”

“Over 80 percent of the people want an agreement that will bring an end to the fightingandthereturnofall thehostages,”theysaidina statement

facilities and pumping stations have largely shut down.

Families, many of them with children, are spending hours each day under the scorchingsunsearchingfora few litres of water just to survive.

Asem Alnabih, a spokesperson for Gaza’s municipality,saidonly12of more than 70 municipal wellsremainoperational.

“We’re on the verge of death. Water can reach only 50 percent of the city,” Alnabih told Al Jazeera, adding that the rest get nothing.

Aya Fayoumi, a

Speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic,hewarnedthatiffuel is not delivered to hospitals soon, intensive care units andneonatalincubatorswill ceasetofunction.

“We cannot go on like this – without fuel, without medical supplies, without resources,”AbuAfshsaid.

“Whoever sabotages such an agreement is acting maliciously against the will ofthepeopleofIsraelforthe sakeofpoliticalsurvival.”

The remarks come shortly after Netanyahu placed blame on Hamas, claiming the group rejected the US proposal for a ceasefire.

Former Nigerian leader Muhammadu Buhari dies aged 82

(BBC) Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, who has died at age 82 in a Londonclinic,was a former military ruler and self-styled converted democrat who returned to power through elections but struggled to convince Nigerians he could deliver onthechangehepromised.

Never a natural politician, he was seen as aloof and austere. But he retained a reputation for personalhonesty-ararefeat forapoliticianinNigeria.

After three failed attempts, Buhari achieved a historic victory in 2015, becoming the country’s first

opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent In 2019, he was re-elected for anotherfour-yearterm.

Buhari had always been popular among the poor of the north (known as the “talakawa” in the Hausa language) but for the 2015 campaign, he had the advantage of a united opposition grouping behind him.

Many of those who supported him thought his military background and disciplinarian credentials were what the country needed to get to grips with theIslamistinsurgencyinthe north. Buhari also promised

to tackle corruption and nepotismingovernment,and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

But his time in office coincided with a slump in global oil prices and the country’s worst economic crisisindecades.

His administration also came under fire for its handling of insecurity While campaigning he had promised to defeat

group Boko Haram But the group remains a threat andoneofitsfactionsisnow affiliated to the so-called IslamicStategroup.

Muhammadu Buhari was reported to have travelled to the UK in April for a routine medical check-up but subsequently fell ill

There was also an upsurge in deadly clashes between farmers and ethnic Fulani herders in

Buhari, a Fulani, was accused of not being tough enough on the herders or doing enough to stopthecrisis.

The activities of socalled bandits in the north-western part of the

abduction of hundreds of

students

U

accused of human rights abuses - like opening fire on anti-police brutality protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos in October2020

MerlierwinssprintfinishasVanderPoeldeniedepicbreakawaytriumph

(BBC Sport) - Tim Merlierwonstagenineofthe Tour de France in a sprint finish after Mathieu van der Poel’shopesofanaudacious breakaway victory were dashed inside the final kilometre.

Van der Poel and his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammateJonasRickaertattacked at the start of the 174.1km run from Chinon to Chateauroux and the Dutch former world champion produced a gutsy effort that just fell short of delivering

hissecondwininthisyear’s race Instead, Belgium’s Merlierwasabletocelebrate again,havingalsowonstage three, as he came past Jonathan Milan and held off fast-finishing compatriot ArnauddeLie.

“Five minutes [to Van derPoelinthebreak]isalot butwetriedtochaseandalso the other teams started to help. The pacing was quite high at the front, but it was hard for all the guys - the bunch was nervous,” said Soudal Quick-Step rider

Merlier “In the end we just went all in and I’m happy I can win my second stage here.”

Therehasbeendebatein recent days about the longterm value of flat sprint stagesintheTour,whichcan unfold in predictable fashion, with the interest confinedtothefinalstages.

Chateauroux, which was dubbed ‘Cavendish City’ in honour of Sir Mark, who took the first of his Tourrecord 35 career stage victories here in 2008, has

long been the preserve of sprinters.

However, Van der Poel’s valiant attempt to end that streak and the raceforpositioninthewind broketheraceapart.

And the Dutchman revealed afterwards that he had embarked on the two-man expedition because team-mate Rickaert hadadreamthathehasnow achieved after winning the day’scombativityaward.

“We wanted to go for it today because it’s his

Sinner beats Alcaraz to win...

Monday July 13, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

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

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

When faced with ten entrees onthemenu,itmightbehard for you to choose just one. Feelfreetoordertwoormore, Ta u r u s D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down.Atthesametime.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

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

CANCER(June21–July22)

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

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Reachforthepotofgoldatthe end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closerthanyouthink.Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think aboutwhatitisthatyouwant most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to howfaryoucango.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra.

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

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring moremagicintoyourlife.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

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

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

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

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Mixyourrealitywithabit of fantasy today, Aquarius. Allowyourfeettocomeoffthe ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor Dreamasbigasyour mindallows.

d

podium of a Tour de France,”VanderPoelsaid.

“It’s hard not to be able to finish it off but we put up a good show today ”

There was no change at the top of the general classification, with defending champion Tadej Pogacar remaining 54 seconds clear of Remco Evenepoel.

Tw

fourth, one minute 17

Frompage23 mountains in northern Italy regularly remains ice-cold in the most decisive matches–whichiswhyhis fumble against Alcaraz in Parisfeltsosurprising.

Littleappearstofazethe mild-mannered Italian - on oroffcourt.

He was able to stay sanguine during the doping controversy which rocked the sport and the manner in which he has moved on quickly from the brutal natureofhisRolandGarros defeathasbeenimpressive.

“I had a very tough loss inParis,butattheendofthe day it doesn’t matter how you win or lose – you just have to understand what youdidwrong,”Sinnersaid duringhison-courtspeech.

“We accepted the loss, keptworkingandthat’swhy I’mholdingthistrophy.”

Sinner had shown more resilience over the Wimbledon fortnight by fighting through an elbow injury which needed an MRIscan.

However, he also had a huge slice of fortune Trailing by two sets to love in his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov, Sinner advanced when his luckless opponent retired withapectoralinjury

secondsoffyellow

Itwasnotallplainsailing for Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates, as the three-time champion’s key lieutenant JoaoAlmeidaabandonedthe race as a result of injuries sufferedonstageseven,with hisabsencelikelytobefeltin themountains.

On Monday, the race takes in eight categorised climbs on Bastille Day as it travels 165 3km from Ennezat to Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy in the Massif Central.

‘One Guyana’ King and Queen of the Sand Football

Speightland are still

the Queens; LA Ballers are the new Kings

A massive crowd and classical on pitch battles were the highlights to a resounding end to the 3rd edition of the ‘One Guyana’ KingandQueenoftheSand Football on Saturday night last at the People’s Progressive Party Office Ground, located at Five Corner,IndustrialArea.

Speightland, the defending champions of the queens segment in retaining their title handed the previously undefeated IconicStrikerstheirfirstloss of the competition to walk away with the $800,000 winner’spurse.

I n e t h m a l e championship match, new Kings were crowned and as predicted, LA Ballers were toogoodfortheiropponents, GoalIQwhomtheyblanked 2-0 and were duly rewarded with$1.5milliondollars.

The story of the still r e i g n i n g q u e e n s , Speightlandisonetosavour as they ended as the second best team to Iconic Strikers following the end of the group stage, their only loss wastothesameteam,1-0.

However, they came back storming in the semifinals when they upstaged the GDF in a humdinger of a clash, 5-4 and then placed the icing on thecakewithacommanding victory on Saturday night as

they returned the favour, winning3-1.

Nikita Wayne led the championship charge with a double, scoring in the 5th and 23rd minute with the pother goal coming off the boot of Alliyah Venture in the 24th minute. Shaniah Thornhill netted Iconic Strikers’ consolation goal

and for their efforts, they were p

$300,000.

T h e G D F w e r e rampaginginthethird-place clash, as they trounced Hururu7-1ledbyahat-trick from Sandra Johnson who scored in the 4th, 7th and 26th minute. She was ably assisted by Glendu Lewis

who scored a brace in the 27th and 28th minute with once each from Niomi Williams in the 7th and Jalade Trim in the 8th minute.

Hururu’s only response came from Nickesha Persaud in the 2nd minute, they drew first blood. GDF claimedthethird-placeprize of $200,000 with Hururu collecting$100,000.

There were no surprises in the king’s final with LA Ballers romping to a comfortable 2-0 triumph overGoalIQ.Theywereled bytheirmostprolificscorer; Marcus Tudor who scored back-to-back goals in the 17thand18thminute.Tudor ended the tournament with 14goalsandcertainlyledthe charge for the 1.5 million payday

Goal IQ received $500,000 for their efforts while the third-place match saw Spaniards collecting $200,000withoutbreakinga sweat as their opponent, HardKnocksfailedtoputin anappearance.

Palmer inspires Chelsea to stunning win over PSG in Club World Cup final

(BBC Sport) - Cole Palmer inspired a stunning Chelseaperformanceasthey d o w n e d E u r o p e a n championsParisSt-Germain towinthefirsteditionofthe newlyexpandedClubWorld Cup.

The England attacking midfielder scored twice and set up a brilliant third goal for new signing Joao Pedro in a comprehensive 3-0 win over in-form PSG at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey

Palmerplacedalowshot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 22nd minuteafterMaloGustoran in behind Nuno Mendes, adding a second with a neat dummy and identical shot fromtheedgeoftheboxjust eightminuteslater

His defence-splitting pass allowed Joao Pedro to lobDonnarummajustbefore half-time to stun a team branded “the best in the world” by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca before kickoff.

In the second half Khvicha Kvaratskhelia immediately tested Blues

Cole Palmer ended his 52-game season with 18 goals and 14 assists after a sensational Club World Cup final performance (Getty Images)

goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, while his close-range save minuteslaterfromOusmane Dembele was even more impressive.

Substitute Liam Delap alsohadagoodshotsavedas PSGwereleftwithtoomuch of a mountain to climb after missedopportunitiesbyJoao Neves and Desire Doue whenthescoreswerelevelin thefirsthalf.

The game was all but over on 85 minutes when matters got worse for the Parisians, as midfielder Neves was sent off after a brief VAR check for pulling defender Marc Cucurella’s

hair

PSG manager Luis Enrique will also face questions after appearing to slap Chelsea forward Joao Pedro in ugly post-match scenes, with unused substitute Presnel Kimpembe having to pull awayhiscoach.

Among the 81,118 people in attendance - the biggest of the tournamentwas US President Donald Trump, who sat alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino as Chelsea took theirearningstoabout£90m as they became world champions.

Minister Juan Edghill and other officials with the 2025 ‘One Guyana’Queens of the Sand Football Champs, Speightland

Riders win cliffhanger to remain unbeaten

(GSL) - Hobart

Hurricanes XI and Rangpur Ridershadbothstartedtheir ExxonMobilGuyanaGlobal Super League campaigns withawinbutonlyoneside couldcarryontheirunbeaten streak after they met at Guyana National Stadium, Providence, with Rangpur Riders stealing a thriller off the last ball of the game to take the spoils and head to the top of the (GSL) table afterfivecompletedgames.

Hurricanes captain Ben McDermottwonthetossand inserted the Riders who got themselves to a competitive total of 151/6 largely thanks to 43 off 31 balls from Ibrahim Zadran at the top of the order and the swashbucklingbladeofKyle

Mayers who hit 8 fours and two sixes to score 67 off 42 ballsandtoremainunbeaten and go past the milestone of 4000T20runsintheprocess.

The Hurricanes were thankful for the tricksy legspinofUsamaMir,histhree wicketsforjust15runskept the Riders total to a manageableone.TheRiders would also have been pleased with what has been around a par score for the tournament so far and were buoyed even more when M a y

Bhankuka Rajapaska caught behindbyNurulHasanwith thescoreonjust4runs.

Sinner beats Alcaraz to win first Wimbledon title

Jannik Sinner is the first Italian player to win a Wimbledon singles title (Getty Images)

53/2 soon became 82/5 with the top order all back in the hutch.

With 55 required off the last six overs, Hurricanes had Mohammed Nabi and Odean Smith both set in double figures. Nabi then opened the shoulders in the 15th over, plundering TabraizShamsiforasixand then a four, thirteen runs off the over left the game in the balance, 42 needed from 30 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai than rattled through a frugal over for the cost of just six runs to keep Riders in with chance,with36neededfrom 24 balls, Hurricanes were only ever a few lusty blows away

World number one

Jannik Sinner won his first Wimbledon title by wearing down Carlos Alcaraz in another high-quality Grand Slam final between the dominantforcesofthemen’s game.Italy’sSinnerclaimed a 4-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory at the All England Club, avenging his brutal French Open defeat by Spanish world number two Alcaraz just35daysago.

Then, Sinner led by two sets - and held three championship points - before Alcaraz roared back to win a five-set classic lasting more thanfivehours

Now, the 23-year-old has respondedbytakingtwo-time defendingchampionAlcaraz’s crown on the Centre Court grass, following another gripping contest which again showcased the pair’s shotmaking, athleticism and star power “It is so special,” Sinner said. “I’m living my dream.” Sinner, who served a three-month doping ban earlierthisyear,hasclaimed the fourth Grand Slam title ofhiscareerandafirstmajor victorynotonahardcourt.A composed and clinical

Asolidpartnershipof49 runs then followed in quick time between McDermott and Macalister Wright, the same pair who impressed withthebatintheHurricanes f

performance from the top seed ended Alcaraz’s 24matchwinningstreak.

The manner in which he served out victory from goingabreakupat3-1inthe fourth set - given his experience in Paris last month-wasadmirable.

There was a moment of knowing consternation among Sinner’s supporters whenhemissedafirstmatch point,butheresettotakehis second opportunity before dropping to his haunches at thenet.Sinner’swinstopped 22-year-old Alcaraz from becomingonlythefifthman in the Open era to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles.

“It is always difficult to lose,butfirstofallIhaveto congratulate Jannik again,” Alcaraz said. “It is a really well-deserved trophy He hasbeenplayinggreattennis and will continue to be a greatrival.”

‘Youhavetoacceptthe losses’-resilientSinner bouncesback

What makes Sinner so special above all else is his mentality Themanfromthe (Continuedonpage21)

st match of the

tournament. Any thoughts the Hurricanes might have hadofcoastingthetotalwere soondashed,however,when

The match swung one way then the other, Odean SmithhitKhaledAhmedfor four only for the Bangladeshi medium pacer to hit back right away and dismiss Smith for 20 off 13 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai did the business again, the 18th over costing just four runs.

Needing 22 off 12 deliveries, Nabi swiped the first ball of the 19th over from Khaled Ahmed for six but the twists still came as Ahmed dismissed Fabian Allen and Raf Macmillan in consecutive balls to leave Hurricanes needing 12 off thefinalover Azmatullah Omarzai wasgiventhelastover,Nabi swipedhimfor6andlooked tohavethegamewonbefore hefellfor44toleave3runs needed off 1 ball Billy Stanlake was run out off the final ball to give Rangpur Ridersthevictorybyjustone runasabreathlessencounter cametoacloseinGuyana.

Rangpur Riders are off to an excellent start in their title defence. (Getty Images)

WIbattingfailureputsAustralia slightlyaheadona15-wicketday

(ESPN Cricinfo) - West Indies’pace bowlers surged under lights on the second dayatSabinaParkastheTest moved a breakneck speed with Australia stumbling to 99 for 6 amid a torrid workingoverinsomeofthe toughest conditions imaginable.

Sam Konstas’ miserable series ended with a duck,

leavinghisTestprospectsfor the Ashes in jeopardy, but Cameron Green played outstandingly for an innings worthfarmorethanthe42on the scoreboard although he could have been run out on 14. By the close of another hectic day which saw 15 wicketsfall,Australiahelda lead of 181 which was already considerable in the

conditions but West Indies had given themselves a glimmer

West Indies had been dismantled for 143 with Australia’s bowling sharing the success. Scott Boland, who replaced Nathan Lyon intheXI,finishedwiththree wickets.

It meant a first-innings lead of 82 forAustralia, but

also saw them starting their second innings at the beginning of the final sessionasthelightstookfull hold.

The passage of play when West Indies took the new ball was electrifying.

Konstas wasn’t able to get offthemarkashejabbedata short-of-a-length delivery fromShamarJosephandwas

taken in the gully It left Konstas, who had been billedasthefutureofthetop order, with 50 runs in the seriesat8.33.

Usman Khawaja managed to take his ballsfaced tally in the series to o v e r 3 0 0 - a n o t inconsiderable achievement given the conditions - but inside-edged a big drive against Shamar Joseph into his stumps, making it all six

dismissalsfortheseriesfrom aroundthewicket.

Then Alzarri Joseph turnedupthethrottleagainst Steven Smith with a spell where he touched 147kph andproducedthefastestover by a West Indies bowler in theseries.

Match details: Australia 225and99for6(Green42*, Alzarri 3-19, Shamar 2-26) lead West Indies 143 (Boland3-34)by181runs.

Alzarri Joseph rattled then removed Alex Carey. (AFP/Getty Images)

Marian Academy campaign comes to artery ending as Bartica Secondary buried them 3-0

Marian Academy’s impressive run in the Petraorganised ExxonMobil Girls’ Under-14 Football Championships came to a heartbreaking end following a3-0semifinallosstoawelldrilled Chase’s Academic Foundationside.

The match got off to a nightmare start for Marian, who looked short of depth with a coupleof key players absent. Chase’s wasted no time asserting dominance, with Diana Edwards pouncing on a defensive lapsetoputherside1-0upin theopeningminute.

Marian, fresh off a stormy 6-2 quarterfinal victory, struggled to find their rhythm and failed to threaten with a reply Their woes deepened in the ninth minute when Leandra Henrito charged through the defence to slot home a second for Chase’s A defensive mix-up then saw G a i n a R a m o t a r inadvertently put the ball into her own net, gifting Chase a third and sealing a commanding win, handing the Marian girls a teary end tothe2025crown.

In the other Girl’s semifinal matchup, Bartica Secondary secured their place in the final with a confident 3-1 win over Waramuri Secondary. Ronelly Williams gave Bartica a dream start with a composed finish in the 5th minute, before Nerismar Williamsdoubledtheleadin the10th.

Waramuri,undefeatedup to that point, clawed one back through a stunning strikefromShanesaThomas in the 13th minute, raising hopes of a comeback However, despite a spirited push, they couldn’t break down a resolute Bartica

ExxonMobil Girls’ Under-14 Football Championship… Chase’s Academic marches into both finals …Marian Academy’s campaign ends in defeat

division,Chase’sdismantled BygevalSecondarytocruise into the semis West Ruimveldt edged St John’s College 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw Three Mile made light work of East Ruimveldt with a 4-0 triumph, and Waramuri

edged through 3-2 on spotkicks following another hard-foughtdraw

The finals of the 2025 ExxonMobil Under-14 Football Championship are set for this weekend, where new champions will be crowned in both the Girls’ andBoys’categories.

The tournament is proudly sponsored by ExxonMobil, Guyana’s leading energy partner, with additional support from MVP Sports, Demerara Mutual, SkyTec, Stena Drilling, and Banks DIH

underitsI-CEESoftDrinks, Manta Supreme, Rainforest Water, Qiin and Duetto Biscuits, and Tastee Snacks brands. The tournament is sanctioned by the Ministry of Eudactiona and the Ministry of Culture, Youth andSports.

backline. Nerismar bagged her brace in the 50th minute to wrap up the result and book Bartica’s place in the championship showdown against new comer Chase’s Academic.

Over in the boys’ division, defending

champions Chase’s Academic Foundation continued their title defense with a commanding 4-1 semifinal victory over West Ruimveldt Star forward NyronBarrowledthecharge with a clinical brace, while Jashan Haynes (31’) and Fabio Kowlessar (50’) also got on the scoresheet in a dominantdisplay West Ruimveldt simply had no answer to Chase’s fluid attacking play and will now have to settle for the third-placeplayoff.

Later on, Three Mile Secondary edged past Waramuri Secondary with a narrow1-0win,thankstoan early fifth-minute strike from Simeon Martindale

The goal proved to be the difference in a cagey encounter,settingupahighstakes final between Three Mile and Chase’sAcademic Foundation.

RoadtotheSemis–QuarterfinalRecap

Thequarterfinalroundin the Girls’ division saw Nikeisha Williams steal the spotlightwithabrillianthattrick to lead Waramuri to a crushing 8-0 win over

Abram Zuil Bartica mirroredthatdominantform with their own 8-0 rout of East Ruimveldt Marian Academyputonanattacking clinic in their 6-2 win over Vreed-en-Hoop, while

Chase’s Academic Foundationmadelightwork of Bush Lot Secondary, runningout5-1winners.

Also in the Boys’

Scott Boland runs out Justin Greaves (Associated Press)