Guyana uranium project via Singapore deal Canadian firm acquired
Lebanon with operations past security zone strikes, expands ground …prospectinglicencesgrantedin2024foruranium, otherradioactivemineralsandrareearthelements
Lisa
Tucville woman dies in East Bank crash
Guyana makes medical history with successful tele-robotic surgery
Pres. Ali calls for unity while relations with Opposition remain strained
...sidestepsquestionontalks withoppositionleader
Guyana’s new gas-to-energy push mirrors
Ghana’s ongoing project troubles
Guyana illuminated its 60th IndependenceAnniversary celebrations on Tuesday evening with a spectacular drone light show at the National Stadium, Providence, where hundreds gathered to witness history, culture and national pride painted across the night sky (Seestory&photosonpage 20)
Blackman
President Irfaan Ali addresses the Diamond Jubilee Flag-raising Ceremony alongside government officials, members of the security services and ceremonial guards.
Guyana’swealthbelongstothepeople-Pres.Ali
Guyana’s vast natural resources, including its oil reserves “belong to every Guyanese,” President Irfaan Ali said Monday evening, evenasheusedthecountry’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations to reaffirmsovereigntyoverthe Essequibo in the face of the ongoing border controversy withVenezuela.
Addressing those gatheredatFortIslandinthe Essequibo River for the Diamond Jubilee Flagraising Ceremony, the president said the country’s offshore oil wealth must be
managed for both present andfuturegenerations.“The oil beneath our waters is not the property of a government, it is the property of our people. It belongs to every Guyanese who came before us and to every Guyanese yet to be born,”hestated.
President Ali’s remarks cameasGuyanacontinuesto experienceeconomicgrowth
due to the offshore petroleum production in whichhepointedoutthatthe StabroekBlocknowexceeds 915,000 barrels per day, making Guyana, South
America’s third-largest oil producer
As such, he said the country’s Natural Resources Fund is being strengthened toensurerevenuesaresaved and invested responsibly “Weholditintrust,wespend it with purpose, we save it withdiscipline.”
Ali also reflected on the country’s transformation from a nation once heavily dependentonforeign-owned industries and burdened by colonial-era divisions
“Sixty years after Independence, we stand beforetheworldinaposition
our founders could scarcely have imagined,” he said. “We are today the fastest growingeconomyonearth.”
The president said Guyana’s gross domestic product had expanded from US$229 million at Independence in 1966 to more than US$75 billion in purchasing power today He also cited International Monetary Fund data showing Guyana recorded average real GDPgrowth of 47percentannuallybetween 2022and2024.
But he warned that prosperity must not deepen
political or ethnic divisions, urging Guyanese to reject “zero-sum politics” and embrace a shared national identity under the government’s “One Guyana” agenda. “No one should seek to divide Guyanainpursuitofpower,” he said. “Government and opposition, private sector and labour, civil society and citizens, coastline and hinterland, no one should seektodivide.”
Meanwhile, Ali also addressed the decades-old territorial controversy with Venezuela over the
Essequibo,whichcomprises more than two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, accusing Venezuela of continuously challenging Guyana’s sovereignty despite ongoing proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) “The Essequibo is Guyana’s,” he declared.
“It has never been Venezuelan, nor was it ever Spanish. We will always defend our sovereignty We will always defend our territorial integrity, but we will do so through peaceful means,”hesaid.
The latest findings from the Pan American Health Organisation and The Lancet Regional Health – Americas should trouble every Guyanese conscience. Once again, Guyana has been identified as having the highest youth suiciderateintheregion.Behindthestatisticsareshattered families, grieving communities and young lives cut tragicallyshortbeforetheirpotentialcouldeverberealised.
Suicidehasbecomeanationalsocialcrisisthattouches every village, school, workplace and household. It is a painful reminder that economic progress alone does not guarantee emotional wellbeing, social stability or hope for thefuture.
At the same time, the report also points to a measure of progress. Guyana is reportedly one of the few countries showingadeclineinsuicideratesoverthepasttwodecades. This demonstrates that interventions, awareness campaigns and community efforts may be having some effect. Yet no nation can celebrate while suicide remains among the leadingcausesofdeathforitsyoungpeople.Thechallenge before Guyana is therefore twofold: to acknowledge the progress made while recognising that much more urgent workremainstobedone.
The causes of suicide are complex and deeply interconnected.Mentalhealthconditionssuchasdepression and anxiety continue to affect many young people, often silently Poverty, unemployment, family instability, substanceabuse,domesticviolenceandsocialisolationalso create emotional burdens that can overwhelm vulnerable individuals. In today's digital age, cyberbullying, harmful online content and unrealistic social pressures have added newdimensionstothecrisis.
One of the more alarming findings in the report is the widespread use of pesticides in suicide deaths. The accessibility of highly toxic substances in rural and agricultural communities continues to place many lives at risk. This is an area where decisive policy action can save lives. Stronger regulations governing the storage, sale and handling of dangerous chemicals should no longer be delayed. Evidence from other countries has shown that restricting access to lethal means can significantly reduce suiciderates.
However, legislation alone will not solve this problem. Suicide prevention requires a sustained national effort involving government, schools, religious organisations, healthcare professionals, community leaders and families themselves.Toooften,mentalhealthremainssurroundedby stigma and misunderstanding in Guyanese society Many who are struggling emotionally are afraid to seek help becausetheyfearridicule,rejectionorbeinglabeledasweak. Thatculturemustchange.
Mental health should be treated with the same seriousness as physical illness. Schools must be equipped with trained counsellors and support systems capable of identifyingtroubledstudentsearly.Teachersshouldreceive training to recognise warning signs, while parents must be encouragedtoengagemoreopenlywiththeirchildrenabout emotionalstrugglesandmentalwellbeing.
Religious and community organisations also have an important role to play In many communities, churches, mandirs and mosques remain trusted institutions. They can helpfostercompassion,encouragedialogueandprovidesafe spaces where struggling individuals feel heard rather than judged. Communities must move away from dismissive attitudesthattellyoungpeoplesimplyto“bestrong”or“get overit.”Emotionalpaincannotalwaysbeovercomethrough silence.
Government, too, must continue expanding access to mental health services, particularly in rural regions where professional support is often limited or nonexistent. Counselling services, crisis hotlines and community
Minibus operators and the government
DearEditor,
The controversy surroundingminibusfaresis not merely about whether operators should charge more or whether commuters can afford to pay more. It is about a government that has become accustomed to deciding who gets what, when they get it and how much they should receive, while disregarding the requirement for meaningful engagement with those affectedbyitsdecisions.
Such engagement is a constitutional obligation reflectedinArticle13,which mandates an inclusive system of governance groundedintheparticipation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decisionmaking processes of the State. That is the real crisis before us. Not simply a dispute over fares, but a persistent disregard for c
t i z e n s ' r i g h t s , constitutional governance andtheruleoflaw
When a government believes it can impose decisions rather than engage the people, it ceases to govern by consent and beginstogovernbydictate.
The Irfaan Ali/Bharrat Jagdeo regime appears to believeitalonepossessesthe wisdomtodeterminewhatis fair compensation for workers, operators, businesses and citizens. It believes it can dictate outcomes rather than facilitate solutions This approach may satisfy politicalinstincts,butitdoes nothing to resolve the underlying problems confrontingsociety
The minibus operators didnotwakeuponemorning and arbitrarily decide they wanted higher fares. Their demandarisesfromthesame economic realities confronting every Guyanese family.The cost of tyres has increased Fuel prices remain a major burden Spare parts, maintenance, insurance and other operational expenses continue to rise. They are real expenses that affect the viability of every operator struggling to keep a vehicle ontheroad.Atthesametime, commuters are facing their owncrisis.Manycitizensare already struggling to feed their families, pay rent or mortgages, keep the lights on, meet utility bills, send children to school and purchasethebasicgoodsand services necessary for daily life An increase in transportation costs would undoubtedly add another layer of hardship to householdsalreadystretched to the breaking point by the highcost-of-living.
The above realities should have compelled the government to bring all parties together around a table.
However, rather than bringing stakeholders together to find common ground, the regime has chosen to inflame tensions and manufacture conflict Instead of confronting the economic conditions that havedrivenoperatorstoseek fare adjustments, it has sought to turn commuters against operators and o p e r a t o r s a g a i n s t commuters. The travelling publicisencouragedtoview
outreachprogrammesshouldbestrengthenedandadequately funded. In a country experiencing growing revenues and economic transformation, investment in the emotional wellbeingofcitizensmustbecomeanationalpriority
Importantly, the conversation surrounding suicide must remain balanced and responsible. While the statistics are alarming, the narrative should not create hopelessness or reinforce negative perceptions about Guyana and its people. There are many Guyanese families, teachers, healthcare workers and organisations working tirelessly to support vulnerable youth and reduce these tragedies. Their efforts deserverecognitionandsupport.
Young people, especially, must be reminded that difficult circumstances do not define the rest of their lives. Failure, heartbreak, unemployment, academic struggles or family problemsarenotpermanentconditions.Helpexists,andthere are people willing to listen and support them through their darkestmoments.
Ultimately, suicide prevention is not solely the responsibility of government or medical professionals. It is a collectivemoralobligation.Everycitizenhasaroletoplayin building a society where compassion is stronger than stigma, wheresupportreplacessilence,andwherehopetriumphsover despair
Guyanacannotaffordtoloseanothergenerationofyoung people to preventable tragedy The time for sustained, united andcompassionateactionisnow
operatorsasprofiteers,while operators are painted as enemiesofthepeople.
Having created the confrontation, the governmentthenattemptsto parade itself as the protector of the public interest Nothing could be further from the truth. Its conduct has shown little regard for either commuters struggling with the cost-of-living or operators struggling to keep theirvehiclesontheroad.
Theregimeappearsmore intentonharvestingpolitical capital from social discord, sowing divisionwhere unity isneededandconflictwhere dialogueshouldprevail.
A r e s p o n s i b l e government would recognisethatbothoperators and commuters are victims o
acknowledge that rising costs affect everyone It wouldfacilitatedialogueand negotiate solutions that balance the interests of all stakeholders.
The regime points to concessionsgrantedthrough theremovalofduties,excise taxes and customs charges. Those measures are important and should be acknowledged But they cannot be presented as the sole consideration in determining whether fares are sustainable Every relevant factor must be examined honestly and comprehensively
What are the actual operating costs? What is a reasonable return for operators? What can commuters realistically afford? What role should government play in supporting public transportation?Thesearethe questions mature societies ask.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y, government has shown little interest in addressing public transportation as a public responsibility It wants to determine what fares should be charged, but it demonstratesnocomparable enthusiasm for investing in transportation systems, creating subsidies, supporting commuters or improving efficiency across thesector
The State possesses substantial financial resources. The question is whether those resources are beingutilisedtoimprovethe lives of ordinary citizens or simplytostrengthenpolitical control over national discourse.
The solution lies not in threats, decrees or public confrontation It lies in meaningful engagement Operators,commuters,trade unions, consumer advocates a n d g o v e r n m e n t representatives must sit together and honestly examine the realities confrontingsociety
Consensus-building is (Continuedonpage6)
'X-tra stink and dutty experience'
DearEditor,
AsaGuyaneselivingoverseas,IcamehometoGuyana for the Carnival festivities expecting a memorable experience,butIleft'xtrastinkanddutty'onMay22feeling extremelydisappointed.
Theeventhadanentertaininglineupofperformances,but the poor organisation completely overshadowed the experience. I waited over an hour just to get into the venue, and there seemed to be little to no crowd management in place. The entry line was chaotic, with people packed shoulder to shoulder, pushing, arguing, and creating what honestlyfeltlikeaserioussafetyhazardbeforeweevengot inside.Unfortunately, things didn't improve once inside the event.Thebarswereextremelydisorganised,andIspentover anhourtryingtobuydrinks.Onebarappearedtohaveonly three bartenders serving a massive crowd, which made the waitfrustratingandunnecessary
Whatmadeitevenmoredisappointingwasseeingsocial media portray the event as organised and enjoyable, especially with overseas influencers seemingly receiving preferential treatment while regular patrons dealt with confusion and poor management The performances themselves were good, but the lack of planning and proper crowd control ruined what should have been a great experience. Experiences like this do not leave a good impressiononvisitorsandarenotthewaytopromotetourism orshowcasethebestofwhatGuyanahastooffer.
Yourssincerely, NarissaHajratalli
The strength of Trump's MAGA strategy 60 Years of Independence and Introspection; Unity
DearEditor,
After the assault on American safety that began with biological warfare shortlyafterwargameswere conducted,whichresultedin aworldwidepandemicanda largenumberofdeathsinthe U.S.,thegroupof7(Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, India and South Africa) has been reconsidering their next move in the battle for a new worldorder
The miscalculation of Cuba and Venezuelan proximity to the U.S. as an opportunity to shift American military focus on southerndefencebyutilising Russia's military presence and the presence of Iran operatives in Venezuela has beenneutralisedbytheU.S.' warondrugsandthecapture of President Maduro & Venezuela.Thebeautyinthis aspect of MAGAstrategy is the securing of oil resources thatcanbeusedtostrengthen U S resilience and dominance on the global stage.
T h i s w a s a l s o accompanied by increased tariffs that weakens the groupofsevenandincreases the relative strength of the U.S. economy and currency
The move of the group of seventoshifttoanewworld order with the reduction of U.S. currency dependence around the world is being further tested by the U.S. constraint placed on key resources needed for the global economy Iran's war strengthens the U S by weakening China and other
competitors due to oil price increases and resource shortages.Amarketdynamic that American and Venezuelan collaboration can benefit from to obtain localaffordabilityandglobal profitability
Furtherreducingthetime pressure to make a deal that would end the weakening of China'seconomy
The western border threatposedbyNorthKorea continues to be contained withthehelpofSouthKorea and the Russian diversion in Ukraine.
Continued strengthening of Ukraine and increased independence of NATO allies to deal with the Russian threat has created room to focus elsewhere as Russia continues to be weakenedbothmilitarilyand economically Israel continues to prove to be a strong ally in the MiddleEastthatishelpingto weaken anti U.S. interests and provide additional theaters for offensive operations and resource acquisition. South Africa's attempts to shift the conversation to illegal military operations and war crimes to reduce the effectiveness of the US Israel alliance has proven to be ineffective BRICS is increasingly becoming a platform for furthering the new world order objectives and the currency shift attempts are now isolated to a weakening economic model that is increasingly showing vulnerabilities to shifts in energy and key
resourcemarkets.
The unprovoked attack ontheU.S.hasproventobe anopportunitythatPresident Trump has leveraged to strengthentheU.S.economy for the long term while he alsoweakenstheadversaries in the group of seven. Antiterrorist and anti-drug initiatives are also proving beneficial to national security and will help his political party maintain strength over the long term as racial makeup of the country remains contained. The question now is what will American adversaries, bothinternalandexternaldo next to counter the current strength of Trump's long termMAGAstrategy?
Itappearstobepolitical at the moment, with hopes being pinned on the midterm elections as a key opportunity to weaken Trump's hand. Will it be enough? The Secretary of War and the National Securityapparatuswillmost definitely have their hands full over the remainder of Trump'sterm.
Bestregards, Mr JamilChanglee
is the only way for Guyana's success story!
DearEditor,
The mentality of
Guyanese leaves many to question whether as a country, if we will ever be united or work together History has shown that the only way to ever achieve success is through unity CountrieslikeChinaandthe USAare prime examples of that but the fact is that we live in a 'cut-throat' society where citizens assess progressbasedonafinancial value, i.e. if it does not benefit them then they will criticise.Wehavepoliticians who deliberately spread misinformation for the sake ofrelevance.Asocietythatis slowlycollapsingintogreed where 'an eye for an eye' is theendgame.Arroganceand narcissism are so inherently built into us that we find it hard to understand different perspectives or worse; comparing which is more sensible.Weliveinacountry where narratives are more important than fact, where interests matter more than thetruthandwheredramais so tantalising to the point where eventually we
become so absorbed in the antics that we forget to reason beyond just what we hear and see.We become so gullible that we allow our emotions to take over our thought process leading to a twisted view of reality with the end result being protests thatdestroysthesamethings wealldependon.Intheend, it is the politicians that divide us for their own bigoted agendas, we are the flock of sheep blindly following those who care nothing about us or our wellbeing, becoming hypocritesintheprocess.
We should be proud of what Guyana has become and what it is slowly transforminginto,weshould behappythatGeorgetownis being transformed Waste management is being taken seriously,forthecashgrants that we've been getting, for the infrastructure projects
creating capacity for the future, for the major investments in making education free for all levels and for the prudent and sustained economic management, yes nothing can be solved overnight and no one policy is perfect, no one government can solve everything, but to use the words of David Granger, “Governmentdoesn'thavea magic wand” similarly we toomustunderstandthis. Asweapproach60years of Independence, it is my hope that we as citizens of this country do our own introspection and understand our history, particularlythestruggleswe faced and the development thathasoccurredsince,think about it, our country is finally getting a break, yes solving real world problems for Guyanese isn't being (Continuedonpage6)
Guyana's new gas-to-energy push mirrors Ghana's ongoing project troubles
The West African country of Ghana is moving ahead with a second major gas-to-energy project despite the many troubling experiences encountered during its first, a situation that mirrors Guyana's own struggles with the controversial Wales Gas-toEnergyProject.
Despite the hurdles surrounding the initial development, the PPP/C Governmenthasinsistedthat a second project must be completed before the end of itssecondterminoffice.
According to the Africa CentreforEnergyPolicy,the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) was established in 2011 to managethecountry'snatural gas resources and oversee construction of the Atuabo Gas Processing Plant in the Western Region, which was initially slated for completion in 2012 However, significant delays pushed the plant's official
c o m m i s s i o n i n g t o November 2014, when it began processing raw gas from the Jubilee Field to supplyelectricity
A May 2014 public interest report by Mohammed Amin Adam, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy
Policy, and Benjamin Boakye, Programmes Director of the organisation, stated that “the project, which is being executed by SINOPEC,hasfailedtomeet several completion dates Indeed, the project has been delayedforfouryears.”
The report noted that funding challenges were among the major causes of the delays, particularly issues surrounding the disbursement of a US$3 billion China Development Bank (CDB) facility, part of whichwasearmarkedforthe gasproject.
“As of September 2013, US$598,945,463 25 was disbursed to SINOPEC, c o m p r i s i n g US$509,103,643 77 from CDBandUS$89,841,819.48 from the Government of Ghanacounterpartfunding,” thereportstated. The report also raised concerns about procurement practices, highlighting discrepancies including sole-sourcing of contracts instead of utilising international competitive tendering processes It furthernotedthatGhanahad rejected a financing facility offered by the World Bank, despite concerns over financial management and transparency
Beyond procurement concerns, environmental issues also emerged According to the report, one of the most significant environmental r
transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from AtuabotoAccra.
“Although the original plan for LPG transportation favoured the use of sea vessels,forwhichajettywas tobeconstructed,GhanaGas has once again thrown caution to the wind. LPG will now be transported to Accra by road through trucks With about 700 metrictonsofLPGexpected daily, it will take about 40 LPG trucks travelling every day on the roads from Atuabo through the main Elubo highway to the market,”thereportstated.
Despitethecontroversies andsetbackssurroundingthe first project, Ghana is now pressingaheadwithasecond majorgasinitiative.
On May 12, Ghana's MinistryofFinancereported that Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson described the planned SecondGasProcessingPlant (GPP II) as a “gamechanging”projectcapableof transforming the country's energy landscape, creating
jobs, and saving the economy hundreds of millionsofdollars.
Speaking during the inauguration of the GPP II implementation committee attheMinistryofEnergyand GreenTransition,Dr Forson saidGhana'soverrelianceon expensive liquid fuels to power electricity plants had become unsustainable, costing the country more thanUS$1billionannually
“WithouttheAtuaboGas Plant, Ghana would have been in deep trouble.Today, wefaceasimilaropportunity to secure our future,” he stated.
Accordingtothefinance minister,thenewplantcould save Ghana nearly half a billionUSdollarseverytwo yearswhilegeneratingmore than1,000directandindirect jobs.
Meanwhile, Guyana has not yet completed its first gas-to-energyproject,which hasbeenplaguedwithissues similar to those experienced inGhana.TheWalesGas-toEnergy Project, initially expected to be completed in 2024, has missed several deadlines with little public explanation from the government.
On April 12, this publication reported that after years of criticising the former APNU+AFC Coalition Government for concealing Guyana's Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil, the PPP/C administration similarly
withheld contracts linked to theWalesProject,whichhas now become the country's single most expensive infrastructuredevelopment.
Thepipelineandtwogas plants alone are expected to cost approximately US$2 billion, exceeding Guyana's total national debt in 2018, which stood at roughly US$1.8billion.Despitethis, the government has continued to withhold criticalprojectcontractsand cost details from public scrutiny
Sources close to the Wales project have revealed troubling elements within agreements signed between ExxonMobil and the Government of Guyana, contradicting assurances previously provided by both parties.
While ExxonMobil has publicly claimed that repayment for the pipeline will not begin until the projectbecomesoperational, sources contend that associated costs are already being recovered through the company's cost recovery mechanismunderthePSA. Additionally, Guyana reportedly signed a take-orpay agreement with ExxonMobiltopurchasegas from the Stabroek Block. Under such an arrangement, Guyana would still be required to pay for gas regardless of whether the country fully utilises it or whether theWales project is completedontime.
Although Guyanese
were initially told that the gaswouldbe“free,”sources f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e negotiations said the agreement eventually evolved into a commercial Gas Sales Agreement (GSA), rather than a simple gassupplyarrangement.
“Initiallythegovernment wanted a Gas Supply Agreement, given the political statements of 'gas beingfree,'whichareuntrue. Gas production falls under the PSA, and producing gas impacts the recovery of oil by the co-venturers, so ultimately they arrived at a Gas Sales Agreement,” sourcesexplained.
The sources further indicated that Guyana has effectively agreed to purchase gas from ExxonMobil, despite questions being raised by stakeholders about whether the resources within the Stabroek Block should alreadybelongtothenation. M e a n w h i l e , t h e Government of Guyana is continuing discussions with neighbouring Suriname regarding a possible partnershipforasecondgasto-energy project proposed forBerbice,RegionSix.
At a recent press conference, President Irfaan Ali stressed the importance of collaboration with Surinameontheinitiative.
“The conversation with Surinameisimportanttosee howtheywilltreattheirgas. We're working towards (Continuedonpage22)
Minibus operators and the government
Frompage4 not weakness. Consultation is not surrender Dialogueisnotdefeat.Notwithstandingthat, this regime appears more comfortable with what has increasingly become its governing philosophy—bruteforceandignorance. It prefers command to consultation, division todialogueandconfrontationtocooperation. Thisnationcannotadvanceeconomically while social tensions are deliberately aggravatedandcitizensareencouragedtosee oneanotherasadversaries.Progressrequires peace Development requires harmony
Stabilityrequirestrust.
Theresponsibilityofacaringgovernment is not to sow division, put one group against another, or govern by decree. Its duty is to bring people together, build consensus and craft solutions that advance the common good.
It must therefore dismount from its high horse, abandon its know-it-all posture, and engage citizens where they live, work and struggleeveryday.
Sincerely
LincolnLewis
60 Years of Independence and Introspection...
Frompage5 addressed fully, but we must ask ourselves, would you build a house without a proper foundation? Would you rather party every day or invest your money in something that can transcend generations? Similarly, we cannot live in a country without proper infrastructure, building out the country's foundationiscriticalforustobenefitfroma reducedcost-of-livingandingeneral,abetter life for all. Stop buying wholesale what any politician says and do your own research, understandthemetricsofurbanplanningand development and you will see the direction
thiscountryisheadingin.
Happy60thIndependenceGuyana!Now is the time to put aside our political differencessothatwecanhavethenecessary growth for this country Guyana has the potential to become like what we have alwaysimaginedittobe–GREAT Letusbe the change we want to see in Guyana. 60 years of Independence, 60 years of introspection, unity is the only way forward forGuyana'ssuccessstorysoletusbeapart ofthisgoldenchaptertogether!
Twenty countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean seized 3,308 illegal firearms and56tonnesofillegaldrugs in a major police operation, coordinated by INTERPOL, with the support of the Organisation of American States(OAS)
Operation Orca XI was conductedfromOctober15to November 30, 2025 INTERPOL led operational coordination, while the OAS f
collaboration, with funding from the European Union (EU) The operation was also doneincollaborationwiththe Commission of Central American, Mexican, Caribbean and Colombian policechiefs
Guyanawasamongthe20 participating countries The other countries include: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil,Chile,Colombia,Costa Rica,theDominicanRepublic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay,Peru,Surinameand Uruguay
In preparation for the operation, INTERPOL assistedparticipatingcountries in analysing firearms trafficking intelligence, developing national threat assessments and coordinating cross-border information exchangetofacilitateregional collaboration
In addition to firearms seizures, participating authorities reported 8,701 arrests related to firearm and drugpossessionortrafficking, aswellasvariousothercrimes and offences Officers also seized nearly 200,000 rounds of ammunition, USD$ 256,025 in cash and 210 vehicles
Firearmstraffickinginthe regionisinextricablylinkedto other forms of criminal activity, including drug trafficking,humantrafficking, migrant smuggling and cybercrime The organised criminal groups and gangs behindthesecrimesfrequently
utilise the same trafficking routes for multiple illicit commodities Operation Orca XI highlighted this connection, withtenparticipatingcountries alsoreportingsignificantdrug seizures,including:69tonnes of cocaine, 659,403 units of coca plants, 93 tonnes of cocainebasepaste,385tonnes of marijuana, 2 tonnes of methamphetamine and 11 kg of ketamine Commenting on the operation, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said, “The thousands of firearms removed from circulationthankstooperation Orca XI and the significant quantities of drugs seized, represent real progress in the fight against organised crime INTERPOL’s commitment remains to support law enforcementagencieswiththe intelligence, tools and coordinationtheyneedtostay ahead of these evolving threats”
Albert R Ramdin, Secretary General of OAS, noted, “This is what success looks like when hemispheric coordination and world-class technical and operational capacityjoinforces:thousands of firearms off the streets, drugs seized, and safer communities Operation Orca XI proves that international cooperation and information sharing get results – and our security frameworks must continuedelivering TheOAS stands ready to support member states with partners likeINTERPOLforthebenefit oftheAmericas”
Firearms trafficking in the region is linked to other forms of criminal activity, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and cybercrime.
The freedom not to give a damn
All around the world, there are persons whose digestive organs appear to function, at public events, only in the presence of embossed invitations
Though these persons are decent, kindhearted and patriotic, they do not have regard for an event, however significant, unless they themselves are seated within visibleproximityofthehost.
Thespiritualconditionof these persons would have fascinated Thorstein Veblen, who long ago observed that theleisureclasscarriesonits competition not through labour, but through ceremonial displays of useless distinction. In the contemporary colony of prestige-seekers, the invitation card has become what heraldic armour once wastomedievalnobility
The invitation to events patronised by high society is proof that one's pedigree
remains sufficiently distinguished for ceremonial display
Thereis,forinstance,the tragic case of Reginald P Featherstone III, financier, philanthropist, and tireless attender of receptions. For weeks before the grand diplomatic reception hosted by a foreign embassy Mr Featherstone conducted himself with the nervous agitation of a man awaiting biopsyresults.
Each morning, he approachedhismailboxwith trembling solemnity He twiceaccusedthepostmanof
sabotageandoncedemanded that the gardener inspect the hedges for a misplaced envelope.
By the second week, his anxiety had matured into pathology “Telephone the embassy,” he instructed his assistant, Clarice, no fewer thanfourtimesdaily
“Sir,” Clarice ventured timidly, “perhaps the invitationsaredelayed.”
“Delayed?” cried Featherstone “Madam Ambassadoronceaccepteda sandwich from my hand personally!”
Clarice called The embassy, after much diplomatic hesitation, confirmed that the guest list had been finalised Mr Featherstonewasnotonit.
Witnesses report that he stared motionless for several seconds before emitting a faint sound resembling a puncturedaccordion.
A mild stroke followed immediately thereafter, caused not by illness but by the unbearable revelation thatsomewhereinthecapital aneventofimportancemight occurwithouthispresence.
Upon recovery, he insisted the omission must have been geopolitical. “No civilised nation, ” he whispered from his hospital bed, “would intentionally excludeme.”
Such people possess the curious conviction that attendanceitselfconstitutesa branchofachievement.They regardproximitytopoweras asubstituteforsubstance.To
stand near a president is, in their estimation, equivalent togoverning.
Indeed, one frequently observes these ornamental bourgeois at state functions leaning forward in photographs with the desperate intensity of plants seeking sunlight. They fear that if they are not photographed at the event, posterity will fail to record theiradjacencytoinfluence.
Their greatest horror is not poverty It is general admission.
Consider the gentleman who will spend fifty thousand dollars on shoes to attend an international cricket match yet refuses to purchase an ordinary ticket amongthespectators.
Hemusthavealaminated VIPpasssuspendedfromhis neck.Heis,ofcourse,drawn to the free food and drinks served in theVIPboxes. But the very thought of not having a VIP pass is utterly unbearabletohim.Andwhen hegetsthepass,hewillhave itupsideexposedonhisdesk so that every visitor to his officewillnotice.
The cricket match itself interests him scarcely at all. He cannot distinguish a googly from a forward defensivestroke.
But to him, the very thought of sitting among the masses chewing peanuts sun would constitute social extinction.
He must occupy the VIP enclosure, where the who's whoofsocietyandthosewho
DEM BOYS SEH
De flag get de flu
We tryin' to fly a flag. One flag. One piece ah cloth. On ah flagpole. And wha' happen? Catastrophe. De whole affair tun intoconfusion.Deflagknotupandrefuseto go further One of de soldiers ask de flag what is de problem. De flag turn to he and andseh,“AhwaitingponJagdeo.”
You would t'ink dat for ah flag-raisin' ceremony,deonet'ing—deonlyt'ing—you cannotgetwrongisderaisin'ofdeflag.But no. We had men standin' dere, salute lock stiff,watchin'disflagcreepupdepolelikeit wasclimbin'Everestinhighheels. Dem boys nah know what happen. If de mechanism jam? If de rope knot up? If de flag get de flu? Who knows? But dem soldiers had to hold dat salute so long, dey startfeelin'arthritissettin'inreal-time.
One man hand start tremble like he see jumbie. Another man eye water from de strain. By de time de flag finally reach de top—twohourslater,orsoitfeel—halfdem who were required to salute had to go hospitalforphysiotherapy
Butwait.DisisGuyana.Ifwecan'tgetah flag up ah pole, wha' else we go get right? Look what happen at Parika stelling Hundreds ah people stranded like lost chickens, while VIPs—de same ones who
managed to wrestle a pass somehow nod solemnly at oneanotherwhilepretending to watch cricket If accidentally directed toward thepublicstands,suchaman reactsasthoughorderedinto penalservitude.
“What do you mean Red Stand?” he sputters. “Do I appeartoyouasaRedStand individual?”
The modern prestigeseeker does not attend events; he accumulates appearances.
His social calendar functions as an investment portfolio of visibility Every gala attended, every funeral observed, every ribboncuttingendured,addsanother infinitesimalincrementtohis stockpileofsymboliccapital.
Even grief must now be stratified by seating arrangement.
There exist persons who judge funerals of prominent individualsnotbythedignity of the deceased but by the location of their assigned
chair To be seated in Row Seven rather than Row Two is interpreted as an act of calculated hostility requiring monthsofretaliatorygossip.
O n e g e n t l e m a n reportedly spent an entire memorialserviceglaringnot at the coffin but at a businessman seated three pewsaheadofhim.
In these circles, the invitation card has ceased to be correspondence It certifies one's continued membership in the class of relevance.
It is also why some people feel uncomfortable travelling in economy class on airplanes Somehow doingsoisbeneaththem.
Andthus,societyisfilled with men and women perpetually exhausted from thestrenuouslabourofbeing seen.
They rush from ribboncutting events, to receptions to awards ceremonies, terrified that absence from any notable gathering may
permit rivals to advance half an inch higher upon the invisibleladderofprestige.
Meanwhile, the ordinary citizen, blissfully uninvited, enjoys the cricket match, sleeps peacefully during diplomatic receptions, and survives entire weekends without once telephoning an embassy to inquire whether his importance has been adequatelyrecognised.
It is perhaps the only r e m a i n i n g l u x u r y unavailable to the leisure class:thefreedomnottocare.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
can't raise ah flag—walking leisurely to de front fuh upper deck seats. Dem ordinary folk stand up watchin' dem big shots wave from on high. Dem boys did try a thing fuh walkintodeboatlikeaVIP Butdepopostop dem boys and tell dem how dem boys look likeascrape.
And de official programme? Start late. And to add to de time constraints, de Presidentdecidetogiveoneahhismarathon speeches.Mantalkfuhtwenty-threeminutes about t'ings everybody done hear in 1992. Somebodyneedtogivedemanaheggtimer. Tenminutes.Dat'salldetimeheshouldget totalk.
Still,demboysgogivecreditwheredue. De party after de flag fiasco was sweet, sweet. Dem even had ah barge nearby wid food, drink, and music fuh de special invitees. De barge decorate better than Fort Island.
But dem boys nah get invited on de barge. Dem boys had to wait fuh de MV Malali, and den sit back down on de lower deck—same lower deck, same smell, same viewofdewater
Pres.Aliisnowonrecord. He made a stirring call to fuel importers and transport operators: go easy on the profits, take a little less, give the public a little more. Transportoperatorsisthenamefor taxiandminibusdrivers,andother public haulers. I lend my voice to the president’s call: give up something, so that other Guyanese
can come in for something, howeversmall.
Things are so hard that any crumb, any tiny drop, makes a difference. Having joined with Pres. Ali in this free enterprise, profit pursuing, democracy, I now stepforwardtoclaimmypoundof flesh.
In keeping with his call,
Excellency Ali himself should set theexample. Withallseriousness, IurgePres.Alitoconsidertakinga pay cut. I replicate his call to the people whose business is fuel, by calling upon him to voluntarily relinquish 30% of his monthly emoluments. He should take the lead,giveittocharity
Next, he should press all government ministers to do similarly Whiletheyareweighing my exhortation, everyone should gofullcircleandgiveuptheircash grants. Why be that greedy, contribute to greater bloat? I face the facts: neither the president nor the ministers are going to starve, will not have a nice piece of their compensation package to put into thebank. HowmanyGuyanesecan say either one: not starve, able to saveinthishardcrudeoilera?
I go further Pres. Ali should lean on his friends in the private sectortobereadyforadecenthike in the current minimum wage, that’s an unlivable indecency It’s overdue. Not going to change the income statements of his private sector friends from soaring levels of annual profits to the tragedy of losses and going out of business. When there are huge profits, everyone should share. No one is
talking about losses these days. ExceptforGuyaneseleftstranded atthefootofthenationaleconomic ladder, and with neither surplus or breakeventoreport.
At the rate of current private profits in Guyana, a little less doesn’t mean going from eating imported caviar to eating local catfish. So,sacrificingandsharing is showing how much caring there is. Istruggletoconceiveofabetter modelofOneGuyana.
Now,Igodowntothenuts-andbolts of giving up something, pursuant to the newest Ali inspiration. It’s where the real money is, the profit spigot. Put aside less billions in the national b u d g e t ( o r u p c o m i n g supplementary ones) for public worksinfrastructure.
No contractor is going to experience a profit seizure Involved parties, such as helpful politicians and nearby public servants, are not going to lose weight (or sleep), from having to accepta smaller cut. Less billions for the few translate to more billions for the many They have many uses for those, Mr Pres. Remember the only monthly allowance open to the poor and struggling in Guyana is how of a
much grace period the landlord or bankiswillingtoextendtothem.
Frankly, I’m really excited about the idea of Excellency Ali impressingonothers(fuelmenand gasoline users) to be considerate and do their part to relieve deep localpain.
ThePPPGovt.diditspartwith ExciseTax(es)slashedtothebone. Hence, beneficiaries of that longrunningpolicyshoulddotheirown profit slashing, as part of their giving back. Bread would cost less. Medicinerunscheaper Why kick those Guyanese who are already down? Those for whom transportation is a tidy slice out of their already paltry earnings, particularly when schoolchildren arepartofthefamily
My position is simple. When the big people give up, the little peoplegetup. Ifonlylifecouldbe socooperative.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthis newspaper.)
CARICOM’s quiet shift
(Trinidad Express) The recent public confrontation between Trinidad and Tobago and CARICOMoverthereappointment of Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett has brought into the open deeper questions about the future directionofregionalintegration.
Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar’s declaration that Trinidad and Tobago will not recognise Dr Barnett beyond the expirationofhercurrentterm—and her assertion that CARICOM is freeto“expelusifyouwant”—has intensified a debate that extends wellbeyondtheimmediatedispute itself.
Whatmayappearatfirstglance to be a dispute over governance may,inreality,representoneofthe clearestsignsyetthatCARICOMis entering a different phase—one definedlessbyquietconsensusand more by increasingly assertive nationalpositioning.
For decades, the strength of CARICOM rested not only on formal agreements, but on an unwritten understanding: that member states would exercise r e s t r a i n t a n d m a n a g e
disagreements within a framework designed to preserve institutional stabilityandregionalcohesion.
That model now appears to be understrain.
To understand what is changing, it is useful to reflect on whatCARICOMrepresentedatits best. For Trinidad and Tobago, regional engagement was never simplyanactofsolidarity—itwasa strategy Leaders such as Eric Williams and Patrick Manning understood that a small country, even one rich in natural resources, could not rely on its domestic market alone to sustain industrial growth.
The development of manufacturing and energy-based industriesrequiredmarketsbeyond our shores. CARICOM provided that space—not just as a trade arrangement, but as an economic ecosystem.
Through mechanisms such as the Caribbean Development Fund, Trinidad and Tobago played a leading role in supporting smaller regional economies. This was not charity It was recognition that stronger neighbouring economies
would sustain demand for our goods, support employment, reduce instability and strengthen theregionasawhole.
Strong neighbours were good economics.
CARICOM also provided something less visible but equally important: familiarity Language, legal systems and institutional norms were sufficiently aligned to make regional business feasible, evenwheremarketsweresmall.
This point is often overlooked incurrentdiscussions.
There is a growing assumption
that markets beyond the Caribbean whether in Latin America or elsewhere—can easily substituteforregionalengagement. That assumption deserves careful examination.
In my own professional experience helping to drive Republic Bank’s expansion strategy,thechallengesofentering Spanish-speaking markets were real and material Geographic proximity did not necessarily translate into ease of entry In contrast, expansion into markets such as Ghana despite the
distance—benefited from shared language, similar legal traditions andinstitutionalfamiliarity
The lesson is simple: market access is not determined by geography alone. It is shaped by structures and relationships that significantlyinfluenceoutcomes.
This is why CARICOM mattered—andcontinuestomatter
What now appears to be emerging, however, is a more transactional approach to regional engagement, one increasingly focusedonimmediatecontribution andreturn.
Questionssuchas“whatarewe paying?” and “what are we getting in return?” are not unreasonable. Governments must account for their decisions, particularly during periodsoffiscalpressure.
But there is danger in reducing complex strategic relationships to narrowcalculations.
Regional institutions depend notonlyontreatiesandrules,buton trust, restraint and a shared commitmen
c
e outcomes. If those foundations weaken,theinstitutionsthemselves inevitablybecomemorefragile.
Robert Le Hunte
This is where the real concern lies. Because what is potentially changing is not simply tone, but philosophy I
transactional negotiation rather than shared strategic purpose, the implications will be significant. Smaller economies may become more vulnerable Regional decision-making may become more fragmented And the collective ability of Caribbean statestoinfluenceglobaloutcomes maydiminish.
For Trinidad and Tobago, the implicationsareparticularly Continued on page 19
Guyanese,Bajanstotravelpassportfreewithe-IDcards
President Irfaan Ali announced Tuesday thatcitizensofGuyanaandBarbadoswillbe abletotravelbetweenthetwocountriesusing only their digital identification cards from July1,markingamajormilestoneinregional integration and digital modernisation within theCaribbeanCommunity(CARICOM).
The president was addressing members ofthemediaandotherinviteesduringapress conference.
Sitting alongside Barbados’ Prime MinisterMiaMottley,PresidentAlirevealed thattheBarbadianleaderwasthefirstperson to use the digital ID system to travel from BarbadostoGuyana.
“As from July 1, you can forget your passportathomeandtravelwithyourdigital ID card to Barbados, and the same from BarbadostoGuyana.”
HesaidthedelayuntilJulyisintendedto giveairlinesadditionaltimetofullyadaptto the new travel system, even though the technologyisalreadyoperational.
Thepresidentdescribedtheinitiativeasa “major step forward in regional digital integration, border modernisation and the
advancement of CARICOM cooperation,” noting that the agreement followed consultations among government officials, CARICOM IMPACS and regional stakeholders.
The digital ID cards will not only facilitate travel but are expected to support wider integration of government services. According to the president, healthcare systemsinbothcountriesarealsoexpectedto becomeintegratedthroughthecards.
“God forbids that you get sick in one of thecountries;eventuallythecard,whenused inamedicalfacility,willbeabletopullupall yourmedicalrecordsandallowdoctorinthat jurisdiction to have access to your medical records,”Heexplained.
He said Guyana and Barbados are now advancing discussions aimed at digitally linkingtheirfinancialsystemstocreatenew opportunities for commerce, business and citizensinbothcountries.
Hesaidthearrangementreflectsbroader CARICOM goals of improving the free movement of people while modernising governance systems through digital
innovation. Prime Minister Mottley, in her remarks,describedtheinitiativeasahistoric breakthrough that benefits ordinary citizens rather than governments or private sector interestsalone.
Mottley noted that the system was developed in less than six weeks through collaboration among multiple ministries, regional security bodies and technology teamsfrombothcountries.
“We’ve only just begun,” she declared, expressing hope that the initiative could eventually expand across the wider Caribbeanregion.
The Barbadian leader also reflected on the longstanding ties between Guyana and Barbados, highlighting decades of cooperation in areas including education, manufacturingandlabourmovement.
She said both countries are now seeking to “reignite that spirit of cooperation” while building a legacy of deeper Caribbean integrationforfuturegenerations.
President Irfaan Ali and Barbados’Prime Minister Mia Mottley display their e-ID cards.
President of the GCCI, Kathy Smith, expressed her support for the establishment of the Guyana Development Bank
GCCI Head hails Local Content Law as economic game-changer
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Kathy Smith, says Guyana’s Local Content legislation has transformed the country’s private sector, enabling small businesses to expand, create jobs and invest across multiple industries.
Speaking during a discussion aired on the National Communications Network (NCN) on Monday evening,Smithdescribedthe legislationasoneofthemost important policy decisions made since Guyana became anoil-producingnation.
“Micro, medium-sized enterprises are growing tremendously,”Smithsaid
“I have seen businesses thatregisterasmicroarenow medium-sized enterprises, buildingtheirbusinessesout, creating jobs for employees, and buying assets where they’re investing So we havecomealongway,andit wasintentional.”
Smithcreditedthegrowth to prudent economic management, strategic investm
he implementation of the Local Content legislation, which was designed to ensure Guyanese businesses and citizensbenefitdirectlyfrom the country’s oil and gas sector. “The GCCI has always been a champion of the Local Content legislation,”shestated According to Smith, without the legislation, Guyanese professionals and companies would have had limited participation in the rapidlyexpandingoilandgas industry
“What we would have had walking around in Guyana was a lot of executives who are working for international companies, who are giving all their capabilitiesandcapacity,and those strengths would have been taken back out of our country,”sheexplained.
She said the legislation has empowered even the smallest investors by giving them con
participate in national development
Continuedonpage22
At a time when his government has failed to recognise the main Opposition party with him sidestepping questions on when he would hold talks with the Leader of the Opposition, President Irfaan Ali used Guyana’s 60th
...sidestepsquestionontalkswithoppositionleader Pres. Ali calls for unity while relations with opposition remain strained
Independence Anniversary celebrations to appeal for national unity, warning that politicaldivisionmustnever be allowed to threaten the country’s future progress andprosperity
Addressing thousands gatheredforthehistoricflag-
raising ceremony at Fort Island in Essequibo on Monday night, President Ali declared that Guyana’s transformationcouldonlybe sustained if citizens reject division and embrace a sharednationaldestiny
“At this stage of our national journey, no one shouldseektodivideGuyana in pursuit of power,” the president said “Government andopposition,privatesector and labour, civil society and
citizens, coastline and hinterland — no one should seektodivide.”
Ali’s government has been accused in the past for sidestepping the main Opposition and its leader, Azruddin Mohamed Parliamentwasshutdownfor close to 100 days before an announcement was abruptly madelastweekofasittingon June 5. Key parliamentary committees have not been established and at least one constitutional commission was established without the requisite consultations with theLeaderoftheOpposition as is constitutionally mandated.
Nevertheless, the Headof-State said Guyana’s rapid economicriseandexpanding global influence must be matched by greater social harmony and political maturity, particularly as the country stands at what he described as a defining momentinitshistory
“We must reject the poison of zero-sum politics, thedestructivebeliefthatone groupcanriseonlyifanother falls,” he urged “That belief helped to divide our nationalist movement It weakened the spirit of unity that made Independence possible.”
President Ali framed his messageagainstthebackdrop ofGuyana’sdifficultcolonial past, recalling how divisions among ethnic groups were deliberately engineered duringcolonialrule.
“Wewerebornasanation with wounds not of our own making,” he said, noting that Africans,Indians,Indigenous peoples,Portuguese,Chinese and Mixed communities were historically pitted against each other But sixty yearslater,hesaidGuyanais proving to the world that diversity can be a source of strengthratherthanconflict
“Guyanarejectsthatfalse premise that diversity must leadtodivision,”hedeclared “We are proving before the eyesoftheworldthatapeople drawn from many histories canstillbuildonedestiny.”
Throughout the address, the President repeatedly invoked the theme of “One Guyana,” describing it as more than a slogan but a commitment to equal opportunityanddevelopment foreverycitizen
“One Guyana does not mean we are all the same; it means we are all equal,” he said “Every child in every region has the same right to development, prosperity and opportunity.”
The President also appealed directly to young people not to inherit the ethnic and political divisions ofpreviousgenerations
“Do not inherit old prejudices, do not repeat old arguments, do not allow the past to define the limits of your imagination,” he said “You are the generation that will finally, fully and irreversibly make Guyana whole ” Ali warned that constitutional reform and governance issues must not become tools for political conflict, stressing that reforms should be approached as “a solemn national responsibility” aimed at protecting future generations.
The unity message came amid broader reflections on Guyana’s transformation since Independence in 1966 ThePresidenthighlightedthe country’s emergence as the world’s fastest-growing economy,majorinvestments in infrastructure, health and education, and its growing role on the international stage.
At the same time, he reaffirmed Guyana’s unwavering position on the Essequibo controversy, insisting that the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain nonnegotiable.
“The Essequibo is Guyana’s It has never been Venezuelan,” he declared to loud applause, while also extending “the hand of friendship” to the people of Venezuela and reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to peaceful resolution through internationallaw Closing his address, President Ali called on Guyanese everywhere at homeandacrossthediaspora to move forward together withconfidenceandunity
“So let us march forward,” he said. “March not with division, but with unity March not with the burdensofthepast,butwith thepromiseofthefuture.”
President Irfaan Ali at Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations
Leader of Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed
Canadian firm acquired Guyana uranium project
via Singapore deal
Chart sets out the material intercorporate relationships of U92 as at the date of this Filing Statement
ByRenaySambach
U92 Energy Corp , a
Canadian-registered company, gained control of Guyana’s only uranium project through a 2025 acquisitionofaSingaporean firm.
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that serves as the primary fuel for nuclear power plants worldwide. It is primarily used to produce electricity, providing a highly concentrated energy source and its special properties also make it the main source of fuel for nuclearreactors.
A January 2026 filing statement states that U92 on June18,2025,enteredintoa binding share purchase agreement to acquire LIA Industries Pte Ltd , a company incorporated in
Singapore on November 11, 2020 under the Companies Actasaprivatecompany
According to the filling, LIAIndustrieswasformerly knownasArafuraOestePte. Ltd,andthechangeofname took effect on December 2, 2022.
LIAIndustriesindirectly holds mineral exploration rights to the Kurupung Property in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),through itswholly-ownedsubsidiary LIA(Guyana)Inc.,aprivate limited liability company in Guyana which was incorporated on March 20,
2023
LIA Guyana registered office is listed at Lot 35E North Road, Lacytown,Georgetown.
According to the document, the Guyana
Geology & Mines Commission granted LIA Guyana the “exclusive right
CARICOM’s quiet...
Frompage11
important The regional framework was never
arrangement it formed part of our own long-term economicstrategy
Whatweriskweakening is not simply a regional institution, but a carefully constructedeconomicspace thathasserveduswell.
That does not mean change should be resisted. National interests must be asserted, and regional institutions must evolve with changing global realities.
But adaptation must be guidedbyunderstanding.
The danger is not
itself healthy regional
…prospecting licences granted in 2024 for uranium, other radioactive minerals and rare earth elements
of occupation and exploration” through the issuance of Exclusive Prospecting Licences (PLs)
GS14: L-1003/000/23 and GS14: L-1003/001/23 on April 19, 2024. Exploration activities at the project site commencedin2024.
The two prospecting l i c e n c e s c o v e r approximately 92.2 square kilometres(km2)andpermit the exploration of uranium, other radioactive minerals, and rare earth elements (REEs) for a period of three yearsendingApril18,2027. The licences may be extended upon application for a maximum of two additional one-year periods, extending the term to April 18,2029.
disagreement but the gradual erosion of the cultureoftrustandstrategic patience upon which regional integration was built
Becausenotallvaluecan be captured in immediate returns. Some of it lies in relationships, systems and the quiet alignment that allows small states to act with greater strength than they would otherwise possess Those things are not easilyrebuiltoncelost.
• Robert Le Hunte is a formerexecutivedirectorof Republic Bank Ltd and formermanagingdirectorof ANSA Bank Ltd. He is currently engaged in financial and policy-related consultancy across the CaribbeanandAfrica.
First-year requirements included maintaining the property in good standing, submitting two six-monthly progress reports to the GGMC, and paying an annual fee of US$17,101. The company was also required to lodge a performance bond of US$86,022 for the first year of the licence term ending April18,2025.
S e c o n d - y e a r requirements included maintaining the property in good standing, payment of anannualfeeofUS$20,521, which the filing states was paidtotheGGMConMarch 27, 2025 and lodging a performance bond of US$18,519.50, which was submittedtothecommission onJune27,2025.
Together with the performance bond lodged
for year one, the total bond held by the GGMC is US$104,542, being 10% of the work commitment of US$1,045,415 for year two
of the term of the prospectinglicences.
Moreover, research on U92showsthatthecompany was incorporated under the O n t a r i o B u s i n e s s Corporations Act (OBCA) onDecember13,2024under the corporate name “U92 Corp.”. The registered and headofficeofU92islocated at 200 Bay Street, Suite 2800,Toronto,Ontario.
The Kurupung uranium project is listed as U92’s only project The filing describes U92 as an earlystage mineral exploration companywithnoproduction from any property, and consequently has no current operatingincome,cashflow, orrevenues.
U92hasoutlinedthatthe project is located in a “ProMining Jurisdiction” with strong government support
and a mining-friendly permittingprocess.
The project hosts some 20.6 million pounds (Mlbs) historical resource. The historical Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) comprises of 10.6 Mlbs indicated at a grade of 0.072% and 10Mlb Inferredatagradeof0.067% UO.
Therearefourdepositsat the project site: Aricheng North, Aricheng South, ArichengWestandAricheng C. Other targets previously drilled include Aricheng A, Aricheng Alpha, Aricheng Epsilon, Aricheng Sigma andWildCow
Back in March, U92 entered into a commercial agreementwithOrbitGarant for phase one 5,000 metre diamond drill programme at the Kurupung uranium project. In its most recent update, the c
confirmed that the diamond drill rig assigned to U92 is currently in Guyana. The companyanticipatesthatthe
rig will be available for mobilisation to site in the near term to commence phase one drilling on highprioritytargetsattheproject.
The Canadian firm has already submitted the required environmental application for drill pad preparation, and that field teamsareonsitetocomplete camp infrastructure, including construction of a fuel storage facility in accordance with the applicable requirements. It was also revealed that key machineries have been sourced to support access road upgrades and drill pad construction.
Kaieteur News had
Na
ural ResourcesVickram Bharrat, who shared that U92 is the only company in Guyana that has a uranium project. Hehadalsostatedthatthere arenoplanscurrentlyforany otheruraniumprojectsinthe nearorlong-term.
A look at U92 uranium project operation
Guyanese filled up the Guyana National Stadium in their numbersonTuesdayasthecountryendeditsDiamondJubilee (60th) Independence Anniversary with a drone and light show
The drone depicted Guyana’s national emblems with a colourful display in the sky, wooing those in attendance. AmongtheemblemsdisplayedweretheGoldenArrowhead, The Coat Arms, Guyana’s national animal, the Jaguar, its national bird, the Canje Pheasant, the country’s national flower,theVictoriaRegiaLillyandtheKaieteurFalls,known astheworld’slargestsingledropfalls.
Independence celebrations end with drone show depicting Guyana’s national emblems
The recently commissioned Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara RiverBridgewasalsodepictedintheshowandwasdescribed as “Iconic and as one of the crowned jewels of the Peoples ProgressiveParty/Civicledgovernment”.
Thegovernment’s“OneGuyana”mantrawasalsodepicted before the drone show ended by wishing all Guyanese a “HappyDiamondJubileeIndependenceAnniversary”.
Otherhighlightsoftheeveningincludedperformancefrom the Guyana Defence Force and the Barbados Defence Force Bands. The bands not only performed on their instruments, but formations that were captured by drone cameras from above wishing Guyana a happy 60th Independence Anniversary
There were also dances from various groups and live performancesfromGuyana’schampionmonarchs,including, AdrianDutch,the2026Soca KingandCarlvinBurnette,the currentroadmarchking.
Iran labels U.S. attacks ‘gross violation’, says prepared to respond
The US says it struck boats and missile sites in Iran, shortly after both sides had indicated progress in peace talks.
(AL-JAZEERA)Iran'sforeign ministry says that US strikes in Iran's southern Hormozgan province represent a “gross violation”ofthefragileceasefirein placesinceearlyApril.
The commander of the Revolutionary Guard's Aerospace Force, Seyed Majid Moosavi, said itispreparedtorespond,criticising ongoing diplomacy, saying “negotiationwiththeenemyispure loss”inapostonX.
He said the air force – which oversees Iran's strategic ballistic missile and drone programmes –remains “highly vigilant, fully prepared for a decisive, swift response,” and is awaiting final orders from their commander-inchief.
Attacks come amid intense negotiations
Both sides had indicated progress on a memorandum of understanding that could halt the war and restart shipping through theblockadedStraitofHormuz.
Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Baqr Qalibaf, its foreign minister and its central bank governor were in Doha on Monday for talks with Qatar's prime minister on a potential deal, anofficialbriefedonthevisitsaid.
Qalibaf has now returned to IranafterconsultationswithQatari officials, Iran's state television has reported.
Hehasbeenseekingagreement on the release of about $24bn in Iranian funds frozen overseas as part of the memorandum of understanding, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported, citing a source closetothenegotiatingteam.
Iran's Fars news agencyciteda sourcesayingthattheunfreezingof thefundswasthelastseriouspoint for the memorandum of understandingtobefinalised.
According to Iranian sources, an initial deal would cover ending thewaronallfronts,establishinga 30-day framework for movement through the Strait of Hormuz, and possibly providing some financial relief, with more complex issues such as Iran's nuclear programme tobenegotiatedinasecondphase.
Iranhasbeenlettingsomeships through,givingpreferencetoships linkedtocountrieswithitalliances or close ties, and striking government-to-government agreements, the news agency Reutershasreported.
US President Donald Trump hassaidhiskeyaiminthewaristo prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon with its highly enriched uranium Tehran has consistently denied it has plans to dothat
Trump had said talks with Iran
were going “nicely” in a lengthy post on Truth Social on Monday, but warned of new attacks if they failed.It“willonlybeaGreatDeal forall,ornoDealatall,”hewrote.
Strait of Hormuz to open 'one wayortheother'
Following strikes against targets that the US said included boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites, US Secretary ofStateMarcoRubiotoldreporters on his plane in India's Jaipur that theStraitofHormuzhadtobeopen “onewayortheother”.
US Central Command said on Monday it had carried out new strikes designed “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranianforces”.
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Tuesday that a tanker had reported an external explosion on the vessel's port side, close to the waterline, 60 nautical miles (111km) from Oman's capital Muscat.
The war, which began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has caused an unprecedented oil supply shock, pushingupoilpricesalongwiththe costsoffuel,fertiliserandfood.
'The clock cannot be turned back'
Iran'sRevolutionaryGuardsaid onTuesday they reserved the right toretaliate.
Theysaidairdefenceunitshad downed a US drone and fired at another drone and a fighter jet, whichtheysaidhadenteredIranian airspaceovertheGulfregion.
In comments posted on his Telegram channel on the occasion oftheannualhajjpilgrimage,Iran's SupremeLeaderAyatollahMojtaba Khamenei said, “The clock cannot beturnedback,andthenationsand landsoftheregionwillnolongerbe ashieldforAmericanbases.”
Israel'sroleinregionaltensions
In another indication of the region's tensions, Israeli Prime MinisterBenjaminNetanyahusaid on Monday that Israel would intensify strikes against Hezbollah inLebanon.
After the announcement, Israel increased the frequency and severityofattacks.
Lebanon's Ministry of Public Healthsaid12peoplewerekilledin Israeliovernightstrikesonthetown of Mashghara, as reported by Lebanon'sNationalNewsAgency
Lorenzo Kamel, a professor of historyattheUniversityofTurinin Italy,toldAlJazeerathatforaUSIran peace agreement to work,
Washington must “rein in” Netanyahu.
“While we've seen Israeli authorities trying to escalate in Lebanon in order to water down any agreement by Trump and Iranian authorities, the elephant in theroomis,asalways,Netanyahu,” Kamelsaid.
“Netanyahuneedstoplayasthe indispensable wartime leader, at least until the Israeli elections. He knows, without this continuous escalation, he would weaken his position, and also the opposition within Israel would place him out ofpower.”
The US continues to allow
Israeltoactunrestrained,anduntil Trump orders Netanyahu to truly cease fire in Lebanon, an Iran-US peace agreement will “remain extremely shaky”, Kamel told Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, analyst Mohammad Eslamy of the University of Tehran told Al Jazeera that it is possible that Iran could attack the United Arab Emirates again if Israel keeps on bombingLebanon.
“There are two conflicts right now The first is in the Strait of Hormuz, and the second is in Lebanon. It seems that Netanyahu wants to have the chance to put
Lebanonoutofthisdealbeforethe Iranians and the Americans agree onsomething,”hesaid.
Asked about the overnight US strikesonIranandiftheyareasign ofwhatistocome,EslamytoldAl Jazeera,“DonaldTrumpisthinking about some kind of military escalation in the Persian Gulf in ordertoputpressureontheIranians while they are discussing many important aspects of a so-called dealwiththeUnitedStates.”
“I think that the Iranians will think more about the US blockade toputpressureonandchallengethe Americans,”Eslamysaidaboutthe StraitofHormuz.
(Birth) Tower in
WANTED
Wanted one watchman, seven days a week. Contact 612-2125.
Guyana made history on Tuesday by successfully completingtheworldlongest tele-robotic surgery
Tele-robotic surgery or telesurgeryasitismorecommonly known enables surgeons to operate on patients from a different location using robotic systems, highspeed 5G/fiber optic networks, and 3D visualisation.
Speaking at a press-conferenceonTuesdayinthepresidential suite at the Guyana NationalStadium,Providence,East BankDemerara,PresidentIrfaan Ali revealed that coronary artery bypass graft telesurgery was conducted around 06:00AM in Guyana
on Independence Day The telesurgerywasperformedby Dr. Sudhir Srivastava alongside a team of local doctors onapatientinIndiausingthe SSI Mantra Robotic systems. The SSI Mantra systems which will now be re-named MantraFreedom60inhonour ofGuyana'sDiamondJubilee Independence Anniversary, was procured from an Indian company founded by Dr Srivastava called SS Innovations International Inc.
Tuesday's surgical procedure using the Mantra Freedom 60, according to PresidentAli, covered an approximated20,000kilometersfrom IndiatoGuyanamakingitthe
longest telesurgery in the world to date. The coronary artery bypass graft telesurgery was not the only one performed on Independence Day, the President revealed. More Tele-robotic surgeriesweredonethroughout the day. One of them was aherniarepaironapatientin Indiacarriedbylocaldoctors trained in India to perform robotic surgeries.
“The procedure in India was supported onsite by Dr Lalit Malik and Dr. Mohit Bandari”,Ali told the press.
Dr. Sudhir Srivastava performing a telesurgery from Guyana on a patient in India using Guyana's Mantra Freedom 60 Robotics system.
Dr. Hemraj Ramcharran spokeoftheexperienceatthe press conference.He said everyone was nervous when it was surgery time.“We were mentored by Dr. Sudhir Srivastavawhowasexcellent in Guiding us”, he related.
Meanwhile,PresidentAli spoke of extending the services to the Caribbean, as Guyana is now positioned as aregionalhubforroboticsurgeries.
“We have leaped to 2050 and beyond”, President Ali said while describing Guyana's robotic systems as the latest and most advanced technology of its kind.
Damages to L21 line causes outage in sections of Demerara, Berbice - GPL
The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) said damage to theL21transmissionlinetriggeredwidespreadpoweroutages across sections of Demerara and Berbice on Monday, leaving thousands ofcustomerswithoutelectricityforseveralhoursasemergency teams worked to restore service.
In a series of brief updates, GPL said the outage stemmed from a system disturbanceontheL21transmissionline,whichinterconnects theOnverwagtandCanefield substations.The company stated that an investigation
was launched immediately and emergency teams were working to restore power safely and as quickly as possible.In a subsequent statement,GPLsaid,“Weare pleasedtoadvisethatapproximately 60 per cent of the affected areas have since been repowered.Additionally,allof Berbice has been restored, withtheexceptionofcustomersfromNumber19Villageto Auchlyne, where efforts remainongoing.”Thecompany added that in Demerara, restoration efforts were progressing incrementally and would continue until all af-
fected customers were repowered.The Government ofGuyanaandGPLhaveembarked on a mission to modernisethenationalgridin an effort to reduce outages and improve stability ahead of the Wales Gas-to-Energy Projectcomingonstream.
On May 9, this publicationreportedthatGPLsigned a US$27.3 million contract with PowerChina InternationalGroupLimitedforadditional upgrades to the nationalgrid.
GPL said the contract covers“theengineering,procurementandconstructionof
a 60 MWh / 30 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS),alongwithassociated substation expansions and systems integration.”
GPL’sHeadoftheExecutiveManagementCommittee, Kesh Nandlall, led the signing team and was accompanied by Divisional Director Ryan Ross and other representatives from GPL and PowerChina.
“Undertheproject,two30 MWh / 15 MW lithium-ion battery systems will be installedattheNewSophiaand Goedverwagting substations in Region Four The project
will add 30 MW of power to GPL’s grid and significantly improvethestabilityandreliability of the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System(DBIS),”GPLstated. The company added that the system will be integrated with the Guyana National Control Centre (GNCC) through a modern SCADA, EnergyManagementandAutomatic Generation Control system. The agreement also includes spare parts, maintenance services and training for GPL engineers, with the project expected to be completed within eight months.
Guyana's new gas-to-energy push mirrors Ghana's ongoing project...
From page 6 having our pipeline to see whethertheywillfeedintoour pipeline. If that happens, of course, the project goes up to a higher scale with massive additional opportunities,” PresidentAli stated.
Although the Wales project remains incomplete after several missed deadlines, the Ali administration has already signalled its intention to pursue a second gas-to-energy project before the end of the decade.
“We're in the process of GTE Two because we are already projecting that the power needed from what is
happening in the economy willdefinitelyconsumeallof GTE One in its initial phase. So,wearealreadyonthat,the GTETwo project,” the President said.
Earlierthisyear,duringthe opening of the Energy Conference, President Ali also advocatedfordeepercollaboration with Suriname on the second project, suggesting that gas from both countries could support a larger regional initiative based in Berbice.
More recently, President ofExxonMobilGuyanaLimited, Alistair Routledge announced that a second pipe-
line tied to the proposed Berbiceprojectshouldbeoperational before the end of PresidentAli'scurrenttermin 2030.
Although ExxonMobil completedthepipelineforthe Wales project in December 2024, the broader project remains unfinished, with the government now targeting completionbytheendofthis year. Despite the first GTE project at Wales West Bank Demerara is still to be completed, after missing several deadlines,theAli-administrationhadearliersignaledtheir intention to have a second GTEprojectbeforetheendof
the decade.
“We're in the process of GTETwo,becauseyouknow wearealreadyprojectingthat thepowerthatwillbeneeded fromwhatishappeninginthe economy will definitely consumeallofGTEOneinitsinitial phase. So, we are already on that, the GTE Two project,” PresidentAli said.
Back in February, PresidentAli at the opening of the EnergyConferencemadethe call to collaborate with SurinameonthesecondGTE project.TheGuyaneseHeadof-State had told attendees that discussions were underway for a joint initiative that
could see gas from both countries being used for a larger-scaleprojectintheancient county Recently, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) president,Alistair Routledge announced that the second pipeline for the GTE project inBerbiceshouldlandbefore President Ali completes his second term in 2030. Since December2024EMGLcompleted the pipeline for the WalesGTEproject;however, to date, the project is yet to be completed. The government is now eyeing the completion of the project by the end of this year
GCCI head hails Local Content Law as economic game-changer
From page 13
The GCCI President highlighted the provision requiring Guyanese ownership in certain oil and gas ventures, noting that it has encouraged partnershipswithmajorinternationalfirms.
“Because of the Local Contentlegislation,wesayto Guyanese companies and individuals, if you want to get into the oil sector, we must have 51% share,” she stated.
“We are now partnering withlargecompaniesinNorth America,inSouthAmerica,in Europe. If it wasn’t for the LocalContentlegislation,that would not have happened.”
Smith revealed that the privatesectorhasalreadysignalledconfidenceinitsgrowingcapabilitiesbyrequesting additional categories and higher participation percentages under the legislation.
She noted that revenues
from the oil and gas industry are now being reinvested in Guyana’s non-oil economy, particularly construction, tourism and information and communications technology (ICT). She added that more womenandyoungpeopleare now entering the constructionindustry,whilesmalltourism-related enterprises continue to emerge across the country
“More people are getting
into small restaurants, small cafes are being set up around businesses where they are doing tours,” amongst other businesses, we saw last year about 3,000 plus small businesses, small and emerging contractors, became solid contractorsontheroad,building bridges and roads and all of these things,” she stated.
While praising the sector’s growth, Smith acknowledgedthatlabouravail-
abilityremainsachallengeas the private sector continues to expand.
“We do not have enough peopletobuildoutastheprivate sector grows,” she cautioned.
Nevertheless,SmithmaintainedthattheLocalContent legislationhasfundamentally changedtheeconomicopportunities available to Guyanese businesses and citizens.(DPI)
Senegal's ousted prime minister Sonko elected parliament speaker
(Reuters) - Senegal's parliamentelectedOusmane Sonko as its speaker on Tuesday, days after
President Bassirou Faye fired him as prime minister amid a deepening rift over the government's reform agendaandhowtoresolvea worseningdebtcrisis.
Politicalanalystssaidthe speaker position could give theformerpremier,whowas ousted on Friday, a platform to challenge Faye, though Sonko moved to downplay that prospect."We are not here to fight against the presidentoftherepublic,but the assembly will fully play its role," Sonko told lawmakers as he accepted the new post.International investors are likely to price in a higher risk of Senegal defaulting on its debt following Sonko's removal as prime minister,
investment bank Morgan Stanley warned on Tuesday, as the country's bonds fell sharply.Lawmakers rebelled against Faye's decision to dissolve the cabinet and fire Sonkobyreinstatinghimasa member of parliament and overwhelmingly backing him as speaker with the supportof132lawmakersin the165-memberassembly
Theoppositiondescribed the manoeuvre as a scandal
Tucville woman
killed in E.B.D crash
Thirty-two-year-old
Lisa Blackman of Tucville, Georgetown died on Sunday evening in an accident along the East Bank Public Road, after the car she was travelinginslammedinto aparkedlorry
Videos of the aftermath of the accident which occured at Sarah J o h a n n a , s h o w s Blackman and another occupant pinned in the wrecked car, as publicspirited persons attempted to free them. Theotheroccupantissaid tobehospitalised.
As parliamentary speaker, Sonko will have significant scope to block Faye's legislative agenda, according to Signal Risk analystGregMusiker
The two former alliesboth senior figures in the ruling PASTEF party - have been in a fast-moving battle for control since they swept to power together in 2024, falling out over policy, authorityandthedirectionof Senegal'sreformagenda.
F a y e a p p o i n t e d
Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, a seasoned economist and formerregionalcentralbank official, to replace Sonko late on Monday.Sonko, a vocal critic of the International Monetary Fund, had opposed any restructuring of Senegal's debt, whereas Lo's views on thesubjectarenotyetclear Sonko's return to a powerful political post ramps up uncertainty over
theapproachthegovernment will take in talks with the IMFandSenegal'screditors.
"I must be truthful and say that we have some differences," Sonko said, referring to Lo. "Notably on monetary policy, debt management and other similar issues."Before the cabinet was dissolved last week, Senegal had expected toresumetalkswiththeIMF over a new lending programmenextmonth. Sonko said on Tuesday the latest polit
cal developments were a test of the West African nation's democracy"Senegal must show Africa that a political crisis can be faced without hatred,withoutviolenceand without institutional collapse.Wemustprovethat anAfricanpeoplecandebate firmlywithoutdestroyingits ownstate,"hesaid.
poundedLebanonwithmore than 120 air strikes on Tuesday in one of the heaviest days of bombing in weeks, Lebanese security sourcessaid,asIsraeliPrime Minister Netanyahu said his military was deepening its operationsinthecountry
The bombing raids further strained a ceasefire announced on April 16 that was meant to halt fighting between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah,andcameasIran said the United States had violated a separate truce by strikingsouthernIran.
Lebanese security sources told Reuters that Israeli strikes had hit across southern and eas
LebanononTuesday
Lebanon's
alth ministry said Israeli strikes inrecenthourshadkilled31 people and wounded 40, state news agency NNA reported early on Wednesday.
It said 14 people were killedinthetownofBurjalShamali in southern Lebanon, including two childrenandthreewomen.
Somestrikeshitnearthe Beaufort Castle, a nearly 900-year-old fortress in southern Lebanon that
UNESCO has described as one of the best-preserved examples of medieval castlesintheregion.Atleast three strikes also hit near Lebanon's largest water reservoir at the Qaraoun Dam in east Lebanon, Lebanon's National News Agency said.In a statement on Tuesday, Netanyahu said the Israeli military "is operatingwithlargeforcesin the field and capturing and
controllingareas."
"We are fortifying the security strip to protect the northern communities," he said in a reference to a selfdeclared security zone occupied by Israeli troops several kilometres inside southernLebanon.
Two sources said on Tuesday that the Israeli military had expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon past the
Smoke billows following an Israeli strike in Nabatieh, Lebanon May 26, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
security zone but gave no further details on the extent of the advance beyond the so-calledYellowLine.
That line, separate from the U.N.-demarcated "Blue Line" marking the frontier Lebanon and Israel after Israel's withdrawal in 2000, forms part of a proposed buffer zone extending 5 km to10km(3milesto6miles) intosouthernLebanon.
Israel's military had
ordered residents not to return to dozens of villages in the zone, and its troops havebeendestroyinghomes in the area.An Israeli military official said the military was "operating in a targeted manner beyond the Forward Defense Line in order to remove direct threats to the citizens of the State of Israel" and Israeli soldiers,"inaccordancewith thedirectivesofthepolitical
echelon."
Netanyahu said on Monday Israel would intensify its strikes against Hezbollah, while a U S official said the Iran-backed group had ignored warnings to halt attacks that risked undermining negotiations to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Hezbollah said on Tuesday it had targeted Israeli forces and tanks advancing toward the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya with explosive drones, rockets and artillery Lebanon's health ministry says the cumulative toll from the IsraelioffensivesinceMarch 2, when Hezbollah fired projectiles into Israel in response to the start of the Iran war, had reached 3,213 dead and 9,737 wounded as of May 26 The Israeli military said that 10 of its soldiers had been killed since theApril 16 ceasefire, six of them by Hezbollah's explosivedrones.
The World Health Organizationhassaidatleast 608peopleinLebanonhave been killed in Israeli attacks sincethetruce.
Hezbollah has not released figures for its own casualties.
Gauffpowerspast Townsendtobegin Paristitledefence
PARIS, (Reuters)Reigning French Open
champion Coco Gauff
recoveredfromaslowstartto power past fellow Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-0 as her title defence began in style on Tuesday
On a baking Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff struggled to find her range earlyonandwasapointaway from slipping two breaks of serve behind against her compatriot.
Gauff double-faulted on set pointat5-3theopenerbutbrokethe Townsendserveinthenextgameto moveahead.
Afterthatitwasone-waytraffic assheracedtovictory "Ihavesomanygreatmemories on this court," Gauff, who beat Aryna Sabalenka in the final last year,said.
"Iwasalittlenervousgoingout today, that showed a bit, but I was abletofindmycalm."
Coco Gauff of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Taylor Townsend of the U.S. (REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)
Wednesday May 27, 2026
ARIES (Mar 21–Apr 19
The day should be fairly positive, Aries, and you'll begin to feel the faintest hints ofamajorchangebeginning This newphasewilllastsevenmonths
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
The solar system is shifting gears today, Taurus, and it's liable to trigger a great transformation that will last sevenmonths.Thechangewill centeronthemeansyouuseto fulfillyourselfintermsofboth yourcareerandlovelife.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
It's an excellent forecast for you, Gemini! Although no specific events will occur, there is the huge promise of freedom over the next seven months.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Tounderstandthemajorshift that's taking place, Cancer, youmustlookateventsfroma lofty perspective A slowacting liberation is gathering momentum.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
The gentle winds of change are blowing through your life atthemoment,Leo.Youhave a feeling of newness and an open attitude toward the world.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
The idea of a turning point in one's destiny often brings a smile to the faces of cynical people,butinyourcase,Virgo, itdefinitelyhassomemeaning Thisturningpointcantakethe form of a new person in your lifeorakeyeventthatchanges thingsforever
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Itmaybethatyou'vereturned deeply changed from a long voyage,Libra Ofcourse,we're all changed to some extent by travel, but in your case, the changeistrulyprofound
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
Ifyoufeelsuffocatedbyyour romanticrelationships,ifyou feel they lack some spice or are too traditional, then why notliberateyourself?Thereis a feeling in the air that life is turninginapositivedirection
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
During the last few months, Sagittarius, it could be that you've met some strange people who have greatly influencedyourattitudeabout marriageorpartnership
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
The last months have been verychallenging-andthere's averygoodchancethatyouno longer feel up to meeting the challenges.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Achangehasoccurredinour solar system, Aquarius, a shift that will probably be i m p e r c e p t i b l e b u t nonethelessprofound.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
You mustn't expect any enormous changes today, Pisces.However,theprocess youbeganthreeorfouryears ago will accelerate slightly You'rechangingthemooringsof youridentity,theideasthatmake yousureofwhoyouare.
Knicksfinishsweep...
Frompage30 you'vegottoultimatelygivethe other team credit," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. "They played great basketball andthey'reonaheater."
The Knicks' Mike Brown is off to the NBA Finals for the second time as a head coach, havingledtheCavalierstotheir firstEastcrownin2007.
The37-pointdefeatwasthe Cavaliers' largest ever in a playoffhomegame.
"We have unfinished business,"Mitchellsaid."Ihave no doubt this group can get there."
New York dominated the rebounding battle 60-33 with backup center Mitchell Robinsongrabbing10boardsin 18minutes.
New York delivered the knockoutblowearlywitha20-0 runoveraspanof4:39fromlate in the first quarter into the second A dunk by Towns punctuated the surge, making thescore50-26.
TheKnicks eventuallybuilt a 61-32 lead on Shamet's third 3-pointerofthehalf.
Mitchell scored 10 points and Mobley had seven in the first six minutes, putting the Cavaliers up 17-14. A 9-0 run then put New York on top for good Robinson entered for New York and made an impact with six points and four rebounds,sparkinga24-9runto endthequarter
Cleveland backup point guard Dennis Schroder was a latescratchwithanillness.
Among the Knicks' celebrity fans seated courtside were comedian Tracy Morgan, filmmaker Spike Lee and actor TimotheeChalamet.
(FieldLevelMedia)
IBA names Ninvalle Election Observer in latest sign of confidence in Guyanese administrator
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has once again demonstrated its confidence in Guyanese boxing administrator Steve Ninvalle, naming him as an officialElectionObserverfor the global governing body's memberfederations. The latest appointment adds another prestigious responsibility to Ninvalle's growing portfolio within internationalamateurboxing and further cements his reputation as one of the Caribbean's most influential sportsadministrators.
elections conducted by National Federations strictly adhere to their constitutions,
As an IBA Election Observer, Ninvalle will be tasked with ensuring that
internationally recognized
d governance.
Therolealsorequireshim to ensure that no undue influence from third parties impactstheelectoralprocess, while taking all necessary steps to guarantee that elections comply fully with both the IBA Constitution andMembershipPolicy
Additionally, observers are required to comply with the IBA's Disciplinary and Ethics Code, avoid conflicts ofinterestinkeepingwiththe organization's Conflict of Interest Policy, and remain present throughout congress p
physicallyorvirtually
Observers must also notifytheIBAHeadOfficeof any force majeure circumstancesaffectingtheir participation and submit detailedpost-eventreportsin accordance with official ObserverGuidelines.
Appointments are made directly by IBA President Umar Kremlev or the organization's Secretary GeneralandChiefExecutive Officer from a designated ListofObservers.
Importantly, the appointed observer cannot hold nationality of the country whose federation is conducting the election, nor can the individual have any affiliation with that federation Selections are made at the discretion of the IBA leadership or upon request from a National Federation or Continental Unit.
For Ninvalle, the latest appointment represents another milestone in more than a decade of trust and recognitionfromtheIBA.
T h e G u y a n e s e administrator has steadily risen through the ranks of global amateur boxing administration, having previously been appointed Chairman of the Caribbean
Steering Committee and before that, earning a place on the AIBA's (now IBA)
ExecutiveBureau.
He was also appointed ChairmanoftheAIBAYouth Commission and in 2014 became the first and only person from Caricom to be elected to the AIBA ExecutiveCommittee.
Hewasalsoelectedasthe Vice President of the A m e r i c a s B o x i n g Confederation(AMBC).
H i s g r o w i n g responsibilities at the international level have mirrored his work locally as president of the Guyana Boxing Association, where he has overseen significant growth in participation and development across the country's amateur boxing landscape.
In an invited comment, Ninvalle said the latest appointment reflects the confidence the IBA leadership has in his ability andcontributiontothesport.
“Thisrecentappointment to the Elections Observers list by the IBA says a lot about the trust that the organization,underPresident Umar Kremlev, has in my leadership and input in boxing,”Ninvallestated.
The veteran sports administrator noted that the recognition carries special
s
e Caribbean region, which has traditionally had limited representation in influential internationalsportingroles.
“It means a lot for someonefromtheCaribbean tobeplacedinapositionlike this.ItshowsthattheIBAhas been paying attention to the workbeingdone,notonlyin Guyana,butacrosstheregion aswell,”Ninvalleexplained.
He further emphasized that he views the appointment as a victory not only for himself, but for Caribbeanboxingasawhole.
“ I a c c e p t t h i s appointment not just for myself and Guyana, but for the wider Caribbean I believethisisrecognitionfor the work that administrators from this region continue to put in to develop boxing at every level,” Ninvalle declared.
Ninvalle's elevation within the IBA structure continuestoplaceGuyanain an increasingly prominent position within the global amateurboxingcommunity
Over the years, the Guyanese official has become a familiar figure at international boxing congresses, championships, and administrative meetings, where he has consistently advocated for the development of boxing throughouttheCaribbean.
Steve Ninvalle
Teenager Kouame becomes youngest male Grand Slam match-winner in 17
years
PARIS, (Reuters)French teenager Moise Kouame announced himself on the Grand Slam stage in emphatic fashion on
Tuesday, beating former U.S. Open champion Marin
Cilic 7-6(4) 6-2 6-1 at the French Open to become the youngestmantowinamajor main-draw match in 17 years.
Handed a wildcard by organisers, the 17-year-old Frenchman looked entirely unfazed on Court Simonne Mathieu in the first-round matchashemadehisGrand Slam debut against a player 20 years his senior and a formerworldnumberthree.
Cilic, the 2014 U S Open champion and a Roland Garros semi-finalist in 2022, arrived in Paris ranked46thintheworldbut was outplayed by the fearless teenager, whose speed in defence and deft drop shots repeatedly drew applausefromthecrowd.
Ranked 318th, Kouame
edgedatenseopeningsetin a tiebreak after saving two set points before taking controlofthematch.
“It wasn't easy I always try to stay in the present moment and not think too muchaboutthescore.Today I managed to do that really well,” Kouame said on court.
Kouamedidnotconcede a break of serve throughout the contest as he sealed victoryinstraightsets.
At 17 years and two months old, Kouame became the player to win a Grand Slam match since Australia's Bernard Tomic reached the 2009Australian Open second round at the ageof16.
He is also the youngest player to advance past the firstroundatRolandGarros since Romania's Dinu Pescariuachievedthefeatin 1991 at 17 years and one monthold.
“Coming into this tournament, I didn't really know what to expect. The teamandIworkedhardtobe asreadyaspossible.”
The teenager, coached by former French player Richard Gasquet, claimed only the second main-tour win of his career after earninghisfirstattheMiami MastersinMarch.
He will next face Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel
Vallejo who advanced after 20th seed Cameron Norrie retiredinjured. Kouame's breakthrough run caps a rapid rise this season.The Frenchman has won three ITF titles — the third tier of professional tennis and received several wildcards on the maincircuit,includingatthe Miami and Monte Carlo Masters.
“All the experience I gained in Miami and Monte Carlo probably helped me a little, ” Kouame told reporters.“Technically,Ifelt pretty calm. I knew I was ready and I felt good mentallyandphysically.”
Alzarri Joseph:
it hurts having...
Frompage33
ShamarJosephandMatthewFordepossessestherightmixof talent, energy and aggression to make a major impact on the internationalstagebeginningthissummer.
“We want to be the best in the world; it's going to take some timeandsomeworkbutlikeIsaidthegameisevolvingsowe mustevolvewiththegame,”Josephexpressed.“Itisnowforus tounderstandwhatisrequiredbyusasfastbowlerstogoouton the park and produce good performances that will make the Caribbeanpeopleproud.”Recordsandmilestonesmayalready followJoseph,buttheWestIndiespacerinsistshisjourneyis farfromcompleteashecontinuesstrivingtoreachthehighest level of the game.“I play to win, I want to win by any means necessary, obviously fairly but I want to get to World Cups, challengeforworldcupsandIwanttotakeWestIndiescricket tohigherrankings.”
Josephadded.“Idon'twanttoretireandnotleavethisteamina better position than when I came in because I wouldn't feel accomplished.”The Cricket West Indies high performance camp runs from May 21-31 ahead of the limited overs series againstSriLankawhichbowlsoffonJune3atSabinaPark.
France's Moise Kouame in action during his first round match against Croatia's Marin Cilic. (REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
Knicks finish sweep of Cavs, make first NBA Finals since 1999
R e u t e r sCLEVELAND - As the clock wound down, few Cleveland Cavaliers fans could be found. The New York Knicks left them with noreasontostickaround.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals for the first timesince1999,routingthe Cavaliers130-93inGame4 of the Eastern Conference finalsnight.
The Knicks extended their franchise playoffrecord winning streak to 11 games--matchingthethirdlongest run in a single postseasoninleaguehistory -- and their long-suffering supporters took over Cleveland'sarena.
"Growing up in the (NewYork) area,I feellike the word hope has been
gone for a long while, so to restore that is special," Towns said "There is nowhere better in the world
than when (Madison Square)Gardenhashope."
O G A n u n o b y contributed 17 points and Landry Shamet scored 16 off the bench on 4-for-4 3point shooting for New York,whichbuilta29-point lead in the second quarter and went up 123-78 in the fourth.
Jalen Brunson and MikalBridgesfinishedwith 15 points apiece, and Josh Hart added six points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
The former Villanova championship teammates relished the opportunity to wintheEasttogether
"It's something that is surreal," Hart said "We already share a bond and a brotherhood for life, and
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (2) rebounds the ball in the first quarter against the New York Knicks during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
we're going to keep adding memoriesforthat."
Brunson was named the series MVP for averaging 25.5 points and 7.8 assists. The Knicks have outscored their opponents by 262 points during their win streak, the most dominant span in league history, playoffsorregularseason.
Donovan Mitchell logged 31 points and Evan Mobley posted 15 points and seven rebounds for Cleveland, which reached the East finals for the first time since 2018. James had 12pointsandfiveturnovers while missing all six of his 3-point tries "Sometimes (Continuedonpage27)
As the Co-operative Republic of Guyana marks 60 years of independence, CricketWestIndiesproudly joins in celebrating a milestone rooted in history, struggle, and the enduring affirmation of selfdetermination. On behalf of the Board of Directors, management, players, and staffofCricketWestIndies,
I extend heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of Guyana, at home and across the diaspora, on this
significant national anniversary
Guyana's independence in 1966 stood as part of a wider Caribbean awakening, a period in which nations moved from colonial rule toward the assertion of identity,dignity,andpolitical voice.Itwasatransformation
that shaped not only governance, but also culture, confidence, and the way Caribbeanpeoplecametosee themselvesintheworld.
For decades, Guyana has stood as one of the foundational pillars of West Indies cricket From the brillianceofSirCliveLloyd, w h o s e l e a d e r s h i p transformed the West Indies intoadominantglobalforce, to the elegance of Rohan Kanhai, the genius of Alvin Kallicharran,theresilienceof
ShivnarineChanderpaul,and the modern excellence of generations who continue to wear the maroon with pride, Guyana's contribution to the cricketinglegacyandidentity of the Caribbean remains immeasurable.Inthatbroader historical context, West Indies cricket itself emerged as both a product and expression of post colonial Caribbean identity, a space where talent became voice, and where unity across territories became a statement of purpose and possibility Guyana's role in that story has been profound and enduring As Guyana continues its national journey, Cricket West Indies salutes its people for their resilience, achievement, and continuedcontributiontothe advancementoftheregion.
H a p p y 6 0 t h Independence Anniversary, Guyana.
Windies Batting Coach
Reifer says high performance camp running on intensity - says energy levels high within camp
West Indies battingcoach Floyd Reifer said he's seen tons of intensity from his players followingthefirstfewdays of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) High-Performance white-ball camp hosted in Antigua.
With the Sri Lanka limited-overs series around thecorner,thecurrentcamp hosted at Coolidge Cricket Ground,issettofurtherhelp fine-tune players for the format ahead while in most cases serving as a means of
Floyd Reifer
bowlers also did a lot of work alongside bowling coachRaviRampaulaswell asformerheadcoachturned consultant,OttisGibson.
Speakingonthemoodof the camp, Reifer outlined, “The intensity levels are high, the energy levels are high and everyone has bought into what we have. This team has been doing welloverthepast2yearsin ODI cricket so it's for us to keep moving in the right direction.”
Reifer added that aspectsofthecampfocused
working injured players back into match-ready shape.
The former Test batsman Reifer pointed out that batsmen and bowlers were in the zone during the opening days of camp, whichfocusedonanumber of key batting as well as bowling areas to which the team and players could improveon.
“We focused on strike rotation and trying to turn over the ball as much as possible, boundary options when batting in the middle overs, that was one of the main focuses over the first twodays,”saidReifer He noted that the fast-
on the playing of spin bowling as it relates to the batsmen He noted that particularly in the middle innings, strike rotation against spinners is key duringgames.
He also believed that due to the guys being very awareofwhatisneeded,itis important to remain adaptive in a constantly evolvingsport.
Meanwhile, the 10-day training programme will be used as a launchpad for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) home series against Sri Lanka in Jamaica which bowls off nextmonth.
Skipper Shai Hope
headed up the star-studded list of players involved in thehighperformancecamp, with players like John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Shamar
Springer,Alzarri Joseph, as well as Guyanese Shamar JosephandGudakeshMotie among other West Indies mainstayplayers.
(CliftonRoss)
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie
Mackenzie High School make clean sweep at Jagans Windball Cricket
N a t i o n a l S p o r t s
Commission Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport 11th edition Janet & Cheddi Jagan Windball Cricket champion trophy Region 10 Linden organised by Sport OfficerA. Munroe, played at Batofago Ground, Canvas City continued with Mackenzie High School making a clean sweepofthetitles.
In the Janet Jagan girls finals:- New Silver City Secondary batted first and only managed to score 35-2. Mackenzie High School repliedwith36-0.
In the Cheddi Jagan boys finals:- Linden Foundation Secondary after been invited to bat first made 57-1, with JosephHallscoring54.
Mackenzie High School reach their target, 59-3, with RashawnNerohitting46.
Special thanks is being extended to the Region 10 Education Officer, the Secondary Officer, management of the ground, head teachers, teachers officials of AL Sport & Tour Promotions and all the studentsthatparticipated. Not forgetting the NSC and MCYS for making this programmeareality
The winning female team along with their teacher.
The champion male team take time out for a photo.
Janet Jagan Cheddi Jagan
New provisional programme released for Independence horserace Meet
Th e w
Guyana continues to be uncertain and as a result, horsemenaretentativetoenter fortheIndependencehorserace Meet.
Eight races on show for Independence Cup on May 31.
Eightracesarenowcarded for May 31 at Port Mourant Turf Club and close to 10 million in cash and prizes will beupforthetaking.
TheIndependenceCupwill
Alzarri Joseph:
it hurts having to watch on TV and unable to help my teammates
ST JOHN'S, AntiguaFor ten months, the game moved on without him, but with this summer's home series fast approaching, fast bowlerAlzarriJosephisready to lace up his bowling shoes and once again represent the seniormen'steam.
Joseph was ruled out of competitive action for the latter part of 2025 due to a lower back injury However, just 72 hours after rejoining his teammates, the 29-yearoldisalreadyshowingsignsof settling back in following his lengthyspellonthesidelines.
Eagertomakehisreturnto internationalcricket,thepacer hassteppeduphispreparation during the ongoing highperformance white-ball camp atCoolidgeCricketGroundas he works his way back into selectioncontention.
“It feels good, obviously had a bit of a layoff through injury so it's good to be back playing and playing with the squad,” Joseph shared. “It's been good, a bit challenging but good because I feel a bit stronger, feel a little bit fitter so I think I'm going well so far.”Holdingthedistinctionof being the youngest West Indian to take a five-wicket
admitted it was difficult watching from the sidelines, especially after missing the 2026T20World Cup in India andSriLanka.
“Itwasverychallenging,a tough period obviously having to sit down, not being able to help the team, not beingabletocontributeinany way possible but I had to get throughmyrehabilitation,my s t r e n g t h e n i n g a n d conditioning to get back into peakformtoperform.”
Josephholdstherecordfor the fastest to a 100 one day international wickets, howevertherecordsarejusta stepping stone to become an elite level competitor for the pacer
“Tobehonestforme,you can always improve, you can always get better, I'm not one thatthinksthatI'meveratmy best, I always think that I can do better and there are skills that I can improve on. I will saythatI'mingoodshapebut there is always room for improvement,“Josephsaid.
have a purse of G$1,875,000 anditwillfeaturehorsesinthe C Class and Lower, running at 6.5 furlongs. The winner will have a winner's prize of G$1,000,000.
O
he provisional card include the F Class and Lower, and threeyear-old Guyana bred non winners of two races. The additionalracesaretheHClass non winners in Guyana, open
toWIBrednonwinnersforone year, also open to three-yearoldWIbredoftworaces,theH Class open, I Class and Lower three-year-old and upwards, K andLClassopenfour-year/old and upwards, and the L Class maidens four-year-old and upwards.
All horsemen are expected topay50%oftheirentryfeeby today, Wednesday May 27, aheadofSunday'sracemeet.
horserace will run under the Guyana Rules of racing. This raceisorganizedbytheJumbo Jet Racing Committee in collaboration with Khris Jagdeo,GeneralContractor
All of the races, with the exceptionoftheKandLClass opentofour-year-olds,willrun at 6.5 furlong. That particular race will run at 7 and 3/4 furlong.
Alzarri Joseph (CWI)
Windies Batting Coach Reifer says
Sports
- says energy levels high within camp
Pacers Shamar Springer and Shamar Joseph going through their bowling regiment.
make first NBA Finals since 1999
NewYork Knicks lift the 2026 Eastern Conference trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBAplayoffs at RocketArena. (David Richard-Imagn Images)
