PM Phillips commissions 750kWp solar farm at Wakenaam
Govt awards contract for 1st phase of $4B Parika port facility
Essequibo Coast couple remanded on narcotrafficking charge
Magistrate dismisses drug trafficking case against Shawn Lindie, nephew
84-year-old found with illegal gun, ganja
for
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 28 – 04:25h05:55h and Sunday, June 29 –05:15h - 06:45h
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 28 – 05:50h07:20h and Sunday, June 29 –06:35h - 08:05h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers and afternoon sunshine are expected during the day, and cloudy showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.
High Tide: 06:19h and 18:51h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.42 metres.
Low Tide: 12:24h reaching a minimum height of 0.64 metre.
Pres Ali commissions $356.5M St Ignatius Practical Instruction Department
..says education should not be exclusively book knowledge
Recognising the growing importance of technical skills in today’s globally evolving landscape, and particularly within Guyana’s rapidly diversifying economy, President Dr Irfaan Ali emphasised the need to equip the country’s young people with the skills necessary to thrive in the modern workforce.
On Friday, the Head of State, accompanied by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand visited Region Nine (Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo) to lead the commissioning ceremony for
Ali, such early engagement can play a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce, fostering innovation, and preparing the next generation to meet the demands of a modern, diversified economy.
“Without early exposure, students may leave school with no marketable skill –perpetuating cycles of unemployment. So this investment is not only about now, this investment is about that future; creating that stronger future. That is why we say forward together for a better Guyana. The third reason is the broader eco-
the $356.5M St Ignatius Practical Instruction Department.
The newly established facility is poised to significantly impact the lives of Region Nine residents by providing them with essential hands-on skills needed to succeed in Guyana’s evolving economic landscape.
During his feature address, the Head of State stressed the critical importance of technical education in today’s rapidly changing society.
He noted that providing young people with early exposure to technical knowledge not only equips them with valuable, hands-on skills, but also helps to ignite passion and interest in various career paths.
“So the first reason that this investment is important from a purely educational perspective is this simple reason: education should not be exclusively about book knowledge. The second reason for encouraging practical education is that early exposure cultivates career passion. When you're exposed to these different technical areas, it may ignite a passion in you that will help you to understand what you want to be in life; it develops a love for a technical area that you may not necessarily get only in theory and books.”
A major challenge that technical education aims to tackle is the re-engagement and re-education of school dropouts, as well as reducing the growing issue of youth unemployment, by providing them with marketable, in-demand skills.
According to President
nomic benefit. The promotion of practical instruction centres like these aligns with the long-term needs for economy. A rapidly growing oil sector, agro-processing, construction, renewable energy,” he pointed out.
Moreover, President Ali revealed that a wide range of opportunities will soon become available for individuals equipped with technical skills.
He explained that several major infrastructure projects planned for Region
including the con-
of solar farms and
facilities, will generate significant employment prospects for local residents.
According to the Head of State, these initiatives are part of the Government’s broader strategy to foster sustainable development, while ensuring that the people of Region Nine are actively involved in, and benefit from, the country’s transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources.
Nine,
struction
hydropower
President Irfaan Ali and Education Minister Priya Manickchand at the commissioning of the institution on Friday
The President gets a first-hand look at a process in one of the classrooms of the new institution
President Ali and Minister Manickchand interact with students during the event
Redefining accessibility, opportunity & a new generation of Guyanese
The Government has charted a bold and purposeful course for national development in its proposed next term, centred on an expanded housing programme and infrastructure that aims to accommodate a growing population and also to empower it. This seems to be a comprehensive socio-economic agenda poised to redefine accessibility, security, and opportunity for a new generation of Guyanese.
The housing sector, long considered a marker of personal stability and economic security, stands at the forefront of this development vision. The Government’s renewed commitment to community development reflects a strategic framework to uplift the standard of living for thousands. With the vice president’s announcement on Thursday of expanded housing support, including incentives such as mortgage interest relief, cohome building, and the steel and cement subsidy programme, the communication is clear: home ownership should no longer be a privilege reserved for a select few but a realistic goal for all, especially those at the threshold of adulthood and economic independence.
In parallel with making home ownership more attainable, the Government has committed to transforming existing and emerging communities into secure, liveable spaces. The proposal to install security cameras, enhance recreational facilities, improve drainage, and tackle pollution, including noise and waste management, signals an integrated approach to development. These initiatives underscore the understanding that a house is only one part of a home; the broader community environment is equally essential in fostering safety, well-being, and civic pride.
Importantly, the expansion of housing will not occur in a vacuum. It is being closely aligned with a countrywide infrastructure development agenda that is both strategic and inclusive. From highways and bridges to ports and power plants, infrastructure is being positioned not as a vanity project but as a fundamental pillar of economic expansion, regional equity, and national resilience. New infrastructure will open previously inaccessible land for development, stimulate regional investment, and support the country’s diversification goals.
The development of climate-resilient infrastructure is also a vital component of this vision. As Guyana continues to confront the global realities of climate change, the emphasis on longterm sustainability will be critical in protecting communities and supporting growth. With the country’s vulnerability to flooding and other climate-related risks, this proactive approach is not only timely but necessary.
Economic empowerment also forms a core part of the Government’s strategy. By focusing on creating zero-interest loan mechanisms through a development bank and investing in Diversification Support Centres, the administration is expanding the reach of entrepreneurial support beyond the traditional urban hubs. This provides a springboard for small business growth in regions that have long been on the economic periphery. Such measures are expected to democratise access to capital, a persistent barrier for micro-entrepreneurs and emerging businesses.
The intention to channel momentum from the oil and gas sector into hinterland and rural regions represents another significant shift. With labour saturation becoming a challenge in Regions Three and Four, the redistribution of investment and job creation will ensure that development is not uneven or exclusionary. Major industrial projects like the gas development hub in Berbice promise not only job creation but also the formation of new economic clusters that can serve as anchors for sustained regional growth.
As this development model unfolds, the anticipated impact will extend far beyond physical infrastructure and will reshape the socio-economic landscape by increasing access to employment, elevating income levels, and fostering a more balanced national economy. The emphasis on infrastructure that supports education, healthcare, and recreation reaffirms the Government’s commitment to human development, ensuring that people remain at the heart of national progress.
This policy direction exemplifies a governance model rooted in inclusion, futuristic planning, and practical support for citizens. It recognises that national development must be holistic, bridging housing, infrastructure, security, and economic empowerment. By setting the stage for greater mobility, stability, and opportunity, especially for a younger demographic previously disadvantaged by financial and geographic barriers, the administration’s roadmap is shaping up to be a decisive lever for equity and national transformation.
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote public safety and strengthen community relations, ranks from the Vigilance, Beterverwagting, and Clonbrook Police Stations conducted a community outreach exercise in Buxton, Mon Repos, and Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, engaging residents on security awareness, encouraging youth to stay in school and report suspicious activity, and participating in a game of cricket with residents and youths (GPF photos)
DRC’s peace deal with Rwanda risks swapping war for resource exploitation
By Lindani Zungu
The United Statesmediated peace agreement to be signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda on June 27 –a development ostensibly aimed at quelling decades of brutal conflict in Africa’s Great Lakes region – casts a long and familiar shadow.
While the immediate cessation of hostilities provides a desperately needed respite, the deal, brokered by the Trump administration and witnessed by the State of Qatar, arrives with an unsettling undertone: the spectre of resource exploitation, camouflaged as diplomatic triumph. This emerging “peace for exploitation” bargain is one that African nations, particularly the DRC, should never be forced to accept in a postcolonial world order.
For too long, eastern DRC has been a crucible of human suffering, its vast mineral wealth – including coltan, cobalt, lithium, copper and gold, indispensable for global technologies – serving as both a prize and a curse. This mineral richness has led to relentless conflict, contributing to one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian crises, with nearly three million people displaced and regular outbreaks of disease. The M23 rebel group, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda despite Kigali’s denials, has been a key player in this cycle of violence, reportedly earning significant monthly sums through illicit taxation and control of mining areas such
as Rubaya. The group’s resurgence, coinciding with a spike in global demand for these strategic minerals, underscores how deeply entrenched economic interests are in the region’s instability.
The joint statement from the Washington peace talks outlined standard provisions for territorial integrity, disarmament, and the return of refugees. Yet the official text remained conspicuously silent on the mineral sector. That omission speaks volumes. According to multiple reports, the Trump administration’s renewed diplomatic push followed Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s offer to facilitate direct US investment in the country’s mineral wealth. Indeed, informed sources suggest that parallel but related negotiations for a broader US-DRC minerals agreement are under way. The aim? To bolster US access to critical resources and counter China’s entrenched dominance in Africa’s supply chains – a clear geopolitical play in the global race for strategic minerals.
The intertwining of peace and mineral interests is deeply alarming, echoing a tragic and persistent pattern in the DRC’s history. From the rubber and ivory atrocities under Belgium’s King Leopold II –where millions perished under forced labour regimes – to the systematic extraction of cobalt, copper, and uranium under Belgian colonial rule, the Congolese people have rarely been the beneficiaries of their own land’s bounty. After independence, Mobutu Sese Seko presided over a klepto-
cratic regime that channelled mineral wealth into personal and elite enrichment, further weakening governance. The Congo Wars, often referred to as “Africa’s World War”, were similarly driven by the quest to control mineral-rich territories, with both regional and international actors competing for illicit access.
This is the essence of the so-called “resource curse” that has long plagued the DRC: Immense natural wealth leading not to development, but to poverty, conflict, and systemic corruption. When resource deals are struck in the shadow of conflict, exploitation takes the form of opaque contracts that favour foreign corporations, enable tax avoidance, and exclude local communities from fair revenue-sharing. The consequences are devastating: the violent displacement of people, environmental degradation, and the reinforcement of corrupt networks that syphon off national wealth. The human cost is immeasurable – communities uprooted, forced into unsafe mining work (including children), and exposed to widespread sexual violence used as a weapon of control. This “peace deal” risks becoming another instrument of neo-colonialism. As political philosopher Kwame Nkrumah warned, neo-colonialism allows foreign powers to dominate not through direct occupation but via economic means. In this context, foreign capital is used not to build but to extract – deepening the divide between resource-rich African nations and wealthy consumer econ-
omies. The global demand for critical minerals – from smartphones to electric vehicles – spurs an insatiable appetite that routinely trumps human rights, environmental protections, or national sovereignty.
For the Congolese people, genuine peace must mean more than the end of war. It must mark the beginning of self-determination, where the country’s resources are managed transparently and equitably for the benefit of its citizens – not wielded as bargaining chips in global power struggles. The international community, particularly the mediating powers – including the US under Secretary of State Marco Rubio – bear a profound responsibility to ensure that any accompanying economic agreements are subject to rigorous scrutiny. They must demand full transparency, robust environmental and social safeguards, and a firm commitment to equitable wealth distribution that empowers local communities. Anything less would be a tragic continuation of a colonial legacy – a cynical exchange of temporary calm for sustained plunder – undermining the very principles of justice and sovereignty that a truly postcolonial world must uphold. The Congolese people deserve a peace that liberates both their lives and their land – not one that merely reshuffles the chains of exploitation. (Al Jazeera) Lindani Zungu, a political science graduate from New York University, is the founder and leader of Voices of Mzansi.
GECOM chair rules against use of jaguar as political symbol
–
as WIN now claims party symbol a leopard, threatens legal action against commission
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has ruled that the use of the jaguar—a national symbol found on the country’s Coat of Arms, by any political party is not permissible.
This decision was made by GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, following concerns raised over the use of the jaguar by the political party We Invest In nationhood (WIN), led by United States sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed. Justice Singh cited Article 7 of the Constitution of Guyana, which outlines the duty of citizens to respect national symbols, as the basis for her decision.
The matter was brought to public attention when Chairman of the National Protected Areas Commission (NPAC), Robert Persaud, issued a statement on June 19 objecting to the use of the jaguar by a political party.
“Turning this national symbol into a party logo strips it of that shared meaning and tries to turn it into something small, parti-
san, and representing only a few,” Persaud had stated.
The objection was supported by the Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Derrick John, and the Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lennox Shuman, who also voiced their disapproval of WIN’s use of the symbol.
Not a jaguar – WIN
Later, reports surfaced which stated that WIN leader, the US-sanctioned presidential candidate, Azruddin Mohamed, just hours after GECOM’s decision was made public, said that the symbol of his political party is a leopard, not a jaguar.
Mohamed was quoted in an online news source as saying that after GECOM officially informs WIN of its
decision, a reply would be sent stating that the image is not that of a jaguar but a leopard.
According to the report, Mohammed said if GECOM does not rescind its rejection, WIN would be moving to the High Court.
“Once refused, ‘yes’, I will move to the High Court. For sure, the face that we submitted is a different species. We’ll write them, give them a fair hearing so they’ll respond and once they refuse…,” he is quoted as saying.
On Wednesday Guyana Times reported that 24 political parties had submitted their proposed symbols to GECOM for review by the June 23 deadline, in keeping with the statutory requirements ahead of the General and Regional Elections. GECOM is scheduled to consider the submitted symbols on July 1 and will notify the parties of the outcome shortly after.
Nomination Day is set for July 14, when political parties are required to submit their Lists of Candidates to
the Chief Election Officer, along with their approved party symbols.
Preparations for the September 1, 2025 elections are ongoing. GECOM recently administered the Oath of Office to ten Returning Officers and ten Supernumerary Returning Officers during a formal ceremony. These officers will manage the electoral process in the various districts and sub-districts, including Regions Three, Four, and
Six.
The appointments were made in accordance with the Representation of the People Act. Their names and office locations have been published on GECOM’s official website, www.gecom.org.gy.
GECOM has also been engaged in the statutory Claims and Objections process. The ‘Claims’ phase has ended, and the ‘Objections’ period concludes today.
Once complete, the Revised List of Electors will be pub-
lished for 21 days before being certified. In addition, legislative amendments to the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2025 now permit either the Supernumerary Returning Officer or their deputy to conduct the vote tabulation process within sub-districts. This change follows controversies surrounding the 2020 elections, specifically the tabulation of Region Four’s results. Following Nomination Day, other key electoral dates include July 15: Notification of death or withdrawal of candidates, and correction of defects; July 17: Submission of corrected Lists and additional withdrawals; July 18: GECOM to issue approvals or rejections; July 20: Deadline for appeals to the High Court; July 21: Notification of joinder of lists; July 23: Publication of approved Lists of Candidates Members of the Disciplined Services will vote on August 22, ahead of the national polling day.
Car burnt, house scorched, bed-ridden pensioner rescued in Berbice fire –
victim
suspects
arson,
says second time fire set to home
Alabourer is seeking answers after a suspected act of arson that destroyed his car and damaged a section of his house, while his father had to be rescued as fire raged over his bed in which he was lying.
It was on Wednesday evening while Keith Chesney was out at a wake that a fire was allegedly set to his car, which was under a shed connected to his house at Caneview Avenue, Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
The interior of the car was completely burnt and the flames spread to the two-story building, damaging both the upper and lower flats.
At the time, Chesney’s fa-
was initially formed, it was the New Amsterdam Fire Service that responded and was able to extinguish the blaze before extensive damage was done to the building.
“About half an hour after I reached the wake house, I get the phone call saying that my house is on fire. When I reach home, my neighbours and other people had already come and helped out the fire from the car, and then the fire engine came and put the fire out at the house. So they burned up the car and the fire burned the ceiling and all upstairs burn,” he recounted.
20th – 3 years ago. I wasn’t around, and about 4:00 in the morning I got a call that my house is on fire. When I came back everything was burnt
flat. I worked hard and I built back this house and they’re trying to burn it down again. I don’t have a problem with anybody,” he stressed.
SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2025
was an act of arson, pointing out that there is evidence to suggest the route the perpetrator used to get into the yard and to the vehicle.
ther was trapped inside the building since the only door to that section of the house was on fire and the flames had moved to the inside, razing a part of the ceiling over the bed in which he was lying. He was eventually rescued. Chesney believes that it
“The person walked and
came through at the side. It is somebody from around this area because nobody from far would come and do this,” Chesney alleged.
While a bucket brigade
The police are currently investigating the matter but Chesney claims that this is not the first time he was the victim of an arson attack.
“The first time they burned down the house and they get through that was November
Chairman of GECOM Justice (rt'd) Claudette Singh
Keith Chesney holding a part of the ceiling which was burnt over the bed on which his sick father was lying
The burnt out remains of the victim’s car
◄ Page Foundation
Rates
Sometimes, you will be asked to solve a problem about rates. A rate is a fixed ratio between things. For example: Mimi drives at a rate of 50 kilometres per hour. How many hours does it take her to drive 75 kilometres? Notice this is really a proportion problem.
Step 1: Express a proportion problem using two ratios. In this problem, let’s use h for the unknown number of hours: (1 )/(50 ) = h/75 .
Step 2: Use the proportion problem to set up an equation. Then cross-multiply: 75 = 50 x h.
Step 3: Find the side of the equation with the un known number. Then look at the known number on that side. (In this equation, it is 50.) Divide both sides of the equation by that known number. 75 ÷ 50 = h. It will take Margot 1 (1 )/(2 ) hours to drive 75 miles.
Exercises: Solve
1) Paul eats 5 pineapples in 10 days. How many days will it take for him to eat 48?
2) Adam travels 500 kilometres in 6 hours. How many kilometres will he travel in a day?
3) 16 horses can plough 24 acres of land in 32 minutes. How many acres of land can 8 horses plough in one hour?
4) How many minutes will it take 100 persons to stack 1000 chairs if each person can stack 10 chairs per minute?
5) Sherry can polish 1200 square metres of floor in 6 hours. How long will it take her to polish the floor of a room which is half that size?
By Walt
The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night, Ya-honk he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation, The pert may suppose it meaningless, but I listening close, Find its purpose and place up there toward the wintry sky. The sharp-hoof’d moose of the north, the cat on the house-sill, the chickadee, the prairie-dog, The litter of the grunting sow as they tug at her teats, The brood of the turkey-hen and she with her half-spread wings, I see in them and myself the same old law. The press of my foot to the earth springs a hundred affections, They scorn the best I can do to relate them. I am enamour’d of growing out-doors, Of men that live among cattle or taste of the ocean or woods, Of the builders and steerers of ships and the wielders of axes and mauls, and the drivers of horses, I can eat and sleep with them week in and week out. What is commonest, cheapest, nearest, easiest, is Me, Me going in for my chances, spending for vast returns, Adorning myself to bestow myself on the first that will take me, Not asking the sky to come down to my good will, Scattering it freely forever. Continued To be continued
Govt workers to receive 8% salary hike with July pay; increase retroactive to Jan 1
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, on Friday confirmed that all public servants, including teachers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional office holders, and Government pensioners, will receive the previously announced 8% salary increase with their July 2025 salaries. The increase will be retroactive to January 1, 2025.
“This increase will be paid together with July salaries,” Dr Singh stated, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to honouring the terms of a two-year agreement signed with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) in December 2024.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had on Thursday assured that the 2025 salary hike would be implemented before the September 1 General and Regional Elections. “It’s going to be before [September]… It doesn’t make sense; you pay the public servants after,” Jagdeo remarked during a press conference on Thursday, adding that systems were already being put in place to facili -
tate the disbursement.
The eight per cent increase forms part of a broader two-year agreement between the Government and the GPSU, which included a 10% retroactive salary adjustment in 2024. That deal, reached after months of negotiations, has been lauded by the GPSU as a milestone in improving public sector relations. In a statement marking its 102nd anniversary, the union credited the Government—particularly Minister Singh—for fostering a more “respectful and constructive” engagement.
Between 2021 and 2025, public servants have benefitted from cumulative salary increases totalling 46%, with annual adjustments of 7% in 2021, 8% in 2022, and 6.5% in 2023 preceding this year’s increment.
Beyond salary increas-
es, the Government has rolled out several structural adjustments aimed at improving long-term compensation and working conditions. Among them, public servants in Grades 1 to 6 with four years of service were moved to the midpoint of their salary scales, increasing earnings by up to 13%; those in the same grades with eight or more years of service were moved to the maximum of their scales, earning increases of up to 26%; and workers in Grades 7 to 8 with at least four years in their current scale now receive an additional monthly payment equivalent to the difference between the minimum and midpoint of Grade 6—amounting to increases of up to 11%.
Incentives have also been introduced to promote professional development, including new
84-year-old found with illegal gun, ganja
Police have arrested an 84-year-old pensioner after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and a quantity of marijuana during a police operation on Thursday afternoon.
The arrest occurred at about 15:30h when ranks attached to the Highway Patrol Base, acting on information received, went to Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Upon arrival, they made contact with the pensioner who is a shopkeeper.
According to a police report, the ranks identified themselves to the man, who allegedly then began to behave suspiciously and proceeded to sit on a bench under a shed located within the shop compound. The officers requested to search him, but
he initially refused and acted in a disorderly manner. He eventually complied and allowed the search. During the search, the officers discovered a Taurus 9mm pistol concealed on his person. The firearm was loaded with five live 9mm rounds in the magazine. When questioned, the man reportedly admitted that he was not licensed to carry the weapon or the ammunition.
A further search of the premises was conducted in the pensioner's presence, during which police found a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. The narcotics were weighed at the Timehri Police Station, where he was taken following his arrest. The substance amounted to 30 grammes. The 84-year-old remains in custody pending charges.
qualification allowances effective January 1, 2025. Public servants on secondment now receive a $35,000 monthly housing allowance, and other benefits such as risk, travel, and motor car allowances
have also been revised upward.
The Government has similarly engaged other key stakeholders in the education and academic sectors. A separate threeyear agreement with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) stipulates a salary increase of 10% for 2024, 8% for 2025, and 9% for 2026, with an adjustable clause to match any higher general public service increases. A parallel agreement was reached with the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), reflecting identical terms.
Minister Singh has described 2024 as a landmark year in public sector industrial relations, citing historic multi-year agreements as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving wages and conditions across the board.
President Irfaan Ali, while addressing members of the Guyana Police Force in December 2024, also underscored the Government’s continued focus on investing in the wellbeing of its workforce, including enhanced housing and risk allowances for the Disciplined Services.
Govt awards contract for 1st phase of $4B Parika port facility
As part of efforts to advance the agricultural sector and secure higher profits for farmers, the Government of Guyana has awarded a contract worth $4 billion for the first phase of the international port facility at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).
President Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a community meeting with residents of Hubu Village on Thursday, revealing that the major investment will include cold storage, agro-processing, and packaging facilities, to support farmers and boost agricultural exports across the Caribbean.
According to the President, this initiative aims to reduce production costs, increase efficiency, improve profitability, extend the shelf life of produce, and enhance value creation.
“But your communities especially, the farming community—the discussion I want to have with you today is how do we advance the modernisation of your communities… There are some key investments that we are going to guarantee you—investments we will make to reduce your cost of production, increase your efficiency, give you greater profitability, extend the shelf life of your produce, and help you with value creation,” President Ali stated.
He emphasised that the development of the Parika port will play a crucial role in improving market access and strengthening Guyana’s agricultural output.
“Let us begin with what is happening at Parika. We have just awarded the contract for the first phase of an international port facility that will be at Parika. That facility will have cold storage for farmers, agro-processing facilities, and packing stations. The initial investment is almost US$20 million—equivalent
to GY$4 billion,” he said.
President Ali further explained that the international port is also expected to accommodate a regional ferry service. However, for this to proceed, essential infrastructural works must be completed.
The regional ferry service, a joint initiative between the Governments of Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago, will operate out of Parika once launched.
According to a communiqué issued following the 43rd Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government held in July 2022 in Suriname, this initiative is among several regional strategies to help reduce the Caribbean’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
“We are already working on getting a ferry service in place that will take your produce to markets all across the Caribbean. But to prepare for those markets, we also have to build the necessary infrastructure. We must invest in drainage and irrigation so that we have the best lands available,” the Head of State emphasised.
He noted that the Government must also invest in productivity and increasing farmers' yields.
“We have to invest in helping you reduce your
transportation costs—these are the things we know are critical. But before we get to this next phase of development over the coming years—within the next year or two—these investments must be made.”
Although announced about a year ago, Guyana Times has reported that plans for the inter-regional ferry service connecting Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago are still underway.
CARICOM officials, in a recent exclusive interview with Guyana Times, confirmed that efforts are continuing to prioritise the launch of the regional passenger and cargo ferry service.
These plans are being spearheaded by CARICOM Heads of Government as part of their broader food security and integration agenda.
Back in May 2022, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago had embarked on setting up a ferry service between the two countries to transport people and cargo.
During a joint press conference between President Ali and T&T’s Prime Minister (PM) Dr Keith Rowley in Georgetown, the two nations had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in several areas.
President Irfaan Ali The items that were found by police during the search
Jump starting… …political campaign
Over in the US - where many of our present political practises originated - “whistle stops” meetings were a standard feature of political campaigning. The “whistle stops” referred to the trains that “whistled” to alert residents as they entered stations on the railways that criss-crossed the country. Politicians would stand on the back of a carriage they’d hired and deliver their spiel – some would say “harangues” - to those who gathered at the “whistle stops”. It was a quite efficient and effective way to get political messages across.
Our railways, of course, have been long gone – thanks to the PNC that ripped them out! – but the concept of “whistle stops” meetings have remained as part of our political repertoire. So, while the PPP’s General Secty just said their political campaign’s gonna be kicked off at the beginning of July – next week – we just witnessed Pres Ali deliver a classic Guyanese adaptation of performance of the practice last Thursday in his native Region 3!! With no trains, he simply follow our single public road in that neck of the woods!!
Starting from the west around midday – down the Essequibo River – Pressie set the tone when he delivered an address tailored to the concerns of the riverain farming community of Lanaballi He then took questions from them -followed by good-naturedly posing for pics with the mixed, generally red-clad attendees!! This was later repeated a few miles downriver at Hubu, after which he swung east and effortlessly switched gears as he addressed the totally different concerns of the community of Meten Meer Zorg - which still depends on the Uitvlugt sugar estate for their livelihood.
He then segued to the village of Uitvlugt itself and stayed there until dusk fell. It was then onto Anna Catherina and Cornelia Ida followed by Crane at the end of the West Demerara Road before swinging into the West Bank communities of Bella Dam/Coglan Dam late into the night. The president’s stamina was in full display –as was the patience of the crowds that thronged to the meetings. The other notable feature was the President’s extemporaneous expositions on the concerns of such diverse villages.
And imagine the campaign hasn’t really started!! While one may be tempted to feel some sympathy for the Opposition – especially the PNC - at this blitz, they can only blame themselves!! They’re facing an incumbent government – which therefore presents a very large target for criticisms in every community. It’s a given in politics that no matter what governments do, there’s always gonna be a good number who’ll look askance at their performance!! They should’ve been in those communities even before Pressie – and if nothing else, provide tough questions that the residents could then pose to him!!
…autarchy?
“Autarchy is an economic and political concept where a nation or community aims to achieve self-sufficiency in satisfying all its needs.” It bucks the old folk wisdom that insists “everybody needs somebody” and that also applies to countries!! Back in the day, Hitler tried for Germany to be autarchic – but while he was successful to a large degree, he still had to import oil!! The converse to autarchy is ‘free trade”: you produce things where you have a comparative advantage and can export them competitively and use the funds obtained to buy missing goods from other countries!
Well, when your Eyewitness heard we’re attempting to cultivate wheat, onions and potatoes, he wondered whether we’re pursuing an autarchic economic policy. After all we’re gonna have to provide all sorts inputs to for those crops. The question is whether it’s worth it to produce them expensively – and therefore at higher prices than we can buy it from countries with the comparative advantage to do so cheaply??
The example of Jamaica and potatoes is instructive.
…BRICS security
While BRICS isn’t supposed to be a defense grouping, you’d think they would’ve responded a tad more strongly to Iran being unilaterally attacked by Israel and the US. Isn’t economic freedom to be defended?
Texas’ wide-brimmed hats or Arab keffiyehs?
Essequibo Coast couple remanded on narco-trafficking charge
Ahusband and wife were arrested and subsequently remanded to prison after narcotics and drug paraphernalia were discovered during a police search at their Good Hope residence, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
According to police, the operation was conducted around 14:17h on Thursday following intelligence received by ranks in the division. Police said that ranks proceeded to the home of 56-year-old Shameena Budhoo, where they informed her of their intention to search the premises for firearms, ammunition, and narcotics. Budhoo’s reputed husband, 30-year-old Otis Gouveia, was also pres-
ent at the time and accompanied the officers during the search. While examining the
bottom floor of the house, one of the ranks lifted a floor carpet and discovered a plastic
bag containing 76 pieces of a whitish substance wrapped in foil, suspected to be cocaine. Additionally, four small bags containing leaves, seeds, and stems believed to be cannabis were uncovered. Further searches of the property led to the seizure of three battery-operated digital scales, six mobile phones (three Samsung and three BLU), a smoking utensil, two cigarette lighters, and $9,790 in mixed denominations.
The suspected narcotics and items were seized, and the couple was arrested and taken to the Aurora Police Station. Laboratory weighing confirmed that the suspected cocaine amounted to 15.1 grams, while the cannabis to-
talled 4.3 grams. Following investigations, the couple was charged and appeared at the Suddie Magistrate's Court before
Magistrate
on Friday, where they were remanded to prison pending further legal proceedings.
Guyana, Brazil conduct joint patrols to strengthen border security
AJoint Simultaneous International Patrol in the border region near Lethem and Bonfim, as well as in Kanapang in the Pakaraima Region, has been undertaken by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Brazilian Armed Forces.
According to the GDF, the patrols were carefully coordinated to ensure real-time collaboration and mutual visibility between both forces, contributing to improved situational awareness and joint readiness.
multi-agency patrols aim to deter illicit cross-border activity, reinforce surveillance capabilities, and deepen interoperability between security forces.
The joint operation featured patrols across air, river, and land domains. These
Support was also provided by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
Additionally, a meeting of delegations from both countries was held at the Takutu Bridge beneath the national flags of Guyana and Brazil.
The GDF delegation was led by Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Shepherd, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Infantry Battalion, and included former Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel John Mohanlall.
The Brazilian delegation was headed by General de Brigada (Major General) Luciano Bortoluzzi Garcia,
Commander of the 1st Jungle Infantry Brigade, along with senior officers from the Battalion and Special Border Platoon.
The engagement reaffirmed both countries' commitment to sustained defence cooperation and cross-border collaboration.
This successful joint initiative reflects the growing strategic partnership between Guyana and Brazil and their shared commitment to safeguarding the border and promoting peace and security in the region, the GDF noted.
Lima man jailed for unlawfully wounding wife
A44-year-old labourer of Lima, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to unlawfully wounding his wife during a domestic altercation.
Khempersaud Sukhan appeared before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke at the Suddie Magistrate's Court on Friday, where the charge of unlawful wounding was formally laid under Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. The offence was committed on Sunday at the couple's residence at Lima, Essequibo Coast. The victim is a 28-year-old parttime worker.
Initially, Sukhan was not required to enter a plea. However, following an application by the prosecutor for the matter to proceed under the Administration of Justice Act (AJA), the charge was reread to the defendant, at which point he
Jailed: Khempersaud Sukhan
entered a guilty plea. Upon consideration, Magistrate Clarke handed down a custodial sentence of three years and four months.
Tamieka Clarke
The narcotics and other items which were found in the couple’s home
Remanded: Shameena Budhoo
Remanded: Otis Gouveia
GDF ranks and Brazilian Armed Forces at Takutu Bridge
Major waterfront redevelopment is planned for Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling – Pres Ali
...community to see more improvements
President Mohammed Irfaan Ali on
Thursday evening announced a major redevelopment project for the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling waterfront, signalling the government’s continued commitment to infrastructure modernisation and regional development.
Vendors and traders near the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling stand to benefit significantly from the ambitious redevelopment project. The initiative aims to modernise the entire waterfront, creating a more welcoming, business-friendly environment that will drive economic growth.
The announcement was made during a community outreach session with residents of Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) in Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara).
During his address, the Head of State emphasised the strategic importance of the waterfront area to economic activity and transportation in the region, noting that the upcoming transformation will enhance both its functionality and visual appeal.
“As soon as we get past
September, we want to commence working on a modern waterfront development at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling. A modern waterfront development that will ensure those who are selling there are selling in a state-of-the-art, high-value area with a boardwalk, restaurants, entertainment – everything. A massive commercial waterfront at Vreed-en-Hoop. Imagine what that does for your properties again.”
Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling has evolved from a decaying river terminal into a focal point of modernisation efforts—undergoing structural repairs, channel dredging, and broader facility upgrades, while being integrated into a larger maritime development strategy.
Meanwhile, the Guyanese Head of State also highlighted several critical issues that will soon be addressed within the community, including improvements to drainage and irrigation systems, the road network, and housing development.
He emphasised that
tackling these concerns is a key part of the government’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of all Guyanese, regardless of their geographic location or socio-economic background.
“The first one is the drainage issue. Am I not right? So right now, we have an amphibious excavator working... by the façade there. But that alone can’t solve the problem because a big part of the problem is your internal drains. The interlocking drains. So, I said to Lionel that I wanted to come back and work out with the community how we can deploy some small pieces of equipment
to help you with those interlocking drains… By the end of this year, every single one of your roads will be completed,” the president disclosed, likely referring to Lionel Wordsworth, Chairman of the NDIA (National Drainage and Irrigation Authority).
The head of state added, “The third issue is Plastic City. And that’s a very technical issue. We have done the assessment: 40% of those who are there can be regularised. Which
means that 40% of those who are there might be able to stay there based on the survey; 60% of the people who are there, though, are in areas that are a threat to them and their safety and health. We’re going to sit with you. And if 60% of you are ready, we’re going to ensure those who have house lots and those who need allocation will get that allocation in Wales. And that is high-value land you’re going to.”
Plastic City is a shan-
ty town located in Vreeden-Hoop, Guyana, near the Atlantic Ocean. It’s known for its informal settlements, often built from scrap materials, and the challenging living conditions its residents face.
Many of its residents are Venezuelan refugees, particularly the Indigenous Warrau people, who have fled poverty and instability. They often live without access to basic necessities like clean water and electricity.
President Irfaan Ali
Vreed-en-hoop Stelling under rehabilitation works
Greater enforcement from NDCs needed to curb animals on roadways – Jagdeo
– says owners to be held responsible, societal response needed
Vice President (VP)
Bharrat Jagdeo has called on the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to have greater enforcement when it comes to unattended animals on the roadways.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Friday, Jagdeo pointed out that the penalties are there for NDCs to take actions against animal owners.
“There are penalties already for the animals on the road but they are not being enforced. So, clearly greater enforcement [is needed] particularly along the high-
ways.
Only Monday morning, a motorcyclist was killed after colliding with an unbranded cow that was crossing the Number 41 Stanleytown Public Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Twenty-five-year-old Jamal Hughes of Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice (EBB) died while receiving medical treatment at the New Amsterdam Hospital, while his pillion rider, 24-year-old Marashia Dehart, also of Stanleytown, was injured.
Moreover, there continues to be unattended and
ways,” the VP stated in response to a question from the Guyana Times about the increasing presence of unattended animals on the road-
stray animals grazing along major roadways across the country, causing disruptions to the flow of traffic.
The recently opened
Heroes Highway along the East Bank Demerara (EBD) corridor is prone to such activity. In fact, there have been several instances where animals were struck down by vehicles on the highway and left there for days. Just last month, two cows were struck and killed on Heroes Highway.
Back in February, Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Traffic Department had implored cattle owners to properly secure their animals, after four cows were struck and killed on the East Bank Public Road.
The incident has reignited concerns about stray livestock posing serious hazards to motorists, particularly on highways where speeding is common. Concerns have also been expressed over a growing trend where cattle owners deliberately avoid branding their livestock, making it difficult to determine ownership in the event
of an accident or theft.
Meanwhile, VP Jagdeo on Thursday contended that it is not just Government’s job to curb the presence of animals on the roadway, noting that cattle owners must also be held responsible for the situation.
“People have to be held more responsible for allowing [their animals on the roads]. Some people just put their animals on the side of the road and go home. They just leave them there to graze all day – so clearly, lots have to change,” he stated.
In addition to unattended animals, Jagdeo also raised concerns about the increasing presence of heavy-duty trucks and machinery that are left parked on the side of the road, impeding traffic, especially within communities.
He encouraged that such culprits be ‘named and shamed’ and reported to
AFC members could serve under Norton-led
– Norton says there is scope to work together
With both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) deciding to contest the upcoming general elections independently after a breakdown of negotiations for a coalition, AFC Leader Nigel Hughes has stated that his party is willing to consider serving under an APNU regime led by Aubrey Norton.
“If, as a matter of eventuality, Mr Norton becomes the president and he has a view that the Alliance For Change could participate in a Government post-election, the Alliance For Change is certainly going to consider that. And we certainly would not stand in the way of any member, if invited by Mr Norton, to be part of his Government,” Hughes told reporters at the AFC’s weekly press conference on Friday.
Talks between the two former coalition partners had become tenuous before finally collapsing last week. The APNU and AFC had coalesced to contest the 2015 elections, which they won but failed to secure a second term at the 2020 polls.
Efforts have been made over the last few months to
revive the coalition ahead of the upcoming elections on September 1; however, these talks did not yield any progress towards an alliance.
Initially, there was a proposal for a 35-65 governance sharing ratio, that is, 35 per cent for AFC and 65 per cent for APNU.
Last month, however, the AFC proposed a ratio of 6535 – 65 per cent for itself – to be applied across the board, which was rejected by APNU. The Norton-led party had then countered with a 70-30 proposal.
But in what is being described as a last-ditch effort to salvage the coalition talks, the AFC on June 16 submitted a revised proposal to APNU through an intermediary.
This new proposal included a 65-35 ratio to be applied across the board, that is, 65 per cent for APNU and 35 per cent for AFC. It also proposed that AFC select the prime ministerial candidate while APNU picks the presidential candidate. The AFC proposal also included that the Representative of the List be an independent nominee acceptable to both parties and that the Speaker of the
National Assembly be nominated by the AFC but acceptable to APNU.
However, APNU rejected the AFC’s latest proposal. According to the AFC, this action demonstrates clearly that APNU was and is not interested in a coalition.
The AFC’s position came when news broke, days after its final proposal, that its Member of Parliament, Juretha Fernandes, has been named as the APNU Prime Ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections – a move that blindsided the AFC. The party has since cancelled the membership of Fernandes along with two other MPs, Sherod Duncan and Deonarine
(Ricky) Ramsaroop – all former AFC executives who have now aligned themselves with APNU and committed to being on that party’s lists of candidates.
Scope to work together
Since then, the two parties have submitted their respective symbols to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), definitively signalling their intentions to contest the upcoming polls independently.
In fact, Norton told reporters at his weekly press conference on Friday that “Once you would have submitted a symbol, you then agree as a political party [to contest alone]… And if you decide that you are
NDCs so that actions can be taken to remove them.
“We need to look at that more too. People need to be held more responsible for their actions… It has to change; attitudes have to change. You can’t just deposit something [and leave it there],” the VP stressed.
Nevertheless, to tackle this issue, Government is currently exploring the development of industrial/ commercial zones in each community that can be utilised by businesses, thus reducing any inconvenience or disturbances to residents.
“[We’re looking at] commercial areas for paid
parking. So, if you have 10 trucks, you go and pay a fee to park there so your trucks are not sitting on the side of the roadside …which we’re working on already across the country. So, that hopefully will improve the situation.”
But while Government is doing this, the VP emphasised that a societal approach is needed to curb these practices.
“Clearly, a lot more has to be done in that regard but a lot has to do with the enforcement and requires a societal response – not just a Government response,” Jagdeo contended.
APNU Govt – Hughes
going to coalesce [after the fact], you’ll end up in a situation where you’ll have to fall under one of the symbols because no joint symbol for the APNU+AFC was submitted.”
Despite this, however, Norton posited that there is still room for the two parties to work together.
“Now that symbols have been submitted, is there any scope for engagement to probably work together? There is always scope for that … It will be explored, but I don’t know that it was explored.”
the APNU leader asserted.
Nevertheless, Norton went on to declare his confidence heading into the upcoming elections.
“With the question of
electability, I can say I am more qualified than many who purport to be presidential candidates. Electability, to me, presupposes that you have mass support. I am well aware that the PNC and I have mass support, and so electability is not in question.” he posited.
Meanwhile, Hughes on Friday also dismissed any assertions that his party should sit out the 2025 elections, conveying his confidence as well heading into the upcoming elections solo.
“Our data is encouraging… I’m not going to disclose what our polls have been showing [but] like I said, it’s encouraging.” the AFC Leader contended.
AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes
PNCR/APNU Leader, Aubrey Norton
The cow that was involved in the fatal accident at New Amsterdam, Berbice, earlier this week
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Two cows killed on Heroes Highway in May
Elections 2020 Trial
Audio evidence presented in court on Elections chaos
The trial into alleged attempts to rig the 2020 Elections continued Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, where Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty is presiding over the proceedings.
On Friday, a series of audio recordings taken during the March 2020 General and Regional Elections were played in court.
The recordings were presented as part of the ongoing testimony of activist Jonathan Yearwood, who was present at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Centre at the Ashmins Building during the controversial vote tabulation process for Region Four.
Region Four was the final and most critical district to be verified and it became the central point of contention during the post-election period.
Yearwood, who had previously taken the stand, returned to continue his evidence-in-chief.
The audio files he recorded were played in court in
the presence of the defendants, attorneys, and the Magistrate. The recordings captured various moments from inside the Command centre, including exchanges between election officials and others present during the tabulation exercise.
During the playback, Yearwood was asked to identify the individuals heard speaking. He confirmed that he recognised the voices of former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, GECOM staff member Denise BabbCummings, and GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh.
In other instances, he told the court he was unable to determine who was speaking, due to poor audio clarity or lack of familiarity with the voice.
The use of the recordings is a critical part of the prosecution’s case, which seeks to establish what took place inside the Ashmins Building during the controversial tabulation of Region Four votes.
The court has already heard that several aspects
of the process raised concerns at the time, both locally and internationally, eventually contributing to a five-month delay in the final declaration of results.
Yearwood’s cross-examination was scheduled to follow the audio presentation, however, it has been delayed as court was informed that one of the Defence Attorneys, Eusi Anderson, had experienced delays and was unable to proceed with questioning at that time.
As a result, Acting Chief Magistrate McGusty adjourned the matter until July 28, 2025. Yearwood is expected to resume his appearance on that date for cross-examination.
Also participating in Friday’s proceedings was Kit Nascimento, who appeared virtually. Nascimento served as an election observer with the Private Sector Commission during the 2020 elections. He was cross-examined by Defence Attorney Ronald Daniels.
Under questioning, Nascimento explained that
his role as an observer was to monitor the process and report any irregularities. He said he did not directly communicate with Mingo during the vote tabulation and that his reports were submitted solely to the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission. He also stated that he had participated in election observation before and had undergone formal training.
The trial involves nine individuals who are currently before the court fac-
ing charges of conspiring to commit electoral fraud.
Those charged include former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former Ministers of Government Volda Lawrence, Mingo, and several others.
The allegations are centred around claims that the accused sought to alter the results of the Region Four count in favour of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance
For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition, which was in power at the time.
The controversy that followed the elections led to widespread calls for transparency and accountability, and delayed the official declaration until August 2, 2020, when Irfaan Ali of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), was sworn in as President.
The trial is expected to continue with more witness testimonies when it resumes next month.
More training needed for Magistrates as mental health court launches – Chancellor
Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, has announced that more assistance is needed to provide specialised training for Magistrates as Guyana prepares to fully utilise its new Mental Health Court.
Several Magistrates have already received specialised training in preparation for Guyana’s new Mental Health Court, with further support expected to expand capacity in the near future.
Justice CummingsEdwards made the announcement during the official launch of the court on Thursday.
The training aims to equip Magistrates with the skills and knowledge needed to implement restorative justice practices, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punishment.
These efforts are sup-
ported by initiatives such as the Canadian-Caricom Expert Deployment Mechanism (CCEDM) and align with the Government’s broader push to institutionalise restorative justice across the judicial system.
These training programmes aim to equip them with the necessary skills to apply the Restorative Justice Act of 2022 and to modernise the legal framework. The training is part of broader efforts to improve the administration of justice and reduce the prison population.
“Each year, the RISE Programme offers specialised training in mental health and substance abuse. I recall various persons coming to our rescue with the training of six of our Magistrates—three of them under the specialised programmes, the Caribbean Basin Initiative—and the team at the US (United
States) Embassy here in Georgetown making it happen just for us. This year, six of our Magistrates were trained, and next year, the remainder of our Magistrates will be trained,” she stated.
Justice CummingsEdwards noted that Guyana has more than 20 Magistrates, and the plan is to train all of them, with additional assistance be-
ing requested to complete this process. She emphasised that training alone is not enough, and highlighted the importance of networking.
“We have more than 20 Magistrates. And if I say the remainder will be trained, it means that we are asking again for assistance in training all of them. The training alone was not sufficient—networking was important. Our staff members who attended the RISE Programme, the iconic RISE Programme— it’s an annual training programme—formed networks with other judges in the US, particularly in Colorado and in Atlanta,” she said.
She also noted that they teamed up with Bermuda, and on that note, she thanked Chief Justice Larry Wilson of Bermuda, Justice Ron Wolf, and Chief Magistrate Maxine Anderson for “spending
precious time to discuss with us all the issues and challenges involved in a mental health court and sharing with us their best practices”.
The Mental health Court was officially launched on Thursday to create an enabling environment for individuals charged with offences who have been assessed as experiencing mental health challenges.
Launched shortly after the recent opening of the Children’s Court at the Charity Magistrate’s Court in Region Two, the Mental Health Court is another progressive step in Guyana’s evolving judicial landscape.
Additionally, social services officers are set to work closely with a multidisciplinary team to provide vital resources and support to individuals navigating the justice system through this court.
Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards speaking at the launch on Thursday
PM Phillips commissions 750 kWp solar farm at Wakenaam
– says the farm is expected to meet and surpass the island’s current energy needs
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd)
Mark Phillips, today, commissioned the 750 kWp (kilowatt peak) Solar Photovoltaic Installation at the Wakenaam Power Plant compound, which he described as a transformative step toward sustainable energy use and local economic empowerment.
Prime Minister Phillips highlighted that the new solar farm is expected to meet and surpass the island of Wakenaam’s current energy demand while providing reliable and clean electricity to residents and businesses.
“This project is a cata-
lyst for further development. We encourage residents to harness this energy to improve livelihoods, including through agro-processing and other small-scale industries,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated the Government's commitment to transitioning Guyana towards a diversified energy mix, noting similar projects in other communities such as Leguan, Bartica, and Lethem.
He added that the administration is focused on people-centred development, aiming to ensure every sizeable community has access to renewable energy sys-
GuySuCo, PSC sub-committee on agriculture commit to closer collaboration
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) met with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) SubCommittee on Agriculture on Thursday at the PSC Boardroom in Georgetown to present its strategic outlook for the upcoming Second Crop season and beyond and to open the door to closer working relations with the private sector.
According to a GuySuCo press release, during this session, GuySuCo outlined its ongoing modernisation and diversification efforts, including its current mechanisation programme, the use of advanced technology in field and factory operations, and several new initiatives set to come on stream in the coming months.
These efforts are part
of the corporation’s broader strategy to ensure sustainability, enhance operational efficiency, and improve value-added production.
A significant portion of the discussion centred around the growing challenge of labour shortages –an issue affecting not just GuySuCo, but many industries both locally and globally.
The dialogue explored how greater use of technology and strategic partnerships could help address these shared constraints.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the PSC to share its insights and recommendations as GuySuCo prepares for the 2nd crop season.
The release noted that both entities expressed a strong commitment to main-
taining a close, ongoing relationship that allows them to benefit from synergies, align efforts, and support national development goals.
“This engagement marks a new phase of collaboration between GuySuCo and the PSC. We see great value in forging closer ties with the private sector, especially as we embrace new technologies and transform our operations,” CEO Paul Cheong said.
The Corporation looks forward to continued collaboration with the PSC and other stakeholders as it advances its mission of revitalising the sugar industry and contributing meaningfully to Guyana’s agricultural and economic growth, the release concluded.
tems.
He highlighted the potential for a more diversified and resilient local economy if residents can maximise the use of the excess electricity. Industries such as agro-processing, small-scale manufacturing, and tourism, he explained, could thrive with the support of clean, reliable electricity—turning Wakenaam's energy surplus into a driver of economic growth.
“We need to now put our minds, our heads, together and come up with a business strategy and get the investors to invest to utilise this excess power. Don’t have it as an ornament,” he advised residents.
“We now have to harness or utilise the energy, especially what is available here at Wakenaam, and produce
goods with a shelf life that can now be exported to the rest of the world.”
He also reminded residents that the project is their “own” and should be protected and valued for future generations.
The Prime Minister noted the successful rollout of over 60 microgrids across hinterland communities and the distribution of more than 30,000 household solar systems to off-grid homes.
He also praised the contractors and the Guyana Power and Light project team for delivering the facility despite challenges.
“We are proud of this project, we’re proud of what we’re doing in Wakenaam, we’re proud of what we’re doing in the hinterland communities, and with your sup-
port, we’ll continue to deliver on similar projects to the people throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.”
In Wakenaam, the 750 kWp solar system is supported by a 1,330 kWh battery storage facility capable of delivering 360 kW of power for up to three hours, enabling the island to operate largely on renewable energy during the day while keeping conventional generators for backup.
Executed in partnership with the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund and Masdar, the project is designed to stabilise and expand the island’s energy capacity while reducing diesel consumption, in keeping with the government's Low Carbon Development Strategy.
High court orders ‘Guyanese Critic’ to pay $8M in Simona Broomes defamation case
Controversial social media commentator Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as “Guyanese Critic”, has been ordered by the High Court to pay $8 million in damages to political activist and former minister Simona Broomes after being found liable for defamatory statements made during a live broadcast earlier this year.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Priscilla Hanif on Friday morning, following a lawsuit filed by Broomes in February 2024. In the suit, Broomes accused Rodrigues of using his online platform to make false and damaging allegations about her character and professional conduct.
During a January 22, 2024, broadcast on his Facebook page “They Break News”, Rodrigues made a series of claims during a live segment titled “MORNING LIVE”. WITH THE CRITIC.”
The court found that the statements included serious and unfounded allegations regarding her position in nefarious activities. For those remarks alone, Rodrigues was ordered to pay $5 million in damages. The remaining $3 million was awarded
in connection with additional claims made by Rodrigues, alleging that Broomes had used her position as a government minister for her personal gain. The Court also deemed those allegations defamatory.
In addition to the monetary penalties, Justice Hanif ordered Rodrigues to take down all content related to the defamatory claims from all social media platforms. Interest on the awarded sum will accrue from the date the lawsuit was filed.
This judgement marks another legal setback for Rodrigues, who has faced
multiple defamation suits in recent months. Earlier this week, he and fellow social commentator Freddie Kissoon were ordered to pay $6 million to a former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament over similar allegations aired online. And in March this year, Rodrigues was slapped with a hefty $52 million judgement in a separate case brought against him by the wealthy Mohamed family for defamatory statements, also disseminated via his social media pages.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips at the ribboncutting ceremony to commission the solar farm on Friday
The Prime Minister toured the facility at the opening
The plaque unveiling at the solar farm
From right: Chairman of the PSC Sub-Committee on Agriculture Komal Singh; Committee member, Robert Forrester; GuySuCo Marketing and Communications Manager Trudy Cummings; CEO of GuySuCo Paul Cheong; PSC committee members Beni Sankar and David Fernandez
Political activist and former minister Simona Broomes Social media commentator Mikhail Rodrigues
Magistrate dismisses drug trafficking case against Shawn Lindie, nephew
The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit’s (CANU) case against Rastafarian uncle and nephew duo, Shawn Lindie and Shawn Lindie Jr, was dismissed on Friday by Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool, who found there was reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s evidence relating to the 2022 Berbice River marijuana bust.
The decision was handed down at the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court, marking the end of a protracted case that began over three years ago. The Lindies had been jointly charged with trafficking more than 1,580 pounds of marijuana allegedly found at a home in De Veldt, Berbice River, on March 26, 2022.
According to evidence presented during the trial, a joint maritime operation conducted by CANU officers and Coast Guard soldiers from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) stormed the house just after midnight on March 25, 2022.
Officers used automatic weapons and special equipment to breach the home, which was occupied by the Lindies, Durante Massiah, and one other unidentified man who reportedly escaped by jumping through a second-floor window. He has not been found since.
Inside the house, CANU agents claimed to have discovered several large rice bags packed with compressed cannabis. They testified that the smell of marijuana was
evident from outside the home. The suspects were arrested and transported to CANU Headquarters on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.
The trio was charged on March 28, 2022, under Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10.
Fifty-two-year-old Durante Massiah pleaded guilty to the charge and told the court he had been producing the marijuana in an effort to raise funds to build a home. He claimed the Lindies were only staying there temporarily after attending a drinking event at a “kaimoo” further upriver. Massiah was sentenced to 50 months in prison and fined $215 million.
The Lindies pleaded not guilty and were each granted bail totalling $4 million by Magistrate Wanda
Fortune.
Their Attorney, Mr Siand Dhurjon, had successfully argued for bail despite strong objections from CANU, which insisted the marijuana was being packaged for transshipment.
Over the course of the hearings, which took place at both the Linden and Kwakwani Magistrates’ Court, the defence contested the reliability of the alleged confession statements attributed to the Lindies.
Attorney Dhurjon argued that the statements were uncorroborated and should be disregarded. He also challenged the prosecution’s reliance on the smell of cannabis as evidence, questioning whether the Lindies—being Rastafarians—could be expected to identify the scent and arguing that similar smells could easily be misinterpreted by officers.
One of the most significant turning points in the
trial came when Massiah returned to the stand, this time as a defence witness. His testimony raised serious allegations against CANU and the Joint Services. Massiah claimed that the original stash of marijuana totalled approximately 3,000 pounds, yet only about half that amount was ever accounted for in official custody.
He testified that the officers removed all the marijuana from the room during the raid, loading some onto a Coast Guard vessel and some into his personal boat. He also said he saw about 10 of the 20-plus rice bags being loaded into a Canter truck at the New Amsterdam Stelling. That vehicle, according to him, was driven away in a different direction, and its contents were never seen again.
At CANU Headquarters, Massiah claimed he witnessed officers weighing the
drugs and immediately noticed a discrepancy.
In her ruling, Magistrate Liverpool found that there was sufficient reasonable doubt to rule in favour of the defence.
While acknowledging the prosecution’s efforts, she noted that suspicion and probability are not substitutes for proof beyond a reasonable doubt. She emphasised that the alleged confessions lacked independent supporting evidence and highlighted the inconsistencies raised in Massiah’s testimony regarding how much marijuana was actually recovered and processed.
“Convictions are not about what was suspicious, what was probable, [or] what was likely.
Convictions are about proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” Magistrate Liverpool said. “I clearly have to resolve this case in favour of the defence and give the defendants the benefit of the doubt. I find that the defence was successful in creating a reasonable doubt.
CANU was represented by Attorney-at-Law De Jonna Nelson. The Lindies were represented by Siand Dhurjon.
Following the decision, the Lindies expressed gratitude to Magistrate Liverpool for what they described as a fair and reasoned judgment. They also thanked their attorney for his persistence and commitment throughout the proceedings.
Labourer committed to High Court for murder of entertainer and educator “Sir Mars”
Brian Richards, a 24-year-old labourer, has been officially committed to stand trial at the High Court for the 2023 murder of popular entertainer and high school teacher, Kirwyn Mars, widely known as “Sir Mars”.
The ruling was handed down by Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/ Grove Magistrate’s Court, following the conclusion of a months-long preliminary inquiry into the fatal incident.
The trial will proceed at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes.
Mars met a violent end on the night of May 7, 2023, when he was discovered lifeless at Plantation Providence on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). His body was found wedged between his vehicle and a concrete fence.
An autopsy later revealed that Mars had sustained eight stab wounds across multiple areas of his
body, including his chest, collarbone, shoulder, elbow and hand. The cause of death was listed as crushing injuries to the chest, compounded by multiple cutaneous wounds.
Richards, who resided in the John Fernandes Squatting Area at the time, was arrested two days later at his workplace in Georgetown. Surveillance footage captured earlier that day showed Richards and Mars leaving a bar together, evidence that police say placed him at the scene in the hours leading up to the killing.
In what authorities say was a confession, Richards allegedly admitted to stabbing Mars multiple times during a dispute inside the victim’s vehicle. He claimed the altercation began after the two left Green City Bar in Georgetown, where they had consumed several beers. Richards told investigators the argument escalated after leaving the bar
Brian Richards
and that Mars had initially attacked him with a knife. According to his account, he managed to disarm Mars and retaliated with multiple stabs.
The confession also detailed that Mars stopped the car near Providence and exited. Richards, while searching for his phone during the confusion, claimed he accidentally shifted the vehicle into reverse, resulting in Mars being pinned fatally against a fence.
Family dispute police
version
However, Richards’ family strongly denies his involvement in the killing. Speaking outside the courtroom sometime after he was arrested, his wife insisted that Richards was home at the time of the incident.
She said he had been dropped off earlier that evening by Mars, near their community and was with her from around 21:00h, contradicting the police timeline which places the murder at approximately
Dead: Kirwyn Mars
22:30h.
Emotional and visibly distressed, she pleaded for a reinvestigation, arguing that Richards had no visible injuries and was not capable of reading the statement he allegedly signed under police interrogation.
The family called for his release and a review of CCTV footage from their neighbourhood to support their claims.
Adding to the family’s concern, Richards’ sister described him as “illiter-
ate”, and expressed frustration with law enforcement’s communication.
She contended that if Richards had indeed been in a fight involving knives, he would have shown signs of injury.
While the court has moved forward with committing Richards to trial, the conflicting narratives and emotional appeals from the family suggest that the High Court proceedings could be both complex and highly scrutinised.
The persons who were arrested and charged, along with the narcotics found
Over 27,000 residents to benefit from new water treatment plant in La Parfaite Harmonie
With the upcoming commissioning of a modern water treatment facility at La Parfaite Harmonie, access to safe and reliable water will soon become a reality for more than 27,000 residents in Region Three.
The plant will also serve residents from Lust en Rust, Recht Door
Zed, Onderneeming, Westminster, Schoonord, Bagotsville, Nismes and Canal Number One.
Residents from other communities will also benefit from clean water as work progresses on treatment plants at Parika and Vergenoegen.
Over 16,000 residents are now able to access clean
water ever since the treatment plant in Wales on the West Bank of Demerara was commissioned in March 2025.
A total of $7.6 billion has been injected into Region Three’s water sector over the last four and a half years, benefitting 89,000 residents. During this same period, a total
of nine wells have been drilled across the region.
More than $65 billion has been invested in Guyana’s water sector since 2020 to increase access and quality. As a result of these interventions, 98.3 per cent of Guyanese now have access to safe water.
This reflects a pivotal step in the Government’s
$75M D&I structure for Lanaballi before year-end – Pres Ali
Lanaballi, a small farming community located up the Essequibo River, will benefit from the construction of a control structure to support drainage and irrigation for farmers. This was announced by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali during one of several community engagements on Thursday. The $75 million project is expected to be completed in early December of this year.
A Department of Public Information (DPI) report stated that the control structure, which is similar to a sluice, will help to drain the area during the rainy season, and during dry periods, it will regulate the water going into the farmlands.
Over time, the existing control structure has deteriorated, prompting residents to call for the gov-
President Ali poses for a photo with the children and teachers of the
ernment’s intervention. President Ali disclosed that the contract for a new structure has already been awarded, and material is
currently being procured.
“So far…the sheet piles were ordered, awaiting delivery… and other construction materials [will
goal of ensuring the coastland has 90 per cent treated water
GDF conducts medevac
of Tuseneng Village teen
School
be moved] by a barge,” he explained.
The Head of State reminded the residents that this project is just one of many other promises being delivered to uplift their lives.
“I don’t think I need to tell you that this Government has not only fulfilled all its commitments, but this Government stood by all of you in the last five years…
Our business is people, development, upliftment, unity, progress, and prosperity,” President Ali said.
The president also pledged continued collaboration with the community to produce other high-value agricultural products. This includes boosting coconut and honey production and clearing an additional 300 rods of drains.
A total of 53 leases are currently being prepared so that the community can become more agriculturally viable.
“I want all of you to know that you have our undivided attention and our full support for the continued upliftment of your community. Whether it’s a hundred people… I will come and come again because every citizen matters,” he promised.
The Guyana Defence Force, on Thursday, executed a successful Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission from the remote village of Tuseneng, located in Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni), following a formal request from the Ministry of Health.
Due to the village’s high elevation and mountainous terrain in the North Pakaraimas, air extraction was the only viable option for safely accessing and transporting the 14-yearold male patient.
According to the GDF, with approval from Chief of Defence Staff (Ag) Colonel Sheldon Howell, MSM, a GDF Bell 412 helicopter, which was already operating in a nearby area on a routine patrol, was tasked with the mission.
The aircraft was expertly crewed by Command Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Anson Weekes, Co-Pilot Captain Neil Asregadoo, Aircraft Engineer Warrant Officer Class Two Joel Paul, and Medic Corporal Mark Johnson. Upon successful extraction, the patient was flown to Base Camp Ayanganna, where a Guyana Fire Service ambulance was on standby to transport them to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for further medical attention.
The GDF remains committed to supporting national emergency response efforts and extending critical assistance to citizens in remote and hard-toreach communities across Guyana, the GDF noted.
Lanaballi Primary
President Mohamed Irfaan Ali attended a commissioning ceremony of the water treatment facility at Wales in March 2025
access by the end of 2025. (DPI)
Due to the village’s high elevation and mountainous terrain in the North Pakaraimas, air extraction was the only viable option
Bahamas: 5 arrested after drug bust yields 42.6 pounds of suspected marijuana
Bahama Police have arrested five individuals and seized a quantity of suspected marijuana with an estimated street value of $84,200.
Global environment creates opportunity for Caricom, Africa to achieve common goals – Caricom SG
TDuring the initial search, officers discovered a large quantity of suspected marijuana inside a vehicle at the residence. The discovery led to the arrest of three adult males, aged 43, 41, and 31, along with two adult females, aged 66 and 44, all of whom were taken into custody.
The investigation subsequently expanded to include an additional search of a suspect’s residence on Boatswain Hill West,
The arrests took place on Wednesday, June 25, when officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit, working alongside personnel from the Bahamas Customs Department, executed a search warrant at a residence in Coral Lakes, New Providence. The operation, which began shortly before 11:00 am, also involved assistance from a police K-9 unit.
where officers uncovered and seized more suspected marijuana from the kitchen area of the home.
The combined weight of the suspected marijuana recovered from both locations totalled 42.6 pounds, according to police estimates.
Authorities have valued the seized drugs at approximately $84,200 on the street market. The Royal Bahamas Police Force has indicated that the investigation remains active and ongoing. (Loop Caribbean News)
Trump ends TPS for Haitians; more than half a million people now face deportation
The Trump Administration is putting an end to Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status designation, dealing yet another devastating blow to roughly a half million Haitian nationals, some of whom have lived in the United States for more than a decade.
The Department of Homeland Security said on Friday that conditions in Haiti have improved, and Haitians no longer meet the conditions for Temporary
Protected Status, which grants deportation protections and work permits to people from countries experiencing turmoil. It is unclear how DHS, in consultation with the State Department, reached such a conclusion. Currently the State Department warns Americans not to travel to Haiti “due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and limited health care.”
On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump
promised to deport Haitians as he falsely accused them of eating their neighbours’ pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Since returning to office, he has focused on dismantling Biden Administration immigration protections for migrants. In doing so, he’s been testing his presidential powers by using archaic and seldomly enforced immigration laws to pursue his promise of mass satanic mass deportations. (Excerpt from Miami Herald)
US Deputy Secretary issues stark challenge to OAS on Venezuela, Haiti, regional relevance
The United States has issued a forceful call for the Organisation of American States (OAS) to prove its continued relevance by taking decisive action on crises in Venezuela and Haiti, with Deputy Secretary of State Daniel Landau warning that Washington’s membership in the body is under review.
Addressing regional leaders during the OAS General Assembly in Antigua and Barbuda, Landau said the United States, under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump, is assessing whether membership in the hemispheric body remains in its national interest.
“Can we really say that the organisation is succeeding in its goals today?” Landau asked, referencing Article I of the OAS Charter, which affirms the organisation’s purpose of defending peace, sovereignty, and justice across the hemisphere.
He pointed to what he described as the OAS’s inadequate response to two of the region’s most press -
ing crises: Venezuela’s continued political repression and electoral fraud and Haiti’s descent into violent lawlessness.
On Venezuela, Landau said the OAS had failed to act meaningfully after what he called “a brazenly stolen election” and an illegitimate vote to claim Guyana’s Essequibo region. He argued that the Nicolás Maduro regime had reduced a once prosperous country to “abject poverty” and forced millions to flee.
“If this organisation is unwilling or unable to respond to or remedy this situation… then we must ask what’s the point of the organisation,” Landau stated.
The deputy secretary also voiced frustration over the OAS’s limited involvement in Haiti, where gang violence has destabilised the capital and crippled public order. While praising Caribbean and African nations supporting the Kenyan-led multinational security mission there, he made clear that the United States cannot indefinitely bear the brunt of the humanitarian and financial
burden—now approaching US$1 billion.
Despite the stark warnings, Landau framed the speech as a gesture of partnership rather than condemnation.
“I’m here to extend a hand of friendship… But friendship is a two-way street,” he said, expressing hope that the OAS could work with the US to strengthen regional resilience and foster “jaguar economies” in the Western Hemisphere.
He concluded by challenging the OAS to reject authoritarianism and take measurable steps to defend democracy and human rights.
“This is not a time for mere words and slogans,” he said. “Let’s stand with the people of Venezuela and Haiti not just in word but in deed.”
The high-stakes address comes amid growing scrutiny of multilateral bodies by the US administration and could set the tone for further policy shifts in Washington’s engagement with the OAS in the coming months. (Excerpt from Antigua Newsroom)
he current global environment provides an opportunity for Africa and the Caribbean to build on shared values and interests and forge a path towards collective action, Dr Carla Barnett, Caricom Secretary-General, said Friday.
Secretary-General Barnett was at the time addressing the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meeting being held in Abuja, Nigeria, 25-28 June. The theme of the meeting is ‘Progressive Unity in a Fractured World: Building a Global African Coalition for Development’.
“… geopolitical and geo-economic developments require careful handling. There needs to be positive alignment between economic and political interests and a redefinition of global partnerships into mechanisms that foster inclusive growth, sustainable development, and economic and climate resilience for developing countries. Building such resilience requires that Africa, like the Caribbean, retain
access to affordable, longterm, concessional financing from multilateral development institutions. More than anything else, this situation serves as a basis for common cause between Africa and the Caribbean,” the Secretary-General said.
While the current realignment of global geopolitical and geo-economic interests will continue to pose significant challenges, Dr Barnett said it creates opportunities for Africa and the Caribbean to strengthen cooperation to achieve common development goals.
(Excerpt from Caricom)
Mexican president demands proof after US accuses banks of laundering drug money
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed frustration at US sanctions against three Mexican financial institutions accused of laundering drug money and said the US has not yet provided any evidence of criminal activity.
“Until now, the treasury department has not sent any proof that indicates there is money laundering,” Sheinbaum said. “We will act if there is proof.”
She then publicly requested the treasury department “send proof, if they have it, so we can accompany them in the process”.
The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday it was placing sanctions on three separate
Mexican financial institutions, accusing them of being used to launder money for organised crime.
The three institutions identified by the treasury’s financial crimes unit (FinCen) are the large commercial banks CiBanco and Intercam and the broking firm Vector Casa de Bolsa. FinCEN is accusing them of laundering money linked to fentanyl trafficking.
“Financial facilitators like CiBanco, Intercam, and Vector are enabling the poisoning of countless Americans by moving money on behalf of cartels, making them vital cogs in the fentanyl supply chain,” the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said in a statement.
According to Sheinbaum,
Mexican financial investigation agencies received information from the treasury department regarding the three financial institutions and transactions with Chinese businesses.
Mexican officials, who viewed the evidence as insufficient, launched their own investigation and also requested further information from the US regarding the transactions.
Sheinbaum says the US did not follow up in response to Mexico’s request.
“We are not going to cover for anyone. There is no impunity,” Sheinbaum said. “But it has to be demonstrated that, effectively, there was money laundering. Not with statements, but with hard evidence. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
T&T Police find 2 women in shallow grave
Police have not yet identified two female bodies discovered in shallow graves in Bejucal on the night of June 25. The women, who appeared to be Venezuelans, were found in an apparent agricultural plot near Line Road Extension, off Warren Road, Bejucal, shortly before midnight by members of the National Special Operations Unit, who were following up on information received from an informant.
Arriving at the scene around 11.30 pm, the offi-
cers went about 12 metres into a bushy area off the roadway where they saw the grass flattened and the soil appeared to be loose. They began excavating the area and found the bodies about ten minutes later.
Smith told Newsday the women appeared to be between their mid-teens and late 20s. He said they appeared to have recently died. He was unable to say what the probable cause of death could be but noted an autopsy is expected to be performed on June 27 at the
Forensic Science Centre, St James.
While the circumstances surrounding the deaths are still being investigated, social activist, particularly with migrant communities, Sofia Figueroa-Leon told Newsday the manner the bodies were found makes her believe they may have been victims of human trafficking. She said their ages also play a major factor in her belief, as traffickers often prefer younger females.
(Excerpt from Trinidad & Tobago Newsday)
Dr Carla Barnett, Caricom Secretary-General, addresses the 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meeting
Around the World OIL NEWS
Crude prices fall after report of OPEC+ planning August output boost
Brent and US West Texas Intermediate crude prices fell on Friday, reversing gains after a report that OPEC+ was planning to hike production in August following an increase planned for July.
Brent crude futures were down 25 cents, or 0.37%, to $67.48 a barrel by 1615 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 20 cents, or 0.31%, to $65.04.
Four delegates from OPEC+, which includes allies of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, said the group was set to boost production by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) following a similar-sized output increase already planned for July.
“The report about an OPEC increase came out, and prices cratered,” said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst with Price Futures Group.
Crude prices were already headed for a 12% decline for the week following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
During the 12-day war that started after Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 13, Brent prices rose briefly to above $80 a barrel before slumping to $67 a barrel after US President Donald Trump announced an Iran-Israel ceasefire.
Rystad analyst Janiv Shah said the market was also keeping an eye on the July 6 meeting of the OPEC+ group of oil producers, adding that summer demand indicators were key as well.
Flynn said expectations of higher demand in the coming months gave crude a boost earlier on Friday.
Prices had also been supported earlier in Friday’s session by multiple oil inventory reports that showed strong draws in middle distillates, said Tamas Varga, a PVM Oil Associates analyst. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Rwanda, Congo sign US-brokered peace deal in Washington
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a USbrokered peace agreement on Friday, raising hopes for an end to fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more so far this year.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the two countries’ foreign ministers at the Department of State
in Washington for the signing of the agreement.
Congolese negotiators dropped a demand that Rwandan troops immediately leave eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, paving the way for the US-brokered peace agreement to be signed between the longtime foes on Friday, four sources told Reuters.
The agreement also aims
to attract Western investment to the two countries’ mining sectors, which boast deposits of tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium, while giving the US access to critical minerals.
Technical experts from the two countries initialled a draft peace agreement last week, saying it addressed issues related to territorial integrity, “a prohibition
of hostilities” and the disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration of non-state armed groups. It also referred to a mechanism agreed upon as part of an earlier Angolanbacked peace effort to monitor and verify the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers and Congolese military operations targeting the FDLR.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Iranian foreign minister admits serious damage to nuclear sites
Iran’s foreign minister has admitted that “excessive and serious” damage was done to the country’s nuclear sites in the recent US and Israeli bombings.
Abbas Araghchi told a state broadcaster on Thursday evening that an assessment of the damage is being carried out by the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran.
But, just hours earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the strikes did not disrupt the country’s nuclear programme.
Khamenei was respond-
ing to US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the bombs had “totally obliterated” three nuclear sites.
Khamenei said the US
Germany scraps funding for sea rescues of migrants
Germany is cutting financial support for charities that rescue migrants at risk of drowning in the Mediterranean, saying it will redirect resources to addressing conditions in source countries that spur people to leave.
For decades, migrants driven by war and poverty have made perilous crossings to reach Europe’s southern borders, with thousands estimated to die every year in their bid to reach a continent grown increasingly hostile to migration.
“Germany is committed to being humane and will help where people suffer, but I don’t think it’s the foreign office’s job to finance
this kind of sea rescue,”
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a news conference.
Under the previous left-leaning government, Germany began paying
around 2 million euros ($2.34 million) annually to non-governmental organisations carrying out rescues of migrant-laden boats in trouble at sea.
Despite this, German of-
ficials suggest that sea rescues only incentivise people to risk the sometimes deadly crossings.
“The (government) support made possible extra missions and very concretely saved lives,” said Gorden Isler, Sea-Eye’s chairperson. “We might now have to stay in harbour despite emergencies.”
The opposition Greens, who controlled the foreign office when the subsidies were introduced, criticised the move.
“This will exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and deepen human suffering,” said joint floor leader Britta Hasselmann. (Excerpt from CNN)
Japan executes ‘Twitter killer’ who murdered, dismembered nine people
Japan has executed a man dubbed the “Twitter killer”, who was convicted of murdering and dismembering nine people, mostly women, in the country’s first use of capital punishment in nearly three years.
Takahiro Shiraishi, 34, was hanged Friday at the Tokyo Detention House. He was sentenced to death in 2020 after pleading guilty to killing the nine people – eight women and one man.
Shiraishi was arrest-
ed in October 2017 after police searched his home in the city of Zama in Kanagawa Prefecture, on the outskirts of Tokyo, to investigate the disappearance of a 23-year-old woman who had expressed suicidal thoughts on social media, including Twitter, now known as X.
Three cooler boxes and five containers were found in Shiraishi’s room, containing human heads and bones with the flesh scraped off, CNN affiliate TV Asahi reported at
the time, citing police sources. The high-profile mass murder case had gripped the nation for years and raised concerns over the use of social media.
Shiraishi’s execution is the first the country has seen since July 2022, NHK reported.
In Japan, the death penalty is delivered by hanging, with execution dates not made public until after the penalty is carried out.
Executions are shrouded in secrecy with little to no warning, and families and lawyers are usually notified only after the execution has taken place.
“The death sentence was finalised following a thorough trial process. After careful and deliberate consideration of all factors, I issued the execution order,” Japan’s Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki told reporters Friday at a press conference. (Excerpt from CNN)
attacks had failed to “accomplish anything significant”.
The supreme leader, who has been in hiding since the war with Israel began on 13
June, insisted that Trump had “exaggerated” the impact of the bombs and declared victory over the US and Israel.
But Araghchi’s remarks create a different impression.
The foreign minister also said there were no plans to resume nuclear talks with the US.
He added that the government was examining what was in the “interest of the Iranian people”, saying its approach to diplomacy will take a “new form”. He did not explain what he meant. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Trump says US will terminate trade talks with Canada over tax
Ton technology companies
rump has accused Canada of a “direct and blatant attack” on the US after being informed that the country plans to tax US technology companies. Trump says the US will be “terminating all discussions on trade with Canada” as a result.
Trump wrote on Truth Social:
“We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult country to TRADE with, including the fact that they have charged our farmers as much as 400% in tariffs for years on dairy products, has just announced that they are putting a digital services tax on our American technology companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our country.
They are obviously copying the European Union, which has done the same thing and is currently in discussion with us, also. Based on this egregious tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on trade with Canada, effective immediately. We will let Canada know the tariff that they will be paying to do business with the United States of America within the next
seven-day period.”
The move plunges US relations with its second-largest trading partner back into chaos after a period of relative calm – only last week Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he had agreed with Trump that their two nations should try to wrap up a new economic and security deal within 30 days.
We’ve yet to hear Canadian PM Mark Carney’s reaction to Trump’s outburst, which imperils a trading relationship that, according to the office of the US trade representative, totalled about $762bn last year.
The tax, which will take effect on 30 June and be applied retroactively from 2022, will impact both domestic and international companies, meaning American giants Amazon, Google, Meta, Airbnb and Uber will have to start payments from Monday. Last week Ottawa refused to delay the tax in the face of mounting pressure and opposition from the Trump administration during trade negotiations. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the damage to the nuclear sites was ‘excessive’
The rescue vessel Sea-Eye 4. Sea-Eye, a non-governmental sea rescue organisation, received around 10% of its total income of around 3.2 million euros from the German government
SUDOKU
Someone close to you may offer full disclosure regarding a concern you have. Stay calm, embrace what's positive and give the people close to you more time to respond.
Get out, mingle, network and utilize your physical skills to meet your demands. A positive change regarding love, romance and self-improvement projects will be uplifting.
It's OK to force an issue if you have everything in place and know how to make the outcome please even your most unrelenting associate. Communication is your best asset today.
Channel your energy into something positive. Be a leader and a conduit for those who have lost their way. Do your part, and support and respect will follow.
Engage in conversations and displays that offer insight into new and exciting possibilities, and you will gain momentum, interest and input that will carry you far beyond your imagination. Don't hold back.
Keep an eye on your cash, investments, legal matters and medical issues. You'll get mixed responses and require additional opinions to avoid being misled by someone less qualified.
Keep situations and conversations in perspective. If something sounds too good to be true, it's probably exaggerated information. Aim high and reach for recognition and a seat at the table. Advancement is apparent.
Someone will be eager to take advantage of you if you are gullible. Avoid talking about money or offering insight into matters of a personal nature. Make personal growth your priority.
Pay attention to detail concerning your possessions or investments. It's a great time to sell off items you no longer need or want and to raise your qualifications to help you secure a position.
Partnerships are apparent, and wheeling and dealing will help you find the best fit for you and the services you can offer. Mix business with pleasure and explore your options.
Ignore the hype and take the safe route. A change will tempt you, but you should avoid letting your emotions lead the way. Common sense and negotiating will pay off.
Learn from the changes occurring around you. Make your intentions clear to the people who will be affected by your actions. Reach out to someone you love and share your long-term plans.
haul helps surge to 1-0 series lead over WI
–
Josh Hazlewood led Australia’s surge to victory in Barbados as West Indies lost all 10 wickets in the final session of the third day, the final two falling in consecutive deliveries to Nathan Lyon in what would have been the last over of the day to seal a 159-run margin.
Australia claimed the extra half an hour with West Indies seven down, but with Shamar Joseph throwing the bat, having been dropped in the
bags another 5-wicket haul
deep by Sam Konstas, and Justin Greaves playing solidly, it appeared Australia would be forced to return on the fourth day. However, Shamar edged to slip before Jayden Seales was caught at short leg. It completed a performance where familiar Australian strengths came to the fore amid continued questions about the top order, but they were confronted by challenging conditions.
Travis Head, who was the beneficiary of West Indies’ seventh dropped catch of the match, Beau Webster and Alex Carey all played with the proactiveness needed on this surface. Head was named player of the match for his twin half-centuries on a tricky surface. Carey’s superb stroke play gave Australia plenty of buffer zone when it came to defending the target, meaning a repeat of what happened in the World Test Championship final was always unlikely on a surface that remained devilish at times, especially with the harder ball.
West Indies 2nd Innings (T: 301 runs)
Kraigg Brathwaite c Konstas b Starc 4 John Campbell c Carey b Hazlewood 23 Keacy Carty b Hazlewood 20 Brandon King c Green b Hazlewood 0 Roston Chase (c) c Konstas b Hazlewood 2
Shai Hope b Cummins 2 Justin Greaves not out 38 Alzarri Joseph run out (sub [M Labuschagne]) 0 Jomel Warrican c Carey b Hazlewood 3
Shamar Joseph c Khawaja b Lyon 44 Jayden Seales c Konstas b Lyon 0 Extras (lb 5) 5
Mitchell Starc struck in the first over of the chase when former captain Kraigg Brathwaite clipped loosely to backward square leg, where Konstas held a low catch. However, that was followed by some adventurous stroke play by John Campbell, including a sweep against Hazlewood, as he and Keacy Carty made encouraging progress.
But innovation brought Campbell’s downfall when he attempted to lap-sweep Hazlewood again and this time could only glove the ball to Carey. Next ball, Brandon King got an inside edge into his pads which flew high towards gully where Cameron Green, who had earlier given Carty a life on 1, used all his height to cling on. Sadly for Hazlewood, he did not make Roston Chase play at the hat-trick delivery as a packed ring of catchers awaited.
Not that he was delayed long when, two overs later, Chase got an inside edge that looped to short leg before spearing one through Carty. This was Hazlewood at his very best: hammer -
thing lurking, but with a touch of fortune, runs were there to be made when intent was shown.
sion when they would have hoped to knock over most of the remaining Australia batting.
ing away back-of-a-length and giving the surface every chance to play some
West Indies, though, were their own worst enemy again. On 21, Head was given a life when Greaves spilt a chance at second slip. It was the seventh they had put down for the game and had come after coach Daren Sammy
tricks.
Pat Cummins was then the beneficiary of those tricks when Shai Hope was cleaned up by a wicked delivery that scuttled under his bat. The run-scoring of Australia’s middle order against an older ball felt a long time ago. The only question was whether the visitors could get the job done in the evening.
Marnus Labuschagne, on as a sub, produced a direct hit run out to remove Alzarri Joseph, and Hazlewood removed Jomel Warrican for his fifth wicket. Shamar Joseph launched two balls out of the stadium, and some frustration was growing for Australia before Lyon sealed the job in fading light.
The game was in the balance at the start of the day, Australia ahead by 82, with plenty of eyes on how the surface would play. There was an early grubber to Head, which fortunately for him wasn’t straight, and he responded by flaying the next delivery through the off side. As Head would later find out, there was always some -
had overseen the morning slips catching practice where nothing had been spilt. Head went to his second fifty of the match from 77 balls.
Webster, mean while, built an excellent in nings, the third of his brief Test career, which has come on a challenging sur face following the debut half-centu ry against India at the SCG. He used his reach to good ef fect to get out to the ball but was espe cially eye-catch ing off the back foot through the off side.
The stand of 102 was broken when Head received a brute of a deliv ery from Shamar Joseph that bare ly bounced, the only success for West Indies in the morn ing ses
After the break Webster brought up his fifty from 100 balls with a thick edge along the ground through gully before glancing Shamar Joseph down the leg side to Hope. An onfield not-out decision was overturned by third umpire Adrian Holdstock without any of the drama of the previous day. By then Carey was into his stride, having started positively, but went up a gear in the over following Webster’s departure when he took 14 off Seales, including the shot of the match: a skip down the pitch and perfectly executed lofted straight drive into the sightscreen. He went on to repeat the stroke against the lesser pace of Greaves, sending him over the stands at long-off, to motor to a 40-ball half-century as the game sped away from West Indies.
Shamar Joseph
Alex Carey celebrates his 50 off 40 balls (Randy Brooks/Associated Press)
Travis Head and Beau Webster got the first century stand of the Test (Randy Brooks/Associated Press)
Josh Hazlewood tore through West Indies top order (Randy Brooks/Associated Press)
Shamar Joseph celebrates a wicket (Randy Brooks/ AFP/Getty Images)
MCYS/Ansa McAL
June Madness Futsal – Championship Time!
Sparta Boss and Road Warriors collide for $2M prize
…Lady Canaimas & Iconic battle for Female Glory
The great Magic Johnson, in one of his many quotes, said, “Everybody on a championship team doesn’t get publicity, but everyone can say he’s a champion.”
Well, this would definitely be the mantra for either Sparta Boss or Road Warriors when the two collide for the inaugural title of the ‘June Madness’ Futsal Championship at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tonight (Saturday) with their unbeaten records on the line.
There would be two things for sure: one team will end as the champions and keep their undefeated record intact, while the other’s winning streak will be halted and they will be relegated to the runner-up position.
Either way, one team will bask in the glory of pocketing two million dollars as their reward for winning the championship; the losing finalist will earn half of the winning amount.
This showdown, billed as a Guyana vs Brazil collision, is the perfect end to what has been a month of exhilarating battles which
Caribbean flamboyance was on full display as Andre Fletcher lit up Grand Prairie Stadium with a spectacular maiden Major League Cricket (MLC) century, but despite his heroics, the Los Angeles Knight Riders failed once more to get over the line, as they went down by five wickets to Washington Freedom in a dramatic, final-ball finish on Thursday night.
Fletcher’s blazing 104 off 60 balls, laced with seven fours and six towering sixes, propelled the LA Knight Riders to what looked like a match-winning 213-4 from their 20 overs. But a series of dropped catches and sloppy bowling, including 12 wides and 2 no-balls, allowed the surging Freedom to chase down the target at 214-5, the second-highest successful run chase in MLC history.
commenced with 48 teams and is now down to the final four. The third-place game features the losing semi-final teams, Back Circle A and Gold Is Money.
A masters final will set the scene for the night between Spanish sides Corinthians and Gladiators, and this will be followed by an exhibition game between Influencers and The Champs before the female final takes centre stage between Lady Canaimas and Iconic Strikers, both winning their two group matches, respectively.
The Lewis sisters, Glendy and Glengy, along with Sandra Johnson, will spearhead Canaima’s quest to take back-to-back futsal titles, having also won the national futsal competition. Iconic Strikers will depend on the likes of Nikita Winter in goal, Akeelah Vancooten, Shanic Thornhill and Tynesha Thorne to deliver a win for them.
But tonight’s main event at Guyana’s Madison Square Gardens will be a gigantic battle between two sides that will fight until the end. They have both displayed the persistence to
battle in times of adversity when your back is against the wall, showing a resolve that’s second to none.
Fitness, game shrewdness, positioning, and shooting to goal from unsuspecting angles, all part and parcel of this version of the sport, will all be exhibited for fans to absorb. Sparta Boss will be aiming to add this June Madness cham-
pionship to the National Futsal Title they won in early January of this year. They no doubt have the artillery to unleash against Road Warriors, and leading the charge would be their number one marksman, who is one goal behind the leader overall, Curtez Kellman, who has scored in every game they have played so far. The semi-final clash
against Back Circle A saw Kellman blasting a helmet trick, and he will be looking to replicate that performance when it matters most. His fitness has been excellent, and his understanding of the game as well as his movements are all assets Sparta have in their collection to unleash.
Backed up by the ultimate strategist, Jermain ‘Panky’ Junor, a warrior in his own right and well respected by all in this version of the game, and the nimble Kelsey Benjamin (3 goals), Sparta has what it takes to topple the Road Warriors. Pencil in the likes of Darron Niles, Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett, Nicholas McArthur (2 goals), Jobe Ceasar and Omar Jones between the uprights; a sturdy opponent is what Sparta Boss presents.
Road Warriors have looked a bit shaky twice in this championship, in the semi-final against God Is Money and Bent Street B, when they narrowly won, 4-3. They have shown that they are vulnerable, but, like their opponent, they have also displayed a knack for winning against the odds and for showing up on the
big stage. They have in their arsenal the tournament’s leading goal scorer, Luis Da Silva, with 9 goals, and he would find able support for almost his entire team. Thalyson Pinheiro, Matthew DeSouza, Joao Victor DeSouza, and Arckson Andrezza all with four goals apiece; and Duarte Dos Santos with three. Whilst Road Warriors (36 goals) have doubled the amount of goals they have scored compared to Sparta Boss (18 goals), they have both conceded 9 goals each, with Road Warriors conceding the most in any one game, five (5), as compared to three (3) for their opponent, who have conceded in three of their wins, the other being a clean sheet. For sure it will be an evening to remember. Who will win? Well, that’s left to be seen. The organiser’s Kashif and Shanghai MS have expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Ansa McAL for sponsoring this inaugural edition of June Madness, which has lived up to its billing. Game time this evening is 20:00 hrs, sharp.
with their backs against the wall, LA Knight Riders needed something special, and Fletcher delivered. The veteran opener dominated the Powerplay alongside Unmukt Chand, who made 41 off 30, in a 130-run opening stand that gave LA their best start of the season.
After Chand, who had three sixes and a four in his innings, and Sherfane
en after he was put down by Powell. He struck three fours and four sixes in his knock, while captain Glenn Maxwell added 42 off 23 balls, before Glenn Phillips finished things off with an unbeaten 23-ball 33.
AIt was LA’s fifth loss in six games, a sharp contrast to Washington Freedom’s red-hot form of five wins in six, which placed them second on the points table with 10 points. Coming into the clash
Rutherford, who added an 11-ball 20, fell in quick succession to Ian Holland, Andre Russell added a brisk unbeaten 13-ball 30, which had three sixes. Fletcher surprisingly retired out in the 18th over, a tactical move that allowed big hitters like Russell and Jason Holder, who made an unbeaten 11 off six balls, to take charge at the death even as Rovman Powell went without scoring.
Holland, the pick of the Freedom bowlers, ended with 2-25.
Still, 213 felt like a total to defend until Washington Freedom’s fearless chase unravelled that illusion. Freedom opener Mitchell Owen blew the chase wide open with a devastating 43 off just 16 balls, as he made the most of a life giv-
Maxwell, who had two fours and three sixes in his innings, kept the engine running through the middle overs after he was put down twice. Though South African pacer Shadley van Schalkwyk and leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha kept the Knight Riders in the fight with two wickets between them, the fielding lapses and expensive spells from Andre Russell and Jason Holder, who both conceded over 12 runs an over, were costly.
The game went down to the very last delivery, with Obus Pienaar, who was also unbeaten on 23 off 16, completing the win with a nervy run after a catch offered to Holder was put down. Had that catch been taken, it would have sent the contest into a super over, but it was not to be, as Freedom’s thrilling 214-run chase is their second of such magnitude this season, having earlier gunned down 233 against Texas Super Kings.
The loss compounds LA Knight Riders’ woes as they remain stuck in fifth place on just two points with their playoff hopes fading fast. (Sportsmax)
nil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA have once again teamed up to assist Rose Hall Community Centre right-arm off-spinner and right-handed batsman Romario Ramdeholl with a quantity of cricket gear.
The young cricketer who was recently named vice captain of the national under-19 team is tipped to be the captain of the under-17 team, a rare accomplishment in the history of Guyana youth cricket.
He expressed gratitude for the gear, comprising one cricket bat, one pair of thigh pads and one pair of batting gloves, and continued assistance from this project and promised to do well in the upcoming junior regional tournaments.
ue to improve the lives of youths in every community. “We are pleased to be part of the development of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular,” Beharry stated.
This project has been following the career of this talented young cricketer at all levels and is impressed with his exceptional talent, hence the support.
This project will contin-
Total cricket-related items received or purchased so far exceeded $630,000 in cash. To date, 99 players, both male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, gear bags, and other items.
The success of this initiative would have never been possible without the support of the following several individuals and companies, including Javed and Imran of West Indian
Cricketer Romario Ramdeholl
Andre Fletcher’s century in vain for Knight Riders
Sparta Boss and Road Warriors Captains, Jermain
‘Panky’ Junor and Wendrecky De Souza, pose with the championship trophy and other players
The champions of the International League T20 (ILT20), Dubai Capitals, have officially lit the fuse ahead of the 2025 edition of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) with a fiery squad announcement.
From the golden sands of Dubai to the emerald fields of Guyana, the Capitals are bringing a sizzling mix of international flair, Caribbean power, and pure cricketing firepower. The action explodes at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from July 10 to 18, and the Capitals are out to prove why they wear the ILT20 crown.
Joining them is none other than Rovman Powell,
the former West Indies T20 skipper and ILT20 Final MVP, known for detonating bowling attacks and lighting up scoreboards. He’ll be the heartbeat of the Capitals’ offence, and fans can expect fireworks every time he steps to the crease.
Backing him up is Barbados’ brutal batting weapon Kadeem Alleyne, alongside the lightning pace and experience of Dominic Drakes, the left-arm quick who will lead the Capitals’ bowling blitz. Add Pakistani paceman Farhan Khan, Canadian left-arm quick Kaleem Sana-Ur-Rahman, and UAE’s Zeeshan Naseer to the mix, and this squad is a thunderstorm waiting to happen.
In the middle, the Capitals are bringing global precision with Sri Lankan gloveman Niroshan Dickwella, Afghanistan’s dynamic batter Sediqullah Atal, and South African spin magician Keshav Maharaj, who’ll turn up the heat with guile and grit in Providence’s spin-friendly conditions.
The Capitals’ campaign ignites with a blockbuster opening clash against the Hobart Hurricanes XI on Friday, July 11 – a matchup sure to rattle the stands. (Global Super League)
This year’s GSL features five of the world’s finest franchises: Hobart Hurricanes XI (Australia), Rangpur Riders
(Bangladesh), Central Stags (New Zealand), and the ever-dangerous hosts, Guyana Amazon Warriors (West Indies).
Dubai Capitals Squad
Dubai Capitals name fiery squad for Global Super League 2025 Kares One Guyana T10 set for highly
(GSL 2025): Farhan Khan, Aryaman Varma, Zeeshan Naseer, Rovman Powell, Kaleem Sana-Ur-Rahman, Said Shah, Ibrahim Masood,
Cweekend as the third edition of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast prepares for its highly anticipated start.
Organisers FL Sport have confirmed that the Upper Corentyne region is ready to host the opening bowl-off, despite earlier weather concerns.
Teams are eager to take to the park and begin their quest for a place in the national finals. The Berbice zone matches will now take place at Skeldon Line Path and Number 48 Ground on Saturday, 28 June, and Sunday, 29 June.
The zone final is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the Number 48 Ground.
Spectators will be granted free entry to all venues,
cal community.
John Ramsingh, part of the organising team, revealed that the tournament will feature a blend of talent, including former West Indies internationals, current national players, and some of the brightest young prospects in the country.
The stakes are high, with the Berbice zone winner set to receive a $300,000 prize and a place in the national playoffs, where an additional $1.7 million is up for grabs.
Due to the recent inclement weather, organisers have revised the initial schedule and will now concentrate all Berbice zone matches in the Upper Corentyne area. The #48 Ground will host the zone final on Sunday.
rupted some of our original plans, but the enthusiasm from the teams is incredible. With the support of our partners, we are determined to deliver an exciting start to the tournament for both players and fans this weekend. I’m confident we’ll see some thrilling action.”
Montra Jaguars, who reached the final in the 2024 edition, will be aiming to go one better this year. However, they will face tough competition from returning teams like Cotton Tree Die Hard and Mahaica Hawks, along with a host of other talented sides from Berbice, all vying for a spot in the national finals.
The Berbice zone will also feature teams such as Champ XI, Crabwood
Path Select XI, Ethan XI, D’Edward Sports Club, New Amsterdam XI, Tucber Park, and Name Brand Titans.
Play is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM local time each day, with free entry for all spectators.
The Berbice zone champion will secure a coveted spot in the national finals, which are set to be held on Sunday, 3 August, at the National Stadium in Providence, starting at 2:00 PM.
Beyond the national final berth, the Berbice zone winner will also pocket a significant $300,000 prize, along with a trophy, and will have the chance to compete for an additional $1.7 million at the National Stadium. The
The national finals promise even greater rewards, with the runner-up taking home $700,000, a trophy, and medals, while the losing semi-finalists will each receive $300,000.
Individual performances will also be recognised with prizes for the MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-theNational Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy ($35,000).
The Blast is supported by a wide range of sponsors, highlighting the growing popularity of the tournament.
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has
garnered support from Kares Engineering Inc., the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, the Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, the Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.
Sediqullah Atal, Kadeem Alleyne, Gulbadin Naib, Keshav Maharaj, Niroshan Dickwella, Jesse Bootan, Dominic Drakes, and Jordan Johnson.
The Champions of the International League T20, Dubai Capitals
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast is set for bowl-off this weekend in Berbice
