People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo met with United States Ambassador Nicole D Theriot; Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin; UK High Commissioner Jane Miller and EU Ambassador Rene van Nes on Monday at the Party's Freedom House headquarters, Robb Street, Georgetown
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, June 17 –20:55h-22:25h and Wednesday, June 18 – 22:15h-23:45h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, June 17 –08:20h-09:50h and Wednesday, June 18 – 09:20h-10:50h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Rain showers with instances of thunder are expected during the day and at night, with intermittent sunshine throughout the day. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.79 metres and 3.58 metres.
High Tide: 08:44h and 21:21h reaching maximum heights of 2.43 metres and 2.36 metres.
Low Tide: 14:49h reaching a minimum height of 0.78 metre.
Ahead of 2025 elections
“We cannot gamble with our future” – Pres Ali urges Guyanese to reject “experimental leadership”
With the 2025 Regional and General Elections looming, President Dr Irfaan Ali has urged Guyanese voters to choose “stable, committed leadership”, warning against what he calls the risk of entrusting the country’s future to “experimental leadership.” Speaking during the 77th commemoration of Enmore Martyrs' Day, the Guyanese Leader drew a sharp line between his administration’s track record and the failures of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU-AFC)
more homes. You will get more grants. You will get more school support. You will get an increase in the Because We Care grant. Higher old age pension. More tax break. Easier access to vehicle ownership. Housing improvement grant. Yes, you will get all of that. But you will also have your dignity and your honour upheld always under the People's Progressive Party Civic Government,” President Ali said.
Further, President Ali warned that a return to APNU+AFC leadership would risk reversing hard-fought
Coalition. His message was clear, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is not just campaigning on promises, but on delivery, performance, and a vision for national prosperity.
On this point, he reminded the gathering of the $40 billion reinvested into the sugar industry and rehiring of 4,500 sugar workers, introduction of tax relief measures including an income tax threshold raised from $65,000 to $135,000 and free tertiary education and scholarships for nurses and healthcare professionals, among others.
“My dear friends, what we need in the world today and here in Guyana is stable leadership, respectful leadership, strong leadership, committed leadership, not experimental leadership. We cannot gamble with our future. This is the period of consolidation for a better Guyana. It is not a period for experiment. It is a period to consolidate the gains that we have made. It's a period to build upon the foundation of those gains and lead our country and every single family here in Guyana to full prosperity”.
“We have a clear plan. And yes, in that plan, you will get higher salaries. You will get
gains.
“Do not take these things for granted. The last time our Amerindian brothers and sisters took that for granted, they found themselves in a Government that took away almost 3,000 jobs from them, the CSO jobs. The last time sugar workers took that for granted, they took away 7,000 jobs directly from themselves.
The last time the rice farmers took that for granted, they presided over almost a third of the rice industry. The last time the miners took that for granted, 60 per cent of their operation was left to idle or decay. The last time the bauxite workers took that for granted,
(CEO) will be available to receive the Lists between the hours of 10:00h (10am) and 14:00h (2pm) at the Umana Yana, High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.
Several important deadlines accompany the submission of these lists. The following day, July 15, is reserved for notifying the CEO in writing of any death or withdrawal of a candidate. Also on this day, the CEO will inform representatives and their deputies of any defects found in submitted lists. By July 17, corrected lists must be submitted, and further notification of any withdrawals must also be made. On July 18th, Guyana Elections
more than 60 per cent of them lost their jobs. The last time Guyana took that for granted, we lost our dignity,” he added.
The 2025 General and Regional Elections is set for September 1, and President Dr Irfaan Ali has already announced his candidacy for a second term.
Nomination Day has already been announced for July 14, 2025, which will allow for the submission of Lists of Candidates for the upcoming General and Regional Elections. On the designated day, the Chief Election Officer
Commission (GECOM) will issue notifications regarding the approval or non-approval of the candidate lists. Parties dissatisfied with disapprovals may lodge appeals with the High Court by July 20th. On July 21, representatives and their deputies must inform the CEO in writing of any joinder of lists. The entire process culminates on July 23 with the gazetting of the approved lists. The notice was issued under the hand of GECOM Chairperson, Justice of Appeal (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, and dated June 2, 2025.
President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at the 77th commemoration of Enmore Martyrs' Day, on Monday at Enmore, East Coast Demerara
The development trajectory for Guyana is clear, infrastructure is expanding, foreign investment is surging, and new industries are taking shape. Yet, amid this progress, the most critical resource remains the country’s human capital, particularly its youth. The recent remarks by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) serve as a message of encouragement and as a strategic call for the next generation of Guyanese leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
The Vice President's message underscored an important reality: the landscape of opportunities in Guyana is rapidly evolving. Traditional roles and career paths are no longer the only routes to prosperity. The demand for skills across technology, agriculture, tourism, and healthcare is intensifying, and with it comes the necessity for young people to equip themselves accordingly.
In the digital economy, the momentum is unmistakable. The drive to create a modern, tech-driven society means that skills in cybersecurity, digital finance, and application development are essential. Government investment in broadband expansion and public services digitisation is not just about efficiency, it is about unlocking a new tier of employment and innovation that can allow Guyana to leapfrog into a competitive digital future. Young people trained in these areas will not only find jobs but can become builders of entirely new enterprises.
In tourism, the country’s natural beauty is now complemented by a boom in hospitality infrastructure. With 12 international hotels under construction, a tourism renaissance is underway. Yet this is not simply about hospitality workers, it is about cultivating a skilled workforce of chefs, event managers, marketing professionals, and operations specialists. These roles require talent and training, both of which are increasingly accessible through national scholarship initiatives such as the GOAL programme. More importantly, they offer a chance to connect local livelihoods with global tourism trends.
Agriculture, often seen through the lens of subsistence and outdated methods, is being reimagined as a modern, technology-driven industry. From smart agriculture practices to large-scale production of corn, soya, and onions, the potential is vast. The use of drones for monitoring and spraying, the introduction of improved seed varieties, and the emphasis on value-added processing all signal a sector ready for innovation. Youth who embrace these changes will not only find sustainable employment but can help lead the charge towards national food security and agri-export expansion.
The ongoing transformation of the healthcare sector presents far-reaching implications beyond the immediate expansion of clinical services. From the supply and management of medical gases to the maintenance of critical equipment, the sector now demands a range of technical and entrepreneurial skills. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed long-standing vulnerabilities in the healthcare system, particularly in areas such as oxygen supply and facility readiness. In response, the Government's commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery is creating a more resilient framework – one that invites innovation and Private Sector participation, especially from enterprising young professionals seeking to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Perhaps most visionary is the proposal for a zero-interest development bank aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Access to affordable capital has long been a barrier for youth-led startups. By removing this hurdle, the Government is fostering a more inclusive economic environment. With sound ideas, a business plan, and dedication, young entrepreneurs can now participate meaningfully in the country’s economic ascent.
These are projections grounded in policy commitments, infrastructure rollouts, and market trends already in motion. The responsibility now lies with young people to align themselves with these national priorities. That requires a shift in mindset, from seeking immediate but limited roles to preparing for future-ready careers. It means trading in the comfort of the familiar for the challenge of the emerging.
Guyana's development is not confined to oil and gas. The breadth of opportunities across sectors reveals a diversified growth model where youth participation is not only welcome but necessary. As the economy expands, the demand for dynamic, educated, and progressive individuals will grow exponentially. The country needs leaders, creators, and problem-solvers.
The choices made by today’s youth will define the character of tomorrow’s Guyana. The foundations are being laid, and the tools are becoming increasingly accessible. Now is the moment to act boldly, study deliberately, and innovate relentlessly.
British women are being jailed under archaic abortion laws. MPs can act to end that this week
By Frances ryan
You might have seen their faces. Every few months nowadays, another woman appears in a British newspaper charged with a suspected illegal abortion. Often the woman looks pale and gaunt. Sometimes she hides behind sunglasses as she bows her head. The photographs of these women walking into court feel akin to a public shaming, where the stocks are replaced by a breaking news banner, but the judgment remains the same.
If this sounds like a punishment from a different time, it’s because it is. The law that’s largely used to prosecute women for a suspected illegal abortion was written in 1861 – that’s before women had the right to vote or own property independently. While the Abortion Act in 1967 gave widespread access to abortion, it was never made fully legal on the statute books.
Now that may change. After more than a century and a half, this week could see abortion decriminalised in England and Wales – and for the first time, give tens of millions of women a genuine right to choose. When the crime and policing bill returns to the Commons, a Labour backbencher, Tonia Antoniazzi, will table an amendment to remove women from the criminal law. It would finally get rid of the anachronistic stain on otherwise modern abortion rights: women will no longer face prosecution if they end a pregnancy after 24 weeks or without approval from two doctors.
There is some uncertain-
ty. For one, a second amendment is being put forward by Stella Creasy that aims to enshrine access to abortion as a human right, and pro-choice charities fear would disrupt services. Although it has less support, it could also be selected for a vote. But parliamentary debate aside, reform is highly likely to be on the way. Antoniazzi’s amendment has already received the backing of more than 130 MPs, according to the Times, and senior Government figures expect it to pass with a large majority.
The urge for decriminalisation has increased as the risk of arrest has. It is estimated that more than 100 women have been prosecuted for a suspected abortion over the last decade. And the number of court cases and convictions has actually increased in the 21st century. Between 1861 and 2022, only three women in Great Britain were convicted of an illegal abortion. Since December 2022 alone, seven women have been charged. One woman has been jailed.
There is no clear reason as to why. When I asked the British Pregnancy Advisory Service – the leading abortion provider – about the spike in prosecutions, it pointed to an “inherent suspicion of women in certain circumstances”, combined with an increased awareness of abortion medicine by medical professionals, who then breach their duty of confidentiality, and police. Earlier this year, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), which sets the strategic direction for policing across the UK, quietly issued guidance on how to search women’s homes
for abortion drugs as well as seize their phones to inspect menstrual cycle tracker apps.
The cases that have already made it to court – and the papers – have been deeply disturbing. Last month, Nicola Packer was acquitted of unlawfully taking abortion pills at home after the legal time limit during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020. Arrested in hospital by uniformed officers while still recovering from surgery for a stillbirth, it took Packer more than four years to clear her name. During her trial, prosecutors picked over her “alternative” sex life and the size of her nipples.
And yet this is also about the women whose names don’t make the headlines. Campaigners say women are routinely put under a police investigation that comes to nothing – the majority of them have in fact naturally given birth prematurely or had stillbirths. There have been cases of women denied contact with their children while police investigated a charge that was later dropped. One teenager who had a late miscarriage was arrested in front of her entire street.
The small number of women and girls who have had an abortion past the legal cut-off point are often deeply vulnerable, and include victims of trafficking or domestic violence. As BPAS told me: “We’re aware of cases where the woman has been investigated, or even imprisoned, and nothing has happened to her abusive partner.”
Where is the public interest in any of this? Pregnancy loss – particularly late term –is still equated with guilt and failure. To lose a pregnancy
and then be called in by the police and questioned under caution, let alone taken to court, is less criminal justice and more a kind of state-sponsored humiliation. It does not feel like a coincidence that the rise in prosecutions has come as abortion rights in the UK – from decriminalisation in Northern Ireland to the permanent adoption of telemedicine after lockdown – have made gains. Progress always comes with pushback.
The rapid rise of Reform UK shows how, even in the most liberal of societies, the threat to women and minority rights is never truly over. Nigel Farage has already floated tougher restrictions on abortion as well as tax breaks for married couples. We need only look to the global shift to authoritarianism to see the extreme end-point of this. When police searched the car of the man suspected of killing a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota, US, on Saturday, they allegedly found a list of people with links to abortion rights.
Decriminalising abortion will, in the short term, save a handful of women from the trauma of a courtroom, and a hundred or so more from a police cell. That matters. But it will also do something else of value: it will say no woman should be forced to continue a pregnancy against her will, and that abortion is healthcare, not a criminal offence. As we finally edge close to change, it is surely time to shift the stigma –it is not women who should feel shame but the MPs and prosecutors who let this barbarism go on. (The Guardian) (Frances Ryan is a Guardian columnist)
Scenes from the EPA’s World Environment Day Green Theatre Production-inspired action on Ending Plastic Pollution (EPA photos)
2 motorcyclists die in NA head-on crash
Two motorcyclists are now dead following a crash in New Amsterdam on Sunday evening, just outside of the New Amsterdam Hospital.
Dead are 25-yearold Malcolm Matthews Jr, a self-employed resident of Voorburg Street, Sheet Anchor, East Canje and 29-year-old Stephen Tiloo, a security guard of Reliance Settlement, East Canje.
Dead: 29-year-old
Dead: 25-year-old
They were each riding separate motorcycles when the crash occurred at about 20:55h on Sunday, just outside the New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice. In a statement, the po-
lice said Tiloo was proceeding north along the road, allegedly at a fast rate, while Matthews was proceeding in the opposite direction, also at a fast rate. As both cyclists were about to pass each other, they collided head-on. The police said neither of the men were wearing safety helmets at the time. They were both pronounced dead when they were taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Matthews had left home on Sunday morning and family members do not know whose bike he was riding at the time of
the crash.
Tiloo was having dinner with family members at a restaurant when he abruptly left after receiving a phone call. His brother, Ravindra Dillsair said after they left the restaurant and on their way driving home they noticed a crowed outside on the New Amsterdam Hospital and the traffic was moving very slowly.
“We see a black bike first, from the right hand over, then we go up in the traffic, we end up and see him lying on the ground, on the left hand over, then
we stop the car and come out and was able to identify is he,” the brother said. Meanwhile, Malcolm Matthews Snr said when he and his wife reached on the scene, both bodies were covered with blankets.
His wife, Rishma Ramjeet told this publication that that it was one of her cousins working at the said hospital who informed her that Junior was involved in a crash.
“She said she hear the big ‘bang’ and when she run out she see that is Junior,” the woman related.
Agro-chemical store in Berbice robbed; losses estimated in millions
Thieves made off with millions of dollars in agricultural products after raiding a store in Berbice, leaving the business counting heavy losses.
An agro-chemical store called Vickash Enterprise located at Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) shortly after 01:00hrs on Sunday.
Millions of dollars’ worth of items was stolen. These include several motor blowers and an outboard engine. Owner of the business, Bharrat Sukhu called ‘Buckey” told this publication that the safe with the money was also raided, and about $500,000 which represented Saturday’s sales was stolen.
“They cut two locks out from this door. They break the door and then they saw the inside door from this store room to get into the shop. They saw the hinges off. And this is not one person. To my knowledge, this got to be four persons or three persons do this work,” the businessman said.
The discovery was made
on Sunday morning when an employee opened the door.
According to Sukhu, a total of 20 motor blowers were removed from his store.
“The value of those motor blower is $130,000 each so it is $2.6 million. There was an outboard engine for $500,000 and cash. To be exact, I wouldn't be able to say how much, but close to $600,000 in cash.”
According to Sukhu, who has been operating the busi-
Mechanic drowns while visiting girlfriend in Linden
A21-year-old mechanic of
Dead is Nazim Hamid. According to police, the incident occurred at about 16:00h on Sunday. Initial investigations revealed that Hamid had travelled to Linden on Saturday, June 14, to visit his girlfriend, a 16-yearold student from the Wisroc Housing Scheme. The young
woman told investigators that she and Hamid, along with several friends, went to the Coomacka Mines Beach to swim on Sunday afternoon around 15:30h. She recounted that while swimming, Hamid began making his way toward the centre of the river when he suddenly began to struggle and sank. Efforts by public-spirited individuals to locate Hamid’s body in the vicinity were unsuccessful. Police said investigations are ongoing.
ness for over 25 years, this is not the first time that his business has been targeted
and robbed by thieves.
“And this is about 5 to 6 times I encounter this at this
business. People come and break into the places but this one here is very serious at this
time because I have receipts of all the stuff that is stolen. The boat engine, 20 motor blower which I buy from a company. I got receipts, I got all the serial numbers. And the thief in around this area is one specific person,” he said.
The intruders escaped through the back and then broke into the neighbour’s yard and took the back gate eventually making it onto the back street.
“We found the box in the back street. They take the motor blower out of the box because to move the stuff in the box is a lot of movement.”
Police have arrested several persons for questioning as investigation continues.
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
Malcolm Matthews Jr
Stephen Tiloo
Bharrat Sukhu pointing to the window which was cut open
The boxes the motor blowers were in carry the serial number
Brighton Village, West Bank Berbice (WBB) is believed to have drowned on Sunday while swimming at Coomacka Mines Beach, Upper Demerara River.
Foundation
◄
Adding mixed numbers with unlike denominators
There are two ways to do this. You could change each mixed number to an improper fraction and then add them. But an easier way to add mixed numbers is to add the whole number parts first and then add the fractions.
Add 3 1/2 + 4 5/8
Example:
Step 1: Add the whole numbers: 3 + 4 = 7 Now add the fractions: 1/2 + 5/8
Step 2: Change the fractions with unlike denominators to fractions with a common denominator:
1x4/2x4= 4/8 5x1/8x1= 5/8
Step 3: Add the fractions 4/8 + 5/8 = 9/8
Step 4: If the numerator in the total is greater than the common denominator, you have an improper fraction. Change it to a mixed number: 9/8 = 1 1/8
Step 5: Add your two totals: 7 + 1 1/8 = 8 1/8
Exercises: Add
By Walt
Backward I see in my own days where I sweated through fog with linguists and contenders, I have no mockings or arguments, I witness and wait.
5 I believe in you my soul, the other I am must not abase itself to you, And you must not be abased to the other. Loafe with me on the grass, loose the stop from your throat, Not words, not music or rhyme I want, not custom or lecture, not even the best, Only the lull I like, the hum of your valvèd voice. I mind how once we lay such a transparent summer morning, How you settled your head athwart my hips and gently turn’d over upon me, And parted the shirt from my bosom-bone, and plunged your tongue to my bare-stript heart, And reach’d till you felt my beard, and reach’d till you held my feet. Swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and knowledge that pass all the argument of the earth, And I know that the hand of God is the promise of my own, And I know that the spirit of God is the brother of my own, And that all the men ever born are also my brothers, the women my sisters and lovers, And that a kelson of the creation is love, And limitless are leaves stiff or drooping in the fields, And brown ants in the little wells beneath them, And mossy scabs of the worm fence, heap’d stones, elder, mullein and poke-weed. Continued To be continued
2025 General & Regional Elections Constitution only allows partylist elections – AG tells court
…rejects lone candidate bid in Chris Ram’s legal challenge
In response to a legal challenge from Attorney-at-Law and Accountant Chris Ram, who is asking the court to clear the way for independent candidates to contest the upcoming election, Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC has made it clear that there is no constitutional provision for this.
Ram had taken the Government to court, seeking a ruling that independent candidates should be allowed to contest general and regional elections to seek geographical seats in the National Assembly. According to written submissions from Nandlall, however, Ram’s case has no merit and the constitution should be upheld.
“Guyana’s democracy, as shaped by its Constitution, is one of constitutional supremacy and representative Government. Changes to that system, if thought desirable, must be achieved by the people’s representatives through the prescribed democratic processes (constitutional amendment or
legislative reform), not by judicial decree,” Ram explained.
“As it stands, every Guyanese citizen has the right to form or join a political party or list and to seek election under that banner; every vote cast contributes to the proportional outcome, and every seat is ultimately filled by an individual from a list reflecting that vote. This is democracy by party-list design, and it is the system the people have chosen and legislatively passed. It does not accommodate
one-man candidacies, and that is by deliberate design, not inadvertence or oppression.”
Nandlall pointed out that the constitution caters for a proportional representation system, where candidates must belong to a political party and be drawn from a list. The AG noted that far from Ram’s contention that such provisions in the Representation of the People’s Act are unconstitutional, it actually falls in line with the constitution.
“The Constitution, proper-
17-year-old girl dies in motorcycle accident on Kumu trail
Police in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) are investigating an incident that claimed the life of a 17-year-old of St. Ignatius Village, Central Rupununi.
Dead is Kelly Raymondo. Reports are that the teen died in a motorcycle accident which occurred on June 14, 2025, along the Kumu Trail.
Preliminary reports indicate that Raymondo had been attending a wedding reception in Kumu Village, where she was allegedly consuming alcohol in the company of friends. At about 22:00h, she reportedly left the event on a motorcycle belonging to a 25-year-old female and was heading south along the trail at a reportedly high speed. It is suspected that while attempting to cross a bridge along the trail, Raymondo lost
control of the motorcycle. She crashed into the western edge of the bridge and fell into the water below, sustaining injuries to her head and body. Police said that at approximately 23:30h on Saturday evening, a passerby discovered her lying motionless in the water, with the motorcycle found a short distance away. Police were notified and responded to the scene. Raymondo was transported to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Her body has since been taken to the hospital’s mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
ly construed, establishes a system of proportional representation (PR) predicated upon a party-list system for the election of members to the National Assembly, and confers no right nor creates a mechanism for independent/individual candidates to contest without being part of a list. Accordingly, ROPA (Representation of the People Act), which requires, inter alia, candidates to be part of a list of a political party, faithfully implements the letter and spirit prescribed by the Constitution.”
Further, he noted that if the public had wanted independents to contest, this matter would have been raised in the 1999 constitutional reform consultations. Instead, however, multiple elections have been conducted afterwards under the same party list system.
Ram, according to Nandlall, is the first person to formally challenge the party list system. Further, Nandlall contended that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has implicitly upheld this very system in its own previous judgements.
“The CCJ - our apex Court- having been provided with multiple opportunities to do so, never suggested that Guyana’s democratic character is diminished by its use of party-list PR. On the contrary, in Ali & Jagdeo, the CCJ implicitly endorsed the legitimacy of the system by focusing on the need to uphold the results produced by that system.”
“For example, insist-
ing that GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) declare the outcome based on the recount tally and not some extra-legal concept of “valid votes” that would have disenfranchised voters. This underscores fidelity to the chosen PR system,” Nandlall said in his submissions.
The AG pointed out that persons are free to form a list or join an existing party list to contest the elections. Additionally, Nandlall argued against Ram’s claims of a ‘human right’ for independent candidates to contest, noting that a distinction must be made from the human right to vote.
“For all the reasons adumbrated above, the Respondent respectfully submits that the challenge to ROPA must fail, and the law, as an embodiment of the constitutional electoral model, must be upheld as constitutional in all respects,” he added.
In April of this year, Ram moved to the High Court seeking a declaration that independent candidates can seek election
to the National Assembly in geographical constituencies. This comes even as the September 1, 2025, the date President Dr Irfaan Ali announced for general and regional elections steadily approaches.
Among the field of Presidential candidates, only one American sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohammed, is currently unaffiliated with any existing political party. He, like every other contestant, has until July 14Nomination Day- to submit his Lists of Candidates, in keeping with statutory provisions.
The Representation of the People’s Act prescribed that the submissions of the lists of candidates and nominators will have to be done strictly on Nominations Day and within the timeframe set – no time earlier or later.
Additionally, political parties will be required to submit applications for the allocation of symbols to be approval by GECOM, by June 22, 2025.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC
Dead: 17-year-old Kelly Raymondo
Christopher Ram
Checking up…
…on fathers
Well…your Eyewitness survived the Father’s Day hoopla and is ready to face the coming elections – and whatever it brings. Now, there could be all sorta happenings, but the elections loom very large in your Eyewitness’s sight, if you don’t mind. The reasons for this “tunnel vision” aren’t hard to find, are they? Ever since he was a snot-nosed, knobby-kneed tyke in short pants, troubles and elections went together!! And just like the sun rising every morning he wakes up – and he expects that to continue – he’s concluded trouble’s gonna accompany elections!! It’s just the way things are in good, ole Mudland!!
But the Father’s Day festivities reinforced a nagging feeling that maybe he shouldn’t be so fatalistic. After all, while the sun rose every morning for every person on planet earth, the same wasn’t true for elections and trouble in every other country. Trinidad and Suriname next door both had elections – and their governments were changed – and yet NO troubles!! Not even a hut or hamlet torched!! Father’s Day also reminded your Eyewitness that since he’d done more than his bit to bring some new bodies and souls – quite a few, if the truth be told, “inside” and “outside”! – into that aforesaid Mudland after his short-pants days, maybe he shouldn’t be too complacent about the concatenation of elections and troubles!!
He HAD been exhorted to leave the world a better place than the one he found – innit? So what can he do?? Well, there ain’t much he can do about the ELECTIONS! Those give him an opportunity to choose who would steer the ship of state – so he could put his X on a party which at least doesn’t stir up elections trouble. So, which is the “trouble-making” party?? Looking at our elections through the years – there is no other conclusion to reach than “the PNC”!!
O eliminate your Eyewitness’s bias, let’s look at the evidence from the beginning in 1953!! The PPP of Jagan and Burnham had won our first elections – but Burnham immediately created factions in the party by insisting that he – rather than Jagan – should be Premier!! After the Brits ousted the PPP Government – and signalled the kinda party they wanted to govern – Burnham split the PPP and launched the PNC to be THAT party!! And in a nutshell, that’s the cause of our troubles linked with elections!!
Jagan and the PPP had the votes to win elections – while Burnham and his PNC had the cunning to suck up to the Brits while instigating “troubles” in the form of arson, murder, beatings, riggings, etc, to keep out the PPP!!
Your Eyewitness gotta do his bit to keep out the PNC!! Will you join him??
…on latest war
One hard-earned lesson your Eyewitness learnt is starting a war ain’t never less than twice as hard to stopping one!! And usually, it’s many times harder!! That’s been true with the last two wars in Ukraine and Gaza where the Ruskies and Hamas – who started them – thought it’d be looong over!! So, what about the latest war – launched when Israel defied the doctrine formed after Napoleon’s disastrous second front against the Ruskies – between Israel and Iran??
Israel was super confident its cyberattack on Iran’s air defence system would keep it out of operation for several days – by which time they would completely obliterate the Persians! But Iran got it back up in 10 hours and so now Iran’s not only hitting Israel pretty hard – but not taking too much damage. The question now is – with wars now dominated by missiles – how long will supplies of the same last for both sides. US supports/supplies Israel and Russia and China support Iran!!
…on Trump
We know Trump’s a “Fake it ’till you make it” kinda guy!! So having taken credit for ending the flare-up between India and Pakistan; working on the one between Ukraine and Russia; is the next “success” Israel-Iran??
437 house lots allocated in Bartica under PPP/C vs
18 in APNU/AFC’s 5
years
…Opposition trying to rewrite failed track record – Housing Minister
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal has sharply criticised the housing record of the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration, contrasting it with recent allocations made under the current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government. He stated that 437 house lots have already been allocated in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), compared to just 18 lots over five years under the previous administration.
The Minister gave the statistics during a recent ‘Dream Realised’ activity at the Bartica Airstrip, where over 300 beneficia -
ries from 5-Miles South and Tract Bar were allocated house lots. Additionally, the Government is developing 93 new housing units in Bartica, and major infrastructure works are
set to begin by month-end, with land access promised before year’s end.
He was at addressing a recent opinion article by former APNU/AFC Housing Minister Annette
Ferguson, published in local media.
“Annette writes in every week, every month, and expects to change the
allocated as of now, 437 lots here in Bartica, the APNU AFC Government in five years, allocated 18 lots,” the Minister said.
banks to fast-track financing for Government-built homes.
“So in this article it says, the allocations have been done, and basically, lands, the lands that have been shared, well they said shared, well the words allocated, are inaccessible, due to a lack of basic infrastructure, despite 240 billion injection in the housing sector since 2020, well I'm happy, I am happy that Annette acknowledged that we have injected over 240 billion in the housing sector, because, in their five years, the first time and the only time they injected some resources for infrastructure work, for,
track record of the APNU/ AFC for what they did for housing… In this year, so how many months we are in today, so we're in the sixth month, in six months, starting today, we have allocated just under 8,000. Let me give you an example, we have allocated 7,901 lots, the APNU/AFC Government for which Annette is so proudly writing about, allocated in five years, 7,534, what we've done six months in this year, they've done for five years, and many of those 7,005 was in the run up, and I'll give you, I'll come to that in the run up to the 2020 elections, to date, I'm starting in this allocation today, for Bartica, we have
Further, in response to Opposition’s claims that current allocations are politically timed “election gimmicks,” Croal pointed out that unlike in 2019 when APNU/AFC hurried to allocate 2,040 lots during the caretaker period, the PPP/C has consistently delivered housing since taking office.
Croal also tackled claims that allottees cannot access lands and loans, noting that Government raised the mortgage ceiling from $12 million to $30 million, cutting interest rates for low-income mortgages from over 6 per cent to just over 3 per cent and partnered with the New Building Society and other
for allocation that they had done, was in the run up, at the end of 2019, was in the run up to the 2020 election,” he added.
The PPP/C Government has exceeded its house lot target in under five years, with more than 50,000 lots already allocated countrywide. Of that number, more than 21,500 of the lots distributed have gone to youths aged between 21 and 35 years old.
The administration has since committed to distributing an additional 30,000 house lots between 2026 and 2027, with an emphasis on meeting the housing needs of young people.
Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal speaking with Bartica residents during a recent “Dream Realised” outreach
A section of the housing development in Bartica
“Have
an aggressive view on life and push yourself” – Jagdeo tells young people …urges
youth to seize tech, tourism, agri paths in Guyana’s growing economy
Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is encouraging young people to recognise the growing opportunities across all sectors of the economy and to position themselves to take full advantage of the country’s development path.
In agriculture, Jagdeo said there are many opportunities for young people, especially as the Government works to make the sector more diverse and modern.
“Smart agriculture, many of you can find a career in that,” he noted. “Like in the
bright future ahead of you. But if you’re thinking you’re gonna go with a pump and spray the rice field anymore, you can’t be thinking that way for the future that is before you.”
Jagdeo also referenced the Government’s plan to
“Not everyone can be contractor,” Jagdeo said on Friday last as he addressed a large gathering in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).
The VP pointed to opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, tourism and the digital economy.
“You have to think about other opportunities because there’s a limit to that [being a contractor]…You have other opportunities as young people,” he highlighted.
In tourism, Jagdeo pointed to the numerous international hotels being constructed across the country.
“Those 12 hotels will need 6,000 people to work in them and I’m not talking about waiters alone or waitresses.
I’m talking about chefs, managers…beverage managers… event managers etc., that pay a lot of money. So, if you do a GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) scholarship now on event management, you could easily land a job in one of those hotels,” the VP outlined.
savannahs now, when we got into office, we were importing all of our corn and soya. Within another two years, we will be producing all of the corn and soya we need for domestic demand. We will start processing it to produce all of the oil that we import now… that’s a vast opportunity for agriculture.”
Still on agriculture, Jagdeo highlighted how Guyana is now producing onion, reducing its import of the product.
“We started bringing the seed from Brazil…and it’s bearing, the onions now are better grown in Guyana than we import, and prolific…in a couple of years’ time, if you have one acre or two acres, you can make a good living from just doing onion and that’s the kind of agriculture that we are looking,” he explained.
He noted too that the future of agriculture will depend heavily on the use of drones. “So, if you now are trained to use drones or fix drones, then you have a
transform the country into a digital society, noting that there are many opportunities in that area too for young people.
“Now we need people trained in cyber security. We need them to be trained in financial intermediation, how to run apps that are financial in nature. All of this is young people and opportunity. So, when you’re choosing careers of the future, think about what the Government has announced and start choosing the subjects that you want to study,” the VP advised.
In healthcare, Jagdeo highlighted the Government’s ongoing plans to develop twelve new hospitals. In addition to the opening up of job opportunities that these healthcare facilities, the VP said young people need to start thinking about business opportunities in this sector.
“…people to supply gas or to run the gas plant… when we came in to office in 2020 and COVID was there, there was no hospital except Georgetown Hospital, in a
minor way, that had an oxygen creating plant in-house. We had to import the oxygen from Trinidad to keep people alive. So, each of these hospitals would do that. But now you need somebody to maintain these facilities. That’s the future,” he noted. Jagdeo
emphasised that every sector of the country’s economy will change, and “I hope as young people, you’re thinking this way. You’re following the opportunities.”
“If you want to make a future for yourself, you want to grow, you want to become somebody wealthier – because we want all of our people to get wealthy, to own their own home, to have a lot of leisure time, etc – you have to put in the effort too as young people,” he added.
According to Jagdeo, “there are lots of opportunities, don’t become like some people…people tell them they’re victims all the time so they don’t reach out for help, you reach out, have an aggressive view on life and push yourself, that’s what I want to say to young people and this is a party that pushes people.”
In encouraging young people to plan for their future, Jagdeo also re-emphasised his Government’s plan to introduce in the new term in office a zero-interest development bank for small and medium sized businesses.
“I expect all of you to start thinking about that…We used to give out a small grant of $100,000 to support small businesses…if you’re starting a proper small business, $100,000 is not enough. That is why we’ve made it clear that in our next term in office, we’re setting up a development bank that will give zero interest loans to small and medium scale business. So, I expect all of you who are thinking of setting up businesses would start thinking about the area you want to do it in, the feasibility study… because then you can get access to financing…,” he noted.
A section of the gathering at the meeting in Linden
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo listening to questions from young persons at a meeting in Linden on Friday
Global food security index
Tremendous achievement –Mustapha hails Guyana’s top spot
…says PPP/C Govt investments in agri sector bearing fruit
Guyana’s status as the most food secure country in the world, as was recently highlighted by BBC in an analysis of 186 countries, is one that Guyanese should be proud of, according to Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who heralded this as a tremendous achievement.
According to a recent report from BBC Science Focus, Guyana is the only country in the world that produces all the food it needs without having to rely on imports. Out of seven food groups; fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, plant-based protein and starchy staples, Guyana was found to be the most self-sufficient of all countries. It is a status
that according to Mustapha when addressing farmers on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), Guyanese ought to be proud of as he described it as a tremendous achievement.
“But besides that, they
The BBC did it, a reputable news organisation. And out of the 186 countries, Guyana is the only country that has the ability to feed its own population. That’s a tremendous achievement,” Mustapha said.
recently did an analysis around the world. In the world we have 194 countries…they did a study on 186 countries. Not us.
According to Mustapha, Guyana’s status as the most food secure country is by no accident. He pointed out that under the People’s
Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector have steadily increased to a record $106 billion this year.
“I’m not blowing our own trumpet. I’m just thanking the farmers because the farmers have been working hard. We have increased budgetary allocation, from $13 billion in 2020 to $106 billion in 2025. That shows our Government’s commitment to develop our country to ensure that Guyana is food secure,” the Minister further said. In the BBC Science Focus article, Guyana was placed ahead of China and Vietnam, when it comes to their ability to produce enough food in the seven food groups. Additionally, six countries- Afghanistan, Iraq, Macao, Qatar, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were not self-sufficient in any category, almost completely reliant on food imports.
Just one in seven of the tested countries were judged self-sufficient in five or more categories. At the same time, there was a global shortfall in nutrient-dense plants, with less than half of countries involved in the study producing enough plant-based protein – such as beans, chickpeas, lentils, nuts and seeds, or starchy carbs, and only 24 per cent growing enough vegetables.
Over the last few years,
Guyana has been working to transform its food security efforts, while increasing interventions to provide farmers with more access to local and regional markets for their agricultural produce. Last September, Guyana had reached a major milestone in the fight against hunger, with undernourishment levels falling below 2.5 per cent.
Statistics also show that this figure was significantly lower than the regional average of 6.6 per cent and the global average of 9.1 per cent, which ultimately positions Guyana as a leader in food security across the Caribbean and Latin America.
This year, Guyana’s agriculture was significantly boosted with $104.6 billion allocated in the 2025 National Budget for the industry. An allocation of $430.9 million has been set aside for rice in 2025. This investment will see a number of new initiatives being developed to further
increase the country’s production.
To support the cultivation of other crops, $2.9 billion has been budgeted by the Government. These crops include corn and soya, spices, citrus and other high-value crops such as broccoli and cauliflower.
In addition, the coconut industry has been a bolstering force to the agriculture sector, and as such, $116 million has been put aside for this initiative. Moreover, to ensure the easy manufacturing of agricultural products, a sum of $800 million was allocated for the agro-processing industry.
In terms of livestock, the Government has budgeted $1.7 billion to boost the business. Meanwhile, a staggering $1.3 billion will go towards the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. This will see 80 additional brackish water shrimp ponds being constructed in Region Six and 50 more fishing cages installed.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
Guyana urges restraint in Israel-Iran military escalation
…urges respect for international law, diplomacy
Guyana has voiced strong condemnation of Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian facilities, warning that the military escalation threatens to spiral into a wider regional conflict. The country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, delivered a pointed statement during a high-level UN Security Council meeting convened to address the worsening tensions between Israel and Iran.
“Guyana is concerned
about the recent military escalation in the region and calls for maximum restraint from Member States. In a region that is becoming increasingly combustible with each passing day, we appeal for dialogue, diplomacy and good sense to prevail and for all parties to commit to no further military escalation in the region,” Rodrigues-Birkett said. With fears of a broader war mounting, Guyana joined calls from several UN member states for immediate restraint, dialogue and a return to diplomatic channels. Rodrigues-
Birkett also warned of the grave risk of nuclear catastrophe if the conflict escalates further, and emphasised that the world “simply cannot afford any miscalculations.”
In this regard, Guyana’s delegation called on both parties to strictly adhere to international law, the UN Charter, and international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Guyana, therefore, urges both Israel and Iran to fully comply with their obligations under inter-
national law and relevant resolutions adopted by this Council. We further call on the two parties to uphold the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, to adhere fully to international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter, and to settle their differences peacefully,” the Permanent Representative to the UN said.
Guyana therefore pledged to support any Security Council measure that upholds its mandate to preserve international peace and security.
“The Council must take a united approach to these developments to confront the prospects of outright war in the region and the devastating consequences that would follow for the region and beyond. The maintenance of international peace and security requires us all to take decisive action, and now is the moment to redouble our collective efforts to prevent a wider conflagration,” Rodrigues-Birkett said.
108 Region 6 residents certified in technical trades
Atotal of 108 residents from Region Six have officially received certification in a variety of technical skill areas, marking a significant milestone in workforce development. The achievement was celebrated during a graduation ceremony at the University of Guyana (UG) Tain Campus last Saturday hosted by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), and the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF).
The initiative reflects a collaborative effort to
economic growth in the region. Graduates received certification in key technical fields such as air conditioning and refrigeration servicing, welding and fabrication, motor vehicle servicing and repairs, and electrical installation following the successful completion of a four-month intensive training programme.
Delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr
equip residents with practical, in-demand skills aimed at improving em -
Ashni Singh, emphasised the Government’s continued commitment to invest -
ing in Guyana’s most valu -
able resource; its human capital.
He underscored the importance of technical and vocational training, along with the expansion of free education, as key pillars in the country’s development strategy. Dr Singh urged citizens, especially young people, to take full advantage of the growing opportunities in the education and labour sectors to acquire marketable skills, improve their employability, and build more secure and prosperous futures.
BIT Technical Officer, Clarence Shako, himself a proud graduate of the programme highlighted the agency’s ongoing role in creating pathways to employment through practical, skills-based training. He shared the inspiring success story of a 2014 graduate who has advanced to the point of now hiring others trained in the same field, underscoring the long-term impact of BIT’s initiatives. Shako expressed gratitude to BIT and its partner organisations for their continued support, and encouraged graduates to embrace the institution’s core values integrity, excellence, reli -
ability, teamwork, professionalism, and appreciation as guiding principles in their careers and personal growth. Brief congratulatory remarks were also
and emphasised the critical role that collaborative training initiatives play in driving regional development, fostering economic growth, and building a skilled, future-ready workforce.
The training pro -
delivered by Mr Jainarine Sookpaul, Manager of the GUYSUCO Training Centre; Mr Mahendra Gomanie, Principal of the Upper Corentyne Technical Institute; and Mr Narindra Persaud, Regional Executive Officer of Region Six. Each speaker commended the graduates on their achievements
gramme was made possible through a strategic collaboration between the BIT and the BNTF, reflecting a shared commitment to bridging the skills gap in Guyana’s labour market. Designed to respond to the growing demand for qualified tradespeople and technical professionals, the initiative targeted both youths and adults,
equipping them with not only practical, hands-on training but also the theoretical knowledge and soft skills essential for success in the modern workforce. Through a curriculum focused on high-demand fields such as electrical installation, welding, motor vehicle repairs, and air conditioning and refrigeration servicing, the programme aimed to ensure that graduates are well-positioned to pursue entry-level employment or entrepreneurial opportunities within their communities. Moreover, the training emphasised the importance of workplace values such as professionalism, teamwork, and integrity—key attributes that contribute to longterm career growth and job retention.
Officials from BIT and BNTF have hailed the initiative as a model for sustainable workforce development, particularly in underserved regions. By decentralising access to technical education and tailoring programmes to meet local economic needs, the partnership not only empowers individuals but also contributes to the broader goal of national development and economic resilience.
Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh handing over a certificate to a graduate
“Men of the soil who dared to demand better” – Pres Ali honours Enmore Martyrs
resident Dr Irfaan
PAli delivered a solemn and stirring tribute to the five Enmore Martyrs during the annual commemoration ceremony, highlighting their legacy as humble yet heroic sugar workers whose deaths catalysed a national struggle for economic and social justice.
According to Ali, the Enmore Martyrs stand as a symbol of labour rights, courage, and struggle against injustice under the plantocracy and their story, etched in the collective memory of the nation, serves as a reminder of the
Guiana, was under colonial rule, and the sugar industry dominated the economy. The workers toiled un-
sacrifices made by ordinary people in pursuit of justice and dignity.
Monday marked 77 years since the Enmore Martyrs –five sugar plantation workers, Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi, and Harry, referred to as the Enmore Martyrs, lost their lives at Plantation Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on June 16, 1948, while fighting for better wages, working and liv-
der harsh conditions, facing low wages, long hours, and minimal rights.
History tells that the strike at the Enmore Sugar Estate was sparked by the workers’ demands for an increase in wages and improved working conditions. Led by the Manpower Citizens’ Association (MPCA), the labourers sought to address their grievances through non-violent means, advocating
respected, protected, and rewarded”.
On that fateful day, as the workers gathered peacefully to press for their demands, tensions escalated. British colonial police opened fire on the crowd, resulting in the deaths of Lallabagee Kissoon, Pooran, Rambarran, Surujbally, and Harry. These brave souls, whose names are forever etched in Guyanese history, became known as the Enmore Martyrs.
On the occasion of their commemoration, President Ali reminded that the Enmore Martyrs were sugar workers, men of the soil that struggled not for glory, but for better working conditions.
“We assemble here not
“They were sugar workers, men of the soil, sons of the cane fields. They stood up not just for themselves, but for thousands like them. They struggled not for glory, but for better working conditions. And they died because they dared to demand better,” the President said.
The sacrifice of the Enmore Martyrs galvanised the labour movement in Guyana. Their deaths served as a rallying cry for workers’ rights and spurred greater activism against colonial oppression. The tragedy forced a re-examination of labour laws and contributed to eventual improvements in working conditions across the sugar industry and beyond.
only to remember, but to recommit to the ideals for which they paid their ultimate price, because to honour their country where no one is left behind, to honour
ing conditions, during a peaceful protest. At the time, Guyana, then British
for their rights in a time of widespread inequality and exploitation.
their sacrifice where no one is left behind, and where the value of honest work is
These sentiments were echoed by the General Secretary of Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) Dawchan Nagasar and President of Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU) Seepaul Narine.
“Their deaths were tragic, but in their sacrifice, they planted the seed of something far greater than themselves. The blood of the Enmore Martyrs nurtured the fields of struggle that would eventually lead to Guyana's political independence, the right of workers to unionise freely, and the ongoing battle for improved working conditions across our nation. We must never forget their sacrifices. Their sacrifices were not in vain. Their courage has inspired generations of
“Comrades,
Enmore is etched in ev -
ly the formation of a political movement rooted in the working class,” Narine said.
The Enmore Martyrs’ tragic sacrifice remains as an important moment in
ery gain we have made as a nation. The brutal sacrifice of the Enmore martyrs gave life to the national movement that would eventually break the chains of colonialism and usher in the political independence of Guyana in 1966. It led to the mass organisation
Guyanese history. —a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring quest for justice. Their bravery serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that the fight for dignity and fairness is a struggle worth pursuing, no matter the
of workers across sectors and regions, the building of trade unions and ultimate-
Guyanese to unite, to organise, and to strive for a na-
tion that embodies justice, equality, and progress,” Nagasar said.
the legacy of
odds. As Guyana moves forward, the spirit of the Enmore Martyrs lives on.
President Dr Irfaan Ali laying a wreath at the monument for Enmore Martyrs
The People’s Progressive Party in collaboration with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union held a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite on Monday to mark the 77th anniversary of the death of the Enmore Martyrs
Govt re-tenders for construction of multimillion-dollar Elderly Care Centre
Anew elderly care centre that was being built at Enmore, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), is being retendered.
According to the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, in its Invitation for Bids, bidders will be required to register with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) before taking part in the procurement process.
It was explained that bids must be submitted to NPTAB by June 26, 2025, the day they will be opened. According to NPTAB, all bids must be accompanied by valid business registration, Guyana Revenue
Authority (GRA) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) certificates of compliance.
In last year’s budget, a sum of $172 million had been set aside to build the centre. And in October 2024, financial proposals had been opened at NPTAB for the design and supervision of the elderly centre.
Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, significant advances have been made in the benefits accorded to the elderly. For instance, in the 2025 budget, old age pension was increased from $36,000 to $41,000. It is a move that has benefited over 76,000
pensioners, and has resulted in a total Old Age Pension payout of some $37 billion being transferred to senior citizens this year.
In 2021, all old-age pensioners were given $25,000 monthly; in 2022 that sum was increased to $28,000 and in 2023 that sum increased to $33,000. This is even while the number of pensioners that are being catered to by the Government has increased by 17 per cent as of 2024, thus marking the highest recorded figures to date in a single year.
In addition to pension increases, the PPP/C Government has also restored water and electricity
GLDA’s veterinary lab recertified to international standards
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has recently received its recertification of its Veterinary Services Laboratory under the GYS 170:2021 standard by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).
The laboratory, located at GLDA’s Headquarters in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) is Guyana’s sole public veterinary diagnostic facility and a cornerstone of Guyana’s animal health infrastructure.
The GYS 170:2021 certification outlines rigorous requirements for the technical operation and quality assurance systems of testing and calibration laboratories. GLDA’s adherence to this framework highlights its sustained commitment to delivering accurate, reliable, and scientifically validated veterinary diagnostic services. At the simple recertification handover ceremony, representatives of the GNBS Certification Department, including Technical Officer Peter Ho-A-Lim and Administrative Clerk Faith Phillips, formally presented the recertification plaque to GLDA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Dwight Walrond, and Laboratory Quality Manager, Cherie
Rampertab, in the presence of Deputy CEO (Technical), Dr Praimnauth Tihul; Laboratory Manager (Ag.) among others.
In his remarks, Dr Walrond emphasised that the recertification reaffirms GLDA’s commitment to quality.
“Our laboratory plays a vital role in disease surveillance, outbreak response, and livestock certification for domestic and export markets. Recertification under this standard assures our farmers, partners, and regional stakeholders that our services meet the highest quality standards.”
The certification process evaluated key operational elements, including staff competence, methodological integrity, equipment calibration, and result traceability. This recertification reinforces stakeholder confidence in the laboratory’s capacity to support surveillance, outbreak detection, livestock certification, and food safety assurance, all of which are essential to both public health and trade facilitation.
The GLDA’s Veterinary Services Laboratory plays an important role in advancing the country’s livestock sector through its wide array of diagnostic services,
including parasitology, bacteriology, serology, pathology and molecular diagnostics. These services underpin national initiatives, such as the African Swine Fever (ASF) surveillance programme, as well as brucellosis, Foot and mouth disease, avian influenza, tuberculosis, and rabies testing, among other infectious livestock diseases. The laboratory’s certification assures both local and international partners that results issued are not only technically robust but also internationally accepted, thereby bolstering Guyana’s credentials in regional trade and veterinary public health.
The GLDA Veterinary Laboratory now functions as a key national and regional resource in veterinary diagnostics, participating in collaborative disease surveillance efforts and serving as a reference institution aligned with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards. Its certification status not only strengthens national resilience to transboundary animal diseases such as ASF but also supports Guyana’s ambitions of becoming a hub for safe, sustainable, and export-ready livestock production in the Caribbean.
subsidies for seniors, which were axed under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.
Significant efforts have also been made to improve services for Old Age Pension collection, and eye care support to almost 19,000 senior citizens, with another 7000 shut-in elderly persons benefitting from home-based medical care.
The PPP/C Government has also provided health vouchers for senior citizens, with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to make this a reality.
Just this month, the Government officially launched its NIS OneOff Payment Programme, aimed at providing financial relief to eligible senior citizens who have made between 500 and 749 contributions to the NIS but do not qualify for a pension.
The initiative, spearheaded by President Irfaan Ali and unveiled in detail on April 10, 2025, was formally launched by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh. It is expected to benefit more than 25,000 senior citizens across the coun-
try. To qualify, individuals must have turned 60 on or before December 31, 2024, have between 500 and 749 NIS contributions, and must not currently receive any pension from the NIS. Eligible beneficiaries will receive one-off payments of 500 to 549 contributions: $260,000; 550 to 599 contributions: $390,000; 600 to 699 contributions: $520,000 and 700 to 749 contributions: $650,000. A total of $10 billion was allocated in the 2025 National Budget to finance the programme, reinforcing the PPP/C Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare of the country’s senior citizens.
Mother pleads for kidney donor to save teen son’s life
Yashoda Persaud a resident of Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD) is standing by her 19-year-old son Kanhai Ramnarine, who remains dependent on dialysis four times a week just to stay alive.
Dialysis is a procedure that cleans blood when the kidneys are unable to do so adequately. It removes waste products, excess fluid, and electrolytes from the blood. There are two main types: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
In a recent telephone interview, Persaud shared the painful journey her family has endured since her son, Ramnarine, was diagnosed with kidney failure in which she expressed urgency for a kidney.
Ramnarine was just 11 years old when his life changed.
His mother recalled the moment their options ran out.
"He's my only child but we’re not a match. And we are asking anybody out there that is willing or able to donate a kidney, so he had to start dialysis."
Since then, dialysis has become a regular part of their lives, though it has not been without serious challenges. At one point,
during two-hour sessions four times a month, he suffered a seizure. He also had to undergo hip surgery, which required the insertion of screws on one side. Although he is now able to walk again, he still cannot manage long distances.
Persaud said her son sometimes suffers seizures while undergoing treatment and can barely complete the standard threehour sessions.
“He’s on dialysis to this day. He gets seizures on so many machines. He can’t complete the full session most times,” she explained.
Despite his illness, Ramnarine was once a bright and active student.
His mother fondly recalled his school years.
“Ramnarine was such an intelligent child… the best kid I could have asked for. He went to Sparta Primary, and after writing the secondary entrance exam, he was placed in Anna Regina Multilateral. He was always in the top of his class—eighth, ninth place. He loved sports. He was an excellent child.”
However now, Persaud is left fighting for his life both medically and financially as well. She outlined the mounting costs that have made survival a daily struggle.
“We pay $15,000 for each dialysis session, and $4,000 for a taxi to and from the hospital, because he can't travel by public transportation. The Government gives $600,000 annually, but that only lasts about two and a half months. Right now, he’s on dialysis four times a week. If you calculate, that's $60,000 weekly, and then you add transportation?”
During his free time, the teen plays game on his phone to keep himself entertained, as he cannot walk long distances.
With no donor match within the family, Persaud is pleading for public help, whether through financial assistance or the offer of a life-saving kidney.
“Anybody out there who's willing to help him, you can please do so and reach out to the family it's not something to be scared of and it can in-fact help save a life…Whatever they can assist, whatever someone would like to do for us to help us we will be happy for it. Whatever, anyway.”
Persons who may want to assist the family can contact them on telephone numbers (592) 680-2147 or (592) 646-5107
GDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Dwight Walrond (centre) flanked by GNBS and other officials at the recertification ceremony
Kanhai Ramnarine undergoing dialysis
GDF executes emergency medevac from Region 1
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Sunday conducted a medical evacuation (medevac) mission from Region One (Barima-Waini), following an urgent request from the Health Ministry.
In a social media post, the GDF said that a 21-yearold male who sustained critical injuries in a boat mishap, was initially stabilised at the Kumaka District Hospital. However, due to the rapid deterioration of his condition, immediate advanced medical intervention was required.
The GDF deployed its Bell 412 helicopter from
Base Camp Ayanganna at 20:40h. GDF said that on board were GDF Medic, Corporal Sheena Waithe, and a civilian emergency medical professional. The aircraft arrived at the Bemichi Airstrip in Moruca at 21:24h, where the man was received, stabilised, and prepared for the journey.
At 22:22h, the helicopter returned to Base Camp Ayanganna Playfield, where a GDF medical response team and a waiting ambulance executed a seamless handover for onward transport to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Give way to emergency vehicles or face prosecution
– Police warn drivers
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department on Monday reminded all motorists that it is both unlawful and dangerous to obstruct emergency vehicles such as those operated by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Police, and Ambulance Services. This warning comes amid growing concerns over drivers failing to yield to emergency responders actively responding to incidents.
Citing Section 4 (1)–(3) of the Road Traffic (Guyana Fire Service) Order, made under Section 49 of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act 51:02, the Traffic Department reiterated that drivers must pull over and stop as near as possible to the left side of the road and remain stationary—espe-
cially at night when headlights should be dimmed— until the emergency vehicle has passed; on dual carriageways, vehicles on both sides of the roadway must stop and remain stationary when an emergency vehicle is approaching and following or trailing an emergency vehicle after it has passed is strictly prohibited and constitutes a direct violation of the law.
The Traffic Department has said that it has observed a troubling trend of drivers deliberately trailing emergency vehicles to avoid traffic congestion. Officials warn that such reckless behaviour poses a serious threat to road safety; disrupts critical emergency response operations; violates established traffic regulations and exposes offenders
to arrest, prosecution, and even licence suspension for failing to give right of way. Despite previous warnings, the Department continues to urge all motorists to adhere strictly to traffic laws by staying alert and immediately yielding to emergency vehicles; pulling to the left or near side of the road and stopping safely; avoiding tailing emergency vehicles after they pass and refraining from making lane changes or maneuvers that could obstruct emergency access.
The GPF also said that it is calling for full cooperation from the motoring public to ensure emergency responders can operate efficiently and safely, potentially saving lives in critical situations.
2
Bartica men fined
$500,000
Two residents of Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) were fined today after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, during separate appearances at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed.
for drunk driving
Ray Pompey, 51, of Fifth Avenue, Bartica, was charged with driving a motor vehicle while his breath alcohol level exceeded the legal limit. The charge was laid under Section 39A (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended by the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act #17 of 2022. Pompey pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a fine of $250,000 or face three months in prison if he fails to pay.
In a separate case, Brian James, 57, also of Bartica, appeared before Magistrate Mohammed on a similar charge under the same legal provision. James also pleaded guilty and received an identical penalty, a $250,000 fine or three months’ imprisonment.
The charges come as authorities continue their enforcement campaign against drunk driving, which remains a serious safety concern on Guyana’s roadways.
The medevac helicopter arriving at Base Camp Ayanganna Playfield, Georgetown
Fined: Brian James
Fined: Ray Pompey
ERC slams offensive social media rants,
renews call for respectful public discourse
…distances self from prosecution, remand of “Baby Skello”
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has condemned the offensive comments made by one Jennifer Ally on Facebook, directed at the late Adrianna Younge and her grieving family. The Commission expressed outrage that, during a time of mourning, such vile and hateful expressions were publicly shared, further inflicting pain on a family already burdened by loss. According to the ERC, these actions by Ally violate the basic standards of decency and mutual re -
spect that are essential to maintaining harmony in Guyana’s multi-ethnic society.
As a result, the ERC has officially opened a formal case into the matter and said it intends to engage Ally. She has been requested to report to the Commission to address the content and intent of her remarks.
The Commission also reminded the public that while freedom of expression is protected, it must be exercised responsibly. The use of social media
“Baby
to spread hate, incite division, or cause psychological harm, especially during times of bereavement, is unacceptable and contrary to the values enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana.
The ERC stated that it continues to monitor the matter and will act in accordance with its constitutional mandate to promote
harmony, prevent ethnic or racial hostility, and encourage respectful public discourse.
Recently, various individuals, including key officials such as Education Minister Priya Manickchand, criticised local artist Daniel Wharton, popularly known as “Baby Skello,” following his remand on a charge of blasphemous libel.
Only last week, Manickchand condemned what she described as a troubling disparity in how the justice system handles gender-based violence and cybercrime against women compared to other, less serious offences. Her comments came in light of Wharton’s arrest and remand.
Meanwhile, the ERC has clarified that it had no involvement in the prosecution or subsequent remand of Daniel Wharton.
Wharton has been charged with blasphe -
“I’m here for progress”
CEO fires back at
…defends progress in sugar industry
Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Paul Cheong, has delivered a scathing rebuttal to recent criticism from accountant and commentator Lalbachan Christopher Ram,
asserting that his leadership is rooted in experience, measurable achievements, and a commitment to rebuilding an industry once left in shambles.
In a strongly worded statement responding to Ram’s
letter titled “Sugar Dreams and Capital Nightmares”, Cheong dismissed the criticism as outdated and politically motivated, accusing Ram of “recycling the same tired narrative for over fifteen years” while ignoring
mous libel and was remanded to prison after making his first court appearance on Friday at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman. The matter is set to be called again on July 1.
The charge stems from a song Wharton released on social media, which contained several vulgar lyrics referencing the Hindu deity, Maha Lakshmi.
Younge had gone with relatives to the poolside of the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Wednesday, April 23, but disappeared shortly after. Her body was found the following day in the hotel’s pool. A post mortem examination by three international pathologists revealed that she had drowned.
– GuySuCo
Christopher Ram
the structural progress being made at GuySuCo.
Cheong defended his track record, pointing to more than 35 years in the sugarcane industry, including experience as one of the country’s largest cane farmers and his long-standing role on GuySuCo’s Board under both PPP and APNU administrations. He also highlighted his broader agricultural background and accomplishments during his tenure with the Private Sector Commission (PSC), where he said he doubled corporate membership, improved earnings, and expanded market access for Guyanese products.
Addressing Ram’s claims of poor leadership, Cheong noted that the underperformance in the First Crop
of 2025 was due to extreme weather conditions, with Berbice experiencing 212% above-average rainfall and 53% rain-affected days.
“Blaming that on ‘bad leadership’… is like blaming an umbrella for the weather,” he stated.
Responding to concerns over financial mismanagement, Cheong called the suggestion of a G$13 billion “black hole” false, affirming that GuySuCo’s accounts are audited and overseen by Parliament, and that only a portion of the allocation has been spent thus far.
He also dismissed claims of ill-advised machinery purchases, noting a 22% reduction in factory downtime and an 11% increase in cane yields, alongside the intro-
duction of drone-assisted monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Cheong further addressed labour challenges, stating that high global wages and demographic shifts—not management—were at the core of the issue, and reiterated GuySuCo’s shift toward mechanisation and value-added marketing to strengthen the industry’s future.
Cheong said that while constructive criticism is welcome, “transformation doesn’t come with wishful thinking or grandstanding in newspapers. It comes from hard work, modern strategy, and resilience.”
“I’m not here for applause,” he declared. “I’m here for progress.”
Adrianna
Jennifer Ally who has been called in by ERC
Daniel Wharton, popularly known as
Skello”
CEO of GuySuCo, Paul Cheong
Gunmen storm Mexican village hall and shoot dead Mayor
Jamaicans in US welcome travel advisory upgrade
Gunmen have killed the Mayor of the Mexican municipality of San Mateo Piñas in the latest deadly attack on local officials.
Witnesses said four armed men arrived on motorcycles, stormed the village hall and opened fire on the Mayor, Lilia Gema García Soto, and a local official who was in a meeting with her, Eli García Ramírez.
Two municipal Police Officers were also injured in the attack.
While officials are still investigating the possible motive for the killing, local officials are often targeted by criminal gangs for failing to do their bidding.
García Soto is the second Mayor to be killed in Oaxaca state this year.
In May, the Mayor of Santiago Amoltepec was shot dead in an ambush along with two other persons who were in the car with him at the time of the
meeting with another local official
attack.
The Governor of Oaxaca has condemned this latest killing, adding that the crime would not go unpunished.
However, security forces are still searching for the four gunmen, who escaped after the attack.
The state prosecutor's office said federal agents had been deployed to the area to help locate them.
Violence against local politicians and those run -
ning for office in Mexico has been on the rise in recent years, spiking in the run-up to last year's general election.
Most of the attacks happened in small towns where organised crime groups are particularly strong, but last month two top aides of the Mayor of Mexico City were shot dead in the capital in an escalation of violence which shocked the country. (BBC News)
Nicaragua's 1st female President
Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, the first female President of Nicaragua, died early Saturday morning in Costa Rica at the age of 95, her family announced in a statement.
Chamorro, an unlikely leader whose rise to power was fuelled by her husband’s murder, served as president from 1990 to 1997.
She championed regional development and peace after years of a violent civil war, but her presidency was hampered by runaway inflation and economic hardship.
dies at 95
Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC) Mayoral candidate Pedro Joaquin Chamorro poses with his mother and former President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro after voting, during the municipal election in Managua, November 7, 2004 (Reuters/Oswaldo Rivas file photo)
After suffering a stroke in 2018, Chamorro left public life due to a tumour and subsequent ailments. In October 2023, under constant medical care, she moved to Costa Rica, where two of her exiled children reside: Cristiana and Carlos Fernando Chamorro Barrios. A son, Pedro Joaquín, and daughter, Claudia Lucia live in the US.
"Doña Violeta passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love and affection of her children and the people who provided her with extraordinary care," her four
children said in a statement.
The former President will be temporarily buried in the Costa Rican capital "until Nicaragua once again becomes a republic, and her patriotic legacy can be honoured in a free and democratic country," her children said.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Shooting victim Colombia Senator Uribe
Turbay critical after brain surgery
Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay is reported to be in extremely critical condition after undergoing surgery to tend to a brain bleed, just more than a week after being shot in the head during a campaign event.
The attack was part of an eruption of violence that has stoked fears of a return to the darker days of assassinations and bombings.
The Santa Fe Foundation hospital on Monday said that Uribe was stable after undergoing a “complementary” operation to his original surgery, but remained in serious
critical condition.
It added that an urgent neurological procedure had been necessary because of clinical evidence and imaging showing an acute inter-cerebral bleed, but that the brain swelling persisted and bleeding remained difficult to control.
The 39-year-old potential presidential candidate from the right-wing opposition was shot in the head twice on June 7 during a rally in Bogota.
The assassination attempt, which was caught on video, recalled a streak of candidate assassinations in the 1980s and 1990s, a time
when fighting between armed rebels, paramilitary groups, drug traffickers and state security forces touched the lives of many Colombians.
Three suspects, including a 15-year-old alleged shooter, are in custody. An adult man and woman are also being held.
The 15-year-old boy, who Police believe was a “sicario” or hitman working for money, was charged last week with the attempted murder of Uribe, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was also charged with carrying a firearm.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Jamaicans living in the United States have welcomed the US State Department’s travel advisory upgrade on the island, saying that it has positive implications for tourism and gives weight to the country’s crime reduction achievements.
“It is a move in the right direction,” Dr Allan Cunningham, a Floridabased university lecturer, told the Jamaica Observer.
“The revised travel advisory bodes well for Jamaica and will only boost the image of the country. For us in the Diaspora, this is a welcome relief.”
He said that both the Government and security
forces were to be commended for their efforts in securing a reduction in the murder rate and other serious crimes which, he believes, contributed to the State Department’s decision to revise the travel advisory.
Ronnie Hammick, President of the ExCorrectional Officers Association of Jamaica, agreed, saying he “was delighted” with the decision.
“Along with the recent discoveries of weapons and ammunition and the reduction of murders and other serious crimes, there is hope that we in this country can once again be proud of our homeland,” Hammick said.
On May 29, 2025 the State Department announced that it had revised its travel advisory for Jamaica to level 2 from level 3. The decision came two months after a visit to the island by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during which he committed to reviewing the Level 3 advisory which, among a number of other factors, had been negatively impacting the tourism industry.
The Level 3 advisory urges Americans to reconsider travel to Jamaica, while level 2 tells US citizens to exercise increased caution when visiting the island. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
T&T Chamber signs trade agreement with St Kitts and Nevis Chamber
The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the St Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce on June 16 formalised a significant step forward in regional economic collaboration with the signing of a trade and business development alliance agreement.
In a release, the T&T Chamber said the signing was conducted virtually, led by Chamber President Sonji Pierre-Chase and her counterpart, Trevor Blake from the St Kitts and Nevis Chamber.
"This agreement with the St Kitts and Nevis Chamber is more than symbolic. It is a strategic partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared goals. St Kitts and Nevis has demonstrated strong leadership in regional tourism, financial services and entrepreneurship. We
see immense potential for synergies in those areas," Pierre-Chase said. "Through this alliance, we aim to foster direct business linkages, catalyse joint ventures and deepen business relations that deliver tangible value to our members and contribute to the broader economic integration of the Caricom region."
The agreement reinforc-
es the shared commitment of both chambers – proud members of the Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM) network –to deepen cooperation, promote regional integration and strengthen the voice of the Private Sector across the Caribbean, the release said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)
“We have lost our way” –T&T Opposition Leader
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles admitted on Saturday night that the People’s National Movement (PNM) had lost its way. She further stated that the party was in Opposition because many of its officers fell down on the job.
In a strongly-worded address as she prepares to officially assume the position of political leader, the Arima Member of Parliament (MP) sent a warning to candidates contesting the PNM’s internal elections later this month.
“We cannot move forward if they continue to operate in the way they’re op-
erating,” she said.
Beckles, who spoke at a meeting of One Party, one of the slates contesting the internal polls, expressed concern that some members of the party were “attacking people in a way we have never seen in the People’s National Movement”.
She also said there was a need for truth and reconciliation within the PNM following its recent election defeat.
“As painful as it is, it is important for us to realise that as we build the party we have to unite and we have to be one as a PNM,” she said.
“When you learn your
lesson and you go through the history of the party for the last 70 years, it is because no matter what happened, no matter if we lost, no matter if candidates didn’t win, we found a mechanism to come back together through all the hurt and the pain and make sure that we go together as one PNM,” she stressed.
Beckles highlighted the importance of making the PNM more inclusive, not just for long-time supporters but for the wider population. She said the party needed to listen more and engage directly with citizens to regain their confidence. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Lilia Gema García Soto was killed during a
T&T Chamber President Sonji Pierre-Chase (Angelo Marcelle file photo)
Around the World
Equities end higher as oil prices pull back on truce hopes
US stocks closed higher on Monday, as oil prices retreated after the Israel-Iran attacks left crude production and exports unaffected, easing investor concerns about the potential for higher energy prices to stoke inflation.
Crude prices , settled down more than one per cent on hopes a truce was on the horizon between Israel and Iran after days of missile strikes, as Iran called on US President Donald Trump to force a ceasefire in the four-day-old aerial war, while Israel's Prime Minister said his country was on the "path to victory".
Oil prices had surged more than seven per cent on Friday after Israel began bombing Iran.
Tehran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to press Trump to use his influence with Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire, in return for Iran's flexibility in nuclear negotiations, sources told Reuters.
"The wild card is really what's going to happen to oil prices ... any little geopolitical move can have pretty big impacts on that sector and in this economy also," said George Young, portfolio manager with Villere & Co in New Orleans.
"The cases that the consumer pulls in their horns and their nerves about inflation and don't spend, well, that's going to have a direct impact on earnings, it doesn't matter which sector of the economy you've invested in."
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 317.30 points, or 0.75 per cent, to 42,515.09, the S&P 500 gained 56.14 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 6033.11 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 294.39 points, or 1.52 per cent, to 19,701.21.
The Nasdaq registered its biggest daily percentage gain since May 27.
Investors are also awaiting the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision on Wednesday, when policymakers are widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged.
Money markets are largely not expecting the Fed to cut rates until September, pricing in a 61.1 per cent chance for a cut of at least 25 basis points, according to LSEG data.
"Interest rates are still higher and so that one is a bit tough to fathom, because perhaps markets are still anticipating some inflation," said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer of Cresset Capital in Chicago.
"If nothing else, just the heightened uncertainty, combined with the tariffs is probably keeping the Fed sidelined."
Economic data expected this week includes monthly retail sales, import prices and weekly jobless claims.
Tech and communication services led S&P sector gains while utilities was the worst performer.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
World on the cusp of a new nuclear arms race, says SIPRI
The world is becoming more unstable, and the likelihood that nuclear weapons may one day be used is increasing, despite the wishes of humanity.
That is the broad conclusion of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) Yearbook, published on Monday.
It is a compilation of SIPRI’s recent research into conflicts, arms transfers and military expenditure, but it places particular emphasis on what SIPRI sees as a dawning new arms race among the nine nuclear-armed states – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.
Although the number of nuclear warheads in the world is declining as the US and Russia gradually dis-
Iranian State broadcaster hit as Iran urges Trump to make Israel halt war
An Israeli strike hit Iran's State broadcaster on Monday while the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog indicated extensive damage to Iran's biggest uranium enrichment plant and Iran called on the US to force a ceasefire in the aerial war.
Late on Monday, Israel said it hit Iran's broadcasting authority, and footage showed a newsreader hurrying from her seat as a blast struck. Israel's military said the building also served as a communications centre used by Iran’s armed forces.
The conflict entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with air raid sirens sounding in Tel Aviv shortly after midnight as Iran launched additional missiles toward Israel.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told four European counterparts that Iran was serious about diplomacy, but its current focus was on confronting
aggression, Iranian State media reported. Israel has said its goal is to eliminate Tehran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon.
Iran says more than 224 Iranians have been killed, most of them civilians. Israel says 24 persons have been killed, all of them civilians.
Sources told Reuters that Tehran had asked Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to press US
US and UK announce trade deal, but steel imports unresolved
US President Donald Trump holds a signed Trade Agreement with Britain during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at the G7 summit, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, June 16, 2025
(Stefan Rousseau/Pool via Reuters)
mantle 1000 retired warheads, new warheads are entering stockpiles and will eventually outpace these in the absence of any treaties reducing or limiting stockpiles, said SIPRI.
Improvements in potency, delivery and accuracy are also bringing about a new nuclear era, it said.
“We are at a step change, which has been going on since just before the pandemic,” SIPRI Director Dan Smith told Al Jazeera.
“It’s not just little bits and pieces here and there. It’s everybody moving in that direction of upgrading, including the new nuclear weapon state of North Korea and the relatively new ones of Pakistan and India, who went nuclear in the 90s.”
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
US President Donald Trump signed an agreement on Monday formally lowering some tariffs on imports from Britain as the countries continue working toward a formal trade deal.
The deal, announced by Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, reaffirmed quotas and tariff rates on British automobiles and eliminated tariffs on the UK aerospace sector, but the issue of steel and aluminium remains unresolved.
Other critical industries, such as pharmaceuticals, were not mentioned.
Trump said the relationship with Britain was "fantastic", as he waved, and then briefly dropped, a Starmer called it "a very good day for both of our countries, a real sign of strength"
The US intends to impose a quota on steel and aluminium imports from the United Kingdom that would be exempt from 25 per cent tariffs, but it is conditioned upon Britain's demonstrating security on steel supply chains and production facilities, according to an executive order released by the White House.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
President Donald Trump to use his influence on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to push for an immediate ceasefire.
In return, Iran would show flexibility in nuclear negotiations, said the two Iranian and three regional sources.
"If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential," Araqchi said on X.
"Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue. It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu."
Asked if he would agree to talks should Trump want that, Netanyahu told reporters that Israel was committed to removing
the threats of both nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
"If this can be achieved in another way – fine. But we gave it a 60-day chance," Netanyahu said.
Speaking to Reuters on Friday, the first day of Israel's assault, Trump said he had given the Iranians 60 days to come to an agreement to halt uranium enrichment and that the time had expired with no deal.
Talks between the United States and Iran, hosted by Oman, had been scheduled for Sunday, but were scrapped, with Tehran saying it could not negotiate while under attack.
Iranian media said Iran was preparing for the "largest and most intense missile attack" yet against Israel, including against military and intelligence targets.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
G7 leaders torn on a statement calling for de-escalation between Iran
and Israel
World leaders assembled at this week’s Group of Seven summit in Canada are torn on a statement calling for de-escalation between Iran and Israel, while trying to push United States President Donald Trump to back away from his punishing trade war, which experts say poses a risk to global economic stability.
The trade talks come alongside increasing tensions between Israel and Iran as the two countries exchange attacks.
On Monday, an Israeli air strike hit an Iranian state TV station midbroadcast. Calls for de-escalation have been a point of contention at the meeting, according to Al Jazeera’s James Bay.
“The problem with the G7 is that you have a range of views. You have President Trump on one end, who it seems will not even sign a statement on de-escalation. You have the Europeans, who have been saying ‘de-escalation’ since this current situation started on Friday,” Bay said.
“Japan was very different from the other countries. It was very, very strong in its condemnation of Israel’s attack on Iran, so you can see just within the G7 a wide range of opinions,” Bay said.
The G7 consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US.
(Excerpted from Al Jazeera)
An interceptor flies in the sky as missiles from Iran are fired to Israel, as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel, June 17, 2025 (Reuters/Jamal Awad photo)
Look for the good and the positive in every situation. Having a good attitude is the best way to combat negativity. Take the high road and see what happens.
Let your imagination lead the way and experience what life offers. Explore different outlets for your skills and look into how to make money from a hobby.
Set your sights on your goal and take control of your day. Don't forget to reward yourself for what you achieve. You can choose to be productive and happy or hesitant and miserable.
Mix and mingle, discover what's trending in your community and offer time, money or expertise to a cause or effort that concerns you. Listen to suggestions, but verify information before taking a leap of faith.
Be aware of your surroundings and heed warning signs. A professional move looks promising. Pick up any additional skills that will encourage you to apply for a higher position.
Refuse to let the little things people do annoy you. Trust your instincts and create opportunities that put you in the running for a key position. It's your turn to shine.
Distance yourself from drama, temptation and conversations that can turn into a shouting match. A creative outlet will help calm your nerves and remind you of your talents. Make love, not war.
Remember what life is about and the people and things that make you happy. Visiting someone who makes you forget about time or kicking back with a great book will help you adjust your lifestyle.
(GRATUITY: gruh-TOO-ih-tee: Something given voluntarily, usually for some service.)
Average mark 10 words Time limit 20 minutes
Can you find 17 or more words in GRATUITY? The list will be published tomorrow.
TODAY’S WORD -- GRATUITY YESTERDAY’S WORD -- RECOUPED recoup redo reduce reed rode rope roue rude ecru educe erode euro cede ceder cero code coder coed cope cord core coup coupe credo creed creep crepe crop croup crud crude curd cure updo peer pore pour poured proceed prod produce proud prude puce pure puree decor deep deer deuce doer dope dour drop dupe
Invest more time in personal growth, updating your skills and making your life run efficiently. An upgrade to your workspace will enhance your productivity and mindset.
Choose to do things in unison with someone who shares your beliefs and goals. A change that promotes momentum will tempt you, but first, make sure you are acting in your own best interest.
Raise the bar and turn your surroundings or lifestyle into something engaging. Refuse to let boredom and monotony settle in and rob you of the life you long for.
Check out influences on social media and see what motivates you. Expand, explore and energize your life to enhance your emotional well-being. Make some needed updates.
Windies Academy register impressive win
At the Coolidge Cricket Ground, the West Indies Academy won an encounter with Sri Lanka’s Emerging Players comfortably by an innings and 26 runs. An all-around bowling performance combined with excellent batting performances for the West Indies Academy to outplay and outclass the Sri Lanka Emerging Players.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a total of 241 all out in their first innings. Anjala Bandara (56); Ahan Wickramasinghe (48); and Sohan de Livera (41) were the top contributors. Joshua Bishop had figures of 3 for 68, while Raneico Smith, Nathan Edward, and Zishan Motara all picked up two wickets apiece.
Guyanese Mavendra
Dindyal played a good innings of 82, while his teammates Ackeem Auguste and Captain Teddy Bishop both registered 50. The West Indies Academy were eventually bowled out for a total of 374. Dilum Sudeera was excellent for Sri Lanka, getting figures of 4 for 79.
Sri Lanka Emerging Players collapsed in their second innings, getting bowled out for a mere 107 in
Schedule unveiled for 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup
Australia are the Women’s World Cup defending champions
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the complete schedule for the 2025 edition of the Women's Cricket World Cup. India will take on Sri Lanka in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 opener on September 30, 2025 in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Australia will open their title defence against Trans-Tasman rivals and defending T20 World Cup champions, New Zealand, in Indore on October 1.
The schedule for the eight-team tournament was confirmed by the ICC on Monday, with the event to run in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.
A total of five cities across the two countries will host matches, with Bengaluru, Vizag, Indore, Guwahati and Colombo all scheduled for fixtures.
One semi-final will be held in Bengaluru, with the other to be played in either Colombo or Guwahati. The Final is scheduled for 2 November in Bengaluru or Colombo.
The eight-team tournament will be played with teams facing the rest of the competition in a single round-robin, with the top four sides progressing to the semi-finals.
Teams will also contest in two warm-up matches each, starting on September 24.
Hosts India will be facing the runners-up from the 2022 edition of the tournament, England, in Bengaluru on September 24, followed by a clash against South Africa three days later in Guwahati.
The upcoming edition will be the 13th since the tournament’s inception in 1973. Defending champions Australia, who clinched their seventh title in 2022, went on to
Championship Standings, with the top six teams of the competition qualifying automatically for the World Cup.
England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka also punched their ticket via the Women’s Championship alongside hosts India, with the final two spots decided by the Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier in the year.
Pakistan and Bangladesh booked their passage by finishing in the top two at the Qualifier back in April. (ICC)
Captain Dhananjaya Lakshan (50) was the only batter to stand up during the in nings. Windies Academy bowlers were excellent, as three wickets from Smith and Kelvin
Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica edge opponents in thrilling Gold Cup action
Saudi Arabia made a winning debut while Costa Rica emerged victorious in a seven-goal thriller as the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup continued on Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
Saudi Arabia kicked off their first-ever Gold Cup campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Haiti, courtesy of a first-half penalty from Saleh Al-Shehri. The forward calmly slotted home from the spot in the 21st minute after a foul in the box, giving his team an early advantage they would protect for the remainder of the match.
Haiti, led by striker Frantzdy Pierrot, pressed hard for an equaliser before halftime, but were unable to break through the Saudi defence. Goalkeeper Johny Placide kept Haiti in the contest with a key save in the 78th minute to deny Ziyad Aljohani from close range.
Despite a late surge from the Haitians, the Green Falcons held firm to secure all three points and take an early lead in Group D. They will next face the United States on Thursday in a top-of-the-group clash in Austin, Texas. Haiti, meanwhile, will look to bounce back against Trinidad and Tobago earlier that day in Houston.
In one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament so far, Costa Rica outlasted Suriname 4-3 in a pulsating Group A encoun-
ter that featured multiple lead changes and late drama.
Alonso Martínez opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a composed finish inside the box from a Brandon Aguilera cross, and Manfred Ugalde doubled the lead five minutes later from the penalty spot.
Suriname responded through Gyrano Kerk, who headed home in the 34th minute, and then drew level in the 59th when Richonell Margaret finished from close range after an assist from Kerk. The momentum stayed with Suriname when Shaquille Pinas converted a penalty in the 64th minute to give his side a 3-2 advan-
tage.
Costa Rica refused to fold. Josimar Alcócer pounced on a rebound in the 76th minute to make it 3-3, and veteran goalkeeper Keylor Navas kept Suriname at bay with multiple crucial stops in second-half stoppage time.
The final twist came in the 90+13th minute when Ugalde netted his second penalty of the night, clinching a dramatic win for Los Ticos and securing all three points.
Costa Rica will next face the Dominican Republic on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas, while Suriname will look to regroup as they take on Mexico later that evening. (Sportsmax)
Pitman set the Sri Lankan batsmen on the back foot. Motara and Edward picked up two wickets apiece.
Saudi Arabia (white) needled Haiti
Guyanese batsman Mavendra Dindyal
Women’s
Elite League…
Commitment and discipline are keys to get even
better – Shabazz
With the first half of the Elite League Season Seven coming to an end on Saturday last, Slingerz Football Club celebrated a perfect start to their campaign, registering nine wins in the nine games they played. A critical component to their success thus far has been the leadership and coaching expertise of former Guyana national coach Jamaal Shabazz. Shabazz has a strong resume, having managed the Trinidad and Tobago men's and women's national teams in addition to leading the national teams of Guyana and St Lucia.
Shabazz stated that his
team’s results speak for themselves as Slingerz FC finished the first half of the season with a perfect record.
“The fact that we have nine wins in nine matches and leads the table seven points clear of the closest opponent says a lot of good things about both our preparation and performance,” the Coach shared.
Kemar “Bushy” Beckford has been an impressive performer throughout the campaign so far, scoring 16 goals in nine games. Shabazz highlighted his star performer, but also gave credit to some unsung heroes for his team's performances.
“Indeed, Kemar Beckford has been impressive in front of goal. His stats speak for themselves, but he has been provided with some beautiful passes, crosses, and assists from the rest of the team. I think Darron Niles and Curtez Kellman’s work rate in midfield has been also a major factor in our success. And therefore, they are unsung heroes for us,” the gaffer explained.
When the season resumes, Slingerz FC, the only side in the league with a perfect record, hope to continue where they left off. Coach Shabazz pointed out a few things that will assist his team in getting better.
Team Soesdyke prevail over Spaniards of Diamond in pulsating final
The 2025 edition of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) annual East Bank/Soesdyke/ Timehri Cluster/Inter Village 7-A-Side knock-out football championship came to a pulsating end on Sunday night at the President’s Youth Choice Ground, Kuru Kururu, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
Two days of exciting rivalry among the 24-teams that competed, the largest number of teams in the history of the tournament to date, came to an end under the newly-installed lights at the facility, the first for the Highway under the Government’s ground enhancement programme.
“Our biggest effort is to improve our level of professionalism on and off the field. I am pushing the team to live better lifestyles off the field and show a greater commitment to self-im-
provement. While we have done well, we are still far from having the right attitude and approach to football being their jobs. In Guyana, we are much too soft on player commitment and discipline. We intend to raise that bar at Slingerz.”
WCM Callender pursues Senior Lead Instructor chess certification in Bahamas
Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jessica Callender is in The Bahamas co-lecturing a Preparation of Teachers course under the supervision of South African Woman International Master (WIM) Anzel Laubscher, a representative of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess in Education Commission.
Ensuing kicks from the
Team Soesdyke and Spaniards of Diamond earned the right to contest the championship match after winning all their games. Having earned an automatic berth to the final by virtue of ending the second and third round with the most goals (4), Spaniards faced a Team Soesdyke side that needled Airport Ballers in their qualifying game and had finished one goal behind Spaniards.
penalty mark was also very competitive. After the first five, the score was locked at 1-1, Spaniards scoring their second while Team Soesdyke converted their fourth. Sudden-death penalty kicks were the deciding factor. Spaniards missed both of their attempts; Team Soesdyke also missed their first but converted the second which was good enough for the win and first-place cash prize. Spaniards walked away with $500,000 for their efforts.
The third-place game saw Airport Ballers downing
The final lived up to expectations, both teams playing hard as they knew they were a single step away from the winning purse of $700,000. Regulation time of 20 minutes failed to separate the two sides as neither was able to score.
Swan Vipers by the lone goal of the match which came off the boots of Nyron Barrow. Airport Ballers walked away with $300,000, and Swan collected $200,000. The top two teams were also presented with gold and silver medals and trophies.
Ending as the highest goalscorer was Airport Ballers’ Prince Forde with three goals. Team Soesdyke’s Alester Adams copped the best goalkeeper prize while his teammate, Mark Jhalu was named the competition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Each of the individual awardees received a cash prize and a trophy.
There was a special prize for the team with the most fan support. Special colour coded tickets were issued to each of the teams and they distributed them to their fans. When the tickets were tallied, Swan emerged victorious and were presented with a cash prize.
The other teams that participated in the two-day tournament were Grove Star B; Circuitville Jaguars; Pakuri B; Eccles FC; Kuru Kururu B; Bamia; Pakuri A; Timehri Base Road; Grove Star A; Laluni FC; Waiakabra Ballers; Kuru Kururu A (2024 champs); Circuitville Strikers; Herstelling Raiders; Airport Ballers; Banakari; Agricola; Hairaruni; Swan FC; Kuru Kuru College, and Timehri Birds.
Callender’s work in The Bahamas this past week certified instructors to implement chess as an educational tool in schools. Chess can be implemented as a stand-alone subject or integrated into other subjects as exercises, investigations, and chess-related activities.
Game-based education engages students and improves the quality of the learning experience. Motivated students thus gain skills for success in and beyond the classroom.
This is the focus of FIDE’s Chess in Education Commission.
Callender’s visit to The Bahamas from June 10 to June 12 was only one stage in obtaining her Senior Lead Instructor certification, the highest level of the Chess in Education certifications offered by FIDE. She took the first step by earning her school instructor title in 2022. This was followed by taking the Lead School Instructor course for the second highest tier title offered in Chess in Education. This title is held by Guyanese chess officials Marcia Lee, Anthony Drayton, and Aniyah Couchman. After this, Callender underwent further training by the FIDE Chess in Education Commission and submitted a portfolio for evaluation.
There are only seven certified Senior Lead Instructors worldwide who are authorised to conduct the FIDE Preparation of Teachers courses for certified School Instructors. These educators
are also instrumental in promoting these vital courses to national federations and other key stakeholders, significantly expanding the global reach of chess education.
The FIDE Chess in Education Commission is dedicated to significantly increasing the global impact of chess in educational settings. Recognising that children thrive through play-based learning, chess is leveraged as a powerful educational tool. It not only fosters the development of intellectual abilities but also cultivates essential 21st-century skills in students.
Callender consistently makes significant contributions to the advancement of chess in Guyana. She contributes as a National Arbiter and chess coach, and also volunteers her time with chess in Special Needs Schools.
Furthermore, Callender has been a stalwart member of the Guyana National team since 2022 and is a distinguished two-time former National Women’s Chess Champion. She commented that the skills she gained at the lecture would allow her to better support our teachers and coaches, which ultimately means more young Guyanese will have access to meaningful, structured chess education.
“When we bring chess into classrooms, we're not just teaching a game, we are also empowering children with critical thinking, focus, and resilience that will serve them both on and off the board,” she
said.
Guyana has made significant strides in its existing Chess in Education programme, which was boosted when Jerry Nash, Chairman of the Chess in Education commission, visited Guyana in late 2023, offering School Instructor certification to teachers and members of the chess federation.
The Guyana Chess Federation is confident that with Callender’s continued dedication to the development of chess and her consistent hard work, she will soon earn her prestigious Senior Lead Instructor title as she continues the process.
Unsung hero for Slingerz FC thus far, Curtez Kellman
WCM Jessica Callender delivering a lecture to teachers in The Bahamas
Best Goalkeeper Alester Adams receives his prize from Quincy Gibson
PPP/C East Bank, Soesdyke, Timehri Cluster Inter Village
7-A-Side Football champs, Team Soesdyke receiving their trophy and $700,000 cash prize from Minister Kwame McCoy
Slingerz FC Coach Jamaal Shabazz
ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL)
“All bases covered in GAW squad” – Johnson
Several new faces will don the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) jersey in three weeks’ time when the second edition of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 bowls off.
The 15-member squad was unveiled on Friday last during the 2025 tournament’s launch and has already created a buzz based on its composition.
As such, Team Manager Leon Johnson discussed the squad’s composition with media operatives expressing confidence that they have all their bases covered.
Johnson told Journalists on the side of the GSL launch, “You see the team was unveiled today: we have a couple of seasoned Warriors players, you see Imran returning as Captain. I think it’s a squad where all bases are covered – fast bowling, spin bowl-
ing; now we have the likes of Motie, Imran and Akeal Hosein in our team, so I think we have all bases covered.”
“Yeah, that’s just because of availability. Players like Shai Hope, you would see, is in the Test team, Tanzim Shakib is part of Bangladesh’s team who has to play Sri Lanka. As you know now, the international window, it leaves little time for players, so we had to make those changes,” Johnson further enlightened on some missing faces from the team.
With the likes of Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the squad, Johnson delved into the topic of the Amazon Warriors’ opening combo (which was chopped and changed regularly last season), highlighting that those players are versatile if needed.
“I think, when we arrive at that bridge, we’ll cross it. Obviously, Gurbaz would be
team,” he explained.
With the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL scheduled for July this year, the former championship-winning Guyanese Captain believes the timing is ideal.
The Manager admitted, “It would be nice going into CPL [Caribbean Premier League] actually, because sometimes you find a lot of guys who go into CPL or come into CPL are short of cricket. So, it’s nice to have a tournament leading into CPL.”
a starter, because he’s the only specialist keeper in our squad while Johno, as well, keeps part time. But I mean, the three openers, they’re three quality players, so if one of them has to bat at number 3 or somewhere in the middle, you know, I’m sure they’ll be willing to do that for the
Johnson later shared his thoughts on what the GSL does for Guyana, stating, “It does a lot for Guyana, cricket-wise, tourism-wise. I mean, you basically cover the globe when you have teams from Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Dubai coming to Guyana. There’ll be a lot of eyes on Guyana so, it does a lot for us not just cricket-wise but tourism-wise, as a
developing country.”
The Guyana Amazon Warriors GSL T20 team read: Imran Tahir, Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, Saud Shakeel, Romario Shepherd, Dwain Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hossein, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mark Adair, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, and Amir Jangoo. The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League will run from July 10 to July 18, 2025. The Guyana Amazon Warriors will look to defend their home turf against the Hobart Hurricanes, Central Stags, Dubai Capitals and defending champions Rangpur Riders.
MCYS/ANSA McAL June Madness Futsal…
Yarrowkabra reign supreme in Janet Jagan Memorial Windball Road Warriors wallop Footsteppers;
Yarrowkabra are the national queens of windball cricket, triumphing in the inaugural Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS)/National Sports Commission (NSC)sponsored Janet Jagan Memorial Secondary Schools Championship.
Staged at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue in front of a sizable gathering which comprised students from Bartica, Essequibo, and Berbice, Yarrowkabra defeated Parika Salem by 10 wickets to conclude the event, which was organised by veteran Sports Officer Alistair Munroe.
Batting first after losing the toss, Parika Salem, led by an unbeaten innings of 70 by Navita Calistro, which was highlighted by six maximums, amassed an imposing 1272 from their five-over allocation. Providing support with 12 and 11 runs respectively, were Bindya Sewsankar and Reshana Blake.
In reply, Yarrowkabra successfully overhauled the target, ending on 131-0 in 4.1 overs. Vianney Jaundoo, who was eventually adjudged the Player of the Tournament, smashed 80 runs (10x6s) while support was provided by Susan Patterson, who scored 32 runs (5x6s).
Yarrowkabra’s place in the final was sealed following comprehensive victories over Lower Corentyne and Three Miles earlier in the day’s proceedings.
In their first match, Yarrowkabra defeated Lower Corentyne by 10 wickets. Set a target of 68 after Lower Corentyne tallied 67-2 led by an unbeaten score of 42 (7x6s) from Danielle Manns, Yarrowkabra stormed to 68-0 in three overs.
Jaundoo led from the front with 36 runs while Patterson provided the perfect foil with 18.
In their second fixture, Yarrowkabra crushed Three
Miles by 59 runs. Asked to bat first after losing the toss, Yarrowkabra amassed a mammoth 162-0 following the expiration of their allotment.
Patterson assaulted the Three Miles bowling lineup with 102 from a mere 17 balls. The innings contained 17 maximums, while Jaundoo played a supporting role with an equally brutal 60 runs (8x6s).
In reply, the Three Miles unit, which eventually was awarded the Spirit of the Game accolade, was restricted to 103-0. Latifa Cornette and Nickesha Persaud scored 54 and 39 runs, respectively.
Meanwhile, beaten finalist Parika Salem defeated Abram Zuil by 10 wickets in their first match.
Batting first, Abram Zuil registered a total of 68-3 at the end of their allocation. Deeroya Morris top-scored with 35 runs (5x6s). In response, Parika Salem raced to 71-0, with Calistro smashing her way to 41 runs while Blake contributed 17.
Prior to the start of proceedings, former national cricketer Steven Jacobs lauded Sports Officer Munroe for his continued commitment to the development of the sport, noting that the experienced administrator has played a significant role in his career, which started at the tender age of 11 following his participation in the tournament.
According to Jacobs, Munroe has been instrumental in the cricketing journey of many players, both male and female, with Treymaine Smartt and Shemaine Campbelle being notable ex-
amples of his contribution to the women’s component.
“In closing, use this windball cricket to make lifelong friends. And whenever you speak to most of the national players, both girls and boys, they have a great story to tell you about windball cricket,” he proclaimed while also praising the MCYS and the NSC for sponsoring this programme, which will produce the next generation of female cricketers.
Meanwhile, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, in his closing remarks, stated that he was a member of a team “that ensures we commit, we do, and we achieve what the Government has set out for us to accomplish. Mr Munroe has been a tower of support in order for this to come off. You are all winners. Without you, the players, this could not have happened. Thank you very much, and to the organisers, a job well done.”
Special thanks were expressed to the management and staff of Albion and Rose Hall Estates, Port Mourant CC, Whim CC, Dogg Point CG, Zorg CG, Parika Salem CC, CJIA Airport, and Berbice High School for allowing the utilisation of the respective playing venues.
Plaudits were also given to Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr; Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow Richardson, who was also in attendance; the Director of Youth; the tournament officials, the NSC team and, most importantly, the schools and students for making this event an overwhelming success.
Sparta edge North Ruimveldt
…round of 16 begins today
As the competitive adrenaline continues to increase with the pretenders being sent packing and the big boys taking aim at the big prize, the round of 16 in the inaugural June Madness Futsal championship powered by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and ANSA McAL will continue at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tonight.
From 20:00h, spots in the quarter-finals will be on the line with four teams set to cash in. Bent Street B, who edged Albouystown A in their roundof-32 encounter, will face off against Stabroek Ballers, who hammered Game Changers 11-1 in their round-of-32 clash.
Next up would be Gold Is Money taking on Spaniards followed by the rampaging Road Warriors against Corinthians with the nightcapper bringing together Bomb Squad and Bent Street A.
In an electrifying Father’s Day night, which saw the biggest crowd so far, Road Warriors mauled Footsteppers 16-0 to record the highest margin of victory by any team, in the process they eclipsed the 11-1 scoreline of the Stabroek Ballers-Game Changers match-up.
Road Warriors’ Arckson Andreazza also recorded the fastest goal of the competition to date, 17 seconds faster than the 18-second goal registered by Tierre Phillips of Ballers United against Kitty Hustlers.
Leading Road Warriors, which boast a balanced and exciting combo of players who can all be destructive in a bundle, was Luis Da Silva with four goals using the yellow ball in the fifth and sixth minute; he added a single goal in the 19th minute.
Thalyson Pinheiro tucked in a helmet-trick (15th, 19th, 25th, 29th); Andreazza had another in the 3rd minute
to end with two, similarly, Joao De Silva had a double (14th, 25th) with one each for Wrendrecky De Souza (2nd), Matheus De Souza (20th), and Ravi Coates in the 21st minute.
Sparta Boss, the reigning national futsal champions, were required to pull out all the stops to stave off a valiant challenge from North Ruimveldt, 4-3. North Ruimveldt took the lead after 15 minutes of tight exchanges, Jomar Jaebman breaking the deadlock.
Seven minutes later, Sparta fired back when Ryan “Bum Bum” Hackett rocked the nets in the 22nd minute. North would edge back into the lead in the 27th minute through a Stephon Walton goal which some felt might have been enough to knock out Sparta. But the national champs showed why they are regarded as one of the most dangerous futsal units when senior strategist Jermain “Panky” Junor calmly slotted home on the stroke of full time to push the game into extra time.
Two minutes into extra time, Nicholas McArthur handed Sparta the lead which they doubled four minutes later when Curtez Kellman scored. Despite Jermaine
Padmore scoring for North Ruimveldt in the 30th + 8th minute, Sparta held on to the one-goal advantage to book a place in the round of 16.
Following are the results of the other matches on Father’s day night.
Bent Street A 4 v Laing Avenue 2
Bevney Mark 15th, 26th YB Kenroy Dominik 7th
Kevon Woodley 18th
Matthew Nedd 27th
Back Circle A 8 v Kingston 2
Stephan McLean 8th
Tamiel Hutson 22nd, 29th
Simeon Moore 21st, 29th
Fabian Abrams 22nd, 23rd
Jermain Beckles 26th YB
Darren Benjamin 26th
Bomb Squad 5 v YMCA 2
Raushan Ritch 13th
Nicholas Gentle 2nd
Jahall Greaves 16th
Kymani Sealey 29th
Joshua Browne 28th
Akeem Jarvis 28th
Eon Alleyne 29th
Back Circle B 6 v Gaza Squad 3
Nivek Boyce 7th, 21st
Delroy Joseph 1st
Dwayne Baptiste 11th
Kester Warde 14th
Martin King 13th, 14th
Andy Charles 25th
Mark Cameron 27th
Road Warriors (red, white, blue) dominated their encounter with Footsteppers (Jemima Holmes photo)
Director of Sport (DoS), Steve Ninvalle presents the championship trophy to Yarrowkabra’s team
GAW Manager Leon Johnson displays the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL Championship trophy
The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad will look a bit different for this year’s ExxonMobil Guyana GSL
