Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo met with sugar workers on Tuesday at the Albion Sports Complex, Region Six (east Berbice-Corentyne)
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 25 – 03:55h - 05:25h and Thursday, June 26 – 03:55h - 05:25h
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 25 – 16:50h to 18:20h and Thursday, June 26 –17:25h to 18:55h
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. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 16:35h reaching a maximum height of 2.49 metres.
Low Tide: 10:07h and 22:19h reaching maximum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.74 metre.
“We welcome Canada’s increasing interest in Guyana’s oil & gas” – Pres Ali …hails Canadian contributions, investments in Guyana on Canada Day 2025
Canada’s growing involvement in Guyana’s oil and gas sector was welcomed by President Irfaan Ali during a Canada Day celebration hosted by the Canadian High Commission on Tuesday evening.
The event, held at the official residence of Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, marked Canada’s 158th anniversary and brought together Government officials, diplomats, and business leaders.
In his keynote address, President Ali described Canada as a “valued partner” to both Guyana and the wider Caribbean. He highlighted several areas of cooperation between the two countries, including trade and investment, and noted Canada’s consistent support for the region’s development.
Among the key partnerships he cited was the extension of the Caribbean-Canada Trade Agreement (Caribcan) until December 31, 2033, which provides duty-free access for eligible Caribbean exports to the Canadian market. He also referenced the renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana’s Ministry of Finance and the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), aimed at strengthening economic cooperation.
President Ali used the occasion to emphasise Guyana’s openness to strategic partnerships, particularly in the energy sector, and noted that Canada’s increased interest in the oil and gas industry signals confidence in Guyana’s investment climate.
“In the economic sphere, our ties are growing stronger every year. We welcome the extension of the Caribcan trade agreement, until 2033. This will provide greater predictability and enhance our trade relations, something that is more vital now than ever,” President Ali explained to the attendees.
“The recent MoU, signed with the Canadian Commercial Corporation, is another positive step. And we expect it to further streamline and strengthen our procurement process. Canada remains a major investor in our mining sector. And we welcome your increasing interest in our oil and gas industry.”
That being said, the President noted that beyond these sectors, there is untapped potential for Canadian businesses to explore in agriculture, climate smart technology, infrastructure, public housing, eco-tourism.
Country to country Country to country oil and gas collaboration is something that the People’s Progressive Party/
Civic (PPP/C) Government has been open to. Among the countries that have expressed an interest in joint oil collaboration are India, which Only last month, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Amit Telang had confirmed that his country is ready to consider joint ventures in Guyana’s booming oil and gas sector, underscoring that energy is just one part of a rapidly deepening partnership between the two nations.
As a matter of fact, last year India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had signed several bilateral agreements with Guyana in a number of areas, including an MoU for Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector.
India, the world’s third largest oil consumer and importer as well the one of the biggest oil refiners, has been looking to diversify its crude sources. Back in 2024, the Indian Government had in-
dicated that it is pushing for a long-term partnership with Guyana as the two countries ink a cooperation agreement that opens up a host of opportunities for collaboration.
Guyana currently has an estimated 11.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent in the prolific Stabroek Block, where United States (US) oil major ExxonMobil along with its co-venturers has been producing oil since 2019. Exploration activities are also ongoing in other oil blocks offshore Guyana.
Other investments
Meanwhile, Canadian companies do have a significant presence in Guyana’s mining sector, a fact that was alluded to by President Ali in his Canada Day address. According to the President, these investments by Canada, along with its investments in social areas like healthcare, are all important components of relations between the two countries.
“Canada’s contribution to Guyana’s development has been generous and enduring. They have partnered with us in improving our healthcare system, particularly in areas like maternal and child health, mental health and indigenous communities,” President Ali further said. Some Canadian gold mining companies who are no strangers to Guyana include Reunion Gold, which has its Oko West Project in the North West of Guyana and Barrick Gold. Aurora Gold Mine, another Canadian company, was at one time the largest gold producer in Guyana.
Operating out of the Guyana Goldfields in Region Seven, the company was producing over 120,000 ounces of gold in 2019. However, in 2020 the company sold its operations to Chinese mining company Zijin Mining, after another Canadian mining company, Silvercorp, was unable to close the deal.
President Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister (Retired) Brigadier Mark Phillips, Canada’s High Commissioner
to Guyana Sébastien Sigouin, his wife, and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd share a light-hearted cake-cutting moment during the Canada Day 2025 reception on Tuesday
The recent rollout of 500 body cameras by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) represents a decisive step toward improving transparency, accountability, and professionalism in policing. The initiative, which includes comprehensive training for ranks from the Traffic Department and Heavy-Duty Course 1/2025, connotes the message that the Force is indeed committed to modernising its operations and strengthening public trust.
Globally, body cameras have become a widely accepted standard in policing. They offer clear, time-stamped documentation of police interactions with members of the public, thereby helping to clarify disputed events, deter misconduct, and protect officers from false accusations. These devices have also proven to be effective tools for enhancing the quality of evidence presented in court, leading to more efficient prosecutions and a higher degree of confidence in judicial outcomes.
The training session, conducted at the Officers’ Training Centre in Eve Leary, provided ranks with practical instruction in the operation, use, and maintenance of body-worn cameras. The session offered participants in-depth, hands-on exposure to the devices, including their digital, audio, and video functionalities. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the Guyana Police Force’s ongoing efforts to enhance operational transparency and accountability in its engagements with the public.
Importantly, this move is not an isolated effort, as it forms part of the GPF’s strategy to upgrade its technological capacity, professional standards, and engagement with the public. The cameras are to be decentralised and distributed across all regional divisions, ensuring that frontline officers countrywide have access to the same tools for evidence collection and documentation.
In the Guyanese context, where public concern about police conduct has periodically come to the fore, the implementation of body cameras is a timely and necessary reform. By capturing realtime evidence, these devices have the potential to reduce tensions during law enforcement engagements, ensure a more accurate record of events, and increase the accountability of officers in the field.
The success of this initiative, however, will depend on the acquisition and distribution of the cameras and also on the development of strong policies regarding their use. Clear protocols must govern when cameras should be activated, how footage is stored, who has access to it, and under what conditions it can be reviewed. Data integrity, privacy considerations, and chain-ofcustody safeguards will all be essential to maintaining the credibility of this reform.
It is equally important that the introduction of body cameras is not seen as a substitute for wider systemic improvements in the police force. While technology can enhance transparency, it must be paired with continuous training, ethical leadership, improved community engagement, and institutional accountability. Only then can the full benefits of body cameras be realised and sustained over time.
This investment is also a message to the public that the Guyana Police Force is listening. It is acknowledging the importance of trust in law enforcement, and it is taking tangible steps to rebuild that trust through evidence-based policing. For communities that have long called for more oversight and fairness in policing, the presence of body cameras offers some assurance that their concerns are being taken seriously.
Moving forward, public education about the role and limitations of body cameras will be essential. Citizens should be informed about how the cameras work, what their rights are in interactions involving recorded footage, and how the evidence collected may be used in investigations and court proceedings. Transparency in the implementation process will further solidify the credibility of this effort.
Ultimately, the deployment of body cameras within the Guyana Police Force is a move in the right direction, one that must be nurtured, monitored, and continuously improved. It has the potential to reshape the culture of law enforcement, reduce incidents of abuse or misconduct, and build a bridge of accountability between the police and the people they are sworn to serve.
Comparing chalk with cheese
Dear Editor,
It's election time once again in Guyana, and every 5 years, new political parties are birthed, offering the Guyanese public new visions for socio-economic development. However, one common thread can be discerned, and that is the compelling desire to get rid of the PPP at any and all costs, and this takes precedence over all the other ‘visions’.
Another common characteristic is that these parties are more willing to coalesce or support the PNC rather than the PPP. Why?
When the PPPP and the PNC are compared, it’s like comparing ‘chalk with cheese’ since the differences are overwhelming. The PNC, in various shapes and forms, have continuously destroyed the social and economic fabric of this country: hunger from extreme poverty, mendicancy, prostitution, immorality, banditry, murder and loss of family values, unemployment, rising prices and high cost of living and daily erosion of the living standards, poor roads and falling infrastructures, increased taxes, school dropouts and falling education standards, poor health services and dilapidated and ill-equipped hospitals, massive Government bribery and corruption
and squandering of public funds; the list goes on.
These atrocities and human degradation are well-documented and not a figment of one’s imagination: imagined, invented or fabricated. These are real, and any Guyanese who have lived through these periods have had first-hand experience. Even those born from 1992 would have witnessed the difference in governance by the PPP/C and the PNC, especially the period 2015 to 2020 under the PNC and its partners and from the latter part of 2020 to now. These comparisons have now enabled Guyanese to make informed decisions about whom to vote for, and the answer is obvious.
The worst period was from 1964 to 1992, and after 23 years of rebuilding by the PPP/C, the PNC and its partners continued where they left off in 1992 from 2015 to 2020.
The PPP has remained resilient and increasingly progressive, engaging daily in nation building, whilst the other parties are more interested in sharing the number of seats. What is amusing is that whilst the ‘dead meat’ AFC and the dying PNC are busy fighting over ‘imaginary’ seats, their executive members are busy defecting and even form -
ing a new political party which claims to ‘Forward Guyana’, having failed to condemn the attempted rigging of her former party and the riggings from 1968 to 1985. It would seem that even if the AFC and the PNC had coalesced, they would have had very little to share.
What about the party which claims, ‘We Invest in Nationhood’? This party is so presumptuous that its acronym suggests ‘WIN’. When the top ‘WIN’ officials are analysed, it is conclusive that they came from whence they made little or no contribution and were more interested in what post would be given to them. But what is disgraceful is that they collected all that the PPP/C had to offer them and then packed their luggage and unceremoniously departed, cursing that same party. If a genealogical test is done, it would probably indicate nomadic qualities, so we cannot blame them. It’s just who they are. I know that one for sure is more interested in stirring controversies to be in the limelight – he just loves publicity. Unfortunately, this party is founded on the need for vengeance against the PPP/C Government, whom the founder feels has been instrumental in getting
him sanctioned by the US or has abandoned him, having been close to that party at one point in time. Similar to Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, he too has his little axe to grind, and the country is not a priority. When will these petty political aspirants learn that the country comes first over personal hate and ambition? Mr Azruddin is cognisant that he does not stand a chance of winning the presidency, but he will be willing to gamble on getting a seat or two which he can use to extract his pound of flesh. However, this is wishful thinking since the PPP/C, from all indications, is heading for a massive landslide victory, and this would leave Mr Azruddin a bitter person for the rest of his life. Why would a patriot who believes in ‘investing in nationhood’ be carried away by the lust for revenge? This is not how we invest in nationhood.
Everyone, including Mr Azruddin, knows that the PPP/C is the only party which has been consistent and serious about improving the lives of all Guyanese both socially and economically through its micro and macro policies.
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday accepted the Letters of Credence from Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Guyana, Ayse Selcan Sanli, during a ceremony at the Office of the President. In brief discussions, the Head of State emphasised strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in manufacturing, biomedicine, and pharmaceuticals. Also present were Foreign Affairs
Minister Hugh Todd, Honorary Consul Mohamed Qualander, and Ambassador Ivan Evelyn (Office of the President photo)
It is certainly desperation mode for some of us
Dear Editor,
General Elections
Guyana 2025 is in the air, and everything is in fever pitch mode, as all the contesting parties gear up for the big day. Each party is showcasing to the electorate that they are willing and able to take up the mantle of leadership to govern this country. There are 27 contesting parties vying for that coveted title of President of the Republic.
On Saturday 21st June around 8:10pm, shots rang out close to Bishop Edghill's residence in South Ruimveldt. Bishop Edghill is a PPP/C politician and a sitting member of parliament, so one can readily see
the meaning or grasp the significance of that drive-by shooting. Why would someone shoot at, or shoot into the air as reported near to a sitting politician? Is it a celebratory act or one that was meant to drive fear and foreboding into the hearts of the Minister and, by extension, his party? This is a very serious occurrence when a sitting Minister's home could be targeted by unknown assailants in such a violent manner; what is the motive behind all of this? Just a few weeks ago, the Bishop's storehouse of goods for charitable work was torched by a suspect in a hoodie. These are all clear acts of aggression targeted at a Minister
One pearl of wisdom
Dear Editor,
You know it is elections season when those who hibernated for several years would come crawling out with pearls of wisdom.
One such pearl was a plea to the youths not to be swayed by rhetoric. How prudent and relevant. Youths must not be swayed by the empty rhetoric and noise coming
from those crying in the wilderness, but to listen and be informed to make decisions with a clear conscience.
It is a simple choice. No fumbling or wavering. Choose wisely on September 1. Your future depends on it.
Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed
Comparing chalk...
Every other party, old and new, has miserably failed the Guyanese people, and the AFC was only successful in getting the PNC again into power in 2015 (not unlike the UF in 1964) and then became the PNC before being discarded and dumped. What will Mr Azruddin offer? Free houses, cars, land, big cash grants and other freebies? What will happen to the economy when he has created a country of dependents? Having a seat or two would hardly provide these but can leave the door open for other grave possibilities which can actually ‘disinvest in nationhood’.
FROM PAGE 4
In conclusion, third parties have failed Guyanese miserably and have only contributed to the devastation of this country and have only given strength to the PNC and allowed them to get back in power. It is time for Guyanese to do a reality check. Guyanese made a bad choice in 2015, and the damage was repaired by the PPP/C under the leadership of Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, but beware that in 2025 a bad choice may be irreparable and may take longer than 28 years to resolve, like what happened from 1964 to 1992.
Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
of the Government.
Now, these things are not mere coincidence or things that have occurred in isolation; there is a definite pattern to these goings-on, and history is replete with these instances of naked aggression, even death. Against this backdrop I refer us back to my opening paragraph, where I mentioned that it is election time and one of the backward signs of the season is violence! Guyana's electoral history is blighted with violence, something that always raises its ugly head either before or after an election. In 1992, at the restoration of democracy, there was burning and loot-
ing and mass destruction of property. This was witnessed again in 1997 when Mrs Jagan earned a convincing win for her PPP/C party; in that election, Georgetown became a towering inferno after the PNC's dog whistle was sounded, "Slo fiah moh fiah."
Fast forward to 2025 and juxtapose this against Vincent Alexander's release of prisoners to vote, the exact replica of the 2003 prison break, or was it a release from prison to commit "freedom fighter" killing duties? Isn't this another subtle call to violence?
2025 is an interesting year, in that there are 27 parties contesting against
the incumbent PPP/C; there is also a new kid on the block called Pablo, who is eager to prove a point. I must say violence is one of Pablo's trump cards, whereby he hires paid assassins to carry out his dirty work. He supervised the destruction of The DD Properties, another testimony to his diabolical intentions. He too is in this dogfight for power.
In conclusion, there is the Creole proverb that says, "Rain don't fall jus' suh, eeh does set up fuss," which means that these happenings are not sheer coincidence but a direct message of violence being sent to the PPP/C. Opposing forces are clearly increas-
ing their power drive with a healthy dose of intimidatory tactics, and one of these is the firing of gunshots at or near to the bishop s residence. We call on the Government to be well on their guard against the violent subversives and for the police to use every effort to maintain law and order. As my ex-Army brother would advocate and I concur there should be the appropriate use of force for those who are bent on committing violent acts; Guyana must have a peaceful season this election.
Regards, Neil Adams
Gaslighting going wild
Dear Editor, Although the concept of gaslighting is not widely used in Guyana, I know of no better construct that can highlight what, at times, transpires in the media. In fact, gaslighting is going wild here.
I asked ChatGPT for a definition, and here is what I got – “Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which one person or group causes another to question their own reality, memory, or perceptions. The goal is often to gain control, avoid accountability, or undermine the vic-
tim’s confidence and sense of self.” This is a perfect description for a piece published in the press yesterday that reads as follows: “The People’s National Congress (PNC) is, by every measure that matters, more democratic than the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).” (6/24/2025).
Let me make the following points clear. First, excepting in one instance, the PNC has rigged or attempted to rig every election since 1973. This includes referenda and their own party elections. Secondly, the PNC has regularly resort-
ed to intimidation or even violence (e.g., via Rabbi Washington) to achieve its goals. And thirdly, if democracy implies economic growth and human development, then PNC policies have delivered persistent decline and massive suffering. Nothing democratic there!
By contrast, and contrary to the attempted gaslighting by C.S. Singh, the PPP has defined processes for party governance, including selection of its leaders at all levels. Its economic policies are arrived at through deep and wide con-
sultations in electoral districts across the country. The same engagement is availed to civil society from different ethnic and racial groups, religious leaders, women’s groups, trade unions, and private sector organisations.
The suggestion that the PNC is more democratic than the PPP is more than absurd. It is asinine. Thankfully, the Guyanese people have more common sense than the ‘gaslighter’ might have calculated.
Sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud
◄ Page Foundation
Dividing mixed numbers
To divide mixed numbers, change each mixed number into an improper fraction. If only one number in your division problem is a mixed number, change it to an improper fraction. If both numbers in your division problem are mixed numbers, change both to improper fractions.
Divide: 5 1/4 ÷ 2 4/9
Change the first mixed number into an im proper fraction: 5 1/4 = 21/4 .
Change the second mixed number into an im proper fraction: 2 4/9 = 22/9.
Restate the problem: 5 1/4 ÷ 2 4/9is the same as ( 21)/4 ÷ 22/9
Find the reciprocal of the second fraction. The reciprocal of 22/9 is 9/22 .
Multiply the first fraction by the second fraction^' s reciprocal. 21/4 x 9/22 .
Multiply the numerators: 21 x 9 = 189.
Multiply the denominators: 4 x 22 = 88
Write the product: 189/88. The product of that multiplication is also the quotient of the original division problem.
Change the quotient to a mixed number: 189/88 = 2 13/(88 )=2 13/88.
Exercises: Divide
By Walt
Twenty-eight young men bathe by the shore, Twenty-eight young men and all so friendly; Twenty-eight years of womanly life and all so lonesome. She owns the fine house by the rise of the bank, She hides handsome and richly drest aft the blinds of the window. Which of the young men does she like the best?
The beards of the young men glisten’d with wet, it ran from their long hair, Little streams pass’d all over their bodies. An unseen hand also pass’d over their bodies, descended tremblingly from their temples and ribs. The young men float on their backs, their white bellies bulge to the sun, they do not ask who seizes fast to them, They do not know who puffs and declines with pendant and bending arch, They do not think whom they souse with spray. Continued To be continued
Ah the homeliest of them is beautiful to her. Where are you off to, lady? for I see you, You splash in the water there, yet stay stock still in your room. Dancing and laughing along the beach came the twenty-ninth bather, The rest did not see her, but she saw them and loved them.
“Choose stability” – Ali urges voters
…says PPP/C will ensure a safer, stronger Guyana
Voting for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on September 1, 2025 is a choice for “a safe, stable, secure and responsible development,” according to President Dr Irfaan Ali.
The President in a video livestreamed on his social media pages on Tuesday morning said voting for any other political party will be a risk to the current developmental projects that are ongoing across the country.
“Now is not the time to tear it apart, now is not the time to risk it, this is the time for strong trusted, stable, competent visionary leadership and that is what the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic promises” he noted.
Highlighting the PPP/ C’s investments in education, roads, bridges, healthcare, safe spaces for families and more, he added: “I ask you to vote for the PPP/C, to not turn back the clock and ensure that we keep moving for-
ward together for a better Guyana.”
Over the past five years, the Government has invested in building major four lane highways and bridges to ease traffic congestion, community roads and bridges, the construction and rehabilitation of hospitals and other medical facilities, cash grants for citizens and scholarships for thousands of Guyanese.
The President referred to his political opponents as ‘Grasshoppers’ which does not spend time preparing for the future as opposed to the PPP/C which he said works like the Ant to meet its manifesto promises, securing the country’s future development.
“Those many groups that we’re running against are like the grasshopper, they are promising you all kinds of things, irresponsible things to make you happy now, instead of properly preparing for the future. They are promising you the moon and the stars, they’re
saying you can have it all right now but my brothers and sisters, this is irresponsible and leads to instability,” he noted.
He recalled the 2015 to 2020 period where the main opposition political parties – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) – failed to deliver on their manifesto promises. In fact, he said those parties’ decisions led to the loss of thousands of jobs and ended their tenure with attempts to rig the elections.
“We saw how they destroyed this country; we saw the instability that they brought to Guyana, we saw how much it cost us, our credibility” he said.
Ali responded to claims by the APNU and AFC that the lack of oil revenue led to its inability to achieve more. He said “oil alone does not translate into wealth,” as development is dependent on investment choices made by
the Government as well as decisions relating to taxation.
The President also referred to the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party led by United States (US) Sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and noted that Guyana shares a close relationship with the US which cannot be jeopardised, adding that a vote for WIN will risk Guyana’s relationship with the US, which by virtue of their sanctions have signaled their national and international security concerns with Mohamed.
“One such individual believe that he can sacrifice the safety and security of an entire country for his self-interest. The choices are clear – as I said earlier, our safety, our stability, our transformation, it is fragile, but it is also strong once we make the right decisions consistently, the right decision for our country, our family and our communities,” Ali said.
The President pointed
General and Regional Elections
out his party has fulfilled its manifesto promises and is on a path to building a
24 political parties submit symbols to GECOM
Twenty-four political parties seeking to contest the upcoming General and Regional Elections have submitted their party symbols to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for approval, in accordance with the statutory timeline issued by the Commission. The deadline for submission was June 23, 2025, following a public notice from GECOM inviting interested political parties to comply with the requirement.
The Commission is scheduled to review and approve the submitted symbols on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Parties will be formally notified of the outcome shortly after the Commission has completed its deliberations.
As part of the election process, political parties are mandated to submit their Lists of Candidates
on Nomination Day, set for July 14, 2025. These submissions must be accompanied by a copy of the respective party’s pre-approved symbol and submitted to the Chief Election Officer (CEO). GECOM has reiterated its commitment to maintaining an open line of communication with stakeholders to ensure that all parties are adequately prepared for the critical electoral timelines.
Preparations for the General and Regional Elections, scheduled for September 1, 2025, continue to advance. Earlier this week, GECOM administered the Oaths of Office to 10 Returning Officers (ROs) and 10 Supernumerary Returning Officers (SROs) during a formal ceremony led by GECOM Chairperson, (Ret’d Justice Claudette Singh. The appointments represent a significant mile-
stone in the Commission’s election readiness plan.
According to a GECOM statement, the Returning Officers will oversee electoral operations within their assigned districts, while the Supernumerary Returning Officers will manage electoral sub-districts in Regions Three, Four, and Six, as stipulated by the Representation of the People Act (ROPA). The list of appointed officers and the addresses of their respective offices have been made available to the public via GECOM’s official website, www.gecom.org.gy.
The Commission emphasised that transparency, professionalism, and integrity remain central to its operational ethos as preparations intensify.
Amendments to the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill 2025—recently passed in
the National Assembly— now permit either the SRO or their deputy to conduct the tabulation of votes within sub-districts. These legislative changes were introduced in response to the controversy surrounding the 2020 elections, particularly the tabulation of Region Four’s results by former RO Clairmont Mingo, who is currently facing electoral fraud charges.
In the lead-up to the September polls, GECOM has also been conducting its mandatory Claims and Objections exercise. The ‘Claims’ phase has concluded, while the ‘Objections’ period is set to close today, paving the way for the com-
pilation of the Revised List of Electors. This list will be publicised for 21 days before being finalised and certified.
Concurrently, GECOM is continuing preparations on other fronts, including the identification of polling station locations and the coordination of election day logistics.
Following Nomination Day, key electoral milestones include: July 15: Notification of death or withdrawal of candidates and feedback on defects in submitted lists; July 17: Submission of corrected lists and additional withdrawals; July 18: Issuance of approval or rejection notices by GECOM; July 20:
Deadline for appeals to the High Court; July 21: Deadline for notifications of joinder of lists and July 23: Gazetting of the approved Lists of Candidates.
Disciplined Services Members of the Disciplined Services will cast their ballots in advance on August 22, ahead of the national vote on September 1.
GECOM continues to encourage political parties and electors to remain engaged and informed throughout the process by visiting district offices or consulting the Commission’s website for updates and essential information.
strong stable prosperous Guyana that is globally recognised.
President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) , Mark Phillps
2 charged, remanded for double murder at Baramita
Abusinessman and a businesswoman were on Monday charged with the murders of 24-yearold Mark Thomas and Wendy James, who were allegedly killed in North West District (NWD), Region One (BarimaWaini).
The accused, 30-year-old Kizzian Baird and 40-year-old Junior Richmond, appeared virtually before Magistrate Rabindranaught Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrate’s Court on two counts of murder. The court proceedings were conducted via Zoom.
The duo, both residents of the Barama River area in Baramita, NWD, were not required to plead to the indictable charges. They were represent-
Kizzian Baird
ed by Attorney-at-Law Pamela De Santos and were remanded to prison. The case will continue on August 14.
According to police reports, Thomas and James were al-
legedly murdered on June 16 at New Star Backdam, Region One. Following the incident, a manhunt was launched by the ranks of the Regional Division.
The suspects reportedly fled their residences in the aftermath of the crime.
Between June 16 and 19, police conducted extensive searches throughout the Backdam, ultimately leading to the arrest of three suspects, two men and one woman. The trio was found hiding in various locations within the interior region.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspects were subjected to both video and audio interviews, where they allegedly confessed to the crime. Witnesses have since submitted written statements implicating the accused in the murders.
Police have not disclosed the specific manner in which the victims were killed or any other details.
Gold miner jailed, Bartica man remanded, mom of 4 on bail
Three individuals were taken before the courts this week on separate criminal charges ranging from unlawful and felonious wounding to narcotics trafficking. One was sentenced to prison, another remanded, and a third placed on bail.
Brian Joseph, a 41-year-old gold miner of Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), was on Tuesday sentenced to one year of imprisonment after being found guilty of unlawfully wounding another individual.
Joseph was arrested on June 1 and taken to the Bartica Police Station and charged under Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. He appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where the indictable charge was read to him. He was not required to plead but was found guilty after the trial concluded.
Also appearing before Magistrate Mohammed on Tuesday was 40-year-old Asif Bacchus, an unemployed resident of Fourth Avenue, Bartica. He was remanded to prison after being charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Police arrested Bacchus on June 23, during a ‘Cordon and Search Operation’ in which he was allegedly found with 11.6 grammes of cocaine. He was charged under Section 5(1) (a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10. Bacchus pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until the next court hearing, set for August 19.
Meanwhile, in Georgetown, a 24-year-old vendor and mother of four was granted $75,000 bail after being charged with felonious wounding.
Alisha Adams of Waini Street, Meadowbrook Gardens, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday. She pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleges that on April 5, at Water Street, Stabroek, she unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jevenie Boutrim. Adams was represented by Attorney Lawrence Harris. The matter was adjourned to July 14.
Changing…
…food goals
As you Dear Readers would know, your Eyewitness was pretty excited after CariCom decided, back in 2020, that its 15 member-states were gonna immediately start reducing their food import bills. They came up with a catchy slogan – “25 by 25” – to signal their goal of reducing those imports by 25% within 5 years – by 2025. While a pretty ambitious goal, it was long overdue. As colonies, we’d been forced to import, say, flour from Europe to satisfy the White Man’s tastes. They then convinced our tastebuds – which had been weaned on cassava or plantain flour – that the scraps of their breads and pastries made from flour were not only “tastier”, but “more nutritious”.
Multiply that across the (kitchen) board and you arrive at a situation where we Caribbean people would rather eat canned sardines – preserved because the White Man couldn’t always get fresh fish – instead of our local fishes available from every canal in the land!! So, it didn’t surprise anyone that while our countries were colonised to produce agriculture products - we ended up IMPORTING US $6billion worth of foods annually!! So, with Guyana having the largest blocks of agri-land in the grouping – and our folks were still willing to soil their hands in the soil – we were given the lead role in 25X25. And awaaaay we went!! All kinds of agricultural initiatives, from hydroponics and shade gardens to opening up the savannahs to soya and sweet corn – not to mention fish and black belly sheep farms – were successfully launched. We were even lauded internationally as the only country in the world that technically didn’t have to import food!! So, your Eyewitness was kinda surprised to hear that the 25X25 initiative was now changed to “25X30” – that is, the deadline for the 25% reduction was now 2030. What happened?? Well, in a quite detailed response, the adviser to our Agri Ministry showed that we’d done quite nicely on the original goal but there were two flies in the ointment – which is as bad as being in our soup!! Firstly, with world price increases (inflation) becoming endemic, the dollar amounts of our reduction reflected nominal rather than real reductions!! A rare admission by the bureaucrats and politicians who usually puff up and gloss over every report!!
Anyhow, what your Eyewitness likes most was the second recalibration: to strategically shift the focus not on REDUCING imports – which would always remain nominal – but towards INCREASING real production targets!! But targets towards what items?? We should be working to create dishes based on our local products –and with our tourist industry bringing in people from all over the world – expose them to the world’s palates and demand!!
Look how Mexican Food has taken off!! Tacos, anyone??
…TT oil tune?
Your Eyewitness was surprised when the new TT Government’s Energy Minister announced they’re pursuing refining our share of our oil production for us. Note – “for us”. They’re not planning on buying our oil like other customers who’re doing so right now – but we’d be shipping our oil to them to refine and they’ll ship the refined products – like gasoline – back to us for a fee.
Now, a number of things. Back in 2022, the thenRowley Govt made the same proposal but it was shot down by our own Minister of Natural Resources who pointed out we had our own plans for our own refinery!! And we’d received at least nine proposals. The plan is to use oil refining as the beginning of the industrialization of Berbice – where the refinery would be located, as well as the second GtE facility.
But more fundamentally, TT’s refinery is geared to handle sour, heavy crude and would be uncompetitive to deal with our sweet, light crude!! Gwan da side TT!!
…world order??
The Repair Campaign is going to Europe in pursuit of reparations for Caribbean African Slavery. They’re demanding technology transfers and investments to tackle health crises and illiteracy.
Too bad Europe had shifted right – even before their economic woes.
Brian Joseph Asif Bacchus
Alisha Adams
Junior Richmond
Strategy, not size, is Guyana’s strength – GDF Chief
…says
Venezuela’s antics more “political theatre” than military threat
Describing Venezuela’s illegal claim to Essequibo as more political than military threat, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan has assured that despite the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) smaller size compared to Venezuelan’s army, GDF is being strategic and resolute to make up for this.
Brigadier Khan was at the time the inaugural
And this was spread across several areas. Technology, training, etc. So yes, we may be small. But we are being strategic, smart and resolute,” the Chief of Defence Staff said.
That being said, Khan emphasised that conflict is in no one’s best interest. He noted that the Venezuelan threat to Guyana is more political theatre than military threat and noted the impor-
“Venezuela and their claim to the Essequibo, is more political theatre than military threat. We, however, are being cautious. As a defence force, we’re operating within our defence policy. Of the DIME construct… Diplomacy, Information, Military and Economic,” Brig. Omar Khan, Chief of Defence Staff
guest on the first episode of Safeguarding the Nation, a new State-produced show with a focus on national security matters. One of the questions he was asked, concerned the size of the GDF, compared to Venezuela’s army.
According to Khan, however, size does not translate to success. He made it clear that the GDF is making up for the size difference, with the strategic decisions
tance of it remaining just politics.
“Venezuela and their claim to the Essequibo, is more political theatre than military threat. We, however, are being cautious. As a defence force, we’re operating within our defence policy. Of the DIME construct,” he explained.
“Integral in this process is our partnership with the United States (US). Our most important and stra-
was to be formed to address mutually agreed matters.
Despite this, the Venezuelan regime has been using a number of intimidatory tactics which have been soundly condemned by the international community. This includes a March 1 incident when a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana’s waters where ExxonMobil is producing oil. Khan made it clear, however, that the GDF stands resolute in ensuring that Guyana’s borders are protected.
“Yes, Venezuela has increased their aggression against Guyana. However, our borders were settled by the 1899 Arbitral Award. As a Guyana Defence Force, we
and investments in equipment it is making, under the Diplomacy, Information, Military and Economic (DIME) concept.
“History would tell us that size does not translate to success. That is why we’re focusing on strategy, on technology. And partnership. Military conflict is not in anyone’s interest,” Khan explained.
“The claim by Venezuela is political. It should remain there. The process of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should be followed. As a peaceful nation, the GDF operates under the DIME concept.”
When it comes to asset acquisition, Khan made reference to the Ocean Patrol Vessel and the Airplane that will be received. This is likely a reference to the €39.5 million OPV vessel that is being sourced from a French company and the new Italian made Tecnam P2012 aircraft for the GDF.
“Over the past five years, our investment in the defence sector has seen an increase in over 800 per cent.
tegic partner. The United Kingdom (UK). CARICOM. France, Columbia, Brazil. All these nations who hold dear to them, the values of peace, respect for international law. This is where we stand on the position of the border.”
Back in December 2023, Presidents Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela signed the Argyle Declaration in Argyle, St Vincent and the Grenadines. This agreement was facilitated by regional leaders, including Prime Ministers Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, with support from CARICOM, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Brazil, and the United Nations (UN).
Key provisions of the Argyle Declaration include a commitment to non-aggression, the peaceful resolution framework and the establishment of a joint commission comprising Foreign Ministers and technical experts from both countries
operating under a military strategy to build, deploy and operate a smart, modern and resilient force, not only to defend Guyana, but also to contribute to economic development,” he added.
After years of failed good offices process through the UN, and based on the recommendation of the-then UN
Secretary General, Guyana approached the ICJ in March 2018, seeking a final and binding settlement of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which determined the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.
The ICJ has already established its jurisdiction to hear the matter. Guyana has already filed two written pleadings on the merits, and Venezuela has filed one, with its second pleading due in August 2025. Oral hearings are expected in the first half of 2026, following which the Court will deliberate on the case and issue its final judgment on the Merits, which will be binding on the parties.
stand resolute where our borders are concerned. We are
Chief of Defense Staff Brigadier Omar Khan
An offshore patrol vessel that was manufactured by OCEA SA
GtE project will make Reg 3 Guyana’s industrial capital – Pres Ali
…says agriculture will thrive alongside industry
Branding the Gas to Energy (GtE) project as one that will help transform Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) into Guyana’s industrial capital, President Irfaan Ali also urged the private sector in the region to work with the government to ensure orderly and sustained economic and industrial development.
The Head of State was at the time addressing a Region Three Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) Business Networking Event. He noted that once the GtE project comes online, cheaper and more reliable energy will usher in an industrial revolution.
“When the gas-to-energy project reaches completion, this region is poised to become the industrial capital of Guyana. Access to cheaper and more reli -
able energy will unlock a new wave of manufacturing, agro-processing and heavy industry, placing this region at the heart of Guyana’s energy-led transformation.”
“The region is already being transformed before our eyes. It is a critical hub for the movement of people, produce and services. Not only within its own boundaries but across the Essequibo coast. From its vibrant marketplaces to its potential for ecotourism tucked within its rivers, forests and communities, Region Three is poised for greatness,” President Ali said.
Industry and agriculture
According to President Ali, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s vision for the region is a bold one. It is a vision that, while embracing new in -
dustrial development, will also not abandon the region’s agricultural roots.
“Our vision must be bold and unwavering: to make Region Three the most economically diversified and modernised region in Guyana, where agriculture thrives alongside industry, where culture meets commerce and where opportunities are as abundant as the land itself. This is the region where logistics flow smoothly, businesses flourish and communities grow stronger together.”
However, he warned that the private sector in region three must work with the government, ensuring synergy with traffic management and zoning regulations. According to him, a structured and collaborative approach will unlock Region Three’s full potential, ensuring progress is not only order -
ly but also benefits all.
“I urge the Essequibo Islands/West Demerara Chamber of Commerce to work closely with me in transforming this whole vision for region three into a practical, results-driven development plan. It is essential that the region’s growth be placed on an organised footing, guided by clear planning principles and zoning regulations,” he explained.
“We cannot continue with the current ad hoc approach, where activities spring up indiscriminately, leading to congestion, inefficiencies and disruption. We must work together to designate specific areas for recreation and entertainment, commercial activities and industrial development, ensuring these do not encroach on or disrupt residential communities.”
Roads
President Ali also discussed plans for road infrastructure, which will connect not only region three but other regions. For instance, the Ministry of Public Works has already invested nearly $10 billion in Region Two, including the rehabilitation of Lima Sands Main Road (Phases
1–4) and Lake Mainstay Access Roads. Upcoming projects include Phase 5 of Lima Sands Road, closing for tender in June, and further works on Mainstay’s bridges and roadways, amounting to hundreds of millions more.
President Irfaan Ali speaking at the Region Three business mixer
‘No community left behind’ – PM tells of people-centred development at Dartmouth
Prime Minister
Brigadier (Ret’d)
Mark Phillips has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every community across Guyana benefits from national development. He made the announcement during a community outreach held in Dartmouth, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).
Speaking with residents,
have been transformed into asphalted or concrete roads.
“You know this better than I do... you live it every day. But that is why we are here to listen to you, identify your needs, and continue to deliver on these projects,” he told the gathering.
The prime Minister stated that he remains committed to working closely with regional and local Government bodies to bring
the prime Minister said he recently held discussions with local officials, who identified several areas still without electricity. He noted that there are still pockets of people not yet connected to the national grid.
“As a Government, it is our intention to identify those pockets and gradually connect every household bit by bit, bringing real improvements to your daily lives,” PM Phillips said.
The prime Minister also highlighted that communities which had never seen a concrete or asphalt road in over 50 years are now witnessing those developments for the first time. Former sand trails, he explained,
from August 2020 to now, you will see the progress. We listened to you. We acted on what you told us,” he emphasised.
On the issue of transparency, the Prime Minister made clear that public funds must be used for development and not for corruption.
“What was happening before amounted to bribery. We’re not paying bribes or
meaningful change to residents.
“When we come to sessions like these, we stay grounded in one guiding principle: putting people at the centre of governance,” he added.
Prime Minister Phillips added that despite significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread flooding in several villages across the coast, the Government remained steadfast in its commitment to development, staying focused on delivering results and ensuring that progress continued without interruption.
“If you reflect honestly on what has happened
‘tail’. We’re taking the money and investing it in your communities, where it belongs,” he said.
According to Phillips, the PPP/C’s approach has always been people-centred, with Ministers maintaining constant outreach and follow-ups with communities to ensure concerns are addressed.
“Even without oil and gas at that time, we used what little revenue we had to build roads, improve infrastructure, and bring development to every part of Guyana—including Essequibo,” the Prime Minister pointed out.
Now, with more resources at hand, the Government
is working to build on that legacy. PM Phillips noted that while not every issue can be solved centrally, the presence of all three levels of Government—central, regional, and NDC—at these engagements shows a coordinated effort to respond to
the people’s needs.
“Let’s continue working together to make your communities stronger and your futures brighter,” the Prime Minister said.
Also attending the meeting were Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar, Member of
Parliament Dr Tandika Simone Smith, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Regional Executive Officer Susana Saywack, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit, Prime Minister Representative Arnold Adams, among other regional officials.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips speaking with residents of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast
Residents raising issues during the visit
Boat builder dies in Pomeroon River collision after drinking spree
Ariver collision on Monday evening has claimed the life of 20-year-old boat builder Damion Fredericks, also known as “Smirf,” in Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam).
According to police in the Regional Division, Fredericks, who is from Lower Pomeroon, died following a boat accident involving another vessel allegedly operated by 24-year-old Joseph Melville, also a boat builder, of Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon.
Investigators reported that Fredericks, Melville, and another man, Shane Narine, had been consuming alcohol earlier that evening at several bars in Charity before departing in separate boats.
Melville later told police that after retrieving his boat from a relative, he was navi-
gating across the river when his vessel was struck by another, resulting in his boat capsizing.
An eyewitness, who told police he heard the collision from his home, claimed
he responded by boat to the scene and discovered both Fredericks and Narine with visible head and facial injuries. Fredericks appeared unresponsive at the time, while Narine was still con-
scious.
The witness said they quickly transported Narine to the Charity Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition. Fredericks was pronounced dead on ar-
rival. His body was later transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted.
Melville, who received
minor injuries, was treated at the hospital and later taken into police custody as investigations continue into the fatal incident.
Just recently, another tragedy occurred in the same river. In March of this year, 57-year-old Ivan Braithwaite lost his life in Kabakaburi, Upper Pomeroon River. Police said Braithwaite had left his home in a canoe to purchase items from a nearby shop but never returned. His canoe was later found drifting with the purchased items still inside. After an unsuccessful overnight search, his body was discovered floating face down by his son-in-law around 06:00h the following morning.
No marks of violence were observed, and he was pronounced dead at the Charity Hospital.
Dead: Damion Fredericks
The boat following the accident
Cops, CPG members trained for polling station security in Mahdia
Acritical training session focused on polling station security was conducted on Saturday at the Mahdia Police Station as part of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) strategic preparations for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
Led by Superintendent R. Stanley, Commander of Regional Division Eight, the session brought together police officers and Community Policing Group (CPG) members to enhance their readiness for election duties. The training was facilitated by Chief Inspector M Clarke, Officer-in-Charge of the No. 2 Sub-Division.
The initiative forms the Force’s election security plan, designed to equip law enforcement ranks and CPG members with essential knowledge and practical skills for maintaining safety, order, and neutrality at polling stations.
Key objectives of the training included Strengthening understand-
ing of roles and responsibilities during the electoral process; reinforcing the importance of professionalism and impartiality; equipping officers to respond effective-
ly to electoral offences, disturbances, and emergencies; enhancing coordination with Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials and electoral observ-
Senior Counsel Murseline Bacchus dies
…“a distinguished member of Guyana’s legal fraternity” – AG
The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana has announced the passing of Senior Counsel Murseline Bacchus, a towering figure in the legal landscape of Berbice and Guyana. Bacchus passed away on Tuesday at the age of 83.
Widely regarded as one of Guyana’s foremost criminal lawyers, Bacchus was a prominent and influential member of the Berbice Bar for nearly five decades. His legal career was marked by fierce advocacy, deep legal knowledge, and a commitment to justice that earned him respect among colleagues and clients alike.
In a statement, the Bar Council recognised Bacchus as “the pre-eminent lawyer for many years in the ancient county of Berbice”, and noted his pioneering role as one of the earliest Caribbeantrained legal professionals. A graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Hugh Wooding Law School, Bacchus was part of a generation that helped demonstrate the calibre of Caribbean legal education. He was also a classmate and lifelong friend of former Director of Public Prosecutions and Chief Justice, Ian Chang SC.
In January 2020, the then President, David
Granger appointed Bacchus as Senior Counsel, a distinction that underscored his significant contributions to the legal profession. His elevation to the Inner Bar made him the first Berbician to be conferred with silk in decades.
Meanwhile, Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall SC, MP, paid tribute to Bacchus, describing him as “a distinguished member of Guyana’s legal fraternity and a respected advocate who served the people of Berbice with unwavering dedication and in his own inimitable way”.
Nandlall recalled that Bacchus began his legal journey as a law clerk before pursuing formal legal studies at the University of Guyana (UG), the UWI at Cave Hill, and later, the Hugh Wooding Law School.
Upon returning to Guyana, Bacchus quickly established himself as a leading figure in criminal law, often being sought out for his deep knowledge and analytical skill.
“Although a little rough in his mannerisms, he was always helpful,” Mr Nandlall noted, adding that he had consulted Mr Bacchus on complex legal matters as recently as a few months ago. “He researched from books—hardcopies, not the internet. His knowledge of old decided local cases was indeed admirable.”
Bacchus is survived by his wife, Pamela Bacchus, and four children, including his daughter, Patricia Bacchus, an Attorney-atLaw and the CEO and Chairperson of Caribbean Containers Inc and his son Blayne Bacchus, a medical doctor.
ers; providing guidance on the safe transport and custody of election materials; emphasising effective crowd control and the appropriate use of force. Chief Inspector Clarke stressed the importance of discipline, visibility, neutrality, and clear communication during election operations. He reminded participants that their conduct plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust and confidence in the democratic process.
The session facilitated with a question-and-answer segment, allowing participants to seek clarification on protocols, procedures and operational expectations for election day. Attendees included one Inspector, several Subordinate Officers, Constables, and members of the Community Policing Group.
Participants at the training
Senior Counsel Murseline Bacchus
International Women in Engineering Day
ExxonMobil empowers 200 young minds for STEM success
In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, ExxonMobil Guyana hosted its “Girls in Gear” Engineering Workshop to recognise and honour the contributions of women in the engineering field.
The event aimed to inspire and empower young girls to explore careers in engineering while also highlighting the importance of gender diversity within the industry.
The event was launched on Saturday. ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) marked International Women in Engineering Day by hosting its “Girls in Gear” Engineering Workshop at the Princess Georgetown Ramada Hotel.
the participants
The event welcomed over 200 enthusiastic girls from Grades 9 to 11, representing Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
These students, participants in the ExxonMobil Guyana-sponsored Family Awareness Consciousness Togetherness (FACT) and Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC) afterschool STEM programmes, engaged in interactive, hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and build technical skills. Highlights included constructing rockets and bridges using everyday household materials.
The workshop was facilitated by experts from the
University of Guyana, the UG Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Student Chapter, Baker Hughes, TechnipFMC, Specialists in Sustained Youth Development and Research (SSYDR), and Cerulean. Their guidance provided meaningful, real-world engineering insights, offering the aspiring engineers a valuable and inspiring learning experience.
Speaking at the event, ExxonMobil Guyana’s InCountry Project Manager, Rebecca Cvikota, underscored the vital role of STEM education in empowering young women and shaping the future of innovation and industry.
She emphasised that initiatives like the “Girls in Gear” Engineering Workshop are essential to building confidence, encour-
GtE project will make...
Plans are also underway to widen the Essequibo highway into a four-lane road and extend hinterland connectivity through trail development and road links from Parika to Sandhill. When it comes to the Sand Hill Road, President Ali noted that this road will connect Regions Three, Four and the hinterland.
“We’ll be working on the interconnectivity of
aging curiosity, and breaking down barriers that have historically limited female participation in science and engineering.
“By investing in STEM education like the programme today, we can help close the gender gap, build more diverse teams, and encourage unique perspectives and ideas, which we need to lead to more innovative solutions,” Cvikota said.
She also noted that ExxonMobil Guyana shares a passion for empowering youth and girls in STEM, recognising the importance of fostering a mindset of confidence and curiosity in young women.
“Programs like these can help equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed,” she added. Initiatives like this, she noted, help increase interest in STEM at school, provide hands-on learning through workshops and activities, and encourage students to
see the endless possibilities and career paths available in these fields.
Cvikota also reaffirmed ExxonMobil’s commitment to investing in educational programmes that create opportunities for the next generation of engineers, leaders, and changemakers.
Also present at the event was ExxonMobil Guyana Fabrication Lead, Eketa Eward, who highlighted the need for more women in STEM while donning full safety gear.
East Berbice fatal canal crash
“Whether you’re dreaming of building bridges, apps, or entire cities, your ideas are powerful. Engineering is about creating solutions that change lives — from clean water systems to smart cities, from sustainable energy to space travel. Girls like you are already leading the way. Don’t wait for permission. Start building, trust yourself, follow your passions, and never stop believing in your potential. The future is bright, and it’s yours to create.” Edward said.
Boyfriend to be charged with manslaughter
The boyfriend of 22-year-old Stacy Walton, whose lifeless body was pulled from a canal at Number 7 Village, East Berbice, is expected to be charged with manslaughter.
The charge comes following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and a police investigation that raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding Walton's death.
The suspect, who is the owner of the car Walton was driving, is expected to appear before the Reliance Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Bridgemohan, which gave the cause of death as asphyxia and drowning, family members have voiced strong suspicions of foul play. Walton’s father, Raoul Walton, has publicly alleged that his daughter was murdered and has called for justice.
the region with other regions around the country. We’re not only looking at
the Del Conte Road but also the Sandhills Road that will be connecting Region Three with Region Four and also leading the investment into our interior locations.”
“These are the transformative projects that will create a new wave of expansive opportunities. Fertiliser plant. The Gas to Shore projects. All of these are exciting opportunities that lie ahead of us,” President Ali also said.
Police had initially reported that around 01:50h last Friday, Walton, of Alexander Street, New Amsterdam, was driving motorcar, PAG 2279, when it veered off the road and plunged into a trench. She was reportedly wearing her seatbelt and had been consuming alcohol earlier in the evening.
Public-spirited citizens noticed the submerged vehicle and assisted in removing Walton from the car. She was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
However, following a post-mortem examination conducted by Government Pathologist Dr Vivekanand
The family also questioned the physical evidence at the crash scene. Raoul Walton said that when he visited the area where the incident occurred, the wheel marks and trajectory of the vehicle raised doubts about whether the crash happened as reported. “Even if she had fallen asleep while driving, the car would not have taken that angle into the trench,” he noted.
Further suspicion arose from the boyfriend’s presence at the scene. Police said
the man’s clothing was wet, suggesting he had been in the trench. However, he told investigators he arrived after others had already started removing Walton from the vehicle, claims that police allegedly found inconsistent.
Investigators suspect that the boyfriend may have forced Walton into the trench.
Reports also surfaced of a heated argument between Walton and the suspect earlier that evening, further raising suspicions.
Initially hesitant to speak out, the Walton family broke their silence after the post-mortem results were released. They insist that Stacy, a mother of one, was a victim of domestic violence that ended in her death.
ExxonMobil Guyana’s In-Country Project Manager, Rebecca Cvikota, interacting with some of
Dead: Stacy Walton
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
If shamelessness had A face, look no further than to Granger & Nagamootoo
David Granger emerged from his cocoon to add more shame to himself.
As President between 2015 and 2020, he was mostly missing in action (MIA). In the Caribbean’s political history, there was never – and I doubt there ever will be – a President more distant from his responsibilities and duty than Granger when he served as President.
But this week, with 68 days remaining for Elections 2025, Granger emerged telling young people to vote for the PNC and APNU because they must vote for people they trust, for those who keep promises, for those with ideas and policies to develop young people and Guyana. This is why the young people in Guyana have no alternative but to vote for President Irfaan Ali and the PPP for another term in Government. When it comes to trust, the people of Guyana, young and old, have every reason in the world not to trust the PNC-led APNU.
Consider this, the PNC-led APNU promised that “sugar was too big” to close, that they would never close any estate; they ended up closing four sugar estates and put more than 7,000 persons out of jobs. They promised to double the old-age pension, give sugar workers and public servants a 20% salary and wage increase, double the income tax threshold and eliminate university fees in their first 100 days. Not only did none of this happen in their first 100 days, these things did not happen in their five years in Government. Indeed, university fees increased and they gave themselves 100% pay increases, while telling the public servants to wait their turn – which did not happen in the entire five years. They promised to increase the price of paddy to $9,000 per bag, then turned around and told rice farmers that they were private investors.
They promised to reduce taxes, but either introduced or increased taxes in more than 300 categories. They placed VAT on water, electricity, education, medicines and health products, data, etc. They promised not to take away the children’s “Because We Care” grants, but ended up taking it away; more than $11B from the children in those five years. They promised employment for every youth, and then told the young people that it is not the Government’s role to create employment; that they must help themselves, advising them to cook dog food, plantain chips, cook-up, and sell by the roadside.
They broke every single promise they made. This is not hyperbole. It is the absolute truth. Not a single promise they made was kept. How do you trust people like these? When Granger advises young people and people in general to vote for Aubrey Norton and the PNC because they must vote for a candidate and a party that they can trust to keep their promises, how can anyone take him seriously?
The truth is that people must vote for the candidate and the party they trust. Only one party in Elections 2025 has earned the trust of the people. President Irfaan Ali and the PPP have kept every single promise they made. They promised to bring back Because We Care and increase it from $10,000 per child to $50,000, to make university free, to create more than 50,000 jobs, to bring world-class healthcare, to distribute 50,000 house lots, to double old-age pension, etc. Every single promise they made has been kept. They have truly earned respect and trust.
This is the reason why, 68 days from Elections 2025, in the heat of the campaign, more people have exited the PNC and publicly endorsed President Irfaan Ali and the PPP, shouting out loud that one good and great term deserves another.
Embarrassed by the daily endorsements by former and present senior members of the PNC, they have resorted to having those remaining to make public self-endorsements. There ought to have been no doubt where Granger stood for Elections 2025. Where he stood politically ought to have been self-evident and taken for granted. But exactly where he stood became a matter of anxious speculation among PNC members. This is sheer shamelessness.
Granger is the immediate past leader of the PNC and the immediate past President of Guyana. Only now, 68 days to Elections 2025, Granger emerged to endorse the PNC. As PNC supporters wondered whether the man they supported to become the leader and then to become President would stand by them. He traumatized them as they waited to see if he would endorse Aubrey Norton and the PNC for Elections 2025.
There should never be a question whether the immediate past leader of the PNC would endorse the PNC’s Presidential candidate or the PNC in Elections 2025. It is shameful that supporters had to wonder whether he would give his endorsement. It is shameful there was speculation, even if wild speculation, that he might even endorse the incumbent or someone else. It is utterly shameful and disgraceful.
At a time when the PNC is desperate for help, the man who became President on the wings of the PNC abandoned them when they needed him the most. This speaks volumes about David Granger and his principles and values. If shamelessness had a face, Granger’s face is truly the face of shamelessness.
There is lots of shamelessness going on now as Elections 2025 nears. But as of this moment, if shame had a face, the most eligible faces for the title must be former President, David Granger and former Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Nagamootoo became Prime Minister with the AFC, but while in Government, he was more aligned with the PNC. Since 2020, he abandoned the AFC. He has not endorsed his former colleagues, either from the PNC or the AFC. Ungrateful? Shameless? The face of shamelessness is excruciating to watch. But these two men ought to slink back into their cocoon and stay there. The Guyanese people lost all respect for them a long time ago.
Ahead of the 2026 FLEGT licensing rollout
Labour Ministry hosts 2nd forest sector outreach for operators in Region 6
The Labour Ministry successfully conducted its second Forest Sector Operator (FSO) Outreach session in Region Six last Friday, in Springlands, East Berbice-Corentyne. This initiative forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to engage directly with forestry stakeholders across the country to address key challenges, share vital information, and strengthen partnerships within the sector.
The session brought together forest operators, community leaders, and representatives from the ministry to discuss labour regulations,
occupational safety, worker rights, and compliance standards specific to the forestry industry.
Through this outreach, the ministry continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting sustainable forest management and promoting decent work conditions for all sector participants.
Funded by the European Union and implemented by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in Guyana, the initiative was hosted by the FLEGT Secretariat of the Guyana Forestry Commission,
with key support from the Ministry of Labour (MoL), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
During the session, Labour Officer Denise Duncan outlined key compliance requirements that FSOs must meet to operate both locally and within the European Union, as Guyana prepares to implement FLEGT VPA licensing in 2026.
Guyana is the first South American country to implement the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT)
Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA).
Guyana and the EU negotiated the terms of the VPA through a collaborative process, with both parties sharing the goal of fostering good forest governance and addressing illegality. The VPA negotiations began in December 2012, and the agreement concluded with its initialling in November 2018.
The EU Council adopted the Decision on the VPA’s signing with Guyana in October 2022, followed by Guyana and the EU signing the agreement in December 2022. Guyana ratified the VPA in its parliament in April 2023 and is implementing the agreement. The first FLEGT licence is expected to be issued in 2026.
A Forest Sector Operator (FSO) is a natural person or body corporate registered with and approved by the Guyana Forestry Commission to conduct forestry operation(s). The natural person or body corporate may be defined as a sole trader(s) and/ or those registered under the Business Registration Act, the Partnership Act, the Companies Act, the Friendly Societies Act or the Cooperative Societies Act.
Diagnostic tests being conducted to monitor students’ math performance
With the aim of ensuring that the Education Ministry’s investments benefit students, diagnostic tests are being conducted to monitor their performance in mathematics.
Late last year, the Education Ministry launched a nationwide Mathematics intervention programme to improve students’ performance at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level. This intervention was initiated to address the fact that the national math pass rate had fallen from 34 per cent to 31 per cent in recent years.
On Monday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand revealed that diagnostic tests are currently underway to measure the success of these investments so far.
These tests will help identify students’ strengths and weaknesses so that teachers can support them in improving their performance by May 2026.
“We [the Government] are standing here as your partners, supporting you all the way through. In fact, your Grade 10 children are writing a diagnostic mathematics exam as we speak, so that we can diagnose what they’re good at, what they’re poor at, and where they need strengthening.
Between now and next year May, you can strengthen them so that that 4 per cent pass rate we saw last year is never repeated — not at McKenzie, not at Christianburg, nor at any other school,” Manickchand said.
Last year, the Ministry of Education also revealed that a team of 50 math monitors — including retired math teachers, math graduates, and university lecturers — had been assembled to work directly with 50 targeted schools to ensure effective classroom instruction. Schools selected for the programme were those with historically low pass rates, particularly in Grades 10 and 11.
In addition to this programme, the Education Minister emphasised oth-
er ways in which the Government is investing in the education sector.
“I’m happy to tell you that 2,402 people from Region 10 have qualified themselves through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme at foreign universities, earning Master’s degrees, PhDs, and other certifications that make them more marketable across the world,” she said.
To add to her point she mentioned that during a recent visit to Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), she witnessed a massive graduation ceremony that had to span two full days because so many Guyanese were earning qualifications through international programmes.
Meanwhile, Manickchand has committed to addressing the infrastructure concerns at McKenzie High School in Linden, following requests from the school’s board.
Challenging the school’s staff to improve results, she noted that better performance would open more doors for the thousands of students who rely on the system.
“Linden particularly benefits from something — 100 per cent of your teachers are trained in Linden. That’s nowhere else in the country. But we need to
make sure we see that in Region 10. Nobody wants to go into the hinterland communities. We can’t make these heavy investments and not see the results,” she stated.
“So McKenzie High, young teachers, experienced teachers, retired teachers — here is my challenge to you: you’ve got to deliver better results. Better results mean more opportunities for the thousand children before you. And we are standing here as your partners, supporting you all the way through.”
The Minister also stated the education pillars that guide the Ministry’s work.
“And in education, we have five strong pillars. One, we want better access — that every child must be able to attend a nursery, primary, and secondary school. Two, we want higher quality. Three, we want lifelong learning opportunities so that even after you leave high school, you can continue learning. Four, we want better access to technical and vocational education. Five, we want a more efficient system — one where we can monitor, evaluate and introduce new strategies. Those are the five main pillars that created our Education Sector Strategy,” Manickchand concluded.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand
Daughter, son-in-law charged with murder of Jenny Mohamed
A24-year-old auto electrician and a 23-year-old housewife, both of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, were on Tuesday charged with the murder of 46-year-old Jenny Mohamed, whose body was found decomposed in a trench along Eccles New Road nearly a week after she was reported missing.
Austin Ramchand and Saffia Mohamed, both of Mon Repos, were formally charged on Tuesday with the capital offence of murder, allegedly committed on June 10. The charge was read to them by Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court. The duo was not required to plead and was remanded to prison. The case will continue on August 4.
The charges follow a police investigation that began as a missing person report but developed into a murder probe with shocking revelations.
Jenny Mohamed, also known as “Baby”, of Lot 368, Section 'D' Non
Pareil, was reported missing on June 12. Her last known sighting was at approximately 06:15h on June 10, when her husband, Rasheed Mohamed, claimed to have left her at home with their daughter and her daughter’s common-law partner.
Initial searches of the Non Pareil property yielded no apparent signs of disturbance. However, as the investigation progressed, Jenny’s sister allegedly provided crucial background, disclosing that she was in daily communication with the deceased until June 10. She further revealed that Jenny and her
daughter had a confrontation on the night of June 9, during which Jenny reportedly told her daughter to leave the house.
By June 16, detectives acting on additional information revisited the home and observed what appeared to be cleanedup bloodstains on furniture and walls. Forensic tests confirmed the presence of human blood in multiple areas of the residence, including the kitchen and a north-eastern bedroom. Police immediately secured the premises for forensic analysis, and Jenny’s husband was taken into custody.
The following day, police arrested Jenny’s daughter and her sonin-law during a cordon and search operation. Subsequent investigations uncovered further evidence, including a suspicious handwritten note and signs of attempted clean-up. Forensic teams collected blood-stained items and examined a vehicle linked to the suspects, where strands of
hair were recovered for DNA testing.
Confession and body
On June 19, while in custody, Jenny’s daughter allegedly gave a detailed confession to investigators. She reportedly admitted that she and her common-law husband murdered her mother on the morning of June 10 by
stabbing and strangling her with a rope. The body was reportedly wrapped in a garbage bag and tarpaulin, then transported and dumped in a trench along Eccles New Road.
Acting on the alleged confession, police, accompanied by the suspect, visited the identified location and recovered the victim’s decomposing remains. The
body bore multiple stab wounds and a rope around the neck. The recovery was captured on video and audio as part of the investigation, police said. During subsequent interrogations, the son-inlaw corroborated the confession and allegedly confirmed his involvement in both the killing and the disposal of the body.
Wismar Market revamp to feature security enhancements – Town Clerk
Following multiple incidents of breakins at the Wismar Market in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice), the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) has committed to including security enhancements as a key component of its market rehabilitation efforts.
The security enhancements were announced by Linden Town Clerk, Lennox Gasper, during last week’s broadcast of the A Closer Look at Municipal Matters programme. Gasper revealed that, over the past several months, multiple stalls at the Wismar Market had been broken into, prompting concerns among vendors.
As a result, some stallholders have withheld payment of their market dues in protest, demanding either the recovery of their stolen items or justice for the repeated incidents. Addressing the issue, the town clerk ap -
pealed to vendors to uphold their contractual responsibilities by paying their market dues, despite the recent challenges. He cautioned that continued non-payment could lead to serious consequences, including the potential closure of their stalls.
“I would like to, through this medium, encourage and implore each and every person who would have suffered as a result of the brazen break-in affecting
about nine stallholders, the council, the clerk of market, this system, and this municipal apparatus to now be responsible for what would have happened.”
Gasper added, “It is unfortunate, and we understand and sympathise with you, and we want to ensure that justice is served to you, but we've got to, as it says, lick your wounds and move on, but you have an obligation to pay your
stall rent; systems are being put in place to ensure that this is minimised for those that have been.”
In fact, the Town Clerk referenced the $18 million subvention approved by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development for critical rehabilitation works at the
ageing Wismar Market facility.
He further disclosed that, in addition to these upgrades, the Council intends to install essential security features such as alarm systems to help prevent future break-ins and enhance overall safety for vendors and shoppers alike.
“We will also be looking at having the market armed with alarms – this is the alarms with the horns – to ensure that should this happen again, the alarms will go off and also to ensure that our constables do their checks, their routine checks.”
Linden Town Clerk Lennox Gasper
Linden Wismar Market
Dead: Jenny Mohamed
Saffia Mohamed and Austin Ramchand
Advancing women in politics a priority in Caricom’s Regional Gender Equality Strategy – SG
Leaders from across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are placing the advancement of women in the political arena at the forefront of the Regional Gender Equality Strategy, recognising that meaningful participation of women in decision-making roles is essential to achieving equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.
CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, Dr Carla Barnett, at this year’s Caribbean Women’s Leadership Conference held on June 18, 2025, in Christ Church, Barbados, highlighted that globally significant strides have been made in advancing the inclusion of women in the parliamentary arena.
Research from the InterParliamentary Union, which regularly publishes data on the participation of women in national parliaments, shows that as of
Caricom Secretary
2024, women hold approximately 26.9% of parliamentary seats worldwide, up from 11.3% in 1995.
Focusing on the Caribbean region, Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett noted that despite the emergence of several formidable women leaders within the community, women remain significantly under-represented at the highest levels of political leadership.
Currently, only two of
CARICOM’s fifteen member states have women serving as heads of state, with a third expected to join this group in the near future.
“Only 2 of our 15 Member States – Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago – have a woman as head of government at this time. We are expecting another to be installed as Head of State and Government next month in Suriname.”
Dr Barnett asserted that addressing the persistent
6 die in Florida crash; victims said to be Jamaicans
Six people, including three children, were killed in a fiery crash in Osceola County, Florida on Saturday. The deceased are reportedly Jamaican. According to a Fox35 report, the collision involved a 2024 Hyundai Tucson travelling westbound and a 2011 semitruck with trailer heading eastbound.
It is reported that the driver of the Hyundai was trying to overtake several vehicles when he lost control of his vehicle and struck the front of the oncoming semi-truck, resulting in a fiery collision that engulfed both vehicles in flames. (Jamaica Observer)
leadership gap is not only urgent but will stand as a central focus of the Regional Gender Equality Strategy, underscoring CARICOM’s commitment to advancing women in political decision-making roles.
“Addressing the gender parity gap with respect to women’s political representation is therefore a priority of the CARICOM Regional Gender Equality Strategy which is being prepared and which we hope will be finalised soon.”
This renewed commitment reflects a regional understanding that women's voices must be amplified in parliaments, cabinets, and leadership positions to effectively shape policies that address the diverse needs of Caribbean societies.
By integrating this priority into the broader gender equality framework, CARICOM aims to not only address existing dispari-
ties but also to build more resilient democracies that reflect the true diversity of their populations.
Draft CARICOM Gender Equality Strategy
The draft CARICOM Regional Gender Equality Strategy provides the framework for targeted interventions sensitive to the unique challenges faced by our Caribbean nations, accelerating progress toward the SDGs.
The region is rich in diversity, culture, and resilience. However, gender disparities persist in economic participation, political representation, education, governance, the environment and social inclusion.
The draft Gender Equality Strategy for CARICOM is anchored with all the issues highlighted in regional consultations and validations, both virtual and in person, paying particular attention to regional nuances and
challenges and ensuring its implementation will be contextually relevant.
The strategy prioritises the economic empowerment of women, equitable access to education and lifelong learning and healthcare for all, as well as the elimination of violence against women and girls who are disproportionately affected by the scourge.
Furthermore, the strategy promotes a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organisations. Collaboration and partnerships are central to addressing the multifaceted nature of gender inequality effectively. The central goal is the implementation of a strategy that provides a roadmap for achieving the region’s vision of a violence-free and peaceful existence for every Caribbean citizen.
Piarco man shot in both legs after row with Spanish-speaking woman
APiarco man was shot in both legs as he walked out of a bar on Sunday morning, following a heated exchange with a Spanishspeaking woman.
Police said the 25-yearold of Three B Drive, Piarco was at the Vice City Bar, El Carmen, St Helena around 3:20 am on June 22 – when he got into an argument with the woman who was also at the estab -
lishment.
The victim told police that as he exited the bar and walked to his car, several loud explosions were heard.
He got into the vehicle and drove off.
However, while driving, he realised he was bleeding from both lower legs and began to panic, causing him to lose control of the car and collide with a wall some distance
away from the bar. The victim contacted police officers, who took him to the Chaguanas Health Centre where he was treated and then transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.
He remains in a stable condition. Police are searching for the woman whom they suspect is a migrant. (T&T Guardian)
General Dr Carla Barnett
Regional
US$25M cocaine seized in Portugal in US-Trinidad and Tobago joint operation
An estimated US$25 million in cocaine was seized and three foreign nationals have been arrested in Portugal as part of a collaborative operation between the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) based at the US Embassy in Port of Spain.
A release from the embassy said the seizure and arrests occurred on June 14. It said it was the result of months of bilateral work among the DEA agents, officers of the TTPS' vetted unit, the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TUCO) and the Seaport Cooperation Project (SEACOP). SEACOP is a collaborative initiative with the European Union to fight illicit maritime trafficking.
“This is a major win for the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in our security cooperation to stop the illicit narcotics trade and protect our borders to make our communities safer," US Chargé d’Affaires Dr Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz said.
“I commend our local DEA agents, officers from the TTPS Vetted Unit, and TOCU for their diligence and professionalism. The United States will continue to support TT law enforcement agencies to address our common challenges through continuous cooperation, training, and resources.”
The release said the sailboat left Trinidad waters in early June carrying 1,660 kilogrammes of cocaine and was
Some of the bales which contained 1,660 kilogrammes of cocaine seized in Portugal on June 14. Trinidad and Tobago law enforcement cooperated with the US Embassy and other international partners to lead to the seizure of the narcotics and arrest of three people in Portugal (Photo courtesy US Embassy)
intercepted by the Portuguese Navy and the Portuguese Judicial Police off the Azores Archipelago in Portugal. Three crew members, between 43 and 51 years of age, were also arrested.
The embassy said the targeted seizure was part of Operation Vikings- a complex operation involving DEA agents in TT, Portugal, Spain, and Denmark and several law enforcement agencies in Portugal. It said the operation had been investigating the targeted drug-trafficking organisation for two years, and the seizure was the latest success of the ongoing operation.
It said the TTPS’s Vetted Unit and TOCU, which work closely with the DEA on investigations related to transnational organised crime, provided support which led
to the seizure and arrests in Portuguese waters.
"The seizure represents the success in TT law enforcement efforts to focus on transnational drug trafficking that uses the Caribbean as a base of operations," the release said.
In March, TTPS and the DEA agents were able to seize 182.24 kilogrammes of cocaine with an estimated street value of $254 million, which left TT for St Martin. Five crew members were arrested in connection with the find.
In May 2023, the DEA and the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service assisted the TTPS and TOCU in arresting three TT nationals, seizing a Glock pistol and approximately 168 kilograms of cocaine, with a value of over $234 million. (T&T Newsday)
Man wrongfully deported to El Salvador must be returned to US, court rules
An appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to return a man wrongfully deported to El Salvador to the US and to explain how it is complying in a ruling apparently designed to break a pattern of apparent government defiance of judicial orders.
The US court of appeals for the second circuit in New York also required the government to provide a declaration of the current whereabouts and custodial status of Jordin MelgarSalmeron, who was deported on 7 May less than half an hour after the court had expressly barred his removal.
Tuesday’s order seemed intended to forestall a repeat of the long saga surrounding the case of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was deported to his native El Salvador in March, in violation of a 2019 immigration court order preventing his repatriation there on grounds of possible persecution.
Ábrego García remained in custody in El Salvador’s sprawling CECOT terrorism confinement facility for
weeks while administration officials claimed they were unable to comply with a court order to facilitate his return. He was eventually returned to the US this month after the government secured a federal indictment accusing him of being a co-conspirator in a people-smuggling ring.
Melgar-Salmeron, 31, a married father of four who lives in Virginia, is believed by relatives to be in custody in a high-security prison af-
ter he was deported despite the government having given the appeals court an “express assurance” that it would not schedule a deportation flight for him until the following day while his case was heard. In the event, Melgar-Salmeron left on a flight for El Salvador 28 minutes after the order was issued. A court filing for the government blamed “a confluence of administrative errors”. (Excerpted from The Guardian)
Colombian army frees 57 soldiers held captive by locals
Fifty-seven soldiers who had been held captive by locals in the mountains of Colombia since the weekend have been freed in a military operation, the Colombian defence minister has said.
The minister, Pedro Sánchez, said that not a single shot had been fired in what he dubbed "Operation Justice".
The soldiers were seized in the Cauca region, a stronghold of the EMC rebel group, which engages in cocaine production and trafficking.
Mr Sánchez blamed the EMC for what he described as the soldiers' "kidnapping", saying that the locals who had seized them had been ordered to do so by the rebels.
The Colombian military said the incident had been triggered by the arrest of a suspected EMC rebel on Saturday.
As the soldiers prepared to airlift the suspect out of the mountainous area, they were surrounded by more than 100 people.
A second military unit
was then seized the following day by an even larger group of locals, General Erick Rodríguez of the Colombian army said.
It was not the first time that members of the security forces were detained by locals, but the size of the group of soldiers was unusually large.
In past similar instances, locals negotiated with humanitarian groups and the captured soldiers were released relatively swiftly.
But this time, those holding the 57 refused to talk to any go-betweens, triggering the deployment of extra troops to the area to free the captive soldiers.
Heavily armed reinforcements were deployed to the area and arrested 20 people, the defence minister said.
According to estimates by the military, more than 90% of the inhabitants of the area depend on the cultivation of coca bushes - the plant used to make cocaine - for a living. The presence of soldiers in the area is therefore often seen as a direct threat.
The region has also been blighted by the presence of several armed groups which extort farmers and landowners, and engage in illegal mining and cocaine trafficking. (BBC)
Brazilian tourist who fell off Indonesian volcano found dead
ABrazilian tourist who fell while hiking near the crater of an active volcano in Indonesia has been found dead, her family and rescuers said.
Juliana Marins survived the initial fall from a cliff during an early morning group hike along a steep trail on Mount Rinjani, with rescuers reporting hearing her screams for help on Saturday.
But efforts to reach the 26-year-old over the following days were hampered by the extreme terrain and foggy weather, according to Indonesian authorities.
After a complex rescue operation, teams finally reached her body on Tuesday, her family said in a statement on social media.
"With great sadness, we inform you that she did not survive," Marins' family said. "We remain very grateful for all the prayers, messages of affection and support that we have received."
Marins had been backpacking around Thailand and Vietnam before arriving in Lombok Island, Indonesia.
She was hiking up Indonesia's second-tallest volcano with five friends and a guide on Saturday
at about 06:30 local time (23:30 GMT Friday), when authorities said she fell from a cliff that surrounds the trail next to the volcano's crater.
One group member told Brazilian TV that the terrain was slippery, the climb "very hard," and visibility poor.
Drone footage and other clips filmed by hikers that have been circulating online and carried by Brazilian media also appear to show her distressed but alive and moving on Saturday. She was seen sitting and moving around in grey soil, far below a hiking path.
But rescuers could not find her when they descended 300m (984ft) to where they believed she was lo-
cated, nor did she respond when they called out to her.
By Sunday morning, drone footage showed that she was no longer in the same place, said park authorities, who added that thick fog had hampered rescue efforts and affected the use of a thermal drone.
On Monday rescuers were able to locate Marins again, who appeared to have had fallen even further, but they had to stop work because of "climate conditions", according to the family.
The search resumed on Tuesday, and rescuers finally reached her body after descending 600m down a ravine, Indonesia's search and rescue agency said in a statement. (Excerpted from BBC)
Twenty people were arrested as part of the operation to free the soldiers (Colombian Army/Handout via Getty)
Juliana Marins was found dead four days after she fell during a hike on a volcano
Police officers stand guard at CECOT in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on April 4
Around the World
Oil prices edge higher as investors assess IranIsrael ceasefire
US airstrikes did not destroy Iran's nuclear capability and only set it back by a few months, according to a preliminary US intelligence assessment, as a shaky ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump took hold between Iran and Israel.
- which the US joined with an attack on Iran's uranium-enrichment facilitieseach sought to claim victory.
il prices edged higher on Wednesday, finding some respite after plummeting in the last two sessions, as investors assessed the stability of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
Brent crude futures rose 75 cents, or 1.1%, to $67.89 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 71 cents, or 1.1%, to $65.08. (Reuters)
WHO says attack on Sudanese hospital killed more than 40 civilians
The head of the World Health Organization has condemned an attack on a hospital in Sudan that he said had killed more than 40 civilians, as the country’s civil war, which has caused the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, rages on.
The attack on al-Mujlad hospital in West Kordofan happened on Saturday close to the frontline between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The WHO’s local office, which did not assign blame, said six children and five health workers were among the dead and that there were “dozens of injuries”.
The RSF and Sudan’s armed forces have been fighting since April 2023, when a power struggle broke out into open warfare in the capital, Khartoum. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than 12 million displaced, 4 million of them to outside the country. More than 20 million are in need of food aid and areas of the country are in famine.
The WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a post on X: “We cannot say this louder: attacks on health must stop everywhere!”
The RSF said in a statement on its website that the armed forces were responsible for Saturday’s attack.
“The Rapid Support Forces strongly condemn and denounce the barbaric aggression … This attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitari-
an law, including the 1949 Geneva conventions, which explicitly prohibit the targeting of health facilities and personnel,” it said.
The news site Darfur 24 cited the West Kordofan Emergency Response Rooms, part of a network of Sudanese grassroots humanitarian groups, as saying the attack was an airstrike carried out using a Sudanese military plane. Emergency Lawyers, a group that documents abuses by both sides in the war, said the hospital was hit by a military drone.
Nabil Abdallah, a spokesperson for Sudan’s military, said the allegations were false. “Sudanese armed forces do not violate international law and do not target civilians, but target the places of militia gatherings everywhere as legitimate targets, against facilities used by the militia for military purposes,” Abdallah said.
“These are lies and propaganda aimed at blaming false charges [on] the Sudanese state and its armed forces and [are] part of the regional and international conspiracy against Sudan.”
The United Nations’ children’s agency, Unicef, said in an X post: “The attacks do not only kill and injure but also severely impede the communities’ ability to receive life-saving services. We urge the government and all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. The attacks and violence must end now.” (Excerpted from The Guardian)
Earlier on Tuesday, both Iran and Israel signaled that the air war between the two nations had ended, at least for now, after Trump publicly scolded them for violating a ceasefire he announced at 0500 GMT. As the two countries lifted civilian restrictions after 12 days of war
Trump said over the weekend that the US deployment of 30,000-pound bombs had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program. But that claim appeared to be contradicted by an initial assessment by one of his administration's intelligence agencies, according to three people familiar with the matter.
One of the sources said Iran's enriched uranium stocks had not been eliminated, and the country's nuclear program, much of
which is buried deep underground, may have been set back only a month or two. Iran says its nuclear research is for civilian energy production. The White House said the intelligence assessment was "flat out wrong." According to the report, which was produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency, the strikes sealed off the entrances to two of the facilities, but did not collapse underground buildings, said one of the people familiar with its findings.
Some centrifuges still remained intact after the attacks, the Washington Post said, citing an unnamed
person familiar with the report.
Trump's administration told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that its weekend strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities had "degraded" Iran's nuclear program, short of Trump's earlier assertion that the facilities had been "obliterated."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the attack on Iran had removed the threat of nuclear annihilation and was determined to thwart any attempt by Tehran to revive its weapons program. (Reuters)
At least 40 more Palestinians killed seeking aid in Gaza, say medics and officials
At least 40 Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza have died in new shootings by Israeli forces, local medics and officials said, raising the total killed in the last two weeks in such incidents in the devastated territory to more than 500.
Though the fragile ceasefire declared between Israel and Iran has boosted hopes in Gaza that the 20-monthlong war in the territory may end soon, there were further Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday and reports of at least two incidents involving Israeli troops opening fire on civilians seeking humanitarian assistance.
Hatim Abu Rajliya, 24, said he had been waiting since 5am for food to be distributed from one of the new hubs set up near what is left of the southern city of Rafah by a secretive private organisation called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which started oper-
ating in the territory last month with Israeli and US backing.
“There is a sheltered place where we stay and take cover from bullets and shrapnel near the hub in Shakoush [a former neighbourhood of Rafah]. Some people there warned us not to move forward… Shortly after, Israeli military vehicles advanced toward us and began firing bullets and shells directly at the civilians waiting for aid. Many people around us and in nearby areas were wounded. We tried to pull them into our shelter, some were already dead, others were bleeding out,” Abu Rajliya said.
“Among those we pulled in was my cousin, he had been shot in the head, the bullet tore his skull open. We carried him in an empty flour sack, running under gunfire. We eventually found a [three-wheeled motorised cart] and got him to the Red
Cross hospital. They told us he should be transferred to Nasser medical complex [in Khan Younis] where his condition is now stable.”
The exact details of the shootings on Tuesday are unclear. Mahmud Bassal, a civil defence spokesperson, told AFP that 25 people were killed and dozens wounded when Israeli forces targeted civilian gatherings near the neighbourhoods of al-Alam and al-Shakoush with bul-
lets and tank shells as they attempted to reach an aid centre in north-west Rafah, about 2km from a US-backed aid distribution point.
Medics in Gaza said they had received casualties from a second incident near the Netzarim corridor, a strategic road that separates the northern third of the territory and is partially held by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). (Excerpted from The Guardian)
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' attorneys end their defence case after only 20 minutes
Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team rested their case in his sex trafficking trial on Tuesday after making arguments for only about 20 minutes.
Their short presentation followed nearly seven weeks of arguments and witness testimony brought by federal prosecutors in New York. The prosecution finished making their case Tuesday afternoon.
His defence attorneys argued that the government has failed to meet the burden in proving any of the charges against him, which he's vehemently denied, and the judge should drop the case against him.
Mr Combs also confirmed
to the court that he would not take the stand in his own trial. "It's my decision with my lawyers" not to testify, he told the judge. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He faces up to life in prison if convicted in the scheme.
Speaking for the first time in court in weeks on Tuesday, Mr Combs told Judge Arun Subramanian that he was "doing an excellent job".
"I want to tell you thank you," the rapper told the judge.
Prosecutors have alleged Mr Combs used his celebrity status and business empire
to run a criminal enterprise to sex traffic women and conceal his crimes. During their arguments, the government called more than 30 witnesses to the
stand. The defence called none, instead submit-
ting into evidence several text messages between Mr Combs and his ex-girlfriends, singer Casandra Ventura, and another victim who testified under the pseudonym Jane. (BBC)
Sean 'Diddy' Combs spoke in court in the first time in weeks to say he would not testify
Palestinians collect food and humanitarian aid packages in Rafah. Photograph: Abdel Kareem Hana
SUDOKU
Get up and get moving. Turn up the dial and let your creative imagination lead the way. Innovation and discipline combined will help you navigate your way throughout your day.
Adjust your surroundings to meet your needs. You'll feel much better and gain a clear vision once your goals are underway. Set boundaries and a budget to ensure success.
Refuse to let anyone talk you out of your cash. Spur-of-the-moment decisions will leave you in an awkward position. Communication is a two-way street. Know when to say no.
Keep an open mind, but don't believe everything you hear. Agreements are likely to fall short of your expectations. You'll gain respect if you stand up for yourself and your rights.
Communication is your path to change. Listen, ask questions and formulate a plan regarding how you choose to move forward. Don't let others lead you astray; follow your heart and believe in yourself.
Expand your mind, interests, qualifications and connections. Once you know your worth, it will be easier to negotiate your way forward personally, financially and professionally.
Take a breather, sit back and rethink what's important to you. Take a walk down memory lane and revisit your aspirations. It's never too late to pursue what makes you happy.
A lifestyle change will be energizing. Whether it's a physical move, a professional change or spending more time with someone you love, whatever you choose will lead to personal growth and peace of mind.
Stick close to home and do your best not to overspend or overindulge. Too much of anything will lead to trouble. Take care of matters succinctly to avoid penalties.
Prioritize partnerships, places and pastimes. Concentrate on looking and feeling your best, spending time with those you love and respect, and having fun. Romance is in the stars.
Pay attention to how you earn your living, what's new and exciting in your line of work and how you can position yourself for success. Take an innovative approach to how you market yourself.
Doors will open if you knock. Don't hesitate to pursue your goals and approach those in a position to help you advance. In every aspect of life, there is a silver lining.
ARCHIE
Headingley has become the home of the run chase, and England hauled in a target of 371 to prove it. Set up by Ben Duckett's dazzling 149 and sealed with a 6 by Jamie Smith, they romped home in just 82 overs to seal a sixth consecutive win in Leeds – all while bowling first –and to take a 1-0 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
It left Ben Stokes to breathe a sigh of relief after his decision to field first on Friday morning, and India to dwell on the countless opportunities they missed to take control of this Test. They hit five centuries to England's two, but lower-order collapses of 7 for 41 and 6 for 31 proved costly – as did their six dropped catches.
This was a chastening way to start a new era for India, with Shubman Gill's sparkling first-innings cen-
Duckett's 149 lays the foundation as England hunt down 371 at Headingley
nings five-for at Headingley. He went wicketless in England's run chase and was seen off by Duckett and Zak Crawley, whose partnership of 188 in 42.2 overs laid the foundations for a victory cruise despite the lingering threat of rain.
Duckett was sublime, starting his innings slowly before accelerating against India's weaker links.
He was particularly severe on Ravindra Jadeja, whom he reverse-swept into submission, and Prasidh Krishna, whose five wickets in the match could not dis-
Mohammed Siraj before tucking into India's change bowlers. Duckett cut and pulled with total control until his hundred was a shot away: on 97, he offered a chance when he pulled Siraj to deep square leg on 97, but Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped his third catch of the match.
Siraj was furious and made no effort to hide it. He had drawn Duckett into a verbal battle after drawing an outside edge which skewed away through a gap in the slip cordon soon after lunch and could only watch in frustration as Duckett reverse swept Jadeja for four to reach three figures, his sixth Test century and his first in the second innings of a match.
Duckett punched the air to celebrate and then got back to
straight to short cover, and when Harry Brook strangled his first ball down the leg side, India was back in the game.
Ben Stokes survived Thakur's hat-trick ball and saw England through to an early tea with Root for company. After a brief hold-up for a rain shower, Stokes and Root both survived lbw appeals as Gill burnt through India's last two reviews. But with the partnership on 49, Stokes top-edged a reverse sweep straight to his opposite number at short third.
Smith strode out at no. 7 as though determined to prove his mettle after an illtimed first-innings dismissal and set to work alongside Root. The same pair took England close to the line in a nervy run chase against
guise an eye-watering economy rate of 6.28, the most expensive in India's Test his
work, milking Jadeja for offside runs as he packed his legside field. But Prasidh prised
Sri Lanka in Manchester last year; this time, they took them over it with an unbro
means that five of the last seven Headingley Tests have been won by a team chasing at least 250 in the fourth innings. And if this chase was
not the white-knuckle ride of the 2019 Ashes, it was a clinical performance which hinted at a more complete, more rounded England approach.
Player of the Match Ben Duckett scored an attacking century
Player of the Match Ben Duckett scored an attacking century
England goes 1-0 up in the series
It
Winds of change in Barbados as Chase era begins for West Indies
a record-breaking
Big picture: Resets allround in Barbados
The prevailing northeast trade winds are a constant
last 13.
He leads a new-look squad, which, for the opening Test, sees a debut for
met in Test cricket
in beautiful Barbados, but the winds of change have swept through both the West Indies and Australia teams as they begin a new World Test Championship cycle in Bridgetown.
West Indies have not played Test cricket since January in Pakistan and begin the cycle under a new captain in Roston Chase after Kraigg Brathwaite stepped down. Extraordinarily, Chase has
Brandon King and returns for Shai Hope and John Campbell – the former as wicketkeeper – for the first time since 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Meanwhile, veteran Kemar Roach was left out of the squad entirely despite playing in each of West Indies' last three series. Joshua da Silva could not earn a recall either on account of his Gabba heroics against Australia and a re-
Chase begins his tenure as West Indies’ Test Captain
not played a Test match since March 2023, having not played in West Indies'
cent run spree in the West Indies Championship, with selectors holding firm after
dropping him in Pakistan.
Australia's "reset" is not quite as extreme following the disappointment of the WTC final loss to South Africa just two weeks ago, but it is significant by their standards. For the first time since December 2018, they will field an XI without either Marnus Labuschagne or Steven Smith on the team sheet.
The selectors finally lost patience with Labuschagne and he has been dropped for first time in six years having been a mainstay of Australia's top three for 53 consecutive Tests. Smith had played 51 in a row before his gruesome finger injury ruled him out of the first Test of this series. He is a chance to return for the second.
It means Australia do not have a single batter in the squad remaining from the last Test Australia played in the Caribbean in 2015, when Smith made 199 and 54 not out. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon are the only others to have played Test cricket in the Caribbean.
Australia confirmed, five days out, that Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis will play in Barbados to change the age profile of the side. But they will still only field two players under 30.
Australia rarely undertake full-scale reboots, and it is understandable they have not made sweeping changes following Lord's, given they have lost just one of their past seven Tests and did not lose a multi-Test series during the previous WTC cycle. They cannot, however, afford a slow start to the new cycle with an inexperienced top six and an aging attack, considering they gave away tours to South Africa and India in this WTC schedule as well as an Ashes series later in the year.
In the spotlight: Shamar
Joseph and Sam Konstas Shamar Joseph's star looked set to explode on the global stage after he carried West Indies to an astonishing Test victory at the Gabba last year. But with the exception of his 5 for 33 against South Africa in August, he has not quite reached the heights that were expected of him. He was named West Indies' Test Player of the Year at an awards ceremony in Bridgetown on Sunday night but has not played Test cricket since November, and has hardly played at all due to injury and non-selection in West Indies' white-ball teams. He bowled 31 overs and claimed just three wickets across two innings for West Indies A against South Africa A in early June. The arrival of Australia should give him a boost of confidence given the way he bowled to them 18 months ago.
Similarly outlandish expectations have fallen on Sam Konstas' slender shoulders following his spectacular Test debut last Boxing Day against Jasprit Bumrah. But he has only played one Test since and his Sheffield Shield returns were lean at the back end of the summer, with his batting causing some consternation among coaches and selectors. He has not played a game of cricket at any level since March and has a first-class average of just 34.89 from 30 innings with only two centuries. Yet Australia's selectors are convinced he is the man to walk out alongside Usman Khawaja in the hope that they can end the revolving door of openers Australia have had since David Warner retired. Konstas is expected to play all three Tests in the Caribbean no matter what, with a view to getting valuable experience ahead of the Ashes.
Team news: Hope to keep wicket, Kuhnemann misses out
The significant call made by West Indies was to make Shai Hope wicketkeeper on his return to the side which opens up a spot for another allrounder. Brandon King will make his debut at no. 4. The bowling attack is as expected.
West Indies XI: 1 Kriagg Brathwaite, 2 John Campbell, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Brandon King, 5 Roston
although it was dried out. In this season's four-day Championship there were only two totals over 300 in 12 completed innings. After some rain in the build-up, the forecast is promising for most of the game, with Saturday looking the most likely to be hit by thunderstorms and showers. Chase termed it a "typical" Barbados surface and expected it to start slow before possibly increasing pace. (ESPNCricinfo)
Australia opted to retain their traditional balance of three frontline quicks and a spinner supplemented by Beau Webster who can provide medium pace and offspin. Josh Inglis will cover for Smith at no. 4.
Australia XI: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Cameron Green, 4 Josh Inglis, 5 Travis Head, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood
Pitch and conditions: Dry grass, may turn later
Kensington Oval is an unknown for both sides in some respects given it has hosted just one Test in six years and none in the last three. In that game in 2022, Brathwaite batted for 710 minutes in a draw that arguably was a catalyst for England's Bazball revolution. This surface looked an interesting one with a mixture of bare patches and areas of more grass,
Shamar Joseph starred the last time the teams
Sam Konstas will have a lot on his plate this series
was
win for West Indies the last time the two teams met
Lucky fan to ride away with motorcycle at Kares One Guyana T10 final
One lucky spectator attending the grand finale of the Kares
One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast is set to win a brandnew motorcycle, courtesy of Banks DIH, through their GT Beer brand.
The final is scheduled for Sunday August 3, at the National Stadium, Providence, following the preliminary rounds.
The tournament action commences in Berbice on June 28, with matches at the #48 Ground and the Rose Hall/Canje Ground (Welfare Ground) on Saturday.
The Berbice zone final will then be held under lights at the Albion Sports Complex on Sunday, with play commencing at
09:30am local time on both days.
Spectator entry is free across all venues.
The tournament will subsequently move to other zones: East Bank and West Demerara (July 5-6), Georgetown/East Coast (July 19-20), and Essequibo (July 26-27), culminating in the national finals.
GT Beer's Brand Manager Dwain Bristol announced the exciting giveaway and other fan engagement initiatives at Thirst Park on Tuesday.
Cricket fans will have multiple opportunities to win, with chances to enter a draw for the motorcycle with every purchase of a GT Beer or GT Beer lights
“Let’s Move?”
bucket.
Additional prizes will be awarded for catches and other activities during the matches, aiming to enhance the overall fan experience.
Beyond the motorcycle, substantial cash prizes are up for grabs. The Berbice zone champion will pocket $300,000 and a trophy, with an opportunity to compete for a further $1.7 million in the national finals.
The Berbice runner-up will receive $100,000.
The national finals promise even bigger rewards, with the runner-up taking home $700,000, a trophy, and medals. Each losing semi-finalist will also receive $300,000.
Individual performances
Archery Guyana Champions Movement and Unity on Olympic Day
Archery Guyana proudly joined the international sporting community on Monday, June 23rd, 2025, in commemorating Olympic Day 2025 under the powerful theme “Let's Move?” - a global call by the International Olympic Committee to inspire people of all ages and abilities to embrace movement for health, connection, and joy.
will be recognised throughout the tournament with attractive prizes: MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-the-National Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy ($35,000).
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has
garnered support from Kares Engineering Inc; the Office of the President; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; KFC Guyana; Star Rentals; Banks DIH; ENet; Guyana Lottery Company; Regal Stationery and Computer Centre; Impressions; Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal; Shawn’s Mini Mart; Giftland Group of Companies; Kris Jagdeo
Construction Company; Montra Restaurant & Lounge; Windsor Estates; The New Doctor’s Clinic; GuyOil; ANSA McAL; SuperBet Guyana; Digital Technology; Camille’s Academy; Navin Construction; Demerara Mutual Life Insurance; Continental Transportation; and Environmental and Technical Solutions.
The Andrew Lewis National Novice Championship returns July 25
… Republican Gym makes a comeback under new leadership
– 27
Held on Monday afternoon at the scenic Kingston Seawall, the event brought together archers, families, youth, and supporters dressed in workout gear and waving flags in celebration of the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
A special highlight of the afternoon was a dynamic
Delivering warm opening remarks, President of Archery Guyana, Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, emphasised the importance of movement as an antidote to the growing tide of inactivity and disconnection.
and informative presentation by neurologist Dr Alex Persaud, who spoke on the profound neurological benefits and importance of exercise and movement for the body and its neurological system. This covers the brain, spine and all pathways for life and motor func-
tion.
Participants were then led through energising exercises by World Archery Level 2 Coach, Mr Ryan McKinnon, whose expert guidance was met with enthusiasm and applause. The session featured an inspiring demonstration by 8-year-old Alistair McKinnon, one of Archery Guyana’s youngest members, who guided the crowd through hand movements and squats, earning cheers for his leadership and energy.
National archers
Saifullah Gani, Nolan Grey, and Richard Dookie also took centre stage, sharing fun demonstrations and interacting with the crowd, showcasing that movement and sport are for everyone, regardless of age or skill level.
As the sun set over the seawall and the high winds picked up, participants were reminded that Olympic Day is more than a celebration –it is a movement in itself.
Archery Guyana has encouraged everyone to take a step, a stretch, a breath — to move with purpose not just today, but every day.
The bell will ring once again for Guyana’s next generation of ring warriors as the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) stages its 2025 National Novice Championship from July 25 to 27 at the National Gymnasium.
The three-night tournament, seen as the launching pad for future champions, will not only feature emerging talent from across the country but also mark the much-anticipated return of the Republican Boxing Gym, now under the stewardship of seasoned coach Wincell Thomas.
The Republican Gym’s re-entry into the national fold adds an exciting dynamic to an already competitive field, as they look to re-establish their dominance among Guyana’s storied box-
ing clubs.
Held in honour of the late World Champion, Andrew "Six-Head" Lewis, the tournament, often referred to as the GBA’s "talent cradle", the National Novice Championship serves as the first official stepping stone for young fighters transitioning into the amateur ranks.
The event also plays a pivotal role in identifying and grooming athletes for the national programme.
GBA President Steve Ninvalle underscored the championship's significance, adding that “the Novice Championship remains one of the most important events on the GBA calendar. It is here that we discover the raw talent that goes on to represent Guyana on the international stage. Without this tournament, our talent pipe-
line would be severely compromised.”
Last year’s edition saw the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gym reaffirm their dominance, walking away with the Best Overall Team title.
The spotlight also shone brightly on Jagwan Milo, who was named Best Novice Boxer, while Ryan Rogers of the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym took home the Best Schoolboy Boxer award.
The Best Female Boxer accolade was awarded to Kenisha Plass, a rising star in the women’s division.
This year’s tournament is expected to draw boxers from across Guyana’s ten administrative regions, promising three action-packed nights, all in the name of boxing development.
Participants of Olympic Day 2025 strike a pose after an energising session, united by movement and the Olympic values of friendship and excellenc
World Archery Level 2 Coach Mr Ryan McKinnon leads the crowd through a spirited warm-up session at the Kingston Seawall to commemorate Olympic Day 2025
GDF was last year’s best gym at the national Novice Championships
One fan will ride away on a motorcycle on August 3
invests in Guyana’s TAJ DIAMOND
TAJ DIAMOND, a new planned community redefining urban development in Guyana, proudly announces that global cricket legend and two-time Cricket World Cup Champion Marlon Nathaniel Samuels, “The ICON”, has officially joined as a resident and investor. Samuels, a two-time Man of the Match, has secured seven homes in the development, one as his personal residence and six as part of his rental investment strategy.
Samuels’ decision to invest in multiple units underscores the growing confidence in Guyana’s real estate sector, particularly in the ‘Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam’ East Bank Corridor where this project is taking shape.
“I’ve travelled the world thanks to cricket, and I can say with confidence that Guyana is poised for something big,” said Samuels. “After decades of playing cricket, my favourite hotel in the world is the Taj Mahal in India. So, after learning about the TAJ DIAMOND project, I truly believe it showcases Guyana’s beauty and excellence. I’ve been coming to Guyana for a long time, and truly, I can say that there’s no project like this one. As I like to
say, It’s iconic!”
Following its public launch earlier this month at an initial early bird price of US$250,000 per home, TAJ DIAMOND has already completed land clearing and mobilisation, with infrastructure and vertical construction set to start soon. Due to strong buyer demand and rapid development progress, pricing now starts at US$300,000. With over 10% of the community already reserved by buyers and investors, the first homes are scheduled for delivery in Q4 2025.
Developed by Coastal Rim Properties, a US-based real estate firm with over 50 years of large-scale global development experience, TAJ DIAMOND will feature:
• 249 three-storey luxury homes with private two-car garages
• Gated access and 24/7-armed security patrols
• Resort-style amenities including a clubhouse, pool, cinema, and fitness centre
• 40,000 sq. ft. of premium retail and dining, anchored by Morton’s The Steakhouse and other leading brands
• An optional fixed 14% yield leaseback programme, offering passive income
to buyers with full-service management
Nicola Mola, the lead developer for the Guyana project, said, “We're very pleased that Marlon Samuels, THE ICON, has chosen TAJ DIAMOND as both a resident and investor. His involvement adds energy, visibility, and validation to what’s
quickly becoming one of Guyana’s most transformative communities. Stay tuned; more exciting announcements are on the way!”
TAJ DIAMOND has also sought the support of the ACE Consulting Group for business development services.
as Chase era begins for West Indies
TAJ DIAMOND is a new planned community redefining urban development in Guyana
