— President Ali leads emergency assessments as Cabinet Ministers fan out across affected regions; authorities deploy additional pumps, warn against actions hindering drainage efforts The Government has intensified its nationwide flood response following days of
— President Ali assures fisherfolk development will proceed without displacement
- President Ali leads emergency assessments as Cabinet Ministers fan out across affected regions; authorities deploy additional pumps, warn against actions hinderiHE ng drainage efforts
Minister
was on the ground in various parts of the country monitoring the situation
THE Government has intensified its nationwide flood response following days of heavy rainfall that have affected several communities across Guyana, with President Dr. Irfaan Ali leading coordinated assessments and response efforts on the ground.
An emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by President Ali was convened on Saturday morning, bringing together Cabinet Ministers and local government leaders to review the situation and deploy teams to affected regions.
The meeting focused on immediate relief measures, public safety, health interventions, and infrastructure support, as authorities work to minimise the impact of flooding caused by unusually high rainfall levels.
Following the meeting, ministers were dispatched across the country to engage residents,
assess conditions, and coordinate response measures with regional administrations and technical agencies.
Speaking during an assessment in Region Three, President Ali said the government has activated a coordinated national response involving regional authorities, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), emergency agencies, and other stakeholders.
“We are seeing very high and unusual rainfall patterns across the country, and as a government, we are on the ground ensuring that every agency is working together to bring relief and support to residents,” President Ali said.
He noted that teams have been deployed to assess damage, identify urgent interventions, and ensure drainage systems are functioning efficiently.
According to the President,
additional pumps and resources are being mobilised where necessary to accelerate the removal of floodwaters, while public infrastructure agencies continue to operate around-the-clock to clear drainage channels and address critical flood-prone areas.
President Ali assured citizens that the government will continue to support affected families, and maintain close surveillance of weather conditions and water levels.
“We will continue to be present in the communities, assess the situation first-hand, and ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to safeguard lives and livelihoods,” he stated.
The nationwide mobilisation comes as persistent rainfall over the past 24 hours resulted in flooding in several low-lying communities, particularly along the coastland and in some hinter-
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— welcome the opportunity to engage directly with Vice-President Jagdeo, key government ministers, and other officials
CITIZENS who attended Friday's Public Day outreach in Region Six have praised the Government of Guyana's continued efforts to bring services directly to communities, describing the exercise as an effective way to raise concerns, access government services and receive immediate assistance.
The outreach, led by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and supported by ministers, regional officials and representatives from several government agencies, attracted residents seeking help with housing, utilities, land ownership, pensions, and other public services.
Many attendees said the exercise demonstrated the government's commitment to engaging citizens and ensuring that issues affecting communities are addressed promptly.
Among those in attendance was Devika Deonarine, who said the initiative provided residents with an important opportunity to engage directly with senior government officials.
“The people of Region Six should be very happy and very proud, because, at least they get to see the VP; the Vice-President, who is the General Secretary. It is a very good thing.
They see the people are concerned,” Deonarine said.
She added that the outreach reflected the government's willingness to listen and respond to citizens' concerns.
“They are here for the people. They care; it is very important, because you can get to voice your concern with them. It's a good initiative for the rest of the people; they are doing a very good job,” she said.
Another resident, Renough-
ter Douglas, described the process as organised and efficient.
“It was quite okay; very polite, friendly. And the system moved very fast. As long as you come here, you will get through,” Douglas said.
She welcomed the government's efforts to engage citizens directly in their communities.
“It's nice seeing that the government is coming to reach the people and the people are going to reach them,” she add-
ed.
For resident Seeram Ramdass, the outreach provided an opportunity to seek clarification on a long-standing land title issue.
“I come to get my title. The new Ministry of Housing in Amsterdam gave me a paper that I will go and check out next year. I signed up because I was trying early times,” Ramdass explained.
According to him, the issue
has remained unresolved despite years of effort.
“Since 2020, I pay for surveying and every time I come back, they measure my measurements. But I am satisfied with what they told me here today,” he said.
Young mother Shakira Seetaram also praised the atmosphere and accessibility of the outreach.
“The process for me was not really hard. As soon as I came, I went in and the greetings with the ministers was very nice,” Seetaram said.
She noted that such initiatives provide an important platform for citizens to have their voices heard.
“We had a great time and we're hoping to look forward to something like this again. I think this is the way of seeing the public, meeting everyone's needs and a way of the public voice being heard,” she added.
Also sharing her experience was Yvette Kertzious, a member of the New Amsterdam Lions Club, who attended to discuss concerns regarding water charges affecting the organisation.
“It was a very pleasant experience, no rush. I went into the Ministry of Water Authority
to deal with an issue with my club. I am a member of the New Amsterdam Lions Club,” Kertzious said.
She explained that the club had been facing high water bills for an extended period and sought assistance from officials.
“We were having high water bills for the longest while. I was in there to discuss that matter with them to see if they can eliminate some of the consumption costs for us to reduce the price or the costs that we are paying presently,” she said.
According to Kertzious, officials immediately responded to the concern.
“Immediately after saying that, she said that they are going to bring our bill back to the usual 4,000 that we were normally paying. I was happy to hear that,” she said.
The outreach formed part of the government's ongoing effort to bring services closer to citizens and provide direct access to senior officials and technical personnel.
For many residents, the exercise not only offered solutions to longstanding issues but also reinforced confidence that their concerns were being heard and acted upon.
TRADE between Guyana and Brazil has expanded significantly, with both governments positioning the growing partnership as a key driver for South American integration and long-term economic development.
Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana, Maria Cristina de Castro Martins, recently revealed that trade between the two countries has increased from approximately US$58 million in 2020 to US$1 billion in 2026.
Speaking on 104.1 Guyana Lite FM, Ambassador Castro Martins described the expansion over the past four years as a result of growing demand in energy, mining, infrastructure and construction.
“The trade relations between both countries have been expanded significantly in recent years. The trade flow, which was around US$58 million in 2020, now reached US$1 billion,” the ambassador stated.
continue to collaborate on.”
Infrastructure and Regional Integration
Looking at the broader region, Persaud said Guyana views Brazil as a vital strategic partner and a gateway between South America and the Caribbean.
“The Guyana-Brazil relationship is fundamental to South American integration and the prosperity of the region,” he reiterated.
The two countries are currently working to strengthen digital, energy and transport links to drive economic growth.
“The increase in trade between Guyana and Brazil reflects the political will by both sides to maintain good neighbourly relations through enhanced co-operation in all areas, including trade,” Persaud told the Department of Public information.
Persaud noted that by 2024,
Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, said the growth reflects a strong political and economic relationship between the two neighbours.
Brazil had become Guyana’s fifth-largest source of imports and its seventh-largest export market. He attributed the success to closer co-operation between the governments and private sectors of both nations through reciprocal trade missions.
He added that disruptions in global supply chains has also prompted Guyanese businesses to look for alternative markets
to support the country’s massive housing, agricultural and infrastructural projects.
Balancing The Trade Deficit
The foreign secretary, however, acknowledged that the current trade balance remained heavily in Brazil’s favour.
“While there is an increase in trade, largely due to oil exports, it remains largely in favour of Brazil. Bilateral trade
is conducted under the Partial Scope Agreement signed by both countries in 2001. The trade imbalance is understandably due to differences in competitiveness, size and productive capacity,” he explained.
Persaud continued, “Some of Guyana’s products face technical barriers including phytosanitary requirements, which is an area that the countries
The foreign secretary several indicated major infrastructural projects acting as catalysts for this integration, including the Linden-Lethem Road, a planned deep-water port and the upgrade of the Lethem regional airport.
He also reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to fostering a favourable investment climate, noting that regional investments are contributing to job creation, technology transfer and increased economic activity.
land locations.
Meanwhile, Agriculture
Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and NDIA Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth visited several flood-affected communities along the East Coast of Demerara, including Plaisance, Montrose, Success, and Ogle, where drainage infrastructure and pumping systems were inspected.
During the visit, Minister Mustapha dismissed reports circulating on social media that drainage pumps were not functioning.
“I am here, the pump is operable, and most of the systems we have in place are working,” he said.
The minister explained that Guyana's drainage network is currently under significant pressure due to intense rainfall, with some areas recording more than 112 millimetres of rain within a short period.
He disclosed that 53 pumps are currently positioned along the East Coast of Demerara, with 51 operational, and additional units being deployed.
“We are putting more pumps in place. In Success, we are installing two additional pumps, and another at Montrose, bringing the total to 56 pumps on the East Coast,” Mustapha said.
He added that drainage operations are ongoing across the country, with 16 pumps operating in Georgetown, 17 in Region Five, and close to 75 in Region Six.
Providing a technical update, NDIA CEO Lionel Wordsworth said the agency has fully activated its national drainage network to manage water accumulation resulting from the heavy rainfall.
“We recorded in excess of 112 millimetres of rainfall in some areas, and that resulted in water accumulation in several communities,” Wordsworth explained.
He said 215 pumps have been deployed nationwide, including newly-acquired mobile units strategically positioned in vulnerable areas.
“These include new mobile units, including 40-cusec and 120-cusec pumps, which are now part of our expanded drainage fleet,” he noted.
Wordsworth added that while water levels in the country's major conservancies remain manageable, authorities are closely monitoring the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creek systems because of rising water levels and backwater effects.
He also reported that dredg-
ing operations are continuing at key outfall channels with the support of amphibious equipment to improve drainage efficiency.
“All systems are being operated at optimal levels, and we remain on high alert throughout this rainy period,” Wordsworth said.
Elsewhere, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips continued assessments in Region Nine, visiting Karasabai Village in the South Pakaraimas to evaluate the impact of flooding on residents and infrastructure.
The Prime Minister met with village leaders and residents while coordinating relief efforts with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), regional officials, and other agencies.
On the West Bank Demerara, Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Zulfikar Ally visited communities including Patentia, where he assessed drainage systems and household impacts alongside local leaders.
Attorney- General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, who was also deployed to affected communities, reported that while water levels had begun receding in several areas,
some locations continued to experience significant water accumulation.
“In a few areas, high levels of water remained on the ground, and suitable arrangements were put in place to evacuate the water. While I observed a discernible decrease in the accumulation of garbage, permanent structures constructed by residents, including bridges to their homes, continue to severely impede the free flow of water with resultant flooding in those areas. Residents were advised to remove these structures, failing which the NDC councillors were instructed to remove them,” Nandlall said.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand also raised concerns about human activities that continue to hinder drainage efforts. During inspections, she pointed to construction debris and builder's waste obstructing waterways, and warned that stricter enforcement measures would be implemented.
“These are some of the challenges we have. This is someone building or doing some kind of construction work. And this is the kind of builder’s waste left here, clogging up drainage, clogging up the ability of the
water to run freely. This cannot happen, and so you're going to see tough action taken against this. This cannot keep happening,” Minister Manickchand said.
She urged residents and contractors to dispose of waste responsibly, and avoid blocking drains and canals, noting that such actions significantly worsen flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
Other Cabinet ministers, including Ashni Singh, Juan Edghill, Zulfikar Ally, Sarah Browne, Deodat Indar, Kwame McCoy, Collin Croal, Vanessa
residents
Authorities have urged residents to refrain from disposing of garbage in drains and canals, noting that blocked waterways significantly hamper drainage operations.
Government officials have assured citizens that monitoring and response efforts will continue throughout the rainy season, with all relevant agencies remaining on high alert to provide assistance and protect lives and livelihoods.
THE heavy rainfall experienced across Guyana over the past several days has once again reminded us of a reality that no country can escape: nature does not always operate on schedule.
With some areas recording more than 112 millimetres of rainfall within a short period, flooding in several communities was inevitable. What matters in such circumstances is how quickly and effectively a country responds.
The government's response has been immediate and visible.
President, Dr Irfaan Ali convened an emergency Cabinet meeting, ministers were deployed across af -
fected regions, and technical teams from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Civil Defence Commission and other agencies were mobilised to assess conditions and provide relief. Across the country, pumps were activated, drainage channels monitored and vulnerable communities visited.
The numbers tell an important story. According to the NDIA, 215 pumps are currently deployed nationwide. Along the East Coast of Demerara alone, 53 pumps were in operation, with additional units being installed to increase capacity. Georgetown has 16 pumps operating, Region Five has 17, and Region Six
has close to 75. New mobile pumps have also been added to strengthen the national drainage fleet.
These investments matter because climate patterns are changing. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense. Governments everywhere are being forced to adapt infrastructure to conditions that were once considered unusual, but are now becoming increasingly common.
However, the recent flooding has also highlighted a truth that cannot be ignored: flood management is not solely the responsibility of the government.
Repeated inspections by ministers and technical officials have identified blocked
THERE are moments in a nation's life when leadership is measured not by speeches, slogans, or social-media performances, but by its response to adversity. Last Saturday's extraordinary rainfall, which inundated communities across Guyana before dawn, presented precisely such a moment.
By sunrise, the government’s machinery had already been activated. President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali convened senior officials, including Vice-president Bharrat Jagdeo, ministers, regional leaders, engineers, and technical personnel. Pumps were deployed, drainage systems mobilised, emergency assessments conducted, and affected communities visited. Across the coastland, public officials moved from village to village confronting a challenge that nature, not politics, had imposed upon the country.
The images emerging throughout the day were not of celebration but of concern. Ministers stood in flooded streets. Regional officials met anxious residents. Engineers monitored drainage infrastructure. Community leaders listened to stories of loss and frustration. The
mood was serious because the situation demanded seriousness. Yet in modern politics, crises often attract a different breed of actor. Where some see suffering as a call to service, others see it as an opportunity for spectacle.
Into this atmosphere stepped Azruddin Mohamed and his political allies, armed not with solutions but with cameras. As residents assessed damage and uncertainty, social-media feeds became saturated with a familiar script: allegations, accusations, outrage, and declarations of governmental failure. Every few minutes came another live broadcast, another claim of neglect, another attempt to transform a weather event into a political theatre production. The strategy is hardly unique. Around the world, there exists a form of politics that thrives not on governance but on grievance; not on policy but on performance. It feeds on public frustration and survives on perpetual indignation. Its currency is not results but attention.
The tragedy is that genuine hardship becomes merely a backdrop.
When floodwaters rise, the
responsible politician asks: What resources are needed? Which systems have failed?
How can relief be accelerated?
The opportunistic politician asks a different question: how can this moment be converted into political capital?
The distinction matters. No democracy benefits when public suffering becomes a campaign prop. Citizens deserve honest scrutiny of government actions. Accountability is essential. Criticism is healthy. But there is a profound difference between constructive oversight and calculated exploitation.
The latter may generate headlines and social-media engagement, but it rarely generates solutions.
Facts remain stubborn things. The drainage response involved hundreds of pumps operating across the country. According to official reports, more than 200 pumping units were deployed nationally, supplemented by newly acquired mobile systems positioned in vulnerable areas. On the East Coast of Demerara alone, dozens of pumps were already operational, with additional units being installed to increase drainage capacity in communi-
drains, improperly disposed garbage, construction waste and even permanent structures erected across drainage pathways. These obstacles restrict the free flow of water and undermine the effectiveness of drainage systems that are designed to protect communities.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall pointed specifically to structures that impede water flow, while Minister Priya Manickchand highlighted construction debris clogging drains and canals.
Their observations should serve as a wake-up call.
No drainage network, regardless of how many pumps are deployed, can function efficiently if waterways are
blocked. Public infrastructure can only perform as intended when citizens also play their part in protecting it.
This is especially important as Guyana continues investing heavily in drainage and irrigation infrastructure. The government has committed substantial resources to improving resilience against flooding, but resilience is ultimately a shared responsibility.
The current situation also demonstrates the value of leadership that remains visible during times of challenge. Citizens expect their leaders to be present, responsive and proactive when difficulties arise. The deployment of Cabinet min-
isters across affected regions reflects an understanding that effective governance requires engagement on the ground.
The rainfall will eventually subside and floodwaters will recede. What should remain, however, is a renewed appreciation for the importance of preparedness, maintenance and community responsibility.
Flooding is a national challenge. Addressing it successfully requires national effort. The pumps matter. The drainage channels matter. The government's response matters. But so too does every citizen's responsibility to keep the system working.
ties experiencing severe flooding.
Reasonable citizens may debate whether the response was perfect. They may ask whether infrastructure should be stronger, whether preparedness can improve, or whether future investments are required. These are legitimate questions.
What is not legitimate is the deliberate construction of a narrative detached from observable reality.
Political leadership requires more than identifying problems. It requires demonstrating an understanding of governance itself: the complexity of public administration, the constraints of infrastructure, the unpredictability of weather systems and the responsibility of balancing criticism with truth.
Guyana deserves an opposition capable of that level of engagement.
A mature democracy re -
quires strong government and credible opposition. It requires political actors who can challenge policies without manufacturing crises, who can disagree without descending into hysteria, and who can inspire confidence rather than merely harvest discontent.
The country's future cannot be built on livestream outrage.
There is also a broader historical perspective worth considering. Guyanese remember periods when comparable rainfall events routinely escalated into prolonged national emergencies. Drainage systems collapsed, communities remained underwater for extended periods, and recovery stretched into weeks and months. While challenges undoubtedly remain, recent responses demonstrate a level of capacity and coordination that would have been difficult to imagine in previous decades.
This does not mean the government is beyond criticism. No government is. It means criticism should be grounded in evidence rather than ambition. Politics, at its best, is the art of solving problems. Politics, at its worst, is the art of profiting from them.
The floodwaters that swept through parts of Guyana last Saturday will eventually recede. What remains will be a clearer picture of who arrived to help, who arrived to listen, who arrived to work and who arrived simply to be seen.
History has a habit of distinguishing between the two. And voters usually do as well.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
THE mind has a way of imprisoning some memories, which strangely it doesn’t store in the ID, but they remain on the surface of the EGO. The mind is conscious of the surface existence of these memories and in an instant, the derivatives of these memories come easily from the EGO.
I cannot remember 99 per cent of the names of fellow students I interacted with during my days at the University of Toronto, except my friends, of course. But one student will always be in my memory, though I may have spoken to her only twice. I recall her name easily – Nirvana Christsanti. She was Italian.
We had an exchange on racism in White so-called democratic countries and since she was a devout Catholic, I asked her how God could allow racism to exist. I will never forget what she told me. She said God doesn’t dislike African people. He just accepts that they are not equal to White people.
I have another memory that will forever remain at the top of my EGO. I was about 12 years old when my sister brought home a young girl. She met her at the Georgetown Hospital in a despondent mood. Her baby son had just died. She was an extremely poor girl from Leguan and although we slept on the floor because
there were seven of us, she joined us.
I remember most vividly one evening, her brother from Cato, in the interior, came to our home to visit her. This man brought a couple of onions that he had grown himself. My parents and all of us looked at the onions in disbelief. How could Guyana grow this and we import onions from abroad? I am in my seventies, so imagine how long ago that was. But a few weeks ago, Guyana began retailing homegrown onions.
Shortly after I saw the local onions, I read about Guyana cultivating and selling roses. It was the brainchild of President Ali. The onions and roses waited until I am in my seventies to be grown commercially in Guyana. I think of the onions and roses and my mind went straight to two presidents - Forbes Burnham and Irfan Ali.
One – Ali – is building a fantastic legacy; the other, Burnham, has destroyed his legacy. But there is something they have in common. They wished for Guyana to be self-reliant, to grow its own products. President Ali is succeeding in that. I am proud of my education, so I would not despoil it by descending to ugly and vulgar propaganda. I believe there were good and bad in Forbes Burnham. The tragedy is that the bad overran the good. Burnham shaped an econo-
my that allowed for Guyana to cultivate its own products and those products were in the dozens.
Burnham did not succeed. Why is Ali making a success out of his direction? The answer lies in Sigmund Freud. Burnham, at a deep, Freudian level, believed he was a special person that was beyond ordinary comprehension. Such a personality does not make for politics. When such a personality possesses power, disaster is inevitable.
So the online newspaper, Village Voice, responded to President Ali’s announcement of the advent of the National Development Bank by running an article with Burnham’s photograph and the three national banks Burnham implemented. All three failed just like his food campaign. This is where the comparison between Burnham and President Ali becomes a gold mine for researchers.
Mohammed Irfaan Ali is a genuinely modest man without even an infinitesimal touch of narcissism. Burnham was overflowing with narcissism. Ali’s directions and his policies are being carried out by a man who genuinely likes people and listens to them. When you have such a leader, the citizens accept his innovations and support them. Ali gets this support. Burnham didn’t.
Let's give two mammoth
THE Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has condemned what it describes as a reckless act after rocks were deliberately placed across the runway of the Lethem Aerodrome, endangering aircraft operations and the lives of passengers and crew.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the aviation regulator said it is working closely with the Guyana Police Force, which has launched a formal investigation into the incident.
According to the GCAA, the obstruction posed a serious threat to the safety and security of one of the country's key regional transport links, and could have resulted in a major aviation accident.
According to the GCAA, the obstruction posed a serious threat to the safety and security of one of the country’s key regional transport links, and could have resulted in a major aviation accident
The Authority is urging anyone with information about the incident to assist investigators.
The GCAA also reminded the public that trespassing on aerodrome property and interfering with air navigation are criminal offences under the Civil Aviation Act 2018.
Under Section 83(1) of
examples of how Burnham and Ali wanted the same thing, but the population rejected Burnham. Each weekend, Burnham coerced public servants to do work at Hope Estate while Burnham rode on horseback and, for sadistic fun, would ride the horse on the workers while they scampered for safety. Burnham implemented a cotton project (National Service) in the interior and made it
compulsory for UG students to pick the cotton. How, with that attitude, are citizens going to support your policies
Irfaan Ali is not coercing Guyanese to grow roses and onions. He is talking to them about the benefits of doing so and asking them how he, as president, can help. In conclusion, Burnham failed to get Guyanese to accept the theme of local cultivation, while Ali succeeded.
One is a naturally nice man (Ali), while the other was instinctively authoritarian (Burnham).
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
the Act, persons found guilty of trespassing on aerodrome lands can face a fine of $1 million, and up to six months' imprisonment. Additionally, Section 86 provides for penalties of up to $3 million and two years' imprisonment for intentionally interfering with air navigation.
The Director-General
— President Ali assures fisherfolk development will proceed without displacement
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has assured fisherfolk at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, that the government's waterfront and fisheries development project remains on track, and will not result in the displacement of vendors and boat owners operating in the area.
The President gave the assurance during a visit to the community where he assessed flooding and drainage conditions, and engaged residents on concerns affecting their livelihoods.
During discussions with fisherfolk and vendors, President Ali sought to dispel rumours that persons would be removed from the area to facilitate the planned devel -
opment works.
“Nobody is going to move you from here. Don’t let anybody mislead you,” the President told residents. He explained that the ongoing and planned works are intended to improve the community's infrastructure while supporting the fishing industry and strengthening flood mitigation efforts.
According to the Head of State, revetment works and dredging activities will improve drainage, and enhance the area's river defence system while laying the groundwork for broader waterfront development.
The government had previously announced plans for a major upgrade of the Goed Fortuin waterfront, which will
include a cold storage facility, timber wharf, improved lighting, enhanced security infrastructure, and upgraded vending facilities for fisherfolk.
The project is expected to be funded through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
President Ali indicated that major construction works could begin within the next six to eight weeks, while revetment and dredging activities are expected to commence sooner.
Importantly, he said the project will be implemented in phases to ensure that fisherfolk can continue earning a livelihood while construction progresses.
“We have to work togeth-
er. We will do section by section so people can continue earning while the work continues,” he said.
The President also used the visit to address concerns about flooding affecting homes, farmlands and drainage channels across the region following days of intense rainfall.
He noted that the volume of rainfall experienced in recent weeks has placed considerable pressure on drainage systems across several parts of the country.
Residents acknowledged that although the rainfall has been significant, investments made by the government in drainage infrastructure have helped improve water management in agricultural com-
FLAG-RAISING mishaps are more common than you would imagine. When they occur, citizens rarely direct their ire toward the men and women in uniform who serve their nations with honour. Apparently, that’s not the case in Guyana.
As our nation gathered at Fort Island to mark our Diamond Jubilee Independence, the Golden Arrowhead became tangled up on the flagpole. I was there, and I witnessed our military personnel working feverishly to resolve the issue. It was a technical hiccup, not a catastrophe. Yet within hours, mischief-mak-
ers unleashed a torrent of disparaging remarks aimed at our service members, as if a technical setback somehow diminished their dedication to our country.
The irony is glaring when viewed in a global context.
When French military personnel hoisted the Olympic flag upside down at the Place du Trocadero during the 2024 Paris Games, the world quickly moved on. When BJP President Amit Shah pulled the rope at India's 2018 Independence Day ceremony and watched his nation's flag crash to the ground, it was treated as an embarrassing
moment, nothing more. Just last month, American military personnel displayed the British Union Jack upside down at Arlington National Cemetery during King Charles III and Queen Camilla's wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Flying the Union Jack inverted is considered a distress signal and an insult to the Crown. It was a blunder. It was embarrassing. But it did not diminish the service, sacrifice, or professionalism of those who wear the uniform.
Yet in Guyana, a mechanical failure became grounds for national condemnation,
President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand during a walkabout with fisherfolk in Region Three
munities.
One resident pointed to previously rehabilitated drainage channels, noting that they have played an important role in reducing the impact of flooding on farms despite the unusually high levels of rainfall.
President Ali said authorities remain actively engaged in monitoring water levels and deploying resources where
necessary to improve drainage and provide assistance to affected communities.
The visit formed part of the government's ongoing nationwide assessment of flood-affected areas as regional administrations, drainage authorities and emergency response agencies continue efforts to mitigate the effects of severe rainfall across Guyana.
even as President Mohamed Irfaan Ali showed the nation what true leadership looks like. While critics rushed to their keyboards as heavy rains drenched Fort Island, the President remained steadfast with First Lady Arya Ali and their young children, refusing to leave until the Golden Arrowhead was finally raised. That demonstration of patience, respect, and national pride underscores his title as our Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Armchair critics conveniently ignore or fail to appreciate the unwavering courage and sacrifice of our military personnel. On May 4, 2026, the very morning Guyana opened oral submissions at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, a GDF patrol escorting civilian boats from Makapa to Eteringbang came under fire near Black Water on the Cuyuni River. Lance Corporal Troyland Douglas sustained two gunshot wounds to his right leg. Another rank narrowly escaped when a bullet grazed him, passing through his uniform. The patrol returned fire and safely evacuated the convoy. Douglas became the ninth GDF soldier wounded by Venezuelan gunfire within a year.
Within 48 hours, GDF patrols faced two more attacks on May 5 at 16:10 and 16:50 hours while escorting civilians. Both patrols responded and withdrew safely without injuries. By late May, at least five separate attacks were confirmed along the Cuyuni corridor.
On May 15, 2025, the GDF riverine patrols faced
three separate attacks in 24 hours when armed men in civilian clothing opened fire between Eteringbang and Makapa.
A few months earlier, on March 1, 2025, a Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel entered Guyana's EEZ near the Stabroek Block, approached ExxonMobil FPSOs, including Prosperity and Liza Destiny, and demanded they acknowledge they were in Venezuelan waters. Later that same day, Caracas uploaded footage of their live-fire exercises on social media. An always alert GDF responded by deploying air assets and Coast Guard vessels to the area.
A GDF resupply vessel travelling from Eteringbang to Makapa was intercepted by two wooden boats carrying heavily armed and masked men in February 2025, who opened fire, wounding eight soldiers. This was the most significant mass-casualty event in recent GDF history.
As Venezuela's Essequibo referendum crisis peaked, a GDF Bell 412EP helicopter crashed approximately 30 miles east of Arau, Guyana's westernmost military post, on December 6, 2023. Five of seven on board were killed, including senior officers under Colonel Michael Shahoud, Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion. While some miscreants choose to focus on a mal -
functioning flagpole and rush to condemn those in uniform, remember these are the soldiers who lost brothers in a helicopter crash while defending our border, who watched Venezuelan warships invade our waters, and who stood their ground when masked gunmen circled their boats.
A flag stuck on a pole is a mechanical failure; nine soldiers shot within a year is a national sacrifice. The GDF doesn't owe you an apology for a flag malfunction. We owe them gratitude for holding the line while we sleep at night.
And here is the final irony: Azruddin Mohamed, who could not find it in himself to attend the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, found the time, along with his sister, to travel to Fort Island in its aftermath to inspect whether the garbage had been picked up. He skipped the party, but showed up for the cleanup.
Perhaps that tells you everything you need to know about where some people's loyalties lie, not in celebrating this nation, not in honouring those who bleed for it, but in searching, always searching, for something to complain about.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
A FEW years ago, many young Guyanese may not have readily seen themselves becoming petroleum engineers, robotics specialists, data analysts, offshore technicians, or industrial innovators.
That is beginning to change.
As Guyana’s economy continues to expand, particularly with the rapid development of the oil and gas sector, there is growing national attention on the skills that will be needed to support the country’s future. At the centre of that conversation is STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
For many students, STEM is no longer limited to a group of subjects taught in classrooms. It is increasingly being seen as a pathway to real careers, technical development, and participation in Guyana’s changing economy.
This is important because the country’s long-term development will not depend only on the production of oil. It will also depend on whether Guyana can build a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, and prepared to participate in the industries that are expected to shape the future.
ExxonMobil Guyana’s US$100 million investment in STEM initiatives is therefore significant. The investment is expected to support
teacher training, student programmes, and the development of new STEM learning centres. These areas are important because they help strengthen the foundation on which future technical capacity can be built.
Initiatives of this nature can help students better understand how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics connect to practical opportunities in the workforce. They can also help young people develop the problem-solving and critical thinking skills that are needed not only in oil and gas, but also in sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, environmental management, research, and information technology. There are already examples of how industry-related initiatives can expose students to practical learning.
One such example is SLB’s PetroChallenge programme, which introduces students to real-world problem-solving and technical concepts connected to the oil and gas industry. Through this type of programme, students are encouraged to think critically, work in teams, and understand how technical decisions are made in an industry setting.
Similarly, ExxonMobil Guyana provided financial support for the University of Guyana chapter’s participation in the 2026 So -
ciety of Petroleum Engineers Regional PetroBowl Competition. The support allowed the team to attend the championship, while also giving students exposure to an important academic and industry-focused platform.
In addition to the funding, ExxonMobil Guyana also hosted a scrimmage to help prepare the team for the competition. This allowed the students to test their knowledge, sharpen their responses, and build confidence ahead of competing with other university teams from across the region.
The PetroBowl is an academic competition in which university students answer questions related to the petroleum industry and compete against teams from across the region and other parts of the world.
These types of opportunities matter because they move learning beyond the textbook. They expose students to industry standards, technical discussions, and professional environments. They also help young Guyanese see that they can compete, learn, and contribute at
a high level.
That confidence is important.
As more young people are exposed to technical fields, they may begin to see new possibilities for themselves. A student studying mathematics today may one day contribute to the design of infrastructure. A young person interested in science may eventually work in environmental management or industrial research. Another student who enjoys technology may go on to support automation, data systems, or digital innovation.
In this way, STEM development is not only about preparing people for jobs in oil and gas. It is about preparing the country for a broader and more competitive future.
Guyana’s economy is becoming more complex. As development continues, there will be a growing demand for engineers, technicians, scientists, software specialists, data analysts, project managers, and other skilled professionals. Countries that invest early in education, training and technical capacity are usually better positioned to
benefit from new industries and manage development more effectively.
This is why partnerships among industry, educational institutions and students are becoming increasingly important.
When companies support scholarships, competitions, training programmes and learning centres, they help create stronger links between education and employment. When universities and schools prepare students with the right knowledge and discipline, they help ensure that young people are ready to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
For Guyana, this connection between education and opportunity will be critical.
The country’s development story is still unfolding, and human capital remains one of its most valuable resources. Investments in STEM education and technical training should therefore be seen as part of a wider national effort to prepare Guyanese for meaningful participation in the country’s growth.
The benefits of this
approach can extend well beyond one sector. A stronger STEM workforce can support better infrastructure, improved productivity, stronger local businesses, technological innovation, and more competitive industries.
Most importantly, it can help ensure that more Guyanese are prepared not only to observe the country’s transformation, but to actively shape it.
When young people are given access to education, exposure, and opportunity, the impact can be felt far beyond the classroom. It can influence families, communities, industries, and the wider economy.
Guyana’s growing focus on STEM may therefore become one of the most important foundations for the country’s future success.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
FROM PAGE 7
of the GCAA strongly denounced the incident, warning that such actions place lives at risk, and will not be tolerated.
“The deliberate placement of rocks on the runway of the Lethem Aerodrome is a reckless and irresponsible act that directly compromised aviation safety and endangered the lives of all persons who depend on air operations at this aerodrome. The GCAA will not tolerate any conduct that undermines the safety and security of civil aviation in Guyana, and we are firmly committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice," the Director-General said.
The Authority is encouraging members of the public to treat aerodromes as critical infrastructure, and to report any suspicious activity or threats to aviation operations to the relevant authorities or anonymously through the GCAA's hotline at 6084222.
ANYONE who knows me well knows that I am an avid (lawn) tennis fan, though the sport is now played on hard and clay surfaces, as well as on grass, where it originally began.
I watch tennis throughout the year, not just the Grand Slams - Australian, French (Roland-Garros and Americanthough these are the biggest and most gruelling tournaments. This is especially true for the men, who have to play up to five-set matches instead of the usual two or three-setters.
Over the years, I have also followed many careers, and watched the sport become more accessible to people of colour, with players like African-American Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters making an indelible mark.
I have watched the 'Big Four' play— Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray— and witnessed their retirement, with the exception of Djokovic, who continues to compete.
But one player who has not achieved the trophy count of these men but has carved a name for himself as one of the most entertaining and gifted players in the sport is the black French player, Gaël Monfils.
A trailblazer and role model to younger players, Monfils is noted for making and returning seemingly impossible shots. His athleticism, aerial ability and spontaneity have made him a crowd favourite.
In recent years, I have watched him mature and play some of the best tennis of his life, winning matches he seemed destined to lose. On these occasions, he was urged on by all the specta tors, but especially the French fans, who love him.
Monfils has achieved the ranking of World Number Six men's singles player, and while he has never won a Grand Slam, he progressed to two semi-finals in the French Open, currently underway, and the American Open.
There can be no doubt that this exuberant sportsman, who will retire after this year's French (Roland-Garros) tournament, has both inspired and paved the way for young players of colour.
Up-and-coming black French players, Arthur Fils and teenager Moise Kouame, are certainly following in his footsteps. And other black players like Francis Tiafoe, Coco Guaff, Taylor Townsend and Alycia Parks, all entered the sport when Monfils was in his heyday and thrilling crowds.
Although he has never lifted a trophy at his beloved French Open tournament, Monfils brings a heightened level of excitement to every game he plays and 'feeds off' the support of fans, raising the level of his game to give of his best even when clearly exhausted.
Married to Ukrainian tennis star, Elina Svitolina and now the father of a young son, the French legend has been hailed by his wife, who shed tears at his impending retirement, as a
wonderful father.
He told Roland-Garros Magazine that he has always wanted to work in finance, and can see himself as a “wealth manager”, taking courses, “to find my place and start this new chapter in my life”.
Monfils leaves tennis after more than two decades, and, at 39, is the oldest player in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP)
Tour history, to be ranked in the top 100. He is also the oldest player to win an ATP tour title, which he did last year, and holds the all-time record for the most Grand Slam wins by a Frenchman.
Two Thursdays ago, he celebrated his career at 'Gael and Friends', on the Roland-Garros Phillipe-Chatriere court. It was an evening of tennis, music and entertainment, attended by several other players and a sold-out crowd.
Last Wednesday, players and fans at Roland-Garros paid an emotional tribute to one of
the most exciting players to ever grace the sport, with flashbacks of his spectacular plays and wins over the course of his remarkable career.
He was defeated last week by fellow Frenchman, Hugo Gaston, after recovering from two sets down to win the next two sets in his inimitable style, before succumbing in the final set.
For the last time, Gael Monfils treated the French and other fans present to an enthralling match, winning him once more
the enthusiastic applause of an appreciative crowd. He will be remembered for his skill, athleticism and showmanship, but most of all for the joy he brought to each game of the sport of tennis, which he loved so much.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
IN Guyana's growing business landscape, entrepreneur Ishwar Singh has built a reputation for creating successful brands and identifying opportunities in emerging markets. Now, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blackwater Tactical Security firm is venturing into the automotive care industry with the launch of ProGrade Auto Luxury Store.
The new business, located at 27CC Eccles, East Bank Demerara, next door to SmartAid 24-hour Pharmacy, was officially launched earlier this week by Singh and his wife, Fazila Baksh, who together own and operate the pharmacy.
ProGrade Auto Luxury Store was born out of Singh's personal passion for vehicles and his desire to provide vehicle owners with access to high-quality automotive care products under one roof.
“I have always loved vehicles,” Singh said. “I enjoy keeping my vehicles clean, maintaining them properly, and making sure they always look and smell their best.”
According to Singh, years of maintaining his own vehicles exposed him to a recurring challenge faced by many motorists.
“There were times when I would arrive at a wash bay and it would be fully booked. Other times, I would go elsewhere and wonder about the quality of products being used
on my vehicle. Sometimes you do not even know exactly what is being sprayed or applied,” he explained.
The issue became important enough that Singh began purchasing his own automotive care products and taking them to wash bays.
“I would buy my own products and tell the attendants to use those products on my vehicles. Sometimes I would spend almost an entire day there making sure everything was done properly,” he said.
What began as a personal solution eventually evolved into a business opportunity.
Singh realised that many vehicle owners shared the same concerns and that there was growing demand for premium automotive products that consumers could trust.
“I began thinking about how we could provide vehicle owners with access to premium products under one roof. More importantly, I wanted to encourage people, especially young people, to become more involved in maintaining their own vehicles,” he said.
For Singh, ProGrade is about more than selling cleaning supplies. He hopes to promote a culture of vehicle care, responsibility and pride among motorists.
“I want people to understand that taking care of your vehicle is an investment. When you use the right products and maintain your vehicle
properly, you preserve its value, protect its appearance and create a sense of pride,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.
He added that vehicle owners should feel confident knowing exactly what products are being used on their vehicles and how those products contribute to long-term protection and maintenance.
Whether customers prefer to maintain their vehicles at home or manage larger fleets, Singh said ProGrade aims to provide professional-grade solutions.
“My goal is to make ProGrade a one-stop destination for automotive-care products. I do not want customers having to travel to multiple locations looking for different items. We want to provide everything they need in one place,” he said.
Like any new business venture, Singh acknowledged there will be challenges as the company grows.
“No business starts with everything. Growth takes time. We are listening to our customers and paying attention to what they need. Customer feedback is extremely important to us because it helps us improve and expand our inventory,” he added.
Despite being newly opened, Singh said the response has been encouraging.
“On our very first day, we had customers coming from all over Guyana. We had people visiting from Moleson Creek, Timehri, Georgetown, the East Bank, the West Coast, and many other areas. Many of them told us they saw our advertisements on Facebook, TikTok, and other social media
platforms,” he said.
The early support, he noted, reinforced his belief that there is strong demand for quality automotive-care products in Guyana.
Having successfully built the Blackwater Tactical Security firm into a recognised security brand and helped establish SmartAid 24-hour Pharmacy as a trusted name in healthcare, Singh now has similar ambitions for ProGrade.
“I do not see ProGrade as a single-location business. I see growth. I see expansion. I see multiple locations in the future that can better serve customers throughout Guyana,” he said.
He also hinted at future developments for the company.
“We have some very big surprises coming. There are exciting things already in the
works, and I think our customers are going to be very pleased. Right now, we are focused on building relationships, serving our customers, and continuing to grow,” Singh added.
As ProGrade Auto Luxury Store establishes itself within Guyana's expanding automotive sector, Singh hopes the business will become a trusted household name for vehicle owners seeking quality products and expert advice.
“We are not just selling products,” he said. “We are promoting a culture of vehicle care. We want people to take pride in what they own, understand how to maintain it properly, and enjoy the satisfaction of keeping their vehicles looking and smelling their best. That is the vision behind ProGrade.”
—
JUST five years ago, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was operating without a functional X-ray machine.
Today, following more than $85 billion in investments, Guyana's premier public hospital is constructing a state-ofthe-art medical imaging centre, installing advanced diagnostic equipment and expanding specialised services as part of a wider transformation of the country's health-care system.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Starting Point podcast, Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Robbie Rambarran, said the institution has undergone a dramatic evolution, moving from a facility once dependent on donated equipment to one that now boasts some of the most advanced medical technology in the region.
Reflecting on the hospital's journey, Rambarran stressed that its transformation has been a collective effort involving healthcare workers, administrators and government support.
He recalled that years ago, the hospital struggled with outdated infrastructure and limited resources, often relying on second-hand equipment and supplies donated from overseas.
Today, he said, the situation
Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Robbie Rambarran
has changed significantly due to strategic government investments and a growing economy.
“Now with the advent of oil and that new prosperity, we are able to, the president with his mandates, invest more in healthcare,” Rambarran said.
He added that leadership and teamwork have been critical to ensuring that those investments translate into improved healthcare services.
“Having that investment, we need to have people who are there to champion every level and be invested. Understanding the dynamics of healthcare and having been around the hospital for 20-plus years, has really helped me to position the hospital, shape that journey, and work with the technical people, the doctors, the nurses, and ev-
ery category of staff, to listen to them, hear their mandate, their wishes, their ambitions, and work towards that collective goal,” he said.
The facility has been supported by investment in a number of areas. Over the last five years, the government has invested in capacity building and expertise training as well as upgrading equipment and introducing new technology in the hospital; investments that Rambarran says have made the institution a regional leader.
As he shared, "Over the last five years, excluding 2026, there have been $85.2 billion invested. A lot of that money is spent on our staff. We have a high payroll, approximately a billion dollars a month. We have over 2,500 staff and we
are still short. We have highly technical, skilled staff and all the salary increases over the last five years have really raised the wage."
He noted that the impact of this could be seen in areas such as post-graduate training, highlighting that the facility currently has some 21 post-graduate training programmes being conducted for doctors and nurses, in collaboration with the University of Guyana and several universities abroad, such as McMaster, the University of Calgary, the University of Vanderbilt, and many others.
Investment in equipment has also been a major pillar of the institution's growth. As Rambarran noted, the GPHC is home to state-of-the-art equipment, some of which is not present anywhere else in the Caribbean.
As he stated, "There is equipment that we have at [the] Georgetown Hospital that is not even in the Caribbean. A lot of this has been on infrastructural improvement. I always said once we give the people the tools, they shouldn't complain. Now what we have to do is work on the human-resource aspect to deliver that service to the people."
This investment does not
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)
end at equipment, however, and extends to the development of infrastructure.
Highlighting the addition of a new medical imaging centre and how much the hospital has developed, Rambarran shared, "If you go to the hospital, you will see a new building going up, that is our medical imaging centre. In 2021, when I went back to the hospital, it did not have a functional X-ray machine. This is our national hospital that did not have a functional X-ray machine in 2021. We replaced those machines and now we are constructing this medical imaging centre."
The new centre will house a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, the first of its kind in the public sector. Rambarran noted that the facility will also be equipped with two CT machines, one recently acquired.
It will further feature two brand new mammography machines and an extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) machine used for the treatment of kidney stones. This investment, representing more than a billion dollars, will transform the hospital's diagnostic capabilities.
This is why Rambarran says the hospital is the nation's leading healthcare facility and among the best in the region, stating, “ [The] GPHC is the best health institution in this country. I will even give myself the liberty to say it is in the top five in the Caribbean. It might be higher, but I'll be cautious.”
The driving force of this success has been leadership, Rambarran noted.
Citing President, Dr Irfaan Ali's experience serving as a member of the board of the Georgetown Hospital as well as his role as Minister of Finance, he noted that this stronger leadership is what has made the health-care push not just possible, but a success.
“That has really made my job easier and with that drive, building out the right team of people at Georgetown Hospital; getting the right leadership persons in the various areas so they can champion, we do not sleep, so we get things going. We are very inspired. We love to say the best is yet to come,” the CEO said.
– says infrastructural projects will unlock thousands of acres
By Bebi Shafeah Oosman
MINISTER of Agricul -
ture Zulfikar Mustapha continues to champion the extensive development agenda earmarked for Region Six, highlighting the significant investments being made to transform the region's agricultural landscape.
According to the minister, major projects are advancing across the region, including substantial investments in infrastructure, land development, drainage and irrigation systems, all aimed at boosting economic growth and improving the livelihoods of farmers and residents.
He noted that these developments form part of the PPP/C government's vision to unlock the region's full potential, create new opportunities for agriculture and business, and enhance the overall quality of life across Region Six.
Mustapha, who accompanied Vice-president Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during a public outreach in Region Six on Friday, said several concerns raised by residents fell under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, including issues relating to land, livestock and crops
Mustapha, who accompanied Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during a public outreach in Region Six on Friday, said several concerns raised by residents fell under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture, including issues pertaining to land, livestock and crops.
According to the minister, these matters were addressed directly during
the engagement, with immediate solutions being implemented where possible.
He stressed the importance of such community outreaches, noting that they allow the government to respond quickly to the needs of residents and farmers.
"These are things our government is implementing so that people can have fast results, fast action,"
Mustapha said.
The minister said Region Six is poised for significant growth in agricultural production, pointing to major infrastructural projects currently underway, including the construction of two Hope-like canals.
He also revealed that several internal canals are being rehabilitated and improved, while additional sluices and pumps will be installed to strengthen drainage and irrigation systems.
According to Mustapha, the completion of the Hope-like canals will open up approximately 35,000 acres of new land for cultivation.
"What we are doing here is expanding land cultivation. We are having more people coming on board, we are having more land and more production. Production will increase tremendously," he said.
The minister noted that Region Six currently has approximately 75,000 acres under rice cultivation, but projected that this figure could increase to 100,000 acres within the next year.
He further highlighted efforts to expand mechanised agriculture through GuySuCo.
"We have more lands now under mechanisation in GuySuCo. For example, we have started 5,000 hectares of land that is mechanised, with GuySuCo now replanting cane again. We also have the juice plant that DDL is setting up in the Eldorado area. Farmers will now diversify into crops like [sic] passion fruit and cherry, and we are also encouraging rice farmers to set aside an acre or two so that we can do this integrated farming," Mustapha explained.
INTEGRATED FARMING
With agriculture con -
tinuing to be modernised, Mustapha underscored the importance of integrated farming and model farms that produce high-value crops.
He said the approach will allow farmers to diversify their income streams rather than relying on a single crop.
"Farmers will not only depend on one area for income, but we are now diversifying and having more different options available," he said.
The minister emphasised that with the scale of development planned for Region Six, residents and farmers have much to look forward to in the years ahead.
"Region Six is set for great development, and there are many opportunities that residents and farmers can benefit from as these projects continue to unfold," he said.
THE Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is increasing support for youth, women, and community projects through the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), helping villages access funding and training.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah BrowneShadeek, said the ADF remains an important source of support for Amerindian villages, particularly as the ministry broadens the scope of programmes to strengthen economic and social development within communities.
Minister BrowneShadeek explained that while Presidential Grants continue to form part of the ADF, the introduction of LCDS funding has eased some of the financial burden previously placed solely on the fund.
This shift has allowed the ministry to place greater emphasis on programmes supporting youth groups, women’s organisations, sports, culture and skills training.
Among the ongoing initiatives are Community Support Officer (CSO) training programmes, shade house
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is increasing support for youth, women, and community projects through the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), helping villages access funding and training
development, small-engine repair training and youth-led business ventures.
Minister BrowneShadeek highlighted a recent youth printing business initiative in Kumu, where young people were provided with equipment and training to establish a community-based enterprise.
Women’s groups are also receiving support through sewing projects, agricultural initiatives and other smallscale economic programmes designed to improve household income and community
participation.
The ministry is also assisting villages with infrastructure and community development projects, including support for sporting facilities and district events.
In Upper Mazaruni, funding is being directed towards improving infrastructure and facilities ahead of this year’s district games in Jawalla.
The minister said her ministry continues to ensure all Amerindian villages benefit from available programmes, regardless of
location or population size.
Support is also being directed towards improving transportation access in remote communities by providing all-terrain vehicles and boats to assist with emergencies, healthcare access and general transportation needs.
The minister said communities are playing a central role in decision-making, with projects selected through village general meetings where residents collectively determine development priorities.
As part of accountability measures, villages are
required to submit financial documentation and expenditure records before receiving additional support.
The ministry also facilitates audits and investigations when concerns about financial mismanagement are raised.
The minister said the focus moving forward remains on ensuring projects are properly implemented while maintaining accountability and transparency in the management of village resources. [DPI]
NAYELLI Salon and Spa
has been a household name in Guyana's beauty industry for four decades. This March, the homegrown establishment celebrated its 40th anniversary with a three-day observance, marking a significant milestone for one of the country's most recognised and respected names in beauty, cosmetology and professional training.
The anniversary celebrations included a thanksgiving service at the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), an elegant dinner at Herdmanston Lodge and a family-friendly picnic at the Round House along the Georgetown Seawall.
The milestone served as a tribute to perseverance, vision and the remarkable journey of founder Bibi Zenefia Rahim, a woman who dared to pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions at a time when business ownership was largely dominated by men.
In 1986, a young and determined Rahim, along with two friends, entered the beauty industry through a partnership. Over time, the women pursued separate
paths as they sought to establish their own businesses.
Rahim opened her salon on Thomas Street, Georgetown, before relocating to its current location on New Market Street. Prior to establishing Nayelli, she worked at two other salons, Monique's and Noreen's, gaining valuable experience that would later shape her success.
Originally from Essequibo, Rahim relocated to Georgetown, where she would go on to build a lasting legacy in the beauty industry.
Reflecting on her early years, Rahim recalled mov-
ing to New Market Street when the building consisted of an open bottom house with only three small rooms. At just 26 years old, she relied on hard work, consistency and professionalism to grow the business.
When it came time to name the salon, Rahim said she wanted something different and chose not to name it after herself. Instead, she honoured a promise made to a close friend who had always cherished the name "Nayelli" for a daughter he hoped to have one day.
Years later, when Rahim welcomed her own daughter in 2003, she fulfilled that
promise by giving her the same name.
In its early years, Nayelli operated with a staff of just three people: Rahim and her two sisters. As the business expanded, so did its team, eventually growing to 12 employees.
Recognising the importance of education and professional development within the beauty industry, Rahim established the Nayelli School of Cosmetology just two years after opening the salon.
Over the years, Nayelli became a pioneer within Guyana's beauty sector, host-
ing fashion shows and charitable events while helping to elevate professional standards across the industry.
One of the salon's most notable achievements came in 1988 when it hosted Guyana's first-ever Hair Fashion Show at the then Inner Circle on Church Street, Georgetown. The event was considered a bold move at the time and helped place Nayelli firmly on the national stage.
In 1993, Rahim further advanced her qualifications by successfully completing the New York State Cosmetology Examination. The achievement enabled her
to enhance the services offered to clients, better train students at the cosmetology school and meet the demands of a growing international clientele.
Today, as Nayelli enters its fifth decade, the salon remains committed to delivering exceptional service, embracing modern techniques and providing a welcoming environment for clients.
The legacy built over the past 40 years continues to shape the future of the business, ensuring that Nayelli remains an enduring part of Guyana's beauty industry for generations to come.
THE Bethel Wesleyan Church at Lot 224 Public Road, Bachelors Adventure, East Coast Demerara, will host its third annual Men in Concert on June 6, 2026, under the theme "Crowned with Glory and Honour."
The free event, which begins at 18:00 hours, is expected to attract families from across the East Coast and beyond for an evening of worship, music, entertainment and prize giveaways.
Speaking with the Sunday Chronicle, Event Planner for the Men in Concert, Carl Ageday, said the initiative was created to celebrate and appreciate men while providing an enjoyable experience for the entire family.
According to Ageday, although everyone is wel-
come to attend, the event is designed to give back to men through a variety of gifts and prizes distributed throughout the evening.
“Gifts and prizes are bought, and throughout the event, are given to the men only,” he explained.
The concert will fea-
POLICE have recaptured Lusignan prison escapee Adrian Damder, nearly two weeks after he escaped from lawful custody.
Damder, 34, of Graham Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, was arrested during an operation at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, in the early hours of Saturday.
According to police, ranks acted on informa-
tion received and went to a location in the village at about 00:20 hrs, where the fugitive was contacted and arrested without incident.
Damder, who was on remand for threatening language, had escaped from the Lusignan prison sometime between 08:00 hrs and 16:00 hrs on May 17, 2026.
He is currently being held at the Sparendaam Police Station as investigations continue.
— Bethel Wesleyan Church to host free event celebrating men through worship, music and giveaways
ture a variety of performances, including music, dance, worship and a special steel pan presentation.
“We have a steel pannist coming, and all the items are done by men. However, everyone is invited to this event-- men, women, children, it's a family event, and also ev-
erything is absolutely free of cost. You don't have to pay to come in, you don't have to pay to win anything,” Ageday said.
One of the major attractions this year will be the opportunity for attendees to win from more than 100 prizes being offered during the event.
Ageday revealed that the flagship prize is a 250-litre concrete mixer, which he believes will be particularly appealing given the continued growth of the construction sector.
“Construction is booming, so everybody's looking out for that, and apart
from that, we have 100 other prizes to be given away, so come out, come out, come out,” he said. Or ganisers are encouraging members of the public to attend and enjoy what promises to be an evening of fellowship, entertainment and community celebration.
— Ambassador says embassy opening signals long-term commitment to economic partnership and regional integration
FRENCH Ambassador to Guyana, Olivier Plancon, has underscored France's commitment to strengthening trade, investment and economic co-operation with Guyana, while positioning sustainable development, security and regional integration among the top priorities of the newly established French Embassy.
Speaking at the Private Sector Commission's (PSC) 34th Annual General Meeting on Friday, Ambassador Plancon said the opening of the French Embassy in Georgetown in October 2025 reflects a shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding economic opportunities between the two countries.
Ambassador Plancon explained that the decision to open the French Embassy in October 2025 reflects a clear and shared commitment to strengthening bilateral economic, security and friendship ties between France and
Guyana and continues to play an active role in regional integration, particularly through the French overseas communities in the Americas and the Caribbean.
The Ambassador noted that France and Guyana share common democratic values and face similar challenges in the region.
“Our countries are both democracies, and both our countries are feeling attached to our democratic values. As democracies, we face similar challenges here in the region, in terms of security, in terms of economic and sustainable development,” he said.
He highlighted security, particularly the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime, as an important area of co-operation between the two countries.
Ambassador Plancon also highlighted the role of France's Regional Economic Department in Bogotá, which supports French commercial and economic activities in Guyana.
He explained that French Foreign Trade Advisors continue to play an important role in facilitating investment opportunities for French companies interested in Guyana.
“Our French Foreign Trade Advisors, Jean-Fran -
cois Gerin and Christophe Sureau, whom you know, act as facilitators for French companies wishing to invest here. Our Foreign Trade Advisors for Guyana are part of a regional group of 11 advisors for CARICOM, chaired by Mr. Sureau,” he said.
The Ambassador explained that the advisors are volunteers drawn from the private sector who operate under an official mandate from the French government to support international business initiatives.
“They all are volunteers, businessmen and business women in real life, with an official mandate from the French government. So, it's a major input from civil society,” he added.
Plancon recalled that in December 2025, the Embassy welcomed Louis Brugel as Geoeconomic Affairs Officer, who helped coordinate France's participation in the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo earlier this year.
He noted that the Embassy is working closely with businesses and government agencies that support French companies abroad, while also assisting foreign companies seeking to expand operations into France.
Addressing PSC Chairman, Captain Gerald Gouveia Jr., Ambassador Plancon said the Embassy was honoured to host a PSC delegation in Paris earlier this year, describing the visit as an important step in strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
He recalled that during the mission, two Memoranda of Understanding were signed, including one with the French Foreign Trade Advisors.
The delegation also met with France's Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Nicolas Forissier, who reaffirmed France's commitment to supporting Guyana's development in areas such as agriculture, food processing, infrastructure, water, energy, technology, defence and security.
Ambassador Plancon further highlighted ongoing collaboration with the European Union through the Global Gateway Programme, which serves as a financing platform for European companies.
“We also are working closely with the European Union delegation as part of the European Commission's Global Gateway Programme, which provides a financing platform for European companies,” he said.
He noted that under this
framework, a delegation of Guyanese officials and private sector representatives visited France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain in November 2025, marking the first mission of its kind.
According to the Ambassador, France offers expertise in a number of sectors, including tourism, hospitality, aerospace, defence and sustainable development.
He noted that France accounts for 18 per cent of European Union agricultural production and continues to make major investments in renewable energy, manufacturing, artificial intelligence and healthcare.
The ambassador pointed out that these sectors create significant opportunities for Guyanese businesses seeking partnerships, investment, innovation and access to the broader European market.
The Ambassador revealed that since the opening of the French Embassy, there has been growing interest from French companies in Guyana's expanding economy.
To date, approximately 10 French companies are operating in Guyana across sectors including aerospace, transportation, logistics, engineering, oil and gas, and catering.
He added that the Embassy has also supported around 20 additional French companies that have expressed strong interest in investing in Guyana.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Plancon said France remains optimistic about the future of its relationship with Guyana, noting that growing economic co-operation, regional integration and private sector partnerships will continue to strengthen ties between the two countries.
He added that France fully supports efforts to deepen engagement between French territories and CARICOM, pointing to Martinique's pending accession as an associate member and the possibility of French Guiana following in the future.
Not overlooking the challenges that exist, Ambassador Plancon said he is convinced that the ties between France and Guyana, and between Europe and Guyana, will continue to grow stronger.
CHINA'S diplomatic outreach has gained remarkable momentum in recent months. Starting from May, heads of state from Tajikistan, the United States, Russia, Pakistan and Serbia have paid successive visits to China. Over the past half year, leaders from France, South Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Vietnam and many other countries have also travelled to China.
This vibrant diplomatic activity spans major Western countries, Global-South nations, neighbouring states and partners across the globe. The surge in high-level exchanges involving China has emerged as one of the most prominent trends in current international diplomacy.
International media commented that China now plays three pivotal roles on the world stage: a diplomatic bridge connecting different parties, a provider of development frameworks and a stabiliser for global strategic dynamics. For months, leaders across the globe have been paying visits to Beijing. These trips are motivated by both commercial interests and
the search for a reliable partner in an uncertain world. Generally speaking, foreign media interpret this diplomatic momentum from a co-operation perspective and regard China as a trustworthy and steady partner.
Such widespread recognition is no coincidence. It reflects both a growing international consensus and the accumulation of tangible results. The willingness to co-operate is important, but the ability to turn that willingness into concrete outcomes matters even more. China's robust co-operation capability lies precisely in its ability to transform shared aspirations into practical achievements, and the continued stream of foreign leaders visiting China once again demonstrates that capability.
This capability is rooted in the steady momentum of its development. This year marks the beginning of China's 15th FiveYear Plan period (2026-2030). While advancing high-quality development, China is also expanding high-standard opening up, presenting the world with a clear and growing list of opportunities.
During the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi encouraged U.S. business leaders accompanying Trump to strengthen co-operation with China, and stressed that China will open its door still wider.
According to the latest edition of the American Business in China White Paper released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China, 52 percent of U.S. companies operating in China expect to turn a profit in 2025, up six percentage points from the previous year.
This year has also seen a constant influx of foreign business executives into China, alongside a string of major foreign-invested projects breaking ground nationwide. For many global companies, investing in China is no longer simply an option; it has become a strategic necessity. A stable and steadily developing China is creating ever more opportunities for businesses worldwide.
China's capacity for co-operation also stems from its philosophy of seeking harmony without uniformity. In front of the Hall of
Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven, Xi explained to Trump the traditional Chinese concept that Heaven is round and Earth is square and the view on the universe and guiding philosophy of the Chinese people.
At the Huaigu Pavilion in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan province, Xi and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron enjoyed tea by the waterside, drawing insights on relations among major countries from the Chinese wisdom of achieving harmony between human and nature embodied in ancient water-management practices.
China does not pursue bloc confrontation or draw ideological lines. Instead, it builds bridges of understanding through dialogue among civilisations, enabling countries with different systems and cultures to reach co-operation through mutual respect. This approach, transcending differences while focusing on win-win outcomes, is precisely the kind of certainty China brings to an increasingly turbulent world.
China's capacity for co-operation is further reflected in its
commitment to multilateralism and its sense of responsibility as a major country. Today's world faces mounting instability, with unilateralism and hegemonism posing serious threats and raising the risk of a return to the law of the jungle in international relations. Under such circumstances, solidarity and co-operation have become necessities for the international community.
More than ever, the world urgently needs major countries to uphold equality, the rule of law, co-operation and good faith, and firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.
China and Russia recently issued a joint statement on promoting a multipolar world and a new type of international relations. The two sides also reached 20 co-operation agreements in other fields, underscoring the two countries' commitment to maintaining global strategic balance and improving the international relations system.
China has consistently practised true multilateralism, firmly
upheld the international order and contributed to improving global governance through good governance at home. The wave of foreign leaders visiting China reflects growing international recognition of China's clear position and responsible role. Such co-operation not only stabilises bilateral relations, but also benefits the world.
Across the globe, "looking East" has increasingly become a prevalent consensus. China's capacity for co-operation has become a much-needed global resource, and the opportunities China brings through co-operation have become valuable, rare global public goods.
Facts speak for themselves: partnering with China means embracing opportunities; standing with stability means standing on the right side of history. In this era marked by turbulence and transformation, China will stay committed to openness, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit and win-win co-operation, providing the world with greater stability and positive energy through its own steady development.
As mounting conflicts, geopolitical divisions and humanitarian crises continue to test the post-war international order, China has reiterated its firm support for the UN Charter and multilateralism at a high-level United Nations Security Council meeting, where the country has also called for revitalising the UN-centred international system and strengthening global governance mechanisms.
China’s consistent emphasis on defending the UN framework has drawn wide support, with Chinese observers noting that the international community is increasingly looking for stability and support for a more just and equitable global governance system.
The stance was reflected during the United Nations Security Council High-Level Meeting themed, “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System” held Tuesday at UN headquarters in New York.
Chairing the meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, put forward five proposals, calling on the international community to stand united and act together to defend, revitalise and strengthen the UN.
Together with China’s previously proposed global-governance initiative, Beijing’s advocacy for multilateralism and support for the UN-centred system also received backing from figures including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and foreign ministers from mul-
tiple countries.
Reinvigorating the UN system
“We are gathered here at a time when the international situation is undergoing the most complex and profound changes since the end of World War II. The dark clouds of war keep gathering and the law of the jungle is resurging. The giant ship of human civilisation is sailing into dangerous waters, and world peace and development is [sic] at a crossroads,” Wang said at the UN Security Council meeting in New York, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry release posted on its website on Wednesday.
Wang stressed that the challenges confronting the world today test the international community’s conviction to safeguard peace, its resolve to uphold justice and its courage to pursue reform and innovation. “We must stand united and act together to defend, revitalise and strengthen the UN,” he said.
Against the backdrop of intensifying global tensions, Wang made five proposals, calling for revitalising the UN Charter to demonstrate stronger leadership, revitalising the authority of the Security Council to demonstrate stronger capacity for action; revitalising global development co-operation to harness stronger mobilisation capabilities; revitalising global governance platforms to foster stronger execution capabilities and revitalising the effectiveness of the UN system to cultivate greater vitality.
He also said the root cause of the chaos in today’s world is not that the Charter’s spirit is outdated, but that the interna-
tional order and the basic norms governing international relations, both set out in the Charter, are not being effectively upheld and observed.
Certain countries have successively withdrawn from multiple international organisations, raising widespread concerns that international legal norms and the existing international order are facing the risk of fragmentation. Against such a backdrop, China, as a key pillar of multilateralism, has proactively taken up the banner of safeguarding multilateralism and revitalizing the authority of the United Nations, Mao Ruipeng, a Senior Research Fellow of Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
This not only reflects the common expectations of the international community, but also demonstrates China’s commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities as a major country, Mao Ruipeng added.
Mao Ruipeng said China’s five proposals at the United Nations clearly outlined China’s position and approach regarding the role of the UN. Reaffirming and strengthening the authority of the Security Council at the current moment, he noted, is aimed at calling on the international community to uphold principles such as multilateralism and non-interference in internal affairs, while improving global governance and resolving disputes through peaceful means and safeguarding regional and global peace and stability.
Wang’s remarks come at a time of heightened international turbulence and escalating conflicts worldwide. Speaking at the same meeting, Guterres
warned that “we are witnessing a dangerous erosion of respect for international law,” adding fundamental principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity and the prohibition on the use of force being “challenged or ignored.” He also cited the highest number of conflicts since the founding of the United Nations.
Guterres’ concerns echo ongoing crises across multiple regions. The conflict in the Middle East, which began in February, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which erupted in 2022, remain unresolved.
Whether it is the conflict in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, terrorism, climate change or public-health crises, all these issues ultimately need to return to the framework of the United Nations and international law for effective resolution, which requires strengthening the UN, while opposing power politics, unilateralism and exclusive alliances that treat might as right, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Even as Guterres voiced his concerns at the UN, conflicts and humanitarian crises continued unfolding across the world. According to reports from France 24 and Al Jazeera, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed 31 people and wounded 40 others, while intensified strikes and forced displacement warnings targeted towns and villages in the south and east.
Meanwhile, disease outbreaks and armed conflict are also ravaging parts of Africa. The BBC reported Wednesday that the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Ebola-hit
DR Congo faces a “catastrophic collision” of disease and conflict. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said eastern DR Congo had become the centre of a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict” amid the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, noting that WHO “cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling.”
Facing such challenges, foreign ministers attending Tuesday’s meeting also stressed the need to defend the UN system and peaceful dispute resolution.
Russia’s Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said, “Our duty is to cherish the Charter,” while also pointing to what he described as “remilitarisation” in certain countries. He said the countries defeated during World War II are now seeking “plausible pretexts for rewriting its outcomes.”
Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s minister for foreign affairs, described the UN Charter as the “moral foundation of the international order” and called for peaceful settlement of disputes. “Diplomacy is not weakness,” he insisted, noting that “peaceful settlement is not an option of last resort.”
Concrete actions
The Chinese foreign minister noted that over the 55 years since the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations, China, as a permanent member of the Security Council, has actively participated in and advanced the cause of the UN.
“Amid international turbulence and transformation, China holds its banner high. Amid global development impasse, China empowers and enhances.
Amid major public crises, China races to help. When multilateralism runs into headwinds, China steps up to its responsibility,” Wang said at Tuesday’s meeting. He noted that China has translated its commitment to multilateralism into concrete action worldwide, including assisting Africa in combatting Ebola, promoting peace talks amid frequent global conflicts and initiating mechanisms such as the International Organization for Mediation and the World Data Organization. Such contributions, observers noted, are increasingly recognised by the international community. During his meeting with Wang, Guterres expressed his gratitude to China for its consistent commitment to upholding the UN Charter and international law.
The UN chief also noted that China is the most reliable partner for sustainable development and a robust contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, adding that the UN commends the series of global initiatives put forward by China in fields such as security, peace and development, and looks forward to working together to resolve conflicts, to ensure that peace, international law and multilateralism prevail, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Such recognition is not isolated. During his meeting with Wang, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, thanked China for its efforts in mediating the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. They added that the world needs rules rather than unilateralism, and stressed
TURN TO PAGE 17
THE 2026 cohort of the Guyana Media and Communication Academy (GMCA) on Friday completed its three-month classroom training programme and is now preparing to enter the next phase of its de -
ternational producer and media consultant, Dexter Pembroke, who exposed participants to industry-standard production techniques and best practices. Students were given the opportunity to apply skills learned during the pro-
mation and Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, encouraged the aspiring media professionals to uphold high standards as they embark on their careers.
He urged them to pursue excellence, maintain discipline,
ment, facilitator coordination, student mentorship, and overall programme management, describing her efforts as instrumental to the success of the training cycle.
The graduates will now spend six weeks
velopment through internships at media houses across Guyana.
The milestone was marked with an interactive final session that immersed students in a professional production environment, complete with a fully equipped studio, practical videography exercises, role-playing activities, and hands-on production training.
The final module was facilitated by in -
gramme in a dynamic setting designed to mirror real-world media operations.
The session also featured a celebratory atmosphere as students performed the newly introduced GMCA theme song, symbolising the camaraderie, shared experiences, and sense of identity cultivated throughout the threemonth programme.
Addressing the cohort, Minister of Infor-
and demonstrate professionalism as they enter newsrooms and communication institutions across the country.
Minister McCoy also commended the leadership of the academy, particularly National Coordinator Marcia Hope, for her role in ensuring the successful delivery of the programme.
He highlighted Hope's contributions in curriculum develop-
undertaking internships at both state-owned and privately owned media organisations, where they will gain practical newsroom experience and further develop the skills acquired during classroom training.
The internship com-
Police
ponent is designed to bridge the gap between academic instruction and professional practice, providing participants with valuable exposure to the demands and realities of the media industry.
The GMCA programme continues to
serve as a structured pathway for developing a new generation of skilled, work-ready media and communication professionals, contributing to the growth and strengthening of Guyana's media landscape.
POLICE are investigating the death of Sergeant Bhachan Singh, who died on Friday night, six days after he reportedly ingested a poisonous substance at his East Coast Demerara home.
Singh, of Airstrip Road, Non Pareil, was reportedly rushed to the Enmore Regional Hospital on May 23 after the incident occurred around 14:00 hrs.
According to police, he was admitted to the hospital's High Dependency Unit, where he remained under medical care.
Investigators said a bottle suspected to have contained the poisonous substance was recovered from the scene and has since been processed as part of the ongoing probe.
Singh succumbed while receiving treatment at about 22:00 hrs on May 29.
Police reported that an
examination of the body revealed no marks of violence.
The body is currently at the Enmore Regional Hospital Mortuary and is expect-
ed to be transferred to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it will await a post-mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing.
WOMEN are being encouraged to take advantage of a new opportunity to become entrepreneurs while strengthening care services in their communities through the government’s National Care Economy Initiative.
Registration is now open for the Care Economy Co-Invest Programme, a Ministry of Human Services and Social Security initiative aimed at establishing childcare and elderly care facilities in 10 regions.
The programme forms part of the government’s manifesto commitment to support families and create economic opportunities, particularly for women.
Those who register will benefit from co-investment financing, free training in childcare and elderly care, business mentorship and technical support to help run safe, sustainable centres.
The ministry said the initiative was open to individuals and groups of three to eight people from any community where care facilities are needed.
Applicants must have access to an appropriate, secure space within their home or community and be willing to undergo mandatory training.
The programme is an ongoing initiative and is
Under the co-invest model, individuals and groups will receive support to set up home-based or community-based care centres. These facilities are expected to provide affordable care while creating jobs and empowering women.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, interacts with participants at a recently concluded WIIN training programme
seeking broad participation from women across Guyana to help expand access to quality care services for children and senior citizens. Interested people are encouraged to register as soon
A MOTOR lorry driver from Lethem, Central Rupununi, has been fined after pleading guilty to driving with
a breath alcohol level above the legal limit.
George Gildarie appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the
Lethem Magistrate’s Court on Friday, May 29, 2026, where the charge was read to him.
The charge was laid
POLICE have seized 745 grams of suspected cannabis during an early morning operation at School Street, Mahdia, Region Eight.
The discovery was made between 05:10 hrs and 05:50 hrs on Saturday, as ranks conducted searches in the area.
According to police, a large black plastic bag containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found concealed between two car tyres among shrubs and plants.
Further searches led to the discovery of two additional bulky black plastic bags and a transparent plastic bag containing several zip-lock parcels, all containing suspected cannabis.
The narcotics were taken to the Mahdia Police Station, where they were weighed and amounted to 745 grams before being lodged. No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.
as possible, with additional details to be released in the coming weeks.
Applications can be submitted by scanning the registration QR code or by emailing the Ministry of
George Gildarie under Section 39(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.
Gildarie pleaded guilty and was fined $50,000 or, in default, five weeks' imprisonment.
careeconomy@gmail.com. [DPI]
A MOTORCYCLIST from Moco-Moco Village, Central Rupununi, has been fined after pleading guilty to driving with a breath alcohol level above the legal limit.
Fitz Patrick Raphael appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court on Friday, May 29, 2026, where the charge was read to him.
The charge was laid under Section 39(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Raphael pleaded guilty and was fined $50,000 or, in default, five weeks' imprisonment.
FROM PAGE 15
t he urgent need to jointly safeguard the UN’s authority.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry latest data, the Global Development Initiative put forward by China has mobilised funds amounting to over $23 billion, supported over 1,800 co-operation projects, delivered over 10,000 capacity-building programmes for developing countries, and trained over 200,000 professionals in different fields, giving a strong boost to the development and vitalisation of the Global South.
“Over the past 55 years, as
the permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has been actively participating in and advancing the cause of the UN. At the new historical starting point, China will continue doing more things for greater good, championing multilateralism and pursuing greater solidarity to build a more just and equitable global governance system and move towards the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity,”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing on Wednesday. Mao Ruipeng said China has continued to use its major
initiative as a platform to advance international development co-operation, which also explains Beijing’s emphasis on revitalising global development co-operation at the UN meeting.
As the primary channel for global governance, the United Nations remains central to such efforts, Mao Ruipeng said, adding that China’s call to reinvigorate global governance platforms and enhance the effectiveness of the UN system sends a clear message of support for UN reform, stronger international co-operation and its global governance vision.
Today’s Quiz: (1) Which team ended at the bottom of the points table in IPL 2026? (2) Which team topped the points standings?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
major driving force for the West Indies.
“One thing we’ve done really good as a group is that we’ve defended home court very nicely. The consistency that we’ve shown at home and understanding our conditions really have been going a long way for us.
“Sri Lanka is a team that’s very strong, so that attention to detail that we need
to pay goes a long way in terms of the preparation and understanding what they are trying to throw at us, finding ways to score as batters, limiting that dot ball percentage and as bowlers trying to find ways to keep picking up wickets…” Hope explained.
“So just understanding that we have a lot to play for as well, especially with the points up for grabs.”
TOP seed Aryna Sabalenka beat Daria Kasatkina in straight sets to set up a mouth-watering fourthround match against Naomi Osaka at the French Open.
The 28-year-old Belarusian delivered a commanding display as she won 6-0 7-5 against the Australian on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
World number one Sabalenka is chasing her first title at Roland Garros as she looks to add to her Grand Slam tally of four.
Japanese 16th seed Osaka, also a four-time Grand Slam winner, reached the last 16 after beating American 17th seed Iva Jovic 7-6 (7-5)
6-7 (3-7) 6-4.
The pair have faced each other twice this year, with world number one Sabalenka securing victories against Osaka at Indian Wells, in March, and the Madrid Open last month.
Osaka, who is also chasing a first title in Paris, said: “I feel like I played a pretty good match against her in Madrid. I think I just dipped in the second and third set.
“Hopefully just keep the consistency and keep trying to be aggressive. Whatever happens, happens.”
Sabalenka said she was relishing the match against Osaka, while adding it is great to see her showing
signs of the form which made her a four-time Grand Slam champion.
Osaka won the US Open and Australian Open twice between 2018 and 2021 but did not play for 14 months around the birth of her daughter Shai in July 2023.
“It’s great to see her back on her level.
Maybe not at her best level, but she’s back, she’s fighting, she’s building her level,” said Sabalenka.
“I feel like I really enjoy our battles. It’s high-level matches, and I really enjoy when somebody pushes me to the limit.”
Sabalenka took control of her match early, winning
Matthews: ‘We’re in a good space right now’
92% of first-serve points in the opening set as Kasatkina failed to win a game.
Kasatkina improved in the second set as she broke to briefly lead at 2-0, but Sabalenka broke back immediately before asserting control late on and converting the second of three match points.
Victory means Sabalenka is the ninth woman to win 100 matches while ranked
number one in the world.
Joining Sabalenka and Osaka in the last-16 is France’s world number 92
Diane Parry, who stunned American sixth seed Amanda Anisimova.
Parry, 23, won 6-3 4-6 7-6 (10-3) to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time, while Anisimova’s wait for a maiden Grand Slam title goes on.
DUBLIN, Ireland, (CMC) – FOLLOWING dominant victories in their opening two matches of the Evara Tri-Nation T20I series, West Indies Women’s captain, Hayley Matthews, believes her team is clicking at the right time, with the Women’s World Cup less than two weeks away.
The Windies began the series with a dominant eight-wicket win over Ireland Women on Thursday and followed that up by defeating Pakistan Women by 25 runs in a high-scoring affair on Friday.
Matthews said she was especially pleased that several different players had stepped up to the plate.
“I think as a group we’re in a pretty good space right now.
We had the clinical win yesterday [Thursday] over Ireland and felt pretty dominant in that one and then today, to post a total like we did definitely put some confidence in our batting lineup, and to do it with so many different people contributing was really good to see.“
Parry was serenaded by the home crowd on an electric Court Philippe Chatrier and had to wait for them to stop singing before she could conduct her post-match interview.
She will face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the fourth round after her 1-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Greece’s Maria Sakkari. (BBC Sport)
At the same time too, when we go with the ball in both of the matches it shows how many bowling options we really have. I think we’ve used about 10 or 11 bowlers so far for the series in the two matches, which shows that we have a lot of people being called on,” Matthews said.
“So it’s definitely pretty reassuring after the first two matches and hopefully we can finish off the series even better.”
Meanwhile, vice-captain and Playerof-the-Match against Pakistan, Chinelle Henry, said the team was full of confidence heading into the World Cup.
“Yesterday [Thursday] and today [Friday] was a completely different playing XI and to see people who were on the bench yesterday, the way they came into the team and just fit in with the performances and stuff, it was pretty good to see that with a switch in the XI we have players who can actually step up and help the team
“It’s a really good look and it’s a really good mix heading into the T20 World Cup,” Henry said.
the decisive penalty as PSG won the shootout 4-3 to retain the Champions League title.
Arteta’s gameplan looked to be working perfectly before Dembele levelled the score in the 65th minute and after that it seemed like the trophy was only going to be heading back to France.
The Gunners had no answer for the relentless passing of PSG and had to retreat deep into their own half as the conditions and effort took its toll on the players. Gabriel being the player to miss the decisive penalty felt particularly harsh given the Brazilian
had produced a monstrous display alongside central defensive partner Saliba to keep Arsenal in the final.
After taking the lead Arsenal produced a typically resolute display, but lacked spark going forward and Arteta could only hope that a moment of magic would be enough to see his side snatch a win.
Twenty years ago, Arsenal was beaten 2-1 by Barcelona in their first Champions League final and the hope will clearly be that they don’t have to wait as long for their next one. But it has still been an excellent season for the Gunners, who should still celebrate their Premier
League title victory.
PSG continue to dominate under their impressive coach, Luis Enrique. The Spaniard has completely transformed the club since taking over in the summer of 2023 and his style, along with focusing on young elite talent, has seen the Parisians retain Europe’s top club competition.
And they did it by refusing to panic after the setback of conceding an early goal, pulling the Arsenal players all over the pitch with their possession-based football.
And while they created few clear-cut chances - mainly down
to a combination of numerous poor crosses and Arsenal’s organised defensive set-up - it was clear that they would find a way through eventually. It came 20 minutes into the second half.
Kvaratskhelia, unusually subdued for the opening hour, was the catalyst, bursting into the box with a clever run around the back of Mosquera to win the penalty that Dembele so coolly slotted into the net. And PSG heads remained cool in the penalty shootout.
Goncalo Ramos and Desire Doue had already scored before Nuno Mendes’ effort was saved
Arsenal keeper David
moments after
had stroked his penalty wide of the post after a stuttering run up.
The next four were all scored before Gabriel cleared the crossbar as PSG became only the second side in the Champions League era to defend their title. The other is Real Madrid, who won three in a row between 2016 and 2018. It caps another league and European double for PSG and it will be up to Luis Enrique to motivate his impressive side to match Real’s hat-trick in the next campaign.(BBC Sport)
Coco Gauff is the latest big name to exit the French Open after a third-round defeat by Anastasia Potapova.
In a match with multiple big swings of momentum, American fourth seed Gauff lost 4-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 to Austria’s Potapova.
The win over two-time Grand Slam champion Gauff means Potapova is into the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time.
Potapova. “The fight we could show, both of us - Coco is such a champion and I respect her so much.
“I’m unbelievably proud of myself that I stayed there, that I was fighting until the last point.”
at 4-2 down before fighting back to win the next four games to clinch the first set against Potapova.
The momentum swung at the start of the second set with Potapova’s deep groundstrokes causing problems for the defending champion as she opened up a double break.
Gauff follows men’s top seed Jannik Sinner and 24time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in being knocked out in the first week in Paris. The 22-year-old beat Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final but came into Roland Garros having not won a title in 2026. Potapova’s magnificent defence caused problems for Gauff throughout and the 25-year-old was seen clutching her shoulder after the match, following a number of bruising rallies.
Potapova will play Russian 22nd seed Anna Kalinskaya in the last 16 after her 6-3 0-6 6-2 victory over Camila Osorio. Earlier on Saturday, American sixth seed Amanda Anisimova exited the tournament - losing to France’s Diane Parry.
“I’m cramping a little bit but it’s OK, it’s all good. I don’t have any words now, I’m extremely happy,” said
It means one of Potapova, Kalinskaya, Parry or Poland’s Maja Chwalinska are guaranteed to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros - with none of them ever having previously made the quarter-finals in Paris. After losing her opening service game, Gauff saved two more break points
HEAD coach Arne Slot has been sacked by Liverpool after two seasons in charge.
The Dutchman, 47, guided the Reds to their 20th league title in his debut season but they have struggled during his second year, finishing fifth in the Premier League.
Recently departed Bournemouth boss, Andoni Iraola, is the leading contender to replace Slot. The club has approached the Spaniard to discuss the role.
Despite still qualifying for next season’s Champions League, Liverpool finished with 60 points - their lowest tally since the 2015-16 campaign and 25 points behind champions Arsenal.
“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and - most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves - successful,” Liverpool’s owners Fenway
Sports Group (FSG) said in a statement.
“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.
“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it.”(BBC Sport).
their own against elite competition, with Kimora and Niomi Erskine flying the flag high as Kimora took the runner-up spot in the Women’s Open, alongside a matching, hard-earned runner-up finish from Makaila Pierre in the Women’s Novice division.
The crowning achievement of the season’s first half arrived at the historic 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee Tournament, where RTC’s grip on the local circuit tightened even further.
In the Men’s Open, the unstoppable duo of Nathan
DeNobrega and Gerald Scotland ran through the field like clockwork, setting up yet another all-Rebel final where DeNobrega clinched the championship over his familiar foe.
The juniors kept the fire burning as Hayden Chan, Yoshua Mangru, and Rahul Narayan represented the club well in the Boys’ U-12, with Chan finishing as a proud runner-up.
To cap off the historic tournament, the Girls’ U-12 division turned into an absolute masterclass of
FROM PAGE 26
club depth. Isabella Grannum, Breyanna Younge, Liza Singh, and Monalisa Graham locked down every single semifinal spot to guarantee an all-Rebel semi-final.
After Younge defeated Singh and Grannum bested Graham, Grannum ultimately outlasted Younge in a spectacular final.
It was a fitting exclamation point on a season that proves Rebel Tennis Club just winning; they are entirely rewriting the standard of the game.
At 5-2 down, Gauff saved two set points before clawing her way back to level at 5-5, but lost the tie-break as unforced errors and double faults punctuated her game.
As the third set wore on, Potapova’s superb defence forced Gauff into more mistakes as her deep looping forehand extended the points, and the Austrian’s persistence paid off as she secured the decisive break to win the match.(BBC Sport)
Slot previously
NEW ZEALAND has been boosted by the return of all-rounder Mitchell Santner for the Test series against England starting at Lord’s on Thursday.
Santner, 34, the Black Caps’ white-ball captain and key spinner, was initially ruled out of the first Test by a shoulder injury suffered last month in the Indian Premier League.
New Zealand had hoped he would recover for the second or third Tests but he will now join the squad before the first Test next week.
All-rounder Dean Foxcroft, who received his first call-up as cover, will return home. New Zealand beat Ireland by an innings and 79 runs in this week’s one-off Test in Stormont.
They already have a strong bowling line-up featuring seamers Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Kyle Jamieson and Blair Tickner with Santner’s return a further boost.
He has taken 78 wickets in his 32 Tests and also made his one Test century against England in 2019. New Zealand squad to play England: Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (traveling reserve), Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
Peters. However, the East Coast Demerara outfit showed no sign of big-stage nerves. They aced the chase with an over to spare, reaching 54 for 4 on the back of a captain’s knock from Brandon Billey, whose unbeaten 14-ball 22 sealed an emphatic victory.
Chateau Margot’s reward is a semi-final clash against inaugural champions Stella Maris Primary, who kept their hunt for a second title alive with a gritty 13-run win over Enterprise Primary. Defending a modest 46 for 6, built around Delmar Mansell’s 17, Stella Maris choked Enterprise’s chase, restricting them to 33 for 5.
Jared Joseph proved to be the game-changer with the ball, bagging 2 for 6 in his solitary over.
On the other side of the
draw, West Ruimveldt Primary stormed into the final four with a dominant performance against School of the Nations.
A brisk, unbeaten 21 from Steven Orie, well-supported by Jermaine Tracey’s 18, propelled West Ruimveldt to a formidable 61 for 2. School of the Nations never got going in reply, stalled at 39 for 3 when the overs ran out. West Ruimveldt will face Rama Krishna Primary, who produced the most lopsided victory of the afternoon. Powered by Shiv Singh’s fluent, 15-ball 21 not out, Rama Krishna posted an imposing 60 for 1 before their bowlers completely dismantled Comenius Primary, routing them for just 21 for 7 in a comprehensive bowling display. The tournament, which also featured spirited
participation from Camille’s Academy, Supply Primary, La Grange Primary, ISA Islamic Primary, Meten-MeerZorg, Winfer Gardens, St. Pius, and Redeemer Primary, moves into its business end on Sunday morning.
The semi-finals are scheduled to bowl off at 10:30h, followed immediately by the third-place playoff and the final. At stake, beyond the immediate silverware and individual accolades, is a coveted spot in the Champion of Champions final.
The Demerara winners will eventually clash with the zone champions from Berbice—who play at the Albion Sports Complex on June 13-14—and Essequibo, whose leg takes place at the Anna Regina National Stadium on June 20-21.
By Sean Devers
IF anyone thought the players from Rebel Tennis Club (RTC) would ease their foot off the gas after a dominant showing last year, the opening months of this season have soundly shattered those expectations.
Across multiple age groups and categories, RTC’s athletes have turned local courts into their personal training grounds, picking up right where they left off and asserting a level of dominance that has left rivals searching for answers.
From the junior ranks to the open divisions, the Rebels aren’t just winning titles but frequently occupy every spot on the podium.
The onslaught began in earnest at the BCR Rising Stars Tournament, where Rebel’s next generation showed immense depth across the board. The Girls’ U-12 division became an RTC showcase as Khloe Andrews, Monalisa Graham, Khalia
Luke, Liza Singh, and Mahima Shivnauth tore through the draw, culminating in a final where Monalisa Graham defeated teammate Khalia Luke. Meanwhile, Samara Siland comfortably claimed the Girls’ U-14 crown.
On the boys’ side, Rafeeq Prince, Joshua Cullpepper, Christian Pompey, and Virat Peters made a heavy impact in the U-14s, with Prince finishing as the finalist and Cullpepper and Pompey locking down the semifinal slots.
While Niomi Erskine fought hard alongside Kimora Erskine, who secured the runner-up spot in the Girls’ U-18, the Boys’ U-18 division provided the ultimate statement of club supremacy.
Nathan DeNobrega, Isiah Cambridge, Christian Younge, and Akil Semple staged a total takeover to lock down an all-Rebel semifinal, with DeNobrega eventually defeating Younge in the final to lift the trophy in a round robin format.
Moving into senior and transitional territory, the Courtside Connections Open Tournament yielded much of the same relentless RTC momentum. Club standouts Gerald Scotland, Christian Younge, Isaiah Cambridge and Nathan DeNobrega pushed deep into the main draw, turning the prestigious event into a
BRAZIL’s forward, Neymar, will not play in his country’s upcoming friendly matches and could also miss their World Cup opener. The 34-year-old has been ruled out for “two to three weeks” with a calf injury. That would mean he will not play in the home friendly against Panama today and also against Egypt in a friendly in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, June 6. Five-time winners Brazil begin their World Cup Group C campaign on June 13 against Morocco in New Jersey, then face Haiti in Philadelphia on 19 June 19 and Scotland on June 24 in Miami.
Brazil’s team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, revealed Neymar’s injury at a news conference and said: “Neymar underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade two calf injury, not just swelling. He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks.”
A grade two calf strain is a moderate injury involving a partial tear of the muscle fibres that requires rest and rehabilitation.
Neymar, who has scored 79 goals in 128 international appearances, had joined the team on Tuesday but missed Wednesday’s first training session and was sent for tests after complaints of swelling in his right calf. The diagnosis differs from that presented by his Santos club doctor prior to the squad announcement. Rodrigo Zogaib had stated the problem was merely swelling and that Neymar would arrive fit to begin training.
Brazil’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, had already been without Arsenal defender Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli for the Panama game because of their involvement in the Champions League final on May 30 against Paris St-Germain.
Defender Marquinhos, who captains both Brazil and PSG, is also unavailable for the
same reason. Neymar has not played for the Selecao since 2023 amid his struggles with injuries but was selected for the World Cup ahead of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham forward Richarlison.
Making the squad means Neymar could play at a fourth World Cup, having also represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments. In the 2014 competition, which was held in Brazil, Neymar was in tears as he was carried off on a stretcher after suffering a back injury during their quarter-final win over Colombia.
Italian Ancelotti revealed his squad at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro and fans cheered when Neymar’s name was announced.
Ancelotti, 66, who was appointed by Brazil last year, said at the time: “We spent the entire year analysing Neymar. We realised that in this last period he had continuity and was in good physical condition.”
club exhibition by the final round. In an explosive all-Rebel final, Nathan DeNobrega proved too clinical, defeating his club mate Gerald Scotland to take the title.
The Rebels also made their presence felt heavily in the developmental categories; Makaila Pierre put on a fierce display to earn the
runner-up spot in the Women’s Novice division, while Damian Persaud mirrored that grit on the men’s side, battling through his draw to emerge as the undisputed Men’s Novice champion. The club’s flagship event, the fourth Edition Rebel Open Tournament, only served to cement this season’s narrative of pure unadulterated dominance.
The Men’s Open division featured a massive RTC contingent, with Christian Younge, Gerald Scotland, Denzel Luthers, Nathan DeNobrega, Donnie Anderson, Andre Erskine, Damian Persaud, and Akil Semple all hunting for glory.
By the final weekend, Scotland, Luthers, and DeNobrega had systematically dismantled the opposition to reach the semi- finals.
In what is fast becoming the definitive rivalry of local tennis, DeNobrega once again outlasted Scotland in a high-stakes, all-Rebel final. The club’s ladies also held TURN TO PAGE 25
Chateau Margot knocks out Grove as new Demerera champion to be crowned in Future Warriors
THERE will be a new Demerara zone champion in the Future Warriors Tapeball tournament after a clinical, all-round display from Chateau Margot Primary dumped defending champions Grove Primary out of the competition on a rain-affected but ultimately rewarding opening day at the National Stadium.
While inclement weather battered the majority of Re-
gion Four on Saturday, the Providence venue’s superior drainage infrastructure again came to the fore.
The moment the rain dissipated, the ground was presented in pristine condition to welcome 16 primary school teams for the Demerara leg of the ExxonMobil Guyana-powered tournament. By stumps, a day defined by high-quality, budding talent left just four teams stand -
ing: Chateau Margot, Stella Maris, West Ruimveldt, and Rama Krishna.
The headline act of the quarter-finals belonged to Chateau Margot, who executed a flawless chase to unseat the title holders.
Grove Primary, opting to bat, put up a competitive 53 for 3 from their allocation of eight overs, anchored by a solid 22 from Anderson
TURN TO PAGE 25
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) – A nationwide programme called ‘Cricket in the Streets’ has been launched to identify young cricket talent in communities across Guyana and create pathways for its development.
The initiative was officially launched on Friday by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and is a collaborative effort between government, E-Networks and the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) and forms part of the activities for Guyana’s 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee anniversary.
It will utilise community cage pitches being established nationwide to engage
youths through coaching, mentorship and talent identification activities.
In a broadcast on his social media platform, President Ali said the programme will target underserved communities and provide opportunities for young people who may not otherwise have a platform to showcase their abilities.
“One of the important parts of this initiative is going into unreached areas with Cricket in the Streets, so that these international talents can help us spot local talent and be able to put them into an academy and help them to develop their talent,” the president stated.
Chief executive officer
of E-Networks, Vishok Persaud, said his company was committed to investing in Guyana’s youth.
He noted that cricket bats will be distributed in villages and communities to encourage participation and help young players realise their potential.
Meanwhile, Director of the GSL, Jamie Stewart, said the initiative aligns with the league’s vision of using cricket as a transformative force for Guyanese people.
He further emphasised that the programme will help nurture local talent, celebrate Guyana’s deep passion for cricket and strengthen opportunities for young athletes.
THE Guyana National Stadium, Providence, is set to take centre stage this July, securing the opening three fixtures of the West Indies’ high-profile fivematch ODI series against New Zealand.
The announcement comes as part of Cricket West Indies’ newly unveiled 2026 home international schedule, headlined by the board’s vibrant new marketing campaign, “WI OUTSIDE!”.
While the broader summer itinerary features multi-format visits to Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the crucial ODI leg against the Black Caps has required swift behind-the-scenes diplomatic and operational manoeuvring to keep Guyana at the heart of the action.
Originally slated to host the entirety of the five-match 50-over series, Providence will now split hosting duties with Bridgetown.
Logistical bottlenecks in Georgetown prompted a collaborative, cost-sharing intervention between the governments of Guyana and Barbados, ensuring the marquee white-ball series stays firmly on track.
“Cricket West Indies engaged in discussions with the
Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana regarding logistical challenges associated with hosting the five ODIs,” CWI Chief Executive, Chris Dehring, explained regarding the late scheduling adjustment.
“Subsequently, the Governments of Guyana and Barbados proposed a collaborative arrangement to share the matches and associated
operational costs between the two territories.”
Dehring added that following consultations with New Zealand Cricket, CWI approved the cost-sharing plan to ensure a seamless tour. “Cricket West Indies wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the Governments of Guyana and Barbados for their co-operative spirit, flexibility, and swift action in
ensuring the series proceeds without disruption.”
For fans in Georgetown, the peak of the regional summer begins on July 11 with the series opener under the Providence lights.
The teams will back it up two days later for the second ODI on July 13, before concluding the Guyanese leg of the tour on July 16.
The circus will then pack
up and head south to Barbados, where the iconic Kensington Oval will host the remaining two encounters on July 19 and 21.
The Kiwi visit sits sandwiched between a heavy Sri Lankan tour in June and a historic pair of Test matches against Pakistan in Trinidad. CWI is banking heavily on its new promotional push to replicate the carnival-like atmospheres that have historically defined home series in the region, looking at venues like Guyana to set the tone.
“West Indies cricket has always been about more than what happens on the field. It is about people, passion, culture, pride, and the unmatched energy that comes alive when our fans rally behind the maroon,” Dehring said.
“’WI OUTSIDE!’ is a celebration of that spirit and an invitation to every cricket fan and proud West Indian to come out, fill the stands, wave their flags, and create the kind of atmosphere that makes West Indies cricket special. We want this summer to feel like a movement across the region.”
Full International Home Series Schedule:
Versus Sri Lanka: All Formats
1st ODI – June 3 @Sabina Park, Jamaica 2nd ODI – June 6 @Sabina Park, Jamaica 3rd ODI – June 6 @Sabina Park, Jamaica 1st T20I – June 11 @Sabina Park, Jamaica 2nd T20I – June 13 @Sabina Park, Jamaica
3rd T20I – June 14 @Sabina Park, Jamaica 1st Test – June 25-29 @Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua & Barbuda 2nd Test – July 3-7 @Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua & Barbuda Versus New Zealand: OneDay Internationals
1st ODI – July 11 @Guyana National Stadium, Guyana 2nd ODI – July 13 @ Guyana National Stadium, Guyana 3rd ODI – July 16 @ Guyana National Stadium, Guyana 4th ODI – July 19 @Kensington Oval, Barbados 5th ODI – July 21 @ Kensington Oval, Barbados
Versus Pakistan: Tests 1st Test – July 25-29 @Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
2nd Test – August 2-6 @ Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago
GABRIEL Magalhaes
skied the decisive spotkick as Arsenal were denied a first Champions League triumph in a penalty shootout defeat by Paris St-Germain, who won the competition for a second successive year.
Mikel Arteta’s side lifted the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last weekend, but missed out on a league and European double in the most heartbreaking of fashions in a hot and humid Puskas Arena.
But in a heartwarming moment, while PSG’s players celebrated wildly on the pitch, the French side’s captain Marquinhos immediately went to console his Brazilian team-mate Gabriel.
The Gunners had made a dream start to the final in Budapest when Kai Havertz, who scored the winning goal in the Champions League final for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021, burst away from the PSG backline and rifled the ball into the roof of the net after only six minutes.
But from then on it was PSG’s final, as they took control, dominating large chunks of the game, with Gabriel and William Saliba making a number of vital interventions as the Arsenal defence dealt with waves of attacks from Luis Enrique’s side.
Arteta had a number of big calls to make for this game and opted to continue with 19-year-old Myles
Lewis-Skelly in midfield, while he stuck with Cristhian Mosquera, who was filling in at right-back for the injured Ben White and the not fully fit Jurrien Timber.
And it was a clumsy Mosquera tackle that led to PSG’s second-half equaliser. The Spaniard was caught out by a clever Khvicha Kvaratskhelia run and brought the winger down in the area, with Ousmane Dembele rolling in the resulting penalty.
Enrique is now the fifth manager to win three Champions League/European Cup titles
Arsenal was forced to defend inside their own half for most of the game as PSG enjoyed 75% of possession and the French side almost won it in normal time with
Kvaratskhelia hitting the post and Vitinha going close from the edge of the area.
Arteta completely changed his frontline as his side tired and the renewed
energy led to a huge penalty shout when substitute Noni Madueke tangled with Nuno Mendes but referee Daniel Siebert waved away vociferous Arsenal protests that led
to both Declan Rice and the manager being booked.
And after an extremely tense extra time it was centre-back Gabriel who missed TURN TO PAGE 24
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – WITH just four days remaining before the West Indies face Sri Lanka in the opening One Day International (ODI) at Sabina Park, captain Shai Hope said paying attention to detail will be critical if they want to win the series.
The two teams clash in the first of three ODIs on Wednesday, with the home side eager to continue its dominance having not lost an ODI series at home since 2023.
The Windies are currently in a high-performance training camp, and, according to Hope, are using the time to focus on what they need to do to become an “elite team”.
“It has been a very fruitful camp.
Everyone has been training with a very strong purpose and what I like about the camp so far is that we’re paying much closer detail to what we’re trying to achieve. I think when you’re trying to get the best out of yourself and you’re trying to be an elite team that’s what you need to do.
“Preparation has been going really nicely and I think the guys are growing in confidence and it’s just about growing and building from there,” Hope said.
The white-ball skipper said while he expected a strong challenge from the sixth ranked ODI side in the world, he maintained that playing at home coupled with the crucial points on offer ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup would be a TURN TO PAGE 23
