modernisation plan for GPL grid through 2030 …freeelectricity,waterandtelephoneservices …freemedicaltreatmentamongothers
Govt. seeking $55 billion
more four months after budget passing $1.558 trillion
InterEnergy outlines modernisation plan for GPL grid through 2030
Do m i n i c a n
R e p u b l i c ’s
InterEnergy
Group has outlined its roadmap to modernise the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated’s (GPL) grid through2030.
In a statement on Wednesday, the company stated that it presented its vision, progress and the long-term roadmap to President Irfaan Ali, senior government officials, the
private sector and the media, that will support the transformation of Guyana’s grid to be a more reliable, resilient and digitally managed network capable of sustaining the country’s rapideconomicgrowth.
“The event also marked the inauguration of
InterEnergy’s new office in Georgetown, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to Guyana and its energy future. Guyana is
experiencing one of the fastest rates of economic growthintheworld,creating unprecedented demand for reliableelectricityto support new industries, expanding cities, digital infrastructure, investment and improved qualityoflife,”thestatement said.
The company, under its agreement with the Guyana Power&LightInc.(GPL),is s u p p o r t i n g t h e modernisation of the
country’s electricity sector through the supervision of infrastructure, project m a n a g e m e n t , t h e optimisation of the power plant, asset life management and the development of the Smart Grid through 2030. Theaimistoaidincreatinga modern electricity system which has the capacity to support Guyana’s long- term economic and social development.
InterEnergy to date has
been providing supervision for the development and the construction of key electricity infrastructure projects. They include over 350kmoftransmissionlines, 1
deployment of 20,000 smart meters.
“These investments are helping strengthen the reliability, resilience and modernization of Guyana’s electricity system The partnership also includes the developmentofaSmartGrid roadmap through 2030 to supportthemodernizationof Guyana’s electricity system t h r o u g h a d v a n c e d technologies, renewable energy integration and battery storage,
companyadded.
“The countries that prosper in the decades ahead will be those that build the infrastructure to match their ambitions. Guyana has that opportunity today No country can build tomorrow on an electricity system designed for yesterday Guyana has a unique opportunity to build a modern, resilient and intelligent energy system capable of supporting the next generation of growth,” said Rolando González Bunster, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of InterEnergyGroup.
He continued: “At InterEnergy, we are honoured to support GPL and the Government of Guyana in that journey, bringing technical expertise, accelerating execution, strengthening local capabilities and helping create a stronger system for futuregenerations.”
Further, the company highlighted how its wider regional platform will be abletosupportthelong-term energy ambitions of the country InterEnergy also reminded that it brings proven experience from operating in one of Latin America’s most advanced smart grids through CEPM in the Dominican Republic. This is complemented by its capabilities in power generation, battery energy storage systems, digital utility platforms serving more than five million users, and electric mobility infrastructure through Evergo The company a s s u r e d t h a t t h e s e capabilities position it to support Guyana’s evolving energyneeds.
President Irfaan Ali (right) greets Rolando González Bunster, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of InterEnergy Group.
Govt. seeking $55 billion more four months
after passing $1.558 trillion budget
…$19B
FOR GAS-TO-ENERGY PROJECT
The Government of G u y a n a ( G o G ) h a s approached the National Assembly for an additional $54 889B, a mere four months after the $1 558T bud
for 2026 was approved.
Financial Paper Number
One of 2026 was tabled in the House by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh duringFriday’sSittingofthe NationalAssembly
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e document, government is seeking $4,745,434,053 for
nd $50,143,825,110 for capital
e
supplementary funding for the period ending 2026-1231.
The supplementary budget includes $19B more for the controversial Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project in Wales, under the Office of the Prime Minister. The FinancialPaperexplainsthat the additional funds are to “facilitate an accelerated workprogramme.”
The request for more financing to support the project comes after some $10B was allocated in this year’sbudget.Thisrequestis the largest sum being sought bygovernment.
In addition to the Prime
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PleasebeadvisedthateffectiveJune1,2026,thepriceof the Kaieteur News is $200 per copy daily and $260 on Sundays.
In our Friday edition, the previous price of $100 was inadvertently published, which may have caused some confusion among readers.We sincerely regret this error and anyinconvenienceitmayhavecaused.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
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Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Agriculture also applied for $4.5B more for the National Drainage and IrrigationAuthority(NDIA); $8.5B more for the Ministry of Public Works; $496.3M more for the Ministry of PublicUtilitiesandAviationspecificallyfor coastal water supply and maintenance of Hinterland and coastal airstrips.
Meanwhile, the second
supplementary provision falls under the Ministry of Housing for $17 5B being sought to” facilitate an e
k programme”.
The Ministry of Health has also requested $337.9M
buildings while the Ministry of Home Affairs applied for $ 6 0 M
resources for an accelerated workprogramme.
The Financial Paper is expected to be debated in Parliament during the next Sitting,atadatetobefixed.
Once approved, this year’s budget will jump to a staggering $1.613 trillion or approximatelyUS$8B.
Financial recklessness
In an invited comment, parliamentary leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Dr Terrence Campbell told this
newspaper that he was shocked that less than four months after the budget was passed government has returned to the House for morefunding.
“Generally, at least in the business world these kinds of supplementary provisions or adjustments to budgets suggest a lack of planning in the first place and I believe thatthisisthecaseinrelation to the supplementary provision,” Dr Campbell reasoned.
He pointed out that this year’s budget already allocated $10B for the GTE project, yet a whopping $19B more is being sought for that development The Member of Parliament explained, “This $19B will supposedly lead to an accelerationofthismaligned project.Asubstantialamount of money is being spent on a projectthatwasmismanaged from the start and for which we have never seen a proper feasibilitystudy.”
While short on detailed information regarding the request for additional resources, the businessman c a l c u l a t e d t h a t t h e supplementary budget accounts for about three or four percent of the fiscal blueprint for 2026, a mere four months after the plan wasapproved.
T
concluded, “I think it is an
government of a lack of planning of course what is presented here is really scant on details and again, $19B for a Gas-to-Energy project that has already blown its budget I think it’s just a further example of financial r
s government.”
I n a s u b s e q u e n t statement, the PNC/R said the annual budget process is
comprehensive exercise through which government priorities, programmes, and expenditures are carefully examined, debated, and approved by the National Assembly
“Yet, under the PPP/C A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , supplementary budgets have become routine rather than exceptional. What should be an extraordinary measure reservedforunforeseen
Yesterday even as the world observed World Environment Day under the theme Climate Action, humanity is confronted by a reality that can no longer be softenedbypoliticalspeeches.
TheEarthhasbeensendingsignalsfordecades.Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, devastating floods, stronger hurricanes, disappearing glaciers, and unprecedentedheatwavesarenotisolatedevents.Theyare warnings. They are evidence. Yet despite the scientific consensusandtheincreasinglyvisibleconsequences,much of the global response has remained trapped between promisesandprocrastination.
Theworldonceralliedaroundthegoaloflimitingglobal warmingto1.5degreesCelsiusabovepre-industriallevels. Today,thattargetappearstobeslippingbeyondreach.The consequences of crossing that threshold will not be distributedequally Developingnations,smallislandstates, and vulnerable populations will bear the heaviest burden despitecontributingtheleasttotheproblem.
Guyanaunderstandsthiscontradictionbetterthanmost.
For years, our country has been celebrated internationally for maintaining one of the largest intact tropicalforestsonEarth.Thoseforestshaveservedasavital carbon sink, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide whiletheindustrializedworldcontinuedtoemitgreenhouse gasesatalarmingrates.YetGuyananowstandsatacritical crossroads.
This newspaper has repeatedly highlighted the tension between environmental stewardship and economic development.Theemergenceoftheoilandgasindustryhas transformedthenation'seconomicprospects,butithasalso intensified questions about sustainability, environmental safeguards,andlong-termnationalpriorities.Thesearenot questions that can be brushed aside by declarations of prosperity They require honest scrutiny and informed publicdebate.
Climateactioncannotbereducedtoslogans.Itdemands accountability It requires governments, corporations, and citizens to examine whether their actions align with their statedcommitments.Aroundtheworld,manyofthelargest polluters continue to speak eloquently about climate responsibility while simultaneously expanding fossil fuel production.Suchcontradictionsunderminepublictrustand delaytheurgentactionrequired.
At the same time, there are reasons for cautious optimism.
Thesignalscomingfromcommunities,innovators,and ordinary citizens tell a different story Renewable energy technologies continue to expand. Solar and wind power havebecomeincreasinglyaffordableandaccessible.Cities are investing in cleaner transportation systems Conservation projects are restoring degraded ecosystems. Youngpeopleacrosstheglobearedemandingactionwitha persistence that many political leaders have failed to demonstrate.
These developments matter because climate change is notmerelyanenvironmentalissue.Itisaneconomicissue,a health issue, a food security issue, and ultimately a human survival issue. Every sector of society will be affected by howtheclimatecrisisunfolds.Everydelayincreasesfuture costs.Everyyearofinactionnarrowstheoptionsavailable tofuturegenerations.
For Guyana, climate action must extend beyond international recognition and environmental diplomacy It must involve strengthening environmental oversight, protecting biodiversity, ensuring transparency in resource extraction, and investing strategically in renewable energy and climate resilience. Flooding, coastal vulnerability, changing rainfall patterns, and ecosystem degradation are challenges that demand sustained attention, not occasional concern.
Theworldcannotcontinuetooperateundertheillusion
Take a stand and do something
DearEditor,
TheelectedDictatorisatitagain.It seems to me that the dictatorship is systematically believing that the Guyanese people are fools Not surprisingthattheVicePresidentinone of his former weekly tirades says that some Guyanese are stupid – there are somerealstupidpeopleinGuyana.The VicePresidentknowswhatheistalking about Almost daily, we see the dictatorshipatwork.
Wenowreadthatthedictatorshave taken a bill to parliament that will reinstate the “Former President Unlimited spending”. My question to the people of Guyana, but more specifically,thoseofyouwhovotedfor thePPP–“Didyouvoteforthis?”Ifyou didnot,andIamconvincedthatmostof the people who voted for the PPP will never approve such an extravagant spendingspreeforallformerPresidents – you MUST take a stand and do something.
Let's set the record straight. Under President Bharrat Jagdeo, we saw the beginning of the doctrine of business opportunities for family, friends and cronies (favourites). Under his watch we had the dolphin scandal, the deterioration of GuySuCo to the point where the production of sugar went on
the wrong direction on the slope. We can go on and on, but the most bizarre was the construction of the Skeldon Sugar factory (which he promised the people of Guyana to fix – never did. This “goadie” cost the Guyanese taxpayers more than US$200M. We don'tknowwhenwewillfinishpaying.
Then we were handed President Donald Ramotar Under his short stint, he was denied the freedom to carry on thecharadeofthePPPbecauseheleda minority government. However, he signedtheKaieteurandCanjeBlocksin thesunsetdaysofhisPresidency There are allegations of giving away those blocks to friends. No one knows who preparedthecontract.Howinteresting.
ThencomePresidentGrangertothe stage.Historywillrevealthatunderhis stewardship the people of Guyana was taxed on almost everything The country suffered. All our gold reserve was decimated (as per the Bank of Guyana report). What is more bizarre, wasthatunderhiswatch,hesignedthe worst oil contract in the history of the world. No other country signed such a lopsided contract, and I am convinced that no such contract will be signed in thefuture.
Then rode President IrfaanAli into State house. He and the former
President Jagdeo promised the people that the worst oil contract ever signed WILLBE RENEGOTIATED. It was a BIG lie Under President Ali's stewardship, the revenue to the State skyrocketed (even under the worst oil contract) What did he do – he accelerated the giveaways of government contract to family, friends andcronies.However,theworstofallis bigger than the atrocities of President Jagdeo and Granger The Gas-toEnergy project at Wales has been the mostshamefulinourhistory Aproject thatwasinitiallybilledatunderUS$1B is now approaching US$3B – with no transparency
Imagine, someone who raped and battered your family is being rewarded with a lifetime guarantee of unlimited spending – and guess what? You are payingforit.
Itisreallyapproachingcrunchtime forallGuyanese(whetheryouvotedfor thePPPornot)tobepreparedtotaketo the streets to stop this nonsense. If we allow these people to pass that unholy bill for unlimited spending for former Presidents, then “GOAT REALLY BITEWE”.
WakeupGuyana.
Sincerely, CharlesSugrim
Accountability cannot be replaced by charity
DearEditor,
The recent exchange between PNCR Leader
Aubrey Norton and representatives of WIN raises a larger issue that Guyanese voters should not ignore: the difference
b e t w e e n p o l i t i c a l persecution and public accountability
Mr Norton's statement thatMr AzruddinMohamed entered politics to protect himself from extradition maybestronglyworded,but it is not an unreasonable question for the public to c o n s i d e r W h e n a businessman with known past closeness to the governing party enters politics after serious sanctions, indictments, and extradition proceedings become part of the national conversation, Guyanese citizens have every right to ask whether this is a movementofpublicservice, self-preservation,orboth.
This is not to deny that governments can use state institutions unfairly Guyana's political history gives citizens every reason
to be alert to the misuse of power However, the phrase “political persecution” shouldnotbeusedasashield against legitimate questions aboutwealth,taxes,business
dealings, political
relationships, and accountability Serious allegationscannotsimplybe brushed aside because someonehasenteredpolitics or because that person has helped people through philanthropy
C h a r i t y a n d accountability are not the samething.
Many Guyanese are understandably moved by donations of houses, vehicles, hampers, money, and other forms of assistance In a country where many families struggledaily,helpfromany quarter can feel like relief. But philanthropy does not answer questions about how wealth was accumulated, whether the state was deprived of revenue, or whether political power is now being used to protect personal interests. Giving to the poor does not
that economic growth and environmental protection exist in separate spheres. The climate crisis has exposed the flaws in that thinking. Sustainable development is not an obstacle to prosperity Itistheonlypathtoenduringprosperity
This World Environment Day should therefore serve as morethanaceremonialobservance.Itshouldbeamomentof reckoning The science is clear The warnings are unmistakable. The signals from the planet grow louder with eachpassingyear
automatically erase the public's right to ask hard questions.
There is also a clear political contradiction that must be addressed Mr Mohamed and his family were widely known to have had close relations with the PPP/C before this fallout. That relationship was not hidden. So when supporters now present him only as a victim of the same political machineryheonceappeared comfortable with, the public is entitled to question the timingandthenarrative.One cannot benefit from proximitytopowerwhenitis convenient, then ask the countrytoforgetthathistory when the relationship changes.
This is not a personal attack. It is a legitimate democratic question Are elected representatives in Parliament to answer genuine public concerns, or tomaskthem?Aretheythere torepresentthepeople,orto repeat the very behaviour they once accused the government of displaying? Whenever citizens raise serious questions, the response should not be automatic defence, emotional diversion, or political justification. In a democracy, people have the right to question authority, wealth, influence, and motive.
Thatisoneofthedeepest problems in Guyanese politics.Wrongdoingshould not become acceptable because it is attached to someone we support Corruption should not only offend us when it comes from a party we dislike. Accountability must not depend on political
The same concern applies to those such as Member of Parliament Natasha Singh-Lewis, who left one political camp and now defends WIN's leader When individuals once condemned the PPP/C, but nowdefendapoliticalfigure who was previously associated with that same politicalenvironment,voters are entitled to ask whether principle is guiding them or politicalconvenience.
(Continuedonpage6)
Thequestionbeforehumanityisnolongerwhetherclimate changeisrealorwhetheractionisnecessary Those debates have long been settled by facts and experience.Thequestioniswhethergovernments,industries, and societies will act with the urgency that the moment demands.
The Earth does not negotiate. It responds to what we do. Every ton of carbon emitted, every forest protected, every policyenacted,andeverychoicemadesendsasignalinreturn.
The mesmerizing flamboyancy of Suman Kalyanpur
DearEditor,
ThegoldeneraofIndian artistes is lingering on the threshold of a fading twilight. Engulfed in the long shadow of refined Indian artistry comprising voices, vocals and vintage, there remain only but a few
darlings who have gracefully traversed the iconic age of candour
courtesy, charismatic challenges and couth culture.
An entertaining memory lane from the 1930's endowed with the talented personalitiesfeaturingsongs and music for the black and white movies in particular, havesetsailaftercompleting theirmusicalsojournonthis earthlyabode.
A name synonymous with the auspices of a good disposition, Suman Kalyanpur, a legendary playback singer from the filmy world of Bollywood, was born as Suman th Hemmady on 28 January, 1937inKolkatabutbrought toDhaka(nowBangladesh), attheageof3.Shewasbred in Bombay from 1943. This flower,interestedinpainting andmusic,burgeonedintoa student initially learning classical music from Pandit KeshavRaoBholeofPune's PrabhatFilms,aclosefamily friend. She later had other Gurus.
The versatile maestro who sang in over ten languages including Hindi, got her first chance to sing publicly for the All-India
Radio in 1952 Her opportunitytobreakintothe filmindustrywasin1953in the Marathi Film, “Shukrachi Chandni ” Singing a lullaby in 1954, “Koi Pukaree Dheere Se Tujhe” from the movie “Mangu,”SumanKalyanpur made her debut in the Hindi film world. She then sang “Mohabbat Kar Lo Ji Bhar
Lo Aji Kisne Rokha Hai” with Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt for the film Aar Paar
This veteran singer who becamepopularinparticular in the 1960's and 1970's, spanned a recording threedecade famous career, perhaps was thankful to Talat Mahmood who was impressed with her singing after listening to her in a musicalconcert.Agreeingto do a duet with her, the film industry sat up and took notice of her and from then on, she blossomed into that velveteen voice with over 3,000 recordings to her credit.
SumanJisangduetswith all the big-time playback singers and joined the elite group of India's maestros with distinction including the romantic Mohammed Rafi, the sentimental Mukesh, the rollicking KishoreKumar,theclassical Manna Dey, the emotional Talat Mahmood and the sensational Hemant Kumar This touching description qualifiestheperformingarts ofSumanJi'scapabilities. Despite her unique gift, she was overshadowed with her touch, tone and tenderness similar to Lata Mangeshkar and often mistaken for this close semblance.
This provided a limited negativity but an advantage when Lata's “feud” and reluctance to sing with Rafi jiforawhile,openedaflood gate of performances because of her nuanced voicewithLataji.
With the advent of award-winning stars from the big screen, Suman Kalyanpur stamped her authority as one of India's favouritepasttimesingersin BaatEkRaat,DilEkMandir, Dil Hi to Hai, Sanjh Aur Savera, Noor Jehan, Saathi, Pakeeza etc. Suman ji
performed a rare duet with Lata ji with the classical song“KabhiAajKabhiKal” from the 1959 movie “Chand ” In quite an entertaining scene, Balraj Sahni and Meena Kumarie witnessed the explosive, expressive and exclusive dancingordealbyHelenand SheilaWaz.
Her visit to Guyana would sh
rs in remembering her fantastic, feathery and famous finesse whileperformingthecrazed twister Aajkal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche, the moving Na Na Karte Pyaar, the electrifying Tumse Ho Hasinha, the thrilling Rahen Na Rahen Hum, the romanticTumnePukaraAur Hum Chale Aye, the emotional Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiyya, the melodious Mera Pyar Bhi Tu Hai, the classical Manamohan Man MeinHoTumhietc.
This never forgotten
recipient of numerous
including; the three times Sur Sringar Samsad for the best classical song in Hindi movie;theLataMangeshkar AwardbytheGovernmentof Maharashtra (2009); Ga Di Ma Award by Ga Di Ma Pratishthan; Mirchi Music Lifetime Achievement Award (2022); Padma BhushanbytheGovernment th ofIndiaon26 January,2023
and the Maharashtra Bhushan Ma Ta Sanman Puraskar by Maharashtra Times(2024).
The voice of the world fell quiet when Suman (Continuedonpage6)
No to unlimited benefits for former presidents
DearEditor,
In a news article in the th Kaieteur News dated 4 June,2026 and captioned, “Fmr President' benefits bill to be amended to allow unlimited benefits - AG” it states that the “Bill seeks to repeal the 2015 changes by the coalitiongovernment,which placed a cap on the “unlimited” benefits given to former president by the former Presidents' Benefits (and other facilities) Act 2009.
Let'sgoback,duringthe “reign” of Bharrat Jagdeo, he pressured the PPP to increase the President emolument. To his credit MosesNagamootoowasthe only one who opposed this move.
The 2009 Act gave to former Presidents uncapped benefits as, unlimited state funded electricity, water
transportation (meaning
d maintenance, Unlimited medicalcoverage.
Sofrom2011December Jagdeo was spending an average of $1.7M a month on benefits in addition to a monthlypensionof$1.2M.I believe this pension is increased whenever governmentgivesincreases.
Obviously this figure would be much more than $1.7Mthatgiventherateof inflation.
My research indicates ourformerPresidentsgetfar more than any other Caribbean president It indicates that South Africa
and Mozambique give extensive benefits but no countriesexceptGuyanahas “unlimited” encoded in the law Thisisindicativeofthe greed and self-serving nature of the Post-Jagan Presidents and it was left to the PNC President to recognise the travesty and capit.
NowPresidentIrfaannot contented with what he will get, he wants MORE, MORE, MORE. So does BharratandDonald.Frankly I thought Donald would have been more “Jaganish” but I am so disappointed in him.
Iamalsodisappointedat the silence of those like Clement Rohee, HydarAlly and many of the old heads. You guys should stop going t o B a b u J a a n t o commemorate Cheddi because you have banished him from your hearts, mind andsoul.
The AG for obvious reasonispushingithopingit would improve his chances but, guy stop dreaming, the presidency would never be yours.
As I said kudos to Grangerwhopassedalawto cap his own pension. Then comes 2026, President Irfaan's last term in office and lo and behold after shutting down Parliament for months and after being p r e s s u r e d b y t h e AmbassadorsfromtheABC countries Gail Teixeira announced that the Ambassadors should have found out and they would have known that her governmenthassetadatefor parliament to meet
However, like all the contracts signed by the government this was also statesecretorwhatIbelieve wasyieldingtothepressure. Anyways guess what, Parliament is called and the Mostimportantthingforthe Presidentistoensurethatthe Cap is removed so he could enjoy the good life at the expenseoftheGuyanesetax payers. And because he is young we would be dishing out funds for a very ,very longtime.
Take note supporters of thePPPnothingmuchforthe poor, All the measures are for the rich and now a clear indication that they are all forthemselves.
Remember how they screamedwhenthecoalition gave increase to the ministers,welltheykeptthe increase and gave more Now Granger capped the benefit and gave less to himself and the PPP Presidentswantmore,more, more.
Wehaveseenhowmany ministers and their children have accumulated vast wealth Donald Ramotar whenyouwerecampaigning as Presidential Candidate you said corruption was deep rooted and you would root it out. Now you are silent.
I know so many young people want the young to rule well, we put two young men and look at their actions.Supportthosewitha record of supporting the poor like how the genz support Bernie Saunders despitehisage.
Regards
RajendraBisessar
World Environment Day 2026: Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves
DearEditor,
World Environment Day 2026 arrives at a defining moment for humanity and particularly for developing countries like Guyana that are navigating rapid economic transformation while confronting the realities of climate change.
This year's global theme“Climate Action” - reminds us that the Earth is sending unmistakablesignals.Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, flooding, droughts, pollution, and biodiversity loss are no longerdistantwarnings;they arepresentrealitiesaffecting communities across the global village, including hereinGuyana.
For Guyana, climate action must be understood within the context of our environmental vulnerability, social development, and economic ambitions. As a low-lying coastal nation, much of our population and economic activity remain highly exposed to rising sea levelsandflooding.Ourcity is4ftbelowhightideandan additional 2ft below spring tide. At the same time, our country is experiencing unprecedented economic growthdrivenlargelybythe oil and gas sector, alongside expanding infrastructure, urbanisation, and industrial activity
W h i l e t h e s e
developments create opportunities for national prosperity, they also place increased pressure on our environment, communities, andsocialsystems.
Climate action, therefore, is not only about protecting forests, rivers, oceans, and wildlife. It is also about protecting people - our health, livelihoods, emotional resilience, and
mentalwellbeing.Economic progresscannotbemeasured solelybyfinancialgrowthif c o m m u n i t i e s a r e
o v e r w h e l m e d b y environmental degradation, social inequality, stress, and decliningqualityoflife.
AtMindfulGuyanaInc., we believe the connection between environmental health and mental health is profound and inseparable.A polluted, unstable, and degraded environment contributestostress,anxiety, uncertainty, displacement, and emotional exhaustion.
Families affected by flooding, farmers facing unpredictable weather patterns, workers coping with economic pressures, and young people uncertain about the future often experience emotional strain that is rarely, if at all, discussedopenly
Globally, psychologists and health experts are increasingly recognising “eco-anxiety” and climaterelated stress as having a tone on growing mental, especially among young people In developing societies undergoing rapid change, these pressures are intensified by economic uncertainty, social transitions, rising living costs, and concerns about sustainabilityandequity Conversely, healthy environments contribute significantly to healthy minds. Time spent in nature reduces stress, lowers anxiety, improves mood, enhances concentration, and strengthens emotional w e l l b e i n g C l e a n communities, green spaces, fresh air, flowing water, and thriving ecosystems nurture not only our bodies but also our sense of peace, identity, andbelonging.
Guyana remains one of the world's most forested countries and a global environmental asset Our forests serve as critical carbon sinks, our rivers sustain livelihoods, and our b
ecological balance and
Indigenous communities, in particular, continue to
traditions of environmental stewardship and sustainable living that the wider society canlearnfrom.
However,wecannottake these blessings for granted. Environmental neglect, irresponsiblewastedisposal, deforestation, pollution, and unsustainable development practices threaten not only ecosystems but also public health, social cohesion, and l
sustainability Climate
disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, widening social inequalities and increasing emotional andpsychologicalstress.
World Environment Day therefore calls on us to embrace climate action not asanabstractglobalagenda, but as a deeply personal, s
responsibility
There are practical actions every citizen can take to improve both environmental and mental health.
First, we can reconnect with nature intentionally Spending time outdoors, walkinginparks,gardening, planting trees, or simply appreciating natural spaces can significantly improve mental wellness while s
environmental stewardship. In increasingly urbanised
communities, preserving green spaces is essential for both environmental sustainability and emotional wellbeing.
Second, we can reduce waste and pollution in our daily lives. Proper disposal of garbage, reducing singleuse plastics, recycling, conserving water, and supporting sustainable practices contribute to cleaner communities and healthier living conditions. Poor waste management not only damages ecosystems butalsoaffectspublichealth, drains public resources, and c
l frustration and declining communitypride.
Third, we can build g
k
eener
nder communities Community clean-up campaigns, treeplanting exercises, school environmental clubs, and wellness initiatives help foster social connection, civic pride, and emotional resilience.
Strong communities are betterequippedtorespondto envi
lenges together
Fourth, we must prioritise education and awareness. Climate literacy and mental health literacy shouldgohandinhand.Our schools, workplaces, faithbased organisations, and community groups should encourage conversations about environmental responsibility alongside
emotional wellbeing and resilience Young people especially must be e m p o w e r e d w i t h knowledge, hope, and practical opportunities to contribute positively to society.
Fifth, we can practice mindfulness in the way we consume and live. Mindfulness encourages conscious livingappreciating what we have, r e d u c i n g e x c e s s consumption, valuing simplicity, and recognising our interconnectedness with nature and one another In a rapidly changing consumer culture, mindfulness can help counter stress, materialism, and social disconnection.
I m p o r t a n t l y , governments, businesses, civil society organisations, and citizens all share responsibility for advancing climateaction.
S u s t a i n a b l e development must include policiesandinvestmentsthat p
resilience, expand green spaces, improve waste m
pport renewable energy, and strengthen mental health services and community wellbeing.
Economic growth and environmental protection mustnotbeseenasopposing goals.Rather,Guyanahasan opportunity to demonstrate that development can be
inclusive, sustainable, and p e o p l e - c e n t e r e d I n v e s t m e n t s i n environmental protection, publichealth,education,and mental we
ss are investments in national productivity, social stability, andlong-termprosperity.
The message of World Environment Day 2026 is clear:thehealthoftheplanet and the health of people are deeply connected We cannot achieve sustainable development without emotionalwellbeing,andwe cannot sustain mental wellness in a deteriorating environment.
As we observe this importantday,letuscommit ourselvestoactions-bigand small-thatprotecttheEarth while nurturing healthier minds and stronger communities.
Letusraiseageneration that understands that caring for the environment is also anactofcaringforourselves and safeguarding our collectivefuture.
The future we build depends on the choices we maketoday
Together, through climate action, mindfulness, compassion, responsible d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d community engagement, we can create a healthier Guyana and a healthier worldforall.
Sincerely
RoystonKing Chairman
MindfulGuyanaInc.
The mesmerizing flamboyancy...
Frompage5 st Kalyanpur bade us farewell on 31 May, 2026atherresidenceinLokhandwalaatthe beautiful age of 89. She expired from age related issues while listening to her own recordings.
Despiteheroften-mistakenvoiceforLataji, Suman Ji made her indelible articulation in her own resonating manner, silently but distinctly distinguishable in her own romantic,royalandresonatingright.
Thank you Suman Kalyanpur ji for providing
in
delicate era, dedicated and devoted to the cultural preservation of refined idolized musical artistry
Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall.
Accountability cannot be replaced...
Frompage4
convenience. Mr Norton may have his own political weaknesses, and the PNCR must also account for its failures, especially after losingsignificantgroundtoWINbutmaybe that was the plan all along but that's a discussionforanotherday
That does not mean every criticism he makes should be dismissed as bitterness. Sometimes a weakened messenger can still raise a valid concern. The public must be mature enough to separate the messenger fromtheissue.
The issue is this: Guyana cannot build a serious democracy if wealth, charity, popularity, or party alignment becomes a substitute for accountability Voters have a right to ask who is funding political
movements, what interests are being protected, and whether leaders are entering politics to serve the people or to shield themselves.
Guyanese people deserve better than emotional manipulation They deserve answers.Theydeserveleaderswhocanface scrutinywithouthidingbehindrace,charity, partyloyalty,orclaimsofpersecution.They deserveanoppositionbuiltonprinciple,not merely money, personality, resentment, or convenience.
Ifweonlycareaboutaccountabilitywhen it benefits our side, then we are not fighting corruption. We are simply choosing who shouldbeallowedtogetawaywithit.
Sincerely, NakishaSinclair
APNU demands full transparency on deal with Turkish power company
A Partnership for
National Unity (APNU) on Friday slammed the government for spending billions of dollars on a temporary fix to the energy sector in the form of two powerships, while the Gasto-Energy project which was supposed to be the “permanent solution” is stalled.
At the party’s weekly press conference on Friday,
Member of Parliament (MP) and Former Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon told reporters that the party notes with deep concern the growing national debate on thegovernment’srelianceon the Turkish company Karpowership to keep the country’slightson.
Solomon highlighted that there is one question being asked across social media platforms, radio call
in programmes and new commentaries, as well as communities countrywide: “How can an oil-rich nation still be dependent on rented power ships to prevent blackouts?”
He reasoned that the question goes to the heart of a broader crisis covering governance planning and accountability under the People’s Progressive Party C i v i c ( P P P / C )
administration.
“The PNCR/APNU calls f o r t r a n s p a r e n c y , accountability, and a real energy plan for Guyana. For years, Guyanese were promised that the Gas-toEnergy Project would deliver affordable, reliable electricity and transform the nation’s energy landscape. Instead, the country faces uncertainty about the extension of costly power ship contracts, while critical details remain hidden from the public,” the politician stressed.
The former Linden Mayor reminded that the concerns being expressed by the citizens of Guyana are urgent and legitimate Solomon lamented that there is a glaring lack of transparency surrounding the agreement that governs thepowerships.
I n a d d i t i o n , h e highlighted that Guyanese are still in the dark about the government’s arrangements withtheTurkishcompany
“ C i t i z e n s a r e increasingly worried about the risk of blackouts Fam
students, internet-dependent w
institutions have been forced to wonder whether power interruptions could occur due to uncertainty about a private foreign supplier. No modern economy can thrive when electricity security remains in question,” Solomonoldreporters.
APNU is of the opinion that Guyana’s continued d e p e n d e n c e o n t h e powerships highlight the delays as well as the shortcom
’s energy strategy The ships were introduced to fill a gap in the energy sector temporarily while the permanent solution; the Wales Gas Project is constructed and brought onstream. However, two years later the project is stillfacingdelays.
Considering all this the party is making it clear that
From page 3 circumstances has become an annual feature ofgovernmentspending,”thepartysaid.
It believes that the NationalAssembly is increasingly being reduced to a “rubber stamp”, with billions of dollars being brought for approval months after the original budget was passed- a practice that undermines the spirit of parliamentary oversight and weakens the accountability mechanisms that are essential in any democraticsociety
“The PNCR and APNU maintain that Guyana’s rapidly growing revenues, particularly from the oil and gas sector, demand stronger, not weaker, financial oversight. Every dollar spent belongs to the people of Guyana and must be accounted for with the highest levels of transparency, prudence and accountability,” the group urged, pointing out that fiscal indiscipline cannotbeafforded.
taxpayers have a right to questionthefinancialburden of the said arrangement, while billions are spent on temporary me
, citizens continue to face rising cost living and businesses are struggling withoperationalexpenses.
“Guyanese deserve to know whether better and m
ious concerns have emerged regarding Guyana’s energy security A significant portionofthecountry’s Continued on page 14
Accounting failure
Meanwhile,OppositionLeader,Azruddin Mohamed flagged what he described as a “serious oversight” issue affecting the country He told this publication, “The Government sought and received approval to spend over $1.558 trillion, yet continues to returnformorefundswhileprovidinglimited accountability for how previously approved monieswerespent.”
F
parliamentary majority, he anticipates the continued overriding of deep scrutiny and avoidance of checks and balances to protect thenationalpurse. TheleaderoftheWeInvestinNationhood (WIN) party argued, “Guyanese deserve transparency, accountability, and answers about how their money is being managed. They are so corrupt; they asked for 1.558 trillion and they recklessly spent most of that.”
Member of Parliament (MP) and Former Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon
The two powerships currently docked in the Berbice and Demerara.
An impression of the Wales Gas Project
Politics should not stand in the way of good ideas
One of the great weaknesses of our politics is that too often a good idea becomes a bad idea simply because it was proposed by theotherside.
Insteadofaskingwhether a policy is good for Guyana, we frequently ask who introducedit.Ifitcamefrom a rival political party, the instinctisoftentoabandonit, criticise it, or replace it with something else. The result is that the country loses valuable opportunities and development becomes more expensive, slower, and less effective.
Therecentannouncement
byPresidentIrfaanAliofa25 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs for Bartica is welcome news The reduction follows the commissioning of a 1 5megawatt solar photovoltaic farm that cost just over G$700M Whatever questionsmayexistaboutthe cost of that project, it demonstrates that renewable energy can significantly lower electricity costs and reduce dependence on importedfuel.
ThesuccessoftheBartica solar project should also remindusofavisionthatwas articulated nearly a decade
ago. It was former President D
who championed Bartica as Guyana's premier "green" town A
gran
ng township status to Bartica in 2016, his administration launched an ambitious plan to transform the community into a model of sustainable development. The goal was not simply to beautify the town. It was to create a community powered increasingly by renewable energy, supported by green spaces, reduced plastic waste, and improved environmentalmanagement.
DEM BOYS SEH
Cat-astrophe and dog-gone trouble
Dem boys seh if yuh want know which population growing fastest in Guyana, don't checkthecensus.Justwalkdownanystreet.
At the rate things going, soon deh gon have more puppies and kittens than people. Infact,oneofdemboyssehhepassastreet the other day and count ten dogs, eight cats andonlytwohumans.Hesehifelectionscall tomorrow, deh animals might qualify fuh a constituencyofdemown.
Now,nobodyseemfuhseethisasamajor problem. De authorities behaving like if de stray animal population is a secret national project Every month yuh seeing new puppies.
Everymonthyuhseeingnewkittens.Yet nobody asking where all these creatures comingfrom.
Oneofdemboyssehdedogsreproducing ataratethatwouldmakeeconomistsjealous. Another seh if Guyana could produce electricity as fast as stray dogs producing puppies,GPLbillswoulddroptofivedollars amonth.
And spare a thought fuh de people who tryingfuhexercise.
Long ago, de biggest challenge when jogging was finding motivation.Nowadays,
One gentleman tell dem boys he start morningexercisetoimprovehishearthealth. Five minutes into de jog, three stray dogs startchasinghim.Hesehbydetimehereach home,hebreakeveryOlympicsprintrecord andhisfitnessimproveinonemorning.
Another runner seh he now carrying a whistle,astick,pepperspray,holywaterand awrittenwillwheneverheexercising.Heseh yuhcanneverbetooprepared.
Dem boys also notice de cats getting more confident. Before, cats used to run when they see people. Now some of dem sitting down in de middle of de road watchingtrafficlikeifdemowndetransport ministry.Onecatevenstareatamansohard thatdemanapologiseandwalkaroundit.
Dem boys seh this issue might not seem serious until one morning yuh find yuhself negotiatingrightofwaywithacommitteeof dogsandasupervisoryboardofcats.
Somethinggottobedone.Otherwise,by 2030,Guyanamightbecomedefirstcountry where de animals conducting de census and countingdehumans.
Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
According to a report in the Guyana Times newspaper, in 2018, President Granger proudly declared that Bartica was becomingamodelfortherest of the country He expressed the hope that other towns would follow the same path. Whether one supported his governmentornot,thevision itselfwassound.
Unfortunately, Guyana's political culture often struggles with continuity When governments change, priorities frequently change as well. Projects associated with one administration are viewedwithsuspicionbythe next.Intheprocess,valuable ideas are often discarded before they have the opportunitytomature.
Imagine if the vision of making Bartica a truly clean and green town had not only continued but had been expandedacrossthecountry. Imagine if renewable energy hadbecomethecentralpillar of Guyana's energy strategy overthelastfiveyears.
Instead, the country placeditsbetsontheGas-toEnergyproject.Naturalgasis undoubtedly cleaner than heavy fuel oil and diesel. It produces fewer emissions andcanhelplowerelectricity costs. But let us not confuse cleaner with renewable Natural gas remains a fossil fuel.Itisafiniteresourceand still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Butitalsoincurshighcapital coststobringthegastoshore and then to convert it to energy
This is what the PPP/C
government is trying to do. However, it has encountered repeated delays and appears likely to experience substantial cost overruns What was initially presented a s a r e l a t i v e l y straightforward undertaking has become increasingly expensiveandcomplicated.
But what if the same determination, resources, and financing had been directed toward large-scale renewableenergyprojects?
The government's target is to secure roughly 300 megawatts of additional generating capacity through the Gas-to-Energy project.
YettheexperienceinBartica demonstrates that solar energy can be deployed successfully in Guyana's climate and can deliver immediate benefits to consumers.
Nooneissuggestingthat solarpoweraloneisaperfect solution. Renewable energy systems require battery
storage and backup generation to ensure reliability But around the
e increasingly combining solar, wind, hydro, and storage technologies to produce cleaner and cheaper electricity Thecostsofthese technologies continue to declineyearafteryear
Had Guyana maintained
renewable energy and built u
n established under the previous administration, it is possible that a substantial
300 megawatts could already
havebeeninplacetoday Itis also possible that the overall costtotaxpayerswouldhave been lower than what the country may ultimately spendonthedelayedGas-toEnergyproject.
The broader lesson, however, is not about solar energy versus natural gas. It isaboutpoliticalmaturity
Amaturepoliticalculture recognisesthatnopartyhasa monopoly on good ideas. governments should not feel compelledtodiscardapolicy simply because it originated with their predecessors Likewise, opposition parties should not oppose every initiative simply because theydidnotconceiveit.
Bartica'srecentreduction in electricity costs is proof that good ideas can deliver real benefits. The tragedy is thatGuyanatoooftenallows political division to stand in the way of those ideas reachingtheirfullpotential.
The country deserves better It deserves a politics mature enough to recognize thatwhenanideaisgoodfor Guyana, it should not matter which party thought of it first.AndDavidGrangerwas on the right path with his greenenergyplan.
The views expressed in this article are those of the authoranddonotnecessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper
H@RD TRUTHS
U.S.AmbassadorNicoleTheriot–hatsoff
I feel as though I am shortchanging my fellow
A m e r i c a n , U S Ambassador, Nicole D Theriot. I take my hat off to her,regretthere’sonlyoneto offer I bend knee, curtsy It was good to see that great
A m e r i c a n s p i r i t i n attendance, firmly in control of herself Calm in a crowded mishmash It
wasn’t Mash Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee snared the haloes.
Calm and collected, she was. Cool as a Louisiana bayou, in the push and pull, the nudging and nosing forward to go one foot more. Andkeepone’sfootingatthe same time Impressive Similarly, impressive was the thoughtfulness of local
pickpockets to take the day off and enjoy the holiday One set of blonde tresses amid waves of sunbaked neighbours, all bronzed to deeper shades of black. A slowly surging sea of sweaty humanity trying to go somewhere, and barely gettinganywhere.
When the clip was first seen, I rocked back. It can’t be! How on earth did Excellency Theriot get trapped in that human avalanche? Aw, I see: mixing with the Joneses and theBahadursandtheImrans. Aw shucks, but why did this have to be? The Duchess of the diplomatic corps cannot be, should not be, must not be, be exposed in this manner. Hobnobbing with the people of Guyana’s heart and all. For those licking their lips in the expectation of me socking it to those responsible for l’affaire Theriot, take a number Not happening today It’s Freedom Day A time for peaceandgoodwill,aseason ofserenity Anyotherwould besacrilegious.
Nevertheless, the question refuses to fade, lingers stubbornly How did the U S Ambassador to Guyana, Excellency Nicole D.Theriotendupinthere?In what could have been a dangerous situation, notwithstanding bodyguards seenandunseen.
Don’t forget the scandalous also. All it took was a slip. One Guyanese impatient and intoxicated enough to engage in boat rage. Oh well, all’s well that ends well. Still, there’s the l u r k i n g i m a g e o f Ambassador Theriot in that mass of humanity, hemmed in by elbows and forced to peer over shoulders. In the spirit and maturity that comes with 60 years of Independence, the most I will say is that there was some tripping and slipping. The obstinate Guyana Flag shouldhelptofillinrequired translations.
If the flag didn’t roll, no heads should roll. Things cancel each other, balance out Time to move past handwringing and looking
for easy and convenient whipping boys This Americanism should work nicely: stuff happens. It’s why fans malfunction, and roofs are in need of some disinfecting from time to time.
Come to think of it, Guyana is only 60 years young, so there’s time. No offense to Excellency Theriot and her team, but the U.S. is almost 250 years old, and it is still struggling with old lapses and new gaps. Guyana will learn. There are some incredibly bright folks around here, starting with a cohort of very good doctors who occupy positions of influence, and are on top of theirprofession.
One positive from what I call the Nicole Theriot Shuffle is that Guyanese, f r o m p i n n a c l e s t o pavements, just received a tutorial on how to manage oneself when the walls close in and there is no longer any roof overhead. There was a big, fancy boat, though S o m e a d v e n t u r o u s , optimistic, citizen ventured
upstairs, only to be told that that was off-limits, reserved for commodores and admirals. I did hear that Guyana is an egalitarian society An appointment is being made with an ENT specialist to check if I have a hearing condition. Before departing, I leave these two notes. Local powers that behavedopenlyadmittedtoa serious lack of capacity in G
provided both color and reinforcement to that admission.
Finally, to repeat prior advisories: slowdown, sober-up, self-examine, scratch arrogance, start selfcorrection, savour success. ExcellencyTheriot made me proud. BesttoallGuyanese. (The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
Govt. tables Bill to bring back unlimited benefits for former Presidents
The government of GuyanaonFridaytabledBill Number 10 of 2026 that seeks to reintroduce a number of benefits for former presidents which were removed by the David Granger administration in July2015.
According to the proposed amendments, “Every person who having held the office of President andceasedtoholdthatoffice by virtueof theprovisionsof Article92oftheConstitution orotherwiseshall,duringthe remainder of his or her lifetime,beentitled…”
B e n e f i t s t o b e reintroduced include: “(a) the provision of water, electricity and telephone services at his or her place of residence in Guyana; (b) services of personal household staff including an attendant and a gardener; (c) services of clerical and technical staff, if requested; (d) free medical attendance and medical treatment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by him or her for his or her medical attendance or treatment and that of any dependent members of his or her family;(e)full-timepersonal security and services of the
Education
Presidential Guard Service at his or her place of residence; (f) the provision ofmotorvehiclesownedand maintained by the State; (g) toll free road transportation in Guyana; (h) an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first class return airfares provided on the same basis as that granted to serving members of the judiciary; and(i)ataxexemptionstatus identical to that enjoyed by a servingPresident.”
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance after the Bill was tabled, government said, “The 2026 Bill will repeal and replace the flawed 2015 enactment and restore the framework that was in place in 2009 with a single, predictable standard governing the benefits afforded to those who have held the nation’s highestoffice.”
It noted that the Granger administration applied a cap
Ministry sends David Rose probe to
TSC ...moves to draft Special Needs Corporal Punishment Policy
The Ministry of Education has compiled and forwarded an investigation file to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) following the mistreatment of a student at the David Rose Special Education Needs School by two trained teachers.
The file includes detailed reports, statements, findings, and formal recommendations arising from the Ministry’s probe into the incident, which was captured in a widely circulated video. In an update issued Friday, Minister of Education Sonia Parag emphasised that while the Ministry manages the education system, the ultimate authority to discipline or dismiss teachers rests solely with the constitutionalbodyunderGuyaneselaw
“Article 209(1) of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana provides that the power to appoint, remove, and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding offices as teachers in the public service shall vest in theTeachingServiceCommission,”thestatementclarified.
The Teaching Service Commission has since indicated that the disciplinary hearing process is expected to conclude within the next ten days, and the Ministry has committed to cooperatingfullytoensureatimelycompletion.
The Ministry’s response began immediately following the incident. On Friday, May 29, 2026, the Minister visited the institution to meet with the affected parents, guardians, and the Head Teacher to listen directly to their concerns, offerreassurances,andimplementimmediatesupport
Continued on page 22
to a number of these benefits including limiting the provision for medical attention to an amount of $200,000 per year. “In addition, according to the 2015 conditions, the former HeadofStatecouldlosetheir benefits if they engage in private business, paid employment or trade In r e s t o r i n g t h e 2 0 0 9 framework, the PPP/C Governmentisestablishinga fairandequitablestandardof dignity and support that every President of Guyana, past and future, rightfully deserves,” government defended.
It argued that these benefits exist to reflect the continuing obligations of the presidency itself, including the representational duties and security considerations
that follow a Head of State longafterthetermhasended.
“A stable framework, applied equally to every President who has served, serves the country far better than rules drafted to suit the politicsofapassingmoment. Government reaffirms its c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e responsible stewardship of public resources and to a benefits regime that is clear, consistent, and worthy of the office it serves,” the GoG added.
Meanwhile, Opposition Member of Parliament, GaneshMahipaulearlierthis week raised concerns over the proposed amendments, describing the changes as “unconscionable” and an “insult to hardworking, taxpaying Guyanese, a blatant eye-pass to the
invitation for the abuse of stateresources.”
For his part, Mahipaul noted that the 2015 Act did not deny former presidents’ reasonable benefits and protections “Rather, it introduced transparency, accountability, and sensible limits on benefits funded by taxpayers. Repealing those safeguardsandreturningtoa system of uncapped and unrestricted benefits would
backwards at a time when citizens are
accountability in the management of public resources,”hestated.
TheoppositionMPnoted that while APNU is not opposedtoformerpresidents receiving benefits that reflect the dignity of the office they once held, those benefits must be transparent, justifiable, and subject to reasonablelimits.
take Guyana
Former President, David Granger had changed the 2009 law in 2015 to limit the benefits of former Heads of State in Guyana.
Queen’s College students explore robotics, agriculture in STEM workshop
More than 35 students from Queen’s College participated on Wednesday, in an interactive STEM workshop led by Jamaican science educator and entrepreneur Kavelle Hylton, following the school’s first-place finish in the secondary category of the 2025–2026 Young Environmental Scientists(YES)Competition.
The workshop, which engaged students from Grades 7 to 12, introducedparticipantstotheworld of coding, robotics and emerging technologies through hands-on activities using micro: bit devices, organiserssaidinapressrelease.
According to the release, students learned the fundamentals of programming while exploring how technology can be applied to solvereal-worldchallenges.
Recognising the importance of agriculture to Guyana’s economy, Hylton tailored the session to demonstrate how coding and robotics can be used to monitor weather patterns, temperature and environmental conditions within agricultural settings. Students were shown how simple programmable devices can support smarter farming practices, improve decision-making and contribute to sustainabl
development.
Jamaican STEM educator Kavelle Hylton (right) and Macmillan Education Caribbean Regional Officer Alex Holder (left) join students from Queen’s College following the presentation ceremony held after Wednesday’s STEM workshop.
The session formed part of the prize package awarded to Queen’s College after its team, ResistRx, captured first place in the regional secondary category of the YES Competition. The winning project examined the environmental impact of improper antibiotic disposal and proposed practical solutio
antimicrobial resistance in soil ecosystems.
Hylton, who serves as Chief STEM Ambassador and is the
founder and Chief Executive Officer of STEM Builders
LearningHub,encouragedstudents to view science and technology as tools for innovation and problemsolving. According to the release, through a series of practical exercises,studentsgainedfirsthand experience in coding and robotics while developing a greater appreciation for the role of STEM in addressing challenges facing theircommunities.
The workshop was attended by
Principal Mrs. Donna Lewis-Isles, along with the school’s three deputy principals, who joined students in observing the activities and interacting with facilitators.
Also present was Ms. Terry Andrews, the liaison between Queen’s College and Macmillan EducationCaribbean,whoplayeda key role in supporting the planning andexecutionoftheworkshop.
Representing Macmillan Education Caribbean was Regional Officer Alex Holder, who
commended the enthusiasm and engagement demonstrated by the studentsthroughoutthesession.
Speaking after the workshop, Hyltonpraisedthestudentsfortheir curiosity and willingness to embracenewtechnologies.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators,” she said. “Byintroducingthemtocodingand robotics in ways that connect directly to industries that matter to their country, such as agriculture, wehelpthemseehowSTEMcanbe usedtocreatemeaningfulsolutions anddrivefuturedevelopment.”
The workshop was well receivedbystudentsandstaffalike, further reinforcing the value of hands-on STEM learning experiences. Organisers noted that initiatives such as the YES Competition and associated enrichmentactivitieshelptoinspire the next generation of scientists, engineersandinnovatorsacrossthe Caribbean.
The Young Environmental Scientists Competition is hosted annually by Macmillan Education Caribbean and challenges students to identify environmental issues within their communities and develop innovative, science-based solutions that can create positive change.
13 Parliamentary Committees constituted after 8-month hiatus
Following a 100-day hiatussincethelastsittingof the National Assembly, the Committee of Selection finally met to constitute 13 parliamentary committees that had long remained vacant.
The development marks a critical step toward re
oversight, though opposition members remain skeptical
government will allow the
effectively
The 13 bodies fully constituted include the Parliamentary Management Committee, the Public AccountsCommittee(PAC),
the Parliamentary Standing C
Constitutional Reform, the C
Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Security Sector, the Standing Orders Committee, the Committee of Privileges, the Statutory Instruments Committee, the Assembly’s Committee, and
g Economic Services, Foreign R
a
Resources, and Social Services.
While all parties, We InvestinNationhood(WIN), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the
government, successfully placed members on the various committees, a point of contention arose regarding Amanza WaltonDesir, leader of the Forward GuyanaMovement(FGM).
Both WIN and APNU agreed and attempted to nominate Walton-Desir to some of the committees, but the Chairperson of the Committee of Selection, Manzoor Nadir refused the nomination The Chair explained that based on the official document used to calculate eligibility, WaltonDesir did not receive the necessarynumberofvotesto qualifyfornominationtoany ofthebodies.
For the Public Accounts Committee, which focuses on examining audited public accounts and ensuring financial accountability, the constitutional makeup consists of five government m e m b e r s a n d f o u r opposition members. This minority opposition allocation was calculated using the established parliamentary formula reflecting each party’s strength in the National Assembly
Representing the opposition on the PAC will be Juretha Fernandes and Ganesh Mahipaul, and WIN membersVishnuPandayand Nandrani Singh. Since the PAC is traditionally chaired by the lead opposition in Parliament, a member from the WIN party is slated to take the chair Meanwhile, the Foreign Relations Committee, one of the sectoral committees tasked w i t h s c r u t i n i s i n g government foreign policy and performance, will see Odessa Primus and Dr. AndreLewistakingupseats, after WIN originally nominated Walton-Desir alongside Dr Lewis before running into the voting eligibilitybarrier
Despite this, opposition figures are raising alarms based on past parliamentary standoffs. Opposition Chief WhipTabitha Sarabo-Halley expressed mixed feelings about the breakthrough,
From page 8
detailing the deep structural roadblocks that often follow the official setup of these bodies.
In an interview with Kaieteur News, SaraboHalley said that creating the committees on paper means v e r y l i t t l e i f t h e administration actively prevents them from gathering She continued, “So outside of that, though, while this is the first step in theprocess,therealityisthat there have been times in the past,andmostofthetimesin the past, the committees are constituted, but the actual working of the committees have oftentimes been stalled due to not being quarried or last-minutechanges,persons saying that you’re out of the country or have other pressing matters to deal with thatwouldthennotallowthe committees to actually meet. And in some other cases, there were instances where because of how certain things happen in the committees, the government just decided to not call committeemeetings.”
Looking ahead to the immediate timeline, SaraboHalley noted that the Speaker said that next week, meetings will be called for thosecommitteestomeetfor the first time and to elect their chairs and vice-chairs. She concluded, “So we wait toseewhenthathappensand to see whether or not the government is actually
electricity supply is now tied to a single foreign provider This raises important questionsaboutnationalresilienceandlongtermplanning,”thepoliticiansaid.
He said citizens are deeply concerned about the lack of transparency in contract negotiations,theriskofblackouts,thedelays affecting major energy infrastructure projectsandtheescalatingcostoftemporary energy solutions, resulting in further decline inthegovernment’senergyplan.
The party posited that emergency measuresthatareputinplacearemeanttobe temporary and noted that under competent leadership should evolve into permanent solutions that are sustainable. However, the party believes that Guyana appears to be trappedwithinacycleofdelays,unanswered questionsandextensions.
APNU called on the government to “immediately publish the full terms of any power ship extension agreement. Disclose thetotalcosttotaxpayersofthearrangement sinceitsinception.Provideacomprehensive and updated timeline for the completion of theGas-to-EnergyProject.
Present a national energy security strategy that reduces dependence on temporaryforeigngenerationassets.Subject all major energy contracts to greater
finding it recognizing the importance of having these committeesmeetandnotjust constituting.”
APNU Member of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul when asked who specifically would represent the political opposition on the financial oversight body, Mahipaul stated, “On the PAC, the opposition will be Juretha Fernandes, myself, Ganesh Mahipal from APNU. And from the WIN side, they have Vishnu Panday and Nandrani Singh. Those are the four names fromtheopposition.”
Mahipaul stressed that the power to convene the initial meeting lies entirely with the speaker, which makes the upcoming weeks highly unpredictable He stated, “Well, the PAC can only meet once the speaker callsthefirstmeeting.Again, thepowerslieinthehandsof thespeaker Hehastocallthe first meeting of the Public Accounts Committee for us toelectachairman.Andafter that, then the chairperson will call meetings. If the committee does not agree on a statutory date, the chairperson will have the powers to call meetings subsequently But the first meeting has to be called by the Speaker of the National Assembly.”
R e c a l l i n g p a s t parliamentary deadlocks, Mahipaulvoicedsevere
Continued on page 22
parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability Guyana’s citizens deserve more than excuses They deserve transparency They deserve competent planning. They deserve reliable electricity backed by long-term investments, not indefiniteemergencyarrangements.”
Meanwhile, Saiku Andrews another APNU MP said that Guyana will spend as much as US$190M to rent the two power ships to provide 111 megawatts of power at theendof2026.
“If the minister was up to the task and competent enough to manage that ministry, andmanagethatproject,whathewouldhave done is initiate the purchase of dual fuel generation sets to add to the grid 120 megawatts for that price. At this stage, if he had made the right decision, and if he had consulted with the right people, Guyana couldhaveadded120megawattsofdualfuel generationcapacitypermanentforthecostof lessthanUS$190million.”
He reminded that in 2019 the APNU+AFC coalition government had investedin46.5megawattsofpowerthrough the purchase of new power generation sets by the end of the year but in the PPP’s case from 2020-2025 they have only managed to add 38.5 megawatts of power between 2020 and2025.
7-year-old boy’s throat slit
...granny
ByAllyiahAllicock
The family of sevenyear-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed was thrown into a state of mourning early Friday morning after he was found dead with his throat slashed in his Phase 3 Zeelugt New Housing
Scheme, East Bank Essequibo(EBE)home.
The deadly home invasion also left his 72year-old great-grandmother, Halima Itwari, nursing injuries.Shewasadmittedto the De Kinderen Regional Hospital.
According to a police
badlywoundedduringhomeinvasion
report, the murder and attempted murder occurred around 04:45 hrs. on Friday, whenthelittleMohamedand the elderly, bedridden womanwerehomealone.
Police revealed that b a s e d o
05:05hrs, a relative went to
discovered the 72-year-old woman injured and the child motionless in the house. The injuredwomanwasrushedto the hospital was admitted andisinstablecondition. Ranks visited and processed the scene, and while examining the body of
the child, injuries were observed “A knife, suspected to have been used during the incident, was recovered at the scene and lodged,” the police reported, noting that several persons were questioned and closedcircuit television (CCTV) cameras are being reviewed aspartoftheinvestigation.
The police stated that efforts are being made to locate a lone suspect Mohamed’s body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it awaits a postmortemexamination.
The little boy, who attendedtheZeelugtPrimary School, was described as an energetic and friendly person.
Speaking with the media at the scene, his uncle, Naseeb Mohamed said little Mohamed is his great nephew and the 72-year-old womanishismother
Naseeb explained that his wife was alerted by one of the neighbours that someonewasinhismother’s house.
The house where 7-year-old Adriel Mohamed was brutally murdered and his bedridden great grandmother was attacked.
“One of the neighbours called my wife this morning, minutes to five and told her I mustcomedowntocheckon my mother because somebody is in the house. AndIcameandwhenIcame, I pushed the door and went inside, I put on the lights becausetheplacewasdark.I saw my mother lying on the ground, the first thought that came to my mind was that shewasdead,andthenIlook up,alittlemoreinthehouseI saw my great nephew on the ground,”themanrecalled.
He said when he went over to his nephew, “I see he had a cut to his neck and the whole place was filled with blood, a lot of blood all over
the place.” Seeing that his mother was alive, he alerted the neighbours to come over and stay with the child’s body, while he rushed his mother to the hospital for treatment.
The distressed man told reporters that he cannot understand the motive behind this brutal attack.
“My mother is not a rich woman, and then she is 72years-old and had stroke over a year now I don’t
know if it’s a robbery or they just come to molest her or whateverthe case mightbe,” hesaid.
Naseeb recalled that on Thursday he took his mother to sort out some matters at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the 7year-oldboywaswiththem.
“I drop them home around 9:30hrs, we didn’t expect this, you don’t know these things would happen. This is just a really sad situation and in my family setting this is the first time something [of] this magnitude has ever happened,”themanrelated. He mentioned that the child and the great grandmother reside there with his nephew (the child’s father) and his niece and her husbandlivenextdoor He
Continued on page 23
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud visiting family members at Zeelugt on Friday
Dead, Adriel Aftab Mohamed
Guyana stands firm on sovereignty
Guyana is standing firm on its territorial sovereignty asitawaitsalandmarkruling from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its longrunning border controversy withVenezuela.
PrimeMinisterBrigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips made the declaration in the National Assembly on Friday
“We will respect Venezuela’s sovereignty, as we have always done, and insist thatVenezuela refrains from trespassing on, or threatening, Guyana’s sovereignty,” Phillips told theHouse.
The Prime Minister said that once the court’s final judgment is handed down, Guyana will demand full
– PM Phillips tells National Assembly
compliance — as required underinternationallaw
“This is the only way forward for our two States: toward a secure, just and lasting peace, an enduring friendship, and a mutually prosperous future for both ourpeoples,”hesaid.
Guyana’s case was argued before the ICJ over four days in May, with a decision expected between November 2026 and January 2027.
“Whatever the Court decides, it will be legally binding on both Guyana and Venezuela. Both States will be obligated to accept and
comply with it under the explicit terms of the United Nations Charter and the Statute of the International Court of Justice, to which they have both subscribed,” thePMstated.
Hestressedthat“…Ithas always been Guyana’s firmly held position that disputes between States be resolved peacefully, finally and in conformity with international law They must not be allowed to fester indefinitely They must never be resolved by threat oruseofmilitaryforce.”
Brigadier(Ret’d)
Continued on page 19
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips
Guyana picks up surprise vote in UN Security Council election
...was not a candidate in the poll
The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday elected five countries to serve as nonpermanent members of the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, with Guyana receiving a symbolic vote despite not being a candidate in the race.
Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago,
Z i m b a b w e a n d Kyrgyzstan secured seats on the powerful 15-member Council following voting by theUN’s193memberstates.
For Guyanese observers, the election was particularly noteworthy as Guyana picked up one vote in the
Latin American and
C a r i b b e a n G r o u p (GRULAC) contest, even though the country was not seekingelection.
The vote comes just months after Guyana concludes its own tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council at the end of 2025, a period during which it played an active role in debates on g l o b a l s e c u r i t y , p e a c e k e e p i n g a n d internationallaw
Accordingtoanewsitem by the UN Trinidad and Tobago won the Caribbean seat with an overwhelming 181 votes, underscoring strong regional support for the twin-island republic’s return to the Council. The election ensures continued Caribbean representation at the UN’s highest security body following Guyana’s recentservice.
Austria and Portugal secured the two seats allocated to the Western EuropeanandOthersGroup, receiving 131 and 134 votes respectively Germany, which was also contesting a seat, failed to secure the
The delegation of Trinidad and Tobago celebrate after being elected. (Photo/Eskinder Debebe UN photo)
required two-thirds majority andwaseliminated.
Zimbabwe, running unopposed for the African Group seat, received 182 votes.
The most closely watched contest unfolded in the Asia-Pacific Group, where Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines after four r o u n d s o f v o t i n g Kyrgyzstan ultimately prevailedby142votesto49, earning a historic first-ever termontheSecurityCouncil since joining the United Nationsin1992. While Kyrgyzstan will be making its debut, the other newly elected countries are no strangers to the Council chamber Austria and Portugal have each served three previous terms, Zimbabwe has served twice, and Trinidad and Tobagooncebefore.
ChallengesAwait
New Members
The incoming members will take their seats on 1st January,2027,atatimewhen theSecurityCouncilremains deeply divided over some of the world’s most pressing conflicts.
Disagreements among theCouncil’sfivepermanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—have repeatedly hampered action on issues such as the wars in UkraineandGaza,leadingto
growing criticism of the body’seffectiveness.
Calls for Security Council reform have also intensified. UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres has repeatedly argued that the Council’s structure reflects the realities of 1945 rather than today’s geopoliticallandscape.
Developing countries, including many fromAfrica, Latin America and the Caribbean, have pushed for greater representation and a stronger voice in global decision-making. The issue has particular significance for small and developing statessuchasGuyana,which have consistently advocated for a more inclusive and representative international system.
A l t h o u g h n o npermanent members do not possess veto power, they oftenplayinfluentialrolesin shaping negotiations, building consensus and advancingregionalpriorities ontheglobalstage.
As Guyana prepares to completeitscurrentSecurity Council term, the election of TrinidadandTobagoensures that Caribbean perspectives will continue to be represented around the Council’s iconic horseshoeshaped table in New York, where decisions affecting international peace and securityaremade.
Guyana stands firm on...
From page 18
Phillips asserted that Guyana is confident thatthecourtwillupholdthelegalvalidityof the 1899ArbitralAward and the finality and permanence of the international boundary betweenGuyanaandVenezuela.
“Guyana is very proud of the presentations it made at the recently concluded oral hearings. It believes that its argumentswerecompellingandconvincing, and that they showed the lack of merit in Venezuela’scasebothonthefactsandonthe law Guyana is grateful to its representatives in these proceedings, headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Legal Affairs andAttorney GeneralAnil Nandlall; and former Minister of ForeignAffairs Carl Greenidge,asagent.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the entire world (with the exception of Venezuela) recognises the international boundarybetweenGuyanaandVenezuela. As such, he believes, “the Court will order Venezuela not to offend, seize, annex or trespass any Guyanese territory, as defined by the 1899 Arbitral Award, or to threaten any such transgressions against Guyana. In short, we expect to be fully victorious in this historic, and for Guyana, existential,case.”
He said that with the conclusion of the oral hearings, Guyana patiently awaits the court’s final judgement on the merits with optimism. “We will continue to address Venezuela in a spirit of peace, cooperation and friendship, and as sovereign equals,” he said.
U.S. sanctions Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel in latest move to pressure island's leadership
WASHINGTON (AP)
The United States imposedsanctionsThursday on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife and threeotherindividuals,inthe latest move by the Trump administration to pressure the island's leadership that d r e w i m m e d i a t e condemnationfromHavana. Includedinthesanctions are Alejandro Castro Espín, thesolesonofformerCuban President Raúl Castro and VilmaEspín.Heservedasan adviser to Cuba's Defense and National Security Commission and was
as U.S. President Donald Trump has been threatening militaryactioninCubasince ousting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January and then ordering an energy blockadethatchokedofffuel shipmentstoCuba.Thathas ledtosevereblackouts,food shortages and an economic collapseacrosstheisland.
Cuba's president and others have assets in the U.S., said Richard Feinberg, former U S national security adviser on Latin America and professor emeritus of international political economyattheUniversityof California,SanDiego.
He said the sanctions “could be s
designed to harm the Cuban people,”hewroteonX.“The aggressionandperversionof the U.S. government will clash with our resolve to confront the worst-case scenarios and resist the imperialonslaught.”
Trump says about Cuba, 'We'regoingtohandlethat' Asked Thursday if his
sanctions were meant to accelerate Cuba's collapse, Trump said, “We just want them to be a nicely run country.”
“The country is starving andit'sgotnoenergy,it'sgot no oil, it's got no money, it's got nothing It's got a beautiful piece of land. You could have beautiful
reporters at an unrelated eventintheOvalOffice.
Asked whether Cuba is close to collapsing, he said, “It's sort of collapsed” and added that “we're going to handle that as soon as we've finished”militaryoperations inIran.“Iliketodoonething (Continuedonpage24)
present when Raúl Castro greeted then-U.S. President Barack Obama in Havana duringahistoricMarch2016 meeting. Castro Espín's son, RaúlAlejandroCastroCalis, alsowaslisted. The new penalties come
The threats took on additional weight after the U S announced criminal charges against Raúl Castro last month Thursday's penalties, which follow Trump signing an executive order expanding sanctions against the island, freeze individuals' property and bank accounts in the U.S. But it's unclear how intertwined their finances are with the U.S. financial system. It's “pretty unlikely”
intervention or increasing pressureontheregimetocut a deal,” adding that the rhetoric of Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio “could take you in eitherdirection.”
Díaz-Canel accused w s d aimed at reinforcing the blockade and escalating the conflict between Cuba and the UnitedStates.”
“This political blindness adds to the coercive measures applied in recent weeks against our country,
Raul Castro, right, watches the May Day parade accompanied by Cuba's President Miguel Diaz – Canel, second left, and Castro's grandson, Raul Guillermo Rodriquez Castro, second right, at Revolution Square in Havana, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo / Ramon Espinosa, file)
Guyana joins regional cybersecurity alliance to strengthen digital protection
DPI - Guyana is set to benefit from enhanced cybersecurity training, access to advanced digital forensic resources, stronger policydevelopmentsupport, and regional collaboration following its formal admission to the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4).
The agreement was signed on Thursday at the OfficeofthePrimeMinister, CampStreetinGeorgetown, officially making Guyana the19thparticipatingnation in the European Unionfundedinitiative.
Throughitsmembership, Guyana will gain access to LAC4's state-of-the-art hybrid training facility, digital forensic laboratory and cyber range, which provide practical exercise and simulations designed to strengthen national cybersecuritypreparedness.
Thepartnershipwillalso support capacity building at the technical, policy, and strategic levels, to equip Guyanese professionals and institutions with the skills and expertise needed to address evolving cyber threats.
Guyana will also benefit from research collaboration, cyber analysis, doctrine development, lessonslearnedactivities,andaccess to a broader range of E u r o p e a n U n i o n
cybersecurity training resourcesandprogrammes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillipssaidthegovernment views cybersecurity as a critical national priority that underpins development, governance, a
a l transformationagenda.
“Asournationcontinues to embrace technology and expand digital services, we recognise that this progress mustbesupportedbystrong cyber resilience and effective risk management,” theprimeministerstated.
He explained that membership in LAC4 presents a valuable opportunity to advance Guyana's cybersecurity o b j e c t i v e s w h i l e strengthening collaboration with regional and internationalpartners.
“Today, we are pleased onceagaintoformalisethese cooperation arrangements by joining 18 other participating countries and institutions from across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe in this important initiative,” he said.
The prime minister added that Guyana looks forward to sharing knowledge and expertise, enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities, and working closely with partner
Jamaica policeman charged with murder in killing of woman that sparked protests
SANJUAN,PuertoRico
(AP) Authorities in Jamaica have taken the rare step of charging a police officer with murder after he was accused of fatally shooting a 45-year-old woman in a case that has promptedviolentprotests.
The officer appeared in court on Wednesday and was denied bail. Another hearing isscheduledformid-June.
SecurityforcesinJamaica have long been accused of unlawful killings and using excessive force, with the island's Independent C o m m i s s i o n o f Investigations reporting 140 fatalshootingssofarthisyear on the island of 2.8 million people.
The killing of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin on May 17 in northwest Jamaica sparked violent protests, with residents in the town of Granville demanding justice.Local media reported that Bulgin was helping organize a demonstration
countries to address emerging cybersecurity challenges.
Head of the LAC4, Leonardo Daniel Ortega
P
G
h e organisation, describing the signing as the natural
evolution of a trusted partnership that began in 2022.
He noted that Guyana hasparticipatedinmorethan 120 activities, exercises and seminars conducted by the centre and has worked closely with LAC4 experts
on initiatives, including drafting the country's National Cyber Emergency
Response Plan and cybersecurity risk assessments.
“By stepping into LAC4 as a member today, Guyana gainsaseatatthetableofone of the biggest cybersecurity groups to shape governance and tailor our work plans to align directly with your nationalpriorities,”hesaid.
General Manager of the National Data Management
Authority (NDMA), Christopher Deen, said the country's cybersecurity strategy is centred on building awareness, investing in modern cybersecurity capabilities, s
defences, and improving
preparedness across the publicsector
He said Guyana's participationinLAC4aligns directly with national objectives and will help strengthen the country's cybersecurityecosystem.
European Union Ambassador to Guyana, HE Luca Pierantoni, was also presentattheceremony LAC4wasestablishedin 2022andisimplementedby the Estonian Information System Authority and CyberNet.
B a s e d i n S a n t o Domingo, Dominican Republic, the centre serves as a regional hub dedicated t o s t r e n g t h e n i n g cybersecurity capacity acrossLatinAmericaandthe Caribbean.
7-year-old boy's throat slit
Frompage15 sharedthatthechild’sfather went away to Essequibo to work.
“I don’t know if this person (the suspect) knows what’s going on, mek he come now, because maybe heknowthatmynephewnot around because my nephew islivinghere.Butbothofthe adult male is not around so thepersonhadtoknowsome information,” Naseeb opined.
He told reporters that he is pleased with the police response, he hopes that the person who committed the heinouscrimeisarrestedand placedbeforethecourtsand hisfamilygetsjustice.
over the recent police killing of a 17-year-old boy identifiedashercousin.
No body camera was worn by the police officer accused of shooting Bulgin while she was in her car, but the People's National Party Women's Movement, a political group, said in a statementthatCCTVfootage “raises serious questions about the use of lethal force by members of the security forces.”Thegroupalsosaidit was “disturbing” how Bulgin's body was thrown into the back of a police vehicleaftershewasshot.
“Thisconductfallsbelow the respect that should be afforded to our citizens by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force,” the groupsaidinastatement.
The Inter American Commission of Human Rights has denounced Bulgin's killing, urging “a prompt, independent, impartial and transparent inquiry.”
Distraughtrelativeswho were at the scene are trying to cope with the shocking n e w s T h e b o y ’s grandmother said her son is well known in the communitybecauseheoften timevisitedtheshop.
She explained that he helped to care for his great grandmother (her mother) whowasunabletowalk.
“He does deh with my mommy, my mom get stroke,shecan’twalk,sohe does climb pon a stool take shefoodoutandgiveshefa eat,wipeshemouth,hedoes betherefasheallthetime,” the devastated woman shared She noted her daughter, who lives next door, was at home with her daughters when she heard screams. The woman said she learnt that the Zeelugt Primary School student was awaken by noise in the house He reportedly screamed for help and was attackedandkilled.
Another female relative disclosed that the 72-yearoldwomanwhowasbrutally
stabbed told relatives that while she was being attacked, the intruder demanded money from her The relative stated the elderly woman’s underwear was removed, that she sufferedahittotheface,has a cut on her jaw and was stabbedintheneck.
“Mesonmeaneverything tome”
M e a n w h i l e , a devastating Altab Mohamed, father of the boy told reporters, “Right now me aint get no feelings, me wholeskinnumb,Imissme son, I sorry I din deh hay to protect me son. The reason why me son stay home hay he alone because I got to go andgetmoney.”
Hesaidhissonliveswith him because he and the motherareseparated.“Itake he away from he mother because me aint want he grow with step father, so I wuk and tek care of me youthman.Ijustlefthefago and ketch this hustle and comeagain,”heexplained.
Altab said he planned to return from Essequibo on Fridaymorningtocollecthis son, but his father (child’s grandfather) said he will collect him. “I said I gon go and collect this man this morning before he deh run, run ah road and thing knack he, I go fa collect he but me old man say watch I gon collect me grandson, so me just left it as duh,” he disclosed.
Upon hearing the news about his son, he said he caught the first boat from Essequiboandmadehisway home “Me son mean everything to me, I does rip me muscle to mek sure me youth man get nursing and go to school as a single
parent,” a sad Mohamed expressed.
“Iwantjusticeformy son”
A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU)
Members of Parliament, Dr Terrence Campbell and Dr Dexter Todd visited the grieving family at their home. In an interview with the child’s mother, the grieving woman said all she wantsisjusticeforherson.
She shared that even though she and his father have been separated for a whileandheliveswithhim, sheneverstoppedlovingand looking out for him
Questioning why someone would launch such a brutal attack on an innocent child, the tearful woman expressed, “how you could live with yourself, how you could watch a child and just swipe a knife across he neck? Who does do these things? This is my one and only son, I know he father takehimawayfromme,yes, but I never stop loving my son.”
Following the news of the tragic incident, Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond on Facebook extendedcondolencestothe parents, siblings, and other relativesofthelittleboy She also wished his greatgrandmotherafullandswift recovery Minister Waldron said that she was briefed on the matter, and that the Guyana Police Force has been directed to utilise every available resource in the investigation. “Every effort is being made to identify those responsible, bring them into custody, and ensure they face the full consequences of the law
T
surrounding this crime demand a thorough and urgentresponse,”shesaidin herpost.
“To the residents of Zeelugt and surrounding communities, I understand the fear and concern this tragedy has caused. When a child and an elderly woman canbeattackedintheirown home, the sense of safety thateveryfamilydeservesis shaken. Be assured that this matter is being treated with the seriousness it warrants,” sheadded.
The Minister urged persons with information thatmayassistinvestigators to go to the nearest police station.
“Eventhesmallestdetail may prove critical in securing justice for Adriel and his family A family is grieving, a community is in mourning, and a young life has been taken far too soon. MayGodgrantstrengthand comfort to Adriel’s family during this difficult time, and may his soul rest in peace,”sheexpressed.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, who was accompanied by Director of theChildProtectionAgency (CPA), Levine Gouveia, visitedthefamilyoftheboy where she offered words of comfortandsupport.
Minister Persaud assured the family that they would not have to face this difficult journey alone. She noted the Ministry will continue to provide psychosocial support, counselling, and any additionalassistanceneeded to help them through this painfulperiod.
U.S. military shot down Iranian drones launched toward Strait of Hormuz
CHIPPEWA FALLS,
Wisc. (AP) — The U.S. military said it shot down fourIraniandronesthatwere launchedtowardtheStraitof Hormuz on Friday and then struck some of the Islamic
Republic's coastal surveillance radar sites in response,raisingtherisktoa shakyceasefireastheTrump administration ramps up pressureonIran.
“Theattackdronesposed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic,” U.S. Central Command said onsocialmedia.
Themilitaryisenforcing a blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran's chokehold on the crucial corridor for global oil and naturalgasshipments,which has sent energy prices spiking and posed political problems for President Donald Trump's Republican Party ahead of the midterm congressionalelections.
U.S. Central Command said it hit the radar sites, including an island in the strait, “to defend against furtherattacks.”
It was the latest in backand-forth attacks that have strained the tenuous ceasefire in the war and efforts to reach a deal to extendthattruce.Earlierthis week,Iraniandronesheavily
damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait's main airport, killing one person, woundingdozensandbriefly closingtheairfield.
Despite the attacks raisingnewconcernsthatthe ceasefire could collapse, Trump told reporters Friday that “the situation with Iran seems to be going quite well.”
“We'regoingtocomeout of Iran very quickly and it's going to be very strong one wayortheother,whetherit's a piece of paper or the very toughway,”Trumpsaidatan event with farmers in Wisconsin.
“The very tough way is maybe the easier way, but we'regoingtocomeout,and your fertilizer prices are going to go way down, just like they were four months ago.”
Trump increasingly appears to be boxed in on a conflictthathassettledintoa holding pattern. U.S. and Iraniannegotiatorsreacheda tentative agreement a week ago to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and start a new round of talks on Iran's nuclearprogram.
ButTrumphascalledfor unspecified changes and Iranianofficialshaveshown nopublicsignsofsigningoff onthedeal.
Asked on Friday why it was taking so long, Trump toldNBC's“MeetthePress” it was because “it's a very hard thing for them,” citing their “great independence” and the fact that “they're strong,they'reproud.”
“There are things they never thought they'd be doing that they're going to havetodo.
They've got no choice, andittakesalittlewhile,”he saidintheinterview
Trump said the Iranians still have 21% to 22% of theirmissiles.
His administration also hastoutedthelatestceasefire agreed to this week by the Lebanese government and Israel after U S -brokered talks in Washington
However, the Iranianbacked Hezbollah militant group has rejected the agreement and new attacks haveputitatfurtherrisk.
The Israeli military on Friday struck multiple parts of southern Lebanon and issued evacuation warnings for nine villages, including one that has sheltered thousands of people displaced by the fighting. The strikes killed nine people in six locations in southern Lebanon, the state newsagencyreported.
The Israeli military said
two soldiers were wounded, oneseverely,inanencounter Friday with militants in southernLebanon.
ThefightinginLebanon, where Israeli forces have seized large swaths of the south, also threatens efforts to end the Iran war and
reopen the Strait of Hormuz because Iran has demanded that any lasting truce extend toLebanon.
Besides the drone
interception in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military said earlier Friday that its forces boarded a sanctioned
oiltankerlinkedtoIraninthe Indian Ocean as the United States seeks to prevent Iran from profiting off its oil and othergoods.
The U.S. also targeted Iran'senergysectorwithnew sanctions on a group of people,firmsandtankers.
U.S. sanctions Cuban President...
Frompage21
at a time, ” Trump said.Trump has ratcheted up talk of regime change in Cuba after pledging to conduct a “friendly takeover”ofthecountryifits leadership did not open its economy to American investmentandkickoutU.S. adversaries.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants who has long taken a hardline against Cuba's socialist leadership, has said Trump's preference istoreachadealbuthassaid he is doubtful the U.S. can find a diplomatic resolution withthecurrentgovernment. Those “designated today directorfundtheregimeand its efforts to mobilize its radical revolutionary movements in the United States and around the world,” Rubio said in a statement.
Rubio has defended the Trump administration's decision to slap escalating sanctions on Havana, the largest of which is against Grupo de Administración EmpresarialS.A.,abusiness conglomerate operated by the Cuban Revolutionary ArmedForces.
Cuba's top diplomat condemns new sanctions as 'creating a scenario of conflict'
In addition to DiazCanel, Bruno Rodríguez, Cuba's minister of foreign
affairs, said “the vile inclusion”ofDíaz-Caneland others, including Cuban institutions and civil society organizations, “is the latest example of the U S interventionist plan to portray Cuba as a threat to U.S.nationalsecurity.”
“EveryU.S.actionaimed at creating a scenario of conflict between the two countriesisdestinedtofail,” hewroteonX.“Everythreat againstCuba'sindependence and sovereignty will be met with even greater unity and determination from our people.”
The new sanctions, which freeze any assets that those targeted may have in U.S.jurisdictionsoranythat comeintoU.S.jurisdictions, also apply to non-American entities that might do businesswiththem.
In addition to the individuals, the sanctions also target Cuba's defense ministry; its Institute for the Friendship with the Peoples, which promotes people-topeople talks; Amistur Cuba, an arm of the institute that overseesspecializedtourism on the island; and the Committees for the Defense oftheRevolution.
Cuba's president, Castro relatives and others are on thelist
Díaz-Canel was handpicked in 2018 to succeedRaúlCastroandwas
thefirstpersonindecadesto lead Cuba without bearing thenameCastro.
Under him, the island plunged into the worst economic and energy crisis in recent history, a situation worsened by heightened sanctions imposed by the Trumpadministration.
Díaz-Canel's wife, Lis CuestaPeraza,alsoappeared on the sanctions list. She doesnotholdthetitleoffirst lady, a title abolished during therevolution,butinpractice she acts as such, receiving otherspousessuchasQueen Letizia of Spain and accompanying her husband onofficialtrips.
Her son Miguel Anido Cuesta, who is Díaz-Canel's stepson,alsofacessanctions.
Lis Cuesta Peraza wrote onXlateThursdaythat“itis almostanhonortobeonthis 'list ' They never tire of ridicule and political stupidity.”
The new action boosts pressure on the Cuban government but is far from the first time the U.S. has imposed sanctions against headsofstateorgovernment andtheirrelatives.
The U S hit former Sudanese President Omar Bashir and former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in the early 2000s and, more recently, targetedMaduroandhiswife withsanctions.
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
Abridgeforforeigners
The announcement of a US$6M bridge across the Puruni River is being celebrated as development, but development for whom? Once again, taxpayers’ money is being deployed to support large-scale mining operations, many of them controlled by foreign companies, while ordinary Guyanese continue to struggle with inadequate roads, unreliable healthcare, poor schools and limited economic opportunities. The government proudly highlights thousands of mining properties, checkpoints and infrastructure linked to gold extraction. It also praises the expansion of Canadian mining giants that stand to earn billions from Guyana’s resources.Yet many communities still wait for basic services and meaningful investment in their daily lives.
A bridge that primarily facilitates the movement of gold and mining equipment raises a troubling question: is national development being shaped around the needs of foreign investors rather than the aspirations of Guyanese citizens? Too often, the answer appears painfully clear.
T
he Guyana Golf Association (GGA) is pleased to recognize the continued support of Regal Stationeryanditsowner,Anil Hardyal,alongwithOrlandobasedGuyaneseentrepreneur Kumar Ramjas, for their ongoing contributions to the development of golf and youthsportsinGuyana.
the GGA has provided groundmaintenanceservices and other support initiatives that have benefited both organizations.
Hardyal, who is also the driving force behind the highly successful Regal All Stars Cricket Club, has joined forces with Ramjas, theGuyanaGolfAssociation, Nexgen Golf Academy, and Westside Golf Course to strengthen the relationship between two of Guyana's most popular sporting disciplines cricket and golf.Forseveralyears,Regal Stationery has played an important role in supporting the growth and development of golf in Guyana. In return,
As participation and demand for both sports continuetoincrease,Hardyal and Ramjas have once again stepped forward to assist the GGAthroughtheacquisition of essential maintenance machinery thousands of golf balls which will be used to e
development programmes acrossthecountry,providing greater access to equipment
opportunities for young players.President of the Guyana Golf Association, Aleem Hussain, expressed
continued support "Anil
Hardyal and Kumar Ramjas havegoneaboveandbeyond in helping us ensure that thousands of young players have access to equipment, golf balls, and wellmaintained facilities where they can enjoy both golf and cricket.
Their generosity will be extremely valuable as we prepare for the upcoming National Junior Open Golf Championship,whichwillbe heldatWestsideGolfCourse onJuly3rd.
This event provides all players under the age of 18 with an opportunity to
compete at no cost and experience organized competitive golf at the nationallevel."
The support comes at a critical time as the GGA continues its nationwide youth development programme, which aims to introduce thousands of youngGuyanesetothegame of golf while promoting sportsmanship, discipline, integrity, and healthy lifestyles.
Meanwhile,theRegalAll Stars Cricket Club is preparing to travel to New York in the coming weeks,
GBA heighten preparation for...
Frompage30
Saturday June 06, 2026
ARIES (Mar 21–Apr 19
Love and romance are apt to be your primary focus today, Aries If you're currently romantically involved, expect a wonderfullyintenseeveningwith your special someone if it’s possibleyouspendtimetogether
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Today dreams, visions, and intuitive insights enrich your innovative side and interactionswithothers.Don't hesitate to put your ideas into motion.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
A neighbor or relative you haven't spoken to for a while might contact you out of the blue, Gemini. Make the time to talk, as it could open up doors for you that you wouldn'tnormallyexpect.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Cancer,yourworkinglifeand income are likely to be enhanced today through the influenceofpeoplewholivein distant states or foreign countries.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Romance is front and center today,Leo,asyou'reprobably feeling especially passionate. This is a great day to plan an intimateeveningwithalover,if possible Makeuseofcandles, mutedlights,andsoftmusic
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
You're likely to be feeling especially romantic today, Virgo If you're currently involved, plan an intimate evening at home with your lover If you aren't involved, anythinggoes.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Today you might find that your social life takes a definite turn for the better You could receive more than one text or call that piques yourinterest,Libra..
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
Businessandmoneymatters mayseemtoogoodtobetrue, Scorpio. Success and good fortune in these departments are definitely indicated for youtoday
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
You should be feeling especially passionate today, Sagittarius, so don't be surprised if you can't get sex andromanceoutofyourmind
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Long-buried emotions from the past, some of them pleasantandsomeinneedof release, could well up from your subconscious today, Capricorn.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Some exciting activities could take place in your neighborhood today, Aquarius. You'll definitely want to find out more about what’sgoingon.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Your business and financial interests definitely get a big boost today, Pisces, perhaps through contacts with friends. Career matters are skyrocketing, and your financial future looks promising.Keepupthegood work.
Amsterdam Boxing Academy, Jeff Roberts, who has been tasked with overseeing the team's development during the camp.Ninvalle described the initiative as a very important phase of the association's overall preparation strategy, noting thattheGBAremainscommittedtoprovidingitsathleteswith every possible opportunity to succeed on the international stage.While the association has not yet officially named its boxingteamsforeithertheCACGamesortheCommonwealth Games,Ninvallepointedoutthatalleffortsarebeingmadeto ensure the country's best athletes are adequately prepared to challenge for podium finishes. Ninvalle thanked the Guyana Olympic Association for assisting in making the Trinidad encampmentpossible.
TheCACGamesarescheduledtobeheldintheDominican RepublicfromJuly24toAugust8,whiletheCommonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from July 23 toAugust 2, providing Guyana's fighters with an opportunity to test themselvesagainstsomeoftheworld'stopamateurboxers.
where they will once again compete for annual international softball cricket braggingrightsagainstsome of the best teams in the diasporacommunity
Slingerz FC...
Frompage31 ambition extends beyond merely participating in the tournament, "we want to compete, advance and ultimately challenge for a place in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. Guyanese clubs have shown before thattheycanmakeanimpact regionally, and we want to emulatetheachievementsof clubs such asAlpha United, which proudly represented Guyana on the Caribbean stage."
Established in 2018, the CFU Club Shield was c
throughouttheCaribbean.
The competition is open to champion amateur and semi-professional clubs fromacrosstheregion,with theultimatefinalistsearning promotion to the Concacaf CaribbeanCup.
Frompage33 atanylevel.
The BCB President also d
administration has obtained sponsorship to reprint more copies of its historic coachingmanuals.TheBCB in2021createdhistoryinthe We
Indies when it published its own coaching manual. DR. Beharry stated that hundreds of youth players in the county would shortly be receiving their ownmanualtoallowthemto practice at home on their batting, bowling and fielding.
RegionalManagerAlbert Budhoo in brief remarks stated that the Guyana Breweries Inc was delighted tobeassociatedwithBerbice Cricket He expressed delight at the organizing skills of the BCB for the ongoing Smalta Under19 Tournament and the Smalta brand. He spoke broadly of the importance of the Life Development Seminar and indicated that his company was prepared to sponsor similar programmes in the future Budhoo urged all youth cricketers in the county to take advantage of thehardworkoftheBCB.
Regal's Kumar Ramjas, Anil Hardyal and Shabiela Hashim, threw their support behind the GGA golf programme.
GBA heighten preparation for international events
The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has intensified its preparations for two of the biggest multisport events on the international calendar, dispatching four elite boxers and a coach to Trinidad and Tobago for a 10-day highperformancetrainingcamp.
The camp, scheduled for June10-21intheTwinIsland Republic, forms a key component of Guyana's preparation programme ahead of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games and the Commonwealth Games in July. According to GBA PresidentSteveNinvalle,the training exercise is a crucial step in positioning Guyana's boxers for medal contention as they prepare to compete against some of the region's bestfighters.
"This camp is an important part of our preparation process It provides our boxers with the opportunity to train alongside and spar with quality boxers from across the Caribbean who are also preparing for major continental and international championships. We believe this exposure will
significantly aid our boxers in their quest for medals," Ninvallestated.
TheGuyanesecontingent will be led by National Middleweight Champion Desmond Amsterdam, a memberof Guyana's team at the 2022 Commonwealth GamesinBirmingham.
Joining Amsterdam is fellow Birmingham Games representative Collin Lewis, Caribbean champion Terron Wintz, and the squad's lone female boxer, Akeelah Vancooten.
Accompanying the boxers will be former national champion and Coach of the New
(Continuedonpage25)
National Seniors Youth and Juniors athletics championships set for June 26 – 28 at Leonora
TheAthleticsAssociation ofGuyanawillbehostingthe National Seniors, Youth and Juniors track and field athletics championship 2026 during the period Friday 2026-06-26 to Sunday 202606-28attheLenoraTrackand FieldCentre.
This competition is the premier Championships for theassociationsinceitbrings together the elite corps of their local athletes who will be showcasing their talents withtheaimofqualifyingfor other world events, mainly the World under 20
Championships 2026 scheduled to be held in Eugene, Oregon, USA from th th August 5 to 9 , 2026 Additionally, there is the COMMONWEALTH Games 2026 scheduled to be rd nd heldinJuly23 toAugust2 inGlasgow,Scotland.
1966 to 2026 - my 60 years of FIFA Soccer
Frompage30
Warner Brothers “Looney Tunes” After just welcoming all to FIFA World Cup 1994, television mogul Oprah Winfrey fell off the stage. She had just introduced singing legend Diana Ross, who, more strangely,alsoslippedwhile attempting her planned, demonstration-like, penalty kick, to open game proceedings “Heah! What'sup,Doc?”
“Uncle Bill”, then USA President William Jefferson Clinton,openedFIFA1994. Record, still, nearly 3, 600, 000 attended; almost 69, 000 per game. Greece, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia were new Independent Russia's first appearance. Germany; unified; first time since FIFA1938.
Major disappointment forusall. Argentina'sDiego Maradona; played in 1982; starred in 1986, as Captain; played in 1990; banned by FIFAin1994,forapparently failing a weight-loss drugs test:“Ephedrine”
C o l o m b i a w e r e seriously backed; suggestions of organized crime; to win FIFA 1994. ThenAndresEscobarscored an own-goal. Colombia's early exit: USA3 – COL1. It was the tournament's best game but with serious repercussions Andres Escobar was permanently eliminated; shot dead near Medellin ten days after returninghome. Winningis everything!
voting briberies; properly investigated with devastating, still lasting, effects.
Corruption suggested in entire FIFA 1998: Expanded participants 32; up from 24. African Football Federation had five: Cameroon, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia. CONCACAF had three: USA, Mexico, Jamaica.
(
Marcell Desailly, Bixente
L i z a r a z u , D i d i e r Deschamps (Captain), Christian
A
ain Boghossian), Thiery Henry (sometimes Emmanuel Petit), Zinedine Zidane, YouriDjorkaeff(sometimes Patrick Vieira), Stephane Guivarc'h (sometimes ChristopheDugarry).
2002 FIFA WORLD CUP: SOUTH KOREA & JAPAN: Firstjointhosting.
c
, called “human errors”; favoritism towardshostsintwogames.
SouthKoreavtwoofFIFA's best footballing nations; ItalyandSpain.
OneofFIFA2002'sbest games: Brazil5;CostaRica 2. Infectious energy. Germany beat Saudia Arabia 8 – 0. Third-place match was excellent too: South Korea 2; Turkey 3. rd nd Turkey was 3 in their 2 FIFAWorldCup. The Germany
4.6 billion to build six new stadia and to refurbish four.
attracted several sponsors, n
Beverage Inc, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, National Sports Commission and the Guyana Olympic Associationtonameafew The general public is urged to come out and supportourlocalathletes,on t h Friday 26 June the competition starts at 5 pm, th Saturday 27 June from 10 am and Sunday 28 June also at10am.
To ensure a wellcoordinated competition the associationhasputtogethera Local Organising committee which has been working assiduously to ensure all systems are in place for the championships.
FIFA1994Final: Brazil beatItalyonpenaltykicks;0 –0;after120minutes. First Final penalty shoot-out Brazildedicatedtheirwinto late country-man Ayrton Senna,whohadjustdiedina fiery crash at Imola, Italy, while leading the San MarinoFormulaOneGrand Prix.
NewBrazilianLegends: Claudio Taffarel (GK), Jorginho (sometimes Cafu), Aldair (sometimes Ricardo Rocha), Marcio Santos, Branco, Mauro Silva, Dunga (Captain, sometimes Rai or Muller), Mazinho, Zinho (sometimes Viola or Paulo Sergio), Romario, Bebeto,Leonardo.
1998 FIFA WORLD
CUP: FRANCE: Excitement for Croatia, South Africa, Japan, and n e w C O N C A C A F representative; Jamaica
French Organizing
Committee Members implicated in fixing teams and matches positions Suggested FIFA Executive Committeeshenanigansand
FIFA 1998's best game: Argentina 2; England 2. Round of sixteen Argentinawononpenalties. Semi-Finalists: France, C r o a t i a , B r a z i l , Netherlands.
FIFA 1998 Final: France3vBrazil0. Thiery Henry, of Caribbean ( G u a d e l o u p e a n d Martinique) heritage, and Zinedine Zidane, of Algerian heritage, were France's superstars. It was Brazil's second heaviest WorldCupdefeat.
France: Colorful FIFA 1998 Champions: Fabien Barthez (GK), Lillian Thuram, Frank Leboeuf,
SouthKoreaspentUS$2.7 billion to build ten new stadia.
Time differences left western audiences blearyeyed; mostly late night or earlymorningviewing. First tournament for China, Ecuador, Senegal, Slovenia. Surprising Semi-Finalists: South Korea, Turkey, Brazil, Germany Defending champions France and pr
ns Argentina eliminated early USA, Mexico, Costa Rica representedCONCACAF
V e r y s e r i o u s
were tough. Brazil 2; Germany 0; Brazil's fifth FIFA World Cup Title Renaldo scored both goals, winning “Player of the Final” and “Golden Boot”; eightgoalsoverall.
Brazil: FIFA 2002 Champions: Exclusively five-time FIFA World Cup Champions. Marcos (GK), Lucio, Edmilson, Roque Junior, Cafu (Captain), Roberto Carlos, Gilberto Silva, Kleberson, Ronaldinho (sometimes Juninho Paulista), Renaldo (sometimesDenilson).
END OF PART
TWO - (Continued in FINAL/PARTTHREE)
FRANCE - FIFAWORLD CUP 1998 CHAMPIONS.
WEST GERMANY - FIFA WORLD CUP 1990 CHAMPIONS.
KOREAN AIR LINES BOEING 747 - FIFAWORLD CUP 2002 LIVERY.
Jeff Roberts
Slingerz FC drawn against SWA Sharks in CFU Club Shield opener
Guyana's Slingerz Football Club will begin its quest for Caribbean glory against Turks and Caicos Islands champions SWA Sharks FC after the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) conducted theofficialdrawforthe2026CFU ClubShieldonFriday
The eighth edition of the tournament will be staged in Trinidad and Tobago from July 23 to August 2 and will feature 22 clubs from across the Caribbean battlingforregionalsupremacyand twocovetedplacesintheConcacaf CaribbeanCup.
Slingerz FC earned the opportunity to represent Guyana after completing the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League season unbeaten, a campaignthatunderlinedtheclub's dominance on the domestic stage and secured its return to regional competition.
Under the guidance of veteran coach Jamaal Shabazz, the Guyanese outfit will face SWA Sharks FC in the opening round of the knockout-format competition.
VictorywouldpropelSlingerzinto the Round of 16, where a
challenging encounter against Trinidad and Tobago's Prisons ServiceFCawaits.
According to the competition regulations and club rankings, the 12 lowest-ranked clubs were entered into the First Round and drawnagainstoneanother Meanwhile, the five clubs representing the Caribbean's professional leagues, along with the three highest-ranked amateur clubs, received automatic byes to theRoundof16.
of regional competition The tournamentservesasthequalifying competition for the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, with both finalists advancing to the Confederation's 10-teamchampionship.
Success there could ultimately pavethewaytoqualificationforthe prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup. Slingerz FC President Javed Ali welcomed the draw and expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete at the regional level.
Ali revealed that the club intends to intensify preparations
aheadofthetournament,including apre-seasontrainingcampoutside ofGuyana,toensuretheplayersare adequately prepared for the demands of Caribbean competition.
"We are pleased with the draw and excited about the opportunity aheadofus.Ourobjectiveistogive the team every possible chance of success, and that means ensuring they are exposed to the highest level of preparation before travellingtoTrinidadandTobago," Ali said.He added that the club's (Continuedonpage29)
Suggestions are that regular Finalists; Netherlands; will win FIFAWorldCup2026. ThisDutch “GoldenGeneration”isagingfast. Last chance for soon-to-be-35 CaptainVirgilVanDyke. Winning FIFA2026willbeverydifficult.
FIFAWORLD CUPS 1982 –2002: NEW FACES & NEW PLACES!
1982 FIFA WORLD CUP: SPAIN: Perfectfor“Mr Crofty”, asmycountycricketatLancashire CCC continued. I salivated at seeing touted Argentinian Diego Maradona, who had been deemed too young, by Argentina's FIFA 1978 Manager, Cesar Menotti, for FIFA1978.
1986 FIFA WORLD CUP: MEXICO: Real“DiegoMaradona Legend”. Argentina'sCaptain,eellike, slipped away from all teams. Iraq played qualifying games in SaudiArabia due to Iran-IraqWar, CanadaandDenmark,werenew Maradonascoredfivegoalsand had five “assists” overall, none more watched or more notorious than the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” Both, amazingly, were against England; Quarter Final; tournament's most contentious game Whenever possible,lookatthosetwofamous goals.
FIFA1986Final: Argentina3; West Germany 2: Tournament's best game but extremely bad tempered; six “yellow cards” issued. Attendance, at venerable EstadioAzteca,aphenomenalnew worldrecord:114,600.
WestGermanylosingFinalists, after losing to Italy in FIFA 1982 Final. Argentina'sFIFA1986Final winning goals from Jose Luis
preparations for expected victory
Married to a “Trini”, I too took “ aggro
FIFA 1982: Tournament of fouls and games muggings Officiating poor Match fixings heavilyrumored. Summer Spain. Smaller stadia. Over-crowding and over-heating. New Zealand, Kuwait, Cameroon, Algeria, Honduraswerenewbies.
FIFA 1982: Hungary beat El Salvador 10 – 1. FIFA 1954: Hungary beat South Korea 9 – 0. FIFA 1974: Yugoslavia beat Zaire (DemocraticRepublicofCongo)9 – 0. Italy Champions. First since FIFA 1938; beating arch EuropeanrivalsWestGermany3–1 in Final. Italy's sturdy defense, with supposed “hatchet men” Claudio Gentile and Gaetano Scirea, held Maradona was seriously kicked to pieces; ITA2ARG1. FrustratedDiegowaslater red-cardedtoo,forkickingBrazil's JoaoBatistainthegroin. BRA3ARG 1.Italy FIFA 1982: 40 year old Captain, (GK) Dino Zoff, oldest FIFA World Cup Winner, Gaetano Scirea, Guiseppi Bergomi, Claudio Gentile, Fulvio Collovati, Antonio Cabrini, Gabriele Oriali, Marco Tardelli, Bruno Conti, Francesco Graziani, Alessandro Altobelli, Franco Causio,PaoloRossi(Topscorer-6 goals).
Brown, Jorge Valdano, Jorge Burrachaga; “The Three Jays” Argentina's second tournament win since 1978. Nery Pumpido (GK),JoseLuisBrown,Jose Luis Cuciuffo, Oscar Ruggeri, Ricardo Guisti, Julio Olarticoechea, Sergio Batista, Jorge Burrachaga, Hector Enrique, Diego Maradona (Captain), Jorge Valdano, Marcelo Trobbiani.
1990 FIFA WORLD CUP: ITALY: This will always be remembered by citizens of Trinidad & Tobago as “the tournament that never was”. Tears still flow whenT&Tremembers the shambles of 19 November1989. AllT&T's “Strike Squad” had to do was to draw with USA, to qualify for FIFAWorld Cup 1990 ITALY T&T stumbledbadly!
Bedeckedeverywherein
- FIFAWORLD CUP 1986
disappointment: T&T0 – USA1; T&T's “Day of Ignominy “The goal heard around the world!” Trinbagonians still cry red for that
game!
FIFA 1990 had the poorest output; 2.2 goals per game, still a record low Costa Rica, Ireland, United Arab Emirates, were new Egypt and Cameroon, with 38 year old forward Roger Milla, represented Africa well. The best game: ENG 3CAM2;QuarterFinal.
Semi-Finalists: England,Argentina, Italy, West Germany FIFA 1990 Final, described as “dour, cynical and ugly”. West Germany beat th Argentina; 1 – 0; 85 minute penalty by Andreas Brehme. Italy's Salvatore Schillaci “GoldenBoots'–sixgoals –likePauloRossiin1982.
Franz Beckenbauer, West Germany's 1990 Manager; the first player to win as Captain; 1974; and Manager Second
(GK), Klaus Augenthaler, Guido Buchwald, Jurgen Kohler, Thomas Berthold, Andreas Brehme, Thomas Habler, Lothar Matthaus (Captain), Pierre Littbarski, Rudy Voller, Jurgen Klinsmann,StefenReuter 1994 FIFA WORLD CUP: UNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA: USA did not have professional soccer then, but it was a wonderfully executed success, bringing broadcast innovations Recently deceased sports and television mogul Ted Turner made phenomenal changes in TV broadcastingduringthisperiod.
Razzmatazz and color mixed brilliantly to produce great enjoyment. FIFA1994wasfirstto awardthreepointsperwin,upfrom two, to encourage productive play England,FranceandJapandidnot qualify Africa had three representatives for the first time: Nigeria, Cameroon, Morocco MexicoandhostsUSArepresented CONCACAF Incidents were like (Continueonpage30)
man, after Brazil's Mario Zagallo, towinasplayerandManager West Germany 1990 FIFA World Cup Champions: Bodo
Illgner
ITALY - FIFAWORLD CUP 1982 CHAMPIONS.
ARGENTINA - FIFAWORLD CUP 1986 CHAMPIONS.
BRAZIL - FIFAWORLD CUP 1994 CHAMPIONS.
BCB/Guyana Breweries Inc. and Smalta sponsors BCB U19 Tourney and Life Development Programme
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday last obtained sponsorship for twomajoreventsinitslistof activities for the calendar year The Guyana Breweries Inc under its non-alcoholic brand, Smalta, handed over sponsorship for the BCB Under19 tournament, which
Berbice, New Amsterdam / Canje,LowerCorentyneand Upper Corentyne. The top two teams from each sub zones advanced to the quarterfinals. Albion, Rose Hall Town Pepsi 'A', Tucker ParkandRoseHallCanjeare the four teams in the semifinals The tournament
sponsorship,Samaroonoted, has assisted the county to have at least six players on the national team for the upcoming CWI regional tournament The company
sponsorship cheque for the
is ongoing and for a life development programme for training youth cricketers in theancientcounty BCBPresident,DR.Cecil Beharry, was accompanied by chairman of the Junior Selection Committee, Balram Samaroo, for the presentation ceremony at the Guyana Breweries Inc Berbice branch at 100.2 Village, Canje. The BCB President hailed the two sponsorshipsasamajorboost intheoveralldevelopmentof Berbice Cricket. The Smalta Under 19 tournament started earlier this year with over twentyteamsparticipatingin four sub-zones - West
performances from players like Adrian Hetmyer, Romario Ramdehol, Richard Ramdehol, Ramzan Koobir, Micah Amsterdam, Vishal Williams, Shoaib Gaffoor, Antonio Depaul, Nathaniel Ramsammy, Thierry Henry, Feaz Baksh, Gilbert Griffith, Asif Marimuthu, Arif Khan, AfzalMcKenzie.
Samaroo, the head of the BCB junior selection committee,disclosedthatthe county's Under19 team was selected mainly on the outstanding performance in the Smalta Tournament. He hailed the support of the company and for their
hostingofalifedevelopment seminar for eighty youth cricketers The seminar would be organized by the C
m
nt Committee of the BCB as part of its developmental programme for 2026. The seminar would cover a wide range of topics including the importance of education,
, importance of discipline, public speaking, financial planning, basic public mannersanddrugabuse.
BCB President DR Beharry stated that the seminar would be held at a central venue in the county and attendance would be
2026 CWI Regional Under-19 Tournament
Strong Guyana unit fine-tuning ahead of crucial season
The GuyanaUnder-19 squad will be gearinguptorepresentthecountryatthis season'sCricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-19 Tournament, set to bowloffin AntiguafromJuly7-23,2026.Opener Parmeshwar Ram has been appointed captain of the 23-member squad, while Romario Ramdehollwillserveasvice-captain.The selected players are Justin Dowlin, Jonathan Mentore, Shamar Apple, Joshua Budram, Darwin Joseph, Dhanesh Persaud, Micah Amsterdam, Parmeshwar Ram, Romario Ramdeholl, Adrian Hetmyer, Razam Koober, Yannick Newton, Gilbert Griffith, Feaz
Baksh, Richard Ramdeholl, Dave Mohabir, Thierry Henry, Khush Seegobin, Gibran Yacoob, Emmanuel Lewis, Jayhayden Rohler, Darrius Pearson and Shazim Mohamed. The teamwillbeundertheguidanceofHead Coach Kumar Bishundial, Assistant Coach Antony Adams and Manager Nazeer Mohamed, who will oversee the squad's preparations and campaign in Antigua. The GCB extends its congratulations to all selected players and wishes the squad and management team every success as they prepare to compete against the best young cricketers from across the region in pursuitofchampionshiphonours.
compulsory for all players. The BCB, he stated was c o m m i t t e d t o t h e developmentofeveryyouth cricketerinthecounty,on and off the cricket field. He noted that the board with the
assistanceofthegovernment of Guyana has several coaches across the county to make sure that every potentialcricketerisproperly prepared to play at the highestlevel.
Participation in the life Developmentseminarwould cater for the development of all rounded individuals who can represent Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies (Continuedonpage29)
Albert Budhoo of the Guyana Breweries Inc hands over sponsorship to Balram Samaroo, while BCB President Cecil Beharry looks on.
LBI claim Region 4 East Coast boys Jagan Windball title
National Sports Commission Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport 11th edition
Janet & Cheddi Jagan Secondary Schools WindballCricketchampiontrophyRegion 4 organised by Sports OfficerA. Munroe, played at the National Gymnasium continued with La Bonne Intention (LBI) SecondaryclaimingtheBoystitle.
In the Cheddi Jagan boys' final, La Bonne Intention Secondary won the toss and chose to batintheEastCoastzonefinalandmade144-1, with Munesh Outar blasting 79 (6s x11) and Kyle Gibson 30.Defending ECD champions, Annandale Secondary, in reply, were restricted to 109-0, with Kevin Singh 41 and Nicholas Ramrattan36.
GFF officially confirms Bryan Joseph as Technical Director
The Council of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially confirmed theappointmentofMr.BryanJosephasthe Federation'sTechnicalDirector Josephhadbeenservingintheroleonan acting basis since 2023, following the departure of former Technical Director Ian Greenwood.Duringthatperiod,heoversaw the implementation of several key football development programmes and technical initiatives aimed at strengthening the game at all levels across Guyana's football landscape.
Expressing his appreciation for the Council'sdecision,Josephsaid:"Iamhappy that the Council has confirmed my appointment.Ihavegivenmyalltothisrole, and it has now added motivation to push
further I remain committed to advancing football development in Guyana and workingwithallstakeholderstoachieveour long-termobjectives."
President of the Guyana Football Federation,Mr WayneForde,welcomedthe confirmationofJoseph'sappointment.
"We are extremely proud of Bryan's professionalgrowthandhisdedicationtothe role.
He is the driver of our football development programmes and initiatives, and we look forward to supporting him in thisimportantwork."
The Federation congratulates Joseph on his appointment and looks forward to his continued contribution to the advancement offootballinGuyana.
Enet secures exclusive rights to broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026
Georgetown, Guyana
ENet announced yesterdaythatithassecured the exclusive broadcast rights for the FIFA World
Cup 2026™ , giving customers across Guyana front-row access to every moment of the world's biggestsportingevent.
Fans will be able to watch every match live throughtheENetTVMobile App and on any ENet TV platform; wireless, satellite, and fiber, making it easy to enjoytheactionfromhome, onthego,orwithfriendsand family
Global football icons including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and GuillermoOchoaareamong the many stars expected to feature in what will be the biggest FIFA World Cup™ inhistory
Taking place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, FIFA World Cup 2026™ will feature 48
teams, 104 matches, and 1,248 players, marking a historic expansion of the tournament and bringing more nations and fans into the global celebration of footballthaneverbefore.
From the opening whistle on June 11 to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final on July 19, ENet
customers will have exclusive access to all the excitement.
Bars, hotels, and restaurants that are ENet
customers will also have accesstoallFIFAWorldCup 2026™ matches, creating exciting opportunities for persons to gather and experience the tournament live.
With exclusive FIFA World Cup 2026™ coverage, ENet continues to strengthen its position as Guyana's destination for world-class connectivity, digital services, and premium customer experiences.
Munesh Outar (left) and Kevin Singh.
Beharry U19 School's Cricket Tournament…
East Berbice/Corentyne Zone Team host fruitful briefing
The excitement is building in Zone7(EastBerbice/Corentyne)as sixteen secondary schools prepare tocompeteinthehighlyanticipated Beharry Schools Cricket Tournament.
Teachers,students,andofficials recently gathered for a team briefingaheadoftheopeninground ofcompetition.
Region 6 Coordinator Mr Ameer Rahaman welcomed participants and thanked the teachers and students for attending thebriefing.
He encouraged all teams to
compete with discipline, sportsmanship, and pride as they representtheirrespectiveschools.
Also addressing the gathering was Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Secretary Mr Ryan Algu, who expressed gratitude to the Beharry Groupforsponsoringsuchamajor tournament.
He emphasized that competitions of this nature are critical for the development of youth cricket and provide a platform for identifying emerging talentthroughouttheregion.
BCB Chief Junior Selector Mr Balram Samaroo informed the gathering that he will be attending matchesthroughoutthetournament as part of efforts to identify promising young cricketers for futurerepresentation.
ultimately claim championship honours.
Theoverallmoodatthebriefing was one of enthusiasm and anticipation, with schools expressing their readiness and eagerness to begin competition. With talented players on display and selectors in attendance, the tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of the future of cricketinRegionSix.
RoundOneFixtures
Saturday,June13,2026
SkeldonGround
Tagore Memorial vs Line Path –10:00hrs
CanjeGround
9:30hrs
*BerbiceHighvsCanje–1:30pm
PortMourantGround
Black Bush vs Manchester – 9:30 hrs
Corentyne Comprehensive vs Port Mourant–1:30pm
AlbionGround
The tournament will feature a totalof16schoolsfromacrossEast Berbice and Corentyne, all vying for the opportunity to advance through the competition and
During the briefing, school representatives were given the opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, and offer suggestions. Participantsexpressedappreciation to the organizers and sponsors for providing students with the opportunity to showcase their abilities in a structured and competitiveenvironment.
Chandisingh–10:00am
Sunday,June14,2026
CanjeGround TutorialvsBEI–10:00am
The Ancient County got their gears moving as they prepare for the upcoming Beharry U19 School's Cricket Tournament.
Slingerz FC drawn against SWA Sharks in CFU Club Shield opener
Sports
Slingerz FC will head to the CFU Club Shield in July.
Bryan Joseph the GFF newly appointed Technical Director
