Bosai workers stranded after rain washes away access trail
Israeli troops push deeper into Lebanon as the two sides start military talks at the Pentagon -Trumpsays‘finaldetermination’tobemadeonpossibleIrandeal …Govt.,Oppositionprovideconflictingdetails
Finance Minister Ashni Singh has urged Guyanese business owners to pursue investment and expansion opportunities overseas, arguingthatlocalcompanies shouldfollowtheexampleof foreign investors who
continue to flock to Guyana’s rapidly growing economy
Addressing the Private Sector Commission’s 34th Annual General Meeting at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Friday, Singh said Guyanese businesses should
begin positioning themselves beyond the domesticmarketandseekto establish a presence in regional and international economies.
“I will tell you all of the big regional conglomerates, all of the big regional conglomerates started as a family-ownedbusiness,oras family-owned businesses
The big regional giants like Massey Regional giants today, they all started as family-owned businesses within a single domestic
jurisdiction Through consolidation and strategic partnerships, through active pursuit of regional markets, they have now grown and expandedintolargeregional conglomerateswithnotonly a regional footprint but a globalfootprint,”hesaid.
Singh’sappealmayraise questions among some local business owners who argue that many sectors within Guyana’s own economy have become increasingly dominated by foreign companies and workers, lea
ss opportunities in their home
market even amid unprecedented economic growth.
That reality has fueled concerns about whether Guyanese businesses should first be given a stronger foothold at home before
being encouraged to seek expansionabroad.
Singh reminded that the vision President Irfaan Ali hasforGuyanaisonewhere Guyanesecompanieswillbe the next big regional conglomerates, having a global footprint as many others like Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica which had emerged inapreviousera.
Making his second point he referred to the saying, “…we must fix the roof while the sun is shining and not when it begins to rain”, theministernotedthatasfar as things on the economic sideareconcerned,thesunin Guyana is currently shining brightlyandintherightway on the business community “So, from that perspective it isbesttofixtheroof”.
“For us to continue to grow in the manner that we have been growing, and for us to realise the potential to which we refer, it is absolutely imperative that wearegloballycompetitive, that we not only secure transactions and deals and contracts, but that we are abletodeliverthematworldclassqualityandworld-class efficiency.”
LookingatU.S.oilgiant Exxon Mobil and what he described as their Tier One contractors,theministersaid that this has facilitated a quan
expectations related to service delivery by Guyanesecompanies.
This is so because they now understand that to win an Exxon contract, or one with one of their top-tier contractors, one must be competitive and be able to deliverontime.
“They have to observe a widearray,acomprehensive arrayofstandards,including health and safety standards and other standards I’m happy to see that Guyanese companies are rising to the challenge, and they are winningthesecontracts,asis evidenced by the billions of dollars of local content
opportunities that have been secured by Guyanese companies...”
“Butwemustcontinueto c r e a t e e v e n m o r e opportunities for Guyanese companies,soI’mhappyand we are happy as a governmenttoseeGuyanese companies respond to the expectation by this worldclass oil and gas sector of a certainqualityofdelivery.”
Meanwhile, Dr Singh said the quality of delivery must not only be achieved or obtained only in relation totheoilandgassector The minister reminded that the same quality and efficiency
displayed for that sector mustbeobservedacrossthe board There must be “timely delivery of obligations, world-class quality, and observance of standards, this can’t be somethingthatwejusthope for the best or we just leave onautopilot ” He charged the private sector to ensure that businessesuptheirgameand get to the point where they can be world class competitors, including the delivery of goods and services to the Guyanese consumers.
“Weinthisroomarewell aware, most of you in this room are private sector
owners of companies, entrepreneurs,CEOsoflarge and medium-sized companies.Idon’tthinkthat any of you would be offended, like I said earlier, orevendisagreewithmethat IbelievethatIamoftheview thatthereisstillalotofroom forustoimprovethequality of service that we deliver,” hestressed.
The minister went on to saythatitwasrecognizedby the government very early on,thattransformationmush not only be physical, but t h e r e s h o u l d b e transformation in the daily experiencesofpersons,even when interacting with institutionsofstate.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
– comedy of errors, or collection of crimes
The rate at which the US$2B Wales gas-to-Energy (GTE) is going indicates that more weaknesses and the secretsarelikelytobepartofitsexistence. TheGTEstarted outwrongandhasnotrecoveredsince. Atbest,itrepresents theworkofagovernmentanditscroniesbeginningahugely expensiveprojectonthebasisofguesswork,andhopingto skatetosuccessfulcompletion. Atworst,thiscostlyproject stands as another political scheme that promises much to citizens,whilepickingtheirpockets.
AnypartiallycrediblestudywouldhavebarredWalesas thesitefortheNaturalGasLiquifyingplantandthepower generationfacility
The soil was too unstable, and it ended up needing almost US$100M to remedy that deficit. To prudent politicaldecisionmakers,suchnewswouldhaveprompted morethanlessofthemtochangetheirmindsandopenupthe searchforanalternatesite.
Withaneyeonprice,andkeenawarenessthattheWales GTE was marching away from the original price level for suchaprojectatanotherlocation,areasonableexpectation wasthatleadershipcautionwouldhaveprevailed. Inother words, the cost is getting out of hand, so it is back to the planningroom.
Webelievethatthedeficiencyinsuchanexpectationlies in the belief that Guyanese are dealing with reasonable leaders,whoareworthyoftrust. Politicalpower,individual hubris, and large inflows of oil money when operating in combination upends those expectations. The result is that caution and listening to constructive public voices, reviewing and adjusting, never stood a chance. Not when thosethreeelementsdominatesomuch,i.e.,power,hubris, andmoney. Itisobviousthatmuchofthiswasfusedintothe WalesGTEfromtheinception. Thementalitywas,andstill is,‘weareincharge,wewilldoasweplease,andwedon’t havetolistentoanyone.’
That mindset has not delivered any encouraging signs relativetotheGTE,butcontinuestoburyitunderablanket ofleadershiphostility,hiddendocuments,brokenpromises, and a stream of denials. Only after a lengthy interval of silence and ducking do the facts emerge, and then in mere dripsanddrabs.
Whocantrusteitherthegovernmentorthosepilotingthe project forward? Who are the Guyanese that believe the contractorcandeliverthetwolong-delayedplantstogetthis projectgoingandthecheapelectricityflowing? Whointhis countryisconfidentthattherewillnotbemoredelays,more costs,andmoredisputes? Andwhointhelocalenvironment iswillingtobelievethattheUS$2B(anddefinitelyseveral hundred US millions more) will still result in half-priced electricitywheneveritgoeslive?
It would be helpful if the three prominent leaders who are nearest to this much-watched and much-anticipated project would put aside their past errors and their past aggressiveness,andsharetherealfactsandfigures,andall ofthem,withcitizens. Delaysandcostsaside,thesecretive mannerthathascharacterisedthemanagingofthisbiggest project to date has opened the owners those secrets to the worstcontemptimaginable.
What did the PPP/C Government, specifically the moversofthisproject,knowaboutsoilinstability,thecostto rectify,andwhendidtheyknow? Iftheyknewasearlyas thefirstreportsonthisproject,asseemsplausible,thenwhy did that also have to be hidden from citizens? And, if provisionwasmadeforit,asalsoisbecomingapparent,then whythesleightofhandtomisleadthepeoplewhohadaneed toknow,thepeoplepayingtheUS$2B,andhowevermuch moreitcosts?
DEAREDITOR, Berkshire Hathaway recently dumped 35% of its Ch
v
on s
c
F
legendary investor Warren Buffett, whose favourite h
ng pe
d
companies is “forever,” this signals serious concerns about Chevron. Berkshire Hathawayhadownedalmost 7% of Chevron’s stock, which, in the age of index funds, made it a stockholder with significant sway over thecompany T
(OGGN)hadraisedconcerns that Chevron’s Guyana su
y wh
c
t acquired when it purchased Hessin2025—isnotpaying taxes on oil profits and is violat
ng Guyana’s environmental laws (see: https://kaieteurnewsonline. com/2026/04/26/oggnwrites-berkshire-hathawayinc-on-chevrons-guyanaoperations/) Such actions run counter to Berkshire’s
statedcorporatephilosophy However, this sell-off of Chevron stock occurred sometime between January and March of 2026, while our OGGN letter to Berkshire Hathaway wasn’t delivered until April 2026. The new Berkshire CEO, who took over at the start of 2026, has focused on AI, as detailed in the company’s annual meeting on May 2. It should be noted that many popular AI platforms, such as Google Gemini and ChatGPT, will indicate that Chevron does not pay taxes on its oil profits in Guyana. What is more interesting is that these AI engines often cite U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s webpage regarding ExxonMobil’s Guyanaoffshoreoilcontract anditsfailuretopaytaxeson o i l p r o f i t s ( s e e : https://www.whitehouse.se nate.gov/news/release/whit
offshore-oil-contract-andthe-companys-u-s-taxliability/) Hence, it is entirelypossiblethatthenew Berkshire CEO came across these tax and environmental issues related to Chevron’s operations in Guyana while usingAI.
One could argue that Berkshire was simply reallocating capital to better opportunities when it dumped its Chevron stock. However, there are a few reasons why this was likely not just a normal capital reallocation.
First, Berkshire held about US$20 billion of Chevron stock at the end of 2025. By the end of the first quarter of 2026, Berkshire’s cash pile was approaching US$400 billion. Certainly, Berkshire didn’t need to sell 35%ofitsChevronstakejust to free up cash to deploy elsewhere.
Second, the Iran War started at the end of February, making all oil-
related stocks much more valuable due to the resulting riseinoilprices.Withnoend insightforthewar,andwith oilreservesoutsidetheStrait of Hormuz becoming more valuable by the day, why would one of the world’s legendary investors make a significantcuttoitsChevron holdings?
Third,andmosttelling,is that at the end of 2025, Berkshire had significant holdings in two public oil companies: Chevron and Occidental Petroleum Berkshire materially added to its Chevron holdings in 2025, but not to Occidental Petroleum. Yet, in 2026, it held onto its Occidental Petroleum shares while souring on Chevron. Some new information must have come to light that caused Berkshiretosignificantlycut its Chevron stake exactly when the company’s reserves were becoming increasinglyvaluable.That Continued on page 5
As the nation windsdownthecelebrationsonthe occasion of our 60th Independence Anniversary, the Alliance For Change (AFC) joins all Guyanese at
Anniversary of our nation’s Independence, and saying thank you. Sixty years of nationhood is a remarkable milestone - worthy of pride, reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to buildingastrongerandmore unitedGuyana.
We commend the Government and all those who worked tirelessly to organisethecommemorative activitiesandnationalevents marking this important o
coordination, and resources, and m
ns appreciated the spirit of p
displayed throughout the country
At the same time, the AFC believes that love of
country also requires honestyandreflection.
Several aspects of the officialcelebrationsrevealed shortcomingsthatshouldnot be ignored if future national events are to truly embody thespiritof“OneGuyana.”
The decision to host the principal Independence celebration at Fort Island raised legitimate concerns among many Guyanese While Fort Island is undeniably part of our colonial history, many citizensviewedthechoiceof venue as insensitive to the painful legacy of slavery, oppression, and colonial domination associated with that location. Independence celebrations should inspire nationalunityandsymbolise theprogressofafreepeople moving confidently into the future. After sixty years of independence, many expected a venue and atmospherethatreflectedour aspirations as a modern nation rather than reminders of our subjugation
Confrontingthethreattoour sovereignty,bythesymbolic flag-raising,shouldnothave
A project that offered much benefits for local energy consumerswentsouthfromthebeginning,continuestospur uncalled-forcontroversyandongoinguncertainty Evenat this late hour, with many embarrassing failures, the PPP/C Government is still happy to stick to its secretive and, sometimes,abusive,mode. PresidentIrfaanAlihasadutyto Guyanese to report every material fact on this project. The nationhasarighttoknowthebestestimatesofthefinalcost, the project’s hard delivery date, and the failures to be terminated.
b e e n t h e p r i m a r y consideration that inspired thechosenlocation.
Equally troubling were thelogisticaldifficultiesand transportation problems experienced by many attendees National celebrations should be accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to ordinary citizens from every walk of life Independence o b s e r v a n c e s h a v e historically been public events where parents brought their children to witness the raising of the GoldenArrowhead, to share stories of struggle and sacrifice, and to pass on a senseofnationalpridetothe nextgeneration.Sadly,many Guyanese were left with the impression that this year’s principal observance separated the privileged fromtheordinarycitizen.
The unfortunate flagraising incident also became symbolic of broader frustrations felt across the country While many Guyanese responded with humour and satire, beneath the jokes lies a serious national sentiment: citizens want celebrations that are authentic, inclusive, dignified, and reflective of the realities facing ordinary people.
The AFC therefore proposesthatfuturenational
anniversary celebrations be organised through a resuscitated, and broadbased, National Events Planning Committee comprising representatives from the Government, Parliamentary Opposition, civil society, faith-based organisations, youth groups, cultural organisations, Indigenous representatives, and the private sector Our national celebrations belong to all Guyanese, not to any one administration or politicalparty
Such a committee would help ensure that future commemorations are more inclusive,culturallysensitive, historically balanced, and accessibletothewiderpublic More importantly, it would reinforce the principle that ourIndependenceisashared nationalinheritance
As we celebrate sixty years of freedom, the AFC calls on all Guyanese to recommit themselves to the idealsuponwhichournation was founded: unity, justice, equality, democracy, and opportunityforall.
The Golden Arrowhead belongs to every Guyanese, and is ours to defend. Our Independence celebrations should always reflect that truth. May God continue to blessGuyana. Alliance For Change (AFC)
DEAREDITOR,
I could not believe my ears when I heard that Guyana failed to endorse the statement by CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) on Cuba. Over decades, free of cost, the valiant people of Cuba have helped Guyanese of every political persuasion and status, with training, and top-class medical treatment and health services.
They say ingratitude is worst than witchcraft. The absurdity is Cuba with over ten million souls and no known history of aggression, poses no threat to anyone. To all Guyaneseeverywhereberemindedofthestatementmadeby the great President of the USA,Abraham Lincoln, when he notedthat;Tosinbysilence,whenweshouldprotest,makes cowardsoutofmen.
Sincerely, ElderHamiltonGreen
Frompage4 informationhastobeworthmorethanallthepotentialgains Berkshirewillgiveupbysellingthestock.
BerkshireisacompanyvaluedatmorethanUS$1trillion. Thereisimmenseprestigeinhavingyourcompanyassociated with Berkshire Hathaway, especially if Berkshire takes a significant stake. It signals that one of the greatest investors who ever lived considers your company a great investment, which encourages others to buy your shares and drives up yourstockprice.
But it cuts both ways. When Warren Buffett starts significantly reducing his position in your company, others will question what is wrong. They will start using AI to research potential issues that Berkshire might have uncovered—such as Chevron’s Guyana operations violating environmentallawsandavoidingtaxes.
DarshanandKhusial
JoePersaud
KenrickHunte
OnbehalfofOGGNa501(c)(3)
DEAREDITOR,
I write as a concerned ratepayerofRoseHallTown regarding a letter I received from the Mayor and Town CouncildatedMay19,2025, signed by Ms Natasha Griffith, Town Clerk. The letter states in part: “With reference to the above subject matter, please note that a decision was made at the Council’s Statutory meeting held on November 20th 2024 for you to be restricted from all Council’s Statutory Meetings until the next Local Government Election.”
As a resident who pays rates and taxes, I attended Council’sofficetorequestto attendtheStatutoryMeeting
for May 2025. This was the response. The law appears clear. Section 42(1) of the Municipal and District CouncilsAct,Chapter28:01 states: “Every meeting of a council shall be open to the publicandthepress…”
Section 42(2) allows the public to be excluded only “duringthediscussionofany item” relating to staff, contracts,orlegalmatters.It does not appear to authorise a Council to ban a named individual from all future meetingsuntilthenextLocal GovernmentElection,which maybe2-3yearsaway
The Council’s letter provides no reasons for the restriction. I was given no notice of the November 20,
2024 meeting, no hearing, and no opportunity to respond before this decision was made. I have therefore writtentotheTownClerkon April 21, 2026 demanding that the Council: Rescind the November 20, 2024 resolution;Confirmmyright as a ratepayer to attend Statutory Meetings as per Sec 42(1) Cap 28:01; Provide the Minutes of the November20,2024meeting showing the motion, votes, andreasons.
A copy has been sent to the Hon. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development for his attention under Section 342 of Cap 28:01.The questions forthepublicare: Doesany
Town Council in Guyana have the statutory power to ban a resident from all StatutoryMeetings?
If meetings where rates, budgets, and contracts are approved are closed to taxpayers, how is accountability maintained? Should such a decision be made without notice, h
?
Statutory Meetings are where public money is allocated.The law says they shall be open. The public should know when and why aCouncildecidesotherwise. I await the Council’s response and the Minister’s intervention.
Yoursfaithfully,
The Ministry of
Education has launched an investigation into the abuse ofstudentsattheDavidRose Special Needs School in Georgetown following the viral circulation of a camera footageshowingtheteachers beatingthechildren.
Two teachers have since
b e e n p l a c e d o n administrative leave from Friday Minister of Education, SoniaParag,announcedthat both educators seen in the
video were placed on administrative leave and a p
investigation is being sp
y
he ministry’s Welfare Unit and Special Education Needs
and are mandated to submit reports ad recommendations by Monday,June1,2026.
Minister Parag visited the institution on Friday morning to meet directly with the affected students’
family, the Head Teacher, and staff Expressing profound apologies to the families for the distress and pain cau
, P
rag reaffirmed the government’s strict zero-tolerance policy
mistreatment.
“Nochildshouldeverbe subjected to such treatment, particularly within a school environment entrusted with their care, development and protection.Ourchildrenwith specialeducationalneeds,as
all children do, deserve patience, compassion, dignity and love They deserve to learn in spaces where they feel safe, supported and valued,” the ministersaid.
TheMinisterwarnedthat decisiveactionwillbetaken against anyone found to be directly or indirectly involved, noting that the ministry’s disciplinary procedures, and potentially legal consequences, will be pursued depending on the
accountability, the Ministry of Education has also fasttracked the creation of a dedicated governing body fortheschooltoensuresuch a breach of trust is never rep
educationsystem.
On Friday afternoon, M
Shannielle Hoosein-Outar met with senior education officials, including Volika Jaikishun, Head of the School Board Secretariat, Dr Keon Chung, Assistant Chief Education Officer for Special Education Needs and Development, and Tiffanny Harvey, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Administration.Themeeting advanced the establishment of a Board of Governors for theinstitution,whichwillbe formally appointed and
installedinthecomingweek.
According to the ministry, this new Board of Governors will comprise b o t h p a r e n t s a n d professionalsexperiencedin theareaofspecialeducation needs.
The primary mandate of the board will be to strengthen supervision, accountability, parental engagement, and student welfareattheinstitution.
Whilepromisingthatthe government will exert the full extent of its authority to address the matter, the Ministry of Education has urged the public to remain patient and mindful of fairness as the active investigationrunsitscourse. Officials emphasized that adherence to due process is necessary to ensure the final findings and outcomes are comprehensive, final, and just.
BOSAI’sday-shiftworkerswereleftstrandedatworkon Fridayafterheavyrainwashedawaytheaccessroadtothe company’sminesalongwitha4x4pick-upthatwasheading totheminesinLinden,RegionTen.
The situation occurred Friday afternoon just before workersfinishedwork.
The occupants of the vehicle who were identified as a generalforemanandforeman,escapedwithoutinjuries.
However, the company’s day staff was left stranded at workbecausetheroadwasimpassable.Similarly,thenight workerswereunabletogettowork.
Uptopresstime,workerswerestillstuckastechnicians triedtofindatemporarysolution.
The main access road to BOSAI in Region 10 washed away due to heavy rainfall on Friday. A vehicle is seen in the opening where the road was.
...says there must be
Duringthedebateofthecountry’slargest budget on record, Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Opposition benches were promised that government would “lay it over”. However, months have passed since hundreds of millions were allocated for spending without the public being provided with key details regarding the use of large chunksofrevenue.
Beyond the walls of the National Assembly,citizensareconfrontedwithanonfunctioning Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson (senior) that often utilises loopholesintheAccesstoInformationActto avoid providing the nation with information requested.
These concerns were ventilated by theA Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which flagged the growing need for legislation to compel government and the CommissionerofInformationtoprovidethe publicwithdetailstheyrequest.
Member of Parliament (MP), Saiku Andrews during a party press conference on Fridaytoldreportersthatlegalchangescould ensure changes to the current blackout on informationthatgripsthecountry.
Hesaid,“Ithinkweneedtomovebeyond access to information and move to a right to information where every citizen of our country has a right and that the law dictates that within a certain time, a certain scope of
informationmustbeprovidedtothecitizenry upontheirrequestandifitisnotdone,thena consequencemustfollow.”
Andrews suggested that this would not only hold the Commissioner of Information toaccountbutthegovernment,especiallyin Parliamentwhenquestionsareraisedandnot addressedtimely
“They would understand there is a consequence to not providing this information,”thepoliticianadded.
Andrews joined MPs Ganesh Mahipaul and Juretha Fernandes in underscoring that questions raised during the budget process arestillunanswered.
In remarks, Fernandes first pointed out that government is hindering the public’s accesstoinformation.Shewaskeentopoint out that questions are often submitted to Parliamentbutaddressedoneyearlater
ScheduledParliamentarySittings
Shelaidoutwhatappearedtobeatactful move by the administration in limiting SittingsoftheNationalAssembly.Fernandes noted that any country that wants good governance adhere to best practices. She explained that taxpayers usually fund trainings and other events for MPs to travel and exchange views on those best practices. Accordingtoher,“Thebestpracticeswhenit comes to Parliament meeting is Parliament meeting on a scheduled basis. We have
ParliamentsthatsetsascheduleinDecember ofeveryyearfortheentireyearaheadsoyou know beforehand when there will be Parliamentarysittings.”
Shepointedoutthatthesediscussionsare often attended by the “less weighty” MPs fromthegovernmentbenchestomerelytick boxes, while the “real decision-makers” simplydonotshowuptodiscussionsgeared atimprovingthesesystems.
Consequently, Fernandes urged, “We need to have a system in place where the Opposition is not waiting and guessing and hoping that Parliament is going to meet.We needtobesettingaParliamentaryscheduleor Parliamentary agenda not just for the members of the Opposition but it should be knownforthecountryaltogether.”
She contends that this modification wouldallowforamorepredictableschedule on when questions can be posed, and the expected time for those issues to be addressed.
TheMPexplained,“Evenwhenwedo submit questions to the Speaker of the National Assembly, we’ve spoken repeated times about the way in which those questions are handled. In the last Parliament, we submitted questions and when we wrote months after asking why isn’t the minister giving a response, the SpeakerrespondedortheSpeakerthrough the Clerk to say that they cannot give directivestotheministertosaywhenthey shouldrespondtoquestions.”
These challenges according to the opposition member persist but the governmentdoesasitseesfit,withevena one-seatmajorityintheHouse.
Fernandes said changes were definitely needed to ensure questions are addressedinatimeliermannerinParliament. Shesaid,“Wemusthavechanges.Inany democracyandanydemocracythatintendsto be improving over time, you must have changes...IaskedquestionseveninFebruary when we were dealing with the (budget) whenwewereintheCommitteeofSupplies looking at the budget. I asked questions in whichministerssaidthattheyweregoingto providetheanswersatalaterdate,theywere gonnahavethoseinformationavailable,Iam yettoreceiveanyinformationfromanyone.I amyettoreceiveanyinformation.”
Furthermore, she argued that while the administration “parades” itself as a “good government” the Opposition and country is left in the dark “They have zero transparency, zero accountability and according to every statistical data out there, they are more corrupt than ever before,” the MPcontended.
The countdown has begun In homes across Guyana, television sets will soon be tuned to one thing and one thing only — the FIFAWorldCup2026.From Georgetown to Lethem, from Berbice to Bartica, footballfeverwillonceagain takeoverthecountry
Sleep schedules will be destroyed, productivity at work will mysteriously decline and every roadside lime and bar will suddenly produce dozens of football “experts”whoknowexactly whyacoachmadethewrong substitution.
This year’s tournament promises to be bigger than ever before. For the first time, 48 teams will compete for football’s biggest prize. More nations will have the chance to dream. More fans will have the opportunity to celebrate But while the competition may be larger, thelistofgenuinefavourites remainsrelativelysmall.
Forme,thetwostrongest contenders are Spain and France.
Spain enters this tournament with confidence
and momentum after winning the UEFA Euro 2024 championship. They are young, energetic and technically brilliant. What makes this Spanish team dangerous is that they
combine the traditional passing style of old with speed and aggression. They no longer simply pass the ball endlessly They also attackwithpurpose.
The Spanish midfield remains among the best in theworld,andtheiryounger players appear fearless on thebigstage.Theylooklike a team entering its golden years rather than leaving them behind Unlike previous tournaments where Spain sometimes looked too cautious, this squad has shown a willingness to take risks and punish opponents quickly
ThenthereisFrance.
Francehasbeenthemost consistently dangerous team ininternationalfootballover the past decade. They won theFIFAWorldCupin2018 andreachedthefinalagainin 2022 Few countries can match the depth of talent available to the French squad.
The frightening part aboutFranceisnotonlytheir star players but the sheer qualitysittingontheirbench. They can lose one star and replace him with another world-class player without weakening the team significantly.
U p f r o n t , t h e combination of Ousmane Dembele and Kylian
Mbappé is enough to terrify any defence Mbappé remains perhaps the most explosive player in world football. His pace alone can destroy a match in seconds. Dembele, when confident and fit, is unpredictable and devastatingonthewings.
B e h i n d t h e m , experienced players such as N'Golo Kanté still provide stability and discipline While Kanté is no longer in his prime years, his intelligence and work rate remain valuable in major tournaments France also possesses physical strength, tactical discipline and tournament experience, all qualities needed to survive thepressureofaWorldCup. If I had to choose one teamtoliftthetrophyonJuly 19, my pick would be France.
That said, football has a way of humiliating predictions.
Argentina is the defending champions, but repeating as world champions is one of the hardest achievements in sport. Personally, while I fullyrecogniseLionelMessi as one of the greatest footballers ever, I do not expect him to shine in this tournament. Since leaving Europeanfootball,hehasnot consistently faced the
Dem boys seh growing up in Guyana used to be like military training without the salaryandpension.
Yuhcouldn’tblinktoohardbeforesome parent, auntie, granny or random neighbour decide that yuh need ‘discipline.’ And discipline in them days mean licks first, questionsnever.
Some parents used to beat children with belt, guava stick, extension cord and one famous weapon called ‘anything close by.’
Demboyssehonemangetlashwithaplastic chairtillthechairbreakandthengetanother setoflicksbecausehe‘damagefurniture.’
And after all that, people does wonder whysomeadultswalkingaroundwithmore angerthanapressurecooker
The tragedy is that plenty parents honestly believe that brutality is love because brutality was what they receive growing up. Their mother beat them. Their father cuss them till their self-esteem disappear like salary after payday So now they carrying the same poison forward like familyinheritance.
Demboysrememberthestoryfromyears agoatSt.Stanislauswhenonefathermarch into the school and publicly flog he son in fronttheentireschool.Somepeopleclapand
highest level of competition week after week Talent never disappears, but age eventually catches every player,eventhelegends.
The same concern appliestoCristianoRonaldo and Portugal Ronaldo remains one of the fittest athletesinworldfootballand deserves enormous respect for his discipline and longevity But international footballatthehighestlevelis brutally demanding The pace, intensity and tactical pressure are different from anything else. I honestly believePortugalshouldhave begun fully transitioning towardayoungergeneration insteadofcontinuingtobuild aroundanagingsuperstar Brazil also enters the tournament with questions. Traditionally, whenever Brazil appears at a World Cup, they immediately become favourites because oftheirhistoryandflair But this Brazilian side does not inspire the same admiration asthegreatteamsofthepast.
NeymarJunior’sinclusionin the squad has also raised concerns Injuries have troubled him repeatedly in recentyearsand,aftersucha long recovery period, it is difficulttoknowwhetherhe can truly carry Brazil throughalongandpunishing tournament.
Germany should never be completely dismissed because football history teaches us that Germany often become dangerous precisely when people stop believing in them. Still, this is not the dominant German machine of earlier years. They no longer possess the same aura that once made opponents nervous before kickoff.
AndthenthereisItaly— absentagain.
For many football fans, especially older supporters, itremainsshockingthatItaly have failed to qualify for a third straight FIFA World Cup. Once upon a time, imagining a World Cup without Italy was almost
impossible. They were one of football’s great aristocrats.Onthepitch,they weredisciplined,tacticaland ruthless when it mattered most Their continued absence says much about how dramatically football canchange.
That, perhaps, is the beauty of the World Cup. Giants fall New stars emerge. Heroes are created overnight. Entire countries laugh, cry and celebrate together
AndhereinGuyana,fora fewgloriousweeks,millions of us will become coaches, referees and commentators from the comfort of our living rooms. So, who are youbacking?
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
say, “That is good discipline ” But humiliation ain’t discipline. Public shame ain’t parenting. A child skin does heal quickerthanhemind.
Thatpoorboygrowintoamancarryinga chip on he shoulder big enough to pave Sheriff Street. People does watch the man behaviour and call him arrogant, difficult andunlikeable.Butdemboyssehsometimes yuh got to ask not only “What wrong with this person?” but also “What happen to this person?”
Achild who grow up hearing only rage eventually learn rage as language. A child who get licks for every mistake eventually believe violence is normal communication. Then society shocked when these same children become abusive spouses, aggressiveparentsandhostilecitizens.
The cycle does continue because too many people still confusing fear with respect. If a child trembling every time you enter a room, that ain’t respect. That is survivalinstinct.
And until we break that chain of violence, Guyana will continue producing generations of bruised children who eventuallygrowintobruisedadults. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
T h e w o r l d w a s crumbling long before China’s strongman Xi Jinping said so. The leader of the free world surrenders the high ground, the first flakes fly, the crumbling begins. Standardsfragment. Come alarmingly close to a worldshredded,lefttattered. Rarely do I find common agreement with Chairman Xi’spostures,practices. But the Mandarin, no Mother Teresa himself, speaks to truth. “The international order is crumbling into disarray.”
Hitler trampled Europe, throttled the world, a hundred years ago. He had opportunity, came dreadfully close to succeeding There’s gratitude for the resolve of some dauntless men and women, formidable figures
inthemselves. Ideologyand interests aside, America led from the front For a righteous cause, a civil world, a stable global order Wasn’t cheap, no Sunday driving. Portions of the world’s soul had to be incinerated to regain calm, quiet. Unsettledanduneasy, at best. From the embers came commitment: ‘never again.’ Notthisroad. Architecture erected, shaky, spotty Amachinery, self-serving, undeniably But a predictable modus operandi. One based on visions of freedom, the greater good. Plus, a good slice of that for the orchestrators, sponsors, and enforcers. Interests were always paramount. Clinical execution was the way, regardless of how much bloodhadtobeshed.
The sense was of missions contained; of controlled and limited scopes Boundaries respected; crossed only in pursuit of those two elusive holy grails: peace and democracy
Eventhesmallandpoor, the different and outsider, feltthattheystoodachance, couldgetafairshake. Rules that apply Are followed. Hold. Whitherthosetoday? When American darts from world policeman to worldleadingexploiter,then Chairman Xi has it right. Theanchorthatbindsothers to order and stability gone. The respected leader, once trusted, also vanquished Respect for the rights of others and standards held f i r m D e f i n i t e l y precariously, at times; but held it did. A champion of
humanity,thatwasAmerica. Not a leader in depravity, liketoday
Today, concentrated viciousness has replaced
American tolerance, Americanexceptionalism. I shared in both, through upsand-downs, the warming glow of belonging. The senseofbeinginthemidstof something unprecedented, extraordinary, peerless Today,whatoncetoweredas inclusive and productive is replaced by a vindictive, seductive siren call to the basesttribalimpulses.
The leader in what was pacesetting and difference making is ecstatic to be a low, demented, splintered, trendsetter for all that’s wrong at a fundamental level.
Theinternationalorderis crumbling in disarray, said theunflappable,unswerving one Chinese potentate. He counts time in centuries, not insoundbitesandphotoops. Tragically, America’s internal forces that maintain balance, that serve as a
much-praised check against the reckless and uncharted, are also crumbling: slivers now, planksnext.
StudytheU.S.Congress.
Cast an eye at the U.S. SupremeCourt. Irecall100 years ago, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt tried packingthecourtthatgutted NewDealprogrammes,how the U S Senate revolted against his abomination. A Senate consisting of 76 Democrats, yet FDR lost, because American super constitutionalists and superpatriots,suchasBurton Wheeler, Joe O’Mahoney, andPatMcCarranstoodtall.
(Moreonthislater). Insum, there was a time that when the hour was grim, men and women stood at the brink, and said, ‘thou shalt not stand. Thou shalt not pass.’ It was what made America great Where are such Americans now, when most needed to save the Republic from barbarism, reckless, andfromitself? Thetimeof
itsgreatestarcoftriumphhas passed. Itisnotthispseudo, crypto, fascistic greatness thatisprostitutedabout,like cheap flesh flaunted around in taunting, rasping, swaggering nonchalance Andmenacingarrogance.
I agree, accept, that the worldofthelastcentury(the American Century) is crumbling, almost fully collapsed. The question, challenge, is who can wade through the wreckage, emerge, inspire? To revive and restore a world now unmoored, listing heavily, mostperilously
The same question is asked in Guyana. It also mustbehonestlyinterpreted andreimaginedhere.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
A GDF patrol boat
i n c i d e n t a n d w a s immediately administered first aid before being medically evacuated (MEDEVAC)toGeorgetown forfurthertreatment.”
The GDF disclosed that “The rank is currently in a stable condition, and his family members were informed ” The wounded soldieristhesecondoneshot this month in a similar operation.
toEteringbang.
KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat the shootings sometimes occur daily,makingtheCuyuniRiverone of the most dangerous areas to traverse.
The dangers have prompted GDF patrol boats to escort Guyanese civilians who ply their
tradeinthearea.
Friday’s shooting takes the number of soldiers injured by Venezuelan gunfire in the Cuyuni Riverto10.InFebruary2025,eight soldiers were wounded after they were ambushed and shot at reportedly by a Venezuelan gang whileonpatrolduties.
Another soldier stationed in Region Seven was shot while on bordersecuritydutiesintheCuyuni River, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)saidonFriday
Accordingtoastatementissued by the GDF, the incident occurred around 12:03h after a patrol came under hostile fire from the Venezuelan shore. The patrol was reportedly escorting civilian vesselsatthetimeoftheshooting.
“The patrol responded in keepingwithoperationalprotocols and successfully ensured the safe passage of all civilians,” the GDF stated before adding, “One rank sustained injuries during the
OnMay5,around11:30h Lance Corporal Douglas sustained two gunshots during an exchange of gunfire with armed men on the Venezuelan Shore while in the vicinity of Black Water, Cuyuni River,RegionSeven.
Atthetimehewasamongranks on a GDF patrol boat escorting three civilian boats transporting personnel and cargo from Makapa
A 48-year-old GuyaneseCanadian pilot was on Thursday foundwith0.563ofrawgoldinhis luggage at the Cheddi Jagan InternationalAirport(CJIA).
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspected raw goldwasfoundintheluggageofa 48-year-old pilot and Guyaneseborn Canadian citizen, who was an outgoing passenger destined
forToronto,Canada,”policesaid. The pilot was asked whether hewastheholderofagoldexport licence to which he responded in thenegative.
Theincidentwasreportedand the pilot was detained. The raw gold was weighed in his presence after which it was lodged and subsequentlytakenfortesting. Investigationsareongoing.
Sections of the list published by the Integrity Commission
231 public officials fail to declare assets
Integrity Commission
T h e I n t e g r i t y Commission of Guyana has published the names of 231 personsinpublicofficewho have failed to declare their assets for the period June 1, 2024toJune30,2025.
T h e I n t e g r i t y CommissionofGuyanaisan independent anti-corruption body established under the Constitution to ensure that persons holding public office maintain high standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability
According to a notice published in the official gazetteonMay23,2026,the list consists of prominent members of parliament, University officials, judges, magistrates, ministry officials and regional officials.
The notice outlined that the names were published pursuanttosection19ofthe IntegrityCommissionActas of the 18th May, 2026, 231 specified persons in public life failed to submit their declaration to the integrity commission for the 2025 period of June 1, 2024 to June30,2025
Those listed include Aubrey C. Norton-Former Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Beverley Alert-Former M P, Shurwayne F K Holder-Former M P, Deonarine RamsaroopFormer M.P, Dineshwar N. Jaiprashad-Former M.P, Jermaine Figueira-Former M.P.
For the University of
Chairman of the Guyana Integrity Commission, Chandra Gajraj
Guyana, the commission named Mr Lambert Chester Former Dean, Faculty of AgricultureandForestry,Dr Roslin Khan - Former Dean Faculty of Education and Humanities, Dr Paulette Henry - Former Dean Faculty of Social Sciences andMs.VerlynKlass-Dean - F
Technology
Members of the Judicial Ser
n includes Justice Roxane George Acting Chancellor, Justice Carl Singh a former mem
e JSC, Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, Senior Magistrate Alex Moore, Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, M
ssa Mittelhozer, Magistrate Annette Singh, Magistrate Tameika Clarke, Magistrate Tuanna Hardy, Magistrate ShivaniLalaram,Magistrate MichelleMatthiasand Continuedonpage13
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister with responsibility for Finance,
Vice-President Bharrat
J a g d e o o n F r i d a y spearheaded a Cabinet regional public engagement inRegionSix(EastBerbiceCorentyne) with the aim of takingthegovernmenttothe people.
The ministerial outreach forms part of the vice president’s Public Day exercise, and follows his mostrecent,whichwasheld at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) in Georgetown, and at the Essequibo Technical Institute in Anna Regina, Essequibo.
The main interest for many, including young professionals, was the fasttracking of the housing and land acquisition process Queues seeking to engage officials from the Central Housing and Planning
Authority (CH&PA) extended further than those awaiting the services of the otheragencies.
In that regard, the vice president instructed that the best practical means be employed to expedite those arrangements, affirming, “today, I want people to leavewithaclearideawhen they are getting their house lots.”
Othermatterspertained
Hundreds of Region Six residentsattendedthepublic engagementatwhichcritical concerns were addressed by the government ministries and agencies present at multiple sections of the campus.
Continuedonpage18
Frompage12
MagistrateRavindraMohabir
The list also includes, Team Leader-Management Committee of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Kesh Nandlall, Registrar of lands Rosalie Robertson, Ms. Tamika Boatswain- Director of Culture, Samantha Douglas Administrator -Palms, Vincent Alexander and Manoj Naryan Commissioners on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Newell Dennison of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Mr Enrique Monize CEO/ Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and SurveysCommission.
For Region One, the officials include Ammon Alpheius Thom -Regional Councilor, Donna Ann Bowen -Former Regional Councilor, Renatta Nicole Williams -Former RegionalCouncilor,LetechaRoseBenn-RegionalCouncilor, Seewchan-FormerRegionalExecutiveOfficer,ShemCuffyDeputy Regional Executive Officer, Raul Boyer-Civil Engineer, Elly Peterkin-Regional Education Officer and OrisonSealy-RegionalAgricultureOfficer
The above default specified persons in public life are requestedtosubmittheir2025DeclarationFormonorbefore June 22, 2026. Continued failure to file will constitute an offenceundersection22oftheCommission’sAct.
Thatoffencestipulatesthattheoffenderisliabletopaya fine of $25000, together with six months’imprisonment for failingtomakethedeclarationwithinthedeadline.
Further, for continuous failure to make declaration after the June 22 deadline, the offender will be fined $10, 000 for eachdaytheoffencecontinues.
With the US$192M East Coast Road expansion project nearing completion, the Ministry of Public Works has shared that the section between Vryheid’s LusttoOrangeNassauisstilltobe fullypaved.
TheMinistryofPublicWorks in a statement on Thursday informed that the road expansion project is now almost 80 percent completed.
Providing some break down of the works, the ministry reportedthatoutstandingprogress has been achieved across all critical structural and paving components.
“To date, 20.70 km of the targeted 38.50 km of asphalt paving has been successfully completed.Additionally,drainage and structural works are rapidly nearingthefinishline,with30out ofthe33bridgesand71outof75 culverts now fully constructed, alongside the installation of 24.00km of box drains out of the required 25.30km,” the Public WorksMinistryexplained.
It was disclosed also that paving works from Sheriff Street to the Ogle roundabout are fully completed, as well as from Belfield to Orange Nassau “Meanwhile, heavy paving operations remain actively ongoing within the corridor stretching fromVryheid’s Lust to Orange Nassau,” the ministry added.
During this final phase of development,theministryfurther urged drivers to exercise caution, maintain safe speeds, and to strictly adhere to traffic signs while traversing the active construction areas along the East Coastcorridor
As reported previously, the expansion project includes the extension of the Railway EmbankmentRoadintofourlanes from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, extension of the main EastCoastRoadwayfromOrange Nassau to Mahaica, as well as rehabilitationoftheexistingECD road from Belfield to Orange Nassau, which will allow for additionallanes.
It was reported too that the governments of Guyana and ChinainDecember2022signeda Framework Concessional Loan AgreementtothetuneofUS$192 million to finance Phase II of the EastCoastRoadProject.
China Railway First Group Co. Limited secured the contract for the works following the national bidding process in 2022. The widening of the ECD highway began under the APNU+AFC government. The firstphasestartedin2017andwas completed in 2020 by the same contractor
The East Coast corridor upgrade is aimed at easing traffic congestion and decreasing commutetime.
Sections of the East Coast of Demerara, Railway Embankment corridor where works have been completed.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the APartnershipforNational(APNU) onFridayreiterateditspositionfor Guyana to establish a balanced approach in its foreign policy, regarding the abandonment of the peopleofCubaintheirtimeofneed while the Unite States (U.S.) government continues to apply pressuretothenation.
The U.S. has hit Cuba with an oil blockade and numerous sanctions that block the import of crucial supplies to the country, causing a collapse in delivery of health services that ground ambulances and other critical medicalservices.
Thenationisnotonlygrappling with a health crisis but an energy and economic crisis as blackouts leavemillionswithoutpowerforas much as 22 hours daily due to the halt on importation of fuel. Food, water and other necessities to the nationhavealsobeenstrangledasa resultoftheU.S.blockade.
On Wednesday, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Foreign and Community Relations(COFCOR)expressedits “profound concern” over what is transpiring in Cuba, insisting that the decisions of the U.S not only affects Cubans by other CARICOM nationals living and studyingthere.
A Havana street during a recent nationwide power cut. The US blockade of oil shipments shuts down incubators and forces hospitals to delay thousands of operations. Photograph: Y Lage/AFP
The body stated, “These measures compound the trade and economic embargo imposed on Cuba for over six decades, which has had a deleterious effect on the lives and livelihoods of the Cuban people.” It said it “unequivocally affirms Cuba’s sovereign right to import and receive fuel, and condemnstheobstructionofenergy supplies to Cuba, which has precipitated a grave humanitarian crisis.”
addressed by Leader, Aubrey Norton back in March, during a mediaconference.
Whilerespondingtoaquestion on Friday, Member of Parliament (MP) Juretha Fernandes made it clearthattheparty’spositiononthe issue has not changed, reminding that Mr. Norton previously said, “We are abandoning the people who helped us sincerely...he was veryclearonsayingthatweneedto balance our alliances and supporting Cuba doesn’t make Guyanaanti-America.”
In his address on March 13, 2026, the former Leader of the Opposition highlighted that Cuba sent doctors and other medical personnel to Guyana through a collaboration that helped improve the local health system as well throughouttheCaribbean.
He explained, “Cuba came to theassistanceofus.Inmyopinion therefore, we have some kind of a moralobligationtohelptheCubans and helping the Cubans doesn’t makeyouanti-American.”
Guyana and Trinidad were the onlytwoCARICOMcountriesthat reserved their position on the statement.
Tothisend,APNUremindedof itsstanceonthismatter,whichwas
Norton suggested that if the GovernmentofGuyana(GoG)had taken a stronger approach, the country could have stood up to the United States to explain “we hear you on this question of the Cuban government utilising a lot of the resourcesbutcouldwefindamidwaypoint...sothattheissueof
Continued on page 19
The farm before it was destroyed.
Police have destroyed approximately three acres of marijuana farm at Kimbia, Berbice during an exercise, between Thursday,May28,2026,andFriday,May29, 2026.
In a statement police said that during the exercise, one field with a combined area of approximately three acres was located, on which approximately five thousand (5,000)
cannabisplantswerediscovered.
“The cannabis plants were uprooted and destroyed by fire. No arrests were made and the operation was conducted without incident.Theestimatedvalueofthenarcotics destroyed is eight hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars ($847,000) Guyana currency,”policesaid. Investigationsareongoing.
Police have arrested a 24-year-old man for the murder of his mother at their Cornelia Ida home, West Coast Demerara(WCD).
The dead woman has been identified as 55-year-oldSurujdaiKahriu,called‘Sharda’.
Reports are that she was killed between 16:25hand22:40honThursday Kahriulived withhertwosons,policesaid.KaieteurNews understands that one of her sons left their home and upon his return found his mother dead.
Preliminary reports suggest that the womanwasbeatenandhackedtodeath.
Theotherson,wasreportedlyinthehome atthetimeofKahriu’sdeath.Hewasarrested and the woman’s remains were taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home where it awaits an autopsy
Police are reviewing security cameras to ascertainwhattranspired.
Arrested for mother’s death
Hemraj Singh Pahalad, the Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice (WCB) man, who was charged with two counts of embezzlement by a clerk or servant and one countoflarceny,wassentencedtofiveyears injailonFriday
ThesentencewashandeddownbyJustice DeborahKumarattheBerbiceHighCourtin NewAmsterdam.
Pahalad was sentenced to five years in prison for larceny and two years seven monthsforembezzlement.Theoffenceswere committedmorethanadecadeago.
The Woodley Park man reportedly committedthecrimeswhilehewasemployed byRamdialRamoutarin2013.
A 12-member jury was empanelled on March18,andonMarch26foundhimguilty oftwooftheoffences,andnotguiltyofone. Pahalad throughout the trial maintained his innocence and even accused his former employerofframinghim.
During the trial, he was represented by attorney Charlyn Artiga, and the State was representedbyProsecutorMarisaEdwards.
The first count of embezzlement, for which he was found not guilty, stated that betweenFebruary12–16,2013,heallegedly embezzled the sum of $3,529,750, which he receivedfromSahidrulSataronbehalfofhis employer The second count, which the jury deemedhimguilty,occurredwithinthesame period, and involved $3,071,500 received fromKaramdeoMangru.
Pahalad was also found him guilty of larceny where he reportedly stole a total of 1,051 bags of fl
types—includingThunderbolt100-1lb,2kg, 1kg,highfiber,andself-risingflour—worth $10,127,995,allbelongingtoRamoutar
The accused said that he worked for 15 years with Ramoutar, whom he said is an agent for the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO). Pahalad maintained he has never engaged in malpractices in all hisyearsasanemployeethere.
JusticeKumarorderedthatthesentences runconcurrently
Trimol Noble, nursing burns he sustained while he slept
Trainingcollegestudentdoused with corrosive substance whileasleepindorm …familydemandsjustice
An 18-year-old live-in student at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) TrainingSchoolatPortMourant,Corentyne, Berbice is nursing severe burns after he was doused with a corrosive substance while asleepatthefacility’sdormitory
TheincidentreportedlyoccurredonMay 22,2026.
The teen, Trimol Noble, has since been left with significant burns to the left side of hisfaceandotherpartsofhisupperbody
Noble’s relatives are calling on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to launch a thorough investigation into the incident which has left him in extreme pain and distraught. Kaieteur News understandsthata reportwasmadeattheWhimPoliceStation.
Theyoungman’sfamilyisdevastatedby the occurrence noting that they have no idea whoisbehindthedastardlyact.
Speaking to Kaieteur News on Friday, Trimmin Noble, the teen’s father expressed shockthathissonwas“burninhissleep.”He saidhissontoldhim,hewokeuptoasearing sensationtohisfaceandbody
“He run out, and after then he was traumatised. He didn’t actually know who waswho,becausepeoplecameandhelphe,” theseniorNoblerelated.
“IwanttheGuyanaPoliceForcetocome outtohelpmeconcerningthissituation.It’sa serious situation It’s actually attempt
murder, and I need justice for my son. They shouldholdsomebodyaccountable,ifit’sone or two or how much persons, hold them accountable for destroying my son’s face,” thefathervented.
Efforts by Kaieteur News to contact officials from the institution were unsuccessful.
Frompage13 to Ministry of Public Works, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and other utility servicesconcernsincommunities.
Newly appointed Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Donald Harsaywack hailed the event as a good initiative. He told this publication that the process was very simple andstraightforward.
“So far, we’ve had a very high level of resolution, and there are some issues that require additional information, require additional resources, require some other processestogetresolved,andofcourseallof thoseweredocumentedandwillbeaddressed inthecomingdays,”theREOassured.
He also said that the feedback garnered summed up that the event was productive, particularly since matters were resolved in a timely manner Citizens can expect followupstotheirconcerns.
“AttheRegionalDemocraticCouncil,we will also work with these agencies to ensure that these matters are fully ventilated and fullyresolved,andtoensurethatwecontinue tohavesystemsinplace,sowedon’thavea buildupofthesekindofissuesinthefuture,” Harsaywackstated.
Prior to the VP’s outreach, he also officially handed over 22 garbage trucks to the 19 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and the 3 municipalities of the Region, to strengthen its waste management capacity
Two Cuban nationals, who were recently arrested and charged with offences under the Trafficking in PersonsAct, were on Friday granted bail when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court.
TheGuyanaPoliceForce in a statement said that RaudelValverdeandYenifer MaríaQuevedoMillán,both appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty, where the chargeswerereadtothem.
Valverde was charged with unlawful withholding of documents and recruiting by force or coercion for the Purpose of Exploitation, while Quevedo Millán was charged with harbouring for thePurposeofExploitation.
CHARGED: Raudel Valverde
CHARGED: Yenifer María Quevedo Millán
Further, Valverde was granted $150,000 bail for unlawful withholding of documentsand$750,000for Trafficking in Persons, and recruitment. While Millán was granted $750,000 bail for Trafficking in Persons, andharbouring.
As part of their bail conditions,theduoisrequired to report every Friday to the TraffickinginPersonsUnitat CIDHeadquarters.
They are to return to courtonJune19,2026.
A porter has been charged with the murder of 69-year-old Mohammed Faizul Shaheed, a pensioner whowasfounddeadonMay 19 at his Parker Street, Providence, East Bank Demerara(EBD)home.
Theaccused,identifiedas 22-year-old Yannick Williams called ‘Lash-up’ appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond Magistrates’Courtwherethe charge was read to him He was not required to plead to the indictable offence and wasremandedtoprison.
Williams is scheduled to returntocourtonJune15
Police believe that Shaheedwasbeatentodeath betweenSaturday(May16), and the day he was found dead.An autopsy conducted onhisremainsfoundthathe d i e d f r o m b r a i n haemorrhageduetomultiple blunttraumastothehead.
Police in a statement said, “Through diligent
k, intelligence gathering and the use of available technology, investigators were able to advance the investigation and identify severalpersonsofinterest”
“As a result, a 19-yearold construction worker of Parker Street, Providence, East Bank Demerara and a 22-year-old porter of Back Street, Peter’s Hall, East BankDemerarawerearrested and placed into custody on Monday, May 25, 2026,”
policefurtherdisclosed.
On Tuesday, police also arresteda17-year-oldalsoof ParkerStreet,Providence
Police were told that Shaheed was last seen alive around21:00hrsonMay16. OnMay19,aftercallstohis phone went unanswered prompting relatives to visit his home, where he was founddead.
There were no signs of forced entry at Shaheed’s home.Hisbodywasfoundin astateofdecomposition.
Frompage15
concern to you is dealt with - assuming that thestatedpositionistherealposition.”
He said that while Guyana welcomes and appreciatesthesupportoftheUS government on the Guyana-Venezuela territorial controversy,thecountryshouldneverbecome partofamechanismthat“seekstostarveand destroytheCubansociety”
Moreover, the party leader pointed out that as a small state, Guyana should be mindful that it may one day require the solidarityofothersmallstates.
U.S.SecretaryofStateMarcoRubiothis weekannouncedthatCubaposesa“national securitythreat”totheU.S.andthelikelihood ofapeacefulagreementis“nothigh”.
BBC reported that his comments came just a day after the U.S. charged Cuba’s former president Raúl Castro with murder
over the 1996 downing of two planes resultinginthekillingofU.S.nationals.
RubiosaidWashington’spreferencewas“a diplomaticsolution”butwarnedthatPresident Donald Trump had the right and obligation to protecthiscountryagainstanythreat
Notably, in March this year, Guyana and TrinidadandTobagojoinedtheShieldofthe Americas – a U.S.-led security framework launchedbyPresidentDonaldTrump.
The17-nationbodyisfocusedonfighting transnational criminal organisations, stoppingillegalimmigration,andcountering Chineseinfluence.
Guyana’sPresidentIrfaanAliwasamong leadersfromArgentina,Bolivia,Chile,Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago who were invited by PresidentTrumpfortheSummit.
The $5.4 billion Kato RegionalHospitalinRegion Eight is scheduled for completion by October 2027, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) ofRegionEightdisclosedon its Facebook page on Wednesday
The sod was turned for the hospital in November 2024.
According to the RDC, newly appointed Regional Executive Officer for Region Eight, Marti De S o u z a , R e g i o n a l Chairperson Tarcellia John andRegionalHealthOfficer, Dr. Talitha Cort visited the location of the new 57,000 square-foot Kato Regional Hospital that is being construction.
The regional officials met with the consultant and contractor and were briefed on the progress of the project. The project is being funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and is being constructed by the SinophamintlConsortium.
“Thishospitalisthefirst ofitskindintheregionandis expectedtobecompletedby October of 2027,” the RDC shared.
T h e R e g i o n a l Administration shared that the Kato Hospital is designed to include a fully equipped operating theatre capable of performing cataract surgeries and Csections. It will be outfitted with modern emergency rooms,aprocedureroomfor
An artist’s impression of the Kato Regional Hospital. (Photo credit, Regional Democratic Council of Region 8/Facebook)
minor surgeries, digital Xray and portable X-ray
services, CT scans, ultrasounds, laboratory services, and dialysis treatment.Therewillalsobe dedicatedunitsformaternal, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care, among other facilities.
Atthesodturningevent, it was announced that the project is expected to be completedin24months(late 2026orearly2027).
PresidentIrfaanAliinhis remarks then said, “Health care isnot aprivilege; itisa fundamental right. The people of Kato and its neighbouring communities deservenothinglessthanthe best, and there are many on theOpposition benches who will question investments like this. They ask us, why are you spending so much moneyonaninvestmentlike this when the population is sosmall.Wesaytothemthat forus,regardlessofthesize, the people who live there or thelocation,theyareentitled to the same quality of investmentanddevelopment likeanyoneelseonthecoast oranywhereelse.”
He disclosed that for decades, the Kato Cottage Hospital provided basic medical services that would have undoubtedly saved lives, but was limited in scopeandcapacity
“Withtheconstructionof this modern hospital here in Kato, those days of limitationswillbeover,”the presidenttoldresidents.
Regional Executive Officer Marti De Souza interacting with the representatives of the contractor during his site visit.
SAO PAULO, May 29
(Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday blasted a U.S. decision to designate two Brazilian drug gangs as terrorist organizations, callingitundueinterferenceinthe country’sinternalaffairs.
“We will not accept being treated like children, we will not acceptbeingtreatedasifwewere abananarepublic,”Lulasaidata public event on Friday, referring to “a certain Marco Rubio, who said that our criminals are terrorists and thatAmericans can intervene.”
On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State MarcoRubioannouncedapolicytodesignate Brazil’s two biggest criminal gangs as terrorist groups, opening the door for more aggressive interventions, after lobbying effortsinWashingtonbythesonsoffar-right formerpresidentJairBolsonaro.
Brazil’s government said the move was counterproductive and a threat to national sovereignty, while legal experts warned it could have knock-on effects for businesses operatinginBrazil.
The U.S. embassy in Brazil did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The two big groups targeted by the U.S., Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), began as drug trafficking groups but have expanded into other areas of the economy, including extortionandcontroloverlocalsupplychains insomeregions.
Legal experts said that because of this reach, companies could face indirect exposure if they operate in areas where the groups exert influence, even without direct ties.Lawfirmscirculatedreportstobusiness executives on Friday warning that the U.S. designation could increase scrutiny of financial institutions and companies operating in sectors such as agribusiness, energy,miningandtelecommunications.
“Scrutinyonfinancialinstitutionsisalso expected to tighten. Recent examples in Mexico show how quickly the situation can escalate, with local banks cut off from the financial system,” one report by local attorneyssaid.
A separate analysis by international lawyers warned that companies that operate acrossBrazilianterritoryfaceanevensteeper challenge, particularly those in agribusiness and the energy, mining, and telecommunicationssectors,whereexposure to the criminal factions’economic orbit can bedifficulttomapandhardertoavoid.
Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro ComandodaCapital(PCC)arebothsettobe
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File photo
formally listed as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), effective June 5, 2026.
MARKET REACTION
Marketsshowedamutedinitialresponse, though some bank shares edged lower on Friday, with Brazil’s benchmark Ibovespa indexendingdown0.7%.
In a meeting with Trump this week in Washington, Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who is preparing a run for president with the blessing of his father, exPresident Jair Bolsonaro, said he had asked fortheU.S.tolabelthegangsasterrorists.
His brother Eduardo Bolsonaro, who participatedintheWashingtonmeetings,said that the decision had been under considerationinWashingtonbutwasdelayed byLula’spolicies.
In an interview with Reuters, Eduardo said he was not focused on whether such measures could sway votes in the Brazilian business community “I am concerned with theinterestsoftheBrazilianpeople.Iwantto destroytheComandoVermelho,thePCC,so thatBraziliansdon’tgoouttobuybreadatthe bakeryandenduptakingabullettothehead.”
Lula’s administration had tried to avoid suchdesignations,fearingtheymaypavethe way for eventual U.S. military action or sanctionsagainstbanksthatunknowinglydo businesswithgangmembers.
In his remarks, Lula, who is running for re-election in October, accused Senator Bolsonaro of “betraying our homeland and going to the U.S. to ask for intervention in Brazil.”
LulahimselfhadalsometwithTrumpat the White House to discuss ways to combat organizedcrime,butsaidatthetime,theydid not discuss the possibility of Washington designating the CV and PCC gangs as terroristorganizations.
On Friday, Lula called the U.S. decision “disappointing” and vowed to stay focused on the domestic fight against both gangs, which dominate the drug trade in much of Brazil and have expanded ties around Latin America.
A man crosses a street in Havana, Monday, May 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Luis Banos)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commanderinLatinAmericametwithCuban military leaders on Friday in a “brief exchange on operational security matters” neartheU.S.NavybaseinGuantanamoBay, the latest official to visit the island nation as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure onitsleaders.
Trump has warned that Cuba “is next” after U S military forces captured Venezuela’s autocratic leader, Nicolás Maduro,inaJanuaryraid.Inrecentmonths, theTrumpadministrationhasimposedanoil blockade, maintained warships in the Caribbean Sea and indicted a former Cuban leaderonfederalcharges.
Top Trump aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, have met with Cuban officials to explore possible improvements in relations. ButtheU.S.sidehascomeawayunimpressed from those talks, leading to even more
sanctionsimposedontheCubangovernment.
Besides meeting Friday with Cuban military officials, U.S. Gen. Francis L. Donovan assessed the security of the U.S. naval base and discussed the “safety of service members and their families, and operational readiness with base officials,” U.S.SouthernCommandsaidinapostonX.
The U.S. still maintains the base in GuantanamoBaydespitedecadesoffriction with Cuba’s socialist leaders, whom Trump wantsremovedfrompower
The U.S. military now has a handful of Navy ships, including at least one amphibious assault ship, in the Caribbean, a much smaller force than was present at the timeoftheMaduroraid.
OnFriday,thePentagonannouncedthata newunitof1,300sailorsandMarineswould be replacing the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which deployed to the region last summer
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2025/1419-FD-PET-DEM INTHEHIGHCOURTOF THESUPREMECOURTOF JUDICATUREFAMILY, DIVORCEANDMATRIMONIALJURISDICTION
FAMILYDIVISION
PETITIONNO.FD-1419
BETWEEN:(DANIELS)
ROVENAROSANAnee
BUNBURYalsoknownas ROVENAROSANA
DANIELSalsoknownas ROVINAROSANA
BUNBURY
Petitioner/Applicant-and(DANIELS)DAVERespondentTO:DAVEDANIELS St.Cuthbert’sMission MahaicaRiverGuyana (LastKnownAddress)
TAKENOTICEthatonthe 24thdayofDecember,2025 aPetitionforDivorcewas filed against you by ROVENAROSANA
DANIELSneeBUNBURY AlsoknownasROVENA ROSANADANIELSalso knownasROVINA ROSANABUNBURY,the Petitioner/Applicantin theFamilyDivisionofthe HighCourtinGeorgetown, Demerara.ANDFURTHER TAKENOTICEthataspart of an Order made on the 4th dayofMay,2026,the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you bypubli cationofNoticeintwo(2) consecutive Saturdayissues of the Kaieteur newspaper (a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in Guyana and on the world wideweb(online).AND FURTHERTAKENOTICE
that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent orAttorney-at-Law at theRegistryofFamilyDivi sion of the High Court at Georgetown,Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petitiontogetherwithrelated documentsANDFURTHER TAKENOTICEthatifyou desire to defend this Divorce,then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition andApplication, youmustfileanAcknowle dgementofService,Notice of Intention to Defend (Formsareavailableatthe
Registry),Answer and/or CrossPetitionViatheelitigationPlatform(online)https:/ /ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy within35(thirty-five)days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. YouraccesscodeisHamKkLTAKE NOTICEthattheDivorceis fixedforDirectionsHearing onFridaythe24thdayof July,2026at9:00a.m.inpersonbeforethe HonourableJusticePeter Hugh.INDEFAULTofyour filinganAcknowledgement ofService,Noticeof Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers approp riate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the FamilyDivisionoftheHigh Court is located at the Law Courts[Georgetown, Demerara].Theofficeis open to the public between 8:00amand3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00amto2:30pmon Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the11th day of May,2026
2025/1237-FD-PET-DEM INTHEHIGHCOURTOF THESUPREMECOURTOF JUDICATUREFAMILY, DIVORCEANDMATRIMONIAL JURISDICTIONFAMILY
DIVISIONPetitionNo.1237 BETWEENMANDY MORRISONnee MOHAMEDPetitioner/ Applicant-v-SEANEON MORRISONRespondent TO:SEAN
EONMORRISON
LowerFlatlot76IvanRoad, Soesdyke,EastBank Demerara(LastKnown Address)TAKENOTICE that on the 10th day of November2025,Petitionfor Divorcewasfiledagainst youbyMANDYMORRISON neeMOHAMED,the Petitioner/Applicant in the FamilyDivisionoftheHigh CourtinGeorgetown,
Demerara.ANDFURTHER TAKENOTICEthatifyou desire, you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorizedAttorney-atLawattheRegistryofFamily DivisionoftheHighCourtin Georgetown,Demerarawhere you will be issued with a certified copy of theApplication together with related documents.ANDFURTHER TAKENOTICEthatifyou desire to respond to this Application, then upon receipt of the certified copy, you must file an Acknowledgementof Service,NoticeofIntention toDefend(formsare availableattheRegistry), andAnswer via the online portal,(https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy) within50(fifty)daysfrom the date of the final publication of this Notice.Your accesscodeisFp2ZnZ. TAKENOTICEthatthe matterisfixedforDirections HearingonThursdaythe 25thdayofJune,2026at 9:50ambeforethe HonourableMadamJustice SherdelIsaacs-Marcusin Court1Aand/orviaZoom usingMeetingID:986289 5666andPasscode:Court1 INDEFAULTOFyourfiling anAcknowledgmentof service/Notice of Intention to Defend, andAnswer, the Court may proceed in your absence and may make an Order it considers appropriate. The Registry of the FamilyDivisionoftheHigh Court is located at the Law Courts,Georgetown, Demerara.Theofficeisopen tothepublicbetween8:00am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30pmonFridaysexcepton public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.
Datedthe15thdayofMay 2026
While the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning announced that it has successfully resolved wage, passport, and employment disputes for the workers of EKAA HRIM Resource Management, Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed countered, accusing both the state and the employerofregulatoryandhumanitarianfailures.
Mohamed told Kaieteur News that he, along with three privatedonors,personallyintervenedtorepatriatethemajority of the stranded workforce. Mohamed stated that they paid US$2,200perticketfor22flightstosendtheworkersbackto India, noting that many of the men had been unable to see theirfamiliesforthreeyears.
The Opposition Leader heavily criticized the Ministry of Labour for failing to protect the workers. He pointed to documented workplace safety lapses, including an incident whereaworkersufferedfingerinjuries,andallweresubjected to poor food provisions. “The company EKAA failed their staff that he [Sarju Bhaskar] brought here; he failed all his contractual obligations,” Mohamed stated. He pointed to documented workplace safety lapses, including the “incident of the guy who lost his fingers” and poor food provisions.
Furthermore, Mohamed questioned why state resources were not deployed. He highlighted that the national budget allocated G$300 million to assist persons with humanitarian needs and G$900 million to the “Men on Mission” initiative.
“They preferred to leave the men stranded instead of ensuringEKAAhelpedthemen,”Mohamedsaid.Hesaidhis co-donors wished to remain anonymous to avoid “victimization from the treacherous and vindictive PPP government.”
However,inastatementpublishedonFriday,theMinistry of Labour defended its regulatory actions, starting with investigations into allegations that the company was withholding the workers’ passports. Upon investigation, the company claimed the documents were held for safekeeping, providing signed ledger records showing when workers temporarily checked out their passports to open bank accounts, obtain driver’s licenses, or remit money to India.
The Ministry confirmed the issue has been resolved and all workers are now in possession of their documents.
Additionally,theMinistryverifiedthatonMay25,2026,all37 employeesreceivedtheiroutstandingAprilsalariesalongside paymentsprorateduptoMay16,2026,backedbybanktransfer receipts.Addressingtheworkers’claimsthattheywereowed anadditionalUS$2,500each,theMinistrystatedthatacontract reviewonMay25foundnolegalbasisforenforcementunder Guyanese law. Officials found that 11 workers had contracts stipulating a US$2,500 end-of-contract bonus governed explicitlybythelawsofMauritiusortheUnitedArabEmirates. For the remaining 26 workers, the contracts detailed a lower initial rate for a six-month probationary phase that increased fromtheseventhmonthonward.TheMinistryconcludedthis represented a standard probationary structure rather than withheld wages.
The Ministry’s statement outlined a fragmented path forward for the 37 workers, noting that EKAA agreed to pay for the repatriation of five workers who have three months or less remaining on their contracts.
Oftheremainingworkforce,theMinistryreportedthat15 workers expressed a desire to stay in Guyana, and that the state has secured alternative employment for them and is processing their new work permits. Mohamed’s account, however, noted that 10 workers decided to stay locally to workwithothercompanies.
For the remaining 17 workers, the Ministry stated it was actively collaborating with the Indian High Commission and other stakeholders to arrange repatriation, while remaining open to finding them local jobs if requested. Addressing the safety complaints raised regarding physical injuries at the quarry,theMinistryacknowledgedthatseveralOccupational Safety and Health concerns were flagged.
The Ministry stated it has inspected the Batavia site, issued formal recommendations for reliefs to EKAA management,andremainsengagedtoensurefullcompliance with safety protocols while reaffirming its commitment to enforcinglawfullabourpracticesinGuyana.
BEIRUT (AP) Israeli troops entered a southern Lebanese village early Friday, pushing deeper into the country as Lebanese and Israeli military officials began direct talks at the Pentagon over the deadly conflict.
The entrance of Israel’s troops into the village of Dibbine, near the town of Marjayoun, came as Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people.Fivewerekilledinan airstrike on the villages of Deir Qanoun al Nahr and Abbasiyeh, while a municipal policeman was killedinthevillageofEbba, statemediareported.
In Washington, a sixmember Lebanese military delegation was meeting on Friday with Israeli military officials in the first direct military talks between the twocountriesindecades.
Anominalceasefirewent into effect on April 17. A senior Lebanese military official told The Associated Press Friday that the Lebanese delegation, led by the army’s head of operations Brig Gen George Rizkallah, would be tomakeitcomprehensive.
The official added the Lebanese delegation will request the reactivation of the committee monitoring theenforcementofanearlier U.S.-brokered ceasefire that haltedthewarbetweenIsrael
Hezbollahfightersinsidethe villages of Yohmor and Zawtar al-Sahrqieh near the city of Nabatieh after they crossed the strategic Litani River, which the Israeli military has used as a de factoboundary
Large areas to the south are under Israeli military control, despite the April ceasefire.
Hezbollah, whose membershavebeenfighting Israeli troops for days in the area, said in statements that its members struck Israeli troopsinsideYohmor
The two villages are close to the Crusader-built Beaufort castle that is about 15kilometers(9miles)from the Israeli border and overlooks wide parts of southernLebanon.
Netanyahu said referring to Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa ValleyandBeirut’ssouthern suburbs where Israel’s air forcestruckonThursday
andHezbollahinlate2024. Another Lebanese official, who is briefed throughoutthedayaboutthe
he Pentagon, also said the delegation would seek the c o m p r e h e n s i v e implementation of the ceasefire and a stop to ongoinghostilities. He said implementation wouldbefollowedbytalksat a later date on matters such as deploying the Lebanese army along the border and the withdrawal of Israeli
troops from southern Lebanon.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media about the ongoing talksinWashington.
In April, Lebanon and Israel held the first direct talks in Washington in more thanthreedecades.
The Israeli military issued several evacuation warnings for southern Lebanon on Friday, forcing hundreds of families to flee tosaferareasfurthernorth.
Israeli troops fought
President Joseph Aoun’s officesaidhereceivedacall on Friday from U S Secretary of State Marco Rubioandtheydiscussedthe situationinLebanonandthe latest developments in the Middle East. Aoun’s office saidthepresidenttoldRubio that efforts should c o n c e n t r a t e o n implementing the ceasefire as it is “the essential entry pointfortransitioningtoany otherissues.”
It was not clear if Israeli troops are trying to capture thecastle,whichliesnorthof theLitani.
Israel’s Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahuvisited the northern front Friday where he spoke to members of the military “I must tell you that there are very impressive results here. Our forces have crossed the Litani; they have advanced to controlling positions,” he said.
“We are operating in Beirut, in the Bekaa, across the entire width of the front, and we are dealing Hezbollahacrushingblow,”
The violencein southern Lebanon came as U.S. and Iraniannegotiatorsreacheda tentative agreement Thursday to extend the ceasefire in the 3-month-old war by 60 days and start a new round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program, according to a U.S. official familiar withthematter Iran did not immediately confirm any deal Vice President JD Vance on Thursdayeveningconfirmed there was a tentative agreement, but said it was unclear if President Donald Trumpwouldapproveit. Hezbollah legislator HassanFadlallahsaidFriday that any deal between Iran and the U.S. would stop Israel’s offensive in Lebanon.
Officials in Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer, havesaidthattheyinsistthat a deal with Washington would stop the latest IsraelHezbollahwarthatstartedon March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel two days after Israel andIranattackedinIran.
The latest IsraelHezbollahwarhasleft3,200 people dead in Lebanon and over 1 million people displaced.
Trump says ‘final determination’ to be made on possible Iran deal
President Donald Trump says he will soon make a “final determination” on a possible deal with Iran that could extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, deep mistrust remainsbetweenthetwosidesand they continue to differ on significantissues.
Trump said on Friday that he was meeting with advisers in the SituationRoomtodiscusstheissue. Several hours later, the White House said the meeting had concluded but did not provide any moreinformation.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministrysaidonFridaythatthereis still“nofinalagreement”onadeal with the US, while top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehranwouldjudgeanyagreement by actions rather than promises as talkscontinue.
In a post on the Truth Social
platform ahead of Friday’s meeting, Trump set out numerous conditions for Tehran to accept, including: never having a nuclear weapon or bomb, the Strait of Hormuz being open in both directions and without tolls, the removal of any remaining mines left in the Strait, and the US unearthing and destroying Iran’s enricheduraniumthatisburied.
“Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented NavalBlockade,whichwillnowbe lifted, may start the process of ‘headinghome!’”Trumpwrote.
“No money will be exchanged untilfurthernotice.Otheritems,of far less importance, have been agreedto.Iwillbemeetingnow,in theSituationRoom,tomakeafinal determination,”headded.
Reporting from the White House,Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane said that in the past, the Trump administration has indicated that a
- Deep mistrust remains between Washington and Tehran as Iran says ‘no final agreement’ reached with U.S.
dealhasbeenreached,onlytofind outithasnot.
“If this was in fact a deal, it would be the entire wish-list of what the US was demanding and none of the concessions that the Iranians were asking for,” she explained.
Uncertaintyaboutthedetailsof a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has grown over the past week amid ongoing distrust betweenthe two sides as they seek toendthethree-month-longwar
On Thursday, White House sourcestoldAlJazeerathattheUS and Iran had reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days to allow for formal negotiations, but Trump has yet to signoff.
‘Notwords,onlyactions’
On Friday, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, told state media that no agreement with the US has been
finalisedsofar.
“We said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago. None of the Western parties, when speaking about the Islamic Republic of Iran, can use the language of ‘must’ We make decisionsbasedontheinterestsand rights of the Iranian people.That’s onepoint,”hesaidinareferenceto Trump’spost.
“WhattheAmericansrefertoas a naval blockade was, from the beginning, an illegal action; it was bothaviolationoftheceasefireand a disruption of international freedom of navigation,” he said, adding that Tehran needed to see whether the US would follow throughontheirwords.
“If they do this, it actually means stopping an illegal action that they started a few weeks ago and should never have committed inthefirstplace,”headded.
Earlier on Friday, Iranian
negotiator Ghalibaf said that Tehran did not trust “guarantees and words, only actions are the criterion”.
“Noactionwillbetakenbefore the other side acts,” he said in a social media post, without elaborating.
“The winner of any agreement istheonewhoisbetterpreparedfor war the day after,” the Iranian officialadded.
Still, Iranian state news outlet Fars, citing sources, reported on Friday that the agreement with the US was in its final stages of ratification, but no final decision hasbeenmadeyet.
The sources stressed that there were no provisions about destroying Iran’s nuclear materials in the MOU and added that arrangements for the reopening of theStraitofHormuzcouldinclude the monitoring and inspection of ships.
Lionel Messi has scored 116 goals in 198 games for Argentina. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - LionelMessiwillplay in a sixth World Cup as he captains holders Argentina at the 2026 tournament.
The forward, who will turn 39 during the tournament, was named in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad on Thursday after leading his country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar four years ago with a penalty shootout victoryoverFrance.
With 26 appearances, Messi holds the current record for the most World Cup matches by any player - and will join Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo,41,astheonlymaleplayersto appear in a sixth edition of football’s biggesteventthissummer
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who was named the goalkeeper of the tournament in 2022, has been selected, as have Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez and Tottenham’s Cristian
Romero, who missed the end of the Premier League seasonwithakneeinjury
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez are also among the five British-based players in the squad for the finals,whichwillbeheldin the United States, Canada andMexico.
AtleticoMadrid’sJulian Alvarez and Inter’s Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players who lifted the trophy in 2022 returning to bidtoretainit.
Argentina are in Group J and begin their campaign in Kansas City against Algeria (Wednesday, 17 June, 02:00 BST), before they play two games in Dallas, against Austria (Monday, 22 June, 18:00 BST) and Jordan (Sunday, 28June,02:00BST).
Messi had been substituted during Inter Miami’s latest Major League Soccer match on Monday, but his club said he had not sustained an injury and wassufferingfrom“musclefatigue”in hislefthamstring.
He has made 198 appearances for Argentina and will reach the 200-mark if he plays in both of his country’s friendly matches - against Honduras in Texas(Sunday,7June,01:00BST)and then against Iceland in Alabama (Tuesday,9June).
Notable absentees include in-form
Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia, whoseEuropaLeaguefinalstunnerwas namedgoalofthetournament,forward Paolo Dybala, whose season at Roma has been disrupted by injury, and 18year-old Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono.
With one cap, Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni also misses out, after Fifa said he would sit out the first two games of the tournament for abusingViniciusJr
ArgentinaWorldCupsquad
Goalkeepers:JuanMusso(Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), EmilianoMartinez(AstonVilla).
Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (AtleticoMadrid).
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (River Plate), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), GiovaniloCelso(RealBetis),Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez(Chelsea).
Forwards:JulianAlvarez(Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).
Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in action during her third round match against Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova. (REUTERS/ Guglielmo Mangiapane)
PARIS, (Reuters) - Eighth seed MirraAndreeva cruised pastCzechMarieBouzkovainstraightsetsonFridaytobook herspotintheFrenchfourthround.
Andreeva,asemi-finalistinParistwoyearsago,won6-4 6-2andwillnextfaceeitherJilTeichmannofSwitzerlandor 10th-seededCzechKarolinaMuchovaintheroundof16.
Andreeva,19,‘hadarockystartandhittheracketonher thighinfrustrationasBouzkovaearnedabreakpointat3-2, butshemanagedtoholddespitelosinghertemperagainand swipingtheclaywithherracketalittlelater
The Russian, known for her volatile on-court temper at times,managedtokeep‘composureandtaketheedgeinthe matchwhenshebrokeBouzkovatogo5-4upandwrapupthe firstsetafter49minutes.
She earned two more breaks ‘in the second to go 5-2 up andserveoutthematchinthenextgame.
Andreeva has now beaten Bouzkova ‘three times this season after Adelaide and Miami for a perfect 5-0 record against the Czech. ‘She has also bagged 32 wins so far this year,leadingtheTourformostmatchvictoriesthisseason.
Frompage28 andanhonour,andIencourageeveryoneinvolvedinsport to embrace this responsibility with the seriousness and commitmentitdeserves.”
The sensitization sessions were aligned with international child protection standards, including the ConventionontheRightsoftheChild,andUNICEF’sChild Safeguarding Policy and Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
The participation of children in sport provides opportunities for holistic development, including the strengthening of teamwork, leadership, discipline, resilience and problem-solving skills. However, global reporting has also highlighted the vulnerabilities children may face within sporting environments, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, trafficking and other harmful practices linked to gaps in safeguarding systems andunequalpowerdynamics.
TheGFF,UNICEFandRCCwillcontinuecollaborating on initiatives aimed at strengthening child protection and child safeguarding systems within football and promoting safe sporting environments that support the wellbeing and developmentofchildrenacrossGuyana.
Frompage27
Team will live in our memories forever Felix (GK), Marco Antonio (sometimes Everaldo), Brito,Piazza,CarlosAlberto (Captain), Clodoaldo, Gerson, Rivelino, Jairzinho, TostaoandPele.
Brazil’s Manager, Mario Zagallo, became the first person to win FIFA World Cups as a player – 1958 and 1962 – then win as a Managertooin1970.
More history came from FIFA World Cup 1970 as Brazil permanently kept the Jules Rimet Trophy; “Victory”;astheyhadwonit three times; 1958, 1962 and 1970. Later,itwasstolen!
Also historically, attendancesforthelastthree games of FIFA World Cup 1970, all at Mexico City’s EstadioAzteca,willneverbe individually surpassed. In one Semi-Final; Italy (4) v West Germany (3); 102,444
rd attended. Inthe3 place play-off; West Germany (1) v Uruguay (0); 104, 402 attended. For the Final; Brazil (4) v Italy (1); a world record 107, 412attended.
FIFA World Cup 1974: West Germany, playing at home,weretheteamtobeat. After Mexico 1970, 1974’s tournamenthadmuchtolive up to. It did not disappoint. My footballing hero, “Der Kaiser”,FranzBeckenbauer, v e r s a t i l e p l a y e r extraordinaire, had, by then, become West Germany’s Captain. A new trophy –“FIFAWorldCupTrophy”–
wasawardedfrom1974too.
1974’s tournament includedthefirstCaribbean/ CONCACAF team. Haiti, qualifying at home, very controversiallybeatTrinidad & Tobago; 2 – 1. T&T had actually scored four still inexplicably disallowed goals. To this very day, many tears and blunt swears comefromT&T!
Poland’s Grzegorz Lato scored the most goals in 1974; seven West Germany’s Gerd Muller, th who scored his 14 World Cup goal in 1974’s Final –West Germany (2), Netherlands(1)–wasWorld Cups’ highest scorer to that time. Fans favorites, the c o l o r f u l D u t c h –“Oranjegekte” – had very slick Johann Cruyff voted “The Best Player of FIFA WorldCup1974.”
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You may not feel like you're clicking with anything today, Aries For any kind of resolution, adjustments are needed,eitherbyyouorbythe peopleyou'redealingwith.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Examine your emotions and trust your instincts
Unexpected forces may disruptyourpreferredflowof things. Know that you'll have no problem keeping the situationundercontrolaslong asyoustaysolidandfocused.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
This is one of those days in which you might not be fully appreciated for the wonderful breathoffreshairyoubringto the group, Gemini. It may seemthattheoldandthestale areseekingrevengeonanyone attemptingchange.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Don't be surprised if things don't go exactly according to plantoday Unexpectedevents arelikelytopopupanddisturb the course of action. Realize that these disruptions have a place in your life and that they'reoccurringforareason.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Emotionally speaking, you're a bit vulnerable today, and it may be hard to find shelter from the storm. It's drafty under your umbrella, and water seems to be leaking in fromthetop.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
Unexpected events may crop up and nudge you painfully, Virgo You could get the feeling that these thorns are pokingoutofnowheresimply toannoyyou.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Today you have the ability to m a k e a n i m p o r t a n t breakthrough in something you'vebeenworkingon,Libra. Trynottogetboggeddownby emotions, which may leave youfeelingheavyandstale.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
You may feel like you're fighting to be heard today, Scorpio.Whileexternalfactors could be causing you frustration, it could also stem from deep issues within yourself.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
You may feel like you're walking on burning coals today, Sagittarius. Someone has also tossed you a flaming ball,andyouneedtofigureout whattodowithit.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Your emotions will feel stable today, Capricorn, although an unexpected element might sneak into the equation. Be aware that people will be a bit more volatile. Although the situationmaybecalmandcool oneminute,itcouldexplodein thenextminute.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Explore your innovative, irrational side today Go deep Your emotions might rebel to this departure from the norm, but instead of letting this put a damper on your progress, let thatenergytospuryoutoaction
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
You might want to stay in and not speak to anyone today, Pisces. If you decide to step outside for some exercise, you could run into opposition wherever you turn. Don't see thisasnegative.
nd Germany’s 2 FIFA World Cupwin,after1954.
1978 FIFA World Cup, hosted and won by Argentina,wasabigtreatfor me. I was then playing TCCB / ECB county cricket for Lancashire CCC. I saw everygameontelevisiondue to time differences Television commentary for 1978’s tournament, up to now, is still the best that I haveeverheard,inanysport, withnaturalcracklingnoises by telephones lines and satellite.
Rumors abounded that Argentina’splayershadbeen threatened with personal disposal, by ruling political honchos,iftheyhadnotwon 1978 FIFA World Cup Johann Cryuff did not travel to play for the Netherlands, due to the political undercurrentsinArgentina.
West Germany’s 1974 World Cup Winners became Legends and Team Managerstoo. SeppMaier (GK), Franz Beckenbauer (Captain),BertiVogts,HansGeorg Schwarzenbeck, Paul Breitner, Rainer Bonhof, Wolfgang Overath, Uli Hoenes, Jurgen Grabowski, Bernd Holzenbein, Gerd Muller 1974 was West
There were serious suggestionsofmatchfixings and other shenanigans at FIFAWorldCup1978ARG.
1978’s losing Finalists; Argentia 3, Netherlands 1; were again the Netherlands. The Dutch “Total Football” has since been cultivated world-wide.
Unfortunately, the Netherlands also acquired; still have; that moniker of being the “best team that never won the FIFA World Cup.” Maybe 2026 would b
tournament!
“Super-man” Mario Kempes, Ubaldo Fillol (GK), Jose Olguin, Daniel Bertoni,wonderfullynamed, mercurial Alberto Tarantini, who played like a demented tarantula, Daniel Passarella (Captain), Rene Houseman (sometimes Alberto Ortiz), Ricardo Villa, Luis Galvan, O s v a l d o A r d i l l e s (sometimes Omar Larossa), Amerigo Gallego and LeopoldoLuque. Argentina certainly played like their very lives depended on winning 1978 FIFA World Cup.
Frompage30 that happen in two games. I saw some video on social mediaabouttapinghishands, and I think I’ll have to do that,”Gillchuckled.
Sooryavanshi was once againthestandoutperformer for Rajasthan as he smashed 96 off 47 laced with eight fours and seven sixes that drewstrongsupportfromthe crowd.
The 15-year-old was handed a reprieve on 46 when Sudharsan ‘dropped a divingcatch,andhemadethe mostofitbutfelljustshortof anothercentury
“ThewaySooryavanshi’s batted,it’snotjustslogging... he calculates, he assesses conditions. He does literally everything well,” Rajasthan captainRiyanParagsaid.
“I still can’t figure out how,but`hopefullyhekeeps doing that Hopefully he represents our country and brings more laurels to the country.”
Jadeja, who briefly left the field with a suspected elbow issue after the eighth over,returnedinthe13thand combined with Donovan Ferreira to ‘provide late impetus as Rajasthan built a competitivetotal,thoughnot enoughtochallengeGujarat.
Gujarat will face Royal ChallengersBengaluruinthe finalonSundayattheirhome ground in Ahmedabad, where they will look to avenge their heavy defeat in thefirstqualifierandlifttheir secondIPLtitle.
Scores: Gujarat Titans 219 for 3 (Gill 104, Sai Sudharsan 58) beat Rajasthan Royals 214 for 6 (Sooryavanshi 96, Jadeja 45*, Ferreira 38*, Holder 227, Rabada 2-35) by seven wickets.
Lusignan Golf
Club hosted a successful day of
c o m p e t i t i o n a n d
camaraderie at the ReadymixConcreteLimited and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Golf
Tournament, held in collaboration with Banks DIH The tournament attracted34participantswho competed across multiple flights in excellent golfing conditions.
Leading the day’s performances was Richard Hannif, who emerged as the overall male champion after producing the tournament’s Best Net score of 70 from a gross82.
Hanniff also captured firstplaceintheMen’s0–13 HandicapFlightandsecured the Best Gross title with his score of 82, capping off an outstanding day on the course.
Second place in the Men’s0–13HandicapFlight
went to Mike Mangal, who returned a net 73 from a gross 84, while George Bulkan finished third with a net73fromagross85.
In the Ladies Division, Joaan Deo was crowned the overall female champion aftercardinganet71froma gross 86, while finishing
second was newcomer Princessa. Her participation and performance were seen as encouraging signs for the continued grow
women’s golf, as the Lu
C
ub continuestoencouragemore women to become actively involvedinthesport.
The Men’s 14
Handicap Flight saw Anand Persaud take first place with anet71fromagross85.
Troy Cadogan finished second with a net 72 from a gross 96, while Miguel N
positionwithanet74froma gross88
Special prizes added further excitement to the
KaramchanPersaudwinning
competition and Orson Ferguson claiming the Closest-to-the-Pinprize.
The Lusignan Golf Club expressed sincere gratitude to Readymix Concrete Limited, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Banks DIH for their valuedsupportinmakingthe tournamentasuccess.
Theclubalsothankedall players and supporters for contributing to another memorable day of golf at Lusignan.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) have recently concluded a two-day Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Safeguarding sensitization workshop for football coaches, referees and key football officials from regions3,4and5attheCara LodgeHotelGeorgetown.
The two-day initiative formspartofongoingefforts to strengthen child safeguarding mechanisms within football and ensure children and adolescents participating in the sport are protected from all forms of violence,abuse,exploitation andmaltreatment.
Recognising these risks and the need for proactive safeguarding measures, UNICEF supported capacity-building sessions tailoredforfootballcoaches, referees, GFF personnel and representativesoftheRights of the Child Commission who hold safeguarding oversightresponsibilities.
The sessions focused on strengthening participants’
understanding of child safeguarding principles, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, international standards, professional conduct and behavioural expectations in youthsportenvironments.
Ms. Anna Valente, UNICEF Representative of GuyanaandSuriname,atthe
opening of the workshop underscored the importance of safeguarding frameworks andcontinuouseducationfor adultsworkingwithchildren in sport, noting that all children have the right to participate in recreational and sporting activities in environments that are safe and free from abuse and
exploitation.
“Child safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and coachesandrefereesplayan important role as trusted leaders in protecting the safety and well-being of c
empowered with knowledge of their rights and provided
with safe, accessible, and confidential mechanisms through which they can report concerns or seek support,”Ms.Valentesaid.
Highlighting that play is a fundamental human right thatcanonlybefullyrealised when ch
en are guaranteed absolute safety, Ms Aleema Nasir, RCC
Chairperson encouraged the participants to take their responsibility seriously “A childcannotrealisetheirtrue potential if they do not feel safe. A child cannot score goals while carrying the heavy,silentburdenoffear,” sheindicated.
Meanwhile, Mr Wayne Forde, GFF President noted that the Federation remains committed to ensuring that football environments throughout Guyana are safe, inclusive and protective spaces for children and youths.
“We are deeply committed to making football a safe space for children by fostering an environment in which their fundamental rights are respected, protected, and upheldbyeveryoneinvolved in their development and supervision while in our care.Thisisasacreddutyof the GFF and a shared responsibility across the entire football community,” Fordesaid He added, “Working alongside the Rights of the Child Commission and UNICEF in pursuit of this missionisbothaprivilege Continued on page 26
By Colin E. H. Croft –
Former Guyana, Lancashire CCC & W. I. International Cricketer
Time for the highly anticipated FIFAWorldCup2026USA-CANMEX. Fourlongyearsofwaiting, anticipation and severe political maneuveringsareover Expectthe unexpected!
1966wasamassiveyearforme. That September, after Guyana’s Independence on 26 May, which I joyfully celebrated at the midnight raising of “The Golden Arrowhead” at the Mahaica Hospital Main Gate, I started at Central High School; ‘ a real countryboycometotown.’
Five years at CHS; 1966 to 1971; contributed considerably to me playing in Guyana’s Under19 andSeniorCricketTeams,thenfor West Indies Test and ODI teams. That period also taught me very much about people’s duplicity and theseriouslyvenomousrealitiesof life!
IhadpassedCommonEntrance Examinations, for Golden Grove
Secondary School, but, unrelentingly, Old Sylvia had shouted: “Over meh dead body Yuh ain’t going to school deh. Yuh goin’ to Central like yuh sister Gloria.” 1960to1965;Gloriahad set seriously lofty standards in her brilliant, scholastically productive yearsatCHS.
Somehow,OldSylviafoundthe requiredtuitionfees;US/GUY$36 perterm;US/GUY$40forbooks per year; got uniforms for US / GUY $100 per year; and train and bus passes for US / GUY $75 per year Each outlay was more than
her then monthly wage, for me to attendCHS!
“Sou-Sou”, (Box Hands), were always the main financial keys to success for every poor parent willing to sacrifice everything for off-springs. Luckily, due to my involvements at CHS; School Prefect, scholastic, cricket, soccer, athletics, table tennis, theatre; CHS’ then Principal, late JRS “Rudy” Luck, allowed me full scholarshipsfor1970and1971.
The FIFAWorld Cup was first played in 1930, with inaugural tournamenthostsUruguaywinning thatinitialtournament. HostsItaly won in 1934, then repeated, in France,in1938. AfterWorldWarII (1939–1945),thenexttournament was in 1950. Uruguay again won, upsetting hosts and tournament favoritesBrazilinthatFinal.
West Germany first won when Switzerland hosted FIFA World Cup1954,whileBrazilfirstwonin 1958, hosted by Sweden. Brazil repeated, in Chile, for FIFAWorld Cup1962. Bythen,asanineyear old, listening to Edgar’s 15-inch television-sized Philips dry-cell battery radio, I had become aware of this massive world football tournament.
But it was in 1966, and especially in 1970, that I became entranced by the mastery, skills, even trickeries of “the beautiful game.” South American Spanish and Portuguese radio stations and Sports Illustrated magazines educated me so much on the wiles ofrealfootball.
1966,1970,1974&1978FIFA WorldCups–FouroftheBest
WinningTeamsEver Canvas anyone still alive who attended FIFA World Cup 1966 Final; Wembley Stadium, London, England, the hosts playing West Germany Some will emphasize that West Germany were robbed. Theylost4-2;causticgameevents stillbeingdebatedelsewhere.
England’s FIFA World Cup
1966 Final XI still roll off our tongues; Legends in our Englishspeaking world: Gordon Banks (GK), George Cohen, RayWilson, Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, BobbyMoore(Captain),AlanBall, Martin Peters, Bobby Charlton, GeoffHurst,RogerHunt.
By1970,Ihadacquiredenough SpanishLanguageskillsatCHSto be dangerous, so I listened to all gamesinFIFAWorldCup1970,in Mexico, with their maddening commentators I probably understood25%ofwhatwasbeing saidbutitwasveryexciting. Some of the soccer moves from 1970’s tournament are still being attemptedbyplayersnow!
FIFA World Cup 1970’s best game was Brazil v Peru in one Quarter Final; a South American feast. Incredibly, there were 49 shotstowardsgoal;Brazil27,Peru 22;allteamgunsfiring.
Brazil’s inter-changeable lineup, including Pele, Carlos Alberto (Captain), Jairzinho, Rivelino and Tostao, were evenly matched, kick for kick, tackle for tackle, by Peru’s speedy, machinelike Teofilo Cubillas, Hector Chumpitaz (Captain), Alberto Gallardo, Hugo Sotil and Perico Leon Brazil had to play
exceptionallywelltowin4-2. BrazilbeattoughUruguay3-1 in one Semi-Final; another South American show-down; with the tournament’s best goal-keeper, Ladislao Mazurkiewicz, starring for Uruguay Semi-Final No. 2; a seriously volatile European encounter; pitted West Germany, looking for revenge after 1966, v Italy,brimmingwithskill. Itended 4 - 3 to Italy, after extra time. Brilliantgame!
1970’sFinal: Brazil,smoothly, like a Mercedes or Ferrari cruising Formula 1 Circuit Interlagos, beat Italy4-1. Thebestsoccerteamthe world has ever seen were irresistible. Brazil’s 1970 FIFA WorldCupteamisstillthebestever toanyworldfootballtournament.
Goal No. 4 in FIFAWorld Cup 1970 Final is an all-time classic, still played everywhere and consideredtobeoneofthegreatest goals ever scored in World Cup history Seven Brazilian outfielders touched the ball in the build-up, before Pele casually passedforCarlosAlbertotosmash the ball pass helpless Italian goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi Magnificentfluency!
Brazil’s1970FIFAWorldCup Continued on page 27
As Guyana celebrated its 60th Independence Anniversary, it is fitting that we reflect not only on our political and economic journey, but also on the path we havetravelledinsports.Sporthas always been a mirror of national identity,resilienceandambition.It has united communities, inspired generationsandgivenGuyanesea senseofbelongingontheregional and international stage, a true championofindependence.
Today, with improved facilities, increased investment and greater global exposure, it is i m p o r t a n t t o m a k e a knowledgeable comparison betweenwhereweoncestoodasa sportingnationandwherewenow aspiretobe.
More than six decades ago, rugby gave Guyanese a profound sense of empowerment under the newly raised Golden Arrowhead. Atatimewhenthenationwasstill finding its footing after independence, sport became one of the earliest expressions of national pride and Caribbean dominance.
Many grandparents and parents still speak proudly of Guyana’s historic triumph in the prestigious Correia Cup. On October 25, 1966, in Bridgetown, Barbados, Guyana’s national rugby team stunned the Caribbean by defeating host Barbados,TrinidadandTobago,andJamaica to capture the celebrated Correia Cup quadrangularseriesfortheveryfirsttime.
…a victory that inspired a Nation
Guyanese could achieve on the regional stage.
BBC Sport - Former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd has been electedasLancashire’snewpresident as part of a restructure of the club board.
Lloyd appeared in 110 Tests during his career, but also spent 18 yearsplayingfortheRedRose.
He is joined on the board by former England spinner and World Cup winner Alex Hartley, who has been appointed as vice-president after retiring from the game in 2023 to concentrate on a career in the media
Ex-Lancashire captain Mike Watkinson, who scored more than 10,000runsandalmost740wicketsin first-class cricket before moving into coaching,hassucceededtheoutgoing Chris Peacock as a member representativeontheboard.
Meanwhile, Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian, will become the chair of Lancashire Cricket, havingpreviouslyservedaspresident.
She said in a statement, external: “I am delighted to officially welcome Sir Clive as president - what an honour for the club to have such an incredible individual on our board.
“Itisanincredibleprivilegetobenamed chair of this great club. I am steadfast in my commitment to ensure that our Lancashire teamsareasstrongastheypossiblycanbeon the field and growing the game of cricket acrossLancashireandtheNorthWest.
“This is what everyone at the club is striving towards. The expertise of Sir Clive LloydandMikeWatkinsonjoiningourboard willonlysupportthataim.”
According to respected sports historian and statistician, Charwayne Walker, the victory came only months after Guyana gained independence from British rule, makingtheachievementevenmoresymbolic fortheyoungnation.
Led by Carib’s Eddie De Andrade and backedbythelegendaryD’Andradebrothers, Guyanadisplayedexceptionalgrit,discipline and unity The players from the “Land of Many Waters” outplayed more established opponentsandannouncedGuyanaasarugby powerhouseintheCaribbeanduringthemid1960s The triumph brought immense jubilation across the country and gave citizens a renewed confidence in what
Whatmakesthatachievementevenmore remarkable is the reality of the era. One can bemindfulthatthisside’ssuccesscamefrom commitment, community support and nationalpride.
Fastforwardtopresent-dayGuyana,and the sporting landscape has evolved tremendously Today, Guyana has greater access to international partnerships, improved training methods, modern facilities, corporate sponsorship and expanded opportunities for athletes to competeglobally
ThestoryoftheCorreiaCupvictoryisnot merelyataleofrugbysuccess.Itisareminder of what Guyanese can accomplish when talent meets national purpose. The triumph symbolized courage, ambition and belief duringoneofthemostimportantmomentsin ournation’shistory
Followingtheannouncementthatformer Guyana and West Indies Cricket team captain,SirCliveLloyd,hasbeenelectedas Lancashire’s new president as part of a restructure of the club board, Statistician Charwayne Walker has revealed that this move is associated with several firsts achieved by personnel from the Demerara CricketClub(DCC).
Walker stated that, Sir Clive’s achievement at Lancashire is a Caribbean first since he is the first player from the region to become president of an English CountyChampionshipClub.
Walker explained that DCC’s Lance Gibbs was the first bowler to capture 300 Test wickets, Sir Clive was the first captain
to lift the ICC World Cup twice, 1975 and 1979.
DCC’sRoyFrederickswasthefirstWest Indies batsman to score a One Day International(ODI)century,103vsEngland atOvalin1973andhealsobecamethefirst sitting government minister to register a double century in first class cricket, 203 vs Jamaicain1983attheGCC,Bourda. MauriceFernandes,whoalsoplayedfor the famous Queenstown Club, was the first WestIndiescaptaintowinatestmatch,notes Walker, and now Demerara Cricket Club’s Sir Clive Lloyd has added another accolade totheclub,beingchosenasthepresidentof Lancashire Cricket Club as this house of legendsscoresanotherimportantfirst.
N E W C H A N D I G A R H , (Reuters) - Shubman Gill struck a sublime century as Gujarat Titans surged into the Indian Premier League final with a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the secondonFriday
Gujarat Titans’ Shubman Gill celebrates after reaching his century. (REUTERS/ Francis Mascarenhas)
Chasing 215, Gujarat made a flying start through Sai Sudharsan andGill,racingto69withoutlossin the powerplay before accelerating furthertosealvictoryin18.4overs atapackedNewPCAStadium.
Rajasthan, who opted to bat, stumbled early after losing two wickets inside the first two overs
before teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ravindra Jadeja rebuilttheinningstopost214-6.
Rajasthan’s bowlers struggled to make early inroads with Gujarat absorbinganypressurewitheaseas local‘favouriteGillandSudharsan put on a decisive 167-run opening partnership, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries.
“We complement and understand each other’s game very well, and when we are batting out there, our communication is very good,” Gill said after being named
playerofthematch.
“Weknowoneofushastotake downoneofthebowlers,andIthink weareverygoodatdecidingwho’s goingtotakedownwhatbowler.”
Captain Gill led from the front with 104 off 53 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes, while Sudharsan made 58 off 32 before fallinginanunusualfashion. Hewasoutafterhisbatslipped onto the wickets - remarkably, the same mode of dismissal that had befallenhiminprevious‘match.
“Idon’tthinkanyonehasseen Continued on page 27
The blueprint for West Indies cricket’s revival has long called for a more robust connection to the grassroots, and Guyana’s primary school system is about to provide the latest testing ground. At a launcheventheldatExxonMobil’s headquarters in Ogle, East Coast Demerara, stakeholders officially unraveled the fourth edition of the Future Warriors Tapeball Tournament.
The initiative, a sustained partnership between ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and FLSport, has evolved from a localised school competitionintoahighlystructured multi-county pipeline designed to transition raw, street-level talent intoestablishedclubstructures.
Thisyear’siterationfeatures16 primaryschoolteamsperzonefora total of 48 teams spanning Demerara,Berbice,andEssequibo.
Inanecosystemwherefinancial constraints often stifle youth participation before it begins, the tournament eliminates structural barriersentirely:allbats,balls,kits, transportation, and meals are fully
subsidisedbytheorganisers.
The competitive structure borrows from the high-octane nature of modern short-form cricket. Matches will be contested under a strict knockout format, consisting of eight overs per side. Match-day squads comprise 13 players,with11takingthefield.
In a nod toward modern sporting inclusivity, schools retain full tactical flexibility to field mixed-gender XIs, intentionally integrating boys and girls on the same turf to foster equity from the introductorylevel.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Education Sonia Parag emphasised the symbiotic relationship between sport and foundational youth development, notingitsroleinbuildingcharacter alongsideathleticcapability
That sentiment was echoed by Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobilGuyanaLimited,who reaffirmed the energy company’s commitment to creating sustainablesocialpathways.
Routledge emphasised that the platformisdesignedtoallowyoung
athletestolooktowardthehorizon, build camaraderie, and internalise the discipline required to eventually succeed the current generation on the regional or international stage for Guyana and theWestIndies.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle lauded the tournament’s operationalcontinuity,highlighting how such structured school tournaments insulate the domestic sportingframeworkbyconsistently feedingtalentupward.
Fromatechnicalstandpoint,the tournament is introducing mechanisms to modernise how these young players interact with thegame.
While the winning school in eachzonesecuresacomprehensive equipment bag to
r institutionalsportprogrammes,the top four teams in each region will receivetablets.
These devices are earmarked for a specific data-driven purpose: teaching students the art of digital, online match scoring. By fusing technology with on-field play, organisersaimtocultivateadeeper,
analytical understanding of cricket metricsfromayoungage.
Furthermore, active national cricketers are being deployed into the tournament infrastructure to serveasdirectteammentors.
This tactical inclusion bridges the aspirational gap, allowing primary school cricket
immediateaccess to elitedomestic role models who can advise on game awareness, situational pressure,andprofessionalhabits.
JohnRamsingh,Co-Directorof FL Sport, expressed strong confidence that the tournament’s fourth cycle would solidify its reputation as a vital bridge for regionaltalent.
Ramsingh noted that the objective remains focused on ensuring that standout performers do not vanish after the final boundary is hit, but are instead funnelled seamlessly into local clubs and structured regional academies.
Thelogisticsofthetournament will test the country’s premium cricketing venues across three distinct weekends, starting at
09:30honeachmatchday
The Demerara Zone bowls off on May 30–31 at the National Stadium in Providence, followed bytheBerbiceZoneonJune13–14 at the historic Albion Sports Complex.
Theregionalqualifierswrapup in the Essequibo Zone on June 20–21attheAnnaReginaNational Stadium.
Theincomingfieldwilllookto emu
e the benc
rks establishedduringthelastnational finals, which saw Demerara’s Grove Primary, Essequibo’s C.V. Nunes Primary, and Berbice’s CropperPrimaryengageinafierce tri-county battle, with Cropper Primary ultimately showcasing clinicaltacticaldominancetoclaim the national ‘Champion of Champions’title.
The regional winners from the upcoming weeks will earn an automatic berth into this year’s national postseason, with the showpiece ‘Champions of Champions’ leg scheduled to take placeduringtheAugust/September window
As the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) advances its Youth Ensemble Programme, designed to nurture the development of aspiring Under-13 andUnder-15footballers,thelevel of competition has continued to soar, with several teams asserting theirdominanceoverthepastthree weeks.
The initiative provides young footballers with a structured pathway to further develop their skills while offering a valuable platform to showcase their talents. Through consistent competition and exposure, players are gaining invaluable experience that contributestotheirgrowthbothon andoffthefield.
A series of exciting matches have unfolded across various venues, producing standout performances,thrillingencounters, andimpressiveteamdisplays.
Here’s a recap of the Under-13 division at Buxton Ground – May 16. Golden Stars secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Plaisance FC thanks to a decisive 48th-minute strikefromJohnMitchell.Victoria Kings also claimed a 1-0 win, edging Triumph United after Antwan Robinson found the back ofthenetinthe13thminute.
BuxtonAllStarsFCdelivereda commanding performance to
GrassrootsFootballreturns!
Both U13’s and U15’s welcomes the GFF’s new Youth Ensemble drive as action continues at NTC in Providence.
defeat Ann’s Grove United 3-0, with goals coming from Dequan Washington, Jadan Havercome, and Carlito Noel While Mahaicony Western Lions FC and HaslingtonStarsFCbattledtoa1-1 draw, while Kuru Kururu emerged victorious in a thrilling 3-2 contest against Timehri United, powered byabracefromImmanuelReid. Later on, Herstelling Raiders recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win
over Circuitville, while Vertex VipersFCproducedoneofthemost dominantperformancesoftheday, crushingDarmouthFinishedFC50 through a clinical attacking display led by Aaron Esbrond and JomainJones.
Good Hope Supernaam Rising StarsedgedCharityExtremeFC43 in a seven-goal thriller, with SelvinWilliamsstarringwithahattrick. E
overwhelmedEaglesFC6-0,while Belle West followed up with a 3-1 victory over the same opponents. Den Amstel FC and Uitvlugt FC played to a scoreless draw, Danty Academy secured a narrow 1-0
victory over YMCA, and Netrockers FC shared the spoils with Fearless FC following a 1-1 stalemate.
ShiftingattentionontheUnder15 division,All Saints ground was the where all the action unfolded, on May 23, Monedderlust FC openedtheircampaigninemphatic fashion with a 6-2 victory over YoungStrikersFC.KidonanYoung WarriorsandParadiseFCplayedto an entertaining 2-2 draw, while IthacaFCwereawardedawalkover victory against Cougars FC KwakwaniStrikersalsoimpressed, defeatingNetrockersFC4-1.
The action continued on May 24, Friendship All Stars clipped Swan FC 4-2, with Anthony Thomasnettingabraceinthe33rd and63rdminutestoleadhissideto victory Circuit Ville Jaguars overcame Elevate Sports Club 4-2 behindasensationalhat-trickfrom AntonSampson.
Ann’s Grove produced one of the most remarkable performances of the tournament so far, dismantling Mahaicony Western
Lions FC 13-0. Jeremy Fordyce and Ranako Morris each recorded hat-tricksinthelopsidedencounter Melanie FC also showcased their attacking prowess with an emphatic 8-1 victory over Victoria KingsFC.TrevonDeJongeledthe charge with a hat-trick, while LeBron Semple added a brace to cap off an outstanding team performance Continuing on Wednesday,May27,Monedderlust FCcontinuedtheirimpressiverun, bombarding Ithaca FC 13-0 to strengthentheirpositionamongthe tournamentfrontrunners.
Paradise FC edged Young Strikers FC 4-3 in another closely contestedaffair,whileCougarsFC bounced back from their earlier disappointment and a subsequent goallessdrawagainstIthacaFCby delivering a dominant 8-1 victory overKidonanYoungWarriors. Withthecompetitiongathering momentum, the GFF Youth EnsembleProgrammecontinuesto highlight the immense potential of Guyana’s young footballers. The programme is also proving to be a vital platform for youth developmentandthefuturegrowth offootballinGuyana.
More exciting fixtures and standout performances are expected in the coming weeks as thetournamentprogresses.
The West Indies Women continued their perfect start to the Evara Women’s International TriSeries by showcasing an explosive battingexhibitionagainstPakistan, beatingthemby25runs.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Caribbean side posted a massive 199-6 from their
allotted20overs.
Captain Hayley Matthews, fresh off an unbeaten fifty against Ireland in the opening game, set a blistering tone at the top of the order,smashing40runsoffjust20 deliveries(9x4).
VeteranStafanieTaylorkeptthe footonthegaswithasolid39(4x4
2x6),whileJannilleaGlasgowtopscoredwithahot42off25(7x4).
Player of the Match Chinelle Henry provided the late-innings fireworks, blasting 33 runs from just17ballstopushthetargetoutof reach.Facedwithadauntingtarget of 200, Pakistan’s chase derailed early as they slumped to 28 for 3
insidethefirstfourovers.
Saira Jabeen counter-attacked briefly with a quickfire 30 off 19 balls,whileIramJavedcontributed 24.Middle-orderanchorAliyaRiaz fought hard with a top score of 37 andskipperFatimaSanachippedin with27runsoff14balls.
However, a disciplined West
2-13 and Shawnisha Hector’s 2-21, restricted Pakistan to 174-8 sealing a comprehensive victory.
Ireland will look for some revengewhentheplayWestIndies onJune1inthenextround.
By Clifton Ross
The Beharry Group of Companies yesterday
broke new ground as they officially launched their nationwide School’s Under-19 Cricket Tournament, geared towards teaching core values and buildingcharactersthroughsports.
Facilitated by the Petra Organization, the tournament will look to revamp a key part of Guyana’s rich cricket history by targeting the grassroots levels in a widespread system which is projected to produce more nationals and international ambassadors for the future of GuyanaandWestIndiescricket.
The competition is set to bowl offintheearlypartofJunewithstill one eye on the weather as some 8 zones with a number of teams representing them, across the country;willbattle.
Elite zones knockout leg followed by each zone having national representation, will then seethe8topSchoolsbeingbroken into 2 groups based on Net RunRateaheadofthenationalfinalsset
forAnnaRegina. Representative of the Ministry of Education through their Allied Arts Unit, Karishma Ramnauth, said the tournament was needed as ithelpsbuildcharacteramongother traits at the Secondary School levels,furtherthankingBeharryfor theirsponsorshipwhilewishingthe
teamswell.
Meanwhile Chief Marketing Officer within Beharry Group of Companies-Ms.MalissaSylvester, welcomed those in attendance to the official launch of the tourney, citing that the aim is to ensure the tournament is among Guyana’s premieryouthevents.
Shesaidcricketnurturesfuture leaders and helps build character, adding that the story has been less about business and more about contributi
development by virtue of sports which plays a critical role by instilling qualities like discipline, leadership, perseverance and other
qualityvalues.
Sylvesteraddedthatthosesame values make athletes who they are and that’s why the tournament is moreaboutinvestmentincharacter, ascricketremainsinaspecialplace locally and is a huge part of Guyana’snationalidentity
Inclosing,shebelievedthatthis tournamentwillhelpyoungpeople to further compete and represent their schools, thus reminding the youngsters that they’re still organizations out there who will continue to help and develop them forthefuture.
Their known ability having organised schools’ football at various age levels, and their relationshipwiththesponsors,who also support the Petra Schools football tournaments, Petra has been roped in to lend their organising acumen to ensure a smoothrunofthetournament.
Over the years, the principals behind Petra, Troy Mendonca and Marlon Cole, have shown their ability to successfully organise eventsattheschoollevel,hencethe confidence of the sponsors in havingthemonboard.
The Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym is eager to showcase its growing stable of young talent when the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) DevelopmentTournament takes centre stagetodayattheNationalGymnasiumonMandelaAvenue, Georgetown.
The highly anticipated tournament, which begins at 5:00 pm,isexpectedtoattractcloseto60boxersfromgymsacross Guyana, continuing the remarkable growth of the country’s amateurboxingprogramme.
Among the gyms expected to make a strong statement is the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym, whose Head Coach, James Walcott, believes his fighters are prepared to continue the gym’s impressive performances on the local developmental circuit.
AccordingtoWalcott,theHarpyEaglesGymisexpected tofieldateamofnearly15fightersforthetournament.
“Wecanhavemore,butIchosetheonesthatarereadyat thispoint,”Walcottexplained.
The coach noted that while several young boxers are progressing steadily within the programme, he remains committed to ensuring only fully prepared athletes enter the ring. Walcott disclosed that preparations for the tournament havenotbeenidealduetoongoingreconstructionworkatthe gym’sAlbouystown facility, coupled with persistent rainfall thathasdisruptedsometrainingsessions.
“Training has been difficult because of the rain and the worktakingplaceatthegym,butwestillmanagedtoputina lot of work,”Walcott stated. “We’ve been able to do a lot of work, still, so I know the boxers are ready to come out and showwhatthey’vebeenworkingonwithme.”
Despitethechallenges,Walcottremainsconfidentthathis fighterswillonceagaindeliverstrongperformances,pointing to the consistent progress the gym has made throughout the year
The Harpy Eagles coach highlighted that his gym has already captured two Development Tournament titles this year,whilealsofinishingrunners-upontwooccasions.
WalcotthimselfwasalsorecognisedasBestCoachatone of the tournaments, achievements he believes reflect the dedication of both the coaches and fighters within the programme.
“We’ve been doing well this year, and that’s because the fightersarestayingcommittedanddisciplined,”Walcottsaid. “The tournaments are helping them grow in confidence and experienceeverytimetheystepintothering.”
Walcott also praised the Guyana Boxing Association’s decision to move the developmental tournaments to the NationalGymnasium,notingthatthelargervenueallowsfor increased participation and provides a better overall atmosphereforbothathletesandsupporters.
“It’sdefinitelyagoodmove,”Walcottnoted.“Moregyms areparticipatingnow,andtheNationalGymnasiumgivesthe tournament a much better setting. It creates a bigger atmosphere for the young fighters and gives them a feel of competingonalargerstage.”
ThebroaderDevelopmentTournamentcontinuestogrow fromstrengthtostrength,withGBANationalCoachLennox Daniels revealing that this weekend’s edition has already attractedcloseto60boxersfromgymsacrossthecountry
Among the gyms expected to field sizeable contingents are the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym, Pace and Power Boxing Gym, Rose Hall Jammers, NewAmsterdam Boxing Academy, Police Boxing Gym, and Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym. Daniels explained that the Development Tournament hasbecomeoneofthemostcriticalpillarsinGuyana’sboxing structure, giving young fighters invaluable ring experience while simultaneously allowing coaches and selectors to identifyemergingtalent.
Daniels further praised the Guyana Boxing Association for establishing a structured pathway for aspiring boxers, adding that the developmental system has significantly elevatedthestandardoflocalboxing.
ThesteadyemergenceoftalentfromgymsacrossGuyana has strengthened the national programme considerably, the GBA stated, with selectors now enjoying a deeper pool of fighterstomonitorandnurture.
