Kaieteur News

Canadian firm says Guyana gold project to lift annual output to 750,000 ounces

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canada-based Aris Mining, Neil Woodyer says the addition of the Toroparu GoldProjectinGuyanatoits portfolio will push the company's annual gold production to 750,000 ounces.

SpeakingduringtheRule Symposium 2026, Woodyer said the company expects to complete a prefeasibility studyforToroparuwithinthe nextfewmonths,pavingthe way for a construction decisionearly2027.

He explained that the Guyana project will require

about US$800M in investment and is expected to produce about 250,000 ounces of gold annually for roughly20years.“Soagain, that takes us up to 750,000 ouncesannually,”hesaid.

The Toroparu Project also located in Region Seven, is one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Guyana. This project is being developed by ETK Inc. a subsidiary of Aris

Mining Corporation Overall, the project is

expected to yield approximately five million ounces of gold, 4.9 million ounces of silver, and 260 million pounds of copper overitsminelife.

Moreover, he also disclosed that the company fully financed to finish off construction of one of its Columbia projects and a d v a n c e To r o p a r u

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Canada-based Aris Mining, Neil Woodyer

development without seekingexternalfunding.

“We have about $470 million of cash. We did a bond a couple of years ago. It's got another three or four years to go we are generatingcashaswell…We don't need to go outside to get financing ” Woodyer shared.

Notably,Arishasalready begun pre-construction activities at the site, includingtheconstructionof a bridge at the Puruni River crossing and ongoing road works to improve access to theproject.

The Toroparu deposit is located on a property that was originally subject to a Mining Joint Venture

Agreement between Guyanese conglomerate AlfroAlphonsoandGregory s K Graham, effective 1

August, 1999 This arrangement, initially called the Upper Puruni Venture, was later amended and st restatedon1 January,2008, through an agreement betweenAlphonso and ETK Inc. giving Aris' subsidiary control of the massive gold project.

Moreover,theprojection of 750,000 ounces annually, follows ongoing expansions at Aris Mining's Colombian operations.Woodyersaidthe companyexpectsproduction from its Marmato and Segovia mines to reach a combined 500,000 ounces annuallyasexpansionworks

arecompletednextyear

According to Woodyer Aris currently holds 9 3 million ounces in gold reserves grading 6.1 grams per tonne, spreading across four assets: Segovia, Marmato, Soto Norte and Toroparu in Guyana. Aris Mining was started about fiveyearsago.Thecompany is concentrating on Latin Americafollowingthebuild andbuystrategy

Looking ahead, Woodyer said Aris expects to complete the Toroparu prefeasibility study and make a production decision around the same time its

NA man granted $700,000 bail on firearm, drug charges

A New Amsterdam, Berbice taxi driverwasonFridaygranted$700,000 bail when he appeared before the New Amsterdam Magistrate's Court on charges involving the alleged possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, and a quantity of cannabis.

RyanLewis,38,ofShoeLane,New Amsterdam, was arraigned before Magistrate Michelle Matthias, where he denied the charges of unlawful possession of a firearm without a licence and unlawful possession of ammunition without a licence, both brought under Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05 of the LawsofGuyana.

He was granted $400,000 bail for thefirearmchargeand$300,000forthe ammunition charge, totalling $700,000.Thematterwasadjournedto th6 July,2026.

Lewis was arrested last Tuesday followingapoliceoperationinRegion Six, during which ranks allegedly

Ryan Lewis

discoveredafirearm,ammunition,and a quantity of suspected cannabis at his residence.

Police said the operation was carried out based on information received. During the search, officers

reportedly found several transparent plastic-wrapped parcels containing leaves,seeds,andstemssuspectedtobe cannabis sativa stored in two blue plasticbarrels.

Investigators said Lewis admitted ownership of the narcotics when questioned.

Afurthersearchofthepremisesled to the discovery of a silver-coloured revolver along with six matching roundsofammunitioninsideawooden chestofdrawers.

Theweaponwasidentifiedasa.38 special revolver bearing serial number UA852487.

The suspected cannabis was weighedintheaccusedman'spresence at the Central Police Station and amounted to 14 650 kilograms Samples were taken from the parcels, sealedinevidencebags,andlodgedfor forensicanalysis.

The firearm and ammunition were also sealed and lodged for ballistic testingasinvestigationscontinue.

Colombian operations reach the500,000-ouncemark.He noted,“Weshouldalsohave ramped up Segovia to about 300,000ouncesbytheendof thisyear,whichwillbeabout the same time we're coming out with our prefeasibility study and hopefully a production decision on Guyana,”headded.

Woodyer had previously stated that Toroparu and its ColumbiaprojectsplaceAris Mining on a clear path towardeventuallyproducing one million ounces of gold annually He stressed that this milestone achieved by only a handful of gold mining companies worldwide.

Wanted man captured in 'barrel body' murder

Police on Saturday

rested one of two remainingsuspectswantedin connection with the brutal murder of 39-year-old Levi Williams, whose body was discovered stuffed headfirst inside a barrel at the Le Repentir Cemetery on Christmasnightlastyear

The suspect, Kevin Lawson, also called "Baby" andknownasEdgarLawson, 33, was captured during a police cordon-and-search exercise conducted between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Bougainvillea Park, Farm, EastBankDemerara.

Lawson had been on the run since the killing of Williams, also known as "Vamperous," whose body was found at about 11:40 th p.m.on25 December,2025, abandoned inside a barrel at thecemetery

Police have already chargedthreeothermenwith Williams' murder: Randy Mars, called "Ratty," Aaron Khan, called "Tattoo Man," and Jamal David, called "Hundred."

Investigators allege that

Captured: Kevin Lawson called “Baby

Williamswasbeatentodeath at a drug block on Charlotte Street, Bourda, after being accusedofstealingafirearm. His body was reportedly placed in a plastic bag, loaded into a vehicle, and transported to the Le Repentir Cemetery, where it was dumped inside the barrel. Lawsonisexpectedtobe processedbyinvestigatorsas the murder probe continues. One other suspect remains wanted.

Walton proposes three-way opposition

… warns against 'whittling away' of parliamentary power deal on GECOM seats

Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) leader

Amanza Walton has proposed a structural compromisetodistributethe opposition's three seats on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) among competing factions, warning that ongoing internal conflicts risk "demoralising" supporters andlandingtheoppositionin court.

Speakingduringarecent airing of Dr David Hinds' Politics 101 programme, Walton addressed both the internal friction within the opposition and her recent exclusion from a key legislative committee, reframing both issues as urgent triggers for constitutional and electoral reform.

ProposedGECOM compromise

Amid ongoing debates regarding the selection of oppositioncommissionersto GECOM, Walton urged leaderstomoveawayfroma "winner-take-all" approach and recognise the shifted political landscape, noting that the new opposition leader now commands the votes of over 110,000 citizens.

To avert a legal showdown between opposition parties over the i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f

proposedanequalthree-way split of the available commissionseats.

"What is within our powerishowtheopposition utilises this moment for renewal," Walton stated "APNU gets one, you retain one of the commissioners thatwereputtherebyAPNU

because they have significant institutional memory WIN gets one Forward Guyana gets one. And we move on with the businessofthepeople."

Walton argued that because the opposition is legally capped at three seats regardless of internal seat distribution in the National Assembly, a compromise represents the most pragmatic path to securing comprehensive electoral reform.

Walton argued that because the opposition is legally capped at three seats regardless of internal seat distribution in the National Assembly, a compromise represents the most pragmatic path to securing comprehensive electoral reform.

Appearing on the June 23rd broadcast of Politics 101 with Dr David Hinds, veteran GECOM opposition nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander rejected

claims that a change in the l e a d e r s h i p o f t h e parliamentary opposition grants an automatic right to recall and replace sitting commissioners.

Alexander argued that the country's supreme law intentionally insulates commissioners from political whims to preserve the integrity of the electoral process. Despite defending the legal permanency of his current tenure, Alexander acknowledged that the practical functioning of GECOM has frequently been marred by partisan gridlock. He criticised the c u r r e n t s y s t e m ' s vulnerability to “parochial party politics,” which often reduces independent constitutional actors to political arbiters. To break this cycle, Alexander is advocating for a sweeping structural overhaul of Guyana's electoral management body, pointing toward regional frameworks asaviablepathforward.

Committeeexclusionand oversightrollbacks

Addressing her recent e x c l u s i o n f r o m a parliamentary committee, Walton rejected the notion that the development was a personal or localised political slight. Instead, she characteriseditasasystemic failuretorespectdemocratic

mandates."Thisisnotabout Amanza being left off of a committee,"Waltonsaid."It isformeanindicationofthe s y s t e m f a i l i n g t o contemplate that a duly elected representative of the people should be able to sit onacommittee."

She strongly criticised public reactions celebrating the exclusion of certain lawmakers, asserting that votersfailtorealisetheyare cheering the diminution of their own constitutional sovereignty According to Walton, parliamentary restriction is directly proportional to citizen restriction.

Further compounding

concerns over state accountability, Walton highlighted recent administrative changes to parliamentary oversight bodies, specifically noting that the Economic Services Committee will now meet quarterly rather than monthly

Despite facing significant legal costs, she emphasised that the legal battle remains crucial to breaking the cyclical nature of traditional two-party politicsinGuyana.

While all parties, We InvestinNationhood(WIN), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the government, successfully placed members on the various committees, a point o

se regarding Amanza Walton,

"Because we confuse p a r l i a m e n t w i t h personalities,wearemissing thepointthatwekeeplosing our power," Walton warned, adding that the reduction in meeting frequency indicates a government that is "afraid of scrutiny." Walton confirmed that FGM remains committed to pursuing its ongoing ballot access case currently before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which was filedlastyearafterthegroup was excluded from the electionballot.

leader of the Forward GuyanaMovement(FGM).

Both WIN and APNU attempted to nominate Walton to some of the comm

C

Committee of Selection, Manzoor Nadir refused the nomination.

Nadir explained that basedontheofficialformula used to calculate eligibility, Walton did not receive the necessarynumberofvotesto qualify for nomination to anyofthebodies.

Kaieteur News

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

EDITORIAL

PublicAccountsCommittee

-THEPASTLIVES

ON

The parliamentary PublicAccounts Committee (PAC) is opentodotheworkofthepeople Checkhowtheirbusiness wasdone,theirmoneyspent ThePPP/CGovernmentclosedit down,putitoutofbusinessagain Wehopethatitistemporary, andnotacontinuationofthetricksatwhichthisgovernmentis soskilledindelivering. Temporarylooksmoreunlikely,while governmenttrickssimplykeepaddingtotherecordofbefore.

The reconvening of this parliament was held up for over 100days. WhatisitthatthePPP/CGovernmentfearssomuch that it snatches that invaluable time away from the work of parliament and its committees? The PAC is to review the findingsoftheauditoffice,andthosefocusonhowthemoney wasspent,howtheprocedureswerefollowed,andhowthose putinmanagementthroughoutGuyanaperformed

Over multimillion dollar projects, over the proper recording of monies received and disbursed, and over small andbigprojects Therecordisthere,andthenewchairofthe PAC,VishnuPandayoftheWeInvestinNationhoodpartyis raising his voice, letting local taxpayers know what is happening Alreadyfourdatesproposedcametonaught

InthisnewparliamentandnewlyconstitutedPAC,itisthe sameoldpractice ThenewPPP/CGovernmentisuptoitsold tricksthatreekofdeviousness Governmentmembersnamed tothePACareunavailable Theyhaveotherworktodo,which clasheswiththeproposeddatesofMonday22ndJune,Tuesday 23rd ,Wednesday24th ,andFriday26th Whichdatewould notbeaclash?

WhenwillthePPP/CGovernment’srepresentativesonthe PACeverbeavailable? WeexpectMinisterofParliamentary Affairs,GailTexeira,tobeherusualcreativeself Namely,to putoutsomespinthateffectivelyshovestheunavailabilityof thegovernment’ssideofthePACintoanon-issue Thatmaybe so for the government, but citizens still have an interest in knowing how their billions from record budgets have been handled. If the government is so distressed, so dodgy, with accountingforhundredsofbillions,trillionsinaggregate,what is it comfortable presenting to the people whose hides those trillionshavebeenextractedfrom?

Notmuchofanything,astherecordsofparliamentclearly indicate The audit reviews and findings from 2019 to 2024 have not been allowed so much as a glance Six years of trillions in spending, and Guyanese have to deal with a government that delivers only absences and tricks In the highestforuminthiscountry,thisisnowthenorm,seemingly partoftheparliamentarystandingorders

Whenwillthefinancialrecordsforthosesixyearseverbe given the kind of serious attention that they are due, so that taxpayersgetsomevaluefortheirsacrifices?

WeshiftattentiontothecourtsofGuyanaforaminute We ask citizens to consider how such delays with every intent to stonewallwouldhavebeentreatedbyajuristorapanelofsuch This is how the government disrespects Guyana’s highest house,andinsultsGuyanese.

Muchhasbeenquiterightlymadeabouttheyearswhenthe APNU+AFCCoalitionwasincharge Today,whentheyears ofPPP/Cgovernancemustbesubjecttoscrutinyanddiscussed at length, the PPP/C Government goes many miles to ensure that its PAC members are occupied with other matters No quorum,noPACmeetingsanddeliberations

Neat and effective, as well as protective of whatever million-dollar secrets that the government has presided over, butnowwantstohide Havingpartiedlavishlyonthebacksof Guyanese taxpayers, every scheme, every subterfuge, is employedbythegovernment Theobjectiveisnottoexposeits probable many corruptions with finances, and its failures at honestmanagement

Itislikelythatduetosomuchhavingtobehiddenfromthe public,thereisonlyoneoptionlefttothePPP/CGovernment TostonewallthePACintoimpotencyanduselessnessaslong aspossible Thegovernmenthasmadeastart,showeditshand Expect more of the same going forward Going around in circles through endless delays is going forward for this government,servingcitizenshonestly

Guyana not ready for the risks of uranium mining

DEAREDITOR,

The serious health and environmental risks associated with uranium mining and the poor track record of the government’s ability to safeguard our people against environmentalandhealthhazardsfrom the mining of aluminum, gold and manganese should raise the alarm withinournation.

Mercurypoisoningatthegoldboard thatledtothedeathofanemployee,the Omaicyanidespill,theongoingkidney failureissuesnearbauxiteminingsites, the presence of extracted manganese near the property of a farmer and the emergency evacuation of Chinese workers in the sector, are all signs of serious mismanagement and an inability to effectively prevent and control the environmental and health risks associated with the extraction of thesesubstances.

Within the sector, the announced pursuitofuraniumminingistodatethe most serious hazardous activity to be undertaken. The planned extraction of uraniumbringswithitradioactivewaste thatcausescancer Thereleaseofradon gasandradiumaretoxicandleadstothe

contaminationof ground water, creates respiratory issues, and damages kidneys.

Thereisahistoryofhealthproblems causedbytheminingofthismaterialin better equipped countries where their EPA(environmentalprotectionagency) and government are more advanced in the monitoring and safeguarding of the environment.

Given the historical issues faced withintheminingsectorinGuyanaand the continued negligence that has resulted in unsafe mining practices persisting, CRG cannot in good conscience support the addition of uranium to the list of mining activities inourbeautifulhomeland.

Itisvitallyimportantthatweremain very selective in our pursuit of the nation’s income, and we must know whentosaynotoopportunitiesthatwill inevitably result in the destruction of our environment and that will eventually cause the health of our peopletobeseverelyimpacted.

The government should be taking thisopportunityforeconomicrecovery and development to discuss, develop, and implement improvements and best

practices in the mining sector that will prevent the increase in environmental pollutionandexposureofourpeopleto serious health risks. It is time to slow down and get it done correctly The price of many of these products will continuetoincrease.

There is no rush! Gold is a great exampleofhowvaluecontinuestorise. Prohibit the use of mercury and implement effective safeguards throughout the sector to ensure the safety of our people and the continued viability of our land. We are a small nationandcanonlydosomuch.

The scale of many of these undertakingsshouldreflectoursizeand whatwehavethecapacitytoeffectively manage Being unrealistic and aggressiveinthepursuitofrichesmust be tempered by the reality of what we caneffectivelycontrol.

Healthypeopleandhealthylandare not resources that are easy to come by They must be valued, respected and appreciated. Otherwise, what is gained in their neglect will be lost in their pursuit.

Bestregards, Jamil

Changlee

A healthy democracy depends on rule of law from

DEAREDITOR,

Corruptionoritsperception,isoneof thegreatestthreatsfacingGuyana Every dollarlostthroughcorruptionisadollar takenfromourschools,hospitals,roads, public safety grants, and the opportunitiesourpeopledeserve

When public officials and relatives andfavouredones areseenas enriching themselves while ordinary citizens strugglewiththerisingcostoflivingand inadequate public services, public confidence in government is eroded Peoplebecomeangrywhentheybelieve there is one set of rules for those in powerandanotherforeveryoneelse.

They lose faith when allegations of corruption are not investigated, when transparency is lacking, when accountabilityappearsselectiveorabsent, and when known rapists or violators of femalesareseenclosetorankingofficials No democracy can remain healthy if citizensbelievethatpublicofficeisused forprivategainandpleasures

Therearesuggestionsthatthepowers that be is in support of known highly corrupt government functionaries Shouldthepublicbenowentitledtotake vigilante actions against these individuals Attackonofficialswilltake Guyana further down the international image perfection of a good place for business. But it seems like we are just unable to avoid this Public reaction to officials will open the flood gate of acceptance of vigilante disciplinary actioninfaceofgovernmentinaction

I am opposed to the use of violence against some ruling government politiciansasanexpressionofangerover theirarrogance,abuses,andcorruption It isunlawful Andviolenceisnotasolution

citizens and officials

tothecountlessproblemsGuyaneseface especiallyoverrisingcostoflivingand crimes while ruling politicians are havingatimeoftheirlife.

But how else can people vent their angerandfrustrationifnotusingviolence against crooked politicians who are enriching themselves with kickbacks from contracts and giving themselves contractsundernamesofothers.Should the public rise up against the corrupt government?

Guyanese are deeply frustrated by ceaseless corruption and a lack of accountability and transparency from those entrusted with public office The looting is on a previously unthinkable scaleandverymuchqualifiesforpublic vigilantetypejustice.

When people struggle with rising living costs, low wages, high unemployment, poor public services, misuse of public resources, blackouts, high electricity charges, the sight of government officials being chauffeured in high-end air-conditioned vehicles, frustrationbuildsovertime.

Remember how the Critic came to famebydestroyingtheparkingmeterin face of government links to corruption Look at the handling of Karpowership, gastoenergyproject,smugglingofgold, sight of mansions going up for ranking official, what’s happening at NDIA, terrible infrastructure, and other ills. Anger further builds up on the sight of some ministers, especially from Tuschen and Bloomfield, amongst others, who are known by everyone to beamongstthemostcorrupt.They‘tek’ by the truckloads without any repercussions. Theythumbtheirnoseatthepublic,

confident nothing will happen to them

The public is losing confidence in institutionswhentheyfeeltheirlivesare notimprovingandconcernsareignored Pent up anger is growing A time will comewhentheycan’ttakeitanymore.

Rising anger should serve as a warning to those in authority. Leaders who ignore legitimate public concerns risk creating a deeper crisis of confidence.Theanswer,however,isnot intimidation or violence The answer is independent investigations, strong anticorruption institutions, open government, a free press, and equal application of the law regardless of politicalstatusorinfluence.

The vice president must act to discipline the corrupt or risk serious response from the public He must combatcorruptionandstrengthenpublic involvement in policymaking The public must pursue peaceful solutions, advocacy, civic engagement. There must be transparency and accountability in all policymaking and allgovernmentimplementation.

Favouring families, friends, and preferred ones must end Foreign companies have assets in Guyana They too can become targeted The ABE countriesmusttakenoteofthecorruption and impose sanctions on individuals knowntobecorrupt

Ahealthydemocracydependsonrule of law not only from citizens but also from officials Corruption is a violation of the law Addressing corruption honestly is essential to restoring public confidence and preventing anger from escalating

Sincerely, Namewithheld

JAGS Aviation has emerged a leader in local aviation

DEAREDITOR,

On Saturday June 20, Jags Aviation, an accredited subsidiary of BK Group of Companies, commissioned two 19-seat HAL 228 aircraft. purchased from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited of India. Based on the proven Dornier 228 platform, the Hal 228 highwingtwinturbopropaircraft are designed specifically for rugged environments like Guyana.

Their Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capability, and the ability to operate on short,unpavedhinterlandair

strip

capability, strong reliability and low operating cost per seat, means that they are perfectly suited for interior operations where conditions are tough and challenging andprofitmarginsaretight.

Acquired by one of the most devoted, authentic, successful, competent and accomplished businessman

Mr Brian Tiwari, founder and executive chairman of BK Group of Companies in 2014 with just four aircraft, today, JagsAviation fleet of aircrafthasmorethantripled injustoveradecade.

Mr Tiwari’s bold vision

to reduce cost and raise the standard of domestic and regional aviation will surely boost the aviation industry andJagsongoingoperations aswellasitscommitmentto

contribution to develop the touristindustryinGuyana.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the company’s Bradley Hangar at Ogle and the attendees include President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d)

Mark Phillips, Vice

President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo,membersofCabinet,

members of the private sectorandJagsemployees.

There were several speakers, among them was Jags Accountable Manager

Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Benjamin who told the audiencethattheacquisition of the two HAL228 aircraft marks a strategic step towards modern efficiency and excellence in both regional and domestic air services.

He stated that such huge investments contribute directly to the government’s broadervisionofpositioning Guyanaasaleadingaviation

hubintheCaribbean.

Benji as he is often called, explained that the aircraft are built for shortfield performance and regional connectivity and that they are ideally suited for Guyana’s diverse and jagged terrain and remote airstrips.

Withseatingcapacityfor 19 passengers, the aircraft offers a spacious, airconditioned cabin, USB p

advanced avionics system which brings a new level of comfort and efficiency to localandregionalairtravel.

Managing Director of Jag’s Aviation, Ms. Briony Tiwarie-Gabriel explained to the audience that the new additions will enhance both domestic and regional connectivity, particularly in strengthening tourism links to the interior and other outlyingareasofthecountry

She said that the expanded fleet of aircraft willimproveaccessibilityto remot

passenger movement, and contribute to economic activity in the hinterland, regional markets and Guyana’s development. Ms. Tiwarie-Gabriel explained

Motie’s omission exposes deeper crisis in West Indies cricket

DEAREDITOR,

The issue is not just Gudakesh Motie, his consistent exclusion from the West Indies team just shinesaspotlightonadeeper issueandpervasiveproblem.

Motie’s excellent performance at the 2025 CPL is evident as well as being an excellent fielder and often chalking needed runs on the board; despite this, Motie has been dropped on numerous instances and every spin bowler faces intermittent quietresults

As an example, look at BashirbowlingagainstNew Zealandbatsmen.

DarenSammyshouldnot be the sole selector and coach;thisinsomewaysisa conflict of interest In addition, there is no disclosure of minutes of Windies Cricket board meetings.

The population within the region of East Indians arguablyhasmorethan25% including expats such as myself residing outside the regionbutidentifyasaWest Indian both by birth and heritage.

Yet that number is not

represented within the regional team and to make the point, reverse the scenario where players of African descent were excluded in an all-East Indian team with the same populationnumbers.

There is also noticeable absence of a business plan with no strategic outlook.

Further, the president, Dr Kishore Shallow has a fulltime demanding job as an MP in a newly elected government.

In addition, matches are consistently played at Sir VivianRichardsvenueinSt. Johns Antigua (Population: 106k)withzeroattendance. The team has to include

at least two to three East Indian players to gain exposureandsomedegreeof experience at first class level.

That said, let us not just cast aspersions only the regional board, coach and t

astounding silence within the region especially from persons of East Indian descent.

Unless this is frontally exposed and discussed, this abhorrent practice of excludingcompetentplayers of East Indian descent will simply continue with disastrousresults.

Regards, KrisKooblall

to the audience that Jags Aviation has always placed safety first and the two new HAL 228 aircraft have an excellent safety and reliable record.

BKGroupofCompanies Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Kyle Tiwarie remarked that the HAL 228 aircraft acquisition is a striking reminder that Jags Aviation is committed to commuter airworthiness standards and the safety of passengers.

According to the CEO, the aircraft upgraded technology, and its modern twin engine are designed to support passenger travel, increased reliability and versatility, enhance pilot situational awareness, thus making the aircraft ideal for G u y a n a ’ s j u n g l e environment in the hinterland regions of the country

Kyle praised Jags employees for their efficiency and for their outstanding achievements and expertise in high maintenance standards over theyears.

Heendedhisremarksby sayingthattheacquisitionof the aircraft by JagsAviation is a major step in strengthening its fleet and expanding its role in Guyana’saviationlandscape and that it marks a

significant milestone in the company’s continued growthandexpansion.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivered the keynote address at the commissioningceremonyof thetwonewHal228aircraft. He praised the Tiwarie family, especially the Executive Chairman of BK Group of Companies Brian Tiwarieforacquiringthetwo aircraft and for their continued ingenuity and vision to invest in human development.

H i s E x c e l l e n c y commended the investment by Jags Aviation as a major step forward in modernising the aviation industry and improving connectivity to remote hinterland communities.

President Ali noted that the acquisition aligns with hisvisiontolowerpassenger costs to the hinterland and that Jags aviation has positioned itself for new opportunities and perhaps the leader in the aviation industry

He highlighted his government’s 10-point plan for the aviation industry which includes new terminals, municipal airpor

e

nised hinterland airstrips, egotourism connectivity and a national aviation school, amongothers.

The Head of State urged local aviation operators to invest in a regional carrier andtransformGuyanaintoa regional aviation and maintenance hub He officially challenged Hindustan Aeronautics to establish a commercial and maintenance hub in Guyana to serve the Caribbean and SouthAmericanmarkets.

Theceremonyconcluded with the presentation of a portraittoMr BrianTiwarie of his parents, Seelochanie Hargobin (mother) and Hargobin Tiwarie (father) the two aircraft named after thembyMs.BrioniTiwarieGabriel, the Managing Director of JagsAviation. It is important to mention that Brian Tiwarie aka BK, the founderandchairmanofthe BKGroupofCompaniesand the former Honorary Council General of the Kingdom of Spain is the recipient of several national prestigiousawardsincluding A.A. (Cacique’s Crown of Honor), O.M.C. (Order of Roraima) and the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Civil Merit from King Felipe V1 of Spain, recognising his diplomatic service and his c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o strengthening relations between Guyana and Spain. Theeventwaswellattended.

Sincerely,

Dr.AsquithRose

Govt. 99% close to securing new Berbice powership deal - Minister Indar

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, has revealed that the Government of Guyana is 99% close to finalising a new agreement for the 36-megawatt power shipstationedinBerbice.

Addressingrecentmedia

coverage and leaked correspondence by this publication surrounding the tensecontracttalks,Minister Indar strongly rejected claims that Guyana was being forced into an unfavourable position by foreigncontractors.

“NoOneShouldBelieve WeWereBackedIntoA Corner”

Speaking directly on the aggressive nature of the talks, Minister Indar

emphasised that the administration, has maintained an unyielding stance to protect national interests. “People can think we are backed into a corner No one should believe we were ever backed into a

corner,” Indar asserted. “We will defend the interests of the Guyanese people. We will fight the best we can to get out of the outcome. We don’tlaybackandsay,well, youcomeandbamboozleus. That doesn’t work with us. We don’t operate like that. We have to fight. So a p r o p o s a l c a m e , counterproposal went. That is how we deal with it. That ishowitworks.”

The minister expressed disappointment over a leakednegotiationletterthat fuelled negative press commentary, noting, “You don’tnegotiateinthepublic. You negotiate with the people.Andwearebackand forth They give their position. We say, fine, we give you a position. It was very difficult. You bet your bottom dollar Our governmentledbyPresident Ali, we made sure that we took some strong positions onnegotiation.”

TheEvolutionofthe

PowershipAgreements

Providing a look back at the grid’s emergency generationstrategy,Minister Indardetailedthetimelineof how Guyana arrived at its currentpowershipfleet:

· The 36 MW vessel: Brought in two years ago to fill an immediate shortfall.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar

“Thegenesisofthismatteris that we had to get extra power, and at the time, two years ago, we brought in 36 megawatts. At that time, that’s what we needed. We negotiated, the government has negotiated with this contractor UCC is a JV between them and the

Turkishpeoplethatownsthe assets. We negotiated 7.2 centsperkilowatt.Cents,7.2 cents. It’s split between a capacity charge, right? And that rate was the cheapest rateanywherewecouldfind itwithashipthatisavailable atthetimethatweneededit. It was a very low rate. The company that rented us the ship actually didn’t even want to go through with it, but we said that, well, you know, you already gave us yourword,andwetookyour word, and we said, and we got a very low rate. It was a concessional rate ” The current subject of hard bargaining “So this one now,thethirtysixmegawatt, which is a smaller one in Berbice, two years have passed. We have not got the power yet from gas to energy So we need the power still because we need the voltage and we need the generation at Berbice side. Becausetheyhavealinethat brings back the power this

way and takes it up to Berbice.Thenextgeneration facilitiesisveryfarup.”

· The 60MW Vessel: Brought in swiftly to handle heavy seasonal loads. “The second power ship came in, thepricethatwepaidforthat one,whichis60megawatts, thatisoutsideofBanksright attheriverthere.Weneeded that, too, because it was coming up to Christmas time.Thedemandwasgoing to go. I worked to run that transmission line In six weeks, I built that four kilometers of transmission line Six weeks, four kilometers.Neverbeenseen. We did it just to get the power hooked up That power ship we negotiated at 9.5centsperkilowatt.”

BridgingthePriceGap:9 Centsvs.9.5Cents

The crux of the current standoff hinges on moving away from the initial “concessional” pricing, as the asset owners recognise Guyana’s ongoing dependency while the Gasto-Energy project is finalised.

“We have to remember, too,thatwegotthefirsttwo year on very low rates.And the owner of the asset, Werner,theysaid,youknow, theyhaveneverrentedthisto anybodyatthisrate.Sothey asked for 9.5 cents. We said wewant9cents.Andweare working between that. Because we can’t, they would never renew it for a concessional rate at 7.6. We know that. And the demand has increased too The demand continues to grow Youneedageneration.They know we need a generation. We know we need a generation, ” Indar explained.

However, the Minister made it clear that Guyana is holding its ground by leveraging external alternatives.

“Butthey’renottheonly persons we’re talking to. So we also let them know that we have options too. But it was a very difficult negotiation with the people andwecontinuetonegotiate withthembecausethevessel is here. It’s already hooked up to our system. We need the power They need the work. Let’s find a middle ground. And that is what we’ve been working on. I wouldsayweare99%there. Notfullyyet,butweare99% there with a final outcome. And once we are okay with that, I will put out a statementonthematter.”

I hear my son crying beneath the rubble, says Venezuela earthquake survivor

(BBC News) Ontheday

that two devastating

earthquakes struck Venezuela,AndreinaValerio rushed back from work to lookforheralmosttwo-yearoldson,Santiago.

He was with Andreina's partner,RamsésMendoza,at her in-laws' home in La Guaira.

When she got there, she found the building in ruins. Her brother-in-law Samuel Mendoza was looking through the pile of rubble that used to be their apartmentblock.

When I met Andreina outsideacrumblingbuilding onSaturday,shetoldmeher son and partner were still trapped inside, along with her partner's mother, father, grandparents and sister But shehadnotgivenuphope.

Andreina and Samuel told me there were other children trapped in the building, too - a nine-yearold boy named Lucas and a three-year-old girl named Aranza.

Rescue teams from El Salvador and Spain arrived atthesceneonSaturday,but

wereunabletogetinside.No one had been rescued from thebuildingbythatpoint.

The first morning after theearthquakes,Samuelsaid he "heard a woman's voice, someone whose voice I couldn't understand at first, and the only word was 'help'."

The next day, when Andreina went back, she heardababycrying.

"Istillhavefaithmyson is alive," she said. "I have faith that it's my son. And I know my son will get through this, as will his family."

AndreinaandSamuelare two of many Venezuelans searching for loved ones in the rubble, holding out hope thattheycanberescuedafter two massive earthquakes levelled hundreds of buildingsacrossthecountry Families are digging in the rubble with their bare hands in La Guaira, the coastal region which is one of the areas most badly affected.

Those I spoke to were sleep deprived, their voices hoarse from screaming for

survivors.

As the hours passed on Friday,neighboursstartedto help, and people from other partsofVenezuelaarrivedto providesupport.

Rescue teams are working hard across the country, but it seems Venezuela is unprepared to handletheearthquakes-and thisisacountrythathasdealt with extreme crises for years.

When I arrived at the Hotel Edward, I could smell thedeath.Youcouldfeelthat itwouldgetworseovertime. It seemed impossible that people would survive for long.I saw more than 50 damaged buildings in the town of La Guaira. Official figures show more than 1,400 structures have been affectedintheregion.

Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's NationalAssembly, says the earthquakes are "the most disastrouseventthisrepublic has suffered in the last 123 years".Theofficialdeathtoll for the country has risen to 1,430,with3,238injured.

But with tens of

thousands still reported missing,emergencyservices areworkingaroundtheclock tofindsurvivors.

Several police and military officers could be seen on the streets of La Guaira Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has said 14,000weresenttothestate, which she says has been "militarised"forsafety

At first, I could see just one small tractor on the street Heavy machinery later appeared after what must have been a difficult journey via a small, broken road.As the hours passed, some told the screaming familiestobequiet,buttheir pleas were drowned out by thecrowdsandmotorcycles.

Volunteers handed out medicine to anyone who needed it, and clothes were leftinpilesonthegroundin the hopes they would be giventopeopleinneed.

At night, the situation in La Guaira became more desperate Bodies were carried out by volunteers without specialised equipment,beinghauledinto carsandvans.

Ambulanceswereunable togetintothetown,andour driver Leo saw injured peoplebeingdrivenawayon the back of motorbikes

‘Because

Andreina Valerio says she fears for her son, who is trapped with her partner and in-laws beneath a collapsed building

becausetrafficwassoheavy, particularly around a collapsedbridgenearby

I also witnessed a tense moment of police trying to control a situation with a possiblethief.

Relatives were camping in the streets, waiting for news of their loved ones. Theyarestayingputbecause of concerns that the government will make the roads, and therefore their c o l l a p s e d h o m e s , inaccessible.

Delcy Rodríguez has said rescue teams from 10 nations were expected to arrive in La Guaira state on Saturday Electricity in the region had been restored to 60%,sheadded.

Peoplehavebeenwarned

not to travel to La Guaira, withJorgeRodríguezsaying it has suffered "tremendous devastation".

At a hospital in Caracas, which has received injured people from La Guaira in recent days, I spoke with a doctor who said at least 600 people had been brought there, most of them with fractures.

Healsosaidpatientshad beentraumatised,withsome experiencingpanicattacks.

A list of the dead and people being treated is displayed outside, in case people are looking there for theirlovedones.

Some people have made posters of missing relatives and pinned them up next to thelist.

WeCare’cash grantdistributionbegins today

Parents and guardians of children registered in Guyana's public and private school system will begin receiving the 'Because We Care'cashgrantfromtoday

Each eligible child will receive a total of $85,000, this year following an increase in the grant and the introduction of a new transportation subsidy The cash grant has been increased from $50,000 to $60,000, while the school uniform grant remains at $5,000, bringing the total education grant to $65,000. Withtheadditionofthenew $20,000 transportation grant, every child in the public and private school systemwillreceive$85,000.

In a message on Sunday, Minister of Education Sonia Parag urged parents and guardians to check the distribution schedule for theirchildren'sschools.

“So, parents, I hope you

know the schedule for your child's school, and that you will be present there, whetherit'stomorroworthe other days, which will be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and ensure that you show up there. I know that this is going to be of greatbenefittoyou,because you want your child or childrentobeinapositionto attend school in September, and this is going to assist them with whatever they needtogetbacktoschoolto be properly prepared for school, so we're looking forward to seeing you,” the ministernoted.

Parag, along with other ministers and officials from the Ministry of Education, will visit several schools to monitor the distribution process and ensure it proceedssmoothly

Parents and guardians are also being reminded to take along a national identification card or valid passportwhencollectingthe grant. For those who will be unable to make it, the ministry said, “Be sure to write the required authorisation letter for the person who will be collecting the grant on your child'sbehalf.”

STOP WASTING MONEY!

Government has to stop wasting money in Guyana and begin treating basic human needs as the true measure of national progress Development cannot be judged only by grand projects, ribbon cuttingsandinequitablecash grants distribution when so many citizens are struggling quietlyintheshadows.

A case in point is the transportationgrantwhichis being given to every school child starting today, regardless of needs of means. That money could have been better deployed towards helping for whom transportationcoststogetto schoolisarealburdenandto address other needs in our society

Across every sector and every community, the needs are visible. There is a lot to be fixed in our society And to be fair to the government alltheneedscannotbefixed atonce. Thisiswhypriority has to be given to urgent human needs, one of the mostpressingofwhichisthe needsofourelderly

One of the clearest failures in our society is elderly care, which remains deeply inadequate Too many older citizens are left in conditions that fall far below what any humane societyshouldaccept.

This column has in the past repeatedly drawn attention to the poor state of elderly homes and related f a c i l i t i e s T h o s e

c

, inadequate resources, and a lackofprivacyanddignityin the way some vulnerable citizensaretreated. This reality has not changed enough The conditions described in many of the country’s elderly homes should shock thenationalconscience. Things should be far better in a country that now has access to significant financial resources. Yet the gap between potential and reality remains painfully wide in the area of social care.

Itisalsoimportantnotto assume that government alone can solve every problem However, in Guyana the level of c o r p o r a t e s o c i a l responsibility across most sectors remains limited and inconsistent. Too many of our business folks are reluctanttogivetocharitable and sporting causes in the country But when a sportsman or women do well, many line up for selfies.

Ahandfulofmajorfirms do meaningful work, but theyaretheexceptionrather than the rule. As a result, demands for better elderly care inevitably falls back on the state whether it is fully preparedornot.

In such a context, the governmentmustcarveouta deliberate and structured role in elderly care. This

DEM BOYS SEH

cannot be left to chance, charity, or occasional goodwillinitiatives.

There are too many elderly persons who are effectively abandoned in public hospitals after treatment.Theseindividuals oftenhavenoproperplaceto go and end up occupying bedsormakeshiftspacesfor extended periods. Some end up on the streets when discharged.

Others remain in their homes but live-in substandard conditions wherecareisinconsistentor inadequate Even when familiesarewilling,theyare often overwhelmed by the physical and financial demands involved in taking careofelderlylovedones.

For example, elderly personswithseriousmedical conditionsrequiremorethan occasional attention or informalsupport.Theyoften need full-time institutional care that combines shelter, medical supervision, and dailyassistance.

To hire someone to take careofyourelderlyrelatives is costly Nurses who moonlight by offering their services to private individuals demand a huge sum, far more than their hourly rates at the hospitals atwhichtheywork.

Most families cannot afford to pay for private elderly care It is too expensive.

This includes help with basic tasks such as feeding,

Freenessisnotalwaysgladness

Free does always sound like music to people ears in Guyana. But dem boys seh anytime you hear “free,” you better start checking your pockets, your patience, and your blood pressure, because something does always get pay, even if is not with money

People does behave like “free” is a national emergency You could announce free anything water, food, T-shirts, advice and suddenly everybody turn athlete.Oldmanwhodoeswalkslowlikehe negotiating with gravity does suddenly find sprintingabilityheneverknowhehad.

Dem boys seh the real Olympic sport in Guyana is not track and field. It is when something giving away. The line does start orderlyandthenisturnintochaos.

Andisnotonlythelineistheproblem.Is the psychology of free. People does reach earlylikewhentheygattogototheembassy fuh dem visa interview Once is freeness sharing people suddenly realise the true meaningofbeing“early”.

Onetimedemboysseepeopleliningup for something free and after a few minutes, even the security man look like he want to join the line. Nobody even sure what is giving away anymore, but everybody sure theynotleaving.

bathing,andmobility,which cannotalwaysbeprovidedin a home setting.The absence of such structured support leads to unnecessary suffering and avoidable declineinqualityoflife.

Families should not be expected to carry these burdensalonewhenthelevel of care required is beyond their capacity Many caregivers themselves are elderly or economically constrained,creatingacycle ofstrainandvulnerability

A properly designed state-supported elderly care system would relieve pressure on hospitals and families alike. It would also ensure that dignity, safety, and medical oversight are built into the system rather thanlefttochance.

This is not merely a welfare issue but a question of national priorities and moral responsibility. A

society is judged in part by how it treats those who can no longer fully care for themselves.

At present, too much public spending appears directed toward visible but less urgent projects while e s s e n t i a l s o c i a l infrastructure lags behind.

This imbalance raises legitimate questions about policy direction and longtermplanning.

Reallocating resources toward elderly care would not mean abandoning development ambitions. It wouldmeangroundingthose ambitionsinamorehumane a n d s u s t a i n a b l e understandingofprogress. Non

governm

Andthefunniestpartishow“free”does alwayscomewithconditions Freeticketsto a concert but only if you answer quiz. Free food but only if you bring ID, birth paper, andproofyousufferingsincelastweek.Free advicebutthatonedoescomewithattitude.

Dem boys seh nothing expose human greed and optimism like the word “free.” It does make strangers become relatives and enemies become temporary teammates People who never speak before does suddenly start sharing stories, gossip, and spaceliketheyborntogether

But after all the sweating, pushing, and waiting, the final truth does always come out:freedoescostsomething.Sometimesit istime.Sometimesitisrespect.Sometimesit isjusttherealisationthatyoustandupthree hoursforsomethingyoucouldhavebuyfor fivedollarsandgonehomeinpeace.

When dem boys go to dem expositions, demboyscominghomewithbags,fullwith flyers and other pieces of paper That too is freeness.

That is why next time somebody shout “free,”thesamepeoplewhosweartheydone with it yesterday will be first in line again, smiling, sweating, and pretending this time different.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

The government should therefore establish properly fundedandregulatedelderly care facilities across the country These should be staffed, equipped, and integrated into the wider publichealthsystem. Ultimately, a shift in thinking is required, where elderly care is concerned. Untilthatshiftoccurs,many of the most vulnerable citizens will continue to suffer in silence and under terribleconditions.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper

organisations and community groups can play a role, but they cannot substitute for a coordinated national system Without state leadership, efforts remain fragmented and insufficient.

H@RD TRUTHS

The pendulum of justice

The PPP Govt came out withabarrageofbroadsides. Allwithintenttocripple. To put IDPADA-G out to pasture. Unceremoniously Repulsively didn't matter,

was taken in stride Whateverthedemandsofthe pushtodecapitateIDPADAG into a netherworld of insignificantexistence. Just get the job done. Whatever has to be done, just do it. It was. Nasty didn't matter Preconceived audit conclusions Fabricated audit claims and assaults. When criminalising the entity and its people was thought to be the extra lever needed, it was employed. When cheap agents with cheaper mentalities and the

cheapest defenses were needed, they marked themselves present, willing, and available A great country is this, isn't it? A grand PPP Govt also, with leadership to match. No country is deserving of such aghastlyfate. Nosocietyof civilised people should be cursed with the ghoulish political setup as Guyanese have. Noteventhosewhere cannibalism is practiced daily

The arc of the moral universedoestakeforeverto complete its tortured semicircle, that slowest of slow-moving 180 degrees. But it does get there, to that serene arena where justice reigns, eventually

Whenever I think that the PPP Govt can't go lower, I lose money Whenever I thinkitisn'tcapableofmore of the same unusual horsepower, I'm shocked Sadness follows. Not so much for the presidency But for a man of the caliber of Bharrat Jagdeo He knowsbetter Heknows,he has to let some things go. Another great Guyanese takes the gloriously rollicking form of one MohabirAnil Nandlall. An attorney general possessing somesliveroftherightstuff, should be able to stand his groundandsay:goddammit, don'tgothere. Don'ttamper with what should be left alone. Don'tdragothersinto

a dirty, shaky, fray, causing themtosoilthemselves.

The stench of what went wrong; wrong in its essences; wrong in the sum of its parts, from creation, reachedtotheheightsofthe Guyana justice pile. So, what do we have here? Say what? Who dragged in this dead cat involving withheld IDPADA-G subventions for four grinding years? It was chancellor of the judiciary (ag),thewell-named,Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire who looked down her nose, and still couldn't believe the horror before her She neither winced nor wilted. True to her extended surname, she was. Get this abomination out of my

docket,fromthese docks. Oh,bythe way: see to it that IDPADA-G gets dealtwith,pursuant tothedecisionofthis honorable court. One vulgarityisenough. there be no other Pay the people promptly, I add by way of subtitles, attaching myownorders.

Courts are not elected bodies. Their jurists are selected by people who got elected. It is part of the chicanery and contrivances of the politically crafty to force issues to unelected courts. Thus, they sneak fromtheirmischiefs. Tryto get others to do their dirty deeds Justice GeorgeWilshirewashavingnoneof this tomfoolery, these palpable shenanigans. The arc of the moral universe takes an eternity to chart its course. But it does bend in thedirectionofjustice. Will IDPADA-Gcollect?

The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper

TrinidadCoastlineraised20feetafterVenezuelaEarthquakes

TrinidadExpress- Aportion of Trinidad's south-western coast wasthrustnearly20feetupwardsin the aftermath of the devastating twin earthquakes that rocked Venezuelalastweek,unsettlingthe Galfa coastline and trapping hundredsofseaanimalsamongthe rubbleinamatterofseconds.

By yesterday afternoon Venezuela had reported more than 400 aftershocks that followed 72 and 75-magnitude quakes thathavekilledatleast1,400along its northern coast line thus far Miles away in Cedros, residents first discovered the raised seabed along an isolated strip of the Galfa coast on the morning after the quakes.

When the Express visited the

area yesterday afternoon, parts of earth had been pushed upward by multiple feet, lifting a shoreline littered with hundreds of dead or dyingfish,crabs,clamsandevena stingray Small pools of bubbling waterhadsettledalongpartsofthe beachside, some emitting an unidentifiedsubstance.

A resident, who identified himself as Kamal, said the lifting was first spotted on Thursday morning.

“I felt delusional because it lookedlikeitwasraised.Thewhole area was supposed to be flat and I know it has mud volcanoes and all kindsofthingsandthereareplates running under here. It rose up the same night of the earthquakes. When I looked at the land, there

was a set of fish. Within a split second, everything rose. If it was something gradual, the fish would haveescaped,”hesaid.

Cedros resident Neil Sookram, who runs the YouTube channel “South WestAdventures”, told the Sunday Express yesterday that he hadstoppedalongtheshorelineand wasshockedbythesight.

“I saw what looked like an elevated beach and I am an adventurousandcuriousperson,so I ventured further in and I realised the beach was completely lifted. I thought maybe it was because of a faultlineorsomething.Therewere a lot of dead fishes scattered all about.Isawthemtrappedunderthe rubble,”hesaid.

Speaking to the Sunday

Express yesterday, Geologist Xavier Moonan said the phenomenon was likely the result of a reactivated slump, caused by the saturated soil and rocks. The slump, a type of landslide that moves rock masses downhill, was likely triggered by the recent physical shifting and shaking as a resultoftheearthquakes,hesaid.

“Whenitslumpeddownward,it lifted the coast, part of the beach andtheseabed.Itlifteditupoutof thewater

It happened so quickly that it caughtfish,crabsandstingraysoff guard and they were left out of the water,wheretheyeventuallydied.

Bouldersrolledandcrushedthe stingrays So it happened so quickly, they could not get out of theway Ithappenedinamatterof seconds When the area was scoopedupinthearea,theanimals werescoopedupaswell.Thebeach was lifted up because the hillside wastilteddown,”heexplained.

Moonan said the event had occurred before, citing movement of land in the area in the aftermath ofa6.9magnitudeearthquakenear Trinidadin2018.

That quake, he said, had also affectedLosIros.

Last year, activity at the Los

Iros mud volcano had caused a similar up-thrust along the shoreline, cratering a number of bordering farmlands Moonan howeversaidthetwoeventsarenot necessarilyconnected.

“It's a similar area and when Trinidad gets a bit of a shake or when something from Venezuela translates along the faults, here in these weaker zones there is movement,”hesaid.

While no homes or farms were situated nearby, the Sunday Express was told yesterday that a building associated with an oil companyhadseensomedamageas a result. Moonan also noted the presence of bubbling pools and naturaloilseepsalongtheshore.

“One of the pools has oil coming out of it because the area slippedandthefaultsareabitmore open, it is coming out along the fault.

TheLosIrosareaandthisarea are slipping—they are nowhere near stable anymore In this scenario,itisprettydifficulttoput things in place to make it stable becauseofhowthecliffsare.Cliffs will eventually collapse no matter what you do,” he said. He also urged those visiting to exercise caution.

Omai reports up to 95% gold recovery at Guyana project

…projects processing plant can now handle 25,000 tonnes ore per day

Canadian miner Omai Gold Mines Corp recentlyannouncedthat first phase of metallurgical test work at its Omai Gold Project has improved projected gold recovery ratestoashighas95%. Thismeans thatthecompanyisabletoextracta greater percentage of gold containedinoreduringprocessing.

Omai believes that this result strengthens the economic outlook for the proposed mining operation in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Since its return to Guyana's mining sector in 2020, Omai, throughitssubsidiaryAvalonGold ExplorationInc.,hasidentified2.5 million ounces of gold in the indicated category at the historic Omai Gold project. The company holds 100% interest in the project which hosts two orogenic gold deposits: the shear-hosted Wenot DepositandtheadjacentintrusionhostedGiltDeposit.

Omai noted that both gold deposits are responsive to industrially proven processing technologies. It also announced thatthefirstphaseofmetallurgical testworkonitsWenotandGiltgold deposits achieved gold extraction rates ranging from 93% to 95% usingconventionalcarbon-in-leach

(CIL) processing. Gold extraction averaged93%fromoregrading1.0 grams of gold per tonne and increased to 95% for material grading3.2gramspertonne.

ChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO) ElaineEllinghamsaid,“Theresults from this first phase of metallurgical testing are very favourable,andconsistentwiththe historicalproductionresults.” She added that the results will assist engineers preparing the project's PreliminaryEconomicAssessment (PEA), expected within the next fourtosixweeks.

It was stated too that the tests determinedthatagrindsizeof80% passing 75 microns provided the bestbalancebetweenrecoveryand processing efficiency. Omai said gold dissolution rates were rapid with a 32-hour retention time for thepreliminaryplantdesign.

Moreover, according to the Omai, metallurgical testing also foundthatboththeWenotandGilt deposits mineralogies are clean with no deleterious components such as organic carbon, tellurides, or antimony It also found that the deposits have very low soluble copper,leadorzinccontent.

Ellinghamnotedthatfollowing the company's updated Mineral ResourceEstimate(MRE)released

Omai Gold Project Georgetown GUYANA

in April, evaluations now suggest the two deposits could support a processing plant capable of handling between 20,000 and 25,000tonnesoforeperday(tpd), up from the earlier projected 15,000to18,000tpd.

The CEO noted that since its return Omai has been able to complete five MREs – each being successively larger.In April, the company announced an updated MRE for the overall gold project

showing 400,000 ounces increase above the August 2025, MRE –bringing the project's indicated MREto2.5millionounces.

The updated MRE puts the WenotIndicatedMREat1,453,000 ounces, and the Wenot Inferred MRE at 3,999,000 ounces. At the Gilt Deposit, the Inferred MRE standsat1,465,000ounces,andits IndicatedMREisnowat1,042,000 ounces.

Overall, Omai's updated MRE

estimates2,495,000ouncesofgold in the indicated category and 5,465,000 ounces in the inferred category

For those unfamiliar, an “Inferred Resource” is one that is based on limited sampling and is based on reasonably assumed, but limited information, while an “Indicated Resource” is a resource whose quantity, grade (quality), shape, size and continuity can be moreconfidentlyreported.

Biker dies in Essequibo crash; driver arrested

Aion worker lost his life on Saturday after his motorcycle was struck by a car allegedly driven by an intoxicated motorist along theReliancePublicRoadon theEssequiboCoast,Region Two.

Dead is Satesh Persaud, better known as "Tony" Persaud, of Lot 87 Reliance HousingScheme.

The fatal accident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. when the motorcycle Persaud was riding collided withmotorcarPAB8929.

Police said the driver of the car was taken into custody after a breathalyzer test allegedly found 48 microgramsofalcoholinhis breath 12 micrograms abovethelegallimit.

The vehicle has since been impounded as investigationscontinue.

preliminary investigations

reviewed by police, the car was travelling at a fast

direction along the eastern side of the Reliance Public Road while Persaud was exiting an access road and attempting to cross the highway

The vehicle slammed int

d approximately 50 feet from thepointofimpact.

He suffered severe head injuries and was picked up unconscious by publicspiritedcitizens,whorushed him to the Lima Regional Hospital.

However,

ctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

The driver remains in police custody pending the outcomeoftheinvestigation.

WIN MP demands urgent police reforms in face of Corentyne teen’s death

Theshockingdeath of 16-year-old Altaf King on Thursday has intensified public concern over police conductinGuyana,sparking freshcallsforreformswithin theGuyanaPoliceForce.

The teenager, of Eliza Mary Race Course, Corentyne, died after an incident along the Princetown Public Road, where eyewitnesses alleged, hewasstruckduringapolice pursuit while riding a motorcycle. His death has triggered widespread anger inthecommunityanddrawn condemnation from oppositionpoliticalfigures.

WeInvestinNationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament Toshana FameyCorlette has joined growing calls for accountability, urging a comprehensive review of police operational procedures, particularly in pursuitsituations.

transparentinvestigation.

public trust in the force, and called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to outline concretestepsbeingtakento addresstheissue.

, impartial and

In a statement, FameyCorlette said conflicting accounts surrounding the teenager's death require a f

“His family deserves the truth,andthepublicdeserves confidencethateveryaspect of this incident will be properly examined,” she said.

Police have stated that the teenager was being pursued when he reportedly crashed into a utility pole.

accounts at the scene have challenged that version of events, insisting that he was struckduringthechase.

TheMPsaidtheincident reflects a broader pattern of concern involving alleged excessive force and questioned whether existing use-of-force policies are

beingproperlyreviewedand enforced within the Guyana PoliceForce.

She further pointed to repeated public concerns overdeathsinpolicecustody and the use of firearms, arguing that official assurances of investigations have done little to restore publicconfidence.

“The public is no longer asking what will happen after another tragedy They want to know what is being done to prevent the next one,”shesaid.

F a m e y - C o r l e t t e emphasised that while most ranks serve professionally, a small number of incidents continue to undermine

MinisterofHomeAffairs

Oneidge Waldron has promised a thorough and impartial investigation into theincident.

Meanwhile, King's mother, Padmini Megnauth, remains distraught, calling for justice following the deathofheronlyson.

Women diplomats in spotlight as Guyana pushes UN Secretary-General bid

Guyana used this year's observance of the InternationalDayofWomen inDiplomacytospotlightthe critical role of women in global leadership while promoting the country's bid tosecuretheUnitedNations' top office.Diplomats, government officials, development partners and other stakeholders gathered on June 24, under the theme "Women in Diplomacy: Culture, Soft Power and Inclusive Leadership" to celebrate the contributions of women to diplomacy and explored how culture and storytellingcouldstrengthen internationalcooperation.

The event, jointly organised by the United Nations in Guyana, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

a n

Cooperation and TEDx Turkeyen, also served as a platform to highlight Guyana's nomination of

Rodrigues-Birkett for the post of United Nations Secretary-General.

candidacy reflects Guyana's longstandingcommitmentto multilateral diplomacy while underscoring the growing leadership of Caribbean women on the globalstage.

Delivering opening remarks were United N

Coordinator Jean Kamau, Chinese Ambassador Yang Yang and Ambassador DonnetteStreete,Directorof

theFrontiersUnitwithinthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l Cooperation.

Thespeakersstressedthe importance of ensuring women's full, equal and meaningful participation in diplomacy and decisionmaking, describing diplomacy as an essential tool for building trust, advancing shared interests and responding to increasinglycomplexglobal challenges.

One of the highlights of the programme was a series of TED-style storytelling presentations by female representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, theChineseEmbassyandthe C a n a d i a n H i g h

Commission Wearing traditional and culturally significant attire, the diplomatssharedthehistory, symbolism and values reflected in their clothing while illustrating how culturecanbeusedasaform of soft power to strengthen tiesbetweennations.

Through its partnership with TEDx Turkeyen, participants also received coaching in storytelling and public speaking, helping to strengthen communication skills that can be applied in diplomatic and public engagements The event concluded with a renewed commitment by the United Nations in Guyana to continue working with the Government of Guyana and

its development partners to advance gender equality, promote inclusive leadership and expand women's participation in decision-making at all levels Among those a t t e n d i n g w e r e representatives of the embassies of Argentina, Chile, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, along with officials from CARICOM, the InterAmerican Development Bank, the World Bank, UnitedNationsagencies,the University of Guyana's Institute of Gender Studies and International Relations, andyoungwomenfromThe ImperialHouse.

Govt. says work on access roads for Wismar-Mackenzie

Bridge progressing

Construction of the road network connecting the new Wismar-Mackenzie bridge is advancing steadily, with major works on both approaches nearing completionasthelandmarkRegionTenprojectmovesclosertoopening.

TheMinistryofPublicWorkssaidlastFridaythatthesecondaryconnection roadontheeasternsideofthebridgeisnow59percentcomplete,whileworks onthewesternapproachhavereached77percent.

The ministry noted that persistent rainfall over the past three months had slowedconstruction,delayingthecompletionofsomephysicalworks.

Despite the setbacks, work continues on the upgraded road infrastructure, whichwillincludeageo-carriageway,mediansandtrafficislandsdesignedto improveroadsafetyandreducecongestion.

Roundabouts are also being constructed on both sides of the bridge to provide seamless connections with the Linden–Mabura road and the wider highway network.According to DPI, the road works form part of a broader programme of infrastructure upgrades in the region, including ongoing enhancementworksalongtheSoesdyke-LindenHighway

Whencompleted,thebridgeanditssupportingroadnetworkareexpectedto transform transportation in and around Linden by reducing travel times and improvingthemovementofpeopleandgoods.

Itwillalsodeliverlong-termeconomic,socialandenvironmentalbenefits, while strengthening connectivity and supporting future development in the region.

Ongoing works on the Wismar-Mackenzie bridge project

— Understanding Ourselves Without Becoming Prisoners of Our Past

Why Understanding Ourselves Is Only the Beginning of Change

By Dr. Eon Andre George, PhD, EdD

Everyfamilyhasatleast one sentence that has been repeated for so many years thatnobodyevenquestionsit anymore. "That's just how we are." "Everybody in this family stubborn.""The men in this family don't show emotion." "You know how wedoesdothings."

Most of us hear these statements from childhood. They become part of the background music of life. Werepeatthem,laughabout them, and sometimes even wear them like badges of honor. Rarely do we stop to ask a simple question: Who decided that this is just the wayweare?

Over the past nineteen articles, we have explored many of the invisible forces that quietly shape our thinking. We examined the

psychology of poverty, politics, religion, parenting, masculinity, gossip, silence, shame, communication, familyrelationships,andthe lifelongsearchforapproval.

Along the way one truth appeared again and again: people are influenced by history, but they are not imp

Understanding where our patterns come from is important. Remaining there is not. That is where this journeymustend.

TheStoriesWeInherit Long before children understand psychology, psychologyisshapingthem. Children are constantly watching. They watch how adults solve problems, how they speak to one another, how they argue, how they love, how they grieve, how t h e y r e s p o n d t o disappointment, and even how they speak about

themselves. Little by little those observations become beliefsabouthowlifeworks.

Psychologist Albert Bandura explained this through Social Learning T h e o r y B a n d u r a demonstrated that human beings learn far more by observation than by instruction. In other words, children often become who theyrepeatedlyobservelong before they become who theyaretoldtobe.

Thisexplainswhyachild raised in a home where conflict is settled through shoutingmaylaterraisetheir own voice without realising where the habit originated. Another child may grow up watching a parent suppress every emotion and later struggle to tell a spouse, "I loveyou.”

Otherslearnthatmoney is always scarce, people cannot be trusted, or asking

CAF launches US$1M recovery fund for Venezuela after deadly earthquakes

CAF- the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean has announced the creation of a US$1 million Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund to supportthecountry'srecoveryfollowingthe powerfulearthquakesthatstruckonJune24.

The new fund is in addition to the US$300,000 in humanitarian assistance previously announced by CAF to aid emergencyresponseefforts.

According to the regional development bank, the fund will serve as an agile and transparent mechanism for mobilising financial support from governments, international organisations, businesses, foundations and private donors The resources will be directed towards recovery and reconstruction projects identified and prioritisedbytheGovernmentofVenezuela.

CAFsaiditwillprovidetheinitialUS$1 millioninseedcapitaltolaunchthefundand will waive all administrative and implementation fees to ensure every dollar contributed is used for emergency response andrebuildingefforts.

"Acts of nature are met with acts of humanity and solidarity, and Venezuela needs us today more than ever," CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados said.

"Venezuela is a founding country and hometotheheadquartersofCAF,andthatis why we are launching this Fund for reconstruction—an agile and transparent mechanism that we invite governments and

the private sector to join, so that their contributions, together with ours, become partofaneffectiveresponse."

He added that CAF remains committed to supporting the Venezuelan people "not only during the emergency, but throughout the entire path of recovery and reconstructionthatliesahead."

The fund will initially finance humanitarian assistance, including emergencysuppliesandsupportforagencies leading disaster response efforts As recovery progresses, financing will expand torestorecriticalservicessuchashealthcare, water and sanitation, electricity, education andtelecommunications.

In the longer term, the mechanism will support reconstruction projects, livelihood restoration and initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience against future naturaldisasters.

CAF said the fund will operate independentlyfromthebank'sownfinancial resources and will include strict accountabilitymeasures,includingtraceable spending, periodic financial reports and independent audits. Contributions can be madeinU.S.dollarsoreuros.

The bank said its long-standing relationship with Venezuela—as one of its founding members and the host of its headquarters—underscores its commitment to supporting the country's recovery while mobilising regional and international solidarityintheaftermathofthedisaster

for help is weakness. None of these lessons may have been intentionally taught Theyweresimplylived.One generationmodelsthem.The next generation normalises them Eventually they becomeculture.

TheMirror

One afternoon a father became frustrated with his ten-year-old son. The child answered sharply, slammed a door, and walked away The father immediately shouted, "Don't you ever speak to me like that!" An elderly relative sitting quietly nearby smiled and asked a simple question. "Who you think he learning it from?" The room fell silent.

That moment illustrates one of psychology's most uncomfortable truths. The

behaviours that frustrate us most in other people are

unintentionally modelled ourselves This is where psychology becomes a mirror The purpose of a mirrorisnottoshameus.Its purpose is to help us see ourselves clearly enough to makeadjustments.

Manypeoplespendyears trying to change spouses, c

, communities, governments, andworkplaceswithoutever asking whether the first placechangeshouldbeginis within themselves. That realisationrequireshumility

Butitalsocreateshope.

AwarenessIsthe

BeginningofChange

Psychologist Daniel Goleman argues that self-

awareness is the foundation of Emotional Intelligence. Before people can regulate emotions, build healthier r e

h i p s , o r communicate effectively, theymustfirstrecognisethe patterns operating within them.

Thissoundssimple,butit is remarkably difficult Many people believe they are simply "being themselves" when in reality theyarerepeatingemotional habits learned decades earlier The person who constantly expects disappointment may believe they are being realistic. The (Continuedonpage16)

PMsilentonprobeinto allegedassassinationplot

FOR SALE

VACANCY

Vacancy at Dyna's Embroideryand Screenprints: We are hiring anAccountsClerk.Tel#2262621.

VacancyforCOOK/BAKER AND PITMAN for interior location.Applicantsmustbe experiencedCall231-2250.

Experienced Cashier and Accounts Clerk. CXC passes in Mathematics and English, Note:Proficieny in computer skills will be considered an asset. Apply:Wieting & Richard Ltd. 10-13 Water Street,Georgetown

Reliable housekeeping staff needed. Must be punctual anddetailoriented.Call:2250198.

Reliable housekeeping supervisor needed. Must be punctualanddetailoriented. Call:225-0198.

Reliable desk staff needed. Mustbepunctual.Call:2250198.

Vacancyexistsfor1certified driver. Application can be dropped off at Agri Parts office.202MandelaAvenue, AlexanderVillageorsendto our email: agriparts2013@yahoo.com

Helium Gas for Balloons

Price6230ltrs$136,800VAT Inc. 9350 ltrs $171,000 VAT Inc.UHPArgongas,Mixgas and other high purity gas can be ordered. Friendship Oxygen Limited WhatsApp #634-3430

Caterpillar Generator CaterpillarD342CEnginein good working condition WhatsApp#634-3430

2-100 HP Motor 3 Ph 440 Volts1-75HPMotor3Ph440 VoltsWhatsApp#634-3430

Granular Chlorine 100 lbs $77,520 VAT Inc. Chlorine Tablets 40 lbs $72,960 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen LimitedCall/WhatsApp:6343430.

AluminumSulphate$13,700. SodaAsh$18,200.PoolSalts

$13,700.CausticSodaPearls

$18,000. Copper Algaecide

$11,400 VAT Inc Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/ WhatsApp:634-3430

PAG46$22,800RPO32Oil

$22,800RPO68Oil$22,800 ACFlashFlush$22,800VAT Inc.FriendshipOxygenLimited Call/WhatsApp:634-3430

SulphuricAcid5gal$34,200 Nitric Acid 5 gal $34,200 Hydrochloric Acid 5 gal

$34,200VATInc.Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/ WhatsApp:634-3430

Condemned Oxygen

Cylinders $1,140 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp:634-3430

Compressed CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Gas and Cylinders also Hydrogen and other gases Can be supplied on order Friendship Oxygen Limited WhatsApp # 6343430.

HoneywellRefrigerationGas: R404a$30,000R134a$38,7960

R410$33,000R-448$77,520

R290$14,800 R600a$14,800. R32$30,780 R407c$34,200 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen LimitedCall/WhatsApp:6343430.

TRUCKTIRES295/75R22.5 $40K EACH. CALL/ WHATSAPP+592-688-3201.

Air Compressor Friendship Oxygen Limited. Call/ Whatsapp:634-3430

2,000 lbs., White metal in shape of a boat rudder Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp:634-3430

WhiteWashDazzellHousing Scheme, East Coast Demerara. Call/Whatsapp: Natasha#655-9846

UHPArgon,heliumballoons, Industrial Argon, Mix Gas, RefrigerationGases.We also source Gases upon request. Friendship Oxygen Limited. Call/WhatsApp:634-3430

SERVICES

(CNC3PrimeMinisterKamlaPersadBissessar has refused to comment on an alleged plot involving three prominent business persons to murder her and other members of her government.

Asked by Guardian Media to comment directly on the continued detentionofBlueWatersownerDominic Hadeed, his wife Genevieve and her maternal aunt Star Sabga, as well as reports that she was directly targeted, the Prime Minister declined to do so.

However, investigators close to the probehaveplacedthePrimeMinisterat the centre of the ongoing investigation surrounding an alleged plot to murder Governmentofficialsanddestabilisethe country. On Saturday, Preventive Detention Orders were signed and issued by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander under the Emergency PowersRegulations,2026.

The two Hadeeds were arrested by police at their Bayshore,Westmoorings home on Wednesday while Sabga was detained on Thursday

Dominiciscurrentlybeingdetained at the Remand Prison, Golden Grove, whilehiswifeandSabgaarebeingheld attheWomen’s Prison, Golden Grove.

The arrests come nearly two weeks days after the Prime Minister endorsed a warning by Attorney General John Jeremie that no segment of society, including the so-called “one per cent” business elites, was beyond the reach of the law

Businessman Dominic Hadeed, 52 and his wife, Genevieve Hadeed, 42, have been detained as part of an investigationintoanallegedconspiracy tomurder,accordingtosearchwarrants issued in their names and signed by High Court Master Valene GuerraAbraham on June 24. However, the documents do not disclose the identity ofanyintendedvictimorvictims.

Hours after details of the investigationemerged,DominicHadeed, Genevieve Hadeed and her aunt, Star

Sabga, were placed under Preventative DetentionOrders(PDOs)andtakeninto custody at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre and theWomen’s Prison, respectively. It was not immediately clear for what alleged offence Sabga, 69, was held.

Thewarrants,obtainedbyCplEldon CallisteoftheSpecialBranch,statethat the indictable offence is contrary to Section5(a)oftheOffencesAgainstthe PersonAct,Chapter11:08.

The information was released yesterdaywhenHighCourtjudgeFrank Seepersaddeclinedtoimmediatelygrant an urgent habeas corpus application filed on behalf of Hadeed and his wife, Genevieve, and instead ordered the Commissioner of Police, Allister Guevarro, to explain the legal basis on which the couple continues to be detained. Justice Seepersad denied the ex parte application filed by Senior CounselFarisAl-Rawibutdirectedthat the application, supporting affidavit, and certificate of urgency be served on the Commissioner of Police by 4 pm yesterday The matter has been fixed for a virtualhearingat9amtomorrow.Guardian MediaunderstandsCommissionerGuevarro was served with the court documents yesterdayandacknowledgedreceipt.Efforts to obtain a response from him proved unsuccessful.

Inthematter,thejudgealsoexpressly directed the Commissioner of Police to clarify whether the applicants are being detained pursuant to a Preventive DetentionOrder(PDO).ThePDOswere later issued. Affidavit describes cockroaches,‘inhumane’cellconditions TheaffidavitfiledbyAl-Rawialleged that both Hadeeds have been subjected to degrading conditions while in police custody.

HesaidGenevieveHadeedwasheld inacellattheWoodbrookPoliceStation measuring about eight feet by six feet, withadirtyterrazzofloor,nobeddingor furniture, a hole in the floor used as a toilet, and no running water

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

The affidavit states the cell smelled strongly of faeces and urine, had poor ventilationanddimfluorescentlighting, while cockroaches crawled across the floor. Hadeed’s aunt, Star Sabga, was said to have been curled up on the ground in a foetal position.

Al-Rawi also complained that legal consultations with Genevieve Hadeed took place within earshot of a police officerbecausetheinterviewroomdoor remained open and had been propped open with a paint bucket. The affidavit alsodescribesDominicHadeed’sdetention attheCarenagePoliceStation.

Al-Rawi claimed Dominic Hadeed suffers from sleep apnea and requires the use of a CPAPmachine every night, while also wearing an orthopedic leg brace.Despitepolicebeinginformedof thosemedicalissues,heallegedDominic Hadeed was forced to sleep on a bare concrete slab without access to electricitytooperatetheCPAPmachine, leaving him unable to sleep.

SEARCHESANDSEIZURES

The application stemmed from the arrest of the Hadeeds on June 24 during the execution of search warrants linked to an investigation into an alleged conspiracy to murder

Theirarrestscameseveraldaysafter PrimeMinisterKamlaPersad-Bissessar endorsed Attorney General John Jeremie’sJune10warninginParliament thatnosegmentofsociety,includingthe so-called “one per cent”, was beyond the reach of the law

Why Understanding Ourselves Is Only the...

From page 15

person who struggles to trust others may believe they are simply cautious.

The parent who only knows criticism may genuinely believe they are encouraging excellence. Without awareness, learned behaviour often feels like personality That is why understanding psychology matters. It helps people distinguish between who they truly are and what they havesimplylearned.

THEWINDOW Fortunately, psychology

does not end with diagnosis. It ends with possibility Modern neuroscience has shown that the human brain possesses an extraordinary ability known as neuroplasticity. Simply put, the brain continues changing throughout life. New experiences, healthier relationships, counselling, education, repeated practice, andintentionalhabitsliterally reshape neural pathways.

does not lock the door SOMEONE

HAS TOBEFIRST

Liquid Nitrogen Tank 45 Gallons. Taylor Wharton FriendshipOxygenLimited. Call/WhatsApp:634-3430

1234yf$14,799VATInc. WhatsApp#634-3430 Experienced cook and kitchen assistant, located at Charlestown.Tele#601-4918/ 676-5534

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK: Graphics design,advertisements, weddingarchrentals.Tel:6267040.

Think of an old footpath running through a field. The more people walk that path, theeasieritbecomestofollow But if a new path is walked consistently,eventuallyittoo becomeswellworn.Thebrain worksmuchthesameway.Old emotional habits can be replaced by healthier ones. People who grew up around constant criticism can learn encouragement. People raised in fear can learn confidence. People surrounded by emotional silencecanlearnvulnerability Historyleavesfingerprints.It

An elderly gentleman once shared that his father never hugged him. His grandfatherneverhuggedhis father either. For generations themeninthefamilybelieved providingfinanciallywasthe only affection children needed.Years later, when his firstgranddaughterwasborn, something changed. He held her close. He kissed her forehead. He whispered, “I love you.”

Whensomeoneaskedwhyhe had chosen to do something nomaninhisfamilyhadever done, he smiled and answered,“Somebodyhadto be first.”

That may be one of the mostpowerfulsentencesinall of psychology. Every healthier family began with someone who decided to become the first. The first to apologise.

The first to seek counselling. The first to

forgive. The first to stop shouting. The first to say, “I love you.” The first to break the cycle.

UNDERSTANDING BEHAVIOURTHROUGH CONTEXT

As this series comes to a close, perhaps its greatest lesson is not that people are shaped by history We already knew that. Its greatest lesson is that history explains us without having to define us. Understanding our past should never become permissiontoremainthere.It should become the starting pointforchoosingdifferently Because in the end, psychology does not merely tell us why we became who we are. It reminds us that we still have the remarkable ability to become someone better

We cannot rewrite the chapters we inherited.

But every one of us holds the pen for the chapters still tocome.

More than 68,000 people still missing in Venezuela after devastating earthquakes

(Euronews) More than 68,000 people are reportedly still missing in Venezuela after two earthquakes devastated parts of the countryearlierthisweek.

Back-to-back7.2and7.5 magnitude tremors hit Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction and killing 1,430 people A further 3,238 peoplewereinjured.

Emergency response teams have flown in from around the world to support the 30,000 Venezuelan specialistsleadingsearchand rescue efforts, as authorities racetorecoversurvivors.

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, said 24 countries have so far provided support, sending 521 tonnes of supplies, 86 canine teams and more than

A U.S. military aircraft overflies an area struck by earthquakes in La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday,27th June, 2026. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press.

2,741 search, rescue and supportpersonnel. Many locals have also

taken matters into their own hands, digging through mounds of rubble in an

attempt to find their loved ones Harrowing videos circulating on social media

showrescuerspullingpeople, including infants, out from toppledbuildings

Thefirst72hoursaresaid to be the most crucial for successful rescues This periodhasnowpassed KajaKallas,theEuropean Union’stopdiplomat,saidon Sunday that she had held a call with Rodríguez followingtheearthquakes.

“IconveyedtheEU’sfull s

Venezuelan people and our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones,” she wrote in a post on X. “The EU has alreadymobilised€5million in emergency assistance for affected communities,” she added.

A preliminary estimate from the United Nations DevelopmentProgrammeput the cost of direct physical damagecausedbythequakes at$67B

IranandU.S.stepupattacksandthreatentoescalate

(Reuters) - Iran launched missilesanddronesatU.S.military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early on Sunday, shortly after President Donald Trump threatened to wipe out the Iranian leadership if they did not stick to the interim agreementtoendtheirwar

Israel said on Sunday it had struckIran-backedarmedHezbollah militants in Lebanon on Saturday, justadayafteritthelatestceasefire deal with Lebanon to calm fighting thatIransaysmustendifthewider agreementistostick.

TheU.S.militarysaidearlierit hadstruckIranagain,hoursaftera tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important energy shipping route, which Tehran has largely closed formostoftheconflict.

“Theremaycomeapointwhen we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started,” Trump saidonsocialmedia

“If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”headded.

The 14-point interim peace accord was meant to halt the fighting, which the U.S. and Israel startedonFebruary28,andreopen the strait while talks proceeded on issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme VIOLENCE,ACCUSATIONS

FOLLOWPEACEDEAL

Oneroundofmediatedtalks,led by Vice President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad ‘Baqer Qalibaf, was heldinSwitzerlandaweekagoand Washington waived sanctions on Tehran, but fighting has since resumedandintensified.

About an hour after Trump’s post, Kuwait’s army said its air defenceswererespondingtomissile

and drone attacks, while Bahrain saidsirenshadsoundedthere

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary GuardCorpssaidinastatementits navy and air forces had launched missile and drone operations targeting U.S. military sites in KuwaitandBahrain.

TheGuardssaidUS strikeshad violated the ceasefire and “will result in the complete halt of all diplomatic processes”, state-run

casualties reported Bahrain urged the U.N. Security Council to hold an urgent session to hold Iran accountable.

The Kuwaiti army said it had intercepted two ballistic missiles withnodamageorcasualties

Separately,Qatarsaidoneofits nationals had died after sustaining injuries from shrapnel aboard a vessel that had gone missing on Saturday A second person was

saidinastatement

U.S. strikes were “in direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping” and targeted Iranian military surveillance, communications, air defence, drone storage and mine-laying facilities,itsaid Explosions were heard in Sirik in southern Iran, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said without

Bahrain civil defence and rescue personnel work in a residential building, which according to the Bahraini Interior Ministry, was hit by an Iranian drone, in Muharraq, Bahrain,28th June, 2026. Bahrain Police Media/Handout via REUTERS

Press TV said The IRGC navy command said American bases in the region “will experience hell in thecomingdays”.

AUS official, confirming Iran had targeted US facilities, told ReuterstherewerenoreportedUS casualties or major damage to US sites in the Middle East but the situationwasstillunfolding.

Hourslater,alarmssoundedfora second time in Bahrain, where authorities said an Iranian attack damaged a residential building in Muharraq province, with no

injured in the incident, which was due to “military operations in the area”, the interior ministry said, without giving a location or apportioningblame.

FOCUSSTRAIT,‘SHAKY CEASEFIREINLEBANON

U.S.CentralCommandsaidits forces had carried out the new strikes after a Panama-flagged tanker was attacked by an Iranian droneonSaturday

“Iran was given a chance to honor the ceasefire agreement but elected not to,” Central Command

providing details The Guards said, “America’s blind shots at Sirik will notresolveourdominanceoverthe Strait of Hormuz. But our shots at violatorswillremindtherestofthe vesselsoftheclearpassageroute.”

Saturday’s tanker attack in the strait followed one on a cargo ship on Thursday that triggered the latest‘escalation.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, said responsibility for returning maritime traffic in the strait to pre-war levels lay solely withTehranandurgedothersnotto

intervene“inIran’sadministration ofthestrait”

Washington has been promoting a southern lane along the coast of Oman, while Tehran, which ultimately aims to charge feesforuseofthestrait,wantsships to use a northern route through its watersandunderitscontrol

Hundreds of ships stranded in thestrait,whichcarriedone-fifthof globaloilandLNGsuppliesbefore theconflict,includingtankersladen with oil, ‘ began leaving over the past two weeks, sending oil prices backclosetopre-warlevels.

Even as attacks continued on Sunday morning, CMA CGM’s Galapagoscontainershipexitedthe strait in what the shipping giant called“animportantmilestoneina regional context that remains complex and requires constant vigilance”.

LEBANONSTRIKES

In Lebanon, Israel said on Sunday it had killed Hezbollah militants armed with rocketpropelled grenades and struck a rocketlauncherintheNabatieharea

There was no immediate responsefromHezbollah Israel,whichisnotaparty‘tothe US-Iran deal, and Lebanon have repeatedly agreed to US-brokered ceasefires,thelatestonFriday

Butthesehavehadonlylimited effect,withIsraelinsistingitwillnot withdrawfromLebaneseterritoryit hasseizedandHezbollahrepeatedly rejectingcallstogiveupitsarmsas long as Israeli troops remain in place US ally Israel invaded in March after Hezbollah attacked itin supportofIran

Araqchi said Israel’s withdrawal and a halt to its strikes in Lebanon were mandated by the interim deal with the U.S. and it wasWashington’sresponsibilityto stopitsoperations.

LandfillshortagefuelsgarbagecollectionwoesinNewAmsterdam

Residents of New Amsterdam have been contending with months of irregular and delayed garbagecollection,resulting in overflowing bins and reports of indiscriminate waste disposal as the municipality struggles without a dedicated landfill site.

Mayor Wainwright McIntoshhasacknowledged the ongoing challenges and assured residents that the Mayor and Town Council ( M & T C ) r e m a i n s committed to improving the situationwithinitsavailable capacity

He explained, however, that the municipality continuestooperatewithout its own landfill site, a situationhesaidhasseverely

affected solid waste management in the town.

McIntosh added that discussions with the

M

n

try of Local Government and Regional Development regarding a permanentsolutionhavenot beenconsistent.

New Amsterdam Mayor, Wainwright McIntosh

In an interview with Kaieteur News, the mayor stressed that the current difficulties are not due to a lack of garbage collection resources, noting that the council still has compactor trucks in operation. Instead, hesaidthecrisisbeganafter the closure of the longstanding Esplanade Landfill sitenearlytwoyearsago.

“The New Amsterdam landfill site has been closed by the Ministry of Local Government It left the

municipality wanting To date, the municipality is being forced to utilise the landfill site at Rose Hall, Corentyne,” McIntosh explained.

He said that when the E

management was more efficientduetoitsproximity Sinceitsclosure,thecouncil hasbeenrelyingontheRose Hall landfill, which has significantly increased operational costs and travel

time, with trips taking up to an hour and a half along the Corentynehighway

The mayor also noted that previous proposals to use alternative sites, includingtheBelleVuearea along the East Bank of Berbice, were rejected following strong opposition from residents, leaving the municipality without a viablelong-termsolution.

“Wefoundourselvesina serious position where this site is now closed, and still we don’t have any solid word or confirmation from the Ministry of Local Government,” McIntosh said “It can be very frustrating.”

He added that the Rose Hall arrangement, while necessary, has created further challenges including increased fuel costs and delays in waste disposal, particularly during periods ofunfavourableweatherthat restrict access to the site. These issues, he said, have contributed to the accumulation of garbage

Jamaica reaffirms CARICOM’s central role in national, regional development

(CARICOM news) Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, has reaffirmed the importance of CARICOM to Jamaica’s national development, describing the regional integration movement as “an important instrument of multilateral engagement.”

“We see CARICOM as absolutely important to our own national development.”

PrimeMinisterHolnessstated during a visit to the HeadquartersoftheCaribbean Community in Georgetown, Guyana,aspartofhisofficial visit to the country Greeting the staff of the CARICOM Secretariat, he said that amid a changing global landscape andtheemergenceofwhatis often described as “a new world order”, CARICOM remains “an important instrumentofforeignpolicy”

Whilememberstatesmay not always have unified foreign policies, he said that theyadvancecommonforeign policy interests through CARICOM

The Prime Minister, who alsoaddressedtheopeningof the four-day International Building Expo 2026 in Guyana onThursday evening (25th June), highlighted the growing opportunities for regional economic collaboration, pointing to his visit as an example of the

possibilitiesthatexistwithin theRegion.

“The opportunities for economic collaboration are very wide and very deep,” he said, adding, “For that to happen,itisnotjustabilateral p u r s u i t We n e e d standardisation of rules; we need to be able to take advantage of common opportunities”

“There are common challenges that we need to pursue as a Region, and the best institution to do that is CARICOM,”PrimeMinister Holnessstated Highlightingtheroleofthe CARICOMSecretariat,Prime Minister Holness said it is critical in helping Member Governments navigate an increasingly complex global

environment

“Your job as regional administratorsandtechnocrats is to help us, the political leaders, understand the dynamicsandthechangesthat are happening globally and regionally,” he said, adding, “Werelyonyoutomakesense of the changing and complex global situation, and our regionalsituationaswell”

He added that the Secretariatalsohasakeyrole in administering the Revised TreatyofChaguaramasandin ensuring that the legal and operational frameworks underpinning the Community functioneffectively

“Attheheartofitisthatif the legal framework and the Treaty are not perfected, then bilateral and multilateral

acrossthetown.

McIntosh also pointed out that the council had previously identified a potential landfill location in the Overwinning backlands, butsaidtheproposalwasnot accepted at the time. The areaisnowbeingdeveloped for housing by the Central Housing and Planning Authority as part of the Providence, Glasgow and Overwinning housing scheme.

He reiterated his call for stronger collaboration b e t w e e n c e n t r a l government, the Regional Democratic Council and local authorities, noting that sustainablesolutionsrequire

coordinated decisionmaking.

“I continue to say there must be meaningful collaboration between central government, the Regional Democratic C

uncil and local democraticorgans,”hesaid. “These discussions really don’t happen, and the functioning of these local democraticorganscannotbe doneinisolation.”

The mayor also raised the matter during a recent courtesy call by European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Luca Pierantoni, when concerns about solid waste management were highlighted.

HomeAffairsMinistry tospend$22Mtorehab Secretariatbuilding

TheMinistryofHomeAffairshasreceived19bidsforthe rehabilitation of its Secretariat Building on Brickdam, Georgetown,withtheprojectestimatedtocost$22,165,500.

The bids were opened at the National Procurement and TenderAdministration Board (NPTAB), with nine of the 19 bidderscominginbelowtheengineer'sestimate.

The rehabilitation forms part of the $52.1 billion allocation approved for the Ministry of HomeAffairs in this year'snationalbudget.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids: MinistryofHomeAffairs RehabilitationofMOHASecretariatBuilding.

Prime Minister Holness with CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Barnett

relationshipscanbecomevery difficult,” Prime Minister Holnessstated

He emphasised the need forcitizens“toseethebenefit andthevalue”ofCARICOM

through integration mechanisms such as free movement of labour, the movement of capital, education and training opportunities, and other initiatives that directly improvetheirlives

Prime Minister Holness also expressed confidence that the CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett and her team are “making the best effort” to advise and guide Member States on global challenges and the opportunities, in keepingwiththeTreaty

ThirstyRussell trims Antonelli’s lead withtightwininAustria

SPIELBERG, Austria, (Reuters) -Athirsty George Russell held off Max Verstappen to end his winless streak in Austria on Sunday and trim Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli’s Formula One lead to 40 points.

The top three drivers were separated by a mere two seconds after 71 laps, with Red Bull’s Verstappen finishing runner-up, 1 6 behind, at his team’s home

circuitandchasedtotheline by Antonelli, who took the chequered flag a further 0.3 adrift.

The win was Russell’s secondoftheseason,afterhe tooktheopenerinAustralia, his career seventh and Mercedes’ seventh in eight roundssofar

“Incredibletobebackon thetopstep.It’sbeenalittle while, so I am definitely going to enjoy this one this evening,” said Russell, who

started on pole position and can now head to his home race at Silverstone next weekendonahigh.

TheBritonrevealedover the radio after taking the ‘chequered flag that his drinks system had failed during the race, the first of the season to be declared a “heathazard”.“Niceracefor it to do so, I’m a little bit thirsty,”hesaid.

HAMILTONDROPSTO THIRDOVERALL

BEHINDMERCEDES DRIVERS

Monday June 29, 2026

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

It'sessentialthatyoumakebig plans today, though you may find that others are doing the same. That can be great if you're all working together, butthere'snowaytoguarantee that.

TAURUS(Apr 20–May20)

Saynotooutrageousbehavior today Youneedtotoetheline or even enforce whatever social rules are being broken. Yourenergymightnotleadto fun, but it does lead to productivity

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You need to pay close attention to the new informationcomingyourway Your good energy could shift itintosomethingmuchbigger and more interesting! You needtoshakethingsup!

CANCER(June21–July22)

You know that you need to stretchyourselfmore,soseeif you can get your mind as limber as your body (or more so, if you've forsaken yoga lately). It's a good time to showoffyourflexibility

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You need to be careful and patient on a day like today Otherwise,youmightfindthat youblowuporotherwisemiss out on a great opportunity Thingsarelikelytopickupin afewdays.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Offer a word of constructive criticismtoday,butmakesure it's actually constructive! Try to see things from the other person's point of view so you know how best to phrase it. Makeitmeaningful!

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You need to do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this new social situation, and fortunately your mental energy is right on track to do just that! You find it easy to really get where people are comingfrom.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

You need to let others pitch their ideas in glorious (or tedious) detail today Otherwise,you'resuretomiss outonthenextbigthing!You may not like the process, but youshouldliketheresults.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Doyourbesttolistencarefully when people start telling you what'swhattoday Theymight actuallyknowbetterthanyou! It's a good time for you to showoffyourveryopenmind.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Trynottoshakethingsuptoo much,butdoshakethingsup! Make sure that you're not just going through the same old motions that got you here in the first place. Flexibility is key!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Whatdoyouwantmost? Now is the time to go for it, especially if it requires convincing someone else you're right for it. Maybe it's love,maybeit'sagig,butyou can present yourself perfectly now.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Changeisontheway.Areyou readyforit?Thingsmightget prettyweirdlateintheday,but as long as you get ready for a bumpyrideyoushouldbeable tohandleitjustfine.

Antonelli has 171 points to Russell’s 131 with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, fifthonSundayafterrunning second and battling Verstappen wheel-to-wheel, dropping to third on 125. In the constructors’ standings, Mercedeshave302pointsto Ferrari’s204.

Oscar Piastri was fourth for McLaren, ahead of Hamilton,withIsackHadjar sixthforRedBull.

Reigning champion Lando Norris, last year’s winner in Austria, was seventh with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc eighth and Racing Bulls pair Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindbladcompletingthetop

Mercedes’George Russell celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the Austrian Grand Prix. (REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger)

10.

VERSTAPPEN’SBEST RACEOFTHESEASON SOFAR

Verstappen had started fifth after crashing in qualifying but Sunday turnedouttobethefour-time world champion’s best race so far this season, with Red Bull’supgradedcarshowing anotableimprovement.

“To be second and that close to a win is extremely positive,” said the Dutch driver “I knocked my knees in qualifying, that was not nice,buttodaywasokay.” Antonelli returned to the podium after a non-finish at the previous race in Barcelona but he felt he had paid the price for ‘not being calmerontheopeninglaps.

Canadascorelatewinnertoadvancetolast16atWorldCup

I N G L E W O O D , California, (Reuters) -

CanadabeatSouthAfrica10 thanks to a stoppage-time strike by Stephen Eustaquio from distance on Sunday to reach the World Cup last 16 for the first time in their history

Eustaquio received the ball on edge of the South Africa penalty area and hammered it past diving

goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in a thrilling conclusion to the first knockout-roundmatchofthe WorldCup.

South Africa, who had seemed content to play for extra time and a possible penalty shootout, made a fewfuriousbutunsuccessful attempts to level before the final whistle as the sun ‘broke through the clouds at LosAngelesStadium.

Canada will next face either the Netherlands or Morocco on July 4 in Houston for a place in the quarter-finals.

“It’s about the two years we’ve been together,”

Canada coach Jesse Marsch told the team in a huddle afterthefinalwhistle.

“Think about how we talked about sticking to the plan... you guys showing yourcharacter Youguysare Canadianheroeshere.”

TENSEFIRSTHALF

Chanceswerescarceina cageyfirsthalf,withlittleto separatethesides,whowere bothplayingintheknockout roundsforthefirsttime.

Canada’s best ‘came just beforehalftimewhenacorner sparked a scramble in the South Africa box, Moise Bombito sending a header goalwardthatwasclearedoff the line by Aubrey Modiba before Tajon Buchanan’s close-range effort struck Williamsinthechest

Moments later, Richie Laryea went down in the area, prompting Canadian appealsfora‘penalty,butthe decision not to award a spot kick stood after a VAR review,promptingloudboos from Canada’s red-clad army of supporters, who dominatedthestands.

Marsch continued to protest as the teams left the ‘field at halftime, with Bombito appearing to urge himawayfromthereferee.

Frustration for Canada onlygrewearlyinthesecond half as South Africa appeared in no rush to press ‘theissue.

Canada had another chance just before the second half hydration break whenTani Oluwaseyi’s shot hit the keeper and Jonathan

Japan look to turn tables on mentors Brazil on World Cup stage

DALLAS, (Reuters)Hajime Moriyasu’s quest to lead Japan deep into the World Cup faces a masterversus-apprentice last-32 clash on Monday against Brazil, the country that has done more than any other to shape the game in the fourtimesCup-winningnation.

The Japanese squad travelled to North America with ambitions of a run to a first-ever final and the highprofile scalps of Germany, Spain and England over the last four years have added weight to the argument that theSamuraiBluecouldexcel

Those hopes, however, face a major hurdle in Houston that represents muchmorethanjustanother opponent given the overwhelming Brazilian influence on professional footballinJapan.

Launchedin1993,theJLeague not only took much of its inspiration from the multipleWorldCupwinners butemployedplentyoftheir playerstoo.

Zico, ‘the creative lynchpin of Brazil’s fabled 1982 World Cup team, was enticed out of retirement to join Kashima Antlers while internationals Bismarck and Elivelton started a run of Brazil national team players

makingthemovetoJapan. By the late 1990s, seven of the Brazil team that won the 1994 World Cup, including captain Dunga, had played or were playing for Japanese clubs and, by extension, lent their influence to a rapidly developingscene.

“Anyone who hasn’t been paying attention to Japanese football will be surprised,” says Cesar

Sampaio, who played for Brazilatthe1998WorldCup whilecontractedtoJ-League club Yokohama Flugels. “I amnot.

“Since I was there I learned that Japanese football is improving, year afteryear,stepbystep.Their discipline was something that always appeared to be fantastic.

“But now they have fantastic players such as

(Daizen)Maedaand(Ayase) Ueda. They have a great lineup, they played well in theirthree`andfacingBrazil will be their ultimate challenge.”

‘MIRACLEINMIAMI’ Japan have had success against Brazil before, but neverattheWorldCup.

The country recorded a smash-and-grab 1-0 win at the Olympic Games in 1996 that became known as the

‘Miracle in Miami’ while more significantly Moriyasu’s team defeated CarloAncelotti’s side 3-2 in a friendly in Tokyo in October

Theteamshaveonlymet oncepreviouslyattheWorld Cup when Zico, perhaps the man who has done the most to shape Japanese football, was in the ‘dugout at the 2006finalsasJapanlost4-1 in Dortmund to exit the tournament.

That side featured Alessandro Santos, one of three Brazil-born players to have represented Japan in the country’s eight appearances at the World Cup.

Defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka was the most recent to do so, featuring in South Africa in 2010 as Japan reached‘thelast16.

“The match between Japan and Brazil holds deep significance,” Tulio told Reuters. “Over the years, Brazil has profoundly influenced Japanese soccer, datingbacktotheearlydays of the J-League and the arrivalofBrazilianplayers.

“When I first came to Japan as an exchange student, I used to wonder `when the day would come that Japan and Brazil would go head-to-head on equal footing at the World Cup, and that day has arrived soonerthanexpected.

“In this tournament, the gap between the two teams, including factors like player conditioning, has narrowed morethaneverbefore.

“This represents a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity for theJapanesenationalteamto defeat Brazil on the World Cupstage.”

Lotto/Let’s Bet unveiled as new title sponsor ahead of 2026 One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast

Inalandmarkdevelopmentthat underscores the meteoric rise of grassrootscricketintheregion,FL Sport has officially unveiled the Guyana Lottery Company (GLC), through its premier sports betting brand Let’s Bet, as the new title sponsorforthefourtheditionofthe OneGuyanaT10TapeballBlast.

Thehigh-profileannouncement was made on Sunday during a glamorous tournament launch at RS53 Etkezo inside theAmazonia Mall.

It served as a grand prelude to what is widely regarded as the marqueetapeballtournamentinthe Caribbean, which was graced by Ministers Charles Ramson Jr and StevenJacobs,alongwithDirector of Sport Steve Ninvalle, and variousteamstakeholders.

Thelaunchalsoprovidedafirst look at the tournament’s bespoke silverware, featuring a striking fusion of traditional wooden craftsmanshipandcutting-edge3D design.

With an expansive field of 80

teams from across Guyana expected to vie for supremacy, the tournament has secured financial backing that completely redefines the economics of domestic tapeball.

Speakingatthelaunch,Guyana Lottery Company General Manager, Kalima Ali, expressed the corporation’s pride in aligning withatournamentthatcapturesthe rawpassionofGuyanesecricket.

“At the Guyana Lottery Company, through our Let’s Bet brand,wearethrilledtobecomethe title sponsor of the One Guyana T10TapeballBlast,”Alistated.

“Tapeball is the bedrock of community cricket in Guyana, and this tournament embodies unity, talent, and sheer excitement. Our investment is a testament to our commitmenttosportsdevelopment and to empowering local athletes across every region by providing them with a grand stage to showcasetheirskills.”

Tournament Director John Ramsingh expressed profound

Knights beat Cavaliers by 131 runs at Empire State Cricket League T20

gratitude to the GLC, noting that the partnership elevates the competition to unprecedented professionalheights.

Ramsingh thanked Kares Engineering Inc. for their support over the past three years, noting they have given the tournament immensemomentum.

The 2026 edition introduces a groundbreaking, tiered financial structure designed to reward performance from the earliest stages.

In a departure from traditional knockoutformatswhereearlyexits yieldnoreturn,losingteamsatthe zonal quarter-final stage are guaranteedG$25,000,whilelosing semi-finalistsatthezonallevelwill pocketG$50,000.

The stakes escalate progressively,withthelosingzonal finalist receiving G$200,000, culminating in a handsome G$500,000pursefortherespective zonal champions before they even transitionintothenationalbracket.

T

tournament will see the stakes reachtheirabsolutepeakduringthe nationalplayoffs.

national finalists will earn automatic qualification berths to represent Guyana at a proposed GlobalT10TapeballBlast.

The tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) is set to drive away with a brand-new motorbike alongside a G$150,000 cashprize.

The batsman with the ‘Most Runs’ will claim G$100,000, a prize matched by the top wickettaker, who will take home G$100,000, complemented by a newtelevisionset.

Additional performance-based accoladeswillalsobepresentedfor thehigheststrikerateandthemost economical bowler of the tournament.

With the lucrative structure lockedin,organisershaveissuedan urgent directive to regional teams to secure their spots immediately, cautioning against delaying registration to tinker with squad selection as spots are expected to fillrapidly

leg onAugust 15–16, followed by the Essequibo Zone on August 22–23.

Following a temporary hiatus for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the tournament resumes w i t h t h e p o w e r h o u s e Georgetown/East Coast Demerara leg on September 26–27 and October3–4.

In a historic first for the competition, the national grand finaleonOctober11,2026,willbe hostedattheAnnaReginaNational Stadium in Region Two, bringing the absolute pinnacle of Guyanese tapeball cricket directly to the passionatefansofEssequibo.

The ultimate crown jewels of the2026seasonawaitthefinalists: the crowned national champions will walk away with a massive G$2,000,000 first-prize purse, while the runners-up will secure G$1,000,000.

The two losing national semifinalists will not leave emptyhanded, with each earning G$500,000.

Crucially,globalaspirationsare also on the line, as the top four

Registration forms can be accessed via the tournament’s official social media handles or by contacting the organisers directly onWhatsAppat+592635-2235.

The tournament caravan officially commences with the BerbiceZoneonAugust8–9across fourpremiervenues includingthe historic Port Mourant Community CentreGround,theNo.69Ground, and the Welfare Ground in Canje before concluding with the zonal finals at the Albion Sports ComplexonAugust9.

The action then moves swiftly to the East Bank/West Demerara

The tournament has gathered support from: Guyana Lottery Company, KFC Guyana, Office of the President, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Banks DIH Ltd, Star Rentals, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc , S&K Imports,I&STrading,Impressions Branding,RegalStationery,SAWA Investment Inc., Scoop Ride Inc., Betcabana, Shawn Mini Mart, Trophy Stall, ENet, Supreme Transportation Inc , ETS –EnvironmentalTechnicalSolutions Inc , Windsor Estates, Smart Choice Pharmacy, G Mining Ventures, V-Net Technologies, Guyana Oil Company Limited, Camilles Academy, 3D Lee Hub, Trinchloro, Superbet Guyana, The Laundry Chute Inc., Bernies Pharmacy, Mannol Oil, Montra Restaurant and Longue, Continental Transportation Inc., D&S Ramdehol and Sons Jewellery and Navin and Son Construction.

Bromell beats Lyles in Paris Diamond League 100m, Duplantis wins

Former Albion player Ramesh Kasinath, left, and Kumar Joseph strike a pose after their brilliant 139-run partnership.

KnightsbeatCavaliersby131 runs in the continuation of the 2026 Empire State Cricket T20 competition last Saturday at SprakersCricketground,USA.

Knights rattled up a formidable252-1fromtheallotted 20-overs before restricting Cavaliers to 121-8 at the expirationofthe20-overs.

Ramesh Kasinath led the way for Knights with a cameo, 49-ball 83andhealsosharedanattacking 139-run opening stand with KumarJoseph.

Joseph contributed 69 before he retired-out Both batters reachedtheboundariesfrequently

Kasinathstruckninesixesandtwo fours while Joseph, the former Rose Hall Town Youth Under-19 cricketer, clobbered seven sixes and three fours during his 36-ball show MohitRawatandRahulKadle were also among the runs with 52 and27respectively

When Cavaliers batted, Ashu Sai scored 30 and 20 from YashaswiCavaliersasoff-spinner HareshAtlum grabbed 3-29 from his maximum four overs and he got good support fromAlok Patra with2-26(04). The competition continues on Saturday

PARIS, (Reuters) - Trayvon Bromell upset reigning 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles to win the men’s 100m at Paris DiamondLeagueonSunday,while Armand Duplantis dominated the polevaultatStadeCharlety Bromell clocked 9.91 seconds tohandLyleshisfirstdefeat‘ofthe season, while Duplantis cleared a meetingrecord6.13m beforethree unsuccessful attempts at a world recordheightof6.32m.

• Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic 100m champion, was third in a season’s best 9.96, with ‘Africa’s AkaniSimbinefourthin9.97.

• Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi set a Diamond League record of 43.54 seconds to winthe‘men’s400m.

• The Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, the reigning Olympic champion, won the women’s400m‘inaworldlead.

• Switzerland’s Audrey Werro set a Diamond League record of ‘one minute and 53.80 seconds to

Roach’s 300th wicket headlines

West Indies’ innings win over Sri Lanka

ESPNcricinfo - Kemar Roach rampaged his way to his 300th Test wicket, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, and Alzarri Joseph all bowled menacing spells, and West Indies blasted Sri

Lanka out for 101, completing a behemoth

innings-and-217-run victory

Gaining significantly more movement in the air and off the surface than Sri Lanka’s quicks had, West

Indies’ fast bowlers threatened to take wickets rightthroughdayfour’s27.2 overs.

It was Roach that was gettingtheballtohoopmost, however, finding massive inswing into the righthander,oftenlateintheball’s trajectory, to threaten the padsandstumpsoftherighthanders he bowled to, and theoutsideedgesofthelefthanders.

Roach’s 300th wicket was the ninth of Sri Lanka’s innings, Asitha Fernando’s stumps being clattered by a fullonespearedinfromwide ofthecrease.

He was mobbed by adoring team-mates who seemed to take even more delightinhismilestonethan him,andwaslaterpresented aWest IndiesTest shirt with the number 300 on it to commemoratetheoccasion.

HeisthefirstWestIndies

bowler since Curtly Ambrose to the milestone. Among fast bowlers, only Courtney Walsh, Ambrose, and Malcolm Marshall have morewicketsforWestIndies thanhim.

Sri Lanka were woeful withthebat,andplayedlike a team fatigued from 160 5 overs in the field on days two and three Dinesh Chandimal was the only batter who managed even

Alzarri Joseph removed Kusal Mendis to leave Sri Lanka six down, Jun 28, 2026. (AFP/Getty Images)

resistance, batting out 60 balls for his 43 No other

T20 World Cup semi-finals at the Oval:

Australia face WI, SA come up against England

Australia are set to face West Indies in the semi-final. (Getty Images)

The Australia-West Indies semi-final is on June 30, while England and South Africa play on July 2

Cricinfo-AustraliaaresettotakeonWest Indies in the first semi-final of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup on June 30, while SouthAfricawillfaceEnglandinthesecond semi-final on July 2. Both games will be playedattheOval.

The final four was confirmed after Australia sealed a five-wicket win over India inthelastGroup1fixtureatLord’sonSunday TheresultendedIndia’scampaignandsealed SouthAfrica’splaceinthesemi-finals,after theyhadearlierbeatenBangladeshandwere leftwaitingontheoutcomeoftheAustraliaIndia clash, with a few players even staying backtowatchthegame.

Australia had entered the game on eight points and were virtually assured of qualificationcourtesyoftheirsuperiornetrun

rate,whileIndiaandSouthAfricawerelevel on six points. India needed only a win to progress regardless of the margin. After opting to bat, they posted 170 for 4, with Australia chasing down the target with an overtosparetocompleteanunbeatengroupstagecampaign.

Group 2 had been decided on Saturday, with West Indies, who had kept their hopes alivedespiteashockdefeattoIreland,secured a semi-final berth after England - who had already sealed a spot - beat defending champions New Zealand in the final groupstage match. West Indies progressed on the backofasuperiornetrunrate.

England,likeAustralia,finishedthegroup stagewithaperfectrecord,winningallfiveof theirmatchestotopGroup2

batter in the top six managed a double figure score

Some were pinged in front by balls that jagged in. Others nicked off against deliveries that moved away

Two - Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mendis - had the tops of their off stumps pinged aftertheyhadlefttheball. West Indies bowled exquisite lines, and rarely bowled a bad ball. Even Sri Lanka’s exceedingly rare

boundaries tended to come fromfulldeliverieswhenthe bowlers had gone looking forswing.

After Roach opened the day’s wicket-taking in the first over, swinging a ball into Nishan Madushka’s pads, Seales struck in his own first over, getting nightwatcher Kasun Rajitha to edge to the cordon. Soon after, Shamar Joseph struck twice, pinging Kamindu’s off stump as he shouldered

Formeropening

arms, before pinging Dhananjaya de Silva’s front padtocatchhimlbw.Latein the session, Alzarri got himself a wicket too, in similarfashion.Havinggota ball to leave Kusal, he had the next one jag back into Kusal, who had also let the ball hit his off stump uninterrupted.

Sri Lanka went to lunch at 81 for 6 and it only took West Indies 6 1 further overs to remove the remaining batters Roach struck twice in two overs to get to his 300th, and after s

m

ng w

ds exchanged with Lahiru KumaraandSonalDinusha, Seales took the final wicket to complete a stunning victory

West Indies, essentially, have dominated this Test fromstarttofinish.Andthey were so spectacularly dominant in days three and four, they crushed an opponent that had been expectedtocompete.

Scores: West Indies 626 for9dec(Jangoo233,Chase 194, Rathnayaka 5-124) beat Sri Lanka 308 (De Silva 120, Chandimal 54, Greaves 3-39) & 101 (Chandimal 43, Roach 4-51, Seales 3-14) by an innings and217runs.

batsmanGavin

‘Rastaman’Lewispassesaway

Statistician Charwayne Walker has informed that there is some sad news to share,formerGuyanaSports Club (GSC), Guyana National Service (GNS) and GUYNECopeningbatsman, Gavin‘Rastaman’Lewishas passed away over the weekend after suffering a stroke.

Lewis highest first divisionscorewas94versus theGDFatCampAyangana, an innings he always talked about because the army attack had the likes of Leslain Lambert, Dennis Hewitt and JerryAngus. He was playing for the Guyana SportsClubatthetime.

Walker disclosed that, LewisafterleavingtheGSC played for the GNS with Orin Samuels, Aubrey Quamina, Sammy Boodoo, Leon Ashe, Selwyn Smith and Brian Wiltshire among others.

After the GNS was demoted in 1992 he proudly

represented GUYNEC Cricket Club with the late ClydeButtsathelm.

Well-known as ‘Rasta man’amonghispeers,Lewis was a fun loving and very jovialpersonwhowasloved by all He was always encouraging the younger players to strive for excellence.

Hewillbedearlymissed. Lewiswas63yearsoldatthe timeofhisdeath.

The cricket fraternity in

Georgetown is extremely sadden by Mr Lewis’ passing. Although he never represented Demerara or Guyana, his passion for the gamewasphenomenal. Walker notes that, at the Guyana National Service first division team, Lewis played an integral role in mentoring players like the late Preston Thomas who went on to represent the Windward Islands in first class cricket. Also, Colburn David,RawleCaryll,thelate P a t r i c e We l c o m e , Charwayne Walker, Hubert Lewis, Reggie Rodrigues, PaulCaveandReganBaxter GavinLewisalsoplayed for the Demerara Cricket Club at the second division level before joining the GuyanaSportsClubin1982. Lewis was known as a fanatical fan of the late Andrew ‘monsters’ Lyght. Condolences is extended to hisfamilyandfriendsatthis timeofgrief.

GFF-Blue Water Shipping U15 Girls National Secondary School Championship

NewCentralHighreachnat’lFinalEightatthirdattempt

New Central High School has secured its place in the Final Eight of the national schools’ football tournament, achieving the milestone in its third year of participation.

The team’s journey has been driven by consistent performances, with Amanda Saundersfindingthebackof the net at every stage of the competition.Attheotherend of the field, goalkeeper Latifa Ramsey has been a

standout performer, producing a series of crucial saves during the Region 10 competition on Saturday, June 27, as Mackenzie High relentlessly pressed for an equaliser

F o l l o w i n g t h e completion of the Round of 16, President’s College and The New Central High have officially advanced to the

Final Eight President’s Colleg

hed the weekend with a perfect record of three wins from three matches, while The New Cent

al H

gh progressed after recording onevictoryandtwodraws. With weather conditions forcing a postponement in Region9,thefinalqualifying team will be determined on Wednesday,July1,2026.

The teams currently confirmedfortheFinalEight are:

•WaunaPrimary

•WaramuriSecondary

•MahdiaSecondary

•President’sCollege

•TheNewCentralHigh

•BarricadeSecondary

•MarianAcademy

The Region 9 champion willcompletetheFinalEight lineupaheadofthenextstage ofthecompetition.

Prime Minister of B’dos, Mia Mottley, pays tribute to Kemar Roach ibute K

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, paid tribute to West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roachonhimreachingthemilestoneoftaking 300 wickets in Test cricket. Roach took four wickets in the second innings of Sri Lanka to help bowl them out and also reach the coveted milestone.

Here’s the full text of the Barbados PM message:

“Today, Barbados stands proud as Kemar Roachentersrareandsacredcompanywithhis 300thTestwicket.

Only five West Indians have ever reached thismark,andKemarnowbecomesthesecond Barbadiantodoso,followinginthefootstepsof the great Malcolm Marshall. That alone tells

youtheheightofthemountainhehasclimbed. What moves me most is not only the number, but the journey A young man from Barbados who took his chances, worked through pain, carried responsibility, adapted, endured, and still remained humble enough to thankthosewhohelpedhimalongtheway Kemar, you have touched the hearts of so many of us. You have reminded every young cricketer that greatness is not always loud. Sometimes it is discipline, patience, courage andthequietrefusaltogiveup.

OnbehalfoftheGovernmentandpeopleof Barbados,congratulations.Youhavemadeyour country proud, and you continue to inspire generationsyettotakethefield.”

Roach’s 300th wicket headlines West Indies’ innings win over Sri Lanka