Six-year-old boy drowns at Edinburgh, Berbice 14 PAGE
Exxon jumps on another exploration well to be paid for by Guyana’s oil profits
Canadian firm completes
remanded
Another Venezuelan remanded as AK-47 probe widens
UK's Starmer resigns, paving way for orderly transfer of power
US$352,000 acquisition of historical
dataset for uranium project in Guyana
Juan Felipe Gonzales
Dead: Kayden Busey
Kord Sobers
Exxon jumps on another exploration well to be paid for by Guyana’s oil profits
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is hoping to land more sweet light crude in Guyana's prolific Stabroek Block at its ongoing drilling of another explorationwell,Goby-1.
Inanotice,theMaritime Administration Department (MARAD) revealed that the exploration activity is expectedtoconcludeby31st July,2026.
Exxon will be using the MODU Noble Stena Carron for the operations The Goby-1 well site is located
approximately 117 2 nautical miles or 217 1 kilometersoffshoreGuyana. It covers an area of 0.29 square nautical miles or one squarekilometer
Guyana's maritime body has instructed mariners to stay clear of vessels in the area and navigate with extremecautionwheninthe vicinity
This is the third exploration well advertised so far for the year by ExxonMobil.
Last week, Kaieteur News reported that the
company embarked on exploration drilling operationsattheBarreleye-3 well site in Stabroek. That activity will run from 13th June, 2026 to 31st August, 2026.
TheBarreleye-3wellsite is situated approximately 105.2 nautical miles (194.9 kilometres) off the coast of Guyanaandcoversanareaof 0.29 square nautical miles (onesquarekilometre).
In February, it was reported that Exxon was conducting exploration drilling operations at the Goatfish-1 well site, targetinganewdiscovery
Todate,ExxonMobilhas alreadymade46discoveries in the Stabroek Block, since thefirstdiscoveryin2015.
Guyana has been paying Exxon millions of USdollars to explore the basin for hydrocarbons, a cost which experts argue should notbebornebythestate.
Notably, oil-producing states around the world, including neighbouring Suriname have blocked oil companies from recovering
costs spent to hunt for oil. Guyana on the other hand, not only allows Exxon to recover costs for wells successfullydrilled,buteven
dryholesencounteredinthe process.
The sweetheart deal signed by ExxonMobil in 2016 allows the company to recover costs related to its explorationactivities,evenif those efforts do not produce oil.
This provision, along with several others, have been criticised by both local and international experts in the past, who are adamant that all companies take on financial risks as the cost of doing business where they operate.
Whilethecompanyracks up billions in exploration expense, shortening profits that should flow into Guyana's account, the country is kept in the dark regarding the oil giant's annualhuntforoil.
The Stabroek oil deal requires the operator to not only submit its yearly exploration plans to the government of Guyana (GoG),butanannualbudget tomeetitsworkprogramme.
This information is c o n c e a l e d b y t h e government while the
nation's oil revenue is shortened to meet this expenditure.
During its most recent engagement with the media on 9th June, 2026, ExxonMobil was asked for an update on its exploration plansfortheyearbutdidnot provideacomment.
The company's Vice President and Business Services Manager, John Colling explained to the media that he was only prepared to address the company's 2025 financial performance.
Map of the Stabroek Block showing a few discoveries announced by Exxon.
Canadian firm completes US$352,000 acquisition of historical dataset for uranium project in Guyana
U92 Energy Corp. has received TSX Venture Exchange approval and has closed the agreement to acquire the complete historical technical and exploration dataset for its Kurupung Uranium Project –theonlyuraniumprojectin Guyana.
st On1 June,thecompany announced that it entered into a binding Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire the dataset for the project. The CA$500,000 (US$352,500/GYD$73 7 million) transaction will see U92issuecommonsharesin exchange for ownership of the dataset In a recent
update, the company disclosedthatpursuanttothe agreement being closed, it issued 1,030,927 common shares of a deemed price of $0 485 per share to the “arm's-length vendor” However, it was noted that the shares are subject to a statutory four-month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securitieslaws.
Adam Clode, Executive Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of U92, stated, “Securing ownership of exploration work completed over more thanadecadeatKurupungis a pivotal milestone that materially strengthens the project's technical foundation ahead of an updated mineral resource estimate and inaugural drill program. By completing the transaction on an all-share basis,U92 hasenhancedthe value of its asset while preserving capital for exploration.”
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that serves as the primary fuel for nuclear power plants worldwide. It is primarily used to produce electricity, providing a highly concentrated energy source and its special properties also make it the main source of fuel for nuclearreactors.
According to U92, acquiring the dataset gives the company more than a decade of systematic exploration work and representsthecoretechnical foundation supporting the
Adam Clode, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U92
advanced-stage Kurupung uraniumprojectwhichhasa historical resource estimate of 20.6 million-pound. The transaction also provides it with direct ownership of a substantialbodyoftechnical work that would be both costly and time-intensive to replicate.
The Kurupung uranium project which is located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) is listed as U92's only project and has a land package of 92 2 square kilometres(km2).
The Kurupung uranium projectislistedasU92'sonly
Industries was formerly knownasArafuraOestePte. Ltd.,andthechangeofname n d took effect on 2 December, 2022. LIA Industries indirectly holds mineralexplorationrightsto the Kurupung Property, through its wholly-owned subsidiary LIA (Guyana) Inc , a private limited liabilitycompanyinGuyana which was incorporated on th20 March, 2023 LIA Guyana registered office is listedatLot35ENorthRoad, Lacytown,Georgetown.
project.Thispublicationhad reported that the Canadian firm gained control of Guyana's only uranium project through a 2026 acquisitionofaSingaporean firm.
Kaieteur News reported that a January 2026 filing statement revealed that U92 th on18 June,2025,entered intoabindingsharepurchase agreement to acquire LIA Industries Pte. Ltd., a company incorporated in th Singaporeon11 November, 2020 under the Companies Act as a private company Accordingtothefilling,LIA
According to the document, the Guyana
Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) granted LIA Guyana the “exclusive right of occupationandexploration” through the issuance of Exclusive Prospecting th Licences(PLs)on19 April, 2024.Itwasalsorevealedin the filings that exploration activities at the project site commencedin2024.
The two prospecting licences permit the exploration of uranium, other radioactive minerals, and rare earth elements
(REEs) for a period of three th years ending 18 April, 2027. The licences may be extended upon application for a maximum of two additional one-year periods, th extending the term to 18 April,2029.
Earlier this year, U92 entered into a commercial agreementwithOrbitGarant for phase one 5,000 metre diamond drill programme at the Kurupung uranium project. The diamond drill rig assigned to U92 is already in Guyana to commence phase one drilling on high-priority targetsattheproject.
Moreover, the firm has already submitted the required environmental application for drill pad preparation, and that field teamsareonsitetocomplete camp infrastructure, including construction of a fuel storage facility in accordance with the applicable requirements. It was also revealed that key machineries have been sourced to support access road upgrades and drill pad construction.
Showingsomefight Government cash transfer to Regions 5 and 6 rice farmers
Forperhapsthefirsttimeinalongwhile,theGovernment ofGuyanaappearstobepubliclyandfirmlystandingupfor theinterestsofordinaryGuyaneseworkingintheoilandgas industry It is a welcome intervention, but one that must be followedbyaction.
Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat’s declaration last week that Guyanese oil workers deserve salaries comparable to their expatriate counterparts if they possess similar qualifications, certifications, training and experienceislongoverdue.
AsreportedbyKaieteurNews,theministerstated:“Itis therighttime,fiveyearsafter,forustostartadvocatingmore strongly for this to ensure the Guyanese that are employed with comparable qualification, comparable training, comparablecertification,andalsonow experiencethatthey too can have a comparable remuneration to expat workers withsimilarbackground.”
Onthisissue,thegovernmentisabsolutelycorrect.
Five years after first oil, Guyana can no longer accept a two-tier system where foreigners automatically command premium salaries while qualified Guyanese remain underpaid.The argument that locals lacked experience may have been valid in the early years of the industry It is no longervalidtoday
Thousands of Guyanese have worked offshore, at shore bases and in supporting industries. Many have earned internationally recognised certifications, undergone specialisedtrainingandaccumulatedbetweenfiveandeight yearsofpracticalexperience.Theyhaveproventhemselves capableandreliable.
There is simply no justification for paying Guyanese significantlylessfordoingsubstantiallysimilarwork. ButGuyanesehaveheardpromisesbefore.
The government cannot stop at speeches delivered at ceremonies Itcannotmerely“advocate”forbetterpay Itmust demand it There must now be clear policies, measurable targets and strong enforcement mechanisms that compel oil companies and contractors to eliminate unjustified wage disparities If companies are benefiting from Guyana’s resources and making billions of dollars in profits, then they mustinvestfairlyinGuyana’shumanresourcesaswell
Atthesametime,thismatterremindsuswhythiscountry must remain constantly vigilant over every aspect of the petroleumsector Thestruggleforfairsalariesismerelyone pieceofamuchlargerpicture.
Foryears,citizens,civilsocietygroupsandindependent voices have repeatedly called for greater scrutiny of oil contracts,costrecoveryclaims,localcontentobligationsand labour practices. That vigilance must never diminish. Oil companies are sophisticated global corporations with enormous resources and considerable leverage Governmentseverywheremustactivelyprotecttheinterests oftheircitizens.Guyanashouldbenoexception.
Thiscountrymustnowbecomebolderinitsdemands.
The government must insist on stronger technology transfers, more opportunities for Guyanese engineers and managers,increasedprocurementfromlocalbusinessesand greater investment in skills development. Guyanese should not remain confined to entry and mid-level positions indefinitely while senior technical and executive positions remaindominatedbyforeigners.
TheremustbedeliberatepathwaysforGuyanesetoclimb the ladder Minister Bharrat himself acknowledged meeting young Guyanese engineers in Singapore who will return to work offshore. That is encouraging. But those engineers should not spend the next decade watching expatriates occupy leadership positions that qualified Guyanese can performthemselves.
Oilwealthmusttranslateintolocalempowerment. The government must also ensure companies publish transparent salary structures for comparable positions. Transparency will discourage discrimination and expose unjustifiablepaygaps.Workersshouldnothavetodependon
DEAREDITOR, Reference is made to the proposed transfer of $3 b i l l i o n d o l l a r s (https://kaieteurnewsonline com/2026/06/19/over-2800rice-farmers-in-regions-5-6to-benefit-from-3bassistance-programme/) to 1,387ricefarmerslocatedin Region 5, and 1,484 rice farmersinRegion6.
There are several issues that Guyanese should
6arenotloans,butaredirect cash grant disbursements to farmers, using tax-payers money,thequestionis: Why are other farmers (sugarcane, fruits, greens, root c r o p s , c o c o n u t , poultry/livestock, fisheries, others) excluded? What is therationale?
3 What will this agriculture cash grant be used for? Is it to buy production inputs, capital
Sector; and it should not be engaged in exclusionary payments to some farmers. An example of the public good and services that the Ministry of Agriculture should be engaged in are research, extension, D & I services, among other farm improvement activities (Table1).
Completing Table 1 would be a useful approach for the Rice Sector; and
consider in this proposed disbursement of money to a selected group of rice farmers. Among the issues arethefollowing:
1.Sinceonlyricefarmers in Regions 5 and 6 are eligible recipients, the questionis:Whyaretherice farmers in Regions 2, 3, and 4 excluded? Justification for thismustbeprovided.
2. Since the transfers to ricefarmersinRegions5and
investments, pay for agriculture services? How will this cash transfer be monitored or is it a cash grant, where no monitoring is required? The Ministry of Agriculturemustexplainthis transfer
F r o m a p o l i c y perspective, it is generally expectedthattheMinistryof Agriculture will focus on providing public goods and services to the Agricultural
completingsimilartablesfor the other agriculture crops would be beneficial for the agriculture sector and the economy
Inclosing,itisimportant to mention that the Government of Guyana (GoG) is transferring a national cash grant of GYD $100,000 to every eligible
Guyanese citizen In contrast,thericefarmercash grantprogrammeinRegions
5and6willdisburseto2,871 famersanaverageof $1.04 million to each selected farmer ($3.0 billion divided by2,871farmers).
This transfer to rice farmersinRegions5and6is more than 10 times the amount the average Guyanesewillreceiveunder the national cash grant programme. Therefore, the finalquestionIwouldliketo poseisasfollows: What is the trump-card ricefarmersinRegions5and 6possesswhichtheycanuse as a bargaining chip and political leverage over the PPCGovernment?
Please click on the link below for an answer p r e p a r e d b y A I , : https://www.google.com/sea rch?q=What+is+the+trump +card+rice+farmers+in+Re gions+5+and+6+have+over +the+Government+%3F&rl z=1C1ONGR enUS1113U S1113&oq=What+is+the+tr ump+card+rice+farmers+in +Regions+5+and+6+have+ +over+the+Government+% 3F&gs lcrp=EgZjaHJvbW UyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQ IRiPAtIBBzY0N2owajeoA giwAgHxBe8jUVEdPOCo &sourceid=chrome&ie=UT F-8
The answer is very interesting!
Sincerely, Dr C.KenrickHunte Professor and Former Ambassador
Why I founded the BRAVE programme
DEAREDITOR,
Much has been said about programmesformen,butlessattention is given to the question of how we engagemeninwaysthatrecognisetheir agency, potential, and capacity for growth.ThatquestioniswhyIfounded anddesignedtheBRAVEProgramme.I reachedouttotheministry,sharingthis idea. The ministry did not reach out to mewiththeideatodevelop.
I designed BRAVE to engage men and young men where they are and as they are at the moment, they enter the programme.Itwasdesignedtofacilitate meaningful conversations, share experiences,andcreateopportunitiesto learn and grow from one another
through reflection, dialogue, and mutualsupport.
BRAVE was never based on assumptions that men are inherently violent,emotionallyunaware,orfuture riskstobemanaged.Norwasitbuilton the premise that men must first be viewed as problems before they can be supported.
Itwasneveraboutreducinggenderbased violence although this is one of the topics we address as men see fit to address it. Instead, BRAVE was designed to strengthen self-awareness, critical thinking, self- reflection, and personaldevelopmentplanning.
The programme encourages men to examine the beliefs and assumptions
The reality is simple. Guyana’s oil belongs to Guyanese. The opportunities generated by that oil must also belong to Guyanese. This newspaper has consistently maintained that the nation must remain watchful over every development in the sector Eternal vigilance is the price Guyana must pay to ensureitsresourcesgenuinelybenefititspeople.
Today it is salaries. Tomorrow it may be training, procurement, environmental protection or revenue management.Thepressurecannotstop.
It challenges them to ask whether thosebeliefsservetheirlong-,medium, and short-term goals and, if they choose, to replace them with perspectivesthatbettersupportthelives theywishtobuild.Atitsheart,BRAVE is about accountability, selfdetermination,purpose,andgrowth.
WhenIreceivedanemailinforming methatIwouldnolongerbeengagedin the programme, it was unexpected and disappointing However, my commitment has always been to the visionratherthantheposition.
Iamgratefultothemanymenand Continued on page 5
up on behalf of local workers. But words alone will not transform lives. Guyanese workers will judge this initiative notbyspeeches,butbytheirpaycheques.Theadministration now has an opportunity to prove that it is serious about defendingGuyaneseinterests. For once, it appears to be standing up for its people.The challenge now is to show that this is not another temporary slogan, but the beginning of a more aggressive and uncompromising approach towards the oil companies operatinginGuyana.
After all, if this country cannot demand fairness for its owncitizensfromitsownresources,thenwhowill?
Disturbances of 1964 – Part III
Son Chapman: The explosion that shook a community
DEAREDITOR,
Theexplosionthatripped through the Son Chapman at 4:00pm on Monday, July 6, 1964, was heard for miles across the Demerara River Older residents around the community, would say they can still remember exactly wheretheywere,onhearinga blastsoloudandthatitsonly equal was that of the shock
that swept through
Mackenzie, Wismar, Christianburg and the wider community as word spread that one of the deadliest tragediesinGuyana’shistory
had unfolded on the DemeraraRiver
The Son Chapman was recorded as the single deadliest terrorist act in the western hemisphere before 9/11
More than 60 years later a n d a t t h e m a n y commemorations held, familiesstillspeakofthatday with tears in their eyes Sons who lost mothers have become grandfathers themselves, still struggle to speak about the tragedy without tears Residents who attend the annual memorial observances, would describe scenes of grief showing that the wounds have never fully healed Itisnotuncommonto seemenandwomenweeping
uncontrollably,asthoughthe events occurred only yesterday Istillrecallseeing on several occasions, grown men reduced to tears by the pain of their loss The uncontrollable, weeping of Dr Steven Carryl and his olderbrothersforthelossof theirmotheratsuchatender age is a reminder that the effects of the Son Chapman bombing did not end when thefuneralswereover.
I am no historian; however,Ibelievethereisan obligationtoensurethatatrue reflection according to official reports and eyewitness accounts, present what Linden was, what Linden endured and what Linden remains today The experiences of those who suffered,survivedandcarried the burden of that traumatic perioddeservetoberecorded faithfullyandrespectfully
The bombing of the Son Chapman did not emerge from a vacuum It occurred during one of the most turbulentperiodsinGuyana’s history,againstabackdropof labour unrest, political confrontation, constitutional changes, Cold War rivalries and growing tensions throughout the country The commission and inquest that wasestablishedtoinvestigate
Why I founded the BRAVE...
Frompage4
others who reached out with encouragement and who continue to support the original vision of BRAVE. To the fathers and soon-to-be fathers from our facilitation group, I extendaheartfeltHappyFather’sDay
Continue practicing the principles of reflection, responsibility,andgrowthinyourpersonalandprofessional lives.Thoseprinciplesremainworthcarryingforward. Regards, RawleA.Small
Founder,TheBRAVEProgramme
the violence that engulfed Guyana during the early 1960sstatedthattheviolence was not unique to Linden. Communities across the nation experienced unrest, k
and uncertainty
Before the disturbances, Linden was regarded as a community where AfroGuyanese and Ind
Guyanese lived and worked side by side. The bauxite industry depended upon the contributions of workers from every background At the time, the commission stated the workforce was about 3,500 Families shared
, sporting activities, religious
Relationships built over generationswerenotdefined by race but by a shared understanding, where most migrated to Linden for better
F o l l o w i n g t h e disturbances in Wismar in May 1964, fears of reprisals circulated widely Rumours s
community and threats were reported Yet despite the tension, it was reported that many residents remained committed to preserving peace Indo-Guyanese workerscontinuedtoreportto
work in the bauxite industry andAfro-Guyanese residents extended assistance, protection and support to neighbours and friends who fearedfortheirsafety,asthe vesselssentdidnotevacuate all estimated 3000 IndoGuyanese living throughout thecommunityatthetime. Indeed, many residents recall that during the disturbances it was often the homes of African families that became places of refuge for the remaining IndoGuyanese families seeking shelter from the uncertainty surroundingthem According to trade unionists Charles Sampson, this aspect of the story is frequently overlooked,yetitremainsan important reminder of the humanitythatprevailedeven duringthedarkestmoments
To this day, one can say the town does not show for any race to truthfully claim that racial discrimination became a defining feature of life in the town after the disturbances Decades later, Lindenremainsacommunity where people of different backgroundscontinuetolive, work, worship and build together On the 18th of July 2012, we saw this being tested However, actions by the community naturalised theseprovocations.
Duringtheyearsof1962, 63 and 64 killings were unfolding elsewhere deepening anxieties Stories of brutality and violence travelled from village to village. With a particular gruesome“corpsemessaging murder” on the East Coast, which became the subject of widespread discussion and heightened fears across the country. Such incidents contributedtoanatmosphere in which rumours, suspicion and fear spread faster than factsacrossacommunity65 milesfromthecapital.
ThencameJuly6,1964
Over (40) lives were lost or reported missing Leaving theirfamiliesshatteredandan entire community plunged into grief, as most people knew someone on the Son Chapman
Eyewitnesses described scenesthatremaindifficultto comprehend With fetus blownfromthestomachofa pregnant woman Survivors recalled bodies and debris scattered across the river Residents searching the watersspokeofencountering bodypartsandbloodfloating downstream For many weeksafterward,sectionsof
The Son Chapman, carrying sixty-nine (69) passengers, including the crew, along the Demerara River when a devastating explosion tore through the vessel Evidence during the inquestthatwassubsequently held revealed that the boat later stopped at the Fish Koker near Sussex Street where five bags of rice were loaded on the vessel The launch did not leave with a full complement of passengers as some were scaredbecauseoftherumour Some passengers opted to travel with another launch, The Emperor or the regular Sprostons owned steamer, TheRHCARR. At approximately 4:30 pm on the 6th of July when the launch was about 300 yards from Hurudaia, approximately one-hour’s travelling time from Linden, there was a loud explosion Persons were flung into the river,whilesomeappearedto have died instantly Others jumped into the Demerara River as the launch sank within minutes of the explosion. Survivors told the sad story of the scene thereafter with some persons swimming to the shore, othersclingingontofloating objectssuchasbagsandtins whileotherswerescreaming for help as they sank to the bottom of the Demerara river
Continuedonpage6
Baytoram andVishnu welcome valid critiques of writings on history
DEAREDITOR,
The PNC leader, Mr Aubrey Norton claims that Prof Ramharack and myself are afraid of discussing the national context of violence (that resulted in the Wismar massacre of Indians) and that we fabricate and falsify history There is nothing furtherfromthetruth Weare not like a columnist who pen falsifications And we never shied away from any subject matteriftheywererelevantto ourfieldofstudiesorinterests
Andwealwayswrotewith substantive evidence to buttress our contentions (thesis,hypothesis) Wearenot politicians or propagandists both of whom are noted for avoiding controversial issues andforfalsifications
Ramharack and I are seriouswriters,andwedon’t needtoengageinpropaganda ordistortionstowinpolitical supportaswearenotseeking elective office And we welcomevalidcritiques
I can’t speak for Dr Ramharack,butIhaveknown himsince1977whenwewere Freshmen at college in NY and pioneered the struggle against racism in and for the restoration of democracy in Guyana in addition to organising cultural and spiritual activities. I was involved in such struggle in Port Mourant, village of Dr Jagan, since my school days
in Guyana, and it simply became a continuation in America
Baytoram and I, Vassan Ramracha, and a few others dedicated our time to that struggle,spendinglonghours away from our studies and work, and spending our hard earnings in that struggle that ultimatelyresultedinfreeand fair elections in Guyana in October1992
In addition, we taught historyforoverthreedecades, in addition to my teaching economics, politics, English, Chemistryandothersciences, among other subjects I can vouch for Baytoram as a genuine, non-self-serving activist, scholar of integrity andanoutstandingwriterwho has conducted exemplary research to substantiate arguments
He, like myself, for our doctorate degree (s) took courses on historical and scientific methodology to write with integrity Our writings and oral discussions neveravoidednationalissues, and we never falsified or fabricated documentation of events or made claims that could not be substantiated; these claims have been attested over the last fifty years by our positions or opinions in voluminous writingsinthemassmediaon varied issues, some very controversial for which we
were heavily criticised by politicians from both major political parties and their sycophants.Intellectualsand non-sycophants have been known to take our views seriously
History is not written to pleaseareaderorapolitician
Asubjectortopic(inhistory) ischosenbyaresearchernot on the basis of a reader or a politician, but on its importance and the interests ofthewriterwhoisincontrol oftheproject
Dr Ramharack chose Wismar Massacre, and he also authored other books as wellasotherarticles(lengthy and short) The declared objectivewasononesubject, not Son Chapman, that occurredtwomonthslater
Norton stated that he did not read Baytoram’s book, but he (inexplicably) concluded that Ramharack falsified history on the WismarMassacreofIndians
How he came to that conclusion is beyond reasoning Had he read the book, he would have known how and why the title came about, and how Baytoram linked it other events Both Jagan and Burnham (latter according to Hardyal in KN June 20) made reference to the violence as Wismar Massacre Norton also claimedthatjustaboutathird of the 3,000 plus Indians
wereuprootedfromthearea. Sources said that almost everyonewasevacuated.Dr Vincent Adams said his Indian mother had to be hidden to protect her from beingavictim.Itwasavery ugly episode we should not avoidtodiscuss.
The book is well documented, some 800 plus pages Every piece of information is substantiated with citations and or attestations from eyewitness a
e
us methodologyakintoforensic analysis, scientific enquiry, and data provenance, skills we obtained as university students particularly in doct
s
udies He evaluated the relevance, and reliability of sources before incorporating them into the narrativeandanalyses
He assessed the veracity of claims and retelling of events by his sources, d
exaggerations Baytoram’s
writings and my retelling of claims of the victims of Wismar violence were obtained from credible sources, many of which are publicly known; they were publishedinrespectedmedia houses New York Times, Washington Post, London Times, newspapers in Guyana, various websites, etc Itisveryclearonwhois distortingHistoryanditisnot BaytoramorVishnu Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
Son Chapman: The explosion...
Frompage5
theriverbecameassociatedinlocalmemory with what residents came to describe as a “RiverofBlood.”
The horror of the explosion touched nearly every family in the community It seemed that everyone knew someone who had been aboard the vessel. Workers lost colleagues. Children lost parents. Brothers lost sisters. Entire family networks were devastated by the loss. The shock of the bombingquicklytransformedintofear
Based on the accounts surrounding the aftermathoftheSonChapmanbombing,the events of the recovery period can be condensedasfollows:
7th July 1964 - Recovery operations intensified as search teams continued combingtheDemeraraRiverforvictimsand wreckage. Additional bodies were brought ashore and identified by relatives, while grievingfamiliesgatheredatrecoverypoints and mortuaries. The tragedy deepened as hopesoffindingmoresurvivorsfaded.
8th July 1964 - The river continued to yield victims as recovery crews worked tirelessly Bodies recovered from the water showedsignsofprolongedexposure,making identification increasingly difficult. Funeral preparationsbeganformanyofthedeceased andthecommunityremainedinmourning.
9th July 1964 - Search efforts persisted despite dwindling expectations of finding survivors.Moreremainswererecoveredand transportedforidentificationandburial.The scale of the loss became clearer as families, officials and community members reflected on one of the deadliest incidents in the country’shistory
10th July 1964 - By the tenth day, recovery operations were nearing completion, though searches continued for those still missing. Most victims had been accounted for and the many funeral services were underway The focus began shifting from rescue and recovery to mourning, remembrance and calls for justice following thedevastatingattack.
This remains one of the most important and least understood aspects of the Son Chapmantragedy.Notwithstandingwhatthe community had suffered with immense loss, chosemuchrestraintovermassrevenge.The decision by many residents to reject retaliation helped prevent an already devastatingtragedyfromspirallingintoeven greaterbloodshed.
The Son Chapman bombing has long occupiedauniqueplaceinGuyana’spolitical and historical landscape Questions concerning responsibility, motive and wider forces influencing Guyana at the time continue to be debated by historians and researchers.Whetherviewedthroughthelens
of local tensions, national politics or international Cold War dynamics, the event remains one of the darkest episodes in our nationalstory
What is beyond dispute is the scale of humansuffering.
More than 40 Afro-Guyanese lost their lives. Dozens of families were permanently changed. An entire community was left traumatised.
Several arrests were made but the investigation led nowhere. The coroner’s finalreportassignednoblameforthiscrime.
For many residents, another painful aspectofthetragedyhasbeenwhattheyview as the absence of adequate national recognition. Successive governments have commemorated other historic events, including the sacrifice of the Enmore Martyrs, whose place in Guyana’s history is rightly acknowledged and honoured. Yet many relatives of those who died aboard the Son Chapman continue to ask why similar recognition has not been extended to the victimsof6thJuly,1964.
That question remains particularly poignantgiventhatthePeople’sProgressive Partyhasheldofficeduringtheperiodandfor a significant period since then, including today Formanyfamilies,theissueisnotone of political advantage but one of historical fairness. They believe that the forty (40) Afro-Guyanese lives lost aboard the Son Chapman deserve a place in the nation’s collective memory equal to that afforded to other tragedies and sacrifices in Guyana’s history
Today, more than six decades later, Linden stands as evidence that communities can survive even the deepest wounds. The townbearsnolastinglegacyofracialhatred. Instead,itstandsasareminderofthedangers ofdivisionandtheimportanceofunity
The lesson of the Son Chapman is not revenge.Itisremembrance.
It is the recognition that ordinary people became victims of extraordinary political turmoil.ItistheacknowledgmentthatLinden wasnotthearchitectofaviolentexperiment but one of its casualties and it is a call to ensure that the suffering endured in 1964 is neverrepeatedbyfuturegenerations.
PartIV-ANationinTurmoil.Weexamine thewidereventsbetween1962and1964that transformed Guyana into one of the most politicallyvolatilesocietiesintheCaribbean and explore how national and international forces converged to shape one of the most consequentialperiodsinourhistory
Sincerely,
Hon.K.SharmaSolomon
MemberofParliament
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
President Irfaan Ali's proposal to issue diaspora bonds deserves far more scrutiny than it has received. Guyana is awash with oil revenues, withdrawing billions annually from the Natural Resource Fund to finance infrastructure. Why then must the country borrow? Government owes the public a clear explanation.
More troubling is the apparent shift from promises that ordinary Guyanese would directly participate in the nation's prosperity. If investment opportunities are being created, why are overseas Guyanese seemingly first in line while teachers, nurses, public servants and pensioners at home remain spectators?
The diaspora has every right to invest. But inclusion begins at home. Before extending special opportunities abroad, government should establish mechanisms that allow resident Guyanese to share meaningfully in the wealth generated from their country's resources.
In an era of unprecedented revenues, citizens must watch this proposal closely. Oil wealth should empower Guyanese, not deepen questions about whose interests come first.
Drivers in fatal Providence accident remanded
A screengrab of the CCTV footage showing moments before the motor lorry and the minibus collided
The two drivers involved in the three-vehicle collision at Providence, East Bank Demerara,whichclaimedone life and left several others injured, were on Monday remanded to prison for causing death by dangerous driving.
The defendants: Kord Sobers, 55, of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara,thedriverofmotor lorry #GAF 1093, and Colin Cumberbatch, 31, of Kitty, Georgetown, the driver of minibus #BAH 9443, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate'sCourt,wherethe indictable charges were read tothem.Theywerechargedin relation to the fatal accident which occurred on Saturday h 20 June, 2026, on ProvidencePublicRoad.The accidentresultedinthedeath of Ruddy Raymond, a 36year-old resident of Jonestown, Lima, Essequibo Coast.
Magistrate Latchman remanded the men to prison andthematterwasadjourned th to10 July,2026,forreport.
The Guyana Police Force in a statement said initial enquiries revealed that the minibus was proceeding north along the eastern
driving lane of the western carriageway of Providence PublicRoad,whilethemotor lorry was proceeding north along the western driving laneofthesaidcarriageway
Itisallegedthatthemotor lorry made a sharp right turn and entered the path of the minibus, resulting in the minibus colliding with the rightsideofthemotorlorry
T h e m i n i b u s subsequently collided with the median, entered the eastern carriageway, toppled ontoitsrightsideandcollided with motor car #PJJ 1664, driven by a 28-year-old male of Diamond, East Bank
Demerara, which was proceeding south along the eastern driving lane of the easterncarriageway.
Asaresultoftheaccident, thedriverofthemotorcarand his 23-year-old female occupant, sustained minor injuries, while the driver of the minibus and seven passengers sustained injuries abouttheirbodies.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) were summoned, and Raymond wasexaminedbyadoctorand pronounceddeadatthescene. Two breathalyser tests conductedonthedriverofthe motorlorryreturnedreadings of0.003%and0.004%.
Remanded: Kord Sobers
Remanded: Colin Cumberbatch
The politics of appointment
T h e e l e c t i o n s commissiondidnotfallfrom heaven. It came from the messycompromisesofmen.
The so-called Carter-Price formula, that tired but enduring offspring of the 1990s political crisis, was not meant to enshrine aloof neutrality; it was meant to broker peace between two parties locked in perpetual suspicion.
Jimmy Carter came in 1991 and reminded Guyana’spoliticalleadersof their inability to trust themselves. So, under the guiding hand of Jimmy Carter,thePPPandthePNC agreed to a commission that was not purely technical but political — deliberately so — so that both sides might have confidence in the process by seeing themselvesreflectedinit.
Under this arrangement, the choice of chairperson
became a ritual of conditional consensus. The president, still head of state, would appoint the chairperson,butonlyfroma list of six “fit and proper” persons submitted by the leader of the opposition. It was a dance of mutual recognition,acautiouswaltz of power and restraint. The president’s hand moved, but it moved only because the opposition leader had suppliedthesteps.
Then came the six commissioners: three on the president’s deliberate judgment, three on the
advice of the leader of the opposition.Equalhalvesofa dividedwhole.Theintention was not that these commissioners would rise above the political order but thattheywouldbalanceit.It was, in essence, a peace treaty disguised as an institution.
Tosay,therefore,thatthe commissioners “belong to no one” is to misunderstand the nature of the compromise. They are not partyagents,true,butneither are they creatures of abstraction They are constitutionalexpressionsof political representation. The commissionisnotapolitical. Its legitimacy lies in the equilibriumbetweenthetwo great forces of Guyanese political life — government andopposition,eachwaryof the other, each watching the other’shandonthescales.
The constitution, when read with a sense of history, makes this plain Article 161(1)istheembodimentof that formula: a president who acts “in his own deliberate judgment” for three appointments, and a president who acts “on the advice of the leader of the opposition” for the other three The symmetry is deliberate.Itdoesnotmerely tolerate political division; it institutionalisesit.
Those who now argue that the oppositionnominated commissioners enjoy some unconditional permanence, as if they were
Dem Boys Seh...
life peers of a Westminster order, mistake tenure for entitlement.Theconstitution givesthemsecurityofoffice so long as the structure that l e g i t i m i s e s t h e i r appointment remains intact — that is, three from the government’s side, three from the opposition’s. The balance is not decorative; it is essential Remove the opposition’s ability to advise,tonominate,andyou collapse the entire CarterPricearchitectureintoaonesidedcontraption.
It is true that, for nearly three decades, no one has had reason to disturb the pattern.Thetwomainparties have taken turns occupying the seats of power The opposition of one day becomes the government of the next, and in that continuity,therehasbeenno pressure to test the limits of the Carter-Price formula. In 2015, APNU+AFC came to power In 2020, when the pendulum swung back, the People’s Progressive Party found itself in the seat of presidency In2015,thePPP wastheopposition.In2020, itwastheAPNU.
Buttimeschange,asthey always do The present leader of the opposition is not of the same mould as those before him. He is neitherPNCnorPPP
If we are to remain faithful to the constitutional logic of the Carter-Price Formula, then his authority must mean something. The
ain’t got monopoly on brides no more!
Dem boys seh once upon a time, if yuh hear wedding bells ringing, chances are it was June. June used to be known as de month of brides. Back then, people used to treatJunelikeithadsomeexclusivelicence to issue marriage certificates. If yuh didn’t get married in June, society would look at yuh funny, like yuh buying Christmas ham inAugust.
Nobody quite know how June get dat reputation. Some seh it come from old European customs. Others seh it was because de weather nice and flowers blooming. In Guyana, dem boys suspect people simply because some people feel Junebridgesdoesbelucky Buttimeschanging.
Nowadays, people getting married whenever dem bank account and vacation leavelineup.Romancestillimportant,butit gotcompetition.Defirstquestionain’t,“Do you love me?” De first question is, “How muchdereceptionhallcharging?”
DemboyssehJuneloseitcrownbecause modern couples got a different calendar Valentine’s Day weddings Christmas weddings. Easter weddings. Mashramani weddings. Some people getting married on
right to advise the president on the appointment of three commissioners is his in accordance with the CarterPriceformula.
If the formula is to live, notmerelysurviveasarelic of 1992, then the leader of the opposition — whoever he is — must possess the right to nominate his own three commissioners Otherwise, the “opposition side” of the commission becomes a fiction, an inheritance of ghosts. What sense does it make for the constitution to speak of “acting on the advice of the leader of the opposition” if that advice becomes meaninglesswhentheleader changes?
The chairperson stands apart. That office, chosen through the peculiar alchemy of consensus, has its own sanctity Once selected, the chair is insulated from the political tides. The stability of that role is necessary; it anchors the institution But the commissionersarenotofthe samecloth.Theirpresenceis justifiedbypoliticalbalance, andbalanceisadynamic,not amonument.
The six commissioners of the elections commission occupy offices that, while constitutionally protected fromarbitrarydismissal,are of a structurally different character from that of the
chairperson Their appointment is expressly political in design: three are appointedbythepresidentin hisowndeliberatejudgment, and three are appointed by the president acting on the advice of the leader of the opposition.Theirlegitimacy, therefore, derives from the b a l a n c e o f representation the deliberate equilibrium between government and opposition built into the Carter-Price Formula. Their tenure cannot be viewed in isol
om that equilibrium. The constitu
ional structure contemplates a commission composed of these two political halves, and the continuing authority ofeachsetofcommissioners
maintained. Their “security of tenure” exists, therefore,
framework: it does not elevate them to the level of autonomous constitutional officersinthemannerofthe chairperson.
The chairperson’s office stands apart as the singular, nonpartisan head of the commission. That person’s tenureissecuredinthesame mannerastheheadsofother independent constitutional bodies—removable only for misbehaviour or incapacity, and only after a tribunal
process under Article 225. The six commissioners, on the o
constitutional balance itself. To treat their tenure as identicaltothechairperson’s is to ignore the political architecture from which their authority arises. Their protection is functional, not absolute, intended to ensure fairness within a balanced structure, not to confer permanencebeyondit.
To cling to the idea that
irremovable, regardless of who leads the opposition, is to strip the formula of its vitality The commission was not designed to be frozen in one moment of political history; it was designedtoreflecttheliving opposition of ideas and parties.Todenyanewleader oftheoppositiontherightto name his commissioners is t o d e n y h i m t h e constitutional role that the Carter-Price Formula was builttosecure.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Andweddingitselfain’twhatitusedto be.Longago,peoplespendmonthsplanning onewedding.Today,somepeopleplanning wedding, honeymoon, gender reveal, baby shower and divorce contingency plan all at desametime.
Besides, June got plentycompetition.It sharing de spotlight with Father’s Day, school examinations and dem uncle and aunty wah paying fuh half de wedding gettingleaveduringdeearlysummer
So,whileJunemaystillbedetraditional month of brides, it ain’t got no monopoly anymore. These days, love follows its own timetable. Cupid done throw away de calendaranddediary Hefiringarrowsyearround.
And as one philosopher tell dem boys: “Marriage may be made in heaven, but de wedding date does get decided by availabilityatdereceptionhallandwhether deseamstressganfinishdedress.” Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
H@RD TRUTHS
Guyana Development Bank: Promise, Potential and Peril
The PPP Govt-initiated $40B Guyana Development Bank (Bank) can be great. Ordinary Guyanese-poor, harbouring inspired ideas, but lacking capital-have opportunity beckoning Opportunity to rise from where they are to what they envisioncouldbe,shouldbe. Again, compliments to the PPPGovtforthisbrainchild. What has high much potential for individual, family, community, prosperity Let it never be said that I didn't extol the government.
Much has been written about the bank. Its innate goodness, noble charter, inspiring character.
Gnawing concerns persist. Still, no tainting to this offering by dealing in who defends for a dollar Or the rancidlypartisanwhobehold theworst. Iseepotentialfor the worst malfeasances in thisbank. Idetectthatitcan be a lifeline to Guyanese who need the monetary boost. Abovebottom-house, beyondstreetcorners,outof the economic lowlands so prone to floods of woes that there's weeping Only weeping.
I stated my thinking, position Another is presented. Threeprecedents offered. Should suffice. There is a Natural Resource FundAct/Law. Ipointnotto
loopholes. I point to its demand for “transparency and accountability.” Who argues with laws with such clauses embedded? Plus, withdrawals used for “national development priorities.” Music. Easy listening Guyanese listened, heard. From a Guyanagovernmentofficial, thatrarestofrarities:Guyana Scholar He disclosed how the billions (U S ) withdrawn from the NRF were spent in three words: “national development priorities.” Three words (“
enshrined in the NRF Law, begat three more: “national
development priorities”, also incorporated in that same law No more. Not a fourth word. If this is what Guyanese get for spending clarity from a Guyana scholar,whatprospectsfrom Guyana's handpicked political dunces? Not one dollar, not one million, not onebillion,couldbeshared, relative to spending specifics Commingling conquering accountability
The words of a law of Guyana taken and hurled into the face of citizens, by one of its reputed best. It's the raw reality of Guyana's “accountability” for its largest savings account, pursuant to law. What fate
awaits the Guyana Development Bank?
Next, there's a law birthed 14 years ago that e m p o w e r s Guyanese to access u n c l a s s i f i e nonconfidential, non n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y information. The law rusts, rots Guyanese seeking access have been mostly dismissed Light slap Other petitioners got dismissed, then degraded. The law is there. The mechanism is there. Where is the access to information sought,asthelawprovides? Fromthatsecondprecedent, I move to the $40 billion GuyanaDevelopmentBank. Would obscurity to protect be among the primary w o r k i n g s o f t h i s multibillion-dollar bank?
For the PPP Govt, for PPP leaders, there are some questions Why are lawbreakers (statutory rapists) elevated to parliament as lawmakers? Why are they not charged? There's One Guyana optics. And a large constituency to bekepthappy. But,byGod, atthepriceofparliamentary obscenity?
Protect who and for what?
Ignored today are favouritism, cronyism, and nepotism. May those never dawn Only the bank's honest duty, transparency, and accountability What roadaheadforthisbankthat could be a flagship of incorruptibility? The
identification of its controllers (likely already selected) should inform accordingly
Last,thereisthecrimeof statutory rape When underage children are abused,that'sstatutoryrape. Officialreportsstatethat584 statutory rapes were committed in the last five years (2020-25). The law mandates the charge of statutory rape. Children cannot consent Which rapists were charged? How many of the 584 statutory rapists were even approached by the Guyana police, other government institutions? Dr Vindya Persaud (Minister) and Dr Clifton Hicken (Police Commissioner) are respectfully invited to help: how many charged? Only the number Easy for a government grown fond of itsownstatistics.
Even when children are assaulted, and one ending it all It calls for an extraordinarily obscene breed of political leaders to condonefirst,thenreward. Thus, three examples: Oil Fund billions, access to information, and statutory rapes,ascontexts. Therearegoverninglaws foreach,liketheBank. How different will the Guyana DevelopmentBankbe? The people's patrimony and prosperity, their peace of mind, jeopardised The lifeblood of democracy (information) blocked, poisoned,thenextinguished. Protection of Guyana's young bartered for filthy politicalmileage.
Laws exist for all three areas. Yet there are these inarguable, destructive conditions in Guyana's environment. Now comes this $40 billion Guyana DevelopmentBank. Itcanbeaboonforthe poor and hopeful. Maybe a bonanza for the schemers, defrauders, that makeup o v e r 9 0 % o f P P P g o v e r n a n c e , P P P stewardship, PPP morality and integrity Soon, Guyaneseshallsee.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper
Bank owned by Venezuelans claims it helped Guyana to finance Wales Gas-to-Energy project
...leaked financial proposal surfaces
Inwhatisnotonlythecountry's most expensive but controversial venture on record, the Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project currently taking shape at Wales, West Bank Demerara continues to raise eyebrows,withclaimsbeingmade thatabankownedbyaVenezuelan familyandheadquarteredinPuerto Rico, helped Guyana to secure financesforthedevelopment.
Guyana signed a US$759M agreement with a consortium, Lindsayca/CH4inDecember2022 for the design, procurement and construction of a Natural Gas Liquid plant and a 300 megawatt naturalgasfireplant.
At the time, neighbouring Venezuela was under sanction by the United States Government, yet Banco San Juan Internacional (BSJI) a bank owned and directed byVenezuelannational,Marcelino Bellosta Varady recently revealed that the financial institution was involved in financing the GTE project.
In a recent LinkedIn post, the banksaid,“Guyanahassomeofthe highest electricity rates in Latin America — but this is about to change. BSJI played an integral role in securing financing for a $759M natural gas and power generation facility, which will decrease energy expenses for thousandsofhomesandbusinesses byover50%.”
“BSJIwaspivotalinsupporting Lindsayca CH4 Guyana's $759M project for the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana fortheconstructionofanaturalgas liquids extraction plant and a 300 MWpowergenerationfacilitythat will provide clean, stable and affordable energy to thousands of families and businesses in the country,”itcontinued.
ButwhiletheVenezuela-linked organisation celebrates itself as a financier for the project that is expected to transform Guyana's energy landscape, readers would recall that it was the United States Export Import (US EXIM) Bank that provided the country with a loan to support the construction activities.
InJanuary2025,itwasreported that the GoG signed a US$527 million loan agreement with the U.S. EXIM Bank, for the project. At the time, it was explained that Guyana would plug the additional resources required to support the project This therefore raises questionsastotheassertionsmade by BSJI. Did the company indeed help the GoG to secure additional financesforthisproject?Ifso,what are the terms attached to this loan agreement and why was it never madeavailabletothepublic?
CallstotheMinisterofFinance, Dr Ashni Singh seeking clarity on the claims made by BSJI were unsuccessful.
BSJI'sfinancialproposal
This newspaper has seen a leaked financial pr
l submitted by the Venezuelanowned entity, stating its interest in providingaloanfortheGuyanagas project.
Itisunderstoodthatkeyplayers intheprojectreceivedacopyofthe document, including the GTE Taskforce Head, Winston BrassingtonandDr Singh.
Thedocument,dated10thJune, 2022 laid out crucial details about the proposal, including the repaymentduration,interestandits intenttosupply35%oftheproject costuptoUS$252M.
BSJI made it clear in its list of r e q u i r e m e n t s “ N G L commercialisation: the party that wins the trading contract must be approvedbyBSJI,asshallthefinal contract ” Additionally, the proposalstatesthatBSJI“mayuse anycarboncreditsgeneratedbythe project, particularly as it relates to the substitution of fuel in generating electric power, for its usetooffsetcarbonfootprint.BSJI mayalsoassignanyofthosecredits to third parties, with or without receivingbenefits.”
Recognising the risk involved withtheproject,thebankalsomade it clear that the coverage for
c
, operatingandpoliticalriskmustbe in place and acceptable to BSJI. Furthermore, the cost of this
insurance is to be covered by the client(Guyana).
Adeep dive into the records of BSJIbyKaieteurNewsuneartheda troubling history of FBI raids, millions seized, and a multi-year legal war with the United States FederalReserve.
The 2019 FBI Raid and the VenezuelaConnection
On 6th February, 2019, the Associated Press reported that heavily armed FBI agents raided BSJI's offices in San Juan, seizing documentsanddigitalevidenceina major operation tied to the violation of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela.
Federal authorities suspected thebankwasbeingusedtolaunder money linked to Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the Venezuelan state-owned oil company.Thefalloutwasswiftand severe. The U.S. Department of Justice seized US$53M from the bank, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY)
suspended BSJI's "m
account"—the critical lifeline that allows a bank to access U.S. electronicpaymentsystems.
While BSJI eventually agreed
to pay a $1M fine to resolve the probe and promised to clean up its anti-money laundering (AML) protocols,thestainremained.
Booted by the Fed: The 2023–2025LegalSaga
If a bank cannot be trusted by the central banking system of the United States, why should the regionalenergysectortrustthem?
Despite promises to reform, BSJI failed to submit mandated assessments attesting to the effectiveness of its compliance programmes.ConcludingthatBSJI posedan"unduerisktotheoverall economy by facilitating activities such as money laundering," the NewYorkFedofficiallyterminated BSJI'smasteraccountin2023.
Rather than quietly fixing their internal operations, BSJI launched a legal campaign to force the Federal Bank to reinstate their access.InJuly2023,BSJIsuedthe FederalReserveBankofNewYork in the Southern District of New York. BSJI claimed they had a "statutory entitlement" to a master accountandarguedthatwithoutit, theywouldsufferirreparableharm andlosetheirclientele.
The U.S. courts, however, did
notbudge.InOctober2023,Judge JohnKoeltldeniedtheirrequestfor a preliminary injunction, noting that the Federal Bank was well within its rights to protect the financial system from illicit activity
In January 2025, the District CourtcompletelydismissedBSJI's amended complaint. When BSJI refused to accept defeat and appealed,theSecondCircuitCourt ofAppeals delivered a unanimous decision in May 2026, affirming the dismissal and ruling definitively that BSJI had no statutoryrighttoamasteraccount.
The Bellosta connection in Guyana
Marcelino Bellosta, the Venezuelan banker who owns and serves as a director for BSJI, has blendedhimselfintoGuyana'sgas project,accordingtosources.
Kaieteur News previously exposed the secret US$80M arbitration payout to the Lindsayca-CH4 consortium, a majorcontractoronGuyana'sGasto-Energy project. CH4 Systems LLC, a Puerto Rican company oustedduringthosenegotiations,is whollyownedbyJuanBellosta.
Oursourcesconfirmthatduring the crucial contract negotiations in 2022 for the Wales project and again later during the secretive Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Board (DAAB) hearings,MarcelinoBellostawasa constant,loomingpresence.
Furthermore, flight records obtained by this newspaper show that during these sensitive periods of negotiation and dispute resolution, the private jet associatedwiththeBellostafamily and their banking interests was a frequentflyertoGuyana.
Guyanese must know why a banker, whose institution was under intense scrutiny by the U.S. Federal Reserve for money launderingrisks,wassointimately involved in the negotiations of a multi-million-dollar Guyanese infrastructureproject.
Guyana, and the wider region, must remain vigilant. When the suits show up with bright smiles, private jets, and polished press releases, it is our job to check the fineprint.
Marcelino Bellosta (left), the Venezuelan banker who owns and serves as a director for BSJI photographed alongside Lindsayca representatives and the former U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch at the Gas-to-Energy contract signing in December 2022.
A glimpse of the financial proposal submitted by the Venezuelan Bank, BSJI
to increase to half-million ounces with acquisition of nearby property
Canada-based G Mining Ventures (GMIN) was featured in La Presse, a major French-language daily news organisation
b a s e d i n C a n a d a , highlighting the company's goal of becoming a leading goldproducer
Thecompany'sPresident and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Louis-Pierre Gignac, during the extensive interview with La Presse at the company's offices in Brossard, outlined GMIN's long-term strategy and growthtrajectory
Gignac discussed how acquiring fellow Canadian firm, G2 Goldf
ds enhances the GMIN's positioninGuyana.
He noted that the acquisition enables planned production growth at its 100%ownedOkoWestGold Project located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), toincreasethemine'sannual production from 350,000 to reach approximately
500,000 ounces of gold per year over a minimum mine lifeof15years. By itself, the Oko West project is expected to produce about 350,000 ouncesofgoldannuallyover a 12 3-year mine life
Meanwhile, according to G2, its Oko-Ghanie gold project average annual output is expected to reach 281,000 ounces annually duringthemine'speakyearswith a total production of approximately 3.2 million
ounces of gold over the life ofmine.
The US$2 2B (C$3 billion) arrangement between GMIN and G2 to consolidate the projects will bring the Combined Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources of 7.0 million ounces and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.3 millionounces.
Thedealwillalsoexpand GMIN'sfootprintinGuyana by 293 square kilometers (km²), creating a combined contiguous land package of over362km².
The Oko West Gold Project was added to GMIN's portfolio back in 2024 following a business combination with fellow Canadian firm, Reunion Gold Corp valued at US$638M (C$875 million).
Oko West's Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) states that the project contains 5.4 million ounces of indicated gold resources and 0.4 million ounces of inferred material Meanwhile, the project is estimated to hold 4 64 millionouncesofprovenand probable reserves at an averagegradeof1.89grams ofgoldpertonne.
“Wehavetheexpertiseto develop and build new mines.
After 15 years of doing projects for others, we decided that we could also get into gold production,” Gignacexplained.
In 2020, Gignac launchedGMiningVentures inthemidstofthepandemic, with his father as chairman oftheboard.HisfatherLouis Gignac senior is the former CEO of gold mining
Louis-Pierre Gignac, CEO of G Mining Ventures (PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, LAPRESSE)
company Cambior which alreadyoperatedagoldmine inGuyanainthe1990s–La Pressereported.
In its sustainability report, published on June 5, GMIN highlighted that its gold project in Guyana moved from environmental permit approval to mining licence approval and the c o m m e n c e m e n t o f construction within approximately 12 months.
Similarly, during Gignac's interview with La Presse he noted, “Kinross has a large gold mine project at the Great Bear site in Ontario.
Theyproducedapreliminary study the same week we submitted our study in Guyana,inSeptember2024. They are still waiting for their permit while we have invested more than 400 million and have 1500 workersactiveonsite.”
In addition to its Oko West project in Guyana, GMIN also operates in neighbouringBrazilthrough the Tocantinzinho Gold
Mine (TZ) which is already producing gold and its Gurupi project which is beingdeveloped.
During the interview, Gignac provided updates on the company's steady progress toward its upcoming milestones, includingtheramp-upofthe TZ gold mine, which is expected to produce around 200,000 ounces per year, as well as future contributions fromtheGurupiproject.
According to the CEO, the assets support the company's ambition to exceedonemillionouncesof annual gold production by 2030, marking its transition intoaleadinggoldproducer “Centralbankshavebeennet buyers of gold for three or fouryears.Thepriceofgold has doubled, but global production has only increased by 1% This ensures us a good floor, especially since we have verycompetitiveproduction costs,” Gignac told La Presse.
A look at the Oko West gold project construction
Six-year-old boy drowns at Edinburgh, Berbice
Six-year-old Kayden Busey, of Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice, died after reportedly drowning during a swimming outingwithotherchildrenfromhis communityonSundayafternoon.
Theincidentoccurredatapond near the popular swimming area known as 'Sixth Bridge' along the EastBankBerbicecorridor,around 2:00pm.
Thechild,aGradeOnepupilof All Saints Primary School in New Amsterdam, was reportedly with two of his siblings, aged four and eight, along with two female neighbours, aged 12 and 13. The group was said to have been in the area making TikTok videos before thetragedyunfolded.
His mother, Gaynor Paul, told KaieteurNewsthatshewasathome resting at the time after taking a detoxing agent and was not in her usualstateofalertness.Themother of eight, who lives with her three youngest children, said she had earliersentthesiblingstopurchase abeverageforavisitingfriend.
Paul said she had suspected on previous occasions that the childrenmayhavebeenswimming despiteherwarnings.
“WhenIopenmeeyes,Iwasin sleep-and-wake. I say, 'how y'all
A grieving Gaynor Paul, mother of 6-year-old Kayden Busey
skinlooksuh?'Ithappentwotimes theygoandswim.Whentheycome back, they bathe quick and come upstairs. You would never know ButIwatchingthem…theystilltell meno,theyain'tswim.”
She said the children usually playedinshallowwater,butonthis occasion, a neighbour's child reportedly suggested they go elsewhere Moments later, she received troubling reports from neighbours.“Me neighbour come and say, 'Gaynor I hear some child missing…' That is when I realise them wasn't in the yard,” she
recalledtearfully
Realisingthechildrenwerenot athome,sherushedtothelocation by bicycle. Upon arrival, searches were immediately conducted, but therewasnosignofthechildren.
Her eight-year-old son later described what allegedly transpired, saying the group had been playing when the situation turnedtragic.
“He say the girls was playing pranks, and by playing pranks, Kayden think them drown so he jump… he say he see he brother handupandhetryreachhimbuthe wasdrifting,”Paulrecounted.
The
A 16-year-old boy later dived into the pond and retrieved the child's lifeless body Kayden was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital,wherehewaspronounced deadonarrival.Hisbodywaslater takentoPersaud'sFuneralHomein NewAmsterdam. In hindsight, the grieving mothersaidsheregrettedtakingthe
detoxing medication that left her unwell and unable to closely superviseherchildren.
The
shockwaves through the Berbice community Residents described Paul as a hardworking mother dedicated to her children, while relatives said Kayden was especially affectionate and closely bondedwithher Paul said she had repeatedly warned her children to stay away from 'Sixth Bridge', which she described as a dangerous area knownfordeepwaterandprevious drowningincidents.
“If you see the place… is a deep, deep place,” she said, still struggling to understand why the childrenwentthere.
Dead: Kayden Busey
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, East Bank Demerara.
CJIA runway, taxiway slated for major overhaul
The Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation in its plans to upgrade the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) this year, is seeking bids for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Taxiway Charlie, and the mainrunwayatthefacility
This is according to an invitation for bids issued by the ministry which was published in Sunday's KaieteurNews.
No engineer's estimates were stated in the ministry's advertisement for the two projects, but it noted that bidsareexpectedtoopenon h 14 July, 2026 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board(NPTAB).
The projects will form part of the $140B approved fortheministryinthisyear's budget. It was reported that out of the $140B, the government set aside $3,655,586,000 for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation for the terminal project and upgradingoffacilities.
Taxiways are the roadways that airplanes use to get to and from the runway They connect the runway with the ramp and parkingarea,whilethemain runway is a space dedicated for aircraft to land onto or take-offfrom.
Regarding the works planned for the taxiway
Charlie and the main runway, Kaieteur News reached out to CJIA's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) RameshGhir
A c c o r d i n g t o information provided by the c o r p o r a t i o n , t h e rehabilitation and reconstruction of the main runwayandTaxiwayCharlie are required to address the “natural degradation” caused by continuous aircraft operations and to ensure the long-term safety andefficiencyoftheairport.
“The sustained volume and weight of modern aircraft movements exert cumulative mechanical stressonairfieldpavements. Over time, these repeated loading demands naturally leadtostructuralfatigueand surface wear, making comprehensive intervention necessary The main runway has sustained over two decades of high-impact use since its last rehabilitation in 2005, while Taxiway Charlie has gone more than 35 years w i t h o u t m a j o r reconstruction,” CJIA explained.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that by proactively reconstructing these critical assets, the airportsecuresitscapacityto handle future traffic demandssafely,reliably,and without operational
Residents of Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara,experiencedaunscheduledpower interruption on Monday after a streetlight came into contact with the electricity network,promptingemergencyworksbythe Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL).
According to GPL, the issue was caused byanobjecttouchingthenetwork.Animage shared by the company showed that the top portionofastreetlightwasinvolved.
In an advisory posted on its Facebook page, GPL stated: "Dear Customers, please beadvisedthatGuyanaPowerandLightInc. (GPL) will be conducting emergency works at Covent Garden to remove a threat that is comingintocontactwiththenetwork."
As a result, customers were advised to prepare for an interruption in electricity service from approximately 14:30 hrs to 17:00 hrs while the necessary repairs were carriedout.
GPL acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the unscheduled outage but stressed that the work was essential to
disruption.
Meanwhile, back in 2022, the Ministry of Public Works had advertised for Taxiway Charlie to be repaired. The project was estimatedtocost$15Matthe time.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information back in May 2022, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said, “[The] Taxiway Charlie has been in a state of disrepair that was not a part of the Chinesecontract.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport is responsible for that as a corporation and that is the Taxiway Charlie that is being addressed. This is not therunway,thisistaxiway.”
The minister said the repairs to the taxiway are part of the overall modernisationoftheCJIA.
“The maintenance of taxiways are normal things. Itisjustlikearoadwherethe aircraft has to use to get to therunway
Time after time various pieces of equipment and machinery use that, they are dripping of oil, there are cracks,damageasaresultof weight and taxiway Charlie has experienced some amount of deterioration and allthatwearedoingisfixing taxiway Charlie which is separate and distinct from the new runway that was
built,”hetoldDPI.
The country's main airport in Timehri is undergoing extensive upgradesbythegovernment to meet international standards.Recently,through the Public Utilities and Aviation Ministry, CJIA issued a tender for the rehabilitation of the lounge and food court, and another fortheconstructionofanew AirTrafficControlTower
As previously reported, the contract for the airport expansion project was signed in 2011, under President Bharrat Jagdeo's tenure, with China Harbour a n d E n g i n e e r i n g Corporation(CHEC).
T h e J a g d e o - l e d administration acquired a US$138M loan from the China Exim Bank, and used US$12M from the
Consolidated Fund (taxpayers'money) for the total project cost of US$150M. Jagdeo said that
the US$150M contract was signedwithCHECforanew airport. However, he said it was the coalition government that made changes which resulted in it being a rehabilitation project.
According to reports, upon assuming office in 2015, the David Granger administration deemed the airport plan defective, necessitatingadjustments.
Subsequently, in August 2020, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor's work. Consequently, negotiations resulted in additional works being undertaken by CHEC at no extra cost to Guyana.
These enhancements included a superstructure, corridor,andcurtainwall.
While the US$150M rehabilitation works by CHECiscomplete,thePPPadministration has substantially increased s p e n d i n
h e modernisationoftheairport,
international standards and expectations.
Part of the additional workbythePPPgovernment included the construction of a new commercial centre, VIP lounge, upgraded tarmac or aircraft parking areas, administrative office, and an improved baggage handling facility In addition, last year, government turned the sod for the construction of a secondarrivalterminalatthe airport.
Terminal 2 will feature business lounges, expanded concessions,andfacilitiesto handle the increasing global demand The airport upgrades,whichalsoinclude runway expansion and modernised bridges, are all strategic steps to prepare Guyana to become a major aviation hub, Minister Edghillstated.
maintaining the safety, reliability, and integrity of the electricity network. The company also apologised for the disruption andthankedcustomersfortheirpatienceand understanding.The latest outage adds to a seriesofrecentserviceinterruptionslinkedto objects or equipment coming into contact with the network, as well as other technical issues.
On 19th June, this publication reported thatatransformerleakresultedinafive-hour poweroutageinMabaruma.
In an emergency notice, the Mabaruma Power and Light Incorporated (MPL) said: "A severe leak has been found on the main take-off transformer To safely perform urgent repairs and protect the town's power supply, the entire electrical grid will be shut down today between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM."MPL further noted that its crews were on site working to complete the repairs and restore power as quickly as possible. The company also apologised for the inconvenience and thanked customers for theirpatience.
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Cardiologist, Dr MahendraCarpenhaslinked vaping to an increase in stroke and heart attacks among young people in Guyana, warning that the practice can have severe and
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sometimes immediate health consequences.
Speaking during an interview on Sources on Monday, Dr. Carpen described vaping as a troubling and growing trend
in Guyana, noting that the chemicals contained in products can, in some cases, havemoreimmediateadverse effects than traditional tobacco smoking.
“They can cause your hearttorace.Theycancause the blood vessels to spasm, and when that happens, it raises your blood pressure and can actually cause heart attacks by causing spasms of the coronary artery,” he said.
The cardiologist also pointedtoemergingevidence linkingvapingtoirreversible and incurable lung diseases. He urged young people to avoidthehabitaltogetherand encouraged those who already vape to quit.
Dr.Carpenexplainedthat vaping can trigger inflammation within blood vessels, causing damage throughout the body, includingtheheart,brainand digestivesystem.Inresponse to this damage, the body attempts to repair affected areasbyformingbloodclots. However, he noted that the
process can become excessive, resulting in blockages that may lead to strokes and heart attacks.
“Thatisabigtrendything that is happening that we ought to guard against,” he said.
Drawing from his experienceinthemedicalfield, Dr. Carpen said he has observed a shift in the age of patients presenting with serious cardiovascular conditions.
“When I first returned home, the average age for heart attack patients was in their 50s and 60s. Seeing younger patients was rare,” hesaid.“Nowitisbecoming routine to see people in their 20s and 30s presenting with heart disease.”
He added that young women appear to be particularlyvulnerabletothe harmful effects of smoking and vaping.
“Women with smoking, women with vaping - it’s not cool and it’s not good for health,”Dr.Carpensaid.
Kingston Secondary School set for major rebuild
The Ministry of Education has moved to rebuild Kingston Secondary School in Georgetown, issuing a tender for the construction of a new building.
According to a tender noticeissuedbytheministry, no engineer’s estimate was listed, however, the project will form part of the $100 billion approved for the MinistryofEducationin2026 National Budget. Out of the $100.2 billion, $34.9 billion has been allocated for secondary education this year
The education ministry has been building new
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schools across the country to ensure children have access toeducation.Theministryhas also been rehabilitating and rebuilding new nursery and primary schools to address overcrowding,andprovidean improved and enhanced learning space for students and teachers.
During the presentation of this year’s budget, Senior Minister with the responsibilityforFinance,Dr AshniSinghsaidoverthelast fiveyears,morethan100new schools were constructed or rehabilitatedcountrywide.
“In 2026, a total of $24.3 billion is earmarked for the
completion of more than 40 schools, including Falls Top and Kanapang nursery schools, Cracrana and Diamond No. 2 Primary Schools, as well as Karaudarnau and Kwebanna Secondary schools, alongside the continuous rehabilitation and maintenance of existing schools. Works will also advance on student dormitoriesatJawalla,North West, Port Kaituma, Santa Rosa and Waramadong,” he disclosed.
At a recent commissioning ceremony, MinisterofEducation,Sonia Parag said with the
The Kingston Secondary School
commissioning of some 18 new secondary schools this year, the country is on track to achieving universal secondary access to education.
In addition to the Kingston Secondary School, the ministry is also seeking bids for the construction of laboratories at the new MicobieSecondarySchoolin RegionEight,reconstruction of Agricola PIC, reconstruction of roof to the administrative building of Upper Corentyne Technical Institute,andfloorconstruction at the Essequibo Technical Institute.
VACANCY
Cardiologist, Dr. Mahendra Carpen
Another Venezuelan remanded as AK-47 probe widens
Venezuelan national Juan Felipe Gonzales, 54, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, has been remanded to prison after being charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, contrary to Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter8:01.
The charge stems from an ongoing investigation into the alleged possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, which occurred on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Schoonard, West Bank Demerara.
Gonzales was arrested on June 18 and formally charged on Monday, June 22, 2026 He appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver at the Wales Magistrate’s Court, where the chargewasreadtohim.Hewasnot required to plead, and was remandedtoprison.Thematterwas adjournedtoJuly14,2026.
His remand follows that of fellowVenezuelan,JonathanDavid Gans, who was also charged last week in connection with the same investigation The 27-year-old construction worker of Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence. He pleaded not guilty and wasalsoremanded,withhismatter alsoadjournedtoJuly14,2026.
The charges are linked to a major firearms bust conducted by ranks of the Customs AntiNarcoticsUnit(CANU)onJune11, 2026, during which a vehicle was interceptedalongtheWestBankof Demeraraandacacheof23AK-47 rifles, along with a corresponding quantity of ammunition, was discovered.
CrimeChief,WendellBlanhum confirmed that the weapons were manufactured in the United States. He said one firearm had an intact serial number, while the serial numbers of the remaining 22 were destroyed.
Thediscoverymarksthesecond major AK-47 seizure in just over threeweeks.
The first cache was discovered onMay22,2026,alongtheNo.11 Village Public Road in Berbice.
Policesaidranksconductingastopand-search exercise along the Berbice River Bridge access road between 01:00hrs and 04:30hrs intercepted a black Toyota Fielder Wagon,registrationHC9018.
Acting on further intelligence, officerssearchedtheNo.11Village Public Road area, where they recovered10AK-47rifleswrapped inplasticandcloth.
Investigators said the firearms were chambered in 7.62x39mm and showed signs of tampering, apparentlyinanattempttoobscure
(Reuters) - Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he was quitting, paving the way for what is expected to be an orderly transfer of power to frontrunner Andy Burnham, who could become Britain’s seventh leader in 10 years as early as next month.
Inanemotionalspeech,Starmersaidhad listened to his governing Labour Party and realised that he was no longer the man who should lead it into a national election due in 2029.
After making his announcement on the steps of his Downing Street office and London residence, Starmer’s move to stand down could have triggered a divisive leadership contest, but several Labour lawmakerssaidtheynowexpectedmoreofa coronation.
Burnham,a56-year-oldcareerpolitician, quicklywonthesupportofanotherpotential leadership rival, former health ministerWes Streeting,withoneLabourlawmakersaying it was more likely the former mayor would nowbeinstalledasleader He entered parliament to cheers from Labourlawmakers,andtheoddhecklefrom the opposition, including one person who shoutedout:“He’snottheMessiah.”Hethen pledged allegiance to King Charles to take hisplace`asalawmaker,anecessarystepto be able to become the new leader of Labour andBritain.
POLITICALCHURNINBRITAIN
The Labour government is the latest to fall foul of voter anger over politicians’ failuretodeliverontheirpromisesofchange, 10yearsafterthevotetoleavetheEuropean
REMANDED:
Juan Felipe Gonzales
serialnumbers.
The driver of the vehicle, taxi operator, Stephen Rajah, 33, of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, was later intercepted at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, arrested, charged, and remanded. Hehassincebeenreleasedonbail.
Duringtheinvestigation,police also discovered an abandoned Toyota Runx, registration PSS 4272, at Second Street, Savannah Park, New Amsterdam, which is suspected to have been used in transportingtheweapons.
Subsequently, wanted bulletins were issued for Gregory Persaud and Antonio Alonzo Lawrie in connectionwiththecase.Bothlater surrenderedtopolice.
Following their surrender,
police conducted a search on June 5, 2026, at Farm, East Bank Demerara, where a 9mm extended magazine was allegedly found at theresidenceofa21-year-oldwash bayattendant.
The man was arrested and
questioned, and legal advice was later received to charge Persaud and Lawrie with conspiracy to commit a felony Persaud was also charged with illegal possession of firearms. Both have since been remanded.
Union.
Starmer said he would ask the Labour Party’s organising committee to set out a timeline for a leadership contest to find his replacement. Nominations would open on July 9, close by mid-July, and if there is a contest, a new leader will be in place by September.Acoronation could mean a new leaderwouldenterofficebymid-July
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the nextgeneralelection.Ihaveheardtheanswer frommyparliamentarypartytothatquestion andIacceptthatanswerwithgoodgrace,”he said.
After describing the achievements his government had secured in his two years of power, a man who was often criticised for being robotic became visibly emotional, his voice cracking when he thanked his family fortheirsupport.
“When I leave the biggest job in the country I will spend more time on the most importantjob,beingthebesthusbandIcanto myfantasticwifeVicwhobeena`rockbymy side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children whoaremyprideandmyjoy.”
PRESSUREHADBEEN BUILDINGFORMONTHS
Starmer spent the weekend with his wife, Victoria, at his country residence to consider his future With support draining away, he realised the political reality of his position
There was some sadness in the Labour ranks, with industry minister Chris McDonald saying his speech underlined the
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacts as he announces the timeline for his resignation, outside 10 Downing Street, in London, Britain, 22nd June, 2026. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
fact “he’s a really decent man”. However, others said he had been treated the way he treated others as prime minister, being “royallydoneover”.
The threat to Starmer, which had been building for months, increased sharply on Friday when Burnham decisively won a parliamentary election in Makerfield, ‘northwestern England, to return to Westminster,beatingacandidatefromNigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which has led opinionpollsformorethanayear
That victory gave hope to Labour lawmakers that Burnham, known for his strong communication skills, could transformthefortunesofapartythathaslost supportunderStarmer
The pound rose against other currencies and British government bonds rallied after Streeting’s announcement, as investors welcomedamorecertainpathtoBurnham’s premiership.
Despite hoping for a smooth handover, thechangeisnotwithout‘risk.
Burnhamhasyettofleshoutafullpolicy agenda and Reform’s Farage immediately calledforanationalelection.
“I’ve had enough of waiting around. Britain needs change - real change, not another washed-up has-been shoved into place by the uniparty,” Farage said in a statement.
NOCLEARAPPROACHYET
Beyond saying that Britain needs fundamental change and that he wants to bring down the cost of living, Burnham has yet to make clear his approach to ‘foreign affairs,theeconomyanddefence.
Like Starmer, he could find he has little room to manoeuvre, hemmed in by bond market investors opposed to any additional borrowing, and confronted by an angry electorate which believes the country is not workingproperly
Britainalreadyhasthehighestborrowing costsintheGroupofSevenwealthynations due to its high debt and interest payments, years of anaemia economic growth, its struggles to cut spending and the need to investinareaslikedefence.
The 23 AK-47 rifles and matching ammunition that were seized
Tehran tells Trump Strait of Hormuz ‘is
not your personal casino’ after new threat
(Independent) Iran hit back at DonaldTrumponMondayafterthe U.S. president threatened to “take over the rest of the country” if the StraitofHormuzisclosedagain.
“You make threats; we take action,”EbrahimAzizi,theheadof the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, wrote on social media in apparent reference to Trump.
“TheStraitofHormuzisneither your personal casino nor the backyard of modern-day pirates; these are Iranian sovereign waters, andtheultimatedecisionrestswith the noble people of Iran and its bravearmedforces.”
Iranlifteditseffectiveblockade ofHormuzlastweekafteragreeing with the U.S. to extend a ceasefire toallowforpeacenegotiations,but Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards on Saturday declared the waterway shut once again, in response to IsraelistrikesinLebanon.
The U.S. president said in response he had warned Iranian officialsthat“youclose[thestrait] andyouwon’thaveacountry”,Fox News’s Trey Yingst reported on Sunday
High stakes talks aimed at finalising a deal to end the war are meanwhile expected to continue throughtheweek,aftera“difficult” start that saw Iranian negotiators walkoutoverTrump’s“insults”.
Trump threatened to “take over” Iran if the Strait of Hormuz wasnotimmediatelyre-opened,the presidenttoldFoxNews.
Hislatestroundofthreatscame
in response to news Saturday that Iranwasonceagainclosingthekey waterway,justdaysaftersigningan agreement to ensure that traffic could flow through Iran announced that it would close the StraitofHormuzafterIsraeliforces continued an all-out assault into Lebanon aimed at dislodging Hezbollahmilitants.
Fox’s Trey Yingst reported Sunday that in an early morning phone call, the U.S. president said he’d warned Iranian officials directly that “you close [the Strait of Hormuz] and you won’t have a country.”
“You won’t even make it back to your f***** country,” Yingst said the president claimed to have relayed to the Iranians, adding: “We’ll take over the rest of the country.”
The threat to occupy Iran as a whole is a new step for the president, who has been seeking a way out of the war he began since theconflictkickedoffinFebruary In the days leading up to the ceasefire extension signing on Wednesday, the president was reportedly considering plans to deployU.S.militaryforceswiththe goal of occupying Kharg Island, a majorIranianoilindustryhub.
His latest disagreement with Tehran is a sign of just how shaky the U.S.-Iran ceasefire remains, as wellasthecontinuedfailureofthe White House to hold Israel in line. TheIsraelioffensiveinLebanonis viewedbysomeTrumpadvisersas an effort to directly undermine the ceasefire agreement signed by
President Donald Trump threatened to ‘take over’Iran in a call with Iranian officials, he told Fox News (AFP via Getty Images)
Israel’sstrikesinLebanonsince the war began have killed more than 4,000 people, according to officials, and a new Israeli offensive is being lauded by top Israeliofficials.
On Friday, a post from Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-GvirwasdenouncedbyIran’s foreign minister and many others after Ben-Gvir called for Israeli forces to “burn all of Lebanon”, declaring that “for every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep”. Trump, despite his denunciations, hasbeenunabletocurbthisrhetoric ortheIsraeliassault.
Vice President JD Vance departed for Switzerland this
commitment from Iran not to seek nuclear weapons that mirrors language from the Obama-era nuclearagreementTrumptoreupin 2018,andcommitmentstoaddress and find a way to remove nuclear materialsburiedbyU.S.strikeslast summer
weekend as he is set to lead the latest round of peace talks with Iranianofficials.
In recent days, the Trump administration has made no secret about its displeasure with Israel’s foreign policy From behind the White House press briefing stand, Vice President JD Vance warned Israeliofficialsnottoalienatetheir closest remaining ally, the United States, and on a podcast last week he signaled even greater frustrations as he remarked that Israel couldn’t simply “kill” their wayoutofeveryproblem.
Trump has also echoed such feelings, and has remarked that Israel would supposedly not exist without his administration’s support.
But the more direct threats to Iran make another dynamic clear, too:Whenit comes down to it, the president will go much further to ensure Iran’s compliance with the ceasefire.
Signed on Wednesday, the 60day agreement extends an existing ceasefirebetweenU.S.andIranian forces while extending sanctions relief and the promise of unfrozen funds in U.S. banking systems if Iran complies further with the agreement. The U.S. secured a
Conservative supporters of the president in Washington are divided over the agreement. Much of the terms appear to mirror the Obama nuclear deal Trump ripped up in 2018 and which was much maligned by the right over the years. In the past week, both Republican and Democratic critics of the president have emerged on Capitol Hill and the conservative media sphere to denounce the deal as a betrayal of Israel and a defeat for America, which blockaded the Strait of Hormuz and sought to pressure Iran to open the strait for months,withlimitedsuccess.
“Reagan is rolling over in his grave. Iran’s nuclear ambitions were not curbed, and they have learnedthatthreateningtheStraitof Hormuz works and will undoubtedly leverage it in the future. Now, Iran gets to build brand-newinfrastructureunderthis deal,”wroteRepublicanLouisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy on X after the deal’stermswereannounced.
“Before the war, the strait was open, Iran was being crushed by sanctions,and13servicemembers werestillalive.Now,13Americans are dead, families have paid billionsatthepump,sanctionswill be lifted, and the bombing has stopped. This is the worst foreign policyblunderindecades.”
Of particular issue to both the deal’s hawkish critics on the right and the left is the administration’s tacit support of a $300 billion economic redevelopment fund for Iran.
The White House and its allies maintain that this fund will not be supplied with American taxpayer dollars,andinsteadwillrepresenta pool in which regional investors cancontribute.
Holnessonofficialvisit toGuyana,Suriname
Jamaican Prime Minister Dr AndrewHolnessiscurrentlyonan official visit to Guyana and Suriname, according to a statement released via his official Facebookpage. He is scheduled to participate in the 6th edition of the Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit and Exhibition set for June 23-26, in Paramaribo, Suriname, as well as undertake an official visit to Guyana.
Jamaican Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness
Canada eye first World Cup knockout round berth as Kone...
Frompage22 forhim,anddoitforhim.”
Replacingthemidfielderwillbenoeasy feat for Marsch, who acknowledged the absence of Kone “weakens us in the tournament”,buthewillhavenochoicebut torelyonsomeonefromhisbenchtostepup in the high-stakes clash against Switzerland
“Everybody’salittleshakenbythewhole experience.Ismaelisabigpartoftheheartof our team,” said Marsch. “He’s a bit of an X factorforus,andwe’llmisshim.ButIthink wehavegoodplayerswho`stepin.”
NathanSalibareplacedKoneinthegame againstQatarandmomentsafterenteringthe game made it 4-0, celebrating by holding Kone’sNo.8jerseyaloftbeforekissingitand makingthesignofthecross.
There will also be questions about the
fitness of Canada captainAlphonso Davies, who has yet to play in this World Cup as he continues ‘his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in early May Davies was availableforCanada’swinoverQatarbutdid notenterthematch.
CanadaandSwitzerlandhavefourpoints from two games, though the World Cup cohostsaretopoftheGroup‘Bstandingsdueto asuperiorgoaldifference.
Switzerland, who started the World Cup as Group B favourites, opened with a draw against Qatar followed by a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and now need one point‘againstCanadatosecurearound-of-32 placeintheexpandedtournament.
The Swiss have negotiated their way out of the group stage in five of their last six WorldCupcampaignsbuthavetasteddefeat intheroundof16oneachofthoseoccasions.
I N G L E W O O D , California(Reuters)-Iranleft a message in their SoFi Stadium locker room on SundaythankingLosAngeles for its hospitality during the World Cup and saying they areleavingdignityaftera0-0 drawwithBelgiumkeptalive their hopes of reaching the knockoutstages
Los Angeles hosted both ofIran’sGroupGmatchesso far,withtheteamreturningto their base in Tijuana, Mexico betweengames
Tuesday June 23, 2026
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You need to try something new,somakesureyourenergy is ready for the regeneration that's coming. See if you can take some downtime to plot your next move. Things are lookingup!
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You need to deal with your crazy moods, though they may actually lead you somewhereprettygood!It'sa great time to step up and make sure that your friends and loved ones are there for you
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Your brains are helping you seethroughthelies,oratleast the weirdness, in your dealings with others. It's a reallygoodtimeforyoutoask probing questions and see what'swhat.
CANCER(June21–July22)
You've got too many great options to stick with just one, though you may have to do just that! See if you can get your people to step up and helpyousiftthroughthelittle details.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Youneedyourfamilyandthey need you right back! See if youcangetthemtochillwith you as you do whatever else needs to get done, but there's nogoodoreasywaytoneglect themnow
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
Your heart is a potent force right now, so make sure that you're making the most of it! Youmayfindthatit'sguiding you in some interesting new directions, and you might makeanewfriend(ormore).
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Yourstuffmaybepressingon yourmindtoday,soseeifyou can clear out a closet or the attic or wherever your hoarding tendencies are at their worst Things should feel a lot better when you're done!
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Your vision of the future is intensetoday,somuchsothat you might find it a bit intimidating. Let the energy flow and try not to worry too muchaboutwhatotherpeople aresaying.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Youarefeelingsomewhatshy, so see if you can make yourselfscarcewhileyoudeal with whatever internal problems are troubling you. It's a good day for you to just thinkthingsthrough.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
You've got to take in all the details today Things are still pretty weird, but you can figure out what needs to be done if you take the time to pore over everything that still remainsundone.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You feel like you're on stage for at least part of the day Make sure that you find some new way to back off or youmightenduptoostressed out for words. Things get bettersoon,though!
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Take greater care with your business dealings They could lead you in all sorts of weird directions if you aren't careful It's a good time for you to just relax and keep youreyesopen
Iran have spent the tournament ‘based in Tijuana commutingtotheUS fortheir matches because of restrictions surrounding their stay in the country, while a number of Iran’s team staff and officials have been banned US officials have said the squad’s travel arrangements would continue to be assessed, while discussions over easing some restrictionshavecontinued.
“From the ancient Persia ofthousandsofyearsagotothe civilized Iran of today, the spirit of Iran `alive and steadfast, ” read the handwritten note, which was
Serena Williams handed...
Frompage24
Williams, widelyregarded as the greatest female tennis player of all time, last played a singles match at Wimbledon as a wildcardin2022—losingto HarmonyTaninroundone.
After that year’s U.S. Openshe‘shewould‘evolve away from tennis’ although never officially retired Wildcardsarehandedoutby tournament organisers to players whose rankings do not permit automatic entry and are usually reserved for home players, those with illustrious career records or high-profile players returningfrominjury
Williamsfirstappeared‘at Wimbledonin1998,reaching the singles third round She wonthetitleforthefirsttime in 2002, beating older sister Venusinthefinal,andwenton to become ‘the dominant force in the women’s game, spending a combined total of 319weeksastheWTAworld numberone
Williams added singles crownsin2003,2009,‘2010, 2012,2015and2016andalso won six doubles titles at the grasscourtmajorwithVenus.
Ahandwritten message left by the Iranian national soccer team thanking Los Angeles for its hospitality during the 2026 FIFAWorld Cup.
released by Iran’s football federation “Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality “WecametoLosAngeleswith pride, competed with honor, andleavewithdignity”
The note also thanked Iranian ‘supporters who gave their “heart, voice and soul” for the team during the two matchesandendedwithacall for peace, respect and
friendshipamongall‘nations IrancoachAmirGhalenoeihas repeatedlycriticisedthetravel restrictions imposed on the side,sayingtheteamhasfaced challengesnoother‘sidehave hadtoendure
Iran, who drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their opener at SoFi Stadium, play their final group match against EgyptinSeattle
SEMI-FINALSCENARIOS:
India’schancestakeahit;Australiaalmostthere
South Africa’s win against India has opened up Group 1, while England and WI are favourites from Group 2
ESPNcricinfo - South Africa’s win against India at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday has opened up qualification possibilities in Group 1. Here’s a lookattheteamsincontention,and whateachoneneedstodotomake thesemi-finals.
Australia
Played:3,Points:6,NRR:4.391
Remainingmatches:
PakistanandIndia
After three comprehensive wins,Australiaaresittingprettynot only with six points, but also a mighty net run rate of 4.391.They aren’t yet through to the semifinals, though, as India and South Africa can both finish on eight
Netherlands and Bangladesh in their two remaining games, then India will be knocked out. Even if India beat Australi
Bangladesh, it will come down to netrunratesifAustraliaandSouth Africabothfinishoneightpointsas well India currently have the advantage there, thanks to their convincing win against Pakistanthey beat them by 64 runs, while South Africa beat India with only fiveballstospare.
SouthAfrica
Played:3,Points:4,NRR:-0.546
Remainingmatches:
NetherlandsandBangladesh
Despite winning two out of three games, South Africa have a
West Indies only need one win from their last two matches to secure a semi-final berth. (ICC/Getty Images)
points, while Bangladesh can theoretically get to eight points as well.Australiawillalmostcertainly make the cut if they beat Pakistan on Tuesday, while a win against India will put them in the last four regardlessofotherresults.
India
Played:3,Points:4,NRR:2.511
Remainingmatches:
BangladeshandAustralia
The loss against South Africa has put India’s semi-final chances injeopardy.IftheylosetoAustralia onSunday,andifSouthAfricabeat
poor net run rate of -0.546, which couldhurtthemifitcomesdownto that factor However, the win against India has significantly boosted their semi-final hopes: if they win their two remaining games, and ifAustralia beat India, then South Africa will qualify without net run rates coming into play Ifitdoescomedowntonetrun rate,theywillneedbigwinsagainst NetherlandsandBangladesh.
Bangladesh
Played:3,Points:4,NRR:-0.641
Remainingmatches:
IndiaandSouthAfrica
Bangladesh’s win against Pakistan has been the highlight of theircampaignsofar,buttheyhave two tough matches coming upagainst India and South Africa. Their best bet to qualify will be if they win their two remaining matches, and if India lose to Australia.IfBangladeshbeatIndia and lose to South Africa, they’ll have to hope South Africa lose to Netherlandsfornetrunratetocome intoplay
With six games to go in Group 2, here’s a look at the teams in contention and the qualification scenarios.
England
Played:3,Points:6,NRR:2.490
Remainingmatches: WestIndiesandNewZealand England have had three comfortablewinsinthetournament so far, which is reflected in their healthy NRR of 2.49. A win in eitheroftheirtworemaininggames willbeenoughtosealqualification. Iftheyloseboth,though,theycould betiedonsixpoints-eitherwithSri Lanka and New Zealand, or with Scotland, whose remaining matches are against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. If England lose to WestIndies,onlyoneplacewillbe up for grabs as West Indies would havealreadyqualifiedforthesemifinals,andthatwillbringNRRinto play
WestIndies
Played:3,Points:6,NRR:0.644
Remainingmatches:
EnglandandIreland
LikeEngland,WestIndiesonly need one win from their last two matches to secure a semi-final berth.Iftheyloseboth,they’llhave torelyonnetrunratestoqualify,as England will then move up to at least eight points, leaving West Indies to fight for the second spot with two teams out of Sri Lanka,
Canada eye first World Cup knockout round berth as Kone injury clouds Swiss showdown
VANCOUVER, (Reuters) - A Canada side rallying around the loss of injured midfielderIsmaelKonefaceSwitzerlandon Wednesdayneedingawinordrawtosecure topspotinGroupBandtheirfirstWorldCup knockout-roundappearance. Canada will be without the services of Kone when they line up against three-time quarter-finalists Switzerland the linchpin midfieldersufferedabrokenlegfollowinga tackle by Qatar’sAssim Madibo during the co-host’s 6-0 thrashing of Qatar last week
thatgavethemtheirfirstWorldCupwin.
It was a devastating blow given Kone is considered the heartbeat of Canada’s midfield, and without his energy Jesse Marsch’s men could be a less threatening pressing side going into their group-stage finaleatVancouver’sBCPlace.
“He means everything to `this team,” Jonathan David, Canada’s all-time leading scorer,saidofhisinjuredteammate.“Itwasa difficultmoment.Butwehavetostaystrong Continued on page 21
NewZealandandScotland.
NewZealand
Played:3,Points:2,NRR:-0.063
Remainingmatches:
ScotlandandEngland
To stand any chance of qualifying, New Zealand need to wintheirlasttwomatchesbyfairly significant margins, and then hope thatotherresultsgointheirfavour Theirworst-casescenariowillbeif England beat West Indies, who in turnbeatIreland.Inthatcase,New Zealand will be eliminated, and both England and West Indies will qualify with eight points. But if Ireland beat West Indies, New Zealand could qualify with six points as their two defeats have been extremely narrow ones, leaving them with a net run rate which is only marginally in the negative.
Scotland
Played:3,Points:2,NRR:-0.083
Remainingmatches:
NewZealandandSriLanka
Scotland have so far had an excellent tournament, beating
Irelandby40runsandfallingshort by just seven runs against West Indies. Thanks to those result margins, their net run rate is only marginally below zero. However, to progress any further in the competition,they’llhavetopulloff two upsets against fancied opponents - New Zealand and Sri Lanka - and hope other results and the NRR factor go their way Even forateamthathasshownplentyof promise, that is probably a bridge toofar
SriLanka
Played:3,Points:2,NRR:-1.913
Remainingmatches: IrelandandScotland SriLankahaveadismalnetrun rate of -1.913 as a result of big defeats against England and West Indies. Like New Zealand, their hopes of qualifying depend on other results as well as their own: they’ll need to win their last two matchesbyhugemargins,andthen hope that both England and West Indiesdon’tfinishoneightormore points.
The win against India has significantly boosted South Africa’s semi-final hopes. (Getty Images)
Reactions to Canada midfielder Ismael Kone (8) after sustaining an injury during the second half against Qatar during a Group B match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at BC Place Vancouver. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images)
MIAMI, (Reuters) - Cape Verde put in another magnificent performance to hold Uruguay to a 2-2 draw in a dramatic Group gameonSunday,backinguptheirdrawwith SpainintheirfirstWorldCupfinalsmatchby defyingsecondfootballingpowerhouse.
The Blue Sharks stunned the world by holdingtheEuropeanchampionsgoallessbut an even bigger upset looked on the cards in thestiflingheatofMiamiStadium.
There was pandemonium in the packed stands when Kevin Pina gave the African side the lead in the 21st minute with Cape Verde’s first World Cup goal from a longrangefreekick
Maxi Araujo and Agustin Canobbio repliedinthespaceofsixminutesjustbefore the break to put Uruguay ahead at halftime but substitute Helio Varela pounced on a defensive mistake to level the scores around thehourmark.
There were chances at both ends as the
thesetwogames,”CapeVerdecoachBubista said. “We’re here to try to achieve a new dream, which is to qualify for the second round. I think it’s legitimate for us to think thatway.”
Twice world champions Uruguay, meanwhile, move on to their final group game against the Spanish with their place in theknockoutroundsfarfromassured.
“Undoubtedly, Uruguay has a better squad than the one from CaboVerde but we hadtoshowit,”coachMarceloBielsasaid.
“Even with the goals that we conceded, we should have won. So, as as `I see it, we needtoturnupagainstSpainandwehavethe needandtheobligationtobeatthem.”
Uruguay started the game looking to put behind them their disappointing 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia but quickly got bogged down in a scrappy dogfight with the tenaciousCapeVerdeans.
Midfielder Federico Valverde screwed
Cape Verde’s Kevin Pina celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates. (REUTERS/Paul Childs)
Both teams trail group leaders Spain by two points with CapeVerde’s bold ambition of reaching the round of 32 very much alive headingintotheirclashwiththeSaudis.
“Wewouldliketocompeteatthehighest level and that’s what we’ve been doing in
Alongside Comfort Sleep, support has been provided by Royal Castle Guyana, ToolsiePersaudLtd,MadewiniGardensEco Resort, Monnaf Arjune Construction Services,RegalStationery,theGuyanaPolice Force, Guyana Tourism Authority, Excel GuyanaInc,KumarAutoSpares,PuranBros Party Cas, Pegasus Hotel and Suites and several other corporate and communitymindedorganizationsthatrecognizethevalue ofinvestinginGuyana’syouth
Overthepastseveralyears,throughthe exclusive efforts of the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy, morethan27,000youngpeoplenationwide havebeenintroducedtogolf,withgirlsnow accounting for approximately 62% of participants.
Egypt’s Mostafa Zico scores their first goal. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
VANCOUVER, (Reuters) - Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to their first-everWorld Cupwinastheycamefromagoaldowntobeat New Zealand 3-1 with a brilliant second-half display on Sunday, moving top of Group G and boosting their hopes of reaching the knockoutstage.
By the 10th minute of stoppage time, the Egyptian fans were whistling loudly for the refereetoendthegame
Whenhedid,anear-splittingroarwentup as Salah and company made history with the country’s first World Cup win and coach Hossam Hassan lapped the stadium with an Egyptianflag.
theirbestearlychanceacrossVozinha’sgoal and seven minutes later Uruguay were behind.RodrigoBentancurillegallystopped Telmo Arcanjo’s surging run through midfield and Pina struck the resulting free kickbetweenaporoustwo-manwallandpast ‘thedivingFernandoMuslera.
Araujo’s late goal rescued a point for Uruguay in their Saudi opener and the left winger struck his second World Cup goal in the44thminute,stoopinglowtoheadtheball into an empty net after Manuel Ugarte’s headerhadspunbackoffthepost.
FIRSTGOALCONCEDED BYVOZINHA
It was the first goal conceded at the tournament by 40-year-old ‘Cape Verde goalkeeperVozinha,whowasthrustintothe limelightafterhisPlayeroftheMatchdisplay against Spain. Araujo then turned provider, headingUgarte’sinswingingfreekickdown into the path of Canobbio, who made no mistakewiththefinish.
Itlookedlikethestiflingheatandenergy of the defensive effort was taking its toll on the Cape Verde players ‘and coach Bubista madeacoupleofchangesinthe58thminute.
Three minutes later, Varela pounced on MathiasOlivera’sill-advisedcrossfieldpass, kneedtheballpasttheinexplicablyadvanced Muslera,andsteereditintothevacantgoal.
Thegameopenedupasbothsideschased a winner but Canobbio probably spurned Uruguay’sbestchancewhenplayedthrough on goal in the last minute, only to blast his shotoverthebar
“It’sagreatachievementforalltheplayers It’sagreatwin It’sagreatvibe Thenextgame is very important,” Salah said as he took the plauditsamongsthisteammates Egypt, who drew 1-1 with Belgiumintheiropener,moved topofthegroupwithfour points from two matches The All Whites,held2-2byIranintheir opener, are bottom with one point.BelgiumandtheIranians have twopointsaftertheir0-0 draw
New Zealand’s first-half gameplan was as simple as it was effective, kicking long when they needed ‘ to and keeping possession when they could, and defender Finn Surman broke the deadlock from a corner, losing marker Ahmed Fatouh before steering apowerful headerintothenet.
Though Callum McCowatt had a glancing header tipped over the bar early on for New Zealand, Egypt piled on the pressureafterthebreakandthey levelled through Mostafa Zico, who headed homeMohamedHany’scrossfromtheright inthe58thminute.
“My feelings are the same as those of the Egyptian people because I am one of them I amoneofthem andIlovethem-thosewho came here and those who stayed ` up back in Egyptwatching,”Hassansaid.
“The stadium felt as if we were in Egypt The fans made it feel as though we were playinginEgypt,andItoldtheplayers,‘We’re
New Zealand’s Michael Boxall in action with Egypt’s Mohamed Salah. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
playing in Egypt’The stadium was full, like CairoStadium.”
Salah then finally gave the crowd what they wanted nine minutes later, breaking forwarddowntherightandplayingaone-two with Zico before slotting the ball into the far corner Salah almost scored his second in the 81st minute, cutting in from the right and firingadeflectedshotover,buthenotchedan assist from the resulting corner as substitute Mahmoud Trezeguet dived to head home at thenearpost.
EAR-SPLITTINGROAR
GREETSEGYPTVICTORY
TheNewZealandersgaveitalltheyhadto reduce the deficit and Hossam Abdelmaguid hadtobereplacedlateonwithaconcussion,‘ hiseyeswellingupasheleftthefield
New Zealand, after twice being pegged backbyIranintheir2-2draw,againletalead slip, and this time ‘ it proved more costly as Salahworkedhismagic.
“I think we contained them well enough, buttheyhavegoodenoughpeopleinthewhole side,” New Zealand captain Chris Wood told reporters “Youcan’tjustfocusononeplayer, and he (Salah) can pop up with a goal at any timeandheshowedthat”
“He’sagoodplayer,` youhave tokeepan eyeonhim,butthere’salsoalotofotherboys in that team that create problems and eventuallytheyscoredgoalsaswell” New Zealand round off the group stage against Belgium in Vancouver, while Egypt will meet Iran in their final game with all to playforintheraceforaspotintheRoundof32
GSL-CPL ticket bundle offer continues as Box Office re-opens on June 23
With exactly a month to go before the first match of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, the Ticket Box Office is set to re-open on Tuesday, June 23, in Guyana, offeringfansanotheropportunitytogetexclusiveaccessto CPLtickets.
The limited-time bundle ticket promotion is set to continue, bringing the best of regional and international cricketactiontospectatorsatunbeatablevalue.
This special offer celebrates the passion Guyanese fans haveforcricket-asportthatcontinuestounitecommunities, inspirepride,andshowcaseGuyanaontheworldstage.
Through the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, Guyana now has a major annual cricket event of its own: a homegrown spectacle that engages the world while celebratingthecountry’sdeeploveforthegame.
Fansareencouragedtocometogether,fillthestands,and show the world the unmistakable spirit of Guyanese cricket support.
Thebundleticketpromotionisasfollows:
Ÿ Buy GSLtickets and get access to purchase the same numberofCPLticketsinthesamestand
Argentina’s Lionel Messi scores their first goal. (REUTERS/Issei Kato)
BBC Sport - Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s all-time record goalscorer as his double against Austria sent holders Argentinaintothelast32.
The forward, who turns 39 on Wednesday, got his 17th and 18th goals at tournaments to move two clear of Germany striker Miroslav Klose, whose tally came between 2002 and 2014.
Messi’s milestone moment came in the 38th minute of the Group J
, sweeping home a first-time finish from just inside the penalty area after Thiago Almada had cleverly let FacundoMedina’spull-back gothroughhislegstoteeup histeam-mate.
T h e t a l i s m a n i c frontman’s second came in second-half injury-time as he fired home from a tight angle past two Austrian defenders. However, Messi couldhavebrokentherecord earlierinthematch.
Afteronlyeightminutes, Argentina were awarded a
Record-breaking Messi scores twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 Record-breaking Messi scores twice as Argentina beat Austria 2-0
penalty following Stefan Posch’s foul on Lautaro Martinez, with Austrian defender Xaver Schlager alsomakingachallenge,but Messi fired the spot-kick wide.
That disappointment soon turned to celebration, though,inanotherdisplayof hisclassonahistoricnight. He is now the top scorer in the 2026 competition, with five goals in two matches following a hattrick in the 3-0 win over Algeria in their opening groupgame.
Before Messi’s second, Austria-managedbyformer ManchesterUnitedbossRalf Rangnick - had a chance to make it 1-1, butAston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez pushed away a powerful free-kick from MarcelSabitzer Argentina, with six points,nowjoinMexico,the United States and Germany in having qualified for the last 32, and they will be confirmed as Group J winnersifJordandonotbeat Algeria in the later game (Tuesday,04:00BST).
SerenaWilliamshanded Wimbledonsingleswildcard
Serena Williams of the U.S. during practice at Queen’s Club, London, Britain - June 10, 2026. (REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo)
LONDON, (Reuters) - American great SerenaWilliamswillmakeastunningreturn to singles at this year’s Wimbledon after being handed the final wildcard by the All EnglandClubonSunday
The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion was already assured of a return to the championships for the first time in four yearsafteracceptingadoubleswildcardwith sisterVenus.
“Thisisnotadrill,”thetournamentwrote
inapostonitsInstagramaccount. The announcement that the 44-year-old motheroftwowillplaysingleswill‘providea massive storyline for the Grand Slam tournamentthatstartsonJune29 The23-time GrandSlamsingleschampionreturnedtocourt after a four-year absence at this month’s Queen’sClubchampionships,playingdoubles with Canada’s Victoria Mboko She also playeddoublesinBerlinthisweek Continued on page 21
Camptown FC clinch historic Elite League berth with victory over Timehri United
Timehri United’s impressive run in the 2026 Elite League Qualifierscametoasomberendon Sunday after they suffered a 2-0 defeattoCamptownFootballClub in the playoff final at the National TrainingCentre.
ThevictorysecuredCamptown a historic place in the 2026-2027 EliteLeagueChampionship,which isscheduledtocommencelaterthis year.
In a contest that pitted experience against youth, Camptown’s composure and clinical finishing proved decisive. GoalsfromShaneJonesandOzeal Small propelled the Georgetown clubintoGuyana’spremierfootball competition and capped off a memorablequalifyingcampaign.
Camptown struck early and never relinquished control. Jones capitalized on an early defensive lapse inside the 10th minute, slotting home an opening goal to hand his side first-half advantage, immediately placing Timehri United in the trail, Timehri having to rethink their initial plans followingthe1-0deficit.
Despite the early setback, Timehri responded positively Their defenders tightened up after concedingandmanagedtocontain much of the attacking threat posed by Jones and Small for the remainder of the first half However, Camptown’s organised defensive shape ensured they carried their slender lead into the interval.
Following the restart, both teams displayed a strong determination to secure the result. Timehripushedhigherupthefield
in search of an equalizer, forcing Camptown’s backline into several important defensive interventions. While Timehri enjoyed periods of attacking pressure, Camptown maintained control of possession and continued to threaten on the counterattack.
Thedecisivemomentarrivedin the 73rd minute when Small latched onto a well-weighted pass, burst clear of the Timehri defence, and calmly finished past the goalkeeper to double Camptown’s lead.
With 17 minutes remaining, Timehri faced an uphill battle. Despitetheireffortstomountalate comeback, Camptown remained disciplined defensively and comfortably saw out the match to secure a 2-0 victory and qualificationfortheupcomingElite Leagueseason.
Although the loss denied Timehri an automatic berth, their hopesofreachingtheEliteLeague hangs in a slimmest of fate. The East Bank powerhouse will get anotheropportunitywhentheyface the two-time champions Fruta Conquerors FC on Wednesday, June 24, at the National Training Centre.
In a statement issued by GFF President, Wayne Forde commendedtheparticipatingclubs for their efforts throughout their respective Regional Association
competitions and praised Camptown FC on earning promotion to the nation’s premier clubcompetition.
“Iwouldliketocongratulateall the clubs that participated in their respective Regional Association
leaguesandearnedtheopportunity to compete in the Elite League Qualification Playoff It is encouraging to see the continued growth, interest, and excitement that the Elite League is generating across our Regional Associations, reflecting the ongoing development of club football throughout Guyana. I also extend sincere congratulations to CamptownFContheiroutstanding performance throughout the playoff competition. On behalf of
the Guyana Football Federation, I am pleased to welcome them to EliteLeagueSeason8andwishthe club every success as they prepare for the upcoming campaign,” Ford said.
Meanwhile, Timehri will be aiming to quickly put Sunday’s disappointment behind them as they take on an established Elite League outfit, knowing that a victorycouldstillearnthemaplace inthe2026-2027championship.
The Elite League Qualification
Playoff featured seven clubs representing seven Guyana Football Federation Member Associations in a knockout-format competition designed to determine one direct qualifier for the 2026/2027EliteLeagueseason. For Camptown, however, the celebrations have already begun. TheirtriumphoverTimehriUnited confirmed their place among the Elite League’s elite, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history
Comfort Sleep throws Massive Support behind Youth Golf Development ahead of national tournament
The Guyana Golf Association (GGA), Nexgen GolfAcademy and WestsideGolfCoursearepleasedto announce that Comfort Sleep has once again partnered with the organizationstohostthe4thAnnual National Junior Open Golf Championship,scheduledforJuly3, 2026,attheWestsideGolfCourse.
Comfort Sleep, under the leadership of Managing Director Dennis Charran, has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to youth development, sports, education, and charitable causesthroughoutGuyana.
Over the years, Charran and Comfort Sleep have supported numerous sporting initiatives, sponsored disadvantaged children,
and hosted large-scale Christmas celebrations for children from orphanages and underserved communities.
The National Junior Open Golf Championship has become one of Guyana’s premier youth sporting events, bringing together young golfers from across the country to compete.
This year’s championship is expected to attract hundreds of participants representing schools, golf academies, and communities fromRegions2,3,4,5,6,and10.
Competitors will battle for nationalhonourswhileattemptingto dethronedefendingchampionsBush Lot Secondary School and former two-time champions Leguan
SecondarySchool.
The competition is open to boys and girls under the age of 18 and thanks to the generous support of sponsors, all participants will receive complimentary access to equipment, coaching assistance, meals, and tournament participation atnocost.
In a demonstration of national support for youth development, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has once again committed the assistance of the Guyana Police Force by providing transportation for approximately 150 participants travelingfromRegions2,3,5,and6.
The growing impact of golf developmentinGuyanahasattracted Continued on page 23
HISTORY MADE! Camptown FC earns Elite League badge, following 2-0 win over Timehri United.
Timehri’s defensive reckoning ends as Jones and Small finish with a goal apiece in Elite League Qualifier Final.
CELEBRATION FOR CAMPTOWN FC!
Ozeal Small celebrates his goal for Camptown in 2-0 rout of Timehri United, booking them a spot in the 2026/2027 Elite League championship.
