Kaieteur News

…Iran says no implementation until the signing set for Friday in Switzerland

20.6M-pound

…CA$500,000 deal secures more than a decade of exploration records, saves millions in cost

COVID-19spreadsalongCorentyne

...third Berbice school hit as cases climb

A third school in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has confirmed COVID-19 infections withinjustoveraweek,heightening concerns about a possible outbreak alongtheCorentynecorridor

Information reaching Kaieteur News onSundayrevealedthatmore than 10 students of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School (LCSS) in Rose Hall Town have testedpositiveforthevirus.

School officials said the first case was detected on Friday By Sunday, additional students had tested positive, prompting the institution to notify the Region Six DepartmentofEducation.

As a precautionary measure, school activities have been temporarily suspended to facilitate fumigation and sanitissation of the compound.

The Ministry of Education has reportedly advised parents, teachers and students to take the necessary precautions, including the wearing of face masks, as efforts intensify to contain the spreadofthevirus

Teachers are expected to meet on Monday to discuss the implementation of COVID-19 protocols and guidelines ahead of theresumptionofclasses.

One teacher expressed concern thatthenumberofinfectionscould besignificantlyhigher,allegingthat some parents are withholding information about their children’s healthstatus.

“Theparentsarenothonestasit relates to the COVID situation. Theyarehidingit.Theschoolneeds toknowthatthesechildrenaresick, thattheyhaveCOVID,becausewe need to make sure that other studentsaretested,”theteachertold KaieteurNews

The latest cases come on the heels of infections reported at the GuySuCo Training College in Port Mourant and, more recently, the PortMourantPrimarySchool.

Withthreeschoolsnowaffected within days, anxiety is growing amongparentsandeducatorsacross theCorentyne.Fortunately,noneof the infected students are critically ill,withallreportedcasessaidtobe asymptomatic.

Despite the emerging situation, attempts by Kaieteur News to obtain comment from senior regional health officials on measures being implemented to contain the spread have so far proven unsuccessful, with calls unanswered and messages receivingnoresponse.

Canadian firm to acquire historical dataset for 20.6M-pound uranium project in Guyana

Adam Clode, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U92

Canadian exploration company U92 Energy Corp. has moved to acquire the completehistoricaltechnical and exploration dataset for itsuraniumprojectlocatedin Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

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.

I n a r e c e n t announcement,thecompany noted that acquiring the datasetgivesU92morethan a decade of systematic exploration work and representsthecoretechnical foundation supporting the advanced-stage Kurupung uraniumprojectwhichhasa historical resource estimate of20.6million-pound.

U92 entered the binding asset purchase agreement

CA$500,000 transaction will see U92 issue common shares in exchange for ownership of the dataset, to support the historical mineral resource estimate for the 92 2 square kilometres (km2) project, the only uranium project in Guyana.

U92 noted that the transaction provides it with direct ownership of a substantialbodyoftechnical work that would be both costly and time-intensive to replicate.

According to U92, the dataset includes geological mapping and field reports, topographic and satellite imagery, soil and rock sample results, historical drill records, drill core photography, geochemical databases,assaycertificates, metallurgical test work, and airborne and ground geophysicalsurveys.

…CA$500,000dealsecuresmorethanadecade ofexplorationrecords,savesmillionsincost

The dataset underpins the project’s historical mineralresourceestimateof 20 6 million pounds of uranium oxide (UO), comprising 10 6 million pounds in the indicated category and 10 million pounds in the inferred category There are four deposits at the project site: Aricheng North, Aricheng South, Aricheng West and Aricheng C. Other targets previously drilled include Aricheng A, Aricheng Alpha, Aricheng Epsilon,

Guyana’s oil boom among factors behind Goldman Sachs’ lower 2027 crude price forecast

(Reuters, June 12) – Guyana’s rapidly expandingoilproductionisamongthefactors expected to contribute to lower global crude pricesinthecomingyears,accordingtoanew forecast from Goldman Sachs, which on Thursday reduced its average Brent crude price outlook for 2027 to US$80 per barrel

The bank cited rising supplies from Guyana and other major producers, coupled with weakeningdemand,particularlyfromChina

“We assume that just over 10% of the demandweaknesspersistsasChina’sshiftto alternatives (e g `EVs) accelerates,” Goldmansaidinanote.

Thebankalsosaiditcontinuestoexpect Brent to average $90 a barrel in the fourth quarter of 2026, noting that the impact of a longerdisruptionintheStraitofHormuzhas sofarbeenoffsetbyasmaller-than-expected supplyshortfall.

WhiletheHormuzdisruptioninitiallycut Middle East liquids production sharply,

Goldmansaidtheglobaldeficitinthesecond quarterwasmorelimited,estimatedat5to6 ‘million barrels per day, as weaker demand and pre-existing oversupply cushioned the shock.

“We now assume that oil exports from GulfproducersnormalizebylateAugust(vs. by late June prior), which may be achieved with a rise in Hormuz flows to `70% of prewar levels given current redirections,” the banksaid.

Goldman highlighted upside risks to prices, stating that in an adverse scenario, Brent could average just above $110 in ‘late 2026 if export disruptions persist longer A moreseverescenarioseespriceshitting$140 in 2027 if Hormuz disruptions extend throughtheyear

On‘thedownside,afasternormalisation in supply and weaker demand could push prices down to around $70 in late 2026 and $60in2027.

Aricheng Sigma and Wild Cow Adam Clode, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of U92, stated, “The acquisition of the complete Kurupung dataset significantly strengthens the Company’s technical position as we advance toward an updated mineral resource estimate and completing our inaugural drill programme.

The dataset captures more thanadecadeofexploration work and provides our team with direct ownership of the underlyingtechnicalrecords supporting the project Completing this transaction entirely in shares, at a fraction of estimated replacement cost, aligns the v e n d o r w i t h U 9 2 shareholders while preserving capital for e x p l o r a t i o n a n d

A look at U92 uranium project operation

developmentactivities.”

The Kurupung uranium project is listed as U92’s only project This publicationhadreportedthat the Canadian firm gained control of Guyana’s only uranium project through a 2026 acquisition of a Singaporean firm A January 2026 filing statement states that U92 on June18,2025,enteredintoa Continuedonpage6

Kaieteur News

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

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Public outrage

WeareimpressedthatGuyanesecanstillgetangrywhen the PPPC Government crosses unthinkable lines. The government'sattempttoclosetheSexualOffenders'Registry (Registry) to public scrutiny ignited a firestorm. Its own supporterswentwildwithrage.HumanServicesandSocial Security Minister, Vindya Persaud advanced the secret Registry, and became the face of all that is wrong with this government. When President IrfaanAli and Vice President Bharat Jagdeo recognised the danger, both rearranged their face to emerge as knights in shining armour The secret Registry is gone, risks to the PPP Government ease and, hopefully,citizensfeelmoresecure.

We at this paper hope that citizens will have access to a Registry that is inclusive, all sexual offenders identified. Parentsandfamilymembers,andcommunities,knowwhois intheirneighbourhood,thelevelofwatchfulnesstheymust maintain to protect their young boys and girls. To protect genders of all ages from predators. What alarms is how the PPPC Government could be so bold that a minister could announce this, only for the president and vice president to caveunderpublicpressure,andremovetheplannedsecrecy provision.

We are baffled that theAttorney General's office would haveworkedcloselywiththesubjectministerandherteamof advisers,andthataproposedSexualOffenders'Registrywith asecrecyclausewasnotremoved.Whowasirresponsiblein this situation, the attorney general's office, or the minister's group? President Ali is in charge of a government with a seven-seat majority in parliament. Was either he or the Cabinetthatcavalierasnottotakeseriousissuewithasecret Registry? A seven-seat parliamentary majority encourages thatkindofslackness.

Truth be told, there may have been some level of awarenessatalllevelswithinthegovernmentoftheRegistry being closed to public examination However, the government'sarroganceisatsuchaheightthatGuyaneseare now taken for granted, disdained that much. The people wouldletthesecretRegistryslide,liketheyhavedonewith so many other serious issues. On this occasion, the government went too far, pushed concerned Guyanese to a placethatrepresentstheworstfortheirinterests.Thesafety oftheirfamiliesisatstake,andtheirownpeaceofmind(and confidenceintheirleaders)takingabattering.

President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo may fool themselvesintobelievingthattheirrescuemissionleftthem lookingheroic.TheymaywithGuyanesewhodonotputtoo muchvalueonmoralsandstandards.Therearemanyothers in this country, however, who see them in the role of firefightersrushingouttoputoutthefirethatthegovernment itself stoked. In cases like these, there is usually some collateraldamage.MinisterPersaudgetstoabsorbthatblow. There is no way that a secret Sexual Offenders' Registry shouldhavegottenpasther,oraninchbeyondherministry. WhattothinkoftheAttorneyGeneral'sofficeismoreonthe trickyside.WastheAG'sofficeasleepatthewheel?Wasthe AG's office part of a scheme to knowingly run the secret Registrypastthepublic,inthehopeofgeneratingtheusual disinterested and lethargic reactions? These are not confessionsthatgovernmentsmake,andevenwhenthereis the leadership character to do so, it is never the whole nine yardsofwhatandwhowereinvolved.

Atthisbelatedhour,PresidentAliisnowallwisdomand with sleeves rolled up in full engagement. He speaks of the issue being referred to a select committee. Where was he before?Whatdidthepresidentknow,andhowmuchofitwas examinedwithafine-toothcomb?Whydidhenotactbefore, and had that offending provision that guaranteed sexual offenders'layersofcoverexcluded,nevertoseethelightof day?ThesafetyofGuyaneseshouldneverbeexposedtothis levelofcasualnessmanifestedbyacoupleofministers,more thanoneleader,andaCabinetthathasaddedtoitsreputation ofthegangthatcanneitherthinkstraightnorshootstraight. The secret Sexual Offenders' Registry is out. Some governmentofficialshouldsufferthatsamefate.

Development banking and skills training

DearEditor,

In continuing a discussion of development banking in Guyana (KN: https://kaieteurnewsonlinec om/2026/06/10/government -is-trying-to-reconstitute-adevelopment-bank/; KN: https://kaieteurnewsonlinec om/2026/06/11/developmen t-bank-risks-becomingwelfare-agency-formerambassador/),itisimportant topointoutthattherewillbe a significant demand for trained staff in several departments of any development bank. In this letter,Iwillonlydescribethe work and skills training that was required by the credit officers in the credit department during the existenceofGAIBANK.

Training in project analysis was a critical requirement because staff members in the credit department had to conduct feasibility studies for different kinds of projects. For example, they had to examine loan requests for short-term loans (less than 2 years for repayment), medium-term loans (2 to 5 years), and long-term loans (up to 10 years) for rice, sugar-cane, food crops, l i v e s t o c k , a n d inshore/offshore fishing This required credit staff

who were trained in Agricultural Science at the Guyana School of Agriculture, or at the University of Guyana, Faculty of Agriculture and Technology Consequently, employing trained agriculturalists formed an important connection with the farmer, who could converse with someone who was knowledgeable of the science behind his farming activities.

Building on this agricultural knowledge, theseskilledemployeeswere further trained in financial and credit analysis and proje

identified above Other skilled workers, including engineers, economists and persons with a business background, were also trained in non-agricultural project appraisal and supervision both in GAIBANK and at the Caribbean Development Bank. Additionally, Project Consultants from the InterAmerican Development Bank also mentored staff working on non-agricultural p r o j e c t s , s u c h a s logging/sawmilling, food processingandmilling,gold mining, quarrying, wood,

metal, plastic, rubber, leather, ceramic, and garment manufacturing, among other economic activities.

Itshouldbenotedthatno credit was provided for the purchase of properties, passenger automobiles, payment of taxes, rent, dividends, shares, stocks, bonds, purchase of land or buildings for residential use orfortherefinancingofdebt. Furthermore, loan approval had nothing to do with a client's social, racial, religious, or political affiliation, but only with whether a project and loan requestsubmittedbyaclient was in support of a financiallyviableproject.

Asecondrequirementby GAIBANK was the decentralised credit system that had offices and staff stationed in or assigned to n i n e o f t h e t e n Administrative Regions in Guyana This allowed GAIBANK to manage a successfulcreditprogramme with full and part-time branch offices in the followingRegions: Region 1: An office at Kumaka.

Region 2: Offices at Anna Regina, Charity, and Onderneeming.

Region 3: Offices at

Wakenaam, Leguan and Parika.

Region 4: Head Office in Kingston, Timehri, Cane Grove,andKuruKururu.

Region 5: An office at Onverwagt.

Region 6: Offices at Tain, New Amsterdam; and the CorrivertonDistrictCouncil.

Region 7: An office at the BarticaRegionalOffice.

Region 8: Managed from Headoffice;onlyafewgold projects.

Region 9: An Office at Lethem.

Region10:OfficesatLinden andEbini.

Our presence in the community reduced transaction costs for farmers and borrowers, who did not havetotraveltoGeorgetown t o c o m p l e t e l o a n applications or conduct p r o j e c t b u s i n e s s Additionally,branchofficers in the regions strengthened project supervision, as well as assisted in building coordination with input suppliers and buying agents for farmer's produce and other final goods Furthermore, being able to interact with the regional administration and knowing the work schedule for infrastructure maintenance, among other public service (Continuedonpage5)

“From Employee to Employer: The Opportunity Every Guyanese Should Understand”

DearEditor,

The establishment and soon-to-be operationalisation of Guyana's SME Development Bank by President Ali's government, has the potential to becomeoneofthemosttransformative economic initiatives in our nation's history

At a time when our country is experiencing unprecedented economic growth, it is critical that ordinary citizens are given the opportunity not only to benefit from that growth but to activelyparticipateincreatingit.

Fordecades,accesstofinancinghas been one of the greatest barriers preventing many Guyanese from turning business ideas into successful enterprises.

The SME Development Bank has the potential to change that reality by providing entrepreneurs, particularly youngpeople,withaccesstocapitaland business support that can help transformambitionintoopportunity

It is in this regard special recognition must be given to President Ali for his administration's vision and leadershipinadvancinginitiativessuch astheSMEDevelopmentBank.

While many have spoken over the years about empowering citizens through entrepreneurship and expanding access to financing, his administration is taking concrete steps

to transform those aspirations into reality

This initiative reflects a commitmenttoensuringthateconomic growthreachesordinaryGuyaneseand notjustlargebusinessesandinvestors.

The true value of the SME Development Bank lies in its ability to help Guyanese become owners rather thanmerelyemployees.

Through access to financing, individualscanestablishpoultryfarms, agro-processing facilities, construction companies, block-making operations, hardware stores, laundry and commercial cleaning services, transportation services, car and truck wash bay services, eco-lodges, restaurants, technology firms, digital marketing agencies, and numerous other small businesses capable of creatingjobsandgeneratingwealth.

The impact on communities could beprofound.

Every successful small business creates employment, increases household incomes, stimulates local commerce, and keeps more money circulatingwithincommunities.

This is especially important for townships such as Linden, Bartica, Lethem,andmanyruralandhinterland communities where entrepreneurship can become a powerful engine for economicdevelopment.

Our young people stand to benefit significantly and I encourage them to seize these opportunities. Rather than waiting solely for employment opportunities,theycanaccessfinancing to launch businesses, develop innovative services, and become job creators themselves. In doing so, they can build assets, create wealth, and establish enterprises that can benefit their peers and others but importantly futuregenerations.

As our country continues its remarkable transformation, the SME Development Bank represents an investment in the creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spiritofitspeople.

Ifeffectivelymanagedandbroadly accessible,itcanhelpcreateastronger middle class, stimulate community development, reduce economic disparities,andfosteranewgeneration ofGuyaneseentrepreneurs.

The true wealth of Guyana is not found only in its natural resources, but inthetalentandpotentialofitspeople. The SME Development Bank provides an opportunity to unlock that potential and build a nation where more Guyanesecanbecomebusinessowners, employers, and active participants in thecountry'sgrowingprosperity

Yoursrespectfully,

JermaineFigueira

A Law is not Enough: Budget

Priorities Must Align and Reproductive Rights Must Reach Every

DearEditor,

Guyana is celebrated in many circlesforhavinganexcellentlaw-the MedicalTerminationofPregnancyAct that makes safe abortion services legal and helps to safeguard the health and wellbeingofpregnantpeople.

Unfortunately, like many things in Guyana that appear great in theory but miserable failures in real practice, this law still has not been fully implemented, although over three decades have gone by since it was passed.

Currently, safe abortion care continues to be unavailable to significant numbers of Guyanese who needit,accessibleonlytothosewhocan affordtotraveltoGeorgetownorpaya privatehealthcareprovider

Thisexcellentlaw,recognisingthis essential right, thus becomes yet another example of an unequal society where those with greater economic privilegebenefitmore,whilethosewho areless'welloff'remainunabletoenjoy alltheirrights.

I recently readTamùkke's Feminist Budget Analysis (FBA) of Guyana's 2026 National Budget. It documents what many persons in hinterland communities already know from their lived experience- public abortion servicesremainconcentratedincoastal hospitals.

ForapregnantpersoninRegions1, 7, or 8, accessing safe abortion care meansnavigatinglongtraveldistances, hightransportationcostsandtimeaway from work and family - barriers that manyareunabletoovercome.

In this way, geography becomes a mechanism of inequality, and a legal right becomes meaningless in practice. Forme,thisisnotanisolatedgap.Itsits within a broader pattern the FBAcalls the "prevention gap" - a consistent tendency within Guyana's national

budget to prioritise hospital infrastructure and emergency services

over community-based care, reproductive health access, and preventiveprogramming.

While health sector spending did increase from GYD$129.8 billion in 2024toGYD$161.1billionin2026,the majorityofpublichealthfacilitiesinthe hinterland of Guyana still lack critical medication and equipment like X-ray and ultrasound machines, staff trained to operate these, and perform safe abortions.

Telemedicine services which could potentially also be very helpful in this regard, also remains very limited. Whiletheoverallbudgetgrewby36%.

Family and Primary Health Care Services - the programme that covers maternal health, adolescent health and environmental health - grew by only 23% over the same period Reproductivehealthservices,including safe abortion care, needs to be prioritised and adequately funded, especiallyinhinterlandregions.

Thepictureisevenmoretroubling when we consider the health needs of Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans+ women.

AsexualhealthstudyofLBT+women in Guyana conducted by Tamùkke in 2024 found that this population faces severelyrestrictedaccesstohealthcare, particularly for safer sex information, cervical cancer screening, and bodily autonomy Stigma-especiallyforthose who do not follow traditional gender stereotypes–determinedwhetherthese individualsevenseekcareatall.

And yet, LGBTIQ+ communities are entirely invisible within the public healthbudgetingofGuyana.

There is no targeted line item, no inclusion framework, no outreach mandate.This is unacceptable. LBTIQ and other gender and sexually diverse people are valuable members of

Guyanese

Guyanesesocietyanddeservethesame rights, protections, and privileges as others, especially when it comes to accessing physical, sexual, reproductive,andmentalhealthcare.

At the same time, Comprehensive Sexuality Education remains absent from national programming - meaning that the knowledge young people need to accurately understand their physical and mental health needs and make healthy,informeddecisionsisnotbeing systematicallyprovidedtothem.

These are not separate problemsthey are connected threads in the same gap: a health system that is growing in size but not growing in scope, enlightenment, fairness, or real progress.

I support Tamùkke's call for the expansion of safe abortion services in the public health sector throughout Guyana; for the national adoption and implementation of Comprehensive SexualityEducation;andforLGBTIQ+ communities to be explicitly reflected in public health budgeting and service design.

I b e l i e v e t h a t t h e s e recommendations are grounded in evidence, consistent with Guyana's own stated development goals, and within reach for a country with our currentleveloffiscalcapacity

Letmesaythis-reproductiverights are not a niche concern; they are foundationaltopublichealth,economic security, and the wellbeing of families acrossthiscountry

Whenitcomestosafeabortion-the law already says every Guyanese deserves access. The national budget mustnowsayittoo,andfacilitateequity and rights for all, nationwide. This is what real progress and development beginstolooklike.

Sincerely,

SherlinaNageer,MPH

Development banking and skills training

Frompage4

events, were also important for policy coordinationandprojectappraisal.

Finally, GAIBANK had a welldefined organisational chart with different levels of authority, and accountabilitytotheBoardofDirectors throughtheGeneralManager

Additionally,therewasasetofrules of engagement with the applicants and borrowers,alongwiththeseparationof responsibilities that were merged with

different levels of authority and accountability

Itwasexpectedthattherewouldbe a timely delivery of decisions with the relevant justifications, requirements and conditionalities for loan approval. Iftherewereanyviolations,therewere immediate reviews and corrective action was taken at all levels. When loans applications were approved or rejected, the justification for the decisionhadtobeclearlydefined.

No proper communication, proper signage during road works

DearEditor,

A s a p u b l i c communications analyst, I am always pleased to see development taking place within our communities Infrastructure improvements are essential for national growth and for improving thequalityoflifeofcitizens. However,developmentmust be carried out properly, with due consideration for residents, pedestrians, and small business owners who aredirectlyaffectedbythese projects.

Over the past several weeks, residents have raised concerns regarding ongoing works on sidewalks and propertyentrances.

While the upgrading of water pipelines is both necessary and long overdue inmanyareas,themannerin whichsomeoftheseprojects are being executed has b

inconvenience.

Many property owners have reported that access to their homes and businesses has been obstructed for extended periods without adequatenoticeortemporary alternatives being provided. Small businesses, in particular, depend on easy customer access, and disruptions can lead to reduced sales and financial losses that many cannot afford.

There are also concerns aboutsafety Trenches, uneven surfaces, construction materials,andpoorlymarked work areas can pose risks to pedestrians, elderly residents, children, and motorists Such hazards could potentially lead to accidents and injuries if proper precautions are not taken.

W h i l e c i t i z e n s understand that temporary inconvenience often accompanies progress, there is a reasonable expectation that contractors and responsible agencies will adhere to professional standards.

Clear communication, proper signage, timely completion of works, and safe access arrangements should be standard practice ratherthananafterthought. Development should nevercomeattheexpenseof public safety or the livelihoods of hardworking citizens.

I therefore urge the relevant authorities and contractors to engage affected communities, address legitimate concerns, andensurethatinfrastructure projects are completed in a manner that reflects both professionalism and respect forthepeopletheyserve.

Sincerely BlaneRBunbury

In conclusion, and in keeping with roleandfunctionofGAIBANK,itwas very well understood that nothing successful could be completed in developingbankinginGuyanawithout the skills training, and a decentralised credit system Believing otherwise wouldbecounterproductive.

Sincerely,

Dr C.KenrickHunte

Ambassador

Bodies of Miners in Mahdia pit cave-in recovered

Thebodiesoftwominers whowereburiedalivewhen a mining pit collapsed at Mah

recovered, police have confirmed.

The deceased have been identified as Franklin

Hussain,a32-year-oldporkknocker of North West District, Region One, and 38-year-old Brazilian nationalNeunesDaSilva. In a statement, police said they are investigating the mining-pit cave-in, which occurred around

15:23hrs at St. Elizabeth Backdam, Potaro, Region Eight.

“Preliminary enquiries revealed that the men were working in a mining pit, about 60 feet deep, along with other workers when sections of the eastern and

western walls reportedly collapsed,”policesaid.

The other workers at the site reportedly managed to escape before the collapse. However, Hussain and Da Silva were trapped beneath the fallen debris, which also b

operatinginthepit.

Police added, “Police ranks, along with representatives of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), are currently on the ground assisting as investigations continue.”

Authorities say efforts areongoingtodeterminethe cause of the collapse and whether safety protocols were observed at the site at thetimeoftheincident.

Frompage3

binding share purchase agreement to acquire LIA Industries Pte Ltd , a company incorporated in Singapore on November 11, 2020 under the Companies Actasaprivatecompany

According to the filling, LIAIndustries was formerly knownasArafuraOestePte. Ltd,andthechangeofname took effect on December 2,

2022 LIA Industries indirectly holds mineral exploration rights to the Kurupung Property, through its wholly-owned subsidiary LIA(Guyana) Inc., a private limited liability company in Guyana which was incorporated on March 20, 2023.LIAGuyanaregistered office is listed at Lot 35E North Road, Lacytown, Georgetown.

According to the document, the Guyana

G e o l o g y & M i n e s Commission granted LIA Guyana the “exclusive right of occupation and exploration” through the issuance of Exclusive Prospecting Licences (PLs) GS14: L-1003/000/23 and GS14: L-1003/001/23 on April 19, 2024. 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 years endingApril 18, 2027. The licences may be extended upon application for a maximum of two additional one-year periods, extending the term to April 18,2029.

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 rigassignedtoU92isalready in Guyana to commence phase one drilling on highprioritytargetsattheproject. 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

Rising fiscal pressures, structural risks flagged in CDB outlook on Guyana

...acknowledges strong oil-driven growth and macroeconomic resilience

T h e C a r i b b e a n Development Bank (CDB) says Guyana remained the region’sdominanteconomic performer in 2025, but warned of fiscal pressures andstructuralrisks. In its Caribbean Economic Review and Outlook 2025-2026, released late last month, the CDB

omy expandedby19.5%in2025,

making it by far the fastestgrowing economy in the Caribbean.Whilelowerthan the extraordinary 43 6% growth recorded in 2024, Guyana continued to be the principal driver of regional economicgrowth.

The bank noted that Guyana’soilproductionrose by 15.8% to 261 million barrels, averaging about 715,000 barrels per day, supported by the start-up of the Yellowtail development and optimisation at the Payaraproject.

Beyond oil, the CDB highlighted strong expansion in the non-oil economy, driven by major public investments in roads, b r i d g e s , e n e r g y infrastructure and social facilities, as well as private investment in tourism and real estate. Agriculture and services also recorded solid growth.

However, the report also identifies several areas of concern It noted that massive spending continues to drive deficits. Despite booming revenues, Guyana’s fiscal position remained in deficit because of its aggressive public investmentprogramme.

According to the CDB, government expenditure increasedby13.4%toUS3.3 billion, equivalent to 12.1% ofGDP Currentexpenditure alsorosesharplyby21.2%.

Although revenues and grants jumped 27 4% to

US$4.8billion,supportedby higher tax collections and resource revenues, the scale of spending meant Guyana still recorded an overall fiscaldeficitof5.5%ofGDP andaprimarydeficitof5.1% ofGDP

TRADEPRESSURES EMERGING

The report also points to a weakening external position Unlike Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, Guyana experienced a decline in exports while imports increased, resulting in a smaller merchandise tradesurplus.

The CDB noted that Guyana’s international reservesincreasedduringthe year,butremainedbelowthe commonly used benchmark of three months’ import coverage when the Natural Resource Fund is excluded fromthecalculation.

Thatfindingunderscores the reality that rapid growth is being accompanied by equallyrapidimportdemand for machinery, construction materials, equipment and consumergoods.

INFLATIONREMAINS MANAGEABLE

The bank reported that inflation in Guyana increasedslightlyto3.3%in

2025 from 2.9% in 2024, thoughitremainedmoderate by regional standards Government measures, including maintaining a zero-excise tax on fuel and reducing freight charges on imports, helped contain price pressures. The report noted that gasoline prices fell by 20.9% during the year

GUYANATOREMAIN GROWTHLEADER

Lookingahead,theCDB projects that Guyana’s economy will grow by an even stronger 21 9% in 2026, driven by a projected 25 3% increase in oil production to 327.3 million barrels The country’s performance is expected to liftoverallCaribbeangrowth to 6.2%, compared with just 1.1% for the rest of the regionexcludingGuyana. Throughout the review, the CDB repeatedly stresses the need for stronger implementation capacity, improved project execution, resilient institutions and prudent fiscal management. It warns that the Caribbean faces heightened risks from global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, commodity price volatility andclimateshocks.

The firewall that isn't there

Professor Tarron

K h e m r a j a n d M r.

Sukrishnalall Pasha have offered a spirited defence of the Guyana Development BankBill.Theirargumentis dangerouslywrong.

They contend that the Bill erects robust institutional firewalls between the executive branch and credit decisions. They point to Clauses 9(b) and(c),whichtasktheBoard with safeguarding “the independence of credit decisions.”TheyciteClause 25's requirement for written credit policies. They invoke Clause 26's limits on restructuring and write-offs. All of this, they suggest, insulates the Bank from politicalinterference.

The problem is not whether the Bill mentions independence. The problem is whether the structure deliversit.AndthisBilldoes not.

Let us start with the Board. Khemraj and Pasha note that the Minister appoints the Board but does not make individual credit decisions.Thatistechnically true and practically meaningless. The Minister appoints every single director The Minister can remove any director for “misconduct” or “neglect of duty”—terms so broad they c o u l d c o v e r a n y disagreement. The Minister choosestheChairpersonand Deputy Chairperson. There are no fixed terms that survive ministerial displeasure No private-

sector or civil society nominees.

Tell me what kind of Board member, knowing they serve at the Minister's pleasure, will vote against a loan the Minister quietly s u p p o r t s ? T h e

“independence” Clause 9(c) speaksofisapaperpromise with no structural anchor Firewallsmadeofcardboard burnjustasquicklyasthose madeofpaper

Let us recall that when GNCB ran up massive bad debts under the PNC government,thegovernment established a loan recovery agency to absorb these bad debts to remove this financial burden off the bank's books The same arrangements were in place: a firewall in the form of a Board that was supposed to insulate the bank from politicaldirections. Did it work? Insiders relate about a massive loan to a rice miller that was politically directed and whicheventuallyledthesaid banktopileupmassivenew baddebts.

Khemraj and Pasha also point to Clause 25, which requires the Bank to adopt written credit policies. This isagoodthing—butitisnot a firewall. A written policy that says “loans shall be made based on risk assessment” does not prevent a phone call from a political person asking a Board member or even a CEO to “reconsider” a particular application Without tenure protection,

without diverse board composition, without regulatoryoversight,written policies become procedural theater

Then there is the matter of the CEO. Khemraj and Pashacelebratethat,day-today operations are assigned to the Chief Executive Officer and technical staff underClauses18and19.But whoappointstheCEO?The Board—which the Minister appoints. Who can remove t h e C E O ? T h e Board—which the Minister can reconstitute at will. The CEO serves at the pleasure of a Board that serves at the pleasure of the Minister That is not independence. That is a chain of political control.

We know how these things work in Guyana Which Board will want to appoint someone that does not find favour with the Minister? Which Board will want to deny someone the job of CEO if that someone hasthebackingofCabinet?

Khemraj and Pasha also laud Clause 26 for limiting debtrestructuringandwriteoffs to Board supervision. But again, supervision by a politically appointed Board is not a constraint; it is a channel for the same politicalpressures.

TheBilldoesnotrequire independent loan review, does not require regulatory or audit oversight of large write-offs, and does not createanyexternalcheckon theBoard'sdecisions.

KhemrajandPashawrite

DEM BOYS SEH

Bank line blues

Everynowandthen,demboysdoessee one post pon Facebook from somebody complainingaboutdeserviceatdebanks.If it ain't de tellers moving slow, is de line too long. If it ain't de line too long, is de air conditioning too cold. Some people does complainsomuchthatifdebankstartgiving awaymoneyfree,demwouldcomplainthat denotestoocrisp.

Butdecomplaintthatdoescomeupmost often is de long lines inside de banks. Now dem boys ain't saying de lines short. Dem lineslongfrombeforeIndependence.Some of dem lines got more history than certain villages.

Backindeolddays,peopleneverusedto complainaboutdelines.Peopleusedtocarry anewspaper,buyasnowcone,makeafriend and wait dem turn. De biggest concern wasn't de line inside de bank. De biggest concern was whether somebody would choke yuh and rob yuh when yuh come outsidewidyuhmoney

Nowadays people does spend half an hourinabanklineandthenrushtoFacebook to write a three-page report complete with recommendationsandconclusions.

But when dem boys see people complaining about bank lines, dem boys doesgatonesimplequestion:Whyyuhina banklineindefirstplace?

Demboyscan'trememberwhenlastdem actuallywentinsideabank.Demboysdoes spendmoretimeoutsidedebankthaninside. De ATM and dem boys got a better relationshipthansomemarriedcouples.

Dem boys pension does go straight into de account. No line. No teller No standing up behind somebody counting coins from 1997. When dem boys need money, is straighttodeATM.

Now, some people got different habits. Every few months dem does misplace dem bankcard.OnedayitinsideaBible,nextday it inside a passport, next day it hiding in a document file “for safekeeping.”Then dem gottovisitdebankandjoindesamelinedem complainingabout.

As for dem boys, de only complaint is when people seh de ATM run out of cash. Funny enough, every time dem boys go, de machinegotmoneywaitinglikeitknowdem coming.

So,ifyuhtiredofdebankline,maybede solution ain't complaining pon Facebook. Maybe de solution is staying out of de line altogether. Because one thing older than de banks themselves is people complaining aboutdem. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

as if the danger is the Minister personally signing offoneachloan. That is not how political lending works in practice. Political lending works through appointment power, throughtheimplicitthreatof removal, through the social and professional networks that connect political elites to Board members, through influence and through political phone calls A politicianwhonevermakesa singleformalcreditdecision can still ensure that loans flow to preferred constituents simply by appointing Board members who understand what is expected of them or by simply making a phone call.

The Bill does nothing to prevent this Indeed, it

facilitatesit.

Khemraj and Pasha also note that Clause 2 defines SMEs explicitly, preventing the Bank from lending to large, well-connected firms. Thatisawelcomeprovision. But it does not address the core problem: among the thousandsofSMEsthatwill apply,politicalinfluencecan easily determine which receiveloans,onwhatterms, and whose loans are restructured when they default.

Independence requires structural separation: multistake

regulatory oversight, fixed and staggered terms for B

committees, and transparent disclosureofallloansabove

amodestthreshold.ThisBill hasnoneofthosethings. Khemraj and Pasha accusecriticsofoverlooking the Bill's design. I accuse themofmistakinglegislative language for institutional reality The Bill is not a firewall. It is a facade. And calling it best practice does notmakeitso.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Secret Sexual Offenders’ Registry, Minister Persaud badly hurt

IcommendHonMinister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindya Persaud. She came before the public and faced the musiconthedecisiontokeep thesexualoffenders’registry (SOR) closed. It pains me, but commendations for Minister Persaud came to a dead stop afterwards What’sthepointofhavinga SOR,thenhidingit? Itisone secrettoomany

Theministerknowsit. It inspires that both ExcellenciesAli and Jagdeo experienced a moment of sanity and said: out with a secret SOR. More on these two brave, illustrious Guyanese later, who found God and voice. What to think, though, of Minister Persaud’s decision to keep thisfurnaceunderground?

Minister Persaud got adventurous, somewhat daringly International standards Say what, honourableminister?

I am struggling to recall the last time that the PPP Govt cared about such nuisances as international standards. Recall the EU recommendations from six years ago Ignored

Trashed. Whoisthebiggest litterer, minister, but the governmentthatmesseswith whatisright,thendragthose all over the place? For a development of more recent vintage,there’sthenowdead asadoornailStabroekNews. International standards about press freedom and the place of an independent press didn’t matter too highly, if at all, in the consideration of Offices of the President and Prime Minister

Both offices have been reduced to that deliriously funny British comedy about the antics in politics: Yes, Minister, which was promoted to Yes, Prime Minister Sometimes, I wonder if the same fate has notdescendeduponthemain officeholdersinGuyana.

Minister Persaud was in glorious form. “Over 60 civil society bodies” had a say in the resulting framework. Thanks. Did60 such entities along with s o m e f a i t h - b a s e d organisations really come out in favour of an undercover SOR? Really? Guyanese would like to know their identities

Publish them. So that they can be recognised for their peculiar reasoning. And if the Roman Catholic Church in Guyana was a part of that close book support, I would have something to say, whichfewwouldlike.

Who is the PPP Govt. trying to protect? What of many from religious communitiesinrelationships with underaged children? I point to others from the sheltered PPP elite

Explains why so many from onesideofthedemographic screamed their pain and shame.

When the identity of sexual offenders must be suchasecret,thenthepublic is exposed,communitiesare exposed, families are exposed.

If the PPP Govt is comfortable hiding known sexual offenders in its Cabinet and Central Executive that is one awful. Whicheverminister,maleor female, is happy to have them as a neighbour, that is theirbusiness. Justdon’task that same standard from the public. Just don’t extend special political protection (and expediency) into the

publicdomainandendanger it.

From Minister Persaud’s own ministry came the shocking:584femalesunder 16 years were impregnated. Sincetherewere584ofsuch femalevictims,thereshould be584Guyanesechargedfor statutoryrape.

Where are they? Why are they not charged and namedinthemedia? Whois being protected and why? Who is involved, and is that part of why this sexual offenders’registry has to be such a closely guarded

secret?

To know is to be equipped. Tobeequippedis to be forewarned. To be forewarnedistobeputinthe best position to lookout for familyandcommunity Ifail tocomprehendhowMinister Persaudcouldfindfaultwith that reasoning The presidentmayentertainsuch ideas, but then again, his exposureinthewalksoflife hasbeenofalessdemanding nature.

vice president has walked backasecretSOR. Coming up later, the strange development of Drs. Ali, Jagdeo, listening to the people,actuallyhearingtheir f e a r s , r e s p o n d i n g immediately. Minister Persaud gets thrown under thebus.

Think of schooling as one such walk. I move on.

Nowthatbothpresidentand

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

Venezueladeploystroopsnear Guyanaborderincrackdownon goldsmuggling,illegalmining

(Reuters) As tensions persist over Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region, Caracas has launched a major militaryoperationinagold-richareanearthe Guyana border, targeting armed groups and illegalminerswhohavelongcontrolledkey deposits.

According to local residents and human rights activists, as the government seeks to attractforeigninvestmenttothelong-stalled miningsector

Troops have been deployed near Las ClaritasinsouthernBolivarstate,according to residents and activists who monitor the area. The town is one of the main hubs of illegal gold mining in the mineral-rich Orinoco Mining Arc, a vast area near Venezuela’sborderswithGuyanaandBrazil.

The Reuters Inside Track newsletter is your essential guide during the World Cup. Sign up here. Venezuela’s Communications Ministry did not immediately respond to a request ‘for comment, and the government hasnotpubliclyaddressedtheoperation.

Five residents told Reuters they heard explosions and gunfire, keeping many peopleoffthestreetsandforcingbusinesses toclose.

“Bombsandgunfirecouldbeheardinthe

jungle,” a 45-year-old resident said. “There are mines in those areas. This is bad; you can’tgoout.”

AshopkeeperinLasClaritassaiddrones flewlowoverheadforhoursduringthenight. Alloftheresidentsdeclinedtobenamedout offearfortheirsafety

Non-governmental organizations and U.N.-backedinvestigatorshavesaidmuchof theminingactivityintheregioniscontrolled by organized crime groups and armed factions.

“The Venezuelan Army is deploying a massive operation in Las `Cristinas and at Km88inBolivarstate,”rightsgroupProvea said in a post on X. “We warn of the risk of extrajudicial executions and arbitrary detentions against the civilian population in thearea.”

The operation comes asVenezuela’s new governmenttriestoreopensectorslongclosed to foreign capital In January, US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro,leavingDelcyRodriguezto‘takeup the post on an interim basis Since then, WashingtonandCaracashavediscussedsteps toreviveoilandmininginvestment

Venezuela passed a new mining law in Aprilaimedatencouraginginvestmentfrom abroad, while U S Interior SecretaryDougBurgumsaid‘that the government had pledged security guarantees for incoming companies.

CanadianminerCrystallexhad planned to develop the Las Cristinasgoldprojectuntilformer PresidentHugoChavezhaltedthe project in 2008 as part of a broad nationalizationdrive‘thatspanned electricity, telecommunications, cement,steelandoil.

After those takeovers, foreign investment in mining remained limited. Some experts now see scope for a near-term recovery in exports, particularly gold, but warn the sector will require massive investment as well as renewedexploration.

Businessmanheldover23AK-47s ...aspolicehuntaccompliceinwideningprobe

Hours after the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued wantedbulletinsforbusinessman Randy Jagdeo and Orlando Gabriel in connection with 23 AK-47riflesdiscoveredduringa bust at Schoonard, West Bank

Demerara (W B D ) last Thursday, Jagdeo turned himself intopoliceonSunday Crime Chief and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Wendell Blanhum, told Kaieteur News that Jagdeo arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters accompanied by his lawyer and remainsinpolicecustody Jagdeo,39,isnotnewtolaw enforcement scrutiny In May 2025, he was charged with inciting persons to commit treason after allegedly making a Facebook comment claiming EssequibobelongstoVenezuela, and over a sign displayed at his “Thousand Dollar Store” on the East Bank of Demerara that featured the “One Guyana” logo alongside a map of Guyana excluding the Essequibo region. Hewasreleasedon$350,000bail inthatmatter

Thebusinessmanalsofaceda murder charge in 2013 but was freed the following year after

prosecutors failed to establish sufficient evidence Reports indicate that two key witnesses, Alisa Dookie and Wendell Marks, repeatedly failed to appear in court despite being summonedonseveraloccasions. Meanwhile, Gabriel remains at large. Police are appealing to anyone with information on his whereaboutstocontact911,2271611, 268-2328/268-2329, 2263411, 225-8196, 227-1159, or to visitthenearestpolicestation.

A Venezuelan national was also arrested following

Thursday’s bust, after ranks of theCustomsAnti-NarcoticsUnit (CANU) intercepted a vehicle alongtheWestBankofDemerara and found the 23 AK-47 rifles alongwithamatchingquantityof ammunitioninside.

Blanhumtold Kaieteur News on Friday evening that “the weapons were manufactured in the USA (United States of America).” He added that “the serial number for one of them remained intact,” but noted that “however,theother22rifles,the Continued on page 16

FiregutstwoSophiahomes

...onemanarrestedaspoliceprobesuspectedarson

A fire, suspected to be an act of arson, rippedthrougharesidentialsectionof110F North, Sophia last night, leaving several families displaced and one man recounting hisnarrowescape.

Thefire,whichoccurredaround6:40PM damaged two two-bedroom flat houses in a shared family yard. For 59-year-old Vaden Chester,adriverwhohaslivedintheareahis entire life, it began as a normal evening. He wassittinginhisbedspeakingwithhiswife on the phone when he noticed something unusual.

Chester explained that he saw what he initially thought was someone throwing a bucket of water to wash a bike. Instead, he

quickly realised a nearby motorcycle was actually engulfed in flames, and within minutes,thesituationescalatedfromasmall fire into an uncontrollable blaze which eventually destroyed his and his nephew’s housenextdoor

As the heat intensified, Chester’s immediateinstinctwastosecurehisproperty

Realisingthedangerhisvehicleposedifthe fire spread further, he acted fast when neighbours yelled for him to move the car beforeitblewupandcausedmoretrouble.

Speakingto Kaieteur News onthescene, hesaid“theytellmemovethecar…because ifitblowup…soIlockthehouse,Ilivealone.

Continued on page 16

GuyanaLotteryCompany appointsthreenewdirectors

Guyana Lottery Company Limited (“GLCL”) this week announced the appointmentofMs.KalimaAli,Mr Michael Besley, and Mr Ravi Singh to its Board of Directors.

Thecompanyinapressreleasesaidthatthe “newly appointed Directors bring significant leadershipexperienceanddeepexpertiseinthe lotteryandcharitablegamingsector”

“Their combined knowledge and strategic perspective will enhance the Board’s governance role and support the Company’slong-termdirection.”

Ms. Ali has served as the Company’s GeneralManagersinceAugust2024andisits firstfemaleDirector Mr MichaelBesleyhas beenwithGLCL’sparentcompany,Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited (“CBN”), since May 2002. He currently leads CBN’s Legal Department and, since 2021, has also served as Vice President, CorporateAffairs. Mr Ravi Singh has more than 20 years of service with CBN and currently serves as Executive Vice President, Central America LotteryandGaming.

“These appointments reflect GLCL’s continued commitment to operational excellence,strongcorporategovernance,and innovation across its business. The Board will play an important role in keeping the Company’s long-term strategy aligned with Guyana’s national development priorities while supporting sustainable growth and valuecreation,”thecompanysaid.

Further,thelotterycompanysaidthatthe appointments come at a pivotal time as the company advances initiatives to strengthen

its market position, increase customer engagement, and expand its contribution to Guyana’seconomicandsocialdevelopment.

“The addition of these experienced professionals further reinforces GLCL’s commitment to accountability, transparency, andhighperformance.

Withthisnewandexperiencedleadership team, GLCL is well-positioned to further advance its strategic priorities, drive innovation in the sector, and continue delivering reliable, high-quality services to stakeholders and the Guyanese public,” the pressreleasesaid.

‘Mywifenevermadeareport’

...says he voluntarily went to police and was denied access to statements before being locked up

A We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) Member ofParliament,DeonLaCruz, has broken his silence following his arrest on allegations of domestic violence and child abuse, insistingthattheaccusations

are false, politically motivated, and were never madebyhisreputedwife.

The 31-year-old MP, who spent two nights in police custody before being placed on $125,000 bail, claims the accusations are completely fabricated, personal, and “politically motivated”.

According to initial police reports, the incident occurred at approximately

17:00hrs on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the couple’s residence in the North West District

Investigators stated that an argument between LaCruz and his reputed wife escalated into a physical altercation,duringwhichthe MPallegedlyassaultedtheir four-year-old child. Police

further reported that when the mother intervened, LaCruz dealt her several blows, pushed her to the ground, causing her to briefly lose consciousness, and subsequently threatened her with a chopper. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed to Kaieteur News that LaCruz was taken into

custody after a report was lodgedattheAcqueroPolice Station on Wednesday evening.

“MYWIFENEVER MADEAREPORT”

Breaking his silence in an interview with Kaieteur News, MP LaCruz disputed theofficialnarrative.“Iwant tomakeitclearthatmywife never made a report. Never made no report,” LaCruz asserted. “Somebody made thereport...I’mtryingnotto put [the person who made thereport]introuble.Ithink itispoliticallymotivatedand personal things she has againstme.”

The MP denied that any physicalviolencetookplace against his partner or his child.

“Honestly, there was no abuse…Idenyanydomestic violenceandIdenyanychild abuse,” he stated “They have no evidence. No one was there, and I don’t know how this thing got out to the public.”

Addressing media reports that his reputed wife bore marks of violence, LaCruz countered that there was no physical trauma While he confirmed that the

police escorted her to seek medical attention, he maintainedthattheclaimsof visible injuries are untrue. He noted that he has since requested copies of the medical report and the official statements from investigators, but the police have so far declined to providethem.

LaCruz also explained the circumstances surrounding his detention, explaining that he was not tracked down by law enforcement.

Instead, he claims he voluntarily walked into the police station to address the matter.Hefurthernotedthat he was subjected to a breathalyzer test, which confirmed he was entirely soberatthetime.

However, the lawmaker e x p r e s s e d d e e p dissatisfaction with how he was processed, alleging that his democratic rights were breached.

“When I went to the station, I never see the statements...theyjusttellme to take off my watch and anything valuable that belongstome,andIwent

Continuedonpage16

69George’sstudentsbreakgroundwithCCSLCexams

Sixty-ninestudentsfromtheSt. George’s School of Sciences have become the first public school cohort in the country to sit the CaribbeanCertificateofSecondary Level Competence (CCSLC) examinations.

The administration, which began on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, marks a shift in the Ministry ofEducation’sstrategytoreinforce foundational learning and boost regional certification at the lower secondarylevel.

The examinations commenced with students sitting English Language and Modern Language papers, followed by Mathematics and SocialStudies on June 11, and IntegratedScienceonJune12.The testing period concludes on Monday, June 15, with Digital Literacy

The pioneering cohort consists of30maleand39femalestudents.

Selected as the national pilot institution, St. George’s School of Sciencesisthefirstpublicschoolto undergo rigorous preparation and teacher training for the regional curriculum, which is specifically tailoredforGrades7through9.

Dr Viola Rowe, National Coordinator of CCSLC, emphasised that the initiative is designed to fortify students’ core capabilitiesbeforetheyentersenior highschoolstreams.

“The CCSLC is a foundational programme. It provides students withtheopportunitytobuildacore set of skills, knowledge, values, attitudes and competencies,” Dr Rowestated.

She clarified that the programme does not alter standard student progression but rather acts as a springboard to better prepare them for upper grades and future certification,noting,“Wewantour studentstobeabletostayinschool, be certified, transition to the upper grades, and be engaged in the CSECandCVQprogrammes.”

Developed by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), the competency-based programme focuses on six core areas: English Language, Mathematics,

Integrated Science, Social Studies, Digital Literacy, and Modern Languages, which may include Spanish,French,orPortuguese.

Dr Rowe explained that the framework is expected to help students transition seamlessly to higher levels of study while improving their readiness for life and work. She noted that the curriculum places a strong emphasis on more than just academics,stating,“Itismorethan just the development of skills and knowledge. The focus is also on attitudes, respect for self, respect for others and respect for the environment.”

The programme utilises a modularstructureconsistingoffive distinct modules for each subject area. Students are evaluated through a hybrid assessment approachthatcombinescontinuous formative school-based assessments (SBAs) with final summative external examinations administeredbyCXC.

Instead of traditional letter or numerical grades, student performance is evaluated across three specific bands, developing competence, competent, and

NGSA RESULTS TO BE RELEASED ON JULY 10

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag announced, on Sunday, that the results of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) will be releasedonFriday,July10,2026.

The minister made the announcement via a video recordingonFacebook.

Some 15,938 pupils countrywide had registered to write the exams this year The examination was written onApril 29and30.

“I want to say to our babies who wrote NGSA, I’m sure you workedhard,youwentinthereand youputyourbestfootforwardand it’s now moving onto the next phase of your life which is your secondary school education

“Teachers are saying that this programme should have been here before, because they have recognised the value of the programme.”

To maintain momentum and ensure no institution is left behind, the Ministry of Education confirmeditisfacilitatingongoing make-up training sessions for educators who missed initial workshops.

This continuous support ensuresthatallschoolswillbefully prepared to deliver the curriculum effectively as the programme expands.

President Irfaan Ali and Former Minister of Education Priya Manickchand unveiling of the school plaque.

mastery To earn the official regional certificate, students must successfully achieve a minimum rating of Competent or Mastery across at least five subjects, which must include English and Mathematics.

According to the Ministry of Education, this certification supports a seamless transition into Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) tracks, post-secondary vocational training, and entry-level employmentopportunities.

Implementing a new regional frameworkrequiredaculturalshift among local educators. Dr Rowe acknowledged that while some teachers initially expressed reservations because the programme was new, targeted training sessions and a greater understanding of its purpose have catalyzed widespread systemic support.

Sherevealedthatteachershave recognised the value of the programme,particularlyinhelping students develop confidence and competence over time, noting,

Lauding the pioneering efforts of the candidate pool, Dr Rowe designatedthepilotinstitutionasa beacon for future cohorts, describingthestaffandstudentsas ambassadors for the national rollout.

“Our students at St. George’s School of Sciences are ambassadors.Theschoolhaspaved the way for other schools to be onboard with CCSLC,” Dr Rowe declared.

The Ministry of Education further announced that the next examination cycle in 2027 will expand to include secondary schools right across Guyana, cementingtheCCSLCaspartofits wider effort to strengthen foundational learning, promote student certification, and better prepareyoungpeopleforcontinued education, employment, and nationaldevelopment.

Online passport application system to be launched today

DPI - Guyana’s immigration servicesaresettoenteranewdigital erawiththelaunchofthecountry’s online passport application and appointment system on June 15, 2026

The initiative, spearheaded by the Immigration Support Services Department, is expected to significantly reduce waiting times, improve efficiency, and provide citizens with greater convenience when applying for passports

reforms that have transformed immigrationservicesinGuyana

Senior Superintendent and Deputy ChiefImmigrationOfficer,Stephen Telford described the platform as a majormilestoneinthedepartment’s modernisationagenda

“On Monday, June 15, 2026, Guyanawillbelaunchingitsonline passport application system What this allows you to do is, from the comfort of your home, make an application for your passport,” Telfordannounced.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag

Whatever the results are, I want you to take it and use it as your propellertoabrightfutureinyour careerpath,”shesaidonSunday

Through the new system, applicants will be able to initiate passport applications online and selectthepassportofficewherethey wish to complete the processing stage The platform will also introduce an appointment-based service,allowingcitizenstoselecta convenient date and time for their visit

Thelaunchbuildsonaseriesof

Passport processing times have beenreducedtothreeworkingdays, whileexpeditedapplicationscanbe completed within 24 hours and, in exceptional circumstances, even sooner

The department has also expanded passport services across the country through decentralised officesandmobileenrollmentunits, ensuring citizens in remote and vulnerable communities have greateraccesstotraveldocuments.

In addition to online passport applications, immigration services have embraced digital travel processingthroughtheintroduction of the electronic embarkation and disembarkation form and automatede-gatesatportsofentry

Telford said the e-form allows travellers to complete immigration requirements up to 30 days before travel, while e-gates have reduced processing times for eligible passengerstoaslittleas15seconds. The online passport application system represents another step-in government’s broader digital transformation agenda, leveraging technology to improve public service delivery, enhance accessibility, and create a more efficient experience for citizens seekingimmigrationservices.

This initiative demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to building a modern, citizen-centered immigration system capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly developing nation

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From page 11 serial numbers were obliterated.” The weapons are currentlybeingexaminedbyfirearm experts at the CID Headquarters’CrimeLab.

Thursday’s discovery marks the second cache of AK-47riflesuncoveredwithin a span of just 21 days, raising fresh concerns over the scale ofillegalweaponstrafficking into the country

Thefirstcache—tenAK47rifles—wasfoundonMay 22 along the No. 11 Village Public Road in Berbice. According to police, ranks conducting a stop-and-search exercise along the Berbice River Bridge Access Road between 01:00hrs and 04:30hrs intercepted a black Toyota Fielder Wagon bearing registration number HC

9018. Acting on information gathered, ranks then searched the No. 11 Village PublicRoadarea,wherethey found ten AK-47 rifles wrapped in plastic and cloth.

Examination of the firearms revealed markings consistentwith7.62x39mmrifles, and sections appeared to havebeentamperedwith,apparently in an effort to obscure the serial numbers.

Investigations led police to identify the driver of motorcar #HC 9018 as 33-yearoldtaxidriverStephenRajah of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara.

He was later intercepted at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, in the same vehicle, arrested, charged, and remanded to prison.

Duringthatinvestigation,

Fire guts two Sophia homes

From page 12

SoIlockthehouseandIcome out, I come out to drive the car out by the corner. By the time I come back everything gone.” After successfully driving the car to safety, Chester returned to find his home completely consumed by the flames.

Despite the total loss of his home, Chester managed to save his phone and his essential documents.

AccordingtoChesterand otherresidentsinthearea,the fire was not an accident “it started with a motorbike; it was lit.And I know he lit it.”

Hefurtherconfirmedtherelation of the suspect, stating, “it’s my late wife’s nephew okay.”Thepoliceonthescene confirmed the suspect has

been arrested. While a specificmotiveremainsunclear, familymembersnotedthatthe individual had been experiencing personal difficulties and appeared to have “tripped out.”

The Guyana Fire Service was called to the scene, though residents noted it tooksometimeforthetenders to arrive. By the time the flames were brought under control,thehouseswerecompletely gutted.

Chester, whose children and sister quickly arrived at the scene to support him, planstostaywithfamilywhile he figures out his next steps. Policearecontinuingtheirinvestigationintotheexactcircumstances surrounding the incident.

police also discovered an abandoned Toyota Runx #PSS 4272 at Second Street, Savannah Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice, suspected to have been used in transporting the firearms.

Police subsequently issuedwantedbulletinsfortwo more men, Gregory Persaud and Antonio Alonzo Lawrie, in connection with the same case. Both men later surrendered to police.

A day after their surrender, the GPF issued a statementconfirmingthatasearch was conducted on Friday, June5,2026,atapproximately 17:00hrs in Farm, East Bank Demerara. According to the

statement,“duringasearchat theresidenceofa21-year-old wash bay attendant of Farm, New Housing Scheme, East BankDemerara,oneextended magazine,suspectedtobefor a9mmfirearm,wasfoundina clothes basket in his bedroom.”

The 21-year-old was arrestedandquestionedinconnectionwiththefind.Following this development, police indicated they received legal advice to charge Persaud and Lawrie with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony. Persaud was additionally charged withillegalpossessionoffirearms. Both men have since been remanded to prison.

‘My wife never made a...

From page 14 straight into the lockup,” LaCruzexplained,describing the immediate detention beforehecouldreviewtheallegations.

The MP further revealed that the police also detained hisreputedwife,anactionhe said has left their two young children deeply affected.

“Theywenttoarresther...and my two kids are left traumatised up to now,” he said.

PriortoLaCruz’srelease, the WIN party issued a latenightstatementdistancingitself from the alleged actions while emphasising a “zerotolerance” policy regarding violence against women and children.

“Publicofficeisaposition of trust and carries with it a heightened responsibility to uphold the law and demon-

strate respect for the dignity and safety of others,” the party statement read.

“While the investigation is ongoing and the facts must be determined through the properlegalprocess,letthere be no ambiguity about our values:violencehasnoplace in our homes, our communities, or our politics.”

The party added that it fullysupportsanimpartialand professionalinvestigationby the Guyana Police Force and vowed to take “appropriate action consistent with [their] principles”shouldtheallegations be substantiated.

LaCruzconfirmedthathe has since appeared in court, where he was read two charges, including threateningbehaviour.Heremainsout on$125,000bailandisscheduledtoreturntocourtonJuly 7,2026.

41 contractors bid to build Reg.3 Police headquarters

Forty-one contractors have submitted bids to construct RegionThree'snewPoliceDivisionalheadquartersatLeonora. TheprojectisbeingexecutedthroughtheMinistryofPublic Works.While no engineer's estimate was listed, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board disclosed that thecontractorsbidbetween$283millionand$591millionfor the project. This project will form part of the $3.6 billion the government allocated to further enhance the infrastructural capacityoftheGuyanaPoliceForcethisyear Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh during the budget presentation stated the government has taken unprecedented steps to have a modern Guyana Police Force (GPF) capable of intelligence-driven, technology-based,citizen-friendlypolicing. “In 2025, the sum of $4.7 billion was expended to advance construction, reconstruction and upgrades to critical security infrastructure whichincludedthecompletionof10policestations,boathouses and living quarters, among other essential facilities,” he disclosed.The Home Affairs Ministry has said that the constructionofthefacilitiesisaimedatenhancingpublicsafety, strengtheninglawenforcementcapacity,andbringingessential servicesclosertoresidents.Thetableshowsthecontractorsand theirbids.

An aerial view shows firefighters working at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [AFP]

Six people killed as helicopters collide over Brazil's Rio de Janeiro

Two helicopters collided in midair before crashing into car park of electric vehicle dealership, fire service says.

Aljazeera - Two helicopters have collided in mid-air over the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, killing all six peopleonboard,localauthoritiessaid.

Officials have launched an investigationintothecauseofSunday morning'scrashoverawesternsuburb of the city called Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

Firefighters said the helicopters collided before plummeting into the parking lot of an electric car dealership,settingabout20vehicleson fire.

Fire services spokesman Fabio Contreiras said the blaze was difficult to extinguish because of toxic gases releasedbylithium-ionbatteriesinthe

electric vehicles.“When this type of battery catches fire, it releases highly toxic gases and intensifies both the temperatureandseverityoftheblaze,” Contreirassaid.

“Extinguishing a fire in one of these vehicles requires three to four timestheamountofwaterneededfora standardcarfire.”

Headdedthatthesurroundingarea was densely populated and that the death toll would have been far higher hadthehelicoptersnotcrashedintothe car park Contreiras said rescue workershaddiscoveredonehelicopter inflamesamongtheelectriccars,with five victims inside A second helicopter, found about 100m (328

feet)away,wascarryingonlythepilot, whoalsodied.

Debris from the helicopters was found hundreds of metres from the crash site Footage shared online showedathickplumeofsmokerising fromthecarparkintothesky Contreiras said authorities would need to review recordings of the incident before the cause of the crash couldbeconfirmed.

Helicopter crashes are common in Brazil.Accordingtostatisticsfromthe Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), there had been 84 aircraft accidents in 2026 prior to Sunday's crash.

U.S. and Iran reach ‘peace deal’

…Iran says no implementation until the signing set for Friday in Switzerland

Aljazeera - United States

President Donald Trump has announced that a ceasefire deal with Iran has been agreed to and that toll-free shipping through the StraitofHormuzwillnowbegin.

Theagreement,laterconfirmed byIran'sdeputyforeignministeron Sunday, will immediately end hostilitiesbetweenIranandtheUS.

The Associated Press reported that details of the deal were not immediately available and Iran signaledimplementationwouldnot start until the signing, which key mediatorPakistansaidwouldoccur FridayinSwitzerland.Iransaidthe text would be published after that.

Key issues like Iran's nuclear program are expected to be addressedlater

Meanwhile, Trump said the deal allows for toll-free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, whichhasbeenlargelyclosedsince the US and Israel launched an assaultonIranonDecember28.

“The Deal with the Islamic RepublicofIranisnowcomplete,”

TrumpwroteonTruthSocial.

“Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorize the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorizetheimmediateremovalof the United States Naval blockade.

Ships of the World, start your engines.Lettheoilflow!”

Helatersaidinaseparatepost,

“This Great Deal will bring Peace

memorandum of understanding cometofruition,followingintense mediationinrecentdays.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on June 11, 2026 [Daniel Heuer/Reuters]

and Security to thewholeRegion”,andhintedthat a more comprehensive peace agreementwithIranwouldfollow

“Many presidents have tried to makePeacewithIran,andallhave failedbeforeme.

The Leaders of the Region have, for the first time, found a President who can help them achieve real Peace With the

“The State of Qatar welcomes the agreement reached on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran on addressing the outstanding issues between them, including ensuring freedom of navigationintheStraitofHormuz, and considers it an important step towards consolidating sustainable peace and promoting economic growth regionally and internationally,” Qatar's Ministry ofForeignAffairswroteonX.

opening of the Strait upon the signing of the Deal on Friday, for purposes of mine removal, oil will flow on both ends again for the Region,andtheWorld!”

Trump's announcement came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif announced the deal onX,sayingitistoendfightingon allfronts,includinginLebanon.

“Following intensive talks, we are pleased to announce that the Peace Deal between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran has been REACHED Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including inLebanon,”Sharifwrote.

“We would like to thank the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran for their commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict. We would also like to extend our sincereappreciationtoourbrothers in this mediation effort, the great leadershipoftheStateofQatar,for their support in reaching this agreement,”Sharifwrote.

“I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Türkiye for their immense contributions in this regard.Withtheagreementnowin place, mediators will facilitate a seriesofmeetingsthisweek.

These pre-implementation discussionswilllaythefoundation for the technical talks and the officialsigningceremony.”

The announcement follows days of speculation that a deal would be reached.Trump had said earlier that a ceasefire agreement would be announced on Sunday, until Israel launched an air raid on Beirut's southern suburbs, leading tofearsthattheagreementcouldbe sabotaged.

Then, after repeated warnings by Iranian leaders that Tehran was ready to strike Israel for bombing Beirut – a red line for Tehran –Pakistan's prime minister posted his announcement on X that a deal had been agreed upon, with other countrieswelcomingthenews.

Qatar credited its partnership with Pakistan in helping a

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was ready to aid technicaltalksbetweentheUSand Iran,withhopesthatthereopening of the Strait of Hormuz will stabiliseenergymarkets.

“Attention must now turn to fully implementing the memorandum of understanding to ensure the Strait reopens and remains fully and permanently openandthatthedetailedelements of the nuclear agreement are finalised,” Starmer said in a statementonX.

“We are clear that toll-free freedomofnavigationmustnowbe restored,” in the Strait of Hormuz, headded.

A'newera' France's Emmanuel Macron also praised the deal and said that Paris would support the Lebanese government.

“I welcome the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, the result of a diplomatic effort to which several partners contributed. I call for its swift and fullimplementationbyallpartiesto the conflict,” Macron said in a socialmediapost.

“Thisagreementmustallowfor the urgent and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which the international mission established with the United Kingdom is ready to support. The resources are in place and ready to bedeployed,”headded.

“The resumption of maritime traffic,withoutrestrictionsortolls, is essential for regional stability andtheglobaleconomy.”

US Vice President JD Vance saidtheceasefiredealcouldmarka “new era” in the Middle East and praisedTrumpfortheagreement.

“Whatthepresidenthasdoneis create the real space to transform that region. And now, hopefully a new era with the Iranians,” Vance said.

“Ithinkwecansafelysay,with confidence, that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon… This is just a great thing for theAmerican people.”

Vance said he hoped energy prices would decrease and that he plans to attend the signing ceremony next week in Switzerland.

GCC,GCCElitesandHikerssecurecrucial...

Frompage25 campaigner Dwayne Scott extended the advantage two minutes later, making it 3-0 midway through the contest and leaving Saintswithamountaintoclimb.

Lucas Sargeant then completed the scoring for GCC in the third quarter, capitalising on excellent work inside the circle before rifling home to make it 4-0. Saints managed a late consolation goal, but GCCcomfortablyclosedoutthe4-1victory

The women's competition continued to showcasethedominanceofGCCElites,who dismantled Saints 7-0 to remain unbeaten and further cement their status as title favourites.

Abosaide Cadogan and Amariah Sahadeo both produced brace-scoring performances as GCC Elites delivered anotherclinicalattackingdisplay

Princessa Wilkie opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Cadogan doubled theadvantageinthe21stminute.

Cadoganthenstruckagaineightminutes latertopushtheleadto3-0beforecombining brilliantlywithSahadeo,whofinishedneatly

tomakeit4-0.

Sahadeo added her second goal in the 35th minute, while Rebecca Ferreira got on the scoresheet two minutes later Gabriella Xavier completed the rout with a late strike asGCCElitesmarchedtoanotheremphatic victorywithoutconcedingagoal.

Meanwhile,OldFortTopFormandPepsi Hikers Men shared the spoils in an entertaining3-3draw

OldFortstruckfirsttotakeanearlylead, but Hikers responded emphatically with three unanswered goals to seize control of the contest. Refusing to surrender, Old Fort staged a spirited comeback in the final quarter,withYonnickNortonnettingtwiceto erasethedeficitandsecureadramaticdraw

The Diamond Jubilee Independence OutdoorHockeyTournamentcontinuedwith fourmoreexcitingfixturesonSunday,which will determine the men's and women's finalists.Resultsfromthosematcheswillbe reportedinasubsequentedition.

The tournament is being hosted by the GuyanaHockeyBoardwithsupportfromthe MinistryofCulture,YouthandSport.

Monday June 15, 2026

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19

The value of any investment you may have made in land, including your home, could come into your thoughts today

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

A partnership of some kind, perhaps business, perhaps romantic, is likely to be on your mind today You might want to seriously consider whetherornotithasafuture.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Alotofseriousmattersareon your mind, perhaps involving plansforthefuture It'slikelythat you'll want to stay home today anddosomecontemplating

CANCER(June21–July22)

Contemplation is the word fortoday Atsomepoint,you might receive a call from a friend wanting advice on a serious decision. Don't be surprisedifyouspendmoretime listeningthanadvising,Cancer

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Todaymuchofyourmentaland possibly physicalenergy could be directed at career matters You might reevaluategoalsandambitions

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

The desire for personal and career advancement could causeyoutoconsiderfurthering your education in some way, Virgo. Someone close to you, probablyawoman,couldwake you up to the advantages of returningtoschoolandgetting anadvanceddegree.

Marian Academy and The New...

Frompage27 outcome allowed Marian Academy to retain its regionaltitleandcontinueits pursuit of national honours, extendinganimpressiverun of success in the championship. Leading the charge throughout the competition was captain Kaleigh Todd, whose influenceonandoffthefield earned her the Georgetown North Most Outstanding Player award Todd's leadership, composure, and all-round performances played a critical role in guiding her team through another successful campaign.

had already been built on a foundation of strong performances throughout thetournament. At the heart of that suc

was Am

a Saunders, who was named Georgetown South's Most Outstanding Player Saunders consistently deliv

performances, combining t e

y, determination,andattacking flair to inspire her side during its title-winning campaign.

Her contribu

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Today you're apt to be a bit preoccupied, Libra You might find yourself considering concepts that others think are strange and impractical.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Today is likely to be a gratifying day, Scorpio, but perhapsmoreseriousthanyou'd planned A longtime friend mightcallandwanttotalk

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Career and business matters arelikelytobeverymuchon yourmindtoday,Sagittarius. Perhaps a new opportunity hascomeyourway,oryou're thinking of becoming involved in a new enterprise onyourownorwithapartner

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Matters involving creativity, romance, and children could require considerable thought today Some exciting new options may be available to youandyourlovedones.

Marian Academy also celebrated individual success through prolific forward Skylar DeNobrega, w h o c a p t u r e d t h e preliminary round's Most Goals Scored award after producingaseriesofclinical finishing displays that helped propel the defending champions to the top of the standings.

M e a n w h i l e , i n Georgetown South, The New Central High School booked its place in the National Final after being awarded a default victory over Lodge Secondary, a result that officially confirmed its status as regionalchampion.

While the title-clinching result came away from the field of play, New Central's journeytothechampionship

proved instrumental in helping New Central navigatethecompetitionand m

m heading into the national championshipstage.

With Georgetown honours now secured, both Marian Academy and The New Central High School will shift their focus to the National Final, where Guyana's best regional champions will converge in pursuit of the Blue Water S

National Championship trophy

Beyond the competition itself, the achievements of both schools underscore the continued growth and development of girls' football across Guyana, as young athletes continue to seize opportunities to showcase their talent on a nationalplatform.

Matters involving the home could suddenly grow serious Thisisapositivedevelopment, but new possibilities could be opening up and force you to makeadecision

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today you might consider entering into a business partnership with a relative or neighbor This could show promiseofsuccessandisdefinitely worthseriousconsideration.

Hamilton ends Antonelli's run with first win for Ferrari

B A R C E L O N A , (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton celebrated an emotional and historic first grand prix victoryforFerrarionSunday to end KimiAntonelli's fiveracesequenceofsuccess​and become,at41,FormulaOne's oldest winner since Australian Jack Brabham in 1970.

TheBarcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix triumph was the Briton's first win since Belgium in 2024 -- 41 races agowhenhewasatMercedes --hisrecordseventhinSpain at the Circuit de Catalunya and 106th of the seven-time w o r l d c h a m p i o n ' s extraordinarycareer

Italian Antonelli, the 19year-old championship leader for Mercedes, retired fivelapsfromtheendwithan electrical shutdown while in secondplaceandsawhislead over Hamilton slashed to 41 points.

It was his first setback of an otherwise prodigious season and the first defeat of 2026forMercedes.

George Russell finished second for Mercedes, after starting on ​pole and being overtakenbyAntonellilatein the race, with McLaren's reigning champion Lando Norris third for his second podiumoftheyear Antonelli has 156 points to Hamilton's 115 and

Russell's 106 after seven rounds. Mercedes have 262 to Ferrari's 190 in the constructors'standings.

FIRSTALL-BRITISH PODIUMSINCE

1968

"Grazie a tutti a Maranello," Hamilton said over the radio ⁠in a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone at the Ferrari factory he joined from Mercedeslastyear

"You've helped me achievethisdreamandIcan't thank you enough. Thanks foreveryonepushingso​hard backathome.I'msoproudof you."

The win was also a first since2024forFerrariandthe

threeplaces.

Late triple champion Brabham was 43 and 11 monthswhenhetookhislast F1 victory in South Africa. Hamilton turns 42 next January

West Ruimveldt among latest Inter Primary School softball cricket competition winners

Action in the National Sports Commission (NSC) Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport (MCYS) and theAll Sports and Tour Promotion (ASTP) continued for schoolsinGeorgetown.

Thetournament,whichisbeingorganised and coordinated by Senior Sports Officer Allister Munroe, has seen the return of Primary School Boys Windball Cricket competitioninRegion4.

The matches were played at the National Gymnasium.

Results showed that - Comenius scored 22-2withNakeriaHoward16. In reply West Ruimveldt reached 28-2,

Action in one of the games in the Georgetown zone.

withVincentFarley24. Inanothergame-Enterprisehit51-2with DavonAbrams29notout.

SaintStephensinreply-40-2withDavid Monroe20,andDanielMiggins16.

Saint Pius Primary batted first and gallopedto74-1,withAkeemQuintin22.

Tucvillerepliedwith32-1.

Rama Krishna batted first in their game and made 68-2 with Kevin Klass 31 and MikhaulNelson25.

Saint Agnes were held to 38-0 with KeshonChance18andIsraelAlphonso10. The competition is continuing. (Samuel Whyte)

champion Nigel Mansell woninAustraliain1994at41 andthreemonths.

"I'mjusthappyinmylife, soI'minagoodplace.Ilove doingwhatIdo.

There'snogreaterfeeling

In more modern times, Britain's 1992 world

than ​racing a Formula One car," said Hamilton, who benefited from a virtual safetycartriggeredbyAston Martin's FernandoAlonso to make a cheap third stop and comeoutstillaheadonfresh tyres.

Timehri United, Potaro Strikers open Elite League Qualifiers with victories

Theroadtothe2026Elite Leaguebeganincompetitive fashion on Saturday as Timehri United FC and Potaro Strikers FC secured opening-round victories in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Qualifiers at the NationalTrainingCentre.

With promotion aspirations on the line, both clubs made positive starts to their campaigns, collecting valuable wins in their quest to earn a coveted place among Guyana's top-flight footballclubs.

Theday'sopeningfixture deliveredplentyofdramaas Potaro Strikers edged ParadiseInvadersFC4-3ina penalty shootout after the teams battled to an entertaining 2-2 draw in regulationtime.

Paradise Invaders struck first through Titus Webster, who sliced through the Potaro defence before calmly finishing in the 27th minutetohandhissidea1-0 advantage heading into the interval.

Potaro emerged with renewed urgency in the second half and found their

equaliser in the 70th minute when Joshua James converted to bring the contestlevel.

Theback-and-forthaffair continued as Javell Fraser restored Paradise's lead in the 83rd minute, seemingly puttinghissideoncoursefor victory However, Potaro refused to surrender and found a dramatic late response through Cobi-Ray James, whose equalising strike forced the encounter into a 2-2 deadlock at full time. With neither side able to be separated, the match wasdecidedfromthepenalty mark, where Potaro Strikers heldtheirnervetoprevail4-3 andsecuretheextrapoint.

In the second fixture of the evening, Timehri United FC produced a disciplined performance to register a hard-fought1-0victoryover MahaicaDeterminatorsFC.

Following a tightly contested opening half in which both teams struggled to find a breakthrough, KeyronWilliamsemergedas the difference-maker. The forward delivered the decisive moment in the 56th minute,clinicallyconverting

his opportunity to give Timehriaslenderbutcrucial lead.

Buoyed by Williams' strike, Timehri continued to press forward while remaining organised at the b a c k M a h a i c a Determinators showed resilience defensively throughout the contest, but they were unable to find an equaliser as Timehri's backline stood firm to preservethecleansheet.

The victory places Timehriinafavourableearly position as the qualifying tournament gathers momentum.

Action in the Elite League Qualifiers continues this week with Beavers FC set to face Queenstown United,whileCamptownFC will battle Potaro United as teams continue their pursuit ofEliteLeaguefootball.

Thetournamentservesas

competition, providing lower-ranked clubs with an o

Sri Lanka Tour of West Indies T20 series Game 3…

Rutherford marauding fifty drives Windies to series

win by 5 wickets

At e n s e showdown for the series ended last night in favor of the Windies who pulled off a thrilling win by 5-wickets which handed them a 2-1 series lead to secure a huge victory in their backyard to win their first bilateral series since2024.

InthefinalT20Imatchof the series at Sabina Park, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 169 in exactly 20 overs after the West Indies won the toss andchosetobowlfirst.

A spectacular 5-wicket haul by West Indian pacer Shamar Joseph led to the dismantling of the Sri Lankan batting order, keeping the visitors to a modest total despite several

explosivestarts.

The Sri Lankans first innings featured aggressive cameos but suffered from a lack of long partnerships.

Dunith Wellalage anchored the middle order as the top scorer,striking43runsoff28 balls, accented by 6 fours and a six. Openers Kamil Mishara (28) and Pathum Nissanka (26) provided quick momentum early on, but both fell before they couldconverttheirstartsinto major match-defining scores.

With a pair of 3-fers in the series thus far, Guyanese Joseph spearheaded the bowling attack with an exceptional display of pace, picking up 5 for 33 from his

Senior all-rounder Jason Holder played a whirlwind cameo which gave the Windies some juice during the clutch stage of the game last night

-Joseph5-fersetstone

Guyanese

Sherfane Rutherford carried his team home with some fantastic hitting

maximum allowance of 4 overs. His lethal execution in the death overs restricted Sri

Lanka from maximizing theirtotal.

The remaining wickets were shared symmetrically

All-rounder Dunith Wellalage missed out on a half-century last night

GCC, GCC Elites and Hikers secure crucial wins ahead of today's finale

The race for Diamond JubileeCupgloryintensified on Saturday as GCC Men, GCC Elites Women and Pepsi Hikers Women registered convincing

victories during the penultimate day of action in the Government-sponsored D i a m o n d J u b i l e e Independence Outdoor Hockey Tournament at the N a t i o n a l S t a d i u m , Providence.

The tournament finalists would have already been decided. However, day three

Guyanese speedster Shamar Joseph bowled with class for his 5 wickets

among the secondary bowlers to wrap up the innings.

West Indies chase ended when the Caribbean side finished on 170-5 with two ballsleft.

Opener Brandon King (17) and Shimron Hetmyer (32)gavethetoo-ordersome hope before leaving the heavy lifting to all-rounders Rovman Powell (33) and top-score

Sherfane Rutherford 54* with 3 fours and4sixes.

The two pinch-hitters' half-century stand helped resettherunchasewithovers dwindlingdown.

Sri Lanka bowling was

good but not good enough as a rampaging Jason Holder (21*) smashed three consecutive sixes to bring the deficit down to 6 runs fromthelastover

The winning runs came off the blade of Rutherford who got to his mini milestone but more importantly a huge win for histeam.

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga returned figures o f 2 - 1 7 , M a h e e s h Theekshana (1-26), while p a c e r D u s h m a n t h a Chameera (1-64) was horrendousashesufferedthe mostduringthefinaloversof thematch. (Clifton Ross)

p r o d u c e d s e v e r a l entertaining encounters as teams battled for valuable points heading into Sunday's decisive fixtures, which will determine the men's and women'sfinalists. Pepsi Hikers Women recordedtheirfirstvictoryof the 2026 tournament, blanking Old Fort Inferno 20 i n a d i s c i p l i n e d performance. National captain Kenisha Wills opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing off a well-worked movewithaclassyfieldgoal togiveHikerstheadvantage. ArielAdams doubled the lead six minutes later, finding the back of the net to cap an impressive secondquarter display and put Hikersfirmlyincontrol.

were repeatedly denied by a resoluteHikersdefence.

The victory kept Hikers' hopes alive as they prepared for a crucial showdown againstSaintswithaplacein thefinalatstake.

In the men's division, GCC produced one of the t o u r n a m e n t ' s m o s t commanding displays, overwhelmingSaints4-1.

Despite trailing by two goals, Old Fort mounted several attacking raids in search of a breakthrough but

Aldo Melendez set the tone early, breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute to hand GCC a deserved first-quarter lead. Federico Cush soon added a second, expertlyguidingtheballinto the side netting as GCC tightened their grip on proceedings Veteran

(Continued n page 23)

Germany put seven past World Cup debutants Curacao

BBC Sport - Four-time winners Germany overcame abriefscarefromWorldCup debutants Curacao before turning on the style to win their Group E opener in Houston.

Die Mannschaft went ahead in the sixth minute with the tournament's earliest goal so far coming from a powerful curling

effort from one-time England youth international FelixNmecha.

Buttheywerestunnedby a leveller from the smallest nation ever, by size and population, to take part in a World Cup With around 155,000 inhabitants, the Caribbean Island of just 171 square miles is smaller than the Isle of Man with a population the same as Huddersfield.

ZurichmidfielderLivano Comenencia wrote his name in BlueWave folklore on 21 minutes with a left-footed drive from the edge of the box which deflected past Germany keeper Manuel Neuer,whowasappearingin a fifth tournament at the age

of40. Moments after Curacao striker Jurgen Locadia then had a penalty appeal waved away after nipping past Jonathan Tah, a hydration break midway through the half gave the unsettled Germans the opportunity to reset.

JulianNagelsmann'sside did just that, showing fresh impetus in attack and restoring their lead after 17 minutes of parity through Nico Schlotterbeck's flashing header from Nathaniel Brown's corner to thenearpost.

The pressure intensified andacalmpenaltyfromKai Havertzinthefifthminuteof first-half stoppage-timefollowingarashlungeonthe impressive Nmecha by Riechedly Bazoer - gave the eight-timefinalistsbreathing space.Just 69 seconds after the interval Jamal Musiala firedinanangledfinishfrom Joshua Kimmich's neat pass tosignalGermany'sintentas they took control of the game Left-back Brown lashed home a volley after a

neat flick from substitute Deniz Undav, who then swept home a sixth from Kimmich'spass.

The former Brighton forward, now at Stuttgart, then set up Havertz for Germany'sseventhgoaltwo minutes from time, a lovely dink over Curacao keeper Eloy Room to seal a dominantsuccess.

Rossrelishesinternationaldebut, aiminghighforCARICOMCupwin

Guyana's international jockey, Colin Ross, is fresh from an overseas stintwhereheplacedthird at the Garrisons Savanah inBarbados.

Jockey Ross was pleased with his experience in Barbados where he placed third in his maiden overseas race. Returning to Guyana with moreexperienceunderhis belt, Ross is hoping to deliver the goods at the upcoming CARICOM GoldCuponJuly5,atPort MourantTurfClub.

Jockey Colin Ross

“The experience was good.FardifferentthanGuyanaracing.When it comes to the track it is totally different. It wasagoodexperience,Ilearntalotfromthat. ThefirstraceIrode,IwasabitnervousbutI gotoverit,”Rossexplained.

“So far we are working towards CARICOM Cup. Rain or no rain we are working. We want to get the horses at least 95%totheupcomingraces,”headded.

Ross has showed his class at various Guyana Cup, and on August 23, he will be hopingtorepeatasimilardose.

“It will be a good feeling to go out there andwinafifthGuyanaCupforme.Afterthe CARICOMCupwewillassessthehorsesand then prepare for the Guyana Cup, the experiencedjockeysaid.

As it relates to the top horses in Guyana, whereRosspilotedtosuccessinthepast,the animalsareingoodshape,accordingtoRoss.

“ S o f a r Dataman, Stat and Anthem King are going good. So far thethreehorsesare goingverywell.”

The Guyana horse-racing committee has r e l e a s e

programme which willsee11raceson the card and more than G$15 million in cash and prizes will be up for the taking.

T h e

CARICOMGoldCupfeaturewillbeopento allthree-year-oldsandoverhorsesgoingata distanceof1900metres.Atotalpurseoffour millionwillbeupforgrabsandthetophorse willreceivetwomillion.

Otherracesontheprogrammeincludethe CARICOM Sprint stakes open to all fouryear-olds and over, CARICOM Derby open to three-year-olds Guyana bred, and the 'E' ClassandLower

ThereisalsotheRisingStarstakesopento three-year-old imported horses, the threeyear-oldsandoverWIBredwinners,'H'Class and Lower WI Bred non-winner in Guyana, three-year-oldsandoverI/J/KClass,'L'Class winners, K&L Maidens and the future star stakestwo-year-oldGuyana-bredjuveniles. All races will be run under the Guyana rulesofracingandentrieswillopenfromJune 22andcloseonJune26.

CARICOM horse race meet shifted to Bush Lot United

Racing action will return to Bush Lot United, West Coast Berbice.

The horseracing organizers in Guyana finalized the decision to move the CARICOM Cup from Port Mourant Turf Club to Bush Lot United Turf Club, West CoastBerbiceonSunday,July5.

This decision came after numerous cancellationsatPortMourantTurfClubasa resultoftheweather

“To ensure that the CARICOM CUP 2026proceedsasscheduledandtoavoidany possibility of cancellation or postponement due to recent weather conditions, the venue hasbeenchanged,”theorganizersnoted.

This proactive decision was made in the bestinterestofhorsemen,patrons,sponsors, andallstakeholderstoensureasafetrackand anuninterrupteddayofexcitinghorseracing action.

Despitethechange,allothereventdetails remainunchanged.

A total of 11 races are on the card and more than G$15 million in cash and prizes willbeupforthetaking.

TheCARICOMGoldCupfeaturewillbe open to all three-year-olds and over horses

going at a distance of 1900 metres. A total purseoffourmillionwillbeupforgrabsand thetophorsewillreceivetwomillion.

Otherracesontheprogrammeincludethe CARICOM Sprint stakes open to all fouryear-olds and over, CARICOM Derby open to three-year-olds Guyana bred, and the 'E' ClassandLower

ThereisalsotheRisingStarstakes,open to three-year-old imported horses, the threeyear-olds and over WI Bred winners, 'H' Class and Lower WI Bred non-winner in Guyana, three-year-olds and over I/J/K Class, 'L' Class winners, K&LMaidens and the future star stakes two-year-old Guyanabredjuveniles.

All races will be run under the Guyana rules of racing and entries will open from June22andcloseonJune26.

FullEntries,declarationofHorse,Jockey &Equipmentaretobemadeinpersonatthe Racing Office c/o Director of Racing Operations Mr John Rupert. Location of Racing Office Lot #15, Strand, New Amsterdam(J'sSupermarket).

Marian Academy and The New Central High advance to Blue Water Shipping National U15 Girls Championship

outstanding young athletes

The Blue Water Shipping Girls'

U15 National Championship intensified over the weekend as Marian Academy and The New CentralHighSchoolemerged

as Georgetown's top contenders, securing their places in the National Final after successful regional campaigns.

Both schools navigated

contrasting paths to championship success, but each now stands just a step away from claiming the country'smostcovetedtitlein girls'youthfootball.

Marian Academy once againdemonstratedwhythey remainoneofthebenchmark

programmes in schoolgirls' football, successfully defending their Georgetown North crown following a tense and closely contested encounter against Chase's Academic Foundation at the N a t i o n a l Tr a i n i n g Centre With both sides locked level at the final whistle, the title race was ultimately decided by goal difference. Marian's superior attacking record throughout the tournament proved decisive, rewarding a campaign built on consistency, offensive efficiency, and disciplined performances across the preliminary rounds The (Continuedonpage19)