Guyana Times - Friday, June 19, 2026

Social-media policy consultations Priority is to make decisions for benefit of our children – Education Minister

The Education Ministry on Wednesday hosted a consultation session with stakeholders within the education sector as part of a nationwide engagement on social media and its consequential effects on children.

The consultations are being held under the theme: “Protecting a Safe and Healthy Digital Environment for Children.”

According to Education Minister Sonia Parag, the misuse of social media has increasingly contributed to mental health issues among young people, affecting the overall well-being of children.

The Minister emphasised

the importance of allowing members of the public to provide input, suggestions, and recommendations so that authorities can better care for children in a manner that is necessary and responsive to the challenges posed by the global influence of social media.

“While we will be looking later at another public consultation for the wider society on the misuse of social media, as well as gambling and so on, this consultation is specifically related to children. We thought that it was necessary and very relevant, and a priority right now that we start this consultation –not only start a consultation, but come to a point where we can make decisions that will be for the benefit of our children,” she noted.

The Minister stated that misuse of social media has been linked to mental health challenges and other issues affecting the well-being of children. She cautioned that there was a need to carefully consider society’s approach towards social media.

She explained that the consultation involved religious leaders, civil society, and other sections of society, with the aim of gathering input, suggestions, and recommendations on how the country can better care for its children. In her view, beginning and sustaining this conversation is important, as we acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of social media.

Minister Parag added that children were increasingly influenced by what they see and learn online, which can shape their behaviours and beliefs.

She stated that one of the platforms most influencing children was Roblox, and also referenced testimony from the mother of a child who tragically died, allegedly due to the influence of social media and related mental health challenges.

“And right now, we have children in schools that are being lured into doing things that they would not ordinarily do. It is being used against them as blackmail, not only by adults but also by their own peers. It is a very serious situation. It is undermining children’s confidence. It is creating a mental health situation that we did not really have to deal with a decade or two decades ago. Because, you know, sometimes when you were going to school, you might get one or two lashes, you go home, and it was normal. You continued on. You could handle difficult situations, because you were resilient. You were taught how to be resilient.

You did not have to compete with certain other behavioural patterns that you were seeing and being influenced by,” the Education Minister said.

Returning to the purpose of the consultation, she emphasised that the aim was to better understand the impact of social media and related technologies on children in Guyana. She added that the process seeks to gather perspectives, identify opportunities and challenges, and explore possible approaches for protecting children while supporting digital inclusion and innovation.

She noted that one of the common trends being observed was a “see-and-do” culture, where young people imitate behaviours they see on social media.

“What we’re seeing is a lot of learned behavioural patterns, and it is coming from what they see – they do, right, and what they believe in. And what are the target ages? You are looking at ages of maybe around 10, 11 to 14, 15 mainly. You still have many other persons outside of that category who are also being influenced by social media,” Parag stated.

“First, I think we are confusing technology devices with social media; they are not necessarily the same thing. I am against banning devices in classrooms. However, what we can do is put firewalls in place. We can also establish a LAN network in our schools that has strong restrictions against external traffic.

“If we allow children to record videos and post them, then technology is like fire – it can be both useful and dangerous depending on how it is used. But what if we use these social media platforms to educate our children and challenge negative influences? Why don’t we create AI-based educational content, such as movies on how to solve equations, making sure students understand concepts like in a more engaging way.”

BRIDGE OPENING

JUNE 19, 2026

UN Secretary-General candidacy

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 19 – 07:10h–08:40h and Saturday, June 20 –07:55h–09:25h

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected during the day, followed by light showers at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 07:35h and 20:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.54 metres and 2.40 metres.

Low Tide: 13:41h reaching a minimum height of 0.69 metre.

Guyana’s Rodrigues-Birkett vows reforms for more “agile and effective” United Nations …during

interactive dialogue with UNGA Members

In her bid for the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) position, Guyana’s nominee, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on Thursday presented her vision for the international body, targeting issues such as reforms, conflict resolution and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett presented her “practical and realistic” vision for the UN should she be appointed to the helm of the 193-member body.

She pointed out that there is a growing sense of frustration that the UN is not delivering as it should despite Member States’ strong commitment to make the body “truly fit for purpose”. Among the areas she outlined that needed focus were the sloth of achieving the SDGs as well as reforms aimed at strengthening the UN’s work, especially as it relates to addressing global conflicts.

“There is no global issue that the UN cannot consider. Think about it. If there were no United Nations, how would we even begin to address many of the global issues confronting us? I’ve said all of this because I believe in the United Nations. It is indispensable, it is incomparable, and it is a force for global good.

“It is also, though, because of my strong belief in the United Nations that I am compelled to be realistic about its challenges. The proliferation of conflicts and crises, the slow pace in achieving the SDGs, and the ongoing liquidity crisis facing the organisation are just three examples of what confronts us today,” she highlighted.

But even as she highlighted the shortcomings, Ambassador Rodrigues, who has been serving as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN for the past five years, emphasised the importance of the international body.

Reforming systems and practices

She further underscored the need for the UN to do things differently and better for the future, including improving efficiencies in the Secretariat, as well as how the organisation treats mandates and its structural alignment – all of which she noted will have a positive impact systemwide.

“I have presented a vision that builds upon the achievements while responding directly to the challeng-

es we face. One that centres around reasserting the UN’s core principles and purposes, reforming its systems and practices, and, together with Member States, rallying towards the goal of a more agile and effective organisation. One that also delivers equally across all three pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights.”

“If appointed Secretary General, I will work hand in hand with the 193 Member States of this organisation and its staff, as well as in partnership with regional

and sub-regional organisations, civil society, and other stakeholders to achieve this shared objective. I will be open and accessible, including to dialogue with Permanent Representatives here in New York,” the Guyanese diplomat committed.

Thursday’s interactive dialogue serves as the ultimate job interview, during which candidates are given the opportunity to present their vision for the United Nations and take questions directly from UN Member States and

civil society representatives.

During the three-hour session, Ambassador RodriguesBirkett was grilled on a number of issues ranging from human rights to conflict resolution and reforms within the UN.

In response to a question from the European Union (EU), Rodrigues-Birkett spoke about her intentions to find ways of increasing the one per cent budgetary allocation to the human rights pillar amidst the financial crisis within the UN.

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Indigenous language revival gains momentum

The inaugural Indigenous Language Awards at the University of Guyana is an important moment in the ongoing national effort to preserve, promote, and revitalise Indigenous languages. The recognition of the first cohort of graduates from the Elementary Wapichan Course indicates a cultural and educational commitment to safeguarding a vital component of Guyana’s heritage. In a multilingual society shaped by diverse Indigenous traditions, such initiatives strengthen cultural continuity and reaffirm the place of Indigenous languages within the national identity.

Language remains one of the most powerful expressions of identity, carrying within it the histories, values, and worldviews of communities. Across generations, Indigenous languages in Guyana have endured pressures of assimilation, particularly through education systems and social structures that historically prioritised English as the primary medium of communication. The resulting decline in fluency among younger generations has posed challenges to cultural transmission. Against this backdrop, structured language learning programmes represent an essential corrective, enabling renewed engagement with linguistic traditions that form the foundation of Indigenous heritage.

The recognition of graduates in Wapichan language learning highlights the importance of formalised educational pathways in reversing language loss. By integrating Indigenous languages into structured curricula, educational and cultural institutions contribute to normalising their use in academic, professional, and community spaces. Such initiatives also signal a shift in national consciousness, where Indigenous knowledge systems and linguistic heritage are increasingly valued as integral components of Guyana’s cultural landscape rather than peripheral elements.

Public statements from Government and academic leaders during the ceremony underscored the significance of this cultural position. Emphasis was placed on the historical marginalisation of Indigenous languages and the need to restore confidence in their use. The acknowledgement that many Indigenous speakers were once discouraged from using their mother tongues reflects a broader colonial legacy that impacted linguistic diversity. Efforts to address this legacy through education and public recognition serve as a foundation for cultural renewal and linguistic empowerment.

The role of the University of Guyana in supporting Indigenous language preservation further illustrates the importance of academic institutions in cultural safeguarding. By providing platforms for language instruction and research, the university contributes to the development of expertise in Indigenous linguistics and supports the training of educators who can extend this knowledge into communities. This approach strengthens the intergenerational transmission of language and ensures that Indigenous languages remain living systems of communication rather than historical artefacts.

Important also is the recognition that language preservation is not solely an academic or institutional responsibility, as it requires sustained engagement at the community level, where daily use of Indigenous languages reinforces their relevance and vitality. Encouragement of consistent spoken use, alongside formal instruction, helps to embed language within cultural practices, ceremonies, and social interactions. In this regard, language becomes a lived experience that continues to evolve with its speakers.

The emphasis placed on Indigenous languages as a national responsibility reflects a growing understanding of cultural preservation as a collective endeavour. Language is intrinsically linked to heritage, shaping how communities interpret their environment, record their histories, and pass on traditional knowledge. In Guyana’s diverse cultural context, the preservation of Indigenous languages contributes to national unity by recognising and valuing difference as a source of strength rather than division.

Educational initiatives such as the Elementary Wapichan Course also serve to bridge generational gaps. As younger learners acquire proficiency, opportunities emerge for intergenerational dialogue, enabling elders and youth to engage in meaningful exchanges rooted in shared linguistic frameworks. This dynamic strengthens cultural resilience and ensures that traditional knowledge systems remain accessible and relevant in contemporary society.

Linguistic diversity is closely associated with cognitive diversity, environmental knowledge, and alternative ways of understanding social relationships. Indigenous languages often encode ecological knowledge and sustainable practices that have been refined over centuries. Preserving these languages therefore contributes to cultural heritage as well as to knowledge systems that can inform national development and environmental stewardship.

The Indigenous Language Awards highlight progress already made while reinforcing the need for sustained investment in language education, cultural programming, and community engagement. The recognition of learners and educators in this field affirms the value of Indigenous languages as living expressions of identity and belonging.

A boat rally on Dal Lake, Srinagar, India, to promote sustainable farming practices and the protection of agricultural land

The Guyana Development Bank debate is missing the operating model

Dear Editor,

The debate on the proposed Guyana Development Bank is being reduced too narrowly to the question of political control. Who appoints the board? Can the Minister influence lending? Can a politically connected borrower obtain a loan by bypassing the rules? These are not irrelevant questions. Governance matters. Public money must be protected. But the present public discussion has become excessively preoccupied with board appointment mechanics, as if that alone determines whether the institution will succeed or fail.

That framing misses the central issue. The test of a development bank is not whether political risk can be imagined in theory. Political risk can be imagined in almost every public institution. The real question is whether the operating architecture makes arbitrary lending difficult, traceable, reviewable and institutionally costly. In that regard, the Guyana Development Bank should not be judged only by the statutory appointment structure. It must be assessed by the credit pathway, borrower-screening process, monitoring framework and accountability systems through which loans are actually originated, vetted, approved, disbursed and recovered.

This distinction is important because the proposed model is not designed as a simple top-down loan window. The stronger de-

sign element is the peer review cluster. Under that model, loan applications do not simply move from a Minister’s desk to a borrower. They begin at the bottom, where Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are organised into peer clusters that support training, mentoring, documentation, peer review and shared accountability. The cluster becomes the first layer of discipline. It is where business plans are tested, documentation gaps are surfaced, borrower readiness is assessed, repayment behaviour is culturally reinforced, and early warning signals can be identified before a weak proposal reaches formal management review.

From there, the application moves upward through the technical machinery of the bank: eligibility screening, credit scoring, staged disbursement assessment, management review, credit committee scrutiny and ultimately board-level oversight within defined policy limits. That is materially different from the caricature that a Minister can simply direct who gets a loan. If the credit rules are properly codified, if the peer-cluster mechanism is mandatory, if the approval thresholds are clear, and if every disbursement leaves a documented audit trail, then political instruction cannot substitute for underwriting without creating an observable breach in the system.

This is why the obsession with political control,

while understandable, is incomplete. The determining factor is not appointment power in isolation. The determining factor is whether the institution has enforceable operating rules.

A weak bank with a beautifully appointed independent board can still fail if loans are poorly screened, monitoring is passive, recoveries are weak and portfolio data are not reviewed.

Conversely, a publicly created development bank can operate with discipline if the lending process is rulebased, decentralised at origination, professionally underwritten, independently audited and continuously monitored.

The peer-cluster model is central to that discipline. Its value is not ceremonial. It creates a bottom-up information system. Commercial banks often reject MSMEs because they lack collateral, formal records, clean financial statements or sufficiently documented cash flows. The development bank model must therefore do more than lend cheaply. It must convert informal or semi-formal enterprises into bankable borrowers. That requires financial literacy training, record-keeping support, business planning, advisory follow-up, staged disbursements tied to milestones and active post-loan monitoring. Without these features, concessional lending becomes subsidy leakage. With them, it becomes capability-building finance.

Pre-monitoring matters because weak borrowers

should be identified before public capital is disbursed. This includes assessing business purpose, repayment capacity, market access, cost structure, basic records, tax/NIS formalisation readiness and sector risk. Post-monitoring matters because MSME distress rarely appears suddenly. It shows up in late records, missed cluster meetings, declining turnover, supplier arrears, weak inventory discipline, diversion of loan proceeds, delayed repayments and poor cash handling. A serious development bank must detect these signals early and intervene through advisory support, restructuring where justified, and recovery where necessary. In that sense, monitoring is not an administrative add-on. It is the core financial control. The loan is only one part of the intervention. The real development-finance instrument is the combination of capital, mentoring, peer accountability, formalisation, staged drawdowns, early-warning systems and recovery protocols. This is why the debate should move away from simplistic claims that the bank will automatically become a political lending vehicle. The proper question is, will the credit manual, peer-cluster process, monitoring and recoveries unit, internal audit function, quarterly portfolio dashboard and board-review framework be strong enough to prevent that out-

“So many of us have been taught to run from what is ours” – Manickchand on Indigenous language revival …as Guyana celebrates 1st

Wapichan graduates at inaugural awards

Describing language as a vital part of identity, heritage, and belonging, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Manickchand thanked participants for embracing and preserving a part of Guyana that for many years was overlooked.

The Guyana Languages Unit on Wednesday hosted its inaugural Indigenous Language Awards at the University of Guyana, recognising the first batch of graduates from the Elementary Wapichan Course for their contribution to Indigenous language education.

The ceremony, held at the University of Guyana, brought together educators, learners, and officials to highlight ongoing efforts to preserve, promote, and revitalise Indigenous languages as part of Guyana’s cultural heritage.

with pride and expressing cultural depth that translation could not fully capture.

She thanked participants for engaging in language learning initiatives, describing it as part of a broader shift toward valuing Guyana’s cultural identity.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma MohamedMartin, said preserving Indigenous languages is important for future generations. She said graduates of the programme should support language preservation through roles in education, research, and community work.

Principal Regional Development Officer at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Anil Roberts,

said the preservation of Indigenous languages is a national responsibility. He said Indigenous languages should be spoken and taught consistently and with confidence.

Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development, Omawattie Ramdin, said language connects communities to identity and history and plays a role in shaping future generations. She encouraged continued use and teaching of Indigenous languages. The awards ceremony is part of ongoing efforts by education and cultural institutions, including the Guyana Languages Unit, to support the teaching and continued use of Indigenous languages across communities.

“So many of us have been taught to run from what is ours… to speak English,” she said, noting that she had observed Indigenous communities in the hinterland using their languages

Minister Priya Manickchand said many Guyanese were historically discouraged from using their mother tongues and were instead encouraged to adopt English in formal and social settings.

Guyana Development...

Critics would serve the public better by focusing on those design controls. What should be the maximum exposure per borrower? What debt-service tests should apply? What documentation should be required before disbursement? What arrears threshold should trigger intervention? What baddebt cap should be reported quarterly? How should portfolio distribution by region, sector, gender, youth ownership and business stage be published? What role should internal audit play? How quickly should recovery protocols activate? These are the questions that determine whether public capital is converted into productive capacity or lost through weak execution.

In light of the foregoing, the Guyana Development Bank should not be defended as if governance risk does not exist. It does. But it should also not be dismissed by pretending that governance risk is solved only by arguing about who appoints the board. The stronger policy position is that the bank must be built so that no Minister, board member, manager or regional actor can override the credit architecture without leaving a clear procedural breach. That means mandatory peer-cluster vetting, objective eligibility criteria, credit scoring, staged disbursement, independent credit committee review, internal audit oversight, active monitoring and published aggregate portfolio reporting.

The country needs a more mature debate. Guyana’s MSME sector remains constrained by collateral gaps, informality, weak financial records and limited access to patient capital. Those constraints will not be solved by commercial banking alone.

They require a development-finance instrument that carries a higher developmental risk appetite, but with stronger monitoring than ordinary lending and stronger accountability than grant financing. That is the space the Guyana Development Bank is intended to occupy. The real issue, therefore, is not whether one can imagine political abuse. One can. The real issue is whether the institution is designed to make abuse difficult, detectable and sanctionable while still allowing underbanked MSMEs to access productive capital. If the peer-cluster model, preand post-monitoring framework, credit discipline and transparency safeguards are implemented seriously, the Guyana Development Bank can become more than a loan facility. It can become a structured mechanism for converting public capital into MSME capability, formalisation, employment and non-oil productive capacity.

That is the level at which the debate should now proceed.

Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin

Guyana’s Rodrigues-Birkett...

“How do we improve the budget for human rights in this organisation? Of course, I would certainly have to work with Member States to do this… I also see the investment in development and the investment in peace and security as also investments in human rights because when conflicts arise, many times human rights is one of the things that suffer immediately,” she posited.

Inclusive and visible UN Ambassador RodriguesBirkett further detailed her plans to appoint a fully competent and inclusive team with representation from all the regions across the world, especially developing nations, as well as gender balance. She also spoke about her position when it comes to addressing global conflicts, stressing the need for the UN to be an active participant in the resolution process.

“As Secretary General, I will be willing to pick up the phone and call and to speak with the parties concerned, especially when the information before anticipates that something bad might happen… I know that if I’m elected, I’m coming in as Secretary General when we have several conflicts around the world. And so, I would make all the tools in my office available to ensure that we advance peace… I know the Secretary General and the UN are not the only actors in this space. There are many countries that are involved in mediation and in advancing peace, and so, I would also work with them to see what role the UN can play when they are at the forefront of those efforts. Whatever the situation, the UN must be visible. The world must see that the UN is involved and that

the UN is not franchising out peace and security and not being engaged with the parties on the ground. So, that would be my approach, not being afraid to be rejected, not being afraid to fail, but always being ready and willing to make that call,” she informed the UNGA.

Up to the task Rodrigues-Birkett further told the General Assembly in her address that “…an effective Secretary General in today’s context must possess two essential strengths, in my view: discernment and versatility. She must be an administrator, peacemaker, mediator, broker, negotiator, convener, and spokesperson. More importantly, she must be able to discern which role is most appropriate in any given situation.”

Ambassador RodriguesBirkett believes she has acquired these skills during her tenure at the UN as Guyana’s Permanent Representative coupled with her experience as Minister of both Amerindian Affairs (20012008) and Foreign Affairs (2008-2015) in Guyana as well as an international civil servant.

“I do believe that I am ready for the task ahead… The appointment of the next Secretary General comes at a critical moment for the United Nations. The global landscape has changed, and the tools required to guide the organisation must, likewise, evolve. The vision I have outlined is principled, pragmatic and responsive to the needs of the organisation,” the Guyanese diplomat asserted before colleagues from around the world.

Ambassador RodriguesBirkett was nominated for the UNSG post by President

Dr Irfaan Ali last week. She will be going up against former President of Chile and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet; former President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador; Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Rafael Grossi of Argentina; Secretary General of UN Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica; and former President of Senegal Macky Sall. Current UN Secretary General António Guterres will complete his tenure at the end of this year.

Page Foundation

Percentage Multipliers

A percentage multiplier is a number which is used to calculate a percentage of an amount or used to increase or decrease an amount by a percentage.

For example,

In order to find 12% of a number we can multiply the number by a multiplier: 12% = 0.12

So 0.12 is the multiplier.

To find the decimal multiplier:

1. Convert the percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100

Example 1

What is the decimal multiplier for 58%?

58% = =0.58

The decimal multiplier is 0.58

Example 2

What is the decimal multiplier for 26%?

26% = =0.26

The decimal multiplier is 0.26

Example 3

What is the decimal multiplier for 4.5%?

4.5% = =0.045

The decimal multiplier is 0.045

Example 4

What is the decimal multiplier for 3.9%?

3.9% = =0.039

The decimal multiplier is 0.039

To calculate the percentage of an amount using the percentage multiplier

An

Invertebrates come in all different shapes and sizes. Some can be seen only through a microscope. But the giant squid is an invertebrate, and it can grow to a length of 65 feet (20 meters).

1. Convert this percentage to a decimal by dividing by 100; this is the decimal multiplier

2. Multiply the original amount in the question by the decimal multiplier

Example 1

Work out 34% of $700?

34% = =0.34

The decimal multiplier is 0.34

The original amount is $700

$700×0.34=$238

34% of $700 is $238

Example 2

Work out 8% of 650

8%= =0.08

The decimal multiplier is 0.08

The original amount is 650

650×0.08=52 8% of 650 is 52

Example 3

Work out 15.6% of 200 kg

15.6%= =0.156

The decimal multiplier is 0.156

The original amount is 200kg 200kg×0.156=32.1kg

Example 4: Calculating percentage increase Increase £320 by 25%

100%+25%=125%

=1.25

The decimal multiplier is 1.25

The original amount is £320 £320×1.25=£400 £320 increased by 25% is £400.

By TimoThy STeele

The nominalist in me invents

A life devoid of precedents. The realist takes a different view: He claims that all I feel and do Billions of others felt and did In history’s Pre-me period. Arguing thus, both voices speak

A partial truth. I am unique, Yet the old, ceaseless self-distress Of desire buffets me no less Than it has other sons of man Who’ve come and gone since time began. The meaning, then, of this dispute? My life’s a nominal/real pursuit, Which leaves identity clear and blurred, In which what happens has occurred Often and never—which is to say, Never or ne’er, quite this way.

(Source: Poetry [August 1983])

Other invertebrates have a hard outside covering on their bodies called an exoskeleton. These invertebrates are called arthropods. Arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, and crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs.

The simplest animals are invertebrates. These include protozoans with just one cell as well as sponges and other simple animals that live in the water. The invertebrate animals can be grouped according to their features. Many of them, such as worms, have soft bodies. Corals, jellyfish, and sea anemones are invertebrates that have stinging tentacles. Mollusks have soft bodies as well, but most also have a thick outside shell. Oysters and snails are mollusks. Squid and octopuses are also mollusks even though they do not have shells. Some invertebrates have a tough, spiny skin that protects their bodies. These invertebrates are called echinoderms. Sea stars and sea urchins are examples of echinoderms.

You wake up one morning to find yourself in the year 1957. Explain how the lack of technology really affects your daily life.

Guyana, Peru ink pact to strengthen air connectivity, trade

In a move to advance bilateral aviation relations, Guyana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Peru to enhance air connectivity between the two South American nations.

The agreement was inked by the Civil Aviation Authorities of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Peru, marking a significant step toward the negotiation of an Air Services Agreement (ASA) and associated arrangements.

In a statement on Thursday, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) explained that this initiative is set to strengthen air transport connectivity, foster greater cooperation, and open new opportunities for economic and cultural exchange between the two nations.

“Both parties expressed satisfaction with the long-

standing partnership between Guyana and Peru and reaffirmed their strong commitment to concluding an ASA that will promote shared objectives and mutual growth.

Once finalised, the ASA will be signed and ratified in accordance with each country’s national procedures, further cementing bilateral relations,” the local Aviation Authority said.

Meanwhile, it was further noted that the MoU paves the way for airlines from both countries to operate regular passenger, cargo, and mail services on mutually agreed routes. It also grants extensive traffic rights, including third, fourth, fifth, and sixth freedom rights for mixed services, as well as up to seventh freedom rights for all-cargo operations. These provisions are expected to boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties.

The signing ceremony was

done virtually by the Director General of the GCAA, Lt Col (Ret’d) Egbert Field, and the Director General of the Directorate for Civil Aviation of Peru, Ms Paola Mariella Marin Ugarte, both of whom underscored the importance of this milestone in advancing regional integration and connectivity.

The MoU also underscores the shared commitment of both civil aviation authorities to pursue innovative solutions, enhance aviation safety standards, and reinforce robust regulatory frameworks, positioning Guyana and Peru as leaders in regional aviation collaboration.

The MoU was signed virtually in English and Spanish, reflecting the spirit of partnership and mutual respect, according to the GCAA. During the ceremony, Peru also signed a similar MoU with Uruguay.

Berbice butcher dies in motorcycle crash with teen rider

Aconversation about dinner turned out to be the final exchange between 27-year-old butcher Jermaine Smart and his partner before he died in a motorcycle collision in the Black Bush Polder on Wednesday evening.

Smart, of Hampshire Housing Scheme, Corentyne, died while receiving treatment at the Mibicuri Public Hospital following the crash, which occurred at about 18:30h along the Mibicuri Public Road.

According to Police, Smart was riding motorcycle CP 1482 west along the roadway when a collision occurred with another motorcycle being ridden by a 14-year-old student of the Mibicuri Secondary School.

Investigators said the teenager was travelling in the opposite direction, and the motorcycle he was riding did not have its headlamp on.

The impact threw both riders onto the roadway, and public-spirited citizens transported them in an unconscious condition to the Mibicuri Public Hospital. Smart later succumbed to his injuries while the teenager was transferred to the Number 75 Public Hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.

Recalling their final conversation, Smart’s spouse, Jonelle Giddings, said she had

called him earlier in the afternoon to pick up their daughter from school, but he told her he was in the Black Bush Polder.

Later that evening, he called again to ask about dinner.

“He call about six something and asked what we going to do for dinner. I tell him I doing plantain, and he say okay, he coming out there. I ask when he coming out, and he say he gon buy something to drink. That was the last time,” she recalled.

The news of the accident also came as a shock to Smart’s mother, Bridgette Moore, who said relatives contacted her and informed her that her son had been involved in a crash.

“The cousin call me and tell me your son was in an accident. When I reached the Black Bush Hospital, they had him on the stretcher, bleeding out. He already died… He had injuries to his head,” she said.

Moore said she had spoken with her son earlier in the day and was expecting to see him later that evening.

Family members described Smart as a quiet and hard-working young man who earned a living as a butcher and was well known in his community.

Lesson to young riders

Despite her grief, Giddings expressed concern for the in-

jured teenager and said she hopes the incident serves as a lesson to other young riders.

“I just hope that he recovers well and can get back on his feet and be able to say something to the younger persons in the community. We already lose one young person, and I hope this will be a lesson to others riding motorbikes,” the grieving woman said.

Meanwhile, Smart’s uncle, Linden Smart, is calling for greater enforcement of traffic laws in the Black Bush Polder. He expressed concern about underage and unsafe riding practices, which he believes continue to place road users at risk.

“My concern is about the traffic rules they have in Black Bush and how people riding motorcycles and driving. Somebody needs to look into it. My nephew lost his life. A hard-working young man who was providing for his family.”

Nevertheless, Regional Traffic Officer Assistant Superintendent Charles Hooke has also expressed concern over the continued loss of lives on the region’s roadways. According to Hooke, Region Six has recorded seven fatal accidents resulting in eight deaths so far this year, compared with seven fatal accidents that claimed 10 lives during the corresponding period last year.

4 Essequibo Coast drivers fined

$310,000 for traffic offences

…1 granted $100,000 bail

Several motorists appeared before the Anna Regina and Charity Magistrates’ Courts during the past week, where they faced a range of traffic-related offences under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act and related legislation.

At the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 24-yearold construction worker Parmeshwar Persaud of Richmond, Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast, pleaded guilty to refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test.

The offence occurred on May 17 at Richmond Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Persaud was charged under Section 39B(5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir imposed a fine of $25,000, with three weeks’ imprisonment in default of payment.

Also appearing before the court on the same charge was 36-year-old labourer Vinod Kumar Williams of Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast. Williams pleaded guilty to refusing to provide a breath specimen following an incident on May 17, 2026, at Richmond Public Road.

He was fined $25,000, with two weeks’ imprisonment in default of payment.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old electrician Oswin McKenzie

of Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, was charged with dangerous driving following an incident on May 17, 2026, at Queenstown Public Road.

The charge alleges that McKenzie drove dangerously in relation to Marion Jones, a 48-year-old bodywork technician of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast. McKenzie pleaded not guilty when the matter was heard before Magistrate Mohabir on June 16.

He was granted bail in the sum of $100,000, and the matter was adjourned to November 10 for the commencement of trial.

In a separate matter before the Charity Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 30-year-old hire car driver Travis Walcott of the Charity Extension Scheme, Essequibo Coast, pleaded guilty to driving while his

breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit.

The offence occurred on June 12, 2026, at Charity Public Road. Walcott was charged under Section 39A(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended by the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 17 of 2022.

Magistrate Mohabir fined him $200,000, with six months’ imprisonment in

default of payment.

Also before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court was 32-year-old labourer Shashi Bishuster of Dry Shore, Essequibo Coast, who faced charges of being an unlicensed driver, breach of insurance, and having an obscured rear identification mark.

The offences occurred on June 7, 2026, at Fairfield Public Road. Bishuster pleaded guilty to all charges when he appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on June 12.

He was fined $30,000 for being an unlicensed driver and a further $30,000 for breach of insurance. Both offences carry a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment if the fines are not paid.

Regarding the obscured rear identification mark charge, the Magistrate reprimanded and discharged Bishuster based on his explanation to the court.

His total fines amounted to $60,000.

Taking on… …corruption

With all the kvetching by the Opposition about “friends and family” corruption by the Govt, your Eyewitness asks the question frontally – and brutally: Is it possible to get rid of corruption in general, and in Government in particular?? And he’d like to give you his answer just as frontally and brutally – NO!! There ain’t no ifs, ands, or buts about this… corruption is endemic to the human condition, baby. All of the religions are as one about this. Ain’t it written in Genesis, “God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth”?? Yep… the spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak!! At that time the Big Guy boomed out from on high: “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence because of them, and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth!!” Now your Eyewitness doesn’t like THAT solution, since he don’t see no Noah building no Ark!! And he’d like to continue living, thank you!!

So, does this mean we gotta accept corruption?? Absolutely not!! Some people are also born with the urge to kill their fellow human beings. Should we allow the Netanyahus of the world to get away with their coldblooded genocide?? No, siree, Bob!! And here in Guyana, both Pressie and the most experienced VP have conceded corruption is alive and kicking – but must be confronted!! Quite sensibly, they suggest in essence that we gotta establish rules of the game to control those tendencies that are detrimental to us living the good life.

Where to begin?? The first thing we all gotta follow is your Eyewitness’s philosophy – as stated above –and assume EVERYONE’s out to screw you over! That supermarket selling you tuna?? Check the expiration date!! That contractor bidding for contracts?? Check out if he’s bribing the folks in charge of procurement. The gold exporter shipping gold to the Middle East or whatever? Check out if he’s reusing GRA seals!! – and so on and so forth.

But because corruption didn’t just drop from above in 2020, the Government can reasonably point out it started when Burnham was given “independence” by the West –and they closed their eyes to his institutionalisation of corruption. They even accommodated and facilitated it!! Surely they didn’t think corruption in rigging the votes to stay in power would be confined to just that narrow area?? Darn!! Right off the bat, THOUSANDS had to be corrupted to duck the real ballots cast – and write new ones!!

In the present assertions of corrupt procurement the question is, “Who’s gonna guard the guardians?”

And the answer is: facilitate whistleblowing!! Let thief man watch thief man!!

…land shortage

According to Pres Ali, we’re fast running out of coastlands – so we gotta come up with a plan to satisfy the insatiable demands created by his Government’s developmental plans!! Well, to your Eyewitness, the solution’s pretty simple: just as the US invented the slogan “GO WEST, YOUNG MAN!!” when their original thirteen East Coast colonies started getting crowded, we can do worse than follow their example! Not only is there gold out west – but the move’s gonna help checkmate the Venezuelans’ nasty ambitions to take over our Essequibo!!

Now your Eyewitness is aware we ain’t supposed to be cutting down our interior forests – which we’re virtuously (smirk!) committed to preserve for climate change – and some small change!! But out west ain’t all forests!! Wasn’t the land where Jim Jones set up his Kool-Aid dispensing outfit suitable for farming?

We just gotta build more roads and railways towards Ankoko Way!!

…sugar crisis

Well, Pressie has now thrown the gauntlet to the sugar workers’ union GAWU to put its money (union dues!) where its mouth is – bemoaning “management’s” inability to turn around the industry.

He told them he’s willing to have them manage one of the sugar estates – since labour’s our key constraint!

Electric cycle rider dies after collision with truck

A61-year-old man died on Wednesday after a collision with a truck along the Craig Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is Lal Singh of New Hope, EBD, who was riding an unregistered electric cycle.

Police said the accident occurred at about 17:10h and involved motor lorry GAB 5043, driven by a 29-yearold man of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to preliminary investigations, the lorry was proceeding south along the eastern driving lane of Craig Public Road in a line of traf-

fic when the driver reportedly felt the vehicle go over a hump. The driver later heard someone shouting for him to stop.

The driver stopped the

lorry and reversed a short distance, and Singh was then seen lying beneath the left side of the vehicle near the front wheel with injuries about his body. The electric

Region 2 pensioner found dead in canal

Police are investigating the suspected drowning of an 89-yearold pensioner whose body was discovered in a canal at Mainstay/Whyaka on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Wednesday afternoon.

Dead is David France of Mainstay/Whyaka.

According to Police, preliminary investigations revealed that France

was last seen alive at his home around 12:45h on Wednesday. Investigators were informed that he would normally bathe in a canal located approximately 120 feet east of his residence.

Around 15:30h, relatives and residents became concerned after France was not seen at home, and checks were made for him. During the search, he was found floating in the canal east of

the residence.

The body of France was removed from the water and taken to the Lima Regional Hospital, where a doctor on duty pronounced him dead.

Police said the body was examined and no marks of violence were observed.

The remains have since been transported to the Suddie Mortuary, to await a post-mortem examination.

cycle was found nearby.

Emergency Medical Technicians were summoned to the scene and transported Singh to the Diamond Regional Hospital in a semi-conscious condition. He was examined by

a doctor on duty, but later succumbed while receiving medical treatment.

His body was subsequently taken to Sandy’s Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Over 17lbs of ganja found stashed in yard at Bladen Hall

Police are investigating the discovery of over 17 pounds (lbs) of cannabis during an intelligence-led operation conducted at the Bladen Hall Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Wednesday evening.

According to Police, the operation was carried out between 19:45h and 20:20h.

During the exercise, ranks contacted four occupants at the location: a 51-year-old labourer, a 45-yearold vendor, and a 26-year-old construction worker, all of Bladen Hall Squatting Area; and a 26-year-old woman of Vigilance, ECD.

A search of the premises was conducted, during which officers discovered a bulky black plastic bag concealed among vegetation in the yard. The bag contained a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The four persons were arrested and escorted to the Vigilance Police Station.

Police said the cannabis was weighed in the presence of the suspects and amounted to 17.25lbs before being lodged.

The suspects remain in Police custody pending charges.

2 Brazilians fined, ordered deported for overstaying in Guyana …1 remanded

Three Brazilian nationals have been charged with overstaying their permitted period in Guyana following a joint operation conducted by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission at Arakaka Backdam, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

Police said that the operation, carried out on Tuesday, targeted illegal gold mining activities in the area. During the exercise, the joint operation personnel conducted immigration checks and discovered that the three individuals had remained in Guyana beyond the period granted to them.

The trio appeared virtually before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Port Kaituma Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where the charges were read to them.

Alisson DaSilva Ferreira pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined $60,000. In default of payment, he faces four months’ imprisonment. The court also ordered his deportation.

Jonathan Lima Pinheiro also pleaded guilty and was fined $30,000. He was told that failure to pay the fine would result in two months’ imprisonment. A deportation order was also issued against him.

Meanwhile, Dion Marcus Ferreira Rodrigues pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was remanded to prison and scheduled to return to court on July 14.

Backyard burial killer gets 25 years without parole for girlfriend’s murder

Shaquawn Alleyne, called “Iswe”, the Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) man who shot and killed his girlfriend and later buried her in his backyard was on Thursday sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment without parole.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Sandil Kissoon on Thursday in the Demerara High Court.

On June 2, Alleyne admitted to killing his 21-yearold girlfriend Shonette Dover in April 2021.

During the sentencing hearing, Alleyne broke down in tears, apologised to Dover’s family, and pleaded for forgiveness.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Kissoon described the killing as a grave and heinous crime, underscoring the troubling prevalence of intimate partner violence in society.

The court considered several aggravating factors, including Alleyne’s failure to seek medical assistance for Dover after she was shot, his decision to bury her in a shallow grave, his involvement of the victim’s younger sister in concealing the crime, his efforts to mislead family members and the wider community, and his flight to Suriname in an attempt to evade justice.

As part of the sentence, Alleyne must serve the full 25-year term before becoming eligible for parole.

Alleyne was charged in January 2024 for Dover’s murder which occurred between April 3 and April 29, 2021. The court at the time was informed that while under interrogation, another man who had purchased the firearm used in the shooting told detectives that during the search for Dover, Alleyne had told him that he had a .38 special pistol to sell for $100,000, and had asked if he knew of anyone who would want to buy it.

The man told Police that he had agreed to keep the weapon and lend Alleyne the cash. The man had further explained that he later met the murder accused at a house not far from Bayroc Ground, where he handed over the money and collected the firearm, which he kept at his aunt’s house at Cinderella City, Linden.

Moreover, he had said

Shaquawn

that, about two weeks later, he learned that Dover’s sister had gone to the Police and told them that Alleyne had shot and killed her sister, thus resulting in Police initiating a manhunt for Alleyne. Following that development, the man said he realised that the gun he had was the murder weapon, and as such, had made attempts to get rid of it and Police went in search of the weapon.

When he was 17 years old, Alleyne was arrested and charged with having 16 grams of amphetamines, but the matter was dismissed. He had also been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, but that matter was discontinued after the virtual complainant had chosen to be compensated.

Alleyne, who went into hiding after the murder, was arrested in Suriname in 2024 – nearly three years after the murder and was handed over to local law enforcement officers. He had told detectives that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend, and that it was not a premeditated act. He detailed that Dover made breakfast on the day in question, and they were all sitting in his living room when he sent her 15-yearold sister to fetch him his .38 revolver.

He said that while cleaning the weapon, he had pulled back the hammer, pointed it, and waved it around. He claimed that Dover had cautioned him about playing with the weapon, and his finger had fallen on the trigger and the gun had gone off. The situation had gained widespread national interest when Alleyne had initially reported Dover’s disappearance, and had taken charge of the search efforts until her body was eventually discovered.

After being killed by gunshot on April 3, 2021, Dover was buried in Alleyne’s backyard, but the younger sister of the victim, who had witnessed the shooting, alerted Police to what had transpired. With guidance from that sister, the victim’s decomposed body was found in a shallow grave aback Alleyne’s Canvas City, Linden home on April 30, 2021.

Alleyne’s father and Dover’s 15-year-old sister had been arrested during the investigation. Police

had indicated that the teen had led them to the shallow grave where the missing woman’s remains were buried after confessing to being at the scene of the crime when the woman died on April 3, 2021. On May 4, 2021, Dover’s teen sister was charged with accessory after the fact of murder since she had kept the incident quiet for nearly a month.

4th GOAL graduation Over 3800 persons to graduate next week

Over 3800 students of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) will graduate next Tuesday during the institution’s fourth graduation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre.

The event, which will be held under the theme “Academic Acceleration for National Development”, will take place in two sessions and will bring the total number of GOAL graduates to 14,071 since the programme was launched in 2021.

According to GOAL, the 2026 graduating class comprises 3866 scholars across a range of academic programmes.

The morning session, scheduled to begin at 09:00h, will see 1150 students graduating from the GROW programme, 1308 from certificate programmes, 76 from diploma programmes, and 61 from associate degree programmes.

The afternoon session, beginning at 13:00h, will include 392 graduates from bachelor’s degree programmes, 14 from postgraduate diploma programmes, 830 from master’s degree programmes, and 35 from doctoral degree programmes.

Since its establishment, GOAL has provided educational opportunities to 54,793 Guyanese through

partnerships with 38 local, regional and international institutions. The programme offers access to studies at the certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Director of GOAL, Dr Jacob Opadeyi, said the achievements of the graduates demonstrate the opportunities education can create for individuals, families and communities.

Truck damages GPL pole at Eccles, causing power outage

Atruck transporting a container damaged a Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) pole at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, on Thursday afternoon.

According to GPL, the truck, which was bearing trailer number TAG 1835, came into contact with the company’s pole near the Eccles Industrial Site.

GPL said its technical teams evaluated the damage and conducted remedial works.

The utility company stated that it treated the incident seriously and intends

to pursue all available avenues to ensure accountability. GPL described the occurrence as a reckless act that damaged the pole, disrupted electricity service, and posed a risk to public safety. The company also reminded operators of vehicles and heavy equipment to exercise caution when working or travelling near electrical infrastructure. GPL noted that damage to its network can interrupt service and create safety hazards for road users, residents, and workers in the surrounding area.

Banks DIH commissions high-speed canning line at Thirst Park

…boosting output to 17,000 cans per hour

Banks DIH Limited has commissioned a new canning line at its Thirst Park facility, adding production capacity of up to 17,000 cans per hour.

The new installation is part of the company’s malt plant expansion, which was commissioned in January 2026. According

to the company, the investment increases its overall beverage production capacity and supports a broader range of packaging options.

The canning line will be used for several of the company’s beverage products, including carbonated soft drinks, Banks Beer, GT Beer, Guinness, Shandy,

and Malta Supreme. The upgrade is intended to improve flexibility in packaging formats to meet local and regional demand.

Speaking at the launch, Brew Master Matthew Kendall said the investment is aimed at keeping pace with changing consumer preferences.

“This new canning line

is about staying ahead of where our consumers are heading. It gives us the capacity and the flexibility to deliver more of the brands Guyanese love, in the for -

mats they increasingly prefer, without compromising on the quality and consistency Banks DIH is known for,” Kendall said.

The company said the

expansion forms part of its ongoing efforts to modernise production systems and strengthen its ability to serve both domestic and export markets.

Man on $1M bail on charge of

Asexual activity with child

30-year-old porter of Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has been charged with the offence of sexual activity with a child.

Clerence Alexander, of Onderneeming Sand Pit, appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The charge alleges that between April 1 and April 30, 2026, at Lot 10 Onderneeming Sand Pit, Alexander engaged in sexual activity with a male juvenile, contrary to Section

Charged: Clerence Alexander

16(3)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03.

When the charge was read, Alexander was not required to enter a plea, and the prosecution objected to bail. Magistrate Mohabir granted $1 million bail.

As part of the bail conditions, Alexander is required to report to the Suddie Police Station every Friday. He was also ordered to remain at least 100 feet away from the alleged victim and to have no contact with the child pending the outcome of the matter.

The case was adjourned to August 3.

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Brent rises after Vance warns Israel against breaking ceasefire

Brent crude oil prices rose on Thursday after US Vice President JD Vance warned Israel against further attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising doubts about the durability of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

“The Vice President’s statements about Israel may have put things back on edge,” said John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital. “I think the slightest sort of disturbance is going to register in the market.”

Brent crude futures settled at US$79.85 a barrel, up 30 cents, or 0.38 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate fell 19 cents or 0.25 per cent to finish at US$76.60 a barrel.

Before Vance’s comments, Brent touched its lowest level since February 27, which was the last day of trading before the initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran. WTI was at its lowest since March 4.

Ultimately, oil markets will be focused on what happens in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil flowed before the start of the war.

“Full resumption of oil flows through the strait has been priced back in,” Kilduff said. “Anything short of that will be a problem.”

Analysts expect a gradual recovery in flows through the Strait of Hormuz, while industry experts have cautioned that prices may not plummet as demand recovers and inventories are refilled. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukraine hits Moscow refinery in major drone attack on Russian capital

Thick plumes of smoke rise from an oil refinery following a Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow

Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Moscow on Thursday, hitting the Russian capital’s oil refinery for the second time this week in what Kyiv cast as a response to an attack that damaged a nearly 1000-year-old monastery in the city.

“We don’t want this war; we never did, and everyone knows it, and our partners know it,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a voice message sent to reporters on a WhatsApp group. “But if Ukraine burns, your Moscow will burn.”

Russia, for its part, fired missiles into Kyiv, also for the second time this week, following the attack that damaged the

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery and drew international condemnation.

Russia denied striking it.

In Moscow, Reuters saw flames and plumes of smoke over the densely populated south eastern district of Kapotnya, where the refinery supplying the capital is located.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that several drones managed to reach the refinery, adding that a shopping centre also suffered minor damage.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said 555 drones were shot down across the country. Sobyanin said 180 were shot down around Moscow alone. State news agency TASS said the attack on Moscow was one of the biggest this year.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T Police deny $1.3M cannabis went missing from Chaguanas station

Senior officers of the Central Division are denying reports that 187 kilogrammes of cannabis and 187 trafficking packets of cannabis, with an estimated street value of $1.3 million, were stolen from a Police station.

Guardian Media was informed that five officers were being investigated after the drugs were removed from the property room of the Chaguanas Police Station, taken to the Forensic Science Centre, only for empty card-

board boxes to be returned.

The report claimed that members of the Professional Standards Bureau were investigating the matter. However, head of the division Snr Supt Bhagwandeen said that was just “mischief”.

He told Guardian Media that the matter was investigated when it first surfaced over the weekend, and all the drugs were accounted for.

This claim comes after PC Stefon Khan was charged with misbehaviour in public office. The charge followed

an investigation into the tampering and theft of Police exhibits.

While he was granted $350,000 bail, he remains in custody as he was given a preventative detention order.

The investigation began after a fatal Police-involved shooting in the Central Division on February 24. A crime scene investigator collected exhibits including a firearm, ammunition and two blocks of cannabis weighing approximately 2.2 kilo-

grams. These were sealed and stored at the Chaguanas Police Station.

On February 25, the investigator discovered that the evidence bag seal had been broken. The cannabis blocks had been replaced with tampered packages containing wood and a ceramic tile.

CCTV footage allegedly identified Khan removing the exhibits and replacing them with altered packages. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

US lifts naval blockade as Iran’s supreme leader says Trump made deal “out of desperation”

The US has dropped its naval blockade of Iran after the two countries signed a deal to end the war in the Middle East.

US Central Command confirmed the end of the blockade on X “in accordance with the President’s direction” and said some US vessels would remain “in the general area”. Soon afterwards, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he had approved the deal with the US despite having a “different view”, without elaborating. He said he allowed it to go ahead after assurances from Iran’s

J’ca:

Ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz on June 18, 2026, following the signing of a deal between the US and Iran

President Masoud Pezeshkian that he would “protect the rights of the Iranian nation”. Khamenei said President Trump had, “out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage” to bring the deal about.

The supreme leader said

Spanish

that while there would be “in-person negotiations in the future” between Tehran and Washington, this “will not mean acceptance of the enemy’s position”. This is the first time Khamenei has responded to

the agreement. He has not been seen in public since he took office in March following the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump did not directly respond to Khamenei’s statement but posted on Truth Social that he expects a ceasefire to take effect “on all fronts”, including between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, and that he expects countries in the Middle East to “maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations” to take place. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Town Hospital gets well-needed medical equipment

The St Catherine-based Spanish Town Hospital has strengthened its diagnostic and patient-care capabilities with the addition of three pieces of medical equipment, including an ultrasound machine donated by the head of the Urology Department, Dr Elon Thompson.

In handing over the equipment on Tuesday, Thompson highlighted its importance in improving the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, which remains one of the most common cancers affecting Jamaican men.

He expressed gratitude to IRAD Medical Suppliers for donating a biopsy gun, which will complement the ultrasound machine in carrying out prostate biopsies. The biopsy gun is a spring-loaded device designed to extract tissue samples from organs and soft tis-

Dr Elon Thompson (second right) celebrating the handover of medical equipment alongside (from left) Parish Manager of St Catherine Health Services, Abdon Campbell; CEO of the National Health Fund, Everton Anderson; Senior Medical Officer at the Spanish Town Hospital, Dr Jacqueline Wright-James; and CEO of the hospital, Jacqueline Ellis

sues with minimal trauma and is commonly used in the diagnosis of cancers affect-

ing the prostate, breast, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and lungs.

The occasion also saw Sunrise Medical Limited donating a Sequential Compression Device (SCD) to the hospital. The device uses inflatable sleeves and an air pump to periodically compress the legs, mimicking the muscle movement associated with walking. This helps to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling and prevent deep-vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly among patients with limited mobility.

Senior medical officer at the hospital, Dr Jacqueline Wright-James, commended Thompson for his dedication and contribution to the growth of the service over the last five years. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Senate Democrats introduce bill to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status

Senate Democrats introduced legislation Wednesday that would require the Department of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), an effort to lock in deportation protections for Haitian nationals, regardless of how the US Supreme Court rules in a pending case over the Trump administration’s attempts to end the program.

The bill would direct the Homeland Security secretary to designate Haiti

for TPS through April 20, 2029 – three months after the end of President Donald Trump’s term.

The measure is the Senate companion to legislation that was pushed through the House in April using a discharge petition. That bill passed 224-204, with 10 Republicans joining Democrats, and would extend Haiti TPS for three years.

The bill arrives as Haiti’s TPS status remains in legal limbo.

Haiti has held a TPS designation con-

tinuously since 2010, when it was granted following the earthquake that killed an estimated 220,000 people. It has been redesignated and extended multiple times since, most recently in 2024. Roughly 350,000 Haitian nationals currently hold the status, according to court filings.

The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision on whether to terminate TPS for Haitians and Syrians by the end of June or early July. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

HOROSCOPES

Take advantage of an opportunity to mingle with industry people who can help you further your professional journey or explore the possibilities of using your skills to generate extra income. An attitude change will help seal a deal. Make confidence your new best friend. A creative spurt will enhance your chance to advance. 5 stars

Persistence and good ideas will get you where you want to go, but not without emotional issues tagging along. Separate personal and professional dealings. Containing what irks you while sharing what you feel passionate about will lead to a winwin situation. Know your target, project positive affirmations and rise above confrontation. Push love, not discord.

Put your energy where it counts, and forge ahead. Domestic improvements require attention to avoid emotional interference. Choose your battles wisely. Keep in mind that it’s what you accomplish that counts, not taking on a no-win situation. Let go of what’s standing in your way. Embrace what’s yours to discover. Choose peace over chaos.

Be realistic about what you can and cannot do before you make promises. Being precise and finding out what others want from you will help you negotiate your way forward. Emotional spending will leave you worse off and regretful. Concentrate on how you earn your living and what you can do to increase your income.

Let your creative imagination run wild, and you’ll discover something about yourself and your capabilities that will point you in an interesting direction. A person you encounter today will play a role in helping you shape what’s to come. Ask questions, and participate in events that offer insight into what’s available to you. Choose romance over upset.

An unexpected turn of events will lead to an emotional challenge. Don’t act in haste. Size up situations, consider options and put your energy into taking care of your responsibilities first. You’ll be glad you took your time to let the facts unfold. Your patience will lead to a surprising opportunity.

Keep a close watch over your investments, possessions and reputation. Not everyone will be on Team Libra. Hold your cards close to your chest, and fact-check every piece of information that comes your way. Any changes you make will require a healthy intuition and the ability to sprint when the time is right. Self-improvement and love are favored.

Make it happen. Exploit your skills and experience to the limit, and you’ll surpass anyone who wants to compete with or challenge you. Staying power, along with vision and being able to reach your goals, will lead to satisfaction and gratitude. Look for unique outlets to disperse anxiety and anger. Physical and social events are favored.

Take a moment to breathe, rethink your goals and to take the path least anticipated by others. A change is heading your way that may not be to your liking, but hindsight will make you think otherwise once the dust settles. Go with the flow, stick close to home and protect what matters most to you.

Search for opportunities, and speak passionately about how you feel, what you care about most and how you intend to proceed. Refuse to let your emotions lead to financial or personal loss. Don’t pay for someone else’s mistake; offer suggestions, but don’t do the work for them. Conversations will be misleading; wait for verification before you share or act. 5 stars

Shift your attention to what’s necessary before you make a move. Getting things right the first time is essential if you want to make the most of a volatile situation. Keep your plans a secret and your responsibilities up to date. Anger will not solve anything, but compromise will. The intent is to ensure the result favors everyone.

Take time to research. Being well-informed is the key to better outcomes. Conversations with those with common goals will offer insight into how you can expand your interests and create a sustainable lifestyle that satisfies your needs and intellectual growth. A creative venue will help you find your people and excel at something you want to pursue.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in partnership with the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC), successfully hosted the fourday “From Pain to Purpose: Football for Healing & Development Initiative” in Mahdia, Region Eight, from June 12 to 15, using football as a tool for healing and community development following the tragic Mahdia dormitory fire in 2023.

The initiative focused on equipping local leaders, creating safe spaces for children, and establishing sustainable football structures in the region.

Some key activities included the training of 13 local referees in match management and child-sen-

sitive officiating, as well as a Coaches Education Programme that equipped local coaches with grassroots coaching skills and child safeguarding approaches to working with children.

A highlight of the programme was the “From Pain to Purpose” Football Festival, which brought together more than 50 children from Mahdia and surrounding communities for a day of fun, participation, and connection. Newly trained referees and coaches played active roles in delivering the festival, reinforcing the message that sport can foster joy and resilience.

To ensure lasting impact, GFF engaged community leaders, club represen-

tatives, and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in establishing an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to guide the creation of a Region Eight Football Association.

Discussions were also held with the RDC and Mahdia Secondary School regarding participation in the ongoing Blue Water Shipping Girls Under-15 Championship 2026, with emphasis on transportation, safety, and child protection.

Through this initiative, GFF and RCC continue to demonstrate the transformative power of football not only as a sport but also as a catalyst for healing, hope, and sustainable development in communities.

Looking ahead, the

RHTY&SC 36th Annual Cricket Academy…

National Hardware, PRAMCORP Consultancy and Data Technology contribute to Academy

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, and its 10 cricket teams will soon be hosting their 36th consecutive Cricket Academy at the Area H Ground, set to get underway on Monday, July 13.

The academy is being organised by the Poonai Pharmacy Under-11 and -13, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Intermediate Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, and NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour First Division and Under-23 teams. In addition to the Cricket Academy, the teams would also be hosting the annual Grade Six Summer Camp at the same venue for students preparing for entrance into secondary school.

RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster disclosed that plans for both events are well advanced and that a maximum of one hundred youths would be accepted into the programme. The academy will be led by a coaching staff headed by level three coach Winston Smith. He will be assisted by coaches Aeon Hooper, Balram Samaroo, Ryan Algu, and Floyd Benjamin and several senior officials of the club.

RHTY&SC Cricket Manager Robby Kissoonalal will serve as the Academy Director, stating that special emphasis will be placed on improving the batting, bowling and fielding abili-

ty of every academy member. Additionally, a lot of classroom work will be conducted on a wide range of topics of importance to the young cricketers. Topics to be covered include the history of cricket, rules of the game, peer pressure, drug abuse, importance of education and importance of discipline.

The club would provide all the necessary equipment, gear and stationery for the two-week academy, while over $1.5 million worth of gifts and prizes will be distributed to participants. The top student is expected to receive $500,000 worth of prizes, including an electric bike, laptop computer, gold medallion, electronic tablet, cycle, household items, kitchen utensils and designer clothing. The club will also provide an educational package worth $7000 to each academy member under its Basil Butcher Trust Fund. Another $1.5 M worth of

prizes will be distributed to members of the Grade Six Summer Camp.

Plans for the successful hosting of the two events were given a major boost when National Hardware, PRAMCORP Consultancy and Data Technology presented a major donation to the organiser. National Hardware Ltd donated cricket gear, among several prizes, while PRAMCORP and Data Technology donated two hundred thousand dollars’ worth of hardcover exercise books.

In a statement, the RHTY&SC expressed gratitude to Eddie Boyer and Ramesh Persaud of National Hardware, Pramila Persaud of PRAMCORP and Rennie Lewis of Data Technology.

Parents who are interested in registering their children for the academy or the summer camp are advised that application forms are available at the Area H Ground from 14:00h to 18:00h daily.

GFF, RCC bring healing through football in Mahdia

Federation plans to further strengthen football development in Region Eight.

These include the establishment of a steering

committee to guide the formation of a regional association, expanded referee training in districts such as the North Pakarimas, coach

Sri Lanka Emerging completed a comprehensive innings-and216-run victory over West Indies Academy on the third day of the second FourDay match at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, securing a 1-0 series triumph in dominant fashion.

Resuming the day on 430 for four, the hosts continued to pile on the runs as Anjala Bandara converted his overnight score into a superb unbeaten century. The left-hander finished on 105 not out from 139 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries in a composed innings that further strengthened Sri Lanka’s grip on the contest.

Bandara received valuable support from Sharujan Shanmuganathan, who produced an aggressive 74

education programmes, and child safeguarding training to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all participants.

West Indies Academy outclassed as Sri Lanka Emerging seal 1-0 series

from 91 balls, including seven fours. The pair frustrated the West Indies bowlers during the morning session and pushed Sri Lanka Emerging beyond the 500run mark.

With Bandara and captain Dinura Kalupahana, unbeaten on 18, at the crease, Sri Lanka Emerging declared on 553 for five from 122 overs, establishing a massive first-innings lead of 321 runs.

Facing the daunting task of saving the match, West Indies Academy’s batting line-up crumbled under relentless pressure from the Sri Lankan attack. The visitors were bundled out for just 106 in 29.5 overs, offering little resistance as the hosts completed a crushing victory.

Shaqkere Parris topscored with 28, while Damel Evelyn contributed 26 and Rivaldo Clarke added 21.

No other batsman managed to reach double figures as wickets fell regularly throughout the innings. Sri Lanka Emerging’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Asitha Wanninayake producing a devastating spell of four for five to rip through the middle order. Shakthi Udara provided excellent support with figures of three for 25 as the visitors were dismissed inside 30 overs.

The emphatic result capped a dominant performance from Sri Lanka Emerging, who controlled the match from the moment Pulindu Perera’s century and a series of strong batting contributions helped establish a commanding first-innings total.

For West Indies Academy, the defeat highlighted the challenges faced throughout the series despite individual performances from Parris and Clarke.

Sri Lanka Emerging, meanwhile, will take considerable confidence from a clinical all-round display that secured a deserved 1-0 series victory.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers produced a disciplined performance on the opening day of their only warm-up match against the West Indies Select XI, dismissing the hosts for 205 before making a steady start in reply at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

After winning the toss and electing to field first, the Sri Lankan attack made regular inroads into the West Indies Select XI batting line-up. Opening batsman Kirk McKenzie offered the strongest resistance with a well-compiled 58 from 107 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes. Keemo Paul provided valuable support lower down the order with an aggressive 36 from 51 balls, including two boundaries and two sixes, while Kevin Wickham contributed 20 runs.

Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, claiming impressive figures of four for 39. Asitha Fernando also played a key role, finishing with two for 26 as the West Indies Select XI were

McKenzie anchors innings as West Indies Select XI stay competitive

were 38 for one after eight overs, trailing the West Indies Select XI by 167 runs with nine wickets in hand. With plenty of batting still to come, the visitors will be confident of taking control of the contest on the second

BCB launches Sohan Construction/ Haniff Contracting Companies U23 tournament

Cricketers in the ancient county of Berbice can look forward to a packed cricket season once the weather improves, as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is utilising the downtime to secure sponsorship for numerous cricket tournaments from the Under-12 level to first division levels.

Smith dismissed Lahiru Udara for just seven runs. However, Nishan Madushka ensured there were no further losses before the close, remaining unbeaten on 25. At stumps, Sri Lanka

The warm-up fixture serves as important preparation for Sri Lanka ahead of their upcoming international assignments, while the West Indies Select XI will look to strike early on the next morning and prevent the tourists from building a substantial first-innings lead.

As such, the Board on Wednesday launched an under-23 tournament with sponsorship from contractors Chandra Sohan and Kaamodian Haniff at its Charlotte Street, New Amsterdam office.

The Sohan Construction and K Haniff Construction Companies U23 tournament will cater to players born on or after the first of September, 2003.

Chairman of the BCB Cricket Competition Committee, Leslie Soloman, stated that the tournament will commence as soon as the weather improves and, as such, clubs can get their venues in order. The tournament is expected to attract at least twenty teams, and several of the county’s best players are expected to be part of it.

Teams like Cotton Tree, Achievers, Bush Lot, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Mt Sinai, Guymine, Albion, Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt, Port Mourant, No. 73 Young Warriors and Skeldon are amongst the teams expected to feature in the tournament. The U23 tournament is the latest in a series of cricket tournaments that the active board

will be hosting in 2026.

The BCB has already started its Under-16 and Under-19 tournaments for the year and has also secured sponsorship for Under-12, Under-13, Under-17, Under-21, Under-23, Intermediate, Females and second division tournaments for the remainder of the year. In addition, the Board has acquired sponsorship for a two-day, first division tournament along with the Ivan Madray 20/20 and a 50-over competition, sponsored by KSM Investments.

The likes of Jonathan Rampersaud, Zeynul Ramsammy, Romesh Bharrat, Isai Thorne, Afraz Budhoo, Tommai Ceasar, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Rampertab Ramnauth, Adrian Hetmyer, Ronaldo Ramdeholl, Gibran Yacoob, and Justin Doobay are amongst the talented crop of players expected to feature in the tournament.

Soloman disclosed that the tournament will be played 50 overs per side on a knockout basis using the white ball, and teams will be attired in coloured clothing. Interested teams have until July 10 to register their in-

terest to play.

Sohan, who is also a prominent attorney-at-law in Berbice, stated that he and co-sponsor Haniff were delighted to join the BCB in its continuing effort to lift the standard of Berbice cricket. Berbice cricket, he stated, has been a strong foundation in the history of the West Indies game, and he expressed confidence that the tournament would assist many promising players to boost their careers. Sohan also expressed an interest in assisting the BCB in other developmental programmes for youth cricketers.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the BCB Junior Selection Committee, Balram Samaroo, stated that the tournament is an important bridge between the U19 and senior levels for many players. He urged all the players to go out and perform to catch the eyes of the selection committee.

BCB Administrator Angela Haniff also expressed gratitude to Sohan and Kaamodian Haniff for their sponsorship and committed the board to organising a highly successful tournament.

GCF delivers introductory chess workshop in Leguan

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) enjoyed a proud milestone on Saturday last as students and teachers on Leguan Island participated in an introductory, oneday chess training exercise at the Leguan Secondary School.

Located in the Essequibo River and originally settled in by the Dutch, the 12 square mile agricultural community is home to roughly 3000 residents and is celebrated for its rich vegetation and rural charm.

Nearly 60 participants, including students from Grade Three and up, along with eight teachers from across the island, took part in the intensive six-hour introductory workshop.

Attendees, including 35 females, learned the fundamentals of the game, including piece movement, capturing of pieces, and executing basic checkmates. The children showed immense eagerness, patience, and resilience throughout the session. By the end of the day, they had successfully grasped the core concepts, laying a solid

foundation to become strong players with continued practice. The teachers, mostly young adults, were grateful for the opportunity to learn the ancient game of chess. They successfully completed the training and were confidently playing by the end of the session.

Each participant was provided with an introductory chess manual to reinforce the lessons. Furthermore, the five participating schools – Maryville Primary, Success Primary, Richmond Hill Primary, Eastern Leguan Primary, and Leguan Secondary –were tasked with launching internal chess clubs as an extracurricular activity. Each school was gifted five chess sets to kickstart their programmes, with the GCF promising additional equipment as the clubs grow and develop.

Ms Juliet Augustus, Headmistress of Maryville Primary, expressed her gratitude to the federation for bringing the training programme to the island. She highlighted how meaningful it is to introduce chess

to local schools, recognising the immense value the game brings to both students and teachers.

GCF President Anand Raghunauth expressed great satisfaction with the high turnout, emphasising that introducing chess to the school curriculum is crucial for youth development on the island. He assured educators that the federation remains fully committed to providing ongoing technical assistance and resources to sustain the newly formed clubs.

The programme was part of the GCF’s continuing expansion of chess in Region Three and was led by FIDE School Instructors Mrs Marcia Lee, Anand Raghunauth, Kim ShingChong, Nellisha Johnson, and Ethan Lee. Other chess players and members of the Federation, namely John Lee, Gilbert Williams, Ethen Pompey, Ronan Lee, Arysh Raghunauth, Angelina Yhap, and Chelsea Harrison, assisted with the training programme, lending their expertise to the

young students. According to the GCF, future regional tournaments and expanded outreach campaigns are already in the works to ensure the continuous growth of chess across Region Three.

The GCF expressed thanks to the Head teachers of the schools for their support in organising their students for the programme, especially Ms Augustus from Maryville Primary. Thanks were also extended to the Leguan Secondary School for providing the

venue.

In addition, this successful venture would not have been possible without the support of the Unit of Allied Arts and the Ministry of Education’s regional body.

The GCF also extended special gratitude to Mrs Ieda Harrison of the Federation’s events committee, whose hard work and support on the trip were invaluable. Interested persons can join the Federation by registering on guyanachess. gy and follow the GCF on Facebook and Instagram.

Stafanie Taylor, spinners help West Indies overcome Scotland threat

Stafanie Taylor navigated a huge scare at the hands of Scotland as West Indies scrapped their way to a second win of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Taylor, playing her first match of the tournament, injected much-needed impetus to the West Indies’ innings with a boundary-laden 47 (not out) off just 19 deliveries, striking at 247.36 after West Indies had slumped to 85 for five in the 15th over of the match.

A spirited half-century by just-turned 21-yearold opener Darcey Carter

while battling a leg injury took Scotland close to victory in the face of a nervy performance with the ball and in the field from West Indies. She shared half-century partnerships with Katherine Fraser and Ailsa Lister, but Hayley Matthews’ three for 19 in four overs, which included 13 dot balls, gave her side just enough hope to hold onto, and Aaliyah Alleyne’s three wickets in the 19th over stifled Scotland just as they threatened to take the match away once more.

Fraser had been outstanding for Scotland with two for 34, a spectacu-

Scotland Women (T: 154 runs from 20 ovs)

Darcey Carter c & b Alleyne 59 Katherine Fraser b Matthews 20 Kathryn Bryce (c) c Henry b Matthews 0 Sarah Bryce † c Dottin b Fletcher 4 Megan McColl lbw b Matthews 1 Priyanaz Chatterji c Henry b Fletcher 8 Ailsa Lister b Alleyne 33 Rachel Slater c sub (M Mangru) b Joseph 7

Kirstie Gordon b Alleyne 0 Chloe Abel not out 0 Gabriella Fontenla run out (Claxton/sub [M Mangru]) 3

Joseph, 4.5 ov), 2-44 (Hayley Matthews, 7.5 ov), 3-79 (Deandra Dottin, 12.6 ov), 4-80 (Shemaine Campbelle, 13.1 ov), 5-85 (Chinelle Henry, 14.3 ov), 6-122 (Jahzara Claxton, 17.4 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Kathryn Bryce 4-0-30-1

Gabriella Fontenla 2-0-13-0 Rachel Slater 4-0-23-1 Katherine Fraser 4-0-34-2

Kirstie Gordon

Chloe Abel

4-0-36-1

1-0-10-0

Darcey Carter 1-0-5-0

Extras (b 1, nb 3, w 7) 11

Total 20 Ov (RR: 7.30) 146 Fall of wickets: 1-51 (Katherine Fraser, 5.1 ov), 2-51 (Kathryn Bryce, 5.3 ov), 3-57 (Sarah Bryce, 6.3 ov), 4-58 (Megan McColl, 7.1 ov), 5-74 (Priyanaz Chatterji, 10.4 ov), 6-132 (Darcey Carter, 18.1 ov), 7-137 (Ailsa Lister, 18.5 ov), 8-137 (Kirstie Gordon, 18.6 ov), 9-143 (Rachel Slater, 19.4 ov), 10146 (Gabriella Fontenla, 19.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Chinelle Henry 1-0-14-0

Deandra Dottin 2-0-26-0

Aaliyah Alleyne 2-0-11-3

Hayley Matthews 4-0-19-3

Karishma Ramharack 4-0-32-0

Afy Fletcher 4-0-16-2

Qiana Joseph 3-0-27-1

lar catch on the bound ary’s edge to remove open er Qiana Joseph and the sharp run-out of Shemaine Campbelle, West Indies’ star, in their nail-biting victory over New Zealand on Saturday.

West Indies became bogged down by a disci plined Scotland bowling at tack complemented by ex cellent fielding all round. But, led by Taylor, they scored 69 runs in the last six overs to set Scotland a sizeable target – one the qualifiers came far closer to reaching than their oppo nents would have liked.

Taylor-made counterattack

Taylor came in with her side floundering and in des perate need of someone to give their innings a belated jump start. Jahzara Claxon struck West Indies’ first six on the last ball of the 17th over, heaving a short one down the leg side from Kathryn Bryce over cow corner as she and Taylor looked to accelerate. But Bryce, stationed in the same spot in the field four balls later, claimed a straightforward catch to remove Claxton and give Fraser her second wicket.

side the boundary, then showed wonderful spatial awareness to avoid touching the sponge with her elbow by mere centimetres as she landed. By the end of the powerplay, West Indies were 33 for one, and Matthews had scored 12 off 17. She managed just two more before backing away to a quicker delivery from Fraser and losing her middle stump as Scotland celebrated a spectacular start.

Taylor picked off boundaries down the ground and over the covers, then launched twin sixes back over the bowler’s head and over deep extra cover before a third, monstrous 83m maximum over deep midwicket to give West Indies’ bowlers plenty to defend.

Fantastic Fraser Scotland were sharp in the field from the outset, and their bowlers kept a lid on West Indies’ openers Matthews and Joseph, who managed just 13 runs all up in the first three

West Indies contained Sarah Bryce dropped a tough chance behind the stumps of Campbelle on 28 when she walked past a Fraser delivery which deflected off the keeper’s gloves and ran through fine leg all the way to the boundary. She made no mistake as sister Kathryn, who had frustrated West Indies with her superb lengths, lobbed one up outside off as Deandra Dottin advanced and turned to see her bails whipped off.

West Indies had only found the boundary seven

pressive clip than their opponents, Carter reeling off four boundaries in the first three overs and Fraser again in the action with 13 runs off six deliveries up to that point. Carter appeared to twist her ankle while trying to work a Matthews delivery down the leg side, and she received a life shortly afterwards on 19 when Joseph dropped what should have been a sitter for Campbelle high behind the stumps. Running between the wickets became increasingly laboured for Carter, but she refused to give up, and she raised her ninth half-century in T20Is off 53 balls.

Matthews breaks through; Alleyne finishes it

After five overs, Scotland were 51 without loss, but then Matthews made the crucial strike, beating Fraser on the sweep with a faster ball that kept low. Two balls later, Matthews removed Kathryn for a second-ball duck, miscuing to mid-off.

Matthews claimed her third when she trapped Megan McColl lbw attempting a reverse sweep. Three balls earlier, McColl had been dropped by Campbelle, running from behind the stumps almost to mid-wicket, and, shortly after McColl was dismissed, Campbelle left the field and was replaced by substitute wicketkeeper Mandy Mangru. Carter and Lister stuck at their task, however, in the face of some wayward bowling and scrappy West Indies fielding.

But, with Scotland needing 22 runs off the last two overs, Alleyne finally ended Carter’s knock with a return catch off a top edge and then removed Lister and Gordon with consecutive balls. While West Indies continued to struggle with their ground fielding to the end, they scraped home as Joseph removed Slater and Fontenla in the space of three balls right at the end. (ESPNcricinfo)

All roads lead to Thomas Lands for Speed Series Championship Round One

The two-day racing extravaganza that kicks off an action-packed month of motorsport starts off today at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC)’s Thomas Lands venue with the first round of the Need for Speed Karting Championship.

The Jumbo Jet events race gets going today with the official qualifying segment from 17:00h with the GX200 class, followed by the SuperMoto Junior (85cc), Briggs Female, SuperMoto Senior (250cc), Briggs Rookie (Over 35), IAME X30, Briggs Junior, Briggs Senior Heavy, Briggs Veteran, Briggs Cadet and Briggs Senior Light classes.

Saturday action across the 11 classes will begin from 08:00h with the opening of pits and scrutineering. Drivers will then attend a mandatory briefing

at 08:45h before final preparations get underway. The national anthem is scheduled for 09:00h, followed by final grid staging and driver preparation.

Then, racing action starts at 09:15h with the opening heat for the Honda GX200 class.

The day’s programme will continue at 15-minute intervals, featuring the SuperMoto Junior (85cc), Briggs Female,

SuperMoto Senior (250cc), Briggs Rookie (Over 35), IAME X30, Briggs Junior, Briggs Senior Heavy, Briggs Veteran, Briggs Cadet and Briggs Senior Light classes.

Following the completion of Heat One, competitors and officials will break for lunch from 12:00h to 12:45h before returning to the track for Heat Two, which gets underway immediately after.

Heat Two is expected to play a crucial role in deter-

mining starting positions and momentum heading into the championship finals. Drivers will have little room for error as every point could prove decisive in the race for top honours.

A short 20-minute break is scheduled from 15:30h to 15:50h before the championship finals commence. The finals will once again feature all 11 categories, with each race expected to deliver intense wheel-to-

wheel competition as drivers push for victory.

The championship showdown will conclude with the award ceremony at 18:50h, where the top three finishers in every class will be recognised for their performances.

Organisers are anticipating another strong turnout of racers and spectators as the Need for Speed Series continues to grow in popularity among Guyana’s motorsport community. With experienced racers, rising young talents and several closely contested championships on the line, fans can expect a full day of highspeed action and entertainment at the G5S Speedway.

Promoters have noted that race lengths, class schedules and event format may be adjusted if required due to weather, safety concerns or operational

considerations. However, the focus remains firmly on delivering another exciting chapter in the Need for Speed Series.

With championship honours at stake and bragging rights on the line, all roads lead to the G5S Speedway this Saturday for what promises to be an action-packed day of karting competition.

Van Lange replaces Jangoo in GAW GSL squad

Already named in their 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) line-up, Jonathan Van Lange can make his Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) debut sooner than expected as he laces up his boots for the franchise in the 2026 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL).

According to the ExxonMobil GSL, Van Lange will replace wicketkeeper/ batsman Amir Jangoo following his selection to the West Indies Test squad.

Catching up with the 19-year-old just hours after the news broke, Van Lange was “pretty excited”.

“First, I just want to thank God for giving me the opportunity for being selected for GSL. It’s something that I’ve obviously been working towards; getting picked for CPL first up was very exciting for me. GSL is just another stepping stone in my career, looking to learn both off and on the field from

Early-bird tickets on sale from June 19 for Live and Louder Mega Concert in Barbados

Early bird tickets for the highly anticipated Live & Louder Mega Concert will go on sale from Friday, June 19, 2026, at www.liveandlouderevents. com as excitement builds for one of the Caribbean’s biggest entertainment events of the year.

Set to take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the National Botanical Gardens in Barbados, the night before the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Final, the Live & Louder Mega Concert will bring together world-class music, culture and entertainment as part of an expanded CPL Finals Week celebration.

Fans can now secure their place at the event with the first wave of performers confirmed, featuring Jamaican reggae superstar Chris Martin, internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Estelle, and dancehall legend Mr Vegas. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks with more massive names set to take the stage on September 19.

The concert forms a key part of a wider programme of cultural celebrations surrounding CPL Finals Week in Barbados, creating an unforgettable festival atmosphere that combines elite sport, music and Caribbean culture. The event is expected to attract visitors from across the region and beyond, further enhancing Barbados’ reputation as a premier destination for world-class entertainment and sporting experiences.

Pete Russell, CEO of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League and Live & Louder Events, shared, “The response to the announcement of the Live & Louder

Mega Concert has been tremendous, and we are delighted to now open early bird ticket sales. Chris Martin, Estelle and Mr Vegas are three exceptional artists who represent the diversity and vibrancy of Caribbean and international music, and they are just the beginning of what will be an incredible line-up. This concert will be a landmark event for Barbados and for CPL Finals Week.”

The Live & Louder Mega Concert is being promoted in conjunction with Dreamteam Entertainment Inc, one of the Caribbean’s leading live event promoters. Based in Barbados, Dreamteam Entertainment has established an outstanding reputation for delivering premium entertainment experiences through successful productions, including Linden Town Weekend in Guyana, Summa Fest, Hennessy Artistry, and The Barbados Reggae Weekend.

Driven by a vision to elevate the standard of entertainment and event production across Barbados and the wider Caribbean, Dreamteam Entertainment combines premium hospitality, Caribbean culture, innovation and safety to create world-class experiences for audiences throughout the

some of the best players in the world,” Van Lange told media operatives on the side-lines of a GSL event on Thursday. So, it’s pretty exciting for me.”

Earlier this year, the West Indies Under-19 standout slammed a century on his senior four-day debut for the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) against the West Indies Academy, following it up with a half-century against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the West Indies Championships final.

Agreeing that it has been a dream year in the sport thus far, the teenager detailed some aspects he will be working on.

The all-rounder admitted, “Yeah, definitely so far. I’m just looking to be the best player that I can be, just to keep performing at the highest level.”

“Off the field, definitely fitness is something that… I wouldn’t say struggling with; I’d say getting better at every year,” the teenager divulged. “In terms of the cricket per se, there’s different shot selections, that I guess will come over time with experience and facing different bowling attacks at different stages.”

As he prepares for his debut, the Guyanese crowds and learning from the best players around are what Van Lange is most looking forward to.

would be getting ac quainted with play ing in front of big crowds, especial ly. We know how the crowds in Guyana get the support we get. So, that’s just a major thing for me to learn from, and again, just learn from the Hetmyers and the Shepherds around the crick et that have been playing and perform ing at their best at the highest level as well,” he expressed.

balancing Cricket and Table Tennis in light of his new commitments, Van Lange says it will come down to time management.

Van Lange explained, “It’s a bit more difficult, as cricket is always now more year-round. The more tournaments you get picked for, the more away you are from the sport of table tennis. And table tennis is a sport you need to keep practising to become better. So, I wouldn’t say it’s getting more difficult, just that I have to manage my time better.”

GAW will be defending

their title at the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League from July 23 to August 1.

The GAW squad now reads Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell, Gudakesh Motie, Glenn Phillips, Imran Tahir, Dwaine Pretorius, Mohammad Nabi, Muhammad Haris, Johnson Charles, Quentin Sampson, Keemo Paul, Matthew Forde, and Jonathan Van Lange.

region.

Kwanza Canterbury from Dreamteam Entertainment Inc said, “We are thrilled to partner with Live & Louder Events to bring what is set to become one of the most spectacular and highly anticipated entertainment experiences ever produced in Barbados.” This landmark event represents more than just a concert; it is the culmination of music, culture, creativity and the vibrant spirit of Barbados and, by extension, the Caribbean.

“At Dreamteam Entertainment Inc, we are committed to delivering world-class productions that meet the highest international standards, and the Live & Louder Mega Concert will raise the bar for live entertainment in the region. Patrons can expect an unforgettable atmosphere, exceptional performances and a showcase of Barbadian and regional excellence that will leave a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Barbados.”

Early bird tickets will be available exclusively from June 19, 2026, at www.liveandlouderevents.com.

More artist announcements and event details will be revealed soon. (CPLT20)

Georgetown-based Camptown Football Club (FC) and East Bank’s Timehri United have ensured that they have a chance at direct qualification to the 2026/2027 season of Elite League football, both securing playoff semi-final wins on Wednesday night at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre, Providence.

In the opening encounter, Camptown eased to a 3-0 win over Potaro Strikers FC with a dou -

Camptown, Timehri United 1 step closer to Elite League qualification

nal, a youthful Timehri United produced a clinical second-half display to defeat Beavers FC 4-0.

While the sides were evenly matched at times during the first half, Timehri grew into the game and dominated possession, which they converted to good effect.

ceedings from the first whistle, they took some time to break down a determined Potaro defence. However, on the brink of halftime, Small would put his side ahead, netting in the 41st minute to send them into the break with a slender 1-0 advantage.

The second half saw more of the same from Camptown, and Small would double their lead in the 60th minute before Sedock sealed the deal with a late goal (90+1’).

In the second semi-fi -

After a goalless first period, Leroy Evans opened the scoring in the 47th minute before goals from Nyron Barrow (54’), Shawn Steele (68’) and Michael Correia (90+4’) completed the rout.

The two sides will now meet in the playoff final, with the winner earning direct promotion to the 2026/27 Elite League. However, the losing finalist will still have a second chance at qualification against Fruta Conquerors (9th place in 2025 season).

The two teams will meet in the qualification playoff final on Sunday, June 21, at the same venue, with kick-off set for 18:30h.

Banks DIH bats for ExxonMobil GSL with XM Rum

anks DIH Limited has been added

Bto the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League’s (GSL) star-studded line-up of sponsors as the days wind down to the third edition of the competition.

The partnership between Banks DIH and the GSL was officially unveiled on Thursday morning at the entity’s Thirst Park Headquarters, where it was announced that they will be activating their XM Rum brand for the competition.

Banks DIH Sales and Marketing Executive Lee Baptiste described their sponsorship as “more than just a business decision.”

“We at Banks DIH could not be more proud to have our name and our product associated with what has quickly become one of the most exciting events on the international cricket calendar,” Baptiste told the gathering. “Banks DIH is proud to be activating our iconic XM Rum brand at this year’s Global Super League.”

“XM is a product born right here in Guyana; it is aged in our own distilleries, shaped by our climate and our craft and enjoyed across the Caribbean and beyond. What is a better setting than a global crick-

et tournament on home soil to celebrate a brand that is, in every essence, world-class and proudly Guyanese?”

The Sale and Marketing Executive went on to state, “Furthermore, as a Guyanese company, sponsoring the GSL is not simply a business decision; it is the affirmation of our commitment to this country and its people.”

On the other hand, ExxonMobil GSL Communication and Public Relations Lead Avenash Ramzan explained how the brand will tie in to their ongoing “Super We” campaign.

Ramzan shared, “The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League is indeed excited to form a strong batting partnership with Banks DIH Limited and its XM line of award-winning rums. This sponsorship aligns seamlessly with our ‘Super We’ campaign, which speaks to the cultural significance of cricket in Guyana. Cricket is much more than a game of bat and ball; it is a uni-

fying force that brings together people from all walks of life and forms part of the social fabric of our nation. The ‘Super We’ campaign leans heavily into that identity, celebrating Guyana’s rich cultural diversity while embracing the country’s soaring global ambitions.

“Together, the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League and the XM brand represent excellence, heritage, ambition, and national pride. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration presents and the impact it will have in strengthening the connection between sport, culture, and community,” he added.

Of course, there will be something in it for the fans, as detailed by Baptiste. He indicated that there will be XM Rum samplings and the opportunity to win XM Premiums via trivia games, and at the grand finale, one lucky fan will win one XM chest made of the original oak barrel.

Meanwhile, GSL Chairman Sir Clive

Lloyd shared in a statement, “As the Global Super League continues to grow in stature, it is immensely encouraging to see corporate Guyana remain steadfast in its support of the tournament. A key objective of the league is to showcase the vibrancy, culture, and potential of our beautiful country as it continues to strengthen its presence on the global stage. We are delighted to welcome XM Rum, one of Guyana’s most respected and iconic brands, to the GSL family. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence and national pride, and we are confident they will play an important role in helping us showcase the very best that Guyana has to offer to audiences around the world.”

The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League will take centre stage at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, from Thursday, July 23, to Saturday, August 1.

PSL’s Lahore Qalandars, MLC’s San Francisco Unicorns, Big Bash’s Perth Scorchers and ILT20’s Desert Vipers will be challenging the defending champions, Guyana Amazon Warriors, for the title.