Guyana Times - Wednesday, June 24, 2026

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, June 24 –12:10h–13:40h and Thursday, June 25 – 13:15h–14:45h

Parika

FERRY SCHEDULE

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery

Low Tide: 05:52h and 18:11h reaching minimum heights of 0.95 metre and 1.01 metres.

GOAL creating opportunities once out of reach for thousands of Guyanese – PM

Emphasising that Guyana’s growing economy will require an increasingly skilled workforce, Prime Minister (PM) Phillips has highlight-

out the secondary level, eliminating the need for students to compete for free places after admission, as placement in a particular school was determined by the education system. He further noted that free education was later extended to the university level in Guyana. The PM reported that he started university at a time when higher education was free. However, after his fourth year, students were required to begin paying fees as part of the conditionalities associated with the Economic Recovery Programme. He noted that, over time, the country had progressed to its current position. The PM further told the graduating students that while

ed the opportunities being provided through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), encouraging all citizens to take advantage of them. PM Mark Phillips on Tuesday morning delivered the feature address during the first session of the fourth graduation ceremony for GOAL at the National Cultural Centre. To demonstrate this point, the PM reflected on his own journey towards higher education. “I don’t say this lightly. Opportunities that were once beyond the reach of many included myself and many people of my age group. I remember writing the Common Entrance Examination, which is now called the Grade Six Assessment. When you passed with a certain score, you earned a free place at a secondary school. If you did not achieve that score, your parents had to pay for you to attend secondary school, or you remained and completed the upper level of primary school. Many of you sitting here cannot remember those days or have no memory of them,” he said.

Reflecting further on his educational journey, the PM posited that after he passed the Common Entrance Examination and earned a place at Kara Kara Secondary School in Linden, he benefited from the country’s free education policy. He explained that free education was available through-

three years, he completed his degree, which had by then become a programme in Public Management.

“And you know why I’m telling you this? Because if we had GOAL when I was in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), I would have been able to work and complete my diploma and degree in my spare time, just as you are doing today. We have come a long way, and I’m using my example to help you recognise and appreciate where we are today. Contributing to GOAL’s reach and success is the Government’s ability to ensure that every community across the country is connected to the Internet,” he said. “There is a saying that education and freedom

Education at centre of national development

The PM emphasised that the Government has placed education at the centre of national development, noting that GOAL has attracted more than 54,000 participants to date. In this regard, he underscored the need for a highly-skilled workforce as the country’s economy continues to expand. “As Guyana develops, the demand for skilled workers continues to increase. We need more electricians and welders. We need more phlebotomists. We need more logistics professionals and technicians. We need more accountants and accounting technicians. We need more educators and information

working during the day, he attended the University of Guyana (UG) in the afternoons and completed a diploma in Public Administration. He then returned to work for approximately two years before being granted time off to pursue full-time university studies. Over the next

are deeply intertwined. True learning liberates the mind by breaking the barriers of ignorance. We have connected every community and every community can now benefit from education, become empowered and break down the barriers of ignorance.”

technology specialists. “In every field you can think of, we need more educated Guyanese. We need citizens who are prepared to adapt as industries evolve and new opportunities emerge here in Guyana,” he stated.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Opportunities once scarce now widely accessible

The continued expansion of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme is one of the most significant investments in human capital development in the country’s modern history. With more than 3800 new graduates added in its latest cohort and over 14,000 completions since its inception, the programme has firmly established itself as a cornerstone in the national strategy to equip citizens with the skills required for a rapidly-evolving economy.

At its core, the initiative showcases a policy shift toward accessible, large-scale tertiary education through digital platforms and institutional partnerships. Since its launch in 2021, tens of thousands of Guyanese have benefited from opportunities to pursue studies across certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels in collaboration with dozens of academic institutions. This scale alone places the programme among the most far-reaching educational interventions in the region.

The significance of this achievement extends beyond numbers. The breadth of disciplines covered, from education and engineering to health sciences, business, technology, and environmental management, underscores a structured attempt to align education with national development priorities. In doing so, the programme is not merely expanding access to qualifications; it is deliberately shaping a workforce tailored to the demands of a diversifying economy.

The graduation of a cohort that includes hundreds of Master’s Degree recipients and the first group of Doctoral graduates marks another milestone. It gestures an upward trajectory in academic attainment that was, until recent years, out of reach for many citizens due to financial and geographical constraints. That a majority of graduates are women also highlights the programme’s role in expanding gender access to higher education and professional advancement.

Yet, while celebration is warranted, the more pressing national conversation must centre on utilisation. Education, particularly at this scale, is not an end in itself but a mechanism for productivity, innovation, and service. The growing availability of opportunities across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, health care, education, and technology requires a corresponding readiness among graduates to transition from academic achievement to active contribution.

Guyana’s current development trajectory, driven by rapid economic expansion and large-scale investments, has created labour demands unprecedented in recent national history.

Historically, access to higher education in Guyana was limited by financial barriers, restricted institutional availability and geographic disparities. Many who aspired to tertiary education were unable to pursue it due to many constraints. In that sense, the current landscape is a profound transformation. Opportunities that were once scarce are now widely accessible, with thousands of citizens able to study while remaining within their communities.

Globally, in many countries, tertiary education continues to be constrained by high costs, limited State support and competitive entry requirements. Against that backdrop, the scale and accessibility of GOAL should not be taken lightly. It is a national asset that places Guyanese learners in a comparatively advantageous position.

Graduates must therefore recognise the weight of expectation that accompanies their achievements. The labour market is no longer characterised by scarcity of employment but by a demand for adaptable, skilled and proactive professionals. In this environment, complacency carries a cost, not only to individuals but also to the national development agenda.

Important is the role of these graduates in strengthening institutions, improving public services and contributing to innovation across sectors. Whether in the public or private sphere, the application of acquired knowledge will determine the extent to which education translates into tangible national progress.

Programmes such as GOAL are reshaping expectations around education, employability, and upward mobility. They are also redefining the relationship between the State and its citizens in the context of development.

As the programme continues to expand, emphasis must increasingly shift from enrolment to impact, from qualification to contribution. The measure of success will not be confined to graduation figures but will be reflected in productivity gains, innovation outputs and improvements in public service delivery.

The opportunity presented through GOAL is a national resource that demands utilisation.

As Starmer eyes the exit, here’s a vital lesson for Andy Burnham: first impressions are everything

By Polly ToynBee

Pause here before we rush headlong into the turbulent future. Stop and inhale last week’s rare political triumph; revel in the sunshine of cheery optimism. It was a precious but unfamiliar sensation when life on the progressive side of politics in Britain is so often a litany of hopes dashed and disappointments.

Andy Burnham’s comprehensive victory in the Makerfield byelection, surpassing expectations, was a precious moment. He demolished £5m worth of Nigel Farage’s party of loathsome Reformers, whose every election candidate seems more repugnant than the last. Hostile hard-right politics in Britain need defeating time and time again, every time nativists and hate-stirrers – from Enoch Powell to the BNP –erupt in our politics.

No one but Andy Burnham could have stamped out Reform in a part of Greater Manchester where it had just won every council seat only last month. And how heartening it was that not just Liberal Democrat and Green voters but Makerfield Tories too lent him their votes because they understood that keeping out Reform mattered most: forget flag-waving; that’s what patriotism looks like. I will relish Makerfield alongside other rare dates; I delivered leaflets before I could vote in the 1964 election which put an end to what Harold Wilson called “13 years of Tory misrule”. Remember where you were the night of Labour’s great 1997 win after 18 wilderness years? Obama night was best of all.

As Keir Starmer drafts his resignation speech – expected to be delivered on Monday – let’s also recall how he vanquished 14 years of Conservative rule, a triumph after the Jeremy Corbyn wipeout of 2019. But, in truth, Labour’s 2024 general election victory was a freak landslide, won on a paltry 33.7 per cent of the vote. It never felt like a surge of public enthusiasm. The Starmer Government struggled from its early days to inspire affection. Why? His speech in the Downing Street garden spoke about a “painful” budget to come as Rachel Reeves announced there was a £22bn black hole in the Treasury. It set a glum tone. Honesty doesn’t always pay.

The first 100 days saw much good done: rail nationalised, bills introduced to improve renters’ and workers’ rights, bus services freed up to local control, free school breakfast clubs rolled out, good public-sector pay deals, and restrictions on onshore wind farms ended. But so much of what his Government accomplished was visible only to political obsessives who were aware of announcements on Great British Energy, the national wealth fund, liberalised plan-

ning laws for housing and the new border security command. But what did catch the public eye, just a month into power, was that unexpected cut in pensioners’ winter fuel allowance: cue stock images in the minds of voters of cold old folk wrapped in blankets. If only they had abolished the two-child benefit cap the same day, an old-to-young swap would have resonated well. The other eye-catcher was making farmers pay inheritance tax on a level a bit closer to everyone else’s: cue picturesque tractor protests in Whitehall.

Starmer always lacked a sense of political theatre, but reports of free suits, glasses and gig tickets offered all too vivid imagery, deeply damaging a new, clean regime. It may have been a drop in the ocean compared with the big money political scandals common on the right, but it stuck. Time and again on doorsteps at Makerfield and in recent by-elections when I heard people say they “hated” him, those were the only reasons they could think of. No good telling them someone like me getting a winter fuel allowance was absurd or that farmers’ land is pretty valuable: their firmly fixed image was Starmer punishing Old Mother Hubbard and Old McDonald.

In other words, the vital lesson for Andy Burnham is this: good first impressions are everything. He could look for inspiration to the remarkable Blair/Brown first 100 days in 1997: a windfall levy of £5bn on under-priced privatised utilities, VAT cuts, stamp duty raised on expensive properties, the first ever minimum wage set in motion, child benefit raised – and yes, that winter fuel allowance created.

Every early gesture will brand his future. But his portfolio of promises includes plenty of beacons to illuminate the Burnham way, immediately and memorably. He should start with first steps on easing the cost of living with his reported plan to freeze rents for a year for the roughly 20 per cent of the country who are private-sector tenants.

His other reported ideas should be up and running as soon as possible. That includes capping bus fares at £2, cutting energy bills by shifting green levies on to general taxation, and cutting business rates for pubs and small shops. Equalising tax rates for income tax and capital gains, as Wes Streeting advocates, would more than cover these, along with blocking that private equity tax loophole – something Starmer promised but didn’t fully deliver. Repossess the failing water companies, Thames Water first, and declare his long-term intent to take back control of the National Grid.

Radicalism can also be cost-free. Burnham (perhaps rashly) promises a

breath of fresh air in parliament by relaxing the Government whip, freeing his MPs to speak their mind more often. One benefit would be suffering fewer excruciating ministers sent out miserably to read official “lines” to take. Next, it’s time to clean up politics: take dirty money out of Westminster with a strict cap on all political donations.

He is expected to send up flares signalling the start of his promised constitutional reform. Begin the complex devolution route to “Manchesterise” local mayors with powers to tax and spend and oversight of schools and health. A long-time backer of fairer elections, Burnham should appoint his promised national commission on proportional representation now: that secures tactical voting support from all progressive parties eager to see it happen.

It’s a lavish tasting menu, yet it’s only for starters. No one can complain he doesn’t have substantial policies. Add in a warmer EU embrace on this Brexit anniversary and chillier caution in coping with the White House. All of this would tell a good story about what Labour is, who it’s for, and what it can do. That sense of purpose and direction is all that can keep him motoring ahead when confronted by a monstrous in-tray of wants and needs with too little money. Hope is the word, and he’s good at it.

But choosing his Chancellor will be his most perilously emblematic first act. The hostile press – alongside Unite’s Sharon Graham, never one to miss the chance of throwing spanners in Labour’s works – is trying to poison Ed Miliband’s chances, though he is the more serious economist and the most experienced at dealing with rigid Treasury obstructionism. The exchequer could end up being Wes Streeting’s consolation for not standing, but that could create a narrative of Blair-Brown-esque friction. Keeping Rachel Reeves would steady the markets, says her team.

As for the process of how the next PM is selected – who needs a long, politically damaging leadership contest when the result was written in Makerfield? Meanwhile, let Starmer go with good grace. His political tragedy is that he leaves a strong legacy of much good done, as Labour always does, from universal nursery places to falling NHS waiting lists. As for the future, as the only popular leading politician, Burnham may buck the current terrible trend: each of our last four Prime Ministers has been the most unpopular ever in their time. Keep chanting the mantra – hope and change, hope and change, hope and change.

(The Guardian)

(Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist)

President Ali encourages Diasporic participation in Guyana’s development

Dear Editor, The Guyanese diaspora in America praise President Irfaan Ali for his engagements with them. Few global leaders engage their diaspora like President Irfaan, and the scarce interactions of his immediate predecessor are not a comparison. President Ali had countless engagements with the diaspora, which came across as a strategic pillar of outreach to promote and showcase the country in order to attract investors as well as to involve the diaspora in the nation’s development growth. He sees the diaspora as a powerful tool for Guyana’s developmental aspirations and trajectory to become a Caribbean Dubai or Singapore; he encourages diasporic participation in Guyana.

Few global leaders engage their diaspora when they travel abroad; Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali is among them. President Ali’s engagement with the diaspora has consistently come across as a strategic pillar of Guyana’s outreach to promote and showcase de-

velopment of the country in order to attract investors as well as to involve the diaspora in the nation’s growth. He sees the diaspora as a powerful tool for Guyana’s developmental aspirations and trajectory to become a Caribbean Dubai or Singapore; he encourages diasporic participation in Guyana.

President Ali does not see the diaspora in terms of segments but as “one”. His “One Guyana” policy sees all Guyanese abroad and at home as one people. His outreaches to the diaspora have become one of the most distinctive and admired elements of his governance style. He has consistently interacted with the diaspora since he became President; and even before the 2020 elections when he got elected, he engaged Guyanese in every major location they are settled and continues to do so whenever he travels abroad. He and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo (in addition to when the latter was President 1999-2011) engaged the diaspora multiple

times with much success like no other Guyanese leader, except maybe Dr Cheddi Jagan.

Irfaan’s engagement with the diaspora has become one of the most defining features of his foreign policy style since 2020. No Guyanese leader, other than Jagdeo and Jagan, so consistently engaged overseas community gatherings – Queens, Brooklyn, Toronto, London, Miami, Washington, Houston, Trinidad, etc – He has recognised that the diaspora can be a bridge for bilateral ties with the USA, UK, Canada, and other countries where there is an active Guyanese presence. He, like Jagdeo and Cheddi, also recognises that the diaspora can be a source for funding of projects in Guyana and for investment. It is not forgotten that elements in the diaspora, including this writer, lobbied for the restoration of democratic governance in Guyana during that long period of authoritarian rule from 1966 to 1992 and again to protect democracy in 2020 when it was under severe stress.

Whenever Irfaan or Jagdeo visited overseas and time permitted, they engaged the diaspora. They consistently praised the diaspora’s role in championing democracy in Guyana, for providing financial and material assistance to the homeland during difficult times, and for promoting ties with nations that host the diaspora; previous PPP/C leaders like Janet Jagan and Donald Ramotar also praised the work of the diaspora in the struggle for democracy in the homeland and for their economic and political contributions.

President Irfaan and VP Jagdeo have consistently highlighted Guyana’s transformation over the past six years, citing major achievements such as poverty reduction and exponential growth rates as well as improvement in standard of living. Diasporic communities tend to respond enthusiastically to the race-free messaging of PPP political leaders during open engagements. The outreaches of both leaders and,

occasionally, Prime Minister Mark Phillips with the diaspora appealed to all ethnicities, underscoring their strategy: leveraging the diaspora as economic connectors to strengthen Guyana’s economy and their connection with their homeland and continuing to help protect democratic gains for which the diaspora fought.

The theme of the messaging tends to energise overseas Guyanese, reinforcing a shared sense of pride in Guyana’s progress, the journey from which Guyana has evolved from being a very poor country a decade ago to an upper middle-income country. The diaspora outreaches have been infused with the language of economic power — growth, development, higher income, wealth, etc. In their engagements, President Irfaan and VP Jagdeo would talk about the recent past and make comparisons with the present. By highlighting Guyana’s development milestones and trajectory, they invite overseas Guyanese to see

themselves as stakeholders in the country’s rise. This emotional appeal of the development of their country — rooted in nostalgia and identity — has proven remarkably effective in stirring up pride in their country and evoking nationalist feelings among patriotic diasporans. The messaging also reinforces a sense of belonging among diaspora communities who, despite living abroad, remain emotionally tethered to Guyana. Their appeal to the diaspora to return home resonates strongly with communities, suggesting overseas Guyanese are of significant importance to the country’s development. They may not return home, but they eagerly maintain family and cultural ties while establishing roots abroad. President Ali is saluted for elevating overseas community engagement into a powerful instrument of invited economic participation and pride.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

US-sanctioned & indicted Opposition Leader continues to mislead the public

Dear Editor,

Please permit me space in your newspaper to address recent statements and social media claims made by the United Statessanctioned & indicted Leader of the Opposition, concerning the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Abattoir located at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, Region Five.

The comments and accusations being circulated are unfortunate, misleading and appear to be rooted more in political speculation than in factual analysis. These attempts to manufacture controversy disregard the documented progress being made within Guyana’s livestock industry and undermine the hard work of farmers, technicians, veterinarians and stakeholders who continue to contribute to the sector’s advancement.

The GLDA Abattoir was established as part of the Government of Guyana’s broader national agricultural transformation agenda aimed at modernising livestock production, improving food safety standards and expanding economic opportunities for livestock farmers across the country. The facility represents a strategic investment designed to provide a modern, hygienic and internationally compliant slaughtering and processing system capable of supporting both domestic consumption and future export opportunities.

Contrary to the misleading claims being propagated, the abattoir is operational and continues to play a meaningful role in supporting beef production and processing. Since becoming op-

erational, the facility has successfully produced approximately 111,650 kilograms of carcass beef using cattle supplied primarily by farmers from Regions Four, Five, Six, Nine and 10, with limited and legally approved imports from Bon Fin, Brazil, conducted under established veterinary and regulatory procedures. These figures are verifiable and clearly demonstrate that the facility is functioning and contributing positively to the livestock industry.

It is important for the public to understand that an abattoir does not function as a cattle farm or holding station. Livestock are transported to the facility according to scheduled slaughter requirements and processing demands. Therefore, isolated visits or photographs showing no cattle or limited staff presence at a specific point in time cannot reasonably be used to conclude that the facility is inactive or abandoned. Such claims either reflect a misunderstanding of how modern abattoirs operate or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public for political gain.

Equally concerning are allegations suggesting that cattle are being secretly imported from Brazil for the benefit of public officials. These accusations are serious and irresponsible, particularly because no evidence has been presented to support them. Guyana maintains strict veterinary inspection, quarantine, certification and importation protocols to safeguard animal health, food safety and the integrity of the livestock sector. Any lawful importa-

tion of livestock is subject to regulatory oversight and established procedures.

If any individual possesses credible evidence of wrongdoing or illegal activity, the appropriate course of action is to present such evidence to the relevant authorities for investigation. Public accusations without evidence only serve to damage reputations, create unnecessary fear and erode constructive public discourse.

The opposition’s continued pattern of sensationalism and misinformation does little to support national development. Serious allegations involving corruption, abuse of office or personal enrichment must be pursued through lawful and evidence-based channels rather than through political rhetoric and social media speculation.

Beyond the abattoir itself, the Government through the GLDA, continues to make significant investments aimed at transforming and strengthening Guyana’s livestock industry. These efforts include herd expansion programmes, artificial insemination and genetic improvement initiatives, enhanced veterinary and animal health services, farmer support programmes, pasture development, improved breeding systems and training opportunities for livestock producers nationwide.

Additionally, the Government has been actively promoting improved livestock management practices, disease prevention measures and food safety standards to ensure that consumers receive high-quali-

ty and safe meat products. Investments are also being directed towards increasing productivity, reducing dependence on imported meat products and enhancing Guyana’s food security agenda in keeping with the wider regional vision of agricultural sustainability.

The livestock sector remains a critical component of Guyana’s agricultural diversification strategy and holds enormous potential for job creation, rural economic development and export earnings.

Facilities such as the GLDA Abattoir are essential national assets that create opportunities for farmers to access better markets, improve product quality and increase value-added production.

Citizens absolutely have the right to question public investments and demand transparency and accountability. However, accountability must be grounded in facts, evidence and honest analysis rather than political theatrics and misinformation. Production records, operational data and ongoing investments within the sector clearly demonstrate that progress is being made.

Guyana’s livestock industry continues to advance through strategic planning, public investment and stakeholder collaboration. No amount of misinformation can erase the visible developments taking place across the sector or diminish the importance of initiatives designed to modernise agriculture and strengthen national food security.

Public debate is healthy in any democracy, but truth and responsibili-

ty must guide that debate. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly common for the Leader of the Opposition to make public pronouncements on matters without first seeking the facts or understanding the technical realities involved.

The Guyanese public deserves informed and responsible leadership rather than repeated attempts to create confusion and distrust.

Yours faithfully, Abel Seetaram

Sign Off

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026

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The Young & The Restless 18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals

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Movie - The Real West (2024)

Movie - Life as We Know It (2010)

Page Foundation

There are two types of proportion, direct proportion and inverse proportion. They can also be referred to as direct variation and inverse variation.

Direct Proportion

Direct proportion is a type of proportionality relationship. For direct proportion, as one value increases, so does the other value. Conversely, as one value decreases, so does the other value.

The symbol represents a proportional relationship.

If y is directly proportional to x, we can write this relationship as:

y x Direct proportion is useful in numerous real life situations such as exchange rates, conversion between units, and fuel prices.

The direct proportion formula is an algebraic formula which represents the directly proportional relationship between two variables.

Using the previous example of y x, we can also write this as a formula using the constant of proportionality, k.

k is a constant value that links the two variables.

y=kx

Proportional relationships can also be represented by graphs.

The following is a type of direct proportion

AProportion cont’d

graph. It is a straight-line graph going through the origin. It has the equation y=kx.

In order to recognise a direct proportion formula:

1. Look for an equation in the form y=kxⁿ

2. Check there are no other terms in the equation.

Example 1

Which of these equations indicate a direct proportion?

1. Look for an equation in the form y=kxⁿ

We are looking for an equation with the

variable, x^ⁿ, being multiplied by a number. We can eliminate equation A as this has a term.

2. Check there are no other terms in the equation.

life cycle is the process by which a living thing grows and changes from the start of its life until it reproduces, generating offspring that start the cycle again. For instance, a fly’s life cycle begins as a fertilised egg. The egg develops into a fly, which grows until it fertilises an egg or lays a fertilised egg of its own. The life cycle then begins again with the new fertilised egg.

Throughout its life cycle, a living thing will grow and change in predictable ways. For example, a brown bear weighs about one pound at birth. In its first year, it will develop sight, grow fur, learn to walk, and gain up to 70 pounds. As an organism grows, it may undergo physical changes. Sometimes these changes are so extreme that it looks like a whole different organism in each life phase, such as a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. An organism may eat different things during different phases of its life cycle or need different environmental conditions. Some species may look and act about the same throughout their life, while others undergo dramatic changes. However, all members of a species undergo the same life cycle. The steps and timing of a species’ life cycle are programmed into each species’ DNA.

Life Cycle of a Cell

All living things are made of cells. Many living things, such as bacteria, archaea, and most protists, are single-celled. A cell can make new cells by splitting in half. For a single-celled organism, this means that the organism can reproduce asexually – by itself, without needing a partner.

The tiniest, simplest cells, including bacteria and archaea, have very simple life cycles. A bacterial or archaeal cell is formed when an existing cell splits into two new cells. Then, each of those new cells grows until it is large enough to split, starting the cycle again. This process is called binary fission.

Larger, more complex cells, such as the microscopic, single-celled organisms that live in lakes and oceans, also reproduce by binary fission.

For direct proportion there can be no addition or subtraction involved in the equation.

So we can eliminate equations C and D. The only equation that only has an xⁿ-term being multiplied by a number is equation B. Here the power of the x is 2.

By William meredith

y=4x² indicates y x2

Example 2

Which of these equations indicate that y x?

1. Look for an equation in the form y=kxⁿ

We are looking for an equation with the variable, xⁿ, being multiplied by a number. We can eliminate equation B as this has a term.

2. Check there are no other terms in the equation.

For direct proportion there can be no addition or subtraction involved in the equation.

So we can eliminate equations A and C.

The only equation that only has an xⁿ-term being multiplied by a number is equation D. Here the power of the x is 1. y=5x indicates y x.

However, since these cells are more complex than bacteria, their life cycle is more complex. These cells have parts inside of them, such as a nucleus. As the cell goes through its life cycle, the parts grow and change. For example, when the cell is ready to reproduce, the outside layer (membrane) of the nucleus breaks down and disappears. After the cell is done reproducing, the membrane of the nucleus regrows in each new cell. This reproductive process is called mitosis.

Elliptical regrets figure the nights Of the driver coming always to the turn

Where the child was killed; they show a stiff design

As repetitious as the dogwood’s veined

Descent, in winter, from the twig to root. At night, for all the world as if it mattered, The bankrupt tries to fix the initial debt That seeded him a thicket of discredit. His thoughts concentre there monotonously By routes familiar to the dogwood’s blood, Borrowing flowers from the rough black bole.

And all night long the embezzler reviews

A diagram of greed that pulled him under. How could he hope to see, involved like that, The bud-tipped schemes the dogwood made last fall

To pay back all its foliage in the spring?

Unwittingly all tossing men describe The family of their guilt in Jesse trees. That is the winter time. The sap goes down. In grave, unhopping penance to the ground. The ruined nights of men are no less praising

Than slopes of dogwood on a winter day, Suggesting spring to no one but the blind Or sentimental, Soughing together in divine remorse.

(Source: Poetry [June 1956])

You wake up one morning to find that you’ve switched bodies with your pet. Describe your day as you navigate your new life.

WORD SEARCH

Step forward into opportunities across Guyana – Singh urges GOAL Class of 2026

…as 1st set of doctoral degree holders graduates

More than 3800 Guyanese have graduated in various disciplines under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, and they are now being called upon to use their certificates to take up the bountiful opportunities that are available across sectors in Guyana.

This call was made by Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh while delivering the feature address at Tuesday’s graduation ceremony at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.

According to Dr Singh, the GOAL programme, grounded in a strategic vision for national transformation, is part of a revolution in education and skills development, having recognised that a modern economy like Guyana’s cannot function without modern skills.

“From education to engineering, from business to technology, from health sciences to environmental management, GOAL is building a national skill base, and this is not just education. This is economic infrastructure. This is an investment in the human capital. This is

national development in action,” he posited.

With these newly acquired skillsets and knowledge, the finance minister urged the graduates to position themselves to take advantage of the exciting opportunities that are available in the country.

“Across every sector of this economy – energy, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, technology – opportunities are expanding at a pace never before seen in our national history. But opportunity alone is not enough. Opportunity must be seized.

“And so, the question you must ask yourselves as you step forward today and receive these certificates is, will you step forward into these opportunities, or will you stand aside and admire your certificates and watch others define the future?”

Help build Guyana’s future

Minister Singh went on to laud the achievement of the graduates of the 2026 class, noting that it is not just personal but an investment by the Government into the country’s future. To this end, he outlined that the graduates have a responsibility to help build Guyana’s future.

“Your certificate is not merely a piece of paper. Your certificate is a responsibility. It is a tool. It is a key – a key that opens doors not just for personal advancement but for national progress. Because education is never about the individual receiving the certificate. Education is really about the society that you serve, that those being educated will serve. It is about the problems you will solve; it is about the systems you will improve. It is about the communities you will uplift. It is about the ideas you will create. It is about the leadership you will provide and it is about the people you will serve,” he asserted.

Make a difference in Guyana

Similarly, Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Minister Zulfikar Ally, during his remarks, told the graduates that they are now expected to use those skills acquired to make a difference in Guyana.

“You now are wellequipped to face the new Guyana, the ever-changing Guyana, the digital Guyana, the modern Guyana. You must be now part of the solutions to challenges that we face as a country,” he noted.

GOAL creating opportunities...

Moreover, the PM asserted that learning is a lifelong pursuit and urged the graduands to continue upskilling themselves.

Impacted lives

Meanwhile, several graduates shared their experiences and reflected on how the GOAL has impacted their lives. Feliz Robertson, one of the graduates, explained that behind every graduation gown is a true story of determination. Speaking at the National Cultural Centre, she shared her journey of balancing work and studies while pursuing her programme through GOAL. “It was good, although it

was challenging. I had to complete my studies while working, especially because of the time difference between Dubai and Guyana. It was just six months of my life, and I pushed through. I am in awe of what GOAL is doing. Having the opportunity to study from home while maintaining a job has been invaluable,” Robinson said. Other students echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the flexibility and accessibility that GOAL provides to learners across the country. Kenneth Edwards, who hails from an Indigenous community, described the programme as a transformative ex-

perience and a new chapter for Indigenous people seeking higher education opportunities. “I recently completed the Certificate Course in Professional Development and Personal Communication. This is part of my journey toward advancing my qualifications. I plan to take the next step by pursuing additional courses, followed by a degree and eventually a master’s degree. From an Indigenous perspective, I must say that we have more opportunities now because programmes like GOAL give us the chance to advance ourselves at the tertiary level and achieve our educational goals,” Edwards stated.

Those challenges, according to Minister Ally, are not the same as those persons encountered seven to 10 years ago. For instance, he says graduates no longer have to worry about finding jobs after leaving school or even about having to repay tuition fees given that the Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has made education from nursery to tertiary completely free.

“You don’t have to worry about the two most fundamental things that people all over the world worry about when they graduate –finding out jobs and paying back student loans,” he asserted.

According to the Public Service Minister, “Today, companies are looking for

workers instead of workers looking for jobs. The labour force needs you. Our country needs you. Now is the time you make your parents and grandparents, and all those who toiled to make our country what it is today, proud of you.”

Of the 3876 graduates, some 2858 are women; 836 persons graduated with a Master’s Degree and 35 were PhD graduates – the first batch of doctoral graduands under the GOAL programme.

Among the new PhD graduands is this year’s valedictorian, Dr Tandeka Barton, who noted that the GOAL programme changed the reality for many Guyanese wanting to upskill themselves. Moreover, 99 of the graduates were from Region One (Barima-Waini), 185 from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 609 from

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), a whopping 2004 from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), 191 from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 350 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 62 from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), 33 from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 82 from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and 261 from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

With Tuesday’s graduation, the total number of students who have completed their studies under GOAL has gone up to 14,007. Since its launch in 2021, GOAL has provided some 54,793 Guyanese with opportunities to pursue studies at the certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels through partnerships with 38 local, regional and international institutions.

Elderly man remanded after illegal gun, ammo found hidden in ceiling

An elderly man who was found in possession of an illegal firearm and matching ammunition for his “protection” over the weekend has been remanded to prison.

Gordon Williams called “Monkey Harry”, 62-yearold resident of Lot 12 Perseverance, Essequibo Coast, was charged with the

offences of “Possession of firearm without licence” and “Possession of Ammunition without licence” Contrary to section 16 (2) (a) of the Firearm Act, Chapter 16:05. The Defendant appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday before Magistrate Ravendra Mohabir, who read both charges to him. Williams pleaded not guilty to the two charges and was remanded to prison. The cases have been adjourned until July 16, 2026.

On Saturday, police ranks from Regional Division #2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) discovered the weapon at Williams’ residence.

The officers had gone to the man’s home and conducted a search during which something suspicious was observed in the ceiling light fixture in one of the

3 men fined

bedrooms. Upon closer examination, a white T-shirt was found with a .45 Colt pistol along with one (1) magazine containing seven live matching .45 rounds of ammunition wrapped inside. Some of the serial number on the weapon

$410,000 for

was filed out. Questioned about the firearm, the suspect admitted to ownership and told the police, “me get robbed three times, mi get it for my protection”. Nevertheless, the man was arrested and subsequently charged.

drunk driving, traffic offences

Three men from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomroonSupenaam), have been fined by Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir after pleading guilty to a series of traffic offences heard at the Anna Regina and Charity Magistrates’ Courts. Construction worker Tageraj Khemraj, 29, of Riverstown, Essequibo Coast, was charged with driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed legal limit.

The offence occurred on May 18 along the Airy Hall Public Road, Essequibo Coast. The charge was instituted 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 No. 17 of 2022.

Khemraj appeared before Magistrate Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on June 19, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded guilty and was fined $200,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in six months’ imprisonment.

In a separate matter, Errol Williams, a 50-yearold labourer of West Public

Road, Mainstay, Essequibo Coast, pleaded guilty to five traffic-related offences.

The charges included dangerous driving, driving without a licence, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, operating an uncertified motor vehicle, and operating an unlicensed motor vehicle. The offences were committed on June 17 along the La Union Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Williams appeared before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on June 19. He was fined $50,000 for dangerous driving, with a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment. He was also fined $30,000 for

driving without a licence and $30,000 for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, each carrying a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment.

Additionally, he was fined $10,000 for operating an uncertified motor vehicle and $10,000 for operating an unlicensed motor vehicle, with default sentences of two weeks’ imprisonment for each offence. His total fines amounted to $130,000.

Meanwhile, Nyoon George, a 22-year-old miner of Hoppie Street, Dartmouth Village, Essequibo Coast, was charged with driving without a licence, operating an uninsured motor vehicle,

operating an uncertified motor vehicle, and operating an unlicensed motor vehicle.

The offences occurred on June 12 at Bounty Hall, Essequibo Coast. George appeared before the Charity Magistrate’s Court on June 22, where he pleaded guilty to all charges.

He was fined $30,000 for driving without a licence and $30,000 for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, with default sentences of three months’ imprisonment on each charge. He was further fined $10,000 for operating an uncertified motor vehicle and $10,000 for operating an unlicensed motor vehicle, each carrying a default sentence of two weeks’ imprisonment.

George’s total fines amounted to $80,000.

The new… …Banana republic?

Once upon a time, the Brits lectured the world on political stability. They sanctimoniously exported parliamentary democracy, constitutional norms, and sternly-worded opinions about how countries oughta govern themselves!! Today, however, with a seventh Prime Minister in 10 years in the offing, they’re changing leaders at roughly the same rate that other nations change mobile phone contracts!!

Now, the term “Banana Republic” used to be mockingly applied by the Brits to third-World countries where Governments are fragile, leadership is temporary, and political drama plays out continuously in living technicolour!! But it now seems Britain’s determined not to be left further behind in the global economy and has decided to become a services-based Banana Republic!!

Consider the aforementioned British premiership. The job now resembles the position of drummer in Spinal Tap: prestigious in theory, but nobody expects you to survive very long. A voter can leave for a summer holiday under one PM and return to discover the country’s cycled through several!! Children are now taught British political history using geological timescales: “The Sunak Period followed the Truss Event, which occurred shortly after the Johnson Epoch”!! We’ve just finished the Starmer interregnum and started the Burnham experiment!! This should be interesting and who knows, having the example of a namesake in its former colony of Guyana, Burnham might just decide to go whole hog on the Banana Republic bit!! Rigging elections in the offing – to “stabilise” the premiership??

Meanwhile, Downing Street has developed the atmosphere of a budget airline departure gate. PMs arrive, make an announcement about bold leadership, pose for photographs, and are shortly invited to proceed to the nearest exit. The funny thing though is that Brits continue presenting themselves as a beacon of continuity!! There’s the monarchy; the ceremonial guards; Stonehenge!! Only the PM changes so frequently; civil servants probably keep removable nameplates in a drawer!!

Observers once worried about coups in Banana Republics. Britain has innovated by replacing coups with internal party meetings – which achieve much the same effect but with worse catering!! At this rate, future British elections may simply skip the middleman!! Instead of selecting MPs, voters could subscribe to a PM of the Month Club. Members receive a new leader every few weeks – along with a commemorative mug and a brief explanation of why the previous one had to go!!

The genius of the British system is that every departing PM assures the public that stability’s gonna return under the next PM – who immediately begins preparing their own farewell speech. For a nation that spent centuries preaching how Government should work, Britain’s now become a demonstration of how Government can be treated as a limited-time promotional offer!!

God save the King – SOMEONE’S gotta provide continuity!!

…PNC?

As we gird up our loins for the upcoming local Government elections, your Eyewitness offers some advice to Aubrey Norton to save the PNC. He remembers Joe Biden’s 2020 inauguration where that “skinny Black girl” – as Amanda Gorman described herself – recited her poem that electrified the world in a vision for a new political culture – which he commends to Norton!!

“And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us./ We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside./ We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another./ We seek harm to none and harmony for all./ Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true./ That even as we grieved, we grew./ That even as we hurt, we hoped./ That even as we tired, we tried./ That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious. Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.”

…no mo

Did you know that Guyanese are the fifth largest ethnic group in New York?? The fact that Independence Day 60 was just acknowledged in 50 locations there –including Times Square – suggests ubiquity!!

Banks, Govt move to streamline condominium mortgage registration process

The Government and representatives of the banking sector have agreed to strengthen collaboration and improve guidance on condominium mortgage registration, following discussions aimed at addressing concerns about the implementation of the Condominium Act 2022. Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall SC, met on Monday with members of the Guyana Association of Bankers Inc (GABI) and other stakeholders at the AG’s Chambers.

The engagement comes in the wake of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s call for commercial banks to play a greater role in expanding financial inclusion by bringing banking services to new housing developments across the country. According to information shared by the AG, representatives of the banking association sought clarification on the application of the Condominium Act 2022 and guidance on the procedures for registering condominiums and condominium mortgages in Guyana. During the discussions, participants acknowledged the need for closer coordination between financial institutions and the Deeds and Land Registries. The importance of training staff on the procedures outlined in the legislation was also highlighted. Following what was described as substantive discussions, stakeholders agreed that there are no in-

stitutional barriers affecting the implementation of the Act or its related processes. It was also concluded that the legislation, in its current form, is capable of effectively achieving its intended objectives. To support consistent application of the law, Nandlall reaffirmed his commitment to public awareness efforts surrounding the Act. He also directed the legislation’s drafter to prepare a comprehensive guidance manual for financial institutions. The manual is expected to provide practical guidance on the interpretation and application of the Act’s provisions, helping banks and other stakeholders navigate condominium registration and mortgage processes more efficiently. Among those attending the meeting were Registrar of Lands Rosalie Robertson SC, Registrar of Commerce Reza Manraj, Registrar of Deeds Zanna Frank, Secretary of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) Rajesh Ramgolam, Head of Corporate Legal Secretariat at CHPA Hannifah Jordan, GABI Chairperson and Scotiabank Manager Nafeeza Gafoor, GABI Treasurer and Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Chief Executive Officer Shawn Gurcharran, Senior Associate at New Hayven Merchant Bank Lisa Ramotar, and Darshan Ramdhani KC, who drafted the Condominium Act.

CJ backs social media age limit, cites brain development risks for children

Citing extensive international research, Chief Justice (ag.) Navindra Singh argued that children under the age of 18 should be subject to parental oversight when using social media, noting that evidence increasingly points to the risks associated with unrestricted access to online platforms.

He made these remarks on Monday during a national consultation on regulating children's use of social media. Monday’s consultation was organised by the AG’s Chambers & Legal Affairs Ministry, on

behalf of the Government of Guyana, at Cara Lodge, Quamina St, Georgetown, with the legal fraternity.

Referring to scientific research, the Chief Justice noted that the human brain does not fully develop until approximately age 25.

He explained that individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 are in a critical stage of emotional development, during which the brain's socio-emotional system is still maturing, making young people more sensitive to external influences and reward-seeking

behaviour.

The Government of Guyana has launched a national consultation on regulating or banning children's use of social media.

While the Government has signalled that it may prefer regulation over an outright ban, it has emphasised the need to prevent abuse and mitigate the negative impacts associated with social media use. From the outset, the Government has also acknowledged the benefits of the World Wide Web and social media, including access to educational opportunities.

“I would strongly suggest that the minimum age be 18, and I base that on a scientific approach. I did some reading before coming to this forum. I recall reading that the brain does not stop developing until about age 25, particularly the socio-emotional system. During adolescence, children are highly sensitive and tend to seek rewards and validation,” Justice Singh stated.

He added that one of

the problems associated with social media is that it can contribute to stress and peer pressure, which in his view leaves a bad result.

“As a result, children are more susceptible to negative influences and may be encouraged to engage in inappropriate behaviour. Therefore, I would suggest that the minimum age should be 18,” he stated.

Meanwhile, he noted that given the wide range of social media platforms available, children do not necessarily need access to every type of platform.

“Social media can be divided into several categories, and there are some categories that children do not need to be on. I do not believe they need to be on media-sharing and social networking platforms. However, they may benefit from discussion forums and communication applications,” he added.

Inadvertently encourage Meanwhile, Attorney General (AG) and Minister

of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall said that parents must have an honest conversation about their own role in children's social media use. He noted that many parents often hand children mobile devices to keep them occupied while they themselves spend time browsing social media.

He contended that excessive time spent on digital devices reduces opportunities for physical activity and social development, adding that some parents inadvertently encourage this behaviour because they do not want to be interrupted while using their own devices.

“Therefore, regulating social media from the perspective of children becomes an important aspect of parenting. The state, as efficient as we may believe we are, cannot and should not regulate how you interact with your children. That responsibility rests primarily with parents. That is why almost every ministry in the Government has been consulting with var-

ious organisations within their respective areas of responsibility and expertise. We want everyone to be involved in this conversation,” he said.

AG Nandlall stated that many countries have already implemented similar initiatives, noting that Guyana is not "reinventing the wheel". However, he emphasised the need to develop an approach that is uniquely suited to Guyana's realities, dynamics, and societal characteristics.

Nandlall said the Government intends to create an original framework that could eventually be shared with Caribbean partners while remaining open to modifications and adjustments. He added that the Administration is keen to advance the process as quickly as possible. He further highlighted that digitisation remains a major pillar of the Government's development agenda, with efforts underway to digitise services and systems across the entire public sector.

GECOM to roll out fresh Claims and Objections exercise from July 1

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will be embarking on a new Claims and Objections exercise with the aim of producing an official voters’ list. This new round of Claims and Objections will run from July 1 to 17 and relates to entries on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) in order to produce an Official List of Electors (OLE).

In a notice published in Guyana Times on Tuesday, the Elections Commission explained that preliminary lists have been posted at prominent locations in all of the Registration Divisions/ Sub-Divisions and at all of the GECOM permanent Registration Offices across Guyana. In order to be included on the OLE, persons must be 18-years or older by June 30, 2026, and be a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, or naturalisation, or a citizen of a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for

one year or more. Eligible persons are also being encouraged to check the PLE to see if their names are included and if not, apply for registration. Those who have changed addresses, their names or need to make corrections to their information listed can also do so during this exercise. They are required to walk with original copies of their source documents such as Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificates, val -

id passports, deed poll and Naturalisation Certificates when going to make such changes. GECOM had made it clear that it would not accept Baptismal Certificates, expired passports, photocopies of relevant documents or letters from Priests, Elders, Headteachers, Village Toshaos, Justices of the Peace or old ID Cards as source documents for registration. The Claims aspect of this exercise regard-

ing entries on the PLE will end on Tuesday, July 14. 2026. Meanwhile, as it relates to the objection portion, this will run until July 17, 2026. According to GECOM, objections to the inclusion of the name of anyone who is suspected not to have met the eligibility requirements for inclusion on the OLE could be made only by: (i) accredited Scrutineers of Political Parties, providing they

have monitoring responsibilities for the Division/ Sub-Division in which the person being objected to is listed, and (ii) an elector who is listed on the same Division/Sub- Division list on which the person being objected to is listed.

Persons who are desirous of making Claims and/or Objections are required to visit the GECOM Registration Office or SubOffice responsible for their respective areas of residence to do so. This exercise comes as Local Government Elections (LGE) is due sometime this year. While no date has been fixed for LGE, the Elections Commission had commenced administrative preparatory works since January. GECOM had issued a vacancy notice for Temporary Trainers to design and develop training materials specifically tailored for the local Government polls.

Moreover, the Commission’s more than $6.9 billion allocation in Budget 2026 also caters for the hosting of the upcoming LGE. In fact, during the consideration of the budget estimates, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, had stated that the allocations cater for the full range of election-related requirements, including temporary Election Day staff, materials and operational needs. “In the budget, they have provided for Local Government Elections, both in terms of temporary Election Day staff…as well as ballots and stuff like that. They have material requirements for elections,” the Minister explained. She further noted that the allocation covers transportation, printing, training of polling day staff, and payments to scrutineers.

Pres Ali reinforces importance of stronger Food and Drug surveillance, monitoring

President Dr Irfaan Ali has underscored the need for stronger surveillance, moni-

toring, and testing systems within Guyana’s food safety framework, as the Government moves to en-

hance oversight of food products available in supermarkets and markets nationwide. The Head of

State made the remarks during a meeting with the leadership and staff of the Government Analyst-Food

and Drug Department (GAFDD), alongside Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha.

According to the President, the strengthened systems are intended to ensure that all food products meet required standards for quality, safety, labelling, product description and nutritional content.

Following the engagement, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony outlined several areas in which the Government is seeking to improve the country’s food safety architecture, including laboratory capacity, staffing, and inter-ministerial coordination. Anthony said the Health Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry will be working together to strengthen oversight mechanisms across the sector. “The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture will be collaborating closely to ensure that these things are closely monitored,” Dr Anthony said. He further stated that improvements are needed in laboratory systems to expand the range and volume of food testing being conducted. “We need to improve the capacity to do laboratory testing of different items of food to make sure they are valid and so forth,” he noted.

Improvements, upgrades

Responding to questions on whether the planned improvements involve infrastructure upgrades or human resource development, the Health Minister said both areas are being targeted. “All of it because we have to get the labs to be able to do more testing. We need to have additional people who would be able to do the testing and so forth,” he said. Anthony also pointed to ongoing legislative and institutional changes that are reshaping responsibility for food safety regulation between Ministries. He further explained that responsibility for food regulation

has shifted between ministries under updated legal provisions. “Right now, there’s legislation that allows food to go to the Ministry of Agriculture. So that’s what we are working on to make sure that they have all the capacity there. Previously food [and Drug Department] was under the Ministry of Health but with new legislation it’s being transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture,” Anthony explained.

Disconnect

In April, while addressing the 70th Annual Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Health Research Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali spoke about the disconnect between health innovation and regulatory frameworks. He was at the time making reference to the fact that the GAFDD in Guyana is working on approving the use of Mounjaro, a once-weekly, self-injectable medication for managing Type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management in adults. According to President Ali, while “everybody is using it”, regulatory authorities are still working on approving the drug.

“Health innovation is advancing at a pace that far exceeds the ability of many regulatory systems to assess, approve, and monitor. I’ll give you a simple example. I spoke to our Minister of Health recently. Our regulators at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are still trying to approve Mounjaro, and everybody is [already] using it,” he had said. “If the solution runs too far ahead of the regulator because of their ineffectiveness, or the ineffectiveness of the system to respond quickly, then the population will be ahead of you. The population will be ahead of you, and that is the complete collapse of a healthcare system,” the President had outlined.

Guyana’s UNSG nominee highlights women’s leadership in diplomacy

Guyana’s nominee for the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) position, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, engaged in discussions on gender equality in global leadership.

According to a statement from the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations on Tuesday, Ambassador RodriguesBirkett participated in a panel discussion titled “Equal Voices at Every Table: Advancing Women’s Leadership in Diplomacy".

The event was held ahead of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy and brought together the Permanent Representatives of Greece and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was preceded by a fireside chat with the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock.

International Day of Women in Diplomacy is observed on June 24 each year.

Participants at the panel shared their personal experiences in diplomacy and examined structural and cultural barriers affecting women’s leadership. Discussions also focused on practical steps to improve gender parity in international institutions.

On June 19, 2026, Ambassador RodriguesBirkett presented her vision for the United Nations during an interactive dialogue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which serves as part of the selection process for the next UN Secretary-General.

During her presentation, Rodrigues-Birkett outlined what she described as a “practical and realistic” approach to strengthening the organisation. She highlighted concerns about the slow progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ongoing global conflicts, and financial constraints facing the UN system.

She said the UN remains “indispensable” but stressed

the need for reform to make it more effective. Her proposals included improving internal efficiency, strengthening alignment across UN structures, and ensuring more effective delivery across peace and security, development, and human rights pillars.

Rodrigues-Birkett also addressed questions during the dialogue on how to strengthen the UN’s human rights work amid budget constraints. She suggested that investments in development and peace and security are also directly linked to human rights outcomes.

On conflict resolution, she said the UN must take a more active and visible role in mediation efforts, including direct engagement with parties in conflict situations. She also emphasised cooperation with regional actors and other mediators already involved in peace processes.

She further proposed the appointment of a diverse and inclusive leadership team within the UN Secretariat, with representation from all regions and a strong focus on gender balance and participation from developing countries.

According to her, an effective Secretary-General must demonstrate discernment and versatility, serving in multiple roles, including mediator, convener, negotiator, and spokesperson, depending on the situation.

Rodrigues-Birkett, who has served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN for the past five years, also referenced her previous Ministerial roles in Amerindian Affairs and Foreign Affairs as part of her experience relevant to the post.

She was nominated for the position by President Dr Irfaan Ali last week. She will compete against several high-profile candidates, including former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, former UN General Assembly President

Officials move to fix Mahdia water supply issues after site visit

Ateam led by the Director General of the Public Utilities and Aviation Ministry, Alfonso De Armas, and Government Member of

Parliament, James Bond, conducted a working visit to Mahdia to assess ongoing water supply challenges affecting residents.

During the visit, De Armas and Bond met with officials from Guyana Water Inc (GWI) and inspected the Salbora Catchment Falls, which serves as the main source of water supply for the town. The inspection focused on reported issues where rainfall causes debris and excess sediment to collect in the intake screens, affecting the flow of water to the system.

De Armas stated that a contractor has been identified and that work is expected to begin shortly to address

the problem and improve the reliability of the supply system.

The Director General also engaged the Regional Chairman of Region Eight, the Mayor and Town Clerk of Mahdia, and residents to gather further information on the water supply concerns.

According to information from the visit, which was posted on the Public Utilities and Aviation Ministry’s social media page, contracts have also recently been awarded for the drilling of two additional wells aimed at strengthening Mahdia’s overall water supply capacity.

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Misinformation, misrepresentation, fabrication – Opposition’s bread and butter

Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Parliament of Guyana recently met under the Chairmanship of the Speaker to elect the members of several standing committees. Following the appointment of the members to serve on the various committees, the MP representing the FGM, Ms Amanza WaltonDesir, was not appointed to serve on any committee. The WIN party had promised to nominate MP Walton-Desir to serve on at least one committee, specifically identifying the Committee on Foreign Relations.

WIN subsequently alleged that the reason for MP Walton-Desir not being appointed was that the Speaker and the PPP’s Chief Whip, Minister Gail Teixeira, prevented MP Walton-Desir from being nominated. WIN deliberately and maliciously gave the impression that the Speaker collaborated with Minister Teixeira to prevent MP Walton-Desir from serving. MP Walton-Desir herself, in a public statement, reaffirmed WIN’s explanation that she was prevented from being nominated for any committee because the Speaker and Minister Teixeira had objected to her nomination.

In the process, MP Walton-Desir and WIN engaged in misrepresentation and misinformation, fabricating a story that the Speaker and Minister Teixeira engaged in a conspiracy to prevent MP Amanza Walton-Desir from being a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations or being a member of any parliamentary committee. The truth is neither the Speaker nor Minister Teixeira could block anyone from being a member of any committee. Members are nominated by political parties in accordance with Standing Orders. Once nominations are within the provisions of the Standing Orders, neither the Speaker nor any other member can prevent the nomination. The bottom line is that the Standing Orders prevented MP Walton-Desir from being a member of the Foreign Relations or any other committee; Minister Teixeira and the Speaker had nothing to do with MP Walton-Desir’s non-appointment.

The Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations, as provided for by the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, consists of nine members. The members are nominated by each political party in Parliament in accordance with proportional representation. It has always been the case. Based on their electoral strength and the parliamentary representation of 36 seats (PPP), 16 seats (WIN), 12 seats (APNU) and one seat (FMG), the parties are eligible for the following distribution of the nine members on the Committee on Foreign Relations: 4.99 (PPP), 2.21 (WIN), 1.67 (APNU) and 0.14 (FMG). This translates into PPP – five seats, WIN – two seats, APNU –two seats and FMG – 0.

Azruddin Mohamed, his WIN party and MP Amanza Walton-Desir knowingly tried to misinform the public on how the members of the various parliamentary committees were selected. They deliberately and maliciously spread disinformation, trying to make the Speaker and Minister Teixeira the “bad guys”.

Unfortunately, the Opposition parties in Guyana have become totally dependent on fabricating stories, misinforming and misrepresenting facts. Misinformation and misrepresentation are bread-and-butter tools used by WIN’s leader Azruddin Mohamed and his followers and by the Opposition parties. The persistent utilisation of fabricated stories, misinformation and misrepresentation have become tactical tools to manipulate public opinion, mobilise voters and undermine the PPP.

The misinformation tactics and strategy adopted by WIN and the Opposition are not unique to the Opposition in Guyana. This has become a tool widely used by political parties and politicians across the globe. The political space in Guyana and around the world is now filled with misinformation and disinformation. Debates based on facts and reasoning are now pushed to the back of the room. The differences between political opponents are no longer based on ideas and reasoning. Facts-based arguments are no longer part of the debates. It has now become an exercise to see who dares fabricate, misinform or misrepresent the “biggest”.

Remember when the IDB published a report that in 2018 and 2019 the poverty rate in Guyana was 58 per cent and the Opposition parties made a big deal that the IDB reported a 58 per cent poverty rate for Guyana in 2025? The Opposition was spreading disinformation. This is their bread and butter. Misinforming the population is what they do, and they do it barefacedly. They never provided the whole story, the big picture; instead, the Opposition provides part of the story and then blames President Irfaan Ali and the PPP Government and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The same Opposition parties ignore facts like the Human Development Index, which was 0.44 in 1990 and is today close to 0.8. Countries with high poverty rates usually have HDIs below 0.5. The Opposition parties ignore facts like Guyanese imported more than 10,000 vehicles in just 10 weeks. When confronted with the reality that Guyanese families are now owning their own vehicles, the Opposition insists that only rich people and businesses import vehicles. Yet we see in community after community, ordinary families own their own vehicles. We see home mortgages growing to almost $200 billion in 2025. Thousands of ordinary families are accessing mortgages to build new homes. These families are not just rich people; these families are found in every single community in Guyana. But if one were to listen to the Opposition, one would think these facts are not Guyanese facts. The truth is the present Opposition parties in Guyana do not seem to have a clue on how to oppose President Irfaan Ali and the PPP Government on their policies and their performance. Instead, they rely on misinformation to exploit people’s anxieties. While the President and the VP and Cabinet members work with citizens in the communities to improve their lives and to ensure bottlenecks are eliminated, the Opposition parties look for opportunities to misinform and spread disinformation. This cannot be a sustainable political strategy. Sooner or later people discover the truth.

Linden backs waste-towealth initiative to reduce Blue Lake dumping

he Linden

TMunicipality has thrown its support behind a waste management initiative aimed at reducing the volume of biodegradable waste being disposed of at the dumping site located at the entrance to the Blue Lake area. Waste To Wealth Caribbean and its official execution partner, Outliers Zone Caribbean, recently met with Town Clerk Lennox Gasper and Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune, where they conducted a live composting demonstration and outlined a programme designed to divert biodegradable waste from the site. According to the organisation, up to 50 per cent of the biodegradable waste currently sent to the dumping area could be redirected through household composting practices.

The initiative also received the endorsement of Mayor Dominique Blair, who is currently on leave but expressed support for the programme during a telephone conversation with organisers. The municipality’s backing marks the first formal endorsement of the Waste To Wealth movement outside of Georgetown. The organisation said the support represents an important step in its goal of establishing composting communities across Guyana’s 10 administrative regions.

In a release on Tuesday, it was stated that as part of the expansion into Region 10, Waste To Wealth Caribbean will host a Trainthe-Trainer Composting Certification Programme on Thursday from 09:00h to midday at the Guymine Constabulary Recreation Hall and Club in Linden.

Organisers said registration remains open, although available spaces are limited and enrolment will close once capacity is reached. The training session is based on the organisation’s T.E.C.H. Composting Method, which converts household kitchen waste and cardboard into compost known as Organic Miracle Garden Soil (O.M.G.S.) over a period of approximately 12 weeks using a two-bucket system.

Participants will receive a composting kit, practical training, weekly technical support for 12 weeks, and guidance through their first compost harvest. The programme carries a participation fee of $50,000. Upon successfully completing the programme and producing their first batch of compost, participants may qualify for certification as Waste To Wealth Trainers. Certified trainers can then assist other households in the programme and earn compensation for each family they support through to their first harvest.

Founder of Waste To Wealth Caribbean, Rampertab Etwaria, said the initiative encourages residents to view organic waste as a resource rather than a disposal problem. “The dumping site does not have to be the final destination for our wealth. Every family in Linden can take responsibility and become part of this sustainable solution,” Etwaria said. The organisation has also invited the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA), the Regional Executive Officer (REO), and members of the private sector to support the programme through sponsorships for community participants and staff. Waste To Wealth Caribbean reported that since launching its public education campaign in April 2026, it has engaged 57 families in Georgetown and surrounding communities. The organisation has also received endorsements from the EPA, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, and landfill management authorities. It stated that its longterm objective is to reduce landfill-bound biodegradable waste by 25 per cent by 2030 through the development of 1,000 Waste To Wealth Champion Families across Guyana. Outliers Zone Caribbean has been appointed as the official execution partner for the Region 10 expansion and is responsible for project implementation, stakeholder engagement, public relations, media outreach and community mobilisation.

Onverwagt abattoir produced over 111,000kg of beef – GLDA

…says debates on facility must be based on facts not speculation

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has dismissed recent social media claims about the operations of its abattoir at Onverwagt, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), describing the allegations as speculative and unsupported by evidence. In a statement on Tuesday, the GLDA said the facility remains operational and continues to play a key role in the development of Guyana’s livestock industry. The authority noted that the abattoir was established as part of the Government’s strategy to modernise the sector by providing livestock farmers with access to a facility that meets modern hygiene and food safety standards. According to the GLDA,

the investment was intended to improve meat quality, enhance food safety, create opportunities for value-added production, and support the expansion of domestic and export markets. Responding to allegations that the facility is inactive or has failed, the authority said production records tell a different story. Since becoming operational, the abattoir has produced approximately 111,650 kilograms (kg) of carcass beef, using cattle supplied primarily by farmers from Regions Four, Five, Six, Nine and Ten. The GLDA added that limited quantities of cattle have also been sourced from Bonfim, Brazil, through approved and lawful channels. The authority argued that these figures demonstrate

that the facility is functioning and contributing to the growth of the livestock sector.

Scheduled slaughter

The GLDA also sought to address concerns raised by photographs and observations showing an apparent absence of cattle or workers at the site. It explained that an abattoir operates according to scheduled slaughter requirements and is not a cattle-rearing facility. As a result, the presence or absence of animals at a given time does not indicate whether the operation is active or inactive. The statement further rejected allegations that cattle are being secretly imported from Brazil for the benefit of public officials. The GLDA de-

scribed the claims as serious accusations that have not been supported by evidence. It emphasised that livestock imports into Guyana are governed by veterinary, inspection, quarantine and certification systems designed to protect animal health, food safety and the integrity of the livestock industry. The authority urged anyone with credible information regarding illegal activities to report the matter to the relevant authorities for investigation, stressing that allegations of criminal conduct should be supported by evidence rather than rumours or anonymous claims. The GLDA also addressed accusations of corruption and personal enrichment, stating that such matters should be pursued

through the appropriate legal channels and backed by verifiable evidence.

Ongoing investments GLDA highlighted ongoing Government investments in herd expansion, genetic improvement programmes, animal health services and initiatives aimed at increasing productivity and strengthening food security. According to the GLDA, these measures are intended to build a more competitive livestock industry while ensuring a reliable supply of quality beef for local consumers. The authority acknowledged the public’s right to scrutinise Government investments and demand accountability. However, it maintained that assessments of the ab-

attoir’s performance should be based on documented production records and measurable outcomes rather than assumptions or isolated observations. The GLDA said the success of the facility should be evaluated through its contribution to livestock producers, improvements in food safety and quality standards, and its role in strengthening Guyana’s livestock industry. While welcoming public debate and scrutiny, the authority stressed that discussions surrounding the facility should be guided by facts and evidence. It maintained that the Onverwagt abattoir remains an important national investment and continues to support the advancement of Guyana’s livestock sector.

Sanchez warns he “will not recognise” Fujimori’s victory in Peru election

Peruvian Presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez has denounced his country’s recent run-off election as “fraudulent”, rejecting results that show his rival Keiko Fujimori marginally ahead.

On Tuesday, Sanchez held a news conference calling for protests over the weekend.

He also said he would not recognise a Fujimori presidency, accusing authorities of manipulating votes cast abroad to favour a right-wing Government.

“We will not recognise that Government and will declare a state of political and social struggle – a movement of popular and patriotic resistance”, Sanchez wrote in a social media post after the event.

Sanchez’s statements are the latest sign of turmoil in Peru’s fraught political system, which has seen nine Presidents in power in

the span of a decade. They are also a reflection of the razor-thin margins in the ongoing vote count.

On June 7, the left-wing Sanchez faced the rightwing Fujimori in a run-off. With more than 99.7 per cent of the votes counted as of Tuesday, Fujimori is in the lead, with 50.11 per cent support. Sanchez, meanwhile,

won 49.89 per cent of the votes. Roughly 40,687 ballots separate the two candidates.

Authorities have said they intend to complete the vote tally within 30 days of the election, in time to prepare for the inauguration of the next President on July 28, Peru’s independence day. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Whistleblower investigating Ecuadorian President’s family business was murdered

Campaigners in Ecuador say a Polish anti-corruption activist who investigated allegations against the family business of the country’s right-wing President was murdered to silence her.

Monika Silva Koniuszek, 41, was found dead in her home in Montañita, a coastal town in Ecuador’s Santa Elena province. The single mother of daughters aged four and nine was found on the floor with a noose around her neck on June 8.

A day after her death, and before autopsy results had been released, Ecuador’s Interior Minister John Reimberg said that the initial hypothesis was that it was a suicide: “The necessary evidence to reach that conclusion was found at the scene,” he told local media.

However, on Friday, a post-mortem in Guayaquil found that the cause of death was a blow to the head and strangulation.

“Based on the forensic reports, we are certain that this was a violent death; therefore, the alleged suggestion that it

was a suicide falls apart,” said attorney Lita Martínez, director of the Ecuadorian Centre for the Promotion and Action of Women.

Colleagues say Silva Koniuszek had begun to investigate Noboa Trading, the fruit conglomerate belonging to the family of the right-wing President, Daniel Noboa. They said she had been pursuing allegations that several tonnes of cocaine had been seized in Noboa Trading banana containers, but high-ranking Ecuadorian judicial officials were stalling the investigations.

Shortly before she was killed, she told friends that she had delivered a dossier of allegations to the US embassy in Quito. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

US military trains T&T Defence Force in medical, jungle warfare readiness

Members of the United States Army and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) have participated in a joint military training exercise aimed at enhancing medical preparedness and operational effectiveness in challenging environments, the US military has said.

The Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Jungle Technical Exchange was conducted from June 15 to 18 at Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas, bringing together US Army Civil Affairs Soldiers from the 98th Civil Affairs Battalion (Special Operations) (Airborne), TTDF personnel and representatives from various re-

gional security agencies.

The US Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) said that the exercise focused on improving medical readiness, casualty management procedures and the sharing of best practices for operating in austere and jungle environments. It noted that participants engaged in practical training designed to strengthen their ability to respond effectively to emergencies and sustain operations in demanding terrain.

According to organisers, the exchange provided an opportunity for military, law enforcement and security personnel to collaborate and enhance their collective capabilities through

St Vincent driver arrested at A&B Airport after injuring national cyclist in hit and run

Kishroy Harry, a Vincentian national who was detained at VC Bird International Airport while attempting to leave Antigua and Barbuda (A&B), has been charged in connection with a collision that left national cyclist Tahje Browne seriously injured.

Harry faces four charges arising from the June 20 incident on Sir Sydney Walling Highway: dangerous driving, driving without the owner’s consent, driving without a valid driver’s licence, and driving without insurance coverage.

Police allege that Harry was driving a Toyota Vitz when it struck Browne near the A&B Transport Board as the cyclist rode along the highway.

Investigators further allege that Harry disposed of clothing he had been wearing at the time of the incident before attempting to depart the

country. He was stopped by authorities at the airport on Sunday and subsequently arrested and charged.

Harry is expected to appear before the magistrate’s court on Wednesday.

Video of the collision has since circulated widely on social media.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has urged the driver involved in the collision

that seriously injured cyclist Tahje Browne to report to law enforcement authorities, describing the alleged decision to leave the scene as “extremely unfortunate”.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne radio programme on Saturday, Browne said the national cyclist was fortunate to have survived the incident. (Excerpt from Antigua Newsroom)

J’ca: 1500 tourism workers benefit from J$2B housing assistance programme

Up to 1500 tourism workers who suffered loss as a result of Hurricane Melissa have benefited from the Government’s $2 billion Tourism Housing Assistance Recovery Programme (THARP).

The fund was established in December 2025 to help tourism workers stabilise livelihoods and recover after Hurricane Melissa devastated southwestern parishes last October.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the THARP, which is funded through the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF),

provided non-repayable $100,000 grants and critical building materials for tourism workers whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

He provided the update on Tuesday during his contribution to the sectoral debate in the House of Representatives.

Eligible workers include hotel staff, craft vendors, tour operators, red-cap porters, contract carriage operators and attraction workers.

“I am pleased to share that to date some 1500 tourism workers have received THARP vouchers –

and we continue to review the applications of hundreds of others,” Bartlett told the House. He said his ministry also moved quickly to restore the physical environment of the destination. In this regard, the TEF provided J$275 million for a post-Hurricane Melissa clean-up exercise that was undertaken across designated resort areas. The works included clearing fallen trees, removing debris and illegal dump sites, trimming overgrown vegetation, and improving key tourism roadways. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

VI repped at sargassum

“study visit” in French isles

Aknowledge sharing and handson instruction.

The joint training also sought to improve interoperability among participating agencies, ensuring that personnel can work together more effectively during humanitarian assistance missions, disaster response operations and regional security engagements.

The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in areas of security, defence and emergency response, while reinforcing a shared commitment to regional stability and preparedness. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

s a record-setting influx of sargassum continues to wash up on the territory’s shores, a two-person delegation brought back new ideas for managing the seaweed after a recent visit to Martinique and Guadeloupe, according to the Government.

The Premier’s Office Deputy Secretary Lavon Chalwell-Brewley and Climate Change Officer Atoya George represented the territory at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States-European Union Study Visit on Sargassum Management and Valorisation from May 31 to June 5.

At the gathering, attendees discussed innovative approaches to managing the environmental, social, health and economic impacts of re-

curring sargassum influxes across the Caribbean, according to the Government.

The VI delegates also took part in technical briefings, site visits and stakeholder consultations focusing on sargassum interception, collection, monitoring and utilisation.

“The observations and lessons emerging from the study visit may prove useful as the Virgin Islands continue to explore practical and sustainable approaches to sargassum management, environmental protection, coastal resilience and public health preparedness,”

Ms Chalwell-Brewley said.

“Given the increasing frequency of sargassum influxes affecting [our] coastlines, the study visit provided a timely opportunity to examine approaches being implemented elsewhere.”

The Government said various recommendations arose from the visit: assessing the feasibility of air quality monitoring systems in sargassum-prone areas; exploring community-based collection programmes involving fishers and coastal communities; evaluating the costs and benefits of barriers and barges; and investigating opportunities for composting processed sargassum.

The study visit formed part of the SARSEA (Sargassum Regional Strategies for EcosystemBased Actions) Initiative, a regional programme supported by the EU, Agence Française de Développement, Expertise France and the OECS. (Excerpt from BVI Beacon)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil prices finish 1% lower as investors focus on Hormuz flows after peace talks

Oil prices settled one per cent lower on Tuesday as investors kept a close watch on crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz following signs of progress in US-Iran peace talks.

Brent futures closed down 82 cents, or 1.1 per cent, at US$77.08 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures finished 65 cents, or 0.9 per cent, lower at US$73.21 a barrel. Both benchmarks hit nearfour-month lows during Tuesday’s session.

Prices have been trending down after falling three per cent on Monday after the United States granted Iran a 60-day sanctions waiver following initial peace talks and as officials reported a lull in hostilities in Lebanon under a broader agreement.

On Tuesday, Oman and Iran agreed to press on with discussions about the future administration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Iran would not be able to charge tolls in the key waterway as part of any final agreement with the United States, saying such an arrangement would violate international law.

Prices have been trending down after falling three per cent on Monday after the United States granted Iran a 60-day sanctions waiver following initial peace talks and as officials reported a lull in hostilities in Lebanon under a broader agreement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India prepares contingency plans due to weak monsoon season

India is drawing up plans to prepare for weaker-than-usual monsoon rains and the likely impact on crops in the world’s most populous nation.

The monsoon season has so far brought rains about 43 per cent below average, and India’s Meteorological Department has forecast continued weak precipitation through the week ending July 2, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday.

The monsoon delivers about 70 per cent of the annual rains in India and is critical for replenishing water sources in the nation of at least 1.4 billion people, where nearly half of the farmland lacks irrigation and about half of the population relies on

UN to evacuate sailors stranded in Strait of Hormuz as Rubio warns against tolls

The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) is set to evacuate more than 11,000 sailors who have been stranded in the Gulf because of the USIsrael war against Iran.

IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez said the “large-scale operation” would be carried out in cooperation with Iran, Oman, the US, other coastal states in the region and the maritime industry.

“We have secured the

necessary safety guarantees and have thoroughly verified the conditions for safe navigation to support these operations,” he added.

An interim deal was signed last week to end the conflict, but both the US and Iran continue to clash on details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The US has said the MoU includes guarantees that Iran’s nuclear weapons programme will come under inspections by

the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

US President Donald Trump posted on social media on Tuesday: “Iran has fully and completely agreed to the highest level of nuclear inspections long into the future (infinity!!!).

This will ensure ‘Nuclear Honesty’.”

Shortly before Trump’s post, Iran said the UN watchdog would not be able to inspect nuclear sites bombed by the US and Israel last year.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a tour of the Gulf on Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will also visit Kuwait and Bahrain –which both host US military bases – to discuss the deal with Tehran. Rubio warned on Tuesday that no country is allowed to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been pushing to charge ships passing through. (Excerpt from BBC News)

40 drowning deaths reported in France as Europe swelters in heatwave

There were 40 deaths from drowning recorded in France over the last week, as people turned to swimming in hopes of finding relief from a scorching heat wave. Millions across Europe faced extreme temperatures on Tuesday, and sweltering conditions continued to hit France particularly hard.

The 40 persons who died by drowning since last Thursday were mainly

young people, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said.

“It’s not something to be taken lightly, going swimming in unsupervised areas during a heat wave,” said French Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari, CBS partner BBC News reported, citing an interview with French radio.

Extreme conditions are expected to last at least until the end of the week, with

daytime highs above 104 degrees Fahrenheit in many towns.

In a country without widespread air conditioning, schools, public transportation and sporting events have been impacted. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower adjusted its operations for the scorching weather, closing in the afternoon instead of late at night as it usually does.

“Further record-breaking

temperatures are expected, including some that could surpass all previous records, regardless of the time of year,” Meteo France, the national weather service, said. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, especially in south eastern Europe, making the region more vulnerable to health impacts and wildfires. (Excerpt from CBS News)

Kenyan Minister orders halt to construction of US Ebola facility

Kenya’s Health Minister told a court he had ordered preparations for a US-run Ebola quarantine facility to stop after being held in contempt for ignoring a previous order to end work.

Many Kenyans strongly oppose the facility, with deadly protests erupting since the complex was announced in May for US citizens evacuated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is grappling with a widespread Ebola outbreak.

farming for its livelihood.

Climate change is shifting weather patterns and raising average temperatures in India, and the El Nino weather phenomenon this year has brought warnings of lower rainfall.

Authorities in Mumbai imposed restrictions on water usage last week, limiting supplies to swimming pools and construction sites.

Many residents slept on beaches to gain respite from the sweltering nighttime conditions in a dense city where many live without air conditioning.

Chouhan said water conservation must be accorded the highest priority due to this year’s climate concerns. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

There have been more than 1000 confirmed cases of Ebola in the DRC and more than 250 deaths as of June 20. Neighbouring Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed cases and two deaths.

The US facility was being constructed at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki, about 125 miles from the capital, Nairobi, with about 50 isolation beds. It was expected to be managed by US med-

ical staff.

Last month, the High Court ordered a stop to the centre’s construction until the groups’ case was heard.

After the Government continued to press ahead,

the court said on Monday it was holding the Health Minister, Aden Duale, in contempt of the order and that he would appear for sentencing.

On Tuesday, Duale apologised to the court, saying he had ordered “the immediate and complete cessation of any intended construction, site preparation, or related activities concerning the Laikipia airbase facility pending the hearing and determination of the substantive petition or until further orders of this court”.

Kenya has never recorded a case of Ebola, and many Kenyans oppose bringing potential carriers of the highly contagious disease into the country. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Trump, Iran at odds over nuclear inspections, frozen assets in deal to end war

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into “infinity”, while Tehran said it had made no such concession in negotiations, raising questions about the viability of their fragile peace deal.

The two countries, which held a first round of negotiations in

Switzerland that ended on Monday, also offered conflicting accounts about financial incentives for Iran, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel’s parallel war in Lebanon – all major aspects of the framework deal they signed last week that aims to end the war. Nevertheless, Trump said negotiations were go-

ing smoothly with Iran.

In a sign of easing tensions, the US relaxed travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup soccer team, allowing the squad to travel from Tijuana, Mexico, to Seattle two days before its next match instead of one.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 35 per cent of Americans think the US is now in a weaker position

with Iran than it was before the war, while 23 per cent believe it is in a stronger position. The Republicancontrolled Senate, meanwhile, defied Trump and voted to halt the war, in a largely symbolic move that highlighted fissures in his party. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trust issues will surface if someone doesn’t honor their promises. Stick close to home, and don’t share your feelings impetuously. Consider your options and the individuals you are dealing with. When in doubt, turn your attention to a physical activity that helps you blow off steam and gives you time to think. Choose peace and love over discord.

Pay attention to your inner voice and to your mental and physical needs. You’ll have the discipline to set up and stick to a routine that promises better health and emotional well-being. A challenge or job that requires thought and action will change your view regarding what’s meaningful and brings you joy. Don’t deny yourself happiness.

Put your energy into learning, improving your surroundings and taking an energetic approach to manufacturing positive change. Someone you associate with professionally may not share sufficient information. Do the legwork necessary to make wise decisions and outmaneuver anyone who challenges you. Redesign how you use your space to meet your demands. A home that runs smoothly will help you excel.

You’ll be sensitive to what others say and do. Understanding the motivation will play a role in how situations unfold and help you stretch your mind and imagination to accommodate both yourself and those you are dealing with. Balance, integrity and patience are necessary to defuse discord. Keep an open mind, ask questions and offer positive solutions.

Stay on top of your responsibilities. If you fall short, criticism will follow. Work diligently behind the scenes, fine-tuning what you can do and how you can help and make a difference. It’s what you do, not what you say, that will pay off in the end. Discipline, ingenuity and charm will lead to positive feedback and prospects.

Tuck your emotions somewhere safe. Concentrate on putting your energy and intellect into developing an infrastructure that encourages positive change. Use your strengths to make a difference to what concerns you, your household or your community. Volunteer your time, not your cash. An articulate presentation will grab attention and respect — and help.

Pay attention to money flow. Save for something meaningful. A partnership will play a role in how much you accomplish. Weigh the pros and cons, and maintain equality in all your dealings to ensure good results. Look at change as progress; adjust and go about your business. Improvements to your appearance or living space are favored.

Put ego aside when dealing with emotional situations, relationships or no-win discussions or situations. Listen, observe and offer solutions that benefit everyone. Rely on your experience and expertise, not aggression, to turn a negative into a positive. Make life decisions that encourage you to treat yourself and those around you with love and respect. Avoid risky situations and surroundings.

Look for additional income. A small home-based business will lead to learning, experience and prospects you never thought possible. Let your entrepreneurial talents rise and shine. A change you make or something you love to do will spark your imagination and encourage you to expand your interests, friendships and possibilities. Personal gain and improvements are on the rise.

Mixed emotions can lead to trouble when representing yourself and your beliefs. Take a moment, read the room and take an intellectual approach regarding who you are, what you want and where you feel your time and energy will have the best impact. A job interview will require honesty. Be assertive, and get what you want in writing.

Put your energy into making your space convenient and comfortable. Set the atmosphere to suit your routine and needs to encourage productivity and inner peace. Look for interesting ways to use your creativity to bring in extra cash. A home-based business will give you an outlet for anxiety and stress. Embrace change with a positive attitude.

Shy away from those who create chaos and cause uncertainty, and gravitate toward what and who makes you happy. Reaching out to people who share your interests will lead to information that can help you expand your circle and your ability to use your skills and creative gifts to ease stress or to bring in extra cash.

and electing to field, the Sineth Jayawardena, who

Anderson, Evelyn halfcenturies help Academy edge Sri Lanka in series opener

struck 32 from 23 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six. Captain Nipun Dhananjaya then anchored the innings with a composed 65 from 73 balls, hitting five fours. However, the middle and lower order failed to provide substantial support as wickets fell regularly, preventing the hosts from posting a competitive total.

West Indies Academy’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Jediah Blades leading the attack with figures of three for 42. Leg-spinner Zishan Motara was equally effective, claiming three for 32, while Raneico Smith chipped in with two for 25.

Chasing 185 for victory, West Indies Academy encountered some resistance

from the Sri Lankan bowlers but successfully reached their target at 185 for eight in 31 overs.

Damel Evelyn played the match-winning innings, remaining unbeaten on 77 from 97 balls. His patient knock featured eight fours and provided the backbone of the chase. Kelvon Anderson returned to form with an aggressive 58 from 45 deliveries, striking eight boundaries to keep the visitors on course.

Sri Lanka Emerging fought hard with the ball, led by Kavija Gamage, who delivered an outstanding spell to finish with four for 18. Despite his efforts, the hosts were unable to prevent West Indies Academy from taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

Ronaldo ends goal drought, 1st to score at 6 World Cups

Cristiano Ronaldo made history Tuesday by becoming the first player to score in six different World Cups, finding the net in Portugal’s 5-0 win over

Uzbekistan. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo, 41, had gone 10

Inaugural Bartica Super Cup Futsal Championship kicks off July 16

Bartica is gearing up for an electrifying showcase of futsal talent with the inaugural edition of the Bartica Super Cup Futsal Championship, which is scheduled to take place on July 16 and 17, with the grand finale pencilled in for July 19 at the Bartica Community Centre hard court.

The highly anticipated tournament will bring together some of Bartica’s most competitive and recognisable teams, including Mighty Ruler, Jones Avenue, Misdemeanour, Genosyde, Almanack Kings, Rivers View, Goal Raiders, Hill Top Boys, and Top Form, among others. Fans can expect three days of intense competition, exciting rivalries, and high-quality futsal action.

With an attractive prize structure on offer, teams will battle for top honours and a share of the lucrative prize purse. The championship-winning team will receive GY$500,000, while the second, third, and fourthplace finishers will earn GY$300,000, GY$200,000, and GY$150,000, respectively.

The tournament is being coordinated by siblings Brian and Oswin Joseph, alongside Troy Lambert and Ryan

Hackett, who expressed their excitement about launching what they hope will become one of Bartica’s premier sporting events.

“We are extremely excited to bring the Bartica Super Cup Futsal Championship to the community for the very first time. The response from teams, sponsors, and supporters has been overwhelming, and we are confident that the tournament will deliver a thrilling experience for players and fans alike while promoting sportsmanship, unity, and community engagement,” the coordinators stated.

The championship has attracted strong corporate and community backing from a number of sponsors, including Banks DIH Ltd, Rossignol Butchery,

Trophy Stall, the Guyana Small Miners Association, TL Drainage Disposal, NASA’s Tiki Bar, Orin’s Kitchen, Z2 Supermarket and Bar, Ody’s Fuel, D’ Grill Kings, and Sheffield Inc, among others.

The organisers have extended their gratitude to all sponsors and stakeholders whose support has made the event possible and are encouraging football enthusiasts from Bartica and surrounding communities to come out and support the teams throughout the championship.

The Bartica Super Cup Futsal Championship promises to deliver top-class entertainment, fierce competition, and an unforgettable sporting atmosphere as teams vie for supremacy and the coveted inaugural title.

games without a goal in major tournaments – a run stretching back to November 2022 –after drawing a blank against Congo DR last Wednesday.

In Tuesday’s Group K game, Ronaldo opened the scoring early with a near-post finish in the sixth minute before turning down the chance to add a second with a free kick – allowing Nuno Mendes to convert – and then later racing onto a through ball to make it 3-0 before halftime.

Ronaldo and his teammates faced heavy criticism after Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Congo DR – with coach Roberto Martínez being questioned for continuing to pick the star at centre forward – giving extra meaning to Tuesday’s win.

“God helps those who work hard. I knew my teammates would help out too,” Ronaldo said after the game. “It was a difficult week, a dark week. It felt like I’d retired from soccer. But I hung in there, as I always do, because I believe in hard work more than anything else.

ond-oldest scorer in World Cup history (41 years, 138 days), behind Roger Milla in 1994 for Cameroon against Russia (42 years, 39 days).

Portugal’s fourth goal came on the hour when a low ball into the box took a series of deflections and ended up in the net after ricocheting off Abdukodir Khusanov and Abduvohid Nematov.

“It was tough, I have to admit, but we’re back.”

Ronaldo had several chances to move on to a hat-trick in the second half Tuesday but was unable to find a third goal as Portugal moved to four points in the group ahead of their finale against Colombia in Miami on Saturday.

The goals mean the Portugal captain, who was named man of the match, is the first player to score in six different World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026.

He is also now the sec-

The Al Nassr star then forced a fine save from Nematov as he continued to chase a hattrick, and Rafael Leão completed the rout when he lashed into the roof of the net when a clearance rolled into his path.

“We’ve improved; that’s just how life is. We face setbacks during games and in life, but the main goal is always to improve,” Ronaldo said. “And that’s what we did. It was a very tough and difficult week, with public opinion being very harsh on all the players, especially on me and the coach.

“But I don’t mind. I’ve been in this profession for 23 years now, and whenever things go well, Cristiano is doing great, but when they go badly, Cristiano is retired; he’s too

old. It will always be like that. “But we responded well today. That’s what we wanted. We played with a high line, and when we do that, it’s hard to stop Portugal.”

This year, Ronaldo and Argentina captain Lionel Messi have become the only men in history to play in six World Cup tournaments. However, Ronaldo stands alone in scoring in each edition after Messi failed to score a goal at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ronaldo now has 10 goals in World Cups, and Messi has 18, after a hat trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria and two more goals against Austria made him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. (ESPN)

West Indies Head

Coach Daren

Sammy has emphasised the importance of patience, concentration, and adapting to conditions as his team prepares for the opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Thursday, June 25.

Speaking ahead of the first match of the series, Sammy revealed that the team’s preparations have been carefully tailored to the conditions expected in Antigua and to counter the strengths of the Sri Lankan side.

“I think we’ve trained specifically to look at the conditions we may face, what we expect here in Antigua, and what we have to do in order to match the Sri Lankan skill

Sammy, Da Silva confident ahead of 1st Sri Lanka Test

line-up when someone is bowling a good spell – these are areas that we focus on.”

The West Indies Coach noted that the squad has closely examined the pitch and developed a clear understanding of how it is likely to play. As a result, training sessions have focused heavily on building batting discipline and resilience.

Reflecting on the team’s performances during the early stages of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship cycle, Sammy identified batting consistency as a key area for improvement.

“Test cricket, for us, over the first six Test matches in this Test Championship, is batting for long periods and not losing so many wickets in a session,” he explained. “Sometimes we’re going good, and the ability to not let the bowling get into our batting

Sammy stressed the importance of placing a high value on wickets and maintaining concentration over extended periods.

“It’s not a sprint, it’s more like a marathon, and your true character will be tested in all formats of the game,” he said. “A lot of concentration, a lot of attention to detail, especially when you’re in the nets batting – just put a price on your wicket to bat long.”

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva is eager to make the most of his return to the Test setup after earning a recall to the squad.

Da Silva said his immediate focus is on settling back into international cricket, contributing with both bat and gloves, and securing a long-term place in the side.

“It’s just about starting well,” Da Silva shared.

Ongoing track work forces cancellation of Dakota 100 Endurance meet

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has announced that its upcoming Dakota 100 Endurance Race Meet scheduled for June 28, 2026, has been cancelled.

The decision comes as ongoing works at the circuit have not yet been fully completed, resulting in the venue not being in a condition to safely host drivers, competitors, and race officials.

The safety of all participants remains the highest priority, and after careful assessment, organisers determined that postponing

the event is the most responsible course of action at this time.

“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of our drivers, teams, sponsors, and fans as we work to ensure the best possible conditions for future events,” organisers stated.

“We knew that the aggressive timeline of getting the venue up to scratch was going to be difficult, and the weather has not been on our side. However, we have commissioned a team to work 24 hours to get the venue to the standard we need it,” the official added.

“What we can say is that the actual track is complete. It’s the ancillary work, perimeter fencing and things like that that are still being built and put in place that is ongoing. It’s because of this that we have kept some of the machinery and materials nearby, and as such, we can’t risk having competitors at the venue where there are hazards.”

The GMR&SC advised that updates regarding a new event date and future racing activities will be communicated once arrangements have been finalised.

“Coming back into the team, I get accustomed to play ing at the international lev el again, find my feet, score runs obviously, keep well.”

The Trinidadian added that he is determined to ex tend his stay in the Test side beyond his previous stint.

“I’m trying to keep myself in the team for as long as pos sible again, hopefully longer than the last time I had five years before. So hopefully I can make that a little longer and beat that record for my self.”

Despite the pressure of returning to the internation al stage, Da Silva remains fo cused on enjoying the experi ence and reconnecting with teammates.

“It’s just about enjoying it, having fun, and playing with my teammates again,” he ex plained.

He also highlighted his excitement at potentially witnessing a significant mile stone for fast bowler Jayden Seales, who is closing in on

GFF Youth Ensemble engages 2000+ youth players countrywide

In a remarkable milestone, the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Youth Ensemble has recorded an outstanding level of nationwide participation, with 2019 player registrations and 123 club entries confirmed across the Boys’ Under-13 and Under-15 championships, a missive from the Federation indicated on Tuesday.

According to the GFF, the Boys’ U13 Championship features 913 player registrations from 58 club entries, while the Boys’ U15 Championship has attracted 1106 registrations from 65 club entries. Participation extends across nine regional associations: Berbice, Bartica, East Bank, East Demerara, Essequibo Coast-Pomeroon, Georgetown, Rupununi, Upper Demerara and West Demerara.

GFF President Wayne Forde said the response demonstrates the strong national demand for consistent and structured youth football.

“This programme can only succeed through the collaboration of our clubs and regional associations, and I am extremely pleased that they have all responded positively, even under challenging circumstances. More than 2000 young players are now benefiting from this initiative. This is what football development in Guyana will look like over the next four years, clubs working together to create opportunities and build a

clear pathway for the next generation.”

The widespread engagement reflects the collective efforts of the regional associations, clubs, coaches, parents, volunteers and community leaders who continue to support the development of young footballers throughout Guyana.

The Youth Ensemble forms part of the GFF’s long-term commitment to

providing regular competition, expanding access to football and establishing a sustainable development pathway from grassroots and youth football to the national level. This is the youth development infrastructure being put in place over the next four years, supported by an annual investment of GY$44 million in collaboration with FIFA.

“Best brand of hockey” – Fernandes impressed with Diamond Jubilee Cup

Pepsi Hikers Men and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Elite Women were the last two teams standing in what was a highly competitive Diamond Jubilee Cup, hosted by the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, last week.

The competition attracted 8 clubs across divisions, producing five days of avid Hockey action at what was described as the ‘premier’ venue for the outdoor version of the sport.

As the curtains came down on the competition, Evening News Sport caught up with GHB President

Philip Fernandes, who shared his thoughts on the competition.

Fernandes told this publication, “This was a tournament that the players really looked forward to. We haven’t had outdoor Hockey in quite a while; we struggle a lot with the lack of facilities, and then, with the Diamond Jubilee celebration, we got the opportunity to play, not just at a facility but at a fantastic facility.

“To play at this stadium, under lights, it really brings out the best of everybody,” he said. “I think the players were excited to play, I think the talent was

showcased well, and we had a really enjoyable tournament of Hockey here.”

Fernandes went on to emphasise the difference that the venue made in the competition.

“Well, the game is completely different on a good field because, remember, internationally, the game is played on artificial surfaces which are absolutely smooth, flat and this surface is the closest thing to that. So, it makes for the best brand of hockey,” the GHB President shared.

Looking at the teams’ performances, the GHB Boss was happy to see the youth players coming to the

Munisar elated to make an impact at T20 World Cup

Guyanese off-spinner

Ashmini Munisar is relishing her time at the ongoing 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, coming off of a strong performance against Sri Lanka’s women in the team’s last outing.

Coming in as an additional spin option, Munisar seized the opportunity of her first outing at the World Cup with both hands, returning 1-16 from her four overs at an economy of 4.00.

Discussing her first World Cup wicket with CWI Media, the Guyanese described it as “special”.

Munisar expressed, “It was a really special feeling and a special moment. As

her first game at this World Cup, Munisar shared that it’s

soon as it hit her, I knew that was out; they reviewed it, and it was just myself and the entire team waiting for confirmation to know if it was my first. It was a really enjoyable moment sharing that special wicket with all of my team members.”

Making an instant impact for the West Indies Women in

a long-standing goal.

“It’s something that I’ve always been working on to be that,” Munisar explained. “Whenever I come off the bench or whenever I have an opportunity, just make the most out of it and to try as much as possible to have an impact on the game.”

The 22-year-old admitted

that her performance comes as a confidence booster.

She noted, “Once you’re doing well, obviously confidence will boost, but you got to know within yourself that you have to have confidence. To have an impact in such a game, it just goes to show that yeah, I’m good enough and I can only get better from here.”

As the West Indies women prepare to take on England today in a Group Two, top-ofthe-table clash, the Guyanese spinner detailed a few areas that will have their attention.

“Obviously, the conditions might be a bit different,” Munisar reasoned, “So, just us as a team, adapting to the conditions, having our combinations right and just going out there and executing at our best.”

West Indies and England will do battle from 13:30h today at the iconic Lord’s Ground in London.

fore in the senior competition.

“Right now, we’re at a stage where a lot of the clubs have had rebuilding programmes. We had a good junior national competition that has been developing children from the under-14 age group. That started several years ago, and we’re reaping the benefits of that now because kids that we first saw playing as 11- and 12-yearolds are now playing really high-quality hockey,” he explained.

Fernandes added, “We could see that, as you said, in Old Fort especially and then Saints, where you

have young players playing at a really high level, and it’s shown. So, it’s good competition for the young and the old.”

Addressing teams such as the GC Elite Women who blew out all of their competitors, Fernandes discussed their need to now compete at a higher level.

“I think what has happened, they have been the top club for a while, so, as you can see, they have good margins of victory. So, they need now to challenge themselves further afield,” the GHB President stated. “So, they’re actually preparing to go to Trinidad in July to play in

a championship over there against teams coming from North America, around the Caribbean and so on.” That gives them incentive to push on. Hopefully, when they go, they raise the level of hockey; they bring it back to Guyana, and the other clubs also will learn from their experience. Apart from the local competition, there needs to be constant exposure internationally,” Fernandes further explained.

While Pepsi Hikers and GCC Elite won the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, Jamarj Assanah and Carolyn Deane were the respective MVPs.

Timehri United, Fruta Conquerors clash tonight for final 26/27 Elite League spot

Fruta Conquerors Football Club (FC) will look to preserve their place in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League tonight when they face Timehri United FC in a decisive promotion-relegation playoff at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:30h and will determine whether Conquerors remain in the country’s top tier, or Timehri will earn promotion after falling short in Sunday’s Elite League Playoff final.

Timehri were beaten 2-0 by Camptown Football Club on Sunday night, a result that sent Camptown into the Elite League for the first time. The Georgetown-based club completed a historic night through goals from Shane Jones and Ozeal Small.

Jones opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Small sealed the result in the 73rd, as Camptown’s defence held firm to secure direct qualification to the 2026/2027 Elite League.

After a goalless first half, Leroy Evans broke the deadlock in the 47th minute before Nyron Barrow doubled the lead seven minutes later. Shawn Steele added a third in the 68th minute, while Michael Correia completed the victory in stoppage time.

Camptown had also booked their place in the final with a comfortable semi-final win, eas-

For Timehri, tonight’s match offers a second chance at promotion. They now face ninthplace Elite League 2025 finishers Fruta Conquerors, with the winner taking the final available place in the next season of the league. Timehri will enter the contest hoping to rediscover the form that carried them into Sunday’s final. Last week, they produced a clinical second-half performance to defeat Beavers FC 4-0 in the playoff semi-finals.

Caribbean’s 1st dedicated cricket channel CPL, Rush Sports launch “Rush Live & Louder” :

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), in partnership with Rush Sports, has announced the launch of Rush Live & Louder, a new dedicated television channel that will become the Home of Cricket for the Caribbean. This channel will feature this year’s Men’s and Women’s CPL matches as well as a wide range of international cricket acquired from leading cricket boards around the world. Rush Live & Louder marks the transformation of CPL from a seasonal tournament into a year-round cricket media platform, creating a permanent home for cricket fans throughout the Caribbean.

Launching on July 1, 2026, and available across major cable and television networks throughout the region, Rush Live & Louder will provide cricket fans with year-round access to live matches, highlights, original programming, classic encounters and exclusive content from some of the world’s

moving beyond content creation and rights ownership to become a distributor and curator of premium cricket content from around the world.

Caribbean fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage of the 2026 Republic Bank CPL season beginning on August 7, alongside year-round international cricket programming. In addition to live cricket, Rush Live & Louder will feature original talk shows, magazine programmes, documentaries and classic matches from CPL and other major competitions.

Pete Russell, Caribbean Premier League CEO, said:

“Rush Live & Louder is a huge moment for CPL, for Rush Sports and for cricket in the Caribbean. We have always wanted to give Caribbean fans more cricket, more often, and this channel allows us to do exactly that. CPL will remain at the heart of the offering, but fans will now be able to watch live cricket from around the world throughout

leading cricket competitions.

The channel represents a landmark moment in cricket broadcasting and is among the first dedicated linear television channels launched by a cricket league anywhere in the world. Building on the success of CPL’s social media channels, which have become a yearround destination for cricket fans, the league is now taking the next step in its evolution by

the year. We are creating a true home of cricket for the Caribbean.”

“Rush Live & Louder is an ambitious and innovative project that reflects the passion Caribbean audiences have for cricket. By combining CPL’s world-class cricket properties with premium international rights and original programming, we are creating a channel that will serve cricket fans every day of the year. We believe this is a significant

step forward not just for cricket broadcasting but for sports media more broadly.”

Rush Live & Louder represents a significant strategic milestone for both partners, establishing a new model in which a cricket league not only creates content and owns rights, but also directly distributes its content while acquiring rights from leading cricket competitions around the world.

The launch demonstrates CPL’s ambition to build a year-round cricket eco -

system for fans across the Caribbean. While the CPL tournament remains one of the region’s

premier

Exactly a month away from the first ball of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League’s (GSL’s) third edition, Guyanese fans can secure their spots at the Guyana National Stadium early as the ticket box office reopens.

As explained by GSL Communications and Public Relations Officer

Avenash Ramzan, the GSL-CPL bundle deal is back on.

“What is also happening today as well is the

and the reopening coincides as well with the continuation of the GSL-CPL ticket bundle, where once you purchase tickets for the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, you have the opportunity for the Caribbean Premier League, also happening later this year,” Ramzan told media operatives as the Camp Street venue reopened its doors on Tuesday.

He added, “Of course, we encourage persons to come out and take part in

for the bundle deal, which was initially offered from May 28 to June 2. As such, Ramzan noted that the initial response was favourable.

Ramzan divulged, “Because of the fact that there’s that bundle package where you have an exclusive opportunity for CPL tickets, we’ve seen people coming to the ticket office; that offer is also online. So, there has been a favourable response; people are coming. So, it’s a “win-win.”

Ramzan went on to

reopening of the box office here on Camp Street,

share another update on the GSL, which will allow

fans to become the “face or voice” of the 2026 tournament.

“Another exciting thing that is happening for the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League this year is an opportunity being provided by ENet to give persons an opportunity to be part of the ExxonMobil tournament through being the face or the voice of GSL,” he announced.

“You’ll do a video talking about the GSL for 30 seconds, and you upload it to social media with the hashtag #GSLdreamjob. You tag the ENet and GSLT20 pages, and you have an opportunity to ei-

ther be the face of the GSL or be the voice of the GSL.”

The “face of the GSL” will allow the winner to engage in television commentary and interviews in the stands, while the “voice of the GSL” will present a radio commentary opportunity.

“So, it’s a wonderful opportunity for Guyanese to be part of something that is homegrown,” Ramzan declared as he announced the $500,000 grand prize for the exercise.

In addition, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) merchandise store is open for business with a new line of items on offer. Fans can

get their 2026 player replicas for the GSL, alongside branded ExxonMobil GSL gear and other GAW novelty items.

The Camp Street, Georgetown Box Office will be open from 08:30h to 16:30h on weekdays and from 09:00h to 13:00h on Saturday.

The ExxonMobil Guyana GSL is set for July 23 to August 1, with GAW defending their title against Pakistan Super League’s Lahore Qalandars, Major League Cricket’s San Francisco Unicorns, Big Bash’s Perth Scorchers, and International League T20’s Desert Vipers.