Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com
Issue No. 6541
THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
US Deputy Secretary of State heads to Guyana this week for high-level talks on energy, critical minerals
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WHAT'S INSIDE:
Indigenous Day 2026 honours P12 midwives, ancestral knowledge
Page 7
Guyana Development Bank
Pres Ali proposes financing for Port Mourant hatchery, tunnel houses
Doctor arrested after Corentyne fatal collision
Page 3
New Amsterdam set for sweeping makeover with modern market, esplanade, upgraded streets
P14
5000 cannabis plants, shotgun found during P10 ganja farm raid
See story on page 13
9mm pistol found during Kwakwani Police operation
P10
A motor car caught fire on the Heroes Highway, near Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara on Sunday
US Air Force strengthens GDF Air Corps maintenance capabilities
Page 11
12% hike in visitor arrivals for 1st half of 2026 – Tourism Authority See story on page 9
6 drivers fined $1M; 4 on $925,000 bail over dangerous, drunk-driving charges Pages 8 & 15
Unoccupied P10 Rose Hall house destroyed by fire
1st BogotáGeorgetown cargo flight lands in Guyana P15
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
BRIDGE OPENING
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BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, August 10 – 14:50h–16:20h and Tuesday, August 11 – 15:45h–17:15h.
Pres Ali proposes financing for Port Mourant hatchery, tunnel houses
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Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected during the day, followed by clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius. President Dr Irfaan Ali
Winds: East-North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.13 metres and 4.47 metres. High Tide: 14:55h reaching a maximum height of 2.35 metres. Low Tide: 08:21h and 20:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.74 metre and 0.86 metre.
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Residents of Port Mourant at Saturday’s public consultation on the “Model Village” Initiative
W
ith the foundation set for the Guyana Development Bank (GDB) to be operationalised, President Dr Irfaan Ali has touted a number of proposals that residents of Port Mourant in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) can capitalise on. Addressing residents during a public consultation on the “Model Village” Initiative on Saturday, the Head of State recognised that Port Mourant is a predominantly agricultural community. To this end, he presented some business models that the persons there can tap into with financing from the GDB. However, President Ali pointed out that persons would have to come together and form consortiums in order to benefit from this small business support initiative. “[We will] establish clusters that we want to work with on the Guyana Development Bank so that we can have hatchery here, we can have the tunnel house programme here [and] we can have the shade house programme here, but working in clusters,” he emphasised. The Guyanese Leader told the residents that a team comprising Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Government Efficiency and Implementation Minister Zulfikar Ally will return to Region Six in two weeks’ time to launch the GDB. They would collaborate with other officials including regional representatives to engage the Port Mourant community with the aim of forming these clusters. “Those persons [come here] to start working with you in clusters so that you can have the maximum gains out of the Development Bank,” Ali posited. Just last month, the National Assembly passed the GDB Act 2026,
paving the way for existing and aspiring Guyanese small business owners to start access financing and other support services. This, coupled with the President’s subsequent assenting into law, now allows for the operationalisation of the Development Bank, which will see loans of up to $3 million being provided to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across a wide spectrum of sectors, free of collateral and free of interest.
Housing support
In addition to business support, the Head of State also assured residents that the Government is working to address 100 per cent of the housing needs in Region Six by the end of 2026. He indicated that every household with exist-
ing housing applications is expected to receive allocation letters before the end of the year. Moreover, to ensure allottees move towards homeownership, the President also outlined measures to assist families who have received land but require support to begin construction, including affordable assistance with establishing the foundations of their homes. Ali also announced plans to roll out the social housing programme in the region. This initiative targets persons living with severe disabilities, single parents facing extreme circumstances and other vulnerable groups. With approximately 300 persons targeted initially, the Guyanese Leader said an assessment would have to be done to ensure
that the beneficiaries are those with urgent housing needs. “So, there will be a team that will do such an evaluation. And we want to start this programme before the end of the year that will look at building these social houses… So, we want before the end of this year, to have these houses ready in those areas,” he noted.
Model Village
Port Mourant is the latest community to benefit from the Government’s “Model Village” Initiative. During Saturday’s engagement held at the University of Guyana’s (UG) Tain Campus, residents were presented with the plans to improve and transform the community. In Port Mourant, the initiative will focus on upgrading roads, road shoulders, walkways and drainage, alongside improved street lighting, CCTV cameras, fire hydrants and other safety measures. TURN TO PAGE 14
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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Bauxite becomes strategic F or decades, Guyana’s bauxite industry was treated as an old story—one of our traditional extractive industries, important to Linden and the national economy but increasingly overshadowed by the spectacular arrival of oil. That story may now have to be rewritten. The announcement that the US Department of War’s Economic Defence Unit, working with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, is committing US$85.5 million in equity investment to Strategic Bauxite USA LLC for refractory bauxite production is not simply another foreign investment announcement. It is a strategic signal because the US Government is putting its money behind a Guyanese mineral since it has decided that secure supplies of refractory bauxite matter to America’s industrial base. The US Government investment is to be supplemented by another US$64.5 million from private investors – presumably from Strategic Bauxite – bringing the announced financing package to US$150 million. Strategic Bauxite recently acquired First Bauxite, whose Bonasika operation in the Essequibo region has been producing high-quality non-metallurgical bauxite. This is where the significance becomes considerably greater than the dollar figure because Guyana’s old mineral suddenly acquires a new strategic value. We have known for generations that we possess unusually high-quality bauxite. Indeed, our bauxite was once dominant in the global refractory market. The World Bank noted that Guyana supplied nearly three-quarters of global demand for refractory and related high-grade bauxite products in the 1960s, before losing market share to competitors – including China and Brazil - after Burnham nationalised Demba and could not meet delivery schedules because of politicized management. Refractory bauxite is not simply another raw material for making aluminium but is used in materials capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures in furnaces, kilns, and other industrial processes. That makes reliable supplies important to steel, cement, foundry and other heavy industries. The American investment, therefore, reflects the increasingly open Washington doctrine of economic security: supply chains for strategically-important materials cannot be left entirely to market forces or concentrated in countries regarded as geopolitical competitors. We have, therefore, found ourselves sitting on something Washington considers strategically useful when China is already the dominant player in Guyana’s conventional bauxite industry through Bosai Minerals. The US has declared it intends to checkmate China’s increasing economic presence in the hemisphere. So the American investment in Strategic Bauxite should not be viewed in isolation: it is part of a much larger contest over who will supply, finance, process and ultimately control access to the strategic minerals required by the industrial economies of the future. But Guyana must be careful about celebrating the investment merely because the money is foreign, the investor is American or more bauxite will be exported. The critical question how much value Guyana will retain. Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud has already made the Government’s position clear: American investment is welcome, but Guyana wants value added to its bauxite and other minerals, including processing and improvements in energy generation. That is precisely the right ambition. The country should now insist that its mineral resources become another foundation for industrialisation along with natural gas and not merely increased exports. If refractory bauxite can support beneficiation, calcination, specialised refractory products, ceramics, industrial materials and eventually other downstream manufacturing, then the US$150 million announced investment could become the beginning of a much larger industrial ecosystem. The US said they will implement a follow-on project to establish a brown-fused alumina (BFA) facility in the US and we should start by encouraging locating the facility locally since we can provide the necessary electricity. There is wide demand for refractory bauxite from our other Western allies and this should produce better terms, more technology transfer, greater local employment, stronger environmental safeguards, Guyanese ownership opportunities and, above all, downstream processing. The fact that the American Government itself is prepared to invest alongside private capital demonstrates something important: strategic minerals are no longer being left entirely to the invisible hand of the market. While oil may have made Guyana rich, perhaps bauxite can help our continued industrialisation.
A boy takes a selfie with President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday at Rose Hall, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) during the “Model Village” public consultation where he engaged residents on their vision, priorities and ideas for the continued transformation of their community (President Dr Irfaan Ali/Facebook)
Who is allowed to think? By Dudley McLean II
J
amaica has entered the artificial intelligence (AI) age with familiar educational questions disguised as new technological ones. We are asking whether students should use AI, whether it will weaken learning, whether teachers will lose control, whether examinations remain trustworthy, and whether machines will eventually do too much of the thinking. But beneath those questions lies an older struggle. For more than two centuries, the real battle in education has not simply been about who gets into the classroom. It has been about who gets access to intellectual power, who controls that access, and what people are expected to do with the knowledge they acquire. That was true when 19-century elites debated the education of the poor. It was true when former slaves sought literacy after Emancipation. And it remains true as AI places extraordinary intellectual assistance within reach of ordinary students. The comparison must be made carefully. AI is not equivalent to Emancipation from slavery. But the underlying educational tension is strikingly similar. Between 1800 and 1870, the question across much of Europe, North America, and the Caribbean increasingly became less about education vs ignorance and more about three things curriculum, control, and purpose. What should ordinary people learn? Who should decide? And what kind of person should education produce? In Britain, Parliament began providing State assistance for elementary education in 1833. Yet education remained strongly connected to religious instruction, moral discipline, industriousness, and social order. The poor might be educated, but education was not necessarily intended to turn them into critics of the society into which they were born.
Elsewhere, the pattern varied, but the underlying concern was similar. Schools could produce productive workers, loyal citizens, disciplined subjects, and morally respectable people. The problem became much more acute in slave societies. In parts of the antebellum American South, teaching enslaved people to read was prohibited or severely restricted. Literacy was dangerous because slavery required not only control of the body but control of knowledge and interpretation. After Emancipation, formerly enslaved people rapidly demonstrated that they understood education as more than preparation for work. They built schools, demanded teachers, raised funds, and treated literacy as part of freedom itself. Jamaica faced the same contradiction. After Emancipation, missionary schools and imperial educational assistance expanded opportunities for formerly enslaved Jamaicans. But the plantocracy confronted an uncomfortable truth: Education might help create disciplined participants in a free-labour economy. It might also create people capable of questioning the assumptions upon which plantation society had rested. A person taught to read the Bible might encounter passages concerning obedience. But that same reader might also encounter Exodus. Once people learn to read, those who teach them cannot completely determine what conclusions they will reach. That is why education has always been about power. And that brings us to AI. AI has genuine potential to become one of the greatest educational equalisers available to a country such as Jamaica. A student with an Internetconnected device may now obtain explanations of difficult concepts, language assistance, examples, writing feedback, revision support, and something resembling individual tutoring. Historically, such support has
disproportionately belonged to students whose families could afford better schools, books, tutors, and enrichment opportunities. AI could help narrow that gap. But it could also deepen it. A student with strong literacy, subject knowledge, and critical-thinking skills may know how to interrogate an AI response, test its accuracy, compare evidence, and reject nonsense. A weaker student may simply accept whatever appears on the screen. We could therefore reduce the digital divide while creating a new cognitive divide. That is why Jamaican education must move beyond the simplistic question: Did the student use AI? The better question are: What happened to the student s thinking because AI was used? Did it replace reasoning or deepen it? Did it merely produce an answer or help the learner formulate a better question? Did the student become more dependent upon the machine or more capable of recognising when the machine was wrong? These distinctions matter. We could easily produce a generation exceptionally skilled at generating essays, presentations, summaries, and answers while becoming progressively weaker at constructing independent arguments. That would be a new form of just enough education impressive productivity without corresponding intellectual independence. Jamaica must, therefore, reject two extremes. The first is panic: Attempting to ban AI from education as though students can permanently be returned to a pre-AI world. The second is surrender: Assuming that because AI produces impressive output, learning must, therefore, have occurred. Neither position is educationally serious. AI should also never become an excuse to provide poorer children with machines instead of excellent teachers. Imagine the inequality: Affluent stu-
dents receiving highly-trained teachers plus AI, while students in under-resourced communities receive AI instead of highly-trained teachers. That would not democratise education. It would digitise inequality. The 19th-century educational questions of curriculum, control and purpose, therefore, need a fourth in the AI age capability. What intellectual capacities must remain actively exercised by the human being? Students must still learn to test evidence, recognise bias, understand opposing arguments, distinguish fact from assertion, tolerate uncertainty, change their minds when evidence demands it, and make ethical judgements. AI can strengthen these capacities. It must never become their substitute. This is where Jamaica s AI debate should now move. Our objective cannot simply be to produce students who know how to use AI. We must produce students intelligent enough to question AI. Two centuries ago, some elites feared that education would teach ordinary people to question authority. Our danger today may be the reverse: That dependence upon AI could train people not to question authority enough. The real challenge is, therefore, not whether Jamaica will allow students to use AI. They already will. The question is whether we will design an education system in which AI enlarges human reasoning, creativity, judgement and freedom or one in which it quietly replaces them. The deepest educational questions have remained remarkably constant from Emancipation to the age of algorithms: Who is allowed to think? And how freely are they allowed to do it? (Jamaica Observer) (Dudley McLean II is the Church Teachers College 2025 Diamond Jubilee alumni awardee for journalism and a graduate of Codrington College, Barbados)
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
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Justice Jamadar must come forward, show clean hands – “he who alleges, must prove” Dear Editor, I have watched the occasional ‘odd’ decision by the CCJ and heard whispers of corruption but never saw any evidence (other than illogical decisions) of corruption; today, however, an email has surfaced where one judge, Justice Jamadar stated that the President of the CCJ pressured him and others into a position contrary to their own, Jamadar said “Two relate to the core function of judicial decision-making and impact the rule of law and the due administration
of justice—seen through the lenses of judicial in dependence, impartiality, and integrity… (ii) the Mohamed vs MOHA, AG, and Magistrate extradition matter and what I experienced as an attempt to influence the opinions of colleagues that differed from yours in an authoritative manner.” Given the importance of Mohamed vs MOHA, AG and Magistrate to Guyana, Justice Jamadar must now publicly state where he differs from the judgement delivered. Justice Jamadar
has introduced the discussion of corruption at the CCJ and should know that lawyers for Mohamed were expressing great confidence of a favorable decision for their client in the high court corridors along with thinly veiled references to bribery and corruption of panel members of the CCJ; This places every Justice who had an opinion contrary to the final decision under a cloud of suspicion, indeed, the entire court and system has been polluted following its brush with the Mohamed’s mon-
ey.
In Guyana, the vast wealth of the Mohamed family has been cited in numerous instances of corruption including by Detective Sargent Bascomb in the murder investigation of Ricardo ‘paper shorts’ Fagundes and the ‘explosion of fuel boat ‘Canada Club’ which left three dead bodies listed as casualties. Guyanese with knowledge were alarmed at the time asked for by the CCJ to deliver what anyone could see would be a straight forward decision
(and it was stunningly simple as delivered) and many were worried that members of the CCJ panel could be bought outright, Jamadar’s outrage as expressed in his email does not engender faith, rather, quite the opposite. Justice Jamadar must come forward, show clean hands and work with all stakeholders towards a resolution of the allegations made in his email, ‘he who alleges, must prove’ the future of the court rests on its integrity and how it deals with this allegation of
misconduct going forward. Guyanese faith in the judiciary is always on thin ice given the level of incongruity we see daily, our justice is not blind, she is wealthy, the CCJ has historically been the bastion of justice for Guyanese and it would seem the barbarians have infiltrated the walls. A full and transparent process of cleaning must begin as a matter of great urgency. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Robin Singh
Presidential CoI shows integrity of Pres Ali and expertise of AG Dear Editor, Standard procedures dictate that the President consult with his lead Legal Advisor, and I am surmising that this tandem has always been in operation. The latest example of this salutary camaraderie is in the aftermath of the MV Barima tragedy. Read on please. Succinct. Terse. For sure very comprehensive are the words from President Irfan Ali, who, concerning the MV Barima tragedy, emphatically said “Let the COI work,” as it is this Commission of Inquiry (COI), who will “… probe the MV Barima tragedy (and subsequently) will determine what actions the Government will take.” Ali, yet again, was forced to iterate what he expounded from the very inception, since in a most puerile manner, “… calls are mounting for Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, whose office oversees the maritime sector, to be removed from office following the deadly ferry accident.” First comment, even as my irritation keeps mounting, it is that we must all recall that the collective opposition, spearheaded by the likes of David Patterson, Aubrey Norton and Azruddin Mohammed etc., were ‘vehemently screaming’ for an immediate COI by MARAD, the local governing body in this domain. Keep in mind, Readers, that the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has direct statutory responsibility for the MV Barima disaster, and therefore possible collusions and colloguing immediately lurk, should the said MARAD investigate anything. It is simple ABC. A tragedy, being investigated by that same agency that has oversight duties for vessel seaworthiness and safety compliance, will be a farce. Now on this note, Minster of Legal Affairs, the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, went viral, as he expertly detailed that the
government will not risk any ‘Conflict of Interest’ and will move towards independence, transparency and a no-bias probe. This meant that, MARAD, legally tasked with regulatory oversight, statutory inspections, and issuing seaworthiness certificates, cannot (MUST NOT) independently review its own potential regulatory failures. Again, let us remember the rampant, instantaneous outburst, stemming from the opposition, was for a ‘rapid-fire’ investigation from MARAD. Even now they are claiming that this can still go on, and it will not be redundant nor in conflict with the Presidential COI. Folly upon folly! Thus, like the AG really intoned, and as the President keeps repeating, “Let the COI work.” As of now, and totally consistent with criminality, “… three Transport and Harbours Department (THD) employees have been charged over the deadly MV Barima tragedy. This is separate from the COI, albeit, it is related to the overall situation. Secondly Editor, this COI comprises notable specialists. There is the head, Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize, a CARICOM High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and an ad hoc justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. Then there are four Commissioners, Captain Hamada Fouda, a senior maritime surveyor and compliance auditor with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica; Nyree Dawn Alfonso, an attorney-at-law with expertise in admiralty and maritime law in Trinidad and Tobago; Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, a naval architect and marine engineer who has advised on investigations into several major maritime disasters; and Rear Admiral (Retired) Hayden Pritchard, a maritime professional with decades of experience in maritime operations and maritime security
from Trinidad and Tobago. Highly esteemed. Fully qualified! Herein lie integrity, independence and ‘sufficiency’ of expertise, covering the gamut possible for the inquiry. A nice footnote is that back in August 2004, Smith was part of the G-7 group of ministers who demanded the dismissal of Ralph Fonseca from the Cabinet and resigned when Prime Minister Said Musa did not meet that demand. Calibre of the highest mettle! Also, just last year, CARICOM Heads tasked this former Belize AG to review legislative templates and to come up with new legislative proposals for consideration by the Heads for changes to be made on the legislative
side for a holistic and region-wide approach to violence and crime as a public health issue. So, this should settle all matters. Really? NO and WHY? It is that Attorney-atlaw Javed Shadick was appointed Secretary to the Commission of Inquiry, and his ‘duties will be totally a voiceless one’ as he was appointed by the President “… to attend the sittings of the commission to record their proceedings, to keep their papers, summon and minute the testimony of witnesses, and generally to perform such duties connected with such inquiry as the commissioners shall prescribe, subject to the directions, if any, of the President (of the COI).”
Editor, I sense a ‘lost cause’ regarding what will be the findings of this august body, carefully appointed by the President and well-explicated by the AG. They, the ‘accusers of the PPP Government) are getting more than they could have imagined, and since a MARAD probe may have redounded to doubts, removing MARD has left the opposition in a major quandary. They are looking for excuses and escapes in advance. Now with the Presidential COI, it will most distasteful and disrespectful to even mount a challenge with finding that shall be made public. So now, the ‘recorder’ of minutes, Javed Shadick, without any influence in the COI, is seemingly the loophole for these inane rabble
rousers. Let me top off things here by reinforcing how fearless, wise and accommodating the President and the AG are in this matter. As can be seen, the composition of the COI radiates brightly “… the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality.” Together the team members possess “internationally recognized expertise in law, marine engineering, maritime operations, maritime regulation, and disaster investigations” This means that their exposure and experience will enhance the credibility and thoroughness of the inquiry.” Let us now wait. Yours truly, Hargesh B Singh
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 00:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 10:00 12:00 13:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00
Sign Off Islam for Guyana TVG Devotional Hour Week-in-Review (RB) Cartoons Stop Suffering HGTV Food Network Movie - The Chronicle Mysteries: The Wrong Man (2019) Movie - Minions & Monsters (2026) Cartoons KTLT (RB) Indian Soaps The Young & The Restless
18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Indigenous Herbal Life Clinic with Sister Lynn 21:00 BBC 23:00 House of Cards
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Foundation ◄
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Types of angles cont’d Complementary angles are two angles that form a right angle. Their sum will be 90o. Example:
Exercises: Identify the complementary angles and vertical angles 1)
By Daniel Durand Translated By Jordan Landsman Translated from the Spanish
2) If angle A = 30o, what is the measure of angle B? Step 1: Think: A right angle = 90o Step 2: Subtract: 90 – 30 = 60 So angle B = 60o When two lines intersect the angles opposite each other are called vertical angles. Those angles are equal. 3)
H
ave fun creating and playing with this colourful butterfly maze! Made using pipe cleaners, this engaging craft allows children to guide a small ball or marker through the intricate paths of a butterfly-shaped maze, blending creativity with challenge. What you'll need Acrylic paint (rainbow colours) Glue sticks Neon pipe cleaners Pens Cardboard Glue Gun Pencil Scissors Paintbrush Ruler How to make Make sure the maze walls are spaced far enough apart for the bouncy ball to fit through. Using the image as a guide, cut out a butterfly template and draw around one half onto cardboard. Next, flip the template and draw the other half of the butterfly.
Cut out the butterfly shape from the cardboard. Cut long strips of cardboard for the outside walls (approximately 4cm width), then cut various length strips of cardboard for the inner maze walls (approximately 3.5cm width). Draw a small circle at the top of the left wing and the bigger circle on the right wing (you can change the positioning of the start and end points). Cut out the hole on the left wing. You can make this hole big enough for the ball to fall through or sit in. Paint the wings pink by mixing red and white paint together and paint the body and start circle yellow. Paint the long outside walls blue and the inner maze walls green. Allow the paint to dry and then write start on the yellow circle with a black pen. Using hot glue, stick one end of the blue cardboard strip to the edge of the butterfly shape. Continue to glue and bend the cardboard around the butterfly shape. If you run out of cardboard, you can attach another strip. Fold and glue the maze walls inside the
butterfly shape. You can sketch out where you would like to position the walls or keep trimming and bending the cardboard strips until you have your desired maze design. Make sure the ball can fit between the walls in the maze. Stick blue pipe cleaners around the edge of the butterfly and green pipe cleaners on top of the maze walls. For the antennas, cut a yellow pipe cleaner in half, wrap both halves around a pencil to create two spiral shapes and glue them to the head of the butterfly. Place a bouncy ball at the start and begin tilting the maze to guide the ball to the finish point. (Adapted from bakerross.co.uk)
Every day when I get home from work I spend money I don’t have on useless books. Every day I come home from downtown drunk. History remembers few men who, in this way, have reached the age of eighty. I look at the roof’s metallic membranes sparkling under the moon; I hear the long meows of cats gathered on the terraces. I scream beneath the neighborhood wind, facing the darkness and passing hours, and I wonder why men only think about things that torment us. (Source: Poetry [July/August 2026])
Include the line "There's no going back now" in your story. WORD SEARCH
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
US Deputy Secretary of State heads to Guyana this week for high-level talks on energy, critical minerals D
ays after the United States (US) Government announced a whopping US$150 million investment in Guyana’s bauxite sector, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will travel to Georgetown to advance bilateral talks on critical minerals, energy and other sectors. According to the Department of State, Landau will travel to Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana from August 9 to 12, 2026. In Guyana, Deputy Secretary Landau will meet with President Dr Irfaan Ali and Cabinet Members to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation and strengthening bilateral investment opportunities. “The visit will also focus on enhancing collaboration in strategic sectors including energy and critical minerals,” the State Department said in a brief statement on Sunday. It was further noted that this visit underscores the US’ commitment to strengthening partnerships across the hemisphere and advancing shared priorities, including regional security, energy resilience and economic prosperity. Just last month, Landau held discussions with a Guyanese Government delegation led by Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh in Washington DC. During that meeting, the Deputy Secretary of State reiterated the US commitment to position its private sector to tap into the vast investment opportunities available in Guyana across multiple industries, including mining. “They agreed that US private sector capital, expertise, and technology could unleash a wave of investment opportunities in all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, and housing,” the Spokesperson at the US Department of State, Tommy Pigott, stated about the meeting. Moreover, Landau, in a subsequent post on X (formerly Twitter), lauded the Guyana Government’s plans to promote economic growth in both the energy and non-energy sectors, such as mining and agriculture, as well as its commitment to ensuring that such growth benefits the Guyanese people now and in the future.
US$150M investment
Deputy Secretary Landau’s visit to Georgetown comes mere days after the US Department of War (DOW) announced a US$150 million investment in baux-
US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau
ite operations in Guyana as Washington moves to secure a regional supply chain for refractory-grade bauxite – a critical material for national defence and key industrial base sectors. In a statement on Friday, the Department’s Economic Defence Unit (EDU), in partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, announced an US$85.5 million equity investment agreement with Strategic Bauxite USA, through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) programme. This contribution is complemented by an additional US$64.5 million co-investment from the private sector. “These funds will be used to acquire and expand the First Bauxite (FBX) mine in Guyana, develop new calcination facilities for primary processing, and contribute to a follow-on project to construct a brown-fused alumina (BFA) facility in the United States,” the DOW said in its missive. This announcement comes less than a month after Canada’s First Bauxite revealed in a July 2026 statement that it entered into an agreement under which Strategic Bauxite USA has acquired the company – a deal it says would allow continued growth, investment and long-term success. First Bauxite, through its local subsidiary Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc (GINMIN), operates the Bonasika Bauxite Project located in Region Three between the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers.
Secure, vertically integrated US supply chain
Meanwhile, the US DOW explained in Friday’s missive that this strategic partnership will establish a secure, vertically integrated US supply chain for refractory-grade bauxite, which is a critical material for national defence and key industrial base sectors. “Our defence readiness relies on secure, regional ac-
cess to critical minerals,” Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi said. “This partnership with Strategic Bauxite through the equity funding and analysis provided by the IBAS programme ensures that critical materials in the western hemisphere stay in supply chains that protect the United States and its allies.” According to the Department, this US$150 million initiative addresses an over-dependence on imports for refractory-grade bauxite for the US supply chain, with the vast majority sourced directly from China or Chinese-owned entities. It noted that once fully operational, this project is expected to meet 100 per cent of US military demand for BFA and 100 per cent of US demand for refractory bauxite. The Department said IBAS equity and direct investments are strategically targeted at critical supply chain bottlenecks, particularly where private venture capital has historically been hesitant to invest due to long developmental timelines. “The Department of War is no longer waiting for supply chain dependencies to be exploited,” Director of the Economic Defence Unit George K. Kollitides II stated. “This agreement shows how EDU and the Department can partner with the commercial sector to rapidly turn opportunities into advantages for the warfighter.” Refractory-grade bauxite is necessary for manufacturing high-temperature-resistant materials used to make critical components for our warfighters, such as heat shields, thermal barriers, and turbine engines in guided missiles, rockets, military aircraft, and space systems. Beyond defence, this high-purity bauxite is a vital raw material for steel and aluminum production, energy infrastructure and industrial furnaces, making it a cornerstone of a modern industrial economy. The DOW said this agreement also serves as an example of how the Department is coordinating across the interagency to support national security requirements. As part of the broader effort, the Department of State provided critical funding to support infrastructure associated with the project, enabling the US Government to act quickly and reinforce the long-term viability of the supply chain. In fact, the need for infrastructure investments to expand the local bauxite industry was previously highlighted by the US. Under Secretary
Operations at the American-owned First Bauxite’s Bonasika Bauxite Project in Guyana
for Economic Affairs, Jacob Helberg, during a visit to Georgetown back in May. At a press conference with local reporters, Helberg told the Guyana Times that Guyana has a lot of natural reserves but not the capacity to get this mineral into markets – something which the US is ready to work with the country on and this, he noted, was indicated to the Guyanese Government during high-level discussions. “We talked about the opportunities surrounding bauxite and expanding Guyana’s economic activities in the bauxite sector with additional private investments. We also talked about ways that infrastructure investments, especially in roads and potentially autonomous trucking technology, can actually be catalytic to getting more Guyanese bauxite on the global market,” Helberg stated. According to the US Government official, “Bauxite minerals were a focus because the reserves are already known,
and there are already a lot of investors with active investments in Guyana today. We did talk about surveying land where large amounts of new reserves for many types of other minerals are believed to be located, but where the land needs to be
surveyed in a more extensive way. So, we did talk about things that were prospective, but because the reserves of bauxite are known and there are already investments today, we talked a fair amount about those.”
8 NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
4 drivers fined $800,000; 4 on $925,000 bail over dangerous, drunk-driving charges
Crumbling… Y
Fined: Milton Granville
On bail: Martin Joseph
Fined: Reyon Benn
On bail: Shaun Rodrigues
everal Essequibo Coast motorists have appeared before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) in recent weeks on charges ranging from driving with excessive alcohol levels and refusing breathalyser tests to dangerous driving, driving without a licence and breach of insurance. On August 5, 37-year-old labourer Milton Granville of Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, was fined $200,000 after pleading guilty to refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test. The offence allegedly occurred on March 16, 2026, at La-Bella Alliance Public Road, Essequibo Coast. Granville was charged under Section 39B (5) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. He appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read
to him and he entered a guilty plea. He was fined $200,000, with an alternative of six months’ imprisonment. Also before the court was 47-year-old taxi driver Martin Joseph of Aurora Village, Essequibo Coast, who was charged with dangerous driving. The charge stemmed from an incident on June 22, 2026, at Richmond Public Road involving 21-yearold police officer Vaidram Rabbylall of Lot 44 Sparta, Essequibo Coast. Joseph appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on July 28 and pleaded not guilty. He was granted $100,000 bail, and the matter was adjourned to January 20, 2027, for disclosure of statements. On the same date, 34-year-old labourer Reyon Benn of Bushlot, Essequibo Coast, pleaded guilty to driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The offence occurred on June 21, 2026, at Henrietta Access Road. Benn was charged under Section 39A(1) of the
Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02,
a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test. The offence allegedly occurred on July 10 at Anna Regina Public Road. Rodrigues pleaded not guilty and was granted $200,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to December 8, 2026. On August 4, 28-year-old labourer Estaban Rodrigues of Richmond Housing Scheme pleaded guilty to driving while his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit. The charge arose from an incident on July 2 at Henrietta Public Road. He was fined $200,000, with an alternative of six months’ imprisonment. Also on August 4, 34-year-old labourer Shurish Ramjattan of Bushlot pleaded guilty to a similar charge stemming from an incident on June 21 at Henrietta Access Road. Ramjattan was also fined $200,000, with an alternative of six months’ imprisonment.
S
Fined: Estaban Rodrigues
as amended by the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Amendment Act 17 of 2022. He was fined $200,000, with an alternative of six months’ imprisonment. On July 21, 2026, 33-yearold auto electrician Shaun Rodrigues of Richmond, Essequibo Coast, appeared before the court charged with refusing to provide
TURN TO PAGE 14
…illusions
our Eyewitness remembers a time when Guyanese parents could tell their children – with swelled chests! – that a Cambridge education was the gold standard!! Think Newton, Bertrand Russel; Stephen Hawking and Oppenheimer!! “Study hard,” they’d say. “Get good grades and get to Cambridge and they’ll teach you to think and run the world”!! How quaint!! Evidently, Cambridge appears to’ve discovered a more sophisticated educational philosophy: before asking whether somebody can think – first establish whether the appointment makes them look progressive!! Enter Professor Jason Arday, who at 37 was celebrated by Cambridge as the youngest Black person ever appointed to a professorship at the university!! His personal story was presented as an inspirational triumph over adversity – that he’d been unable to read or write until 18, yet went on to obtain degrees and a doctorate!! His academic work centred on the woke issues of race, inequality, inclusion and the transformation of higher education!! Cambridge itself described his appointment as part of its efforts to “democratise” higher education. Now there’s nothing wrong with any of that!! The trouble begins when a university whose reputation rests upon centuries of intellectual scrutiny starts looking rather less interested in scrutinising the credentials of the people doing the scrutinising!! Cambridge has now confirmed massive plagiarism in Arday’s academic record – not to mention not publishing a non-existent book!! But the question is, how’d the questions arise in the first place? And that’s where we should pay attention!! After all, for generations, British education was one of the principal exports of the Empire and our schools inherited British examinations, British textbooks, British degrees and – above all – the British conviction that standards were standards!! A Cambridge degree meant something because Cambridge was supposed to be exceptionally difficult to fool! With our Guyana Scholars like Rupert Roopnaraine, the university’s message was we don’t care who you are – just show us what you know!! But with Arday as an example, Cambridge’s new academic bureaucracy seems tempted by another formulation: We know who you are – now let’s work out how impressive that is!! It’s the triumph of the Diversity CV where the candidate must not merely be accomplished but must embody a narrative. He must represent resilience; marginalisation based on race, ethnicity, gender or whatever; intersectionality; institutional transformation and preferably should arrive accompanied by a press release explaining them all!! The danger as we’ve seen with Arday is that once the narrative becomes sufficiently attractive, asking awkward questions about the underlying evidence can itself be portrayed as evidence of prejudice!! How dare you!! Ain’t it wonderful?? The old academic question that used to be “Is this true?” is now, “Why are you asking?!!” And the new standard’s now, “I say; therefore I am!!” …credentials Now we in Guyana should be particularly nervous since we are paying several universities – far less reputable than Cambridge! – across the world for degrees in our GOAL programme!! British educational standards historically mattered enormously here and our elite schools of Queen’s and Bishops’ were patterned explicitly on British models!! Our secondary-school system was then built heavily around British examinations that helped establish the credibility of generations of Guyanese professionals – doctors, lawyers, engineers, academics, civil servants and teachers!! When a Guyanese student proudly says, “I got a Cambridge qualification,” the implication’s always been that somebody somewhere actually checked!! But if Cambridge allowed ideological fashion, identity politics or institutional embarrassment to interfere with rigorous verification, the damage ain’t gonna stop at the River Cam – it’ll travel!! The joke of the new Cambridge admissions interview writes itself: “Good morning, candidate. What’s your qualifications?” “I have a first-class degree.” “Excellent. But do you identify as historically marginalised?” “No.” “Hmm. And your intersectionality?” “I don’t think I have any.” “Sorry…you’re rejected!!” …gas tanks After a spate of exploding cooking gas tanks at customers’ premises – injuring and killing several persons and blowing up the kitchens – the authorities have finally instituted new standards to ensure greater safety!! About time, don’t you think?? The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com
NEWS
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
12% hike in visitor arrivals for 1st half of 2026 – Tourism Authority
Guyana’s visitor arrivals continue to grow with a 12 per cent increase in the first half of 2026
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he local tourism sector continues to see sustained growth, with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) reporting an increase in visitor arrivals during the first six months of 2026. In its half year highlights, the GTA said Guyana recorded 226,463 visitors from January to June 2026, representing a 12 per cent year-to-date increase. Based on current trends, the Authority predicts more than 500,000 visitors are expected by December 31, 2026. According to the GTA, major events and conferences contributed to sustained travel demand during the first half of this year, including the closing of the Diamond Jubilee Visual Arts Exhibition, Guyana Restaurant Week, International Building Expo, Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC) Annual Conference, Voting Rights & Electoral Justice Conference, ECONOME Business Conference & Mixer, Caribbean Port State Control Conference (CPSCC), and the WeLeadAssociation Conference, among others. Moreover, it was reported that Guyana welcomed 40,002 visitors in June 2026, representing a 16.8 per cent increase compared to June 2025. This trend, the GTA noted, continues the country’s strong tourism growth trajectory. Leisure travel remained the largest contributor to arrivals, accounting for 61 per cent of visitors, followed by business with 16 per cent and other at 23 per cent, the Authority disclosed. Only last week, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce reported 45,127 visitors for July 2026 – the highest number ever recorded for this month in the history of Guyana’s tourism and marking an 11.1 per cent increase compared to July 2025. The Ministry said the Origins Fashion Show (July 3–5) brought regional designers and audiences together, while CARICOM
Day celebrations, including the One Guyana Worship Experience (July 6) showcased Guyana’s rich culture and strengthened regional ties. The Global Super League Cricket tournament (July 23–Aug 1) also attracted teams and fans from around the world. “Together, these events contributed to a vibrant month that not only boosted visitor arrivals but also reinforced Guyana’s growing reputation as a destination for culture, fashion, and sport,” the Tourism Ministry noted. It added that this record reflects Guyana’s continued momentum as a destination where visitors can enjoy unforgettable adventures, world-class events and authentic cultural experiences.
International recognition
Meanwhile, the GTA said in its mid-year highlights that in addition to visitors’ arrival, progress was also seen in other areas within the local tourism industry including capacity building, product development, destination marketing and industry partnerships. In fact, the Authority noted that Guyana’s tourism sector continued to receive international recognition for sustainability, community involvement and conservation efforts. For instance, Toka Village in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) received the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Community-Based Tourism Award 2026 for its community-led tourism model, traditional cultural experiences and support for local livelihoods. The Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development was also recognised among Travel and Tour World’s “50 Best Eco Tourism Destinations in the World for 2026.” Moreover, ‘Destination Guyana’ has also been featured on the Green Destinations – Good Travel Experiences (GTE) platform, highlighting three of the country’s flagship
eco-tourism experiences: Rewa Eco Lodge: Arapaima Conservation & Research Initiative; Caiman House Eco Lodge: Yupukari River
Toka Village was recognised for its community-led tourism model, traditional cultural experiences and support for local livelihoods
Turtle Conservation Project; and Atta Rainforest Lodge: Iwokrama Canopy Walkway Trail. Additionally, the
Backyard Cafe was featured in TIME’s List of the World’s Greatest Places 2026, which named 100 ex-
traordinary destinations to visit and stay. TURN TO PAGE 15
10 NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Unoccupied Rose Hall 9mm pistol found during house destroyed by fire Kwakwani Police operation
firearm in the area. Acting on the information, the ranks proceeded to an unfinished and unoccupied concrete structure, where they conducted a search. During the search, police found a black plastic bag containing a silver Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. The firearm was fitted with a magazine containing one live 9mm round of ammunition. According to Police, the firearm, magazine and ammunition were taken to the Kwakwani Police Station, where they were lodged pending examination. No arrest has been made and investigations are ongoing.
The unfinished building in which the gun was found at Kwakwani Park
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The aftermath of the fire
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n unoccupied wooden house at First Street, Swamp Section, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Regin Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was destroyed by fire on Sunday morning. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS)
said that it responded to the blaze after the one-flat structure was reported to be on fire. Upon the arrival of firefighters, the building was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and subsequently ex-
tinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading further. However, the building and its contents were completely destroyed. The GFS said investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
olice are investigating the discovery of a firearm and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation at Kwakwani Park, Airstrip, Upper Berbice River, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) early Saturday morning. The operation was conducted at about 12:30h on August 8 after police ranks received information concerning the presence of a
The gun and ammo that were found by Police
5000 cannabis plants, shotgun found during ganja farm raid The gun and ammo
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olice have destroyed approximately 5,000 suspected cannabis plants and seized a 12-gauge shotgun and six matching cartridges during an eradication exercise in Bartica Village, Upper Berbice River, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The exercise was conducted on August 6 between 06:00h and 12:30h by police ranks. During the operation, the ranks discovered a field measuring approximately two acres, containing about
5,000 suspected cannabis plants. The plants were between three and six inches in height. A makeshift camp measuring approximately 10 feet by 10 feet was also found at the location. According to police, a search of the camp resulted in the discovery of a 12-gauge shotgun and six matching 12-gauge cartridges. The firearm and ammunition were subsequently taken to the Central Police Station, where they were lodged. The cannabis plants were uprooted and destroyed, while the makeshift camp was also destroyed by fire. No arrests were made in connection with the discovery. Investigations are continuing, Police said.
The ganja farm that was found by Police
NEWS
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
US Air Force strengthens GDF Air Corps maintenance capabilities T
he United States (US) and Guyana have continued their security cooperation with a recent technical training engagement between the US Air Force and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Air Corps. The US Embassy in Georgetown on Saturday posted on its social media page that a Mobile Training Team from the US Air Force’s 571st Mobile Support Advisory Squadron partnered with the GDF Air Corps for the second security cooperation engagement between the two countries this year. The latest engagement focused on engine maintenance for the GDF’s King Air aircraft, with US personnel providing hands-on technical training to Air Corps personnel. According to the embassy, the training is intended to strengthen the Air Corps’ maintenance capabilities, improve
Ranks of GDF along with US Air Force personnel during the training (US Embassy-Guyana/Facebook)
aircraft turnaround times and increase sortie generation rates. The embassy said improved operational readiness would allow the GDF Air Corps to respond more effectively to regional security challenges and natural disasters. The engagement is part of ongoing efforts by the US and Guyana to build defence capacity and improve interoperability between their respective forces. “The United States is proud to work alongside the Guyana Defence Force to build capacity, enhance interoperability, and advance our shared commitment to regional security,” the embassy said in its social media post. The latest training follows the first security cooperation engagement between the US Air Force and GDF Air Corps earlier this year, as both countries continue to expand defence and security collaboration.
12 NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
T
he Amerindian A f f a i r s Ministry on Sunday marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples with a morning of prayer and reflection at Sophia Whirlwind Village, with this year’s observance focusing on the role of Indigenous midwives in safeguarding life and well-being. The observance was held under the theme, “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” According to a statement posted on the Ministry’s social media page, the gathering
provided an opportunity to honour Indigenous ancestors, reflect on traditional knowledge and practices and pray for the victims of the MV Barima tragedy, their families and others affected by the incident. The event brought together members of Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, Indigenous representatives and other guests for a period of prayer and solidarity. Amerindian Affairs Minister, Sarah Browne-Shadeek, said the occasion was one of reflection, remembrance and gratitude, while highlighting the importance of preserving Indigenous knowledge and traditions. The Ministry noted that Indigenous midwives, healers, elders and other knowledge holders have, for generations, played an important role in safeguarding life and well-being within Indigenous communities. Their knowledge, it said, forms part of the living heritage that must
be honoured and preserved for future generations. The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed annually on August 9. The day recognises the rights, cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples worldwide. For Indigenous communities across Guyana, the Ministry said the observance serves as a reminder of their identity and the knowledge, traditions and values that continue to connect communities with their ancestors and with one another.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
New Amsterdam set for sweeping makeover with modern market, esplanade, upgraded streets
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Persons at the consultation at New Amsterdam
ew Amsterdam could be reshaped into a cleaner, greener and more pedestrian-friendly town under a redevelopment plan that includes a modern municipal market, an organised vendors’ hub, a transformed Esplanade, upgraded roads and drainage, recreational spaces, fire hydrants and expanded security-camera coverage. The wide-ranging concept, presented to residents during a public consultation under the Government’s ‘Model Village’ Initiative, seeks to address some of the longstanding problems confronting Guyana’s oldest townships while preserving the character and history that have helped define New Amsterdam. President Dr Irfaan Ali and Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, outlined a vision extending well beyond repairing roads and cleaning drains, with Ali arguing that the ultimate goal is to create a town in which residents can take pride and enjoy a better quality of life. “We want your community to be livable, and for you to love living in your community. We want people to find peace in their community. For the community to be their place of joy, their sanctuary of peace, of upliftment, of hope,” the President told residents. He said achieving that requires infrastructure, the environment and people to work together, stressing that physical structures alone do not create a community. “At the centre of this is the people in the community. A community is just a set of infrastructure, buildings and other facilities, and not what a community is made up of. A community becomes alive and becomes a community because of the people that live in that community,” Ali said. The plans presented to residents offer one of the most comprehensive proposed makeovers of New Amsterdam in recent years. Among the most striking concepts is a complete transformation of the historic New Amsterdam Municipal Market. Renderings presented during the consultation envisage a modern, organised complex with designated areas for fresh produce, meat, fish, dry goods and clothing, together with a food court and spaces capable of sustaining commercial activity throughout the week.
Modern commercial centre
Meanwhile, Singh acknowledged that the existing market has played an important role in the town for gen-
erations but said its physical condition and layout no longer meet the requirements of a modern commercial centre. “The New Amsterdam Market is an important historic market, and it perhaps has served its role historically, perhaps for more than a century. It has been a major marketplace in the town, but you know that it has outlived its useful life,” he said. The concept, he explained, is not to remove the vibrancy traditionally associated with a Caribbean market but to marry that character with greater order, cleanliness and comfort. The proposed market would be properly zoned, ventilated and organised to improve the experience of both vendors and shoppers. A separate vendors’ hub is also proposed as part of efforts to deal with roadside vending without depriving persons of their livelihoods. Surveys conducted ahead of the consultation identified roadside vendors at numerous locations around the town. Singh stressed that the intention is not simply to clear them away. “The objective is not to want to move roadside people. The objective is to place them in the places that are hygienic, safe, attractive and so on,” he said. The proposed vendors’ facility incorporates organised vending areas, improved drainage, pedestrian access, parking, lighting, landscaping and a traffic-flow system allowing vehicles to enter and leave more efficiently. Singh said designated vending locations could improve conditions on both sides of a transaction, providing vendors with secure and orderly places to conduct business while allowing customers to shop in greater comfort.
Reimagined
Another major component is the proposed redevelopment of the New Amsterdam Esplanade. Concept images show the existing green space transformed into a landscaped recreational park incorporating walking areas, children's facilities, sporting spaces, seating and shelters, lighting and areas for families and community gatherings. Ali said the objective is to create quality recreational spaces rather than simply leaving open areas undeveloped. The Esplanade, he added, has the potential to become an attractive community destination where families can spend time, children can play safely, and residents can use the grounds for recreation, exercise and social occasions. Under the plans, green spaces in New Amsterdam would also
be preserved, upgraded and incorporated into the wider beautification programme. He pointed to its architecture, churches, cultural traditions and diversity as assets that could be combined with modern infrastructure to create economic, social and tourism opportunities. “Here in New Amsterdam, you have a rich history of diversity, great cultural strength, traditions and other socio-economic indicators and factors that really make the township
locations. Singh said these encumbrances are not simply unsightly; they interfere with the functioning and appearance of communities and would have to be addressed as part of the transformation. But he warned that new infrastructure alone would not solve those problems permanently. “Maintaining this pleasant, world-class community environment will also require some kind of cultural and behavioural change on the part of our citizens,” he said. Residents, he argued, would have to play their part by avoiding indiscriminate dumping and keeping road reserves, drains and public spaces free of materials and abandoned vehicles after the rehabilitation works are completed.
Tackling New Amsterdam's drainage problem
Drainage occupies a major place in the proposed transformation, particularly New Amsterdam's longstanding problems with community and interlock drains. Singh
road markings, landscaped verges, modern utility poles and improved lighting. School roads would receive additional safety treatments, including standardised signage, pedestrian facilities, road markings and speed-control measures where required. Depending on the available reserve, some streets could receive sidewalks while others would have properly constructed hard shoulders that could accommodate pedestrians or allow vehicles to pull safely off the carriageway. The condition survey also identified approximately 200 utility poles requiring replacement, reinforcement or other intervention. Additionally directed attention to redundant and dangling utility cables, which Singh said should be removed as part of efforts to improve both safety and the appearance of the town.
Hydrants, cameras and public safety
Public safety forms another component of the pro-
When we speak about safe and secure, we are not only talking about policing,” he said. “How is the community safe against violence? How is the community safe against flooding? How is the community safe that you are confident to allow your children to go and play in parks?” The President also spoke about strengthening primary healthcare, including community health facilities where residents could routinely check blood pressure and blood sugar and have information linked to the health system. He said communities should encourage walking and exercise and contain infrastructure that promotes healthier lifestyles. Ali also announced that the Government intends to introduce an intervention targeting persons living in extremely vulnerable circumstances, including some persons with severe disabilities, single parents and elderly residents facing exceptional hardship. Onebedroom social homes could be constructed for qualifying persons who already own land, he said, while stressing that the programme would be specifically targeted at extreme cases. Economic programmes for young people were also raised, including potential hatchery, poultry and agro-processing ventures.
Phased transformation
a very special place,” he said. The President said that history should not be viewed separately from the town's future development. He raised the possibility of using waterfront and historic spaces to create new tourism and entertainment attractions, including a boardwalk with restaurants and other amenities, while also exploring opportunities linked to the mangrove environment. That development, he said, could complement investments already made in sporting infrastructure in the wider New Amsterdam-Palmyra area and help attract more people to the town.
Street by street
The designs were not developed solely from broad concepts. Minister Singh said an interdisciplinary and inter-ministerial team carried out an extensive survey of New Amsterdam, walking streets and mapping roads, drains, bridges, utility infrastructure, public facilities and other features before assessing their condition. The exercise also documented many of the physical problems affecting the town. At least 235 locations were identified where construction materials or waste were occupying road reserves or other public spaces, according to Singh. Derelict vehicles were also mapped, while garbage was found at scores of roadside
acknowledged that the town has historically struggled with drainage and said the assessment found channels affected by vegetation, garbage and siltation. Several engineering concepts have consequently been developed for the interlock drainage network. Depending on the location, width and drainage requirements, the proposals include reinforced concrete channels and other configurations intended to provide better flow, durability and easier maintenance. “We want these interlock drains to serve their intended purpose,” Singh said. A town-wide drainage map has also been prepared, identifying major canals, community drains and waterways considered important to flood mitigation and the overall livability of New Amsterdam. The drainage works are expected to be carried out before major road rehabilitation in areas where both interventions are required, avoiding the repeated excavation of newly completed streets.
New-look streets
Residents were also shown before-and-after concepts for several streets, including Benjamin Street, Theatre Alley Street and Fifth Street, Tucber. While the individual designs vary, they depict resurfaced or reconstructed roads complemented by concrete drains, sidewalks or hard shoulders,
posed works. A network of fire-hydrant locations has been mapped across New Amsterdam as Government moves towards giving firefighters more dependable access to water during emergencies. Singh said the objective is to move away from situations in which firefighters responding to a blaze must first locate a trench, canal or river from which to draw water. “We want functioning fire hydrants,” he said, noting that reliable hydrants would be particularly important to households and the town's commercial sector. Security cameras are also proposed as Government expands its smart-surveillance network beyond selected locations. Singh said the wider programme is intended to improve police capacity to identify and track suspects and respond to criminal activity, with additional camera sites planned for urban centres and major thoroughfares.
Beyond physical appearance
Ali, however, repeatedly stressed that his vision for New Amsterdam extends beyond its physical appearance. He said communities must also be safe from violence, flooding and social deterioration and must create environments where children and elderly persons can use public spaces without fear. “Today, we are talking about a future that is safe and secure.
The redevelopment will not be undertaken as one simultaneous construction exercise. The proposed implementation sequence begins with coordination among utility providers, including Guyana Power and Light and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), to relocate or address infrastructure that could conflict with civil works. Drainage preparation would follow, then the construction or rehabilitation of drainage and access infrastructure, pedestrian facilities, road improvements and finally landscaping and greening. Before construction begins, the concepts are also expected to undergo further review based on feedback received from residents. Where fences, structures or other items encroach on reserves needed for the works, Singh said occupants would be given notice and time to make the necessary adjustments. New Amsterdam, the administrative capital of Guyana's East Berbice-Corentyne region, is one of the country's oldest urban centres, with its modern settlement tracing its roots to the late 18th century when the Dutch established the town near the confluence of the Berbice and Canje rivers. And while the renderings presented to residents offer a dramatic picture of what a new New Amsterdam could look like, both Ali and Singh stressed that the designs are still being shaped. “We want to hear from you,” Ali told the gathering. “We want to hear your ideas, your thoughts, and the challenges you believe the community faces.” It is that feedback which will now help determine the final design of what Government hopes will become a new New Amsterdam.
14 NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Doctor arrested after Corentyne fatal collision F
orty-two-yearold businessman Ishwarnauth Bisram died after being struck by a car driven by a 79-year-old doctor on the Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Saturday night. Bisram, who police identified as a resident of Belvedere Squatting Area, was struck at about 21:55h by motorcar, PZZ 1906. The doctor, a resident of Whim Village, Corentyne, was subsequently taken into police custody as investigations continued. CCTV footage seen by this publication showed Bisram attempting to cross the roadway when the car approached and struck him. The impact threw Bisram some distance along the roadway. Police, in their preliminary account of the accident, said the car was proceeding east along the northern driving lane of
ries about his body and was taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police have confirmed that CCTV cameras were observed in the vicinity and said the footage would be reviewed as part of the investigation. A breathalyser test administered to the doctor returned a reading of 11 micrograms, which police said was below the prescribed legal limit. Dead: Ishwarnauth Bisram
Nigg Public Road when Bisram allegedly walked from south to north across the road and into its path. According to investigators, the driver applied the brakes in an attempt to avoid hitting Bisram, but the front of the vehicle struck him. Bisram sustained inju-
The vehicle that was involved in the accident
“We want justice”
Bisram’s sister, Sandy Bishram, said relatives subsequently returned to the scene as they tried to piece together the final moments of his life. According to her, the family was told that Bisram had crossed the road to purchase food from a stand and had already collected the food
when he attempted to cross back over the roadway. She said the family has also viewed footage of the collision. Sandy said after confirming the accident she travelled to the hospital. She said Bisram’s head was heavily bandaged when she saw him before his body was eventually taken away. The grieving sister said Bisram was her only brother and described the two as extremely close, having worked together for much
of their lives. “We want justice for our brother because we have one brother, one brother we get, and he’s very close to me because both of us was working together since we were little,” she said. She said the family wants investigators to closely examine all of the available evidence, particularly the CCTV footage. Sandy remembered her brother as a hardworking businessman who had operated a supermarket and
chicken business in Canje. While police listed Bisram as a resident of Belvedere Squatting Area, his sister said his home was at Lot 60 Cumberland, East Canje, and that for approximately two months before his death he had been staying on the Corentyne. Bisram’s body is at Ramoo’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination (PME). The 79-year-old doctor remained in police custody as the investigation continue.
Pres Ali proposes financing...
FROM PAGE 3
Plans also include upgrades and expansion of the Port Mourant Market to create safer and more hygienic spaces for vendors and small businesses, as well as improvements to public spaces, parks and recreational facilities. The proposal further includes tree planting, the development of a children’s play park and the construction of a Port Mourant
Recreational Park. In addition to Port Mourant, the Guyanese Leader also held public consultations at Rose Hall, Skeldon and New Amsterdam, where the blueprint was also presented for the enhancement of those communities across Region Six. These are part of 23 villages being targeted under the pilot phase of the ‘Model Village’ Initiative. So far,
discussions were held with 19 villages in Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Five (Mahaica-Berbice). The remaining four communities are Supenaam, Charity, Suddie and Anna Regina in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), where consultations will be held today.
4 drivers fined $800,000;...
FROM PAGE 8
Twenty-five-year-old labourer Maria Tovar of Henrietta faced three charges arising from an incident on July 2 at Richmond Public Road: driving while her breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit, driving without a licence and breach of insurance. Tovar appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on August 4 and pleaded not guilty to all three charges. She was granted bail of $200,000 on the charge of driving with a breath alcohol level above the prescribed limit, $50,000 for driving without a licence and $50,000 for breach of insurance. The court also dealt with a more recent matter involving 23-year-old rice farmer Anthony Lutchman of Plantation Andrews, Essequibo Coast. Lutchman was charged
On bail: Maria Tovar
On Bail: Anthony Lutchman
with dangerous driving, refusing to provide a breath specimen for a breath alcohol test and crossing solid double yellow lines following an incident on August 2 at Bushlot Public Road. He appeared before Magistrate Mohabir on August 4 and pleaded not
guilty to all three charges. Bail was granted in the sum of $100,000 for dangerous driving, $200,000 for refusing to provide a breath specimen and $25,000 for crossing the solid double line, bringing his total bail to $325,000. The matter was adjourned to August 19.
NEWS
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
1st Bogotá – Georgetown Teacher, fireman fined cargo flight lands in Guyana $200,000 for drunk driving
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wo men from Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) were fined $100,000 each after pleading guilty to separate Driving Under Influence (DUI) charges. Roderick George, a 71-yearold teacher of Tabatinga, Lethem, Central Rupununi and Terrell Pauline, a 24-year-old fireman of St Ignatius Village, Central Rupununi, were both charged with Driving a Motor Vehicle While Breath Alcohol Level Exceeded the Prescribed Limit. The charges were laid under Section 39A (1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. In George’s case, the offence was committed on Monday, August 3, 2026, on Tabatinga Public Road, Lethem.
Roderick George
Terrell Pauline
On the other hand, Pauline’s charge was in relation to an offence committed on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, on St Ignatius Public Road, Central Rupununi. Both men appeared before Her Worship Magistrate
Nikkisha Logan on Friday August 7, 2026, at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court, where the charges were read to them separately. They pleaded guilty and were fined $100,000 or two weeks’ imprisonment in default of payment.
12% hike in visitor arrivals...
FROM PAGE 9
Local tourism stakeholders undergo training as part of capacity-building efforts to enhance Guyana’s offerings
Destination Guyana also signed a contract to participate in Expo 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia. The Expo 2027 will take place from May 15 to August 15, 2027 under the theme “Play for Humanity - Sport and Music for All.” According to the GTA, Guyana’s participation supports stronger international cooperation while providing another platform to showcase our country and place Destination Guyana further on the global tourism map. Further, CTO has named Guyana as the host nation for the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) from October 5 to 9, 2026. This marks the first time the country has been selected to host and it underscores growing regional confidence in Guyana’s leadership and its expanding role in shaping tourism dialogue across the Caribbean.
Capacity building
Meanwhile, the GTA continued to strengthen tourism standards through inspections, licensing, and regulatory support for tourism businesses across Guyana. For the January to June period, the Authority licenced: 13 accommodation establishments; 34 tour operators; nine lodges and resorts, and some 151 tour guides including 12 from 2024, 117 from 2025 and 22 from 2026. These efforts, according to the Tourism Authority, supported improved service standards, increased industry compliance and continued growth in Guyana’s tourism offering. In fact, to further strengthen this process, the new licensing portal was officially re-launched allowing for industry stakeholders to apply online in various categories, including Tour Guides, Tour Operators, Tourism Accommodation Establishments (Hotels), Lodges & Resorts, and Bed
& Breakfast Facilities. Moreover, between January and June, some 1,176 persons received training in key areas including First Aid & CPR, Introduction to Tourism, Bird Guide Accreditation, Tour Guiding, Business & Financial Management, Business Etiquette and Delivering Quality Service. Through these training programmes, the GTA continues to strengthen the skills and capacity of tourism stakeholders across Guyana, supporting improved visitor experiences and stronger tourism businesses. “Through targeted initiatives across communities, continued engagement with tourism businesses and strategic promotion in key markets, the Guyana Tourism Authority continued to support the development of a more resilient, diverse and sustainable tourism sector,” the agency said in its 2026 mid-year highlights.
The cargo flight at CJIA
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ir Cargo Pack (Guyana) Inc has completed its first cargo flight from Bogotá, Colombia, to Georgetown, opening a direct air freight connection between Guyana and the South American market. The aircraft arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Friday marking the company’s first successful Bogotá– Georgetown cargo operation. According to the company, the flight demonstrates its ability to coordinate direct cargo movements between Colombia and Guyana as it works to expand air cargo links across Latin America. Air Cargo Pack is licensed to transport cargo between Guyana, Colombia, Panama, Mexico and Brazil. The company said
the new connections are intended to provide businesses with additional options for importing and exporting goods across the region. Its cargo services are being developed for importers, exporters, freight forwarders and companies transporting general cargo, fresh produce and perishables, agricultural products, oil and gas equipment, industrial cargo, oversized shipments and other specialised or time-sensitive goods. Director of Air Cargo Pack (Guyana) Inc, Stefan John, described the first flight as an important milestone for the company. “This is an extremely important milestone for Air Cargo Pack. It represents more than simply landing an aircraft in Guyana. We have demonstrated that
we can successfully connect businesses in Guyana directly with Colombia and create new opportunities for trade between our markets,” John said. He said the company’s plans extend beyond Colombia, with efforts to progressively develop cargo connections with Panama, Mexico and Brazil based on market demand. “Our focus now is on building consistent cargo volumes and creating reliable air cargo options for businesses that want greater access to Latin America,” John added. Following the first flight, the company said it is engaging businesses across Guyana to identify import and export requirements and build cargo volumes for future operations.
16 FEATURE
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
HEALTH TIPS
Polypharmacy: When too many medicines become a health risk
By Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam Med, Global Health
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or many people, taking medication every day is an important part of staying healthy. Someone living with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, or other chronic conditions may genuinely need several medicines. But as the number of medications increases, so does the possibility of something going wrong. This is where we need to talk about polypharmacy. Polypharmacy generally refers to the use of multiple medications – often five or more – at the same time. However, the number alone does not determine whether treatment is inappropriate. A person may need eight medicines and benefit from every one of them, while another may be taking three medicines that interact or are no longer necessary. The real question should therefore be: Does this person still need every medicine they are taking, at this dose, in this combination?
How does polypharmacy happen? ly.
It often develops gradual-
A patient sees one doctor for diabetes, another for a heart condition and perhaps another for arthritis. Medicines are added over several years. Prescriptions are renewed, but older medications may never be reassessed. Then we sometimes encounter what is called a prescribing cascade. Imagine that a medication causes ankle swelling. Instead
of recognising the swelling as a side effect, another medicine is prescribed to treat it. That new medication produces another symptom, and yet another treatment is added. Before long, the medicine cabinet becomes increasingly complicated. Over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies and supplements can add another layer because patients may not always consider these to be “medications” when speaking with their doctor.
Why does it matter?
The more medications someone takes, the greater the potential for: • Drug interactions • Dizziness and falls • Low blood pressure • Kidney or liver problems
• Bleeding • Confusion or excessive sleepiness • Difficulty remembering doses • Taking the wrong medication or dose Older adults are particularly vulnerable because the body’s ability to process medicines changes with age. Kidney and liver function may decline, body composition changes, and the brain may
become more sensitive to certain medications. A dose that was appropriate several years ago may therefore need reconsideration.
“Doctor, can I stop some of these tablets?”
It is an important question, but do not stop prescribed medicines suddenly without professional advice. Some medications can cause serious problems if abruptly discontinued. Instead, ask for a medication review. Bring every medicine you use to the appointment. These include prescription tablets, inhalers, injections, eye drops, painkillers, vitamins, herbal preparations, and supplements. This simple exercise is
sometimes called a “brownbag review.” Your doctor or pharmacist can then ask:
What is this medicine for?
Is it still needed? Is the dose appropriate? Are two medicines doing the same thing? Could one medicine be causing another symptom?
Are there dangerous interactions? Can the treatment be simplified?
Deprescribing: Sometimes less is better
Modern medicine is very good at starting treatments. We also need to become equally good at reviewing when they should be reduced or
stopped. This process is known as deprescribing. Deprescribing does not mean randomly removing medicines. It is a planned and supervised process of reducing or stopping medications when the potential harm outweighs the benefit or when they are no longer necessary. The goal is not to achieve the smallest possible number of tablets. The goal is safe, effective and appropriate treatment. Five questions every patient should ask Whenever a new medicine is prescribed, consider asking: 1. Why am I taking this medicine? 2. How long should I take it? 3. What side effects should I watch for? 4. Does it interact with my other medicines or supplements? 5. When will we review whether I still need it? Keeping an updated medication list on your phone or in your wallet can also be extremely helpful, particularly during emergencies or when seeing a new healthcare professional. In primary care, we often care for patients over many years. As conditions accumu-
late, prescriptions can accumulate with them. Sometimes one of the most useful things we can do during a consultation is not prescribe another tablet. It is to stop and review. When I see someone taking several medications, I want to know not only “What else does this patient need?” but also “What may this patient no longer need?” That conversation becomes particularly important for our older patients and those living with several chronic diseases. Medicines save lives. But every medication should have a purpose, and that purpose should be periodically reassessed. If you or someone you care for takes several medications every day, don’t panic – and don’t stop them on your own. Instead, periodically ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete medication review. Know what you take. Know why you take it. Know when it should be reviewed. Because good healthcare isn’t about taking more medicine. It’s about taking the right medicine, at the right dose, for the right reason, for the right amount of time.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
guyanatimesgy.com
17
Regional
Bartlett declares “the Age of Resilience” Ecuador charges ex-Minister over presidential candidate assassination case in Canada, urges world to finance tourism’s future before the next crisis P rosecutors in Ecuador have charged a former Interior Minister and six others on suspicion of being involved in the assassination of a presidential candidate in 2023. José Serrano and the head of cartel Los Lobos, Wilmer “Pipo” Chavarria, were implicated in the murder of Fernando Villavicencio at a campaign event in the capital, Quito, days before the election. Five persons linked to the criminal gang were jailed over the hit in 2024, while Pipo was captured in Spain last year, having faked his own death. Villavicencio, a journalist turned prominent legislator, was known for his anti-corruption stance and was one of few candidates to allege links between organised crime and Government officials. He had continued to appear at public campaigns
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Fernando Villavicencio speaks into a microphone [Getty Images]
after being given a security detail due to his receiving a number of death threats. Daniel Noboa, who ultimately went on to win the election and become Ecuador’s President, has taken a hardline military approach to combatting crime gangs. The five convicted over Villavicencio’s murder in 2024 were said to have orchestrated the hit. The alleged gunman was shot dead at the scene, while six
other men were found murdered in prison while awaiting trial. The seven named by the Ecuadorean Attorney General’s Office on Saturday were accused of playing an indirect role in the killing – many of whom had links to Los Lobos, or “The Wolves”, one of the nation’s most powerful criminal gangs. Five of these were now considered fugitives, it said. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Jamaica leads Caribbean in Airbnb emergency housing
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ore than two-thirds of the 1500 nights of emergency housing provided for families displaced by natural disasters across the Caribbean by Airbnb.org since 2020 have been utilised in Jamaica. Christoph Gorder, executive director of Airbnb.org — the independent non-profit founded by Airbnb to provide emergency housing in times of crisis — puts the figure at more than 1000 nights. “The vast majority of that housing was provided in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, reflecting the scale of the storm’s impact,“ Gorder said in an e-mailed response to the Jamaica Observer.
He said the non-profit is proud of the role its community has played in supporting people in Jamaica during emergencies. “And as our partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and other partners like IOM, Church World Services, and All Hands and Hearts demonstrates, we stand ready to help in the future,” Gorder said. Last month, Airbnb and Airbnb.org signed an agreement with CDEMA to accelerate access to temporary housing for disaster victims across the agency’s 20 Caribbean member countries. The agreement
is designed to help mobilise available housing support after a disaster, helping close temporary housing gaps that often emerge in the immediate aftermath of a crisis. The partnership is anchored by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that addresses roles, coordination, and activations during the critical early days of a disaster response. CDEMA will help coordinate with local responders to identify people with emergency housing needs, while Airbnb.org will support these efforts by helping provide free, available emergency housing. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Suriname: Prosecution seeks 10-year sentence for man with HIV accused of rape
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he Public Prosecution Service (OM) is seeking a 10-year unconditional prison sentence for a man accused of rape, unlawful deprivation of liberty, assault, and attempted intentional HIV infection. The OM is also asking the court to deny the man bail. The court was told that the victim, a sex worker, had accompanied the man to his home in exchange for payment and according to the OM, while the two had initially engaged in consensual sex, the woman indicated she wanted to leave, but the suspect allegedly refused to let her go. The OM, which did not disclose when the incident occurred, said that the man subsequently assaulted the woman by, among other
things, hitting, biting, and strangling her. He is also alleged to have torn her clothing and then forced her to engage in unprotected sexual intercourse. According to the OM, the victim has given consistent statements from the moment of filing the complaint up to and including the hearing of the case at trial and that her statements are supported by photographs of the injuries and other evidence in the case file. The court was told that when the Police arrived at the residence, the suspect refused to open the door and the Fire Department had to provide assistance so that the police could enter the home and free the victim. During the trial, the
Public Prosecution Service further argued that the victim, despite working as a sex worker, practised safe sex by using a condom and that the suspect knew that he was HIV-positive, but allegedly failed to inform the victim of this. The OM claimed that he raped her without using a condom. The OM said in doing so, the suspect wilfully and knowingly exposed her to a risk of which she was unaware and that the fact that the victim works as a sex worker in no way justifies the actions of which the man is suspected. The Public Prosecution Service is asking for a 10year prison sentence deducting the time he has spent in pre-trial detention. The case is continuing. (CMC)
gainst the backdrop of smoke-filled Canadian skies and a global economy in flux, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, recently declared that the world has entered “the Age of Resilience” – and said the survival of tourism now depends on financing people, not just properties. Addressing the Canadian-Caribbean Tourism Resilience Symposium in Toronto, Canada against the backdrop of huge climate change-induced forest fires raging in that country, Bartlett said climate disasters, geopolitical conflict, cyber threats and artificial intelligence are no longer arriving one at a time, they are converging. “The fires in Canada are not only a Canadian story. They are a mirror held up to the world,” Bartlett told diplomats, industry leaders and Diaspora representatives. “They tell us that the world has changed. Not temporarily, not superficially, fundamentally.” Bartlett argued that
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett
each age rewards a different virtue. The Industrial Age rewarded production. The Information Age rewarded connectivity. “The Age of Resilience will reward adaptive capacity: the ability to anticipate disruption, absorb shocks, reorganise intelligently and transform before vulnerability becomes collapse,” he said. He pointed to Canada’s 2024 Jasper wildfire, which forced 20,000 evacuations and crippled the regional visitor economy, as evidence that resilience is about livelihoods, not just landmarks. “A destination is not resilient merely because its iconic assets survive. A des-
tination is resilient when its people can continue to live, work, create and hope,” he argued. “For policy, that means land management, emergency communications, insurance, workforce protection and tourism planning can no longer sit in separate government silos”. Bartlett further observed that “peace is productive infrastructure.” Citing UN Tourism data showing a sharp drop in Middle East arrivals in the first quarter of 2026, he said war wounds tourism even when missiles don’t land. Airspace closures, travel advisories, higher insurance premiums and cancelled conventions all send “economic echoes” through the sector. “Tourism is one of humanity’s quietest peace institutions. It turns strangers into guests,” Bartlett said. “A peaceful tourism corridor is not merely a route for aircraft and visitors. It is a corridor through which empathy, commerce and mutual dependence can travel.” (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Bahamas to review work permit process
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he Bahamas Government says it will conduct a review examining labour certificate applications and employment data. “The purpose of this review is to obtain a clear understanding of the facts surrounding current employment practices and to ensure that our policies continue to serve the best interests of the Bahamian people,” said Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell. “This is not an exercise intended to discourage investment or create uncertainty for employers. Rather, it is a fact-based review designed to identify challenges, promote transparency, and strengthen
opportunities for Bahamians.” He said the Ministry will collaborate with the Department of Labour and other relevant agencies to conduct the review will also meet with employers to understand better their workforce requirements, staffing challenges, and long-term labour needs. “We are committed to making informed decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions. “Our objective is to strike the appropriate balance between supporting economic expansion and ensuring that qualified Bahamians have meaningful access to employment and career advancement,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said that the work permit process is important in cases of legitimate labour shortages in specialised occupations and that the law stipulates that before a work permit application can be considered, employers looking to recruit foreign workers must obtain a certificate from the Department of Labour confirming that the required skills are unavailable locally. This process is also required for work permit renewals, which are no longer automatic. He said these procedures are meant to protect opportunities for qualified Bahamians. (Excerpt from CMC)
Caricom calls for greater protection and inclusion of Indigenous peoples
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he Caribbean Community (Caricom) is calling for stronger policies to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and expand opportunities for their social and economic development across the region. In a message marking Sunday’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett said Indigenous communities have played an integral role in shaping the Caribbean’s history, culture and identity. “The wisdom, traditions and contributions of
the Caribbean’s Indigenous Peoples are an integral part of our shared history, and their voices, leadership and prosperity are essential to an equitable and sustainable Community,” she said. This year’s observance is being held under the United Nations theme, “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Wellbeing.” Caricom said the theme recognises the important role Indigenous midwives play as custodians of ancestral knowledge, caregivers and guardians of cultural traditions passed down
through generations. It said traditional knowledge also remains important in areas including agriculture, medicine, environmental protection, language and community governance. The regional grouping noted that Indigenous Peoples were the first guardians of the Caribbean’s lands and natural resources and said their knowledge of environmental stewardship and sustainable development has become increasingly important as the region confronts climate change and biodiversity loss. (Excerpt from CMC)
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
guyanatimesgy.com
Around the World
OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises on uncertainty over reopening of Hormuz
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il prices rose today on uncertainty over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz anytime soon, as Iran said a deal with Oman defining new shipping lanes was in its final stages, but insisted the United States must still meet other conditions. Brent crude futures rose 91 cents or 1.09 per cent, to US$84.46 a barrel by 0056 GMT, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 61 cents, or 0.78 per cent to US$78.79 a barrel. Both benchmarks had fallen more than seven per cent last week on hopes that Iran and Oman were close to reaching a deal that would result in a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which carried a fifth of the world’s oil before the war. While Iran said on Sunday that a deal with Oman was in its “final stages”, it reiterated that the waterway would only reopen once Washington met other conditions, including US compensation to Iran for its widespread attacks. “Traders have been conditioned by the on-again, offagain nature of the negotiations and are waiting for tangible evidence, such as verified tanker movements or formal agreements, before further unwinding the risk premium,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. In a further threat to supply, a Saudi oil plant was attacked over the weekend. The Iran-aligned Houthis said they had hit Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery on Sunday, two days after the kingdom signed a defence pact with Sunni Muslim allies Turkey and Pakistan in response to growing regional instability from the USIsraeli war on Shi’ite Iran. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Iran ties Hormuz reopening to US concessions on several demands
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ran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz, but repeated that the United States must meet other conditions, including compensation and an end to sanctions and military threats, before the strategic waterway is reopened. A US official told Reuters on Friday that Iran and Oman were close to a deal that could pave the way for restoring safe passage through the strait, a major conduit for oil and gas shipping before Iran blocked Hormuz in response to US and Israeli attacks on Tehran that began in late February.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday an agreement with Oman on the Strait was in its “final stages”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday an agreement with Oman on the strait was in its “final stages”, but reiterated comments made on Saturday that Tehran would not reopen
the channel unless the US met certain demands made by Tehran. The deal with Iran would set out the new shipping lanes to be used once the US fulfils those conditions and the Strait
is reopened, Iran’s Mehr news agency quoted him as saying. Iran and the US are not engaged in direct talks, and Tehran will not start them as long as Washington breaches an interim deal signed in June, Araqchi said, adding that messages were being exchanged through intermediaries. US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Axios that the U.S. was “low-keying” it with Iran. “We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money.” (Excerpt from Reuters)
Israel rejects Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza, Netanyahu says
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sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza, stating that no military pull-out will happen until Hamas is “genuinely” disarmed. Trump’s Board of Peace said last month it had reached an agreement for the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. But Hamas said handing
over its heavy weapons was contingent on Israel ending “all forms of aggression” and withdrawing its forces from Gaza. Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Gaza since agreeing to an initial ceasefire in the territory last October. “Israel rejects the 15-point document,” Netanyahu said at a Cabinet meeting on Sunday. The Israeli military “will
not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens”, he added. A Hamas official told the BBC on Sunday the group “reaffirms it commitment” to the agreement and it was ready “to engage seriously and responsibly in implementing” the 15-point plan. They called on mediators to ensure “that all parties
comply with what has been agreed”. Israel’s rejection signals another blow for Trump’s Gaza peace plan which was announced in September last year. The plan included the creation of the Board of Peace to oversee the agreement’s implementation, as well as the disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of Israeli troops and reconstruction of Gaza. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Typhoon Dolphin hits eastern China, more Man arrested after boat capsizes near than 1 million evacuated Statue of Liberty killing woman and infant
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People use umbrellas and raincoats as winds intensify ahead of the arrival of Typhoon Dolphin in Shanghai, China, [Go Nakamura/ Reuters]
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yphoon Dolphin has made landfall on China’s eastern coast, bringing torrential rain and hurricane-force winds with more than one million people evacuated. Dolphin, the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall near Yuhuan in eastern Zhejiang province at about 17:30h (09:30 GMT) on Sunday, according to China’s meteorological authorities. The storm packed maximum sustained winds of 151 kilometres/h (93mph) near its centre as it came ashore, equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane. Authorities have warned of severe flooding and landslide risks as the storm
moves inland and continues to bring heavy rain to densely populated areas of eastern China. Transport was widely disrupted across the region. Shanghai evacuated at least 30,300 persons and cancelled about 1400 flights. In neighbouring Zhejiang province, the city of Wenzhou relocated more than 900,000 residents and opened more than 1000 emergency shelters. Authorities had also evacuated about 390,000 persons in the Zhejiang city of Taizhou by Saturday evening. In Fujian province, about 98,900 persons were evacuated from high-risk areas after authorities raised (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
he operator of a boat that overturned near the Statue of Liberty, killing a woman and a baby, has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, New York police said. Officials said a large search and rescue operation was launched after the incident near New York Harbour on Saturday night. Twelve people who were initially rescued from the water are all reported to be in stable condition. New York police divers later found a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old girl, who were transported to a nearby hospital where they later died. The names of passengers and the specific cause of the
An aerial shot of the Statue of Liberty and waters surrounding it with the New York skyline in background [Getty Images]
incident have not been released by officials. Around 22:25 local time (03:25 BST), Police received a 911 call reporting an overturned boat in the waters near Liberty Island, which houses the iconic statue.
A nearby tour operator Sea the City saw the capsized boat and helped pull 11 persons from the water, the company’s founder Adam Schwartz said according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News.
The rescue involved two Coast Guard boats, four fire department boats, two Police boats and a Police helicopter, the USCG said. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, officials said. The boat’s operator, a 46-year-old Manhattan resident, faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment, officials said. Coast Guard investigators are also determining whether the boat was illegally chartered. An illegal charter is any passenger-for-hire vessel operation that does not have required credentials, safety equipment, and certificate of inspection. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Nigerian army says it safely rescued 33 persons kidnapped by gunmen
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igeria’s army has said it safely rescued 33 persons after they were kidnapped by armed men while travelling through the country’s north-western Zamfara state. The army said its troops mobilised alongside the Police immediately after
hearing about the abduction, in the Tsafe area of Zamfara on Saturday afternoon. The military found the kidnappers in the process of moving the hostages to an unknown location, the army said, and the gunmen fled into the nearby bush after coming under fire.
Kidnappings by armed groups who hold people for ransom are common in parts of north-western Nigeria and major roads have become targets for attacks. Analysts say ransom payments by desperate families, intermediaries or, in some cases, Nigerian authorities have fuelled the ab-
ductions. Nigerian army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja said it was unclear where the abductors were moving their hostages when troops intercepted them, adding that the army was now attempting to track the kidnappers. (Excerpt from BBC News)
guyanatimesgy.com
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
ARCHIE
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DAILY HOROSCOPES Use your imagination to bring about positive change. Nurture relationships, and commit to the people and projects that interest you most. Don’t waste time on nowin situations.
(March 21-April 19)
PICKLES
(April 20-May 20)
(May 21-June 20)
PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)
Don’t promise the impossible. Choose to put your energy into home improvements, comfort and what makes your lifestyle more convenient. Anger and frustration will have costly emotional or financial price tags. A change will give you a different perspective regarding what you can do. If you put your physical attributes to the test, you’ll surprise those who don’t give you enough credit. Emotions will be difficult to control. Be a good listener, and ponder over situations until you can find a positive outlet for your thoughts and feelings. Put more time and effort in your home and your investments. Look for opportunities to learn, grow and communicate. Stretching your mind will enhance the outcome of whatever you pursue. Face limitations by addressing problems swiftly.
(July 23-Aug. 22) Reach out and help. The people you meet and the opportunities that follow will have an emotional impact on how you move forward. Your experience and attributes will bring about opportunities.
CALVIN AND HOBBES
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
SUDOKU
Put your skills on display, and manufacture a scenario that satisfies your soul. Whether you are in learning mode or at the top of your game, you can flourish if you position yourself for success. Step up and be heard. Stand up for yourself, but do so with reserve. Refuse to let anyone compromise your integrity or take advantage of your skills. Too much of anything will weigh you down.
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Pay attention to domestic issues, joint ventures and shared expenses. Set up rules, guidelines and open communication to ensure you are on the same page as those you live with or deal with.
You’ll be drawn to situations that may not be as they appear. Ask questions before you commit to anything that may jeopardize your reputation, time or money.
SATURDAY’S WORD – GINGIVAL
SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You’re in a better position than you realize. Don’t be shy or gullible. Get the facts, do what’s best for you and carry on. Set up interviews, socialize and get back in the game.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Look inward and pay attention to detail. Make changes that boost your ego and give you the confidence to move forward with a positive attitude and to show off what you can do.
(Feb. 20-March 20)
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
Gill, Jaiswal get in their drills ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 105-run stand eased the equation for India
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well-being seems to have passed. He opened the batting after the SLC XI set the Indians a target of 207 and looked in good form, scoring 44 runs off 54 balls with seven boundaries. “Gill has been absolutely fine and he’s been training and the management decided we could just take the precaution of not putting him in the first day,” Sairaj Bahutule, India’s spin-bowling coach, said after the end of the tour game. “The way he batted in the second innings was flawless and he’s very much ready for the Test match.” Jaiswal, who was not w i t h India Ramesh Mendis sent o n back Rishabh Pant and
hubman Gill shrugged off a finger injury and made a breezy 44, Yashasvi Jaiswal an authoritative fifty and Mohammed Siraj a fun-filled 32 not out as India chased down 207 to b e a t S r i Lanka
Cricket XI (SLC XI) in t h e i r t o u r Dhruv Jurel before tea match in their Colombo. Much tours of the focus of the on the final United day’s play was on the Kingdom India Captain, a n d who did not bat Zimbabwe, in the first inalso made nings. Gill had good taken a knock to use o f his his hand in the lead-up to this tour game, but time in the m i d whatever effect dle. He hit 61 off 46 with nine fours and two sixes at that may have had on his which point the team de-
cided to retire him out. Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar, who is staking a case to continue as India’s third spinner when the first Test against Sri Lanka starts on August 15, were also retired out on 22 and 4 respectively which created a little tension as the day came to a close with the target coming in view. Siraj took that as his cue to go on a hitting spree, a hat-trick of sixes sealing victory. It was a game of pure symmetry with both teams batting 90 and 45 overs in their first and second innings respectively. The chase began with Gill replacing KL Rahul at the top. He survived a close lbw shout early, but Gurnoor Brar took two wickets in the third innings set the tone. He brought out the short-arm jabs out plumb in front. Prasidh not faze Nishan, who put later caught on back-to-back fifty-plus and, along with Jaiswal, Krishna put on an e x h i b i t i o n Pasindu Sooriyabandara partnerships with Pavan of drives a s on the crease to castle him Rathnayake and Anjala leaving the hosts 21 for 2. Bandara. He cashed in I n d i a It did on full balls and held his reached shape well when bowlers 50 in eight went short on a slowing overs. The pitch. He cut and pulled openers Auqib Nabi for backscored 10 to-back fours to bring boundarup the fifty partnership ies during with Rathnayake, who this periwas dismissed the next od. ball, spooning a harmless Jaiswal Gurnoor Brar delivery to used his point. sweep shot Like Nishan, Bandara to take on was severe on bowlers R a m e s h missing their lines. He Mendis from drove, swept, and cut to his very first pick up three boundarover. His slaps through cover put the other offspinner Keshara Nuwantha Sri Lanka Cricket XI 2nd Innings on the back foot in his KL Rahul played his shots Nishan Fernando retired hurt 63 Ravindu Rasantha lbw first over. Jaiswal and during his innings of 40 b Mohammed Siraj 8 Gill put on 105 runs Pasindu Sooriyabandara together at which b Prasidh Krishna 4 point Jaiswal was Pavan Rathnayake c sub (HS Dubey) b Gurnoor Brar 16 asked to return to the Anjala Bandara † c Jaiswal pavilion and Rishabh b Jadeja 35 Pant took his place. Nipun Dhananjaya st †Jurel Pant started in b Jadeja 46 Sonal Dinusha (c) c †Jurel atypical fashion, with b Gurnoor Brar 9 21 dots. Gill was caught Ramesh Mendis not out 16 off the leading edge at Keshara Nuwantha not out 1 short third. Pant got off Extras (lb 1, w 1) 2 Total 45 Ov (RR: 4.44) 200/6d the mark with a six and Did not bat: pushed India forward with Dilum Sudeera, Isitha Wijesundara, a quick-starting Dhruv Ahan Wickramasinghe, Jurel for company. They Asanka Manoj, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando added 45 in eight overs beFall of wickets: fore Jurel nicked behind. 1-9 (Ravindu Rasantha, 4.5 ov), 2-26 The tail got in a few lumps (Pasindu Sooriyabandara, 7.3 ov), and then the day was done. 3-77 (Pavan Rathnayake, 18.1 ov), 3-106* (Nishan Fernando, India had started proretired not out), 4-144 ceedings on Sunday morn(Anjala Bandara, 32.6 ov), ing with a declaration. 5-165 (Sonal Dinusha, 37.6 ov), They did not mind be6-199 (Nipun Dhananjaya, 44.1 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W ing six runs behind. Siraj Mohammed Siraj 8-3-25-1 was a handful with the Prasidh Krishna 8-0-35-1 new ball. He swung one in Auqib Nabi 5-0-27-0 to hit Nishan Fernando’s Gurnoor Brar 8-1-37-2 Saransh Jain 4-2-16-0 pads, got extra bounce to Manav Suthar 5-0-26-0 hit Ravindu Rasantha’s Ravindra Jadeja 7-0-33-2 fingers and then got him
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ies in his first 10 balls as SLC XI went past a hundred at a run rate of 4.54. Soon, lunch was called and Nishan retired out for 63 off 73. Prasidh and Suthar started well after lunch despite the latter getting ambushed by Bandara, who charged down and picked up a six and a four. Jadeja’s introduction cut off his burgeoning knock on 35 with Jaiswal taking a catch at slip. Two fours in the second and third last overs were the only signs of urgency SLC XI showed before declaring at tea. (ESPNcricinfo)
SCOREBOARD India 2nd Innings (T: 207 runs) Yashasvi Jaiswal retired hurt 61 Shubman Gill c Rathnayake b Nuwantha 44 Rishabh Pant c Mendis b Nuwantha 28 Dhruv Jurel † c †Bandara b MVT Fernando 17 Ravindra Jadeja retired hurt 22 Manav Suthar retired hurt 4 Gurnoor Brar c Dinusha b Mendis 2 Saransh Jain not out 2 Mohammed Siraj not out 32 Extras (lb 1, nb 1) 2 Total 45 Ov (RR: 4.75) 214/4 Did not bat: Kuldeep Yadav, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul (c), Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan, Auqib Nabi Fall of wickets: 0-100* (Yashasvi Jaiswal, retired not out), 1-105 (Shubman Gill, 20.1 ov), 2-150 (Dhruv Jurel, 28.1 ov), 3-155 (Rishabh Pant, 32.3 ov), 4-178 (Gurnoor Brar, 40.5 ov), 4-181* (Manav Suthar, retired not out) Bowling O-M-R-W Vishwa Fernando 6-0-34-1 Lahiru Kumara 4-0-29-0 Isitha Wijesundara 3-0-9-0 Ramesh Mendis 13-1-53-1 Keshara Nuwantha 10-1-57-2 Dilum Sudeera 4-1-9-0 Sonal Dinusha 5-0-22-0
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
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Lotto/Let’s Bet T10 Tapeball…
Avengers, Bulls, Mavericks and Sip N Play march into semi-finals A
high-octane opening day of tapeball cricket in the Berbice cluster of the Lotto/Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 tournament provided plenty of fireworks, setting up a blockbuster Sunday under floodlights at the Albion Sports Complex. Grillmaster Avengers, Lusignan Bulls DTP I, Grillmaster Sip N Play All Stars, and local side The Mavericks all booked their spots in the final four after a day packed with aggressive batting and rapid run chases. The young Mavericks side from Canje turned their home ground into a fortress with a pair of emphatic run chases. They kicked off their campaign in the Round of 16 by overhauling Cotton Tree Die Hard’s 105 in 9.4 overs, driven by a blistering 17-ball 55 from Adrian Hetmyer. Hetmyer was at it again in the quarter-finals against Blairmont Blazers, lead-
A high-octane opening day of tapeball cricket in the Berbice cluster of the Lotto/Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 tournament provided plenty of fireworks, setting up a blockbuster Sunday under floodlights at the Albion Sports Complex
ing another collective batting effort alongside a disciplined bowling spell from Trevon Stanislaus (2 for 20 in three overs) to chase down 117, finishing on 122 for 5 in just 8.1 overs. Mavericks will now lock horns with Lusignan Bulls DTP I, who showed ruthless dominance in their own quarter-final clash. The Bulls dismantled Meera Warriors by nine
wickets, knocking off a target of 63 in a mere 3.5 overs. Earlier in the day, the Bulls flexed their batting muscles by posting 134 for 5 against Ethan XI – thanks to rapid-fire contributions from Akshaya Persaud (56 off 23) and Sheldon Alexander (43 off 18) – before restricting Ethan XI to 43 for 7. Ethan XI’s earlier 98run thrashing of Royal
Warriors, where Afraz Budhoo (58) and Nathaniel Ramsammy (50) powered them to 162 for 2, proved to be a distant memory against the clinical Bulls. In the remaining fixtures, Grillmaster Sip N Play All Stars eased into the last four with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Corriverton Spartan. Meanwhile, Grillmaster Avengers sealed their
semi-final berth via a forfeit by No 73 Young Warriors, having earlier overcome No 70 Spartans. The action shifted exclusively to the Albion Sports Complex on Sunday, August 9, where the tournament transitioned to prime time under floodlights. Semi-Final 1 was set to feature the winners of the No 70 and Port Mourant brackets followed by SemiFinal 2 between the survivors from the Albion and Welfare brackets. The two remaining teams would have met in the Berbice Zonal Final later that evening to determine the regional champion. Considerable financial rewards are up for grabs in addition to regional glory. Backed by primary zonal sponsor SAWA, along with the Guyana Cup and Scoop, losing quarter-finalists earn $25,000, losing semi-finalists collect $50,000, and the runners-up receive $200,000. The Berbice Zone cham-
pion will take home a $500,000 prize cheque and secure passage to the national stage. Title sponsors Guyana Lottery Company, through its Lotto and Let’s Bet Sports brands, will also host interactive fan activations and a special raffle for entry to the upcoming Guyana Cup horse-racing showcase. All 16 Berbice teams have their eyes on the grand prize: the national grand finale on October 11, 2026, which features a $2,000,000 purse and will be held at the newly-constructed Anna Regina National Stadium in Essequibo. Following this weekend’s Berbice leg, the tournament travels to East Bank/ West Demerara on August 15-16 and Essequibo on August 22-23, before taking a scheduled break for the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League and resuming across Georgetown and East Coast Demerara in late September and early October.
Guimaraes can ignite something different in us – Arteta M
anager Mikel Arteta said the signing of Bruno Guimaraes will “ignite something different” in Arsenal and hinted that the Gunners are not done with their summer transfer activity. Guimaraes’ arrival for £75 million from Newcastle United was officially announced on Saturday
and the 28-year-old midfielder was introduced to the fans inside Emirates Stadium before Sunday’s match against Borussia Dortmund. Guimaraes was not included in the matchday squad for the 3-2 loss to Dortmund, but is likely to be involved in the game against Como on Wednesday.
Arteta was quick to explain why he was so keen to bring the Brazilian to north London. “I think he describes himself as a warrior,” he said. “I think he’s a warrior with a tremendous quality as well and intuition and leadership and charisma that is going to help us, that is going to really ignite something different in the
World number 1 Sinner to miss Cincinnati Open
W
orld number one Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from this week’s Cincinnati Open because of a knee injury, but still expects to be fit for the US Open later this month. The 24-year-old Italian won his fifth Grand Slam singles title by beating Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final last month, but has not played since. “After consulting with my doctors and my team, I have to announce that I need to withdraw from the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati,” Sinner said. “My right knee has been bothering me and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept I’m not ready to compete yet. “I’m very disappointed not to be able to play in
Jannik Sinner has not played since winning Wimbledon for a second time in July
Cincinnati. I can’t wait to be back next year and I’m now focusing on getting ready for the US Open.” The Cincinnati Open main draw begins on August 13, with the final on August 23. Zverev and 24time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic are among those in action. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz won the 2025 event and was leading 5-0 in the fi-
nal against Sinner, before the Italian had to retire because of illness. But world number two Alcaraz, 23, will not be there to defend his title as he has not played since the Barcelona Open in April because of a wrist injury. The US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year, takes place in New York from August 30 to September 13. (BBC Sport)
Arsenal signed Bruno Guimaraes for £75 million from Newcastle
team. “I’m delighted to have him. We see very clearly – especially the energy that he brought immediately to the training ground – the hunger, the desire to come here and create a big history at the club. That’s the ambition that we need. “We want to go to the next level and are very, very much convinced that we’re going to need players with such a personality, desire and character to push everybody inside the organisation to go even higher.” The signing of Guimaraes means Arteta now has plenty of choice in midfield with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Myles LewisSkelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino all options in the middle of the pitch.
And Arteta went into further detail about what he hopes Guimaraes can bring to the Arsenal side this season as they look to defend their Premier League title. “On the pitch, versatility to play in two different positions in relation to what we want or the opponent does,” he said. “A player which obviously has tremendous timing and intuition to win the ball back and progress play very, very fast. “He’s a player that is very comfortable putting people through, moving between the lines, moving in behind. “And then he’s a goal threat. He’s got a smell and a really good timing to get in the box. And he has the capacity to finish the actions.” Arsenal have already
completed the signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge and brought in goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer. The Gunners pursued Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, but the forward signed a new six-year deal to remain in Spain. Yet Arteta was clear Arsenal are going to continue to try to be ambitious in the transfer market “Well, that’s what we’re trying to do. If we have the right player in the market to make us much better. We are very much looking forward to that.” The Manager added that Jurrien Timber is still “weeks away” from returning to fitness, while fellow defender William Saliba is another long-term absentee as he recovers from a back injury. (BBC Sport)
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
Springer happy to “put Guyana on the map” once again
Tianna Springer displays her World U20 Championships bronze medal (Track Alerts photo)
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s one would expect, Tianna Springer added some hardware to her personal collection, grabbing a bronze medal at this year’s World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Oregon, USA which concluded on Sunday evening. Springer crossed the line in 51.76s on Friday night for bronze in the women’s 400m event, claiming Guyana’s first and only medal at this year’s championships and Guyana’s second overall. Poland’s Anastazja Kus claimed the gold in 51.06s,
followed by USA’s Ataja Stephane-Vazquez, who took home silver in 51.36s. In a post- race interview, the Guyanese track star expressed her satisfaction with her achievement and shared how she was able to get her mind ‘raceready’. Springer told “Making of Champions” online platform, “I was just like, talking to myself, ‘Tianna, you got this, you trained for it, Coach believes in me, everybody believes in me, so, I got to go out there and show them who I am’, but I was still having the slight
doubts that I’m not going to get the results I’m looking for, but at least I came this far, I’m still thankful. So, I’m glad with my performance. “I have a really strong finish, I know that for sure, but I don’t know what’s going on for me, to be honest, but my coach told me ‘just ignore the pain, push through’ and I’ll be grateful with the result after. I can’t say I’m disappointed that much, but I’m still glad,” she added. Quizzed about bringing home Guyana’s second medal in the Championships’ history, after Kadecia Baird’s silver back in 2012 in Spain, Springer was happy to put the spotlight on the country of her birth. She stated, “I’m glad Guyana got to be back there on the map, because I can’t remember when they got a world’s medal in the 400. I’m so glad I got to bring it up back again, so, everybody would notice Guyana once again, put us back on the map.” Detailing what her next few months and weeks will entail after becoming a World U20 medallist, Springer divulged, “I’m going to take a break when
I go back there, I’ve had a really long season, but I’m not going to take too much of a break because I’ve still got to come back next year. I have senior games next year since this is my last Under-20. So, hopefully I get the results I’m looking for.” Springer has been dominant on the international stage in her pet event, the 400m, bagging gold at the CARIFTA Games from 2023 through 2026. She also copped gold at the South American U20 Games in 2023, resetting that record. She went on to grab gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games a few months later. Additionally, the star
runner has also been an integral part of
Guyana’s U20 Mixed 4x400m relay team that have won gold and reset records at both the Commonwealth Youth Games and CARIFTA Games over the past few years.
Springer in action at the World U20 Championships
NSC praises Springer as she ends 14-year World U20 Championships medal drought Culture, Youth and Sport and the Government of Guyana, remained proud of Springer and was committed to supporting her continued development. Springer’s bronze in Oregon has not only restored Guyana to the World U20 medal podium after 14 years, but has also added another significant chapter to the country’s growing athletics success.
Rising Stars Women’s U19 T20…
T&T edge Guyana in low-scoring contest T G
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle
uyana’s Under-19 Women will have to wait for their first win in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 T20 competition after suffering a three-wicket loss to Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, which came on the heels of a no-result against Barbados the day prior. Guyana won the toss and opted to bat first on Sunday at the Liberta Sports Club Ground in Antigua and Barbuda. It was a rocky start for the Guyanese top order as Jada Fraser departed for 7 and Sara Bheir for just 4. A duck from Brianna Samaroo followed while Kaiana Leitch pitched in with two as Guyana were reduced to 37-4 by the 10th over. At the other end, multisport maestro Allia Henry held firm, hitting an almost run-a- ball 22 decorated by four fours. Akeelah Stephen contributed 12 while a late push from the lower order saw Jaraya Rodrigues and Rossanna Patterson both remaining unbeaten for eight runs apiece. As such, Guyana could only manage 79-7 in their 20 overs, boosted by 13 extras.
Guyana’s Under-19 Women suffered a three-wicket loss to Trinidad on Sunday (file photo)
Samara Ramnath was the pick of the Trinidadian bowlers, claiming 3-20 from four overs; Brianna Harricharan, Sian Ramnarine and Amrita Ramtahal had one scalp each. Trinidad had a similar meltdown in the opening of their innings as their Captain Ramnath could only muster five runs, Ramtahal one and Jannah Mohammed six and Seraiah Kawalsingh two to be reduced to 39-4 in 9 overs. However, Harricharan and Jessica Davis combined forces to steady the Trinidadian ship. Harricharan hit 17 from 24 deliveries while Davis pitched in with 19 from 15 to bring T&T close to their target.
Some light work from the lower order saw Trinidad getting over the line in 16.1 overs with three wickets to spare. Kaiana Leitch snared 3-16 from four overs, and was supported by Henry, Shenesa Thomas and Captain Danellie Manns, all with one wicket. In other results on the day, Jamaica defeated Leeward Islands by six wickets while Barbados enjoyed a nine-wicket victory over Windward Islands. Guyana’s U19 ladies will be hunting their first win when they take on Jamaica’s Women on Tuesday, August 11 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. The first ball is expected to be bowled at 14:00h.
he National Sports Commission (NSC) has hailed the achievements of 18-year-old Tianna Springer as she claimed a historic bronze medal in the women’s 400m at the World U20 Championships on Friday evening in Oregon, USA, ending Guyana’s 14-year wait for a medal at the global junior championships. Springer, who hails from the village of Plaisance, produced a strong run in the final, clocking 51.76s to secure third place behind Poland’s Anastazja Kus, who won in 51.06s, and American Ataja Stephanie-Vazquez, who finished second in 51.36s. Her bronze marks Guyana’s first World U20 medal since Kadecia Baird captured silver in Barcelona, Spain, in 2012. Baird’s achievement was also Guyana’s first-ever medal at the championships, which began in 1986 in Athens, Greece. Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle said the entire country was “extremely proud” of Springer’s achievement, noting that her latest success is the result of a remarkable journey that began at the National Schools Championships. “Tianna has always been a special talent. From her days competing at the National Schools Championships, she has demonstrated that she possesses something special, and we have watched her de-
velop into one of Guyana’s leading young athletes,” Ninvalle said. He added that Springer’s performance on the world’s biggest stage for her age group should serve as an inspiration to young athletes across Guyana, particularly girls, showing that there is a pathway to reaching the highest level in sport. “Tianna’s success should inspire every young athlete, especially our girls, to believe that they can reach the top of their discipline. She has shown that with talent, dedication, hard work, and the right support, the pathway to the highest level is possible,” Ninvalle noted. Springer is now continuing her development at the University of Georgia, where she pursuing her academic and athletic ambitions while building on an already outstanding junior career. Ninvalle pointed to the consistency of Springer’s achievements, describing her record as one of a kind for Guyana. The Plaisance athlete has won four consecutive CARIFTA Games 400m titles from 2023 through 2026. She is also a 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games champion and the 2023 South American U20 400m champion and record holder. He said the NSC, and by extension the Ministry of
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Beharry U19 T20 Cricket…
Abram Zuil, Essequibo Islands secure massive wins as national play-offs begin A
bram Zuil, Essequibo Islands secure massive wins as national play-offs begin Eight secondary school cricket teams braved the sweltering heat at the Queen’s College Ground, Georgetown on Sunday as they began their campaigns in the national play-offs of the Beharry Under-19 National T20 tournament. After winning their respective zones, it was now time for the top eight to face each other, setting up four enthralling encounters. When the dust settled, the likes of Justin Dowlin, Shivesh Bridgemohan, Devendra Samaroo and Jayhaden Rohlehr were the key players as Essequibo Islands Secondary, Abram Zuil Secondary, West Side High and Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) picked up victories in round one. The day began with the
Petra Organisation’s customary march-past exercise during which Beharry Group Marketing Manager Malissa Sylvester had some words of encouragement for the youngsters. She shared, “This is a fundamental milestone in the journey of this tournament and you, the teams gathered here today, represent the winners of the individual zones. We want to encourage you to represent your schools, your community and yourselves with pride, courage team spirit and enjoy this tournament. “Take advantage of the opportunity to showcase your talent, build your talent as well and use this as a platform to continue to grow in the sport,” she further encouraged. In his remarks, Head of Allied Arts at the Ministry of Education (MoE), Nicholas Fraser articulated, “I’d
like to encourage you to be well-rounded student-athletes. So, as well as we push on field, we would like to encourage you to also ensure that you push off the field, in the classrooms.” “We really would like to see the best of you,” Fraser added.
Group A Abram Zuil whip Covent Garden by 10 wickets
Covent Garden never stood a chance after crumbling under the pressure caused by the in-form trio of Shivesh Bridgemohan (37); Eshwar Tilak (2-3) and Rhonel Nurse (1-13), who have put their school on their backs throughout this competition. Nazeem Lehan scored a gruelling 15 off 29 before he was dismissed alongside Abram Zuil’s next best scorer, Joshua Hoasyx (12), as their team folded for 64-8 after 20
overs. In reply, the openers Ravid Fredericks, who continued his immaculate form by punching a 25-ball 41 not out (6x4 ,1x6), and his cousin Naveed Fredericks (7*) got their team to victory without any obstacles.
Essequibo Islands steamroll Queen’s College by 8 wickets
In another dominant win of the morning leg, Queen’s College suffered a huge loss at home after being restricted to 70 for the loss of nine wickets, with batting credit going to top-scorer Nathaniel Sukhnandan (22). National youth all-rounder Justin Dowlin snared 3-10 with aid from Ezekiel Morgow (2-6) and Aarav Sukhram (212) to help set up a win for his team. His team sped to victory in the eighth over, making 72-2, after Dowlin returned to slam
five sixes and two fours in his 41 off 21 not out, backed by his national youth teammate Bhomesh Lall’s cameo of 17* off six balls (2x4, 1x6).
11); Nathan Karamchand (29) and Danesar (2-24).
Group B West Side High defeat St Stanislaus College by 54 runs
Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) defeated Annandale Secondary by 35 runs after posting 150-6 from their full overs, with opener Lemuel Dejonge stroking a classy 50 off 27 balls with four fours and four sixes. Luke Amsterdam (34) and Jayhaden Rohlehr (16) provided support to Dejonge, as Kevin Singh (2-24) and Sanjay Dindyal (2-25) led the bowling for Annandale, who scratched on their way to 115-7. Joshua Bollers hit a defiant 42 not out with help from Reul Dindyal (35), but it was not enough to stop Rohlehr, who came back with the ball to snare 3-16 alongside Nicquan Fraser (2-12).
In a highly-competitive battle, West Side posted a formidable 162-6 thanks to a string of knocks from all-rounder Ricardo Danesar (38); Shaquan Ceres (33) and Davendra Samaroo (32). Bowling for Saints was piloted by the pair of Noel Nihal (3-19) and Aden Coonjah (242), but their efforts were not backed by the batters, who essentially failed to get their team home and were kept to 108-10 after 20 overs. Antonio Forde (29) and Brendan Arjune (28) tried, but could not get past the clinical bowling performance led by Davendra Samaroo (3-
Covent Garden Secondary were adjudged the best march-past team
Justin Dowlin smashes a big shot in his unbeaten 41
St Stanislaus College’s Brendon Arjune goes for a big shot
Another look at some of Sunday’s action
Beharry Group Marketing Manager Malissa Sylvester
Jayhaden Rohlehr’s pace put Annandale Secondary in a spot of bother
Berbice Educational Institute get past Annandale Secondary by 35 runs
Shivesh Bridgemohan delivered an excellent 3-7 with the ball
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MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business
Republic Bank CPL…
Kings reel it back to stop flying Falcons K
Hamilton’s misery (9 off 2 1 balls), b u t still, w i t h 10 from 2 left to get,
ings reel it back to stop flying Falcons It all came down to the final over at Arnos Vale in St Vincent and the
Andries Gous got the Kings off to a flying start
Grenadines as the St Lucia Kings and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons served up a last-over thriller in the third and final match in the territory at the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) – an entertaining goodbye. Captain Fabian Allen, going all guns blazing, and Jahmar Hamilton, who struggled with the bat in hand, found themselves at the crease, desperately searching for a pair of boundaries or maximums, which both seemed elusive. A spot-on, close-range throw from Matthew Forde at the strikers’ end on the fourth ball of the final over ended
the Falcons would get to their target easily, getting to 65 by the end of the power play, thanks to a rollicking start from Rahkeem Cornwall and Evin Lewis. Cornwall slammed 27 from 13, backed by Lewis’ 48 from 24 deliveries. Tim Robinson was equally as good with 30 from 20 while Tajinder Singh hit a run-a-ball 21. Captain Allen held things together at the end with 28 from 17, but it was not enough to see the Falcons over the line, as they lost by four runs. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the Kings’ bowlers, claiming 2-18 from 4 while Captain Roston Chase, who was unsure of bowling with a finger injury, replicated similar figures to rescue his team and pull the Falcons back. Earlier, Andries Gous gave the Kings the perfect foundation with a bellig-
The St Lucia Kings held their nerve to pull off a four-wicket win
erent 82 off 51 balls, comprising six fours and six
anything was possible. Heart in hand, Forde could only produce a wide – 9 from 2. And then Shamar Springer, facing his second ball, found the boundary with a shot straight back past the bowler – 5 from 1. A nervous St Lucia Kings dugout, spearheaded by West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy eventually erupted in celebrations as Forde came good on the final ball, cramping Springer, forcing him to miscue the shot, skiing it to short fine leg, where Darren Nedd had his redemption with a comfortable catch.
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Lapse in chase
It seemed as though
sixes. Ackeem Auguste was the next best scorer with 18 while McKenny Clarke and Forde both produced 15 runs. The Kings posted 1878 in their 20 overs, setting up a competitive chase. Alzarri Joseph was the standout with the ball for the Falcons, tak-
Maheesh Theekshana kept things economical for the Kings
ing 3-32 from 4 overs while Springer returned 2-39 from 4. The Republic Bank CPL will take a breather on Monday and return on Tuesday, August 11 with a clash between the Barbados Royals and Jamaica Kingsmen at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica from 20:00h.
SCOREBOARD
St Lucia Kings (20 ovs maximum) Andries Gous † c Lewis b Springer 82 Kamil Pooran c Cornwall b Allen 14 Ackeem Auguste b Cornwall 18 Jewel Andrew c Robinson b Usama Mir 5 Roston Chase (c) c †Hamilton b Joseph 10 Darren Nedd c Allen b Joseph 13 Matthew Forde c Seales b Joseph 15 Joshua Bishop b Springer 0 Shadley van Schalkwyk not out 10 McKenny Clarke not out 15 Extras (lb 4, w 1) 5 Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.35) 187/8 Did not bat: Maheesh Theekshana Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Kamil Pooran, 2.1 ov), 2-68 (Ackeem Auguste, 7.5 ov), 3-85 (Jewel Andrew, 10.1 ov), 4-99 (Roston Chase, 11.5 ov),
5-127 (Darren Nedd, 15.1 ov), 6-156 (Andries Gous, 17.3 ov), 7-156 (Joshua Bishop, 17.6 ov), 8-162 (Matthew Forde, 18.3 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Fabian Allen 3-0-25-1 Jayden Seales 4-0-42-0 Alzarri Joseph 4-0-32-3 Usama Mir 4-0-41-1 Rahkeem Cornwall 1-0-4-1 Shamar Springer 4-0-39-2 Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (T: 188 runs from 20 ovs) Rahkeem Cornwall c & b Theekshana 27 Evin Lewis c Nedd b Bishop 48 Tim Robinson c Auguste b Theekshana 30 Tajinder Singh c Forde b Chase 21 Karima Gore c & b Chase 2
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