Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 6547 guyanatimesgy.com
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Pres Ali hails Guyana-India enduring friendship, expanding partnership
WHAT'S INSIDE:
64 students complete P18 GBTI’s 2026 Work Study Programme
See story on page 3
– extends 80th Independence Day greeting to Republic of India
Parents plead for 2nd chance for teen held over fisherman’s P21 death
Smart grid to help curb electricity theft as GPL’s commercial loss pegged at 12% Linden chef killed Pomeroon man 1st 2 patients dies after in 3-vehicle receive dialysis treatment collision along colliding with boat as services commence at Linden Highway operated by 11-year-old Lima Regional Hospital CANU wary of “bigger push” to move narcotics through 171 cases made out Guyana during traffic Page 7
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See story on page 22
P19
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enforcement within Gtown
Govt commits to major D&I works along P20 SoesdykeLinden Highway corridor
– as over $429M worth of seized narcotics destroyed
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NEWS
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The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, August 16 – 06:15h–07:45h and Monday, August 17 – 06:55h–08:25h.
Pres Ali hails Guyana-India enduring friendship, expanding partnership – extends 80th Independence Day greeting to Republic of India
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President Dr Irfaan Ali with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Georgetown in November 2024
President Dr Irfaan Ali with Indian President Smt. Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi
s the Republic of India celebrates its 80th Independence Day on Saturday, President Dr Irfaan Ali has lauded the strong and enduring partnership that Guyana shares with the country. In a statement posted to his Facebook page, the Guyanese Head of State extended greetings, on behalf of the Government
bonds have united the two nations. He also recognised that Guyana-India cooperation spans a wide range of sectors, including health care, energy, defense, agriculture, education, infrastructure, space technology, fintech and capacity building. In fact, collaboration in the health care sector has been identified as a key pillar of this bilateral part-
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Day was celebrated by the Indian High Commission and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre with enthusiasm and festive fervor. Members of the Indian community, Indian diaspora, Indian students, and the business community participated in the celebration hosted on Saturday morning at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural
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Acting Indian High Commissioner Manoj Kumar joined officials and the Indian diaspora to celebration India’s 80th Independence Day in Georgetown on Saturday
and people of Guyana, to India on its Independence Anniversary, sending best wishes for the country’s continued peace, prosperity, and progress. President Ali pointed out that India’s remarkable journey since gaining independence has been defined by the resilience, determination, and ingenuity of its people, transforming the nation into a global leader across numerous fields. He went on to highlight the long-standing relationship that Guyana and India have shared over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations. This partnership, according to the Guyanese Leader, continues to grow stronger with time. “Guyana and India share an enduring friendship anchored in deep historical and cultural ties, strong people-to-people connections and an expanding partnership built on mutual respect and shared aspirations,” President Ali stated. “As India marks this important national occasion, I join the people of Guyana in celebrating its achievements and extend our very best wishes to the people of India for continued peace, prosperity and progress,” he added. Meanwhile, in Guyana, India’s 80th Independence
Centre in Georgetown. Acting High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Manoj Kumar, hoisted the Indian Tricolor and read out excerpts from Indian President Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s address to the Nation that was delivered on the eve of Independence Day. Saturday’s celebration featured vibrant cultural performances, including patriotic songs and dances by the diaspora, Indian students and children and teachers of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Georgetown. Additionally, certificates were presented to the ‘Bharat Ko Janiye’ participants during the event. A special exhibition on ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and ‘Vande Matram’ also enthralled the audience during Saturday’s celebration. Guyana and India formally established diplomatic ties in May 1966. Over the decades, the two countries have enjoyed strong relations, with both committing to further deepening these bilateral ties. Back in May, when Guyana celebrated its own 60th Independence anniversary, India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, noted that shared democratic values and the deep people-to-people
nership, with a major milestone achieved just over three months ago when the world’s longest-distance robotic surgery was conducted between Guyana and India in May. The coronary artery bypass graft surgery was performed by internationally renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Sudhir Srivastava, who operated the robotic surgical system remotely from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in Guyana on a pa-
tient in India. The telesurgery covered an estimated distance of approximately 20,000 kilometers (km) via fiber optic cables, making it the longest-distance telesurgery ever conducted in the world to date. “[This was] not only a robotic surgery...[but] the latest advances in technology in robotic surgeries. The absolutely latest technology, not the one from yesterday, the most current technology, some of which, most of which, is not even existing in the most developed medical environment, we have adopted in our robotics. We have leapfrogged to 2050 and beyond,” President Ali said about the achievement. In addition to that long-distance surgery, two other procedures were also successfully done on patients at the GPHC using the robotic surgical system Mantra Freedom 60, which Guyana has acquired from the India-based company SS Innovations International Inc, along with the full training module that would not only be used to train local medical professionals but also those in the wider Caribbean region as well. Meanwhile, India has also been playing a role in Guyana’s capacity-building efforts as well as its infrastructure development, building out critical road networks and buildings across the country.
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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 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
A Judge who refuses to be intimidated
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he accusations levelled against Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President Justice Winston Anderson – that he has exercised “authoritarian leadership, consulted insufficiently with his colleagues, manipulated judicial panels or attempted to influence judicial decisions” – are serious. Precisely because they are serious, they deserve to be examined with evidence rather than allowed to become another weapon in the increasingly polarised political discourse surrounding the Court. Justice Anderson’s response has been encouraging: he has not treated criticism of the CCJ as an attack on its institutional dignity that must be silenced. Instead, he has defended the court’s processes and the independence of its Judges. That distinction matters, since a judicial institution cannot demand public confidence merely by demanding public deference. Courts earn confidence by demonstrating that their procedures are principled, that Judges are capable of disagreeing with one another, and that decisions ultimately rest on law rather than personalities or political pressure. The recent Mohamed extradition case is illustrative. The appeal was heard by a full bench of seven Judges, including President Anderson. The Court ultimately dismissed the appeal, with Justice Denys Barrow delivering the principal judgement on behalf of himself and President Anderson, while separate judgements were also issued, all rejecting the appeal. That is hardly the picture of a court in which the President simply dictates the outcome. Indeed, the existence of separate judgements is one of the strongest rebuttals to the caricature of an authoritarian bench. Judicial collegiality does not mean judicial uniformity. A healthy appellate court allows Judges to reason independently, disagree where necessary and still participate in a common institution. Justice Anderson has also demonstrated that he understands an uncomfortable truth about judicial independence: it requires Judges to resist pressure from all sides. During the Mohamed proceedings, he questioned public comments by Guyana’s Attorney General and warned that statements outside the proceedings that might undermine the fairness of the case or public confidence in the administration of justice should be avoided. That was not political interference. It was precisely the sort of institutional caution expected from an apex court. Consultation should not be confused with surrendering the authority of the presidency. A court must have internal procedures, administrative leadership and mechanisms for assigning cases and panels. The existence of Presidential authority does not, by itself, constitute authoritarianism. The relevant question is whether that authority is exercised according to the Court’s governing framework and whether individual Judges remain free to decide cases according to their judicial oath. That is where accusations of “panel manipulation” require particularly careful treatment. Such a charge cannot be established merely by demonstrating that the President participates in administrative decisions – in this case proper dress protocols – concerning panels. One must show that panels were deliberately constituted to predetermine particular outcomes or that Judges were pressured to reach decisions contrary to their independent judgement. Those are very different propositions. And if evidence of such conduct exists, it should be produced and scrutinised. But absent such evidence, it is dangerous to transform disagreement with the Court’s decisions into an allegation that the Court’s internal machinery must therefore have been manipulated. But there is an even larger principle at stake in that the CCJ was created to provide the Caribbean with an indigenous institution capable of standing above partisan politics. Its Judges cannot be expected to become popular every time they render a controversial judgement. Nor can the Court’s President be expected to conduct the institution according to whichever political constituency happens to be displeased with its latest decision. Justice Anderson’s response should therefore be welcomed not because Presidents of courts should be beyond criticism, but for precisely the opposite reason: the judiciary must be strong enough to withstand criticism without becoming captive to it. The Caribbean has spent decades arguing that its final court should be genuinely Caribbean, independent and confident enough to interpret Caribbean law according to Caribbean constitutional principles. That project becomes meaningless if the Court is praised when it agrees with us and condemned as “authoritarian” when it does not. The proper response to a judicial decision is another legal argument, another appeal where permitted, or evidence of procedural wrongdoing – not the casual delegitimisation of the institution itself. Justice Anderson therefore deserves credit for defending the integrity of the Court while operating within the difficult space occupied by a regional apex court increasingly drawn into politically sensitive disputes.
A group of young people perform a skit at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Queenstown, Georgetown, on Saturday in observance of India’s 80th Independence Anniversary
CCJ dons an unspotted escutcheon
Dear Editor, I feel the irresistible compunction to comment on the reality that “Guyana’s final appellate court, CCJ, must be respected.” This is coming from Guyana’s AG, Mohabir Anil Nandalal, but I will not use the AG as my source of support. I have very irrefutable, tenacious, and tenable support to invoke herein, and I await any debunking of my position. First, I am very firm in my take that the barrage on the CCJ, at least where Guyana is concerned, has its basis in Team Mohamed, the WIN and Opposition Head, and the stark reality that he feels peeved that there was no reprieve for him when the seven CCJ Judges all voted –unhesitatingly and unanimously – to dismiss his appeal that the Guyana Court should not grant the Guyanese Government’s Authority to Proceed with a United States extradition request, where they are facing an 11-count federal indictment in Florida, for alleged wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, associated with their gold trading business. By dismissing their appeal, the CCJ cleared the path for the extradition process to resume in Guyana’s lower courts. This is most damning to the lot. All these criticisms pathetically lack even an iota of merit regarding the actual fairness of his legal outcome. Why? It is that there was a unanimous verdict where everyone of the seven CCJ Judges voted in harmony to dismiss Mohamed’s appeal, even the five who later complained about the CCJ President’s “procedural” way of handling issues? Yes, they all, in an independent and non-coercive manner, as befitting high-ranking legal luminaries, independently arrived at the exact same legal conclusion. These legal professionals, comprising the panel and the CCJ overall, have way too much at stake to risk any collusion and compromise. Mind you, so far, not a single complainer or critic has been able, not that they needed to try, to proffer evidence that the ultimate verdict was corrupted or altered. Editor, let’s be mindful of how desperate the Mohameds are, as they are facing an 11-count federal indictment in the United States. There is no frivolity here. So, as expected, the ruse and decoy are all about a strategy to aggressively attack the credibility, independence, and integrity of the judicial system trying to extradite them in order to delay proceedings or build a narrative of political persecution. I need not refer to legal experts who are contending that they have no justification to claim the final legal ruling was unfair, as we all know that there was an absolute unanimity of the bench. I can, and candid readers too, discern that there is nothing tucked
away or kept clandestinely. Nothing was surreptitious. We followed. We analysed. So, we knew the tenor of the issue and could have predicted its ending. Let me now move to the actual CCJ, a most austere and august institution, and point out how this is perceived by those outside of the region. I posit that “our” Caribbean Court of Justice is not someone’s notion of anything ordinary. It is a very high-ranking judicial tribunal and thus can rightfully serve as the final court of appeal for the several CARICOM nations who have gone that route. For those casting silly aspersions, the CCJ employs a very independent and autonomous regional and international legal bench, appointed via a specialised and independent regional judicial and legal service commission. No one can even risk infiltration of any sort therein. Independent encomiums, external too, have been lavished upon this CCJ, and it has earned a respected legal reputation for its jurisprudence, as legal scholars, regional bar associations, and international jurists keep on heavily praising the court’s intellectual output. Legal experts globally are acclaiming the CCJ’s written judgements for their high academic and legal quality. Let it be known that the CCJ selects its Judges via an independent commission. And therefore, enjoys being regarded as a world-class model for preventing direct political interference from local Governments. It remains very insulated and non-porous. According to eminent Professor Kate Malleson, a distinguished legal scholar and professor of law at University College London (UCL), writing in her extensive research on “How international courts select their Judges”, she highly praised the CCJ’s external selection body – the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC). She has consistently held it up as a “world-class model” for ensuring that judicial candidates are independent, high-quality, and entirely insulated from political interference. Beat that! I add that this “Virtuoso of the Bar” has served as a high-level specialist adviser to the UK House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Select Committee. Her work directly impacted the landmark UK Constitutional Reform Act 2005. She has also counselled the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission on judicial diversity. Now, I will get to Anil Nandlall (Attorney General of Guyana) and what he said about the CCJ. Anil is a veritable leading legal voice in the region, who regularly appears before the courts. He has every right to publicly praise the CCJ’s written judgements, not only in this issue but overall. He, like the learned law professor, noted that “written judge-
ments” are of such exceptionally high quality that they easily “hold their own against any courts of similar jurisdiction,” including top-tier international tribunals. It is common knowledge that Nandlall achieved massive regional recognition for his legal defence of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) during Guyana’s highly contentious 2020 election crisis. That was seminal. He single-handedly upended the attempts of the “legal” hijacking by Granger and his team, using his inherent and studied legal foresight that pre-empted many dangerous manoeuvres by the then opposition. On this note, and this has always been so, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the Judges explicitly singled him out in their formal judgement, praising his “impassioned and persuasive arguments” as an “outstanding example of legal advocacy”. No wonder he is seen as a premier authority on Caribbean public and constitutional law, having personally litigated almost every major election and constitutional case in Guyana over the last two decades. He serves on the CCJ Academy for Law, is the Chairman of the Guyana Law Revision Commission, and has served on the Executive Council of Legal Education of the West Indies. In the current border issue with Venezuela, Nandlall has been a central figure leading Guyana’s legal team before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the high-stakes, ongoing territorial border dispute against Venezuela, earning significant national recognition for safeguarding the country’s sovereignty. It is not surprising that he has earned his accolades. He is the respected and feared figure in Guyana’s jurisprudence, where the opposition collective is totally intimidated by his mere presence. And as you can see, I am not building a case for him. He does not need that from mere me. Read again, and even more, who said what about him? So, Anil Nandlall has every right to “weigh in on the controversy surrounding the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), stressing that the institution is Guyana’s final court and, as such, must be respected.” I echo his sentiments ad infinitum that “… comments made by a politician associated with We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Mark Goring, who posted on Facebook that ‘The evidence shows that the CCJ President compromised long, bring the Baygon; let’s spray out this cockroach.’” I bet we will see a real cockroach if we leave some decaying scraps in the form of fried rice. So venal are these elements of otiosity. Yours truly, Hargesh B Singh
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Ageing is a privilege M By Ryhaan Shah
ost of us who have reached and passed what is considered retirement age feel that it is a privilege to be blessed enough to grow old, a privilege not experienced by everyone. We have time to reflect on our life thus far and know the satisfaction of feeling that it is a life well-lived, that we have accomplished career goals, that we have seen our children grow into their lives, and that we have, hopefully, few regrets. It is truly a blessing to be given more days to see the sun, love our family, and even learn new things and become wiser still. There are many who do not get this chance, and each year adds lessons to what we already know: we learn even more patience through trials, greater strength through the loss of friends or family members, and gratitude through our survival. Age carries our stories of the victories won, the mistakes we learned to correct, and dreams that were reshaped, perhaps, for even better results. Accepting ageing joyfully means shifting our mindset to focus on personal growth, practising daily gratitude, and staying physically and mentally active. Research shows that having a positive view of growing older helps us live a longer and happier life. Our mind gets calmer and quieter as we find that we do not need or want all the busyness of everyday life anymore. There is no fear of missing out as we once did because we have seen all that the young are now discovering and experienced even more. True, the world around us is changing with new technology that appeared to be nothing more than science fiction when we were young. I have learned to use the technology that helps make life easier for me and tend to ignore the rest. At our age, we know what is important to us and have no need to chase the ephemeral and superficial but have the wrinkles and, perhaps, the scars to show that we have lived a full life. We know who we are, and it is an authenticity that has been earned. By now, there is little self-doubt, which is why those around us might find us stubborn at times. We have traded all that youthful anxiety and doubt about the choices before us for quiet self-assurance. Ageing can be beautiful physically, mentally, and spiritually. Some of us choose to wear our wrinkles as a living map of laughter, survival, and undeniable proof of a life well-lived. It is good to remember that ageing is a normal process and that there is nothing we can do to prevent it from happening. Diet, exercise, and keeping stress levels low can help us age well, and when we arrive at this stage of our life, it helps to embrace the beauty and wisdom that comes with age rather than fight it and grieve the loss of youth. However, for those of us facing chronic medical conditions and poor health, ageing is a completely different experience. What should be a natural and normal physical condition becomes a wave of illness that brings pains and frailty, hearing and vision loss, or even more serious issues related to stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and heart conditions. This makes ageing significantly harder, and this is when family, friends, and carers become vitally important, as well as our faith and spirituality, all of which help to make us strong and resilient in the face of such difficult circumstances. For those of us dealing with early diagnoses of age-related conditions, we can still help to slow the progress by taking care of our nutrition and adding vitamin supplements to our daily diet. Your doctor can give the best advice on your nutritional needs at this time. Keeping as active as possible can also help slow down our ageing, and the next best advice is to reduce any stress, stay close to family and friends, and keep doing things that we enjoy. Know that maintaining a positive attitude, no matter our circumstances, can be the biggest boost to our health and wellbeing. This is not a time to mourn lost youth, for ageing is an inevitability, so it’s best to embrace this time as a blessing for a life well-lived and to give thanks for each passing year. Growing old is a privilege that brings many valuable benefits, including greater wisdom, deeper emotional stability, and increased self-confidence. These are often referred to as our golden years, and they give us a chance to reflect on our life and find, hopefully, true fulfilment. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
When former opponents choose partnership, we should ask why
Dear Editor, The decision by Wayne Mason to engage with the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and express a willingness to contribute to the development of Georgetown and Guyana deserves more than the usual partisan reaction. It deserves serious political reflection. Mr Mason may not have occupied the highest offices of Government, but those familiar with the political machinery of the former PNCR know that political influence is not measured by titles alone. He was a committed activist, organiser, and mobiliser – one of those persons upon whom a political organisation depends to maintain its strength at the grassroots. I knew him from that period. He chaired one of the strongest party groups, the only group larger than the one I led, and was consistently present when the party required organisation and political activism in Georgetown and elsewhere. That history makes his present engagement with the PPP/C politically significant. I can hear the names: house slave, soup drinker, slave catcher, dog, and all the others we all heard time and again. But the fundamental question should therefore not be one of insult or condemnation. It should be: Why are individuals who once vigorously opposed the PPP/C now prepared to work with it? That question becomes even more relevant when other political alternatives, including the new main Opposition movement called WIN (no pun intended), are available. Part of the answer, in my view, lies in the transformation taking place within the PPP/C itself. Under President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the PPP/C has deliberately sought to broaden its political and social reach beyond its traditional constituencies. It is increasingly presenting itself not simply as a party seeking electoral support across ethnic communities but as a national political organisation in which Guyanese of different backgrounds can participate. That distinction is important. Guyana’s political history has too often encouraged the assumption that ethnicity determines political allegiance. But
a modern democracy cannot mature if citizens are expected to inherit political loyalties because of their race, community, or family history. Political support should be earned through leadership, performance, policies, and the confidence people have in a Government’s direction. The PPP/C Government has provided citizens with something tangible against which it can be judged: its record in office, its development agenda, and the implementation of many of the commitments upon which it sought an electoral mandate. People can see roads, bridges, housing development, hospitals, schools, free tertiary education, improved financial grants, community investments, and expanding economic opportunities. They may debate the pace, priorities, and effectiveness of particular policies, as citizens should, but there is an identifiable national development programme underway. There is another dimension that should not be underestimated: the PPP/C leadership’s political maturity, which requires the capacity to welcome yesterday’s opponents as today’s partners. If someone who once criticised the PPP/C is prepared to work constructively for Guyana’s development, that person’s past Opposition does not permanently disqualify him or her from contributing. A governing party aspiring to become genuinely national must be sufficiently confident to accommodate people who did not historically belong to it. I understand this personally. My own political journey has taught me that changing one’s political position does not automatically mean abandoning one’s principles. Sometimes circumstances change. Leadership changes. Parties change. Governments evolve. And individuals have a responsibility to reassess where they believe they can most effectively contribute to their communities and country. The appropriate test is therefore not, “Who did you support yesterday?” It should be, “What are you prepared to contribute to Guyana tomorrow?” This is why Mr Mason’s engagement should cause political parties across Guyana to reflect rather than ridicule. When experienced grassroots activists
who once stood firmly against the PPP/C become willing to engage with it, that development warrants examination. No political party owns any ethnic group, community, or individual. Neither African Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese, Indigenous Guyanese, nor any other section of our society should be treated as inherited political property. President Ali’s emphasis on One Guyana, coupled with the PPP/C leadership’s effort to attract people from outside its traditional political base, represents an opportunity to weaken those historical boundaries. Whether that transformation ultimately succeeds will be judged by how genuinely inclusive governance remains and whether opportunities and development continue to reach Guyanese regardless of ethnicity, geography, or previous political affiliation. That is the standard to which the Government should be held. The significance of people such as Wayne Mason choosing engagement, therefore, extends beyond one individual. It points toward something potentially much larger: a political culture in which yesterday’s adversaries can become today’s collaborators without surrendering their right to independent thought. Guyana is changing. Its economy is changing. Its infrastructure is changing. Its international importance is changing. Our politics must mature alongside that transformation. The objective should not simply be to enlarge one political party. It should be to build a national movement around development, inclusion, opportunity, and unity. If the PPP/C continues demonstrating that there is room within that movement for Guyanese who once opposed it while delivering measurable improvements in people’s lives, then we should not be surprised when more people decide that they too want to participate. And when they do, they should not be condemned for where they came from. They should be judged by what they are prepared to contribute to where Guyana is going. Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament
Bringing healthcare closer to the people: a welcome investment in Moruca, Kato & Lethem
Dear Editor, It is heartening as a citizen to see the Government of Guyana consistently prioritising healthcare infrastructure, particularly by extending services beyond the long-established coastal areas. The ongoing construction of new hospitals in Moruca, Kato, and Lethem marks a significant advancement worthy of acknowledgement. For decades, people living in Guyana’s remote interior regions have struggled to access medical care. Geographic isolation, limited transportation options, and long distances often turn routine health visits into arduous undertakings. In urgent cases, families may face hours of travel, accompanied by high costs and logistical difficulties. These new facilities signal a tangible shift toward addressing those challenges. In Region One, the Moruca hospital will bring updated medical services within reach of local residents and nearby villages. This improvement is especially meaningful for families who previously had to journey long distances for specialised treatment.
Likewise, the facility in Kato will serve as a vital healthcare hub for Region Eight. For communities spread across the Potaro-Siparuni area, better access to medical care can significantly improve outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and pregnant women who depend on timely interventions. In Lethem, the new hospital is expected to benefit not only the town but also the broader Rupununi region and surrounding areas. As Lethem has grown into a key regional node, a modern medical facility there will enhance service delivery for both local residents and those arriving from distant hinterland settlements. From a public perspective, these projects go beyond bricks and mortar. They reflect a commitment to making healthcare more accessible, easing the strain of long-distance travel, and ensuring that a person’s location does not limit their access to quality medical services. The government merits recognition for understanding the value of investing in healthcare for inland communities. At a time of broad national growth,
it is essential that progress extends to every corner of the country. These hospitals are not just construction efforts – they are investments in people, families, and the long-term well-being of Guyana. For a mother in Moruca, a family in Kato, or an elderly
individual in Lethem, the message is clear: reliable healthcare is becoming more accessible. This kind of progress is something all Guyanese can support and take pride in. Kind regards, S Persaud
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Sign Off TVG Devotional Hour Ramayan EP 66, 67, 68 David Persaud Religious Program Movie - Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000) Movie - Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) Movie - Jaanwar (1999) Week-in-Review Supergirl The Flash Heartland Movie - Supergirl (2026)
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Page Foundation Where did the first people in the Caribbean come from?
H
ave you ever thought about where you came from? Not where you were born, but where your great-grandmother and her great-grandmother came from. This is your ancestry. You have a record of your ancestry with you at all times – in your DNA! Over tens of thousands of years, humans migrated across the globe. As time went on, groups of people became more different from one another. This is because our DNA naturally mutates. Scientists can look at the mutations across our genome (all our DNA together) and use it to find out about our ancestors. We can then group people together in “populations” based on their shared ancestry. People tend to marry within their communities, so they share more similar DNA with the people who live closer than those who live far away. This
means “populations” are often related to geography! This information allows scientists to create maps showing how and when different groups of people migrated across the globe. This is a field of study called
population genetics. Population geneticists aren’t the only ones who
study human migration. Archaeologists use clues buried in the soil to do the same. Different groups of people had different technologies and different styles of pottery and tools. Researchers decided
to use archaeology and ancient DNA to learn about the people who lived in the Caribbean. Where did they
sequenced the DNA to group people together based on their similarities. 3. They used another technique called radiocarbon dating to see exactly how old the skeletons were. This works by measuring the amount of carbon in the skeleton – the less there is, the further back in time the person lived! This is because one type of carbon disappears over time. The locations of the skeletons also mattered. Some were from Ceramic Age archaeological sites where archaeologists found lots of pottery. Others were from Archaic Age sites where archaeologists found mostly
Researchers looked at ancient DNA to better understand where people came from and how they related to each other, used radiocarbon dating to determine when they arrived, and relied on archaeology to figure out what tools different people used. They also developed a new technique using DNA to answer age-old questions about the size of the population in the Caribbean hundreds or thousands of years ago. They found out that people who used stone tools had very different DNA than people who used pottery. But they also knew that Caribbean
stone tools, like spear points and grinding stones. Using ancient DNA and archaeological remains, researchers learned more about the story of ancient Caribbean people. Around 6000 years ago, some of the earliest known people in the Caribbean arrived in Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic by boat. They used stone tools and gathered or hunted for their food. These are called the Archaic Age people. About 2500 to 3000 years ago, a second group of people migrated to the Caribbean. This group were potters and farmers. Researchers call them Ceramic Age people. They were related to the Arawak-speaking people from northeast South America. There weren’t many people living in the Caribbean before colonisation. Nowadays, many Caribbean communities have some ancestry that is directly from the Ceramic Age people, showing a connection lasting thousands of years. This study was the largest study of ancient human DNA in the Americas – ever!
pottery styles changed over time. Archaeologists used to think this was because new groups of people migrated into the Caribbean, each with their own unique style. But DNA revealed that all the styles were from the original Ceramic Age people and their relatives. Pottery styles changed, but the genomes of the people stayed the same! Researchers used ancient DNA, radiocarbon dating, and archaeological remains to tell the story of the original Caribbean people. You probably don’t have access to these fancy technologies, but you can still trace your own ancestry! Start by taking a piece of paper and laying it horizontally. Draw a tree – your family tree! Write your name in the middle, along the bottom. Next, write your mother’s and father’s names on “branches” above yours. Then do the same for their parents (your grandparents), and so on. How far can you climb up the tree?
migrate from? How were they related to each other? 1. They looked at DNA from the skeletons of 263 ancient people from across the Caribbean. They took powder from the tiny ear bones and the teeth, and,
using advanced techniques in the lab, extracted pieces of DNA in the powder. 2. Researchers then
(Adapted sciencejournalforkids)
from
NEWS
7
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Smart grid to help curb electricity theft as GPL’s commercial loss pegged at 12%
W
ith commercial losses pegged at approximately 12 per cent, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc is relying on the planned upgrades to the national grid to reduce electricity theft across the country. The state-owned power company is currently undertaking a US$4.869 billion Development and Expansion Programme 2026-2030 to transform the electricity sector. This strategic plan seeks to, among other things, expand power generation capacity, modernise and reinforce the transmission and distribution (T&D) system and implement smart grid technologies over the next five years. According to Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the country’s energy sector, the Government will be relying heavily on smart grid technology to curb electricity theft. “It’s not going to happen now – it’s part of
ing electricity and just turn them off with the press of a button. It’s going to happen.” PM Phillips stated during a press conference on Friday. This was after Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar reported that GPL currently records a 12 per cent commercial loss. GPL’s losses are incurred mainly by two major factors: commercial losses, including electricity theft and technical losses, caused by power travelling over long distances. Indar had previously reported that the company’s total losses are pegged around 24-25 per cent, of which technical losses account for around 13 per cent. Nevertheless, during Friday’s press conference, the Public Utilities Minister noted that GPL has a dedicated Loss Reduction Department tasked with identifying illegal connections and pursuing those who steal power. “So, whenever they find people [stealing electric-
the whole strategic outlook for GPL. In improving or modernising the whole transmission and distribution system, they’re going to depend heavily on ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and available technology to make the grid smarter. So, we will achieve a smart grid over the next five to ten years, and we’re going to reach a point, like in many other countries, where they can sit in a control centre and identify who is steal-
ity], they go after them. They have procedures for how they do it. They record it, they calculate the usage, and they conduct back-billing. So, that is an ongoing process,” Indar explained. When it comes to the technical losses, the planned upgrades to the electricity transmission network will address this. In fact, these works have already commenced with the installation of approximately 320 kilometres (km) of both 230 kilovolt (kV) and 69 kV double-circuit
(R-L) Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar and Head of GPL Kesh Nandlall at Friday’s press conference
transmission lines as part of its major grid expansion and modernisation project. According to Indar, “All these transmission lines... they are built to accommodate the smart grid. We’re also purchasing the AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) meters now, which will facilitate
that very [monitoring] function that the Prime Minister mentioned.” Under Phase Two (20262027) of the Development and Expansion Plan, GPL is currently installing 20,000 smart meters and an AMI data centre. The aim, however, is to eventually provide the entire customer base with smart meters (approximately 285,000) by 2030, replacing the legacy meters. These smart meters and associated communication networks will enable remote meter reading, re-
al-time consumption data, time-of-use pricing to optimise generation costs and quicker detection of theft or outages. “The AMI system provides bidirectional communication between meters and GPL’s head-end, enabling remote meter reading, connect/disconnect and instant tamper/outage detection. This will drastically curtail non-technical losses by detecting electricity theft and billing errors in near-real-time and will improve outage management by reporting localised outages directly into the OMS (Outage Management System),” the D&E document states.
8 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Govt establishes coordination team for overseeing, advancing regularisation exercise T
he Government of Guyana on Friday established a coordination team responsible for overseeing and advancing all aspects of the regularisation exercise. This committee was derived from a specially convened meeting by Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall and Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith with the aim of resolving land regularisation matters raised during the recent presidential outreaches across Guyana. The meeting included representatives and technical officers from
Y
The team during discussions on Friday
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and Minister Keoma Griffith engaging the representatives
the Labour and Manpower Planning Ministry, the Legal Affairs Ministry and Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA). The team was tasked with facilitating the issuance of transports or certificates of
title, as applicable, to persons legitimately occupying lands within the affected communities, including co-operative societies or former co-operative societies. However, regularisation has commenced in Devonshire Castle,
Paradise, Jib, Westbury and Walton Hall on the Essequibo Coast and Friendship on the Pomeroon River; Melanie, Foulis and Vigilance on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and several villages in West Coast Berbice (WCB). In addi-
tion, efforts are also underway for several co-operative societies along the East Bank corridor, including those falling within Kuru Kururu, Hauraruni and Yarrowkabra. A clear roadmap and timeline have been established, with the relevant investigations expected to be concluded by the end of August, 2026. Public outreach will form an essential part of the process, ensuring that residents are properly informed about the regularisation exercise, the steps to be undertaken and their respective responsibilities. The Government will bear the costs in relation to these undertakings as it remains steadfast in its commitment to resolving outstanding land regularisation matters through a coordinated, transparent and timely process, thereby ensuring that affected residents obtain the legal recognition and documentation to which they are entitled.
42 Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force ranks commence 6-week Skill-at-Arms Course
S
ome 42 junior and senior NonCommissioned Officers from various GDF units, together with a participant from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), have commenced a six-week Skillat-Arms Course (SAAC) at the Colonel John Clarke Military School (CJCMS), Tacama, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The six-week course commenced on July 16, 2026, and is designed to enhance proficiency in the employment of small arms and platoon weapons while developing the knowledge and skills required to serve as coaches for Stage 1-5 Battle Shot training. Through practical instruction, weapons handling and marksmanship training, participants are prepared to impart these skills effectively within their respective units. This programme provides an opportunity to
High…
GDF ranks during a recent training exercise
exchange knowledge, experience and best practices between the GDF and the ABDF. This engagement supports professional development and strengthens military cooperation be-
tween the two forces. The continued development of a highly proficient and adaptable force is central to the GDF’s operational readiness and ability to fulfil its mandate. SAAC
2026-01 contributes to this objective while advancing interoperability and strengthening professional military relationships with regional partners.
…fashionistas!!
our Eyewitness was taken aback a bit to find out that the CCJ seemed to’ve unearthed one of the greatest threats to judicial independence: what Judges wear!! Evidently, CCJ President Anderson had insisted that Nigerianborn Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji stick to the Court’s traditional suit-and-tie attire for a case – rather than don his Nigerian national dress. Eboe-Osuji refused, and Anderson left him off the judicial panel!! Amazingly, Justice Anderson’s now being accused of “panel fixing” – that is, choosing panels to slant the outcome!! But those baying for Anderson’s head should remember that judicial dress exists for a reason, and courts ain’t fashion shows!! What next?? Bikinis?? A Judge is supposed to submerge the individual behind the institution – and not enter courtrooms announcing, visually or otherwise, that “today I’m sitting as a Nigerian or Bajan”!! Hadn’t the CCJ itself previously explained that decisions about judicial dress were among the foundational institutional choices that had to be made when the court was created? Its distinctive BLUE robes were deliberately designed to express a CARIBBEAN judicial identity – rather than the personal identity of individual Judges!! And hadn’t Anderson just circulated a proposal to revisit dress codes?? If Eboe-Osuji wants to wear “Nigerian” national wear, why should his Igbo garb trump Yoruba wear, for instance?? And can an Indigenous Guyanese Judge follow Shuman and show up with a flimsy grass skirt?? And before anyone gets on their high horse and objects that this is culturally insensitive, the point is precisely that courts have gotta be culturally NEUTRAL in their institutional presentation!! Now, there’s nothing wrong with a Judge’s culture or national pride or Nigerian, Indian, or African attire – there’s simply a time and place for everything!! The Judge can celebrate his national heritage all he wants – OUTSIDE the courtroom!! In fact, Justice Anderson himself has stressed the CCJ bench’s diversity as one of its strengths!! But the courtroom is different – once the Judge sits, he or she ain’t no longer there as a Jamaican, Nigerian, Bajan or Trini!! – but a Judge of the CCJ!! That’s why the accusation that Anderson’s enforcing a common dress standard amounts to authoritarianism is really beyond being over the top!! If anything, having a clearly defined institutional dress code is the opposite of an arbitrary personal rule – since it establishes a rule applying to EVERYONE!! And that’s also where the “panel fixing” allegations become especially ludicrous, when they’re somehow connected to the wardrobe dispute!! After all, if Judges are permitted to improvise their own institutional identity, then that guarantees “panel shopping”! Sometimes a dress code is just a dress code – and sometimes a Judge really gotta wear the prescribed robe!! Even if dull!! …diesel prices Your Eyewitness thinks it’s rather fortuitous the Wales Gas-to-Energy power plant’s gonna kick off this year!! As global energy markets face massive uncertainties, conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, as well as tensions in Hormuz, are disrupting fuel supplies and trade routes – dieseldependent electricity generation like GPL’s is becoming precarious!! Our shift to natural gas-fired generation therefore couldn’t come at a more opportune moment!! Instead of relying so heavily on imported diesel, the Wales plant’s gonna use the natural gas from our offshore oil platforms – providing a secure source of electricity while reducing generation costs and pollution! The timing’s especially important, since global diesel supplies look like they’re remaining tight and prices are more volatile!! Our oil wealth’s finally being translated into an energy source that can reduce one of our country’s vulnerabilities – dependence on imported fuel to keep the lights and ACs on!! It’s ironic that the GtE Project – often criticised for its delays – is gonna be arriving just when the lights may’ve gone out!! …beginning Well, they’re off and running in this year’s CPL tournament!! And our Warriors started out in fine style away from home – as they took on the new Jamaica Kingsman in their home. And beat them handily – overs to spare!! Go Warriors!! 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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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Court upholds no-case submission for man accused of murder
– CCTV showed no evidence linking accused to the fatal stabbing – Defence
M
ore than three years after he was charged with the murder of labourer Yoel Valenzuela following an incident at Soesdyke Junction, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Alexi Ponce was on Friday discharged after a Magistrate upheld a no-case submission made on his behalf. Magistrate Tameika Clarke, sitting at the Friendship Magistrate’s Court, upheld the submission by Ponce’s Attorney-atLaw Bernard DaSilva, who had argued that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against his client. Ponce had been before the courts since July 2023 in connection with the killing of Valenzuela, 40, who was found with injuries at Soesdyke Junction following an altercation at a nearby bar. DaSilva, who represented Ponce throughout the preliminary inquiry/paper committal proceedings, filed his no-case submission on July 23, 2026. Central to the defence’s case was its contention that there was no evidence before the court that Ponce stabbed Valenzuela.
Dead: Yoel Valenzuela
The defence relied on the post-mortem examination conducted by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, which recorded the cause of Valenzuela’s death as perforation of the kidneys due to a stab wound to the back. “There is no evidence that the No. 2 accused stabbed anyone,” DaSilva argued in his written submission. The attorney also placed significant reliance on CCTV footage tendered by the prosecution during the proceedings. The footage
was not contested by the defence. According to DaSilva, the prosecution’s CCTV evidence, when considered together with a video-recorded Police interview, supported his client’s account of what occurred during the confrontation. The defence contended that the footage, when viewed from the available angles, “clearly differentiates the aggressor from the peace maker”, adding emphatically in its submission that Ponce “was NOT the aggressor”. DaSilva further argued that while investigators had complied with procedure by video-recording the Police interview, they failed to analyse and extract information from it which could have advanced the prosecution’s case. He submitted that the evidence presented against Ponce was tenuous, inherently weak and, in some instances, vague, and was incapable of establishing the essential elements required for a murder charge. For murder, the prosecution was required at that stage to present evidence capable of establishing that Ponce unlawfully caused
Valenzuela’s death and did so with the requisite intent. DaSilva relied on the English authority R v Galbraith [1981] 2 All ER 1060, which addresses the circumstances in which a court should uphold a submission that an accused has no case to answer. Under the principles cited by the defence, a case should be stopped where there is no evidence that the accused committed the alleged crime. Where some evidence exists but is so weak, vague or inconsistent that a properly directed jury could not properly convict on it, a court can similarly find that there is no case to answer. The defence also relied on Public Prosecutions’ Reference Number 2 of 1980, citing then Justice of Appeal Luckhoo on the requirement for the prosecution to adduce evidence capable of proving each essential constituent of an offence before a matter can properly be left for determination at trial. “The state has failed to discharge its burden of proof at this ‘prima facie’ stage of proceedings, in relation to the charge of murder against the No. 2 accused, Alexi Ponce,” DaSilva submitted.
Discharged: Alexi Ponce
He consequently asked that Ponce be discharged. Magistrate Clarke upheld the no-case submission on Friday and accordingly discharged Ponce from the murder charge. Valenzuela was killed following an incident that began at Ragu Sports Bar at Soesdyke Junction, during the night of July 15 into the early hours of July 16, 2023. Police had reported at the time that Valenzuela, a labourer of Timehri, had gone to the establishment with his 17-year-old son and two relatives.
While they were drinking, an argument reportedly developed between Valenzuela and a man known to members of the group. Valenzuela’s son subsequently became involved in the confrontation and reportedly pushed and struck the man. Police said the dispute escalated, and Valenzuela and his relatives eventually fled the establishment. Valenzuela reportedly ran south along the Soesdyke Public Road before turning onto the SoesdykeLinden Highway, while persons involved in the confrontation followed him. At approximately 05:30h that morning, a resident discovered Valenzuela lying motionless at Soesdyke Junction and alerted the Police. Investigators reported observing an injury above his left ear and another to the right side of his back. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Ponce, who was 53 at the time and was identified as a resident of Timehri, was subsequently charged jointly with then 23-year-old Jose Iguardo in connection with Valenzuela’s killing.
10 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
MoH advances establishment of Health Promotion Centre – initiative aimed at encouraging MoH employees to adopt healthier lifestyle practices
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Public Health Specialist attached to the Chronic Disease Unit of the China Medical Team to Guyana, Dr Zhu Qianrang, along with other officials at the handingover ceremony on Friday
Some of the automated health testing devices
T
he Ministry of Health (MoH) is advancing efforts to establish a new Health Promotion Centre, aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles, and improving the overall health and well-being of its staff.
In this light, subject Minister Dr Frank Anthony, on Friday, received a quantity of automated health testing devices and fitness equipment that will support the establishment and operation of the centre.
The initiative is designed to encourage Ministry employees to adopt healthier lifestyle practices through regular physical activity, health monitoring, proper nutrition, and increased awareness of preventive
health measures. Under the guidance of Dr Anthony, the Health Promotion Centre will be developed under the leadership of Dr Zhu Qianrang, Public Health Specialist attached to the Chronic Disease Unit of the China Medical Team to Guyana, in collaboration with AGM Inc and Shandong Hi-Speed Dejian Group. Once completed, the centre will be fully equipped with a range of fitness equipment and automated health testing devices to support the monitoring of key health indicators, and to encourage staff to take a more proactive approach to their health and well-being. During brief remarks, Dr Anthony expressed his satisfaction with the commencement of the initiative, noting that it comes at an
important time as Guyana continues to address the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). “What we want to do is start at the Ministry of Health, with our employees, and get them into the habit of eating right and exercising.” The Minister emphasised the importance of the Ministry leading by example, and demonstrating practical ways in which healthy lifestyle choices can be incorporated into the workplace. “We have to lead by example so that the wider population can see how this works in reality,” Minister Anthony stated. He further explained that the Health Promotion Centre will provide staff with greater opportunities
to engage in regular physical activity while also encouraging them to pay closer attention to important health indicators. Dr Anthony expressed gratitude for the equipment received, noting that it will significantly support the development of the Health Promotion Centre and the Ministry’s efforts to foster a healthier workforce. The establishment of the centre forms part of the Ministry of Health’s broader efforts to strengthen health promotion and disease prevention, particularly in addressing chronic NCDs. Through this initiative, the Ministry aims to create a healthier workplace while demonstrating the importance of preventative healthcare, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle practices.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Settling Down R
ambishoon and his Jahajees’ names and numbers – the latter bestowed on entering the Allanshaw at Calcutta – were registered by an overseer at the office adjoining the factory, after which they were taken to the logies, where they were allocated accommodations Ravi Dev according to their familial status. Being a bachelor, he was to share a 15’ x 10’ room with three other bachelors, which was not a problem since they were all “Jahajis”, or shipmates who had gotten familiar with each other during their three months at sea, whenerethey slept together in the front of the ship. He had been allowed to keep the plate, cup, and clothes given on the ship, and when they were marched over to another building to collect their “rations”, he collected his allotment of rice in the pot he was given, while separately knotting his dhall and spices in the ends of his loose shirt, and collecting his oil in his cup. He would receive these items weekly for three months, with the cost deducted weekly from his meagre wages. He also collected the tool he would be using daily for almost every conceivable task in the years ahead – a cutlass, along with a file. It was usual for new arrivals to be “seasoned” by performing less skilful tasks on the plantation, during which they would become accustomed to the new regimen and familiarity with British Guiana’s sugar cane demands. Rambishoon was placed in a large gang that performed a number of non-cane-cutting tasks, headed by a white overseer, who most frequently was Scottish or some local-born (Creole) whites or Mulattoes. One section – generally composed of women or weaker men – weeded around the roots of the sugarcane and was run by a female Sirdar, or “Sadarin”, under the command of the overseer. Rambishoon was assigned to the “relieving” section. He and his Jahajis were warned to be up early to prepare their food since the overseers would be around by 05:00h to ensure their gangs were ready for the backdam. This was not a problem for Rambishoon, since this was his routine back in Ishmailpur, where he worked alongside his father and his brothers in their rice fields and vegetable gardens. When the overseer arrived on his mule, with his drivers yelling in front of the logies, he enquired brusquely from his “drivers” as to the whereabouts of some who were missing. Rambishoon passed his first muster. Led by the overseer on his mule, the gang was marched down the “middle walk” or dam that divided De Willem from Zeeburg on the east and stretched miles to the conservancy behind the backdam. Rambishoon marvelled at the clear brown water flowing in the canals – “punt trenches”, he learned – on both sides of the middle walk and the rows of sugarcane that stood in the fields divided by cross canals. While some sugar cane was grown in his district of Jehanabad, there was none of this expanse or order. A mile in, his driver stopped at a field where the cane had been “cut” by the cane-cutting gang and fetched to the punts on the “punt trench”, which were hauled by bullocks and mules to the factory for “grinding”. At this time, the fields were not “burnt” before reaping. Rambishoon and the “relieving” gang entered the field by paddling across the punt trench and hauled themselves up the raised “parapet” that surrounded the four sides of the field. He saw the field divided into “beds” about 30 feet wide that ran parallel to the parapet and the punt trench, with cane planted in precise rows about five feet apart. The cane cutters had severed the cane stalks about a foot off the ground, lopped off the tops of the green leaves – called “trash” – and thrown these into the space one row away called the “trash bank”. The bare, thick stalks of cane had been dropped in the immediate space between the two rows – called an “open” – and had been picked up in bundles by a gang of “loaders” who followed the cutters and fetched them on their heads to the punts waiting in the punt trench. Rambishoon and the other relievers collected all the trash, banded it into bundles, and placed it on the trash bank, from where it would later be loaded onto punts to be sent as fodder for the plantation’s mules, oxen, and cows. This was before the age of mechanisation. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
12 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
CANU wary of “bigger push” to move narcotics through Guyana – as over $429M worth of seized narcotics destroyed
CANU Director James Singh
W
ith an increase in the amount of drugs intercepted in Guyana during the first half of this year, the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) has observed a growing push by foreign traffickers to move narcotics through the country. Guyana has long been considered a transhipment haven for drug traffickers, given its geographical location within the region, coupled with its porous borders. The Director of CANU, James Singh, told reporters on Saturday that traffickers are moving to get the drugs into markets where the demand and prices are higher, with fewer risks. He noted that Guyana makes for an easy route to pass the narcotics through. “Guyana, being in the middle between the suppliers and the consumers… indeed, there’s been a bigger push to move the narcotics
through [here],” Singh stated. In fact, he pointed to
identify that group, conduct operations, and we were able to dismantle [them and] place some of them before the court... But the scale at which that group came is an indication... that yes, we should be worried because of [heightened] efforts to use Guyana as a gateway,” the CANU Director noted. Just last month, Singh had indicated that the majority of the drugs, especially cocaine, that are seized in Guyana come from neighbouring Venezuela. “I would say 90 per cent of drugs that we have seized – cocaine... the evidence shows that it would have come through Venezuela. Where it would’ve originated from, we have no idea, but the last place before it entered Guyana
licit trade but to no avail.
Threats
Despite this, however, the anti-narcotics agency, working in collaboration with local and overseas partners, has managed to make a dent in the local and transnational narcotics drug trafficking networks, with increased interceptions and drug seizures recorded. However, these efforts have put Singh in the limelight, with several threats being made against him by suspected criminal groups from Venezuela. Local authorities have been working with overseas counterparts to identify the source of these threats. But according to Singh on Saturday, while he is concerned for his safety, as well
The CANU team and other officials at Saturday’s drug destruction exercise in Georgetown
a major operation recently that involved a foreign drug-trafficking organisation that attempted to bring narcotics into Guyana and have them further transhipped. “Luckily, we were able to
was Venezuela, and several persons arrested were Venezuelan nationals,” he said in a July 15 interview. According to the CANU Head, his agency has been reaching out to counterparts in Venezuela to curb this il-
as that of his officers and colleagues from other law en-
Over $429M worth of drugs seized by CANU were destroyed on Saturday
ed at Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown, where a total of 1243.34 kilograms (kg) of narcotics, with an estimated local street value of some GY$429,797,900 (US$5,342,452/€5,803,114) were disposed of. Among the narcotics destroyed by fire were 81.2678kg of cocaine valued at approximately GY$81,267,800 (US$2,438,034/€3,250,712); 1161.767 kg of cannabis worth GY$348,530,100 (US$2,904,418/€2,552,402); some 0.214kg of methamphetamine; and some 0.1kg of crystal meth. The CANU Head explained that these narcotics were seized over the past
validity and composition of the narcotics being burned. Additionally, the Guyana Fire Service was on-site to ensure that the fire remained safely under control throughout the process, and ranks from the Guyana Police Force also provided their support. Nevertheless, CANU said it remains steadfast in its mandate to disrupt drug trafficking efforts, safeguard national security, and collaborate with local and international partners to combat illicit narcotics operations. Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Dwayne Adams, who attended Saturday’s drug destruc-
Some 1243.3kg of narcotics were disposed of during CANU’s drug destruction exercise
forcement agencies that are also involved in the efforts to combat the narcotics trade, they have received the necessary support from the government through better equipment that allows them to carry out their functions in a much safer manner. This, he added, is complemented by support from international partners like the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and others that work to ensure that Guyana does not become a haven for drug cartels to move their products through.
Drug destruction
The CANU Director made these remarks on Saturday during a drug destruction exercise conduct-
three years in various operations and are now being destroyed following the completion of the respective court cases, during which they were used as evidence. According to CANU, this continuous string of successful operations and interdictions conducted by its officers was aimed at disrupting local and transnational drug trafficking networks, removing illicit substances from communities, and dismantling illegal drug storage and supply chains across Guyana. Saturday’s destruction exercise was conducted with the vital support of inter-agency partners. Representatives from the Guyana Forensic Laboratory were present to confirm the
tion exercise, commended CANU and its partnering agencies for their continued success in eradicating the illicit drug trade. Only in July, CANU reported that some 519.49kg of narcotics, including cannabis, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and ecstasy, were seized by law enforcement officers along with 35 illegal firearms and 699 rounds of ammunition between January and June of this year. During that half-year period, a total of 59 persons were arrested in relation to those discoveries – 44 of whom were formally charged. Additionally, the anti-drugs agency had also secured 19 convictions during the six months.
FEATURE
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
T
Mr India Guyana 2026 – Mohamad Ali Khan
h e stage w a s set, the crowns were ready, andanticipation filled the air as Guyana witnessed the grand and successful conclusion of the Miss, Mrs, Teen & Mr India Guyana 2026 Coronation last Sunday at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank, Demerara (EBD). It was a spectacular evening that brought together beauty, culture, confidence, talent, intelligence, and purpose – celebrating not only the art of pageantry but also the remarkable individuals who embody leadership, service, empowerment, and excellence. After an exciting journey of preparation, personal growth, dedication, and competition, four exceptional delegates emerged victorious and began a new chapter as Guyana’s newest titleholders: Miss India Guyana 2026 – Dharmini Meghoo Mrs India Guyana 2026 – Romona Singh Miss Teen India Guyana 2026 – Janvi Mohanlall Mr India
Guyana 2026 – Mohamed Ali Khan Each crown represents far more than a title. The newly crowned ambassadors now carry the responsibility of representing Guyana, celebrating its rich Indo-Guyanese heritage, and promoting the values of leadership, community service, cultural pride, confidence, and empowerment.
oured her remarkable contribution, strength of character, resilience, and positive impact. Her journey serves as an inspiration to others and reflects the true meaning of a woman of substance – someone whose influence extends well beyond the spotlight and whose accomplishments inspire meaningful change. Another
er-and-sister duo Kumar and Shivanie Latchman. Their captivating presentation brought together energy, grace, artistry, and cultural richness, creating a memorable spectacle for the audience. Their performance added yet another vibrant dimension to an already extraordinary evening, demonstrating the powerful role that dance and culture play in connecting communities and celebrating heritage.
From Guyana to the world
ance hara D of the Is formance s r e b Mem g per ilaratin an exh
Celebrating women of substance & excellence
Among the evening’s most memorable moments was the presentation of the Maharani Award 2026 – Woman of Substance Award to Guyana’s very own Sophia Dolpin. The prestigious recognition hon-
Troupe
during
d i s t i n guished moment came with the presentation of the Icon of Excellence Award to Mrs Alicia Bess Anderson, recognising her outstanding contribution, dedication, and excellence in the areas of pageantry and personal development. These special recognitions added tremendous depth and meaning to the celebration, reminding everyone that the true essence of a crown goes far beyond beauty. It is about character, achievement, influence, purpose, and the ability to use one’s platform to inspire and uplift others.
A celebration of dance, art & culture
Alicia to Mrs ageantry d te n e res k in p ward p al wor ence A r exception ll e c x fE he Icon o derson for n Bess A
The evening was further enriched by an exceptional cultural performance from the Ishara Dance Troupe, led by the talented broth-
With the national coronation now complete, the journey for the newly crowned Miss, Mrs, and Teen India Guyana 2026 titleholders continues onto the international stage. Dharmini Meghoo, Romona Singh, and Janvi Mohanlall will proudly prepare to represent Guyana at the Miss, Mrs & Teen India Worldwide Pageant, scheduled to take place in September 2026 in the beaut i f u l twin-island nation of
Reann a presen Roopnauth, ts the 2 2026 M 025 Mahara ni aharan i Awar Award Win ner, d to S ophia Guyana, Dolph in
representing their homeland with grace, confidence, dignity, and purpose. Their participation will provide an opportunity not only to showcase their individual talents and accomplishments but also to highlight Guyana’s rich cultural heritage and the strength, diversity, and spirit of its people.
A new chapter begins
The Miss, Mrs, Teen & Mr India Guyana
new beginnings. It was a reminder that pageantry, at its finest, is not simply about the crown one wears but about the purpose one carries. As the lights of the coronation stage fade and the applause begins to settle, a new chapter has officially begun. Four remarkable individuals now step forward with new responsibilities, new opportunities, and a platform from which they can inspire oth-
ers. The crowns h a v e Hashim b e e n Alli wit h (in pink placed. ), and M Mr India Guy ana 20 r India 24-202 Guyan The titles 5, a 2026 , Moha Christopher have been mad Ali Narine Khan ( in blac earned. k) Trinidad and The jourTobago. ney has beAs they step onto the in- 2026 Coronation was gun – and ternational stage, they will much more than an evening of Guyana’s newest amcarry with them much more crowns and titles. It was a cel- bassadors are ready to make than their crowns. They will ebration of dreams realised, their mark at home and on carry the pride, hopes, en- personal journeys, cultural the world stage. couragement, and support of heritage, empowerment, and
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
FEATURE
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
W
ith each drop of fuel falling into the engine, the machine breathes. The dirt bike engine roars to life as the wind rushes past, slicing through the air, while the sound of the motor rises with every twist of the throttle. For these weekend riders, a group of friends who share a passion for riding, those emotions are evident in the smiles captured in the monthly photos shared across their social media pages. They seem unable to resist reliving the experiences they create together, sharing them across their platforms and showcasing the unforgettable memories made along the way. This team of riders does not let a punctured tyre, a mechanical setback, or an
unexpected obstacle dampen their spirit. For them, every challenge is simply another part of the ride – another story to tell when the engines finally fall silent.
The first journey began in January last year, when about 20 riders gathered for their first group ride, taking to the trails and highways of the Savannah, and making their way through several villages along the way. However, it must be underlined that this was no one-time ride where the engines were switched off, the helmets put away, and everyone returned to their everyday lives until the next month. Not at all. The thrills of the ride had already taken hold within the hearts of these riders. The thing about this group was that they all had a shared love for riding and a busy life to balance, but each rider managed their own business and commitments as Sunday turned into a day to escape. By the latter part of last year, the riders had traded stretches of asphalt for rugged trails, taking on the route from Linden toward Bartica – navigating terrain that demands more than simply twisting the throttle. Twenty riders bumped up to 30, transforming a casual gathering into a growing community bound by fuel, friendship, and the freedom of the ride. Speaking to the only female rider in the team, Erieka D’Andrade relayed to Guyana Times that they primarily ride in the Savannah to various communities that can be accessed from the highway. “Most persons are working from Monday to Friday; some people work Saturday. So, Sunday is like, you know, people do different activities to blow off that steam. So, this is us blowing off that
steam. For me, I have my own business, and you know, it’s not regular nine-tofive when you own your own business. It’s like all sorts of hours – all sorts of hours in the night and stuff. You’re up studying the work and stuff. So, this Sunday is just like, it’s a real relaxer.” Ironically, as the engine blows off smoke and ignites the air with the burning oil, the experience gives her a chance to do the same – leaving behind the pressures of everyday life and finding her release on the open trail. “Everybody’s standing up laughing, yapping. Whenever we’re riding, we break and yap, and you know, like, it’s really nice for us.” D’Andrade made it clear that the team is currently self-funded. “As of now, the team is self-funded. We’re selffunded because basically everybody owns their own bikes.” With each outing comes a financial commitment. On average, each rider spends approximately $20,000 every weekend to fuel the experience, covering gasoline, food, drinks, and other necessities. The group’s adventures have since expanded beyond the highway, with the riders venturing into several parts of the country, including Bartica, Kwakwani, Orealla, and Mahdia. That figure, however, is considered the minimum, particularly on longer rides. Unexpected challenges, such as punctured tyres or other mechanical issues along the trails, can quickly push the cost higher. “So, like me, I have an ATV; I have a side-by-side. Most persons have dirt bikes, and well, the majority of the group is dirt bikes. So, it’s your own vehicle. Some people have vans too, like pick-up trucks, pick-up vans, so they have those as well.” When asked how members of the public could join the group, she explained that the riders have been using social media to attract new members. “Well, usually, like, we started
posting on TikTok, so people would ask us how we could come up, and we would just tell them, ‘You just reach out to us’. Every Sunday, we’re going somewhere, so you just got to reach out to us and find out where, and we can meet up and you come with us.” However, the growing costs and challenges have not dampened the riders’ enthusiasm. In fact, the group has recently begun taking steps to make its identity more official. While the riders maintain that they do not want the group to become overly formal or serious, its growing presence online is naturally pushing it in that direction. With a sizeable following now watching their adventures, the group has also begun attracting invitations from various locations looking to use the riders’ presence as part of their own marketing efforts. In some cases, the riders are invited to visit destinations free of cost, with food and other amenities provided as part of the experience. One of their recent invitations came from Waterhead Resort in St Cuthbert’s Mission, which was among the first destinations to invite the riders to experience the location. After the group shared its visit and the experience online, the exposure generated significant attention for the resort and helped introduce it to a wider audience. “Places are inviting us to come and check out the place free of cost. They can cook for us and stuff like that. Like, there’s this place called Waterhead
Resort in St Cuthbert’s Mission. They were actually the first set of people that invited us to come. And then they blew up after we posted about the page and us riding there and so forth.” But the impact did not stop there. The riders’ growing visibility has also encouraged other off-road biking groups across the country to step forward, organise their own adventures and showcase their experiences.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
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FEATURE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
A
n eye
surgery, a threed a y deadl i n e , and just three lines of inspiration stood between Omari Joseph and the 2026 National Poetry Slam title. Yet, despite having to protect his recovering eye from the stage lights, Joseph transformed those challenges into "A Message for the Vertebrates" – a biting reflection on society that ultimately earned him the coveted championship. "It was difficult, to say the least, because I was working, and I was very much at work when the competition was announced or publicised, or at least when I first heard about it, which would have been approximately three to four days before the deadline for the competition. At that point in time, I actually didn't have a complete piece. I only had a couple of lines that served as inspiration based on stuff I might have seen," Joseph told the Guyana Times on Saturday fueled by relief and joy simmering off his voice. According to Joseph, "A Message for the Vertebrates" was intended as a message to people who identify as "vertebrates", with the poem using
invertebrates – creatures witho u t backbones – as a metaphor for human behaviour. He explained that he drew on the characteristics of various invertebrates and lik-
ened them to human traits, using personification to encourage people to confront aspects of themselves that they may not be comfortable addressing directly. Joseph noted that many invertebrates are commonly viewed as pests or disliked creatures, making them an effective vehicle for delivering his message. He said au-
diences could easily distance themselves from the poem by thinking, "I'm not a spider, I'm not a grasshopper, I'm not a locust, I'm not a jellyfish." However, as the message unfolds, the metaphor turns the focus back onto the individual, forcing them to examine their own actions and attitudes. He further pointed out t h a t while some listeners may interpret the poem as a criticism of authority or government, its primary focus, he stressed, is a critique of the people and what society allows, supports, and encourages. Joseph described his victory at this year's National Poetry Slam as a significant moment in his return to the stage, having spent more than five years away from performing. "For me, winning the National Poetry Slam was just, I'd say, a highlight of my return to the stage as a poet. Prior to the last National Poetry Slam, which was last year, I hadn't performed on stage in approximately five-plus years. So, I made a return to the stage in the
National Slam last year. I hadn't started performing at all the events, and it was just a matter of finding my groove, getting back into it, and winning this year's Slam felt like the effort and the time spent getting back into the art were worth it," Joseph said. His preparation for this year's competition, however, was far from conventional. Joseph said he only became aware of the competition a few days before the submission deadline and had not yet completed a piece.
Encouraging Other Artists
He also spoke about the challenges faced by artists in Guyana and encouraged them not to allow fear or other circumstances to prevent them from sharing their work. "Artists in all kinds of fields in Guyana are either discouraged or just choose not to put their work out because they're worried about many things, victimization
and something as well, but lots of other issues that may come to mind, and it might deter them from putting together work and then also having the public see that work. "I know lots of poets, lots of artists who sit in a pool, and they're just hiding it away, and the world will know it's gold because they don't sleep. So, my word of encouragement to other artists or poets is: let your heart speak, put your work out there. Don't let any of these circumstances or factors deter you, because if you don't put it out there, it's just going to disappear whenever you do."
A Change in Approach
In fact, Joseph revealed that his original approach to the performance was much different from what audiences eventually witnessed on the night. "I actually wanted to do it more in a reporter style, a lot
National Poetry Slam Champion Omari Joseph
more incisive, with a colder voice, a colder tone. But on the night, the performances before me touched on some heavy subject matter, but they had a high degree of energy. "So, I just felt in the moment that the audience needed a wake-up shot, like a shot of coffee or a shot of tea in the morning. So, I just decided to scrap my original plan and go up on stage and just perform with the emotions, like I'm fed up, and it aroused the audience, it connected with the judges, and it led to a successful result." For his winning performance, Joseph walked away with a cash prize of $200,000, adding a financial reward to what was already a significant milestone in his return to the stage.
18 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
64 students complete GBTI’s 2026 Work Study Programme
– urged to carry knowledge, skills & values gained
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ome 64 students from schools across Guyana have successfully completed the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) 2026 Work Study Programme, which was aimed at equipping them with the much-needed practical work experience as they enter the Guyanese workforce. The students were celebrated with a graduation ceremony that provided an opportunity for them to re-
Work study students at two locations
flect on their experiences and accomplishments while receiving certificates of completion and tokens of appreciation in recognition of their commitment and contributions throughout the programme. Over the sixweek period, students were placed across GBTI’s Head Office and branches nationwide, including locations in Lethem, Port Kaituma and Anna Regina. They were assigned to various departments across the bank, giv-
ing them the opportunity to experience different aspects of the banking industry and gain insight into the operations of a professional organisation. The programme was designed to help students bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace by providing practical exposure to professional environments. Throughout their placements, students gained valuable experience in areas including customer service, communication, teamwork,
time management, workplace etiquette, responsibility and problem-solving. Beyond technical exposure, the Work Study Programme encouraged students to develop the soft skills and professional attitudes that are essential for success in today’s workforce. Working alongside GBTI employees also allowed students to learn directly from experienced professionals and gain a better understanding of workplace expectations. For many of the participants, the programme represented their first opportunity to experience a formal workplace environment. The experience allowed them to see how academic knowledge can be applied in real-world situations while also giving them the opportunity to explore potential career paths. The programme’s reach across
Guyana also allowed GBTI to extend this opportunity to students outside of Georgetown, with participants gaining experience at branches serving communities in Lethem, Port Kaituma and Anna Regina. GBTI views programmes such as the Work Study Programme as an important part of its commitment to youth development. By exposing students to the realities of the workplace at an early stage, the Bank aims to help young people build confidence, develop professional skills and better prepare for their future careers. Chief Operations Officer (COO) Rawattie Mohandeo stated, “Congratulations to our 64 graduates on successfully completing the GBTI Work Study Programme. Your dedication, hard work and willingness to learn have been commendable. As
you move forward into your studies and careers, we encourage you to carry with you the knowledge, skills and values gained during your time with GBTI. We wish each of you every success in the journey ahead.” The bank also acknowledged the GBTI employees who served as supervisors, mentors and colleagues to the students throughout the programme, sharing their knowledge and helping to create a meaningful learning experience. As the 64 graduates take the next step in their journeys, GBTI hopes that the experience gained through the Work Study Programme will serve as more than a six-week introduction to the workplace; but as a foundation upon which they can build successful careers and contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s future.
NEWS
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
1st 2 patients receive dialysis treatment as services commence at Lima Regional Hospital
Doctors with the patient after his treatment
A patient receiving dialysis at the Lima Regional Hospital
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he Health Ministry has commenced dialysis services at the Lima Regional Hospital, marking another significant milestone in the Government of Guyana’s continued efforts to expand access to specialised and essential healthcare services across the country. For the first time, patients requiring dialysis treatment can now access the service at
the Lima Regional Hospital. Following the completion of the necessary preparations and installation of equipment, the facility has transitioned to active patient care, with the first two patients, Rodwell Stewart and Hillary Allen, successfully receiving dialysis treatment. The introduction of dialysis services at the hospital forms part of the Ministry’s
broader strategy to expand access to renal replacement therapy and decentralise specialised healthcare services. Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for patients whose kidneys are no longer able to adequately perform their essential functions. Historically, access to dialysis services has been concentrated in few locations across
Govt to resurvey Cane Grove as residents seek relief from flooding
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Cabinet colleagues meeting with the residents
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griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and several Cabinet colleagues on Friday visited Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) where they met with residents and farmers to assess concerns affecting the community, particularly drainage, agricultural access, and the use of public reserves. During a walkthrough of the area, Mustapha observed that the reserves where an interlocking drainage system previously existed have largely been occupied by residents, leaving the area without an effective drainage network. He said this has contributed to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. “The main issue is residential drainage. We did a walkthrough of the area. We noticed that all the reserves where the interlocking drain-
age system existed have been taken up by residents. There is no drainage system in the area, so when there is heavy rainfall, flooding occurs. We will have to resurvey the area to see how drainage channels can be established. Until that is done, this area cannot have effective drainage,” the Minister said. He said a detailed assessment will be conducted and a report prepared for submission to President Dr Irfaan Ali, outlining the situation and possible interventions. The Minister said the Ministry will continue working with residents as the necessary steps are taken to address the drainage challenges. During the engagement, cattle farmers also raised concerns about the need to improve drainage in their pastures, while res-
idents called for the clearing of dams that have been occupied for cultivation. Mustapha explained that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has been asked to issue notices to persons cultivating on the dams. Those persons will be allowed to harvest their existing crops but will be required not to replant once the current crops are harvested. He also noted that the Government will work with the affected farmers to identify suitable plots of land where they can continue their agricultural activities while ensuring that the dams and other public spaces are restored for their intended purposes. “We do not want their livelihoods to be affected, but at the same time, we have to consider the well-being of all the residents here,” Mustapha said.
Guyana, requiring some to travel significant distances several times per week to receive treatment. By expanding dialysis services to regional hospitals, the Ministry aims to bring treatment closer to patients and their families, reduce the burden associated with travelling for care, and further strengthen Guyana’s public healthcare system. Importantly, dialysis services at the Lima Regional Hospital are being provided free of cost to eligible patients through the public health system. The new service will primarily benefit patients within the Lima Regional Hospital catchment area and surrounding communities who require ongoing dialysis treatment. Accessing dialysis closer to home is expected to significantly reduce the distance patients are required to travel, minimise transportation-related expenses and challenges, reduce disruption to their daily lives and family responsibilities, and ease the demand on dialysis facilities in other parts of the
country. The expansion also supports the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that access to essential healthcare services is determined by patients’ medical needs, and not by their geographical location or ability to pay. Dialysis is a specialised treatment, and not every patient diagnosed with kidney disease will require dialysis. Patients who believe they may require dialysis should first be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. Following the appropriate clinical assessment, the healthcare team will determine whether dialysis is required and whether the patient is suitable to receive treatment at the facility. Patients requiring dialysis are encouraged to follow the established referral and assessment process within the public health system and provide all relevant medical and medication information during their assessment. Patients receiving treatment must also adhere to their scheduled dialysis sessions and follow the clinical team’s guidance regard-
ing medications, diet, fluid intake, and other aspects of their treatment. Any concerning symptoms or complications should be promptly reported to the healthcare team. Major step forward for regional healthcare The commencement of dialysis services at the Lima Regional Hospital represents another important advancement in the delivery of specialised healthcare closer to communities across Guyana. The Ministry remains committed to expanding dialysis capacity throughout the country and ensuring that patients requiring this essential treatment have access to safe, quality, and accessible care through the public health system. The introduction of this service is more than the opening of another dialysis unit; it represents a tangible investment in the health, dignity, and quality of life of patients living with kidney disease, while advancing the Government’s wider vision of equitable access to quality healthcare for all Guyanese.
20 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Govt commits to major D&I works along Soesdyke-Linden Highway corridor – farmers to benefit from desilting of creeks, land clearing, access to free planting materials
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esidents of Yarrowkabra and surrounding communities were on Saturday promised a series of interventions to improve irrigation, expand agricultural production and support farmers along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Saturday. At the meeting, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha outlined the intervention after listening to issues raised by the resident, most of which had to do with the need for irrigation in several communities. The Minister stated that the Ministry will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the creeks along the corridor, with excavation and desilting to begin in the coming weeks. He said an amphibious excavator will be deployed to desilt and expand creeks that require intervention, improving access to irrigation water and helping communities prepare for prolonged dry conditions associated with El Niño. “We’ll do a survey of all the creeks in this area. Whichever creek needs excavation, we’ll start it in the coming weeks. I will send a machine here to do desilting of all the creeks along the highway so that we can have good irrigation.” He explained that the work will be undertaken in stages, beginning at one end of
Residents at the meeting on Saturday
the corridor and progressing through the various communities. The Minister said the programme will include communities such as Loo Creek, Yarrowkabra, Long Creek, Silver Hill, Kairuni and Circuit Ville. Mustapha also announced that a technical team will work to determine the potential locations for water catchments as part of the response to dry weather conditions, noting that similar facilities established in hinterland communities have been providing farmers with water during periods of limited rainfall. He told the farmers that a team from the Ministry will conduct a needs assessment to determine the types of planting materi-
als as well as the quantities needed by the farmers in the coming week, after which all the planting materials will be provided to the farmers free of cost through the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). While addressing poultry production, he related that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will provide assistance to boost production through services like artificial insemination, in addition to the provision of Black Giant chicks as part of the poultry expansion programme. Further, he disclosed that the GLDA is in the process of examining suitable additional breeds of hens for the poultry ex-
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha engaging residents
pansion programme. He explained that while Black Giant birds are considered resilient and highly productive, the breed is non-broody and does not naturally incubate its eggs. “I’ve asked the head of the GLDA to explore, from a technical level, additional breeds because we still want to continue expanding the poultry programme. So, we will look at introducing a breed that is as resilient as the Black Giant but also has that instinct to incubate its eggs,” he said. The Minister also com-
mitted to expanding land-clearing support for farmers along the SoesdykeLinden Highway. He said while some farmers, through various farmers’ groups, have already had three acres cleared, additional land remains to be prepared, and the Ministry will conduct a survey to identify farmers requiring assistance. “We’ll clear up to three acres of land for every farmer along the highway so that we can have full production. We’ll do a survey and make the machinery available to do that,”
Mustapha said. He added that the interventions outlined during the meeting are expected to address some of the immediate constraints affecting farmers along the corridor, particularly access to irrigation, land preparation and planting materials, while creating the conditions for increased agricultural production. Other regional officials and technical officers from the Ministry of Agriculture were also present at the community meeting.
Speed limiters arrive as Police prepare to begin installation on motor lorries
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he rollout of speed limiters for motor lorries is moving closer, with the devices now in the hands of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and specialised officers set to begin training on Monday ahead of their installation and certification. The limiters are intended to achieve a particular objective that is to help transportation vehicles, such as motor lorries, which are naturally heavy, travel at a prescribed speed. This is expected to support road safety and improve the current safety conditions surrounding motor lorries, thereby leading to a reduction in accidents and the fear of accidents occurring in those circumstances. As of January 2026, it was reported that the Government was aiming to install 8,000 speed limiters on trucks to improve safety on the country’s roads, according to Senior Minister Dr Ashni Singh. In his presentation of Budget 2026, Dr Singh further said that, to address the long-standing issue of parking for heavy-duty trucks, new dedicated parking zones will be created, starting with a facility at Grove that can accommodate 390 trucks. Further, to maintain road quality, the enforcement of vehicle weight limits is being strengthened. Last year, 20 weigh-in-motion scales and 400 vehicle clamps were bought and distributed along major routes, including Buzz Bee Dam to Diamond, Linden to Mabura and near the Bharat Jagdeo River Bridge (BJDRB). This year, the Government will
set up more testing sites and revise regulations to ensure strict adherence to maximum weight limits. The Government will also launch an automated speed-ticketing system as part of the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS), which uses advanced cameras and radar signs for real-time detection of traffic violations and automatic penalties, ensuring fair and prompt enforcement of traffic laws. Some $382.9 million has been set aside for this project. Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mahendra Singh, in social media post, stated that the devices are already in the possession of the GPF. “So, the update for the public now is that the speed limiters are already in the police’s possession, and the next step, the very important one, is the training of our licensed and certified officers. That has to happen by the certified specialists.” “So, the training is scheduled to commence on Monday for all of our certified officers who have been pre-identified to this unit. After the process of training
is completed, we will commence the process of installation of the speed limiters for verification and certification.” In closing, the Traffic Chief shifted gears slightly, emphasising that ensuring safety on the roadways also requires a change in driver behaviour. “There is a culture that exists already, and to actually have a change in that, the positive or the negative about, a shift in driver behaviour. Absorb the rules of the road, conform to the signs that are here, travel within the speed limits that exist within the country. Generally, operate lawfully.” He further urged motorists to respect speed limits and give priority to vulnerable road users. “I always say there is only two things you want to do. Ensure the speed limits. Don’t be wondering about the speed limits. Three, give priority to those who are challenged or vulnerable, such as pedestrians, the elderly, or the disabled. And that when you do so, you will actually lead to an experience in improving significantly so you are doing something special.”
NEWS
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Parents plead for 2nd chance for teen held over fisherman’s death …Mother claims fight broke out over deceased’s derogatory behaviour towards girl
The teen’s mother, Sherry Solomon
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he parents of the 15-year-old boy who is being held in connection with the death of 55-year-old fisherman Asmat Mohamed Hussain are pleading for their son to be given a second chance, even as his mother acknowledged that he became involved in a confrontation that should have been avoided. The teenager, a secondary school student who is expected to enter Fifth Form when school reopens, was taken into custody after Hussain died from injuries he sustained during an altercation in the vicinity of a supermarket at
The teen’s father, Hilton Salomon
“I know that he did something that he wasn’t supposed to do. And as a mother, I take full responsibility for what he did. But I still feel [he is] small, and I feel he should get a chance for, you know, a forgiveness.” She related that her son had been preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations next year. “I only pray that he will come out in time to go back to school and continue his studies and, you know, get to write CXC,” the mother said. Solomon also provided her son’s account of what
tinued, thus resulting in a heated confrontation, and ultimately a physical scuffle. Solomon said her son told her that he struck Hussain twice, causing him to fall and hit his head.
allegedly occurred that night. It has not been independently verified. According to Solomon, her son told her that he had been walking with a female friend and her younger brother when they encountered Hussain. She claimed her son told her that the fisherman was behaving in an uncouth manner towards the girl, which prompted him to intervene. She said her son initially approached Hussain and warmed him about the derogatory language towards the girl and walked away, but the now dead man con-
ly learnt that Hussain was also there and was in critical condition. She recalled her son’s disbelief when she told him about the fisherman’s condition. “Mama, how the man could be fighting for his life? I just give he two cuff, how he fighting for his life?” she quoted her son as saying. Hussain subsequently died, dramatically changing the scenario. The boy’s father, Hilton Solomon, was at work when he was informed that his son had been involved in an alter-
According to the mother, other persons subsequently became involved, and her son was also beaten before he managed to escape. The mother further stated that she later went to the Police and reported that her son had been involved in a fight. She was given a medical form and took the teenager to hospital, where she subsequent-
The area where the fight occurred
Dukestown, Corriverton. Police did not disclose what allegedly triggered the encounter, nor have they provided details about the injuries which caused Hussain’s death, but subsequently identified the 15-year-old from No. 77 Housing Scheme, Corriverton, as the prime suspect. Days after the fatal incident, the teen’s mother, Sherry Solomon, acknowledged the seriousness of what had occurred, while appealing for consideration to be given to her son’s age and future.
cation. He said he kept in contact with his wife and later went to the area where the incident had occurred. He stated that he had not been able to speak with his son following the incident because the teenager was already placed Police custody. “I am very sorry. I am very hurt. And I do hope, you know, they look into it and just give him a chance,” the father said. Solomon also expressed sympathy over Hussain’s death, and said he intended to reach out to the fisherman’s relatives. “It is so sad to know that the guy had to lose his life like that. You know, I’m very fearful. I do hope that everything goes well and, you know, he comes out and finishes schooling,” he said.
Dead: Asmat Mohamed Hussain
The father maintained that his son had not anticipated the fatal consequences of the confrontation. “This is something he
didn’t mean to do, you know. And he went in a little fight. And I think they should give him a second chance, you know. He really needs it, you know. He didn’t expect for anything to turn out like this way,” Solomon posited. Meanwhile, after the fisherman’s death, his relatives reported that Hussain had been consuming alcohol with family members earlier on the fateful evening before leaving to purchase two beers from a nearby supermarket. One of his relatives subsequently heard an alarm being raised and found Hussain lying unconscious. He was rushed to the Number 75 Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.
22 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Linden chef killed in 3-vehicle 171 cases made out during traffic collision along Linden Highway enforcement within Gtown
Dead: Jamal Albert
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chef has become Guyana’s latest road fatality following a three-vehicle collision on Friday evening in the vicinity of Loo Creek, Linden/Soesdyke Highway. The dead man has been identified as Jamal Albert of Greenheart Street, Mackenzie Linden. Based on reports received, the accident occurred at about 19:45h and involved motor car PAM 471, which was at the time driven by Albert, and motor car GAK 1074, driven by a resident of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown. Preliminary investigations revealed that Albert was driving at a fast rate of speed and in the process of overtaking several vehicles, he ended up in the path of the motor canter, which was being towed by another motor canter, thus resulting in a head-on collision. As a result of the collision, Albert
Issued tickets to errant drivers
A The car Albert was driving when he met his demise
was reportedly trapped in the wrecked vehicle he was driving and had to be removed by members of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) who had to cut the mangled vehicle. He, along with a 39-year-old occupant of the motor car, was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex, where Albert succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment. The female occupant of the car and the driver of the Canter were treated and admitted. They received lacerations to their bodies. Guyana Times understands that at the time of the accident, it was raining. Back in June, it was reported that
between 2020 and 2025, Guyana experienced significant fluctuations in road fatalities. Deaths reached a peak of 175 in 2023, while fatalities declined to 132 in 2024 and 2025. For the first 170 days of 2026, when compared to the same period in 2025, fatal accidents increased from 54 to 56, and the number of deaths increased from 58 to 62, with speeding remaining the leading contributor to fatal accidents. Statistics showed that in 2024, speeding accounted for 94 per cent of fatal accidents, while in the first half of 2026, it has already accounted for 75 per cent of fatal accidents.
s the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to clamp down on traffic violations, an enforcement exercise was held from Sunday, August 9, to Friday, August 14, 2026, around the Capital City by ranks from Traffic Headquarters, during which 171 cases were made against errant drivers. Of these cases, 74 were for speeding; 24 for leaving a motor vehicle in a dangerous position; 14 for driving a motorcycle without a safety helmet; eight for prohibition of tinted glass; four for obscured ID marks; one for faulty parking; 15 for failing to conform to a sign; nine for unnecessary sounding of the horn; seven for carrying a pillion rider without a safety helmet; one for no silencer; four for stopping within thirty feet of any corner; three for breach of the conditions of road service; three for untidy drivers; three for breach of the conditions of
A minibus pulled in for tinted glass
prescribed fitness; one for an uncertified motor vehicle; and one for an untidy hire car driver. In addition, some 23 fitnesses were revoked. Meanwhile, 23 drivers were arrested but later released
with notices for intended prosecution, while 127 tickets were issued. The Police reiterated that the Traffic Headquarters will continue its enforcement exercises.
Pomeroon man dies after colliding with boat operated by 11-year-old
Dead: Ron Jacobus
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mishap along the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Saturday has claimed the life of 28-year-old Ron Jacabus, a miner of Kabakuburi, Upper Pomeroon River. According to information received, the now dead man was at the time operating a 13-foot wooden boat powered by a 15 HP Yamaha outboard engine when he collided with a 17-foot wooden boat also powered by a 15 HP Yamaha outboard engine and captained by an 11-year-old. According
Person conducting the search
to the lad, he was heading home after dropping his mother off at church, and as he attempted to negotiate a right turn, he observed Jacobus’ boat heading directly towards him. The child further stated that in an effort to avoid a collision, he diverted to his left when
the deceased’s boat also changed course in the said direction, causing the right side of the deceased’s boat to collide with the right side of his boat and subsequently with the canal bank. He also stated that he did not see Jacobus and immediately went home and informed
his brother, who accompanied him back to the location of the incident. Upon their return to the location of the accident, they observed Jacobus’s boat overturned, with the bottom facing upwards, prompting him to check underneath the boat, but he was not found. The
The boat Jacobus was operating crashing onto land
brother reportedly jumped into the canal and started to search but was later assisted by two brothers of the deceased. Some 15 minutes into the search, the body was fished out of the creek
in an unresponsive state. The injured man was taken to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An investigation is underway.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
24 NEWS “These delays will no longer be tolerated” – Minister Ramraj on delayed Hague Back Road Project SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
The Hague Back Road under construction
M
inister within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, has ordered an immediate review of the Hague Back Road Project following serious complaints from residents about continued delays by the project contractor. The scope of works includes 660 metres of revetment and
1,000 metres of asphalted roadway, with the revetment component currently approximately 71 per cent complete. The Minister expressed deep disappointment with the contractor’s performance and instructed the Ministry’s engineers to submit full documentation on the works completed, all outstanding
A resident venting his frustration to Minister Ramraj
works, and the contractor’s proposed plan for completing the project. “We have given this contractor enough time to get these works completed, and at some point, a decision has to be made on what happens next. We cannot continue to inconvenience residents because of delays on a project that directly af-
fects them every single day.” The project was awarded to NK Engineering in July 2025 under a six-month contract. Completion was initially due in January 2026, with an extension subsequently granted to February. More than six months after that extended deadline, the project remains only 52 per
cent complete. Ramraj has made it clear that the prolonged delay cannot continue without consequence. The contractor’s performance, outstanding obligations and proposed completion schedule are now being assessed as the Ministry determines its next course of action on the contract. During
a site visit to the area on Saturday, the Minister was accompanied by Member of Parliament (MP) Vickash Ramkissoon along with local Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) leaders and engineers and technical staff from the Ministry of Public Works.
guyanatimesgy.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026
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Regional
Venezuela: 131 political prisoners Ecuador fishermen have freed amid post-Maduro talks nowhere to hide from cartel
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enezuela says it has freed 131 persons considered political prisoners, in a sign of progress for national reconciliation following the United States’ removal of former President Nicolas Maduro. Those released had been granted “alternative measures from incarceration” under the Program for Peace and Democratic Coexistence, the country’s interim Government said on Friday. Opposition movement Vente Venezuela said it had independently verified the release of 43 detainees,
and the Foro Penal rights group, which advocates for the release of alleged political prisoners, said “at least 40” had been freed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the recent release of more than 130 political prisoners in Venezuela is “a crucial step for the nation’s reconciliation process”. Since the US overthrew and detained Maduro on January 3 this year, 1046 Venezuelans have been released, Rubio added on X. Venezuela is now being governed by Maduro’s former deputy, Delcy
Rodriguez, with significant influence from Washington. Former prisoners were seen reuniting with their families in emotional scenes outside El Rodeo I prison in Guatire, 50 kilometres East of the capital Caracas. Foro Penal said that 17 women had been freed on Friday, including one accused of participating in an assassination plot against Maduro. It earlier said 391 political prisoners remained behind bars as of August 10. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
threats, US airstrikes
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n recent years, two of Ecuador’s most powerful criminal organisations – Los Choneros and Los Lobos – have expanded in coastal areas, forcibly recruiting fishermen for smuggling, according to Ecuadorean anti-narcotics officials, provincial Police, and residents. Onshore, drug cartels have turned the small ports of Ecuador's Manabi province into a cocaine-trafficking hub, extorting local fish-
ermen who are prized for their navigation skills. The cartels present an impossible choice: earn more than a year’s legal income smuggling drugs, or face extortion, threats and violence. Offshore, however, the violence comes without warning – from US airstrikes on alleged "narco-terrorists". The US military has destroyed 67 vessels and killed more than 220 people since last September as part of
Operation Southern Spear. The US Government has claimed responsibility for those attacks and deaths. The Washington Post reported that the boats were struck as part of a covert CIA programme. The US Department of Defence directed questions about the strikes to the US Southern Command, which declined to comment, citing “operational security and force protection reasons". (Excerpt from Reuters)
Colombian President says St Lucia farmers explore new he asked Trump to suspend approaches as heat, other tariffs after earthquake pressures challenge agriculture
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olombia's new President Abelardo de la Espriella on Saturday called on President Trump to suspend tariffs currently targeting the South American nation, which is reeling after a deadly earthquake. US tariffs on Colombian products rose from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent in late July, with a few exceptions including coffee and oil. "I asked him to consider temporarily suspending the high tariffs that are affecting Colombian products in order to give some relief to our business owners, who are facing very difficult times due to the effects of the earthquake," De la Espriella said on X. The increased tariffs went into effect on July 24, replacing an expiring global duty rolled out by the Trump administration earlier this year. De la Espriella said he
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Building debris pictured in Pereira, Colombia, days after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that killed hundreds
has spoken for about 10 minutes with Mr Trump, who he said expressed his condolences over the deaths from Monday's 7.4-magnitude quake. "The conversation was very friendly and cordial," the Colombian leader said. "I told him that we have a huge challenge ahead: rebuilding Colombia amid the
extremely difficult and apocalyptic economic situation that I inherited." CBS News has reached out to the White House for comment on the request. The tremor devastated the western Colombian cities of Cali and Pereira, leaving nearly 300 dead and destroying almost 13,000 homes. (Excerpt from CBS News)
T&T: Prison officers seize cigarettes, marijuana, cell phone at PoS Prison
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rison officers on Saturday morning seized two cartons of cigarettes, a quantity of marijuana and a cellphone and detained two prisoners after the items were thrown over the walls of the Port of Spain (PoS) Prison in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). According to a media release, around 05:10h on Saturday, the Prison Operations Centre received information regarding a package that had been thrown over the perimeter wall. The officers then searched the area where the package was thrown and prisoners in the convicted airing yard. Prison officers said the
contraband was found in the possession of two inmates, who are expected to be charged with trafficking. This latest incident takes place days after prison officers thwarted an attempt to have prohibited items thrown into the prison. On Wednesday, prison officers spotted a man attempting to throw contraband items into the Port of Spain Prison. Hours later, during a search, prison officers found improvised weapons in the ceiling of the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre (ECRC). Prison officers said six improvised weapons were discovered concealed at
the top of a cell during a search at the Hope Division around 10:45h. Hours before the discovery, prison officers at the PoS prison spotted a man attempting to throw the package over the wall near the intersection of Gordon and Pembroke streets around 06:45h. The incident caused the POA to renew its call for a modern CCTV surveillance system at the prison. Prison officers said then that the vigilance, thoroughness, and attention to detail of the officers on duty led to the discovery and stopping of contraband entering the prison. (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)
fter two farming symposiums in Dennery and Union, Castries, farmers and others in the industry said they were glad to learn about additional farming methods. They also spoke of the need for well-rounded solutions to deal with rising heat and other issues. At Orchid Garden in Union on Friday, August 14, farmer Fimbar Evans, who has over 10 years of experience, said he enjoyed the second and final symposium. He said the event exposed him to additional farming methods he might try. Isratech, a Jamaicabased company that has been supplying agricultural products and facilitating programmes throughout the region, organised the symposiums. The company also plans to open an outlet in Saint Lucia soon. Speaking at the event, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer Faustinus Monero and Isratech Jamaica’s Technical Director Arturo Ramirez discussed modern agricultural practices and multiple irrigation methods
Isratech Jamaica Ltd.’s Technical Director Arturo Ramirez
that they say have been tried and tested and have shown favourable results in Saint Lucia and across the region. He said the main problems farmers face include water shortages, flooding due to changing climate patterns, pests and not enough workers. Among the agricultural methods discussed to address these concerns were vegetable grafting, full-scale rainwater harvesting systems, solar pumps, nutrient management through
composting, hydroponics, enhanced pest and disease identification, and drip, micro and sprinkler irrigation. During Friday’s symposium, farmers and agricultural stakeholders openly questioned and discussed how well the methods worked, their drawbacks and the costs. Ramirez said the company was committed to working alongside farmers to tailor solutions to their needs. (Excerpt from St Lucia Times)
JCA: More than 200 killed in road crashes this year, says ITA
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amaica’s deaths this year resulting from motor vehicle crashes have now gone past the 200 mark, reaching 202 as of Thursday, August 14. This is according to the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) in its latest crash statistics released on Friday. The deaths have resulted from 174 fatal crashes. Despite the number, this represents a 15 per cent decline or 36 fewer deaths when compared to the similar period in 2025, ITA said. Fatal crashes are also down 16 per cent. Since the start of the
year, 49 motorcyclists have been killed, representing 24 per cent of overall fatalities. Forty-six deaths have been logged among pedestrians, accounting for 23 per cent of all fatalities; private motor vehicle drivers have seen 45 deaths among their ranks, accounting for 22 per cent of fatalities since the start of the year, while their passengers account for 29 deaths, or 14 per cent. Thirteen passengers of commercial motor vehicles have also been killed this year; they make up six per cent of all road deaths. Five
pedal cyclists and five pillion passengers have also been killed on the nation’s roads. Meanwhile, vulnerable passengers – made up of pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists and pillion passengers – account for 52 per cent of all fatalities combined since the start of the year. Overall, passengers account for 25 per cent of fatalities since the start of the year, with males and females accounting for 83 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively, of fatalities this year. (Jamaica Observer)
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026
guyanatimesgy.com
Around the World
Hawaii braces for potential 1st 2 powerful earthquakes hit Indonesia in 1 day, killing at least 47 direct hit by hurricane in 34 years
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7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday killed at least 47 people, a disaster management official has said. A second, 6.4-magnitude quake struck the country’s western Sumatra island later, according to the US Geological Survey. Authorities said dozens more residents were injured, and warned that the death toll would almost certainly rise. Authorities issued a tsunami warning and urged coastal residents to move to higher ground, but later lifted the warning when Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said monitoring showed no significant sea-level changes that would pose a threat to coastal communities. The US Geological Survey said the quake hit Indonesia’s Flores region at 05:58h local time. Its epicentre was 42 miles north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. The
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A view of a heavily damaged building at L Say port following an earthquake in Maumere, Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia
meteorological agency said the quake was followed by at least 235 aftershocks, with the largest recorded at magnitude 6.2. The head of the National Disaster Management Agency, Suharyanto, said rescuers have recovered at least 47 bodies, mostly in Sikka, Manggarai, and East Manggarai, and at least 50 persons were taken to hospitals. Suharyanto said the quake flattened at least 157 houses and damaged nearly 200 more, forcing about 2000 villagers to abandon their homes and
move to temporary shelters. The powerful tremor also destroyed more than 100 public facilities, including schools, medical centres and churches. The death toll could rise because landslides triggered by the earthquake buried or cut off many remote villages across six regencies on Flores Island, said Fathur Rahman, who heads the Search and Rescue Office in Maumere, the capital of Sikka. (Excerpt from CBS News)
awaii is bracing for what could be its first direct hit from a hurricane since 1992, as Category One storm Lala churns off its coast. Packing 120 kilometre per hour (km/h) winds, Lala gained hurricane strength on Saturday. In a worst-case scenario, it could dump up to 25 inches of rain on Big Island and produce a threefoot storm surge. A hurricane warning is in effect for Big Island, while Maui County, Oahu, Kauai,
and Niihau are under a tropical storm warning. Officials have told residents to prepare for “life-threatening” conditions, including floods and mudslides. The last time a hurricane made landfall on Hawaii’s Big Island was 155 years ago. Hawaii Governor Josh Green warned residents to brace for “an incredible amount of water”. He said, X: “Damaging winds, heavy rain, flash flooding and dangerous surf
are possible across the state through the weekend.” Dozens of flights have been cancelled. Residents were repeatedly urged by officials to prepare for the storm early. Iniki, a powerful Category Four storm, was the last hurricane to strike Hawaii back in 1992. It caused six deaths and $3bn in damage after making landfall on the southern coast of Kauai. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Zimbabwe boat accident death toll hits 68 as 22 more bodies recovered
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wenty-two more bodies have been recovered after a boat accident in Zimbabwe, taking the death toll to 68, Police said on Saturday. The ferry capsized on Tuesday on Lake Kariba, on the border with Zambia. An investigation has suggested it was overloaded when it turned over during heavy winds. Eighteen children were among those killed, Zimbabwe’s Police said, in what is believed to be the country’s deadliest boat disaster.
Most of the passengers are believed to be villagers and fish traders who lived around the lake. Officials said the vessel was authorised to carry 90 persons, but was packed with 114 adults, five crew members, and an unspecified number of children. Lt Col Joseph Muchechesi, commander of the boat regiment involved in the search operation, said: “So far today we have managed to take 22 bodies. We are confident that we will manage to retrieve all the bodies.”
Hundreds of people gathered at the district hospital in the lakeside town of Kariba to identify the bodies of their relatives and loved ones. A public memorial service was held in Kariba, nearly 280 kilometres northwest of the capital Harare, on Thursday before the burials started. Survivors said they pleaded with the ferry driver to turn back, as the vessel had begun taking on water soon after departing. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Lebanon says Israeli strikes Construction workers find gold south of country kill at least 11 stash estimated at US$10M A during renovations in Belgium t least 11 persons were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, some of the deadliest in the weeks since the country agreed to a USmediated peace framework with neighbouring Israel. The Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure overnight, in what it describes as a security zone in southern Lebanon, in response to actions against its soldiers
there. Iran-backed Hezbollah said in a statement that the attacks would be “met with what they deserve”. The framework leaves Israeli troops inside occupied southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and the Lebanese army takes control, terms the group has rejected as surrender. Lebanon’s official National News Agency said seven people were killed when Israeli war-
planes struck a house in the southern village of Ansar, while four others were killed in a strike on the village of Deir El Zahrani. The seven people killed in Ansar included three children and two women, NNA said, adding that a total of 19 persons were wounded in the attacks. At least 4300 have been killed in Lebanon in the latest round of hostilities since March 2. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Qatar denies detaining 3 Iranian bomber Pilots
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atar’s Foreign Ministry has denied Iran’s claims that three Iranian Pilots are being held in secret detention, following the downing of their aircraft during hostilities earlier this year. A Ministry spokesman expressed surprise on Saturday at “misleading statements” from Iranian officials and reaffirmed that Qatari forces are not holding any surviving aircrew. “We are surprised by the misleading statements regarding the Iranian Pilots amid the continuation of diplomatic efforts,” said Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokes-
man, Majed Al-Ansari, according to our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic. His statement followed public demands from Tehran seeking the release of the aviators. General Mohammad Bagherzadeh of the Iranian armed forces said in a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross that three Pilots, Javad Salehi, Abdolmajid Dashtian and Omran Behraveshian, were captured alive after their Su-24 warplanes crashed in March, according to Iran’s Fars news agency. Bagherzadeh stated that the airmen had been held in-
communicado for six months without access to their families or diplomatic representatives, urging international humanitarian intervention. Iran had previously acknowledged that one Pilot was killed and others were missing following their mission to Qatar, but details regarding their alleged capture had not previously been publicised. Despite this dispute, Qatar remains actively engaged as a key mediator and is pushing for a negotiated settlement between Iran and the US. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Local Police in Dendermonde, Belgium, posted a picture of approximately 50 gold bars found by construction workers during renovations on a building
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onstruction workers in Belgium stumbled upon a stash of gold believed to be worth more than US$10 million during renovation work on a building. Police said they were “immediately” contacted by the workers after they discovered “a large quantity of gold” while working on a building in the east Flemish town of Dendermonde. The local Police Department posted a picture on its Facebook page of around 50 gold bars and piles of gold coins. Belgian news outlets reported that bars and coins
worth an estimated US$10.4 million were found bricked into the cellar walls during the renovation of a house belonging to a local charity, CAW East-Flanders. One worker interviewed by Belgian news outlet VRT said the crew’s “first reaction was actually disbelief, amazement.” “We stumbled across it while carrying out groundwork to lay a pipe for the sewerage system,” said the man identified only as Kobe. “We certainly hadn’t expected to find gold.” Police said the gold was “inventoried and se-
cured as quickly as possible in a high-security vault belonging to the federal Government services.” “Apparently, several treasure hunters would like to pay another visit to the site,” read a Facebook post by the Police department – which changed its profile picture to a gold coin in light of the find. It was not clear who was considered the legal owner of the trove – and if anyone would get to keep it. “Let us hope that this treasure ends up in the right hands,” said the Police post. (Excerpt from CBS News)
guyanatimesgy.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026
ARIES
27
Don’t let anger take over. Pay attention to
(March 21- how you look, feel and get along with loved April 19) ones. Nurture relationships, and explore options that offer a positive and lucrative way to earn a living. Take control, apply for positions and satisfy your needs. What you put out to the universe, you will get back. Romance is in the stars.
Take a pause to reevaluate your situation. TAURUS Overreacting will leave you at a loss. Focus on (April 20- self-improvement and discarding what you don’t May 20) need or is standing in your way. Idle time will
lead to anxiety and regret. Clearing your mind and focusing on the path forward will ease stress and give you something to look forward to.
Reach out to friends or someone from GEMINI (MAY 21- your past you want to reconnect with. Engage in projects that make your surroundings more June 20) convenient. Practical changes will put your
mind at ease and help you gain clarity regarding your next move. A creative or unique venture will help you explore your visual skills and update your appearance. Romance is favored. Think twice before you say something
CANCER in anger. Channel your energy into personal (June 21- growth, improvement or a positive lifestyle July 22) change. You’ll gain the most by pursuing something you can do alone. You need time to think, organize and put your mind at ease. Overspending will not satisfy your soul, but it will lead to regret. Keep life simple.
LEO
Pickles
Take positive steps toward your goals. Live, learn and execute your plans with passion (July 23- and charisma. How you prepare and promote Aug. 22) something will determine your returns. Socializing, exploring life and making positive changes will encourage you to spend more time with someone who can offer just as much in return. Romance is on the rise. Stand by, wait, watch and listen. What
VIRGO you observe will serve you far better than
(Aug. 23- jumping in and interacting without sufficient information. Someone’s Sept. 22) background
actions or emotional responses will be far more informative than a conversation. Let situations play out before you get involved in something when taking a pass is in your best interest.
Pay attention to how you present yourself LIBRA to others. A simple but elegant look will attract (Sept. 23- many, and a kind word will help you seal Oct. 23) whatever deal you are trying to make. Don’t
let impatience ruin the mood or the objective you are trying to achieve. A lifestyle change will turn into a positive adjustment and learning experience.
Be cognizant of what you say or the promises you make. Don’t back yourself into a (Oct. 24- corner that might jeopardize your reputation or Nov. 22) authenticity regarding what you do for a living. Stay in touch with what and who is important to you, and pay attention to money matters. A social event will lead to confusion based on inflated information.
SCORPIO
Peanuts
SAGITTARIUS Get in the game and show everyone what (Nov. 23- you can do. Your insight and ability to get Dec. 21) things done will attract attention and the help you need to reach your objective. The more you interact, the greater the opportunities. Social events will attract both personal and professional interest. Romance and personal gain are within reach. Live in the moment. Designate more time and effort into your
CAPRICORN relationships. Protect against those trying to (Dec. 22- lead you astray or emotionally manipulate Jan. 19) you. Guard your reputation, and offer only
Calvin and Hobbes
verified facts. Think twice before making physical changes. Disappointment where love, appearance and emotional well-being are concerned is apparent. Sit back, reevaluate and wait for better opportunities to come along.
Get into the driver’s seat and start AQUARIUS moving in a direction that satisfies your soul. (Jan. 20Partnerships can turn into profits. Choose Feb. 19) someone who is moving in a similar direction
or shares your skills or business objective. A lifestyle change, shared expenses or joint ventures show promise. Verify facts, put a budget in place and proceed with passion.
Improve your surroundings. If you feel PISCES (Feb. 20- comfortable, you’ll achieve more. Refuse to let criticism daunt you. Stand alone, follow Mar. 20) your heart and live life pursuing what makes
you happy. Don’t let outside influences be your marker for success. It’s up to you to take responsibility for your personal and financial gains and for your happiness.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026
Bangladesh chip away to keep famous victory in sight
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (left) claimed a huge return catch-off. Steven Smith (Getty Images)
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our Australian wickets, including two more for Hasan Mahmud, in the second half of the third day kept Bangladesh on course for a famous victory in Darwin. Australia finished on 161 for four at stumps, still trailing by 67 runs, with Cameron Green and Alex Carey carrying their hopes of a turnaround. Green was unbeaten on 43 off 86 balls, while Carey gave him company on 19 off
50 balls. A huge moment came midway through the final session when Australia lost Steven Smith, chipping a catch to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had earlier helped Bangladesh extend their first innings to 426, a lead of 228. Australia had lost both their openers quickly when they finally got to bat on the third day. Jake Weatherald fell for a third-ball duck when he was cramped for room by
Mahmud and chopped into his stumps, heaping further pressure on his position at the top of the order. Travis Head did a similar thing to the same bowler for 17, before curiously placing the ball back in the groove after he was bowled. Marnus Labuschagne scratched around for an hour and a half until he played across a full delivery from left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. He struck two fours in his 59-
ball stay but hardly looked convincing. There had been a big lbw appeal for the first ball, although it was missing a leg stump, and Bangladesh reviewed when Labuschagne padded up to Taskin Ahmed, but it was going over. Smith, who had topscored with 71 in the first innings, tried to take the attack back to Bangladesh, but they remained patient in their approach. They were unlucky when a Taskin delivery brushed Green’s leg stump off the inside edge, but the bails didn’t dislodge, much to everyone’s dismay. Then came the big wicket. Mehidy, delivering the ball from considerably behind the popping crease, got Smith to poke one back at him. Mehidy swallowed a fine return catch, and the Bangladesh fielders ran wild around him. At that point, Australia were still 106 runs adrift, but Green and Carey carried them to the close without further damage. Bangladesh had earlier batted through 138 overs in their first innings, including seeing out the first session of the third day to pile on the agony for Australia. Mehidy kept the visitors’ tail together for 52.3 overs, himself making 65. He had been the only batter with substan-
Cameron Green and Alex Carey guided Australia to the close (Getty Images)
tial runs ahead of the Test after he made a century in the warm-up match against the CA XI. Mehidy reached his 10th Test 50 from 117 balls and signed off the opening session by hooking Green for six. Australia didn’t help themselves by dropping five catches in total, though, including two in a Pat Cummins over towards the end of the first session – Steven Smith went first, dropping a sitter at deep-backward square-leg off Taskin, and Mehidy was then let off by Head, a much tougher opportunity running back from midwicket Mehidy farmed the strike during his partnerships with Mahmud, Taskin and Taijul,
but his teammates provided excellent support. Mahmud batted out 92 balls, while Taijul struck Josh Hazlewood for a six in his 23-ball 17. Taskin batted for an hour and 42 minutes for his unbeaten 14. Hazlewood took the wickets of Mehidy and Ebadot Hossain in quick succession after the lunch break to move past 300 in Tests, becoming the ninth Australian bowler to do so. (ESPNcricinfo)
SCORE: Australia 198 and 161 for four (Green 43*, Carey 19*) trail Bangladesh 426 (Tanzid 101, Shanto 84, Mehidy 65, Hazlewood 6-89) by 67 runs
Eight Elite League clubs secure CONCACAF licences
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ight clubs competing in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League have secured Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Club Licences for the 2026-2027 season, marking another step towards the professionalisation of local club football. Six of the clubs satisfied the CONCACAF Domestic Club Administration Standards and were awarded Domestic Club Licences. The other two met the more demanding Regional Club Licensing Standard and received Regional Club Licences. The GFF did not identify the eight successful clubs in its press release. The licensing process evaluates clubs in several important areas, including sporting development, infrastructure, administration, staffing, financial management, legal compliance, safeguarding, and social responsibility.
Eight clubs competing in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League have secured Concacaf Club Licences for the 2026-2027 season
Club licensing is mandatory for teams seeking to compete in Concacaf tournaments. However, the programme also aims to improve the overall management, sustainability and competitiveness of clubs throughout the region.
Over the past two years, the GFF has worked with the Elite League clubs, with technical support and guidance from Concacaf, to improve their administrative and operational structures. Clubs were required to assess and
strengthen their governance, decision-making, finances, legal operations, sporting programmes, infrastructure and personnel. GFF President Wayne Forde said the accomplishment fulfilled an objective es-
tablished at the beginning of the 2025 Elite League season. Forde praised the clubs and the federation’s administrative staff for completing a demanding process but cautioned that earning the licences should be regarded as the start of a wider transformation. “I share this proud moment with the clubs, but I want to remind them that this is not the end; rather, it is the beginning of cultivating a professional culture within their operations,” he said. Forde acknowledged that local football clubs have traditionally depended heavily on volunteers whose passion and sacrifice have helped to sustain the sport. However, he said that model has also contributed to an amateur environment that no longer matches the direction of football within the region. The GFF is now developing a programme to provide clubs and Regional Associations with resources to begin im-
proving the professional management and administration of the sport. Building on the Elite League exercise, the Federation also plans to introduce a Domestic Club Licensing Programme across all nine Regional Associations. Incentives will be offered to encourage clubs and regional executives to improve governance, financial management, accountability and administrative systems. According to the GFF, stronger administration will help clubs develop players and coaches, manage their resources, attract sponsors, strengthen community relationships and compete at a higher level. The Federation also recognised the contributions of club executives, administrators, technical personnel and volunteers, along with the work of its Secretariat and the continued guidance provided by Concacaf.
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Transport dominates Everest in GCA U17 Enline U-17 clash T
Emmanuel Lewis produced another thrilling knock for his club
ransport & Harbours Sports Club produced a commanding allround performance to defeat Everest Cricket Club by 105 runs, when the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Under-17 Enline Security Logistics 50-Overs competition resumed yesterday. Playing at the Transport Cricket Ground, Everest won the toss and opted to bowl, but Transport & Harbours responded with an imposing 242 all out in
37.2 overs. Mickel Johnson led the batting charge with an aggressive 73 from just 49 deliveries, striking eight fours and three sixes. He received valuable support from Emmanuel Lewis, who scored a brisk 55 from 32 balls, including three fours and five sixes. Prosper Jacobus added a useful 28 lower down the order, as Transport posted a challenging total. Everest’s Brandon
Brown was the standout bowler, claiming an impressive six wickets for 65 runs from his allotted 10 overs. Chasing 243 for victory, Everest struggled against a disciplined Transport bowling attack and were dismissed for 137 in 34.4 overs. Orwin Jordan and Vinesh Kalpoo were Everest’s leading scorers, both making 20, but the visitors were unable to establish any meaningful partnerships.
Transport’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Nyia Latchman and Jacobus claiming two wickets apiece to lead an effective all-round bowling effort. With Everest eventually bowled out for 137, Transport & Harbours Sports Club secured a convincing 105-run victory and made a strong statement as the Under-17 competition continued.
CWI Women’s U19
Trinidad & Tobago crowned champions as Guyana claim 5th place
G
uyana Under-19 Women ended their Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Women’s Under-19
Championship campaign on a winning note, defeating the Windward Islands by 64 runs in the fifth-place playoff.
After winning the toss and electing to field at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, the Windward Islands restricted Guyana to 100 for
TOPP XX, Capital FC in winnertakes-Top-Spot showdown
Trinidad and Tobago were crowned champions
F
Action in the earlier rounds of the Super Cup
ootball fans will converge tonight (Sunday) in a crowd-pulling match as the Linden Summer Super Cup football championship round robin group segment comes to an end with a double head at the Bayrock National Stadium. The first game at 19:00h is between Group C’s Hi Stars and Net Rockers in a game which will wrap up group play, as PDey Stars and Aroiama are already through to the quarter-finals from that group. The toss-up at 21:00h will feature group A’s Topp XX and Capital FC to decide the top qualifier, and a win by Capital FC will send them through as the best team from that group. A win by Topp XX will see them ahead of Capital FC, who will also qualify from their group, because Coomacka, the
other team, gave a walkover to Capital FC in their game but held Topp XX to a 0-0 draw. Other teams already through are Group B’s Eagles United and Milerock, and from Group D, the two qualifiers Winners Connection and Botafogo played last night in their final group match to see which of the two will top their group heading into the quarter-finals. Football fans will converge tonight (Sunday) in a crowd-pulling match as the Linden Summer Super Cup football championship round robin group segment comes to an end with a double head at the Bayrock National Stadium. The first game at 19:00h is between Group C’s Hi Stars and Net Rockers in a game which will wrap up group play, as PDey Stars and
Aroiama are already through to the quarter-finals from that group. The toss-up at 21:00h will feature group A’s Topp XX and Capital FC to decide the top qualifier, and a win by Capital FC will send them through as the best team from that group. A win by Topp XX will see them ahead of Capital FC, who will also qualify from their group, because Coomacka, the other team, gave a walkover to Capital FC in their game but held Topp XX to a 0-0 draw. Other teams already through are Group B’s Eagles United and Milerock, and from Group D, the two qualifiers, Winners Connection and Botafogo, played last night in their final group match to see which of the two will top their group heading into the quarter-finals.
seven from their 20 overs. Briana Samaroo top-scored with 23 from 41 balls, while Jada Fraser also made 23, off 33 deliveries. Daisy Woods and Ammie Antoine were the leading Windward Islands bowlers, claiming two wickets apiece. Guyana’s bowlers then produced their best performance of the tournament, dismantling the Windward Islands' batting line-up for just 36 in 14 overs. No Windward Islands batter managed to reach double figures, with Sowanna Booker and Shenesa Thomas claiming three wickets each to seal Guyana’s first victory of the competition. In the third-place playoff, Jamaica Under-19 Women defeated Leeward Islands Under-19 Women by five wickets.
Leeward Islands, after winning the toss and batting first, posted 69 for eight from their 20 overs. Captain Aaliyah Weekes led the scoring with 18 from 18 balls, while Zara Skerritt added 12 from 23. Adanya Baugh was Jamaica’s standout performer, taking two for 21 before returning with the bat to score an unbeaten 10 from 22 balls. Her contribution helped Jamaica reach 70 for five in 16.3 overs and secure third place. The championship title went to Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 Women, who defeated Barbados by six wickets. Barbados, sent in to bat after Trinidad and Tobago won the toss, made 104 for five from their 20 overs. Zaniyah Bruce remained unbeaten on 30 from 25 balls, hitting five fours,
while Eboni Brathwaite contributed 27 from 25 deliveries, including four fours and a six. Sameera Naidoo was the pick of the Trinidad and Tobago bowlers, finishing with three for 18 from her four overs. Trinidad and Tobago suffered an early setback when captain Samara Ramnath was dismissed, but Amrita Ramtahal and Seraiah Kawalsingh steadied the innings. Ramtahal made 29 from 34 balls, while Kawalsingh scored 27 from 41 deliveries as Trinidad and Tobago reached 105 for four in 19 overs. The victory secured the championship title for Trinidad and Tobago, while Guyana’s convincing win over Windward Islands ensured they finished the tournament on a positive note.
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Part of the action at the Meten-Meer-Zorg Community Centre Ground on Saturday
Eccles, Rams, Airport, Mahdia storm into Lotto/Let’sBet T10 semi-finals
D
efending zone champions Eccles AllStars, Village Rams, Airport SVC, and Mahdia (Movements Family) surged into the final four of the East Bank/West Demerara Zone in the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast following a day of blistering knockout action across the region. At Goed Fortuin, Village Rams delivered a sublime performance, powering into the
semi-finals with a comprehensive 73-run victory over Team Eastsyde. Imtyaz Ghani set the ground ablaze with a swashbuckling 85 off just 23 balls, supported by Andrew Lyght Jr's unbeaten 42 off 27 and Urshardeva Balgobin's 20, as Rams posted 159 for three. In reply, Team Eastsyde folded to 87 for eight in their 10 overs, with national footballer Curtez Kellman showcasing his versatility by tak-
ing three for seven, alongside Dhanesh Persaud’s two for 13. The defeat ended a dramatic campaign for Eastsyde, whose opener Otis George had earlier smashed an unbeaten 106 off 38 balls – laced with 13 sixes and two fours – alongside Ronald Hercules’ 25-ball 76 in an opening stand of 193 for 0 against Vintage All-Stars. Eccles All-Stars were equally ruthless at Farm Ground, hammering
NSC concludes Georgetown leg of Teach Them Young Learn-to-Swim Programme
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle
T
he National Sports Commission (NSC) on Friday concluded another edition of its longstanding Georgetown leg of the Teach Them Young Learnto-Swim Programme, with a larger-than-usual turnout at the Colgrain Pool, underscoring the growing interest in swimming and water safety among young Guyanese. The programme, conducted by the NSC with the support of a team of certified swimming coaches, forms part of the Commission’s continued efforts to promote swimming not only as a sport but also as an essential life skill. Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, who addressed participants, parents and coaches at the closing ceremony, described the latest staging as another successful edition of the initiative. Ninvalle commended the coaches and organisers for completing the programme
without incident, while highlighting the NSC’s continued efforts to strengthen safety measures surrounding its aquatic activities. He pointed to the recent certification of several lifeguards as part of the Commission’s ongoing drive to enhance its safety protocols and ensure that participants can learn in a properly supervised environment. The Director of Sport described the Teach Them Young initiative as one of the NSC’s most important programmes, emphasising that the ability to swim extends far beyond competitive sport. He encouraged participants to continue developing their swimming skills and to take advantage of every op-
network of rivers, canals and other waterways. He also highlighted the programme’s expanding national reach, noting that similar Learn-to-Swim initiatives have already been conducted in Regions Two, Four, Five, Six, and 10. With the NSC continuing its efforts to take swimming instruction beyond Georgetown, Ninvalle said attention is now being directed towards Region 8 as the Commission works to expand the programme’s national footprint. He said the long-term objective is to extend the initiative to all 10 Administrative Regions, giving children and other community members greater access to basic swim-
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle alongside several participants
portunity to improve, particularly those living in communities where rivers and other waterways form part of everyday life. Ninvalle noted that Guyana’s geography makes swimming and water-safety education especially relevant, given the country’s extensive
ming instruction and essential water-safety education. The NSC remains committed to using sport and physical activity as tools for development while equipping young Guyanese with skills that can contribute to their safety, confidence and overall well-being.
Soesdyke XI by 120 runs. Troy Gonsalves launched eight sixes in a rapid 25-ball 64 to propel Eccles to 162 for nine despite Orandy King's four for 30. Soesdyke’s chase crumbled instantly as Tyler Small’s clinical spell of four for five and Deion Thomas' two for 13 bundled them out for just 42 in 9.5 overs, with number 11 Adrian Peters (13) the sole batter in double figures. At Uitvlugt Ground, Mahdia made light work of Hyde Park, chasing down 98 in 7.2 overs with eight wickets to spare. Andrew Gibson anchored the pursuit with an unbeaten 46 off 21 balls alongside Yeudistir Persaud (17*), after Suresh Dhani’s economical one for three kept Hyde Park to 97 for four.
Over at MMZ, Airport SVC held off Young Steppaz by 27 runs. Player of the match Shakiel Wong headlined the effort, slamming 46 off 20 balls to lift Airport to 138 for three, before returning to claim three for 19 alongside Sunil Sarjoo’s three for 21, to restrict Young Steppaz to 111 for nine. The action shifts directly into the semi-finals today at Meten-Meer-Zorg, where Eccles meet Village Rams at 10:00h, followed by Airport taking on Mahdia at 12:00h, preceding the zonal final at 15:00h. The zone champions will confirm their marquee date against the Berbice Zone champions, Grillmaster Sip N Play All-Stars, at the national semi-finals.
Plans advance for rehabilitation of LBI cricket facility, hostel
The regional runners-up will pocket GY$200,000 courtesy of MS Roshandin Group of Companies, while the two losing semi-finalists take home GY$50,000 each, in the name of Camille’s Academy. Teams falling in Saturday afternoon’s quarter-final round received GY$25,000 each, courtesy of Scoop Ride Inc. High stakes await the eventual zonal champion, who will walk away with GY$500,000 and secure a marquee fixture against Berbice Zone champions Grillmaster Sip N Play All-Stars at the national semi-finals. With free public admission across all venues, the zone winners remain in contention for the grand GY$2 million prize at the National Finals on October 11 at the Anna Regina National Stadium, before the T10 caravan moves to the Essequibo Zone from August 22–23.
CLASSIFIED ADS VACANCY
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr recently visited the LBI Cricket Facility to inspect the site and discuss the proposed work with GCB President Bissoondyal Singh and other officials
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lans are moving forward to rehabilitate the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)’s indoor practice facility and hostel at La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr recently visited the LBI Cricket Facility to inspect the site and discuss the proposed work with GCB President Bissoondyal Singh and other officials. The indoor facility has been used in the preparation of Guyana’s national teams and allows players to continue training when rain prevents outdoor practice. It also provides an environment for cricketers to work on their technical skills. The adjoining hostel, along with the Essequibo Cricket Board Hostel, accommodates players and
match officials during inter-county competitions, national training camps and other development programmes. Earlier this year, Singh raised the rehabilitation of both facilities during discussions with President Irfaan Ali, pointing to their role in supporting local cricket. During his visit, Ramson also interacted with parents and young players participating in the Demerara Cricket Board Under-13 Tournament, which was being contested at the venue. Several GCB executives and match officials were present. The board welcomed the planned work, describing the rehabilitation as an important step towards improving cricket infrastructure and player development in Guyana.
Superior Woods Inc. is inviting applications for the following positions: Moulder Operator (3), Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanic (4), Mill/Resaw Operator (3), Forklift Operators — (5), Labourers — (10). Location: Yarrowkabra, Linden-Soesdyke Highway. Contact: 642-3828/ 6262138. Email: superiorwoods.gy@ gmail.com. Superior Blocks and Pavers is inviting applications for the following positions: Blocks Machine Operator (3), Forklift/Front-end Loader Operator (3), Labourers — (6). Location: Yarrowkabra, Linden-Soesdyke Highway. Contact: 642-3828/ 6262138. Email: vickash@superiorblocksandpavers.com
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Republic Bank CPL
Rambiriche, Godette medals at Bishop’s late six- secure CAREBACO Juniors
seal tense rainhit win for Kings J
tifying the decision. He reoshua Bishop moved Evin Lewis and Tim struck a six with two Robinson with balls remaini n g successive deliverto guide the Saint Lucia ies beKings to a tense fore dismissing three-wicket victory over the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in a rain-affected Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Friday night. Chasing a revised target of 52 from eight overs, the Kings collapsed to 21 for six before late contributions from Matthew Forde, Shadley van Joshua James Schalkwyk and Bishop took back-to-back rescued the home wickets (CPL T20) side. The victory was the Kings’ second against the Falcons this season. Needing eight runs from the final over, Bishop drove Joshua James Rahkeem through the covers before Cornwall launching a during the length delivery PowerPlay. T h e over the boundFalcons endary to complete the ed the first win and spark celebrations among the six overs on home supporters. 44 for three before losing anEarlier, Kings captain other three Roston Chase won the toss wickets in the and elected to bowl, with space of sevForde immediately jus-
en deliveries. Charith Asalanka completed a superb catch to dismiss Moeen Ali, while Fabian Allen was run out without scoring.
Rain stopped play with one over remaining in the Falcons’ innings. After a lengthy delay, the Kings were initially set a revised target of 84 from 15 overs. Chase opened the batting alongside Andries Gous but was dismissed early by Jayden Seales. Rain returned one ball later, forcing another reduction and leaving the Kings to score 52 from eight overs. The Falcons then dragged themselves back into the contest with disciplined bowling and several dot balls. James removed Asalanka and Darren Nedd from consecutive deliveries as the Kings stumbled to 21 for six. Forde, who finished with impressive bowling figures of four for 29, added a valuable 11 with the bat. Van Schalkwyk then struck a crucial six in the penultimate over before Bishop completed the victory in dramatic fashion.
Guyana’s badminton team
G
uyana’s Joel Rambiriche and Anjaneysa Godette secured places in the Under-13 singles semi-finals following impressive victories at the 2026 CAREBACO Junior Championships. By reaching the medal round, both players are guaranteed at least bronze medals for Guyana. Rambiriche defeated his Jamaican opponent 2116, 21-17 in the boys’ singles quarter-finals. Godette produced an even more dominant performance in the girls’ division, sweeping past her Trinidad and Tobago opponent 21-4, 2110. Guyana also enjoyed success in the Under-19 boys’ singles, where Christopher Jordan defeated a Jamaican player 21-11, 21-7 to qualify for the quarter-finals. Jordan will have another opportunity to progress when he partners Ruel Rambiriche against Trinidad and Tobago in
the Under-19 boys’ doubles quarter-finals. Percival Chester and Chioke Nurse will face Barbados in another Under-19 boys’ doubles quarter-final, while Joel Rambiriche and Godette will team up against Jamaica in the Under-13 mixed doubles quarter-finals. Victory for the pair would secure an-
other medal for Guyana. Meanwhile, Ruel Rambiriche, Nurse, Nikolas Pollard and Chester were eliminated from the Under-17 and Under-19 boys’ singles competitions. They suffered defeats against opponents from Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively.
Guyana’s Joel Rambiriche and Anjaneysa Godette secured places in the Under-13 singles semi-finals
Patokie claims bronze for Guyana at Goodwill Swimming Championships M alakhiy Patokie secured Guyana’s first medal across the opening two sessions of the 2026 Goodwill Swimming Championships in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), when he placed third in the Boys’ 1112 100-metre breaststroke on Saturday morning. The 12-year-old finished in 1 minute, 18.87 seconds, behind T&T’s Kamden Williams and Jamaica’s Steven Hoo Fung. Williams won in a meet-record time of 1:16.26, while Hoo Fung took second in 1:17.63. Patokie’s bronze followed a promising performance on Friday evening, when he narrowly missed the podium in the 50-metre breaststroke. He placed fifth in 36.56 seconds, just 0.44 seconds behind thirdplace finisher Fraser Menzies of The Bahamas. The Guyanese also contested several other events over the two sessions. He finished seventh in the 200-metre individual medley in 2:42.88 and eighth in the 50-metre butterfly in 31.56
Malakhiy Patokie secured Guyana’s first medal across the opening two sessions of the 2026 Goodwill Swimming Championships
seconds on Saturday. He was ninth in Friday’s 100-metre backstroke in 1:16.68 and 11th in the 100-metre freestyle in 1:03.88. Guyana’s Boys’ 11-12 team produced the country’s best relay placing on Friday, fin-
ishing fourth in the 400-metre medley relay in 6:26.47. Other Guyanese competing during the opening session included Akeisha Pulmeyere, Yadhira and Yadhav Toocaram, Jelani Odinga, Makeen Hope, Zidan John,
Kyra Soares, Aria McKoy, Alianna Stellingburg and several younger swimmers. On Saturday, Pulmeyere placed 14th in both the Girls’ 13-14 200-metre individual medley and 100-metre breaststroke. She recorded 3:11.46 in the medley and 1:40.73 in the breaststroke. In the morning relays, Guyana finished fifth in the Girls’ 9-10 200-metre medley relay in 3:01.86. The Girls’ 1112 team was sixth in 3:04.67, while the Boys’ 15-17 combination also placed sixth after clocking 2:08.15. Several championship records were broken during the two sessions. Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados were among the leading teams. Among Friday’s record-breakers were Williams in the Boys’ 11-12 50-metre breaststroke, Trinidad and Tobago’s Jannai Applewhaite in the Boys’ 15-17 100-metre freestyle and Jamaica’s Renae Chung in the Girls’ 1517 100-metre freestyle. The high standard con-
Part of the action at the Goodwill Swimming Championship
tinued on Saturday, with Williams breaking another record in the 100-metre breaststroke. T&T also set new marks in the Boys’ and Girls’ 15-17 200-metre medley relays, while The Bahamas es-
tablished records in the Girls’ 8-and-under, Girls’ 11-12 and Boys’ 13-14 medley relays. The championships began on Friday and were scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026
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NSC concludes Georgetown leg of Teach Them Young Learn-to-Swim Programme
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