Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 6554 guyanatimesgy.com
THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service temporarily suspended at insistence of Suriname See story on page 3
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WHAT'S INSIDE:
Guyana Lottery Company backs legislation to streamline P22 betting industry
...passengers left stranded
CPCE examines strategies to strengthen P21 teacher training
20th Berbice Gunshot reported near Office of…9mm the President; Expo to showcase warhead business, Govt bus windscreen damaged found in compound innovation & AI
P23
Page 8
UNSC campaign
…October 2–5 event expected to attract thousands, exhibition spaces filling rapidly
Guyana’s Ambassador to use voice to push fairer financing for developing countries Page 20
6 remarkable 5th Form students excel at CSEC & CAPE simultaneously Page 5
Pages 12 & 14
“Comprehensive work plan” P10 in place for conduct of Local Govt Elections – GECOM
Kimbia bean facility set to boost Region 10 Page 7 production, storage, exports
“I was pretty disciplined” – Nitya Narine tells of her outstanding 27-subject journey
…as against odds, visually-impaired Afeefa Ally turns determination into 7 grade ones at CSEC
Tornado hits NYC as storm drenches MidP24 Atlantic
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NEWS
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service temporarily suspended at insistence of Suriname FERRY SCHEDULE BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, August 23 – 13:35h–15:05h and Monday, August 24 – 14:20h–15:50h.
…vessel cleared by experts to sail for 3 more months but Suriname wants immediate repairs – Edghill ...passengers left stranded
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily
WEATHER TODAY Sunny skies interrupted by midday thundery showers are expected during the day, followed by clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. Winds: East-North-Easterly to East-South-Easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres. High Tide: 13:14h reaching a maximum height of 2.01 metres. Low Tide: 06:35h and 19:03h reaching minimum heights of 1.13 metres and 1.22 metres.
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ays after the MV Canawaima was cleared to sail following a reinspection amid an imminent sailing ban, Suriname has insisted that the service be temporarily suspended to conduct repairs, leaving passengers stranded in both Guyana and Suriname. The Canawaima Ferry Service Inc, in a public notice posted on the Facebook page of Guyana’s Embassy in Suriname, announced that the ferry service was suspended effective Saturday, August 22, due to “scheduled works”. No date was given for the resumption of the service. “Once the regular ferry service resumes, further information will be communicated through the official channels,” the notice stat-
to passengers and other users of the service, saying efforts were being made to restore operations as soon as possible. The Public Works Ministry had earlier said the service was suspended “due to technical issues on board the MV Canawaima” and that management was working to have the matter resolved soonest. The suspension comes amid continuing scrutiny over the condition of the MV Canawaima and only a day after a marine surveyor issued a detailed clarification on the vessel’s condition. In a letter dated August 21, 2026, and addressed to the President of the Board of Canawaima Management Company and Canawaima Ferry Services, Marine Consulting and Surveyor Waldo Liauw Kwie Fong
ed, while asking passengers, transport operators and other users to continue monitoring official communications. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill subsequently provided further clarification, saying two technical inspections had been conducted in recent days by maritime experts from Guyana and Suriname. According to Edghill, the experts from both countries concluded that the vessel could remain in operation until it entered drydock within the next three months. “Despite these assurances which were provided in writing the Maritime Authority in Suriname (MAS) insisted that certain matters which would have been addressed during drydocking, should be undertaken immediately,” Edghill said. He stressed that responsibility for the maintenance and drydocking of the MV Canawaima rests with Suriname. “The Boards on the Guyana and Suriname sides remain in close and continuous communication and are jointly working to ensure a prompt resumption of the ferry service,” he said. Edghill also acknowledged the disruption caused
said the bottom of the vessel had been declared to be in “poor” condition based on a visual inspection which revealed heavy corrosion. The letter, which referenced Survey Report No. 0801/2026 MCS and an August 13 statement, said the Suriname Drydock Company was requested to conduct ultrasonic thickness measurements at suspected locations identified by the surveyor during the week of August 24. According to the document, however, the last ultrasonic thickness measurement report from the drydock showed that areas which had fallen below the diminution criteria of International Association of Classification Societies members had been corrected, while the remaining areas were expected to be further measured during the vessel’s next dry-docking.
Some of those stranded at Moleson Creek on Saturday
to be conducted during the week of August 24. “Based on the above the undersigned declares the vessel safe to be operated this date of 21st of August
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Vessel declared safe The surveyor said there were no further leakages or water in the compartments and that previous ultrasonic thickness measurements showed no significant diminution. On that basis, the vessel was declared safe to operate for three months until dry-docking, with an intermediate ultrasonic thickness measurement exercise
2026,” the letter concluded. The surveyor also stated that, with regard to the integrity of the hull, corrective works would be undertaken by the Suriname Drydock Company during the week of August 24 to guarantee safe operations until January 2027. Those works were expected to be carried out under the supervision of Liauw Kwie Fong. The letter also addressed the age and remaining service life of the Canawaima. “Since the vessel is 30 years old, the economic and
service life has been expired,” the letter stated. It proposed extending the service life of the ferry by another 10 years through a rehabilitation programme. The document additionally raised several issues relating to the vessel’s documentation and regulatory compliance. According to the surveyor, the vessel was not in compliance with requirements of MAS Suriname and several international maritime regulations and conventions, including SOLAS, MARPOL, the Tonnage Measurement Convention 1969 and the Load Line Convention. The letter stated that the vessel did not have a safety construction certificate, tonnage certificate, registry certificate, or load line certificate. It further stated that the Surinamese crew did not have STCW certificates and that an ISM certificate was also missing despite the vessel operating on an international voyage. TURN TO PAGE 7
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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
The UN Secretary General: Guyana’s rise
From Hogg Island to market: a farmer makes the most of the Essequibo River, transporting his freshly harvested produce by boat, while Canal Number One Polder farmers proudly show off their sweet, freshly picked pineapples (President Dr Irfaan Ali/Facebook)
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or a country of Guyana’s size, there are moments when the national imagination is entitled to run a little ahead of reality. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett’s emergence at the top of the latest UN Security Council straw poll is one of them. The poll is, of course, only a poll. It is not an election, and the five permanent members of the Security Council still possess the ultimate veto. But eight “encourage” votes in the latest round have put our candidate ahead of seven other contenders, and transformed what might once have seemed a romantic Guyanese fantasy into a serious international possibility. If she eventually wins, the symbolism would be extraordinary. The United Nations has existed for more than eight decades without a woman occupying its most senior office. RodriguesBirkett would therefore not merely become the first female Secretary General; she would demonstrate, rather inconveniently for the custodians of the old international order, that the job does not demand another distinguished gentleman with a diplomatic résumé stretching from one European capital to another. More significantly, she would bring to the position a biography very different from the traditional UN establishment. Born in Moruca, an Indigenous community in our Barima-Waini region, she went from teaching and community development to becoming Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Foreign Minister and Guyana's Permanent Representative to the UN. That journey would give the world's Indigenous peoples something more substantial than another UN declaration about “inclusion”. One of their own would actually be sitting at the top of the organisation that spends so much time discussing the rights of people who rarely occupy its highest offices. There would also be a larger message for women. A RodriguesBirkett victory would puncture the tiresome argument that women must wait their turn for the world's most important jobs. After 80 years of male Secretary Generals, the first woman would also come from a small Caribbean country whose population is smaller than that of many major cities. And that is where Guyana's story becomes inseparable from the story of the Global South. For decades, the international system has preached equality while preserving a hierarchy in which the powerful countries possess the largest voices, the smallest countries make the speeches and everyone subsequently goes home. A Guyanese Secretary General would offer a rather dramatic reversal of that arrangement. It would also give the Caribbean an influence vastly exceeding its physical size. Rodrigues-Birkett would give the region an extraordinary opportunity to put climate vulnerability, development finance, small-state security and the particular anxieties of small island and coastal states much higher on the international agenda. Her campaign has already emphasised climate finance and making international development commitments more practical and effective. For Guyana itself, however, the implications would be both exhilarating and sobering. There would be national pride on a scale never previously experienced. A country accustomed to explaining where Guyana is on the map would suddenly have its own citizen presiding over the world's principal multilateral institution. The psychological transformation could be a game changer. For generations we have been accustomed to seeing our people leave home to become doctors, academics, engineers and professionals abroad. Suddenly one of us could be running the UN. But we must understand that the appointment would also mean that Rodrigues-Birkett would cease, in any meaningful sense, to be Guyana's Secretary General but become the world's Secretary General. We could celebrate her origins, but should not reasonably expect special treatment from her office. Indeed, the greatest tribute we could pay her would be to understand that distinction. Her election would therefore be more than a personal triumph. It would be a small but remarkable correction to the geography of international power. The world would be saying that leadership can come from Moruca as well as Manhattan; that Indigenous experience can sit alongside great-power diplomacy; that a woman from the Caribbean can arbitrate among nuclear powers; and that the Global South need not always be the object of international leadership but can provide it. For Guyana, accustomed to thinking big while being told that it is small, that would be quite a lesson. And perhaps the most satisfying part would be this: after eight decades of men running the United Nations, the person finally breaking the ceiling could come from the little country that spent most of its history being told that it was too small to matter
CTEC and the question of standards: setting the record straight By Wayne Wesley, PhD, CMgr Registrar and CEO of CXC
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ecent public commentary on the Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate (CTEC), CXC's new modular certification framework, has raised important questions about how it works and what it means for standards across the region. We welcome these questions because meaningful innovation in education should be subjected to rigorous scrutiny. The Caribbean faces a longstanding challenge in educational outcomes, particularly in Mathematics. For decades, thousands of students have left our education systems each year without a recognised certification in a subject that is foundational to further education, training and employment. This reality requires us to ask difficult questions about whether traditional structures alone are meeting the needs of all learners. CTEC is one part of CXC's response to that challenge. However, to understand its purpose, it is important to address directly some of the concerns that have been raised. CTEC Is Not a Lower Standard Qualification Perhaps the most significant concern being expressed is whether CTEC represents a dilution of standards or an attempt to improve examination statistics through easier assessments. Let me state unequivocally: CTEC does not lower standards. The CSEC Mathematics Modules are derived from the same syllabus, assess the same prescribed learning outcomes and are governed by the same quality assurance principles that underpin our established qualifications. What differs is not the standard but the pathway through which candidates progress. Instead of requiring learners to demonstrate mastery of all components of a subject in a single terminal examination, CTEC allows learners to demonstrate competence in focused modules over time. The knowledge, skills and competencies being assessed remain aligned to the approved qualification. Modularisation should not be confused with simplification. Universities, professional bodies and certification agencies across the world have long recognised modular and stackable approaches as legitimate ways of organising learning and assessment. What matters is whether standards are maintained. CXC remains fully committed to ensuring that they are. Why Modular Assessment Matters Concerns have rightly been raised about the danger of an “all-or-nothing” assessment experience, particularly in Mathematics. For many students, the challenge is not a lack of potential, but the cumulative burden associated with a single high-stakes examination. A learner may have mastered substantial portions of the syllabus but leave the examination room without any formal recognition of that achievement because performance on one occasion determines the entire outcome. CTEC addresses this challenge by allowing learners to build achievement progressively. Each
completed module represents verified learning. Each achievement is documented. Each step contributes towards a larger qualification. This approach does not reduce expectations. Rather, it creates opportunities for learners to engage with learning in a way that is focused, manageable and measurable. It allows success to become cumulative instead of binary. Clarifying What CTEC Credentials Mean Questions have also rightly been raised about the importance of labour market signalling and public understanding. A credential has value only when employers, tertiary institutions and other stakeholders understand precisely what it represents. CXC agrees entirely that transparency is essential. A candidate who successfully completes a single module has demonstrated competence in the learning outcomes assessed within that module. Such certification does not represent completion of the full subject qualification. The complete qualification is earned only when the required modules have been successfully completed and the prescribed certification requirements satisfied. Accordingly, CXC will continue to strengthen stakeholder guidance, transcript design, employer communications and certification documentation to ensure there is no ambiguity regarding what each credential represents. Our objective is simple: every learner's achievement should be recognised accurately and transparently. Addressing the Question of Equivalence A further question that has been raised is whether achievement accumulated across multiple modules reflects the same level of mastery as achievement demonstrated through a traditional terminal examination. This is an important question and one that deserves careful examination. Assessment validity is not determined by whether learning is assessed at one point in time or across multiple points in time. Rather, validity depends on whether the assessment framework effectively measures the required competencies and whether qualification standards are maintained. The CTEC framework has been designed to ensure that candidates demonstrate achievement across the required learning domains before receiving the complete qualification. Nevertheless, CXC recognises that public confidence depends not merely on assurance but on evidence. For this reason, we are committed to ongoing evaluation of progression patterns, completion rates, performance trends and qualification outcomes as the programme develops. The Question of Knowledge Retention Another concern that has been raised relates to the so-called “pass and forget” phenomenon. This is a valid consideration, particularly in a cumulative discipline such as Mathematics. CXC does not dismiss this concern. As students progress, they are naturally reinforcing earlier knowledge. That helps guard against the “pass and forget” challenge. We have also set a time limit on how long students can take to accumulate modules toward the full qualification. The phe-
nomenon is not unique to CTEC but is a challenge for every programme of study at all levels where candidates are not afforded the opportunity for reinforcement, practice and application. As the programme evolves, CXC will continue to monitor learner progression and use evidence to refine support mechanisms where necessary. Innovation must be accompanied by evaluation, and we remain committed to that principle. CTEC Must Not Become a Second-Tier Pathway Concern has also been expressed that CTEC could unintentionally reinforce educational inequalities if it becomes associated primarily with under-resourced schools while more privileged institutions continue to focus exclusively on traditional examination pathways. This concern must be taken seriously. CXC did not design CTEC as a qualification for a particular category of learner, school, country or social group. It was designed to expand opportunities. It is intended to serve diverse learners, including in-school candidates, out-of-school youth, adult learners, and individuals pursuing flexible learning pathways. The success of CTEC will not be measured solely by participation rates or examination passes. It must also be measured by access, learner progression, qualification completion, stakeholder confidence and social impact. Our goal is not to create parallel systems of educational opportunity but to broaden access to meaningful certification while maintaining standards. A Shared Commitment to Educational Transformation On one point, there is complete agreement: CTEC alone will not solve the Caribbean's education challenges. Improving educational outcomes requires high-quality teaching, stronger foundational learning, enhanced support for educators, relevant curricula, effective assessment and sustained investment in learners. CTEC is one component of that broader transformation. It is neither a substitute for educational reform nor a shortcut to achievement. It is an additional pathway through which learners can demonstrate competence, build credentials and move progressively toward recognised qualifications. Moving Forward CXC welcomes public debate about the future of Caribbean education. The questions being raised are not obstacles to the success of CTEC; they are precisely the questions that responsible educational institutions must ask as they seek to improve learner outcomes. As we continue implementation, we remain committed to transparency, evidence-based decision-making, stakeholder engagement and the maintenance of academic standards. Ultimately, the success of CTEC will not be determined by headlines, optimism, or criticism alone. It will be determined by whether more Caribbean learners are able to demonstrate real competence, earn recognised credentials, access further opportunities and achieve their full potential. That is the standard against which CXC judges itself and expects to be judged.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 |GUYANATIMESGY.COM
LET’S GO 6 remarkable 5th Form students FOR A WALK excel at CSEC & CAPE simultaneously S W By Ryhaan Shah
e have been stressing the importance of movement and staying active as we grow older. Ageing brings changes to our balance and maybe some joint pain, both of which make us less confident about doing something as basic as going for a walk. Taking a walk, preferably on a smooth, paved surface, a wellmanicured grassy area, or on the sea wall, requires no expensive equipment; we just need the will to move comfortably at a pace that would not stress us out. The only requirements are comfortable clothes and a pair of sneakers that fit well and give our feet proper support. Before we set out, let’s set ourselves a goal such as walking at a comfortable pace for just five minutes, then rest. We can increase the time, the pace and the number of days per week as our body adapts and can be pushed to perform longer periods of walking. There is no need to go outdoors if you can only manage a few steps at home. Let someone clear a path in the house and walk from one room to another repeatedly, using familiar spaces for comfort. You can walk for two to three minutes, then rest and repeat for as many times as you are able. For those of us with a higher fall risk, just use some support during walking, whether it’s a walker or a cane, or walking near a wall or railing for support, and you can keep a chair nearby for resting when you are tired. Pay attention to how you feel and modify your routine if you feel extreme fatigue or tiredness, any discomfort or pain, or instability. It is better to scale back and be safe than push too hard and stop altogether. Consistency matters more than intensity. There are many exercises such as yoga, stretching, weightlifting, squatting – all of which are good for us and recommended movements – but a simple regular walk done consistently a few times per week is still one of the best activities we can do to help ourselves to better overall health. Walking supports muscle tone and strength, joint flexibility, circulation, coordination, and balance. If done in a pleasant environment outdoors, it helps with our feeling of wellbeing. In our climate it is best undertaken early in the morning or at dusk, or in the evening hours when it is cooler. Walking not only helps us maintain a healthy weight, but helps lower our blood pressure, improve our circulation, and reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke. Even a few steps after a meal can reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes. As a low-impact exercise, it is easy on the knees, hips, and ankles, and helps build bone density, which can combat osteoporosis while keeping our joints flexible. By engaging key muscle groups, we can improve our balance, posture, and coordination, all of which keep us steadier on our feet. This exercise can help us to sleep better and also triggers the release of those happy hormones, endorphins, which can help us reduce any stress or feelings of depression. Walking should stay safe and manageable and the goal is to create a routine that can be achieved comfortably and can be repeated. The idea is to have an exercise that becomes a good habit that is enjoyable rather than a burden. If there is a good friend, or friends, who can join you this provides a good incentive since you can encourage each other especially on days when one or more of you feel like giving it up. That happens. Walking with a group also reduces isolation and promotes the kind of engagement that keeps us socially active. When done safely and consistently, walking can help reduce fall risk, help us to stay mobile and independent, and help us to be better able to manage our daily routines. It is a simple way to help ourselves stay healthy and active, and support our longterm wellness. You can decide on the pace and length of time spent walking according to your own comfort and ability. If you can, you can try some brisk walking at intervals, which will get your heart pumping, and which is good for the health of your brain and your heart. Walking is not complicated. We have been doing it since we took our first baby steps. Yet this simple movement, done safely and regularly, can help us build strength and confidence, and help us maintain our independence. It helps us build overall stamina and the functional strength we need to live independently for longer. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
ix students have made history by being the largest group of students to successfully undertake sitting both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) simultaneously while in Fifth Form. Juvell Allan Iaisiah Atherly, Arya Devi Murli, Obama Anthony Prosper, Cassidy Singh and Shanee Josanna Kesney all from Queen’s College took on the unprecedented challenge at their school of pursuing CAPE while simultaneously preparing for their CSEC examinations. Ricardo Ryan Thakur from the St Joesph’s High School did the same as only the third student in his school to engage in both exams simultaneously. Dominic Enoe and Suraj Charran both of St Joseph’s High did CSEC and CAPE simultaneously last year. As far as available records indicate, this is the first time the feat has been accomplished at Queen’s College and the se-
Queen’s College, Shanee Josanna Kesney
Queen’s College, Juvell Allan Iaisiah Atherly
Queen’s College, Obama Anthony Prosper
show students that education is not as linear as we may have been led to think,” Juvell said. “We’re all different, so I charge you to sit down and truly envision what you want for yourself and push for it.”
and one Grade Three; while Cassidy earned six Grade Ones, 10 Grade Twos and one Grade Three. For Arya, the experience provided an early introduction to the demands of CAPE and
helped her discover an appreciation for a subject she particularly enjoyed. “Comms was one of my favorite subjects out of the batch I wrote this year. I enjoyed it.” She said the experience gave her “a taste as to what CAPE as a programme is like and how different it is from CSEC. It also gave me a taste as to what CAPE as a program is like and how different it is from CSEC. It is definitely denser in content and it requires more and deeper thought and effort than CSEC.” Arya said the experience taught her that students should not be afraid to “push past the established expectations and limits,” adding that she hopes their collective achievement demonstrates to schools across the country, teachers and parents that “students do not all have to be the same and different pursuits can be had and done by different children in different ways.”
Queen’s College,Arya Devi Murli
St Joesph’s High School, Ricardo Ryan Thakur
Queen’s College, Cassidy Singh
cond known instance of a public school in Guyana allowing students to sit both examinations at this stage. The achievement required an extraordinary level of commitment as CAPE is significantly denser in content than CSEC and the students were often required to manage overlapping timetables and balance independent study with their regular Fifth Form responsibilities. All of these children also engage in other interests and pursuits while also preparing for the examinations. Juvell Atherly is a pannist and a writer who just won the Guyana Prize for Literature for short stories for his story “Saltwater Does Not Forget.” Arya Murli enjoys watching and playing cricket and the guitar and swimming. Shanee Kesney likes hiking and trying new things and Obama Prosper, is an avid cricket fan, a fitness enthusiast and is highly involved in his Church while Ricardo Thakur used to play the tabla and enjoys playing chess. For Juvell, the decision was driven by a desire to challenge conventional ideas about how education should progress. “I knew I wanted to do something never done before, to
The students had already demonstrated their willingness to challenge the norm in Fourth Form. Juvell, Arya and Cassidy each completed three subjects in Grade 9, earning Grade Ones in each of their respective subjects while Obama, Shanee and Ricardo each completed two subjects and earned Grade Ones. Their choice to do CAPE in Grade 11 and their exemplary accompanying results further underscored their determination to push past the expected and excel. At CAPE, Juvell earned three Grade Ones in Digital Media Unit 1, Law Unit 2, and Physical Education and Sport Unit 1. Arya earned Grade One in Communication Studies Unit 1, Ricardo earned a Grade One in Pure Mathematics Unit 1 while Shanae and Cassidy earned Grade Twos in Physical Education and Sport Unit 1, and Obama earned a Grade Two in Law Unit 1. CSEC performances impressive Juvell earned 15 Grade Ones and one Grade Two; Shanee earned 9 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos; Arya earned 9 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos; Ricardo earned 9 Grade ones, Obama earned six Grade Ones, four Grade Twos
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
00:00 Sign Off 06:00 TVG Devotional Hour 07:00 Ramayan EP 69, 70, 71 09:00 David Persaud Religious Program 09:30 Movie - Don (2006) 12:30 Movie - Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) 15:15 Movie - Shaan (1980) 18:00 TVG Music Break 18:30 Week-in-Review 19:00 Supergirl 20:00 Youman Nabi Programme 21:30 TVG Music Break 22:00 Movie - Yesterday (2019)
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Foundation
Thinking about thinking: how do birds make choices?
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hen was the last time you solved a difficult problem? Afterwards, did you look back on the steps you took? The ability to reflect on your own thinking is called metacognition. Metacognition can help humans be more efficient, detect errors, and make decisions. Scientists have found evidence that other mammals can keep track of what they know and how confident they are. This can help individuals make better decisions in tricky situations. In the wild, this might help them survive and go on to have offspring. This gives them a strong evolutionary advantage. Different behaviours could suggest metacognition. For example, animals may be able to opt out of a task when it is too hard. To do this, they have to be able to assess how hard the task might be. Scientists have seen rats, monkeys, and dolphins all opt out of tasks, including puzzle-like problems. But so
far, most of this research has focused on mammals. We know much less about other groups of animals. Scientists thought birds might be a good group to explore. There have been lots of studies on how birds like crows and jays think. For example, crows show certainty when they are doing a task. But they often can’t remember that certainty for future tasks. In contrast, jays do well at remembering where rewards are hidden. They can also seek out more information about a task when they think they don’t have enough! Scientists wanted to explore metacognition in jays. Can jays recognise how confident they are in a memory task? Can they opt out when the task is too hard? To answer these questions, scientists tested the ability of seven Eurasian jays. All the jays took part in the experiment voluntarily. They tested each jay
separately and multiple times. First, scientists figured out what each jay's favourite and second favourite food were. Then they trained the jays to learn that their favourite food was always hidden under a red cup. Their second favourite food was always hidden under a blue cup. This way they associated red cups with a better reward: their favourite food! They associated a blue cup with a less valuable re-
ward. Each jay was presented with two red cups and one blue cup. Their second favourite food was placed under the blue cup. Then their favourite food was placed under one of the red cups. The jays watched this process. The red cups were shuffled either once (easy) or three to four times (hard). Afterwards, scientists let the birds lift up one of the three cups. The jays could guess which red cup hid their favourite food. Or they could opt out and choose the blue cup containing their second favourite food. If they guessed incorrectly, they lost and received no food. Scientists then counted how many times each jay guessed or opted out. If the birds took the chance to guess, they recorded how often they guessed correctly. The jays opted out of the hard task 49 per cent of the time. In contrast, they opted out of the easy task
only 15 per cent of the time. It turned out that jays were pretty successful when they guessed during the easy task, finding their favourite foods 87 per cent of the time. But during a hard task, some individuals
were much more successful than others. For example, three of the jays, named Dolci, Jaylo, and Poe, found their favourite food at least 80 per cent of the time. But the jay named Stuka could only find her favourite food 34 per cent of the time during a hard task. The results showed that the jays were better at the easier task. Three of the birds opted out of the hard task more often than would happen by chance. This suggests they knew which task had a greater risk of making a mistake. They chose to get their second fa-
vourite food instead of risking no food at all. These same three birds were also most successful when they did choose the hard task. They were confident they knew where the food was most of the time. This is a sign of metacognition! But not all our birds did very well at assessing how much information they knew. The jays could have different personalities or motivations. Just like you and your friends! They might also differ in their self-control. A bolder individual may be more likely to choose the hard task, despite risking losing it all. Looking at previous behavioural studies might help us find out more. Eurasian jays show metacognition by thinking about what they know. They might remember hiding spots for their food. Or they might decide to move it to stop it being stolen. You use metacognition too! During a spelling test, you might think, “I know this word!” and write it fast. If unsure, you might picture the letters in your mind or check your notes. Or, when preparing to go to school, you might ask yourself, “Have I remembered my homework?” Metacognition can help jays survive in the wild, and it helps you succeed in your daily life. (Adapted from ScienceJournalForKids)
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Kimbia bean facility set to boost Region 10 production, storage, exports changer for us in terms of food production and proper storage of perishable commodities. This food hub will have modern cold storage facilities,” he said. Mustapha added that the building is expected to be completed within the next four weeks and handed over to Blumberg Grains, the United States-based company that will install the cold storage facilities. The Minister said the facility will provide farm-
“I’ve always said that for this initiative to be successful, Guyana has to be successful, and this is one of the areas that we are investing in to make our contribution to the 25 by 2025+5 Initiative,” Mustapha noted.
Support to farmers
Meanwhile, Saturday’s visit to the Kimbia storage facility coincides with the Agriculture Minister’s visit along the Berbice River,
The tractors are specifically designed to operate with the implements that will facilitate mechanised land preparation and planting of beans, including black-eyed peas and red beans. The equipment will significantly improve farmers’ capacity to cultivate larger acreages and increase productivity. This intervention will help move farmers from subsistence-level production to large-scale commer-
The new Bean Conditioning and Storage Facility being built at Kimbia, Region 10
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orks are progressing on the new Bean Conditioning and Storage Facility at Kimbia, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) – a major agricultural infrastructure project aimed at strengthening Guyana’s capacity to store, condition and process beans. On Saturday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha conducted a site visit to inspect the progress at the location. The facility includes the development of six 250-tonne silos, providing a total storage capacity of 1500 tonnes. The facility will also include two wet bins, two dry bins, a warehouse, and a processing plant. Once completed and operational, the facility will provide critical post-harvest infrastructure for the growing bean industry, improving the country’s capacity to properly store, condition, and process beans
while reducing post-harvest losses. The investment is also expected to provide greater support to farmers in Region 10 and surrounding communities, thus creating opportunities for increased production and contributing to the Government's broader efforts to expand agricultural production, strengthen food security and develop new markets for locally produced commodities. According to Minister Mustapha, "The development of modern agricultural infrastructure is essential to supporting farmers and ensuring that increased production is matched by adequate storage, processing and market opportunities.” The Kimbia facility is part of the Government's efforts to modernise the agriculture sector and unlock new areas for agricultural development. Also in Region 10, the Government has already in-
vested in the facilities, such as three 3000-tonne silos and one 80-tonne-per-hour drying tower at the Tacama Landing, to assist with the large-scale processing of corn and soya as Guyana moves towards becoming self-sufficient in the production of inputs for feed for the livestock sector. These storage facilities will be further bolstered by the Regional Food Hub currently under construction at Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway – another major investment that will strengthen Guyana’s capacity to store, handle and export fresh agricultural produce.
Game changer
Just over a week ago, Mustapha visited the facility to assess the progress of construction, noting that the facility is on schedule and is expected to be completed within the contractual timeframe. “This will be a game
Some of the equipment handed over to the Berbice River farmers on Saturday
ers with an important outlet for storing their produce while also strengthening Guyana’s ability to supply fresh commodities to other CARICOM countries. He said the Regional Food Hub represents one of the investments through which Guyana is positioning itself to make a meaningful contribution to the 25 by 2025+5 Initiative, which targets a 25 per cent reduction in the region’s food import bill by 2030.
where he handed over eight tractors, eight rotovators and a harvester to support farmers in DeVeldt, Geatroy, Fort Nassau, Sand Hills, Kimbia, Ebini, Wiruni, and Wikki, as part of efforts to ramp up the production of beans for both the local and export markets. The handover fulfils a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali to farmers in the Berbice River communities.
cial agriculture, creating greater opportunities for income generation and expanding Guyana’s agricultural production. According to the Agriculture Ministry, the handover reflects the Government's sustained commitment to strengthening national food security, reducing the food-import bill, increasing local production and placing modern productive assets directly in the hands of farmers.
Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service temporarily... The document separately advised that issues concerning the Guyanese crew should be addressed with the Maritime Administration Department in Georgetown, since the vessel is jointly owned by Guyana and Suriname and the Guyanese crew is required to satisfy Guyanese law. On fire safety, the surveyor said CO2 extinguishers were not required and that the vessel was outfitted with foam extinguishers certified for Classes A, B, C and electrical fires. A fire pump and backup were also reported to be present.
Stranded passengers
The suspension had immediate consequences for travellers who turned up at Moleson Creek on Saturday expecting to cross the Corentyne River. When this publication visited the terminal, several passengers were waiting for information on how they could continue their journeys, including travellers heading through Suriname to French Guiana. Joséphine Chitou Carole, who had spent a week vaca-
tioning in Guyana with her family, said the return journey had become complicated. She said the group woke early and travelled to Moleson Creek, only to discover that the ferry was not operating. “We arrived here, where the ferry is closed. We had a few explanations, but very few. And we are waiting to be able to stamp our passports to legally leave Guyana, to legally arrive in Suriname, to legally leave Suriname again, to be able to arrive in French Guiana,” Carole explained. She said the uncertainty was particularly troubling because she is expected to return to work on Monday morning. “It’s complicated because I work on Monday morning. So, if my boss sees me, he knows that I might be late,” she said. Another passenger, Geneva Rabraun, who said she lives in the United States, was also travelling through Suriname on her way to Cayenne. She told this publication that the group left its hotel at approximately 5:00h and arrived at Moleson Creek around 6:00h, only to learn
that the ferry was not operating. “We came here and they say that the ferry doesn’t work. And we were waiting to stamp our passport to go across,” Rabraun related. She said the passengers were subsequently told that they would have to wait until clearance was received from Suriname before their passports could be processed to allow them to cross. With some members of the group expected to return to work, Rabraun said they were considering whatever alternatives might become available. “We probably would because if the ferry doesn’t work and there’s a couple of people that have to go back to work for the week. So, we have no options,” she said. Also stranded was Randy, a Paramaribo-based transport operator who said he has been transporting tourists on and off since 2016. He related that when the group arrived at Moleson Creek, they learnt that the ferry was not working and were left awaiting further information.
For Randy, his immediate concern was getting his passengers across the river so that he could make arrangements for another vehicle to collect them in Suriname. “For me, it’s important if my passengers can go over, then I arrange a bus on the other side. I don’t care if I have to stay a few more days, but my passengers, because they are tourists, they are not from here,” he explained. The operator said this was not the first time he had experienced a disruption involving the ferry, estimating that it was the fourth or fifth such occasion. With no indication at the time of when the ferry would resume operating, Randy said he was hoping arrangements could be made for immigration formalities to be completed so that the passengers could cross the river using a smaller vessel and continue their journey from Suriname. “For now, I hope that we can stamp our passports and go over with a small boat… and stamp on the other side,” he said.
Tour operators affected
The suspension has also affected tour operators. Georgetown-based Tropical Tours said it was closely monitoring the situation and would provide updates to clients who booked upcoming tours. “Due to the unexpected and sudden halt of the Canawaima Ferry service today, Saturday, August 22, 2026, we are currently awaiting an official update regarding the situation,” the tour company said. It added that it was assessing the situation and would make the necessary arrangements once further information became available. “Our priority is to ensure that any decisions made are in the best interest, safety, and convenience of our passengers,” Tropical Tours said. Sailing ban The suspension follows weeks of concern over the MV Canawaima after Surinamese maritime authorities identified safety deficiencies aboard the vessel. Earlier this month, the ferry faced the prospect of being prohibited from sailing after
FROM PAGE 3
authorities found that a number of previously identified deficiencies had not been remedied. Following a reinspection on August 13, however, the vessel was permitted to continue operating, allowing the river link between Guyana and Suriname to remain in service while technical follow-up continued. The latest suspension has now raised fresh uncertainty over when the regular ferry service will resume. Edghill said the Guyana and Suriname boards remain in communication and are working together to secure a prompt resumption of the service. “The Canawaima Ferry Service understands the inconvenience this situation is causing to users of the service and wishes to assure the public that everything possible is being done to resume the service as soon as possible,” he said. The service has apologised to passengers and users for the inconvenience and asked for their patience and understanding.
8 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Gunshot reported near Office of the President; Govt bus windscreen damaged …9mm warhead found in compound
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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched an investigation into the alleged discharge of a loaded firearm in the vicinity of the Office of the President in Georgetown on Friday night. The incident occurred at about 21:15h on
August 21, when a Police rank stationed at the location heard what sounded like a gunshot coming from the direction of the Square of the Revolution. During subsequent checks of the compound, police observed an indentation with surround-
ing cracks on the windscreen of a motor bus attached to the Office of the President. The bus was parked on the northeastern side of the compound and was facing south. A 9mm warhead was also found on the ground in front
of the vehicle. The item was lodged pending examination. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and have questioned several persons as part of the investigation. The GPF said investigations are ongoing.
6 remarkable 5th Form students excel...
FROM PAGE 5
She credits her school with allowing the group of students the privilege to sit the exams and her teacher Ms. Hannah Singh for making her experience with this CAPE subject “totally enjoyable and for contributing to her getting a Grade One.”
Challenge yourself For Shanee, taking CAPE in Fifth Form was both challenging and rewarding. “Being among the first students to take CAPE in Fifth Form has been a rewarding and memorable experience,” she said. She said the experience taught her the importance of discipline, commitment and time management, while also encouraging her to believe more strongly in her own abilities. “To those coming after us, I encourage you not to let the expectations or limitations set by others define what you can achieve,” Shanee said. “Challenge yourself, step outside your comfort zone, and push beyond the limits others may have placed on you.” Obama similarly described the experience as an eye-opener, particularly in understanding the level of commitment
required at higher levels of education. He said he hopes the achievement will encourage younger students “to not limit themselves because they can do anything they put their minds to, as we did.” While the six students shared the common goal of challenging themselves academically, each ultimately pursued a different CAPE pathway, highlighting the diversity of their interests. This represents not only the first-time children at Queen’s College did CAPE in fifth form but in some cases the first time the first time fifth formers studied in the same class with sixth formers in Law, Communication Studies, Digital Media and Physical Education and Sport.
“Your best is limitless” For Juvell, however, the significance of the achievement extends beyond the results themselves. Reflecting on his earlier experiences with CSEC, he recalled feeling “insufficiency, intimidation, comparison, and doubt” because of the perception that students were expected to follow a predetermined path. His experience ultimately
led him to challenge that idea. “I wanted, with some others, to change the way that people view education in the Caribbean,” he said. Juvell also cautioned against allowing examination results to define a young person’s entire future, noting that there are many students outside of this particular group who he believes will go on to excel in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to politics, humanitarian work, the arts and skilled trades. “Your best is limitless,” he said.
Dedication & perseverance Ricardo Thakur of St Joseph’s High School, who moved from Canada to Guyana in Grade Nine, said he initially felt somewhat out of place as he adjusted to a new education system and syllabus. “For me, doing both CSEC and CAPE in Fifth Form definitely took a lot of dedication and perseverance to achieve my desired grades. However, even when I did not fully understand a topic, I never let that discourage me. I would go home and watch multiple videos to try to understand the concepts better,” he said. That determination ul-
timately led him to take on CAPE Pure Mathematics in Form Five. Ricardo credits his teacher, Sir Hubern Collins, for believing in his ability to take on Pure Mathematics and for making the time to teach him the entire syllabus and believing in him. His advice to other students is simple, “believe in yourself and be willing to do more. Do not let anyone discourage you from pursuing your aspirations and always go the extra mile. When you see the end results, you will know that all your extra hard work paid off.”
In-the-moment decision
Cassidy Singh said “CAPE was an in-the-moment decision” For Cassidy Ann Singh, the decision to write CAPE came unexpectedly, after encouragement from her friend and fellow student, Juvell Atherly. “Writing CAPE was an inthe-moment decision presented to me by my dear friend Juvell Atherly,” Cassidy said. After accepting the opportunity, Cassidy knew she would have to give the examination the same level of commitment as her CSEC subjects, despite having limited time to prepare. “Having said yes to the opportunity, I knew that regardless of the limited time I had left and the other CSEC subjects I had ahead of me, I had to put forth just as much effort and attention, especially considering that CAPE is much more demanding than CSEC,” she said. Although the task initially appeared daunting, Cassidy said the experience ultimately proved rewarding. “Although it seemed like a daunting task at first, I can confidently say that my CAPE experience was a good one,” she said. She credited the support of her friends and Physical Education teacher for helping her through the process. “None of it, however, would have been possible without my exceptionally smart and talented friends and my Physical Education teacher, who supported me throughout the process,” Cassidy said. For other students considering a similar challenge, Cassidy stressed the importance of having a strong support system. “To those who are looking towards setting more ambitious goals for themselves, I would encourage you to surround yourself with friends, family and teachers who will support your endeavours and lift you up when you feel overwhelmed, just as mine did for me.”
Good times… T …rolling
here was a time when we were told to know our place – said place being a small, poor country with “resources” that gave us a large appetite for promises, but sadly a modest capacity for delivering them!! Then ExxonMobil found oil, and suddenly modesty became an increasingly difficult national virtue to maintain!! Especially now that not only has our share of production from the Stabroek Block risen from the original PNCTrotman "negotiated" 12.5 per cent to 39.8 per cent – and yes, plus that 2 per cent bonus!! – but production’s gonna go pass that million+ barrels daily to join Kuwait at #16 on the world’s hit parade!! A bigger bite of a bigger chunk of oil production AND finally reaching the point where the oil’s beginning to look less like somebody else's money passing through our waters – and more like our own!! But that ain’t all on the good-news front!! As we start digesting the idea that we’re an oil-producing country of some consequence that can make us put a swagger in our steps, another extraordinary possibility has appeared: a Guyanese could become Secretary General of the United Nations!! That’s right!! Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett just topped the second Security Council straw poll on which of the eight contestants is the fairest of them all!! There’s something deliciously improbable about the juxtaposition, innit?? Guyana is emerging as an oil producer on a scale that would’ve seemed absurd a decade ago – while a Guyanese woman from Moruca’s emerging as a serious contender to become the world's chief diplomat!! The oil boom gives us an opportunity to move from the margins of international affairs towards the centre of global attention, and the Guyanese Secretary General is gonna take that journey further!! At this rate, the next visitor might soon assume we’re Qatar with cricket – and perhaps that’s the most delicious part of our current transformation!! For years we’ve complained the world was ignoring us, but now it’s gonna be paying attention because we got oil – and because one of our own’s in contention to preside over the institution where the world's bickering and quarrels are supposed to be settled!! Your (jaundiced?) Eyewitness, however, sees a danger in that we may start getting complacent based on our own hype!! We’ve seen that oil can make a country rich without making it wise, while a Secretary General can give a country prestige without giving it immunity from foolishness. Think Ghana and Kofi Anan!! 'Cause neither oil revenues nor international prominence is gonna repair potholes, improve health delivery or keep the lights on – unless we have a govt that performs like the PPP rather than talk – like our Opposition!! So let the good times roll – but let’s not fall for conmen’s hype at elections!! …ending They say “talk is cheap” – but Sanction Man may soon find out it can sometimes come at a cost!! Even when you have billions and billions from taxes you haven’t paid to shell out to the minions hovering around like flies around horseshit!! Sanction Man was slapped with a suit filed by GuySuCo’s CEO for accusations he made about the fella being “corrupt in securing roadbuilding contracts”!! Well, accusations of this type have been flowing fast and furious from Sanction Man – who’s ironically sanctioned by the US for CRIMINAL fraud!! - About Pressie’s “friends and family”!! Let’s hope the courts will move with alacrity on this suit since it has to do with urgent matters in the eyes of the Guyanese people!! We now have a chance for Sanction Man to offer PROOF on his accusations – or face the music!! The Guysuco CEO’s not only a large-scale cane farmer of long standing – but also a fella with long corporate experience – and an ACCA degree to boot!! He’ll have kept meticulous records!! …with cricket Now that we’re becoming “Quatar with cricket” – we’ve got a chance to enjoy the latter with the CPL delivering some really exciting games so far in the season. Tonight there’s the Trini Knightriders facing off the Antigua Falcons!! 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
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
10 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026| GUYANATIMESGY.COM
“Comprehensive work plan” in place for conduct of Local Govt Elections – GECOM T
he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) has said that it has already prepared a workplan for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE) this year and is awaiting the necessary instructions before rolling out the programme. LGEs are constitutionally due every two years in Guyana and was last held in June 2023. However, since General and Regional Elections were conducted in September 2025, the local Government polls were deferred to this year. In a statement on Friday, GECOM confirmed that its Secretariat has prepared and has a comprehensive workplan in place for the conduct of these elections. “The work plan identifies the activities and tasks required for the preparation and conduct of the elections,” the electoral body stated. GECOM was at the time responding to concerns raised by United States (US)-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, in a note circulated to members of the international community including the United Nations Secretary General
(UNSG) António Guterres, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) SG Dr Carla Barnett, US Ambassador Nicole Theriot, British High Commissioner Joseph Fisher, the Canadian High Commissioner and the USbased Carter Centre. In his note to the international community, Mohamed also expressed concerns about the hosting of LGEs, referencing a recent statement from the Carter Centre which had linked the upcoming polls with the current impasse over the Opposition-nominated commissioners at GECOM. But in response, GECOM explained in Friday’s state-
ment that while the workplan is already in place, the Secretariat cannot independently activate and implement the programme. In fact, it contended that commencement of the electoral programme requires the necessary decision and direction of the seven-member Commission. The electoral body went onto point out, however, that once activated, the timelines contained in the current workplan may also require adjustment depending on the date of activation and the prevailing operational circumstances. Nonetheless, GECOM noted that, “The existence of a
workplan therefore demonstrates that the Secretariat has undertaken the necessary planning and preparatory work. Its implementation, however, is dependent upon the Commission exercising its statutory functions and providing the requisite direction.” The Local Government Minister is responsible for setting a date for the local Government elections, after which GECOM takes the necessary actions to conduct these polls. Monies have already been earmarked in GECOM’s $6.9 billion 2026 budget allocation for the hosting of the local Government polls
this year. Since January, GECOM had commenced preparatory works for LGE with the recruitment of temporary staff. At the last local Government elections in 2023, the governing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had scored a landslide victory, sweeping 66 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) across the country. The then main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had only managed to win 14 LAAs. This year’s LGE would come about one year after General and Regional Elections were held in Guyana on September 1, 2025 and saw the PPP/C returning to office after securing a 36-seat win in the National Assembly with over 242,000 votes. Meanwhile, the APNU was ousted as the main parliamentary opposition by the US-sanctioned and indicted Azruddin Mohamedfounded We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), which gained 16 seats. APNU managed to only secure 12 seats, while Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) gained the other remaining parliamentary seat. On the other hand, APNU’s
former coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), was completely booted from the National Assembly. The 2025 elections victory for the PPP/C was even more historic given that the party won, for the first time, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), picking up 87,538 votes, while APNU got 46,949. Region Four has historically been a district won by the APNU coalition’s largest partner – the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R). However, in the 2025 declaration for the District, the APNU declined by almost 70,000 votes when compared to the 116,941 votes that the party received in the General Elections in 2020, when it coalesced with the AFC. APNU’s lost votes were largely picked up by the newcomer WIN party, which received 41,607 in the General Elections and 41,930 in the regional. The AFC on the other hand struggled to garner impactful results in Region Four, or in any district across the country, only managing to secure 1761 votes, while FGM earned 2437 votes in the district.
11
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Life on the plantation
A
s Rambishoon settled into his new life, he looked forward to his first payday after working for six days in the week following his arrival at De Willem. This was the reason he has left his wife, son and home in Ishmailpur, and he was quite excited. Payday was on Saturday afternoon, and he followed the Ravi Dev workers in his gang to a window at the pay office window from where his overseer doled out the coins in shillings and pence that he had determined to be their payment for the tasks they had completed. The standard was one shilling per task per day, and Rambishoon discovered there were always disputes by some workers on the amount received. Invariably, the overseer – with his driver interpreting – would point out some deficiency in the completion of the tasks for which full wage was not paid. Rambishoon was disappointed to receive four shillings instead of the six he had expected and was reminded brusquely by the driver that two shillings had been deducted for the rations he had collected for the week on the Saturday after his arrival. Rambishoon was shocked to say the least. He had found the rations to be rather generous: three and a half pounds rice; one and a half pounds Dal or peas; half a pint coconut oil; four oz masala; one pound sugar; four oz salt; and several pounds of either wheat flour, yams, plantains, sweet potatoes, tannias or cassava. He determined there and then that after the compulsory three months of supplied rations, he would be able to live on, at maximum, one shilling weekly. He did not realise that after the three months he would have to pay for the pot he thought he had been given. In his second week, he was taken to the end of the threemile depth of Plantation De Willem – field #24, he was told by the driver – where he could see the actual “back dam” that had been created across the width of the fields extending east and west as far as his eyes could see. The backdam held back water collected from further inland to create a large reservoir that was released through locks to provide irrigation via the canals that flanked the Middle Walk that traversed the plantation all the way to the Public Road. This arrangement reminded him so much of the Ahar-Pyne system in his homeland that allowed him, his family and other farmers to cultivate three different crops annually – in his family’s case, rice, corn and lentils. The Ahars were reservoirs with dams on three sides designed to store rainwater or diverted river water, while the Pynes were canals that moved the water between the Ahars and into the surrounding fields. Unlike the system in British Guiana, where the irrigation waters into the fields were channelled into drainage canals adjoining the sideline dams between plantations and emptied into the ocean, these form an interconnected water storage and distribution system for the entire region. As such, it demanded a high level of disciplined cooperation by the farmers to ensure that everyone benefitted. Rambishoon was also aware that the British had constructed a massive canal from the Sone River to the west of Ishmailpur just before he had been born, which supplemented the ancient Ahars and Pynes. Rambishoon’s Ahars and Pynes had been in operation for over 2000 years, and had pretty much shaped farming and daily life in his region so that they were not at the mercy of the monsoons and rainfall that created floods and droughts. All the farmers in his district cooperated in this communitymanaged water network designed to store, distribute, and conserve water during both the monsoon and dry seasons. Rambishoon had not quite finished his first month of indentureship when he began to dream how productive this new land could be in replicating the wet rice cultivation culture of Ishmailpur. Talking to some of the older, timeexpired labourers on his Sunday day off, he learns that in order to encourage them to remain in British Guiana to work for the low wages that made sugar viable for the planters, the plantation would lease small plots of nearby swamplands to time-expired labourers, where they could cultivate rice. While Rambishoon’s initial idea was to earn and save as much money as he could to return to his wife and son, this thought was to play a major role in making him break his word. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
12 FEATURE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Against odds, visually impaired Afeefa turns determination into 7 Grade Ones at CSEC …with love, sacrifice; her grandmother helped with the path to success
F
or most students, taking notes from the blackboard, studying
a diagram or finding their way around a classroom are ordinary parts of school
life. For 17-year-old Afeefa Amatullah Ally, who was born blind, those seemingly
17-year-old Afeefa Amatullah Ally (centre), her grandmother, 59-year-old Nazra Appalsamy (left) and her mother, Afsana
simple tasks presented obstacles that had to be overcome every day. The Skeldon Line Path Secondary School student has secured seven Grade Ones and three Grade Twos at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, completing a remarkable educational journey supported by a grandmother who attended classes with her, teachers who adapted their methods, and classmates who ensured she was included. At the centre of that journey was her grandmother, 59-year-old Nazra Appalsamy, who sat in the classroom, copied what teachers wrote on the blackboard and later went through the material with her granddaughter at home. Afeefa said being visually impaired meant finding ways around challenges that most of her classmates did not encounter. “I think being visually impaired provides some obstacles that people who are not visually impaired don’t have to work around. One of the main things for me is mobility in school and in new places that are not my home. But my teachers, my grandmother, and my friends helped with that. Also, another obstacle for me was getting the notes and understanding diagrams, especially,” she explained. The arrangement with her grandmother provided a solution to one of those challenges. “My grandmother was with me in the classroom, and she took the notes that the teacher wrote on the board, and when we got home, she revised me with me. That’s how I studied,” Afeefa related. Some things, however, could not simply be written down. Diagrams required a different approach. “The diagrams the teachers drew on the board – I can’t see that, so to explain it to me was a bit of a challenge. We also made the diagrams; we had to improvise and use textile materials so
I could feel what they could see,” she recalled. By Form Four, Afeefa also had to decide how many subjects she could realistically undertake. She had considered Agricultural Science, Biology, and Food and Nutrition, but some of the practical requirements, coupled with the demands of her other subjects, influenced her decision. “I realised that I couldn’t study Bio and F&H, and focus as much as I could on all of the rest of the subjects. So, I tried to do what I know I could focus on, and I knew I could have done 10,” she explained. The decision paid off.
Sitting CSEC
For the examinations, Afeefa used a scribe, dictating her answers to a teacher assigned to assist her. Diagrams appearing on examination papers had to be explained to her. She said she was confident her answers were accurately recorded and that there were opportunities to review what had been written and make changes where necessary. Braille had been another possible avenue for Afeefa, but she said she was unable to develop the skill without specialised training. Technology is now providing her with another means of accessing information independently. “I did try to learn Braille, but I don’t think it worked too much, and I needed special training, so I never got to learn it. But most of the things that I need to know are now on my computer and phone, which I am getting training in how to use as a visually impaired person,” she said.
Grandmother went back to school
While Afeefa progressed through the education system, Appalsamy effectively went through school all over again. Beginning at nursery and continuing through the years, she became such a familiar presence that she said teachers and students made
her feel part of the school community. “So good, I wish to be there again. I miss it so much, and the children were so accommodating. They never made me feel as if I am not one of them. Whatever help I needed, they would always help with Afeefa, with getting the notes, and involving her with group work. The teachers ensured that everything was done to help Afeefa also. Even though this was something strange for both me and the teachers, we did try our best,” Appalsamy recalled. Afeefa’s classmates, she said, ensure her granddaughter was not left behind when they left the classroom. “She had her special friends who used to drag her with them, hold her two hands at the two sides and say, ‘Afeefa, come, let’s go here,’ you know, wherever. The children were very good children. Very good children,” Appalsamy said. Years of sitting through lessons and helping The Afeefa study had an unexpected benefit for the grandmother too. “Oh my God, I could have written the CSEC. I could have, but I chose not to. My focus was Afeefa. That’s why. That’s my focus,” she said.
A difficult beginning
For Afeefa’s mother, Afsana Ally, the achievement is particularly significant given the uncertainty that surrounded her daughter’s earliest months after birth. “Afeefa was born premature. She was born at six months’ gestation, and so constantly we would take her for check-ups for ears, or eyes, or other organs, to ensure that they were functioning properly. So it was something that we were looking out for, to see whether everything was working for her or not,” Afsana recalled. The family subsequently learnt that Afeefa was visually impaired. TURN TO PAGE 21
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
14 FEATURE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
“I was pretty disciplined” – Nitya tells of her outstanding 27-subject journey W
hen 15-year-old Nitya Narine decided to sit 27 subjects at this year's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, the number was not chosen at random. Years earlier, 27 had been the number attached to another significant achievement in the Tagore Memorial Secondary School student's life, the num-
was also about testing what she believed she was capable of and doing something special for her school. “I thank God for having blessed me with my academic abilities. And I always believed that I had the potential to do extremely well, judging by my performances throughout the years,” Narine said during an interview. She explained that
she said the regular programme consisted of 12 subjects. Pursuing 27 therefore meant taking on another 15 beyond that programme. Her mother, Fariza Narine, revealed that there was also a sentimental reason her daughter settled on that particular number. “I think when she won the national spelling bee
with the family. “We are very grateful for the numerous persons who would have assisted both girls, not only at Tagore Memorial Secondary, but many other schools would have assisted because 27 subjects, we had to go beyond the school for help,” Fariza said. Narine also had the benefit of a study partner. She and her cousin worked together on subjects they shared, including going through compiled past papers. “It was comforting,” Narine said. “Sometimes when I didn't understand a topic, and she understood, I asked her to help me. She's brilliant, and she's helpful... and I'm grateful I had a study buddy.”
supp o r t ing her daughter's ambition also m e a n t ensuring that the Nitya Narine teenager did not no, she is go- ing to do feel compelled to continue it.” For Nitya, growing up simply because the family with a teacher for a mother 4 examinations in one day expected it. Both of Narine's and an education officer for The true extent of parents are involved in edu- a father was never intimithe challenge became cation, and her mother said dating. “That was more eneven clearer when the there were conversations couraging than intimidatwritten examinations at home about whether 27 ing. My parents are the two ion. tit pe m co began. Narine's writ- subjects were becoming too people who I look up to the e elling be a national sp nd ha on w kc e ic sh an ten examinations ran much. Fariza recalled oc- most. They've always been n M a rried whe ter, Priy ucation Minis itya Narine ca N Ed r en be m th from May 5 to June 9, casions when her daughter my biggest support system,” e nu th e 27 was th r prize from b e r e receiving he in and she recalled having ex- would lie with her on the bed she said. ar N g un Yo s h e competition, her number aminations on consecutive at night and she would ask “Whenever I needed carr i e d once she had established the was 27. On her clothes, she days, although there were directly whether she want- help, I went to them.” when she won a nation- goal, she believed hard work was number 27,” the proud some afternoons when ed to reduce the workload. al spelling bee competition. could make it achievable. “I mother recalled. “I think she had no paper. “I would ask her, I said, Signs from an early age It became something of a believed that if I had set my that motivated her to go 27 ‘You think it On some days Fariza said the signs that lucky number and, accord- goal and worked extreme- subjects because she won she sat three exher daughter possessed uning to her mother, helped ly hard towards it, then my and she won it big. And it aminations. On usual academturn what had initially been results would have been was a proud achievement one day, she sat ic ability thoughts of sitting about 25 satisfactory, which was in- for her. She felt very ac- four. For some appeared subjects into an extraordi- deed what I had done. And complished when she won of those palong before nary 27-subject challenge. I achieved, and I'm proud that, and I think that mo- pers, she said, CSEC, in That challenge has now re- of myself, and I thank ev- tivated her with the num- there was fact, before sulted in Narine securing 26 eryone who had helped me ber 27.” “But then she said only about a she had even Grade Ones and one Grade along the way.” she would like to do the 27 1 5 - m i n u t e begun forTwo in the preliminary 2026 Then came another moti- to match her number there. break before mal schoolCSEC results, placing her vation. Like a lucky number; it's she had to ing. She reamong the country's most “The 27 subjects were like a lucky number for her.” begin the called Nitya outstanding performers. because I believed I could Years of preparation next exambeing around But for Narine, the deci- have done it. I wanted to Writing 27 subjects was i n a t i o n . two years old sion to undertake a workload do well, and I wanted to not a decision Narine made “ T h a t when the child more than twice that of her put my school on top,” she on the eve of CSEC. “This was a bit surprised her regular Science stream said. Narine was enrolled in was a goal that I had es- of a chalwhile they were Tagore Memorial's Science tablished a while now, so l e n g e , on a bed togethNitya Narin stream, where that means that throughout but I er. “Mama, I e cha Yang ts a high school I have been d i d The winning piece of the Guyana-China could write my Natio fter winn with Chin in na a’s Am Friendship Society National Treasures Art studying for it,” she ex- m a n (Visha l Treasure g the Gu bassa name,” Fariza rey l s dor ana N A a r rine p Competition in the Teenager Category plained. Her prepara- a g e , ” hoto) t Competit -China Fr to Guyana membered her sayie ion in Y tion involved paying s h e the Te ndship So ang ing. She told her to enage c r Cate iety close attention in class r e c a l l e d . go ahead. “Then she gory and reinforcing what Despite the gruelling wrote her name, N-Ishe learned when she re- schedule, Narine said anxi- is too T-Y-A, and she never turned home. Whenever ety did not overwhelm her. much? Would you really started that, so I she encountered diffi“I feel like it was too like us to take out one, take said, ‘Wow, this is brilculty, she sought assis- quick to really feel anxious,” out two? So bring the list liant.’” Another surprise tance from her parents or she explained. Her prepa- and let's take out one sub- came while Fariza was turned to educational re- ration gave her confidence. ject, take out two subjects bringing her daughter home sources online. “I had all “From before, when I pre- if you feel that that is too from daycare. The child anmy textbooks, my past pa- pared, and I was confident much.’” Her daughter's an- nounced that she could spell pers. Yes, and that's how I in myself, there wasn't re- swer remained the same. her name. Fariza expected studied,” she said. On aver- ally any anxiety because I “She said, ‘No mom, I her to spell the relatively age, Narine said she studied know how I studied enough want to do this.’” Fariza said short “Nitya”. Instead, she for five to six hours each day and I studied my best, the she reassured Nitya that continued with “Vaishnavi”. and followed a study time- best that I could have done.” neither parent would be dis- “So from then on, I said that table. The scale of her un- There was, she acknowl- appointed if she changed this is a brilliant child,” her dertaking also meant that edged, some nervousness. her mind. “I said, ‘If you mother recalled. The family the family sometimes had to “But when you open a pa- feel that way, please don't subsequently nurtured that seek academic assistance be- per and say, ‘Yes, I studied feel that we are pressuring ability, providing resources yond Tagore Memorial. Her this, I know what I have to you. And if you would want and helping whenever she mother said teachers at oth- write,’” that confidence re- to take out one or two sub- encountered something she er schools were among those turned. jects, please know that we did not understand. “And who helped both Nitya and ‘You think it is too much? are with you, that we are then she's willing to learn. her niece, who also studied For Fariza, however, okay with that.’ But she said TURN TO PAGE 19
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FEATURE
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM FROM PAGE 14
That is one thing about that child. She’s willing to learn,” Fariza said. That ability would become increasingly evident as she progressed academically.
their preparations easier for them,” she said.
Law is next
NGSA in Grade 5
In 2021, while still in Grade Five, Narine sat the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and earned a place at The Bishops’ High School. Remarkably, she said the decision to attempt the examination was made only about three weeks before it was due to be written. There was initially some doubt when her parents asked whether she wanted to try it. “I thought about it for a while, they helped me, and then I was like, ‘Yes, I’m confident I can do this.’ And yes, I went ahead and wrote it.” Despite the workload associated with 27 CSEC subjects, Narine rejects the notion that academic success required her to abandon everything else in her teenage life. She said she did not have to give up her phone or social media. Neither did she abandon her hobbies. The key, she explained, was beginning
15-year-old Nitya Narine along with her mother, Fariza; father, Vishal and her brother
early and maintaining discipline. “I did not have to sacrifice anything because, remember, I started a while back. So, because I started from early, there was more time for myself as well,” she said. “I didn’t have to give up anything. I didn’t have to give up my social media, my phone, anything.” There were rules, however. Whenever it was time to study, the phone went away. Breaks were incorporated into her timetable, and
those were periods when she could use her phone. Narine also ensured that despite studying late, she got sufficient sleep. “I was pretty disciplined,” she said. That balance also allowed her to continue painting and drawing, two of her favourite activities. “I had time for my hobbies, for example, painting and drawing because I love art.” It is that approach she now recommends to students preparing to enter Fifth Form. Narine advises them
to identify what they want to achieve, establish their goal early and work consistently towards it. But she also cautions against allowing academics to consume their lives. “They should make time for themselves so that studying does not feel like a burden on them, because that would make
Having completed an extraordinary CSEC undertaking at just 15, Narine is already looking towards her next academic challenge. She has applied to the University of Guyana (UG) and plans to pursue studies in law. “I find the law to feel quite admirable,” she explained. “I like everything there is about law. I like fighting for justice, for all the good.” She also enjoys speaking, public speaking and interacting with people, and believes another of her strengths could serve her well in the legal profession. “I also have been commended on my memory. I believe that’s good for being a lawyer as well.” Her parents have no intention of steering her towards their own profession. Fariza said the family is pleased that Nitya has chosen a different path
and, more importantly, one that she selected for herself. “We feel proud because she’s going to do something different from us, and we would want that for her,” she said. “Education is a beautiful field, but I think it’s her desire to go into law. We are going to support her, and we’re happy that she chose something that she wants and not that we are forcing her to do or go into our field.” For Fariza, the 26 Grade Ones and one Grade Two represent the culmination of years of work she watched at close range. “I’m very, very happy. I’m very excited. I’m very proud of her,” she said. “She has studied hard, many nights, many days. So, I am very proud of her.” For Nitya, however, the achievement is perhaps best captured by the simple belief that led her to choose that unusually ambitious number in the first place, she believed she could do it.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
UNSC campaign
Guyana’s Ambassador to use voice to push fairer financing for developing countries G
uyana’s candidate for United Nations Secretary General (UNSG), Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has said that one of her priorities if elected would be to help make the international financial system fairer for developing countries, arguing that even incremental changes could significantly improve their ability to access financing for development. Speaking in separate interviews with CGTN Europe and the Global Dispatches podcast on Wednesday, Rodrigues-Birkett said that developing countries have long advocated for changes to the international financial institutions that would give them better and more equitable access to finance. She said the UN, while not itself a financial institution, has an important role to play in advancing those discussions by using its global voice and working more closely with institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. She said the developing countries are heavily involved in the UN’s norm-setting work, but noted that decisions on financing are made largely outside the UN system. Developing countries have therefore been calling for reforms that would create a more level playing field.
“The developing countries in the United Nations, it’s a very important block. The G77 and China, its 134 countries. They lead quite a lot of processes. They are very much part of the norm-setting in the United Nations,” Rodrigues-Birkett noted. “Developing countries have been calling for certain types of reforms that would make the playing field fairer. Access to finance has been a very important aspect of the advocacy of developing countries. And as Secretary General, I would work very closely with the IFIs, using some of the information that we have in the UN to advance these discussions.” If appointed SG, she said she would work closely with the international financial institutions and use information available within the UN to advance the case for reform. Rodrigues-Birkett does not envisage an overhaul of the global financial system as the only route to progress. Instead, she believes relatively small but systemic changes could produce meaningful results. “The United Nations is not where the decisions on financing…is made. This is made by the international financial institutions… I do not believe that we have to have an entire huge reform of the IFIs to see progress. So even incremental steps that
Guyana’s candidate for UNSG, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
are systemic, that would, for example, make it easier for developing countries to access finance so that they can work on their development goals would be a priority of mine.”
“Sit down together as partners”
She made a similar point in her interview with Mark Leon Goldberg of the Global Dispatches podcast, arguing that the UN should approach the international financial institutions as partners rather than adversaries. “I would not be the Secretary General to stand on a pedestal with a moral stick to beat the IFIs,”
Rodrigues-Birkett said. “I think we need to sit down together as partners.” She said the UN has a long-standing global voice on the issue of access to finance and that some progress has already been made, including changes in the way countries affected by natural disasters are treated. “What we need is some incremental steps, I would say, that would have a systemic effect across developing countries to make the system more fair,” she said. One concern, she noted, is that developing countries can face significantly higher borrowing costs than larger countries, despite facing similar challenges. “...you would not have to be borrowing at extremely high rates compared to a similar country that is larger, let’s just say that,” she said. Rodrigues-Birkett also highlighted the UN’s work on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index, which seeks to give greater consideration to the vulnerabilities faced by small island developing states when assessing their access to finance. She said the challenge now is to determine how such measures, or aspects of them, can be incorporated into the way international financial institutions make decisions. The issue of finance is also central to her broader development agenda.
“Rapidly changing”
Speaking to CGTN Europe, Rodrigues-Birkett described the present international environment as “rapidly changing”. She pointed to rapid technological advances, including artificial intelligence, geopolitical shifts, climate change, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation, as forces placing increasing pressure on societies and individuals. Against that backdrop, Rodrigues-Birkett said the UN must focus on its three core pillars of peace and se-
curity, development and human rights, while making better use of the tools available to the SG. Noting that “the UN was not built for easy times”, Rodrigues-Birkett noted that a central part of her agenda would be preventing and ending conflicts. “I’ve outlined what would be some of my priorities. The UN was not built for easy times. It came after very difficult times after World War II. And so it was established to deal with global challenges,” she said. “And as we look at the three pillars of the UN, whether it is on the peace and security pillar, on the development pillar, or the human rights pillar, there is much more that we can do. And so in setting my priorities, I’ve situated them along the pillars, looking at how we can work harder to prevent and to end conflicts.” Rodrigues-Birkett said the SG should work with the Security Council, parties to conflicts and those capable of influencing them, noting that there are now many actors operating in the peace and mediation space. “There are many different actors today in the peace and mediation space. So it will be important to form partnerships as we move forward,” she said. She also stressed the importance of prevention, arguing that the UN should not wait until crises have fully developed before acting.
Interconnected priorities
Rodrigues-Birkett said the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also remain valid, but acknowledged that the 2030 targets were highly ambitious and that the international community needs to be realistic about the resources and time required to achieve them. “As we consider the post2030 agenda, we have to be realistic in several ways in terms of the timelines,” she said. She argued that devel-
opment, peace and security, and human rights should be treated as interconnected priorities rather than separate areas of UN activity. “My view is that the best prophylactic against conflict will be development,” she said. Rodrigues-Birkett also sees greater private-sector investment as part of the answer to the development financing gap. She said the UN could assist countries in preparing themselves to attract investment and help them understand the conditions required to bring private capital into their economies. “There’s lots of money out there in the private sector, but how do we help countries to be able to attract investment?” she said. She acknowledged that investment would be more difficult in countries experiencing conflict, but argued that there are other developing countries where greater assistance could help unlock private capital. Her proposed approach would therefore combine advocacy for improved financing conditions with technical assistance to countries seeking to attract investment. By the end of a potential five-year term, RodriguesBirkett said she would want to see measurable progress in access to finance and private-sector investment in developing countries, alongside improvements in conflict prevention, human rights and the delivery of UN programmes. “On the development side, I would like to see that we made progress with the IFIs, and that the needle has moved in terms of access to finance, but also in terms of private sector investment,” she said. Looking ahead to the end of a potential five-year term, Rodrigues-Birkett said she would want to see tangible improvements in how the UN delivers for people on the ground, progress in resolving and preventing conflicts, greater access to finance and private-sector investment for developing countries, and an improved human rights situation. She also identified a historic objective. “I would also like to see that the question on whether a woman can lead the UN was answered resoundingly and affirmatively,” she said. More than eight decades after the creation of the United Nations, RodriguesBirkett is seeking to become the first woman to serve as SG, bringing to the campaign a vision centred on conflict prevention, development, financial access, human rights and a UN that she says must adjust to the realities of a rapidly changing world.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
CPCE examines strategies to strengthen teacher training E
ducation Minister Sonia Parag met with the leadership of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Saturday morning to discuss ways to strengthen the institution’s ability to keep up with the evolving needs of the education sector. The Minister met with Director of CPCE, Dr Tamashwar Budhoo, and
Vice Principal, Tamsin Henry Granville, along with other senior staff, with discussions focused on strengthening the curriculum, maintaining the highest standards in the quality of training delivered and increasing the College’s output of trained teachers across the various subject areas and levels of the education system. According
to a statement from the Ministry of Education, the discussion also focused on ensuring that Guyana continues to produce highly skilled, classroom-ready educators. “With a new batch of teachers preparing to commence training, the meeting also examined how CPCE can continue to respond to the evolving needs of the education sector and
Against odds, visually-impaired...
FROM PAGE 12
Education Minister, Sonia Parag along with Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain met with the leadership of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) which included Director of CPCE, Dr Tamashwar Budhoo and Vice Principal Tamsin Henry Granville and other senior staff on Saturday morning
Afeefa Amatullah Ally and her grandmother, Nazra Appalsamy
“When we discovered that she was visually impaired, it wasn’t so much of a surprise, but at the same time, our concerns for her were many, social, educational, all the concerns that a parent would have for their child. It was compounded with her situation,” she said. According to Afsana, the family was initially told that Afeefa had cancer of the eye. Unconvinced, they sought another medical opinion and were subsequently told that she had retinopathy of prematurity. “Initially, the diagnosis for her was cancer of the eye. However, we sought a second opinion, and we learnt that it was retinopathy of prematurity. We did send her to the US for surgery. Unfortunately, that was not very successful. So those were some decisions we had to make. It was a really difficult decision to send her without us, but at that time it was the best decision to make,” Afsana recalled.
Taking a chance on school
Afeefa began her formal education at Prince Town Nursery School before attending Corriverton Primary School and later Skeldon Line Path Secondary School. Sending her into a mainstream school environment brought another set of concerns for the family. “When a child leaves the home, even a child who’s not differently able, you’re worried about them in the school environment, if they’re going to be bullied or if they’re going to be catered for. And with her situation, again, it
was compounded because of her visual impairment. But fortunately, the school environment has been very accommodating with her, both the teachers as well as the students, as well as the Ministry. They have provided the support that she needed, both in terms of education as well as the moral support that she needed, and we’re very grateful for that,” Afsana said. For Appalsamy, however, Afeefa’s ability to learn had been apparent long before she entered a classroom. “These children are gifted in their own ways. Observe your children, and you will know how far they could go. Like with Afeefa, from baby, when she started to talk, I started to implement a little bit of education. I counted with her fingers, like teaching her ABC, and she was responding so well. So when you see a child respond, you know how far they could go. And you need to be there with them and help them,” she said. Her advice to other parents and guardians of children with disabilities is not to regard the additional support their children may require as a burden. “It’s not a hard job. Don’t take it as a job. Take it as a fun thing, because that is how I look at it. Sometimes parents ask me, ‘Aunty Naz, how you manage this?’ Like especially in the primary school, to go in at lunchtime and feed her and make sure that she gets it. For me, this is fun for me. This is what I like to do. Don’t take it as a burden,” Appalsamy urged.
A community of support
Looking back at her achievement, Afeefa readily acknowledges the people who helped make it possible. “I would like to thank the Almighty Allah because without Him none of this would be possible, and I would also like to thank my grandmother who sat with me and taught me, and my mother who also helped to teach me, and all of my teachers because they adapted really well to helping a visually impaired person,” she said. Afeefa singled out several teachers who supported her at different stages of her education, including Ms Paniza, who she said had been with her from Form One; Ms Kofi, who accepted her from Grade One at primary school; and Sir Amzan, whom she could call whenever she needed help understanding concepts.
University next
Seven Grade Ones and three Grade Twos are not the end of Afeefa’s educational journey. She is already working part-time at a business centre at Palmyra and plans to attend the University of Guyana to study Social Work. And Appalsamy, after years of accompanying her granddaughter through nursery, primary and secondary school, has no intention of ending her own educational journey just yet. Asked whether she would accompany Afeefa to university, her answer came without hesitation. “Definitely, yes.”
ensure that teachers entering classrooms across the country are equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to deliver quality education to every learner,” the Ministry said. Already, in the past five years, CPCE has revised and updated the curriculum to reflect and pro-
to secondary trainees; Physics to secondary trainees; French to secondary trainees; and Portuguese to secondary trainees, as well as a one-year training programme for guidance and counselling officers and a six-week programme for parents of special needs children. Additionally, in
ect, which will specifically serve educators in the Pomeroon River and other nearby remote communities. This initiative ensures that professional development is accessible to teachers residing in those hardto-reach areas, ending an era where they were forced to leave their homes and
vide for modern teaching needs and national education priorities. In fact, late last year, Parag had announced the introduction of a series of new specialisation programmes that are now being offered at the CPCE. These include: Geography to secondary trainees; History to secondary trainees; Chemistry
a major move to decentralise teachers’ training, the Education Minister, a few months ago, announced the construction of a new CPCE Centre in Charity, along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). A total of $45 million has already been allocated in the 2026 budget to kickstart the proj-
families to gain certification. Hundreds of teachers are trained annually through CPCE, with the goal of having 100 per cent trained teachers in the system. Last year, 1345 trained teachers from CPCE, one of the largest graduating cohorts in the history of the institution.
22 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026| GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Guyana Lottery Company backs legislation to streamline betting industry …says ready for consultations on proposed laws
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he Guyana Lottery Company (GLC) says it is ready to have consultations on the proposed Gaming Authority Bill that was tabled in the National Assembly last month, as the agency supports the Government’s efforts to better regulate the sector. General Manager (GM) and Director of GLC, Kalima Ali, made these remarks on Friday evening at the company’s 30th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Appreciation Ceremony held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. According to Ali, the Lottery Company has been providing responsible and safe gaming services to the Guyanese population for the past three decades – something, she added, it is committed to continue doing. “As the industry continues to evolve, so too must the framework that supports it. We welcome the Government’s direction to better regulate the market through the introduction of the Guyana Gaming Authority Bill 2026. And we support efforts to establish a modern, transparent and well-regulated gaming environment. We would not have it any other way,” the GM asserted. The proposed legislation, tabled
businesses through its 200plus retail agent network. “We have also contributed largely and meaningfully to the national treasury of Guyana and those monies have been used over the years to fund some of the very programmes that the Government brings to you in your communities,” Ali emphasised.
Sweeping reforms
General Manager of Guyana Lottery Company, Kalima Ali
by Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall in July, seeks to tighten the regulation of gaming activities amid growing concerns over the social consequences of increased access to gambling through betting shops and mobile applications. Welcoming these proposed laws to streamline the betting industry, Ali indicated that the Lottery Company is ready to have engagements on the Gaming Authority Bill. “We believe that this legislation will strengthen oversight, enhance confidence and support the
continued development of Guyana’s gaming sector. We look forward to consultation and further engagement on the bill,” she emphasised. The GM noted that while their services provided fall within the gambling category, the GLC is more than just a gaming business. She said over the past 30 years, the Lotter Company has positively changed the lives of many Guyanese with billions of dollars in winnings as well as contribute meaningfully to the local economy through support to goodwill initiatives, sports, community development and small
The tabling of the Guyana Gaming Authority Bill 2026 followed months of lobbying by religious organisations and other groups concerned about the impact of gambling on vulnerable individuals, families and rural communities. Those concerns have centred on issues such as gambling addiction, financial hardship and the broader social effects associated with the industry’s rapid growth. The bill also fulfils a commitment made by Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo in October last year, when he announced that the Government would introduce sweeping reforms to the sector. At the time, the VP warned that gambling had evolved from a tightly regulated activity associated primarily with the hotel sector into what he described as “gambling
on demand”, driven by the proliferation of hundreds of betting outlets and smartphone applications. The proposed legislation is expected to be referred to a Special Select Committee in Parliament, which will allow for a detailed examination of its provisions and provide an opportunity for further consideration of measures aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework governing the gaming industry. The Government has said the reforms are intended to respond to growing concerns over the industry’s expansion while addressing its social and economic impact on communities across Guyana But even as the bill is expected to come up for debate in October when Parliament reconvenes, operators within the local gaming industry have sought a way to have their businesses still operate through regulated online platforms. A senior Government official recently told this newspaper that this proposal comes after some of the operators met with some members of the Opposition recently. “So, some Opposition members met with some of the operators and are saying that the Government is trying to take bread out of their
mouths…but at the same time telling us to shut them down,” the official stated.
Proposal by operators
Nevertheless, he added that the proposal made by the operators has found much favour with the Government. Just over a week ago, several local operators submitted a petition, with some 500 signatures, to the Office of the President, calling on the Government to reconsider some of the provisions of the proposed laws. In addition to the shift to regulated online betting, the operators are also asking for a review of the proposed taxation to be imposed on businesses. While noting that they are not opposed to the measures aimed at addressing the social consequences of gambling, the industry operators argue that a high tax burden could push legitimate businesses out of operation thus creating opportunities for underground gambling activities – something which the proposed laws are intended to prevent. With more than 5,000 persons directly involved in the sector and stand to be affected, the operators urge that consultations be held with industry stakeholders before the bill is passed.
Berbice children explore faith, culture, history on ERC harmony tour
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he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Friday concluded the Berbice leg of its 2026 Harmony Tour, bringing 49 participants, including 46 children accompanied by parents and guardians, to religious, cultural and historical sites across New Amsterdam and surrounding communities in Region Six. Participants explore Guyana’s religious diversity and significant chapters of the country’s history and heritage. The Commission was represented by Commissioners Reverend Rodwell Porter, Deon Dick (Ras Khafra), Norris Witter and Pandit Krishn Sharma, who accompanied participants throughout the day and engaged with them at
the various locations. The religious component included visits to the New Amsterdam Central Jama Masjid, Cumberland Shri Krishna Mandir, Church of the Nazarene and the historic Cumberland Eidgah, an open-air mosque. At each site, participants were introduced to the respective religious traditions, beliefs, practices and customs. They were also briefed on appropriate courtesies before entering the places of worship and encouraged to ask questions respectfully. For several of the children, the visits provided an opportunity to enter places of worship associated with faiths other than their own. Addressing partici-
pants, Commissioner Reverend Rodwell Porter said meaningful relations among Guyana’s diverse communities begin with a willingness to understand one another. “Today, these children had the opportunity to step beyond what is familiar, to enter places of worship and heritage that may be different from their own, and to listen, ask questions and learn,” Porter said. He said such experiences could help young people move beyond simply recognising differences to developing greater understanding and respect for them, while recognising the shared humanity among Guyanese. The tour also examined several aspects of Berbice’s historical and cultural heritage. At the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra, participants learned about the arrival of Indian indentured immigrants in Guyana at Plantation Highbury on the Berbice River. At Mission Chapel Congregational Church, they explored an important chapter of African heritage, while a visit to the Church of the Ascension highlighted Portuguese heritage associated with the
Catholic community in New Amsterdam. Participants also visited
ory and culture, reflecting the broader objective of the Harmony Tour—to give
the New Amsterdam State House, where they were introduced to its colonial history and its subsequent role in independent Guyana. The Region Six itinerary combined religion, immigration, national mem-
young Guyanese opportunities to learn about the diverse histories and traditions that contribute to the country’s national story. Parents, guardians and children expressed appreciation for the initiative, with
several participants noting the value of experiencing places, traditions and histories they might not otherwise have encountered. The ERC thanked the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six for supporting the tour and facilitating the safe movement of participants throughout the day. The Commission also expressed appreciation to religious leaders, heritage representatives, tour guide Paul Waldron and the institutions that welcomed the group and shared their knowledge and traditions. The Berbice leg marked the conclusion of the ERC’s 2026 Harmony Tour, following earlier engagements in Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and other activities in Demerara.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026| GUYANATIMESGY.COM
20th Berbice Expo to showcase business, innovation & AI …October 2–5 event expected to attract thousands, exhibition spaces filling rapidly
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he Central C o r e n t y n e Chamber of C o m m e r c e (CCCC) has launched the 20th Berbice Expo and Trade Fair, with this year's event placing artificial intelligence (AI), innovation and the development of people at the centre of discussions on the future of business in the region. The Expo, scheduled for October 2 to 5 at the Rose Hall Estate Community Centre Ground in East Canje, was officially launched on Friday at the Chamber's headquarters in Rose Hall Town. This year's event will be held under the theme “Harnessing AI to Transform the Future while Enhancing Our People”. CCCC President Adrian Anamayah, the Expo has grown significantly since its inception in 2005 and has become an annual fixture in Berbice, attracting approximately 40,000 patrons. He said hundreds of new businesses and products have been introduced and showcased through the event over the years, while young entrepreneurs have been given opportunities to launch their products and establish valuable business connections. “This year promises to be no different. As a matter of fact, the response has been excellent as usual. We expect to be sold out within the next two weeks,” Anamayah said. He noted that staging an event of that magnitude comes with considerable challenges, but said its longevity demonstrates the success it has achieved over the past two decades. Anamayah said the theme was deliberately selected because there is an urgent need for Guyana to begin a serious conversation about AI and how the country responds to the technological changes taking place globally. Drawing a comparison with the transformation brought about by the internet, he argued that AI could have an even greater impact on everyday life and economic activity. “The AI revolution that is upon us would be a thousandfold more impactful and transformational,” he said. According to the Chamber President, Guyana's rapidly expanding economy makes it even more important for the country to prepare for those changes and determine how the technology can be used to its advantage. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar
The Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) members along Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, and other officials at the launched of the 20th Berbice Expo and Trade Fair on Friday evening
Mustapha, who delivered the feature address, similarly stressed that AI is no longer something Guyana should regard as a distant development. He said the technology is already changing the way businesses operate, farmers access information, markets function, Governments provide services and people learn and work. “The question is no longer whether AI will become part of our future. It already is. The real question is whether we will use it wisely, whether we will adopt it early enough, and whether we will ensure that our people are prepared to benefit from it,” Mustapha said. The Minister stressed, however, that technological advancement should occur alongside investment in people. Mustapha said young people must be trained to use emerging technological tools, while entrepreneurs should be assisted in understanding how technology can reduce operating costs and provide access to new markets. He also pointed to potential benefits for agriculture, saying farmers could use improved access to information to make better production decisions. At the same time, he cautioned that small businesses in Region Six must not be left behind as the global economy becomes increasingly digital. “These are the challenges before us. But we must use these challenges to create opportunities,” Mustapha said, noting that the Berbice Expo provides an ideal platform for such discussions. He urged businesses
participating in October's event to go beyond simply displaying their existing products and services and instead demonstrate how innovation could improve what they produce in the future. Mustapha also reflected on the significance of the Expo reaching its 20th edition, describing the milestone as two decades of commitment by the Chamber and the wider business community. He said the event has provided a platform where entrepreneurs can showcase their growth, businesses can develop relationships, farmers can find markets and investors can examine opportunities available in Berbice, particularly Region Six. He said entrepreneurs, farmers, manufacturers and young people must take advantage of the platforms being created, while continued investment in education, skills and human development would be critical. According to Mustapha, Berbice has the ingredients to develop into one of the country's leading centres for agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and entrepreneurship. “Our responsibility now is to unlock that potential. It has the potential, but we have to unlock that. The Government must provide the policies and infrastructure, which we are doing. The private sector must invest. Farmers must mobilise. Entrepreneurs must innovate. Our young people must acquire new skills. And all of us must work together,” he said. He challenged the Chamber and business communi-
ty to regard the milestone not simply as a celebration of the previous two decades, but as the starting point for another period of expansion. “Let this year's Expo be more than a celebration of 20 years. Let it be the beginning of the next 20 years; 20 years of greater innovation, 20 years of stronger businesses, 20 years of expanding markets, 20 years of greater investment and, yes, 20 years of greater opportunities for the peo-
ple of Berbice,” Mustapha said. Meanwhile, CCCC Treasurer Tajpaul Adjodhea disclosed that last year's Expo featured in excess of 150 booths and indicated that interest in this year's event is already strong. He acknowledged that space at the current venue places limitations on further expansion and expressed hope that, going forward, organisers would have access to a larger venue capable of accommodating significantly more
exhibitors. Adjodhea also said the Chamber has been placing greater emphasis on showcasing Guyanese entertainment and providing local performers with the exposure they deserve. Region Six Chairman Junior Basant, who also spoke at the launch, said the Expo has long provided opportunities for businesses and residents of Berbice. He noted that the opportunities extend to small manufacturers and agro-processors, who can use the event to promote their products, establish themselves and develop relationships with larger businesses. Larger companies, he added, are also able to showcase their achievements and give patrons a better understanding of their products and services. Basant said the Expo has simultaneously developed into an important entertainment event for residents, while providing a stage for local talent. “So the Expo creates a perfect mixture of business and pleasure, all under one roof,” the Regional Chairman said as he congratulated the Chamber on reaching the 20-year milestone. The 20th Berbice Expo and Trade Fair will run from October 2 to 5 at the Rose Hall Estate Community Centre Ground, East Canje.
24 NEWS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
MV Barima tragedy
Lottery Company donates $5M to HEART Initiative
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he Canadian Bank Note Company (CBN), parent company of the Guyana Lottery Company (GLC), has donated G$5 million to the Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience and Trust (HEART) Initiative, which was established by President Dr Irfaan Ali to support survivors and bereaved families affected by the MV Barima tragedy. This donation was announced by the President of the Lottery and Gaming Division at CBN, Kirk Arends, during the GLC’s 30th Anniversary Dinner and Awards Appreciation Ceremony on Friday evening at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. In a video message, Arends recognised the impact that the July 18 capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima ferry has on Guyana and its people. “Our thoughts remain with the survivors, the families who lost loved ones and all those affected by this heartbreaking event. As a demonstration of our support and commitment to the people of Guyana, Canadian Bank Note Company is pleased to announce a contribution of five million
Guyanese Dollars to the HEART Initiative to help provide ongoing support to survivors and bereaved families affected by this tragedy,” the CBN official stated. This donation comes in light of some GLC staff members being related to the victims of the tragedy. According to GLC’s General Manager (GM) Kalima Ali, they are also cognisant that those affected by the tragedy might also be customers of the lottery company. “As you know, we are a company stretched across Guyana… and we thought that [the HEART Initiative] would have been the best way to channel our contributions to reach the [affected] families – through a national-coordinated mechanism,” the GLC Head stated. On July 18, the MV Barima capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast while en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), with 179 people onboard. While 76 persons survived the horrific boat accident, 73 persons have been confirmed dead and another 30 remain unaccounted for. The Guyana Government has initiated
CBN’s President – Lottery and Gaming Division, Kirk Arends
efforts to recover the sunken vessel and recently invited bids from specialised marine salvage companies to carry out the operation. Additionally, President Ali has also appointed a five-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the ferry. The Commissioners were swornin on July 30 and are currently finalising arrangements for public hearings as well as addressing the legal and administrative requirements that will guide the proceedings. Meanwhile, the Guyanese Leader also established the HEART
Initiative, which brings together humanitarian assistance, psychosocial and trauma counselling, social services, spiritual guidance and other forms of support for survivors and bereaved families of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy. “We hope this contribution will assist in the recovery process and serve as a small expression of our solidarity with those impacted during this difficult time,” Arends stated in his video statement on Friday. The HEART Initiative was launched as part of the Government’s commitment to provide long-term support to survivors and fami-
lies of those who died. This support comes in the form of spiritual and religious support, children’s wellbeing and welfare assistance including education, developing a parent and family support network to the families and communities affected by the tragedy. To this end, the Initiative is establishing regional units to deliver sustained and long-term psychological, social and religious support. The First Lady’s Office would be complementing support to children under the initiative. During a recent appearance on the Starting Point podcast, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, who has oversight of the initiative, explained that these regional units will comprise social workers, therapists, psychologists, religious representatives and personnel responsible for coordinating logistical support. “We are still building it out, but we have started a process where every region will have a unit comprising of a social worker, therapist, psychologist,” the Minister stated. She added that the logistical personnel
would assess and respond to immediate practical needs including assistance with transportation, food and other incidentals. However, Dr Persaud stressed that this support should not be confused with compensation. “We are dealing with what is needed right now,” the Human Services Minister asserted. She further noted that the affected families have different circumstances and needs, including expenses associated with memorials and other immediate obligations – all of which are being assessed on a case-by-case basis. But even as these efforts by the Government continue to support those affected by the tragedy, at least one man has been flagged for attempting to defraud the state. Jermaine English, a 50-year-old resident of Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), falsely claimed that his two children died in the MV Barima tragedy. He was charged and placed before the court on Friday. The man was not required to plea to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison.
Tornado hits NYC as storm drenches Mid-Atlantic
Pools of water gathered on the Long Island Expressway Thursday night
A waterspout appeared to form off of the south shore of Long Island on Thursday
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ornadoes struck New York City (NYC) and Delaware on Thursday as severe weather drenched parts of the Mid-Atlantic. Ahead of the storm, NY activated its Flash Flood Emergency Plan and coordinated with the National Weather Service and city agencies to monitor conditions, and prepare for potential flooding. Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged New Yorkers to prepare for dangerous weather during the evening commute, avoid flooded areas, and never drive through floodwater.
Officials also warned those in basement apartments to be prepared to move to safer locations if flooding developed. Two waterspouts appeared off southern Queens and Nassau County before moving onshore as tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. The Queens tornado came ashore in the eastern Rockaways, south of Kennedy International Airport. The Long Island tornado damaged about 50 cabanas and parts of buildings at Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach, Nassau
County. Tornadoes also touched down near Dover, Delaware, and in south eastern Pennsylvania. Dover authorities declared a state of emergency after the storm caused power outages and downed trees. Tornadoes are rare in NY and Long Island, though they are generally weaker and shorter-lived than those in the central United States, the Weather Service said. The storm also brought
Flooding also affected major roads. The Long Island Motorway was closed in both directions at Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens, while the Brooklyn-Queens Motorway and other routes were affected by rising water. After the storm, crews continued clean-up and damage assessments across the affected areas. In NYC, subway crews worked to remove floodwater and restore disrupted service, with A, C, and E trains returning to normal by Friday. Across Long Island and other affected areas, crews continued assessing dam-
two to three inches of rain to parts of NY, southern New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern Pennsylvania. Central Park recorded 2.31 inches of rain, while LaGuardia Airport received 2.25 inches. The heavy rain caused widespread flooding and major travel disruptions. LaGuardia Airport temporarily shut down for several hours, with more than 210 flights cancelled. John F Kennedy International Airport remained open but
NYC streets turn into rivers as heavy storms unleash flash flooding
also experienced cancellations. Flooding disrupted subway service, with water affecting stations and tracks and causing delays and service changes. C train service was suspended while crews removed water from the tracks near Utica Avenue, while E trains ran with delays after crews removed water near the World Trade Center. A train services also experienced severe delays.
age and clearing debris. In Delaware, the state of emergency was lifted Friday, although debris and utility work continued to affect travel. The immediate severe-weather threat has since passed. (Sources: NYC Emergency Management, Associated Press, CBS New York, ABC7 New York, NY1, NBC New York, News 12, The Guardian)
guyanatimesgy.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
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Regional
Peru earthquake damages US deports 161 Haitians as former TPS holders await return plans buildings, causes power cuts A A
t least three persons have been injured and buildings have been damaged after an earthquake struck Peru, local officials have said. The earthquake, which occurred near the small settlement of Aniso in the southern Ayacucho region on Thursday, had a magnitude of 6.7, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. Peru's Defence Minister Rafael Belaunde said 22 homes and six schools were damaged. Earthquakes are common in Peru, which sits along the meeting point of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates, and Thursday's was the latest strong seismic event to hit South America in recent months, following deadly quakes in Colombia and Venezuela. Belaunde, who has been involved in co-ordinating the emergency response, said three people had been hurt but did not suffer serious injuries, according to Peruvian newspaper El
Peru was hit by a magnitude 5.5 earthquake in July that resulted in several collapsed buildings
Comercio. The earthquake struck at around 13:00h local time, at a depth of 100 kilometres (km), around 31 km northwest of Aniso, in a relatively remote part of the Andes mountain range, data from the USGS showed. Damage was reported at 10 healthcare facilities in the Ayacucho region, and two were damaged in the neighbouring Cusco region,
but services remained operational, Peru's National Institute of Civil Defence said. Around 9000 properties also lost power, it said, and nine educational facilities were damaged. Tremors were reportedly felt across large parts of the country, including in the capital, Lima, around 482 km away. (Excerpt from BBC News)
T&T: Abandoned 3-dayold infant found in box
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newborn baby girl, who was found abandoned in a cardboard box in South Oropouche with her umbilical cord still attached, remained under observation in hospital last night and was reported to be in good health. A senior Police Officer confirmed that the infant was in state care at the San Fernando General Hospital while investigators worked to confirm the identity of her mother, whom they believe is Venezuelan. Police have not disclosed how long the baby was left in the box or what circumstances led to her abandonment in
the area where she was discovered. Officers were alerted to the infant after a 23-yearold Venezuelan woman and a Trinidadian man took the child to the Oropouche Police Station on Thursday. The woman, who lives in the community, told Police that at about 12:15h, she was walking along St Mary’s Road, near the South Oropouche Government Primary School, when she heard a baby crying. She noticed a cardboard box on the side of the road containing a black plastic bag. When she looked inside
the bag, she discovered the baby girl with her umbilical cord still attached. The woman said she took the infant to the home of a 47-year-old resident, who accompanied her to the Police station. At the station, officers cleaned and diapered the baby before taking her to the Point Fortin Area Hospital for a medical examination. Doctors who treated the infant believe it was no more than three to four days old. The Children’s Authority was subsequently notified. (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)
ability to stage this year’s festival without exceeding its allocation. “The Commission reported that Carnival 2026 was successfully delivered within its approved $5.2 million budget, which is really good news for the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda,” Merchant said during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing. The Commission also reported increased public support, with ticket sales rising for most Carnival shows when compared with corresponding events staged during the past three years. Cabinet said the improvement signals growing
public interest in Antigua’s national festival and the entertainment being presented. The Commission has been meeting with stakeholders and continues to settle obligations arising from the staging of this year’s celebrations. The cabinet commended the Commission’s management and staff, participating artistes, promoters, service providers and other stakeholders for what it described as the successful staging of Carnival 2026. Planning is now turning toward Antigua Carnival’s 70th anniversary in 2027. (Antigua Newsroom)
United States deportation flight brought over 160 people to Cap-Haïtien on Thursday, providing a first glimpse of the scale of returns Haiti could face as the Trump Administration moves ahead with deportations following the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians. None of those aboard the flight were former TPS beneficiaries, according to Haiti’s National Office of Migration (ONM). The group included people facing removal proceedings after entering the US without authorisation, people who had served prison sentences and some individuals born outside Haiti to at least one Haitian parent. This is the first reported deportation flight to Haiti since US authorities an-
Haitians deported by the United States arrive in Cap-Haïtien
nounced plans last month to increase repatriation flights to twice a week, with about 250 Haitians expected to arrive each week. ONM received 161 individuals, compared with 175 deportees initially announced by US authorities. The flight had originally been scheduled for July 16 but was cancelled because of
technical problems, according to Miami Herald. The arrival comes as more than 300,000 Haitians who had been protected under TPS face the loss of their legal status. Their potential return poses a far greater challenge for Haiti than the number of people on Thursday’s flight. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)
Panama flagged cargo ship sinks off eastern India
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Panama-flagged cargo ship carrying 24 crew members, including 20 Chinese nationals, sank near India's east coast in the Bay of Bengal off India's east coast, prompting a search and rescue operation to locate the remaining crew members, officials said. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received information late on Saturday, August 22, regarding the loss of communication with MV Ocean Winner and a request for Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance from Victory Star Group Co Ltd. The vessel was carrying 24 crew members, compris-
ing 20 Chinese nationals, three from Myanmar and one from Bangladesh. It was last reported around 317 East Island, 310 nautical miles, according to officials. The Indian Coast Guard deployed ICGS Varad and ICGS Anmol for the rescue mission, while ICGS Vijit was also deployed from Sri Vijaya Puram to augment the operation. A senior Police official said efforts were underway to trace the remaining crew members. The identities of the rescued crew members were not immediately known. The iron ore cargo vessel reportedly disappeared from the tracking system after
departing from Paradip Port and later sank in the Bay of Bengal, more than 200 nautical miles off the Paradip coast in Odisha. According to maritime vessel tracker MarineTraffic, MV Ocean Winner was a bulk carrier sailing under the Panama flag. The vessel had a length overall of 225 metres and a width of 32.26 metres. The vessel had a reported destination of Singapore and an estimated time of arrival of August 27. The Indian Coast Guard and other agencies continue efforts to locate and rescue the remaining crew members. (Excerpt from The Tribune)
St Lucia: Ancillary workers receive August salaries for 1st time
A&B: 2026 Carnival delivered A within EC$5.2M budget
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ntigua Carnival 2026 was delivered within its approved EC$5.2 million budget, while most major events recorded increased ticket sales compared with the previous three years. The Antigua and Barbuda (A&B)Festivals Commission presented Cabinet with a report covering the festival’s financial performance, attendance, visitor participation and preparations for the 70th anniversary of Antigua Carnival in 2027. Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said the Cabinet welcomed the Commission’s
longstanding gap in the payment of ancillary workers within Saint Lucia’s education system has come to an end, with eligible cooks, janitors, cleaners, and Early Childhood Development Centre workers receiving salaries during the August vacation period for the first time. The policy change was formally marked during a ceremony at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School on Thursday, bringing together workers and Government officials. The payments were announced earlier this month as part of a provision approved in the national budget. Prime Minister (PM) Philip J Pierre said the measure addresses a situation in which ancillary employees historically went without an August salary, despite some being required to return to
A section of the gathering during the Prime Minister’s address
work to prepare for the reopening of schools. He acknowledged that the wages received by some of those employees do not fully reflect the importance of their work. The PM described the August payment as a policy decision taken by his Administration and stressed that eligible employees would benefit regardless of their political affiliation. Education Minister
Kenson Casimir said the development was particularly significant given the financial demands many families face ahead of the reopening of school. Casimir, whose grandmother worked as a janitor for more than 30 years, said ancillary employees should be treated fairly for their contribution to the education sector. (Excerpt from St Lucia Times)
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
guyanatimesgy.com
Around the World
US deports 20 to Liberia, 1st of Carney calls Trump’s tariffs “miscalculation” 1200 migrants under Trump deal after trade talks collapse T
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney
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anada’s Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney has said a fresh wave of US tariffs on Canada is a “miscalculation” designed to “hurt and divide us”, after trade talks collapsed late on Friday. “They asked too much, and they offered too little,” Carney told Canadians on Saturday morning, adding
the country was now in a trade “war” after being hit with punishing new US duties. The PM confirmed he would match US tariffs “dollar-for-dollar” from 8 September, including levies on steel, dairy, appliances and electronics. The collapse of the trade talks upends a deeply inte-
grated trading relationship between two allies, with no clear path to resolution. US President Donald Trump has yet to comment. Both countries were optimistic of a deal earlier in the week, but talks fell apart after both sides accused the other of making last-minute changes. Now that talks have broken down, Canada has been hit with new 50 per cent US tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, in addition to existing US tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium, automobiles and lumber. The PM said Canada was retaliating “reluctantly” to protect its interests. Details of the countermeasures will be released in the coming days, he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)
wenty deportees from the United States arrived in Liberia on Thursday as part of a new agreement that will see the West African country receive as many as 1200 persons under the Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown. The group arrived at the Roberts International Airport outside the capital, Monrovia. The Liberia-US agreement is one of the largest third-country deportation arrangements pursued by the Administration since Trump returned to office last year. The Liberian Information Minister, Jerolinmek Piah, said the 1200 deportees will include African nationals as well as nationals from North America, South America and the Caribbean. During a briefing on Tuesday, Liberia’s Justice Minister, Natu Oswald Tweh, said that the majority of the deportees had com-
A plane carrying the deportees from the US arrives at the Roberts International Airport outside of Monrovia, Liberia
mitted migration-related violations and offences and that they could seek asylum in the West African country if they wished. Under a series of often-secret agreements, the Trump Administration has deported thousands of people to nearly two dozen countries that are not their own, advocates say, with about 10 of them
in Africa. A new report by Refugees International and Human Rights First, say the Trump administration has reached deals with at least 35 countries and has sent roughly 23,000 persons to 26 of them as of early August, and make the Liberia agreement the largest single arrangement so far. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Sword attack at Swedish school kills Iran condemns US plans to 17-year-old girl, injures 3 others, Police say
announce new sanctions
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ran on Saturday denounced US plans to announce new sanctions that could put further strain on the Islamic Republic’s economy and have an impact on its most important trading partners, including China. After nearly six months of war since the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28, the sides are not firing at each other but also showing no sign of pursuing peace talks. Oil shipments are at a virtual standstill in the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran threatening to strike any unauthorised oil tank-
ers that try to transit the vital waterway, and Iran’s economy is already under immense pressure from sanctions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also urged cooperation with Washington by China, which buys more than 80 per cent of Iran’s shipped oil, according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler. Beijing has urged diplomacy. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said on Saturday the imminent US announcement of new economic sanctions was an “assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over every independent
member state of ?the United Nations.” “Such secondary sanctions find no foundation in international law,” he said in a post on X. The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, told state television that Tehran would target the interests of countries helping the United States. US President Donald Trump, who has warned of economic consequences against any country that provides “any type of lifeline to Iran”, said on Friday that Washington was observing “what happens” in the conflict. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Russia, Ukraine trade attacks; at least 10 dead
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ussian drone and missile strikes killed at least seven persons in Ukraine, officials said Saturday, while a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Krasnodar region killed three others. The attacks came a day after a Russian strike on a Ukrainian shopping mall that killed 16 persons and wounded more than 130 others. Moscow’s forces have recently intensified their ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, exploiting Ukraine’s shortage of US-made Patriot air defence interceptors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said one person was killed and another wounded in the latest attacks when ballistic missiles hit railway infrastructure in the capital, Kyiv, overnight. Russia’s Defence Ministry said that its forces had hit a locomotive depot. In a separate attack, local authorities said two people were killed Saturday afternoon in a Russian ballistic missile strike on the Kyiv region, which surrounds the capital. Moscow’s forces have
recently intensified their ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, exploiting Ukraine’s chronic shortage of USmade Patriot air defence interceptors, the sole weapon in its arsenal able to shoot down the missiles. Russian drone strikes also killed one person overnight in the Zaporizhzhia region, local officials said Saturday, with a daytime attack killing three others and wounding 15. Zelenskyy said that three people were also wounded in an attack on a minibus in the regional capital, Zaporizhzhia. (Excerpt from CBS News)
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n 18-year-old carried out a sword attack at a school on Friday in central Sweden, killing a 17-year-old and wounding three others, two of them severely, authorities said. The perpetrator attacked the Brinell School in Fagersta, northwest of Stockholm, while classes were in session with about 400 to 500 students, officials said. The suspect was arrested, and the case was being investigated as murder and attempted murder, Police said. Västmanland County, where the town is located, said that the two seriously injured boys were ages 12 and 17. A third person, also under 18, was slightly injured and has been discharged from a hospital, Swedish news agency TT reported. “We have no reason at this time to believe that there are multiple perpetrators,” said Police Chief Tommy Alriksson at a news
People leave flowers and candles at a makeshift memorial
conference Friday, adding that an investigation was continuing. There was no official information on the attacker’s possible motive. On Saturday morning, around 70 persons gathered at the memorial site that the municipality prepared, carrying flowers and lighting candles, TT reported. Sweden’s national Police said investigators have already carried out two house
searches in connection with the suspect. Many witnesses were expected to be interviewed as part of the investigation. Police spokesperson Pelle Vamstad, quoted by the TT news agency, said an alarm was received early Friday afternoon and that Police rushed to the scene. He said officers would check any available camera footage for their investigation. (Excerpt from CBS News)
Israeli strikes kill 2, injure others as Gaza attacks continue
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t least two Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in the last 48 hours, Gaza’s Ministry of Health says, as many victims of past strikes remain trapped under rubble, inaccessible to ambulance and rescue crews. Four injured people were also brought to hospitals in Gaza, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. An Israeli drone attack targeted the al-Hasanat family in the central city of Deir el-Balah on Saturday, killing
one person and wounding others, Al Jazeera’s Ashraf Abu Amra reported from the city. Abu Amra said the attack was carried out without warning to the family in an area crowded with tents of displaced people. Ambulance and civil defence crews rushed to the scene and transported several wounded people to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the city. Israeli forces also pushed into the eastern part of the city and struck multiple
homes there, he said, with troops remaining positioned close to civilian areas along the city’s eastern perimeter. Israeli strikes and home demolitions continued elsewhere in the enclave, including in the southern city of Khan Younis. In eastern Khan Younis, Israeli forces shelled several civilian areas, targeting displaced Palestinians’ camps sitting across from the military-controlled area along the “Yellow Line”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
guyanatimesgy.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
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Discipline versus impulse will sum up your day. If you let your emotions lead the way, (March 21- you’ll probably face setbacks and regret. Take April 19) time to address the pros and cons of every situation before you make a move. Handle financial matters, and eliminate unnecessary subscriptions and pastimes that are costly and not as effective as anticipated.
ARIES
TAURUS Be brave, not gullible. Critique every choice before you launch your next move. Dedicate more (April 20- time and effort to self-improvement and realizing May 20) what’s best for you and your budget. Putting too
much work into something that doesn’t pay off will leave you bearing the loss. Learn from experience, and know when to say no.
GEMINI You can’t buy love. A change of heart will (MAY 21- coax you into bringing about personal and June 20) lifestyle changes. Check your finances before
you commit to or buy into something that may stretch your budget. Turn making do with what you have into a makeover of your surroundings that takes only your time and physical effort, not your hard-earned cash. Emotional situations will mount if
CANCER you or someone close to you withholds (June 21- information. Be forthright, and if you are July 22) suspicious of what someone is telling you, be blunt. It’s better to protect yourself than to be left with a mess. Enforce your will, and choose to direct your energy into someone or something that benefits you.
Live and learn. How you address love, romance and personal incentives will determine (July 23- the outcome. Offer what’s doable, and rise to Aug. 22) whatever occasion brings you the most joy. Put more into your surroundings to ensure you can achieve the most in return. Keep your life resources safe from outside influences in order to bypass setbacks. Choose discipline over impulsiveness.
LEO
Pickles
Pay attention to detail, and engage in activities that enrich your life. An active (Aug. 23- lifestyle will lead to better choices, less stress Sept. 22) and fewer illnesses. Spend more time and effort doing the pastimes you enjoy most. Refuse to let the changes others make disrupt your plans. Focus on what’s best for you, and take responsibility for your happiness.
VIRGO
Move forward cautiously. The right move LIBRA will lead to happiness and prosperity; the (Sept. 23- wrong one will lead to regret. You’ve got Oct. 23) time to do your research, so don’t let anyone pressure or manipulate you into taking a leap of faith. If you think about the past, you’ll know exactly what to do next. Discipline is your ticket to better days ahead.
Divvy up what’s on your agenda, and rearrange your plans to ensure you get time (Oct. 24- for self-care. Taking care of matters that Nov. 22) reduce stress will make you aware of what’s best for you. Personal transitions appear to be moving forward. Be present and open to letting go of the past and embracing what suits you best.
SCORPIO
Peanuts
Put more time and effort into your home SAGITTARIUS environment, personal relationships and (Nov. 23- learning how you can improve your life and Dec. 21) daily routine. A chance to network or learn something new will help you recognize an opportunity you didn’t realize was feasible. A commitment will bring you closer to someone you love. Romance is in the stars. Pay attention to detail when dealing
CAPRICORN with money, health and contracts, and (Dec. 22- you’ll figure out how to maintain a budget Jan. 19) and enjoy what life has to offer. Be patient,
Calvin and Hobbes
and spend time doing what you enjoy most. Recognize what you do for the sake of others and how you take care of yourself. Get your priorities straight.
If you look for the good in everything AQUARIUS and everyone, you’ll prosper. An unusual (Jan. 20- opportunity to fulfill your professional Feb. 19) dreams looks promising. Don’t buy into
someone else’s plans; develop your own, and you’ll gain the freedom you desire. An agreement you have with someone close to you is better than you think; be reasonable. Participate in events that get you moving,
PISCES engaging and meeting new people. Explore (Feb. 20- what’s available to you and how you can Mar. 20) take advantage of situations that develop. Keep your motives and your personal secrets to yourself until you are sure you want to proceed. Be true to yourself, and engage in what excites you. Partnerships look promising.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
6 for Starc, 6 for Shoriful, Australia in front after 18-wicket opening day between Steven Smith and Cameron Green, but Shoriful, returning to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury, sparked a batting collapse: Australia lost five wickets for 30 runs in 7.3 overs. It would have been fine for Bangladesh to be completely demoralised after Shoriful Islam says his thanks after completing his five-for (Getty Images) their effort with the bat, but Taskin Ahmed had the itchell Starc’s six returning Matt Renshaw for 12 was con- caught at slip for eight in tested by Shoriful the third over itself. Shoriful then had Travis Islam’s six for 35 on a dramatic 18-wicket opening Head chopping on – for the day of the Mackay Test. third time in three innings Australia went to stumps in the series – with his at a rickety 165 for eight for second ball of the match. a lead of 101. Bangladesh Later in the same over, had earlier done them- Shoriful bowled Marnus selves no favours with the Labuschagne off his thigh bat as they were rolled over pad for four. Australia for just 64, their fourth-low- again needed Smith to keep them afloat, and he picked est total in Test cricket. It was an admirable up the scoring rate after fightback from Bangladesh tea. Smith started the last after being blown away in the morning and ear- session with two fours off ly afternoon. Starc need- Hasan Mahmud, though the ed just 22 balls to com- second one was a streaky plete his five-wicket haul one off the bottom edge. as Bangladesh crashed to Smith repeated the dose to 12 for five after being asked Shoriful, with a pull and an to bat. Four of their top-six on drive, before Green got into the act with two fours batters fell for ducks. Australia lost three ear- off Mahmud in the next ly wickets of their own be- over. Smith was right on fore recovery through a 77- top of Bangladesh’s bowlrun fourth-wicket stand ing when he struck Taijul
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Islam for two fours in consecutive overs, but Shoriful cut his innings short with an excellent delivery. The left-arm quick got the ball to nip back off the seam with Smith, batting on 42, already shuffling in front of the stumps. Bangladesh had their way via umpire’s call after the review showed that the ball was shaving Smith’s off-stump. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto then brought on Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who immediately sent Alex Carey back. It was an uncharacteristic shot from Carey, who went down the pitch and tried to jab the ball to the leg side but only managed to skew it in the air for Mahmud to take the catch at mid-on. Shoriful then had his second double-wicket over when he dismissed both Beau Webster and Pat Cummins for ducks. He trapped Webster lbw with another inswinger, and followed that with a snorter at Cummins, who was gloved to wicketkeeper Litton Das. Starc became Shoriful’s sixth wicket when he bowled the fellow left-arm quick with one that again moved off the seam. Green, who made a century in the Darwin Test,
kept Australia on track with his unbeaten half-century at the other end. He stroked the ball around nicely for his eight boundaries, showing the merit of the Mackay wicket, which has otherwise been a nightmare for batters. Earlier, Starc was all over the Bangladesh batters with his pace and late swing with the new ball, and his six-wicket haul him past Dale Steyn’s 439 wickets. Starc finished with six for 12, returning after a bit of resistance from the lower order to complete the rout after lunch. Bangladesh’s No. 11 Shoriful made 14, the top score of the innings, while the last five batters contributed 47. Starc did full justice to Cummins’ decision at the toss to bowl first. He had Shadman Islam caught at gully off the first ball of the match, with Green taking a good low catch. This was the fourth time that Starc had opened a Test match with a wicket, having done the same against Dimuth Karunaratne, Rory Burns and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the past. Shadman, meanwhile, joined Hannan Sarkar (three times) as the second Bangladesh opener
to get out off of the first ball of a Test match. Tanzid Hasan fell for a duck, too, when he edged Starc to Webster at second slip. It was a nothing shot with no footwork, especially surprising from a batter who had scored a century in his previous Test. Tanzid has now got two ducks in a row after his breakthrough knock in Darwin. Shanto was given out lbw next ball but immediately took the review. Umpire’s call, however, worked in Starc’s favour. Mushfiqur Rahim prevented the hat-trick. Starc then removed Mominul Haque, who played a poor shot without any movement of the feet, simply guiding an awaygoing delivery to Green at Gully. Starc’s five-for was completed when he trapped Litton lbw for a duck. Webster had dropped Litton the previous ball, in what was the simplest of chances in the slips, but Starc was relentless with his full deliveries.
Bangladesh’s 12 for five was their lowest total at five down in a Test innings. Mushfiqur lasted 41 balls before a Cummins delivery burst through his bat and pad, but Mehidy and Mahmud managed to prevent any further damage in the first session, which ended with Bangladesh at 35 for six. Cummins got Mehidy driving away from his body shortly after lunch, with Webster taking a diving catch to his right. At No. 7, Mehidy became the first batter in this innings to reach double digits. Josh Hazlewood opened his account when Mahmud flicked him to leg gully after surviving 35 balls, before Cummins removed Taskin, who skied the ball to Renshaw at square leg. Three fours towards the end from Shoriful and Taijul took Bangladesh past 43, their lowest total in Tests. Starc finished things up with Shoriful’s wicket, caught behind. (ESPNcricinfo)
aaa Summarised scores: Australia 165 for 8 (Green 51*, Smith 42, Shoriful 6-35) lead Bangladesh 64 (Starc 6-12, Cummins 3-25) by 101 runs
Promoted Hull City stun Man Utd, Spurs thrashed, Ipswich enjoy winning return
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ull City marked their return to the Premier League after a nineyear absence with a deserved 2-0 victory over
Hotspur’s lavish summer spending spree could not prevent a 3-0 drub-
bing at a s u p e r b Brentford. L e e d s United ruined Oliver Glasner’s first game in charge of Nottingham Manchester Forest as United, and felthey snatched a late 1-0 viclow newcomers Ipswich tory at the Town also City Ground, began imwhile the pressively with Austrian’s a 2-1 home win Hull City’s Nobel Mendy f o r m e r celebrates scoring their against visiting c l u b second goal (Action Images Sunderland. via Reuters/Lee Smith) Tottenham
Crystal Palace were beaten 2-0 at Everton. Opening weekends of a new campaign are often unpredictable, and after an unprecedented managerial merry-goround this summer, with nine clubs starting with a new man in charge, it proved the case again with Hull producing the biggest upset. There had been an air of optimism surrounding Michael Carrick’s United side after last season’s revival saw them finish third under their former midfielder, who replaced the sacked Ruben Amorim in January. Instead, they got a reality check. “It’s one game,” Carrick told TNT Sports. “It’s the first game of the season, so it’s disappointing enough, and it
hurts, of course it does. “But it doesn’t change direction all of a sudden, the whole direction the team’s going in, or the football club. We’ll stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week.” Hull were promoted via the playoffs and began the season tipped for an early return to the Championship. However, they threatened United from the start and took the lead in the 17th minute when Semi Ajayi turned home a rebound after Oli McBurnie’s effort from a corner had been parried by goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Hull’s dominance at set-pieces paid off again seven minutes before halftime. Regan Slater curled a free kick into the area, and Nobel Mendy rose high to power a header beyond
Lammens to send the MKM Stadium into raptures. It was Hull’s first league victory over United in 52 years. “I spoke last week about the possibility that we can win,” Hull’s Croatian manager Sergej Jakirovic said. “This is maybe the key because I have to convince my players that we are capable of playing at this level. “But it doesn’t change direction all of a sudden, the whole direction the team’s going in, or the football club. We’ll stay calm, stay in the bubble and focus on next week.” Hull were promoted via the playoffs and began the season tipped for an early return to the Championship. However, they threatened United from the start and took the lead in the
17th minute when Semi Ajayi turned home a rebound after Oli McBurnie’s effort from a corner had been parried by goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Hull’s dominance at set-pieces paid off again seven minutes before halftime. Regan Slater curled a free kick into the area, and Nobel Mendy rose high to power a header beyond Lammens to send the MKM Stadium into raptures. It was Hull’s first league victory over United in 52 years. “I spoke last week about the possibility that we can win,” Hull’s Croatian manager Sergej Jakirovic said. “This is maybe the key because I have to convince my players that we are capable of playing at this level. TURN TO PAGE 29
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Anna Regina readies for Pdey Stars, Milerock secure floodlit climax as Essequibo Summer Super Cup semi-final spots Zone reaches Lotto/ Let’sBet T10 showdown
Otis Roberts
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stage is set for a floodlit spectacle at the Anna Regina Stadium on Sunday, August 23, as the Essequibo Zone of the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast reaches its grandstand climax. The high-octane action bowls off at 14:30h with back-to-back semi-finals, paving the way for the marquee zonal final at 20:00h to determine who takes home the Essequibo crown. There is plenty on the line for the local outfits beyond regional bragging rights. Shawn’s Mini Mart has put up a hefty GY$500,000 win-
ner’s purse, with Jaigobin Hotel backing the leg with a GY$200,000 runner-up cheque, and Scoop Ride Inc. ensuring losing quarter-finalists walk away with GY$25,000. Crucially, the Essequibo champion earns a ticket to the National Grand Finale, joining already-qualified heavyweights Grillmaster and Mahdia. Adding further spice to the evening is a fast-and-furious sixover exhibition sprint at 18:30h between Trophy Stall Jaguars and Trophy Stall Eagles. O t i s R o b e r t s skippers a Jaguars lineup featuring glovesman Marcanthony Obermuller alongside Ravid Fredericks, Tyrese Stephney, Shahab Takram, Joash Inniss, Yovesh Bridgemohan, Demarcus Thomas, Shahid Khan, Shazzief Mohammed, Ijtihad Kadir, and Emmanuel Parris.
Standing in their way are Jathniel Nurse’s Eagles, anchored by wicketkeeper Mark Daniels and packed with punch through Darrius Pearson, Rajendra Ramballi, Mark Campbelle, Naveed Fredericks, Emmanuel Jhablall, Shivesh Bridgemohan, Dennis Crossman, Daniel Dass, Renny Persaud, and Orrin Gibson. Once Sunday’s drama wraps up, the tournament will hit the pause button to clear the stage for the closing stretch of the Caribbean Premier League. The tapeball circuit resumes on September 26 for the Georgetown/ East Coast Demerara Zone, before all roads lead back to Anna Regina for the national showdown on October 11.
The Summer Super Cup semi-finals are scheduled to begin today (file photo)
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dey Stars and Milerock Football Club (FC) secured the final two semi-final places in the 2026 Summer Super Cup after recording hardfought victories in their respective quarter-final encounters at the Bayroc National Stadium. Pdey Stars booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 victory over Haynes Winner Connection in an entertaining contest. Pdey Stars made the brighter start and took the lead in the 13th minute when Dellus Richardson found the back of the net. Haynes Winner Connection struggled to find an immediate response, allowing Pdey Stars to carry a 1-0 advan-
tage into halftime. Pdey Stars doubled their lead nine minutes into the second half when Jaden Nelson scored in the 54th minute to put his team in a commanding position. Winner Connection, however, refused to surrender and quickly reduced the deficit. Joel Daw scored in the 58th minute to give his team renewed hope of mounting a comeback. Despite their efforts in the closing stages, Winner Connection could not find the equaliser as Pdey Stars held on for the 2-1 victory and a place in the semi-finals. The second quarter-final was an even tighter affair between TOPP XX FC and
Milerock FC. With neither team able to break the deadlock for most of the encounter, the match appeared headed for a goalless finish. However, Kamar McLaren produced the decisive moment in the 88th minute, finding the back of the net to give Milerock a dramatic 1-0 victory. The late strike sent Milerock into the semi-finals, leaving TOPP XX to reflect on a narrow defeat after coming within minutes of taking the contest beyond regulation time. Pdey Stars and Milerock now join Capital FC and Botofago FC in the final four as the remaining teams battle for places in the championship match.
Bess strengthens coaching skills ahead of Guyana’s Tier II final
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Jathniel Nurse
Promoted Hull stun Man...
FROM PAGE 28
Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring in the 12th minute after the Spurs defence was sliced apart and Vitaly Janelt doubled the lead with a tapin before halftime. Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi sent on £85 million to sign Mateus Fernandes in the second half, but things got worse as Michael Kayode quickly made it 3-0.
Brentford could have had several more goals, and Igor Thiago struck the post with a penalty. Ipswich substitute Jack Clarke scored in the 90th minute to mark a dream return to the top flight for the Suffolk club. Julio Enciso set up Emersonn for a tap-in after 24 minutes for the hosts, but Sunderland, who finished seventh last season on their return to the Premier League, levelled before halftime when Nilson Angulo’s curling free-kick went in
off the crossbar. Clarke’s late winner meant that for only the fourth time in the Premier League, two of the three promoted teams won their openers, as also happened last season. Championship winners Coventry City lost 3-0 at Premier League champions Arsenal on Friday. Glasner is Forest’s fifth manager in less than a year, but his reign began in disappointing fashion as Anton Stach struck for Leeds in the 88th minute. Everton won their opening game for the first time in five years as goals by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry either side of the interval saw off Pierre Sage’s Palace. Palace had looked lively early on and twice struck the woodwork through Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta. (Reuters)
uyana’s goalkeeper Coach Travis Bess has boosted his knowledge of youth player development ahead of the national Under-14 boys’ clash with Suriname in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series Tier II final. Bess participated in the Elite Youth Goalkeeper Coaches Workshop in the Dominican Republic from August 17 to 21 while serving with the Guyana team at the regional tournament. The workshop provided Bess with an important opportunity for continued learning and professional development. It also allowed him to enhance his knowledge and expertise in training and developing young goalkeepers. The experience should benefit Guyana’s youth programme as Bess continues to work with the country’s emerging custodians and prepares them for international competition. His immediate attention will now be on Guyana’s Tier
Guyana’s goalkeeper Coach Travis Bess has boosted his knowledge of youth player development
II final against Suriname at 09:30h tomorrow, Sunday, August 23. Bess will be with the
team as Guyana seeks to complete its campaign by securing the Tier II title.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
Jaguars face All roads lead to Golden 4-match Nations Rising Sun for League test in 11 days historical Guyana Cup today
Guyana’s Golden Jaguars will play four matches in 11 days when they begin their 2026/27 CONCACAF Nations League campaign in September
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he stage is set for the most lucrative day in Guyana’s horse racing, today, Sunday, August 23, at Rising Sun Turf Club. The weather conditions are immaculate, and 14 high-quality races are on the cards for a 09:00h start. More than GY$66 million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs, and top horses, familiar and new, will take centre stage at Rising Sun Turf Club. The year-long preparation has come down to this day, and fans are filled with excitement for the prestigious event. Master Z's top horse, Dataman, is the defending champion, and he is set to run from the first gate in the feature one-mile event, sponsored by Banks DIH. Former Guyana Cup champion Olympic Kremlin is set for one final run, and it could be a fairytale ending to the Slingerz Racing stables' household name horse. Five new horses will be in the feature race, with a to-
vides an important route towards qualification for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Competition will continue in November, while the 2026/27 Nations League will conclude in March 2027. The final window will feature the League A Nations League Finals and, for the first time, centralised championship tournaments for Leagues B and C. CONCACAF will announce the schedules for the November 2026 and March 2027 windows at a later date. The Golden Jaguars will now focus on preparing for their opening fixtures as they seek a positive start and a place in the inaugural League B Championship.
MSC rally to 6-wicket victory over Everest
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tal of 10 horses in the gate. Jockeys from Brazil, Trinidad, and Guyana and fans from around the globe are already in Guyana for Guyana’s hottest event of the year. Jockey Colin Ross, who will be on Stat for the feature race, is the leading jockey heading into the Guyana Cup. In addition to the 14
high-profile races, a family fun day is on the cards. A kids' zone will be at Rising Sun, and the excitement will be felt from the gate of entry to every part of the ground. This year fans will have a wider view of the races, and a lucky fan will drive away with a brand-new SinoTruk pick-up truck, compliments of Jumbo Jet.
OFFICIAL FEATURE RACE FIELD 1 — DATAMAN (USA) — Yovin Kissoonchand 2 — STAT (USA) — Colin Ross 3 — FRONTLINE WARRIOR (USA) — Michael Semple 4 — MAPA DO BRASIL (BRZ) — Dillon Khelawan 5 — OLYMPIC KREMLIN (BRZ) — Acendir Gulart 6 — OLYMPIC NATIONAL (BRZ) — Francisco Chaves 7 — SANTORINI (USA) — Wilkey De Xavier 8 — I'M SAM (USA) — Kaua Gonsalves 9 — VITRUVIAN (BRZ) — Alexandre Correia 10 — SAND PIPES (USA) — Jose Da Silva
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Nathaniel Ramkallawan produced a solid all-round game
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one of 16 teams competing in League B. The teams have been placed into four groups of four, with each country required to play six group-stage matches across the September-October and November FIFA Match Windows. Each team will face its three group opponents twice, and the winner of each group will advance to the League B Championship to compete for the title. The group matches will be staged at centralised venues. The format was introduced during the previous edition to reduce travel demands and help CONCACAF member associations maintain high standards when hosting matches. This season marks the fifth edition of the CONCACAF Nations League, which will feature 41 member associations. The tournament gives national teams across the region regular competitive matches against opponents of similar levels and also pro-
The stage is set for the most lucrative day in Guyana’s horse racing
alteenoes Sports Club (MSC) secured a comfortable six-wicket victory over Everest Cricket Club in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Under-17 Eline Security Logistics 50-Overs competition at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground. Everest, winning the toss and electing to bat first, endured a shaky start as Tyler Nedd struck early for MSC, rattling the stumps of Danveer Singh. However, Vinesh Kalpoo provided resis-
uyana’s Golden Jaguars will play four matches in 11 days when they begin their 2026/27 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League campaign in September. The senior men’s national team will compete in League B and open against Puerto Rico on September 24 at 15:00h at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica. Guyana will return to the same venue three days later to face the Cayman Islands at 15:00h. The team will then travel to Puerto Rico for consecutive matches against Dominica. The first meeting with Dominica is scheduled for October 1 at 17:00h at the Estadio Centroamericano Juan Figueroa Freyre in Mayagüez. Guyana will close the September-October FIFA Match Window against the same opponent on October 4 at 15:00h at that venue. The Golden Jaguars are
tance with a well-compiled 74 from 82 deliveries, including four fours and three sixes. Despite his efforts, wickets continued to fall around him, and Everest were eventually bowled out for 164 in 34.3 overs. Nedd was the pick of the MSC bowlers with three for 19, while Joshua Bollers and Nathaniel Ramkallawan claimed two wickets apiece. MSC responded confidently, reaching 168 for four in just 25 overs to complete the six-wicket victory. An unbeaten 42 from 33 balls, decorated with three fours and a six, led the successful chase, while
Joshua Budhram contributed a valuable 39 from 35 deliveries and Shane Kissoondeo added 28 from 32. Brandon Brown was the most successful Everest bowler, claiming two for 29. The competition continues today, with Georgetown Cricket Club set to face Everest at the Queen’s College Cricket Ground, while GT XI will take on Demerara Cricket Club at Transport Sports Club. Both encounters are expected to provide another opportunity for the young cricketers to showcase their developing skills in the 50over format.
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Royals, Ariel, Bulls, Renegades through to final 4 in Essequibo zone of Lotto/Let’sBet T10 H igh-octane hitting, nerve-shredding chases, and hefty prize money set the stage as the Essequibo leg reaches its climax, with four teams locking horns to determine who earns the ultimate zonal crown and a coveted spot in the National Grand Finale. The quarter-final round was a masterclass in power-hitting across the venues. At Hampton Court, Mark Gonsalves unleashed a brutal 26-ball 82, laced with nine sixes, to power Adventure Renegades to a towering 172 for three. Supported by Shaz Grovesnor’s 20-ball 45, the total proved way beyond Bartica Royals, who collapsed to 108 for five under the absurdly economical precision of Besham Moses (three for two from two overs). Over at Pomona, Team Royals made light work of a steep chase, hunting down 2025 semi-finalists Aurora Knight Riders’ 132 for one
The quarter-final round was a masterclass in power-hitting across the venues
in a staggering 6.2 overs. Royan Fredricks’ unbeaten 36-ball 84 for Knight Riders was rendered immaterial once Tayindra Boodram (76* off 22) and Bomesh Ramdahin (42* off 14) began
clearing the ropes with complete disdain. At Anna Regina, Lusignan Bulls DTP II posted a mammoth 170 for three, propelled by skipper Richie Looknauth’s as-
tonishing 17-ball 65* and Vickash Wilkinson’s 54* off 19. Shawn’s Mini Mart put up a spirited response via Shaieed Khan’s 30-ball 60, but ultimately fell 37 runs short.
Meanwhile, Affiance No. 1 Ground hosted a thriller as Jamal Wilson’s blistering 83 off 30 balls guided Queenstown/Ariel XI past Fibreglass Gladiators’ 140 for three with just two balls
to spare. Sunday’s action bowls off at 14:30h with back-to-back semi-finals, headlined by Adventure Renegades locking horns with Lusignan Bulls DTP II at 16:30h. The evening promises extra flair with a six-overs-aside sprint between Trophy Stall Jaguars and Trophy Stall Eagles, alongside an Essequibo youth showcase at 18:30h, before the grand zonal final at 20:00h. On the line is a GY$500,000 winner’s purse courtesy of Shawn’s Mini Mart, a GY$200,000 runner-up cheque from Jaigobin Hotel, and a golden ticket to the national showdown alongside already-qualified Grillmaster and Mahdia. The tournament will briefly pause for the closing stretch of the Caribbean Premier League before resuming on September 26 for the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone, with all roads leading back to Anna Regina for the national showdown on October 11.
Leung leads Guyana with 6th place Demerara chase down Essequibo finish in Caribbean junior time trial as Berbice crush GCB XI
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lexander Leung led Guyana’s challenge with a sixth-place finish in the junior men’s Individual Time Trial at the 2026 Caribbean Junior Road Cycling Championship in Belize on Saturday. Leung completed the event along Boom Hattieville Road in 28 minutes, 50.68 seconds, recording an average speed of 41.602 kilometres per hour (km/h). His Guyanese teammate, Alex Newton, followed closely in seventh place with a time of 29:03.17 and an average speed of 41.304km/h. Only 12.49 seconds separated the national riders in the 12-man field. Ryan Thompson of the Cayman Islands captured the gold medal after producing the fastest time of 26:03.44. He averaged 46.052km/h during his win-
(From left to right) Aryan Ali, Namit Manna, and Omar Raguba
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Alexander Leung led Guyana’s challenge with a sixth-place finish
ning ride. Bermuda’s Jacob Wright
Alex Newton, followed closely in seventh place with a time of 29:03.17
claimed silver in 26:44.95, while Barbados’ Jonah Kelly secured bronze after stopping the clock at 27:05.27. Leung finished 2:47.24 behind the champion and was 31.42 seconds outside the top five. Newton ended 2:59.73 behind Thompson. The Guyanese pair will return to action in the championship’s road race on Sunday. That event is scheduled to begin at 08:00h along the Philip Goldson Highway in the vicinity of the Mirab department store. The three-day championship began on Friday with the official team presentation at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. It is being staged by the Cycling Federation of Belize under the regional and international cycling bodies.
emerara and Berbice recorded victories when the opening round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-13 Tournament got underway yesterday. At the Albion Sports Complex, Berbice Under-13 registered a comfortable eight-wicket victory over the GCB Select XI. The GCB Select XI won the toss and elected to bat but endured a disappointing outing, being bowled out for just 44 in 15 overs. No batter managed to reach double figures as the Berbice bowlers dominated. Nitan Manna, Aryan Ali, and Omar Ragubar were the chief destroyers, claiming three wickets apiece. Berbice then made light work of the modest target, reaching 45 for two in 7.4 overs. Manna remained unbeaten on 14 from 28 deliveries, while Summit Samaroo finished unbeaten on 11 to guide Berbice to victory. At the LusignanBellefield-Isaac (LBI) ground, Demerara Under-13 also se-
cured a six-wicket victory over Essequibo Under-13. Essequibo, after winning
the way with an impressive 41 from 37 deliveries, including five fours, while captain Caleb
Player of the Match Aaron Perkins (4-15) received a trophy from GCB operations officer Avishkar Ramgobin
the toss and choosing to bat, posted 134 for eight from their allotted 25 overs. Captain Vidal Narine top-scored with 30 from 36 deliveries, while Kaysean Doodnauth contributed 27 from 32. Demerara’s Aaron Perkins was the standout bowler, claiming four wickets for 15 runs from three overs. In reply, Demerara successfully chased down the target, reaching 135 for four in 23 overs. Xavier Dodson led
Bastian struck 24 from just 16 balls. Their contributions ensured Demerara completed the chase with two overs to spare and secured a six-wicket win. Action in the tournament continues on Monday, with Berbice Under-13 taking on Demerara Under-13 at LBI, while the GCB Select XI will face Essequibo Under-13 at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026
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Leung leads Guyana Demerara chase with 6-place finish down Essequibo as Berbice in Caribbean crush GCB XI junior time trial Pg 31
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L-R: Alexander Leung, Coach Brentnol Carmichael, and Alex Newton
Royals, Ariel, Bulls, Renegades through to final 4 in Essequibo zone of Lotto/Let’sBet T10 Pg 31
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