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Lack of ring-fencing

Partial disclosures stall MV Barima murder case

…court grants prosecution more time

Rondell Dwayne Roberts (centre) Chief Mate, Kevin “KP” Price (right) and Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Goods Superintendent, Delon Granderson, appeared virtually on Tuesday before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir. They are all charged with murder in the MV Barima tragedy.

drier days ahead movestoproduction 12 contractors bid below engineer's $55M estimate to refurbish Bartica Nurses Hostel

Partial disclosures stall MV Barima murder case

…court grants prosecution more time ...handcuffed captain and crew appear virtually

The murder case arising from the devastating MV Barima tragedy was heard at the Charity Magistrate's Court Monday morning before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir

Thematterwasadjourned

Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir

Granderson, the 33-year-old goods superintendent of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara, and Kevin Price, called "KP", the 40-year-old c

Damishana, East Coast Demerara.

Charity Magistrate's Court

th until 7 September after the

e Prosecutor Mandel Moore additional time to complete and serve full disclosures. Theprosecutioninformedthe court that only partial disclosures were available at thetime.

AttorneyEvertonLammy appearedforRondellDwayne Roberts, the 42-year-old Chief Mate of Grove Public Road,EastBankDemerara.A defence team comprising Attorneys Dexter Smartt, KeonaHiggins,EdenCorbin, AngelStevensandDr Dexter Todd, appearing both in person and virtually,

All three accused men appeared before the court virtuallywhilehandcuffed.

The MV Barima, an 87year-old ferry built in 1939, capsized while en route from to Port Kaituma from th Georgetown on 18 July, 2026.

Thetragicincidenthasso far resulted in the loss of 73 lives,withatleast30persons stillmissing.

Government said that 77 personswererescued,butone survivor subsequently died. Government has since establisbed a Commission of Inquiry, but work is yet to begin.

Lack of ring-fencing robbed Guyana US$4 billion - OGGN

Since Guyana began earning from its petroleum sector in 2020 to December 2025, the country amassed US$7.7 billion in revenue, a mere fraction of what it could have earned through theimplementationofaringfencingprovision.

The Oil and Gas

Governance Network (OGGN) in a letter to Kaieteur News on Monday highlighted that Guyana could have earned US$12.4 billion from its oil wealth in the Stabroek Block had government implemented a ring-fencing provision to prevent ExxonMobil from utilising the revenue generatedtheretopayforits otherprojects.

Ring-fencing means revenue generated at one project should pay for itself rather than fund additional

developments. This would increase Guyana's profit share after the cost for each developmentisrecoveredby theoilcompanies.

The first four projects, Liza One, Liza Two, Payara and Prosperity are currently producing about 915,000 barrels per day (bpd)

OGGN explained these projects carry a collective pricetagofaboutUS$28.5B.

It said, “During the period2020to2025,thetotal numberofbarrelsofoilsold was 796.5 million barrels; but to cover the investment cost, only 566 5 million barrels of oil were required tobesoldtorepaythecapital costandtheoperatingcost.”

OGGN pointed out that

Agreement (PSA), 75% of the total revenue earned

must be captured as cost, withtheremaining25%split in half, yielding 12.5% of total revenue as profit share forGuyana.

The group therefore explained, “Since total revenue earned between 2020 and 2025 is US$61.3 Billion,therefore75percent cost recovery is US$46.0 billion and Guyana profit share of 12.5 % of total RevenueisUS$7.7billion.”

Had a ring-fencing provisionbeenappliedtothe earnings between the period 2020 and 2025, the entire costofthefirstfourprojects would have been repaid and Guyana could have been collecting50%oftheprofits generated in the Stabroek block.OGGNnotedthatthe operating cost would still apply but this would nonetheless significantly increase Guyana's share of

profits. The group explained, “Undoubtedly, ring-fencing will make a significant difference for Guyana as soon as the investment cost is repaid. However, if no ring-fencing continues, and as new projects come on stream without ring-fencing (for example, Uaru and Whiptailarenewprojects),it will give the understanding that output and profits will be increasing, and Guyana should be joyful; however, since the 75-cost recovery mechanism will still be operable, profits will be significantlyunderstated.”

Furthermore, the group stated, “It is also indisputablyobviousthatthe current arrangements and earnings obtained from the oil extraction operation is waybelowwhatitshouldbe for Guyana And if no corrections are made, we already know what future generations will say about us They will say: Our ancestors were taken to the cleaners.”

Notably, a US$4B in revenue loss for the country amountstomorethanhalfof the country's total debt it endedtheyearwithin2025. According to government, Guyana's debt at the end of the year was a whopping US$7.7B. This year, it is expected to surpass US$10B.

OGGN therefore urged Guyanesepoliticianstotake action before “the oil is done” calling for improved management and oversight by including ring-fencing, real-time auditing, and monitoring the breakeven quantityofoilsold.

Uranium royalty to be negotiated when project moves to production

The royalty the Government of Guyana (GoG)willreceivefromanyfutureuranium productionattheKurupungUraniumProject has not yet been determined, with company filingsstatingthattheratewillbenegotiated if and when an application is made for a miningpermit.

The Kurupung Uranium Project spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 millionpoundsofuranium.

The project is now owned by Canadian firmU92Energy,whichacquiredtheproject earlier this year through the acquisition of LIAIndustriesPte.Ltd.,aSingaporeanfirm.

According to company filings, “The royalty due to the Government of Guyana from production from large-scale mining is negotiatedatthetimethatapplicationismade for a mining permit. Applications can be made at any time during the term of a PL (prospectinglicence).”

Notably, while the royalty will be determined once the mining permit application is made, Gibraltar-based ROPA InvestmentsLimitedhasalreadysecuredthe right to purchase up to half of the uranium produced during the initial phase of production from the Kurupung Uranium Project.

Kaieteur News reported that ROPA or a nominee it designates will retain off-take rightsto50%ofthefirst40millionpoundsof uranium oxide (U3O8) produced from the project,effectivelygivingthefirmanoption to purchase up to 20 million pounds from initialproduction.

Sincetakingcontroloftheasset,U92has finalised a commercial agreement for an initial 5,000-metre diamond drilling programme, submitted environmental applications for drill pad preparation, and acquired the project's historical exploration data. U92 has described Kurupung as a project with a significant historical resource andaclearpathtoexpansion,positioningitto meet growing global demand for nuclear energyascountrieslooktouraniumasalowcarbonpowersource.

LIA Industries local subsidiary, LIA (Guyana)Inc.wasincorporatedinGuyanaon th20 March,2023,andholdsexclusiverights tooccupyandexplorethepropertyundertwo

Prospecting Licenses issued by the Guyana Geology&MinesCommission(GGMC)on h 19 April, 2024 The licences permit exploration of uranium, other radioactive minerals, and rare earth elements for three th years,ending18 April,2027,withanoption to extend for up to two additional one-year th periodsthrough18 April,2029.

Moreover,therehavebeenconcernsover the proposed uranium project from civil society and politicians In fact, the Amerindian People'sAssociation (APA) has called for the project to be halted, citing the absence of public and community-level consultationsandalackofinformationabout theproject.

KaieteurNews

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Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Accountability

The sinking of the MVBarima has rightly commanded thenation’sfullattention.Familiesaregrieving.Questions over safety, accountability and governance demand urgent answers.YetevenasGuyanesemourn,anotherdangerlurks in plain sight. It is the danger that, once again, the latest nationaltragedywilleclipsethescandalsthatcamebeforeit, allowing those in authority to escape scrutiny simply becausethepublic’sattentionhasshifted.

Thatpatternhasbecomeoneofthedefiningfeaturesof governanceinGuyana.

Only days ago, the country was asking searching questionsaboutPresidentIrfaanAli’ssprawlingfarmalong the Soesdyke-Linden Highway Citizens wanted to know howsuchamassiveagriculturaloperationcameintobeing, the source of financing, the ownership arrangements and whetherthestandardsexpectedofordinaryGuyanesewere equally being applied to the head of state.Those questions have not been answered. They have merely disappeared frompublicdiscussion.

Before those questions could be pursued, revelations emerged concerning mining concessions reportedly linked to relatives of Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha. Again, serious issues were raised about transparency, conflictofinterestandtheallocationofthenation’snatural resources. Before the country could receive satisfactory explanations,anothercrisisarrived.

ThencametheBarimadisaster

Thehorrorofthattragedyhasunderstandablyconsumed thenation.Itdeserveseveryounceofattention.Theremust be justice for the victims, accountability for those responsible and sweeping reforms to prevent another such catastrophe. But the nation cannot allow one crisis to becometheburialgroundforanother

That is precisely how governments escape accountability

ThePeople’sProgressivePartyhasbecomeremarkably fortunate in this regard. Just as uncomfortable questions begin to gather momentum, another controversy, another emergency or another national event pushes the previous scandaloffthefrontpages.Mattersthatshouldhaveresulted inmonthsofinvestigationinsteadvanishintosilence.

This places an enormous responsibility on the opposition, the independent media, civil society organisationsandordinarycitizens.

The opposition cannot simply react to the issue dominatingtoday’sheadlines.Itmustpossessthediscipline and institutional memory to keep pursuing unresolved matters until satisfactory answers are obtained Accountabilitycannotoperateaccordingtothenewscycle.

The independent media faces an equally daunting challenge. Journalism is not merely reporting today’s biggeststory Itisalsoreturningtoyesterday’sunanswered questions. It means refusing to let important investigations die simply because another crisis has emerged Governments often benefit from public fatigue

Newspapers, broadcasters and online media must ensure thatfatiguedoesnotbecomeforgetfulness.

Civil society has perhaps its greatest role yet. Professional bodies, trade unions, religious organisations, transparencyadvocatesandcitizens’groupsmustresistthe temptation to become issue-specific activists. National accountability demands sustained pressure across multiple fronts.Oneinvestigationshouldnevercancelanother.

Ultimately, every citizen shares this responsibility Democracies do not remain healthy because governments willingly submit themselves to scrutiny They remain healthybecausecitizensinsistthattheydo.

This vigilance has become even more critical because Guyananowfacesdangersextendingfarbeyondindividual scandals.

Onlyrecently,Bloombergwarnedthatanoilcursehangs over Guyana because of weak governance, inadequate oversight and poor management of the petroleum sector Historyislitteredwithresource-richcountriesthatbecame

Emancipation means defending freedom from today’s abuse of power

DEAREDITOR,

Every August 1, we commemorate one of humanity’sgreatesttriumphs over oppression Full Emancipation in 1838 was not handed down by a benevolent master It was wonthroughblood,sacrifice and relentless resistance by enslaved Africans who refused to accept that they werelessthanhuman.

Our foreparents were bought and sold like cattle. Families were torn apart. Men, women and children were whipped, brutalised and stripped of their humanity Yet they never surrendered the conviction that they were born to be free.Theirstruggledidmore than liberate Africans It advanced the cause of all humanity, ensuring that no people should again endure s u c h c r u e l t y a n d degradation.

Every Guyanese, irrespective of race, is indebted to those who paid the ultimate price for freedom That is why Emancipationmustneverbe reduced to African attire, music and speeches. It is a

solemn reminder that freedom is never free. It demandseternalvigilance. The enemies of freedom no longer carry chains or crack whips. They occupy positions of power They centralise authority, weaken institutions, silence dissent, reward blind loyalty and expect citizens to accept exclusion as normal. The chainstodayareforgedfrom fear, complacency and the abuseofpower

Everygenerationinherits an unfinished struggle Every generation must decidewhetheritwilldefend libertyorquietlysurrenderit. Guyana stands at such a moment.

The MV Barima tragedy should have united this nation in grief, compassion and collective resolve Instead, the Irfaan AliBharratJagdeoregimechose to press ahead without meaningful engagement with the Constitution’s Leader of the Opposition or broad sections of civil society in determining the national response That approach offends not only human decency but the

Constitutionitself.

Article 13 requires that Guyana’s system of governance be grounded in the inclusion of citizens and their organisations in the management and decisionmaking processes of the State. It rejects the notion that any government possesses a monopoly on wisdom.

Article149Cgoesfurther by recognising the indispensable role of trade unions in promoting and defending workers’interests and guaranteeing their participation in national decision-making processes that affect their well-being. Those protections were not giftedbygovernments.They werewonthroughdecadesof strikes,sacrificeandstruggle byorganisedlabour

When governments substitute consultation with command and participation with political convenience, they do more than ignore constitutional obligations They diminish democracy and insult the generations whofoughttoestablishit. Yet from the pain of the Barimadisasterhasemerged hope.

Across Guyana, citizens have poured into the streets in peaceful protest, demandingtruth,justiceand accountability—not only for the victims and grieving families of the MV Barima tragedy, but also for the transport workers whose rights, safety and dignity ha

demonstrations deserve the unwaveringsupportofevery democrat because they proclaim an enduring truth: in a Republic, sovereignty resides with the people, and no government is above s c r u t i n y, b e y o n d accountability, or entitled to silence those who demand justice.

Particularlyinspiringhas been the emergence of our young people, who are demonstrating to the nation that they understand what t o o m a n y h a v e forgotten that rights survive only when citizens arepreparedtodefendthem. Their courage and resolve affirmthatthespiritofCuffy, Quamina,Damon,Hubert

Continued on page 5

Some observations on the IMF report

DEAREDITOR,

Below are a few comments on the IMF’s newly released economic report.

Most people know that reports of this type are thoroughly sanitised by “manypairsofeyes”editing to satisfy every competing political constituency Consequently, when one picks up the Staff ConcludingStatementofthe 2026 Article IV Mission, it must be read as much as a political document as an economic report, with the result that its most critical conclusions are entirely lost intranslation.

So: Here are just four examplesinthereportofthe “diplomacy”inaction:

Burying the context: The report notes that “the non-oil primary deficit amounted to one third of

non-oil GDP,” but stops short of providing an analyticalbaseline

By itself, this isolated figure carries about as much meaningastellingastranger with no knowledge of Guyanesegeographythatthe “Demerara River is 15-20 feetdeep.”

By deliberately avoiding any context regarding historical trends or fiscal sustainability,theIMFneatly avoids assigning blame or credit.

Cautious phrasing: We are told that “available indicators do not point to clearsignsofoverheatingor r e s o u r c e - d r i v e n competitiveness pressures.”

The qualifier “available” is telling, raising the obvious question: what if more comprehensive data were available?

Furthermore, “resource-

poorer in governance even as they became richer in natural wealth Corruption flourished Institutions weakened Political patronage deepened. Citizens were left with promiseswhileelitesaccumulatedfortunes.

There is already reason for concern. Billions of United StatesdollarshaveflowedthroughGuyana’soilindustry,yet fundamental questions continue to arise over contract management, cost recovery, transparency and whether the nationisreceivingfairvalueforitsresources.

Theminingsectortellsanequallytroublingstory Foreign companies have repeatedly acquired exploration rights over

driven competitiveness pressures” serves as a polite bureaucratic euphemism for afarmoreunsettlingreality: DutchDisease.Tobefair,the report does address the data gaps.

Grammatical Sleight of Hand: The report praises e x p a n d i n g p u b l i c expenditure, claiming it is “supported by the new centraliseddigitalplatform.”

Thecleveruseofthepassive voicestructuresthesentence to imply that this digital procurementinfrastructureis fully up and running, whereasitisactuallyawork in progress (I stand corrected).

The denominator illusion: The IMF continues to report Guyana’s external debt scaled by total GDP (a comforting12%)ratherthan non-oil GDP (a more sobering 35%). Yet, in a

seeming contradiction, the report simultaneously suggests that the non-oil primary balance should serve as the government’s main operational budget anchor

If Guyana’s explicit goal is to diversify away from hydrocarbons, its debt must be measured against the onshore economy. After all, it is the non-oil tax base that will be left servicing these massive foreign liabilities whenthewellsrundryin25 to30years.

On the whole, though, the report reveals that Guyana has scaled the first hurdle and may have no trouble with the second or third¯provideditadoptsthe recommendations in the report ¯ in what promises to bealongroadahead.

Sincerely, TerenceM.Yhip

Guyanese gold deposits, only to flip those assets for enormousprofitsoninternationalmarkets. Billions have changed hands abroad while Guyana receivescomparativelylittlebenefit. Iftheseissuesdisappearbeneathsuccessiveheadlines,the country risks far more than a few unanswered questions. It risks institutionalising a culture where accountability is temporary,scrutinyisfleetingandgovernmentssimplywait forthenextdistraction.TheBarimatragedydemandsjustice. But justice for Barima must not come at the expense of accountabilityelsewhere.

Hammock in the sky

DEAREDITOR,

Astairwayintheheavensuponthewatersabove Outlinesthehammock’sarkforajourneytoyonder

The great Toshao’s dark cacique crown is shrouded in blackclouds

Birds of darkness sit where bright plumes are usually placed

Sorrowsurroundsthewhitecloudsformingthehammock Darkcloudssitinaudienceofthosedeparting Emptybluespacesofarmsoutstretched

Blueoutlinesoftheyoungrunningtotheaged It’stimetogowiththeancestorsinthegreatbeyond Wewillmissyouinsadnessandrememberyouinjoy Timeforanewvoyageinthehammockinthesky

Weawaityoumanyseasonsfromnow Weawaityourlaughter,yoursmiles,andyourlove Enjoythejourneyandrestinthehammockabove DedicatedtothosewhodiedintheMVBarimaTragedy Withsincerecondolences

Mr.JamilChanglee

Emancipation means...

Frompage4

Nathaniel Critchlow and countless unnamed freedom fighters still lives, carried forwardbyanewgeneration unwilling to surrender the freedoms won through centuriesofstruggle.

The labour movement has always understood that rightsareneverpermanently secured Every protection workers enjoy today—the right to organise, to bargain collectively,tovoteandtobe treated with dignity—was won because ordinary people stood together againstextraordinarypower That same spirit must guide Guyanatoday

The marginalised must refuse to remain on the fringes while others feast at the national table. Working people must reject being rememberedonlyatelection time. Young people must refusethepoliticsoffearand dependency Every Guyanesemustinsistupona seat at the table where decisions affecting their livesaremade.

This call extends to supporters of the People’s Progressive Party as well. Holding a government accountable is not betrayal. It is patriotism. No political partyisgreaterthanGuyana. No leader is greater than the Constitution. Governments aretemporary TheRepublic ispermanent.

Our ancestors did not endure the auction block so that future generations

would become silent whenever democracy is

Guyana can attract more tourists looking for authentic travel

DEAREDITOR,

I recently read that the DominicanRepublicattracts the highest percentage of tourists in the Caribbean, even as tourism declines elsewhereintheregion.

A primary reason is that the Dominican Republic offers visitors a full cultural immersion; it features the

most bed and breakfast facilities in the Caribbean, with over 30 per cent of tourists choosing these a c c o m m o d a t i o n s Traditional resorts are increasingly losing appeal fo

Generation Z, who prefer

experiences.

This trend highlights a significant opportunity for G

s consistently praise the wonderfulGuyanesepeople, hospitality, and culture Whilearetreattohistoricand e

divisions, moving beyond this to focus on Guyana’s

unique, collective cultural expe

can build stronger communities and shape a unified identity By embracing and promoting this cultural experience, Guyanacanalsoattractmore touristslookingforauthentic travel.

Sincerely, DanielSingh

Did the MV Barima have the right keel for Atlantic Ocean travel ?

DEAREDITOR,

threatened. They fought so we could stand erect, not kneel; speak without fear, not whisper in submission; participate as equal citizens, not spectators in our own country

Dr Martin Luther King

Jr reminded us that

“Injustice anywhere is a t h r e a t t o j u s t i c e everywhere.” Those words speak directly to Guyana today

As the echoes of

Emancipation still ring across this land, let workers join hands with farmers, teachers, nurses, miners, fisherfolk,students,business owners, Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese, Indigenous

peoples, Portuguese, Chinese, Mixed and every citizen who believes this nationbelongsequallytoall.

Let’s organise. Let us defend our Constitution. Let us hold power accountable. Let us fight harder for justice,inclusionandhuman dignity.And let us build the Guyana for which our foreparents suffered and died a Guyana where every worker has a voice, everycitizenhasaseatatthe table, and every child can inheritanationworthyofthe sacrificesthatmadefreedom possible.

Only then will we truly be able to proclaim, with conviction and without reservation:

“Freeatlast!Freeatlast! ThankGodAlmighty,weare freeatlast!”

Regards, LincolnLewis

In one of my discussion groups on the MV Barima tragedy,itwassuggestedthat theMVBarimawasbuiltfor use only on the rivers in Guyana and not on the AtlanticOcean.

In fact, the description given of the MV Barima indicated that it was a passenger and cargo ferry of approximately 38.6 meters length overall, 8.9 meters beam and 2.9 meters depth, fitted with twin Caterpillar C18dieselmainenginesand Caterpillar diesel generator

s e t s ( h t t p s : / / kaieteurnewsonline com/20 26/08/02/govt-backs-downon-barima-memorial-plan/)

Unless this description was incomplete, it should be noted that there was no mention of the keel of the boat.

Thereasonforthekeelis that a keel is necessary for any ocean-going vessel. If onewereto gotoGoogleon the internet and write the followingquestion:‘Isakeel necessaryforanocean-going vessel?’, the answer would beyes.

Giventhatitwasclaimed thattheoceanwasrough,one boatenginewasnotworking, andtheboatwasoverloaded, amongothersafetyconcerns, the Guyanese people must know whether the MV Barima was built with the appropriate keel for ocean travel. Hence, the proposed lifting of the boat will deliver the answer to this question;anditwillassistin the understanding of this national disaster that permanently damaged many families. But thanks to the numerous Guyanese who

ensured that the boat would be lifted; and that the families who lost relatives will receive verifiable answers;andthattheywillbe emotionally and financially compensated to ease this life-long pain and suffering thatwilllastforgenerations. Finally, I thank the many Guyanese who ensured that we shall receive full accountability of this nationaltragedy

Sincerely, Dr C.KenrickHunte Professor and Former Ambassador

Trump slams Chevron CEO, demands immediate reduction in U.S. fuel prices

(AL-JAZEERA) United

States President Donald Trump has again demanded that oil companies lower gasoline or petrol prices for American consumers, slamming Chevron for not c r e d i t i n g h i s administration’s work to assist the oil industry as oil pricescontinuetorise.

Petrol prices have surged since the 28th February start of the U SIsrael war on Iran Trump’s demand for lower prices in the U S comes as he faces criticism for launching the war on Iran and for its impactoncostsformillions of Americans – and as November’s midterm U S electionsdrawcloser Oil prices dropped five percent on Monday, as Trump told reporters a deal with Iran is imminent and new negotiations are set to start.

Brent crude, the main international benchmark, stood at $82.91 per barrel as of 11:59am GMT on Monday, down five percent from a day earlier and down nearly 18 percent from last month’speakof$101.

On Monday, Trump criticised Mike Wirth, the chairman and CEO of the

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One while returning to the White House, August 2, 2026 [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]

multinational oil and gas company Chevron, for not crediting his administration for Chevron’s current performance.

He went on to say that Chevron and other oil

c o m p a n i e s s h o u l d immediately lower prices, which he has done previously “The only thing [Wirth] conveniently forgot to mention is that, without the genius, foresight, strength, and stability of the TRUMP Administration, the Oil Industry, and our Country itself, would be DEAD! As anexample,theythrewMike and Chevron out of Venezuela, but now they’re

back,farbiggerandstronger than ever before, expecting tomakeafortune!”

“That goes for other Oil Companiesaswell…andget your consumer (retail!) Oil PricesDOWN,NOW!”

‘Likearock’

The president has repeatedly said that fuel prices would “come down likearock”aftertheconflict with Iran ends, but economists have disputed Trump’s assertions and predict longer-term economic repercussions due tothewar.

The news of renewed negotiations over the weekend came after Trump called off what he had said

wouldbethe“biggestattack since World War II” on Iran after requests from Qatar, SaudiArabia and the United A r a b E m i r a t e s a s “perimeters of a deal” had beenagreed.

Trumpannouncedonhis social media platform Truth Social that those perimeters would include the “Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZSTRAIT”aswell as “an end to Iran’s nuclear threat” He provided no further details regarding the negotiations.

However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Iranian negotiators are currently only discussing the Strait of Hormuz’s management with Oman, with no talks under way and no planned meetingswiththeU.S.

This is not the first time thatthetwosideshavemade contradictory statements on thestateofnegotiations.

Monday’s drop in oil prices follows the sharp increase of more than 20 percent in July due to the resumption of hostilities and supply disruptions spreading from Hormuz to theRedSea

12 contractors bid below engineer’s $55M estimate to refurbish Bartica Nurses Hostel

Twelve contractors have submitted bids below the engineer’sestimateof$55.03millionfortherehabilitation oftheNurses’HostelinBartica,RegionSeven.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Seveninvitedtendersfortheproject,andduringtherecent opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), it was revealed that 13 contractorssubmittedproposals.

Of the 13 bids received, 12 ranged between $45.6 million and $54.2 million, all falling below the engineer’s estimate of $55,030,408. NPTAB disclosed that the remaining bidder failed to complete the Form of Tender page,andasaresult,nobidpricewasannounced.

KaieteurNewsunderstandsthattheprojectwillinvolve the full rehabilitation of the Bartica Nurses’ Hostel to improve its condition and ensure it can adequately accommodatehealthcareworkers.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

RegionalDemocraticCouncilofRegionSeven RehabilitationofNursesHostelatBartica.

ExtensionofKartaboPrimarySchool.

RegionalDemocraticCouncilofRegion10 ExtensionofWaitingArea,ConstructionofStoreRoom, ShedtoPharmacy&BoatHouse-HururuHealthCentre.

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Scandals

PAC meeting ends abruptly as APNU members

stage walkout over Juan Edghill's attendance

ProceedingsatthePublic Accounts Committee (PAC) came to an abrupt halt on Monday at Public Buildings after APNU opposition members walked out in protest over the presence of Minister of Public Works, JuanEdghill.

The session, convened under the chairmanship of VishnuPanday,beganwitha full quorum and proceeded throughinitialagendaitems, including the adoption of previous meeting minutes and the circulation of

e d immediately during the opening review when opposition member Ganesh Mahipaul took the floor to

participation.

Mahipaul argued that, in light of intense public scrutinyandnationaloutrage surrounding the tragedy of the ill-fated MV Barima, Edghill should either recuse

himself from the committee orbeforcedtoleave.Fellow opposition member Juretha Fernandes quickly voiced support for the objection, calling for accountability regarding the ongoing controversy Government member Gail Teixeira dismissedtheinterventionas procedurally out of order, m

committee was obligated to press forward with its

scheduled mandate After allowing the statements and attempting to restore order

chairman Vishnu Panday issuedaformalruling.While acknowledging the gravity of the public sentiment and the mounting pressure surroundingtheMVBarima incident, Panday pointed directly to the limitations outlined in the PAC manual and parliamentary standing orders.

"Members,theviewsand sentiments expressed by members andMahipaul Fernandes find acceptance with me Ho

ver, upholding the PAC manual and procedures, no power norauthorityisvestedinme, the chairman, to either evict Edghillnortocompelhimto recuse himself from the PAC,"Pandaystated,adding that the honorable course of

action would have been for Edghill to voluntarily step aside.

committee is currently facing a six-year backlog in reviewing auditor general reports, making continued scrutiny an urgent national priority

Refusing to accept the chairman's procedural ruling, and Mahipaul F

immediatewalkout.

B e c a u s e P A C regulations strictly require the physical presence of the chairman, at least two governmentmembers,andat lea

members to satisfy a quorum, the departure left the committee short of the required threshold The session was forced into an immediate and premature adjournment.

Reflectin

on the outcome, Panday noted that while he shares political alignment with calls for accountability, an uncoordinatedwalkoutrisks playingintothehandsofthe ruling administration He suggested that a unified strategy, such as advance notice or a planned boycott of future sessions, would havemaintainedpressureon the government without prematurely collapsing a crucialoversightmeeting.

Former Minister questions independence of MV Barima

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson is questioning the independence of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) announced by the PresidentofGuyanatoprobe the circumstances of the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima vessel that has resulted in the death of 73

persons.

COI

th On18 July,the87-yearold vessel capsized after sailing from the Kingston, Georgetown wharf on its voyage to Port Kaituma. Search and rescue teams wereabletosave76persons from the rough waters, though one victim subsequentlysuccumbed.

as

secretary

President Ali publicly c o m m i t t e d t o a n international, independent probe of the tragedy and subsequently announced a five-member team stacked withexpertsfromabroad.

On Sunday, it was revealedthatAttorney,Javed Shadick will function as S e c r e t a r y t o t h e

deeply tied to Govt.

Commission.

Raising an alarm over this announcement, Patterson on Monday questioned the selection of thelawyer,raisingquestions abouttheapplicationprocess for his appointment by the state.

Theinterimleaderofthe Alliance For Change (AFC) highlighted that was the SecretarytotheCommission into the Madhia Secondary Schooldormitoryfireaswell as the Secretary of the Presidential Commission InquiryintotheMarch2020 General and Regional Elections.Shadickistheson of former PPP Government minister and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, BibiShadick.

He currently serves as the Secretary of the

Constitution Reform Commissionandperformsa key function in the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), which falls under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, spearheaded by Minister DeodatIndar

Recently, calls have intensifiedforIndarwhohas responsibility for the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) as well as Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill to resignoverthedisaster

Given his plethora of responsibilities, Patterson said, “One would have thought that his hands were filled carrying out this importanttask.Butnow,out ofthethousandsofavailable lawyers, he has been selected once again, dropping his important mandate to coordinate the rewritingofourConstitution to head his f

Commission.”

The politician therefore q

commission, highlighting theimportantadministrative functions that will be performedbytheSecretary.

In an invited comment, he told this newspaper that Shadick will filter all

commission receives

FormerMinister ofPublicWorks, David Patterson

Furthermore, the secretary will be tasked with completing the report into the capsizing and sinking of thevessel.

“Great start to a thorough, transparent and independent international Commission of Inquiry,” Pattersonmocked.

He told this newspaper, “Not only must Justice be done;itmustalsobeseento be done. This COI into the worst maritime accident in ourcountry'shistoryhasnot gotten off on the right footing,firstdespitecallsfor an inclusionary input from the opposition and civil society, the government proceeded to unilaterally a p p o i n t a l l t h e commissioners.”

He said questions still (Continuedonpage16)

Theleopard,thePACandthegreatpoliticalrehearsal

There is an old saying thataleopardcannotchange itsspots.InGuyana,wehave improved upon this principle Our political leopard does not merely retain its spots; it carries them into parliament, polishes them, frames them, hangs them on the wall and thenattemptstoexplainwhy the spots are evidence of somebody else’s moral deficiency

Which brings us to the latestinstallmentofthegreat political theatre company formerly known as the APNU The current production is called remove Edghill Immediately, with the Public Accounts Committee serving as the stage, Minister Juan Edghill as the unwilling leading man, and the opposition walking out of the commiteee.

There is, however, something hauntingly familiaraboutthescript.We haveseenthismoviebefore.

Back in 2012, after the tragicshootingsatLindenin which three protesters were killed, the then APNU/AFC Opposition mounted a campaignfortheresignation of Home Affairs Minister

Clement Rohee The

NationalAssembly, with the oppositionhavingaone-seat majority, passed a noconfidence motion against him on 30th July, 2012. The opposition then sought to turnthatpoliticalexpression of no confidence into something resembling a parliamentary gag order They attempted to deny Rohee from speaking in and participating in the business

ofthehouse.

The matter ended up before Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang And Justice Changessentiallyperformed theparliamentaryequivalent of opening a window in a room.

H i s r u l i n g w a s devastatingly simple. Rohee was an elected Member of the National Assembly His ministerialstatuswas,forthe relevant constitutional question, beside the point.

Justice Chang concluded that, as a matter of law, an elected member could not simply be prevented from speaking because the majorityhadlostconfidence inhimasaminister

In other words, parliament could express its politicaldispleasure.Itcould vote against him. It could condemn him It could engage in the parliamentary equivalentofrollingitseyes so violently that the chandeliers shook. But it could not simply erase his constitutional rights as an electedparliamentarian.

Justice Chang was particularly clear that the separation of powers mattered. The courts would not ordinarily interfere in parliamentary proceedings, but constitutional rights were another matter His ruling held that the noconfidence motion, insofar as it purported to prevent Rohee from participating in the Assembly, could not be

infringing his constitutional rights.

Eventually Speaker Raphael Trotman restored Rohee’s full right to

Dem Boys Seh...

participate in the House, recognisingthattheNational Assembly could not, by majorityvote,derogatefrom theconstitutionalrightsofan individual Member except where the Constitution permittedit.

One would have thought the lesson might have been absorbed Apparently, APNU has a difficulty learningitslessons.

Fast-forwardto2026and the same political instinct has reappeared, this time wearing a slightly different costume. Minister Edghill is a member of the Public

identifies him as a member ofthePAC.Theopposition’s answer to this inconvenient

appears to be: If you cannot remove the man, remove yourselves. So, they walk out.

This is wonderfully theatrical It has all the ingredients of serious politics:indignation,solemn faces, dramatic exits and absolutely no requirement thattheaudienceunderstand

everybodyhaslefttheroom.

The irony is almost too perfect.ThePublicAccounts C

scrutinisepublicexpenditure and promote accountability Itsworkisalreadyburdened by delays and backlogs Walking out because a properly appointed member is sitting at the table is t

boycotting a fire station becauseyouobjecttooneof

Peace and quiet does cost plenty in Guyana

Dem boys seh sometimes yuh does get tiredofalldenoise,confusionandbacchanal in Georgetown. So dem boys decide that d e m n e e d s o m e p e a c e a n d quiet—somewhere to sit down, watch de sea,catchalittlebreezeandallowdebrainto cooldown.

So dem boys head down to de Georgetown Seawall, behind de Marriott, wheredejettydoesstickoutintodewater

Demboysseh,“Thisisdeplace.Nobody could disturb we here. Just de sound of de waves, de breeze and maybe a little bird chirping.”

Bigmistake!

As soon as dem boys reach, dem hear music blasting from a car parked nearby Andwhendemboyssehblasting,demmean music loud enough to wake up people who beendeadsince1975.

Demboyslookatdecarandwonderifde

thefirefighters.

And there is another, more interesting political irony. While APNU is rediscoveringtheancientart of parliamentary histrionics, WIN is discovering something considerably moreuseful.

During the MV Barima tragedy, WIN has joined other opposition forces in calls for an independent investigation and has participatedvisiblyinpublic political mobilisation protestingthedisaster

This follows political logic.Becausepoliticsisnot ultimatelywonbyproducing the loudest parliamentary exit.Itiswonbypersuading people outside Parliament

that you understand their anger, their anxieties and theiraspirations.

APNUisnowaminority Opposition In the 2025 elections,WINemergedasa significant new force, and the political landscape has changed dramatically The old Opposition can continue performing the familiar repertoire such as walkouts and disruptions to parliamentary proceedings. But voters have seen this productionbefore.

The danger forAPNU is that its leopard may indeed be incapable of changing its spots. The greater danger is that voters may become boredwithlookingatthem.

By 2030, the question

may not be whether APNU c

dramatic parliamentary performance It may be whether anybody is still buyingtickets.

Because there comes a point in politics when theatrics begin to look like rehearsal And Guyanese voters, unlike Parliament, are under no constitutional obligation to sit through the entireperformance.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper)

owner planning to entertain de entire East Coast. One man was sitting down in de car, windows open, speaker boxes looking like two refrigerators that somebody had mistakenlyconnectedtoaradio.

Dem boys seh, “Okay, we gon move farther down to de jetty Surely de jetty got peace.”

Anotherbigmistake!

Whendemboysreachdejetty,demboys nearlygetdemeyes hook out. Fishing lines everywhere!

Linesgoingleft,right,straight,diagonal andprobablyinternational.Everymangota fishing rod, and every fishing rod got a line stretchingintodeAtlantic.

Demboysseh,“Ifyuhain’tcareful,yuh could come here looking for relaxation and leavewithafishhookinyuheyelid.”

Butatleast,demboysseh,itquiet. Foraboutfiveminutes.

IMF praises govt's prudent borrowing strategy

The International

Monetary Fund (IMF) has endorsed the Government of Guyana'sborrowingstrategy, concluding that the country's debt remains sustainable

Thisrevelationcomesevenas thecountry'stotalpublicdebt is expected to climb to US$10.3billionbytheendof 2026.

In its concluding statementfollowingthe2026 Article IV Consultation, the IMF said government's “prudent borrowing strategy continues to support debt sustainability,withtheriskof debt distress assessed as low, as in the previous assessment.”

IMF also commended government for its sustained prudent fiscal policies, even as a fiscal deficit is expected to widen somewhat in 2026 due to social transfers and electricity subsidies but improvein2027.

move Guyana's debt burden from US$7.7 billion at the end of 2025 to US$10.3 billionthisyear.

Presenting the PPP/C Government's $1 5 trillion nationalbudgetfor2026, Dr Singh said the increase to US$7.7 billion by the end of 2025reflectscontinuedfiscal discipline alongside the government's aggressive development drive “Our government continues to balance the financing of our transformation agenda with the preservation of fiscal and debt sustainability,” Singh told the National Assembly “Weremaincommittedtothe responsible and transparent management of public debt within prudent cost and risk parameters.”

He noted that the PPP g o v e r n m e n t h

establishedtrackrecordsince itresumedofficein2020.He

The global organisation, however, advised that should oilpricesremainelevatedfor an extended period, the government should increase the share of oil revenues being saved. It said, “If oil prices remain persistently high, a larger share of additional oil revenue should be saved, in line with the economy's absorptive capacity Public spending should continue to prioritise productivity-enhancing projectsandsupportthemost vulnerable Policy efforts should remain focused on strengthening monitoring of spending outcomes and oversight of public enterprises.”

Earlier this year, Senior Minister with responsibility forFinance,Dr AshniSingh, announced that Guyana's total Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt rose sharply to US$7.7 billion at the end of 2025, up from US$5 993 billion a year earlier.This publication had reported that government's borrowing this year will

reported that total PPG debt stoodatUS$7.7billionatthe end of 2025, reflecting positive net inflows from both external and domestic financing sources. Domestic PPG debt accounted for 62.3%ofthetotal,amounting to US$4 8 billion, while externalPPGdebtcomprised 37.7%,orUS$2.9billion.

According to Minister Singh, multilateral creditors held the largest share of external PPG debt at 64%, followed by bilateral creditorsat30.1%andprivate creditors at 5.9%. On the domestic side, treasury bills (T-Bills) dominated the debt profile, accounting for 82.5%, an increase of 6.2% from a year earlier Debenturesaccountedforthe remaining17.5%.

Moreover, the finance minister stated that Guyana's debt sustainability indicators have continued to improve. He outlined that since 2020, the ratio of total PPG debt to gross domestic product (GDP) declined from 47.4% to28.6%attheendof2025.

MVBarimaCOIcanrefercriminalnegligence, officialmisconductforprosecution-ToRsshows

The Commission

o f I n q u i r y established to investigate the catastrophic sinking of the MV Barima has been granted the authoritytoreferevidenceof criminal negligence, official misconduct and breaches of statutory duties directly to

t h e r e l e v a n t l a w

e n f o r c e m e n t a n d prosecuting authorities, according to the Terms of Reference (ToRs) published byPresidentIrfaanAli.

The five-member international panel has also beentaskedwithconducting a sweeping investigation

into six key areas th surrounding the 18 July maritime disaster, including the vessel's seaworthiness, passenger and cargo operations, crew conduct, the search and rescue

response, and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight, as it seeks to determinewhatledtooneof Guyana'sdeadliestmaritime tragedies.

The tragic maritime

disaster occurred on th Saturday, 18 July, 2026, approximately 10 nautical milesoffthecoastofRegion Two, between Better SuccessandDartmouth.

The vessel, operated by the Transport and Harbours Department,wasenrouteto PortKaitumatoGeorgetown whenitcapsized,resultingin the loss of lives, injuries, missing persons, and the total loss of both vessel and cargo.

A five-member panel chaired by retired judge Justice Godfrey Phillip Smithhasbeenappointedto lead the investigation. The commission has been handed a broad mandate to uncover the root causes of the tragedy and hold

responsible parties accountable.

According to the Extraordinary Gazette, the investigation will examine sixcriticalareassurrounding thedisaster

Thepanelwillconducta full examination of the vessel's safety and seaworthiness, including hull condition, stability, machinery, maintenance history, and statutory approvals.

It will perform comprehensive audits of passenger and cargo operations, looking into

manifest accuracy, passenger counts, potential overcrowding,cargoloading procedures, and the

availability of life-saving equipment.Furthermore,the inquiry will evaluate human factors, assessing crew qualifications, fatigue, operational readiness, and emergency decision-making duringthecrisis.

T h e s c o p e a l s o encompasses a thorough review of the search and rescue response, evaluating the speed, coordination, and overall effectiveness of effortsexecutedbytheCoast Guard, the Guyana Police Force, local fisherfolk, and emergency services

Regulatory oversight will also come under scrutiny, with audits planned for supervisory oversight by stateentities,specificallythe Transport and Harbours

Department and the Maritime Administration Department.

Crucially, the panel holds explicit authority to refer any evidence of criminal negligence, official misconduct, or statutory breachesdirectlytolegaland prosecutingauthorities.

President Ali has emphasised the urgency of the investigation, setting a stricttwo-monthtimelinefor the panel to submit its final written findings and a c t i o n a b l e recommendations to the government.

To address immediate concerns, Commissioners are authorised to issue interim safety reports at any pointduringtheproceedings ifongoingpublicsafetyrisks areidentified.

To ensure maximum transparency and public confidence, hearings will be held publicly across both Georgetown and Region Two Proceedings will utilise physical, virtual, and

participation.Whilesessions remainopentothepublicby default, the Commission retainsdiscretiontoconduct closed-door sessions when

sensitive evidence or ensure witnesssafety

The commission panel, recentlynamedbyPresident Irfaan Ali to investigate the ferry tragedy, is chaired by former Attorney General of Belize Godfrey Phillip S m i t h T h e o t h e r commissioners include Captain Hamada Fouda (Jamaica), Rear Admiral (Rt'd) Hayden Pritchard (Trinidad and Tobago), Nyree Dawn Alfonso (Trinidad and Tobago), and

forensic naval engineering expert Dr Andrzej Jasionowski(Poland).

The MV Barima, an 87year-old ferry built in 1939, capsizedwhileenroutefrom GeorgetowntoPortKaituma th on18 July,2026.Thetragic incidenthassofarresultedin the loss of 73 lives, with at least 30 persons still missing. Government said that 77 persons were rescued, but one survivor subsequentlydied.

Govt. seeks contractor to rebuild Little Diamond-Herstelling NDC office

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is seeking a contractor to build a new office for Little DiamondHerstelling Neighborhood Democratic Council, after the former building was destroyedbyfireinJunethis year

According to a recent invitation for bids issued by the ministry, in addition to the building, government is

seeking bids for the constructionof NDCoffices forTuschen–Uitvlugt,BestKlienPouderoyeninRegion Three, and BloomfieldWhiminRegionSix.

Bids for these projects th are expected to open on 18 August,2026attheNational Procurement and Tender AdministrationBoard.

It was reported that the fire which destroyed sections of the Little Diamond Council building alsocausedminordamageto the Providence Nursery School.

The local government ministryreportedatthetime that it was working closely withtherelevantagenciesto assess the damage and restore normal operations as quickly as possible while ensuring continued service toresidents.

Asreportedinthemedia, in this year's budget, the government had set aside some $550 million to construct 12 additional Local Democratic Organs (LDO)buildings.

Undertaking a similar project, the ministry in March turned the sod for a n e w $ 4 0 m i l l i o n Eccles/Ramsburg NDC Office. The construction of the modern NDC office follows the demolition of a dilapidated structure, which hadlongposedchallengesto the effective functioning of the council The new building is designed to provideasafe,efficient,and accessible environment for both staff and residents, the

ministryexplained.

During that sod turning ceremony,MinisterofLocal Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand emphasised the government's continued commitment to enhancing local government systems and ensuring that communities are equipped withthenecessaryresources tofunctioneffectively

The Little Diamond- Herstelling building on the East Bank of Demerara which was destroyed by a fire.

Policesetganjafarms ablazeinBerbiceRiver

Two ganja farms located up the Berbice RiverweresetablazebyPoliceonThursday Police said the farms destroyed were located at Friendship Sandhill Village and WiruniSavannah.

The ganja found on the farms were reportedly worth over $2 million and the operation that led to their destruction took placebetween05:00hrsand20:50hrs.

“During the exercise at Friendship Sandhill Village, one field measuring approximately two acres was located, on which approximately ten thousand (10,000)

suspected cannabis plants were discovered” Police said while adding “The plants ranged betweentwoandfourfeetinheight'.

The farm also contained a nursery with 4,140cannabisseedlings.

Police further detailed, “At Wiruni Savannah, ranks discovered a drying camp measuring approximately 40 feet by 15 feet, containing a quantity of suspected dried cannabisleaves”.

No arrests were made as police continue itsinvestigationtofindoutwhomightbethe ganjafarmers.

Man changes murder plea, admits to manslaughter in friend's death

BholaJaipersaud,whopleadednot guilty to a charge of murder when he appeared before the Berbice High Court last week, made a last-minute changetohispleawhenthematterwas calledagainonMonday

Appearing before Justice Gino Persaud, Jaipersaud pleaded guilty to thelessercountofmanslaughter,which carriesalowersentencethanmurder

The agreement was reached between the prosecution, led by State Counsel Marisa Edwards, and the defence, led by attorney Latchmie Rahamat, who informed the court of herclient'sdecision.

A12-memberjurywasempanelled th on 28 July, 2026, following Jaipersaud's not guilty plea, with the rd trial scheduled to commence on 3 August.However,inlightofMonday's development,thecourtwillnowawait probation and other reports before proceedingtosentencing.

Justice Persaud formally discharged the jury and adjourned the rd matter to 3 September, 2026, for sentencing.

Jaipersaud, also called "Joey", of Bush Lot Village, Corentyne, was charged with the 2022 murder of Rameshwar Sydney, called "White Eye", of the same community Sydney th waskilledon8 July,2022.

The court heard that the two men knew each other Jaipersaud is a fisherman,whileSydneywasafarmer

th Accordingtotheprosecution,on8 July, 2022, Jaipersaud had been consuming alcohol when, at about 12:30 p.m., he invited Sydney to his hometosocialise.

While the two were drinking, Jaipersaud reportedly told Sydney to stop planting on his land The prosecutionsaidSydneyrespondedby slapping him, prompting an enraged Jaipersaud to go into the kitchen, retrieveaknife,andstabSydneyinthe neck.

The injured man ran from the yard beforecollapsingatthegate.Thecourt

heard that Jaipersaud was later seen spraying water on Sydney and reportedly told persons nearby that he wastryingtorevivehim.

Sydney was taken to the Port MourantHospital,wherehediedwhile receiving treatment. A post-mortem examination determined that he died fromshockandhaemorrhage.

Jaipersaud was subsequently charged and remanded to prison. His casewasthefirsttobecalledduringthe June2026BerbiceCriminalAssizes.

CattletheftdrivingBerbice farmersoutofindustry

Cattle in the Berbice Backlands

One cattle farmer has already walked away from theindustry,whileothersare consideringfollowingsuitas livestock theft continues to plaguefarmersinRegionSix (EastBerbice-Corentyne).

Among those who have abandoned cattle rearing is Ron Soogrim, an overseasb a s e d G u y a n e s e businessman who has now shifted his focus to agroprocessing.

Soogrim,whospentyears in cattle farming in Berbice, saidhehasdecidedtocallita day because the business is nolongerprofitable.

Inarecentinterviewwith Kaieteur News, Soogrim explained that the continued losses from cattle rustling have made it increasingly difficult to sustain the operation.

InFebruary,Soogrimand other cattle farmers invited KaieteurNewstoBerbicefor a firsthand look at the challenges affecting the industry It was not the first time the newspaper had visited the region to hear farmers' concerns about cattletheft.Despiteeffortsby law enforcement authorities to curb cattle rustling, Kaieteur News learnt during itsfollow-upvisitthatthieves continue to develop new m e t h o d s t o e v a d e detection This newspaper th reportedon11 Februarythat cattle rustlers had adopted a new and brazen tactic — branding calves before their rightful owners could do so, allowing them to falsely claim ownership The scheme emerged after police (Continuedonpage17)

Hotter, drier days ahead

...Hydromet warns El Niño could bring 80 heatwave days this year

Guyanesearebeing urgedtobracefor m o n t h s o f scorching temperatures and prolonged dry weather, with t h e G u y a n a HydrometeorologicalService (Hydromet) warning that the strengthening El Niño phenomenon could trigger as manyas80hotspelldaysthis year—almost three times the country'shistoricalaverage.

In a public advisory issued on Friday, Hydromet

said Guyana is now transitioning out of the rainy season into a hotter and drier periodthatisexpectedtolast from August to at least October2026.

Accordingtotheagency's latest Seasonal Outlook, the country could experience an unprecedented surge in extreme heat. While Guyana typicallyrecordsupto30hot spell days annually, forecasters now expect that numbertoclimbtoaround80 days this year as El Niño conditionsstrengthen.

Hydromet explained that El Niño is caused by the unusual warming of ocean surface temperatures in the centralandeasternequatorial Pacific Ocean, combined withweakertradewinds.

The phenomenon is knownforproducingwarmer anddrierweatheracrossparts oftheCaribbeanandnorthern SouthAmerica.

The agency said the greatest number of hot spell days is expected in Regions Four, Five, Six, Eight and Ten.Ahot spell is defined as twoormoreconsecutivedays

ofextremetemperatures. Hydromet is also forecasting above-normal daytime and nighttime temperatures across the country, accompanied by fewerwetdays.

The agency warned that the prolonged heat and reduced rainfall could have far-reaching consequences across several sectors of the economy

Inagriculture,cropscould come under moisture stress while pasture quality may decline, forcing livestock farmers to increase water suppliesforanimals.

Water resources are also expected to come under pressure, particularly in vulnerable hinterland communitieswhereextended dry conditions could reduce the availability of water for households, farming and othereconomicactivities.

The energy sector could face increased demand as homes and businesses rely moreheavilyonfansandairconditioning, placing added strain on the national electricitygrid.

Hydromet also cautioned that classrooms could become increasingly uncomfortable, exposing students and teachers to greater risks of heat stress duringtheschoolterm.

In the hinterland, falling river levels may disrupt transportation and the delivery of goods and essential services, while dry, dusty roads could reduce visibility

The forestry sector is

anotherareaofconcern,with dryvegetationandprolonged high temperatures expected to significantly increase the risk of bush and forest fires, particularly in savannah and heavilyforestedregions.

Public health officials are also being urged to remain vigilant. Hydromet warned that prolonged exposure to extreme heat could lead to increased cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially among children, the elderly, persons with underlying medical conditions and outdoorworkers.

The agency is urging the public to take precautionary measures, including drinking plenty of water, conserving water supplies, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p m , wearing light clothingandensuringschools haveadequatedrinkingwater available.

Farmers are also being encouraged to closely monitor crops and livestock toensuretheyhavesufficient accesstoqualitywater,while residents are being warned against burning rubbish or vegetation because of the heightenedwildfirerisk.

Despite the forecast for hotter and drier conditions, Hydromet stressed that periods of significant rainfall remainpossibleduringtheEl Niño season and said it will continue monitoring conditions and issuing updatesastheweatherpattern evolves.

Police warn public about fake traffic fine messages

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TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) on Monday issued a publicadvisorywarningcitizenstobealertforfaketraffic fine notices being sent to mobile phones through WhatsApp messages.

“The scam messages falsely claim that recipients haveoutstandingtrafficfines and threaten legal action, financial penalties, or court proceedings unless payment is made within a specified period,” the GPF stated.

Several persons have reportedlyreceivedthefraudulent notices through WhatsAppandemail.Among those targeted was the Head of the CustomsAnti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), James Singh.

Itisunclearwhetheranyone has fallen victim to the scam, but several persons have shared screenshots of the messages they received fromthescammers.

The GPF also released a screenshot of the fake traffic finenoticeaspartofitsadvisory

A section of the fraudulent notice states: “A speed cameradetectedyourvehicle travelling at 57 Km/h in a 50Km/h speed limit zone,” before claiming that the alleged offence violates Section34(RateofSpeed)ofthe Motor VehiclesAct.

The scam message then instructs recipients to settle thefinepromptlybyclicking on a link, which claims to allow them to make payment and view footage of the allegedtrafficviolation.

Thepoliceforcehassince made it clear that the notices are not authentic and warned members of the public not to clickonsuspiciouslinkscontained in unsolicited messages or provide personal in-

formationandbankingdetails through unverified websites.

“Theonlyofficialwebsite oftheGuyanaPoliceForceis www.guyanapoliceforce.gy andallpaymentsaremadevia MMGorBillExpressandnot via card system as this scam ispromoting,”theGPFstated.

Persons seeking to verify or pay traffic fines have been advised to do so only throughtheofficialportalaccessible via the GPF’s website.

Screenshots shared by the GPF showing fake traffic fine notices being circulated via WhatsApp.

Thepoliceforceisurging anyone who receives the fake messages to delete themimmediatelyandreport them.

“Warn family members and friends, particularly elderly and vulnerable persons who may be targeted by this scam,” the GPF advised, whileassuringthepublicthat it is investigating the fraudulentschemeandworkingwith relevant authorities to identify those responsible.

FormerMinisterquestionsindependence...

From page 8 abound over the relationship of some of the commissioners to both the government as well as certain business entities in the country

He pointed out that this isthesecondoccasionwhere tragedy has befallen Indigenous lives as he called for a COIbefittingthememoriesof their loved ones.

Additionally, he questioned the timeline for the COI. “Having reviewed the TermsofReference(ToR)for the inquiry into the 18th July capsizingoftheMVBarima, oneissueimmediatelystands out: the two-month deadline forcompletion.Thecommissionersacknowledgethatsalvaging the vessel is necessary so the wreck can be examined for evidential purposes. Yet, despite this, they havelimitedtheinquirytojust

two months.”

He said that based on draft plans, seen by him, to salvage the vessel, the estimated timeline for successfully recovering the sunken ferry is between 10 and 14 weeks. “This does not even account for the ongoing procurement process, with Expressions of Interest due by 14thAugust,2026,”Patterson added.

He noted that even if a contract is awarded immediatelyafterwards,thevesselis unlikelytobesalvagedbefore November2026,roughlytwo monthsaftertheCommission of Inquiry is scheduled to conclude.

Last week, President Ali namedJusticeGodfreyPhillip Smith of Belize to serve as chairoftheCOI. Smithpreviously served as a member of the COI team that investigated the 2nd March,2020 general elections. He serves asaCARICOMHigh-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and an Ad-Hoc Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.

Other members are Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer, who has advised on investigations into several major maritime disasters; Captain Hamada Fouda, Senior Maritime SurveyorandComplianceAuditorwiththeMaritimeAuthority of Jamaica; Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago,attorneywithexpertise in Admirality and Maritime LawandRearAdmiral(Ret’d) Hayden A. Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago, a distinguished professional with decadesofexperienceinmaritimeoperationsandmaritime security

Haitian group condemns ‘discriminatory impact’ of U.S. visa bond policy on Caribbean immigrants

(CMC) – The California-based HaitianBridgeAlliance(HBA)has stronglycondemnedtheexpansion oftheUnitedStates(US)VisaBond Programme, warning that it discriminatorilyimpactsCaribbean andotherimmigrants.

HBA Executive Director Guerline Jozef told the Caribbean MediaCorporation(CMC)thatthe policyrequirescertainB-1/B-2visa applicants to post financial bonds ranging from US$5,000 to US$20,000asaconditionofentry.

While presented as a visa compliance measure, Jozef said that the policy creates “a wealthbased barrier to lawful travel and raises serious concerns regarding fairness, transparency and discrimination”.

Jozef said that by conditioning mobility on the ability to produce thousands of dollars upfront, the policy disproportionately impacts individuals from countries facing economic hardship and humanitarianchallenges.

“This policy is discriminatory in both its design and its practical impact. Access to lawful travel should not depend on whether an individual can afford a substantial financial bond This creates a system where mobility is determined by wealth rather than eligibility.”

Shesaidthefinancialburdenof thispolicyisespeciallyconcerning given economic realities in the UnitedStates.

“Millions of Americans lack sufficient savings to cover unexpected expenses as low as US$500 00, and a similar requirement imposed on U S travellers abroad would place internationaltraveloutofreachfor many “Apolicythatwouldbeviewed as exclusionary if applied to Americans should not become acceptable when imposed on

travellers from Africa, the Caribbean,andotherregionsofthe Global South,” the HBAexecutive directorsaid.

She said while the U S DepartmentofStatehasnotissued afinallistofcountriessubjecttothe expanded programme, the initial Visa Bond Pilot Programme provides insight into its potential impact.

Jozef said the countries included in the pilot programme were concentrated in Africa and other regions with predominantly Black and brown populations, “raising serious concerns about disparate impact and the use of nationality-based classifications in immigrationpolicy

She noted that those lists have growntoincludeapproximately50 countries, with a significant concentration inAfrica, as well as nations in Latin America, the Caribbean,andpartsofAsia.

Jozef said countries added in recent updates include, among others, Ethiopia, Lesotho Mozambique, and several other African and Global South nations, alongside select countries in Latin

Cattle theft driving...

Frompage14

interventionlastyearforcedthievestoabandontheirpreviouspracticeof transportingunbrandedcattleoutofRegionSixbytruck.

Instead,rustlershavereportedlybeenmovingintothebacklandsand illegally branding calves, effectively creating a new challenge for farmersandlawenforcement.

Kaieteur News previously spoke with several cattle farmers, including Gobin Roopram and Chander Kumar Ramdass, who highlightedthehardshipscausedbylivestocktheft.

Monthslater,however,thesituationhasworsened,forcingSoogrim tosellhisremainingcattleandexittheindustry

Other farmers who spoke with Kaieteur News said they are now consideringreducingtheiroperationsorquittingaltogether

Thenewspaperalsolearntthattheproblemhasreachedastagewhere some farmers are questioning whether employees can be trusted, with allegationsthatsomeworkersarecollaboratingwithcattlerustlers.

Farmers further claim that cattle theft among operators themselves hasmadeitevenmoredifficultforpolicetoidentifysuspectsandsecure prosecutions.

disproportionately burdens communities of colour around the world, it demands greater transparency, accountability and review.”

Jozef further warned that the Visa Bond Programme raises “significant concerns” under the U.S.AdministrativeProcedureAct (APA), including whether the governmenthasprovidedadequate justification, established transparent selection criteria, or considered less restrictive alternatives.

on this matter; restrict funding through appropriations for the execution of this programme; introduce legislation that would limit the Secretary of State’s authority to impose nationalitybasedfinancialburdens;anddirect the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent review of the Visa Bond Program’s “effectiveness, legalityanddisparateimpact.”

AmericaandAsia.

“The geographic pattern is clear: the policy overwhelmingly impacts countries with majority Blackandbrownpopulations.This policycannotbeseparatedfromits i

JozefsaidtheHBAisurgingthe State Department to suspend implementation of the programme pending further review; provide transparent criteria for country selection and application; assess the policy’s disparate impacts on affected communities; and ensure visa policies uphold “fairness, due processandequaltreatment”.

Jozef also urged the U S Congress to exercise its oversight authority by organising a hearing

“As Haiti continues to face profound humanitarian and security challenges, HBA emphasises that additional financial barriers to lawful travel will disproportionately affect Haitian families, businesses and communities,”Jozefwarned.

The State Department said the VisaBondProgrammefinalisesthe temporary final rule that went into effecton20thAugust,2025,which launched a 12-month long Visa Bond Pilot Programme, and establishes a permanent visa bond programme.

Trump says new talks are Iran’s ‘last chance’ to make a deal

(AP) President

Donald Trump has played thishandbeforeduringthe5month-old Iran war — but this time, he insists it’s different.

The president on

Monday said that new talks between Washington and Tehran are the “last chance” for Iran to forge a deal and avoid an escalation of U.S. strikesonthecountry Trump, speaking at the Oval Office, said he expects negotiations will focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and create a pathway for Iran to address the United States’ concerns about its nuclear program. Hetoldreporterstheywould likely learn about the status ofthenegotiations“todayor tomorrow.” “The first phase is the opening of the straits. Thesecondphasewillbethe denuclearization,” the Republican president said. “And that will take a little while.”

WhileTrumphasreveled

in the U S military

decimating layers of Tehran’s leadership and devastating its air force and navy, Iran is betting it can outlast Trump as he faces diminished stockpiles of munitions and the difficulty of executing a war that’s unpopular with the American electorate ahead of November’s midterm election.

Trumpsaidhedecidedto hold off on ordering Americanforcestocarryout new massive strikes against Iran at the urging of Gulf allies Qatar, Saudi Arabia

and the United Arab Emirates.

He said a plan was in placeforU.S.forcestocarry out “the biggest attack since World War II” on Sunday But he decided to scrap the plan and give diplomacy more time to play out after hearing from key Gulf leaders — including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — as well as at the request of unnamed Iranian officials. But Trump reiterated that he’s running outofpatiencewithIran.

“This the last chance for them to sign a good document,”Trumpsaid.

Earlier Monday, Trump had criticised Iran on social m e d i a a s b e i n g “unbelievablyduplicitous.”

HisirewasraisedbyIran claiming that its meetings withOmanonMondaywere focused solely on

establishing a temporary route for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,acriticalwaterway fortheglobaloiltrade.

“Theyaskforameeting, some would say ‘beg,’talks begin, with more scheduled intheimmediatefuture,and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not havinganydiscussions,that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealingwithOman,”Trump grumbled

Trump said whether “Iranwantstoadmititornot, weare,infact,talking”about preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Trump has threatened to escalate attacks on Iran only toedgeawayfromhisthreats several times since the start of U.S. and Israel strikes on 28thFeb.

CriticsseeTrump reachingforareset buttonasapattern Trump may still come to theconclusionthatamassive escalation in the conflict withIranisnecessary

But critics say his hesitation also might reflect an unspoken understanding insidetheadministrationthat U.S. military might alone maynotbeenoughtocompel Iran to back down and bring an end to a now monthslong war that Trump had earlier downplayed as a weekslong excursion.

“I think what we’re seeing here is a president who has an approach that’s justrathererratic,”saidSen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” “At this point, he’s trying to get us back to

February And I think if he could—ifhehadabigreset button he could hit — he would certainly take that option.”

There have been several moments over the course of the conflict when Trump has demonstrated his proclivity for the bellicose only to back off at the last minute, while declaring his threatsspurredprogress:

— In early April, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week c e a s e f i r e i n a n announcement that came less than two hours before a deadline Trump had set for Tehran to capitulate or face attacksonbridgesandpower plants — strikes he said would mean “a whole civilisationwilldie.”

— After days of dire threats against Iran, Trump announced on 18th May he was holding off on a major planned military strike b e c a u s e “ s

e underway, crediting Gulf allies for persuading him to showrestraint.

— Then in June, Trump threatenedonsocialmediato hitIran“VERYHARD”and seize Iran’s energy base on Kharg Island to “assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets,” only to call offthestrikesinanotherpost after claiming that peace negotiations had progressed with high-level Iranian leaders.

Asked by a reporter how Americans view him repeatedly making grim threats on Tehran before

South African coalition party goes to

court over law that angered Trump

(Reuters) - South Africa’s Democratic Alliance, the secondlargest party in the coalition, went to court on Monday to challenge a landseizurelawthatU.S.President Donald Trump cited when cutting offaidtothecountrylastyear

The case has caused friction with the biggest party, the African National Congress, as the country gears up for municipal elections in November The Expropriation Act allowsthestatetoseizelandin‘the public interest, in some cases without compensating the owner,

as part of efforts to redress the legacyofapartheid.Ithasbeenthe subject of lengthy and often acrimonious debate for years, and was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January 2025. Nolandhasbeenseizedtodate.

The pro-business and mostly white-led DA says the legislation gives the government “vague and sweepingpowers”anditwilldeter investment.

ANC SAYS THE LAW IS A MILESTONE Ramaphosa’s ANC, a former

liberation movement, says the legislation is a milestone in its efforts to transform the country’s ‘unequal economy, in which the white minority still owns most of theprivatefarmland.

Independent political and governance analyst Sandile Swana said the court case was like a “shadowboxing match” in which thetwopartieswouldsparoverthe issue of land reform without their relationshipbreakingdown.

SouthAfrica’s government has rejected Trump’s criticisms ‘of its

backing away, Trump respondedthathe’sshowing patience out of a consideration for Iranian life.

“I want to give them every last chance before decapitation,” Trump said. He added, “Hopefully, they’llcometotheirsenses.” CallwithSaudi crownprinceaffected Trump’sdecision

With this latest episode, Trump suggested that the Saudicrownprinceplayeda particularlyimportantrolein him turning away from escalatingthefight.

The US president spoke by phone with the de facto leader of the kingdom on Saturday before announcing he was halting planned strikes The crown prince conveyedthatanescalationin fighting could have a severe impactontheglobaleconomy ifTehranrespondedtoanew U S bombardment by targeting some of the United States’Gulf allies, according toapersonbriefedonthecall who was not authorised to comment publicly and insistedonanonymity Saudi officials, the person added, have underscored in their engagementswiththeTrump administration that the kingdom is in a good position to defend itself against further potential Iranian strikes — as are fellow energy titans Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — but that Kuwait could be more vulnerable to attacks by Iranian-backed militiasinIraq.

land reform policies and says the ExpropriationActiscomparableto similar laws in many other countries.

The DA’s case will be heard along with two other legal challenges launched by groups promoting the ‘interests of Afrikaners, descendants of mostly Dutch settlers who Trump has offered refuge, alleging they face discriminationthoughSouthAfrica vehementlyrejectsthatclaim.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. REUTERS/ Adriano Machado//File Photo

TheANCandDAteamedupin the coalition ‘in 2024 after an election in which theANC

parliamentarymajorityforthefirst timesincetheendofwhiteminority rule in 1994.Their partnership has been fractious but has remained intact.

Norway’s Haugset rides to solo victory to take yellow jersey in Tour de France Femmes

GENEVA, (Reuters)SigridHaugsetspedtoasolo victory to become the first Norwegian to win a stage at the Tour de France Femmes on Monday, and took the overall lead from

Dutchwoman Lorena Wiebes.

Lotte Kopecky’s bid to catch Haugset failed after a long battle as the Belgian

finished one minute and 24 seconds behind the Uno-X Mobilityrider MarianneVos of the Netherlands crossed thelinesthirdinPoligny Haugset, 27, secured an overall lead of two minutes and 22 seconds over Kimberly Le ‘Court of Mauritius.

“I never thought it was possible it’s unreal,” said

Haugset, who also became the first Norwegian to wear theyellowjerseyintheTour deFranceFemmes.

“I thought (Kopecky) would catch me. I thought, should I drop down to her? Becausesecondisgood...but I thought of everyone cheering from home and I hadtogiveitall.”

As the race moved into

the hills for the first time, many riders went down in a crash during the category one-climb to Col de la Faucille, including reigning worldchampionMagdeleine VallieresandformerTourde France winner Demi Vollering.

Everyone got back on their bikes immediately, and the peloton did not any ‘breakaway attempts for the restofthe11.4-kmascent.

HAUGSET LAUNCHES SOLO ATTACK

Tuesday August 04, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Be passionate about the thing you love the most, Aries. Instead of trying to eat every singlethingatthebuffettable, justpickoneortwoitemsthat youlikethebestandeatthem withgreatenjoyment.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You may feel like a skipping record, Taurus. You've been scratched and mistreated, and nowyoucontinuetorepeatthe samethingoverandoveruntil you've driven your point home.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

There could be some tough forces questioning your most cherisheddreams,Gemini.Be careful about confronting someone who wants to poke holesinyouridealism.

CANCER(June21–July22)

You're in a unique position to understand all sides of the issues.Whilethisisapttogive you a tremendous advantage overthosewhostillhavetheir heads stuck in the sand, this knowledge also gives you a greaterresponsibilitytoothers

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You may be feeling rather anxious. Perhaps you have a big date coming up and your mind is buzzing with how to make the best impression. Rememberthattheharderyou try, the further away you'll pushtheobjectofyourdesire.

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

This could be one of those days in which you feel like you just can't get anything right, Virgo. In an effort to appease other people, you may think you have to make some adjustments that make youfeeluneasy

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You may feel a need to add some fantasy to your daily routine today, Libra. Do you have someone in mind you'd like Cupid's arrow to strike? Well, don't rely on a cherub to doyourworkforyou.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Yourpsychicsenseisapttobe keenasyoufillyourmindwith fanciful scenarios, Scorpio These pictures in your head aren't as farfetched as you mightthink.Todaywouldbea gooddaytolistentoyourinner guidance

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You may be having a difficult time getting your opinions across to others, Sagittarius. Forsome,yourideasmayseem too self-centered. For others, you may come across as insensitivetothesituation.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Theemotionalswingsthatyou could feel today might put a damperonyourfantasyworld, Capricorn. Remember that it's up to you to nurture these dreams. Try not to let the emotional tides of the day affectyou.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Peoplearoundyouareapttobe touchy,Aquarius,sobecareful how you interact with them. You'll find that they can see beyond any sort of facade and easily detect dissention within theranks.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

While other people may be confusedanddistressed,you're actually the one with all the answers,Pisces.Indeed,you're best equipped to deal with the difficult situations that are likelytoariseonadaylikethis.

During the climb to Col delaSavine,Haugsetpulled aheadofthebunch.Kopecky pursued her shortly after the halfway mark in the 156.5km ride, but the Norwegian stayed ahead as the race crossedintoFrance.

Wiebes,ridinginyellow, was trailing Haugset by 13 minutes going into the last ‘20km Le Court and Vollering, second and third coming into the stage, sat with the peloton over two minutes behind the breakaways.

As Haugset battled exhaustion to stay ahead, Kopeckyclosedin,reducing the gap to 10 seconds going intothelast‘10km.

But as the finish line drew closer, 27-year-old Haugset found a second wind, pushing through exhaustion as she put Kopecky nearly a minute backwiththreekmstogo.

Even as Kopecky fell behind, Haugset did not ‘sit up early to celebrate as she spedpastthefinishline.

“I know my boyfriend willbesoangryatmefornot celebrating, but I could not even lift my arms off the bike,” Haugset said with a smile.

Uno-X Mobility’s Sigrid Haugset celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win stage 3. (REUTERS/ Denis Balibouse)

Serbia, Sweden follow Wales in withdrawing support for Infantino re-election

(Reuters) - The national soccerfederationsofSerbia, SwedenandWaleswithdrew their support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s re-election bid on Monday andEngland’sisexpectedto dothe. The backlash against the headofworldsoccer’sruling

body has intensified following his failed plan to sellastakeintheWorldCup toprivateinvestors.

FIFA’s proposal to unlock up to $4.2 billion from private investors by selling a roughly 20% stake in a new entity overseeing competitions including the World Cup ended in retreat on Friday after fierce r e s i s t a n c e f r o m stakeholders.

“ T h e F o o t b a l l Association of Serbia has withdrawn its support for Gianni Infantino for a new term as President of FIFA,” the federation said in a statement.

“We remind that we provided Mr Infantino with oursupportonMay25ofthis year in written `form, but aftercarefullyreviewingthe events that, in the recent period, have seriously damaged the image and reputation of both FIFAand its President, this is the only logical and rational decision.”

Swedenfollowedsuit.

“At an extraordinary board meeting on Monday, SvFF has chosen not to support FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming re-election,” the Swedishfederationsaid.

“Thisisafteralong-term assessment of the development within FIFA and the organization’s leadership. The decision is based on recurring shortcomingsingovernance, t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d management, which means that trust in Gianni Infantino’s leadership no longerexists.”

Earlier, Wales became the first national federation to formally withdraw its supportforInfantino.

“ T h e F o o t b a l l AssociationofWaleshereby confirms its withdrawal of support for the candidature of Mr Gianni Infantino, for re-electionasFIFAPresident for the 2027 to 2031 term,” the Welsh FA said in a statement.

“The recent failures in goodgovernance,processes, leadership, values, stakeholder management, communications and sound judgement have led us to a positionwhereMr Infantino `has lost the confidence of the FAW to remain at the helmofworldfootball.

“Failing to put the best interests of football first is a failurewecannotaccept.”

England’s FA will also withdraw its support for Infantino, a source familiar withtheorganisationsaid.

INFANTINO SEEKS

SUPPORT OF TRUMP

Infantino has sought support from U.S. President Donald Trump, the New York Post reported on Monday, citing sources familiarwiththematter

The Post said Infantino

had repeatedly tried and failed to reach Trump by phone since the proposal collapsedonFriday,andthat ‘the FIFA chief felt “isolated”byanavalancheof negativemediacoverage.

FIFA had no immediate comment. The White House didnotimmediatelyrespond to a Reuters request for comment. Infantino is under unprecedentedpressureafter regional confederations UEFA and CONCACAF said on Saturday they had lost confidence in his leadership.

European soccer’s governing body, which led the backlash to Infantino’s plans and welcomed the decision ‘to scrap them, did not confirm media reports that it was preparing to take legal action against FIFA overtheissue.

UEFA said it had sent a document preservation order, which stops the destruction of emails, files, ordatawhenaninvestigation isexpected.

Infantino said in April that he intended to seek reelectionforafourth‘termas FIFA chief Since taking over from his Swiss compatriot Sepp Blatter in 2016, Infantino has been reelectedunopposedtwice.

While his re-election for the 2027 to 2031 term had appearedaformality,experts toldReutersthefalloutfrom the failed proposal exposed dissatisfaction among FIFA members and could complicate his path before the Congress in Morocco in March.

Williams sisters set to play Cincinnati Open doubles

BBC Sport - Serena and Venus Williams have been givenawildcardentryforthe women’s doubles at the CincinnatiOpen.

The sisters were scheduledtoplaytogetherat Wimbledon in July until Serena,44,pickedupaknee injury in her singles comebacklosstoAustralia’s MayaJoint.

The WTA 1000 event which runs from 11-23 August in Ohio will be the first time the siblings have played doubles together sincethe2022USOpen.

It could also pave the way for Serena to return to play in the US Open this year

Her third-round loss at

New York’s Flushing Meadowsfouryearsagohad beenherlastappearanceata Grand Slam until she featured at the All England Clubthissummer

She is currently one short of the all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, jointly held by

Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic

Together, Venus and Serena have won 14 major titlesandthreeOlympicgold medalsindoubles.

Venus, 46, has also received a wildcard into the singles draw of the tournamentinCincinnati.

Lithuanian police launch racism investigation after Black powerlifter incident

VILNIUS/AMSTERDA

M, (Reuters) - Lithuanian

p o l i c e s t a r t e d a n investigation on Monday after an assistant at the PowerliftingChampionships said he sabotaged a Black athlete’ssquatattemptdueto racism - a statement he later said was written to mock thoseaccusingofracism.

Assistant Ernestas Kusinas, one of the safety crew watching over the athletes as they competed, placed his knee under Belgian champion Sonita Muluh’sbarbell,resultingin

a failed attempt to squat 334.5 kg, said the president of the Lithuanian Powerlifting Federation which hosted the event in June.

T h e L i t h u a n i a n federation referred the case to police after Kusinas commentedonInstagram:“I am racist, and `I did it intentionally.”

A police spokesperson t o l d R e u t e r s t h e investigation will focus on the Instagram message and events at the championship, with a maximum penalty of twoyearsinprison.

Kusinas told Reuters his Instagram comment was written out of anger, in response to racism accusations, and was intended not as a statement but as a mockery of the accusations.

“Ithrewhimthebonehe wanted,” added Kusinas, referring to an unidentified social media user who he said had accused him of racism.

Kusinas said he unintentionally interfered with Muluh’s and other athletes’attemptsbecausehe was tired after his duties at theevent.

Muluh, , ‘a Cameroonborn Belgian athlete, has won medals at several PowerliftingChampionships andbecameworldchampion

in2024.

MISSED BY JUDGES

T h e L i t h u a n i a n federation barred Kusinas from all events, while the International Powerlifting Federation condemned racism and hateful conduct inastatement.

The incident was missed byjudges,butwasnoticedin video recordings after the event, the Lithuanian federation’s president, ‘DomantasBarauskas,said. Barauskas said videos show Kusinas, a longtime spotter, interfering with other athletes’ squat attempts, including a white Swedishpowerlifter’s.

Muluh’s partner Kristof De Coninck said she could have won if her final squat attempt had not been ‘tampered with, and that poor assistance risked “very seriousinjuries.”

“Initially, we thought it was a mistake,” said De Coninck.

“But then it became clear (because of the social media comment) that the person had done it `deliberately, motivated by racial bias.” He added that Kusinas had not contacted themaftertheevent.

De Coninck said Muluh welcomed the Lithuanian policeinvestigation,andwas putting together an internal complaintwiththeIPF

Small nations hold big cards as FIFA chief Infantino scrambles for support

M E L B O U R N E , ( R e u t e r s ) - Gianni

Infantino’s hopes of

extending his FIFA presidency may rest less on winning back soccer’s traditional powers than on calling in favours from the many small and emerging nationsthatrelyontheworld governingbody’slargesse.

Infantino is facing the biggest crisis of his decadelong tenure after regional confederations UEFA and CONCACAF declared no confidence in his leadership following the abortive proposal to bring private equityintotheWorldCup.

He confirmed his intentiontostandforafourth termatnextyear’sCongress in April but the pressure on Infantino may not wait until theelection.

Wales on Monday became the first soccer federation to formally withdraw support for Infantino, while European bodyUEFAconfirmedithad

written to the 56-year-old Swiss to inform him it was weighing legal action against him regarding the proposal.

Opponents can ‘mount a push to depose him with a vote at an Extraordinary Congress (EC) if 20% of FIFA’s membership of 211 memberassociationsrequest oneinwriting.

An EC would need to be heldwithinthreemonthsofa request, providing time for rivalcandidatestoemerge.

UEFA, whose 55 member nations voted to b o y c o t t a l l F I FA tournamentsifthestakesale went ahead, alone could trigger an EC with a unanimousvote.

Butgettingamajorityof FIFA’s membership to vote Infantino out at the EC may notbeaneasytask.

Despite vast disparities in wealth, soccer development and influence acrossthefootballingworld, all211nationshaveanequal

vote. Rather than smoothing things over with established football giants like France, Spain and England, Infantino’s best chance of clinging to power may rest with members like Bhutan and Vanuatu — emerging nations that have never

Trophy Stall Golf Challenge

Attracts Record Number of New Players

- Amazon Warriors

Gajnabi among participants

The Trophy Stall Westside Golf Course 2026 Golf Challenge attracted dozens of new golfers across the men’s, women’s and junior divisions on Saturday, highlighting thecontinuedgrowthofthesportinGuyana.

The ladies’division produced the day’s most exciting competition, with several closely contested playoffs needed before champions were finally determined. West Indies, Guyana and Amazon Warriors women’s cricketer Shabika Gajnabi demonstrated her talents extend beyond the cricketpitchandperformedextremelywell, before losing in an exciting playoff for first place!

The event also drew a large and enthusiastic crowd of spectators. Among thoseinattendancewereformerMinisterof Labour Hamilton Green and popular YouTuber Too Cool, who joined fans in cheering on the competitors and later assistedwiththepresentationoftrophiesand prizes.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event. (REUTERS/ Benoit Tessier/File Photo)

competedataWorldCupand rely overwhelmingly on FIFAtosupporttheirfootball programmes and participate ininternationalevents.

FIFAmembershavebeen able to claim up $3 million ‘for soccer development projects over the course of the 2023-26 World Cup cycle, $1 million more than thepreviouscycle.

The money is small beer for rich nations with professional teams but vital forfootball’shave-nots.

The stake sale was always aimed at the latter members, and many have done well under Infantino’s

patronage. VANUATU INFLUENCE

Vanuatu are ranked 160th in the world and sixth among the Oceania confederation teams but their football association headLambertMaltockhasa seatatFIFA’shighesttableas one of eight vice-presidents in the body’s Executive Council.

FIFA gave the island ‘nation of about 340,000 people a development grant of$4.15milliontohelpbuild a 6,500-seat stadium in the capital Port Vila, which was completedin2022.

For Vanuatu’s first

professional player, Brian Kaltak, Infantino’s backing hasbeenahugeboostforthe country and developing nationsgenerally

“First of all, he gave a chance for our president to be part of FIFA and `then with development projects, he’s been trying to grow the game—notjustVanuatubut all third-world countries,” thePerthGlorydefendertold ReutersonMonday

“He’s opening up more chancesforateamlikeours, fornationslikeourstomake it It’s been a massive help.”

Similar funding splashes are common across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean ‘and the Pacific, where FIFA grantshavefinancedtraining pitches, gyms and soccer programmes that national associations would otherwise struggle to finance.

Forcritics,however,that same funding model has reinforcedasysteminwhich FIFAtrades financial power for political influence, making it difficult to build a coalition to unseat an incumbentpresident.

Anycampaigntoremove Infantino may ultimately be anumbersgamethatextends far beyond Europe’s traditionalelite.

Results

MenLongDrive

•1st:YosielPineroCordero

• 2nd: Dave ‘ER Small Engines’ Ramroop

•3rd:TonyAffonso

Men’sNearesttoPin

•1st:YosielPineroCordero

•2nd:AfrwazBaksh

•3rd:DavenandRamroop

WomenLongDrive

•1st:RoseSamaroo

•2nd:ShabikaGajnabi

•3rd:NavikaNarine

Women’sNearesttoPin

•1st:ShavanaRamlakan

•2nd:AnnushaSingh

•3rd:NaiyeliBudburgh

JuniorsLongDrive

•1st:IanAnup

•2nd:EthanRamroop

Junior’sNearesttoPin

•1st:Fazzan Affonso

•2nd:EthanRamroop

ThenextWestsideNovicegolfchallenge will be announced shortly, with new and returningplayersencouragedtoparticipate.

President of the Guyana Golf Association, Aleem Hussain, thanked Trophy Stall proprietor Ramesh Sunich for hisunwaveringsupportofgolfdevelopment in Guyana. Hussain noted thatTrophy Stall has consistently partnered with the association to introduce hundreds of new players to the game through community tournamentsandgrassrootsinitiatives. He also congratulated all participants, particularlythemanyfirst-timegolferswho embraced the challenge, and encouraged them to continue developing their skills by taking advantage of the regular coaching sessions and competitions hosted at the WestsideGolfCourse.

Shafiquecentury,Babar86*leadsstrongPakistanresponse

Cricinfo - Pakistan’s batters finally came to life in this Test series, imposing their authority on thissecondTest.Anunbeaten168run partnership between Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique saw Pakistangalloptowithin78runsof West Indies’ first innings total of 344. They did so with a flair and panache that belied the woes that haveplaguedtheminthisformatof late. Shafique brought up his sixth Testcentury,andafirstsince2024, in the dying stages of play, while Babar closes in on his first in four years,14runsawayovernight.

The question, afterWest Indies had posted what appeared an above-par 344, was when, rather than if, Pakistan’s innings would implode under pressure. Even as Azan Awais’s bright half-century

gotthemofftoanenterprisingstart, Pakistan’s supporters have been burnedtoooftentobuytheideathat a solid start is a building block to something better They instead continued to believe there were furtive sticks of dynamite concealed in the foundations, and whatever Shafique and Babar tried to construct could also collapse in onitself.

Butthepairshutouttheoutside noise, building upon confident beginnings before tea in a final session where West Indies were made to grind. After a watchful resumption, Shafique unfurled a pairofmajesticdrivesoffRoachto get to his half-century, and neutralising Warrican’s spin while pickinghimoffwhenhedroppedit short.

Itwas,intheend,howhegotto his hundred after the left-armer tried to strangle him down leg. He wouldwaitalloverstrandedon99 before his eyes lit up as the final delivery was dragged down, slapping it through midwicket beforelettingoutaroarofrelief.

For Babar Azam, what appeared most encouraging was how unremarkable the innings seemed. When West Indies turned to Jayden Seales, his bete noire, early on, Babar dispatched him for three boundaries, sharp to put anything over or under-pitched away He began to grow into the innings looking better as it progressed,withouteverretreating to his shell, something he has tended to do in the last few years whenshortonconfidence.Hespent

Justin Greaves played his part in making it West Indies’day (AFP/Getty Images)

thelasthourofthedayrotatingthe strikeanddeprivingWestIndiesof anyopenings,determinedtoseethe dayoutwithnofurtherlosses.

Things had appeared much brighter for West Indies in the morning. Pakistan eventually went through the bottom half of West Indies’line-up,butnotbeforehalfcenturies from Justin Greaves and RostonChasehelpedtheirsideadd 105runstotheirovernightscore.

MohammadAlistartederrantly

Roston Chase celebrates his first fifty of the series. (AFP/Getty Images)

and Roston Chase punished him with a pair of boundaries in the second over But when Babar took the new ball and handed it to left arm spinner Ali Usman, he struck with his first ball as Greaves leading edge foundAwais Zafar at shortthird.KemarRoachbattledas Chase continued to chip away in a continuing trend where every partnership in the innings bar one endedupreachingdoublefigures.

UbaidShah,whohadbeenheld backwiththenewball,struckwith his first delivery off the day, a lovely cross-seam ball that flicked thetopofChase’smiddlestumpoff thepad.Foronce,ShamarJoseph’s adventurism did not amount to much as Sajid Khan cleaned him up, but Pakistan continued to sustain damage on their way to

inevitably polishing West Indies off.

Pakistanweredeterminedtoset thetoneearlyonwiththebat.Inthe absence of Shan Masood, Pakistan’s approach up top wasn’t clear, but Awais put any doubts to rest when he guided the innings’ second ball to fine leg for four off Kemar Roach. In Roach’s second over, the veteran West Indies seamer was hit out of the attack with three successive boundaries, forcing Roston Chase into the introduction of Warrican after fourovers.

However, it was the fast bowling change at the other end thatdrewfirstbloodforthehosts. Shamar Joseph was cut away by Imam-ul-Haqfirstball,butdrew his length back and upped the pacetocrampImamontheback footandhitthespliceofhisbatas he recoiled. It flew up to gully andsenttheopeneronhisway It did not dull Pakistan’s spark,though.Josephbowledthe quickestdeliveriesoftheseriesa couple of overs later, including getting one up to a shade under 150, but Awais did not back down, dispatching him for four boundaries,andoutoftheattack.

Abdullah Shafique, meanwhile, took onWarrican’s spin, picking him up over extra cover for a classypairofsixes,andsweeping himwhenhewenttoostraight.

That sweep shot, though, got Awais in trouble when he failed to getoutofthelineofthestumpson oneoccasion.

West Indies reviewed, and Hawkeye showed it slamming into leg stump, giving the hosts a breakthrough they desperately required.

But Pakistan stuck to their gameplan in the half hour remaining before tea, with Babar particularly proactive at taking paceon.Itwasaharbingerofwhat was to come in one of the best batting sessions Pakistan have enjoyedinyears.

Scores: Stumps Pakistan 266 for 2 (Shafique 107*, Babar 86*) trail West Indies 344 all out (Greaves73,Chase70,Sajid4-85) by78runs.

The MCYS held a cricket coaching clinic in region 6 recently.

MCY&S hosts Cricket coaching programme in Regional 6

SomeyoungcricketersfromRegion 6 were a part of a fruitful cricket coachingsessionheldonThursday,July 30, 2026, at the Yakasari Ground, facilitated by the Ministry of Culture Youth&Sports.Thesessionfocusedon developing fundamental cricket skills while promoting teamwork, discipline andsportsmanshipamongparticipants.

The activity forms part of the President’s Youth Award, Republic of Guyana(PYARG)Programmewhichis

Semifinal spot for Zion Hickerson at Under-12 USTA Tournament

Zion Hickerson advanced to the semis in the U12 department of the USTA Tournament.

TalentedGuyaneseyoungster,ZionHickerson,enjoyeda deeprunattheUnitedStatesTennisAssociation(USTA)L7 August Championships U12 Boys department at Flushing, NY He topped his group with 3 wins, beating the number 3 seed,WilliamLai.

Inthesemifinal,heplayedanail-bitingmatchagainstthe bighittingSiyanNi.Thematchendedinfavor5-3toSiyan. Zionfellbehind0-2,soonpickingup3gamesinarow Siyan levelled3-3andeventuallytoppedZion.

TheUSTAtournamentservesasawarmupforhimashe sets his sights on the Allin by Tsonga by Ten-Pro. This tournament is being hosted at Jo Wilfred Songa’s Tennis Academy in Nice, France from 10 to 16 August. Zion is currently training with his childhood coach Shelly Daly at ProspectPark,NY

Zion is endorsed by Enet, ACADO, Beacon Cafe, Marketing PlusAgencies, Corum Restaurant Group, Mike’s Pharmacy, Modern Optical, Jai Signs, Guy Oil, Guywill Shipping, C& L Construction, Demerara Mutual, BBS Coatings, Ramchand Auto Spares, Ruff Ltd, Caribbean Container Inc., Tri-StoneAuto Sales, Hamson, Gt Eats, 4R, BK,Shi-Oil,FireSide,Smalta&ToucanIndustries.

an initiative of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport through its Youth Department.Assuch,theprogrammeis designed to empower young people by providing opportunities for personal development,leadership,skillstraining andactivecommunityengagement.

Coaching sessions are set to reflect theMinistry’scontinuedcommitmentto expanding access to sport at the community level. Through sustained investments in the rehabilitation and

development of community grounds and recreational facilities across all regions of Guyana, the Ministry is creating safe and accessible spaces whereyoungpeoplecantrain,compete anddeveloptheirtalents.

These investments, coupled with structured sporting programmes, are helping to strengthen grassroots sports development while encouraging healthier, more active communities. (MCYS)

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