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MORE THAN 60 FEARED DEAD murder-suicide

2 bodies recovered, 67 rescued major discrepancies found on manifest

Scenes of the rescue efforts on Sunday 32 rescued passengers not listed captain, crew members tested positive for

MV Barima comes to tragic end after 87 years

The MV Barima’s decades-long service to Guyana came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday night when the vesselsankoffthecountry’s northern coastline, leaving scoresofpassengersmissing in what is now being described as one of the nation’s worst maritime disasters.

The 87-year-old vessel went down about seven miles offshore near Iron Punt, in the vicinity of the PomeroonRiver,whileonits scheduled voyage from GeorgetowntoPortKaituma inRegionOne.

Accordingtothevessel’s manifest, 133 passengers and crew, along with more than 200 tonnes of cargo, were on board. Up to press time, 67 people had been rescued and two bodies recovered, while dozens remained missing as search and rescue operations continued. Authorities believetheactualnumberof passengers may have been higher, as several survivors werereportedlynotlistedon themanifest.

The MV Barima had served the North West District route for more than

four decades, transporting passengers and cargo between Georgetown and

Morawhauna, Mabaruma and Port Kaituma without anymajorincident.In2019, it became the sole vessel servicing the Port Kaituma routeafteritssistership,the Lady N

was withdrawnfromoperation.

The vessel departed the Transport and Harbours Department wharf at Kingston, Georgetown, at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday It was expected to arrive at Port Kaituma on Sunday afternoon after travelling along Guyana’s Atlantic Coastline, passing the mouth of the Essequibo River, the Pomeroon River and Shell Beach before reaching Iron Punt. From there, it would enter the Barima River, making

occasion, Kumaka and Mabaruma, before its final destinationatPortKaituma.

Instead, the vessel reportedly capsized near IronPunt,anareaknownfor rough seas and waters ranging between three and

ninemetresdeep,depending onthevessel’sdistancefrom theshoreline.

The first distress signal was received at about 11:00 p.m.onSaturday

Inastatement,theoffice oftheprimeministersaidthe Guyana Coast Guard was immediately deployed, reaching the disaster site at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Sunday as rescue efforts got underway

and the area near where the vessel sank.

Majordiscrepanciesfoundonmanifest

...captain,crewmembers

testedpositiveforganja

...32rescuedpassengers notlisted

The Government of Guyana has ordered an urgent investigation following the catastrophic maritime tragedy aboard the MV Barima, amid shocking revelations that the vessel’s captain and first engineer tested positive for narcotics, and dozens of rescued passengers were never recorded on the ship’s officialmanifest.

Minister of Public Works,BishopJuanEdghill,

s p e a k i n g a t t h e

government’s press conference last evening, confirmed that severe operational breaches and blatant “mischief” have compromised the entire voyage,promisingthatthose responsible will face the “fullforceofthelaw.”

TheNumbers:A FracturedPaperTrail

The true scope of the administrative breakdown is laidbarebythesurvivaldata. While 116 people were legitimately accounted for through modern booking systems, the actual manifest did not match the souls pulled from the water This booking data was compiled from two primary sources: 100individualswhosecured their spots through the OnlineBookingSystem,and anadditional16personswho registered via the Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) System.

According to data verified by Commander Shamshudeen, a total of 67 persons have been rescued

so far However, a discrepancy has emerged between the rescue operations and official documentation, as only 35 namesoutofthe67survivors were actually found on the official flight manifest. Of the67individualswhowere successfully rescued, the demographic breakdown consists of 36 adults and 15 females. Additionally, the survivors include 16 children, who are further categorisedasninegirlsand sevenboys.

Authorities also confirmed that two bodies havebeenrecoveredthusfar, bothidentifiedasfemale. The government has released the vessel’s official manifest alongside the names of the rescued and those still deemed missing based on currently available

information. Officials note that these lists will continuously be updated as intense verification and searcheffortsprogress.

CrewinPolice CustodyAfterTesting PositiveforDrugs

As search and rescue efforts intensified, medical examinations conducted by healthcarepersonnelyielded deeplyalarmingresults.The ship’s captain, a sailor, and the first engineer, all survivors of the wreck, are currentlyinpolicecustodyat Anna Regina Both the captainandthefirstengineer tested positive for cannabis duringpost-incidentmedical testing. The vessel’s mate also survived and initially assisted with search and rescue operations before being returned to

Georgetown Authorities confirmed the mate was subjected to the same drug panel, but the results were not the same as the other crewmembers.

“Two rescued crew members tested positive for cannabis during medical examinations conducted by the healthcare personnel And you would agree with me that these are deeply concerning and shocking developments,” Minister Edghill stated “Where negligence, misconduct, or criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsiblewillfacethefull force of the law There will benoexemptions.”

The investigation is sharply focused on how the vessel was loaded and why theofficialpaperworkfailed to reflect the true number of livesonboard.

During the briefing, Kaieteur News pressed the ministeronthemechanicsof the sinking, asking whether the vessel’s failure to right itself after listing (tilting) w a s c a u s e d b y overcrowding, the sheer age oftheboat,orifitwassimply aroguewave.

Minister Edghill revealed that because of the massive discrepanciesinpassengerdata, he is taking nothing at face value AttheMaritimeRescue Coordination Centre, he personally summoned the superintendentandtherevenue clerk to audit the entire cargo manifestlinebyline

“Todetermineexactly Continuedonpage11

KaieteurNews

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24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

The biggest lost

The sinking of the MV Barima in the Pomeroon is shapinguptobeoneofGuyana’sbiggestdisastersyet. In termsofthefinalhumanloss,thiscapsisedboatcouldrank intheuppertiersofdisastersforthiscountry Theoutlook isgrim,andwitheachpassinghourthechancesthatmore willberescuedgrowslimmer Itisatimeforcalmheadsto prevail, with any assistance that can be given to searchand-rescue teams extended. We are sure that we at this paperwillhavemoretosayonthisdisaster,anditmaynot bewhatpleasesmany

Citizensareslowlyabsorbing,facinguptothereality, that dozens of their fellow citizens on the MV Barima couldbelostforever Thatnotmanymightbefoundwhen thetimecomesforthesearchtobecalledoff. Initself,a decisionlikethatisalwaysapainfulone,thatleavesroom forofficialsecondguessingattheindividuallevel:wasthe search-and-save exercise called off a day too early? Is thereonepassengerorcrewmemberstilloutthere,drifting faroffcourse,hangingonfordearlife,andhopingagainst hope? Thatheorshewillbespotted. Thatheorshewill get a second lease on life. These are questions not easily answered.

Continuingalittlelongerwithsecondguessing,inthis instancefromanangrypublic,howwouldthatshapeupin thedaystocome? Itwasonlyamatterofhoursandalready Guyanese from different walks of life were at it, having theirsay,andnotmincinganywords. Manyharshwords havebeenaimedatthePPPCGovernment,andtheyseem tohavesomebasis. Atpresent,weurgerestraint,asthereis a feverish effort ongoing to locate survivors in a vast stretch of water Water that can be so rough that rescue work is slowed down, with much precious time lost. In circumstances such as these, every minute counts, could mean the difference in a citizen saved, or one that is lost forever

In recent times, we have had to roll with some hard punches,dealwithlossoflifethathitharder InDecember 2023,fiveofthiscountry’ssoldiersperishedinahelicopter crash, with a couple more injured. A period of heavy mourningfollowed,withclearanswersstillprovingtobe elusiveyearslater InMay2023,aragingfirebrokeoutin thesecondaryschooldormitoryandtrappedtheoccupants inadeathgrip.

There were 20 young victims in that Mahdia school dorm inferno. It was what seemed to be an avoidable tragedy While that was dissected left, right, and center from the rafters to the roadside, Guyana endured another season of mourning. Blaming does not return a single victim back to life. But postmortems are of inestimable valueinthesesituationswherelivesarelost,andtheblood ofvictimscryoutforrelief.

Itisnowslightlyovertwoandahalfyearssincethelast tragedy, the army helicopter crash, and there is the MV Barimadevelopment. Adisasterunderanyconsideration, another national tragedy that needs the knitting of proper grieving.

At the time of this writing, it is about 12 hours since disaster struck that boat. Reports are of 67 persons rescued. Considering the time that has elapsed, the probabilityseemsremoterwitheachpassinghourformore thanasurvivorortwopluckedoutoftheseahereandthere. Another extended period of national mourning now appearsalmostinevitable.

A nation as youthful as Guyana does not have the maturity to take these constant blows. The Guyanese psyche is getting hit too hard too often. Guyana has not beenthroughthewarsthatwouldhelpittobereadytoface thesetests,handlethesetragedies. Neitherthestrengthnor depth is present. Condemning those who failed to do the best for the citizens of Region One will have its time and place. Nowisthetimetocountthelossesoffamilies. The timefordirgestorenttheair ThetimetoburyGuyana’s dead. Therestwillcomelater

Why was the

fleet of Omni Helicopters Guyana

Inc. not called out from Ogle to the sinking ferry MV Barima?

DEAREDITOR,

Omni Helicopters Guyana Inc. is a partnership with Roriama Airways owned by the Gouveia family, https://wwwfacebook com/OHGInc/ Omni mainly services the offshore deep-wateroilfieldoperationsofExxon Mobil Guyana Ltd. (EMGL) and has a fleet of six aircraft at Ogle, 20 minutes flying time from Iron Punt where the MV Barima ferry was sinking on the night of 18/19 July RoraimaAirways

launched one of its fixed-wing aircraft aftermidnight,afteraradiodistresscall was received from the ferry The Roraima Airways plane saw distress flares and radioed back the GPS coordinates Some survivors interviewed by a Kiskadee Watch reporter were rescued by boat after 6 hours in the water, but about half the crew and passengers on the ferry seem tohavedrowned.

Photos of some of the Omni

helicoptersonitswebsiteshowthatthey are marked ‘Rescue’, and several staffersaretrainedasrescueswimmers. Editor,throughyourcolumns,Iask whoever in the government of Guyana was in charge in the wee hours of 19 July: Why were the Bell rescue helicopters not launched immediately fromOgle,butonlyasinglefixed-wing plane?

Yourstruly,

JanetteBulkan

Deeping crisis in health sector

DEAREDITOR,

Iwritetomakepublicmy concern about the current crisisinourhealthsector

Staffshortages

Our public health sector is collapsing under severe staffing shortages. Cuban doctors on direct contracts report being overworked, routinelyworkinglonghours becausetherearesimplynot enough local personnel to share the load. Reports from Diamond Hospital that outpatients cannot see a doctor after 3 pm illustrate the gravity of the staffing shortfall and its impact on patientaccessandcare.

Delayedsalaries

Several newly graduated Guyanese nurses have come forward saying they have still not received salaries months after graduation

DEAREDITOR,

Where previously waits of about three months were common (circa 2009), the delay now appears to be far longer, leaving new nurses without funds for transportation and basic needs.

Cuban doctors, now on direct contracts with the Government of Guyana suffer a similar fate. However, these Cuban doctors are particularly vulnerable without local family support as a saftey net. Thedelaysalsoprevent them from remitting desperately needed funds to their families in Cuba Timelypaymentofsalariesis not merely an employment issue, it is essential to retaining staff and ensuring continuity of care. The delays being experienced by

our healthcare workers reflect nothing but incompetence.

Equipmentfailures

Diamond Hospital has reportedrepeatedequipment failures that directly harm patients. One patient was given pre-operative injections only to have their surgery postponed because equipment failed. Such incidents undermine patient trust, delay treatment, and increase risk Equipment maintenance, timely repairs, and replacement of obsolete devicesmustbeprioritized. Calltoaction

1) Ensure immediate payment of all outstanding salaries and implement measurestoguaranteetimely futurepayrolls.

2)Acceleraterecruitment and retention efforts, including support for contracted foreign medical staff, to restore safe staffing levels.

3) Allocate emergency funds for critical equipment repairs, maintenance and replacements.

Our healthcare workers and patients deserve better Addressingtheseissuesnow will prevent further deterioration of health servicesandsavelives.

Sincerely, Terrence Campbell, M.P

These problems are interconnected Delays in pay, inadequate staffing and failing equipment are eroding service delivery and endangering patients. I call ontheMinistryofHealthand the Ministry of Finance to urgently:

Intellectual Original

Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, “the incomparable”, thelastofaquintetatthetop oftheWestIndiesTestMatch batting averages, was an intellectual original of the highestorder

When I refer to the Sobers intellectual position within the Caribbean, I have to ponder the presence of notablessuchasFidelCastro Ruz, C L R James, Eric Williams, Ernesto Guevara, Ibrahim/Frantz Fanon, and Walter Rodney. If the firmament of their calling was made up of “little people”, they acquitted themselves rather well. His passingcameatatimewhen the SPIRIT of cricket he so dearly loved and hoped would endure was –according to his great admirer, the inimitable E.W Swanton - in mortal danger

c h i e f l y b e c a u s e commercialism was running rampantly July, 2026 is a time when West Indies Test

Match cricket to which he dedicated himself so unselfishlywasfirmlyinthe gripofsuchcommercialism. It is a time, also, when thisverycommercialism–in its most robust forms –saturated “the beautiful game” on far more than fields of play None of these developments would have found favour with the notables I name. Nor would they with the great Charles Wright Mills, thatAmerican s c h o l a r w i t h h i s “sociological imagination” he used so brilliantly in his g r o u n d - b r e a k i n g publication,“ListenYankee” asacelebrationoftheCuban revolution.

CharlesWrightMillswas the organic intellectual possessedofaburningdesire

to use his creative imagination, for “taking it big ” He left a massive legacy constitutive of major challengestohissuccessors. Of them nothing less than “taking it big” was

demanded. Do not take my word here. For Dr Dan Wakefield,formerstudentat Columbia and, later intellectual colleague, who wrotetheintroductiontothe (2000)bookpublication,“C. Wright Mills: Letters and AutobiographicalWritings,” hisfriendandteacherisnota figure who spoke to, and for his own era, but someone whose message and work resonate, also, in future times. Possessed of a vibrancy and lasting value, the sociology of creative imagination, adds Wakefield,emergedfromthe reality that in the role of inveterate teacher Mills told students, not merely how things were but, also, how they might be and the mannerinwhichallstudents couldimprovethosethings. Like Mills who cared very deeply about what he termed “little circles of people”, Sobers extolled the virtues of little people. Like Mills, who railed against t h o s e h e d e e m e d technological idiots, crackpot realists, and cheerful robots beholden to rampant commercialism in transnational capitalism, Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers had no time for them inTest Match cricket. Like Sobers whodedicatedhimselftothe craft of cricket and spurned pedagogywiththatcoaching drayage straight out of the ‘recipe” manuals, Mills dedicatedhimselftothecraft of sociology. Like Sobers who had no time for grand theorising from those manuals,Millsrejectedwhat he assessed as abstracted empiricismandgrandtheory in sociology Here, it is not outofplaceformetonotethe Sobers wisdom at the time when there were more than whispers across the Caribbean Sea about his leadershipacumen.

I’ll talk and debate cricket with anyone whose knowledgeIrespectorwho Continued on page 5

Why President Ali needs to think long and hard about the Guyana his children will grow up in

DEAREDITOR,

Perhaps at first glance some readers associated the title above with recent commentary and news regarding the president’s ranch. While this letter is certainlyinfluencedbythose emerging narratives, my concern here is broader, one that not only the president, but all of us, should be contemplatingwhenmaking both routine decisions and those that carry significant weight.

Presidents all over the world have estates, assets, andvaryinglevelsofwealth.

According to a Yahoo Finance article, The World Leader Rich List: Who’s on Top?, written by Alice Cattley and published in October 2025, some of the world’s richest prime ministers and presidents in US$ millions and billions include: (i) Valdimir Putin200b; (ii) Alexander

Lukashenko - 9b, (iii) DonaldTrump-7.2b,(iv)Xi Jinping - 1.5b and Teodoro Obiang - 600m. Closer to home, LuisAbinader - 70m, SebastiánPiñera2.9bbefore his death in 2024 and Nicholas Maduro - 2m Maduro is here because manyofusarefamiliarwith him,howeverthereareafew wealthier There are also severalotherwealthycurrent presidents and prime ministers not listed here. May had wealth before their positions, some during and aftertheirtenure.

I write this letter mainly to ask His Excellency President Ali one questionwhat type of nation is Guyana becoming?Take off your political hat, set aside your personal experiences and knowledge of Guyana, and look at us as a casual observer who wants to learn moreaboutthecountry,what ithastooffer,whatlifeislike

Intellectual Original

Frompage4 hasaninquiringinterest,butI’venotimefor‘campfollowers’ and people who are destructive without any real understandingofthegame.

InmyverylastconversationwithhimatatimewhenWest Indies cricket had sunk to some of its lowest depths, I asked him for his thoughts about Test Match captaincy within the stagnatingregion.HerenderedareplyaboutwhichC.Wright Millswouldhavebeenenormouslyproud.

Iseepersonsgettingtogetherandmakingsuggestionsor lookingatcricketinabroadersense,sothatwhentheideaof captaincy comes up you should look at the way the man is conducting himself… You’re not looking for the old school tie.You’renotlookingfortheuniversityboy.You’retryingto gainfromabroadcrosssectionofpeoplewhofollowthegame - to get their ideas - form some kind of organisation or committee in which you can get together and look at your future captains and sit down and discuss it. These are the peoplewhoareknowledgeable,peoplewhohavestudiedthe game, people who are well educated… and some ordinary people,too,becausesomeofthemhavesomevery,very,good points.Someofthesuggestionsyougetfromlittlepeopleoff thestreetaresofactualthatyoucanusethem.Ithinkthat’sthe onlywayandIdon’tknowifthat’stherightanswer Thatismy suggestioninmyownlittleway-howIseeitcanwork-thata WestIndiescaptainshouldnotonlyjustbeselectedbyaBoard butotherpeoplefromoutsideshouldbeallowedtogivetheir views.

ThisistakingitasbigasitcanbewithinandoutsideTest Match cricket – no cheerful robots in camp followers. No crackpotrealistsintechnologicallyidioticoldschooltiesand universityboyishness.Justthelittlepeople,theGarySobers people.Issuchnotquitetherefreshingrespite!

If the appropriate reply here is an affirmative one, is anotherimportantaspectoftakingitbigtobefoundthrough acceptingachallengewhichcanbeidentifiedinwordsfrom C.L.R.James:

GarfieldSobers… isaWestIndiancricketer,notmerelya cricketer from the West Indies. He is the most typical West Indiescricketerthatitispossibletoimagine… thefinefruit ofagreattradition.

To James, Sobers is the result of a consummation that embodiesthewholehistoryoftheWestIndies. Regards, WilliamWalcott, Ontario,Canada.

for its people, and what its history says about it. Then answerthatquestion. Itisimportanttofocuson the here and now, but too often we fail to consider the aggregate, compounding effects of disparate social phenomena. Truth be told, human beings are only moderately capable of accurately predicting this. Some economists might prefer to say modelling the aggregate effects of disparate social phenomena, whether guided by rational decision-making, game theory, or some other useful framework. But even those frameworksareonlyasgood asthegoalstheyaremeantto serve.

ThePresidentislikelyto outlive his predecessors and also most of the prime ministers Guyana has ever had. Let that sink in for a moment Whether it has occurred to us or not, this current generation and the one behind it will largely go

along for the ride with him. The Bureau of Statistics reported just last week that the youth population is significant. That means you have a population that will go along for the ride with Exxon and others, a populationthatlivedthrough Guyana’searlyoilyears,the attempted rigging of the 2020 elections, the phantom squad, the death squad, the fallout from the infamous mash day jailbreak, the floodsof2005and2006,the rise of Guyana’s economy, more home ownership, increased access to finance, capital, travel, and leisure, and so on. Of course, these are just a few generational narrativesarisingfromlived experience.

The generation before this one also grew up in p o l i t i c a l l y a n d socioeconomically turbulent times, shaped by certain shared narratives and lived experiences within and across communities The

generation before that did too, though theirs had a different flavour And the one before that as well. So yes, there is a pattern. We should not try to whitewash it, but instead use it as a source of strength to adapt and evolve our governance and political economy And yes, we must remember and learn.Butifweremainstuck there,wewillremainstuckin the mindsets, thinking, and behaviours that accompany it, even if we do not always display them outwardly, or only display them selectively,inhowwespeak about each other at the national, community, and household levels, and in the factors, we weigh when deciding what choices to make.

Ifindthatasacountrywe have not matured. We claim independence, yet at times we are like the haughty teenagerwhohasnorealidea of the reality that will hit when adulthood comes and they must fend for themselves in terms of housing, money, personal growth, and eventually childrenandresponsibility Can we not prioritise loyalty and still demand excellence, especially in the public service? Can we not engineer this through our education system, skills and trade apprenticeship training, regional and nationalvolunteerprograms, and the promotion of values such as environmental stewardship, community, nationhood, respect for elders, individual excellence, private-sector and capital innovation, and respect for the rule of law, amongothersthatsetusupto thrive, adapt, and continue our journey toward that moment when all Guyanese literally feel, as Bob Marley sang, a natural mystic in the air, that despite the struggle, despite the disagreements, anddespitetheunnecessary, Continued on page 6

What Justice Nugent actually said

DEAREDITOR,

I read with interest, the recent letter by Mr Christopher Ram published inyoureditionofJuly19and inparticularhisreferencesto extracts of the judgment of Nugent JA in The Public ProtectorvMail&Guardian LtdandOthers(2011(4)SA 420(SCA)).

If I understood Ram correctly, he is using those extracts from the judgment to suggest that an investigation can properly begin without any foundationalevidenceasthe basis for an inquiry. That interpretation, however, does not reflect what, in my interpretation, the learned judgeactuallydecided.

Justice Nugent’s observations were directed not at eliminating any requirement for a basis to investigate,butatexplaining the different responsibilities of an investigator compared with a court adjudicating a dispute.

His criticism was of an investigator who accepted denials from persons in authority and treated those responses as conclusive, rather than conducting an independentinquiry

As Justice Nugent observed, “Truth and deceit

know no status or occupation.”Hewarnedthat the position or standing of a

p e r s o n p r o v i d i n g information cannot determine whether that informationistruthful.

The investigator’s task is to examine the material, not to accept assertions simply because they come from persons holding high office

The learned judge was particularly critical of an investigation where “responsesweresoughtfrom people in high office and recitedwithoutquestionasif they were fact ” He explained that an investigatorwhoadoptssuch an approach becomes “no more than a spokesman” for those whose answers he has accepted This was the central failing identified by theCourt.

Justice Nugent also statedthat:

“Thereisnojustification forsayingtothepublicthatit mustsimplyacceptthatthere has not been conduct of that kind, only because evidence has not been advanced that provesthecontrary.”

That statement does not meanthatallegationsrequire no foundation before an investigationbegins.Rather, it means that once an i n v e s t i g a t i o n h a s commenced,theinvestigator cannotconcludethatnothing improper occurred merely because the evidence

availablehasnotreachedthe standardrequiredinatrial.

Reference has also been made to Justice Nugent’s observationthat:

“The politicians who made the requests had no independent knowledge of the matters to which the requests related. They were prompted to do so by concern at information that had been published by the M&G.”

In saying this, the judge didnotmeanthatbecausethe politicianshadmerelyreada newspaperarticle,thatalone was sufficient to justify an investigation.

The court was making a narrower point: a person requesting an investigation does not need to already possess direct evidence proving the allegation. That would defeat the very purposeofaninvestigation.

There is a significant difference between saying that a complainant does not need to prove an allegation before requesting an investigationandsayingthat no factual basis is required before an investigation can begin.JusticeNugentdidnot say that questions alone are sufficient.

He did not suggest that every allegation, rumour, suspicion, or unanswered question automatically requiresaninvestigation.

Theproperreadingofthe judgment is that there must be some information, circumstances, or material giving rise to a legitimate basis for inquiry A newspaper report may provide such information.A complaintmayprovidesuch i n f o r m a t i o n A whistleblower’s disclosure may provide such information Indeed, the central criticism by Justice Nugent was directed at an investigation that failed precisely because the investigatordidnotproperly testinformation.

The lesson from the judgment is therefore not that investigations can be launched simply because someoneasksquestions.The lesson is that a person seeking an investigation need not arrive with a completedcase.

There must be a basis to inquire;andoncetheinquiry begins,theinvestigatormust do the work necessary to establishthetruth.

To suggest otherwise would transform Justice Nugent’s defence of proper investigation into a j u s t i f i c a t i o n f o r investigations without a proper foundation a proposition that the judgmentdoesnotsupport.

Yoursfaithfully, RoopnauthHardyal

Why President Ali needs to think long and hard about...

Frompage5 or perhaps necessary, nonsense, we have truly arrived at One People, One Nation,OneDestiny?

I am sorry, but if you do notcutit,youcannotoccupy certain positions. And you cannot “I gon call meh friend, boss man or PPP friend” your way into such functions. And if you are borderline, there must be markedprogress,notonlyin

competence, but also in preparation, decisionmaking,andresults. Anything else is sinking us, at least according to history We may not feel it. Wemayeventhinkweareon solid ground But every single moment, the earth tremors beneath our feet. And it is not always the one tremor, the obvious tipping point, that does the damage. It is the cumulative effect,

together with the right conditions.

If readers are searching to understand what a collective sense of One People, One Nation, One Destiny feels like, imagine being from Cape Verde or Argentina and what it must havefeltliketoseeandmove with your team during its world cup battles and triumph Imagine the collectiveprideArgentinians

and Cape Verdeans in particular must feel in their homesandcommunitiesand thepositiveeffectsonsocial relations and a sense of collectivebelonging.

Intheleaduptoandafter the New York Knicks won the NBA championship, commentators kept remarking that NewYorkers from all walks of life have been embracing each other more,speakingtoeachother

more, and expressing a shared sense of belonging. There has even been a noticeablysharpreductionin all criminal activity, okay, that last part is an exaggeration, but it is an intentional exaggeration to drive home the point that President Ali needs to think long and hard about his legacy and the Guyana he wantshischildrentogrowup in.

We are no longer in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2002, or even the 2010s. It is 2026, and it is high time we collectively decide on the Guyana we want 100 to 200 yearsfromnow

This means we must actively work to evolve our mindsets, become more curious about our world and our place in it, individually as well, and seriously plan how our political system, private sector, and public sectormustadapt.

Readers may not be aware of this, but around 2019-2020, in a WhatsApp chatandagainwithfriendsat a gathering, I said that if the PPPwanted to win the 2020 elections, or even to create the appearance of winning, allithadtodowascreateits owncoalition.

And poof, it happened. WhileIamawareoftheears and eyes that were in that chat group at the time, as well as the people at the gathering, I cannot say whether the coalition materializing was simply an intuitivehunchonmypartor whether my remarks somehowgrewlegs.

Nonetheless, what promptedmetosaythatthen was observation and intuition. And I close by sayingthatIampromptedby the same intuition and observationrightnow

Sincerely, RawleA.Small

Opposition presses for independent probe into MV Barima tragedy

Opposition parties

have united in a call for a full, independent investigation into the circumstances surroundingthecapsisingof the MV Barima, which had an unknown number of personsonboard.

On Sunday evening, government officials revealed that the number of persons onboard at the time oftheincidentmaynotbethe previouslyreportedfigureof 133, after it was disclosed that 32 of the 67 persons rescued were not listed on thevessel’sofficialmanifest.

With dozens still unaccounted for, political parties We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), the

People’s National

C o n g r e s s / R e f o r m (PNCR)/A Partnership for NationalUnity(APNU),and the Alliance for Change (AFC) expressed solidarity with families desperately awaitingnewsoftheirloved ones who were onboard the vessel.

The parties urged the government to spare no effort in the ongoing search andrescueoperation.

L e a d e r o f t h e Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed, in a statement, saidhisthoughtsremainwith those who are still missing

and the brave men and women conducting the searchandrescueoperation.

“Wecontinuetoprayfor the safe recovery of those still unaccounted for and for strength and comfort for all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” he noted.

Following news of the incident, the opposition leader deployed his own boatsandpersonalresources inanefforttoreachsurvivors and support relief efforts to locate missing passengers andcrewmembers.

The office remains hopeful that every person still unaccounted for will be found safely “We support the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Coast Guard, emergency responders, volunteers,fishermenandall thoseriskingtheirlivesinthe ongoing search and rescue operation,”hesaid.

WIN M

Sweatnam, Natasha SinghLewis, Dawn Hastings, and TabithaSarabo-Halleyspent several hours at the Umana Yana; one of the centres created for families of those onboardthevesseltovisit.

Mohamed criticised the government’s decision to deny his MPs access to the Umana Yana, noting, “This

is unacceptable. During a national tragedy, families deserve timely information, c o m p a s s i o n a n d transparency, and not confusionandexclusion.”

He further referenced reports that independent media were removed from the Umana Yana, as well as the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), where MV Barima survivors were taken Mohamedsaid,“Ata time like this, there should b e o p e n n e s s a n d accountability and not restrictions on elected

independentjournalists ”

Further, the opposition leader took note of conflicting accounts that have emerged regarding the c

hat culminated in and after the tragedy He cited reports from Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and thoseofsurvivors.

The minister, in an update on Sunday, said the vessel was not overloaded, attributing the incident to a largewave.Hefurtherstated that the MV Barima was licensed to carry 397 passengersand284tonnesof cargo, and that it departed with 133 passengers, according to the official manifest. The minister had

also revealed that the vessel departedwithapproximately 268tonnesofcargoandwas equippedwithmorethan200 lifejackets.

However, Mohamed pointed to the account of survivor Daniel Modeste, along with other passengers and eyewitnesses, who contended that the vessel wasoverloaded.

“Survivors have also raised concerns that the cargo scales at the stelling were reportedly not functioning, preventing cargo from being properly weighed before departure,” theoppositionleadersaid.

Mohamed noted that these are serious and conflicting accounts that demandanswers.

“Every aspect of this tragedy, including the vessel’s loading, cargo weight, passenger manifest, safety equipment, maintenance records, emergency preparedness, and the actions taken before andduringthevoyage,must be subjected to a full, independent and transparent investigation. The office of the leader of the opposition willcontinuetomonitorthis situation closely, advocate fortheaffectedfamilies,and provide updates as verified information becomes

available,” it was further noted.

Meanwhile, AFC said it is deeply saddened by the incident and extended its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all those affected bythedistressingincident.

“As search and rescue operations continue, we remain hopeful that every effort will result in the safe recovery of all those who were on board. We pray for the safety of the passengers and crew, for strength and comfort for their families and loved ones, and for the full and speedy recovery of those who may have been injured,”itsaid.

The party further commendedtheeffortsofthe Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), emergency responders, and medical personnel who are assisting in the ongoing search and rescueoperation.

“WeurgeallGuyaneseto keep those affected in their prayers and to allow the rescue teams the space and support they need to carry out this critical mission,” it added.

AFC said that once the immediate emergency has passed, the rele

nt authorities should conduct a

transparent investigation into the circumstances surroundingtheincident.

“AFCstandsinsolidarity with the families anxiously awaitingnewsoftheirloved ones and with everyone involved in the rescue efforts May God grant protection to those still unaccounted for, wisdom and strength to the rescue teams, and comfort to every family during these anxious hours,”itadded.

Further, PNCR/APNU also expressed its deepest concern and empathised with the families and loved ones of those unaccounted for

“We are praying for the safe rescue of all those still unaccountedforandstandin solidarity with every family anxiously awaiting news,” thepartyadded.

The party urged the relevant authorities to mobilise all available resources to support the ongoing search and rescue efforts “Every possible measure must be taken to savelivesandprovidetimely assistance to those affected. Ourthoughtsremainwiththe survivors, the rescue teams, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident,” PNCR/APNUsaid.

Roraima aircraft spotted SOS flares during desperate search for capsized MV Barima

A Roraima Airways searchaircraftdetectedthree SOS distress flares and an emergency beacon signal during an overnight search forthecapsizedMVBarima, information that was immediately relayed to rescue authorities to help direct search-and-rescue assetstothescene.

Thedisclosurewasmade by Captain Gerald Gouveia, Managing Director of Roraima Airways, in an updateonthecompany’srole in the emergency operation earlySunday

According to Gouveia, Roraima Airways launched its search-and-rescue missionintheearlyhoursof Sunday after the ferry, carrying approximately 200 passengers, was reported overdue.

Hesaidthatat1:36a.m., the airline’s BN-2B Islander aircraft (8R-GRC), piloted by Captain Gerald Gouveia

Jr and Captain Learie Barclay, departed the Eugene F Co

ia International Airport and arrived over the search area about20minuteslater

“During the search, the crew observed three SOS distress flares and detected an emergency beacon signal in the same vicinity,” Gouveiasaid,notingthatthe

i n f o r m a t i o n w a s immediately transmitted to the Search and Rescue Coordination authorities, enabling rescue assets to convergeonthearea.

The aircraft completed its assigned mission and landedsafelyatOgleat2:41 a.m.

Gouveia praised the professionalism and swift response of the Roraima Airways flight crew and supportstaff,whomobilised immediately after receiving thecallforassistance.

He also commended the Guyana Defence Force Air Corps,GuyanaCoastGuard, Maritime Administration Department, Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, emergency responders and civilian volunteers who joinedtheoperation.

“Search and rescue operations are among the finest examples of national teamwork. In moments of crisis, institut

boundaries disappear, and the shared objective is simple: to save lives,” Gouveiasaid.

The massive rescue

authorities race to account for all passengers and crew of the ill-fated MV Barima, which capsized near Iron PuntoffthePomeroonRiver lateSaturdaynight.

In a statement issued early Sunday, the Office of the Prime Minister said the Government has deployed all necessary State and private-sector assets as a full-scale search-and-rescue operationcontinues.

The statement said the vessel’s crew transmitted distresssignalslateSaturday

Minister, Mark Phillips who is performing the functions of the President receiving continuousupdatesfrom Continued on page 12

The rule of law requires more than suspicion

Christopher Ram begins his latest letter by declaring: “For a columnist who does notusuallyrespond,Peeping Tom has spent the past several days doing little else.”Thatopeningsentence c o l l a p s e s a l m o s t immediately under the weightofitsowninaccuracy

What I said was that Peeping Tom does not usuallyrespondtocriticisms of its columns. I did not say thecolumnneverrespondsto public arguments.There is a world of difference between the two.And I am confident that Ram is capable of understanding this difference.

So let me clarify this matter, not for Mr Ram alone,butbecausethepublic is entitled to an accurate understanding of what was actually written and what was not… The purpose here isnottoengageinanendless exchangeofopinions,butto correct a fundamental misrepresentation of my position.

Mr Ram had suggested that I treated him as though he were accusing the President of criminal conduct. That is not what I said. What I addressed was the broader issue of whether allegations, suspicions or questions, without an

demands for formal investigation or imply wrongdoing.

When a public argument i s b u i l t u p o n a misunderstanding of what was actually written, clarification and correction becomes necessary It is a matter of ensuring that the record is accurate and that the public discussion is groundedinfactsratherthan assumptions.

Myrecentcolumnonthe Resource Curse was not a responsetoanycriticismofa PeepingTomcolumn.Itwas a response to Christopher Ram’s own article on the natureoftheResourceCurse and,morespecifically,tothe implicitanalogyhesoughtto construct between the Phala Phala scandal in South Africaandthemanufactured controversy over President Ali’sfarm.

In his latest letter, published in yesterday’s edition of Kaieteur News, having stumbled at the very first sentence, Mr Ram proceeds to triumphantly introduces Nkandla, as though this somehow rescues his comparison with Phala Phala. It does nothing ofthesort.

Soletmeclarifysincethe public is entitled to such clarification,evenforRam’s ownbenefit.

The irony, of course, is that Ram’s own Nkandla

Dem Boys Seh...

Well,deWorldCupfeverdone.Justlike dat. One minute people hollering till de neighbour dog start supporting Argentina, and de next minute everybody back to arguing ‘bout potholes, taxes and who bruk deofficeruler

Dem boys notice how de country does transform every four years. People who couldn’ttelldedifferencebetweenafootball and a football field suddenly become international tactical experts. Every man become coach Every woman become referee. Every child become statistician. EvenUncleJoe,whodoescalleveryplayer “Messi” regardless of nationality, was explaining“highpressing”likeheinventit.

Dem boys know one fella who ain’t watchafootballmatchsinceMaradonahad knees.ButduringdeWorldCuphewalking round wearing a Spain jersey, carrying a whistle,andtalking‘bout“falsenine.”Dem boysaskhewhatisafalsenine.Heseh,“Is whenderefereecountwrong.”

Then there was de office productivity During de tournament, people suddenly discover a mysterious illness called Kickoffitis. Every afternoon around match time, stomach start hurting. Boss call meetingatthreeo’clockandattendancedrop faster than England penalties. One clerk eventellhesupervisorhehadtoleaveearly because he grandmother had “an urgent

example actually supports the argument that the nature of the allegation matters.

N k a n d l a w a s n o t investigated because Zuma had a house It was investigated because there were allegations that the State had paid for improvementstothathouse.

Phala Phala involved allegations of criminal conduct: foreign currency concealed in furniture, theft of undeclared cash, possible exchange control violations, tax issues and money

naturally invite criminal investigation.

Nkandla was an entirely differentmatter Itconcerned allegations that public funds hadbeenimproperlyusedto enhance the President’s privateresidence. Andthere was a prima facie basis to investigate.

That basis was the alleged expenditure by the South African state on security upgrades and relatedconstructionworksat President Jacob Zuma’s private homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal Ram’s contention about the evidenceispatentlywrong.

The expenditure itself was not a secret Government departments had been involved in the project, and public funds werebeingspentonthesite.

That was known and could be established The controversy was over whether all of the expenditurewaslegitimately connected to presidential security requirements or whethersomeofitamounted to a private benefit to Zuma andhisfamily

The specific categories of expenditure that became controversial included security upgrades at the President’s private residence, which the state was permitted to provide; c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d improvements that critics arguedwentbeyondsecurity needs, including a swimming pool (later described by authorities as a fire-fighting facility), an amphitheatre,acattlekraal,a chicken run, and paving and otherimprovements.

The initial public concern arose because reportsindicatedthatthecost of the project had escalated dramatically, eventually reaching more than R200 million. The question that

arose therefore based on evidence was: “Has the South African taxpayer funded improvements to a private residence beyond what is necessary for legitimate presidential security?” That was the factual hook that triggered theinvestigation.

This distinction is important The Nkandla investigation was not triggered merely because someone said: “The President has a property; investigate him ” It was triggered because there was an alleged financial connection between the State and a private asset. Public resources were knowntohavebeenspenton the property That was precisely why the Public Protector had jurisdiction to investigate whether public resources had been unlawfullyexpended.

medical appointment.” Turns out Granny was perfectly healthy—she just wanted companytowatchdematch.

Dem boys also admire de loyalty of football fans.Argentina supporters become Argentinecitizensforonemonth.Spainfans startrollingde“R”ineverysentence.Brazil supporterswalkingwithyellowshirtstillde team get knock out. After dat, de jersey disappear And de betting! Lord save us.

Menwhowon’tlenddeywifetwentydollars suddenly risking half a month’s salary becausesomefellowinEuropesupposedto scoreinde87thminute.Bydefinalwhistle plentypeoplerealizedeonlythingdatcome homewasdebt.

Now de flags coming down. WhatsApp groupsstopdiscussingoffsideandreturnto forwarding miracle cures and conspiracy theories.Televisionremotefinallygetarest aftersufferingrepetitivestraininjury

But don’t worry De fever ain’t dead. It only hibernating. Four years from now de same experts who today can’t remember which team win de Cup gon reappear with fresh jerseys, fresh opinions and absolutely nomemoryofalldewrongpredictionsdem make.

As dem boys seh, football may be a beautiful game—but World Cup fever does provethatitistrulygloballanguage. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

There is, instead, political suspicion elevated into an argument that because questions exist, an inquiry must automatically follow Thatisnottheruleof law That is government by insinuation.

Mr Ram repeatedly insists that investigations exist to discover whether allegations are true. Indeed, they do But he quietly ignores the equally important question: what thresholdshouldexistbefore the coercive machinery of theStateisdeployedagainst anindividual?

Apparently,hisansweris remarkablylow

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

Thisnewcaseintroduced byRambearsnomeaningful resemblance to President Ali’s farm There is no evidence that public funds were involved in building President’sAli’sfarm.

MV Barima - There are days like these

Everything comes to a pause. Writingsalreadysent suspended. There is only one development to share a wordabout:theMVBarima. One word, and a whole barrel of pain. A disaster greeting long before the sun showeditsfaceonaSunday Ofalldays,aSunday

The hopes and prayers startedwiththefirstwordsof the 07:30 Mass at the Brickdam Cathedral. So many found, embraced, and cheered.

So many still missing, leaving an empty space Amidthemanmadedisasters on land in Guyana, there is this kind of grim disaster on thewaters. Thenumbersare not looking too inspiring. Thebellstoll.

I read of 116 aboard. Then it was 133, when the crew was counted Approximately eight hours afterthenewsbroke,70were rescued and close to that number still not in hand. A dismal consideration when only adults are involved.

Children numbered among those onboard that now

capsizedferry Aterriblenewdimension added. My hope, my wish, my prayer, is that all are saved. Not one soul is lost. The odds of that happening aredaunting.

Ten miles from shore is almostasfarastheotherend of the world. Nevertheless, rescue operations are in full motion. The government has mobilised. Good. The national leadership is engagedandalert. Better Now is not the time to lose a minute debating the state of new helicopters

Nor to speculate about the number of lifejackets

Currently, there is a search and rescue operation going on,andthatiswherealleyes should be fixed. It’s where all Guyanese hearts should becommitted.

Everyhourthatpassesis an hour that cannot be recovered. Reality that is hard and unforgiving creeps forward remorselessly Another hour lost could meanthatonemorewaslost. Too late to make it through the day for a mother, or a

father,maybeagrandmother or a child. I saw some pictures and they were of very young children, some notcloseto10,asyet.

It should emphasize to every Guyanese how fragile life could be. It does so to me. What’stakenasroutine goes overboard and sinks in a heartbeat. Quite literally In a flash, life races past the eye.

Thoughfarawayandout of harm’s way, those are the imagesthatregister Having been near to shattering disaster more than once, there is some idea of the shock that must have jarred manyoutoftheirsleep.

A passenger boat slammed by a force of nature, a battering ram wall ofwater Men,women,and children left naked and imperiled before the elementsattheirrawest.

I am hoping for two things to follow beyond this prayer dripping from my pen. They are the thoughts that rise, will not go away Thefirstisthatthefewestare lost; and that search and

rescue do not give way to salvage and retrieve Indeed,likethatancientsage of a scribblersaid: there is a time for laughing, and there isatimeformourning.

Even if only a handful nevermakesitback,itisstill one handful too many However tiny And whatever the number that is not found, there is still that tragedytobefacedbyfamily and community: lost at sea. Gonetothedepths. Lackof closure adds crisis to family calamity

The second and final

thought is that the people of this young country-from young leader(s) to largely youngercitizenrytoaplace rich with young visions that still sparkle-arrive at a clear and deep appreciation of what is needed to make neighbor and others better There is too much bickering andcursing.

There is too much disagreeing,ontheonehand, and too much demonizing and damning, on the other

There is a storehouse of riches, but of real riches

there is too much poorness. In counting the hours, I am keeping vigil, counting the numbers being picked up, flashing across the screens. Lettherebeasmanyascould be.

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

Guyanesemangunned-down inAntigua,teencritical

A Sunday afternoon outing turned deadly for a Guyanese national after gunmen opened fire on him in Potters Village, Antigua, leavinghimdeadandan18year-old companion criticallyinjured.

The dead man has been identified as 29-year-old Leandro Hubbard, who was also known as “Leo” or “Chiney Man.” Police said Hubbard was fatally shot oppositethePottersPrimary School in what they believe may have been a targeted attack.

His companion, an 18year-old man who was with him when the gunfire erupted, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and remainsincriticalcondition at the Sir Lester Bird MedicalCentre.

Residents recalled hearing a rapid burst of gunfire before rushing outside,onlytofindthetwo victims lying wounded Several eyewitnesses said the attack happened so quickly that the gunmen were gone within seconds, leavingthequietcommunity inshock.

Initial reports suggest

the shooting may have been carried out in a drive-by attack,althoughpolicehave notofficiallyconfirmedthat detail. Detectives have also not disclosed a possible motive.

Investigators cordoned off the area shortly after the shooting and spent hours processing the crime scene.

Officers are expected to interview residents and examine surveillance footage from nearby properties in an effort to identifythoseresponsible.

So far, no arrests have beenmade.

The killing has left Hubbard’srelativesgrieving while another family anxiouslywaitsfornewson the condition of the injured teenager

Policeareurginganyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the Criminal Investigations Department orthenearestpolicestation, saying even seemingly insignificant details could provecrucial.

Barticamanheldwith cannabisduringpolicepatrol

Police in Regional Division Seven have arrested a 27-year-old Bartica resident after allegedly finding 12.4 grams of suspected cannabis during a patrol in the mining town earlySundaymorning.

According to police, the incident occurredatabout3:50a.m.onJuly19while ranks were conducting routine patrols in Bartica. They reportedly observed the man, of SecondAvenue, behaving in a disorderly mannerandwarnedhimtodesist.

Police said he ignored the warning and

continued his disorderly behaviour, promptinghisarrestandescorttotheBartica PoliceStation.

A search of a black haversack he was carrying allegedly uncovered a white plastic bag containing leaves, seeds and stems suspectedtobecannabis.

The suspected cannabis was weighed in the man’s presence and amounted to 12.4 gramsbeforebeinglodgedasevidence.

Thesuspectremainsinpolicecustodyas investigationscontinue.

CANU boss credits officers, public and partner agencies for record drug seizures

Director of the Customs

Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), James G. Singh, has praised the agency’s officers,communitypartners and sister security agencies for a record-breaking first half of 2026 in the fight againstdrugtrafficking.

In a message reflecting on CANU’s performance, Singh said the unit’s unprecedenteddrugseizures were the result of the dedication, discipline and professionalism displayed byofficersoperatingatports

of entry, conducting intelligence-led operations in the field and supporting investigations from behind thescenes.

“The record-breaking seizures we have achieved this year are a direct reflection of your sacrifice

and commitment to protecting Guyana,” Singh said, expressing pride in theirwork.

The CANU director also acknowledgedtheroleofthe p u b l i c , t h a n k i n g communities across Guyana for providing information

t h a t h a s a s s i s t e d investigations and enforcement operations. He said citizens’ vigilance and

willingness to report suspicious activities have becomeacriticalcomponent of the country’s antinarcoticsefforts.

S i n g h f u r t h e r commended the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and other joint service agencies, saying close interagencycooperationhasbeen akeyfactorbehindCANU’s operationalsuccessesduring the first six months of the year Looking ahead, the directorwarnedthatthedrug tradecontinuestoevolvebut said CANU remains

Director of CANU,

James Singh

Frompage3 whatwastheload...thatgavemeearlyinthe day 260,” Edghill explained, noting that the auditwasameticulouswork-in-progressjust before he walked into the press room. “We are not taking anything for granted by anybody’sword.Wearegoingbackthrough everythingwithafine-toothcomb.”

Addressing the physics of the disaster, maritime experts at the head table explained thatastandardwaveshouldnotpermanently capsizeashipwithintactstructuralintegrity

“It is not abnormal if a wave hits a boat thatitgoes,butitcomesbackdown,”Edghill noted, before turning the floor over to the technical experts to explain why the vessel listedandstayeddown.

mischief. Mischief. And that’s why I’m outraged.”

The minister explained that under the TransportandHarborsDepartment(T&HD) structure, checks and balances should be active. A traffic manager manages the Kingston Goods Wharf, a superintendent is responsibleforthephysicalloadingofcargo and passengers, and a revenue officer is tasked with collecting payments. Because TransportandHarborsoperatesastheservice provider while the MaritimeAdministration Department (MARAD) acts strictly as the regulator, Edghill clarified that this disaster stems directly from operational breaches at the ground level rather than regulatory failure.

committed to adapting its strategies while maintaining the highest standards of i n t e g r i t y a n d professionalism.

“We carry forward the momentum of these achievements and the weightofourresponsibility The threats we face are evolving, but so are we,” Singhstated

The message comes as CANU continues to intensify its anti-drug operations amid a series of m a j o r n a r c o t i c s interceptionsrecordedsofar thisyear

Police foil alleged drug run from Suriname; one arrested

PoliceinRegionSixhavearresteda53-year-old Georgetown man after allegedly finding 81 grams ofsuspectedecstasyconcealedonhispersonduring an operation at No. 78 Foreshore, Corentyne, Berbice.

Accordingtopolice,thediscoverywasmadeat about 6:40 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, after ranks actingoninformationobservedaspeedboatarriving fromSurinamewiththemanasitssolepassenger

He was intercepted and escorted to the SpringlandsPoliceStation,whereasearchconducted in the presence of police ranks allegedly uncovered two transparent plastic bags and one black plastic parcelhiddeninthecrotchareaofhispants

The parcels contained quantities of green, pink andgreypillssuspectedtobeecstasy

The man was arrested and informed of the offence. The suspected narcotics were weighed in hispresenceandamountedto81gramsbeforebeing lodgedasevidence.Heremainsinpolicecustodyas investigationscontinue.

CaptainThomasdetailedthatwhilewind and wave actions naturally cause a vessel to heel (tilt), roll, and pitch in the waterway, a ship with “positive stability” will always return to an upright position, even if shoved 20 degrees to one side. The catastrophic failure to right itself points back to human operational error under treacherous conditions.

“Acaptain,whomaybecompromisedby whatever,wouldnotbeabletolookatwhatis happening with the waves, and so maybe [not] be able to ride those waves,” Captain Thomas stated grimly “We will have an investigation. All these issues will be dealt withduringtheprocessoftheinvestigation.”

Answering questions from the press regardingwhatsortofoperationor “jiggerypookery” could have taken place to cause such a dangerous reality, Minister Edghill was blunt: “One word... we can’t excuse it:

Willthe‘BigFishes’FaceDismissal?

When pressed by reporters on whether high-level managers or the head of the TransportandHarborsDepartmentwouldbe fired over the sheer embarrassment and lack of chain-of-command checks, especially regarding a drug-impaired captain, the minister noted that immediate internal administrativeactionsareunderway

“Wearegettingtothebottomofthis,and people will be dealt with,” Edghill said, confirming he called an immediate management meeting following the press brief to determine if specific oversight personnel, including the superintendent and trafficmanagers,willbeimmediatelysenton leavependingthemulti-agencyprobe.

The investigation team comprises the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), MARAD, and independenttechnicalmaritimeexperts.

MVBarimadisaster...

More than 60 feared dead

Amassive search

and rescue

o p e r a t i o n continues off the coast of Guyana following the capsising of the MVBarima near the Pomeroon River While 67 passengers have been successfully pulled from the Atlantic waters, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the exact number of missing persons due to what government officials call “criminal” discrepancies in theship’sofficialmanifest.

At a press conference heldmorethan18hoursafter the disaster, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, acting as head of state and commander of the armedforces,confirmedthat two bodies have been recovered so far However, w i t h d o z e n s s t i l l unaccountedfor,theultimate death toll remains grimly unpredictable.

TheTimelineofthe Disaster

The MV Barima, an “old” vessel that was last dry-docked in 2024, departed the Port of G e o r g e t o w n a t approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026. It was bound for Port Kaituma in the Northwest District, heavily laden with 268 tons of cargo, 17 crew members, and an official manifest listing116passengers.

Disaster struck just before midnight At approximately 11:00 p.m., the Timehri control tower picked up a frantic distress signal from the vessel

Simultaneously, desperate voice notes from terrified passengersbegancirculating through local networks.

Reports indicate the vessel began listing heavily to one side and capsised rapidly, settling roughly seven miles offshore in the vicinity of Iron Punt and the Pomeroon River T h e M a r i t i m e

Emergency Rescue

Coordination Center was immediately activated. By 2:30a.m.onSunday,July19, the Guyana Coast Guard arrived at the scene. They were quickly joined by a fleet of 15 local vessels, including 11 coordinated local fisherfolk and private sectorassets.

ManifestFraudanda Captain’sPositiveTest

An outraged Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, leveled charges against the operators of the vessel during Sunday’s briefing, revealing a systemic compromise of the rescue operation. According to Edghill, multiple individualspulledalivefrom the ocean did not appear anywhere on the ship’s official documentation. Out of the 67 rescued, only 35 were listed on the original manifest.

“Tobeconfrontedwitha realitythatdespiteanofficial manifestgiventous,persons who were rescued were not manifested-thatisacriminal action,” Minister Edghill stated.“Nobody,forthewant of a few extra dollars, can cheat a system and

compromise the entire

search and rescue operation.” Compounding the unfolding scandal, Edghillrevealedthatroutine

substance screenings executed following the incident yielded a devastatingresult.

“We have a zero toleranceformembersofthe crew drinking or smoking while at work,” Edghill announced. “And for us to have positive tests from the captain this is serious People’slivesareatrisk,and those matters will be dealt with.”

MassiveMobilisationand MedicalUpdate

Awidespreadsearchgrid initiallycovering400square kilometers was aggressively expanded to 1,070 square kilometers by Sunday midday Debris including black vinyl water tanks, gas bottles, and loose plywood havebeenspotteddriftingin thearea.

Local dive teams are being aided by deep-sea capabilities provided by ExxonMobil, which deployedthreevesselsanda specialiseddiveteamtoscan the seabed using advanced

sonar technology Regionally, the Regional Security System (RSS) deployed a surveillance aircraft to execute aerial sweeps of the incident area, while further offers of support have arrived from TrinidadandFrenchGuiana.

Minister of Health Dr FrankAnthonyreportedthat medical infrastructure was

Approximately 15 doctors were staged at the Charity Hospital, while another 40 physicians stood standby at theLimaRegionalHospital.

A total of 50 survivors were processed and triaged at Charity Hospital. While the majority were managed locally, four individuals required sp

ment and w

e subsequently transferred to Lima Regional Hospital for advancedcare.

In addition to those transfers, Lima Regional Hospitaldirectlyreceived17 survivors who had been rescued by local watercraft. These individuals were transported via the Essequibo River after being pulled from the water by small-boatrescueteams.

Currently, medical facilities have successfully treated and released most of the patients Only three individuals remain under hospital observation for minor injuries, and all of them are expected to be dischargedshortly

Dr Anthonydetailedthat most sustained minor abrasions, cuts, and bruises

from gripping debris for hours.Inonenotablecase,a medical team replaced a water-softened plaster cast on a man traveling with an existing fracture. In another miraculous rescue, a mother successfully kept her infant, child aged less than a year, above water; the infant initially experienced breathing complications but hassincestabilized.

NationalCommunity Mobilisation

Survivors have been temporarily housed at the Essequibo Technical Institute,wheretheMinistry of Human Services and SocialSecurityhasdeployed child protection officers, psychologists, and trauma counselors.

Minister Dr Vindhya Persaudnotedthatteamsare workingacrossGeorgetown, Mabaruma, and Port Kaitumatoprovidegriefand psychosocialcaretofamilies enduring the agonizing wait fornews.

Many survivors have already been airlifted onward to Mabaruma and PortKaitumatoreunitewith their families, while others w e r e r e t u r n e d t o Georgetown. Eight families

have opted to remain in Essequibotoawaitupdates.

Rosalinda Rasul, chairperson of theTransport and Harbours Department (THD) Board, clarified that whilethedigital“ferrypass” and point-of-sale systems require passenger identification, the system relies on manual inputs at certain district checkpoints, a vulnerability they are actively correcting via the procurement of new electronicIDscanners.

The press was told that President Irfaan Ali, who was away on official business in Canada, cut his trip short after receiving emergencybriefings.

Since the

m

s e d , t h e governmentispleadingwith members of the public who believe their relatives were aboard the MV Barima to contact the authorities immediately The persons areencouragedtocontactthe Emergency Command Hotline: 702-8580 and utilize the Emergency Family Assistance Centers: Umana Yana (Georgetown), Port Kaituma, and Mabaruma.

Roraima aircraft...

Frompage8 responseteams.

“The Government’s immediate priority remains the safety and rescue of every passenger and every crew member,” the statement said, adding that further verified informationwillbereleasedastheoperationprogresses.

Earlier,PublicWorksMinisterJuanEdghillconfirmed thateightpersonshadbeenrescuedalive.

Edghill said the MV Barima, which operates the Georgetown–North West District route, departed Georgetownatapproximately3:15p.m.onSaturdaybound forPortKaituma.Ataround11:00p.m.,TimehriAirTraffic ControlTowers received a distress signal from the vessel, promptinganimmediateemergencyresponse.

TheMinisteralsodisclosedthatthevesselwascarrying more than 200 life jackets, raising hopes that additional passengersmayyetbefound.

The sinking has triggered one of the country’s largest maritimerescueoperationsinrecentyears,withemergency responders continuing the race against time to account for allthoseaboard.

Dead: Brian Sookram

Two men were found dead inside a pick-up truck that was pulled from a concrete drain along the Ogle-to-Eccles Bypass Road

on Sunday morning, promptingpolicetolaunchan investigation into the incident

The victims have been identified as 38-year-old Brian Sookram of Lot 3 Crown Dam, Industry, East Coast Demerara, who was driving motor pick-up GRR 5251, and 35-year-old Leon SookdeoofLot998Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, who was a passenger.

AccordingtotheGuyana Police Force’s traffic department, the vehicle was discovered overturned and completely submerged in a concrete drain along Henry Public Road The drain, estimatedtobeabout15feet wide and 10 feet deep, contained water and dense vegetation

Police said the pick-up was removed from the drain byatowtruckinthepresence of investigators, during whichthebodiesofbothmen were discovered motionless insidethevehicle

The scene was processed by Assistant Superintendent M Ramdas, Traffic Officer, Assistant Superintendent K

Two found dead in submerged vehicle

The vehicle which was found toppled in a concrete drain along the Ogle to Eccles bypass road where two men were found dead.

Seetaram, Detective Officer, and other ranks from RegionalPoliceDivision4B.

A p r e l i m i n a r y examination of the bodies revealed no visible marks of violence

B o t h m

e transported under police escort to the Diamond Regional Hospital, where they were examined by Dr James and pronounced dead onarrival

Their bodies have since been taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Mortuary, where they await

post-mortemexaminations

s also processed the scene and the vehicle,butchecksforCCTV footage and eyewitnesses

unsuccessful

The pick-up has been lodged at the SAGE Pond Police Outpost, where it will undergo examination by a Licensing and Certifying Officer Policearecontinuing investigations to determine how the vehicle ended up in the drain and the circumstances surrounding thefatalincident

Suspectedmurder-suicide rocksParfaiteHarmonie

Acouplewasfoundshot todeathonSaturdayinwhat appeared to be a murder/ suicide at a La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerararesidence.

According to a police report, the deceased have been identified as Ana Trotman, 42, a shop owner, and John Trotman, 47, of Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara.

The police reported that the incident which occurred between 21:45hrs and 22:15hrs, also left 59-yearold woman nursing gunshot

injuries.Sheiscurrentlyata hospitalreceivingtreatment.

Thepolicedisclosedthat based on preliminary information, an argument reportedly occurred at the residence shortly before severalloudexplosionswere heard.

“Police ranks and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, where Ana Trotman and John Trotman were found with suspected gunshot injuries,” the police stated.

The bodies of the man

andwomanweretakentothe West Demerara Regional Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival and were later taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home, where they are awaiting post-mortemexaminations.

Duringtheinvestigation, detectives recovered a Taurus .32 caliber pistol, nine spent .32 calibre shells and 30 live rounds of ammunition which was l o d g e d p e n d i n g investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.

Faces of loved ones who have yet to be accounted for following the MV Barima tragedy

(Photos courtesy of Big Smith Newswatch)

Regional,int’lsupportpoursinfollowingMVBarimatragedy

Regional bodies and

international partners have expressedcondolencesandsupport to Guyana following the capsising oftheMVBarimaferrywhichsank on Saturday evening about sevenmiles off the coast with an unknownnumberofpassengers.

On Sunday evening, Guyanese government officials revealed that the number of persons onboard at thetimeoftheincidentmaynotbe the previously reported figure of 133 (116 passengers and 17 crew members), after it was disclosed that 32 of the 67 persons rescued were not listed on the vessel’s officialmanifest.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in a statement said it isdeeplysaddenedbytheincident.

The regional body said it stands in solidarity with the families and communities that are being impactedbytheunfoldingdisaster

CARICOMsaiditcontinuesto closely follow the ongoing search andrescueoperationtoaccountfor thepassengersandcrew

“We extend our prayers and support to the families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.

CARICOM pays tribute to the courage, dedication and selfless efforts of the rescue teams and all who are responding in the aftermath of the incident, led by relevantarmsoftheGovernmentof Guyana, and including private vessel operators, who mobilized overnightinchallengingconditions tosavelives,”itstated.

Meanwhile, Jamaican Prime MinisterAndrewHolness,St.Kitts andNevisPrimeMinisterTerrance Drew and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar also extended condolencestoGuyana.

The regional leaders expressed theirsolidaritywiththefamiliesof those unaccounted for and commended the search and rescue teamfortheirbraveefforts.

For her part, Persad-Bissessar noted,“Inthisregard,airandnaval assets and human resources from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force are lending support to recoveryefforts.”

The CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) also expressed solidarity with Guyana,

praising those involved in the search and rescue operation. The organisation added that it remains readytosupportGuyanainthedays ahead.

“We are grateful for those who have been accounted for to date, while holding in our thoughts the families anxiously awaiting news oftheirlovedones,”CPSOsaid.

The United States Embassy in Guyanaexpressedsadnessoverthe incident and commended those involved in rescue efforts. “We honorthecourageofeveryrescuer who answered the call in the dark hoursofthenightandwhocontinue theirmissiontoday Weprayforthe safe recovery of all those still missing,”itsaid.

Commission of Canada said it is deeply concerned by reports that the MV Barima tragedy It also commended the dedication, professionalism,andbraveryofthe Guyana Defence Force (GDF), maritime authorities, emergency responders,medicalpersonnel,and otherswhoengagedintheongoing searchandrescueoperations.

“Our thoughts are with those affected, their families, and communities anxiously awaiting news Westandinsolidaritywiththe Government and people of Guyana duringthisdifficulttimeandremain hopeful for the safe recovery of everyone involved,” the Canadian HighCommissionsaid

Fortheirpart,theBritishHigh Continued on page 22

Faces of loved ones who have yet to be accounted...

“The boat cant over and gone”

...survivors recount horror of MV Barima capsizing ...recall seeing babies washed away as they slept

SURVIVOR: Leon Murray

The MV Barima left Georgetown at 3:15 p m on Saturday, bound for Port Kaituma inRegionOnewith116passengers and 17 crew members aboard. By 11:01 p.m., an air traffic control tower in Timehri had received a distress call Within minutes, survivorssay,thedecades-oldferry was gone, flipped and sunk in the darkwatersoffthePomerooncoast nearIronPunt.

As of Sunday morning, authorities confirmed 67 people rescued, with search and rescue teams from the Guyana Defence Force, Coast Guard, and private

SURVIVOR: Elena Moonsammy

vesselscontinuingthesearchbyair andsea.

President Irfaan Ali, currently out of the country, said he was “deeply distressed” by the capsizing and pledged that “no effort will be spared” in the rescue mission. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill confirmed the vessel carried 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts, and six inflatable life rafts.

But for the people who were aboard, the disaster unfolded in a matter of minutes and for some, it toreentirefamiliesapart.

“It ain’t even tek four minutes

SURVIVOR: Safraz Matabheek

andgone”,recountedLeonMurray who boarded the MV Barima in Georgetownwitheightmembersof hisfamily Onlyheandhis27-yearold son, Leron, are known to have survived.

Hesaidhisfamily:hiswife,his 15-year-old daughter, and four grandchildren ranging from three to seven years old were asleep whentheferrywentdown.

“We were sleeping and dem (family) get tie off suh dem couldn’t move,” Murray said. “By time I ketch myself, I was already overboard.”

Murray said he was pulled

SURVIOR: Wayne Kitson

underandhadtofighthiswaytothe surface.“Megehfuhslideout,”he said.“Whenmegehcoverdownin this boat, me paddle and float up, whenmemeetuptop,megrabblea life jacket.” After roughly two hours in the water, he lost his life jacket and clung instead to a floatingicebox,alongwithseveral other survivors, until rescuers reachedthemaround4a.m.

“Wassheerpeopleroundme,all over calling fuh help but nobody can’thelp,”hesaid.

Murraysaidhehadtraveledon the steamer many times before without incident, but that this trip

ASURVIVOR

feltdifferent.Heclaimedthevessel was overloaded well beyond its usual capacity, packed with cargo including rations, chicken, pork, andbeef,inadditiontopassengers.

“Thepeopleload,load,loadthe steamer,” he said. “They overload the steamer it was packed, packed,packedalldownstairs.”

He said the boat had engine trouble hours before it capsized. Around7p.m.,hesaid,oneengine cut out, and rather than turning back to Georgetown, the crew stopped to make repairs at sea before continuing the voyage. He also said a passenger had warned crew membersthe boatwas taking inwateraround8p.m.,andwastold itwas“normal.”

“Sailorsandcaptaindidn’t Continued on page 22

No cost hikes for students amid UWI expansion plans

(JamaicaGleaner)-The UniversityoftheWestIndies (UWI) has detailed a comprehensive capital

e x p a n s i o n a n d modernisationprojectforits Mona and Western Jamaica campuses,settobeexecuted over the next three to four years.

Keydevelopmentsinthe short to medium term includetheconstructionofa 50-bed hospital in western Jamaica, alongside a new SchoolofEngineeringanda centralised campus hub at theMonasite.

“ThetruthisthatMonais on a transformational path, andwhatwe’reseeingisthat we are reviving the systems

and procedures and processes about how we do things at our Mona campus. We are talking about modernisingthecampus,not o n l y i n t e r m s o f infrastructure work, but in terms of our governance, in terms of our academic programmes, and also in terms of the processes and systems that we do,” stated The UWI, Mona principal, ProfessorDensilWilliams.

Williams shared the plans with the Jamaica Observer following his presentationattheinaugural Ministry of Education,

Skills, Youth and Information Higher Education Leadership Conference 2026 held at Princess Grand Hotels and Resorts in Green Island, Hanover,lastThursday

Healsodetailedtheplans for the Western Jamaica campus.

“Wehavegreatplansfor ourWesternJamaicacampus aswell,wherewe’regoingto be building out a proper global health facility We’re going to be looking at a 50bed hospital over there, and we’re going to look at a teaching and research

complex for medical education in western Jamaica…We’re going to overhaul the current site of theWesternJamaicacampus to look at business and management education and also short and professional courses as well,” said Williams, who noted that all these are long-term plans that will be done “step by step”.

The principal said ground-breaking for the Mona project is expected by theendofthiscalendaryear, with completion anticipated

within 18 to 24 months.The WesternJamaicaprojectwill follow approximately two yearslater

The UWI, Mona principal pointed to the importanceofastep-by-step a p p r o a c h t o r i s k management, ensuring all projects align with the university’s financial realities.

“We risk manage them, we build, we see how they operate, we look at the returns,andthenwemoveto the next phase, ” he explained.

While no cost was provided for the Western Jamaica campus project, the planfortheMonacampusis estimated at US$30 million, and the university does not intend to pass these costs ontostudents.

“All our capital projects arenotgoingtotouchonour existing operational budget at the campus. We’re looking at new revenue streams to support these projects,soitwillrequireus to actually get into the international space and get internationalstudentsetc to come and finance those projects as well,” explained Williams

Infact,theprincipalsaid students will benefit even more “because they will have more modern facilities andtheywillnotbeaskedto pay any significant amount in terms of increased tuition for these, because we’re diversifying our revenue stream to pay for these projects.Sowe’relookingat commercial operations, internationalstudents,etc.to

payforthese.”

Williams explained the importance of the Mona campus the founding campus of the regional institutionstartedin1948— undertaking such a massive projectatthistime.

“We just have to moderniseourfacilities,and that’s a key driver Our facilities are, in some cases, 30-40 years old, and they don’treallyhavethekindof modernity to deal with the kind of technological revolutionthatwe’redealing with — to deal with AI and those kinds of things. Our labs need upgrading, etc., andsowehavetolookatthe overall infrastructure overhaul that is supporting the campus,” Williams insisted.

The principal said the influx of overseas universities offering their services on the island also played a key part in their consideration.

“The truth is that we’re not resting on our laurels. The education industry has become much more competitive, and as a result of that, we have to now actually forecast what the futurewilllooklike,andwe have to lead the future. I mean,let’smakenomistakes about it, UWI is still the number one recognised university in the Caribbean, and also within the top 1.5 per cent of the best universities globally We havethatreputation;wehave touseit.Wehavetoleverage that reputation,” said Williams.

T h e t h r e e - d a y conference,whichendedlast Friday, was held under the theme ‘Transformational Leadership for Institutional Excellence and Sector Renewal’.

It was aimed at bringing togetherleadersofJamaica’s publicly funded higher educationinstitutions,board chairs,representativesofkey sectoragencies,andministry officials to examine strategies for strengthening institutional leadership, enhancing governance, improving student success, advancingqualityassurance, and positioning the higher

education sector to respond to emerging national and globalpriorities.

In reflection, Williams explained the importance and benefits of the conference to tertiary institutions.

“Initially, when we thoughtaboutit,wesaidthat we have never really had a coming together of the higher education sector just talking about what the challenges are, how we finance ourselves, how we look at future sustainability andstuff.

“I really want to thank theMinistryofEducationfor hosting this particular conference because what it has done is to bring all the stakeholders together over a three-day period, where we can discuss and we can dialogue about the future of higher education and what are the lessons we can learn fromeachothertomakesure that we build a financially sustainable sector and we also build a resilient sector for the future. So, I think these conversations are extremely important, and I look forward to further dialoguewithourcolleagues within the higher education sector,”addedtheprincipal.

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From page 19 Commission said, “We are deeply saddened by the news of the capsizing of the MV Barima.Ourthoughtsarewith all those affected, including the passengers and crew, and theirfamiliesandlovedones.

We recognise and commend

“The

thededicationandcourageof theemergencyservices,maritime authorities and all those involved in the ongoing searchandrescueefforts.The UK stands with Guyana at thisdifficulttime.”

Moreover, the Chinese Embassy in Guyana said it is closely following the search and rescue operation and extended sympathy and hope that rescue operations would be successful. “China stands ready to provide assistance within its capacity in light of Guyana’s needs,” it further stated.

boatcantoverandgone”

From page 20 announce difficulties,” Murray said. “Dem didn’t have time for that. Just the boat cant there was no time, in four minutes and it was down.”

Murray who was treated and subsequently taken to the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) said he has not left for his home since being brought ashore. “Me got to witness me family float,” he said. “When I witness dem me got to see where dem guh put the bodies.”

“I

TRY TO GRABBLE MY BABY BUT THE BOX KNOCK HE OUT MY HAND”

Another survivor, Elena Moonsammy was travelling withhertwo-year-oldandsix otherchildrenwhentheferry capsized. She said the vessel had cargo boxes stacked at the rear, and that a wave causedtheboattotiltsharply, sending water rushing in within seconds.

“This boat mek a wave comeandthisboatmekaone cant right away, that is how the water rush in,” she said. “I had a two-year-old baby withsixotherkidsandthebox coverwedown…Itrytograb

my baby but the box knock he out my hand.”

Moonsammy said she lost sight of the children in the chaos and had to fight to keepherselfabovewater.She survived by holding onto a floating box alongside anotherwoman.“AllIhadtodo was fight for myself,” she said. “Is seven of them I lost, five girls and two boys.”

WayneKitson,18,ofPort Kaituma, said the boat tilted and failed to right itself. “We just hear this boat cant pun one side and it barely cant back suh and mek one lean over,” he said. He lost his partner and his daughter in thecapsizingandwashimself injured.

Another survivor described the scene as parents searched for children who hadbeensleepingonthefloor of the vessel when it went down. “A lot of parents were looking for their babies because they went to sleep on the ground and their babies just wash away,” he said.

“EVERYBODY WAS REALLY FIGHTING AND HOLLERING”

SafrazMatabheeksaidhis wifeandthreechildrenremain missing. “The boat cant over

and me cover up under that rail and me deh fight up to come out,” he said. “When me come out… me nah see them back. Me nah know if the boat cover them.”

“I DID THE BIG MISTAKE I HAD DONE.”

Orman Cox, of Wauna, Region One, was travelling with his brother and a friend whentheferryrolled.Hesaid he was pulled underwater as the vessel capsized.

“Therewasonlyonecant, so I turned right over And I left inside, under the water,” Cox said. “When I got to the bottom… I had to drink water, because I wasn’t able to stop my breath.”

Cox said he stayed afloat by discarding his shoes and usinghisbelttolatchhimself to a bottle for buoyancy until other survivors reached him. He described banding together with four other passengers in the water, none of whom he had known before boarding.

“Fiveofusendeduppulling together,” he said. Rescue teams reached them roughly six hours after the ferrywentdown,hesaid,and had to help free him after his foot became caught.

U.S. renews strikes on Iran after at least two military personnel killed by Iranian attack

(Reuters) - TheU.S.saidithad completed an eighth straight night of attacks against Iran after earlier announcing that at least two U.S. military personnel were killed in Jordan, while U.S. allies in the region reported more Iranian attacksSunday

The U S military also confirmed a third death in recent days,sayingaservicememberwas killedonSaturdayinnorthernIraq, where the U.S. has military bases, during a controlled detonation of what Central Command called unexplodedordnanceonadowned Iranianattackdrone.

The U S and Iran have intensified attacks as an interim ceasefireagreementsignedamonth ago has unravelled and a struggle forcontroloftheStraitofHormuz, a vital shipping channel, has deepened, raising the risk of a returntoall-outhostilities.

Israeli officials said Israel was preparing to receive more U.S. refuelling aircraft after the recent escalation, and ahead of a possible expansion of U S military operationsagainstIran.

U.S.CentralCommandsaidthe latestairstrikes,beginningat6p.m. EDT (2200 GMT) on Saturday, were designed “to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercialshippingintheStraitof HormuzandswiftlypunishIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American `service members in Jordan.” Even prior to Saturday’s attacks from Iran, the U.S. had started moving additional assets to the Middle East, including aircraft such as fighter jets, a U.S. official toldReuters.

Central Command later said it

Smoke rises from an explosion at an unknown location, during what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iran, in this screen grab taken from a handout video released on July 18, 2026. U.S. Central Command/Handout via REUTERS

had completed its wave of attacks, hitting Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defence facilities.

Theconflict,whichbeganwhen theU.S.andIsraelattackedIranon February 28 hoping to disable its nuclear and missile programs and degrade its regional proxies, has killed thousands of people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and led to majordisruptiontoenergysupplies andfearsoverglobalinflation.

GULF STATES SAY THEY COME UNDER FRESH IRANIAN ATTACK

Iranian media said the U.S. carried out an attack near Sirik in southern Iran, and near Shadegan, close to the border with Iraq. An explosion was later reported in Abadan,inIran’ssouthwest.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization condemned a U.S. attackonthesiteofanuclearpower

At least six dead and

plant under construction in Darkhovin, Iran’s Mehr news agency reported. The International AtomicEnergyAgencysaiditwas investigating reports of an overnight attack, noting that the plantwasintheveryearlystagesof construction.

Inresponsetothelateststrikes, Iran carried out a drone attack on U.S.militaryassetsandequipment at Kuwait’sAl-Adiri camp andAli AlSalemAirBase,IranianstateTV reported early on Sunday Iran has hit both bases as part of its attacks againstU.S.assetsandalliesinthe Gulfoverthepastweek.

Kuwait’s government said a desalination plant been ‘attacked fortheseconddayrunning,causing afire,inwhatitcalledadirectstrike on vital civilian infrastructure Kuwait’s armed forces said earlier they had again intercepted Iranian missiles, after a sustained Iranian

21

injured after 2 earthquakes in Peru ear

(Reuters) - At least six people were killed and 21 injured after two earthquakes struck mountainous region of Peru, the country’s civil defense chief said onSunday

The quakes, measuring magnitudes 5.1 and 3.7, hit on Saturday night in Chupaca provinceintheJunínregion,about 300km(186miles)east‘ofLima, according to Peru’s National SeismologicalCenterpostonX.

The first quake struck at a depth of 24 km (15 miles) and the secondat18km,thecentersaid.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre earlier reported that the first earthquake hadamagnitudeof5.6.

Luis Vásquez, head of Peru’s

National Civil Defense Institute, told local radio station Exitosa ‘preliminaryreportsshowedabout 48 homes had been destroyed and another 18 damaged, affecting around 300 people who are being providedwithtents.

Homes in the affected communities in Chupaca are ‘generally rudimentary structures builtfromadobeblocks.

Vásquezsaidemergencycrews and firefighters arrived in the affected areas early on Sunday to clear ‘debris amid concerns that additional victims could be trapped.

PeruliesalongthePacificRing of Fire, a zone ‘that accounts for roughly 85% of the world’s seismicactivity

attackonSaturday Bahrain’s air defenses also intercepted an Iranian attack on Sunday, its state TV reported. SirenssoundedinJordan,wherethe militarysaidithadshotdownthree Iranian missiles The Israeli military said it had detected the launchofmissilesfromIrantoward the Jordanian city of Aqaba, on Israel’s border Jordan summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires in protest against recent attacks. In recent days both sides have taken aim at shipping traffic, with the U.S. saying it is enforcing a naval blockadeonIranianports,andIran sayingittargetsvesselsviolatingits rules on navigating the Strait of Hormuz, which usually handles one-fifth‘ofglobaloiltrade.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Sunday four vesselshadattemptedtotransitthe strait via an “unsafe route” with

A woman passes by debris following the earthquake of magnitude 5.6 that struck Central Peru on Saturday, in Chupuro, Peru, July 19, 2026. REUTERS/Yershon Vilca

U.S. backing after ignoring IRGC warnings It said two had abandoned the attempt while the other two were involved in an “accident”.Itdidnotelaborate.

DEATHS

OF U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS

U.S.CentralCommandsaidthe deaths of two of its service personnel had occurred on Friday in Jordan and that a third U.S. service member was missing in action. On Sunday, Central Command said in a statement that “unidentified remains” had `been found at the site of Friday’s attack andthat“anexaminationprocessto verifytheremainsisongoing.”

The announcements, including Saturday’s death in northern Iraq, bring the number of U.S. service memberskilledsincethewarbegan to 17, while more than 420 have been wounded U S Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on social media: “Their sacrifice only stiffensourresolve.”

Iran’s Health Ministry said on Saturday that 50 people had been killedandmorethan500wounded in U.S. strikes on the country over the‘pastthreeweeksalone.

Overall, thousands have been killedintheconflict,mainlyinIran and in Lebanon, where a war between Israel and Iran-allied militant group Hezbollah was reignited.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Lebanese President JosephAounonSundaytodiscussa U.S.-backedframeworkagreement signedinJune.AounwillmeetU.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to present a plan for disarming Hezbollah and securing Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

VingegaardoutofTour...

Frompage27

“I’m trembling with the emotion,” said Evenepoel afterwards. “It was hard in the beginning, but I got better and better during theday

“You have to understand I am racing the bestguyever[Pogacar]andformeit’s abig step forward that I can follow this pace. I always get so many critics saying: ‘You cannot survive steep climbs.’ So it means a lot.”

Pogacar remains in the overall leader’s yellow jersey, five minutes ahead of Evenepoel,whoisafurther58secondsahead ofDelToro.

Britain’sTomPidcockofPinarello-Q36.5 was a contender for victory across much of

thestageashewaspartofaearlierbreakaway groupthatlastedbeyondthecategoryoneCol de la Croisette climb, alongside American ‘hipster rider’Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek, whowonthedaysuper-combatifaward.

France’s young sensation Paul Seixas of Decathlon-CMA CGM fought to keep up with the leaders, but lost his youth classificationwhitejerseyaftercominghome fourth,52secondsbehindDelToro.

The King of the Mountains jersey returned to Pogacar after Valentin ParetPeintre of Soudal-Quick Step finished way downin79thplace.

Denmark’s Mads Pedersen retained the greenpointsjersey

Lusignan

Frompage28

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wickets,andunforgettablefeatssuchashisworldrecord365 not out, golf was his personal joy At Lusignan, he found camaraderie and relaxation, reminding us that sport is not only about competition but also about community and sharedpassion.

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Frompage27 round his legs by Bethell, was the decisive moment in the match,leavingViratKohlitoattempttotakeIndiatovictory astherequiredrun-ratespiralled.

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Monday July 20, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

It may feel as if something or someoneistryingtokeepyou frommovingaheadwithyour ambitious goals and aggressive nature, Aries You'llseethatthishindranceis actuallyahelp.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You're apt to feel more talkative than usual, Taurus. There are many times when you may shrink from a situationindisgustorperhaps boredom You're usually anxious to move from one sceneandgetonwiththenext.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You may be anxious to try an uncharted path that speaks to your sense of risk and adventure. It's important to temper these actions with realisticplanning.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Other people are likely to be anxious to get up and moving with their plans, Cancer It mightbebetterforyoutohang back a bit and see how things panoutbeforeyoutakeaction.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Your heart has been active, Leo, and you're probably feelingtheneedtotakecharge of a certain relationship Instead of being too hasty in your pursuit of this romance, you should probably do more planning.

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

There is solid grounding to your emotions right now that is helping you stabilize your sensitive feelings. You may discoverthatrecentactionsin romance and love may not have been particularly appropriate.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your relationships are going well from an intellectual perspective, but from an emotional one, you might feel like they aren't as fulfilling as you'd like Perhaps you're lettingyourbraindotoomuch.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Concentrate on nurturing your needs right now instead of trying to accommodate the needsofothers,Scorpio.There isadifficulttensionthatarises when you try to comfort someone who really doesn't wanttobecomforted.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Thingsmayrollalongnicelyin love and romance and then suddenly run into a snag, Sagittarius.Perhapsyoufailed to recognize an important birthdayoranniversary

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Here's a reminder that it's OK to be you. You may feel more centered than usual, which encouragesyoutostandupfor yourselfandsaythethingsyou must to people who need to hearthem.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You may have that awful feeling that you really need to get down to work yet something seems to stand square in the way of progress. Perhapsyoufeellikeyou'reata four-way stop with three other cars.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

You're anxious to take action, Pisces, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Be careful about acting too hastily It's important that you and your loved one be on the samepagefirst.

India’stailcontinuedtohitboundaries,buttheirtargetwas toogreatandtheyfinishedon360-7.

Matchdetails:England387for3(Duckett141,Bethell 91, Root 74*, Buttler 41*) beat India 360 for 7 (Rohit 138, Gill77,Kohli74)by27runs

Plaisance FC Crowned EDFA Youth Ensemble

U-13 Champions

…SECURE NATIONAL C’SHIP SPOT

Plaisance FC

e m e r g e d a s champions of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Youth Ensemble U13 Competition

after finishing the tournament with the highest points tally, bringing an excitingcampaigntoaclose on Friday, July 18, at the BuxtonGround.

PlaisanceFCsecuredthe championship following a dramatic final round of matches.

Buxton Stars FC, who entered the decisive fixtures level on five wins and eight goals alongside Plaisance, saw their title hopes dashed after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Mahaica DeterminatorsFC.

BuxtonStarsFCfinished asrunners-up,whileMelanie FC claimed third place and Golden Stars FC secured fourth.

As champions and runners-up, Plaisance FC and Buxton Stars FC have both qualified for the GFF Youth Ensemble U13 National Championship,

scheduled to be held between late July and early August

Reflecting on the successful conclusion of the competition, East Demerara Football Association

President Rickford Profitt praised the commitment of everyonewhocontributedto thetournament’ssuccess.

“I have a heart of gratefulness and I’m very t h a n k

e coordinators, parents and volunteers. I’m happy we have completed the U13 competition,andnextcomes the U15 competition,” Profittsaid.

The final day of competition delivered the same excitement and intensity that characterised the tournament from its opening whistle, with clubs from across the East Demerara corridor displaying impressive technical ability, teamwork and det

ion throughoutthematches.

The EDFA Youth Ensemble Programme now shiftsitsfocustotheongoing

U15 competition, which is expected to conclude in the comingweeks.

The Guyana Football

Federation congratulates all participating clubs, players, coaches, match officials and volunteers for contributing to another successful youth football competition and wishes Plaisance FC and Buxton Stars FC every

success as they prepare to represent the association at the upcoming National Championship.

Antonelli wins to extend lead after Russell crashes out

(BBC Sport) – Mercedes’Kimi

Antonelli re-established the comfortable championship lead that had been eroded in the past three races with victory in the Belgian Grand Prix while teammateGeorgeRussellcrashedout.

The Italian fought back from losing position during a virtual safety-car period to catch and pass Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for his sixthwinin10racesthisseason.

Russell, meanwhile, was taken out in a collision with Ferrari’s LewisHamiltonontheopeninglap andhasdroppedtothirdplaceinthe standings, 50 points behind Antonelli.

Hamilton was re-promoted to second place in the championship, fivepointsaheadofRussell,witha fourth-placefinish.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen tookthefinalpodiumplace.

Russell‘notgoingto blameLewis’forcollision

Antonelliinitiallylookedsetto deliveronthepre-raceexpectations and dominate comfortably at the frontfollowinghisimpressivepole positiononSaturday

Clever driving on the first lap solved his concerns about being passedontherunupthehilltoLes Combes, when he let Verstappen

past him into Eau Rouge and then slipstreamed back into the lead up thefollowingKemmelstraight.

Behind him, Russell went into Les Combes side by side with Hamilton,tryingtopasstheFerrari aroundtheoutside.

Russell was ahead going into the corner, but a wobble from Hamilton caused by the airflow to his front wing being disrupted by the fighting Antonelli, Verstappen and Leclerc in front of him, meant he tagged the Mercedes, which spun into the gravel trap and into

Mercedes’George Russell spins out of the race after colliding with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. (Getty Images)

retirement.

An emotional Russell said: “I cameoutofTurnOne,forwhatever reason I was 30-40% down on my battery I just totally got swamped upbythreecars.

“IncidentwithLewis,Ihavenot really seen it But I thought probablyaracingincident.Iamnot going to blame Lewis. If things were normal, I would have been battling with Lewis, battling with KimiandMax.

“It is one thing after another, after another, after another Not

good enough on all regards so try andresetagain.I’vedoneitenough times this season and I’ll see what wecando.”

Antonelli measured his pace carefully in the opening stint, looking after his tyres, until being told to speed up as his pit stop loomed.

Over the course of lap 17, wth Verstappen pitting for fresh tyres, he extended his lead over Leclerc by a further 0.3secs to 3.5, before pittingonthefollowinglap.

Twolapslater,though,avirtual

safetycarperiodforsomedebrison trackgaveLeclercacheappitstopit costs nearly half as much race timetostopunderasafetycarthan under green-flag conditions - and Leclerc was able to stop for fresh tyres and rejoin still in front of Antonelli.

Norris by this point was in the lead, but Leclerc soon passed the McLarenonlap26,anditwasnow a question as to how long it would take Antonelli to close the threesecondgaptotheFerrari.

Antonelli was on his tail eight lapslaterandpassedtheFerrarion the Kemmel straight on lap 34 of 44.

Leclerc was able to stay with Antonelli, whose lead never went over two seconds, and there was extra pressure from the fact the Mercedesdriverwasonthecuspof afive-secondpenaltyforexceeding tracklimitstoomanytimes.

But Antonelli calmly kept things under control to cross the line just under two seconds ahead and retake control of the championship.

It was his first win since Monaco in early June, after a retirement in Spain, a third in Austriaandafinishoutofthepoints attheBritishGrandPrix.

CouchmanretainsNationalJuniorChessC/shipTitle

Kyle Couchman

successfully defended his title at the 2026 National J u n i o r C h e s s Championships, bringing a thrilling conclusion to the tournament at the Olympic House in Liliendaal, East CoastDemerara.

Supported by Sponsor EnerMech Guyana Inc., the high-stakes tournament ran fromMonday,July13,2026, toSaturday,July18,2026.

Couchman secured his title defence with an undefeated run, scoring 8.5 points out of a possible 9.A final-rounddrawagainstCM Sachin Pitamber was the onlyencounterthatkepthim from a perfect score Showing the poise of a seasoned player, Couchman commanded the board with ease throughout the event. His attention now turns to internationa

duties, representing Guyana in Colombia later this month before heading to the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan in

September

Following fierce battles on the boards, CM Sachin P

d a commendable second place with 8 points. Maintaining

h e championship, he racked up sevenwinsandtwodrawsin

the gruelling nine-round contest Pitamber, no stranger to high-level pressure, put up a spectacular fight until the final round in his bid to dethrone the defending champion.

Having already captured threenationalchesstitlesthis

year, he also now turns his attention to international duties as he prepares to join fellow teammate Couchman at the upcoming Chess Olympiad.

Securing the third-place podium spot, WCM Aditi Joshi finished with a commendable 6 5 points

The reigning Women’s Chess Champion put on a brilliant display of tactical skill over the board, racking up six victories and a draw, with her only setbacks occurring in the hard-fought battles during the fourth and eighth rounds against Pitamber and Couchman, respectively

WCM Joshi now shifts herfocustotheinternational stage, where she will represent Guyana in Colombia later this month andattheChessOlympiad.

Alexander Zhang secured fourth place with a commendable 5.5 points (comprising four wins and three draws), while his sibling, Nicholas Zhang, locked in sixth place with 4 points. Making her debut at t h e J u n i o r C h e s s Championship–thereigning National U14 and U16 Girls Champion, Kataleya Sam, finished with a strong 3.5 points.

L o o k i n g a h e a d , Alexanderissettorepresent Guyana in Colombia, while

Samwillmakeherinaugural appearance at the Chess Olympiad on the Guyana Women’steam.

Matthew Singh and Jeremy Cole placed seventh and eighth, respectively, with3pointseach.Rounding out the final standings with 1.5 points each were Aiden TinnieandJavierDavenand, both earning valuable experience in their first junior championship tournament.

TheFederationsincerely thanks FIDE Arbiter John Lee for ensuring the tournament was conducted strictlybyFIDEregulations. Leealsomanagedtheevent’s digital presence, livestreaming games on Lichess.org and providing real-timepairingsandresults viaChess-results.com.

Special thanks are extended to our sponsor, EnerMech Guyana Inc., for supporting the development of youth chess, and to the G u y a n a O l y m p i c Association for generously providingthevenue.

VingegaardoutofTourafter spectatorcrashas Evenepoelwins

Pogacar cruised through in yellow on a dramatic day. (Getty Images)

(BBC Sport) - JonasVingegaardcrashed out of the Tour de France after breaking his collarboneinacrashwhichresultedinriders landingonspectators.

In a stage 15 won by Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, two-time winner Vingegaardseen as the only real threat to defending champion and yellow jersey wearer Tadej Pogacar-wastacklingatightright-handbend off a roundabout when his front wheel slid out,causinghimtolandonhisshoulder.

The concertina effect caused three other riders to catapult over Vingegaard and on to spectators standing on the outside of the corner,withPogacar’sUAETeamEmiratesXRG team-mate Isaac del Toro, of Mexico, landing on a woman with crutches who was seated.

Denmark’s Vingegaard will now have surgery “in the coming days due to the severityofthefracture”,accordingtoateam statement.

Vingegaard’s team-mate Sepp Kuss, of theUSA,andRedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe’sJai Hindley,ofAustralia,werealsoinvolved,but continued.

The stage was won unexpectedly by EvenepoelofRedBull-Bora-Hansgroheafter managing to stay with Pogacar, and then powerawayfromDelToro.

Evenepoeliswidelyconsideredthethirdbest rider in the world for overall ability for hissupremetimetrialskills,buttypicallyhe suffersonsteepclimbs.

But on the uncategorised final climb of Sunday’s 183.9km stage from Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison, he matched Pogacar forthefirsttimeonsuchparcours.

Evenepoelisfavouritetowinstage16on Tuesday - a 26.1km time trial to Thonon les Bains.

Continued on page 25

Duckett 141 trumps Rohit 138 in Lord’s run-fest

Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett put on England’s first 100-run opening stand since 2023. (ECB/Getty Images)

(BBC Sport) - England hit the highest one-day international total at Lord’s to beat Indiaby27runsandsealathrilling2-1series victory

Opener Ben Duckett made the biggest men’s ODI individual score at the Home of Cricket in striking 141 off 135 balls as the hosts posted 383-7, surpassing the previous mark of 334-4 by England against the same opponentsin1975.

Duckett shared an opening stand of 192 with Jacob Bethell, who fell for 91, before finally chipping a return catch to Prince Yadav in the 44th over after smacking 18 foursandasix.

Joe Root helped drive England to their formidabletotal,hittinganunbeaten74from

48ballsforhissixthconsecutivescoreof50 or more in ODIs, while Jos Buttler added a blistering unbeaten 41 off 13 deliveries late on.

Askedtoreachwhatwouldhavebeenthe second-highestwinningtargetintheformat’s history,Indiaremainedinthehuntdeepinthe gamethankstoRohitSharma’ssuperb138.

The 39-year-old, who is rumoured to be retiring at the end of the series, was in sparklingform,hitting17foursandfivesixes inhis111-ballknock.

He put on his own stand of 147 with Shubman Gill, who struck 77 before he was trappedlbwbyAdilRashid.

Rohit’sdismissalinthe38thover,bowled Continued on page 25

NAGICO Insurances and GSL launch

historic Developmental Scholarship

Through a joint initiative between the ExxonMobil Guyana GlobalSuperLeagueandNAGICO Insurances, one promising young Caribbean cricketer will benefit from a historic developmental scholarship programme for the 2026tournament.

As part of the initiative, which falls under the League’s Super We platform, 21-year-old batting allrounder Michael Palmer of St. Marteen,hometotheheadquarters of NAGICO Insurances, will be attachedtohomefranchiseGuyana AmazonWarriors.

This initiative will provide the young player with valuable exposure to a high-performance professionalcricketenvironment.

The scholarship programme, initiated by the Global Super League and fully supported by NAGICO Insurances, is a reflection of the company’s ongoing commitment to youth development and the growth of cricketacrosstheCaribbean.

Byinvestinginemergingtalent, the company aims to help create meaningfulopportunitiesforyoung players to enhance their skills and gain experience alongside elite regional and international cricketers.

KyriaAli,CEOoftheNAGICO

Group, said: “At NAGICO, we believe that one of the greatest investments we can make is in the potential of young people. This initiativeisaboutmorethangiving talented youth a chance to watch elite cricket, it is about giving the opportunity to experience it from

theinside,toshareadressingroom with some of the world’s best p l a y e r s , o b s e r v e t h e professionalism and discipline that define success, and return home inspired to pursue their own dreams.”

Lusignan Golf Club

She added: “As a Caribbean

Mourns Sir Garfield Sobers

LusignanGolfClubjoins

the global sporting community in mourning the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers,whopassedawayon July 17, 2026 at the age of 89. Universally regarded as cricket’s greatest allrounder, Soberswasalsoapassionate golfer whose connection to Lusignan remains a proud chapterintheclub’shistory

In1979,hecapturedthe Neal & Massy WSC FourBallGolfTournamentat Lusignan Golf Course, a victorythatdemonstratedhis remarkable versatility and love for sport beyond the cricketfield.Sobers’triumph atLusignanwasmorethana headline, it was a moment that elevated the prestige of the tournament and inspired local players to pursue golf withreneweddedication.

Members recall his warmth and humility, qualities that made him as approachable on the greens as he was celebrated on the pitch. His swing carried the same elegance that defined

his batting, and his presence

to the

While cricket will forever be his greatest legacy,with93Testmatches, over8,000runs,235 Continued on page 25

company,weareproudtofacilitate this first-of-its-kind programme and look forward to building it out further with the Global Super League in the future. We believe that this experience can ignite passion,buildconfidence,andhelp shape the next generation of

A pair of commanding victories yesterday, courtesy of the West Side and Bush Lot Secondary Schools respectively as part of Zone 7’s semi-final round played at the Cotton Tree Ground, Berbice.

West Side Secondary beat Woodley Park Secondaryby69runs

Taking first strike paid off from West Side Secondary who still made a winning115-7after15overs after a solid 35 off 20 from top-scorersRicardoDanesar and Nathan Karamchand (13).

Woodley Park bowlers didwellduringtheirinnings, as Rafeek Ali (3-12) and Zaheed Khodabux (2-29) were excellent but failed to find help from their batters during the chase and were knocked over for 46-10 in 10.4overs.

Only Mohit Nemdhari

Caribbean sporting talent

Sometimes, a single opportunity can change the course of a young person’s future, and we are honoured to work alongside the Global Super League team to help makethatpossible.”

Chairman of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, Sir Clive Lloyd, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an investment in the future of Caribbeancricket.

“One of the key objectives of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League is to create opportunities that extend beyond the matches themselves. We are delightedthatNAGICOInsurances has partnered with us to provide this developmental scholarship, whichwillgiveonetalentedyoung cricketer invaluable exposure to a professional environment Initiativeslikethishelpensurethat the next generation of Caribbean playersisequippedtocarryourrich cricketinglegacyforward.”

The initiative adds another importantlegacycomponenttothe 2026 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, reinforcing the tournament’s role in fostering the next generation of Caribbean cricket talent while delivering world-classcompetition.

(13) reached double figures asthepairofRicardoLaurie ( 3 - 7 ) a n d R o m e l

Sukhnandan (3-11) ran through the batting order bowlingforWestSide.

BushLotSecondarybeat Rosignol Secondary by 61 runs

Trevon Gladstone led a tough batting charge with a mere 15 runs as Bush Lot werekeptto91-7in15overs battingfirst.

Twowicketsapiecefrom Tyrel Paul (2-19) and Varinda (2-15) set the tone forRosignolSecondary,who thenmisfiredasimplechase andfoundthemselveskeptto a meager 30-6 in the 9th over;withnobatterreaching doublefigures.

Bush Lot’s Afzal Amir was the chief destroyer with returns of 5-11 which kept his school in the game all throughoutthematch.

Chapman, Santner star in lowscoring thriller as NZ take series

(Cricinfo) - As the sporting worldhaditscollectivegazeonthe football World Cup final in New Jersey, the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown was draped in remembrance of Sir Garry Sobers as New Zealand and West Indies playedoutalow-scoringthriller

After being in the contest for much of their bowling innings, West Indies eventually paid the pricefornothavingenoughrunsto defend on a two-paced surface, as the visitors clinched a thriller by one wicket to take an unassailable 3-1leadinthefive-matchseries.

Themanwhogotthemoverthe line was Mitchell Santner, their captain, who marshalled the lower ordertomakeasteelyunbeaten34 notout.Hisbattingpartner,Jayden Lennox also played no small part. Havingbeenplayerofthematchfor the last two games for his bowling exploits, the No. 11 blunted 10 deliveriesduringhisunbeatenninerun stand with Santner to help seal thewin.

With three runs needed, West Indies had the opportunity to deliver the knockout blow when JaydenSealesfoxedSantnerwitha superbslower-delivery Earlyintoa checkdrive,Santneronlymanaged to lob it over extra cover Ackeen Auguste-runningbackfrominside the ring - and Justin Greavescoming in from the sweeper cover boundary - collided and put down thechance.

In the following over, bowled by left-arm wrist spinner Vitel Lawes, there was some more drama. A close appeal for lbw off Santner was turned down; replays confirmed he was struck marginally outside the off-stump. Off the next ball, the first of the 45th, with the field in to save the single,Santner’smiscuedloftedhit off Seales over cover sealed victory

Jacob Duffy and Matthew Fisher cleanbowledtotakeafive-for

Despite wickets tumbling, Santner looked unflappable. With 18needed,hemuscledaslogsweep forsixoffMotie.Hewouldgoonto hit every single run scored off the bat from there on to complete a sensational performance, that also included2for36offhis10overs.

Earlier in the morning, West Indies had hoped to dedicate a

series-levelling win to Sobers, and Shai Hope, their captain, had impressed upon them the need to show pluck over flamboyance What unravelled quickly wouldn’t have pleased him, including the yorker from Fisher that flattened his off-stump to give him his first ODIwicket.Thisleftthehostsat58 for3.

Auguste, wh

ok 19 deliveries to get off the mark,

became Santner’s second wicket soonafterandWestIndieswereon a freefall. With the innings in dangeroffolding,AmirJangooand Gudakesh Motie dug deep and stitched together a superb 81-run stand to give West Indies some hope.Andtheymadeamightygood fist of it in the end, only to rue not battingouttheoversthatmayhave giventhemtheextrarunsneededto sealaseries-levellingwin.

Theotherbigcontributortothe New Zealand win was Mark Chapman, one of two halfcenturionsfromthematch.His82ball80injectedmomentumthrough the middle phase of the New Zealand innings. Chapman walked intobatat6for2inthethirdoverof histeam’schaseof189,andcruised through two handy partnerships withWillYoung andTom Latham. But their dismissals left New Zealandinchoppywatersat77for 4.

This was the inflexion point, where Chapman decided he’d had enough.And he flicked the switch to suddenly go from sedate to counter-attacking West Indies could’ve dismissed him on 22, but for Motie putting down a tough chanceatmidwicket.

Soon after, he brought out the flat-battedpullsandsomeferocious sweeps-allpartofhistactictoput pressurerightbackonthebowlers. He put on 65 in quick time with Michael Bracewell to change the complexion of the run chase that had bordered on the nervy until then.

It needed a sensational effort from Sherfane Rutherford at the deep backward square leg boundarytosendbackChapman,at which point the needle slightly turned. West Indies conceded just seven runs in the next 22 balls following Chapman’s dismissal to tighten the screws when a rain breaktooktheplayersoffforalittle over30minutes.

When they returned, West Indies had Bracewell first ball to Gudakesh Motie, leaving New Zealand 149 for 6. With 40 still to get,thiswasnowanybody’sgame. By then, Motie was particularly proving to be menacing with his robotic left-arm quick deliveries that turned viciously as he ran through the lower order, having

SpainliftWorldCuptrophyafterdefeatingArgentina

(BBC Sport) - Spain deservedly won a desperately disappointing World Cup final as Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike finally broke the resistance of 10manArgentina.

The European title holders had created the best opportunities against the defending world champions,whomainlyresortedto spoiling tactics and had Enzo Fernandez sent off just before the gamewentintoextra-time.

Torres was the hero for Spain when he collected substitute Nico Williams’headertobeatArgentina keeper Emiliano Martinez with a powerful shot from close range after106minutes.

The game failed to live up to expectations as it descended into a war of attrition - while away from the action, this was the World Cup where razzmatazz and superstars cametotheshowpiece.

PresidentDonaldTrumpflewin to New Jersey in one of a fleet of helicopters before kick-off, while Madonna and Justin Bieber performed in the first World Cup half-time show, stretching the intervaloutto27minutes.

In a dour affair littered with interruptions, followed by that lengthy interval, the game never had any fluency or flow, although Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal forced first-half saves outofArgentinakeeperMartinez.

Spain constantly complained about referee Slavko Vincic’s leniency, especially when Alexis Mac Allister was late on Dani Olmo, with the first yellow card coming after 40 minutes when Lisandro Martinez brought down Oyarzabal, although the Manchester United defender went offinjuredshortlyafterwards.

The game boiled over in stoppage time when Fernandez, who had already been cautioned, receivedasecondyellowcardfora reckless challenge on Spain defenderPauCubarsi.

Argentina keeper Martinez had been their hero, and he prevented Spain scoring a winner in the final seconds of normal time when he

made a superb save from Lamine Yamal’sfree-kick.

He was in action again with anothercrucialstopfromWilliams’ header Williams then had a goal ruled out for substitute Mikel Merino’s foul on Nicolas Otamendi.

Argentina came back to beat EgyptandEnglandintheknockout stage-butcouldnotrepeatthefeat hereasSpainwonthemen’sWorld Cupforthesecondtime.

And it means they become the first nation ever to be men’s and women’s world champions at the sametime.

Torres smashes the ball into the roof of the net to deliver Spain’s extra-time winner.

Lionel Messi’s perhaps final World Cup game ends in defeat.

Ram/Hetmyer fifties, bowlers push Guyana to first win

Guyana secured a dominant 121-run victory over the Leeward Islands yesterday to get their first win at the LibertaSportsClubinAntiguaaftersome clinical all-round performances from a fewoftheirkeyplayers.

Round 4 saw Guyana posting 272 all out in 47 1 overs before keeping Leewardsto151alloutintheirreply

Captain Parmeshwar Ram (79), Adrian Hetmyer (76), and Emmanuel

Lewis (42) carried the batting for Guyana Leewards Matthew Miller grabbed 4 wickets, but his team folded despite Kunal Tilokani (37) and Lawshorn Bergan (31*) trying to keep thingstogether

Guyana’sbowlingwassolidagainas all-rounderDhaneshPersaudgrabbed431whileGilbertGriffith(3-29)andRam took2wicketstosealanemphaticwin. Guyana will look to carry their

today

SpainliftWorldCuptrophy afterdefeatingArgentina

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