Sea kills three, Pentagon says
Robbery attempt turns deadly Venezuelan nationals held with shotguns at Parika ...20-year-oldfatally stabbedinParfaite Harmonieclash ...butnothingtold Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine passes on …hailedasscholarwho daredtostandupright
constructivereset
Teen boy killed in Lima Sands collision
Exxon Mobil
Corporationinits 2025 Annual Report has bragged to shareholdersaboutgrowthin oil reserves from new discoveries and extensions in Guyana while the company and government made no such disclosure to thecountry
The company operates the resource-rich Stabroek Block where it holds 45% shares with partners Hess holding 30% and CNOOC theremaining25%.
In 2025, no new oil discoveries were announced by the Co-Venturers
Similarly, the government
did not share any information in that regard.
This newspaper had unearthedthatatotalofthree discoveries were made by the company last year but keptquiet.Thissparkednew speculations about the company'soperationsherein Georgetown, as the country, and Kaieteur News in particular continued to highlight the stagnated
reserves despite the announcement of more discoveries.
F o l l o w i n g t h e publication of that report in
N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 5 , ExxonMobilswiftlyissueda response, assuring that reserves and oil discoveries were not being hidden. In fact, the company explained that the discoveries made in 2025 that were published in the Mid-Year Report were not of commercial quantities.
“The three wells
referencedintheMinistryof Finance's Mid-Year Report were disclosed to the government in accordance with these obligations. That is how they ended up in the Report EMGL publicly announces all significant discoveries – those that materially impact resource estimates or development plans The three wells mentioned in the report do not meet this threshold, which is why they were not included in our public announcements, ” the companystatedbackthen.
In its 2025 Annual Report, a twist of events have unfolded, with the company informing shareholdersofgrowthinoil reserves in Guyana, despite noformalannouncementsto the country of such growth.
The document states, “The changesbetween2025yearend proved reserves and 2024 year-end proved reserves include worldwide productionof1.8billionoilequivalent barrels (GOEB), asset sales of 0.1 GOEB primarily in the United States, and downward revisions of 0 9 GOEB attributed primarily to the United States. Additions to proved reserves include 2.1 GOEB from extensions and discoveries primary in the United States and Guyana and 0.1 GOEB related to UnitedStatesacquisitions.”
With growth recorded in reserves from Guyana, the company's total crude oil reserves for 2025 surpassed 8B barrels. In its reserve disclosure,Exxonsaidatthe
end of 2025 approximately 7B oil-equivalent barrels (GOEB) of the company's proved reserves were classified as proved undeveloped. As such, the company noted, “In 2025, extensions and discoveries, primarily in the United States and Guyana, resulted
approximately2.0GOEBof
reserves.”
Proved oil reserves are those quantities, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certaintytobeeconomically producible. On the other hand, proved undeveloped reserves are those volumes that are expected to be recoveredfromnewwellson undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure isrequiredforrecompletion.
Guyana'soilreserves
ThequestionofGuyana's t
ue res
ained attention in 2024 That August, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced that reserves grew by 600 million barrels to 11.6 billion, following eight new discoveries since thelastupdateinApril2022. But Exxon disputed the government's figure, providing its own lower estimate of below 11 billion barrels.
In September last year, former Minister of Finance, WinstonJordanassertedthat the Stabroek Block oil reserveshasfarmoreoilthan the 11 6 billion barrels
announced The former ministersaidthatevenatthe currentpaceofextractionby ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), he believes there is enough oil tolastanother30to40years.
“I believe quite honestly thatwearebeingfooledand we are doing nothing about it, about how much oil has really been discovered,” Jordan said, citing the last eight new discoveries made bytheoilcompany
He argued that there has been a blackout on information about the true estimate of Guyana's oil finds.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation, Darren Woods
“All those 11.6 billion barrelsthattheyaretellingus Ibelieveitisdoubleortriple that.So,wegotoilthatcould last us 40 years or 50 years even at the p
sent extraction,” Jordan noted.
Jordanfurtherestimatedthat at a conservative US$60 per barrel,Guyanastandstoearn massive revenues. “That's huge money coming to a small country in terms of population, 10 years' time withgoodinvestmentandall these things, all of us here could be not super rich but we should have a decent standardliving,”headded.
The firearm and ammunition which the police recovered from the businessman.
Canadian-based explorer Omai
Gold Mines Corp. has struck investor gold, securing the sixth position on the prestigious Toronto Stock Exchange Venture Exchange (TSXV) 2026Top 50 list after a year of explosive market growth
and major resource expansion at its flagship Guyanaproject.
TheTSXVenture50isan annual ranking of the top performing companies from the past year on the TSXV based on three equally weighted criteria: market capitalisation growth, share price appreciation and trading value. It showcases the top 50 of the over 1,600 TSXVissuers.
In 2025, Omai's share price climbed by 483 per cent compared to 2024. The company's market capitalisation also surged from approximately C$125
millionattheendof2024to about C$938 million by the closeof2025.
President and Chief Executive Officer Elaine Ellingham attributed the recognitiontothecompany's aggressive drilling programme and expansion of its gold resources in Guyana.
She said, “We are honoured to be included on the 2026 TSX Venture 50 list…2025 was a significant year for the Company as we continued to significantly increase our gold Mineral Resource Estimate through drilling at our project in Guyana.
This moved Omai forwardandtoberecognised in this way is a testament to thehardworkanddedication ofthefullOmaiteam.”
Further, President of the TSX Venture Exchange, Andrew Creech, said the 2026 ranking reflects
renewedinvestorconfidence inearly-stagecompanies.
“The 2026 TSX Venture 50 reflects a clear inflection pointforearly-stagefinance, withareturnofliquidityand capital that reinforces Canada'spositionasaworldleading centre for resource discovery, strategic innovation,andscale.
This year's ranking underscores the vital role TSXV plays in channeling capital to the mining sector and serving as the primary growth pipeline for the next generationofglobalmineral supply,”Creechstated.
Omaiisthe100%owner of the Omai Gold Project, located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) in “mining-friendly” Guyana. The project hosts two orogenic gold deposits: Wenot and the adjacent Gilt Creek.Omaihasestablished the project as one of the fastest-growing and well-
endowed gold camps in the prolificGuianaShield.
In August 2025, the company announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate(MRE),reflectinga 96% increase at the Wenot Gold Deposit to 970,000 ounces of gold (Indicated) and 3,717,000 ounces (Inferred) Combined, Wenot and Gilt Creek now total 2,121,000 ounces of gold
4,382,000ounces(Inferred).
The company plans to update its resource estimate in the first quarter of 2026, followed by an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) in the secondquarter ThePEAwill incorporatetheWenotopenpit deposit and the adjacent Giltundergrounddeposit.
Omaihascommencedits 2026 drill programme with three drills At Wenot, drilling will focus on extending the limits of the
President and Chief Executive Officer Elaine Ellingham
deposit to the east and west and upgrading a large portion of the Inferred MRE to Indicated Additional drilling will explore known g
potential near-surface, higher-grade satellite deposits.
Historically, the Omai Gold Mine produced over
3.7 million ounces of gold from 1993 to 2005, ceasing operations when gold prices fell below US$400 per ounce The project now benefits from existing infrastructure, including an on-site airstrip and road connectionstoGuyana'stwo largest cities, Georgetown andLinden.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456
Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
Yesterday, Guyana marked another Republic Day, a poignant reminder of the bold step taken on February 23, 1970, when this young nation severed its final constitutionaltiestotheBritishCrownanddeclareditselfa CooperativeRepublic.Itwasadefiningmoment,onethat signaled not just political maturity, but an unshakeable determinationtochartanindependentcourseinacomplex a n d o f t e n u n f o r g i v i n g w o r l d
Fifty-sixyearson,theGoldenArrowheadstillrisesagainst the February sky, fluttering above government buildings, village offices, schools and homes. Beneath it stands a peoplewhosehistoryislayeredwithstruggle,sacrificeand survival. From the sugar estates that bore the sweat of indenturedlabourersandenslavedAfricans,totheriverain and hinterland communities where Indigenous citizens continue to safeguard ancestral lands, Guyana’s story is one of resilience forged in diversity Republic status was notsimplyaconstitutionaladjustment.Itwasadeclaration ofconfidence.In1970,thecountryassertedthatitsdestiny wouldbeshapedinGeorgetown,inLinden,inBerbice,in EssequibonotinLondon.
That assertion carried with it both hope and heavy responsibility The decades since have tested the nation’s democratic institutions, economic endurance and social cohesion. There have been triumphs and there have been trials.Yettherepublicendures.Today,Guyanastandsata pivotal crossroads unlike any in its post-independence history.The discovery and production of vast offshore oil reserves have transformed the economic landscape. BillionsofUSdollarsnowflowintostatecoffers,placing this small South American nation among the world’s fastest-growing economies. International investors are knocking.Globalpowersarepayingattention.Thepromise ofprosperityappearstangibleinwayspreviousgenerations couldscarcelyimagine.
But Republic Day demands more than celebration of economic statistics. It calls for sober reflection. Wealth, historyhasshown,caneitherunifyanationordivideit.It can build strong institutions or corrode them. It can lift every citizen or enrich a few, while leaving many behind. The responsibility of leadership and indeed of every Guyanese — is to ensure that prosperity is matched with prudence,transparencyandfairness.
Thecostoflivingremainsapressingconcernformany households. In communities far removed from the corridors of power, ordinary citizens still grapple with inadequate roads, inconsistent water supply, limited healthcare access and under-resourced schools. The oil boomhasraisedexpectations,andrightlyso.Citizenswant to see tangible improvements in their daily lives, safer communities, better-paying jobs, reliable public services andmeaningfulopportunitiesfortheirchildren.
Atthesametime,thepreservationofdemocracymust remain paramount. A republic thrives not merely on economicgrowthbutonstrong,independentinstitutions,a freepress,arobustjudiciary,accountablegovernanceand anengagedcivilsociety ThelessonsofGuyana’spolitical history underscore the importance of vigilance in protecting these pillars. Development without democracy isahollowvictory
Equally critical is environmental stewardship Guyana’s vast forests among the most intact in the world arenotonlyasourceofnationalpridebutaglobalassetin thefightagainstclimatechange.Asoilrevenuesexpand,so too must commitment to balancing extraction with sustainability The Low Carbon Development Strategy represents an ambitious attempt to walk that fine line. Futuregenerationswilljudgetoday’sdecisionsnotonlyby theinfrastructurebuilt,butbytheecosystemspreserved. Education, too, will define the next chapter of this republic. Oil wealth will not last forever Human capital, however,cansustainanationforcenturies.Investmentsin
DEAREDITOR,
It is with profound sorrow that A New and United Guyana (ANUG) learnt of the passing of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, 83, earlier today, February 23, 2026.Itissweetlyironicthat thisCambridgeeducatedson of Guyana’s soil, Dr Roopnaraine was, without question, a political stalwart parexcellence.
Inanarenaoftenmarked by shifting sands and transient loyalties, he stood as an immovable pillar of principle. His journey in
Guyana’spoliticallandscape was defined not by the pursuitofpowerorpersonal acclaim, but by an unwavering commitment to thevaluesandidealsheheld dear
He was a rare breed of leader who refused to compromisehisintegrityfor politicalexpediency
This steadfastness earned him the respect of allies and adversaries alike. His voice, always reasoned and resolute, contributed significantly to the national discourse,challengingusall
toaspiretoahigherstandard ofpoliticalengagement.
Dr Roopnaraine’s legacy is not merely one of service,butoneofcharacter
Heleavesbehindablueprint for political conduct that emphasises conviction over convenience While his presence will be deeply missed, his example will continue to inspire those whobelievethatpoliticscan and should be a noble calling.
On behalf of our entire organisation, ANUG, we extendourdeepestandmost
sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and his loved ones during this time ofimmensegrief.
We hope that the outpouring of respect from across the nation will provide them with some measure of comfort as they navigatethisdifficultperiod. May his soul find eternal peace, and may his family find the strength to bear this irreparableloss.
Yoursrespectfully, JonathanSubrian ActingChairman.
ANUG
DEAREDITOR, We m u s t s
fearlessly We want levelminded, law-abiding and decent people in society to speak out when there are violations,foritcomesback to what we say: “a threat to one is a threat to all.” None must be scared to stand up andspeakoutwhenheorshe sees issues that reek of lawlessness, discrimination, violations of rights including the right to thrive or efforts to falsely rewrite history If we do not speak for ourselves, who will speak for us? We must speak out when things bother us, when we feel discomfort, and when matters affect us negatively asapeople.Everycasemust bejudgedonitsmerit.
Today, I take note of fellow Black men standing unashamed in the hallowed
halls of the National Assembly and misleading this nation because their political loyalty has shifted. The Black man has long beenregardedastheheadof the household and guardian of family and community, historically expected to protect and provide while carrying himself with dignity and responsibility befittingthatrole.
W h e n p e r s o n s approachedmewithsurprise and said that James Bond, among other Black persons who were with the People’s National Congress (PNC), had gone to the People’s ProgressiveParty(PPP),my response was that they have a right to freedom of association.
Given the performance of Mark Phillips; young Bond, Minister Keoma Griffith and a few others
schools, technical training, scholarships and innovation are essential to preparing young Guyanese to compete in an increasingly complex global economy The republic must equip its citizens not only to participate in the oil sector,buttodiversifybeyondit.
Republic Day is therefore not merely ceremonial, not justflag-raisingexercisesandMashramanifestivities.Itis a renewal of a national pledge. It is a reminder that sovereigntycarriesobligations.Everycitizensharesinthe task of nation-building: demanding accountability, rejecting division, embracing diversity and working collectivelytowardprogress.
From the coastland villages to the Rupununi savannahs, from bustling markets to quiet farming communities,theheartbeatofGuyanaremainsitspeople. Their resilience has carried this nation through hardship. Theirunitymustnowguideitthroughopportunity Asthe GoldenArrowhead waves proudly, Guyanese can reflect onhowfartherepublichascomeandhowmuchfurtherit cango.Inhonouringthecourageof1970,thenationmust summonequalcouragetoday:tomanagewealthwisely,to protect democratic values fiercely, and to ensure that developmenttoucheseveryvillageandeverychild.United inpurposeandpride,Guyana’srepublicstandsnotonlyas atestamenttosovereigntyachieved,butasapromiseyetto befullyrealised.
duringtheBudgetDebates,I am compelled to question whether this right was exercised with any measure of free will and conviction, aswasclearlyintended.The dishonesty that spewed so freely would suggest that their association was not of free will but came with a price. It appears to matter little to them the example theyaresettinginthatsacred House, that their words will be recorded in the Hansard for posterity, and more importantly, what they are telling younger generations whoshouldbelookingupto themasexamples.Theprice of losing their dignity in publiclifewhilecarryingthe chalice of dishonesty on matters that could have easily been fact-checked is disturbing.
It is worrying that these Blackmenfeel,oracceptthe instruction that they must malign fellow Black men in order to associate at the people’s table — for that is what it is. The resources spent with reckless abandonment by the PPP, and to benefit only a few, belongtoallthepeople.
IamsurprisedthatBond, a lawyer who understands the importance of evidence in prosecuting or defending a matter, stood in the National Assembly and denied that students were recipients of scholarships under the PNC government to pursue law and other professional opportunities. These were opportunities some within the PPP have benefitedfrom.
Though some may say youcannotteachanolddog newtricks,Phillipsfailedto realise that when he stretchedouthishandsinthe
National Assembly to say that the less he spoke about the Forbes Burnham government the better, for that administration did little or no good, he was also indicting himself or telling the nation he is a living testimony of failure. Philips personally benefited from academic and professional development under the Burnham government, paid for by the state. We must nowrevisithisleadershipas ChiefofStaffoftheGuyana Defence Force, his role in the electricity sector and other responsibilities assigned to him, and question whether the state’s investment in his education a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l development has proven to beawaste.Griffithisnewto the national spotlight and is urged to distinguish himself with integrity, remembering towhomhetookanoathand towhomheisresponsible— the people, whether they voted for the PPPor not.As theseBlackleaderstripover themselves to malign other Black leaders — which is different from offering factual accounts of their stewardship, I hope they takenotethatIndianleaders do not do the same to their own, whether past or present, including holding themaccountable. As a country boy, our eldersalwayswarnedthat“a liar is a thief and a thief is a murderer.” These men need tobeguidedaccordingly,for the only thing that may distinguish them from the waywardonthestreetisthat the latter does not dress in suit and tie or traverse the hallowed halls of governance.Youarealso (Continuedonpage06)
One of the signature contributions of Stabroek News — now at Part 168 (February 2026) — is it’s long-running Series, “How the Cost of Living is Affecting People”. Long before “affordability” and “living wage”, became everyday language, the newspaper was showing whattheymeanforworkingclass households. This is publicserviceatitsfinest.
TheSeriesfillstwogaps in tracking the cost-ofliving: (a) broad coverage across the country in contrastwiththeofficialCPI (Consumer Price Index) based on data collected in
Georgetown, and (b) timeliness.So,Ifeelobliged tomakeonelastcontribution toStabroekNews,Lettersto the Editor column, by revisiting affordability throughtheFrugalFamilyof Four enjoying “chicken stew” — Guyanese term — andriceforsupper (https://www.stabroekne ws.com/2024/07/12/opinion /letters/the-stabroek-newshigh-frequency-monthlycoverage-of-the-cost-ofliving-is-certainlyproviding-a-more-reliablec p iindex/#google_vignette)
This frugal family could be anywhere in the broad income range of between
G $ 6 0 , 0 0 0 / m t h t o
$100,000/mth, though a range of G$90,000-
G$290,000isoftencitedfor some sectors. Police and firefighters earn about G$150,000/mth minimum. But Parliamentarians earn between G$500,000/mth to G$3.5million/mth.
Usingamid-pointsalary
of G$80,000/mth to represent a national average for lower- income households, the table below shows that the cost of a chickenstewhasgoneup35 percent since Feb-2023. By Feb-2026 the main income earner in our representative family must work at least a full day to bring home a
plucked chicken For politicians,nosweat.
All of this leads into the general question of how the majority is juggling their wallets, month by month. Nowstepback.
•Overall prices (CPI index shown by the solid black line) have risen 23 percent since Feb-2019 (beforeoilandCovid);
•Food prices (solid blue line) have climbed 49 percent, faster than overall prices;
•Overall inflation (the rate of change in the CPI, shownbythedottedredline) has dropped sharply since 2022andstoodat2.5percent
(Continuedonpage06)
I still cannot believe SN is closing
DEAREDITOR, Istillcannotbelievethat S.Nwillstoppublishing.
I can remember when this paper started and it was not a daily Patricia at the corner of Regent and Wellington Street, made sureshekeptacopyforDad asthenewspaperusedtosell outbeforeshegotthem.
My father-the proprietor of Sahadeo Fashion Centerwas one of the first to buy/readtheS.Ninthedays whenanythingcriticalofthe PNC/Burnham regime was detrimental to life. Dad’s support of the SN was not onlyanactofdefiancetothe dictator but it was also to supportthenewspaper
Dad used to religiously buy all of the published works of people who were fighting the dictatorshipCatholic Standard especially
My sister remembers a story where a white foreign photographer(hisnamewas Mike);wasbeingpursuedby Rabbi’smenandheraninto HollywoodStorewhereDad was the General Manager He asked Dad to hide his camera and our Father did. That night, the Store was broken into-the first time in its history. They didn’t find the camera though and dad gave it to the guy when he cameback.Afewdayslater Rabbi also came into the
store and walked around, as if searching for something beforewalkingout.
StabroekNewsisapiece ofhistorythatfewareaware ofintoday’sGuyana.
The liberty and freedom that are taken for granted today-did not come easy/cheap. My father and our family can attest to that inmanystoriesasareothers who did not leave Guyana but stayed back during the horribly dark days of dictatorship/starvation/livin g in constant fear for your life when you opposed the founder leader There are so m a n y u n s u n g heroes/heroines that those today who were not born/were too little; do not know or seem not to care to learn of, much less give tributeto.
Dad encouraged me to write to the papers when something in the public sphere bothered or affected me. The Letter section in S.N is one of the most read/hot topics in the newspapers-something I miss dearly from Guyana. S.N has printed most of my letters and I even found a family member through this medium-Syeada Manbodh (animalactivist)sawaletter Iwroteaboutanabuseddog and asked if SN can contact me on her behalf. Happens that her Mum and my Mum
are cousins. I thank SN for allowingmespacetoventon many issues-Hinduism, Indian Rights, Politics and especially Animal rights My friend Dr Herman Reid once told me that when he saw anyone writing about Hindu issues-he’d wait for my reply in SN. When S.N became available Online-it was a source of keeping abreast with the real happenings in Guyana While still contributing in the Letter section, I joined the SN community commenting online i.e until someone spitefully spammedmeandIcouldnot contributeanymore.
I miss the gaffe with some of the SN online community and Cynthia Nelson’s Taste like Home columnespecially
In addition, also appearedseveraltimesinits photostoo.Icanneverforget whenIhitthefrontpageina photograph of me escorting the late President Hoyte to the stage at a programme held for the visit of three
Swami Jis at the National Park My family was inundated with calls telling themhowmydadwouldfeel if he saw his daughter welcoming Desmond Hoyte inthefrontpages. Such were the angst duringthosedays. It is with deep sadness I write-trying to express in a few paragraphs the loss of a part of my life.As a trained journalist/writer, I shudder to think about the state of any nation where independentnewspapersare run out of business. It reeks of the dark days of dictatorship. My salutations andgratitudetoMr andMrs. DeCaires,MirandaLaRose, Anna Benjamin, Anand Persaud everyone else behind this newspaper from itsinceptiontotoday
I hope there is somewhere, where we can access the letters/articles in itsArchives.
Thank you very much andGodBless.
BestRegards, NandaSahadeo
Subscription
The High Cost of Paying for Permission to Exist
DEAREDITOR, Vishnu Bisram’s recent defense of Guyana’s $224
million GYD annual lobbying bill (Feb 22) is a masterclass in the very “colonial mindset” that continues to tether our national identity to the coattailsofWashington.
By invoking the ghosts of 1977 and the struggles of the Cold War, Bisram attemptstojustifyamodernday political luxury tax
through the lens of antiquatednostalgia.
His argument suggests that Guyana is a state so fragile that it must pay a subscription fee to the United States simply to ensureitsownsurvival.This is not diplomacy; it is a surrenderofagency
The geopolitical landscape of 2026 bears no resemblance to the era of Bisram’s “tertiary education.”
To suggest that we must pay millions to firms like Continental Strategy to “shield” us from Venezuela is to ignore the glaring reality that the U.S. military is already anchored in our waters to protect its own energy security and the interestsofitsoilgiants.
We are effectively paying for a “protection” that Washington provides for free to safeguard its own economy Bisram confuses a “warm relationship” with a “paid subservience,” failing to realize that a sovereign nation should be respected foritseconomicoutputand governance, not for its ability to cut checks to K-
Streetlobbyists. Furthermore, Bisram conveniently ignores the distinction between national interest and partisansurvival
When taxpayer dollars are funneled to firms with direct lines to the White House to frame domestic narratives and target local commercial rivals, we are no longer lobbying for G u y a n a ; w e a r e subsidizing the political insurance of a ruling elite This $224 million does not lower the cost of living for the Guyanese worker or bridge our infrastructure gaps; it merely buys a “crisis management” shieldforthegovernment. Itistimetomovepastthe 1970s fear-mongering that Bisramreliesupon.
To argue that we must choose between “left-wing dictatorship” and paying millions for American approval is a false dichotomy that insults the intelligence of the modern Guyanesecitizen.
Real sovereignty is not bought in the hallways of D.C.; it is built at home through transparency, independent institutions, and the courage to exist without asking for permission.
If the “return on investment”forourmillions only manifests in Washingtonphoto-opswhile the average citizen struggles, then we aren’t buying democracy—we are buying a very expensive illusionofit.
Sincerely,
HemduttKumar
Frompage04
setting an example to others, including your offspring and better half, that it is acceptable to be deceitful, to place dignity under your feet for association, and to accept beingtreatedaslessthan.
Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Desmond Hoyte, Janet Jagan, Sam Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar, David GrangerandIrfaanAlimust be honestly examined and judgedfortheirstewardship of this society No one is sacred or above reproach. The litmus test used to judge one must be used to judge all. The double standardsmuststop.
TotheBlackmeninthe PPP leadership, let me say this: There is still value in standing on your feet and fighting with dignity rather than living on your knees. You must reach within you andfindthegumptiontosay no to those who see you as useful utensils to degrade yourself,yourancestorsand a proud legacy that, though fraught with oppression, saw a people rise up, fight backandsucceedwiththeir dignity intact Do not trampleonthislegacyfora messofpottageormerelyto associate.
Use your association
insteadtosaytothePPPthat those who do not support that party are exercising their constitutional right to freedomofassociation,and what we as a government mustdoisrespectthatright, including ensuring p r o t e c t i o n f r o m discrimination.
Y o u h a v e t h e opportunity to go into the lion’s den and lead the chargetorightthewrongsin society, not condone and perpetuatethem.
AsIamonthematter,let me address the pending closure of Stabroek News, particularly the huge debt owed to the newspaper by the state and the denial of advertising so the paper cannotthrive.
These things cannot be right. How can the regime claim press freedom and respect for freedom of speech when efforts are being made to bring people to heel through economic deprivation?Thisisagross abuseofstateauthorityand should be addressed forthwith.
T h e e c o n o m i c marginalisation and discrimination of workers and their representative arms—thetradeunions— arealsoofgrowingconcern. Denying union deductions in accordance with
collective labour agreements is intended to snuffouttheirlifebloodand d e n y w o r k e r s representation in fighting for improved conditions of employment, promotion, remuneration and benefits.
Even as the Ali/Jagdeo regime does this to some workers, it ensures the survival of politically aligned unions and their m e m b e r s t h r o u g h adherence to agreements and subsidies to keep the beleaguered GuySuCo afloat. Meanwhile, bauxite workers are still awaiting their rightful termination packages,anissuerequiring ministerialintervention.
Theaboveareissuesthe Black leaders in the PPP should place on the table, for they adversely impact the society; the dignity and economic wellbeing of the individualandcommunities from which they emerged. There should be a clarion call for parity in treatment and adherence to the Constitution and Laws of Guyanaforall,withoutfear, favour or ill will. As our ancestors counselled, there is dignity in doing what is right — and now is always the right time to do what is right.
Sincerely LincolnLewis
Police are probing a deadly crash on Sunday, February 22, 2026, around 8:00 PM on the Lima Sands Access Road, Essequibo Coast.Thecollisioninvolved motor car PAD 3341, driven by a 44-year-old man from Cotton Field, and an unregistered motorcycle riddenby17-year-oldSudesh Ram John of Lima Sands, who died at the scene, along with a 21-year-old pillion passengerwhowasseriously injured Initial reports indicate both vehicles were
collided, throwing the motorcycle riders onto the road.Policesaidinastatement that initial enquiries revealed that motor car PAD 3341 was proceedingsouthalongthesaid access road, while the unregistered motorcycle was proceedingnorthwhenthetwo vehiclescollided Asaresultof the collision, the motorcyclist and pillion rider were thrown onto the road surface, where they sustained injuries about theirbodies
They were assisted by public-spirited citizens and transported to the Lima RegionalHospital,wherethe
motorcyclistwaspronounced deadonarrivalbyadoctoron duty The pillion rider was seen and examined and remains hospitalised A breathalysertestconductedon the driver of the motor car returned readings of 67, 75, and 73 micrograms respectively which is above the legal limit of 35 micrograms Thedriverofthe motorcarispresentlyinpolice custody assisting with investigations The body is at theSuddieHospitalMortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigations areongoing
Frompage05 in Feb-2026 (according to the Bureau of Statistics). That is progress on the inflation front; prices are slowing. But prices remain high. That is affordability Affordability is about the price level, not inflation. Why?
When people go to buy “banga mary” or “baigan”,theyarenotthinkingaboutinflation (statistical releases) but, rather, whether the money can “stretch”. And affordability is always and everywhere relative to wages or salaries. Since food has a big weight in household expenditures, likely as high as 60 percent,consumersfeelthepriceshock.
The solution is not for half the able-bodied population to head to rivers, creeks, and canals with cast nest and fishing rods Fish stocks will disappearandproductivesectorswillfacemore labourshortages Therealsolutionisincreasing Guyana’scapabilitiestoproduceastablesupply offoods Butthisiseasiersaidthandone:moving fromfieldtoeatingtablerequiresco-ordination, investment,andplanning notadhocmeasures (oftenforoptics) Finally,datamatter Without trustworthy statistics, governments of all stripes either work in the dark or mislead the public. ThecurrentCPIhasclearweaknesses:
•Needformoretransparencyfordatausersto
seebasketweightstables,samplingframes,and detailed methodological notes (The weight of foodprobablyexceeds50percent,comparedto 40 percent based on the 2006 Household BudgetSurvey;
•Fortransparencyandcredibility,theBureau of Statistics should publish a parallel series or back cast series for the Georgetown-based inflationratewhentheCPIisrebased;
•Georgetown-based CPI does not reflect nationalvariation(reportedintheStabroekNews seriesonthecostofliving);
•Weights anchored in 2005/2006 spending patterns; even rebasing to 2018/2019 HBS predates Covid in 2020 and, significantly, subsequentglobalsupplyshocks
•WeakdataconstrainstheabilityoftheBank of Guyana to maintain price stability and guard againstrealexchangerateovervaluation(evenas thenominal/marketrateisbehavingstably)and Dutch Disease The Guyanese public, includingthediaspora,expectsKaieteurNews to continue the work of Stabroek News — hopeitsurvives—toreportthecostofliving across Guyana. It is both an essential public serviceandapublicgood.
Sincerely,
TerenceM.Yhip
As United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to sit down withCaribbeanleadersinSt. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, one senior regional diplomat is making itclear:thismomentmustbe about recalibration, not confrontation.
Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to Washington, Ronald Sanders, says Rubio's visit should be t r e a t e d a s “consequential” an opportunity to deliberately renew and rebalance relationsbetweentheUnited States and the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
“The U S and the Caribbean Community are not strangers testing first principles,”Sanderswrotein his weekend column published by this newspaper on Sunday “Geography binds us. Trade sustains us. Security concerns connect us Migration links our families.”
Buthewarnedthatwhile the relationship has never beenbroken,itnowrequires careful recalibration amid mounting tensions over migration policy, regional security, and Washington's hardening posture toward CubaandVenezuela.Rubio's talksinSt.Kittsareexpected tofocusonregionalsecurity, migration controls, drug trafficking and economic resilience.AccordingtoU.S.
S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t spokesman Tommy Pigott, the Secretary will reaffirm Washington's commitment to “enhancing stability and prosperity” across the hemisphere.
AReutersarticlesaidthat Rubio will hold talks with Caribbean leaders on regionalsecurity,andefforts to counter migration and drug trafficking as Washingtonseekstorampup pressure on Cuba's leaders while seeking to steer Venezuelainthewakeofthe operation to seize President NicolasMaduro.
"During his visit, the secretary will reaffirm the United States' commitment to working with CARICOM member states to enhance stability and prosperity in our hemisphere," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement on Monday, referring to the Caribbean
Community that comprises 15 member states and five associatedmembers.
Discussions would also cover economic growth, health and energy security, Pigottsaid.Rubio,thesonof Cuban exiles, has been a leading voice in the Trump
CARICOM that has never been broken — but now requires deliberate renewal.
“TheU.S.andtheCaribbean Communityarenotstrangers testing first principles Geography binds us. Trade sustains us Security concerns connect us Migrationlinksourfamilies. For decades, cooperation between Washington and Caribbean capitals has been steady, pragmatic, and grounded i
interest,” Sanders wrote in h
n published in this newspaper onSunday He said Secretary Rubio has spoken forcefully about sovereignty, economic resilience, border control, a
agency to external forces.
“C
s understand that language
administration's pressure campaigns directed at the left-wing leaders of Venezuela and Cuba, which are not CARICOM members.
Trump officials have been pressing an interim administration in Caracas to allowU.S.firmsaccesstooil andtoinstigatereformssince theU.S.militarylaunchedan attack on Venezuela on January 3, seizing Maduro and his wife and killing dozens of people, including 32 Cuban bodyguards. The U S is preventing oil shipments from reaching Cuba,worseninganexisting energy shortage, and Trump has urged the island's communistleaderstoreacha deal to ease the growing humanitariancrisis.
Meanwhile, Sanders said that Ribio's presence should be treated as consequential, noting that it would offer an opportunitytorecalibratethe relationship between the UnitedStatesandthefifteen Member States of
instinctively Our region's modern history is rooted in c
l entitlement to sovereignty, building viable economies out of colonial inheritances, and defending democratic institutionsinsocietiessmall i
n conviction,” Sanders who was recently appointed chancellor of the University ofGuyanasaid. He added, that there are no communist political
ng CARICOM governments
“There are no ideological crusades underway in the Caribbean. Our politics are
administrations and across party lines, Caribbean governments have pursued market-driven economies t
l responsibility We rely on private enterprise, welcome investment, and maintain deep commercial ties with the United States, which remains our largest trading (Continuedonpage16)
Yesterday, when news came of the passing of Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, my mind did not first turn to party politics, nor to the familiarbattlesofourpublic life.Instead,Iremembereda moment in the National Assembly during the 2016 Budgetdebate.
Speaking then as Minister of Education, Dr. Roopnaraine made a proposalthatseemedsimple, almostfragile,inthemidstof weighty fiscal matters. He proposed that we train school choirs throughout Guyana. He said something thathasstayedwithmeever since Every child, he reminded us, already possesses a musical “instrument called the voice ” That instrument requires no import licence, no foreign exchange, no expensiveprocurement.Itis given freely And he
envisioned that this instrument could be used to formchoirsinschoolsacross the country He imagined children singing each morning,fromthecoastland tothehinterland,theirvoices risingtogetheratthestartof theschoolday This was not an isolated idea.Itwaspartofabroader push during his tenure to restore sports and music to the centre of school life and to provide what he called a more holistic education. He believed that education was
not merely about passing examinations or mastering textbooks It was about shapingwholehumanbeings — mind, body and spirit. It was during his time as Minister that a four-week musicworkshopforprimary school teachers was held. The aim was practical and clear: to train teachers in music and to resuscitate singing in primary schools. He wanted music, including singing,tobereintroducedat thestartoftheschoolday He believed it would enrich the learningexperienceandhelp create a more joyful and disciplined atmosphere in ourschools.
Some may have dismissed the idea as charmingbutsecondary Ina developing country with many urgent needs, why focus on choirs? Why focus on music? Yet that question misses the deeper point Music, especially choral singing, does something powerful When children sing together, they must listen to one another They must blend They must controltheirbreathing.They must follow a leader They must discipline themselves. In that simple act of singing in harmony, they learn cooperation, patience and respect.Achoirisalessonin unity
At the nursery level, music is even more important. Young children
learn language, rhythm and memory through song. A simple morning song can calmfears,buildconfidence and create a sense of belonging For many children, school can be an overwhelming place. Music softens the edges. It creates warmth.Ittellsachild,“You arepartofsomething.”
At the primary level, choirs can nurture confidence.Ashy child who barely speaks in class may find courage in song Standingshouldertoshoulder with classmates, that child discovers a voice literally and figuratively Performing at school events or national celebrations gives children pride,notonlyinthemselves but in their school and country At the secondary level, choirs can offer discipline and purpose Adolescence is a time of turbulence Music provides an outlet for emotion It channels energy into something constructive and beautiful Itcankeepstudents engaged, reduce indiscipline andstrengthenschoolspirit
There are also wider national benefits. A culture ofsinginginschoolsbuildsa culture of appreciation for the arts. It keeps alive our folk songs, our hymns, our patriotic music It strengthensnationalidentity
Imagine if, across Guyana, each morning began with youngvoicesliftingsongsof
Guyana got two k i n d s o f buildings: new ones opening with ribbon and speech, and old ones leaning like they practicing yoga. Last week one of dem ancient timber warriors finally decide it done Collapse down flat. And people seh plenty people was living inside. Living!
Dem boys seh that ain’t a house, that is a historical experiment in gravity. If a building older than Independencestill standing only by prayer and gravity, isnot“accommodation”— isacountdown. All around the country you does see dem relics. Roof dipping low like it tired of holding on. Stairs squeaking so loud you could hear confession before you reach upstairs.
Windows blinking in the breeze like they trying to signal SOS. Some of dem houses lean so much, dem boys seh if you drop a marbleinside,itrollstraight tothebackdam.
ButhereistheGuyanese miracle: once a place abandoned, before the last board cool off, squatters arrive with mattress, stove and stereo Dem does move in faster than a flash flood And once they plant flag, is like Parliament pass special law:“Thoushaltnotremove untiltotalcollapse.”
Authority does pass, look, suck teeth, and promise “assessment ” Assessment does take so long the building does apply for pension. By the time report ready, termites done submit their own engineeringdrawings.Dem boys seh we waiting for
hope,faithandunity Thatis not a small vision. That is nation-building at its most humanlevel.
Importantly, choirs do not demand vast sums of money They require training, yes. They require commitment. But the basic instrumentisalreadypresent in every child. With structured teacher training like the workshop initiated during Dr. Roopnarine’s tenure — we canequipeducatorswiththe skillstoguideyoungvoices. With modest support, schools can form choirs, hold concerts, and even create inter-school festivals that celebrate music. This is not about nostalgia. It is about balance. For too long, our education debates have centred on grades, passes and performance tables These matter But education
mustalsocultivateempathy, creativity and community spirit.Musichelpstodothat.
A child who sings learns to feel. A child who performs learns to stand tall. A child who harmonises learns that strength comes from workingtogether.
In reflecting on Dr. Roopnaraine’s passing, I believe that reviving and expanding his vision of school choirs would be a fittingtributetohismemory
The party he represented in Parliament is no longer in government. But good ideas do not belong to one party
They belong to the nation.
When an idea serves our children, it rises above politicallines.
what?Forthehousetosend formal invitation? “Dear Authorities, I planning to falldownThursdayat3pm. Kindlyattend.”
Meanwhile neighbours walking past like it normal to live next door One stiff breeze from the Atlantic andthewholethingwobble like it reconsidering life choices.
Demboyssehissimple: if a building condemned, condemnitproperly.Pullit down before it pull down somebody. Because in Guyana, we can’t continue totreatdemolitionlikeitisa luxury item. When house leaningmorethanpolitician before election, is time. So dem boys asking plain and straight: when the authorities going to pull them down before gravitydoitforfree? Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Let us therefore take up that simple but profound proposal. Let us encourage choirs and music in all schools — from nursery to secondary, from coast to hinterland. Let us train our teachers, organise our students and allow their voices to be heard. In doing so,wewouldhonournotjust a former Minister of Education, but a vision of education that is humane, uplifting and unifying. And perhaps, each morning, as young voices rise in song acrossGuyana,wewouldbe reminded that the truest instruments of nationbuilding are already within us.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The name of Guyana's auditor general (AG) is circulatingintheair Itismy tough duty to inform that neitherthenewsnortheairis of the refreshing variety
TheAGhasaskedforatwoyear extension in that same role. It is my harder job to deliver news to him that could cause him some problems with his balance. Heshouldgo.
IbelievethattheAGisa fine gentleman, a decent fellow His options limit him to one move. Do the decentthingandgo. Onhis own feet and strength. Not operating near political manipulations Not participating in any schemes. Not one more in Guyana's long line of charlatans in official capacities The 2-year extension that he has requested, he should let that go. Go, Mr. AG. Rethink that request, rescind it, retreat gracefully into the sunset. Why should he pay any attention to the likes of me? Why should he hold close to his heart what I
recommend, and take one last look and that long walk out the gates of the Audit Office?
The Audit Office is a shadow, a slider, and shaker of Guyanese confidence; trust in what should be a fiercely independent watchdog. One with bark and some functioning teeth to match. Painfully, the AuditOffice,withtheAGat the helm, has seemingly shiedawayfromconfronting the areas where burglars congregate, and where the people'ssafesareransacked. There is putting as much distance as there could be betweentheauditofficeand where there's expansive potential for creative skullduggeries. In thinking ofhowrestrainedtheAGhas been, I see him in the outlines and nifty managementofhistimeand focus, in the manner of a local driver. His official travels lead him to drive along one of those new highways that the PPPGovt has put up for billions (properly audited, I guess [I
hope]), so that he avoids the noise and murk and mess of the craven and corrupt capital city From where mostofthebigmoneyaction tracks and leads, Guyana's A u d i t O f f i c e i s conspicuously standoffish, itspotencysluggish.
Why is it that a citizen without stature, one with a softvoice,shouldhavetotell the AG how to do his job? He does not know where to look, how deeply? He should have some idea of what makes Guyana tick, what makes PPP Govt operators jump for joy, and what makes transparency and accountability such a bucket without a bottom in this country, and with holes drilled in the cylinder to completethepicture. SinceI havetoholdtheAG'shand,I walk him across the street, and deposit him in three places. Cost-of-living
stipends. The blasted PPP thieves are so damn greedy that even de li'l couple
thousanddallazfordempore community watchmaan, dem play games with, denying some their due, while helping themselves to what's left. If PPP Govt cronies can take aim at the equivalent of petty cash money, where will they not puttheirstickypawstograb thebillions?
Inthiscountry,wherever there are loads of cash, there's certainty that a big band of government selfenrichers are around to do justice to that kind of free money
It would help if theAG would break his silence and cleartheair Whyisitthathe gives the widest berth to
where 'hot' money burns a hole in people'sheads? He cannot be that afraid!
If the AG needs an opportunity to prove his independence, the widthofhisscope,theextent of his probity, then all those slushfundsandtheirbillions stare at him, as if taunting targets. C'mon,tryme(costof-livingbigonessetaside).
Goahead,takeaswingatme (contract employment shenanigans).
IthinkthattheAGcando better, is better than he has madehimselfbe. Hehashad the budgets. He has the tools. Oh, one more thing: hehasanangelsittingonhis
shoulder and whispering in his ear. Beware, danger! Don'tgothere. Controlself. Manage professional instincts. If for one reason only,IwouldurgetheAGto hit the road, it's so all Guyanesegettoseewhohis successorwouldbe. O,what atangledweb…. (The views expressed in this article are those of the
not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
of $1.1M in
Policeareinvestigatinganallegedarmed robbery committed on a 22-year-old gold miner, who was reportedly robbed of approximately $1,196,000 worth in jewelleryonSunday
Accordingtoapolicereport,theincident occurred around 20:15hrs at Lot1979 Farm HousingScheme,EastBankDemerara. The victim,KahlidAlexanderofLot06AiryHall Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara was robbed of one 15 penny weight spanish link gold chain valued $285,000; one 44 penny weight Bismarck pattern gold chain valued $836,000;andone4pennyweightgoldring valued$75,000.
InvestigationrevealedthatAlexanderon SundaynighthadarrivedathisfriendTelson Eastman'sresidenceatFarmabout19:30hrs where he parked his motor car facing on a bridge. The young man remained standing therewithhisfriendandfourothermen,and whiletheyweretalking,theynoticedalight blue Premio motor car (number unknown at this time) came from the eastern direction,
circledtheareaandturnedintothestreetthat runsnorthtosouth.
It was reported to the police that the driver then parked the vehicle in the street andturnedoffthelight,shortlyafterwhicha manexitedthecarandranuptothem.Hewas reportedly dressed in dark clothing with a blackT-Shirtaroundhisfaceandhadagray backpack.
Reports are that the suspect approached Alexander and pointed a black handgun to hischestareaanddemandedthathetakesoff hisgoldjewelleryandputtheminthebag,to which he complied. “The suspect then pointedtheguntowardstheothermalesand askedthemwhattheyhave,howeverafterhe received nothing else, the suspect ran in the southern direction and boarded the awaiting vehicle which drove off in the said direction,”thepolicereported.
The incident was reported to the Farm/ Herstelling Police Station. Police said they received CCTV footage which will be reviewedaspartoftheinvestigation.
Former Education Minister and Co-Leader of the Working People's Alliance (WPA), Dr Rupert Roopnaraine passed away earlyMondaymorningatthe Georgetown Public Hospital.
Hewas83. Roopnarainewasbornin 1943 in Kitty, Georgetown, Guyana. He was a former minister of education in the DavidGrangerAPNU+AFC government. Roopnaraine wonascholarshiptoQueen's College in 1954 where he excelled in cricket, captaining the team and represented Demerara in the Inter-county Cricket Finals. In 1962 he was awarded a Guyanascholarshiptoattend theUniversityofCambridge where he studied Modern Languagesandwasawarded a Cambridge 'Blue' for representing the University inEnglishcountycricket.In 1970 he was awarded a scholarship to Cornell University,NewYork,where heobtainedanMAandPhD in Comparative Literature. From 1966-1996, he has worked as a university lecturer in the UK, Canada, the USA and at the UniversityofGuyana.
He joined the WPA in 1977 and quickly became
oneoftheleadersoftheparty along with Walter Rodney, Clive Thomas and Eusi Kwayana.Hewasanactivist politicianandattheheightof the years of PNC repression was arrested on charges of burning down the PNC headquarters, according to a PeepalTreePressarticle.He also narrowly escaped death when he was attacked by PNC party thugs, only reachingsafetywiththehelp of sugarcane workers who led him through the cane fields to escape. According to Peepal Tree Press, after the assassination of Walter Rodney, Roopnaraine became leader of the WPA.
Roopnaraine was described asunquestionablyoneofthe
generation, though political activism had restricted his output. “Nevertheless, he is an outstanding art critic (champion of the work of Stanley Greaves), literary critic(authorofapioneering essay on Martin Carter), film-maker (The Terror and theTime)andpoet.Heisthe author of The Web of October: Rereading Martin Carter (1986) and a suite of love poems, Suite for Supriya (1993), and The Primacy of the Eye:TheArt of Stanley Greaves,” the
The two 16-gauge shotguns where CANU ranks found on the two men.
Ranks of the Customs
Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Saturday arrested two Venezuelan nationals at Parika, Region Three after they were found withtwo16-guageshotguns. Accordingtoastatement fromCANU,officers,acting on information received, conducted an operation in thevicinityofParika,where they intercepted the two men.
A subsequent search of the two suspects revealed two (2) 16- gauge shotguns. The men were identified as
reason at a time of disquiet anddiscord.”
According to the WPA, Dr Roopnaraine embodied t h e p r i n c i p l e o f multiracialism in a Guyana that has been haunted by racial division “He transcended race. He was as comfortable among African Guyanese as he was among Indian and Amerindian Guyanese. For him, Guyana is at its best when all its ethnic groups work, struggle, and triumph together.” The party added:
articlenoted.
Arevolutionary
In a statement the WPA said it is joining the rest of Guyana, the Caribbean, and progressives of the wider worldinmourningthelossof Roopnaraine Describing him as a towering figure in Guyana's post-colonial struggle for bread, justice, and freedom, WPA said Dr Roopnaraine has carved out a special place in our country's politics “WPA remembers Bro Rupert as a revolutionary, an educator, and an artist who brought togetherthedifferentstrands of his work in a life of struggleforthebettermentof his country, society, and region. He was unflinching in his belief that a better world is always possible. Blending Marxist thought with a Caribbean outlook, hiswasapassionatevoiceof resistance,commitment,and
“We also remember Bro Rupert as the ultimate peacemaker. He always sought to reach across the partisan divide always guided by the interest of the collective people and the country at large. In this regard, he worked tirelessly for a united front with the PPP during the 1970s and 1980s. He was instrumental intheformationofthemultiparty Patriotic Coalition for Democracy, which was instrumentalinheraldingthe return to electoral normalcy in 1992.” “Significantly, Bro Rupert dedicated much energy to the improvement of relations between the PNC and WPAthat came in the form of the APNE. He felt strongly about the necessity and utility of that coalition. Along with Dr Clive Thomas and Mr. Robert Corbin, he invested in that organisation as a downpaymentonanational solution He was the quintessential crusader for
shared governance, power sharing, and a national government.”
“Bro Rubert loved the WPA. He quit his job at the University of Guyana to become a full-time party activist.Hewascentraltothe building of the party in the early years. He was an able organiser He would later represent the party in parliamentandinthecabinet with the same conviction. WPAexpressescondolences tohisfamilyandthanksthem for making him available to thepartyandthecountry We pledge to continue his work tobettertheconditionofthe people, the country, and the wider humanity,” the WPA statementended.
Intellectualgrace
For his part, President Dr IrfaanAlisaidhejoinsin bowinghisheadinrespectat the passing of Dr Roopnaraine and extends heartfelt condolences to his beloved family, his friends, and his comrades in the
(Continuedonpage17)
Arrested, Argenis Perez Arrested, Jorllis Lacourt
Jorllis Lacourt and Argenis Perez They were both arrested and handed over to ranks of Guyana Police
Force, at the Parika Police Station along with the firearms.Aninvestigationis underway
Deliveringhisaddressat the Flag-Raising Ceremony to mark the 56th Republic Anniversary, President Dr IrfaanAlioutlinedsweeping gains in security noting that Guyana becoming safer and highlighted social and economicgrowth.
President Ali stressed that Guyana's borders are becoming safer and its territorial integrity being firmly defended. He noted that on the world stage, the government has assembled an able and capable team to arguethevalidityofthe1899 Arbitral Award before the International Court of Justice(ICJ).“Letnoonebe
mistaken: history and international law are on our side.Ourbordersaresacred, and we will defend them,” Alideclared.
He pointed to improved national security Ali outlined crime statistics comparing the periods 2016–2020 and 2021–2025.
During the earlier period, there was an average of 2,827 serious crimes per year Since 2021, that figure hasfallento1,441,analmost 50 per cent decline “A nationcannotbuildifitfears for its borders. Our valiant men and women in uniform stand vigilant, their capabilities boosted with
President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Daniel Best, has cautioned investors eyeingGuyana'sboomingoil and energy sector that a m b i t i o n w i t h o u t preparation is a recipe for failure.
Addressing the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown last week, Best stressed that the real bottleneck in regional economies is not funding, but weak project readiness. Robust feasibility studies, integrated grid planning and bankable contracts, he said, are the guardrails of smart investment.
“These realities underscore why innovative financing is essential, not optional,” Best declared, urging blended publicprivate capital, strategic use of development finance to de-risk ventures, and disciplined upstream project preparation.
unprecedented resources,” thePresidentstated.
He added, “I want to recognise members of the diplomaticcommunity,andI want to thank them for their steadfast support for our country,oursovereigntyand our territorial integrity” Turning to the economy,Ali reported that in 2025 Guyana's economy grew by 19.3 per cent, building on what he described as five years of record-breaking expansion. He stated that whileoilandgascontinueto attract global attention, the non-oil economy has recordedrobustgrowth.
Last year, agriculture expanded by 11.5 per cent, bauxite by 53.4 per cent, gold by 11 6 per cent, manufacturing by 20 per cent, construction by 31 per cent, the financial sector by 16.9 per cent and technical services by 35.7 per cent. The non-oil economy alone grewby14.3percent.
“This phenomenal record is not a historical accident; it is the blueprint for our tomorrow, expected to continue through 2026 and beyond. Our economic fundamentals are solid. But we are not stopping there. We are modernising our Republic. We are laying a digitalbackbone,wiringour nation for the future,
ensuring that every Guyanese can participate in the digital economy of the future,”Alisaid.
The CDB President charged that when done correctly this approach can accelerate delivery, protect fiscal space and support a credible long term energy transition in responding to the scale and complexity of today's energy challenge
“We require governments, development finance, institutions and private investorstoactinconcertfor the CDB. Our role is not simply to provide financing. It is to catalyse investment, reduce risk and crowd in private capital, particularly inmarketsandsectorswhere scale, com
otherwiseslowprogress,”he added.
Best explained that for the Caribbean and Guyana, multilateral and regional development institutions bring three capabilities that areespeciallyimportant.
Hesaid“First,derisking instruments, guarantees, credit enhancement and (Continuedonpage17)
noting that between 2020 and2024some104,000new jobswerecreated.
On the regional and internationalfront,President Ali outlined that Guyana is now a leader in climate actionandishelpingtodrive food security efforts within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).Healsonoted, “As the world grapples to avoid an energy crisis, they are increasingly looking to us as a model for energy security.”
Further,Ali stressed that hisadministrationisfocused on ensuring prosperity improvesthelivesofcitizens through investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure. He said these targeted interventions are aimedatreducinginequality
and expanding access to s e r v i c e s a c r o s s communities.
He added that economic expansion is translating into opportunities for citizens,
P r e s i d e n t A l i underscored the importance ofnationalprideanchoredin shared prosperity and inclusive growth, so that every home, village and
community can feel the impact of development. He stressed that building a society where national pride is meaningful and that national pride is nonnegotiable.
“A pride grounded in shared prosperity, where
The Golden Arrowhead was hoisted at the Flag Raising Ceremony to mark Guyana's 56th Republic Anniversary
The government through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two is preparing to spend approximately$60milliontoconstruct anewnurseryschoolatCapoeyVillage, and extend the nursery building at MainstayVillage.
This is according to a recent invitation for bids issued by the Regional Administration which states that $35 million is estimated for the project at Capoey and $25 million is estimatedfortheworksatMainstay
allocated a sum of $11.2 billion this yearfromthenationalbudgetandoutof that $6.8 billion was set aside for educationdelivery
As it relates to building nursery schools across the country, the government had reported previously that since taking office in 2020 they havebuiltover60newnurseryschools.
communities, where growth anddevelopmentisforevery segment of the Guyanese population, where every home, every village and every community can feel the impact of development, can have access to the services that the State offers in a way and manner that adds value to their life, to their families, and to their communities,”Alisaid.
A s t h e G o l d e n Arrowhead flies high, he said it should serve as a reminder of both progress madeandthepathahead.“A Republic of builders A Republic of achievers. A Republic of one people, one nation, one destiny,” PresidentAlistated.
This publication understands that the Regional Administration was
While nursery education is not compulsory in Guyana, education officials had noted that nursery educationplaysavitalroleinlayingthe foundation for lifelong learning and development, and that in these early
years, children develop essential cognitive,social,emotional,andmotor skills that shape their future academic successandpersonalgrowth.
Former Education Minister, Priya Manickchand stated in the past that “While education in Guyana is not compulsory at nursery, we have seen that parents are so hungry, thirsty for their children to start learning and learning early and I think many of us and myself included, we don't trust ourselves to deliver that education, we want trained teachers so your children cangetthebest.”
A simmering regional dispute over US sanction against Cuba has escalated with former Caribbean Community leaders firing back at T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, rejectingherclaimofironyin theircallfortheUnitedStates to rescind what they describe as an “inhumane weapon of massdestruction”againstthat country
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, the former heads of government
insisted there is “no contradiction” in their appeal to Washington to reverse recent measures that threaten to intensify Cuba's fuel crisis. The original declaration, signedbyeightex-leadersand now endorsed by former Prime Ministers Baldwin Spencer,saidMusaandRalph Gonsalves warned that punitive actions restricting fuel supplies could trigger a humanitarian catastrophe for Cuba's 11 million citizens.
The former leaders underscored that during her previous tenure, PersadBissessar herself supported annual resolutions at the United Nations General Assemblycallingforanendto the decades-old U S embargo. They noted that as recentlyasOctober2025,165 nations reiterated that demand.“Ourconcernnowis about human survival,” the groupdeclared.“Therecanbe no justification for the imposition of a fuel embargo which could extinguish 11 million civilian lives Exposing citizens in any country to starvation, disease and extinction by denial of energy resources poses a mortal danger that transcends ideology.”
They added: “We have neverwaveredinourpractice of democratic pluralism, nor failed to demand respect and universal obedience to international law We note with satisfaction the intention of Prime Minister Persad Bissessar to attend the 50th Caricom meeting of Heads in St Kitts & Nevis and anticipate she will there, as is her right and custom, fully engage in constructive discussions which advance ourcollectiveinterestsforour shared humanity The critical hazardsandturbulencewhich confront us demand that our considerable vocal firepower as past, present and future leadersbedirectedagainstthe hegemonic economic aggression which threatens havoc and death in our Caribbean space and not at
PrimeMinisterofT&T, Kamla Persad-Bissessar
eachother.”
Persad-Bissessaroverthe weekend had criticised the former leaders PersadBissessar highlighted what she said was the irony of the statement, noting that if those leaders were living in a communist country, they wouldnotbeabletoissuesuch a declaration The group expressed concern over the deepeninghumanitariancrisis in Cuba and said the January 29 executive order by the US against any nation providing oil to Cuba, without the imposition of punitive, discriminatory tariffs, constitutes economic warfare and inflicts unconscionable suffering on the Cuban people.
The issue of Cuba is expected to be raised at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of GovernmentoftheCaribbean Community (Caricom) in St KittsandNevisfromFebruary 24-27, which PersadBissessar has confirmed she will be attending PersadBissessar told the Trinidad Express that she supports the tenets of democracy and launched a stinging criticism of the former leaders' statement. “What is really amazingabouttheirstatement is, had the eight of them been citizens living in a country under a communist dictatorship rule, they would nothavebeenevenabletoput out any public statement because true freedom of expression and association wouldnotexist,'shesaid.
ThePrimeMinisteradded that people who live in democratic societies and vociferously support dictatorship and communism would never want to live under a communist dictatorship themselves “Every one of these eight former leaders participated in (Continuedonpage16)
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From page 8 partner. With the exception of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, whose energy exports alter the arithmetic, the United States enjoys consistent trade surpluses in goods — and substantial commercial advantages overall — with most CARICOM member states,” Sir Ron said.
He said that American goods fill Caribbean ports, noting that American companies operate profitably in our economies. “American visitors enjoy our tourism industries. Cooperation in drug interdiction and in combating organised crime has been structured and ongoing under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. These are not the markers of strained relations. They are the foundations of a long partnership. Yet strain has emerged, and it must be acknowledged honestly if recalibration is to occur.”
Migration policy
According to Sanders one present source of tension is U.S. migration policy regarding refugees and deportees. He said every CARICOM country has consistently accepted the return of its own nationals deported from the United States. “We have cooperated in verifying nationality, issuing travel documents, and facilitating lawful repatriation. That cooperation is not in dispute. The unease arises when small states are
asked to accept – and bear the cost of maintaining - persons who are not their nationals. For large countries, absorbing additional populations may be an administrative challenge. For small island and coastal states with limited fiscal space, small land mass, and tightly interwoven social systems, the impact can be magnified. Integration involves housing, health services, education, employment, community stability, and — above all — security vetting in environments that do not possess the investigative reach of larger nations.”
Sanders said the issue, therefore, is not unwillingness to cooperate. It is proportionality. It is capacity. And it is risk. “Secretary Rubio has argued that the United States must strengthen its own resilience by securing supply chains, reinforcing borders, and deepening cooperation with reliable partners. The Caribbean is not a distant theatre in that strategy; it is America’s immediate neighbourhood. A stable, economically viable, and security-aligned CARICOM reduces irregular migration pressures, strengthens maritime domain awareness in a region through which illicit trafficking flows. Further, it offers trusted nodes for supply-chain diversification
close to U.S. shores. Therefore, investment in Caribbean resilience is not charity. It is strategic depth. In a world in which major powers contest for influence, proximity and partnership still matter.”
The diplomat said if progress is to be made on migration cooperation, it must be built on clarity and reciprocity — clear legal frameworks, strict vetting standards, limited and manageable numbers, and arrangements that do not leave small states with openended financial or social obligations. Sustainable cooperation cannot rest on imbalance.
To this end, Sanders said Rubio’s meeting with CARICOM leaders in St. Kitts, the most constructive conversation will not revolve around pressure. It will revolve around alignment. “The United States seeks secure borders, resilient supply chains, and stable neighbours — and it has them in CARICOM. For its part, CARICOM seeks economic growth, climate resilience, and security against organised crime. Clearly, the U.S. and CARICOM objectives are not contradictory. They are complementary.”
“Expanded cooperation on maritime security and intelligence-sharing would strengthen both American and Caribbean safety. Structured labour mobility pathways could meet workforce needs in
the United States while supporting development in Caribbean economies. Resilient regional supply chains could integrate Caribbean production rather than bypass it. Transparent, mutually agreed migration frameworks could remove uncertainty and build trust. Meaningful support for climate adaptation and energy resilience would reinforce stability in America’s immediate neighbourhood,” Sanders added. He said none of this requires either side to abandon its principles. It requires both sides to apply them with balance. “The Caribbean does not seek confrontation with the United States.
Nor does it seek dependency. What it seeks — and has always sought — is partnership rooted in mutual respect and mutual benefit. If Secretary Rubio attends the CARICOM Summit, our leaders should be pragmatic, forward-looking, and prepared for empathetic and candid engagement. The moment calls for statesmanship. The United States and the Caribbean have cooperated for generations — in trade, in security, in disaster response, and in shared democratic values. That record is solid. The meeting in St. Kitts offers the chance to strengthen their cooperation for a new era. That opportunity should be seized.”
From page 15 democratic elections to become a leader and would want to continue to vote in democratic elections in the future to choose their leaders,’ she said.
She continued: “If these eight former leaders so love and adore communism and dictatorship and are against democracy, maybe they should work to disband the political parties that they are a part of.”
have the right to do the same?” The Prime Minister said she will always support: 1. regular, free and fair democratic elections in a multiparty system; 2. citizens being equal before the law; 3. rule of law; 4. majority rule and minority rights; 5. separation of powers and checks and balances; 6. accountability and transparency; 7. freedom of expression and association; 8. capitalism.
education and basic livelihood,” they stated.
The former leaders noted that on December 8, 1972, the prime ministers of Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago “made the bold decision to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba in assertion of our sovereign right to end the hemispheric economic isolation of a neighbouring Caribbean State.”
manitarian crisis in Cuba and [which] undermine the tenets of international law’.
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Persad-Bissessar also posed a question to the former leaders: “The question I have for these eight former leaders is why do they believe that they and their political party’s supporters should have the right to contest democratic elections to choose their leaders, but the Cuban citizens should not
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Human suffering Cuba has been under pressure since United States President Donald Trump’s administration ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. Venezuela previously provided Cuba with fuel, and the nation has been facing crippling fuel shortages, forcing the Cuban government to implement a series of fuel-rationing measures and slash public transport.
In their statement issued on Thursday, the former Caricom heads said they were impelled to make public their appeal to avert further human suffering. “The consequences of this horrific fuel blockade are catastrophic and constitute cruel punishment of the 11 million civilians by the strangulation of Cuba’s vital requirements for energy, food, medication,
They added: “We, during our tenure over the last 33 years, have been inspired and imbued by the courage and foresight of our predecessors at the helm to consistently sponsor and support the resolutions at [the] United Nations General Assembly for the termination of the illegal financial and economic embargo by the US against Cuba. That abhorrent embargo was condemned by an overwhelming majority of member states, including four permanent members of the Security Council.”
Stating that ‘the global community cannot remain mute and indolent while a fatal pernicious fuel tourniquet stifles the Cuban economy and suffocates human lives there’, the former leaders said they are advocating ‘the imperative of repealing immediately any decree that will result in an unprecedented hu-
They reminded that the foundation of the Caribbean Community rests on the right of each sovereign state to promote regional solidarity and advance comprehensive cooperation among all Caribbean states. “We believe that the Caribbean citizenry will support any decision by our leaders to render tangible material support to our brothers and sisters in Cuba at this time of need,” they added.
“We dare not depart from this path and must now fulfil our sacred duty to appeal for the exercise of our shared humanity in responding to the terror of economic warfare against the Cuban people. We will never accept the doctrine that might makes right. Economic warfare waged on differences of ideology and political systems is no less odious in our single universe than military invasion anywhere for territorial aggrandisement,” they argued. They endorsed the findings of UN human rights experts that the executive order is a violation of international law and called on the international community “to provide Cuba with desperately needed humanitarian assistance.”
The Pan American
H e a l t h
Organization (PAHO)thisweekreleaseda new epidemiological update on dengue in the Americas, emphasizing the importance for countries of maintaining and reinforcing prevention, surveillance, and health system preparedness, while remaining attentive to potential changes in the
epidemiologicalsituation. In 2025, a total of 4,459,521 suspected dengue cases and 1,682,588 confirmed cases were reported across the region. Of these, 8,966 were classified as severe dengue, and 2,207 deaths were recorded,withacasefatality rate of 0.05%.Thesefigures represent a 66% decrease in casesanda74%reductionin
CDB chief warns: No feasibility...
Frompage14
targeted risk mitigation tools improve bankability by reducing exposure to
k Secondly, blended finance and concessional capital through the CDB Guyana can access blended structures that combine commercial capital with concessional resources, including climate funds, andcanleverageinstruments
such as green and sustainable bonds to mobilizeprivateinvestments at scale, use strategically these approaches lower financing costs, extend tenorsandacceleratepriority
investments while Protectingfiscalspace” “Thirdly, project preparation and institutional strengthening capital flows to projects that are ready investment in upstream work, integrated planning, robust feasibility studies, clearregulatoryframeworks and sound procurement design remains one of the most effective ways to acceleratedelivery,improve bankability and reduce financingcosts” At the same time, he said development finance alone is not sufficient. He said that Guyana’s energy transformation will not be financedsolelyfrompublic balance sheets or
multilateral lending “Private capital is indispensableforachieving the scale, speed and innovation required. This is giving birth to a welcomed shared shift in perspective governments viewing private investors as long term partners in d e v e l o p m e n t a n d investors recognizing that Guyana’senergymarketis credible, investable and strategically important in
this context, public private partnerships, climate funds and green and sustainable bonds are
deaths compared with 2024, ayearthatsawarecordhigh ofover13millioncases.
The situation varies by subregion In 2025, the Southern Cone reported the highest number of cases, although this represented a 65% decrease compared with 2024. The Caribbean, by contrast, recorded a 7% increase over the previous year and more than double the averag
becoming central elements of Guyana’s Energy Financing toolkit…”
He asserted that bankable projects do not emerge by chance. “They aredesigned,structuredand sequenced.
Strong planning today determines how quickly capital can be deployed tomorrow The private investors engage early, engage constructively and engage for the long term. Guyana’s energy market is evolving rapidly, and those who participate early will help shape its standards, structuresandsuccess,”the CDBPresidentsaid. Heencouragedinvestors tocontinuetoinnovate “Use concessional capital
strategically, not defensively Take calculated risk, where markets alone may hesitate,andhelpaccelerate thetransitionfrompotential toperformanceandtoallof us collectively, let us move beyond pilot projects and incremental change Guyana’smomentdemands scale, coordination and urgency.”
Best told the conference
that the Caribbean Development Bank, stands ready to work with governments, investors and partners to turn plans into projects, projects into pipelines, and pipelines into lasting impact, supporting energy systems that are reliable, resilient and fit for thefuture.
“I encourage you to be bold, practical as solutions oriented, the tools exist, the capital exists, and with the strong leadership already beingdemonstrated,Guyana is well placed, not only to capture this moment, but to lead our region in turning opportunity into enduring prosperity Thegoodpeople of the Caribbean deserve nothing less from us,” he said.
Advancing public health through teamwork and laboratory excellence at Pan American Health Organization.
reported between2019and2023.The AndeanandCentralAmerica & Mexico subregions reported declines compared with2024.
All four dengue virus serotypes ci
culated simultaneously in 2025, whichcontinuestohighlight the potential for outbreaks andseverecases.In2026,up to the end of January (epidemiological week 4), 122,090 cases have been reported, including 22,409
laboratory-confirmed cases, 242severedenguecases,and six deaths. These figures representan83%decreasein casesanda98%reductionin deaths compared with the sameperiodin2025.
In its epidemiological update, PAHO recommends strengthening integrated surveillance epidemiologi
cal, clinical, laboratory, and entomological—as well as integrated vector control in high-risk areas (including health facilities), early clinical diagnosis, and monitoringofwarningsigns such as severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, mucosal bleeding, and lethargy to support timely
case management and avoid overburdening hospitals PAHO also encourages countries to adapt their health services as needed to ensure timely and quality care, prioritize virological t e s t i n g f o r c a s e confirmation, and maintain clear laboratory protocols to allowforearlydetection.
Frompage11 Working People’s Alliance, which he co-led with uncommon courage and intellectual grace. “Guyana has lost a public figure of conscience. While we sat on different sides of the political aisle, I have always regarded Dr Roopnaraineasbelongingto that rare fellowship of men who wed thought to action and principle to sacrifice, especially during the testing yearsoftheanti-dictatorship struggle. When the air itself seemed heavy with fear, he stoodupright.
Hefacedpersecutionnot with bitterness, but with resolve Alongside his comrade and friend, the late WalterRodney,hehelpedto kindleaflameofresistance,” PresidentAlisaid.
The Guyanese leader alsosaidofRoopnarainethat he was a man of letters, a scholar whose mind moved with elegance across literature.
“As a distinguished lecturer of Comparative Literature, he understood that ideas are among the most powerful instruments ofliberation.
InParliamentandlateras Minister of Education, he carried his quiet scholarship into public service He believed that education was
buildingofmindscapableof thought, dissent, and
imagination.”
“What set him apart, perhaps most enduringly, was his gentleness of spirit. In a political environment, oftenscarredbyrancourand division,hechosecivility In debate,hewasfirmyetnever cruel; in disagreement, principled yet never dismissive.
He treated opponents notasenemies,butasfellow citizens.
Across the political divide,heearnedrespectnot by force of rhetoric, but by depthofcharacter
Hiswasalifethatproved intellect need not be aloof, that politics need not be venomous, and that conviction need not harden the heart. May he rest in eternalpeace.”
Civilityandcourage
Leader of Forward
Guyana Movement, Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir said that Dr Roopnaraine belongedtoagenerationthat believedideascouldshapea nation.
“He carried his scholarship into politics and brought to public life a rare blend of intellect, civility andcourage.
In a country often divided, he consistently spoke to the possibility of unityandsharedpurpose.
Today,Guyanapausesto honour a son who gave deeply of himself to its democratic journey “Rest
well, Dr Roopnaraine Guyana thanks you,” Walton-Desirsaid.
MasterofEnglish Language
Former WPA member, nowOppositionChiefWhip and frontbencher of the We Invest in Nationhood party, TabithaSara-Halleysaid“on this56thAnniversaryofour Republic,ournationmourns t h e p a s s i n g o f a distinguished son of the soil ” Describing Dr Roopnaraine as a Master of the English language, an esteemed professor, parliamentarian, and cofounder of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Sarabo-Halley said Dr Roopnarainedevotedhislife to scholarship, public service, and the struggle for justice and democracy in Guyana.
“His legacy and his profoundcontributiontothe building of our Republic in ways too numerous to recount will endure. It lives on in our institutions, in the political consciousness of our people, and in the continued pursuit of a more just,equitable,andinclusive society May his work continue to inspire us as we strive to build a Republic worthy of hissacrificeandvision.”
Committedservant
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) in extending condolences, said the passing of
Roopnarainemarkstheloss ofasonofthesoil,apatriot, intellectual, and committed servantofthepeoplewhose contribution to Guyana’s political development and struggle for justice will not beforgotten.
“Throughout his life, he stood firmly for principles of fairness, human dignity, and national unity His voice and vision helped to shape critical moments in our country’s history, and his dedication to the upliftment of all Guyanese earned him respect across politicallines.
While we mourn his passing, we also reaffirm that our Coalition remains steadfast in its commitment toconfrontinginjusticeand inequality wherever they exist. In honouring his legacy, we pledge to continue the struggle for a just, equitable, and united Guyana,acausetowhichhe devoted much of his life,” thePNCRsaid
“To his family, loved ones, and the members of the WPA, we offer our sincere sympathy and solidarity during this time of grief May you find comfort in the knowledge that his life made a meaningful difference in ournation’sjourney Guyana has lost a true sonofthesoil.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.” The party statementconcluded.
(AL-JAZEERA) - The United States military has announced another strike in theCaribbeanSeathatitsaid targeted drug smugglers, killingthreepeople.
T h e S o u t h e r n Command (SOUTHCOM) of the US military shared footage of the attack on Monday, showing a small boatexplodingandgoingup inflamesafterthestrike.
“ I n t e l l i g e n c e confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engagedinnarco-trafficking operations,” SOUTHCOM saidinastatement.
“Three male narcoterrorists were killed during this action No US military forces were harmed.”
The attack brings the death toll from US boat strikes that started last yeartoaround150 Rights advocates have said the US military campaign targeting alleged drug smugglers amounts to extrajudicial killings and risks violating international anddomesticlaws.
The US administration has argued that all the targetedboatswerecarrying drugs,butithasofferedlittle evidence other than grainy footageofthestrikes.
United Nations experts warned last year that the attacks “appear to be unlawfulkillingscarriedout by order of a Government, without judicial or legal process allowing due
processoflaw”.
“Unprovoked attacks andkillingsoninternational waters also violate international maritime laws,”theexpertsadded.
“We have condemned and raised concerns about these attacks at sea to the UnitedStatesGovernment.”
The strikes started in September of last year, as the US was building up its
military assets in the Caribbean amid tensions with Venezuela. Since then, they have expanded and startedtargetingboatsinthe easternPacificOcean.
A separate US strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat on Friday also killed threepeople.
The campaign has continued even after US forcesabductedVenezuelan
(AL-JAZEERA) -
Venezuela’s Foreign
Minister Yvan Gil has demanded the immediate release of the country’s President Nicolas Maduro, who was abducted last month in a violent raid orchestrated by the United States Addressing the United Nations Human RightsCouncilinGenevaon Monday, Gil demanded Maduro’s “immediate
release” by the US government, alongside his wife,CiliaFlores.
Maduro and Flores have been in prison in New York
since the January 3 operation, awaiting trial on drug trafficking and socalledconspiracytocommit “narcoterrorism” charges Despite the whirlwind operation, relative calm has prevailed in Venezuela since, while faultlines in the country’s leadership remain active under the helm of interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
President Nicolas Maduro earlyin2026.
Trump and other US officials have argued without providing evidence that each bombing saves thousands of lives from overdosedeaths.Butitisnot clear whether the deadly campaign has significantly affectedthedrugtradeinthe region. The lat
comes as Mexican authorities push to curb violence by drug cartels after the killing of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel kingpin, Nemesio R u b e n O s e g u e r a Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho” Trump has been pushing to present
himself as launching a literal war on drugs across theWesternHemisphere
“Mexico must step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday.
The US has often accused its critics in LatinAmerica, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, of ties to the drug trade.
At the same time, in December, he pardoned f o r m e r H o n d u r a n President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was serving a 45-year prison sentence in US jails after being convicted of drug trafficking
Fromcentre ofawoman.MinisterVidya Persaud said the colours reflected the diversity of Guyana and the ministry’s representation of children, seniors, women and families.
Carol Chesney, who returned home after 35 yearstowitnesstheparade, expressed excitement but also felt that more could havebeendone.
Rodriguez has shifted from early defiance to a more conciliatory tone towards the administration of US President Donald Trump, in contrast to Gil, who has levelled harsher condemnations of US actions. Gil on Monday, addressing the UN council, saidtheUSoperation,which he called a “systematic campaign”,resultedinmore than 100 deaths He described Maduro’s abduction as a “political operation disguised as a legaldebate”.
inflation and a sharply depreciating currency Sanctions have played a role–butsohasgovernment mismanagement.
Earlier this month, the US Department of the Treasury announced it was easing some sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector, the largest reprieve since Maduro’sabduction.
Gil further stated that Venezuela has begun a process of reconciliation and political coexistence
Despite these events of earlyJanuary,however,the foreign minister stated that Venezuela is not in a state of war with the country that he said has been attacking it for the past decade, noting the US blockade and sanctions imposed on Venezuela for years in “full view of the world” Last week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) described Venezuela’s economic and humanitarian situation as “quite fragile”, pointing to an estimated triple-digit
country, and emphasised that Venezuela will resolve itsissuesinternally,referring to the recently approved 2026 Amnesty Law for DemocraticCoexistence.
The law, which was signed on Thursday, could free hundreds of people jailed over protests and political unrest dating back decades This week alone, itgrantedamnestyto 379politicalprisoners.
The new regulation marks a considerable shift
for the country, which has long denied holding any politicalprisoners.
Gil, in his address to the UN rights council, stressed that human rights should not be used as a pretext for war and that theUNforummustremain impartial.
“Human rights should not be instruments of political war; they should not be selective, and they should not depend on ideological alignment,” saidGil
“While some countries are subjected to constant and disproportionate scrutiny, tragedies of enormous magnitude, such as the devastation of the Palestinian people, do not receive the firm and proportionate attention demanded by international lawandhumanconscience,” he added. Gil also urged the council to end all pun
s against Venezuela and to respect the sovereignty of states
“The energy out here is wonderful So many families are here, and it is good to see all of these children.Thecoloursspeak to the diversity of our countryandwhatwedoasa ministry I am very confident in my band because over the last few yearswehavebeenmoving forward we got second last year and the only way upisfirstplace,”shestated.
Around 17:00 hrs , additional floats rolled in, including those from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Works, OfficeofthePrimeMinister, Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Private sector participation wasalsoevidentwithbands from Banks DIH and SunshineSnacks
When the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport—one of the largest b a n d s m a d e i t s appearance, the numbers were strong, but some observers felt the energy was lower than expected. Members were dressed in purple costumes as they made their way along the route.
Publicreactionsmixed Spectatorssharedvaried reactions to this year’s Mashramanicelebrations.
US-based Guyanese
“I am having a wonderful time. After 35 years I am back and enjoying it. The floats are coming too slowly and I haven’t seen anything immaculate as yet. They used to represent the organisations and display what Guyana is all about. We need to see more about Guyana—we need to see Guyanashowingprogress,” she said. Pat December, another spectator described this year’s celebration as biggerandbetter
“Iamenjoyingthisyear; it is big and better Compared to last year, it is excellentsofar Ilikethatall theracescametogetherand projected what Guyana is. It’s about all six races coming together to celebratethisday,”shesaid.
Another spectator emphasised the need for greater unity and broader involvement.Shecalledfor schoolsandallministriesto participate fully and encouragedcitizensto“stop dividing and just come togethertomakeitworkand let us have Mashramani again.”
A man from Portugal attending for the first time describedthecelebrationas new and different. “It’s my firsttimehere.It’snewand different. I’m hoping to see more parades and more people on the streets,” he said.
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(Reuters) - Claressa Shields defended her undisputed heavyweight championship with a dominant decision victory over American compatriot Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Detroit on Sunday, progressing to an 18-0 win/loss record in her professionalcareer Two-time Olympic champion Shields secured a
100-90 victory on all three judges’ scorecards, as she defeated Crews-Dezurn for the second time since Shields’ professional debut in2016.
The 30-year-old, who became the first undisputed women’s heavyweight champion with a win over DaniellePerkinsinFebruary 2025,hassincedefendedher WBA,WBC,IBF,WBOand
WBF belts twice, including a win over Lani Daniels in July
“I think today I showcased my skills, my offence, my defence and bodyshots.Ialmosthadher out in round seven, but she just wouldn’t go,” Shields said.
Sunday’s fight was Shields’ first since an $8 million multi-year deal with
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries Your persuasivemannerandgentle nudges are just enough to get peoplewhereyouwantthem.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
When faced with ten entrees onthemenu,itmightbehard for you to choose just one. Feelfreetoordertwoormore, Ta u r u s D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down.Atthesametime.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act onthem,Gemini.Nooneelse is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take mattersintoyourownhands.
CANCER(June21–July22)
If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them nomind,Cancer Youhavethe righttoliveyourlifeanyway youwantto.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Reachforthepotofgoldatthe end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closerthanyouthink.Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think aboutwhatitisthatyouwant most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to howfaryoucango.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra.
b
e opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm.Followthemusic.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring moremagicintoyourlife.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Today is an excellent day for you,oneinwhichyou'llfinda great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius Trust that your instincts are serving youwell.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you needtomakesenseofitall.In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb.
18)Mixyourrealitywithabit of fantasy today, Aquarius. Allowyourfeettocomeoffthe ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor Dreamasbigasyour mindallows.
SalitaPromotionsandWynn
Records, which the promoterscalledthe“richest contract in women’s boxing”.
Shields said she wanted to face Shadasia Green, the WBO and IBF supermiddleweight champion, in hernextbout.
ESPNcricinfo - West Indieswentonanunfettered big-hitting spree at the Wankhede Stadium, crushing Zimbabwe by 107 runs and sounding out a warning to other titlecontenders in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Led by turbochargedfiftiesfromShimron Hetmyer and Rovman Powell, West Indies racked up 254 for 6 - the secondhighest total at a men’s T20 World Cup - including 19 sixes. No team has hit more sixes in an innings in the historyofthecompetition.
In response, Zimbabwe were all out for only 147, suffering their first loss in thistournamentaftertopping GroupBinthelead-uptothe SuperEight.
It was Hetmyer, who startedthecarnagewitha19ball half-century before former captain Powell and the rest of the middle order joined the six-hitting party Hetmyer, Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder all kept launching the ball into the night sky and made it look ridiculously easy, like West Indies’ hitters did in 2012and2016. Zimbabwe make early inroads A f t e r m i s s i n g Zimbabwe’s group-stage fixtures against Australia and Sri Lanka with injury, left-arm quick Richard Ngarava marked his return by having Brandon King holing out to long leg for 9
off 12 balls with a 101kph slowerball.Then,inthefinal overofthepowerplay,Craig Evans dug an offcutter into thepitchandhadShaiHope caught spectacularly by BrianBennettintheoutfield for14off12balls.
Hetmyer’s spin-hitting masterclass
Despite losing two wickets, West Indies scored 55 runs in their first six overs, with Hetmyer responsible for 20 of those. Hetmyer was just getting started at No. 3, a new(ish) role for him in this T20 World Cup after spending the previous edition on the bench.
Identified by coach Daren Sammy as a batter whocouldperformNicholas
Pooran’srole,Hetmyeraced it on Monday He was particularly severe on spin, cracking Graeme Cremer andSikandarRazafor56off 17balls,withallsevenofhis sixescomingagainstspin.
Along the way, Hetmyer charged to a 19-ball halfcentury, toppling his own record for West Indies’ fastest fifty at a men’s T20 World Cup. Earlier in this tournament, Hetmyer had clubbed a 22-ball fifty againstScotlandinKolkata.
Hetmyer was also aided by Zimbabwe’s fielding lapses. Tashinga Musekiwa dropped Hetmyer on 9 and then again on 70. Hetmyer added15tohistallyafterthe second reprieve before Bennetteventuallyheldonto achanceinthedeep.
WIflextheirpower
But the momentum seamlessly switched from one West Indies batter to another Powell,whowason 15 off 17 balls at one point, teedoffwhenheimperiously whipped Evans over midwicket He hit three moresixes,includinga106metre monster over extracover off part-time seamer DionMyersinthe13thover He pressed on to bring up a 29-ballfifty
In the next over, Powell drilled one back so fiercely thattheballburstthroughthe hands of Raza and left him needing attention from the physio. Raza even had to
Rovman Powell celebrates his half-century. (Getty Images)
spend some time off the field,withNgarava,theTest captain, standing in for him in the closing stages of the firstinnings.
Though Powell departed for 59, with Musekiwa getting third-time lucky and clinging onto a catch, electric cameos from Rutherford, Shepherd and HolderpoweredWestIndies past250.
Zimbabwe fade away in chase
Zimbabwe need a strong start to stay in the game. However, that was not to be andbytheendofthreeovers, they were three down Gudakesh Motie then precipitated Zimbabwe’s collapsewithhiscareer-best T20Ifiguresof4for28.
Havinghurthisfingerin thefirstinnings,Raza(27off 20balls)cameouttobatbut only flickeredbrieflybefore
Motie castled him with a delightful delivery that pitchedonmiddleandripped awaytohitoff.
A k e a l H o s e i n ’s dismissalofBennettwithhis stock ball that drifted in towards middle and leg and turned away to hit off was another contender for the balloftheday
The end was nigh for Zimbabwe when they slumped to 103 for 9 in the 15thover,butEvansdelayed itwitha21-ball43. Forde wrapped up the win - West Indies’ second biggest in terms of runswhen he had Evans topedging a catch to short third inthe18thover Scores: West Indies 254 for 6 (Hetmyer 85, Powell 59, Muzarabani 2-42) beat Zimbabwe 147 (Evans 43, Myers 28, Motie 4-28, Hosein3-28)by107runs.
Brad Evans played a valiant cameo to reduce Zimbabwe’s margin of defeat. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - Players whoreceivetreatmentforan injurycouldbeforcedtostay off the field for one minute underproposalsfromFifa.
It is one of a number of measures to tackle tempo disruption and time lost whicharesettobeapproved at the International Football Association Board (Ifab) annual general meeting on Saturday
At present there is no stipulation in the laws over how long injured players have to remain on the sidelines.
Leagueshavetherightto set their own guidelines, with the Premier League adopting a 30-second rule sincethe2023-24season.
Fifahelditsowntrialsat the Arab Cup in December which required a player to stay off the field for two minutes.
Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina says the two-minute rule is intended to reduce time-wasting and
improve the flow of the game.
It mirrors an approach taken by Major League Soccer, which is triggered if a player remains on the ground for more than 15 seconds and the physio comeson.
At an Ifab meeting in Januaryitwasagreedafixed periodshouldbeaddedtothe laws, but there was disagreementoverthelength of timeand strong pushback againsttwominutes.
Leagues have concerns a b o u t u n i n t e n d e d consequences
One minute has been proposedasahalfwayhouse, but BBC Sport understands concerns remain about negativeimpacts.
Manchester United were angered last season when Matthijs de Ligt was forced to leave the field with a cut, and Brentford scored from a corner while he was off the pitch.
The fear is a one-minute
absence would make it far more likely a team could concedeagoalwhendownto 10players.
Thirty seconds already causes frustration among supporters - and unintended consequences of goals conceded could add further pressureontoofficials.
There is an acceptance players use supposed injuriesasawayofbreaking
up play, but it is felt extending the time limit could unduly penalise genuinelyinjuredplayers.
There are a few exceptions.
If the opponent is shown a yellow or red card the injured player does not need to stay off. Goalkeepers are alsoexempt,whileapenalty taker would be able to stay on.
However, Ifab is not expected to pass any resolution to tackle the tactical timeout This is when a goalkeeper goes downofftheballinorderfor a coach to get new instructionstotheteam.
Ifab’s advisory panels have discussed the issue at somelengthbut,sofar,there has been no agreement on a solution.
Followingthesuccessof the eight-second rule for goalkeepers holding the ball, new countdown measures are set to be approved
Asimilarprocesswillbe added to goal-kicks and throw-ins, with possession changing to the opposition ifittakestoolong
A 10-second limit will
also be applied to substituted players - if they do not get off the pitch the replacement will not be allowedtocomeon.
A team would have to play with 10 players until the next stoppage, and that must be after at least 60 seconds Ifab is expected to approve video assistant refereereviewsforwrongly awarded second yellow cards and, as a competition opt-in,corners
The Canadian Premier League is also likely to be granted permission to start trials of Arsene Wenger’s daylightoffside.
Reuters-KhrisMiddleton’s25 points led six Dallas scorers in double figures, and the Mavericks snapped a 10-game skid with their 134-130 defeat of the Indiana PacersonSundayinIndianapolis.
Pascal Siakam scored a gamehigh 30 points for the Pacers, who losttheirthirdstraightgame.
Dallas, winless since Jan. 22, ledthePacersnearlywire-to-wirebut never by more than 11 points. The Mavericks built their largest lead early in the fourth quarter before Indiana whittled the deficit down to 117-114 with 5:37 remaining Middleton led the Dallas response, scoring seven of the Mavericks’ points over a 9-5 spurt that gave them some breathingroomdownthestretch.
Klay Thompson added three triples on seven attempts off the bench,scoringallnineofhispoints from beyond the arc. Thompson just missed joining the balanced contingent of double-figure pointscoringMavericks,whichincluded P.J.Washingtonwith23points.
Thunder121,Cavaliers113
Isaiah Joe had 22 points and a career-high five steals and Cason Wallacehad20pointsandacareerhigh 10 assists to lift Oklahoma City to a win over visiting Cleveland.
Joe and Wallace were in the starting lineup with the Thunder down their two star guards in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.OklahomaCityhit213pointersinthegame,including8of 12 in the first quarter, and shot 51.2%fromoutsidethearc.
ThelosssnappedtheCavaliers’ seven-game winning streak, while
Dallas Mavericks forward Khris Middleton (20) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. (Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images)
OklahomaCityhaswonfourofits last five. James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Sam Merrill each scored20fortheCavaliers. Knicks105,Bulls99 Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 11 rebounds and Jalen Brunson added 19 points and nine assiststoliftvisitingNewYorktoa winagainstslumpingChicago.
Chicago has lost nine games in arow,itslongestlosingstreaksince a 10-game skid in the 2018-19 season Sunday marked the narrowest defeat during the slide.
MatasBuzelispacedtheBullswith 15 points while Guerschon Yabuselepostedadouble-doubleof 11pointsand13rebounds. Landry Shamet (16 points),
Josh Hart (11), and Bridges (11) alsoscoredindoublefiguresinthe gamefortheKnicks.
Hawks115,Nets104 JalenJohnsonscored14ofhis26 points in the fourth quarter to help Atlantaovercomean11-pointdeficit anddefeatvisitingBrooklyn
The Hawks trailed 102-91 with eight minutes remaining and outscored the Nets 24-2 from there Atlanta took the lead 105-104 with 2:28remainingona3-pointerbyCJ McCollumandJohnsonextendedthe lead with a three-point play and anotherbasket Johnsonfinished11for-22fromthefieldwith12rebounds for his 38th double-double Nickeil Alexander-WalkerandJockLandale eachscored17andMcCollumhad16 pointsandeightrebounds
Michael Porter Jr led the Nets with18points,sevenreboundsand six assists and Nic Claxton scored 15 with eight rebounds and five assists.TheNetsdidnotscoreinthe final5:19.
Inotherresults: Raptors122,Bucks94 Warriors128,Nuggets117 Hornets129,Wizards112 Celtics111,Lakers89 76ers135,Timberwolves108 TrailBlazers92,Suns77 Magic111,Clippers109 (FieldLevelMedia)
The Paul D’Andrade organisedLegendsRepublic Cup International Masters Football Tournament over the past weekend turned out to be a success as several former players were recognised and the visiting T&T X Men claimed the Over-50 title, while NTC took home the Over-40 prize.
The competition was keenandseveralstalwartsof
yesteryearshoweduptojoin in the celebrations. In the endT&TXMenclaimedthe first prize among the O-50’s after getting past Pele Masters 1-0, collecting the US $2,500 prize and trophy sponsored by Banks Beer Pele walked away with US $1,000andtrophysponsored by SuperBet Linden Masters finished third and wererewardedwithUS$500 and trophy sponsored by
Theindividualawardsin this segment saw Trevor Isaacs (Pele Masters USA) being awarded as the best goalkeeper on show, Basil Burke(T&TXMen)wasthe top goalscorer with seven, Julian Moteley (T&T X Men) was the best O-50 defenderandWesleyCharles (Pele Masters USA) the O50MVP In the Over-40’s
segment, NTC Masters beat BeaconFC4-1inthefinalto collect the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports US$2,500purseandtrophy, while Beacon had to settle for US $1,000 sponsored by Malta Supreme Bartica Masters finished third and got the G&J Phone Card Investment US $500 and trophy
Among the individual standouts were Stephen Roberts (NTC) the best goalkeeper, Devon Forde (NTC) with the most goals (7), Jermaine Brown (NTC) the best O-40 defender and Phillip Rowley (NTC) the MVP Sixty-seven-year-old James Sullivan of GFC Masters was the oldest playeronshow
Among the sponsors were; The Off Road Experience, Guyana Football Federation, Omega Logistics, Omega Express, Tami’sOnlineStore&WalkIn-Closet, Alpha7, Banks Beer, Malta, Powerade, Kings and Queen Multi Complex Mall, Vita Malt, R&F Wholesale Depot, Clayton McCloud, G&N Construction, Leroy Beresford, WJ Enterprise, Superbet, Lucozade, MMT Media LLC and Sigma Digitals. Ralph Green and Gold Drops also supported withindividualprizes.
Anumberofpastplayers were recognised for their contributions to local football over the years, with some being present.Among the players mentioned were: Gordon Brathwaite, Deon Barnwell, Terrence Archer, Adrian Forde, Trevor Maxwell, Neville “Zipper” Johnson, Marlon De Souza, Denzil “Hunky brains”
Thompson, Wendell “Figaro”Sandiford,Gregory “Jacky Chan” Richardson,
Charles “Lilly” Pollard, Randolph Jerome, Vibert DeFreitas, Phillip Young of Bartica, Rudolph “Chow” Hunte and Michael Pierre.
Trevor Isaacs, Nigel Massiah and Anthony Beresford were also among thoserecognised.
Former national captain Maurice Enmore of Santos FCandGuyana’sfirstWorld Cup captain in 1976 against Surinamewaslaudedforhis trailblazing leadership
Another standout veteran is Earle O’Neal, national captainfrom1977to1980.
A special posthumous tribute was paid to Hubert “Senor” Brathwaite, British Guianacaptainfrom1955to 1964 and a standout defender during the Caribbean’s1959tourofthe UnitedKingdom.
Meanwhile, other distinguished names include MontyHopeofStBarnabas; Sanbach Parker, British Guiana captain in 1965; George Green of Thomas United;andComptonJulian, who represented YMCA,
Thomas United and British Guiana—allmembersofthe Caribbean touring squad to theUnitedKingdomin1959.
Lewis “Waterboat” Weithers, the dynamic St BarnabasandBritishGuiana left winger who represented the Caribbean against Suriname in Paramaribo in 1952, was also honoured, alongside Emmanuel “Mam Man” DeSouza, British Guianacaptainfrom1950to 1954, who also represented the Caribbean team against Jamaica at Sabina Park and Surinamein1952.
Statistician Charwayne Walker and the Kaieteur Sports Department were noted for efforts in highlighting the event and the contributions of sportsmen and women over theyears.
Thetournamentreceived the blessing of the Office of His Excellency, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, under the One Guyana sports initiative, further underscoring its national significance.
BBC Sport - Boxing
greats Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have agreed a professional rematchinSeptember.
Pacquiao, 47, and Mayweather,48,willfightat Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday, 19 September, withtheboutliveonNetflix.
Former world champion Mayweather announced he
political career in 2021 but returned to the ring last July to fight WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, who retained his title after a draw Mayweather and Pacquiaofirstmetin2015,in whatwasbilledasthe‘Fight oftheCentury’. It was Mayweather who
emerged victorious, beating Pacquiao via a wide unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao said: “Floyd and I gave the world what remains the biggest fight in boxinghistory
“The fans have waited long enough. They deserve
would come out of retirement for a fourth time lastweek.
ItwillbetheAmerican’s first professional fight since beating mixed martial arts fight Conor McGregor with a 10th-round technical knockoutin2017.
Eight-weight world champion Pacquiao retired fromthesporttofocusonhis
The two teams haven’t met in internationals since the Asia Cup in September last year. (Asian Cricket)
ESPNcricinfoAfghanistan will host Sri Lanka for the first time in March for a multi-format white-ball series, with three ODIs and three T20Is to be played in the UAE from March13to25.
TheT20I leg of the tour willbeplayedinSharjahon March 13, 15 and 17. The ODI leg will be played in Dubai on March 20, 22 and 25.
TheT20Iserieswillstart just five days after the T20 WorldCupendsonMarch8.
TheODIserieswillendjust onedaybeforeboththeIPL
and PSL get underway on March26.Playersfromboth countries - Dasun Shanaka, Rashid Khan, Kusal Perera and Noor Ahmad, among others - are in various squads across the two franchisecompetitions.
This will be only the second bilateral T20I series betweenthetwoteams.The first time was in February 2024. In ODIs, this will be the fourth bilateral series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka after previous meetings in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
thisrematch.
“IwantFloydtolivewith the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave ittohim.”
Mayweather said: “I already fought and beat Manny once. This time will bethesameresult.”
MastersInternationalfootballtourneyasuccessas T&TXMencaptureO-50title,NTCMasterswinO-40’s