Guyana’s failure to complete first oil audit exposes govt’s inability to scrutinise ExxonMobil’s multi-
Patterson calls for investigation into foundation at Gasto-Energy project
mount as U.S. and Iran reports of defective 5-year-old needs
US$25,000 for cancer treatment — just a year after losing his mother to the disease
KaidenWilliams
Crime Chief: DPP orders police
to keep ‘Paper Shorts’ murder probe open
Fire destroys section of Enmore children’s home ...THREEINJURED, 33DISPLACED
Theaftermathofthefire.
Patterson calls for investigation into reports of defective foundation at Gas-to-Energy project
The interim leader of the AllianceForChange(AFC),David Patterson is calling on the government of Guyana (GoG) to investigate reports of defective foundation works at the flagship Gas-to-Energy (GTE) still under construction at Wales, West Bank Demerara.
In an interview with this newspaper, Patterson said, “there have been reports of defective foundation works, which requires further investigation and rectification works, even before these generation sets can be connectedtothepipeline.”
He cautioned that proceeding without any corrective action or review of the claims will lead to a potentialmajordisaster
OnJuly7,2026,KaieteurNews reported that sources close to the multi-billion-dollar project, including project insiders and subcontractors, pointed out potential structural integrity challenges
According to these sources, concerns have been raised regarding the concrete piles driven into the ground and the concrete pouredforthefoundationworksat thesite.
This publication understands that the concrete failure was flagged by specialised testing conducted on-site by Beston Consulting, an engineering firm involvedintheproject.Bestonwas reportedly hired to conduct rigorous,real-timeconcretetesting.
According to sources familiar with the site operations, tests
conducted at this laboratory have flagged instances where concrete pours failed to meet the strict structural and compressive strength-requirementsspecifiedfor theproject.
Technical officers advised that in heavy industrial construction, foundation concrete must meet precise design strengths to support
massive machinery, including heavy industrial gas turbines and high-pressure processing facilities. Anydeviationfromthesestandards risks uneven settlement, structural cracking, and long-term operationalhazards.
The reported findings raise urgentquestionsabouttheextentof the concrete deviations identified
Interim Leader of the AFC and former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson
by Beston’s on-site lab and the reason for the lack of public disclosure or technical updates regarding these quality control challenges from the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Natural Resources as well as the GTE Taskforce.
According to s
s, “Industrial gas and steam turbines areincrediblydelicate,highly
Continued on page 8
An aerial view of the GTE project site
Guyana’s failure to complete first oil audit exposes govt’s inability to scrutinise
Guyana has yet to completeitsfirst a u d i t o f ExxonMobil’s expenses for the 1999–2017 period — a gap the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has flagged since 2021 as clear
e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e
government lacks the capacity to properly assess the company’s claims
Roughly US$1.6 billion in costs Guyana is obligated to reimburse for exploration activities in the Stabroek Block,isatstake.
Tom Sanzillo, IEEFA’s
Director of Financial Analysis,saidtheunfinished audit points to a deeper problem than a missed deadline. “The inability to complete an audit of costs
…Report warns
thatwereincurredmorethan 20 years ago demonstrates t h a t t h e G u y a n e s e governmentisnotcapableof assessing a claim for payment,” he said. “The implications go far beyond the audit and affect the ability of Guyana to protect itsinterests.”
The initial audit was carriedoutbyIHS-Markit,a British consulting firm. The team identified US$214 million in costs it said had beenwrongfullyaddedtothe cost bank expenses Guyana would otherwise absorb through reduced future revenue and recommended the government pursue
First Bauxite sold to Strategic Bauxite in ownership shake-up Exxon’s multi-billion-dollar expenses
...company says acquisition will fuel growth, investment and long-term expansion
FirstBauxitehasannouncedachangeinownership,with thecompanyconfirmingthatithasenteredintoanagreement under which Strategic Bauxite has acquired the mining company The announcement was made in a press release issued by First Bauxite on July 15, 2026.According to the company, the acquisition represents a “milestone” that will position First Bauxite for further growth, investment and long-termdevelopmentofitsoperationsinGuyana.
FirstBauxiteChiefExecutiveOfficerRalfSchoenfelder said the transaction reflects the strength of the company’s assets, the commitment of its employees and the future potentialofitsoperations.
“This transaction reflects the quality of our assets, the dedicationofouremployees,andthestrongfuturepotential ofouroperations,”Schoenfeldersaid.
Headdedthatthecompanywaspleasedtopartnerwithan owner that shares its commitment to responsible mining, environmental stewardship, safety and sustainable development. First Bauxite assured that its operations will continue without interruption during the transition period, addingthatexistingcommitmentstoemployees,customers, suppliers, host communities and government stakeholders willremainunchanged.
Meanwhile,MichaelSmith,GeneralPartnerofStrategic Bauxite, said the new owners were looking forward to workingwithFirstBauxite’semployees,managementteam, customers, communities and government partners “We believe the Company has significant growth opportunities andwearecommittedtosupportingitscontinuedsuccess,” Smithstated.
The company said it remains committed to maintaining high standards of safety, environmental performance, regulatorycomplianceandcommunityengagement.
First Bauxite, which focuses on the development and production of high-quality bauxite resources in Guyana, did not disclose the financial details of the transaction The companysaidadditionalinformationontheacquisitionwillbe providedasnecessary
country’s interests are
recovery of that sum
IEEFA’s report frames the stalledauditasasymptomof weak project management within government, arguing that stronger oversight capacity is essential if Guyana is to hold its own overthelifeoftheagreement withExxonMobil.
The consequences of inaction are significant IEEFAwarnedthatfailingto resolvethe1999–2017audit leaves Guyana exposed to accepting the contractor’s back claims in full. Should the government continue to delay, the report noted, ExxonMobilretainstheright to pursue the matter through
litigation.
The Institute urged Guyana to move quickly to build a professional team capable of representing its interests in cost recovery disputes. “Although the governmentisintheprocess of assembling such a team through a contract process,
remains outstanding,” the
transparency from both sides: “It is plain that both the contractor and the government possess more information that would clarify the actual business arrangement between the
not being protected
contractor.”
reached agreement on the original audit findings.As a result, both parties are now seeking to appoint a sole experttoresolvethedispute, a mechanism built into the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) If the expert determines the
improperly charged, Exxon willberequiredtocreditthe amount back to the cost bank.
Under Article 26 of the PSA, if the parties cannot agreeonasoleexpertwithin
30 days, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)willappointoneunder i t s R u l e s f o r t h e AppointmentofExpertsand Neutrals. Article 26.10 further requires that “the Parties shall cooperate fully intheexpeditiousconductof such expert determination and provide the expert with accesstoallfacilities,books, records, documents, information and personnel necessary to make a fully informed decision in an expeditious manner” The expert is expected to render anopinionwithin30daysof appointment, and no later than60days.
On Thursday the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) announced that it was scrapping School Based Assessments (SBAs) for a number of subjects as part of sweeping reforms to preserve the integrity of the examinationsandthequalificationsagainstwidespreaduse ofArtificialIntelligencebystudents.
Many persons are of the view that this should have happenedalongtimeago,buthasnowbeenforceduponthe councilwiththewidespreaduseofArtificialIntelligenceby studentstocompletetheirSBAsandteachersunabletokeep apace.
Thisissueisnotonlyattheschoollevel,lecturersatthe Cyril Potter College of Education have complained about theissueaswell.
Foryears,everyoneknewwhatwashappeningwiththe SBAs. Parents were helping their children with their projects. Teachers were also “helping” a bit too much. Additionally,therearecaseshereinGuyanawherestudents are buying completed SBAs online or from former candidatesandevenpersonshavemadeittheirbusinessto writeSBAsatapriceforstudents.
ThencameChatGPTandavarietyofotherAItoolsthat can churn out essays and research papers in minutes, complicatingtheideathateverySBArepresentedastudent’s own work. So, CXC has now acknowledged what had becomeclearandwhileitsdiagnosisiscorrect,thesolution cannot simply be to replace SBAs with what it announced willbesupervisedPaper032examinations.
It must be made clear that several of the subjects from which SBAs are now being removed never had SBAs to begin with. Less than twenty years ago, Mathematics, English, and several other theory-based subjects were assessed successfully without this ongoing assessment component.
AtthetimewhenthesesubjectswereaddedtotheSBA listthegoalwastoencourageresearch,criticalthinking,and independent learning. However, technology has outpaced thesystem.Itisthereforethecorrectthingbeingdonenow by CXC to revert to the old system where SBAs are only requiredforsubjectswherepracticalskillscannoteasilybe tested in a written exam. Subject such as: Agriculture Science,VisualArts,Music,PhysicalEducation,Foodand Nutrition, Technical Drawing, and similar fields require students to demonstrate skills rather than just recall information.
A student cannot ask artificial intelligence to plant a crop, perform a musical recital, complete a physical exercise, or produce an original piece of artwork under supervision Practical subjects deserve practical assessments. Nevertheless, however, laudable this reform may seem, it exposes a much larger issue and that is; Artificialintelligenceisnotgoingaway
It is now incumbent on learning institutions to start teachingstudentshowtouseAIandothertoolsresponsibly. So too must employers, as they will soon increasingly expect their employees to understand AI, just as earlier generations were expected to know how to use calculators andcomputers.
Teachersalsoneedmuchmoretraining.Manyeducators still do not understand AI’s capabilities and limits and as such,withoutpropertraining,teacherscannotspotmisuse, guide students ethically, or redesign assessments that will trulymeasuretheirstudents’ability
Incidentally,backin2024speakingataCXCministerial forum,PresidentIrfaanAlihadsoundedthealarm,pointing outthenthatdigitalsolutionsandAIcanbeinstrumentalin improving access to education, better learning options for persons living with disabilities, reduced administrative burdensonteachersandevenpersonalisedlearningtocater toeachstudent’sneeds.
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated the needtoembracedigitalsolutionsineducation,ascountries wereunpreparedforthis.
“ByincorporatingAIresponsibly,wecanempowerour
Greater transparency of the results of the National Grade Six Assessment is needed
DEAREDITOR,
T h e r e c e n t announcement of the 2026 NGSAresults has generated public interest and discussions among parents, educators, and members of thewidersociety,withmany questioning whether the distribution of the standardized scores reflects genuine differences in the results of candidates. With that said, I write to express my concerns regarding the lack of transparency of the results presented by the Honourable Minister of Education on 10th June, 2026, and the subsequent placementoftheselearners.
Fromtheoutset,Iwishto congratulate the fifteen thousand,sevenhundredand six learners who wrote the National Grade Six Assessment. I also wish to congratulate the dedicated teachers and parents who offeredguidanceandsupport to these learners Their achievements represent a collective effort by both parentsandteachers.
Nonetheless, the
announcement of these results also requires the Ministry of Education to disclose the details of the statistical standardization processes involved in the tabulation of scores. Given thereportedconcentrationof high standardized scores, many teachers and parents are questioning whether the National Grade Six Assessment continues to possess the discriminatory power to distinguish among candidates with varying abilities However, this conclusion can only be reachediftheitemdifficulty indices, item discrimination indices, score distribution, validity evidence and reliability coefficients are madepublic.
Of equal concern, many parents and teachers have justifiably expressed their dissatisfaction with the placement of learners who attained as much as 97% of the total standardized score since public confidence depends on transparency These learners were placed at schools within their
catchment area while p r e v i o u s l y, t h e s e percentages had earned learners a placement at one of the country’s senior secondaryschools.Concerns have been expressed that many schools to which learners were assigned lack theresourcesavailabletothe senior secondary schools, andassuch,placelearnersat arelativedisadvantage.
Additionally, the placements of these candidates may have caused disappointment and emotional stress among learners who dedicated their timetoachievinghighscores in hope that attaining over 95% in the National Grade Six Examination will guarantee them one of the fivetopschools.
Taking this into consideration,arewesaying to these learners that no matterhowhardtheyworkto attainover90%,theirdream schoolswillalwaysbeoutof theirreach?
To maintain the integrity of any national assessment, transparency is of utmost
importance It also strengthens public trust in the Ministry of Education to provide fair and credible results of assessments Accordingly, I wish to recommendthattheMinistry of Education discloses the evidence of the validity and reliability of the National GradeSixAssessmentwhich indicate that the assessment m e a s u r e s s t u d e n t achievement accurately and consistently I strongly recommend that validity evidence, item difficulty indices, item discriminationindices,score distribution and reliability coefficients be made available to allow the public to independently evaluate thefairnessandcredibilityof the assessment. Our parents, teachersandlearnersdeserve toknowtheprocessinvolved in the tabulation and placement of these candidates.
Yoursrespectfully, Dr.GordonBarker MemberofParliament Shadow Minister of Education
Govt’s Housing Push Leaves ‘No Excuse’ for Squatting
DEAREDITOR,
MinisterofLegalAffairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, yet again had to articulatethat“…thelaw(in Guyana) provides no protection for persons who unlawfully occupy state lands, government reserves, or public reserves, and (as such)thegovernmentwillbe compelledtotakefirmaction to address the growing problem of squatting across the country.” This is like a relentless oozing sore in Guyana,andithastobemost tiresome for the Attorney Generaltobeatthisproblem almostadinfinitum.
Asweallagree,andquite rightly so, the Guyana
Government is most proactiveinseekingtofoster housing developments and therefore is not going to aid and abet squatting. Citizens
arefullyawarethattheycan pursue the ambition of ‘lot andhouseownership’viathe assigned Central Housing & PlanningAuthority(CHPA), albeit they have the due processofthewaitingperiod for‘thingstofallintoplace,’ but‘nofear’here,solongas the applicants meet the specific age and residency requirements.
The minister lucidly made this known during his weekly show, ‘Issues in the News,’ during which he indicatedthatwhile‘demand for land often exceeds supply,’“thisdoesnotjustify squatting.”Iaddthatnothing reallyjustifiessquatting,and I say this even without thinking about the c o n s e q u e n c e s , environmentally and medically.
The minister, as such,
students to become not just consumers of technology, but achieveethicalparticipantsinitsdevelopmentanduse…Let usfocusonhowwecanacceleratedigitallearning,reducethe digital divide, and makeAI a tool of progress rather than a sourceoffear,”PresidentAliasserted.
With the world rapidly evolving, President Ali said the Caribbean risks falling behind –like in every industrial revolution–iftheCaribbeanremainsunpreparedtoharness AIasatoolofprogress.
w a r n e d t h a t t h e administration maintains a ‘zero-tolerance’approach to illegal occupation of public lands, while continuing to expand access to legal housingandlandownership. He cogently iterated that “We (PPP/C) have a notolerancepolicyinrelationto s q u a t t i n g , ” w h i l e simultaneously encouraging eligible citizens to apply through the government’s housing, agricultural and industrial land- distribution programmes.
According to the Attorney General, “Guyana operates one of the region’s mostaggressivehousingand l a n d - d i s t r i b u t i o n programmes, with significant investments being made to transform undevelopedlandsintofully serviced residential communities.”Henotedthat in contrast to the previous administrations, this government, the PPP/C, does not allocate undeveloped plots He referenced that “Instead, landsarefirstequippedwith essential infrastructure, including roads, drainage systems, potable water, electricityandotherservices before being distributed to beneficiaries.” Editor, on this note of Guyana’s aggressive housing drive that the AG alludedto,Ipointreaderstoa fewimportantthingsthatare ongoing and should be capitalised on. It is a fact, undisputed too, that the current government has facilitated, and is facilitating, quite a number ofavenuesandprovisionsto Continued on page 5
the integrity of Caribbean qualifications is more important than maintaining outdated assessment methods. However, thisshouldbeseenonlyasthefirststep,asitwoulddowellto take heed to President Ali’s suggestions in integrating AI responsiblyintotheformaleducationsystem. Theonusisnowupontheregionalexaminationbodyand other stakeholders including governments to redesign Caribbean education quickly enough to ensure that qualifications continue to reflect genuine knowledge, true competence, and honest achievement in the age of artificial intelligence.
Economic policies cannot succeed in an institutional vacuum
DEAREDITOR,
The recent article by PeepingTom, “The resource curse is a disease of economics before it is a disease of institutions” offers a flawed premise by fighting a strawman; no seriouseconomistclaimsthataphysicalasset like oil lithium is inherently cursed. The article therefore conflates an asset with a process where both economics and governance intersect Instead, the real “curse” is a predictable process of systemic distortion triggered when sudden and massive windfall or capital inflow overwhelms a country with weak absorptive capacity that includes both economic and institutionalfoundations.
The author mistakenly tries to isolate economicsfromgovernance,yetthetwoare completely inseparable Corruption in petrostates perfectly illustrates this intersection: a sudden flood of oil cash is an economic event, but how it is spent is a governance event The most prominent manifestation of this is corrupt public procurement¯astandardcrisisinpetrostates where public officials rig massive infrastructurecontracts.Thissimultaneously drains the national treasury (an economic
blow)andevisceratestheruleoflawthrough bribery and lack of competitive bidding (an institutional collapse). For Guyana, pointing to Norway as a model is deeply misleading; Norway’s success was entirely built on strong, democratic institutions that predated its oil boom by generations. Let this point sinkin.
Thetrue,urgenttemplatesforGuyanaare resource-richdevelopingnationswhereweak institutional foundations allowed immense wealth to fuel systemic corruption and economic stagnation The development literatureisfullofexamples.Whiletheauthor correctly notes that we must build structures to transform natural wealth into human development, the article’s own logic collapses by underestimating the very governance frameworks needed to achieve this. We cannot separate the management of our oil from the strength of our state institutions.
If Guyana is to escape the paradox of plenty ¯ the resource curse ¯ we must stop pretending that economic policies can succeedinaninstitutionalvacuum.
Sincerely,
TerenceM.Yhip
Govt’s Housing Push Leaves ‘No...
Frompage4 help aspirants obtain that ‘once elusive’ dream of ‘houseownership.’
First,thereisthemassive ‘SubsidizedHouseLots(and Ispeakinnumbersandcost), as via the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), numberless allocateesacquireresidential lots,heavilysubsidized,asin upto85%.
Myrecentcheckshowed that Housing in the US is significantlymoreexpensive than in Guyana. In the US, housingcostsroughly226% higher overall than in Guyana Purchasing or building a home in Guyana typically ranges from $200,000 to $450,000 USD for a 2,000-square-foot home, whereas the US median home price sits around$420,000. Addthemortgageburden in the US, and home ownership takes a family into the second generation mostreadily
I advise readers to become au fait with the fact
that the government collaborateswithlocalbanks in offering very reduced interest rates and expanded mortgageceilings.
Then how about the actual Construction Assistance via the Home Construction Assistance Programme, and the Ministry of Housing and Water’s provision of technicalguidance?
So, the mind-boggling q u e s t i o n i s “ W h y squatting?”
Leaving the local
scenario, I think that we all know that squatting on illegal land poses severe, documented risks to human health due to the absence of b a s i c m u n i c i p a l infrastructure, safe housing materials, and legal
protections In fact, according to UN-Habitat reports, over one billion people globally reside in informal or unauthorized settlements, facing disproportionateexposureto environmental,physical,and psychologicalhazards. It means if squatters are left to their own whims and fancies, at least that particular squatting locale willfurnishapotentialhaven forallkindsofproblemsthat will be very costly to the peopleandthegovernment.I think here in terms of contaminatedwater,asalack of potable water forces squatters into use of unsafe water sources, that can spawn recurrent diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. There isalsothefrighteningreality
of inadequate waste disposal, as the absence of formal trash collectionleads to illegal dumping and stagnant wastewater,
The urgent serious problem between Comrade Ali and Comrade Mohamed
DEAREDITOR,
I have looked at the video released by ComradeAli and I have looked at the video released by Comrade Mohamed concerning the scandal around the presidential farm. Thesetwooldfriendsandleadersofthetwo largestpoliticalpartiesinthecountryareboth facing serious criminal allegations and pulling down the reputation of our beautiful Guyana in the process. At this juncture it is importantthattheymeetanddiscussthepath forward We must avoid violent confrontations, and they must both make amends to our nation for their alleged wrongdoing.
We live in a world today that is at war Those declared war criminals by the InternationalCourtofJusticecontinuetolive freely without their strong allies bringing themtoanswerfortheircrimes.Mustweasa small simple nation also follow the bad example that they are setting and not seek justice for the people of our nation who are affectedbytheactionsofthoseinleadership?
Or must we demand that each of the two leaders take a path that will ensure that they payforthewrongthattheyhavedone?
additionalamountequaltothevalueofwhat hasbeenstolenpaidasafine.Thisistheold wayofdealingwiththiscrimeoftheftandis beingpresentedasapossiblesolutionforthe judiciary to consider If it were left to their religious beliefs both of them may end up with a hand being amputated. Financial restitution will help bring back order and remove the increasing tension within our society, and reduce the temptation for violence amongst their supporters. Most alarming is the recent allegation made by Comrade Ali that Comrade Mohamed is accused of murder, and only after the farm wasexposedtothepublicwasthecaselinked to Comrade Mohamed reopened. Why the delay? This should raise the alarm for all Guyanese. Justice appears to have had been delayed and appears to be only used as a weaponofconvenienceandretaliationinthis case. If our judicial system was free of corruption, it would not require a comment from the highest office in the land to get the process restarted. This suggests that prior interventioninthiscasehadoccurred.
creating breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes. I think also of the inconvenience of unsanitary shared facilities leading to overuse of communal toilets that will definitely lead to increase in the transmission speed of infectious gastrointestinal andskininfections.
S o , w h e n t h e administration is ‘talking about an end to squatting’ and making provisions for affordable housing, it is about the human factor as well.Allcountriesthriveona salutiferous environment, and it is good to know that this is an ongoing quest of thePPP/C.
I fully agree that there is thereforenow“…noexcuse togoandsquat…”,astheAG laconically enunciated. I am also aghast that opposition forces are still publicly sympathising with informal settlers, particularly in disputeswhereresidentsface eviction from both private andstateproperties.Nogood force will ever tolerate the suffusion of that which is non-salutaryanddeleterious.
Yourstruly, HargeshB.Singh
What does it mean to pay for the wrong that they have done? In the case of theft, financial restitution must be made. All that has been stolen must be returned with an
Given the circumstances around the allegationsoftheftinbothcases,bothleaders should demit office and seek a pardon for theft from a newly elected president so jail timeisavoided,butfinancialrestitutionmust Continued on page 6
ExxonMobil contract boat done gone ah falls
DEAREDITOR,
With regards to the lopsided Guyana/ ExxonMobil oil contract, boat done gone ah falls. Meaning, we may have missed the golden opportunity to renegotiate this lopsided oil contract.We’re being bilked for billions of dollars by ExxonMobil. The majorityofGuyanesecitizensdonotseemto be overtly concerned, preferring the “crumbs”fromthemaster’stable.
DPP orders police to keep ‘Paper Shorts’ murder probe open - Crime Chief
Troy Singh, owner ofanEccles,East Bank Demerara tint shop, was released on $200,000 bail after 15:00h on Thursday, days after being arrested at his Eccles home on Tuesday morning. His attorney, Yuborn Allicock, confirmed the release to Kaieteur News, saying he had “requested reasonable bail,” noting that Singhrecentlyhadababy.
Crime Chief Wendell
Blanhum told this newspaper that the probe remains ongoing. “The only personvestedwiththepower to recommend that an investigation be closed, more so, a murder investigation,istheDirector of Public Prosecutions (DPP),”Blanhumsaid.“The lastadviceobtainedfromthe DPP was for the Police to
c o n d u c t ‘ f u r t h e r investigations ’ As a consequence,thatiswhatthe Policehavebeendoing.”
The long-running investigation into the March 2021 killing of Ricardo ‘Paper Shorts’Fagundes has pickeduppaceoverthepast eight days, with several people being taken into custody and subsequently released.
Up to press time last night, Mechanic Satrohan
…as tint shop owner released on bail
Rajkumar, known as “Depo,” was still being detained.
Meanwhile, before his release, Singh’s attorney alleged that investigators pressuredhisclienttofalsely implicateOppositionLeader Azruddin Mohamed. “My client related to me that the police are pressuring him to implicate Mohamed in the said murder by stating that Mr Mohamed had ordered him to tint the white Fielder wagon…healsosaidthathe has no knowledge of that,” Allicock said Singh has maintained he only tinted high-end vehicles for Mohamed and knows
nothing about the white ToyotaFielderbelievedtobe the getaway vehicle used in the2021killing.
Mohamed has criticised the Guyana Police Force’s handling of the case, pointing to July 2025 transaction documents showingtheFielderwassold to Shemroy Omar Stewart, an associate of convicted drugtraffickerRogerKhan.
TheOfficeoftheLeader of the Opposition subsequently issued a statement condemning what it said are plans to arrest Mohamed and alleged he is being drawn into the Fagundes case to “divert
Person believed to be a Special Branch driver showing obscene gesture (Photo source: LOO Facebook page)
public attention from allegations he has levelled against President Irfaan Ali overhisfarm.
Mohamed has denied any involvement in the murder and has called the allegations against him fabricated and politically motivated.
The Leader of the Opposition’s office also raised concerns that at least fiveSpecialBranchvehicles
remained stationed near Mohamed’s residences and other locations he frequents throughouttheday,callingit an“unnecessaryexpenditure of public funds.” It further alleged that the police presence is a spurce of distress for Mohamed’s family, including young children, and that an officer was filmed making an obscene gesture toward familymembers.
The urgent serious problem between...
Frompage5 bemade.Suchapardoncouldbeagreedupon with the National Assembly prior to their departure with the added condition that they will permanently retire from holding public office This suggestion does not mean bypassing the judiciary, but is a suggestion forthejudiciarytoconsidertohelppreventa surgeinviolencethatcouldleadtothekilling of innocent civilians. For cases that involve moreseriousallegations,suchasthetakingof life,theseallegationsmustalsobedealtwith by the judicial authorities in a manner reflectingthelaw
The direction chosen by the National Assembly in this urgent and serious matter between these two Comrades must be one
that is guided by a desire for a solution that brings justice without violence. This means thattheNationalAssemblymustactanddoso in a pressing manner that is transparent and decisive so peace may be maintained within our society Furthermore, a commission of inquiry (CoI) must be held to look into the functioning or lack thereof of the judicial system, with the objective of removing corruption and obstacles that prevent the smooth functioning of our nation’s judicial system. A reputable and independent 3rd party with extensive experience in the functioning of the global judicial system shouldleadtheCoI.
Withutmostconcern Mr JamilChanglee
Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed
On bail: Troy Singh
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
Blanked by Spain
Spain has perfected the art of selective friendship.When it comes to investment opportunities, Guyana’s oil wealth is impossible to ignore. But when it comes to welcoming Guyanese citizens, suddenly the red carpet is rolled up and the visa forms come out.
Madrid has found room for nine CARICOM states on its visa-free list, yet somehow the region’s fastest-growing economy was conveniently forgotten. Curious, isn’t it?
Spain appears happy to chase Guyana’s prosperity while keeping Guyanese at arm’s length. That is diplomacy with one hand outstretched for business and the other firmly on the immigration gate. Guyana should not respond with wounded pride, but neither should it pretend this slight means nothing. Respect in international relations cannot flow in only one direction. If Guyana is good enough for Spain’s investors, it ought to be good enough for Guyanese travellers too.
Guyana, Suriname Ferry Service to introduce online booking system
Travellers between Guyana and Suriname will soon be able to book their ferry crossings online, following a joint bilateral meeting between the boards of the Canawaima Ferry Service of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname held on Wednesday in Nickerie, Suriname.
According to the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), the meeting was convened to chart strategic i
modernising the ferry service, with the new booking platform emerging as one of several key outcomes.
B o t h
s committed to rolling out an integrated online booking system designed to cut waiting times and improve o
c
e operational, the platform will allow passengers and vehicle owners to make advance reservations and
purchase tickets around the clock. The system will also support automated booking confirmations and real-time capacity management, giving operators better tools forplanningandscheduling.
To support the rollout, both boards committed to maintaining a reliable and continuous daily ferry schedule, and agreed to collaborate closely on the
implementation.
Discussionsalsocovered the planned drydocking of
Guyana and Suriname’s principal link, with the local terminal located at Moleson Creek, Corentyne.
the MV Canawaima and an overhaulofitsmainengines, work aimed at ensuring the vessel’s continued safe and reliableoperation.Proposals for technical cooperation to
support this effort will be considered through the appropriate processes During the maintenance period,arrangementswillbe made to keep ferry operations running via a replacementvessel.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of theCo-operativeRepublicof Guyana and the Republic of Suriname to the ongoing development of the Canawaima Ferry Service
Discussions centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation, improving operational performance, enhancing service quality, and reinforcing institutional resilience.
The ministry noted that astheprimarymaritimelink
between the two countries, theferryserviceplaysavital role in facilitating the movement of passengers, vehicles, and cargo, while supporting trade, tourism, andregionalintegration.
B
commitment to delivering a safe, reliable, and efficient serviceforthemutualbenefit ofcitizensofbothnations.
The Canawaima Ferry Service operates between South Drain, Suriname, and Moleson Creek, Corentyne, Guyana It is jointly managed by Guyana’s MoPW, through the Transport and Harbours Department(T&HD),andits counterpart agency in Suriname.
Pattersoncallsfor...
Frompage2
engineered machines.They operate at extreme temperatures and rotational speeds exceeding 3,000 RPM. For these units torunsafely,theconcretefoundationssupportingthemmust remain perfectly level, rigid, and completely free from differential settlement, meaning one side of the foundation cannot sink even a fraction of a millimeter more than the other.”
Experts warn that even a microscopic misalignment of a turbine shaft, measured in microns, can have catastrophic consequences. It can trigger severe rotational vibrations, rapidbearingwear,andshaftfatigue.Inaworst-casescenario, misalignment causes “blade rub”—where rotating blades spinoutofbalanceandimpactthestationarycasing,causing catastrophicmechanicalfailureandthetotaldestructionofa turbineworthtensofmillionsofdollars.
Furthermore,thisnewspaperwaswarned,“Ifafoundation is discovered to be defective after concrete has cured, the remediation is an engineering nightmare. Unlike a standard commercial building, you cannot simply patch a turbine foundation. Correcting a failed pour typically requires complete demolition of the massive, heavily reinforced concretefoundationblock;chippingawaycuredconcreteand denserebarcageswithoutdamagingtheunderlyingpiles;redrivingpilesorperformingcomplexunderpinning,followed byacompleterepouringoftheconcrete.”
According to industry specialists, such a remediation processcaneasilydelayaprojectby6to18monthsandcost tensofmillionsofUSdollarsindirectconstructioncosts. Forhispart,PattersontoldKaieteurNewsthattheGoGis well aware of the defects and delays but continues to “deceive”thepublicthroughpublicrelationsstuntsclaiming completionofthetransmissionlinestodistributepower,with no electricity to be generated at Wales until the end of this year
Although government has said the project will be completedbyDecember2026,Pattersonbelievesthatthereis nodefinitivedeadlineforthescheme.
He said, “A project that was slated to be completed by 2024,nowdoesnothaveadefinitiveenddate,whichiswhy the PPPwere forced to renew the rental agreement with the 36MWpowershipforanadditionaltwoyears,sincetheyare well aware that this project has about that time period to be completed,ifiteverwillbecompleted.”
Theearlybirdcatchestheworm
Of course, the worm has n e v e r h a d l e g a l representation. Nor has it had to find parking on RegentStreet.
If you really want to understand Georgetown’s parking crisis, you must rise beforedawn.
Not because you have suddenly developed an enthusiasm for sunrise or bird watching, but because onlythosewhoarrivebefore thecityawakenscanwitness how quickly the city’s limited number of parking spacesbeingoccupied.
Long before the heavy traffic begins, long before the office workers begin their ritual of arriving for work, long before the first government office unlocks its doors, the curbside parkingonRegentStreetand aroundtheothercommercial arteriesisalreadyoccupied.
By whom? By the vehicles owned or used by vendorswhohavecolonised thepavements,parapets.
Theremainingspacesare then swiftly occupied by employees of government ministries, banks, insurance companies and private businesses. This all happens wellbefore8:00a.m.
Yet every time someone proposes a parking solution it usually involves the need toprovidemoreparking.The latest incarnation of this solution involves the need for multi-level parking
garages. Itisanappealingfantasy
The problem is not that Georgetown lacks parking.
The problem is that
Georgetown contains more economic activity than the physical city was ever designedtoaccommodate.
This is rather like trying to solve obesity by purchasingalargerbelt.The belt may become more accommodating, but the underlying problem remains enthusiasticallyintact.
People point to multistoriedparkingasasolution.
But history has already conducted the experiment.
PortofSpaintrieditdecades ago.Sodidothercities.
Trinidad discovered something fascinating about humannature.Peopledidnot particularly enjoy parking several hundred yards away and then walking to their destination under a tropical sunwhilecarryingshopping bags.
Human beings possess anastonishingpreferencefor parking exactly where they intendtobe.Ifpossible,they would like to drive directly into the supermarket aisle.
WenowhaveonRobbStreet adrive-throughmarket.Cars simply drive through the aisle of vendors on Robb Street,purchasingtheirfruits and vegetables without having to leave their vechicles, and oblivious to thecongestionblocksaway
Dem Boys Seh...
Thenthereisthedelicate subject of illegal vending. Onemustapproachthistopic cautiously because it has becomeournationalversion of discussing relatives who never leave after Christmas dinner
The sidewalks disappear beneath stalls. The curbside disappearsbeneathcaravans. The parking intended for customers quietly transforms into permanent commercial space. Then we wonder why shoppers circle endlessly like vultures searching for an available parkingspace.
If illegal vending were properly regulated or relocated, a remarkable number of parking spaces would suddenly reappear without pouring a single cubicmetreofconcrete.This would constitute the first miracle achieved through enforcement rather than engineering.
The larger issue, however,isthatGeorgetown has outgrown itself. The old city was designed around a r
s, lawyers, accountants, agencies and every conceivable commercial activity all competingforthesamefinite
Parkinglotnowturningfoodcourt
Demboyssehifyuheverwantproofthat Guyana got more entrepreneurs than traffic lights, just tek a slow drive around Georgetown Yuh gon discover that nowadayspeoplesellinganywheredemeye restpon.
Dem boys does got one lucky parking spot by Balwant Singh Hospital, right opposite de hospital on East Street. Just as how some people got lucky seat in church, dem boys got lucky parking space. Nine timesouttaten,itwaitingfuhdemboyslikea faithfuldog.
Nowdemboysain’tgotnothingagainst people hustling. Everybody got fuh mek a living.Butifmillionsfixingupparkingand thendeparkingturnintovending,somebody got to explain whether de project was parking development or mobile restaurant expansion.
Maybenextweeksomebodygonopena barber shop nearby Or a tyre shop in a roundabout.Orafishmarketindemiddleof detrafficlights.Nothingwouldsurprisedem boysnow
And then yuh got de East Bank Public Road, where every few rods got somebody
networkofstreets.
It is the urban planning equivalent of inviting five hundred guests into a drawing room built for fifty andthenexpressingsurprise when someone ends up sittingonthepiano.
Every new business attracts employees. Every employee requires transportation.Almostevery customer arrives with a vehicle Every additional governmentofficegenerates another daily migration into the city Then we announce anotherparkingstudy
The obvious solution is not politically glamorous, which explains why it receives so little attention. Commercialactivitymustbe decentralised Some government ministries, why not the Ministry of Agriculture? for example, couldfunctionperfectlywell outside the city Businesses should be encouraged to establishthemselvesbeyond Georgetown’s increasingly exhausted commercial core.
Schools, government services and commercial
enterprises should no longer be concentrated in Georgetown.
Instead, we continue to behave as though every solution involves squeezing one more person into an already crowded elevator Naturally, a lasting solution requires political courage. Restricting illegal vending requires political courage.
Lim
expansion requires political
requirespoliticalcourage.
Unfortunately, political courage is rather like
property Everyone speaks fondly about it, but remarkablylittleisavailable whenneeded.
The m
ity hesitates over vending. The government hesitates over confronting influential commercialinterests.
Meanwhile, Georgetown continues performing its daily impression of a pressure cooker whose safetyvalvehasbeenwelded shut. So perhaps we should
retire the dream of salvation through another parking garage.
The early bird has already shown us the truth. Bythetimemostofusarrive, the parking spaces have not disappeared.
T
y
y revealed what the city has been trying to tell us all along: Georgetown is not suffering from a parking shortage.Itissufferingfrom anexcessofeverythingelse. And until we summon the courage to reduce the pressure instead of merely expanding parking, the only creature guaranteed to catch anything early in the morning will remain that legendarybird,assuming,of course, it can find somewherelegaltopark.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
selling something at de side of de road. De dangerouspartiswatchingmotorists.
Dem boys nearly decorate somebody bumper de other day because one driver suddenlyslambrakesindemiddleofdelane after spotting a tent selling ‘doubles’. No signal.Nowarning.Justfullemergencystop because apparently buying ‘doubles’ got higherprioritythanroadsafety
Imagine explaining dat accident to de police.
“Whatcausedecollision?”
“Doubles.”
“Excuseme?
“Hotandpeppery?”
“ Dem boys seh Guyanese does react fastertoseeingblackpuddingthanseeinga redtrafficlight.Somepeoplewouldreverse halfamiletobuyroastcornbutcan’treverse intoaproperparkingspace.
Truthis,vendingdonebecomelikebush. Leave one little open space and before yuh blink,somebodydonepitchatent,putouta table, string a tarp and hanging up a sign saying,“GrandOpening.”
Dem boys seh nobody against honest hustling.Butifeveryparkingspacebecome astall,everysidewalkbecomeamarketand every roadside become a shopping mall, soon people gon have to park in Berbice to shopinGeorgetown. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
Fearing no one but God
‘Fearingnoonebutgod.’ The words are a crescendo that crashes on the ear Suddenly,it’scrowded. The space occupied. Lonely, it was. I welcome WIN’s Mr Azruddin Mohamed. There are no losers when a man is ofGod. OnlyGodAlmighty feared. Fear is healthy It spiritualises also. Do thy
damnedest I shall persevere,prevail. It’swhyI recommendthesametoPres Ali and Dr Jagdeo, dear friends. In secular papers, thepreferenceisnottogotoo deepintothisbusinessabout being God fearing. But it aids in self-examination Helps with self-adjustment.
Out of regard for the presidency, I erased using self-correction Selfadjustmentwilldo.
It seems that WIN’s Mohamed has crossed that Rubicon. A proud citizen, who entered God fearing territory Congratulations extended to another brother Welcome, also. Now for a dash of the sobering, a
cautionary note Only a dash, like sprinklings of black pepper To fellow citizens, Christians or otherwise:beholdthosewho quote scripture. And, who does so for his or her own purposes. I have a special fondness for men and women of God. But I must beclear Notthemoneygod. Nor the oil god. Definitely, not the god of darkness and variegated debaucheries. It is why I am so dazzled by thatgodfearingbrother,Pres Ali. He’s forever in some house of worship, isn’t he?
The spirit has taken over him. Theonlyquestionsare: whichoneandofwhatkind.
The same two questions apply to some government ministers and members of the opposition. The same inquiries have even more relevance, more weight and more bearing, to many ministersofreligion. Picka denomination Then pick any of their prophets who doubleasaperformer Recall excellence in
leadership. The god fearing spoke. I tremble. I seek cover Recall those who gave themselves impressive titles that make lesser men swoon, women croon Whenthegodfearingisinto dancing and gyrating for objectives other than the spiritual, now there is a stadiu
n by scorpions. Intakingasurvey across Guyana’s numerous religious denominations, I must be the only pagan, a confirmedhardhearted,stiffnecked agnostic Fearing God,butgoingmyownway Following another star here andthere.
I h e a r A z r u d d i n Mohamed. What is there to fearinmeremortalmen? All they have are their bulldozers, their bulldogs, their bullies, and their bushwhackers. He has to have some knowledge of those, when I consider the company, he once kept. To educate fellow Guyanese, a “bushwhacker”isTexastalk for those who lie in ambush
to shoot others in the back. See,howmuchofareformed sinner I am! I spare my brother, Mr Alistair Routledge, the bother of holding a press engagement and engaging in some more explaining. This is my joy To use the call of a writer to beamessengerandateacher, a washer of feet. If there is any one in Guyana, who should know about a messenger, it is Mr Mohamed. Outofthesands of Mecca in Arabia, there came one. There has since beenalonglineofimitators.
Though many ma disagree, it is good to hear God mentioned, given some space, a little publicity Regardless of the source Notwithstandingthepressof circumstances. Noting also the curious contexts from which all this light now shinesonthisgreatandgrim (and often gr
e) republic of oil. Is Attorney General Anil Nandlall absorbing, considering the Kshatriyaheis acclaimedto be! Another great son of God. Amanofgoodnessand the spillage of graciousness.
I ’ m still struggling withthedefinitionforthose. FromAmerica’sFranklin D Roosevelt to Guyana’s Azruddin“WIN”Mohamed. Theonlythingtofearisfear itself. Today, Mr WIN did FDRonebetter:theonlyone to fear is God. I’m left in awe.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Govt. reaffirms commitment to protecting integrity of Guyana flag at Global Maritime Security symposium
The Government of Guyana remains committed to protecting the integrity of the Guyana flag andstrengtheningthecountry’sshipregistry againstfraudulentactivity,MinisterofPublic Utilities andAviation Deodat Indar declared while addressing the SecondAnnual Global Maritime Security and Sanctions EnforcementSymposium,heldinSt.John’s, Antigua and Barbuda from July 13 to 15, 2026.
Thehigh-levelsymposiumwasconvened to strengthen international sanctions enforcement,enhancemaritimesecurity,and improvecooperationinpreventingsanctions evasionandotherillicitmaritimeactivities.
Presentingacasestudytitled“Fraudulent Registries–Guyana’sPerspective,”Minister Indar said the government remains committedtoexpandingthenationalfleetby encouraging Guyanese citizens and companies to register vessels under the Guyana flag, allowing them to participate in thecountry’srapidlygrowingmaritimetrade andeconomy
He noted, however, that these efforts continue to face challenges from criminal entities within the global maritime industry seeking to undermine the integrity of legitimateshipregistration.Indarstressedthe importance of international cooperation and coordination in combating fraudulent vessel registration.
These collaborative efforts have already produced results, Indar said, pointing to several successful enforcement actions against vessels fraudulently operating under theGuyanaflag.
Among them: the MT Skipper, intercepted off the coast of Venezuela in December 2025, and the MT Majestic X, detainedinApril2026.
Addressing more than 100 international participants, Indar reaffirmed that Guyana maintains a closed ship registry and said the governmentispreparedtoinvestthefinancial andtechnicalresourcesnecessarytopreserve the integrity and reputation of the national
flag.
Indar said that, with continued support fromtheInternationalMaritimeOrganization (IMO) and the wider maritime community, Guyana is strengthening its systems to identify and prevent the registration of vessels suspected of engaging in illicit activity.
He added that the Ministry is actively engaging local and international law enforcementagenciestoholdCaptainSuniel Kumar, described as a lead perpetrator of fraudulent registry activities and others like himaccountableforoperatingfraudulentship registries and related unlawful practices acrossmorethan14countries.
Minister Indar was accompanied at the symposium by Captain Stephen Thomas, Director General of the Maritime AdministrationDepartment(MARAD).
The symposium was organised by the United States Department of State in collaboration with theAntigua and Barbuda DepartmentofMarineServices(ADOMS).It brought together government officials, securityenforcementpersonnel,andindustry specialists from a wide range of organizations,includingtheU.S.Department of State’s Bureau of Economic and Energy Affairs,theIMO,theU.S.Departmentofthe Treasury’s Office of ForeignAssets Control (OFAC), the Global Centre for Maritime Sanctions Monitoring (GCMSM), the Maritime UN Sanctions Enforcement (MUSE) Initiative, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the UNSCR Enforcement Coordination Cell, the Center forAdvanced Defense Studies (C4ADS), the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), the CARICOM Secretariat, Tokyo MOU, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy inWashington.
Representatives from several flag registries also attended, including Antigua and Barbuda, Liberia, Cyprus, Cameroon, Comoros,SierraLeone,Honduras,StKitts& Nevis,andGuyana.
Turkish powership company launches trainee, internship programme to improve Guyana’s energy workforce
Turkish powership
c o m p a n y
Karpowership has launched a trainee and internship programme designed to provide young Guyanese with practical exposure to the country’s power generation industry,
while simultaneously supporting the development ofaskilledlocalworkforce.
In a statement to the media on Friday, the companysaidtheinitiativeis a reflection of its continued commitment to investing in Guyana by creating opportunities for young professionals as well as students to gain first-hand experience in a modern p o w e r g e n e r a t i o n environment.
Those participating will
be able to engage in structuredlearningactivities that include site visits, introductory sessions on power plant operations, safety awareness training andjobshadowingalongside experiencedengineeringand operations professionals. In addition, the programme
was designed to aid academic learning by providing the participants withvaluableinsightintothe bestpracticesoftheindustry, operational excellence and the importance of safe, reliablepowergeneration.
Speaking on behalf of Karpowership, Ms. Beyza
Özdemir, Americas Regional Director of CommercialOperationssaid “Karpowershipbelievesthat developing local talent is
essential to supporting Guyana’s long-term growth. Through this programme, we hope to inspire the next generation of engineers,
President Xi pushes China as champion of global AI governance
...calls for UN-led rules, warns against AI domination by powerful nations
SHANGHAI, China Chinese President Xi Jinping on FridaypositionedChinaasaglobal leader in artificial intelligence (AI), urging nations to reject technological protectionism, strengthen international cooperation and ensure that AI benefits all countries rather than becoming the preserve of a powerfulfew
Deliveringthekeynoteaddress attheopeningofthe2026WorldAI Conference and High-Level MeetingonGlobalAIGovernance in Shanghai, Xi argued that the world has reached a defining moment in AI development, with the technology offering immense opportunities while posing unprecedented security,ethicalandgovernancechallenges.
technicians and energy professionals while providing meaningful exposure to one of the country’s most critical industries.”
Theprogrammewhichis structured as an educational initiative, places focus on observation, learning and professional development rather than operational responsibilities, ensuring
participants gain practical industryknowledgewithina
environment.
F
Karpowership’s broader commitment to community engagement and capacity building in Guyana, the
company’s ongoing support
development and youth empowermentinitiatives.
“As Guyana’s energy sector continues to evolve, Karpowership remains committed to partnering with local stakeholders to help develop the skilled workforce that will support the country’s future energy needs and continued economicdevelopment,”the statementadded.
“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi declared.
He warned that nations must answer difficult questions surrounding the growing influence ofAI, including how humans will coexist with “thinking machines,” how algorithm-driven decisions can remain safe, and how widening technological gaps betweendevelopedanddevelopingcountries canbeprevented.
In what appeared to be a swipe at efforts bysomeWesternnationstorestrictaccessto advancedAI technologies, Xi said countries should oppose the expansion of national securityconcernsintotheAIsectorandresist
Xi outlined four principles that China believes should underpin global AI governance: openness and innovation, stronger safeguards againstAI risks, respect for cultural diversity, and a multilateral governance system centered on the United Nations.
He said AI should remain under human control through stronger laws, ethical standards and oversight mechanisms while cautioning against the malicious use of the technology
PromotingChinaasbothanAIinnovator and a responsible global partner, Xi highlighted the country’s rapidly expanding AI industry, saying China’s core smart economyindustriesarenowvaluedatmore Continued on page 17
A few of the trainees and officials who are part of the programme.
New and upgraded airstrips coming to Arau and Kaikan villages
The Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation has announcedplanstoconstruct anewairstripatArauVillage and upgrade and extend the existing airstrip at Kaikan Village, both located in RegionSeven.
R e s i d e n t s a n d community leaders learned of the government’s plans during a meeting on Wednesday with Minister of Natural Resources Vickram BharratandDirectorGeneral of the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, AlfonsoDeArmas.
“The Ministry of Public UtilitiesandAviationissetto upgrade and extend the airstrip at Kaikan In contrast, residents of Arau are set to benefit from the construction of a new airstrip,”theministrysaidin a Facebook post. “Both of thesemilestoneprojectswill commence shortly to boost hinterland travel, facilitate themovementofgoods,and broaden connectivity between the coastland and hinterlandcommunities.”
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands both remote
airstripsareinurgentneedof upgrading due to the poor condition of their current structures.
Speaking with Kaieteur News on Friday, Toshao of Arau Manuel Charlie said the community’s existing airstriplocatedroughly4km away has not been used in almost a year because of its deteriorated condition. The strip can only accommodate smallCessna206aircraft.
“No, it hasn’t been used aboutoneyearnowduetoits condition,” he explained “Wellnormallywhenthereis rain,itisnotsafeforlanding and it’s not compacted properly,it’sverysoft.”
Though the airstrip sits idle, Charlie said residents still carry out manual maintenance, filling potholes and clearing vegetation around it. “Life hasbeensodifficultforusso far,sinceit’snotbeingused,” hesaid.
Withnoworkingairstrip, residents travelling to or from Georgetown must first make a two-to-three-hour journey to Kaikan Village. “We travel by ATV (all-
terrain vehicle), and then by boattogettoanothervillage, Kaikan, and from Kaikan to go Georgetown we catch a plane,” Charlie said, adding that poor road conditions make the trip especially difficult during medical emergencies.
Charlie said the current airstrip has existed since Guyana’sindependence,and residents have been requestingareplacementfor years, even before he
The current condition of the Kaikan Airstrip in Region Seven.
became Toshao At Wednesday’s meeting, officials told the community the new structure would measure roughly 3,000 feet, thoughministryofficialsstill need to visit the village to identify a suitable, accessiblelocation.
Charlie said the new airstrip would mark a major development for Arau. “It opens the way for tourism, a g r i c u l t u r e , a n d infrastructure,” he said. “It
will make transportation easier to Georgetown with bigger aircraft and many more.” Residents hope the project will be built to internationalstandards.
Arau is an Amerindian villageborderingVenezuela, home to approximately 300 residents in a small, mountainouscommunity
Also, near the GuyanaVenezuela border is Kaikan, an Amerindian village of more than 500 residents.
said the planned
to Kaikan’s airstrip is critical, sincethevillageisaccessible mainlybyair Rodriguessaidsheraised the need for an upgraded or newairstripduringtherecent meeting with the minister “Right now, it is very risky presently, it got very deep potholes and we try to fix that every day,” she said. “Planesarelandingevery
Continued on page 17
Five-year-old Kaiden Williams has enduredmorelossandpainthanmostpeople faceinalifetime.Lastyear,helosthismother tocancer Now,heisfightingforhisownlife againstthesamedisease.
What first appeared to be an insect bite nearhislefteyeturnedouttobesomethingfar moreserious.DoctorsdiagnosedKaidenwith Stage III rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer He began chemotherapy immediately, but the tumor continued to grow Kaiden has since lost his left eye, and the cancer has continued spreading, altering his face in ways no child shouldhavetoendure.
US-based Saving Hands EmergencyAid (SHEA) is leading efforts to raise the funds needed to save Kaiden, whose condition requires specialized care not available in Guyana. The charity confirmed that the National Cancer Institute in India has acceptedhiscasefortreatment.
The full cost of Kaiden’s care including surgery, chemotherapy, housing, meals, and transportation,isestimatedatapproximately US$25,000. SHEA has launched a public fundraising campaign to help cover these expenses.
Five-year-old Kaiden Williams has a rare and aggressive cancer called Stage III rhabdomyosarcoma. — just a year after losing his mother to the disease
Kaiden’s father, Kevin, is still grieving thelossofhiswifewhiledoingeverythinghe cantosavehisson.Betweenhospitalvisits, Continued on page 17
Toshao Katiuska Rodrigues
upgrade
Fire destroys section of Enmore children’s home
...THREE INJURED, 33 DISPLACED
An Emergency
M e d i c a l
Technician (EMT) and two children were injured after a fire destroyed part of an orphanage at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, on Friday, prompting a swift emergency response that safely evacuated all 33 children housed at the facility.
Fire Chief Gregory Wickhamconfirmedthatthe Guyana Fire Service (GFS) dispatched three fire trucks and two ambulances after receiving reports of the blaze.
“From all accounts, all the children and staff that were in the building at the time are accounted for We do have three persons who have suffered some injuries,”Wickhamsaidina videoupdate.
The injured include two children and an EMT One child is believed to have suffered shock, while all three were treated by emergency personnel before they were taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital forfurthermedicalattention.
Atthetimeoftheupdate, firefighters were still
working to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from sp
by buildings.
PrimeMinisterBrigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who visited the scene, praised an attendant at the orphanage for acting quickly after the alarm sounded, describing himasahero.
“From the time the alarms went off, he took immediate action that has resulted in saving lives today,” the PM stated. He saidresidentsalsoassistedin evacuating the children. He added that the Ministry of Human Services and Social
Sec
y relocated the children to the MahaicaChildren’sHome.
The prime minister also commendedtheGuyanaFire Service for containing the blaze,notingthatthefirewas confined to the boys’ dormitory He said investigators would now work to determine the cause ofthefire.
Minister of Human ServicesandSocialSecurity
Dr VindhyaPersaudsaidthe children were attending a Bible class when the fire broke out, allowing for an orderlyevacuation.
She explained that all of thechildrenhavebeensafely relocated and that traumafocused counselling began on Friday to help them cope withtheordeal.Twochildren remain under observation at the Enmore Regional Hospital. According to the minister, one child is severely traumatised and may have suffered smoke inhalation, while another reportedlyinjuredashoulder after falling while leaving thebuilding.
Shadow Minister of HomeAffairsandWeInvest in Nationhood (WIN) MP
Toshana Famey Corlette welcomedthefactthatall33 children escaped safely, but said the incident raises important questions about the facility’s fire safety measures.
Shecalledforathorough investigation into the cause ofthefire,includingwhether regularfireinspectionswere conducted and whether the orphanage was adequately prepared for such an emergency
M e a n w h i l e , A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) expressed empathy with those affected by the fire. A delegation comprising MPs Saiku Andrews and Nima Flue Bess, along with Regional Councillor Shaneika Haynes, visi
ed the orphanage to assess the situation and meet with caregivers.
The party commended emergency responders and caregivers for their swift actions and pledged support fortheorphanage’srecovery efforts APNU also encouraged members of the public wishing to assist to contact Pastor Findlay at 617-0339.
The aftermath of the fire.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud (top pic) and Prime Minister Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips interacting with the children.
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2026-HC-DEM-CIV-PIN THE HIGH COURT OF THESUPREMECOURTOF JUDICA TURE DECLARATIONOFTITLE FIZRODEEN KHAN of Sublot ‘G’ of Lot 10 Swan Street, Pouderoyen, West BankDemerara,Guyana,has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription of the property described herein attached. Any person intending to opposethesaidPetition must within one month after the date of the first publication of this notice file in the Registry of the High Court, in the City of Georgetown, Noticeofhis/herOpposition andanAffidavitorAffidavits in Support upon the said Petitioner The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of thesaidproperty,whichmay be inspected at the Registry during office hours.
SCHEDULE In a matter of Sublot ‘G’, being portion of NorthhalfofLot10,Southof Central Dam of Plantation Klien Pouderoyen situate on the West Bank of Demerara, County of Demerara, Republic of Guyana, the said Sublot ‘G containing an area of 0.0712 (nought decimal nought seven one two) of an acre, being shown and define on a plan by G. Samaroo, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the1st dayofApril,2026and recorded in the Guyana Land and Survey Commission on the16th dayofApril,2026as plan numbered 94917. The address for service of the PetitionerattheChambersof MohamedS.G.F.Khanand KashirA. Khan Attorneysat-Law of 215 King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara.
DECLARATION OF TITLE
BIBIJEANETTEKHANof Sublot ‘B’ of Lot 10 Swan Street, Pouderoyen, West BankDemerara,Guyana has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription of the property described herein attached. Any person intending to opposethesaidPetitionmust within one month after the date of the first publication of this notice file in the Registry of the High Court, in the City of Georgetown, Notice of his/her Opposition andanAffidavitorAffidavits in Support upon the said Petitioner The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property, which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours.
SCHEDULE In a matter of Sublot ‘B’, being portion of the South half and the North halfofLot10,SouthofCentral Dam of Plantation Klien Pouderoyen situate on the West Bank of Demerara, County of Demerara, RepublicofGuyana,thesaid Sublot‘B’containinganarea of 0.0712 (nought decimal nought seven one two) of an acre,beingshownanddefine on a plan by G. Samaroo, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the18tdayofApril,2026and recordedintheGuyanaLand and Survey Commission on the16thdayofApril,2026as plannumbered94918.
Theaddressforserviceofthe PetitionerattheChambersof MohamedS.G.F. Khan and KashirA. Khan, Attorneys-at-Law of 215 King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown,Demerara.
LEGALNOTICE LEGALNOTICE
2026-HC-DEM-CIV-PIN THE HIGH COURT OF THESUPREMECOURTOF JUDICA TURE
DECLARATIONOFTITLE
AHMADKHANofsublot‘F’ of Lot 10 Swan Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, Guyana, has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription of the property described herein attached. Any person intending to opposethesaidPetitionmust within one month after the dateofthefirstpublicationof thisnoticefileintheRegistry oftheHighCourt,intheCity ofGeorgetown,Noticeofhis/ her Opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits in Support upon the said Petitioner ThesaidPetitionis accompaniedbyaplanofthe said property, which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours.
SCHEDULE In a matter of Sublot ‘F’, being portion of NorthhalfofLot10,Southof Central Dam of Plantation Klien Pouderoyen situate on the West Bank of Demerara, County of Demerara, Republic of Guyana, the said Sublot‘F’containinganarea of 0.0712 (nought decimal nought seven one two) of an acre,beingshownanddefine on a plan by G. Samaroo, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the1st dayofApril,2026and recorded in the Guyana Land and Survey Commission on the 16h day ofApril, 2026 as plan numbered 94916. The address for service of the PetitionerattheChambersof MohamedS.G.F.Khanand Kashir A. Khan Attorneysat-Law of 215 King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara.
property described herein attached. Any person intending to oppose the saidPetitionmustwithinone month after the date of the first publication of this noticefileintheRegistryof the High Court, in the City of Georgetown, Notice of his/her Opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits in Support upon the said Petitioner ThesaidPetition is accompanied by a plan of thesaidproperty,whichmay be inspected at the Registry during office hours.
SCHEDULE In a matter of Sublot ‘E, being portion of theSouthhalfandtheNorth half of Lot 10, South of Central Dam of Plantation KlienPouderoyensituateon theWestBankofDemerara, County of Demerara, RepublicofGuyana,thesaid Sublot‘E’containinganarea of 0.0712 (nought decimal noughtsevenonetwo)ofan acre, being shown and define on a plan by G Samaroo, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the 1st day ofApril, 2026 and recorded in the Guyana Land and Survey Commission on the 16dayofApril,2026asplan numbered 94918. The address for service of the PetitionerattheChambersof MohamedS.G.F.Khanand KashirA.KhanAttorneysat-Law of 215 King Street, Lacytown,Georgetown, Demerara.
2026–HC–DEM–CIV–P –IN THE HIGH COURT OF THESUPREMECOURTOF JUDICA TURE DECLARATIONOFTITLE WAZIR KHAN of Lot 10 Swan Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, Guyana, has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription of the property described herein attached. Any person intending to oppose the said Petition must, within one month after the date of the first publication of this notice,fileintheRegistryof theHighCourt,intheCityof Georgetown, Notice of his/ her Opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits in Support upon the said Petitioner The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of thesaidproperty,whichmay be inspected at the Registry during office hours.
Guyana, has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription of the
SCHEDULEInthematterof Sublot ‘C’, being portion of
North half of Lot 10, South ofCentralDamofPlantation
Klien Pouderoyen situate on the West Bank of Demerara, County of Demerara, RepublicofGuyana,thesaid Sublot‘C’containinganarea of 0.0712 (nought decimal nought seven one two) of an acre, being shown and defined on a plan by G Samaroo, Sworn Land Surveyor dated the 1st day of April, 2026 and recorded in the Guyana Land and Survey Commission on the 16thdayofApril,2026asplan numbered 94915. The address for service of the PetitionerisattheChambers ofMohamedS.G.F.Khanand KashirA.Khan,Attorneysat-Law, of 215 King Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, Demerara.
LEGALNOTICE LEGALNOTICE
2026/421-FD-PET-DEMIN THEHIGHCOURTOFTHE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MA TRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISIONPetitionNo.FD421 BETWEEN: (CARR) SHANDEL DENIA nee FREDRICKS Petitioner/ Applicant -and- (CARR) GARFIELD EVERTON RespondentTO:GARFIELD EVERTON CARR Last KnownAddressLot2,Hyde Park, Grove East Bank Essequibo, Guyana. TAKE NOTICEthatonthe17thday of April, 2026 a Petition for Divorcewasfiledagainstyou bySHANDELDENIACARR nee FREDRICKS, the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.ANDFURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part ofanOrdermadeonthe29th day of May, 2026, the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication once in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the worldwide web (online). AND FURTHER TAKE
NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorizedagentorAttorneyat-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Notice of Petition together with related documents.ANDFURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to defend this Petition then, upon receipt of the certified copy of the Notice of Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend and/or Answer in the Registry of the Family
DivisionoftheHighCourtat Georgetown,Demerarawithin 35(thirty-five)daysfromthe date of the second and final publication of this Notice through the https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy Your access code is 452ZZ4. TAKE NOTICE that the Application is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 31st day of August, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. before the Honourable Mr Justice Gino Persaud via Zoom. Meeting ID: 733 558 9086 and Passcode: Court3 at the Family Division of the HighCourtatGeorgetown.IN DEFAULT of you filing a NoticeofIntentiontoDefend and/orAnswertheCourtmay proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts(Georgetown, Demerara).Theofficeisopen to the public between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mondays toThursdaysand8:00a.m.to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays, except on public holidays and on such days when the Registry is closed. Dated the 4th day ofJune,2026.
LEGALNOTICE LEGALNOTICE
2025/602-FD-PET-DEM 2026/07/10 09:14 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MA TRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISIONPetitionNo.602 BETWEEN:(HOPKINSON) LASHAWNA nee KING Petitioner/Applicant -and(HOPKINSON) CARL Respondent NOTICE OF PROCEEDINGSTO:CARL HOPKINSONFormerlyof, Lot144SouthBetterHope, EastCoastDemerara, Guyana.TAKENOTICEthat onthe12thdayofJune,2025 aPetitionforDivorcewasfiled againstyoubyLASHAWNA HOPKINSONneeKING,the Petitioner in the Family DivisionoftheHighCourtin Georgetown,Demerara.AND FURTHERTAKENOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 15th day of October, 2025 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publicationofaNoticeintwo consecutive Saturday issues of Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the worldwide web. AND FURTHERTAKENOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family DivisionoftheHighCourtat Georgetown,Demerarawhere
5-year-oldneedsUS$25,000
From page 12 caring for Kaiden and his otherchild,andtheweightof his own grief, SHEA says it hasbecomenearlyimpossible forhimtokeepupwithwork.
“We’reaskingyoutohelp givethislittleboythechance his mother would have wanted for him: a future,” the charity wrote in its initial Facebook appeal. “Every donation brings Kaiden one step closer to life-saving treatment. If you can’t donate today, please share his story. It
could reach the person who can. Thank you for standing withKaidenandhisfamily.”
Tumorspreadingrapidly
In a follow-up post, SHEAsaid Kaiden’s condition is worsening quickly and causing him significant pain. “Over the past two days alone, it has broken through his cheek and has now started growing inside his mouth,” the charity said. “Watching this happen has been heartbreaking. Our biggest fear right now is that, if it con-
tinues growing at this pace, Kaiden may soon lose the ability to eat. There is nothing more that can be done for him in Guyana. His only chance is to get to India, where the specialised treatment he desperately needs is available.”
Donations can be made throughthefollowingchannels:
-MMG:635-7060(select “Pay Merchant,” then enter MerchantNumber635-7060, or search “SHEA Charity GuyanaInc.”)
- Online: https://bit.ly/ 3VawTfQ - GoFundMe: https:// www.gofundme.com/f/savingkaiden(theGoFundMefeeis optional and can be set to $0) -LocalBank(Demerara Bank): Name: Lori Narine, Account:2041325
- Wire Transfers: Savings account, Beterverwagtingbranch SHEAisalsoworkingwith the Kids First Fund Guyana to help expedite Kaiden’s transfer and treatment in India.
President Xi pushes China as champion...
From page 11 thanonetrillionyuan,withAI increasingly transforming manufacturing, homes and public services.
Xi also unveiled a series of international initiatives aimed largely at developing countries. Over the next five years,Chinawillprovide5,000 AItrainingopportunities,establishAIcooperationcentres with regional organisations including ASEAN, the African Union, BRICS and the CommunityofLatinAmerican
you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.ANDFURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desiretodefendthisPetition, then upon receipt of the certifiedcopyofthePetition, you must file a Notice of Intention to Defend (forms are available at the Registry) and an Answer in the Registry of the Family DivisionoftheHighCourtat Georgetown,Demerarawithin 35(thirty-five)daysfromthe date of the second and final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the PetitionisfixedforDirections Hearing on Wednesday, the 2nddayofSeptember,2026 at 9:00 a.m. before the Honourable Madam Joy Persaud-Singh,attheFamily DivisionoftheHighCourtat Georgetown.INDEFAULTof you filing a Notice of Intention to Defend and/or Answer, the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts,Georgetown, Demerara.Theofficeisopen to the public between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mondays toThursdaysand8:00a.m.to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays, except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 29thdayofJune,2026.
and Caribbean States, and expand access to China’sAIpoweredmeteorologicalwarning system, MAZU, to 30 countries.
The Chinese leader also formally announced the establishment of the WorldArtificialIntelligenceCooperation Organization (WAICO), headquartered in Shanghai, describing it as a major milestone in creating a more in-
clusiveglobalAIgovernance framework.
Xi said China remains committed to sharing AI development with the Global South, warning against what he described as “new historicalinjustice”arisingfromunequal access to emerging technologies.
“As a responsible major country, China is always committed to provid-
ing international public goods relating to AI,” Xi said.
He concluded by urging countries to work together to ensure AI remains “for the positive, for good and for humanity,”sayingonlyinternational consensus and cooperationcanensurethetechnology advances human civilisationratherthanthreatening it.
New and upgraded airstrips...
Director General of the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, Alfonso De Armas alongside Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, and Member of Parliament (MP) Alister Charlie and Advisor to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Yvonne Pearson during a community meeting on Wednesday
From page 12 daylikethreeorfourplanes.”
“So, when we heard that works are slated, we were happy about it, we will get bigger planes to land,” she added.“Pilotsareveryafraid to land presently, they [are] complaining every day [about] what are we doing about the airstrip.”
Rodrigues said the airstrip’s poor condition has driven up airfares for travellers. While the village council has a contract to maintain the strip, frequent air traffic makesproperrepairsdifficult.
“It is difficult for us to close down the airstrip for a week ortwotofixtheairstripproperly, because we survive by
bringing in stuff from Georgetown, our basic needs and so it is impossible for us to shut down the airstrip,” sheexplained.
Rodrigues said the planned upgrades would benefit not only Kaikan residents, but also miners and other people living on the outskirts of the community
Escalation fears mount as U.S. and Iran both attack infrastructure
(Reuters) - The United States struck bridges in Iran, and Tehran responded by hitting a power and desalination plant in Kuwait on Friday, as the two sides risked further escalation by expanding their targets to include infrastructure.
At sea, where the renewed conflict has again cut off energy supplies from the Gulf, U S Marines boarded a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz. Armed men seized another vessel off Yemen, raisingconcernoversecurityinthe MiddleEast’sotherbigchokepoint foroilshipmentsatthemouthofthe RedSea.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported late on Friday that the Revolutionary Guardsnavyhad“targeted”aThaiflagged ship trying to get through theStraitofHormuz.Itdidnotgive furtherdetails.
Washington and Tehran have beentestingthelimitsofescalation since their ceasefire agreement collapsed last week, raising the prospectofareturntoall-outwar.
After reports of the escalation emerged on Friday, benchmark Brent crude oil prices climbed 3% and were on track for a third consecutive weekly gain. Global share prices fell, with Wall Street openingsharplylower
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to launch broadbased air strikes on Iran’s infrastructureandhasalsodeclined toruleoutagroundassaultonIran’s coastorislands.U.S.officialshave
said attacks on southern Iran are designed in part to give Trump options.
SuchmovesriskprovokingIran to escalate in turn by hitting the vital infrastructure of vulnerable neighbouringArabstates,orhaving its allies in Yemen further disrupt globalenergysuppliesbyattacking shippingfromtheRedSea.
UN CONCERNED OVER ‘ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN
INFRASTRUCTURE’
U N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was concerned about the escalation, particularly over “attacks on civilian infrastructureinIranandacrossthe region,”hisspokespersonsaid.
In the latest strikes, the U.S. military’s Central Command included “military logistics infrastructure” in the list of targets itsaidithadhit,thefirsttimeithas mentioned infrastructure in more thanaweek.
Iranianstatemediasaidatleast five bridges had been struck in the south. Seven people were reported killed in attacks on bridges in the southern port of Bandar Khamir, wherethetrainstationwasalsohit. An airport was reported hit further east and away from the coast in Iranshahr, in a province bordering Pakistan.
Videos verified by Reuters showedrubble,brokenrailingsand a damaged vehicle on a smashed bridge in Bandar Khamir One clip showedafire.
Reuters was unable to confirm details in other reports, which described deadly attacks including one which killed a woman and wounded her child in the port of BandarAbbas.
IranannouncedattacksonGulf countries that host U.S. airbases, including Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
Authorities in Kuwait said one
of the country’s power generation andwaterdesalinationstationshad been hit in an Iranian attack, causing damage to facilities, a fire andthedisruptionofalargenumber ofelectricitygenerationunits.
Firefighters the blaze under control, while technical teams began assessing the damage, securingthestationandworkingto restorepowergenerationassoonas possible, the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energysaid.
The rich Arab Gulf states depend on plants that produce electricity and remove salt from seawatertomaketheirdesertcities habitable.
When Iran hit a Kuwaiti desalination plant on March 30, it wasseenasamajorescalationthat helped push the United States to declare the war’s first ceasefire a weeklater
FEUD OVER STRAIT
IransaidithadstruckU.S.bases inKuwait,QatarandBahrain,anda U.S. radar station in Oman. ExplosionswereheardintheQatari capital Doha, where the interior ministry said a child was wounded byshrapnel.
Iran also said it fired at Syria, apparently for the first time in the war,targetingwhatitdescribedasa U.S. special forces base in Tanf, which Damascus and Washington say U.S. forces vacated earlier this year
A Syrian military source said the strike hit near the base and caused no damage or casualties.
CENTCOM said no U.S. troops werekilledorcaptured.
Lastmonth’sinterimagreement to end the war has collapsed since July7,whenIranstruckshipsinthe Strait of Hormuz and the United States responded with air strikes. Iran has since announced the closure of the strait, and Washingtonhasreimposeditsown blockadeofIranianports.
In the latest action at sea, the U.S. military said it had boarded a tanker to enforce the blockade, releasing photos of Marines rappelling down from a helicopter onto the deck where one posed in frontofanIranianflag.
Beyond the Gulf, armed assailants boarded and seized a smallchemicaltankeroffYemenin theGulfofAden,closetothemouth oftheRedSea.
One maritime security source said the incident appeared to be relatedtoSomalipiracyratherthan action by Iran’s Yemeni allies, the Houthis.Butsecuritysourcesinthe Horn ofAfrica have spoken in the past of concern about the potential fortheHouthistoassist,encourage orarmpiratesinthearea.
Iran has signalled that it could prod its Houthi allies in Yemen to closeanotherkeystrait:theBabalMandeb at the mouth of the Red Sea,potentiallycuttingoffthemain alternativerouteforMiddleEastoil bypassingtheGulf.
Sources have told Reuters Iran has already instructed the Houthis to act if Washington attacks Iran’s infrastructure.
Israeli attacks on Gaza kill 14, including mourners attending funeral
(AL-JAZEERA) Multiple IsraeliattacksacrosstheGazaStrip havekilledatleast14Palestinians, more than half of them in a drone strikeonafuneralprocession.
Nine months into its so-called “ceasefire” with Hamas, Israel continues to violate it on a neardailybasis.
Eight people were killed when anIsraelistriketargetedagathering ofciviliansintheAl-Balatamarket area of Nuseirat refugee camp in centralGazaonFriday,Gaza’scivil defenceagencyandahospitalsaid.
Witnesses said the drone targeted Palestinian mourners gatheredoutsidetheAhmadYassin Mosque as they waited to begin a funeralprocessionforaPalestinian killedinaseparateattackearlierin thedayinthesamearea.
“There is no regard for the ceasefire,” said Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City
“The people who were
participating in the [funeral] procession were coming out of the mosque [when] a drone strike targeted a group of people within theprocessionitself.”
The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike, the AFP newsagencyreported.
The army claimed to have struck a “terrorist” cell in central Gaza,butaddedthatitwas“aware of the claims that several uninvolved individuals were harmedasaresultofthestrike.The results of the strike are under review.”Inastatement,Palestinian group Hamas condemned the strike.
“Thisheinouscrimetakesplace while the aggressor regime, through its systematic and continuous violation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, continues to kill and terrorise innocentcitizensinfrontoftheeyes of mediators and the international community,”itsaid.
Palestinians look for their belongings after an Israeli attack at the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, July 16, 2026 [AFP]
woman was killed in the northern city of Beit Lahia when an Israeli drone dropped a bomb near Abu TammamSchool,PalestinianWafa newsagencyreported.
An Israeli attack targeting a gathering of Palestinians in the town of Az-Zawayda in central Gaza killed another person and injuredseveralothers.
Inal-Sawarha,westofNuseirat refugee camp, one person was killed when a structure housing displaced people was struck by Israelifire.
Elsewhere, an Israeli drone struck an apartment in Gaza City, killing a Palestinian and wounding several others, including children, while another woman died from
Despite a nominal “ceasefire” takingeffectlastOctober,Israelhas continuedattacksacrossGazaona regularbasis.
The research group, Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), reported onWednesday that Israeli attacks on the enclave haveincreasedsinceMay
ACLED said there were more than 40 strikes last month, the highest monthly total since the “ceasefire”began.Theincreasehas raised questions about whether Israel’sgenocidalwaronGazawill ever end, allowing the devastated territory to be rebuilt and Palestinians to return to a sense of normality
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Friday that Israel has beenkillingchildrenas“amatterof routine” 274 since the “ceasefire” started.
It said that, on average, one child has been killed every day sincethen.
GCBmournspassingofSirGarfieldSobers
The President, Executives and Staff of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), together with the entire cricket fraternity of Guyana, join the Caribbean and international cricket communities in mourning the passing of the Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers, National HeroofBarbadosandoneof the greatest cricketers the worldhaseverknown.
Sir Garfield was more than a legendary and iconic cricketer.Hewasasymbolof West Indian excellence, pride and unity His extraordinary ability as a batsman, bowler and fielder established him as the complete cricketer and, in theeyesofmany,thegreatest all-rounder in the history of thegame.
T h r o u g h o u t h i s distinguished career, Sir Garfield represented the
West Indies with unmatched brilliance, courage and dignity.
H i s r e m a r k a b l e achievements inspired generations across Guyana, Barbados, the wider Caribbean and throughout the cricketing world He carried the hopes and aspirations of the West Indian people and helped establish our region as a respected and formidable forceininternationalcricket.
Saturday July 18, 2026
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
In general, your spirit is upbeat, freedom loving, and adventurous.Today,however, you might find that it's a bit more intense and possibly somber, especially when it comestoromanticissues.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
It's important for you not to overanalyze every little detail ofyoursituationnow,Taurus, especially when it comes to love and romance issues.You couldbejumpingtoridiculous conclusions based purely on circumstantialevidence.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
When it comes to love and romance, you may find yourself in a bit of a pickle, Gemini. There's a request for greatercommitmentnow.You may be unsure about how to respond.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Your romantic, sensitive nature comes alive today, Cancer, and you may find yourself searching for the security of a close lover You're apt to be pickier than usual-notjustanyonewilldo anymore.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Tension in your romantic life is apt to well up today, Leo. More than likely, there are certain responsibilities that youfeelyouhavetoattendto that take you away from your intimate experience with another
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
You could be feeling the pressure of time now, Virgo. At this point in your life you may be more aware than ever of your limited time left on thisplanet.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Situations regarding love and romancearelikelytogetmuch heavier and more intense now, Libra.Areyoureadytomakea deeper commitment to the one youlove?
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
The love and romance department should be going prettywellforyounow Thisis the time to probe more deeply into your current affair with that person who catches your eye.There'sagreatersensitivity toyouremotionstoday
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Your incredible passion and creativity are taking center stage,Sagittarius.It'salsoquite possible that there's a great restlessness within you egging youontotakethingstothenext level.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
You may be feeling a bit reserved today, Capricorn, especially when it comes to issues involving love and romance.Followyourinstincts and know that your hesitation isn'tunfounded.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Reclaim control of things that might be holding you back now, Aquarius. You may find that there's an element of restriction to the day that's keeping you from getting where you want to be. Try the best you can to relax and stabilizeyouremotions.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Be selective when it comes to expressingyourpassiontoday, Pisces. Remember that less is more. You don't have to use a tremendous number of bells and whistles in order to get yourpointacross.
2026 Beharry U19 School’s T20 Cricket tournament
Zone 7 set for exciting double header this weekend at Cotton Tree Ground
The Zone 7 leg of the Beharry School’s Under-19 T20 Cricket tournament continues today, July 18th with action shiftingtotheAncientCountyofBerbice,asthecompetition nearsitscrunchstages.
Inthefirstmatch,RosignolSecondarywillplayBushLot Secondary 9:00h with their battle set to be an exciting encounter
While his records and performances will forever occupy a special place in cricketing history, his greatest legacy will be the pride he brought to the people of the Caribbean and the countless young cricketers he inspired to pursueexcellence.
G C B P r e s i d e n t Bissoondyal Singh, the Executives and Staff of the Guyana Cricket Board, on behalf of the cricket fraternityandmembershipof the Guyana Cricket Board, extend profound and sincere condolences to his children, grandchildren, relatives, friends, loved ones, the Government and people of Barbados, the Barbados Cricket Association and the entire West Indian cricket family
Thecricketingworldhas lostatruegiant,butthename and legacy of Sir Garfield Sobers will live forever in the history and spirit of our belovedgame.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his extraordinary legacy co
generationstocome.
Kuru Kururu complete...
Frompage24 EBFA Under-15 Youth Ensemble competition, which is expected to concludeinlateJulyorearly August.
The Youth Ensemble Programme, the first initiative of its kind introduced by the Guyana Football Federation, continues to strengthen youth football by providing meaningful competitive opportunities for young players while promoting technical development, teamwork, discipline and a lastingpassionforthegame.
Essequibo Islands/ Covent Garden emerge winners of Zone2and3respectivelyfollowinglastweekend’sactionat UitvlugtGround.
Essequibo Islands, meanwhile, were crowned Zone 2 champions after disposing of West Demerara Secondary Schoolby9wickets.
Nationalyouthall-rounderBhomeshLall(4-5)andManof-the-match Aarav Sukhram (5-1 and 11 runs), steered Essequibo Islands to an empathic 9 wicket win to help their Schooltopitszone.
Meanwhile,finalsMVPall-rounderNavindranauthRam, who bagged 2-18 and scored 25, led Covent Garden Secondary to the Zone 3 title following a convincing 24-run victoryintheirfinalsoverYarrowkabraSecondarySchool.
Sir Garfield Sobers
Guyana motors past Bahamas 66-57 for first win at Centrobasket Qualifiers
Guyana’s women’s basketball team picked up their first win at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 Centrobasket Qualifiers in Managua, Nicaragua, producing a determined secondhalf comeback to defeat the Bahamas 66-57 inyesterday’sclassificationgame.
Led by a combined 55 points from captain JoyAdams, RuthAdams andAnaya Mc David, the Guyanese women showed tremendousresiliencetooverturna12-point deficit and secure their only victory of the tournament after several heartbreaking defeats.
The result saw Guyana finish above the Bahamas in the final standings, providing a fitting reward for a side that consistently demonstrated grit and competitiveness despite falling on the wrong side of several closeconteststhroughouttheweek.
Once again, the experienced duo of Joy Adams and Ruth Adams spearheaded the attack Ruth continued her outstanding tournament with a game-high 24 points, whileaddingninereboundsandfiveassists.
Joy produced another all-round masterclass,recording16pointsandagamehigh 17 rebounds to go along with her leadershiponbothendsofthecourt.
Mc David, widely recognised for her relentless defensive play, also made a major impact offensively. She finished with 15 points,ninereboundsandfourblocksinone of her most complete performances of the tournament.
Ava Thomas added nine points, while Brianne Ritchie chipped in with two as Guyanacompletedabalancedteameffort.
The contest was tightly contested from theopeningtip,withbothteamsexchanging baskets and neither able to establish early
Ruth Adams celebrating after scoring 24 points in Guyana’s win over The Bahamas.
controlduringthefirstquarter.
The Bahamas, however, seized the momentumearlyinthesecondperiod.
After carrying a slim 15-14 advantage intothequarter,theBahamiansunleashedan impressive 11-0 scoring run, stretching their lead to 26-14 and putting Guyana under significantpressure.
Tanisha Seymour was instrumental during that surge as the Bahamas extended theiradvantageto12pointsonthreeseparate occasions before taking a comfortable lead intothehalftimebreak.
Facing another uphill battle, Guyana emergedfromthelockerroomwithrenewed purpose.
The comeback gathered momentum midway through the third quarter when the
Guyanese produced a decisive 6-0 run, turning a 38-34 deficit into a 40-38 advantage.
Although Rhema Collins quickly tied the game at 40-40 for the Bahamas, Guyana responded immediately as Joy Adams finished a fast-break lay-up to restorethelead.
From that moment, the momentum completelyshifted.
Betweenthe4:44and1:06marksofthe third quarter, Guyana outscored the Bahamas 8-2 while committing no turnovers.
At the defensive end, the Guyanese tightenedtheirgriponthecontest,limiting the Bahamas to just one successful field goalfromnineattemptsduringthatstretch.
With confidence growing, Guyana carried its advantage into the final quarter andneverlookedback.
The Guyanese women remained
composed in the closing period, executing efficientlyonbothoffenceanddefencewhile frustrating the Bahamas with disciplined teamdefenceandstrongrebounding.
Withlessthanfiveminutesremainingand the contest still within reach, Guyana outscoredtheBahamas5-2,collectingcrucial defensive rebounds and converting timely basketstosealthenine-pointvictory
For the Bahamas,Valerie Nesbitt led the way with 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while converting all six of her freethrowattempts.
The statistics illustrated just how evenly matched the teams were. There were eight lead changes throughout the game, with the Bahamas leading for 18 minutes and 59 seconds, compared with Guyana’s 17 minutesand39seconds.
Although Guyana fell short of qualifying for the next stage of the competition, the victory provided a deserved reward for a team that refused to be discouraged after a series of agonising defeatsearlierinthetournament
Cricket West Indies President issues statement on the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers
“There are moments in the story of a people when the life of one individual becomes woven into the hopes, dreams, and identity of generations. Today, the Caribbean mourns the passing of such an individual, The Right Excellent Sir Garfield SobersNH,AO,OCC,ason of Barbados whose extraordinary journey became part of the story of our region and whose brilliancecarriedthenameof the West Indies with distinction across the world,” President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Dr Kishore Shallow said in a statement following the passingofcricketlegendSir GarfieldSobers.
“In the story of cricket, therearegreatplayers.There are champions. Then, there are those rare individuals who redefine the very meaning of greatness. Sir Garfield Sobers was the greatest cricketer the world haseverseen.Hismasteryof batting,bowlingandfielding wasunparalleled,buthistrue significance reached far beyondtheboundaryropes.”
“He emerged from the Caribbeanatatimewhenour region was finding its voice andassertingitsplaceonthe world stage. Through his excellence, he gave millions across our islands and in the diaspora,arenewedbeliefin what was possible He
showed that greatness was not confined by the size of ournations,thegeographyof our islands or the circumstances of our beginnings.
Sir Garfield Sobers becamemorethanasporting icon.Hebecameasymbolof Caribbean excellence, resilience, and possibility His achievements brought pride to Barbados, inspirationtotheWestIndies and admiration from every corner of the cricketing world.”
Dr Shallow continued, ‘As a young cricketer, I was fortunate to benefit from Sir G a r f i e l d S o b e r s ’ contribution through the Sir G a r f i e l d S o b e r s
International Under-19 Cricket Tournament I remain grateful not only for that opportunity, but for the encouragement,wisdomand supporthepersonallyshared with me over the years. His kindness and influence will forever remain a treasured partofmyjourney Sir Garfield Sobers has completed his final innings, but his legacy will forever endure in the hearts of our region, and the story of the cricketingworld. On behalf of Cricket West Indies, I offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, the Government and people of Barbados and all those across the world who mournhispassing.’
Guyana retain overall title, striking Gold and Silver in Team’s final 2026 CASA Juniors:
Defending champions Guyana completed another dominant campaign at the 2026 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships in the British VirginIslandsonThursday,successfullyretainingtheoverall title with a commanding display across the Singles, Doubles andTeamevents.
Flying the Golden Arrowhead high, the Guyanese contingent once again stamped its authority on Caribbean juniorsquash,finishingwithanoutstandinghaulthatincluded seven singles gold medals before adding doubles titles through the formidable pairings of Kaylee Lowe and Emily Fung-a-Fat,andEganBulkanandShilohAsregado.
The championship was fittingly sealed in the Team competition,whereGuyanacapturedgoldintheGirls’Team event and secured silver in the Boys’ Team championship, morethanenoughtoclinchback-to-backoverallCASAJunior crowns.
The Girls’ Team proved untouchable in the 1-3 playoff against Barbados, producing a pristine 4-0 sweep without concedingasinglegame.
Emily Fung-a-Fat was at her brilliant best, dismantling Morgan Daniel 11-0, 11-0, 11-8, while Malia Maikoo completedthedominantperformancewithanemphatic11-9, 11-4, 11-7 victory over Thalia Knight as Guyana marched confidentlytoanotherregionalteamtitle.
TheBoys,meanwhile,facedaresurgentStVincentandthe Grenadinesoutfitinthechampionshipclashandwereforced to settle for silver after the Vincentians produced a clinical displayonthefinaldayofthechampionshiptoclinchgold.
JudeGobinwentdowntoZavinGarrick11-2,11-0,11-4, while Justin Ten Pow was defeated in straight games by Jayden George. Shiloh Asregado and Joshua Verwey also found theVincentians too strong, withAiden De Freitas and JaydonWilliamsensuringtheirsidecompletedacomfortable 4-0sweepoverthearrowheadboys.
The nation’s commanding performances in the Singles andDoublescompetitions,coupledwiththeGirls’Teamgold and Boys’ Team silver, ensured the defending champions comfortablyretainedCaribbeanjuniorsquash’smostcoveted prize,the2026championship.
With another CASA Junior Championship added to an alreadyimpressiverecord,thecountry’syoungstarscontinue to uphold a proud legacy spanning more than six decades, highlightingthesustainedgrowthandexcellenceofthesport inGuyana.
SinglesMedalswon:
Gold(3)
AlexisArjoon(GirlsU-11)
TehaniMunroe(GirlsU-13)
KayleeLowe(GirlsU-17)
Silver(3)
ZoeyMcDonald(GirlsU-13)
EganBulkan(BoysU-15)
EmilyFung-A-Fat(GirlsU-17)
Bronze(1)
EthanBulkan(BoysU-15)
GarrySobers,cricket’sgreatestall-rounder,diesat89
(Reuters) - Garry Sobers was born with two extra fingers — one on each hand. He removed them himselfasaboy,usingcatgutanda sharpknife.
Sobers would go on to become themostcompletecricketertoplay the game A graceful and destructive left-handed batsman, a left-arm bowler equally skilled at delivering pace and spin, and a brilliant fielder in any position, Sobers was named one of the five leading cricketers of the 20th century by the sport’s Wisden Almanack.
Hecamesecondonlytoprolific Australian batsman Don Bradman, who himself said of the player in 1988: “I’ve got no hesitation at in saying that Garry Sobers is the greatest all-round cricketer I ever saw ” Reflecting on his achievements, Sobers often played downtheimportanceofhisnatural talent. “People call me a genius. I don’tknowmuchaboutgeniuses,” hesaidlateinhislife.
“But I do believe that what I achieved was not just because of the ability that I was born with but alsobecauseIworkedhard.”
He has died aged 89, West Indies Cricket announced on Friday Nocausewasgiven.
‘LILLIPUTIAN
CRICKET’
Garfield StAubrun Sobers was born in St Michael, Barbados, on July 28, 1936, the fifth of six children of Shamont and Thelma Sobers.
Hisfather,aseamanworkingin the Canadian merchant navy, died when German forces sank the boat on which he was serving. Garfield wasfiveyearsold.
Sir Garfield Sobers rings the bell before the afternoon session as a tribute to Muhammad Ali. 10/6/16.
(Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers/File Photo)
His mother rose to the task of raisingthechildrenbyherself.“She did whatever she had to do and looked after us `tremendously well,” Sobers wrote in his autobiography “Wewenttoschool, wewereclean,wehadshoesonour feetandfoodinourbellies.”
Sobersexcelledatmanysports, including soccer and basketball, butcricketwashispassion.Hisfirst memories of the sport were of playingintheroadoronthebeach, agedeight.
At first he played “Lilliputian cricket”,whichrequiredlittlespace and a wicket less than half the normal size. The ball would be fashionedfromalumpoftar,thebat fromapieceoffence.
If the sun melted the tar ball, a
rock wrapped in cloth would serve asareplacement.
When the West Indies team toured India in 1948, and England two years later, Sobers listened in awetotheradiocommentaries.
“Toayoungboyfromahumble background, this was something magical,” he recalled in his autobiography “Itwasawondrous thingtothinkthatifIcoulddevelop myskillsenough,Imighthavethat sameopportunity.”
Sobers made his first-class debutforBarbadosat16.
HeplayedhisfirsttestforWest Indiesin1954.At21,hescoredhis maiden hundred against Pakistan, finishing on 365 not out, then the highestindividualtestinnings.
He remains the youngest test
triple-centurion.
‘HE’S DONE IT!’
SoberstookoverasWestIndies captain in 1965, before joining English County Nottinghamshire. He was batting for them in 1968 when he became the first player to hitsixsixesinoneoverinfirst-class cricket.
Glamorgan medium-pacer
Malcolm Nash was unfortunate bowler‘asSoberslaunchedhisfirst four deliveries out of the ground beforehewascaughtinthedeepoff thefifth.
In taking the catch, however, the fielder fell on to the boundary rope.Theumpireruledthattheball was over the line and signalled a six. Sobers coolly struck the next deliveryovertheEastTerraceofSt Helen’s,theWelshcricketground.
“Andhe’sdoneit!He’sdoneit! Andmygoodness,it’sgone way down to Swansea!” exclaimed radiocommentatorWilfWooller
Sobers preferred to focus on how his innings had helped his teamwinthematch.
“Sixsixesarenotgoodcricket,” he said after his feat received worldwide acclaim. “It was an occasion where we were looking for quick runs.The idea was to try andgetasmanyrunsaspossible.
“Recordsmustnotbethe`focus and that’s the most important thing,” he added. “It mustn’t come atthecostoftheteam.”
In 383 first-class matches, Sobersmademorethan28,000runs andtookmorethan1,000wickets.
‘I WASN’T BOTHERED’
In 1970, he played cricket in apartheid Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), generating an
internationalbacklash. Sobers was particularly condemned in the Caribbean, where calls grew for him to be sackedasWestIndiescaptain.
“I had not realised the deep feelings of the West Indian people in this issue of Rhodesia,” he reactedinalettertotheWestIndies CricketBoard.“IfI`hadknownor thought of these matters, I would neverhavegonetoRhodesia.”
Sobersretainedthecaptaincy
He received several invitations to play in apartheid South Africa butrefusedthemall,hewroteinhis memoir In 1991, as the country’s systemofracialsegregationended, he briefly met Nelson Mandela, who named him and Bradman as hisfavouritecricketers.
Sobers called Mandela “a truly great man” He went on to denouncethediscriminationthathe and other Black players had endured in Barbados as `well as in England.In1975,hewasknighted forhisservicestocricketbyQueen Elizabeth II in an open-air ceremony in Bridgetown, Barbados, that reportedly drew 50,000spectators.
Hewasnamedasoneofthe10 official National Heroes of Barbadosin1998.TheSirGarfield Sobers Sports Complex was built thereasavenueformajorsporting andculturalevents.
“There are those who claim I was destined to do well in life becauseIarrivedinthisworldwith two extra fingers, as though there was something mystic about it,” Sobersrecalled.“Iwasn’tbothered. Theydidn’tinhibitmeinanywayat all.”
Kuru Kururu complete remarkable turnaround to lift GFF’s EBFA Under-13 Youth Ensemble title
Kuru Kururu Football Club completed a stunning rise from strugglers to champions over the weekend,defeatingTimehriUnited FC to capture the inaugural East Bank FootballAssociation (EBFA) Under-13YouthEnsembletitle.
The triumph capped a remarkable transformation for the club,whichenduredawinless2025 campaign in both the EBFA U13 and U15 competitions. One year later, Kuru Kururu returned as a vastly improved outfit, stringing together an unbeaten run in the newly introduced Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Youth Ensemble
Programme to secure the championshipinemphaticfashion.
Thesuccessalsounderlinedthe impact of the GFF’s grassroots initiative, which was launched this year to provide young footballers with structured competition and a pathway for long-term development.
“I have seen strength and great development in the players. They cameoutanddidtheirbest,wonall their games and stayed on top,” Garrawaysaid.
The 2026 EBFA U13 Youth Ensemble League, which got underwayonMay16,featuredfour clubs—Kuru Kururu FC, Timehri United FC, Herstelling Raiders FC andCircuitVilleJaguarsFC.
Acrossninematches,morethan 100aspiringfootballersshowcased their skills, discipline and sportsmanship, highlighting the success of the competition’s debut season while providing plenty of excitingfootball.
Kuru Kururu’s dominance was reflected in the individual awards.
ImmanuelReidfinishedasthejoint leading scorer with eight goals, sharing the Golden Boot honours with Timehri United’s Jeremiah
EBFA Coordinator Hodiah Garraway praised the champions for the progress they displayed throughoutthetournament.
Stuart.
The champions also collected severalmajoraccolades,withOkel Morrison, who netted five goals, being named the competition’s Most Valuable Player Teammates Leandre Benjamine and Xavi Griffith, who each scored twice, were also recognised among the tournament’s standout performers, while Dokari Robertson claimed the Best Goalkeeper award
Timehri United’s Raheem Alexander (four goals) and Herstelling Raiders’ Micaicah French (two goals) also earned recognition for their outstanding performances.
Withtheleaguenowconcluded, champions Kuru Kururu FC and runners-upTimehriUnitedFChave both secured qualification for the National Youth Ensemble Championship, scheduled to be contestedbetweenJulyandAugust.
Attentionwillnowshifttothe Continued on page 21
Kuru Kururu FC completes impressive run with U13 Youth Ensemble (EBFA) title.
GuyanaCuproadshowtoigniteLindentoday
Guyana Cup preparation has commenced.
Preparation for the Guyana Cup has intensified and fans will have the first taste of the 18th running of the iconic horse race event, when the road show takes centre stage in Linden today, SaturdayJuly18
Theroadshowwillpromotethe evolution of the Guyana Cup, and showcase what’s in store for the horse racing fans, ahead of the megaeventwhichissetforAugust 23atRisingSunTurfClub.
Fans will have a close-up look attheSinoTrukpick-upthatwillbe given as a raffle to one lucky fan who purchased an extra Guyana Cupticket.
Whilethemainfocuswillbeon the spectacular races between the elite horses, the 2026 Guyana Cup willbeafamily-orientedevent.The illustriousvibewillbefeltfromthe gate of entry to the finish line, and beyond.
Theroadshowswillcommence in Linden, followed by Georgetown Additional roadshowswillbeheldinBerbice, inbothRegionsfiveandsix.Parika fanswillalsohaveaglimpseofthe GuyanaCup.
West Coast Demerara/ Region threerodshowistentativelysetfor J u l y 2 6 , w h i l e N e w Amsterdam/Region6willhavethe
firsttasteofGuyanaCuponAugust 2.
West Coast Berbice road show is set for Saturday August 8 and Georgetown will have their roadshowonAugust15.Organizers indicatedthatthedatestentative.
Organised by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred racing committee, this Guyana Cup is expected to attract all the top horses and jockeysfromacrosstheregion.
A total of 14 races will be running at this year’s Guyana Cup andmorethanG$66millionincash andprizeswillbepaidout.
The feature race which will be theBanksGuyanaCupwillfetcha
Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber leads the pack after six rounds of the EnerMech Guyana Inc National Junior Chess
Championship Defending championKyleCouchmanishoton his heels, matching Pitamber with anundefeated6pointsbutsittingin second place solely on tiebreak margins.
Neither of the boys have dropped a game since the nineround tournament commenced on Monday, July 13th, 2026, at
Olympic House, Liliendaal. All eyes now turn to today, Saturday, July 18th, when the two frontrunners will face off head-tohead in a thrilling round-nine final showdown that will likely decide thechampionship. Iftwoplayersaretiedattheend of nine rounds, the championship will head into a rapid three-game playofftofinallydeterminethenew NationalJuniorChampion.
Both frontrunners will look to maintaintheirflawlessmomentum
Pitamber
purseofG$22million. TheracesforGuyanaCup2026 are:
BanksGuyanaCup(OneMile)TotalpurseG$22,500,000
PeterLewisGuyanaCupSprint (5 ½ Furlong)- Total purse
G$7,500,000
Forrester’s Imported Derby (One Mile)- Total purse
G$7,500,000
Mohamed’s Excavating Sir Balaji Derby (One Mile)- Total purseG$5,625,000
J’s Imported Juvenile Fillies
Sprint (5 ½ Furlong)- Total purse
G$3,750,000
BM.SoatLocallyBredDash(5
To
G$2,812,500 P Jagdeo E-Class (One Mile)TotalpurseG$2,812,500
Jagmohan F-Class (One Mile)TotalpurseG$1,875,000
ARONCOH-Class(OneMile)TotalpurseG$1,875,000
C.I. H3 N.W.3 (One Mile)TotalpurseG$1,875,000
Avinash Local Maidens (One Mile)-TotalpurseG$2,812,500 Big G’s J-Class (One Mile)TotalpurseG$1,875,000
GarenProK-Class(OneMile)TotalpurseG$1,875,000
Sawh L Class Sprint (One Mile)-TotalpurseG$1,875,000
and Couchman locked
tight race for National Junior Chess title Pitamber
in the remaining rounds as they fightforthecoveted2026National JuniorChessChampionshiptitle.
Trailing the leaders closely is WCM Aditi Joshi with 4.5 points, followingatoughfourth-roundloss to CM Pitamber and a draw in the sixthround.Joshi,oneofonlytwo female players competing in the male-dominated field, will look to break into the top over the remainingthreerounds.
Holdingdownthemiddleofthe scoreboard, Alexander Zhang sits
infourthplacewith4points,while JeremyColesitsinfifthplacewith 2 5 points Kataleya Sam and Nicholas Zhang are currently tied for sixth and seventh, respectively, with 2 points each, while Matthew Singh is in eighth place with 1.5 points.
Aiden Tinnie sits at 1 point in ninth place, while Javier Davendand is on 0 5 points, roundingoutthestandingsintenth place. The tournament, featuring a
classicaltimecontrolof90minutes per player with a 30-second increment, will conclude today, July 18, 2026.The games are livestreamed on Lichess.org, while pairings and results are published on Chess-results com by FIDE ArbiterJohnLee.
Special thanks are extended to our sponsor, EnerMech Guyana Inc , for supp
e developmentofyouthchess,andto the Guyana Olympic Association forgenerouslyprovidingthevenue.
