K
Hundreds killed, NEWS over 1,000 missing after Himalayan flood AIETEUR
Friday Edition August 28, 2026 - Vol. 28 No. 34 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $200 readership
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
yesterday, 50,002
‘Silence on ExxonM audit reports is good for Guyana’ Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat
...as govt. defends keeping nation in the dark Masked gunman storms gold miner's home, escapes with $7.8 million Court orders State to pay Paul Slowe $1 million for wrongful arrest
Cuban found dead Govt. scraps walk-ins under container at for passport from Oct 1 must book online, elderly, Muneshwers’ terminal ...applicants disabled to benefit from home visits
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23
...Ram warns bigger payouts still don’t make Exxon deal fair
Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram
‘Don’t be fooled by Guyana’s 40% profit share’
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Friday August 28, 2026
Kaieteur News
APA backs residents of Chinese Landing The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has condemned the ongoing mining incursion in Chinese Landing, Region One, coming out in full solidarity with the village as the standoff between the Carib residents and heavy machinery operators enters grinds on. The rights body called for immediate intervention by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to halt operations by miner Wayne Vieira and his agents, urging State agencies to enforce constitutional protections guaranteed to Indigenous Peoples. "The APA stands in solidarity with Toshao Nikita Miller, the Councillors, and residents of Chinese Landing who have been tirelessly defending their land in the recent standoff with Vieira's mining operations, and for nearly the past three decades of doing so... These latest developments are indicative of a concerning national trend whereby mining operations are flagrantly disregarding the property rights of Indigenous Peoples to the detriment of communities' security and wellbeing," the statement read. The renewed confrontation erupted after four excavators and a b u l l d o z e r l i n k e d t o Vi e i r a attempted to enter Tassawini inside the village's titled boundaries. Operators claimed the equipment was intended for road and airstrip maintenance, but res idents recognised it as a move to expand mining operations. Kaieteur News observed when Stephen Vieira, acting under power of attorney for Wayne Vieira, demanded clearance and signaled
…as standoff over mining incursion enters sixth day
Koriabo
1999/05/07
981 Acres
652 Acres 1998/04/14
1999/05/07 915 Acres LEGEND Chinese Landing Titled Land
Wayne Vieira Mining Concessions (Payment Dates and Sizes Shown)
Chinese Landing
Mapped Impacted Area (1431 Acres) Indigenous Titled Lands Village Centre Rivers / Creeks
1999/05/07 896 Acres Waikrebi
Huri Creek
that the machinery "are not going back," villagers responded with a firm collective refusal: "NO! Never!" Toshao Nikita Miller confirmed that community members are maintaining a 24-hour
blockade at the site. "They haven't gotten permission from the village. They never seek for permission to enter and that is based on which is stipulated in the Amerindian Act. If a miner wishes to carry out
Kariako
Tassawini trail blocked by citizens
Koriabo
Chinese Landing
LEGEND Chinese Landing Titled Land Wayne Vieira Mining Concessions (Payment Dates and Sizes Shown)
Indigenous Titled Lands Village Centre Rivers / Creeks
Koriako
mining... he has to get the consent of the village," Miller stated, noting that neither the Ministry of Natural Resources nor the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has reached out directly. "We'll be here all the nights, all the days, to make sure that none of those new machinery enter into Tassawini." Chinese Landing received its original land title in 1976, reissued in 1991 under the State Lands Act and re-confirmed with a Certificate of Title in 2018, years before Vieira
obtained his initial prospecting permits in 1998. After a temporary agreement collapsed in 2004, gold extraction continued without village consent. The APA outlined severe impacts reported by the community since 2018 due to intensified mining in Tassawini. Critical waterways, including Huri Creek, have been severely contaminated, leading to reported cases of rashes, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Turbidity (Continued on page 22)
Kaieteur News
Friday August 28, 2026
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‘Silence on Exxon audit reports is good for Guyana’ ...as govt. defends keeping nation in the dark
T
he Government of Guyana (GoG) has been silent on the outcome of a US$19.6B audit of ExxonMobil for over a year since it received the report by the local consortium tasked with completing the review, VHE Consulting. In a letter to the editor this week, the Ministry of Natural Resources defended its months-long silence on the massive audit conducted by the multi-national corporation. According to the MNR, “Outcomes will be reported once they are final; that silence protects your interests, it does not hide anything from you.” The ministry made it clear that it would not announce its position while a “dispute is still open” as this would “only weaken our own hand and could cost the country money.” To this end, government asserted that it would not negotiate the ongoing audits in the public domain. The statement comes from government amid a total blackout of information on the sector with updates
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat APNU MP, Sharma Solomon scarcely provided unless requested and in most instances after the oil giant first makes disclosures to its shareholders. For instance, a major milestone was achieved this year when ExxonMobil recovered all of its investments made to date in Guyana. The news was not immediately shared with Guyanese. Instead, the company made the announcement to its shareholders during an earnings call. For close to
three weeks, government did not address the announcement but later called a press conference to confirm the news. N o n e t h e l e s s , government in its missive stated, “We will keep publishing, every month, the production figures, the cargoes lifted, the royalty collected, and exactly how the entitlement percentage was calculated, so any citizen can check our a r i t h m e t i c f o r themselves…The oil
belongs to the people of Guyana.” The letter by the ministry came on the heels of a public statement by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Sharma Solomon of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). He delved into the remarks by President Irfaan Ali on the US$55B recovered by Exxon and the 39.8% profit share Guyana now receives as a result. Solomon argued that the country could not simply sit back and accept the massive
Masked gunman storms gold miner's home, escapes with $7.8M
A
masked gunman staged a daring pre-dawn home invasion at Lamaha Springs on Wednesday, escaping with $4 million in cash and a gold chain valued at $3.8 million belonging to a 49-year-old gold miner. The robbery occurred around 4:30 a.m., after the victim had secured his two-storey concrete home shortly b e f o r e m i d n i g h t o n Tu e s d a y. According to police, the man told investigators that he was awakened by an intruder pointing a firearm at his face and demanding money.
Fearing for his life, the victim complied and opened a safe located inside a built-in closet in his bedroom. The gunman reportedly grabbed the $4 million cash and the gold chain, then fled the house and disappeared in an unknown direction. Police were alerted, and investigators arrived at the scene around 7:00 a.m. to begin probing the circumstances surrounding the robbery. Preliminary evidence gathered at the scene suggests that the suspect may have used a hammer to break into the house through a glass-and-wooden
door. The suspect reportedly had his face and head concealed with a jersey, making identification more difficult. Police have since questioned several persons as they work to establish the gunman's identity and determine how he gained access to the property. Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area, hoping the cameras captured the suspect before or after the robbery and could provide a breakthrough in the case. The investigation remains ongoing.
sum taken by the oil giant, arguing that it is the state's responsibility to verify the amount of oil used by the operator for expenses. The MP stressed the importance of this especially in light of previous audits conducted of the company which founds millions were misused and should be returned to the country. Solomon said, “The questions are simple. What has been produced and sold? What costs have been declared for recovery? What costs has Guyana accepted or rejected? What remains under dispute? And how did your government accounting arrive at 39.8%?” The MP continued, “These questions are necessary because the government's own past audits of ExxonMobil have already identified significant costs requiring challenges.” He highlighted that the first audit covering 1999 to 2017 identified approximately US$214.4 million in disputed expenses. That audit, conducted by a British firm, IHS-Markit examined US$1.7B in expenses. The second audit for the period 2018 to 2020 audit examined approximately US$7.2 billion in declared expenses. The local audit team, VHE consulting flagged another US$65.1
million that was not accepted by the government. Meanwhile, the third audit, covering 2021 to 2023 a n d i n v o l v i n g approximately US$19.6 billion was conducted by the same firm with the report still to be released to the public in similar manner as the previous audits. The secrecy has raised alarm among stakeholders who continue to question what appears to be a move to protect the company. Previous audits have exposed multiple violations of the 2016 contract with ExxonMobil blatantly misusing the country's oil money to spend on activities such as puppet shows and development activities outside of the Stabroek Block. In his appeal, Solomon said, “Guyanese cannot simply be asked to accept ExxonMobil's declaration of what has been spent and recovered. ExxonMobil has a commercial interest in its accounts. Your government has a national duty to verify them. This is not anti-investment, and it is not antiExxonMobil. It is about protecting Guyana's interest.” Furthermore, he called on the President to release the audits and tell the nation the total costs in dispute, the amount accepted and those rejected.
Kaieteur News
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Friday August 28, 2026
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Ali making the case for a refinery “We cannot have crude oil and not have security of supply…and security beings with it stability and then give us some shield against shocks that are currently existing.” We at this paper think that was well-said by President Irfaan Ali. Now he has his heart set on a refinery. Another megaproject that will cost billions of US dollars. A refinery gives Guyana a cushion and, depending on its capacity, the equivalent of a local strategic reserve. The president seemingly had all his cards lined up and is ready to push ahead with a refinery. “The global environment and imported inflation. Now look at what’s happening in the global environment. We produce crude oil, but we import all refined oil, our gasoline and everything. So, we import back all the price differentials. Since the war, you know what has been happening.” We interpret that to mean that plans for a refinery are well advanced inside the government and at the highest levels. However, there are some points to be shared, which should add sobriety to this development, not a new one, about the building of an oil refinery. President Ali is engaged with “imported price differentials”, not a meaningless number. He is, however, stubbornly against lifting a finger to urge ExxonMobil to the table of renegotiation over the lopsided 2016 oil contract. The Guyana debt to ExxonMobil of US$55B has been repaid, investment in the fertile Stabroek Block is as close to risk-free as anything can be. Yet, President Ali finds comfort in sheltering behind his conveniently made-up pillar of “sanctity of contract.” Apparently, he was unaware of that inviolable sacredness when he was campaigning to be the president of Guyana. At the time when he firmly committed to “review and renegotiate” all contracts. How does any citizen trust a national leader, who makes such a major commitment, then balks at honouring it? Our readership needs to take note of this point: dealing with imported inflation is important. But renegotiating the oil contract must be high priority. The contract largely benefits ExxonMobil. The company authored it, took full advantage of that situation, and inserted terms and conditions to ensure its own prosperity, while leaving a great number of Guyanese trapped in poverty. Renegotiating the contract is where big money is, what reduces “imported price differentials” (refined crude oil products) to pennies, in comparison. Rather than President Ali being energised and fixated on building an oil refinery, not necessarily a bad project for Guyana, his prioritising of pushing ExxonMobil to the renegotiating table would serve Guyana far better. Another position of ours is that citizens have had terrible experiences with highflying projects. The US$2B Wales Gas-to-Energy (GtE) is the latest and largest example. A refinery of size stands to cost multiples of the GtE US$2B. Would that be another six for a nine, another con job, at which the PPPC Government has manifested considerable skill? If such a project were to be launched today, when would that come on stream? When projects of this nature are spearheaded by the PPPC Government, they could take years over the original timeline, with the US billions also increasing. The president further said, “we are hoping that we can have investment in that refinery.” It is almost guaranteed that Guyana will not be short of investors for such a high-priced project. The issue before us is which group would be selected, and with what kind of result for this country. The secrets and denials that have plagued the Wales GtE should put citizens on the alert when they hear about a refinery is needed, and the push is on for it to come to pass. This is the environment, the type of mindset, that the PPPC Government, under different presidents, has left citizens with. Projects with huge potential to benefit the
Multi-million-and billion-dollar contracts are awarded to family and friends of the ruling elite DEAR EDITOR, Guyana belongs to all Guyanese at home and in the diasporas and everyone deserves to be treated fairly and equally in terms of having jobs, government contracts, and state resources and the distribution of house lots, among others. However, public reports and watch dog organisations in the country have confirmed that the most lucrative multimillion- and billion-dollar government contracts are being awarded to a small group of persons who are family members and friends of the president and all his ministers and members of the PPP and not to opposition members and others in the country. These are not allegations but facts, which have often been highlighted by local newspapers, civil society groups and others. Public funds should not be used to benefit family members and cronies of the highly corrupt PPP regime, but to raise the standard of living of people and uplift every community e q u a l l y. I t i s u n f a i r,
discriminatory and unjustifiable to use government resources to benefit only those connected to the ruling elite. The Ali government should be ashamed of its barefaced and biased actions. Guyana is currently experiencing rapid economic GDP growth rate, massive infrastructure development projects, economic transformation and unprecedented revenues, therefore, every citizen should be part of and have a stake in national development. But this is not the case because the immoral and unethical PPP government continues to believe that this country belongs to members of the ruling party and not the people. President Ali talks about “One Guyana” yet he and his government have deliberately refused to give major contracts to supporters of other groups and the opposition. Public money belongs to all the people of Guyana and not only family and friends of the president,
members of his cabinet and political favourites. Public procurement is supposed to be transparent and competitive and fair at all levels of governance, which is the bedrock of a healthy democratic society. When multi-million-and billion-dollar government contracts are not given to qualified, responsible bidders, but to the wellconnected and family members of the PPP, public trust breaks down and inequality and mistrust deepens. In Guyana, true national development cannot happen when more than 40 percent of the population are discriminated and left out of the development process. Since 2020, state power has served party patronage rather than the public good. All the citizens of Guyana deserve an open, fair and an accountable system where government contracts and resources are distributed based on merit, not political loyalty or personal connections. True leadership requires
that the country’s wealth and opportunities be managed with transparency and accountability, the two most important ingredients in good governance. I doubt he is capable, but if he does, then it is time for the president to stop covering up or shielding or defending his ministers who he knows are involved in massive corruption and spiteful behaviour. He has done absolutely nothing to discipline or ask them to resign. As president, he must enforce rigorous, open and verifiable standards in all institutions in the bidding and awarding of contracts to ensure that every citizen has a fair chance to contribute and benefit. It will not happen because huge corruption and massive fraud exist from top to bottom of this administration and ministers and senior public officials not only know about it but they also have information on one another and will make it public if they are disciplined. Sincerely, Aubrey Retemyer
Green’s Poppycock DEAR EDITOR, I am glad that Hamilton Greene admits that he is ‘running the risk’ of ‘repeating’ himself, when he writes about ‘good g o v e r n a n c e . ’ To t h i s acknowledgement, I add that it is an exercise in utter otiosity. If I want to debunk evolution, I expose the limitations and lack in Darwin, the man behind it all. This is my analogy regarding ‘Hammy.’ My conclusion is forgone: He is not qualified to speak on any issue in Guyana, and this is where I take off, as I find it repugnant that he is being ignored. First, I notice of recent, that this man is being given lots of leverage in press (certain quarters). This is the man who was ‘championing’ the former regime, A Partnership for National
Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), to resort to ‘rigging’ to regain power. This sinister tool was his trademark for his beloved People’s National Congress (PNC). That menacing weapon was taken away, after the prolongation of the Burnham and Hoyte eras ended in the 1992 elections. Remember back in 2024, he expressly stated that “”If, as I told one of the groups that I met this morning they say he rigged elections, I say we should keep rigging to save us from these devils, these bastards, these demons that we have.” He tried to back track and exculpate himself, but even if he had managed that successfully, his record betrays his attempts. He cannot and must not be allowed to lecture uncontested, this PPP/C
people encounter roadblocks, end up requiring much more in terms of US millions and time. A GtE in the manner of the Wales project has such high potential. The long and tortured record of where it is currently provides all the proof that anyone should need of what could go wrong and has. A refinery in the hands of this government could duplicate its failures.
government about good governance. His last letter stinks. For example, in the 1980 Lord Avebury Report, the conclusion was emphatic. Green, as Prime Minister and headman during the era up to 1985, was helmsman of the PNC that virtually formalised and legalised ‘rigging.’ That damning report detailed that opposition observers were expelled from counting centres at gunpoint, and PNC turnout figures that were mathematically ludicrous. Good governance for green meant that there was ‘no counting of votes at individual polling stations and ballot boxes must be transported to a few selected, military-controlled locations. This produced the bizarre-more votes than people. Another illustration of Green’s idea of ‘good governance’ is the infamous 1973 “Ballot Box” Seizures, that led to the ‘shooting to death’ of Jagan Ramessar and Bholanauth Parmanand, on the ground by GDF soldiers and armed police units. Green is still
defensive, reiterating that this said 1973 election was not rigged. He is trying to foist the idea that ‘allegations were contrived’, deriving from ‘mischief’ and ‘figment’ of the imagination. Crap and Balderdash!!! How come votes keep outnumbering constituents’ numbers? The ‘clear-cut’ conclusion is that Green has no voice in today’s Guyana about ‘how to govern a country,’ and his sarcasm comes over as quite puerile. Editor, let me add that Forbes Burnham kept Hamilton Green close because Green was the ‘ultimate enforcer’ of his regime’s authoritarian leadership, yet ‘masterfully’ kept him close to control him, as he did not trust his evil ambitions. This was perceived by Despond Hoyte, who acceded power in 1985, and when Green became obstreperous, Desmond Hoyte simply fired him. He was a dangerous threat within his own party. Secondly, my word for Greene is about ‘awaiting the COI and ‘retaining the two ministers, Juan Edghill and Continued on page 5
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Friday August 28, 2026
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Chinese Landing Resident As a nation, we need to do better Grievance – Village held at Ransom by Toshao DEAR EDITOR, I would like to highlight the plight of the actual residents of the Chinese landing. I am referring to those who were born and grew up here and who are descendants of generations who live, hunt, and sustain their families from this land. The recent dispute between the Village Council hijacked by non-Indigenous Guyanese and a miner has exposed greed for power, gold, and handouts by some members of the Village Council. As an elder who migrated from the village, as far as I am aware, the fight for rights to mine the land by a miner has been long settled in the local courts and the final court, all the way at the CCJ, which ruled in favour of the miner. Now, the Village Council, which has been hijacked by individuals of Indian and African descent, is claiming to act in the best interest of Amerindians by preventing a miner from extracting resources from that land to which he has all lawful rights and by demanding rental fees for permission to mine the land that does not belong to the village. Some members of the Village Council led by the Toshao are engaged in the daylight shake-down of the miner aiming to replace the legal authority of GGMC, whom royalties and rental fees are paid to and not the Village Council. Further, I was made aware that the miner has granted permission to 9 villagers to set up small mining operations on his property as a show of good faith in supporting the
community, but even that the Toshoa is preventing aiming for absolute control of the village and all mining activities for her own personal benefit, similar as the previous Toshao. Editor, the Village Council is not interested in preserving the environment from the effects of mining, as they may want us to believe; they are only interested in getting handed out by bullying the miner and even getting to mine the land themselves, which they know belongs to the miner. The Toshao and a few members of the Village Council have taken the Chinese Landing hostage and engage only in selfinterest. Most importantly, the former Toshoa, who has many properties and businesses in Chinese Landing and in Georgetown, is the brother-in-law of the current Toshao, who aims to emulate her predecessor to gain wealth on the backs of the real residents and Village Council. Therefore, on behalf of all law-abiding and actual residents of Chinese Landing, I am calling on the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, GGMC, and the Guyana Police Force to investigate the Toshao and some members of the village council who are holding the village at ransom. The villagers of Chinese Landing are not in support of the illegal acts by our Toshao and call on all relevant authorities to act now to safeguard the residents of Chinese Landing from the clutches of the greedy Toshao. Sincerely, Concerned Resident of Chinese Landing
Green’s Poppycock From page 4 Deodat Indar (until). He has grouse regarding the ‘charging of Kevin Pricecaptain of the vessel; Dwayne Roberts-old chief mate; and Delon Granderson-goods superintendent, who were all directly culpable. Green needs to know that this is standard procedure globally. What is unfolding is not an anomaly or some kind of governmental immunity for favoured minsters. Far from that! I repeat that it is common and lawful for captains and crew to face criminal charges after a water disaster, while government ministers stay in office. I ask who is in direct control? Is it not the captain, and by extension his crew? These are the ones legally responsible for the safety, navigation, and operation of the ship. What is the natural course of action? It is that Maritime Laws hold workers directly accountable for negligence, errors, or breaking safety rules. And by the way, these all had a right
to refuse. If they operated a sub-standard and nonworthy vessel, claiming duress, then ‘woe’ be to them. That is not an excuse. The flip side is that ministers manage broad government rules and funding, and not daily ship operations. This is also standard policy. We do not expect the president and ministers to be scattered all over the country, checking on all vessels and buildings etc. on safety measures. Check the annals, as politicians rarely resign unless there is proof of direct corruption. I think of the MV Princess of the Stars when it sank in 2008 in the Philippines. This catastrophe resulted in 814 deaths out of more than 850 people on board. Ensuing details show that “… the Secretary of the D e p a r t m e n t o f Transportation and Communications (DOTC) faced heavy parliamentary heat for the state-run Marina (Maritime Industry Authority), failing to cancel the vessel’s clearance to sail during an active typhoon
alert.” This minister still refused to step down. He was very particular in declaring that ‘the final authority to sail rested strictly on the ship’s captain and the company operators, and not with the government cabinet.’ In this tragedy, the captain died, but Executives of Sulpicio Lines (the shipping company) faced aggressive multi-year criminal indictments for ‘reckless imprudence’ while their commercial licence to transport passengers was permanently revoked. Why. Like I said before, the ‘final say’ to sail resides solely and strictly on the ship’s captain and the company operators-not the government cabinet. Good governance is about ‘being willing to be tried independently’ and allow ‘the due legal process to run its course.’ It’s a waste of time for this ‘erring trio’ to cry ‘duress’ or ‘clamour for sympathy.’ Yours truly, Hargesh B. Singh
DEAR EDITOR, As an analyst who has spent the past two years examining food quality and consumer concerns in Guyana, I believe we need to take a closer look at the standards of food handling, storage, and inspection across our markets and supermarkets. Consumers have increasingly raised concerns about the quality of meats and other food products being sold. Even staple items such as rice have become a concern, with consumers reporting increased prices alongside instances of declining quality. There have also been troubling reports of mold being discovered in sealed food packaging, while expired canned goods have allegedly remained on supermarket shelves. The situation is equally concerning in some of our major open markets in Georgetown. Unsanitary surroundings, inadequate storage facilities, exposure of food to environmental contaminants, and insufficient facilities for vendors can create
unnecessary public-health risks. While many vendors work hard to provide affordable food to the public, they also deserve proper facilities that allow them to operate safely and maintain acceptable standards. The Government of Guyana is investing billions of dollars in modernising, rebuilding, and restoring public markets across the c o u n t r y, i n c l u d i n g improvements to municipal and community markets and the development of designated vending zones nationwide. These investments, being led through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development under Minister Priya Manickchand, represent an important opportunity to address more than the appearance and physical condition of our markets. Modernisation should also mean modern foodsafety systems. New and renovated markets should incorporate proper refrigeration, drainage, wastemanagement systems, clean water, sanitary storage, pest
Retraction and Unconditional Apology to the Guyana Police Force DEAR EDITOR, I wish to offer a full and unequivocal retraction regarding a statement I made in my letter published on August 27, 2026. In that letter, I stated that Member of Parliament Tabitha SaraboHaley was patted down by a male police officer, rather than a female officer. I now accept that this assertion was incorrect. I offer my unconditional apology to the Commissioner of Police, the officers of the Guyana Police Force, and any other entities or individuals associated with this matter for any embarrassment or distress my inaccurate statement may have caused. I fully retract the claim and any inferences drawn from it. Sincerely, Jonathan Subrian Esq.
control, adequate ventilation, and facilities that allow vendors to maintain food at appropriate temperatures. There should also be consistent inspection and enforcement so that consumers can have confidence in the products they purchase. Food safety is not solely the responsibility of Government. Supermarket owners, market vendors, distributors, importers, consumers, and regulatory authorities all have a role to play. Businesses must ensure that expired, contaminated, or improperly stored products do not reach consumers, while regulatory agencies must have the resources and authority necessary to conduct effective inspections and enforcement. As Guyana continues to develop economically, our food-safety standards must develop alongside our infrastructure. We cannot build modern markets while allowing outdated practices to continue inside them. Overall, safety is everyone’s business. As a nation, we need to do better—not only for today’s consumers, but for the health and wellbeing of future generations. Sincerely, Blane R Bunbury
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Guyana must pay attention to the lessons of environmental disasters and community mental health DEAR EDITOR, The devastating floods now unfolding in Nepal and neighbouring Tibet in China, alongside other environmental disasters around the world, should remind us that the consequences of disasters extend far beyond immediate deaths, physical destruction and economic losses. They also leave a less visible but profound legacy: the impact on mental health and the psychosocial wellbeing of individuals and communities. The latest disaster along the Nepal-China border has swept away homes, roads, bridges and power infrastructure, leaving scores dead and hundreds missing. In southern China, severe flooding associated with Typhoon Narra has forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate, while earlier floods in Guangxi killed at least 159 people. Such events are reminders that floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, wildfires and other hazards can produce immediate psychological distress and long-term consequences. The loss of
loved ones, homes and livelihoods, combined with displacement, uncertainty and the disruption of social networks, can leave people struggling with grief, anxiety, fear, depression and trauma. Children, older persons, persons with disabilities, first responders and people already experiencing social or economic vulnerability may be especially at risk. This has an important lesson for Guyana. Our country may not regularly experience major earthquakes, but we face significant risks from coastal and riverine flooding, sealevel rise, extreme rainfall, coastal erosion, drainage challenges, drought, fires and other climate-related hazards. Our predominantly low-lying coastal settlements, together with the concentration of people, economic activity and critical infrastructure along the coast, make resilience a national imperative. We have experienced the consequences before. The catastrophic flooding that began in late 2004 and intensified into January 2005 affected
hundreds of thousands of Guyanese. Homes and livelihoods were disrupted, communities were displaced and the country faced enormous physical and economic challenges. Yet alongside the visible destruction was another dimension that received far less attention: the fear, uncertainty, grief, stress and psychological disruption experienced by affected families and communities. That experience should inform how we prepare today. Environmental resilience must include mental-health and psychosocial resilience. Disaster preparedness cannot be confined to evacuation plans, shelters, emergency supplies, drainage systems and physical infrastructure. Communities must also be prepared for the psychological consequences of disasters. Mental-health professionals, social workers, schools, faithbased organisations, community organisations and other trusted community actors should form part of an integrated disaster -
preparedness and response system. Their role should begin before disaster strikes, not only after it occurs. P s y c h o s o c i a l preparedness can include public education, psychological first aid, trauma-informed services, community support networks and mechanisms for identifying and assisting vulnerable persons. Properly trained community volunteers can also help people recognise distress, provide appropriate initial support and connect those in need to professional services. This is particularly important as Guyana confronts climate change and rapid economic and i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l transformation. A disaster is not simply a natural event. Its consequences are shaped by exposure, vulnerability, preparedness and resilience. Environmental disasters often expose and deepen existing inequalities. People with inadequate housing, limited financial resources, restricted access to healthcare or weak socialsupport networks may suffer
disproportionately. Consequently, climate policy, disaster management, public health and mental-health policy cannot be treated as separate silos. They intersect with housing, poverty reduction, social protection, urban planning, environmental management and community development. G u y a n a ’s n a t i o n a l conversation about climate resilience should therefore extend beyond sea walls, drainage, mangrove restoration, emergency shelters and resilient infrastructure. We m u s t a l s o a s k whether our people and communities are psychologically prepared to withstand disruption, support one another and recover after a disaster. The recent devastation in Nepal and China demonstrates how quickly an environmental event can transform communities. Rebuilding after such a disaster means more than
reconstructing roads, bridges and houses. Recovery must also restore a sense of safety, dignity, belonging, hope and social connectedness. Guyana has an opportunity to learn from the experiences of others - and from our own painful experience of 2004 - 2005 before another major disaster tests our systems. We should therefore pursue a genuine whole-ofsociety approach to resilience, integrating environmental management, disaster-risk reduction, public health and mental health rather than addressing them as separate concerns. T h e p h y s i c a l environment and the human mind are not disconnected. When communities are exposed to environmental shocks, both can be damaged, and both require deliberate investment to recover. Yours faithfully, Royston King Chairman Mindful Guyana Inc.
Guyanese deserve a combined opposition DEAR EDITOR, According to Guyana’s Constitution, the Leader of the Opposition is selected from the non-Government members of Parliament. The assumption by the public is that the selected person will represent the whole Opposition, certain of the cooperation of all the non-governmental members. Also, the public would expect that the Parliamentary opposition speaks with one voice. Why then is there no obvious example that the Parliamentary opposition is working in Unison? Would the opposition not be more effective if they work as ONE? Would that public display of ONENESS by the combined opposition not give confidence to the voters that the opposition members do truly put the country’s interest first? Regards, FaiyaZ Alli
Have we drifted into the murky dungeon of the Gestapo under Hitler and a police state? DEAR EDITOR, I have just read the report dealing with the arrest of Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the Opposition, I held my peace until the sorry sequence of events, as reported in the independent media, were confirmed by someone who was present. Citizens and editor have we drifted into the murky dungeon of the Gestapo under Hitler and a police state? Citizens irrespective of your political or religious beliefs, we must stand-up against this atrocity, that is all I say for now. Sincerely, Hamilton Green
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L Guyana must stop playing N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U sitting duck with its oil . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T B L . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . UN .BLUNT.. UNT...BL T...BLU . L N . T B U . . L B UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . B BL T...BLUN BLUNT. . . . T N U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T BB T...BLU U N L U B L . . . B . T . N . N T T U L U N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L . B T LUNT. UNT...B BL Friday August 28, 2026
Kaieteur News
Guyana's Stabroek Block is an oil fountain, yet the country continues to accept a deal that leaves ExxonMobil laughing all the way to the bank. The 2016 Production Sharing Agreement was negotiated when Guyana had little bargaining power. Today, the circumstances have changed dramatically. ExxonMobil has recovered billions in costs, while Guyana's oil has proven commercially attractive, high-quality and highly profitable.So why is renegotiation still treated as forbidden territory?
ExxonMobil's claim of being a “trusted partner” rings hollow if it refuses to discuss a fairer arrangement. A genuine partner should recognise when circumstances have changed and negotiate in good faith.
But the greater disappointment is Guyana's Government. The PPP/C once promised to review and renegotiate oil contracts. Today, it appears content to defend the status quo. Guyana needs stronger terms, ring-fencing and a better return. The 2016 agreement must be renegotiated.
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Friday August 28, 2026
High Court throws out PNCR Lethem office claim The High Court has dismissed People's National Congress Reform (PNCR)'s lawsuit over its removal from the Lethem building that served as its regional headquarters for decades. In a judgment delivered on August 24, 2026, the Court ruled entirely in favour of the State, establishing that the political party had no legal ownership over the property and that its eviction by regional authorities was lawful. The dispute stems from a March 2023 operation in which Regional Executive Officer (REO) Karl Singh, contractor Dale Kennedy, and members of the Guyana Police Force entered the premises, demolished parts of the structure, and cleared out the party's belongings. The PNCR subsequently launched legal proceedings, alleging trespass, conversion of property, and constitutional violations. However, according to a press release issued
...orders party to pay $300,000 in costs by the Attorney General's Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs on August 27, 2026, the Court firmly rejected the opposition's arguments. "The Court found that the land and building belonged to the State and were vested in the RDC, noting that the PNCR could not produce any lease, title document, or other proof of ownership." Addressing the party's presence at the Region No. 9 site, the statement noted, "The Court found that the party's decades-long occupation began in the 1970s and that its presence there was best understood as permission granted by the State rather than a legal right to the property." The judge also dismissed claims that the eviction was sudden or unlawful, highlighting that the
The PNCR was thrown out the office back in 2023 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) had given the PNCR "ample notice to vacate, starting in November 2021 and repeated several times before a final deadline in January 2023." Since the party's permission to stay had been lawfully revoked, the Court held that the March 2023 recovery of the building "did not constitute trespass."Furthermore, allegations
regarding stolen or converted party property were thrown out. The Court confirmed that all items removed from the building were properly "inventoried and stored by the RDC and remained available for collection." Ultimately, the High Court determined that the government's actions were a "lawful enforcement of its property rights rather than discrimination or
an unconstitutional taking." The Court dismissed the claim in its entirety and ordered the PNCR to pay $300,000 in costs to the Attorney General. The PNCR was represented by attorney Darren Wade, while the State was represented by Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC MP, alongside State Counsel Pierre Squires.
Kaieteur News
Friday August 28, 2026
PAGE 09
Second-class patients There is something wonderfully modern about a health system in which the government pays a private hospital to provide a service to poor people, and the private hospital then tells those poor people to come back tomorrow for the results. It is almost as if the voucher comes with a small footnote saying: “Congratulations, you qualify for medical care, but unfortunately you do not qualify for the same speed of service as everybody else.” A sign at a private hospital reportedly informed persons using governmentissued health vouchers that they should return the following day to collect their laboratory results. The hospital was, in effect, saying that its own paying patients deserved priority, while the patients whose bills were being paid by the government could practise the ancient medical art of waiting. But this raises an embarrassing question: If the government money is bringing business to a private health provider, why should the people whose care is being financed by that money be treated as secondclass customers? The voucher may be issued by the government, but apparently it does not come with a fastpass for the laboratory. Perhaps we should introduce a new category of health care called “voucher
medicine,” in which the patient gets the test today, the result tomorrow and, if the illness is sufficiently serious, the diagnosis whenever everybody has finished having lunch. It would be funny if the consequences were not so serious. The larger problem, however, is not one sign at one private hospital but the philosophy behind the programme. When government repeatedly uses public money to purchase services from private providers because public institutions cannot meet the demand, sooner or later we have to ask why we are not using that same money to make the public institutions capable of meeting the demand. There is something fundamentally wrong when the State becomes very efficient at writing cheques to private institutions while remaining less efficient at building more laboratories, operating theatres, diagnostic units and specialist services to further improve the public health system. If public laboratories cannot process the volume of tests required, then increase their capacity. Buy the equipment, expand the facilities, recruit and train the technicians and operate the laboratories for longer hours, rather than accepting the shortage as though it were an act of nature. The same principle applies to specialised health
care. Poor people should not have to choose between receiving life-saving treatment and keeping the family house, and they certainly should not have to experience the humiliation of being discharged from a private hospital because the family has run out of money. Imagine a patient is fighting for life while the relatives are fighting the bill. The disease is on one side and the accountant is on the other. Specialised health care is not supposed to be a luxury. Oncology, cardiac care, n e p h r o l o g y, a d v a n c e d surgery and other specialist services are essential parts of a serious health system, and they must be available to ordinary citizens in a timely manner. We have made improvements in public health care – let no one deny that – and those improvements should be acknowledged. But improvement is not the same t h i n g a s a d e q u a c y, particularly when a patient can be rushed into one public hospital in a critical condition only to be told that the required treatment is available somewhere else. Recently, a report in the media noted that an accident victim reportedly had to be transferred from the Port Mourant Public Hospital to New Amsterdam because his condition was so critical. He died while being transported. Nobody can say from one incident alone that the
Dem Boys Seh...
Gambling is now a career choice Dem boys does mek a friendly bet now and again, but nothing dem boys could afford not to lose. Ole people always seh, “Only bet wah yuh could afford to lose.” But nowadays, some people look pon gambling not as recreation but as a career path. All dem need is a shirt, pants and transportation money, and dem ready fuh report to work — at de gambling shop. Guyana gat gambling everywhere. Lotto, bookies, betting shops, casino, online betting and every conceivable way fuh convince yuh dat today is de day yuh go get rich without actually doing any work. And when dem official places done close, de unofficial economy tek over. Chick-chick board, road corners, dog fight betting, fowl-cock fight betting, dray cart race betting and under-bottom-house betting does continue until somebody win three hundred dollars and lose thirty thousand. De strange thing is that everybody complaining about de high cost-of-living. Food expensive. Rent expensive. Electricity expensive. Transportation expensive. But some people still finding money every morning fuh gamble. Guvament talking about increasing disposable income to help people
cope with rising prices. But dem boys suspect some people treating “disposable income” literally. As soon as de money become disposable, dem dispose of it — straight into de betting shop. One man tell he friends he wife accuse him of gambling de School Cash Grant. De man vex. He say he going back to de casino to win it back. Dem boys ask: If yuh gamble de children school money and lose, is who supposed to go back to school — you? And gambling apparently does bring families closer together. One man boast that gambling strengthen his family relationship. He gamble away de six-bedroom house. Now he, he wife and children living together in a one-bedroom flat. Look how close dem get! At this rate, gambling might soon become one of Guyana’s fastest-growing professions. Forget about qualifications, experience and references. Just bring luck, money and a willingness to lose both. The national motto might soon change from “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” to “One More Bet, One More Chance.” Talk half. Leff half.
outcome would certainly have been different, but the incident forces us to ask an uncomfortable question: should our hospitals be referring critically injured patients because they genuinely need a higher level of care, or because the first hospital simply does not have the capacity to provide it? This is precisely why investment in existing public hospitals matters. Before building a large number of new regional hospitals, government should ensure that the hospitals already serving the population have the equipment, specialists, laboratories, intensive-care facilities and emergency capacity necessary to save lives. Government therefore needs to think beyond the immediate convenience of outsourcing health services. Every dollar spent purchasing private capacity should also prompt the question of whether that dollar could help build permanent public capacity that will serve thousands of people for years. There is
nothing wrong with government partnering with private health providers when necessary. What is wrong is allowing such partnerships to become a substitute for building a public health system strong enough to stand on its own feet. The ultimate objective should not be to make government better at paying private hospitals to compensate for public deficiencies. It should be to make those deficiencies increasingly unnecessary, so
that the next poor patient does not need a voucher, a mortgage, a miracle or a relative with money abroad just to get the health care that should be available as a matter of right. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10 UTHS
D TR
HAR
HK
BY G
LALL
Friday August 28, 2026
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
Nothing to hide P
res. Ali has said that he has nothing to hide about his farm tucked away inside Long Creek on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Comforts me to hear that statement. Having made his representation, the president is now obligated to go further. Beyond his words would be a good beginning. There's a spot of problem. In his six years at the helm, Pres. Ali has said many things that rang loud. T h e r e a f t e r, t h e r e w a s difficulty locating him. To attach actions to his assertions. To glean from followups that he was diligent in delivering. That is, what he said and what he placed
before the public matched up. It's a big piece of land that farm. A farm of that size with all those competition calibre creatures should have a paper trail longer than the Linden Highway. Considering the luxurious State-well-fed, well-housed, and well-cared for-in which the flora and fauna on the president's farm laze around in contented serenity, it must cost many millions to maintain that lifestyle for the farm creatures. Not to forget the staff that attends to them foot-tofoot and around the clock. They also don't come cheap. I think of land receipts, bank loans, and abundant records. To help the president keep
Cuban found dead under container at Muneshwers’ terminal A 23-year-old Cuban national was found dead on Monday beneath a container at the Muneshwers Shipping Terminal at Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The man has been identified as Alex Jesús González Beria. Reports reaching Kaieteur News indicate that González Beria may have been crushed by the container. However, police have not yet confirmed the circumstances surrounding his death. The company has also not responded to queries about the incident. Meanwhile, Kaieteur News understands that an investigation has been launched by the relevant authorities and other stakeholders to determine exactly how the tragedy occurred.
track of his farm. Whether it's his hobby or a side business to supplement his meagre income, lots of juice are required for its upkeep. Lighted. Mowed. Cleaned. Perfumed. Heated. Cooled. Replenished. Endless. Therefore, it should be quite easy for Pres. Ali to provide related documents. Every scrap. If he has nothing to hide, there's no need for him to slide. How he got the land, so much of it, is one question where some sheets of official paper would help. Who is Mohamed Ali and why does his name feature in the land holdings? If he has some relationship to the president, that must be disclosed. Additionally, why it was thought necessary to incorporate him in what's now inseparably associated with Mohamed Irfaan Ali,
the one and only. Sticking to this point, what was Mr. Mohamed Ali's role? To act as a familiar comforter or a cover. Separately, I will not be crude and ask for an affidavit from Excellency Ali on the origins of some of those prized animals. Or how their address is now Long Creek, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Others can pursue, not I. What interests is that the president gave assurance that a tour of his fabulous and stupendous farm will happen at the “appropriate time.” Grateful, Dr. President. Given the vastness of his estate cum farm cum cow palace, a tour that tells all and reveals all could occupy all of a short week. Plenty to absorb. Much to admire. More to applaud. A sitting president provisioned like a prince. Congratulations, Dr. President. How was that
done, all of that achieved, is a source of wonder to a simple fellow like me. What Guyanese wouldn't give for a fraction of that opulence! A fraction with a 10-digit denominator aka one billionth of their head-ofstate holdings, so that no one gets their arithmetic wrong. Relative to the “appropriate time”, the president controls the clock. There's the MV Barima tragedy to be fixed, considering the incessant howls. Further, there's the CCJ crisis at the top, which requires that Pres. Ali be hands-on and waist deep in the muck before that swamp can be cleared. Cleared it will be, for President Ali can be energised and dogged when his gears are engaged and his head wrapped around
a cause. He is, presently. Thus, the farm mysteries must hang until the “appropriate time.” Fair, I say. Getting priorities right. Plus, buys time to line up ducks and make them walking in a straight line. A straight line can't hide much of anything. I think the president is on the right track. Soft pedal the farm. Runover it a few times. Everything becomes mush. Nothing can be hidden. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Court orders State to pay Slowe $1 million for wrongful arrest Former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe has been awarded $1 million dollars in damages in addition to costs for being wrongfully arrested by police in October 2021. According to court documents seen by this newspaper, Slowe was wrongfully arrested in the precincts at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on October 15, 2021 while he was there in response to a summons which was previously issued to him by the Court. The summons was issued on October 3, 2021 for Slowe to attend court on the 15th but it was reported that he was out of the country when the summons was issued. Slowe was at the time facing criminal charges including fraud and sexual assault. He arrived at the court on October 15 and was still arrested. As a result, the former assistant police commissioner brought proceedings against the State naming the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, the State's Legal representative as the respondent. In his statement of claim, Slowe said that the illegal detention resulted in a loss of liberty, injury of feeling including indignity, mental suffering, disgrace and humiliation. In a judgment delivered on 24th August 2026, Justice Nicola Pierre found that Mr. Slowe's constitutional right to personal liberty, protected by Article 139 of the Constitution, had been infringed when officers restrained him at the Georgetown Magistrates'
Former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe Court despite his attendance pursuant to a court summons and despite objections that there was no lawful basis for his arrest. The State admitted liability for assault, battery and false imprisonment. The Court held that although the restraint lasted approximately ten minutes, the circumstances were serious. Mr. Slowe was attending court in response to a summons in the very matter for which officers sought to arrest him. The restraint continued even after attorneys-at-law informed the officers that the arrest was unlawful. The incident occurred in public view
and was recorded and later disseminated through traditional and social media. The Court noted that the right to personal liberty is fundamental. In this case, the police exercised coercive powers without lawful authority against a person who was attending Court pursuant to a summons. Justice Pierre awarded G$800,000 in compensatory damages for assault, battery and false imprisonment and a further G$200,000 in vindicatory damages for the breach of Mr. Slowe's constitutional right to personal liberty, emphasising that police powers must be exercised strictly according to law. The Court underscored the importance of constitutional protections against arbitrary arrest and detention and the need to vindicate those rights where they are infringed. The Court entered judgment in favour of Mr. Slowe in the sum of G$1,000,000 and awarded costs of G$250,000. Nigel Hughes and Kiswana Jefford of law firm, Hughes Fields & Stoby represented Slowe. Following the decision, attorney Hughes via his Facebook page posted a synopsis of the case. He noted that the decision reaffirms the fundamental constitutional principle that no person may be deprived of liberty except in accordance with the law, and that public authorities will be held accountable where those rights are violated.
Kaieteur News
Friday August 28, 2026
PAGE 11
AFC slams State 'intimidation' after river standoff leads to arrest of opposition members
T
he Alliance For Change (AFC) has strongly condemned the recent police operations targeting opposition Members of Parliament, characterising the aggressive State action as part of a dangerous “drift toward dictatorship.” The statement follows the dramatic, six-hour midnight operational confrontation on the Demerara River. Joint Services ranks intercepted a fast craft carrying Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed alongside opposition Members of Parliament: Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Dawn Hastings-Williams, and Natasha Singh-Lewis at Friendship, East Bank Demerara. The opposition figures were returning from visiting grieving families and survivors of the recent MV Barima maritime tragedy in Region One. Mohamed was subsequently released on $100,000 bail after being arrested under broad references to maritime legislation, while MP SinghLewis was detained at the Farm Police Station and released on $200,000 bail over a licensed firearm
stowed in her vehicle belonging to MP HastingsWilliams. In a formal press release issued on Thursday, the AFC denounced the actions of law enforcement as a calculated campaign of Statesponsored harassment against elected officials. "The Alliance For Change (AFC) unequivocally condemns the oppressive and intimidating police action against Mr. Azruddin Mohamed and other Members of Parliament. The indignity of these intrusive searches, harassment and treatment of elected representatives is deeply disturbing." While acknowledging that "no Member of Parliament, or any citizen, is above the law," the party emphasised that "law enforcement must itself be lawful, proportionate and respectful of constitutional rights. The police must never become an instrument of political intimidation." The Joint Services reported that the vessel was traveling at a high rate of speed without lights around 9:45 PM on August 25 and ignored siren signals, prompting a high-speed chase during which ranks
allegedly saw a bag thrown into the river. Conversely, opposition members assert the boat was already safely docked at Mohamed's private premises when security forces arrived without clear legal justification. D u r i n g t h e confrontation, broadcast live on social media from the Team Mohamed's Facebook page to over 6,000 viewers, police ranks were recorded cutting the vessel's mooring ropes and towing it downriver to the Ruimveldt Police Station. Ranks also refused requests for female officers to conduct searches o f t h e f e m a l e parliamentarians present. In response, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD)
i s s u e d a statement clarifying that neither the vessel nor Mohamed is authorised or licensed to operate on the nation's waterways, citing serious safety risks. H o w e v e r, t h e A F C framed the State's response as a systemic threat to democratic governance rather than a simple regulatory dispute.
"What is taking place should concern every Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation," the statement continued. "When elected representatives can be subjected to humiliation and aggressive State action, it sends a chilling message that dissent may be punished and political opponents targeted." "These are clear and unmistakable signs of a drift toward dictatorship. Authoritarianism develops when the abuse of State power becomes normalised, institutions are weakened, and law enforcement is used to intimidate those who challenge those in power." The opposition's outcry has drawn support from across the political spectrum, with MP Amanza Walton-Desir of Forward
Guyana Movement, and APNU Parliamentary Lead Terrence Campbell echoing concerns over the weaponisation of the security forces for partisan motives. Concluding its statement, the AFC demanded an immediate cessation of aggressive State tactics, warning that the nation's democratic foundation is on the line. "The AFC calls upon the Government and the Guyana Police Force to immediately cease any conduct that amounts to harassment or intimidation and to respect the Constitution, Parliament and the fundamental rights of every Guyanese. This is not merely about Azruddin Mohamed or WIN. It is about the preservation of democracy itself.”
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Friday August 28, 2026
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Friday August 28, 2026
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Court of Appeal orders Mohameds' extradition proceedings to continue The Court of Appeal has issued its ruling ordering that extradition proceedings involving Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed in the Magistrate's Court to proceed. However, the three-judge panel explicitly directed that the final disposition of the matter by the presiding Magistrate is stayed until the substantive appeal regarding constitutional challenges to the Fugitive Offenders Act is fully heard and determined. The unanimous ruling was handed down on August 27, 2026, following an urgent hearing held on August 26, 2026, under Appeal No. 2 0 2 5 / 11 6 3 - H C - F D A - D E M CIV/APL-CIV 25/2026. The panel comprised Acting Chancellor, Justice Roxane George and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud, and Nareshwar Harnanan, who considered an urgent Notice of Motion filed on behalf of the Appellants seeking interim relief. In rendering its decision, the Court outlined the balance between the ongoing lower court proceedings and the underlying constitutional questions. The panel observed that "The substantive appeal before this Court directly concerns the constitutional validity of certain
...but stays final verdict pending expedited appeal provisions of the Fugitive Offenders Act governing the extradition proceedings now before the Magistrate's Court." Weighing the broader legal implications, the judges declared, "Having considered the arguability of the appeal, the respective risks of injustice, the balance of convenience, prejudice and the public interest in the orderly and expeditious conduct of extradition proceedings, the Court is not satisfied that those proceedings should be halted entirely. It is, however, just in the circumstances to preserve the effectiveness of the appeal by permitting the proceedings in the Magistrate's Court to continue while staying the final disposition pending the hearing and determination of the appeal." Consequently, the Court ordered "that the extradition proceedings in the Magistrate's Court involving the Appellants are to proceed; however, the final disposition of the said proceedings by the presiding Magistrate is stayed until the hearing and determination of this Appeal," while further mandating that the
appeal itself be heard on an expedited basis. To facilitate a rapid resolution, the appellate court issued strict Case Management Directions governing the filings leading up to the substantive hearing. Under these directions, the Appellants are required to file the Record of Appeal, consisting of the Further Amended Notice of Appeal, Fixed Date Application and supporting affidavits, Affidavit in Defence, High Court written submissions, and the lower court's decision, on or before Friday, September 4, 2026. The directions stipulate that the record must be compiled as a single PDF document uploaded to the eLitigation Portal, complete with a hyperlinked table of contents for each document. The timetable mandates that the Appellants file their written submissions on or before Wednesday, September 9, 2026, while the Respondent, the Attorney General of Guyana, must submit response filings on or before Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Main submissions are restricted to a maximum length of twenty pages using Times New Roman font, size
12, with 1.5 line spacing. The Appellants are permitted to file a reply of no more than ten pages by Wednesday, September 30, 2026. All parties must email editable Word versions to the Registry at coa.registry@supremecourt.gy, and the Appellants must submit one hard copy of the complete bundle by Thursday, October 1, 2026. The substantive appeal has been fixed for an in-person hearing on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 9:30 AM in the Court Room located in the new wing of the Court of Appeal. The Appellants and the Respondent have each been allotted forty-five minutes to orally amplify their written arguments, with twenty minutes reserved for the Appellants to deliver a reply if necessary. This development follows the dismissal of the substantive constitutional challenge mounted by Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed. In February 2026, acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh rejected their application in the High Court, clearing the way for the extradition process to continue. They had challenged the constitutionality of
the Fugitive Offenders Act, specifically its 2009 amendments, a rg u i n g t h a t t h e s t a t u t o r y framework governing their extradition was unlawful. Chief Justice Singh delivered his final decision dismissing the constitutional challenge, following a separate February 4 ruling in which he rejected the Mohameds' allegations of political bias by the Minister of Home Affairs and the Government of Guyana. In that initial ruling, the court affirmed that the minister acts in an executive and administrative capacity under the Act, making claims of political rivalry irrelevant to statutory authority. State attorneys, led by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, successfully argued that the extradition framework remains constitutionally sound. Throughout the proceedings, Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed are represented by Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, alongside attorneys Siand Dhurjon and Damien DaSilva. The Attorney General of Guyana is represented by Senior Counsel and Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, Shoshana Lall, Joshua Cullen, and Dishon Persaud.
Kaieteur News
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Friday August 28, 2026
‘End the silence’ ...Chris Ram blasts Barima COI over weeks of inaction
Attorney-at-law and chartered accountant Christopher Ram has launched a scathing critique against the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry (COI), demanding that the tribunal immediately end its weeks-long silence and account to the public for its complete lack of visible progress. In a letter addressed directly to the Commissioners, Ram criticised the body for failing to communicate with grieving families nearly four weeks after being sworn in on July 30, 2026. The
tribunal was established to investigate the devastating July 18 maritime catastrophe, which stands as one of the gravest peacetime tragedies in Guyana's history. "I therefore respectfully call upon the Commission, without further delay, to address the families, survivors and the public; explain the delay since July 30; publish a timetable for the commencement of its work and first public sitting; and state when its Rules of Procedure will be published and how affected persons may seek recognition,
representation and participation in the Inquiry," Ram declared, placing the primary demand at the forefront of his appeal. Ram warned that the Commission's prolonged inactivity is actively breeding public cynicism while leaving vulnerable survivors and grieving relatives exposed to potential legal exploitation. Expressing deep concern over the total lack of official direction, Ram noted that "that silence is becoming a matter of concern," warning the panel directly that "your silence risks feeding that
cynicism. More importantly, it adds to the uncertainty, pain and frustration of families and survivors who are entitled to look to you for answers." He raised concerns about the current information vacuum, noting that desperate families could be approached individually with premature out-of-court financial settlements before they have an organised opportunity to understand or protect their rights. While acknowledging that immediate assistance is welcome and desperately needed, Ram emphasised that "assistance is not compensation, and financial need should not become the occasion for obtaining premature settlements or the surrender of legal rights," cautioning that "once individual settlements begin, families can be divided, rights surrendered and the collective search for answers and accountability weakened." Criminal charges While officers in charge of the vessel face criminal m u r d e r c h a rg e s , R a m insisted that criminal
Attorney-at-law, Christopher Ram prosecutions must not be used to narrow the scope of the inquiry or shield state regulatory oversight from intense public scrutiny. He asserted that "the public is entitled to know not merely what happened on July 18, but how it came to happen," which requires a rigorous examination of the vessel's maintenance, inspection, certification, cargo controls, and the extraordinary discrepancy between the recorded manifest and the actual number of passengers on board. Furthermore, Ram urged
the Commission to scrutinise the wider management of the Transport and Harbours Department, including why other acquired vessels remained out of service, and stressed that "no relevant person should be beyond its reach," including ministers, senior public servants, regulators, and engineers, maintaining firmly that "no office should confer immunity from legitimate inquiry." Drawing on his extensive experience appearing as legal counsel before high-profile national inquiries, such as those into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney and the Georgetown Prison fire, Ram emphasised that the tribunal's authority relies entirely on its independence and t r a n s p a r e n c y . " Yo u r Commission was appointed by the Executive. It must not be defined by the Executive," Ram wrote. "Publish your procedures. Set your timetable. Communicate with the families. Hold your hearings openly. Call every relevant witness regardless of office. Follow the evidence wherever it leads."
The High Commissioner presenting his Letter of Credence to the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Guyana strengthens diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation with Sri Lanka following the accreditation of His Excellency Dharamkumar Seeraj as the country's Non-Resident High Commissioner to the island nation. The High Commissioner presented his Letter of Credence to the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday, formally accrediting him as Guyana's representative to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. A Letter of Credence is a formal diplomatic document presented by an
ambassador or high commissioner to the head-of-state of a host country, confirming their official appointment. During the ceremony, High Commissioner Seeraj reaffirmed Guyana's commitment to further strengthening the bonds of friendship, cooperation and collaboration between the two countries. Guyana and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations on 14 July 1974 and continue to cooperate in areas of mutual interest. Meanwhile, Seeraj also serves as Guyana's High Commissioner to the Republic of India, from where he is concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka. (DPI)
Kaieteur News
Friday August 28, 2026
Around the world, people desperately search for news of missing loved ones after Nepal-China floods (CNN) When floodwaters cascaded down deep mountain gorges and swept into a Nepali valley on Wednesday, it devastated already-vulnerable communities that sat along the swollen river, home to many ethnic groups and farmers. But it also sent shockwaves across the world, with hundreds of foreign nationals unaccounted for. In households across the United States, India, Canada and more, people are desperately waiting for news of their missing loved ones – which include a doctor from Delaware, a New Zealand mother of two, and three young teenagers from the US and Australia. The region is popular for tourism, trekking, and religious pilgrimage to temples and sacred sites revered across multiple faiths – all of which draw large numbers of visitors during summer and early fall. It's also home to several foreignbacked hydropower projects. Hundreds are also missing in neighboring China; the initial powerful landslide took place on its border with Nepal, with a mudslide then hitting China's Gyirong Port, a major land border crossing. Officials have not yet released names of those confirmed dead or still missing, as rescue efforts continue Thursday. But the scale of the tragedy is becoming clear, with social media filled with countless pleas for help – including from the Nepali diaspora overseas. The hardest-hit communities in Nepal sit on the banks of the Trishuli river, which winds through several districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. These districts are home to more than half a million people, according to recent census data. They represent a
diverse range of ethnic groups i n c l u d i n g t h e Ta m a n g , Gurung, and Newar people, some of whom have lived there for centuries. Many rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, though some have also turned to tourism as the region has become increasingly popular for outdoor activities like trekking and rafting – as well as for religious tourism. Each summer, hundreds of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Bonpo pilgrims travel through the area en route to Tibet's sacred Mount Kailash. But these communities are also highly vulnerable. Districts like Rasuwa have faced historically high poverty rates, and are on the front lines of the climate crisis, at risk of disasters like forest fires and landslides. Many residents had spent years rebuilding their lives after Nepal's catastrophic 2015 earthquake, which killed more than 8,000 people. Displaced from their homes, hundreds of families resettled on the low-lying banks of the Trishuli river – only to face yet another horrific disaster on Wednesday. Nepali families and diaspora Suman Dahal was last heard from on Wednesday when he contacted his sister from a guest house near the Nepal-China border. Families across Nepal are now desperately seeking news of loved ones who were in the affected areas, who range from healthcare workers to tour operators. Asmita Dahal, who lives in the capital Kathmandu, told CNN her family was “hoping for a miracle” for her missing younger brother, 21-year-old Suman Dahal. Suman works for a tour group bringing pilgrims to Mount Kailash, and had been preparing to return to Kathmandu from
Timure, a small town on the Trishuli riverbank. “We are worried his bus might have been swept away in the flooding, we just don't know,” Asmita said. The last thing her brother had said to her on Wednesday was: “See you in the morning.” The disaster is also reverberating among the Nepali diaspora worldwide, who number more than 2.1 million, and are now scrambling to contact people from thousands of miles away. Pema D. Gurung, who owns a Nepali restaurant in New York, said he doesn't know whether his many (Continued on page 20)
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Kaieteur News
A flame rises from a gas flare at the Dangote Industries oil refinery and fertilizer plant site in the Ibeju Lekki district of Lagos, Nigeria March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun//File Photo
Dangote refinery's crude hunt puts Guyana in the spotlight (REUTERS) Guyana's rapidly expanding oil industry is emerging as an increasingly important player in Africa's refining ambitions, with Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote's massive refinery already turning to Guyanese crude to help meet its feedstock needs. Nigeria's Dangote Refinery, the largest on the continent, is expected in October to seek to raise around $5 billion in Africa's biggest IPO listing yet, after months of strong earnings, boosted by the disruption caused by the Iran war. For potential investors, the question is whether Dangote, majority-owned by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, can avoid squeezing its
Friday August 28, 2026
profits while sourcing enough crude oil for its plans to double capacity within three years, in part funded by the initial public offering. "If Dangote's only supplier of oil is Nigeria ... this does increase the risk of the refinery as an investment," Rob Thummel, senior portfolio manager at U.S.-based Tortoise Capital Management, said. Dangote does not disclose its margins, but as a whole the refining industry has benefited from higher profits since the disruption in the Middle East increased demand for alternative sources of fuel. Dangote was particularly well-placed to (Continued on page 20)
Kaieteur News
Friday August 28, 2026
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ex-Bermuda cop Govt. scraps walk-ins Guyanese fired over alleged elderly for passport from Oct 1 man financial abuse ...applicants must book online, elderly, disabled to benefit from home visits Passport applications will be done strictly on appointments only from October 1, 2026 Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Stephen Telford revealed on Thursday. In a video statement, he said that applications will be accepted strictly through the online system, hence they will no longer be accepting people at any of the passport o ff i c e s w i t h w a l k i n applications. “…so you will now only be dealt with by an appointment, and that in itself allows you, the applicant, in the application process, to choose which one of the passport offices you want to do your application at a date and a time that is convenient to you here in Georgetown or countrywide at the Government Services Centre. I would just want to alert you in using of the online application platform, it is
pp.gpf.gov.gy, and please be careful as it relates to using of the URL that may be fakely placed out there,” he reminded. Telford urged persons to take advantage of the opportunity to apply using the platform, to make things easier and more convenient for themselves. The department has also expanded passport services across the country through
decentralised offices and mobile enrollment units, ensuring citizens in remote and vulnerable communities have greater access to travel documents. In addition to online passport applications, immigration services have embraced digital travel processing through the introduction of the electronic embarkation and disembarkation form and
automated e-gates at ports of entry. Telford said the e-form allows travellers to complete immigration requirements up to 30 days before travel, while e-gates have reduced processing times for eligible passengers to as little as 15 seconds. The online passport application system represents another step-in government's broader digital transformation agenda, leveraging technology to improve public service delivery, enhance accessibility, and create a more efficient experience for citizens seeking immigration services. This initiative demonstrates the government's continued commitment to building a modern, citizen-centered immigration system capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly developing nation.
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) has fired Guyanese national and former Police Inspector David Bhagwan, who is accused of financially exploiting an elderly man. Bhagwan's dismissal was reportedly announced by Bermuda's Commissioner of Police, Darrin Simmons, following a special case hearing. The former inspector's legal troubles were reported by Bermuda's Royal Gazette, which said Bhagwan appeared before the island's Magistrates' Court last month facing four criminal charges. Among the allegations is that Bhagwan obtained a 2025 Kia Picanto between an unknown date and June 8, 2026, with the intention of permanently depriving the owner of the vehicle. He is also accused of making a false instrument with the intention of inducing the Transport Control Department to accept it as genuine. A further charge alleges that on July 10, 2026, Bhagwan financially
David Bhagwan exploited a senior citizen. Bhagwan was not required to enter a plea to the charges. According to the Royal Gazette, the matter is expected to be heard in Bermuda's Supreme Court when the former inspector next appears. Caption: Charged with allegedly financially exploiting a senior citizen — former Bermuda Police Inspector David Bhagwan. If you want it even harderhitting, a stronger front-page headline would be: “Guyanese ex-cop fired, charged over alleged elderly man exploitation.”
Kaieteur News
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Friday August 28, 2026
IDB warns Guyana's economy vulnerable to external shocks …says 90% of energy demand comes from imported oil The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has warned that Guyana's economy remains vulnerable to external oil shocks, as the country still relies heavily on imported oil to meet its energy demand. In its Caribbean Economics Quarterly: Volume 16, Issue 2 – Fiscal Resilience, Debt Reduction, and Domestic Resource Mobilization in the Caribbean, the IDB reported that although Guyana has transitioned to become a net oil exporter in 2019, the Guyanese economy can be negatively impacted due to 90% of its energy demand is produced from imported oil. “The outlook for Guyana is still highly uncertain, given persistent geopolitical tensions that continue to push up international oil prices… electricity and fuel prices continue to be channels through which the Guyanese economy can be
negatively impacted,” the Bank said. Moreover, IDB outlined that as Guyana is now an oil producer, oil shocks can lead to Dutch disease risks, encouraged by an influx of oil revenues and excessive government spending. To this end, it referenced the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that Guyana's GDP growth expansion in 2026 will be smaller than originally predicted but with manageable macro-fiscal risks. Notably, the report highlighted that government is helping to mitigate much of the current oil price shock through maintenance of a zero-rate tax on fuel, the introduction of the $100,000 cash grant for citizens 18 and over, the maintenance of electricity subsidies and assistance to key sectors, including education. However, the Bank said, “As a result, the government
Around the world, people... From page 15 friends in Rasuwa have survived. “In my mind and in my heart, I'm hoping my friends are alive,” Gurung told CNN. He's been unable to contact them because the flood cut off connectivity; his friends in Kathmandu haven't been able to reach anybody in the area, either. Rojina Dhungana, a resident in Ottawa, Canada, woke up on Wednesday to the news that her hometown on the Trishuli riverbank had b e e n s w e p t a w a y. Thankfully, her parents were safe – but many of her former neighbors and classmates are missing. On social media, “everybody I knew – my friends, my relatives, my community – everybody was looking, like 'Help, help, help, this person is missing!'” she said. At least 517 foreign nationals are among the missing in Nepal, according to the Nepal Tourism Board. This includes at least 178 Indian nationals, many of whom were on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. There are also 53 Ukrainians, 51 Malaysians, 35 Australians, 33 British, 25 Canadians, and smaller numbers of people from more than two dozen other countries, according to the tourism
board. The US State Department said 90 Americans are also missing. Meanwhile on the Chinese side of the border, at least 260 foreign nationals are among the 558 missing, according to state media. Many of the missing were tourists – including teenagers. A 14-year-old American girl, and two Australian boys aged 12 and 14, were part of a tour group that's unaccounted for, according to the tour company.American Radhika Sharma said her parents, Ramesh and Neelam Sharma, had been among those on a religious pilgrimage. Their tour company last made contact with the group of pilgrims Wednesday morning, after they reached the border with Tibet. Sharma hasn't heard from them since. This has been the “worst 24 hours” of her life, she said on Thursday. All nine South Koreans were workers sent to Nepal for a hydropower plant under construction, according to Korean officials. Nepal has pushed in recent years to tap into its massive hydropower potential, often with investments from regional partners like China and India.
is expected to run a larger primary deficit than originally budgeted.” Nevertheless, it pointed out that macro-fiscal risks are expected to remain largely contained, given Guyana's withdrawal rules, which limit oil profit withdrawals from its Natural Resource Fund (NRF), the high concessionality of the debt portfolio, as well as a low debt service ratio and continued high GDP growth. Moreover, the Bank stated, “It is also expected that inflation pressures in Guyana will increase.” It referenced the IMF's forecasts of further deviation of Guyana's inflation rate from the U.S. price trend, indicating the possibility of extended real effective exchange rate appreciation. “This is a key barometer for Dutch disease risks,” it warned, adding however that
the appreciation of Guyana's real effective exchange rate has been relatively subdued, growing at an annual rate of about 0.01 percent on average between 2019 and 2025, the same rate of growth as five years prior. In this regard, the Bank said proactive and vigilant policy-making is highly advisable, despite the probability of larger-thanusual forecast errors and the possible unreliability of forward estimates. A d d i t i o n a l l y, i t underscored that the forecasts for this year could be unreliable because of the volatile geopolitical environment. “Nonetheless, increased unpredictability naturally points to the need for careful economic management, including coordinated fiscal and monetary policies, especially in a context such
as that of Guyana, which is so exposed to external energy price risks,” it added. IDB said that balancing fiscal and financial sector support for development and growth with monetary efforts to stabilise the exchange rate, while also targeting acceptable levels of inflation, is of even greater importance in the current environment. Further it also recognised government's efforts to reduce the country's import dependence, particularly on food and crude oil, are consistent with these policy objectives. This publication recently reported, President Irfaan Ali saying that in order to guard against external shocks and position Guyana for greater economic benefits from its oil industry, Guyana must have an oil r e f i n e r y, a l o n g w i t h adequate fuel storage capacity to strengthen the country's energy security. Currently, oil is being produced offshore Guyana by American oil giant ExxonMobil Corporation through its subsidiary ExxonMobil Guyana L i m i t e d . To d a t e , ExxonMobil is producing oil
from the Liza One, Liza Two, Payara, its third project, and Yellowtail, its fourth project. A fifth Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, the Errea Wittu, recently arrived in Guyana and is slated to come online during the fourth quarter of this year, increasing the country's daily oil production beyond one million barrels per day. However, while Guyana is now a major oil producer, the country remains heavily reliant on imported refined fuel to meet its energy demand. Against this backdrop, Ali said that Guyana's exposure to external shocks is one of the reasons he believes an oil refinery in the country is a necessity. “We cannot have crude oil and don't have security of supply, one and security brings with it stability and then give us some shield against shocks that are currently existing,” Ali noted, further disclosing that there are interests in the construction of an oil refinery in Guyana. “We're hoping that we can have investment in that refinery,” he added.
Dangote refinery's crude hunt puts... From page 18 meet demand across Africa and beyond. A new, efficient refinery, it reached its initial maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day in February, just before U.S.-Israeli attacks launched the war on Iran. "If Dangote's only supplier of oil is Nigeria ... this does increase the risk of the refinery as an investment," Rob Thummel, senior portfolio manager at U . S . - b a s e d To r t o i s e C a p i t a l Management, said. Dangote does not disclose its margins, but as a whole the refining industry has benefited from higher profits since the disruption in the Middle East increased demand for alternative sources of fuel. Dangote was particularly well-placed to meet demand across Africa and beyond. A new, efficient refinery, it reached its initial maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day in February, just before U.S.-Israeli attacks launched the war on Iran.
Nigeria cemented its position as Dangote's main crude supplier this year, replacing declining U.S. volumes. At the same time, the refinery broadened its sourcing to include more barrels from Libya, Angola, Ghana, Guyana and Cameroon. The problem is one of economics as well as of availability. "Challenges in accessing feedstock at competitive prices would increase costs and compress margins and utilisation rates, impacting the refinery's commercial performance and therefore its valuation," said Mikolaj Judson, analyst at risk consultancy Control Risks. The crude Dangote buys from other African countries, as well as more distant producers, including the United States and Guyana, is priced in dollars. Some domestic Nigerian crude is priced in naira, but is still expensive, Dangote says, as the NNPC prices Nigerian crude against international benchmarks such as Brent that include freight and logistics costs even though
domestic refiners do not incur them. Group Vice President of Dangote Industries Limited Edwin Devakumar told Reuters that certain Nigerian cargoes were more expensive than comparable imports without giving precise figures. The grades Dangote has imported include U.S. WTI Midland crude, which has generally traded above Nigerian grade Bonny Light in 2026, according to S&P Global Energy Platts data. Nigerian authorities say they are seeking to improve the flow of local crude. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, chief executive of regulatory body the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, said authorities were exploring a crude swap system that would match refiners with local producers to reduce delivery times and ease logistics. Dangote's coastal location, meanwhile, gives it flexibility to import supplies. "The main risk is the cost of importing these barrels," Wood Mackenzie analyst Alan Gelder said.
Kaieteur News
Friday August 28, 2026
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Citizens roast Pres. Ali for ‘tone deaf’ comments on cost-of-living President Irfaan Ali has come under fire for his recent remarks blaming the high cost-of-living on a change in the eating and spending habits of many Guyanese. Many citizens have described the President’s comments as “tone deaf.” Some believe that instead of merely looking at Guyanese change of habit, the Ali administration should take action against rise in cost-of-living by implementing policies and measures which will directly reduce the impact. Kaieteur News spoke to citizens who believe that the President’s point of view is warranted the negative reaction since many ordinary citizens struggle day to day to make ends meet, without any direct intervention from the government. Nadine, a vendor at the Stabroek Market square told the newspaper that while she noted A l i ’s c o m m e n t s , t h a t t h e responsibility of keeping the costof-living in check lies with the Government as much as the citizens. She noted “Everyday people come to the market to shop and by time you look at some items is a price gone up. Simple things like veggies; one bundle of bora cost $3500 where are ordinary people going to get money to buy that regularly. There has to be price control that can be placed and enforced constantly or the vendors will put up the prices and consumers will suffer. They will find it hard to buy food items, when many persons have to pay rent that is another cost which is constantly out of control. I think these are some policies that the government can look at creating to protect ordinary Guyanese.” Andre Rutherford, a security guard attached to a Chinese supermarket told Kaieteur News that increasing the goods and food items selling on the road have become expensive. “So, now the Chinese supermarket is a saviour for plenty people and some people prefer to buy food because it works out better for them. They can’t afford to buy stuff to cook.” Chandradatt Jagdeo, a medical student who shared his thoughts in a lengthy Facebook post said while he acknowledges that Guyanese eating habits have changed, “I believe the way the issue was framed understandably upset many people.” However, he noted that a there are a number of factors that have contributed to the shift in behaviour. Jagdeo shared the view that many ordinary Guyanese are juggling multiple responsibilities in an economy that demands more from them simply to survive. He asserted “Between work, school, transportation, family
Chandradatt Jagdeo
Rochelle Webster
Wintress White
Andre Rutherford
responsibilities and other obligations, many people simply do not have the time or energy to prepare meals from scratch every day. Sometimes, buying food can even be more economical than cooking. The cost of ingredients, particularly fresh produce, has increased significantly…” According to Jagdeo, for many people, this is not simply a matter of abandoning their culture since it is a matter of adapting to the economic realities. As it relates to shopping habits, the medical student noted that Guyanese are opting for supermarkets rather than traditional markets, since safety and sanitation matter. He pointed out “Some of our traditional markets have unfortunately developed reputations for robberies and other safety concerns. Supermarkets generally provide a more controlled, cleaner and more secured shopping environment.” “During periods of heavy rain, places such as Stabroek and Bourda Market can also experience serious sanitation and unpleasant environmental conditions,” Jagdeo continued. As such, he believes the conservation about the rise in costof-living should include the economic realities driving those
patterns: the cost of food, corporate pricing, affordability, accessibility, transportation, market conditions and the overall cost-of-living. “Then, after acknowledging those realities, we could discuss how to make healthier food more affordable and accessible, how to improve the conditions and security of our traditional markets, and how to preserve Guyanese food culture without placing the burden solely on ordinary citizens,” he said. Rochelle Webster, a food vendor said that she does not believe that the President comment was not a fair one. “In my opinion, it’s not fair because sometimes people don’t get time to cook. Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy than to actually cook. Greens are expensive and the prices are not steady. Today it’s one price and tomorrow is another price. People would prefer to shop at the supermarket because many of markets are in a state of disrepair and then the supermarket is more convenient it has more stuff. So, it’s definitely fair.” Women rights group, Red Thread also lent their voice to the issue. In a letter to the editor, the women advocacy unit sought to debunk Ali’s contentions, noting that there are no measures in place to alleviate the burden of the cost-
Elson Lowe of-living increases on ordinary citizens. The group made a case for Guyanese shopping at supermarkets, noting that it is not only safer but more economical. They made a price comparison between the supermarket and the traditional ones. “As of Saturday, August 22, 2026, these are the prices for some simple items in one Georgetown supermarket as compared to the market. I’m not advertising the supermarket here, but in Bounty Supermarket, the smallest packet of Karibee brown rice costs $214. In Bourda Market, the price is $300. The smallest packet of Demerara Gold sugar is $189 at Bounty and $250 in the market, a small packet of thunderbolt flour costs $312 at Bounty and $340 in the market. One packet of Natura milk costs $691 at Bounty and $700 in the market,” the group said in the letter. As a result, Red Thread said
rather than blame poor people, the Head-of-State should start by addressing the problem with better living wage and affordable access to goods and services for ordinary citizens. “Fix the market places, drainage, and all the broken systems that make Guyana an impossible place to eat three square meals for most of us,” the group pointed noting these should not be the realities of an oil rich county. Meanwhile, in an invited comment with this newspaper, local economist, Elson Lowe highlighted the scarcity of the US dollar as a major humbug to addressing cost of living crisis. “Increasing the supply of US dollars on the market would lower the cost-of-living in several ways, most notably eliminating bottlenecks importers face,” he said adding that importers often face lengthy delays while banks accumulate enough foreign currency to carry out their transactions. “Many banks stipulate it will take several weeks to process wires. This has created a bottleneck because while importers are unable to access those goods, consumers can’t buy them. Prices on the local markets for what is already in the country therefore remain high. On the other hand, if importers can buy more goods with the same amount of Guyana currency (which a more favourable exchange rate would imply), then they can add more supply to the market, lowering prices. More USD on the market would lower the exchange rate, thereby decreasing the price of such imported goods,” Lowe opined.
Avian influenza in...animal theoutbreaks Americas decline, but PAHO calls for continued vigilance Washington, D.C., 27 August 2026 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that avian influenza A(H5) continues to circulate in the Americas, although the number of animal outbreaks has decreased compared with the same period last year. The Organization urged countries to maintain and strengthen surveillance in both animals and humans to promptly detect any changes in the behaviour of the virus. According to a new PAHO epidemiological update, between January and 15 July 2026, 10 countries in the Region reported 455 outbreaks of avian influenza A(H5) in animals, including 386 outbreaks in birds and 69 in mammals. This represents a 25.7% decrease compared with the 612 outbreaks reported during the same period in 2025. The decline was particularly pronounced among mammals, where outbreaks dropped from 196 to 69, a reduction of nearly 65%. The update also shows that, as of August 2026, no human cases of avian influenza A(H5) have been reported in the Americas this year. Between 2022 and the end of 2025, 75 human infections caused by A(H5) viruses were reported in five countries in the Region: Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and the United States. The most recent human case in Continued on page 22
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Kaieteur News
Govt. launches annual mining conference, exhibition
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The Government of Guyana this week launched its annual international mining investment platform– Guyana Mining & Exploration Conference & Exhibition (GMEX). In a statement, the Ministry of Natural Resources described the moves as a significant milestone, explaining that G-MEX was designed to connect Guyana’s mineral potential with the people, partnerships, technology and investment needed to responsibly develop it.
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The G-MEX Geological Showcase and The G-MEX Awards. According to the ministry, the importance of G-MEX is ultimately measured by what it creates for Guyana. It said G-MEX means positioning Guyana not simply as a country rich in minerals, but as a country capable of managing, developing and showcasing those resources responsibly on the international stage. MNR stressed that G-MEX therefore represents something much larger than an annual event, but is about connecting global op-
portunities with Guyanese potential. “It means greater international visibility for our mineral sector; attracting responsible investment and new exploration; creating opportunities for local miners, suppliers, contractors and entrepreneurs; introducing Guyana to new technologies, expertise and international best practices; strengthening relationships between government, industry, communities and investors; creating opportunities for employment, knowledge transfer and skills development for Guyanese,” the minister stated.
APA backs residents of Chinese... From page 2 has also turned the Barama River into an active health hazard affecting downstream communities like Kariako, Kokerite, and Koriabo as well as elevated mercury levels detected among residents and nearby populations. Also, there has been direct damage to village farms, hunting grounds, and traditional lands as well as increased violence and intimidation against villagers by mining personnel without police investigation which has led to the disrespect of the Village Council’s legal authority and severe disruption to daily social life. The APA emphasised that state inaction violates Section 48 of the Amerindian Act, Section 80 of the Mining Act, Articles 142, 149G, and 154A of
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the Constitution of Guyana, as well as the 2023 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) Precautionary Measures ordering protection for the community. “The actions taken by Vieira on 21 August 2026 have undermined the good faith of this process,” the APA noted regarding recent GGMC-facilitated mediation efforts. “A mediation process cannot be expected to continue in good faith while Vieira continues to violate the land rights of Chinese Landing.” Council declines Georgetown mediation; Vieira Breaks Silence The APA’s statement coincides with the Chinese Landing Village Council formally declining an invitation to a GGMC, sponsored mediation session in Georgetown with mediator Emily Dodson. In a letter dated August 26, 2026, to GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison, Toshao Miller explained that leadership cannot abandon residents while machinery remains positioned at village borders, pointing out that after Tassawini Landing was blocked, operators attempted to move equipment through Kariako. “A mediation cannot have a fair and successful outcome when there is a power imbalance between the parties or there is undue pressure placed on one of the par-
ties,” Miller wrote, stating the council will not participate until Vieira’s equipment is withdrawn and GGMC guarantees an immediate halt to all preparatory work. In response, miner Wayne Vieira issued a detailed public defence to Kaieteur News, arguing the dispute is being unfairly framed as a clash between an Indigenous village and an outside miner rather than a matter of legal tenure. Vieira highlighted his US$100,000 purchase of the Tassawini mining rights at a 1995 State auction, his 1998 agreement granting exclusive mining rights, and subsequent foreign investment partnerships totaling US$24 million that identified over 500,000 ounces of gold. Addressing legal precedent, Vieira cited the 2017 Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling that quashed a 2010 GGMC Cease Work Order, maintaining that the High Court established Section 48 of the Amerindian Act 2006 cannot retroactively extinguish pre-existing rights. “No individual, group or Village Council is above the law,” Vieira asserted, claiming that an estimated 100,000 ounces of gold were illegally extracted by unauthorised miners while he was excluded between 2010 and 2022. He further cited the village’s October 2021 State grant, noting
it explicitly excludes mineral rights. Vieira added that he recently offered 20 local residents the opportunity to mine legally under his permits, an offer accepted by 10 villagers for whom he purchased equipment, arguing that council opposition should not prevent others from earning a lawful living. Dispute over history and IACHR directives Tensions remain fueled by conflicting historical narratives. Toshao Miller publicly corrected Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat during his most recent village outreach after the Minister claimed Vieira held permits prior to the community’s title. While the government maintains that legitimate tenure holdings remain valid following the 2017 CCJ ruling, the APA and Village Council contend that the CCJ decision merely addressed GGMC procedural enforcement powers without invalidating the village’s absolute land title or legal rights under the Amerindian Act. With heavy machinery remaining at the boundary and village blockades holding firm, the APA reiterated its call for the administration to abide by IACHR directives, halt unauthorised operations, and secure a peaceful resolution that respects Indigenous land rights.
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“The map at the heart of the G-MEX logo, the gold, the green landscape and leaves and the circular movement surrounding these elements represent the connections, continuity and progress in the sector — bringing together government, industry, communities, investors and international partners around one shared vision,” MNR said. The ministry further stated that G-MEX will be made of five interconnected pillars: The G-MEX Conference, The G-MEX Exhibition, The G-MEX Investor Forum,
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From page 21 the Americas was reported in November 2025. Globally, between 2003 and 7 August 2026, a total of 1,002 laboratory-confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5N1), one of the A(H5) virus subtypes, were reported in 25 countries, including 479 deaths. In 2026 alone, nine human cases, including two deaths, were reported worldwide. The virus continues to circulate in animals around the world. Between October 2025 and July 2026, a significant increase in detections
among wild birds was observed, particularly in Europe. In addition, new detections in Australia and New Zealand confirmed the geographic expansion of the virus into areas where it had not previously been identified. Available scientific evidence indicates that sustained person-to-person transmission has not been demonstrated. Most human infections reported worldwide continue to be associated with direct or indirect exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments. Nevertheless, the con-
tinued presence of the virus in wild birds, poultry, and mammals underscores the need for close surveillance. While the joint assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) maintains that the global public health risk remains low, the risk is considered low to moderate for people with occupational or frequent exposure to potentially infected animals.
Kaieteur News
Friday August 28, 2026
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‘Don’t be fooled by Guyana’s 40% profit share’ — Ram warns bigger payouts still don’t make Exxon deal fair With much of ExxonMobil’s expenses already recovered, Guyana is now enjoying a greater share of revenue from the Stabroek Block, but this flow is not permanent and certain factors can again result in the country receiving less money from its resources offshore. Highlighting this was Chartered Accountant and Attorney Christopher Ram in his most recent oil and gas column published on his website. In part two of the series examining the US$55B recovered by Exxon and its implications on Guyana, Ram explained that the sudden increase in revenue for Guyana does not change the lopsided nature of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). “The royalty remains 2%; profit oil continues to be divided equally; and the cost-recovery, tax and stabilisation provisions remain…much of the early expenditure has been recovered, the risks have diminished considerably, yet the fiscal terms remain essentially those agreed in 2016. There is therefore no
contradiction between welcoming Guyana’s greatly increased revenues and continuing to regard the Agreement as inequitable. A modest share of an enormously profitable enterprise can still produce a very large cheque; the size of the cheque does not establish the fairness of the bargain,” he pointed out. In fact, the Chartered Accountant pointed to a number of factors that can again reduce the country’s current 39.8% profits. For instance, the lawyer pointed out that the Petroleum Agreement allows ExxonMobil to recover exploration expenses, a provision that remains untouched. This means that all exploration activities conducted by the company, whether successful or unsuccessful must be financed by Guyana. Ram explained, “New discoveries will of course be welcome, but they are not costless to Guyana: the associated exploration and development expenditure is recoverable from petroleum revenues before profit oil is divided. As costs increase, more oil will be required for cost recovery, reducing profit oil and,
therefore, Guyana’s share. The movement from 12.5% to nearly 40% should not be regarded as permanent, while it is unlikely to increase by much, if at all.” The Stabroek Block is a massive 24,000 square kilometers, which still remains largely unexplored due to the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela. Exxon has claimed force majeure over acreage affected by the dispute, which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Any extension of the exploration period postpones relinquishment and potentially allows additional exploration and development expenditure to enter the cost-recovery pool. To this end Ram suggested, “Government should disclose the acreage and obligations affected, the period of any extension and its consequences for relinquishment. Time and acreage in Stabroek have considerable value and cannot be treated simply as matters between the Government and ExxonMobil still less as matters for ExxonMobil alone.” Meanwhile, he noted that
Chartered Accountant and Attorney, Christopher Ram another major variable that can affect Guyana’s share is the price of oil. The country is currently enjoying both a much larger share of production as well as sharply higher prices due to the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The lawyer reasoned that when that situation returns to normalcy, it could affect oil prices. This alongside increased recoverable exploration and development expenditure could reduce Guyana’s percentage even if oil prices remain high. He argued that Guyanese are understandably frustrated by the obstinate refusal of President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Jagdeo to invoke the renegotiation provisions of the 2016 Agreement, as they had promised to do. He described the
political move as one to secure the electorate’s trust and later abandon it after taking office, “a betrayal of the electorate and - to use Jagdeo’s own words - a selling out of the national interest.” Ram has repeatedly urged the GoG to renegotiate the Exxon deal. Following the announcement by Exxon that the company had recovered its investments in Guyana, the lawyer called on the administration to engage the operator now, as risks have been removed. Subsequent to the renewed calls from Ram, President Ali said government will not be seeking a renegotiation and will respect “sanctity of contracts” although this newspaper has reported on the numerous deviations from the original deal.
107 graduates equipped with skills to pursue employment, entrepreneurship 107 graduates are now equipped with specialised skills to pursue employment and entrepreneurship in some of Guyana’s emerging industries, following the completion of a collaborative training initiative led by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). The graduation ceremony was held at the Movietowne Cinemas on Wednesday and forms part of e ff o r t s t o r e s p o n d t o emerging labour-market demands while preparing Guyanese to capitalise on opportunities within the country’s growing orange economy. Graduates received training in areas including video production, drone operation, social media strategy, digital marketing, visual design and culinary arts, disciplines that are
Graduates at the ceremony held at Movietown Cinemas.
increasingly relevant to G u y a n a ’s e x p a n d i n g creative, tourism, media and business sectors. Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training, Richard Maughn, said the programme is a
reflection of BIT’s evolving approach to skills development and its commitment to providing training based on the needs of the labour market. “The Board of Industrial Training has been evolving.
We are involved in many short-term programmes that speak to the direct need of the labour market, and what we just did is reflective of what the labour market has been demanding,” he said. He further explained that
the programme came about through the existing relationship between BIT, the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) and the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which presented the training initiative for consideration and implementation. The programme is particularly significant as Guyana continues to invest in its orange economy, encompassing creative industries such as film, music, fashion, media production, digital content and cultural tourism. At the same time, the expansion of the screen economy is creating increasing demand for professionals with skills in video production, digital content creation, drone operation, visual design and related technical fields.
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairperson of the BIT Board, Kathy Smith, told the graduates that the skills they acquired position them to take advantage of t h e s e e m e rg i n g opportunities. “Companies in Guyana need people who can tell their stories visually, market their products effectively, use technology, create compelling content, and deliver quality service,” she noted. For the 107 graduates, the collaboration has provided a foundation to turn specialised skills into e m p l o y m e n t , entrepreneurship and economic opportunity within Guyana, while strengthening the pool of Guyanese talent available to s u p p o r t t h e c o u n t r y ’s transformation. (DPI)
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Friday August 28, 2026
Hundreds killed, over 1,000 missing after Himalayan flood A drone view shows mud covering properties following a flash flood in Trishuli, Nuwakot district, Nepal, August 27
TRISHULI, Nepal, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Rescuers searched Himalayan valleys and hillsides on Thursday after a flash flood that killed at least 359 people and left nearly 1,000 missing, as Nepal and China warned of a risk of fresh flooding from water pooling in two lakes. Both countries said a glacier collapse on Wednesday morning sent a huge torrent of rock, ice, mud and debris cascading through Himalayan mountain river systems, sweeping through villages and key infrastructure down a route thronged by trekkers and pilgrims that links Kathmandu with Lhasa in Tibet. Of those , at least 540 are foreigners. Authorities in Nepal used helicopters to search for survivors and drop emergency supplies to thousands cut off in towns and valleys, while emergency services recovered dozens of bodies swept down into the plains. The sheer amount of water and debris stirred up now risks triggering a further disaster. N e p a l ’s d i s a s t e r management authority warned that a lake formed by debris blocking the Bhotekoshi River at the flood site was rising and at risk of bursting, while on the other side of the border China said that some 3 million cubic metres of water — the equivalent of about 1,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools — was expected to flow into an already dammed lake over the next three days. There is a high risk the lake could breach, with peak flow expected around September 1, Chinese state media said, citing the water resources ministry. “The volume of water is continuing to increase, and so is the risk,” Zhu Jinfeng, a researcher at the ministry’s hydrology department, told state broadcaster CCTV. TORRENT TORE THROUGH BORDER CROSSING Chinese rescuers had yet to reach the worst-hit area on the Chinese side of the border, the Gyirong border crossing, by Thursday evening, state-media reports
indicated, as crews worked to clear ‘debris from the key access road leading to the area. The Gyirong border port has a key role in China’s Belt and Road network linking the country to South Asia, with logistics zones and parking lots built there in the past decade. Dramatic footage on We d n e s d a y s h o w e d enormous torrents of muddy water and debris tearing through structures in the border crossing area within seconds and engulfing people trying to flee. All the buildings in the border-crossing complex, including the border gate, a stately building bearing China’s national emblem and housing customs and immigration agencies, were destroyed by the mudslide, footage filmed from a military helicopter surveying the area and broadcast on state television showed. The entire compound was reduced to an unrecognisable mass of destruction, caked in thick, muddy debris and almost devoid of any sign of civilization, the footage showed. The tally of missing in Tibet’s Gyirong County was 558, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on Thursday, including 260
foreign nationals. China said the death toll stayed at three. China’s Premier Li Qiang, the country’s No. 2 official, arrived at the disaster-stricken site in Gyirong on Thursday afternoon, state-run Xinhua news agency said. The visit suggested Beijing was treating the disaster as a matter of the highest national priority. ‘EXPLODED LIKE A BOMB’ In Nepal, the Red Cross said that entire villages had been destroyed and impassable roads and bridges had left communities cut off. The full scale of the disaster remains unclear, it added. Nepal’s Home Minister Sudhan Gurung said the focus remained on finding survivors. Rescue teams located 100 missing Indian visitors, mostly pilgrims, and 25 Chinese workers in the worst-hit region around Trishuli. The flood “came in suddenly and exploded like a bomb,” said survivor Janak Bahadur in Nepal’s Devighat on Thursday. “The river looked small from a distance but it suddenly started overflowing and swept through.” The missing foreigners in Nepal belonged to more than two dozen countries, including 288 from India, 63 from the United States, 51
from , 34 from Australia, ‘33 from Britain and 25 from Canada. Ganesh Aryal, the administrator of Chitwan district, said authorities had recovered 103 bodies from the river system in his district, which is about 100 km (62 miles) away in the plains from the worst-hit region of Trishuli. With local hospitals unable to accommodate all the bodies, district authorities were setting up tents and making arrangements for families to claim their dead relatives, he said. Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah left by road to assess the flood situation in one of the worst-affected districts of Nuwakot, his office said on social media. The disaster is a major challenge for Shah’s fivemonth-old government but officials said the country had systems and officials who have experience in handling such tragedies, including the 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people. CLIMATE CHANGE COULD BE A FACTOR Chinese government geologist Guo Zhaocheng said the ice-avalanche debris flow that caused the mudslide moved at about 50 metres (165 feet) per second, leaving people little time to react, and extended for more than 20 km (12 miles).
Guo said a high-altitude ice avalanche triggered the debris flow, which picked ‘up glacial moraine as it moved down a channel before becoming a mudslide that struck port facilities and areas on both sides of the China-Nepal border. Early reports had suggested an earthquake in the area could have triggered the glacier’s collapse. But the U.S. Geological Survey said an earthquake with magnitude initially reported as 4.4 was in fact seismic energy generated by the collapse of glacial rock and ice, followed by debris flow. Scientists cautioned against describing climate change as the sole and immediate trigger for the glacier collapse, but said rising temperatures and melting ice probably played a role. “Climate change is generating conditions that can destabilise highmountain rock and ice,” said Simon Cox, chief scientist at the Mountains to Sea programme `at Earth Sciences New Zealand. Warming can reduce the support provided by ice, increase meltwater and alter patterns of freezing, thawing and rainfall, making large collapses more likely in some places, Cox said. DISASTER HIT HINDU
PILGRIMS Many of this week’s victims were pilgrims headed to Kailash Mansarovar, a high-altitude site in Tibet revered by Hindus and Buddhists, among others. Mount Kailash, which Hindus believe to be the home of Lord Shiva and which lies on the banks of Lake Mansarovar, is also held sacred by many. “There are no humanmade things, no human settlement left. Everything is just flat,” Sagar Pandey, the chief executive of a Himalayan tourism operator, told Reuters after flying `over the zone in a helicopter. “So anyone in the hotel, the restaurant, or the car, I believe that everybody is gone.” Around the world, relatives of those missing were desperate for information about their w h e r e a b o u t s . Va s a n t h i Muniandy, whose sister Vennila was part of a Hindu pilgrimage group from Malaysia, said she had last heard from her after Vennila had crossed into Tibet from Nepal. “I am totally broken. My sister is very important to me,” said Vasanthi. “I really want her to come back. I don’t have anyone but her. I just want her to come back home. I want her to be safe.”
Kaieteur News
Friday Thursday August November 28, 202624, 2022
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Guyana Chess President of Cricket West Indies team HearMeOut: Guyana has... prepares... Dr. Kishore Shallow extends comfort to the people of Nepal
P
resident of Cricket We s t I n d i e s (CWI), Dr. Kishore Shallow, has offered words of comfort to the people of Nepal following the devastating tragedy that hit the country this week. In a statement, Dr Shallow said, “On behalf of Cricket West Indies and the entire West Indies cricket
family, I extend our heartfelt prayers, condolences, and solidarity to the people of Nepal following the devastating flash floods. Nepal has been a steadfast friend to the Caribbean and a valued member of our global cricket family. In this moment of profound tragedy, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our
friends in Nepal.” “Our thoughts are with every family affected, those who have lost loved ones, those awaiting news, and the brave responders working to save lives. We pray for strength, comfort, and healing for the people of Nepal, and for the country’s s w i f t r e c o v e r y, ” t h e statement concluded.
Friday August 28, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Happiness reigns in the home, Aries, as everyone seems to have reached a new understanding of one another. You could also experience a new sense of peace and quiet. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you might attend a group event of some kind involving your neighborhood, Taurus, possibly with a partner. You and your friend might take an active part in discussing goals for the group. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Circumstances are changing regarding your professional goals, Gemini. You may have been thinking about a change for a long time, but someone you meet today could provide the motivation you need to finally decide. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're probably good at applying your spiritual principles to the way you live, Cancer. You're especially good at it today, particularly when it comes to understanding others deeply. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Yo u ' r e u s u a l l y m o r e outwardly directed, but today you might break that pattern. Yo u c o u l d b e i n a contemplative mood, wondering about everything from metaphysics to money. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might crave the companionship of friends and lovers alike. You're probably in the mood for some good food, good music, and great conversation, and that's just what you'll get if it’s possible in any way.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're feeling pretty strong now, Libra. You're probably in fairly good health and your m i n d i s s h a r p . Yo u ' v e outgrown some areas of your life that no longer seem what they once were. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Are you getting along better than ever with a significant other, Scorpio? If so, it's probably because you're more attuned to what your partner thinks, feels, needs, and wants. You might fetch something before he or she even knows it's necessary. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Peace reigns in the home today. Members of your household could communicate with each other almost telepathically, Sagittarius. You might find it strange, but it shouldn't be surprising. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) It you’re able to attend a social event today, Capricorn, you won't feel like talking. You could be content just to listen to what everyone else says, feel at peace, and enjoy the warmth, music, and company. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Someone, perhaps a close friend or partner, could present you with a small gift today, Aquarius, possibly a book. There might not be any special occasion other than your friend thought you'd enjoy it. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your intuition should be keener than usual today, Pisces, but right now you're apt to be more interested in historical figures, perhaps people associated with spiritual disciplines.
From page 30 bronze at the CAC Youth Championship in 2024. The thirteen-year-old is looking to apply the skill and courage she has gained throughout her training to defeat her opponents. Both teams were trained extensively for six weeks by Serbian chess Grandmaster (GM) Aleksa Strikovic. The GM will go on to captain the Open Team during the Olympiad, while Slovenian GM Georg Mohr will captain the Women’s Team. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the team's sponsors, whose support made Guyana’s participation possible. Special thanks go to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for their fundamental backing, as well as ENet for their vital sponsorship. The teams will travel in the coming weeks to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. They will be joined by Mrs. Shenera Sam, Mrs. Archana Joshi, and Mrs. Tanya Wa r r e n - C l e m e n t . M r s . Warren-Clement will be the Head of Delegation.
From page 31 involve qualified coaches, structured training, education, mentorship, psychological and social support, fitness assessments, competition opportunities and clear behavioural benchmarks. It should be available to both male and female inmates and operate within a properly regulated framework involving the Guyana Prison Service and the GBA. The objective is not to glorify fighting or reward criminal behaviour. It is the opposite. Boxing demands discipline. You wouldn’t succeed in the ring without listening, controlling your emotions, respecting rules, accepting instruction and understanding consequences. Those are precisely the qualities a correctional system should seek to develop. The GBA should therefore seize this moment and help build something sustainable. If one inmate can enter a boxing ring and discover discipline, purpose and self-worth, the programme has value. If 10 can benefit, it has greater value. If hundreds eventually benefit, then Guyana would no longer simply have a prison boxing programme. It would have a genuine model for rehabilitation. And that is the opportunity now before the GBA and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Guyana has already made history. Now it must make that history matter.
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Friday August 28, 2026
Pogacar sprints past rivals Muchova and Mensik win but Mas makes him sweat U.S. Open mixed doubles title for Vuelta stage six win ( R e u t e r s ) - Ta d e j Pogacar lit the fuse on La Vuelta’s final climb on Thursday to win stage six but this time there was no serene procession to the line as Enric Mas clung on, fought back and forced the race leader to scrap r victory. Pogacar claimed his third stage win of this edition after 177.5 km from Alcossebre to Castello, crossing the line in 4:12:40 with Spain’s Mas glued to his wheel after a breathless duel over gravel, summit and descent. After seizing control of the race with a mountain masterclass in Andorra on stage four, Pogacar was content to sit tight for much of the ‘day while his UAE Emirates XRG team mates calmly kept a 16-man breakaway within reach. With the category-one Puerto El Bartolo looming, the gap to the leaders was trimmed to 1:27 with 30km remaining. Australian UAE climber Jay Vine then drove the pace in the bunch, steadily chewing into the advantage as the breakaway began to splinter. Only seven riders remained at the front when Slovenian Pogacar made his expected move with 3.5km to the summit. In a flash, what had once been a two-
UAE Team Emirates - XRG’s Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium after stage 5. (REUTERS/Bruna Casas) minute gap evaporated. As the riders hit the three-kilometre gravel section, Pogacar surged past Belgium’s Ramses Debruyne, ‘the lead with 23km remaining and 2.5km from the top. But Mas refused to play the role of bystander. The Movistar rider produced a superb response, overhauled Pogacar to reach the summit first and take maximum points, turning what looked like another one-man show into a proper fight. The Spaniard then pressed Pogacar on the fast, ‘technical descent towards Castello, where the Slovenian had a scare after drifting off road before
quickly latching back onto Mas’ wheel. Their battle continued to the finish, where Pogacar had the sharper sprint to extend his overall ‘lead to three minutes 34 seconds over Mas, who moved above Primoz Roglic into second place. Roglic is third, 4:21 behind compatriot Pogacar. “They say the heat suited me down to the ground, `and t h a t ’s e x a c t l y w h a t happened,” Mas told reporters. “I did what I had to do, but Pogacar is just Pogacar ... “I’m delighted to have finished second here, which means second in the general classification – something I’m very proud of,” he added.
Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova and Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik (right) pose with the winners trophy as Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli pose with the runner-up trophy after their mixed doubles final match. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Mike Frey) (Reuters) - Czech pair Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik beat S w i t z e r l a n d ’s B e l i n d a Bencic and Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-3 1-6 10-6 on Wednesday to win the U.S. Open mixed doubles title, securing their first Grand Slam trophy as team. Muchova and Mensik got off to a fast start on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the hard-serving Mensik hammering an ace past Bencic on set point to claim the opener in less than 30 minutes. Bencic drilled a return winner to break serve for a 31 lead in the second, and the Swiss player later levelled ‘the match when her forehand clipped the net cord and skipped beyond Muchova. In the deciding 10-point match tiebreak, Mensik’s big
serve and sharp work at the net helped the Czechs seize control. The 20-year-old put away a firm volley to open an 8-4 lead before Muchova produced her best serve of the match to bring up championship points. Mensik sealed the victory with another ace, leaping in celebration after clinching the first trophy of the season’s final Grand Slam. Muchova and Mensik had earlier saved two match points against Russians Mirra Andreeva Andrey ‘Rublev in their semi-final to book their place in the title match. “I think in the end the matching outfits made the difference for us,” Muchova said to laughter as the pair sported matching maroon Adidas jackets during the trophy ceremony.
“I wasn’t really expecting to be standing here tonight. `We came out just to have fun and enjoy these mixed doubles and now we are standing here. So we did something right. “I think this is a really good start to the U.S. `Open for all of us,” she added after congratulating Bencic and Cobolli. The 16-team mixed doubles draw began on Tuesday in the second year o f t h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s revamped format, which features ‘leading singles players and is aimed at drawing bigger crowds in the week before the singles main draw. Among the star-studded teams, Novak Djokovic joined forces with Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz played alongside Serena Williams.
Seifert hundred puts Kings... From page 29 they could chase the Kings hefty total. The PowerPlay yielded 56 for no loss, exactly what the doctor ordered for TKR. However, the game turned on its head in the 8th over when Roston Chase took three wickets in four balls as Narine, Matthew Breetzke and Nicholas Pooran departed. Shortly after Joshua Bishop picked up the key wicket of Munro for 48, caught by Roston Chase, who couldn’t keep himself out of the action. From there the run rate slowed and the required run rate began to climb rapidly.
The Knight Riders had one last ace to play as Kieron Pollard entered the fray. The veteran used every bit of his physical prowess to blast the ball to all regions of the Queen’s Park Oval. It was still a tall order, but as long as Pollard was there, there was belief. Then entered the tournament leading wicket taker Matthew Forde, who forced a top edge from Pollard, straight into his own welcome hands. From there the Kings could canter to the finish line with Forde and Keon Gaston taking them home.
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Friday August 28, 2026
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UEFA asks US court for FIFA documents in planned Swiss case against Infantino MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) - UEFA has asked a U.S. federal court for permission to obtain testimony and documents from FIFA entities in Florida for use in a planned criminal complaint in Switzerland against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, according to a court filing. In an ex parte application filed under U.S. law, E u r o p e a n s o c c e r ’s governing body said it is considering criminal proceedings against Infantino and potentially other FIFA officials and advisers over a nowabandoned plan to transfer rights linked to men’s and women’s World Cups and the Club World Cup into a new subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE). UEFA alleges Infantino developed the proposal in secret with a small group of advisers and investors, bypassing FIFA’s normal governance processes and failing to consult FIFA’s Council, regional confederations or member associations. The filing seen by
Reuters asks a U.S. court to authorise discovery from FIFA (AMERICAS), Inc. and FWC2026 US, Inc., two Florida-based FIFA entities. UEFA said the organisations may possess documents and witnesses relevant to how the FFE transaction was conceived, structured, valued and approved. Reuters has contacted FIFA for comment. Infantino previously called FFE a “golden opportunity” to increase football development funding, saying it was only a proposal and would require majority support from FIFA’s 211 member associations and approval from the FIFA Council. UEFA said it and other ‘interested parties were preparing claims in Switzerland against Infantino for alleged criminal mismanagement under Article 158 of the Swiss Criminal Code. The filing alleges that Infantino and a small group of advisers and investors developed the plan for more than a year without consulting FIFA’s Council,
regional confederations or the 211 member associations before it was unveiled on July 28. UEFA said FIFA statutes give the Council sole authority to decide how FIFA’s commercial rights are promoted. According to the filing, Infantino designated Thrive Eternal, an investment vehicle controlled by Joshua Kushner and affiliated with Thrive Capital, to lead an investor group. UEFA alleges that the investors stood to acquire a permanent financial interest in FIFA’s commercial arm. Reuters has contacted Thrive for comment. FIFA BOYCOTT PLAN SCRAPPED U E FA , h o w e v e r, provisionally suspended plans to boycott FIFA competitions after receiving written assurances that the FFE project had been “irrevocably and permanently withdrawn”. “Having now secured the two assurances it required from FIFA on 30 July, and following consultation with its National Associations,
Royston Crandon and Shane Shillingford in Canada squad for IMC Over-40s World Cup
T
wo former West Indies players Royston Crandon and Shane Shillingford have been named in Canada’s 16-man squad for the 2026 International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over40s World Cup set for October 17 to November 1st in Guyana. The team will be led off-spinning allrounder Shailesh Patel who represented Canada at the last Over-40s World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, 2024. Also in the lineup is ex-Canada International player Jimmy Hansra who featured in 28 One-days and 8 T20s. Canada will open their campaign against defending champions South Africa at the Enmore Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara. The 43-year-old Shillingford appeared in 16 tests for West Indies while the Guyanese Crandon (43) played just a solitary one-day. Meanwhile, the 16-team tournament will be hosted by Cricket West Indies Masters Association. The sides have been divided into two groups. Canada is placed in Group A alongside, South Africa, Australia, West Indies, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Columbia and Wales. Group B is made up of: New Zealand, Scotland, USA, India, Pakistan, England,
Royston Crandon Rest of the World X1 and Rest of the Caribbean X1. The full squad reads: Shailesh Patel (Captain), Bhavneet Bhatai (Vice-Captain), Royston Crandon, Shane Shillingford, Jimmy Hansra, Vijiram Krishnan, Iftikhar Khan, Summit Handa, Nitin Gosain, Siddarth Rastogi, Kumar Erramilli, Saurabh Malik, Deepada Sugith, Manpreet Khaira, Harman DoSanjh and Harshimran Singh.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and FIFA president Gianni Infantino pose for a photograph during the event. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo) UEFA has therefore agreed to suspend, on a provisional basis, the withdrawal by European teams from FIFA competitions in the coming season,” UEFA said in a statement on Thursday. The decision means all qualified teams would participate in next month’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, the first major tournament that could have b e e n a ff e c t e d b y t h e standoff. However, the body said members ‘had unanimously mandated the confederation to pursue “every available institutional, political and legal avenue” to secure reforms and restore limits on presidential authority. The confederation also called for “a genuinely independent external review” of the failed FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, saying: “FIFA cannot investigate itself and expect the football community simply to accept its conclusions.” UEFA also questioned the rationale behind the proposal, noting FIFA’s
healthy finances. “FIFA has currently billions of dollars in reserves. This money belongs to the Member Associations,” UEFA said. “The question is therefore why the FIFA President believed he needed outside investors to expand development funding.” FIFA COMMERCIAL RIGHTS UNDERVALUED, SAYS UEFA UEFA said in its legal filing that investors would have paid $4.2 billion for a stake in FIFA Forward Enterprise, valuing the business at about $20 ‘billion. UEFA said the valuation significantly undervalued FIFA’s commercial rights and alleged it was not subjected to an open auction or tested by an independent valuer. The filing said the proposal quickly met resistance across world football. UEFA said its 55 member associations had unanimously agreed at an
emergency meeting on July 30 that they would not p a r t i c i p a t e i n F I FA competitions, including the World Cup, unless the plan was withdrawn. FIFA abandoned the proposal on July 31. Announcing the withdrawal, Infantino said the proposal had been intended ‘to support football development worldwide but had created divisions that were no longer in the interests of that objective. UEFA, however, said questions remained about how it had been conceived and advanced. I t s a i d F I FA s t a f f complained internally that they had been “deceived” and that FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom was reported to have been excluded from drafting the proposal. SAUDI SUPPORT FOR INFANTINO Infantino, who has announced he will seek a fourth term in March 2027, retains support ‘from the African and South American confederations and also received backing from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) on Thursday. “At this time, SAFF supports the continued efforts of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA’s leadership to restore unity across the football family and continue growing the game for the benefit of all,” the federation said in a statement on its website. U E FA , m e a n w h i l e , warned if Infantino seeks another mandate, it would work with partner confederations to ensure member associations are offered a “credible alternative” committed to reform.
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Friday August 28, 2026
Corporate Guyana throws support behind LGC Greensome Tournament The Lusignan Golf Club’s highly anticipated Greensome Golf Tournament has received strong backing from Corporate Guyana, with several leading companies coming on board to support what is shaping up to be an exciting day of golf, entertainment and family fun. The tournament, set for Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Lusignan Golf Course, has attracted the support of Bounty Farm Ltd., Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd., ANSA McAL Distribution Inc., Banks DIH Ltd., OMG Steak House, Froggy’s Grill, AMICI and Crown Mining. With Corporate Guyana lending its support, the lush greens and sweeping fairways of the Lusignan Golf Course will come alive with competition, camaraderie and plenty of excitement as golfers take to the course for a true test of teamwork, strategy and skill. The action gets underway at 9:00 a.m. with a shotgun start, as pairs of golfers compete over nine holes in a Better Ball Medal Play format. Every player must register with a partner, setting the stage for an exciting battle where communication and smart decision-making could make all the difference. The Greensome format adds an extra dimension to the competition. Both players will tee off on each hole before deciding which ball gives their team the best opportunity to continue. From that selected position, the players will take turns playing the ball until it finds the bottom of the cup. The total number of shots used to complete the hole will be recorded as the team’s score. However, it will not simply be a case of
relying on one strong player. A minimum of three tee shots from each member of the team must be used during the round, ensuring that both golfers play an important role in their pair’s journey around the course. There will be plenty at stake, with the top five pairs recording the best net scores set to receive prizes. Additional opportunities to win will also be available through novelty prizes, including Longest Drive on Hole No. 5 and Nearest to the Flag on Hole No. 4. Handicaps will be calculated by taking 35 per cent of the lower handicap and 15 per cent of the higher handicap, adding the two figures together and dividing the total by two to determine the final handicap for each pair. Golfers are required to pay a registration fee of $3,000, while following the action on the course, players and patrons can enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch for $2,500. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The event is also open to the general public, with several side attractions planned to add to the day’s entertainment, including a bouncy castle, face painting and more. With the support of Corporate Guyana, the sunshine, lush surroundings and beautifully maintained fairways providing the perfect backdrop, the LGC Greensome Tournament is shaping up to be a fantastic Sunday of golf and entertainment. Golfers are encouraged to find their perfect partner, bring their best game and get ready for a memorable day at the Lusignan Golf Course, while families and other members of the public are invited to come out and enjoy the exciting atmosphere.
Keen and exciting competition is anticipated when the LGC Greensome Tournament is staged.
Puran Bros Top Mix “The Big Hit” Long Drive Championship set for Saturday at Westside Golf Course
G
Long Drive Champion Jason King looking to defend title this weekend.
olf takes on a new and exciting format this Saturday as Westside Golf Course hosts the Puran Bros Top Mix “The Big Hit” Long Drive Championship, bringing together beginners, experienced golfers, families and spectators for an afternoon of golf, food and entertainment. The championship tees off at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, at Westside Golf Course, located in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, just off the Crane Roundabout on the Schoonord Highway. The event is open to golfers of all skill levels, and is designed to deliver plenty of excitement for both participants and spectators. Westside Golf Course has radically transformed the way golf is played in Guyana, helping to make the sport more accessible to thousands of Guyanese. With a unique and relaxed ambiance, great food, professional coaching and equipment available
to players, Westside has created an environment where virtually anyone can pick up a club and enjoy the game — even late into the night. The facility’s approach is designed to remove many of the traditional barriers associated with golf and make the sport more accessible to families, young people, beginners and experienced players alike. President of the Guyana Golf Association and Master Coach Aleem Hussain described the concept behind events such as “The Big Hit” as a new generation of golf. “This is basically the T-20 version of golf. No more long hours in the hot sun while the rest of the family waits for you to get done. At Westside Golf Course, everyone can play and get involved. We have amazing staff and coaches on hand to create a memorable experience for all ages.” Hussain said the growth of golf in Guyana has demonstrated that when the sport is presented in a
welcoming, accessible and entertaining environment, people who may never have considered themselves golfers are eager to participate. The Puran Bros Top Mix “The Big Hit” Long Drive Championship will put the spotlight on one of golf’s most exciting elements — distance. Players will have the opportunity to showcase their power while competing in a fun environment that welcomes both newcomers and seasoned golfers. For spectators, the event offers an opportunity to see some of the biggest hitters in action while enjoying the atmosphere at Westside Golf Course. The action will continue throughout the afternoon with Adrian & Blackboy BBQ, with distribution beginning at 3:00 PM. The combination of long-drive golf, great food and the unique Westside atmosphere is expected to make Saturday’s event more than just a golf competition.
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Friday August 28, 2026
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Aces Cricket Club carts off ORSCA Premier Division trophy after defeating Young Warriors in final Aces Cricket Club carted off the 2026 Ontario Round-Arm Softball Cricket Association (ORSCA) Premier Division T20 trophy after defeating Young Warriors by 30 runs last Sunday at the Emancipation Park, Brampton. Aces took first strike at the invitation of Young Warriors and compiled a respectable 162 all out in exactly 20-overs while Young Warriors were bowled out for 132 in the 20th over as well. Opener Richard Rossan led the way for Aces with a boundary-studded, 42ball 77. The right-handed batter Rossan clobbered 6 sixes and 4 fours. He got useful support from Naresh Prashad who made 25. Reshaud Badshaw grabbed 411 from 3.3 impressive overs to be Young Warriors’ leading bowler. Skipper Joshua Singh was also in the wicket-column with 3-31 across his maximum four overs. When Young Warriors batted, Devin Nauth struck a fiery 61 to offer a good fight. Nauth slammed 8 sixes and hit a boundary during his 38-ball knock. He and Brandon Persaud (27) gave their team a solid start putting together 77 runs before Persaud was caught. But their innings suffered a collapse as the experienced Ashtaq
The victorious Aces Cricket Club boys strike a pose with the champion trophy. Mohamed took 5-19 off his four overs and was brilliantly supported by Shawn Persaud, who had outstanding spell of 4-12 (4). Persaud made the initial breakthrough. Meanwhile, at the post-match presentation, both Aces Cricket Club and Young Warriors received a trophy while Rossan was given
the MVP trophy. Badshaw collected one for being the MVP for the runners-up side. Skipper of the victorious side Arvindra Ramroop attributed his team’s success to hard-word. He stated that all their plans were fully executed and was confident of lifting the trophy. All members of his side took
home a small trophy each while medals were awarded to the players from Young Warriors. President Mitch Bacchus of the ORSCA congratulated Aces Cricket Club and shared similar accolades to Young Warriors as they ended as the runners-up team. He expressed his profound appreciation to his fellow
executives for pulling off another successful tournament. Their commitment and dedication to softball tournament throughout the season speaks volume, according to Bacchus.! The sponsors also received high praises from the ORSCA leader for their continued support and generosity again.
Guyana off to Mexico Seifert hundred for FIFAe CONCACAF puts Kings on top Continental C/ship
Christian Harris (christian89) and Jeremiya Johnson (jrboss) at centre, along with Martin Massiah (left) and Daniel Idal are off to Mexico City to represent Guyana at the FIFAe Continental Championship.
Two E-Sports football gamers will look to fly the Golden Arrowhead at the continental stage when they compete in the FIFAe Continental Championship of the North, Central America and the Caribbean by Concacaf from August 26–29. Christian Harris (christian89)
and Jeremiya Johnson (jrboss) are in Mexico City to represent Guyana a t t h e F I FA e C o n t i n e n t a l Championship. Competing in the 2v2 eFootball™ Mobile format, the Guyanese duo are taking on some of the region’s best as Guyana continues to make its mark in
international esports. They are accompanied by Martin Massiah, Head of eSports & Head Coach, and Daniel Idal, Assistant Coach, Official Streamer & Media Operations Lead. The players are hopeful of a good showing as they battle on the big stage.
CPL - Saint Lucia Kings recorded back-to-back wins as they beat the Trinbago Knight Riders by 36-runs at the Queen’s Park Oval in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Tim Seifert recorded the first century of the CPL season with a sensational 105 not out. It was his second century for the Kings as they made the highest total of the competition so far. Roston Chase led the bowlers with figures of 3 for 24 in what turned out to be a potentially match saving spell. Chase’s side put into bat by the Knight Riders and they hit their straps from ball one as Tim Seifert and Kamil Pooran got the Kings off to a blistering start inside the PowerPlay. A slightly unorthodox route to 64 for 1 from the first six, with 11 fours and no sixes. Seifert showed the expert form he has shown of late and worked the Knight Riders bowling attack with relative ease all around the ground. He was backed up by steady partners and built big partnerships with Pooran, John Campbell and Charith Asalanka. The Knight Riders struggled to break through partnerships and Abdul-Raheem
Toppin and Dominic Drakes both went at over 16 an over. The Kings were able to maintain their tempo throughout the innings and found at least one boundary in 18 of their 20 overs. Seifert was the catalyst as he led the charge and powered past fifty in quick time. Asalanka was the only other Kings’ batter to hit a maximum. He sent Drakes for three back-to-back maximums in the 17th over as the Saint Lucians looked to put on only the third 200 plus score of the tournament so far. Shortly after passing 200, it was Seifert’s moment as he became the first batter in CPL 2026 so far to remove his helmet and raise his bat. His second CPL century for the Kings, against the side he played three seasons for. The Kings finished 211 for 4 and with a pep in their step as they headed off to bowl. The Knight Riders knew they had to attack from the outset and that’s exactly what they did with Colin Munro and opening partner, Sunil Narine. Munro’s display of power hitting got the home crowd on their feet and renewed belief Continued on page 26
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Friday August 28, 2026
Sri Lanka salvage draw after battling Dinusha denies India COLOMBO, (Reuters) Sri Lanka’s middle-order batter Sonal Dinusha engineered a remarkable rearguard action to help the hosts salvage a draw and deny India a series sweep in the second test on Thursday. Dinusha made a stellar 133 not out, his second hundred of the match and third in four innings, to power Sri Lanka to 429-9 while following on when the players shook hands. India won the series 1-0 but Sri Lanka will take a lot of heart from their fightback at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. Dinusha forged a century-run stand with Keshara Nuwantha to frustrate India and stayed put to help snatch a memorable draw. “When the team is down, I wanted to get runs for the team,” player of the match Dinusha said. “Getting runs against India is a pleasure as a player.” Earlier, ‘Sri Lanka resumed the final day of the rain-plagued match just 16 ahead and with only four wickets in hand. They needed to bat out of their skin to save the test match, and Dinusha and
Nuwantha (46) did exactly that, denying India success throughout the morning session. Dinusha’s maiden test hundred had been the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s firstinnings total of 290, and the 25-year-old followed it up with his fourth successive score of 50 or more to keep his side alive in the contest. Frustration grew in the Indian camp as Dinusha and Nuwantha put together a defiant 112-run stand, leading a spirited resistance. REVIEWS FAVOUR NUWANTHA Nuwantha also found himself on the right side of the review system twice, including in the final over before lunch, when he successfully overturned an ‘decision. Spinner Manav Suthar finally broke the partnership in the first over after the interval. His delivery bounced and kissed the shoulder of Nuwantha’s bat before carrying through to Dhruv Jurel at slip. Jurel then took a second catch to dismiss Prabath Jayasuriya for two, but Dinusha remained unperturbed despite being left to bat with the tail.
Sonal Dinusha and Mohammed Siraj share a moment after the draw. (AFP/Getty Images) Lahiru Kumara provided invaluable support down the order, absorbing 90 balls for his dour 12. On a ‘pitch offering little assistance to the seamers, Dinusha defended with assurance and swept with panache to continue defying India. To u r i n g c a p t a i n Shubman Gill rotated his bowlers and continually
adjusted his field settings but nothing appeared capable of unsettling Dinusha, who batted with tremendous discipline. Gill stressed that India tried ‘all they could in the match. “We fielded for about 250 overs, for three days consecutively, and we did everything we could, but they played really well,” said
the India captain. “Their batters showed a lot of skill and they had a little bit `of luck going their way. “A lot of positives for us, including learning from the opposition. They were under a lot of pressure and the way they came back was tremendous to see.” India top-order batter Devdutt Padikkal was
adjudged player of the series for his hundreds in Galle and Colombo. Scores: India 503 for 9 dec (Padikkal 117, Jurel 115*, Asitha 4-106) drew with Sri Lanka 290 ( D i n u s h a 1 0 3 , Sooriyabandara 80, Prasidh 3-52, Suthar 3-85) and 429 for 9 dec. (Dinusha 133*, Sooriyabandara 92, Jadeja 394, Suthar 3-121).
Guyana Chess team prepares for 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is proud to officially introduce the National Open and Women’s teams set to represent the country at the upcoming 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 14th to September 28th, 2026. Guyana will field two national teams of five each to compete in both the Open and Women’s categories. Leading the Open team is sixteen-year-old Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber (ELO 1991), who holds the 2026 National Open Chess Championship title, the 2026 National U16 Open Championship title, and the 2026 National Rapid Chess Championship title. Following his debut at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, where he gained his Candidate
Master Title, this will be P i t a m b e r ’s s e c o n d Olympiad appearance. The young aspiring chess player is set to compete once again on the international front, aiming to represent Guyana at the highest level possible. National Junior Chess Champion Kyle Couchman (ELO 1995) joins the Olympiad squad for the first time. The sixteen-year-old brings valuable international experience, recently competing at the XXXVI Pan American Youth Chess Festival last August in Colombia and the FIDE World Youth U16 Olympiad last year, also in Colombia. Couchman aims to score crucial team points while pursuing his first FIDE title. Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan (ELO 2066), Guyana's highest-rated player, first rose to national
prominence by winning the 2008 National Junior Championship and has since captured numerous National Open Championship titles. Having made his debut at the 2016 Olympiad in Baku, Uzbekistan, this will be Khan’s 5th appearance at this prestigious event, where he will leverage his deep experience to maximize team wins. FIDE Master Anthony Drayton (ELO 2003) brings formidable experience to the squad, marking his fifth Olympiad appearance since debuting in Tromsø, Norway in 2014. A decorated player and FIDE-certified School Instructor, FM Drayton coaches youths from all walks of life, pairing his international experience with a dedication to growing the local game in Guyana. His responsibility and
commitment have made the FIDE Master a key figure in developing young minds. Former National Junior Champion Keron Sandiford (1874) further strengthens the team. Fresh off winning the 2026 National Open Championship Qualifier, Sandiford builds on his experience from the previous Olympiad in B u d a p e s t , H u n g a r y, providing reliable tactical depth to his team. Leading the Women’s section is National Women’s C h a m p i o n , Wo m a n Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi (ELO 1790). The sixteen-year-old standout has established herself as one of the country's premier female players and will be playing in her second Chess Olympiad. She brings valuable international experience to the Women’s
team. A decorated player, she earned her WCM title while representing Guyana at the 2024 Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, and most recently at the XXXVI Pan American Youth Chess Festival in Colombia. Joshi is looking to apply the skills she has developed to keep the Guyana flag flying high through wins for her team. Joining her is former N a t i o n a l Wo m e n ’s C h a m p i o n , Wo m a n Candidate Master (WCM) Jessica Callender (ELO 1552), who brings international experience to the lineup following previous Chess Olympiads and regional appearances. Callender is determined to put forward her best efforts and achieve wins for her team. The team is further anchored by former National
Wo m e n ’ s C h a m p i o n , Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Sasha Shariff (ELO 1538), whose international presence at the last three Chess Olympiads on the Guyana Women’s Team aims to bring her utmost best efforts to secure wins for her team. The roster is rounded out by talented rising stars Ciel Clement and Kataleya Sam. Seventeen-year-old Ciel Clement (ELO 1484) joins the squad after her second Olympiad showing at the 45th Chess Olympiad in B u d a p e s t , H u n g a r y. Completing the team is its youngest member and firsttime Olympian, Kataleya Sam (ELO 1525), who holds the 2026 U14 and U16 Girls Chess Championship Titles. Kataleya is a regional medallist after having won Continued on page 25
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Orina Silas (left) and Shania Benjamin (right).
HearMeOut: Guyana has pioneered prison boxing in the Caribbean …now it must turn it into a model for rehabilitation By Rawle Toney
T
here are moments in sport that deserve more than applause. They deserve recognition, reflection and, most importantly, action. What happened at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall last Thursday was one of those moments. When Orina Silas and Shania Benjamin stepped through the ropes representing the Republican Gym, the Guyana Prison Service’s boxing programme, they did more than make history. They challenged conventional thinking about what rehabilitation can look like. They became the first female inmates from Guyana and, according to Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle, quite possibly the first in CARICOM, to compete in an official boxing bout while incarcerated. That is significant. But what is even more significant is what Guyana chooses to do with this opportunity. Through the Republican Gym, Guyana has quietly pioneered something that deserves far greater regional recognition. Inmates have participated in competitive sport for years, particularly boxing, while prisoners have also taken part in street football competitions. What makes this latest development different is that female inmates have now entered the sporting arena in a formal boxing competition outside the prison environment. Silas and Benjamin competed as an exhibition at the GBA’s ninth annual Wi n f i e l d B r a i t h w a i t e Caribbean Schoolboys and J u n i o r s B o x i n g Championships. Their participation was about much more than putting on gloves and exchanging punches. It was about discipline, confidence, accountability, empowerment and providing people serving sentences with a legitimate opportunity to change the direction of their lives. This is where the Ministry of Home Affairs must now take the next step. The renewed prisonboxing initiative emerged from discussions between
Ninvalle and Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Wa l r o n d , w i t h b o t h recognising the potential of boxing as part of a structured rehabilitation programme. That potential must now be turned into something tangible. The Republican Gym shouldn’t be treated as a novelty that appears whenever a major tournament comes around. It should become an established component of G u y a n a ’s c o r r e c t i o n a l system. And there is evidence to suggest that boxing can make a meaningful difference. In 2016, incarcerated boxer Jason Barker was granted conditional release to travel to Barbados, where he competed at the Caribbean Championships and won both the heavyweight and superheavyweight titles. Barker discovered boxing while serving a lengthy sentence, and the sport became an important part of his transformation. Guyana is not alone in using sport within its correctional system. Internationally, prison boxing programmes exist in countries including the United States, Thailand and Britain, although the structure and level of competition vary considerably. At Louisiana State Penitentiary, better known as Angola, the Angola Amateur Boxing Association has organised events involving boxing teams from other prisons. T h a i l a n d h a s incorporated Muay Thai and boxing into its “Sports Behind Bars” concept, while prisons in Britain and parts of Europe use boxing extensively for discipline, fitness and rehabilitation. H o w e v e r, s e c u r i t y restrictions often limit incarcerated competitors to internal bouts. That makes Guyana’s development particularly interesting. We should not be afraid to say that Guyana has an opportunity to become a Caribbean leader in correctional sport. But the GBA must push for more than simply highlighting prison inmates
as a talking point whenever an historic boxing milestone is achieved. The Association should use its influence to encourage the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish a legitimate, long-term rehabilitation programme built around boxing. That programme should Continued on page 25
Keshara Nuwantha and Sonal Dinusha held steady on the fifth day. (AFP/Getty Images)
s t r o Sp
Seifert hundred puts Kings on top Sri Lanka salvage draw after battling Dinusha denies India
Tim Seifert slammed a century to lead the Kings to victory. (CPL T20)
Guyana Chess team prepares for 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
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