Kaieteur News

…saysmultipleprobesneededintoMVBarimadisaster

GPA slams police over repeated media blackouts in M.V. Barima tragedy

G u y a n a P r e s s

Association's (GPA)

President Iva Wharton has sharply criticised what she

says is a pattern of journalists being blocked from properly covering the aftermath of the M V Barima sinking, warning thatrestrictingthepressonly

f u e l s t h e v e r y misinformation authorities claimtobefighting.

The vessel sank off the EssequiboCoastonthenight th of Saturday, 18 July, with more than 150 passengers aboard, setting off a largescale search, rescue and recovery operation that is stillongoing.

While emergency respondershaverightlybeen the priority, independent journalists have been repeatedly turned away, monitored and cut off from sources even when survivors and grieving families wanted to speak to them.

Apatternof restrictions

The incidents began Sunday morning, when a

Kaieteur News journalist arrivedattheUmanaYanato obtain accurate information aboutwhattranspired. th “On Sunday 19 July, I arrived at the Umana Yana, with the intentions of providing accurate, compassionateandbalanced coverage of the scenes post the MV Barima's tragic capsizing. To my absolute horror, as I entered the Umana Yana, there comes

Police barred media from accessing survivors and family members at the Charity Waterfront area, Essequibo Coast. (Nazima Raghubir)

Junior Minister Kwame McCoycomingtotellmethe families were complaining aboutpressthere,mindyouI didn't have any cameras or anything like that, and state

aligned media were allowed in,”KhadidjaBarecalled.

Basaidaftersherefused, Minister McCoy and his assistant Derwayne Wills who was standing behind

him “summoned a brown clothes police woman and a plain clothes police officer and told them to remove me from the premises. Not just from the Umana Yana, but fromtheyard.”

“Imadethedecisionthen to not cause a scene so as to further distress the families. Funnilyenough,thefamilies subsequently came outside and spoke to us at the very lowfenceandtheyevensaid 'whatisthepointofthepress then? Some people wouldn't

(Continuedonpage8)

KaieteurNews

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Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

National mourning

AllGuyanesewhostillhavesomelevelofhumanityin them,somefeeling,joininthisperiodofnationalmourning. Acountry gathers itself to mourn its dead. Rightly mourn themomentarynatureoflife,theswiftnesswithwhichitcan depart. WhentheMVBarimawenttoitsrestingplace,weat this paper remember that ancient saying: ‘tomorrow is promised to no one.’ We mourn the dead with anguished lips,heartsrentwithdisbelief. TheMVBarimaisnotabad dream. ThefalloftheMVBarimaandmuchmorethan100 falling also are about life’s harsh lessons. Now enshrined are the brutal wounds inflicted on the living, through the injusticesthatmenafflictthelivingwith. Whilewemourn the dead officially and publicly, we also mourn for the living. Fortheirsisthestruggletocontinue. Theirsarethe trials that fill nightmares and, which all too often, arrive suddenlytoaddtotheburdensoftheday

Guyana national grief is not in honor of its war dead. Grief, in today’s context is for more than the commuters stuck on a boat that did not make it anywhere close to journey’send. Itisalsofortheendlesswarswagedbythose withthepower,money,andotherresourcesofthiscountry inruthlesseffortstorunoverothers,forcethemintocraven submission. Grief that all those assets are assembled to defeatthepeopleofthiscountry Theycouldhavebeenput tobetteruseandbymanyarichmarginforthebenefitofthe people. Fewarethoserollinginlaughter Manyarethose gripped in their new role as mourners. Venal and craven men,acastofsubmissive,supporting,women,haveseento it,willhaveitnootherwayinGuyana.

ThesurvivingfamilyofthoseclaimedbyNeptunewill havetheirhandsheld,theirshoulderssqueezed. Akerchief extended,ashoulderonwhichtocry Thereisthesmellof bloodintheair Bloodhastobeonthehandsofthosewho shed a tear politely Blood which provokes quiet, private weeping. Why did this have to be? It did not have to happen. Itshouldnotbehappening,notinthisGuyanaof whichsomuchisspokeninsuchrich,fresh,terms. Adults cutoffintheprimeoftheirlives. Childrenlostbeforethey gotstartedontheirownwalkoflife. Thepinchisenoughto bring a scream. How long will the people of this country have to be sacrificed so that others can dance on their graves? Howmanymoretosufferfromthisfateinaplace sorichlyblessed?

Inthistimeofmourning,ofrememberingaboatpastits prime and its time, there are not even bodies to bury In mourning,thereisnoclosingofthewindowofgriefinorder for the pain to be kept at bay There is a deadly spirit that roamstheclosequartersandfarcornersofthiscountry. It thirstsforvictims:youngandold,maleorfemale,itdoesnot matter. Allareconsumed,allcanbevictims. What words, what presence that arrives with eyes averted and hands outstretched, can comfort when pain drips like an acid on the soul? Three days of national mourningforlikelyfifty-threetimesmorevictims. Foran all too short, an all too embittering, outpouring of public grief. Andwhenthisperiodofhauntingnationalmourning is over, there is still that other more waking and sleeping conditiontofaceallalone. Privatemourningthatknowsno rest, that does not take a day off. Private mourning that reminds at every turn, every pause, of what used to be. Private mourning to rekindle who is now gone without so muchasfarewell.

In a crowd, in the loneliness of an empty domestic setting, what is there to say to a grieving mother? Who knows how she feels, can ever understand how her heart quivers, how grief drenches her soul? National mourning willsoontobeover Thereisthenthatotherhorror Achair not filled; a bed not occupied. A song that will never be sung. Weatthispaperweepforthevictimsandfamiliesof the MV Barima. They died too young. We weep for all Guyanese. May we all grow old and grow better than we haveinthepastandpresent.

Every possible causal factor must be examined

DEAREDITOR, ChristopherRam’sletter, publishedinyournewspaper on 22nd July 2026, asks the right questions but only some of them More importantly, the questions it omits reveal as much as thoseitincludes.

The central flaw in Ram’sletteristhatitpresents anarrowconceptionofwhat an independent inquiry oughttoinvestigate.

Almosteverysubstantive questionheposesisdirected toward one destination: the conduct of the State, the Maritime Administration, the Transport and Harbours DepartmentandtheMinister responsibleforboth.

There is nothing improper about examining those institutions Indeed,

anycredibleinquirymustdo so.Butamaritimedisasterof this magnitude cannot be reducedtoaregulatoryaudit. Ram’s catalogue of questions betrays an assumption that the primary explanation lies in governmental or regulatory failure Conspicuously absent are the questions that any experienced marine investigator would immediately place before an inquiry

Was there captain’s error? Were navigational decisions made that placed the vessel in unnecessary danger? Were proper seamanship and emergency procedures followed? Did the master misjudge the conditions or fail to respond appropriately when the

vessel encountered difficulty?

What were the tidal and river conditions at the time? Wereforecastsavailableand weretheytakenintoaccount beforedeparture?

Thenthereisperhapsthe most obvious issue of all—overcrowding. Was the vessel carrying more passengers than permitted?

We r e p a s s e n g e r s concentratedunevenly?Was cargo improperly secured? Did passenger movement contribute to instability?

Throughout maritime history, overcrowding has featured prominently in some of the world’s worst ferry disasters. Remarkably, Ramasksnoneofthem.

Ram’s questions tell us something about his own focus.

T h e y p o i n t overwhelmingly toward i n s t i t u t i o n a l a n d governmental responsibility But what about operational, environmental or human factors that may prove e q u a l l y o r e v e n more—important?

An inquiry must also examine vessel design, maintenance, weather, tides, n a v i g a t i o n , communications, crew competence, passenger behaviour, emergency response, loading practices, regulatory oversight and organisationalculture.Every plausible causal factor must be investigated without prejudice.

Regards, RoopnauthHardyal

THE MV BARIMA TRAGEDY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED

DEAREDITOR,

The horrific loss of nearly 80 lives lies squarely inthehandsoftheauthorities entrusted with public transportation.Howelsecan anyone explain an 87-yearold boat ferrying some 130 personsona12-hourjourney which was earmarked for major repairs a few months beforeitcapsized?

Here are a few facts on theMVBarima:

· The MV Barima was

built by the Scottish company,FergusonBrothers (PortGlasgow)Ltd.in1939, and was registered and launched in British Guiana on17thNovember,1939.

In 1966, after Independence, the government of Guyana assumedownership.

· The MV Barima broke down in 2017 and was repairedatacostofGY$150 millionandwasplacedback intocommission.

· In 2021 major engine componentswerereplacedin anemergency

· In 2022 portions of the MVBarimaweredeemedto have seriously deteriorated. As a result, it was subject to emergency repairs for two weeks at a cost of GY$90 million.

· The MV Barima was again subject to critical repairs in 2024 in the Parika dockyard.

· It was slated to be dry-

dockedinthelaterpartofthis yearandupgradedatacostof GY$124.5million.

Whatisofgraveconcern is the fact that in 2023 Minister of Public Works BishopJuanEdghillstatedin Parliament that the US$12.7 million replacement vessel, the MA Lisha was enroute fromCalcutta,India.Infact, the Minister travelled to India to attest to the vessel seaworthiness.

Continued on page 5

A Pastor’s word to a grieving nation

DEAREDITOR,

I write to you not as a commentator,butasapastor, because Guyana is hurting andapastor’splaceisbeside thehurting.

ThewatersoffEssequibo have taken sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, grandchildren who were trying to get home.As of this writing, the governmenthasconfirmedat least 65 dead and approximately 38 still missing from the MV Barima, out of what may have been as many as 179 souls aboard. Families are waiting at Suddie Hospital for news no parent should have to wait for I have sat with grieving families in hospital corridors more times than I can count in thirtyyearsofministry,andI know that in that waiting, words often fail. So let me not begin with words of my own, but with words older andsteadierthanmine.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be

comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, NIV)

Thisisnotapromisethat grief will be short. It is a promisethatgriefwillnotbe carried alone To every family still waiting for a name,stillwaitingforabody to be found, still waiting for thephonetoring:youarenot forgotten, and you are not aloneinthis.Awholenation isholdingyouinitsheartthis week.

“TheLordis closetothe brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”(Psalm34:18,NIV)

I want you to hear that verse plainly Nearness, not distance.Godhasnotturned away from Guyana in this hour He is close, precisely where the breaking is deepest.

Job’sfriends,foralltheir later missteps, got one thing right at the very beginning. “They sat with him on the groundsevendaysandseven nights, and no one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering

was ” (Job 2:13, NIV)

Before Guyana reaches for explanations, before we ask what could have been done differently, we owe our grieving families that same seven days of simply sitting withthem.

Therewillbearighttime for hard questions about safety, about how a vessel meant for fewer passengers came to carry so many.That timewillcome,anditshould come, because love for the living asks such questions. But this week belongs to mourning, and mourning deserves room to breathe before it is asked to do anythingelse.

“Weep with those who weep ” (Romans 12:15, NIV)

That is the whole instruction, and it is enough fornow Notfix,notexplain, not even fully understand. Weepalongside.

For those who went out intothatdarkwatertosearch, our coast guard, our fisherfolk, the international

divers who came without hesitation, I hold before you this word: “Greater love has noonethanthis:tolaydown one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13, NIV) You did not have to go out into that water Youwentanyway,and Guyana has seen something ofChristinthatgoing.

Andtoanationthatdoes not always agree on much, I offer this closing prayer, borrowed in spirit from the oldest comfort our faith has togive: Lord, be near to every family still waiting. Give strength to the searchers, wisdom to those who lead the response, and to a grieving nation, the peace that passes understanding. Bindupthebrokenheartedof Guyana, and let Your comfort reach every home touched by this tragedy Amen.

Guyana, we mourn together,andbyGod’sgrace, we will hold one another throughit.

Rev Dr FitzroyTyrrell

Lincoln Kewus: Oil Wealth Enriching the Connected While Majority Left Behind

DEAREDITOR, Guyana stands at a dangerous crossroads As unprecedented oil wealth flows into the Treasury, growingnumbersofcitizens are being systematically excluded from the nation’s prosperitywhileapolitically connected few reap extraordinary rewards

Across the country,

c o m p l a i n t s o f discrimination, favouritism, corruption,andthemisuseof

State resources are becoming impossible to ignore.

Under the Irfaan

Ali/Bharrat Jagdeo regime, many Guyanese have come to believe that loyalty to the Government not merit, need, or constitutional rights determines who prospers and who is left

behind. Such a trajectory is unjust; it is corrosive to democracy, social cohesion, and the constitutional promise that Guyana belongs equally to all its people.

The issue is increasingly comingtotheforeaspeople make genuine complaints about discrimination. This regime is widely seen as using State resources to enrich itself and its cohorts or, as the Opposition has described them, “friends, family and favourites.” The economy has become lopsided, servingtheinterestsofonlya few Hardly a day passes without evidence, whether on social media or in our communities, showing that some are favoured while others are ignored. Equally,

scarcelyadaygoesby without another scandal or fresh revelation of alleged thievery

This is an unacceptable state of affairs, and resignation or complacency must never be our response. Yes,someofusmaybetired, butthisisnotthetimetoslow down or turn a blind eye while others operate like buccaneers, plundering this nation in pursuit of wealth

for themselves and generations to come, while the other rightful heirs to Guyana’sbountycontinueto liveinwantanddespair

W e w a t c h t h e Government rush to the aid of rice farmers with cash grants and budgetary allocations while other sectors of agriculture and many communities are ignored. Workers in the public service and mining

THE MV BARIMA TRAGEDY COULD...

Frompage4

No doubt the PPP will invoke the usual defense of this catastrophe, but many are of theview thatthevessel did not sink because the crew was using narcotics or drinking. Theyalsobelievethatalcoholdidnoterodea hullorallowwatertopourintothevessel.The salient question must be: why would such a vesselbeallowedtosailformorethantwelve hours with its given documented history of problemssuchaswaterintake,passengerand cargo overload and unrecorded passenger manifests?

Just like the ’inquiry’ of Madhia fire which claimed 20 lives, the proposed investigation-even though promising- will revealwhatallGuyanesealreadyknows:the livesofthepopulacetakesecondplacewhile

the powers that be are more focused on personal wealth attainment They drive around in very expensive Prados and Land CruiserswhileGuyaneseatlarge,withmore than50%livingbelowthepovertyline,must endure hardships. And while Opposition Leader, Mohamed Azruddin, has joined the searchandrescueeffortsintheNorthwest,his premisesweresearchedbypoliceandSOCU officials whose energies could have been directed towards the rescuing of those souls thatpresidedontheMVBarima.Whatajoke andablatantmisuseofpublicresourcesbyan inept and dumbfounded administration Many transportation experts believe that the tragedycouldhavebeenavoided.

Regards,

LeylandChitlallRoopnaraine

sectorsareequallypartofthe productive economy but are beingignored.Intheprivatesector allies of the regime receive taxpayers’money to invest or offset expenses, while others who are not politically favoured are left behind.

This rapacious regime hasunashamedlyestablished a policy that unmistakably says: if you do not align or submit,youwillbepunished socially and economically Unlessweraiseourvoicesin unison in whatever manner best suits each of

continue to be trampled upon. In our quest for good government and for what is rightfully ours, let us not be distracted by history, which shouldserveonlyasalesson andnotburdenuswithguilt, whether manufactured or real. The Ali/Jagdeo regime has stewardship of our nation’s resources, here and now That stewardship carries a corresponding responsibility to govern in the interest of all Guyanese, regardless of how they

voted or whether they voted at all for these resources belong to all the people.

The path before us is marred by inequality, corruption, and neglect of theverypeoplewhoselabour builds this nation.While the world hears grand speeches about people-centred development, sustainable development, and carbon credits, workers, farmers, and ordinary citizens—the b a c k b o n e o f o u r economy—seelittlebenefit

Continued on page 5

MV Barima tragedy exposes Guyana’s deep governance failures

DEAREDITOR,

I am writing to submit the attached opinion piece for consideration in Kaieteur News.

The article examines the recent MV Barima tragedy not as an isolated accident, but as part of a recurring pattern of institutionalfailureinGuyana.Itdrawsonthe concepts of the rentier state, uneven social citizenship, and the normalisation of risk to argue that the country’s rapid oil wealth has outpaced the development of durable regulatory capacity and equitable protection forcitizens.

Given the ongoing national conversation about the ferry disaster and the broader questions it raises about governance and safety, I believe the piece is timely and relevantforyourreaders.

The full text is included below (and attached as a Word document for convenience). I am happy to make any necessaryedits.Thankyouforyourtimeand consideration.

Regards,

TevinSkeete

Billions from oil, no safe passage for hinterland residents

Member of Parliament forWeInvestinNationhood (WIN), Dawn HastingsWilliams, on Wednesday lamented the risky river travel conditions that residents of hinterland communities are forced to endure in an oil-rich nation, where flights from Ogle remainaluxury

Inherremarksatthejoint oppositionpressconference, she highlighted that, “… there has never been, a comprehensivereviewofthe transportationservicebysea, air,orlandforthehinterland residents.”

She explained that in the absence of sufficient seating

aboard the vessel, passengers were forced to sling hammocks or spread bedsheets and cardboard on the floor, a practice she describedasunacceptablein moderntimes.

The politician reminded the media that it is the 21st century and yet Indigenous people are still forced to travel by river. She said the tragedyhasshedlightonthe conditions hinterland

residents endure for extended periods to reach theirdestinations.

Referencing the Mahdia dormitory fire, which claimed the lives of more than20Indigenouschildren, Hastings-Williams said the MV Barima tragedy has reopened painful wounds in Indigenous communities acrossthecountry

Breachedmaritime regulations

Speaking on what she described as breaches of maritime regulations, the WIN MP lamented the loss of so many lives while authorities continued to provide inaccurate information,leavingthetotal number of passengers aboardthevesselunknown.

“Itisunfortunatethatwe have to mourn the loss of so many lives It is very unfortunate.Up to this time, we have not known exactly how many passengers boardedtheMVBarimadue to inaccurate information that we continue to receive from the authorities. It is quite possible that many of them may have been children. As of the reports received on Tuesday, the bodies recovered were 11 female children and four male children.That gives us a total of 15, of our babies, our children lost their lives. Thisisaclearindicationthat the maritime rules were

breached,”shesaid.

S h e s a i d t h e discrepanciessuggestproper passenger registration procedures were not followed, raising serious concerns about compliance with maritime safety

r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d accountabilityintheeventof anemergency E x p r e s s i n g h e r perspectiveasanIndigenous person, she said all lives matter, irrespective of a person’s ethnicity, where they live, or their economic status. While the BarimaWaini Region is populated byvariousethnicgroups,she noted that it is public knowledge that many Indigenous people reside there.

“We are aware that the toshaos are out here in GeorgetownfortheNational To s h a o ’s C o u n c i l Conference. I call on our Indigenous leaders to demand justice for the families who have lost their lovedones.Men,indigenous men, women, children, babies,andinnolessterms,I ask that the leaders demand f o r a l o n g - t e r m psychological and trauma supportforthesurvivorsand the bereaved families, as. indigenous peoples, we are frustrated and tired by how thisgovernmentcontinuesto treatusasifwedonotmatter, andwewillnolongeraccept being pushed to the margins ofourownland,”sheadded. Differencesmustgiveway tosomethinggreater Opposition Chief Whip and WIN MP Tabitha Sarabo-Halley highlighted that while those at the head table represented different political parties and held different philosophies and views on how Guyana should be governed, there are moments in the life of a country when those

differencesmustgivewayto somethinggreater

“This is one of those moments The tragedy involvedinMVBarima,has affected families, communities,andournation as a whole. It has reminded us that when lives are at stake, political differences must become secondary to our shared responsibility to the people of Guyana …This tragedy reminds or demands more than expressions of sympathy, it demands answers, it demands accountability, and above all, it demands action toensurethatnofamilyever hastoenduresuchatragedy again. It is for those reasons that the joint opposition has come together with one unitedvoice,”shesaid.

Sarabo-Halley added that the people of Guyana deserve confidence that everypossiblelessonwillbe learned and every necessary reform implemented to safeguard those who travel the country’s rivers and waterways. Above all, she said,itisowedtothosewho lost their lives aboard the MV Barima to ensure that their passing is not simply mourned but becomes the catalyst for meaningful change that will protect futuregenerations. Noplansinplacefor emergencies

General Secretary of WIN, Odessa Primus said based on what has occurred over the past few days, it appears Guyana has no emergency plans in place. She reminded those present that a similar situation unfolded a few years ago

during the Mahdia Dormitoryfire,whenseveral innocent children lost their lives.

“…it appears as though even in the face of that tragedy,wehavenottakenan

opportunity to learn from that, as the government, and that is wholly unfortunate. I dobelievethat,inthefaceof a crisis, and I’m sure, as is shared by many of my colleagues here at the table today, we need each other morethanever,andatragedy of that magnitude, and the resources that we have, it calls for all hands on deck,” she added The MP also focusedonthepsychological impact the images and messages circulating over the past several days will have on the public, noting that there appears to be no adequate psychosocial supportsysteminplace.She said that when support is available, it is often limited to the victims themselves and,infewercases,extended totheirfamilies. She called for this practice to be revised and urgedtherelevantministries to take a more active role in addressing the issue, including contacting professionalsinthediaspora to provide assistance if needed.

– MP Hastings on MV Barima tragedy

Edghill’sadmissions Leader of the Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC), Dorwain Bess, raised several questions regarding admissions made publicly by Minister of PublicWorksJuanEdghill.

“The minister would have admitted publicly that this vessel was due for dry dock.Iaskthatthepressand every right-thinking Guyanese to look at that recommendation In that recommendation, it says the two main turbos need to be changed. What is the turbo usedfor?Togivetheengine power Why would you, if thecaptainrecommendsthis ship historical, send that same desolate seat immediately? It should be criminal investigation and charges being laid wherever itshouldbe,”hesaid.

He further reminded the media that the minister had repeatedly stated the vessel was not overloaded. In light of those statements, Bess challenged Edghill to explain the method used to determine the loading

capacity of not only the MV Barima but other ferries as well.

“Theseferriesareowned and controlled by the state, w h i c h m e a n s t h e responsibility falls directly atthefeetofthegovernment. What method was used to calculate where the passengers weighed, what thecargowasmadearewhat weusedwhenwegotitatan average How can you demonstrate whether that vesselhadtherequirementof cargoornot?”hequestioned.

Bess also questioned the presence of fuel aboard the vessel. He asked whether it wasstandardpracticeforthe ferry to transport petroleum products, whether the fuel was properly stored, and whetheritposedasignificant fire risk, calling it another disasterwaitingtohappen.

“Those three right there, I believe, should call for an immediate criminal investigation for t

negligence of the people responsible for the 150 lives thatwearenowsittinginon it,”hesaid.

Lincoln Kewus: Oil Wealth Enriching...

Frompage5 from the wealth flowing through this country

Our hinterland communities remain deprived, our coastlands underserved, and our public institutions weakened, all while the corridors of power reward loyalty and profitoverjusticeandequity Trade unionists know that real development cannot exist without the participation, protection, and empowerment of working people- past, present and future But this regime is not pursuing national development; only buccaneerism. For the principles of good governance and the promise of inclusionary democracy, as enshrined in our Constitution, remain unfulfilled.

IfwearetobuildaGuyanathatworksfor all—not just a corrupted few—we must confront systemic failures, demand transparency, and insist on policies that put the collective above individualism Equitable growth and social justice must be ourfocus,thelifebloodofanation.

Let us look at the Indigenous peoples wholiveinthehinterland.Theverysourceof economicwealthderivedfromtherainforest their fair share is being denied through the corrupt use of carbon credit revenues. Meanwhile,onthecoastlands,thiswealthis diverted through shady schemes involving infrastructure and contracts.We continue to witness corruption, and discrimination in every sphere where the Government exercises influence. Racial, political, and socialdiscriminationhaveworsened.

This regime shows no respect for the people or their environment. Ours has become a society of wanton lawlessness. Values guided by laws, conventions, and

chartersthatprotecteverycitizen’srightand empowercommunitiestodeterminethetype ofdevelopmentthatbestsuitstheirneedsare beingdiscarded.

Nothing meaningful can be achieved when almost two-third of the population is systematically excluded from the governance and decision-making processes guaranteedunderourConstitution.

The hollow slogan of ‘One Guyana’ cannot substitute for genuine inclusion, nor for the spirit and intent of our national motto— “One People, One Nation, One Destiny “—from which our oneness must spring.While one cannot ignore the call for unity, one must also note that the call for unity comes only at times that serve the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) political interests.Thisregimecontinuestodivideand rule,whileignoringthesuffering,plightand pleasofcertaingroupsandthepoor

If we are serious about the future of this nation, we must demand a government that puts people before rhetoric and ensures that everyGuyaneseparticipatesinthiseconomy in a just and equitable manner, for nobody must be pan tap, be they Indian, African, Amerindian,Chinese,Portuguese,Mixed,or whomever

We must be imbued with a sense of righteous indignation, intolerance for wrongdoing, and an unflinching determination to stand up and right these wrongs.Forwhatishappeninginthisnation amounts to nothing less than thievery and discrimination Neither bodes well for Guyana, and together they pose a clear and present danger to our democracy, our development,andourfuture.

Sincerely, LincolnLewis

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Justiceand accountability y

The MV Barima disaster has left a nation in mourning, but grief alone cannot substitute for accountability

Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram's open letter to the President asks the questions the government itself should have answered from the very beginning.

Was the vessel seaworthy? Did the Maritime Administration discharge its legal duty? Were inspections current?

How could the operator and regulator fall under the same minister without compromising oversight?

These are not political questions; they go to the heart of public safety and the rule of law. Guyanese have seen too many national tragedies followed by official assurances but too few satisfying answers.

The Barima sinking cannot be added to that shameful list. An independent Commission of Inquiry, established under the Shipping Act, is not a favour to the bereaved but a legal and moral obligation. Justice demands facts, accountability and reforms—not another whitewash.

Long-term trauma counselling pledged for MV Barima survivors, families

…Human Services Minister outlines hotline plans, support for first responders

Survivors and families affected by the MV Barima tragedy will receive psychosocial support and trauma counselling for as longasitisneeded,Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya PersaudsaidWednesday Speakinginaninterview on GoMoseley Radio, Persaudsaidsheassembleda team from across her

ministry immediately after the incident, drawing on the ChildProtectionAgency,the Family Enhancement Services Section, and the Social Services area to counsel those affected. The Ministries of Health and Educationarealsoproviding support,shesaid.

“We have been able to bring together teams from theChildProtectionAgency,

the Family Enhancement Services Section, and the Social Services area. And this was quite a number of persons who were engaged initially, and that number is growing based on the obvious need. We have had socialworkersontheground inRegionOne,RegionTwo, andatthecommandcenters, including the UmanaYana,” Persaudsaid.

Social workers have remained with affected families throughout every stage of the response, she said, including at the mortuary and the hospital, offering counselling and trauma-focusedsupport.

“With persons being identified, the social work teams in the regions where those persons have been identified have been going out and will continue to go out to engage with families who have lost and even survivors,becausetraumais there, whichever way you look at it. Grief is there, and we are working assiduously and consistently with those familiesbecauseanumberof

themarealsochildren.We're working with the children,” sheexplained.

The GuyanaAssociation of Professional Social Workersisalsoassisting,she added. Supportplanned forfirstresponders

Askedwhetherresources would be extended to emergency responders and social officers who have been assisting families, Persaudsaidaplanisalready being discussed to support thoseworkersaswell.

“Because the magnitude of what has happened has really brought together so many people, so many pe

MinisterofHumanServices andSocialSecurity, Dr. Vindyha Persaud

coordinated way to address the different levels of this tragedy — whether it's the healthcare officers, the human services officers, the firstresponderswhowentin, the persons who were engaged in the search,” she said.

Counselling support has alreadybegunforstaffofthe Transport and Harbours (Continuedonpage10)

GPA slams police over...

Frompage3 know about this but would know after seeing Kaieteur Newscoverage'”,Basaid.

Further, the journalist opinedthat“Allinall,thisis just another instance where the government, especially this one, has showcased its utter disregard for the independentmedia”.

On Sunday too, another journalistwasorderedoffthe grounds of Oscar Joseph HospitalinCharitybypolice despite survivors and relatives having voluntarily agreed to share their accounts.

Thefollowingafternoon, when President Irfaan Ali visited grieving families at the Charity Waterfront, the same reporter was again escorted away by officers, cutting off independent coverage of the President's meetingwithrelatives.

Journalists also say they have been unable to independently verify the death toll, having been denied access to health facilities and the Onderneeming Mortuary, both under tight police security As of Wednesday afternoon, security personnel at the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) shelter reportedly told reporterstheyhadordersnot toallowanycontactbetween the media and survivors stayingthere.

“Wearenotthereto fight”

Wharton said the blackouts strike directly at themedia'sabilitytogivethe public verified information duringanationaltragedy

“It is concerning. We

want to be able to tell these stories, and we want to tell them accurately The only way we can do that is if we haveaccess,”shesaid.

She rejected any suggestion that reporters have been disrespectful of victimsortheirfamilies.

“Wearenottheretofight with the police or the government. The stories of the survivors have to be documented, and it is in no one's bestinteresttoprevent survivors from sharing their experiences. It is through thosestoriesthatweareable to ask important questions,” Wharton said, adding that false narratives about the disaster are already spreading online — which she says makes independent verificationmoreurgent,not less.

She also acknowledged the toll the assignment has

journalists facing a disaster ofthisscaleforthefirsttime, and appealed for officers to treat media workers with basicprofessionalcourtesy Dronesseized,boats shadowed,journalists photographed Former GPA President Nazima Raghubir described an escalating clampdown.

Beyond the barriers restricting access around Charity,EssequiboCoastshe s a i d p o l i c e h a v e photographed media workers in the field, confiscated a drone being usedforaerialcoverage,and hadaGuyanaDefenceForce vessel shadow a boat carrying journalists during search operations on

Wednesday She also said families with missing relatives have been actively discouraged from speaking toreporters.

Raghubir argued that the media has been filling a real gapforanxiousfamiliesstill shuttling between Charity andSuddieontheEssequibo CoastandtheUmanaYanain Georgetown in search of answers.

“The press has been a great help to the public, especially at a time when many people are struggling togetinformationabouttheir loved ones,” she said “Sometimes engagement withthemediahelps.”

She was blunt about the irony of officials citing misinformation as a justification for restricting reporters.

“It doesn't help when media operators have their drones seized and are t h r e a t e n e d o v e r misinformation when much of the misinformation is coming from official sources.Weexpectthespace todoourwork,”shesaid. Noexplanationfrom authorities

Neither the Guyana Police Force nor any other authority has publicly explained the basis for the restrictions.

Asinvestigationsintothe sinking continue, media groups are pressing for a working arrangement that allowsreasonable,respectful access — one that protects rescue operations and victims' privacy without shutting the press out of a story the public has every righttofollow

The experts among us

ThereisanoldGuyanese tradition that comes alive wheneverthenationisstruck by tragedy Before the investigators arrive, before the experts examine the evidence, before the ink on the first official report has evendried,therearealready hundreds of self-appointed authorities who somehow know exactly what happened.

Theyknowbecausethey have “inside information.” Orsotheysay

Recently an influencer had social media abuzz with claims that relative was involved in murdering a young child.And the source of the influencer’s information: some police officer As it turned out, the person charged for the offence was not a relative at all.

The M V Barima disaster has sadly become the latest illustration of this familiar national pastime of people claiming to have the inside scoop Since the tragedy unfolded, stories

have spread through minibuses, barber shops, markets, social media, workplaces and village corners with astonishing speed One version contradicts another, yet everystorytellerspeakswith supreme confidence. It is never “I heard” or “I wonder.” It is invariably, “I know.”

The other day, on a minibus, one gentleman confidently informed another passenger that he knew someone within the Transport and Harbours

Department. According to this mysterious insider, the vessel had carried a massive hole in its bottom for years andworkershadsupposedly been plugging it with cotton wool.

Cottonwool.

Thepoorfellowlistening to him looked genuinely puzzled. He was not quite prepared to accept that a vesseltransportinghundreds of passengers had somehow remained afloat for years because of a handful of absorbent fibres Yet the storyteller pressed on with increasing certainty, embellishing the tale with everysentence.

One suspects that if the journey had lasted another fifteen minutes, chewing gum and duct tape would haveenteredthenarrativeas well. It would be amusing were the circumstances not sotragic.

Thephenomenonitselfis neither new nor uniquely Guyanese Psychologists have long studied what is sometimes called the “illusion of explanatory depth ” Human beings routinely believe they understand complicated events far better than they actuallydo.Adduncertainty, fear and national anxiety to the mix, and the appetite for certainty becomes almost irresistible.

P e o p l e d i s l i k e unanswered questions When facts are unavailable, themindoftenmanufactures asatisfyingstory.

There is another psychologicalforceatwork. Social psychologists have

Dem Boys Seh...

Dem boys seh if Guyanese ever start exporting “inside information,” the oil moneygonlooklikepocketchange.

Demboysrememberonedayafellarun into de market hollering that a big foreign supermarket chain buying out half of Georgetown.

He whisper to everybody, “Don’t tell nobody, but me cousin wife brother does drive truck fuh one man who know de contractor.”

By lunchtime people done identify de land,dearchitect,deopeningdateandeven whichaislegonsellplantainchips.

Onesmallproblem.Noneofitwastrue.

DemboyssehinGuyanaeverysituation doessuddenlyproducemoreexpertsthande University of Guyana does produce graduates.

Plane late? Everybody is an aviation engineer

Rain fall? Whole village become meteorologists.

observed that people derive status from appearing knowledgeable. Being the person who “knows what really happened” confers a temporary sense of importance. Possessing an alleged insider source elevatesone’sstandinginthe conversation. Suddenly, the ordinarycommuterbecomes an intelligence operative The neighbour becomes an engineering expert The Facebook commentator transforms overnight into a marine surveyor, naval architect and accident investigator all before breakfast.

There is also what behavioural scientists call confirmation bias Once people adopt a particular explanation, they eagerly collect every rumour that appears to support it while dismissing anything that contradicts it. Before long, speculation hardens into certainty Fiction acquires the authority of fact simply because it has been repeated often enough. Social media has multiplied this tendency athousandfold.

A rumour once travelled at the speed of a village conversation.Todaybecause of the internet, it circles the country before lunchtime. Everyrepostgivesitanairof legitimacy Everyforwarded voice note acquires the mystique of confidential intelligence.Thephrase“my friend works there” has become the modern equivalent of citing peerreviewedevidence.

The danger, however, extends beyond harmless

gossip. False narratives can unfairly destroy reputations. They can prejudice public opinion long before evidence is gathered. They can distract investigators from genuine lines of inquiry

Worstofall,theydeepen publicconfusionatprecisely the moment when clarity is needed most. This is why national tragedies demand patience as much as they demandcompassion.

There are legitimate questions surrounding the M.V Barimadisaster These questions deserve serious answers. They cannot be resolved through minibus folklore or WhatsApp mythology

They require evidence. They require testimony They require forensic

examination. They require independent analysis. Most importantly, they require a process that commands publicconfidence.

Thatispreciselywhythe Government should move with deliberate speed to establish an independent CommissionofInquiry

Such a Commission would provide a structured and transparent mechanism for gathering documents, hearing witnesses under oath, examining technical evidence and producing findings grounded in fact rather than conjecture. It would allow genuine experts—not self-appointed ones to determine what occurredandwhy

Equally important, it would help disabuse both thosewhothriveonbluffand

blusterandthosewhoaretoo readily persuaded by confident assertions unsupportedbyevidence.

Until the facts are established through an independent inquiry, the wisest words any of us can utter are perhaps the simplest.“Idonotknow.”

There is no shame in waitingforthetruth.Thereis far greater danger in pretending that we already possessit.

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

Earth shake? Is geologists from AlbouystowntoAnnaRegina.

And every one of them got a secret source.

“Itcomestraightfromdetop.”

“Mypartnerwukkingindeoffice.”

“Menephewfrienddehpundeinside.”

Bydetimedemfinishtalking,youwould think de Cabinet holding meeting in dem backyard.

Some people simply cyan bear not knowingsomething.Silencedoesmakedem uncomfortable So if facts missing, imagination does clock in fuh duty De less evidencetheygot,demoreconfidencethey doestalkwith.

And heaven help de poor soul who ask, “Howyouknow?”

Immediateanswer:“Boss,trustme.”

Trust you? In Guyana, rumour does travelfirstclass.Andtruthstilltryingtogeta seat.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

LetEdghillstay,thoseabovehimmustgo

The clamor is

thunderous:

E D G H I L L

MUSTGO! IsayNO! The people who put Minister Juan Edghill where he is must go. The people who kept Minister Edghill there must go I take these positionsforthesereasons.

First, if Pres Ali was present in the hour of crisis, there would be no Juan E d g h i l l m a k i n g representations that now

haunt him, load him with regrets. Ibelievehestillhas that human essence. I think that Pres Ali would have pushedhimaside,andraced to the forefront to sell his ownproductions. Iaskpro-PPPandantiPPP Guyanese to think WouldMinisterEdghillbeen given a chance to inform, defend? Idon'tthinkso. So, who would have been the onelashingoutat“overload” and“enginefailure”?

Minister Edghill would havehadtohugthesidelines. In his president's absence, duetotheurgenciesattached to the presidency, Minister Edghillwassaddledwiththe chore of going into full defensive-aggressive mode and tear apart those finding fault with the government. Denounce “overload” and “engine”issuesasfakenews andmischief. Hedid.

Thenthebottombeneath Juan Edghill crumbled.

Fake news was real news. Mischief transformed to prophetic truth. Minister Edghill, like the proverbial whale, was left stranded on thebeach.

Hedidn'tventuretoofar, orspoketooquickly Hedid w h a t h a d b e c o m e normalisedinthePPPGovt. Denied Deflected Denounced. Dismissed.

Second, I pardon the ministerforoverzealousness (no overload, no engine

Long-term trauma counselling...

Frompage8

Department, which lost a number of crew members in the tragedy, she noted.

Nationalhotlineintheworks

Minister Persaud said officials are also discussing setting up a hotline so members of the public — including those not directly affected — can call forsupportandcomfort.

“This loss, this is devastating to anyone, and even if you speak to a Guyanese person who may not be directly affected, I think it is taking a toll on people. We are all crying, peoplearecrying.Thestoriesoutthere — when you see the news stories, when you talk to people — it's

traumaticforeveryone.So,we'reeven looking at thatkind of a service going forward,sopeoplecanjustcallandget somewordsofcomfort,”shesaid.The minister has also asked religious communities to support affected families and communities during this period.Minister Persaud said the ministryintendstosustainthesupport “for as long as is needed,” and acknowledged that the toll extends to respondersthemselves.

“Iwanttosayoneofthethingswe want to do is to keep it continuous for as long as is needed… and even those persons who are offering this support, our social service officers — I'm also thinking at some point in time too, I

have to get counselling for them, because they've been dealing with theseemotionsallthetime,”shesaid.

She added that offers of counsellingsupporthavealsocomein from Guyanese overseas, and that officials are working to coordinate a comprehensive,organisedresponse.

TheMVBarimacapsizedSaturday night roughly seven miles offshore near Iron Punt, in the vicinity of the PomeroonRiver,whileonascheduled voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma,RegionOne.Approximately 179people—passengersandcrew— along with cargo were aboard. The tragedyhasclaimed65lives;76people wererescued

problem) But whowouldpardon the minister, or any other in the government, when a brand-new boat bought in 2023 has not yet been put service? To repeat my C a t h o l i c S t a n d a r d comment: did Guyana get a new boat, or a pig in a bag? Hehaddeliveredadefensive mouthful in Stabroek News, in June 2023. Now comes the contradiction: Why is the MV Ma Liska in drydockswithafixupbillfor almost$200million?

This was what sent the doomed MV Barima to the seafloor To carry over a hundred Guyanese to their deaths.

Adolf Hitler and Adolf Eichmann used to transport Jewstowaitingchambersof death.

What'sdifferentwiththe steel chambers of the MV Barimathatledtotheendof over a hundred sons and daughtersofGuyana? Were they,also,alowerlifeform? Were they, too, undesirable, hence,expendable?

Third, I expand my earlier pig-in-bag assertion.

Scan the tender rehab documents for the MV Ma Liska Guyana didn't get a new boat. Not with that many repair areas and systems needing replacement or revitalising. Without a mile travelled. Was that boat cannibalised and Guyana sold a shell? Wellcamouflaged,naturally A shell of a boat that made the MV Barima into a death boat. When the MV Ma Liska couldn't pull its ownweight,thenthealready sickly, rickety, MV Barima was deadweight in the most fatalmeaningoftheword.

Fourth, the ones who shouldgoarethoseinvolved in the US$12.7 million MV Ma Liska. Was it stripped downinIndia? Or was it vandalised in Guyana? Now it needs US$1 million to oxygenate into working life The Indian firm should reimburse Guyana that amount,AND 50 percent of the cost price for this dud ship.

I pray that it is not another floating deathtrap for poor, hardworking, and tricked Guyanese. Cubans aren't the only ones in Guyanagettingcheatedwith what'sduetothem.

T h e G u y a n a Government does that to its own. Guyanese were either double-crossed with that boat, or they are now been given doubletalk with its condition.

These mysteries now forever link the MV Ma LiskaandMVBarima. One paralysed;theotherdead.

Finally, keep Minister Edghillrightwhereheis. So that Guyanese always remember him for the 100+ citizenswhodied,butshould neverhave.

The ones above him should go In 1960s England, a sex scandal dispatched the MacMillan government In 2026 Guyana,100+Guyanesedie inamasskilling,andthePPP Governmentresistsgoing.

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

One waited for a phone call, another searched through bodies

The last time Mark Abrams spoke to his wife, she reminded him to eat before the MV Barima entered rough waters. He promised to call again when hereachedPortKaituma.

Thatcallnevercame.

For Paul Seepersaud's sister, the heartbreaking ordealendedonlyafterhours of searching through bodies recovered from the sea, identifying her brother by two tattoos after many victims had become almost unrecognisable.

On Wednesday, the two Berbice men were officially confirmed among those killed in Saturday evening's MV Barima disaster, bringing fresh heartbreak to families already devastated bythetragedy

The bodies of Paul Seepersaud,44,ofVryman's Erven,NewAmsterdam,and MarkAbrams,42,ofNo.53 Village, Corentyne, were identified by relatives, who confirmed the deaths to KaieteurNews.

Abrams' wife, Bibi Abrams, said their son travelled to Moruca, Region One, on Wednesday, where he positively identified his father's body at a mortuary after four days of intensive searchefforts.

Recalling their final conversation, she said her husband, who regularly travelled to Port Kaituma to sell goods, telephoned shortly before the vessel departed.

"Saturday morning, 3:30, he left to join the Port Kaitumaboat. He normally does carry up things to sell up there.

Saturdayafternoonhecalled me on a private call and tell methattheboatleavingnow I tell him to eat his food before the boat go into the rough water He said when hereachtoKaituma,hegon' callmeback."

Instead, early Sunday morning, a neighbour arrivedatherhomecarrying newssheneverimaginedshe

wouldhear

"About 5:30 Sunday morning, a neighbour come byandshowmeaFacebook post asking if this was the boat my husband travelled on."

She said several news reports published after the tragedy did not initially include her husband's name on the passenger manifest, even though he was a frequent traveller on the route.

Abrams was the sole providerforhisfamily

"I know him for ten years, and before that, he wasalwaystravellingonthe boat to sell. He is the only personthatdoesmaintainthe family, and now he is not here.Idon'tknowhowIgon'

makeout."

M e a n w h i l e , Seepersaud's sister, Paula, describedthepainfulprocess of identifying her brother after inspecting body after body

Because many of the victims had remained in the waterforanextendedperiod, shesaid,severalwerealmost beyond recognition She eventually recognised her brotherbyatribaltattooand another tattoo of a boat anchor

She also spoke of the exhausting wait to have his bodyreleased.

"Guess when I got my brother'sbody?Nineo'clock last night, from four o'clock yesterdaymorning."

Seepersaud's body has

since been transported to a funeral home in Fort Wellington. He was serving as the MV Barima's chief engineer when the vessel capsized.

The parents of Devon Mars, 46, of Sandvoort Village, West Bank Berbice was hoping he would return home.

Mars, a father of three, travelled twice each month aboard the vessel to deliver and sell meat. His father confirmed that his name appears on the passenger manifest, but the family has heard nothing since Saturday

His mother remains unwavering.

"I refuse to believe otherwise."

B y p r e s s t i m e Wednesday, the family confirmedhisdeath.

The family of Raymond Somra, 56, of Islington Village, East Bank Berbice, isalsodesperateforanswers.

A veteran seaman with more than four decades of experience, Somra remains missing.Hisrelativessaidno official from the transport andharboursdepartmenthas contacted them since the tragedy

"Right now, we want to know why nobody from the transport and harbours department didn't come aroundtoletusknowwhatis going on. We would like to know from them," his sister said. His 77-year-old mother, RebeccaSomra,recalledthe last words her son spoke beforeleavinghome.

"When he call me, he said, 'Mammy, ah gon'. I said, 'Alright, go safe, and beg God to carry you safe.' When he leave, he does always tell me when he reach. This time, a stranger call me and tell me the boat capsized."

Up to press time, the confirmed death toll from the MV Barima tragedy stood at 65, while dozens remainmissing.

Captain, THD loading superintendent detained as police intensify boat incident investigation

TheGuyanaPolice Force (GPF) has detained the captain and a senior Transport and Harbours Department (THD) official as part of an ongoing criminal probe into the recent maritime tragedy involvingtheMVBarimaon th18 July, officials revealed during a briefing at the M a r i t i m e R e s c u e Coordination Centre in Kingstonlastnight.

Addressing reporters, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and maritime officialsoutlinedthecurrent status of police detentions, operational responsibilities, and efforts to reconcile discrepancies between vessel manifests and actual cargoloaded.

Speaking on the legal proceedings, it was confirmed that the vessel's captain remains in police custody without formal chargesfiledyet,followinga court-approved extension of

L-R: Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips, MARAD's Director General, Steven Thomas, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Khalid Mandall

hisdetentionperiod. A third individual connected to the operations, identified as Mr. Grandison, theTHDsuperintendentwho directlyoversawtheloading of the boat, has also been detained According to Minister Edghill, Grandison

turned himself in accompaniedbyhisattorney after being invited by the Criminal Investigation Department(CID)toexplain his actions. CID officers placedhimindetentionprior

to conducting the formal questioning. "It's too early to determine the offense," Minister Edghill stated, e m p h a s i

h a t investigators are following established s

ory procedures "They'll take statements, they have to hand the statements to the

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)... and the DPP will do their technicalworkandmakethe recommendations."

Under established investigative protocols, policemayreturntocourtto seek additional 72-hour detention extensions if further time is required to completefilepreparation.

Clarifying the chain of command during loading

operations, officials explained that while the THDloadingsuperintendent holds operational charge

o v e r w a t e r f r o n t activities—including ticket sales, staff oversight, and

cargo movement onto the v e s s e l u l t i m a t e operational authority on boardrestselsewhere.

During the press conference,itwasstatedthat despite the superintendent's managerial oversight, the vessel's captain and mate maintain ultimate power to

accept or reject any passengerorcargoitemfrom beingloadedontotheboat.

The briefing also a d d r e s s e d m e d i a questioning regarding cargo weighing procedures and an informal WhatsApp group allegedly used by commercial shippers and THD staff to communicate upcomingshipments.

When questioned whether the Ministry of PublicWorksandotherstate agencies utilised this communication channel or bypassed weight protocols, Minister Edghill clarified that state entities operate under standard customer rules "The Ministry of

Public Works is a customer of the Transport and Harbours Department. They havetofollowthesamerules like any other customer," Edghillstated.

Addressing questions on whetherinvestigatorswould inspect informal WhatsApp chats to assess total weight, officialsemphasisedthatthe official cargo manifest remains the central legal document The manifest details the shipper, consignee, precise weight, and specific cargo classifications,rangingfrom perishablesandconstruction materials to fuel and equalisedfreight.

Officials assured the press that just as authorities a r e c o n d u c t i n g reconciliation between rescued individuals and the passenger list, a thorough reconciliationofallphysical cargo against the master manifest will be conducted as the investigation progresses.

New Amsterdam waives burial plot fees for families of MV Barima victims

The Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) of New Amsterdam has announced that families of those who lost their lives in the MV Barima tragedy will not be required to pay for burial plots at the Stanleytown Cemetery

Mayor Wainwright

McIntosh made the

a n n o u n c e m e n t o n Wednesday, describing the move as a gesture of solidarity with the grieving families.

"I wish to announce that the municipality of New Amsterdam will be waiving all costs associated with burial spaces for the victims of this tragedy The affected familieswillnotberequired topayanymoniesforburial spaces....as a municipality, we pray that God will grant these families the strength, comfort, and courage they need during this profoundly painful period," the mayor saidinastatement.

Also on Wednesday, McIntosh, accompanied by

Councillor Pollyanne Schultz,visitedthehomesof families whose relatives have been confirmed dead, aswellasfamiliesofpersons

who remain missing

following Saturday evening'stragedy

Amongthosevisitedwas the family of 28-year-old Kevin Wilson, whose death was confirmed on Monday evening.Duringthevisit,the

mayor informed the family ofthecouncil'sdecisionand said the municipality was committedtoeasingsomeof theburdentheynowface.

The mayor also announced that anyone who had already paid for burial spaces before Wednesday's decisionwouldreceiveafull refund through the council's

tragic. My heart goes out nationally.ThetownofNew Amsterdam,wearestanding in solidarity with you as a family, and with every other family who would've lost theirlovedones."

The mayor also visited the family of 56-year-old sailor Raymond Somra of Islington, East Bank

treasurer'soffice.

McIntosh said the decision required little discussion,notingthatitwas only fitting for the municipality to provide practical assistance to families affected by the disaster while joining other organisations and agencies insupportingthem.

"This is a critical junctioninthehistoryofthis country Over a hundred lives were lost. This is very

Berbice, who remains unaccounted for Relatives said Somra had worked as a sailor for more than four decades.

Visits were also made to the families of Paul Seepersaud,44,ofVryman's Erven, New Amsterdam, whose body was recovered onTuesday,andDevonMars of Sandvoort Village, West Bank Berbice, whose identityisyettobeofficially confirmed.

The government has declared three days of nationalmourningfollowing the tragedy, while religious a n d c o m m u n i t y organisations across the country have organised activitiesinremembranceof thevictims.

TheMunicipalityofNew Amsterdamhasalsohosteda candlelight vigil and a night of prayer in honour of those wholosttheirlives.

"At this time of national crisis, the town of New Amsterdam joins the entire

nation of Guyana in mourning the lives lost, while remaining hopeful for those citizens who are still missing.

Wepraythat,asacountry and as a people, unity, compassion,andgoodsense will prevail. This is no time for politics. Families are hurting, and our focus must be on supporting them, comforting them, and standing with them We remain hopeful that those whoarestillmissingwillbe found,"McIntoshstressed.

PassengersofthesunkenMVBarimastillunaccountedfor

Photos of passengers reported to have been on board the MV Barima. Up to press time, Kaieteur News was unable to independently confirm whether the bodies of these individuals were recovered.

Opposition unites in call for Edghill to go ...mulls parliamentary action

Th e j o i n t opposition has demanded the immediate resignation of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill in the wake of the MV Barima tragedy, which has left dozens still unaccounted for, with 65 bodies recovered so far and 76peoplerescued.

O n We d n e s d a y, opposition parties including We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), the Alliance For Change (AFC), and the Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC) — said at a joint press conference that they would have resigned had they been in Edghill'sposition.

Opposition Leader

AzruddinMohamedwasnot present at the press conference, held at WIN's office on the East Bank of Demerara;hewasatseafora fourth day of search and recoveryefforts.Speakingto reporters near the site of the sunken vessel, Mohamed saidthatwithhopesfadingof finding additional survivors and the death toll expected to surpass 100 — he believes the crew members should be jailed, and that Edghill should face thesameconsequence.

The government has acknowledged that the vessel's manifest did not accurately reflect the number of people aboard, raising questions about whethertheMVBarima—a 90-year-old vessel — was overloaded with passengers or cargo, and whether it was seaworthy. Authorities, however, have disputed claims from relatives of the missing and from survivors that the vessel was overloaded during its Saturday night voyage to PortKaituma,RegionOne.

Asked how he intendsto pursue the matter in Parliament, Mohamed said: “Before we reach to the parliamentary level, Edghill must go Edghill must resign. He must be held accountable.”

The Opposition Leader added that he believes Edghill should be held criminally responsible for the tragedy “Edghill should havebeeninthelockupsince this incident happened. He should have been in the lockups first… so Edghill must resign, and we are goingtoensureweholdhim

accountable because he is responsible for what happenedhere,”hesaid. Mohamed described the disaster as the second deadliest in Guyana's history Pressed on why the minister should be held accountable — given that authorities say crew members tested positive for THC and have since been placed in custody Mohamed alleged political interference, citing reports that cargo-loading instructions on such vessels come from senior officials, leaving crew with little choice but to comply He linked this to claims from survivors and grieving relatives that the vessel was overloaded, claims authoritiescontinuetodeny FGM Leader and MP AmanzaWaltonsaidthathad sheledtheministrywhenthe tragedy occurred, she would have resigned immediately “I would have offered to the presidentmyresignation.It's reallythatsimple.Ithinkthis matter has been handled poorly,fromthetopdown— fromthepresidentondown,” she said, noting that by the time President Irfaan Ali addressedthenation,Edghill hadalreadydeclared,inwhat she called a “bellicose” manner, that the vessel was notoverloaded. Walton argued that as head of state during one of the country's worst

Opposition members at the joint press conference

Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed during his interview with reporters on Wednesday

catastrophes, President Ali's response should have been markedly different. “What shouldhavebeendone—as president, he should have immediately required the minister, the head of the maritime administration department, and the head of the transport and harbours divisiontoproceedonleave, to facilitate a full, independent and impartial investigation. I would have said that to the nation,” she said.Instead, she said, the government's response has resembled a defensive circling of the wagons, noting that when President Ali addressed the nation — afterbeingoutofthecountry when the tragedy struck — he largely repeated statements made the day before. “So, the fact that he was not there that day, one would have expected he would come to this nation andsaythathehasaskedthe minister and the heads of MARAD and the transport and harbours department to proceedonleave,”shesaid.

WIN MP Janelle Sweatnam led the joint opposition's call for accountability “Onelifelost is one too many We have over one hundred persons dead, and we are here to speak for them. This is the h i g h e s t l e v e l o f incompetence,andtofixthis there is only one way: the P P P d i c t a t o r i a l

administration must go — and we must first start with the minister responsible for the Ministry of Public Works, Minister Juan Edghill,”shesaid.

S w e a t n a m s a i d Guyanese deserve answers on whether the MV Barima wasproperlymaintainedand fully seaworthy, whether mandatory inspections were carried out, whether maritime regulations were followed, and whether everything reasonably possiblewasdonetoprotect passengersandcrew.

She called on Edghill to accept responsibility for his portfolio and demanded the immediate resignation of both Edghill and MARAD

Director Stephen Thomas. She further demanded a transparent, credible and independentinvestigation— supported by international maritime experts examining every aspect of thetragedy,fromthevessel's maintenance history and seaworthiness to emergency preparedness, regulatory oversight, and the decisions made before, during and afterthedisaster.

Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley said several parliamentary options remain open, including a motion addressing the minister's resignation.

She pointed to a 2023 National Assembly video in

whichEdghillstatedthatthe US$12 7 million MV Malisha was en route to Guyana and would soon s e r v i c e t h e Georgetown–Region One route,includingstopsatPort Kaituma On Tuesday, however, the minister said the decades-old MV Barima remained the preferred vesselfor thatroutebecause of delays to the $1.4 billion PortKaitumawharfupgrade.

“Is it then that he lied to parliament at that point, or did something happen after he made that statement? At this point, we're looking at all of the options as to the best route to take in parliament — should it be a motion of no confidence, shoulditgototheprivileges committee? We understand how parliament works, but wewillmakehimanswerfor whathashappened,”SaraboHalleysaid.

With Parliament scheduled to sit on Monday, the Opposition Chief Whip said discussions are underway on submitting a question without notice, given mounting public concern. “It is urgent, and it is important for the Speakertosayitisnotwould beatragedyinitself.Sothat isalsoonthetable,”shesaid.

Brazil, T&T come

Disaster... to Guyana’s rescue

...as five more bodies recovered, survivor count remains at 76

ByKhadidjaBa

The death toll from the devastating capsizing of the MV Barima ferry has climbed to 65, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) MarkPhillipsconfirmedata press conference on ndWednesday,22 July, 2026, asinternationalsearchteams joinedanintensifyingmultinationalrecoveryeffort.

Five additional bodies were recovered earlier Wednesday,threeofthemin the hours immediately preceding the briefing. Of the 65 victims recovered since search operations began, 44 have been positively identified by relatives, and 23 have alreadybeenreleasedtotheir families for burial rites, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and regional authorities The number of rescued passengersandcrewremains unchangedat76.

Search, rescue, and recovery operations have intensifiedwiththearrivalof

the capsized vessel to give divers safer access to its interior “The current recovery plan involves repositioning the vessel before installing maritime salvage airbags around the wreckage to restore buoyancy,” Phillips said.

“Onceafloat,thevesselwill be towed closer to the shorelinetofacilitatefurther search and recovery operations.”

President Irfaan Ali has declared three days of nationalmourninginhonour ofthevictims,duringwhich all national flags will fly at nd half-mast Wednesday,22 July, was designated a NationalDayofPrayer,with thepublicinvitedtogatherat the Kingston Seawall for a national service of reflection.Furthermemorial services are scheduled for P o r t K a i t u m a o n rdThursday,23 July, and th Mabaruma on Friday,24

July During one of the K i n g s t o n S e a w a l l observances, three people were arrested for “unlawful

The local and French divers at the wreckage site

Officials also faced questions over reports that victims were recovered without life jackets, despite the vessel carrying safety equipment Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill clarified that the ferry carried 250 life jackets, six inflatablerafts,andtworigid rafts. Safety regulations do

maritime assets and personnel from the Trinidad andTobagoCoastGuardand theBrazilianNavy Nineteen vesselsandthreeaircraftare now actively engaged at the crash site, supported by specialised diving teams Meanwhile, the Guyana DefenceForce (GDF) Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) have deployed smaller vessels further inland to search shoreline areas and vegetation

OppositionLeaderAzruddin Mohamed, along with local fishermen and private boat owners,isalsoassisting.

Technical teams are finalisingplanstoreposition

protesting.”

Government and militaryofficialsfacedsharp questioningoveroperational readiness, safety equipment accessibility, and passenger accountability

Asked why only one GDF helicopter was deployed in the initial hours of the response, GDF officials said the remaining two helicopters in the fleet were grounded for routine maintenance while awaiting imported spare parts. Both Dornier aircraft acquired from India, along with GDF surveillance drones, are currently operational and actively supporting coastal searchefforts.

survivors and deceased individuals were not listed on the official passenger manifest, and reconciliation effortsareongoing.

Prime Minister Phillips confirmed the government intends to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry(COI)oncerecovery efforts conclude. The COI will determine liability, investigate potential negligence, and issue recommendations on formal

assistance to grieving families constitutes emergency relief rather than aformalsettlement.

Asked about calls from joint opposition members for the resignation of Minister Edghill — whose ministry oversees the Transport and Harbours Department Phillips maintained that Edghill remains central to both the ongoing response and the cominginquiry Responding

Families gathered at the Charity Waterfront to get updates about their loved ones

not require passengers on large ferries to wear life jackets continuously unless severe weather or imminent danger arises, he said, adding that the jackets were s

unlocked overhead racks — and that floating, plasticwrapped life jackets had actually helped rescuers pinpoint the submerged vessel Authorities also confirmed that several

compensation.

“Thefocusnowisnoton compensation; it is on recovering bodies and financing funeral rites and burials,” Phillips stressed, noting that immediate state

directly to questions about personal responsibility,

Edg

aid: “I am discharging a responsibility that,byoath,Itooktofulfill. And at this time, I am fulfillingthatresponse.”

Soldier with T&T roots among U.S. war dead

(Trinidad Express) A UnitedStatesArmysergeant of Trinidad and Tobago heritage who had been reported missing following an Iranian attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan has nowbeenconfirmeddead.

The Pentagon on Tuesday identified Sgt Angel Sarah Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, as the fourth American service member believedtohavebeenkilled in the 17th July attack on Muwaffaq SaltiAir Base in Jordan.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of War said Rampersad, who had previously been listed as missing,isnow“believedto

havebeenkilledinaction.”

“The incident is under investigation,” the Pentagon stated, adding that her duty status had been changed from “Whereabouts Unknown”to“believedtobe deceased.”

Rampersadwasassigned to the Germany-based 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense ArtilleryRegiment,52ndAir Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile DefenseCommand.

The government of Trinidad and Tobago on Wed

condolences to the United States and paying special tributetoRampersad,whose father is a Trinidad and

Tobago national and whose mother is an American citizen.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the countrymournedherpassing with “particular sorrow” becauseofherconnectionto TrinidadandTobago.

“Though she served under the flag of the United States, Sergeant Rampersad also shared a meaningful connection with our nation through her Trinidad and Tobago heritage,” the Prime Ministersaid.

The government confirmedthatUnitedStates authorities formally notified Trinidad and Tobago’s Acting Vice Consulate in New York of Rampersad’s

Experts warn regional ferry plans need stronger safety systems

As Guyanese families awaitanswersfollowingthe tragiclossoflivesaboardthe MV Barima, maritime experts are warning that Caricom’spushtoreconnect the region by sea must be matched by stronger safety systems.

The tragedy has raised questions about whether regional maritime infrastructure, emergency response capabilities and regulatory systems are prepared to support greater movement of people and goods across the Caribbean. The concerns come as T&T prepares to support a regional ferry pilot initiative,offeringoneofits vessels as a temporary solutionforaCaricomcargo transport project while private operators work towards establishing a dedicatedservice.

Maritime experts say connectivitycannotcomeat the expense of safety, warning that reliable passenger records, effective

search-and-rescue

coordination, vessel oversight and trained crews must develop alongside any regionalferrynetwork.

Regional security expert Dr Garvin Heerah said the MV Barima tragedy should promptawiderexamination of maritime safety systems as Caricom advances plans forgreaterseaconnectivity

He said the incident highlights challenges involving operational procedures, regulatory

oversight and regional rescuereadiness.

“The Barima disaster is not an isolated maritime accident;itisawarningshot for the entire Caribbean basin at the precise moment Caricom is accelerating plans for regional ferry connectivity,”Heerahsaid.

One of the key issues highlightedbyHeerahisthe importance of accurate passenger manifests during maritimeemergencies.

He said passenger records are not simply administrative documents, but critical tools that guide search-and-rescue operations.

Hiswiderconcernisthat regionalmaritimeexpansion must be supported by stronger cooperation in areas including maritime awareness, information

sharing, emergency response and coordination betweenrescueagencies.

Speaking with Guardian

death.

Foreign and CARICOM AffairsMinisterSeanSobers subsequentlyspokewithher fatheronMonday,extending condolencesonbehalfofthe Government and people of TrinidadandTobago.

On Tuesday, officials from the Consulate General of Trinidad and Tobago in New York also visited the family to offer support duringwhattheGovernment described as “this profoundlydifficulttime.”

“The government and people of Trinidad and Tobago mourn Sergeant Rampersad and her two fallencolleagues,whomade the ultimate sacrifice while performingtheirduties,”the statementsaid.

“ T h e i r s e r v i c e commands our deepest respect, and their sacrifice willnotbeforgotten.”

service members and all those whose lives she touched.

Media, an offshore safety professional said T&T’s move towards greater maritime connectivity must continue to be guided by proper planning, scheduling andexpertadvice.

The professional, who did not want to be named, saidlessonsfromtheenergy sector demonstrate the importance of compliance and quality management systems, warning that substandard equipment or inadequateexperiencecould have serious consequences atsea.

Another maritime expert with experience aboard passenger ferries said authorities must first determine the type of service Caricom wants to establish

He said authorities must consider routes, fuel requirements, passenger capacity, cargo loads and operationaldemands.

“All ferries would be insured and classed,” the expert said, explaining that classification confirms vessels meet recognised technical and safety standards.Hesaidvesselage alone should not determine suitability

“A vessel could be old, but it could be well maintainedandkept,andifit iswellmaintainedandkept, shecouldcontinuetowork.”

The expert said passenger ferry operations requirehighlytrainedcrews capable of responding duringemergencies.

The government added that Rampersad’s Trinidad and Tobago heritage gave her death “a particular resonance” for the nation and extended sympathies to herparents,relatives,fellow

Rampersad was among four American service membersconfirmedkilledin recent Iranian attacks on U.S. military installations in theMiddleEast.

Another soldier, Sgt MichaelEmmanuelSwinton of North Carolina, died whileattemptingtodisarma downed Iranian drone in Iraq.

According to U S officials, 18 American service members have been killedsincetheconflictwith Iranescalated.

Army First Lt Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii, and Pfc. Isabella Gonzales,19,ofTexas,were also killed in the Jordan attack.

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51

Govt. cannot investigate itself!

- MP Amanza

Walton

…says

multiple probes needed into MV Barima disaster

Leader of the Forward GuyanaMovementandopposition member of parliament, AmanzaWaltonsaidtheGovernmentofGuyanacannotbe trusted to investigate the deadly MV Barima tragedy, insisting that only an independent and transparent investigation can restore publicconfidence.

Speaking at a joint opposition press conference on Wednesday, Walton said the scale of the disaster demands far more than expressions of

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sympathy

“Letusspeakfrankly The Government of Guyana does not enjoy the confidence of a significant portion of the Guyanese people. I certainly donothaveconfidenceinthe government to investigate itself.”

Shesaidmultipleinvestigations are required, including the mandatory marine safety investigation prescribed under international law,stressingthatthetragedy demands “a process that is fair,independent,andcapable ofcommandingpublicconfidence.”

Walton warned that Guyana’s rapid economic growth has outpaced the strengthofitsinstitutionsand said unless oversight bodies are strengthened, more lives could be lost.

“Ourresponsibilityaslegislators is not only to mourn those we have lost but to ensure that this never happens again,” she said.

Mandatory safetyinvestigation

According to the parliamentarian, every serious marine casualty requires an independent safety investigation aimed at uncovering the failuresthatallowedthetragedy to occur.

Accordingtoher,investigators must examine every aspect of the vessel’s operation, including its maintenance history, inspections, certification, surveys, operational management, regulatory oversight and the decisions that led to the disaster

“The purpose is to determinenotonlywhathappened, butwhyithappenedandhow itcanbepreventedfromhappening again,” she said.

Walton also questioned several references by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) MarkPhillipstoaCommission ofInquiry,pointingoutthatit remains unclear what legal mechanism the government intends to invoke.

“Yesterday,theprimeminister repeatedly referred to a ‘commissionofinquiry.’That reference itself raises an importantlegalquestion:Which commissionofinquiry?Isthe

governmentproposingacommissionofinquiryestablished undertheCommissionsofInquiryAct?Isitreferringtothe formalinvestigationprovided under Part XVIII of the GuyanaShippingAct?Orisit referring to the marine safety investigation required under the IMO Casualty Investigation Code?”

Drawingonherlegalbackground,Waltonsaidthoseare separate legal processes with differentobjectivesandpowers.

She maintained that the marine safety investigation required under the InternationalMaritimeOrganisation (IMO) casualty investigation code is mandatory and cannotlawfullybesubstitutedby acommissionofinquiry

“One investigation exists to improve safety The other may examine broader questionsofpublicadministration or accountability They serve different purposes, and one cannotlawfullybesubstituted for the other.”

She said delays could jeopardise the search for the truth.“Acommissionofinquiry takestime.Meanwhile,evidence islost,memoriesfade,andopportunities to establish the facts disappear That is precisely why the law requires that a marine safety investigationbeginimmediately.”

‘Enoughisenough’

Walton said Guyanese have repeatedly been promisedthat“nostonewillbeleft unturned” after national tragedies, but public confidence has steadily eroded.

“The people of Guyana haveheardenough.”Shesaid before any investigation proceeds, the government must publicly identify the legal framework under which it is

operating. She called on authorities to disclose who has been appointed to conduct the mandatory marine safety investigationandexplainhow that body is independent of any officials or agencies whose conduct may come under scrutiny

“Thereasoninternational law requires an independent marinesafetyinvestigationis precisely because serious marinecasualtiesmayrequire investigators to examine the conduct of the regulator, the certifying authority, the inspecting authority and the operator Where the state itself may be the subject of scrutiny, the investigation mustbecapableofcommanding public confidence.”

Walton noted that because the MV Barima was a state-operated vessel, questions are likely to arise about itsmaintenance,certification, inspections,operationalmanagementandregulatoryoversight.

“Ifthosemattersaretobe investigated, the Guyanese people must have confidence that the investigators are free to follow the evidence wherever it leads.”

Toreinforcetransparency and credibility, Walton urged the government to invite international experts to assist with the investigation.

She noted that it is common practice for countries to seek foreign technical assistancefollowingmajoraviation disasters and argued that the same standard should apply in this case.

“Thepresidentfrequently speaks about Guyana’s international partners. This is the appropriate time to invite them to lend their technical expertise,” Walton said.

Incomplete $1.4 billion Port Kaituma Wharf a “Clear Example of Mismanagement” - Patterson

...as AFC demands immediate fleet and terminal modernisation

Acting Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), David Patterson, said

Wednesday that the

incomplete $1.4 billion Port Kaituma wharf in Region One — a project of the Ministry of Public Works, headed by Minister Juan Edghill—isaclearexample of “mismanagement,” noting it was so poorly designed that it required majorcorrectiveworks.

The former Minister of Public Infrastructure made the disclosure during a joint O p p o s i t i o n p r e s s conference.

“Port Kaituma wharf is a c l e a r e x a m p l e o f mismanagement. The wharf project was so poorly designed that it required major corrective works Questions remain about w h e t h e r a d e q u a t e preliminary studies were conducted and whether

taxpayers were forced to bearadditionalcostsbecause of these design flaws,” Pattersonsaid.

The acting AFC leader noted that the project remains incomplete to date and is now being cited as the reasontheMVBarimahadto remain in operation between

Georgetown and Port Kaituma.

Patterson’s comments come amid growing scrutiny over the continued use of the aging MV Barima to transport travellers to and from Port Kaituma. Before tragedy struck, the MV Barima was the only vessel

operating between Port Kaituma and Georgetown to carry passengers and cargo.

The newly acquired

US$12 7 million MV Malisha, built in India and received by the government in April 2023, had been scheduled to take over the PortKaitumaroute.

Kaieteur News reported Wednesday that Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill disclosed Tuesday that the MV Malisha has still not made its maiden voyage to Port Kaituma because the newly constructed wharf there developed structural p r o b l e m s a f t e r t h e surrounding soil shifted, forcing sections of it to be rebuilt.

Edghill made the disclosure while addressing the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung ConferenceCentre(ACCC).

“The only reason why

theMVMaLishahasnotyet made a maiden journey to Port Kaituma is that we have built out the wharf for that boat to berth, and everybody in the area knows there was significant movement of the soilandwehadtobreakouta whole section and have it reconstructed,” Edghill told theconference.

The minister also said extensive work had been carried out on the MV Barima, describing it prior to Saturday night’s tragedy (July 18 ) — as the vessel “of choice for both residents and business people to get into Port Kaituma.”

Speakingonbehalfofhis party, Patterson outlined a set of urgent demands. First, a full and independent e x a m i n a t i o n o f maintenance, inspection, d r y - d o c k i n g , a n d certification records for the MV Barima in accordance

with the country’s maritime laws.

Second, an inspection of everypassengervesselinthe national fleet to confirm seaworthinessandsuitability foritsassignedroute.

The AFC is also calling f o r t h e i m m e d i a t e modernisation of docking facilities, the introduction of a secure and efficient ticketing system, and the urgent commencement of a credible programme to replace aging vessels with a modern ferry fleet supported byupgradedterminals.

“This is not only about one vessel. It is about public safety, accountability, and the right of citizens in riverain and hinterland communities to travel with confidence,” Patterson said. “The people deserve answers, and they deserve a transport system that is safe, modern, reliable, and properlymanaged.

Oil settles up more than 3% to six-week high as Mideast conflict threatens oil transit routes

(Reuters) - Oil prices settled at their highest since 11thJune onWednesdayon mountingsupplyconcernsas hostilities continued to escalate between the U.S. and Iran, while threats to by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen further boostedprices.

Brent crude futures settledup$3.06,or3.36%,at $94.07abarrel,theirhighest injustshyofsixweeks,after hitting a session high of $95.47.

The Brent crude threemonth timespread, meanwhile, expanded to $9.26 a barrel, its widest since22nd May,deepening backwardation on mounting supply risks. Backwardation iswherepromptcrudetrades above later-dated barrels, typically signalling tighter near-termsupply

The U.S. military said it carried out an 11th consecutive night of attacks on Iran. The U.S. attacks came a short while after the Kuwaiti army said ‘its air defences were intercepting

Nearly

Iraniandrones.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the U.S. would “bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant” any time Tehran targets a shipintheStraitofHormuz.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ spokesperson warned shipping companies that the Strait of Hormuz southern route is mined in a postonX.

As well as the renewed conflict over control of that key waterway, the IranalignedHouthishaveopened a new front in the war by threatening to target vessels carryingSaudioilintheBab el-Mandeb Strait and announced a naval blockade ofSaudiArabia.

ShipswithlinkstoIsrael, the United States or Saudi Arabiaareatahigherriskof being attacked by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia and are advised to avoid voyagesthroughtheRedSea and Gulf of Aden, the European Union’s naval force Aspides said on Wednesday

General view of Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal in Saudi Arabia, 21st May, 2018. REUTERS/Ahmed

Jadallah/File Photo

“Theenergymarketnow has the dual-strait worry, with the Bab el-Mandeb Strait looking like it could jointheStraitofHormuzasa hot,as`traderscloselywatch shippingnumbersintheRed Sea,”saidTimWaterer,chief market analyst at KCM Trade.Babel-Mandebatthe southernentrancetotheRed Sea has become an increasingly important route for Saudi Arabian crude exportsastrafficthroughthe Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply again since a ceasefirebetweentheUnited

States and Iran collapsed earlierthismonth.

Five tankers in the Red Sea to avoid the Bab elM a n d e b S t r a i t o n Wednesday after the Houthis’ threat to block Saudioilexports.

“Heightened supply disruption fears are `mounting as intensified conflict and security risks in the Red Sea force commercial vessels and tankerstoaltertraderoutes,” said Gelber & Associates analystsinanote.

InresponsetotheHouthi

warnings,Asian refiners are seeking to ship crude oil fromSaudiArabia’sRedSea port of Yanbu through the Suez Canal and around Africa. “The (Houthi) threat has led tankers to divert which ` could further pressurethephysicalmarket and Saudi exports, contributingtopushpricesto the upside,” said Frank Walbaum, market analyst at tradingplatformNaga.com.

Meanwhile, U.S. crude stocks rose last week, the Energy Information Administration said, as

refineryrunseasedandcrude exports dropped while importsrose.

Crude inventories rose by2millionbarrelsto‘411.7 million barrels in the week ended 17th July, the EIA said, compared with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1 1million-barreldraw E l s e w h e r e , E U ambassadors failed on Wednesday to agree on a 21st package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, an EU diplomatsaid.

1,000peoplehavediedfromEbolainDRCongo

(AL-JAZEERA) Nearly 1,000peoplehavediedfrom Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the country’s health ministrysays.

DRC’sNationalInstitute of Public Health said on Wednesday that 999 deaths have been confirmed since the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the virusbeganinMay

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two people have also died from the virus in neighbouringUganda.

DRC’s Health Ministry saidthatasofMonday,2,473 cases had been recorded in the latest outbreak. At least 737 patients are currently in isolation and hospitals, it added.

The DRC outbreak was declared on 15th May after severaldeathswererecorded in the northeastern province of Ituri, where cases remain concentrated. Several cases

linkedtotheDRC’soutbreak were then reported in Uganda.

This outbreak has killed morepeopleataquickerrate than any Ebola outbreak on record, including the 20132016 outbreak that is considered the worst on record with over 11,000 deaths out of at least 28,000 cases. Thatoutbreaktookabout eight months to reach 1,000 deaths.

Last week, WHO chief T e d r o s A d h a n o m Ghebreyesuswarnedthatthe currentoutbreakhadoverthe pastmonth“expandedfaster than any previous outbreak” ofthevirus.

Cases of Ebola, which spreadthroughclosecontact and infected bodily fluids, havealsobeenfoundinother Congoleseprovincesoutside ofIturi.

‘Wemustactnow’

The WHO’s incident managerfortheBundibugyo

strain, Thierno Balde, told reporters on Tuesday that despite plans to ramp up responses to the virus, “the outbreakremainsaheadofus andwearestillinaphaseof catchingup”. Currently, there are no

A doctor administers serum to a patient with Ebola virus disease at the Rwampara Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) in Bunia, Ituri, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 13th July , 2026. [AFP]

approved vaccines or t r e a t m e n t f o r t h e Bundibugyostrain.

Separately, on Tuesday, the head ofAfrica’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) also said the outbreak was

“escalating at an alarming pace”.

“We must act now If we donotstopittoday,thiswill become the worst outbreak the world has ever documented,” Africa CDC Director-General Jean

KaseyasaidinapostonX.

“This is not the time for delay We must mobilise every available resource, strengthen the response on the ground and stop this outbreak before more lives arelost.”

Kaseya also separately toldaconferenceonTuesday that he had written to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F KennedyJr andaskedhimto lift Ebola-related travel restrictionsonUgandasince the country has not reported anynewinfectionsinabouta month.

Uganda’s last Ebola patient was discharged on 16th July, beginning a 42daycountdownafterwhichit can be declared free of the virus, according to WHO guidelines.

ButtheU.S.isrestricting entry for all travellers who were recently in DRC and sometravellerswhorecently visited Uganda or South Sudan.

Spain midfielder says Argentina players should not be punished by FIFA after post-match scuffle

Yahoo Sports - Tensions boiled over following Spain’s 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final Moments after the match ended, Argentina’s Leandro Paredes grabbed Spain’s Eric García by the throat.After shoving García totheground,Paredesturned hisattentiontoSpain’sGavi. Adaylater,FIFAannounced

it would investigate Argentina for its actions followingtheloss.

ButonekeySpainplayer believes Argentina should walk away from the scuffle with no punishment. That would be Gavi, who told reporters he didn’t think Argentina’s players “should besuspended,”perESPN.

“I realize it doesn’t set a

good example for the children,butthere’salsothat side to football that’s a bit moreviolent,”Gavisaid.

“Perhapsthemostlogical thing, in my view, would be to send him off during the matchandleaveitatthat,but asIsay,attheendofthedayI think it’s all part of football and that’s just the way it has tobe.”

Paredes wasn’t the only player allegedly involved in the tussle Argentina defender Nahuel Molina confronted Spain captain Rodri after the contest and Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala got into an altercationwithDaniOlmo.

Physicalplaydefinedthe World Cup final, with Argentina’s Enzo Fernández beingsentoffafterreceiving two yellow cards during the contest. He was sent off in the 93rd minute, deep into thematch.

Thursday July 23, 2026

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

You may experience a transformation in your thinking. It's bound to affect every aspect of your life, Aries.Byalwaysquestioning, you work through difficult issues that require a constant reshufflingofviewpoints.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You may be overwhelmed by a n o n s l a u g h t o f

communication from someone you didn't expect to hearfrom.Itcouldbethatthis person suddenly puts a monkeywrenchinyourplans.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Someonemightfeelobligated to give you their two cents even if you didn't ask for it, Gemini. Be careful not to dismiss this information without giving it proper consideration.

CANCER(June21–July22)

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When it comes to issues that requirerealthinking,becareful of letting someone else take control You might have a rather lazy attitude in this department, and it could be temptingtosimplyletsomeone elsedothethinkingforyou

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

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LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Don't second-guess yourself today, Libra. It could be that you'rewaveringsomuchabout a decision that even after you make it, you hesitate to follow throughwithit.

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Yourbrainisworkingovertime Things were going along just fineuntilyousuddenlyraninto an unexpected snag that kept youfromwhereyouwanttobe It's as if the hamster wheel you've been running on suddenlyjammed

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Trynottogettoowrappedupin the mental side of things

Perhaps you're trying to work everything through in your mind.You'llfindthatthereare strongforcesoutsideyourown trying their hardest to manipulateyourthinking.

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Philipsen sprints to...

Frompage31

Evenepoel and other yellow jersey contenders, who ‘no interestintakingonthesprintersforastagewin.

THE SPRINTERS MAKE THEIR MOVE

Pedersen made his move with 65km left in the stage, speeding to join the leading group. Soon, a group of six riders broke away, with Pedersen among the new leaders alongwithBenHealyandJasperStuyven,withthepeloton overfiveminutesbehind.

Philipsensetoffwithanotherchasinggroupsoonafter Asthe‘leaderscrossedColombe,Stuyvenattackedwith 26kmleftintherace.TheBelgianSoudalQuick-Steprider builta50-secondleadwithjustover15kmleft.

But on a downward slope approaching Voiron, an enlargedchasinggroup,whichincludedbothPhilipsenand Pedersen, began chipping away ‘at Stuyven’s lead, and caughthiminthefinal3.7km.

JoshTarlingtriedtopullaheadinthelastkilometre,but VanderPoelreeledhiminbeforeleadingoutPhilipsen,who sprinteddownaclearpathtovictory

The race returns ‘to the mountains on Thursday, with stage 18 testing riders with a 185.2km ride from Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette.

After the game ended, Paredes looked to exact revenge on a handful of Spainplayers.

DespiteParedes’actions, Gavibelievesanybadblood between both teams should remaininthepast.Whilehis argument could hold some weight especially consideringhewasinvolved in the post-match scuffle — it will ultimately be up to FIFA to determine whether Paredes or any other Argentina player or coach deserves to be punished for theiractionsaftertheloss.

Guyana beat Windward...

Frompage30

TheWindwards foursome of Earsinho Fontaine (28), Derwin Lewis (26), Tyler Venner (24) and Kavaghaun Bartholowmew (27) tried to offer resistance as none of theirotherteammatesgotout oftheblocks.

Meanwhile,Trinidadand Tobago (89-3 15.1 overs) beat Leeward Islands by 7 wickets while champs Barbados(320-9)dismantled Jamaica (204 all out) by 116 runstofinishthisseasonwith their hardware intact after playingunbeatentotheend.

The next three stages, all mountainous rides, offer Evenepoel the final opportunities to reduce the gap with PogacarbeforetheraceconcludesinParisonSunday

UCIdefendsnight-timeanti-dopingtestsatTourdeFrance

VOIRON, France, (Reuters) - The governing bodyofworldcycling(UCI) on Wednesday defended night-time anti-doping tests at the Tour de France after controls involving race leader Tadej Pogacar and rivalJonasVingegaarddrew criticism, saying the fight against doping remained an “absolutepriority”.

Pogacar of Team

Emirates-XRG and Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike, who has since withdrawn from the race, underwent unannounced anti-dopingtestsintheearly hoursofSunday,ataround5 a.m.and2a.m.respectively

The UCI said such checks were “exceptional” and carried out only in “limited and justified circumstances”, while stressing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sport through rigorous anti-dopingmeasures.

Slovenian rider Matej ‘Mohoric said on Tuesday that he too had undergone a test at 5 a.m. during this year’s Tour, without specifyingthedate.

The night-time controls have been criticised by the international riders’ union CPA, which said this practice“runscountertothe intended objectives” because of their impact on riders’recovery

“Following a number of reactions in recent days to unannounced anti-doping controls carried out by the InternationalTestingAgency (ITA) during the Tour de France – in particular following the statement issued by the association of

professional riders (CPA) –the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) wishes to respond and to reaffirm that the fight against doping is an priority,” `cycling’s worldgoverningbodysaidin astatement.

“The UCI of course acknowledges that nighttime testing can disrupt riders’restandrecovery,and wishes to reiterate that carrying out such controls outside normal hours remains an exceptional

measure, reserved for limited and justified circumstances,”itadded.

The UCI said it “fully supports the ITA’s use of every means `at its disposal to carry out its mission as effectivelyaspossible.”

TheITAhasmanagedthe UCI’s anti-doping programmesince2021.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC) called “to keep the light on these issues, and to support `the development of anti-doping systemsthatarerobust.”

“Cycling’s history has shown that weaknesses and loopholeswithinanti-doping and whereabouts systems can be vulnerable to exploitation,” the MPCC said.

“Identifying where such vulnerabilities may exist is `therefore essential so that appropriatemeasurescanbe proposedtoaddressthem.”

TheITAsaidonTuesday ithadtestedallridersstillin theraceonMonday’ssecond rest day as part of a comprehensive Athlete Biological Passport programme.

Canada hope for ‘hero’s welcome’ at homecoming friendlies against Chile, Peru

Canada coach Jesse Marsch speaks to his players during the second half hydration break. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

(Reuters) - Canadawilllooktocelebrate their World Cup run when they return home fortwofriendliesagainstChileandPerulater thisyear,inwhatheadcoachJessehopeswill bea“hero’swelcome”.

Canada will host Chile in Toronto on September26beforetravellingtoMontrealto facePeruonOctober3,thecountries’soccer federationsannouncedonWednesday

The friendlies mark Canada’s homecoming after a historic showing at the ‘World Cup which saw them win their first game at the men’s tournament, a 6-0 romp against Qatar, and advance to the knockout stageforthefirsttime.

“The momentum we’ve created for this sportinthecountryoverthepastfewmonths has been incredible,” Marsch said in a

statement.“Wecouldn’thavedoneitwithout our fans, and these matches are a chance to saythank`andcontinuetobuildonwhatwe achieved at the World Cup. We hope to see Canadians celebrate this team with a hero’s welcomeandshowupinnumbersthisfall.”

Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia in ‘their opening match of the expanded tournament, earning their first points at a men’s World Cup.

Their dominant 6-0 victory over Qatar was followed by a ‘2-1 loss to Switzerland, givingthemasecond-placefinishinGroupB tosecureaknockout-roundberthforthefirst time.

The ‘Canadians earned a late 1-0 victory over SouthAfrica in the round of 32 before losing3-0toMoroccointheroundof16.

InterMiamiunderinvestigationaftersigningCasemiro

BBC Sport - Major League Soccer says it is investigating allegations of tampering by Inter Miami after the club signed Brazil midfielderCasemiro.

On Wednesday, Miami announced they had signed the 34-year-old - who left ManchesterUnitedattheend oflastseason-onadealthat runs to the end of the 2027 MLS campaign, with an option to extend until June 2029.

But moments later, the MLS released a statement saying it was “reviewing a tampering allegation” againsttheclub.

“The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete,”itadded.

“While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the discovery priority [first rights]tosignCasemiro,the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation.”

The investigation concerns Casemiro’s discovery rights, an MLS regulation that gives a specific club first refusal over a player should they wanttojoin.

A club may have up to five players on their discoverylistatanytimeand canaddorremoveplayers.

LosAngelesGalaxyheld the discovery rights for Casemiro but in announcing the player’s signing, Inter Miami said they had acquired the rights from the Galaxy

LA Galaxy said in a statement: “The LA Galaxy and Inter Miami CF have reached a settlement for the discovery priority to sign Casemiro,andthetermswill be released upon conclusion o f t h e t a m p e r i n g investigation currently open withMajorLeagueSoccer.”

Casemiro announced in Januarythathewoulddepart OldTraffordattheendofthe

Casemiro started every game at the World Cup as Brazil progressed to the last 16. (Getty Images)

2026-27 season following a mutualdecisionnottorenew hiscontract.

He won five Champions League titles with Real

Argentina’s football association denies reports Tapia summoned by U.S. courts

BUENOS AIRES/NEW

Y O R K , ( R e u t e r s )Argentina’s football association (AFA) on Wednesday said it was “completely untrue” that its president Claudio Tapia or treasurer Pablo Toviggino hadorderedtogiveevidence byU.S.courts.

TheAFAacknowledged, however, that a third party was summoned to appear beforeaU.S.grandjuryand potentiallyprovideevidence about several people, including officials from the organization.

Localmediahadreported that FBI agents detained Tapia andToviggino at New York’s JFK Airport on Monday morning ‘before they boarded a charter flight carryingtheArgentinasquad after the World Cup final, and requested Tapia’s devices.

Media outlet Infobae reported U.S. authorities are investigatingmorethan$300 million in AFA-linked commercial contracts, amid wider scrutiny of Argentine football finances following December raids in a moneylaunderingprobe.

Accordingtoawitnessat the airport, as the Argentine team prepared to board its

flight, federal agents questioned both Tapia and Toviggino for about 30 minutesaboardabusparked onthetarmac.

The Port Authority, a transportation agency of New York and ‘Jersey, referred Reuters to the FBI.

The FBI declined to comment.

The association did not name the third party summoned by U.S. courts, but stressed that U S authorities had not targeted eitherTapiaorToviggino.

“It is absolutely false to claim that Claudio Tapia or Pablo Toviggino have been

summoned`totestifybythe United States justice system It is also false to claim that their cell phones or any other electronic devices have been seized,” the association said in a statement

“The document `in question does not impose anypersonalmeasureonthe President of the AFA or its Treasurer, does not order their appearance, does not impose any procedural obligation on `them, and does not record any seizure or confiscation of property belonging to them,” the statementsaid.

“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow,” he said.

Casemiro made 160 appearances for United, scoring 26 goals and providing 14 assists as he won one EFL Cup and one FACup.

I n t h e w a k e o f Casemiro’s departure, United have prioritised midfield reinforcements in this window, buyingAndrey Santos for £50m from Chelsea, and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for£35m.

B e f o r e t h e announcement of the investigation, Inter Miami co-owner Sir David

Madrid before moving to United in 2022, who played forBrazilastheyreachedthe last 16 at this summer’s WorldCup.

Beckham said of Casemiro: “He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I’m delighted that he’s decidedto makeMiami

hisnexthome.”

At Miami, Casemiro is set to join former Real and Manchester United teammateSergioReguilonaswell as Argentina’s World Cup finalists Lionel Messi and RodrigodePaul.

It is not the first time Inter Miami have been probed over transfer dealings.

In 2021 they were fined $2m after breaking MLS rules with the signing of France midfielder Blaise Matuidi from Juventus the previousyear

The MLS said Matuidi hadbeenpaidmorethanwas allowed, effectively giving the team four “designated players” last season rather than the permitted three. Designated players’ wages do not count towards the MLSsalarycap.

Known as the ‘Beckham rule’,itwasintroducedwhen the ex-England captain joined Los Angeles Galaxy in2007.

Miami mistakenly post

James ‘introductory’ video

LeBron James is entering his 24th season in the NBA.

(Getty Images)

BBC Sport - MiamiHeat mistakenly posted a link on YouTube to LeBron James’

‘introductory press conference’despitetheNBA greatnotyetdecidingwhere hewillplaynextseason.

The link to the live stream - scheduled for 27 July - was uploaded to the Heat’s channel on Tuesday beforebeingdeleted.

AHeatspokespersontold Reuters, external the video was posted in error by staff who were preparing for the possibility of James joining theside.

BBCSporthascontacted MiamiHeatforcomment.

James,41,announcedhe wasleavingtheLosAngeles

Lakers in June after eight years, in which he led them to the 2020 NBA title - his fourthoverall.

Hepreviouslyplayedfor Miami between 2010 and 2014.

James averaged 20 9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 reboundslastseasonwiththe Lakers.

The 22-time All-Star is the NBA’s all-time leader in games (1,622) and points (43,440).

A return to Florida for James would form a formidable starting five for the Heat alongside fellow new signing and two-time M V P G i a n n i s Antetokounmpo and centre

BamAdebayo.

Given the Heat traded key members of their squad a w a y t o l a n d Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, a player of James’calibre would add further scoring power and experience with the Miami team focused on a quick rebuildtowardsatitlepush.

But earlier this week, James’agent Rich Paul said he is “not going to be rushed” into making a decision

“It’s his choice to make and when he makes the choice, he’ll make it,” Paul said on the Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paulpodcast.

Guyana boxers ruled out of Commonwealth Games after delayed Gender Test results

Guyana’s boxing campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, has been dealt a devastating blow after the country’s boxers were rendered ineligible to compete because their mandatoryonce-in-a-lifetimegeneticsextest results were not returned before the start of thecompetition.

Among those affected is Youth Commonwealth Games silver medalist and Olympian Keevin Allicock, who had been preparing to make his second consecutive CommonwealthGamesappearance.

AllicocktravelledtoGlasgowonMonday alongside Shakquain James, Emmanuel Pompey and Akeelah Vancooten, with veteran coach Lennox Daniels leading the delegation. However, despite completing all the required procedures well ahead of the Games,theGuyaneseboxerswereunableto enterthecompetitionbecausethelaboratory resultsdidnotarriveintime.

President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, expressedprofounddisappointmentoverthe unfortunate development, insisting that his association and the Guyana Olympic Association fulfilled obligations within the prescribedtimeline.

According to Ninvalle, the genetic samples were collected approximately 4 weeks before the Commonwealth Games at Eureka Laboratory in Georgetown before being shipped to the United States for analysis,atimeframetheGBAbelievedwas more than sufficient for the results to be processedandreturned.

Even with the Commonwealth Games FederationandWorldBoxingtryingtoassist everystepoftheway,theresultsstillfailedto arrive before the yesterday deadline, ultimately preventing Guyana’s boxers from steppingintothering.

“We did everything that was required of us, and we did it within the stipulated timeframe,”Ninvallesaid.

According to Ninvalle, “It is extremely disappointing because these athletes trained tirelessly,sacrificedformonthsandtravelled all the way to Glasgow with the expectation of representing Guyana Unfortunately, something completely beyond our control hasdeniedthemthatopportunity.”

Heexplainedthatthetestingrequirement is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure for every boxer

“The positive side is that once these resultsarereceived,theseathleteswillnever have to undergo this test (which cost over US$2000 each) again. It is done only once duringaboxer’scareer,”Ninvallenoted.

Ninvalleaddedthattheassociationisalso anxiously monitoring the status of Guyana’s boxers preparing for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, sincetheirsamplesweresubmittedaspartof thesamebatch.

“We’re obviously concerned because those tests were done in bulk, so we’re monitoring that situation very closely We certainlydon’twantanothergroupofathletes tobeaffectedbydelaysthatareoutsideofour control.”

Despite the setback, Ninvalle remains optimistic that the long-term impact will be positive once the results are eventually received.

The GBA president further added that, “Oncethecertificationisinplace,theboxers will be eligible for future competitions without having to repeat the process. We intend to have them competing at virtually every international event for which they qualify.”

Meanwhile, Allicock said that while he was looking forward to challenging for a

medalattheGames,hisfocusisonensuring theboxerswhoweremakingtheirdebutdon’t seethemissedopportunityasahurdleintheir careers.

“We had a good meeting with Mr Ninvalle, and I am confident that he and the GBA did their best,” Allicock said after the teamsatdownwiththeGBApresidentinthe lobbyoftheMoxxyHotelinGlasgow

“JustasthePresidentsaid,it’snottheend of the road. I’m here to tell them you will always have stumbling blocks in this sport, but how you overcome them will determine yourfutureinboxing,”thealwaysconfident Allicocksaid.

ThemandatorytestingstemsfromWorld Boxing’s Sex Eligibility Policy, which was recentlyintroduced.

Underthepolicy,allcompetitorsaged18 and older must undergo a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genetic test to verify their biological birth sex before participating in sanctionedcompetitions.

Thetest,whichcanbeconductedusinga mouth swab, nasal swab, saliva sample or blood sample, detects the SRY gene, which identifies the presence of Y chromosome

geneticmaterial.Undertheregulations,only athletes determined to be male at birth are eligible for the men’s category, while only athletesdeterminedtobefemaleatbirthmay competeinthewomen’sdivision.

National federations are responsible for ensuring that athletes complete the testing and submit valid certification. Failure to providetherequireddocumentationresultsin automaticineligibility

The sport’s governing body- World Boxing, says that the recently introduced policy is intended to protect athlete welfare and preserve competitive fairness while strengtheninggovernanceinamateurboxing aftertheIOCwithdrewrecognitionfromthe InternationalBoxingAssociation(IBA).

Guyana has won five Commonwealth Games boxing medals; one gold and four bronze.

Thecountry’sfinestachievementcamein 1978, when Winfield Braithwaite captured gold in the light welterweight division in Edmonton, Canada. The most recent medal followed in 1990, when Wesley Christmas securedbronzeinthebantamweightdivision inNewZealand.

Belgrave, Moore to carry Guyana’s flag at Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony

History will be made on Friday evening in Glasgow, Scotland, when 3x3 basketball standout Travis Belgrave and national 800-metre runner Aaliyah Moore proudly carry Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

The honour represents a landmark moment for both athletes and their respective sports, with Belgrave becoming the first basketball player in Guyana’s history to serve as a flag bearer at the CommonwealthGames,theworld’ssecondlargest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games.

The selection is particularly significant as Guyana prepares to make its historic debutin3x3basketball,amilestonethathas elevatedthesporttonewheightslocally

As one of the country’s leading 3x3 players, Belgrave’s appointment is a fitting recognition of his contribution to the discipline.

Speaking on the honour, Belgrave described the opportunity as one of the proudestmomentsofhissportingcareer

“To carry Guyana’s flag at the Commonwealth Games is an incredible honour It’saproudmomentnotonlyforme personally but also for basketball in Guyana,”Belgravesaid.

“Ihopeyoungpeopleacrossthecountry see that 3x3 basketball can open doors and take you to some of the biggest sporting stages in the world. If you work hard and stay committed, opportunities like this are possible,”Belgraveadded.

Belgrave also praised the Guyana BasketballFederationforitscommitmentto developingthe3x3format.

He pointed out, “The GBF has been working tirelessly to create opportunities like the Commonwealth Games for our players. This recognition is also a proud momentforthefederationbecauseitreflects theprogressthathasbeenmadeingrowing 3x3basketballinGuyana.”

Belgrave will be joined on the court by Kevin Mickle, Christian Hinckson and Anish Ramlall as Guyana competes in the eventfortheveryfirsttime.

Sharing flag-bearing duties will be Moore, one of Guyana’s premier middledistance athletes, who will also be making herCommonwealthGamesdebut.

The 24-year-old has established herself as one of the country’s finest 800-metre runners and enters the Games with high expectations.

She will be aiming to become the first Guyanese athlete to win a Commonwealth Games medal since Troy Doris captured gold in the men’s triple jump at the Gold CoastGamesinAustralia.

Followingtheunfortunatewithdrawalof Guyana’sboxingteamafteritsathleteswere ruled ineligible to compete because mandatorytestingresultswerenotreceived intime,thecountrywillnowberepresented inathletics,swimmingand3x3basketball.

Guyana’s athletics squad comprises Keliza Smith, Stefan Roach, Jackson Clarke, Aaliyah Moore, Noelex Holder, Akeem Stewart, Revon Williams, Simeon Adams and Shamar Horatio, under the guidance of officials Mark Scott, Thelson WilliamsandLindonPhillips.

In swimming, Aleka Persaud, Chase ThompsonandDelroyTyrrellwillrepresent the GoldenArrowhead, with Ewin Enmore servingascoach.

World Cup final draws record 63 million viewers across Fox and Telemundo

(Reuters) - Nearly 63 million AmericanstunedintowatchSpain beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, shattering viewership records and underscoring soccer’s growing appeal in the U.S. after decades of effortstobroadenitsaudience.

Held in New Jersey, the final remained scoreless until Spain broke through in the 106th minute tosecurea1-0victory

Fox’s (FOXA.O), opens new tab English-language broadcast attracted 38 9 million viewers, while Comcast’s (CMCSA O), opens new tab Telemundo and its Peacockstreamingplatformpulled inanother23.9millionviewersfor theSpanish-languagecoverage,the companiessaid.

The combined audience far exceeded the 22.3 million U.S. viewers who watched the 2022 WorldCupfinalinQatar

The strong viewership capped what analysts said was a solid run for the tournament’s broadcasters, with Fox and Comcast paying roughly $485 million and $600 million, respectively, for rights packages that included the World Cup,accordingtomediareports.

Several knockout-stage matches also outperformed recent championshipgamesinothermajor U.S. sports. The Round of 16 meeting between England and Mexico drew nearly 45 million viewers,wellabovetheroughly27 million who watched Game 7 of Major League Baseball’s World Series, when the Los Angeles ‘Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jaysinextrainnings,andthenearly 25millionwhotunedinforGame5 of the NBAFinals, where the New York Knicks ended a 53-year title drought by defeating the San AntonioSpurs.

While the figures remained below the nearly 126 million viewers who watched Super Bowl LX, when the Seattle Seahawks defeatedtheNewEnglandPatriots, theymarkedasignificantmilestone for a sport long overshadowed in the U.S. by American football, basketballandbaseball.

The tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico for thefirsttime,benefitedfromprimetime kickoff slots for American audiences.

Fans were also drawn by what could be the final World Cup appearances of a generation’s biggeststars,includingArgentina’s Lionel Messi and his long-time Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo. The last time the U.S. hostedthetournamentwasin1994.

Fox One, which had the English-language streaming rights in the U.S., recorded 2.8 million sign-ups in June, its strongest

Fans react as they watch the FIFAWorld Cup final between Spain and Argentina at the Brooklyn Bridge park party. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Caean Couto)

monthsincetheservice’slaunchin August and more than double the 1 1 million sign-ups generated during NFL Playoffs in January, according to industry tracker Antenna.

Soccer’s popularity Hispanic audiences ‘also drove strong turnout on Spanish-language broadcasterTelemundo.

“Ratings have blown past internal forecasts for both networks, and it’s not close,” said VicenteNavarro,managingpartner at soccer-focused marketing firm GotDigital.Navarrosaidamarquee 30-second advertising spot in the knockout-stage matches cost as much as $1 million, more than double 2018 levels Major advertisers included PepsiCo (PEP.O), opens new tab, Home Depot (HD.N), opens new tab, Anheuser-Busch (ABI.BR), opens new tab and Coca-Cola (KO.N), opensnewtab,accordingtomarket intelligencefirmSensorTower

For comparison, a 30-second Super Bowl advertisement typically costs about $8 million or more.

WATER

BREAKS PROVE LUCRATIVE FOR FOX

Beyond the ratings, the tournament also proved lucrative forbroadcasters,helpedbynewsocalled hydration breaks that split matches into four segments ‘and created additional advertising opportunities. Some experts said the extra ad slots helped offset TV rights costs and drew interest from beverageandfoodbrands.

Fox, led by Lachlan Murdoch, is expected to make at least $250 million from hydration-break advertising alone, according to a June report, opens new tab by the Hollywood Reporter Telemundo didnotrunadsduringthosebreaks.

“The new inventory definitely creates more spending for the WorldCup,”saidLukeStillman,`a managing director at research firm Madison and Wall. “It would be

surprising if the structure wasn’t a permanent fixture now going forward, and therefore the broadcast rights are going to be

morevaluablegoingforward.”

Still,itremainsunclearwhether some of the tournament’s Americanized elements, including a major halftime show that drew comparisons with the Super Bowl andledtoa27-minuteinterval,well ‘beyond soccer’s sacrosanct 15minute halftime period, will endure FIFA also announced, opens new tab the World Cup champions will for the first time receivearinginanodto“oneofthe most recognisable American sportingtraditions.”

ThenextWorldCupwillbecohosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco in 2030, followed by Saudi Arabia in 2034 Both tournaments are likely to feature less favorable kickoff times for U.S. viewers, which could weigh onfutureratings.

Guyana beat Windward by 53 runs as curtains come down on mixed season 2026 CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Championship...

- BARBADOS CLAIM TITLE

A composed half-century from Dhanesh Persaud steeredGuyanatoaconsolationwinyesterdayoverthe Windward Islands as curtains came down on this season’sRegionalUnder-19Championships.

Afteraroughstarttotheseason,Guyanawontheir second successive match after their 184 all out led by Dhanesh all-rounders Persaud (53) and Emmanuel Lewis(43);wasenoughtogetthemthewin.

Theo Edward bagged 3 wickets for Windwards, whichleftdumbfoundedafterspinnersGilbertGriffith (4-19) and Romario Ramdehol 2-13 backed by batsmanAdrianHetmyer’s2wickets;keptWindwards to131allout.

Continued on page 25

the tournament.

Root back in top 10 of ODI batting rankings; Rohit closes in on top 3

dismiss

in the

Cricinfo-England’sJoeRoothasreturnedtothetoptenof the ICC’s ODI batting rankings after dominating the threematchseriesagainstIndia.Heproducedscoresof76,99and 74 without being dismissed even once, and has climbed four placestoNo.8.India’sRohitSharmaremainedatNo.4,but closedthegapwiththetopthreewithhis138inthethirdODI atLord’s.

Itisthefirsttimesince2020thatRoothasenteredthetop teninODIbattingrankings.Lastweek,Rootscored249runs at a strike rate of 96.88 to finish as the series’top-scorer and was crowned Player of the Series. England opener Ben Duckett (joint-19th) also climbed 11 places after smashing 141 at Lord’s - the highest individual score at the venue in men’sODIs.

NewZealand’sDarylMitchellremainsNo.1amongODI batters,withtheIndiantrioofShubmanGill,ViratKohliand Rohitfollowing.GillisjustoneratingpointbehindMitchell after finishing as the second-highest run-getter of the ODI series with 188. Kohli hit 144 runs with two fifties while Rohit’stoninthethirdODIpaperedoverasluggishstarttothe series.AfghanistanopenerIbrahimZadranroundsupthetop five.

Over in the Caribbean, where West Indies and New Zealandfacedoffinafive-matchODIseriesfulloftwistsand turns that ended with the visitors winning 3-2, left-arm spinners Mitchell Santner and Gudakesh Motie consolidated theirpositionsinthetoptenamongbowlers.

Santner’sdouble-wicketspellsinNewZealand’svictories inthethirdandfourthODIssawhimsurgeuptojoint-fourth, upthreeplaces.Motie’s5for49inthefourthODIliftedhim sevenspotstojoint-ninth.

Spinners dominate the top five of the ODI bowling rankings with Rashid Khan ofAfghanistan staying atop and Pakistan’sAbrarAhmed at No. 2. JofraArcher is third while SantnerandSouthAfrica’sKeshavMaharajarejoint-fourth. Michael Bracewell has also climbed to third among ODI allrounders, going past Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi (fourth)andSikandarRaza(fifth).Bracewellscored86runsin four innings and took eight wickets.Ahead of him are firstplacedAzmatullahOmarzaiofAfghanistanandNo.2Mehidy HasanMirazofBangladesh.

GuyanachessyouthsofftoColombia

Arepresent Guyana at the XXXVI Pan American Youth Chess Festival in Medellín, Colombia, from July 26 to August 2, 2026. Hosted by the Colombian C h e s s F e d e r a t i o n (FECODAZ) and the Chess Confederation for the Americas (CCA), the tournament will feature national teams competing across the Open and Girls divisions in the Under-8 to Under-18categories.

Matches will take place at the Guillermo Gaviria Correa Combat Coliseum, a premier sports venue in Medellín known for hosting internationalevents.

Featuring nearly 900 participants from thirty

countries across the Americas, the tournament

will provide rigorous competition for our juniors. The field includes top-tier contenders with Elo ratings exceeding 2000, hailing primarily from chess powerhouses such as Cuba, theUSA,Canada,Colombia, and Argentina, and competitors from other major Latin American nations.Regionalrivalsfrom the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Dominica, will alsocompete.

Ultimately, this prestigious event unites the region’s best young talent to f o s t e r h i g h - l e v e l

competition, cultural integration, and sporting development.

Guyana will be represented by National Junior Chess Champion Kyle Couchman, National Women’s Champion WCM

Aditi Joshi, Alexander Zhang, Emma John, Alek Ubaldo Singh, U14 Open Champion Abel Fernandez Ciria, Rebha Lachhman, U12 Open ChampionAidan Tinnie,U12GirlsChampion DivyaPersaud,ArianTinne, Vir Narine, Amaya Sharma, Jeremiah Jacobs, Jordan Jacobs, Mark Defreitas, Pranav Suman and Sanjay Suman The competitions will feature a nine-round Swiss system with a time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per movefrommoveone.

The event starts with an opening ceremony on July 27,followedimmediatelyby round one. The main event continues through August 01, 2026 A Rapid Tournament will be held on July 28 and 30, along with a BlitzTournament onAugust 1, 2026, before the event

2026 Teach Them Young Swim Programme

Swimming classes resume July 27 due to National Day(s) of Mourning

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), has announced the temporary suspension of all activities under its Government-supported Teach ThemYoung,LearntoSwimProgrammeas the nation mourns the tragic loss of lives in theMVBarimaincident.

Organisersconfirmedthatallswimming classeshavebeencancelledwithimmediate effect and will remain suspended until Monday,July27,inobservanceofthethree days of national mourning declared by the President Irfaan Ali, following Guyana’s latestnationaltragedy,whichhasleftseveral communitiesandfamiliesinastateofgrief.

The decision was taken as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives and in solidarity with the families and loved ones affectedbythedevastatingincident.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and SportsandtheNationalSportsCommission extended their deepest sympathies to all thoseimpacted,notingthatthewelfareofthe nation remains paramount during this difficultperiod.

Subject to further notice, the annual swimmingprogrammeisexpectedtoresume onMonday,July27.

“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time,” organisers saidinabriefstatement.

concludes with the closing ceremonylaterthatday The young players will be accompanied by their parents and national player Keron Sandiford, who will serveasteamcoach.Parents Patrick John and Gwen Tinnie will manage the delegation The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) extends its warmest wishes to the entire team for a safe journey and a successful tournament as they continue to grow and develop their skills and represent the nation on the international stage.

Alpecin - Premier Tech’s Jasper Philipsen celebrates winning stage 17. (REUTERS/ Stephanie Lecocq)

Philipsen sprints to victory in Tour de France stage 17, Pogacar retains overall lead

VOIRON, France, (Reuters) - Belgian Jasper Philipsen prevailedinacrowdedrushtothefinishlinetowinstage17of the Tour de France on Wednesday, moving seven points of green jersey holder Mads Pedersen, while Tadej Pogacar retainedhisoveralllead.

Alpecin-Premier Tech rider Philipsen, who had won the green jersey in 2023, clinched his first Tour de France stage win of the year ahead of Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) and Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM), who were second and third.DanePedersen(Lidl-Trek)finishedeighth.

Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) remained four minutes and 32 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel in the overallrankings.

“Ihadto`waituntilstage17towin it’sonefortheteam who kept believing in me,” said 28-year-old Philipsen, who wasexpertlyledoutbyteammateMathieuvanderPoelforthe finalsprinttothefinish.

An aggressive start to the 174.7km journey from Chambery to Voiron led to a couple of early crashes, with DavideBallerinigoingdownafteraroundaboutshortlybefore abunchofridersinthepelotonfell,includingTomPidcock. Pidcock, eighth in the general classification coming into the stage, quickly got back up, as did seventh-placed Lenny Martinez.

Agroupofriderspushedaheadofthepelotonwith100km togo,butPedersenandPhilipsenhungbackwithPogacar,

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Philipsen sprints to victory in Tour de France stage 17, Pogacar retains overall lead