Colombia declares Thursday Edition three days of mourning after deadly earthquake August 13, 2026 - Vol. 19 No. 33
Price $200
...Hundreds are dead as rescuers race to find survivors of the magnitude 7.4 quake
Online readership
yesterday, 50,545
New Australian firm
secures 44,000 acres gold land in Reg. 7
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12
…land five times size of Georgetown and six times size of Leguan
Oko North Project New Oko Discovery: 60m @ 5.9g/t Au 100m @ 2.2g/t Au
m
15m @ 6.3g/t Au 47m @ 1.1g/t Au
15k
Oko NW Discovery:
Greater Oko: +9Moz
Police constable on close arrest after brandishing toy gun MV Barima tragedy…
G3 GOLDFIELDS
30
km
Peters Mine
The blue lines show the Oko North and Oko South blocks, which cover an area of 180 km² about five times the size of Georgetown
Shear Zone Gold Workings Oko South Project
Greenstone Granite Significant Prospects
Regional geological setting of the Oko North and Oko South Projects within the Barama-Mazaruni greenstone belt of the Guiana Shield, showing the two consolidated blocks relative to the ground held by Canadian firm GMIN.
Paper trail contradicts Edghill’s claims as records show repeated warnings before disaster
U.S. eyes ports, road, housing contracts in Guyana– Deputy Secretary of State
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Thursday August 13, 2026
Kaieteur News
Grieving family demands urgent recovery of sunken MV Barima in protest outside President's office Relatives of Neil and Kenrick Cort, who have not yet been recovered from the sunken MV Barima, gathered in protest outside the Office of the President on Wednesday, demanding immediate government intervention and accountability to salvage the vessel and recover the bodies of their loved ones. Demonstrators expressed growing outrage over what they characterised as bureaucratic delay and official negligence following the sinking of the river vessel. Neil Cort, 57, served as the ship's canteen operator for 37 years, while his 53-year-old brother, Kenrick
Cort, was assisting him on board. Collin Solomon, 54, a spokesperson for the family, criticised the administration's handling of the disaster, calling the proposed timeline to raise the vessel unacceptable. "We gather out here to express our dissatisfaction about the government's slow pace and their ineffectiveness towards bringing closure to our loved ones who have not been recovered," Solomon told reporters. "It is very uncaring of the government to say that they need two weeks to negotiate for people to bring up this boat. It's an emergency, and they should be able
to bring an urgent effort." Solomon pointed to years of neglected maintenance on the vessel and alleged that the slow official response reflects a lack of empathy from top authorities. "Because the President is not in that boat, no Minister is in that boat, and none of their family is in that boat, they do not care," Solomon said. "If their family was in that boat, it would have been up already. We demand justice. We demand accountability." Chanting "Raise the boat now" and "Accountability begins at the top," the family emphasised that the delay has exacerbated their distress.
Speaking at the protest, Diane Cort, wife of Neil Cort, described the emotional toll and financial burden left in the wake of her husband's disappearance. Neil Cort was known for his decades of service along the riverways, frequently providing food to destitute passengers at his own expense. "Today I still ring his phone to see if he will answer. It's very hard," Cort said. "My husband was my breadwinner…not me alone, but he looked out for everybody. He was a hardworking man who never robbed or begged anyone." She recalled that, despite safety concerns, her husband felt a strong obligation to remain aboard the
vessel to serve the public. "He would have turned and said, 'Diane, I can't come out. What happens to the people? How are the people gonna eat?' There was no way I could stop my husband that day." In addition to supporting his immediate family, funding his children's education, and assisting his grandchildren, Neil Cort was also raising a five-year-old orphan whose father was murdered in 2024. The MV Barima capsized on the evening of July 18 off the Essequibo coast while enroute from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One, leaving 73 confirmed dead, 76 rescued, and at least 30 others missing.
Neil and Kenrick Cort's family protest in front of Office of the President
One year after $62M reconstruction, Charity Police Station set for $66M in additional works …new tender seeks external waiting area and infrastructural upgrades One year after the reconstructed $62.7 million Charity Police Station in Region Two was commissioned, the government is now planning to spend an estimated $66.8 million more on additional works at the facility, including the construction of an external waiting area. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in its invitation for bids, sought contractors for the "construction of external waiting area, infrastructural works and rehab. to Charity Police Station." Bids for the project were opened on August 4 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, with 23 bids received. The government's engineer estimated the new works would cost $66,810,150, while contractors' bids ranged from $47.9 million to $87 million.The bidders and their proposed sums are as follows: - See-Solutions – $47,901,000
- Rafeek Khan Investment Company – $65,343,950 - Radan Construction – $55,963,700 - Anil Construction – $55,653,700 - SB Plumbing, Welding & General Construction – $75,978,420 - Surujpaul Balkaran & Sons Construction – $54,360,900 - N. Kaimrajh & Son Contracting & General Supplies – $53,485,000 - Gunners Construction – $66,681,700 - Kaizen Industries – $64,556,900 - Holistic Contracting & Procurement Inc. – $87,062,000 - Seenarine's Construction & Landscaping Services – $62,705,800 - Infinity Contracting & General Services – $62,913,950 - Dundas Construction Inc. – $63,060,800
The reconstructed Charity Police Station in Region Two.
- Roje Singh General Contractors Inc – $65,527,900 - Builder's Engineering & Architectural Consultancy –
$58,942,100 - Lourenzo Barber Shop, Weeding, Supplies & Contracting Services – $56,811,350
- Hardware Haven – $55,773,350 - Karnassa Investment Inc – (Continued on page 10 )
Kaieteur News
Thursday August 13, 2026
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MV Barima tragedy… Paper trail contradicts
Edghill’s claims as records show repeated warnings before disaster A paper trail of internal maintenance logs, stamped requisitions, and urgent technical reports spanning nearly a year has exposed as false statements made by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, confirming that maritime authorities were repeatedly warned of systemic mechanical failures prior to the July 18 disaster that claimed over 100 lives. According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), Minister Edghill, during a press briefing on July 20, dismissed allegations that the vessel was unfit for sea, asserting, "There was no report of any kind that suggested the vessel was unseaworthy. It was in line for dry docking in keeping with the schedule." H o w e v e r, o ff i c i a l internal correspondence sent directly to the Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) and the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Marine Office in Kingston tells a drastically different story. A review of the records identified 20 complaints of engine-related issues and eight generatorrelated failures, all stamped and signed by the Shore Chief Engineer and the vessel's captain, and
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill addressed to the Marine Superintendent. In the wake of these disclosures, Kaieteur News understands that maritime authorities convened an emergency meeting We d n e s d a y m o r n i n g . Despite the clear paper trail, there has been no official acknowledgment of the reports by the Ministry, even as leaked monthly documents compiled by Corwin Stephen during the first quarter of 2026 reveal that critical defects were routinely left ignored. Among the unaddressed failures documented in official logs was an ongoing
issue from January 2024, in which the port and starboard engine room bilge pumps were unable to pump water from the dry space tanks due to stuck valves. During the same period, six valves in the ballast tanks remained jammed closed, preventing pumps from drawing water, while the cargo crane's electrical sensor sat broken awaiting sourcing. By early 2025, additional defects had piled up without repair, including a defective cold room freezer fan and malfunctioning main engine controls in the wheelhouse that required private technical
Screengrab of one of the 8 generator-related issues reported by the MV Barima crew on November 17, 2025. Stamped by Captain Price, the Shore Chief Engineer and Chief Engineer P. Seepersaud.
Screengrab of the reported issues on the MV Barima developed within the first quarter of this year by Shore Chief Engineer, Corwin Stephen. programming. Engine room failures escalated further into late 2025, with the number three
generator remaining out of service due to extensive internal damage, the port general service pump motor
Screengrab of one of the 20 engine related issues reported by the MV Barima crew on February 18, 2026.
burning out, and the number one generator suffering a completely broken connecting rod that burst through the engine sump. In every instance, the column designated to record completed maintenance was left entirely blank. In January 2026, Job No. B4/26 requested an urgent replacement turbocharger for the port main engine because the unit was actively throwing oil during operation, alongside orders for a new Hiab engine fresh water pump leaking through its seal. Requisitions filed in late 2025 reveal that an aftercooler kit and a sixcylinder exhaust manifold kit had to be requested for the port's main engine under Job No. B4/25. Additional handwritten records detail leaking fuel lines requiring urgent mechanical intervention, a complete lack of engine room ventilation causing extreme ambient heat, and repeated instances of main engine exhaust pipes breaking and spewing toxic (Continued on page 6)
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Politics of distraction The government appears determined to move the national conversation away from the horrendous MV Barima tragedy, in which more than 100 lives were lost, and toward a carefully choreographed programme of community outreach. The tragedy has left families grieving and a nation demanding answers. Questions about safety, accountability, negligence and responsibility cannot simply be pushed aside. Yet, instead of confronting the anger and uncertainty gripping the country, the administration appears to have shifted into public-relations mode, with President Irfaan Ali himself leading the charge. Fresh from the controversy surrounding his sprawling farm along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, the President has now unveiled a project being presented as a “model village.” But the more one examines this initiative, the more it appears that even the government has not settled on what exactly this model village is supposed to be. Where is the coherent plan? What makes it a model? What extraordinary amenities or innovative features will distinguish it from any other properly developed community? Apparently, the answer is more garbage bins, fire hydrants and trees. One would expect a model village to showcase facilities and services that represent a higher standard of living—modern recreational spaces, efficient public transportation, innovative waste-management systems, community health facilities, upgraded schools, reliable infrastructure, green technology and other amenities that could serve as examples for communities across the country. Instead, Guyanese are being asked to applaud the provision of basic necessities. Since when did garbage bins, fire hydrants and trees become luxuries worthy of being packaged as a presidential model-village initiative? These are not extraordinary benefits. They are basic responsibilities of a functioning state. Every properly planned community should have adequate fire protection, proper waste disposal and trees and green spaces. Government should not need a special “model village” programme to provide them. And therein lies the bigger problem. The issue is not really the bins, hydrants or trees. It is the apparent attempt to substitute activity for accountability. While the Government launches outreaches, citizens are protesting. Questions continue to be raised about the handling of the Barima tragedy. The controversies surrounding the President’s farm have not disappeared. Questions about mining concessions and other matters of governance remain unresolved. And there is growing public anger over President Ali’s refusal to remove or replace senior ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar amid mounting criticism of their performance and conduct. The government’s public-relations machinery appears increasingly unable to keep pace with the anger. Social-media operatives and paid defenders may attempt to drown out criticism, but they cannot erase what citizens see, hear and experience for themselves. A government can deploy all the communication strategies it wants, but there comes a point when public relations cannot substitute for public accountability. The families who lost loved ones on the Barima deserve more than expressions of sympathy and ceremonial gestures. They deserve a full accounting of what happened, who was responsible, whether warnings were ignored, whether safety standards were breached and what will be done to ensure that such a disaster never happens again. The opposition must not retreat. Civil society must not retreat. The independent media must not retreat. And citizens must not retreat. The government should understand that community outreach cannot replace good governance, photo opportunities cannot replace accountability, and public relations cannot bury legitimate questions. Guyana is now an oil-rich country with enormous resources and enormous possibilities.
Thursday August 13, 2026
You cannot “outreach” your way out of a national tragedy DEAR EDITOR, The PPP Government still does not understand the depth of the anger sweeping Guyana over its handling of the MV Barima tragedy. If it had, Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar would have long been made to resign. Instead, both remain comfortably seated in office, protected by gangs and State police at their homes, while the Government scrambles to regain significant lost political ground. Cabinet ministers including the embattled subject ministers have been dispatched across the country, and the tone-deaf President has now launched yet another round of “Presidential Outreaches.” Communities neglected for decades are suddenly being promised roads, housing, drainage and other basic services. You cannot patronise a nation mourning more than one hundred lives lost through your government’s failure and then expect a carefully staged damage-control campaign to erase the public’s grief and anger. It will not work. A hundred lives cannot be pushed aside by a new road or buried beneath a government press release. At Leonora, President Irfaan Ali behaved less like a leader comforting a nation and more like a snake oil salesman promoting government programmes. In Linden, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo turned his attention to housing complaints, claimed he knew little about problems that had developed under his own administration, and quickly promised government intervention. That is how the PPP operates; neglect communities for years, suddenly discover their problems when
public support begins to slip, and then present the fulfilment of basic responsibilities as political generosity. Hundreds of Guyanese converged on the grounds of Watooka House in Linden to protest Bharrat Jagdeo’s visit and demand accountability. They waited for hours, but he refused to face them or even offer a word of acknowledgement. A senior government official who travelled to Linden claiming to listen to the people deliberately ignored the largest and loudest gathering of citizens outside. When darkness fell, Jagdeo snuck out under the protection of a dozen security officers. As he departed, he waved and mocked the protesters who had stood there for hours. That single moment captured the contempt with which this administration treats citizens who refuse to remain silent. Equally insulting was the decision to send Juan Edghill into the grieving communities of Region One. As the minister responsible for the vessel and the system under which this disaster occurred, he has still not been made to resign or properly account for his failure. Instead, Edghill was placed at the centre of the outreach in the very region still mourning its dead, removing any lingering doubt that this administration intends to shield both him and Deodat Indar, the minister directly responsible for the maritime sector, from accountability. Survivors remain traumatised. Families are still grieving, and some continue waiting for answers about loved ones who remain unaccounted for. Sending Edghill into those communities as though nothing happened showed how little this Government understands or cares to
understand about their pain. The tragedy also exposed Guyana’s lack of an effective search-and-rescue capability. Pomeroon River fishermen became the first line of rescue while the State struggled to respond. Ordinary citizens went to sea when the country’s institutions should have been leading the effort. Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his team played a prominent role in the rescue and recovery operations, exposing the Government’s lack of preparedness and urgency. The Government’s internal review is nothing more than an attempt to investigate itself and control the outcome. The defining failure is already beyond dispute; when the MV Barima went down, the State had no effective search-and-rescue capability to save its citizens. Guyanese cannot reasonably expect the very administration responsible for this catastrophic neglect to expose itself, punish its own ministers or deliver the accountability it has fought so desperately to avoid. No outreach, handout or hurried development promise will silence a nation demanding answers for its dead. The victims of the MV Barima tragedy will not be treated as an inconvenience in the PPP’s desperate fight for political survival. They were our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and loved ones, not numbers to be forgotten when the headlines fade. Their families deserve the truth, and those who failed them must answer for it. Guyana has endured enough performances. We demand justice for the dead, answers for the living and the resignations that must follow. Regards, Hana K. Mohamed
Freddie wrong on CCJ as being better than U.S. Supreme Court DEAR EDITOR, I write in response to Freddie’s claim that Guyanese and CCJ judges delivered ‘better’ judgments than the Privy Council and US Supreme Court. The CCJ is experiencing internal destruction. The discredited columnist had assailed me for writing that in USA, there is almost absolute freedom of expression and association that is backed by judgments in US Supreme. He disagreed, stating that CCJ and Guyanese judges delivered ‘better judgments”. Freddie also disagreed with other statements of mine like the American dollar is the strongest currency and USA is the most powerful country in the world. Freddie stated that the Chinese currency (trading at 6.5 Yuan to the American dollar) is better and American power is finished. These statements were made by Freddie before Donald Trump assumed the Presidency in Jan 2025. Since Trump became President, he invaded and or bombed countries and threatened regional blocs as well as leaders of countries of sanctions if they attempted
to undermine American global dominance and the dollar. He also threatened to make several territories part of USA. Freddie had not penned a word critical of Trump or USA over the last 20 months; visa is on the line. American power has been dominant over the last century, the most powerful country militarily and economically and will remain so long into the future, regardless of what Freddie thinks. And so would the American dollar. No Guyanese or anyone in the world seeks to hoard the Chinese Yuan, not even Freddie. One can’t use the Yuan to purchase goods (other than from China) and or to pay foreign tuition or for vacation purposes. Chinese vacationers traveled with the dollar. Everyone seeks the greenback dollar or some kind of Western currency to travel or to hoard. In terms of military dominance, unlike what Freddie and his antiAmerican left-wing colleagues think, no country dares to challenge USA power. The Europeans are unhappy with Trump’s leadership. But they dare not challenge him. They find ways to work with or around him.
On judicial rulings, hardly any court globally, certainly not those in Guyana or the Caribbean, made more profound judgments than the American Supreme Court. The Indian American lawyer, Neal Katyal, a Punjabi, who won the tariff case against Trump two months ago, described the US Supreme Court as the most powerful court in the world with renowned judgments. I can’t think of which Guyanese or Caribbean court judgments are precedent setting, similar to the US Sup Court. The Privy Council overturned several judgments from the Caribbean. The CCJ is the final court of appeal for four nations. If their judgments were ‘appealable’ to Privy Council, several would probably be overturned. Senior and King Counsels in the Caribbean prefer the Privy Council over the CCJ. Several told me up till Monday gone that they prefer not to appear for cases in Guyana or appeals at the CCJ; judgments are too politicized as opposed to say the Privy Council. Some American Supreme Court cases are politicized because the majority party Continued on page 6
Kaieteur News
Thursday August 13, 2026
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America’s sudden interest in Guyana’s bauxite has powerful geopolitical importance DEAR EDITOR, As a former bauxite employee in Linden (mid 70s to mid-80s), I have duly noted Guyanese media reports of America’s interest in Guyana’s bauxite, and believe this is a powerful geopolitical step given that Chinese company, Bosai, is already running the Linden operations, as well as a manganese mining operation in the Northwest District. What I also noted on the same day that Kaieteur News reported, “US. Govt. to acquire bauxite mine in Guyana…says move is to curtail Chinese dominance in country,” Sunday, August 9 2026, CNN also reported, “Pentagon asks defense companies to ramp up production as stockpiles run low during Iran war.” The two articles may have been purely coincidental, but the stark reality is that America’s interest in Guyana’s bauxite
can be seen as a geopolitical security move to both boost America’s strained military and to counter China’s massive presence in Guyana, Latin America and the Caribbean; also known as ‘America’s backyard’. The CNN report, which was echoed by other international media outlets, seemed to augment a prevailing narrative that America is at a point, in its six-month old Iran war, where it needs to replenish military munitions that reportedly caused President Trump to blow a fuse and a gasket, last week, when he learned America was low on munition stockpiles. Between the U.S-Israel attacks in June 2025 and the fresh attacks launched on February 28, this year, America reportedly used up between 60% and 80% of its core air-defense interceptors. According to CBS New, August 4, 2026, America
started the Iran war with about 452 THAAD interceptors, and used roughly 174 to 218+ interceptors, leaving an estimated 234 to 278. It started with 2,330 Patriot Interceptors, and expended a major portion, leaving an estimated inventory down between 759 and 827. Other munitions were also burned through, including nearly half of its global Tomahawk cruise missile supply and virtually all of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). These are items that cost millions of dollars apiece to produce. While the foregoing represents a snapshot of what was used up, it does not include any other military hardware that were lost during from attacks by Iran and its ‘proxies’, thus making the demand for munitions replenishment a top priority, and Guyana’s
high-quality bauxite may be critical to this end. Don’t get me wrong about seeming to overpromote Guyana’s bauxite today, because I am well aware that neighbouring Brazil and Suriname, and fellow CARICOM member, Jamaica, are already major strategic suppliers of bauxite ore. But during my years with the bauxite company in Linden, there were sporadic informal discussions about Guyana’s bauxite being of such a rich quality that it was in high demand by Allied Forces during World War Two for production of warplanes and other military hardware. I did some cursory research and found interesting information that was later corroborated by a regular ‘staple’ among fellow Guyanese bloggers, C.A Griffith. During and following World War Two, then-British Guiana reportedly supplied needed
Govt’s bottled water plant admits incapability to provide basic water supply system DEAR EDITOR, The Government of Guyana is known to be the first to come up with skullduggeries to camouflage its incompetence and wrongheadedness; but this unprecedented manoeuvre to build and operate its own bottled water plant has to take the cake as the big stunt to distract from its gross incompetence, failure, and dereliction of duty of a normal Gov’t to perform its paramount function of delivering a clean municipal water supply system to its citizens. Along with clean air, clean water is the most indispensable necessity for sustaining life, but unfortunately, this Gov’t has botched the God-given gift of being the land of many waters; or, as the famous Poet, Samuel Coleridge puts it “water, water, everywhere, but not a drop to drink.” This desperate move signifies the Govt’s confession of its lack of ability to perform this basic function, while callously caring less about the extra arm and leg expenses to be faced by the poverty stricken making up 60% of the population, who will be forced to purchase this water, accompanied by the retrograde step of going back to the days of fetching water in bottles, then transferring to buckets and calabash for bathing, in lieu of showering. In contrast, the minority well-to-do friends and families of the ‘Boys’, will continue their merry affluent life styles enjoying in-house water treatment furnishing not only clean pipe water for their showering, but also for their clean dishes and laundry. The Guyanese people no doubt welcomes the outcries by the Guyana
Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and the Opposition against this endeavour that threatens private enterprises, and which exposes the fakery that the PPPC had somehow converted itself from communism/socialism to capitalism. However, this unheard-of action flies in the face of a Govt’s moral imperative to guarantee a reliable and convenient pure water supply system to sustain all life and health for its people, which is far more vital than commercial interests. Not surprisingly, the Gov’t openly entertains the commercial argument so as to get out of jail free by switching the conversation to distract from its obvious dereliction of duty for 29 years to carry out this most basic function, despite being handed a functional modern water system which they ran into the ground, resulting in the current discharge of unhealthful, toxic and discoloured pipe water 630 times more acidic than safe drinking water (see my July 10, 2026 Letter to the Editor “GWI’s statement is irresponsible, callous and dangerous – water 630 times safe limit”). Most despicably, though the GWI’s own laboratory water analyses show the water to be irrefutably unsafe and unfit for sanitary consumption, the Gov’t continues to claim that it is clean. In other words, condescendingly berating the public that they must not believe their own eyes, and don’t believe GWI’s own laboratory data. That being the case, the President, Minister Indar, and/or the GWI CEO must drink in front of nation, the same water that they deem clean and which
they implore the public to drink. How unfathomable is it that a government could lack the ability to provide a potable water supply system to its nation dubbed as the land of many waters, despite inheriting an oil bonanza that triggered the fastest growing economy in the world, and a national budget that increased by more than 5 times to $1.6 trillion since taking office. Not to mention that 60% of this humongous budget goes into infrastructure with wastage of a whopping 45%. Owing to its proven incompetence, incapabilities, and ill-suited budgetary priorities as evidenced by its failures, the Gov’t seemingly had to resort to this alternative upon surrendering its failed efforts to mete out a universally traditional municipal water system, though drowning in resources to do so. For instance, as published by DPI on November 17, 2022, the Gov’t awarded contracts totaling $40 billion to upgrade 12 water plants, and construct 7 new ones where “300,000 customers will be the beneficiaries of an improved water supply”. Most notably, all of these improvements were slated for the PPP areas of Regions 3, 6 and the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, with none in Linden with its five decrepit plants evidenced by the very poor and unhealthy water quality recently published by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Notwithstanding these massive expenditures targeted to PPPC constituents, the water quality continues Continued on page 6
high-grade bauxite that was used to produce almost twothirds of all Allied warplanes. According to ‘AI’, the Canadian-owned `Demerara Bauxite C o m p a n y ’s ( D e m b a ) bauxite exports surged from 476,000 tons in 1939 to over 1.9 million tons by 1943, fueling the industrial war machine and aiding the local economy. Aluminium processed from British Guianese bauxite was lighter and stronger than steel, making it the primary material for Allied military aircraft frames. With European and Mediterranean bauxite sources cut off or lost after the fall of France in 1940, the Allies relied heavily on South American deposits from British Guiana and Suriname. German U-boats actively patrolled Caribbean and South American shipping lanes to intercept cargo ships carrying the vital ore from Georgetown ports to North American refineries. Mining operations expanded rapidly around Mackenzie (now Linden), increasing exports by nearly 400% during the peak war years. Boosted by heavy wartime demand, export values climbed rapidly, leaving the colony’s treasury with a substantial multi-million-dollar surplus by the end of the conflict. Besides Demba, an American-owned Reynolds Metals Company also
operated major bauxite mining and processing operations in Guyana starting in 1952, thereby playing a critical post-WWII role. While the late Sylvester Carmichael, a former Vice President of Marketing with BIDCO, would have been an ideal source for information on Guyana’s bauxite on the world market in its heyday, former Prime Minister Samuel A Hinds, who graduated with a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick in Canada in 1967, and joined the Demerara Bauxite Company’s Alumina Plant that same year as a Process Engineer, probably could lend credence to the almost forgotten role Guyana’s bauxite played during the post-World War II era. It is an indisputable fact China has played a dominant role in Guyana’s economy under the Jagdeo-led PPP for over two decades, but time only will tell whether the transactional PPP can think strategically, talk wisely, and walk delicately as it welcomes the United States to bauxite production and other activities, even as America continues to compete with China on the world stage for bragging rights as the better world leader. Regards, Emile Mervin
Kaieteur News
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Paper trail contradicts repeated warnings... From page 3 gases directly into the machinery spaces. Auxiliary power was similarly crippled, with logs noting the number three generator leaking all its cooling water, the number two generator shutting down due to failing batteries, and the number one generator suffering fluctuating current, shorting starter wires, broken pump blades, damaged bearings, and sheared head studs. These entries mirror a broader chronology of documented failures aboard the MV Barima leading up to its final voyage. In March 2026, crew members filed urgent requisitions for
submerged water pumps and welding equipment for onboard repairs. Earlier, in January 2026, Chief Engineer P. Seepersaud issued a stark warning that the main engine fuel lines were “heavily corroded and can break at any time while the vessel is in operation,” alongside orders for a replacement turbocharger that was actively throwing oil. Reports dating back to late 2025 further detail an inoperable VHF communication system, failing GPS navigation power, degraded emergency batteries, and main engines running at dangerously
overheating temperatures between 197°F and 203°F. C r u c i a l l y, l o g s f r o m November 2025 confirmed a broken exhaust line leaking toxic gases directly into the unventilated engine room, while records from August noted shutdowns caused by sheared head studs and broken pump blades. The 87-year-old vessel ultimately capsized on the evening of July 18 off the Essequibo coast while enroute from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One, leaving 73 confirmed dead, 76 rescued, and at least 30 others missing. Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson have since been charged in connection with the disaster, while the government has announced a Commission of Inquiry and requested experiences entities to salvage the sunken wreck for physical examination.
Thursday August 13, 2026
Is Region 10 not deserving of model communities? DEAR EDITOR, Why is it that President Ali, supreme executive authority in Guyana, does not instruct that the Region 10 Chairman and Vice Chairman be in place to carry out the region’s business for which they were voted in by the people of the area?
Soon, it will be a year since the election and Region 10 is still denied the administration they voted for. Region 10 residents surely want to shape their model communities too. Regards, Faiyaz Alli
Govt’s bottled water plant admits... From page 5 to get patently worse, no doubt the reason for resorting to this bottled water trick, unmindful of the added negative impacts to the business sector, and the added financial hardships and inconvenience to the majority poor. Taking the Plant on its face value, there appears to be no basis for its $500 million estimated cost which is guaranteed to end up at least two to three times higher, based upon the Govt’s track record; thus, in the interest of transparency, the Gov’t must inform the people of the following:
1. What was the basis for the $496 million estimate? 2. What will be the added costs to each household for purchasing this water for drinking, bathing, laundry, and other sanitary purposes? 3. What is the procedure for conducting water sampling analyses representative of the entire distribution system? 4. The PUC must publish on a monthly basis, the water quality analyses in #4. Sincerely, Dr. Vincent Adams
Freddie wrong on CCJ as being... From page 4 appoints them, but they did give informative, precedent setting judgments. Ask any lawyer and they would say judgments emanating from the Supreme Court or Privy Council are superior to those delivered in Guyana and any Caribbean court. It is not that our judges are intellectual inferior; some indeed are. Judgments are constrained by politics. Judges rule as politically directed or else they don’t get promotion. Jurisprudential quality is much better in USA and at the Privy Council; those courts have institutional prestige, longevity, quality of reasoning, and protection of natural rights when compared with rulings in Guyana and the Caribbean. They don’t fear politicians. The US Supreme Court has been interpreting the American Constitution for more than two and a half centuries, while the Privy Council has accumulated an enormous body of Commonwealth jurisprudence. Their libraries of precedent, intellectual resources
and institutional experience are formidable. And judges are not fearful to deliver judgments that opposed views of politicians unlike in the Caribbean where one thinks of career first and judgments as secondary. Rulings must be judged by the quality of reasoning. Some of the CCJ reasonings in ruling were outstanding. But how does one defend that 33 is not a majority of 65. Or the ruling by our courts that the President could select his own chair of GECOM when the language is clear – chosen from among the six nominees of the Opposition Leader. Courts should function independently and free from political, executive and other forms of direction and control. That constitutional principle is fundamental to the legitimacy of the judiciary. It is not clear that Guyana or the Caribbean has reached that level as in the Privy Council and American Supreme Court. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (Student of US Const’l Law)
Kaieteur News
Thursday August 13, 2026
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RJLSC to hold transparent and independent review Trinidad Express - The Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) has acknowledged allegations concerning Caribbean Court of Justice ( C C J ) President Justice Winston A nderson and says a “transparent and independent review” will be undertaken into the matter. This even as a former RJLSC member and senior counsel yesterday suggested that an investigation should take place. The allegations were first raised in an exclusive Sunday Express report earlier this week. They ranged from claims of imposing a judicial dress code to accusations of “panel fixing” and attempts to influence the outcome of cases. A majority of the court's judges also accused Justice Anderson of running the regional court in an “authoritarian” and “dictatorial” manner. The allegations were raised in an exchange of emails in June and July of this year between the presiding judges of the CCJ which was obtained by the Express. The RJLSC is a dedicated commission established under the agreement establishing the CCJ, bringing together legal professionals,
public service leaders, and civil society representatives, according to its website. The commission notes that one of its functions includes the exercise of disciplinary control over judges of the court, other than the president, and over officials and employees of the court. It says it also has responsibility for the making of regulations to govern the appointment, discipline, termination of appointment and other terms and conditions of service and employment for judges, other than the president, and officials and employees of the court. Justice Anderson is chairman of the RJLSC. The commission did not say yesterday if he would be part of its review. In a statement to CCN yesterday, the RJLSC stated, “The Commission recognises the seriousness of these matters and the importance of addressing them in a manner that protects public trust and confidence in the Court and the broader administration of justice throughout the Caribbean. “As a result, the RJLSC believes that these concerns are best addressed through the established internal governance mechanisms of
CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson
Martin Daly, former RJLSC member
the Court and the Commission, and through a transparent and independent review undertaken in the best interest of the Region.” The RJLSC also indicated it was responsible for the appointment of the judges and staff members of the CCJ and set their work terms, allowances, oversaw disciplinary action, and protected the court from political interference. The RJLSC said it was open to addressing internal complaints within the CCJ. “The Commission maintains an 'open door policy' for all members of staff and Judges, to address concerns and seek resolution on any matter relating to the execution of their functions and overall wellbeing. “In the twenty-three
years since the establishment of the Commission, the RJLSC has enjoyed fruitful working relationships with the Court. In these two decades, Commissioners h a v e o p e r a t e d independently, without interference or influence—neither from the Court nor external actors.” It added, “The Commissioners remain confident in this storied history of autonomy enjoyed under the leadership of all of the Court's Presidents as Chairs of the Commission, past and present. At the same time, it emphasises that no conclusions should be drawn about the allegations until they have been examined fairly and objectively.” Daly: No difficulty in getting on with investigation
of allegations However, Senior Counsel Martin Daly, a former member of the RJLSC, who weighed in on the commission's response, suggested an investigation was required. “The release is meandering and wordy, but the RJLSC has nevertheless reaffirmed its autonomy and responsibility to ensuring the effective and independent administration of the CCJ. “The matters alleged in the Express reports have the potential to seriously undermine the independence and effectiveness of the court. The commission should therefore have no difficulty in getting on with an investigation of the allegations.” Daly added, “I find the reference to 'the open door policy' for all members of staff and judges to address concerns and seek resolution of any matter relating to the execution of their functions' an intriguing statement. “Is it a veiled invitation to the aggrieved judges to hasten to lodge formal complaints? I ask how helpful is such a statement? How does that posture advance the public interest?” Daly said these matters needed to be investigated by
the RJLSC because they appear to involve administrative decisions relating to the functioning of the court. “It is to be emphasised that there is an important line between administrative decisions and judicial decisions. The RJLSC cannot investigate the exercise of the judicial powers of the president or any member of the court, and it must accordingly carefully define the remit of its investigation,” he said. Daly said it was critical for Justice Anderson, chairman of the RJLSC, to step aside from any formal investigation into the matter. “The president of the court is chairman of the RJLSC, but he must, of course, recuse himself from participating in an investigation of administrative decisions made by him. It is unfortunate that the practice of appointing a deputy chairman of the commission was not sustained. “However, among the body of commissioners, there are members whose experience makes several of them suitable to head a competent and impartial investigation by the commission. This is not a matter for the heads of government at this stage.”
U.S. eyes ports, road, housing contracts in Guyana – Deputy Secretary of State The United States (U.S.) Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has disclosed that American companies are expected to compete for opportunities in infrastructure, including ports, roads and housing as the country look to deepen its involvement in Guyana's economic development. Landau made the remarks during a visit to Georgetown, where he met with President Irfaan Ali and discussed economic development, security and counternarcotics cooperation between Washington and Georgetown. Speaking after his meeting with President Ali, Landau highlighted that Guyana is at a stage of development where infrastructure is needed to support further economic growth. He noted, “I think the two areas that we focused on today with President Ali are the economic area where Guyana is at a stage in development where it needs infrastructure as the foundation for further economic growth.” He also said discussions with President Ali covered projects
across the country, including Berbice, Lethem and the Demerara region. Landau underscored that Guyana's energy resources could be leveraged to support development in other sectors. “It has obviously tremendous value resources in terms of energy, which is the foundation of all economic development and we want to partner with Guyana to leverage those resources into a whole variety of economic development in many areas,” Landau said. The U.S. official, who was accompanied by American businesses during his visit, said that areas being considered include ports, roads, commercial development, sporting facilities and housing. “We want to see ports that allow goods to come in, roads that allow those goods to be transported throughout the country and the region. We'd like to see more stores and stadiums and all the things that the people of Guyana want, including housing,” he said. The Deputy Secretary of State also highlighted Guyana's strategic
importance to the U.S. adding, “The United States is here to say we want to be part of the story of Guyana's future development and prosperity.” Landau also underscored that there are many areas the two countries can collaborate to improve the quality of life for Guyanese. He described Guyana as a key strategic partner for the U.S. and said Washington was eager to support the country's development. “We see Guyana as a key strategic partner, and really I am here to signal that the United States is very eager to partner with Guyana and that we have really identified Guyana as one of the major up-andcoming countries of the world at this point in time,” he said. Moreover, he also spoke about the memorandum of understanding the two countries signed on security and counter-narcotics cooperation. He noted that the agreement was aimed at strengthening efforts to combat organised crime and drug trafficking in the region. “Organised crime has been increasing in this area. This is a
President Irfaan Ali and United States Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau (right) tricky neighbourhood, and the United States faces the same security threats from these organised criminal groups as does Guyana,” he said. Landau added that Washington wants to ensure that criminal groups and drug smugglers do not establish roots in Guyana.
Landau's visit follows the announcement by the U.S. Department of War that it has struck an US$85.5M equity investment deal to acquire and expand a bauxite mine in Guyana, part of a broader effort by Washington to break China's grip on critical mineral supply chains.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday August 13, 2026
Government crippling local government systems to maintain dependency - Sharma Solomon The central government is systematically crippling local democratic organs, stripping them of revenue streams, and fostering a culture of dependency under the guise of its new “model village” and community development initiatives, according to APNU Member of Parliament (MP) and former Mayor of Linden, Sharma Solomon. On August 3rd, President Irfaan Ali unveiled the Model Village initiative saying that it will transform communities across Guyana into modern, economically vibrant and socially connected spaces where citizens can live, work and thrive. The initiative, begins with consultations in 23 villages. Speaking exclusively in an interview with Kaieteur News, Solomon drew sharp parallels between current State interventions and the historic attempts by the British Crown to undermine the post-emancipation Vi l l a g e M o v e m e n t i n Guyana. Solomon pointed to t h e h i s t o r i c Vi l l a g e Movement, launched after the purchase of Victoria Village by former enslaved Africans, as a gold standard of self-determination, selfgovernance, and local economic independence. Drawing on historical analysis, he noted that early freed Africans established thriving, self-managed communities encompassing local agriculture, religious life, education, and social infrastructure. However, this initial success threatened the labour supply and land interests of plantation owners, leading the Crown to systematically undermine village autonomy through S t a t e - i m p o s e d infrastructure, centralised control over drainage and clearing, and severed taxation that starved local councils of their revenue. Solomon argued that history is repeating itself under the current administration's central government strategy. "The village movement is where I really want to take a look at where government is taking away freedoms," Solomon stated. "What the government is doing is what we saw after that sort of success... Central government is taking away the capacity of local government to generate
APNU MP, Sharma Solomon revenue, acquire assets, develop housing schemes, and create economic opportunities," he told Kaieteur News. The MP emphasised that the administration's topdown approach violates explicit constitutional mandates designed to guarantee local autonomy and participatory democracy. Specifically, he highlighted Articles 71, 72, and 75 of the Constitution of Guyana. Article 71, declares local government a vital aspect of democracy intended to involve as many citizens as possible in managing and developing their own communities. While Article 72 outlines the core functions of local d e m o c r a t i c o rg a n s i n engaging directly with community stakeholders, senior citizens, and local leadership to identify needs. Article 75, mandates that local democratic organs (NDCs, Regional Democratic Councils, and Municipalities) must remain autonomous and possess the legal power to make binding decisions for their jurisdictions. "Instead of doing that, they are designing these programmes in Georgetown and then coming to the communities with big, fine pictures and presentations," Solomon explained. He added that the central government's failure to maintain a functioning Local Government Commission leaving it vacant or inactive for years, further demonstrates a blatant disregard for local authorities and constitutional obligations. To illustrate how central control deliberately incapacitates local councils, Solomon pointed to the specific fiscal constraints
imposed on the Linden m u n i c i p a l i t y. T h e municipality was stripped of $77 million in revenue generated from the Linden toll bridge, a loss that severely crippled its ability to provide basic services such as waste management a n d c o m m u n i t y maintenance. Furthermore, the council has been prevented from conducting property re-evaluations, forcing them to collect property rates based on outdated 1972 valuations (often as low as $2,000 per year). Additionally, thousands of housing schemes developed by the government have not been formally turned over to the municipality, preventing the council from generating rates and taxes from these properties while leaving residents demanding services the starved council cannot afford to provide. "They emasculate the councils, make them look dysfunctional and incapable of doing work, so that citizens see no alternative and are forced to rely strictly on central government's oilwealth resources," Solomon said, calling it a classic "dependency piper syndrome." Solomon rejected the notion that local regions lack the vision or technical capacity to manage their own economic growth. He recalled how former Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh argued during 2012 budget discussions that Linden should not receive an agricultural budget based on the economic theory of "comparative advantage", claiming Linden was not an agricultural region and should simply purchase food from other regions. Leaders from Linden rejected this argument, continuously advocating for their own agricultural vision. Five years ago, the region successfully secured a dedicated agricultural budget, demonstrating that local communities know their own potential far better than central planners. Solomon also criticised the government's approach to local infrastructure projects, referencing the rehabilitation of the Mackenzie Sports Club. Rather than supporting the community's primary sporting interests, such as football, the central (Continued on page 9)
Kaieteur News
Thursday August 13, 2026
PAGE 09
POLITICAL NOISE
Recent discussions in Guyana regarding the leaking of internal correspondence among Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) judges have, predictably, turned the c o u r t ’s r u l i n g i n t h e Mohamed extradition case into a political talking point. However, a clear reading of the 257-page judgment reveals there was no disagreement among the judges on the central question of whether bias invalidated the Authority to Proceed (ATP). The judgment addresses a seminal issue in Guyanese extradition law. It examines whether bias can vitiate a Minister’s decision to issue an Authority to Proceed (ATP) under the Fugitive Offenders Act. The substantive legal question before the Caribbean Court of Justice was whether the Minister of Home Affairs’ decision to issue the ATP was tainted by bias to the point of nullity. On this central issue, the Court was unanimous. All the judges agreed that the appeal, filed by the Mohameds, must be dismissed. It found that no bias had been established that would render the ATP invalid.
All seven judges were in complete agreement that the extradition proceedings could lawfully continue and that the ATP was not legally defective on the grounds of bias. Anderson P and Barrow J held that the rule against bias does apply to the ministerial grant of the ATP, but must be interpreted contextually. They emphasised that political bias alone does not disqualify a Minister, as Parliament deliberately vested this power in a political officeholder. They also found that the ATP process does not import the full panoply of procedural rights available in judicial proceedings. Rajnauth-Lee, Jamadar and Bulkan JJ agreed that the rule against bias applies, but applied a heightened standard of scrutiny given the constitutional rights implicated. They rejected the “open mind” test from Franklin and instead applied the fair-minded and informed observer test from Porter v Magill. Significantly, they found that the Attorney General was apparently biased, though this did not contaminate the Minister’s decision. Ononaiwu and Eboe-
Osuji JJ, conceding that the rule against bias applies, emphasised that the Minister had little real discretion to decline issuing the ATP given Guyana’s international obligations. The complaint of bias was thus “largely academic.” The Court was unanimous that the substantive appeal must be dismissed. The interim stay on extradition proceedings, granted earlier by the CCJ, was lifted, and each party was ordered to bear their own costs before the Court. All judges agreed to reserve the question of costs in the lower courts, recognising the public interest nature of the proceedings and the important legal clarifications provided. The real disagreement among the judges was not about the merits of the case, but about when and how challenges to the ATP should be raised. This is a technical point of procedure. In this regard, the judges o ff e r e d t h r e e d i s t i n c t perspectives on procedural timing. Justice Anderson and Justice Barrow argued that challenges to the ATP should generally be deferred until after the committal proceedings are complete.
Dem Boys Seh...
When plane ticket for local flights get wings Dem boys watching this airfare for local flights and wondering what really is going on. The President expressing disappointment that local airlines ain’t dropping the price of domestic tickets as much as he expected. One operator did apparently reduced its fares, but dem boys nah sure about de others. But here is the funny thing: if government believes Guyanese paying too much to fly from Georgetown to the interior, government does not have to stand on the podium and beg airline operators to reduce the fare. Government has a much bigger stick—and it is called duty-free concessions. Every year the aviation operators getting concessions on aircraft, parts, equipment and other things because aviation is considered important to national development. Fine. But if the public is subsidizing the industry, then the public should see some benefit. Government could simply say: “You want duty-free concessions? Wonderful. But the taxpayers want something in return.” And what they want is cheaper domestic air travel. If an operator gets substantial concessions but still charges fares that make a trip to the interior look like a business-class flight to London, then government should ask whether the concession is still justified. Cap the concessions. Reduce them. Or, if
necessary, abolish them. The other option is even more interesting. Remove the concessions altogether and let the market determine the true price of flying. Then government can put the subsidy where it belongs—with the passenger. Give Guyanese a voucher for domestic air travel. That way, instead of government subsidizing the airline and hoping the benefit trickles down to passengers like rainwater through a zinc roof, the subsidy goes directly to the person buying the ticket. Because right now, government may be giving the airline a discount while the passenger getting the full-price bill. And dem boys know about trickle-down economics. In Guyana, sometimes the only thing that trickles down is added costs. If government believes domestic aviation is essential for connecting the coast with the hinterland, then treat it as a public policy objective—not a polite request to private operators. The President should not have to plead with airlines to reduce fares. He should simply tell them: “If you want taxpayers to subsidize your wings, then let taxpayers benefit from the flight.” Otherwise, dem boys recommend that government buy a bicycle for every interior passenger. At least the fare would be free. Talk half. Leff half.
This reflects a desire to avoid piecemeal litigation and to respect the international framework for extradition. Justices Rajnauth-Lee, Jamadar, and Bulkan held that there is “no legal basis that prevents” judicial review at the earliest stage, arguing that raising bias early is a matter of “pragmatic good sense” to prevent a miscarriage of justice. Justices Ononaiwu and Eboe-Osuji agreed that separate litigation tracks should be avoided but suggested that bias issues could be raised as preliminary objections during the committal proceedings. Any framing of these
procedural discussions as a “judicial split” is a distortion of the legal reality. In every judicial body, judges may have different views on procedural policy—such as the most efficient way to manage litigation. However, on the substantive question of whether bias existed, there was no disagreement. And the charge of bias was the substantive basis of the appeal by the Mohameds. It is in this context that the attempts to use the recent leak of internal correspondence, within the CCJ to question the credibility of the court are misplaced. The judges were unanimous in upholding the ATP, but they were merely debating the procedural
highway through which such challenges should travel. These are the normal, healthy disagreements of a functioning judiciary engaged in refining the law. Ultimately, no bias was established The Authority to Proceed (ATP) remains valid, and the extradition proceedings may continue. The rest is political noise. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Govt. crippling local government... From page 8 government took total control of the facility and converted it primarily into a cricket centre, despite Linden historically falling under Demerara without its own independent cricket board. “Support shouldn’t be confused with control,” Solomon stressed. “When government steps in to control facilities rather than support local design, it leaves a bad impression on the community.” When asked whether the administration’s actions amount to legal violations, Solomon affirmed that a strong legal and principled case exists against central government’s overreach. However, he acknowledged the public relations trap set by the State: questioning central government overreach is often twisted into a narrative that local
leaders are “fighting against development.” Beyond constitutional violations, Solomon warned of darker long-term socioeconomic consequences resulting from central State control, including social engineering, gerrymandering, and gentrification. P ointing to developments like the Seawall area, Solomon observed that instead of empowering local small-business owners and upgrading their capacity to compete, State-directed redevelopments risk pricedout displacement or complete economic marginalisation. “There are bigger plays in some of these things that stick with just the undermining of local democracy,” Solomon concluded. “It is an effort to undermine the very spirit and self-determination of the people.”
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10 UTHS
D TR
HAR
HK
BY G
LALL
Thursday August 13, 2026
H@RD TRUTHS
BY GHK LALL
Profit share, bring out Bharrat Jagdeo It is said that silence is golden. Local Content Head, Mr. Michael Munroe, did nothing to change that situation. With every respect to Mr. Munroe, he is the wrong man dealing with the right issue in the wrong manner. I thank him for his courtesy in cracking the ice about 50 percent profit share for Guyana. Have a nice day, Mr. Munroe. Only the main man will do. Is Dr. Jagdeo in the house? Calling, Dr. Jagdeo. Calling Dr. Jagdeo. Considering where the PPP Govt. has taken silence relative to the new profit sharing, I would say that silence isn't golden. Silence is barren. Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, a man of triathlon political stamina, can't be out of breath now. Ever heard Dr. Jagdeo, the marathon talker on the go? Apparently, there's a bump in his road; slowed him down. When Guyanese need to hear from their chief oil and gas policymaker, they are
left sucking sand, spitting bricks. No offence to Mr. Munroe. Forget about silence is golden. For reasons unknown, silence hasn't been broken. Just given a polish. Look I'm one of those dumb country boys who don't know jack from jill. But I know silence when I'm near it. Did some musclebound heavyweight from Exxon put Dr. Jagdeo in a headlock, cutoff his oxygen? So completely that not even a gurgle escapes past his larynx? This is 'ruff' stuff. But what could be sweeter than Guyanese now all lined up and 50:50 profit sharing a reality! Not to come, but already part of the net revenue calculus. Not with hands outstretched, but with the biggest bucket that could be found to collect the billions earned and due to this country from its oil. Guyana's oil mandarin can't go on leave now. Bharrat Jagdeo is the only one.
Speak, brother Jagdeo, speak. Silence has its uses. Can be a sign of refinement. Depending on the occasion. Silence in what should be a time of celebration amounts to what is a sacrilege. Pardon me, but what else? D r. J a g d e o h a s b e e n Guyana's strongman for ages. He has slammed people around, turned them upside down. He cannot go from strongman to missing man. Or tin man. His is not the option to go from missing leader to tongue-tied speaker. Surely, that qualifies as a contradiction in terms: a tongue-tied speaker. I think that silence is slackness. I simplify. Imagine the oil consortium operating offshore discovers five billion barrels of new oil. But says absolutely nothing. No information. No communication. Not a conversation. What's up with that picture? It's where Guyanese are in terms of their Exxon mortgage paid off. When there should be
singing in the streets, with Dr. Jagdeo in the lead, there is silence. When there should be shouting from the rooftops, and Jagdeo at his loudest, there is silence. Grim, awful, deathly silence, as though Guyana is in the middle of a nuclear winter. Frankly, I am disappointed at the vice president. He could have stood from the balcony of his offices, or the roof gardens of Freedom House, and give Guyanese the V (for victory) sign. He must be under a tremendous amount of pressure that even sticking two fingers in the air is a torture. Guyana's Number One Oilman never struck me as
one of those strong, silent types. More of an excitable, raucous, presence when the spirit took over him, for sure. Now the spirits have deserted him, and he's a shadow of something. Don't ask me what, as I am still working my way through that molasses swamp. Unfathomable it may be to some. But the gods of silence have taken over this country. I don't think it's for the better. Mark my words, folks. W h a t e v e r t h e concoction, whatever the contraption, there will have to be a conversation. Meanwhile, it's blissful
silence sans Mr. Munroe. Could be a pot full of liquid is heading Guyanese way. The first sprinklings came when Guyana's President of Oil, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo went into silent mode. Nothing is right about Guyana. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
One year after $62M reconstruction... From page 02 $58,947,200 - Randolph Taylor Construction – $54,756,900 - Andrect Engineering & Construction Inc – $60,147,200 - S.A General Services – $77,930,000 - D. Chowkai & Sons Construction – $84,842,000 - DDA Enterprise – $72,527,135 Kaieteur News understands that this is the second tender issued by the ministry for works at the station since its reconstruction and commissioning. The previous invitation for bids was for the construction of a fence, for which the government had estimated a
cost of $74 million — a sum that exceeded the $62 million spent to reconstruct the police station itself. It was reported that in July 2025, former Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn commissioned the reconstructed Charity Police Station. The building, which cost $62.7 million, now features upgraded male, female, and juvenile lockups; a witness and ID parade room; marine and immigration offices; and CID and traffic departments, along with accommodation for officers.The station also includes a child-friendly area and a unit dedicated to responding to domestic violence, making it one of the most modern and responsive stations in the region.
Thursday August 13, 2026
Police constable on close arrest after brandishing toy gun
The gun found on the police constable A 29-year-old police constable attached to La Parfaite Harmonie is under close arrest following an incident along the West Bank Demerara (WBD) public road that saw him allegedly threaten a group of onlookers with what turned out to be a toy firearm. The incident occurred on Monday night at around 20:30hrs at Policeman Corner, Westminster, WBD, and involved the offduty rank and a 25-year-old Quality Health Safety and Environment (QHSE) Officer of Phase One, Westminster. According to police, the QHSE officer was standing along the roadway with several other people when a motorcar approached and allegedly came dangerously close to colliding with his parked motorcycle. The near-miss sparked a heated exchange between the two men. During the confrontation, the constable reportedly stepped out of his vehicle, lifted his jersey, and gripped what appeared to be a firearm tucked into his waistband. Word of the incident quickly reached police ranks, who moved to intercept the vehicle. When officers stopped the car, they identified the driver as a fellow police constable. A subsequent search turned up not a real weapon, but what investigators described as a toy gun. The constable was taken into custody and escorted to the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, where he remains under close arrest as investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the confrontation. Investigations are ongoing.
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Trial begins for Corentyne man accused of burning wife to death A 12-member jury was empanelled on Wednesday at the Berbice High Court in New Amsterdam for the trial of a Corentyne man facing a murder charge stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred four years ago. Justice Gino Persaud is presiding over the matter involving 54-year-old Seelall Dipnarine, who is accused of killing his wife, 42-year-old Tavita Lall, also called 'Tasha', of No. 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The incident dates back to January 13, 2022. According to reports, Lall was cooking at home when Dipnarine poured kerosene on her and then quickly set her alight. Lall, a mother of four, was initially taken to the Skeldon Hospital for treatment but was later referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital owing to the severity of her burns. When her condition proved beyond the capacity of that hospital, she was admitted to the Burns Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she underwent surgery. She suffered severe injuries to her face and body and was given a 50/50 chance of survival by doctors. Lall had reportedly endured years of abuse at the hands of her husband and was seeking to end their relationship. Dipnarine is believed to have acted in rage over the woman's decision to leave him.
Accused of murder: Seelall Dipnarine Dead: Tavita 'Tasha' Lall According to reports, after setting her on fire, Dipnarine sat on the veranda while frantic neighbours, drawn by her screams of anguish, arrived and attempted to enter the home to rescue her. He was arrested and remanded to prison on a charge of attempted murder. One month later, however, Lall succumbed to her injuries, and the charge against him was upgraded to murder. At court on Wednesday, when given the opportunity to plead, Dipnarine pleaded not guilty, officially setting the trial in motion. He is being represented by attorney Vinay Punwa. State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards,
who presented the indictment against the accused, informed the court that the prosecution will rely on at least 16 witnesses. These include individuals from the community where the deceased lived, several police officers, and two medical doctors, one of whom is a government pathologist. Dipnarine is set to make his next court appearance on August 18, 2026, at the Berbice High Court.
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Thursday August 13, 2026
Kaieteur News
New Australian firm secures 44,000 acres gold land in Region 7 …land five times size of Georgetown and six times size of Leguan
New Oko Discovery: 60m @ 5.9g/t Au 100m @ 2.2g/t Au
Oko NW Discovery: 15m @ 6.3g/t Au 47m @ 1.1g/t Au
m
Greater Oko: +9Moz
G3 GOLDFIELDS
km
Peters Mine
30
and Oko-Ghanie gold projects into a 7million gold project. Liberty further disclosed that the Oko North directly abuts ground formerly held by G2 Goldfields and is located near the New Oko discovery, while Oko South is approximately 30 kilometres south of the Oko deposits. It also stated that Oko South ground covers the southern structural continuation of the mineralised trend that hosts the Oko gold system. Liberty said its newly acquired mining lands remain largely unexplored using modern exploration techniques. The company said there has been limited historical systematic exploration across the permits, although small-scale alluvial gold mining has been conducted by the vendor and local operators. Liberty considers the presence of alluvial gold mining to be an indication of a potentially fertile gold system, but no hard-rock resource or reserve has yet been established on the Oko North and Oko South properties. Moreover, under the agreement with the private Guyanese vendor, Liberty will have four years to exercise its option to acquire the 90% interest. The total consideration is at approximately US$8 million, excluding a (Continued on page 16)
15k
As more than 10 Canadian firms advance gold projects across mining districts in Guyana, a second Australian company has secured a major foothold in the Oko gold district, where more than nine-million-ounces of gold have been established. Australian-listed Liberty Metals Ltd has entered into a binding four-year option agreement with a private Guyanese vendor (name not disclosed) to acquire 90% interest in the Oko North and Oko South Gold Projects, a package of 40 granted mediumscale mining permits covering approximately 44,288 acres, or 180 square kilometres, in the Cuyuni Mining District of Region Seven. Liberty's land package is spread across two consolidated blocks located about 60 kilometres apart and sits within the Oko gold district – which the company describes as one of the world's premier emerging gold camps. Notably, the 180-square-kilometre area is roughly five times the size of Georgetown and is approximately six times the size of Leguan. Liberty outlined that its newly acquired gold lands are strategically positioned to the north and south of the Oko deposits and comes shortly after G Mining Ventures (GMIN) completed its approximately US$2.2 billion acquisition of fellow Canadian firm G2 Goldfields, consolidating the Oko West
Oko North Project
The blue lines show the Oko North and Oko South blocks, which cover an area of 180 km² about five times the size of Georgetown
Shear Zone Gold Workings Oko South Project
Greenstone Granite Significant Prospects
Regional geological setting of the Oko North and Oko South Projects within the Barama-Mazaruni greenstone belt of the Guiana Shield, showing the two consolidated blocks relative to the ground held by Canadian firm GMIN.
Thursday August 13, 2026
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Colombia declares three days of mourning after deadly earthquake
Thursday August 13, 2026
Rescue workers search for survivors in collapsed buildings in Cali on August 12, 2026, two days after an earthquake struck western Colombia [Raquel Cunha/Reuters]
Hundreds are dead as rescuers race to find survivors of the magnitude 7.4 quake Aljazeera - Colombia has declared three days of national mourning after a powerful earthquake killed more than 200 people as rescue crews race against time to find people trapped beneath the rubble. The government said on Wednesday that flags would be lowered to half-staff at official buildings and Colombian embassies around the world “in honour of all the dead”. Monday's magnitude 7.4 earthquake was the strongest to hit the country in a century. It flattened buildings and damaged roads across western Colombia. More than 100 aftershocks had been recorded by Tuesday afternoon. The disaster is also an early test for President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just three days before the earthquake. The first-time president came to power after a divisive election and is now facing the first major crisis of his
presidency. Government figures put the number of injured at 2,595 and the number officially missing at 195 although civilian-run databases suggested the number of people unaccounted for could be closer to 4,000. The search for survivors has become increasingly urgent as the disaster enters its third day. Aid agencies said the first 48 to 72 hours are generally the most critical for finding people alive beneath collapsed buildings although people can survive longer if they have access to water and food. Crews worked through the night in some of the hardest-hit cities, including Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdo. In Pereira and Cali, rescuers used cranes, search dogs and heavy machinery while volunteers formed human chains to clear debris by hand. In Cali, entire neighbourhoods appeared flattened with piles of
rubble where blocks of homes and apartment buildings once stood and cars crushed beneath concrete and fallen walls. Residents have joined firefighters in searches for survivors, digging with picks, shovels and their bare hands and stopping periodically to listen for signs of life. But the full scale of the destruction is still unclear, particularly in rural areas where little information has been coming out. That includes Choco near the
earthquake's epicentre and one of the poorest regions in the country. Many communities there can only be reached by boat, through the jungle or by air. The region has also long been affected by violence between armed groups, making it even harder to reach remote areas. The earthquake has put parts of Colombia's health system under enormous strain. Part of the Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali collapsed, forcing doctors to move patients into a parking lot and treat some people outside. Colombians have mobilised to help. Thousands have brought food, water and other supplies to affected neighbourhoods while long lines have formed outside blood donation centres. De la Espriella has declared a state of emergency and promised
rent subsidies for families who lost their homes. International help has also started to arrive. The United States has announced $15.5m in emergency aid, and the State Department announced on Wednesday that following a request from de la Espriella's government, it was deploying urban search-andrescue technical teams from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, to help with the search effort. The European Union has also pledged $2.3m, while Mexico has offered hundreds of search and health workers, and El Salvador said it would send two planes carrying 100 tonnes of aid. But for rescue crews, the immediate focus remains searching the rubble.
Man charged in Water Street fatal stabbings on $1.5 million bail The man accused of fatally stabbing two men during an altercation on Water Street, Georgetown, on Wednesday was charged with two counts of manslaughter and granted bail in the sum of $1.5 million. In a release, police said, “The incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on August 7, 2026, in the Water Street area and resulted in the deaths of 23-year-old Werford Vincent Trim and 36-year-old Tyrone Captain.” Angelo Answick appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, where he was represented by Attorney-at-Law Kiswana Jefford of the law firm Hughes, Fields and Stoby. In her bail application, Jefford told the court that Answick was attacked by the two men and had acted in self-defence. “A police officer confirmed that CCTV footage disclosed that the two men had trailed [Answick] to the place where the incident occurred and that one of them had lashed [Answick] with a bottle before the altercation between
Charged: Angelo Answick [Answick] and the two dead men,” the release added. Reportedly, a third person, in addition to the two deceased, was involved in the altercation with Answick but fled the scene. Bail was granted in the sum of $750,000 on each count of the manslaughter charge.
Kaieteur News
Thursday August 13, 2026
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Smart grid rollout will not yield immediate reduction in power losses - GPL Development Plan The Development and Expansion Plan 2026-2030 for the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) has revealed that the smart grid the company is pursuing will not immediately reduce power losses, as many may believe. The document explains that the transition towards a smart grid comprises a qualitative shift in how losses are detected, managed, and interpreted across the electricity system. “Unlike conventional network reinforcements, which primarily influence losses through physical efficiency gains, smart grid investments alter loss behaviour by increasing s y s t e m o b s e r v a b i l i t y, tightening operational control, and strengthening the linkage between energy flows and commercial outcomes. As such, their impact on losses is neither immediate nor linear, but accumulates as capabilities are deployed, integrated, and operationalized,” the plan stated. The document further states that the programme envisages a phased transition surrounding advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) upgrades,
distribution management systems, and supporting communications and data platforms. Together, these systems will allow near-real-time visibility of energy flows from the point of generation all the way through to enduse, thus replacing reliance on periodic manual readings and aggregate reconciliation with granular, time-stamped
data. This shift fundamentally changes the nature of non-technical losses by reducing informational asymmetries between consumption, billing, and revenue collection. “In the early stages of deployment, smart grid investments may have limited observable impact on aggregate loss levels. During
Two consultants bid to provide design and supervision services for new water treatment plant at Diamond Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) has received two bids for the design review and supervision of the construction of a Water Treatment Plant to be located at Great Diamond (Block 3), East Bank Demerara. Kaieteur News understands that the project will be financed through a loan the government acquired from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Climate Resilient Water Infrastructure Improvement Project. According to information provided by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the bidders are HYDROPLAN Ingenieur-Gesellschaft mbH (Germany) and C.B & Associates Inc. (Guyana). GWI, in its tender document, stated that the consulting services include the design review and supervision of the construction of a water treatment plant, as well as the installation of transmission mains. It was reported in March 2025 that GWI stated the initiative was being carried out under the Guyana Climate Resilient Water Supply Improvement Programme, in collaboration with the IDB and JICA. Once completed, the water treatment plant will significantly enhance water access for thousands of residents along the East Bank corridor, ensuring a more resilient,
sustainable, and efficient water supply system. The project will also reduce groundwater abstraction and improve climate adaptability through modern infrastructure and non-revenue water (NRW) reduction initiatives. As part of the broader Guyana Climate Resilient Water Supply Improvement Programme, the project will be supported by key infrastructure investments, including investment in water treatment and transmission, which seeks to construct a modern water treatment facility, raw water intake infrastructure, and 30 kilometres of new transmission mains. GWI said it remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable water services while adapting to the challenges posed by climate change. GWI's Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, reaffirmed the company's dedication to delivering improved service quality to residents across the country, stating: “This partnership with IDB and JICA represents a major step forward in ensuring a sustainable and climate-resilient water supply for our growing communities, which we are witnessing through developmental transformation and expansion. The new Diamond Surface Water Treatment Plant is a key component in our vision for a modern and efficient water system.”
this phase, benefits are primarily diagnostic rather than corrective: anomalous consumption patterns become visible, technical constraints are more clearly distinguished from commercial discrepancies, and historical loss estimates are reinterpreted in light of
improved data quality. This can create the appearance of persistent or even elevated losses, not because performance has deteriorated, but because previously latent losses are more accurately revealed,” the document added. It should be noted that
understanding loss behaviour during this time requires care, as improvements in measurement precede improvements in outcomes. In addition, as AMI coverage expands and is integrated into billing, customer (Continued on page 16)
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Thursday August 13, 2026
Kaieteur News
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From page 12 separate milestone payment. It was explained that the milestone payment would become payable on completion of a bankable feasibility study for the project. Further, under the agreement, the Guyanese vendor will retain the right to conduct surface alluvial mining operations within the project area for six years from the signing of the agreement. Liberty said that those operations must be conducted at the vendor’s own risk, cost and regulatory responsibility and are restricted to alluvial surface material. It was also made clear that the vendor will not be permitted to conduct hardrock mining or processing under those retained rights.
Further, the operations also cannot interfere with Liberty’s exploration activities and must maintain a 50-metre separation from Liberty’s drilling operations and areas covered by a resource estimate. ‘Rare’ opportunity Liberty Metals Director and Non-Executive Chair Nicholas Katris described the acquisition as a district-scale opportunity in what he considers one of the world’s most exciting gold camps. “The acquisition of the Oko North and Oko South Projects delivers Liberty a district-scale footprint in what has quickly become one of the most exciting gold camps in the world,” Katris said. He noted that the Oko district has grown from a greenfield exploration area to
a district with more than nine million ounces of gold, a completed feasibility study and a US$2.2 billion consolidation in less than five years. “That is a level of value creation very few districts anywhere have matched,” he said. Katris also pointed to the structure of Guyana’s mining tenure system, where permits are granted in relatively small blocks, as a factor that makes the consolidation of 40 permits significant. “What makes this opportunity so rare is the ground itself. Guyanese permits are granted in small blocks held by private citizens, so assembling 40 permits across roughly 180 square kilometres in two consolidated blocks, positioned to the north and south of the Oko deposits, is
something that simply cannot be readily replicated,” he said. He noted that Liberty intends to initially focus on compiling historical data, geological mapping and geochemical work before advancing to drilling. Katris said, “Our approach will be disciplined and methodical. The immediate focus is compiling the historical data, mapping the structural architecture and running our maiden geochemical programmes to generate drill targets.” Notably, Liberty also said that it could terminate the agreement on 30 days’ notice if it determines that further payments are no longer economically justified. In such circumstances, the permits would revert to the vendor.
Smart grid rollout will not yield immediate... From page 15 information, and other enforcement processes, smart grid capabilities begin to exert downward pressure on nontechnical losses. Automated meter reading reduces billing delays and estimation errors, remote disconnection and reconnection strengthen payment discipline, and tamper detection functionality increases the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement efforts. “Importantly, these gains are conditional on institutional readiness: without aligned procedures, trained personnel, and sustained followthrough, the technical capabilities alone do not translate into durable loss reduction. Smart grid systems also influence technical losses indirectly through improved operational control. Enhanced feeder monitoring, voltage regulation, and load balancing enable more efficient utilisation of network assets and reduce losses associated with
overloads, voltage excursions, and suboptimal dispatch. Over time, the accumulation of high-resolution operational data supports more informed network planning, allowing capital investments to be better targeted toward loss-intensive feeders and substations,” the programme document said. These effects will gradually materialise and will depend on the maturity of analytical and decisionsupport functions within the utility. In the current planning horizon, the smart grid transition’s role is therefore best understood as a foundation rather than a transformation in loss terms. “The projections presented in this section do not assume immediate stepchanges in loss performance attributable solely to smart grid deployment. Instead, they reflect a phased evolution in which improved visibility, control, and coordination progressively constrain both technical and nontechnical losses, while establishing the operational
conditions required for more decisive and sustained improvements beyond the 2030 horizon,” the document said. On August 11, Kaieteur News reported that GPL will, over the next five years, spend approximately US$4.8 billion to expand and upgrade its transmission and distribution network, also known as the national grid. According to its Development and Expansion Programme 2026–2030, the company has outlined a strategic blueprint to transform the electricity sector within the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) and Linden, while meeting surging electricity demand and advancing reliability, affordability, and sustainability. “Over the next five years, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), together with government’s assistance, plans to undertake an ambitious capital programme, amounting to US$4.869 billion to further expand power generation capacity, modernise and reinforce the transmission & distribution (T&D) system, implement smart grid technologies, reduce total system losses, and strengthen institutional capabilities. This executive summary highlights the Programme’s key technical and financial plans, aligned with the national goals under the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy),” the document stated. The plan is organised around the major sections of the programme, which include its technical mandates and planning criteria, demand forecasts, and generation expansion. It also includes the smart grid transition, transmission and distribution expansion, system losses, sales and revenue, capital investments and financing, corporate enabling initiatives, cost-benefit analysis, environmental and social frameworks, risk management, and divisional implementation plans. The five-year programme is grounded in the national energy policy and GPL’s mandate to deliver reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity. “The Engineering Services Division leads capacity expansion and network development using an Integrated Resource and Resilience Planning (IRRP) framework to meet projected demand while strengthening system resilience,” the document added.
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After spending $253M for Iran remains defiant as it vows Micobie Secondary School, govt. to fight U.S. until demands met to spend $135M more to build labs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) advisers say Iran has replaced After spending $253 million for the construction of the Micobie Secondary School back in July 2024, the government through the Ministry of Education plans to spend approximately $135 million more on the school project, this time, to construct laboratories. The construction of labs will be done at Block C of the school, the ministry noted in its initial tender notice. It was revealed that 40 contractors applied for the project, which opened recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). It is estimated to cost $135,578,181. Media reports state that the project faced several delays and is yet to be commissioned. Back in July 2024, former Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and her team joined residents of Micobie to turn the sod to commence construction of the $253,561,500 school. The original contract was awarded to NK Engineering Services through a competitive bidding process. The ministry had announced
that the project was scheduled for completion within six months. At the time it was disclosed by the ministry that a l r e a d y, a n i n i t i a l mobilisation amount of $76,068,450 was provided on the project. According to the ministry's information, the $253 million contract catered for a staffroom for teachers and 10 classrooms, including five specialised labs for science, IT, home economics, visual arts, and library services. At the sod-turning c e r e m o n y, M i n i s t e r Manickchand noted the importance of the school and told residents that they are to hold the contractors accountable to deliver on their promise. Meanwhile, in May 2025 while speaking at the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, Minister Manickchand announced that her ministry will be terminating the $253 million contract for the construction of the Micobie Secondary School in Region Eight. The minister told village leaders that while her ministry has been rolling out
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projects and programmes to provide an improved quality of education, it is experiencing some challenges. Detailing one such challenge, she said, “we are about to terminate the contract for Micobie Secondary because the person who won that bid…we have problems with them finishing on time, we have problems with them doing it the way we want it done.” She added that in some hinterland areas, the weather hinders the transport of materials to the project site. “Micobie has no legitimate reason in my respectful view and my considered view as to why he couldn't start it so we have those challenges,” she said. New Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Eight, Marti De Souza during a visit back in May this year, assured parents that everything would be done to ensure students could occupy the facility by the new school term (September). Ta b l e s h o w i n g t h e contractors and their bids.
Amount Tendered $118,269,900 $134,330,300 $175,119,900 $116,335,500 $111,939,090 $134,492,800 $123,113,000 134,272,000 $ $117,852,400 $124,583,600 $112,129,900 $112,265,500 $134,256,840 $124,893,000 $227,504,000 $320,428,346 $132,699,000 $115,983,600 $115,583,600 $118,402,400 $119,339,500 $123,895,400 $127,802,105 $119,002,400 $130,655,500 $132,120,000
more missiles and drones than it used, and cite falling U.S. munition stocks. Tehran, Iran – Shortly after meeting China’s ambassador, Iran’s new security chief left no room for doubt about Tehran’s position after nearly six months of war with the United States. “Iran’s message is clear: The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the US ends the war and blockade, releases Iran’s frozen assets, and agrees to a region-wide ceasefire, including in Lebanon and Gaza,” Mohsen Rezaei said in a social media post late on Tuesday. “Until all conditions are met, the Strait will remain closed,” added the former wartime commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His defiant message was in line with conditions emphasised by his predecessor, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, and by newly appointed commanders as Iranian authorities maintain that they are willing and capable of continuing to stand up to their opponents in the US-Israel war on Iran. In his first meeting as secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Rezaei sat down with a delegation led by China’s envoy to Tehran, Cong Peiwu, on Tuesday. State media said he pushed for closer ties with China, praised its unwillingness to go along with US-backed resolutions targeting Iran at the United Nations, and said any potential deal with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz is separate from Washington. But an arrangement with Oman, which Tehran said last week had been finalised and was awaiting confirmation at the top, still does not appear imminent, with military action continuing in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. A merchant ship appeared to have been hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman on Sunday night, when Rezaei’s appointment was announced. The Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen launched their deadliest recent maritime attack on Tuesday, hitting an Egyptian-owned ship in the Red Sea in an attack that killed six people, according to the Houthis’ rival, Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The US military reported an overnight attack on Tuesday, saying a US Navy helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles at a Panama-flagged vessel in order to enforce its naval blockade of Iran’s southern ports. This marked the 12th vessel attacked by US forces since April, and the third since the blockade resumed almost a month ago after the collapse of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed by Iran and the US in June. With the 60-day period of the repeatedly violated MoU approaching next week, mediators such as Pakistan and Qatar have said they are continuing efforts to bring the two sides closer to a diplomatic solution. Yet the rhetoric from Tehran has only hardened over the past week, with the IRGC indicating that it aims to take threats from the administration of US President Donald Trump, including to further strike Iran’s power plants and civilian infrastructure, more seriously. “If Iran is threatened again, hundreds of thousands of miles of energy lines, thousands of power plants, all the American and nonAmerican systems, and even global infrastructure connected to the internet will be exposed to threat,” IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said on Wednesday. “The US had about 30 to 40 war vessels in
the region before the war, but today not even a single US warship is present in the Persian Gulf,” he said, adding that the declining level of key air defence missiles and precision munitions in the Pentagon’s arsenal was a “big threat” facing US decision-makers. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, an adviser to the IRGC’s chief commander, claimed on state television on Tuesday night that the force has continued to produce more ballistic missiles and drones during the war than it has been firing across the region, relying predominantly on native know-how and capabilities. “Even if the war takes several years, our ballistic missiles would still descend on our enemies,” he said. MILITARY INTEGRATION In appointing six new figures to leading military posts this week, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei consolidated a small circle of trusted officials, including longtime ally Hossein Taeb as the new head of the paramilitary Basij force of the IRGC. Khamenei also selected Ali Abdollahi, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya joint wartime command, to lead the General Staff of Armed Forces. Abdollahi is tasked with integrating the Khatam headquarters, which was formed during the eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s to coordinate operations between the then-nascent IRGC and Iran’s regular army, with the general staff overseeing all armed personnel. In his post-appointment message, Abdollahi emphasised upgrading capabilities across missiles, drones, naval, ground, cyber and asymmetric warfare, in addition to closer inter-service coordination and naval readiness to take action around the Strait of Hormuz. IRGC commander-in-chief Ahmad Vahidi said he would cooperate with the other military leaders in order to resist the “ZionistAmerican arrogance”. Battling an exacerbating economic crunch, President Masoud Pezeshkian suggested on Wednesday that the opponents of the Islamic Republic may be looking to defeat it by banking on another round of nationwide protests on the back of public discontent. “The current war is more complex than before, and the enemy is pursuing collapse from inside the country,” he said during a speech. Ali Akbar Javidan, head of the police border guard in the western province of Kurdistan in Iran, said on Wednesday that US claims that Iraq-based separatist Kurdish fighters could potentially launch a ground assault on Iranian soil were “delusional”. “The country’s borders are fully safe and impenetrable through the vigilance of border personnel and the backing of people living in border areas, including the brave people of Kurdistan, Sistan and Baluchistan, and Khuzestan,” he was quoted as saying by state media. In the meantime, most of Iran’s population of about 90 million people continues to weather the worsening impact of war and uncertainty, as well as a tightening security grip at home. “I have given up on predicting what’s going to happen,” Jamshid, a 36-year-old resident of central Tehran, told Al Jazeera. “I don’t expect anything to get better this year, or maybe even next year,” he said. “I just hope this situation doesn’t last a lot longer than that, because most of our youth is already gone dealing with these things.”
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Malawi FA chief backs Iger, Kushner purchasing Lakers Infantino, credits FIFA investment for $12 billion, ESPN reports for World Cup breakthrough LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK, (Reuters) - Venture capitalist Joshua Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger are set to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers, with the deal valued at a record $12.5 billion, according to familiar with the matter on Wednesday. Billionaire Mark Walter purchased a majority stake in the NBA team last year in a deal that valued the club at $10 billion, with the deal only having been approved by the board of governors in October. Walter’s financial empire faces a federal probe, according to reports last month, examining links between investments held by his insurers ‘and affiliates. Walter is also the owner of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. “As lifelong NBA fans, we are deeply honored for the opportunity to become stewards of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic sports franchises in the world,” Iger and Kushner said in a statement. “We have immense respect for the leadership and vision of Jerry and Jeanie Buss. Our long-term commitment is to build on that foundation, compete at the highest level, and serve this extraordinary team, its fans, and the city of Los Angeles.” The two businessmen had previously ‘tied to a potential expansion NBA team in Las Vegas but seemingly ended that campaign with Wednesday’s news, which stunned fans and industry experts. The announcement comes weeks after Kushner became a key figure in a controversial private equity proposal tied to FIFA, which last month said it would set up a ‘subsidiary to run the World Cup.
Josh Kushner attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference at the Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, U.S., July 10, 2026. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid) FIFA had planned to sell minority stakes at an equity valuation of $20 billion, with the Kushner-founded Thrive Eternal, a new investment strategy launched by venture capital firm Thrive Capital, ‘set to lead the investor group. The plan triggered a backlash across global soccer and threatened to become a test of FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s leadership before he abandoned it days ‘later. Kushner’s brother, Jared, is U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Iger, the former CEO of the Walt Disney Company, previously took a majority stake in NWSL side Angel City FC.
RABAT, (Reuters) Malawi’s qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup is a result of investment in African football made by FIFA under President Gianni Infantino and why he will likely enjoy the support of the continent, the country’s football association President Fleetwood Haiya told Reuters. Malawi have been the package of the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, and earned their World Cup berth by reaching the semi-finals. Haiya credits Infantino’s focus on investing in African football during his tenure, and what he perceives as an attempt to level the playing field, as the reason why he will continue to support the beleaguered FIFA president, opens new tab. “If you look at what Infantino has achieved when it comes to football development for the undervalued associations, and Africa at large, I would be very surprised if there will be any African association that would not support him,” Haiya told Reuters in an exclusive interview on `Wednesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the inauguration of Abelardo De La Espriella as Colombia’s president, in Cali, Colombia, August 7, 2026. (REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo) He believes it was correct to withdraw, opens new tab, over governance c o n c e r n s , I n f a n t i n o ’s controversial proposal to raise about $4.2 billion by selling a stake in the commercial rights of the World Cup and other tournaments. However, he hopes it is replaced by something that provides poorer member associations with the cash injection they desperately need. “I still support Infantino. I can assure you that, having worked with him, he is not a guy who will advance his personal interests,” Haiya said. “I’m not shaken in terms of my loyalty to him. “I do believe that every nation which is sober enough and believes in equal opportunity (will support Infantino). He believed in us when we talked to him about grassroots and women’s football. “As a result, Malawi for the first time qualified for the World Cup. What else would you need beyond a president that will listen to you, who believes in your vision, a president that thinks the best way of developing football is by making sure everyone has equal opportunity?” ‘TRANSFORM THE GAME’ Infantino’s withdrawn came ‘with a $20 million grant for member associations for the next funding cycle, an amount that could have been doubled if they signed the deal. Haiya says a $40 million injection into Malawian football would transform the game in the country.
“Malawi is one of the poorest nations in the world in terms of GDP. We have serious infrastructure issues. If you look at the training grounds and pitches our youngsters use, including the girls who have now qualified for the World Cup, you would be surprised,” he said. “If we gave them better infrastructure and `more resources, how much better could they do? We have the talent, but we lack the resources to provide our girls and boys with the platform to showcase that talent. Infantino believed in our projects.” Haiya said he would welcome a challenger, opens new tab to Infantino at next March’s FIFA elections, but for now sees no-one coming forward and has no idea what their proposal ‘to help develop the game in poor countries like Malawi would look like. “Those who are ready to fight Infantino at the ballot box should come out into the open. They should tell us what they are going to bring. As the Malawi FA, I need to understand what they are going to bring to Malawi,” `Haiya added. “We will listen and hear what they have to say, but they will have to convince us. I am not saying he (Infantino) is irreplaceable, but so far I am pleased with the way he manages FIFA and the way he respects every association. “The devil you know is better than the one you don’t. If you ask me now, I have endorsed Infantino and I am going to nominate Infantino.”
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Dartmouth Dominators claim double titles as EPFA GFF Youth Ensemble Regional Championship concludes Dartmouth Dominators FC became the third club to secure double titles in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Youth Ensemble Programme after sweeping both the Boys’ Under-13 a n d U n d e r - 1 5 championships as the Essequibo Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA) brought its regional competitions to a successful close on Sunday. The achievement was
celebrated during a presentation ceremony h o s t e d b y t h e E P FA Executive Committee, which brought together the young champions, participating clubs, parents, officials and other football stakeholders in an atmosphere filled with excitement and pride. Dartmouth Dominators’ impressive double has earned them places in the u p c o m i n g G F F Yo u t h
Ensemble National Championship, where they will go head-to-head with the respective champions and runners-up from the other eight Regional Associations. S u n d a y, D a r t m o u t h Dominators was unstoppable, starting with Under-13 competition, Dartmouth Dominators FC captured the championship, with Vertex Vipers FC finishing as runners-up. The
Thursday August 13, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You need to indulge your competitive side today—even more so than usual—and that could mean that you're eyed with suspicion by those nearby. Things start to get weird later, but for now you're all good. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your sense of purpose may be driving others away from you, so try to dial it back a bit! You should be able to get what you need without making a big deal out of it and scaring your friends away.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You need to draw on your social circle to get things done today, so make sure that you're reaching out to all the right people. You might find that your best friend has exactly the skill you need. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A new challenge presents itself just when you were afraid that things were starting to get boring. It might take quite a bit of energy to make it right, but that just means that things are better.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't be afraid to show off your opinionated side—it's working for you, and you may be able to sway a few minds before the day is done. The social scene is definitely in your favor, at least for now.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You're feeling even more generous than usual right now, which could mean that someone new is the focus of some serious positive energy. Don't think about your reward—it's coming at its own pace.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Financial dealings should go well for you today thanks largely to your ability to make smart choices and to find better deals. If you have to spend all day shopping for retirement plans, so be it.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today isn't quite as easy as it ought to be, as far as you are concerned, but it could get better pretty quickly! Keep waiting, and by the end of the day, you should start to see some signs of improvement.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Accept that you're the best at what you do—at least in some way or other. Your great energy is indisputable, and you should find that you're well ahead of the pack by tomorrow.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) A big change could come your way today, one that could mean a world of difference between today's daily life and what comes tomorrow. Be ready for anything but expect the best.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Show off your flexible side. Someone needs to see that you can shift with circumstances, so look around, see what's going on, and then make sure that you're on top of it all.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's way too much going on for you to take it all in at once. Things are almost certainly going your way, but you've got to make sure that you can deal with one thing at a time.
Dartmouth side continued its winning run in the Under-15 division, securing a second title, while Charity Extreme FC claimed the runners-up position. Individual honours were also presented following the conclusion of the two competitions. In the Under13 category, Vertex Vipers’ Jamian Jones was named Best Goalkeeper, while Selvin Williams of Good Hope FC finished as the Highest Goal Scorer. For the Under-15 division, Dartmouth Dominators’ Antwone Singh collected the Best Goalkeeper award, while Yohan Anthonio of Good Hope FC concluded his campaign as the Highest Goal Scorer. GFF President Wayne Forde also travelled to Essequibo to join the EPFA football fraternity in celebrating the achievements of the young players and the successful completion of the regional championship. During his featured remarks, Forde commended t h e E P FA E x e c u t i v e Committee for its commitment to the programme while also recognizing the efforts of the participating clubs, referees, parents and other stakeholders. “I want to commend the Executive Committee of the Essequibo Pomeroon Football Association for
West Indies lose to England, wins for... From page 25 Result: Scotland won by 31 runs (D/L). Match 5 Canada won the toss and elected to bat Match Score Summary Canada: 174/8 in 45 overs * Graham Castanheiro: 38 * Farooq Kirmani: 36 * Kenny Girdharry: 33 * Shahab Uddin 2/26 * ‘Arnold Manders 2/7 IMC Emerging XI: 55/8 in 12.4 overs * Rafiullah Syed: 31 * Kanti Patel 4/4 * ‘Kenny Girdharry 1-11 Result - match abandoned
your dedication and commitment to this programme, and I also extend my appreciation to the clubs, referees, parents and all the stakeholders who have contributed to its success,” Forde said. He also praised the young footballers for their discipline and commitment throughout the competition, describing the national initiative as both historic and ambitious. “ T h e G F F Yo u t h Ensemble Programme is not just historic; it is also ambitious. To coordinate a national youth competition involving more than 100 clubs across all nine Regional Associations is a gigantic task,” Forde added. Forde also credited the G F F Te c h n i c a l a n d Competitions Departments, along with the executives of the Regional Associations, for their role in bringing the programme to this stage.
“I am proud of each of you, and I feel honoured to serve Guyana’s football alongside each of you. Your commitment to developing the next generation of footballers is helping to build a stronger foundation for the future of our game,” the GFF president said. With the EPFA leg now completed, four teams have booked their places in the G F F Yo u t h E n s e m b l e National Championship. Dartmouth Dominators FC and Vertex Vipers FC will represent the Under-13 category, while Dartmouth Dominators FC and Charity Extreme FC will advance in the Under-15 division. T h e n a t i o n a l championship is expected to kick off in the coming days, with matches scheduled across all nine Regional Associations as the GFF’s ambitious youth development programme enters its completion phase.
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Thursday August 13, 2026
Shelton routs Mensik to reach Canadian Open semis Ben Shelton (USA) returns the ball to Jakub Mensik (CZE) in quarterfinal play at IGA Stadium. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)
composed win over Fils. He earned an early break, but Fils fought back before rain suspended play ‘again with the Frenchman serving to stay in the first set. Jodar took the opener in the tiebreak after the restart and carried his momentum into the second set, breaking
three more times to secure the victory that will lift him to at least 11th in the rankings. The U.S. ‘Open tune-up tournament was without several top players, including world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-times Grand Slam champion
Novak Djokovic, which the Professional Tennis Players Association this week blamed on players’ workload. The men’s quarter-finals began a day late after inclement weather forced the postponement of the Monday programme.
Gauff reaches Toronto semis after Bencic withdraws
(Reuters) - Ben Shelton produced one of the standout performances of his career on Tuesday, overpowering Jakub Mensik 6-3 6-1 to reach the Canadian Open semi-finals as the American builds momentum ahead the U.S. Open. The hard-serving 23year-old, a formidable presence on hard courts, dominated from start to finish as every facet of his aggressive game clicked, with Shelton committing just three unforced errors. After a near-flawless opening set, Shelton fired a backhand winner down the line to break the Czech’s serve for a 2-0 lead in the second, punctuating the moment with a thunderous roar. Shelton sealed the 72minute win in Montreal when an overwhelmed Mensik sent a backhand long on match point. “It was a great performance, super happy with that one,” `Shelton told Tennis Channel.
“For me it’s about building confidence. Every match I play, every practice that I have, I’m feeling better and better on these hard courts. I’m feeling more in control of the ball which allows me to go for my shots.” Defending champion Shelton will next face fellow American Learner Tien, who recovered from an early break of serve in the opening set before pulling away for an impressive 6-3 6-2 win over Spain’s Daniel Merida to reach his first Masters 1000 semi-final. NAKASHIMA, JODAR ADVANCE E a r l i e r, A m e r i c a n Brandon Nakashima and 19year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar also reached their first Masters 1000 semi-finals, with Nakashima beating Italy’s Luciano Darderi 6-2 6-3 before Jodar defeated France’s Arthur Fils 7-6(5) 6-3. Nakashima sent over 11 aces and offered up a subdued celebration for the
career-breakthrough win in Montreal. He will meet Jodar for a place in the final after Spaniard ‘extended his breakthrough season with a 34th win of the year. Nakashima, seeded 28, converted a break point in the fourth game before breaking his opponent to love to close out the first set, as the visibly frustrated D a r d e r i ’s c o m p o s u r e unravelled. Darderi dug in his heels in the second set but could only hold off the determined Nakashima for so long, as the American broke him on the fourth try in the penultimate game. Nakashima sent 19thseed Darderi skittering around the court ‘in the final game, forcing him into an error at the net on match point and pumping his fists in celebration after the customary post-match handshake. J o d a r, m e a n w h i l e , extended his remarkable first season on tour with a
(Reuters) - Second seed Elena Rybakina fought back from a set and a break down to prevail 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 in her Canadian Open quarter-final against Naomi Osaka in Toronto on Tuesday. Rybakina, 2022 Wi m b l e d o n a n d 2 0 2 6 Australian Open champion, will meet fourth seed Coco Gauff for a place in the final a f t e r t h e A m e r i c a n ’s opponent, Belinda Bencic, withdrew due to a hip injury. In the first tour-level meeting between Osaka and Rybakina, the Japanese player looked to be cruising to victory after breaking in the opening game and ‘holding that advantage to pocket the first set. The four-time Grand Slam champion then surged to a 4-2 lead in the second set, but Rybakina rallied and came out on top in a tiebreaker to force the decider.
Elena Rybakina (KAZ) hits a ball to Naomi Osaka (not pictured) during the quarter finals at the National Bank Open at Sobeys Stadium. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) In the third set, the Kazakh successfully defended four break points before breaking Osaka’s serve in back-to-back games
Naomi Osaka (JPN) goes to return a ball to Elena Rybakina (not pictured) during the quarter finals at the National Bank Open at Sobeys Stadium. (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)
to seize control and seal victory in two hours and 33 minutes. “This first game of the match was really tough because it cost me the set,” Rybakina said. “In the second I was just trying to closer `to the score, even if I’m losing. “It’s rare when you don’t play some players for so many years you’re on tour. She’s a great champion. She’s a fighter. I knew it would be a tough match.” Earlier on Tuesday, Gauff advanced without striking a ball after Bencic withdrew from their quarter-final, ‘giving the American more time to fine-tune her game ahead of the U.S. Open. The 2023 U.S. Open champion is into the 16th WTA 1000 semi-final of her career as the 22-year-old chases her first title of ‘the year. Gauff finished runner-up in Miami and Rome before her Wimbledon campaign ended in a tight semi-final defeat. She has introduced new tactical elements to her game and has looked strong ‘in Toronto, where she has not dropped a set. The only previous meeting between Gauff and Rybakina also came in Toronto, where the American won in three sets in 2022.
Kaieteur News
Thursday August 13, 2026
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Chawinga sisters fire The fittest survived at Midnight Closet & Malawi into Wafcon final Pharmacy sponsored Emancipation Draughts BBC Sport - Malawi’s Chawinga sisters were once again the stars of the show, sharing three goals as the Scorchers continued their fairy tale run at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) by booking their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over Algeria in Rabat. Belying their status as the lowest-ranked side playing in Morocco, the Southern Africans, who are making their Wafcon debut, were too strong for their opponents, adding Les Fennecs to their list of scalps having already defeated heavyweights Nigeria and Ghana earlier in the tournament. But the scoreline failed to tell half the story of a frantic, endto-end encounter which featured two first-half red cards awarded after the intervention of the video assistant referee (VAR) and a slew of presentable opportunities which were spurned by both sides. Algeria defender Morgane Belkhiter had already seen red for denying Malawi skipper Tabitha Chawinga a goalscoring opportunity before the older of the two sisters broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute, executing an acrobatic overhead kick which cannoned off the crossbar and hit the turf before spinning wildly back over the goal line. Temwa Chawinga extended the lead in the first minute of first-half added time before her team-mate Rose Kadzere was also dismissed before the break following another extended VAR check, this time for a studs-up lunge. The second half was only marginally more sedate, with Ikram Adjabi initially giving Algeria hope before Tabitha Chawinga’s second goal snuffed out any chance of a comeback. The Scorchers will face either hosts Morocco or Cameroon in Sunday’s final (19:00 GMT), looking to become the fourth nation to lift the Wafcon trophy and complete what would be a remarkable underdog story.
OL Lyonnes striker Tabitha Chawinga (left) scored two goals to lead her team into the Wafcon final on their tournament debut. (Backpage Pix)
From right, Proprietor Randol Gibbs, Jiaram, Bacchus, Dr. English, Daniel Nicholson and Ranella Alexander, Store’s Sales Personnel. Absent was Cumberbatch. A long but competitive day of Draughts was held at the Transport Sports Club where two tournaments were held in one day. The tiresome players made their way from 11am to 9pm. Only the fittest survived, some retired while some quitted. Most of the survivors were senior players. In the first match on the 8x8 boards, Linden player Floyd Cumberbatch with 33 points won that competition with veteran Aubrey Straughn 26 points taking the second prize. Steve Bacchus on 24 and Godfrey George also on 24 captured the 3rd and 4th places respectively. The rest of players were well bunched up behind making the competition very competitive. Trophies sponsored by Fast Relief Pharmacy & Animal Health were distributed to the
top four players. The second half on the 10x10 boards started late in the evening. The 10x10 is played internationally on bigger boards and more pieces making the game more complicated. In this game Steve Bacchus on 12 points emerged victorious, while Dr. Ivor English on 11 points took the second place. Earlier it was 11 points for both Bacchus and English but a walk over point for Bacchus gave him the nod. President of the Association Mr. Jiaram with a close 10 points occupied the 3rd position while Floyd Cumberbatch on 8 points settled for 4th. Floyd had 3 walk overs which is only one point each restricting him of taking wins due to the quitting of some players. The presentation for the last
segment took place at the Store of Midnight Closet Tuesday on David Street Kitty, opposite J.E Pollard School. Mr. Randol Gibbs Proprietor of business was pleased to award cash incentives to the four players in that category. Mr. Gibbs a former member of the Association and a player by virtue said that once business progressed as usual, he would repeat next year’s sponsorship. Mr. Rohan Chunilall Proprietor of Fast Relief Pharmacy also proclaimed same sentiments. The National Draughts Association would like to thank both Sponsors for their selfless support. Thanks to the National Sports Commission’s Ms. Melissa Dow Richardson (ADOS) for supporting with water and drinks on that hot day.
2026 CWI Women’s U-19 T20 Cricket Championships…
Losing streak continues as Guyana suffer 15-run defeat Guyana’s losing streak continued yesterday as Windward Islands pulled off a 15-run win during their encounter at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, as Women’s U19 action continued across Antigua. Windwards had a good batting time despite only posting 93-3 from their 20 overs, as openers Jaeda Tyrell (15) and Daisy Woods (13), alongside Keala George (24) with help from Mikayla Adams (16*); played what turned out to be winning hands. Guyana skipper Danielle Manns (1-12), Sowanna Booker (1-13) and Kiana Leitch (1-12) had a mixed outing before their team was kept to 78-8 at the end of their overs. Sarah Bheir (24) and Manns (15*) toiled during the chase, as their teammates perished at the hands of Windwards’ Ammie Antoine (3-20), Gaida Small (3-13) and Tyrell (2-12). Over at Liberta Sports Club, Barbados beat Jamaica by 6 runs while Trinidad and Tobago stormed to an 8 wicket win over the Leeward Islands, as part of yesterday’s round of games played.
Windwards kept Guyana’s losing streak alive.
Thursday August 13, 2026
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Guyana Junior Badminton team set for CAREBACO Individual Championships in Jamaica
The participants with Coach Kartikey Gund and Priyanna Ramdhani. GEORGETOWN, Guyana — A seven-member Guyanese junior badminton team will travel to Kingston, Jamaica, to compete at the CAREBACO Junior Individual Championships, scheduled as part of the 2026 CAREBACO/Smash Jamaica badminton programme. The championships will run during the August 12–18 period, with the
CAREBACO Junior and Senior Individual competitions officially scheduled for August 14–18 in Kingston, Jamaica. Representing Guyana will be Anjaynesa Godette and Joel Rambiriche in the Under-13 category; Ruel Rambiriche in the Under-17 category; and Nikolas Pollard, Christopher Jordan, Percival Chester and Chioke Nurse in the Under-19
category. The team will be accompanied by national player and coach Priyanna Ramdhani, who will serve as Coach, while Sonia Bachir will serve as Team Manager. The tournament represents another important opportunity for Guyana’s developing players to test themselves against some of the Caribbean’s leading junior badminton athletes and
gain valuable international competition experience. The team’s preparation has been further strengthened by the arrival of international coach Kartikey Gund of India, who is currently based in Guyana as part of the Guyana Badminton Association’s (GBA) sixmonth coaching and development programme. Gund brings more than seven years of experience
working with junior and youth athletes in India and has worked in leading academy environments in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi-NCR. He currently serves as a coach at The Sports School in Bengaluru under the mentorship of renowned Indian coach Pullela Gopichand. During his assignment in Guyana, Gund has been working closely with national players and a ff i l i a t e d c l u b s , w i t h emphasis on technical and tactical development, coaching mentorship and the identification of promising young athletes for the GBA’s High Performance and Development Programme. The CAREBACO outing is therefore expected to be an important part of the players’ development, allowing them to apply the skills and strategies developed during their preparation against strong regional opposition. Guyana has already demonstrated its ability to make an impact at the CAREBACO Junior Individual Championships. At the 2025 edition in Bridgetown, Barbados, the Guyanese contingent secured four bronze medals, with Joel Rambiriche
earning medals in the Boys’ Under-11 Singles and Boys’ Under-11 Doubles, while Mishka Beharry earned bronze in the Under-19 Mixed Doubles. Rambiriche, who has since moved into the Under13 category, will return to the CAREBACO stage this year alongside his brother Ruel, while Christopher Jordan also returns following his participation at the 2025 championships. The experience gained by the returning players will be valuable as they seek to improve on their previous performances. For the GBA, however, the objective extends beyond medals. With a blend of returning competitors and emerging talent, Team Guyana will be looking to make its presence felt in Kingston while gaining the experience necessary to strengthen the country’s next generation of badminton players. The GBA remains grateful to the stakeholders and supporters who continue to contribute to the development of badminton in Guyana and looks forward to the junior team representing the Golden Arrowhead with pride at CAREBACO 2026.
ETS renews support for Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Environmental Technical Solutions Inc. (ETS) has officially renewed its corporate commitment for the fourth consecutive season of the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, adding further momentum to a tournament that has already delivered high-octane sporting action across the country. Following an explosive opening leg in Berbice, the tournament now shifts its focus to the East Bank and West Demerara regions this weekend, where several of the nation’s premier tapeball outfits will battle for regional glory and a coveted spot in the National Finals. “At ETS, we believe in supporting initiatives that bring communities together and empower local talent through sports,” said Seema Ramsoondar, Finance and Administrative Manager of ETS. “The One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has consistently elevated the standard of grassroots cricket, and we are proud to stand behind the tournament for another exciting season.” Organisers have expressed profound appreciation for the corporate backing that keeps the competition thriving. “Having ETS
on board for a fourth year is a testament to the growing prestige and impact of this tournament,” noted One Guyana T10 representative Yusuf Ali. “The energy in Berbice set a remarkably high standard, and with the calibre of teams locked in for the East Bank and West Demerara leg, fans are in for an unforgettable weekend.” The high bar for competition was established in New Amsterdam, where Grillmaster Sip N Play All-Stars delivered a masterclass performance to become the tournament’s first official qualifiers for the National Finals. In addition to securing the G$500,000 top zone prize courtesy of Sawa Investment, Sip N Play reserved their ticket to the grand showcase scheduled for Sunday, October 11, at the Anna Regina National Stadium.There, they will compete for an eye-watering top prize of G$2 million, with G$1 million and G$500,000 allocated for second- and third-place finishes, respectively. This weekend’s winner will earn the right to join Sip N Play in that national finale, with substantial cash incentives also on the line for
John Ramsingh (left) and Seema Ramsoondar, Finance and Administrative Manager of ETS. regional high-performers. The East Bank/West Demerara zone runners-up will pocket G$200,000 funded by businessman Mohamad Shairaz Roshandin, while losing semi-finalists will receive G$50,000 each courtesy of Camile’s Academy. Furthermore, every losing quarter-finalist will receive G$25,000 through the support of Scoop Ride Inc.
The stage is set for intense competition, with defending zone champions Eccles All-Stars and Mahdia Movements Family drawn into a demanding lineup alongside established heavyweights like Village Rams, Airport SVC, and promising new contenders. The action commences on Saturday, August 15, across four venues with free admission to the
public. Farm Ground opens at 10:00 AM with Soesdyke XI facing Laluni Sports Club, followed by The Elite Conquerors against Eccles AllStars. At Goed Fortuin Ground, Village Rams clash with Brave Heart before Team Eastsyde take on Vintage All Stars. Meten-Meer-Zorg Ground hosts Knight Riders against Young Steppaz alongside Young Guns versus Airport SVC, while Uitvlugt Ground sees Hyde Park battle Trendsetter before Zeelugt Sports Club face Mahdia (Movements Family). The winners of each venue will advance to the afternoon quarterfinals to secure a spot in Sunday’s final four. All eyes will then turn to Meten-Meer-Zorg Ground on Sunday, August 16, where the semifinals will take place at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, culminating in the regional final at 3:00 PM to crown the zone champions. Following the crowning of the East Bank and West Demerara champions, the T10 caravan will head to the Essequibo Zone from August 22–23, concluding with the zone finals on Sunday, August 23, at the Anna Regina National Stadium.
Thursday August 13, 2026
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GFF / UDFA Boys U13 and 15 competition leg concludes as YMCA and Dainty’s Academy respectively emerge winners The Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) segment of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Boys’ U13 and U15 champions were concluded and presentations held for the various champions, YMCA for the Under 13 and Dainty’s Academy the Under 15, last Saturday at the Bayrock National Stadium on the Wismar shore in the mining town of Linden. These two competitions simultaneously kicked off earlier this year on May 16, and concluded on July 25. A two round format was used for the two tournaments, and matches were played at two venues, the Bayrock National Stadium and New Silvercity Secondary School ground. In both competitions there were four teams which participated; they were YMCA, Net Rockers FC, Fearless FC and Dainty’s Academy. Over 150 players participated in both age categories with notable team and individual efforts. YMCA came out as winners of the U13 category with 15 points and Net Rockers FC are runners ups with eight points. Dainty’s Academy won the U15 category with 12 points and YMCA are runner ups with 11 points. For the Under 13 competition YMCA’s John Pollard was named the Most Valuable Players, and club mate Eli Allicock the Best Goalkeeper, while in the Under 15 competition the Most Valuable Player was Renaldo Sampson of Dainty’s Academy and Fearless FC’s Anaida Orgista the Best Goalkeeper. The top two teams in each category will now advance to the GFF Ensemble National Playoffs of these two tournaments which start on Sunday at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence.
YMCA the Under 13 champions.
IMC O60s World Cup in Canada Roundup
West Indies lose to England, wins for South Africa, New Zealand, Scotland West Indies lost to England, while there were wins for South Africa, New Zealand and Scotland when play in the IMC O60’s World Cup continued in Canada. Here is a roundup of the results of those matches played. Round 3- Match 1 West Indies won the toss and elected to field Match Summary *England*: 238/7 in 45 overs * Temoor Alam: 89 * Edward Lennox: 54 * ‘Rajendra Dilraj: 3-41 *West Indies*: 159/7 in 34 overs * Narine Bidhesi: 38 * Fareed Hosein: 28* * ‘Mel Hussain: 3-29 Result: England won by 25 runs. (DL) Match 2 Wales won the toss and elected to bowl Score summary *South Africa*: 239/4 in 45 overs * Peter Marx: 87 * Carl Mellors: 63 * Gavin Macaulay: 53 * Tony Smith 3/64 *Wales*: 188/8 in 41 overs * Mike Hayden: 50
* Steve Maddock: 37 * Andrew Lund 2/10 * ‘Carl Mellors 2/16 Result: South Africa won by 51 runs. India won the toss and elected to bat Match Summary Match 3 *India*: 197 all out in 44.4 overs * Verinder Bhoombla: 95 * ‘Mike Van Staden 5/42 * Andrew Nuttall: 3/17 *New Zealand*: 145/3 in 30 overs * Richard Calkin: 64 * Mason Robinson: 48 * ‘Kishore - 1-12 Result: New Zealand (D/L) won Match 4 Scotland won the toss and decided to bowl Score Summary *Zimbabwe*: 149/9 in 45 overs * Wayne Parham: 33 * Gavin Smyth: 23* * Imran Adrees 5/20 * Gordon McGurk: 3/30 *Scotland*: 149/6 in 37 overs * Clark McConnachie: 30 * Gordon McGurk: 29 * Andrew Walton 2/25 * ‘Rajendra Naik 2/32 Continued on page 21
Dainty’s Academy winner of the Under 15 Championship.
ETS renews support for Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Guyana Junior Badminton team set for CAREBACO Individual Championships in Jamaica
The athletes who will be competing. From left: Christopher Jordan, Chioke Nurse, Ruel Rambiriche, Anjaneysa Godette, Nicholas Pollard, Percival Chester, Joel Rambiriche.
rts o p S
Completing the Double! Dartmouth Dominators FC U15 team wins EPFA Youth Ensemble title.
Triumphant Dartmouth Dominators FC U13 team share a trophy moment after securing the GFF Youth Ensemble title.
Dartmouth Dominators claim double titles as EPFA GFF Youth Ensemble Regional Championship concludes Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.