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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 6545

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

“We want to help you”

Page 3

– President Ali engages River View residents on relocation

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

3 arrested after robbing, assaulting gold miner at P13 Issano Landing

189 investment projects generate $1.06T in private capital in last P15 6 years Fisherman P13 charged, remanded for attempted murder of Agatash housewife, teen

– plans underway for new fishermen’s wharf, agricultural opportunities for young people

President Dr Irfaan Ali engaging residents during a ride-about in River View Ruimveldt on Wednesday

MV Barima tragedy

Arrangements being finalised for CoI public hearings See story on page 7

Corriverton fisherman Wismar Phase killed during altercation Page 1 allottees 16 with 15-year-old

begin identifying house lots

New $22M P13 portable sawmill set to boost sustainable timber processing within Upper Berbice

Page 10

More development institutions needed to support local business growth – New Hayven Chair See story on page 7

Man drops bag with 2.5kg of ganja, escapes from P12 Police

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SGCC reiterates call for urgent, sustainable action on Canawaima Ferry Service amid potential sailing ban

n light of a potential sailing ban by the Maritime Authority of Suriname (MAS) on MV Canawaima over outstanding safety and technical deficiencies aboard, the SurinameGuyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) remains prepared to engage constructively with the Governments of Guyana and Suriname, Canawaima Management Companies, the relevant maritime and regulatory authorities, and private-sector stakeholders on practical solutions for strengthening the service.

The Chamber believes that a sustainable solution will require coordination across Government, regulators, technical specialists and the Private Sector, supported by clear accountability, appropriate investment and a shared commitment to maintaining this essential economic link. The SGCC stated that it fully recognises and supports the fundamental importance of maritime safety while adding that the safety of passengers, crew, cargo, and the wider maritime environment must remain par-

The MV Canawaima

amount. For businesses and citizens on either side of the Corentyne River, the SGCC related that the ferry is far more than a transportation service, but rather it remains a critical piece of bilateral infrastructure supporting the movement of people, vehicles and goods and, importantly, provides the principal direct overland connection between Guyana and Suriname. “The SGCC’s own research has consistently underscored the importance of maritime connectivity to the bilateral trading relationship. Based on Guyana Bureau of Statistics data examined in the Chamber’s 2025 proposal, sea trade accounted for between 97.11 per cent and 99.36 per cent of total Suriname-Guyana trade by value between 2019 and 2023.” Consequently, prolonged or recurring disruptions and inefficiencies have implications extending well beyond the ferry itself. They affect businesses managing supply chains and delivery commitments, commuters and families travelling between both countries, tourism, investment confidence and the wider objective of creating a more integrated GuyanaSuriname economic corridor. For the SGCC, the current situation is not an isolated concern, but rather, it forms part of a longstanding challenge that the Chamber, its members and the wider travelling and business communities of both countries have repeatedly experienced. It also strengthens the case for moving beyond temporary interventions toward a durable solution that addresses safety, vessel reliability, operational continuity, capacity and long-term management together.

Proposal

In February 2025, the Chamber stated that it developed a comprehensive proposal for public-private partnership in the management of the Canawaima Ferry Service for the consideration of the Governments of Suriname and Guyana. The proposal was developed not simply in response to individual service disruptions but from the recognition that reliable cross-border connec-

tivity is fundamental to the economic relationship between the two countries. The proposed model envisaged a collaborative public-private approach through which the Government would retain its appropriate regulatory and public-sector responsibilities, while private-sector investment, technical expertise and management capacity could support the modernisation and improved operation of the service. Among the interventions identified were the rehabilitation of the existing vessel and drydocking facilities, the addition and repair of a second vessel, investment in staff and management capacity, digitised ticketing and booking systems, and broader operational modernisation. Importantly, the proposal recognised reliability, maintenance and operational resilience as central to the future of the service. The Chamber identified dependence on a single vessel, ageing infrastructure, operational unpredictability and the need for significant repairs and modernisation among the weaknesses requiring attention. The current developments therefore reinforce the importance of moving beyond short-term responses to individual operational challenges and toward a structured, adequately financed and sustainable framework for the ferry’s future. Meanwhile, the SGCC related that it does not believe that maritime safety and uninterrupted connectivity should be viewed as competing priorities.

Connectivity at risk

Any vessel transporting passengers, vehicles and commercial cargo must operate safely and in compliance with applicable requirements. The recurring vulnerability of this critical bilateral transportation link demonstrates the need for the two countries to build greater operational resilience into the system so that necessary maintenance, inspections or unexpected technical difficulties do not repeatedly place cross-border connectivity at risk. This was among the reasons the SGCC’s proposal recommended introducing an additional vessel into the operation. A two-vessel model would not only support increased capacity and more frequent crossings, but would provide greater operational flexibility when one vessel requires maintenance or repair. The Chamber therefore respectfully encourages the relevant authorities and stakeholders in both countries to treat the present situation not only as an immediate compliance matter but also as an opportunity to advance a longer-term solution. TURN TO PAGE 7

NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENING

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 14 – 04:55h–06:25h and Saturday, August 15 – 05:40h–07:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY Early morning sunny skies are expected to be interrupted by thundery showers by midday, before clearing by late afternoon. Clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. Winds: North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres. High Tide: 05:31h and 17:51h reaching maximum heights of 2.77 metres and 2.70 metres. Low Tide: 11:27h and 23:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.47 metre and 0.48 metre.

“We want to help you” – Pres Ali engages River View residents on relocation – plans underway for new fishermen’s wharf, agricultural opportunities for young people

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has engaged families living along the riverbank at River View in Ruimveldt, Georgetown, regarding their relocation to safer and more suitable housing areas. The Head of State was, at the time, conducting a community outreach drive under the Community Ride Initiative, which involved him cycling through Alexander Village, River View, and Yarrow Dam on Wednesday, while engaging residents about their concerns and development priorities. “We want to help you,” President Ali told a group of people at River View. “So, you all can’t say you don’t want [us to] move you from here. There is no way we can

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Housing Minister Collin Croal engaging residents of River View on Wednesday during his Community Ride Initiative

ment with the residents. According to the Minister, “Some of them have applied [for house lots], so we will deal with them through that process... Some of them may

gramme.” This social housing initiative, which was announced by President Ali in July, targets highly vulnerable individuals and families by supporting them toward homeownership. It will see the build-out of 400-squarefoot single-bedroom homes for elderly persons, people living with disabilities, and/ or persons living with extreme vulnerabilities across the country.

Wharf facility

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2026

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5 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

20 23 24

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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil

US$ $87.07/barrel

Change % -2.15

Rough Rice

$255.60/ton

+2.01

London Sugar

$517.90/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Low/High

$4358.80 $4343.00

$4360.80 $4449.90

Change

+7.80

+0.18%

Bid/Ask

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and senior officials from the ministry engaging River View residents during a follow-up meeting on Thursday

develop here. This is on the riverbank. So, what we want to do is move you all incrementally, and then we’ll take down all of this. We’ll help you with the social housing programme.” Many of those individuals expressed their agreement with the plans outlined by the Guyanese leader for their relocation. “Our priority is to ensure that every family, especially our children, can live in a safe, secure, and healthy environment with the dignity, stability, and opportunities they deserve,” President Ali stated in a subsequent social media post following his discussions with the residents. Guyana Times understands that there are more than 20 households along the riverbank to be relocated. In fact, the Housing Ministry will now have to conduct an assessment of the squatting area. “Information gathering is the next stage. We will be doing that next week... So, that information will determine what has to happen and how we will deal with each one of them,” Housing Minister Collin Croal explained to this newspaper on Thursday. Croal had accompanied the President during Wednesday’s engage-

not be able to afford [a house lot], so we’ll have to put them on the social housing pro-

Meanwhile, the Head of State further assured the River View residents that the proposed relocation would take into account their livelihoods, particularly the fisherfolk. “Out here, we can build a little wharf with a little shed so all the fishermen can come back here and use the facility,” President Ali indicated

during Wednesday’s engagement with the residents. In fact, following that meeting, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha returned to River View on Thursday to advance these works. He conducted a walkthrough of the community and met with fisherfolk to hear their concerns and identify areas where the Agriculture Ministry can provide support. “I spoke with the fisherfolk here, and they raised some concerns. They said they wanted a wharf, so I visited the area they have there. Currently, they have small individual landing sites. I’ve asked the management of the NDIA [National Drainage and Irrigation Authority] to assess the space and develop an appropriate design so that a proper wharf can be constructed,” Mustapha indicated. TURN TO PAGE 8

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

guyanatimesgy.com

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Unfamiliar crop now emerging opportunity

ine months ago, dragon fruit cultivation was an unfamiliar prospect for many farmers along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. Today, the blossoms appearing across newly established fields are providing tangible evidence that agricultural innovation can take root when farmers are supported with knowledge, resources, and sustained technical guidance. The early progress of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Dragon Fruit Pilot Initiative deserves recognition, because it demonstrates a practical approach to agricultural diversification and rural development. Implemented under the Sustainable Land Development and Management (SLDM) Project by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, with support from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), and funded through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), the initiative has provided participating farmers with dragon fruit plants, fertiliser, trellises, training, and continuing technical assistance. Such support is important, because introducing a new crop involves considerably more than placing seedlings in the ground. Farmers have had to prepare their fields, establish trellises, train the plants to climb, manage irrigation, monitor plant health, and learn how to identify and address diseases. The experience demonstrates that agricultural innovation is most effective when investment in inputs is matched by investment in knowledge. The progress reported by participating farmers is particularly encouraging. William Adams, who began cultivating dragon fruit for the first time, has already started expanding his farm after seeing the crop reach production. The experience of the Lakna sisters similarly illustrates how close observation, practical learning, and a willingness to adapt can influence farming decisions. Muhammed Haroon, meanwhile, described the appearance of his first flower as confirmation that the crop could develop into a viable business. These experiences point to an important principle for Guyana’s agricultural sector, that is, diversification can create new pathways for farmers while reducing reliance on a narrow range of traditional crops. Dragon fruit is especially interesting because of its potential to serve emerging markets while offering farmers another source of income. However, the long-term value of the crop will depend on sound production practices, market development, quality control, reliable supply chains and continued research. Early success should therefore be viewed as a foundation upon which a sustainable industry can be built. The return of FAO international dragon fruit expert Nguyen Van Son to Guyana further strengthens the initiative. Continued field-level mentoring allows farmers to address challenges as they emerge and refine cultivation practices based on local experience. This type of technical support can make the difference between introducing an unfamiliar crop and establishing a commercially sustainable one. The decision to expand the initiative to St Cuthbert’s Mission is another positive development. As it will be providing Community Service Officers with hands-on experience in dragon fruit cultivation, it can help extend agricultural knowledge beyond the initial pilot communities while creating possibilities for future livelihood development. The expansion also demonstrates the value of using successful pilot projects as platforms for broader capacity-building. The initiative carries a significance for Guyana’s agricultural policy, as climate variability, changing markets and the need to strengthen rural livelihoods require greater attention to resilient and diversified production systems. New crops will not replace established agricultural activities but can complement them and provide farmers with additional opportunities. The experience also reinforces the importance of partnerships with Government agencies, international organisations, technical experts and farmers, each of whom have distinct roles to play. When these roles are coordinated, farmers are better positioned to test new ideas, overcome challenges and translate innovation into productive enterprises. The dragon fruit blossoms, therefore, are evidence of what can emerge when farmers are willing to experiment and when practical support is sustained throughout the process. Guyana has significant potential to expand its agricultural base through innovation, technology, training, and improved market access. The dragon fruit pilot provides a useful example of that potential being explored in practical terms. What began as an unfamiliar crop is now becoming an emerging agricultural opportunity.

Dharmini Meghoo was crowned Miss India Guyana 2026 last Sunday evening. The pageant was hosted at Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence East Bank, Demerara (EBD), and also crowned Romona Singh as Mistress India Guyana 2026, while Janvi Mohanlall won the title of Miss Teen India Guyana 2026, and Mohamad Ali Khan was named Mister India Guyana 2026

President Ali’s Model Villages are taking national prosperity opportunities directly to the people Dear Editor, They are some leaders who articulate ideas and vision, some who inspire others to dream big. President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali is not just a visionary leader; he acts on his vision and ideas to bring them into reality. He gets the job done. One such vision is President Ali’s Model Village Initiative. This visionary project represents much more than another infrastructure programme. It is an important attempt to redefine community development in Guyana, by recognising that national prosperity has its greatest meaning when citizens can experience it within the communities where they live. The President captured this philosophy powerfully when he declared that “national prosperity must translate into community prosperity.” That principle should become one of the defining standards by which Guyana’s present transformation is measured. What makes the Model Village concept particular-

ly significant is its integrated approach. It brings together improved roads and drainage, walkways, street lighting, landscaping, security and CCTV systems, recreational facilities, proper zoning, commercial opportunities, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and other community services. In other words, the objective is not simply to beautify villages but to make them safer, cleaner, more productive, economically viable, and better places to raise families. It raises living standards and improves overall quality of life for all its inhabitants. Equally important is the President’s emphasis on “devolution”, taking Government services and economic opportunities directly into communities. This is critical because development should not require people constantly to leave their villages in search of opportunity. Wherever practical, investment, employment, entrepreneurship, and services should increasingly be brought closer to them. President Ali’s previ-

ous experience as Minister of Housing is particularly relevant. Housing development teaches us that allocating a house-lot or constructing a house is only the beginning. Sustainable communities require roads, drainage, water, electricity, security, recreation, businesses, employment, and social infrastructure. His understanding of housing, combined with his emphasis on agriculture and local economic development, is clearly reflected in this broader vision. The consultation with residents is equally commendable, providing transparency and accountability. Communities must not simply be recipients of development; they should be participants in determining what development means for them. The people know their drainage problems, security concerns, infrastructure deficiencies, and economic needs better than anyone else. The importance of this initiative therefore extends beyond the first 23 villages. When successfully implemented, these communities

can provide a model that can be adapted and expanded throughout Guyana. That is why implementation will now be critical. Plans must become projects, consultations must produce measurable results, and communities must remain involved throughout the process. President Ali deserves commendation for personally championing an initiative that seeks to connect Guyana’s national transformation with the everyday lives of its citizens. Ultimately, billions in national development will mean little if prosperity does not reach our streets, homes, families and villages. National prosperity must become community prosperity. The Model Village Initiative provides Guyana with an important opportunity to make that principle visible, tangible and lasting. Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate, Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

The WIN provocateurs are at work Dear Editor, The Opposition provocateurs are burning the midnight oil, exerting all their efforts in their ineffectual attempts to destabilise the Government. This time, again, it is Vishnu Panday, a WIN MP and former supporter and beneficiary of the Government, who was employed and re-employed in various senior capacities at the Guyana Sugar Corporation. Sadly, to say, his mouth did most of the hard work. Undoubtedly, MP Panday is a “talk-shop” on sugar and the sugar industry, since it was there that he was groomed, bloomed, and withered to the point of being consigned to oblivion. The Government realised that Panday’s diaphanous verbiage cannot produce the tangible results that GuySuCo needed to be viable again, and his contract was not renewed. This was the beginning of his venomous attack and vendetta against the

Government. His writings and utterances are mere futile attempts to grasp at some form of minuscule relevance. Many writers have penned volumes on this man’s incompetence, and his performances at various levels in GuySuCo bear testimony to this reality. It must be recalled that Panday has a problem with Sasenarine Singh, who was the CEO for GuySuCo from 2020 to 2024, and there was a bitter feud between the two, since the former felt that he was better qualified and capable to do that job, and that Singh was a “misfit”. He resigned, and was reinstated as Agriculture Director under the next CEO, Paul Cheong. But he felt that he was side-lined and that the CEO’s job should have been his. It defies logic and is a far-fetched leap of one’s imagination that a man who failed as an Estate Manager and as an Agriculture Director should be promoted to the CEO’s position. Then he went back to at-

tack former CEO Rajendra Singh, but did not mention the CEO appointed during the Coalition’s tenure in office, when an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was in place, headed by Paul Bhim and Errol Hanoman, and then Dr Harold Davis Jr. How convenient and deceitful. Why is Panday bent on attacking the PPP-appointed CEO but had nothing ill to say about the Coalition’s appointment? Every Guyanese knew what happened to GuySuCo during this dark period: wages and salaries froze, downsizing, closure, and dismissal of thousands of sugar workers. Billions of dollars were squandered, including a $30 billion bond. More billions in machinery and infrastructure were left to rot, and sugar workers stayed away from home in search of a living. Let us hear about this. Vishnu Panday was a member of GuySuCo’s Board from September 2018 to August 2020. He needs to

let us know about his “sterling” contributions. Let me educate this man. Any target is an estimate based on certain achievable variables and is not written in stone. Agricultural production targets are revised upward or downward for various reasons, such as weather extremes, pests and diseases, labour shortages, mechanical issues, and market conditions, which can affect the target originally set. The Minister can only work with figures available to him at the time, under the conditions prevailing at that time. Indeed, the field and factory are progressively getting better. What crime has been committed, Panday? In addition, Panday’s “jumbie” accounting for revenue and expenditure is ludicrous. What he needs to understand is that GuySuCo has the most robust accounting system in the country, and every dollar is properly accounted for. As the head of the Public Accounts

Committee (PAC), he should use his position to get all these answers. In addition, GuySuCo’s yearly audit will provide veracity. Moreover, Panday seems to have a problem with persons whom he would term “political appointees”, yet when he was appointed by “politicians”, he clung to the opportunity. He did not question the source of his appointment then. This is sanctimonious duplicity. When he was discarded and then reappointed again and again, he saw that as mistakes being corrected, but now sees the appointment of Jairam Pitam as appointing a “misfit” and deems it a “dangerous” act. This is a blatant double standard, and just goes to show the personal and venomous nature of the man. Everyone is a “misfit” except himself. Then Panday again guilefully attempted to sow discord among the Executives of GuySuCo, namely, the CEO and Chairman. This man has now

become the opposite of what he is supposed to preach. In conclusion, as a practising Pandit, Panday needs to give some credence to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna teaches that ego (ahamkara) and arrogance (dambha and abhimana) are the core illusions keeping humans trapped in pain. They trick the soul into believing it is the independent controller of life, leading straight to anger, delusion, and self-destruction. MP Panday, as a practising Pandit, is fully cognisant of this, and should avoid this like the plague. As per definition, a Pandit is a wise and learned person in Hinduism, who has special knowledge of sacred books, religious laws, and philosophy. All those you have sought to condemn are better individuals than yourself – that is the karma you have to live with. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

The Mohameds’ CCJ ruling was always unambiguous Dear Editor, This “fanning for smoke” by “only” some sections of Team Mohamed is stirring my angst. In fact, it is now mounting as I digest, from the dailies, the portent of the caption, “CCJ under pressure as Judges’ leaked emails raise questions over independence.” Inhering in the supposed news piece is that the “internal rift at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is spawning suspicions of ‘non-independence and loss of credibility’ of the said CCJ, the region’s highest court.” This uncalled-for furore revolves around “leaked emails” in which “sitting Judges are seemingly accusing President Justice Winston Anderson of ‘dictatorial’ leadership, panel manipulation, and attempts to influence judicial opinions.” So, what do I make of this? First, it is that in Guyana, especially, the combined Opposition, their followers, and more so, their legal team, have no basis for deeming the CCJ as prejudiced or pandering to a particular party in the just-concluded extradition case involving the Mohameds and Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs. The ruling from the CCJ, unanimously too, was that the case can resume after it was disrupted by a legal challenge from the father and son. I really want John “Foolish” Public to absorb this. It is that the Mohameds’ formal legal defence team, comprising Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, along with Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva, at no time (up to the present) ever accused or

hinted that the CCJ was biased in its ruling. As a matter of fact, following the July 29, 2026, judgement, the attorneys overtly and explicitly welcomed some aspects of the court’s 256-page ruling. Contrary to this, and like a spoilt and spanked child, Azruddin Mohamed himself, via his various channels, is publicly attacking the integrity of the CCJ “after internal Judge emails were leaked”. What is comical and yet dangerous is that the various responses manifest a noticeable divergence between the official legal team and Azruddin Mohamed’s public campaigners, with the latter trying to “cook up” something. A worthy point to note is that the legal team pointed out that the CCJ Judges actually agreed that public statements made by Guyanese Attorney General Anil Nandlall had crossed the threshold into “apparent bias”. (This was an issue that was used to chastise the honourable Attorney General). Yet, the very court ultimately ruled that the AG’s “bias” (if that was so) did not legally taint the Home Affairs Minister’s separate decision to authorise the extradition. This is a classic case of being “disinterested” and “dispassionate” regarding any issue in life and not just the courts. In suspecting that Anil swayed Minister Oneidge Walrond to reduce her to a puppet, and I am glad that the CCJ clearly indicated her “independence” and “non-persuaded” decision. Secondly, I come to these “allegations of ‘panel fixing’, where the idea is being tout-

ed that the CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson attempted or sought some kind of altering or manipulating of the composition of judicial panels to sway outcomes...” To this, I submit that these leaked emails do not prove, or even suggest, that the final ruling against the Mohameds was biased or legally compromised. However, they supposedly expose “...a fierce internal crisis regarding the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) President’s leadership style and administrative overreach and in no way even suggest that the substantive verdict itself was infected by bias.” As we all know, long before this leak, the ruling was a unanimous verdict. This was never an issue, even though there were procedural disagreements over how the case was being managed administratively. The crux

was that “all” the sitting CCJ Judges ultimately agreed with the final decision to dismiss the Mohameds’ appeal and clear the path for their extradition. Legal experts who weighed in on the matter noted that the core of the leaked email fight centred on administrative disputes – such as judicial dress codes, panel assignments, and timing – rather than the integrity or factual evidence of the judgements. This hushes the argument that “the leaks pander toward a lack of fairness and independence. It should silence all seeking to gain ‘political leverage” to demand an independent review of the entire CCJ institution. Let me remind readers that the accusation heaped on the President of the court regarding “directives” to remove certain judges has nothing to do with the “father and son” matter that

was just concluded. That directive was issued for a different regional matter, the D’Almada v TT, Jamaica, and Caricom case. That was when, on June 26, 2026, Justice Anderson sent an internal email to Justices Chile Eboe-Osuji and Arif Bulkan stating, without prior explanation, that he had “determined that a change

in the panel” was “desirable.” This action effectively removed Justice Eboe-Osuji from hearing the D’Almada case. If I were in the place of the Mohameds, my energies would definitely not be so ill-directed. Yours truly, Hargesh B Singh

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Islam for Guyana 06:30 TVG Devotional Hour 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 HGTV 09:00 Stop Suffering 10:00 Food Network 12:00 Documentary - Sea Lions of the Galapagos (2025) 13:30 Movie - Dot Conner: Webdetective (2025) 15:00 Cartoons 16:00 Indian Soaps 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 TVG Music Break 21:00 Heartland 22:00 Movie - The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

Foundation ◄

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Measuring angles

easuring angles is finding the number of degrees an angle is. Angles are measured in degrees using the degree sign 0. The tool used for measuring angles is called a protractor.

The vertex of the angle, D, is placed on the bottom center of the protractor. One arm of the angle is lined up with the bottom of the protractor at 00. The other arm is used to measure the turn from one arm to the next.

By Reynolds Price

The degree measure on the top center of a protractor is 900. This is the midpoint of the protractor. Note that the numbers to the left and to the right of the center either go up by ten or go down by ten degrees. If the angle is acute, you will use the acute measurement (less than 900 but greater than 00), and if the angle is obtuse, you will use the obtuse measurement (greater than 900 but less than 1800). For example, let’s look at the measure of <D.

Notice how the arm goes through the measure of 400 and 1400. Since the angle is obtuse, use the measurement that is greater than 90 and less than 1800. The angle measure 1400. The angle on a protractor may not always line up with the bottom of the protractor at zero. If this happens, you will subtract in order to find the measurement of the angle.

ossils are the remains of ancient life that have been preserved in Earth’s crust. Most people think of fossils as preserved bones or shells of primitive animals. However, there are many forms of fossils. Scientists have even found fossil impressions of early forms of bacteria. Not all remains of living things become fossils. For fossilisation to occur, an organism must be preserved soon after it dies, or its tissues will quickly decay. Moist areas such as floodplains and riverbeds, where large amounts of sediment are deposited, are good settings for fossilisation. The most common fossils come from hard tissues, such as shells, bones, and tree trunks. Soft tissues can fossilise if they are quickly preserved after the organism dies; this is relatively rare, however, since these tissues decay rapidly after death. The term "fossil" derives from a Latin word meaning “to dig". The scientific study of fossils is called palaeontology, from Greek words meaning the science (logia) of very old (palaios) existing things (onta). Palaeontologists have recovered and studied the fossil remains of many thousands of organisms that lived in the past. These data comprise the fossil record, the main source of information about the history of life on Earth. However, because fossils form only under certain conditions, the fossil record reflects just a small fraction of all the organisms that have ever lived. (Britannica Kids)

August dusk. We rest on the green porch, Yellowjackets and ants at our knees— You in from work, ready to cook The dinner I can’t; I three-fourths through The eightieth sick-day, weaker still; We cheering a milestone with smooth Glenlivet Eleven years of peace and war, Our squalls and calms. The hidden thrush In the big beech behind us pauses to play His billionth variation on the five notes Stamped in his throat. You face me and say “Real time,” then add with customary Unbarked candor “Whether you make it Or not, these days were real time”— Twelve days in which you’ve fed me squarely, Dried my bedsore, each night stripped My slack legs for baby-sleep (that sound and br... No word or sign of balk or grievance. Whether I make it or not, old struggler (Treasured as any, with all our scars), Feel it hereafter as all real time— All one linked try to tread one void. We pay for it now. (Source: Poetry [November 1985])

These fossilised trilobites were found in rocks dating to the Cambrian Period in Russia

Include the line "There's no going back now" in your story.

WORD SEARCH

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MV Barima tragedy

Arrangements being finalised for CoI public hearings

Secretary to the Commission, Attorney Javid Shadick

he Commission of Inquiry (COI) that was set up to probe the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima is currently working on finalising arrangements to commence public hearings. Attorney Javid Shadick, Secretary to the Commission, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Thursday that once those arrangements are completed, a public notice will be issued. That notice will outline the details and inform the public and media on how the hearings will be conducted. Shadick also indicated that the secretariat is currently addressing the legal and administrative requirements that will guide the proceedings. “They’re working on checking the legal aspects,” Shadick said, explaining that the Commission is considering the various scenarios that may arise during the hearings in order to ensure the inquiry is conducted properly and without any complications. On July 18, the MV Barima capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast while en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), with 179 people on board. While 76 persons survived the horrific boat accident, 73 persons have been confirmed dead, and another 30 remain unaccounted for. President Dr Irfaan Ali subsequently appointed a five-member commission to investigate the circumstanc-

es surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the ferry. The Commissioners were sworn in on July 30. Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize, a Caricom High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and an ad hoc justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal, will be leading the inquiry as its Chairman. The other four Commissioners are: Captain Hamada Fouda, a senior maritime surveyor and compliance auditor with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica; Nyree Dawn Alfonso, an Attorneyat-Law with expertise in admiralty and maritime law in Trinidad and Tobago; Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, a naval architect and marine engineer who has advised on investigations into several major maritime disasters; and Rear Admiral (Retired) Hayden Pritchard, a maritime professional with decades of experience in maritime operations and maritime security from Trinidad and Tobago. The commission is expected to submit its findings, observations and recommendations to President Ali upon completion of its investigation. At the swearing-in ceremony, President Ali had noted that the Government has a solemn duty to establish the truth behind the MV Barima tragedy. “Our nation deserves a full, fair, and impartial account of what occurred, why it occurred, and what must be done to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. It is in fulfilment of that responsibility that this Commission of Inquiry has been established,” he posited. The Commission has been entrusted with a comprehensive mandate to enquire into every relevant aspect of this disaster. With Terms of Reference (ToRs) that are deliberately broad and searching, the Commission is required to determine the facts, examine the causes and contributing factors, evaluate compliance with applicable laws and operational standards, assess the effectiveness of the search, rescue, and

SGCC reiterates...

The SGCC remains prepared to engage constructively with the Governments of Guyana and Suriname, Canawaima Management Companies, the relevant maritime and regulatory authorities, and private-sector stakeholders on practical solutions for strengthening the service. The Chamber believes that a sustainable solution will require coordination across Government, regulators, technical specialists and the Private Sector, supported by clear accountability, appropriate investment and a shared commitment to maintaining this essential economic link.

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The planned Corentyne River Bridge represents an important long-term development in the relationship between Suriname and Guyana. Until that connectivity is realised, however, the ferry remains indispensable. The SGCC therefore respectfully calls for urgent cooperation to ensure that the immediate safety requirements affecting the MV Canawaima are addressed, while simultaneously reopening substantive discussions on the structural modernisation and longterm management of the ferry service.

The five-member Commission of Inquiry

recovery operations, identify any shortcomings or failures, and recommend reforms necessary to strengthen the safety and resilience of the local maritime transportation system. According to President Ali, “The nation awaits such a report. The families who have suffered unimaginable loss await these answers. Future generations deserve the assurance that every lesson that can be learned from this tragedy will indeed be learned.”

Meanwhile, the Government has initiated efforts to recover the sunken vessel, with the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, through the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), seeking a specialised marine salvage contractor. In fact, today, August 14, is the deadline for interested and suitably qualified companies to submit their 10-page proposals in response to the Expression of Interest (EoI). The MV Barima is locat-

ed in approximately 13 to 15 metres of water, with strong tidal currents, limited underwater visibility and challenging sea conditions presenting significant technical considerations for the salvage operation. According to MARAD, “The Contractor must propose methods and sequences for all stages of the operation.” The Department said a reputable salvage company with a proven track record of successful vessel sal-

vage operations in Guyanese or wider Caribbean waters, particularly in environments characterised by strong currents and restricted visibility, is being sought. Moreover, President Ali has also established the HEART Initiative, which brings together humanitarian assistance, psychosocial and trauma counselling, social services, spiritual guidance and other forms of support for survivors and bereaved families of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy.

More development institutions needed to support local business growth – New Hayven Chair

o help more local businesses grow into attractive, investment-ready enterprises, Guyana needs more development institutions that can guide business owners along clear pathways to securing investment, scaling operations and expanding their businesses. This is according to the Founder and Chairman of the New Hayven Merchant Bank, Floyd Haynes, during a recent episode of the Energy Perspectives podcast. “I think we have to have a few more developmental institutions... The ecosystem for a successful business needs to be developed, and so you need development agencies. We have some, but I think we need a few more,” he stated. Haynes, who helped to develop the model for the Guyana Development Bank (GDB), noted that the state-led initiative, which aims to boost small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering zero-interest, collateral-free startup and expansion loans up to GYD $3 million, is a step in the right direction. “One of the requirements of the Guyana Development Bank is going to be that before you get a loan, you have to go through a training process... Because ultimately, the goal is to create businesses that one day could step into the shoes of what is now being done by many foreign companies. The goal is for Guyanese companies to one day take over those roles.” “Well, to that, you need capacity building, and for

Founder and Chairman of the New Hayven Merchant Bank, Floyd Haynes

capacity building, you need several agencies performing that function... we need more professional development and just general business development in areas of finance, marketing, management, and more – all of what makes for the ecosystem of a successful business,” he emphasised. In fact, the New Hayven Merchant Bank, which was established in 2022, has been providing such developmental support for businesses in Guyana. According to Haynes, the bank has raised financing in excess of US$100 million for the local economy across various sectors such as oil and gas, mining and construction. Unlike traditional commercial banks that provide loans, he explained that the merchant bank is more focused on investments. “[If] you’re a startup, a new business, or an existing business that’s looking to grow and you need an infusion of cap-

ital, you come to us. Then we go out and we raise the money and we invest in your business. And we don’t only bring financing. We bring all kinds of financial expertise. So, it could come with financial advice. It could come with training. It could come with all sorts of things in addition to the funding, and we help you grow, expand and scale your business,” the Chairman noted. Haynes further pointed out that foreign companies continue to come to Guyana looking for local partners, and Guyanese-owned businesses must ensure they are investment-ready – something that is a major challenge for local firms. “If you’re an existing business, [investors look at] what you have done, what your financial track record is, and what your performance track record is. And then they’re looking forward: where you are go-

ing [and] what your vision for the future is. Because if you’re putting money into a business, there are a lot of risks, so we have to be able to assess that risk, and the only way to assess that risk is to look at things like the business plan.” “With the explosion of oil and gas, and the oil industry at large, has come a demand for more rigour. And businesses now have to think beyond ‘I have an idea and I want to start a business; I need money. ‘You now have to have a plan...so that when [you] sit with the investor or banker, [you] can articulate a vision that’s impressive and differentiates [you] from everybody else. So, you’ve got to get the businesses ready for that type of thing,” he asserted. Just last month, the National Assembly passed the GDB Act 2026, paving the way for existing and aspiring Guyanese small business owners to access financing and other support services. This, coupled with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s subsequent assenting into law, now allows for the operationalisation of the Development Bank that targets women, youths and other vulnerable groups. Over the coming weeks, the Government will be launching the GDB across the country, not just offering interest-free, collateral-free loans in a wide spectrum of sectors but also providing services such as mentorship, business development training, technical assistance and formalisation guidance.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s final appellate court, CCJ, must be respected – AG – says public statements must not be scurrilous

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

statement during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday evening, Nandlall said it demonstrates judicial rectitude. “This is a statement that demonstrates respect and sobriety and maintains the sacrosanct aura that ought to attach to a matter of such grave importance. The tone of this statement, the content of this statement, demonstrates judicial rectitude and restraint, becoming of the institutions from which this statement emanates,” the AG said. He noted the statement issued by the Bar Council

According to Nandlall, the Bar Council’s statement is “equally sober”. “A statement, I believe, that asserts the continuing respect for the court and its processes,” he posited. “You will note the similarity in tone and content between this statement and the statement that came from the judiciaries of the Caribbean.” Sharing his own views on the controversy, Nandlall expressed similar sentiments, reminding us that the CCJ is Guyana’s final court. “Importantly, whatever

so would bring the administration of justice into disrepute, and indeed, constitute a contempt of court,” he expressed. In this regard, Nandlall also condemned comments made by a politician associated with We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Mark Goring, who posted on Facebook that “The evidence shows that the CCJ President compromised long, bring the Baygon; let’s spray out this cockroach.” “This is a grossly disrespectful and scurrilous attack upon the President of the Caribbean Court of

of the Bar Association of Guyana demonstrates similar restraint. In a statement on Monday, the Bar Council said the CCJ’s institutional integrity must be respected, protected, and preserved. It also noted that internal correspondence and deliberations within the court are, and must remain, confidential. Additionally, the Bar Council stated that it expresses no view on the substance of the matters raised in the correspondence.

is unfolding publicly… it is of fundamental importance that I remind you that the Caribbean Court of Justice is Guyana’s final court, and it stands at the apex of the system administering justice in this country. Therefore, while persons can make public statements about the court and its members, even critical ones, they are obliged by law to do so respectfully, and not to subject the court or its members to scurrilous criticisms and scandalising attacks. To do

Justice, the highest-ranking Judicial Officer of the Judiciary of Guyana, and it constitutes a scathing attack – not only on the Caribbean Court of Justice, but also on the administration of justice in Guyana,” Nandlall asserted. “I condemn this contemptuous publication in the strongest possible terms, and I invite every right-thinking member of society to do the same,” he further posited.

ttorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), stressing that the institution is Guyana’s final court and, as such, must be respected. He added that public commentary on the court and its Judges must remain measured, and must not descend into scurrilous attacks. The CCJ controversy involves an unprecedented internal rift sparked by leaked confidential emails. However, Heads of Judiciary from across the Caribbean on Tuesday reaffirmed their confidence in the CCJ while expressing grave concern over the disclosure of confidential internal communications among the court’s Judges. The Heads of the Judiciary of Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago also stated they would not comment on the merits of statements or allegations attributed to individual Judges, nor on matters arising from the court’s internal deliberative or administrative processes. Commenting on this

“We want to help you...

According to the Minister, the proposed wharf will provide a more organised space for fisherfolk to operate, including safe storage of seines, nets, boats and other fishing equipment, while also providing an appropriate facility for mooring boats and offloading catches. The Minister said NDIA Chairman Lionel Wordsworth, along with a technical team from the Authority, will return to the area in the coming days to conduct the assessment and begin the process of developing the wharf’s design. Once the design is completed, the project will be tendered for construction. Minister Mustapha also addressed concerns from

fisherfolk who did not receive the recently distributed Fisherfolk Relief Grant. He said fisheries officers will collect their information, and, following verification, those confirmed as active fisherfolk will be added to the Ministry’s database and will be eligible to receive the assistance. “Some of the fisherfolk here did say that they received it, so we just have to capture those who were not registered. So, we will work with them to ensure they are registered so that they too can benefit from the grant. Overall, we will work with them to enhance their position and ensure that they benefit from the resources that are extended to other

FROM PAGE 3

fisherfolk around the country,” Mustapha noted.

Opportunities

The Minister further added that other Cabinet Ministers will also be visiting the community to address issues falling within their respective portfolios. He said several residents have expressed a willingness to relocate given the current conditions in the area, and those concerns will also be addressed as the Government continues its engagement with the community. Minister Mustapha also outlined plans to create opportunities for young people in the area through agriculture. He said his ministry

will work with young residents, particularly those completing school and attending tertiary institutions, to identify a suitable area where a shade house can be established for the cultivation of high-value crops. “Our officers from NAREI [National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute] will work with you to establish the shade house and guide you on what to plant and the most appropriate farming techniques. Once you start getting production, we will work with you through the New GMC [New Guyana Marketing Corporation] to find markets,” the Minister assured residents.

Oily… L

…LOO

ooks like Sanction Man, the Leader of the Opposition (LOO), fancies himself as an oil economist – in addition to a gold smuggler, if the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and our Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) are to be believed!! Following ExxonMobil’s announcement that it’s recovered the roughly US$55 billion invested in our Stabroek Block, like Chicken Little, he shrieked that our oil income’s about to “TRIPLE!!!” Imagine the bigger cash grants we’d be getting, he hints – wink, wink!! It’s an attractive proposition – almost as attractive as believing that once you’ve paid off your house mortgage you ain’t never gonna spend money on it no mo!! The Stabroek PSA does indeed permit up to 75 per cent of production to be used for cost recovery – with the remaining (25 per cent) profit oil split 50/50 between us and the smooth operators!! Plus, that dinky two per cent bonus, of course!! But there’s a rather inconvenient little detail in the petroleum business that Sanction Man avoided mentioning – that the US$55 billion ain’t the last dollar Exxon gonna ever spend!! Probably ‘cause in his gold business, numbers mean whatever he wants them to mean!! Exxon might’ve recovered the accumulated costs of discovering and developing the existing production, but they haven’t acquired a magic oilfield that gushes oil for free!! New wells – being pursued fast and furiously!! – cost money; as do new subsea infrastructure, FPSO modifications, etc!! Not to mention drilling, maintenance, transportation, insurance, staffing, and other operating expenses!! And these expenses gotta be deducted from the cost of oil!! With all else being equal, a larger proportion of future production can become profit oil – but it ain’t gonna be as large as Sanction Man wants us to believe!! Ironically, while the Opposition complains that Exxon’s recovering too much as cost oil through the 75 per cent ceiling, now that the accumulated investment’s finally been recovered, Sanction Man should understand the other side of the same equation: cost recovery doesn’t disappear ‘cause yesterday’s costs have been recovered!! The oil industry has no “paid in full” sticker!! Wells keep getting drilled; machines keep grinding to a halt; FPSOs keep requiring maintenance. And the next billion-dollar development, like Longtail, has still gotta be factored in! All cost money!! So, while the good news is that we should certainly expect substantially larger revenue flows, claiming that our country’s income is simply gonna triple is less an oil-economics forecast than an exercise in political wishful thinking!! Or political gamesmanship!! If Sanction Man wants to announce a tripling of Guyana’s oil revenue, he should first produce the spreadsheet – and not from his back pocket!! Let him start with a column headed “New Costs”, ‘cause in the petroleum business, unlike in political speeches and gold smuggling, yesterday’s investment being recovered doesn’t mean tomorrow’s investment is free!! Less shooting from the hip!! …Brits’ departure India’s independence anniversary is tomorrow – August 15!!! We can’t ever forget the demonstrator effect it had in 1947 – not only here in British Guiana, but across the world – especially in Africa!! Their achievement spurred on local politicians across the British Empire to raise their game – since independence had moved from a dream and aspiration to reality!! Burnham chose the name “Congress” for his new PNC party in 1957 – the year Ghana under Nkrumah got independence – much as South Africa had launched their Congress in 1912 in imitation of the Indian Congress!! But we can’t live in the past, can we?? So, the question in this world of the supremacy of national self-interest – what’s India done for us recently?? Well, the answer is PLENTY!! Not the least being the fact that the moment they were informed that our ferry service to the Northwest depended on an eight-decade-old ship, they provided funding for, and built, a replacement – the MV Ma Lisha!! Over now to the Transport and Harbours Department!!

…Suriname Can you believe the nerve of Suriname to say they’d suspend the Canawaima service across the Corentyne because of its poor maintenance!! Turns out they’re the ones responsible for the said maintenance!! We gotta put a stop to this eye-pass! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PSC pushes public-private plan to cut bottled water costs – proposed review of taxes, distribution margins

Representatives from the PSC and the Government at the meeting

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) and representatives of the bottled water industry have agreed to pursue a collaborative public-private sector initiative aimed at reducing the cost of bottled water, strengthening local manufacturing, and ensuring that the resulting savings are ultimately passed on to consumers. The agreement follows a further engagement on Wednesday involving Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, representatives of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), executives of the PSC and private-sector bottled water manufacturers. During the discussions, production

costs and distribution margins were identified as the two key factors contributing to the price of bottled water. Against this background, the private sector proposed a two-phase approach to addressing the concerns surrounding the cost and availability of bottled water. The first phase would focus on the standardisation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) preforms used by local manufacturers, where technically feasible, alongside the development of local PET preform manufacturing capacity through a public-private partnership or broader private sector consortium. PET-related inputs were identified as a significant component of produc-

tion costs. Local production of PET preforms could also benefit other industries that rely on PET packaging. The second phase would address environmental tax and other input costs, as well as distribution and retail margins. The private sector emphasised that reducing manufacturing costs alone would not necessarily result in lower prices for consumers if excessive distribution and retail margins remain within the supply chain. The lowering or removal of environmental tax and VAT, together with a review of distribution arrangements and retailer mark-ups, was therefore identified as critical to achieving meaningful price reductions. Minister

Indar indicated that the Government will examine the movement of bottled water through the supply chain, including distributors, supermarkets, and other intermediaries, as well as the margins applied at various stages. He further clarified that Government intervention is intended to address the immediate affordability challenge and does not necessarily signal permanent Government participation in the bottled water manufacturing sector. A defined period of Government involvement, together with a clear transition and exit strategy, was discussed as a possible component of a public-private arrangement. The private sector will now submit formal proposals identifying participating manufacturers, opportunities for PET preform standardisation and local production, recommendations regarding the lowering or removal of environmental tax and VAT, distribution arrangements and a proposed framework for the Government’s eventual transition or withdrawal. These proposals will then be submitted to Cabinet for consideration. The PSC welcomed the progress made

and reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government to improve affordability for consumers, strengthen local manufacturing, and protect confidence in Private Sector investment. The Commission

stressed that the objective must remain clear: to reduce the cost of bottled water while supporting the Private Sector that is already investing, producing and creating jobs in the industry.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wismar Phase 1 allottees begin identifying house lots – over 1600 house lots to be identified

Two families planting a picket as a mark to identify their plot of land

The housing development in Region 10

onths after the Housing Ministry assured allottees of the new Wismar Housing Development, Phase One, that they would soon be able to identify and visit their house lots, the first group of allottees was invited on Wednesday to identify their respective residential plots. Led by the Ministry’s surveyors, each allottee was guided to the correct location and permitted to mark their plot. This exercise continued on Thursday and will

end today. In addition, a second group of allottees will be contacted at a later date, as their plots become accessible. More than 1600 residential plots have been allocated within the development, where approximately $5.5 billion is being invested in essential infrastructure works. Phases One and Two cover about 355 acres, and include dedicated spaces for recreational facilities, a Police Outpost, and other

modern amenities. The Ministry encourages allottees participating in Lot Identification Exercises to regularly check their plots. This will help prevent encroachment and the common problem of others mistakenly building on the wrong lot. Back in early 2025, the Ministry conducted allocation exercises that significantly reduced the backlog of housing applications in Region 10. Subject Minister Collin Croal noted that the Government remains com-

mitted to ensuring that beneficiaries transition from allocation to homeownership promptly. Phase One of the development represents an investment of close to $2 billion, while Phase Two carries an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. Land clearing has already commenced for Phase Two, with contractors mobilised and timelines firmly in place. Croal also reaffirmed the

Government’s ongoing commitment to constructing 40,000 homes nationwide, noting that Region 10 will benefit directly from this programme. He added that the Ministry would continue engagements, technical assessments, and planning to facilitate the commencement of home construction in the development. Since the establishment of the Regional Housing

Office in Linden, the Ministry has placed strong emphasis on ensuring adequate staffing and improving service delivery to meet the needs of the growing population. The office currently provides vital land allocation, processing, and community development support to residents of Linden and surrounding communities, including Kwakwani.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Do not sleep on Guyana’s green economy” – Min Griffith – as young people urged to build skills for emerging opportunities

abour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith and Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs have urged young Guyanese to equip themselves with marketable skills through training while taking advantage of growing opportunities in Guyana’s green economy. At an International Youth Day 2026 panel discussion, young professionals from diverse fields, including Griffith, explored career development, emerging opportunities and the importance of equipping young people with the skills, discipline and adaptability needed to navigate today’s rapidly changing world of work. The discussion also highlighted opportunities available to young Guyanese in entrepreneurship, skills training and emerging sectors of the economy. Griffith urged young people to take advan-

Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith

feed Guyana, to feed your community, but of course you can consider agriculture and production at an export level. And so, if there is one desire for me, I wish our young people would consider, it’s agriculture. We have a lot of land, as you know.”

importance of proper documentation in entrepreneurship, pointing to discussions within the Guyana Youth Entrepreneurship Chamber on the issue. Reflecting on his experience in cricket and public life, Jacobs said discipline requires a consistent

Members of a panel discussing youth matters

tage of opportunities within Guyana’s green economy, particularly in agriculture, and encouraged them to consider developing small farming operations into larger enterprises. “I would love to hear some successful stories coming out of the Guyana Development Bank (GDB) of young people going to the bank to establish a farming enterprise or to turn their small farming business into an enterprise so that they can capitalise on everything there is to be offered in the green economy. So please, my young people, do not sleep on Guyana’s green economy.” He backed up his argument by highlighting the opportunities available to young people within Guyana’s green economy, particularly in agriculture. “When you consider the story of Guyana’s green economy and the fact that Guyana is the only country in the world that is self-sufficient in terms of food production, I think young people have an explosive opportunity not only to try to

Meanwhile, Minister Jacobs highlighted the importance of young people taking advantage of the wide range of opportunities available to them, particularly training programmes designed to equip them with practical skills. He pointed to training programmes offered through Government, including opportunities in carpentry and welding, as well as initiatives such as the Young Influencers Programme and programmes being advanced through the President’s Advisory Council. Jacobs, who has a background in professional cricket, also grounded his message in the importance of self-belief, discipline and a strong work ethic. He noted that young people must first believe in their ability to pursue their goals, whether in business, creativity or their personal lives. He said that once young people have that belief, they must identify the necessary steps to turn their ideas into reality. He also highlighted the

commitment to improvement and service. “For instance, in cricket, you have to wake up every day wanting to be better, and that includes training. That is discipline. In public life, it is waking up every day and wanting to make sure that you play your role and your part in the progress and the development of Guyana. That is discipline every day. And then your work ethic.” He added that he believes people are rewarded based on the effort they put into their pursuits, describing this as a significant lesson he has learned throughout his life. Jacobs also pointed to the experiences of young creatives and entrepreneurs, noting that while challenges may exist, opportunities are also available for young people to pursue their ambitions. International Youth Day 2026 was observed on August 12 under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”. The global observance focused on recognising that despite

Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs

diverse local and national realities, young people

worldwide share fundamental goals for dignity, oppor-

tunity, decent work and a sustainable future.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CARICOM Education Ministers push for reforms amid changing world – as CARICOM Meeting of Education Ministers hosted in Guyana

CARICOM Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett with CARICOM Education Ministers

he critical role education plays in moulding well-rounded Caribbean citizens, particularly in the rapidly changing global environment, was the common thread of remarks at the opening of a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Meeting of

Education Ministers in Georgetown, Guyana, on Wednesday. Ministers of Education from CARICOM, representatives of regional institutions, partner organisations, and other stakeholders are in Georgetown for the 52nd Meeting of the Council

for Human and Social Development on Education. The meeting is being Chaired by the Education Minister, Sonia Parag. Under the theme “Educating for life, purpose, and Caribbean progress”, the Ministers will deliberate on matters including

micro-credentialing; assessments across the Region; enhancing the Mathematics programme for primary and secondary schools; and advancing teachers, teaching, and the teaching profession in the community. Addressing the opening session, Minister Parag pointed out that the meeting theme calls for considering education beyond the acquisition of knowledge or the preparation of children to succeed at examinations. “It challenges us to consider whether our education systems are giving every learner the foundation and confidence required to think critically, challenge the status quo, and ultimately, have the ability to adapt to a constantly changing world,” the Minister said. She added that educa-

CARICOM Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett

tion skills in the current environment must also include all forms of learning, such as technical and vocational education, apprenticeships, industry-based training, and talent development. In remarks at the opening, CARICOM Secretary General (SG) Dr Carla Barnett also placed emphasis on technical and vocational education and training (TVET), making the connection between skills development and employment and TVET’s role in strengthening the region’s resilience and competitiveness. “Ministers would be aware that there is a growing demand for technical,

vocational and digital skills in the region. This presents an opportunity to strengthen the connection between education, skills development and employment,” the SG said. Dr Barnett expressed the hope that the meeting will move the community closer to advancing policies to strengthen education systems and reflect a shared vision, “one that values every learner, encourages partnerships among students, teachers and parents, embraces multiple pathways to success, strengthens regional integration, and equips every one of our citizens to thrive in an increasingly dynamic world.”

Man drops bag with 2.5kg of ganja, escapes from Police

The ganja that was retrieved by the police

he police are on the hunt for a male who reportedly disposed of a bag containing a quantity of cannabis along Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Thursday. According to reports, police were on mobile patrol when they observed a male carrying a black plastic bag and was at the time acting in a suspicious man-

ner. Upon seeing the police vehicle, the man reportedly dropped the bag in nearby bushes and made good his escape. However, the bag was retrieved, and upon checking, the cannabis was found and later weighed and amounted to 2.5 kilograms (kg). Police are continuing their investigations.

NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New $22M portable sawmill set to boost sustainable timber processing within Upper Berbice

Members of the UBMCSL collecting equipment

Testing of one of the saws at the facility

he European Unionfunded Sustainable Forest Livelihoods (SFL) programme in Guyana has marked a significant milestone with the commissioning of a new portable sawmill facility, equipping the 164-member Upper Berbice Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd (UBMCSL) with the tools to add value to its timber resources and strengthen its forest-based enterprise. The highlight of the commissioning ceremony was the handover of an LT70 portable sawmill, valued at approximately $18 million, together with nearly $4.7 million worth of joinery equipment, office supplies, personal protective equipment, and other timber-processing tools. The investment is paired with training that UBMCSL members have completed in 2024 in reduced-impact logging, forest decision-making, and administration and record-keeping, along with support to finalise an operational and business plan to guide the sawmill’s day-to-day operations. Speaking at the ceremony, Conservation Director at World Wildlife Fund (WWF)Guianas, Aiesha Williams,

framed the milestone as a demonstration of partnership in practice. “This facility did not happen because of the efforts of one organisation alone,” Williams said. “It happened because communities brought their vision, resources and commitment, the Guyana Forestry Commission [GFC] provided leadership and technical support, the European Union provided financing and commitment, and WWF worked alongside these partners to help turn that vision into reality.” The second component of the commissioning ceremony was the handover of the Community Forest Management Plan, covering 18 small concessions spanning roughly 98,070 hectares, marking an important step toward achieving their sustainable forestry livelihood goals. The 2025–2028 plan lays out how UBMCSL will balance sustainable forest use, member livelihoods, and biodiversity protection across its concessions. In his remarks at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Forests, Edward Goberdhan, said, “The establishment of this sawmill and joinery shop provides an opportunity for

the UBMCSL to move further along the timber value chain from the harvesting of forest resources to processing, value addition and the creation of products that can generate greater economic returns for community members. With support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Forestry Commission, the group has invested approximately $20 million in seeing this project to fruition. This is a testament to their dedication to sustainable forest management and economic development. As a partner, the Guyana Forestry Commission will continue to play a critical role in providing technical guidance and supporting development within forest-dependent communities.” The commissioning also points to further support ahead: UBMCSL is expected to receive a log loader worth approximately $19 million through the SFL Grant Investment Mechanism, a competitive grant window open to forest-based communities, Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), and entrepreneurs in the timber and nature-based tourism sectors across Regions Two and 10.

Members of the UBMCSL with officials

Launched in mid-2025, the mechanism drew 50 project proposals, of which 12 were shortlisted for further development; WWF is now preparing to sign the first of these grant agreements, with UBMCSL positioned as a leading candidate. Speaking at the ceremony, EU Ambassador to Guyana, Luca Pierantoni, underscored the wider significance of the investment. “This milestone is about much more than commissioning a piece of equipment. It is about investing in people, strengthening local enterprises, and demonstrating that sustainable for-

est management can create lasting economic opportunities while protecting one of Guyana’s greatest natural assets.” He noted that this partnership reflects the shared commitment to ensuring that healthy forests continue to provide opportunities for present and future generations. The SFL programme, implemented by WWF-Guianas in partnership with the GFC since 2024, supports the goals of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) by strengthening sustainable forest management and adding value to local forest products. Beyond equip-

ment and infrastructure, the programme’s design channels support through national and local institutions – including the GFC and cooperatives like UBMCSL – to sustain benefits for communities well beyond the programme’s lifespan. The event closed with a live demonstration of the portable sawmill in operation. For UBMCSL, the sawmill commissioning represents a step toward the cooperative’s own stated vision: a multiple-use forest that generates value-added products while sharing benefits among its members, their community, and future generations.

3 arrested after robbing, assaulting gold miner at Issano Landing

Fisherman charged, remanded T for attempted murder of Agatash housewife, teen

ays after attempting to murder a 57-yearold woman and a teenager at Agatash Village, Bartica, Essequibo River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), the suspect was on Wednesday charged and remanded to prison. Anthony Fredericks, 28, a gold miner/fisherman of Agatash Village, was slapped with felonious wounding and unlawful wounding charges. He appeared before Magistrate Caressa Henry at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where the charges were read to him, to which he pleaded not guilty to both. As such, he was remanded to prison and will

Remanded: Anthony Fredericks

make his next court appearance on September 10, 2026. It was reported that on Monday at about 21:30h, the housewife and the teenager were attacked by a suspect, during which they sustained injuries. They were taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where they were examined, treated and admitted as patients. The 19-year-old was subsequently referred to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital for further medical attention. His condition is regarded as serious, while the 57-year-old woman is in a stable condition. The suspect was subsequently apprehended and charged.

hree men are now in Police custody in connection with an early morning robbery committed on a gold miner on Thursday at 14 Miles, Issano Landing, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). Based on reports received, the 30-yearold gold miner of St Ignatius Village, Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), was at a shop at 14 Miles, Issano Landing, when he was approached by two males – a 27-year-old and a 49-yearold from Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, respectively. During the incident, one of the suspects was reportedly armed with a handgun, and several rounds were discharged. The victim was allegedly assaulted and relieved of his wallet containing approximately $130,000, after which the suspects escaped on a motorcycle. The vic-

The firearm that was recovered after the robbery

tim was subsequently found injured and taken to the Mahdia Regional Hospital, where he was admitted. His condition is regarded as serious but stable. However, acting on information received, Police subsequently apprehended the two suspects at 14 Miles Backdam. Further investigations led to another location in the area, where a

Glock pistol, one magazine, and three live rounds of ammunition were recovered. A 32-year-old gold miner of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was taken into custody in connection with the discovery of the firearm and ammunition. The three men remain in custody as investigations continue.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother of 2 wins new home in HJ’s BOOM 13th anniversary promotion

Melissa Rogers receiving keys to brand new home

elissa Rogers walked away with the keys to a brandnew two-bedroom house that was up for grabs in Boom FM’s 13th Anniversary Promotion on Wednesday. Tears flowed and emotions ran high as Rogers discovered that she held the one key capable of unlocking the door to a brand-new two-bedroom home. The giveaway formed part of the radio station’s ef-

forts to give back to its listeners and supporters as the station marked its 13th anniversary. All winners from the anniversary promotions were documented and entered into a random draw, from which 13 persons were selected to participate in the station’s grand house giveaway. During the final draw on Wednesday, the 13 short-listed participants

were presented with a box containing 13 keys and were asked to pull one each. However, only one key could unlock the designated door, with the holder of the correct key emerging as the grand-prize winner. Speaking at the giveaway ceremony, Director of HJ, Kerwin Bollers, explained that the initiative was conceived as a way of showing appreciation to the station’s listeners. “When we came up with this promotion, we thought of, you know, ‘How can we continue to reward our listeners?’ And we played around with a few ideas. And then we all said, you know what? We have a company, a construction company, that builds homes. And we started one of the companies about three years ago for the prefab. And we thought, ‘Listen, what about if we do a house to mark our 13th anniversary?’” According to Bollers, while the idea initially appeared ambitious, the team eventually embraced it as an opportunity to create a significant and memorable experience for the station’s listeners and supporters. He said the giveaway was intended as a way of showing appreciation to those who tune in daily, share information about the station, and have contributed to its continued success over the past 13 years. Bollers also expressed

gratitude to the station’s listeners and sponsors, noting that their continued support has helped 94.1 Boom FM maintain its position as a leading station. He assured that the station would continue to grow alongside its supporters while giving back to listeners, the community and those who have contributed to its success. Meanwhile, giving a report on the process leading up to the prize, radio station morning host Stan Gouveia revealed that anticipation grew among the station’s vast number of listeners. He recalled that listeners would frequently raise questions about the giveaway during the station’s morning talkback programmes, often shifting the conversation away from the scheduled topics to ask when the house and keys would be

given away. “What has been interesting is to see how many persons were so interested in what was happening. Most mornings during the talkback topic, instead of persons calling to discuss what the topic was, they’re asking, ‘When are you giving away the house?’ ‘What about the house?’ ‘When are these keys dropping?’ And [these questions being asked by our listeners] speaks to, I believe, that relationship that Hits and Jams has built with you, the members of the public, who have participated in terms of listening.” “I do recall from the opening 13 years ago, when it was a [gift] card that was given away at the launch, and every year there was always something that management sought to be able

to make sure that you, the listeners, the loyal listeners, who make us number one, will be rewarded somehow in a tangible way. And it has brought us this far.” Gouveia said the response demonstrated the strong relationship Hits and Jams 94.1 Boom FM has built with its listeners over the years. He also recalled the station’s launch 13 years ago, when a car was reportedly given away, noting that management has consistently sought ways to reward its loyal listeners in tangible ways. Overcome with emotion and briefly at a loss for words, Rogers proudly spoke about her two children as she reflected on the significance of becoming a homeowner.

10 students receive GLASS bursaries with focus on financial literacy T

he Guyana Logistics and Support Services Inc (GLASS) Group of Companies and the Guyana Americas Merchant Bank (GuyAMBank) partnered to support ten students who excelled in the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). The bursary award ceremony, held at the GLASS Office on 87 Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, on Thursday, recognised the children of the employees of the GLASS Group of Companies. Speaking on behalf of the GLASS Group of Companies, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Glenn Lowa-Chee explained that this year’s bursary programme differs from previous years,

because it incorporates financial literacy and investment opportunities for awardees and their families. “We wanted to go beyond providing financial assistance by introducing a component that encourages long-term financial planning and investment. Through this initiative, we are giving parents and students a head start on their educational journey,” he said. General Manager of GuyAMBank, Ganesh Jaikaran, stated that the bank was pleased to partner with GLASS in supporting the next generation. “Investing in young people today helps build a stronger future for Guyana. We are proud to be part of this initiative,” he noted.

Parents of the awardees also expressed appreciation to GLASS and GuyAMBank for creating an opportunity that promotes both education and financial empowerment from an early age. This year’s GLASS bursary awardees are Anthony David, Talicia Hazel, Bryan Samuels, Arianna Chattersingh, Kia Ketwaroo, Jamella McBean, Kristin Weekes, Sky Johnson, Brandon Lee, and Henriquo Phillips. The initiative comes on the eve of Financial Literacy Day, which is observed today, further underscoring the importance of educating young people about sound financial practices and longterm investment planning.

The awardees and officials at the ceremony

NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

189 investment projects generate $1.06T in private capital in last 6 years – local investors account for 20%

hief Investment Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr Peter Ramsaroop, has stated that approximately 189 new, expansionary and mixed investment projects and agreements were facilitated over the past six years. This represents $1.06 trillion in private economic investment, with foreign investors accounting for about 73 per cent of recorded investment. The investment surge is not being driven by foreign capital alone. Local investors accounted for approximately 20 per cent of the recorded investment while generating about 49 per cent of the associated employment, underscoring the growing role of Guyanese businesses in the country’s economic transformation.

Dr Ramsaroop during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that the investments are also broadening beyond traditional areas, with capital flowing into mining, services, tourism, energy, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), agriculture, forestry, and other productive sectors. Additionally, joint ventures accounted for approximately $72 billion, while diaspora investment stood at about $2.9 billion, with CARICOM capital from countries including Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados also gaining importance. “The most important story is not simply the amount of capital entering Guyana; it is the broadening and deepening of investor confi-

dence in the Guyanese economy,” Ramsaroop said. The investment data is complemented by strong national Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) figures. Bank of Guyana data shows gross foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of approximately US$10.4 billion in 2024 and US$8.43 billion in 2025, largely associated with the oil and gas sector. Meanwhile, Private Sector credit more than doubled from approximately $259.8 billion in 2020 to $531.8 billion at the end of 2025, reflecting increased financing for business activity and expansion. GO-Invest is now placing greater emphasis on converting this investment confidence into larger productive investments, stronger joint ventures, technology trans-

Chief Investment Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr Peter Ramsaroop

fer, value-added production and export-orientated businesses. The agency supports investors in identifying opportunities, accessing incentives, navigating regulatory requirements and connecting

with Government agencies, local businesses, and potential partners. Its investment facilitation is also increasingly linked to export development. Over four years, GOInvest helped approximately

137 Guyanese companies enter export markets and connected 112 businesses with overseas buyers. At AgroFest in Barbados, about 80 Guyanese businesses participated in 2025 and more than 50 in 2026, with several moving from product exhibition to establishing commercial relationships in the Barbadian market. For Guyana, the figures point to an investment climate that is not only attracting capital but also creating deeper participation by Guyanese and CARICOM businesses. GO-Invest’s next priority is to build on that confidence by driving more regional partnerships, diversified production, exports, employment and greater value creation within the Guyanese economy.

200 youths complete Republic Bank’s “Right Start Pan Minors” music literacy programme 2026

Region Six participants

placement and performing simple pieces on the steelpan. Graduation ceremonies were held at the end of each

of giving young people opportunities that not only teach them a skill but also shape their character and their future. Programmes

regional camp where participants proudly received their certificates of participation and showcased their newly acquired skills through musical performances. The Region Four closing ceremony was recently held at the Queen’s College Auditorium in Georgetown. Addressing the gathering, Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited Dr Toussant Boyce reaffirmed the bank’s longstanding commitment to youth development through the arts. “At Republic Bank, we’ve always believed in the power

like Pan Minors do more than teach students how to play an instrument; they build confidence, discipline, teamwork and a lifelong appreciation for cultural heritage.” Delivering the feature address. Director of Events at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Andre Tyndall highlighted the important role programmes such as Pan Minors play in preserving and promoting Guyana’s cultural heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for young people to develop their talents. He encouraged the

Region Five participants

epublic Bank (Guyana) Limited partnered with the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport to host the Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme for the 15th consecutive year. As part of the Bank’s Power to ‘Make a Difference’ social investment programme, this annual workshop continues to inspire young people while developing discipline, teamwork and confidence. This year the programme ran from July 13 to July 24, 2026, and engaged 200 stu-

Region Four participants

dents from Regions Two, Four, Five, Six, Nine, and 10, and saw participants benefit from both theoreti-

A group of young people performing a steel-pan rendition

cal and practical training in the steel-pan art form while learning the fundamentals of reading music, chord

participants to view the skills gained during the programme as the beginning of their musical journey and to continue practicing, learning and taking advantage of opportunities to perform and further develop their craft. Mr Tyndall further underscored the value of sustained partnerships in expanding access to the arts and nurturing the next Guyanese musicians. He expressed appreciation to Republic Bank for its longstanding investment in the programme and its continued support for youth and cultural development. Also attending the ceremony were the Director of Allied Arts Unit at the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser, and this year’s Coordinator for the programme, Javier Marks. The Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme was first introduced to Guyana in 2010 as part of the bank’s “Power to Make a Difference” Social Investment initiative. Republic Bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that empower young people, strengthen communities and create opportunities for future generations to learn and succeed.

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Corriverton fisherman killed during altercation with 15-year-old A

secondary school student was taken into Police custody following a deadly altercation on Wednesday evening at Dukestown, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, that has left 55-year-old fisherman Asmat Mohamed Hussain dead. Police stated that Hussain was involved in an altercation with a 15-year-old male of Corriverton, during which he sustained injuries. Hussain was rushed to the No. 75 Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention. The teenager was later arrested and remains in custody pending investigation. For Hussain’s relatives, however, questions remain over precisely what transpired during the brief period between him leaving their company and being found unconscious. His nephew Azim Hussain recalled that family members had been socialising together that evening when Hussain left to purchase two beers from a nearby Chinese supermar-

The area where the altercation took place

ket. “Next thing, all I hear is somebody yelling,” the nephew recalled. He turned around and saw his uncle lying motionless on the ground. “When I spin around, I see he is flat on the ground, unconscious. I hustle, run… pick him up and rush him to the hospital. That’s all what I could say,” he said. The nephew remained at the hospital while doctors attended to Hussain, but the fisherman never regained

consciousness. “I went to the hospital with him all the time, until about 11 o’clock, until the doctor pronounced him dead,” he related. With the family uncertain about exactly what occurred before Hussain collapsed, the nephew believes surveillance cameras in the area could provide critical evidence. “The only thing we could get is the footage from the camera, exactly what went on. All the evidence,” he said,

adding that he had not yet seen the footage and was awaiting the Police investigation. Meanwhile, one of Hussain’s brothers, Asmat Mohamed, was also nearby that night. Mohamed, who displayed a wound to one of his fingers and other injuries to his right palm, recalled returning from work and spending time with relatives, including Hussain, but said he did not realise when his brother left for the super-

market. “By the time I turned, my brother was on the ground, bleeding through his nose,” he recalled. The brother alleged that during the immediate aftermath, he encountered the teenager, who attempted to get away. Mohamed said his brother was bleeding profusely from his nose and mouth while he wrestled with the teen, who eventually escaped from his grip. There were other attempts to prevent the teenager from leaving, but he managed to escape from the immediate scene. Attention then turned to the critically injured Hussain and getting him medical attention. Hussain’s sister, Bibi Hussein, recalled becoming extremely distressed after receiving word that something had happened to her brother. She later learnt that relatives had taken her unconscious brother to hospital. Beyond the violent circumstances surrounding his death, Bibi remembers her brother as a peaceful man who had spent much of his

Dead: Asmat Mohamed Hussain

life working to earn a living. He worked as a cane harvester attached to the Skeldon Sugar Estate until its closure on December 29, 2017, before going into the fishing industry. “He’s a very kind person, loving. He’s never a fighting person or anything. He’s very friendly. Loving person,” she said. Meanwhile, Police have not disclosed what allegedly triggered the encounter, nor have they provided details about the injuries which caused Hussain’s death.

Consumers complain about extra MMG fees as agents defend charges over low commissions

onsumers across Guyana are voicing their dissatisfaction over an increase in fees being charged by agents across the country for transactions with electronic wallet operator, Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), including deposits, which previously were not subject to charges. According to several consumers the Guyana Times spoke with, the arbitrarily applied fees range from $100 to as much as $3000, depending on the monetary value of the transaction. However, small agents are defending their decision to start charging their own fees, noting that the commissions paid by MMG are unviable. “First of all, it’s your money you have to invest, and the commission is low. The commissions on the services are very low. Customers would do transactions worth thousands, and you don’t get much. For example, $60,000 and the agent’s commission may not even be $100, especially for GTT or One Communications services,” an agent noted. “It’s unfair to the agents who basically provide all the cash. It’s like working for a boss you have to pay. Yes, it is their idea, their company and their app, but I think the commission should be raised.” According to transaction commission information seen by this newspaper, one agent made a commission of 0.8 per cent on a GPL bill payment, which amounts to an $800 commission on every $100,000, while another

made 0.2 per cent for a deposit into a customer’s wallet. This amounts to $200 made by the agent for every $100,000. It is not known if MMG applies a fixed commission percentage to respective transactions for any amount across all agents, or if different amounts attract different commission percentages. However, one agent explained that there are different categories of agents for the service, with agents who handle higher amounts of money being elevated to a higher category, which is said to attract higher commissions for transactions. “There are us small agents, and then there are super agents who make more commission. I think they offer it based on the amount you would have in your account and if you frequently top up regular agents and regular subscribers. However, different services have different commissions,” the agent explained. Up to press time, the company had not responded to questions sent via email about the situation. In terms of charges to consumers, MMG customers are charged approximately $120 for most payments, including merchants and bills, with the exception of bills for MMG’s parent company, One Communications (formerly GTT), and adding credit balance to cell phones. Withdrawals incur fees ranging from $250 to a percentage of the withdrawal amount. MMG does not

make any of its fee structures public. The fee is automatically deducted from a customer’s wallet balance for those with an account. To recharge their accounts, customers can make a deposit at agents, transfer money from local bank accounts, or deposit using Visa cards. Visa deposits incur a fee of five per cent, while direct deposits through an agent were previously free of charge. However, agents have begun charging for these transactions. And customers are not happy. “I paid $500 to put in $10,000, plus you are paying around $120 per bill,” commented MMG customer Rishma Persaud. Persaud, a business owner, reports that her electronic wallet has become an integral part of her financial life, using it for everything from bill payments to money transfers and payments to her suppliers. “All of those have a charge attached to it. I’ve been a customer since 2014, and honestly, I feel taken advantage of. If I go into the [MMG] branch itself, it takes a long time, so to save time I’m paying the upcharge from the agents, but I’m not happy about it. I pay all my bills through MMG, so it adds up to a lot in the end,” she shared. Other customers believe MMG needs to do more to sensitise consumers about what the fees and charges are so as to avoid uncomfortable situations. “The rules for the transactions are not clear. That type of thing undermines the agents. It’s

very annoying and wastes time when you have one expectation and you turn up and have to pay. Now I don’t stop at any MMG location outside the city,” commented Dmitri, another MMG customer who has been with the service for over nine years.

Additional fee

Another MMG customer, Gary Foo, shared his experience of being charged an additional fee for a transaction for the first time three weeks ago. “I was recharging my wallet to pay a utility bill. I handed the agent the cash, and I was asked if I wanted to have the fees taken from the amount or if I would pay separately. The fee was $200. I have never deposited at this particular agent before. In the past, I had done withdrawals,” he noted. Another customer, Merrano, is calling for clearer information from the company, recalling an incident in which he felt blindsided by a fee demand from an agent for a deposit he had previously made for free. “This fee to deposit

was a surprise and an added inconvenience. It’s something going on for a long time, and we’ve just been accepting it, but the company needs to issue some sort of thing to the public. Suppose I didn’t have the money to pay for the deposit. I would’ve had to deposit less into my wallet to pay for the deposit,” he noted. This is not the first time MMG has come under fire over its stance on fees. In November 2024, local mortgage firm the New Building Society (NBS) announced that it had terminated its mortgage payment facility with MMG over an “unsanctioned fee increase” that the institution deemed excessively burdensome for its customers. After an initial agreement that allowed customers to make mortgage payments at a transaction fee of $120, MMG later proposed a substantial fee increase to 0.75 per cent of the transaction value. NBS said the fee imposed undue financial strain on customers. Originally created as a subsidiary of GTT, MMG has

been operating since 2013 as a regulated mobile money provider. It was launched as the country’s first electronic wallet and offers a secure platform for payments, shopping, money transfers, phone top-ups and more. The platform charges no monthly fees. As Guyana’s only mobile money provider, MMG is regulated by Guyana’s central bank, the Bank of Guyana. Through the app, and previously through its website, users are able to send and receive funds, pay bills, top up mobile credit, pay businesses and handle everyday transactions directly from a smartphone. Over the years, the number of merchants that consumers could pay using the app has continued to increase, with its reach among consumers also steadily growing. According to a recent Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report, as of 2024, MMG served about 80,000 subscribers and engaged more than 2,000 local agents across Guyana. Following an IDB US$40 million loan to GTT in 2024, MMG was given a US$715,000 grant from IDB Lab to focus on growing its subscriber base and agent network in low-income, rural areas and building two new digital services. However, according to the same IDB report, MMG has faced its own share of challenges and only became profitable in 2023, ten years after it started operations.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Mexico says Colombia rejected its Haitian leaders warn workers, families, key industries on earthquake rescue team; other countries send continued assistance immigration crackdown

exico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has said Colombia is refusing to allow a team of Mexican rescue experts into the country to help search for survivors of Monday’s devastating earthquake, as questions grow over how the new Government is handling offers of international assistance. Sheinbaum said on Thursday that she had initially been told the military rescue team had travelled to Colombia, but was informed at a Security Cabinet meeting the following day that this was not the case. “Colombia requested a certification. They are certified, but now they are asking for another certification,” Sheinbaum told re-

porters. Mexico has continued sending other help, including food and medical supplies. Colombia’s Foreign Minister Omar Bula said on Wednesday that the country had accepted 58.5 tonnes of aid from Mexico, and that a flight carrying humanitarian assistance was arriving that day. The dispute comes after the critical 72-hour window for finding survivors alive has already passed, with hopes fading of finding more people beneath the rubble left by Monday’s magnitude 7.4 earthquake. At least 273 persons have been killed and more than 3800 injured, according to Government figures

on Thursday. Another 377 persons were still officially listed as missing up to press time. Beyond Mexico, several countries have offered assistance. A team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived on Thursday to help with search operations and structural assessments, while another US urban searchand-rescue team from Fairfax County in the state of Virginia was also mobilised at the request of the Colombian Government. Peru and Brazil have also offered assistance, while De la Espriella announced on X that Colombia will receive a $10m donation from the United Arab Emirates. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Police in Ecuador seize 469 kg of cocaine bearing face of football star

orway’s football star Erling Haaland’s face has appeared on billboards, trading cards, and television screens, becoming a social media phenomenon for scoring seven goals across four World Cup matches in July. Now, Police in Ecuador have found it in an unexpected place – printed on green rectangular packages that made up a stunning cocaine shipment seized in a truck near the Colombian border. The driver of the vehicle was arrested following the seizure of the stash of 469 kilograms of cocaine on Wednesday, Police said in a statement. A news release said anti-narcotics agents were conducting an operation following an anonymous tip received early Tuesday morning on the PanAmerican Highway when

Attendees listen during a leadership breakfast focused on immigration policy and New York’s workforce at Brooklyn College

aitian community leaders, elected officials and business executives gathered in Brooklyn for a discussion on how federal immigration policies affecting Haitians could have consequences extending beyond individual immigrants, disrupting families, businesses, and industries that depend on their labour. The discussion focused in part on the uncertainty surrounding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the effects that the loss of im-

migration protections could have on Haitian workers and their families. Speakers described Haitians working across health care, education, hospitality, construction and small businesses while also raising concerns about the fear immigration enforcement has created in Haitian neighbourhoods. The discussion took place during “Leading Labour in a Changing Immigration Landscape”, a leadership breakfast organised by The Haitian Times in partnership with the Federation

of Haitian Chambers of Commerce and the CUNY Haitian Studies Institute. The event, held at Brooklyn College – a staple in the Haitian community – with support from the Hotel Association of New York City, brought together leaders from Government, business, academia and immigrant advocacy. The Haitian Times convened the forum to examine how federal immigration policy is affecting the labour market and to connect the experiences of Haitian immigrants with broader questions about workforce stability, employers and New York City’s economy. Featured speakers included Faiza Ali, commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; Council Member Farah N Louis; Council Member Rita Joseph; Stephanie Delia, executive director of Little Haiti BK; Shirley Leyro, associate professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College; and Dandapani. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

Venezuelan Police rescue 14 bound for T&T

This image from a video released by Ecuadorian National Police shows alleged bricks of cocaine which Ecuadorian Police removed from a truck in Carchi

they noticed a suspicious truck. After searching it, they found 370 packages hidden in a false bottom of the truck. Police released a video showing the packages spilling out from the truck’s false bottom, with the stickers of Haaland clearly visible. Police said a woman identified only as María

R, with Colombian identity documents, was arrested in Wednesday’s operation in the area of Guagua Negro, near the border city of Tulcan, 246 kilometres north of the capital, Quito. The estimated value of the shipment is nearly $842,000 on the domestic market, more than US$11 million. (Excerpt from CBS News)

wo weeks after dismantling a suspected human trafficking ring in Caracas, Venezuelan Police have rescued 14 persons who were allegedly being prepared for transport to Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) for forced labour. The latest operation took place last Friday in Delta Amacuro, a Venezuelan state close to Cedros, an area associated with illegal migration, human trafficking and other illicit activity. According to a post on Instagram by Douglas Rico, director of Venezuela’s Corps of Scientific, Criminal

and Criminal Investigations (CICPC), the 14 were rescued before they could be transported to T&T. Rico said preliminary investigations found that the victims had been recruited through false promises of employment and economic opportunities in T&T. Regional security consultant Dr Garvin Heerah described the operation as “good news” but cautioned against viewing it as evidence that human trafficking between Venezuela and T&T is declining. From a security perspective, Heerah said the arrests

instead showed that criminal networks remained active and that the Venezuela– T&T corridor continued to attract organised criminal elements. The operation comes days after World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, when the Ministry of Homeland Security posted a video on Instagram in which Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander urged the public to remain vigilant and warned about the dangers of human trafficking. (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)

thority’s technical office at Freeport in St James. The three-phased Hurricane Health Response Programme – encompassing relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction – was established to restore and modernise health services and facilities affected by last October’s Hurricane Melissa. According to Lee, this segment of the work follows the successful completion of phase one of the programme, which focused on restoring essential services at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, protecting the

population from disease outbreaks, and providing psychosocial support to affected communities and healthcare workers. She said this support complements the Ministry’s post-hurricane maternal health outreach initiatives, which are under way in the parishes most impacted. UNFPA Regional Director Harold Robinson noted that, nine months after the storm, the strain on the health sector remains despite the Ministry’s response efforts. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

US suggests joint strikes on J’ca: Hurricane Health Response Colombian armed groups Programme enters 2nd phase

S Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth floated on Wednesday the possibility of joint strikes on Colombian armed groups, as he welcomed the nation into a military-led counter-narcotics coalition after its conservative president took over last week. Colombia had authorised “joint military operations to destroy terrorists ‌ and terror networks”, Hegseth told a gathering of the US-led Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition in Panama. “Yes,” he replied when asked if he had discussed with his Colombian coun-

terpart joint strikes against armed groups such as the National Liberation Army (ELN), which the US designates as a terrorist group, and remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. “Designated terrorist organisations, with partnered Governments, will be legitimate targets of the United States Government,” to include Colombia, Hegseth said when asked if such operations were expected. President Donald Trump’s Latin American policy has expanded dramatically beyond its early

focus on the Panama Canal. More than 200 persons have been killed since the launch of US military ⁠strikes on suspected drug boats last September, while a US-led commando raid in January deposed Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela. Critics say the US strikes amount to war crimes worthy of the International Criminal Court, but Hegseth blasted the organisation and encouraged coalition allies attending the meeting in Panama to withdraw from it. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he Ministry of Health and Wellness is now in the second phase of its Hurricane Health Response Programme, with the tendering process for infrastructural repairs slated to begin between late September and October. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Krystal Lee during the handing over of medical supplies from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) at the au-

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Palestinians told to leave homes in villages where Israeli settlers besieged houses

bout a dozen Palestinian households in a village in the occupied West Bank were told to leave their properties during an Israeli military operation to remove Israeli settlers. The settlers had besieged residents in three homes in the area since Sunday, cutting off their power and water supplies. Qusra Mayor, Abdel Azim Wadi, told the BBC that his village had been declared a closed military zone – and Israeli forces were using some of the vacated Palestinian houses as barracks. The Israeli military said the aim was “to protect

The Israeli army entered Qusra after three Palestinian homes were besieged by Israeli settlers on Sunday

the residents”. An Israeli spokesman told the BBC the settlers’ action was “deplorable” and “unacceptable”, and the

Government would investigate and arrest those responsible. Settlers have been emboldened by the rapid ex-

pansion of settlements under the current Israeli Government – leading to a dramatic rise in settler violence as they try to drive Palestinians off their land. All settlements are illegal under international law. Of the besieged families’ three homes in Qusra, which are made up of the Abu Ridi and Hassan families, the residents of two were told to leave on Thursday, they told the BBC. They said those told to leave had since moved into the third house. Elsewhere in the village, the residents of 11 other houses had also been told to leave by the army. (Excerpt from BBC News)

DRC’s fast-growing Ebola outbreak spreads to 6th province T

he Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has spread to a sixth province, officials have said, a day after the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak was on track to surpass the deadliest in history, which killed at least 11,000 persons more than a decade ago. The current outbreak has killed more than 2100 out of more than 4500 cases, according to the latest Government figures released on Tuesday. Jean Kaseya, the Director General of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said on Thursday that a death had been recorded in the previ-

People in protective clothing lower the coffin of an Ebola victim into a grave in Bunia, Ituri province, on Tuesday

ously unaffected Bas-Uele province. The man had travelled from Isiro, in Haut-

Uele province, to Buta, the capital of Bas-Uele, where he died, Kaseya said.

There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus that is responsible for the current outbreak. The death toll has been reached almost three times faster than in the 2014-16 outbreak. On Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director General, said the current outbreak would surpass that one based on its current pace. Six of DRC’s 26 provinces have now been affected, mainly those along the country’s north-eastern border. More than 3400 of the cases have been recorded in Ituri province, where the outbreak was first reported. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil settles down 2% on weak demand outlook, hefty US crude build

il settled down more than two per cent on Thursday, reversing course after a week of gains, as investors focused on signs of weaker global demand and a sharp build ‌in US crude inventories. Brent and US crude futures contracts pared losses after being down over 3.5 per cent earlier in the session after reports that Yemen’s Houthis had targeted a Saudi Aramco refinery with drones, renewing concerns over supply disruptions in an already tight global market. Brent futures finished US$1.91, or 2.15 per cent, lower at US$87.07 a barrel following a six-session rally, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude closed down US$2.02, or 2.4 per cent, at US$81.25 a barrel after advancing for five sessions. Investors weighed data from the US Energy Information Administration on Wednesday that showed US commercial crude oil inventories made their largest weekly gain since January 2023 as exports slumped. Crude inventories rose by 17.4 million barrels to 424.4 million in the week ended August 7, their highest ⁠since June 5, the EIA said. OPEC lowered its world oil demand growth forecast for 2026 to 580,000 barrels per day in its monthly oil market report. The International Energy Agency also said it expected a contraction of 1.6 million bpd in consumption this year, versus a drop of 1 million bpd forecast last month, with demand curtailed by higher prices and restricted supply due to the US-Israeli war with Iran. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US$5255 fine issued after foghorn wakes up sleeping polar bear

US eyes indefinite Poland arrests man who Iran naval blockade allegedly tried to kill

he United States on Thursday threatened to maintain a naval blockade of Iran indefinitely, ratcheting up economic pressure on Tehran as ceasefire talks have floundered, global oil supply is dropping and regional tensions are rising. Defence Secretary ‌ Pete Hegseth told reporters that the US military could keep a naval presence in the region to enforce its blockade of Iran, which has inflicted severe economic damage on the country. “Indefinitely the United States Navy can maintain a blockade like that because we’ll rotate ships in and out, as we have, and we’ll continue to,” Hegseth told reporters on a trip to Panama. With a tentative June deal to end the war in tatters, Iran has sought to control the Strait of Hormuz and has attacked some vessels trying to transit the strategic waterway, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and ⁠liquefied

natural gas travelled before the war began in February. Two vessels from the stateowned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked transiting the strait on Thursday evening, UAE state news agency WAM reported. The United Arab Emirates Government condemned it as an Iranian attack. Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to eight vessels on Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of about 12 vessels and 130 to 140 ships before the war. President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that the US has “total control” over the strait. Iran said in an X post that those claims “do not change the reality. The Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will not be reopened until Iran’s conditions are accepted.” Those include removing economic sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian assets. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukrainian American

olish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced that a Russian citizen has been arrested over an alleged plot to kill an American citizen of Ukrainian origin in Warsaw. In Thursday’s announcement, Tusk did not provide details about the plot or identify the alleged target. He, however, said the citizen of the United States was considered “inconvenient to the Putin regime” and that Polish authorities arrested the suspect on August 7. Tusk added that the plot marks the first known instance of “someone on the order of Russia” deciding to attack a US citizen on the territory of another North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) country. He called the incident a “very dangerous signal”, and he thanked Poland’s security services. “At the last minute, thanks to the action of the

Internal Security Agency and the Police, we managed to prevent this execution, this attack,” Tusk said. Experts have warned that the reported plot comes amid a rise in threats from Russia, which has been accused of killing critics abroad, including through contract killers and poisonings. Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been locked in a full-scale war with Ukraine, after it launched an invasion that pushed towards the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, has blamed the conflict in part on NATO, accusing the military alliance of seeking to extend its influence eastwards. NATO has supported Ukraine politically and with military aid, maintaining that the Eastern European country has the right to self-defence. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A male polar bear walks on the sea ice near glaciers in eastern Spitsbergen, in the Svalbard archipelago

boat operator in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic has been fined $5255 for using a foghorn to wake a sleeping polar bear, local officials said Thursday. The incident took place earlier this month when a vessel was sailing in a fjord in north eastern Svalbard, around 620 miles from the North Pole. “Its occupants are said to have spotted a polar bear sleeping on land,” the Governor of the territory said in a statement. “A person on board then used the ship’s foghorn, waking the animal, which

moved to another location,” he added. The Governor’s office ordered the individual to pay the hefty fine, which the person agreed to do. Neither the identity nor nationality of the person has been disclosed. Under local regulations, “it is forbidden to needlessly disturb, attract or pursue a polar bear,” which was declared a protected species in Svalbard in 1972. Some 260 polar bears were counted in the archipelago during the last scientific estimate, carried out in 2015. (Excerpt from CBS News)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

ARCHIE

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Change is overrated. Keep a low profile, focus on completion and refuse to let anyone lure you into an emotionally complicated conversation. Let your actions speak for you and your heart lead the way. Kindness and consideration will make it difficult for someone trying to take advantage of you to follow through. Having self-discipline will result in upgrades. If you are honest with yourself and others, you’ll avoid taking on other people’s problems. Offer suggestions and a kind word, not hands-on help or promises you won’t be able to deliver. If you take care of matters concerning institutions, government agencies and financial situations that require discipline and your undivided attention, you’ll avoid repercussions and anxiety.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Set high standards, and don’t deviate from the path you choose. Don’t let what others do lead you astray or cost you your reputation. Align yourself with people who have as much to offer as you do, and collaborate on an understanding that offers everyone the freedom to do as they please without interference.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Gravitate toward people who bring out the best in you. A change to how you manage your personal finances will help lower stress and add to your confidence and security. Knowing what to salvage and what to discard will be what helps you enhance your lifestyle and overhead. Shake off bad habits and people who contribute to them.

Making financial decisions, handling emotions and dealing with associates will be dicey. Don’t make or agree to changes without consideration of the potential pitfalls. Overspending or committing to something prematurely will put you in an awkward position. Be precise regarding what you can contribute. Living up to the expectations others have of you is essential. Don’t brag.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Avoid making decisions or wastefully spending when under emotional duress. Your highest returns will come from working hard, having discipline and finishing what you start. Leave nothing to chance or up to someone you cannot trust to complete the mission. Time and money matter and require attention to avoid loss. Job interviews are favored.

Change only what’s necessary and reasonable. Do your research, set a budget and find the right people if you need help. It’s better to play it safe than to have regrets. Putting more time and effort into preparation will end up saving you money. Personal growth, management and tolerance will be your saving graces. Avoid laziness.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Rethink your way forward. Consider what you enjoy doing most, and elaborate on how you can use these skills, experience and knowledge to earn a living. Focus on learning and expanding your vision to meet the demands that offer mental, physical or emotional stimulation. Make your future your priority. Refuse to let someone lead you down the wrong path.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Your emotions and aspirations aren’t likely to mix well. Don’t lose out because you can’t decide what’s next. Shake things up, consider what serves the greatest purpose and do whatever it takes to appease your soul. Stick close to home, and take better care of your health, wealth and emotional well-being. Update your look and attitude.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take a moment to gather your thoughts and consider your financial position or any chronic medical concerns you have. What you discover will help you put pressure on the right people or organizations to resolve any concerns you have. If you take better care of yourself, you’ll gain momentum and the respect of onlookers. Have faith in your abilities.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Pay attention to your relationships with loved ones and those who can influence whether or not you excel. Getting along with others is essential, and putting differences aside will benefit everyone. If you show faith in unity and diversification, you’ll win favors and have a chance to turn your aspirations into something tangible. Explore and expose your talents.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Surround yourself with the people and possessions that put your mind at ease and that encourage you to develop and pursue what you enjoy doing most. Refuse to let the changes others make stand in your way. Step away from situations that are volatile or lower your self-esteem. Put your energy into self-improvement, not conflicts of interest.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

Mahmud’s 6 for 55 gives Bangladesh dream start L

ess than a week after getting bowled out for 54 in their warm-up game, Bangladesh bounced back in style by dominating the first day of the Darwin Test against Australia. Hasan Mahmud’s career-best six for 55 set the tone for the visitors to bowl out Australia for 198, before their top order led them

history that their pace bowlers took all 10 wickets in an innings. Their collective effort to restrict the hosts was another rarity on the first day of a series opener down under. The bigger surprise from Bangladesh was how their top order responded after their fast bowlers’ efforts. Shadman Islam was the

Ebadot Hossain broke the half-century stand by removing Alex Carey

to a steady 96 for one on Bangladesh’s return to Test cricket in Australia after 23 years. Mahmud’s star act was well supported by two wickets apiece from Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain. This was only the second time in Bangladesh’s Test

only wicket to fall before Tanzid Hasan and Mominul Haque batted out close to 16 overs in the evening, to wipe out nearly half of Australia’s total. They left plenty of balls outside the off stump, played the ball late under their noses, and stitched a n

unbroken stand of 60 runs. Mahmud led the Bangladesh attack, but it was the pace trio’s collective push that pushed Australia in a corner from the first hour. Taskin and Mahmud tied up the openers, Jake Weatherald and Travis Head, on a consistent length, often hitting the deck hard just outside the off stump with some movement off the pitch. Mahmud kept tempting the twitchy Weatherald with outswingers, and got his outside edge off a big drive towards the end of the first hour. Head then chopped on in Mahmud’s next over as the quick brought the ball into the left-hand batter from around the wicket. Australia’s batting riches, however, got exposed on seam conditions against a disciplined and charged-up bowling attack, particularly when Marnus Labuschagne couldn’t time even one of his 20 deliveries. His stay ended when he edged Ebadot to Najmul Hossain Shanto at second slip, as the bowler brought out his Air Force salute celebration. Bangladesh completed a dominant first session when Taskin had Cameron Green caught at midwicket on the last ball before the break, as Mushfiqur Rahim took a diving catch that reduced Australia to 74 for four. After lunch, Australia recovered through a 55-run fifth-wicket stand between Steven Smith and Alex Carey. The pair showed intent in their driving, but Steven Smith brings up his half-century

Jake Weatherland’s patience was tested in the first hour

Hasan Mahmud leads Bangladesh out after taking career-best figures of 6 for 55

once their boundaries dried up, Bangladesh were back on top. Ebadot bowled Carey through an inside edge, before Taskin burst through Beau Webster, who played inside the line of the straight delivery that hit top off. Mahmud then ran through the tail and also added Smith to his kitty. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were caught behind, before Smith and Lyon holed out off slogs, as Australia were bowled out after tea.

Starc took the only Bangladesh wicket when he had Shadman caught at gully off a leading edge. Starc now has the most wickets for a left-arm bowler in Tests, overtaking Rangana Herath’s 433 wickets, and is level with Kapil Dev overall on 434. Bangladesh’s stay of nearly two hours was no smooth sailing, though. Starc swung the new ball away consistently from the left-hand openers – starting with the first ball of the innings – and even touched 147 kph, which kept the batters on their toes, even literally. Josh Hazlewood could have even had a wicket in

aaa

his first over from the other end, but a sprinting Nathan Lyon – returning after a hamstring surgery – put the catch down while running back from point after Tanzid couldn’t middle his attacking stroke. Tanzid later replied by dancing down the pitch against Hazlewood to collect a boundary past midon before Starc sent back Shadman. Cummins soon brought himself on and introduced Lyon after 15 overs, but neither could trouble either Tanzid or Mominul, who was especially brisk in his 49-ball stay that saw six boundaries. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Australia 1st Innings Travis Head b Hasan Mahmud 22 Jake Weatherald c †Litton Das b Hasan Mahmud 23 Marnus Labuschagne c Najmul Hossain Shanto b Ebadot Hossain 1 Steven Smith c †Litton Das b Hasan Mahmud 71 Cameron Green c Mushfiqur Rahim b Taskin Ahmed 13 Alex Carey † b Ebadot Hossain 19 Beau Webster b Taskin Ahmed 12 Pat Cummins (c) c †Litton Das b Hasan Mahmud 9 Mitchell Starc c †Litton Das b Hasan Mahmud 1 Nathan Lyon c Tanzid Hasan b Hasan Mahmud 7 Josh Hazlewood not out 4 Extras (b 5, lb 8, nb 3) 16 Total 53 Ov (RR: 3.73) 198 Fall of wickets: 1-45 (Jake Weatherald, 11.4 ov), 2-52 (Travis Head, 13.4 ov), 3-61 (Marnus Labuschagne, 18.2 ov), 4-74 (Cameron Green, 21.6 ov), 5-129 (Alex Carey, 36.1 ov), 6-152 (Beau Webster, 38.3 ov), 7-172 (Pat Cummins, 44.3 ov), 8-176 (Mitchell Starc, 46.5 ov), 9-189

(Steven Smith, 50.5 ov), 10198 (Nathan Lyon, 52.6 ov) Bowling Taskin Ahmed Hasan Mahmud Ebadot Hossain Mehidy Hasan Miraz Taijul Islam

O-M-R-W 16-2-55-2 17-355-6 11-2-39-2 4-0-12-0 5-0-24-0

Bangladesh 1st Innings Shadman Islam c Lyon b Starc Tanzid Hasan not out Mominul Haque not out

20 32 35

Extras(b 2, lb 5, nb 2) 9 Total 24 Ov (RR: 4.00) 96/1 Yet to bat: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das †, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Fall of wickets: 1-36 (Shadman Islam, 8.2 ov) Bowling Mitchell Starc Josh Hazlewood Cameron Green Pat Cummins Nathan Lyon

O-M-R-W 7-1-28-1 7-2-19-0 3-1-12-0 4-0-14-0 3-0-16-0

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Junior Jaguars off to Dominican

Republic for CFU U14 Challenge Series F

ollowing months of intensive training, technical development and competitive preparation, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) disclosed that the Under-14 Boys National Team will depart Guyana today, Friday, August 14, for Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. There, the junior national team will be competing in Group C, Tier II of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys Under-14 Challenge Series. According to the Federation, the 20-member squad features a promising blend of young footballers from Guyana, the US, and England, who will come together to represent Guyana on the regional stage. The team will open its campaign against Montserrat on Sunday, August 16, before facing Anguilla on Monday, August 17, and the Bahamas on Wednesday, August 19. The tournament marks an important stage in the development of a group of young players who have benefited from a structured preparation programme focused on technical development, tactical

understanding, match fitness, competitive exposure and personal development. The final phase of preparation saw the team complete an 11day residential encampment at the GFF National Training Centre (NTC), at Providence, where the players operated in a professional football environment designed to prepare them for the demands of international competition. The programme included twicedaily training sessions, carefully planned nutritional meals, and an improved approach to rest, sleep and recovery. The encampment also incorporated important off-the-field development. The players participated in Emotional Intelligence and Anger Management Training sessions facilitated by the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) and Restorative Justice, reinforcing the importance of discipline, emotional control, teamwork, communication, and responsible decisionmaking as they progress in their football careers. The team’s preparation has been anchored by the FIFA Talent Development

Scheme (TDS), launched in Guyana in April 2026 as part of FIFA’s global strategy to ensure talented young players have access to structured and sustainable development pathways. Through technical guidance, funding, resources and ongoing monitoring, the programme supports member associations in strengthening their player-development systems, and creating a stronger pipeline of talent for national-team football. As part of their competitive preparation, the U14 boys tested themselves against older opposition, beginning with the Berbice Football Association Under-15 team, earning a 1-1 draw, with Dane Vancooten scoring Guyana’s goal. The team then faced the East Coast Football Association (EDFA) Under-15 team, producing an impressive 5-1 victory. Dane Vancooten led the scoring with a brace, while Aaron Vasconcellos and Wayshawn Forde also found the net, with the fifth goal coming via an own goal. In their third friendly, the U14s faced the UpperDemerara Football Association

(UDFA) Under-15 team, recording another 1-1 draw, with Dante Kowlessar scoring Guyana’s goal. The matches provided valuable competitive experience against older players and allowed the technical staff to assess the team’s progress, identify areas for improvement and further prepare the players for the intensity of international competition. GFF President Wayne Forde has met with the team on several occasions throughout their preparation, encouraging the young players to embrace the opportunity, remain disciplined and proudly represent Guyana. “We are committed to giving every eligible youth national team the opportunity to compete on the international stage because we believe these experiences provide their first window into professional football and the standards that come with it. We are investing more in their preparation – not only technically and tactically, but also by using modern sports science to improve how they

train, recover, eat and prepare mentally for competition,” the GFF president said. He added, “I commend these young players for the discipline they have shown throughout this preparation process. They must understand that when they put on the Guyana jersey, they are not representing themselves alone; they are ambassadors for an entire nation. Guyana is behind them, and we want them to go to the Dominican Republic, compete with courage and discipline, enjoy the experience and make their country proud.” The team is being led by Head Coach Jamal Pedro, who will make his inaugural appearance on national duty as a head coach. One of the rapidly emerging coaches within the GFF’s national coaching pool, Pedro has demonstrated a strong commitment to youth development and has worked closely with the players and technical staff throughout the preparation period. The GFF noted that their investment in youth football continues to expand beyond participation and competition,

with greater emphasis being placed on creating structured development pathways capable of producing technically equipped, confident and competitive young footballers. “Through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, national youth programmes, regional competitions, coaching development, increased match exposure, modern sports science and targeted technical resources, the Federation is building stronger foundations for the sustained development of youth football in Guyana.” “The U14 Boys’ participation in the CFU Challenge Series is a direct reflection of this approach, providing young players with meaningful international competition while allowing the GFF to measure their progress against regional opposition. As the young Golden Jaguars prepare to take the field in Punta Cana, the GFF remains confident that the experience will represent another important step in their footballing journey and contribute to the development of Guyana’s next generation of national players,” the Federation shared in a missive.

Budhram urges young cricketers to balance sport, education

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration) Ravindradat Budhram has encouraged young cricketers competing in the Transport Developmental League to give equal attention to their education and sporting ambitions (GPF Photo)

e p u t y Commissioner of Police (Administration) Ravindradat Budhram has encouraged young crick-

eters competing in the Transport Developmental League to give equal attention to their education and sporting ambitions. Budhram delivered the

message during a visit to the Transport General Sports Club at Thomas Lands on Wednesday, where he interacted with players participating in the

youth competition. He told the cricketers that academic achievement is an important part of their overall development and future success.

While encouraging them to pursue excellence in cricket, Budhram reminded the players that their education should remain a priority. The Deputy Commissioner also stressed that natural ability alone is not enough to achieve lasting success. He highlighted discipline, confidentiality and professionalism as important qualities that young people should develop. Budhram urged the players to behave responsibly both on and off the field, show respect when interacting with others, and pay close attention to their appearance and dress. Officer-in-Charge of the Community Relations Department,

Superintendent Leslyn Smith, also spoke to the players about maintaining a healthy balance between sport and academics. Smith noted that cricket is more than a game, explaining that it can help young people develop discipline, teamwork, a strong work ethic and healthy lifestyles. The Transport Developmental League gives young cricketers from participating clubs an opportunity to improve their skills while allowing promising players to be identified and nurtured. The session was organised by the head of the Transport General Sports Club, Shaun Massiah, and club manager Charles Greaves.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

Youth Ensemble National phase kicks off this weekend

he Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Youth Ensemble programme has reached the National phase, with 18 teams from the nine Regional Member Associations set to compete for top honours, in both the Under-13 and Under-15 competitions. The winners and runnersup from each association have punched their tickets to the national phase, with the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) and Bartica’s U15 representatives still to be determined. In the meantime, Paradise Football Club (FC) of the Berbice Football Association (BFA), Plaisance United of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA), VMFA of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), Kuru Kururu Warriors of the East

Bank Football Association (EBFA), Potaro Strikers of the Bartica Football Association, Rupununi Jaguars of the Rupununi Football Association (RFA), YMCA of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), and Dartmouth of the Essequibo-Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA), were the champions of the U13 regional programmes. Paradise FC, Buxton Stars (EDFA), VMFA, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Challengers (RFA), Dainty Academy (UDFA), and Dartmouth took top honours in the U15 divisions. In an update on the tournament’s progression on Thursday, GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph highlighted the reach of the tournament. “Of significance is the fact that for both the U13s and the U15s, we had over 1000

young men and women that participated, and I say women because the regulations of the tournament allowed U15 girls to be part of the teams at the U13 level. So, I know in Bartica, as well as in Georgetown and even Berbice, we had girls that formed part of the teams that participated,” Joseph divulged. The 18 teams in each division will be sorted into four groups with two groups of five, and two groups of four. The teams will be engaged in round robin play, after which the four group winners will advance to semi-finals. According to Joseph, those games will be contested at venues across the country. The Technical Director explained, “These matches are in a similar format to the regional phase; these matches will be played across

CWI Women’s U19 Championships…

Guyana suffers another defeat as Windward, Barbados, Trinidad claim wins

The GFF’s Youth Ensemble Programme kicked off on May 9, 2026

the country. For both age categories, we would have matches in Georgetown, at the NTC [National Training Centre], Plaisance, at Uitvlugt Ground, in Essequibo, Bayrock in Linden and also No. Five Ground in Berbice.” Aside from player development, the Youth Ensemble has also been used to develop personnel, as told by the Technical Director.

“So, for the very first time, we’re able to utilise match coordinators that were officially trained by FIFA on the match coordinators course that was organised in 2024. We were able to utilise those persons for the day-today execution of the matches in the region, and that was done successfully,” he shared. Joseph went on to add, “Also, we want to congratulate

Linden Elite Basketball League…

Royals, Jets

the new batch of referees that came to the fore. We had organised a referee training programme for potential referees, and we had quite a few youths that were involved in that training, and throughout the course of the regional phase, we had those referees work on delivering performances for those matches.” The U13 competition will kick off on Saturday, August 15, while the U15 division gets underway on Sunday, August 16. The semi-finals and finals are set for Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30.

score opening wins …Action continues tonight at Amelia’s Ward Court

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Guyana has lost 3 matches in a row

uyana’s Under-19 Women suffered another defeat in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championship, going down by 15 runs to the Windward Islands in their Round Four encounter. Windward Islands Under-19 Women won the toss and elected to bat, posting 93 for three from their allotted 20 overs. Kaela George remained unbeaten on 24 from 29 balls, while Mikayla Adam provided support with 16 from 35 deliveries. In reply, Guyana struggled to mount a successful chase, reaching 78 for eight from their 20 overs. Sarah Bheir top-scored with 24 from 31 balls, while Danellie Manns remained unbeaten on 15 from 50 deliveries. For Guyana, Manns, Sowanna Booker, and Kaiana Leitch each claimed a wicket. Windward Islands’ victory was secured through an impressive bowling effort

from Giada Small and Ammie Antoine, who claimed three wickets each. At the Liberta Sports Club, Barbados Under-19 Women edged Jamaica by six runs in another closely contested encounter. Jamaica won the toss and opted to field, restricting Barbados to 102 for eight from their 20 overs. Zaniyah Bruce top-scored with 30 from 25 balls, including four fours, while Jamis MorrisAlleyne contributed 10. Davehjah Brown was Jamaica’s leading bowler with three for 10, while Brianna Plummer took two for 20. Jamaica’s reply ended on 96 for nine from their 20 overs. Adanya Baugh and Sashane Ricketts top-scored with 14 and 13, respectively, but Barbados held their nerve to secure the six-run victory. Meanwhile, the Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 Women recorded another comfortable victory, defeating the Leeward Islands by eight wickets.

Leeward Islands, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, were dismissed for just 50 in 16.2 overs. Zara Skerritt and Lois George both made 12, but the Trinidad and Tobago bowling attack kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Samara Ramnath led the attack with four wickets, while Brianna Harricharan claimed three. Trinidad and Tobago completed the chase in 13.2 overs, reaching 52 for two. Amrita Ramtahal top-scored with an unbeaten 17 to guide her side to an eight-wicket victory. The championship now moves into its final round, with three matches remaining. Windward Islands will face Jamaica, and Leeward Islands will meet Guyana, while Barbados will take on Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana will be hoping to end their campaign on a positive note when they face the Leeward Islands in their final fixture.

The basketball action will continue at the Amelia’s Ward Court tonight (File Photo)

n an eventful opening night of the Linden Elite Basketball League, which has been sanctioned by the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) and organised by Kevin Joseph and Kevon Scott, National Basketball Club champions Victory Valley Royals and Amelia’s Ward Jets recorded contrasting victories at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden. Royals, the Linden number one seed playing in the second game of the night, made light work as they scored an emphatic 77-57 victory over home team Retrieve Raiders, while Jets had to survive an upset with a crowd-pleasing

57-55 win. The tournament continues tonight, Friday, August 14, at the Amelia’s Ward Jard Court with another doubleheader feature, as the Jets will be at home against the Retrieve Raiders at 19:00h. Then, Block 22 Flames will clash with Vikings at 20:30h. Tomorrow night, Saturday, August 15, the Jets will match skills with the Royals in the first game, and in the second game, the Vikings will take on the Raiders. Another double header is set for Sunday, where game one features Flames versus Royals, and Jets clash with Vikings.

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Apple added to GAW squad as Thorne’s replacement E

xplosive wicket-keeper batsman Shamar Apple has been added to the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) squad for the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The 17-year-old will replace compatriot Isai Thorne in the local franchise. Racking up the runs for the Transport Sports Club on the local scene, Apple was, earlier this year, selected to represent the West Indies at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup, where he smashed 124 off 65 in a warm-up match against Japan. Apple also earned his maiden call-up to the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) Super-50

team in 2025, poising him for a List A debut at just 16 years old and becoming one of the youngest selectees for a Guyanese senior team since Ramnaresh Sarwan. GAW will head into their first match of the 2026 CPL season tonight, taking on host Jamaica Kingsmen at Sabina Park in Kingston from 20:00h. The GAW squad now reads: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Romario Shpeherd, Shamar Apple, Dwaine Pretorius, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Glenn Phillips, Veerasammy Permaul, Khary Pierre, Shamar Joseph, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Matthew Nandu, Quentin Sampson, Mavendra Dindyal, and Jonathan Van Lange.

More than 10 new BEI, Essequibo Islands keep record perfect horses to feature at Guyana Cup Beharry U19 T20 Cricket…

in their 20 overs, after electing to bat first. Lemuel Dejonge came good with the bat once again, hitting 62 off 29 balls, comprising nine fours and three sixes. Gilbert Griffith pitched in with 22 off 13 for BEI’s massive total. Jessie Craig and Noel Nihal claimed two wickets each for St Stanislaus College. In turn, BEI’s bowlers made a meal out of Saints, restricting them to 20-7 in 12 overs. Brandon Grimmond picked up 2-2. Gilbert Griffith snared 2-10 from four overs, while Nicquan Fraser picked up 2-5 from four. Craig was the top scorer for Saints, with six from five deliveries.

BEI’s batter racked up another massive score of 223

he Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) and Essequibo Islands Secondary were the only teams to maintain a perfect record as the group stage of the National playoffs in the Beharry Group Under-19 Secondary Schools’ T20 Cricket tournament concluded on Thursday. Dowlin, Lall star in Essequibo Islands triumph At Pomona Ground on the Essequibo Coast, Essequibo Islands upset an equally dominant Abram Zuil Secondary with a 110-run win to claim top honours in Group A. The hosts, Abram Zuil, won the toss and opted to bowl first, as the Essequibo Islands piled on the runs to accumulate 1676 in their 20 overs. Justin Dowlin was the star with the bat, smashing nine fours and four sixes for a 55-ball 85. Though wickets fell around him, he finally found a good partner in Sudeeni Rodrigues,

who struck an unbeaten 37 from 29 balls, including six fours. Abram Zuil Captain Otis Roberts was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-41 from his three overs, while Naveed Fredericks picked up 2-21 from four. Abram Zuil was not up to the task in the chase, eventually being bowled out for 57 in 12.5 overs. Bhomesh Lall snared a five-wicket haul (5-5 from four overs) while Dowlin and Aarav Sukhram took two wickets a piece. The highest score on Abram Zuil’s cards was an eight, from Ravid Fredericks. BEI maul Saints At Queen’s College (QC) Ground in Georgetown, Luke Amsterdam missed out on a century, hitting a blistering 92 off 58 balls (seven fours, three sixes), spurring Berbice Educational Institute to 223-six

Justin Dowlin produced with bat and ball to inspire a massive win for the Essequibo Islands

Annandale whip West Side at home A home court advantage was not enough for West Side High at the Cotton Tree Ground, as Annandale Secondary made

and Dindyal also took two scalps each, as Annadale routed their opponents for 52 in 14.3 overs, securing a 101-run victory. Opener Ricardo Danesar was the top scorer for West Side, with 17 off 15 deliveries. Covent Garden sneak past QC Another last-over thriller saw Covent Garden Secondary register their first win of the group stage with a sevenwicket victory over St Stanislaus College. QC won the toss and opted to bat first, accumulating 1585 on the back of a half century from Afraz Ali. Ali struck 57 in 51 deliveries, punctuated by eight boundaries. Yusuf Ali added 26 from 34, and Emilio Singh 17 from 20, to get QC up to a competitive total. Covent Garden’s bowlers shared the spoils, taking one wicket each. In the chase, Navindranath

Annandale Secondary steamrolled West Side High to grab a topfour spot

a case for a knockout round spot. Wining the toss and batting first, Annandale racked up 153-3 in their 20 overs. Ruel Dindyal, a consistent figure for the East Coast side, carried his bat to an unbeaten 62 off 50 balls (three fours, three sixes) while Joshua Bollers backed him up with a run-out ball 39. Akeem Persaud also hit an unbeaten 34 off 23, featuring five boundaries. Romel Danesar and Romel Sukhnandan were the only wicket takers for West Side, with one each. Kevin Singh and Akeem Persaud stood out with the ball for Annandale, both claiming three wickets. Shawn Ramjit

Ram (38 off 29) and Jemele Schultz (20 from 12) got Covent Garden off to a solid start, but it was Vinesh Kalpoo’s 31-ball 58-92 fours and six sixes that did the trick for the East Bank team. In addition to Captain Orwin Jordan’s unbeaten 21 and Joshua Hoasyx’ 12, Covent Garden got over the line in 19.3 overs with seven wickets in hand. Nathaniel Sukhnandan was the pick of the QC bowlers with 2-27 from four overs. Based on Thursday’s results, Essequibo Islands, BEI, Abram Zuil, and Annandale Secondary are the teams advancing to the top four playoffs.

All the top stables have new additions for the Guyana Cup

lympic Kremlin is set for one last final run on August 23 at the Guyana Cup, but more than 10 new horses are set to debut in Guyana on the million-dollar day at Rising Sun Turf

Club. This was confirmed by veteran trainer/horseman Glen Mohamed on the Beyond the Rail podcast. Six new horses have already landed in Guyana, and six more are expected to touch Guyanese shores in the coming days. “Dataman will have something to deal with,” the veteran trainer said. Sources have already indicated that Jagdeo Racing Stables, JS Racing Stables, and Jumbo Jet Racing Stables are among the top stables that are eyeing success with the new horses landed for the Guyana Cup. A total of 14 races will be running at this year’s Guyana Cup, and more than GY$66 million in cash and prizes will be paid out. The feature race which will be the Banks Guyana Cup will fetch a purse of GY$22 million. General admission tickets are GY$5000, VVIP experience is GY$25,000 and private VIP decks are GY$500,000. A brand new four-door SinoTruk pick-up will be up for the taking from the raffle exercise. The raffle ticket locations are located at the Jumbo Jet office in Smyth Street, JS Supermarket, Js Outlet, and Poonai’s Pharmacy. The raffle ticket cost only GY$2000. This Guyana Cup will be one of significant differences, with the event being for the entire family. A kid zone will be in place, and a host of prizes will be rewarded on the day. The Guyana Cup also has additional parking and more screens at the venue to offer a more visible and enjoyable race day. The races will be only 45 minutes away from Georgetown, and fans from across the Caribbean are expected to be in attendance to witness the most high-profile racing event in Guyana’s history. The races for the Guyana Cup 2026 are: Banks Guyana Cup (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$22,500,000 Peter Lewis Guyana Cup Sprint (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse: GY$7,500,000 Forrester’s Imported Derby (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$7,500,000 Mohamed’s Excavating Sir Balaji Derby (One Mile)—Total purse: GY$5,625,000 J’s Imported Juvenile Fillies Sprint (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse: GY$3,750,000 BM. Soat Locally Bred Dash (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse: GY$2,812,500 P Jagdeo E-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$2,812,500 Jagmohan F-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000 ARONCO H-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000 CI H3 NW3 (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000 Avinash Local Maidens (One Mile)—Total purse: GY$2,812,500 Big G’s J-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000 Garen Pro K-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000 Sawh L Class Sprint (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2026

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

Nabi, Hope power Warriors past Kingsmen

he Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) opened their Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating the Jamaica Kingsmen on their home turf by six wickets, with 35 balls to spare, at Sabina Park, Kingston. After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the Amazon Warriors’ bowlers quickly imposed themselves on

were 61 for three. Mohammed Nabi then began his destructive spell, dismissing Hassan Khan for one before Powell, after hitting Tahir for six, fell attempting another big shot. Powell was caught by Nabi for 24 from 17 deliveries, which included two sixes, leaving the Kingsmen 77 for five after 13 overs. The Kingsmen’s woes continued as Nabi removed Andre Russell for just one and

GAW have surged to the top of the points table after a massive win

Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten half-century

the home side, who struggled to build any meaningful partnerships. Khary Pierre claimed his first wicket in GAW colours when Shayan Jahangir was caught at deep midwicket by Shamar Joseph, leaving the Kingsmen three for one. Joseph then produced a brilliant yorker with the final delivery of the powerplay to dismiss Keacy Carty for five, leaving the Kingsmen struggling at 26 for two after six overs. Captain Rovman Powell and Reeza Hendricks briefly steadied the innings before Warriors skipper Imran Tahir removed Hendricks via a caught-and-bowled dismissal for 40 from 32 balls, including two fours and two sixes. At the halfway stage, the Kingsmen

Keemo Paul for four. Glenn Phillips then struck with his first delivery, having Kirk McKenzie caught behind for 16.

With the Kingsmen reduced to 103 for nine after 18 overs, Nabi completed a superb spell of four for 22 from his four overs. Joseph returned to finish the innings, producing another pinpoint yorker to dismiss Vitel Lawes as the Kingsmen were bowled out for 117 in 19.4 overs. In reply, the Warriors made a shaky start as young Guyanese

Mohammad Nabi claimed a four-fer

batsman Mavendra Dindyal was dismissed with the second ball of the innings, caught behind off Jediah Blades as the Kingsmen made an early breakthrough. Glenn Phillips and Shai Hope then steadied the chase with a composed 42-run partnership before Andre Russell dismissed Phillips for 28 from 17 deliveries, including four fours and a six. Shimron Hetmyer followed shortly after for just one, leaving

the Warriors 45 for three at the end of the powerplay.

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The experienced Mohammed Nabi joined Hope at the crease and the pair produced a mature 51-run partnership to regain control of the chase. Nabi eventually fell for 19 from 15 balls, handing young leg-spinner Vitel Lawes his first wicket of the match. At the end of 12 overs, the Warriors were 96 for four and firmly in control. Hope, who was the leading run-scorer in last year’s CPL, once again proved his value as a top of the order batsman , bringing up a composed halfcentury to make an immediate impact in the new campaign. He received valuable support from Quentin Sampson, who chipped in with an unbeaten 13 from nine deliveries. Hope then fittingly sealed the victory in emphatic fashion, hitting a six to take the Warriors to 118 for four in 14.1 overs. Hope finished unbeaten on 56 from 41 balls, with two fours and four sixes, as the Amazon Warriors comfortably chased down their target to secure a six-wicket victory in their opening match of CPL 2026.

SCOREBOARD

Jamaica Kingsmen (20 ovs maximum) Reeza Hendricks c & b Imran Tahir 40 Shayan Jahangir †c Joseph b Pierre 1 Keacy Carty b Joseph5 Rovman Powell (c) c Mohammad Nabi b Imran Tahir 24 Hassan Khan c Phillips b Mohammad Nabi 1 Kirk McKenzie c †Hope b Phillips 16 Andre Russell c & b Mohammad Nabi 1 Keemo Paul c Sampson b Mohammad Nabi 4 Vitel Lawes b Joseph 14 Hunain Shah b Mohammad Nabi 5 Jediah Blades not out 1

Shamar Joseph Imran Tahir Mohammad Nabi Glenn Phillips

Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5 Total 19.4 Ov (RR: 5.94) 117 Fall of wickets: DRS 1-3 (Shayan Jahangir, 2.1 ov), 2-26 (Keacy Carty, 5.6 ov), 3-61 (Reeza Hendricks, 9.6 ov), 4-66 (Hassan Khan, 11.2 ov), 5-77 (Rovman Powell, 12.4 ov), 6-80 (Andre Russell, 13.4 ov), 7-96 (Keemo Paul, 15.5 ov), 8-96 (Kirk McKenzie, 16.1 ov), 9-101 (Hunain Shah, 17.1 ov), 10-117 (Vitel Lawes, 19.4 ov)

Extras (w 1) 1 Total 14.1 Ov (RR: 8.32) 118/4 Did not bat: Romario Shepherd, Shamar Joseph, Dwaine Pretorius, Khary Pierre, Imran Tahir (c) Fall of wickets: DRS 1-1 (Mavendra Dindyal, 0.2 ov), 2-43 (Glenn Phillips, 5.3 ov), 3-45 (Shimron Hetmyer, 5.6 ov), 4-96 (Mohammad Nabi, 11.5 ov)

Bowling Khary Pierre Dwaine Pretorius Romario Shepherd

O-M-R-W 4-0-17-1 2-0-16-0 2-0-7-0

2.4-0-22-2 4-0-26-2 4-0-22-4 1-0-5-1

Guyana Amazon Warriors (T: 118 runs from 20 ovs) Glenn Phillips c Hassan Khan b Russell 28 Mavendra Dindyal c †Shayan Jahangir b Blades 0 Shai Hope † not out 56 Shimron Hetmyer c Paul b Russell 1 Mohammad Nabi c Hunain Shah b Lawes 19 Quentin Sampson not out 13

Bowling Jediah Blades Hassan Khan Hunain Shah Andre Russell Vitel Lawes Keemo Paul

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O-M-R-W 2-0-20-1 3.1-0-25-0 2-0-19-0 2-0-12-2 4-0-37-1 1-0-5-0