Guyana Times - Monday, July 27, 2026

Santa Aratack builds local economy through agriculture, skills training, jobs

…South Rupununi communities form company to secure contracts, create jobs

Santa Aratack is diversifying its economy with several new projects aimed at creating employment and generating income for the community. Toshao of Santa Aratack Mission, the only Amerindian community in Region Three, Christopher Cornelius, spoke with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on the sidelines of the recently concluded National Toshaos Conference (NTC). He said the community has built a training centre “that is going to be funded by forestry to do joinery for the youths and even

the elders, and that will bring great support to our village because before we have to come out to the coast to purchase beds and cupboards. We will make it right in there, so that will be a big boost.” The village also used funding from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) for a mechanic shop, while shade houses are being constructed, Cornelious said. He said under his leadership some 13 million dollars was invested in agriculture. He said, “We are growing our own greens. Our own seasoning right in our village, and I must say I

want to thank the farmers from my community, because we are going big into pineapple farming; right now it’s about 38 acres of pineapple that is supposed to be reaping anytime from August to September.” The Toshao also stated that young people of the village have been involved in farming, working alongside the elders to carry out the village mandate. They assist in the shade house and poultry rearing activities. “Back in the days we didn’t have employment, but as these initiatives come into our community, the villagers get the job. We ask the

Government for most of the things that we could build there so the money will circulate right in the village and the people get work right in the village also,” Cornelius said. Cornelius is confident that his village will continue on the progressive path and create more opportunities for its people. “You need to open up to investors, to your village, do a proper agreement and employ your people right there,” he urged other village leaders.

South Rupununi communities

Communities in the South Rupununi have tak-

en control of their development by forming a company to do projects in their communities. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South Rupununi Development Inc, Nicholas Fredericks, also spoke with the DPI on the sidelines of the recently concluded NTC. He said, “We notice that contracts were being done in our communities by persons who might not be so familiar with the community itself in terms of resources. So, we are thinking, how can we actually control some of these contracts, provide jobs for our people and have income coming into our communities…”. He noted that the formulation of the company also received support from the President Dr Irfaan Ali and other Government representatives. The company, he said, will be responsible for rolling out projects in the South Rupununi, including construction and roads.

“I think it could also be a model for other areas. We are talking about Region Seven, Region Eight, Region One …how they can organise themselves to form themselves into such a construction company

where they can have some income coming in, build their capacity in terms of construction and also have jobs provided for our indigenous brothers and sisters back home,” Fredericks said. The company has received some equipment from the Government, like a backhoe, a dump truck and a grader. “A few days ago, right here at this conference, we managed to get a first contract to do some remedial work on the road. So, it is something new. As I said, it’s still a work in progress, but I know with the commitment of our Government and Toshaos in the south Rupununi, we will make this company work. We would want to encourage other areas as well to go into this sort of model,” he said.

The company is managed by a core executive from some villages.

“We will also have to acquire staff, which we haven’t done as yet, but this conference was a big stepping stone for us. Now it’s time for us to go back, put a little bit more structure in place for the company and start rolling out projects,” Fredericks stated.

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, July 27 –15:20h–16:50h and Tuesday, July 28 – 16:00h–17:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected in the morning and early afternoon hours, followed by sunny conditions. Thundery to light showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.58 metres.

High Tide: 15:23h reaching a maximum height of 2.23 metres.

Low Tide: 08:54h and 21:08h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metre and 0.98 metre.

MV Barima tragedy

distinguished legal,

experts team named to lead CoI

With sweeping powers to ensure transparency, accountability and reform, a high-level five-member panel was named by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday to lead the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima tragedy, which occurred on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The appointment of this distinguished team of regional and international legal and maritime experts was made under Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act and is in keeping with an earlier commitment by the Guyanese Head of State for an independent probe into horrific ferry accident.

Among those appointed is former Belizean Justice of Appeal and distinguished legal expert, Godfrey Phillip Smith, who has been selected to head the CoI. Smith currently serves as the CARICOM High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and is the Ad Hoc Justice of Appeal at the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. He is also a partner at ByronSmith, Arbitrators & Litigation Support Services (St Lucia) and Senior Partner at Marine Parade Chambers, LLP, Attorneys-at-Law.

The former High Court Judge previously served as one of the commissioners who examined the turbulent events of Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional elections. Also appointed on the Commission is Captain Hamada Fouda, an internationally respected maritime safety specialist with more than 35 years of experience in marine regulation and casualty investigations. Captain Fouda specialises in marine casualty investigations, vessel safety and international maritime compliance. Since 2019, he has led investigations into marine accidents under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code, identifying causes and recommending measures to prevent future incidents. His expertise will support the Commission of Inquiry as it examines the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima tragedy and develops recommendations to strengthen maritime safety. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago Senior Attorney-atLaw, Nyree Dawn Alfonso, was also appointed to sit on the Commission that will probe the recent ferry accident.

Alfonso is the Managing Partner of N.D. Alfonso & Co. and brings more than 36 years of experience in commercial, maritime, insurance and public law. She is admitted to practice in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Grenada, St Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (St Kitts

and Nevis). Widely recognised for her expertise in Admiralty and Maritime Law, Alfonso has represented clients in complex ship arrests, maritime disputes, salvage operations, collisions, marine casualty claims, marine insurance matters and arbitrations. She has also advised international shipowners, insurers, Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on maritime matters. The high-level CoI panel also includes Dr Andrzej Jasionowski, a forensic naval architecture and marine engineering expert, out of Poland. Dr Jasionowski holds a PhD in damaged vessel hydrodynamics from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom (UK), awarded in 2002. He has specialised since 1995 in the application of advanced numerical techniques for stability, hydrodynamics, oil film lubrication, thermodynamics of liquefied natural gas (LNG) mixtures, ship flooding sim-

ulations, probabilistic assessments of time to sink and capsize, holistic risk quantification, and shaft alignment. According to his CV, he routinely applies the finite element method (FEM), Lagrange collocation (LC), boundary element method (BEM), and non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) collocation methods to the forensic analysis of collisions, groundings, unsafe ports, elasto-thermo-hydrodynamic assessments of design defects, and complex cryogenic cargo operations.

He also advised on new building and other disputes regarding ship weight, fuel oil consumption, shaft alignment, stern tube (journal) bearing failures, cranes (slewing) bearing failures, structural integrity impairments, propulsion, stability, ship capacity, unsafe ports, LNG boil off and heat losses. In addition, decorated Trinidad and Tobago Rear Admiral (RADM) Hayden A Pritchard, has also been named to serve on the Commission.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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The hinterland no longer waits

For much of our country’s history, the hinterland was treated as a distant frontier rather than an integral part of our republic.

The post-independence PNC-UF Government proclaimed the importance of Indigenous peoples, celebrated their culture on national occasions and praised their stewardship of the forests. They even invented an “Amerindian” word to describe their Republic bash – Mashramani. Yet when budgets were prepared and national priorities established, the coast in general and their supporters, in particular, invariably came first.

The result was a development model that effectively placed the majority of Guyanese within the narrow Atlantic corridor paramount while leaving thousands of Indigenous citizens separated not only by geography but by opportunity. The roads ended where the forests began; electricity was sporadic; communications were unreliable and health care often depended upon periodic outreach. Children seeking higher education had to leave their villages altogether. Development reached the hinterland slowly, unevenly, and sometimes only after years of promises.

The just-completed National Toshaos Conference demonstrates how profoundly that philosophy has changed during successive PPP administrations. They have increasingly made hinterland development a central pillar of their national agenda rather than an occasional act of political charity. That distinction is fundamental: it recognises that Indigenous communities are not peripheral to Guyana’s future but are central to it.

The difference between yesterday and today is not merely one of rhetoric but of scale. For decades, hinterland policy was largely about managing remoteness, but today, it is about overcoming it. Roads have been extended deeper into the interior while airstrips and river transport have mushroomed. Renewable energy is reducing dependence on costly imported fuel and Internet connectivity is shrinking distances that once isolated entire communities. New schools, health facilities, housing programmes, and economic initiatives – especially the latest one unfurled – seek not merely to improve living standards but to create opportunities that allow young indigenous Guyanese to build prosperous futures without abandoning their ancestral communities.

This represents a decisive break from an older mindset in which the hinterland was viewed principally through three lenses: timber, minerals and conservation. Indigenous peoples were too often expected to protect the nation’s forests while remaining among its least-developed citizens. Such an arrangement was neither just nor sustainable.

Our country’s unprecedented oil revenues have made it possible to correct this historic imbalance, and the Government deserves credit for recognising that national wealth carries national obligations. Development has not stopped at the BJ Demerara River Bridge or the Berbice River. It has extended to the Rupununi, the Pakaraimas, the North West District, the Upper Mazaruni and every community whose citizens have waited generations for the same opportunities enjoyed on the coast.

Equally significant is the evolution of the National Toshaos Conference itself. Once viewed largely as an annual ceremonial gathering, it has become an important forum through which Indigenous leaders directly influence national policy. Ministers are expected to answer difficult questions, defend programmes and hear firsthand the concerns of village leaders. That is participatory democracy in action.

Naturally, much remains to be done. Land titling must continue; infrastructure must be completed on time and maintained; public services must improve in quality as well as quantity and overall economic development must proceed with respect for Indigenous traditions and the constitutional rights of Amerindian communities. But those are questions of execution, not of commitment and today, the hinterland is increasingly viewed as the nation’s next frontier of growth, investment, and opportunity.

History will judge Governments not by the speeches they delivered about Indigenous peoples but by whether they transformed their daily lives. The PPP Administration has set itself that ambitious task. If it sustains the momentum evident at this year’s National Toshaos Conference, it will not merely have developed the hinterland, it will have helped complete the unfinished project of building a truly unified Guyana.

For the first time in many decades, the nation’s development map is beginning to resemble its geography with the hinterland increasingly becoming its strategic future. This is holistic nation building.

President Dr Irfaan Ali; Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall; Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs; West Indies cricket legend Sir Clive Lloyd, Caricom Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett and other officials signed the Book of Condolence at Duke Lodge, Georgetown in tribute to West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield St Aubrun Sobers. The book was opened to honour the life and legacy of Sir Garfield, widely regarded as the greatest all-round cricketer in the history of the game, who died on July 17, 2026, at the age of 89 (Capt Gerry Gouveia/Facebook)

Personal reflection on Ian McDonald

Dear Editor, Guyana and the world have lost a remarkable soul in Ian McDonald. Tributes will surely pour in for this extraordinary man — perhaps the most accomplished individual in our Region — whose talents spanned an astonishing range: a brilliant writer and poet, a titan of the global sugar industry, a sportsman and devoted lover of all sports (especially tennis and cricket), a philanthropist, and a member of countless boards, organisations, and NGOs, always guided by a deep commitment to fairness and upliftment of the people of Guyana. Yet as vast as his achievements were, they pale in comparison to the character of the man himself. Ian was, above all, the absolute epitome of decency. He moved through life with humili-

ty and wisdom, leaving everyone he met feeling seen, valued and inspired. I first met Ian in 1987, when he was GuySuCo’s revered Director of Administration and Marketing and I had just joined as Livestock Development Officer, at a time when the industry was being urged to diversify into other crops and livestock. Our friendship came easily — perhaps because we were both Trinidadian by birth — though I suspect it also reflected his generous patience with my many requests for feedback and support in an industry dominated by “sugar men”. At the time, I could not have imagined that I would succeed him at GuySuCo in 2002, when he became the Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean. His were

enormous shoes to fill, yet his guidance, mentorship, and steady insight never wavered as we worked with the Government of Guyana, the CARICOM Secretariat, and the African and Pacific nations to navigate the turbulent waters created by the European Union’s dismantling of the Sugar Protocol trade arrangements. I can still hear him, in a rare departure from his usual composure, reminding negotiators that the EU had committed, under non-reciprocal preferences, to purchase sugar indefinitely at guaranteed prices and quantities. It was a hard-fought struggle, shaped by World Trade Organisation’s challenges to those preferences, and it ended in an Economic Partnership Agreement that Ian lamented as leaving us unavoidably on the

back foot. With more than five decades of service to the industry, Ian understood sugar so deeply that he could have written the book, the script, and the footnotes.

From then on, our friendship was enriched by family moments, celebrations, and Ian’s familiar promise that he would make Steve and me love poetry. He carefully chose his favourites, printed them, and sent them to us with handwritten notes—often indecipherable—about the beauty of the prose within. We received each of his publications hot off the press, forming a collection we will cherish forever. Our conversations ranged widely, always without rancour, across religion, politics, sports, art, culture, and music, reflecting the depth of his curiosity and his re-

markable gift for retaining detail. For Ian, reading was like breathing in, and writing was like breathing out. Watching Ian and Mary together, and spending time with them in their beautiful, tranquil home in Bel Air Gardens, brought such warmth. They were inseparable and deeply devoted to each other — proud of one another’s accomplishments and wholly committed to their family. His “Poems for Mary” stands as a beautiful testament to his deep and abiding love for his life’s partner. In later years, our conversations often centred on his children, and joyful anecdotes about Jacob, Zoey, Ben and Darrain that left us laughing. He loved them all, completely and utterly.

My heart is heavy with sadness at Ian’s passing, but it is also full of grat-

itude for the privilege of knowing him. It is rare to encounter a person who embodies both greatness and gentleness in equal measure.

Thank you, Ian, for your unwavering integrity and for a legacy that lives on not only in your publications, but also in the hearts of all who had the honour of knowing and loving you. Yours was truly a life well lived.

Our deepest condolences to Mary, his sons, siblings, grandchildren and all the members of his family. May his memory continue to be a blessing, and may you feel surrounded by love and comfort in the days ahead. Rest in Peace, dear friend.

Sincerely,

Nisa Surujbally

GCCI welcomes establishment of CoI into the MV Barima tragedy

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) welcomes the Government’s decision to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy, consistent with the Chamber’s earlier call for a thorough, transparent and evidence-based examination of the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.

The Chamber remains deeply mindful that this inquiry follows a national tragedy marked by the tragic loss of life and its profound impact on families and communities. Our thoughts continue to be with the victims, survivors, their families, and everyone affected during this difficult time. GCCI also welcomes the appointment of the members

of the Commission, whose collective expertise in judicial affairs, marine engineering, maritime surveying and compliance, admiralty and maritime law, and maritime operations and security inspires confidence that the inquiry will be thorough, independent, credible and evidence-based.

This Commission presents a significant opportunity to ascertain the facts, draw valuable lessons, and build public confidence in the institutions responsible for safeguarding the travelling public. GCCI believes that its findings and recommendations will inform measures that enhance public safety, strengthen regulatory oversight, and support the continued advancement of Guyana’s transport sec-

tor. Beyond the inquiry itself, the Commission’s enduring legacy will be

defined by the implementation of its recommendations, allowing this trag-

edy to serve as a catalyst for lasting improvements in public safety, regulatory oversight, and the protection of all who rely on Guyana’s transport sys-

tems.

Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)

Page Foundation

Cubes and Cube Roots cont’d

What is a cube root?

The cube root of a number is a value that can be multiplied by itself three times to give the original number.

A cube root is the inverse operation of cubing a number.

The cube root symbol looks like this 3√

When we cube a positive number we get a positive result and when we cube a negative number we get a negative result.

So the cube root of a positive number is also a positive number, and the cube root of a negative number is also a negative number

E.g.

Example 1

What is 5 cubed?

5 cubed means 5 × 5 × 5

So 5 cubed is 125

Example 2

What is 9 cubed?

93 cubed means 9 × 9 × 9

So 9 cubed is 729

Example 3

What is the cube root of 64?

The cube root of 64 means what value can be multiplied by itself three times to give 64

So

This fun, hands-on craft lets you create a bright and cheerful sunshine while practicing essential fine motor skills. Using wooden buttons, glitter felt sheets, and a needle and thread, kids can enhance their dexterity and coordination in a creative and relaxing way.

What you'll need

Assorted wooden buttons

Glitter felt sheets

Scissors

Satin ribbon

Needle and thread

Top Tip: To make the sunshine more complex, try using smaller buttons instead.

How to make

Step 1: Trace around a plate onto yellow felt to create a circle.

Step 2: Cut out the circle.

Step 3: Cut 8 triangles from orange felt.

Step 4: Sew a button onto each triangle.

Step 5: Mark the yellow circle with a cross and then a diagonal cross to create 8 evenly spaced points.

Step 6: Snip small buttonholes at each of the 8 marked

By Ethan Chua

—the lock cut in two. Now I have to walk to Our Lady and St Joseph, through the sparse needlework of deciduous branches. It turns out we still need each other—stranger, maybe you saw the black and orange chassis and thought speed, something sleek to meet the headwinds; maybe warm meals for the week or a present for someone you hurt and love; or maybe you’d make of its handlebars and spokes better use than I could, as forest floor mycelia spin carbon, nitrogen from muck—

I was so angry with you. The date I’d planned for Saturday fell through, a friend vanished from my life last week. The fossil news from Baku, bleak, and suffering in Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, Palestine. All things that can be taken, what you thought was yours, that everything changes hands, and I—

I was late. The mass was almost over, the voices nearly finished with their singing. Bread, water, some kind of stolen grace flashed past me on two wheels in the wind. December was late. Outside the ash was watching itself end and time ride with the thief.

(Source: Poetry [July/August 2026])

Write a story that includes the line “Give me one good reason not to call the Police.”

WORD SEARCH

MV Barima wreckage/missing persons

Strong currents, darkness make recovery

“very, very hard”

– French diver describes hazardous conditions to families

…says “it’s totally dark”, navigating by touch

As the search and recovery operation continued offshore, where MV Barima sank after capsizing with 179 people onboard last weekend, the French divers who have been supporting local efforts say the harsh conditions in the Atlantic are making it difficult to navigate the wreckage. Since they arrived in Guyana on Monday, the team from

the wreck, and it’s like we are blind. So, it’s too dangerous for us to enter into the wreck. And because of the many ropes and the hammocks, it’s very difficult to see where we are going,” one of the divers recently told the families.

Since last week, the technical teams, both local and foreign, have been trying to reposition the vessel. The aim is to get the ferry into

the French Guiana Army has executed approximately 15 diving operations to the sunken vessel, which is lying on its side on the seabed about nine miles off the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The ferry was located two days after capsizing by local fishermen and later confirmed by authorities. So far, 76 persons have been rescued and 73 bodies recovered, while 30 persons are still unaccounted for. Updating anxious family members, who have gathered at Charity on the Essequibo Coast since last week to await news of their missing loved ones, the French divers explained that the weather and the environmental conditions are making it dangerous for them to get into the sunken ferry.

“There are very, very hard environmental conditions, especially because of the tide and the currents. On the wreck, it’s totally dark, so it’s very difficult for us to navigate through the wreck. We have to feel

a floating position in order to bring it closer to shore so that the divers can safely get inside with the hopes of recovering those missing persons.

Rough Atlantic conditions

This publication understands that the divers, both local and foreign, managed to successfully attach cables and ropes to the sunken ferry on Wednesday. However, those closely involved in the recovery operation explained that when they tried to pull the vessel, the cables and ropes kept bursting. Despite the rough Atlantic conditions and some divers even becoming sick, the teams are still continuing their efforts to both move the vessel as well as enter the wreckage. “So, there was a rope on the wreck. We just followed the rope, arrived on the wreck and tried to navigate by searching the characteristics of the wreck. So, we were able to follow the lines of the wreck and try to feel if there was a door or window or hammocks or what-

ever. [But] it’s quite in the mud. It’s totally dark, so it’s very, very difficult to search for something,” the French diver explained. Only a few days ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who had been on the ground in Charity all last week, informed families that if efforts to right the sunken vessel into a floating position failed, then a decision would have to be made on salvaging the wreck. This, he pointed out, however, is a last resort. “The other option, which we don’t want to get to and we’re trying to avoid as far as possible – and that would have to be discussed with family members – is to try for a full salvage of the vessel. That has the challenge of disrupting whatever is there. But we’re hopeful that we don’t get to that [stage]. If we get to that, all of us together will have to make a decision as to the best option [forward],” the Guyanese leader had indicated to relatives last week. However, during the recent briefing, the families enquired from the French divers about the possibility of salvaging the ship. In response, the lead diver from the foreign team related that, “It’s very, very hard to do such a thing… I think it’s very difficult because the wreck is not very strong, so it’s difficult to take it.” A part from the French Guiana Army, Guyana is also receiving support from other regional partners, including the Brazilian navy, and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, which have deployed maritime assets and personnel to aid in recovering efforts.

Emergency response operation

Only Friday, Prime Minster (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is leading the Guyana Government emergency response operation, indicated that these recovery efforts will continue “for as long as necessary” to not only bring closure to those grieving families but also to show dignity and respect to the 30 persons who perished in the tragedy and are still unaccounted for. Asked on Saturday how long the foreign teams will remain here to support this recovery mission, the PM told the Guyana Times that there was no timeline set for their stays here. “They didn’t say how long they are here for, but I guess at some stage, we’ll have a meeting and we’ll have

to decide…when we’ll stop or [when] the involvement of the foreign teams will stop. So, they’re still here, and they’re still diving,” Phillips had related.

The MV Barima departed the Georgetown stelling at about 15:00h on Saturday, July 18, on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) carrying 179 persons, including 18 crew members and cargo. According to officials, the vessel encountered rough sea conditions off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River late that night. Survivors have recalled that the ferry began tilting to one side before capsiz-

ing, throwing passengers into the water in less than a minute. A distress signal transmitted at approximately 23:01h was received by aviation authorities, triggering a large-scale multi-agency emergency response that still continues.

Addressing concerns raised in the aftermath of the disaster, blood samples were taken from the captain and crew members for testing. Authorities released the results showing positive tests for cannabis and subsequently arrested the captain and two crew members.

Another official from the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), which manages ferry services, was also detained as

part of the police investigation. Subsequently, the Government, in its initial probe into the issue, uncovered that more people were aboard the vessel than had been recorded on the original passenger manifest. That information, along with the manifest, was immediately made public and resulted in several managers at the T&HD being sent off on suspension. Meanwhile, in keeping with an earlier commitment for an independent probe, President Ali has named a five-member distinguished panel to lead the Commission of

Guyanese woman cremated by mistake by New York funeral home

…family says wanted burial in Guyana

Euvy Rodney - mother of 11, with 55 grandchildren and great-grandchildren had one request before dying this month at 93: to be buried in her native Guyana. Instead, a Queens funeral home cremated her, according to a complaint the family filed with the state Bureau of Funeral Directing, which the Daily News has reviewed.

“We are broken,” daughter Romona Rodney-Park, 53, tells the News. “She’s so much more than this tragedy. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister. She was a woman of unwavering faith who prayed faithfully and devoted her life to caring for others.”

The funeral home in question, the J Foster Phillips Funeral Home in Jamaica, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. But the family has filed a complaint with the state Bureau of Funeral Directing. “My mother, Euvy Agnes Rodney, was entrusted to the funeral home with the family’s understanding and instructions that she would be buried,” the complaint reads. “The family did not authorise her cremation. “These events have caused the family severe emotional distress and raised serious concerns regarding the funeral home’s identification, authorisation, documentation and communication procedures.”

The state Department of Health, which oversees the bureau, does not discuss specific complaints, though it does on its website provide a list of best practices for funeral homes to avoid such mistakes. “Human remains mix-ups occur infrequently, but are highly emotional for all in-

volved when they occur, often triggering litigation against the hospital and/or funeral director that was engaged to pick up the remains,” the department says. The Rev. Kevin Mccall, an activist and adviser to the Rodney family, said the funeral home should be fully investigated and those responsible for the error should be held accountable. “This funeral home needs to be shut down,” McCall said. Rodney and her husband immigrated here from their native Guyana in 1993 and settled in Queens, living mostly in and around Jamaica. At the time of her death, she was living with Rodney-Park in Lynbrook, the daughter said. Her husband died about 15 years ago.

After she died on July 8, Rodney’s family decided to use a Queens fu-

neral home, since the funeral itself would be at a Queens church. Rodney loved her native Guyana. She had recently installed new windows in her house there and had visited as recently as January. “I did communicate to them that my mom’s final wish is to be taken to Guyana to be buried,” Rodney-Park said. “We have never had any discussion with regard to cremation.” Another sister, Donna Wilburg, 69, said a burial in Guyana would have been fitting. “For her,” Wilburg said, ‘it’s home.” But almost immediately, RodneyPark said, the funeral home was evasive, not allowing her to view her mom’s body because she was “undressed,” then later acting cryptically when an official first said she “may have” been cremated before admitting the cremation had happened. “Then they stopped communication with us,” Rodney-Park said. “They just dropped us.” The family’s lawyer, John Elefterakis, said the crematorium, All Souls Crematory, in East Elmhurst, later said the procedure took place on July 14. A crematory official said she could not comment “out of respect” for the Rodney family’s privacy. Elefterakis said it’s not yet clear if the crematorium bears any responsibility for what happened. “It’s been an absolute nightmare for the family,” he said. “And the family is wondering, ‘How can we even be sure these are our mom’s remains?’” “I don’t know if it’s possible to test ashes for DNA.” Experts say such testing is possible, though is not considered reliable.

(NY Daily News)

5-member distinguished legal...

Pritchard is a retired military professional with over 38 years of experience in security and maritime operations, policy development, change management and public and security sector reform. He is also renowned for his experience in maritime safety, logistics, port and ship development and personnel management. He ended his military career as Chief of Defence Staff, head of his country’s military. The Rear Admiral is also well recognised for leading successful projects in port and maritime operations, security organisational development, ship design, business continuity and crisis management. According to President Ali during his announcement of this distinguished panel on Sunday, the necessary legal instruments required to give effect to this decision are currently being formalised. Upon completion, he said the Commission will commence its work in accordance with the provisions of the law.

The Commission will have to determine its own procedures and methods of work consistent with its mandate. “The terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry will be establishing the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including the causes and all other factors relating to the loading of the vessel, the boarding of passengers, conditions on board, the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima , and any other related matters,” the Head of State said.

The team will also be comprehensively reviewing all aspects of the search, rescue, and recovery operations, including the adequacy, coordination and effectiveness of the response by all agencies and stakeholders involved. They will also have to evaluate the extent to which applicable laws, regulations, standards and operating procedures governing ferries were complied with, while further determine whether any acts of negligence, misconduct,

dereliction of duty, or other failures by any individual, entity, or institution contributed to or caused the disaster. Moreover, the Commissioners will be tasked with inspecting the condition and maintenance history of the vessel, including its seaworthiness, analysing the influence of weather, sea conditions, tides, currents, navigation, communications and other environmental or operational factors that may have contributed to the incident. Further, they will have to appraise the competence, qualification, training and conduct of the vessel’s master and crew, including compliance with established maritime safety and emergency procedures. The five-member team will also have to scrutinise passenger management, including embarkation procedures, manifest preparation, the possible overcrowding of the vessel, the stowage of cargo, availability and use of life-saving equipment and adherence to passenger safety requirements.

Exploiting…

…forced labour oil?

Your Eyewitness hopes the US has finally settled on a tariff for Guyanese exports. First it was 38%; then 15% and now it’s graciously descended to 12.5%!! He almost expects the next announcement to be, “We’ve thought about it some more. Let’s spin the wheel again!!” The stated concern is “forced labour” Interesting!! ‘Cause the overwhelming share of our exports to stateside is crude oil from the Stabroek Block – produced by Exxon’s consortium!!

This leaves customs officials with the unenviable task of determining precisely where the forced labour is hiding!! Inside the pipeline? Naaah!! In the drilling mud?...Ooops!! Or perhaps the crude itself has been coerced into flowing upwards!!?? If forced labour has indeed produced our exports, it had to’ve been done with extraordinary finesse!! To avoid detection by the very multinational corporations whose compliance departments employ enough lawyers to populate a medium-sized Caribbean island!!

There’s a delicious irony in all this. America’s the foremost champion of free markets, and it’s discovered a product extracted by one of its own corporate giants requires punitive treatment because of forced labour practices in the exporting country?? That’s rather like fining yourself for driving your own car!! Now, clearly, no one should trivialise genuine allegations of forced labour. If credible evidence exists anywhere in Guyana, it should be investigated vigorously and those responsible prosecuted without hesitation. Forced labour has no place in a modern democracy.

But trade policy is supposed to be a scalpel, not a 2-by-4!!. Unfortunately, Washington seems to’ve used the economic equivalent of a mosquito net to catch a whale. The real victim ain’t Exxon – they’re gonna continue selling oil somewhere. Removing refining business from America!! The folks most likely to feel the sting are ordinary Guyanese exporters – of timber products, seafood, agricultural produce, etc – which neither own offshore platforms nor command fleets of oil tankers.

In punishing alleged misconduct, Washington risks taxing enterprises that had nothing to do with it! The tariff justified by labour concerns falls most conspicuously upon exports dominated by an American oil company operating under agreements negotiated with the Guyanese State. It takes a special kind of bureaucratic legerdemain to conclude that the best way to discipline Guyana is to place a tariff on oil largely produced by one of America’s own corporate champions!!

FROM PAGE 3

At the end of their investigation, the Commissioners will recommend any legislative, regulatory, institutional, and operational reforms, together with any other measures, necessary to strengthen maritime safety, improve emergency preparedness and response and reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies occurring in the future. MV Barima was en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) with 179 people onboard, when it capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

While at least 76 persons survived the horrific boat accident, 73 persons have been confirmed dead and another 30 still missing. Search and recovery operations are continuing to locate those persons still unaccounted for and move the sunken ferry, which is lying on the seabed some nine miles off the Essequibo Coast, closer to shore so that divers can better access inside the vessel.

At this rate, the tariff is beginning to resemble the stock market—except with less transparency and more press releases!! For now, Guyanese can take comfort in one thought. If Washington keeps revising the number often enough, eventually it may accidentally discover that arithmetic, like diplomacy, is easier when it starts with the facts – to be supplied by Guyana! – rather than the headline!! Changing the percentage next week??!!

…regime change

What timing!! Just as Venezuela faces an earthquake bill of some US$19 billion, it finds itself staring longingly across the Caribbean Sea toward some US$39 billion in oil proceeds sitting in US-controlled financial institutions. It’s rather like watching a man die of thirst – while his wallet’s safely locked inside the bank vault – accessible only after the manager decides he’s learnt enough lessons about fiscal responsibility!!

Meanwhile, Delcy’s discovering that anti-Guyanese speeches are poor substitutes for liquid assets!! Revanchist Essequibo slogans – stirring though they might be – can’t pay construction contractors, bridge engineers, or families whose homes have become geological experiments!!

Thankfully, Guyana understands that a nation can possess vast oil wealth – yet require international friends because someone got the password!! The earth, unlike geopolitics, has no ideology. It simply shakes. Unfortunately for Venezuela, earthquakes do not pause to inquire whether your national treasury is under sanctions, frozen abroad, or awaiting diplomatic redemption!!

While we may not be susceptible to earthquakes, let’s not pull the tiger’s tail!!

…opportunities

Ian Mc Donald, who just passed, very positively exploited the vistas opened by his connection with Jock Campbell and Bookers in post-WWII Guyana.

A profound impact was made by his stocking of the Bookers’ community centres’ libraries!!

Guyana passport among Caribbean’s strongest with 88 visa-free destinations

Guyana passport has ranked higher than some of its major Caribbean neighbours according to the 2026 Henley and Partners Passport Index. The index puts Guyana’s passport at 55th globally – allowing for visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to some 88 countries and territories around the world. This is a one-spot drop from last year’s ranking of 54th with access to some 91 countries. Guyana shares the 55th spot with Bahrain. Even though the country dropped one stop down from last year, the Guyana passport still ranked higher than some of its Caribbean neighbours that are major tourist destinations including Jamaica which came in at the 59th position with access to 84 visa-free destinations, and the Dominican Republic at 68th with visa-free access to 70 countries. Guyana also came in a higher position than South American neighbours, Suriname which ranked 64th with access to 75 visa-free destinations and Bolivia 63rd with visa-free access to 77 destinations, as well global powerhouse economies such as China, India and Indonesia. For yet anoth-

er year, Singapore continues to sit at the top of the global index with access to 192 destinations, while Afghanistan holds the last spot at 104th, with only 22 visa-free destinations. The Henley Passport Index is a widely followed ranking of global passports for the past 20 years, assessing the strength of passports by the number of destinations holders can visit without needing to obtain a visa prior to travel. It compares the visa-free access of 199 different passports

to 227 travel destinations based on data provided by the International Air Transport Association, the organisation said.

Schengen visa

But even with a 55th ranking and visa-free access to 88 countries, the Henley Index highlighted that Guyana still does not have visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen area. The Schengen area, consisting of 29 European countries, includes Austria, Belgium, France,

Germany, Italy, Spain, and others, allowing for seamless travel across the region. For years, the Guyana Government has been pushing for visa-free travel to the Schengen countries.

Back in November 2022, the United Kingdom’s (UK) Government had lifted the visa requirement for Guyanese passport holders. President Dr Irfaan Ali had subsequently disclosed that at least five European countries have agreed to support Guyana’s bid for visa-free travel to

Schengen area but no further progress in this has been reported. The opening of the French Embassy in Georgetown last September paved the way for the submission and processing of Schengen visa applications in Guyana, something that was long being pushed for. Previously, Guyanese wanting to obtain a Schengen visa would need to travel to neighbouring Suriname to complete the application process.

Enhance visa application

Back in May, French Ambassador to Guyana, Olivier Plançon, said his office is working to enhance the visa application and issuance process in the country. “Believe me, we are working to ease applications in Guyana,” Ambassador Plançon assured during the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) Annual General Meeting, where he acknowledged the difficulties associated with the visa process. He explained that the topic of visas is a sensitive issue in Europe, particularly for the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region, given the prevalence of trafficking and transnational crimes here. However,

the French diplomat recognised that Guyana is not a crime exporter but an exporter of opportunities given the country’s rapid economic growth. “Please also be mindful of the fact that the Schengen visa is a gateway to no less than 27 countries, and our visa policy has to be coordinated with all of them, actually. That being said, we are constantly striving to streamline the visa issuance process and we are well aware that improvements are needed and expected,” Plançon noted. The French Ambassador had previous explained that while the long-term goal is visa-free travel between the two countries and the wider European Union (EU), the number of Schengen visas issued has doubled since the opening of the embassy here last year, moving from about 150 to now some 350. Meanwhile, over the years, the Guyana Government has been in talks with a number of bilateral partners including Canada and India. Additionally, some countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also introduced visa-free travel for Guyanese passport holders.

Families view live MV Barima recovery operations at sea

…30 victims laid to rest; counselling, funeral support continue for affected families – Region 1 Chair

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday assured relatives of those still missing following the MV Barima tragedy that any decision to establish a memorial at the site where the ferry sank would rest entirely with the families of the victims. The assurance came during a meeting with relatives at Charity, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), where the Head of State provided an update on the ongoing search and recovery operation. The family members were also given the opportunity to view live footage from the recovery efforts taking place at sea. In a statement posted on social media, President Ali said the operation would continue throughout the night and into Monday as local and international teams persist in their efforts to recover those who remain missing. During the engagement, relatives expressed concerns about what would happen if some of their loved ones are never recovered. They suggested

that the area where the MV Barima sank be designated a memorial site bearing the names of those who perished as well as those who remain missing. Responding to the request, President Ali told the families that no decision would be made without their agreement.

“The families raised concerns about how the area would be designated if their loved ones are not recovered. They asked whether the site could be designated a memorial site bearing the names of those who perished and

are missing. The President assured family members that this decision would solely depend on the wishes of the families of those still missing. He further assured them that the Government will honour and respect their wishes,” the statement said.

Extensive support

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman of Region One (Barima-Waini), Brentnol Ashley, outlined the extensive support being provided to those affected by the tragedy over the past week. Ashley said that since the incident occurred last Saturday, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), working with psychologists, social workers and other officials, has contacted every affected family, including survivors, relatives of survivors and families who lost loved ones. According to him, significant efforts have also been made over the past three days to ensure victims were laid to rest with dignity in Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and the Matakai sub-region.

“So far, we have been able, through our various counsellors, whether psychologists or social workers, to reach out to every family that were affected, whether they’re survivors’ families or

the survivors themselves, as well as families who would have lost their loved ones in this tragedy,” Ashley said. He disclosed that approximately 16 funerals have already been conducted in Mabaruma, with one more still to be held, while another 14 funerals have taken place in the Matakai sub-region. In total, 30 funerals have been completed over the last three days. Ashley explained that regional authorities coordinated the transportation of bodies from Charity to the respective communities and ensured that families received the support needed to organise funeral services according to their wishes. This included the provision of coffins, burial clothing and other requested items, as well as assistance in planning funeral services. Authorities also arranged venues, public address systems, musicians and pastors from various denominations to officiate at the services.

Prison officers trained in defence, arrest tactics, response capabilities

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has strengthened its operational and training capacity following the successful completion of a five-day Defence and Arrest Tactics Instructor Course conducted in partnership with the ASMA Security Training Academy. According to the GPS, the programme, which was accredited by Defence Technology, was designed to enhance the operational competence and instructional capability of prison officers. During the course, participants received training in the use of force and report writing, tactical communication, Management of Defensive Tactics Systems (MDTS), Mechanical Emergency Breaching (MEB), HIATT handcuffing procedures, the deployment of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray and Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs), as well as instructor methodology and best practices. At the end of the programme, four prison officers, Roylex Holder, Keshon Henry, Colwyn Thompson, and Aklem Alexander, were certified as instructors.

Six others, Devon James, Roy Lancaster, Kelvin Mingo, Akeem James, Erwin Mentore, and Lincoln Persaud, received certification as opera-

tors. Speaking at the closing ceremony on Friday at the Prison Headquarters, programme trainer Dr Oluyemi Mashama, a Certified Instructor Trainer in Advanced Defence Technology, said the internationally certified programme goes be -

yond recertification by reinforcing professional standards, aligning participants with modern correctional practices and preparing instructors to train

others safely, ethically and effectively. Deputy Director of Prisons Kevin Pilgrim said the training would boost officers’ confidence in carrying out their

duties while improving safety and security for both inmates and staff. He also reminded the newly certified officers of the importance of exercising sound judgement when applying the skills they had acquired. Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot underscored the value of continuous training within the prison service, noting that more officers, including women, should be encouraged to participate in similar programmes to strengthen the service’s response to incidents and enhance workplace safety. Elliot also told participants that the Government of Guyana will continue investing in technology and non-lethal equipment to support prison officers in performing their duties safely and in keeping with modern correctional best practices. He congratulated the officers on attaining their international certification.

As El Niño dry season nears Avoid burning rubbish, dispose of cigarettes safely, take precautions – Fire Service

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is urging members of the public to adopt fire safety measures as the country prepares for the approaching El Niño dry season, which is expected to bring hotter temperatures, drier conditions and an increased risk of fires. In a public advisory shared on its social media platforms on Sunday, the Fire Service warned that a single spark could quickly develop into a dangerous wildfire, posing a threat to homes, farms, businesses and lives. The agency encouraged citizens to follow

basic fire prevention practices to reduce the risk of outbreaks during the dry season. Among the recommendations, the Fire Service advised the public never to leave fires unattended and to avoid burning rubbish or dry vegetation during periods of hot and windy weather. Smokers were also reminded to dispose of cigarettes safely to prevent accidental fires. Residents were further encouraged to keep their surroundings free of dry grass and other combustible materials, which can fuel the rapid spread of fires. The Fire Service

also reminded the public to act immediately if a fire is detected by moving to a safe location and reporting the incident through the emergency hotline, 912.

The agency stressed that preventing fires requires collective responsibility, urging citizens to play their part in protecting lives and property throughout the El Niño season.

“Fire prevention starts with you. Together, we can protect our families, our communities and our nation,” the Fire Service said.

Police train drivers in defensive driving, responsible road use

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is continuing its road safety education campaign through a series of training sessions aimed at improving awareness, encouraging responsible driving practices and reducing traffic violations and collisions.

In Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the Traffic Department continued its community outreach efforts with a road safety lecture in Rupunau Village, South Rupununi District. The session, held on Saturday, which conducted by Sergeant Bourne and other traffic ranks from the region, saw residents received information on obtaining a driver’s licence,

rules of the road, defensive driving, kerb drill, tint regulations, the Five Cs of safe driving, mobile device restrictions, road signs and markings and the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. Residents participated in discussions and expressed appreciation for the initiative, while welcoming further road safety programmes in their communities.

Meanwhile, the Traffic Education Section of Regional Division 4 ‘B’ recently conducted a road safety training session for members of the Regional Division 4 ‘B’ Road Safety Council. The session, held on Friday, saw four council members participating in

discussions focused on safe driving practices and traffic safety. Topics covered

driving, speeding and its consequences, seat belt use, maintaining safe following

included defensive driving, careless and dangerous

$15M in ATVs handed over to strengthen CPG patrols

Cwas held on Wednesday last and was attended by approximately 70 employees. The

distances, safe overtaking and the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Participants were also briefed on the risks associated with distracted driving, particularly mo-

lecture focused on defensive driving, traffic rules, hazard awareness, speed management, road signs and signals, and the importance of professionalism and responsibility while using the roadways. At Cevons

Corporal Charran and Corporal Gopaul, in collaboration with the company’s Health and Safety Officer, Vatoya Soodat and Darnell Johnson, the session addressed defensive driving techniques, vehicle maintenance, risk identification, speeding, and the legal consequences of driving under the influence.

The presenters also highlighted the importance of proper attire for drivers, the correct use of roundabouts, and the role of porters in assisting drivers by monitoring blind spots and helping to ensure safety during reversing and manoeuvring.

Waste Management, approximately 55 participants took part in a session held on Thursday last at the

The GPF said the continued outreach is part of its efforts to strengthen road safety awareness, encourage responsible road use and promote safer driving practices nationwide.

During a ceremony at the Ministry’s Brickdam office, Deputy Permanent Secretary (PS) Dwayne Adams presented the vehicles to representatives of the respective groups. The ATVs are expected to improve the mobility of CPG members during routine

ommunity Policing Groups (CPGs) in five regions have received new all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to improve patrols and emergency response efforts in remote and difficult-to-access communities. The Home Affairs Ministry on Thursday handed over five Kawasaki ATVs, purchased through a $15 million Government investment, to CPGs serving Mabaruma in Region One (Barima-Waini); Onderneeming Sand Pit in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Wakenaam (Zeelandia) in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Cotton Tree in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and Toka in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

patrols, provide better access to communities, and support quicker responses to incidents. The initiative, the Ministry said is part of the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen community policing and enhance collaboration between CPGs, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and local stakeholders in addressing crime and improving public safety. The Ministry said the investment will assist community policing groups as they continue to support safety initiatives across Guyana.

bile phone use, the importance of routine vehicle inspections and the need for courtesy and consideration among road users. The Traffic Education Section encouraged participants to share the knowledge gained with their families, workplaces, and communities as part of efforts to build greater awareness of road safety. Meanwhile, the Traffic Headquarters Education Unit conducted road safety lectures for employees of Century Tamara Logistics at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and drivers and porters attached to Cevons Waste Management in Georgetown. The Century Tamara Logistics session

By Dr Tariq Jagnarine

Fam meD, enDocrinology

Grief is one of life’s most difficult experiences. It can follow the death of someone we love or any major loss that changes the life we once knew.

The <<<MV Barima>>> tragedy has brought grief painfully close to many Guyanese. Families are mourning parents, partners, children, siblings, and friends. Survivors are carrying difficult memories, while others feel deeply affected because they imagine their own families in the same situation.

Grief is personal. Some people cry openly, while others become quiet or numb. Some seek comfort in prayer; others question their faith. There is no single correct way to grieve.

What grief may feel like Grief affects more than our emotions. It can also af-

HEALTH TIPS

Understanding grief: Coping with loss and supporting others

fect our thoughts and bodies.

Common experiences include:

• Shock or disbelief

• Deep sadness and longing

Anger or irritability

• Guilt or regret

• Fear and anxiety

Poor sleep or nightmares

• Loss of appetite

Exhaustion

Difficulty concentrating

• Withdrawal from others

A person may feel calm one moment and overwhelmed the next. A photograph, song, smell or family event may suddenly bring the pain back. This does not mean that healing has failed. Grief often comes in waves.

The phases of grief Grief does not follow a fixed order or timetable. A person may move between different phases or experience several at once.

1. Shock and numbness

Immediately after a sudden loss, everything may feel unreal. You may struggle to understand information, make decisions, eat or sleep.

During this time, focus on basic needs. Stay close to someone you trust. Drink water, eat small meals, and rest whenever possible. Allow others to help with arrangements and avoid making major de-

cisions while you are overwhelmed.

Limiting graphic news reports, photographs and social-media content can also protect your emotional well-being.

2. Intense pain, anger and guilt

As the shock begins to fade, the reality of the loss may become more painful. You may ask, “Why did this happen?” or “Could I have done something differently?”

Survivors may feel guilty simply because they lived. Others may regret something they said or failed to say.

Allow yourself to cry and express what you are feeling. Speak with someone who can listen without judging you. Prayer, writing, gentle exercise or meaningful family traditions may also provide comfort.

Remember that regret is not always the same as responsibility. We often judge ourselves using information we did not have at the time.

3. Adjustment

Gradually, you may begin returning to work, school, church and family activities. You may experience longer periods without intense sadness. This can sometimes create guilt. You may laugh and then feel that you should not be happy.

Experiencing happiness does not mean that you have

forgotten your loved one. Continuing to live is not a betrayal. It is part of learning to carry the loss.

Return to normal activities gradually. Develop a simple routine, set small goals and accept help with new responsibilities.

4. Living with the memory

Healing does not mean forgetting. Over time, memories may bring comfort and gratitude as well as sadness.

You may honour your loved one by sharing stories, keeping photographs, observing important dates, continuing a family tradition or helping someone in their memory.

The relationship changes, but the love does not disappear.

Healthy ways to cope

While there is no quick cure for grief, several actions can make it more manageable:

• Take life one day at a time

Speak with someone you trust

• Accept practical help

• Maintain a basic routine

Eat, rest, and take prescribed medication

• Avoid excessive alcohol or drugs

• Spend time outdoors or take short walks

Participate in meaningful cultural or religious practices

• Allow yourself to feel both sadness and moments of happiness

• Seek professional support when the burden becomes too heavy

Difficult feelings may return on birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and family occasions. Plan for these days and decide whether you would

prefer company, prayer, remembrance or quiet time.

Supporting someone who is grieving

You do not need perfect words. Your presence may be more valuable than advice.

You can say: “I am sorry.”

• “I am here with you.”

• “You do not have to talk, but I am ready to listen.”

“What can I help you with today?”

Avoid telling someone to “be strong”, “move on,” or accept that “everything happens for a reason”. Do not compare their grief with your own or pressure them to discuss traumatic details.

Offer specific help such as preparing a meal, providing transportation, caring for children or collecting medication. Most importantly, continue checking on the person after the funeral, when others have returned to their normal lives.

Helping children grieve

Children may become clingy, angry, quiet or distracted. Some may experience nightmares or repeatedly ask when the person is returning. Use simple and honest language. Explain that the person died and cannot return. Reassure children that the death was not their fault and that they will continue to be cared for.

Maintain familiar routines and allow children to play and laugh without guilt. Protect them from graphic images and adult conversations about traumatic details.

When additional help is needed

Professional support should be sought when grief becomes overwhelming or prevents someone from func-

tioning.

Warning signs include:

Persistent inability to eat or sleep

• Severe panic attacks or nightmares

Increasing use of alcohol or drugs

• Inability to care for oneself or one’s children

• Complete withdrawal from family and friends

Feeling that life has no meaning

• Thoughts of selfharm or suicide

Someone expressing suicidal thoughts should not be left alone. Urgent assistance should be obtained through the nearest emergency department or emergency service.

As a physician and father, stories of sudden loss are almost impossible to process. No sentence can replace a spouse, child, parent or sibling.

Sometimes healing begins with something simple: sitting beside someone, listening without judgment, helping with the next meal and returning after everyone else has gone home.

If you are grieving, do not measure your healing against anyone else’s timetable. Take each day as it comes. Accept help. Rest when needed. Speak when you are ready and cry when the tears come. The pain may not disappear completely, but with time and support, it can become less overwhelming. The person you loved will always remain part of your story.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone affected. Your loved ones will not be forgotten, and you should not have to carry this grief alone.

Families view live...

He noted that families were involved throughout the entire process, from the preparation of their loved ones’ bodies to the burial itself.

“We’ve ensured that pastors from various denominations were involved. We ensured that musicians and musical instruments and the necessary public address system, a venue for the funeral to be held, all were put in place, so that families could have only been allowed to grieve and to be consoled and to be comforted during this process,” Ashley stated.

He added that the support being provided extends beyond funeral arrangements, with psychologists and social workers continuing to engage survivors and grieving families to provide ongoing counselling and psychosocial assistance.

“We will continue to support every family, not only by material or other support, but by having our psychologists and social workers reach out to them, engage

them, counsel with them, and give that psychosocial support that is required to ensure that the families that are affected, the survivors themselves, they have a sense of consolation during this period,” the Regional Chairman said.

Regional, international legal and maritime experts

The latest update comes as the Government advances preparations for an independent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the July 18 disaster.

On Sunday, President Ali announced the appointment of a five-member panel of regional and international legal and maritime experts to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The Commission will be chaired by former Belizean Justice of Appeal Godfrey Phillip Smith and includes internationally recognised maritime safety specialist Captain Hamada Fouda, Trinidad and Tobago Senior

Attorney-at-Law

Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Polish forensic naval architecture and marine engineering expert Dr Andrzej Jasionowski, and retired Trinidad and Tobago Rear Admiral Hayden A. Pritchard.

The Commission has been established under Section 2(1) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act and is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the ferry’s capsizing, determine contributing factors and make recommendations aimed at strengthening maritime safety and preventing similar tragedies in the future.

The MV Barima capsized on the night of July 18 while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma after encountering rough seas off the Essequibo Coast. According to the latest official figures provided in the background information, 76 people have been rescued, 73 bodies have been recovered and 30 people remain unaccounted for as search and recovery operations continue.

Former President Hernandez returns to Honduras after Trump pardon

Former President Juan Orlando Hernandez has returned to Honduras from the United States after President Donald Trump pardoned him after he received a 45-year jail sentence for drug trafficking.

Hernandez returned to the Central American country on Sunday, four years after being extradited to the US. He is now due to go on trial in Honduras on fraud and money-laundering charges, but activists worry that he will not face real justice.

Trump granted Hernandez a presidential pardon in December, asserting that he did not receive a fair trial and was set up by former US President Joe Biden’s Administration.

“I cannot deny the profound emotion and joy I feel in my heart to be returning home,” Hernandez wrote on social media earlier this month, saying he was counting down the days to see his family.

“It wasn’t easy. The process has been extremely difficult … and what I experienced in prison, I truly

wouldn’t wish on anyone,” he added.

As he arrived at Palmerola International Airport, he was greeted by his family and dozens of supporters of his National Party.

Despite his pardon on the US charges, Hernandez is expected to appear in court on August 3 to face the Honduran charges.

However, he was not detained upon arrival in Honduras, because an arrest warrant was suspended in June, and local activists are

concerned that the trial will turn out to be a sham.

“Everything points to the suspension being the first step,” said Joaquin Mejia, a lawyer and researcher for the Reflection, Research and Communication Team, a human rights organisation.

Former President Porfirio Lobo and ex-Finance Minister Wilfredo Cerrato were both implicated in the same investigation, and the charges against them were dismissed.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Cuban President accuses US of genocide, seeking takeover

Cuba’s President has accused the United States of carrying out “genocide” against his people and seeking to seize the Caribbean island nation.

President Miguel DiazCanel lashed out during a rally on Sunday commemorating the start of the Cuban Revolution in 1953. His anger was a reaction to Washington’s continued pressure, which has included a crippling oil embargo that has produced regular blackouts and economic hardship.

“I denounce that Cuba is the victim of a cold-bloodedly calculated genocide,” Diaz-Canel said in Pinar del Rio at the event marking the 73rd anniversary of the uprising against former

CAF

dictator Fulgencio Batista.

US relations with the communist-led island have long been tense, but have deteriorated further under US President Donald Trump.

Washington imposed an oil embargo on Cuba on January 29, causing daily blackouts of more than 20 hours.

The US, Diaz-Canel said on Sunday, was engaged in “economic strangulation” through its actions.

Employers have been forced to reduce workdays, industrial production has stopped, and water and medicine shortages are hitting a country already suffering from previous US sanctions and financial reforms that caused inflation.

Payment companies Visa

and Mastercard, Spain’s Melia hotel chain, and Air Canada and Air France have all exited the country amid the crisis.

“Cuba is today waging a historic battle … against the walls of a genocidal policy whose objective is to suffocate an entire people in order to appropriate the country,” Diaz-Canel said.

Trump said he would “take over” Cuba, following the US capture of former Venezuelan president and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro in January.

Last week, a US State Department report accused Cuba’s Government of running an espionage and influence network against Washington and Latin American neighbours.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

launches US$150M impact fund for Caribbean, Latam

The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has launched a US$150 million impact investment fund aimed at financing businesses that tackle some of the Region’s biggest development challenges while generating financial returns, with 20 per cent of the fund targeted at smaller economies in the Caribbean and Central America.

The VELA Fund, unveiled in Mexico City on Tuesday, is designed to at-

tract private capital into sectors including biodiversity, the blue economy, regenerative agriculture, poverty reduction and financial inclusion. CAF is investing US$20 million as the fund’s anchor investor and hopes to leverage that commitment into a US$150 million regional investment vehicle.

CAF Executive President Sergio DíazGranados said Latin America and the Caribbean are at a pivotal moment as they navigate both the dig-

Bolsonaro’s son begins presidential bid with Milei kudos; Brazil recalls envoy to Argentina after attacks on Lula

Flavio Bolsonaro has inaugurated the official beginning of his Brazilian presidential campaign, touting support from right-wing figures such as Argentinian President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and long considered the presumptive candidate of Brazil’s political right, launched his formal bid challenging President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Saturday.

“This is more than a party convention,” Bolsonaro said in remarks to his father’s Liberal Party.

“This is the beginning of the toughest battles of our life. A fight between good and evil.”

Recent polls have shown Bolsonaro trailing the left-

wing Lula, as his bid for the presidency struggles to right itself after a number of setbacks and scandals.

While Saturday’s event included endorsement remarks from right-wing heavyweights such as Milei and Netanyahu, few prominent Brazilian politicians were in attendance.

Centre-right parties have largely kept their distance, and Flavio’s father – currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for a coup attempt following his loss to Lula in 2022 – was present at the convention only in the form of a video made with AI.

Milei delivered a fiery speech criticising Lula and declaring that Bolsonaro can “save” Brazil from socialism.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Brazil has recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires after Milei

criticised its leaders and Judiciary, two sources familiar with the matter said on Sunday. In his second visit to the country, Milei arrived in Brazil on Friday to throw his weight behind Senator Flavio Bolsonaro’s presidential run.

Speaking alongside Bolsonaro, Milei called Lula a “convict”, labelled as the Brazilian Government “thieving socialists,” and championed the conservative candidate as the only one who can “stop Lula”.

The decision to recall Brazilian envoy Julio Bitelli was made on Sunday morning after Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira consulted ⁠with Lula, sources familiar with the matter said. The Brazilian Government viewed Milei’s remarks as a “direct affront”, one source said. (Excerpts from Al Jazeera and Reuters)

Lula calls new US tariffs a mistake in Washington Post op-ed

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called new US tariffs unfair and a strategic mistake in a Sunday opinion column for The Washington Post, warning they would harm the countries’ bilateral partnership and drive up costs for US consumers.

“This month, disregarding dozens of meetings between our teams, solid technical arguments, and documents I personally handed to President Trump, the US Government imposed new tariffs on Brazil ranging from 12.5 per cent to

37.5 per cent,” Lula wrote.

The new duties follow the US Supreme Court striking down last year’s 50 per cent tariffs, Lula noted, adding that food, footwear, textiles, furniture, auto parts, and many other products will become more expensive for US consumers.

The US Embassy in Brazil did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the column.

Lula also cited Global Trade Alert, an independent organisation based in Switzerland, as saying that

Brazil and Turkey are now the second most-heavily tariffed countries by the United States, behind only China. This is despite a US trade surplus with Brazil in goods and services that totalled US$428 billion over 15 consecutive years, Lula said. In the opinion piece, published the day after Trump ally and conservative presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro launched his campaign, Lula noted that Brazilian exports to the US have hit their lowest level since 1997. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Release of Sabga-Hadeed private convo sparks calls for independent probe

An audio recording referenced in an affidavit filed in the High Court on Friday by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander is now at the centre of an escalating public debate over the continued detention of 69-year-old businesswoman Star Sabga under a Preventive Detention Order (PDO).

ital and energy transitions, but public financing alone will not be enough to meet the Region’s development needs.

“We have a great need to mobilise much more capital for investments that are capable of bringing about economic, social and environmental results,” he said.

“We need to close the financing gap, and therefore we need to increase productivity and investment.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

The recording surfaced on social media Saturday, two days after Sabga’s niece, Genevieve Hadeed, and her husband, businessman Dominic Hadeed, were released without charge from custody in connection with an ongoing conspiracy to murder investigation.

In the 15-minute recording, Sabga and Genevieve Hadeed are heard in a private telephone conversation during which Sabga was openly critical of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, her relationship with the current United States Administration, and the Government generally. Sabga

accused the Prime Minister of “destroying the country” and also made harsh remarks about Attorney General John Jeremie and other members of the Administration.

Particular reference was made to comments made by Jeremie in Parliament on June 10 regarding the socalled “one per cent”, including his remarks about “the newspapers they own”.

Sabga also criticised Jeremie’s comments about the revocation of US visas for members of the SyrianLebanese community and suggested links to the People’s National Movement (PNM).

At one point in the conversation, Sabga said: “I don’t understand it. This is not going to turn out nice, Gene ... somebody getting a bullet in the head.”

She later added: “Something has to happen for this to cool down ... and what have to happen for this to cool down is the death of one of her Member for Parliament.”

In another section of the

recording, Sabga is heard saying: “The only way this thing going to end is when ah bullet fly ... that is the only way it is going to stop.”

Alexander’s affidavit, filed in response to Sabga’s constitutional challenge to her detention, also refers to racially-charged remarks allegedly made during the conversation.

The Homeland Security Minister stated that he instructed security agencies to identify statements made by Sabga that, in the State’s view, corroborated intelligence reports concerning what authorities describe as a broader plot to assassinate the Prime Minister and members of her Government.

Sabga has been detained at the Women’s Prison in Arouca since June 24. She was arrested alongside the Hadeeds, whose PDOs were revoked by Alexander on July 23.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Iran says it will halt strikes as long as US bombing pause holds

IOil slips 5% after US, Iran pause fighting over weekend

Oil prices tumbled five per cent today after the United States and Iran paused strikes over the weekend after two weeks of attacks, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution that would de-escalate the conflict and allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures fell US$4.89, or 5.05 per cent, to US$91.89 by 0009 GMT after briefly slipping under the key support level of US$90 earlier in the session.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was at US$84.64 a barrel, down US$4.67, or 5.23 per cent.

Both contracts are trading at their lowest levels in nearly a week after rising for the past three weeks.

Brent had reached US$100 per barrel as the conflict, which reduced oil shipments via the Strait of Hormuz, spilled over to the Red Sea, hindering exports from the world’s top exporter, Saudi Arabia, via the Bab el-Mandeb strait to Asia.

The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, told “Fox News Sunday” and other US media that President Donald Trump had decided to pause US attacks ‌to ⁠allow more time for diplomacy.

“Hopes are rising that a genuine diplomatic path may be opening,” IG markets analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note.

“A return to the 14-point MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with a little more clarity around control of the Strait of Hormuz would be a solid starting point.”

Despite the pause in attacks, fewer than 10 commodity vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily during the weekend, shipping data from Kpler showed.

In addition, ship traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait fell on Sunday after Yemeni Houthis attacked Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast, although a third Chinese supertanker exited via the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

“Any rebound in flows through the Strait of Hormuz is likely to prove slow and partial, as many shippers remain wary and will want greater confidence in their safety before they bring more empty ships into the Strait,” MST Marquee analyst Saul Kavonic said.

(Reuters)

UK PM pledges continued support for Ukraine ahead of Zelenskyy visit

United Kingdom

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to continue the UK’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine ahead of a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today.

Zelenskyy will become the Prime Minister’s first international visitor since he took office a week ago, which No 10 said “illustrates the strength of the relationship between the two nations”.

They will visit a naval base, where Burnham will announce the sharing of the intellectual property behind the UK’s new “Stone Cloak” electronic warfare system, enabling Ukraine to produce the

technology at scale.

The Prime Minister said: “Britain stands with Ukraine, shoulder to shoulder, and our support remains unwavering. Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve, and we will not back down until we achieve long-lasting and just peace for Ukraine.”

He added: “Stone Cloak is the best of homegrown British innovation and proven on the frontline, and it will be vital to protecting our security in both our countries.”

Downing Street said that following its deployment in Ukraine, the technology will be built into the UK’s next generation of long-range weapons.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

ran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States does the same, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday. The development comes as the United States pressed pause on its bombing campaign after President Donald Trump’s advisers told him they were running out of targets and expressed worries about depleting the US arsenal.

After 13 nights of intensifying US airstrikes on Iran, the Pentagon suspended the campaign late on Friday, with no US attacks reported on either Saturday or Sunday. Iran, which had been following each night of US attacks with its own strikes on neighbouring countries that host US bases, has also so far held

fire for two days.

The Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Tehran’s position “remains

‘attack for attack’: if the attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations. That message has already been conveyed to the United States.”

The US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, told “Fox News Sunday” and other US media that Trump had decided to pause US attacks to allow more time for diplomacy.

“He’s giving talks some space, he’s giving it a little bit of room,” Waltz said, without providing further details. US military officials in recent days have cautioned that bombings over the past two weeks meant to deter Iranian threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz – a narrow waterway that has become a key flashpoint in the war – had largely exhausted the pre-selected sets of targets, one US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Berlin Pride attack suspect shot and killed during Police operation

The man suspected of carrying out what authorities say was likely an “Islamist terror attack” at Berlin Pride has been shot and killed by Police.

Officers opened fire when Abdul Ballout, a 21-yearold German citizen with Lebanese heritage, rushed at

them with a knife in Spandau, a western borough of Berlin. It brought an end to a massive manhunt that was launched after a white van was driven into a crowd of people near Tiergarten park just before 22:00 (local time) on Saturday evening, killing one woman and injuring at

least 29 others.

Police say following the ramming, several people were injured in a stabbing attack.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said evidence pointed to it being an “Islamist terror attack”.

“We are dealing with a suspected perpetrator, who had previously drawn attention to himself through a high volume of criminal offences, radicalisation and affiliation with the Islamist scene,” Dobrindt said.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Firefighters battle wildfire as tens of thousands evacuated near Bordeaux

Firefighters are battling to contain wildfires burning near the city of Bordeaux as tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from the surrounding region.

France’s Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez said the situation in the region remained “very unfavourable” and the fire was “moving erratically towards” Bordeaux, though officials downplayed the possibility of evacuation.

Overnight into Sunday, about 55,000 persons were evacuated from villages to the south of the city in the Gironde region, famed for its vineyards.

Wildfires have raged across Europe over the past week, primarily in France and Spain, where more than 330,000 persons have been evacuated.

France has been one of worst-affected regions, with an area of 42,000 hectares burnt in the south-west, making it one of the largest forest fires since World War Two.

About 98,000 hectares have

burnt across the country since the start of the year.

In total, more than 220,000 persons have been evacuated in the south-west of the country.

Captain Nicolas Braz, one

of the leaders of the firefighting operation, said the fire had created “its own winds – complete with whirlwinds”, adding it was “erratic and unmanageable”.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Syria seeking security deal with Israel

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has revealed that Damascus is actively working to reach a security agreement with Israel with the participation of several countries.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Al Jazeera’s Al Muqabala programme, alSharaa said he hopes the

deal with Israel could serve as a gateway to a comprehensive peace.

He also assured that such an agreement would not compromise Syria’s right to the occupied Golan Heights, which Israel has illegally occupied since 1973.

He said Syria is avoiding any clashes with Israel, and that a security arrange-

ment could pave the way for a broader and more comprehensive resolution to the crisis.

It comes after repeated Israeli incursions and strikes in southern Syria, since al-Sharaa came to power in December 2024 following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s Government.

Al-Sharaa also confirmed

that Syria has no intention of launching any military intervention into neighbouring Lebanon, despite repeated rumours on the issue. Instead, his government is currently discussing ways for Lebanese authorities to help the country overcome its current crisis and steer it towards safety. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

If you take the plunge and let your imagination lead the way, you’ll devise innovative ideas and plans that will help you shine in your professional arena.

Letting situations, people and worry take up your time will result in few accomplishments. Put your time to good use, focus on physical activities and reiterate to those close to you what you feel is important.

An instinctive move on your part or that of someone close to you will have two parts -- benefits will unfold, but the cost and emotional mayhem that transpires may put a damper on the outcome.

Slow down, breathe and focus on what brings you peace and joy. Refuse to let mixed emotions cause problems with associates, lovers or friends. Pay more attention to your surroundings.

Choose to do something that encourages you to learn and experience something new and exciting. Connect with people who share your concerns and interests. Anger is a waste of time and effort.

Reach out to those already doing something you want to pursue, but don’t bank on having the same experience. Fine-tune your path forward to bypass the pitfalls others encountered.

Keep personal information a secret. Take care of matters with institutions, government agencies and authority figures. Researching something will help you determine the best alternatives to implement.

Speak up. Honesty is the best way to stifle negativity. Stop worrying about who walks away. If a connection is causing you grief, let it go. Take the path that offers food for thought.

All is good if you take care of your health and physical well-being. Taking on too much or more than you can handle will leave you subject to risk and injury.

Address issues concerning partnerships, legalities, health issues and your financial future with those who influence your lifestyle and how you proceed. A commitment will help you get back on track.

Keep your thoughts to yourself. Listen, learn and formulate a plan that encourages you to broaden your awareness, needs and what you want to pursue. A lifestyle change is overdue.

Pay attention to detail and what others think and do. If you become a spokesperson and articulate your thoughts and plans, you’ll attract people who want to achieve the same goals.

Sooryavanshi the star as India complete 3-0 sweep

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck his second half-century of the series, Mayank Yadav returned three wickets and Yash Thakur two as India registered a comfortable 35run win in the third T20 International (T20I) against Zimbabwe in Harare to complete a 3-0 series sweep. The win meant that India continued to hold their position at the top of the T20I rankings, having lost the spot during their series loss against England.

Batting first on a slowish surface – the same one as the second T20I – India lost Abhishek Sharma early but Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan added 75 runs off 50 balls for the second wicket.

Sooryavanshi fell for 81, but contributions from Shreyas Iyer (27 off 18) and Rinku Singh (25 off 14) took India to an above-par 192 for 5.

In reply, Zimbabwe were never really in the chase. Mayank removed Brian Bennett with the first ball of the match for the second time in the series, while Thakur struck twice in two balls to hurt the hosts in the power play. Ryan Burl (54*) and Wessly Madhevere (28) were the only major contributors as Zimbabwe were restricted to 157 for 7. Mayank was once again rapid, picking up 3 for 29, while Thakur returned 2 for 45.

While most things went to plan for India, their shoddy fielding was under the microscope again. They dropped five relatively straightforward catches – three off Thakur’s bowling alone – something which has become a theme in recent times.

Another Sooryavanshi special It was an un-Sooryavanshi in nings, as he com pleted his fifty off 31 balls, the second-slow est of his short T20 ca reer. But on a surface where through-the-line shots were not easy, Sooryavanshi was ready to bide his time. Abhishek became Blessing Muzarabani’s vic tim for the third straight game, edging a full ball to the wick etkeeper, to end his tour with scores of 1, 8, 2. But Sooryavanshi was up and away.

He began his innings with a fortunate thick out side edge off Sikandar Raza before going over cov ers in the opening over. Muzarabani, with his height generating the awkward bounce and angle, troubled Sooryavanshi, but he still managed to smoke a gigan tic pull over deep square leg and a four past deep third off him. Even when Brad Evans and Newman Nyamhuri went full to Sooryavanshi, he got into great positions, opening the face of the bat to steer the ball or generat ing enough power on his onthe-up punches in the V. Sooryavanshi did slow down post the power play, but a 103-metre six off Raza and a pull over deep midwicket off Madhevere helped him move into the 80s. It needed a scream er from Evans, running in from long-off to complete the catch inches off the ground, to send Sooryavanshi back for 81 off 49 balls, which in cluded eight fours and four sixes.

Zimbabwe fight back

Having conceded 78 in the first seven overs, another 200-plus chase was in the offing for Zimbabwe. But the spinners strung together a few quiet overs to limit the scoring. Kishan struck a laborious 29 off 26 balls and was undone by a skiddy Raza delivery. Even Iyer found the going tough initially, before he laid into Madhevere, taking him for two consecutive fours in the 15th over. Evans’ change of pace got the better of Iyer, and while Rinku struck two fours and a six, India only managed 40 in the last four overs. With the slower balls gripping, Evans picked up 2 for 41, but a chase of 193 was always going to be a stretch for the hosts.

Mayank, Thakur show the value of pace It was déjà vu for Bennett as Mayank steamed in first ball of the chase with a 147-kilometre-per-hour thunderbolt and caught his outside edge with an outswinger. The only difference between his dismissal in this game and the first was the position where he was caught. His thick outside edge hurried to the left of Sooryavanshi at first slip, who took a smart catch.

Mayank was nigh unplayable, his pace hurrying both Ben Curran and Dion Myers. Thakur reaped the benefits at the other end, first with Myers shovelling a length ball meekly to mid-off before the bowler took a spectacular catch, leaping to his left in his follow-through to take out Raza for a golden duck. Ravi Bishnoi’s opening over – and the last of the power play – went for 13 as Zimbabwe reached 53 in the

Burl fights, but India win easily Kishan dropped an absolute dolly after the power play and Curran punished India by stroking two fours later in the over. But Bishnoi soon ended Curran’s stay on 20 with his reverse-swat going wrong. Burl and Madhevere got together when the required rate had already soared past 10 an over. Soon it crossed 12.

They added 60 off 50 balls, but the chase was as good as done by then. were dropped once each, Madhevere at cover by Tilak Varma and Burl at deep square leg by Sooryavanshi –the toughest of the five catch es that went down. Mayank removed Madhevere for his second wicket, while Burl reached his fifty in the penultimate over with a leg glance. This was his fifth T20I fifty and came off 42 balls. Evans hit a six during his short stay, but Zimbabwe barely

(ESPNcricinfo)

India (20 ovs maximum) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi c Evans b Madhevere 81 Abhishek Sharma c †Marumani b Muzarabani 2 Ishan Kishan †b Sikandar Raza 29 Shreyas Iyer (c) c Madhevere b Evans 27

Tilak Varma not out 11 Rinku Singh c Madhevere b Evans 25

Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 15) 17

Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.60, 94 Mins) 192/5

Did not bat: Suryansh Shedge, Ravi Bishnoi, Ashok Sharma, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav

Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Abhishek Sharma, 1.5 ov), 2-95 (Ishan Kishan, 10.1 ov), 3-145 (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 14.6 ov), 4-164 (Shreyas Iyer, 17.1 ov), 5-192 (Rinku Singh, 19.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Sikandar Raza 4-0-40-1

Blessing Muzarabani 4-0-33-1

Newman Nyamhuri 2-0-18-0

Brad Evans 4-0-41-2

Wellington Masakadza 1-0-14-0

Wessly Madhevere 4-0-37-1

Brian Bennett 1-0-7-0

Zimbabwe (T: 193 runs from 20 ovs)

Brian Bennett c Sooryavanshi b Yadav 0 Ben Curran c Yadav b Ravi Bishnoi

Guyana’s Commonwealth Games 3x3 campaign ends in heartbreaking defeat to Nigeria

Guyana’s historic debut at the Commonwealth Games 3x3 BASKETBALL COMPETITION came to a heartbreaking end on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland, as the national team suffered a dramatic 20-19 defeat to Nigeria in its final Group A match.

The Guyanese, who had opened the tournament with a 21-14 defeat to hosts Scotland before being overwhelmed 21-3 by New Zealand, bounced back in impressive fashion to secure a historic 21-17 victory over the Cayman Islands, the country’s first-ever win in Commonwealth Games 3x3 basketball.

Needing another victory to keep their hopes alive, Guyana produced one of their finest performances of the tournament against the world number 56-ranked Nigerians.

An outstanding offensive display from Anish Ramlall, coupled with a determined defensive effort from Kevin Mickle and Christian Hinckson,

GCB President to attend Sir Garfield Sobers’ State funeral

The President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Bissoondyal Singh, will attend the State Funeral of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St Auburn Sobers, representing the Guyana Cricket Board and the wider cricket fraternity of Guyana.

Prior to the funeral, a delegation from the Guyana Cricket Board, headed by President Singh, joined the legendary Sir Clive Lloyd and former West Indies Captain and current Chairman of Selectors, Ramnaresh Sarwan, in signing the Book of Condolence at Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown, in honour

of the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Sir Garfield.

Also in attendance were GCB Secretary Ronald Williams; Cricket Operations Manager Anthony D’Andrade; Guyana Harpy Eagles Manager and Senior Selector, Surendra Hiralall; and Cricket Ombudsman, Malcolm Peters.

President Singh stated, “Sir Garfield Sobers was not only one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen, but also a proud symbol of West Indian excellence, unity and achievement. His remarkable contribution to cricket inspired generations across

the Caribbean and throughout the world. It is a profound honour to represent the Guyana Cricket Board at his State Funeral and to pay our final respects to a true icon of our regional heritage.”

The State Funeral of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St Auburn Sobers will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10:00h at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The ceremony will take the form of a national thanksgiving service honouring his distinguished life and unparalleled contribution to Barbados, West Indies cricket, and the international game.

kept Guyana within striking distance throughout

a fiercely-contested encounter.

Travis Belgrave also delivered when it mattered most, contributing six crucial points.

After Nigeria threatened to pull away midway through the contest, Guyana responded with tremendous resilience.

Ramlall ignited the comeback with consecutive two-point baskets to erase the deficit and level the scores at 19-19, setting up a dramatic finish.

With just five seconds remaining, Nigeria called a timeout and executed a well-designed pick-androll play.

Experienced international 3x3 player Marcel Esonwune, despite being tightly guarded by Hinckson, managed to get his shot away at the buzzer, sinking the game-winner to seal a heartbreaking 20-19 victory.

Ramlall finished with a game-high 10 points, whi-

Ramnauth stars for Port Mourant in BCB Under-21

National batsman Rampertab Ramnauth began the cricket season in Berbice with a stroke-filled 79 to help Port Mourant Cricket Club to a victory over Cotton Tree Die Hard.

Playing in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Under-21 50-over knockout competition, Port Mourant secured victory by 100 runs at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground.

Port Mourant won the toss and batted first scoring 207 all out in 36 overs. Ramnauth stroked 79 while Gibran Yacoob and Salim Khan made 28 each.

Cotton Tree Die Hard managed 107 all out, with Rashad Gafoor scoring 23 after claiming three wickets in the first innings.

Former national youth off-spinner Khan claimed 5-39 from 7.4 overs while Yacoob had 4-31 from his six overs.

All matches of this tournament commence at 09:30h. All matches will be 50 overs per side and played using the Cricket West Indies/International Cricket Council (CWI/ ICC) 50-over regulations. The tournament will be played on a knockout ba-

le Belgrave added six in a contest that could have gone either way.

Following the match, Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Vice President Steve Ninvalle met with the team and praised the players for their spirited performances throughout the competition, expressing his admiration for the way they represented the country on the Commonwealth Games stage.

Although Guyana’s campaign ended at the group stage, the team leave Glasgow with plenty to celebrate.

Beyond recording the nation’s first Commonwealth Games victory in 3x3 basketball, the quartet of Ramlall, Belgrave, Mickle and Hinckson showcased the country’s growing potential in the discipline and laid a strong foundation for future international success.

sis. Captains are to be at the venue 20 minutes before the toss or forfeit their right to the toss. This tournament is only for players born on or after August 31, 2005. Teams named first are host and must also provide water. Each team must provide their own lunches. The BCB noted that washed-out matches will be refixed. No protest will be accepted on umpiring decisions and from teams that have not registered their players with the BCB in 2026.

Walkovers can be claimed half an hour after

the scheduled start. The tournament will be played with white balls and coloured clothing. Teams will comply with all decisions made by the BCB during the running of this tournament. Failing to do so may result in disqualification, the Board advised.

In addition, a player cannot represent more than one club in this tournament. Protest fees are $8000. No non-Berbician player is allowed in this tournament. In instances of tied games, a super over will decide the winner.

aki -

Pstan romped through the first half hour of the middle session, and rode their luck for the remainder as they edged ahead in the first Test. Mohammad

Masood’s fifty leads Pakistan’s progress

early blood as Kemar Roach knocked Azan Awais’ middle stump back for a duck, but a quickfire half-century from Shan Masood established Pakistan’s control.

of the green that continued to fall his way. Jomel Warrican put down a sharp chance two balls later, and another burst through the slips early in his innings. But Masood stuck to his game plan, continuing to pick up regular boundaries, whether or not he was in control of the shots they came off. By the time he reached his half-cen – at bet ter than run ball, his control per centage stood at 71 per cent, with half of his

Ali cleaned up the tail and denied Shai Hope a century as the last three West Indies wickets fell for seven runs for the innings to be wrapped up for 311. West Indies drew

Shai Hope celebrated a fifty aaa

West Indies 1st Innings

Tagenarine Chanderpaul c Salman

Agha b Aamer Jamal 21

Brandon King b Mohammad Abbas 12

Kavem Hodge c Salman Agha

b Khurram Shahzad 84

Amir Jangoo lbw b Mohammad Abbas 21

Shai Hope † lbw b Mohammad Ali 92

Justin Greaves c Salman Agha

b Mohammad Ali 15

Roston Chase (c) c †Mohammad

Rizwan b Mohammad Abbas 10

Kemar Roach c Babar Azam

b Khurram Shahzad 3

Shamar Joseph c Salman Agha

b Mohammad Ali 23

Jomel Warrican not out 1

Jayden Seales b Mohammad Ali 0

Extras (b 10, lb 6, nb 10, w 3) 29

Total 98.5 Ov (RR: 3.14) 311

Fall of wickets:

1-13 (Brandon King, 8.2 ov),

2-64 (Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 25.5 ov), 3-106 (Amir Jangoo, 36.3 ov), 4-197 (Kavem Hodge, 69.1 ov), 5-231 (Justin Greaves, 78.6 ov),

6-257 (Roston Chase, 85.6 ov),

7-274 (Kemar Roach, 92.5 ov), 8-304 (Shamar Joseph, 96.2 ov),

In his first innings since losing the captaincy, Masood came within a whisker of chopping his first delivery on, and it set the tone for the rub

9-311 (Shai Hope, 98.3 ov), 10-311 (Jayden Seales, 98.5 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Mohammad Abbas 26-6-63-3 Khurram Shahzad 23-5-66-2 Mohammad Ali 21.5-5-50-4 Ali Usman 13-1-35-0 Aamer Jamal 15-1-81-1 Pakistan 1st Innings Azan Awais b Roach 0 Imam-ul-Haq c Greaves b Joseph 63 Shan Masood not out 88 Babar Azam (c) c †Hope b Seales 23 Salman Agha not out 0 Extras (b 4, lb 14, nb 7) 25

Total 48 Ov (RR: 4.14) 199/3 Yet to bat: Mohammad Rizwan †, Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Azan Awais, 2.2 ov), 2-156 (Imam-ul-Haq, 33.3 ov), 3-197 (Babar Azam, 45.6 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 8-1-33-1 Jayden Seales 13-3-48-1 Shamar Joseph 9-0-33-1

Justin Greaves 4-1-18-0

Jomel Warrican 14-0-49-0

ten boundaries coming off either an inside or outside edge.

Imam-ul-Haq played a quieter supporting role, occasionally pouncing on the fuller delivery, but content to watch the dra ma unfold from the oth er end. The pair raced to a 95-run partnership by tea, turning the momen tum of the game around in a session West Indies’ fast bowlers will feel they deserved more from.

That was the way Ali might have felt Saturday, but he got his rewards at the top of the session Sunday. Shamar Joseph and Hope had frustrated Pakistan be fore lunch, but it took Ali just two balls to bounce Joseph out and then nip one in sharply to Hope to trap him in front. It took him just two more balls to wrap the innings up, which was especially valuable for a Pakistan side that have been

Azam, Mudassar lead Unicorns

to narrow win over Scorchers

Hbefore Ghulam

Mudassar claimed four wickets as the San Francisco Unicorns de feated the Perth Scorchers XI by five runs in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday morning.

lifted the Unicorns to 152 for eight from their 20 overs after they had slipped to 69 for six. Mudassar then re turned figures of four for 32 as the Scorchers were re stricted to 147 for nine from their allotted overs.

toss and choos ing to bat on a hard pitch, the Unicorns were given a brisk start by Tim Robinson and Connor Esterhuizen.

The pair added 42 runs for the opening wicket before Esterhuizen was dismissed by Brody Couch for 21 from 12 balls, having struck three fours and a six.

Couch then bowled Sanjay Krishnamurthi for one and removed Oliver Peake without scoring as the Unicorns slipped to 45 for three. Captain Hassan Khan was run out for one shortly afterwards, leaving his side in trouble at 46 for four.

ing a 39-run seventh-wicket partnership that carried the score to 108. Immanuel contributed 17 from 13 balls before becoming Moqim’s third victim.

Callum Stow made one before he was bowled by Akeal Hosein, but Azam and Peter Siddle added an unbeaten 34 runs for the ninth wicket. Azam finished with four fours and five sixes from 46 balls, while Siddle was unbeaten on six.

LAntonelli in his bid for a record eighth world championship.

Norris surrendered the lead to Piastri following a sloppy start from pole position, but he took advantage of his McLaren teammate tangling with Carlos Sainz – as he attempted to put a lap on the Williams driver midway

13, but neither was able to build a major innings.

The Scorchers slipped to 103 for seven when Short was bowled by Siddle. Mudassar then removed Jhye Richardson for two, leaving Perth struggling at 107 for eight in the 18th over.

Hosein and Couch revived the chase with a 39-run ninth-wicket partnership. Couch struck an unbeaten 23 from 12 balls, including one four and two sixes, while Hosein made 19 from 12 deliveries.

However, Mudassar dismissed Hosein with the fifth ball of the final over, with Allen completing the catch. Moqim took a single from the last delivery as the Scorchers finished five runs short.

Siddle ended with two for 31, while Allen, Immanuel and Stow collected one wicket each. Azam was named Player of the Match.

Hungarian Grand Prix…

Francisco Unicorns (20 ovs maximum) Tim Robinson c †Curtis b Sufyan Moqim 24 Connor Esterhuizen † c Hosein b Couch 21 Sanjay Krishnamurthi b Couch 1 Oliver Peake c Forrester b Couch 0 Hassan Khan (c) run out (Sufyan Moqim/†Curtis) 1 Hammad Azam not out 64

Fabian Allen c Couch b Sufyan Moqim 7 Anirudh Immanuel c Agar b Sufyan Moqim 17 Callum Stow b Hosein 1 Peter Siddle not out 6

Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 8) 10

Total 20 Ov (RR: 7.60) 152/8

Did not bat: Ghulam Mudassar

Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Connor Esterhuizen, 3.5 ov), 2-45 (Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 5.1 ov), 3-45 (Oliver Peake, 5.4 ov), 4-46 (Hassan Khan, 5.5 ov), 5-57 (Tim Robinson, 7.4 ov), 6-69 (Fabian Allen, 9.6 ov), 7-108 (Anirudh Immanuel, 15.2 ov), 8-118 (Callum Stow, 16.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W Akeal Hosein 4-0-24-1 Jhye Richardson 4-0-37-0 Brody Couch 4-0-49-3

Norris takes 1st victory of the season; Piastri retires from 2nd

title advantage over Hamilton from 45 points to 50.

Hamilton, who stopped for tyres one more time than Verstappen and Antonelli, finished fourth, but a five-second penalty for pit-lane speeding demoted him to fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc on an afternoon that promised so much more.

George Russell recovered from a nightmare start to finish seventh, but he is now 59 points off the championship pace.

pired with 14 laps remaining. A virtual safety car was deployed, and Norris was able to dive in for a third pit stop and retain the lead.

through the race – to land the first victory of his title defence.

Piastri ran off the road after his front-right tyre made contact with the rear-left of Sainz, losing him up to two seconds.

Norris immediately stopped for tyres and emerged in the net lead. Norris then passed Antonelli on Lap 46 before cantering to the chequered flag.

Max Verstappen finished second, with Antonelli a place back in third, allowing the Italian teenager to increase his

Norris exceled off the line and kept the chasing pack behind at the opening corner only to carry too much speed into the next bend, running wide and allowing Piastri to sneak through.

Leclerc, who started between the McLaren drivers, slipped back from second to fifth, with Verstappen and Hamilton moving up to third and fourth, respectively.

Hamilton, on the speediest soft tyre compound, set about harassing Verstappen with the Red Bull driver having to defend for his life. Hamilton’s right-front tyre slapped Verstappen’s rear-left through the third bend, but both drivers escaped without damage.

For Russell, it was another chapter in his bad-luck story. His new Mercedes engine went into anti-stall as the lights went out, leaving him 19th at the end of Lap 1. Russell was up to 12th by the start of the 10th lap, and then ninth after his first pit stop.

“Max is really slow,” bemoaned Hamilton, unable to find a way past Verstappen. Hamilton attempted the undercut by stopping one lap before Verstappen, and it worked. However, Verstappen caught Hamilton off-guard to snatch the place back at the first corner -- a turn renamed after Verstappen’s father-in-law, Nelson Piquet. It was a major blow for Hamilton having initially made the strategy work. Norris was hot in his pursuit of Piastri and chal-

lenged McLaren to order the Australian out of his way. Piastri gave up the lead on Lap 32 when he came in for his pit stop, and six laps later his afternoon bizarrely unravelled. Sainz was preoccupied in his duel with Fernando Alonso for 15th and ignored the blue flags to ram a mystified Piastri off the road.

“Get out of the f---ing way, you idiot, oh my God,” yelled Piastri. For Norris, it was the ideal opportunity to snatch the lead. He did not hesitate to change tyres and rejoined ahead of Piastri.

“Oscar, that’s Sainz that cost us that,” said Tom Stallard, Piastri’s race engineer.

“Oh mate, just don’t even f--ing talk to me,” he replied.

It would get worse for Piastri when his gearbox ex-

Hamilton pitted for second – presumably Ferrari fearing his rubber would not last to the end – but came out behind Verstappen and alongside Antonelli. Hamilton cleared Antonelli but was then told to give the position back with the Mercedes adjudged to have been ahead.

Hamilton was then handed a late five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane – in his haste to emerge from his third stop ahead of Antonelli – and he crossed the line only 4.3 seconds ahead of Leclerc to lose fourth place.

“Handing out penalties like crazy,” said Hamilton on the radio. It marked the 41-yearold’s fourth sanction by the stewards in three rounds.

Hamilton had hoped to slash Antonelli’s championship advantage, but he will head into the summer break with a greater deficit to turn around when the season resumes in the Netherlands on August 23 – the first of 12 rounds remaining on the schedule. (ESPN)

Guyana’s Ceili Peterson etched her name into the nation’s sporting history on Sunday by capturing the bronze medal in the Women’s Under-49kg Taekwondo competition at the XXV Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, earning Guyana’s first medal of the Centennial Games.

Peterson delivered a composed and determined performance to defeat Venezuela’s Yulienny Pedraza by a 2-0 margin in the bronze-medal contest, securing a well-deserved place on the podium.

The Guyanese taekwondo athlete, who was one of the flags bearers along with archery’s Devin Premaul at Friday’s opening, displayed tremendous resilience throughout the competition. Following a hard-fought 2-0 semifinal defeat to Colombia’s Andrea Ramírez, Peterson regrouped impressively and responded with a dominant performance in the bronze-medal match to earn Guyana’s first podium

CAC Games…

Peterson clinches historic taekwondo bronze

…secures Guyana’s 1st medal at 2026 Games

finish in Santo Her

ment was ed by an enthusiastic Team Guyana delegation led by Chef-de-Mission Keniesha Headley, Coach Carlos Amezcua Blanco, and fellow athletes and officials, whose unwavering support echoed throughout the competition venue.

Guyana Olympic Association President (GOA) Godfrey Munroe praised Peterson’s achievement and the work of the entire taekwondo programme.

“Ceili has demonstrated tremendous courage, resilience and determination in winning Guyana’s first medal of these Games. To rebound from a difficult semifinal defeat and produce such a commanding performance in the bronze-medal contest speaks volumes about her character and competitive spirit, Munroe shared.

The GOA boss went on to add, “On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Guyana Olympic Association and the people of Guyana, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Ceili, Coach Carlos Amezcua Blanco, and ev-

eryone who has contributed to this outstanding achievement. This medal is a proud moment for Guyana and provides tremendous inspiration for the rest of Team Guyana as competition continues.”

Chef-de-Mission Headley also commended Peterson’s performance and the unity displayed by the Guyanese delegation.

“Ceili competed with tremendous heart and determination. Every member of Team Guyana rallied behind her, and her opportunity stand on the podium as our country’s first medallist of these Games was a truly special moment. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and look forward to supporting the remainder of our athletes throughout the Games,” Headley remarked.

Peterson’s bronze medal provides an excellent start to Guyana’s campaign at the Centennial CAC Games, where the nation’s athletes continue to compete across several sporting disciplines.

Peterson reflected on her achievement with gratitude while remaining focused on her long-term ambitions.

The bronze medallist expressed, “I am truly elated to have won the bronze medal for Guyana. While my ul-

timate goal was to win the gold, I am grateful to have earned a place on the podium and to bring home Guyana’s first medal of these Games.

“This medal is a testament to the hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering support of my family, friends, Coach Carlos Amezcua Blanco, my sponsors, the Guyana Olympic Association, and everyone who has believed in me throughout this journey.”

“This is only the beginning,” Peterson said of her future goals, “My eyes are firmly set on winning more medals for Guyana and ultimately qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, and my ultimate dream is to win Guyana’s first Olympic gold medal. Today’s result gives me even greater motivation to continue working hard, improving every day, and pursuing that goal with everything I have.”

Coach Blanco praised Peterson’s performance, describing her as one of the most dedicated athletes he has had the privilege of coaching.

“Ceili is a wonderful athlete to work with. She is disciplined, hardworking, dedicated, and always eager to learn. One of her greatest strengths is that she is a very quick learner and is

Beharry U19 Schools’ T20 Cricket…

constantly looking for ways to improve.

“I am extremely happy that we were able to come to these Games and secure a medal for Guyana. This achievement is the result of months of commitment, sacrifice, and teamwork.

“Of course, there are still many areas we need to improve, and we know there is much more work ahead of us. But Ceili’s consistent progress and her willingness to learn give me great confidence in what she can achieve in the future.

“This bronze medal is an

Amsterdam hundred headlines packed day as action continues

Amsterdam’s 100 headlines packed day as action continues

A masterful century from Berbice Educational Institute’s Luke Amsterdam helped his team to a crushing win over Tutorial Academy when action in the respective Zones of the Petra organised-Beharry Under-19 Schools’ T20 Cricket tournament continued this past weekend.

Zone 8 (East BerbiceCorentyne) quarter-finals

Berbice Educational Institute

beat Tutorial Academy by 157 runs at Albion Ground

Arguably one of the better games of the tournament, it was highlighted by one of the better knocks of the competition, as National Under-15

player Amsterdam exhibited his experience, blasting 114 off 72 balls, punctuated by 17 fours, to help his school pile on 222-1 off 20 overs.

His century stand with Cliffton Hinds (50*), who played well for his half-centu-

ry, negated the efforts of the opposition bowlers.

Tutorial Academy were then strangled for 65-8, with Melano Park (26), the lone survivor, following timely strikes from Berbice Educational’s Brandon Grimmond (3-0) and Ray Ramnauth (2-13).

JC Chandisingh overpower

Berbice High School by 9 wickets at Albion Ground

Berbice High made a modest 83-8 in 19 overs batting first, led by the trio of Jaden Yadram (16); Dharvish Narine (14) and Esau Azeez (13).

Marcus Bacchus (3-5) and Salad Jumratty (3-12) bowled well for JC Chandisingh, who

then raced to 85-1 in just 9.5 overs thanks to an unbeaten 36 from Shahid Gajnabi and Jumratty, who returned to spank 33 off 21 balls to help seal an easy win.

Zone 6 (East Coast Demerara)

Annandale Secondary defeat Ann’s Grove Secondary by 7 wickets at QC Ground

In the lowest-scoring affair of the tournament, Ann’s Grove Secondary were bowled out for an embarrassing 9 runs in 6.5 overs in their Eliminator after Ruel Dindyal (4-0); Dashawn Ramnauth (20) and Joshua Bollers (2-2) ran roughshod on the batters. Annandale somehow still managed to lose three of their wickets in the chase, ending on 10-3 in the third over, as Ann’s Grove’s Ganesh Ramdat (2-5) made a few inroads.

Zone 4 (South Georgetown)

Brickdam Secondary get past Dolphin Secondary by 9 wickets

Batting first, Dolphin Secondary were kept to 62-8 by the time their overs ended and none of their batters reached double figures, but still they managed to put in a collective scoring effort.

The Brickdam pair of Peter Sofleigh (3-14) and Prosper Jacobus (2-11) help set up the game for their school, which eventually crossed the line on 63-1 in the 12th over, with Garren Newton (16*) and Jacobus (14*) seeing their team home.

Zone 5 (North Georgetown)

Christ Church defeat Bishops’ High School by 4 wickets

The Bishops’ High could only muster 44 all out in 15.1 overs, with Aayish Persaud (12) being the main scorer, as the Christ Church duo of Trevor Burnett (4-4) and Hemraj Bhowan (4-14) did the majority of the damage.

Christ Church, in reply, lost six of their wickets before essentially reaching to 45 in almost the same amount of overs, led watchfully by Bhowan, who returned to score 18* and Darrius Haynes (11*).

Persaud (2-8), despite reinforcements from Aiyan Persaud (2-12) and Vivek Persaud (2-13), could not keep Bishops’ High from suffering a tough loss.

The Beharry U19 T20 Schools’ Cricket action is set to continue at the weekend, across several venues.

important milestone, but I truly believe it is only the beginning of what will be a very successful journey. We will continue working towards even bigger goals, including qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.”

The GOA congratulated Peterson on her historic accomplishment and wished all members of Team Guyana continued success as they proudly represent the Golden Arrowhead in Santo Domingo.

The ongoing CAC Games will conclude on August 2. Some 55 athletes across 10 disciplines are representing the Golden Arrowhead.

ExxonMobil GSL…

Magical Motie, gutsy Gurbaz spur

GAW to 3rd consecutive win

Amazon Warriors’ mid dle-order woes continued on Sunday as the Lahore Qalandars managed to come back from a scary start to con tain the hosts.

Shepherd was, once again, the level head in the camp, seeing the side through a rough period in which the Warriors lost seven wickets for just 36 runs.

After a jittery dot ball to start the innings, Rahmanullah Gurbaz found his rhythm almost instan taneously cracking 6, 4, 4, 4, 6 in the remaining de liveries to dishearten the bowler, Mohammad Imran. Captain Bracewell immedi ately brought himself into the attack, returning some semblance of normalcy to the proceedings, but could not prevent the Amazon Warriors from going at in excess of 10 runs per over.

Already going at 11.80 an over by the fifth, Gurbaz rolled back the overs in the fi nal rotation of the power play, blasting Mehran Mumtaz for 22 runs to bring up a bellig erent half-century in just 21 balls.

Gurbaz’s blister ing knock continued as he teamed up with Mohammad Haris to push the hosts forward after Quentin Sampson’s early demise for just one.

‘A boundary an over’ is what the doctor ordered, propelling the Amazon Warriors past the 100-run mark in just the ninth over, much to the delight of the applauding dressing room.

Collapsing quickly, again

The Afghani wicketkeeper-batsman eventually played one too many, pulling Potgeiter to the deep midwicket boundary where Shafique’s safe pair of hands were waiting to gobble up the catch.

Though Gurbaz departed for a well-played 65 off 35, punctuated by six fours and five sixes, the Amazon Warriors were still comfortable after his departure.

However, a bad case of déjà vu struck for the home team and they crashed to 1327. The home side, again, lost five wickets for just 17 runs. Shimron Hetymyer, looking to drive, miscued his shot to

Amazon

maximum) Rahmanullah Gurbaz c Abdullah Shafique b Potgieter 65 Quentin Sampson c Mohammad Imran b Mehran Mumtaz 1 Mohammad Haris † b Usama Mir 34 Shimron Hetmyer c Abdullah Shafique b Bracewell 8 Rovman Powell lbw b Bracewell 0 Mohammad Nabi run out (Shahab Khan/†Parvez Hossain Emon) 2 Gudakesh Motie b Mohammad Imran 6 Romario Shepherd run out (Mehran Mumtaz/†Parvez Hossain Emon) 29 Dwaine Pretorius st †Parvez Hossain Emon b Mehran Mumtaz 5 Matthew Forde not out 1

Extras (lb 1, w 12) 13

Total 20 Ov (RR: 8.20) 164/9

Did not bat: Imran Tahir (c)

Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Quentin Sampson, 2.1 ov), 2-107 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 9.5 ov), 3-119 (Shimron Hetmyer, 11.3 ov), 4-119 (Rovman Powell, 11.5 ov), 5-121 (Mohammad Haris, 12.4 ov), 6-124 (Mohammad Nabi, 13.3 ov), 7-132 (Gudakesh Motie, 15.3 ov), 8-143 (Dwaine Pretorius, 18.1 ov), 9-164 (Romario Shepherd, 19.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W Mohammad Imran 3-0-35-1

Michael Bracewell 4-0-18-2

Mehran Mumtaz 4-0-59-2

Shahab Khan 4-0-23-0

Usama Mir 4-0-23-1

Delano Potgieter 1-0-5-1