Guyana Times - Saturday, July 18, 2026

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 18 –06:45h–08:15h and Sunday, July 19 – 07:30h–09:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Cloudy conditions with a few early showers and isolated thundery bursts are expected during the day, becoming mostly sunny by afternoon. Partly cloudy skies with isolated thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East-North-Easterly to East-SouthEasterly between 2.68 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 07:16h and 19:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.63 metres and 2.53 metres.

Low Tide: 13:14h reaching a minimum height of 0.62 metre.

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2026

33 children evacuated safely as Hope Children’s Home gutted by fire

Wferocious heat closing in and flames rapidly consuming the building, 33 children were forced to run for their lives from the Hope Children’s Home on Friday morning. Built in 2001 as a place of refuge and hope for vulnerable children, the privately run Hope Children’s Home at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was reduced to ruins in just over an hour after a fire of unknown origin tore through the facility. The fire started at around 11:00h in the boys’ dormitory. All 33 children residing at the orphanage, 15 girls and 18 boys, along with about seven staff members, escaped safely. Three children, however, sustained minor injuries and were taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital for treatment. At the time of the fire, the children were attending Vacation Bible School in the compound.

Fire Chief Gregory Wickham said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responded immediately after receiving reports of the blaze.

“We received the call and dispatched five fire tenders to this location. Additional protocols were immediately activated, and the remaining tenders were deployed. All the children and staff who were in the building were evacuated safely; one of the children was traumatised by the incident, but our firefighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading. At the conclusion of the firefighting operation, we will be able to provide more information on the layout of the building and the ongoing investigation.”

Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is performing the functions of president, also visited the scene, where he outlined the government’s next steps to as-

ger because of the swift actions taken. The Human Services Ministry has al-

step, of course, will be the investigation to determine the cause of the fire. But I

sist those affected. “We took immediate action that resulted in saving lives. Everyone who was in that building is now out of dan-

ready provided transportation and relocated the children to the Mahaica Children’s Home. The next

want to end by saying that everyone is alive.”

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Social housing vision

Housing is the foundation upon which families build security, stability and a better future. For many vulnerable Guyanese, however, the dream of owning a home is a way off due to financial hardship and in some instances social challenges. The proposed expansion of social housing is an important step in ensuring that economic progress translates into improved living conditions for those most in need.

The announcement of a dedicated social housing programme by President Dr Irfaan Ali targeting vulnerable groups, including single mothers facing economic difficulties, persons living with disabilities and the elderly, shows a recognition that national development is inclusive.

The planned construction of between 3,000 and 5,000 social homes provides an opportunity to address a critical area of need while advancing a more comprehensive housing strategy. Importantly, the initiative is expected to be guided by clear eligibility criteria, ensuring that support reaches those who require it most and that public resources are managed responsibly.

The focus on social housing complements the wider transformation taking place within Guyana’s housing sector. Over recent years, housing development has expanded significantly, moving beyond the traditional distribution of house lots towards the construction of complete homes that provide immediate solutions for families. This shift recognises the changing realities of citizens, many of whom require affordable, ready-built housing rather than simply access to land.

The government’s housing interventions have already reshaped communities across the country. Between 2020 and 2025, significant investment was directed towards the housing sector, resulting in thousands of house lots being distributed, communities being developed and squatter settlements being regularised. These measures have provided more citizens with access to secure land ownership while creating opportunities for families to invest in their futures.

The introduction of programmes such as the Steel and Cement Subsidy Initiative has also demonstrated the importance of reducing the financial burden associated with home construction. For lowand middle-income households, the cost of building materials often represents one of the greatest obstacles to homeownership. Assistance programmes that lower these costs provide practical support and help families move closer to achieving their housing aspirations.

Similarly, the removal of VAT on several construction materials and measures to improve access to affordable mortgage financing have contributed to reducing the overall cost of building homes. These interventions highlight the importance of a multi-faceted housing strategy, one that addresses land availability, construction costs and financing challenges.

The proposed social housing programme adds another important dimension by focusing specifically on citizens who may not have the financial capacity to independently enter the housing market. Providing housing support to vulnerable groups is not only a matter of shelter; it is an investment in human dignity, family stability and community development.

Projects such as the Hyde Park initiative, which combines housing support with opportunities for agricultural production, demonstrate the potential for housing programmes to create broader economic benefits. Linking homes with income-generating opportunities can help families achieve greater independence and long-term sustainability.

The decision to increase the supply of completed homes also reflects changing demands within the housing market. As more citizens seek turnkey solutions, the expansion of government-led construction programmes can help bridge the gap between demand and supply. The target of constructing 40,000 homes over the next five years represents an ambitious undertaking that will require effective planning, strong contractor partnerships and efficient implementation.

The reported increase in interest from contractors, including international firms, signals the scale of the construction demand currently emerging in Guyana. While challenges such as limited local capacity must be addressed, expanding the pool of skilled builders and developers can help accelerate housing delivery while creating employment opportunities within the construction sector.

The ultimate measure of any housing programme is its impact on citizens’ lives, and a secure home provides a foundation for children’s development, family stability and economic advancement. For vulnerable households, access to a safe and permanent home signifies a significant turning point.

A social housing programme that prioritises the most vulnerable, while complementing broader housing initiatives, is a commitment to inclusive development and shared prosperity.

62nd anniversary of the assassination of Michael Forde

Dear Editor, July 17, 2026 marked the 62nd anniversary of the assassination of Michael Forde, a prominent 22-yearold Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) activist and a key leader of the historic February 1964 Freedom Marches. Forde was killed in a targeted bombing at Freedom House – the headquarters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – marking a tragedy that compounded an already devastating week for his family following the death of his father just days prior.

The bombing occurred during one of the most volatile eras in Guyana’s pre-independence history. In 1964, the colony (then British Guiana) was paralysed by intense political rivalry between Premier Dr Cheddi Jagan’s ruling PPP and the opposition People’s National Congress (PNC), led by Forbes Burnham. These domestic political fault lines took on deep ethnic dimensions and were heavily exacerbated by external Cold War pressures.

It was against this backdrop of national crisis that a young man entered the Progressive Bookshop, located on the ground floor of Freedom House, carrying a small cardboard carton. After placing the box on a bookshelf, the suspect purchased a book and hurriedly fled the premises, leaving behind both the package

and his monetary change.

Forde, an employee at the bookshop, immediately alerted the manager, Euna Mulzack, an American citizen residing in Guyana. Forde noted the customer’s suspicious behaviour and the abandoned item.

Sensing immediate danger, Mulzack instructed Forde to remove the package from the building. Fearing for the lives of roughly 60 party executives meeting on the upper floor, Forde grabbed the device and rushed toward the eastern side exit to discard it. Before he could reach safety, the bomb detonated in his hands.

The force of the explosion killed Forde instantly, shattering the shopfront and hurling a portion of his left

hand roughly 50 yards away near the Metropole Cinema.

His ultimate sacrifice prevented the bomb from decimating the entire building, likely saving the lives of the party leadership.

Approximately 40 individuals inside Freedom House survived with various injuries, including several prominent political figures:

First Lady Janet Jagan, wife of Premier Dr Cheddi Jagan, escaped with minor injuries to her hands.

Euna Mulzack, the bookshop manager, sustained severe eye damage.

Mary Nunes, wife of then-Education Minister Cedric Nunes, was among the wounded.

Miss Bispat suffered a suspected fractured spine,

while Patricia Christian also sustained injuries in the attack.

Just minutes after the Freedom House blast, a second bomb detonated 400 metres away at GIMPEX, the trading arm of the PPP, underscoring the coordinated nature of the day’s terror.

Later that year, constitutional changes imposed by Great Britain introduced a system of proportional representation, which unseated the PPP and permanently altered Guyana’s path to its 1966 independence. The tragic death of Michael Forde remains an enduring symbol of the severe human cost of that political transition.

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

Tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers

It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever known and an outstanding ambassador for Barbados, the Caribbean, and the game of cricket.

While Sir Garfield’s legendary achievements on the cricket field earned him worldwide admiration, I was privileged to witness another side of this remarkable Caribbean icon. During my tenure as Minister of tourism, industry and commerce, I attended the World Travel Market in London, where the Guyana tourism booth was situated alongside the Barbados booth. It was there that I had the pleasure of meeting Sir Garfield Sobers, who graciously

took the time to promote not only Barbados but also Guyana as a tourism destination.

His willingness to champion Guyana on the international stage spoke volumes about the man he was. Sir Garfield understood that the success of one Caribbean nation contributes to the strength and prosperity of the entire region. He embodied the true spirit of Caribbean unity, always extending his influence and goodwill beyond the borders of his homeland.

I fondly remember his warmth, humility, and genuine enthusiasm in engaging with visitors, encouraging them to discover the beauty, culture, and hospitality of Guyana. Those moments remain a testament

to his character and his unwavering belief in the Caribbean’s collective potential.

Sir Garfield Sobers was not only a sporting legend but also a true patriot for the Caribbean. His legacy

transcends cricket, leaving behind an enduring example of excellence, humility, regional cooperation, and

service.

On behalf of myself and my family, I extend sincere condolences to the Government and people of Barbados, Sir Garfield’s loved ones, and cricket fans across the world. May they find comfort in celebrating an extraordinary life that inspired generations and strengthened the bonds of our Caribbean family.

Sir Garfield Sobers’ legacy will forever remain etched in the hearts of Caribbean people, and his contributions to sport and regional unity will never be forgotten.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Manniram Prashad Former Tourism, Industry & Commerce Minister

History is earned, not invented; greatness must be earned, not claimed

Dear Editor,

The recent social media post by the sister of Guyana’s Leader of the Opposition, placing his name alongside towering historical figures such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, Václav Havel, Lech Wałęsa, Forbes Burnham, Dr Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan, and Dr Walter Rodney, is not merely an exaggeration; it is an affront to history itself.

How stupidly low one can go is inconceivable.

Such an unmeritorious comparison is almost inconceivable.

Those men and women did not become giants because they experienced imprisonment or persecution.

They earned their place through decades of sacrifice, courage, and transformative leadership in the struggles for freedom, democracy, justice, equality, national independence, and human dignity. Their names are etched into history because they fundamentally changed the course of nations and inspired generations across the world. To compare someone whose po-

litical contribution remains largely unproven with such icons is intellectually indefensible, historically disrespectful, and, frankly, absurd.

The obvious questions therefore arise: What national struggle has he led? What democratic movement has he built? What freedoms has he secured? What enduring contribution has he made that justifies placing him in the company of those whose sacrifices reshaped history?

These are legitimate questions for which there are no comparable answers.

Public debate also continues regarding the true motivation behind the leader of the opposition’s entry into politics, including whether it followed the sanctions imposed by the United States Government or reflected a genuine desire to serve the people of Guyana.

Whatever one’s view on that matter, political ambition and financial success are not substitutes for historical greatness.

History cannot be purchased. It cannot be inherited through family loyalty

nor manufactured through social media posts.

Nelson Mandela became an icon because he sacrificed 27 years of his life to dismantle apartheid and build a democratic South Africa.

Martin Luther King Jr transformed the moral conscience of America through non-violent resistance in the pursuit of racial equality.

Mahatma Gandhi led one of history’s greatest independence movements through disciplined civil disobedience and extraordinary moral courage.

Forbes Burnham led

Guyana to independence and championed policies of national self-reliance, many of whose institutions and initiatives continue to shape the country’s development.

Dr Walter Rodney challenged systems of inequality through scholarship, activism, and fearless advocacy.

Dr Cheddi and Janet Jagan devoted decades of their lives to political struggle, nation-building, the advancement of democracy, free and fair elections, and improved public service.

These individuals changed history because

history bears the unmistakable imprint of their sacrifices. It is against that standard and no lesser one that any comparison must be judged.

The names of Mandela, Gandhi, King, Havel, Wałęsa, Burnham, the Jagans, and Rodney represent lifetimes of sacrifice, achievement, and service to causes greater than themselves.

To casually insert another name among them without equivalent merit does not elevate the individual;

it diminishes the gravity of the company in which he is placed. Greatness is not declared by admirers. It is earned through service, sacrifice, principled leadership, and the judgement of history. By that measure, this comparison is not merely premature; it is wholly unmeritorious and deserving of unequivocal rejection.

Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2026

00:00 Sign Off 06:00 TVG Devotional Hour

07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Cartoons 08:30 Stop Suffering 09:30 KTLT 10:00 Movie - Beethoven (1992) 11:30 Movie - Beethoven’s 2nd (1993) 13:00 Movie - Beethoven’s 3rd (2000)

Page Foundation

Representing Data cont’d

Pictograph

A pictograph is a method of data visualisation

To draw a pictograph, we use a graphic symbol that is associated with a frequency or value. Each pictograph therefore requires a key that explains the value that the symbol represents.

A pictograph design can be constructed using a table with two columns. In the first column is the name of the group or category, and the second column features the graphic symbol.

Below is a pictogram showing the number of pieces of fruit eaten per day over 11 week.

Here, each blue circle represents 1 piece of fruit and so we can see that 4 pieces of fruit were consumed on Monday, 2 pieces of fruit were consumed on Tuesday, etc.

Example

Use the information in the table below to construct a pictogram of the number of drinks consumed per day over 5 days.

Humans and many other animals depend on blood flowing through their bodies to keep them alive. The blood travels through a system that includes the heart and a network of blood vessels. This is called a cardiovascular system.

The human heart is a pear-shaped organ about the size of a fist. It is made up of a special type of muscle called cardiac muscle, which is not found anywhere else in the body. The heart acts as a pump to push the blood throughout the body.

The heart is separated into four chambers, or parts. The upper chambers are called atria, and the lower chambers are called ventricles. A valve, or a flap that can open and shut, connects each atrium to the ventricle below it. The valves control the movement of blood through the heart.

Choose a graphic to symbolise the data. In this case, a teacup was used – 1 cup to represent 1 drink.

As each cup represents 1 drink, the number of cups drawn is equivalent to the frequency for the row.

2 drinks were consumed on Monday and so you need to draw 2 cups in the right hand column for Monday.

4 drinks were consumed on Tuesday and so you need to draw 4 cups in the right hand column for Tuesday.

Continuing this for the other three days, you have the final pictogram.

By CORy WADE

Blood flows through the vessels in two very specific paths. In the first path, called pulmonary circulation, blood travels from the heart to the lungs. In the lungs carbon dioxide and other waste gases leave the blood. The blood takes in oxygen and then returns to the heart. In the second path, called systemic circulation, the blood travels away from the heart throughout the body. The arteries carrying the blood branch out into smaller vessels called arterioles and finally into capillaries. In the capillaries the blood transfers oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body’s tissues. The blood in the capillaries also collects waste products from the cells. From the capillaries the blood flows into small vessels called venules. These unite to form veins. The blood flows through the veins back to the heart.

The blood vessels are a system of tubes that carry the blood throughout the body. The main vessels are arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry blood out from the heart. Veins return blood to the heart. Arteries are the thickest of all blood vessels. They expand and contract to keep blood moving away from the heart. Veins contain valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. Capillaries are tiny passages that connect the arteries and the veins to the body’s tissues.

(Britannica Kids)

comes at the edge of sleep comes in the tongues you speak diving the keys as you strike them swooping the screen as you read beating the page as you print comes as you drop to your seat darting at credits on screen pecking your eyes in the close-ups biting your hands as you clap comes to the soaking sheet pricking your throat as you breathe snagging the hair by your face mocking your love-locked voice and hums in the dropping heat: no book no film no man will be enough the more you have the more you need and already you have too much.

(Source: Poetry [January 1995])

Describe a person who inspires you. What qualities do they have that you admire, and how can you incorporate those qualities into your own life?

Guyana, RSS explore new measures to combat organised crime, cyber offences

Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, SC Anil Nandlall, recently engaged a team from the Regional Security Service (RSS) to discuss a number of issues aimed at strengthening collaboration.

AG Nandlall was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond and a team of representatives from the two ministries. They met with the Director of the Asset Recovery Unit at the RSS, Keisha Sutherland, and the Director of Strategic Services and International Affairs at the RSS, Rhea Reid.

During the engagement held on Thursday at the AG’s Chambers & Ministry of Legal Affairs office in Georgetown, the officials discussed strengthening Guyana’s collaboration with the Regional Security System, which is a treaty-based defence and security organisation established to coordinate responses to crises, natural disasters, and transnational crime in

the Caribbean.

The meeting focused on the enactment of a series of legislation which the RSS would like to be implemented across the region and the development of a regional model legislation dealing with artificial intelligence. It also explored how the RSS, as a regional law enforcement agency, can augment its presence and increase its capabilities across the Caribbean in the battle against organised crime and monitoring cyberspace for criminal activities.

This high-level engagement was held on the sidelines of the Ninth Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for the Caribbean (ARIN-CARIB) annual general meeting held at Guyana Marriott in Georgetown earlier this week.

ARIN-CARIB is a network of Caribbean law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judicial practitioners who specialise in the recovery of proceeds of crime in the region.

Held under the theme “From Tracing to

Transformation: Building an Asset Recovery-Ready Caribbean”, the two-day event hosted in Georgetown earlier this week saw stakeholders from across the region engaging in meaningful discussions on fighting transnational crime.

In fact, during his feature address at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, AG Nandlall highlighted how the RSS partnership has helped Guyana strengthen its regional security architecture as well as its domestic legal framework.

“The technical support provided by the RSS over the years, including the development of model legislative provisions on asset recovery and confiscation, has greatly assisted Guyana in modernising aspects of its legislative framework. That partnership exemplifies the true spirit of regional integration, where expertise is shared, capacity is strengthened, and collective security is advanced for the benefit of every Member State,” he posited.

Against this backdrop,

33 children evacuated safely...

The government has since committed to supporting efforts to relocate the children, with those displaced already being moved to alternative state care facilities.

Children out

Meanwhile, when the PM visited the hospital, one senior official at the

home recalled the terrifying moments after the fire broke out. “When I saw the smoke, we tried to get all the children out. Nobody was injured during the evacuation. We even tried breaking down the gate to get the children out from the back.”

Another hero of the day was Kenneth Finlayson,

the director of the home, whose quick thinking and decisive actions ensured every child was safely evacuated. Recalling the ordeal, Finlayson said, “We had a group of Americans helping us [in the VBS]. Children were in classrooms, while others were outside in the yard. I had just left the boys’ dormitory and gone over to the church when someone shouted that there was a fire. As soon as I heard that, I rushed to all the classrooms, telling everyone to get the children out. The team of volunteers and our staff immediately grabbed the children, and we also had children from the community attending the Vacation Bible School.”

He said everyone was safely evacuated onto the public road before he returned to disconnect the building’s electricity.

Finlayson stressed that there was no indication the fire was caused by an electrical fault, noting that the

the Guyanese AG called for enhanced cooperation and coordination among member states to combat transnational organised crime. He pointed out that regional law enforcement must recognise the evolving nature of criminal networks and reorganise their operations to respond to these changes.

“Criminal networks cooperate across borders with remarkable efficiency, exploiting differences between legal systems and jurisdictional boundaries to frustrate investigations and avoid prosecutions. Today, organised crime is rarely confined within national borders… Supported by international financial networks that move illicit wealth through multiple jurisdictions before it is ultimately integrated into the legitimate economy. The unfortunate reality is that criminals have become exceptionally good at working together.”

“If criminals have not collaborated without regard for borders, then governments, prosecutors, investigators, and financial intelli-

gence units must collaborate even more effectively. This is why institutions such as ARIN CARIB have become indispensable. They remind us that international cooperation is no longer a desirable objective. It is an operational necessity,” AG Nandlall posited.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Deputy Executive Director of the RSS Headquarters, Atlee Rodney, who stressed the importance of strengthening legislative and policy frameworks to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminal enterprises; continuing to build capacity, especially for criminal justice practitioners involved in financial investigations and asset recovery; and deepening regional and international collaboration.

“No Member State can effectively combat transnational organised crime alone,” Rodney said during the opening ceremony. “Ultimately, our work extends beyond recovering criminal assets. It is about restoring public confidence,

strengthening governance, protecting our communities, and ensuring that the proceeds of crime are redirected to benefit our citizens rather than criminal organisations.”

Pointing to the RSS motto of “Strength Through Unity”, Rodney added that this “…serves as a reminder that our greatest achievements are realised when we work together with a shared purpose. By combining our expertise, resources, and commitment, we can ensure that the Caribbean is not only capable of recovering criminal assets but truly prepared to do so effectively and consistently.”

Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions in Guyana, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, underscored the importance of having legislation to support stronger inter-agency cooperation in the region. The hosting of this year’s AGM in Guyana comes as the country currently occupies the presidency of ARINCARIB for 2026 – a position that is held by Deputy DPP Diana O’Brien.

2001, more than 300 children have passed through its doors, with many beginning a new chapter of their lives there. Although saddened that part of the facility the children called home had been destroyed, he remained hopeful, pointing to an expansion project on the property that has been under construction since 2007. FROM PAGE 3

GFS had only recently conducted an inspection of the home and issued it with a fire safety certificate. He explained that the building was equipped with fire extinguishers, which staff immediately used in an attempt to contain the blaze. He also noted that the smoke detectors and fire alarm system activated as designed, having been in-

spected during the recent assessment.

No lives were lost

Reflecting on the history of the Hope Children’s Home, Finlayson expressed gratitude that no lives were lost, stressing that while buildings can be rebuilt, lives cannot be replaced. He noted that since the home was established in

6 drivers slapped with traffic offence charges

…2 fined $200,000 each, 4 on $950,000 bail

Six motorists have been charged in separate traffic-related matters on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), with offences ranging from dangerous and careless driving to driving with a breath alcohol level above the prescribed legal limit.

Among those charged is 35-year-old Nigel Browne, an operator of Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast, who was charged with dangerous driving in relation to an incident that allegedly occurred on July 15 at Land of Plenty Public Road.

Browne appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on July 16, where the charge was read to him. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $600,000 bail.

As part of his bail conditions, Browne is required to report to the Anna Regina Police Station every Friday of each month and surrender his travel documents pending the outcome of the matter. The case was adjourned to August 12.

Meanwhile, 33-yearold Heston Boyce, a jetman of the Charity Housing Scheme, was charged with careless driving following an incident on June 5 at Charity Public Road involving 65-year-old Rural Constable Aron Reid of the Guyana Police Force.

Boyce appeared before Magistrate Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court

on July 13. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $50,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to November 30, 2026, for trial. In separate matters, four men were charged with driving while their breath alco-

hol level exceeded the prescribed legal limit under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, as amended.

Thirty-five-year-old taxi driver Troy Paul of Henrietta pleaded guilty when he appeared before

Magistrate Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on July 14 in relation to an offence committed on July 7 at Anna Regina Public Road. He was fined $200,000 or, in default, will serve six months’ imprisonment.

Construction worker Ramkarran Jaigobin, 36, of Capoey Compound, appeared before the same court on July 15 in connection with an alleged offence committed on June 24 at Columbia Public Road. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $100,000 bail. The matter was adjourned to September 1.

Forty-three-year-old fisherman Jimmy Jim Ferguson of Richmond Lima Sand pleaded guilty at the Charity Magistrate’s Court on July 13 to an offence allegedly committed on July 4 at Lima Sand Access Road. He was fined $200,000 or, in default, will serve six months’ imprisonment.

Also charged was 46-year-old labourer Mitra Mohabir of Coffee Grove, who appeared before the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on June 30 in relation to an alleged offence committed on June 27 at Reliance Public Road.

Mohabir pleaded not guilty and was granted $200,000 bail. He was ordered to report to the Anna Regina Police Station every Friday pending the trial. The matter was adjourned to July 21.

Justice…

…hobbled

Before the CCJ even opens its file – as just promised –on July 29, your Eyewitness can hear the collective sigh from you, dear readers, and the wider public, who’ve followed Sanction Man’s OFAC-requested extradition saga for gold smuggling and other sundry related crimes!! Not because the legal issues are unimportant – they are – but because every mile of the judicial road seems to produce another roundabout!!

This time Sanction Man’s legal touts challenged the Minister of Home Affairs’ authority to proceed (ATP) with the US extradition request. Why?? The Minister was biased!! Can you believe this?? Well, the Magistrate, High and Appeals Courts didn’t – so we’ll hear what the CCJ’s gonna say!! If the argument is accepted in the broadest sense, perhaps every extradition request should now come with a certificate confirming that the Minister has never formed an opinion, read a newspaper, watched television, or heard a rumour about the person involved??

Your Eyewitness almost expects Sanction Man’s next submission to be that the official stationery was folded at the wrong angle, rendering the entire process constitutionally suspect!! Not on all fours!! Now don’t get your Eyewitness wrong – of course the courts must examine every legal challenge. That’s what distinguishes the rule of law from the rule of convenience, and procedural fairness ain’t just a technicality – it’s a cornerstone of justice!!

But there’s an equally old legal tradition: proceedings gotta eventually proceed – or it ain’t no proceeding!! To avoid being fitted with that orange jumpsuit, Sanction Man has converted every straight legal line into a labyrinth!! Procedural junctions are created for another hearing, another appeal, another constitutional question, and another application to determine whether the previous application was properly applied for!! If delay – not relay!! – were an Olympic event Sanction Man would be getting enough gold medals to trigger another customs evasion!!

You can’t ignore the irony. OFAC’s allegations concern an international gold-smuggling scheme, yet the most remarkable extraction taking place has been the steady extraction of time from the judicial system!! Lawyers insist each challenge raises serious legal questions. Remember 34 is less than 33?? They’re paid to be creative!! But Harry Public is entitled to wonder whether justice has become a relay race – where the baton is never actually passed to the finish line!!

On July 29, the CCJ ain’t deciding guilt or innocence, just a concocted procedural issue. Frankly, your Eyewitness just wants the case to reach the courts to settle the substantive issues!! They say justice delayed is justice denied. But in Guyana, Sanction Man has made justice not merely delayed – but taken up permanent residence in the departure lounge, continually announcing that boarding will commence shortly!!

While somehow never leaving the gate (to that Miami penitentiary!!)

…against lax contractors

The Government’s taken a lot of flak for several contracts given out in its infrastructural drive that just didn’t meet their contractual deadlines. “Friends and family” is the standard opposition derisive explanation for this phenomenon!! But what do they say about the long-promised New Amsterdam and the Paediatric and Maternal (PAM) hospital at Goedverwagting/Ogle??

Two years ago, Pressie exploded about the failure of the contractor to keep to the schedule for completing the PAM! It was the first project to come out of an MoU between Guyana and Austria. The €149 million (GY$31.9 billion) contract –funded by a British loan facility – had been signed on June 8, 2022, with work starting the following year. The Austrian Government-chosen contractor VAMED Engineering was later acquired by a German hospital construction company. So much for Teutonic efficiency!!

Well, it seems the Govt has finally said that enough after another two years!! They stopped payments last year, and to VAMED’s threat of international arbitration, they’ve responded, “Bring it on!!”

…for colonialism?

After Argentina whupped the Brits in their World Cup semi-finals, the Argentines displayed a banner announcing the Malvinas/Falklands are theirs. FIFA’s investigating the importation of politics. But England just responded that the Falklands remain theirs!!

Shouldn’t THEY be investigated??

“Combating illegal trade requires coordinated effort by private, public sectors” – PSC Head

As the Private Sector Commission of Guyana Ltd (PSC) intensifies the fight against illegal trade, its Chairman, Capt Gerald Gouveia Jr, has underscored the importance of coordination between the public and private sectors in combatting this issue.

Gouveia Jr emphasised that illegal trade continues to pose significant challenges to legitimate businesses, consumer protection and national economic development.

“Combating illegal trade requires a coordinated and sustained effort from both the public and private sectors. The PSC remains committed to working alongside Government, enforcement agencies and our private sector partners to strengthen enforcement, improve coordination and promote practical solutions that protect businesses and the wider economy,” the PSC Chairman stated. He made these remarks as the PSC, through its Illicit Trade Desk, hosted a targeted informative session aimed at strengthening enforcement capacity and enhancing collaboration among the private sector, Government agencies, and other stakeholders in the fight against illegal trade. The event, held on Thursday at the Roraima Duke Lodge, brought together representatives from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), and the

Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), along with representatives of leading private sector companies, including Demerara Tobacco Company (DEMTOCO), Banks DIH, Massy Distribution, and the ANSA McAL Group.

The session focused on equipping enforcement officers with the practical knowledge and tools needed to identify illicit and counterfeit products, understand supply chain vulnerabilities, and strengthen intelligence-sharing practices. Industry representatives delivered com-

sights to help attendees better understand the growing challenge of illicit trade in Guyana, its impact on businesses and consumers, and effective methods for detecting and responding to illicit trade activities. Meanwhile, a key highlight of the event was the formal handover of operational equipment, including tactical suits, flashlights, flotation and ballistic vests, safety boots, and LED traffic wand batons.

The equipment is intended to enhance operational effectiveness, improve situational awareness and strengthen the capac-

prehensive presentations featuring recent market research, case studies, and in-

tained engagement between industry and enforcement agencies.

ity of officers engaged in anti-illicit trade activities. Representatives from participating companies reinforced the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges posed by illegal trade within their respective industries and highlighted the value of sus-

The PSC reaffirmed its commitment to continuing its work with Government agencies, enforcement authorities, and private sector stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that strengthen enforcement, improve coordination, and reduce the impact of illegal trade in Guyana. The Commission also looks forward to continued dialogue with the enforcement agencies on this issue and to the establishment of a dedicated task force to advance coordinated action against illegal trade. The event concluded with a networking reception, providing participants with an opportunity to foster stronger partnerships, continue discussions on the issue, and identify future areas of collaboration.

The PSC launched its Illicit Trade Desk in 2023 as a central private sector mechanism to identify

trade-related threats such as smuggling and counterfeiting while promoting stakeholder collaboration, public awareness, and improved monitoring of enforcement efforts. Just over a year ago, the umbrella private sector body had called for stronger penalties, greater accountability and enhanced collaboration among agencies in combatting illicit trade. In fact, the Commission had also pushed for the establishment of a National Illicit Trade Task Force to focus on developing coordinated strategies, legislative frameworks and enforcement actions to combat the wide-ranging effects of illicit trade on the country’s economy and public well-being.

In July 2025, private sector stakeholders had reported a 25 per cent market loss due to illegal tobacco products, as well as up to 80 per cent of premium products within certain sectors being smuggled onto the local market.

GNBS engages local Chinese businesses on strengthening quality, standardisation

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), in collaboration with the Chinese Association of Guyana, recently hosted an awareness session for members of the local Chinese business community to highlight the importance of standards and promote greater quality, safety, and standardisation in the local marketplace.

The event highlighted how standards enhance quality, safety, efficiency, and competitiveness across various sectors.

Participants also learnt about GNBS’ standards development, product certification, training and technical assistance, calibration and testing services, verification services, and product inspection.

During a presentation, GNBS Executive Director Trevor Bassoo informed the participants about the various aspects of the work that his organisation does in order to enhance quality control of products on the local market. The core services of the bureau include standards development, product certification, training and technical assistance, calibration and testing services, verification services, and product inspection.

The GNBS head also informed that the organisation also does inspections of

imported items at the ports of entry or at warehouses to ensure they are not substandard, they meet all the import requirements, they are labelled correctly and they have the relevant certification.

“We are here to address your concerns and your queries, and we want to equip you with information so you can comply with local standards and local regulations so you can have smoother transactions and businesses here,” Bassoo stated.

The participants attending the recent awareness session represented businesses in the construction, engineering, medical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and trading industries, among others.

Alex Wong, a representative of China Railway

International Group, reflected on the benefits of the session, as he encouraged other companies to edify themselves on the work of the GNBS. In fact, he urged Chinese nationals operating in the country to get a product certification, which is issued to assure that a product conforms with specified requirements in standards and/or other normative documents.

“It’s not an easy procedure if you want to apply for specific standards. It takes like 18 months. So, if you want to use it, then you [have to] start to apply for it, or it would be too late. So, I encourage all of the contractors and businessmen who are working [here] to apply for the standard as early as possible,” Wong stated.

China Railway

International Group is currently working on the US$35 million Mackenzie/ Wismar Bridge in Linden and the historic 18-megawatt (MW) Guyana Solar Power and Energy Storage Project. Just last year, the company completed the US$260 million Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara Harbour Bridge in Guyana.

Nevertheless, this awareness session comes as the GNBS continues to engage businesses in response to concerns about product quality, safety and standards compliance in the local marketplace.

Just last year, the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown called on Chinese nationals who operate businesses in Guyana to ensure they follow local laws and regulations. These

included applying for business licences and residence permits, opening bank accounts, and conducting business activities within the scope permitted by the law.

They were also urged to standardise daily business practices and to comply with tax regulations.

Moreover, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had also previously noted that the Government will work to ensure stricter enforcement of regulations in order to create a level playing field for businesses operating in Guyana.

His remarks were in response to concerns that Chinese-owned businesses are not adhering to local regulations and that their ability to attract more customers is putting Guyaneseowned businesses at a dis-

advantage – a concern that has recently resurfaced. Citizens have taken to social media to complain about Chinese businesses, especially supermarkets, being allowed to operate unmonitored in communities across the country, not only putting family shops out of business but also creating disturbances to neighbours when persons hang around the establishment consuming alcohol that is often sold without the proper licences from the relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, Government officials, including President Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Mark Phillips, have repeatedly underscored the importance of Chinese contributions to the country’s business landscape.

Iwokrama at 30

“A valued asset” in Guyana’s rainforest conservation journey – Minister Benn

The Minister within the Housing Ministry, Vanessa Benn, has highlighted the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development as a valued asset to national and international initiatives as the organisation commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Iwokrama Act. In a video message shared on Iwokrama’s Facebook page as part of the anniversary celebrations, Minister Benn reflected on some of the centre’s major achievements over the past three decades while congratulating the organisation on its milestone.

“Iwokrama’s work has earned the reputation of being a valued asset to national and international initiatives. I have had the privilege and pure joy of being part of the Iwokrama team for over 15 years,” she said. Congratulating the organisation on the anniversary, the Minister added, “Congratulations, Team Iwokrama, on your 30th anniversary. Continue to be an exemplar of sound, sustainable forest management and community partnerships for national and global benefit. Cheers.” Benn highlighted several landmark initiatives un-

dertaken by the Centre. She noted that Iwokrama commissioned the first three-dimensional map of an Indigenous village in Guyana.

“Did you know that Iwokrama commissioned the first three-dimensional map of an Indigenous village in Guyana? That village was Fair View. And the model, drawn to scale, has been a fantastic tool to help the villagers in the management of their natural resources,” she said. The Minister also pointed to Iwokrama’s role in strengthening regional forest research. “Iwokrama served as the Caribbean’s

focal point organisation in the establishment of the Forest Research Network project. That project has enabled countries across the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific region to collaborate on joint research projects, looking at the various economic services and ecological services derived from the forest and addressing the issues related to climate change,” she noted.

She further highlighted Iwokrama’s pioneering community-based forest monitoring initiative.

“Iwokrama initiated the first community monitoring, reporting and verification project, where over 40 persons, taken from 20 communities across the North Rupununi, were trained on how to monitor and measure land uses and land use changes on their Indigenous lands and their villages, and that the data so collected was incorporated into the national monitoring, reporting and verification system that is managed by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC)…Now that data is important as part of the basis, actually, of our annual reporting on our forest cover and our rate of deforestation. And based on that as well comes

our forest carbon credits,” she said.

Benn also recalled Iwokrama’s international recognition during the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai.

“In 2023 the Commonwealth Secretariat hosted a special event on the sidelines of the Conference of Parties on Climate Change in Dubai, focusing on and featuring Iwokrama and its community partnerships. And we had representatives from the North Rupununi District Development Board and the Makushi Research Unit being featured as part of a video that was launched and showcased at COP28,” she said.

The accompanying Facebook post thanked the Minister for her longstand-

ing service to the organisation, stating, “We extend our heartfelt thanks for her unwavering dedication, commitment, and support. Thank you, Minister Benn, for being an important part of the Iwokrama story.”

In 2026, the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development is celebrating 30 years since the Iwokrama Act came into effect, providing the legal mandate for the establishment of the Centre to oversee and manage Guyana’s one million acres of rainforest.

Established in 1996 through a partnership between the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Centre manages 371,000 hectares of tropical rainforest dedi-

cated to demonstrating how conservation and sustainable development can be successfully integrated.

Operating under the patronage of His Majesty King Charles III, Iwokrama is governed by an International Board of Trustees and maintains operations in Georgetown and at its River Lodge in Kurupukari.

The Centre promotes the conservation and sustainable, equitable use of tropical rainforests through research, training and the development and dissemination of innovative technologies, while serving as a living laboratory that demonstrates how biodiversity conservation and economic development can coexist for the benefit of Guyana and the wider world.

4 more Guyanese awarded fully funded China petroleum scholarships

Four Guyanese students have been awarded fully funded scholarships by CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) to pursue tertiary studies in China, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under the programme to 16 since its launch in 2023.

The scholarships were presented during an awards ceremony hosted by CPGL on Friday in collaboration with the Natural Resources Ministry.

The 2026 recipients are Quissieana Odle, Carian Haynes, Yunyi Zhou and Nicholas Ramnarine.

Odle and Haynes will

pursue degrees in engineering economics at the China University of Petroleum in Beijing, while Zhou and Ramnarine will study petroleum engineering at the Southwest University of Petroleum in Chengdu.

The scholarships cover tuition, travel and living expenses through CPGL’s partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Under the programme, recipients are expected to return to Guyana upon completing their studies and contribute to the country’s growing petroleum industry.

Addressing the ceremony, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunity.

CPGL President Lian Jihong also addressed the gathering, emphasising the company’s commitment to supporting education, technical training and the development of a skilled Guyanese workforce. China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, also delivered remarks.

The four students are the fourth batch of scholarship recipients since the initiative was launched in 2023 as part of CPGL’s investment in developing local talent for Guyana’s expanding oil and gas sector.

Success goes beyond NGSA – Parliamentary Secretary to Parafait Harmony graduates

Parliamentary Secretary in the Public Utilities and Aviation Ministry, Thandi McAllister, has urged graduates of Parafait Harmony Primary School to remain committed to learning, reminding them that success extends beyond their National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results.

According to a social media post by the Public Utilities and Aviation Ministry, McAllister delivered the feature address at the school’s graduation ceremony on Friday, which was held under the theme “A Future Worth Celebrating”.

During her address, she congratulated all the graduates on their achievements and commended those whose outstanding NGSA performances earned them placements at Queen’s College, St

Parliamentary Secretary in the Public Utilities and Aviation Ministry, Thandi McAllister

Stanislaus College, St Rose’s High School and St Joseph’s High School.

While acknowledging the students’ academic success, the Parliamentary Secretary encouraged them to view the examination as only one step in their educational journey. She urged the graduates to remain dedicated to learning and called on par-

ents, teachers and the wider community to continue supporting children as they pursue their goals. McAllister also encouraged the students to use education as a means of shaping not only their own futures but also the future development of Guyana. The remarks were shared by the page following the graduation ceremony.

Essequibo Coast man on $1M bail over fatal crash

A25-year-old carpenter has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving in connection with a crash on the Charity New Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) that claimed the life of one motorcyclist and left another seriously injured. Patrick Murray of Charity River Dam, Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on July 16, charged with causing the death of Daniel Grey of Somerset and Berks, Essequibo Coast, contrary to Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02. The charge stems from a collision that occurred at about 15:20h on Saturday, September 13, 2025, along the Charity New Road in Region Two (Pomeroon-

Supenaam). Daniel Grey, who was 27 at the time of the accident, was killed, while 31-year-old Alex Jaigopaul of the Essequibo Coast sustained serious injuries.

Police investigations revealed that Grey and Jaigopaul were riding separate motorcycles east along the northern carriageway behind motor car PAC 697, which was being driven by Murray. The two motorcyclists were reportedly travelling side by side when the driver of the motor car allegedly indicated to turn right off the public road to enter the compound of a Chinese supermarket. As the vehicle was making the turn, both motorcycles collided with the right side of the car. The impact threw both motorcyclists into the air before they landed in the southern parapet of the supermarket. They suffered multiple

injuries.

Murray, along with the two injured motorcyclists, was taken to the Oscar Joseph Charity Cottage Hospital, where they were examined by Dr Mahase. Grey was pronounced dead, while Jaigopaul was admitted with multiple fractures to his left foot. Murray was treated for injuries to his face. At Thursday’s court hearing, Murray was not required to plead to the indictable charge. However, under the Administration of Justice Act, he entered a “not guilty” plea. He was represented by defence attorney Onassis Granville. The court granted Murray bail in the sum of $1 million on condition that he report to the Charity Police Station every Friday of each month. He was also ordered to lodge his travel documents

FGM backtracks at CCJ, abandons bid calling to void 2025 elections

…now seeks constitutional ruling for future elections only

After initially asking the court to declare the September 1, 2025, elections “null, void, and of no legal effect” if the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) were excluded from the ballot in certain regions, the Attorney for FGM candidate Krystal Fisher, Dr Vivian Williams, on Thursday reversed course, urging the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to treat the matter solely as a constitutional motion for future elections, with no impact on the 2025 polls. However, attorneys for respondents in the case, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and the Attorney General (AG) argued that to do so would set a dangerous precedent.

In the initial ruling before the High Court in August 2025 the litigant sought the court’s relief in having “an order restraining the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)... from proceeding with the conduct of the forthcoming General and Regional Elections unless and until the FGM... was duly included on the ballots in all ten (10) electoral regions.”

However, Williams on Thursday adjusted his approach and asked the court to simply address the issue of constitutional rights, its bearing on future elections and simply disregard previous filings about overturning the 2025 elections.

“There will be no consequence for the elections that has already been held. The results would stand; nothing would change. The holding of Elections is peripheral, and in fact, it is the determination of the matter, even though the elections has concluded, as a significant function that the court ought to exercise,” Williams noted.

Dr Williams appeared to have yet again modified his argument following the previous ruling by the Court of Appeal (COA) that reliefs being sought in the case would need to be dealt with in an elections petition, over which only the High Court has jurisdiction. In its ruling in October 2025, the COA ruled that it had no jurisdiction to hear the reliefs sought by the appellant since it sought to bring into question the legality of the 2025 elections.

“Playing with fire” Attorney for GECOM, Anthony Astaphan, cautioned that the court could be “playing with fire” to go down such a road as to disregard the original reliefs sought and now determine the case as a constitutional motion. “The case started out as a challenge to the intended elections. There was

a declaration saying, ‘A declaration of any election held without the inclusion of all political parties on the ballot that has satisfied the legal requirements to contest the national elections are null, void, and of no legal effect.’ That is a challenge to the election. So he wanted to stop it,” Astaphan recalled.

“I would suggest that we keep in mind the procedures for invoking the elections jurisdiction of the court because if you are saying a system has issues depriving citizens of their right to vote, then to bypass it and come with a constitutional motion that has no credible, relevant, objective relief for rectifying the elections results, I think, is playing with fire. It would open a gate for horses to run through… Whether or not the framework for registration or voting violates a constitutional provision, that should be sorted out during the hearing of the elections petition.”

Astaphan also warned about the ripple effect of such a move.

“I think that is also very, very important. The other note of caution I have is to be careful about creating an avenue to bypass the election laws of the country and the constitutional requirements

that we have that the High Court has the exclusive jurisdiction to deal with a variety of different matters. To make a determination as to whether something triggers the elections’ jurisdiction of the court, it has to look at what was in fact pleaded and what was sought in the application made, and not by counsel saying, ‘Oh, we will go through the process now, but we’re not going to ask for any relief,’ and so on,” Astaphan noted. Also touching on the point of jurisdiction, AG Anil Nandlall warned that the issues addressed in Fisher’s case are issues that need to be dealt with in an elections petition.

Making his point, Nandlall referenced the 1973 case of Seecomar Singh et anor v R C Butler and the 1968 case of Gladys Petrie vs the Attorney General.

“Once it activates a process that affects the legality of an election, then the matter assumes a different character… I dare say, respectfully, that if you interfere with this sacred and central principle, we will run into problems in actions being filed ante-elections. Politically these matters have been settled in the Caribbean, and I will go through cases to show where the court has repeatedly said, ‘Wait until the elections have concluded.’ The matter first arose in Petrie,” Nandlall noted.

Provisions well settled

“The Court of Appeal and High Court were frontally asked to make orders that would have the effect of setting aside elections. In the High Court there were injunctions that sought to restrain GECOM from proceeding with the elections. Issues that fall within the parameters of the provisions of Article 163 of the constitution. The provisions of 163 are well settled.”

The appellant in the case, Fisher, is a Region Nine res-

ident and FGM national candidate. She is challenging GECOM’s long-standing practice of excluding political parties from ballots in regions where they have not submitted geographical constituency lists. The filing contends that this practice violates citizens’ constitutional right to vote for a party of their choice.

Under Guyana’s electoral system, the 65 seats in the National Assembly are distributed, with 40 filled based on votes from a National Top-Up List and 25 allocated through geographical constituency representation. Political parties must submit both a National Top-Up List and respective Geographical Constituency Lists to contest the elections; however, parties only need to submit a minimum of six of the 10 constituencies in order to be approved to contest the national elections.

No submission but then complaining

The legal challenge revolves around GECOM’s exclusion of FGM from ballots in Regions Seven, Eight, and Nine, areas where the party did not submit geographical constituency lists.

On this issue Astaphan argued, “It is not a question of fault; it’s a question of not electing to submit a list then complaining of being denied a right by GECOM. My point is the legislation gives you a right to contest or not to contest. It gives the party the legal choice.” However, Dr

Williams is arguing that the Constitution does not provide any provisions to empower the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) to restrict political parties desirous of contesting the national elections.

“This appeal ultimately turns on one question: where does the law authorise the exclusion of an approved national list on the ballot of some regions but not others? The respondents say that authority is found in the Representation of the People Act. If the law authorises a restriction on the franchise by preventing electors in some regions from voting for an approved nationalist available to other electors elsewhere, the source of that authority must be found in the Constitution itself.

Constitutional rights cannot be diminished by implication or by ordinary legislation acting without constitutional warrant,” Williams argued.

“The Act in no way provides that an approved national list must be excluded from the ballot because no geographical constituency list has been submitted for that region. The respondent construction depends on words that Parliament did not enact. The two questions that determine this appeal, therefore, are two distinct parts and questions. The first is whether the Constitution authorises Parliament to enact the restriction complained of and whether Parliament,

through the representation of the act, in fact enacted those restrictions.”

At the core of the arguments of both sides are the interpretations of articles contained in Guyana’s Constitution and ROPA. From the Constitution, sections at the heart of the arguments include Article 13, which speaks to inclusionary democracy; Article 59, which enshrines a Guyanese citizen’s right to vote; Article 159, which places conditions and limitations on eligibility for a citizen’s right to vote; and Article 160, which outlines that voters cast their votes for a list of candidates and not individuals. Sections 39 and 11 of the Representation of the People’s Act we also cited.

In her original application before the High Court, Fisher asked the court to declare that this incident violates Articles 13, 59, and 159 of the Constitution, as well as a denial of her right, as a candidate, to ballot access and to contest in the elections.

Thursday’s hearing was presented before CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson, Justice Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Justice Denys Barrow, Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji, and Justice Arif Bulkan.

At the end of the hearing, Justice Anderson informed the parties the matter will be subsequently notified of a date for the ruling in the matter.

Guyanese Dr Kimberly Manbodh takes helm of Rotaract District 7030

…leading more than 1000 members across Caribbean

Guyanese medical doctor and community advocate Dr Kimberly Manbodh has assumed office as District Rotaract Representative (DRR) for Rotaract District 7030, becoming only the fifth Guyanese to hold the organisation’s highest elected office at the district level.

Dr Manbodh officially began her one-year term on July 1, 2026, succeeding in the role as the 40th DRR in the district’s history. She will provide leadership to more than 1000 Rotaractors across 47 clubs in 17 countries and territories throughout the Caribbean.

A release from the organisation stated that her appointment marks another regional leadership achievement for Guyana, with responsibility for guiding the district’s strategic direction, supporting club leaders, overseeing district committees and representing Rotaract at regional and international forums. She will

also coordinate district initiatives and lead preparations for the 2027 District Conference, which is scheduled to be held in Grenada.

A medical doctor by profession, Dr Manbodh is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cysterhood Support Guyana, an organisation that supports women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Polyendocrine Metabolic Syndrome (PMS). She also manages two small businesses and has been recognised nationally as one of Guyana’s 25 Influential Women Leaders. Within the Rotary movement, she has served in several leadership roles, including Vice President (VP), Director, Assistant DRR, Lead Assistant DRR, District Rewards and Recognition Officer and Conference Chair for the 2024 Rotaract District Conference hosted in Guyana. She also served two terms as pres-

ident of the Rotaract Club of Georgetown, the country’s oldest Rotaract club. Manbodh is also a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow (PHF), one of Rotary’s highest recognitions, conferred by the Rotary Club of Garden City.

Reflecting on her appointment, she said the position represents both an honour and a significant responsibility. She noted that the role reflects the confidence others have placed in her leadership and reinforces the value of consistency and service. Her involvement with Rotaract began in 2018 after being inspired by a colleague whose personal and leadership development had been shaped through the organisation.

According to Manbodh, Rotaract has strengthened her resilience and reinforced the importance of servant leadership, particularly during challenging periods. Rotaract, the global service organisation for adults aged

18 and older, forms part of Rotary International. In addition to community service, members participate in leadership development, professional networking and projects focused on education, health, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, disaster preparedness, economic development and peacebuilding.

District 7030 is one of Rotary’s most diverse districts, stretching from the ABC Islands in the southern Caribbean to French Guiana. With English, French, Dutch and Papiamento spoken across the district, Dr Manbodh said promoting inclusion and collaboration among clubs will be a key focus during her tenure. For the 2026-2027 Rotary year, she has adopted the theme “Becoming One”, encouraging greater collaboration among clubs throughout the district. The theme was first introduced during her presidency of the Rotaract Club

Dr Kimberly Manbodh

of Georgetown in 20212022, when clubs strengthened partnerships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among her priorities for the coming year are increasing district membership, establishing at least five new Rotaract clubs, strengthening collaboration across the Rotary family and positioning District 7030 as a model district within Rotary

International.

She also hopes her leadership will encourage more young people to take on leadership roles and become active in community service.

Describing the appointment as a proud moment for Guyana, Manbodh said it provides an opportunity to showcase the leadership and potential of young Guyanese across the Caribbean while contributing to regional development and youth empowerment.

She added that Rotaract can play a meaningful role in addressing issues affecting young people, including cyberbullying, violence, unhealthy lifestyles, mental health awareness and period poverty.

Encouraging young Guyanese to pursue leadership opportunities, Manbodh said meaningful change begins with individuals who are willing to step forward and serve their communities.

Guyana, Suriname agree to online booking for ferry service

Guyana and Suriname have agreed to introduce an integrat-

ed online booking system for the Canawaima Ferry Service as part of efforts

to improve efficiency and modernise operations along the maritime route linking

the two countries.

The decision was among the key outcomes of a joint bilateral meeting of the boards of the Canawaima Ferry Service of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname, held on Wednesday in Nickerie, Suriname. According to a statement from the Public Works Ministry, the proposed online booking system is expected to improve customer convenience by reducing waiting times and allowing passengers to make advance reservations for both themselves and their vehicles. The platform will also provide 24-hour ticket purchasing, automated booking confirmations, and real-time capacity management to enhance operational planning.

The Boards also reaffirmed their commitment

to maintaining a reliable daily ferry schedule and agreed to work collaboratively towards the successful implementation of the digital booking platform. In addition to service improvements, the meeting addressed the planned drydocking of the MV Canawaima and the overhaul of its main engines to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of the vessel. Proposals for technical cooperation to support the maintenance programme will be considered through the appropriate channels.

To minimise disruptions during the maintenance period, both sides agreed that a replacement vessel will be deployed to ensure ferry operations continue without interruption. The discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, improving

operational performance, reinforcing institutional resilience and enhancing the overall quality of the ferry service. The Ministry noted that the meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Guyana and Suriname to the continued development of the Canawaima Ferry Service, which remains the principal maritime link between the neighbouring countries.

The ferry service plays an important role in facilitating the movement of passengers, vehicles and cargo while supporting trade, tourism and regional integration between Guyana and Suriname.

Both boards reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration in delivering a safe, reliable and efficient ferry service for the benefit of the people of both countries.

At least 3 killed, hundreds displaced by heavy rains in Chile

Torrential rain and fierce winds have lashed central and southern Chile, leaving at least three persons dead and hundreds more displaced.

President Jose Antonio Kast announced on Friday that he was travelling to the Biobio region, one of the most impacted, to survey the damage and the response from authorities.

“A lot of rain on the road, but it’s passable,” Kast wrote in a social media post, showing himself en route. “Take care.”

Further heavy rainfall is expected on Friday in the country’s central zone.

The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) has reported that 466 people remain in shelters, some of whom were evacuated as a preventative measure.

Antique firearms among relics discovered underneath northern Haiti church

Antique firearms discovered in a trove of relics underneath a church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord may date back to the 18th century, cultural experts said Thursday. They added the find is a significant step in efforts to preserve Haitian heritage in that part of the country.

Another 158 residents have been isolated by the rising water levels, mostly in the Coquimbo region. Alicia Cebrian, the head of the agency, said that seven people have been injured.

life across Chile, with schools in some parts of the country suspending classes on Friday.

SENAPRED announced evacuation orders for the Campamento Ribera del Rio area, near the commune of Talagante, citing rising river levels.

The floods have disrupted

The state-owned mining giant Codelco reported that it had stopped surface operations at the Andina mine due to storms.

About 257,000 persons remain without power, mostly in the south. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake strikes off Mexico coast

Apowerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of southern Mexico on Friday, triggering a tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific.

No fatalities or significant damage have been reported in Mexico or Guatemala from the quake, which was also felt in El Salvador.

Mexico’s Navy Secretary, Admiral Raymundo Morales, told a press conference that there was “no serious impact” but that people were being advised to stay away from beaches.

The US Tsunami Warning System had warned of possible “hazardous tsunami waves” along the nearby coasts of Mexico and Guatemala. It later recorded waves of 0.3 metres above tide level in Puerto Madero and Chiapas in Mexico.

Several hours after the initial warning was issued, the centre said the threat had passed but advised people in affected areas to “remain observant and exercise normal caution near the sea”.

The quake, which struck near the fishing town of Puerto Madero in Mexico at 08:49h local time (14:49h GMT) on Friday, had a depth of 15.2 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Governor Salomón Jara Cruz, of the southern Mexican state Oaxaca, said the quake was felt with “moderate inten-

sity” but no significant damage had been reported.

In Guatemala and El Salvador, the tremor shook buildings, triggering evacuations and causing some people to run from their homes, Reuters news agency reported.

A series of aftershocks, with magnitudes between 4.7 and 6.0, have been recorded. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T&T PM, Delcy in cordial chat; exchange letters on quake relief and recovery

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has thanked Prime Minister (PM) Kamla PersadBissessar for Trinidad & Tobago (T&T)’s assistance to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela, saying the disaster has reaffirmed that “the path between nations is solidarity”.

Persad-Bissessar, in turn, pledged T&T’s continued support and said she looked forward to partnering with Venezuela’s interim Government as the country

recovers from the devastat

ing June 24 earthquakes.

-

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) yesterday released the exchange of letters between the two leaders. Persad-Bissessar’s correspondence also referenced a telephone conversation with Rodríguez on June 26 and an earlier letter sent on June 29.

The OPM said T&T and Venezuela had reaffirmed their bonds of solidarity following the twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude.

As of yesterday, Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said the death toll had climbed to nearly 5000. Some 16,740 persons were reported injured, 17,907 left homeless, and 20,857 sheltering in 106 temporary camps.

Authorities also reported damage to 856 buildings, including 190 total structural collapses, while 6462 people had been rescued from disaster zones.

(Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)

“Experts believe that some of these weapons may be linked to the pre-independence period,” the Ministry of Culture and Communication said in a statement Thursday. “Preliminary observations indicate that some of the firearms display characteristics consistent with naval or infantry weapons from the late 18th century.”

The 20 or so items were uncovered Tuesday during excavation work in the courtyard of the Conservative Baptist Church. Videos of the ancient weaponry have been circulating on social media since.

By Thursday, members of the National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) – the institution responsible for documenting and preserving Haiti’s cultural heritage, historical collections and ar-

chives – were at the site. During the visit, BNE identified 20 weapons, including nine musket-like rifles and 11 handguns.

Led by BNE Director General Erol Josué and archaeologist Dr Joseph Sony Jean, the team also documented several other archaeological remains, notably metal objects and fragments of pottery and earthenware.

BNE’s team also met with the mayor of the municipality, Jovenel Jean, and church

and school officials to discuss the necessary measures to protect and preserve this newly discovered historical heritage.

Research at the site will continue, the cultural experts said. They also encourage the revival of efforts to open a heritage interpretation centre in the commune and to develop heritage and archaeology education programmes for the population of GrandeRivière-du-Nord.

(Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

Magnitude 3.2 earthquake

reported near Dominica

Amagnitude 3.2 earthquake struck near Dominica early on Friday morning, according to the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI SRC).

he earthquake occurred at 04:51h local time (08:51h UTC) on 17 July. It was located at 15.26°N latitude and 61.33°W longitude, at a shallow depth

of five kilometres.

The UWI Seismic Research Centre said the tremor was reported as felt because of its location and shallow depth. The event was manually processed and confirmed by a seismic technician.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Residents who experienced the earthquake are

being encouraged to submit a felt report to the UWI Seismic Research Centre to help scientists better understand the event and its effects.

Dominica lies within a seismically active region of the eastern Caribbean, where small earthquakes are relatively common due to the movement of tectonic plates. (Antigua Newsroom)

St Lucia warns about psychoactive substances during Carnival

With the last days of Lucian Carnival approaching, health officials are warning St Lucians about a rise in illegal drug and psychoactive substance use.

The Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat is urging revellers to be aware of new drugs like Molly and ecstasy. These substances, officials say, can be very dangerous and may cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, confusion and severe anxiety.

Natasha Lloyd-Felix, coordinator at the Substance Abuse Advisory Secretariat, encourages everyone taking part in this year’s festivities to stay safe and look out for each other.

“As you and your crew enjoy the festivities, we ask that you remain vigilant with your drinks and stay

alert for those around you,” Lloyd-Felix said.

“We have noted over the past few days reports from medical practitioners, first responders and emergency room physicians of individuals presenting with concerning symptoms, including difficulty breathing, confusion and anxiety, and these point to the possibility of exposure to or use of substances that can induce these behaviours.

“If you notice any of those symptoms, whether with a member of your crew or with yourself, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention at one of our nearest facilities.”

Lloyd-Felix added that most national events have medical stations where people can get help if needed.

“We ask that all try their best to keep their crew close

and keep their crews safe and to ensure that you reduce the risk of your drinks being tampered with and being exposed to any sort of spiking by any individuals,” she said.

Last year, the Police arrested citizens for having Molly during Carnival. In one case, a 33-yearold was found with packets of ecstasy, Molly and cannabis resin. The person was charged with several counts of drug possession and intent to supply. In Saint Lucia, drug possession laws fall under the Drugs Prevention of Misuse Act. Having controlled drugs is considered a serious offence.

The Police remind everyone to enjoy Lucian Carnival responsibly and always follow the law. (St Lucia Times)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Ukrainian soldiers outraged over removal of Defence Minister

AOil settles up on renewed US-Iran hostilities, threat of Red Sea closure

Oil prices climbed more than four per cent to their highest in more than a month on Friday after the US and Iran stepped up attacks across the Gulf, with shipping threatened by a potential Red Sea closure on top of the restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures settled US$3.87, or 4.59 per cent, higher to US$88.10 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures rose US$3.54, or 4.48 per cent, at US$82.49. Both were at their highest since mid-June.

For the week, both benchmarks gained about 16 per cent, with Brent on track for a third consecutive weekly gain and WTI set for its second.

The two foes expanded fighting on Friday, with the US striking bridges and an airport in Iran and Tehran hitting a power and desalination plant in Kuwait. Iran said it launched more strikes on US facilities in the Middle East, including the first direct attack in Syria, after a sixth straight night of US strikes on Iranian military facilities.

“The market is reacting to the increasing hostilities between Iran and the United States that have culminated this week with nightly attacks on Iranian infrastructure and retaliation by Iran on its neighbours’ infrastructure,” said Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates. “If more tankers come under fire and become damaged, we’re going to see oil prices continue to move up as shipowners simply refuse to enter the Persian Gulf.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brenda Fricker, Oscar winner who played Pigeon Lady in “Home Alone 2”, dies at 81

Brenda Fricker, the Irish actor who won an Academy Award for 1989’s ”My Left Foot”, played the Pigeon Lady in ”Home Alone 2” and appeared in ”A Time to Kill” and ”So I Married an Axe Murderer”, has died, her agent confirmed to CBS News on Friday. She was 81.

Fricker died Thursday night in Dublin after ”a period of ill health”, her agent, Phil Belfield, said in a statement to CBS News.

”We will never see her like again, and the world is lesser for the lack of her,” Belfield said. ”I was honoured to know, love, and work with her, and she will always have a place in my heart and in the hearts of so many film and TV fans the world over.”

Born in Dublin, Fricker

performed onstage in London and was part of the original cast of what’s become known as the longest-running primetime medical drama in the world, the BBC’s ”Casualty”, when it debuted in 1986.

Fricker won the Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in 1989’s ”My Left Foot”, about the Irish writer Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy and only had control over his left foot. Fricker played Brown’s mother opposite Daniel Day-Lewis, who won the Academy Award for best actor for his portrayal of Brown.

Fricker’s victory in Hollywood marked the first time an Irish woman won an Oscar. (Excerpt from CBS News)

mong Ukraine’s battle-weary soldiers and wounded veterans, there’s a collective sense of outrage at this week’s political developments.

President Zelenskyy’s decision not to re-appoint his successful young Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, in his latest cabinet reshuffle, has caused bafflement and fury in equal measure.

With Army Chiefs reportedly warning the ranks not to engage in political debate, soldiers are reluctant to speak openly or do so only on condition of strict anonymity. We have given made-up names to all those who replied.

”It is a blatant slap in the face to all service members,” said a soldier (Maryna). ”It is truly difficult to put this into words without venting in frustration.”

Despite the noisy protests breaking out across Ukraine, Maryna doubts popular anger is going to change anything. ”A dictatorship is already unfolding here,” she says,

”with its own petty tyrants who think they have caught God by the beard.”

Another soldier (Natasha) said the protesters with their makeshift cardboard placards were a long way from the daily brutality of the front line.

”Yesterday our positions here got hit by MLRS (multiple launch rocket systems), so nobody cared about Fedorov or the cardboard signs.”

Fedorov came across as someone deeply committed to promoting Ukraine’s war effort in the most creative ways possible and, as he put it, ”how to use limited resources more effectively”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

7 Americans quarantining at Kenya Ebola facility after US travel ban

Seven American aid workers who had been in Congo to fight the Ebola outbreak are quarantining at a new isolation facility in Kenya after the US Government introduced travel restrictions, the head of a US charity employing them told Reuters.

The aid workers are the first known people to quarantine at the facility, which has sparked huge opposition in Kenya and is at

the heart of a legal case in which a court has ordered the work to be suspended. Construction continued, however, according to US officials and satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters.

Washington’s new policy says American citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where there is an Ebola outbreak, must spend three weeks in a third country before entering the

United States.

The US Government is building the 50-bed bio-isolation unit on an air force base in central Kenya for asymptomatic Americans exposed to the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda. Many Kenyans are angered at what they see as the US offloading the health risk such patients pose.

Last month, Kenya’s Health Minister announced

an immediate halt to the facility’s construction after he was found in contempt of court for failing to observe the order to halt work pending a final ruling.

“None of them have any symptoms, but they are being quarantined by the Kenyan Government for 21 days,” Franklin Graham, President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, said. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

US, Iran attack infrastructure; raise fears of escalation

The United States struck bridges in Iran, and Tehran responded by hitting a power and desalination plant in Kuwait on Friday, as the two sides risked further escalation by expanding their targets to include infrastructure.

At sea, where the renewed conflict has again cut off energy supplies from the Gulf, US Marines boarded a tanker near the Strait of

Hormuz. Armed men seized another vessel off Yemen, raising concern over security in the Middle East’s other big choke point for oil shipments at the mouth of the Red Sea.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported late on Friday that the Revolutionary Guards navy had ”targeted” a Thai-flagged ship trying to get through the Strait of Hormuz. It did

not give further details.

Washington and Tehran have been testing the limits of escalation since their ceasefire agreement collapsed last week, raising the prospect of a return to all-out war.

After reports of the escalation emerged on Friday, benchmark Brent crude oil prices climbed 3 per cent and were on track for a third consecutive weekly gain. Global

share prices fell while Wall Street opened sharply lower, then levelled off.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to launch broad-based air strikes on Iran’s infrastructure and has also declined to rule out a ground assault on Iran’s coast or islands. US officials have said attacks on southern Iran are designed in part to give Trump options. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Suspected Somali pirates seize tanker near Yemen amid wave of hijackings

An oil tanker has been seized off the coast of Yemen, in an attack the country’s coastguard says was carried out by Somali pirates. It is the latest in a series of hijackings to re-emerge in the region this year.

The Yemeni coastguard said the Astana was seized about 26 nautical miles (48 kilometres) off Hadramawt province on Friday.

The UK’s maritime security agency, UKMTO, citing military sources, said there was an “illegal boarding” 65 nautical miles (120km) south of the port of Mukalla. It said the vessel was boarded by “unauthorised personnel”.

UKMTO urged vessels in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity, adding that the incident remained under investiga-

tion. Early reports indicated a single person had been spotted near the vessel’s bridge and the tanker was moving slowly southeast towards

Somalia.

Yemeni authorities said they were coordinating with international partners and maritime agencies in the area to verify the tanker’s condition and track its movements.

Naval vessels, including a Yemeni coastguard boat, were reported heading towards the ship, while aircraft flew reconnaissance sorties overhead.

The attack follows a marked resurgence in Somali piracy, which had been largely dormant for more than a decade until this year.

The Astana was seized in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

The more receptive you are, the easier it becomes to manipulate whatever situation you face by offering incentives to get what you want in return. A unique offer or opportunity will develop if you network with people who are doing something you hope to pursue. Participation may not be your thing, but it can help you reach your destination.

Keep your eye on the money and the people who can help or hinder your journey. Navigating your way to the prospects that excite you will encourage greater freedom to follow your heart and to pursue what’s meaningful to you. Social events will lead to a change of heart. Distance yourself from those who are careless with cash.

Refuse to let emotional mayhem ruin your day. Size up situations, and point yourself in a direction that offers a unique perspective on how to use your connections, skills and attributes. Gravitate toward those who inspire you. Don’t mix business with pleasure or give anyone the opportunity to break your heart. Put yourself first.

Speak your mind, but be prepared to live with the consequences. Letting go is hard but also rejuvenating. Carrying burdens affects your emotional and mental well-being. Put together a plan that satisfies your curiosity and allows you to take a path that offers peace of mind and soothes your soul. Put the past behind you and discover new possibilities.

Arguments over money, personal choices and how you want to spend your time will escalate quickly. Use your imagination, and you’ll find a way to do what pleases you and those you encounter. Learn from experience that there is more than one way to do things, and by helping others, you can also help yourself.

Contemplate your personal and professional situation, and you’ll discover a path to better days ahead. Reach out, start conversations and choose the road that offers a chance to do things your way. Don’t rely on others or think they have your best interests at heart. Advocate on your behalf, and take the road that offers the benefits you desire.

Sit back and study situations carefully. How you deal with others will make a difference to the outcome. Positive change is within reach if you channel your energy in a direction that’s comfortable or helps fulfill your purpose. Motivation will help drive you to places you didn’t know existed and people who can inspire you to surpass your expectations.

Be gracious, humble and kind, and you’ll attract the same in return. Keep your promises doable and honor your word. Setting high standards will lead to greater respect from your peers and encourage you to apply yourself for bigger and better opportunities. Let your voice lead the way and your actions confirm your authenticity.

A financial gain looks hopeful. Go over your documents, be resourceful and put your plans in motion. A change at home will encourage you to rethink your lifestyle and to take better care of yourself. Don’t fall short when it comes to how you present yourself to others. When you look and feel your best, success follows.

Apply pressure and be ready to defend yourself and your plans if someone tries to intervene. Take advantage of any opportunity you get to voice your opinion and enlist people who have something to contribute to your plans. Personal satisfaction and a higher level of confidence will come through loud and clear if you are happy with yourself.

A chance to be with or do something nice for someone you care about will pay off. A positive change at home will develop due to your innovative planning and trying to please those who depend on you for safety, security and emotional wellbeing. Let go of the past, and fill your heart with happy moments.

Stop worrying about what others think or do. Distance yourself from whatever and whoever you don’t like, and surround yourself with those offering positive energy, assistance and the right to embrace what moves and motivates you most. Create opportunities, and embrace what belongs to you. Love and romance are on the rise, and social events look inviting.

BOpeners Mahedi, Rishad help Bangladesh keep series alive

off 33 balls and Saif was dropped twice more, on 37 and 46, before he got to a half-century of 42 balls. With Zimbabwe unable to take a wicket in 14 overs, Bangladesh had an excellent platform to launch from. Instead, Zimbabwe pulled them back.

angladesh ensured their tour of Zimbabwe would end with a decider after squaring the three-match T20I series with a 34-run win, in Game Two in Bulawayo. Put in to bat, Bangladesh’s innings swayed from the sublime to the ridiculous as Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan put on an opening stand of 120 - and both scored half-centuries – helped by five dropped catches.

An uncharacteristically sloppy Zimbabwean side seemed short on plans, with seven bowlers used, and they also spilled a sixth catch at the end of the Bangladesh innings for a forgettable fielding display. In-between those drops, they took five wickets for 21 runs to pull Bangladesh back from a total that seemed headed north of 180.

They got there anyway, thanks to one man. A stunning final-over assault from Mohammad Saifuddin, batting at No.7, plundered 28 runs to push Bangladesh from 158 for five to 186. Saifuddin became the first Bangladesh batter to hit four sixes in successive deliveries.

Zimbabwe had only successfully chased a higher score than this only once in their history and needed a big partnership. The closest they got to that was the

that seamer Nahid Rana left the field midway through his third over, with what seemed to be a side strain.

Has(s)ans stay Saif at the start

A transformed Bangladesh appeared to have no scars from Wednesday’s loss and took the fight to Zimbabwe as early as they could, despite flirting with danger. Brian Bennett opened the bowling with his off-spin and was hit for back-to-back boundaries. Then Raza took over from that end and created a chance when Saif, on eight, chipped him to the left of mid-off. The catch was fluffed. Richard Ngarava created pressure and a chance when Saif, on 13, sent him to extra cover but Zimbabwe put down a second.

Finally, Blessing Muzarabani replaced the spin. Saif tried to flick him past deep square leg but there was a man stationed for the flick and he dropped it as well. Saif survived again, on 18. Tanzid had worked his way to six off eight balls at that point and slowly stepped it up. Brad Evans’ first over cost 13 and Bangladesh finished the powerplay on 54 without loss to leave Zimbabwe rattled.

Middle-overs collapse puts brakes on Bangladesh Tanzid brought up 50

FSaif missed an attempted slog off Raza and was bowled to start a dramatic slide. Ngarava returned for the 16th over, bowled Tanzid off the inside-edge and then, Zimbabwe finally held on to a catch when Clive Madande ran back and dived to grab the ball after Towhid Hridoy mishit Ngarava above cover-point.

Parvez Hossain Emon hit Evans to Raza at longon and two balls later, then Nurul Hasan was bounced out. Zimbabwe took five wickets in 21 runs in 14 balls and would have fancied their chances of keeping Bangladesh under 170. That was until Saifuddin got hold of Evans’ final over and blasted his team to a serious score,

Seam and spin break through early

In keeping with the bowling trend started by Raza, Bangladesh started with spin. Mahedi was given the new ball and conceded 14 runs off his first three balls and, with a hefty target to chase, Zimbabwe’s plan was to just keep going. Tadiwanashe Marumani tried to send the last ball of the over over the leg side but only got as far as Hridoy at midwicket.

The next over yielded no boundaries and Bennett’s frustration showed when he tried to force Rana over the covers but was beaten for pace and bowled. Mahedi got a second over

in the powerplay and burst through Dion Myers’ defences with an arm ball that crashed into middle stump. Zimbabwe were 21 for three in the third over and their top order were all back in the change room. Mahedi was bowled out at halfway and finished with three for 24.

Burl keeps it burning but Evans must bat higher Raza scored a quick-fire 28 off 12 balls before being caught behind off Rishad, which brought Burl to the crease in the seventh over. He watched Shumba try a big shot, miss and get bowled and then took the game on when he hit Rishad over midwicket for six. Madande was caught on the deep-square-leg boundary trying to clear the ropes and Burl needed someone to stay with him.

Tashinga Musekiwa understood the assignment. He gave Burl as much strike as possible and ran well between the wickets. Their partnership of 29 runs off 26 balls was slow but kept Zimbabwe within one big over of being on track. Burl was getting bogged down when he cross-batted Rishad to midwicket and two balls later, Musekiwa

spliced Saif to Saifuddin. Zimbabwe were 109 for eight in the 15th over when Evans got to the crease. He hit the fifth ball he faced straight down the ground for six and then took 15

aaa SCOREBOARD

Bangladesh (20 ovs maximum)

Saif Hassan b Sikandar Raza 55

Tanzid Hasan b Ngarava 58

Towhid Hridoy (c) c Madande b Ngarava 6

Parvez Hossain Emon c Sikandar

Raza b Evans 1

Yasir Ali not out 22

Nurul Hasan † c †Marumani b Evans 4

Mohammad Saifuddin not out 31

Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 6) 9

Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.30, 97 Mins) 186/5

Fall of wickets 1-120 (Saif Hassan, 14.4 ov), 2-122 (Tanzid Hasan, 15.2 ov), 3-128 (Towhid Hridoy, 15.5 ov), 4-137 (Parvez Hossain Emon, 16.3 ov), 5-141 (Nurul Hasan, 16.5 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Brian Bennett 1-0-9-0

Richard Ngarava 4-0-23-2

Sikandar Raza 4-0-20-1

Blessing Muzarabani 4-0-35-0

Brad Evans 4-0-65-2

Ryan Burl 2-0-21-0

Milton Shumba 1-0-10-0

Zimbabwe (T: 187 runs from 20 ovs)

Brian Bennett b Nahid Rana 11

Tadiwanashe Marumani † c

Towhid Hridoy b Mahedi Hasan 4

Dion Myers b Mahedi Hasan 4

Milton Shumba b Rishad Hossain 19 Sikandar Raza (c) c †Nurul

Hasan b Rishad Hossain 28

Ryan Burl c Parvez Hossain

Emon b Rishad Hossain 29

Clive Madande c Rishad

Hossain b Mahedi Hasan 1

Tashinga Musekiwa c Mohammad Saifuddin b Saif Hassan 11

Brad Evans c Parvez Hossain

Emon b Mohammad Saifuddin 25 Richard Ngarava not out 15

Blessing Muzarabani b Rishad Hossain 0

Extras (lb 1,

France don’t want “chocolate-medal” match, but team wants to deliver for departing Coach

Didier Deschamps told a press conference on Friday.

The French, world champions in 2018 and finalists four years ago, were one of the main title contenders and were hoping for a third straight final before being knocked out by European champions Spain in the semi-final.

“I have a duty for this game,” Deschamps told a press conference in Miami. “It is not friendly. It is a third-place playoff. The players, staff, and I have the duty to reach this last objective. It is less important than the final. England does not want to play this game, and neither do we. But here we are.

and captain Kylian Mbappe would start.

rance are unhappy about having to play a World Cup third-place playoff against England on Saturday in Miami, but it is the team’s duty to deliver a bronze medal to the nation, France Coach

It was their third successive major semi-final defeat by Spain, following Euro 2024 and the Nations League, and Saturday’s game will be the last under the 57-year-old Deschamps, who announced last year that he would leave when his contract expired after the tournament.

England on Saturday were ousted by Argentina, who staged a two-goal Lionel Messi-inspired late comeback to win 2-1.

“We have to set our eyes on that goal to be third and make this final goal a reality. We have this duty when wearing this jersey. In my head I know that it is my last match. I don’t want anybody to cry. The end is near, but life goes on.”

Deschamps and his players were still digesting their semi-final loss, and the Coach said he would be making changes to his lineup with some players unavailable and some injured. He did not confirm their top scorer

“He is available, that’s what I will say,” said Deschamps. Mbappé is joint top scorer of the tournament on eight goals, along with Argentina’s Messi. France centre back Ibrahima Konate said despite the “bitter pill” of their semi-final loss, the players were eager to give Deschamps a successful farewell.

“None of us wanted to play for this third place, but we have no choice,” Konate said.

“We want to pay back our Coach,” he said. “He did so much for the France team. We must be grateful to him for that, and we need to do everything we can to win this game... to get this chocolate medal, this bronze medal.” (Reuters)

Beharry Schools’ U19 T20 Zone 7 double-header set for Cotton Tree Ground

he Zone Seven leg of the 2026 Beharry Schools’ Under-19 T20 Cricket Tournament will continue on Saturday with a double-header at the Cotton Tree Ground in Berbice.

Rosignol Secondary and Bush Lot Secondary will contest the opening match from 09:00h, before Woodley Park Secondary and No. 8 Secondary meet in the second fixture at 13:30h.

With the tournament approaching its decisive stages, the four schools will be seeking important victories as they continue their bid to advance from

The opening encounter is expected to provide a competitive start to the day, with Rosignol Secondary and Bush Lot Secondary aiming to establish early control of the Zone Seven competition.

Attention will then turn to Woodley Park Secondary and No. 8 Secondary, who will bring the day’s action to a close in the afternoon fixture.

Saturday’s matches follow the completion of the Zone Two and Zone Three competitions at the Uitvlugt Ground last weekend, where Essequibo Islands Secondary and Covent Garden Secondary emerged as champions.

Essequibo Islands Secondary secured the Zone Two title with a commanding nine-wicket victory over West Demerara Secondary School.

National youth all-rounder Bhomesh Lall produced an impressive bowling performance, claiming four wickets for five runs. Man-of-thematch Aarav Sukhram was also outstanding, taking five wickets for one run before contributing 11 runs during the successful chase.

In the Zone Three final, Covent Garden Secondary recorded a convincing 24-run victory over Yarrakabra Secondary School.

Most Valuable Player Navindranauth Ram played a key role in the victory, scoring 25 runs and taking two wickets for 18 runs to guide Covent Garden to the zonal title.

Patentia Secondary capture Bragging Rights Tapeball Title

Patentia Secondary School defeated The Bishops’ High School to win the Samaroo Investment-sponsored Secondary Schools Bragging Rights Tapeball Trophy competition at the National Cultural Centre tarmac on Saturday last.

Led by a match-winning innings from captain Val Samuels, Patentia successfully chased 102, reaching 104 for five after The Bishop’s High School had posted 101 for three from their allotted overs.

Samuels led the run chase with 67 and was later named the Most Valuable Player of the competition.

Andrew Narine and Aditya Persaud were the leading bowlers for The Bishop’s High School. Narine claimed two wickets for 28 runs, while Persaud finished with two for 41.

Earlier, Narine had topscored for The Bishop’s High School with 44, while Aiyan Persaud contributed 28.

Jadon Birch was Patentia’s most successful bowler, taking two wickets for 29 runs.

The competition was organised by Uprising Promotions, formerly known as GOAPC, and coordinated by James “Uprising” Lewis. The organisers also announced that another competition would be held at the National Park tarmac from midday, with sponsorship from the United Statesbased DC Metro Cricket Organisation.

Three leading teams are expected to compete in a round-robin format for a trophy, medals and other prizes.

Miss India Guyana contestants set for golf outing at Westside

Contestants from the Miss Teen India Guyana, Miss India Guyana and Mr India Guyana pageants will take part in a special golf outing at the Westside Golf Course on Saturday, July 18.

The event will run from 17:00h to 20:00h and will give members of the public an opportunity to meet the contestants while watching them participate in a series of golf activities and challenges.

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the initiative is being organised through a collaboration involving Miss India Guyana franchise holders Melicia Partab and Hashim Alli, along with Aleem Hussain and the Nexgen Golf Academy.

The programme is aimed at promoting confidence, sportsmanship, wellness and community involvement while allowing the contestants to develop new skills away from their regular pageant preparations.

During the outing, the delegates will learn the fundamentals of golf, participate in team-building exercises and display their personalities in a relaxed setting beyond the runway.

Organisers said the ex -

perience also provides the contestants with a break from their demanding preparation schedules while helping them build teamwork and confidence.

The Miss India Guyana Organisation has earned

recognition for showcasing Guyana’s beauty, culture and talent internationally, with several of its representatives securing accolades at overseas competitions.

The outing will also

highlight the growing appeal of golf as an inclusive sport for people of different ages and backgrounds.

Westside Golf Course is Guyana’s only public, non-membership golf facility and forms part of efforts

to make the sport more accessible to the wider community.

Pageant supporters, golf enthusiasts and other members of the public are invited to attend the event, interact with the contes-

tants and get an early look at the confidence, talent and charisma they will bring to the pageant stage.

The Westside Golf Course is located just off the Crane roundabout along the Schoonord Highway.

The West Indies have made two changes to their squad ahead of the fourth and fifth OneDay Internationals (ODIs) against New Zealand, with Justin Greaves and Brandon King returning to replace the injured Roston Chase and John Campbell.

The changes come as the Caribbean side looks to bounce back after suffering a six-wicket defeat in the third ODI, a result that handed New Zealand a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Greaves, the seam-bowl-

Greaves, King return as Windies ring changes

ing all-rounder, replaces Chase, while opening batsman King comes in for Campbell, whose participation was cut short after

Zealand’s spin attack dominated the third encounter.

The teams will now shift their focus to the fourth ODI, which is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, in Barbados, with the first ball set for 10:00 hrs. Victory for the hosts would level the setakes-all finale, while New

unchanged and will be led by captain Shai Hope. Also named are Ackeem Auguste, Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carty, Matthew Forde, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Vitel Lawes, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, and Jayden Seales.

West Indies will be hoping the return of the experienced duo provides a timely boost as they seek to level the se ries after New

Keep Fit race 2 set for National Park on Sunday

CCyclists from across Guyana are being invited to compete in the second Keep Fit Race on Sunday, July 19, at the inner circuit of the National Park

yclists from across Guyana are being invited to compete in the second Keep Fit race on Sunday, July 19, at the inner circuit of the National Park.

The event, which is scheduled to begin at 10:00h, is being organised through a community initiative led by Alex Mendes of the Kaieteur Attack Racing

Cycle Club (KARCC). It is aimed at promoting physical fitness while providing cyclists with another opportunity for competitive racing.

One open race will be contested, with riders from all categories competing together across 30 laps. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first six cyclists to cross the finish line.

Organisers have asked

4 teams chase EDFA U13 title on final day

The East Demerara Football Association (EDFA), in collaboration with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), will bring the curtain down on its highly competitive Youth Ensemble Under-13 League this weekend, with the championship still up for grabs.

All five final-round matches will be played on Saturday at the Buxton Ground, where the title race promises an exciting finish.

Buxton Stars and Plaisance Football Club (FC) enter the final day locked on 17 points after eight matches, but Buxton Stars occupy the top spot courtesy of a vastly superior goal difference of +22 compared to Plaisance’s +7.

Melanie FC remain firmly in contention on 16 points, just one point adrift of the leaders, while Golden Stars FC sit fourth with 15 points and an outside chance of lifting the title.

With only two points separating the top four teams,

the final round is expected to produce a dramatic conclusion to the competition.

Buxton Stars have been the most prolific attacking side in the league, scoring 26 goals while conceding only four. Plaisance FC have also impressed with a solid defensive record, conceding just four goals throughout the campaign.

Melanie FC remain unbeaten with four wins and four draws, while Golden Stars have shown resilience after winning four matches despite suffering one defeat.

Further down the standings, Victoria Kings FC and Mahaica Determinators are tied on 11 points and will be looking to finish the season on a high. BV/ Triumph United have accumulated eight points, Haslington Stars have six, Ann’s Grove United five, while Mahaicony Western Lions will be aiming to secure their first victory after collecting a single point from eight outings.

The final day’s fixtures are:

9:00 a.m. – Mahaicony Western Lions v BV/Triumph

The spotlight will undoubtedly be on the title contenders, with Buxton Stars needing a victory over Mahaica Determinators to guarantee the championship regardless of oth-

er results. However, any slip-up could open the door for Plaisance, Melanie or Golden Stars to snatch the coveted Under-13 title.

With the championship race set to go down to the

wire, football fans can expect an entertaining day of youth football as the EDFA/ GFF Youth Ensemble Under-13 League reaches its thrilling conclusion at the Buxton Ground.

all participants to arrive at the venue before 10:00h. to complete the registration process.

The early arrival of competitors is expected to allow the race to begin promptly at the advertised start time.

The Keep Fit initiative continues to provide local riders with additional racing opportunities while encouraging members of the public to become more active through cycling.

Warrican to lead West Indies Select XI against Pakistan

Guyana Cup roadshow to ignite Linden today

Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican will captain a 13-member West Indies Select XI in a four-day warm-up match against Pakistan from July 18 to 21 at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago.

The squad includes Test players Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Kavem Hodge and Anderson Phillip, along with several players who featured in the recent West Indies Championship.

Rayad Emrit has been appointed head

Phillip, Ojay Shields and Nial Smith.

The match will provide Pakistan with preparation for their upcoming international assignments in the Caribbean while giving the selected West Indian players an opportunity to test themselves against international opposition.

West Indies Select XI: Jomel Warrican (captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Cephas Cooper, Joshua Da Silva, Jyd Terrance Hinds, Hodge, Joshua Mbeki Joseph, Phillip, Ojay Smith, and coach:

Preparation for the Guyana Cup has intensified, and fans will have the first taste of the 18th running of the iconic horse race event when the road show takes centre stage in Linden today, Saturday, July 18.

The roadshow will promote the evolution of the Guyana Cup and showcase what’s in store for the horse racing fans ahead of the mega event, which is set for August 23 at the Rising Sun Turf Club.

Fans will have a close-up look at the SinoTruk pickup that will be given as a raffle to one lucky fan who purchased an extra Guyana Cup ticket.

While the main focus will be on the spectacular races between the elite horses, the 2026 Guyana Cup will be a family-orientated event. The illustrious vibe will be felt from the gate of entry to the finish line and beyond.

The roadshows will commence in Linden, followed by Georgetown. Additional roadshows will be held in Berbice, in both Regions Five and Six. Parika fans will also have a glimpse of the Guyana Cup.

The West Coast Demerara/Region Three roadshow is tentatively set for July 26, while New Amsterdam/Region Six will have the first taste of the

The

Coast

roadshow is set for Saturday,

8, and Georgetown will have their roadshow on August 15. Organisers indicated that the dates are tentative.

Organised by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred racing committee, this Guyana Cup is expected to attract all the top horses and jockeys from across the region.

A total of 14 races will be running at this year’s Guyana Cup, and more than GY$66 million in cash and prizes will be paid out. The feature race, which will be the Banks Guyana Cup, will fetch a purse of GY$22 million.

The races for the Guyana Cup 2026 are the following:

Banks Guyana Cup (One Mile) – Total purse GY$22,500,000

Peter Lewis Guyana Cup Sprint (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse GY$7,500,000

Forrester’s Imported Derby (One Mile) – Total purse GY$7,500,000

Mohamed’s Excavating Sir Balaji Derby (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$5,625,000

J’s Imported Juvenile Fillies Sprint (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse: GY$3,750,000

BM. Soat Locally Bred Dash (5 ½ Furlongs) – Total purse: GY$2,812,500

P.Jagdeo E-Class (One Mile) – Total purse GY$2,812,500

Jagmohan F-Class (One Mile) – Total purse GY$1,875,000

ARONCO H-Class (One Mile) – Total purse GY$1,875,000

CI H3 NW3 (One Mile) – Total purse GY$1,875,000

Avinash Local Maidens (One Mile) – Total purse GY$2,812,500

Big G’s J-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000

Garen Pro K-Class (One Mile) – Total purse: GY$1,875,000

Sawh L Class Sprint (One Mile) – Total purse GY$1,875,000

GFF scouts young football talent in

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) continued its national talent identification programme over the weekend with a scouting exercise in the Rupununi Football Association.

National Coaching Pool coaches Delon Williams and Levi Braithwaite led the exercise, assessing young players from across the area as part of the Federation’s efforts to identify and develop future national footballers.

The initiative forms part of the GFF’s wider plan to strengthen the national player pathway by giving promising players from different regions an opportunity to be evaluated.

The scouting activities also allowed the national coaches to observe the players’ technical ability, physical development and overall potential.

The GFF thanked the Rupununi Football Association, coaches, players and other stakeholders for supporting the programme and helping with the search for the country’s next generation of football talent.

President Ali leads tribute to Sir Garfield Sobers

President Dr Irfaan Ali has joined Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in mourning the passing of Sir Garfield Sobers, describing the Barbadian legend as an icon and the greatest all-rounder cricket has known.

Ali said Sobers’ death had brought grief across the Caribbean because the region had lost more than a cricketer. He praised Sobers’ ability as a batsman, bowler and close fielder, noting that his complete command of the game separated him from other great players.

The President said Sobers also played an important role in shaping West Indian identity at a time when Caribbean nations were finding their voice on the international stage.

According to Ali, Sobers carried the hopes of the region with grace and confidence and became a symbol of what West Indian people could achieve. He said Guyana saluted the National Hero of Barbados as one of the greatest figures produced by the Caribbean.

Ali extended condolences to Sobers’ family and the

people of Barbados, saying his influence would continue through the memories of supporters and the dreams of young cricketers across the region.

Cricket West Indies

President Dr Kishore Shallow also described Sobers as the greatest cricketer the world has seen, pointing to his unmatched ability in batting, bowling and fielding.

Shallow said Sobers emerged during an important period in Caribbean history and gave people across the region and diaspora renewed confidence in what was possible. He added that Sobers became more than a sporting icon and represented Caribbean excellence, resilience and possibility.

The CWI President also recalled benefiting from the Sir Garfield Sobers International Under-19 Cricket Tournament as a young player. He said Sobers later shared encouragement, wisdom and support with him, which remained an important part of his own journey.

CWI Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring said Sobers represented West Indies cricket at its best

through his bold, innovative and consistently high-quality performances.

Dehring said the former West Indies captain established a standard that continues to influence players selected to wear the maroon. He also remembered Sobers as a gracious and approachable figure who continued to share his knowledge and encourage young players after his playing career ended.

The GCB said Sobers was a symbol of West Indian pride, unity and excellence whose ability as a batsman, bowler and fielder established him as the complete cricketer.

The board noted that his achievements inspired generations across Guyana, Barbados and the wider Caribbean while helping establish the West Indies as a respected force in international cricket.

The GCB extended condolences to Sobers’ children, grandchildren, relatives and loved ones, as well as the Government and people of Barbados, the Barbados Cricket Association and the wider West Indian cricket family.

CWI said Sobers’ passing represented an immea-

Couchman takes narrow lead into final round of junior chess championship

efending champion

enter the fi-

Couchman defeated Alexander Zhang in round seven before overcoming Woman Candidate Master Aditi Joshi in the eighth round to maintain a perfect record of eight points from as many matches.

Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber remains in contention for the title on 7.5 points. He defeated Jeremy Cole in Friday’s opening round but surrendered his first half-point of the tournament after drawing with Alexander in the afternoon session.

Couchman and Pitamber will meet in the ninth and final round on Saturday at the same venue. Couchman needs only a draw to retain the championship, while Pitamber must win the encounter to claim the title.

Joshi holds third place with 5.5 points after splitting her two matches on Friday. She defeated Kataleya Sam in round seven before losing to Couchman later in the day. Alexander is fourth on 4.5 points following his loss to Couchman and draw with Pitamber. Nicholas Zhang occupies fifth place with 3.5 points after defeating Aiden Tinnie and drawing with Matthew Singh.

Singh is sixth with three points. He defeated Javier Davenand in the seventh round before sharing the point with Nicholas.

Cole and Sam are level on 2.5 points, with Cole ahead on tiebreak. Tinnie and Davenand are also tied on 1.5 points, with Tinnie holding ninth position.

The other final-round matches will see Tinnie face Joshi, Alexander meet Davenand, Singh play Sam and Cole come up against Nicholas.