Guyana Times - Saturday, July 26, 2026

Churches remain a lifeline for the vulnerable –PM tells Baptist Women's Conference

3 wanted for gunning down Cuban national outside GT bar Barabina Hill Agro-Processing Plant gets commercial blender following NTC commitment UG launches 18th annual Reading is Fun programme More than 40 MV Barima victims laid to rest since tragedy

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, July 26 – 14:40h–16:10h and Monday, July 27 – 15:20h–16:50h.

BRIDGE OPENINGS FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny skies are expected during the day, followed by clear skies with intermittent thundery showers at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East-North-Easterly to East-South-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 14:33h reaching a maximum height of 2.15 metres.

Low Tide: 08:02h and 20:19h reaching minimum heights of 0.97 metre and 1.06 metre.

Intl experts, professionals to lead CoI into MV Barima tragedy – Pres Ali – to name panel today

In keeping with a previous commitment by the Guyana Government for an independent probe, a high-level team, comprising top international experts, will be named to spearhead a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the July 18 capsizing of MV Barima, which has resulted in the deaths of 73 persons with another 30 still unaccounted for. This announcement was made by President Dr Irfaan Ali in a video statement on Saturday.

and contributing factors to the disaster, including the loading of the vessel, passenger boarding procedures, conditions on board, the vessel’s seaworthiness, maintenance history, compliance with maritime laws and safety standards, the conduct and competence of the master and crew, passenger management and lifesaving arrangements, as well as the roles of weather, sea conditions and other operational factors. Further, the commis-

“I shall – [today, Sunday] 26 of July, 2026 – announce a five-member team to constitute that commission”, he said.

According to the Head of State, the commission will comprise distinguished experts and professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in relevant fields, including law, marine engineering, maritime safety and disaster investigation.

“The members have been carefully selected for their independence, technical expertise, and proven ability,” President Ali noted, adding that the Commission will determine its own procedures and methods of work. The commission will be tasked with conducting a thorough and impartial examination into the MV Barima tragedy, including the circumstances leading to the capsizing and sinking of the vessel, the response efforts and all other related matters. Among its work will be to identify any shortcomings or failures, recommend appropriate accountability, and propose reforms that will strengthen the safety and reliability of Guyana’s maritime transportation system.

The CoI panel will also have to examine the causes

Editor: Tusika Martin

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After the Barima: A Programme for National Healing

The MV Barima tragedy has left all Guyanese – here and in our diaspora – with more than the unbearable grief of lives lost. It has exposed a wound that extends beyond one vessel, one river, or one region. It has forced us to confront uncomfortable truths about public administration, regulation, maintenance, emergency preparedness and, ultimately, the value we place on human life.

The first duty of a nation in the wake of a tragedy of such magnitude is to mourn. The families and friends of those who perished deserve time to grieve while the communities they were from deserve space to remember. We must not allow the names of those who perished to disappear into the routine churn of political bickering. They should rather be remembered because every one of them represented a future that has now been extinguished.

But mourning alone is not healing, and this necessary process can only begin when a nation determines that such a tragedy must never happen again. First and foremost, this will require accountability – not as vengeance, but as justice. Every decision or refusal to make one that contributed to this catastrophe must be examined without fear or favour. Were inspections properly conducted? Was maintenance deferred? Were safety regulations ignored? Did officials fail in their duties? If so, those responsible must face consequences proportionate to their failures. Forgiveness without accountability is merely permission for repetition.

The second pillar of healing has to be reform. Our nation must undertake an immediate, independent audit of every ferry, stelling and river transport service. Every vessel should meet internationally recognised standards before carrying another passenger. Safety drills, emergency equipment, life jackets and crew training should become routine rather than ceremonial. Modern tracking systems and transparent maintenance schedules should replace guesswork and bureaucratic complacency.

Third, the families affected must not be left to navigate their loss alone. Financial compensation, educational support for surviving children, trauma counselling and sustained social assistance should be guaranteed – not as charity but as a national obligation. The burden of institutional failure should never fall upon grieving households.

But healing also demands honesty from our politics. National tragedies should unite rather than divide us. The Government must resist defensiveness; the opposition must resist opportunism. Neither side honours the dead by converting their memory into partisan ammunition. Vigorous scrutiny is essential, but so too is the maturity to recognise that preventing the next disaster requires cooperation across political lines.

Perhaps most importantly, Guyana must cultivate a culture of safety. Too often we have accepted shortcuts as normal, maintenance as optional, regulations as inconveniences and warnings as irritations. That culture costs lives. Oil wealth, new highways, gleaming hotels and modern infrastructure will mean little if our citizens continue to die because basic standards are neglected. Development is measured not only by what we build but also by how safely our people live.

Finally, there should be remembrance. We suggest that the Government initiate an annual “National Ferry Safety Day”, to be observed in memory of the victims of the MV Barima. This would remind future generations that progress is often written in the lessons purchased at terrible cost. Such remembrance would not dwell on sorrow but reinforce vigilance.

The tragedy of the MV Barima cannot be undone. The families who have buried loved ones cannot have them returned. Yet history teaches that great nations are often shaped by the manner in which they respond to catastrophe. Our nation now faces that test in the wake of our sixtieth anniversary of the commemoration of our independence.

If we emerge with only tears, then the tragedy will have claimed more than the lives aboard the vessel. But if we emerge with safer systems, accountable institutions, compassionate support for the bereaved and a renewed commitment to the sanctity of human life, then those who were lost will have left us a final legacy: a better and more caring nation than the one they departed.

That is what healing should look like.

THE MV BARIMA – a Mercy Ship in 1964

Dear Editor,

The passenger ferry MV Barima capsized and sank off Guyana’s Atlantic coast on July 18, 2026, while on its scheduled voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Approximately 179 people were reported to be on board. The tragedy claimed many lives, while others were rescued, and an official investigation continues into the cause of the disaster.

The MV Barima was far more than a passenger vessel. It was one of Guyana’s most recognisable ferries, serving generations of Guyanese for decades. Built in Scotland in 1939, she arrived in what was then British Guiana at the close of the steamship era, becoming one of the country’s earliest diesel-powered passenger ferries.

She first operated on the Demerara River crossing before being assigned to the coastal and riverine service between Georgetown and Port Kaituma, carrying passengers, cargo, and hope to communities in the North West District.

Port Kaituma itself occupies an important place in history. It is best known internationally as the community nearest to Jonestown, where on November 18, 1978, US Congressman Leo Ryan, members of his delegation, and others were murdered at the nearby airstrip, followed by the tragic Jonestown mass murder-suicide of 914 souls.

Three years ago, my dear brother-in-law, Alan, lost his life while working on the Port Kaituma trail. That personal loss makes this latest tragedy even more heart-breaking for my fam-

ily.

Long before the events of July 18, 2026, the MV Barima had already earned a place of honour in Guyana’s history. During the horrific violence of May 1964, when racial and political hatred engulfed Wismar and Mackenzie, thousands of East Indian residents were forced to flee for their lives as homes were burnt, families were attacked, and entire communities were driven out.

In those dark days, the MV Barima, together with the RH Carr, the Emperor, launches, speedboats, and numerous privately owned vessels, became a fleet of mercy. They transported thousands of terrified men, women, and children from the violence to safety. For many survivors, the MV Barima was not simply a ferry; it was a lifeline, a vessel of compassion amid one of the darkest chapters in Guyana’s history.

After an extraordinary

87 years of service, the old ferry had endured the passage of time remarkably well. In 2017, it underwent a major rehabilitation valued at approximately GY$150.6 million. The extensive work included repairs to the hull, propellers, rudders, twin engines, passenger accommodations, and safety equipment, allowing the vessel to continue serving as the principal ferry on the Georgetown–Port Kaituma route.

Today, that proud vessel rests approximately 50 feet beneath the Atlantic waters off the coast of Guyana. Her final voyage ended before reaching its destination, and many of those aboard never returned home.

The time for answers will come. For now, the priority remains recovery and bringing closure to grieving families. In due course, the vessel should be refloated and subjected to a thorough, independent forensic examination to determine the

cause of this tragedy. The families deserve to know what happened. The people of Guyana deserve those answers as well. Only a transparent and impartial investigation can help ensure accountability, restore public confidence, and provide lessons that may prevent such a disaster from ever happening again. May those who perished rest in eternal peace, and may those who survived find strength, healing, and comfort in the days ahead. May the truth behind this tragedy be uncovered, and may the question of why it happened one day be answered. Above all, may the memories of those who were lost never fade. May their names and faces be forever etched in stone, in our hearts, and in the living history of Guyana so that they will always be remembered with honour, dignity, and love.

Yours sincerely, Dmitri Allicock

The rise of “Grandma Tourism”

By: Ryhaan Shah

No one should be surprised that young people who interface daily and, maybe, all day with the high-tech world of computer screens and Android voices find that they actually yearn for the human touch. So, a whole new world has opened up to what’s being called “grandma tourism”.

Young travellers are looking for tours and classes that are led specifically by older women. One-third of millennials report feeling stressed and find that there is a calming influence when they spend time with the older generation.

A report by tour guide company GetYourGuide shows that 76 percent of Gen Z travellers from France, Germany, the UK, and the US would book a “grandma-inspired” holiday activity like learning to make pasta with a nonna (grandmother) in Italy or hiring Japanese grandmothers as their tour guides for travel in Japan.

For 32-year-old Los Angeles-based fashion stylist Brittany Diego, the maternal warmth she experienced in her nonna-led pasta class was the highlight of her trip to Italy, and several countries are already cashing in on this tourism trend.

French grandmas Mamie Daniela and Mamie Catherine will teach you to bake French pastries; Japanese octogenarian Kayoko, in Tokyo, will teach you the art of making musubi, a Japanese rice and nori sandwich; and, in Australia, Wardandi Bibbulum will share her knowledge of native foods.

In Budapest, Hungary, Zita Pancsovay and her grandmother will serve up a traditional Hungarian dinner as you relax in their home, and tourists can experience Ayurvedic cooking with Grandma Shyama in her home in Kochi, India. Grandma Kate Wright in Galway, Ireland, began teaching tourists how to make Irish dishes like brown bread and stew in her cosy home kitchen.

So why not grandma tourism in Guyana as well? We have nannies and grannies who can help young people unwind and relax with some authentic cooking, craft classes, or storytelling. It would take some enterprising entrepreneur to put together a tour, or tours, of upriver or coastland travel combined with a Guyanese lunch or craft class led by a nanny or granny – and there are many of those around with warmth and humour and with long-time stories to tell and songs to sing – who would do wonderfully well with such an enterprise.

There could be a ready market in the Guyanese diaspora with children and grandchildren who have grown up hearing tales of their parents’ and grandparents’ youthful days back home and wanting to experience the liveliness of a bottomhouse gaff while learning to clap roti or make a pot of cook-up or pepper pot.

Those who have already sought out and experienced grandma-led tourist activities talk about the nurturing care as a key part of the attraction. They find the travel experience more meaningful because of the opportunity to learn directly from those whose knowledge of the particular region and its crafts and cuisine is shaped over a lifetime.

Connecting with women who have learnt their artistry and culinary know-how from their own mothers and grandmothers provides a very special feeling for millennials, who gain a sense of tranquillity just by being away from their work environment with its computers and phones that demand constant attention.

As well as offering feelings of safety and calm, matriarchs pass on knowledge, traditional skills, and local customs that may otherwise be lost, and they also offer younger travellers the confidence to be comfortable in their own skin.

The benefits of this kind of tourism run both ways since being engaged with younger people is good for the older generation’s health and well-being, and psychologist and author Terri Apter, who specialises in family dynamics, identity, and relationships, says that while younger people gain from the grandmothers’ years of experience, the grandmas are also keen to keep busy, share their skills, and pass on their traditional knowledge.

She adds, “Young people will undoubtedly get a very warm reception from older people. Because if you look at phases of development across the lifespan, one need of older age is generativity, which means giving back. Being engaged with and teaching younger people is extremely good for older people’s mood, their health, and their longevity.”

Grandmother tourism allows the younger generation to slow down and experience something that’s hands-on and authentic, and in a world where they are spending more and more time on hi-tech devices, a cooking class or simply spending a day that offers a genuine human touch gives them a chance to switch off and enjoy the warm and inviting human connection they are missing.

Fire sprinkler systems to protect schools, hospitals & citizens

Dear Editor,

I am writing to publicise a matter of critical national importance regarding public safety and infrastructure development in Guyana.

My name is Vishul Ishwaridin, and I am a proud Guyanese citizen and the owner of Fire Sprinkler & Safety Equipment Services, located at 56 Area H, Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

Over the years, our nation has witnessed far too many devastating disasters that have claimed innocent lives. Many of these tragedies could be prevented or mitigated if we simply implement stricter, safer building protocols.

For a considerable time, I have written numerous letters to various Ministries and Government agencies advocating for a vi-

tal policy change: making automatic fire sprinkler protection systems mandatory for all schools, hospitals, Government Ministries, and any commercial or apartment buildings that are three stories and higher. Because I do not know if these official correspondences have reached the relevant authorities, I am turning to the press to ensure this urgent message is heard.

To demonstrate my absolute commitment to a safer Guyana, I have repeatedly offered my company’s installation services completely free of cost, requesting payment only for the physical materials used. I previously offered this service during the construction of the new Good Hope Secondary School and Christ Church Secondary School. The lat-

ter, being a three-storey structure, presents a significant evacuation risk; in the event of a fire, safely evacuating hundreds of students and educators from upper floors is a monumental challenge.

Currently, Queen’s College is constructing a new three-storey building. Once again, I am publicly offering my company’s services free of labour costs to install a fire sprinkler protection system for this building, asking only that the cost of materials be covered.

We must understand the distinct layers of fire safety:

Fire Alarms: Alert occupants to evacuate the building immediately.

Fire Extinguishers: Are vital but only effective against small, localised

fires.

Fire Sprinkler Systems: Automatically extinguish or contain a fire at its very origin, preventing it from spreading and saving both lives and property before emergency services even arrive.

As our country experiences rapid growth and modernisation, our safety standards must evolve accordingly. I stand ready to assist. I would be deeply grateful if the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Education, or the Ministry of Home Affairs would contact me. It would be my distinct honour to contribute to the safety of our great nation and protect the lives of our children and citizens.

Yours respectfully, Vishul Ishwaridin

Guyana NY Consulate commended for vigil for MV Barima victims

Dear Editor, I commend the Consulate General (CG) of Guyana in NY, under the leadership of Ambassador Mike Brotherson, for organising a diaspora prayer vigil on Friday evening in memory of the victims of the tragic MV Barima incident and in support of the families and survivors.

Multiple prayer events were held over the last few days at home and in the diaspora. No harm done! The more, the better. The CG event was official from the Government. One shouldn’t criticise the Government or its missions for organising or supporting vigils.

The Government held several vigils in Guyana, embracing all. Now is not the time for deliberate political rebuke of the Guyana NY CG or of those in Queens organising vigils. Those who organise vigils should not be criticised.

At a time of profound grief and national sorrow, now is not the time for politics or to criticise the Government or its diplomatic missions or Queens-based organisations for holding prayer vigils. From a rhetorical perspective, critics must not employ emotionally charged language – terms such as “puppets”, etc. – to describe vigils in support of the victims of the tragedy.

The Government and its missions don’t have a monopoly on vigils or events. All can hold vigils. But missions must follow protocols and be guided by the Government in organising events that don’t contradict diplomacy or goals and the Barima incident’s objectives. Community organisations are free to hold vigils. Several community organi-

sations held or plan vigils in Queens and one in Brooklyn. There is no evidence that the CG or any NGO organised vigils in response to others. The NY CG waited for Government plans. It can’t act on its own.

The consulate vigil, as indeed others, provided an opportunity for members of the Guyanese diaspora to come together in prayer, reflection, and solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives and with all those affected by this heart-breaking tragedy. Such occasions remind us that, even across borders, we remain united as one people in times of mourning.

The consulate’s initiative, as indeed others, has demonstrated compassion, leadership, and a recognition of the important role the diaspora plays in supporting our nation during moments of crisis. By creating a space for collective remembrance, the Consulate helped foster healing and reaffirmed the enduring bonds that connect Guyanese at home and abroad. There were several speakers, including Brotherson and UN Ambassador Carolyn Birkett Rodrigues. US Senator Chuck Schumer sent a message, and NY Senator Roxanne Persaud of Brooklyn delivered remarks. Pastor Dr Carl Stuart read from the Bible.

National tragedies should transcend political differences and serve as occasions for unity, empathy, and mutual support. The CG prayer vigil reflected these values by bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to honour the lives that were lost and to offer comfort through faith and fellowship. There

were prayers, speeches, and spiritual songs from persons of several faiths, ethnicities, age groups, genders, and geographies of Guyana.

I express my appreciation to Ambassador Brotherson and others involved in planning and coordinating this meaningful event. Their efforts are worthy of recognition and exemplify the spirit of public service, community engagement, compassion, empathy, and care.

As Guyana continues to mourn this tragic loss, it is

my hope that the compassion and unity demonstrated during the vigil will inspire continued support for the bereaved families and reinforce our collective commitment to standing together in times of adversity.

Thanks to all who organised vigils, providing the Guyanese diaspora with a meaningful opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of the MV Barima tragedy.

Yours

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06:00 TVG Devotional Hour

07:00 Ramayan EP 57, 58, 59 09:00 Movie - Elemental (2023) 10:45 Movie - The Sea Beast (2022) 12:45 Movie - The Soccer Football Movie (2022)

14:00 Movie - Gracie and Pedro: Pets to the Rescue (2024)

15:30 Movie - Smurfs (2025)

17:00 Movie - Johnny Puff: Secret Mission (2024)

18:30 Week-in-Review 19:00 Supergirl 20:00 The Flash

Movie - Meg 2: The Trench (2023)

Page Foundation

How can viruses wake up sleeping cancer cells?

Do you know what cancer is? There are many kinds, like skin, lung, and breast cancer. All cancers start

es like influenza (the flu) or the coronavirus SARSCoV-2 might be waking up these dormant cells. But how?

ing machine to count the number of cancer cells in the lungs.

Group 1 Results: Dormant breast cancer

Group 2: The scientists used mice that did not produce IL-6. Again, they infected these mice with the

when cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming lumps called “tumours”. Tumour cells can travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. This process is called metastasis.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Most deaths from breast cancer are due to metastasis. Breast cancer cells can move to the lungs, but they sometimes don’t do much there. These are called dormant cells. This means they don’t divide or grow. They are “asleep”. But these dormant cells can “wake up” and start forming new tumours. This can even happen many years after a cancer survivor has been treated and is in remission. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about why these cancer cells wake up.

Scientists got a hint early in the COVID-19 pandemic. They noticed more people with cancer died than expected. They hypothesised that virus-

These viruses cause inflammation in the lungs and can trigger the immune system. One key player in inflammation is the protein IL-6. IL-6 tells the body there is a problem and recruits other cells to help. These cells include another key player: helper T cells. They help coordinate the immune response and fight off infections. They thought these key players might be involved in “waking up” the cancer cells.

So scientists designed a series of experiments to find out.

Group 1: Scientists used mice with dormant breast cancer cells in their lungs. They infected these mice by placing tiny droplets of the flu or the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 into their noses. They collected lung tissue samples from the mice at three, six, nine, 15, 28, and 60 days after infection. They stained thin slices of the lungs with colourful dyes that highlight cancer cells. They also used a cell-sort-

cells grew quickly in the mice after infection. The number of cells increased 100 to 1000 times within 15 days! Mice without dormant cancer cells showed no change.

influenza virus or coronavirus and studied the lungs at three, six, nine, 15, and 28 days after infection. Then, they compared the results to mice that did have IL-6.

Group 2 Results: Mice without IL-6 had fewer active cancer cells than mice with IL-6. This tells us that IL-6 triggers the dormant cells to divide.

Group 3: The comparison was repeated in the second experiment between mice that had fewer helper T cells and those with a normal number.

Group 3 Results: Mice with reduced helper T cells also had less cancer cell growth in the following days. This tells us that the helper T cells likely prevent the body from fighting back against the cancer.

Scientists found that lung infections like the flu or COVID-19 can make dormant cancer cells wake up and spread. At first,

that infections like the flu or coronavirus can be risky for cancer survivors.

There’s good news, though. We now know that IL-6 and helper T cells impact the behaviour of dormant cells. Scientists can now design medicines to block these signals. Scientists have developed a drug that lowers IL-6. This would prevent the dormant cells from waking up and dividing. But more research is needed to see if cancer survivors can take this safely.

For most people, viruses like the flu or COVID-19 cause only mild illness. But for cancer survivors, these infections can be more serious. Since we can’t always tell who has had cancer,

the flu and breast cancer might seem unrelated. The flu affects the lungs, and breast cancer starts in the breast. But they found that they can be connected. A lung infection can sometimes cause cancer cells in the lungs to grow again. The cancer can also prevent an effective immune response against itself. This may help explain why more people with cancer died during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also tells us

it’s important to protect everyone by following simple health rules. This includes washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough, and staying home when you’re sick. You can also stay up to date on your vaccinations. This gives everyone a better chance to stay healthy.

(Adapted from Science Journal for Kids and Teens)

GBTI records “solid” half-year with 43% growth in taxed profits

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has delivered a “solid” half-year performance, having recorded a 43 per cent increase in profit after tax compared to the corresponding period last year.

In his Half Year 2026 Financial Report, GBTI Chairman Suresh Beharry stated that this result during the first six months of this year is marked by resilient earnings, prudent balance sheet management, and sound capital adequacy.

Apart from the growth in after-tax profits, the bank’s earnings per share (EPS) also rose by 44 per cent, reflecting the continued effectiveness of GBTI’s strategic priorities and the resilience of its operating model.

Moreover, Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) stood at 18.3 per cent during this period, underlining the commercial bank’s focus on efficient capital deployment and sustainable returns.

The GBTI Chairman further reported that strong client engagement continued to be a growth driver, with total deposits increasing to $286 billion – up 13 per cent compared to the prior year.

“This performance underscores the continued confidence our clients place in GBTI and affirms the strength of our client-centric offerings and relationship-focused banking mod-

el,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Beharry said the bank remains optimistic about the outlook for the business.

“Our priorities include sustaining profitable growth, advancing our digital capabilities, deepening client relationships, and maintaining the financial discipline that underpins our performance. I look forward to collaborating with our teams and stakeholders as we continue to evolve GBTI into a more agile, innovative institution, well-positioned for the future,” the chairman posited.

This solid performance for the first six months of this year comes on the heels of GBTI recording another

strong financial year in 2025 with $4.5 billion in profit after tax – an increase from the $4 billion in the previous year.

This result was driven by robust loan portfolio growth of 17 per cent and a further 29 per cent increase in customer deposits throughout the year. With a capital adequacy ratio of 16.42 per cent in 2025, the bank continued to demonstrate solid financial resilience, prudent risk management, and operational strength.

Last year also saw significant progress in GBTI’s digital transformation agenda. The bank launched digital account opening and retail loan onboarding, which further streamlined the customer experience.

In 2025, GBTI also expanded its ATM and POS networks, improving access to banking services across Guyana. “As Guyana’s economy thrives, fuelled by the oil & gas sector and non-oil growth, GBTI maintained its focus on SME financing, cybersecurity, and governance, positioning itself as a trusted partner for businesses and communities,” the Chairman had noted in the 2025 financial report.

He went on to add that beyond numbers, GBTI continues to champion nation-building as it strives not just to shape the future of banking but to redefine it.

This ambition is reflected in the number of new offerings introduced by the commercial bank.

Only in May, GBTI introduced a new mortgage rate structure, starting as low as three per cent. The bank explained that the new rates are designed to make homeownership more affordable for Guyanese families, whether they are buying their first home, building a home, or refinanc-

ing an existing mortgage.

The new rates apply to every loan size, from low-income housing and young professional housing to high-value properties. This move aligns with the Guyanese government’s aggressive housing drive to promote homeownership among Guyanese.

In fact, GBTI has participated in the Government’s low-income housing loan scheme, offering rates of

three per cent per annum for loans up to $4 million; 3.7 per cent for loans between $4 million and $9 million; 4.25 per cent for loans between $9 million and $20 million; 4.75 per cent for loans between $20 million and $40 million; 4.99 per cent for loans between $40 million and $60 million; and between 5.25 and 6.5 per cent per annum for loans of $60 million and above.

Village projects in Santa Aratack creating employment

Santa Aratack is diversifying its economy with several new projects aimed at creating employment and generating income for the community.

Toshao of Santa Aratack, the only Amerindian community in Region Three (Essequibo-Island-West Demerara) Christopher Cornelius said the community has built a training centre “that is going to be funded by forestry to do joinery for the youths and even the elders, and that will bring great support to our village because before we had to come out to the coast to purchase beds and cupboards. We will make it right in there, so that will be a big boost.” The village also used funding from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) for a mechanic shop, while shade houses are being construct-

ed, Cornelious said. He said under his leadership some $13 million was invested in agriculture.

“We are growing our own greens. Our own seasoning right in our village, and I must say I want to thank the farmers from my com-

munity because we are going big into pineapple farming; right now, it’s about 38 acres of pineapple that are supposed to be reaping anytime from August to September.” The Toshao also stated that young people of the village have been

involved in farming, working alongside the elders to carry out the village mandate. They assist in the shade house and poultry-rearing activities.

“Back in the day we didn’t have employment, but as these initiatives come into our community, the villagers get the jobs. We ask the government for most of the things that we could build there so the money will circulate right in the village and the people get work right in the village also,” Cornelius said. Cornelius is confident that his village will continue on the progressive path and create more opportunities for its people.

“You need to open up to investors, to your village, do a proper agreement and employ your people right there,” he urged other village leaders.

Creating… …mayhem

In the wake of the MV Barima tragedy, WPA’s rep in APNU’s Parliamentary delegation, Black Pudding Man Hinds, thundered, “It’s time to make this country ungovernable. The right to resistance is our constitutional right.” While he then insisted his remarks weren’t a call to violence – “There are ways we can protest and resist without killing each other. I don’t want Guyanese killing Guyanese” – he would know that words have histories!!

Every nation has phrases that carry a weight beyond their dictionary meaning. In Guyana, “make the country ungovernable” is one of them. It ain’t just a slogan – it’s a phrase burdened with the baggage of memory!! Now don’t get your Eyewitness wrong – political leaders – even of the four-man, geriatric WPA!! – have every right to organise peaceful protests of Governmental failures and demand accountability. Those are essential features of constitutional democracy.

But responsible politics requires an appreciation not only of what words are supposedly intended to mean but also of how they are LIKELY to be heard!! Guyana has lived through periods – again and again – when inflammatory political rhetoric ignited passions to launch actions acquiring a life of their own!! Many Guyanese still remember that one previous call was followed by disturbances that culminated in attacks on Indian-owned businesses – including their destruction –at Mon Repos Market!! Families who’d spent years building modest enterprises watched their livelihoods disappear in hours. The consequences weren’t borne by Governments or political parties – but by ordinary citizens whose only offence was belonging to the “wrong” community at the wrong moment!!

Whether Black Pudding man intended those outcomes remains politically debatable. What’s beyond dispute is that the emotional and social scars endured long after the speeches had faded!! That history imposes a special responsibility on today’s political leaders. Leadership is measured not only by one’s ability to mobilise supporters but also by one’s ability to restrain them!! It requires language that leaves no room for ambiguity – particularly in a society where ethnic insecurities remain close to the surface and where social media can amplify emotion with frightening speed!!

The tragedy of the MV Barima should unite Guyanese in grief and in demanding answers. It should produce rigorous investigations, accountability where negligence is established, and reforms to ensure such a catastrophe is never repeated. It should not become the catalyst for another cycle of political confrontation in which innocent citizens again become collateral damage.

History is an unforgiving teacher. It reminds us that words can outlive the intentions of those who utter them. Guyana has paid too dearly for political language that outran political control.

Black Pudding Man should’ve learnt by now that while Governments may survive unrest, it’s ordinary people who bear its deepest costs!!

…defence and offence

As soon as your Eyewitness heard about the MV Barima’s sinking, he thought about rescue efforts and asked, “Last December when the US multimillion-dollar Bell 429 and Bell 407 helicopters arrived, the head honcho promised they ‘strengthened Guyana’s ability to respond rapidly to emergencies, provided access to remote hinterland and riverain communities, and supported disaster response, medical evacuation, search and rescue, and other civil operations.’ Where were they for the Barima?!”

They could’ve reached the site of the sunken MV Barima in an hour – and at least dropped life jackets!! Well, he got an answer that there was some problem with the ground power supply unit that had burnt critical parts of both choppers!! But how long ago was this?? When will the choppers be repaired – in case Venezuela attacks?!

But another question arose: where’s that shiny, new GDF Coast Guard Metal Shark 115 Defiant patrol vessel acquired in 2024??

The write-up assured us, “Its adaptable design allows it to effectively coordinate search and rescue or disaster response operations”!!

…confusion

Your Eyewitness noticed APNU’s Parliamentary leader Chicken Man Campbell calling for Parliament to determine the composition of the COI into the Barima tragedy. But how’s this gonna happen with his colleague’s call to “make the country ungovernable”??!!

Govt awards $930M in contracts to 31 village councils

Days after Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced that the Government will be increasing the value of contracts that can be awarded directly to communities, some 31 village councils in the North Pakaraimas are set to receive $30 million each to support the execution of priority works within their communities. According to reports, the projects were identified by the communities and will be implemented directly by them, creating local employment, strengthening community capacity and ensuring that public investments respond to the needs of residents. This initiative is being advanced through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Speaking at the National

Toshaos Council Conference (NTC) on Tuesday, the VP told the gathering that the adjustment will allow villages and communities to undertake larger projects and benefit more directly from Government investments.

“We will raise the limit at the tender board for communities from $5 million to $30 million. We will get this done before you leave so that we can give the village a contract of up to $30 million. In the past, it could have only been $5 million. That will significantly change the level of community participation,” Jagdeo said.

He made the announcement while discussing the Government’s allocation of $10 billion this year for hinterland road infrastructure. He noted that while some of the funding has already been committed to major projects, the increased contracting

threshold creates an opportunity to revisit how a portion of the remaining funds can be allocated and executed. Among the major projects already earmarked for funding are the continued construction of the road from Moruca to Kwebanna in Region One, improvements to the road network from Mabaruma to Wauna and upgrades to key roadways in Region Nine.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that the Government announced that this year, Guyana will invest $3 billion to assist Amerindian families in building new homes and carrying out repairs to existing ones in villages across hinterland communities. VP Jagdeo said the programme will be implemented in collaboration with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and village councils, with oversight committees established to ensure

that the initiative is managed transparently and fairly. He explained that the Government wanted to avoid complaints of favouritism or

exclusion by putting a clear accountability mechanism in place before the programme begins. According to the VP, the allocation of funds among villages will be based on factors such as population size, with further consultation to determine the implementation of the framework.

3 wanted for gunning down Cuban national outside GT bar

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday evening issued wanted bulletins for three men for questioning in connection with the fatal shooting of a Cuban na-

tional outside a business establishment in Queenstown, Georgetown.

Wanted are 33-yearold Olofi De Santos of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara (WBD); 28-yearold Jermaine Castello of Vigilance, East Coast Demerara (ECD); and 36-year-old Rodrick Thomas of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Previously, the Police had stated that four other men were wanted for the shooting that led to the death of 23-year-old Cuban national Dainier Vegas Infante, who worked as a janitor at the business place and lived in Alexander Village, Georgetown. It was reported that the shooting incident occurred between June 30, 2026, and July 1, 2026, when four

males were seen arriving in the area shortly before the shooting. One of the suspects, who was armed with a handgun, reportedly approached two men who were seated outside the business place and engaged them in conversation. Investigators said Infante later exited the building and walked toward the group when the armed suspect allegedly discharged a round in his direction. The Cuban national was struck and fell to the ground.

The gunman reportedly escaped in a motor vehicle along Foreshaw Street, while the other suspects fled separately.

As investigations intensified, ranks of the GPF Command Centre reportedly identified and intercepted a motor vehicle believed to have been linked to the

fatal shooting. A 45-yearold female manager of Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was subsequently arrested and released while the vehicle suspected to have been used in

the shooting was impounded.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the three men is being

urged to contact the nearest Police station or call 911, 227-1611, 268-2328, 2682329, 226-3411, 225-8196, or 227-1159.

4 Road Safety Council members benefit from training

in safe driving practices

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to strengthen road safety awareness and institutional capacity through targeted education initiatives, with the Traffic Education Section of Regional Division Four B conducting a road safety training session for members of the Regional Division Four B Road Safety Council. The session, held on Friday, saw four members of the Road Safety Council participate in discussions aimed at enhancing their knowledge of safe driving practices and traffic safety. Participants received presentations on a range of critical topics, including the principles of defensive driving, careless and dangerous driving, speeding and its consequences, the importance of wearing seat belts, maintaining safe following distances, safe overtaking practices, the dangers of driving under the influence

of alcohol and drugs, driver distractions such as mobile phone use while driving, routine vehicle safety inspections and the importance of courtesy and consideration for other road users.

The Traffic Education Section encouraged participants to become ambassadors for road safety by sharing the knowledge gained with their families, friends, colleagues and communities. The initiative forms part of the GPF’s ongoing efforts to raise public awareness, build institutional capacity, promote responsible road use, and reduce traffic violations and road collisions. The training concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants expressed their appreciation for the informative presentation and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting safer roads within their respective communities.

The Voyage to Demerara

(As I write about my great-grandfather’s journey to British Guiana during the national tragedy of the MV Barima, I note the irony that he set sail from the docks near the Guyana Depot location where Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers [GRSE] is presently headquartered and which, in 2023, built the MV Ma Lisha ferry that was supposed to replace the MV Barima to transport Guyanese between Georgetown and Region One.)

As the Allanshaw reached the open waters of the lower Hooghly, Rambishoon and his fellow immigrants were divided into groups and placed in charge of one of the immigrants who would be their guard (“chowkidar”) and then taken below to the second deck. He and the other single men, several of whom he had travelled with on the train to Howrah Junction, were assigned spaces in the fore of the deck; the married couples with their children were strategically placed between them and the single women at the back. He would sleep on his blanket on the two feet of space that was assigned to him. The ceiling was just five feet six inches, so he was fortunate to be only five feet two inches. The few men who were taller had to crouch when moving around.

From the ship’s records in Guyana, we learn that there were 627 indentured labourers who left India on the Allanshaw in 1888: 385 men, 153 women, 12 boys, four girls, and 73 “infants” (39 males and 34 females under 12 years); one woman died, three men returned to India, and there were three paying passengers. The Allanshaw was a 1589-tonne, three-masted, full-rigged iron sailing ship with a length of 263 ft, a beam of 40 ft, and a draught of 23.0 ft.

She was launched on 29 August 1874, so she was fairly new and supposed to comply with the latest regulations for transporting “coolies”. Yet on an 1883 trip to Australia with “Government immigrants”, it carried 393 “worthy poor” compared to its 1888 trip with 627 coolies. There was absolutely no privacy for anyone. But the separation of the single women and men was rather ironic because, as illustrated in the infamous 1885 trip of the same Allanshaw, when a sixteen-year-old girl, Maharani, was raped by a sailor and subsequently died. This was a recurrent feature of the crossing.

As in the depot, in a gesture to caste sensibilities, meals were prepared (here in the galley/kitchen) as far as practicable by Brahmins but were served on deck to everyone seated together. The meals were very basic peasant fare with rice, flour/chappatis, and dal as staples along with vegetables (pumpkins, yams, and potatoes) cooked in oil or ghee with the spices (turmeric, onions, garlic, chillies, coriander seeds, and mustard seeds) that would define “Indian cooking” in the Girmitiya diaspora. Chura (parched rice), gram/satoo (ground parched channa), and biscuits were dry foods served during rough weather. Six sheep or goats per 100 men were also taken aboard for a fortnightly mutton treat. Small portions of preserved milk were provided to lactating mothers and babies. Overall, the food had improved much since the early days of indentureship, and the main challenge to the immigrants was the confined space and the tossing and turning of the ship on the rough seas.

The earlier high mortality had also been reduced through better food and the services of a ship’s surgeon who was provided with the basic pharmaceuticals of the 19th century. One Indian concoction became “Vicks VapoRub”. The doctor would have been assisted with any births by immigrant midwives (Chamain). Depression was endemic among the Indians as they continued their journey into the unknown. This was assuaged somewhat by those in their midst who were returning to British Guiana after returning to India and were unable to readjust to their old “home”.

Rambishoon landed after 81 days on the “Kala Pani” (the Black Waters) in Georgetown on November 18th, 1888, and disembarked on the 20th and was marched north up Water Street to the Immigration Depot at Barrack Street, Kingston, near the mouth of the Demerara River and next to the lighthouse he had espied when the ship approached land.

While he might have been a boy from the countryside, his exposure to Patna and Calcutta made even Stabroek Market, the new Victoria Law Courts, and City Hall under construction suffer by comparison. In 1888, Water Street still had tramways. It would be the first and last time he saw Georgetown.

Intl experts, professionals...

Moreover, the team will be empowered to determine whether any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty or institutional failures contributed to or caused this tragedy and to recommend any legislative, regulatory, institutional, or operational reforms necessary to prevent a recurrence.

The MV Barima departed the Georgetown stelling at about 15:00h on Saturday, July 18, on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), carrying 179 persons, including 18 crew members – 76 of whom survived the ordeal – and cargo. According to officials, the vessel encountered rough sea conditions off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River late that night.

Survivors have recalled that the ferry began tilting to one side before capsizing, throwing passengers into the water in less than a minute. A distress signal

transmitted at approximately 23:01h was received by aviation authorities, triggering a large-scale multi-agency emergency response that continues. Addressing concerns raised in the aftermath of the disaster, blood samples were taken from the captain and crew members for testing.

Authorities released the results showing positive tests for cannabis and subsequently arrested the captain and two crew members. Another official from the Transport and Harbours Department (THD), which manages ferry services, was also detained as part of the police investigation. Subsequently, the Government, in its initial probe into the tragic incident, uncovered that more people were aboard the vessel than had been recorded on the original passenger manifest.

That information, along with the manifest, was im-

mediately made public. Days after the incident, the Government committed to launching an independent CoI to determine the circumstances that led to the sinking of MV Barima Meanwhile, search and recovery operations are continuing, with divers and other technical experts deployed offshore in an ongoing effort to recover additional bodies. The sunken ferry currently lies on the seabed some nine miles off the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The aim is to have the vessel positioned

on its keel in order to bring it closer to shore where divers can safely enter.

Guyana is receiving support from regional partners, including the French Guiana Army, the Brazilian Navy, and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, which have deployed maritime assets and personnel to aid in recovering the missing persons.

This publication understands that the divers are battling harsh Atlantic conditions but remain adamant in their efforts to continue the recovery operation.

Mangrove coverage has increased by 31% since 2020 – Min Mustapha

– urges stronger waste management to safeguard coastal ecosystems

In observance of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, which will be celebrated on Sunday, the Government of Guyana remains committed to supporting mangrove restoration, coastal monitoring, environmental education and community partnerships.

More importantly, a message from Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha stated that the Government will continue working with the relevant agencies and local stakeholders to improve waste management and strengthen care for mangrove areas.

The Minister, nevertheless, stated that mangroves are part green shield, part nursery and part storehouse for carbon, while adding that they support fisheries and coastal livelihoods, shel-

ter wildlife and stabilise vulnerable shorelines.

He noted that in recent years, nearly $1 billion has been invested in mangrove management and restoration, while mentioning that 11 green-grey infrastructure projects have been completed across Regions Two, Four, and Five, benefiting more than 11,000 persons.

“Mangrove extent increased from 19,616 hectares in 2020 to 25,644 hectares in 2025 – a net gain of 6,028 hectares, or about 31 per cent. Overall gains were recorded in Regions One, Three, Four, Five, and Six. Region Two moved in the opposite direction, declining from 4966 hectares to 3567 hectares, a loss of 1399 hectares,” Mustapha stated in a

missive on Saturday.

Furthermore, the statement revealed that the national total also fell from 24,517 hectares in 2023 to 22,799 hectares in 2024 before rising again in 2025. However, as the coast changes, a nation’s vigilance must change with it. In light of this, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), together with the Mangrove Management Action Network, remains an important institution.

“Science, engineering, policy, and community knowledge must speak to each other. Through the Guyana Mangrove Information System, GuyMIS, we can track changes and guide restoration more carefully. Not every loss is obvious from the roadside. Sometimes the map tells the story first”, the

Minister added.

In addition, the Minister noted that investments must be made in groynes, breakwaters, planting, and monitoring.

“But if garbage is being pushed into drains, canals, kokers, and waterways, we are working against ourselves. Waste discarded inland doesn’t simply disappear. It travels. It reaches the coast. It settles among the roots. We can’t plant our way out of a dumping prob-

lem.”

A 2026 coastal assessment stated that visible waste was recorded at 53 of 60 locations assessed across Regions Two to Six, with plastic packaging being present at 51 of the 53 affected locations. To eliminate the disposal of garbage, it is advised to use approved disposal services. Meanwhile, businesses are also challenged to manage their waste responsibly.

Chief Magistrate leads delegation to Lusignan Prison

Ahigh-level delegation from the Magistracy on Friday visited the Lusignan Prison to gain first-hand insight into the prison environment and to understand the operational and administrative challenges faced by the Guyana

During the visit, the team was welcomed by the Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, who stressed the importance of the collaboration. They were also briefed on the service’s transformational journey.

Prison Service (GPS).

The delegation included Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman, along with the newly appointed Magistrates Ocelisa Marks, Nikkisha Logan, Jimelle Joseph, Shareefah Parks, Taneisha Saygon, and Caressa Henry.

Court Administrator Monique Ifill, Drug Treatment and Mental Health Court Manager Dion Chase, Administrative Officer for the Judicial Service Commission Julianna Hollingsworth and Assistant Protocol and Communication Officer Bhanmattie Ramdial were also part of the delegation.

He further indicated that the system focuses on a correctional approach emphasising rehabilitation, reintegration, and restoring human dignity.

Meanwhile, the Chief Magistrate stated that the magistracy remains dedicated to its collaborative efforts with the GPS.

The delegation received a detailed tour of the facility, including the construction of the new administrative building, virtual courtrooms, a kitchen, a medical centre, a trade shop, housing for prisoners, an intake processing area, and the Command Centre.

More than 170 years after his great-grandparents crossed the Kala Pani as Indian indentured labourers bound for British Guiana, Ashook Ramsaran has transformed his family’s story of survival into a powerful memoir chronicling generations of sacrifice, resilience, and triumph.

Rich with historical insight and emotional honesty, Beyond Expectations: The Odyssey of a Village Boy from Guyana is more than a memoir – it is a testament to how far courage, community, and conviction can propel a life forward, even when the journey begins with almost nothing.

Like his ancestors before him, Ramsaran migrated in search of a better life, ultimately creating opportunities not only for his family but also for the communities in which he lived and served. In many ways, he truly achieved beyond expectations.

This deeply personal narrative weaves together family history, colonial legacy, immigration struggles, racial challenges, professional triumphs, and profound personal loss. At its heart is a tribute to love, partnership, and perseverance – particularly the enduring bond with his wife, Camille, and the devastating loss of his son, Gerry, which reshaped his understanding of faith, success, and legacy.

he book is well organised and presented chronologically, making it both historically informative and easy to read. It chronicles Ramsaran’s remarkable journey from village

life among the sugarcane and rice fields of Guyana to the bustling metropolis of New York City, where he pursued higher education and emerged as a prominent civic leader in New York and internationally.

The memoir opens with a detailed journey map tracing his family’s migration from India to Guyana and later to the United States. It is divided into three parts: The Early Years in Guyana, Settling in the USA, and Civic Leadership.

Interspersed throughout the book are carefully selected photographs that provide visual perspectives at each stage of Ramsaran’s journey, along with a heartfelt tribute to his late son, Gerald, to whom the book is dedicated.

Determined to pursue an education rather than work in the rice fields, Ramsaran famously ran away to school at an early age. He skipped two grades in elementary school and earned a Booker’s Sugar Estates Scholarship, enabling him to attend Corentyne High School.

After a brief stint as a primary school teacher, he worked as a Magistrate’s clerk at the New Amsterdam and Whim Magistrates’ courts. He married Camille (née Ramgoadoo) before leaving for the United States to further his education. While attending university full-time, he worked to support his growing family, which included Camille and their sons; Arnold, who was born in Guyana, and Gerald, who was born

in the US.

Despite limited financial resources and the challenges of raising two young children, Ramsaran and his wife persevered. He later secured a position as an electronics design engineer with a major national company while simultaneously pursuing a master’s degree in engineering through evening classes.

After purchasing their first home in Queens, New York, the Ramsaran family became the target of racial attacks. Rather than relocate, they stood their ground with the support of their community. It was another example of Ramsaran’s determination to persevere and achieve beyond expectations.

He quickly rose through the ranks to become Chief Engineer of a national company, where he designed several major intercommunications products used in healthcare facilities across the US.

His work took him throughout the US, Canada, and Europe, broadening his understanding of history, cul-

ture, and demographics. At the same time, he remained committed to his family, ensuring that both of his sons earned university degrees.

When his employer relocated, Ramsaran founded Ramex, a family-owned manufacturing company based in Queens, New

York. The company developed intercommunications products used at Rikers Island, the World Trade Center, the Washington Metro, and numerous other major facilities. Through innovation, product reliability, performance, and competitive pricing, Ramex successfully competed with

larger national companies.

Seeking a deeper connection with his Indian heritage, Ramsaran became actively involved with the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), eventually serving as its International President.

He currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Queens Civic Congress, and President of the Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) and has held leadership positions in several civic, academic, and healthcare institutions.

He also serves as Chair of the Community Advisory Council at New YorkPresbyterian Hospital, is a board member of St John’s University’s Center for Caribbean and Latin American Studies, and coordinates activities with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Migration.

Among his many contributions, Ramsaran spearheaded the establishment of the Kolkata Memorial in India in 2011 to honour the millions of indentured labourers who departed India between 1834 and 1917. He also initiated the construction of replica memorials in Guyana (Highbury and Monument Gardens), Trinidad and Tobago, and Martinique.

Additionally, he championed the naming of streets in New York in honour of distinguished individuals and institutions, including the late Pandit Ramlall, Pandit Seerattan, and several other notable Guyanese.

Beyond Expectations captures an extraordinary journey from humble beginnings, weaving together a remarkable personal story while preserving an invaluable historical re-

cord for family members, friends, and future generations.

Speaking during the book’s launch in New York on November 23, 2025, Ramsaran reflected on his life’s journey.

“As I reflect on this chapter of my long journey, I am aware that the journey continues – perhaps not in me, but through those I have loved, taught, and walked beside. This record speaks about my travels, but above that, it speaks about what I have tried to hold on to along the way: family, purpose, and memory. I am hopeful that it helps someone find a sense of purpose, whoever he or she is or wherever he or she originated. Then it would certainly be worth it.”

The autobiography was officially launched during a celebratory event attended by family, friends, associates, and elected officials on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Douglaston Manor in Queens, New York. The event was expertly moderated by Guyanese-born Rhonda Binda, former deputy Queens Borough President.

Churches remain a lifeline for the vulnerable – PM tells Baptist Women’s Conference

– urges Christian women to continue strengthening families through faith, compassion

Christian women across the Caribbean are urged to continue using their faith, leadership and compassion to strengthen families and support vulnerable people within their communities. This call was made by Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips during his address to the 42nd General Conference of the Caribbean Baptist Women’s Union, held under the theme “Living the Good News in Communities” at the Ramada Princess Hotel on Saturday. This call was made as he reflected on the deeply emotional period in Guyana, as the nation continues to mourn the lives lost in the MV Barima tragedy. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with every family whose life has been forever changed by this tragedy.”

He said that moments of profound loss often remind people of the importance of family, community and faith, and people often turn to their religious bod-

ies for comfort, reassurance and the strength to continue. Against this backdrop, the PM described the conference’s theme as especially timely and meaningful. He pointed to the Apostle Paul’s message in Romans 12, which calls on believers to demonstrate genuine love, patience, humility, hospitality and compassion while rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.

“These words are instructions for how Christians should live among their neighbours every day, and they are especially meaningful at times such as these.”

Phillips also underscored the longstanding role of churches in caring for grieving families, noting that congregations often continue to provide support long after public attention has shifted. He said church members visit the bereaved, prepare meals, offer prayers, support children who have lost parents and remind hurting families that they are not

alone. Much of this work, he added, has traditionally been led by women.

“For generations, Christian women have helped to shape the moral life of our communities. They have nurtured families, taught children the values that sustain strong societies, cared for the elderly, encouraged young people and extended compassion to neighbours in need.”

The influence of these women, the PM added, is often reflected not in public recognition, but in the lives they have been quietly transformed. He acknowledged the pressures confronting families and young people in modern society, including the rapid spread of information and competing

sion.

“Christian witness has always been strongest when faith is demonstrated through character, integrity and service. The message of the Gospel becomes even more powerful when it

courage mothers facing difficult circumstances, guide younger women through adulthood and help to create the sense of belonging that keeps communities together.

“Every woman who en-

ideas about family, identity, responsibility and human relationships. In this environment, he said, Christians are called to remain faithful to the Word of God while responding to others with grace, humility and compas-

is reflected in our everyday actions.” The PM further highlighted the important role women play as mentors, caregivers and community leaders. He said women frequently recognise when a neighbour is struggling, en-

courages another woman strengthens an individual, a family and, ultimately, the wider society.” The Government’s commitment to ensuring that women have “every opportunity” to contribute ful-

ly to Guyana’s development was also emphasised. He said this commitment is reflected in continued investments in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, skills training and programmes designed to expand opportunities for women throughout the country. Today, he noted, women serve with distinction in public office, the judiciary, education, healthcare, business, agriculture, the security services and several other sectors. He, nevertheless, cautioned that legislation and public policy alone cannot create compassionate and caring communities.

“That work depends upon people, values and individuals who are prepared to care for others, especially when those persons are at their most vulnerable.” He encouraged delegates to use the conference to develop fresh approaches to serve their communities, strengthen their churches, support families and inspire young women to pursue lives of purpose grounded in faith.

More than 40 MV Barima victims laid to rest since tragedy

Since the MV Barima tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 70 adults and children, more than half have already been laid to rest. Over the past two days, communities across Guyana have been plunged into deeper grief as the victims were laid to rest in their respective communities. Perhaps the heaviest burden carried over the past two days was not the weight of the coffins themselves, but the tiny coffins of the tragedy’s youngest victims, whose lives ended long before they had the chance to truly begin. On Saturday, the remains of 3-year-old Alicia Atkinson

a final farewell.

Similarly, the remains of Tiona Sam, her daughter Kishanna Sam and Elizabeth Bowrin were given an emotional farewell too heart-wrenching to come to terms with. Their bodies were interred in the Mabaruma area. In White Water, Region One, relatives and residents gathered to honour Argeny Williams, who perished alongside his reputed wife, Cleriannys Valenzuela, and their daughter, Kelly Williams. The community also paid its final respects to Marcia Beharry and Christiano Rodrigues, whose funeral service was held at the Port Kaituma Hospital. Meanwhile, siblings Justin Murray, Odessa Murray and Annalisa Murray, along with their cousin Rishana David, were laid to rest as grieving relatives and

the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Lawns in Mabaruma. Seventeen-yearold Claibelis Fraser, a resident of Port Kaituma, was laid to rest following a viewing at Carmen’s Funeral Home in Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD),

were laid to rest following a viewing at her family’s residence in Kairuni, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and a funeral service at the Kairuni Assembly of God Church, where her family were regular members. The nation also mourned the

loss of Samara Manoharlall, 5, and Timar Manoharlall, 6, whose deaths left family members and communities heartbroken. In Port Kaituma, two young brothers, Omarius and Orwin Europe, were also laid to rest as relatives and residents gathered to bid them

friends gathered to celebrate their lives. Another funeral service was held in White Water for Leonard Persaud, while Maryann Bernard, 68, was also laid to rest in Port Kaituma one week after the tragedy.

Elsewhere, Dwayne Forbes was buried following a funeral service at

tives. Family members also paid their final respects to Omar Harris, whose son delivered an emotional tribute, describing him as “the best father anyone could ever ask for” as he reflected on their shared memories together. Silence was bro-

MV Barima capsized on July 18, 2026, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people and prompting one of the largest search, recovery, and relief operations in Guyana’s history. Some 30 persons remain missing as divers continue to work to

on Friday. Rona Mendonca was also buried on Friday as loved ones prayed for strength, comfort, and healing. Claiviz Fraser Bastardo was another victim remembered during the period of mourning, with family members and supporters calling for continued compassion and assistance for grieving rela-

ken only by sobs and heartfelt prayers as loved ones gathered to honour 34-yearold Dellon Gaskin, another victim of the tragedy, whose funeral service was marked by emotional tributes from relatives and friends. The

have the vessel brought to shore.

As the nation continues to mourn, communities remain united in remembering those lost while supporting the survivors and families left behind.

UG launches 18th annual Reading is Fun programme

– 1073 benefited since commencement of initiative in 2003

The University of Guyana (UG) Library recently launched its 18th Annual Reading is Fun programme at the UG’s Turkeyen Campus. The literacy-focused initiative, hosted in collaboration with Unicomer Guyana through its Courts Optical division will benefit 95 children between the ages of seven and 11 from surrounding communities, including Sophia, Cummings Lodge, Industry, and neighbouring areas. Running until August 7, 2026, this is the largest cohort since the initiative began in 2003.

Delivering her remarks, Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin celebrated the continued growth of the programme, noting that this year’s enrolment is the highest in its history. She thanked Unicomer Guyana and Courts Optical for their steadfast partnership and commitment to supporting literacy and child development over the years. The VC also expressed appreciation to the parents, guardians, and family members who entrusted their children to the university, as well as the staff and volunteers whose dedication continues to make the programme a success.

Acting university librarian Dr Simone Bernard reflected on the programme’s humble beginnings, explaining that it was born from a simple observation that there were children in Sophia who wanted to read, deserved the opportunity to read, but lacked the support to do so. She noted that university staff, students, and volunteers came together to respond to that need, creating what has since become one of the university’s most cherished community outreach initiatives.

Dr Bernard shared that since its inception, the programme has reached 1073 children from surrounding

communities, many of whom are now young adults carrying forward the skills and confidence they developed through the initiative.

District Education Officer Deborah Hutson reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to promoting literacy across Guyana. She emphasised the importance of reading as a lifelong skill and encouraged parents to continue nurturing reading habits at home while urging the children to take full advantage of the opportunities provided through UG’s programme. She also commended the university and its partners for their continued investment in children’s education.

Brand Manager at Courts Optical, Ricardo Semple, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to read without vision challenges becoming a barrier. He announced that all participating children will once again receive free eye examinations and that those requiring corrective lenses

will be provided with free eyewear.

“No child should miss out on a good story because of eye problems,” he said while encouraging the children to continue reading and learning. He also highlighted the opening of Courts Optical’s newest location at the Royal Mall as part of the company’s continued investment in eye care services. Beyond reading, the programme offers educational excursions, basic computer skills, poetry, storytelling, and other creative learning activities. Trained literacy teachers, together with university library staff and volunteers, guide participants through engaging sessions designed to strengthen reading skills, build confidence, and inspire a lifelong love for learning.

The Reading is Fun Programme remains one of UG’s flagship community outreach initiatives and reflects the university’s commitment to advancing literacy, education and national development through meaningful partnerships and service to communities.

MV Barima tragedy Search & recovery operation continues in “choppy waters” – PM Phillips – bodies of 30 victims are still missing

One week after the MV Barima capsized off the Essequibo Coast with 179 people onboard, the search and recovery opera tions continued on Saturday to locate just about 30 per sons who remain miss ing. Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is leading the Government’s emergen cy response efforts to the MV Barima tragedy, did not give a public update on Saturday. However, when contacted, he told Guyana Times that the diving oper ations continue despite the harsh Atlantic conditions.

“They still continued the diving operations. There has been no additional recovery of any bodies or no progress with the righting of the vessel... It was a difficult day today, and the water is choppy out there,” the PM explained.

The ill-fated MV Barima capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast on the night of July 18 while en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini). As of Friday, the death toll from this tragic boat accident is 73. Of those bodies recovered, 69 had been positively identified, and 63 of them have already been handed over to family members for funeral rites, for which the Government is covering all expenses. The additional bodies found were scheduled to be transported to their respective communities to be laid to rest.

Since Thursday, funeral services have been held across the country for the victims of this tragedy. The

number of people rescued from last weekend’s horrific ferry accident remains at 76. Both aerial and maritime assets have been deployed to continue the search and recovery operations off the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), where the sunken vessel is lying on its side, some nine miles away on the seabed in the Atlantic. The aim is to have the vessel positioned on its keel in order to bring it closer to shore where divers can safely enter. “There is a view that if we right the vessel, that itself may lead to us finding some more bodies,” the PM stated during Friday’s briefing.

Foreign support

Guyana is receiving support from regional partners, including the French Guiana army, the Brazilian navy, and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, which have deployed maritime as-

sets and personnel, including divers, to aid in recovering the missing people. During Friday’s press briefing, PM Phillips indicated that these recovery efforts will continue “for as long as necessary” to not only bring closure to the families who are anxiously awaiting news of their missing loved ones but also to show dignity and respect to those 30 persons who perished in the tragedy and are still unaccounted for. Asked on Saturday how long the foreign teams will remain here to support this recovery mission, the PM told this publication that there was no timeline set for their stays here.

“They didn’t say how long they are here for, but I guess at some stage, we’ll have a meeting and we’ll have to decide... when we’ll stop or [when] the involvement of the foreign teams will stop. So, they’re still here, and they’re still diving,” Phillips posited. This publication understands that the divers, both local and foreign, managed to successfully attach cables and ropes to the sunken ferry on Wednesday. However, those closely involved in the recovery operation explained that when they tried to pull the vessel, the cables and ropes kept bursting. Despite the rough Atlantic conditions and some divers even becoming sick, the teams remain adamant in their efforts to move the vessel. In fact, at least five dives were carried out on Friday, each lasting about 45 to 60 minutes, during which one body was recovered.

Aerial surveillance

Meanwhile, aerial surveillance flights are also continuing to support the extensive search operation, which has been expanded by an additional 32 square miles – westward to Waini Point in Region One and eastward to Adventure in Region Two. Over the past week, President Dr Irfaan Ali has been on the ground at Charity, Essequibo Coast, where the recovered bodies are taken for identification and storage. Addressing anxious family members awaiting news of their missing loved ones, the head of state assured them that every available resource is being utilised in the recovery efforts. President Ali had previously told the families that if efforts to right the sunken vessel into a floating position failed, then a decision would have to be made in consultation with the families on salvaging the wreck. This, he pointed out, however, is a last resort.

“We’re hopeful that we don’t get to that [stage]. If we get to that, all of us together will have to make a decision as to the best option [forward],” the Guyanese leader informed relatives.

The MV Barima departed the Georgetown stelling at about 15:00 on Saturday on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, carrying 179 persons, including 18 crew members and cargo. According to officials, the vessel encountered rough sea conditions off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River late that night.

Survivors have recounted that the ferry began tilting to one side before capsizing, throwing passengers into the water in less than a minute. A distress signal transmitted at approximately 23:01 was received by aviation authorities, triggering a large-scale multi-agency emergency response that continues. Addressing concerns raised in the aftermath of the disaster, blood samples were taken from the captain and crew members for testing.

Authorities released the results, showing positive tests for cannabis, and subsequently arrested the captain and two crew members. Another official from the Transport and Harbours

Department (T&HD), which manages ferry services, was also detained as part of the police investigation. Subsequently, the Government, in its initial probe into the issue, uncovered that more people were aboard the vessel than had been recorded on the original passenger manifest. That information, along with the manifest, was immediately made public and resulted in several managers at the T&HD being sent off on suspension. Meanwhile, the Guyanese Government is preparing to launch an international and independent commission of inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy.

Barabina Hill Agro-Processing Plant gets commercial blender following NTC commitment

Acommercial blender was, on Saturday, handed over to the Barabina Hill AgroProcessing facility in Region One (Barima-Waini), thereby fulfilling a commitment made by the Government during the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, which ended on Friday. The blender was presented to the Chairperson of Barabina Hill, Andre Prince, by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha following a request made on Thursday during an interactive engagement with village leaders at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The agro-processing facility, which was constructed by residents of Barabina Hill, is currently being outfitted with the necessary agro-processing equipment through funding from the Ministry’s Hinterland Development Programme.

It is expected to play a key role in adding value to agricultural produce from the community, with pepper sauce identified as its first product. Speaking during

the simple handing-over ceremony, Mustapha said the blender forms part of the Government’s continued support to further equip and modernise the facility,

allowing it to become fully operational. He also announced that washroom facilities and other necessary equipment and inputs will

be added to complement the processing plant and improve its functionality. Chairperson Andre Prince expressed appreciation to the Minister for responding

promptly to the community’s request and for the commitments made during the NTC Conference.

“I am very thankful for this blender for our processing plant. I thank Minister Mustapha for the fruitful engagement during the NTCC and for all the commitments made for agricultural production. I also want to thank our President, His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, for all the work he continues to put in towards developing this country and for his passion for agriculture, which we see on display every day across the length and breadth of this country,” Prince said.

Prince explained that the community is preparing to begin the production of pepper sauce. Mustapha, on the other hand, related that officers from the Agriculture Ministry will soon conduct training on the proper use of the equipment before production commences.

Trump says Venezuela not ready for elections but has made progress

US aimed to send envoys to Brazil to question electoral system, say sources

US President Donald Trump on Friday told reporters

Venezuela was not ready to hold elections but added that the country had made a lot of progress under acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

Last month the ruling party and opposition members met for the first time since the two sides signed a deal to hold 2024 presidential elections.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accused of rigging the vote, was seized by US forces in January. Washington left the Government in place without announcing plans for free elections.

"As far as the elections in Venezuela, they're not re-

ally ready for them yet, but boy, a lot of progress has been made. Delcy's been doing a fantastic job," Trump told reporters in the White House.

Trump said that when the country was ready for a vote, "we're going to be standing right on top of it" (Reuters)

Costa Rica captures top fugitive "Diablo", wanted by US

Costa Rica has captured its most-wanted fugitive, known as "Diablo", who was wanted by the United States for alleged drug trafficking, authorities said.

Alejandro Arias-Monge, 41, was caught Friday during an hourlong struggle that injured six Costa Rican federal agents, Costa Rican officials said. Two others were arrested, and weapons, including high-powered firearms, were seized at the scene.

One of the federal agents remains in serious condition, officials said.

"This operation is an example of the intense work carried out by the judicial power to eradicate crime in the country," Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Organization said in a social media post.

The US State Department placed a $500,000 bounty on AriasMonge last year, identifying the alleged drug trafficker as the leader of a violent transnational criminal organisation responsible for smuggling drugs into the US.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, his organisation, which operated across all seven provinces of Costa Rica, smuggled narcotics from Colombia through Honduras and Guatemala to Mexico, with the US as the final destination.

He has several Costa Rican warrants out for his arrest.

Arias-Monge and members of his syndicate allegedly used social media to post violent photos and videos of murders to threaten the local population, according to the DEA.

Local media reported that Arias-Monge had been a fugitive since 2016 and is believed to be responsible for up to 100 deaths. (CBS News)

Colombian islands caught up in Trump’s “drug war” airstrikes

At least 16 fishers from San Andrés and Providence are said to have gone missing since January, after the US began bombing speedboats allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific. Because of the islands’ strategic location northwest of mainland Colombia between South and North America, young seafaring-skilled men of San Andrés and Providence have for years been recruited by groups moving cocaine produced in Colombia northwards, often as far as the US.

They are members of the Raizal people, shaped by different waves of set -

tlement over the centuries, but above all, defined by their African heritage.

Although the involvement of young Raizal men in drug trafficking is not new, residents agree it is growing and has acquired a dramatic dimension.

A spokesperson for US Southern Command, which conducts the airstrikes, said it “does not comment on specific operational details" but added: “We have no information of any strikes, operations, seizures, or arrests involving residents of San Andrés or Providence.”

President of the main local association of fishers Edgar Jay Stephens does not rule out the possibility

the US was involved, given they have recently denied responsibility for other bombings in accounts that lawmakers, experts, and academics have criticised as inconsistent.

“Those people [the US military] could mistake us for traffickers and bomb us. We’re living with fear,” said Robinson, who is the son, grandson, great-grandson, and greatgreat-grandson of fishers. “It goes back through our ancestors," said Ling Jay Robinson, 38.

The airstrikes have killed 215 people since September in what the UN has condemned as “extrajudicial killings”. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Brazil has denied visa requests for two Trump Administration officials who planned to travel to the country to cast doubt on the integrity of its electoral system, two Brazilian officials with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Saturday.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the US plan represented an attempt to shape Brazil’s October presiden-

tial election, in which leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will face Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, a Trump ally.

Brazil denied the request for visas on Friday to the US delegation, which would have included Assistant Secretary Riley M Barnes from the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, and also Samuel Samson, a deputy assistant secretary, the Brazilian officials said.

The rejection was based on "evidence pointing to a renewed attempt to politically exploit the situation and undermine the electoral system", one of the officials said. The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, also did not respond on Saturday to a request for comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US slaps T&T with 10% tariff; deemed to be importing goods produced with forced labour

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) is among 17 countries facing new US tariffs as the Trump Administration imposed fresh duties on imports from 60 trading partners after it stated that the countries had not adequately enforced a ban on goods produced with forced labour.

Contacted on the issue yesterday, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo said the Government was in talks with the US concerning the tariffs. However, he pointed out that the Government did try to address the forced labour issue through legislation.

The Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs is dismissing reports that T&T has been placed on a list of countries facing higher tariffs on exports to the United States, saying the country instead secured the lowest tariff rate imposed under a major US trade investigation.

In a statement last night, the Ministry said T&T has not been subjected to a 12.5 per cent tariff by the US. Instead, it said the tariff ap-

plicable to local exports has been reduced from 15 per cent, announced in August 2025, to 10 per cent following months of engagement with US officials.

The clarification came amid reports that T&T was among countries facing increased tariffs under a United States Trade Representative (USTR) Section 301 investigation.

According to the Ministry,

the US launched the investigation on March 12, 2026, into its 60 largest trading partners to examine whether their laws and practices adequately prohibited the importation of goods produced with forced labour. While T&T was not specifically targeted, it was required to participate because it falls within the top 60 US trading partners.

(Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)

Minister Dwayne George declares Antigua Carnival 2026 open

Minister of Sports and Creative Industries Dwayne George officially declared Antigua Carnival 2026 open on Saturday, marking the start of the country’s annual festival with the opening of Carnival and T-Shirt Mas.

The opening celebrations began at 14:00h and continue until 21:00h with an official ceremony on Parliament Drive before revellers took to the streets for T-Shirt Mas.

According to the official parade route, floats, steel bands, cultural characters and contestants assembled on Parliament Drive for the opening ceremony. T-Shirt Mas participants started near the TN Kirnon School on Old Parham Road before making their way along Simon Bolivar Drive,

Factory Road, Parliament Drive, Queen Elizabeth Highway, Independence Avenue, Redcliffe Street, Thames Street and High Street before returning to Old Parham Road.

The official Carnival schedule shows celebrations continuing through August 4, with major events including Junior Carnival on July 26, Rhythm Court Vibe on

July 27, Patrice Roberts’ I Am Woman concert on July 28, Caribbean Melting Pot on July 30, the Cavalier Rum Calypso Monarch on July 31, Panorama on August 1, J’Ouvert and Monday Mas on August 3, and the Parade of the Bands and Last Lap on August 4. Antigua Carnival 2026 is being celebrated under the theme “Feel the Rhythm".

Around the World

Head of Hamas-led Police in northern Gaza killed by Israeli strike

The head of the Hamasled Police force in northern Gaza has been killed by an Israeli air strike, while other attacks have claimed the lives of five more Palestinians, the Hamas-run interior ministry and medics said.

Brigadier-General AbdelNasser Al-Maqadma, who also served as Governor of northern Gaza, was targeted in the Sheikh Radwan area north of Gaza City on Saturday. The Israeli military said he had also been a member of the military wing of Hamas.

Later on Saturday, another air strike on Khan Younis killed high school student Khaled Al-Breim.

Relatives said he was killed as he sought to bring sweets to distribute to relatives and friends who had flocked into his family home to offer their congratulations as he had just concluded high school

and was preparing for university.

Yet another death was a Policeman who was wounded by an Israeli strike last week and died from his injuries on Saturday.

In recent months, Israel has killed dozens of members of the Hamas-led Police force, alleging that many were tied to Hamas’ armed wing and represented an active threat.

Hamas accuses Israel of deliberately targeting the

force to destabilise the enclave, calling it a further breach of the US-brokered ceasefire reached in October.

The ceasefire deal has been mostly ignored by Israel. Since the truce agreement was signed, Israeli attacks have killed more than 1180 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Over the same period, four Israeli soldiers have been killed in attacks in Gaza. (Al Jazeera)

12 dead in attack on holiday camp in Ukraine, officials say

Twelve persons were killed, including five children, in an overnight drone attack on a holiday camp in a Russian-held part of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-installed local authorities said on Saturday, accusing Ukraine of deliberately attacking civilians.

Nineteen persons were wounded in the attack on the resort area of Kyrylivka, located on the coast of the Sea of Azov near the town of Melitopol, said Russianappointed Governor Yevgeny Balitsky.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Ukrainian drones carried out the attack on “sleeping people” at the camp. She denounced “inhuman crimes”, also referring to an attack on a factory in Russia’s Kirov region on Thursday, killing six.

A video posted online of

the holiday camp showed shattered buildings, burntout cars and a pile of rubble next to a swimming pool.

Balitsky said crews from Russia’s Emergencies Ministry had extracted two survivors, including a child, and recovered another body from the rubble. He added that rescue operations had been completed.

“The enemy saw and understood who it was target-

ing,” he said on the Telegram messaging app.

Balitsky said authorities in Kyiv were “ignoring any norms of morality and deliberately destroying the civilian population – adults and children”.

Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a terrorism case in response to the attack, the Russian state news agency RIA said. (Reuters)

Substance found in van of man killed by ICE tested negative for drugs

Asubstance found in the work van of a Mexican immigrant killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent has tested negative for illicit drugs, the top prosecutor in Houston said Friday, refuting claims by federal officials that the vehicle likely contained meth.

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a construction worker, was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Houston on July 7. ICE has maintained Salgado Araujo “weaponised” his vehicle during an attempted traffic stop, prompting an agent to shoot him in self-defence.

Roughly a week or so after the killing, the FBI submitted an affidavit in federal court saying it suspected that the van Salgado Araujo was driving contained methamphetamine.

But on Friday, the office of Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said the test results had come back negative.

Teare’s office said it would not be providing more details on the test results, citing an ongoing investigation.

Friday’s findings are consistent with statements by representatives for the Salgado Araujo family, who

had maintained the substance in question was likely granulated salt used by construction workers to create a homemade electrolyte mix to brave the summer heat.

The FBI and ICE’s internal oversight office are both reviewing the July 7 shooting, though federal officials launched the investigation as one looking into the potential assault on an agent. Teare’s office is conducting its own probe, and he told CBS News he’s “more than prepared” to prosecute ICE agents if he finds criminal wrongdoing on their part.

(Excerpt from CBS News)

India’s “cockroach” protest called off after Education Minister quits

India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called off its fiveweek-long protest, hours after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.

An online satirical campaign with an AIgenerated cockroach as its mascot, the CJP is not a real party but has evolved into a powerful platform for young people’s anxieties and dissent.

The CJP was formed after the chief justice of India described some unemployed young people turning to journalism and activism as “cockroaches”.

The CJP quickly gained a huge following online, turning one of the most reviled insects into a symbol

of defiance and resilience with 26 million followers on Instagram.

It called for reforms to India’s education system, greater accountability over exam paper leaks and the resignation of Pradhan, who announced his resignation on X in a post in Hindi saying he “respected the aspirations, dreams, and expectations of the youth” and was “pained by the events” of the past few days.

As news of Pradhan’s resignation broke, a visibly emotional Abhijeet Dipke, CJP’s founder, screamed from the makeshift stage at Jantar Mantar: “We have done it!”

After ignoring the protesters for nearly five

weeks, Modi finally broke his silence on Thursday to say they had “decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks”.

And later that night, Modi posted a video message saying that a tough new law on examination paper leaks was being prepared.

Following Pradhan’s resignation, Dipke said in a statement on X that the fight was not over yet. He said they would continue to fight for the families of students who died by suicide after a key medical exam was cancelled to ensure they received compensation. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Wildfires force evacuations outside Bordeaux after 1st death

Wildfires on the coast of southwestern France moved inland towards Bordeaux on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of thousands in the city’s suburbs, while blazes across the border in Spain caused their first death.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated in both countries because of those fires, the latest natural disasters linked to sustained dry spells and successive heatwaves that scientists say have been exacerbated by climate change.

“The fires that are hitting our country have reached a level that has never been seen before,” French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X.

So far this July, high temperatures have averaged 32.2 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) in the region of France hit by the fires, which is 7.3 degrees Celsius (13.1 degrees Fahrenheit) above the month’s average high between 1961 and 1990, according to data on Reuters Climate Monitor.

“We expect a fight that will be long and very difficult,” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez later told reporters.

France’s armed forces have been drafted in to help overwhelmed fire brigades. On Saturday afternoon an A400M military transport aircraft, the biggest in France’s fleet, joined the effort by dumping liquid over a flame-hit forest, Reuters TV footage filmed from a helicopter showed. (Excerpt from Reuters)

1 killed, 15 injured after van crashes into crowd at Berlin

pride parade

Avan has ploughed into a crowd at Berlin’s annual LGBTQ+ pride parade, killing at least one person and injuring about 15, Police said, leading them to call off the event hours after it had begun to protect participants.

Police called on everyone to leave the event, one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, immediately, in a post on X.

The driver of a white van had swerved shortly before 22:00h into the Tiergarten park, close to the route of the pride march earlier Saturday, and struck several people on a walking path.

Emergency services personnel set up a helicopter landing pad near the Reichstag parliament building nearby to transport the injured to hospitals.

Organisers of the parade and rally used social media to call on participants to evacuate the site for their own safety. A mes-

responders

sage on their Instagram story read in English and German: “Event cancelled” and “Please leave the venue calmly and orderly.”

Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in the German capital in warm summer sunshine to celebrate the pride parade. It is known in Germany as Christopher Street Day (CSD), named after the site of the Stonewall Inn in New York City, where riots against Police raids touched off the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. CSD was first held in West Berlin in 1979. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (MAY 21June 20)

CANCER

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Use your imagination and have fun. Social, creative and entertainment pastimes will help you stretch your mind and find interesting outlets for your skills, attributes and heart’s desires. Home improvements that offer you space or more time to do something that excites you or brings in additional income will increase your awareness regarding possibilities.

Refrain from overdoing it or making promises you cannot deliver. Focus more on what you can do. Trying to buy someone’s attention will lead to being taken advantage of. If kindness, consideration, affection and equality don’t attract someone, you may be wasting time. Pay more attention to self-improvement and to feeling good about yourself.

Keep your life simple. Don’t get involved in other people’s business. Concentrate on the things you enjoy doing most. Avoid anyone looking for a fight or trying to manipulate you. Put your time and effort into learning something and making a difference to a cause that concerns you. Competitive situations can lead to injury.

Size up situations, and react accordingly. Be ready to hit the reset button if someone you are counting on reneges. Don’t take a risk, but don’t miss out because you are slow getting started. Having a backup plan is in your best interest. An emotional matter can escalate quickly if you think with your heart instead of your head.

Push for what you want. Be the one who steps up, asks for assistance and makes the world a better place. Your enthusiasm and hands-on help will set you apart and make you the go-to person. When in doubt, ask an expert. It’s better to be factual and eager to learn than to guess or think you know everything.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

Stick to what you know and do best. Don’t get involved in situations that pose a health risk or put you in a vulnerable position. Protect your reputation and your job, and use your intelligence when dealing with financial, legal and medical situations that can cost you. Pay attention and protect your emotional wellbeing from manipulative people and situations.

Consider what you want, how much you know and what you must do to take advantage of an opportunity that interests you. Conversations will change your perspective and the decisions you make moving forward. Be aware that someone may offer an emotional point of view rather than facts. Do your due diligence before you proceed.

Look for answers. Wanting to accommodate others is honorable; however, if you detect that someone is taking advantage of you, back away. Don’t pay for someone else’s mistakes. Your best path forward is to offer solutions, not do the work for someone who needs to learn a lesson. Personal growth and self-improvement will serve you well.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Focus on your surroundings and how to make your life easier without overspending. Have patience, and do what you can yourself. Nurture meaningful relationships, but don’t put up with someone’s lack of respect. Put yourself first and do something that boosts your ego and encourages you to be with someone worth your time and effort.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

PISCES

(Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Emotional mix-ups will require your attention before situations get blown out of proportion or cost you. Pay more attention to what you have and what you are willing to give up before you negotiate a deal based on emotions. When in doubt, step back and take care of your needs.

Put your energy where it counts, and make lifestyle changes that make you feel good about who you are and what you can do. An opportunity to form a personal or professional partnership is favored. Get out, socialize, do things you enjoy and see where it leads. A shared space or additional income is apparent.

Talks will help decide what’s best for you emotionally. Listen carefully, and don’t be afraid to make your needs clear if you want them to be met. A job prospect or proposal may sound better than what’s intended. Be bold, ask questions and get what you want in writing to avoid disappointment. Romance is in the stars.

Hodge leads WI’s progress on truncated 1st day

ing off Jamal and Pakistan’s debutant spinner Ali Usman. It was a punch off Usman that penetrated the covers for a boundary that gave Hodge his half-century, his steely raise of the bat making clear he understood the job

The final session turned into something of a grind, with Hodge and Hope showing they were up for the challenge. Pakistan never really let the wheels come off, continuing to probe, but the support the condi-tions had offered them earlier began to recede, as, conse-

quently, did the wicket-taking threat. Babar found himself continuing to need to turn to Abbas and Ali, who the batters had the discipline to treat with the requisite respect.

Not a single boundary was scored in the final session before the light began to fade, but both sides

ap-peared to understand the battle for control of the game would invariably extend to the following day.

A stalemate descended upon the dying passages of play, with the hosts having edged Pakistan, who were aware they had not let the day slip decisively away.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Kishan, Tilak's blazing knocks help India seal series

and death overs. Eventually, India's 219 for five was 90 too many for the hosts, Brian Bennett's 32 up top being the highest score of their innings. India tried out as many as seven bowling options, main-

pulling anything remotely short.

When the ball was floated fuller, he backed away to loft it over mid-off repeatedly. Left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava was taken for four,

four, six, and four in his very first over, but he was reward ed for sticking to the shortball ploy as Sooryavanshi miscued a pull to mid-on, India 29 for three overs.

Kishan takes charge Kishan didn't take long to find his range, peppering boundaries in the arc between deep mid wicket and deep square leg with pull shots against the fast bowlers. Then, with spin introduced, Kishan showed his range by driving imperiously through the covers or using the pace to play the delicate game behind square.

He was comfortably the aggressor during his 66-run stand with Shreyas Iyer that ended when the India captain cut one straight to backward point. Kishan got to his half-century off 31 deliveries before changing the tempo by muscling his first six off Brad Evans in the 13th. Then in the 15th over, he took Raza for 21 by repeatedly using the depth of the crease to pull and then step out to bludgeon a monstrous six over deep midwicket.

Tilak finds his tempo Tilak's numbers against

the very be- ginning, he wasn't risk-averse, as his attempt to throw Blessing Muzarabani off his length by playing the scoop suggested. What really looked pristine, though, was his off-side strokeplay, particularly while using the pace to pick gaps behind point.

He used this to pick three fours in a row off Muzarabani in the 14th to race to 23 off 12. When bowlers tried to cut off that side of the ground, Tilak was quick to walk across and fetch length balls from outside off using his long levers and belt them wide of long on and over cow corner.

The shot of the innings was the one off Ngarava. Having tricked the bowler into believing he would shuffle, he stood his ground and cleared his front leg to swing over longon. One ball later, he raced to

managed 31 off the last three, with some help from Rinku Singh, to finish with 219.

Bennett's hit-or-miss knock Bennett should have been out in the very first over of the chase when he got a nick through to Kishan, except no one appealed. One ball later, he smashed debutant seamer Yash Thakur straight to extra cover, where Tilak put down a sitter. Bennett then raced to 32, but Thakur wasn't to be denied for long as a slower delivery had Bennett toe-ending a scoop to Kishan behind the stumps. Thakur would later return to clean up Tadiwanashe Marumani with an off-cutter.

Prince hobbles off; Abhishek makes merry Off his first delivery, Prince had Ben

Curran get a thick outside edge to deep third for 1. And in his second over, the sixth of the innings, he had Raza nick a hard-length delivery as he attempted to drive on the up. He wouldn't bowl another ball after pulling up from his delivery stride by clutching his left hamstring. He had figures of two for 10 off 1.2 overs and didn't return for the remainder of the game.

That meant India had to employ Abhishek Sharma for a few overs, and he more than made it count by taking wickets towards the end as batter after batter kept slogging and finding the fielders. He finished with three for 17 to round off a day he would have liked to have contributed more with the bat. (ESPNcricinfo)

Norris takes Hungary pole as Mercedes domination ends

Formula One world champion Lando Norris put McLaren on pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday to end Mercedes' qualifying domination.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, chasing his first pole since Hungary 2023, missed out by a mere 0.012 seconds after Norris's lastlap effort and was then demoted three places by stewards for impeding Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri.

That lifted Ferrari's Charles Leclerc from third to the front row.

Mercedes Formula One leader Kimi Antonelli, fourth at the chequered flag, would have moved up to third place, but he was also handed a three-place drop for speeding while yellow warning flags were waved and is set to start seventh.

It was the first time this season, in the 11th round, that Mercedes had not secured pole for a grand prix.

Mclaren benefit from car upgrades

"Very happy to be back on top," said Norris, last year's winner in Hungary who now has a strong chance of repeating the feat at a circuit where overtaking is expected to be tricky with the new era of engines.

"It's been tight the whole weekend, but we seemed quick from the first laps we did, and we

brought a few upgrades.

I’m in the best position for the start. But these guys [Ferrari] get good starts and have been fast all season."

Leclerc, who won at Silverstone and was second in Belgium last weekend, will be the immediate threat to Norris, with last year's runner-up Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen on the row behind with Hamilton fifth.

Antonelli, the championship leader with six wins and 45 points clear of closest rival Hamilton, will now be behind teammate George Russell, who starts sixth.

Hamilton, chasing a record-stretching 10th pole at a circuit where he has also won a record eight times, was fastest after the first runs but was unable to make that stick as Norris put in a final flying effort.

The 41-year-old was

then summoned by stewards, with the conversation turning to damage limitation.

"I didn’t know he was coming," Hamilton said of Piastri. "I thought everyone had finished their lap. It wasn’t intentional.”

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said it was the team's mistake, with Hamilton not receiving the radio message in time.

Verstappen spun at the end, forcing Antonelli and teammate George Russell to slow as yellow flags were waved – but not enough in the Italian's case.

"The yellow flag came while I was entering the corner, so I tried my best to lift. I did lift but gave up quite a bit of minimum speed compared to before. It was a shame," said the 19-year-old.

Another blow for Russell

Antonelli's penalty gave an unexpected boost

surfaced.

"We lost water pressure, and I had a water leak. When I stopped on track, the car was

a load of water. We don't know where it's come from. Fingers crossed it doesn't affect anything for tomorrow," he said.

Visually impaired camp participants enjoy golf experience at Westside Golf Course

Westside Golf Course welcomed 32 children who are blind or visually impaired, along with support staff, for a special golf outing as part of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) Independent Living Skills Day Camp.

The camp was organised by GCOPD in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, United Women for Special Children (UWSC), and ExxonMobil.

Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of golf by coaches from the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy using adapted teaching techniques designed to make the sport accessible to everyone.

The children enjoyed lunch and snacks and even took part in a lively game of blind cricket on the grounds. GCOPD organiser Ganesh Singh thanked Guyana Golf Association President Aleem Hussain and the Westside Golf Course team for their continued support.

"Mr Hussain and our or-

ganisation first partnered several years ago, and it is encouraging to see his continued commitment to programmes that create opportunities for persons with disabilities," Singh said.

Hussain reaffirmed the Guyana Golf Association's commitment to making golf inclusive and accessible, noting that the association will continue to partner with organisations that use sport to promote confidence, independence, and equal

opportunity for all.

Westside Golf Course continues to serve not only as Guyana's premier public golf facility but also as a hub for community engagement, education, and inclusive sporting opportunities. The success of the day's activities highlighted the power of partnerships in creating opportunities that promote confidence, independence, and social inclusion for all.

Tyrell, Persaud tested by strong Commonwealth fields

Guyanese swimmer

Delroy Tyrell faced a stern test against a quality international field when he finished fifth in Heat One of the men's 50m freestyle at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday.

Competing at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Tyrell clocked 24.98 seconds to place fifth in his heat, finishing 1.13 seconds behind the winner.

Malaysia's Singh Chahal Arvin Shaun topped the heat in 23.85 seconds, while Pakistan's Asif Hamza and Sri Lanka's Mohamed Fidhyan Muhammad shared second place after both stopped the clock at 24.17 seconds.

Gibraltar's James Sanderson was fourth in 24.76 seconds, narrowly edging Tyrell for a higher placing.

seconds.

Although Tyrell was unable to challenge for one

leading positions in a highly competitive race, the performance provided another valuable opportunity to compete against elite swimmers from across the Commonwealth.

His outing forms part of Team Guyana's campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where the nation's athletes continue to gain invaluable experience while representing the Golden Arrowhead on the global stage.

In the event the day before, Team Guyana's Aleka Persaud continued her campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, producing a determined effort to finish sixth in Heat Three of the women's 50m freestyle.

Competing against a strong international field, Persaud touched the wall in

29.24 seconds, placing sixth in her heat, just 1.27 seconds behind the winner. Namibia's Jessica Olive Twapewa Humphrey won the heat in 27.97 seconds, while Belize's Davia Richardson finished second in 28.86 seconds. Guernsey Molly Staples claimed third in 29.10 seconds, narrowly ahead of Uganda's Namutebi Kirabo, who was fourth in 29.12 seconds.

Jersey's Megan Hansford finished fifth in 29.21 seconds, only three-hundredths of a second ahead of Persaud in what proved to be a closely contested race through the middle of the field.

Barbados' Toria Alleyne placed seventh in 30.13 seconds, while Antigua and Barbuda's Aunjelique Liddie completed the field in 31.67 seconds.

Guyana faces crucial final group stage tests in 3x3 at Commonwealth Games

Guyana's men's 3x3 basketball team will wrap up its Commonwealth Games group stage campaign on

Sunday with two pivotal encounters against Nigeria and 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallists Australia in Glasgow,

Scotland.

With a place in the medal rounds still within reach, Guyana must finish among the top three teams

Guyana’s mixed archery team starts CAC Games

Guyana’s target archery athletes Devin Permaul and Roshini Boodhoo have completed their qualification rounds at the XXV Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo on Friday, July 24, 2026.

In their individual recurve quests under sweltering conditions and high humidity, Permaul is seeded 25th in the Recurve Men event. He will move to the next phase of the competition, the elimination round matches, where he will face eighth-seeded Adrian Muñoz Rodríguez of Puerto Rico in the Round of 32.

While Boodhoo, seeded 29th in the tournament, will take on fourth seeded and world number six ranked Ana Paula Vázquez Flores of Mexico. The

matches will be contested under the World Archery Olympic set system, with the first archer to reach six set points advancing to the next round.

Travelling with the athletes is National Head Coach Ryan McKinnon, who, together with President of the Federation Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, praised both athletes for their hard work and preparation leading up to this point.

Archery Guyana’s president said, "Devin and Roshini have worked tirelessly to reach this level of competition. Qualifying for and now being able to represent our nation, Guyana, at the Central American and Caribbean Games is an achievement in itself, and we are proud of their dedication and commitment. We wish them every success as

they compete against some of the world’s best archers.”

Both athletes will next compete on Sunday July 26, 2026, with Boodhoo shooting at 14:00h and Permaul at 15:30h local time. The live scoring can be followed online at www.ianseo.net.

Archery Guyana extends its best wishes to both athletes as they shoot under the Golden Arrowhead on one of the region’s biggest sporting stages. We know this is a difficult time for our nation as we mourn the loss of lives on the MV Barima. In this time of grief, we hope that participation in sport will provide comfort, healing and unity as we stand together as one nation.

Many positive wishes and energy from Guyana to our archery team as you continue your quest.

in their group to advance to the knockout stage. Failing that, they will continue their campaign in the tournament's classification rounds.

The quartet of Captain Travis Belgrave, Anish Ramlall, Kevin Mickle, and Christian Hinckson has experienced a rollercoaster debut at the Games, producing determined performances despite facing some of the competition's strongest teams.

Guyana opened its his -

toric campaign with a spirited display against hosts Scotland, controlling much of the contest before eventually going down 21-14.

The defeat was followed by a difficult outing against New Zealand, who showcased their class in a commanding 21-3 victory.

However, the Guyanese responded in impressive fashion in their third group match, creating history with the country's first-ever Commonwealth Games victory in 3x3 bas -

ketball.

Captain Travis Belgrave delivered the decisive moment, knocking down the game-winning basket as Guyana defeated the Cayman Islands 22-17 to reignite its hopes of progressing beyond the group stage. That landmark win has given the team renewed confidence heading into Sunday's decisive fixtures, where they will be aiming to upset Nigeria and Australia to secure a coveted place in the medal rounds.

Garcia’s late strike sends Slingerz into CFU Club Shield quarter-finals

Derrel Garcia scored a dramatic injury-time winner as Guyana’s Elite League champions Slingerz Football Club (FC) defeated Trinidad and Tobago’s Prison Service FC 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller to advance to the quarter-finals of the Caribbean Football

Union (CFU) Club Shield. The 19-year-old Trinidadian midfielder struck in the fourth minute of added time to complete a spirited comeback by Slingerz in their roundof-16 encounter in Trinidad and Tobago.

Kemar Beckford continued his strong goalscoring

form with another brace, while Neron Barrow and Garcia also found the net for the Guyanese club.

Beckford gave Slingerz the lead in the 17th minute, but Prison Service responded through Paul Ronell in the 32nd minute before Ezekiel Kesar struck seven minutes lat-

GFF Elite League returns for exciting 8th season

Guyana’s premier men’s club competition will return on August 29, 2026, as the Guyana Football Fed-eration (GFF) Elite League kicks off its highly anticipated eighth season.

The new campaign follows a landmark Season Seven, which attracted more than 27,000 spectators, generated over 50 million digital views and continued to strengthen the pathway connecting Guyana’s leading domestic clubs to regional competition.

Season Seven champions Slingerz Football Club (FC) are currently representing Guyana at the 2026 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield in Trinidad and Tobago, where they advanced to the Round of 16 following a commanding 4-0 victory over SWA Sharks FC of the Turks and Caicos Is-lands in the First Round.

Slingerz FC will headline a competitive Season Eight line-up featuring Guyana Police Force FC, Guy-ana Defence Force FC, Western Tigers FC, Santos FC, Monedderlust FC, Ann’s Grove United, Den Amstel FC, Fruta Conquerors FC and newly promoted Camptown FC.

The ten clubs will compete over two rounds during an eight-month campaign. The opening phase will run from August to November 2026, before the race for the championship resumes from February to May 2027.

GFF President Wayne Forde said the league’s continued growth is creating stronger clubs, developing elite players and expanding Guyana’s presence across Caribbean football.

“The Elite League represents the pinnacle of domestic club football in Guyana and remains central to our vision for the continued advancement of the game. The success of Season Seven and Slingerz FC’s current representation of Guyana on the regional stage demonstrate the importance of providing our clubs and players with a strong, consistent and competitive national platform.”

With national pride, regional qualification and the championship at stake, Season Eight promises anoth-er compelling chapter in the rise of Guyanese football.

er to hand the Trinidadian side a 2-1 advantage at half-time.

Slingerz returned with greater urgency in the second half, and Beckford restored parity in the 58th minute with his second goal of the match.

Barrow then continued his rich run of form

by putting Slingerz ahead in the 67th minute as the Guyanese champions completed the turnaround.

The closing stages produced further drama, with Garcia scoring in the 90+4th minute to extend Slingerz’s advantage to 4-2.

The Prison Service refused to surrender and

pulled another goal back in the 90+7th minute, but Slingerz held on during the anxious final moments to secure their place in the last eight.

Slingerz will now await confirmation of their quarter-final opponent. The quarter-finals are scheduled for Tuesday, July 28.

Dindyal earns Amazon Warriors call-up for GSL

Promising Guyanese top-order batsman Mavendra Dindyal has been drafted into the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) squad for the ongoing ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL), replacing all-rounder Keemo Paul, who has joined the West Indies Test squad for the home series against Pakistan.

The 21-year-old continues his rapid rise through the ranks of Guyanese and West Indies cricket after impressing at both the youth and first-class levels. Dindyal's inclusion provides him with a valuable opportunity to showcase his talent alongside and against some of the game's leading T20 players on home soil.

A right-handed top-order batsman who typically occupies the number three position, Dindyal has represented the West Indies Academy, Guyana Harpy Eagles, Guyana Under19s, and West Indies Under-19s during his young career. He is also a handy right-arm off-spinner, capable of contributing.

According to his firstclass statistics, Dindyal has played seven matches, scoring 304 runs at an average of 27.63, including several composed middle-order innings. With

the ball, he has claimed three wickets.

The call-up comes at a significant moment for the young batsman, who has steadily built a reputation as one of Guyana's brightest batting prospects. His sound technique and temperament have seen him progress through the regional development pathway, earning opportunities with the West Indies Academy and the Guyana Harpy Eagles.

Dindyal replaces

West

squad for the first Test against Pakistan, creating an opportunity for another local talent to gain invaluable experience in one of the Caribbean's premier franchise tournaments.

GAW will be hoping Dindyal can make the most of his opportunity as they continue their campaign in pursuit of another Global Super League title.

Shepherd unleashes fury as Warriors chase down 205 in GSL thriller

rate of 194.44. The Vipers maintained the momentum through Bevon Jacobs

half-century and anchored the innings, while Vriitya Aravind provided a late

and Rilee Rossouw, whose aggressive partnership kept the scoreboard ticking. Tahir struck again to break the 45-run stand

flourish with an explosive cameo. Rossouw’s excellent knock ended in the final over when he was caught at deep midwick-

Sampson continued the aggressive approach but was dismissed after chopping Khary Pierre onto his stumps for a rapid 35 from 16 balls, an innings that featured four fours and three sixes.

Pierre struck again with the very next delivery, having Shimron Hetmyer clean bowled for a golden duck to put the Warriors under sudden pressure.

Despite the blistering start, the defending champions closed the powerplay on 71 for three, with the momentum shifting in favour of the Desert Vipers following Pierre’s double strike.

The Warriors’ troubles continued as their hero from the previous match, Rovman Powell, fell cheaply, allowing Desert Vipers Captain Shadab Khan to

to the crease and began to counterattack, working with the experienced Mohammed Nabi to re-

ping Mohammed Haris LBW with his very first delivery as the Warriors slipped to 90 for five after 9.1 overs heading into the drinks break.

When play resumed, Shadab Khan struck twice in quick succession to further derail the defending champions’ chase. Gudakesh Motie, who made five, was dismissed before debutant Jonathan Van Lange was removed for a first-ball duck, leaving the Warriors reeling at 95 for seven.

With the innings in danger of collapsing, Romario Shepherd walked

build hope for the home side. The pair showed intent and started to find the boundaries as the Warriors looked to keep their chase alive. With six overs remaining, GAW required 69 more runs for victory, setting up a tense finish at the Providence Stadium. Romario Shepherd’s explosive counterattack continued as he shifted the momentum firmly back in favour of the home side.

The powerful all-rounder launched an assault in the 16th over, smashing 21 runs to put GAW firmly in the driving seat. The onslaught continued in

the following over when Shepherd brought up the fastest 50 in ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League history, breaking the previous record held by Farhan Yousaf (off 21 balls).

However, with the Warriors needing just 20 runs from 18 deliveries, Desert Vipers were handed a lifeline when young leg-spinner Vitel Lawes ended Shepherd’s remarkable innings. Shepherd departed for 52 from 21 balls, an innings featuring two fours and six sixes at an incredible strike rate of 247.61. With seven runs required from the final over, the experienced duo of Mohammed Nabi and Dwaine Pretorius held their nerve under pressure. Nabi played the anchor role with a composed 40 from 29 balls, while Pretorius added a valuable 17 from nine deliveries to guide the Warriors home. The defending champions successfully chased down the target, reaching 206 for eight in 19.3 overs to secure a thrilling two-wicket victory. The tournament continues today with two matches; first the Perth Scorchers XI take on San Francisco Unicorns, while the night game will see GAW back in action as they take on the in-form Lahore Qualanders at 19:00h.