Guyana Times - Thursday, February 12, 2026

Mia Amor Mottley wins 3rd term after Barbados polls

Teen gold miner charged with murder of employer

CCPA, Police launch patrols to tackle student loitering at bus parks

Driver arrested after alcohol found in minibus with students at Essequibo Coast Tougher penalties for immigration breaches at selfdeclaration on ports – Pres Ali

SOCU sting operation catches US-indicted Mohameds operating illegal cambio

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) conducted a targeted joint law enforcement operation on Wednesday at Mohamed’s Enterprise, located at 29 Lombard Street, Georgetown, where they found an illegal Cambio operation.

The operation followed credible intelligence indicating that illicit transactions were taking place at the premises. Mohamed’s Enterprise, the location of the illegal cambio, had its licence revoked by the Bank of Guyana following United States sanctions imposed on businessman Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed in June 2024. Both men are currently fighting their extradition to the United States.

During the raid, officers seized materials linked to unlawful operations, and several individuals were taken into custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations. All items recovered are currently undergoing forensic and financial analysis.

SOCU confirmed that further enforcement action will be taken where warranted, and charges are expected to be filed shortly.

Following the raid, US-indicted Azruddin Mohamed, who is now the Leader of the Opposition (LOO), said that the raid is political persecution and that they are not doing any business at the location. “The Government shut down all my businesses; you expect me to operate still?”

He and his party, We Invest in Nationhood, issued a long statement about being targeted by the Government and by law enforcement agencies.

No political persecution However, hours later SOCU released two video sting operations where officers, acting as civilians, went into Mohamed’s

Enterprise and were able to change foreign currencies despite the Cambio licence being revoked.

In a statement SOCU said, “This action forms part of an intensified national and regional security strategy aimed at disrupting organised criminal networks engaged in gold smuggling, illicit financial flows, unlicensed money exchange operations, and related offences.”

The operation also addresses recent allegations of political persecution by the Opposition Leader. SOCU said surveillance evidence will confirm that the raid was conducted strictly on credible information and that the allegation of political vindictiveness is false.

SOCU reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law without political influence, stating that no one is above the law. The agency also highlighted its ongoing collaboration with domestic and regional partners to protect Guyana’s financial integrity and national security.

Mohamed’s Enterprise and other associated businesses of the US-indicted father-son duo have been implicated in gold smuggling and tax evasion allegations, including the under-declaration of over 10,000 kilograms (kg) of gold between 2019 and 2023, resulting in more than US$50 million in avoided duty taxes.

The duo are currently fighting their extradition to the United States. The extradition process in Guyana is governed by the Fugitive Offenders Act, as amended, pursuant to an extradition treaty between Guyana and the US. Under the Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Committals) Act, a magistrate may proceed with preliminary matters in the absence of the accused if ill health prevents attendance and the defendant has consented through counsel. The Mohameds were first arrested in late October 2025

after the US Government formally requested extradition following the unsealing of an 11-count federal indictment.

The charges allege that between 2017 and June 2024, the father-son duo engaged in a scheme to evade taxes and duties on gold exports, using falsified customs declarations and reused export seals on shipments totalling over 10,000 kg of gold, causing an estimated US$50 million in lost revenues. In addition to the federal indictment, the pair were sanctioned in June 2024 by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which accused them of tax evasion, trade-based money laundering and gold smug-

The US Government’s extradition request triggered legal filings in Guyana’s courts, where the Mohameds’ lawyers have at times challenged aspects of the process, including the constitutionality of amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Act and the procedures under which extradition hearings are conducted. Several of those legal challenges have been thrown out by the court. The US alleged both father and son conspired to defraud the Governments of Guyana and the US through complex gold export and financial schemes; if convicted, the charges each carry potential decades-long prison sentences and significant fines.

BRIDGE OPENING

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, February 12 –12:55h–14:25h, and Friday, February 13 – 13:50h–15:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers will ease to light rain during the afternoon, followed by sunny intervals and cloudier skies overnight. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.12 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 12:37h reaching a maximum height of 2.07 metres.

Low Tide: 06:01h and 18:55h reaching minimum heights of 1.26 metres and 1.11 metres.

President Ali orders digital overhaul of Police Force,

HR, Police communication restructuring …says missing case files are “no longer tolerable’”

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday declared that missing and misplaced Police case files are no longer tolerable in modern Guyana, announcing a sweeping overhaul of Police operations, justice administration, and internal communication systems.

Addressing the opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference at Eve Leary, the President said long-standing administrative failures undermine justice and public trust and must be eliminated through technology-driven reform.

“With the technology available today, this old problem of missing case files, misplacing case files, and case files not showing up on time is not practical in today’s world,” President Ali said.

He announced that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will move this year to a fully digital e-filing and e-case management system.

“We are going to move into an e-filing system and e-case management system. The system will tell us who goes into the system, when they went into the system, when they exited the system, and who updates files,” he explained.

President Ali said digitisation will end reliance on manual processes that cause delays in investigations and court proceedings. Under the new system, officers will no longer have to wait for physical documents to be transported between stations or offices, as reports and statements will be submitted and retrieved electronically. The move is also expected to improve coordination between the Police Force, prosecutors, and the courts.

“We don’t have to wait anymore for somebody to come from Supenaam to bring a statement… Technology is here, and it will be utilised optimally in the Guyana Police Force,” he said.

He stressed that reforms within the Police Force must

be matched by changes in the Judiciary and legislature.

“There must be a coming together… the reforms are not half done but are critically and structurally integrated throughout the process,” the President stated.

He confirmed that discussions are underway to integrate Police systems with court operations.

“We have to have the discourse with the Judiciary… Because it must integrate,” he said.

President Ali said the reform is part of a wider push to modernise policing through technology, adding that inefficiencies linked to outdated practices cannot continue as Guyana adapts to evolving security chal-

lenges.

“All of the changes require an update of the regulations for SOP,” President Ali said, directing that a special group be assembled to complete the work.

Human resources, communication

He criticised the mismanagement of human resources within the Police Force.

“We are not optimally utilising this skill set… It’s a waste of training, and it’s a waste of human capital,” he said, citing trained lawyers and forensic officers not being deployed effectively.

President Ali said reform must lead to measurable outcomes.

“All of this must lead to results-based policing,” he declared.

He also highlighted the need to overhaul Police public communication, warning that ineffective messaging can escalate public distrust.

“Communication is key to the work of the Guyana Police Force… slothful communication, ineffective communication, or unstructured communication… must be addressed,” he said.

As part of integrity reforms, the President pointed to the use of body-worn cameras.

“Traffic ranks are now equipped with body-worn cameras, a reform designed to promote greater integrity and professionalism,” he noted.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Operation “Street Light Activity” & loitering

The issue of student loitering at minibus parks during school hours has emerged as a concern requiring urgent attention, both from law enforcement and social welfare officials. In response, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), has initiated a coordinated programme of daily inspections across key transit points, an exercise officially designated as the “Street Light Activity”. The initiative underscores the urgent need to safeguard children, promote consistent school attendance, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration in addressing youth vulnerability.

Recent operations along major routes, including East/West, South, Lamaha, and Kitty, have seen officers from the Stabroek Police Outpost working alongside CCPA teams to engage students and verify their school attendance. These interactions go beyond enforcement, as they are opportunities to reinforce the value of education, identify potential vulnerabilities, and provide support to students who may face barriers to consistent school participation.

The presence of students at bus parks during instructional hours is certainly not an issue of discipline, but also factors such as family circumstances, socio-economic pressures, and gaps in school engagement can contribute to patterns of loitering. By adopting a systematic approach that combines law enforcement with child protection services, the initiative recognises that addressing the issue requires more than punitive measures. It is a holistic effort to understand the underlying causes and to offer practical solutions that support the welfare and development of children.

Inter-agency collaboration is central to the success of the Street Light Activity, and the partnership between the CCPA and GPF exemplifies how law enforcement and social welfare agencies can operate in concert to protect vulnerable populations. Joint patrols and shared responsibilities ensure that interventions are both efficient and sensitive to the rights of children. Furthermore, the involvement of senior CCPA officials underscores the agency’s commitment to maintaining oversight and ensuring that all measures conform to established child protection protocols.

The initiative also sends an important societal message that education is a shared responsibility. While schools provide the environment for learning and social development, the community and state play essential roles in supporting attendance and engagement. Regular school participation is foundational not only for academic success but also for the broader development of children, equipping them with the skills, discipline, and social understanding necessary for future contributions to society. The active presence of CCPA and GPF personnel in transit hubs reinforces the principle that safeguarding children is a collective duty.

However, the implementation of such measures must be sustained and complemented by broader strategies. While daily inspections can deter loitering and monitor attendance, they must be part of a continuum of engagement that includes parental involvement, school-based support services, and community outreach programmes. Awareness campaigns targeting both students and carers can help address the root causes of absenteeism and reduce the need for frequent interventions at bus parks. In addition, data gathered during these inspections should inform policy development and resource allocation, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and responsive to emerging trends.

Critically, the initiative highlights the importance of balancing oversight with respect for children’s rights. Interactions with students should be conducted with sensitivity, ensuring that the purpose of engagement is protective rather than punitive. Reinforcing the value of education, providing guidance, and identifying circumstances that may hinder regular attendance are central to achieving the intended outcomes of the programme.

Ultimately, the Street Light Activity is a step toward strengthening child protection frameworks in Guyana. By promoting school attendance, addressing loitering, and promoting inter-agency collaboration, the initiative sets a standard for comprehensive child welfare programmes. Its success will depend on sustained community support, effective policy implementation, and ongoing evaluation of outcomes.

The Street Light Activity provides a model for coordinated action and serves as a reminder that proactive measures and a clear understanding of social realities are essential to building a secure future for all children in Guyana.

Social media bangarang

By LLoyd B Smith

If there is one bad thing that the use of cellphones has brought to the fore in the age of social media, it is that of selfishness.

Four of the major platforms on which this disgusting human trait is practised ad nauseam are X, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Cellphone users spend a great deal of time on ego trips, self-praise, narcissistic embellishments, intellectual masturbation, self-pity, and nauseating repetitiveness involving fashion statements, photographic poses, and, of course, self-righteous pronouncements including vilifications and character assassinations of anyone who dares to oppose them in any way. Even this writer has been guilty of some of these “cellfish sins”.

And notwithstanding the Cybercrimes Act, many acts of libel, slander, and other cruel representations (usually in pictures or videos), for the most part, occur without much recourse for the offended parties. Then there is the frequent “tracing” match between supporters of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP). Indeed, some of the most nasty, calumnious, and disgusting utterances and illustrations are posted with seeming glee and malice against political opponents and their respective party.

But perhaps the most pernicious and disgusting of all these practices is when mobile phone users converge on a crash site or murder scene and gleefully take pictures/videos of the victims

— including children and pregnant women — then place these on social media. A number of fly-by-night, socalled news outlets on line usually gobble up these pictures and highlight them in a most unprofessional and uncaring manner. So much for a free press without responsibility!

Another annoying and dangerous practice is motorists who use their cellphones while driving. Imagine driving on the North Coast Highway and you are in the fast lane only to end up behind a motor car moving at a snail’s pace with no hazard lights on to suggest there is a problem. You move slowly around it and lo and behold the driver is seen without a care in the world on his cellphone deep in a conversation. One good reason for road rage?

It is alleged that the average Jamaican has at least two cellphones which means that we spend a great deal of time talking, playing Candy Crush and other games, texting, “sexting”, and calling to beg credit or a “smalls”. Needless to say that a great deal of man hours is lost, which must seriously affect the nation’s productivity level. In the meantime, owners of cellphones are constantly at risk of being robbed of their instruments and may even face death if they refuse to hand over same to the marauding miscreants out there who seek to make a thriving business out of reselling them.

American author Paul Mountjoy said in one of his articles entitled ‘Cell phones promote serious social, psychological issues’: “What started out as a means of adult communication has

become a teen status symbol and a new age addiction, and it is not a drug; it’s a cell phone…Studies reported by the Journal of Behavioural Sciences show that a young adult sends an average of 109.5 text messages daily and check their cell phones an average of 60 times a day…A large survey showed 28 per cent of cell phone users use their device to contact partners, 28 per cent contact close friends, 26 per cent contact family, and only 11 per cent use the phone for business.”

He continued to say that a New York City-based psychiatrist Dr Jeremy Spiegel found that “cell phone socialisation is skeletal and interferes or replaces interfacing with people on a much-needed social level. The device is creating what some experts call the Narcissist Generation — those who truly believe they are so important and popular with their thoughts they make themselves available to whomever needs them… The cell and text addiction feeds the misplaced sense of self-importance and is now exacerbated by Twitter, making the young sycophantic and susceptible to non-gainful unintelligent chatter. This meaningless chatter is time consuming and can displace activities of greater personal value.”

And as American actor/comedian Bob Newhart once said, “It’s getting harder to differentiate between schizophrenics and people talking on the cell phone. It brings me up short to walk by somebody who appears to be talking to themselves.” In fact, it is a common occurrence for some people to pretend to be talking on their

cellphones in public as a form of profiling.

Needless to say, social media has become a major platform to spew conspiracy theories and create all kinds of misinformation or disinformation. And in this age of the COVID-19 pandemic, this has become the preferred pastime of many a mischief-maker seeking notoriety or who deliberately wants to create mayhem and confusion.

This is not to say that there are not many benefits to be derived from the advent of social media. Its current use, for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate working from home, the widespread use by students who can no longer do face-to-face classes, as well as the implementation of webinars and various virtual interactions be it in entertainment, social events, meetings, etc, have been undoubtedly a blessing in disguise.

But, unfortunately, the use of the cellphone has helped to facilitate various criminal activities, including scamming, blackmail, and identity theft. In this vein, our law enforcement agents have their work cut out for them as they must remain on the cutting edge of technology in order to counter the ingenuity and craftiness of this new breed of criminals who has emerged since the pervading presence of social media, which is akin to a pandemic. However, in the long run, what is perhaps most deleterious to the existence of mankind is the pervasive “cell-fishness” that has overtaken the society in which the “me-first” mentality now holds sway. (Excerpt Jamaica Observer)

Govt pumps in $4.7B to support electricity services in Linden

…$25.8B for GPL as Linden eyes national grid integration under GtE plan

The Government has budgeted some $4.768 billion in 2026 as a subsidy for the Linden Electricity Company (LEC), as it moves ahead with plans to integrate Linden into the national grid upon the realisation of the 300 MW Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project.

Meanwhile, the Government has allocated $25.8 billion as a subsidy for Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to offset fuel costs amid fluctuating global oil prices, while an allocation of $998 million has also been budgeted for power and other amenities in Kwakwani, in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

This was disclosed by Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar on Wednesday as consideration of the Budget 2026 estimates continued before the Committee of Supply in the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

He explained that with the expansion of Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) grid and the use of natural gas as a feedstock, the Government intends to connect Linden to the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).

“With the expansion of GPL’s grid and using gas as a feedstock, we intend to move the grid towards Linden. So from the Garden of Eden going up to Linden and over to Wismar, we will run 230 KV lines so that you could take all power,” the Minister said.

He added that the integration will support expanding housing schemes and commercial activity along the Linden/

Soesdyke Highway and in the town itself.

“So everybody around the highway go in all those housing schemes, development on a highway in Linden as well because, as you know, because electricity is cheap in Linden, they have about 19 sawmills. All the sawmills set up with high-speed motors because they pay a lower price, so they go there to operate,” Indar explained.

Reducing costs

Currently Linden receives electricity from the bauxite company, BOSAI. However, the electricity is bought from BOSAI at one rate and sold to the consumers at a lower rate.

“Linden receives power from BOSAI, and Lindeners pay a tariff of $5 per kWh for residential and $12 per kilowatt for commercial, and they also have about 271 pensions there,” Indar explained.

Indar emphasised that the move to gas-generated power is aimed at reducing costs.

“So if we are to continue, we want to use gas as a feedstock which is much cheaper than the HFO. We will run the

power lines to take the power to Linden. In the Amaila project, it was designed to bring the power from the Amaila Falls routing through Linden, coming to Garden of Eden. So now we can run it across from Garden of Eden and take it to Linden. You can drop off the power at various points so you can have industrialisation happening throughout the Linden Highway,” Indar related.

The Minister sought to allay concerns about the future of LEC.

“I don’t want anyone to go about thinking that we are closing down LEC. That is not the case; that is not what I said,” Indar stressed.

“I can tell you – the folks in Linden, the team? They are doing a fantastic job.”

He noted that BOSAI is also expanding its generation capacity, including renewable energy.

“Although we are moving power from the grid, BOSAI itself is putting in solar because they need to grapple with the demand. The demand moved from eight MW to 12 MW and counting. We

are building 15 MW of solar power, one in Retrieve, one in Bamia Block 37, so that’s 15 MW of power we added to the grid there. Those are gridtie systems. So, the entire corridor will have enough power for the development in housing, for the development of commercialisation for all that is happening on the highway right now,” Indar said.

According to the Minister, safeguards will be implemented to cushion any potential impact on consumers as the transition takes place.

“The gas-to-energy project is designed to drop costs, not carry it up; designed to cut it by half,” he said.

Subsidy for Kwakwani

Meanwhile, the Minister explained that the $998 million budgeted for Kwakwani covers more than just electricity generation.

“The subsidy for Kwakwani represents fuel and other areas because it doesn’t act as just a power company,” Indar explained.

He also outlined subsidies for other areas that operate outside of the national grid,

Facebook politics will always collapse under parliamentary scrutiny

Dear Editor, The 2026 budget debates have now concluded. On Day 5, Dr Ashni Singh delivered what can only be described as a masterclass in disciplined, fact-driven re-

buttals. In a rhetorically witty and elegant presentation, he thoroughly deconstructed the arguments of Dr Terrence Campbell, at one point even painfully schooling the APNU MP on

the basics of growth rates.

More significantly, the details of Azruddin Mohamed’s Florida indictments and Magnitsky sanctions were laid out plainly for the Parliamentary record, shredding the persecution narrative repeatedly peddled by Azruddin Mohamed during his social media interventions and again in his maiden Parliamentary speech, which was more dictation than debate.

The coup de grâce of the night occurred when Dr Singh referenced a 2001 piece from The Guardian on Pablo Escobar’s political rise in Colombia, drawing quiet historical parallels without explicit comparison. He expressed his intent not to “impose any parallels to this story”, but the implication spoke for itself. This was a surgical dismantling of Azruddin Mohamed’s entire political modus operan-

di: evading accountability through public office.

All of this was blasted into the Hansard for posterity before the Finance Minister pivoted seamlessly back to the substance of Budget 2026, comprehensive and empirically driven in his defence.

Both Campbell and Mohamed are known for their online politicking; though Mr Campbell actually faces scrutiny at press conferences, Mohamed retreats behind social media monologues.

Conflating Facebook politics with governance is a grave mistake and will inevitably collapse when confronted with the actual cutand-thrust of the people’s business. As the debates came to a close, this was woefully apparent.

Yours faithfully, Nikhil Sankar

explaining that most allocations are for fuel.

“So the scenario is not the same as GPL, but the money is for fuel. So the scenario, as I painted with GPL, is not the same for these small power companies. So Mabaruma has $545 million. It’s for fuel. But every part of the country that receives fuel receives it at a different price, as you would know. Fuel, at a point, needs to be transported. The transportation cost makes up for the cost difference at various spot. Lethem being the most expensive. So it is not the same, but all of the monies here are for fuel except for Kwakwani,” Indar said.

Addressing the fuel subsidy to GPL, the Minister explained that the subsidy is due to the fluctuating costs for fuel on the world market, which are absorbed by the Government to ensure that Guyanese continue to pay a

fixed price for electricity.

“We know that fuel prices fluctuate and has been on the rise year on year and counting. GPL budgets at a breakeven point from US$70 per barrel. Anything above that, it puts GPL at a lost position,” the Minister said.

“For every dollar increase in fuel, it costs GPL $543 million, simply because of the amount that is used. 93 per cent of the fuel that is used at GPL is heavy fuel oil, and the LFO makes up the other seven per cent. Together, it’s about $47 billion per annum that we spend on fuel alone. It represents the lion’s share of generation costs. So because of that, and because we as a Government did not increase fuel on anybody in the country, we subsidise the fuel, and that is the figure there. It’s a subsidy part of the protocol. And it’s only to subsidise the fuel.”

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Evening News (RB)

Movie - A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

Stop Suffering

Movie - The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

Page Foundation

Conversion Graphs cont’d

15×1.20+5=23

Example 5: drawing a graph to convert distance to cost

A taxi company charges a fixed fee of $500 plus an extra $120 per mile. Use this information to draw a conversion graph for distance travelled in miles, up to 30 miles and the cost of the journey in dollars.

Draw axes and choose which units should be represented by the horizontal and vertical.

Let the horizontal axis represent the distance in miles and the vertical axis represent the cost.

A 30-mile journey will cost $500 plus 30×$120 = $4100. Therefore the vertical axis could be from 0 to 45.

Use information provided to plot at least 3 points that represent the conversion between the units. If the units are in direct proportion, the line will go through (0,0).

The units are not in direct proportion because the fixed fee of $500 will be plotted as the point (0,5). We also know that 30 miles will cost $4100 so we need to plot the point (30,41).

For the third point we can work out the cost for 15 miles.

Wish

So the third point will be (15,23).

Draw a straight line through the points ensuring it is long enough to span the width and height of the axes.

Step

Make the second pink heart you cut out earlier and with the white side now on the underneath, line this up with the back heart piece and stick the end to the folded butterfly body. Step 5: Cut out another small heart from light pink cardboard and stick this to the front.

Step 6: Cut two short lengths of pipe cleaners, turn the butterfly card over then stick these to the top of the head so they are poking out. Step 7: Turn the butterfly card over again, cut out two mini hearts from pink cardboard then stick these onto the end of each pipe cleaner.

8: To finish, stick some large gems to the front of the heart then draw on the

the inside and outside using a

from bakerross.co.uk)

By DaviD HernanDez

First, the shirt— my canvas—this black T I grip, tug up over my head, and lay square on the autumn grass, smooth the ripples out as best as possible, while the blades give beneath my palm.

Now the sack of sugar. I like this braided thread stitched along the seam, the sound it makes when I tear the bag open, the whisper of sugar shifting inside.

It’s slow going—how I pinch the grains, then let them fall on the dark fabric, drawing the light, the way it follows the contours of my face in this photo from I can’t remember when.

From noon to sundown it takes me to finish, just as a lone ant arrives, wriggling over my shirt to find and lift one sweet granule between its mandibles. It will tell the others, and the others the others, and in this way— under the scatter of stars—I disappear, incrementally, as is the case, all of it taken back to the earth— this light I made.

(Source: Poetry [November 2025])

Include the words “Do I know you?” in a hand-drawn cartoon strip.

Housing Ministry boosting capacity to ensure quality houses are built, tackle fraud

…as House approves billions for land acquisition, regularisation

The Housing Ministry has been strengthening its monitoring capability to ensure quality works are produced, especially on the construction of houses, as well as to clamp down on fraud within the agency.

Housing Minister Collin Croal gave these assurances on Wednesday evening during the consideration of the budget estimates for his Ministry in the Committee of Supplies. At the time, he was asked by Opposition Member Sherod Duncan from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) about allocations to boost oversight at the Ministry.

“Quality control is important. I’m not naive to a lot of complaints that we’ve had recently, for example, with the houses. So, we’re cognisant of what is required to ensure that we have the best value,” the Housing Minister noted in response, adding, “But we have strengthened our monitoring.”

According to Croal, the staff complement at his Ministry has significantly gone up, especially in the Project Department, to enhance its monitoring capability.

“We are doing a restructuring on the Project Department. [And the] Housing Unit now will be further strengthened with some additional clerks of works as well as engineering technicians to be able to effectively help with the monitoring on the construction side simultaneously, because while we have infrastructure works on the roads, our increased work-

load now includes the houses,” he stated.

Moreover, the Housing Minister added that they are also working with the Public Works Ministry to recruit new graduates from the University of Guyana (UG) in order to build capacity.

Additionally, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), there is a weekly meeting convened by the Housing Ministers to review all the projects under the Ministry. This is further bolstered by a new platform introduced by the Government whereby all projects are listed and real-time information is provided, such as whether there are delays.

“So, we have beefed up in terms of review, but this is done weekly now because

quality control is important,” Croal posited.

Go after fraudsters

Similarly, Croal said efforts are being strengthened to clamp down on fraud both within the Ministry and externally.

But while he noted that the Ministry staff now have to sign a Code of Conduct and its Enforcement Department has been bolstered to include a former senior Guyana Police Force official at the helm to go after fraudsters, they still face challenges that hinder these efforts.

“There are a lot of times when the witnesses are required to give the necessary statement to take to completion in terms of being able to prosecute someone, and that’s where we’re lacking,” the Minister noted.

He went on to “…encourage persons to please, if you have encountered or you have been approached, feel free to engage our Enforcement Department or directly the Guyana Police Force.”

Despite this, however, Croal said that they have had some recent successes in terms of clamping down on fraud within the CHPA.

Mandate 2026

Meanwhile, the Committee of Supply on Wednesday evening greenlights the $159.4 billion allocation for the Housing Ministry to execute its mandate this year. Within a $150 billion allocation is some $2.275 billion that will go towards land acquisition for the development of new housing schemes, which will help tackle the

75,000-plus backlog within the system.

Another $1.1 billion is allocated for the regularisation of informal settlements, with Minister Croal telling the House that for this year, they are targeting the Lima Sand Housing Scheme, Walton Hall, Mariah’s Lodge in Region Two; Plantation Best, Pouderoyen Reserve and Vergenoegen Sea Defence in Region Three; Non Pareil (Coldingen), Mon Repos Railway Line, Vigilance, Bladen Hall, Strathspey, Beterverwagting, Foulis in Region Four, and Ituni, Comaka, Siberian, New Hardin, Silver Hill, Amelia’s Ward, Block 43 in Region 10, among others.

“So, we intended to address all these areas this year…for regularisation,” Croal noted.

When it comes to zero tolerance areas, the Ministry will be relocating persons from the Plastic City, Best Railway Line, Greenwich Park Sea Defence, Anna Catherina Sea Defence, Zeelught Sea Defence and Reserve, Zeelught Burial Ground, Corneila Ida Sea Defence, Ruby Back Dam, Tuschen Sea Defence, Plantation Vergenoegen, Good Hope Drainage Reserve, Wallers Delight Drainage Reserve, and Parika Sea Dam, among others in Region Three.

“In all of those areas… we have identified that those persons have to relocate. Those are what we call zero tolerance”, the Housing Minister stated.

According to Croal, there is an aggressive pro-

gramme to address squatting across the country with the same aggression that is being applied to addressing those applications that came through the system.

“Sometimes, some of the squatting that we have, it can be addressed quickly. It will be helpful if leaders, and more so political leaders, also encourage these squatters to do the right thing,” the Housing Minister stated after he was asked by APNU’s Terrence Campbell about provisions for squatters during relocation.

Additionally, these $150 million also include monies for rollover projects and some $48.2 billion for new initiatives, as well as $2.65 billion allocated for the infrastructure for utilities in new areas and a further $5.4 billion for infrastructure upgrades in existing areas.

Moreover, the Housing Ministry’s budget also contains a further $7.5 billion set aside for subsidies to citizens to assist with the construction of new homes, including the steel and cement initiative, as well as assistance for repairs and home improvements that was introduced this year.

Credit to households, Private Sector surges since 2020 – Dr Singh tells National Assembly

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, has defended the 2026 National Budget, stating that economic indicators show increased financial activity among households and businesses since the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) returned to office.

Wrapping up the budget debates in the National Assembly on Friday last, Dr Singh responded to Opposition claims that the budget does not benefit ordinary citizens. He said more Guyanese families are working, earning and accessing credit, pointing to data from the banking sector.

According to Dr Singh, credit to households has almost doubled since 2019. In that year, credit to households stood at $33.5 billion. By the end of 2025, the figure had risen to $66.1 billion.

He also highlighted growth in real estate mortgages. At the end of 2020, total credit in this category amounted to $90.6 billion. By the end of 2025, it had

increased to $185.4 billion.

Dr Singh noted that the number of vehicles being imported reflects increased household purchasing power. He told the Assembly that approximately 9999 motor vehicles are being imported every three months.

Credit issued by the banking system for the purchase of motor cars rose from $10.4 billion at the end of 2020 to $33.3 billion at the end of 2025. In 2019, the figure stood at $9.3 billion.

He said the growth in credit indicates that more Guyanese are considered creditworthy by commercial banks, which he described as generally conservative in their lending practices. He added that households

are accessing loans because they have stable incomes, savings and assets.

Turning to overall private sector lending, Dr Singh stated that total credit by the banking system increased from $259.8 billion in 2020 to $531.8 billion by the end of 2025. He said the financing went to businesses in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services, as well as to households.

The Minister also referenced the allocation of US$100 million in the 2026 budget for the establishment of a Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) development bank. He said the initiative will allow small entrepreneurs to access loans at zero in-

terest and with no collateral requirement. The aim, he explained, is to help businesses grow and eventually qualify for commercial bank financing.

Dr Singh concluded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to economic growth and to ensuring that citizens benefit. He said Budget 2026 represents the first phase of the PPP/C’s manifesto commitments.

With the budget debates concluded, the National Assembly has moved on to the consideration of the 2026 estimates of revenue and expenditure for ministries and agencies. This process is expected to continue for several more days.

Teen gold miner charged with murder of employer

…19-year-old arrested for tour guide’s murder

A19-year-old gold miner of Tapacuma Village, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has been charged with murder in connection with a fatal incident at 14 Miles Issano Backdam, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Ewart Baychu, known as “Ewie”, was charged with the offence of murder contrary to common law in relation to the alleged killing of John José Marciano on February 7. Baychu appeared on Wednesday at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court via Zoom before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir. The charge was read to him,

and he was not required to plead and was remanded to prison.

The matter was adjourned to March 27.

Police had reported that Marciano, 55, was found brutally chopped to death at a mining camp at 14 Miles Issano, Middle Mazaruni River, during the early hours of Saturday. The incident reportedly occurred around 03:45h on Saturday last. Preliminary investigations had revealed that Marciano was at his

mining camp when an incident occurred. He was later discovered slouched on the ground within the camp, suffering from multiple chop wounds about his body. A cutlass believed to be the murder weapon was recovered in close proximity to the body. The body was later taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital for an official pronouncement of death.

The teen was employed by Marciano.

Driver slapped with illegal gun, ammo, narco charges

A36-year-old driver of Bamia, Linden Highway, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) has been charged in connection with the discovery of firearms, ammunition and narcotics at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, on Sunday.

Audwin Mingo was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter

10:10. He was also charged with possession of a firearm without a licence, and possession of ammunition without a licence, both contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearm Act, Chapter 16:05. Mingo appeared on Wednesday at the Linden Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool, where the charges were read to him and he pleaded not guilty. Bail was granted in the sum of $100,000 on each charge, and the cases were adjourned to March 12.

Representing…

…Indigenous rights

An interesting issue has been raised concerning the rights of our Indigenous Peoples by the Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC). They’ve aggressively sought to represent the Amerindians in their district – and believe they’re being ignored by the Government. The issue raised is whether – as they claim! – the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) recommendations trump the stipulations of the Amerindian Act of 2006 – our domestic law that addresses Amerindian rights.

Now, the first thing we must note is that UNDRIP is a legally NON-BINDING resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 2007 – the very next year after our Amerindian Act significantly amended our local laws to bring them more in conformity with the new thinking on Indigenous rights. Here, the pioneering European colonisers –the Dutch – had worked out a modus vivendi with the Indigenous Peoples: they acted as “slave catchers” for those poor souls who tried to escape their bondage into the jungles. Amerindians were rewarded with trinkets, primitive tools and guns. The British followed suit when they took over at the beginning of the 19th century! It wasn’t till 1951 they passed an Amerindian Act – which pretty much gave all authority over Amerindians to Governor-appointed District Commissioners.

After Independence, the PNC Government amended this Act in 1976 to confer more authority to the Village Councils and their Toshaus and abolished District Commissioners. In 2006, the PPP Government radically reformed the Act to deepen the powers of the Village Councils and to implement the titling of lands the Amerindians had occupied “from time immemorial”. While the Act confirmed the existence of the old District Councils, they were mainly for coordinating implementation of decisions of the villages in the District.

The UMDC, however, since their formation in the 1990s – funded and advised by overseas NGOs like Rainforest Foundation US – have arbitrarily increased their remit to act as political entities demanding the Act be changed to give them more powers. They insist that Amerindians own the entire Upper Mazuruni and in fact took the matter to the courts – all the way to the CCJ!! They lost and have fought a rear-guard action to push their agenda. They’ve focused on mining in the region – which has grown substantially.

They don’t seem to understand that UNDRIP simply establishes a FRAMEWORK for the rights of Indigenous peoples – and doesn’t impose OBLIGATIONS on member states to implement its provisions. It accepts that states such as Guyana with Indigenous Peoples also have other groups – and the laws of the country must take into cognisance the rights of all citizens!!

Once Indigenous Peoples are free from any kind of discrimination in the exercise of their rights, then, as the CCJ reaffirmed, that’s all that’s required!!

…Venezuelan oil production

Earlier this week, the US Treasury Department issued a general licence to facilitate the exploration and production of oil and gas in Venezuela!! This has been a long-awaited step after Mad Maduro was removed as president by the Yanks – and they announced they’d “run” the country. Especially its oil production – so as to accomplish their strategic goal of reducing the role of the Chinks and Ruskies who’d cosied up to the dictator!!

Now it’s expected that this move could help increase output in the country – but your Eyewitness believes it will take a decade or more to really become significant. The reason is the complexity and costs of extracting the tar-like, sulphur-impregnated Venezuelan oil reserves!! As your Eyewitness has been emphasising, the bottom line is that the 300 million barrels of oil is a fiction created by Chavez that no one has questioned!!

Oil reserves should only be counted if they are COMMERCIALLY exploitable!! That means oil prices gotta be around US$140 a barrel!! Ain’t happening!!

…Americanisation

Your Eyewitness wonders whether the dreadful news that an individual in Canada went on a shooting spree where NINE were killed and 25 injured is part of the Americanisation process that accepts them as a state of the USA??

New e-border system

Tougher penalties for immigration breaches at self-declaration at ports – President Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the Government will be introducing tougher penalties for immigration offences as it moves to implement a self-declaration system at its various ports of entry.

This feature forms part of the electronic border protection system, which the Government has already started to implement.

“We now have to put the specialised scanners at customs, which we’ve already ordered, to remove the old need of humanly identifying bags and people. Everything will be scanned; every bag will be scanned,” the President said on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference.

“And we’ll make it very simple,” he further noted.

“It’s self-declaration. Every bag will be scanned for its self-declaration, and we will have to amend the penalties: one strike, two strikes and then jail strike.”

“So, it will be self-declaration. If on the first occasion you have a wrong declaration, there will be a heavy fine; on the second occasion, there will be a heavier fine, and on the third occasion, there will be a jail

Driver arrested after alcohol found in minibus with students on Essequibo Coast

Police in Regional Division Two are investigating an incident that occurred on Tuesday along the Lima Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) during a traffic enforcement exercise.

According to Police, ranks observed a minibus parked on the eastern side of the roadway with 20 school-aged passengers inside at about 13:30h. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers noticed what appeared to be alcoholic beverages within the bus.

The driver was instructed to proceed to the Anna Regina Police Station, where the vehicle was searched in the presence of the cops and other officials. During the search, several bottles

containing alcoholic beverages, along with other items, were found inside the minibus. The students were subsequently handed over to a child care officer

for further intervention.

The driver was arrested and remains in Police custody. The minibus has been lodged as investigations continue.

term,” he noted, adding that “you don’t have to blame a customs officer anymore, and you don’t have to blame an immigration officer anymore.”

Under the e-border protection system, the Government has already operationalised e-gates at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the country’s main port of entry.

The e-gates allow up to six passengers to be processed simultaneously under the supervision of a single officer. Travellers opting for self-check-in will have their passports and identities verified using biometric data, such as photographs. Once verified, passengers will pass through a physical gate and proceed to customs. One major advantage

of the system is its ability to use existing data, speeding up departure processing for passengers returning within a short period.

For added security, the e-gates are integrated with the Global Resilient Critical Communication (GRCC) database, which works with INTERPOL to screen flagged individuals.

If a passenger’s identity fails to be verified, the gate will remain closed, and the system will alert immigration officers.

In addition to the e-gates, an online Embarkation/ Disembarkation (ED) form has been introduced to further reduce processing times. Travellers can complete the form before arrival, and kiosks with staff support will be available for

those unfamiliar with the process.

These upgrades are part of the Government’s initiative to create a paperless organisation and enhance CJIA’s position as a regional and international travel hub.

According to President Ali, he has already been receiving positive feedback about these upgrades, and he emphasised the importance of having them functioning daily.

“We’re hearing the wonderful comments from people everywhere I travel now; they’re speaking about the speed through which they’re being processed, comparing it to one of the best border systems in the world. We have to ensure that it works every day,” he emphasised.

2 drivers fined $400,000 for drunk driving

Two men were fined $200,000 each on Tuesday after admitting to driving under the influence of alcohol in matters heard at Magistrates’ courts in Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and Diamond, East Bank of Demerara, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

At the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, 39-yearold Govinash Persaud, a secretary of Reliance, Essequibo Coast, was charged with driving whilst his breath alcohol level exceeded the prescribed limit, contrary to Section 39(A)(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, as amended by Act 17 of 2022.

The offence was committed on October 5, 2025, along the Anna Regina Public Road, Essequibo Coast.

Persaud appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir on Tuesday, where he changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. He was fined $200,000, or three months’ imprisonment in default of payment.

In a separate matter heard at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court, Kevin Singh was also charged on Tuesday with the offence of driving under the influence of alcohol. Singh appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess, where the charge was read to him, and he pleaded guilty. He was similarly fined $200,000.

Teen gold miner slapped...

Tour guide’s murder

In a separate matter, Police have arrested another 19-year-old as part of an investigation into the murder of John Elliot, 21, a tour guide of Surama Village, Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo).

According to Police, ranks carried out an intelligence-led operation at about 23:30h on Tuesday at a residence in Annai Village, North Rupununi. During the operation, a 19-year-old of Annai Village was arrested.

The suspect is under investigation in relation to the murder of Elliot, which occurred on September 21, 2025, at Annai Village.

Police reported that several individuals were present at the house when ranks arrived. A search was conducted, and a quantity of

suspected cannabis was found in the possession of the 19-year-old suspect.

Five male juveniles and a 21-year-old man were also arrested and taken to the Annai Police Station, where they are assisting with ongoing investigations.

The suspected narcotics were weighed in the presence of the suspect and amounted to 11 grams before being lodged.

Reports are that Elliot

was fatally stabbed in the wee hours of Sunday during a row at the Amerindian Heritage celebrations at Annai, Region Nine. The 21-year-old tour guide at Atta Rainforest Lodge was a resident of Surama Village, North Rupununi.

According to the Police, Elliot was allegedly stabbed and subsequently died during a confrontation with three male suspects.

President Ali warns of rising gangs, vaping, cyberbullying, youth violence

resident Dr Irfaan

PAli on Wednesday issued one of his strongest warnings yet about the state of Guyana’s youth, declaring that school-based gangs, cyberbullying, vap-

ing, and changing social values pose serious long-term risks to public safety if left unaddressed.

Speaking at the opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference at Eve

…calls for parenting revival, urgent national response

Leary, Georgetown, the President said the country can no longer afford to treat youth crime, school violence and domestic abuse as isolated policing issues but must confront them as national social emergencies requiring prevention, education and community responsibility.

“We have to bring down the murder rate. We have to deal with the growing gangs in our school system. We have to deal decisively with domestic violence and every crime against women,” President Ali said.

He warned that incidents of school violence circulating on social media are evidence of a deeper problem developing among young people.

“Let us not be shy about this situation in our schools… you’re seeing the

video on social media. It’s all over the world. This is not a Guyana problem. This is a global problem. We have to design a programme to deal with it, to start in the school system,” he said.

Panic alert system

The President announced that the Government is working to introduce a panic alert system for schools, teachers, students, and vulnerable women, using technology already deployed internationally.

“We are working now with a technology provider to give us a technology that we can share with at-risk women and at-risk schools, which includes a panic system that would allow for more effective support to schools, teachers, parents, and women,” he explained.

According to President Ali, the system, already in use in Mexico, is being examined by the Government’s technology advisors and will be implemented locally.

He stressed that such support systems are especially necessary given the gender makeup of the education sector.

“Almost 90-plus per cent of our teachers are women… I went to a school last year; 100 per cent of the staff were female. We have to support them,” the President said.

Digital threats, vaping

Apart from physical violence, President Ali warned that young people are increasingly exposed to digital threats.

“We also must confront the new and evolving threats of the digital age. We are seeing in Guyana cyberbullying, online fraud,” he said, warning that such behaviour causes serious psychological and social harm.

The President also raised alarm over vaping, describing it as a growing and underestimated threat to youth development.

“I’ve seen situations where in my heart I believe some people are normalising vaping. Vaping has an enormous impact on the development of the brain and mental health issues,” he cautioned.

Strong parenting values

President Ali said confronting these challenges requires a return to strong parenting values, not just within households, but across communities.

“Parenting is not only the mother and father… it is where the community delivers parenting for the children of that community, where the elders in the church, in the mosque, and in the temple deliver parenting for the children in those institutions,” he said.

He also called for compre-

hensive public education on sexual violence and consent, beginning in schools.

“We have to launch a massive public education on issues surrounding rape and what constitutes rape, starting from the school system, the secondary school system,” the President stated.

Highlighting the broader social pressures affecting young people, President Ali described youths as a highrisk group shaped by economic change and shifting values.

“While this is a high-risk cohort, it is also a group with the greatest potential for redirection. If we fail to engage them, we run the risk of losing them,” he warned.

He cited examples of young people preferring short-term work and the resulting loss of productivity, noting that in some sectors foreign workers now outnumber locals.

President Ali said structured youth engagement is critical to preventing future crime and instability.

“We need to form youth groups across the country and channel young people’s energy into a more purposeful direction,” he said, adding that mentorship, sports, education, and community involvement must become core components of crime prevention.

Opening of the Police Officers’ Conference on Wednesday at the Police Officers’

Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary (President Dr Irfaan Ali social media page photos)

Govt nears deal to buy Berbice Bridge – Edghill tells House

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has revealed that there has been a “movement” in the negotiations for the Guyana Government to acquire the ownership of the Berbice River Bridge – something which he says would cost the State less than if it were to continue subsidising the bridge operation.

The Minister was at the time responding to questions by Opposition Member Saiku Andrews from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) during the consideration of the Budget Estimates for the Public Works Ministry in the Committee of Supply on Wednesday.

“Government of Guyana is on its way to finalise all the Is and dotting all the Ts for the ownership for the Berbice River Bridge, and based on the figures that I’ve been looking at, what it will be costing the Treasury for the acquisition of the bridge would be less than if we had to pay for tolls between now and next year,” Edghill stated.

The Berbice River Bridge, a critical link between Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), was constructed between 2006 and 2008 through a public-private partnership at a cost of just over $8 billion.

The 1.57-kilometre (km) bridge was financed mainly by the state-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS) along with other private companies, which comprised the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) that currently operates the structure.

At the time, Andrews was questioning the Public Works Minister about the funds allocated for the operation of the Berbice River Bridge. Under the Ministry’s capital budget, some $24 billion has been earmarked for bridges.

Edghill explained that the Berbice Bridge allocation “…will not be handed to a company. This money will be with the Ministry that will have to operate the bridge.”

In fact, he recalled the removal of tolls for the three

major bridges in Guyana – the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the MackenzieWismar Bridge, along with the Berbice River Bridge – last August, noting that the Government has been absorbing the operational costs, which include maintenance and payment of staff, of these bridges.

“Last year, allocations were appropriated to take care of that activity. As a result, the bridges were compensated based on monthly operational expenses in a formula that was worked out,” the Public Works Minister stated.

Even as the Government is seeking to acquire ownership of the Berbice Bridge, there are active plans underway for the construction of a new fixed high-span, four-lane bridge over the Berbice River.

In 2025, seven firms were pre-qualified from an initial pool of nine companies and were required to submit price quotations to design, build, and finance the new bridge.

Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge Meanwhile, on the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge, Edghill was asked by APNU’s MP, Sharma Solomon, about provisions to continue an existing arrangement with the Linden Mayor and Town Council, which received a portion of the revenues earned by the current bridge.

According to the Minister, the operation and maintenance of the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge had to be funded by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments

Limited (NICIL), which also had to step in to pay staff in the past.

“Not one square metre of board or one rod of iron was ever provided by the Mayor and Town Council for this bridge,” the Minister declared – noting that this is something MP Solomon is aware of since he is a former Linden Mayor.

“What was happening is that they were getting a percentage going to the Council for social services, and all the rest of it. And if I challenged the Honourable Member to tell the House how much of that money that was given to the Mayor and Town Council was spent on social services, the answer would be zero.”

Nevertheless, Edghill added that the Government will continue to honour whatever were the obligations that NICIL was undertaking in terms of cash but noted that it would be up to NICIL to determine whether it will continue remitting the revenue to the Town Council.

But even as the Government has taken over the operational costs of the bridge in Linden since the removal of the tolls last year, it is currently undertaking the construction of a new US$35 million four-lane Mackenzie-Wismar bridge.

The 220-metre-long precast bridge is being constructed by China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co Ltd and is currently 93.2 per cent completed, with full operations expected by June of this year.

Corentyne River Bridge

Another major bridge

President Ali warns of...

Policing alone cannot solve He added that policing alone cannot solve youth-related challenges.

“Public safety is a shared national project,” President Ali said, calling on parents, schools, faith-based organisations, and communities to work alongside law enforcement to protect Guyana’s future. Just a few weeks ago, Minister of Education Sonia Parag made it clear that gang-related behaviour and

any attempts by groups to form cliques or gangs within schools will not be tolerated under her leadership. She emphasised that students can only grow and succeed in a secure environment, noting that violence disrupts both teaching and learning.

Parag delivered the message during an engagement with students of Zeeburg Secondary School in Region Three, following the circulation of a troubling video that showed a teenage stu-

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dent from the institution being physically assaulted by a group of boys.

During the visit, she addressed concerns surrounding discipline, peer influence, and overall school safety. The Minister challenged acts of disrespect toward teachers and fellow students and warned about the harmful effects of negative peer pressure. There have been several reported incidents of gangs at local schools over the past months.

project that came up for scrutiny during Wednesday’s budget estimates was the Corentyne River Bridge that will link Guyana and Suriname.

MP Andrews had asked about Guyana’s contribution and ownership stake in the joint project.

In response, however,

the Public Works Minister pointed out that there is no specific allocation in Budget 2026 for this project and that no issues relating to the division of ownership had been discussed during the advancement of the bridge.

“Guyana and Suriname have gone together, [and] we got consultancy for the design. We went together [and] we’ve evaluated [the bids received]. We have a preferred contractor… None of the issues that the distinguished gentleman has arose has ever been an issue that is on the table when it comes to the Corentyne River Bridge between Guyana and Suriname,” Edghill informed the House.

The high-span Corentyne River bridge will run approximately 3.1 km, connecting Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain in Suriname with a landing on Long Island in the Corentyne

River, where a commercial hub and tourist destination will be established as a duty-free zone.

Both Guyana and Suriname have since settled on Chinese construction company China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) as the preferred contractor to build the new bridge. That contract is yet to be signed.

8 homeless after fire destroys Onderneeming home …wheelchair-bound barber in custody for arson

Afire destroyed a house in the Onderneeming Sand Pit community, Red Village, on Tuesday evening, leaving eight persons homeless. The blaze, which consumed the wooden structure within minutes, occurred between 20:00h and 20:10h. No injuries were reported.

The displaced household includes four schoolaged children. Following the incident, the Difficult Circumstances Unit of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security conducted a site assessment to determine the immediate needs of the affected family. The children are currently staying with friends, while the family seeks temporary shelter.

Police investigations revealed that the fire was deliberately set by a 36-yearold barber, who is currently confined to a wheelchair. The suspect, who previously

had a relationship with the mother of the household, 40-year-old cook Romona Baychu, allegedly admitted to lighting a mattress on fire at the residence, claiming, “The house is my property.”

According to Baychu, the relationship ended several months ago, and the suspect had been living in a barbershop roughly 50 feet from the home. On Tuesday afternoon, a disagreement occurred between the two, during which the suspect allegedly struck Baychu and demanded she leave his house. Baychu left for a friend’s home, leaving her children and grandchild at the house.

A witness stated that the children were at home when the suspect arrived, ordered them to leave, and subsequently set the mattress on fire before leaving the scene by crawling down the stairs. The Guyana Fire Service was called to extinguish the flames, but the home was completely destroyed. He was subsequently arrested and remains in custody, assisting with investigations.

Driver’s licence, Police promotion exams to shift to Guyana Digital School

…Govt eyes special traffic court, demerit system expansion

The Government will move this year to fundamentally restructure policing, court operations, border security, and firearm licensing through sweeping technological upgrades and legislative reform, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced on Wednesday at the opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference.

Addressing senior officers, members of the National Security Committee, and representatives of the judiciary, the President said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) cannot modernise in isolation and warned that reforms must move simultaneously across the Police, judiciary, legislature, and prosecution services.

“We cannot narrowly look at a changing environment, the changing circumstances and demand of our Guyana Police Force in isolation of reforms in the judiciary and legislative reforms from the legislature,” the President said. “There must be a coming together.”

He proposed that discussions be convened among the three branches of Government to ensure reforms are “not half done but are critically and structurally integrated throughout the process.”

Central to the Government’s immediate agenda is the expansion of the

e-ticketing system, which the president said has already improved order on the nation’s roadways by reducing human bias and interference. The electronic ticketing system was launched in April 2025.

“We have started the e-ticketing system that has been working tremendously well,” he said. “But that is just the first phase.”

Formally called the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) in Guyana, this automated traffic enforcement network monitors speeding, seatbelt usage, and illegal third-lane driving. It uses AIpowered cameras, radar, and cloud infrastructure to issue digital tickets, and already, hundreds of offenders have been hauled before the courts.

With the increased volume of electronic violations, President Ali said the judiciary may be required to establish specialised traffic courts to prevent delays in prosecution.

“Because of the mass speed of this technology and the number of transactions, the judiciary may very well have to look at a specialised court to deal with traffic offences,” he said.

He further announced that he has directed the Minister of Home Affairs to look at legislative amendments that are necessary for a fully electron-

ic process.

“The points demerit system will be integrated into the e-ticketing system,” the President said. “We don’t have to wait.”

In the meantime, the Head of State said, “E-ticketing, e-prosecution, but importantly, the writs, the warrants, and everything that has to be presented in court – all of this must be on an electronic platform. It is the only way we can achieve and celebrate the fullness of the technology,” he emphasised.

Under the proposed framework, unpaid tickets would trigger escalating penalties, including licence suspension under a tiered system.

“Our life matters. All of us have family members who use the roadways,” he stressed.

Exams moved to Guyana Digital School President Ali also announced that theoretical examinations for promotion and licensing within the GPF will be shifted to the Guyana Digital School, removing the administrative responsibility from the Force and ensuring greater transparency and independence in the process. He explained that examination setting, marking and question generation will be managed through a technology-driven platform, with artificial intelligence used to generate ques-

Guyana, Brazil to form Joint Strike Force to tackle rising border crime

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that Guyana and Brazil are in the process of developing a joint strike force to address crimes along the countries’ shared border.

He made the announcement on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference.

“I’ve mandated the Chief of Defence Staff, the Commissioner of Police and the Director of NISA (National Intelligence and Security Agency), the Director of CANU (Customs AntiNarcotics Unit). I’ve asked them, and I’ve already discussed with the Governor of Roraima for us to develop an integrated joint strike force to operate along the border,” the President said.

In a subsequent interview with the media, the Head of State explained that the strike force will play an integral role in combatting transnational crimes.

“The nature of transnational crime across the border is changing,” the President noted as he referenced previous successful joint collaborations in dismantling certain criminal activities.

“We want to coordinate

the

more, so we’re exploring how we can integrate a team that is trained to work together, because in security operations, it is very important that teams are trained to work together,” he noted.

Asked about the duration of the mission, the President noted that the plan is to make it institutionalised. “Sharing of intelligence, sharing of information, joint operations and those things,” he explained.

Recently, Police and prosecutors from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname joined forces in their first-ever transnational operation to combat illegal

gold mining.

The cross-border operation involved over 24,500 checks of vehicles and individuals and led to almost 200 arrests.

These include the detention in Guyana of three men on suspicion of gold smuggling and money laundering.

They were reportedly carrying unprocessed gold and US$590,000 in cash and are alleged to be members of a major organised crime group with possible links to a leading Guyanese gold exporting firm.

Meanwhile, President Ali said Guyana is hoping to develop a similar arrangement with Surinamese authorities.

tions from existing laws and regulations.

“All examinations would be independent from the Guyana Police Force. Theoretical ex-

aminations for licence and promotion exams will now be migrated to the Guyana Digital School,” the President said, adding that the move

will allow officers to focus on operational duties while ensuring a more modern and efficient testing system.

2 men admit to 2021 knife attack killing “Daddy”

Two Ruimveldt, Georgetown, men on Tuesday admitted to the 2021 killing of 29-yearold Nico Layne, known as “Daddy”, when they appeared before acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court. Osafi Johnson, 32, and Randy Tafari, 25, both pleaded guilty to the March 28, 2021 murder, which occurred on Leopold Street, Georgetown, during the early morning hours.

According to the agreed facts presented in court, Layne was “liming” with a group of individuals who were playing cards at the junction of High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, on the northern side of Silvies General Store. Around 01:15h, he parked his bicycle near a nearby snackette before joining the group.

Approximately 30 minutes later, Layne began asking about his bicycle after discovering it was no longer where he had left it. He subsequently walked north along High Street in the direction of Brickdam, and be-

tween 03:10h and 04:05h, Layne was seen running back toward the card players from Hadfield Street. He was being chased by two men who were a few feet apart. Johnson was armed with a long, shiny knife measuring about six inches, while Tafari carried a broad cutlass with a brown handle approximately 22 inches in length. A woman was also reportedly in their company and armed with a cutlass as she joined in pursuing Layne.

As Layne approached the group, he asked for a knife. At that time, a wound was visible beneath his armpit, and what appeared to be blood was seen on his jersey. He continued fleeing south along High Street before turning east onto Leopold Street, where he eventually collapsed.

The two accused caught up with him and dealt several blows with the knife. After the attack, Layne was left lying on his back while the men stood over him. They then walked west along Leopold Street and turned onto High Street, where

they attempted unsuccessfully to flag down a passing vehicle. They later ran south along High Street and were apprehended by police on Ling Street, Charlestown, and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

Layne was transported in a Sheriff Security vehicle to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators retrieved CCTV footage from cameras in the area on March 29, 2021, and while portions of the events leading up to the confrontation were captured partially, the fatal attack itself was recorded on surveillance video.

A post-mortem examination conducted by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that Layne sustained 17 incised wounds to his body, some consistent with slashing and others with stabbing. The cause of death was determined to be haemorrhage and shock due to multiple incised wounds.

The matter has been adjourned until March 16 for sentencing.

National consultations

Over 500 anti-bullying recommendations under review – Education Minister

More than 500 recommendations have already emerged from the Education Ministry’s national anti-bullying consultations, Education Minister Sonia Parag told the National Assembly on Wednesday as the 2026 education estimates were examined.

strengthen safety measures in schools, including the development of formal procedures and possibly legislation.

mendations and suggestions that we’re working through,” Parag said during the exchange.

The Minister said the submissions are now being reviewed as the Government moves to

“We have right now, from that first public consultation, over 500 recom-

CCPA, Police launch patrols to tackle student loitering at bus parks

The Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be conducting daily inspections at various transportation hubs to address the issue of loitering by students.

According to a statement from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, one such exercise was conducted on Monday.

The exercise is called a “Street Light Activity” and is aimed at promoting the safety, welfare, and school attendance of children, while discouraging loitering at public transportation hubs during school hours.

The exercise saw officers from the Stabroek Police Outpost working in close partnership with personnel from the CCPA’s south and north district teams, which includes the Director of the agency herself, Levine Gouveia.

Joint patrols were conducted along key public transportation points, including the East/West bus route, South bus route, Lamaha bus route, and the Kitty bus route. During the operation, some students were engaged.

The Ministry explained that officers interacted with the students to verify school attendance, assess the circumstances surrounding their presence at the bus parks during instructional hours, and reinforce the importance of consistent school participation as a critical foundation for their development and future success.

The activity will be conducted daily as part of the

CCPA’s sustained efforts to safeguard children, promote regular school attendance, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration in protecting the nation’s youth.

“The CCPA remains steadfast in its commitment to working alongside the Guyana Police Force and other key stakeholders to uphold the rights, safety, and overall well-being of every child,” the Ministry noted.

She added that the initiative will go beyond dialogue. “That is not just a talk shop. It is going to materialise into an MOU followed by action,” the Minister stated.

“Arising from these consultations, what we are aiming to do at the very least is to establish standard operating procedures… in the school system, and at the highest, we would like to look at legislation that will work for the safety and security of our children and teachers,” she said.

The issue arose as opposition members raised concerns about violence in schools. Dr Gordan Barker noted that there had been “an increase in violence in school” and referenced incidents in which teachers were attacked.

He later pressed the Minister on what measures would be implemented “to ensure the safety of teachers – and might I add the safety of both teachers and students, since we have gangs coming into schools.”

In response, Parag reiterated that the Ministry

maintains a “zero tolerance approach to students hitting teachers” and indicated that additional systems will be introduced as the consultations progress.

In recent months, the Education Ministry has embarked on a nationwide series of anti-bullying and anti-violence consultations aimed at strengthening policies across the school system. The engagements have brought together students, teachers, parents, administrators, and other stakeholders to gather feedback on how bullying should be defined, prevented, and addressed. The consultations form part of a broader push by the Ministry to introduce structured reporting mechanisms and clearer behavioural guidelines within schools, with the stated goal of creating safer learning environments.

Apart from bullying, the deliberations also touched on student retention and teacher training. Terrence Campbell, another opposition member of parliament, raised questions about secondary school dropout data and whether the Ministry was actively measuring trends.

“What you measure, you improve,” Campbell said,

urging the Ministry to ensure that up-to-date data on dropouts is publicly available.

Parag responded that the Ministry is “actively measuring” student retention, noting that what is referred to in the estimates as the “survival rate to the last grade of secondary” reflects that data.

She added that guidance counsellors are being retrained “more in line with psychology”, describing it as upgraded training aimed at better equipping schools to address behavioural and social challenges.

Teacher training and accountability measures also featured prominently. In defending the introduction of biometric attendance systems in schools, Parag said investments must translate into improved outcomes.

“We can’t invest heavily in the training of teachers, and then you’re having time periods in which students are not being taught,” she said, adding that the system is intended to strengthen accountability rather than punish educators.

The 2026 education estimates were subsequently approved in the Committee of Supply.

Committal hearing delayed in death of Guyanese law student in Antigua

The prosecution is still preparing its case against a man accused in connection with the death of a teenage Guyanese law student who died on an Antigua roadway last May.

Victor Ince, 24, of Lightfoot West appeared before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on Wednesday, but the committal hearing was postponed to March 18, as the case file remains under review by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Ince faces charges of forcible seizure and confinement, as well as unlawful killing, in relation to the May 7, 2025, death of 19-year-old Joyleen Abraham. The University of Guyana student had been visiting the island to see a personal friend when the fatal incident occurred at Judges Estate. She was found unresponsive on a byroad connecting New Winthorpes Village to the Jabberwock main road and was pronounced dead at the

J’ca Govt steps up monitoring as Cuban outages disrupt Jamaican students

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stepped up daily monitoring of the situation in Cuba as blackouts disrupt internet access and online learning for Jamaican students, who are now being urged to consider returning home before potential flight suspensions make travel more difficult.

Speaking during a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said that the island’s fuel shortages were triggering “frequent, lengthy and unpredictable electricity interruptions”, affecting not only education but also access to

food, medical supplies and transportation of more than 300 Jamaicans studying across Cuba.

According to the Minister, 44 Jamaican students are enrolled under the Cuba/Jamaica Scholarship Programme, while another 256 are privately funded, and so far, at least 13 privately funded students have already returned home.

To maintain direct contact, Smith noted the Ministry has created a WhatsApp group linking roughly 320 students with officials in Kingston and the Jamaican Embassy in Havana, a move that has allowed the Government

to register many privately funded students who were previously outside formal channels.

She also noted that the embassy has written to Cuban authorities seeking clarity on whether transcripts would be made available to students who may need to continue their studies elsewhere, should disruptions persist.

Smith added that an official response from the Cuban embassy is still pending; however, informal guidance has suggested that students must engage their individual institutions directly. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Chikungunya cases increasing; PAHO recommends preparedness

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert following a sustained increase in chikungunya cases in several countries in the Americas from late 2025 into early 2026. The alert also highlights the re-emergence of local transmission in areas that had not reported virus circulation in several years.

While this trend is consistent with expected patterns in areas where the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector is present, environmental factors such as extreme temperatures favour mosquito breeding. The persistence of the virus in endemic areas, along with the circulation of the

Asian and East, Central, and South African (ECSA) genotypes, underscores the need for sensitive surveillance and a timely response.

In the Americas, between January 1 and December 10, 2025, 313,132 cases were reported, of which 113,926 were confirmed, including 170 deaths in 18 countries and one territory during 2025.

Several countries in South America and the Caribbean have reported increases in specific areas compared to 2024. Since late 2025, sustained rises have been observed in multiple countries and territories, including the re-establishment of local transmission in places that had been free of the virus for

years. In Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname, detections in 2025 and 2026 indicate the resumption of transmission after a decade without reported cases.

PAHO recommends that countries strengthen epidemiological and laboratory surveillance to detect cases and outbreaks early, ensure proper clinical management – especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children under one year of age, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions – and intensify integrated vector management actions, including the elimination of mosquito breeding sites. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Haitian man kills 3 with machete before being lynched

Arural community in Haiti’s northeast is reeling after a machete attack killed four people and sparked a mob lynching, underscoring the country’s deep public safety failures and the absence of mental health care in many rural areas.

The violence unfolded early Sunday morning, February 8, in Savanne Longue, the third communal section of Ouanaminthe, near the Dominican border. Around 08:00h, a man identified by residents as Manius attacked multiple people with a machete in the Birannman area, where farmers were tending livestock.

Police say at least three people were killed during the initial attack, with several others seriously injured.

A fourth death occurred later, when residents captured the suspect and beat him before setting him on fire.

“We are facing vio-

Residents of Savanne Longue, Ouanaminthe, gather following the lynching of the man accused of a machete massacre

lence of extreme brutality,” Ouanaminthe Police Commissioner Ronald Eugène said. “Our priority is to establish the facts and ensure the law is applied.”

According to local authorities and eyewitnesses, the reasons for the massacre and the circumstances around it are unclear. Manius struck without warning, attacking people engaged in daily agricultural work. Victims had little time to flee or defend themselves.

Among the dead were

Mia Amor Mottley wins 3rd term after Barbados polls

Barbados Prime Minister and global climate action champion Mia Amor Mottley has won a third consecutive term in office, according to preliminary results, after Barbadians went to the polls on Wednesday.

Mottley is the country’s first female leader since its independence in 1966, and her strong international advocacy for climate action and support for small and vulnerable nations have made her an influential and popular global and regional leader, experts say.

In a recent nationwide poll, nearly 80 per cent of the decided voters interviewed said they would vote for Mottley’s ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP). And the results seemed to track that way, with Mottley already securing more than 70 per cent of the vote, with counting yet to be concluded, up to press time.

The survey, commissioned by local outlets the Nation and Starcom, also gauged support for party leaders and found that 61.2 per cent of respondents favoured Mottley, compared with only 18 per cent for the leader of the opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Ralph Thorne.

Only about 10 per cent said they would consider vot-

ing outside the two main parties.

The poll forecasts a consolidation of support for BLP, which under Mottley’s leadership celebrated landslide victories in 2018 and 2022.

But it also shows voter apathy, with nearly half the electorate interviewed saying they were undecided or will not be voting. (Adapted from The Guardian)

“Enjoy Carnival, but don’t embarrass yourselves” – PM; Archbishop condemns mas band

Prime Minister (PM) Kamla PersadBissessar is calling on masqueraders to refrain from doing anything to embarrass or humiliate themselves or their loved ones while enjoying the Carnival revelry.

On Sunday, the Roman Catholic Archbishop Jason Gordon condemned the mas band Tribe for distributing sex toys in goodie bags to its female masqueraders. And he says if Carnival continues to slip into this type of “hedonism”, the Government should step in and regulate, particularly Carnival Monday and Tuesday, if mas bands fail to do so.

Archbishop Gordon made the comment during his homily, saying while he loves Carnival and many as-

Archbishop Jason Gordon

pects of it, issuing sex toys was going too far.

Guardian Media asked the PM on Wednesday to weigh in on the controver-

sy surrounding the distribution of these adult toys this Carnival.

In a WhatsApp response on the issue, PM PersadBissessar offered some words of advice, urging masqueraders not to embarrass themselves or their families.

“My advice to Carnival revellers is to enjoy yourselves, but don’t do anything to embarrass yourself or demean your loved one’s reputations. I wouldn’t want to see anyone who was really just trying to have a good time being humiliated on social media because of a regrettable act they committed in a moment of bad or impaired judgement.”

The Prime Minister did not address the call for the Government to regulate the festival. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Shakira to headline Brazil’s Copacabana free concert in May, Rio Mayor suggests

Ludovic Julien, 68; Roger Pierre, 79, known as Tonne Delan, who was taking care of a fighting rooster at the time of the attack; and a man from the nearby Carice Commune whose name has not yet been officially released, who was attacked on the road and later died at a hospital. Both Pierre and the animal were killed.

Manius, the accused assailant, was lynched by an angry mob hours later.

(Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

Colombian pop star Shakira has been chosen as this year’s headliner for what has become a traditional public concert on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes suggested in a social media post on Wednesday.

Rio’s city hall and the state Government have scheduled a press conference on Thursday to officially present this year’s edition of the concert known as “Todo Mundo no Rio”.

The Mayor posted a video of Shakira on his social media with the caption “confirmed”, without providing further details, but people familiar with the production said his post referred to the upcoming performance.

If formally announced, Shakira would be the third global star to lead the festival, following Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga in 2025.

Gaga’s concert drew more than two million people to Copacabana and was estimated to inject 600 million

reais ($115.71 million) into the city’s economy, according to local authorities.

This year’s concert is expected to take place on May 2, and has become one of the city’s biggest events for national and international tourists.

Unlike Madonna and Lady Gaga, Shakira has performed in Brazil in recent years, prompting some scepticism about whether this year’s event will match previous attendance figures. (Reuters)

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil up 1% as Middle East tension offsets large US crude stocks build

Oil prices gained about one per cent on Wednesday, as investors worried about escalating tensions between Iran and the US, which were preparing to resume negotiations, while a weekly report showing a large build in US crude inventories limited gains.

Brent crude oil futures settled 60 cents, or 0.87 per cent, higher at US$69.40 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 67 cents, or nearly 1.05 per cent, to US$64.63.

“The market continues to be supported by the tension between the US and Iran and the on-again, offagain talks that don’t seem to lead to any resolution,” said Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates.

Limiting price gains, the US crude inventories rose by 8.5 million barrels to 428.8 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration said, far exceeding analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 793,000-barrel rise.

“Domestic production came back with a vengeance and was not that far off the all-time record,” said Robert Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho.

In the wider market, OPEC left its oil supply-demand expectations largely unchanged in its monthly report but highlighted that global oil demand for the wider group’s crude will drop by 400,000 bpd in the second quarter compared to the first. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gunman who fired shots in Thai school detained after wounding teacher, girl

Agunman who used a firearm stolen from a Police Officer to wound a teacher and a girl at a school in southern Thailand’s Hat Yai district on Wednesday has been detained, authorities said.

The 17-yearold suspect entered Patongprathankiriwat School in Songkhla Province’s Hat Yai earlier in the day, appearing agitated, the provincial Government said in a statement.

The suspect has a sister at the school, Police Commander Teerasak Chaiyotha said, but a motive has yet to be determined.

A female teacher was critically injured and had undergone surgery and was now in an intensive care unit, while a teen girl was shot in the waist and was now in stable condition, he added.

In a photograph shared by Police, the suspect, barefoot and wearing shorts and

a T-shirt, is shown pinned to the ground by armed officers.

He had earlier attacked a Police officer and stolen his firearm, provincial Governor Ratthasart Chidchoo said, adding that the suspect had a history of substance abuse and was discharged from a psychiatric hospital in December.

In a video obtained by Reuters, armed Police officers storm the three-storey school building as gunfire rings out.

Another video shows students running down staircases while Police – some wearing helmets, black bulletproof vests, and carrying rifles – shout, “Go home, kids, it’s safe.” Gun violence and ownership are not uncommon in Thailand. In 2002, a former Police officer killed 36 persons, including 22 children, in a gun-and-knife attack at a nursery in the country’s east. (Reuters)

UK promises to double troop numbers in Norway to deter Putin

ritish Defence

BSecretary John Healey promised during a visit to Royal Marines at Camp Viking in the Norwegian Arctic to increase the number of troops deployed to the country from 1000 to 2000 over three years.

Healey said, “Demands on defence are rising, and Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic and high north security that we have

seen since the Cold War. We see Putin rapidly re-establishing military presence in the region, including reopening old Cold War bases.”

The UK will also commit forces to NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, the alliance’s initiative to improve security in the region to help address Donald Trump’s concerns over Greenland. The promises to bolster the defence of the Arctic came as

British former head of the armed forces General Sir Nick Carter called for greater European cooperation to deter Russia and support Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assembled his top military officers on Tuesday to discuss shortcomings in air defence and other aspects of protecting civilians from attack.

“Many changes are happen-

ing right now in the work of air defence. In some regions, the way teams operate, interceptors, mobile fire units, the entire small air defence component is being practically rebuilt completely,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.

“But this is only one element of defence that requires changes. Changes will happen.” (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Epstein survivor calls on Palace to search Andrew’s files

Asurvivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse has called on Buckingham Palace to proactively search files and emails relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with the paedophile financier.

Juliette Bryant told the BBC she welcomed a statement this week in which the King said he was “ready to support” the Police as they consider allegations against his brother.

But Bryant, who said she was abused by Epstein in the early 2000s, called on the Royal Family to do more to help uncover the truth. Bryant never met

Andrew and has made no allegations against him. A Palace spokesperson previously said the King had “made clear... his profound concern” at allegations about Andrew.

In reference to the Palace, she said: “It’s great that they’ve made a statement, finally. But the thing is, are they going to actually act on it?”

The former aspiring model said both she and other victims were willing to be contacted by the Palace, adding, “I just hope they’re not just saying this. I would like to see them actually taking action.”

Referring to the Palace, as well as the Police and other authorities, she added: “They need to go through all Prince Andrew’s files and emails.” Bryant said the authorities had previously gone through “all my information” in relation to her contact with Epstein. “I think it’s about time they went through his information, since he was actually Epstein’s friend,” she said. “I think that they should be releasing information if they have nothing to hide.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iran says missile programme non-negotiable as Tehran, Washington eye talks

Iran is unwilling to compromise on its missile capabilities, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader has said, indicating a potential sticking point in negotiations with the United States.

Ali Shamkhani made the statement on Wednesday during an event marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution. “The Islamic Republic’s missile capabilities are non-negotiable,” he was quoted by state media as saying.

His remarks follow a round of mediated talks between the US and Iranian officials last week in Oman

that failed to yield a breakthrough. Iran wants the talks to focus exclusively on nuclear issues, while the US has pushed to also address Iran’s ballistic missile

programme and regional alliances.

“The Iranians are saying we are ready to talk nuclear, but we are not ready to talk ballistics,” said Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem, reporting from Tehran, Iran. “For the United States, this is a big issue.”

Many Iranians, still marked by memories of last June’s 12-day war with Israel that killed some 610 persons in the country, fear the prospect of renewed conflict. “Many here are quite concerned this could lead to something unfavourable,” said Hashem. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

British Columbia high school shooter identified as 18-year-old local

At least nine were killed and dozens more injured in shootings at a high school and residence in the northeast part of the province of British Columbia. The suspected shooter is dead.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Dwayne McDonald, the deputy commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s branch in British Columbia, identified the suspected shooter as 18-year-old Jesse

Van Rootselaar, a resident of the small community where the school is located.

Van Rootselaar was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, McDonald said. He added, “It’s important to recognise that this scene is still in its infancy while we gather evidence.”

The school shooting was first reported at 13:20h Pacific Time at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

Authorities responded to find six dead inside, and a seventh died while being transported to a hospital. Two were male students, three were female students and another was an adult female educator.

Police then responded to a second crime scene at a residence, where two more persons were found dead. The deceased, an adult woman and a boy, are believed to be the mother and brother of the suspected shooter. The ex -

act nature of their injuries was not immediately disclosed.

Two more persons from the shooting at the school were airlifted to area hospitals with serious or life-threatening injuries.

Two firearms, a long gun and a pistol, were recovered by officers who responded to the shooting.

About 25 others were assessed at a local medical centre for non-life-threatening injuries. (Excerpt from CBS News)

SUDOKU

Confusion is prevalent and can be emotionally and financially costly if you don’t check your facts. Too much of anything will set you back. Choose modesty, simplicity and minimalism.

Avoid impulsive behavior. The best results come from hard work, time, patience, dedication and desire. If you want to reach your objective, do so in an environment conducive to achievement.

Money talks. Refrain from spending money on items that promise the impossible. Recognize when someone is taking advantage of you and avoid sharing private information.

Look at the big picture and the possibilities, and don’t rule something out because you cannot grasp the changes involved. It’s time to grow and to try something new and exciting.

You’ll receive mixed emotions from whoever you try to get information from. Do some research and verify what you discover before you move forward with your plans.

Size up situations, what’s available and what’s within your price range. Don’t mix money and emotions. Social events will bring you closer to someone you love.

Put your energy into something you enjoy doing. The time you spend working to perfect something you enjoy will encourage you to rearrange your schedule to include more pleasurable activities.

Take a break, rethink your plans and direct your energy accordingly. Let your intuition, intelligence and imagination guide you forward. Let your thoughts turn into action.

Balance your budget and see what’s left. Once you set a budget for something you want, it will shape your outlook and help you move forward with your plans.

Set goals that excite you. Travel, educational pursuits and reuniting with people you enjoy being around will motivate you to take an active part in changing your life and manifesting your dreams.

Direct your energy in a positive direction, and the returns will be satisfying. Stick to the straight and narrow, and let honesty, integrity and openness carry you to victory.

Take a moment to reflect before you act. Emotions can twist your perception, leaving you vulnerable if you act in haste. Look inward and work on self-improvement instead of trying to change others.

Heartbreak for Gurbaz, Afghanistan as South Africa win after double Super Over

They had it won when the last over of regulation time began with Afghanistan needing 13 with one wicket in hand. Kagiso Rabada, though, bowled two no-balls, but a running error allowed them to tie the match. South Africa were then done and dusted, but Tristan Stubbs hit a last-ball six to force a second Super Over. This left Afghanistan needing four sixes off four balls; Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored 84 off 42 in regulation time, hit three of them but needed just a four to take it to the third Super Over after Keshav Maharaj bowled a wide but hit straight to point.

A couple of metres either side, and Afghanistan would have had another shot at beating South Africa in a T20I for the first time. Losing semi-finalists last edition, now they are left needing more than just wins against UAE and Canada to make it out of the first round.

Allowed no soft launch by the draw, having lost the first match against New Zealand, Afghanistan came into this mustwin encounter spin-heavy on a pitch with some grip. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, though, scored twin half-centuries to give their taller bowlers with canny changes of pace just enough – it seemed – to defend despite an outlier effort by Gurbaz. However, Rabada and Marco Jansen made closing errors against the No. 10, Noor Ahmad. With two needed off the last three balls – the first of those a free hit – the last pair took an improbable second to give South Africa a lifeline and the T20 World Cup its first double Super Over.

Rickelton and de Kock get the better of spin

The skilled left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi, who would later make the error to cause the tie, got off to a superb start, swinging the ball each way and taking out Aiden Markram with a slower ball to expose two lefthand batters to offspinners. The shapes Rickelton’s body makes when playing shots can often be similar to de Kock’s, and he has long been the natural heir. At times, South Africa have found it difficult to accommodate both in the same XI. They will be thankful they had these two here. It was de Kock – only 6.94 per over against spin so far in his T20 career – who broke the shackles after a start of 12 for 1 in four overs. Whatever de Kock did, though, Rickelton did with more brute force. Left-arm wrist spinner Noor, brought in for this match as the only change, bore the biggest brunt of it. De Kock welcomed him with a six over long-on first ball, and two balls later, Rickelton hit an even bigger

one. The duo even got to their fifties in the same over: the 11th, bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Rickelton took only 23 balls, and

he faced from Rabada he uppercut over deep third for an even bigger six. George Linde, the tall left-arm spinner who was going to be crucial, met the same fate

de Kock 34, but it was de Kock who had taken on spin early on.

Rashid brings Afghanistan back Taken down for 21 runs in his first two overs, captain Rashid Khan started the comeback for Afghanistan with the wickets of Rickelton and de Kock in the same over to reach 699 T20 wickets. The duo added 114 in 10.1 overs to take South Africa to 126 in the 13th over but now began a new game. Afghanistan offered batters little pace, and only a couple of big blows from Jansen in the end took them to 187. That was just 63 runs off the last 7.3 overs.

Gurbaz stuns South Africa

It started with a gentle full toss from Lungi Ngidi, but pretty soon Gurbaz was taking down the best balls the other bowlers had to offer. He backed away and ramped an accurate short ball from Jansen for six. The first ball

first ball: Gurbaz made room and hit him on the up and down the ground for a six over long-off.

Ngidi and Maharaj keep chipping away

The Player of the Match, Ngidi, came back superbly from that 13-run first over. He dealt almost exclusively in slower balls even with the new ball. One of them dipped under the bat of Ibrahim Zadran, and another drew a return catch from Gulbadin Naib, which Ngidi took with a full-length dive to his right.

While Gurbaz successfully got the better of Linde, the other left-arm spinner, Maharaj, was excellent in not conceding a boundary in his first three overs. Even when Gurbaz managed to hit a six off him, he came back immediately with a slow wide ball, which Gurbaz edged to backward point for a diving catch for Linde. Maharaj’s figures: 4-027-1 despite two harsh wide calls.

Regulation-time drama

It was now down to the IPL trio of Rashid, Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai for Afghanistan, with the asking rate hovering around 10 for the last seven overs or so.

Ngidi’s slower balls were offset by Jansen’s pace, which Omarzai hit for two fours. Linde made a comeback with Nabi’s wicket from over the wicket, but Rashid immediately swept him away for four to keep Afghanistan in the hunt. Rabada executed slower balls and yorkers perfectly in the 17th over, but Rashid still hit two fours somehow: a slower ball pulled between cow corner and deep square leg, and a yorker squeezed past point.

In the 18th over, bowled by Ngidi, Stubbs caught Omarzai at the edge of long-on, tossed the ball up, stepped over and came back in to give South Africa the advantage. A diving catch by David Miller in the 19th over sent Rashid back for 20 off 12.

Nineteen needed off nine, only tailenders left. South Africa should have cruised home, but Jansen either missed a yorker or got greedy for a lower-order wicket and bowled an on-pace slot ball to Noor. Bang, it went for six, and we were back on again despite a run-out off the last ball of the over.

South Africa were celebrating the first ball of the last over with Noor caught in the offside, but Rabada had overstepped. Incredibly, Ahmad smoked another six off a slower short ball, and another no-ball made it a cruise for Afghanistan. They could have taken a single off the fourth ball, a free hit, and taken their time to get another single off the next two balls. That was probably the message that came out from the dugout but was intercepted by the umpires, and the messenger was sent back. They set off for the non-existent second off the free hit and failed to make it despite a wide throw.

First Super Over

Gurbaz must have felt he didn’t need to reprise his heroics from regulation time when Omarzai hit a six and two fours off Ngidi in the first Super Over to set South Africa a stiff 18 runs to get. Farooqi nearly redeemed himself after that run-out by getting Dewald Brevis out and making it 11 needed off three. Cruelly, a perfect yorker squirted off the bottom edge for four, and then he missed the last-ball yorker, allowing Stubbs to hit a flat six over the short straight boundary.

Second Super Over Omarzai was now put through the ringer after he had nearly done enough with the bat in the first Super Over. This

time Stubbs got stuck into the first ball, and Miller demolished errors in length for two more sixes to set Afghanistan 24 in one over to essentially stay alive in the tournament.

South Africa sprung a surprise by throwing the ball to Maharaj, their second-best bowler in regulation time but also a spinner. However, it did result in a change in plans for Afghanistan: they split the unbeaten pair from the first Super Over and sent in Nabi, a better hitter of spin. It didn’t work out as he grabbed a two-ball duck.

Gurbaz, though, refused to lose. He didn’t deserve to lose. Short flat ball. Over long-off. Now three sixes are needed off three. Flighted and slow. Six again. Now two are needed off two. Fired in on a length and heaved over wide long-on. With six needed off the last ball, surely we can’t have another tie? We can, because Maharaj bowls a wide. Then he goes wide again, Gurbaz slices it, nobody is behind the backward point, but he ends up hitting it straight to Miller for his second catch of the Super Over. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

South Africa (20 ovs maximum)

Aiden Markram (c)

c Mohammad Nabi

b Fazalhaq Farooqi 5 Quinton de Kock †

c Ibrahim Zadran

b Rashid Khan 59

Ryan Rickelton lbw

b Rashid Khan 61

Dewald Brevis

c Mohammad Nabi

b Azmatullah Omarzai 23

David Miller not out 20 Tristan Stubbs

c Mujeeb Ur Rahman

b Azmatullah Omarzai 1

Marco Jansen c Sediqullah Atal

b Azmatullah Omarzai 16

Extras (b 1, w 1) 2

Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.35) 187/6

Did not bat: George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngid Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Aiden Markram, 2.3 ov), 2-126 (Quinton de Kock, 12.4 ov), 3-127 (Ryan Rickelton, 12.6 ov), 4-155 (Dewald Brevis, 17.2 ov), 5-159 (Tristan Stubbs, 17.6 ov), 6-187 (Marco Jansen, 19.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Fazalhaq Farooqi 4-0-32-1

Mujeeb Ur Rahman 3-0-30-0

Azmatullah Omarzai 4-0-41-3

Mohammad Nabi 2-0-20-0 Rashid Khan 4-0-28-2 Noor Ahmad 3-0-35-0

Afghanistan (T: 188 runs from 20 ovs)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz † c Linde b Maharaj 84

Ibrahim Zadran b Ngidi 12

Gulbadin Naib c & b Ngidi 0 Sediqullah Atal c Jansen b Rabada 0 Darwish Rasooli run out (†de Kock/Maharaj) 15

Azmatullah Omarzai c Stubbs

b Ngidi 22

Mohammad Nabi c Markram

b Linde 5

Rashid Khan (c) c Miller

b Jansen 20 Mujeeb Ur Rahman run out (Jansen) 0 Noor Ahmad not out 15 Fazalhaq Farooqi run out (Jansen/Rabada) 0

Extras (lb 1, nb 2, w 11) 14

Total 19.4 Ov (RR: 9.50) 187

Fall of wickets: 1-51 (Ibrahim Zadran, 4.2 ov), 2-51 (Gulbadin Naib, 4.4 ov), 3-52 (Sediqullah Atal, 5.2 ov), 4-121

(Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 12.3 ov), 5-121 (Darwish Rasooli, 12.5 ov), 6-139 (Mohammad Nabi, 15.1 ov), 7-164 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 17.5 ov), 8-169 (Rashid Khan, 18.3 ov), 9-175 (Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 18.6 ov), 10-187 (Fazalhaq Farooqi, 19.4 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W

MODEC Tertiary football…

UCTTC, NATI bag contrasting wins

The Upper Corentyne Technical Training Centre (UCTTC) and the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) on Wednesday became the latest winners in the ongoing, inaugural MODEC Tertiary Education Football tournament.

The football action moved to the Scott’s Ground in New Amsterdam, where a clash between UCTTC and the University of Guyana (UG) Tain Campus was first up in the doubleheader.

UCTTC’s Rarvon Simon broke the ice between the two teams in the 12th minute, while Joshaun Marshall doubled their lead by the 15th. Marshall then went on to register the first hat-trick of the tournament with goals in the 21st and 25th minutes.

West Coast Berbice. That match is set to kick off at 15:00h.

The participating teams include UG Turkeyen, UG Tain Campus, PMTI, NATI, MTI, UCTTC, GSA, Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Government Technical Institute (GTI), Linden Technical Institute (LTI), Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI), Texila American University (TAU), Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre (LT&VTC) and Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC).

Solomon Lowenfield later added a brace to UCTTC’s tally in the 43rd and 65th minutes to cap off the 6-0 win.

NATI later edged Port Mourant Technical Institute (PMTI) 2-1 in the following encounter.

Feaad Hussein put NATI in the lead early, netting a brace in the 20th and 22nd minutes.

However, PMTI’s Akadien Kenneth made a sprint

for a comeback with a 36th-minute strike, but PMTI just could not find the equaliser in the remaining minutes.

The MODEC Tertiary tournament is scheduled

to continue on Thursday, February 12, with a clash between the Mahaicony Technical Institute (MTI) and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) at the Number Five Ground,

The teams in the tournament will be competing for a $300,000 grand prize to be given in kind for a school project. The second-, third- and fourthplace finishers will pocket $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 for the same purpose.

GBF to host inaugural National U23 3x3 Club Championship

…tournament set for Feb 28 at new Campbellville court

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF)

will host its U23 3x3 Club Championship on February 28 at the Campbellville Basketball Court, bringing together many of the country’s most promising young talents in the fastpaced, Olympic-recognised format of the game.

The one-day tournament is a key component of the Federation’s national development strategy for 3x3 basketball, the fastest-growing version of the sport globally.

U23 3x3 basketball is set for February 28

Ten teams, including approximately 40 of Guyana’s top emerging U23 players, will compete, representing clubs and

communities from across the country.

Participating teams include Ravens, Colts, Pacesetters, Eagles, Flames, Jets, Royals, Kwakwani Untouchables, Bartica, and Berbice.

According to the GBF, the championship is designed to strengthen structured club-level participation in 3x3 basketball, provide high-intensity competitive exposure, and assist in preparing players identified for Guyana’s participation at the South American Youth Games 3x3 event.

Incentives are also on offer, with the winning

club set to pocket $200,000, second place earning $100,000, and third place receiving $50,000.

President of the GBF, Michael Singh, said the tournament marks the Federation’s second activity for the year and signals a packed calendar ahead in 2026.

He explained that staging the event at the recently commissioned Campbellville court forms part of the Federation’s initiative to take basketball back into communities.

“We’ve seen the Government investing in community sports facili -

ties, and with that, a number of basketball courts were reopened and fitted with basic amenities to play. We intend to utilise those facilities to help develop the sport,” Singh said.

Singh added that promoting 3x3 at the club level is intended to empower clubs to focus on both formats of basketball.

He also noted that senior players will soon be engaged as well, particularly with Guyana set to compete in 3x3 basketball at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

Rutherford reaping rewards from hard work

Every cricketer has rough patches. What matters most is how well you can bounce back. Sherfane Rutherford has bounced back with a bang, and his form has extended from the South Africa T20 League.

Rutherford slammed a career-best T20 international score for West Indies with an accomplished unbeaten 76 from 42 balls. He struck seven sixes and two fours to help the West Indies win their second game of this T20 World Cup.

“First of all, I want to thank God for this oppor -

tunity; you know, playing on the biggest stage. But my finger is good; hopefully, it will be better for the next game.”

(On the challenges England posed with the

ball) “I think one of the biggest challenges was Adil Rashid. In our meeting, we knew that he was going to be the toughest bowler for us. So, what was important for me was just to try and

keep him out of the game, try and score, just keep rotating the strike, build a partnership, and just back ourselves to make up in the end,” Rutherford said.

“For me, I’ve been putting in a lot of work coming into the World Cup. For me, once I trust my process and read the situation, I think once I’m in, I can always score in the end. So, it was just important for me to have a clear mind and just play with more intent,” he posited.

Despite the West Indies scoring 196-6 in their 20 overs, Rutherford said they were 10 runs behind.

He credited the bowlers for their work in defending a total against a strong batting unit.

“For me, I think we were like 10 runs behind. With England batting, we know they are very powerful. But I think the guys stood up well tonight and bowled well, so well done to them. This win means a lot to us.”

Rutherford added, “On this big stage, you want to ensure that you’ve got that momentum. It was very important for us to keep this momentum. Moving forward, it’s just about getting better, trying to add 10 per cent to our game, and hopefully, we can keep going better.”

West Indies will now play Nepal on Sunday, February 15, in Mumbai from 1:30h local time.

(Guyanese helping win games) “Yeah, it’s good for our country. Our country has been coming into the spotlight, but cricket is a team sport. Moving forward, hopefully other guys can put their hands up, and, as a collective unit, we can continue to get better. (Two from two, a lot of confidence in the team) Yeah, definitely.”

GCB receives historic Olympic affiliation

In a historic and ground-breaking development for Guyanese sport, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has officially received Olympic affiliation following the unanimous approval and ratification of its membership application by the Executive Committee and General Council of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

The GCB affiliation follows key meetings held between the GOA and GCB, and the fulfilment of all governance, constitutional, and financial compliance requirements, consistent with Olympic standards, by the GCB.

This landmark affiliation formally integrates cricket into Guyana’s Olympic sport framework and creates a clear pathway for Guyanese cricketers – both men and women – to represent the nation at the Olympic Games and across the wider Olympic multi-sport cycle, including regional and continental games.

Pathway to the Olympic stage

The GCB’s affiliation aligns Guyana with crick-

et’s global expansion into the Olympic movement, driven by the sport’s inclusion in upcoming Olympiccycle events such as the Lima 2027 Pan American Games and the 2026 South American Games in Argentina, with the ultimate aim of qualifying for and winning Olympic medals.

Cricket will make its Olympic return at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where six teams will compete in the T20 format in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Each gender has been allocated 90 athlete quotas, allowing participating nations to field squads of up to 15 players, following approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Executive Board on April 9.

GOA President Godfrey Munroe welcomed the decision, describing it as a milestone for both cricket and the Olympic movement in Guyana.

“I am truly happy to have the full support of the Executive Committee and Council in unanimously approving the inclusion of the Guyana Cricket Board as an affiliated member of the Guyana Olympic Association,” Munroe shared.

He added, “Cricket is a sport with deep institutional strength structures, global reach, and immense developmental potential, and its inclusion brings significant synergies to the Olympic family in Guyana

and for the Olympic movement.

The GOA has been actively working with and will continue to work with international partners to provide clarity and guidance on qualification pathways, regulatory frameworks, and athlete participation.

We are confident that this affiliation will generate strong synergies, advance Olympic values, and open new high-performance opportunities for Guyanese athletes as we look toward the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru; the 2026 South American Senior Games in Santa Fe, Argentina; the LA 2028 Olympic Games; and beyond.”

Bissoondyal Singh,

President of the GCB, shared, “This Olympic affiliation represents a historic moment for cricket in Guyana. It validates the governance reforms, development programmes, and long-term vision of the Guyana Cricket Board, while opening the door for our athletes to compete on the world’s highest multisport stage.”

“With this affiliation now in place, Guyana formally embarks on its Olympic cricket journey – setting in motion plans for qualification, team selection, athlete preparation, and high-performance training. The ultimate ambition is clear: to position Guyana competitively on the world’s grandest sporting stage and pursue

Olympic success and the nation’s first Olympic gold medal.”

“We look forward to working closely with the Guyana Olympic Association as we prepare our athletes and teams to meet the demands of Olympic-cycle competition.”

Cricket and the Olympic Games – Historical Context

Cricket was last contested at the Olympic Games in 1900 in Paris, where a single match was played between teams representing Great Britain and France, with Great Britain winning the gold medal. Following its inclusion at the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, the sport did not reappear on the Olympic programme for more than a century.

Cricket’s return to the Olympic stage was formally confirmed at the IOC Session in India in October 2023. The sport’s global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has been an IOC-recognised federation since December 2007 – paving the way for cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028.

Cutting delighted with road race win, Beacon sponsorship

The small but closeknit cycling fraternity was left in shock on Sunday morning, as young rider Ajani Cutting cruised past the finish line on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, first; importantly, before a field of other seasoned competitors.

As the Kaieteur Attack rider copped first place, Alex Mendes and Briton

John completed the podium, while Jamal John, Robin Persaud and Aaron Newton capped off the top six in the Beacon Road race – Open category.

Speaking exclusively with this publication, Cutting explained his desire to start his senior career with a bang after moving up from the junior ranks.

Cutting told the Guyana

Times Sport, “This win means a lot since I’m transitioning from a junior to a senior, and since this is the first year, the first race I’m in for the year, and the first road race; I just decided, you know what, I’m a senior now; I decided to go off with a big bang.”

“This win means a lot to me. There are a lot of favourites who are preparing

Leonora set to host Nationals

The National Schools Athletics Championships are fast approaching, and the venue has been officially chosen for this prestigious event.

This year, the action will unfold at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora, as confirmed by insiders involved in the organisation of the championships.

Despite the recent inauguration of the Bayrock National Stadium, Linden will miss out on hosting duties for at least another year.

The National Track and Field Centre

Furthermore, those familiar with the maintenance of the Leonora facility have reported that

the track is in excellent shape in preparation for the March event.

to go on tours or whatever, and I decided I’d put my best foot forward and just believe in God,” the young rider added.

The student athlete, discussing his expectations for the year ahead, admitted that Sunday’s win was a statement to the local cycling fraternity.

“Yes, most definitely,” he responded, “because since I’m a senior now and I have a lot of expectations as a student, a son, and an athlete, so I’m just progressing. I have a lot of outcomes and a lot of expectations for this year, and I’m willing to fulfil that.”

At the conclusion of the race, Beacon Café proprietor Ramdeo Kumar announced his company’s sponsorship of Cutting for the 2026 year, which the rider hopes to make the best of.

“This opportunity is really a very great opportunity for me since, again, I’m going to school; I attend St Joseph’s High. With that said, sometimes cycling is a very tedious sport and very expensive, so this opportunity as a student, also being able to be sponsored while being able to race, is really great for me,” Cutting gushed.

He added, “I’m willing to carry through and optimise everything from this.”

Rutherford, spinners lead West Indies to 2nd straight win

Given all the prematch hype about their 2016 encounter, this contest could well have been set up for failure. Instead, all the chat about their T20 glory days inspired West Indies with bat and ball, as they landed a brilliant 30-run victory under the floodlights at the Wankhede Stadium, thanks to a calculated but powerful half-century from Sherfane Rutherford and a stunning spin strangle in dewy conditions, led by Gudakesh Motie’s three wickets.

England looked to have the match in their grasp on numerous occasions: when the West Indies slumped to eight for two after losing what seemed a vital toss; when Adil Rashid bounced back from a rough day against Nepal with a stunning boundary-less spell of 2 for 16; when Phil Salt came clattering out of the starting gates to power England along to 67 for 1 in the powerplay.

But the walls closed in on them as soon as West Indies turned to spin. Motie and Roston Chase dovetailed magnificently through the middle overs for combined figures of 5 for 62 in eight, which became 6 for 94 in 12 when Akeal Hosein ended what he had begun by picking off England’s seventh wicket – Jamie Overton – in the covers.

Jofra Archer’s dawdling run-out by Jason Holder’s direct hit epitomised an England performance that had run out of road long before Sam Curran was left high and dry on 43 not out, with Chase’s tumbling catch at deep square leg off Rashid being a fitting way to cap a fine personal display. Having edged over the line against Nepal in their previous game, England’s impressive run of 11 wins in 12 T20Is came to a shuddering halt against a familiar World Cup nemesis.

West Indies on the ropes early

With the 21:00h start and heavy prospect of dew, England seemed to have stolen a march by getting the chance to bowl first. Archer, pumped up but erratic, touched 148 kph in an opening over that included seven runs in wides but a wicket as well, as Shai Hope rocked back to slam a cut to deep cover. Curran then made it eight for two after seven legal deliveries, as Brandon King picked out deep point with a similar launch for the stands.

But, almost before they could cement their early advantage, England had it ripped clean from them. In his second over, Curran beat Shimron Hetmyer with a slower ball, then attempted a repeat dose and got smoked through midwicket for six. Will Jacks, such a threat on Sri Lanka’s spinning decks

last week, proved meat and drink with the field up for the powerplay. His loose first over was picked off for 19, including Hetmyer’s second six, high over backward square.

Rashid’s redemption It takes more than one bad day for England to lose faith in their one-day trump card. Rashid’s habitual entry

ripping googly, while his final two overs were held way back, until the 16th and 18th overs, with Rovman Powell’s miscued slog to long-off capping fabulous final figures of 2 for 16.

Rutherford picks his moments As Rashid inadvertently showed in his final over, when dropping Rutherford’s steepling slog across the line

the back of a toiling innings, and though he holed out to Overton for 33 from 17 in the final over, Rutherford nailed his seventh six over longon to close out the innings in style. Without Rashid, England might have been chasing 220. Even with him, the West Indies outscored England by 13 sixes to six. It was a very throwback means to make the difference.

at the end of the powerplay came with the baggage of his brutal treatment against Nepal. But in his threerun opening over, he showcased a ripping leg-break to Chase and a skidding googly past Rutherford’s edge, and from that moment on, the West Indies had no option but to treat him with utter deference, seeing him off in a boundary-less, four-over spell.

Brook stretched his impact as far as he could dare, first through a change of ends, while Overton’s heavy lengths – deemed surplus against Nepal – helped to keep a lid on West Indies’ progress. Rashid’s initial return, for the tenth over, delivered the wicket of Chase for 33 from 29, nailed on the back leg by a wonderful

on 56, his personal matchup against West Indies’ key man was extremely favourable – and 10 balls for 10 runs continued that trend. The trouble was coming at the other end, with England unable to contain a typical West Indies paintrain acceleration, particularly when Rutherford found – in Holder – the ideal long-levered sidekick to clear the Wankhede’s tight boundaries. Jacks returned for a second over but was monstered over the leg-side for back-to-back sixes; Archer’s third was dispatched for 17, including another six for Rutherford that Rashid at deep third parried onto the rope.

Holder got in on the act with four sixes as their stand gathered momentum into

Salt assault threatens briefly Salt’s ability to hit fifth gear from the get-go is a rare and enviable trait. He clubbed Hosein’s first ball of the reply through long-off for four, but it was his second-over assault on Holder that ignited England’s powerplay. A match-up that has long been in his favour delivered a 24-run pummelling, as Salt sat deep to the length balls for two sixes over midwicket and carved with impunity through the width for three further fours.

Had he carried on as he’d begun, it might have been a different tale. But he couldn’t, as Romario Shepherd’s harder length cramped his advances for a 14-ball 30. Even so, Jacob Bethell’s left-handedness unlocked the angles against Hosein’s cramping

spin, and when Jos Buttler capped a 67-run powerplay with a square-driven four off Shamar Joseph, England seemed very much in control.

Chase and Motie throttle the middle overs

Buttler’s first six, from his 13th ball, looked like being the moment that his innings would go into overdrive. Instead, Chase challenged him to repeat his stroke with another determined off-break on a good length, and long-on was waiting to spring the trap, with Buttler’s 21 leaving him just shy of his 4000th T20I run.

Enter Motie, an unassuming nemesis maybe, but a player who has seen plenty of this England line-up over the past two years and whose left-arm spin found just enough purchase amid the rising dew to scupper England’s bid to keep their tempo high.

His spell was not perfect: in particular, his changeup leg-break proved an erratic option, but two balls after Bethell had clubbed

a full toss over midwicket, Tom Banton was picked off at short cover as he failed to time his drive.

One over later, Bethell’s promising stay was done in by Motie’s skiddy line from over the wicket, as he was beaten for pace off the wicket to lose his off stump for 33, and as he bowled his four overs off the reel between overs eight and 14, Motie signed off with the biggest remaining fish. Harry Brook had played within himself for a 14-ball 17, biding his time for the big finish, but he fell within himself too; a tame prod looping back to the bowler to cap a killer spell of 3 for 33.

It wasn’t entirely clear who had been slipstreaming whom. But by the end of his four overs, Chase’s figures were even more frugal, 2 for 29, with Jacks’ poor day ending with plumb lbw for 2. England’s lack of bowling partnerships was glaring in the final analysis. It makes their Kolkata Cup clash with Scotland on Saturday all the more compelling. (ESPNcricinfo)

Rutherford not out 76

Rovman Powell c Overton

b Rashid 14

Jason Holder c Banton b Overton 33

Romario Shepherd not out 1

Extras (lb 4, w 10) 14

Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.80) 196/6

Did not bat: Akeal Hosein,

Will Jacks 2-0-32-0

Jamie Overton 4-0-33-2

Adil Rashid 4-0-16-2

Liam Dawson 3-0-27-0

England (T: 197 runs from 20 ovs)

Phil Salt c Rutherford

b Shepherd 30