$7M shade P tunnel to equip women at Timehri Prison with farming skills 17
Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com
Issue No. 6614
THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
Guyana, US ink landmark pact to enhance military …“This is the era of partnership action” – President Ali
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WHAT'S INSIDE:
2 remanded over $3.3M Essequibo Coast robbery P11 …accomplice jailed for 58 months
Page 3
Cuban stabbed to death by P9 roommate during altercation
Cop robbed at P9 gunpoint while liming with friends
President Dr Irfaan Ali met with United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, where he signed a Joint Declaration for an Enhanced Defence Partnership, which aims to strengthen bilateral military cooperation, including defence training, joint exercises and efforts to protect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
Le Repentir P16 Cemetery cleanup begins again
Death of 6-year-old Orlando Jaikarran
Search continues for missing head, limbs as post-mortem …father, pujari proves inconclusive remain in custody
Page 13
Police step up cybercrime fight with specialised training, stronger partnerships P10
Several attempts to “Cowboys” in healthcare contact MV Barima system warned against went unanswered prescribing outdated meds, unnecessary – Lighthouse …19 new medexes told to Attendant tells CoI medevacs “stick with the protocol” See story on page 7
…Top Cop calls for stronger cybersecurity partnerships
Page 2
Extradition case against US-sanctioned …now pushed Mohameds adjourned yet again to Nov 2 Page 8
$650M pump station commissioned at Canal No 1 P14
2 NEWS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
“Cowboys” in healthcare system warned against prescribing outdated meds, unnecessary medications …19 new medexes told to “stick with the protocol”
Graduands of the Medex Training Programme along with Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday
A
s 19 graduates of the Medex Training Programme prepare to support healthcare delivery across the country, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has cautioned them against practices that could set back the Government’s efforts to build a world-class medical system.
Dr Anthony warned the graduates against failing to follow updated treatment protocols, prescribing outdated medications, and making unnecessary requests for medical evacuations (medevacs) for patients in remote communities. Speaking during the graduation ceremony on
Tuesday, the Minister emphasised that “what was acceptable in the past is no longer acceptable”.
Supervision
Dr Anthony acknowledged that supervising Medical Extension Officers (Medexes) can be challenging because many work in re-
mote locations, where oversight is limited. However, he cautioned that this should not be seen as an opportunity to neglect their duties. “You know, sometimes when you’re out in these faroff areas, it is harder to supervise you. And some people, when they’re not under
supervision, tend not to work because they feel that nobody is looking at them, nobody is talking to them. So, then they show up at work late, so instead of the clinic opening at eight o’clock in the morning, they turn up at 10 o’clock, right? And then by 12 o’clock they gone home,” the Minister lamented.
Outdated meds
The Health Minister also pointed to instances where healthcare workers fail to adhere to updated treatment protocols, including guidance on the use of modern medications. He urged the new batch of Medexes to uphold current medical standards and ensure their practices reflect the latest developments in healthcare.
“They got some people; they’ve been in the system so long that they’re using medication that’s gone out of style. So, they still prescribe things like captopril, which we stopped using. So, when they prescribe that and it’s not in the system, then when the patient goes to get it, they can’t get it because we’ve stopped buying captopril because that’s not part of our formulary; that’s an old medicine. We’re using newer and better things,” he outlined. “We got some cowboys in the system; they don’t use any protocol. That’s not what we want. If we spend time to develop these things and we have seen scientifically that it works, then we don’t want you to reinvent the wheel and try something else; stick with the protocol because it’s working,” Dr Anthony stressed.
tricks,” Dr Anthony cautioned.
Standard care
The Health Minister also warned against the unnecessary use of medical evacuations, noting that the Government has been in-
The Health Minister emphasised that the Government is making the necessary investments to ensure every citizen, regardless of their location, gets access to quality healthcare. “There was a time when in any region, if you go, especially in the interior of Guyana, the standard of care was very basic. But we want to change that; we don’t want that there are two different standards of care in Guyana. What we want is whatever we can get on the coastland is a similar type of care that we can get in the interior of Guyana. And therefore, you have a big job in helping us to make sure that the quality of care that you are delivering is equal to that of the coastland. We’ve trained you; we’ve trained you well, and as you’ve heard, the Medex Programme has been around for 49 years, but we have upgraded aspects of the curriculum to make sure
vesting in improving hinterland healthcare. “I hope that you’ve sharpened up your surgical skills ’cause I don’t want to see somebody with basic lacerations that y’all sending out with a medevac. Right, you should know how to stitch it up and so forth. Fractures, you should be able to deal with. You know Christmas coming up and one of the tricks that they got in the system…is that you call for the medevac and then somebody got to accompany the patient and when you come out in December, you spend some time to do the shopping and then you go back in. But in the first place, the call was not necessary, because you could’a fix up the patient right then. So don’t believe we don’t know the
that is compatible with modern healthcare,” Dr Anthony outlined. The Medex Training Programme is designed to equip participants with the essential knowledge, clinical skills, and competencies required to deliver primary healthcare services, with particular emphasis on disease prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and community-based healthcare. According to a brief statement from the Ministry of Health, the newly trained Medex professionals are expected to play an important role in strengthening primary healthcare delivery, particularly in rural, hinterland, and underserved communities, where access to essential medical services remains a key priority.
Unnecessary medevac
NEWS
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
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Guyana, US ink landmark pact to enhance military partnership …“This is the era of action” – President Ali
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President Dr Irfaan Ali and his team during Wednesday’s engagement as Guyana deepens military cooperation with the United States
C
ommander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in Guyana, President Dr Irfaan Ali, has said that the time has come for action as Guyana moves to further deepen its military cooperation with the United States. The Guyanese leader made these remarks on Wednesday at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, where he joined US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth to sign a “landmark” agreement to establish an enhanced defence partnership between the two countries. During the engagement, President Ali pointed out that there has been a lot of talk about security and stability in the region for a long time. But according to Ali, “This is the era of action; this is the era of leadership; this is the era of domination and commitment, and we’re very happy to be part of this partnership.” In fact, the Head of State further noted that Guyana looks forward to working with the US in a stronger way to ensure the security and stability of the region. “The things that are critical for stability in the region, sustainable [for] long-term prosperity and stability, are the very things you’re pursuing – a region that’s free from narco-trafficking, free from international actors that are bad for the region, free from terrorism and free from any thinking from any group or cell anywhere in the world that this is a region where they can find a home,” Ali said. In a subsequent social media post following Wednesday’s signing, the President noted that this landmark declaration builds on a multi-decade partnership Guyana
has with the United States and represents an important step in strengthening the defence of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also reflects the strategic importance both countries attach to the security and stability of Guyana and the wider Western Hemisphere.
Joint declaration
Under this Joint Declaration for an Enhanced Defence Partnership, the US Department of War will provide sustained defence expertise, multidomain training and combined military exercises with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), supporting Guyana’s continued efforts to develop a modern, stra-
tegic defence architecture. Additionally, this renewed cooperation with the US will also strengthen Guyana’s air-domain awareness and its capacity to monitor, deter and respond to threats within and around its territory. Importantly, the declaration further reinforces the two countries’ shared commitment to confronting narco-terrorist organisations and narcotrafficking. It builds on Guyana’s and the United States’ founding roles in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (ACCC, or A3C) and the Shield of the Americas – established in March 2026 by President Donald Trump to collectively fight criminal networks in the Western Hemisphere.
According to the Guyanese Leader, “Together, we are sending a clear message that Guyana and its partners stand ready to deter malign states and non-state actors that threaten our peace, sovereignty and regional security. This agreement marks another significant milestone in our expanding strategic partnership with the United States, which now encompasses security, energy, trade and investment.” “As Guyana continues to strengthen its leadership role in the hemisphere, we remain committed to building partnerships grounded in mutual respect, shared prosperity, security, and the protection of our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Taking the lead
Meanwhile, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has lauded Guyana for its leadership role when it comes to combatting narco-terrorism across the region. “Your leadership across the region with key Caribbean partners has been indispensable,” Hegseth told Ali. “Countries look to you. You’ve taken the lead, you’ve stepped out, laying the foundation for what we’re doing in the hemisphere.” TURN TO PAGE 7
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
guyanatimesgy.com
Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Modern healthcare & modern standards
H
ealth Minister Dr Frank Anthony’s call for greater discipline, adherence to updated treatment protocols, and responsible use of medical resources by Medexes deserves serious attention as Guyana continues to strengthen its healthcare system. The 19 graduates of the Medex Training Programme are entering a system in which their responsibilities will extend well beyond treating individual patients. In many rural, hinterland, and underserved communities, they will be among the most accessible healthcare professionals available. Their decisions can therefore have a direct bearing on whether patients receive timely and appropriate care or have to be referred elsewhere. It is in this context that the Minister’s warning that “what was acceptable in the past is no longer acceptable” is particularly relevant. Healthcare is not static. Treatments, medications, clinical guidelines, and approaches to patient care evolve as medical knowledge advances. A healthcare worker cannot reasonably be expected to provide modern standards of care while relying on practices simply because those practices were acceptable years ago. Adherence to updated treatment protocols is therefore not an administrative preference. It is an essential component of safe and effective healthcare. The Minister’s concern about the continued prescription of medications that are no longer part of the national formulary also highlights a practical consequence of failing to keep pace with changes in medical practice. When a medication is no longer routinely procured because newer or more appropriate alternatives have been adopted, prescribing it creates difficulties for both patients and the health system. Protocols exist to provide healthcare workers with evidencebased guidance and to promote consistency in treatment. While professional judgement will always have a place in medicine, that judgement must operate within established standards. There should be little room for healthcare workers to disregard protocols simply because they have become accustomed to doing things differently. The same principle applies to supervision and accountability, and the reality that many Medexes work in remote locations cannot be allowed to create a lower standard of professional responsibility. Distance may make supervision more difficult, but it does not diminish a healthcare worker’s obligation to report for duty on time, remain available to patients and perform the functions for which he or she was trained. This is particularly important in communities where healthcare options are already limited. A clinic that opens late or closes prematurely can leave residents without access to essential services and potentially force patients to travel considerable distances for care that should have been available locally. The Minister’s comments on medical evacuations also warrant consideration. Medevac services are an important part of healthcare delivery in a country with geographically dispersed communities and difficult terrain. They provide a critical lifeline when patients require care that cannot be provided locally. But precisely because these services involve significant public resources, their use must be based on genuine medical necessity. If conditions that can reasonably be treated by trained healthcare personnel in the community are routinely referred for evacuation, the system is not only incurring unnecessary costs but also potentially diverting resources from patients who genuinely require emergency intervention at higher-level facilities. The Government’s investment in improving hinterland healthcare places a corresponding responsibility on healthcare professionals to make full use of the skills and resources available to them. The objective should be clear that geography must not determine the quality of healthcare a Guyanese receives. For decades, the Medex Programme has played an important role in extending primary healthcare to communities where doctors and other specialists may not always be readily available. The programme’s continued relevance, however, depends on ensuring that its training and practice remain aligned with contemporary healthcare requirements. The expectation that hinterland residents should receive a lower standard of care because they live beyond the coastland cannot be accepted. Neither should patients in remote communities be treated as though they must settle for outdated medications, delayed services or unnecessary referrals. The newly trained Medexes have an important role in closing that gap, as they must be prepared to apply their training, maintain their clinical skills, follow established protocols and exercise sound professional judgement. As such, the Minister’s call should not be viewed as a criticism but as a reminder of the standards expected within a modern healthcare system.
Hindu women dance after smearing “sindoor”, or vermillion powder, on their faces during celebrations marking the final day of the Durga Puja festival at Dhakeshwari National Temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh (Reuters/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)
President Ali builds a legacy of service; Mohamed must answer for his judgement Dear Editor, The reported latenight incident outside Senior Superintendent Prem Narine’s residence, which the media several days ago raised a question that Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed is yet to answer with honesty: what common sense or sound judgement justified his presence near the home of a key witness in extradition proceedings involving himself? Public reporting, citing the Police account, places Mohamed in a heavilytinted vehicle that passed Narine’s residence and returned shortly before midnight. One version from the Opposition explanation that the occupants were documenting an alleged misuse of State security resources does not adequately address the central concern: was this responsible conduct for someone occupying a constitutional office? The Leader of the Opposition has parliamentary platforms, legal representation and formal investigative channels through which to challenge public expenditure or Police conduct. His personal involvement in a late-night excursion near a key witness’s private residence who expressed fear for his life therefore invites serious criticism. An asserted public purpose does not place
the methods employed beyond scrutiny. A national leader should have the common sense to recognise the foreseeable danger of creating a confrontation around a witness’s home. Such conduct can reasonably raise concerns about pressure or possible intimidation, although intent must be established through evidence. Leadership requires sufficient discipline to avoid circumstances that could undermine public confidence in the administration of justice. Equally troubling is Mohamed’s reported characterisation of the shooting as an assassination attempt. Narine’s reported account is that he believed he was under attack. These competing accounts require an impartial investigation. Neither political influence nor public repetition can establish what the evidence has yet to determine. Further, what is more serious still is the reported accusation that President Irfaan Ali directed or desired Mohamed’s assassination. An allegation of that gravity demands compelling evidence. Without such evidence, advancing it as fact is reckless and grossly irresponsible. It risks inflaming public sentiment, damaging confidence in institutions and diverting attention from the Opposition Leader’s own conduct.
A constitutional officeholder must distinguish suspicion from proof. Political disagreement does not establish a conspiracy, and repetition cannot supply missing evidence. Anyone possessing credible information about a threat to life should place it before the appropriate investigative authorities. Further, appeals to shared religious identity are similarly misplaced if advanced as grounds for preferential treatment, which he seems to want. The President, the Director of Public Prosecutions and other public officials owe their professional duties to the entire country. Their shared faith creates no obligation to intervene on a politician’s behalf, excuse questionable conduct or influence legal proceedings. Religious freedom and equality before the law deserve unwavering protection. Neither principle is served by making religious identity a test of political loyalty. No official should have to demonstrate religious sincerity by supporting Mohamed, and no religious community should be expected to adopt his personal legal disputes as its collective cause. Mohamed remains entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair hearing. Allegations concerning Police conduct also war-
rant independent scrutiny. These principles strengthen the demand for accountability; they do not exempt the Opposition Leader from it. The public need not await a criminal verdict before assessing political judgement. Whether an offence occurred and whether an officeholder exercised the restraint expected of his position are separate questions. Guyanese are entitled to examine both. Mr Mohamed’s remarks about President Ali’s legacy are equally grossly misplaced. The President’s principal responsibility is to serve the people of Guyana, implement policies that improve their lives and fulfil the commitments on which his Government was elected. In my assessment, the President Ali-led Administration’s development agenda demonstrates a sustained commitment to those responsibilities and an ambition to deliver beyond its manifesto promises. The Opposition Leader’s responsibility is to scrutinise that work, identify shortcomings through credible evidence and present practical alternatives. Producing videos of alleged wrongdoing can contribute to accountability when supported by verifiable facts. It cannot substitute for a coherent programme of national leadership. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
guyanatimesgy.com
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
5
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate, Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com
PPP stalwart “Marco De Souza”
Dear Editor, Marco De Souza, a veteran member of the People’s Progressive Party, political activist, former Member of Parliament, Toshao, Justice of Peace and popular musician, was laid to rest on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. President Dr Irfaan Ali and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, along with other prominent citizens, offered glowing
farewell speeches at his funeral. Marco De Souza died at the age of 74 years. He was indeed a longstanding activist of the PPP, and he belongs to a strong PPP family – the De Souza family. The De Souza family hail from Santa Rosa, Moruca, Region One (BarimaWaini). After a brief period of sickness, he died peacefully. President Dr Irfan Ali joined relatives,
Government officials, representatives of the PPP and many others at the funeral service held at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Georgetown, and offered glowing tributes. President Ali recognised his struggle, sacrifices in the fight for democracy, and his service to the people of the region, as it will remain an enduring part of his legacy. General Secretary of the PPP, Dr Bharrat
Jagdeo, at a highly-emotional gathering of party activists at the party’s headquarters, Freedom House, Georgetown, described Marco as an outstanding activist and a comrade who struggled for democracy and a better Guyana. The general secretary of the PPP recognised Marco’s decades of struggle in our country. Minister of Housing Collin Croal, who is the Government P a r l i a m e n t a r y
Representative for Region One, joined hundreds of supporters/ mourners at Santa Rosa, Moruca, to pay their respects to Comrade Marco De Souza. The Minister lauded the political conviction, personal sacrifice, and his unwavering commitment to the struggle for democracy and the advancement of the people of Guyana. Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek, along with Regional Chairman
Mr Brentnol Ashley, also paid tribute to Marco. Marco was a victim of dirty and nasty political harassment. He was locked up several times and never convicted. His strong familial commitment to the PPP was and will remain in the family legacy. Today, Marco is no longer with us in person, but his memories live on. Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar
President Ali builds a legacy of service... President Ali’s legacy already has substantial foundations and continues to take shape. Investments in roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, health centres and expanded educational opportunities form part of a development agenda reshaping Guyana’s physical, social and economic landscape. Its lasting value must be measured by the opportunities created, services improved and benefits reaching ordinary citizens. Unsupported accusations cannot erase that work. In my assessment, President Ali’s accessibility and direct engagement with communities place him among Guyana’s most grounded presidents, recalling the connection with ordinary citizens associated with Forbes Burnham and Bharrat Jagdeo. His willingness to listen, en-
gage directly and pursue practical responses is a defining strength of his leadership. Accessibility matters because effective Government requires more than announcements. It requires leaders who hear people’s concerns, understand their circumstances and translate those concerns into action. This is the standard by which I recognise President Ali as a president is committed to service. His continuing mandate provides an opportunity to consolidate infrastructure development, expand economic opportunities, strengthen public services and advance food security. His historical standing will ultimately rest on lives improved, institutions strengthened and opportunities extended to future generations. Political
allegations unsupported by evidence cannot substitute for an honest assessment of that record. Mr Mohamed, meanwhile, has an opportunity to establish a meaningful legacy of his own. That requires demonstrating that his leadership extends beyond his personal legal circumstances. Guyanese deserve an opposition capable of proposing credible policies, demanding accountability through substantiated scrutiny and contributing constructively to national development. Where are the detailed alternatives to address the cost of living, create em-
ployment, improve electricity and water services, strengthen healthcare delivery and manage the country’s growing national wealth? These are matters on which a serious opposition should consistently engage the Government and the public. Responsible opposition requires informed parliamentary interventions, credible policy proposals and the maturity to recognise progress while challenging deficiencies. Its democratic purpose is diminished when public debate becomes persistently centred on the officeholder’s personal disputes.
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition belongs to Guyana’s constitutional democracy. Its authority should strengthen parliamentary scrutiny, public confidence and respect for lawful institutions. It should never be used to confer credibility on unsupported accusations or advance demands for personal exemption from accountability. Mr Mohamed owes the country a clear explanation of his conduct and evidence for the grave allegations attributed to him. Investigating the actions of the Police does not remove his obligation to ac-
FROM PAGE 4
count for his own judgement. President Ali’s record should be assessed through his service and the results of his Government’s policies. Mohamed’s leadership must likewise be assessed through his conduct, his judgement and the substance of what he offers the nation. The office he holds demands restraint, maturity, honesty and responsibility. The people of Guyana are entitled to demand better. Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Islam for Guyana 06:30 TVG Devotional Hour 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 HGTV 10:00 Stop Suffering 11:30 TVG Music Break 12:00 Movie - Paris, Wine and Romance (2019) 13:30 Movie - Black Beauty (1994) 15:00 Cartoons 16:00 Indian Soaps 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Voice of Islam 21:00 Grey’s Anatomy S10 E8 22:00 The Rookie S4 E8 23:00 Modern Family S5 E17 23:30 Modern Family S5 E18
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
Page
Foundation
guyanatimesgy.com
◄
Types of angles An obtuse angle is an angle greater than 90 but less than 180o . o
by Dilys Laing
continued
Obtuse angles are also formed when two straight lines cross and they are not perpendicular. For example,
There was an eagle in his house loudening all the corners of his rooms with wingbeats, pouring such a shine on all his bric-à-brac that it appeared like driftwood on a beach at dawn. His neighbors cried along the wire: “We’ll come and douse the fire!” But when
Obtuse angles can be formed when two rays extend from a common point.
they flocked and found
For example,
the blaze within to be God’s messenger striking his standard at the mortal roof they clashed their pails and ran the other way piously crying: “Crazy—crazy—crazy!”
• • • • • • • •
Materials
Rainbow fish craft
White air drying clay Acrylic paint (optional) Rolling pin Clay knife Large, colourful sequins Googly eyes Cardstock Pencil
Instructions
1. Roll some air drying clay into a ball. Knead it as well as you can to remove any air bubbles. 2. Add some paint to the clay and knead it in. (Optional)
There was a wrangle then of arms and wings. And in a hundred years the people came to show the spot where he had caught the eagle with words that had become the speech they used.
5. Glue a googly eye on the face on either side. 6. Then start pushing colourful sequins into the body of the fish. Start with one column of sequins, slighting overlapping each one so that they looked like scales.
(Source: Poetry [October 1954])
Write a story in the form of a series of thank you cards. 3. Roll out your ball of clay onto a chopping board with a rolling pin. 4. Carefully cut out an outline of a fish and add details to the tail and fins using a clay knife.
7. Let your fish dry. 8. Draw some bubbles on your piece of cardstock and place your fish on it. (Adapted from masandpas.com)
WORD SEARCH
NEWS
7
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Several attempts to contact MV Barima went unanswered – Lighthouse Attendant tells CoI
T
he Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly capsizing of MV Barima on Wednesday heard that several attempts were made to contact the vessel around midnight on July 18 following a distress
was received at around 23:01h on July 18 from the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) at the Timehri Tower, alerting him to a vessel in distress. According to Chisholm, he immediately forwarded
channel 16 on the VHF radio to establish contact with vessels, and vice versa. “So, you would call the vessel’s name and say whoever is calling, [for example], ‘MV Barima, [this is the] lighthouse’, and they would
“We always have to know what’s going on in the harbours or in the channel… Any vessels coming in – local, international – they would contact the lighthouse on the VHF radio,” he related.
Lighthouse Attendant David Chisholm
Trainee pilot Shemar Morrison testifying before the five-member Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday
alert, but there was no response. “I kept trying and trying and trying, [but got] no response,” David Chisholm, a Lighthouse Attendant attached to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), testified before the Commission on Day Six of public hearings. As a Lighthouse Attendant, Chisholm’s duties include relating alerts or distress messages from vessels to the Maritime Rescue and Coordinating Centre (MRCC) via an established WhatsApp channel. He recalled being on duty when a message
the message to his superiors and the MRCC. Those messages were sent to the Chief Pilot and the Coordinator of Emergency Operations at MARAD, Captain John Flores. He went on to say that around midnight, he was instructed by the Harbour Master to make contact with the MV Barima and subsequently used the main radio channel to get in touch with the vessel. The lighthouse attendant explained that his department, which operates from the top floor of the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, usually uses
respond,” he explained, adding that there was no response after several attempts to make contact with MV Barima. “I returned a call to the Harbour Master on the lighthouse phone and told him there was no response. And even after then, I kept trying as well.” Chisholm, who was on duty from 20:00h on July 18 to 08:00h on July 19, explained that part of his duty is also to maintain contact with vessels that are scheduled to come into the harbours. He explained that there is an app used by the Lighthouse to track vessels in the harbour.
During his testimony, the lighthouse attendant, who was further questioned by several commissioners about the procedures and equipment used in his office, indicated that he had no other involvement with this matter when his shift ended the following morning.
“Just be safe; just do what is required”
Meanwhile, the Commission heard earlier on Wednesday about survivors being assisted after their rescue from the sea. MARAD pilot trainee and Officer of the Watch Shemar Morrison told the
Guyana, US ink landmark...
The Secretary of War further noted that shared challenges include narco-terrorism and military influence from outside the Western Hemisphere. He added that by exercising President Donald J. Trump’s corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, the two nations will push back on those threats. “We’ve only just begun on that project, and your investment has inspired confidence for us,” Hegseth said. “I hope you’ve seen that our investment has inspired confidence in you, in security forces, in our militaries and in the landmark joint declaration today to further elevate our defense cooperation on our all-domain partnership.” Hegseth said that with the right means, the two nations can solve these issues, “to empower your sovereignty, your people, your security [and] your prosperity along with ours.” The United States will intensify combined train-
FROM PAGE 3
President Dr Irfaan Ali with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in Washington DC, where they inked an agreement to enhance military defence
ing in multidomain operations and in air interdiction, he added. Regarding critical minerals, Guyana’s pursuit of a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. is crucial to the nations’ collective security and will bolster a shared defense industrial base. The signing of
Wednesday’s pact to enhance military cooperation comes just weeks after President Ali attended the second meeting of the Shields of America in New York, where a number of coordinated actions were agreed upon including imposing sanctions and other measures on at least 24 narco-terrorist groups.
At that meeting convened on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, member states adopted a Joint Communiqué declaring their intent to strengthen the resilience of the Western Hemisphere based on three pillars – economic, security and multilateral coordination.
Commission that his crew assisted people already recovered by other vessels and did not directly pull anyone from the water. According to Morrison, he was contacted by Captain Flores of MRCC to assist in the search and rescue mission following the MV Barima tragedy. He testified, arriving at the MRCC in Kingston, where he was briefed and received the initial coordinates on a paper chart before gathering a crew. However, prior to their departure, the pilot trainee recalled receiving instructions from both Captain Flores and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill. “He [Captain Flores] said, ‘Just be safe, just do what is required,’ and then I believe the Minister – Minister Edghill – was there also. He said, ‘Guys, just focus on what you doing and try not to release any pictures because we don’t want to create any stir in the media,’” Morrison related. After departing the Goods Wharf in Kingston onboard pilot boat Haiama, around 01:40h on July 19, Morrison indicated that they arrived in the search area at about 04:55h. However, he noted that they started encountering floating debris at approximately 04:30h, such as life jackets, iceboxes and other items, with no humans in sight. The pilot trainee further testified that he then received a VHF call from the Harbour Master indicating that he had three survi-
vors whom he wanted to be transferred to the Haiama. Upon arriving to the search area, Morrison said they met Coast Guard vessels, fishing boats and other craft that were participating in rescue operations. According to Morrison, at least 50 persons who were already rescued by those vessels were then transferred onto his boat and transported to the Pomeroon Coast Guard base. Among those rescued were the captain of the MV Barima and the first mate, as well as one unresponsive person. The pilot trainee told the Commission that upon arriving at the Pomeroon Coast Guard base sometime around 07:30h, he met with the Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony. “I briefed the minister on how I handled the survivors, that we give them first aid blankets, and there was one unresponsive person,” Morrison stated, adding that he then left to go out back to join the search and rescue mission. On July 18, the MV Barima capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast while en route to Port Kaituma Region One with 179 on board. While 76 persons survived the horrific boat accident, 73 persons have been confirmed dead and another 30 remain unaccounted for. The CoI into the MV Barima tragedy continues today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Greater Georgetown.
8 NEWS Extradition case against US-sanctioned Mohameds adjourned yet again THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
…now pushed to Nov 2
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he extradition case against United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, will return to the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts on November 2, following another adjournment in proceedings that have been interrupted by several legal challenges since they began earlier this year. The hearing was scheduled to continue on Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman. However, the next date has now been fixed for November 2. Guyana Times was unable to confirm the reason for the latest postponement despite attempts to obtain clarification from the relevant officials. The proceedings are part
request, including assurances exchanged between the two governments concerning the legal safeguards applicable to the requested surrender. Her testimony also examined the principle of speciality, under which a person extradited to another country is generally protected against prosecution there for offences outside those covered by the surrender, subject to applicable legal exceptions. Narine subsequently testified about the documents used to initiate the proceedings and the arrests of the two men on October 31, 2025. He told the court that he collected documents from the Attorney General’s Chambers, including the Authority to Proceed issued by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, documentation bearing the sig-
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed
of the US’s effort to have the father and son surrendered to face federal criminal charges arising primarily from an alleged scheme to evade taxes and royalties on gold exports from Guyana. Since the substantive hearing opened on January 6, only two prosecution witnesses have testified: Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, and Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine, head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch Unit. Roopchand-Edwards was the first witness called when the hearing commenced. Her evidence concerned diplomatic correspondence and documentation associated with Washington’s extradition
nature of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and draft arrest warrants. Narine said he later appeared before the Chief Magistrate, where the documents were presented and warrants were issued. He subsequently located Azruddin Mohamed in Smyth Street, Georgetown before proceeding to Mohamed’s Enterprise on Lombard Street, where his father was arrested.
Witnesses remain under cross-examination
Both RoopchandEdwards and Narine remain under cross-examination by the defence, with Attorneys scrutinising their evidence and questioning aspects of the extradition request and the police investigation.
Looking at… L …Visa Envy
Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman
The hearing has been repeatedly delayed, largely due to legal proceedings filed by the Mohameds challenging aspects of the extradition process. On March 25, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) stayed the proceedings while considering the Mohameds’ challenge to the Authority to Proceed issued by the Home Affairs Minister. The regional court dismissed that appeal on July 29, clearing the way for the committal inquiry to resume. A further legal dispute arose over whether the Magistrates’ Court could continue while the men pursued a constitutional challenge to provisions of Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders Act. In August, the Court of Appeal permitted the inquiry to proceed but prohibited Latchman from making a final determination until the constitutional appeal is resolved. The Court of Appeal heard arguments in that challenge on October 13 and reserved its decision. The dispute includes whether the existing extradition treaty and assurances from the US adequately protect the men against being transferred onwards to a third country without Guyana’s consent. The US sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, his father, Nazar Mohamed, and several businesses linked to them in 2024, including Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World, and Team Mohamed’s Racing Team. The sanctions were imposed over allegations of a gold-export tax evasion
scheme involving the underreporting of gold exports and the evasion of taxes and royalties. The US is seeking their extradition to face an 11-count federal indictment in Florida. The charges include wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and customs-related offences. Prosecutors alleged that between 2017 and June 2024, the Mohameds participated in a scheme involving more than 10,000 kilograms of gold, falsified customs declarations and the reuse of official export seals. The alleged arrangement is said to have deprived Guyana of more than US$50 million in taxes and royalties. A separate indictment against Azruddin Mohamed alleges that a Lamborghini purchased for US$680,000 was imported into Guyana using an invoice that declared its value as US$75,300, resulting in the alleged evasion of more than US$1 million in taxes. Both men have denied the allegations and are contesting their extradition. They remain on bail of $150,000 each, with conditions requiring them to surrender their passports and report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station. The defence team includes Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde and Attorneys Siand Dhurjon and Damien DaSilva. The US is represented by Jamaican King’s Counsel Terrence Williams, Jamaican Attorneys-atlaw Herbert McKenzie and Celine Deidrick, and Guyanese attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman.
ots of folks say that “Guyana isn’t a real place” to express their feelings about the outrageous happenings that are commonplace here in ole Mudland!! And the latest episode in the long-running soap opera about Sanction Man’s gonna give them more reason to roll their eyes!! Where else but in Guyana could a man fighting extradition to the United States turn up outside the American Embassy to recommend who should be next to lose their visa!? Opposition Leader Sanction Man showed up with a contingent of his hired Scrapeheads in front of the Canadian High Commission demanding Special Branch Chief Prem Narine’s visa be revoked by them and the Yanks! He didn’t bother showing up at the US Embassy – probably because he thinks President Trump’s already taken over Canada!! He also complained that America cancels visas for “little and nothing at all” – clearly referring to the “insignificant” matter of him and his Daady smuggling 20 TONNES of gold through Miami!! The Yankee system is clearly outrageously arbitrary as it concerns HIM – but could still benefit from his recommendations!! But Sanction Man’s gotta decide – is Uncle Sam abusing his power or merely failing to consult him before exercising it?!! It takes a lotta chutzpah to seek customer service from the very establishment whose legal department you’re fighting tooth and nail to avoid facing – wearing those nifty orange jumpsuits they’ve prepared!! Washington’s judgement requires vigorous challenge when it concerns Sanction Man, but when it concerns Guyana’s Spy Chief, Washington is demanded to act pronto, preferably before lunch!! The US Embassy must be struggling to organise the correspondence where one file concerns their Government’s request to have Sanction Man sent over to face criminal charges while another concerns HIS request to keep Narine out!! The LOO’s developed an entirely new foreign policy – please stop inviting ME and start disinviting HIM!! Now your Eyewitness accepts that Sanction Man’s entitled to contest extradition – and the US charges remain allegations, with innocence presumed unless guilt is proven!! But don’t HIS allegations against Narine likewise require evidence and proper investigation?? Or he’s now the accuser, Judge, and jury on Narine?? Your Eyewitness thinks the political spectacle deserves its own departure lounge. For generations, we Guyanese measured success by getting an American visa – but now the LOO has advanced this to getting somebody else’s cancelled!! Forget cheaper groceries, constitutional reform or parliamentary scrutiny – bring your passport, collect your placard, and let’s build the nation with one rejected boarding pass at a time! Perhaps WIN could establish a shadow Ministry of Consular Affairs? Their first policy recommendation to parliament could be admirably straightforward – Uncle Sam’s gotta respect Sanction Man’s rights – and inconvenience his enemies!! …ground-up development Seems to your Eyewitness that developments now got a village address – ‘cause behind our new highways, bridges and expanding skyline are thousands of citizens whose ambitions needed something considerably smaller than a billion-dollar contract – just enough capital to get started!! Pressie’s disclosure that the GDB’s already attracted some 15,000–20,000 applications signals a huge appetite for that opportunity!! For a seamstress needing machines, a farmer seeking irrigation equipment, or a mechanic opening a workshop, an interest-free loan without collateral’s gonna remove formidable barriers!! Sadly, up to now, folks had to first HAVE wealth before a bank would CONSIDER loans!! And that’s where the Government financing of small enterprises can turn national revenue into productive assets, household earnings and jobs within communities!! Successful borrowers are then gonna purchase supplies and services from others – spreading the benefits!! The GDB’s also providing borrowers with practical help – like on costing, bookkeeping, etc. – so thousands of ordinary Guyanese are now gonna be equipped to build something of their own!! That’s ground-up development!!
…marine readiness As most Guyanese know – to our cost – most of the systems that are supposed to be in place for the functioning of Government services are left to founder on their own. That’s being exposed by the Barima CoI! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com
NEWS
9
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
US-sanctioned Mohameds not immune from criminal charges despite ongoing extradition case – AG
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espite the ongoing extradition proceedings, United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed is not exempt from facing criminal charges in Guyana.
ther, Nazar Mohamed, are wanted in the US. “Charges were withdrawn earlier because they related to the indictment in the United States,” Nandlall explained during his programme “Issues in the News”
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall
Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, clarified that the previous charges against Mohamed were dropped because they were directly linked to the offences for which he and his fa-
on Tuesday evening. “The treaty between Guyana and the US speaks to locally instituted charges vis-à-vis the extradition proceedings, and it is up to the requested state, it is up to Guyana, to determine what
decisions it will make at the time of the extradition,” he added. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had dropped all local income tax evasion and gold export tax charges against the Mohameds in November 2025, after the US formally requested that the fatherand-son duo be extradited. The charges had alleged that the duo understated billions of dollars in taxable income from gold exports between 2020 and 2024. The US is seeking the Mohameds on an 11-count indictment involving conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, connected to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme. The Opposition Leader, along with two staff members, was recently charged with unlawful firearm possession, unlawful ammunition possession, and attempting to obstruct justice following an incident outside the home of Head of the Special Branch Unit of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Prem Narine, who is a key witness in the ongoing extradition case before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Cuban stabbed to death by roommate during altercation
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Cuban national was stabbed to death by his roommate during an altercation at their apartment in Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara, on Tuesday evening. The deceased has been identified as 37-year-old Lazaro Yasmany Izquierdo Duarte. According to reports, at 21:45h on the night in question, another occupant of the building reportedly heard a loud noise, and upon investigating, observed Duarte lying in a pool of blood in the hallway, with several suspected stab wounds about his body, while his 38-yearold male roommate was seen standing nearby with a knife in his hand.
A
Nandlall explained that “the charges that have been filed were filed as a result of the investigations done and advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions as the law and constitution prescribe. Government don’t charge people, I keep saying that over and over again… that is a function of constitutional agencies and statutory bodies such as the Guyana Police Force, the Director of Public Prosecutions, GRA, and all these other statutory bodies.” He added that “these charges have no relationship with the indictment in the United States.” Nandlall said it is a misperception that the Mohameds cannot face charges locally because of the ongoing extradition case. “It cannot be the law that because a person is subject to extradition proceedings,
they can do as they wish; they can violate the laws with impunity. No legal system will [allow] that,” he noted. In the recent charges, Mohamed and his employees were granted $750,000 bail each after they pleaded not guilty to the offences. The obstruction charge alleges that on October 12, at Barr Street, Kitty, the men wilfully attempted to obstruct the administration of justice by discharging a firearm at or in the vicinity of Narine’s residence. The firearm and ammunition charges relate to an alleged possession of a .32 Taurus pistol and three rounds of ammunition without valid licences on October 13 at Alexander Street, Kitty. As part of their bail conditions, the men must attend every court hearing, reside at the addresses provided to the court and report
any change of address. They must also keep their contact details updated, surrender their passports and other travel documents, and inform the court before applying for replacement travel documents. They are further required to stay away from Narine’s residence and are prohibited from traversing Barr Street between Vlissengen Road and Alexander Street, Georgetown. They are also required to not directly or indirectly contact, threaten, intimidate, or attempt to influence any prosecution witness. Additionally, they were instructed not to obstruct or interfere with the work of the prosecution and not contact Prem Narine or his immediate family. Meanwhile, Mohamed and his father remain on $150,000 bail each in relation to the extradition case.
Linden man busted with gun, ammo The Police were contacted and, upon arriving at the scene, found Duarte unconscious. He was subsequently rushed to the Diamond Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical
treatment. The suspect was arrested, and he is assisting with investigations. Duarte’s body was taken to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Cop robbed at gunpoint while liming with friends n 18-year-old Police Constable was robbed at gunpoint on Tuesday while socialising with friends at Britton Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Based on reports received, the victim and a few friends were lying in the area when he was confront-
United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and father Nazar Mohamed with Attorneys at court
ed by a masked man armed with a handgun. The gunman reportedly snatched two gold chains from around the victim’s neck, weighing a combined 68 pennyweights and valued at approximately $600,000. Following the robbery, the suspect fled the scene, during which several loud
explosions, suspected to be gunshots, were heard, causing the victim and his friends to disperse. The gunman subsequently entered a waiting silver motor car, which fled the scene. Police have since retrieved CCTV footage which is being reviewed as investigations continue.
The firearm and ammunition
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51-year-old businessman from Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, was taken into Police custody on Tuesday evening following the discovery of a .25-calibre pistol and six matching rounds of live ammunition in his motor car. Police stated that ranks
were conducting an operation in the vicinity of the western end of the WismarMackenzie Bridge, Linden, when they intercepted a black Toyota Fielder motor car driven by the businessman. At the time, he was the lone occupant. However, during a search
of the driver, ranks discovered a black and silver pistol containing a magazine with six live rounds of ammunition in his left pants pocket. He was not the holder of a firearm license, and as such, he was arrested and taken into custody pending charges.
10 NEWS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Police step up cybercrime fight with specialised training, stronger partnerships …Top Cop calls for stronger cybersecurity partnerships
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ith the Guyana Police Force (GPF) now investigating and prosecuting a wide range of cybercrimes, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has emphasised the importance of capacity building and stakeholder collaborations in curbing these types of threats. He made these remarks at the GPF’s Cybersecurity Awareness and Resilience Symposium 2026 held on Wednesday under the theme “Building a Cyber Resilient Guyana Through Awareness, Protection, and Partnership.” According to Hicken, in 2025, a total of 50 cybercrime cases were instituted, including 25 computer-related fraud cases, 10 cases involving the use of computer systems to humiliate or embarrass persons, six cases involving the publication or transmission of images of persons’ private areas, three cases of possession of child sexual abuse material, one case of child luring, and five offences against the state. Of these cases, 15 persons were convicted – 13 for the use of computer systems to humiliate and embarrass persons and two for the possession of child sexual abuse materials. “These figures demonstrate the range of offences being investigated and prosecuted. They reinforce the need for continued publication, education, special-
Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken
ised investigation training, and effective communication among law enforcement agencies and stakeholders,” Hicken stated. He pointed out the GPF recognised that in order to be prepared to respond to cybercrimes, it must first be equipped. This, according to the Top Cop, requires sustained investments in the relevant investigative systems and technological capabilities. “Our officers must understand how cybercrime is committed, how digital evidence is collected and preserved, and how investigations are conducted in accordance with the established legal and professional standards,” the Police Commissioner noted. Under the GPF’ Strategic Plan 2022-2026, considerable emphasis is
already being placed on developing ranks, improving operational efficiency, strengthening partnerships, and incorporating technology in policing practices. Hicken contended that these priorities have informed several initiatives aimed at improving our responses to emerging forms of criminal activities, including cybercrime. In fact, 23 Police officers benefited from the introduction of a Digital Forensic and Cybercrime Investigative Course last year. Additionally, other training opportunities were facilitated through partnerships with regional and international organisations, including a Regional Security System (RSS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) out of
the United States. Ranks also gained exposure to specialist areas such as cybercrime, artificial intelligence, digital forensic investigation, and the handling of electronic evidence. According to the Top Cop, “This knowledge is essential because the ability to identify, secure, analyse, and prevent digital evidence can determine the successful investigation and prosecution of the offences.” The Police Commissioner further posited that the importance of these efforts is reflected in the Forces’ cybercrime enforcement activities that led to the successful investigations and prosecutions documented over the years. But even as the Police strengthen their investigative and prosecution capabilities, Hicken underscored the importance of public awareness and broad stakeholder collaboration to protect against the growing cyber threats. Similar sentiments were shared by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, who emphasised that cybersecurity is a shared national responsibility. She noted that the Government’s goal is not simply a more connected Guyana but one that is secure, resilient and confident in its digital future. “The vision is a Guyana that can confidently embrace technology because our people trust the systems they use, our institutions
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond
are prepared for the threats they face, and our country has the capacity not only to withstand disruption but to recover from it… A resilient country does not assume that nothing will go wrong; a resilient country prepares for when something does,” the Minister noted. According to Walrond, resilience carries another responsibility for the GPF. She noted that an increasingly digital society requires a capable law enforcement institution with investigators that can recognise digital footprints, preserve the evidence, and follow where it leads. In the same breath, however, the Home Affairs Minister posited that a resilient security architecture must go further. “We cannot build our strategy solely on investi-
gating what has already happened. We must develop the ability to anticipate, detect, withstand, respond, recover, and adapt… When a serious cyber incident occurs, we should already know who leads, who responds, who must be contacted, how information will be shared, what systems must be prioritised, and how essential services will continue. The middle of a cyber-attack is not the time to decide what our response plan should be,” she declared. Walrond contended it requires partnership and deepened cooperation among law enforcement, Government, financial institutions, telecommunication providers, the private sector, schools, civil society, and our regional international partners.
2 Corentyne youths remanded, allegedly caught dumping 5 lbs of ganja
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wo youths from the Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), were on Wednesday remanded after appearing in court on a charge of possession of about five pounds of cannabis. Subhan Ali, 18, a cane harvester of Crabwood Creek, and Chotan Kumar Dasrat, 20, a technical assistant attached to Skeldon Estate, of Number 72 Village, Corentyne, appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The charge alleged that on October 17 at Crabwood Creek, they had 2.399 kilograms (kg) of cannabis in their possession for the purpose of trafficking. However, the prosecution and defence presented sharply contrasting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the suspected narcotics. Defence Attorney Vinay Punwa, in an application for bail, maintained that neither of his clients had possession, custody or control
Remanded: Subhan Ali
Remanded: Chotan Kumar Dasrat
of the container in which the suspected cannabis was found. He told the court that Dasrat was driving his motor car along a street in the Crabwood Creek area while Ali was walking nearby when Police discovered the container. According to Punwa, neither accused had any knowledge of the container or its contents, and both were prepared to contest the charge at trial. The attorney also chal-
lenged the length of time the men had been detained before being brought before the court, arguing that they had spent 90 hours in Police custody, exceeding the 72hour limit. He urged the court to grant bail. Police Prosecutor Corporal Nigel Melville opposed the application, presenting a different account of the events leading to the arrests. Melville told the court that Dasrat had admitted
in a video-recorded statement that the narcotics belonged to both accused, directly contradicting the defence’s contention that the men had no knowledge of the substance. The prosecutor also informed the court that the case file remained incomplete and that legal advice had been sought. According to the prosecution, Police ranks conducting a mobile patrol along the Crabwood Creek Public Road at 14:00h on October 17 observed Ali placing a brown salt bag into a motor car driven by Dasrat. Upon noticing the Police, Dasrat allegedly drove away before throwing the bag onto the roadside. The ranks reportedly retrieved the bag and intercepted the vehicle. A search conducted in the presence of both men allegedly revealed three bulky parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. The suspected narcotics were subsequently taken to the Springlands Police
The cannabis that was allegedly dumped by the two Berbice youths
Station, where they were weighed in the presence of the accused and amounted to 2.399 kg. After considering the submissions from both sides, Magistrate Hardy refused bail, citing concerns
about the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence, including the reported attempt to evade Police. Ali and Dasrat were remanded to prison, and the case will continue on November 12.
11 “We don’t have to wait” – Anthony urges early diabetes intervention W NEWS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
ith diabetes remaining a major public health concern across the country, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony is urging healthcare workers to take a more proactive approach by identifying and managing atrisk patients early to prevent the onset of the disease and improve health outcomes. “When we don’t manage people’s sugar… we take a toe, then next we take another piece of the foot, and eventually they lose their limb, but all of that can be prevented if we manage their diabetes better,” Dr Anthony emphasised on Tuesday as he addressed graduands of the Medex Training Programme. “We have guidelines that relate to diabetes…we don’t have to wait until people get diabetes to start managing them. Most of the places we’ve started using HbA1c, so you have to know when people are pre-diabetic, you have to start there so we delay the onset of diabetes, and if and when they get diabetes, you have other meds that you will use. These things can make a tremendous difference to the lives of people,” he explained. Last available statistics show that over 60,000 persons in the country are diagnosed as diabetics, with many individuals still unaware of their statuses. HbA1C tests provide a three-month average of blood glucose levels, offering a more comprehensive view of blood sugar con-
trol over time than traditional glucose tests. This advanced screening tool is now accessible in health facilities nationwide, helping healthcare providers monitor patients’ progress and adjust treatment as needed. To prevent and manage one of the leading complications of diabetes, the Health Ministry has expanded access to diabetic retinal examinations. Patients can now receive regular eye exams to detect and address retinopathy, a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness if left untreated. Equipped with specialised diagnostic tools, ophthalmology clinics are now available in some health facilities, providing crucial eye care services to at-risk patients. In response to the high risk of kidney disease associated with diabetes, the Health Ministry has expanded nephrology services across regional hospitals, allowing diabetic patients to receive regular kidney func-
tion tests and specialised nephrology care. By improving access to kidney health services, the Ministry aims to reduce the incidence of diabetic nephropathy and support early intervention, which is critical in preserving kidney health and preventing dialysis.
Foot clinics nationwide
The Ministry has also increased the number of foot clinics nationwide to reduce the risk of diabetic foot complications, such as infections and ulcers that can lead to amputation. These clinics offer regular foot examinations, wound care, preventive services, and education on proper foot care to help patients avoid injury and infection. Staffed by trained specialists, the foot clinics provide essential care and support for diabetic patients, especially those with reduced sensation or blood circulation in their lower limbs. According to Dr Anthony, the Government’s ongoing
efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly at the primary healthcare level, have contributed to improvements in the country’s life expectancy. “We’ve seen life expectancy on average go up to 70 years. Women, obviously, when we look at the stats, are living longer. I don’t know what they men are doing, but they’re not living so long; they’re at 69, and the women are at 74. So, we have to figure out what’s going wrong with the men and make sure that we bring them up to speed. But whatever it is, we still have to make sure that people live longer,” he explained.
“Change a lot of outcomes”
The Health Minister underscored the importance of citizens also living healthier lives as they age. “We want you to live longer and be healthier. So, you can live long, can extend the life expectancy, and people live to 70, but let’s say the last 10 years you’re sick, you get a stroke, and you’re in bed. What quality of life is that? So, we want people to be sure that people live longer but they’re living healthier. So that, you know, they don’t have the stroke, they don’t have all these disabilities, they’re not in bed, and they’re not sick all the time – we want that to happen. And for us to make that happen, we have to go back to basic primary healthcare,” he underscored. “If we do our jobs well at the primary healthcare lev-
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony
el, we’re going to change a lot of outcomes for people,” the Minister added. Just a few weeks ago, the Health Minister informed a global audience that Guyana is making significant investments in its healthcare system to expand access to primary healthcare services and encourage regular screenings for early detection of diseases. To further encourage more individuals to access primary-level healthcare, the Health Minister informed of innovative programmes such as the universal healthcare voucher initiative launched by the Government in March 2025. Valued at $10,000, the vouchers are available, free of cost, to citizens. The initiative is intended to promote early detection and prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Additionally, he pointed to the Government’s school
screening programme, which provides essential preventive health checks at least once during nursery, primary, and secondary school stages, in order to detect health issues early. “Guyana’s message was clear: we must shift from treating illness late to preventing and detecting disease early. That means stronger primary health care, earlier screening for hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancers, and ensuring patients receive coordinated care from diagnosis through treatment. In Guyana, we are building exactly this kind of health system. Our greatest success will not be how many people we treat for advanced disease, but how many people we prevent from ever reaching that stage,” Dr Anthony expressed in a social media post on Sunday as he reflected on his participation in the international forum.
2 remanded over $3.3M Essequibo Coast robbery …accomplice jailed for 58 months
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wo men have been remanded to prison in connection with an armed robbery in which $3.3 million was stolen from a contractor at Cottonfield, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), while one of the accused has been sentenced to 58 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to separate firearm and ammunition charges. Preston Skeet, 30, a labourer with addresses in Linden, Region Ten, and Westbury, Essequibo Coast, and Jarrel Barker, 25, a taxi driver of De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The two were jointly charged with robbery under arms, contrary to Section 222(c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, in connection with the October 17 robbery of contractor Yajgeet Chandradeo at Cottonfield. The charge was read to both men, and they pleaded not guilty after the abbreviated preliminary procedure was applied. They were remanded to prison, and the matter was adjourned to November 17. Barker was also charged sepa-
Preston Skeet
Jailed: Jarrel Barker
rately with possession of a firearm without a licence and possession of ammunition without a licence, contrary to Section 16(2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:02. He pleaded guilty to both charges before Magistrate Mohabir on Tuesday and was fined $100,000 and sentenced to 58 months’ imprisonment, with the sentences to run concurrently. The robbery occurred at about 15:10h on October 17, when Chandradeo, 44, was reportedly robbed of $3,367,500 intended for
payment to workers at a construction site. According to police, Chandradeo had collected the money from his son earlier that day and placed it in a compartment of his motor canter. He later drove to the construction site at Cottonfield, and while walking towards the entrance with the cash in a black plastic bag, he was approached from behind by a man wearing a ski mask and clothing bearing the logo “SECURITY”.
The suspect, who was armed with an object resembling a handgun, demanded the money. Chandradeo handed over the bag, and the assailant fled in a black Toyota Allion motor car. Police subsequently conducted several operations across the region. During one operation at Capoey Public Road, officers stopped a vehicle in which Barker was a passenger. A search of a haversack identified as belonging to Barker reportedly uncovered a .45-calibre pistol, a magazine containing seven rounds of ammunition, brown
clothing bearing the “SECURITY” logo and two black ski masks. Police said Barker admitted ownership of the firearm and ammunition. Investigators also reported that he allegedly admitted to participating in the robbery with another man identified as Skeet. Skeet was subsequently arrested at Westbury Old Road, Essequibo Coast. Police also reported that checks with the construction company showed he was employed there but had not reported to the work site on the day of the robbery.
12 NEWS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Guyana to introduce AI platform to help doctors diagnose, treat patients
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ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, has announced that Guyana will soon introduce OpenEvidence, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform designed to support doctors and nurses in improving healthcare delivery across the country. OpenEvidence is a leading AI-powered clinical decision support platform and medical search engine used by over half of physicians in the United States. It answers medical questions by grounding its responses directly in peer-reviewed journals, clinical guidelines, and medical literature with clear citations. Addressing a graduation ceremony for medexes on Tuesday, Dr Anthony said Guyana will soon be introducing this system.
“Open Evidence: this is something that is being used in the United States for the medical doctors, and we are
one of the first countries outside of the US that would be using this system. So that it does, if you wanna treat
somebody with any condition, malaria or something, you can type it into the AI, and it would tell you the latest treatment that is available, and it would be able to give you all the differential diagnoses and a whole host of other things. Now, malaria might be a simple example, but there are sometimes very complicated patients that would have different things happening to them at the same time, and for those complicated patients, if you put the scenario into this particular OpenEvidence software, it would be able to give you options on how you can treat the patient. Ultimately, it’s the doctors’ decision, but this is helping you to give you information and maybe sometimes things you haven’t thought about. So, we’re embracing
AI tools,” the health minister noted. Dr Anthony emphasised that the government is committed to building out a world-class healthcare system and this means embracing modern technology, including artificial intelligence. Already, AI-assisted systems have been deployed at some medical institutions to rapidly read and interpret CT scans and X-rays, helping clinicians detect abnormalities in seconds. Additionally, the government is developing an AI-supported system that tracks pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in real time from the Materials Management Unit, cutting down drug spoilage, expiration, and shortages. Another component of
the modernisation effort is the implementation of an electronic patient health record system. The initial phase, which involves digitising patient records at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), began in March 2025. Meanwhile, addressing the Medexes, the Health Minister encouraged them to embrace the use of technology in their work. “You are part of a system that is changing, that is growing, that is developing, and we want you to change and to make sure that the changes happen on the ground as well, and with these changes, you also got to know about computers… you got to be able to use some of the tools that would be available to you,” he noted.
345 graduate from International Govt considers expanding death penalty to include murders of children Human Rights Law Certificate course
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hile acknowledging that the matter will attract intense public debate, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has confirmed that the Guyana Government is considering instituting the death penalty for a wider category of offences, including the murders of children. He made the revelation during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday evening, hours after President Dr Irfaan Ali informed another section of the media that he had asked the Attorney General to examine the matter in light of the murder of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran, allegedly by his father. According to Nandlall, this examination forms part of a wider review of the country’s laws dealing with various categories of offences, taking into account their prevalence in society. “In this country, we have robbery with and without violence, burglary…rape, and child molestation, as some of the most prevalent offences and repeat offences. The recidivism is high in these offences, and therefore, the
penalty must reflect these principles,” he noted. He recalled that in 2010, the Government had amended the country’s laws to divide murders into capital and non-capital offences, with capital offences carrying the death penalty while non-capital offences would attract life imprisonment. For instance, he explained that the killing of a Policeman or judicial officer in the course of duty would be classified as a capital offence. “Perhaps we need to relook at that divide and see whether we should not increase the categories of capital offences to include the murdering of children,” the Attorney General said. Nandlall noted that widespread consultations will take place before any changes are made, recognising that different segments of society hold completely opposite views on the subject. In fact, he reminded that only a few years ago, the constitutionality of the death penalty in Guyana was challenged, with the Court of Appeal declining to strike down the punishment as unconstitutional.
In Guyana, there is a moratorium on capital punishment since 1997. But following the gruesome murder of the six-yearold, President Ali has said the incident, along with other crimes of an extreme nature, has prompted him to consider whether existing penalties are sufficient to deter such acts and convey the seriousness with which society views them. While acknowledging the human rights considerations surrounding capital punishment, the Head of State maintained that the country must confront the question of how best to respond to crimes that shock the conscience of the nation. Asked directly whether he believed the death penalty was the stronger measure required, President Ali responded emphatically, “One hundred per cent.” According to reports, the six-year-old’s father reportedly confessed to throwing the child overboard after allegedly being told by a religious leader that the boy was not his biological son. The child’s body was found without the head, with a missing arm and leg.
hree hundred and forty-five persons graduated on Saturday from the Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Ministry’s International Human Rights Law Certificate Course, with Minister Gail Teixeira emphasising the importance of applying human rights principles in professional and public life. Addressing the graduates, Teixeira said the course was intended to deepen participants’ understanding of human rights and anti-corruption, particularly among Public Sector employees and persons working in sensitive areas such as law enforcement. She disclosed that 83 per cent of participants were from the Public Sector, while 13.2 per cent came from the private sector and 2.9 per cent from civil society. “We have to educate people in their jobs, their careers, and particularly sensitive areas like law enforcement, which is always sensitive in how they are perceived by the press, by the media, and by the public, and if they are carrying out their lawful responsibilities,” the Minister said. She added that an important outcome of the programme was that participants should leave with a greater appreciation and knowledge of human rights and anti-corruption. Teixeira also highlighted the growing demand for the course, revealing that the Ministry had received approximately 2000 applications this year, exceeding its expectations. She said that when
the programme was being planned, officials had anticipated that about 50 persons would apply. The Ministry had previously received around 1000 applications in each of two consecutive years. The Minister said efforts had also been made to encourage participation from other Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries by inviting nominations for virtual attendance, although the Ministry had received no response. Reflecting on the broader significance of human rights, Teixeira told the graduates that Governments, institutions and civil society organisations could change over time, but individuals remained central to the protection of rights. “Governments come and go, institutions come and go, civil society comes and goes, but the individual remains,” she said. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained through the course in their respective careers and communities, noting that human rights must remain focused on the individual. “Human rights is about the individual,” Teixeira said. The Minister also addressed the implications of rapid technological development, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), and the need to ensure that emerging technologies are used responsibly. She said technological progress should be directed towards improving people’s lives and addressing challenges such as climate change, while maintaining
a human rights-based approach. According to Teixeira, the course examines both the potential benefits of AI and the dangers associated with its use, issues that Governments and international organisations are increasingly being called upon to address. The programme also covers the relationship between human rights and contemporary social and governance issues, extending beyond the study of legislation to consider how rights are protected and applied in practice. In October 2025, Guyana Times reported that the course’s 2025 cohort, like the inaugural 2024 batch, had a strong female majority, with women accounting for approximately twothirds of participants. At the time, Teixeira said the participation pattern highlighted the need to encourage greater male involvement in governance and human rights programmes, particularly given the importance of addressing violence against women and children and violence across society. She had also disclosed that participants came from all 10 Administrative Regions, with representation from both coastal and hinterland communities. The Ministry had further indicated that participants entered the programme with varying educational qualifications, ranging from secondary-level education to postgraduate qualifications, stressing that the emphasis was on learning and the ability to apply the knowledge gained.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Death of 6-year-old Orlando Jaikarran
Search continues for missing head, limbs as post-mortem proves inconclusive …father, pujari remains in custody
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post-mortem examination conducted on six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran, whose decomposed, headless body was recovered from the Waterloo Main Canal, West Coast Berbice, has proven inconclusive, while Police are continuing their search for the child’s missing head and portions of his limbs. Region Five Commander Senior Superintendent Lonsdale Whithrite confirmed on Wednesday that the examination was inconclusive, as investigators continued gathering evidence in connection with the child’s suspected murder. Orlando’s body was discovered on Tuesday, five days after he was reported missing from Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), on Thursday, October 15. Police had previously disclosed that the recovered body was missing its head, along with portions of the left hand and right foot.
Orlando’s death.
Seizure of 6 cutlasses
Dead: Six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran
Whithrite said ranks were continuing efforts to locate the missing remains as the investigation progressed. Meanwhile, the child’s 45-year-old father, who has been identified as the main suspect, and another man, reportedly a pujari, remain in Police custody. Investigators have not publicly disclosed what role, if any, the second man is suspected of playing in
The Guyana Police Force has also confirmed the seizure of six cutlasses and other items during a search of the Bath Settlement residence where Orlando lived with his father and two siblings. According to Police, the search was conducted on Tuesday, and the recovered items were lodged as exhibits pending further investigations. Police have not disclosed whether any of the seized cutlasses have been linked to the child’s injuries. Investigators also recovered several items of evidential value during further enquiries at the Waterloo Main Canal, where Orlando’s body was discovered. In an earlier statement, Police indicated that preliminary investigations suggested the child had been taken to the canal, where he was allegedly chopped in
GGMC warns against unauthorised sale of mining lands
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he Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has warned miners and other stakeholders against selling or purporting to sell mining lands, reminding tenure holders that such transactions may breach the laws and regulations governing the mining sector. On Wednesday, the Commission said mining lands are granted to individuals and entities for mining activities, subject to the applicable laws, regulations and conditions attached to the relevant mining tenure. The GGMC also cautioned against using irrevocable powers of attorney in transactions involving mining properties, stating that such documents do not, in themselves, constitute acceptable proof of ownership or lawful tenure. Persons seeking to ac-
quire or invest in mining properties have been urged to verify their legal status directly with the Commission before entering into agreements or making financial commitments. Acknowledging that some mining properties may require additional investment, technical expertise or financial resources for development, the GGMC encouraged miners and tenure holders to consider lawful joint venture arrangements with suitable partners. According to the Commission, such arrangements can support the development and productive use of mining properties while ensuring compliance with the applicable legal requirements. The GGMC further stated that compliance and enforcement exercises will continue across all mining
districts as part of its mandate to ensure that mining activities are conducted in an orderly and lawful manner. Persons found in breach of mining legislation will face enforcement action, including prosecution where warranted. The Commission added that deportation proceedings would be pursued against non-nationals where applicable under Guyana’s laws. GGMC on Wednesday also reminded miners of their legal obligation to sell all gold produced to the Guyana Gold Board, licensed gold traders or dealers. The Commission said compliance with this requirement is compulsory and necessary to maintain transparency, accountability and integrity within the mining industry.
The area of Waterloo Main Canal, West Coast Berbice, where the child’s body was discovered
the neck with a cutlass. The incident occurred on October 15, the same day Orlando was reported missing. Meanwhile, the main suspect’s mother, Dhankumarie Gowkarran, 65, has claimed that Police informed her that her son indicated he had killed Orlando after a religious spiritual leader allegedly told him that the six-yearold was not his biological child.
The grandmother said the revelation shocked her, as her son had never previously questioned the child’s paternity in conversations with her. Orlando was a pupil of Bath Primary School, where teachers described him as a very quiet child who regularly attended classes. His absence from school on the day before he was reported missing was unusual and had raised concern for his class teacher.
The six-year-old had also demonstrated his sporting ability during the school’s annual athletics championship last month, participating in four events and winning three. Among his victories were the boys’ under-eight 80-metre and 160-metre races. Police are continuing their investigation as efforts to locate Orlando’s missing remains and determine the circumstances surrounding his death remain ongoing.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
$650M pump station commissioned at Canal No 1 …4 pumps to improve drainage across 5000 acres of land
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The $650 million pump station that has been commissioned at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara)
$650 million pump station equipped with four drainage pumps has been commissioned at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), as the Government advances a $23 billion drainage infrastructure programme aimed at reducing flooding across the region. The facility, which has a combined pumping capacity of 580 cubic feet per second, is expected to improve drainage for approximately 5000 acres of land, pro-
viding greater protection for agricultural production, homes, and other properties. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who commissioned the facility on Wednesday, said the investment would benefit thousands of farmers and residents who have faced recurring flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. However, the Minister disclosed that the Government is undertaking a much larger drainage improvement programme in Region Three, involving the
construction of high-level canals, internal drains and embankments to protect communities and agricultural lands. Mustapha said some $23 billion would be expended on the works over the next one to two years, with construction already underway on a high-level canal intended to improve drainage for the Canal Number One and Canal Number Two polders and surrounding areas. The project, he explained, would provide a system capable of draining
water around the clock, discharging directly into the Demerara River. “We will have a 24-hour drainage system… draining directly into the Demerara River,” Mustapha told those gathered at the commissioning ceremony. He said the high-level canal would form part of an integrated drainage system designed to improve the movement of excess water from agricultural and residential areas, particularly during prolonged rainfall. According to the Minister, while the construction of pump stations remains an important component of the Government’s drainage programme, additional infrastructure is necessary to address the country’s flooding challenges. He explained that the Government is moving beyond reliance on traditional gravity drainage, which can become overwhelmed by increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Mustapha noted that Region Three is among Guyana’s most productive agricultural regions, supporting rice cultivation, cash crop farming and livestock production. However, he acknowledged that farmers and residents have endured significant losses over the years as a result of flooding. “Too often, farmers have watched months of hard work disappear in a matter of hours because of flooding,” the Agriculture Minister pointed out. The Minister explained that such losses extend beyond damaged crops, affecting farmers’ investments, household incomes and opportunities to expand production. He said the Canal Number One Pump Station would provide greater security for farmers while strengthening the area’s
capacity to cope with heavy rainfall. The facility has four drainage pumps, including two additional pumps installed as part of the project, according to information released by the Ministry of Agriculture. The project also included the construction of a new community centre valued at approximately $60 million. Meanwhile, Mustapha disclosed that six pump stations have been constructed in Region Three as part of a wider national programme involving 18 pump stations. He said the newly commissioned Canal Number One facility would complement other drainage infrastructure being developed in the region. The Minister also addressed delays affecting several pump station projects, including those at Bellevue and other locations. “We are working assiduously with the contractor to deliver those four pump stations that will come into operation shortly,” Mustapha stated. He expressed confidence that the completion of those facilities, together with the proposed high-level canal system, would significantly strengthen drainage capacity and reduce flooding risks. Turning to national investment in drainage and irrigation, Mustapha disclosed that $81.9 billion, representing 72.3 per cent of the Ministry of Agriculture’s $113.2 billion budget for 2026, has been allocated to drainage and irrigation. He compared this with the $9 billion allocated to drainage and irrigation in 2020, noting that the increase reflects the Government’s efforts to modernise the country’s drainage infrastructure.
The Minister also highlighted the growth in the Ministry’s overall budget, which increased from $18.5 billion in 2020 to $113.2 billion this year. He said the investments form part of President Irfaan Ali’s wider programme to modernise agriculture, expand production and strengthen national food security. According to Mustapha, improved drainage and irrigation infrastructure would provide farmers with greater confidence to expand cultivation, diversify production and invest in their operations. He stressed that protecting agricultural lands is essential to ensuring that Guyana can increase food production and meet growing demand locally and throughout the Caribbean. Minister of Agriculture Vikash Ramkissoon, who also addressed the ceremony, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to providing infrastructure that improves the lives of citizens. National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chairman Lionel Wordsworth also highlighted the importance of the investment, noting that the Canal Number One facility is among six pump stations constructed in Region Three over the past six years. Mustapha, meanwhile, urged residents and farmers to work closely with the NDIA and regional authorities to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of the facility. The Minister encouraged the community to safeguard the investment, noting that its continued effectiveness would depend on proper maintenance and cooperation between residents and the relevant authorities.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
49 prisoners face murder, rape trials as Berbice Assize open
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orty-nine prisoners at the New Amsterdam Prison face murder trials, attempted murder trials, and sexual penetration trials as the October session of the Berbice Criminal Assizes opened on Tuesday with the traditional ceremonial parade and salute in New Amsterdam.
The opening of the October session of the Berbice Criminal Assizes
The opening ceremony featured a march-past along Esplanade Road, with Justice Gino Persaud taking the salute as Police ranks paraded in observance of the start of the new session. Of the 49 at the prison awaiting trial, 44 are for murder, one for attempted murder and four for rape.
Meanwhile, during the just-concluded June session of the Assizes, 84 cases were listed to be heard, but not all of these were heard. The Henry Boys murder trial stood out, which resulted in both accused being found guilty and given two life sentences each. Also, during that ses-
sion, State Counsel Marisa Edwards presented five cases for the offence of murder before Justice Gino Persaud. In three of them, the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter; they are still to be sentenced. In another matter, the accused was acquitted by a jury
verdict. One trial was aborted because a juror fell ill and was unable to continue to sit in the trial. Meanwhile, during the October session, several high-profile matters are listed. The session is scheduled to run until the end of January, with the first case
expected to begin next month. Justice Peter Hugh, who is expected to preside over the session, is currently on leave. The October Assizes will run until the end of January 2027, but the first case is expected to be called next month, as the presiding judge is currently on leave.
Mazaruni Prison officer recruits receive firefighting training
Twenty-four prison service recruits at the Mazaruni Prison, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), participated in practical training in basic firefighting techniques conducted by ranks from the Bartica Fire Station to strengthen their fire safety awareness and preparedness for emergencies
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Le Repentir Cemetery clean-up begins again
Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand at the Le Repentir Cemetery
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leaning, weeding, and maintenance works have commenced at the Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown, as the Government moves to introduce a burial ground policy aimed at establishing minimum standards for cemeteries across Guyana. Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand said the proposed policy would address maintenance, accessibility and facilities at burial grounds, including washrooms, pathways to graves and proper spacing between tombs. Manickchand said conditions at Le Repentir
Cemetery vary, with some sections overgrown with vegetation while others allow people to access graves and visit the tombs of loved ones. “The cemetery looks very bushy, like a jungle on one side, and on the other side it looked like an actual cemetery where people can get access to their tomb and visit loved ones,” she said. The Minister acknowledged the emotional significance of burial grounds, noting that people visit them either to bury loved ones or to pay their respects to those who have died. “Any burial ground is a hard place to be. It’s ei-
ther you’re bringing someone you love to bury, or you are going to visit someone you loved. I myself have lost people very close to me, my parents,” Manickchand said. She added that dealing with the loss of loved ones remained difficult for her. “This is a very painful thing to always reminisce on and think about. And I don’t think I’ve even processed that properly,” she said. Manickchand explained that provisions governing burial grounds already exist under the Public Health Act, and the proposed policy would seek to ensure that
the relevant requirements are followed. “There are actually laws under the Public Health Act about what should happen at burial grounds. And we’re going to have some minimum standards,” she said. Among the areas to be addressed are the provision of hedges, including floral or green hedges, washroom facilities, access to tombs and graves, and adequate space for visitors to place items at gravesides. The policy is also intended to ensure that burial grounds maintain an appropriate environment for people visiting deceased relatives and friends.
Manickchand noted that roadworks had already been undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works, but vegetation can quickly overgrow areas that have been cleared, making continued maintenance necessary. “This is work that was done by the Ministry of Public Works already. So, you’re standing on a road, but very quickly this grows up,” she said. She said attention would also be given to ensuring compliance with existing requirements, including the prescribed distance between tombs, while identifying unused spaces that could be made available for future
burials. The Minister pointed to work at a burial ground in the border region, where clearing and maintenance had transformed an overgrown area into a space where people could visit graves more easily. She said similar efforts would be necessary at burial grounds where available spaces need to be opened up for use. The proposed policy is expected to provide a framework for improving the maintenance and accessibility of cemeteries while ensuring that existing public health requirements are observed.
Barge carrying 8000 barrels of waste oil stabilised – CDC
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The barge carrying about 8000 barrels of waste oil at a private wharf on the East Bank of Demerara
barge carrying about 8000 barrels of waste oil has been stabilised after it was observed listing while berthed at a private wharf on the East Bank of Demerara, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has said. In a statement on Wednesday, the CDC said response operations were ongoing in collaboration with several agencies following the incident, with measures implemented to contain any potential oil spill and protect the environment. Containment booms were deployed around the
vessel as a precautionary measure to restrict the movement of any oil, while corrective measures were taken to stabilise it. According to the CDC, the vessel is now upright and stabilised, with its cargo intact. The commission said the relevant authorities continue to assess and monitor the situation, while response personnel and resources remain mobilised to support containment, recovery, and environmental protection efforts. The response involves the CDC, Maritime Administration Department
(MARAD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries Department and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard. The CDC said the situation remains stable and under control, with coordinated response operations continuing. The commission added that it would continue working with its partner agencies to manage the incident and implement measures to protect the environment and public safety.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
$7M shade tunnel to equip women at Timehri Prison with farming skills S
ome 30 women in custody at the Timehri Women’s Prison are expected to benefit from a new $7 million shade tunnel designed to support food production and provide practical agricultural
skills for use after their release. The facility was handed over to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) on Tuesday by the Rotary Club of Garden City (RCGC), with funding from the Massy Foundation (Guyana). The 100-foot-by-30-
foot structure will be used to grow cash crops, with prison officers overseeing its daily operation. The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will continue to provide technical
support, including guidance on soil testing and planting. At the handover ceremony, RCGC President Pearson Burch-Smith said the crops on display were not the first planted in the tunnel, as problems beneath the soil had affected
the initial planting. The club subsequently sought technical assistance from NAREI, which helped identify the problems and guide the successful replanting. Burch-Smith said the experience demonstrated the importance of seeking guidance and making changes when faced with setbacks. “Life may not unfold as hoped at first, but with guidance and support, you can make changes in your life that yield a more fruitful future,” he said. Representing the Massy Foundation, Teisha Milner, Senior Manager of Massy Distribution (Guyana) Ltd, said the project supports the foundation’s priorities of food security, access to education, and health and wellbeing. She explained that the facility would facilitate crop production, provide hands-on agricultural learning and improve access to fresh produce, while giving the women an opportunity to participate in a productive activity. “We believe that investing in people means creating opportunities to develop skills, build confidence, and prepare for the future,” Milner said. Superintendent of Prisons Abeid DeCunha, representing the Prison Service, said the initiative supports the agency’s re-
Representatives of the Rotary Club of Garden City, the Massy Foundation and the Guyana Prison Service during the handover of a $7 million shade tunnel at the Timehri Women’s Prison on Tuesday
sponsibility to produce food for inmates while equipping them with practical skills to assist their reintegration into society. He expressed interest in further collaboration with the Rotary Club of Garden City to support the women and their transition back into their communities. The Timehri project follows an earlier shade tunnel established by RCGC
at the Phoenix Recovery drug rehabilitation facility in Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke. Both initiatives combine food production with rehabilitation and skills development to prepare beneficiaries for life beyond the institutions. DeCunha accepted the facility on behalf of the Prison Service. Representatives of the three organisations subsequently participated in
a ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the structure. The shade tunnel provides a covered growing space that offers shade and helps protect crops from exposure to weather conditions. Its operation at Timehri is expected to give the women practical experience in crop cultivation while contributing to food production within the prison system.
Dharmic Sabha rolls out nationwide Diwali celebrations, motorcades
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he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has announced a series of activities across the country to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with events ranging from cultural programmes and bazaars to motorcades and a fundraising concert. The treasurer of the Sabha, Savitri Sukhai, outlined the activities planned for the coming weeks, including the return of the Deep Jale bazaar at the Kitty Seawall roundabout from November 4 to 6. The event will begin with a lighting ceremony on November 4, while the bazaar will provide an opportunity for patrons to pur-
File photo: The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha motorcades in 2025
chase Diwali items and sample vegetarian dishes, snacks and sweets from live cooking stalls. Sukhai said mandirs were pleased to have the opportunity to participate, as the event also serves as a fundraiser for them. Approximately 20 booths will be operated by mandirs and individuals, with young people also involved in organising the activities. The Sabha is targeting an attendance of more than 1,000 people. Ahead of the bazaar, the Sabha will host a grand dinner and concert on October 31 at the Railway Courtyard, featuring Indian idol singer Ankush Bhardwaj and
Guyanese artiste Vishale Samlall. Patrons will also be able to enjoy Indian cuisine during the event, with proceeds supporting Bal Nivas, the Sabha’s shelter for children, and the Dharmic Rama Krishna School Expansion Project. Tickets are available at the Dharmic Kendra. The Sabha’s Deep Jale celebrations will also extend to several communities through its Praants. The Berbice event will be held on October 28 at the Palmyra Monument Site, followed by activities on October 30 at the Anna Regina Town Council, November 2 at
the Oceanview Mandir Compound on the West Coast Demerara, and November 5 at the Providence Stadium on the East Bank Demerara. Admission to these events will be free. The Sabha’s annual Georgetown and East Coast Demerara Diwali Motorcade is scheduled for November 7, featuring floats from Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice. The procession will assemble at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbellville from 17:30h and depart at 18:30h. It will travel along Sandy Babb Street, continue onto Vlissengen Road and proceed along the Seawall before ending at
the LBI Community Centre Ground on the East Coast Demerara. A cultural programme and prize presentation will follow at the LBI Community Centre Ground from 19:00h. The programme will feature Ben Parag, Vishale Samlall, Artie Sookhai Khelawan, Bunty Singh, Cindy Sookram, Dharmic Nritya Sangh, Berbice Delights, and other performers. Admission will be free, and alcohol will not be permitted at the venue. Other motorcades are planned across the country. On November 1, four will be held in Berbice at the Bath
Community Centre Ground in West Berbice, Rose Hall Ground in East Berbice, Port Mourant Ground in Central Corentyne and Tagore High School Ground in Upper Corentyne. On November 5, the Essequibo Praant will stage its motorcade at the Anna Regina Car Park, while motorcades are scheduled for November 6 at the Providence Stadium on the East Bank Demerara and the Oceanview Mandir Compound on the West Coast Demerara. The Sabha has also organised inter-school rangoli competitions across all its Praants as part of the Diwali celebrations.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
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US invokes rarely-used T&T Republic Bank Director resigns torture law in revamped C case against Maduro
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport as he heads to face US federal charges
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icolas Maduro is one of just a handful of people to be charged in the US with violating a federal law criminalising torture committed overseas, a Reuters review of court records found, as prosecutors seek to broaden their criminal case against the ousted Venezuelan President. Maduro, 63, and his wife
Cilia Flores, 70, pleaded not guilty last week to an expanded indictment accusing them of conspiring to torture political opponents to remain in power, in addition to the drug trafficking charges they already faced. They are scheduled to go on trial in June 2027. Maduro and Flores, captured in January during a
US military raid in Caracas ordered by President Donald Trump, are just the seventh and eighth people Reuters identified who have been charged with violating a 1994 law criminalising acts of torture. The law defines torture as an act intended to inflict severe physical or mental pain or suffering on a person in custody. Four people have been convicted under the statute, including members of paramilitary forces in Liberia and Gambia, the head of a Syrian prison under ousted President Bashar al-Assad, and a US citizen who developed an illegal arms factory in Iraq. The Maduro case marks the first time the United States has prosecuted a head of state for allegedly authorising the use of torture in their country, according to Michel Paradis, a partner at the Steptoe law firm. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Cuba accuses US of threatening countries ahead of UN embargo vote
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uba has accused the United States of threatening countries with tariffs, visa restrictions and other retaliatory measures in an effort to get them to change their votes on an upcoming United Nations resolution calling for an end to the long-running embargo against the island. Every year, a majority in the UN General Assembly votes in favour of a nonbinding resolution seeking a stop to the US embargo, which began in the early 1960s. The embargo, considered the longest in modern history, has been credited
with exacerbating economic hardship on the island. But on Wednesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said that the administration of US President Donald Trump was seeking to pressure members of the UN General Assembly to vote against the resolution this year. He explained that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Washington’s ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz were personally leading the campaign, which he alleged had been going on for months. Rodriguez said US officials had threatened to
suspend cooperation programmes, deny visas to government officials and their families, and even back opposition parties in upcoming elections if countries refused to change their positions. He also accused the US of urging some countries to abstain or skip the vote altogether if they were unwilling to vote against Cuba. Al Jazeera has reached out to the US State Department and the US Mission to the UN for comment, but it did not receive a reply by the time of publication. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
oming on the heels of major top-level executive announcements across Republic Financial Holdings Ltd (RFHL), the Port-ofSpain-headquartered regional banking group confirmed that Edward Ince, a Director of its T&T subsidiary Republic Bank Ltd, had resigned. In a public notice published pursuant to Section 64(1)(B) of the Securities Act 2012, Republic Bank disclosed that Ince’s departure officially took effect on October 15, 2026. The notice was issued by RFHL’s general counsel and corporate secretary, Kimberly Erriah-Ali, and is formally published in the newspapers today. Ince’s exit follows a shakeup in RFHL’s execu-
Former Republic Bank Director Edward Ince
tive succession plan. On the day after Ince’s resignation took effect, on October 16, 2026, the financial group confirmed that Richard Sammy had abruptly exited the organisation after 18 years of service, effective October 14, 2026. On January 30, RFHL announced that Sammy would succeed Nigel Baptiste as the group’s top executive, overseeing
both the holding company and its T&T subsidiary, at Baptiste’s retirement on January 1, 2027. However, the board reversed its leadership plan, resulting in Sammy leaving his post as group vice-President of RFHL and vice-President of Republic Bank Ltd months ahead of the scheduled handover. To bridge the leadership gap, RFHL appointed Karen Yip Chuck as the incoming group President and CEO of RFHL, as well as managing Director of Republic Bank Ltd, effective January 1, 2027. Republic Bank has not yet disclosed a successor for the board seat vacated by Ince. (Excerpt from T&T Guardian)
El Salvador says gangs holding 4 force members hostage, announces new rescue mission
Armoured personnel carriers of Haiti’s UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF)
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l Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele on Wednesday said that Haitian gangs were holding four Salvadoran members of an international UN-backed security force hostage and that he had launched a military operation to get them back unharmed. El Salvador’s military and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), mandated to help Haitian police fight powerful gangs, earlier this week an-
nounced efforts to recover the missing Salvadorans but said intense fighting in the area had limited access. “Today, we have launched a military operation to rescue them,” Bukele said, without providing further details about the operation or identifying the group holding the Salvadorans hostage. The GSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The four Salvadorans
went missing on Sunday after they leapt from a burning armoured vehicle that was ambushed by armed gangs on the outskirts of the capital while returning from a market to their base, security officials said. Several nations, including Chad and Sri Lanka, have deployed soldiers as part of the Gang Suppression Force, which, a year into its mandate, has reached just over a third of its planned size and has had limited impact on Haiti’s security. Bukele said the missing men were aviation technicians, not combatants. “Our mission consists only of pilots and technical personnel, whose primary job is to carry out medical evacuations and save lives, not to wage war,” he said in a post on X. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Haiti commemorates 220th death Ex-Prosecutor charged with treason anniversary of independence hero in Mexico over US drug raid
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esidents and local officials gathered in Haiti’s Northwest capital Monday to honour Gen. François “Capois-LaMort” Capois, one of the most prominent heroes of the independence struggle, best known for his role in the Battle of Vertières on November 18, 1803. Local authorities declared the day a nonworking day in the coastal town, with schools, banks and many public and private institutions closed. Supporters say the commemoration gives the region an opportunity to preserve the memory of a
native son whose contribution to Haiti’s independence deserves greater recognition. For young residents, the commemoration is an opportunity to connect Haiti’s history with civic pride and national identity. Capois-La-Mort was born in 1766 on the Delaunay plantation in Chansolme, a nearby town. He is remembered for his bravery during the Battle of Vertières, the decisive 1803 battle that helped secure Haiti’s independence from French colonial rule. Some residents also
connect his legacy to Vodou and spiritual practices. These beliefs form part of how some people interpret the general’s courage and achievements, though they are not established historical facts. For residents gathered in Port-de-Paix, the commemoration is more than a tribute to a military leader. It is a call to preserve Haiti’s history, recognise contributions from the regions and ensure that younger generations understand the people who fought for freedom. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)
F
ederal Prosecutors in Mexico have charged a former state Prosecutor with treason for allowing US agents to join a raid on a suspected drugs lab in April without proper authorisation. César Jáuregui Moreno served as Attorney General (AG) of the northern border state of Chihuahua from 2023 to this year. The involvement of Americans came to light after two US agents said to have worked for the CIA died in a car crash in Chihuahua along with two Mexican law enforcement officers. AG Ernestina Godoy
Ramos said Jáuregui had allowed foreign agents to carry out activities reserved for Mexican authorities and had failed to share information. Jáuregui has denied the allegations. The former Prosecutor, who is a member of the conservative opposition PAN party, was arrested at the weekend. A court hearing is scheduled for Saturday. A Judge must still determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case, Reuters news agency reports. Jáuregui also faces state-level charges in
Chihuahua, including abuse of public office. In a court hearing for those charges on Sunday, he denied that he instructed or consented to the involvement of US agents in the operation. Two members of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency were killed along with the Americans, officials said. US media have reported that the two individuals worked for the CIA as part of an expanded effort to combat narcotics trafficking in the region. (Excerpt from BBC News)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
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19
Around the World
OILNEWS OIL NEWS
Missiles hit Kyiv after Russia agrees to US call to resume Ukraine peace talks
A woman stands next to severely-damaged and crushed cars near an apartment building hit during Russia’s most recent attack on Ukraine
U
kraine’s capital has come under a new missile attack, hours after Russia said it
was ”ready in principle” to resume peace talks and the US President said the world was ”the closest we’ve
been” to ending the war. Several houses were hit on Wednesday night, injuring six people, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said. The attack came amid a new diplomatic push led by Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff met Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in the city of St Petersburg on Wednesday – a day after meeting Ukraine’s leader. Three-way talks were paused in February, after which Russia stepped up attacks as Ukraine ran out
of Western-supplied interceptors to defend against missiles. Speaking on Wednesday, Trump said, ”The other day I was talking to Vladimir Putin about settling his war with Ukraine, which I think we’re getting closer to, by the way, maybe now the closest we’ve been.” The US President has so far failed to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end despite his repeated comments that he would be able to achieve this. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Pope Leo will not need further cancer treatment, doctors say
Pope Leo greets faithful as he arrives to hold his first weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square since cancer surgery
P
ope Leo will not need any further therapy after undergoing lung cancer surgery last week, his doctors said on Wednesday, indicating that his tumour had not spread.
The announcement came as it was still unclear whether the US-born Pope would proceed with a planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, scheduled for November 6-17.
The 71-year-old pontiff had the lower lobe of his right lung removed in surgery on October 13 and was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. Final histological examinations and molecular biology analyses of the tissue removed confirmed the diagnosis, with the disease remaining localised, the doctors said in a statement released by the Vatican. ”A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required,” the Pope’s lead surgeon, Stefano Margaritora,
and his personal physician, Luigi Carbone, said. Leo was discharged from hospital on Saturday and is gradually resuming his normal duties. On Wednesday, he returned to St Peter’s Square for his weekly audience with pilgrims. Margaritora said last week there were ”no clinical reasons” preventing the Pope from travelling to South America, but the Vatican’s secretary of state has indicated the pontiff may need to adjust the pace of his schedule to aid his recovery. (Excerpt from Reuters)
ting to hit a facility at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield, the Ministry of Energy said. It was the latest in a series of assaults on Saudi airports as conflict intensifies between Houthi forces and the Saudi-backed internationally recognised Yemeni government. Last week, the kingdom reported that a projectile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 11 killed one person and injured 11. On October 10, the civil aviation authority reported that a separate attack on the same airport claimed the
lives of 12 persons and injured more than 300. On Wednesday, the US State Department ordered diplomats and family members to depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia amid the ongoing Houthi attacks. There are also plans to withdraw family members from a number of other US missions in the region, US officials told Reuters. The US embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert on Wednesday about possible further attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
US aims to loan third of heating oil reserve in bid to tame prices
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he Trump Administration is offering to loan up to nearly a third of the 1-million-barrel US emergency heating oil reserve, the Department of Energy said on Wednesday, in a bid to tame surging prices. The move, reported first by Reuters, came after senators from both political parties urged the administration to release heating oil from the reserve. Heating oil is similar in composition to diesel fuel, the price of which has hit records above $6.50 per gallon following disruptions in the Middle East caused by the Iran war. The Trump administration also blames high prices on Ukrainian attacks on refineries in Russia. The administration will evaluate whether further releases from the reserve are necessary, a source at the department said. The US has only tapped the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve once since Hurricane Sandy struck the region in 2012. The emergency stockpile is held at sites in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. About one-third of New England homes use heating oil, including about half of homes in Maine. Soaring heating oil costs have emerged as a key issue ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, including in several tight Senate races, as Trump’s fellow Republicans are trying to maintain control of the two chambers of Congress. (Excerpt from Reuters)
1st case of New World 1 killed, 8 injured in attack on screwworm in US Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd airport wildlife confirmed, O USDA says
Saudi women are seen arriving at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam
ne person has been killed and eight injured in an attack on Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport in the eastern city of Dammam, the country’s civil aviation authority announced. All of the wounded, whose injuries range from minor to critical, were transported to hospitals to receive medical attention, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said in a statement on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, two people were killed after Saudi air defences intercepted a drone that was attemp-
Controversial US-backed vaccine trial in African newborns halted
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he US-backed hepatitis B vaccine trial in African newborns that drew global backlash was halted, the lead researcher said on Wednesday. It was “now clear” that the study “will not move forward in Guinea-Bissau”, Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, a Danish researcher, wrote on LinkedIn, adding, ”We were not given the necessary governmental approval.” The minister of health in Guinea-Bissau, Quinhin
Nantote, previously denied that the project would move forward. “This is not even remotely true,” Nantote told the Guardian in Portuguese last week. The study was to be funded with $1.6m from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with another $1.6m from private partners like the Bill Ackman-backed Pershing Square Foundation and the Bluebell Foundation. “The solution is clear here:
take the money and vaccinate as many kids as you can,” said Paul Offit, a vaccines expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who sharply criticised the proposed study as unethical. The government of Guinea-Bissau now has control over the researchers’ vaccines, which they apprehended when they searched the offices of the Bandim Health Project on Monday. It was vital to support Guinea-Bissau in rolling the
immunisations out to all newborns as soon as possible, Offit said. Guinea-Bissau currently plans to offer the universal birth dose in 2028. The proposed trial led to distrust among BissauGuineans, who wondered if the vaccine – which has a decades-long record of being safe and effective – was being tested on Africans because it was dangerous, SchaltzBuchholzer said in his post. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
T
he first case of New World screwworm in wildlife in the United States has been found in an elk in Texas, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Wednesday. The elk was discovered on a game ranch in Pecos County and was reported after being harvested by a hunter, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said. The detection prompted additional wildlife surveillance in the area by the USDA and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Texas Animal Health Commission will also modify a previously established infested zone. Officials said hunters should watch for signs of infection, including visible maggots in wounds, foul-smelling injuries and animals that appear weak or distressed. Other warning signs include open or enlarging wounds and infestations around an animal’s nose,
mouth, ears, eyes or genital areas. Officials urged anyone who notices suspicious signs of infestation to report them immediately. The USDA in June confirmed the presence of a flesh-eating New World screwworm in a three-weekold Texas calf. The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals, including livestock and, in rare cases, humans. Once hatched, the larvae feed on living tissue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the USDA says the New World screwworm doesn’t affect food safety, it can impact meat production. Typically found in South America and parts of the Caribbean, the parasite has spread north into Central America and Mexico in recent years. (Excerpt from CBS News)
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
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ARCHIE
DAILY HOROSCOPES
(March 21-April 19)
Pay attention to spending habits. Use your imagination and discipline when it comes to investments, lifestyle and managing your overhead. Learning something you can turn into a side business will keep you busy. Hold your thoughts, be secretive and be observant. Listen to what others want, and set standards and boundaries before you engage in partnerships. Charm will help you in negotiations.
PICKLES
(April 20-May 20)
(May 21-June 20)
PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)
Emotions will surface. Choose your words carefully, and navigate your way through sticky situations with finesse and honesty. Factual accounts will be appreciated. Pay attention when dealing with colleagues or professional transactions that can influence your position. You stand to prosper if you attend networking functions that allow you to interact on a broader platform. Dissipate any hostility that tries to grow. An overly dramatic approach will cause grief. Say little, show interest and tally up how you feel about what’s transpiring in a calm and stately manner.
(July 23-Aug. 22) Sit tight, and refuse to let anyone pressure you into something you aren’t ready for. Concentrate on yourself and what you want to do next. A premature move will cost you.
CALVIN AND HOBBES
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
SUDOKU
Speak your mind when dealing with professionals or financial matters, but don’t jeopardize your position or reputation over something negligible. Use your insight and tact to navigate your way forward. Live up to your promises, finish what you start and hide out at home. What you do to ease your mind and soothe your soul will work wonders for you mentally, physically and emotionally.
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Traveling, learning and communicating are at an all-time high. Get involved in events or activities that will broaden your awareness and bring you in touch with people who are an asset in your pursuits.
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Give it your best shot. No matter what you take on, being precise, well informed and captivating will pay off. Reach out to those in higher positions.
LAST PUBLISHED WORD – KILOGRAM
SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Money matters require attention. Don’t bank on a promise that is yet to become a reality. Moving forward with reserve will leave you open to more choices and less stress.
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Use willpower when dealing with financial and health matters. Stick to a budget, exercise and eat properly. Don’t follow the crowd or sign up for events that pose a risk or lead to temptation.
(Feb. 20-March 20)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
21
Jansen 5-for sets up South Africa’s victory push
Marco Jansen celebrates with the ball after taking his five-for (Getty Images)
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arco Jansen led a heroic bowling performance as South Africa bowled Australia out for 99 to enforce the follow-on on them for only the third time since 1988 and put themselves in position to level the three-match Test series. Jansen took his second fivefor in three Tests, albeit spread a year apart, and made up for the loss of Anrich Nortje, who left the field with a suspected groin injury in his fourth over. Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Wiaan Mulder were back in the Test side after recovering from a hamstring injury, with Mulder giving South Africa a 326-run first-innings lead before Simon Harmer had his say in the second dig. Australia’s 99 was the fourthlowest all-out total against South Africa and the first time they were shot out for under 100 in 69 innings since they were bowled for 91 by India in Nagpur in 2023. Steven Smith was Australia’s only batter to get past 14 in the first innings. In the process, he became the 12th batter overall and the third Australian after Ricky Ponting and Allan Border to 11,000 test runs. Smith did not come out to bat in his usual No. 4 position in the second innings after hurting his neck while batting earlier in the day. Smith is the third player to
be affected by either an illness or injury in this Test after Nortje and Josh Hazlewood, who had food poisoning and did not take the field on day two. Umpire Chris Gaffeney has also been unwell and South Africa’s Arno Jacobs has stood in his place. The day was action-packed from start to finish, with a total of 13 wickets falling. The first came with Jansen’s first ball, on a hard length and nipping away. Nightwatcher Scott Boland chased it and gave Rickelton a simple catch, moving to his right. At the other end, Rabada cranked up his pace early on and hit a top speed of 154.5 kph, but it was Jansen who reaped the rewards. He hit Travis Head’s front pad with a ball that nipped back in, but after a muted appeal, it took Harmer to convince Temba Bavuma to review. Replays showed the ball was hitting the top of the middle stump. Australia were 22 for 3 in the first half hour of play, and South Africa had their tails up. An intriguing battle between Marnus Labuschagne and Jansen ensued. Labuschagne won the opening exchanges when he drove Jansen through mid-off twice in an over, but eventually lost the battle, though not at Jansen’s hands. Nortje, in his first over, drew Labuschagne into a
Travis Head brought up a fighting 50 (Getty Images)
drive and induced an edge, but the wicket belonged to Harmer, who took a stunning one-handed catch to his left at gully. At 45 for four, South Africa would have been comfortable that the new ball had done its work and switched Rabada for Mulder after a six-over spell. With minimal swing available, Mulder’s focus was to hold his end and bowl back of a length and stump to stump. Barely five minutes later, the mood dampened severely when Nortje walked off the field mid-over. He bowled 40 overs in the Durban Test after not playing any red-ball cricket for more than three-anda-half years and was expected to sit out this match, but South Africa could not resist the express pace. Now, it’s likely they will have to do without it for the rest of the match. With Smith and Matt Renshaw bedding in, and half an hour left for lunch, Rabada was brought back and almost
delivered. Smith edged him short of Markram at the second slip and needed treatment on his neck immediately afterwards. Smith lived dangerously and, in the next over, flashed at a ball but missed. In scenes reminiscent of the 2018 battle between Rabada and Smith, there were words and smiles but no contact, as was the case eight years ago. While Rabada was stirring the pot, Jansen took the lid off. Renshaw, Australia’s best batter from the first Test, opened the face of the bat to steer Jansen to Harmer at a wide third slip. Two balls later, Alex Carey got a thin edge to a ball he tried to steer to deep third, and Ryan Rickelton took his second catch. Australia went to lunch on 69 for 6. Beau Webster was off the mark in the first over of the second session but given out two overs later as he tried to force Mulder away on the off side. South Africa thought they had him caught behind, but Webster reviewed immediately and successfully. He lasted into the next over, when Jansen did him with extra bounce, and Aiden Markram, at second slip, pouched a smart catch. Smith’s milestone came with a single off Jansen, and he almost immediately required treatment on his neck. Mulder increased Smith’s discomfort by jiggling the ball back as Rickelton stood up to the stumps. One of those deliveries went for four byes; another cut Smith in half and bowled him. Mitchell Starc nicked off to give Rabada his 200th Test wicket at home, and then Mulder ended the innings. Pat Cummins miscued him to deep square leg, 56 minutes into the middle session. That gave South Africa 56 overs on day four and 98 on day five to try and win the game. The second innings started in similar fashion for Australia when Rabada accounted for
Simon Harmer celebrates a wicket (Getty Images)
Nic Maddinson again. After a first-innings duck, Maddinson managed two boundaries but then feathered an edge to Rickelton to continue a tough comeback. Since making his return to the side in Durban last week, Maddinson has scored 0, 48, 0 and 8. South Africa had the opportunity to take a second soon after when Travis Head sent Mulder to the gully, but Jansen, standing closer than is conventional, could not hold on. Head and Marnus Labuschagne took Australia to tea on 45 for 1. Itching for more, South Africa reviewed a caught-behind appeal of Mulder in the second over of the evening session but burnt it. Head struck a couple of boundaries off some loose balls and worked his way to a halfcentury, but the struggle was happening on the other end. Battling for his Test career, Labuschagne was struggling, especially against Harmer. He was given out lbw as he planted the front foot and was pinged on the pad, but replays showed the ball was just missing the leg. Then, he pulled Jansen in
the air to a deep square leg and survived, but the fun wouldn’t last long. He charged Harmer and sent him skyward toward midon. Jansen had to judge the take in swirling winds while running backward to end a 92-run stand and Labuschagne’s innings on 39. Labuschagne has not scored a hundred in his last 45 Tests and averages 26.04 since December 2023. Renshaw edged Rabada short of Harmer at the second slip but then left a ball that seamed back in and bowled him. Just as South Africa thought the day could not get any better, Harmer had Webster pinned on the pad just below the knee roll. He was walking before Jacobs even raised the finger. The day ended as it began, with Boland at the crease and South Africa in the ascendancy. (ESPNcricinfo) Summarised scores: Australia 99 (Smith 28, Jansen 5-33, Mulder 2-14, Rabada 2-33) and 156 for 4 (f/o) (Head 87*, Rabada 2-30, Harmer 2-47) trail South Africa 425 for 9 decl by 170 runs
Expectations high for JS Racing Stables ahead of President’s Cup
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n recent years, the Guyana Cup winner had repeated success, completing the double with the President’s Cup title. This year, it feels a bit different with JS Racing Stables threatening Sandpipes. I’m Sam. I was the runner-up horse at the Guyana Cup, and at Sunday’s showdown of champions, the horse seems to be coming into its own, defeating former top horses Dataman and Stat. On Sunday, November 29, the battle will be extreme; Guyana Cup winner Sand Pipes will return
for the President’s Cup, and I’m Sam and will be sitting patiently. For JS Racing Stables, the expectations will be high after recording five wins at the Showdown of Champions. Jermaine Sripal, owner of JS Racing Stables, said his team strives well under pressure. He is aware that all horsemen will be marking his horses. “This means a lot of pressure because we will be the stable to beat, so everyone will be coming at us. “The team loves the pressure, and we strive under the pressure,” Sripal
said. Reflecting on his five wins in the afternoon, Sripal said, “I think it is something very rare and very special. It’s worth it.” The competition heightens, and Rising Sun Turf Club will write the story on Sunday, November 29.
The pressure is on JS Racing Stables ahead of the President’s Cup
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GUYANATIMESGY.COM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
Elite League opportunity awaits as GFA senior competition kicks off Sunday
Camptown FC were winners of the last GFA League and have since earned promotion to the Elite League
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en clubs will begin their pursuit of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Senior Men’s League title on Sunday, October 25, with the eventual champions also earning a chance to pursue promotion to the Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League. The competition opens
with a double-header at the Camptown Ground, where Vengy Football Club (FC) face Black Pearl FC at noon before Eastveldt FC meet Pele FC at 15:00h. Camptown FC won the previous edition and have since gained promotion to the Elite League, the country’s highest tier of club football. Their achievement
provides an incentive for this season’s contenders, although winning the upcoming competition will offer a promotion opportunity rather than guarantee a place in the top flight. Vengy, Black Pearl, Eastveldt, and Pele are joined by Riddim Squad, Beacon, Motherland, ORDIS, Northern Rangers
and North Stars. Fixtures run through December 17 at the Camptown and Plaisance grounds. Following Sunday’s opening games, the competition moves to Plaisance on Tuesday, October 27, when Riddim Squad tackle Beacon at 19:00h and Motherland play ORDIS at 21:00h. Northern Rangers meet North Stars two days later, followed by Vengy against Pele. The competition will see Tuesday and Thursday matches at Plaisance, with double-headers beginning at 19:00h and 21:00h Sunday games are assigned to Camptown, where fixtures after the opening day start at 13:00h and 15:00h November’s programme begins on Sunday, November 1, with Riddim Squad against ORDIS and North Stars against Black Pearl. Northern Rangers face Beacon on November 3 before Motherland meet Eastveldt, while Black Pearl take on Riddim Squad and North Stars play Vengy on November 5.
Motherland and Northern Rangers open the November 8 double-header, followed by Beacon against Eastveldt. Pele meet ORDIS on November 10, with Northern Rangers facing Riddim Squad in the second game. Beacon then tackle Pele and North Stars oppose Eastveldt on November 12. The November 15 fixtures pair Black Pearl with ORDIS and Motherland with Vengy. Two days later, ORDIS meet Eastveldt before Black Pearl face Northern Rangers. Beacon play Vengy and Pele take on Riddim Squad on November 19. Motherland face North Stars on November 22, followed by ORDIS against Vengy. Beacon meet North Stars and Pele tackle Northern Rangers on November 24, before Motherland against Black Pearl and Eastveldt against Riddim Squad complete the month’s listed fixtures on November 26. The competition resumes on December 1 with
ORDIS against North Stars and Pele against Black Pearl. Riddim Squad face Vengy and Eastveldt, who meet Northern Rangers on December 3, followed by Motherland against Beacon and Eastveldt against Black Pearl at Camptown on December 6. Motherland play Pele on December 8 before ORDIS meet Beacon. Riddim Squad then tackle North Stars, and Vengy face Northern Rangers on December 10. The final scheduled Sunday double-header takes place on December 13, when Black Pearl oppose Beacon and North Stars meet Pele. Northern Rangers face ORDIS, and Vengy tackle Eastveldt at Plaisance on December 15. Motherland and Riddim Squad are scheduled to contest the final listed fixture at Plaisance on Thursday, December 17, at 19:00h, bringing the programme to a close as the clubs seek to follow Camptown’s path towards the national top flight.
Mars secures Pegasus chess GFF invites applications for CONCACAF C Licence course title with a round to spare
Part of the action on Monday night
Davion Mars has won the inaugural Pegasus Weekly Chess League with one round remaining
D
avion Mars has won the inaugural Pegasus Weekly Chess League with one round remaining, taking an unbeatable 1½-point lead after Monday evening’s sixth round at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown. After winning all five of his opening matches, Mars missed Round Six because of overseas travel commitments and claimed a halfpoint bye under the tournament’s regulations. That took him to 5½ points, beyond the reach of his nearest challengers heading into the final round on October 26. The regulations allow players to request up to two half-point byes during the competition, once sufficient justification is provided. While Mars has settled the championship race, the remaining podium posi-
tions are still being contested. Keron Sandiford, Jaden Taylor and Oluwadare Oyeyipo each have four points, with tiebreaks placing them second, third and fourth, respectively. Taylor moved up two places after receiving a forfeit victory against Sandiford, who held on to second position. The result continued Taylor’s rise through the standings, with the player gaining five places over the past two rounds. Oyeyipo, meanwhile, missed the chance to take sole possession of second place after drawing with Ryan McKay. There was also a breakthrough for the league’s youngest participant, Sachin Beharry, who earned his first victory after a lengthy encounter with Annastasya Marcano. Beharry missed several opportunities to finish the game before eventually converting his advantage, moving up two places to ninth on 2½ points. In the other sixth-round results, Martin Poon defeat-
ed Raymond Sookdeo, and Odinnie Reece beat Owen Mickle. Woman Candidate Master Jessica Callender received a full-point bye. Behind the leading four, McKay, Reece and Poon occupy fifth through seventh positions, respectively, on 3½ points each. Callender is eighth with three points, followed by Beharry. Sookdeo and Mickle have two points apiece, Sana Sreebalakumar has 1½, Marcano has one, and Juliana Persaud remains without a point. The seventh and final round of Season One will be played on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, Guyana, with the remaining podium places to be decided. The Pegasus Weekly Chess League is presented by Drayton’s Chess Club in partnership with the Pegasus Chess Club and the Guyana Chess Federation. Persons interested in Season Two can visit Drayton’s Chess Club on Facebook to join the waiting list and obtain further information.
Football coaches across Guyana have until October 30 to apply for the CONCACAF C Licence Coaching Course
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ootball coaches across Guyana have until October 30 to apply for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) C Licence Coaching Course, scheduled for November 30 to December 4, 2026, with registration costing $20,000. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is inviting coaches to use the opportunity to strengthen their coaching knowledge and develop skills to help guide the next generation of football talent. The five-day course offers participants an opportunity to advance their coaching development and gain tools
to support their work with players. According to the GFF’s notice, applicants must possess a D Licence certificate and/or have at least three years of coaching experience. The notice also lists a minimum of five appearances for Guyana’s national team at the Under-20, Under-23 or senior level among its requirements. Applicants must be physically capable and possess basic computer and information technology skills. Interested coaches are required to complete the online application form before the October 30 deadline. The form is available through the GFF’s application link
on their Facebook page.
CLASSIFIED ADS TO RENT
Vreed-en-Hoop junction. Place to rent for lessons, storage bond, office or other. Call tel. no. 6036400.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
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Schools chase regional honours in ExxonMobil U18 football
Regional and district titles will be on the line when the ExxonMobil Under-18 Schools Football competition continues from October 22–24
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egional and district titles will be on the line when the ExxonMobil Under-18 Schools Football competition continues from October 22–24, with finals scheduled for Region
One, Region Three, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara and Georgetown South. Organised by the Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA), the competition en-
ters its fourth weekend with a programme of boys’ and girls’ matches that also includes action in Essequibo, Berbice and Georgetown North. Dolphin Secondary and Vreed en Hoop Secondary will
each contest boys’ and girls’ finals on Saturday, giving both schools an opportunity to secure honours in the two categories. At Tucville, Dolphin face Charlestown Secondary in the Georgetown South girls’ final at 14:30h before meeting New Central High in the boys’ final at 15:30h. Vreed en Hoop’s girls will take on West Minster Secondary at Friendship Park from 13:00h, followed by the boys’ final between Vreed en Hoop and DeWillem Secondary at 15:00h. The programme begins on Thursday with Santa Rosa Secondary facing Waramuri Secondary in a boys’ encounter at Santa Rosa from 10:00h. The winners will meet Hosororo Secondary in the Region One boys’ final at Coomacka on Friday at 11:30h. Friday’s action at Coomacka will open with the girls’ final between North West Secondary and Waramuri Secondary at 10:00h. The East Coast finals will also be played on Friday, with
Plaisance hosting Annandale Secondary against President’s College in the girls’ decider at 13:00h. Hope Secondary and Golden Grove Secondary will then contest the boys’ final at 14:00h. On the East Bank, Friendship Secondary and Diamond Secondary meet at Providence on Friday from 14:00h. The winners will return to the venue on Saturday to face Dora Secondary in the boys’ final at 13:00h. Meanwhile, Queen’s College will host four Georgetown North fixtures on Saturday, with boys’ and girls’ games being played simultaneously. At noon, New Campbellville Secondary faces Chase’s Academic Foundation in the girls’ competition, while Chase’s boys take on Christ Church Secondary. The 14:00h fixtures will pit St John’s College against New Campbellville in the boys’ competition and Cummings Lodge against Marian Academy in the girls’ competition. In Region Two, Saturday’s programme at Queenstown
begins with Charity Secondary against Cottonfield Secondary in the boys’ competition at 10:00h. Charity’s girls will meet Aurora Secondary at noon before Aurora’s boys face Abram Zuil Secondary at 14:00h. Bygeval Secondary and No. 8 Secondary will contest a Region Five double-header at the No. 5 Ground on Saturday. The girls’ match starts at 13:00h, followed by the boys’ encounter at 14:30h. Three matches are scheduled for All Saints in Region Six that day. Canje Secondary faces New Amsterdam Secondary in the girls’ competition at 11:00h, while Lower Corentyne Secondary meets New Amsterdam’s boys at 13:00h. Berbice Educational Institute and Tutorial Academy will complete the programme with their boys’ encounter at 15:00h. The tournament continues under the theme “Play, Learn, Lead,” with VMFA encouraging school communities and football supporters to attend the matches.
IMC Masters O40s World Cup
Chattergoon, bowlers steer West Indies to first Masters World Cup win
Namibia’s Jan Harms Van Renaburg was bowled by Trevor Benn for a duck
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he West Indies ended their two-match losing start to the International Masters Cricket (IMC) Masters Over 40s World Cup with an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Namibia at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, on Wednesday, as Sewnarine Chattergoon’s attacking half-century capped a strong team performance. Chattergoon struck 57 from just 28 deliveries after Reno Mittelholzer and Imran Khan claimed three wickets each to help dismiss Namibia for 143 in 31.3 overs. The hosts then raced to 146 for two in 12.2 overs, with Jason Mohammed unbeaten on 43 from 18 balls. The result gave West Indies a welcome breakthrough following defeats by Australia and defending champions South Africa in their opening two fixtures of the tournament being hosted in Guyana. Set 144 for victory; the West Indies immediately put Namibia’s bowlers under pressure through openers Randy
Thomas and Chattergoon. The pair added 59 in 5.3 overs before Thomas was bowled by Nicolaas Buys for 29 from 17 deliveries, an innings featuring two fours and two sixes. Chattergoon maintained the brisk scoring alongside Mohammed, with the pair adding another 48 runs for the second wicket. The left-hander struck eight fours and two sixes before being caught by John Valentin off Asad Abbas with the West Indies on 107 in the
and a six, while Ramdin contributed an unbeaten 15 from 11 deliveries, including two fours. Their unbroken 39run partnership completed a chase in which the West Indies scored at almost 12 runs per over. Buys finished with one for 36 from four overs, and Abbas took one for 23 from two, but Namibia’s attack struggled to contain the hosts throughout the short innings. Earlier, Namibia’s decision to bat was quickly undermined by Benn, who struck twice in his opening over. He bowled Jan Harms Van Renaburg for a duck and had Abbas caught by wicketkeeper Thomas without scoring, leaving the visitors four for two. Valentin and Captain Gerrie Snyman then added 31 for the third wicket before Khan broke the partnership. Valentin, who made 11 from 27 balls, was stumped by Thomas with Namibia on 35. Snyman offered a more attacking response, hitting six fours in his 39 from 40 deliv-
Jason Mohamed goes on the attack during his unbeaten 43 from 18 deliveries
tenth over. His dismissal brought captain Denesh Ramdin to the crease, but Namibia found no relief as Mohammed continued to find the boundary. Mohammed hit eight fours
eries. However, his dismissal, bowled by Mittelholzer at 69 for four, began a damaging passage for Namibia. Khan removed Henry Hayes for 16, caught
West Indies seamer Trevor Benn struck twice in his opening over
by Mohammed, before Mittelholzer dismissed Buys for two and trapped Colin Fraser Steytler lbw without scoring from successive deliveries. Namibia had lost four wickets for two runs to slide to 71 for seven. Hendrik Geldenhuys then helped give the innings some substance, striking four fours and three sixes in a counterattacking 43 from 29 balls. He shared a 55-run eighth-wicket stand with Hugo Ludik, taking Namibia to 126 before being caught by Thomas off Khan. Devendra Bishoo removed Jaco Duvenhage for two and later bowled Ludik for 16 to bring the innings to a close. Ankur Kathuria remained unbeaten on seven. Mittelholzer returned three for 34 from six overs, while Khan finished with three for 48 from nine. Benn took two for 15 from three overs, and Bishoo claimed
two for 25 from 6.3. Rakesh Maharaj also played a useful supporting role, conceding just 21 runs from his seven overs.
South Africa, England and India win
In the other matches, Robert Mutch delivered an outstanding spell of eight for 10 as South Africa defeated Colombia by eight wickets at Lusignan. Colombia were bowled out for 52 in 23.5 overs, with Munish Kumar scoring 19 and Mark Lamont 14. South Africa completed the chase at 53 for two in 7.2 overs. At Everest, Ben Frazer’s unbeaten 119 guided England to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan. Sheharyar Ghani made 86 in Pakistan’s 210 all out, while Steven Naylor took four for 29. Frazer then struck 13 fours and two sixes in his 102-ball innings as England reached 211 for three in 33.4
overs. India also recorded an eight-wicket win, reaching 128 for two in 19.2 overs after dismissing New Zealand for 126 in 32.2 overs. Anup N Fulper claimed four for 22, while Somesh Nair made 39, Amit Paul scored 37 and Pankaj Dhuldhoye finished unbeaten on 36 to guide the successful reply.
Summarised scores:
Namibia 143 all out in 31.3 overs: Hendrik Geldenhuys 43, Gerrie Snyman 39, Henry Hayes 16, Hugo Ludik 16, Reno Mittelholzer 3–34, Imran Khan 3–48, Benn 2–15, Devendra Bishoo 2–25. West Indies 146–2 in 12.2 overs: Sewnarine Chattergoon 57, Jason Mohammed 43 not out, Randy Thomas 29, Denesh Ramdin 15 not out, Asad Abbas 1–23, Nicolaas Buys 1–3. 6. West Indies won by eight wickets
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026
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