Guyana Times - Tuesday, July 14, 2026

"Guyana stands in solidarity with Venezuelan people"

Foreign Secretary

3-year Guyana-DR agreement

Consortium to begin oil exploratory work within Berbice Block in 6 months

…to create jobs, business opportunities across Region 6 – Bharrat

Natural Resources

Minister Vickram Bharrat has announced that a Dominican Republic (DR) consortium is expected to begin exploration activities within the Berbice Block in six months. In May 2026, the Guyana Government had signed an agreement with DR to jointly explore and potentially develop oil and natural gas resources in the onshore Berbice Block. Under the deal, the Dominican Petroleum Refinery will represent the Dominican State and receive a 10 per cent stake in the project without requiring an upfront capital investment. If commercially viable reserves are discovered, the Dominican Republic would gain access to crude oil or natural gas under preferential terms, strengthening the country’s long-term energy security. The initiative stems from a Memorandum

of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2023 by President Luis Abinader and President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The project has involved technical coordination between the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Refidomsa, and Guyanese authorities. Providing an update on the initiative during the Starting Point podcast on Sunday, Minister Bharrat said, “we’ve given them a very short timeframe to start these activities. Within four-six months, we must see some kind of activities within the Berbice Block.”

Minister Bharrat added that the agreement signed between Guyana and DR is for three years, “where they will obviously do their surveys and they will start drilling at some point in time soon”.

Previously held by CGX Energy (under ON

Energy), the Berbice Block along with the Demerara Block were surrendered so the company could focus on the offshore Corentyne Block. Minister Bharrat noted that, “CGX would have done some drilling in the Berbice Block in the past”. According to CGX

Energy’s website, “there is strong evidence that oil has migrated onto the onshore Guyana Berbice Block and has been trapped…There has been pay on logs and oil shows in cuttings from Berbice wells drilled by ON Energy Inc. Large structures and

stratigraphic changes on Berbice provide hydrocarbon traps. There is strong evidence that these traps are well positioned to be filled with hydrocarbons that have migrated to onshore Guyana.”

The website outlined that the company previously drilled three wells on the block and acquired 17 2D seismic lines along with an aeromagnetic and gravity survey. To augment these data, it was noted that CGX conducted a Geochemical Soil Survey in late 2018. “A surface soil gas survey was conducted by Exploration Technologies Inc. (ETI) in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG) Berbice Campus and several of the Berbice technical institutes. A total of 314 shallow soil gas vapours were collected between 27 October and 4 November of 2018 from a depth of 4

feet subsurface. The data set is wide-spread, with samples collected on 1 kilometre (km) spacing along three roads and two gridded areas. The geochemical survey confirmed the presence of subsurface oil sources within the Berbice block,” the website noted. Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Minister highlighted the economic benefits that will unfold for Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) when activities begin in the Berbice Block by the DR consortium.

“It will generate a lot of opportunities in Region Six, whether it’s for direct employment, indirect employment, provision of goods and services, training, there will be many opportunities, housing, transportation, these are all services that are required when exploration activities are ongoing,” he emphasised.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily. Tuesday, July 14 – 16:50h–18:20h and Wednesday, July 15 –17:20h–18:50h.

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day, followed by clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.13 metres and 4.92 metres.

High Tide: 16: 45h reaching a maximum height of 2.54 metres.

Low Tide: 10:15h and 22:31h reaching minimum heights of 0.51 metre and 0.67 metre.

"Guyana stands in solidarity with Venezuelan people" – Foreign Secretary

…relief aid arrives in earthquake-stricken country as Caracas thanks Guyana, Caricom

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, says the country stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela as relief supplies, coordinated by the Government of Guyana in partnership with other Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states, have arrived in the earthquake-stricken South American nation. Two vessels, Mega and Motti arrived at La Guira Port in Venezuela on Sunday, with humanitarian supplies comprising food, medicine, construction materials, machinery for rubble removal, and 300 water tanks. The shipment forms part of a regional response led by President Dr Irfaan Ali with support from Caricom member states and the private sector. The supplies were received by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Venezuela Yvan Gil, alongside Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who pledged additional shipments. Minister Gil expressed gratitude on behalf of Venezuela toward the neighbouring nations and the diplomatic corps that facilitated the handover, specifically acknowledging Guyana and all Caricom member states that joined the initiative. According to a teleSUR report, he further emphasised the geo-

political significance of the assistance in addressing the emergency in the hardest-hit zones, noting that the donation supplements other international aid received since the seismic event, which has bolstered response capacity and the restoration of essential services. “The only way to face these natural events that truly impact the population of our entire region is through unity,” he underscored. The relief supplies were contributed by the Governments of Guyana, Belize, the Bahamas, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the local Private Sector, civil society organisations, citizens, and members of the Venezuelan community in Guyana. In a social media post, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary emphasised that “Guyana remains a reliable partner in times of crisis and stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people as they recover from the devasting impacts of the earthquake.” This show of solidarity and support between Guyana and Venezuela comes as the two South American neighbours are embroiled in a decades-long border controversy. The matter is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is expected to deliver a ruling

sometime later this year or early next year.

Generosity

Meanwhile, the PSC in Guyana commented that this “this collective effort demonstrated the generosity and solidarity of Guyana’s private sector, reflecting a shared commitment to standing with our

regional neighbours during times of crisis”. On June 24, the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes caused extensive damage in parts of Venezuela near the country’s capital. More than 3685 persons have died and another 16,740 were injured from last month’s twin quakes, while 17,907 are homeless.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Young innovators & digital solutions

Economic growth is often measured through major investments, infrastructure projects and expanding industries, but one of the clearest signs of a developing economy is the emergence of new ideas from its people. Across Guyana, a generation of young entrepreneurs is demonstrating that innovation is not limited to large corporations or foreign investors. It is also being driven by local minds identifying everyday challenges and creating solutions suited to the needs of society.

The development of RhysList, a locally-created online marketplace connecting customers with service providers, is one example of how young Guyanese are approaching business opportunities with a developmental mindset. The platform seeks to modernise the way people access essential services by bringing professionals and customers together through a centralised digital space.

For years, finding a reliable plumber, electrician, contractor, lawyer, accountant, mechanic or other professionals has depended largely on recommendations, WhatsApp groups and personal referrals. While these methods remain valuable, they often require significant time and uncertainty, particularly when customers are searching for trusted providers outside their immediate networks.

RhysList seeks to address this gap by creating a more organised and accessible system where service providers can establish digital profiles, showcase their expertise and connect directly with potential customers. At the same time, consumers gain a platform where they can search for services, compare options and make more informed decisions.

The significance of such an initiative reflects the changing nature of Guyana’s economy, where technology is becoming an increasingly important tool for entrepreneurship, business visibility, and market expansion.

As the country experiences rapid economic transformation, opportunities are expanding across multiple sectors. The growth of construction, professional services, transportation, information technology and other industries has created demand for businesses and individuals who can provide quality services efficiently. Digital platforms that improve access and connectivity can help ensure that small businesses and independent professionals are able to participate more fully in this expanding economic landscape.

The emergence of young entrepreneurs developing solutions such as RhysList highlights a shift in how business challenges are being viewed. Rather than waiting for solutions to come from elsewhere, young Guyanese are identifying local needs and applying technology, creativity and entrepreneurship to solve them.

Platforms that support small businesses, improve visibility and encourage professionalism can contribute to a stronger Private Sector and greater economic participation.

The registration of more than 200 service providers ahead of RhysList’s official launch demonstrates the demand for improved connections between businesses and customers. The range of industries represented, including construction, legal services, accounting, transportation, photography, information technology and other professional fields, reflects the diversity and capability within Guyana’s workforce.

Importantly, digital innovation does not replace traditional business relationships as trust, reputation and quality service remain central to success. However, technology can strengthen these foundations by providing businesses with additional tools to build credibility and reach customers beyond their immediate communities.

Guyana’s economic progress requires continued investment in physical infrastructure as well as in innovation, skills development, and entrepreneurship. The country’s future success will depend on the ability to embrace new ideas while creating opportunities for citizens to contribute meaningfully to national development.

The rise of locally-developed platforms highlights that young Guyanese are recognising the possibilities created by economic growth. They are not merely observing change; they are actively participating in shaping the systems and services that will define the country’s next chapter.

The journey towards a modern and diversified economy will continue to require creativity, collaboration and confidence in local talent. Initiatives such as RhysList serve as reminders that innovation can emerge from everyday experiences and that solutions developed in Guyana can respond effectively to Guyanese needs.

As the economy continues to expand, so too will the opportunities for citizens prepared to innovate, adapt and build. The growing involvement of young entrepreneurs in creating technology-driven solutions points to a promising direction for Guyana’s development and reinforces the importance of supporting local ideas.

The architect of Qatari autonomy

…Sheikh Hamad bin Khaifa Al Thani made Qatar safe by making it relevant

By AndreAs Krieg

For most of its modern history, Qatar was a place that things happened to. It was a quiet peninsula prized for its energy resources and consulted about little, living on the margins of larger ambitions. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died in Doha on Sunday at the age of 74, refused that inheritance.

Despite what many commentaries will reduce his legacy to, he did not just make Qatar rich. He made it relevant. And for a small state, this is a form of security.

That was the legacy of his 18 years in power, and it outlived him. The country he handed on in 2013 has sat at more tables and has brokered more conversations than a peninsula its size had any business reaching.

The break came in June 1995, when Sheikh Hamad took the throne from his father and ended a long national habit of caution. Deference had been the small state’s survival instinct: keep your head down, defer to the powerful, and wait.

Sheikh Hamad inverted it. A country with no strategic depth in territory or numbers could not outweigh its region, so he set out to make the peninsula – wedged between Saudi Arabia and Iran – indispensable to its neighbours. He grasped something most rulers of small states never do, which until today defines Qatar: being needed is safer than being armed.

The immense wealth that Qatar acquired under his reign

was a mere instrument; the true achievement lay in what he built with it. Sheikh Hamad used the proceeds of the country’s North Field, the single largest reservoir of non-associated gas on earth, to expand his country’s reach.

Al Jazeera, launched in 1996, gave Doha a voice in every Arab household and an argument in every Arab capital. Qatar Airways, the sovereign wealth fund, the 2022 World Cup bid, and the patient mediation efforts in Lebanon, Darfur, and Palestine were threads of one design. Each made the country a little harder to overlook.

By the time Sheikh Hamad allowed the Taliban to open a political office in Doha in 2012 upon the request of Washington, the smallest state in the room had become a key diplomatic force multiplier for the United States. Qatar routinely hosted the conversations larger powers could not hold themselves.

The emirate’s access became its currency.

What set Sheikh Hamad’s statecraft apart from mere chequebook diplomacy was that it drew on a national principle.

Long before the wealth, Qatar had thought of itself as the Kaabat al Madioum – the Kaaba of the oppressed, a haven for the persecuted and the exiled – a phrase that reaches back to the Nabati verse of Emir Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani, who wrote that whoever sought refuge with Qatar would be protected.

Sheikh Hamad took that inherited ethos and made it a modern instrument of state. Al Jazeera,

branded a voice for the voiceless, became the broadcaster for those marginalised by traditional broadcasting. The open door to dissidents, political fugitives and movements the region wished to bury, was the practice of a revolutionary disruptor hoping to lead the region to a new socio-political order.

This kept Qatar close to the pulse of the Arab street, particularly during the Arab revolutions in 2011. Sheikh Hamad’s somewhat impulsive support for the revolutions in the sentiment of solidarity with the oppressed and weak was consequential, but brought exposure and backlash from across the region.

At home, Sheikh Hamad governed by the same conviction that drove him abroad: that societies are meant to be opened and led by government for the people. He enfranchised both women and men by holding the first municipal elections in 1999 and gave the country’s first constitution in 2003.

The vision he shared with his wife, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, to build a knowledge economy around schools, universities and research rather than on gas alone, was as far-sighted as it was, at first, unwelcome among more conservative Qataris who mistrusted the speed of it. He pressed on anyway.

The society he leaves behind is freer and more emancipated than the one he inherited, and it ranks among the most prosperous on earth, measured not only in income per capita but in education, healthcare and public services.

Taiwan an inalienable part of China – Chinese Embassy

Dear Editor,

The Taiwan question bears on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is at the very core of China’s core interests. The position of the Chinese Government and the Chinese people on the Taiwan question has been consistent and clear. Resolutely safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. Achieving China’s complete reunification is the shared aspiration and sacred duty of all Chinese people.

In recent years, some international media outlets, in their reporting on the Taiwan question, have at times portrayed “China” and “Taiwan” as two separate and equal political entities. They have used erroneous expressions such as “China-Taiwan relations” and “tensions between China and Taiwan,” and have even wrongly referred to Taiwan as a “country.” Such descriptions disregard the historical context, legal facts and international consensus, violate the one-China principle, and convey to the public the false impression of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”

There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable

The

part of China’s territory, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China. These are indisputable facts supported by history and the law. The one-China principle has become a basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing consensus in the international community.

China has indisputable sovereignty over Taiwan Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times. The earliest records of Taiwan in the world are in Chinese history books from 1700 years ago. The Chinese were the first to develop Taiwan. As early as 230 A.D., Chinese ships arrived in Taiwan. Around 610 A.D., the coastal inhabitants of the mainland of China began to move to the Penghu Islands of Taiwan. From the mid-12th century onward, successive Chinese Governments established administrative bodies in Taiwan to effectively govern the islands. In 1894, when Japan launched the SinoJapanese War, the Qing Dynasty was defeated and Taiwan was occupied by Japan. In 1945, when the Second World War against fascism was won, Japan declared its surrender, un-

architect of...FROM PAGE 4

In 2013, Sheikh Hamad did something that is very rare among monarchs in the region: he peacefully handed over power. Handing the throne to his son, Sheikh Tamim, while he was still politically dominant, was an act entirely in character for a man who adapts quickly before events could force his hand. He had taken power by deposing his father and was ready to give it up by choice to allow his legacy to be carried on by

the next generation, as the world around started to change more rapidly.

Sheikh Hamad gave Qatar the means to be sovereign and autonomous, an interlocutor the system cannot route around. He gave his country an idea of itself and a direction of travel towards the future.

(Al Jazeera)

(Dr Andreas Krieg is an Associate Professor in Security Studies at King’s College London)

conditionally accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and the Cairo Declaration, and handed Taiwan back to China. Thus, Taiwan returned to the embrace of the motherland and came back under the sovereignty of China.

Shortly thereafter, civil war broke out in China. In 1949, the People’s Republic of China was founded, and some of the military and political personnel of the Kuomintang, with the support of the US Government, retreated to Taiwan after the defeat. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait fell into a special state of long-term political confrontation, but the fact that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland belong to the same China never changed. Therefore, the Taiwan question is a legacy of China’s civil war, and China has undisputed sovereignty over Taiwan.

The Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China

The one-China principle is a basic norm in in-

ternational relations. The UNGA Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971 has stated in black and white the decision “to restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognise the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations”.

International practice over the past 55 years shows that since the adoption of Resolution 2758, the UN and its specialised agencies and other international and regional organisations have unanimously observed the UNGA resolution by following the practice that “the United Nations considers ‘Taiwan’ as a province of China with no separate status”, “the ‘authorities’ in ‘Taipei’ are not considered to … enjoy any form of Governmental status”, and that the region should be referred to as “Taiwan, Province of China”.

The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community. Since the founding of the People’s

Republic of China in 1949, 183 countries including Guyana have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle.

The Chinese people have always remembered that in 1971, Guyana voted in favour of UNGA Resolution 2758 restoring the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations.

In 1972, Guyana took the lead in the Englishspeaking Caribbean to establish diplomatic ties with China. China highly appreciates the commitment of successive Governments of Guyana to adhere to the one-China principle, to firmly support China’s position on the Taiwan question and not support the “Taiwan independence” secessionist forces.

Taiwan must not be listed alongside China

“China” is the name of a sovereign state, while Taiwan is part of China. Treating China and Taiwan as separate political entities is tantamount to treating a sovereign

state and one of its constituent parts as two distinct entities. This is not only a basic logical error, but also creates the false impression that Taiwan is an independent country. Depending on the particular context, relevant reports should use accurate expressions such as “the Chinese mainland and Taiwan,” “both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” or “China’s Taiwan region.” In lists of countries, maps, databases and commercial labels, Taiwan should not be identified as a country, nor should it be listed alongside China and other sovereign states. According to relevant United Nations documents and established UN practice, the formal designation for Taiwan is “Taiwan, Province of China.” References to, and designations of, Taiwan in other contexts should likewise conform to the one-China principle.

Sincerely, Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Guyana

Page Foundation

Conversion graph questions

1. A taxi firm charges a fixed fee of £5 and then an additional fee of £1.50 per mile.

Which of the following graphs shows a possible conversion between distance and cost of a journey?

2. The graph below shows the conversion between pints and litres.

(a) Use the graph to estimate the number of litres equivalent to 14 pints.

(b) Use the graph to estimate the number of pints equivalent to 12 litres.

(c) A bath can hold 70 litres of water. Estimate the number of pints equivalent to 70 litres.

3. A knot is the speed unit used in sailing. One knot is equivalent to 1.15 miles per hour.

(a) Use the information above and the axes provided to draw a conversion graph for knots and miles per hour.

(b) Use your line to convert 25 miles per hour to knots. Give your answer to the nearest integer.

4. The graphs below show the conversion between Pound Sterling and US Dollars and US Dollars to South African Rand.

(a) John wishes to buy a camera. He can buy it in the UK for £360 or order it from South Africa for 6000 Rand including postage.

Get ready to spread your creative wings with this shimmering butterfly craft activity!

What you'll need Foil

Cardboard

Cotton string

Multi-purpose deco pens

PVA glue with integral brush

Pipe cleaners

How to make

Step 1: Carefully cut out a butterfly from cardboard to create your base.

Step 2: Add glue to the cardboard, then lay your string in fun patterns across the butterfly to form different shapes.

Step 3: Trim away any extra string around the edges to keep your design neat and tidy.

Step 4: Cover your butterfly

Is it cheaper to buy the camera in the UK or order it from South Africa?

(b) Convert 400 South Rand to Pound Sterling.

with a sheet of foil, gently wrapping it around the edges to hold everything in place.

Step 5: Use your deco pens to colour in the spaces between the string, bringing your butterfly to life with bright designs.

Step 6: Finish by adding pipe cleaner antennae and a loop of string so you can hang up your shimmering creation. (bakerross. co.uk)

BY AshrAf fAYAdh

CONTINUED FROM MONDAY

You look like a vagabond, different from those who walk with other gaits, like a man who cannot master their gait or speak their language. He has no right to walk as he pleases, to saunter or cry as he wishes. He has no right to open the window of the soul, to refresh its air, its dust, and its tears ... You too tend to forget that you’re also  ... like a loaf!

You forget how your soul has been mixed since you were born and since your placenta was shed. It was mixed, your soul, it was mixed with clothes that hide your genitals and reveal what may be seen of them ... of you, of women who are wont ... to rip their own pockets and hang pictures on the walls. Of boys whose trade is to draw on walls and on gravestones ... on scrap cars and to demonstrate in your name ... also ... like a loaf!

So your soul was mixed ... homogenized ... fermented ... kneaded ... baked and sold at stores that violate health codes ... Your soul was falsified ... and used for illegitimate purposes, voted on then devoured ... also ... like a loaf!

(Source: Poetry [July/August 2026])

Centre your story around a character who is struggling with something no one else in their life knows about.

Pregnant heifers arrive in Guyana from Brazil Animal health, welfare priority throughout importation process – GLDA

…supplier to replace animals that died during transportation

The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has maintained that the health, welfare and humane treatment of animals have remained the highest priority throughout the importation process of pregnant heifers from Brazil to Guyana, with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Dwight Walrond reporting that the animals have arrived safely at the organisation’s Ebini Livestock Facility in the Berbice River. The GLDA issued the statement on Monday in response to social media claims about poor management of the animals during the transportation process.

“At no stage have the animals been neglected, abandoned, or transported without continuous veterinary supervision,” the Authority posited.

It contended that contrary to claims circulated online, the cattle underwent a mandatory seven-day pre-export quarantine in Brazil, during which they were inspected, monitored, tested, and officially certified by the competent veterinary authorities as healthy and free from transboundary animal diseases. The GLDA further explained that upon arrival in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo) in Guyana, the animals were subjected to further veterinary inspection by the organisation before being cleared to continue their journey to its Ebini Livestock Facility, Berbice River. “Throughout the journey from Lethem to Ebini, the cattle have been transported in accordance with strict animal welfare protocols. Mandatory rest stops were conducted every four hours, during which the animals were provided with feed and clean

drinking water supplemented with electrolytes,” the GLDA noted.

The Authority outlined that during each stop, GLDA veterinarians and animal health personnel carried out routine welfare assessments to monitor the animals for any signs of stress, illness, injury, or fatigue. “Veterinary supervision and technical support have remained continuous throughout the operation,” the GLDA assured. In a video statement released on Monday evening from the Ebini research station, Dr Walrond provided an update on the animals’ arrival and condition. “I just wanted to let the general populace know that the animals have arrived safely on the station,” Dr Walrond said. He explained that the heifers were placed in a paddock with UF 717 forage, where they were allowed to begin adjusting to their new surroundings. “So these animals, they’re now like what any cattle would do. They’re just exploring, they’re surrounding for the time being,” he said.

Dr Walrond added that mineral sheds at the facility had already been supplied with the necessary supplements for the animals, which will remain in the paddock for the next few days while being observed by GLDA’s technical team,

including production staff, pasture specialist Yannick Roberts and veterinary personnel.

“These animals by tomorrow [today], I can guarantee you will be well rested, comfortable and start adapting to their new location,” he stated. He also thanked GLDA staff and members of the public who assisted during the transportation process, particularly at the waterfront where challenges were encountered due to tidal conditions. “We have no control over certain things. Today we saw what happened with the excavator, the fuel pump had some issues. Two trucks got stuck on the other side but those trucks are already over here. The animals are in the pasture,” Dr Walrond said. He said the arrival of the animals at Ebini marks the beginning of a new phase in Guyana’s breeding programme.

Mortalities

Nevertheless, the GLDA disclosed via its statement that during the course of the operation, animal mortalities were recorded but noted that these were isolated incidents. “While any livestock mortality during transport is regrettable, these isolated losses were promptly documented and managed in accordance with established veterinary protocols,” the GLDA

said, adding that the supplier will be required to deliver replacements as per the terms and conditions of the contract. “Consequently, the supplier will be required to replace the three animals at no additional cost to the Government of Guyana or the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, in accordance with its contractual obligations,” the GLDA pointed out. Commenting on this, Dr Walrond said the mortalities were due to “cramping”. “Those professionals who know about livestock and the transporting of livestock would know that this is something that can occur,” he noted. It was not disclosed how many deaths were recorded.

Rejected claims

Meanwhile, the GLDA also rejected claims that the animals are intended to benefit privately owned and operated farms, noting that the importation of the pregnant heifers is part of the Government’s national livestock develop-

ment programme.

Describing the cattle as “public assets”, the GLDA noted that the programme is designed to strengthen the country’s genetic improvement initiatives, enhance national food security, and increase domestic livestock productivity. “The animals are not associated with, nor intended for the benefit of, any privately owned or privately operated farm, as has been falsely suggested,” the GLDA asserted, noting that it remains committed to transparency, scientific animal health management, and adherence to internationally accepted animal welfare standards.

Remaining shipments

The Agriculture Ministry on Saturday announced that it had received the first shipment of 300 pregnant heifers under the Government of Guyana’s national herd expansion programme, which provides for the procurement of 1,000 pregnant heifers from Brazil to enhance the national breeding herd and

support increased beef and dairy production. The procurement was executed through the national tendering process. A total of four bids were received, one local and three international bidders, evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act. Following the evaluation process, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) awarded the contract to Coopera of Brazil, the successful bidder, at a price of $245,000 per pregnant heifer. The Ministry explained that by expanding the national herd with quality breeding animals, the initiative will support increased livestock production, improve opportunities for farmers, reduce dependence on imported breeding stock, and contribute to Guyana’s food security objectives. The Ministry had noted that the remaining shipments will arrive in keeping with the contractual schedule until the full complement of 1,000 pregnant heifers has been delivered.

Timehri truck driver allegedly caught with gun, ammo gets bail

Thirty -two-year-old Mashach Campbell, a driver from Timehri North Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was arrested on Saturday after being found in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition at Sherima, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), was on Monday charged with the offences. Campbell, who appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica

Magistrate’s Court, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. He was charged with

the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. As such, he was granted $200,000 for the fire-

Charged: Mashach Campbell

arm charge and $100,000 for the ammunition charge, and the matter was adjourned to August 28, 2026.

Finally…

……hitting a million

No!! Your Eyewitness didn’t stumble over a bag with a million dollars as he blearily navigated the couple of blocks from his neighbourhood watering hole!! Not that it would’ve meant that much with Tom Ford suits going for at least US$6000 – equivalent to 2.3 million of our greenbacks!! No… he’s talking about the announcement by our Bureau of Statistics that our population hit 1,025,334 by the end of 2025 – up from 956,044 at the end of 2024!! Finally!!

Imagine we live in a country about as large as all the Caribbean islands combined and we hadn’t been able to reach that number in the couple of hundreds of years we’ve been a viable proposition!! For the record, the Caribbean’s population’s around 44 million and like us they’ve had an extensive continuous migration for over a hundred years!! But let’s face it; our migration has been a veritable deluge ever since Burnham established his dictatorship from the sixties! While Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba also had vicious dictatorships – unlike Papa and Baby Doc, Trujillo and Castro, Burnham didn’t try to stop no one from decamping!!

He figured that migration was like the valve on a pressure cooker that let off steam – here the likelihood of a revolution by the oppressed masses!! And so we’ve got a situation where Guyanese are the FIFTH largest ethnic group in New York City –occupying large swathes of Queens and Brooklyn!! It’s said that there are more Guyanese “outside than inside” – and there’s no reason to doubt that claim!! The remittances that have poured in for decades from them – amounting to more than all our agricultural exports – brought in crucial foreign currency that made those of us who remained in Ole Mudland live with some degree of dignity!!

Anyhow, here we are with finally a million of us within our borders!! What happened to the bleeding?? Has it stopped?? Nah…even with all our vaunted oil riches and cash grants, Guyanese are still leaving for “furrin”!! The grass supposedly being greener and all that – even with ICE’s scorched earth policy towards immigrants!! But in addition to a SLOWING DOWN of the bleeding, one reason for the uptick in population might be that scads of Guyanese from furrin are obtaining local addresses to collect the aforementioned cash grants!! Are they being counted as “living in Guyana”??

Then, of course, is the massive influx of refugees from Venezuela – amounting by some estimates to be as much as 60,000!! And also furriners coming in to fill those jobs calling for skills that we’re short of. Like all those Cuban doctors who’re so visible in our hospitals across the country!!

Maybe all these new blood – not having our historic ethnic gripes – might end our divisions??

…a bubble

As we enter the big leagues with our oil production about to reach 1 million bpd – and our reserves sure to increase with new seismic surveys – we gotta watch out for economic challenges that come with the territory. Remember what Johnson said about the rich contracting gout because of their rich diet?? Similar challenges face poor countries suddenly coming into BIG money!!

One of these is the creation of “bubbles” in the economy. That is, in particular areas of economic activity at various times, there will be feeding frenzies as the nouveau riche smell blood… er, profits…and jump in all at once. So, the old law of supply and demand kicks in and prices in that area reaches for the sky. Right now in Guyana, your Eyewitness can see a bubble developing in the hotel and apartments sector. Ain’t no way the occupancy rates are gonna be high enough to service the mortgages!! The problem is the speculating moneyed local and foreign folks!!

Until the bubble bursts!!

…reversing a collapse

When your Eyewitness heard about us importing a thousand pregnant cows from Brazil, the crack about “shipping coals to Newcastle” came to mind!! Didn’t we have a Cattle Trail to ship OUR own cows from the Rupununi??

“Paper Shorts” murder probe

High Court upholds detention extension for Opposition Leader’s fmr security guard

Despite Justice Sunil Scarce granting an extension for Mark Richmond on Saturday to remain in custody as police intensify their investigation into the murder of Ricardo “Paper Shorts” Fagundes, another application was made for his release on Monday. In a Fixed Date Application (FDA) made before Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus,

Richmond's Attorney, Damien Da Silva, stated that his client had been detained beyond the constitutionally mandated 72hour period. During the hearing, Justice IsaacsMarcus informed the attorney that the police had secured an extension on Saturday for Richmond to be held for another 72 hours. That extension, he reported, ends on Tuesday at 13:00h.

As such, he upheld his colleague's order to grant the extension. Nevertheless, Da Silva complained that the police failed to inform his client of the extended detention period. Richmond, who was implicated in the murder of Fagundes, turned himself in to Police on Thursday in the company of his attorney. Guyana

Times was told that detectives visited Richmond’s home on Thursday last to make the arrest by he was reportedly not at home. He nevertheless turned up with his lawyer, later in the day. It was further reported that a set of new evidence was gathered in the case. Richmond was arrested back in 2022 after then Dion Bascom posted videos on Facebook on

August 11, 12, 13, and 19. Shortly after he was arrested by the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) in relation to cocaine found in a house on Norton Street, Georgetown, and later released, accusing senior Police officers of a massive cover-up in the investigation into the execution of Fagundes.

During the live broadcast, Bascom named Richmond as one of the suspects in the murder and stated that, us-

“Paper Shorts” Fagundes was killed execution-style in March 2021 outside a Main Street, Georgetown, nightspot.

Reports indicate that the man was partying with a group of friends at the bar when his phone rang and he exited the club to take the call; shortly thereafter, several gunshots were heard. Reports suggest that the now-deceased man’s friends rushed out to enquire but found Fagundes lying motionlessly in a pool of blood near his motor

ing technology, detectives were able to place him at the crime scene when the murder occurred.

Further, Bascom went a step further by implicating United States (US)sanctioned and indicted Azruddin Mohamed, who is linked to Mohamed’s Enterprise, in the murder investigation by claiming phone records show that the suspect was in contact with him at the time of the killing. A week after the live broadcast, the Mohameds filed a $200 million lawsuit against Bascom. In 2025, Mohamed dropped the $200 million lawsuit against Bascom after he apologised for the live broadcast implicating the businessman. Ricardo

car. Following the allegations made by Bascom, the Guyanese Government engaged the Regional Security System to assist in solving the murder of Fagundes.

The Regional Security System (RSS), during its investigation did not find any evidence of corrupt practices or an attempt to cover up the probe into the 2021 murder of Fagundes. It stated that the bribery allegations made by Sergeant Bascom against the Guyana Police Force (GPF), namely that Detective Supt Caesar and Inspector Stephens attempted to cover up the unlawful killing/homicide of Fagundes “were hearsay having no provenance”.

Single Window System still facing hiccups despite improvements – Croal

…CH&PA reviewing long-pending applications to identify causes of delays

Housing Minister

Collin Croal has acknowledged that although the Single Window System continues to face some challenges, it has shown significant improvement over its earlier performance.

“The local authorities now are more on board. We still have some hiccups with one or two NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils) and municipalities but by and large, they’re on board. So, the implementation of the single window is moving much smoother,” the Minister noted during The Guyana Dialogue programme last week.

The Electronic Planning and Development Single Window System was officially launched in June 2024. By late April 2026, the platform had been in operation for approximately 22 months, following the passage of its enabling legislation on July 20, 2023. During that period, more than 6,000 users had accessed the system. Primarily used for planning/development approvals by the

Housing Minister Collin Croal

Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) or international trade (customs/ ports), the system replaces multiple submissions by connecting different agencies to improve transparency and speed. Under the system, planning applications can be submitted to multiple State agencies simultaneously, significantly reducing approval times that previously extended up to three years. It allows applicants to track the progress of their submissions and provides a mechanism for appealing any rejections. It

is also expected to enhance transparency and accountability among the various agencies involved.

However, the system faced challenges, including digital illiteracy among both users and officials, as well as a lack of cooperation from NDCs and municipalities. In fact, late last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali made it clear that the Government will not tolerate officials who continue to resist adapting to the Single Window System. The Guyanese leader had posited that, “We have trained ev-

ery single local entity – one time, two times, three times, four times – on the Single Window Approval System and yet there is resistance… There is resistance because we found something deep. So, they have two months to ensure that the Single Window System is working not only optimally but as was designed and if it doesn’t happen, then people may have other priorities that they have an interest in, and we will

give them a chance to explore the other priorities”. As recent as November 2025, more officials from across the country were trained on using the system. As efforts continue to improve the functioning of the system, Minister Croal noted that officials within the CH&PA Ministry of Housing have started to review older applications to determine the reason they are not moving forward.

“Our CHPA board has been meeting more

frequently to respond to the recommendations for approval from the single window, so you can be rest assured that we are working across the board to make people lives better,” he assured.

In April 2026, Minister Croal explained that while efforts were underway to clear the backlog of applications in the system, progress was being hindered by a surge in new submissions.

New era of affordable power in sight – VP

…as GtE transmission network nears completion

Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday announced that the transmission network for Guyana’s flagship Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project has reached 99 per cent completion, describing the development as a major milestone in the country’s energy transformation. In a post on his social media pages, the VP said, “Guyana is on the verge of a new era of affordable and reliable electricity. The project represents a major step in the country’s energy transformation, using natural gas to reduce electricity costs, improve energy security and create a stronger foundation for future renewable energy development.” The video with accompanied the VP’s post, highlighted the transmission infrastructure that has been constructed to transport electricity from the 300-megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), across the Demerara River to the substation at Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

It notes that while most of the transmission towers stand approximately 40 metres tall, the towers spanning the Demerara River are significantly larger. “Most of these towers will stand about 40 metres tall, but the towers crossing the river are more than three times that, standing at 146 metres,” the video states. According to the video, the transmission lines extend from Wales in Region Three to the Goedverwagting substation in Region Four and will play a critical role in integrating the new power plant into the coastal grid on the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). “The cables connecting the towers run from Wales in Region 3 all the way to the substation in Goedverwagting in Region 4 [will]... move electricity generated from natural gas at the new 300-MW power plant into Guyana’s existing grid, helping deliver more stable and expanded power across the Demerara Berbice Interconnected system,” the video said. The video also reiterates one of the project’s pri-

mary objectives, saying, “Once completed, the gas to energy project will cut electricity costs by 50 per cent for both residents and commercial consumers.”

The GtE Project is one of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s flagship initiatives and was conceptualised to reduce electricity costs while increasing the benefits Guyana derives from its rapidly expanding oil and gas sector through the utilisation of natural gas from the Stabroek Block. Located at Wales, WBD, the highly anticipated GtE Project comprises a 300-MW combined cycle power plant and a natural gas liquids (NGL) facility that will utilise the rich natural gas piped onshore from the Stabroek Block to generate cleaner and cheaper electricity for consumers. The US$759 million GtE Project is being constructed by United States (US)-based contractor Lindsayca. Meanwhile, the offshore Stabroek Block is operated by ExxonMobil, together with co-venturers Chevron and

the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

The first-of-its-kind project in Guyana combines modular gas processing technology for faster deployment with high-efficiency combined-cycle power generation and infrastructure designed to suit the country’s tropical conditions. It is being partially financed through a loan from the US EXIM Bank.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and its co-venturers have already completed the installation of approximately 250 kilometres (km) of 12-inch pipeline to transport natural gas from the offshore Stabroek

Block to Wales.

Construction of the first gas turbine foundation began in September 2025, with the overall project now expected to come on stream by the end of 2026. The original completion target of the end of 2024 was delayed following setbacks related to site preparation and soil stabilisation works. Once operational, the project is expected to significantly reduce the cost of electricity generation, improve energy security, lower production costs for businesses and support broader economic growth.

Calvin Brutus' 200+ charges

Trial hears fmr Assistant Commissioner approved payments for wife’s companies

As the financial misconduct trial against former Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus commenced on Monday, prosecutors sought to establish a link between companies owned by his wife, Adonika Aulder and the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) procurement system. The matter is being heard before acting Chief Magistrate

Faith McGusty. During the opening day of the trial, Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor and attorney Darin Chan led evidence showing that two companies, South Quata Contracting and General Supplies Inc and Triple A Depot, conducted business with the GPF. The transactions occurred while Brutus, 46, served as acting Deputy Commissioner of Police

(Administration).

Senior Superintendent of Police Bharat Persaud, the Force’s Finance Officer, testified that millions of dollars in payments to the companies passed through the procurement and payment approval system during Brutus’ tenure. According to Persaud, procurement requests and payment vouchers were subject to a structured approv-

al process before public funds were released. Persaud explained that shortly after assuming duties as Finance Officer in October 2021, he received a written directive from Brutus establishing the procedures governing procurement within the Force. The directive required that procurement of goods and services receive the approval of the Deputy Commissioner (Administration), while payment submissions were to be examined by the Finance Office to ensure they carried that approval before processing. The witness also told the court that any payment submission lacking the Deputy Commissioner (Administration)’s approval was to be reported and that he was required to submit weekly reports detailing vouchers processed by the Finance Office. Persaud then outlined the procurement chain, explaining that requests originated from the Quartermaster Stores before being forwarded for approval. Persaud testified that procurements valued between $250,000 and $1.5 million required approval from the Ministerial Tender Board before contracts could be awarded. He added that contracts valued at more than $1.5 million and up to $15 million had to be approved by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) before the procurement process could proceed.

According to the witness, procurement submissions also included quotations, business registration documents and Guyana

Revenue Authority (GRA) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) compliance certificates before approval was granted. Persaud said that after the documents reached his office, he checked that they bore Brutus’ approval, usually indicated by the initials “CB.”

After he signed payment vouchers as Finance Officer, Persaud said they were forwarded to Brutus before being examined by the Ministry of Home Affairs, approved by the Permanent Secretary and entered into the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting System (IFMAS).

Business registration in wife’s name

The prosecution also called Deeds and Commercial Registry Clerk Lashawna Canzius, who produced business registration records showing that Triple A Depot, a business whose name appears to reflect the initials of Adonika Alicia Aulder, is owned by Brutus’ wife. She also tendered records relating to South Quata Contracting and General Supplies Inc, the company owned by Aulder. Persaud also gave evidence in relation to transactions involving Triple A Depot and South Quata Contracting and General Supplies Inc., as well as the alleged request by Brutus for the 221 payment vouchers connected to those businesses to be submitted to him. Registrar General Raymon Cummings tendered a certified copy of the marriage certificate of Brutus and Aulder.

GPF to appeal dismissal of cybercrime charges against "Bryan Max"

Days after Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore dismissed cybercrime charges against Bryan MacIntosh also called ‘Bryan Max’, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday stated that it will appeal the decision. Police indicated that on November 23, 2023, MacIntosh was charged with two cybercrime offences. The first offence was for using a computer system to attempt to excite hostility or ill will on the grounds of race committed

against Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

The second offence was for using a computer system to attempt to excite ethnic divisions on the grounds of race. The charges originated from a Facebook Live video posted by MacIntosh during which he is seen and heard saying, among other things that “Jagdeo is pay critic everyday fa call black people hungry belly and low lives, every day he get a cheque from Jagdeo, every day, he get a good job, come come and collect lil money, come and collect a bag ah money, call them hungry belly and low lives, call the black people hungry belly and low lives, cuss deh leader, cuss deh leader and demean the leader into nothing.”

He further stated, “Critic is being given friendships deals because he does do Jagdeo work, cuss black people every day, hungry belly and nasty belly low lives, cuss dem whole day as pay-

ment for critic cussing black people, Jagdeo does give critic a big contract.” During its ruling, the Court indicated, among other things, in relation to the first offence, that “the hostility which the allegations might generate would arise from the alleged conduct attributed to Mr Jagdeo

Trial hears fmr assistant...

Sergeant Lerone Wilkinson, a SOCU investigator, testified that he obtained the business registration records for Triple A Depot and South Quata Contracting and General Supplies Inc from the Commercial Registry on September 19, 2024. The documents were later admitted into evidence as exhibits.

200+

charges

In the ongoing proceedings, Brutus is facing one count of misconduct in public office and 221 counts of liability of official as part of a wider SOCU investigation into the alleged misappropriation of approximately $800 million in GPF funds. It is alleged that Brutus, while serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police and performing the duties of Deputy Commissioner, Administration, used the authority of that office to create the opportunity for his wife, through businesses connected to her, to defraud the State of large sums of money.

It is further alleged that, during January

2024, he instructed Persaud to submit to him 221 payment vouchers relating to those businesses and that the vouchers were not returned to the Police Finance Office. Also appearing for the State is Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Natasha Backer. Brutus was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Yuborn Allicock and Domnick Bess. Brutus had previously denied the allegations, maintaining that the funds represent his personal savings and monetary gifts received over the years. The trial continues on October 8, 12 and 13, when Persaud is expected to face cross-examination by Brutus’ attorneys.

This matter is one of several trials before the Magistrates’ Court arising out of a 2024 SOCU investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the GPF. Prosecutors contend that while serving as acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), Brutus diverted public funds for personal gain.

FROM PAGE 14

Approximately $300 million has been linked to properties and other assets owned by Brutus and his wife, while another $500 million remains frozen in bank accounts belonging to the couple, their businesses and their son. Brutus, along with his wife, Adonika Aulder; Police Sergeant Kevin George; Latoya Brummell; and businessman Asif Zafarally, is facing multiple criminal charges, including money laundering, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of State funds. Brutus remains on more than $16 million bail, while his co-accused have also posted substantial cash bail.

As part of their bail conditions, they are required to lodge their passport with the court and report to the police periodically. Brutus, an attorney-at-law by profession, was first charged in October 2024. Four months later, in February 2025, the Police Service Commission (PSC) dismissed him from the GPF, bringing an end to more than 25 years of service.

Timehri truck driver...

FROM PAGE 8

It was reported that Campbell, who was driving a motor lorry, was intercepted by police ranks during an operation at Sherima and was requested to conduct a search of the vehicle. At the time, there was one other occupant, a 20-year-old Venezuelan national. However, during the search, a 9mm Taurus pistol, along with three matching live rounds of ammunition, was found hidden in a storage compartment of the motor lorry. He was arrested and later charged.

and not because of his race…. the words relied on by the prosecution contains no exhortation, encouragement or appeal inviting Afro-Guyanese people to direct hostility towards Mr Jagdeo because of his race.”

In relation to the second offence, the Court stated that, “the

prosecution must adduce evidence that the accused attempted to promote or encouraged division between the ethnic communities of Guyana on the ground of the race.” As such, the court further held that, based on the words presented by the prosecution, it was unable to draw that inference, stating that "the words do not advocate separation between ethnic groups, they do not urge one ethnic community to oppose another, they do not promote racial superiority or inferiority, nor do they encourage discrimination between the ethnic groups in Guyana." Meanwhile, having reviewed the court 's ruling and evidence presented during the trial, the GPF believes that there is sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against MacIntosh and that the decision to dismiss the case by Magistrate Azore warrants appellate review.

School curriculum to go digital from September

Students across Guyana will have access to the country’s full school curriculum online from September, as the Ministry of Education rolls out the next phase of the Guyana Digital School initiative aimed at improving access to quality education.

The announcement was made by Education Minister Sonia Parag on Friday last during the release of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results. The Guyana Digital School is a national online learning platform launched by the Ministry of Education. It provides free access to Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC)aligned lessons, artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring, virtual classrooms, and digital textbooks for students in

Grades 10 and 11 across the Caribbean. The platform is built to supplement traditional classrooms and democratise access to education, reaching thousands of students across all regions of Guyana and other CARICOM nations.

“And this September, through the Guyana Digital School, we will take another significant step forward by making the complete primary and secondary curriculum available online.

The Guyana Digital School was launched in December of 2025 by no other than His Excellency. It is a school that will have all of the curriculum and content from Grades One to Eleven, and will serve as a reinforcement to what is being taught in the classroom, free of cost to every single child in Guyana,”

she said. On the note of new interventions being made, she noted that the Government has also expanded access to textbooks, constructed new schools, and upgraded existing educational facilities to improve learning conditions.

“We are building

more schools. And I am proud to say that while we have built so many schools over the last five years, closing gaps where there were gaps in access to these schools, or education on the whole, in the hinterland and rural communities.”

Literacy camps Meanwhile, turning her attention to Mathematics, the Education Minister said the challenges students face are not rooted in the equations themselves, but rather in their level of comprehension. “Indeed, many of the challenges in Mathematics, for example, have nothing to do with the numbers, but with the reading and comprehension of the concepts. This is why we expanded literacy and numeracy camps across the country, providing additional support not only for students, but also for parents, so they could better assist their children at home.”

She added that literacy camps have also been introduced in communities to support parents who want to help their children improve academically. “We have started literacy camps in communities to assist parents who want to help their children to do well academically,” Parag said. The Minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening teacher training, noting that the quality of educators remains central to the success of the education system. “We strengthened teacher training and will continue to significantly revamp the teacher training programme because it is my unwavering belief that no education system can rise above the quality of its teachers.” She said the Ministry has also made mock examinations more purposeful by using them to identify learning gaps and provide targeted interventions before the final examination, while increasing access to textbooks.

12 Region 10 residents gain bamboo construction skills

Twelve persons from Maria Elizabeth/Three Friends, Coomacka and Nottinghamshire, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) participated in a bamboo construction training programme aimed at building local capacity in the sustainable use of bamboo. The training, which ran from July 10-14, 2026, was implemented by the International Bamboo

and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) under the European Union (EU)funded Euroclima project, Piloting Bamboo for Restoration and Sustainable Livelihoods in Guyana. Participants are receiving hands-on instruction from Ecuadorian bamboo expert Olmedo Del Peso, focusing on construction techniques using bamboo materials. On the first day of train-

ing, participants were introduced to the handling of rounded bamboo and methods for constructing and securing joints. Participants were also given a chance to display their skills by constructing a bamboo structure on an existing cement foundation, successfully installing two main trusses. Participants were also introduced to techniques for flattening bamboo culms for use

Citizens Bank to open on Saturdays at 4 branches

Citizens Bank

Guyana Inc has announced the introduction of extended Saturday banking hours at four of its branches to provide customers with greater access to banking services outside of regular working hours. The bank said its Camp Street and Mandela Avenue locations in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) branches will open on Saturdays from 09:00h to 12:00 noon, beginning July 11 and continuing until August 29, 2026. The Saturday service will not be available on August 1, which is a public holiday. During the extended hours, customers will be able to access several services, including the opening of personal accounts, reactivation of dormant or in-

active accounts, issuance and collection of debit cards, registration for e-banking services and submission of retail and consumer loan applications. The loan applications accepted during the Saturday sessions will include personal loans, residential or housing loans and vehicle loans.

Citizens Bank said the initiative is aimed at improving access to its services for customers and members of the public who may be unable to visit branches during regular banking hours. The bank encouraged customers to make use of the extended service period at the participating branches.

in walls and other construction applications. A post on the Natural Resources Ministry’s social media page stat-

ed that the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the local partner for the project, continues to support INBAR’s

efforts to strengthen the capacity of communities in sustainable bamboo production and utilisation.

Banks DIH crowns road promotion with $5.5M SUV giveaway

Banks DIH Limited has officially concluded its “Crown the Road” promotion with the presentation of the grand prize, a brandnew SWM SUV valued at $5.5 million, to Vijay Latchminarine of East Canefield, Canje, Berbice. The 10-week promotion, which ran from April 10 to June 19, rewarded Banks Beer customers at 15 participating bars across Guyana with instant cash prizes of $350,000 each. A total of $5.25 million in consolation prizes was distributed during the campaign through regular draws held throughout the promotion period. The grand prize

draw brought the promotion to a close, with Vijay Latchminarine emerging as the winner of the SWM SUV. Sales and Marketing Executive at Banks DIH Limited, Lee Baptiste, said the campaign was designed to reward loyal Banks Beer consumers while connecting with customers at their preferred entertainment spots. “Crown the Road was about putting Banks Beer where our customers already are, at their favourite bars, enjoying time with friends and giving them a real chance to be rewarded for their loyalty,” Baptiste said. He added that the handover of the SUV represented the

type of customer engagement the company aimed to achieve through the promotion.

“Seeing Mr Latchminarine drive away in the grand prize SUV is exactly the kind of moment we hoped this promotion would create,” he said. In a release to the media, Banks DIH said that Banks Beer, a Monde Selection Gold Quality award-winning product of Banks DIH Limited, remains one of the company’s key brands and is produced by the local beverage manufacturer, which has operated in Guyana for more than seven decades.

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil prices climb 4% as Russian refinery attacks and Middle East tensions rattle energy markets

Oil prices rose four per cent to start the week, climbing to around US$74 a barrel as escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries inject fresh uncertainty into global energy markets.

The dual pressures driving crude prices higher extend well beyond the Strait of Hormuz, which has been a flashpoint for months. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on nearly a dozen Russian oil refineries, disrupting a country that produces roughly one out of every nine barrels of diesel worldwide.

In response, Moscow has taken the rare step of blocking fuel exports to preserve domestic supply – a move with ripple effects across the globe.

Meanwhile, the US’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve continues to dwindle. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve dropped by about 5.5 million barrels last week and now sits at its lowest level since mid-1983. The pace of releases has slowed as oil prices have fallen in recent weeks, but the reserve will remain quite low through the end of summer given the latest escalations. (Excerpt from mynorthwest.com)

Hundreds of experts warn the world must prepare now for AI’s impact

Hundreds of experts have signed an open letter demanding that policymakers and technology leaders “must act now” to prepare for the economic impact of artificial intelligence.

The brief letter, released on Monday and organised by Stanford University’s digital economy lab, carries the signature of more than 200 economists and AI researchers, including 16 Nobel laureates.

It cautions that AI may grow far more capable over the coming decade, driving a transformation “larger than the Industrial Revolution, but unfolding over a vastly shorter time frame”.

“It could bring risks, including large-scale job displacement, as well as opportunities such as major gains in living standards,” the statement added.

To address this im-

pending disruption, the letter calls for Governments and industry to create “incentives, guardrails, and institutions” that ensure AI is complementary to humans and beneficial to society.

Anton Korinek, a University of Virginia professor who organised the initiative, stressed that the window for action is narrowing.

“We cannot improvise our strategy and institutions in the middle of the transformation; waiting for certainty means arriving too late.”

The letter comes amid mounting signs of AI’s toll on employment.

In October, Amazon announced it was cutting about 14,000 jobs, months after its chief executive revealed that generative AI and agents would be taking over some roles.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UAE condemns Iran’s “brazen” attack on tankers as US launches fresh strikes

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) accused Iran of a “brazen” attack on two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, killing one and wounding eight, as Donald Trump said the US would impose a 20 per cent charge as part of a new blockade on the waterway.

The US President said they were hitting Iran “very hard” as strikes were launched for the third consecutive night amid escalating attacks between the two countries.

Iran’s Foreign Minister responded to the announcement of a blockade by saying that Tehran would remain the Strait’s “GUARDIAN” – using Trump’s word.

The dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz threatens to derail efforts to end their war, but Trump insisted a deal was still possible.

As tensions over the international waterway ramped up, the

UAE said on Monday night that Iranian cruise missiles targeted two national tankers, killing an Indian crew member and wounding eight others, four of which were serious.

Six of those injured were Indian, while two were Ukrainian, the UAE Ministry of Defence said in a statement on X.

“The Ministry of Defence con-

demns this brazen attack, which constitutes a serious violation and a clear breach of international law, threatening the security and stability of the region,” it said.

The Strait remains a key flashpoint between the US and Iran, with both sides clashing over the waterway’s control on Monday after exchanging strikes. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sam Neill, Jurassic Park star, dies at 78

Sam Neill, the New Zealand actor best known for playing palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in dinosaur blockbuster “Jurassic Park” and whose career included more than 50 movies, has died at the age of 78.

A post shared on social media by his family said Neill’s death in Sydney “was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer free”. In April, Neill announced he was cancer free after a public battle with blood cancer.

Described by critics as “versatile” and “reliably excellent”, Neill landed starring roles across many genres, ranging from a submarine officer in the 1990 action-thriller “The Hunt for Red October” to the anti-Christ in 1981’s Omen III.

Sam Neill arrives for a gala presentation of Blackbird at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 6, 2019 (Reuters)

Born in Omagh, a town in Northern Ireland, Nigel John Dermot Neill moved to New Zealand when he was seven as his father, a New Zealander, retired from the army and wanted to return home.

Men disguised as Police kill

drug lord’s brother

Abrother of Ecuador’s most notorious drug lord was killed on Sunday by gunmen who had disguised themselves as Police Officers.

Police said David Macías, 35, was a regional leader in Los Choneros, the powerful criminal gang which was until recently headed by his brother, Adolfo.

Adolfo Macías, also known by the alias “Fito”, is awaiting trial in the United States following his ex-

tradition from Ecuador last year.

Los Choneros has been declared a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the US and is accused of being one of the crime groups behind Ecuador’s skyrocketing murder rate.

Officials said David Macías was killed in the early hours of Sunday local time.

Witnesses said men dressed like Police officers entered the home Macías had rented in an up-

At the age of 11, he changed his name to Sam. In his 2023 memoir “Did I ever tell you this?” he wrote that “to land in a primary school with a plum in the voice and Nigel for a name was asking for trouble”. Sam was “easy to say, sounds friendly, sounds a bit blokey and has a touch of Labrador about it,” he wrote.

Neill described himself as a wonky, nerdy, unsporty, stuttering boy, but it was at school that he took his first tentative steps towards acting, earning minor roles in school plays including a bridesmaid in The Pirates of Penzance. “I liked getting a laugh,” he wrote in the book.

He is survived by two sons and two daughters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ecuadorean

scale neighbourhood in the town of Olón, on Ecuador’s Pacific coast.

The gunmen fled after the attack and so far there have been no arrests in connection with the case.

It is not unusual for gang leaders to be targeted either by members of rival criminal organisations or even by members of their own group as part of internal battles for control. (Excerpt from BBC News)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don’t play games; a direct approach will lead to answers that allow you to move forward with confidence and no regret. Connect with those traveling in a similar direction.

Keep your thoughts to yourself until you have figured out what’s best to do. Listen to the opinions of experts, but formulate plans that will serve your purpose without overspending.

Turn up the volume, listen, discuss and create a plan that will help you reach your destination of choice. Take better care of your physical well-being and your relationships with those who look up to you.

Help a cause you believe in, and it will rejuvenate you. The time, patience and love you offer will matter and personify how you can make a difference. Take the feel-good path to hope.

Put your own unique twist into everything you do. Communicate with charisma, and you’ll persuade others to join your team. Scour the rules and regulations to ensure you are doing everything by the book.

Rethink your path forward. Don’t get caught up in someone else’s dreams. Take the path that leads to your heart’s desires. Reach out to those who share your concerns.

Rethink your strategy. Set boundaries with people who take advantage of you. Be authentic when assessing, pursuing or offering advice, and follow through with actions.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) (June 21-July 22) (July 23-Aug. 22) (March 21-April 19) (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) (May 21-June 20) (April 20-May 20) (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Haste makes waste. Assessing, planning and budgeting will encourage progress and long-term success. Don’t let anyone talk you into something you don’t need or want.

Stick close to home, and don’t make promises you cannot deliver or that put you in debt. Look at the possibilities and the reasonable changes you can craft that will make a difference and serve you well.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Point your thoughts and energy in a direction that is self-serving. Refuse to let others take advantage of your talents and skills when it’s you who needs to come out ahead.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Taking on too much or making unrealistic promises will require time and effort you may not be able to provide. You need to focus on what’s happening in your personal life.

Set rules, stick to your plans and use your voice to get your way. Let your powers of persuasion help get you where you want to be without jeopardizing your reputation or letting anyone outmaneuver you.

Trinchloro Bleach renews support for Lotto/Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 Tapeball

The highly- anticipated fourth season of the Lotto/ Let’s Bet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has received a major boost as Trinchloro Bleach, distributed by ANSA McAL Distributors Limited, officially renewed its partnership for the tournament.

The tournament also announced a revolutionary, lucrative cash-prize structure and a historic national grand finale set for Region Two.

In a complete departure from traditional knockout formats where early exits yield no return, the 2026 edition guarantees financial rewards for teams deep into the zonal stages.

Teams losing at the zonal quarter-final stage will earn $25,000, while losing zonal semi-finalists will pocket $50,000.

The stakes escalate progressively, with the losing zonal finalists re-

ceiving $200,000, culminating in a handsome $500,000 purse for the respective zonal champions before they even transition into the national bracket.

The crescendo of the tournament will see the stakes reach their absolute peak during the national playoffs. The crowned national champions will walk away with a massive $2,000,000 firstprize purse, while the runners-up will secure $1,000,000.

The two losing national semi-finalists will also be rewarded for their efforts, with each earning $500,000.

Kristina Kanhai, Brand Manager for Trinchloro Bleach, expressed her excitement about the continued collaboration and the positive impact the tournament has on local communities.

"Trichloro is incredibly proud to wash away the competition and stand alongside the One Guyana T10 Tapeball

Blast for a fourth incredible season," Kanhai stated.

"This tournament brings unparalleled energy and unity to communities across Guyana, and with this year's game-changing prize structure, we are thrilled to support grassroots cricket as it reaches new, unprecedented heights."

Tournament Director John Ramsingh emphasised that the revamped structure is designed to reward the hard work of regional teams while elevating the overall standard of the sport.

"We wanted to ensure that teams are fairly compensated for their talent and dedication, which is why we structured the payouts to reward success at every major milestone," Ramsingh noted.

"Bringing the national grand finale to the Anna Regina National Stadium is a histor-

ic milestone for us, and we are deeply grateful to Trinchloro Bleach and ANSA McAL for sharing our vision to take top-tier tapeball action directly to the passionate fans in Essequibo."

With the lucrative prize structure locked in, organisers have issued an urgent directive to regional teams to secure their spots immediately. Teams are cautioned against delaying registration to tinker with squad selection, as spots are expected to fill rapidly.

Registration forms can be accessed via the tournament’s official social media handles or by contacting the organisers directly on WhatsApp at +592 635-2235.

The tournament caravan officially commences with the Berbice Zone on August 8-9 across four premier venues, including the historic Port Mourant Community

Centre Ground, the No 69 Ground, and the Welfare Ground in Canje, before concluding with the zonal finals at the Albion Sports Complex on August 9. The action then moves swiftly to the East Bank/West Demerara leg on August 15-16, followed by the Essequibo Zone on August 22-23.

Following a temporary hiatus for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the tournament resumes with the powerhouse Georgetown/ East Coast Demerara leg on September 26-27 and October 3-4.

In a historic first for the competition, the national grand finale on October 11, 2026, will be hosted at the Anna Regina National Stadium in Region Two, bringing the absolute pinnacle of Guyanese tapeball cricket directly to Essequibo.

GFF trains 23 aspiring referees in Region 8

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF), in collaboration with the North Pakaraima Sports Committee, recently trained 23 aspiring match officials during a two-day Referees’ Workshop in Kato, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). The programme was

held alongside the Region Eight Heritage Playoff Tournament and formed part of preparations for the upcoming Heritage Football Tournament. The workshop also served as a recruitment drive for residents interested in pursuing refereeing beyond the Heritage

Playoffs. Before the initiative, the North Pakaraima sub-region had only two certified referees.

Participants received detailed instruction on the 17 Laws of the Game, including recent changes and updates. They were later required to complete a theoretical assessment to test their understanding of the material covered.

The programme concluded with a practical field session during which the participants demonstrated their physical readiness and worked on the basic requirements of officiating.

The session focused on positioning, movement, signalling techniques,

Participants received detailed instruction on the 17 Laws of the Game, including recent changes and updates

and the core mechanics needed to manage football matches effectively.

The GFF said the strong level of participation reflected the continued growth of football across Guyana and the increasing interest among residents in becoming in-

volved in the sport in different capacities. Through the workshop, the Federation is seeking to improve the number and quality of match officials available in Region Eight while creating opportunities for individuals to contribute

to football development within their communities.

The GFF said it remain committed to strengthening refereeing capacity throughout Guyana and providing clear pathways for aspiring officials to advance in the sport.

second consecutive defeat in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Men's Under-19 50Over Championship after Jamaica completed a commanding 10-wicka promising start with an opening partnership of 73 runs. Khush Seegobin led the early charge before falling for an entertaining 38 off 29 deliveries, striking seven boundaries.

Guyana left searching for 1st win after Jamaica rout

Captain Parmeshwar Ram then anchored the innings with a composed 78 from 93 balls, an innings that featured five fours and three sixes. He received valuable support from Shamar Apple, who compiled a patient 50 from 72 balls as the pair kept Guyana in a strong position. At 204 for 4, Guyana appeared set for a total well in excess of 250. However, the innings unravelled dramatically as Jamaica's bowlers triggered a spectacular collapse. Guyana lost their remaining six wickets for just 21 runs to be dismissed for 225

in 44.4 overs.

Jahdae Moore was the chief destroyer for Jamaica, claiming an excellent 5-36, while Perico Henry chipped in with two wickets.

Any hopes Guyana had of defending the modest total were quickly extinguished as Jamaica's openers produced a flawless batting display.

Odane Binns struck a magnificent unbeaten 104 from 109 balls, peppering the boundary with nine fours and five sixes. Tyson Gordon Jr provided the ideal support, finishing unbeaten on 83 from 115 deliver-

ies, in cluding 10 fours.

The pair shared an unbro ken open ing partner ship of 229 as Jamaica raced to victory in just 37 overs without los ing a wicket, hand ing Guyana a com prehensive 10-wicket defeat.

Guyana will now turn their attention to Wednesday's clash against Barbados, where they will be

searching for their first victory of the tournament after back-to-back losses.

Joshi takes early lead in National Junior Chess Championship

Woman Candidate Master (WCM)

Aditi Joshi moved to the top of the standings on tiebreak after winning both of her matches on the opening day of the 2026 National Junior Chess Championship at Olympic House, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Joshi defeated Matthew Singh in Monday morning’s first round before getting past Jeremy Cole in the afternoon to finish the day on two points.

Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber and defending champion Kyle Couchman also recorded two victories and are level with Joshi.

Pitamber, who has the tournament’s highest rating of 1974, defeated Javier Davenand in the opening session and Nicholas Zhang in round two.

Couchman also made a strong start to his title defence. The 1906-rated player defeated Aiden Tinnie before scoring his second win against Davenand.

Alexander Zhang sits just behind the three leaders with 1.5 points. He drew with his brother, Nicholas Zhang in the morning before defeating Sam in the sec-

ond round.

Singh is fifth with one point after responding to his defeat against Joshi by beating Tinnie. Nicholas Zhang, Sam, and Cole each have half a point.

Nicholas Zhang earned his half point from his opening draw with his brother, while Sam and Cole drew against each other.

Davenand and Tinnie remain without a point after losing both of their matches.

Competition will continue with two more rounds today. Couchman will play Singh in the morning, while Joshi faces Alexander Zhang and Pitamber meets Sam. Nicholas Zhang will take on Davenand, with

Tinnie opposing Cole.

The afternoon session will be highlighted by the meeting between Pitamber and Joshi. Couchman will play Nicholas Zhang, Alexander Zhang will face Tinnie, Cole will oppose Singh and Davenand will meet Sam.

Two rounds will also be played on Wednesday

and Friday before the ninth and final round on Saturday. The round-robin championship is expected to remain close, with the three early leaders still to play each other. Joshi will meet Couchman in round eight, while Couchman and Pitamber are scheduled to clash in the final round.

Austin is set to compete in the men's 400m at the World U20 Championships in Oregon, USA

Association of Guyana (AAG) has listed 23 athletes who will represent the country at three major international championships between July and August.

Guyana will send teams to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland; the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Oregon, United States. The athletes were selected after meeting the required qualification standards.

The largest senior team will compete at the Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 2, with nine athletes selected across the sprint, middle-distance, relay and field events.

Nolex Holder, Akeem Stewart, Shamar Horatio,

are among the male athletes selected, while Ravon Williams and Simeon Adams will compete in the 400 metres and mixed 4x400m relay.

Aaliyah Moore will contest the women’s 800m and mixed 4x400m relay, while Keliza Smith has been entered in the 100m, 200m and mixed 4x400m relay.

Mark Scott, Linden Phillips, and Thelson Williams are the officials and coaches.

Guyana will have two female representatives at the CAC Games, scheduled for August 2 to August 8 in Santo Domingo.

Jouvanna Cornette will compete in the women’s 100m, while Anisha Gibbons will contest the women’s javelin. Junior Cornette has been named as the official and coach.

Meanwhile, 12 athletes have been selected for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, which will

AAG announces 23 athletes for 3 overseas championships

The junior team in cludes Malachi Austin, Skylar Charles, Onesi Dunn, Tishawn Easton, and Dequan Farrell, who have been selected for individual sprint events and relays.

Dejuan Grant and Ezekiel Millington will compete in relay events, while Athaleyha Hinckson, Angel Jeffery, and Gordon Thompson have been selected for the 100m. Olivia Solomon will contest the 800m and Tianna Springer will compete in the 400m.

James Cole will serve as team manager for the World Under-20 Championships, with Quinse Clarke and Keisa Burrette named as coaches. Aretha Legall will travel as the physiotherapist.

The AAG thanked the Government of Guyana; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr; Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs;

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and the Guyana Olympic Association for their financial support.

The Association also recognised the coaches and clubs responsible for preparing the athletes for the international competitions.

Commonwealth Games contingent: Nolex Holder will compete in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay; Ravon Williams in the 400m and mixed 4x400m relay; Akeem Stewart in the 100m and 4x100m relay; Shamar Horatio in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay; Jackson Clarke in the 200m and 4x100m relay; Stafon Roach in the triple jump; Simeon Adams in the 400m and mixed 4x400m relay; Aaliyah Moore in the 800m and mixed 4x400m relay; and Kelisa Smith in the 100m, 200m and mixed 4x400m relay.

Central American and Caribbean Games contingent: Jouvanna Cornette will compete in the 100m and Anisha Gibbons in the javelin.

World Athletics Under-20 Championships con tingent: Malachi Austin will com pete in the 400m and 4x400m relay; Skylar Charles in the 200m, 4x100m and 4x400m relays; Onesi Dunn in the 100m and 4x100m relay; Tishawn Easton in the 200m, 400m and 4x400m relay; Dequan Farrell in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay; Dejuan Grant in the 4x400m relay; Athaleyha Hinckson and Angel Jeffery in the 100m; Ezekiel Millington in the 4x100m relay; Olivia Solomon in the 800m; Tianna Springer in the 400m; and Gordon Thompson in the 100m and 4x100m relay.

Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda advance to FIBA AmeriCup 2029 2nd round

Barbados had a perfect run in the AmeriCup Qualifiers First Round

Barbados (4-0) and Antigua and Barbuda (3-1) advanced to the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 PreQualifiers Second Round after topping the standings in the Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers, which concluded on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) in Georgetown, Guyana.

Both teams finished atop their respective groups (Antigua and Barbuda in Group A and Barbados in Group B), securing their places in the next stage on the road to the continental tournament.

With both Guyana and Turks and Caicos on the hunt for the qualifying spot in Group A,

Antigua and Barbuda crushed Turks and Caicos, 86-57 to grab the qualifying spot.

Xavier Spencer led the charge for Antigua with 27 points while Preston Merrick put up 26. Ethan Taylor was Bermuda’s top scorer with 25 points.

On the other hand, Barbados completed their perfect run in the Caribbean qualifiers on Sunday with a 96-84 victory over St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Kyrone Alexander produced a magnificent 32 points followed by Rasheed Maynard with 22 and Carl Thorpe with 19 to maintain Barbados’s dominance.

Shad Thomas put up 16

and

points for St Vincent. Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda join Costa Rica, which also advanced to the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Pre-Qualifiers Second Round after winning the Central American PreQualifiers last March. Cuba, Jamaica,

Nicaragua, and Venezuela will also compete in the next stage after being eliminated in the First Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers.

The South American representative has not yet been determined.

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NZ spinners rout Windies to level ODI series

en the crisis. Michael Bracewell then trapped Amir Jangoo lbw for 24 off 41 balls, reducing the West Indies to 133 for 8 after 32.2 overs.

Lennox complet

markable figures of 5 for 19.

Nine West Indies wickets fell to spin as the hosts were bundled out for 138 in 36 overs, with New Zealand's slow

Zealand safely to 141 for 5 in 32.4 overs, sealing a five-wicket victory and levelling the threematch ODI series at 1-1.

New Zealand (T: 139 runs from 50 ovs) Henry Nicholls c Jangoo b Motie 17

Sherfane Rutherford b Lennox 8

Mark Chapman run out (Lawes/†Hope)

18 overs.

West Indies found another opening when Mitchell, who had been progressing cautiously on 28, charged Khary Pierre and was smartly stumped, leaving New Zealand at 94 for 4 and giving the hosts a glimmer of hope.

Pierre struck again to keep the contest alive, bowling Dean Foxcroft for a duck and reducing New Zealand to 96 for 5.

However, the experienced Latham remained composed at the crease, anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 37 from 61 balls. He found an able

Amir Jangoo lbw b Bracewell 24

Gudakesh Motie b Lennox 1

Matthew Forde b Lennox 1

Khary Pierre not out 7

Alzarri Joseph run out

(Chapman) 1

Vitel Lawes lbw b Lennox 0

Extras (lb 1, w 9) 10

Total 36 Ov (RR: 3.83) 138

Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Ackeem Auguste, 10.4 ov), 2-66 (John Campbell, 11.4 ov), 3-86 (Shai Hope, 16.4 ov), 4-97 (Sherfane Rutherford, 18.3 ov), 5-108 (Keacy Carty, 21.5 ov), 6-115 (Gudakesh Motie, 25.4 ov), 7-119 (Matthew Forde, 27.5 ov), 8-133 (Amir Jangoo, 32.2 ov), 9-137 (Alzarri Joseph, 34.5 ov), 10-138 (Vitel Lawes, 35.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Jacob Duffy 3-0-13-0

Matthew Fisher 4-0-17-0

Michael Bracewell 9-0-51-2

Dean Foxcroft 5-0-16-0

Mitchell Santner 7-0-21-2

Jayden Lennox 8-0-19-5

League (CPL) season, bring ing together proven international pedigree across the top order, behind the stumps, and through the bowling attack as the franchise looks to

Tahir, Pretorius, Gurbaz return to Amazon Warriors for 2026 CPL

match-winning ability, giving the squad depth across every phase of a T20 innings.

Tahir brings a wealth of

Phillips of New Zealand.

The Amazon Warriors' overseas recruitment for 2026 combines seasoned franchise-cricket know-how with genuine international

addition to the Warriors' batting unit.

Nabi continues to be one of the most depend able all-rounders in world cricket, offering steady off-spin bowling alongside experienced lower-order makes him a key figure in the Warriors' middle

Gurbaz joins as one of the most exciting young wicketkeeper-batters in the game, known for his fearless der. His ability to seize the

Pretorius rounds out ing new-ball control, deather-order hitting. The South perience across franchise cricket worldwide gives ment further balance and

ternational's ability to change the tempo of an innings makes him a valuable

Combined with a strong core of Guyanese and West Indian talent led by Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope, this overseas group gives the Amazon Warriors a well-rounded squad across batting, spin, and pace ahead of the 2026 campaign.