K
AIETEUR NEWS
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Israeli air attack Sunday Edition
on Gaza City apt kills at least five
October 04, 2026
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
Price $260 PAGE
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Online readership yesterday, 48,698
Controversial U.S. company in running for Amaila hydro ....was linked to massive project corruption scandals in Brazil PAGE
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Guyanese can now get CANU finds uncustomed alcohol at Windsor Estates property Saudi visa on arrival rented ...three tenants arrested without U.S., UK or Schengen visa Govt. still reviewing ExxonMobil's 8th Stabroek project ...Longtail could become Guyana's first gas-focused development
‘Where is the 40 citizens, 4 organisations urgency?’ appeal EPA's no-EIA decision CANU ranks at the scene of the raid at Windsor Estates
— Mahipaul blasts Govt. over slow MV Barima salvage
on Kurupung uranium project
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
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Sunday October 04, 2026
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40 citizens, 4 organisations appeal EPA's no-EIA decision on Kurupung uranium project Four organisations and 40 individuals, including former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Dr. Vincent Adams, have appealed the agency's decision to exempt U92 Energy Corp.'s proposed uranium exploration activities at the Kurupung project in Region Seven from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Canada-based firm owns the Kurupung Uranium Project through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lia (Guyana). The project area spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium. In a letter dated 25 t h September and emailed to the Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board, the signatories formally lodged the appeal and expressed concern over a public notice published by the EPA on 26 th August, announcing that the proposed exploration activities at the uranium project are “not likely to significantly affect the environment” and are therefore exempt from the requirement to conduct an EIA. The letter underscored concerns about the contamination of air, land and waterways by toxic radioactive particles and waste; the lack of consultation with nearby
Map showing the location of the boundary of the two PLs
Indigenous communities; the company's experience; and the waste left behind by previous companies that operated the project. The signatories stated that they understand that exploration/prospecting activities are different from mining/extraction and processing, and took note that the EPA's decision to exempt the exploration from an EIA does not constitute approval of commercial mining, ore extraction or processing, mine construction, or the establishment of radioactive tailing facilities. However, they outlined several points from the notice published by the EPA, particularly the part which states, “…waste and spills are expected to be temporary, reversible and capable of being effectively
managed”; “Drill holes and disturbed areas will be progressively sealed, stabilised and rehabilitated.”; and “Fuel, waste, drill fluids and uranium-bearing core and samples will be securely contained, monitored and managed in accordance with a n E PA - a p p r o v e d Environmental Management Plan and permit conditions, including radiation-safety requirements.” They demanded to know all details of the Environmental Management Plans (EMP) and what data convinced the Agency that spills and waste are expected to be temporary, reversible and capable of being effectively managed. “We know that uranium is radioactive and remains in the environment for billions of years- there is absolutely
nothing temporary about this substance! Likewise, what data convinced the Agency that the company wishing to engage in these activitiesU92 Energy Corp- is capable of “effectively managing” any spill, has the expertise to seal, stabilise, and rehabilitate drill holes, and maintain radiation safety requirements?” they added. Another point of objection was centred around U92's experience, with the signatories outlining that the company was founded just two years ago, in 2024, and has no previous documented
experience conducting u r a n i u m exploration/prospecting. Further registering their objection to the EPA's decision for the project, the signatories also noted that the Agency did not share its decision about the non-EIA for the project by publishing its decision in at least one daily newspaper, in accordance with Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act. They explained that the EPA's EIA decision must be published in at least one daily newspaper before the issuance of an EMP. “It appears that the opposite was done in this case, in violation of Guyana's laws - with the public being notified in the Agency's no-EIA Notice that an EMP had already been approved. This premature decision is not only backwards and contrary to the EPA Act, and also clearly and disturbingly shows a clear bias on the part of the Agency against complying with the law and due process,” the signatories said. Further, the signatories explained that it is their understanding that uranium exploration/prospecting
Former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams requires drilling into soil and rocks, which is a process which will release radioactive particles into the air that can be inhaled and easily spread by wind, water, animals, vehicles, clothing, and shoes of workers. As such, they expressed concern about the health and safety of community members who may be directly involved in these activities, as well as those who may accidentally come into contact with cancercausing radioactive materials. “We are also concerned about the impact of these activities on the plants and (Continued on page 6) .
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456 Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Taxes, what taxes If to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), then far less should be expected to Guyana. When ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation could be so uncaring, so reckless, to file with the SEC that it paid US$1.1B in 2025, that highlights what this country has for a partner. If ExxonMobil can claim that payment (and it did), then there is no limit to what it could do to the Guyana Government and the people of Guyana. A driller for oil should be careful about the line that it walks: a claimant of what it did not do, one that takes a huge risk with an SEC filing with that US$1.1B tax hole. ExxonMobil did not pay Guyana’s sole taxing authority, the GRA, any US$1.1B in 2025. ExxonMobil’s shifty and self-serving 2106 oil contract has a provision in Article 15.1 that exempts it from paying a series of taxes, with taxes on income from petroleum operations being the highlight. Once again, we at this publication ask these simplest of questions. What US$1.1B in taxes paid in 2025? Paid to which part of the GRA? When was that paid? When did money, over a billion in taxes paid, leave ExxonMobil’s treasury and reach into Guyana’s treasury? But the company has a receipt, a tax certificate, for taxes that it did not pay itself. That is not a sleight of hand move. It is a sleight of hand trick along with Guyanese citizens and U.S. citizens being sold the Brooklyn Bridge and told how great of a favour they got from ExxonMobil. Not a cent paid in income taxes on operations, yet a trick of this magnitude can be so barefacedly played on the people of two countries. Only the most brazen and determined risktaker of a company would think of something like that, then arrange it, and last do it. The people of this country are shortchanged with taxes that should be due to them in the normal course of business. The American people do not get their due, for they also are squeezed through receiving less. Regular companies and ordinary people pay their taxes. ExxonMobil pay its people to play these types of games. The Government of Guyana is seemingly happy to go along with this tax charade of no taxes paid by ExxonMobil, and a tax receipt/certificate issued to the company. A handful of U.S. Senators are not happy at all, at what is seen as nothing but a crude tax hustle. One that if stopped would save U.S. taxpayers approximately US$71.5B over 10 years. The PPP/C Government has dodged this farce of a tax setup, seemingly unconcerned about the substance and appearance of the issue. In the U.S., there is concern over what does not make sense, and insults the intelligence. We have a couple more questions for local taxpayers. If ExxonMobil can take this risk with US$1.1B in taxes that it did not pay, then how much more risk may it not take with a billion barrels from recent oil discoveries that it refuses to disclose? Oil operations are 200 kilometers offshore, and Guyana is in the dark (while enjoying it). Six decades after national independence and governments have no idea about how to deliver a reliable supply electricity to citizens. What interest would it have, what would it want to know and do, about huge oil developments 200 kilometers from shore, a planet away? Further, ExxonMobil could be so openly aggressive with US$1.1B in taxes that it did not pay, how much more aggressive may it not be a billion (US) in audit findings that it does not want to see the light? And, if ExxonMobil can look at the Government of Guyana and the people of Guyana in their faces, and call itself a partner, after its US$1.1B scheme, then how much can this company still be assessed as a partner to be trusted? We study the lengths to which this supergiant of an oil company goes for slightly over a billion US dollars, and raise this last question. What else, how much further, would ExxonMobil not go, in pulling the trigger and taking off nonchalantly when the stakes are higher and the dollar amounts are bigger?
Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
My experience as a Meetup organiser DEAR EDITOR, All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl. Everyone knows about Facebook but have you heard of Meetup? In brief, after nine eleven, a young man in New York was very impressed with how strangers came together, were there for each other and had each other backs much more so than in normal day to day living. After pondering on the phenomena, he locked himself in a room with other developers and, after some weeks, Meetup was born. Facebook connects people virtually. Meetup brings people together for fun events in the real world. There are Meetups on just about anything; dance, yoga, hiking, golf, book clubs and I suppose it can even be used for (groan!) political get-togethers. I was one of the early Meetup organisers in Canada. I
ran a free Meetup social club here in Mississauga for over five years. During that period, about a thousand people were members of my club at one time or another and many attended the events. We had one event a month, ranging from brunches, lunches, dinners, walks, picnics, dances, bowling, boat cruise, dragon boating, karaoke and other activities. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so click on this link to see a gazillion photos from events my club had: https://photos.app.goo.gl/a1wMd8 5f33ab9QqV7 Over time, I came to see my free social club as a service. Many immigrants, isolated, shy and socially awkward people became members and thereby got a chance to interact with others. My wife attended most of the events. In a country like Guyana, Meetups can play a significant part in fostering social cohesion. On top of that, restaurants and other venues love it
as it gives them business. As an organiser, I would always check out the venue prior to the event. For example, if it was a restaurant, I would speak to the manager and select a nice table, suitable for the size of the group I intended to bring. I would make it clear that there would be separate bills. This avoided the (rare) scenario where someone left without paying their bill. That would be the restaurant’s responsibility, not the organiser’s. People are generally decent and it almost never happened. One of the good things about being a Meetup organiser is that it does not require you to have a physical location or building. You are basically provided with a webpage with has special features, such as a RSVP system for events, group mailing to members, members rating of events etc. For those who may be interested in becoming a Meetup Organiser, here are the steps. Continued on page 5
Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox
BALANCE
Windies cricket is in a state of dire crisis — and the 17-member DEAR EDITOR, time to time. Such occurrences sometimes appear to The problem we Guyanese have amongst ourselves is how to gain or maintain a sense of threaten that balance but never breaks it board must accept responsibility! balance between one’s personal and the because it is kept in place by a mixture of areas for which the Head Coach must be held accountable. Who evaluates Sammy’s performance, monitors his decisions and holds him accountable? 2. LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of CWI, also holds a full-time position as Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. At a time when Windies Cricket is in crisis, this demanding leadership position requires sustained attention and commitment. Is the current arrangement providing the leadership and oversight required? 3. FINANCIAL LOSSES AND DECLINING PUBLIC SUPPORT CWI’s financial performance is alarming: 2024: Net profit of US$22.6 million. 2025: Net loss of US$28.5 million. 2026: Projected net loss of US$26 million. International matches attract very small audiences, while the CPL reportedly attracts attendance exceeding 50% at recent matches. Where is the financial recovery plan? Why is international cricket failing to attract supporters when the CPL demonstrates that Caribbean audiences will attend cricket? 4. TRANSPARENCY AND GOVERNANCE Numerous public requests for independent reviews, transparency and disclosure have seemingly received no DEAR EDITOR, meaningful response, despite The recent scandals within the realm of responsibility of c o m m i t m e n t s i n C W I ’s the Minister of Home Affairs are beginning to be dealt with 2024–2025 Strategic Plan. correctly and swiftly. Reflecting the increasing competence CWI has 17 directors, of Minister Walrond. considerably more than several It is CRG’s hope that other Ministers will follow suit and major cricketing nations, begin the process of cleaning up their respective Ministries, including Australia, New ridding them of bad actors and corruption. Congratulations to Zealand and India. The issue is Minister Walrond on her decisive action towards bringing not the number of directors, but back accountability into our nation’s government. their collective responsibility May she stay the path and find support amongst her peers and accountability. in doing what has been long overdue, and may her actions 5. SELECTION deal with all bad actors independent of their position and FAIRNESS AND EAST influence. I N D I A N Best regards, REPRESENTATION Mr. Jamil Changlee Recent reported comments Continued on page 6
DEAR EDITOR, The decline of Windies Cricket has continued for several years, yet the 17-member Board of Directors continues to avoid publicly accepting responsibility for the consequences of its decisions. The current crisis cannot be attributed exclusively to Darren Sammy or the coaching staff. The ultimate responsibility rests with the Board, whose mandate is to provide leadership, oversight and accountability. 1. ABSENCE OF AN INDEPENDENT SELECTION COMMITTEE Every major cricketing nation has an established selection committee with oversight and accountability. West Indies Cricket is an exception. Darren Sammy, as Head Coach, is responsible for team performance, player development and preparation. Yet, without an independent selection committee, he has effectively been rewarded with sole selection authority and no meaningful oversight. This is a serious conflict of responsibilities. Following successive defeats, we hear explanations about the inability to play spin bowling, middle-order collapses and other shortcomings. But these are precisely the
Minister Walrond knows what to do
My experience as a...
From page 4 Register on meetup.com. Opt to start your own Meetup group. Choose the name of your group. Here is a name suggestion: Georgetown Social Club. Grab that one fast! Do a write-up on your Meetup page, describing what your Meetup group is about. Set your first event, do a short write-up about it, set the number limit of guests for the event (when the limit is reached a waitlist automatically kicks in), announce the event (Meetup automatically sends out an email notifying your members), wait for RSVP’s to come in and take it from there. Present information I have says that Meetup offers a basic Starter plan for free, which allows up to two events a month with 10 attendees each. For larger groups, organiser plans start at US $30 a month. One thing I cannot overemphasise: do not look to make money from Meetup. Do not charge an attendance fee for your events; it won’t work. Do it for the love and passion for it – or don’t do it at all. Sometimes you can negotiate a group discount with a restaurant. I never asked for a discount for myself. Always operate with the highest level of integrity. My wish for Guyana and Guyanese worldwide? Let a thousand Meetups bloom! Sincerely, Sieyf Shahabuddeen
interests of the wider society. I agree, it is easier said than done. In everyday Guyanese politics, commentary or otherwise, we often hear references to balance of interests between those who may be equal in strength but acting in opposite directions (China and the USA); balance of budget and expenditure; balance in diet; balance of power between the executive, judiciary and the parliament; balance in acting and presentation; balance between the eco-system and nature and in some cases, balance of the mental state of one’s political opponent. In effect, a sense of balance is a judgmental matter. In other words, balance comes into play when deciding what is right and what is wrong. But the fundamental question is; how much attention, if any at all, do we Guyanese pay to balance between what I need and what I want in our everyday life? That is the question. The seriousness of balance in this matter is to be found in the constant harping by sections of society about how often and much of the ‘oil money’ should the state put in the pockets of every Guyanese as against how much the state should invest in social and physical infrastructure. The familiar question here is, has a balance been struck between who gets what, how much and how frequent is the largesse disposed to the satisfaction of both people and government? Economists with an interest in this matter should publicly debate this as a matter of public interest. Of greater significance is balance within the meaning of the rule of law. Had it not been for the Courts, irrespective of whether a criminal, civil or constitutional matter was before it for judicial review, or a ruling on what was right from what was wrong, it’s impact on our individual or collective existence and that of society as a whole. Can be turned upside down, making it unbalanced, if not chaotic. That is why balance or maintaining equilibrium plays such an important, if not critical role in keeping society together notwithstanding the occasional individual irritant or political upheaval that occur from
conceptual phenomena, tangibles and intangibles related to the economic base and superstructure. A good example of where balance was to be found was in the case where a ferry sank and people drowned with it. The clamour for justice is in effect a call for balance, that balance was struck when a decision was made to establish a Commission of Inquiry, but the balance was threatened by imbalance when negatives fed on emotions and exploited the human tragedy making both the COI and the recovery of the ferry appear as if they were unduly delayed by the state in the eyes of the people. Moreover, take the issue of the Cuban Medical Brigade, was it’s dismantlement good or bad for Guyana and it’s people? Who ultimately benefitted from its dismantlement and who were the losers from its dismantlement? Was there a balance between cause and effect in the decision making process? From my Chinese Comrades and friends, I learnt about a popular Chinese board game known as Go. The game is said to reflect the meaning of life. I was told that the intrigues of the game is that there are a number of potential moves – more, it is said, than all the particles in the known Universe. Think about balance and what keeps planet earth and the rest of the universe in a state of balance without any cataclysmic clashes occurrences. Forbes Burnham used to say that “politics is the art of making deals” it seems as though President Trump shares that belief. Other democratically inclined politicians like Cheddi Jagan would claim that whosoever aims for the highest office in the land are expected like players of Go to adhere to a philosophy demanding high levels of intelligence, intuition and imagination. Whether Burnham or Jagan apart from being branded (or not) as champions of one era or another, the fact of the matter is, in the eyes of their respective followers, they were public celebrities. That’s balance …. at least perceptively Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
Windies cricket is in 40 citizens, 4 organisations appeal EPA’s a state of dire crisis... no - EIA decision on Kurupung uranium...
From page 5 by England’s Moeen Ali, who has played several times in the CPL, calling on Sammy to stop selecting favourites and choose the best available players, raise further questions about the selection process. For several years, concerns have also been raised about the exclusion of East Indian players, including Gudakesh Motie, Amir Jangoo and others. East Indians, including expatriates, represent a significant proportion of the Caribbean population. Yet there have been instances where the team has played without an East Indian representative. These concerns deserve independent examination. Selection must be based on merit, performance and equal opportunity, without favouritism or discrimination. 6. FROM WORLD CHAMPIONS TO STRUGGLING FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION West Indies were once world champions and a dominant force in international cricket. Today, we have repeatedly failed to automatically qualify for World Cups and must depend on qualification tournaments and playoffs. This is not simply a coaching failure. It reflects years of inadequate governance, poor decisions and the absence of accountability. THE REAL ISSUE IS THE GOVERNANCE OF WINDIES CRICKET! Darren Sammy and the coaching staff must be accountable for their responsibilities. However, the 17member Board cannot continue to distance itself from the consequences of its decisions. The Board appoints the leadership, establishes the governance structure and oversees performance. It is ultimately responsible for the direction of the organisation. We need an independent selection committee, measurable coaching objectives, transparent financial reporting, meritbased selection and a Board that accepts responsibility. Changing coaches or blaming individual players will accomplish very little without fundamental governance reform. The 17 directors must publicly account for their decisions and their failure to restore the pride, competitiveness and financial sustainability of Caribbean cricket. Our cricket deserves better. Our people deserve answers. Sincerely, Kris Kooblall
From page 3 animals in the project area that may also accidentally become exposed to these dangerous substances and then affect human health if/when they are touched and/or eaten,” it was also stated. Another objection to the EPA’s decision was on the grounds that the nearby Kurupung River is connected to the Mazaruni and Essequibo River, two systems which are interconnected parts of a larger watershed upon which thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Guyanese depend. “If spills and waste from uranium exploration gets into these nearby waterways, a huge number of people, as well as fish and other living things in these rivers would be seriously harmed. Also, as we have seen from previous uranium exploration activities at/around Kurupung, such activities do indeed generate massive quantities of radioactively contaminated cores and waste material and do cause significant long-term damage to the air, soil, vegetation, ground and surface water,” they added. To t h i s e n d , t h e signatories made reference
to information from the Project Summary published by the EPA. The information highlighted by the signatories is that previous uranium exploration in this area generated a huge amount (54 miles worth) of radioactively contaminated core material, which remains improperly and unsafely stored at the nearby Aricheng airstrip without any shielding or radioactive signage, violating all international radiation safety standards and leaving the nearby community of people, animals, land, and water resources exposed to dangerous cancer-causing radioactivity for over a decade and a half. The signatories underscored that while the material was produced by a previous company and not Lia (Guyana), they argued that future uranium exploration activities such as what is currently proposed will undoubtedly add to the huge quantities of radioactive core material that already exists. Another ground is that the material was abandoned for decades without the n e a r b y c o m m u n i t y ’s knowledge. This, they said, demonstrates clear disregard for their lives and wellbeing
and typifies the disrespectful manner by which Indigenous Guyanese in particular have been and continue to be treated not only by foreign companies but sadly, also by the regulatory authorities of Guyana. Moreover, it was also highlighted that while the prospecting licences for this proposed project are for lands governed by the State of Guyana, there are multiple Indigenous communities in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni region whose members have traditionally occupied the area for generations, and whose cultural and spiritual traditions are tied to this land. It was further stated that the Kapong and Pemon Indigenous Guyanese have long rejected uranium mining activities on their lands. The signatories noted that there was a total lack of prior consultation with the residents of these communities, most of whom only became aware of the proposed project after seeing media reports a few months ago. “This is a crystal clear violation of both the Environmental Protection Act and the Amerindian Act which guarantee all
Guyanese the right to a healthy environment and the right to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect their lives and environment,” they noted. The signatories stressed that the non-consultation with nearby Indigenous communities is sufficient reason to stop this project. They said until these communities have been consulted, given the opportunity to ask questions, fully understand the risks related to this project, and provide their free, prior, and informed consent for uranium exploration and all other related activities that may negatively affect their lives and livelihoods, there should be no permission given to Lia (Guyana) Inc/U92 Energy Corp for any such prospecting activities. “For these many reasons, we- the undersigned Indigenous residents of Region 7 and elsewhere, along with other environmental defenders and concerned Guyanesereject and appeal the EPA’s no-EIA decision granted to this project,” the letter concluded. The letter was signed by Dr. Vincent Adams, Kent Andrez, Salima Bacchus Hinds, Nigel Butler, Dawn Charlie, Dr. Shanya Cordis, Tesom Cornelius, Marvalita Edwards, Daphney George, Dr. Laura George, Guyana Organization of Indigenous People, Keran Hastings, Clyde Henry, Hrithik Henry, Karisma Henry, Sasha Henry, Shavira Henry, Troy Henry, Wanda Henry, Mark Jacobs, Colin Klautky, Kelman Krammer, Goretti Lewis, Alma MarshallToshao, Ludex McDonald, Elton McRae, Sherlina Nageer, Oil & Gas Governance Network (OGGN), Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP), Nelsonia Persaud, Vanda Radzik, Roweena Ramlall, Cheland Reuben, Sherwin Reuben, Yanisa Reuben, Irene Roland, J a m e s S t a n l e y, T h e Greenheart Movement, Shane Thomas, Ram Toney, Marietta Walker, Joyce Williams, Nelvie Williams and Dugan Wilson
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur News
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Sunday October 04, 2026
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‘Where is the urgency?’
— Mahipaul blasts Govt. over slow MV Barima salvage
…families still awaiting remains, answers months after deadly sinking APNU Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul has questioned the Government's handling of the salvage operation for the sunken MV Barima, accusing the administration of moving too slowly while grieving families continue to await the recovery of their loved ones' remains and answers surrounding the tragedy. The MV Barima sank on 18thJuly, 2026 killing more than 100 people and leaving families across the country mourning. In a statement issued yesterday, Mahipaul said there was a growing disconnect between the
Government's public assurances that the salvage effort was being treated as a priority and the pace of the procurement process. “The Government cannot continue to tell the families of the victims of the MV Barima tragedy that this matter is being treated with urgency when the timeline tells a very different story,” Mahipaul said. He pointed to several key dates in the process. Prime Minister Mark Phillips said on 28 t h July that the Government would be guided by the wishes of affected families. Expressions of Interest for the salvage operation closed
on 14 t h August, while President Irfaan Ali announced on 18th August that shortlisted firms would be invited to submit financial bids. However, it was not until 8th September that the bids were publicly opened, revealing three proposals ranging from approximately G$1.034 billion to G$2.035 billion. Mahipaul said that by the end of September, no contractor had been publicly announced and there was still no clear mobilisation date. “And now September has ended without a publicly announced contractor and
without a clear mobilisation date,” he said. “That is the problem. This is not simply another government procurement exercise. People died. Families are still waiting. Some families have not been able to lay their loved ones to rest.” According to Mahipaul, recovering the vessel is important not only to provide grieving families with closure, but also to assist with the legal and investigative process surrounding the tragedy. He noted that the sunken vessel remains a critical piece of physical evidence for the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), an objective
that he said is also reflected in the Government's own terms of reference for the salvage operation. Mahipaul also referenced recent remarks by President Ali on the need for a national culture centred on safety, leadership and responsibility, arguing that those principles must be reflected in the Government's handling of the salvage effort. “Leadership and responsibility must also mean acting with urgency when families are waiting for answers,” he said. “I am not calling for procurement rules to be bypassed. I am calling for urgency within the rules.” Mahipaul ended with a series of questions for the administration: “Where is the urgency? Where is the
MP, Ganesh Mahipaul contractor? Where is the mobilisation date? And most importantly, when will these grieving families finally get the answers and closure they deserve?” He warned that the tragedy must not become “another file sitting on a desk in a Ministry.”
ERC issues 33 warnings over racist, divisive social media content ...Commission says 87 ethnic relations matters remain on caseload The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) issued 33 cautionary warnings over social media and other publicly available content deemed to be of ethnic concern during the period 25th August to 25th September, 2026 as it continued monitoring for material capable of fuelling racial tension and intolerance. According to the Commission's September monthly report released yesterday, the 33 warnings represented a decline from the 48 warnings issued in August. Of the 33 warnings, 12 involved racial slurs, while seven concerned racially derogatory statements and five related to racially prejudiced remarks. The remaining warnings involved content described as racially insensitive, hateful and divisive, along with individual instances of xenophobic, racially inciting and stereotypical content. The ERC urged members of the public to exercise greater care and restraint, particularly on social media, when expressing views that could affect relations among Guyana's diverse ethnic communities. The Commission also reported that its Investigative Unit currently has a
consolidated caseload of 87 matters. Three of those matters date back to 2022–2023, 14 were recorded in 2024, 49 in 2025 and 21 so far in 2026. One of the 2026 matters was received during the latest reporting period. At the end of September, nine matters were awaiting
Sub-Committee review, eight were under active investigation, five were pending legal advice, two remained pending and one was awaiting a statutory decision. Another matter had completed the conciliation process. The Commission said 51 matters had been closed, three withdrawn and seven completed to date. Beyond its investigative work, the ERC continued public education and community outreach activities during September. The Commission participated in the Indigenous Heritage Expo at (Continued on page 9)
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
PAGE 09
The price of prosperity In Guyana, there is a peculiar arithmetic to prosperity. The country announces itself as one of the fastest-growing economies in the hemisphere, a petroleum state that has been transformed almost overnight into a place of billion-dollar projects, expanding infrastructure and ambitious promises about feeding the Caribbean. Ye t t h e a r i t h m e t i c performed at the supermarket checkout is less impressive. There the numbers are smaller, more intimate and more consequential. A salary enters the household at the end of the month and disappears into rice, flour, sugar, milk and cooking oil. This is the economy the small man encounters. Not in a budget speech or a statistical
bulletin, but in the aisle of a supermarket with a shopping cart that contains necessities and a wallet that contains limits. There are people in Guyana who can complain about the price of grapes. A lady was complaining that pound of grapes today costs nearly twice what it did last Christmas. One can sympathize with the complaint, but it belongs to a different economic universe. The poor man is not paying $2,000 for a pound of grapes. He is calculating whether he can afford the chicken, the fish, the cooking oil and the vegetables that must last until the next payday. The price of grapes is an inconvenience. The price of cooking oil is a household crisis.
The government has introduced measures intended to reduce the cost of living. Taxes have been reduced on imports. But that applies to durable imports as it does to food. So it applies to man buying a million-dollar fireplace to decorate his living room, just as its applies to the cost of imported tomato paste. Manufacturers and producers have benefitted from tax concessions. Farmers’ markets have been established. Each measure can be defended on its own terms. The question is not whether government has done something. The question is whether the consumer is receiving the benefit of what has been done. That is an empirical question, and therefore one that
ERC issues 33 warnings over racist... From page 8 the Sophia Exhibition Complex from 1st-5th September, engaging students and members of the public on its constitutional mandate and the importance of tolerance, harmony and respect for Guyana’s ethnic and cultural diversity. It also conducted Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training sessions with the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission and the Public Service Ministry. The ERC expanded its Harmony Clubs initiative by launching clubs at Kuru Kururu and Port Kaituma Primary Schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Community outreach activities were also
held in Kuru Kururu, Falls Top and Port Kaituma. On 23rd September, an ERC delegation led by Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack visited Port Kaituma, where it engaged more than 70 families, relatives and survivors affected by the MV Barima tragedy. The Commission said the engagement allowed it to listen to concerns, provide immediate support and identify issues requiring continued attention and follow-up. The ERC said it remains committed to working with communities, public institutions and other stakeholders to promote understanding, respect, peaceful coexistence and harmonious relations among Guyanese.
Dem Boys Seh...
Teacher Appreciation Day turn a whole week Tomorrow is Teacher Appreciation Day. But some teachers in Guyana decide that one day is not enough. Dem turn appreciation into a whole week of celebration. Dem boys understand appreciation. Everybody deserves a lil appreciation now and then. But some parents wondering if dem children going to school or attending a five-star hotel’s annual staff retreat. Monday is pizza day. Tuesday is chicken curry and puri. Wednesday is friend rice and chowmein with baked chicken. By Thursday, parents checking dem bank account and wondering if dem child attending school or if dem teacher applying for a diplomatic passport. And Friday is the big one — De big eat out fuh end de week. By then some parents done appreciate the teacher so much that dem need somebody to appreciate them. One mother get a list of things she child supposed to carry to school during the week. She say, “Me nah know if I sending me child to school or opening a small supermarket.” Dem boys remember a time when teachers never had Teacher Appreciation Day, much less Teacher Appreciation Week. Christmas come, children didn’t have to buy teacher no gift. Teacher birthday pass,
nobody was collecting money in a class WhatsApp group. The only appreciation teacher wanted was to see the child pass examination, get a good education and grow up into a decent human being. That was the gift. A child getting 90 percent in Mathematics could make a teacher happier than a whole hamper of imported chocolates. A former student coming back years later and saying, “Miss, you remember me? I become a doctor because of you,” was worth more than a pair of gold earrings. But times change. Today, some teachers apparently want the appreciation upfront. Dem boys could understand a lil token. Nothing wrong with that. But when appreciation starts looking like a monthly subscription is a different situation And poor parents watching all this wondering how dem going to explain to dem child that Teacher Appreciation Week does not come with a Teacher Appreciation Loan. Maybe we should remember that the greatest appreciation a teacher can receive is still the same one teachers used to treasure: “Miss, Sir — I passed. And I doing well in life.” That appreciation never needed a receipt. Talk half. Leff half.
should be relatively easy to answer. Conduct a survey. Track the prices of basic commodities before and after the concessions. Examine the landed cost of imported goods, the taxes and duties paid, the concessions granted, the wholesale price and the final retail price. Do the arithmetic from the port to the supermarket. If the reductions are being passed on to consumers, the government should be able to demonstrate it. If they are not, the government should want to know why. A tax concession cannot be regarded as a successful public policy merely because the Treasury has surrendered revenue. Its success ought ultimately to be measured by what happens to the price paid by the citizen. The same principle applies to domestic production. Guyana produces rice. Guyana produces vegetables. Guyana produces fruit. Guyana raises livestock and poultry. Yet the price of food produced in Guyana has become a growing burden for households. If public resources are being used to subsidise or encourage production, there should be some mechanism for ensuring that the benefits reach consumers. Otherwise, the public is asked to finance the producer while continuing to pay the market price as though no assistance had been provided. And then there is the matter of the Guyana dollar. The official exchange-rate notice may present one picture. The experience of businesses trying to obtain foreign currency can present another. Importers have reported difficulty securing foreign exchange in a timely manner, with some reportedly paying rates approaching G$240 to US$1. Whatever the precise scale
of the problem, the c o n s e q u e n c e i s straightforward: when the cost of obtaining foreign currency rises, the cost eventually finds its way into the price of imported goods. And Guyana imports a great deal. The exchange rate is therefore not an abstraction belonging to economists and central bankers. It is hiding in the price of the cooking oil. This is why Guyana needs an emergency Cost-of-Living Summit. Not another gathering at which officials congratulate themselve s f o r h a v i n g gathered. Not another conference producing a communiqué that pats the government and the private sector on the back. A genuine summit should bring together government, the Opposition, private-sector organisations, importers, manufacturers, farmers, labour representatives, consumer groups and economists. Its purpose should be brutally practical: identify the causes of rising prices, establish where costs are accumulating, determine whether government concessions are reaching consumers, examine the availability and cost of foreign exchange and identify measures that can reduce household expenses now. If the government does not convene such a meeting, the Opposition should. The problem is too immediate to be left to the w hi m s o f government. There are also measures that can be implemented in the interim. Government could provide public servants with a tax-free cos t - o f - l i v i n g allowance of $10,000 a month and encourage private employers to do likewise. Ten thousand dollars will not transform a household. It will, however, pay for some of the food that has become more expensive. More importantly, Guyana
should revive the idea of selfprovisioning. Give household seeds. Give them seedlings. Teach them how to cultivate kitchen gardens. Let us grow more food not just on farms but in kitchen gardens. A kitchen garden will not solve inflation. But thousands of kitchen gardens can reduce the amount of money households must spend on food. There is also a larger reason to do this. Guyana is no longer feeding only its traditional population of around 750,000 mouths. We now have about 120,000 migrants to also feed. Farmers’ markets can help, but a farmers’ market is an event. Food security is a system. Guyana is capable of confronting a problem measured in thousands of dollars—the amount required by an ordinary household to make it through the month. The test of prosperity is not how impressive the economy appears from the window of a government office. It is what happens when a worker walks into a supermarket with a salary in one hand and a shopping list in the other. If the salary buys less food than it did last year, the citizen does not require a lecture on economic growth. He requires an explanation. And, preferably, a solution. That is why the country needs the summit now—not because Guyana is poor, but because a country becoming wealthy should not become a country in which ordinary people are increasingly unable to afford the ordinary things that make life possible. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.
Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur News
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D TR
HAR
HK
BY G
LALL
H@RD TRUTHS
What if
Brace for what's coming, my fellow Guyanese. A bit off the beaten track. Here goes. What if the U.S. as a matter of immigration policy would experiment with visafree travel for Guyanese? A kind of seasonal work permit, along the lines that used to be extended to agricultural workers. Or a special type of HB-1 visa
geared towards Guyanese. What could be a better mark, one of respect for Guyanese, to give vigor to the special relationship between the U.S. and Guyana? Imagine the frenzy here. Imagine further. The mob scenes almost all over. This place would be empty in a hurry, before one could count to three. The only ones left would be the
political, bureaucratic, and infrastructural self-enrichers (running bandits). What would they do then? Where are the voters? Where are the workers? I have good news for the government, the likes of Drs. Ali, Jagdeo, Phillips, Nandlall, and others of that illustrious cast. I wouldn't be going anywhere. But Guyanese would, and by the droves. American
Airlines would have to call on United Airlines, and Delta Airlines would have to come back. Now consider this. Visa-free travel to the U.S. would lead to a stampede for Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Alanta, and Maimi. Even New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the current U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, old stomping grounds, could be blessed by a Guyanese or two. Donald Trump or no Donald Trump, Guyanese would be coming in from the cold. Better make that to the cold from the heat. If this is the child (El Nino), I want nothing to do with El Padre (the father). Which Guyanese would be slow on the draw in taking advantage of visa-free travel (and temporary stay) to Uncle Sam? Who cares about the outcome of the midterms, where the winds swing, who's in charge? All the armies of poor, hungry, distressed, oppressed, suppressed Guyanese know is that they would welcome any opportunity to get out of here. Local Content, what about it? Hasn't trickled down in any sustained way to the small people (especially if their color coding is off). Let Exxon and the others fill the gaps with Cubans and Venezuelans. If tahe latter
BY GHK LALL
can be in charge of the big Wales gasto-electricity moonshot, why not oil rigs and transportation and heavy labour? If the Cubans are picky, or language is an obstacle, then bring in Americans and Europeans and give Guyana the bill. No one on the Guyana side of bill payment has been complaining or questioning those too much, if at all. It's enough to send Guyanese into flights of ecstasy. Imagine turning up at John F. Kennedy and being waived through with a warm smile, then passing through Customs without earning a hard look. Ali and Jagdeo can keep their oil (how much of a difference has that made)? Nandlall can thrill to his Facebook posts about the law and its unsullied majesty (where is it, and when last was that seen and felt)? The oil hasn't meant much. Democracy has been a stranger, and a gimpy one, when seen occasionally. Freedom has been a twoedged sword: there to be used, but be ready to get abused. See what I mean, when I assert that Donald Trump for all his big bad boy behaviour is vastly more preferred to the malicious mandarins that
Guyanese have had to live with, and who hog all the oil money fuh dem self and dem own peeple. I have always insisted that if there was inclusive and generous sharing out the o i l m o n e y, ( p r o p e r l y disciplined and honestly so), then America would have had to exclude Guyana from its immigrant projections. Since the money squeeze, the mental squeeze, the price squeeze, and the overall environmental squeeze are all at unbearable levels, Donald Trump now looks angelic, the return of Moses. Guyanese must be Free! And American is the place for Guyanese to be. Even I got a little carried away there. Imagine again: visa-free to the U.S. Country and government would be in shambles. Like foreign currency, there may have to be restrictions on movement. Have a splendid day reflecting, everyone. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper
Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 01 EGA 11 P Anthony Paul
Article 6, Part II: Before the Second Pipeline:
What Should Guyana's Gas Actually Do for the Country? - Gas allocation, industrial development and institutional coordination now matter as much as the size of the resource
Part I argued that before Guyana decides how large its next gas pipeline should be, or where it should land, the country needs an independently understood picture of what gas will become available, from which reservoirs, when it can be produced and under what constraints. That is only half of the problem. Once gas becomes available, Guyana has to decide what it wants those molecules to do. The urgency is increasing. Government is reviewing the Field Development Plan and production-licence application for Longtail, described as the Stabroek Block's first development centred heavily on gas production. Unlike the Wa l e s G a s - t o - E n e r g y project, which uses associated gas already being produced with oil from the Liza developments, Longtail could mark a new phase in which gas itself becomes a principal development objective. The prospective market is also expanding. Government says the existing 12-inch Wales pipeline can transport up to 120 million cubic feet per day and is expected eventually to support 600 MW of power generation, alongside fertiliser, datacentre and other developments. A second, considerably larger pipeline is planned for Berbice, where petrochemicals, Natural Gas Liquids, power generation and other industrial activities are being considered. Guyana is therefore moving from the question of whether it can use gas towards a more difficult one: which uses create the greatest and most sustainable national value? Gas demand is
not simply a volume Different users create different kinds of value and make different demands on the gas system. A fertiliser plant uses gas primarily as feedstock; a power station burns it as fuel; p e t r o c h e m i c a l developments may create pathways into further manufacturing; while a data centre primarily consumes electricity rather than gas itself. A million cubic feet committed to one use is no longer available for another. Some industries create substantial employment or domestic supply chains; others are highly capitalintensive. Some substitute imports or earn foreign exchange, while others consume large gas volumes but employ relatively few people. Reliability requirements also differ, and a large fertiliser or petrochemical facility may depend on predictable feedstock for twenty or thirty years. The policy question should therefore not be simply how much gas an investor wants, but what Guyana receives in return for committing part of a finite resource and the infrastructure required to deliver it. Revenue matters, but so do electricity cost, employment, foreign exchange, import substitution, domesticcompany and supply-chain development, technological capability and opportunities for further downstream activity. Gas allocation is therefore development p o l i c y, n o t m e r e l y a commercial contracting exercise. - Trinidad's lesson is both success and warning Trinidad and Tobago's experience is useful here, although Guyana should not reproduce the T&T model mechanically. Natural gas supported electricity generation and became feedstock for ammonia, fertiliser and methanol; it helped underpin steel and other manufacturing; and ports, industrial estates,
pipelines and supporting infrastructure developed around the gas economy. Local engineering, construction and operating capabilities expanded, while firms entered supply chains and later carried expertise into other countries. LNG eventually became another major outlet.
The significance was not simply the industries selected, but the attempt to extract several forms of national value from the same resource. Trinidad also provides the warning: industries built around expectations of abundant gas become vulnerable when the upstream resource can no
longer sustain accumulated demand. Falling production then appears not merely as reduced upstream revenue, but as curtailed factories, i d l e c a p a c i t y, w e a k e r exports, employment pressure and underused infrastructure. Guyana's lesson is
therefore not to be timid about industrialisation, but to keep industrial ambition grounded in a credible and continuously updated understanding of the resource base. The objective should not be to consume as much gas as possible, but to maximise sustainable (Continued on page 43)
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Sunday October 04, 2026
No apology but King Charles will not shy away from slavery issue during Caribbean tour, Buckingham Palace says LONDON, Oct 2 (Reuters) King Charles will not shy away from Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade when he tours the Caribbean later this month, but will not formally apologise for "the darkest days of our past", Buckingham Palace said on Friday. Charles and his wife Queen Camilla will visit the Bahamas and Guyana, before heading to
Antigua and Barbuda where he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which is being held from 1st-4th November this year. The trip comes amid growing clamour from Caribbean and African nations for Britain and other colonial powers to pay reparations for their involvement in slavery, with the issue likely to be prominent at CHOGM.
The British government has ruled out paying any reparations though Charles, who remains the head of state of a number of Caribbean nations including both the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda, has previously expressed his sorrow about slavery. As such, both reparations and apologies were a matter for the government, a palace
spokesperson said. "There are important discussions taking place in various fora about colonial legacy and the intergenerational impact of the transatlantic trade in enslaved persons," the Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, adding the visit was coming at an important time in the relationship between (Continued on page 47)
King Charles
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
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TGA eyes direct Georgetown-Cayenne flights after Guyana-France air deal Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) is preparing to launch direct flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, French Guiana, following the signing of a new Guyana-France Air Services Agreement that replaces a bilateral framework dating back to 1976. The modernised agreement was signed in Georgetown on 30 th September by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar and France's Ambassador to Guyana, Olivier Plançon. According to TGA, the agreement has opened a new commercial opportunity for the local private-sector airline, which has been designated by Guyana to operate scheduled passenger and cargo services between Guyana and French Guiana. TGA said it has already begun the administrative and regulatory preparations required to launch the service and intends to operate at least two weekly nonstop flights between Georgetown and Cayenne, subject to the necessary approvals. The airline said the approximately one-hour-and-15minute flight would dramatically reduce the travel time between the two destinations, with existing surface connections sometimes taking as long as 24 hours. Beyond reducing travel time,
TGA said the new air link could strengthen tourism, business travel, investment and trade between Guyana and French Guiana and improve movement of people and goods across the Guiana Shield. The airline also pointed to potential onward connections through carriers operating from French Guiana, including Air France, which could provide Guyanese travellers with greater access to the French Caribbean, Europe and other international markets. TGA said the agreement also establishes opportunities for airline cooperation, including codesharing and other commercial marketing arrangements. The agreement was signed during the recently concluded ICAO/EASA 3rd Global RSOO/RAIO Forum for Aviation Safety, which Guyana hosted. TGA said the development demonstrates how international aviation diplomacy and government policy can translate into tangible opportunities for local businesses and the wider economy. The airline commended the Government and Minister Indar for creating what it described as an enabling environment for Guyanese private enterprise to expand internationally.
TGA said it now looks forward to transforming the agreement into an operating “air bridge” between Georgetown and Cayenne, bringing Guyana and French Guiana closer and opening new opportunities for travellers and businesses. Last week at the signing of the agreement the Guyana Civil Av i a t i o n A u t h o r i t y s a i d t h e renegotiation process began at the technical level during the International Civil Aviation Negotiation (ICAN) conference in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in 2025, and culminated in the finalised agreement in July 2026. “This progressive agreement introduces comprehensive and contemporary provisions covering a range of areas, including the granting of operational rights, airline designations and authorisations, application of laws and regulations, commercial opportunities, cooperative marketing, tariffs, aviation safety and security, user charges, and environmental considerations,” the Aviation Authority said. It also noted that the renewed partnership underscores the shared vision of Guyana and France to advance mutual connectivity, economic development, and people-to-people ties through
Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar and Olivier Boulnois, Director for Air Services – France. modern, secure, and sustainable air transport links. Moreover, Director General of t h e G u y a n a C i v i l Av i a t i o n Authority – Lt. Col. (ret'd) Egbert Field, A.A. signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Olivier Boulnois, Director for Air Services – France. The MoU accompanies the new Air Services Agreement, paving the way for airlines to benefit from the provisions immediately. N o t a b l y, w h i l e t h e r e a r e currently no direct flights between Guyana and France, the renewed agreement paves the way for airlines to access new markets, enhance competitive air transport services, and stimulate increased trade and economic growth
between the two countries. Key dignitaries witnessing the signing included senior officials from the Directorate General for Civil Aviation, France—Jean-Yves Pieri, Deputy Director; Louis Montassier, Expert – Bilateral Air Services Agreements; and Loic Lespagnol, Traffic Rights Manager, Air France-KLM. Guyana's delegation featured the Parliamentary Secretary – Ms. Thandi McAlister; the Deputy Director General of the GCAA – Dr. Saheed Sulaman; and the Director General for the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation – Mr. Alfonso De Armas. Guyana and France established diplomatic relations on 22nd June, 1967.
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Sunday October 04, 2026
Ram: If court is the only language NIS understands, then court it will be Christopher Ram and union leaders
...says pensioners' complaints triggered legal action against NIS Attorney-at-law Christopher Ram says repeated complaints from pensioners prompted him to initiate the legal challenge against the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), warning that the matter will be taken to the High Court if the Scheme fails to provide an acceptable response. Ram, commenting on the move by himself and several trade unions to demand compliance with the statutory minimum pension and payment of arrears, said he decided to act after hearing complaints from pensioners while he was in the United States. “Responding to repeated complaints from pensioners while I was in the USA, I decided to act on the minimum pension which this Administration has violated for six years,” Ram said. Following his return to Guyana, Ram said he invited the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and its affiliates to join the initiative, with 10 unions eventually responding. On 1st October, the group wrote the National Insurance Board demanding compliance with the statutory minimum pension and payment of arrears allegedly owed since 2021. Ram said the group has given the Board until next Friday, 9th October, to respond before High Court proceedings are filed. However, he said he does not expect the NIS to provide a satisfactory response. “We do not expect one,” Ram said, citing what he described as his experience with the Scheme when dealing with disputed benefits.“In my experience, the NIS Administration's answer on disputed benefits is not only no, but never,” he said. Ram pointed to another recent matter in which he wrote the NIS on 28th September seeking payment for one claimant and temporary relief for another. According to Ram, the NIS Corporate Secretary responded the same day, advising him to take the matter to court. “It was probably the first time in the Scheme's almost sixty years that it answered a letter on the day it was received,” Ram said.He criticised that response, arguing that the NIS should not be treating pensioners and other beneficiaries in such a manner.“That is not how a social security institution should treat the people it exists to serve,” he said. “If court is the only language the NIS understands, then court it will be,” Ram added. Ram said the proposed case is based on three principal grounds—the wording of the relevant regulation, what he described as a legitimate expectation created by the NIS's past practice of linking the minimum pension to the Public Service minimum wage, and the principle established in the Teemal case that acquired pension rights cannot subsequently be taken away. Meanwhile, Ram expressed disappointment that several major unions have not joined the initiative. He specifically named the Guyana Public Service Union, headed by Patrick Yarde, the Guyana Teachers' Union and the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union. He said the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, NAACIE and the Guyana Labour Union, headed by Carvill Duncan, have also not communicated any interest since the initiative was announced.“I have stood with these unions on the Picket Line from time to time, most recently the Guyana Teachers Union,” Ram said. He questioned the decision by those unions not to participate, particularly since many of their members could eventually depend on the minimum NIS pension. “That these unions would not join an initiative for their own members, many of whom retire on the minimum pension, raises questions about whose interest they serve,” Ram said. Ram also disclosed that, based on what he described as conservative assumptions, pension arrears for the period 2021 to 2025 could exceed $5 billion, before interest. “The true figure is likely far higher, and only the NIS knows it,” he said.The dispute centres on the statutory minimum pension and whether successive increases in the Public Service minimum wage should have resulted in corresponding increases in the NIS minimum pension.The unions and Ram have given the NIS seven days to state its position and, if it disputes liability, provide the precise legal basis for its position. Failure to provide a satisfactory response could result in legal proceedings being filed on 9th October.
Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur News
The
PAGE 17
Alliah Simon makes history as Region Four's first queen in
Khadesia Walker
25 years of Miss Amerindian Heritage pageant
Alliah Simon made history as first delegate from Region Four to cop the crown the 25-year history of the Miss Amerindian Heritage pageant.
Guyana secures top three placements at
Miss India Worldwide 2026
Guyana's Miss Grand International 2026
is bringing much more than beauty to the global stage
History makers: From left: Miss Teen India Worldwide 2nd Runner up, st Janvi Mohanlall, Miss India Worldwide 1 Runner Up, st Janvi Mohanlall and Mrs India Worldwide 1 Runner Up
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Sunday October 04, 2026
Netu Lal This week's featured beauty is the founder of Beyond the Lens, and dedicated mental health advocate, Netu Lal. Our featured belle resides in Toronto, where she holds the titles of Miss Toronto 2026, and Miss Eco International Canada. Netu is a former Miss Teen India Guyana 2023. She partners with organizations celebrating West Indian culture and advancing women's advocacy and is the recipient of the Women's Achievements Award in Mental Health and The Next Generation Leader Award in Youth and Creative Innovation.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
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The People’s Wars, Caribbean Bills By Sir Ronald Sanders The Caribbean did not start, or participate in, the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, nor the other continuing conflicts in the Middle East. Yet millions of Caribbean people are paying a price for them every day. They pay it at petrol stations, in electricity bills, at supermarkets and through the public finances of governments trying to shield their populations from costs over which they have little control. Most CARICOM countries have depended on imported petroleum products for decades. Their governments understand the consequences when international prices rise. They also know how limited their capacity is to absorb them. But the effects differ within the Caribbean Community. For most members, higher petroleum prices drain foreign exchange, increase inflation and strain government finances. However, for Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, higher prices are also increasing energy export earnings and public revenues. Nonetheless, people in both countries also face rising food, freight and other costs. UN Trade and Development, UNCTAD, reported that the initial Middle East shock sent oil prices surging by more than 60 per cent and natural gas prices more than doubling in a matter of days. UNCTAD subsequently reported that Caribbean households continued to experience higher fuel and electricity costs even as international oil prices eased. This is because a fall in the international price does not immediately reverse costs already working their way through shipping, distribution and retail systems. Oil enters the price of almost everything. Higher energy and freight costs increase the price of food, medicine, construction materials and the operation of businesses. Governments face understandable pressure to reduce fuel taxes, subsidise electricity or provide other relief. But each intervention costs money. Countries carrying high debt and facing expensive borrowing cannot indefinitely absorb increases
generated abroad. The injustice is plain. Small Caribbean states do not determine the military decisions that produce these shocks. Yet their people bear part of the bill. The Community should now examine how its own resources and trading relationships can reduce that burden. Guyana’s Government projects approximately US$5.97 billion from the sale of its share of oil production and a further US$508 million in royalties in its 2026 Mid-Year Report, substantially above the original Budget estimates. Those resources belong to the Guyanese people. After generations of hardship and outward migration, they are entitled to better infrastructure, education, health care and living standards. No one should begrudge that entitlement. Trinidad and Tobago also receives revenue relief from higher energy prices, while bearing the cost of imported refined fuel and measures to protect consumers. Production constraints and higher fuel-import costs, however, limit the benefit. A n i m p o r t a n t consideration in all this is that CARICOM countries are customers for the goods that both economies produce. Trinidad and Tobago’s provisional official figures record approximately US$864 million in exports to CARICOM excluding mineral fuels in 2024, accounting for almost twothirds of its total merchandise exports to the Community. Guyana also has an established interest in Caribbean markets, particularly for its agricultural products. Those markets matter to its farmers and businesses and to its ambition to diversify beyond petroleum. But when households in CARICOM countries must spend more on electricity and transport, they have less to spend on other goods. When businesses face higher operating costs, their capacity to purchase and invest is weakened. These pressures threaten demand for goods from Guyana and Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o . Helping neighbouring economies withstand the shock therefore serves the commercial interests of regional suppliers. For Guyana, there is also a diplomatic and security
interest. Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region makes sustained CARICOM solidarity particularly important. Its interim President, Delcy Rodríguez, has expressly stated that Venezuela will not recognise the International Court of Justice’s eventual ruling, despite participating in the proceedings. Guyana pursued judicial settlement after the UN Secretary-General selected the Court as the means of resolving the controversy under the 1966 Geneva Agreement. CARICOM’s s u p p o r t f o r G u y a n a ’s territorial integrity and that process must remain firm in conduct as well as declarations. Every small Caribbean state has an interest in upholding international law and resisting territorial claims pursued through pressure or threats. The support of CARICOM countries for Guyana rests on these principles. However, closer economic cooperation would give that solidarity additional practical strength. Guyana has sound reasons to help its neighbours through this crisis. A Community whose members see their prosperity and security as closely connected will have stronger interests in standing together. What, then, can be done? Regional fuel trade already exists. Trinidad and Tobago’s storage, trading and distribution operations supply CARICOM markets, despite the closure of the Petrotrin refinery. Guyana exports crude internationally but still imports refined petroleum products. Its Government is considering refinery and storage developments that could eventually serve the wider Community. Crude oil offshore is not usable fuel at a Caribbean power station or petrol pump. Connecting production to regional needs requires commercially viable refining, storage, shipping and distribution arrangements. CARICOM should assess collectively how existing supply relationships can be strengthened, storage expanded and emergency arrangements coordinated. It should examine whether collective purchasing or carefully designed longerterm contracts could improve bargaining power
and supply reliability. Such arrangements cannot remove exposure to international prices, which respond to supply, demand and market expectations. Their costs and benefits should nevertheless be assessed, with financing proposals, a timetable and clear responsibility for implementation. Any arrangements must respect existing contractual obligations and provide measurable benefits to suppliers and consumers. Renewable energy must remain central to this effort. The region has sunshine, wind, water and geothermal resources, alongside G u y a n a ’s e x p a n d i n g petroleum production, Trinidad and Tobago’s energy expertise and Suriname’s offshore prospects. Financing, geography, small markets and the high cost of capital have constrained their
development. The present crisis should strengthen the determination to overcome those constraints. Oil and gas can support energy security during the transition. Every unit of renewable electricity that displaces imported fossil fuel, and every improvement in energy efficiency, reduces exposure to the next price shock. But these measures will take time. Governments facing immediate pressure on essential services and development spending also need access to affordable financing. Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago should consider a programme of loans on concessional terms to their CARICOM neighbours, within their means and with clear safeguards. Such financing should help stabilise economies, protect
Sir Ronald Sanders essential social services and sustain investment in development. The question is whether countries with the capacity to help are willing to do so before economic hardship deepens. For Guyana and Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , helping their neighbours would protect markets for their exports and strengthen regional relationships that serve their own prosperity and security. Now is the time to act. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also Chancellor of the University of Guyana. The views expressed are his own)
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Towards a better life with your psychologist...
ADHD: “Here’s how I Know You Have ADHD” - Part 1 When schools refer students to my clinic for behavioural and academic challenges, eight of ten times after assessment and diagnosis, the child has ADHD. That’s when parents (especially mothers) in their 30’s and 40s also discover they too have ADHD. “You bright, but you careless.” “Why you can’t sit still?” “You always forget something!” In Caribbean homes, classrooms and workplaces, these statements can attach shame to difficulties care. Individuals with ADHD, intelligence is always above average. A t t e n t i o n deficit/hyperactivity d i s o r d e r i s a neurodevelopmental Disorder involving persistent, impairing difficulties with attention regulation, hyperactivityimpulsivity. It affects planning, organization; time management and task completion. There are three clinical presentations, which can change over time. There is no cure. Only 5% of children grow out of ADHD the rest live on with it. ADHD symptoms need to be present before age 12. Ninety percent of children with ADHD acquire it from one of their parents. The other 10% from premature birth, problematic pregnancy, or significant stress environment surrounding early after birth. Predominantly Inattentive Symptoms: Those under age 16 need 6 of the nine symptoms while those above age 17 need 5. 1. Overlooking details or making avoidable errors: Missing questions on an examination or entering incorrect information despite understanding the task. 2. Struggling to sustain attention: Losing focus during lessons, conversations, reading or lengthy assignments. 3. Appearing not to listen when addressed directly: Seeming mentally elsewhere, even without an obvious distraction. 4. Failing to follow through: Starting instructions, chores or work duties but becoming sidetracked and leaving them incomplete. 5. Having difficulty organizing: Struggling with task sequences, belongings,
time management and deadlines. 6. Avoiding or resisting sustained mental effort: Repeatedly postponing lengthy reading, reports, homework or paperwork. 7. Losing necessary belongings: Misplacing schoolbooks, tools, keys, glasses, phones or documents. 8. Becoming easily distracted: Having attention pulled away by surrounding activity or, especially in adults, unrelated thoughts. 9. Forgetting everyday responsibilities: Missing appointments, errands, bill payments or promised tasks. Poor time management. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Symptoms: Those under age 16 needs 6 of the nine symptoms while those above age 17 needs 5. 1. Fidgeting or squirming: Repeatedly moving hands, feet or the body while seated. 2. Leaving the seat unexpectedly: Getting up when remaining seated is expected. 3. Running or climbing in unsuitable situations: In adolescents and adults, this appears mainly as pronounced restlessness. 4. Struggling with quiet leisure: Finding it difficult to play or participate in recreational activities quietly. 5. Being constantly active: Having difficulty remaining still for extended periods, as though compelled to keep moving. 6. Talking excessively: Speaking substantially more than the situation requires. 7. Answering prematurely: Responding before a question is completed or finishing another person’s sentences. 8. Having difficulty waiting: Struggling to wait a turn in conversation, games or queues. 9. Interrupting or intruding: Entering others’ conversations, cutting off others in mid conversation, or activities, taking over tasks, or using belongings without permission. COMBINED PRESENTATION PERSONS MEET ALL TWO OF THE THRESHOLDS ADHD in Males Boys are more often recognized because
hyperactivity and impulsivity attract attention. A boy might leave his seat, interrupt lessons, lose homework or act before thinking. Adults call him “hard ears,” although his difficulties require more careful understanding. Quiet, inattentive boys can also be overlooked. During adolescence, increasing academic demands expose difficulties with planning and deadlines. In adulthood, obvious running and climbing may become internal restlessness, impatience, constant activity or difficulty relaxing. Forgetfulness, unfinished tasks and impulsive decisions may affect employment, finances and relationships. ADHD in Females Girls may be overlooked when their difficulties appear as daydreaming, disorganization or quiet overwhelm. Some compensate through perfectionism, compliance and extensive preparation. Others are visibly hyperactive or impulsive. A girl, who managed through parental reminders, would struggle when university employment, household responsibilities or parenting demand more independent organization. A capable woman may privately feel she is constantly catching up. Anxiety or depression may receive attention while longstanding ADHD remains unrecognized. Some women experience worsening concentration, irritability and emotional regulation before menstruation, sometimes continuing into their period. Hormonal fluctuations contribute, while pain and disrupted sleep add difficulties. Perimenopause and menopause: women also report worsening forgetfulness and overwhelm during this transition. Hormonal changes; sleep disruption and mood symptoms interact with existing ADHD. Co-occurring conditions Comorbidity means having more than one condition. ADHD coexists with the following conditions. A person can have 2 or these conditions while other can have all of their conditions. Autism spectrum
disorder: Developmental differences in social communication alongside restricted or repetitive behaviours, interests or sensory patterns. Both conditions can involve executive-function and social difficulties, but autism and ADHD require separate diagnostic consideration. About 40% of individuals with ADHD also have autism. Specific learning disorders: persistent difficulties in reading, written expression or mathematics, often described as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. ADHD disrupt learning through inattention; a learning disorder involves additional, specific academic skill difficulties. Both may coexist. About 46% of individuals with ADHD also have autism Oppositional defiant disorder: A persistent pattern of angry or irritable
mood, argumentative or defiant behaviour, or vindictiveness. It By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, occurs more MSc. Postgrad, BSc. frequently alongside Clinical and Developmental ADHD. About 60% Psychologist - Psychoanalyst of individuals with Unwrapping Gift -Clinic ADHD also have Oppositional Defiant mood and/or loss of interest, Disorder Conduct disorder: A often with changes in energy, repeated pattern of violating sleep and concentration. others’ rights or major rules, Depression can coexist with including aggression, theft ADHD and needs its own or property destruction. It assessment. About 53% of can coexist with ADHD; individuals with ADHD also ordinary impulsiveness have depression Bipolar disorder: alone does not establish it. About 39% of individuals Distinct episodes of mania or with ADHD also have hypomania, often alongside depression. Distractibility, Conduct Disorder Anxiety disorders: rapid speech and impulsivity Excessive fear or worry that overlap with ADHD. Episodic changes in interferes with life. Anxiety can cause restlessness and m o o d a n d e n e r g y , p o o r c o n c e n t r a t i o n , particularly reduced need for resembling or intensifying sleep, help distinguish ADHD. About 50% of b i p o l a r i l l n e s s f r o m individuals with ADHD also l o n g s t a n d i n g A D H D patterns. About 60% of struggle with anxiety Depressive disorders: individuals with ADHD also Persistent low or irritable have bipolar disorder
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Sunday October 04, 2026
Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…
By Dr. Karen Abrams, MBA, AA On Monday, October 5, the Guyana Development Bank is scheduled to begin operations. The Finance Minister signed the commencement order on September 16, and Government says US20 billion and half of the bank’s authorised capital, will be injected at start-up. Eligible entrepreneurs will be able to access loans of up to G$3 million at zero interest and without collateral, supported by mentorship, training and technical assistance. I welcomed this bank when I wrote about it in August, and I welcome it again today. Guyana needs a financial institution prepared to take chances on entrepreneurs whom commercial banks may consider too small, too new or insufficiently collateralised. But admiration for the idea should not replace scrutiny of the institution. A bank handling billions of dollars in public
The Guyana Development Bank Opens Monday. Where is the rulebook? resources should be able to answer basic questions about how decisions will be made. Start with governance. Government has announced the bank, its capitalisation, lending model and October 5 launch. Yet in the official announcements I reviewed, I could not find the names of the chairman, board or chief executive. A development bank is a fiduciary institution. Guyanese should know who is responsible for its decisions and what qualifications and conflict-of-interest safeguards govern those appointments. Then there is the rulebook. Government has provided some information about eligibility. Applicants have been encouraged to prepare business plans, identification and business registration documents and to satisfy GRA and NIS
requirements. More recently, Government announced that applications will be possible through a mobile app and community desks at participating commercial banks, including arrangements intended to reach hinterland and riverine communities. Those are encouraging steps. But prospective borrowers also need to know precisely how applications will be assessed, what documentation is required, how long decisions should take, how competing applications will be prioritised and what appeal or review process exists when someone is rejected. Transparency becomes particularly important because this may become one of the largest mechanisms through which subsidised business finance is distributed in Guyana. That brings me to the data. For years I have asked a simple question: who benefits from public programmes? We should know whether Development Bank financing is reaching women, young people, persons with disabilities, Indigenous communities, rural entrepreneurs and Guyanese across every region. The bank should therefore publish quarterly aggregate data showing
Consider poultry. Suppose new producers receive zero-interest financing in an area already adequately supplied, while established farmers continue servicing commercial loans or have invested years of personal savings. More competition may improve efficiency and lower prices for consumers, which is desirable. But if additional production exceeds what households, retailers, processors or export markets can absorb, subsidised businesses could displace otherwise viable producers without creating a larger market. That would increase the number of borrowers without necessarily creating lasting development. This is why the bank’s proposed cluster model should begin with credible market analysis. How much demand exists? Who already supplies it? Where will additional production be sold? Will existing producers have opportunities to participate? Public finance should help correct market failures, build productive capacity and open markets that private finance has neglected. It should be careful not to create new distortions. The greater opportunity may lie in filling genuine gaps: agro-processing that replaces imports, riverine transportation, manufacturing, tourism, technology,
US$100 million, zero-interest loans and a launch in 24 hours. The idea is promising. Now Guyanese need to see the rules by which the money will be distributed. applications, approvals, rejections, loan values and processing times by region, sector and appropriate demographic categories, with privacy protections where numbers are small. It should eventually report repayment rates, business survival, jobs created and how many borrowers graduate from subsidised lending into ordinary commercial financing. That is how we distinguish money distributed from development achieved. The hinterland will provide an early test. Government says the bank is deliberately designed to serve rural, riverine and hinterland communities, using a mobile application, commercial-bank desks and local facilitators to help residents transform ideas into loan-ready proposals. Good. Now we should ask what access looks like in practice. Can someone with unreliable internet complete the process? How far must residents travel for assistance? What happens to an entrepreneur who has a viable idea but little experience preparing a business plan? Encouragement is not the same as access. With careful planning, however, this bank has an opportunity to narrow a financing gap that has existed for generations. There is another question that deserves equal attention; where should this subsidised money go? Guyana has many shallow markets. Injecting cheap capital into them without sufficient market analysis can create unintended consequences.
agricultural value chains and services demanded by Guyana’s rapidly changing economy. Government has already identified several of these sectors as priorities for Development Bank financing. None of these questions diminish what is promising about the institution. The insistence that these are loans rather than grants encourages repayment and financial discipline. Mentorship and business-plan assistance acknowledge that entrepreneurs sometimes need knowledge as much as they need money. The proposed pathway allowing eligible SMEs to access additional preferential commercial financing could eventually help borrowers graduate into the conventional banking system. A well-run development bank could become one of Guyana’s most important tools for widening economic participation. But a bank is ultimately its rules, not its capital. Publish the leadership. Publish clear lending criteria. Make the application process easy to find and understand. Establish strong conflict-of-interest protections. Measure who receives the financing and, more importantly, what happens to those businesses afterward. US$100 million gives the Guyana Development Bank considerable capacity to change lives. From Monday forward, Guyanese should be able to measure whether it does.
Sunday Monday October May04, 02,2026 2022
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Alliah Simon
makes history as Region Four's first queen in 25 years of Miss Amerindian Heritage pageant
Alliah Simon made history as first delegate from Region Four to cop the crown the 25-year history of the Miss Amerindian Heritage pageant. For the first time in the 25-year history of the Miss Amerindian Heritage pageant, the coveted crown was captured by Region Four delegate Alliah Simon. Simon, a native of St. Cuthbert's Mission/Pakuri was crowned Miss Amerindian Heritage at the National Cultural Centre, on Wednesday, marking an incredibly proud moment for those involved. The crowning moment encapsulated beauty, confidence, culture and heritage represented by each of ten delegates in the competition. Along with Simon the 1st Runner-Up prize went to Mariella Courtman Alliah Simon stunned during the evening gown competition
of Region Two, Tracey Winters of Region Nine copped 2nd Runner-Up , 3rd RunnerUp: Laura Carvalho of Region 8 and 4th Runner-Up: Venezia Adrain of Region Five.
The queen and her court. Miss Amerindian Hertiage 2026, Alliah Simon is surrounded by the runner up contestants of the pageant
This year's heritage queen is a biologist and a public relations / project management coordinator pursuing an MSc in Project Management. She is also a co-founder for the University of Guyana Indigenous Students Society. In a congratulatory message to its cofounder, the Society said “Alliah has made us incredibly proud as she takes on this new title Alliah Simon delivered a passionate performance during her talent piece
and platform. Her dedication to Indigenous representation, leadership and advocacy continues to inspire us all, and we are so happy to celebrate this well deserved achievement with her.” “From being one of the driving forces behind UGISS to now representing Indigenous heritage on an even bigger platform, we are excited to see all that this new journey brings,” the society added. The St. Cuthbert's Mission/Pakuri Village Council joined in celebrating the win, In a Facebook post, the council announced that the entire community in celebrating a historic achievement. In a message a new day dawns, “Our very own Alliah Simon has been crowned Miss Amerindian Heritage Queen 2026, marking a significant moment for our community and one that will be proudly remembered in our history.”
The council noted that the achievement is a source of immense pride for her family, our village and the wider Indigenous community. Alliah's accomplishment represents the dedication, confidence, cultural pride and determination of a young woman who has carried the name of Pakuri with distinction. The Village Council extended its heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Queen Alliah on her outstanding achievement. “As a community, we look forward to welcoming our Queen home and celebrating this historic occasion together.” In other messages online, Simon was praised for her discipline, humility, resilience and willingness to learn. “Wear your crown with dignity, honour your heritage. And always remember the young woman who worked tirelessly behind that crown. Now go forth and make your reign count,” one supporter urged.
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BANGKOK, THAILAND —Miss Guyana Grand International 2026 is bringing much more than beauty to the global stage. Khadesia Mary Walker, Miss Grand Guyana 2026, is currently in Thailand competing for the international crown, backed by a résumé spanning entrepreneurship, economics, sales and marketing, acting, modeling, advocacy, public speaking and international pageantry. As the competition enters its most important stage, Walker will face the Closed-Door Interview on October 4, followed by the National Costume and Preliminary Competition on October 7, and the Grand Final on October 10. For Walker, these final events are an
Khadesia Walker founded fashion business Keke Mary Styles and created #ImAGirlBOSS
Khadesia Walker during the Miss Grand International 2026 Welcome Ceremony
Miss Grand Guyana 2026, Khadesia Mary Walker
Guyana's Miss Grand International 2026 is bringing much more than beauty to the global stage
Sunday October 04, 2026
opportunity to demonstrate why she believes she embodies Miss Grand International's celebrated 4 B's — Body, Beauty, Brain and Business. A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Walker has successfully combined education with entrepreneurship. She founded fashion business Keke Mary Styles and created #ImAGirlBOSS, an empowerment initiative designed to help girls develop confidence, leadership, ambition and self-belief. Her professional experience includes fashion, styling, sales, marketing and social media, with Walker having generated more than US$150,000 in fashion sales — experience
especially relevant to the business-driven Miss Grand International organization. But business is only one dimension of the Guyanese-American titleholder. Walker is also a trained actress and model, having studied at Barbizon Modeling and Acting School and completed Acting for TV and Film training with Next Stop NY. Her entertainment background has helped develop the communication skills, camera presence and adaptability required of a modern international titleholder. Her pageant résumé is equally extensive. Before earning the Miss Grand Guyana crown, Walker was named Second Runner-Up at (Continued on page 34)
Sunday 2202 ,October 20 yaM y04, adn2026 oM
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026 GAC's EMZOOM &EMKOO models in the background
An Aion Model with a plush Burgundy finish
Thanks to HSM Motors…
W
i t h t h e evolution of futuristic vehicle models especially premium EVs (Electric Vehicles) HSM Motors has teamed with GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd.) to commence a new era for Guyana's automotive industry.
The new ear kicked off on Friday evening when HSM Motors officially launched GAC Motor and AION Electric Vehicles in Guyana at the Pegasus Hotel and Corporate Suites, Georgetown. Scores turned-up to view and even test drive a line of vehicles with a futuristic look and advanced
GAC makes debut in Guyana with six futuristic vehicle models and Caribbean's best warranty t echnology satisfying the taste vehicle lovers and car fanatics. Speaking with The Waterfalls prior to the launch CEO of HSM Motors,
Mikhail Hosein said, “So GAC is actually a combination of three different brands you have GAC you have AION and you have HYPTEC”. According to the CEO, his company unveiled six different models in Guyana. “We gonna have under GAC, the EMZOOM, which is very sporty, we are gonna have the EMKOO” Hosein said while adding that for its EV Models launched in Guyana are the AION UT, AION D and the AION ES.
further explained Hosein are powered by full gasoline motors. These six models of vehicles also come with one of the best warranty offers in the Caribbean. “We are offering eight years and 160,000 kilometers bumper to bumper warranties on our Gasoline powered models and our EVs are eight years and 200,000 kilometers bumper to bumper warranties”, Hosein said before adding, “you can
Hosein added. He posited too, “The Fact that GAC has a lineage since 2004 “, it brings an experience level of durability to its vehicles that other brands do not have. For customers interested in being part of this futuristic experience, Hosein noted that they can visit his c o m p a n y ' s o ff i c e a n d showroom at the corner of Red Road and Heroes Highway to choose a model that suits their respective tastes.
HSM motors Located at the corner of Red Road and Heroes Highway, East Bank Demerara (EBD)
The sixth model is a premium EV model and is none other than a HYPTEC flagship model. “The HYPTEC looks very much futuristic and it comes with “gull wings door”, so the door opens sideways and up; it is definitely gonna be one of the best cars, it is premium luxury”, Hosein explained. He continued “The AION UT is for economical every day drivers and the AION D is a little bit more premium a large SUV and its fully electric, The Aion ES is a sedan, if yuh looking for a fully electric sedan” The GAC EMZOOM and EMKOO models,
resell this car in 5 years and the customer that buying the car will also have warranty” Apart the best Warranty in the Caribbean, Hosein pointed out that his company is bringing one of the top Chinese brands (GAC) to Guyana. He said, “They are ranked on the Global fortune 500 company, they are ranked at 252” “It is a very very powerful company, GAC manufactures all Toyota and Honda in China. They are known as the Toyota and Honda Manufacturer, so GAC is bringing that quality and durability here in Guyana with this launch”,
“At HSM we have partnered with all of the banks here in Guyana Republic Bank GBTI, Demerara Bank, so financing is easily available for all customers” he revealed. HSM motors will also help customers with registering their vehicles in a seamless process which will see them driving on the road in three days after purchase. For more information GAC representatives can be reached at: Address: Corner Red Road & Heroes Highway. Phone: 632-1068 E m a i l : guyanagac@gmail.com.
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Sunday October 04, 2026
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GNBS encourages the use of grading standards for agriculture produce as sector responds to demand A delicious-looking fruit may catch the eye, but when it comes to selling agricultural produce, appearance is only part of the p i c t u r e . S i z e , c o l o u r, maturity, freshness, quality and even how the produce is packed can determine where it goes, how much it is worth and whether it meets the expectations of the buyer. For Guyana’s farmers looking to supply local consumers or venture into regional and international markets, grading based on established requirements is crucial, it is an important step towards building a competitive agricultural sector. As Guyana joins in the observance of Agriculture Month under the theme “Innovate, Nourish, Grow: Building a Strong and Sustainable Guyana,” attention is again being
placed on the importance of agriculture to the country’s development. For the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), this also provides an opportunity to highlight how the implementation of National Standards can help farmers, retailers, exporters and other stakeholders desirous of improving the quality and marketability of agricultural produce. Among the National Standards available through the GNBS are standards for the grading of fresh fruits, vegetables and ground provisions. These standards provide requirements and specifications that allow agricultural produce to be identified and categorised according to characteristics s u c h a s s i z e , c o l o u r, freshness, maturity and other quality attributes. For example, GYS
74:2022 – Specification for Grade of Fresh Agricultural Produce – Bananas establishes the minimum requirements for fresh dessert bananas and covers characteristics including shape, colour, defects, size, odour and other abnormalities. The standard was adopted from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). In fact, in the interest of harmonising standards across the region, most of these standards have been adopted fromthis Regional Standards Body. At first glance, grading may appear to be simply a matter of separating larger fruits from smaller ones. However, a grading standard establishes a more consistent basis for determining the
quality and characteristics of a particular commodity. This consistency is important because it creates a common understanding between the farmer, buyer, retailer and consumer. For a farmer, grading can help to organise produce according to quality and intended market. This allows buyers to make purchasing decisions based on clearly defined characteristics and gives producers a clearer basis for presenting their produce to the market. GNBSrecognises that grading standards can clearly communicate specifications, assist in determining prices and help
ensure that quality produce is delivered to customers. They can also help businesses better manage their grading processes and meet customer expectations. Grading standards are also available for produce such as limes, pineapples, pumpkin, watermelons, cucumbers, fresh ginger, hot peppers, cabbage, green plantains, sweet oranges, eddoes, grapefruits and other agricultural produce. Alongside grading standards, GNBS also has standards and codes of practice addressing other agriculture-related aspects s u c h a s f o o d s a f e t y, packaging, transportation,
labelling, hygiene and sanitation. As Guyana seeks to expand its agricultural production and develop greater opportunities for local and regional trade, a firm approach would be to follow the guidelines of available National Standards. These requirements can support a more consistent journey of produce from farms to consumers. For more information on agriculture and other standards, contact the GNBS at 219-0064/66, via WhatsApp at 692-4627 (GNBS), or email info@gnbsgy.org.
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Week-In-Review SUNDAY ExxonMobil pushes back against calls for ringfencing new oil projects …says current structure maximizes value for the country
ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge After almost six years of producing oil, Guyana is now finally enjoying a greater share of profits from the Stabroek Block as the investments made by ExxonMobil have been recovered. The company is however chasing approval from government for an additional two projects that could again cause Guyana’s profits to slide from the current 39.8% to just 12.5% if the Government of Guyana (GoG) fails to ring-fence these upcoming developments. Ring-fencing the projects would prevent Exxon from using profits that should flow into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) or Guyana’s oil account to finance the developments. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/09/27/exxonmobil -pushes-back-against-callsfor-ring-fencing-new-oilprojects/ All overpayments recovered or cleared by contractors, Auditor General reveals Public sector contractors have fully repaid or cleared all state overpayments identified in previous audit cycles, Auditor General Deodat Sharma revealed on Friday as he submitted his 22nd annual report on the nation’s public accounts to Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir. The disclosure comes as the Audit Office moves
toward real-time auditing of state disbursements, including public assistance cash grants and pension payments, to catch financial irregularities as they occur rather than relying solely on post-payment reviews. “In terms of the overpayment for the past couple of years, if you notice, all overpayments have been recovered or the contractors have done their work,” Sharma said during a media conference following the formal presentation to Speaker Nadir, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs, and members of the Public Accounts Committee. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/09/27/alloverpayments-recovered-orcleared-by-contractorsauditor-general-reveals/ MONDAY MV Barima tragedy still weighs heavily – Pres. Ali …says govt. moving to overhaul safety, infrastructure standards
President Irfaan Ali President Irfaan Ali said the MV Barima tragedy continues to weigh heavily on him, with the loss leaving him with sleepless nights, while his government moves to use the lessons from the tragedy to strengthen safety, infrastructure, leadership and accountability. Speaking during an interview on Sunday, the head of state described the recurring pain and sleepless nights that have followed the tragedy, stressing that leadership requires standing firm through every circumstance. He said the country must move forward without forgetting those who were lost, while ensuring that the tragedy leads to changes in the systems and standards designed to protect citizens. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline
.com/2026/09/28/mvtragedy-still-weighsheavily-pres-ali/ NIS cash flow looks healthy, but pensioners still waiting — Ram questions administration, actuarial warnings and $10B allocation
Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson
Nathan Craig, 81, still awaits his NIS pension. The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) may have recorded a positive cash flow during the first half of 2026, but questions about its longt e r m s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, administration and treatment of contributors remain unresolved, according to Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram. Ram, in his latest column, “2026 Mid-Year Report: Beyond the NIS Numbers,” noted that NIS collected approximately $24.5 billion during the first six months of the year while spending $21.9 billion. But while the figures show a positive cash flow, Ram argues that they tell little about the financial health of a social-insurance scheme whose obligations stretch decades into the future. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/09/28/nis-cashflow-looks-healthy-butpensioners-still-waiting/
has ordered him to process and determine three information requests made by Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram. Justice Nicola Pierre, in a 38-page ruling delivered on Monday, found that the Commissioner received three valid requests from Ram in March 2025 but failed to determine them within the time prescribed by law. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/09/29/court-rulesramson-breached-access-toinformation-law/
2202Sunday ,42 rebm October evoN ya04, dsr2026 uhT
The dead men were identified as, as 54-year-old Ronaldo Scalon and 50year-old Rogerio Tolotti. Severely injured is the driver of the minibus which operates the Georgetown Lethem Route, Delon Greaves. A video has surfaced of the wreck showing public spirited persons assisting Greaves out of the mangled minibus. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/09/29/twobrazilians-killed-othersinjured-in-smash-up-onlinden-mabura-highway/ WEDNESDAY Unrest in Vigilance… villagers set truck ablaze as cops arrest wanted man’s family over missing Surinamese men
boarding a boat bound for Guyana. While initial police searches and interviews reportedly yielded no direct leads on their whereabouts, Kaieteur News received information that the men arrived safely in Guyana and entered a black stationwagon-type taxi. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/09/30/unrest-invigilance-villagers-settruck-ablaze-as-cops-arrestwanted-mans-family-overmissing-surinamese-men/ Exxon pushes 4th oil project to 270,000 barrels per day Originally designed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), the Yellowtail project, Guyana’s
Fire lit by residents in Vigilance, East Coast Demerara.
Two Brazilians killed; others injured in smashup on Linden–Mabura Highway
Dead, Rogerio Tolotti
TUESDAY Court rules Ramson breached Access to Information law …commissioner deemed to have refused three information requests …given 60 days to determine them
Dead, Ronaldo Scalon
The High Court has ruled that Commis s ioner of Information Charles Ramson Sr. failed to comply with his statutory obligations under the Access to Information Act 2011 and
Two Brazilian men were killed on Saturday after a pick-up they were travelling in slammed head-on into a minibus along the Mabura Highway.
Unrest erupted in Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, on Tuesday evening, days after the arrest of the wife and brother of US-sanctioned Mark Cromwell, who has been named in an investigation into the disappearance of two Surinamese nationals who vanished after entering Guyana. The missing men have been identified as 28-yearold Van Dalen Lorenzo and 29-year-old Derryl Danillo. According to a missing person’s report issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the two were last seen on August 28 exiting a w h i t e To y o t a Vi t z i n Clarasluis (Clara Sluice), Nickerie, Suriname, before
fourth deepwater development is now producing approximately 270,000 barrels daily. This is according to data published on the Ministry of Natural Resources website which was last updated in July. The website, intended to provide Guyanese with oversight on “daily production” figures is often updated at least two months after the end of a month. For instance, the ministry has not yet made data available for the month of August even though September is nearing its end. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.c om/2026/09/30/exxonpushes-4th-oil-project-to270000-barrels-per-day/
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
THURSDAY Chinese boy, 6 chopped to death at Parika …male Chinese national arrested
Dead 6-year-old, Ifeng Cao A six-year-old Chinese boy was chopped to death at Parika, East Bank Essequibo We d n e s d a y a f t e r n o o n , police have confirmed. Dead is Ifeng Cao. In a statement police said the incident occurred Wednesday afternoon. Initial enquiries revealed that at about 15:45hrs, the child sustained a chop wound to his neck during an incident involving a male Chinese national. The child was taken to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. The male Chinese national was subsequently arrested and is presently in Police custody. Investigations are ongoing. “Further information will be provided as it becomes available,” police said in a statement. Mothers cling to hope as search for missing Surinamese men enters fifth week
As the Suriname Major Crime Department joins the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to probe the disappearance of two men their mothers are clinging to the hope that they will be found alive and safe. The Surinamese men, 28-year-old Van Dalen Lorenzo and 29-year-old Derryl Danillo were last seen on 28th August- one month ago. According to a missing person’s report issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the two were last seen on 28th August exiting a white Toyota Vitz in Clarasluis (Clara Sluice), Nickerie, Suriname, before boarding a boat bound for Guyana. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline .com/2026/10/01/motherscling-to-hope-as-searchfor-missing-surinamesemen-enters-fifth-week/ FRIDAY Chinese businessman confesses to killing boy, 6, over US$3M dispute with parents A 76-year-old Chinese businessman Quan Sheng Li has reportedly confessed to killing a six-year-old boy on Wednesday at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) over a US$ 3 million debt owes by the child’s parents. The killer reportedly owns his own business in the United States of America (USA). However, Coa’s father and his uncle convinced him to invest with them in Guyana promising great returns on his investment. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline
Mothers of the missing Surnamese men hope they are found alive and safe.
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ExxonMobil is currently producing oil at the Liza Two project through the Unity FPSO.
.com/2026/10/02/chinesebusinessman-confesses-tokilling-boy-6-over-us3mdispute-with-parents/ Guyana’s oil reserves drop below 11B barrels – Exxon says …as company continues to spend on exploration, appraisal Guyana’s oil reserves have dropped below the 11 billion barrel estimate, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) reported this week. The company in a production report highlighted the unprecedented development in Guyana, moving from a
“world-class” discovery just over a decade ago, to first oil only five years later which has evolved into one of the fastest deepwater development timelines in the industry. Exxon is currently producing oil at four Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) in the Stabroek Block. Since 2019, Exxon has already produced one billion barrels of oil. To this end, the company indicated that the country’s oil reserves have decreased to less than 11 billion barrels. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline .com/2026/10/02/guyanasoil-reserves-drop-below-
11b-barrels-exxon-says/ SATURDAY U.S. steps up pressure on China as firms battle for Guyana’s mega projects ...says American firms offer reliable delivery as Guyana awaits GTE project The United States is aggressively upping its campaign against China in the Western hemisphere as the country increases its presence through specialised infrastructure and energy projects in the region, offering competitive prices compared to American firms. This has caught the attention of Assistant Secretary of State for the We s t e r n H e m i s p h e r e Affairs, Juan Pablo Segura who made a recent post on social media warning against the use of “state-owned companies” compared with American firms. “Certain foreign investments in our hemisphere can come with a hidden price tag. Lower upfront costs mask higher lifecycle expenses and longterm risk. The United States offers something better,” he wrote. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline .com/2026/10/03/u-s-stepsup-pressure-on-china-asfirms-battle-for-guyanasmega-projects/ ExxonMobil goes deeper at Liza Two as hunt for more oil continues
ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) this week announced that it will be exploring for more oil at the Liza Two site where the company already struck hydrocarbons that is
Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere Affairs, Juan Pablo Segura currently being produced. The Liza Two project is producing about 255,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). Exxon received regulatory approval to commence production in April 2019 by the Government of Guyana (GoG). In a notice published by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Exxon revealed that it will continue exploration drilling operations at the Liza Two project within the Stabroek B l o c k o f G u y a n a ’s Exclusive Economic Zone. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline .com/2026/10/03/exxonmo bil-goes-deeper-at-lizatwo-as-hunt-for-more-oilcontinues/
Kaieteur News
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g tin ... s ere res Int eatu Cr
Sunday October 04, 2026
Magnificent frigatebird (FREGATA MAGNIFICENS)
The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean located about 600 miles (1,000 km) west of mainland Ecuador are home to remarkable wildlife, including the oddlooking blue-footed booby. There, you’ll also see tortoises, iguanas, sharks and sealions living alongside the magnificent ones. Magnificent frigatebirds also nest in Florida, the Caribbean, on the Pacific coast of Mexico and South America, including Ecuador. The tiny island of Barbuda hosts one of the largest and most accessible colonies. Unfairly sitting in the shadows of the booby, the magnificent frigatebird is a striking pterodactyl-like seabird decked out in red. The male has a large crimson throat sac that it inflates to attract a mate, accompanied by a clacking sound it produces with its beak. Magnificent frigatebirds have a wingspan measuring up to five metres across, allowing them to fly long distances over sustained
The magnificent frigatebird is a striking pterodactyl-like seabird decked out in red.
Adult males are entirely black and can be seen with a red gular patch during the breeding season. periods. The Magnificent Frigatebird is rightfully named due to both appearance and behavior. With a wingspan of 7 to 8 feet and a profoundly forked tail used to steer, they can be seen effortlessly soaring above the open water of tropical oceans with a very seldom flap of their wings. Adult males are entirely
black and can be seen with a red gular patch during the breeding season. Females and juveniles have more contrasting coloration as both have a white breast patch. Juveniles also have a white head as well as a light brown wingbar. Magnificent Frigatebirds primarily forage for fish found within an inch or so of the ocean’s surface. Some of
their personal favorites include flying fish, tuna, and squid. From time to time, Frigatebirds have been known to pirate fish and other sea life from fellow birds by tormenting them until the unlucky seabird
regurgitates their meal. The Magnificent Frigatebird will then delicately swoop down, catching this regurgitation before it hits the water. During the breeding season, Magnificent Frigatebirds will take a break from their near constant flight to breed in dense colonies on offshore islands, coastal areas, and warm pelagic waters. Females build their nests in mangroves, in the upper canopy of deciduous
trees, or in shrubs using sticks and twigs brought to her by the males. For the most part, Magnificent Frigatebirds are relatively common. However populations have been declining in recent years. This is primarily due to coastal development of breeding habitat. In some areas, primarily in the Caribbean, this species has even been listed as “nearthreatened.”
Guyana’s Miss Grand International 2026 is... From page 28 Miss Universe Guyana 2025. She was previously a Top 20 finalist at Miss World America and Top 10 in Beauty with a Purpose, First Runner-Up at Miss Connecticut for America Strong, and earned Top 10 and Top 15 placements at Miss Connecticut USA. She has also held the titles of Miss New Haven USA and Miss West Haven USA. Those experiences taught Walker that a crown requires more than performing well on finals night. It requires resilience, communication, marketability, discipline and the ability to turn visibility into impact. That philosophy is reflected in #ImAGirlBOSS, through which she empowers young women to recognize their value and become confident leaders. More than 75 #ImAGirlBOSS workbooks have been sponsored for students through New Haven Public Schools, while Walker has used workshops, public speaking and storytelling to expand its message. Her empowerment work has also been recognized by her alma mater, Penn State University. Now, Walker hopes to bring that
same combination of purpose, education, entertainment experience and commercial ability to Miss Grand International. Her Brain is backed by an Economics degree. Her Business credentials are demonstrated through entrepreneurship and proven sales performance. Her Body and Beauty reflect the discipline, confidence and presentation demanded of an international queen. Most importantly, Walker believes those qualities have prepared her not simply to win Miss Grand International, but to work as Miss Grand International. Representing Guyana also carries deep personal meaning. Her connection to the country comes through her grandfather, a proud Guyanese whose journey to the United States helped establish opportunities for generations of his family while maintaining their connection to Guyana. Today, his granddaughter carries the Golden Arrowhead on one of pageantry’s largest international stages. As October 10 approaches, Walker is calling on Guyanese at home and across the diaspora to rally behind their representative.
Sunday Thursday October November 04, 2026 24, 2022
Kaieteur News
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TRIBUTE TO TRINIDAD’S TITAN OF CALYPSO,
w o r r a p S y t h g i The M
bestowed on him early in his career by older calypsonians who disdained his perpetual motion onstage, but he embraced it — the Mighty Sparrow was built more like a mountain than a bird, with a capacious voice that could glide effortlessly from a deep, velvety baritone to a shimmering falsetto. Well into old age, he handily managed the jumps and gyrations that in 1985 had moved Jon Pareles of The New York Times to call him “a hipshaker nonpareil.” He toured vigorously until Calypso singer Mighty Sparrow. nearly the end of his life, The performer, born Slinger Francisco, filling the world’s largest has died aged 91 after a brief illness. arenas before returning home either to Trinidad or to the Jamaica section of Queens, where had long spent part of each year. In New York, he performed over the years at Madison New York Times —He was sometimes Square Garden, the Brooklyn Academy of described as the last of the true calypso singers. Music, Symphony Space and the downtown But in fact he simultaneously preserved club S.O.B.’s. He performed at Joe’s Pub in the calypso tradition and invented it anew. Public Theater in July 2019, a few days before The Mighty Sparrow, known for more his 84th birthday, and at Damrosch Park in than 60 years as the king of calypso, who almost single-handedly gave the music of his Lincoln Center in August 2021, a few days Trinidadian homeland an electrifying after his 86th. Sparrow in 2020 performing at international appeal, died on Sunday in the Apollo Theater in Harlem, for Harry Belafonte’s 93rd birthday celebration. Queens. He was 91. He made dozens of recordings, including The death, at a hospital, was announced “Hot and Sweet,” “Dancing Shoes” and by his daughter Karen Francisco. “King of the World.” Several of his albums A singer, songwriter and guitarist, have been reissued by Smithsonian Sparrow — his given name was Slinger Folkways. Francisco — was renowned for his sonorous Calypso, the most emblematic music of voice, unremitting energy and extraordinary the English-speaking Caribbean, was born command of the verbal prestidigitation and centuries ago among the African slaves sly double-entendre that are among the forced to work on colonial plantations there. hallmarks of calypso lyrics. Sparrow, who began his career in the mid- The calypso song became a potent form of 1950s, was sometimes described as the last of social commentary — an amiable, buoyantly the true calypso singers. But in fact he was a syncopated number with a sting in its tail. “It was used to make fun of the masters, to Janus-headed figure, simultaneously preserving calypso tradition and inventing it relieve oppression and bring the news of the anew. As the 20th century gave way to the day,” Sparrow told The Times in 1992. “It 21st, he continued to dazzle audiences with finally emerged as the mouthpiece for the witty, topical lyrics and arrangements that underprivileged.” Sparrow deployed calypso to recount the defied listeners not to dance. history, struggles and dreams of people in his In 2005, The Daily News of New York homeland, in the Caribbean diaspora and far called him “the Frank Sinatra of Trinidad.” beyond. But in the estimation of many, the Mighty In 1990, he sang at Yankee Stadium Sparrow was so mighty that he exceeded before a visiting Nelson Mandela, recently even Sinatran proportions. He was an eight-time winner of the released from prison. The performance Carnival Road March competition, Trinidad i n c l u d e d o n e o f h i s b e s t - k n o w n and Tobago’s venerable musical contest, and compositions, “Slave.” In one version (in the was named Calypso Monarch (as the winner time-honored tradition of oral bards, Sparrow of the islands’ annual competition for the best varied his lyrics from one rendition to the next) the song goes: composition is known) eight times. I’m a slave from a land so far His legions of admirers included Gen. I was caught and I was brought here from Colin L. Powell, the former United States Africa. secretary of state and a child of parents from Well, it was licks like fire the West Indies, who once called him the From de white slave master. “Mount Olympus of Calypso.” Everyday I down on knees, They also included Bob Dylan, who, Weeks and weeks before we crossed the discussing his musical heroes in the liner notes to his 1985 boxed set “Biograph,” said, seas To reaching the West Indies. “As far as concept and intelligence and Few subjects are off limits in calypso, and warring with words, Mighty Sparrow was and probably still is king.” He added, “His Sparrow appeared to take on all of them: love shows are like prize fights and he always and marriage and their discontents; sex, a topic to which the genre alludes in a wry, comes out on top.” thinly veiled code; and, most notably, Known to his fans as Birdie — his politics, in particular colonialism and its professional name, meant to be derisory, was
legacy. Sparrow’s compositions were often musical editorials. One song, “Barack the Magnificent,” constituted his endorsement in the 2008 United States presidential race. Another, “Don’t Touch Meh President,” composed during the Bill ClintonMonica Lewinsky scandal, The Mighty Sparrow performs at the Melkweg on ran: 12 December 1989 in Amsterdam, Netherlands All politicians hot to trot The only thing is Bill get caught. pan, jamming iron,” he sang in one selfLet we talk ’bout education, working referential number, “Soca Man.” “Now at my conditions age, try and understand/I am not a soca man.” Let we talk ’bout issues like this. Slinger Francisco was born on July 9, Sparrow lampooned more than he 1935, in Grand Roy, a fishing village in lionized. In his immensely popular number Grenada. When he was a baby, he moved with “Phillip, My Dear,” which equates empire his family to Trinidad, the cradle of calypso: with impotence, he imagines Queen his father, a carpenter, had found work there. Elizabeth II regaling her husband with the As a boy, he sang in his church choir; by the tale of an unplanned encounter: time he was a teenager he had fallen under There was a man in my bedroom wearing calypso’s spell. your shoe, Sparrow had his first international hit in Trying on the royal costume, dipping in 1956 with “Jean and Dinah,” a mordant the royal perfume original song about the fate of Trinidad’s I telling you true. prostitutes after American military bases There was a man in my bedroom closed there. Among the other artists who Anxious for a rendezvous performed it were Mr. Belafonte and the film And I thought it was you. star Robert Mitchum, who included it on the It was not only the lyrics that Sparrow calypso album he recorded in 1957. made new. To the gentle, lilting sonic His other well-known songs include the tradition popularized by Harry Belafonte at lighthearted and thoroughly ribald “Saltfish” midcentury, he took a jazzier, more hard- and the bitterly ironic “Congo Man.” That driving approach. number, which was sometimes criticized for “In the earliest days, right after World War its seeming misogyny, satirizes white women II, calypso was just the one guy with a guitar who seek casual sex with local men while singing songs with the simplest construction,” vacationing in Africa. Sparrow told The Toronto Star in 1988. “I got Sparrow’s many laurels include a lifetime bored with that style, and looking around to see achievement award in 2013 from the what I could do to make my songs stand out consulate general of the Republic of Trinidad more, I started hearing records by Lord and Tobago in New York and the Order of the Kitchener, who was working in England and Caribbean, the region’s highest honor, in had started adding horn lines to some of his 2001. He was a past grand marshal of the songs. So I thought, I’ll try that, and I liked that Caribbean Day parade, the West Indian sound from the first time I tried it.” carnival held each Labor Day in Brooklyn. The new, brassy sound let Sparrow Sparrow lived in Jamaica, Queens. incorporate elements of swing, bebop and, Complete information about his survivors later, reggae. In later years he even borrowed was not immediately available. from soca, a less political amalgam of soul Despite his long tenure in the United and calypso — hence the name — popular States, the Mighty Sparrow remained deeply with young audiences in the 1970s and ’80s. rooted in Trinidad. Sparrow performed soca reluctantly In January 2011, a local newspaper, The (“The young people seem to appreciate soca Trinidad Express, reported on his arrival in more for the dance halls than to be the capital, Port of Spain, after time abroad. enlightened,” he once said), but in the end he Sparrow, then 75, was so pleased to be back had the last laugh: that he sang and danced his way through the “I am the king of Calypsonians, beating airport.
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Sunday October 04, 2026
The Creek That Whispered
Colourful Tassel Ghosts How to Make Step 1: Start cutting out the hat using the template and a ghost face from the black felt.
The tiny brass clock had pointed Emily and Jack toward the creek. Now, they had to discover why. The next afternoon, Emily placed the clock on the treehouse table beside the lantern, silver bell, star badge, and round mirror. “So this little thing really pointed to the creek?” Jack asked. Emily nodded. “Straight at it.” They followed the path through Whisper Woods until they reached the creek. Everything seemed normal until they heard it. Whissh. Whissh. Whissh. Jack stopped. “That is definitely whispering.” Emily listened carefully. “It's a sound. We just have to find out what's making it.” They followed the noise to a bend where the creek split around several smooth rocks. Emily brushed moss from a flat stone and revealed a carved acorn with tiny waves underneath. “The old club's mark,” Jack said. They searched the bank for a hidden box or note, but found only a bottle cap, a twig, and an annoyed frog. Emily sat back. “We're looking for the wrong thing.” Jack frowned. “Then what are we supposed to find?” Emily pointed at the water. “The mystery is in the creek.”A red leaf floated into the slow side of the creek and stopped against a pile of wet leaves. Emily looked closer. “The channel is blocked.” Leaves, mud, and sticks were jammed between the stones. Water squeezed through a tiny gap, creating the whispering sound. “So the creek isn't whispering,” Jack said. “It's hissing through the clog.” “Exactly.” The blockage was too tight to remove by hand, and the stones were slippery. Emily suddenly remembered the lantern. “It showed us the safest path before. It might help again.” They returned to the treehouse, grabbed it, and hurried back. The lantern revealed the safest stones along the bank. Using a long branch, Emily loosened the leaves while Jack pulled out the sticks. “Twist it first,” Emily told him. Jack
twisted and pulled. Slurp! The clog broke apart. Water rushed through the channel, sending the red leaf boat spinning downstream. The whispering stopped. Jack smiled. “Much better.” Emily looked at the acorn stone. “The old club marked this place so someone would notice when the water was blocked.” Jack nodded. “So the clues aren't leading to treasure.” “They're leading us to ways to help Whisper Woods.” Suddenly, Jack pointed downstream. “Emily. Look!” A small wooden boat drifted toward them. Emily picked it up. Painted neatly on the side were two names: Emily and Jack. Neither spoke. Inside the boat was a smooth pebble marked with the acorn symbol and a strip of blue-green ribbon. Emily turned the pebble over. A new symbol was carved into the back—a circle surrounded by tiny ripples. “A pond?” Jack guessed. “Maybe.” Then Jack noticed something else. Near the back of the boat was another acorn symbol. Beneath it were three tiny letters: S.T.C. “ S e c r e t Tr e e h o u s e C l u b , ” E m i l y whispered. Jack looked toward the woods. “You think somebody is still using it?” Emily stared at the boat. The blue paint looked fresh. The old treehouse was real. The clues were real. But maybe not all of them were old. A breeze moved through the trees, and the silver bell on Emily's backpack gave a tiny ting. Jack pointed to the ripple symbol. “The pond can wait.” Emily nodded. They had a bigger question now. Not where the next clue was, but who had left it. Emily tucked the boat and pebble safely into her backpack. Tomorrow, they would search for the pond. Tonight, though, one question stayed in her mind: Somewhere in Whisper Woods…was there another member of the club? Or had there been all along?
My Friends by Uncle Roy The best people I know besides my family Are the friends that make me feel so good; They are the children who help me out, And keep me as happy as I could. My friends and I like to be together, Whether in school, work or play: I feel that these special people Are what makes my life okay. My father is glad I have such nice friends, He often lets me bring them along, But he says I should be careful That they do not make me do wrong. When we try to keep each other happy, And help one another to always do right, Then I know we would always be friends, And never have to quarrel and fight.
Step 2: Glue the hat together making sure to sandwich in a short loop of black wool as a hanger. Decorate with star sequins. Step 3: Using the long your desired thickness. Step 4: Thread through a short piece of coloured wool on one end of the wrapped cardboard and tie a tight
side of the cardboard rectangle, wrap the coloured wool around until you get
double knot. Step 5: Trim the other end of the tassel, then tie another short piece of wool round the top of the tassel to create the head. Step 6: To finish glue
the face onto the head of your tassel ghost then glue the hat onto the top.
Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 37
TEEN TIME
Fulfil your personal responsibility for developing your Sense of Belonging As we promised last week, we will discuss the last steps towards this allimportant Sense that will help to ensure that you move forward with the confidence that you are accepted in all the environments in which you will be living and working. Firstly, you need to search for and make use of opportunities for social interaction. This may partly be taken care of when you are carrying out your obligations towards an organisation, but you need to purposely make the time for strengthening the social relationships among your peers, keeping this within the bounds of proper conduct, and in an atmosphere of appreciation
God in His wisdom made a friend, Someone on whom we can always depend, A loyal friend who'll understand, And always lend a helping hand. He felt we'd need somebody who Could comfort us when we just feel blue, Whose special warmth and happy smile Would make us feel that life's worthwhile, Someone with whom we can take a walk, Or share a joke or have a talk, Who'd chat for hours on the phone, Or sense our need to be alone. In short, God made a friend to be Someone we're always glad to see; There's little else that God can send That means as much as one true friend.
for each individual. This would certainly need your effort to be sociable and accepting of others, so as to be accepted yourself. In this effort towards being acce pte d,
you will need to develop supportive behaviour in your own dealings with others. While competition is useful in getting the best out of us, if we are not in the top section of our group, we can be easily discouraged.
W h a t caters for everyone is cooperative behaviour, which makes us willingly contribute to the common goals of our group and make ourselves available to be of service to others. This helps to develop our character by instilling a sense of social responsibility in contrast to only looking out for oneself. By taking the steps to
help others to belong, we get the satisfaction which comes from being unselfish, and this serves to maintain this sense of belonging which is necessary for our personal development into a mature adult. This can be made much easier for all concerned if we approach all our interactions with an attitude of affection for our fellow human beings.
The effort towards getting others to feel worthy and acceptable will result in making you develop the same feelings.
BENDS Each row and column contains one of each kind of V shape (eight different orientations). Vs should not form straight lines by touching other Vs. There is a unique solution.
Solutions to last week’s FUTOSHIKI
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
Rick Ross Is Arrested on Battery Charges after Ex-Girlfriend Reports Abuse New York Times —The rapper, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, is accused of attacking a woman who was his girlfriend at the time at their home on Aug. 28, the authorities said. The rapper Rick Ross was arrested in Miami on Thursday on domestic violence charges, including battery by strangulation, according to court records. Mr. Ross, whose legal name is William Leonard Roberts, surrendered himself voluntarily on Thursday morning and entered a not guilty plea. He was released on $5,000 bail. In addition to battery by strangulation, a felony, he also faces a misdemeanor battery charge. The arrest stemmed from an episode on Aug. 28, when Mr. Ross’s girlfriend at the time, who is identified only as “JK” in charging documents, told the police that he woke her up “enraged” because she had been tagged in a photograph on Instagram and proceeded to
slap her in the face. The violence continued throughout that morning, according to the documents. Mr. Ross, 50, accused her of being in a relationship with someone else, and struck her every time she denied the allegations, including several times on the chest. He then choked her “to the point that she could not breathe” by grabbing the collar of her hooded sweatshirt “and twisting it,” according to the charging document. Mr. Ross also grabbed her ponytail and slammed her against a wall before hitting her in the face, causing her lip to bleed, she told the police. After Mr. Ross pushed her to the floor and attempted to spray her with water from a shower head, the woman was able to escape the house, the documents said. She called a friend to come pick her up but the friend was “turned away” by Mr. Ross. The woman waited for Mr.
Ross to leave the house, then gathered her belongings and left. The two had been living together for about year before the reported episode, according to court documents. While the victim is not fully identified in the police report, People magazine reported that Jazzma Kendrick, a model and content creator, posted photographs on Instagram over the weekend that showed injuries that she said were caused by Mr. Ross, including a swollen lip. A caption with the images read, “the day Rick busted my lip and the day I left.” “He saw a punching a bag,” she wrote. People reported that the couple had been together since at least August 2025. An arraignment hearing was scheduled for Oct. 22. A lawyer listed for Mr. Ross did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday. Ms. Kendrick also could not be immediately reached.
Mr. Ross, known for hits like “Hustlin” and “Money in the Grave,” a collaboration with Drake, was charged in 2015 with kidnapping, aggravated battery and aggravated assault after two of his employees accused Mr. Ross and a bodyguard of pistol-whipping them at Mr. Ross’s estate in Fayetteville, Ga. Mr. Ross and the bodyguard reached a plea deal in 2017, pleading no contest to misdemeanor kidnapping and assault. They were sentenced to five years probation.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
PAGE PAGE 10 39
He started with just 5 Cents…
From humble beginnings to bringing a state-of-the-art American standard healthcare to Guyana A state of the art health facility, “Olmac Medical Hub”, is turning heads in Guyana with its affordable American standard healthcare services but did you know it was created from a remarkable journey that began with only 5¢. The “Olmac Medical Hub” located at 43 New Road Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD) opened its doors in May 2024 and since then has been “one of the talks of the town” as Guyana continues to develop its healthcare sector to top notch services and facilities. It has been leading the way when it comes to American Standard healthcare in Guyana, offering a number of services, such as urgent care, (emergency), Podiatry Care, Wound and Diabetic Foot care Centre, ultrasounds, X Ray's etc.
Olmac Medical Hub located at 43 New Road Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara
Dr. Phillip McPherson every few weeks, since returning to Guyana in 2022 to conduct medical outreaches and more recently to provide his medical services (Emergency medicine) at the Olmac Medical Hub since it opened its doors in 2024. Kaieteur News met him at one of those outreaches held at the Calvary Moravian Church, Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara and was later requested to tour the medical facility he founded at Vreed-enHoop. During the tour, we learnt of the remarkable journey and story behind Olmac Medical Hub.
Dialysis Centre at Olmac
Urgent Care Room
The Stroke Rehabilitation Centre
Vitals are checked in this room
Ultrasound services provided by Olmac The facility is also equipped with a State-of-the-art Dialysis Centre and Stroke Rehabilitation Centre-the only of its kind in Guyana. All this, however, is made possible by a vision that began with
The waiting room at Olmac Medical Hub 5¢ and later transformed into a multi-milliondollar facility with a sole purpose of providing the same standard of healthcare available in America right here in Guyana at very affordable costs.
The man behind that vision is Dr. Phillip McPherson who was born in the village of El Dorado on the West Coast of Berbice but prefers to say that he is from Belladrum, the village right next door.
Dr. McPherson specializes in Emergency medicine and was trained and boarded in the United States of America. He is still practicing in the USA at the Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center but travels home
It all started when McPherson migrated to USA in 1978 to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. He recalled arriving on December 30, in the cold winter at John F. Kenndy International (Continued on page 46)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 40
Sunday October 04, 2026
Guyana makes history at Miss India Worldwide 2026 with three top placements M
iss India Guyana Dharmini Meghoo, Mrs. India Guyana - Romona Singh and Miss Teen India Guyana - Janvi Mohanlall bring home major international titles and special awards from Trinidad & Tobago Guyana has once again made its mark on the international stage, securing an extraordinary three Top 3 placements at the recently concluded Miss, Mrs. & Teen India Worldwide 2026 pageant held in beautiful Twin Island Trinidad & Tobago. The Grand Coronation was held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the prestigious National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad, bringing together delegates from around the world for an evening celebrating beauty, culture, talent, confidence and excellence. The spectacular event marked the 33rd staging of Miss India Worldwide, the 9th staging of Mrs. India Worldwide and the 6th staging of Teen India Worldwide, making it a significant milestone in the
From left: Teen - Janvi Mohanlall, Miss Dharmini Meghoo and Mrs Romona Singh
history of the internationally recognized pageant. TRIPLE SUCCESS Representing Guyana were the reigning Miss, Mrs & Teen India Guyana 2026 queens, who delivered an exceptional performance and all secured places among the Top 3 finalists in their respective international competitions. Dharmini Meghoo, Miss
India Guyana 2026, captured the prestigious title of Miss India Worldwide 1st RunnerUp 2026, Romona Singh, Mrs. India Guyana 2026, was crowned Mrs. India Worldwide 1st Runner-Up 2026 while, Janvi Mohanlall, Miss Teen India Guyana 2026, secured the t i t l e o f Te e n I n d i a Worldwide 2nd Runner-Up
Miss Teen India Worldwide 2nd Runner-Up - Janvi Mohanlall
Mrs India Worldwide 1st Runner-Up- Romona Singh dressed in Guyana's Randy Madray
History makers: (from left) Miss Teen India Worldwide 2 Runner up, Janvi Mohanlall, Miss India Worldwide 1st Runner Up, Janvi Mohanlall and Mrs India Worldwide 1st Runner Up 2026. The results mark a remarkable achievement, with all three Guyanese
delegates finishing in the Top 3 of their respective international competitions. SPECIAL AWARDS
Miss India Worldwide 1st Runner-Up - Dharmini Meghoo dressed in Guyana's Randy Madray
The Guyanese delegation's success extended beyond the major titles, with two additional special awards being presented to the queens. Romona Singh received the Mrs. Catwalk Award, recognizing her elegance, confidence and commanding presence on the international runway. Janvi Mohanlall was awarded Teen Best Talent, highlighting her outstanding talent and performance during the competition. To g e t h e r, t h e s e achievements gave Guyana three major international placements and two special awards on one extraordinary night. TEAM EFFORT While the spotlight rightfully belongs to the three queens, the Miss, Mrs., Teen & Mr. India Guyana organization emphasized that these achievements were made possible through (Continued on page 46)
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
PAGE 41
Controversial U.S. company in running for Amaila hydro project ...was linked to massive corruption scandals in Brazil A U.S.-linked company with a controversial corporate history in Brazil is among the international firms seeking to secure a major energy contract in Guyana, raising questions about the Government's evaluation of bids for the long-awaited Amaila Falls hydropower project. The company, OEC USA, has submitted a joint proposal with U.S. energy giant GE Vernova and Australian engineering firm Worley for the project, which is expected to generate at least 165 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
investigations in recent history. Odebrecht's controversial history Odebrecht was a major Brazilian construction and engineering conglomerate that became deeply implicated in Brazil's Operation Car Wash (Lava Jato) investigation. The investigation uncovered a sophisticated system through which payments were allegedly made to secure contracts in several countries. In 2006, Odebrecht established what became known as the Division of Structured Operations
U.S. Ambassador Nicole D. Theriot with President Irfaan Ali.
The Government is currently reviewing five proposals from international firms for the project. Sources familiar with the process told Kaieteur News that the consortium has submitted the highest bid but is receiving significant support from the United States, with cheaper proposals from Chinese and Indian companies also under consideration. The United States Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has offered financing support for the project, potentially giving U.S. companies a significant advantage in the procurement process. The development has prompted renewed scrutiny of OEC USA because of its corporate links to the former Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht, which was at the centre of one of the largest international corruption
(DSO), an internal structure that prosecutors said was used to manage illicit payments. The company also operated an encrypted communications platform known as Drousys, which investigators said was used by employees and intermediaries involved in the payment system. According to U.S. authorities, between 2001 and 2016, Odebrecht paid approximately US$788 million in bribes and generated more than US$3 billion in illicit profits. In 2016, Odebrecht and its petrochemical affiliate Braskem reached a settlement with authorities in the United States, Brazil and Switzerland involving approximately US$3.6 billion in penalties. The U.S. Department of Justice said the companies had made improper
payments in several countries in order to obtain public works and infrastructure contracts. OEC and the corporate restructuring Odebrecht subsequently underwent significant corporate restructuring and rebranding, with the company now operating under the OEC name in several markets. The company has also faced substantial financial challenges. Fitch Ratings downgraded OEC to a 'CC' rating in 2024, citing a high
probability of default. The rating agency highlighted negative consolidated shareholders' equity of approximately BRL16.6 billion. The company has also been undergoing a major financial restructuring in Brazil. OEC's financial circumstances have attracted further attention following proceedings in the United States involving its North American assets. At the same time, the company's independent monitorship under the U.S.
Department of Justice, imposed following its earlier enforcement case, ended in May 2020, allowing the company to resume operations without that specific monitoring arrangement. OEC's growing presence in Guyana OEC is now seeking to expand its involvement in Guyana. Beyond its bid for the Amaila Falls project, the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown recently highlighted Citibank's announcement that it would
provide financing for OEC USA Inc.'s bid to construct the new Lethem Airport in Region Nine. The U.S. Ambassador described the financing arrangement as an important development for Guyana's integration into global financial markets. OEC's participation in the Amaila Falls procurement therefore places the company at the centre of another major Guyanese infrastructure initiative. The circumstances have (Continued on page 45)
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CANU finds uncustomed alcohol at rented Windsor Estates property A Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) operation at Windsor Estates on Saturday resulted in the discovery of a quantity of uncustomed alcohol and the arrest of three individuals. According to CANU, officers conducted a targeted contraband operation on 3rd October, 2026, at a property in Windsor Estates. The agency said no narcotics were found during the search. Three individuals were arrested at the scene and taken to CANU Headquarters for (Continued on page 45)
...three tenants arrested CANU ranks at the scene of the raid at Windsor Estates
Sunday October 04, 2026
UG set to graduate more than 3,700 students at 60th Convocation
Over 3,700 students are set to graduate from the University of Guyana this November More than 3,700 students are set to graduate from the University of Guyana (UG) this November as the institution prepares to stage its 60th Annual Graduation Ceremonies. The graduating cohort is among the largest in the university's history and will see students receiving degrees, diplomas and certificates across a wide range of disciplines, UG said in a press release on Saturday. Graduation ceremonies will begin at the Turkeyen Campus on 17th November and continue on 18th November, before moving to the Berbice Campus on 20th November. An additional graduation ceremony for students of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) Extra-Mural Programme is scheduled for 28th November. At Turkeyen, the first ceremony on 17th November, from 9:00 hrs to 11:30 hrs, will feature graduands from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation. The second ceremony that day, from 16:00 hrs to 18:30 hrs, will include the Faculty of Natural Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.On 18th November, the Faculty of Education and Humanities will graduate during the morning ceremony, scheduled from 9:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs. The afternoon ceremony, from 16:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs, will feature the Faculty of Social Sciences, IDCE, the Institute for Human Resiliency, Strategic Security and the Future, and the College of Behavioural Sciences and
Research.The University of Guyana Berbice Campus graduation will be held on 20th November from 15:00 hrs at the University Lawns, Tain Settlement. The four Turkeyen Campus ceremonies will be held at the Sattaur and Ameena Gafoor Multipurpose Auditorium, while the IDCE Extra-Mural Programme graduation will also be held at the auditorium. UG said the ceremonies will mark an important transition for the graduands as they enter the national, regional and international workforce.The university is also inviting the public to join in celebrating the achievement of the graduating students. The ceremonies will be streamed live on UG's Facebook page and through the UG Broadcasting Service. Prospective graduands have been urged to monitor their Student Records Management System (SRMS) accounts for graduationrelated information and updates. The 2026 graduation ceremonies come as UG marks its 60th convocation, while the institution itself continues to expand its contribution to Guyana's professional workforce. According to the university, it has produced more than 73,000 graduates during its 63-year history, with alumni serving at senior levels across Guyana and internationally in both the public and private sectors. The IDCE Extra-Mural Programme graduation is scheduled for 28th November at the Sattaur and Ameena Gafoor Multipurpose Auditorium.
Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur News
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What Should Guyana's Gas Actually... From page 11 national value from the gas available. Who sees the whole system? That leads to an institutional question which becomes more important with every additional project. The upstream authorities, including GGMC and MNR, concentrate on exploration, reservoirs and field development. The electricity sector focuses on generating capacity, reliability and tariffs; industrial policymakers seek investment and jobs; Finance considers expenditure and fiscal exposure; environmental agencies have their own responsibilities; and each private investor evaluates its own project. Every institution can perform its mandate competently and the national gas system can still become misaligned. Guyana therefore needs a continuing coordinating capability with access to the technical, commercial and economic information required to see the whole system, and the capacity to use it effectively. Capability means the knowledge, skills, judgement, experience and authority needed to make sound decisions. Capacity means having the organisational resources to apply that capability reliably and at the required pace: enough people and time, appropriate support staff, technology and data, and systems and procedures that turn individual expertise into repeatable institutional performance. Governments sometimes confuse the two. A ministry may employ excellent professionals and still lack capacity if the same small group is reviewing field development plans, negotiating agreements, assessing infrastructure and handling routine regulatory demands. Effective capacity also depends on standard operating procedures, quality-control and review processes, internal riskmanagement and escalation systems, and retaining institutional knowledge rather than relying on a few individuals. Nor does every surge in workload justify permanent recruitment. Some expertise must reside continuously within the State; other needs are episodic. A strong permanent core should be able to draw quickly on independent specialists and
consultants when workload or expertise requires it, much as multinational operators routinely supplement their own teams. At any point, somebody acting for the resource owner should know how much gas is available, how much is committed, what future supply is sufficiently assured to justify investment, how much pipeline capacity exists and how much prospective demand is contracted rather than merely proposed. The same institutional system must test what happens when reality departs from the plan. This requires more than an occasional inter-ministerial committee or a Gas Master Plan produced every few years; it requires enduring c a p a b i l i t y, s u ffi c i e n t operating capacity, reliable systems and flexible access to specialist expertise. As the number of projects and institutional interfaces grows, that coordinating capability will increasingly need to operate as an owner-side programme-management function, giving Government a continuous view across schedules, risks, commitments and dependencies rather than relying on each project or agency to manage only its own part. A gas master plan must be able to change Guyana needs more than a catalogue of proposed projects. It needs a living national gas-development programme connecting subsurface resource assurance, fielddevelopment schedules, pipeline capacity, electricity demand, industrial development, gas pricing, financing and national capability. Such a programme must be scenario-based. It should test what happens if associated gas remains necessary for reinjection longer than expected, if Longtail or another development produces more or less gas than forecast, if industrial projects proceed more slowly than planned, or if another discovery creates options that do not presently exist. The purpose is not to predict the future perfectly. It is to avoid making longlived infrastructure and contractual decisions as though only one future were possible. That matters before a second pipeline is committed, because Guyana is moving towards multiple sources of gas, competing users and infrastructure
decisions that will shape industrial development for decades. The question is therefore no longer simply whether another pipeline can be built to Berbice. It is whether it forms part of a coherent architecture in which the resource base, reservoir stewardship, power generation, industrial demand, pricing,
infrastructure investment and national value have been considered together. G u y a n a ' s o i l development has moved with remarkable speed, and gas development need not be made artificially slow. But speed and planning are not opposites. Good preparation allows a country to move quickly without repeatedly reopening
fundamental decisions after infrastructure and contracts have already fixed the available choices. The first pipeline asked whether Guyana could bring gas ashore. The next phase asks something more important: what does Guyana want the gas to do once it gets there, and who is responsible for keeping the whole system
aligned? Even with a good answer, another problem remains. Projects do not always arrive together, contracts distribute the consequences of delays, and governments may change direction after investments have been committed. That is where the next article begins: “When Gas Projects Fall Out of Step: Who Pays?”
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Sunday October 04, 2026
FAO urges Guyanese to support local farmers ...as Agriculture Month 2026 gets underway The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is urging Guyanese to support local farmers and fishers and encourage young people to view agriculture as a sector of innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunity, as the country observes Agriculture Month 2026. Under the theme, “Innovate, Nourish, Grow: Building a Strong and Sustainable Guyana,” this year's observance is highlighting the
transformation of Guyana's agrifood systems and the growing importance of t e c h n o l o g y, r e s e a r c h , mechanisation, precision agriculture and climatesmart practices. FAO Representative in Guyana, Dr. Gillian Smith, said Agriculture Month provides an opportunity to recognise the contribution of farmers, fishers, agroprocessors, agricultural institutions, communities, women, youth and other partners to the country's food
systems. “This is an important month for all of us. It provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the hard work and dedication of farmers, fishers, agroprocessors, agricultural institutions, organisations, communities, women, youth and partners across Guyana,” Smith said. She also highlighted what she described as Guyana's leadership and strategic vision in advancing sustainable agricultural
Shoppers at the Farmer's market im Sophia development across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region.
According to the FAO, agriculture extends beyond food production, playing a critical role in food security and nutrition, livelihoods, rural development, healthy communities and the sustainable management of natural resources. The organisation said farmers across Guyana are increasingly adopting innovation and new technologies to improve productivity, strengthen resilience and contribute to sustainable development. FAO said its work in Guyana is aligned with these priorities, including efforts to strengthen climate resilience, enhance agricultural value chains, promote digital innovation and support rural livelihoods. The organisation is also placing particular emphasis this year on the contribution of women to agriculture and the wider food system. FAO noted that 2026 has been designated the International Year of the Woman Farmer, providing an opportunity to recognise women working as farmers, fishers, processors, traders, beekeepers and rural entrepreneurs. “From production and fisheries to processing, marketing and trade, women continue to help feed families, create livelihoods, strengthen local economies and support national development,” the FAO said. The organisation is encouraging Guyanese to participate in Agriculture Month activities and become more aware of where their food comes from, while sharing agricultural knowledge and experiences. It is also calling on consumers to support local producers by buying from farmers and fishers. FAO said it remains committed to working with Guyana in developing sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems, while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. The organisation said the
FAO Representative in Guyana, Dr. Gillian Smith Agriculture Month theme reflects the broader objective of achieving “better production, better nutrition, better environment and a better life” for all. This version keeps the FAO attribution clear, gives the story a stronger localnews lead, and avoids making the release read like a straight institutional announcement. Last week the Ministry of Agriculture announced that they are introducing a weekly farmers' market at Sophia Market starting We d n e s d a y, g i v i n g consumers access to affordable produce while helping farmers earn more from their crops. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha announced the initiative at the launch of Agriculture Month 2026 being held under the theme “Innovate, Nourish, Grow. Building a sustainable Guyana”. He said the market would operate every Wednesday, alongside monthly farmers' markets in various regions. The initiative follows instructions from President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and commitments in the PPP/C's manifesto. “You are invited to go there, and you will have very cheap products,” the agriculture minister said. He said the markets will help address concerns that farmers were not receiving a fair return for the time and effort they invested in food production. “Farmers are early in the field, and late in the evening (Continued on page 46)
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
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Govt. still reviewing ExxonMobil's ...Longtail could become Guyana's 8th Stabroek project first gas-focused development The Government of Guyana (GoG) is still reviewing an application submitted by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) for its eighth deep water project in the Stabroek Block, Longtail. Once approved, Longtail will be the first gas-focused development in the Stabroek Block. In its Mid-Year Report, the Government explained that the Field Development Plan (FDP), submitted by the operator in March, is being vetted along with the application for a production licence. Exxon is anticipating approval of the development to commence operations at the project by 2030. The company has already secured Government approval for seven projects in the Stabroek Block. While awaiting approval for its eighth project, Exxon has also filed an application for its ninth deep water development. “The Haimara Project continues to be progressed as the proposed ninth venture in the Stabroek Block with the submission of the application for environmental authorisation and completion of public scoping meetings in the first half of the year,” the report states. Like Longtail, the Haimara development will be centred heavily around natural gas and condensate resources. It is also expected
to begin production in the early 2030s. Longtail Project documents reveal that Exxon plans to drill approximately 24 to 60 development wells, with drilling scheduled to begin in 2027 and potentially continuing through 2031 and beyond. The company said installation of subsea components is slated to commence in 2028, while installation of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), commissioning and start-up are planned between 2028 and 2031. Longtail is expected to have a field life of at least 30 years, according to the project schedule. Unlike previous developments focused primarily on oil, Longtail will focus on gas production. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), it will produce hydrocarbons from non-associated gas fields and potential proximal resources.The FPSO is being designed to produce 250,000 barrels of condensate per day (bpd), with a gas production capacity of 1,200 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/day). BlackRock Midstream describes condensate as extremely light oil. The FPSO is also being specially designed to accommodate future gas export capabilities. The EIA
Controversial U.S. company... From page 41 prompted questions about how the Government will balance financing arrangements, bid costs, technical capacity, financial strength and the historical record of companies competing for major public contracts. Lessons from the Lindsayca experience The concerns come as Guyana continues to grapple with delays surrounding the Wa l e s G a s - t o - E n e r g y project, where Lindsayca received a US$759 million contract with U.S. support. As previously reported by Kaieteur News, Lindsayca faced serious financial challenges when it secured the contract and has subsequently encountered difficulties completing the project. The Wales project has
experienced significant delays and cost increases, with the overall cost reportedly moving beyond the initial billion-dollar range. Guyana has also faced an arbitration dispute linked to delays on the project, reportedly resulting in an award of nearly US$100 million. The experience has intensified scrutiny of the Government's approach to selecting international contractors for major infrastructure projects. With Guyana preparing to make a decision on the Amaila Falls project, the Government will have to consider not only the financing available to it, but also the financial standing, technical capacity, corporate history and track record of each bidder.
explains that the vessel will separate recovered reservoir fluids into water and gas phases. The condensate will be treated to remove impurities, including sulphate and other salts, before being sent to storage tanks in the hull.The produced water will be treated to remove hydrocarbons before being discharged into the sea, while non-associated gas from the separation and treatment process will be compressed and dehydrated to provide fuel gas for the FPSO. The remaining gas will be returned to the
reservoir through reinjection wells. Haimara Meanwhile, Exxon filed an application for the Haimara development in May this year. According to the project s u m m a r y, t h e n i n t h deepwater development aims to develop the Haimara, Bluefin and Hatchetfish natural gas fields, along with other nearby discoveries if deemed feasible and economically viable. Exxon explained that, as a natural gas development, the primary produced fluid is
retrograde gas, from which condensate will be separated on the FPSO before the remaining gas stream is reinjected into the reservoir for pressure maintenance and increased condensate recovery.The company added that gas may be exported from Haimara as the market becomes available. The anticipated production capacity of the FPSO is expected to be between 1,000 and 1,500 million standard cubic feet (MMscfd) per day of natural gas and 160,000 to 220,000 barrels of condensate per day
(kbd), separated from the produced natural gas. The ninth project will be located in the southeastern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 222 kilometres from Georgetown. Exxon plans to develop the project using drillships to produce retrograde gas from approximately 24 to 60 production and gas injection wells. Haimara is expected to commence production in 2031, with an expected field life of at least 30 years, according to the project summary.
Guyana, Uganda forge aviation co-operation pact ...MoU targets aviation safety, training and regulatory standards Guyana and Uganda have moved to deepen cooperation in civil aviation with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening aviation safety, technical capacity and regulatory standards in both countries. The agreement was signed on Thursday by Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (ret'd) Egbert Field, A.A., and Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Av i a t i o n A u t h o r i t y (UCAA), Mrs. Olive Birungi Lumonya. According to the GCAA, the MoU provides a framework for expanded technical collaboration, knowledge sharing and the adoption of best practices in the management, modernisation and maintenance of civil aviation systems. The two aviation authorities are expected to collaborate in several key areas, including safety surveillance and oversight, aircraft certification, State Safety Programmes, Safety Management Systems, personnel licensing and training, aerodrome and airworthiness management. The agreement also provides for cooperation in institutional strengthening, human resources development, as well as regulation and economic
The MoU was signed by Lt. Col. (ret'd) Egbert Field, A.A. for Guyana and Mrs. Olive Birungi Lumonya, Deputy Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority oversight of air transport. Under the arrangement, Guyana and Uganda could exchange technical information and deploy experts and instructors for training programmes and technical missions. The authorities will also undertake studies and other
joint initiatives aimed at strengthening their respective aviation systems. The GCAA said each collaborative initiative will be supported by the resources and personnel agreed upon by the two parties. The agreement also
contains provisions governing confidentiality and intellectual property, while requiring all joint activities to comply with the laws and regulations of Guyana and Uganda. Field described the agreement as a significant step towards improving aviation standards in both countries. “This collaboration paves the way for improved aviation safety and operational excellence. Through this MoU, we are taking decisive action to raise the bar for civil aviation in both Guyana and Uganda,” he said. The GCAA said the agreement represents a commitment by both countries to strengthen international cooperation and uphold high standards in civil aviation.
CANU finds uncustomed alcohol at rented... From page 42 questioning. One of those detained reportedly told investigators that he rents the property from businessman Ernesto Choo-aFat. CANU subsequently clarified that Chooa-Fat was neither the subject of the operation nor the target of any ongoing investigation by the agency. The operation has, however, sparked controversy following social media claims by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed. In a post on his public Facebook page, Mohamed claimed that CANU had “swooped in on Ernesto Choo,” alleging that officers had uncovered guns, ammunition and contraband. He also referred to alleged
political ties between Choo-a-Fat and President Irfaan Ali. Choo-a-Fat's attorney has rejected those claims and threatened legal action. Attorney-at-law Sase R. Gunraj of Gunraj & Co., acting on behalf of Choo-aFat, described Mohamed's statements as “false, malicious, and defamatory.” Gunraj said the property has been rented for more than three years and that Choo-aFat is therefore “not in possession or control thereof.” The attorney said the statements had seriously impugned his client's reputation and confirmed that the firm had been instructed to immediately initiate legal proceedings against Mohamed.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
Teen home invader died from bullet to back Trinidad Express -- A post-mortem examination has found that 18-year-old Javon Hamilton, who was killed during a home invasion in Freeport last week, died from a gunshot injury to his right upper back. His mother, Vicky Daniel, told the Express yesterday that this was the result of the post-mortem examination done on Thursday at the Forensic Science Centre in Federation Park. Daniel said the forensic findings still left her with
unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. “There are so many different conflicting stories and versions of what might have happened. I do not know if the bullet entered his back or remained inside of him. I still have a lot of unanswered questions,” she said during a telephone interview. The family is making arrangements for Javon’s funeral next week. “I am going to speak to
the pastor to start arranging for the funeral. We are also awaiting the arrival of relatives from abroad,” Daniel said. Her comments followed an appeal by Javon’s father, Victor Hamilton, for police to establish what happened during the 24th September incident at McLeod Trace and find the others involved. Speaking to the Express on Wednesday, Hamilton said rumours surrounding the shooting were adding to the family’s grief.
“I want the truth. I am hurting and want to know what exactly happened that night. There are plenty of rumours circulating about the incident. I cannot live with the rumours. But I would like the police to investigate and solve that case, the incident when my son died. I want there to be justice,” he said. Contacted on Friday, a senior police officer attached to the Central Division confirmed that an investigation of the fatal incident was already under
way. Stating that the police were aware of the findings of the post-mortem, the senior officer said once a firearm is discharged, an investigation is inevitable. A police report on the incident which occurred last week Thursday, stated that four masked intruders entered the Freeport home around 6.50 p.m. A prison officer who lived there heard a commotion and armed himself with his service pistol. The officer told police
that one of the intruders pointed what appeared to be a firearm at him. He fired three rounds, fatally striking one intruder, while the other three fled. Commenting following the death of his son, Hamilton said Javon had not previously shown signs of criminal behaviour. He worked at a catering company and had recently retaken his Mathematics and English Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations.
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From page 39 Airport with only 5¢ in his pocket. “I used to give out flyers in front of a pizza store in Manhattan, some a dem a pass, dem tek the flyer, it ain’t make me less of a man or anything” he told this newspaper before adding “My sister gave me her husban used winter coats for three years, me had one sneaker when me go up, ma sneaker bottom de old, me in the winter with me foot frozen.” “In the rain with my umbrella, I made it, I have a bachelors, masters, I spent 3 years in a PHD programme in Microbe and Genetics, I went to medical school” Dr. McPherson continued while iterating I started “Five cents in my pocket”. Dr. McPherson went on to have an illustrious career serving as a former Assistant Director at Wykoff Hospital, USA and Site Director of Emergency Medicine at Brooklyn Hospital. He has spent 28 years as an
Attending Physician and Specialist in Emergency Medicine at One Brooklyn Health Campuses Brookdale and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Centers, Brooklyn Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital. Rather than just relaxing after such great success, Dr. McPherson, inspired by his humble beginnings had an even bigger vision and that is to play a role in the development of top-quality health care in Guyana. “I could have chosen to go anywhere else but I love Guyana”, McPherson said he recounted returning to Guyana in 2022 to complete that vision of establishing a state-of -art medical centre in the country. “It bothers me as to why Guyanese who come and live here (Guyana) got to run back to America for yearly checkup, Olmac is right here” he related while adding. “You coming straight to me at Brookdale for check-up, Brookdale is right here so you
don’t got to jump on a plane to go and get check-up in America” “I am here to provide the care that I provide there to the people here”, he further explained. For Dr. McPherson establishing Olmac Medical Hub beyond just a business; it is more of giving back to his countrymen by providing quality health care that they would have to pay millions for abroad. “Once you come here for care, you will be taken care of whether you get money or you nah get money. God will provide” Dr. McPherson said. He added that he would get angry with his staff when they turn away patients without his knowledge because he too had a humble beginning. With Regard to the medical care provided by his facility, Dr. McPherson said, “Whatever we can’t do at Olmac, we invite these patients if they have a visa, to America, I am waiting for them at Brookdale and I will
continue their care in America” “I will find a way of continuing their care, whether its neurosurgery, whether its nephrology, chirology whether is dermatology, Brookdale is equipped with all of these s p e c i a lties and I have different persons at different sites in America that takes care of these specialties” Dr. McPherson advised. He said too that the facility ensures that an American physician will always be present at Olmac. Olmac is also equipped with live-in facilities for doctors to be on call. Patients with government vouchers will be accepted as well and the McPherson’s medical outreaches will continue with a next one scheduled for the month of November in New Amsterdam. That outreach will be held at Grace Temple Church. Olmac Medical Hub is opened from 08:00hrs. to 18:00hrs every day. (SPONSORED)
Guyana makes history at Miss India Worldwide... From page 40 the collective efforts of a dedicated team and the unwavering support of numerous individuals and organizations. Special gratitude is extended to all sponsors,
partners, contributors, supporters, family members and well-wishers whose generosity, encouragement and commitment helped make Guyana’s international participation possible. Particular recognition
FAO urges Guyanese to... From page 44 they are still in the field. But sometimes they are not getting the kind of reward that they have to get. We must now allow the farmers to get their benefit, get their reward,” he said. The markets form part of a wider programme of activities for Agriculture Month, which will give citizens opportunities to engage directly with farmers and other participants in the sector. The programme includes the inaugural Farmers’ Conference, the annual Honeyfest and World Food Day activities. Minister Mustapha said the observances should reinforce efforts to build an agricultural sector that can withstand challenges, compete effectively and provide opportunities for a wider range of producers. He called for continued collaboration to improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen communities and support Guyana’s contribution to regional food and nutrition security. “The future of Guyana’s agriculture is filled with tremendous opportunities. Let us work together to seize these opportunities,” the minister said.
goes to the delegation’s exceptional Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist, Dianna Heralal, whose artistry, professionalism and attention to detail helped the queens look and feel their best throughout the international competition. Special appreciation is also extended to Pageant Coach Alicia Bess-Anderson of Prestige Pageant Management whose expertise, guidance, mentorship and dedicated preparation helped equip the queens with the confidence and skills needed to represent Guyana on the international stage. The organization also acknowledges everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes from preparation and styling to logistics, sponsorship, travel and delegation support to ensure that Guyana’s representatives could compete at their highest level. GUYANA’S PRIDE
For Dharmini, Romona and Janvi, the experience represented far more than competing for international titles. They carried with them the culture, spirit and pride of Guyana and represented their country before an international audience at the grand NAPA stage in Port of Spain. Their accomplishments are a testament to dedication, preparation, teamwork and perseverance, while highlighting the growing presence of Guyanese pageantry on the international stage. The Miss, Mrs., Teen & Mr. India Guyana organization therefore extends its heartfelt appreciation to everyone who stood behind this delegation and helped transform a vision into an unforgettable international achievement. From Guyana to Trinidad & Tobago, and onto the world stage our queens have once again made their mark adding to our sterling legacy.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
PAGE 47
Israeli air attack on Gaza City apartment kills at least five Aljazeera—An Israeli air attack on a residential apartment in western Gaza City has killed at least five people and severely wounded several others, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency and staff at al-Shifa Hospital. A total of eight Palestinians died across the Strip on Saturday, hospital sources told Al Jazeera, including one killed in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza and two who succumbed to wounds sustained in earlier Israeli attacks. The Gaza City strike hit the al-Asala building in the Remal neighbourhood while residents were asleep in the early hours of Saturday. It came without prior warning, said Al Jazeera’s Hani alShaer, reporting from Gaza. Remal is one of Gaza C i t y ’s m o s t c r o w d e d residential areas, home to thousands of displaced people sheltering in makeshift camps. “We heard fighter jets getting louder, then three strikes followed, hitting the apartment and killing those inside,” Al-Shaer said. The attack penetrated the targeted apartment and tore through the floors below, causing further destruction throughout the multistorey building. ‘Terrifying night’ Reporting from Gaza City later on Saturday, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary described yet “another terrifying night”. “Around 2am [on Saturday, 11:00 GMT on Friday], two huge explosions shook the al-Haid roundabout. We later learned that the Israeli army targeted a building with two explosive drones, killing at least three women, a child and a young man”. Fires burned for at least an hour before Palestinian Civil
The funerals in the Church of St Porphyrius in Gaza City of Palestinians Maisaa Abu Dawood and her daughter Mary who were killed in an Israeli air raid on Saturday [Jehad Alshrafi/AP]
Defence crews managed to put them out. Al-Shaer described the scene as “horrific”, while Khoudary said “the whole neighbourhood was shaken”, as people were buried under the rubble as they slept. Civil defence crews were still searching the site for missing people and bodies, al-Shaer said, as Israeli drones continued flying over the area and fighter jets were heard flying low across the Strip. Christian mother and daughter killed Among those killed were two Christian women, Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud (Ayyad) and her daughter Mary Hafez Michel alNajjar (Abu Daoud), the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported, citing a statement from the head of the Higher Presidential
Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, Ramzi Khoury. Friends and relatives gathered for their funeral at the Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza City on Saturday. “Today is essentially the worst day of my life. I lost my mother and my grandmother today,” said Fouad Al-Najjar. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed his “deep sorrow and grief” over their “tragic” killing. He also extended “his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased and to the Christian community in Gaza”. In a statement later ‘on S a t u r d a y, t h e G r e e k Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem mourned the women and extended condolences to their family.
No apology but King Charles will not shy... From page 14 Britain and Caribbean nations. “The visit programme will therefore not shy away from ‘the darkest days of our past’, as his majesty has described them, but – in keeping with the wishes of our host nations – `will principally be oriented to the vibrant present and promising future of each country.” From the 15th to the 19th century, at least 12.5 million Africans were abducted and sold into slavery by European merchants, with Britain responsible for transporting an estimated 3.2 million people, making it the second most active European nation after Portugal. Charles, who is head of the Commonwealth group of 56 nations – mainly ‘former British colonies – encompassing some 2.7 billion people, has backed research into the British monarchy’s
own historical links to the trade. Last month, the Jamaican government also formally asked him to seek legal advice on whether Britain should pay reparations and said it was “encouraged” by the engagement `of Buckingham Palace. “It is important to note here the work his majesty himself has done over many years both to acknowledge the wrongs of the past and to find creative ways to right inequalities that endure,” the palace `spokesperson said. “As you would therefore expect, opportunities will be found during the visit to reflect and renew his personal, wholehearted, and continuing commitment to that process.” In February, Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Shirley Botchwey told Reuters she expected its members to make progress towards beginning negotiations on reparations.
“We pray for an end to the war and bombardment, for the protection of civilian lives, and for a just peace in which the people of Gaza can feel secure their children and loved ones. May their memory be eternal,” the Patriarchate said. ‘Very hard to save lives’ “This is not the first ceasefire violation, or the first attack, in the past 24 hours,” Al Jazeera’s Khoudary said, as an Israeli drone strike killed a Palestinian man and wounded several others in southern Gaza on Thursday. “According to doctors, it is very, very hard to save the
lives of those who are injured, because Israel continues to restrict medical supplies and instruments,” Khoudary said. “A lot of people are queueing to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing.” Bordering Egypt in the south of Gaza, the Rafah crossing is only opened by Israeli forces for limited movements of people, especially patients needing medical treatment abroad, t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization (WHO) said. Repeated delays in bringing life-saving medicines, prosthetics and
other supplies from Israel into Gaza are having “devastating consequences” for Palestinians who urgently need them, the WHO said on Saturday. Since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began on 7th October, 2023, at least 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and 175,000 injured, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. The true toll is likely much higher, as many people are still missing beneath the rubble. S i n c e l a s t y e a r ’s “ceasefire”, at least 1,400 people have been killed and nearly 5,000 injured.
Tennessee prison chief who oversaw botched execution resigns-Governor WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The prison commissioner in the southern United States (US) state of Tennessee has resigned over the botched execution of convicted murderer Christa Pike, Governor Bill Lee said Saturday. Lee said in a statement that commissioner Frank Strada would leave his post this month. Pike’s lawyers say she is in critical condition, unconscious and on a ventilator in a hospital, after her execution by lethal injection went wrong on Wednesday. Pike, 50, survived two injections of the normally lethal substance pentobarbital as punishment for the murder of Colleen Slemmer in 1995. It was the second failed execution in Tennessee this year. The state halted an execution in May after medical staff failed to tap a vein in the prisoner’s arm. Lee said he thanked Strada for “his willingness to put the interests of Tennesseans first during this difficult moment.” In the same statement, Strada said, “I continue to believe the Department (of
Convicted murderer, Christa Pike Correction) carried out its responsibilities in accordance with the established protocol.” Lee, who previously denied Pike clemency, has halted further executions through the rest of the year while a review is conducted. Had the drugs killed Pike, she would have been the first woman executed by the state in more than two centuries. In the United States, only 18 women have been executed since 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
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Sunday October 04, 2026
Guyanese can now get Saudi Forward Guyana demands criminal visa on arrival without probe against Deputy Commissioner continue despite PSC vacancy U.S, U.K. or Schengen visa Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd
Guyanese passport holders can now travel to Saudi Arabia and obtain a visa on arrival or apply for an electronic visa (e-visa) without first having a valid U.S., U.K. or Schengen visa. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced the development on Saturday, describing it as a significant outcome of strengthening bilateral
relations between Guyana and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Previously, Guyanese travellers seeking a Saudi e-visa or visa on arrival were required to hold a valid U.S, U.K. or Schengen visa in their passports. That requirement has now been removed. The change is expected to make travel between Guyana and Saudi Arabia easier for persons travelling for Umrah, tourism, family visits and other purposes. According to the Ministry, Guyanese travellers will no longer need to use an agent or visit a Saudi Embassy to access the facility. They will only need their valid Guyanese passport and the applicable visa fee to apply for the e-visa or obtain a visa on arrival. The Ministry said Guyana is now the only country in South America whose passport holders enjoy this facility. It described the development as symbolic of the growing relationship between the two countries and said it would further promote people-to-people contact while expanding cooperation in trade, economic partnerships, investment and tourism. The Ministry also said the Government is continuing efforts to enhance features of Guyana’s machine-readable passports in keeping with global standards and requirements.
Deputy Police Commissioner, Fizal Karimbaksh The Forward Guyana movement has issued a strong call on the authorities to ensure that a criminal investigation involving Deputy Commissioner of Police Fizal Karimbaksh proceeds without delay, rejecting arguments that the
Russia strikes another major bridge in Kyiv as attacks on Ukrainian capital escalate CNN—Technicians repair a trolleybus power line that was Damage appears on a damaged following a Russian bridge over the Dnipro strike on the Northern Bridge in River following a Kyiv on 3rd October, 2026. Russian drone strike, A Russian strike hit Kyiv’s amid Russia’s attack Northern Bridge on Saturday, on Ukraine, in Kyiv, marking the latest in a series of Ukraine, in this attacks on the city’s infrastructure handout released 2nd as Moscow escalates its October, 2026. State campaign on the Ukrainian Emergency Service capital. of Ukraine in Two people were injured in Kyiv/Handout/Reuters Saturday’s attack, Kyiv’s mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said, adding that the strike damaged the road and the power supply system that delivers electricity to a trolleybus, as well as suspended some traffic across the river. It comes just a day after Kyiv’s Southern Bridge, which serves ground transportation and the city’s subway system, was hit five times in less than 24 hours. The attacks have caused Kyiv region military administration major travel disruption since Thursday. head Tymur Tkachenko said on The Southern Bridge remains closed, Saturday that a warehouse and with traffic on the Northern Bridge production premise had been hit, restricted. Ukrainian officials said the strikes injuring four people. Kyiv’s defense council held an are effectively cutting the capital into emergency meeting on Friday. two. Damage appears on a bridge over Kyiv is split in half by the Dnipro River, with the right bank home to the the Dnipro River following a Russian majority of the city’s business centers, drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on offices and government institutions. Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this The left bank is mostly residential and handout released 2nd October, 2026. Russia accelerated its campaign in where at least 30% of the capital’s Kyiv in late August, taking advantage residents live. Russia’s Ministry of Defense said it of the country’s lack of interceptors and carried out the strike on Saturday, limited other methods for defending claiming the bridge is used to move against jet-powered drones. “The capital is in a very dire Ukrainian troops and military supplies. It also said that it targeted a logistics situation. And it is no longer possible to pretend that we can live as we did in center in the Kyiv region.
peacetime,” Klitschko said Saturday. “The enemy is laying waste to K y i v. I n f r a s t r u c t u r e , c r i t i c a l infrastructure, logistics, housing, social facilities. The aggressor has also resumed its destruction of the energy sector. We are doing everything in our power to keep the city functioning under constant destructive attacks, when it is no longer a question of our usual comforts, but of safety and survival.” Klitschko called on society to “unite, as we did in February 2022.” Ukraine’s Air Force said in a statement that Russian launched 157 attack drones and decoy drones overnight and in the early hours of Saturday. Air defenses shot down or neutralized 131 of those drones.
Leader of Forward Guyana Movement, Amanza Walton
absence of a constituted Police Service Commission (PSC) stalls legal action. In a public statement issued Friday, the movement addressed growing concerns over whether high-ranking law enforcement officers can face criminal accountability during administrative voids. “Are we then to accept that a Deputy Commissioner of Police is above the law because the Government has failed to constitute the Police Service Commission? Certainly not,” Forward Guyana declared. “The absence of the Commission suspends disciplinary proceedings against officers of his rank. It does not suspend the criminal law. The criminal investigation must continue without delay.” To highlight its point, Forward Guyana highlighted the speed with which state authorities have acted in other recent high-profile cases, specifically pointing to the maritime tragedy involving the MV Barima. “The State has already shown how quickly it can act when it chooses to,” the group noted. “The MV Barima sank on 18th July. Within ten days, the Guyana Police Force had obtained the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions and charged three crew members with murder. Whatever view one takes of those charges, the Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions demonstrated that a file can be investigated and reviewed in a matter of days.” Forward Guyana argued that the same level of speed
and diligence applied to the Transport and Harbours Department employees must apply across all levels of p u b l i c o ff i c e . “ T h r e e employees of the Transport and Harbours Department were charged within ten days. The State owes a Deputy Commissioner of Police no greater patience,” the group asserted, insisting that upon completion, the full investigative file must be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) pursuant to Article 187 of the Constitution. Addressing the operational leadership of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Forward Guyana emphasised that administrative measures remain within the immediate authority of top police management. “The Commissioner of Police commands the Force and assigns its officers. He can relieve Mr. Karimbaksh of command of SOCU, the unit in which the complainant served, without altering his rank or office and without any Commission,” statement urged. “That would be an operational decision, not a disciplinary one, and the Commissioner should make it today.” Concluding its statement, Forward Guyana stressed the balance between fundamental rights and the rule of law. “Mr. Karimbaksh is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The complainant is entitled to the protection of the law. This Government has yet to show that it understands the second.”
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . . L U L LUNT B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T T LU N N T U U L N Where did Guyana's L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N missing oil go? T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . N T B . . U N . L T U B L N . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T B L . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N B U U .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . UN .BLUNT.. UNT...BL T...BL . L N . T B U . . L LUN ...BLUNT. LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U BBL T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Sunday October 04, 2026
Kaieteur News
Guyana is producing oil at a breathtaking pace. ExxonMobil and its partners have already extracted one billion barrels from the Stabroek Block since production began in 2019. Four FPSOs are now producing, three more projects are under development, and the company is talking about as many as eight offshore developments by 2030.
Yet there is a question that Guyanese taxpayers have every right to ask: If the discoveries have been so spectacular, why is the country's estimated recoverable resource now being described as just under 11 billion barrels? That is not a trivial question. For years, Guyanese have heard about the approximately 11-billion-barrel resource base. The number became almost synonymous with the country's oil wealth. New discoveries were announced. Wells were drilled. Billions were spent. Appraisal work continued. And yet the headline number barely moved. Now ExxonMobil says the estimated resource base is just under 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels. That disclosure comes after Guyana has already produced one billion barrels. The public deserves a clear explanation—not another lesson in petroleum terminology.
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Sunday October 04, 2026
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New champion to be crowned in Lotto/Let’sBet T10 Tapeball A new champion will be c r o w n e d i n t h e L o t t o / L e t ’s B e t T 1 0 tournament 2026 as the competition moves to Enmore on October 4, with four teams vying for the last spot in the national final four. The winner of this zone will complete the lineup for the grand finals scheduled for October 11 at the Anna Regina National Stadium. Action at Enmore begins at 10:00h with the first semifinal pitting giant killers Pure Entertainment against
SVC/AJM CC, followed by the second semi-final at 12:00h featuring Team Corruption and Avinash AllStars. An exhibition clash between East Coast PYO and GLC All-Stars is scheduled for 14:00h before the zone final takes centre stage at 15:30h. The zone winner will walk away with $500,000 courtesy of Navin and Sons Construction, while the runner-up pockets $200,000 compliments of Camille’s
Academy. The two losing semifinalists will receive $50,000 each from OGN, adding to the $25,000 awarded to Saturday’s losing quarterfinalists by Scoop Ride Inc. Pure Entertainment earned their semi-final spot with a comfortable chase against defending champions Titans Rams in Match One of the quarterfinals. Ti t a n s R a m s w e r e bowled out for 106 in 9.5 overs, a total Pure
Sunday October 04, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Try to arrange a meeting today—your skills are at their peak, and you may find that people are more willing to listen to your side. Even those who can't quite understand you are sympathetic.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Focus on work and career issues today—especially if they involve communication or networking. Your social energy is blazing, and you may find that people are more willing to say something positive.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You are sure to butt heads with someone today—but the issue is deeper than whatever you may be squabbling about superficially. Make sure that you each find ways to respect the other.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may not believe how bad things get when conflict erupts today, but try to just lie low and wait for it to pass. Sometimes people just need to blow off steam, and you need to let them.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Communication is your specialty, and today brings it out in you and those around you. It's easier than ever for your people to read each other and to make sense of even the weirdest ideas.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You should find today more fun than you had hoped or expected. Things are looking up, and your energy is perfect for making advances and meeting new people. It's impossible to leave a bad impression!
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Not all of your suspicions are well founded, but at least some of them are! You should find that your energy is better spent in handling your own issues than in figuring out who's lying to whom.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may feel the urge to hunker down and stick to your routines—and that is the best possible thing to do. Things are going your way, and you may find that life is better if you don't rock the boat.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You need to make sure that you're as committed to learning today as you were in elementary school—or maybe more so! Your mind is still sharp enough to take it all in with ease. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your financial stress is making you a little crazy — but don't do anything rash! You need to make sure that your energy is spent in deliberation, not in a panic. Get a friend to hear you out.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Make sure that you're surrounding yourself with like-minded people, as today you're prone to feeling like a loner. If you're part of a pack, maybe the group can come up with something really wild! PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Can you believe everything you hear? Of course not. Today, though, you need to be especially wary of someone who seems like they know what they're talking about. They're trying to pull a fast one!
A new champion will be crowned in the Lotto/Let’sBet T10 tournament 2026 as the competition moves to Enmore on October 4, with four teams vying for the last spot in the national final four.
Entertainment erased in just 8.3 overs, finishing on 106 for 3. In M atch Tw o, SVC/AJM CC defended 92 for 8 to beat Diamond Gunners by 26 runs. Kemol Savory led SVC/AJM CC with a top score of 41, supported by Jonte Thomas (27) and Jonathan Fernandes (17), despite Mavendra Dindyal’s figures of 3 for 11. Diamond Gunners were then restricted to 66 for 5 in their 10 overs as Keyon Sinclair turned in a matchwinning spell of 3 for 6, receiving tight support from Nial Smith (1 for 11) and Ojay Shields (1 for 27). Match Three saw Team Corruption pull off a sevenwicket victory over Better Hope with nine balls to spare. Better Hope posted 112 for 6 in 10 overs, led by Moin Persaud’s 56, but an unbeaten 58 from Treatlon Liverpool and 21 from Dejourn Charles carried Team Corruption to 116 for 3 in 8.3 overs.
In the final fixture, Avinash All-Stars delivered a powerhouse batting performance, posting 149 for 8 in 10 overs thanks to explosive knocks from Kadeem Alleyne (47) and
Ronaldo Alimohamed (44). Alimohamed then returned with the ball to claim 1 for 3, alongside Kyle Mayers’ 1 for 16, restricting Housing Warriors to 63 for 4 to complete an 86-run win.
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Sunday October 04, 2026
Verstappen takes first 2026 pole ahead of Hamilton (BBC Sport) - Max Verstappen took his and Red Bull’s first pole position of 2026 with an imperious performance in qualifying at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen, whose last pole and victory was at the season finale in Abu Dhabi in 2025, was 0.298 seconds quicker than Hamilton after topping all three sessions of qualifying. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was third fastest but has a five-place grid penalty, which will promote runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli to third place. The Italian’s closest rival, teammate George Russell, could manage only eighth fastest. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fifth fastest, ahead of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Fernando Alonso, fresh from confirming he will stay in F1 for at least another year in 2027, gave Aston Martin their best qualifying position of the year with 12th place, behind Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson. The second Aston Martin of Lance Stroll was 14th, split from Alonso by Williams’ Carlos Sainz. Where have Red Bull (and Ferrari) come from?
Red Bull introduced a aerodynamic upgrade at the last race in Azerbaijan, and it has proved to be a major step forward at the demanding Sepang track, hosting this race after it was postponed earlier in the year because of the war in the Middle East. Verstappen has had a difficult year, struggling for pace and balance for much of it, but he is on a strong run of results after steady improvements to the car. Hamilton’s position on the front row revives memories of their bitter title battle in 2021, when the seven-time champion was at Mercedes, and whets appetites for the grand prix on Sunday. Hamilton said: “It’s so hot here. That’s made it a massive challenge for the cars, the tyres, the mechanics in the garage. “Because the tyres are sliding, it’s so hard to find a good balance and we made one change and we finally hit the sweet spot.” Merc’s major upgrade takes them backwards Mercedes have brought their first major upgrade since the Canadian Grand Prix in June, but it has not proved the step forward hoped.
Lewis Hamilton will start second on the grid for Sunday’s grand prix at Sepang. (Shutterstock) Unusally, Antonelli went into qualifying with only four new sets of soft tyres rather than the usual five and compromised his programme by having his first lap in second session deleted for going beyond track limits. That meant he had to use another set of tyres in the session, which left him only one for the final shootout. He went out in the middle of the session, after the others did their first runs, and ended up with a time 0.501secs from pole, much further away than Mercedes would have
hoped. Antonelli said: “It’s a shame because with only one set, big pressure. I did what I could but with another set we could have fought for front row. Not P1, because Max was too quick today.” But he fared better than Russell, who was lacking pace compared to his team-mate all day, and ended up 0.240secs off Antonelli. The Briton said: “It’s the most demanding circuit on the tyres, so we don’t know exactly why we didn’t have the pace. From Friday it was clear we weren’t on the pace of
the Red Bulls and we haven’t really progressed. The others have caught up and overtaken [us].” It was also a difficult day for McLaren, who were tipped by Russell as the potential frontrunners going into the weekend because of their car’s strong recent performances on tracks that share characteristics with this one. But they lacked pace all weekend and Norris could manage only a best lap of 0.627secs off the pace. For Aston Martin, though, this was confirmation that changes they have made to their car in recent races have borne fruit. They struggled in Italy and Azerbaijan because their Honda engine remains the worst in the field, despite two recent upgrades. But on a track where power s e n s i t i v i t y i s l o w e r, t h e improvements to the chassis made in terms of aerodynamics and weight since the summer added up. A lap by Alonso that was 1.524secs off the pace is by far their strongest performance of the year, and a suggestion that the veteran’s faith they could step forward significantly in 2027 has some foundation.
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Observe, don’t talk...
Vitel’s law in fast-developing international career (Cricinfo) - In the TV show The Mentalist, Patrick Jane can learn plenty about people without them telling him much. The fictional crime consultant, portrayed by Simon Baker, observes instead - expressions, behaviour, little details that others might miss - and uses what he sees to work out what the person opposite him might be thinking. That is partly why Vitel Lawes, the 19-year-old leftarm wristspinner, calls Patrick Jane his favourite TV character. “I do like the fact that he uses his observations to his advantage,” Lawes tells Cricinfo on the sidelines of West Indies’ ODI tour of India. “I do that too because I’m not really a big speaker. So I take something from that in some way: observing more than how you speak.” Over the past few months, Lawes has gone from Under19 cricket to trying to outthink Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. Yet, when he stands at the top of his mark, he says the reputation of the batter in front of him doesn’t matter. Lawes reckons he has about four variations now and says the world hasn’t seen all of them yet. There is another delivery he is working on that doesn’t even have a name. “I’m just trying something,” he says. Will it come out in a match eventually? “Maybe someday, yeah.”
He comes from Wakefield Savannah in Linstead, St Catherine, Jamaica and cricket was a big deal at home long before he even dreamed of it as a career. His mother, Ilyn Henry-Campbell, is Lawes’ biggest supporter and her own relationship with the game goes back to when she was a girl, buying batteries for the radio so she could listen to the cricket. Lawes later learned his trade at St Catherine Cricket Club, which had produced Andre Russell and Rovman Powell. Lawes’ fascination with spin, though, came from watching Adam Zampa represent his home franchise, Jamaica Tallawahs, in the CPL. Eight years after watching the Australia spinner play for Tallawahs, what catches Lawes’ eye about Zampa is not how much he turns the ball but more what happens after somebody hits him. “I see he gets hit a lot in his career and he always bounces back pretty strongly,” Lawes says. “So, I look at that and take that as a good motivation for me.” That is important because Lawes isn’t particularly interested in becoming a bowler whose first priority is keeping the runs down. Give him a hypothetical ten-over spell of 1 for 40 or 4 for 65, and he immediately chooses the latter.
Vitel Lawes was in the ICC team of the tournament after the the 2026 Under-19 World Cup and was in the West Indies side soon after (AFP/Getty Images) “Four for 65 for sure,” he says. “You know, I’m a wicket-taking bowler. So, the more wickets I get… I mean, the runs do matter, but getting four wickets for 65 is a win for me any day of the week.” The challenge now is working out how to take those wickets against international batters. Lawes has already spotted one major difference from age-group cricket: senior batters are less likely to give a bowler an opening. “An Under-19 batter doesn’t have the same temperament as an international batter,” he says. “An international batter has a more mature mindset about how they go about things. So, you have to really do something special to outsmart someone at this level.” That confidence has not always been there. On an
YBG U15 Basketball Team wing off to... From page 54 support helped make the trip possible, with principal partner G-Boats Guyana contributing almost half of the tour’s budget. “From the moment the idea of taking a youth team overseas was shared, G-Boats committed to providing almost half of the tour’s budget,” Bowman said. “The company continues to be one of YBG’s most important development partners, supporting competitions, coach development, player development and now international exposure for our young athletes.” YBG also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for its financial contribution towards the team’s participation. The organisation extended further thanks to the players’ parents and their wider networks for the support provided throughout the preparation for the tour. “Several have gone far beyond what might ordinarily be expected in supporting their own child, extending that same parental care, generosity and kindness to the entire team,” YBG said in a release. Special acknowledgement was also extended to Mr and Mrs Hillaire, Oslyn Richards and James Singh for their
contributions. YBG also thanked those who supported its fundraising barbecue, made donations or provided assistance in other ways. The organisation recognised the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force for assistance with transportation to the airport, as well as the management of the Royal Hotel for allowing the team to use its facilities ahead of departure. The organisation also expressed gratitude to Ambassador Deppo and the Embassy team for their assistance in ensuring that the players and coach were able to make the journey with the rest of the delegation. For YBG, however, the value of the tour extends beyond results on the basketball court. “At YBG, our definition of winning goes further. Winning is building young men and women who can succeed on and off the court,” the organisation said. The release also stated that: the international experience represents another step in its effort to establish a reliable pathway for youth basketball development at the grassroots level—one that extends beyond tournaments and championships by using basketball to create opportunities, develop character and inspire young people to pursue a better future.
Under-19 tour of Sri Lanka, Lawes played three of the seven matches, took one wicket, and conceded around seven an over. He had trained extensively before the series and expected more from himself. When the rewards didn’t come, he began wondering whether he was good enough. Nikita Miller, the former West Indies spinner who has worked closely with Lawes, did not think there was much technically wrong. The change, Lawes says, was more about his mindset. The results followed as Lawes finished as West Indies’ leading wicket-taker in their subsequent Under-19 series against England and then took ten wickets at the 2026 Under-19 World Cup. He was the only West Indies player named in the ICC team of the tournament. The progress was enough to earn an invitation to a West Indies ODI camp, where Lawes felt he fitted in and was up to the standard of the senior players around him. He then
went home and returned to local cricket. In July this year, Lawes was playing a two-day competition, which his team won. He didn’t have an internet connection and went to his club to wait for the celebrations to begin. When he got there, he discovered several missed calls from West Indies head coach Daren Sammy. Lawes called back, and Sammy told him he had been selected for West Indies. He had yet to play a game of senior domestic cricket. “I mean, from then, I was spaced out for a bit, looking into space, thinking about what had really just transpired,” he says. “The most exciting part of me was to share the news to the people that mattered to me and to see them being happy for me. That was maybe the most heartfelt moment.” A wristspinner with variations and a wickettaking mindset would seem almost designed for T20 cricket, but it isn’t Lawes’ favourite format. That is ODI cricket. Lawes is on tour in India only for the ODIs; for the T20Is, the selectors have picked Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein as the primary spinners. “You get a lot of time [in ODIs],” Lawes says. “You get just enough time to do what you want - across spells, and with the newer and older balls. And you get enough time to change the context of a game. I don’t really look at T20 cricket that way. But if I get the opportunity to play, I will take it with both hands.”
At this point in his career, Lawes says getting opportunities to develop matters more than specialising in one format: “Doing that at the highest level is probably the best place to do it. You get to trial and error.” Test cricket is something he actively wants, although he doesn’t want to rank it against T20 cricket before he has actually experienced it. There is plenty still to develop. But the reason West Indies have fast-tracked Lawes is also fairly clear. During his debut series against New Zealand, Ian Bishop summed up the rarity of what he offers: “We’ve been asking for a slow bowler who can turn it both ways since the peak of [Sunil] Narine.” India has also offered Lawes the chance to watch Kuldeep Yadav, another leftarm wristspinner, from relatively close quarters. He hadn’t spoken to the India spinner or watched him train when this interview took place, but he had followed Kuldeep’s bowling closely enough to note a few things. “I’ve observed a couple of things,” Lawes says. What things? He isn’t saying. “I just keep that in observation. I don’t really want to speak much about it.” There is a smile when he refuses to elaborate on exactly what he has observed in Kuldeep’s bowling. Perhaps those details will emerge later. For now, he would rather keep them to himself. He will, after all, observe rather than talk.
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Sunday October 04, 2026
Leonora maintain perfect run as Courts Pee Wee Round III concludes …Thomas nets treble for Belladrum Defending champions Leonora Primary maintained their perfect start to the 13th annual Courts Optical Pee Wee Under-11 Football To u r n a m e n t o n S a t u r d a y, completing a third consecutive victory as the Round Three phase concluded at the Ministry of Education ground. The 2025 champions continued to underline their title credentials with a commanding 5-1 victory over St Gabriel’s Primary, with Jonathan Melvin once again at the center of the Leonora attack. Melvin produced another outstanding display, scoring a brilliant hat-trick, while Neron Persaud and Elyon Hyman added late goals to complete a comfortable victory for the defending champions. St John the Baptist Primary also kept its campaign alive with a 2-0 win over Colaaco Primary, with ChrystianHaly and Elliana Grant finding the back of the net early into the contest. Pakuri Primary had contrasting results during its latest fixtures. The school secured a 1-0 victory through Miles Schuman, who struck in the seventh minute to settle an attacking opening period before returning to defeat. B e l l a d r u m P r i m a r y, meanwhile, produced one of the
Three on the bounce! Johnathan Melvin,Neron Persaud andElyon Hyman score in Leonora’s 5-1 win more convincing victories of the round, defeating Soesdyke Primary 3-1 behind a hat-trick from Dextroy Thomas. Thomas was clinical throughout, scoring in the fifth, 29th and 34th minutes to complete a decisive individual performance and hand Belladrum the points. Agatash Primary also secured a narrow victory, edging Goed Fortuin Primary 1-0 after Vishnan Charles converted from the penalty spot. Redeemer Primary claimed another close result against Pakuri, with Gideon Bacchus scoring in the 37th minute to
secure a 1-0 victory. Georgetown International Academy (GIA) continued to make its presence felt, securing two important victories as its teams displayed defensive discipline and tactical organisation. GIA B defeated St Aloysius Primary 2-0 in Match 34, with Esa Mirza and Langdon Paulson scoring in the 32nd and 39th minutes respectively. GIA A then handed Marian Academy its first defeat of the tournament, edging a closely contested encounter 1-0. Top scorer, Yoseph Rivas scored the decisive goal in the 18th minute to
St. John the Baptist Primary players celebrate after going up 1-0 in their match against Colaaco Primary settle the contest. West Ruimveldt Primary also maintained its strong run, defeating P.E. Pollard Primary 2-0 through goals from JahmielFavourite and Kenneth Douglas. With the third round now completed, attention turns to the Round of 16, scheduled for this weekend, as the tournament enters its knockout phase. Leonora, West Ruimveldt, GIA
and other unbeaten or consistently performing teams will now face a different test, with one defeat capable of ending their championship ambitions. The tournament is being sponsored by Courts Optical, with additional support from Sterling Products Limited, MVP Sports, SkyTec Enterprise Inc. and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
YBG U15 Basketball Team wing off to St. Maarten for Paradise Int’l Tournament A selected Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) Under-15 Schoolboys team departed Guyana on Friday evening for Philipsburg, St Maarten, where the 11-member squad will compete in the annual Paradise International Basketball Tournament from October 3 to 7. The team brings together some of Guyana’s promising Under-15 student-athletes from seven schools that participated in this year’s National Schools Basketball Festival (NSBF). The players have undergone several weeks of intensive training and preparation ahead of the tournament, which will provide them with an opportunity to test themselves against regional competition while gaining valuable international exposure. Beyond their preparation on the court, the tour has also brought together players from different schools and communities, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among the young athletes. The team is led by Head Coach Warren Wilson, with Judah
YBG U15 School Boys Select Team off to St. Maarten for International Tournament Stephney and Calix Bernard serving as Assistant Coaches. Leona Kyte is the team chaperone, while Chris Bowman serves as Team Manager. Bowman said the team’s participation represents more than another basketball competition,
noting that the experience is part of YBG’s broader approach to player development. “Participation in the tournament represents much more than simply another basketball competition. It provides valuable international
exposure for young student-athletes while allowing YBG to assess the level of junior competition within this part of the Caribbean,” Bowman said. He added that the tour is intended to establish a model that can be
replicated, creating regular opportunities for international exposure at a critical stage of player development. Bowman also acknowledged the individuals and organisations whose Continued on page 53
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
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Golden Jaguars eye another step toward Gold Cup, League A …Guyana to face Dominica today in Nations League By Rawle Toney Guyana’s Golden Jaguars return to action today against Dominica with an opportunity to strengthen their grip on Group A of League B in the 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League and move another step closer to securing promotion and qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup. The teams meet again at the Estadio Centroamericano Juan Figueroa Freyre in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, from 3:00 pm (Guyana time), just three days after the Golden Jaguars produced a commanding 5-1 victory over the same opponent at the same venue. Guyana enter the contest with a perfect nine points from three matches, having opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico, followed by a 2-0 win against the Cayman Islands and Thursday’s emphatic 5-1 demolition of Dominica. The results have put Guyana three points clear of Puerto Rico at the top of Group A. The official standings show the Golden Jaguars with nine points, eight goals scored and only one conceded, for a goal difference of plus-seven. Puerto Rico are second on six points, while Cayman Islands and Dominica have one point apiece. That defensive record is
particularly noteworthy for a team that has also demonstrated considerable attacking firepower. Thursday’s victory saw Osaze De Rosario open the scoring in the 27th minute before Omari Glasgow doubled the advantage from a free kick in the 42nd. Deon Moore extended the lead shortly after halftime, while Kelsey Benjamin and Enoch George completed the rout. Dominica’s Troy Jules scored their lone goal in the 75th minute. The result represented Guyana’s third consecutive victory under head coach Marco Bonofiglio, whose tenure with the national team has begun in impressive fashion. The Italian coach has overseen a side that has combined attacking efficiency with defensive discipline, scoring eight goals across its opening three Nations League matches while conceding just once. With three group matches remaining after today, the importance of another victory cannot be understated. Under the competition format, the four League B group winners will be promoted to League A. More significantly, the four group winners will also qualify directly for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup, while the two best secondplaced teams will enter the Gold Cup Preliminary Round.
C o n s e q u e n t l y, G u y a n a ’s position at the top of Group A provides more than an opportunity to return to League A. It has placed the Golden Jaguars in a strong position to secure direct qualification for Concacaf ’s flagship men’s national-team tournament. A victory over Dominica today would take Guyana to 12 points and further increase the pressure on the chasing Puerto Ricans. Guyana will then return home for its remaining November fixtures against Puerto Rico and the Cayman Islands, with the possibility of completing the group stage at the top of the standings. De Rosario leading the charge At the centre of Guyana’s attacking threat once again will be De Rosario. The forward has scored in all three of Guyana’s Nations League matches, including the opening goal against Dominica on Thursday. His consistency has made him one of the most influential figures in Bonofiglio’s early tenure. De Rosario has now scored 13 international goals in 14 appearances for Guyana, giving him an exceptional scoring rate of almost a goal per game. His importance, however, extends beyond simply finding the
A victory over Dominica today would take Guyana to 12 points net. Against Dominica, he also contributed two assists as Guyana produced one of its most complete attacking performances of the campaign. Bonofiglio also has Glasgow available, providing another significant attacking outlet. Guyana’s all-time leading scorer with 22 international goals, Glasgow has demonstrated that his value is not limited to scoring. His set-piece quality and ability to create opportunities have added another dimension to an attack that has produced eight goals in the Nations League so far. That combination of De Rosario, Glasgow and a supporting cast that includes Moore, Benjamin and George gives Guyana several avenues through which to threaten
Dominica. But despite the comfortable margin of victory on Thursday, the Golden Jaguars cannot afford to approach today’s contest with complacency. Dominica will be determined to respond after suffering its heaviest defeat of the group stage, while the compressed Nations League schedule demands another disciplined performance from Guyana. The Golden Jaguars’ first meeting with Dominica was effectively settled by their superiority in both penalty areas. They established a two-goal advantage before halftime and continued to press after the interval, ultimately producing five goals from a performance that underlined their attacking depth.
Guyana, Suriname Director of Sport discuss pathway to CARICOM Games Directors of Sport from Guyana and Suriname are exploring a new regional sporting initiative that could eventually lead to the establishment of the CARICOM Games, with discussions already under way on expanding the role of sport in commemorating CARICOM Day and the annual Conference of Heads of Government. Guyana’s Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and his Surinamese counterpart, Enrique Ralim, recently held discussions in Suriname, on charting a course for the proposed initiative, including the possibility of introducing additional sporting disciplines alongside the annual CARICOM 10K Road Race. The discussions come against the backdrop of the Caribbean Community’s long history of using sport as a means of promoting regional interaction, cooperation and social development. CARICOM was established in 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas by its four founding independent members Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana therefore stands among the original architects of the regional integration movement.
Guyana’s Steve Ninvalle (left) and Enrique Ralim of Suriname Suriname, meanwhile, joined CARICOM on July 4, 1995, becoming the Community’s 14th Member State and adding its Dutch-speaking identity to the increasingly diverse regional grouping. Sport has remained part of the wider regional integration conversation, with CARICOM previously recognising its
potential to contribute to social development and cohesion. The annual CARICOM Road Run/Walk has become one of the clearest sporting expressions of that regional spirit, bringing athletes from Member States and Associate Members together. Ninvalle believes the time has come to
build on that foundation. Currently, the CARICOM 10K is staged annually alongside the Heads of Government activities, but Ninvalle believes the event can serve as the starting point for something much larger. Ninvalle and Ralim discussed the possibility of introducing other sporting disciplines to the commemorative activities, with the long-term objective of developing a multi-disciplinary CARICOM Games. Ninvalle said it is important to find innovative ways to bring the Caribbean Community closer together through sport, pointing to the 10K as evidence of the Region’s willingness to use sport as a vehicle for fostering social cohesion among Member States. According to Ninvalle, Ralim is supportive of the concept, and the two officials will now work towards putting together a formal proposal that could find favour with their respective Governments before being presented to CARICOM. The proposed Games would represent a significant expansion of sport’s role within CARICOM, creating another platform through which athletes, coaches and officials from across the Region could interact, compete and build relationships.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
Hope 162* beats Rahul 129* as West Indies pull off record chase (Cricinfo) - Shai Hope spent the entirety of this seemingly never-ending match on the field, hobbling for the last third of his innings after having kept for 50 overs, and sealed West Indies’ highest-successful chase in ODIs days after they experienced the agony of losing despite scoring 405. That West Indies chased down 352 with remarkable ease despite losing one of only five specialist batters to injury even before Hope started to struggle leaves us with a tantalising “what if”. Not to mention a controversial decision against Sherfane Rutherford, which necessitated an excellent innings of 44 from Keemo Paul, batting in the top five for the first time in ODIs. This was the only time West Indies got to chase in this series, and the chase-friendliness of the conditions in New Chandigarh were even more stark. After the first 10 overs of the match yielded 28 for 2, with India deciding to challenge themselves by batting first after winning their third toss, the rest of the match produced 675 runs at 7.64 per over. Despite all the batting records India posted, including KL Rahul’s personal best in this ODI, their bowling in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will give them little confidence less than a year before the World Cup. What if they hadn’t won all the tosses and West Indies had got to chase sooner in the series? Led by Hope’s 162 off 143, this was a superbly paced chase: the first time the asking rate went past eight an over was at the end of the 38th over. That was also the time when Hope was struggling with his fitness. Unable to put pressure on the fielders or manage the big hits, Hope went 42 balls without a boundary in this period. The bringing up of his 21st ODI century gave him little joy. Among his team-mates past and present, only Chris Gayle has more. However, much like Amir Jangoo had done for the second wicket, Paul dominated the scoring and made sure Hope could bide his time and aim to gather a second wind towards the end of the match. Paul had also taken the big wicket of Rohit Sharma on 92 in the 25th over, when Rohit was done with the struggle and threatened another big hundred. Had he got there, it would have been his third in four innings. Rohit used all his experience after Jayden
Jayden Seales removed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in his second over (BCCI) Seales, West Indies’ best bowler of the series, took out Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in successive legal deliveries to reduce India to 4 for 2. Gill gloved one down the leg side, and Kohli missed a straight ball, losing his middle stump. India needed all the skill of Rohit and Rahul and then some given how batting seemed easy once the pitch settled down. It is remarkable that West Indies won not just despite the injuries and the questionable selection, but also despite at least six dropped catches, ordinary ground fielding and the bowling going to pieces when Rahul decided it was time to maximise the last few overs. Rahul added 40 and 61 with debutant Anshul Kamboj and No. 9 Gurnoor Brar after executing a second rebuild of the innings when Rohit and the incredibly lucky Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was dropped four times, fell within 19 runs of each other. Gaikwad’s luck took a nasty lifter from Seales to end for 57 off 69. Rahul stayed calm, went deep into the innings, and fully cashed in on the last three overs bowled with an extra fielder in the circle thanks to a tardy over rate. He scored 42 off the last 12 balls he faced as India took 50 off the last three overs. This was Rahul’s ninth ODI hundred, fourth in just 36 innings from No. 5.
If the dropped catches were not enough, one that stuck, from Naman Dhir who looked promising in his 30 off 21, injured the opening batter Jewel Andrew so badly that he had to go to hospital for scans. No fracture was revealed, but the pain was so bad it was decided Andrew would bat only if needed. As it turned out, he wasn’t. Even though the returning Mohammed Siraj bowled last match’s centurion John Campbell with a wobble-seam ball early, the start from West Indies was good enough to stun India and the crowd. The revelation of the series, Jangoo, relished a move up to No. 3, getting to now exploit the field restrictions as well. Dropped on 34 by Kohli no less, Jangoo scored 67 off 56 in a 109-run second-wicket stand with Hope. The pair batted with ease, hit others and milked Kuldeep Yadav for a run a ball, but a run-out off a misfield by Kohli ended Jangoo’s series at 239 runs off just 176 balls. Just one wicket away from bowling allrounders and bowlers, having played a significant part in the run-out of Jangoo, Hope, 62 off 62 at this point, had to regroup if West Indies were to have any chance in the chase even though 202 in a little under 30 overs looked straightforward looking at how the last 60 overs had gone.
Hope responded with three fours in the next eight balls he faced. During this onslaught, India lost Brar momentarily to a calf injury. In his absence, Dhir did a decent job, but Hope kept getting the boundary whenever needed, the most notable one of them a straight back-foot six as a response to three straight dots to Dhir in the 26th over. Rutherford joined the party soon enough but when given out on the field for 24 off 25 to make it 206 for 3 in 30 overs, the DRS review failed to convince the third umpire that the ball had not hit his bat even though replays did confirm the bat hitting the pad at the same time. The third umpire couldn’t see a “clear gap” between bat and ball needed to overturn the on-field call, but many an observer felt otherwise. An ask of 146 in 20 overs with seven wickets in hand is a cakewalk in this era, but West Indies didn’t have Roston Chase, who was left out for Gudakesh Motie and still ended up spending half the bowling innings on the field after Vitel Lawes walked off injured. Aided by Paul’s leg-glance-filled innings, Hope decided to take the game as deep as he could, even aware that India’s over rate was slow and that India would also need to bowl with an extra fielder in. Despite the slowdown in the intervening period once Brar came back to get the wicket of Paul, Hope made sure he was there and able to play a lone hand at the end. The highest the asking rate got was 11.2 for the last five overs, and Hope was not getting much support from Motie at the other end. Hope had himself scored just 38 in the last 48 balls. Then he started to pull the trigger. After hitting a straight six off the first ball of Kuldeep’s last over, he achieved another small win by sweeping a wrong’un, a ball that had got him out in both the previous matches, for four. India had to bowl the last four overs with the over-rate penalty in play, and it was their turn to go to pieces. Hope sliced a couple of fours off Brar in the 47th before Gill chose to bowl Kamboj in the 48th even though Siraj had two overs left. Kamboj looked to reprise his IPL method of going round the wicket and bowling wide yorkers to right-hand batters, but not only did he miss, he also bowled a no-ball to finally give Hope a helping hand now that he didn’t really need it.
Navin and Sons Construction backs GT/ECD Zone $500,000 top prize in One Guyana T10 Tapeball The Georgetown/East Coast Demerara (GT/ECD) zone of the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has received a major financial boost, with local firm Navin and Sons Construction coming on board to sponsor the $500,000 first prize for the upcoming zone champion. Expressing gratitude for the partnership, Romario Samaroo of the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast commended the company for backing the tournament’s broader ambitions for local sports. “We are extremely grateful to Navin and Sons Construction for aligning with our vision,” Samaroo said. “Their support is a testament to the community impact of the tournament, and having corporate partners step up in this manner ensures that our local players are recognised and rewarded for their hard work on the field.” Representing the sponsor, Ganeshram Deokissoon highlighted the tournament’s rapid trajectory and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting
Navin and Sons Construction backs GT/ECD Zone $500,000 top prize in One Guyana T10 Tapeball
regional development. “As a business operating out of the East Coast of Demerara, we have been thoroughly
impressed with the growth and organisation of the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast,” Deokissoon stated.
“We wanted to play an active role in driving this momentum forward, and we look forward to continuing our support for sports and youth development across the region.” Beyond the local silverware, the stakes remain high as the winner of the GT/ECD zone will complete the final four lineup for the national finals, scheduled for October 11 at the Anna Regina National Stadium. In addition to the $500,000 winner’s purse sponsored by Navin and Sons Construction, the zone’s runner-up will walk away with $200,000 compliments of Camille’s Academy. The two losing semi-finalists will receive $50,000 each courtesy of OGN, while the losing semi-finalists from Saturday’s fixtures were awarded $25,000 each through sponsorship from Scoop Ride Inc. The GT/ECD zone culminates this Sunday at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, with matches scheduled to bowl off at 10:00 hrs. Admission is free to the public.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 04, 2026
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Dodson keeps promise to rising track star Skekel For young athletes, encouragement can sometimes be the difference between simply participating and believing that greater possibilities lie ahead. For Queen’s College rising track-and-field athlete Bianca Skekel, that encouragement recently came in the form of a thoughtful gesture from former national athlete Eustace Dodson, who has followed through on a promise made several weeks ago. Dodson was visiting Guyana when, during one of his regular walks through the National Park, he noticed the young athlete in training. Impressed by what he saw, he approached Bianca’s coach, Diallo Jamal Shabazz, and struck up a conversation. It was during that brief interaction that Dodson learned more about Bianca’s journey and her ambitions as an emerging track athlete. Understanding the challenges that young
Former national Athlete, Eustace Dodson hands over a pair of trainers to young Thunderbolt athlete Bianca Skittle in presence of coach Dallio Shabazz and a few peers inside athletes often face locally, particularly when it comes to accessing the necessary equipment, Dodson offered to assist Bianca by providing two pair of training shoes. About a week later, he returned to the place where they had first met (the National Park) and made good on his word. In a simple presentation,
Dodson handed over two pairs of trainers to assist Bianca as she continues her development in track and field. The gesture, though modest, carried significant meaning for the young athlete, who expressed her appreciation while acknowledging the support she has received from those
All-round Claxton and bowlers set up WI’s win in first T20I against Zimbabwe (Cricinfo) –An all-round show from Jahzara Claxton and three wickets from Realeanna Grimmond Karishma Ramharack set West (Cricket Ireland) Indies up for an eight-wicket win against hosts Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Harare. Afy Fletcher, meanwhile, contributed by bagging two wickets and claiming four catches, the most by a West Indies fielder in T20Is, as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. West Indies opted to bowl, and kept a leash on Z i m b a b w e ’s s c o r i n g . Zimbabwe were 40 for 3 at the halfway stage, with Ramharack striking twice. For Zimbabwe, Beloved Biza and captain Josephine Nkomo’s fifth-wicket partnership of 24, which came at a run-a-ball, was the highest of the innings. during their 38-run stand in 25 balls. After The ten extras West Indies conceded - there were eight wides and a no- Brathwaite fell for 23 in 14 balls, Realeanna Grimmond smashed five fours and a six in ball - were the only blip in their bowling. Biza top-scored with 21 off 24 balls, her 34 off 25 deliveries. Claxton picked up while wicketkeeper-opener Modester pace late in the chase to finish with 31*, and Mupachikwa, who made 20, was much bagged the Player-of-the-Match award. Grimmond fell with scores tied before slower, as she took 33 balls. The innings had more than 60 dot balls and only seven fours, Stafanie Taylor hit the winning run off the only ball she faced. three of which came in the final five overs. Match details: West Indies 98 for 2 In the chase, West Indies were 12 for 0 in two balls - that included a six from Eboni (Grimmond 34, Claxton 31*, Biza 1-10) beat Brathwaite, and six wides bowled by Kudzai Zimbabwe 97 for 9 (Biza 21, Ramharack 317, Claxton 2-16, Fletcher 2-18) by eight Chigora - and never looked back. Claxton was Brathwaite’s silent partner wickets
around her. “I am truly grateful and appreciative of your kind gesture and I will continue to work hard and make Coach Shabazz proud,” Bianca said. For Dodson, the presentation was more than the handing over of f o o t w e a r. I t w a s a n opportunity to encourage a young athlete whose commitment and potential had caught his attention, and to demonstrate how former athletes can play a meaningful role in supporting the next generation. At the center of Bianca’s development is Shabazz, whose commitment to athletics spans several decades.As president and coach of the Thunderbolt Track and Field Club, Shabazz continues to give his time and experience to developing young athletes. His involvement is evident during the club’s regular training sessions, including weekend sessions behind the Marriott Hotel. Whether athletes are working in the sand, training on the track at the National Park or utilising the facilities at Leonora, Shabazz remains committed to helping them improve. His work represents the often-unheralded side of sports development—the coaches and mentors who continue to give their time and expertise so that young
Rising track star, Bianca Skekel shares moment with esteemed coach Dallio Jamal Shabazz after another successful performance at the Queen’s College Sports 2026
athletes can pursue their ambitions. Bianca is already making her mark. On Friday, as predicted, she dominated her school’s inter-house track events. Competing in several events at the annual sports meet, Bianca secured first-place finishes in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m, before also representing her house in the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events. After the reach, the young talent give praise to the Almighty and her Coach
Shabazz and Coach Junior Cornette of the Titans TrackClub, her training partner Serena James, and her parents. With her talent, determination and the guidance of a committed coach, Bianca is steadily building her track-and-field journey. This is proof that sometimes, supporting the future of sport begins with something as simple as seeing talent, believing in it and extending a helping hand.
Hope 162* beats Rahul 129* as West Indies pull off record chase Amir Jangoo was the third-highest run-getter of the series with a tally of 239 at a strike rate of 136 (Associated Press)
Shai Hope became the first wicketkeeper-captain to score 150 in men’s ODIs (AFP/Getty Images)
s t r Spo
Golden Jaguars eye another step toward Gold Cup, League A …Guyana to face Dominica today in Nations League
Agatash Primary and Goed Fortuin Primary featured in late antagonizing battle, Agatash eventually sealing 1-0 victory
Leonora maintain perfect run as Courts Pee Wee Round III concludes …Thomas nets treble for Belladrum
Osaze De Rosario (left) and Omari Glasgow Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.