Kaieteur News

Venezuela

Mohameds

Cybercrime law

under scrutiny

Cybercrimelawunderscrutiny

Guyana’s cybercrime law has been brought under

the spotlight of the Commonwealth, with the international organisation urging the government to preventthemisuseofthelaw tosuppressonlinespeech.

It is also calling for the strengthening of judicial independence to prevent the misuse of laws that restrict freedom of expression and mediafreedom.

A s p a r t o f i t s recommendationsinits2025

report, titled “Legal Restrictions on Freedom of

Expression in the

Commonwealth” the organisation outlined the need for governments of Commonwealth member states to reform regulations

on the right to free expression online, including reforms to intermediary liabilityframeworks.

In its report released Monday evening, the international organisation said amid escalating attacks on free speech and the erosion of civic space, there isanurgentimperativetoact

decisively to safeguard freedom of expression and mediafreedom.

The report stated that Guyana’sCybercrimeActof 2018 criminalises sedition, h u m i l i a t i o n , a n d unauthorised storing and sharing of data relating to national security It said efforts are underway to expand the Act to cover social media platforms, whichcouldfurthersuppress onlinediscourse.

“A recent arrest under this law involved political a c t i v i s t K a d a c k i e Amsterdam, who was charged after a caller on his programme allegedly suggested beheading senior officials Proposed amendments would extend the Act’s reach to social media platforms, raising furtherconcerns,”thereport relayed.

According to the report, in a reversal of progress, Guyana’s 2018 Cybercrime Act also reintroduced and expanded sedition provisions – raising penalties from two to five

years – despite opposition. The law has been used to arrestandsilencecritics.

It said sedition laws remain a significant barrier to free expression in the region, often used to suppresspoliticaldissent.

The report cited former president of the Guyana Press Association, Nazima Raghubir addressing the aspect of sedition in the cybercrimelaw

“The Guyana Press Associationisthelatestbody tocallfortheremovalofthe offence of sedition from the CybercrimesBillbecauseof thedangeritpresentstofree speech.According to clause 18 of the Bill, persons commit an offence of sedition when they attempt tobringintohatredorexcite disaffection towards the government,” Raghubir is quotedassaying.

Guyana’s Cybercrime Act was passed in 2018 and addresses various aspects of harassment using electronic media.

Section 19 of the Act states that, among other

Relativesofabductedmen turntoVenezuelaforhelp

The relatives of abducted Guyanese boat captain, Frederick Pollard and his passenger, Antonio JoseBolivarbetterknownas ‘Pancho’have turned to the Venezuelan government for help.

More than two weeks havepassedsincetheywere bothabductedintheCuyuni River, Region Seven by members of a Venezuelan gang. The Guyanese boat captain known as ‘Uncle Freddy’had called home to say he is alive and well but days have passed since that phonecall.

Negotiationstohavehim safely released appeared to have fallen through and there has been no further update on his well-being or the well-being of the passenger abducted with him. The Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into the abduction of the men but Kaieteur News learnt that the gang has taken the men to a location deeper in Venezuela.

Although the police force is willing to assist the family, a spokesperson had said that there is not much thattheycandobecausethe

Abducted, Antonio Jose Bolivar

gang has reportedly taken the men into Venezuelan territory where it does not have jurisdiction Local investigators will now have to depend on their Venezuelan counterparts for assistancewiththecase. Pollard’s relatives have since taken steps to petition the Venezuelan authorities for help with the case. That petition was publicised across social media platforms. In the petition family members said, “Freddy’s wife (a former captain of the Venezuelan Village San Martin) and other family members are distressed not knowing anythingabouthimandonce

things,apersoncommitsand offence if…he/she uses a computer system to publish or transmit electronic data that intimidates a person, threatenstheotherpersonto use violence to him or a family member or injure their property, publish or send electronic data that is obscene threaten to or publish information that causes damage to the reputation of another person orsubjectsanotherpersonto public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment

Further Fines under this sectionamountto$5million a n d t h r e e y e a r s ’ imprisonmentforconviction and $10 million and imprisonment for ten years for conviction on indictment.

Back in 2024, Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairs,AnilNandlall, SCreportedthattheActwas under further review to addresstheuseofthevarious social media platforms to “attack”privatecitizens.

Abducted Guyanese boat captain, Frederick Pollard

again we are asking the corresponding authorities to addressthesituation”. Pollard and ‘Pancho’ were last seen on Sunday August 24, 2025, held captive in Botanamo Creek, a mining area located on Venezuela’sShorealongthe CuyuniRiver

Despite the risks and dangers, Pollard’s family membersandfriendsvisited the location to see if he was still there but when they arrived, they only found his boat and some of his personal belongings in the vessel.Theylaterlearntthat theabductorshadtakenhim to another location in Venezuela.

He has said that informationpostedonsocial media is “completely unregulated” and causes damage to people’s reputation, people’s character, that of their family Therefore, “a regulatory framework must be installed and installed very quickly to arrest this situation and the penalties for violation of this regulatory framework must be condign. What we have here is an exceptional situation and an exceptional situation requires an exceptionalresponse.”

At the October 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa, leaders adopted the Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression andtheRoleoftheMediain Good Governance (the MediaPrinciples).Rootedin the Commonwealth Charter a n d g r o u n d e d i n international law, these media principles reaffirm member states’commitment todemocracy,theruleoflaw, andhumanrights.

The Commonwealth principles on freedom of expressionandtheroleofthe

“Something has to be done about the use of the social media as a weapon against the citizens of this country A government cannot stand idly by in the faceofsuchonslaughtonits citizens, that government will be failing in its responsibilities,” Nandlall stated on his issues in the newsprogramme.

media in good governance identifyareaswheremember states should align domestic laws and practices with internationalstandards: It recommends that member states should consider repealing or amending laws which unduly restrict the right to freedom of expression Member states should also put in place effective laws and measures to establish a safe and enabling environment for journalists and media workers to work without fear of violence, abuse, discrimination or interference, including online Member States should ensure that State organs and agents, in particular law enforcement officers and military personnel, promote and respect international human rights and humanitarian law obligations relating to the safetyofjournalistsandtheir protection as civilians in situationsofconflict.

The adoption of the mediaprinciplesrepresentsa pivotal opportunity to address the widespread use of outdated and repressive laws, including those on criminal defamation, sedition,andblasphemy,and tointroducestrong

Continuedonpage8

KaieteurNews

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EDITORIAL

Total War

President Irfaan Ali spoke in his second inauguration with the vigor of a second term chief executive. His confidence was on full display, his feet firmly set on the warpath, and his pronouncements indicated a take no prisoner’s attitude. From his address, we hear that the president is declaring the equivalent of total war on corruption. There is no question that this is welcome, overduebymanymoons,andGuyaneselistenguardedlyin thehopethattheirpresidentwilldeliverthistime. Wehave carriedalittleblurbalmostdaily,whichisdugupinthelight ofPresidentAli’swords. Corruptionisacancer,andithas been sucking this country dry for decades under different governments,anddifferentpresidents.

Corruption has sapped the essence of this country, has beenallowedtomutateintoanationalpresenceofmonstrous proportions. It could be that one of the reasons that Guyanese had such little interest, could not be inspired to turnoutandvote,intheSeptember1electionswasduetothe reportedly high levels of government corruption Corruption diminishes the energy out of governance, and tarnishesthereputationsofmanyinandoutofgovernment. Itseemsthatthepresidenthashadenough,doesn’twantto hearanotherwhisperaboutcorruption.

Apparently, the corruption monster came too close for comfortinsinkingthePPPCinthelastelections. Itwasnot only about who ripped off the National Treasury through inflated contracts, and the sweetheart contracts awarded to cronies of the PPPC Government. Rather frighteningly, it washowmuchcorruptioninthemanagementofgovernment business cheated run-of-the mill Guyanese from sharing in thefruitsoftheirmassivenationalpatrimony Manyofhave notshadtheirsayinthelastelections,whentheydidnotturn outtovoteintheirnumbers. Theyaresurenottohavesaid their last word, should corruption continue at the rampant ratethatithasbeeninthelocalenvironment.

Ineffect,PresidentAlihadoneoftwooptions. Buryhis head in the sand and pretend that there is no corruption, or that it doesn’t exist at the tearaway levels that are obvious. The other option is to get serious about corruption and launch an initiative to beat it down and change the whole playing field on how the government does the people’s business and spends the taxpayer’s money From his inauguralspeech,itisclearthatthepresidenthaschosenthe moreaggressiveanddisruptivecourseofaction. Wearein his corner when corruption is the issue at hand, but on one conditiononly Heisserious,andhisanticorruptionefforts willbestrongandsustained.

FromSunday’sinauguraladdress,Guyaneseheardofthe formationofanAnti-CorruptionUnit. Weatthispaperthink thatsuchaUnitcouldbeaninvaluableassetinthetotalwar thatthepresidenthasdeclaredagainstcorruption. TheUnit wouldonlydelivervalue,ifitismadeupofmenandwomen whoare‘untouchables.’ Thatis,theirhandsdon’treachout to collect bribes, and that incentives offered to the Unit’s membersareswattedawayandreported,andthosetryingto throwsandintheanticorruptionenginearedealtwith. The presidentalsosaidthatthenationalprocurementsystemwill beoverhauled. Whentheprocurementsystemoperateswith oneblemishafteranother,thencorruptionjustfoundahome to flourish. It is going to be an extremely difficult undertaking, because any anticorruption unit is sure to collidewithentrenchedintereststhathavealottoloseifthey weretodobusinesscleanlyandfairly

There is a complication for President Ali to consider SomeofthecorruptoperatorsinGuyanaarereportedtobe friends and relations to the PPPC Government. The president could find himself in the unhappy situation of havingtodisownsomeoftheparty’slongstanding,faithful comrades. Itwillbeinterestingtoobservehowhehandles such developments, should they occur Further, the anticorruption sweep extends to the private sector, which makes a tricky situation more complicated. We wish the president success with his Anti-Corruption Unit, which couldbrightenhisstar,inspireGuyanesetobelieve.

Building Our Dream Villages and Communities Programme

DEAREDITOR,

Now that the 2025 General and Regional Elections are over, we will soonhaveanewgovernment, andfocuswillbeagainonthe business of governing and development of our country andpeople Overthenextfive years, ‘Building Our Dream Guyana Movement’ intends to be actively involved in governanceanddevelopment of the people of Guyana and be able to access State funds and resources for our programmesandprojects We h

movement on villages and families

A s s u c h , o u r programmes will focus on four areas: ‘Building Our Dream Villages’, ‘Building Our Dream Families’,

‘Community Development and Business Planning’ Specific programmes are: ‘ D

n Environmental Industry’, ‘Developing a Family Industry’,‘SupportingRural

DEAREDITOR,

Women in Agriculture’, ‘Supporting RuralYouths in Agriculture’,amongothers.

I will be focusing on my constituencieswhichinclude villages between Supply to Timehri on the East Bank of Demerara; some on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and some on the West Bank of the Demerara River, such as La Parfaite Harmonie. Particular attention will be on developing individual, organizational and community capacity and capabilities in poverty reduction, job creation, busi

m a n a g e m

development, succession planning, family and business, support for rural women and rural youth in farmingandagriculture,and education and training generally

The ‘Building Our Dream Guyana Village and Communities Programme’ will be linked to the government’s policies such as in agriculture/food security, job creation,

environment and sanitation, land regularization and development, development of the village economy, and developmentofruralwomen andruralyouth.

We look forward to working with the Small Business Bureau; Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, particularly the Regional Democratic

ls (RDCs), Neighbourhood DemocraticCouncils(NDC) in our focus areas; the Environmental Protection Agency; Ministry of Agriculture for support with extensionservices,drainage, appropriate crop selection, etc ; Ministry of Human ServicesandSocialSecurity; international organisations; as well as private sector organisations,particularlyin our ‘Developing an EnvironmentalIndustry’and ‘Development a Family Industry’programmes.

‘Building Our Dream Guyana Movement’ has a ‘Women’sGroup’whichwill also provide support to communities and villages on

matters relating to women

The ‘Land Support Group’ will provide support on land issues,particularlyrelatingto matterswiththegovernment I look forward to working with my constituencies and we look forward to working with residents in villages generally, in building partnerships to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development in communities

‘Building Our Dream Villages and Communities’ programme provides an opportunity for us to reimagine, reconceptualize, reorganize and rebuild or villages, communities and families,together

Finally, I am personally looking forward to working with the government to developan‘oilandgaswaste management policy’ and masterplan for Guyana Organisations such as the World Bank could provide requiredtechnicalsupportto thegovernmentinthisarea.

Sincerely,

Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

Money and the elections

In the aftermath of the General and Regional Elections, a widely held viewthatpersiststothisday isthatmoneyplayedamajor, if not a defining role particularly in respect to the mobilisation of WIN supporters.

Because there is no

legislation to treat effectively with campaign financingasanoffence,there is no legal prohibition or enforcement mechanism to limittheuseofmoneyinany shape or form to advance a political party’s electoral objectives In modernist philosophicalcircles,thereis a prevailing view that ‘money is nothing, yet it flows everywhere and m e d i a t e s b e t w e e n everything.’ Put in a local context, during the past five years of the PPP/C administration Guyanese would have benefited from new and innovative advancesinthesocialsector and from the marked increase in money circulation that benefited Guyanese of all classes and socialstrata.

At the same time, what theflowofmoneydidwasto createayearningbymanyto climboutofpoverty,tobring relief from the cost-of-

living, improvements in the home, a dinner or lunch at a restaurant and being able to spend quality time with familyevenaholiday

Promises made by the PPP/C during the election campaign, when realised, will undoubtedly see more gushes of money in circulation. This time, the promise not to bypass the lessfortunatewill,hopefully, be kept. In our midst, there are those who love money, want money or crave for more, not just the crisp thousand- or five-thousanddollar notes but even the crinkled old ones passed around from hand to hand every day and everywhere. So advanced has the means of exchange become that electric money can be sent viaatextmessagetoasmart phone and a deposit of say overfivethousandandmore canbemade.

Money is said to be ‘the rootofallevil’:butthereare exceptions. A banker turned theologianisnowaprofessor atPrincetonUniversityinthe UnitedStates.Helectureson businessethics,andacourse; ‘How to Succeed without SellingYourSoul.’

Contrast that with ‘The Beatles’ ‘Money can’t buy love’andhowitcanbuythat and much more For

example; it just bought a huge chunk of APNU’s traditional supporters There’s no limit to what money can do for say, a sleazy politician seeking a position of power Recent elections experience in Guyana has shown convincingly that people wittingly or unwittingly fall into the money trap irrespective of who gives it andforwhatpurposesolong as it can buy what is badly neededforthehomeoravote for a party campaigning to win government or seats in parliament.

Unable to distinguished

betweenneedandwantsome people,irrespectiveofsocial statusfindithardtoresistthe allure of money It can turn people into consummate consumers, making it difficult for them to turn awayfromthingsneededfor thehomeorchildrenthatcan be bought only with cash in hand.Undersuchconditions, the unscrupulous politician wouldusemoneyasameans toavote-gettingend. If poverty makes a critical mass feel marginalized and restless, vulnerable and angry ready tobe‘ropedin’byany

Continued on page 5

Consistency is needed

DEAREDITOR,

In theVincentAlexander’s letter, “I am abstaining on the declarationoftheelectionresults”(SN,7thSeptember2025). Vincent Alexander gave his views why he abstained on the declarationoftheresultsonthejustconcluded1stSeptember 2025Elections.

Similarly,inLincolnLewis’letter,“Theprocessleadingto everyelectionmustbebeyondreproach”(SN,8thSeptember 2025).LincolnLewisgavehisviewsonthesystems,process andinternationalobserversontheaforementionedelections. Thequestionsthatneedansweringare:

1. Would Vincent Alexander had abstained from the declarationhadthePNCRledAPNUwon?

2. Similarly, would Lincoln Lewis be complaining about processandinternationalobservershadthePNCRledAPNU won?

Consistencyisneededhere!

Sincerely, SeanOri

PNCR needs to do a forensic audit of their party

DEAREDITOR,

“IfthePNCneedsaplace tostartwithdoingaforensic audit of why they were beaten so badly, then they just need to look to people like Lincoln Lewis, Dr David Hinds, Dr Henry Jeffery and Tacuma Ogunseye.

They offer nothing that can benefit the PNC,” wrote Radar21reformed, a pen name blogger on 9-7-25 in the SN. This is an excellent analysis that the extremists did more damage to APNU than they could ever imagine.Afro-Guyanese are 29% of the population in Guyana and must win over Indo-Guyaneseandothersto get into the government.

The PNCR needs to do a serious revamping of its strategy All Hinds, Lewis, Jeffrey and Ogunseye do is alienateIndo-Guyanese.

Twicein1964and2015, Indian voters were responsible for getting the PNC to power in coalitions.

The PNCR needs to dump

President Irfaan Ali must explain himself

DEAREDITOR,

the aforementioned critics and have nothing to do with themifthePNCRistoregain power in the future. Barack Obama became President of the USA by not embracing ReverendJessieJacksonand ReverendAlSharpton.They were assumed to support Obama anyways. They did. Obama ended being elected by the majority European population and minority populationintheUSA. If the PNCR is to ever achieve its political goals, it must also quickly replace Aubrey Norton as leader as soon as possible. Norton refused to shake the President’s hands and walked out of Parliament whentheyweredebatingthe issueonVenezuela.Thatwas not showing Guyanese were united in confronting the e n e m y o r h e w a s statesmanlike. The PNCR is notgoingtobecomestronger andbetterwithNortonatthe helm.

Sincerely, SultanMohamed

Money and the...

Frompage4

charlatanordemagoguewho

comes along making promises to give them ‘the sky and the moon,’ people

become gullible and obsessed with the need for money Consequently,

anything goes; from temptation to commit a crime of any sort, to engage in corrupt practices. As we watch unmoved, eighteen years’ old school-drop outs

and others become impervious to corruption even selling their votes to those who present themselves as ‘Lord and Saviour.’

In the course of the elections campaign, we witnessed many who were politically disillusioned,

become energized, clamoring for change, while power-hungry politicians

p r e y e d o n t h e i r vulnerabilities In the

circumstances, those not havingmoneybutneededit, became that person casting around for something new thattheycouldbeeitherpart of or a beneficiary Thus, where money was available in huge quantities and provided,iteasilywonvotes by penetrating other parties strongholds, the gullible

became victim and instrumentatthesametime.

Thekeenobserverwould have recognized that while money is in constant circulation,atthesametime, itpointstowardsvaluessuch as the biblical assertion that ‘Man shallnotliveby bread alone’ meaning, while the materialsthingsoflifecanbe boughtwithmoneythereare othervaluessuchasspiritual nourishment, honor, compassion, empathy, honesty,loveandhappiness.

Yoursfaithfully, ClementJ.Rohee

President Irfaan Ali appeared in the commentary booth with Ian Bishop on FridaySept72025andmade several absurd claims about WestIndiescricket.

The one which interests methemostisthat,“wewere legislatedoutofcricket”.

IrfaanAli,Idon’tknowif youunderstandwhatyouare saying.

The entire cricketing world knows that West Indies cricket has been in a free fall for four decades. In the 1990’s, leadership and board of directors blamed p l a y e r s f o r p o o r performances. In the 2000’s management, blamed pitches, playing conditions, lackofinfrastructureaswell as players.Afew years ago,

somebody finally woke up and stated “West Indian cricket is corrupt and the entire system needed to be rebuilt.

Sometime in 2012, there were structural changes and the renaming of West Indies Cricket Board to “Cricket West Indies”.At that time, I told my friends that you can putlipstickonapig,thepigis still a pig. Back then, there were cries of corruption and lack of management “ know how”.

People like Clive Lloyd were given roles he had no businessholding.Lloydwas a decent cricketer but those skills do not translate into managing an organisation. Another example of putting lipstick on the pig was bringing Otis Gibson as

coach. Gibson did not help improve cricket, his ineptitude in managing people further degraded our cricket.

President Ali were you saying the “legislation to renameWICBtoCricketWI is the cause of the decline in cricketatthehighestlevel?I was astounded with your claims in the commentary booth as a president whose administration has been marred in corruption controversies that you highlighted the decades of mismanagement without understanding the correlations.

Howcanyouaspresident make such irresponsible claims? I ask please explain what you mean, when you stated, “we were legislated

outofcricket.”Watchingthe interaction between you and Ian Bishop as you were making these claims, I noticed Bishop looked like hewantedtofallinaholeand disassociate himself from those comments because it wasIanBishopwhohasbeen callingforarevampingofthe managementstructure.

Michael Holding would agree because he too was lambasting the decades of pooroutcomes.

PresidentAli,pleasehelp RHW people understand whichcampyoustandin-the WICBofoldorCricketWI?

The global cricket audience expects a response tothesequestions.

Regards, GopaulRampersaud ChapelHill,NC

Too many partisan local observers

DEAREDITOR,

The credibility of elections rests not only on GECOM’s administration but also on the integrity of those who monitor the process.

Observation is meant to guarantee impartiality, fairness, and trust. Yet in Guyana, the standards for

dangerouslylowered.

W e w i t n e s s e d individuals—many of them openly supportive of the PPP/C being granted accreditationunderthecover of business chambers and civic bodies, from the PSC andGCCItoAmCham.

Some had even publicly endorsed Dr Irfaan Ali beforeelections.

How then can they reasonably claim neutrality while observing the very contest they had already chosensideson?

By approving these groups, GECOM has weakened public trust in an alreadyfragileprocess.

This approval directly conflictswithSection84Aof the Representation of the PeopleAct,Cap.1:03,which allows GECOM to accredit observers but subjects them toguidelinesforimpartiality

GECOM’s own guidelines stateclearlythat:“Observers shall be independent and impartial in the discharge of their duties” and “shall not be affiliated with or represent any political party or candidate contesting the elections.”

B y a c c r e d i t i n g politically aligned groups, GECOM has acted contrary tobothitslegalmandateand itsownrules.

Internationally, this breaches the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation (2005),endorsedbytheUN, OAS, and EU, which requires strict political neutrality

The Carter Center’s guidelines similarly emphasize that observers must avoid even the perceptionofbias.

Allowing politically

t a i n t e d g r o u p s t o masquerade as neutral observers undermines both domestic law and global standards.

The U S Embassy,

which often partners with these chambers, must also hold them to higher standards The Embassy represents not just U S interests, but the democratic principles it so often champions.

By tolerating politically tainted observation, it risks undermining its own credibility and the values it claimstopromote.AmCham for example had the most political activists under the guiseofobservers.

The same can be said of the Private Sector Commission. What purpose do these partisan bodies serve.Manyoftheobservers even endorsed President Ali before.

Meanwhile, statutory bodies such as the ERC continue to drain taxpayers’ dollars with little to show Where is their report on

election observation? What value have they added to ensure public confidence?

The RBJS initiative also deserves scrutiny was it truly about strengthening transparency, or simply a platform for governmentaligned Commissioners to maintainanarrative? Elections belong to the people, not to political parties or compromised observers.

Theroleofanobserveris not to legitimize partisan agendas but to safeguard democracy

Until Guyana demands and enforces higher standards—consistent with both its own laws and international norms the trust that elections require will remain under serious threat.

Respectfully, A.Rampersaud

The President’s inaugural speech offered nothing about the spiritual or moral health of our nation

DEAREDITOR, Guyanese have been brainwashed to believe that thenextfiveyearswillbring them happiness. I am sorry, but I cannot agree with the president.

I spent 26 years in the U.S. military, including 18 monthsincombatinIraqand Afghanistan.Becauseofthis experience, I do not believe inpromisesmadebymen. I saw firsthand how leaders made and broke promises, how Saddam Hussein’s rule brought suffering to millions, and

howmenplacedself-interest above the well-being of others. Those experiences left me skeptical of leaders whopromisethatwealthwill solveeveryproblem.

The president seems to believe that money can change Guyana. But money

continues to take lives

cannot fix everything It cannotrestoremorality,heal broken families, or reverse ournation’sspiritualdecline. Our moral fabric has decayed too far I am not worried about Venezuela destroying us; I fear we will destroy ourselves from within. Alcohol consumption is widespread, fueled by thousands of rum shops Vulgar music is imported, erodingourvalues.Reckless

fatherless children are increasing, yet the president says nothing about these issues. Instead, he places moneyaboveGod,asthough wealth alone could unite us as“OneGuyana.”

History shows how easily people can be deceived Hitler deceived millions, just as many are being deceived today. The

The president’s inaugural speech offered nothingaboutthespiritualor moral health of our nation. Not once did I hear a call to prayer, repentance, or renewal of values. Without such a foundation, the next fiveyearswillbenodifferent from the last sixty: we may havemoneyandfood,butwe will remain morally and spirituallybankrupt.

PresidentTrumprecently said that every nation needs religion. I agree. More importantly, every nation needs God. Without Him, Guyana will not move forward, no matter how muchoilmoneyweearn.

brainwashed; so too are many in Guyana. Even churches, once moral anchors, have compromised themselves for money and power Meanwhile, homes are broken, families are struggling, and corruption is excused as normal. Police dishonesty goes unchecked. Our society calls evil good, andgoodevil.

Sincerely, AnthonyPantlitz

GCOPD congratulates President Irfaan Ali

DEAREDITOR,

The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) e x t e n d s w a r m congratulations to His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)ontheirreelectionat the recently concluded 2025 General and Regional Elections.

This achievement reflects the trust and confidencethatthepeopleof Guyana have placed in your leadershipandvisionforthe country

As you move forward in

government will continue to

accessibility, and equal opportunities for persons w

collaboration with the disability community From 2020 to 2025 under

your leadership, we have s e e n t h e p o s i t i v e transformation of the disability landscape in Guyana. Opportunities for e m p o w e r m e n t a n d independence for persons with disabilities is no longer adreambutthereality

The GCOPD remains committed to working in partnership with your administration to advance policies and programmes that promote the rights, independence, and full participationofpersonswith disabilitiesineveryaspectof nationallife.

We look forward to strengthening collaboration in the areas of education, employment, accessibility, healthcare, and sports, ensuringthatnocitizenisleft behind as Guyana continues itsjourneyofprogress.

Regards, GaneshSingh Programme Manager, GCOPD

Foundation works commence on gas-to-energy project - Pres. Ali

Foundation works were expected to commence last night at Wales Gas-toEnergy Project, President Irfaan Ali announced on Monday

On Monday, President Ali received a detailed progress report on the project from Head of the GTE Task Force, Winston

Brassington, as the landmark initiative moves steadily into advanced phasesofexecution.

According to a release on President Ali’s official Facebook page, in Phase I, which includes the 300megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant and natural gas liquids (NGL) facilities being developed by Lindsayca Guyana Inc., President Ali was informed that the first gas turbine foundation will be poured on Tuesday night, 9th September

M o r e t h a n 3 0 0 Guyanese are already

employed on the project, with another 100 workers set to join within the next month.

The remaining turbine foundations will also be completed within that period. Phase II of the project, which envisions a second 300 MW plant and an additional NGL facility, isalsoprogressing.

The president was told that seven submissions had

ongoing to finalise the list of pre-qualified firms before proceeding directly

, procurement, construction (EPC), and financing arrangements

PresidentAliwasfurther updated on plans for the Wales Industrial Zone, whichwillserveasahubfor energy-drivenindustries.

An updated map has been prepared to highlight the existing and proposed

infrastructure, with land allocated for a data centre, ammonia/urea plant, and glassfactory

Notably, 20 million cubic feet of gas per day (MCFD)willbesetasidefor a fertiliser plant capable of producing 300 tonnes per year (TPY) of urea

President Ali was also assuredthatdiscussionswill soonbeadvancedwithlocal andinternationalcompanies that have expressed strong interestinthefacility

The GTE project is centra

o Guyana’s economic diversification, energy security, and industrial expansion, as the benefits will extend far beyond cheaper and more reliablepower

When completed, it is expected to cut electricity costsinhalf,bringingmuchneeded relief to Guyanese, as well as providing a multitude of employment opportunities.

GuyanaandSurinameto discussCorentyneRiverBridge projectthisweekend

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Monday announced that there will be a face-to-face meeting with

President, Jennifer Simons over the weekend to discuss the advancement of the Corentyne River Bridge p

programmes that the two countrieshadagreedupon.

The Guyanese leader made the comments while respondingtoquestionsfrom themediaonthesidelinesof aceremonyheldathisoffice to swear-in Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo Asked for an update on the Corentyne River Bridge Project,Ali responded, “Yes

Surinamese Minister on all the ongoing projects includingthebridge.”before adding “I think over the weekendwewillhaveaface to face with the president of Suriname.”

“The ministries are working that out to advance this programme”, Ali continued.

With regard to financing for the project, Ali said, “Wellthatispartofwhatwe arediscussing,thefinancing mechanisms, how it will be structured and those kind of things.”

PresidentAliassuredthat based on discussions so far there has not been any changes in the committee

tasked with managing the project as it relates to the projectbeingapriority

“Eventoday,wehavenot hadaresponsethatthisisnot aprioritybutthemeetingthis weekend hopefully would clarifyandwouldsettlewhat the priorities are for Suriname this time.”, Ali said.

The past Suriname administration led by Chandrikapersad Santokhi had agreed to carry out the projectwithGuyana.

On May 20, 2025 Sontokhi had announced at the opening ceremony of a Surinamese joint venture, GUYSURE Aggregate & Sands Inc. sales office, a subsidiary of Grassalco, which opened in Guyana, that the sod turning for the projectwouldhavebeenina “coupleweeks’time”.

However,Santoki’sparty lost the May 25 Suriname Parliamentary Elections and a new president, Jennifer Simons was elected. Since then, there has been no further update on the bridge project The Guyana Governmenthadsetaside

Continuedonpage15

Cybercrimelawunder...

Frompage3

protections for journalists, civil society actors, and media workers.

Thereportsaidmediaprinciples,initiallychampionedby Commonwealth Accredited Organisations in 2018, are not justsymbolic–theyprovideacomprehensiveframeworkfor the protection of free expression and media freedom as an essential foundation for the rule of law and democratic governance.TheyaffirmthedutyofMemberStatestocreatea safe and enabling environment for the exercise of free expression – both online and offline – and the role of civil societyinholdinggovernmentsaccountable.

The report called for the amendment of the cybercrime lawsinGuyanaandotherCaribbeannationstoremovevague provisions and prevent the criminalisation of legitimate onlineexpression.

“Improve the implementation of right to information (RTI) laws in those countries where such laws exist but remainunderusedorinactive.Ensurepublicinterestoverride clauses are included in the legislation. Ensure adequate resourcing of supporting mechanisms, and functional oversight,”thereportrelayed.

Startingoutonthewrongfoot

President Irfaan Ali has once again saddled the countrywithBharratJagdeo, amanwhosepoliticalcareer stands as a monument to the failure of neo-liberal economics in its most corrosive form. Ali’s choice reeksnotofvision.Ithasthe smellandtouchofobligation and loyalty to a political relic.

But one can understand Ali’s instinct to cling to the familiar Politicians, like drowning men, reach for whatever driftwood floats nearest. But it is precisely this reflex—the elevation of habit over imagination that condemns Guyana to the same endless cycle of an economy that has produced little more than poverty dressedinstatisticalfinery Jagdeo, for all the grandiose plaudits attached to his name, cannot be the future of the People’s ProgressiveParty,muchless the country. His years in office serve as a cautionary tale,notablueprint.

Underhiswatch,Guyana was an economic patient on lifesupport,socomatosethat even the IMF—the grand doctor of debtors felt compelled to ask why the treatment was failing. In the sterile prose of the Fund, Guyana’s growth between 1998 and 2004 fell to 0.6 percent,“radicallydifferent” fromothercountriesthathad drunk the same bitter medicine of liberalization. Translatedintohumanterms Jagdeo’stenuretranslatedto stagnation, unemployment, and the quiet exodus of a people losing faith in their homeland.

The irony of Jagdeo’s legacyliesinitscamouflage. Growth had taken off in the early 1990s after Guyana abandoned the socialist

experiment for the market. Privatizations brought a surge, capital flowed, and Guyana, briefly, seemed poised for resurrection. But then came Jagdeo, disciple ofneo-liberalism.Theresult was a deceleration so sharp, it could be mistaken for sabotage.

That the wreckage was partially obscured by the rebasing of the economy, after2006,isnovindication.

Rebasing is an accountant’s sleightofhand,notanengine of growth. The substance remained the same. It was one of stagnation masqueradingasstability

Thisistheghostthatnow hauntsAli’ssecondterm.He has a Vice President schooled in the art of mistaking compliance for competence, of confusing the dictates of Washington institutionswiththeneedsof Guyanese citizens The dangerisnotthatJagdeowill fail anew - failure is already written into his destiny. The danger is thatAli will allow him to frame economic management in the same tired script, one that makes theunderclassinvisibleuntil ElectionDay

The 2025 elections, with their shock and aftershocks, delivered a blunt message. The oil boom, the muchvaunted tide that was supposedtoliftallboats,has left the working classes stranded on the mud flats. The wealth gushes upward, sluicing into the pockets of contractors,consultants,and foreign corporations, while those below must content themselveswithpromises.If Alicannotreadthismessage, ifheinterpretshisvictoryas asuccessofhispolicies,then he is destined to repeat the fateofhismentor,Jagdeo.

Neo-liberal economics,

Dem Boys Seh...

in its Guyanese edition, has alwaysbeenapoliteformof dispossession It creates numbers to soothe the multilateral lenders GDP growth, foreign direct i n v e s t m e n t , d e b t sustainability ratios—while leaving the society itself in tatters. Roads are built, yes, but the traffic is poverty on foot.Schoolsarepainted,but the students cannot read. Hospitals are upgraded, but thebedsareoccupiedbythe preventable sick. The poor, promised inclusion, receive insteadthetrickleofcharity

Ali, by retaining Jagdeo and, most likely, the same neo-liberal economic team, ensures that the script will not change The foreign lenders, including the IMF and World Bank will continue to write the policy

prescriptions; local economic elites will nod approvingly, their pockets already bulging; and the cycleofalienationwillgrind on. To imagine a different outcome from the same architects is to confuse hope withdelusion.

The tragedy here is not simply political but historical. Guyana, for once in its postcolonial life, has the resources to chart a different course. Oil wealth providestheStatewithfiscal breathing room It could experiment, invest in social infrastructure, build buffers against inequality, and insulate itself from the tyranny of foreign dictates. Instead, it seems content to hand the keys back to the same driver who once steereditintotheditch.

Jagdeo’s economic vision,ifonecancallitthat, is a vision of tethering. The country is tied, securely and indefinitely, to external creditors and their perpetual

Nuff men living in prison in dem home!

Awomanwakeupduringdenighttofind datshehusbandwasnotinbedwithshe.

She decide to go downstairs to look fuh he,worriedaboutwhyhenotindebedatdat hour

She find he sitting at de kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee in front of he. He appear to be in deep thought, just staring at dewall,withapensivelookonheface.

Shewatchhewipeatearfromheeyeand dentekasipofdecoffee.

‘What’s the matter, dear?’she whispers as she step in de room, ‘Why are you down hereatthistimeofnight?’

De husband look up from he coffee. He pause fuh a long time, den say, ‘I am just rememberingwhenwefirstmet20yearsago

demands for austerity, liberalisation and investor confidence That this formula failed spectacularly during his presidency is treatednotasevidencebutas inconvenience.

President Ali may believe that continuity signals stability, that Jagdeo’s presence guarantees the party the

andstarteddating.Youwereonly17.Doyou rememberbackthen?’hesolemnlysay

Dewifewastouchedtotearsthinkingdat she husband was being so caring and so sensitive.

‘Yes,Ido,’shereplies.

De husband pause. De words were not comingeasily

‘Do you remember when your father shoved the shotgun in my face and said, ‘Eitheryoumarrymydaughter,orIwillsend youtojailfor20years?’

‘Irememberthattoo,’sherepliessoftly

Hewipesanothertearfromhischeekand says…‘Damn, I would have been released today.’

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

– PM Phillips

PrimeMinisterBrigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has underscored the PPP/C Government’s commitment to continue working with Indigenous peoples to preserve and promote their cultural heritage and ensure inclusivedevelopment.

He highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage as a foundation for development and a source of strength for Amerindian communities

PM Phillips discussed the potential of natural and cultural heritage through sustainable tourism, explaining that this would support the development of community-level tourism products.

“The breathtaking beautyanduniquecultural heritage of our hinterland remainuntappedeconomic assets. We will support the development of villagelevel tourism products This includes helping communities to design authenticexperiencesfrom craft-making and traditional cooking to

harmony he craves But stability built on stagnation is a coffin with fresh paint. Ali’ssuccessor,whoeverthat unfortunatesoulmaybe,will inherit an economy that looks impressive in headlines but brittle in reality, a basket designed to fetchwater Andlikein2015, whenthepoorturnedagainst the PPP for its failure to deliver,historywillexactits revengewithcoldefficiency

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Govt. remains committed to preserving, promoting Amerindian heritage

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips flanked by a culture group at the Amerindian Heritage Cultural Extravaganza on Monday

wildlife tours and cultural immersions”, he stated at the Amerindian Heritage CulturalExtravaganzaatthe National Park Tarmac in GeorgetownonMonday

Thegovernmentwillalso assist in the design and marketing of multi-village

package stores, creating a compelling tourism circuit that benefits a wider region. The prime minister said that the government will also provide training to raise the quality of visitors’ experience,ensuringthat

Continued on page 18

Major reforms needed Elections2025:LessonFour

The good neighbour peoplethatIplaceunderthe tent of the International Election Observer Mission(s) had a large mouthful to say about the recently concluded Guyana Electionsof2025. Thelarge mouthful was compressed into three words: major reforms needed. Say that again, please, folks. Major reformsneeded.

Why is that necessary when I hear/heard so much of how the electoral process was streamlined, how it was fit as a championship boxer andreadytopunchaboveits weight? Note that it is not just reforms-ordinary, routine, negligible-needed, but major reforms that are a must. Well, blow me down theDemeraraRiver

First question for all Guyanese, winners and losers, delirious and desultory, when someone is in need of major surgery, whatcouldbesaidaboutthe

condition of that body? It certainly cannot be that it is healthy Bysubtractionthat leaves the sickly, as in diseased and distressed and in a dangerous condition. If the tree is so rottenly bad, how can it produce good fruit?

I am sure that every Guyanese, including those who may disagree with me publicly and vehemently, know intheirheartof hearts that this is where Guyana is in terms of its electoral environment, and its related procedures and processes. By the way, it is fine to disagreepublicly;todosoin adirtywayisawasteoftime and chronic squandering of the people’s resources Neither reception nor traction.

So here we are in the ecstasies and ebullience of electionssuccess,ontheone hand. And there are the foreignfolks,whostandona rooftop and shout to the

world about major reforms needed. I don’t know, nor care,ifothersagreewiththe logicthatfollows.

Since the electoral process had so many deep holes, so many huge gaps, then what was that creature that was just given a steam bath and called elections?

More specifically, a clean and clear and convincing one? Recall what I said earlier: if the patient is in a coma,orhoversinandoutof one, no one should expect themiracleofthatsamepoly fellow as a participant in a triathlon. I don’t. Who does? WhoinGuyanacould be so, ah, untoward, so unseemly, that they dig in their heels, bury their heads uptotheirnavelsinthesand, andcomeupwithwhatthey holdoutasreasonable?

Letusallbeonthesame page. Victoryisvictory,and there is no quibbling from this corner Done deal. Overandout. Butthisisjust

one of several postmortems. Learning comes from a willingness to examine the past,asinrecenthistory

After all, it is not I, who saidthatmajorreformsarein order;butpeopleathousand times smarter than I could ever be. Okay, make that a hundred times or ten (or not atall). Whetherfirstplaceor secondoranother,Guyanese should get something straightintheirnoggins.

First,behonest. Second, theinternationalscannotjust be embraced for their rubberstamp (good show) and their blue ribbon (peaceful and whatever) The bad must be taken with what passes for the good. I hear major reforms needed, and I mark that in red. Nothing political about that color, simply an accounting convention to earmark a deficit. Now for a couple more items that stretch patience.

Five years ago, the EU

leftagiftforGuyanese. There were those 26 recommendations

highlighted as priorities. In June 2023, an EU follow-up team came and nodded its a p p r o v a l - t w o recommendation fully addressed,readytoroll. One was tabulation of the votes.

Two years, why was that same blasted tabulation exercise so clouded in murk and,shallIsay,magic? Was it not sorted out, and in fine mettle? Iguessnot.

Further, with 26 recommendations made 5 years ago by the EU, why is there still a crying need for major reforms in Guyana’s electoral system? Was anything of substance, of genuine merit, done from 2020-2025?

I would quietly say no. No need to upset people whiletheyarehavingagood time, toasting the fruits of their labour A particular

kindoflabour,itwas. Timetotakestock. After 26 recommendations, there is the overlap of major reforms needed and the advantage of incumbency leadingtoanunevenplaying field. Somebodyismessing with the mind of Guyanese. Itisn’tme. Putthemsideby side: 26 recommendations and major reforms and incumbency superiority and what did Guyanese have during the most nonYuletideofseasons?

In Guyana, that goes by the holly and mistletoe of elections No wonder everyone is having a wonderfully merry time Score a pick six for the selfhelpers.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

...Mohamed says PPP/C fearmongering and lies are finally unravelling Venezuela denies any collusion with Mohameds

Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Pérez Silva, has denied any collusion between the Venezuelan government and businessman and leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Azruddin Mohamed or his father, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed Ambassador Pérez Silva, on the side-lines of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Bridgadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, firmly rejected allegations that either Mohamed had engaged in political coordination or received preferential treatment from Venezuela, stating,“No Whydoyousay that?No.”

Addressing claims that the Mohameds visited the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown to apply for visas,theEnvoymadeitclear that the embassy remains opentoallGuyaneseandthat suchvisitsareprivatematters

“The embassy is an open place for everybody Any consular transaction or whatever information of Venezuela I can’t tell you because I have to respect the privacy of the people that go intotheembassy,”hesaid

In a prompt response, Azruddin Mohamed accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of orchestrating a smear

campaignagainsthim

“This administration shamelessly weaponized misinformation, dragging ambassadorsintotheirsmear campaign against me,”

Mohamedstated “Now,HE Carlos Amador Pérez Silva, VenezuelanAmbassador, has exposedHughTodd’sandthe PPP’s blatant lies that we were forced to publicly debunk Imagine the depths of desperation when a g o v e r n m e n t u s e s ambassadors as political pawns in their campaign. These revelations are an indication of what we have been saying all along; the PPP thrives on deception, fearandmanipulationofthe masses,”hesaid.

Mohamedallegedthatthe

government’s useofforeignenvoystopush false narratives indicates desperation “The timing of these clarifications reveals a calculated strategy to smear my name and distract the nation with baseless allegations of ties to the Maduroregime,”headded

OnAugust12,Ministerof

International Relations Hugh ToddsaidthattheVenezuelan diplomatwassummonedtoa meeting where he revealed that the Mohameds had visitedtheembassy.

During an interview conductedbytheDepartment

of Public Information (DPI),

Carlos Gimenezhadraisedconcerns overwhathehaddescribedas Venezuela’s attempt to influence the internal affairs in Guyana, specifically throughtheMohameds

“I’m encouraged to informyouthatonlyrecently we found out that the Mohameds have been frequently visiting the Venezuelan Embassy here in Georgetown Now, you can recall that we’ve had Congressmen in the United States of America who have beenveryvocalinconnecting the Mohameds to Nicholas Maduro and his regime, particularly as it relates to smugglingandthesanctions that have been placed on

Venezuela, gold smuggling

y laundering,”Toddstated. No

hstanding, Mohamed firmly denied the claim,statingviaapostonthe Team Mohamed’s Facebook page: “I never visited the Venezuelan Embassy, nor have I applied for a visa to traveltoVenezuela”Healso c

Venezuelan Embassy to provide evidence to support their claims. However, no evidencewasprovided.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeolaterclarifiedduringa weekly press conference that it was Nazar Mohamed, Azruddin’s father, who had visited the embassy Nonetheless,Jagdeo

Continuedonpage15

Govt. to further advance Amerindian land titling programme

- Prime Minister tells Indigenous people

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Monday told the Indigenous people that the PPP/C Government will further advance the

Amerindian Land Titling a n d D e m a r c a t i o n programme.

The Prime Minister was at the time speaking at the launch of Amerindian

Heritage Month of activities which was held at the National Park. Amerindian HeritageMonthisbeingheld under the theme: ‘Igniting Unity, Celebrating Progress, AdvancingourCulture’

In his remarks, he told those gathered that heritage is the living, breathing force that continues to shape the p r e s e n t a n d m o s t importantly the country’s sharedfuture.

“Therefore, as we celebrate this rich heritage, and its legacy we must also look forward with a collective commitment to building a future of unprecedented opportunity, prosperity and selfdetermination for our Indigenous people and their communities across our ten administrative regions,” he stated.

To this end, the Prime Minister said the Government is not just making promises, but they a r e e x e c u t i n g a comprehensive and actionable plan forged in partnershiptoensurethatthe development of the nation leavesnoonebehind.

“Ourvisionisonewhere every village is empowered, every voice is heard and every community thrives Our Indigenous people are our ancestral custodians of Guyana’s vast and prestige forest. For generation you have lived in profound harmony with this environment, employing traditional knowledge and sustainable practices that havebeenfundamentaltothe

preservation to this global asset. Your stewardship of ourenvironmentisandmust remain a continuing reality, making you the primary guardians of the very ecosystem that are now crucial in the global fight against climate change,” he related.

Assuring the Indigenous brothers and sisters that going forward they will receive no less than 15% of allcarboncreditrevenues,he noteditisacommitmentthat ensures that their communities are directly investedinandrewardedfor their unparalleled contribution to protecting theworld’slungs.

A cornerstone of this vision, he noted however, is the right to lands “We recognisethatthelandisnot justaresource,itislife,itis history and it is identity Therefore, our government pledges to further advance theAmerindianLandTitling a n d D e m a r c a t i o n programme. We have done more than any other governmentbeforeusinthis regard and we will continue this process in the next five years,”hementioned.

According to the Prime Minister, land titling and demarcation are both legal and moral imperatives and that government will accelerate the process to resolve pending claims, ensuring security of tenure a n d e m p o w e r i n g communities with this fundamental asset upon which to build their economic and cultural

futures.Notingthatsecuring thelanditselfisonlyonepart of the equation and that it must be protected and governedbylawsthatfitfor purpose.

“This is why our commitment extends to the very legislation that defines theserights.Assuchwewill also work with you, our Indigenous brothers and sisters to undertake a comprehensive revision of the Amerindian Act. This collaborative process will ensurethatthisfoundational legislation is modernised to reflect contemporary realities, strengthen selfgovernance and fully aligns with our commitment to recognising land rights, while promoting economic development and preserving the cultural heritage of you, our first citizens, for generations to come,” he stated.

The Prime Minister added that a revised AmerindianActmustensure improvedmechanismforthe p r o t e c t i o n a n d empowermentofIndigenous communities, and it must guaranteethatarighttoselfdetermination, cultural preservation and economic prosperity are not only recognised but actively upheldandenforced.

During his remarks also, h e m e n t i o n e d t h e Government’s plans to expand the Community Support Officer (CSO) programme, noting that officers will be retrained, upskilled,andprovidedwith Continuedonpage15

GHRA

WIN’s rise may help reduce ethnic polarisation between Afro and Indo-Guyanese -

The Guyana Human RightsAssociation (GHRA) none of the five election observer missions have concluded that the recent general and regional electionsmetthestandardof beingfreeandfair

In a statement, the GHRAsaidtheinternational election observer missions have commended Guyanese and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for conducting the 2025 electionsfreefromviolence, fear, and intimidation However, none of the five Observer Missions — the European Union (EU), the Organization of American

States (OAS), the C o m m o n w e a l t h , CARICOM, and the Carter Center—concludedthatthe elections met the standards ofbeing‘free’and‘fair’.

“All observer missions highlighted the ruling Peoples Progressive Party’s (PPP) abuse of incumbency, citingtheuseofstatemedia, state-owned property,

government vehicles, and personnel to advance the party’s campaign. Despite these advantages, the PPP fell short of securing a twothirds parliamentary majority, with lower-thanexpected voter turnout in its traditional strongholds,” GHRAsaid.

Meanwhile, the Peoples National Congress (PNC), thePPP’smainrivalforover sixty years, experienced significant losses in its strongholdsinRegions4and 10, as the newly-formedWe InvestinNationhood(WIN) party made unexpected inroads. WIN, GHRA said established some three months before the elections, successfully leveraged community-based electoral campaigns to counter sustained PPP efforts to pressure and penalize its membership.

“Transitioning from an electoral strategy to a Parliamentary party will presentachallengeforWIN. Few of its members are

household names, and even fewer have prior legislative experience. Nevertheless, the party enters Parliament with broad support from economically-marginalised communities, ” the associationnoted.

Earlyindicationssuggest the PPP may attempt to put WIN on the defensive, focusing on allegations aga

WIN

ead

r Azruddin Mohamed, who has been sanctioned by the United States for alleged involvement in gold smuggling. These sanctions also implicated Mohamed’s father and Mae Thomas, a public servant, for allegedly misusingofficialpositionsto benefittheMohameds.

AccordingtotheGHRA. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s disappointment overthePNC’sdeclineasthe main opposition party was evident “Beyond policy positions, WIN’s rise may help reduce decades-long ethnic polarization between Afro and Indo-Guyanese

Venezuela denies any collusion...

Frompage11

maintained that the visit was still “a cause for concern” given the context of US sanctions and allegations surroundingthefamily

The situation escalated further when it was revealed that a US-based lobbying firm, Continental Strategy LLC, hired by the Guyanese government, had drafted a series of anti-Mohamed tweets in July The tweets, whichwerepreparedforUS political figures, described Azruddin Mohamed as a “pro-Maduro puppet” and allegedhewasbeingusedby Venezuela to influence Guyana’s internal affairs

One of the tweets was later published by Congressman Carlos Gimenez, who echoed the accusations and warned of authoritarian influence in the Western Hemisphere.

InanemaildatedJune23, John Barsa, a partner at Continental Strategy, sent five draft tweets to the communications director for Congressman Gimenez, noting that they were prepared “on behalf of the GovernmentofGuyana”The tweets raised alarm over

Azruddin Mohamed’s presidentialbid,suggestingit was part of Venezuela’s strategy to extend its influenceintheregion.

Some of the tweets includedstatementssuchas: “US-sanctioned gold

mogulAzruddinMohamedis running for president in Guyana This isn’t just a local scandal it’s a warning”

“Maduro’s sanctioned puppet Azruddin Mohamed running for president in Guyana is Venezuela’s latest attempt to creep into a sovereigndemocracy” “ T h e W e s t e r n Hemisphere must remain a strongholdoffreedom nota

breeding ground for communistdictatorships”

The Mohamed family, particularly Azruddin and Nazar, has come under increasing scrutiny in both localandinternationalcircles In addition to political pressure, they have been sanctioned by the United Statesgovernmentforalleged involvement in tax evasion, gold smuggling, and other illicitfinancialactivities

Govt.tofurtheradvance...

Frompage14 increased stipends. Turning his attention to economic development, the Prime Minister revealed that the Government will continue to support community-led initiatives in agriculture, agro-processing, and sustainable tourism.

“We will ensure communities have the tools and opportunities to process their own crops, add value, and create products that can be sold both locally and internationally,”hedisclosed.Further,henotedthattourism beingadriverofemploymentandeconomicresilience.He related that communities will be supported in developing productsthatreflecttheirnaturalandculturalheritage,from traditionalcraftsandcuisinetowildlifetoursandimmersive culturalexperiences.

communities,anunexpected butwelcomedevelopment.”

“While Election Day passed without major incidents, concerns about GECOM’s structural and professional capacity were r e i n f o r c e d T h e Commission’s dependence onnominationsfromthetwo major parties limits its independence, making it unable to make decisions

that could threaten the interestsofthoseparties.The GHRA and other civic bodies have constantly calledforimplementationof electoral reforms agreed

process of year 2000. While agreed to by both major parties, no major changes have been implemented,” the GHRA said The

association said even declaring the 10 Regions as constituencies,asupposedly one-off transitory arrangement for the 2001 Elections has never been convertedintosingleseats.

“Without sustained advocacy, these and other reforms,electionsinGuyana willremainvulnerabletothe abuseofStateresourcesand theinfluenceofmoney.”

GuyanaandSurinametodiscuss...

Frompage8

some GYD$5 billion in the 2025 budget towardthebridge’sconstruction.

Kaieteur News had reported the construction of the Bridge between the two SouthAmericannationswillbeexecutedby China Road and Bridge Corporation. China Road and Bridge Corporation was among threebiddersthatsubmittedproposalstothe National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office last yearandhadwon.

According to media reports, the

governments of Guyana and Suriname had requestedfundingfromChinafortheproject andwereawaitingapproval.

The Corentyne River bridge once completed will span approximately 1,100 metresinlengthwith22spansmeasuring50 metreseach.Thesub-structureisexpectedto withstandminorvesselimpact.

The carriageway is expected to span around 10.05 metres, accommodating two lanes under regular conditions and three lanes during emergencies or controlled situations.

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Wakenaam pensioner found dead in

Supenaam Creek

Thebodyofa69-year-old man was on Monday found floating in the Supenaam Creek,EssequiboCoasthours afterhelefthisWakenaamIslandhome.

The dead man has been identified as Abdil Ramjan Khan.

According to police, the subordinateofficer-in-charge of the Aurora Police Station received a telephone call at about07:10hinformingthata body was seen floating along the Supenaam waterfront area.

“The scene was subsequently visited by a senior rank and detectives. On arrival, the body of a male was seenfloatingattheSupenaam waterfrontinthevicinityofthe Farmers’Wharf.

The body was fished out ofthewater,examinedbydetectives and blood was observed oozing from the ear However,nomarksofviolence were seen on his body,” po-

lice said in a statement to the media.

Khan’s body was subsequently identified by his sonin-law,NavindraThomas,a34year-old minibus driver also ofWakenaam.

Thepensioner’sbodywas then taken to the Suddie PublicHospital,whereitwaspronounced ‘dead on arrival’.

Thomastoldinvestigators that on Sunday at about 11:00h,KhanleftWakenaam alone with his 40 HP outboard engine wooden boat to go to Supenaam to purchase engine parts but he never returned.

The minibus driver said thatabout19:40hhetravelled to Supenaam in search of his father-in-lawanduponhisarrivalhesaidhisfather-in-law’s boatmooredattheSupenaam waterfront and his clothes on thegroundnexttothestelling close to where the boat was moored.

Thomasfurthertoldinves-

tigators that on the said date at about 19:40 hours, he travelled to Supenaam in search of his father-in-law and upon his arrival, he saw his fatherin-law’s boat moored at the Supenaam waterfront and his clothes were on the ground next to the stelling area leading to where the boat was moored.

As a result, Thomas visitedtheAuroraPoliceStation and made a missing person

report.

InanefforttolocateKhan, police observed the scene and The scene was further scrutinisedandcanvassedfor CCTV cameras that were found on a house opposite where the boat was moored. The footage was reviewed andshowedKhanfallinginto theriver Investigations are ongoing.

Oil prices jump as Israel strikes in Qatar

(OIL PRICE.com) Oil prices climbed on Tuesday afterIsraelcarriedoutarare and brazen strike in Doha, Qatar, an escalation that rattled global energy markets. WTI crude rose 1.37% to$63.11,whileBrentgained 1.32%to$66.89.

IsraelstruckHamasofficials in Doha, according to reports — the first known Israeli attack to land on Qatari soil. The location aloneraisesthestakes:Qatar is home to a large U.S. base

and keeps open political channels with Hamas. The strikehasstirredtalkofwider instabilityintheGulf,aregion criticaltoglobalenergyflows. Traders wasted no time addingariskpremium.Qatar doesn’t ship much crude oil, butitisatopgassupplierand a key player in the Gulf energy network. Any hint of trouble there tends to push oilbenchmarkshigher Analysts noted that markets are already contending with ongoing supply-side

uncertainties—from OPEC+ output maneuvering to U.S. shale retrenchment—and the Doha strike added another layerofvolatility Theepisode comesatadelicatediplomatic moment. Washington has leanedheavilyonQatarinrecent years, relying on Doha as a go-between with Hamas and as a stabilizer in regional conflicts.An Israeli strike on Qatarisoilnotonlyheightens security risks but also complicates U.S. and European diplomatic calculations at a

time when both are considering tightening sanctions on Russia’s oil trade. Foroilproducers,theimmediateimpactissupportive of prices. But as one trader putsit,marketsarelessworriedaboutbarrelsmissingtoday than about what this meanstomorrow.Ifthestrike signals a willingness by Israel to expand its battlefield into the Gulf, then the geopoliticalriskpremiumcould be back in force after a relativelyquietsummer

NAMayorlaudsresidents’commitmentto democraticprocess - says progress will continue

New Amsterdam Mayor, Wainwright McIntosh has assured residents of New Amsterdamthatdevelopment in the township will be maintained, even as he now looks ahead from the recently concluded general and regional elections.

AcandidateoftheAPartnership for National Unity (APNU), McIntosh noted that his party remains steadfast in its resolve to ensuring that the aspirations for progress and development cometofruition.This,hesaid, willdemandadealofpatience.

“Let me assure you that the voices of our people will not go unheard.Together, we willcontinuetoworktirelessly for better infrastructure, strongereducation,improved healthcare,economicempowerment, and a brighter future forouryouth.Theroadahead requires unity, patience, and dedication,butwithyourcontinued partnership, we will

achievethetransformationwe alldesire.”

The2025elections,which saw the People’s Progressive PartyCivic(PPP/C)returning tooffice,sawalowvoterturnout, particularly in New Amsterdamandcommunities onitsoutskirts.Notwithstanding that reality, Mayor McIntosh noted that each ballot castwasreflectiveofcitizens’ faithinthedemocraticcourse,

and that supporters’ participation in the process “is a clear expression of your belief in the values of unity, progress, and accountable leadership.”

“As Mayor of New Amsterdam,Iamhumbledby the overwhelming response from the people of this great region.Yourcommitmentand participationinthedemocratic processhaveonceagaindem-

onstrated that Region Six stands firm in its resolve to move forward with dignity, justice,andprosperityforall,” the mayor expressed, in his appreciation message on behalf of his party

McIntoshwaselevatedto mayor of Guyana’s oldest town back in 2023, before which he served multiple terms as deputy mayor

The Irfaan Ali-led ruling PPP/Cgarneredsome41,320 ofthe60,974validballotscast in Region Six according to GECOM. APNU, under Aubrey Norton, secured 6,223. Figures from the 2020 Electionsreflectsome64,569 votes cast. Of this, the lion’s share43,440wenttothethen opposition PPP/C, with the party gaining two seats in the region. The then governing APNU+AFCobtained20,399 andoneseatfromwithinaregion swung historically towards the direction of the PPP/C.

TruckslamsintocaratMontrose

A serious accident occurred along the East Coast Demerara Public Road at Montrose, in which a car collided with a truck,sendingbothvehiclescrashingintothe highwaymedian.

Thedriverofthecarwaspinnedinsidethe vehicle but escaped with only minor scratches.

Details surrounding the identities of the drivers involved remain unknown at this time. However, Kaieteur News understands that no one was seriously harmed in the incident.

CCTVfootageofthecrashshowsthecar travelingeastboundintheleftlanewhenthe driver attempted to turn. At that moment, a trailer truck collided with the vehicle, pushingitontotheconcretemedianandintoa lightpole.

Followingthecrash,thedriverofthecar wastrappedinside.Hewaslaterrescuedwith the help of public-spirited citizens and was able to walk away from the scene with only fewinjuries.

Scene of accident along the East Coast Public Road, involving trailer truck and car

High Court quashes

Magistrate’s dismissal of SOCU case against convicted fraudster

Chief Justice (ag), Navindra Singh,

on Monday granted judicial review orders in favour of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), including

constitutional relief, declarations,andanorderof certiorari quashing a decision made by MagistrateDelonBess.

Magistrate Bess upheld a no-case submission and dismissed three fraudrelated charges against convicted fraudster Dave Rajeshwar Persaud, despite proceduralobjectionsraised bySOCU.

Persaud,whoiscurrently servingathree-yearsentence

for a separate fraud conviction, had three pending matters before Magistrate Bess. According to SOCU, the magistrate improperly dismissed these matters on May 29, 2025, although a new date had already been set with his court-assigned clerk due to Bess’sunavailabilitytositin the Diamond Magistrates’ Court.

The charges stemmed from multiple reports of financial crimes and money laundering investigated by SOCU. One of the charges alleged that between September 4 and 8, 2023, Persaud fraudulently obtained GYD $30 million from a complainant under the pretence that he would invest the funds into his business, Dave Persaud Investment Company, and return 50% profit, $15 million,withintwoweeks.In June 2024, he was charged with “Obtaining by False Pretence” and remanded to prison.

SOCU stated that Magistrate Bess, while

presiding in the Leguan Magistrates’ Court, dismissedthethreeDiamond Court matters even though his own clerk had informed SOCU prosecutors that they were adjourned to June 27, 2025, at 09:00 hrs. SOCU prosecutorsrecountedthatat 06:39 hrs on May 29, they received a WhatsApp message from the courtassigned clerk requesting an alternative date due to the magistrate’s absence from Diamond. SOCU proposed June 27, and the clerk agreed.

However, when SOCU prosecutors appeared at the DiamondMagistrate’sCourt on the agreed-upon date and waited for over three hours, theywereinformedbycourt staff that the matters had already been dismissed Magistrate Bess reportedly told them that he had joined the Diamond Court’s Zoom session while sitting in Leguan on May 29 and proceeded with the hearings in Persaud’s absence, as no SOCU representative was present on the virtual platform. As a result, he dismissedallthreecharges. As a result, SOCU filed

judicial review proceedings in the High Court, seeking several declarations along withanorderofcertiorarito quash the decision of Magistrate Delon Bess. In its application, SOCU argued that “the Learned Magistrate acted illegally, irrationally, arbitrarily, exercised his discretion wrongly, failed to satisfy or observe conditions or procedures required by law, and breached the principles of natural justice by dismissing the criminal charges.”

SOCU in a statement to themediaonTuesdaystated thatinJusticeSingh’sruling, he found the magistrate’s decision to adjudicate the matters from a different magisterial district to be “whollyimproper.”Heruled that the magistrate should have verified with his clerk the reason for the prosecution’sabsencebefore making a decision to dismiss.

Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, head of S O C U , e x p r e s s e d disappointment that legal action had to be taken to e n s u r e j u d i c i a l accountability

“It is unfortunate that SOCU had to resort to the courtstocompelcompliance with legal procedure,” he said “Magistrates are creatures of statute and cannot act arbitrarily or beyond their jurisdiction Justicemustnotonlybedone but must appear to be done, for both the accused and the victims.”

With the High Court’s rulingnowinplace,SOCUis expected to reinstate proceedings against Persaud for the three dismissed matters.

Govt.condemnsIsrael’s bombinginDoha

…calls for respect of Int’l law, support for allies working to end war in Gaza

TheGovernmentofGuyanaonTuesday condemned “the unilateral bombing by the Israel Defence Force in Doha, Qatar, approximately one mile from the Guyana Embassy.”

In a brief statement issued on the Office of the President’s Facebook page, the government said, “This violent act is a flagrant violation of international law and a direct assault of the sovereignty and territorialintegrityoftheStateofQatar.”

Further, Guyana said that the State of Qatar has been a consistent ally in fighting terrorism and has been instrumental in working closely with the United States and Egypttobringaboutadiplomaticsolutionto thewarinGaza.

“Wethereforestandinfullsolidaritywith theAmirandpeopleoftheStateofQatar Guyana urges full respect for international law and support for allies working to end the war in Gaza and combattingglobalterrorism.”

“Guyana strongly believes that the unilateral military strike in Qatar does not helpthecauseinendingthewarinGazanor of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East,”thestatementsaid.

Construction worker remanded for murder of US-based businessman

A 2 8 - y e a r - o l d construction worker and resident of Coomacka Mines, Upper Demerara River was on Monday charged with the murder of US-based Guyanese businessman Courtney Evans.

Police in a statement on Tuesday said that Joel Harding was arrested on September 1, 2025. It is alleged that he killed 49year-old Evans on August 31, 2025 at the Coomacka Mines.

Harding appeared at the Linden Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Ruschell Liverpool, where the charge wasreadtohim.Hewasnot required to plead to the indictable offence and was remanded to prison until October 20, 2025 for disclosure. On September 1, Kaieteur News reported that Evansalongwithhisbrother and a friend were at the Coomacka Mines Beach, hanging out and consuming alcohol.

“Whentheyarrivedatthe beach, they saw four males and a female (who were unknown to them) also drinking beers. The female allegedly called Tyrone Otis

Evans (brother of the deceased) a derogatory

between Tyrone Evans and thefemale,andtheychucked each other. The matter escalated into a brawl between the two groups, after which the female and her group left the scene in a white minibus,” a statement from the Guyana Police Force(GPF)said.

Evans, who received wounds to his right lower back,right-sideheadandleft elbow, was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex and died while receiving treatment.

In addition, Tyrone Otis Evans (brother of the

deceased), a 47-year-old truckdriverfromCoomacka Mines was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex with a wound to the forehead;JoelHarding,a28year-oldconstructionworker from Coomacka Mines, Lindenalsoreceivedwounds to his left arm and right elbow and Evan Herman, a 28-year-old from Coomacka Mines, Linden. He received two wounds to his left side head Tyrone Evans and Harding were treated and sent away while Herman receivedsurgery A 22-year-old suspect andoneofthemalesuspects werearrested.

Hamas says leaders survive; 6 others killed in Israeli’s attack on Doha

(AL-JAZEERA) Hamas reported that senior leaders survived an Israeli air attack on Qatar’s capital, Doha, on Tuesday, but five lowerrankedmemberswerekilled.

As international condemnationmounts,Qatar said the “cowardly” Israeli attack on a residential area also killed a security officer andwoundedothers.

In its first official statement after the strikes in Doha,HamassaidtheIsraeli attack aimed to scuttle the ceasefire and prisoner exchangetalks.

T h e g r o u p a l s o confirmed that its top leaders survived the assassination attempt while sixothers,includingtheson of its Gaza chief Khalil alHayya and one of his aides, as well as a Qatari officer, werekilled

“This once again reveals the criminal nature of the

occupation and its desire to undermine any chances of reaching an agreement,” Hamassaid.

Al-Hindi said the

Palestinian group holds the UnitedStatesadministration responsible for the attack, whichtheQatariMinistryof Foreign Affairs condemned “in the strongest terms” Doha called the assault a “blatant violation of all international laws and norms”.

“The State of Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and its continued tampering with regional security,aswellasanyaction targeting its security and sovereignty,” ministry spokesperson Majed alAnsarisaidinastatementon Tuesday

The Hamas leaders, alHindi said, were meeting with a positive outlook on

the latest US ceasefire proposal to end the war in Gaza that has killed more than 64,600 Palestinians in lessthantwoyears.

AlJazeeracorrespondent Nida Ibrahim said from Dohathattheunprecedented attack on the city, which has hosted negotiations for a potential ceasefire in Gaza, reflectedhow“emboldened” Israel has become “by being able to carry out a genocide andgettingawaywithit”.

The Hamas office was established in the country at the request of the US to facilitatepeacetalks.

Explosions were reported in Doha in the first such attack by Israel in Qatar, a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas and home to the region’s largest US military base, Al Udeid airbase, which hosts US troops.

A damaged building following an Israeli attack in Doha, Qatar on September 9, 2025 [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed in a statement that the Israeli military carried out the attack in Doha on Tuesday against Hamas leaders “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takesfullresponsibility,”he said

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the administration of US PresidentDonaldTrumpwas notified by the US military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which “very unfortunatelywaslocatedin asectionofDoha,thecapital ofQatar”.

“Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not

advanceIsraelorAmerica’s goals,” she said “However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthygoal.”

Leavitt said that Trump “immediately directed” US SpecialEnvoySteveWitkoff toinformQataroftheattack.

The White House said that Trump has assured Qatari officials that such attackswillnotberepeated.

“The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of this attack,” saidLeavitt.

“The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their supportandfriendshiptoour country,” she added. “He assured them that such a thing will not happen again ontheirsoil.”

Regionalandglobal condemnation

The attack has drawn swift regional and global condemnation, with Saudi Arabia “denouncing in the strongest terms the brutal Israeli aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the sisterly StateofQatar”.

It warned of the “grave consequencesresultingfrom the Israeli occupation’s persistence in its criminal transgressionsanditsblatant violationoftheprinciplesof international law and all internationalnorms”.

TheleadersoftheUnited Kingdom and France condemnedTuesday’sattack by Israel, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying it violated Qatar’s sovereignty, while French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack “unacceptable”.

Govt. remains committed to...

Frompage9

tourismisasustainable,respectfulandprofitableventurefor thecommunities.

PMPhillipsemphasisedtheneedforaholisticapproach todevelopmentthatwouldtranslateintoeconomicfreedom and self-sufficiency He further outlined a plan to support community-based enterprise, job creation, and training opportunities to promote entrepreneurial activities in Amerindiancommunities.

PM Phillips acknowledged that Amerindians are the ancestral custodians of Guyana’s vast forests, employing both traditional knowledge and sustainable practices. He citedthePPP/CGovernment’sactionableplantoensurethe development of every Guyanese citizen, leaving no one behind.PMPhillipsreiteratedthatmoreinvestmentswillbe made in education, healthcare, employment opportunities, andtrainingopportunitiestoempowerhinterlandandremote communities.

HeclosedbyemphasisingtheimportanceofAmerindian HeritageMonthasacelebrationofIndigenouscontributions andareminderoftheirroleinshapingGuyana’sfuture.“Let ushonourtheheritageofthepastbybuildingafutureof dignity,afutureofopportunity,afutureofprosperityfor allIndigenouspeople,”theprimeministerstated. Headded,“Whenwespeakofheritage,itmustnotbe confusedwithcelebratingthepast.Butheritageismuch morethancelebratingwhathasgonebefore.Heritageisa livingbreathingforcethatcontinuestoshapeourpresent and, most importantly, our shared future.” Amerindian HeritageMonthisbeingobservedunderthetheme ‘Igniting Unity, Celebrating Progress, Advancing Our Culture’. The cultural extravaganza showcased vibrant dances, music, craft, and food from hinterland communities across the country,reflectingtheresilienceandprideofGuyana’sfirst people.(DPI)

Clubs seek clarity over Man City ‘settlement’

(BBC Sport) - Premier League clubs want more clarity about the settlement of a legal dispute with Manchester City over the rules that govern commercial deals, BBC Sporthasbeentold.

On Monday, clubs were informed by the league that Cityhadacceptedassociated party transactions (APT) regulations are “valid and binding”, with both parties agreeing to terminate legal proceedings,andastatement

b

afterwards.

APT rules were introduced by the Premier Leaguetopreventclubsfrom profiting from commercial dealswithcompanieslinked to their owners that are deemed above “fair market value”.

City had mounted a lawsuit against the Premier League, claiming the rules were“unlawful”.

However, according to sourcesatseveralrivalclubs, they have not been told any details about the settlement, norwhatitmeans.

Some suggested the league would be asked to clarify what - if anyassurances or concessions Cityhavebeengrantedatits next shareholders meeting thismonth.

Oneseniorexecutiveata Premier League club, who w i s h e d t o r e m a i n anonymous, said: “It’s hard to say anything because we havenoideaofthedetailsof the settlement or any implicationsfromit.”

Although most clubs are

relieved rules that most feel are essential to preserve competitive balance and fairness are no longer in jeopardy,someareknownto be concernedby reports that Cityarenowsettocomplete a lucrative new sponsorship deal with airline Etihad Airways.

It was one of two Abu Dhabi-linked deals originally blocked by the Premier League in 2023 for not being fair market value, sparkingCity’slawsuit.

Wednesday September 10, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

There's action to be taken, Aries,somakesureyougetup earlytomakeafreshstart.You maybeonstagetodayinmore waysthanone.Yourpowerful words won't go unnoticed by others.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Beyourselfandyoucandono wrong, Taurus. This is one of those days when you barely needtomakeanyefforttogoa long distance You'll find power at your disposal and confidenceinyourself.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

There may be a bit of restlessness due to strong forces urging you to take action.Adynamicfeelingisin theairandcallingonyoutoget up and get moving. Take this opportunity to push through someofyournewideas

CANCER(June21–July22)

Charge ahead and use your emotions to fuel your fire, Cancer You have plenty of mentalacumentodaythatcan help break through any puzzle. New beginnings are underway in many areas of yourlife.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Beabitselfishtoday Youhave every right to look out for number one. Sensitivity to other people's emotions and issuesisnoble,butitmayleave youemotionallydrained

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

Yourmindisgoingtobesharp today, and you should be certain of all your words, Virgo. Take pride in who you areandwhatyoubelieve.This self-confidence will radiate fromyou.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Muchofyourfocusisinternal, buttodayitwouldbehooveyou to turn some of that energy outward. Take this opportunity to make a leap of faith in the rightdirection Youhaveagreat dealofbitebehindyourwords.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

There'snoneedtowalkaround withafrownonadaylikethis, Scorpio. You have a special sparkinyoureyeandspringin yourstepthatyoushouldmake greatuseoftoday

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You might feel a bit rough around the edges today, Sagittarius.There'sabitetothe day that could leave you feeling upset and unnerved. It may seem as if no one understandsyou.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Your thoughts are emotionally charged, Capricorn, but you'll find that this can be used to your advantage. You have a greatdealofknowledgeatyour disposal, and you aren't afraid to throw in a little drama just forthefunofit.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

The fast-paced frenzy of the day is just what you need to jump-startyourbrainandgetit moving in the right direction. Take control of the fire within andkeepitstrongallday

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

While you're on a crusade for peaceanddiplomacy,youmay find that other people seem to be on a crusade for war Do your best under the prevailing trends.Youmayfindthatother people's words are charged withagreatdealofpassionthat willbehardtoignore.

but is yet to produce a verdict.

“Thecompromisemeans neitherpartyisawinnerora loser, but ultimately one would imagine Manchester City have come out with a good result in the sense that they can probably now push forward and close off some sponsorshipdealsatahigher value than perhaps the Premier League would previously have allowed,” said sports lawyer Richard Cramer

Despite suggestions that City have been given assurancesthedealwillnow beapproved,BBCSporthas been told it would still be subjected to a fair market value assessment by the Premier League board. And officialsinsistthatclubswith state connections - such as CityandNewcastleUnitedwill not find it easier to secure approval for commercial deals with companies linked to their owners.

The APT rules were introduced in December 2021 after the Saudi Arabian-led takeover of Newcastlethatyear

T h e r u l e s w e r e successfully challenged by Manchester City in 2024, withanindependenttribunal ruling that low-interest shareholderloansshouldnot be excluded from the scope oftheAPTs,andthatchanges made to toughen up the regulations also breached competitionlaw.

The league amended the rules accordingly, but againstCity’swishes,andin Februarytheclublauncheda fresh legal challenge, declaring the regulations “unlawful and void”, and triggeringanewarbitration.

Since announcing the settlement, BBC Sport has been told that the league’s chief executive Richard Masters and chair Alison Brittain have offered to speak to clubs if they have questions.

However, league officials insist the nature of the agreement means that much of the detail has to remainconfidential.

There is no suggestion fromeithersidethatthiswill have any impact on the higher-profile, ongoing saga of the Premier League’s disciplinary case against Cityfor115allegedbreaches of its financial rules. City deny wrongdoing in a case which had an independent commission hearing conclude nine months ago,

the other clubs have indicatedenoughisenoughit’s not a good optic for the clubs to be fighting and at loggerheads with the governingbody

“It does mean there is a likelihood Manchester City will be able to spend more money

“The settlement probably means a better working relationship and maybe this is an indication that the Premier League and

“One of the biggest concerns for the Premier League is the vast expense on legal fees in relation to these ongoing arbitrations. The funding of these disputes has got completely outofcontrolandabigdrain on resources from both a management point of view and of course eating into cashreserves.

“Manchester City have untoldwealthbehindthemto continuewiththesedisputes, but even they may have reachedthepointofdeciding that it’s not good for the sport.”

Mercenary boys lift OSCL T20 trophy after thrashing Caribbean Sensation by 5 wickets

Mercenary carted off the 2025 Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL)T20 trophy afterhumiliatingCaribbeanSensationbyfive wicketswithawhopping79ballstospareon SundayatSt.Bedesground,Scarborough.

Afterwinningthetossandoptedtobowl, Mercenary decimated the defending champions Caribbean Sensation for a paltry 45inthe12thover

They, in reply, lost five wickets when chaseddownthetotal.

Led the demolition job for Mercenary was Canada-based Guyanese Avinash Sookdeo who grabbed 6-12 from 3 5 memorableovers.

Only skipper Fareed Juman reaching double-figures(14)fortheSensationboys.

Supporting the unplayable Sookdeo was Richard Latif with 2-5 from his maximum fourovers.

In Mercenary’s shaky batting, Amit

Rukhram scored an unbeaten 16 as Juman returnedwiththeballtocapture3-25off2.4 overs.

Sookdeo on Saturday was also phenomenal having claimed 5-12 against Better-Hope in the semifinal at the same venue.

At the presentation just after the final fixture, Sookdeo was nominated as the player-of-the-match for his outstanding, bowlingperformance.

Mercenaryalsowonthepreceding15and 10-overcompetitionsmakingaclean-sweep.

Last year they were beaten by the same oppositioninthechampionshipencounter President of the OSCL and another Canada-based Guyanese Shiv Persaud extendedcongratulationstoMercenary Persaud also thanked all eight teams for their participation and the sponsors received similarsentimentsaswell.

Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League...

Royals and TKR collide today

Match three of the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League unfolds today between defending champion, Barbados Royals, and the Trinbago Knight Riders at the ProvidenceNationalStadiumfrom14:00hrs.

Royals had an excellent start to their campaign with a victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors on Sunday The teamdidwelltosecuretheirfirsttwopointsdespitethelossof HayleyMatthewstoaninjurybeforethestartofthisedition.

Royals, now under the captaincy of Chinelle Henry, will belookingtogetfurtheraheadontheleaderboardagainstthe TKR side that has already conceded to the GAW in the openingmatchofthetournament.

RoyalsandGAWarecurrentlyontwopointseach,butthe formerleadswithasuperiorNetRunRate(NRR)whileTKR willbetryingtheirbestagainstBRtohopoutofthecellar In the opening match, GAWcompleted a 6-run win over TKR. Warriors posted 129-7 in their allotted overs and did welltorestricttheoppositionto123-9whentheoversexpired.

The match that followed saw GAW fail to restrict a rampant Royals’batting effort despite the rain’s intervention that led to DLS method deciding the outcome with the defendingchampionwellahead.

Warriors posted what looked like a challenging total of 154-4,buttheoppositionchasedwithaggressionbeforerain cametobegivenarevisedtotalof137in18overs;theyended on140-3in17.2overs.

Thismatchpromisestobeanintriguingoneaswellsince the players have acclimated to conditions and have put firstmatchjittersbehind.

Conditionspromisetobehumidandwindyonatrackthat hasfavouredspinandalsogivenrewardforbattinglonger Trinbago Knight Riders: Deandra Dottin (C), Shabika Gajnabi, Shawnisha Hector, Rashada Williams, Nerissa Crafton, Jahzara Claxton, Zaida James, Jannillea Glasgow, KeilaElliott,AbigailBryce,SamaraRamnath,JessJonassen, LizelleLee,ShikhaPandeyandSaloneeDangore.

Barbados Royals: Chinelle Henry (C), Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Kycia Knight, Steffie Soogrim, Shamilia Connell, Sheneta Grimmond, Qiana Joseph, Trishan Holder, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Chamari Athapaththu, Georgia Redmayne,CourtneyWebbandShreyankaPatil Remainingfixtures

Saturday, September 13: Trinbago Knight Riders vs GuyanaAmazonWarriors,16:00h

Sunday, September 14: Barbados Royals vs Guyana AmazonWarriors,14:00h

Tuesday, September 16: Barbados Royals vs Trinbago KnightRiders,15:00h

Wednesday,September17:FINAL1stPlacevs2ndPlace, 14:00h

Warriors locked in must-win battle against 3rd place Falcons Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League…

ByCliftonRoss

Guyana Amazon Warriors enter tonight’s match against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, in a mustwin situation with time and gamesslippingawayasthey seek to solidify their place

amongst the finalists this year Sittingin4thplacewith8 points, an outright win tonight could send the Guyana National Stadium, Providence into a frenzy as their beloved team could shootupthepointstableand cement a place in the final

spots which are currently being sought after by the otherIn-formfranchises.

The Falcons won their lastgamewhichaddstotheir momentum against the Warriors, who by virtue of their loss in the last game have shown that they can be beatenathome.

Opener Andries Gous, aftermissinganeasycentury in the last game, alongside big players like Shakib AlHasan,skipperImadWasim, Fabian Allen and Kevin Wickham will need to hold themiddleordertogether.

Amir Jangoo and Gous will be looking to build on

Shai Hope has amassed 346 runs from 7 innings this season.

(Getty Images)

theirpartnershipatthetopof orderaftershowingglimpses offormthisseason.

What the Falcons may lackinbattingtheymakeup foritwithbowlingaspacers

ObedMcCoy,JaydenSeales, Pakistani Salman Irshad, whoplayedakeyroleinthe last game with his crafty bowling and Shamar Springer could pose a threat toanalreadyshakyWarriors battingorder

International Veterans Wasim and Shakib will also have8crucialoversbetween them as they seek to add to theWarriorsmixedstreak.

Warriorsdiversebowling attack will definitely be called to arms after a slight decline in the past few games.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir is the leading wicket-taker thisseasonandshouldeasily

assert himself with

GudakeshMotieandMoeen Ali forming a good 3-man rotationintheslow-bowling department.

Fast-bowlers Dwaine

Pretorius, Romario

Shepherd, Keemo Paul, possibly Shamar Joseph or Jediah Blades could also play key roles depending on the combination of the final XI.

AmazonWarriorsbatting which clicked early in the

competitionseemedtotakea bit of a downslide, with the exceptionofShaiHopewho should be the one Tahir focuses his other batsmen around.

Warriors could also look toplayapower-hittersgame by requiring more from the likesofShepherd,Pretorius, Paul and the highlyaggressive Quentin Sampson.

However, the opening combination has been terrible this season, with a struggling Ben McDermott having just one half-century in the only game he played well in, as a number of comboshavebeenusedwith littlesuccess.

Should the Warriors solve their issues at the top ahead of this final lap, it is likely that their remaining games should be relatively easier as they look to force theirwayintothefinalslots. Withtheraceforthefinal slotsheatingup,muchcanbe expected from tonight’s battle as the Warriors are in dire need of a win should they remain in the hunt, whiletheFalconsthirdplace positioncouldalsobeupfor grabs as the two teams final themselves separated by a merepoint.

The first ball is expected tobowlofffrom19:00h.

SlingerzFCtwowinsawayfromEliteLeaguetitle

Slingerz Football Club areonthebrinkofwrapping up the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League title, and they could doitinstylewithintheirnext two matches against Fruta C o n q u e r o r s a n d MonedderlustFC.

The Vergenoegen giants areincruisecontrolatthetop of the table, unbeaten, untouchable, and sitting pretty on 40 points from 14 games. Two more wins would push them to 46 points; a total no other side can even dream of catching. The title is within touching distance.

The numbers tell the story of pure dominance. Slingerz have rattled the

back of the net 81 times whileconcedingjustthree;a jaw-dropping +78 goal difference that screams superiority Their latest demolition jobcamelastweekendwhen Coach Jamaal Shabazz’s men thumped “West Side” rivalsDenAmstel5–0. Tournament hotshot Kemar Beckford bagged yet another hat-trick to stretch his lead in the Golden Boot race, while Trinidad and Tobago youth international Derrell Garcia and former Guyana youth skipper SolomonAustin added their names to the scoresheet. It was a performance that underlined why Slingerz are acutabovetherest.

N e x t u p , F r u t a Conquerors this Saturday at the GFF National Training C

y Monedderlust on October 4 atthesamevenue.Winthem both, and the 2015/16 champions will officially reclaim the Elite League crown, no calculators needed.

Meanwhile, the chasing pack are simply playing catch-up. Western Tigers, sitting in second with 31 pointsfrom16outings,have shown flashes of brilliance b u t f a r t o o m u c h inconsistency to keep pace withtheleaders.

Breathing down their necks are the Guyana Police Force FC in third on 30 pointsfromjust13matches, showing ruthless efficiency with a +33 goal difference. Wayne Dover’s men still have five games in hand, including a showdown with Slingerz,butevenmaximum points won’t be enough to topplethefrontrunners.

Kemar Beckford is Slingerz FC leading goal scorer.

The Guyana Defence Force FC, perched in fourth with 25 points from 12 matches,remainadangerous dark horse. With a +41-goal difference, they’ll fancy their chances of climbing into second or third before the final whistle of the

season. F u r t h e r d o w n , Monedderlust (17 points) and Santos (16 points) are battlingtostayafloatinmidtable,whileAnn’sGrove(13 points) and Den Amstel (12 points) wrestle with inconsistency

FrutaConquerors,oncea p o w e r h o u s e , f i n d themselvesshockinglystuck on 12 points after 13 matches, staring at a season toforget.

And then, at the very bottom, lies Mainstay Goldstar Fourteen games,

fourteen losses. Seven goals scored, 132 conceded. A125-goal difference and a total of -3 points paints the grim picture of a campaign they’ll want to erase from memoryassoonaspossible. Asthingsstand,Slingerz FC have turned the league into their playground. The onlyrealdramaleftmightbe the battle for the runner-up spot and the dogfight for survival at the foot of the table. For the rest of the league, the writing’s already on the wall and the crown belongstoSlingerzFC.

Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League…

Warriors locked in must-win battle against 3rd place Falcons

Confidence