Guyana Times - Friday, September 12, 2025

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 12 – No Closure and Saturday, September 13 –20:55h–22:25h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, September 12 –07:20h–08:50h and Saturday, September 13 – 08:15h–09:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny skies and midday showers are expected during the day, and clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 07:30h and 19:43h reaching maximum heights of 2.62 metres and 2.64 metres.

Low Tide: 13:17h reaching a minimum height of 0.68 metre.

“Your

service made the people’s choice possible; democracy visible” – Pres Ali to Joint Services …hails

Disciplined Services for election security

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday hailed the country’s Joint Services for their discipline, vigilance, and professionalism during the 2025 General and Regional Elections, declaring that their service “made the people’s choice possible” and ensured that “democracy was visible.”

The Head of State was delivering remarks at the Operation PLEXUS After Action Review (AAR), where officers and ranks were formally honoured for their role in maintaining law and order during the elections. The ceremony included the conferral of the Joint Services Medal Class E on members of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, and Guyana Prison Service.

The citation for the medals was signed by Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman of the Joint Services Coordinating Council, recognising the ranks for “meritorious and dedicated service in support of the maintenance of law and order in Guyana during Operation PLEXUS-2025-01.”

“We live in a region where we face claims that challenge our territorial integrity and threaten our national patrimony. It is therefore imperative that the world

see us as a people, united, capable of conducting our affairs with dignity and order. When our elections are peaceful, when our democracy is secure, our case for sovereignty is strengthened. The stronger our peace, the fir

mer our borders, the deeper our unity, the higher our defence. Stability at home ensures that our joint services can focus their energy on the twin tasks of security and sovereignty. A country that is peaceful within is formidable. The work you did on Election Day was not only about that day. It was about ensuring that Guyana presents itself to the world as a stable, credible, and mature democracy,” the President said.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Elevating tourism through service excellence

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) marks a significant advance in promoting sustainable economic growth and tourism develop-ment.

Formalised on August 28 at Herdmanston Lodge, the agreement reflects a shared understand-ing that a strong, clean, and attractive environment, combined with high-quality service stand-ards, is essential to driving investment, stimulating tourism, and improving the overall quality of life in Guyana.

At the core of this collaboration is the recognition that good customer service is not merely a commercial nicety; it is a strategic economic imperative. High standards of service strengthen Guyana’s reputation as a hospitable destination for both business and leisure visitors. For the tourism sector, positive experiences directly translate into repeat visits, higher tourist spending, and increased international visibility. For businesses more broadly, service excellence enhances competitiveness, builds trust with clients, and fosters long-term commercial relationships. In essence, service quality is a multiplier for economic growth.

The MoU explicitly addresses the need to improve customer service standards as part of a wid-er commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. By working jointly, GCCI and THAG aim to implement training programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and awareness campaigns that elevate professional standards across the tourism and hospitality sectors. The benefits of this approach extend well beyond individual businesses: it strengthens the private sector’s contribution to national development, encourages responsible consumer behaviour, and positions Guyana as a modern, attractive, and reliable destination for global vis-itors and investors alike.

GCCI President Kathy Smith underscored the strategic link between commerce and tourism, noting that both sectors are instrumental in defining Guyana’s national identity. She empha-sised that a nation that consistently delivers high-quality service while maintaining a clean and well-managed environment is better positioned to attract foreign investment, stimulate entre-preneurship, and generate employment opportunities. Service excellence, Smith argued, is not merely a commercial advantage – it is a tool for national promotion, signalling to the world that Guyana is capable of hosting international events, welcoming investors, and offering visi-tors experiences that leave lasting impressions and generate positive word-of-mouth.

Echoing this sentiment, THAG President Mitra Ramkumar stressed that collaboration within the private sector is essential for achieving lasting improvements. By pooling resources and expertise, businesses can implement long-term strategies that address systemic challenges, including waste management, environmental stewardship, and professional training. The focus on raising customer service standards, he noted, yields direct benefits for consumers, creating more effi-cient, enjoyable, and satisfying experiences across hotels, restaurants, and retail establish-ments. For local communities, these improvements translate into better service provision and higherquality interactions in everyday commerce.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC), represented by Captain Gerry Gouveia Jr, hailed the agreement as a model of effective collaboration. Initiatives of this nature demonstrate how business priorities, community development, and environmental responsibility can be aligned to deliver tangible benefits for all stakeholders. Through regular monthly meetings and a struc-tured work plan, GCCI and THAG are ensuring that the MoU’s objectives move beyond symbolism into action. The renaming of GCCI’s “Green Economy Committee” to the ‘Green Economy and Tourism Committee’ further reflects an institutional commitment to integrating environ-mental and service excellence into the core of private sector initiatives.

Elevating customer service standards also strengthens Guyana’s competitiveness in a region increasingly defined by tourism and business-driven economies. Visitors’ experiences, from their interactions with service personnel to the quality of local amenities, shape perceptions that influence travel decisions, investment, and international trade. By prioritising professional excellence, the private sector not only enhances revenue generation but also supports national development objectives, including employment creation, skill development, and the promotion of ecotourism.

The MoU is an intervention that harnesses the private sector’s capacity to improve Guyana’s tourism and business environments. By emphasising service quality alongside environmental stewardship, this collaboration delivers measurable benefits for consumers, businesses, and the nation as a whole. The initiative sets a standard for future partnerships, demonstrating that sus-tainable development is most effective when built on professionalism, collaboration, and com-mitment to excellence.

Regional security: The pillar of Caribbean stability and growth

By Garvin HeeraH

The Caribbean today is at a critical juncture.

The recent assertive presence of the United States (US) in regional waters, particularly its no-nonsense approach to countering narco-trafficking and monitoring threats emanating to and from Venezuela, has underscored what many security experts have long warned: regional security is not optional; it is existential. The urgency of the moment demands that Caribbean nations, particularly Caricom, recognise and treat regional security as the deci-sive pillar upon which our stability, growth, and sustainable development are built. Geopolitically, the Caribbean is not an isolated enclave; it is a strategic transit zone. The region is increasingly caught between hemispheric dynamics, rising tensions between Venezuela and its neighbours, shifting alli-ances, and external powers positioning for influence. These realities elevate the Caribbean from a perceived periphery to a central staging ground for security and stability in the Americas.

The presence of the US maritime forces and military assets in our waters is not by chance. It reflects a response to the deeply entrenched narco-trafficking networks and transnational organised crime that have eroded institutions, destabilised communities, and cor-

rupted legitimate economic systems. For Caricom states, the spill over effects of gun trafficking, gang proliferation, human smuggling, and arms-for-drugs exchanges threaten the very fabric of governance and rule of law.

In the last few months alone, three Caricom member states – Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Jamaica – have held General Elections. These democratic exercises signal political maturity but also highlight the vulnerabilities inherent in moments of national transition. Elections bring shifts in lead-ership, policy, and sometimes, uncertainty. For small states in volatile environments, such shifts can create openings for organised crime groups and hostile actors to exploit weak spots in governance and enforcement.

The linkage between political stability and regional security is direct. Without a secure environment, political transitions risk being undermined by instability. Regional security, therefore, cannot be viewed in isolation; it must be tied to the continuity of democracy, sovereignty, and the confidence of our citizens.

Beyond governance, the implications for business continuity, investment, and tourism are profound. The Caribbean brand is built on sun, sea, and stability. There are sister nations who have been fortu-nate to be blessed with oil and gas, inching their way towards the glob-

al market and impacting a trade footprint.

Tourists and investors alike gravitate toward safe, predictable environments. A single incident of vio-lent disruption, a flare-up of organised crime, or instability along our maritime borders has the poten-tial to tarnish decades of nation-branding efforts.

Tourism contributes up to 50 per cent of GDP in some Caribbean states, while foreign direct invest-ment depends heavily on perceptions of risk. Sustainable development projects, whether in energy, technology, or infrastructure, require confidence in the stability of the host country and region. Simply put: no investor places longterm bets in volatile environments. Security, therefore, is not just about police, soldiers, and patrol boats; it is the backbone of economic stability.

It is time for Caricom to recognise regional security as a shared, collective responsibility that cannot be fragmented by national borders. Crime, cyber threats, and trafficking networks do not respect sov-ereignty. If one member state falters, the repercussions reverberate across the entire bloc.

The creation of structures such as the Regional Security System (RSS) in the Eastern Caribbean is a good model, but it is now evident that the capacity is worth expanding and strengthening across the region. Intelligence-sharing,

joint operations, harmonised legislation, and interoperable forces must become the norm rather than the exception.

Additionally, partnerships with external allies, such as the US, the EU, and the OAS, should be pursued strategically, not as dependency, but as capacity-building mechanisms.

What is urgently needed is not just rhetoric but structured investment in regional security. This means:

• Prioritisation: Elevating security discussions to the top of the Caricom agenda, recognising it as a prerequisite for economic growth.

• Resources: Funding modern technology, surveillance, training, and coordinated intelligence-sharing mechanisms.

• Structure: Establishing a permanent regional command-and-control framework capable of antici-pating and neutralising threats.

• Strategy: Designing and implementing a comprehensive regional security strategy that integrates cyber defence, border security, counter-narcotics, anti-gang operations, and resilience against exter-nal shocks. The Caribbean must move beyond reactive measures to proactive frameworks.

Security must no longer be episodic, responding only when a crisis erupts, but sustained and embed-ded in our development architecture.

President Dr Irfaan Ali is a man and a machine and not a make-belief or a mirage

Dear Editor, Sometimes when things fall apart, they may be falling into place. The Guyana General and Regional Elections 2025 are over, and while some are rejoicing (PPP/C), some are counting their blessings (WIN), a solitary thank you is being paid to lady luck (FGM), others are nursing their wounds (APNU), and there are those yet to recover after being battered, bruised and beaten (AFC)! Without any surprise, the ALP has quietly and gracefully accepted the hand of fate.

Rishi Sunak, the first Asian Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, lost the 2024 election and immediately resigned as the leader of the Conservatives. The Tories won 121 seats only, and the Labour Party won a resounding 410 seats. Mr Sunak said, “I have heard your anger and your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”

APNU/AFC were demolished at the elections and disintegrated from 31 seats to a mere 12 seats for APNU and 0 seats for AFC, having run separately. They both had promised their electorates a rose garden. Will they now beg pardon? Their onetime supporters looked before they leapt and didn’t fall for any sweet-talk because they knew still waters run deep. Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall, and there is a huge vanishing point that’s gone with the wind! The word is out that Aubrey Norton will not lead APNU in Parliament and will be replaced by Terence Campbell; a slap in the face for long-time stalwart Ganesh Mahipaul, who was identified as the running candidate for Vice President. Will Norton do the honourable thing and resign as leader of the PNCR? Perhaps there is still hope for Mahipaul to finally rise to the head of the

Regional security: The pillar of...

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasise peace, justice, and strong insti-tutions as prerequisites for development. For the Caribbean, this linkage is not theoretical; it is lived reality. Without secure borders, safe communities, and resilient institutions, progress on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and climate resilience will remain fragile. Moreover, regional security strengthens our bargaining power on the international stage. A united, secure Caricom bloc can attract higher levels of investment, negotiate better trade deals, and present a stronger voice in multi-lateral forums. The time to raise the volume on regional security is now. The decisive US actions in Caribbean waters, the electoral shifts across Caricom states, and the continuing threats from narco-trafficking and transnational crime are clear

FROM PAGE 4

indicators that the stakes are higher than ever.

Regional security is not a luxury. It is not a matter for tomorrow. It is the foundation upon which our sustainable development, economic growth, and international reputation rest. To ignore this reality is to jeopardise the very continuity of Caribbean life as we know it.

The Caribbean has the talent, the institutions, and the partnerships to secure itself. What is needed now is the political will, structured strategy, and collective urgency to prioritise security not as an af-terthought but as the bedrock of our future.

The call is clear: regional security must be exercised with priority, structure, resources and strategy. Only then can the Caribbean truly safeguard its stability, preserve its brand, and chart a course of sus-tainable business continuity for generations to come. (Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)

class! After all, isn’t he “kith and kin”, or not so, through the green eyes of Hinds, Lewis, Benschop, Burke and Kwayana?

Mr Sunak had immediately congratulated Keir Starmer on a resounding victory and for being his successor. He also apologised to the country and people, saying, “To the country I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.” Congratulatory messages and warm wishes are constantly flowing from world leaders and supporters at home and abroad. Will Norton, Hughes, Azmo, Broomes and Walton-Desir follow suit and congratulate Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali as the elected President and for winning a victorious election?

Incidentally, Mr David Lammy, a British politician, was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor on 5 September

2025. He is of Guyanese parents, David and Rosalind Lammy. His great-grandmother migrated from India as part of the indenture system.

When the dust is settled, the scalpels from those who are voracious and unquenchable will bisect and dissect people, politicians, personalities, places, performances and parties. The insatiable seekers, some hungry, some angry, will also devour and digest popularities, priorities, promises and pronouncements. Will there be any learning lessons for those burnt? Will there be changes?

If anything, Guyana has realised that in this 2025 election, Guyanese have used their eyes to look through the lens of a telescope to find that a melting pot exists in this society; this nation has viewed an unnecessary fragmentation through a microscope; voters have used a periscope to

rise to a higher level to see the light from the dark; the people have aided and abetted the help of a magnifying glass to decipher those who are honest and dishonest; and with their conscience as a camera, Guyanese were able to capture the reflection of peace, progress and prosperity.

Guyana has looked up and seen a sky of hope and not a cloud of desperation, and so, the electorate have placed their safe bet on the PPP/C, who have been tried, tested and remain true to their manifesto. The electorate no longer turn their heads and pretend that they don’t see the PNC’s racism and violence, lies and dishonesty. No wonder there are so many who have crossed the line to happily join the PPP/C. Region 4 alone is living proof.

The PPP/C and President Ali have used their ears and have heard the cry of the people. The President will

climb any mountain and ensure that the aspirations of the people are not washed away by a sea of delusion as illustrated by the AFC. WIN has not walked down the road to be deemed a man, as President Ali has been in the trenches with the PPP/C to be determined as man and machine and not a make-belief or a mirage. For those who are reading Red Wedding: “Let the dust settle, let them return back home, let them feast thinking everything is fine; once they start believing this, that will be the time to strike.” That day has ridden away in the far horizon without a setting sun. The PPP/C is here to stay, not only for another five years, but for many more years that many elders will be unable to reap and enjoy the fruits that the PPP/C will continue to plant.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

Page Foundation

Graphs are useful ways to display information or data. A bar graph uses bars to compare two or more things, people or places. The bars in this type of graph may be horizontal or vertical, not both. Each bar represents a number. Because the data is shown visually, the bars can be compared to one another. Sometimes, different coloured bars that represent different things are used.

Examples:

Each student at FE Burnham Primary voted for his or her favourite kind of cake.

The key tells you that the black bars stand for boys and the grey stand for girls. The horizontal line, or axis, at the bottom of the graph names different types of cakes. The vertical axis tells you how many boys and how many girls voted for that kind of cake.

How many boys voted for fruit cake?

Step 1: Find fruit cake on the horizontal axis. Look at the top of each bar in the fruit cake section and follow that line back to the vertical axis to find out

How many boys voted for fruit cake?

250 boys voted for fruit cake.

How many students voted for sponge cake?

Step 1: Find sponge cake on the horizontal axis. Look at the top of each bar in the sponge cake section and follow that line back to the vertical axis to find out how many boys and how many girls voted for sponge cake. 400 boys + 300 girls = 700 students.

Exercises:

1) Use the graph below to identify the third mostliked fruit.

2) According to the bar graph below, what was the least favourite drink for students?

by Wilson Harris

Lands open To sunshine and sky

And to the endless winds

Passing their eternal rounds. Lands that hold in their bosom

Space like a benediction.

Lands smoky with their dreams That drift across the world

Like memories of ancient beauty dimly recalled. Lands full of the music of birds Crying softly a vague and formless meditation To the measureless skies: when the listening cattle Lift their quiet heads Dreaming their dream, so solitary and wise.

Use burnt sticks from a fire or make your own charcoal sticks to draw animals or scenes of nature. Can be done on a piece of slate or paper bag cut like an animal hide or a simple piece of paper. (natureintoaction.com)

Write a letter to your teacher telling him or her why your favourite book should be studied in class.

China and India looking to deepen bilateral ties under Ali-led Administration

…send congratulatory messages to President Ali on his re-election

President Dr Irfaan Ali continues to receive congratulatory messages from leaders across the world on his re-election into office, with the Presidents of China and India sending greetings this time around along with their pledge to continue deepening cooperation with Guyana.

Dr Ali was sworn in last Sunday for a second term in office as the Ninth Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana following the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, where the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) emerged with over 242,000 votes and secured a parliamentary majority with 36 seats in the 65-member National Assembly.

President of India Droupadi Murmu has congratulated President Ali on his “emphatic victory” in Guyana’s recent elections.

She said, “Your re-election is a testament to the overwhelming trust and confidence that the people of Guyana have placed in your

“Your

leadership and vision for the continued growth and development of Guyana.”

The Indian President recalled meeting Dr Ali in January 2023 during his visit to Indore for the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held in Madhya Pradesh. During that engagement, the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on several areas of enhanced cooperation, including oil and gas, healthcare, training and capacity building.

According to President Murmu, she is “…happy about the progress in our bilateral relations since then. As you embark on this new term, I am confident that we will continue working closely to further strengthen and deepen our multifaceted partnership for the mutual benefit of our two nations.”

The Indian leader went on to extend her sincere wishes for President Ali as he embarks on the fulfilment of his high responsibilities and for the continued progress and well-being of the

friendly people of Guyana.

Her message came on the heels of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also recently extending his congratulations to the Guyanese leader.

“Heartiest congratulations to President Irfaan Ali on the resounding success in the General and Regional Elections. I look forward to further strengthening the India-Guyana partnership anchored in strong and historical people-to-people ties,” PM Modi said in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).

Guyana and India established formal diplomatic ties in May 1965.

Readiness to work

Meanwhile, President Ali also received congratulatory greetings from another close ally in Asia – China.

On September 10, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the Guyanese leader on his reelection.

President Xi noted that Guyana was the first coun-

service made the...

Safeguarding democracy and sovereignty

The President underscored that stability at home was critical to strengthening Guyana’s sovereignty and international standing. He noted that peaceful elections reinforce the country’s image as a mature democracy, especially at a time when territorial claims threaten Guyana’s borders.

“When our elections are peaceful, when our democracy is secure, our case for sovereignty is strengthened.

The stronger our peace, the firmer our borders, the deeper our unity, the higher our defence,” he affirmed. Ali also reminded the gathering that elections often stir passion and division but credited the Disciplined Services with ensuring that such tensions never spiralled into disorder.

While acknowledging the long hours, difficult conditions, and personal sacrifices made by officers and ranks, President Ali emphasised that the nation owed them not only gratitude but tan-

gible support.

“To the people of Guyana, let us take a lesson from this moment. The peace we enjoyed was not automatic. It was secured. The order we experienced was not natural. It was protected. The democracy we celebrated was not guaranteed. It was defended. And those who secured, protected, and defended it were the men and women of the Joint Services; they were part of that collective. You owe them not just thanks, but respect,” he added.

try in the Caribbean region to establish diplomatic relations with China. Over the 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Guyana relations have gained sound and stable development, with fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation across various fields and close coordination on multilateral affairs.

In July 2023, the two Presidents met in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, and reached important common understandings on the development of bilateral relations.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown, President Xi expressed his readiness to work with President Ali to “deepen mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation within the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and continuously promote China-Guyana relations to new heights so as to bring greater benefits to the people of both countries.”

During the high-level engagement over two years ago, President Ali had reassured his Chinese counterpart that Guyana firmly adheres to the one-China principle, noting that China has played an important role in the economic and social development of Guyana and the Caribbean region, not only by sharing its expe-

rience but also by providing valuable assistance in developing infrastructure, connectivity, health care and other areas.

On the other hand, President Xi had said that China and Guyana should

be good friends who trust and count on each other, and both countries should share opportunities, meet challenges, seek cooperation and promote development together.

Hospital technician confesses to filming “Lola Doll” during gunshot treatment

Police have detained a 20-year-old male orthopaedic technician in connection with the recording of social media personality Lolita Callender, also known as “Lola Doll”, while she was being treated for gunshot wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the recording was made on September 6, 2025, while Callender was in the hospital’s Emergency Department. The suspect admitted to using his cell phone to film the victim but claimed that he did not post the video on Facebook. He told investigators that he only sent the recording to his ex-girlfriend via WhatsApp and later deleted it after noticing it circulating on social media.

The man’s cell phone has since been seized and handed over to the Cybercrimes Unit for anal-

GRA

ysis. Investigators are also seeking to locate the ex-girlfriend to whom the video was allegedly sent.

Police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing under the Cybercrime Act. Meanwhile, GPHC has launched an internal probe into the breach. In a state-

ment, the hospital said the technician was not rostered for duty at the time of the incident.

“The corporation takes this matter extremely seriously,” the hospital said, noting that photography and video recording in its facility are strictly prohibited un-

less authorised by management. It also issued an apology to the patient and her relatives, stressing that the dignity, privacy and well-being of patients remain its highest priority.

Callender, who is now showing signs of recovery after being shot multiple times outside her East Ruimveldt home on Saturday night, was rushed to the GPHC with gunshot wounds to the neck, face, arms, and right leg.

The 33-year-old mother of two was attacked just after 23:00h as she arrived home at Texas Square, East Ruimveldt.

According to Police, a lone gunman walked up to her parked vehicle and opened fire before fleeing on a waiting motorcycle.

Neighbours recalled hearing a rapid burst of gunshots before finding the entertainer bleeding in the driver’s seat. She was rushed to hospital by relatives.

driver’s body found at Melanie Seawall; cause of death inconclusive – Police

The body of 54-year-old Christopher Andrew Sergeant, a driver employed at the Guyana Revenue Authority was formally identified by his wife, 66-year-old Rosanna Phillips on Sunday at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. According to a statement from the Guyana

Police Force, Sergeant’s remains were discovered on September 2, 2025, around 17:00h, on the Melanie Seawall, East Coast Demerara. The body was found by a 17-year-old teenager who was riding his motorcycle and immediately alerted his neighbour. Police were notified, and detectives visited the scene.

His body was lying face up in a north-to-south position, dressed in a white T-shirt, white vest, and blue jeans. He was in an advanced state of decomposition, with both wrists and insteps missing and the face fully decomposed. The Police statement noted that no marks of violence were observed.

A post-mortem examination was carried out by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh. The cause of death was deemed inconclusive due to the condition of the remains. The body was subsequently handed over to the family for burial. Police investigations continue.

Representing...

…the “people”

As your Eyewitness wrote yesterday, the parties that won seats to the National Assembly are in the throes of announcing who’s gonna be sent to represent their “peeps”. Speculation on the specifics is rife, but there’ve been a couple of seemingly firm announcements – with more reports from “sources” of varying credibility. Pressie’s been playing things very close to his vest – and with him not wearing any vest that’s visible to the eye, he’s been very guarded indeed!! There was one source that claimed a technocratic fella with top-notch credentials in environmental matters might get the nod as Foreign Minister.

Now, in this era of seismic shifts in the old post-WWII world order – as a small nation with big oil reserves - we’re gonna need a real heavy hitter in those shark-infested oceans!! Kinda like the choice Burnham faced in the 1970s during the Cold War between the US and USSR – and he picked Shridath Ramphal!! While environmentalism is one of the items on the international agenda, we can see that unfortunately, it’s considered more as a virtue-signalling device than an interest that makes the (present) world go round!! But then, the technocratic maven might’ve shown extraordinary diplomatic facility with the oil companies he’s been dealing with – which might make him shine with global leaders!!

The most interesting news has come from the PNC. They’ve evidently decided to float the announcement that Norton’s gonna take the advice of most observers –including your Eyewitness – and decided he ain’t gonna go sit in Parliament. But as the leader of the list, he’ll decide who does!! According to the news, his place will be taken by Terrence Campbell – the fella who owns all those fastfood joints around the place!! Not so incidentally, he was the fella sent by AFC’s Nigel Hughes to negotiate the terms under which the latter would become the leader of the joint opposition coalition.

We can now perhaps understand the reason why he didn’t consummate any such deal but instead decided to join the PNC slate!! While he doesn’t know squat about Parliament or Parliamentary affairs, maybe he can franchise that out??! And maybe he can match WIN’s Sanction Man’s monetary largesse by promising a fried chicken breast to any Scrapehead who’d deserted the PNC for WIN to return home?? And we all know how Scrapes love their crispy fried chicken!!

And talking about WIN, your Eyewitness hasn’t seen any Scrapeheads in the names being floated for Parliament!! What gives?? When you consider that representatives are supposed to re-present their constituents – not a single one of the names he’s seen knows what it is to be a Scrapehead!!

As Brother Bob says – only those who know it, feel it!! Bun dem!!

…America’s angst

Yesterday was “9/11”. Just by the fact that in any part of the world, any of the 8+ billion persons inhabiting it would know what 9/11 means, it signals the power of America in influencing world opinion!! That was the day, of course – 24 years ago – when the course of world history was turned a right angle by nineteen men armed only with box cutters. They commandeered and plunged four aircrafts into the Twin Towers in NY and the Pentagon in W Virginia.

The cost of enhanced post-9/11 security measures –apart from the frustrations of passengers – has to’ve run into the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS!! Then there’s the cost of the expanded “War on Terror”, which cost an additional US$ trillions – and millions of lives – along with dozens of countries still enmeshed in wars! So what’s the lesson of 9/11 – apart from “don’t mess with America”?? To your Eyewitness, it’s that “knock got knock back”!! Sadly, the knockback goes on in an infinite regression that might just engulf us all!!

…the Opposition?

The EU Election Observation Mission – in your Eyewitness’s opinion – came with an agenda. And that agenda was to throw a lifeline to the PNC by holding the PPP Government to standards none of the EU countries observe!!

Guyana’s Judiciary moves to join global Court Excellence network

…UNDP case management training to help strengthen endeavour

The Judiciary of Guyana is currently working on joining the membership of the prestigious International Consortium for Court Excellence (ICCE) – a global network of courts and other organisations with expertise in court and judicial administration that are dedicated to ensuring high-quality service delivery.

“The Judiciary of Guyana has commenced the process to become a member of the International Consortium for Court Excellence,” acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxanne George, disclosed on Thursday morning.

The ICCE was formed by experts from the United States, Europe, Australia and Singapore to develop an International Framework for Court Excellence (IFCE), a quality management system designed to help courts consistently improve their performance in seven core areas. These include court management and leadership, court policies, court proceedings, public trust and confidence, user satis-

case management training session being held in Georgetown. According to the Chancellor (ag), judicial education programmes such as this training programme will enhance Guyana’s bid to be accepted into the ICCE.

Judicial officers, including Justices of Appeal, High Court judges, Commissioners of Title, the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, magistrates and judicial research assistants, were all in attendance at the case management training hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the European Union (EU).

The two-day training session, which commenced on Thursday, falls under the Partnership of the Caribbean and the European Union on Justice (PACE Justice) Programme – a regional initiative aimed at reducing the backlog of criminal cases by strengthening the institutional capacities of prosecutors, courts, police, and prisons through technology and training.

The Chancellor point-

faction, court resources and affordable and accessible court services.

In order to be accepted into the ICCE, organisations must demonstrate a commitment to excellence using the IFCE. The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was accepted into the ICCE back in 2022 and, at the time, was the first court in the region to become a member of the Consortium.

Justice George made the announcement of Guyana’s quest to join the ICCE while speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day

ed out that the Judiciary of Guyana, especially the High Court, has been employing case management practices in criminal cases. This, she added, was done in a more concerted manner after the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act in 2010, which embeds case management in its framework.

Additionally, Justice George noted that case management practices became a critical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and have also been included in the criminal procedure rules.

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After historic election loss Terrence Campbell tipped to replace PNC’s Aubrey Norton in Parliament

usinessman

BTerrence Campbell is set to lead the Parliamentary team of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) when the 13th Parliament convenes, following the party’s dismal showing at the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.

APNU executive and Chief Whip of the Party, Christopher Jones, confirmed that Norton will not return to the National Assembly but declined to comment on the issue of Campbell replacing the former Opposition Leader.

“Mr Norton has not resigned as the leader of the PNC. He just indicated that he will not be amongst the list of MPs going into this Parliament,” Jones explained to this publication. He noted that the full slate of APNU Parliamentarians will be revealed at the party’s weekly press conference today.

The September 1 elections dealt APNU its worst defeat in decades, slashing its Parliamentary strength

from 22 seats in the last assembly to just 12 in the 13th Parliament. In 2020, when APNU held 22 seats and its coalition partner AFC held nine, the two combined forces formed the main Parliamentary opposition.

Guyana Times understands that Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) Dr David Hinds, who has been publicly criticised for race-baiting, will also be joining APNU’s parlia-

mentary team. Juretha Fernandes, Christopher Jones, Dexter Todd, Nima Flue-Bess, Ganesh Naipaul, Sherwood Duncan and Sharma Solomon are also expected in Parliament.

In February, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had called out Campbell, who is the local franchise holder of Church’s Chicken, accusing him of engaging in “duplicitous” behaviour and defending his political allies while attempting to undermine the Government.

Campbell, who had been vocal in his criticisms of the Government, particularly concerning the management of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), had been at the centre of a controversy where he was given over a $100 million tax write-off by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Campbell’s tax information was leaked to the media, exposing a tax waiver granted to him by GRA to the tune of $138,835,578.

According to the leaked document, Campbell wrote a letter of request to GRA

on September 11, 2020, asking for a waiver of penalty/ interest allegedly “accrued on the late submission of returns and late payments of principal taxes, respectively.”

Providing further insights on the matter, Jagdeo had alleged that “this took place on September 25, 2020. So, what this says to me is that under the APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) period he was allowed not to pay these (taxes), and as soon as we got into office in August of 2020, he realised then that this situation could not continue, and so he hurriedly got this big write-off in the penalties.”

Other Opposition parties

The role of the main Opposition has now shifted to the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, which secured 16 seats. WIN’s leader, businessman Azruddin Mohamed, currently under United States (US) sanctions, has announced that he will take up the post of Opposition Leader.

Meanwhile, former APNU Parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir, who broke away to form the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), has claimed a single seat in the House.

The governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) swept the polls with a commanding 242,498 votes,

earning 36 seats and retaining control of the National Assembly.

As the political landscape reshapes, all eyes will be on Campbell’s debut in Parliament, with questions lingering over how the weakened APNU will reposition itself in the face of a stronger ruling party and a newly empowered opposition force in WIN.

Prior to the proceedings of the 2025 polls, WaltonDesir resigned as an APNU Parliamentarian, citing a culture of disrespect within the party. Walton-Desir had joined a long list of APNU members who resigned over a range of issues with the Aubrey Norton-led party.

In addition to her, MPs Jermaine Figueira and Geeta Chandan-Edmond tendered their resignations. Figueira was an executive

member of the PNC, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), shadow minister of culture, youth and sport, and the PNC’s chairman of Region Ten –one of the party’s strongholds.

Following his resignation, Figueira released a statement to the media explaining his reasons for leaving the party, citing issues such as the PNC’s lack of visionary leadership and its embrace of ethnic antagonism.

Chandon-Edmond announced her endorsement of President Dr Irfaan Ali in the National Assembly, citing issues within the APNU, such as its unpatriotic stance on the GuyanaVenezuela border controversy and its condoning of vile and racist remarks against her by party allies.

Natasha Singh-Lewis, another PNC/APNU Parliamentarian, recently resigned from the party. Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman of Region Four Daniel Seeram and Samuel Sandy – both PNC/ APNU members – have since resigned and are now supporting President Ali and the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) for a second term in office.

Some other persons who have resigned from the PNC are Dr Richard Van-West Charles, Thandi McAllister, and James Bond.

“Lola Doll” shooting US-sanctioned businessman released on $1M station bail

Police investigations are ongoing into the attempted murder of 33-year-old Lolita Callender, also known as “Lola Doll”, who was shot multiple times outside her East Ruimveldt home last Saturday night.

On Thursday, the Guyana Police Force confirmed that United States (US)-sanctioned business-

man Paul Daby Jr, also called “Randell”, was released on $1 million station bail after the 72-hour detention period expired. He has been placed under strict reporting conditions as enquiries continue.

Daby Jr, 40, had surrendered to the police earlier this week in the company of his attorney and was be-

ing questioned in connection with the shooting. Another suspect, who was initially arrested, was earlier released on $500,000 station bail after his detention period also expired.

The incident occurred just after 23:00h on Saturday last when Callender arrived at her Texas Square, East Ruimveldt, residence. Police

Guyana’s Judiciary moves...

“This training will therefore further enhance our capacity and capability to better address our caseloads so as to ensure that indeed, justice delayed is not justice denied. It complements other training that we all had this year on judgement writing and treating a case as a project so that it can be efficiently completed,” the acting Chancellor posited.

She went on to say, “This training also dovetails with our strategic plan, which emphasises continuing judicial education and the implementation of performance standards so as to ensure an effective and efficient judicial system.”

Also delivering remarks during Thursday’s opening ceremony for the training session was UNDP Country Representative in Guyana, Katy Thompson, who explained that investments made through Information Technology (IT), infrastructure and skills training are geared towards building an efficient system to deliver fair justice to citizens.

Under this UNDPadministered programme, some $73 million worth of IT equipment has been distributed to various stakeholders, including the Guyanese Police Force (GPF), Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and Ministry of Home Affairs, as well as catering for the training of judicial officers.

“We’re there to assist you on this journey, and of course we want to continue

to make sure this project really is impactful and we see concrete changes in the efficiency with which you can do your work. So, we wanted to make sure that that is well communicated, of course, and that the public are aware of those efforts and the efforts that you’re putting in,” Thompson stressed.

Tangible difference

Meanwhile, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation Office in Guyana, Joan Sastre, related that the two-day training session will make a tangible difference in how justice is delivered locally.

He noted that the PACE project is a prime example of how collaboration can strengthen institutions, build capacity, and ultimately deliver more efficient and fair justice to citizens across the Caribbean.

“We are trying to contribute to making these institutions stronger. And this training on case management speaks directly to one of the greatest challenges faced by the judiciary worldwide: ensuring timely, transparent, and effective handling of cases. Only through this will the general public still be confident and will trust the judiciary system,” he stated.

According to the EU Delegation official, “By introducing best practices and tools, and by empowering our legal professionals with knowledge and skills, we move closer to a justice

system that inspires public trust and confidence. Guyana’s participation in this regional initiative underscores your commitment not only to national reform but also to sharing experiences with your Caribbean partners so that together you may advance justice as a pillar of democratic governance, human rights, and sustainable development.”

With a budget of 10 million euro, PACE Justice is the EU’s flagship project for criminal justice reform in non-Caribbean countries, including Guyana, with the primary objective of assisting local partners in reducing criminal case backlogs through innovative approaches, including restorative justice and criminal mediation.

reported that a lone gunman approached her parked vehicle and opened fire before escaping on a motorcycle.

Callender sustained

gunshot wounds to her neck, face, arms, and right leg. She was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where doctors have since confirmed her condition has improved.

In June, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Daby Jr and several others for alleged involvement in international cocaine trafficking networks. He was accused of helping move shipments from Colombia and Venezuela through Guyana to North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Police continue to review CCTV footage from utility poles and nearby properties, which shows the gunman carrying out the attack before escaping. Detectives are also examining video clips circulating online. Police said the probe is ongoing.

Albouystown fire guts 3 buildings; 30 persons displaced

Afire of unknown origin swept through several buildings along James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, Thursday afternoon, as preliminary reports indicate that approximately 30 persons were displaced.

The inferno, which started around 15:00h, quickly spread from one structure to another, de-stroying millions of dollars in property, including two apartments and a meat shop.

Divisional Fire Officer

catch,” Charles explained.

He noted that firefighting teams immediately focused on containing the flames to prevent fur-ther spread.

“We were accessing water from multiple sources, and branches have been deployed around the block. From the front, we can clearly see three buildings completely engulfed, but we be-lieve more houses at the back have also suffered damages. A full assessment will be made once the fire is

Otis Charles confirmed that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) deployed six fire tenders to battle the blaze.

“We responded with six appliances – two from Central, one from Alberttown, one from West, one from Eccles, and another from Central Fire Station. When we arrived, one building was ful-ly engulfed in flames, and another was already starting to

under control,” he added at the time.

The landlord of the affected properties, who operated a meat shop and owned two apartments, said the destruction has left him with nothing.

“The fire escalated throughout the other buildings. My white building could’ve been saved, but when the firemen came, there was no water. After

that, the fire escalated and caught the other side,” the distraught man said.

He explained that his business was completely destroyed.

“This was a meat shop, and we used to pack all our goods in here. Everything burn up. I can’t even give an estimate right now – it’s just millions gone,” he said.

Several residents expressed frustration, claiming that the fire service took nearly 30 minutes to arrive after calls were made.

One of the victims, Kaylee Andrew, who lived in one of the apartments with her three children, recalled the terrifying moment.

“They come late – after 3 – and by then the whole block done gone. People

from outside was calling for me, and I run out. I only get to save my son and myself. I live with my three kids in that house, and I wake up in the fire. I didn’t get to save anything,” she lamented.

The young mother added that she escaped through smoke and flames and didn’t know what may have started the blaze.

As a safety measure, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) disconnected power in the vicinity to allow emergency crews to operate

without risk.

The Guyana Fire Service has since launched an investigation to determine the origin of the fire.

Meanwhile, the families left homeless are pleading for urgent assistance as they try to rebuild their lives.

The clearing of rubble from the affected section of the street is expected to commence shortly.

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, and Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, also visited the scene and engaged the affected persons as authorities carried out their assessments.

Linden Multi's 50th anniversary PM urges students to develop themselves for tomorrow's economy

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired)

Mark Phillips on Thursday addressed the 50th anniversary commemorative assembly of the Linden multilateral school (Multi), now officially called the Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School, where he reflected on its history, emphasised the importance of hard work and integrity, and outlined the Government's vision for Linden's continued development.

Speaking to a gathering of current students, alumni, and teachers, Prime Minister Phillips re-flected on his for-

mative years at Multi School, emphasising how the institution served as a place where teachers were more than educators; they were mentors who instilled lifelong val-ues.

He urged students to adopt the same discipline and focus, reminding them that hard work, in-tegrity, and seizing opportunities remain vital for success.

The Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing construction of the new Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School, which will replace the existing Multi School facility at a cost of $2.6 billion – making it the

most significant educational investment in Linden's history. When completed in 2026, the school will feature modern laboratories, learning spaces, and recreational facilities – representing a major investment in education infrastructure.

He also revealed plans to convert the current school grounds into state-of-theart sports facili-ties once the new building is operational.

He encouraged the students to prepare for the opportunities ahead. Drawing from his personal journey and the "never refuse an assignment" principle learnt at Multi, he emphasised, "Leaders are readers. Do all your reading now. Become the engineers, doctors, economists, teachers, and nurses that Linden and Guyana will need."

Phillips highlighted the potential for expanded bauxite operations and increased economic ac-tivity in Linden, Kwakwani, and Ituni.

He outlined major energy projects, including the construction of a 15-megawatt solar farm un-der the GUYSOL initiative. Once

completed, Linden will host the largest solar facility in Guyana, positioning the town as a leader in sustainable energy.

He also referenced Linden's future connection to the Demerara–Berbice Interconnected System and the transmission lines linked to the futuristic Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Power Station. "Linden will become, once again, a premier industrial zone in Guyana."

The Prime Minister reminded the gathering that Linden's transformation depends not only on the Government's investments but also on the determination of its young people to carry the torch forward.

Lamborghini tax evasion case

GRA asks High Court to stay civil case until ruling on criminal charges

Citing the initiation of criminal proceedings based on subsequent evidence showing alleged falsification of an invoice and significantly understated taxes, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has petitioned the High Court to stay the upcoming September 15 ruling in the civil judicial review case filed by USsanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who is challenging tax obligations on a Lamborghini he imported in December 2020.

In its Notice of Application (NOA), the GRA asked Justice Gino Persaud that the Application be deemed fit for urgent and expedited hearing, and the proceedings in the judicial review “be stayed and that there be no determination of the issues” given, “pending the hearing and determination of the criminal charges” against Mohamed, who has been charged under Section 218 (e) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, for fraudulent evasion and false declarations.

“Criminal charges having been preferred against the applicant, the High Court ought to exercise its discretion to stay the hearing and determination of this claim for judicial review pending the hearing and determination of the said criminal charges because it would be neither appropriate nor prudent for the court to assume jurisdiction for a claim for judicial review in circumstances where criminal charges have been preferred against the claimant based on the same facts,” the application read.

The GRA argues that separate

determinations of the same case in the High Court as well as the criminal court could compromise the credibility of the justice system.

“The issues as to whether he made a false declaration to the Revenue Authority in the declaration of the value of the vehicle on 7 December 2020 and whether he was knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion are at the core of the judicial review considerations, and will arise for determination in both courts, and there is a serious risk of inconsistent findings by the High Court and the criminal court, which apart from being undesirable, can bring the administration of justice into disrepute,” the GRA application said.

Criminal charges

The GRA had instituted criminal charges against Mohamed in May after the Authority had received of-

ficial documentation from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) showing an invoice from International Speed Consulting Inc billed on October 7, 2020 for the payment of US$695,000 for the Lamborghini. The invoice was stamped as paid. The particulars of the Lamborghini identified in the invoice were the same as Mohamed’s Lamborghini.

The US$695,000 payment exceeds the US$75,300 value for the vehicle that Mohamed declared in his tax filings for the vehicle. However, it was not until May 13 that the GRA received the evidence.

“The applicant is obliged to deploy the arguments raised herein as part of his defence in the criminal courts. His contention that he purchased the Lamborghini Roadster SVJ for US$75,000 and paid the correct amount of duties in $48,968, 035.00 is obviously the crux of his defence. It will, there-

fore, be an abuse of process for the applicant to, in effect, litigate his criminal defence in this claim for judicial review,” the GRA contends.

Evidence

Based on the newly-uncovered evidence, the GRA issued a reassessment of the taxes and a demand letter for the payment of additional taxes owed.

The evidence of Mohamed’s tax evasion was not included in the judicial review since pleadings were closed with the filing of an Affidavit in Reply on April 25 to GRA’s Affidavit in Defence that was filed on April 8. Mohamed had filed for the judicial review on April 2.

While the GRA subsequently filed to have the evidence admitted as part of the judicial review as part of a “Further Affidavit of Defence”, Justice Persaud, however, struck out the documents. The GRA subsequently filed criminal charges on May 15.

“The fact and circumstances of this case are quite unique and exceptional and justifies the court declining to hear and determine this part of the claim for judicial review. This is not simply a case about alternative remedies, it is a case where criminal proceedings are now afoot in respect of the same subject matter. The issue is now, therefore, whether the court should and/or could entertain or continue to entertain a claim for judicial review filed by the applicant and rule on such a claim, in the face of pending criminal proceedings regarding the same subject matter. the re-

spondents contend that this would be an abuse of the court’s process and hence the court ought to stay for the hearing and determination of this claim,” GRA said.

"Court has a discretion to exercise"

In the application, the GRA noted that while Section 9 of the Judicial Review Act 2010 is designed to allow the Court to entertain a claim for judicial review notwithstanding the existence of an alternative remedy to prevent an ouster of the court jurisdiction where there is an alternative remedy, it is not a mandate or instruction for the court to automatically assume jurisdiction in such cases. The court has a discretion to exercise,” the application said.

“Section 9 does not state that the court is not obliged to assume jurisdiction over a claim for judicial review where parallel proceedings exist... the court has a discretion to exercise.”

“The principles that guide the exercise of that discretion remain apposite and provides useful guidance to us to if and when it should entertain a claim for judicial review in a case with parallel criminal proceedings have commenced and the relief sought in the judicial review will have implications for the criminal trial,” it noted.

In response, Mohamed through his lawyer Siand Dhurjon in an “Affidavit in Answer” on September 9 argued that a stay of the proceedings would prejudice Mohamed’s right to be vindicated of the unlawful conduct.

Cable vandalism cuts service in North Georgetown – One Communications

Residents and businesses in sections of North and Central Georgetown were left without communication services between Wednesday night and Thursday morning after thieves vandalised cables, in what One Communications has described as one of the year’s most serious disruptions.

The company confirmed that incidents of copper cable theft have surged in 2025, now accounting for nearly half of all service interruptions. Vandals have also mistakenly damaged parts of the fibre network, further compounding the problem and leaving communities disconnected.

“This is not simply theft; it is a direct attack on people’s ability to work, study, stay in touch with loved ones, and feel safe in their communities,” said Richard Stanton, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of One Communications. “The vandals who struck in Bourda are part of a troubling national trend that is putting our entire communications network at risk.”

Reports of cable vandalism have been documented in multiple communities, including South and North Ruimveldt, Lodge, Werken-Rust, Albouystown,

Bourda, South and North Cummingsburg, Subryanville, Kingston, and along the East Bank. In some cases, cables have been cut in broad daylight, with poles stripped of wiring.

One Communications is urging citizens to assist in tackling the problem by reporting suspicious activities to its hotline, 0663, and by monitoring updates through the company’s social media platforms.

To address the issue, the company is collaborating with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Scrap Metal Unit, and the Guyana Police Force to curb the trade in stolen copper and bring offenders to justice.

While emergency teams continue efforts to restore service, One Communications said a long-term solution lies in accelerating customer migration to fibre in areas where it is available.

“These acts of vandalism undermine safety, disrupt education, and slow economic growth,” the company said in a statement. “This is now a national crisis that requires collective action from all stakeholders, law enforcement, regulators, businesses, communities, and citizens alike.”

Home Affairs Ministry outlines IRTA process for companies

…says Guyana-Brazil road agreement carries great potential for region

The Home Affairs

Ministry has detailed the process for companies wishing to operate under the International Road Transport Agreement (IRTA), which regulates the movement of passengers and cargo by road between Guyana and Brazil, including transit to third countries.

Speaking at a webinar on Thursday, Research Officer Gavin Lewis described the agreement as a project with the potential to strengthen regional cohesion, encourage economic growth, promote sustainable development, and improve infrastructure.

“As we move one step closer to implementing the IRTA, I want to thank everyone for joining this process. This project carries great potential for our region,” Lewis told stakeholders.

He explained that companies interested in transporting passengers or goods across international routes must apply to the Home Affairs Ministry to be registered as a transport firm.

The application must in-

clude the IRTA Form 1, tax identification details of both the company and its owner, motor vehicle registration, driver’s licence, certificate of fitness, international third-party insurance, revenue licence for vehicles, company registration and the appointment of a legal representative in Guyana.

Lewis noted that the Ministry was in the process of computerising the IRTA Form 1. In the meantime, hard copies are available at the Ministry’s office. He added that to make the process smoother, applicants can also request the form directly from him via WhatsApp.

Once submitted, the application goes through a multi-step approval process. The Ministry first reviews the documents before forwarding them to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for compliance checks. Security vetting is then carried out, and if all requirements are met, the company is issued with an original licence allowing it to legally operate in Guyana.

Lewis emphasised that only registered buses will

be licensed for international routes. He further explained that companies must obtain an additional licence from Brazil’s National Land Transport Agency within 120 days of receiving the original permission. Both the original and additional licences are valid for one year only and expire on December 31 of the issuing year.

“For example, if a licence is issued in October 2025,

it will expire at the end of December 2025. It will not roll over into October 2026,”

Lewis clarified, warning that false information or forged documents would result in the denial or cancellation of permissions.

Lending his perspective towards cargo transport, Lewis said the requirements were largely similar to passenger services, though companies must also provide details of the routes, fleet schedules, vehicle specifications and the types of goods to be transported. He stressed that all vehicles must meet both Guyanese and Brazilian regulations, and carriers are required to submit an advance customs declaration outlining the nature and quantity of cargo.

On the Brazilian side,

Lewis revealed that several companies have already applied for additional permission, including for passenger transport and for cargo. These firms are required to submit the same documents as Guyanese operators, but must also present a road transportation licence and proof from Brazil’s National Land Transport Agency confirming that they are legally allowed to operate there.

The Ministry underscored that all licences issued under the IRTA are non-transferable. With implementation now underway, the Agreement is expected to open opportunities for cross-border travel and trade while deepening ties between Guyana and Brazil.

Housing Ministry cautions against housing scam

The Ministry of Housing and Water is warning the public of false claims being spread by scammers who are advertising or calling unsuspecting persons to offer free or discounted Young Professional Houses or House Lots.

According to the Ministry

on its social media page, the Ministry of Housing and Water “is not offering discounts, special promotions or preferential access to any group or applicants, as claimed by the fraudsters”.

The false claims it notes are being spread by scammers using WhatsApp with different cell phone numbers while pretending to represent the agency or knowing someone in a high position.

The Ministry reminded the public that all legitimate financial transactions must be conducted at the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s (CH&PA) cashier at the main office at 41 Brickdam & United

Nations Place, Georgetown, or Regional Housing Offices, where an official receipt is issued for every transaction.

It advised that the only outdoor transactions recognised by the Ministry are those conducted during official housing drives organised by the agency. No fees are required to fast-track an application or to alter any personal information.

In addition, the Ministry does not initiate contact via WhatsApp regarding house lots, and any messages received via Facebook Messenger will only come from the official Ministry of Housing and Water and/or CH&PA Facebook pages.

UN Security Council condemns strikes in Doha, calls for release of hostages

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned the September 9 airstrikes in Doha, Qatar, describing the incident as a violation against a key regional mediator and a setback to peace efforts in the Middle East.

In a press statement issued by Council President Sangjin Kim of the Republic of Korea, the 15-member body expressed “deep regret at the loss of civilian life” and underscored the urgent need for de-escalation.

The Council reaffirmed its full support for Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with the principles of the UN Charter, while noting Qatar’s continued role as a vital mediator in regional conflicts.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their condemnation of the recent strikes in Doha, the territory of a key mediator, on 9 September. They expressed deep regret at the loss of civilian life. Council members underscored the importance of de-escalation and expressed their solidarity with Qatar. They underlined their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar, in line with the principles of the UN Charter,” the state-

ment said.

Council members also emphasised that Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States (US), remains central to ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the Gaza war. They praised Doha’s facilitation of negotiations, particularly around humanitarian relief and hostage releases.

Call for release of hostages

The statement also highlighted the Council’s concern for civilians held captive, stressing that “releasing the hostages, including those killed by Hamas, and ending the war and suffering in Gaza must remain our top priority.”

Council members reiterated their call for all parties to seize the opportunity for peace, voicing support for Qatar, Egypt, and the US in continuing their mediation to secure a sustainable ceasefire.

Such similar sentiments were echoed by President Dr Irfaan Ali three days ago, who joined the international community in strongly condemning the bombing carried out by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in Doha, Qatar, an attack that occurred approximately one mile from the Guyana Embassy.

In an official statement, the government described the strike as “a flagrant violation of international law and a direct assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar.”

Guyana stressed that such military actions undermine global efforts to end the ongoing war in Gaza and jeopardise prospects for lasting peace in the Middle East.

“The Government of Guyana joins the international community in condemning the unilateral bombing by the Israel Defence Force in Doha, Qatar, approxi-

mately one mile from the Guyana Embassy. This violent act is a flagrant violation of international law and a direct assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar. Guyana strongly believes that the unilateral military strike in Qatar does not help the cause of ending the war in Gaza nor of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East,” the statement noted.

According to a Reuters report, Israel attempted to kill the political leaders of Hamas with an airstrike on Qatar on Tuesday, escalating its military action in the Middle East with what the US described as a unilateral attack that does not advance American and Israeli interests. While Israel defended the attacks as being justified, Qatar said Israel was treacherous and engaged in “state terrorism”.

Qatari Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said the airstrikes threatened to derail the peace talks Qatar has been mediating between Hamas and Israel. The Reuters report went on to state that the attack also drew condemnation from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the European Union

(EU) and risks derailing Gaza ceasefire talks and Trump’s push to achieve a negotiated end to the nearly two-year-old conflict.

Hamas said five of its members had been killed in the attack, including the son of Hamas’s exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya. It said Israel had failed in what Hamas called an attempt to assassinate the group’s ceasefire negotiation team.

Against this backdrop, the government further emphasised Qatar’s longstanding role as a key ally in counterterrorism and diplomacy. Guyana highlighted that Doha has been instrumental in working with the US and Egypt to push for a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Gaza.

“The State of Qatar has been a consistent ally in fighting terrorism and has been instrumental in working closely with the United States and Egypt to bring about a diplomatic solution to the war in Gaza. We therefore stand in full solidarity with the Amir and people of the State of Qatar. Guyana urges full respect for international law and support for allies working to end the war in Gaza and combatting global terrorism,” the statement affirmed.

US marks 24 years since 9/11 with ceremonies in NYC, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania

Thursday marked 24 years since September 11, 2001, when 2977 people were killed in terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Centre, the Pentagon and a plane that crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

President Trump attended the ceremony at the Pentagon, noting that “an entire generation of Americans have come of age in a totally different world,” but “they are carrying on the legacy of those” who died.

In New York, families of the September 11 victims participated in the annual reading of the names at Ground Zero, where the World Trade Centre’s Twin Towers collapsed. More than 2700 of those killed on

September 11 died in that attack.

The annual ceremony was held in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed after passengers stormed the cockpit, stopping the hijackers.

The annual reading of the names at Ground Zero concluded shortly before 13:00h, four hours after it began.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was among the mourners gathered at Ground Zero, along with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, former Governor George Pataki, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, and former Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan

Bongino could also be seen in the crowd.

Hochul directed more than a dozen state landmarks, including One World Trade Centre and the Empire State Building, to be illuminated with blue lights Thursday in observance.

“Today I join the world in remembering the nearly 3000 souls taken on 9/11, the people who went to work and never came home, and the brave heroes – uniformed and otherwise – who ran toward danger to save others,” the Governor said in a statement.

“Many of our enemies, foreign and domestic, thought we were going to collapse as a country, but we got up 9/12,” Adams said before the

ceremony. “Teachers taught, builders built. We showed the globe our resiliency, even in the midst of pain.”

President Trump was initially slated to deliver his 9/11 speech Wednesday morning right outside the Pentagon building, but the speech was moved to the interior Pentagon courtyard instead.

A senior administration official said the location change was made “out of an abundance of caution” in the wake of the outdoor shooting of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.

President Trump issued a proclamation on Thursday declaring September 11, 2025, as “Patriot Day 2025”, declaring that “we renew our resolve to ensure that we never again face such a ruthless attack.”

“September 11, 2001, will forever live in the collective consciousness of those who witnessed four commercial jetliners converted into weapons of terror to target innocent Americans on a beautiful Tuesday morning in September, 24 years ago,” the proclamation says.

Congress in December 2001 declared September 11 as Patriot Day. In this proclamation for Patriot Day 2025, Mr Trump called on flags to be flown at half-staff.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watched as a wreath was laid at the Pentagon. The President also signed a guest book to mark his visit.

Earlier, in a video posted to social media, Rubio said

that 24 years after the terrorist attacks, Americans see how much their lives have changed since then.

“I think there was a pre9/11 America and a post-9/11 America,” Rubio said. “And so much changed in our lives from one day to the next, from how we travel to how we view events in our own country.”

President Trump recalled the horrors of that day but said what happened after showed the character of the American spirit.

“In America, we take

blows, but we never buckle,” the President said. “We bleed, but we do not bow. And we defy the fear, endure the flames and emerge from the crucible of every hardship stronger, prouder and greater than ever before.”

The President also remembered the stories of Americans who gave their lives for others that day, including firefighters and everyday Americans.

“That day we learned that the American heroic spirit was all around us,” he said.

(Excerpt from CBS News)

Brazil’s Bolsonaro guilty of coup charges, sentenced to over 27 years in prison

Brazil’s former President Jair

Bolsonaro has been found guilty of attempting to overturn the country’s 2022 election with a plot prosecutors say included plans to assassinate the president-elect in a bid to cling to power.

Four out of five justices on a Brazilian Supreme Court panel voted Thursday to convict Bolsonaro on all five counts in the landmark case, and to sentence him to 27 years and three months in prison.

Bolsonaro has been convicted of plotting a coup d’état, taking part in an armed criminal organization, attempting to abolish Brazil’s democratic order by force, committing violent acts against state institutions and damaging protected public property during the storming of government buildings by his supporters on January 8, 2023.

Bolsonaro and other defendants in the trial had denied wrongdoing.

The evidence against Bolsonaro largely centered on how he tried to stay in power after losing the presidential election in 2022 to Lula da Silva. Federal police said Bolsonaro had “full knowledge” of a plan to overturn the election results, pressure the military to intervene, and even create a parallel “crisis management office” to run the government. The verdict leaves Bolsonaro, 70, facing the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison.

Defense lawyers could still file appeals, but once those challenges are ex -

hausted, the ruling becomes final and any prison terms can be enforced.

Trump didn’t answer if he would apply new sanctions when asked about the conviction by reporters on Thursday, but he expressed shock at the trial’s outcome. “I thought he was a good president of Brazil, and it’s very surprising that that could happen,” he said on the White House lawn.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the verdict “unjust” on X and said the US “will respond accordingly to this witch hunt.” (Excerpt from CNN)

Ban on “baby hair edges” in Jamaican schools sparks global debate on school rules

Aban on “hair edges” in Jamaican schools has ignited a global debate over discipline, grooming, and student rights after St Andrew High School implemented a new policy at the start of the school year. The school’s Instagram post prohibits hairstyles that slick hair along the forehead and temples, saying such looks are not “neat” or “school-ready”.

“Please be advised that the wearing of “edges” is now officially banned on campus. Remember, curtains belong in the house, not on foreheads! Let’s keep our looks neat and school-ready,” the post read.

While some Jamaicans, including alumni, defended the policy as a measure to maintain discipline and uphold standards, others –articularly commentators abroad – criticised it as policing Black children’s hair.

Speaking at Shortwood Teachers’ College’s 140th anniversary celebration on Wednesday, Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon addressed the issue in the broader context of discipline in Jamaican schools. She argued that many students come from homes where lessons on citizenship and responsibility are lacking.

Since the school year began, reports have emerged of students being locked out for breaching dress codes or grooming rules. Morris Dixon clarified the Ministry’s stance, stressing that no student should

Jamaican PM Andrew Holness to be sworn in Sept 16 for 3rd term

Andrew Holness will be sworn in for another term as Jamaica’s Prime Minister on Tuesday, September 16, following his party’s victory in the September 3 General Elections.

Holness led the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to a historic third consecutive term, securing 35 seats in the House of Representatives, compared to the 28 won by the People’s National Party (PNP). The swearing-in ceremony will be conducted by GovernorGeneral Sir Patrick Allen at 04:00h at King’s House.

This win marks a milestone for Holness, who becomes the

T&T afternoon rain

Nearly four hours of intermittent rainfall over north western Trinidad caused flash flooding in several areas around the capital.

According to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), southern parts of Port-ofSpain, including South Quay and Independence Square, were impassable. Commuters using public transportation faced lengthy delays, with many seeking temporary shelter and having to navigate flooded areas around City Gate.

In Maraval, multiple points along Saddle Road experienced ponding, particularly in Boissiere Village and near Maraval Plaza. Flooding was also reported in Woodbrook near the intersections of Colville Street and Ariapita Avenue, as well as Wrightson Road near French Street and Fitt Street.

A private weather station in Woodbrook recorded approximately 2.5 inches

floods Port of Spain

of rainfall during the event, with a peak rainfall intensity of 200 millimetres (eight inches) per hour – classified as ‘extreme’ on most scales.

The ODPM also reported flooding along Lady Young Road near the bridge by the Belmont Police Station, further exacerbating traffic for those seeking alternative routes out of Port-of-Spain.

This marks the third occurrence of flash flooding in north western Trinidad this month. Although areas further west, such as Diego Martin, did not re-

ceive the same intensity of rainfall, a landslip was reported on Union Road, damaging a resident’s driveway. Consecutive days of rainfall in hilly areas increase slope instability, raising the risk of similar incidents. The trend of afternoon thunderstorms is expected to continue for the remainder of the week. Heavy downpours may trigger street and flash flooding, particularly in western coastal areas and other urban or low-lying zones. (Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)

Tanker truck explodes on Mexican highway killing 3, injuring 70

Agas tanker truck overturned, burst into flames and exploded on a highway through southeast Mexico City, killing at least three people and injuring 70, authorities said.

The massive blast and fire engulfed several vehicles near the border between the capital's Iztapalapa district and Chalco in neighbouring Mexico State.

Drone footage showed firefighters battling the flames and cooling the charred remains of the tanker and nearby vehicles.

be denied entry. Instead, infractions should be addressed collaboratively with parents to ensure compliance while maintaining respect for students. However, she made clear that the Ministry does not intend to relax school rules.

(Excerpt from CNW)

Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said on X that 70 people had been injured and three killed. She released a preliminary list of those hospitalized, saying it would be updated as medical assessments continue.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene, where several people sustained serious burn injuries, according to local officials.

The city's fire department later said the flames had been fully extinguished in and around the overturned tanker trailer, which had been hauling 49,500 liters of liquefied petroleum gas.

The explosion generated a ‘shock wave’ that damaged 32 nearby vehicles, the Mexico City Prosecutor’s Office said late on Wednesday.

Footage of the aftermath showed some victims with severe burns across their bodies and charred clothing. The driver’s condition is also being investigated.

(Source: CNN, Reuters)

Around the World

OOIL NEWS

Oil prices slide 2% on worries about global oversupply, US demand

il prices slid on Thursday, settling about two per cent lower as concerns over possible softening of United States (US) demand and broad oversupply offset threats to output from the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.

Brent crude futures fell US$1.12, or 1.7 per cent, to settle at US$66.37 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell US$1.30, or 2.0 per cent, to settle at US$62.37.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its monthly report that world oil supply will rise more rapidly than expected this year due to planned output increases by OPEC+, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and allies like Russia.

“Oil prices are falling today in response to bearish IEA headlines, which suggest massive oversupply on the oil market next year,” said Carsten Fritsch, an analyst at Commerzbank.

On Sunday, OPEC+ agreed to raise production from October. But in another report, however, OPEC kept non-OPEC supply and demand forecasts for the year unchanged, citing steady demand.

The market was torn between a perceived supply shortage due to a rise in tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine and actual oversupply from higher OPEC+ production and swelling stocks, said Tamas Varga, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates.

OPEC leader Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports to China are set to surge, several trade sources told Reuters on Thursday, with state-controlled energy firm Aramco shipping about 1.65 million barrels per day (bpd) in October, up sharply from 1.43 million bpd allocated in September.

The market is also questioning how long China could continue to absorb barrels and keep Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) inventories low, said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS, adding that investors were also watching for further sanctions affecting Russian oil.

In Russia, the world’s second-biggest producer of crude behind the US in 2024, revenue from crude and oil product sales declined in August to one of the lowest levels seen since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the IEA said.

In India, meanwhile, the largest private port operator, Adani Group, has banned entry at its ports of tankers sanctioned by Western countries, three sources said, and documents show. The move could hit Russian oil supplies for two Indian refiners.

US consumer prices in August increased by the most in seven months, fuelled by higher housing and food costs. A surge in first-time applications for unemployment aid last week kept feeding expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next Wednesday, which could boost economic growth and demand for oil. (Excerpt from Reuters)

FBI releases images of “person of interest” in Charlie Kirk shooting, offers US$100,000 reward

The FBI on Thursday released images of a “person of interest” in the Charlie Kirk shooting, offering a US$100,000 reward for information.

The killer remains at large but a high-powered rifle: an imported Mauser 3006 bolt-action rifle has been found in nearby woods, as well as a “footwear impression... and a forearm imprint,” the FBI said.

Fox News later reported that messages were found “scrawled” on the gun and ammunition recovered by the FBI. The weapon is expected to undergo a trace by the bureau, which will investigate where it was purchased, when it was purchased and its “possible chain of custody”.

Kirk, an ally of President Trump, was shot at a Utah university; officials say the suspect “appears to be of col-

lege age” and fled “into a neighbourhood”.

After the shooting, he is believed to have jumped off the roof of a building on campus before fleeing, officials said.

Video footage taken from inside a building behind the gazebo that Kirk was in appears to show someone running across the roof of the Losee Centre building right after the shooting.

Earlier, two people ques-

by police were released.

says

will award Kirk the “Presidential Medal of Freedom” posthumously, while Trump and others have changed some of their plans for safety reasons.

Charlie Kirk’s body will be flown on Air Force Two, the vice-President’s aircraft, to Arizona, the state where he lived, according to officials who spoke to CBS. (Source: Fox News, BBC News)

UK fires Ambassador to US over Epstein links

Peter Mandelson was fired as Britain’s ambassador to the United States (US) on Thursday after his ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became another unwelcome problem for the embattled Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Mandelson had been under mounting pressure over his relationship with Epstein after US lawmakers on Monday released a “birthday book”, compiled for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003, in which the veteran Labour party politician had penned a handwritten note describing Epstein as “my best pal”.

Despite the revelation, Starmer forcefully defended his ambassador on Wednesday, telling Parliament that Mandelson

had his “full confidence”.

Hours later, the scandal snowballed after Bloomberg published a trove of emails between Mandelson and Epstein, in which Mandelson expressed support for his

friend and offered to discuss his infamous 2008 Florida case with his political contacts.

Announcing Mandelson’s withdrawal, Britain’s Foreign Office told CNN in

a statement that the emails showed that “the depth and extent” of the now-ex-ambassador’s relationship with Epstein is “materially different from that known at the time of his appointment.”

In a letter to staff at the embassy following his dismissal, Mandelson described his role as ambassador as the “privilege of my life”, the BBC reported.

“The circumstances surrounding the announcement today are ones which I deeply regret. I continue to feel utterly awful about my association with Epstein 20 years ago and the plight of his victims,” he said in the letter, according to the BBC. He said he had “no alternative” to accepting Starmer’s decision. (Excerpt from BBC News)

NASA bans Chinese nationals from working on space programmes

US space agency

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has blocked Chinese citizens

with valid US visas from its facilities – a move that effectively bars them from working at one of the most respected space research

centres.

Chinese nationals, who could only work at NASA as contractors or students contributing to research, found

South Sudan charges VP with treason, murder over military attack

Riek Machar, South Sudan’s first Vice President, has been charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity.

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in attacks by a militia against federal forces in March, the justice Minister announced on Thursday.

South Sudan’s Government claims the White Army, a loose band of armed youths, attacked a military base in Nasir, north eastern South Sudan, and killed more than 250 soldiers on Machar’s orders.

Seven others, including the former Minister of petroleum, were charged alongside Machar on Thursday following investigations into a suspected rebellion plot.

Machar and President Salva Kiir have long been rivals.

Civil war broke out in oil-producing South Sudan in 2013 – less than two years after the country gained independence from Sudan following decades of war – after Kiir sacked Machar as Vice President, accusing him of plotting a coup.

The conflict killed an esti-

mated 400,000 persons directly and indirectly and forced roughly four million – onethird of the population – from their homes before a 2018 peace deal saw the pair form a Government of national unity.

That power-sharing deal began unravelling earlier this year, when, in response to fighting since late February in the north eastern Upper Nile state, Kiir’s Government detained several officials from Machar’s party, including the petroleum Minister and the deputy head of the army. (Al Jazeera)

out on September 5 that they had lost all access to NASA’s systems and facilities, Bloomberg News reported, citing sources.

NASA then confirmed this, saying Chinese nationals would be restricted from using the agency’s “facilities, materials and networks to ensure the security of our work”.

China’s accelerated space programme has alarmed the US and ramped up the race between the two biggest economies.

Chinese astronauts are already excluded from the International Space Station (ISS) because Washington has barred NASA from sharing its data with China.

The latest restriction from NASA only adds to the decline in scientific collaboration between the two sides because of national security concerns.

As they compete to gain

a technological edge, Beijing and Washington have also grown increasingly wary of each other.

The suspicion has made it harder for some Chinese students, especially those studying science and tech, to get visas or even enter the US once they have secured a visa.

There have also been several cases in the US recently of alleged espionage by Chinese nationals, and scientists in particular have come under the scanner.

It’s unclear how much notice NASA gave Chinese nationals who were working for the agency. Bloomberg News reported that they had suddenly found they were denied access to the agency’s data systems and were barred from participating in meetings relating to their work – both in-person and virtual.

NASA’s press secretary

Bethany Stevens told news outlets that NASA had indeed taken “internal action pertaining to Chinese nationals – including restricting physical and cybersecurity access to our facilities”.

“We’re in a second space race right now,” NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday, where he spoke about US discoveries on Mars.

“The Chinese want to get back to the moon before us. That’s not going to happen.” The race is not just about getting to the Moon. It’s also about who can control its resources once they are there.

The Moon contains minerals, including rare earths, metals like iron and titanium – and helium too, which is used in everything from superconductors to medical equipment. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Use your imagination, and you can turn your creativity into a lucrative endeavor. Attending functions will help connect you to people who can offer positive feedback.

Sign up for something entertaining, engaging and physically rewarding, and you’ll enjoy the outcome. A chance to join forces with someone trying to reach the same goal will speed up the process.

Be careful what you sign up for. Someone will try to persuade you to participate in something costly. Working at home to improve your environment or lifestyle will bring the best return.

Don’t let anger take hold; staying calm and offering alternatives will lead to progress. Home improvements will encourage you to have people over. Take time to pamper yourself.

Invest in your future. Take better care of yourself and your interests. Refuse to let emotions interfere with decisions, especially when partnerships, reputation and finances are involved.

Take control. Know what you want, put a plan in place and do what you do best. If you follow your heart, you’ll find your people and the pastimes that make you sparkle.

Put a to-do list in place and resolve all issues and updates. Be open to suggestions, but be careful whom you trust. If you act in haste, you will likely find yourself having to backtrack.

Get moving. Participating in events or joining organizations that foster socializing and connection can help you gain confidence and attract engaging and supportive friendships.

Your intentions are good and your ideas unique, but your timing is off. Take a break and give yourself a chance to digest information and rethink how you proceed.

Use your experience, time and energy to bring about positive change. Opportunities are within reach, and partnerships look promising. Share and prosper.

A change won’t be as it appears. Take a moment to analyze what’s unfolding before you and then don’t hesitate to let others know what you are thinking and feeling.

Sit tight, watch what’s happening around you and look for a practical approach that will satisfy your needs. Put your best foot forward and choose peace over discord.

BLitton leads the way as Bangladesh overcome Hong Kong

dle overs, but Bangladesh found a way to win. Once Hong Kong's intensity waned, Litton broke free, going from 26 off 24 to fifty off 33 balls.

Hong Kong's second game in the Asia Cup, though, was far more productive than their first.

After being held to 94 for 9 against Afghanistan, they posted a more competitive 143 for 7 thanks to Zeeshan Ali's 30, Nizakat Khan's 42, and a brisk 28 from captain Yasim Murtaza. But the 95-run third-wicket stand between Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy ruined Hong Kong's chances of an upset.

Bangladesh's win was their first T20I victory in Abu Dhabi. Hong Kong remain winless in Asia Cup matches.

Litton and Hridoy put on a show Bangladesh's chase began with a glimpse of their new hitting intent.

angladesh collected the points they came for, but not without a proper workout against Hong Kong in Thursday's Asia Cup clash in Abu Dhabi.

Litton Das led their chase of 144 with 59, while Towhid Hridoy contributed an unbeaten 35. Boundaries dried up through the mid-

Parvez Hossain Emon raced to 19 off 13 before miscuesing a slower delivery from Ayush Sharma to deep midwicket in the third over. Tanzid Hasan then fell in the sixth over when he edged Ateeq Iqbal, with Nizakat completing a sharp catch.

Hong Kong, guilty of four dropped chances in their opener against Afghanistan, held on to their catches on Thursday. But the damage came elsewhere: the ex-

SCOREBOARD

Taskin Ahmed 4-0-38-2

tras conceded – 11 at the time and 17 in all – allowed Bangladesh to motor to 51 for 2 in the powerplay.

From there, Litton and Hridoy settled into accumulation. Between overs eight and 12, they failed to clear the boundary against spin and medium pace, yet their urgency between the wickets meant the asking rate never touched eight an over. The pair ran 11 twos, while Bangladesh's total of 16 twos was their second-highest in a T20I.

In the heat, the constant sprinting drained them, but it also squeezed Hong Kong out of the contest. Litton shifted gears in the 13th over with two fours, lift-

ing his strike rate from the low 100s to finish at 151.28. With only two runs needed, he was bowled trying for a big finish, but his job was already done.

Tanzim leads bowling effort

Tanzim Hasan Sakib set the tone after Bangladesh opted to bowl. Bowling in the early 140 km/h range, he first produced a late-swinging delivery that snuck past Babar Hayat's defensive push and hit the stumps before later dismissing Zeeshan with a rising ball that caught the splice and looped tamely to cover. He finished with 2 for 21 in four overs. Taskin Ahmed, though more expensive, pro-

vided timely support by removing Anshy Rath in the powerplay and Aizaz Khan at the death.

The spinners had their moments too.

Rishad Hossain was initially not allowed to settle via the sweeps and reverse sweeps, but he hit back strongly in his final over –the 19th over of the first innings – by dismissing Nizakat for 42 and trapping Kinchit Shah lbw off successive balls.

Hong Kong (20 overs maximum)

Zeeshan Ali † c Mustafizur Rahman

b Tanzim Hasan Sakib 30

Anshy Rath c †Litton Das

b Taskin Ahmed 4

Babar Hayat

b Tanzim Hasan Sakib 14

Nizakat Khan c Tanzim Hasan Sakib

b Rishad Hossain 42

Yasim Murtaza (c) run out (Rishad Hossain/Mustafizur Rahman) 28

Aizaz Khan c Jaker Ali

b Taskin Ahmed 5 Kinchit Shah lbw b Rishad Hossain 0 Kalhan Challu not out 4 Ehsan Khan not out 2

Extras (lb 3, nb 2, w 9) 14

Total 20 Ov (RR: 7.15) 143/7

Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Anshy Rath, 1.3 ov), 2-30 (Babar Hayat, 4.4 ov), 3-71 (Zeeshan Ali, 11.3 ov), 4-117 (Yasim Murtaza, 17.1 ov), 5-134 (Nizakat Khan, 18.5 ov), 6-134 (Kinchit Shah, 18.6 ov), 7-136 (Aizaz Khan, 19.2 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Mahedi Hasan 4-0-28-0

Tanzim Hasan Sakib 4-1-21-2 Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-22-0 Rishad Hossain 4-0-31-2 Bangladesh (T: 144 runs from 20 ovs) Parvez Hossain Emon c Babar Hayat b Shukla 19 Tanzid Hasan c Nizakat Khan b Ateeq Iqbal 14 Litton Das (c)† b Ateeq Iqbal

(RR:

of wickets: 1-24 (Parvez Hossain

2.6 ov), 2-47 (Tanzid Hasan, 5.4 ov), 3-142 (Litton Das, 17.1 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Ayush Shukla 3-0-32-1 Ateeq Iqbal 3.4-0-14-2

Even though their bowling was not perfect, there was enough to give them satisfaction and leave them with enough takeaways to improve upon before their next game against Sri Lanka.

HK finds stability, but no momentum

They started slowly, with a combination of early wickets and a sluggish start for Zeeshan (30) and Nizakat (42) keeping Bangladesh in control of proceedings.

But as the ZeeshanNizakat partnership grew, so did their range of strokes, and their 41-run stand for the third wicket ensured their batting didn't collapse like in the game against Afghanistan.

Their captain, Yasim Murtaza, looked briefly like the man who could change the momentum as he blazed to a 19-ball 28, but he was run out after a miscommunication with Nizakat. Since the start of 2023, this was their 47th run-out in T20Is, and after Murtaza's dismissal, Hong Kong couldn't bring out too many big hits. Mustafizur was tough to put away at the death, and Rishad's brave bowling meant there was a carousel of incoming new batters. Still, they scored 54 off the last six overs to post a respectable 143 for 7 – decent from the outset but not good enough on the day. (ESPNcricinfo)

Sponsorship pours in for Port Mourant

The Port Mourant Turf Club horse race meet Clash at D Big Yard is taking full shape as sponsorships continue to pour in for the September 28 event.

Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, AJM Enterprise, J’s Supermarket, Two Brothers Gas Station and T&R Construction are major sponsors on board for the meet.

More than G$10 million

in cash and prizes will be up for grabs, with eight races on the provisional programme. The feature race will be contested by horses four years old and over, open class, at a distance of 1600 metres. The G$4 million purse will see the winner walking away with G$2 million.

The other races on the provisional card include the three-year-old imported open to F Class, G Class

and Lower and Open to F Class WI Bred a non-winner in Guyana, an H-class winner of two races & lower and open to three-year-old WI Bred horses in Guyana, Guyana Bred two-year-old maiden, J3 & Lower Open to Guyana-bred three-yearold, L Class Open, and the J/K/L maidens Guyana-bred first-time starters. Races will run under the Guyana horse racing rules, and en-

East Coast 2nd Division Cricket…

Lusignan, Golden Grove B and Ogle open campaigns with victories

The East Coast Cricket Board Premier Insurance 2nd Division 40-Over Tournament bowled off on Sunday, September 7, with action taking place at various venues across the East Coast.

At the Lusignan ground, Lusignan Sports Club Development edged past Lusignan Sports Club East in a nail-biting contest that went right down to the wire.

Batting first after winning the toss, East produced a modest batting display, managing just 107 all out in 29.3 overs. Quazim Yusuf offered the lone resistance, playing a valiant knock of 65 runs, laced with five boundaries and three maximums. The Development bowlers were on target, with Chanderpaul Ramraj (39) and Nyles Liverpool (3-10) leading the charge, while Chaitram Balgobin chipped in with two wick ets. In reply, Development sur vived a tense chase before scraping home at 108-9 in 20.2 overs. Balgobin returned to shine with the bat, blasting a quick-fire 37 dec orated with four fours and three sixes. Neeran

Bani held his nerve at the end, steering the team home with an unbeaten 13.

For East, Vidyanand Jalal (4-37) and Mohan Jailall (3-37) fought valiantly, but their efforts weren’t enough to prevent a one-wicket defeat.

Over at the Golden Grove Community Ground, hosts Golden Grove B made full use of winning the toss, piling up a command ing 261-7 from 40 overs. Opener Steven Mangal anchored the innings with a sol id 55, well support ed by his part ner Lawrence Pellew (24). In the middle overs, Joshua Bollers stead ied the in nings with a composed 45 before Gerald Montfort injected momentum with a quick-fire 38, guiding the hosts to a strong total. For Hope Estate, Kamal Dass claimed 2

wickets, while Bryan Fraser chipped in with one.

Hope Estate faltered in reply, never really threatening the target as they were dismissed for 133 all out. Bryan Fraser (37) and Budram Premdass (35) offered resistance, but the chase collapsed under the pressure of spin.

Golden Grove’s bowling was led by the duo of Mangal (4 wickets) and Bollers (3 wickets), who combined to dismantle the visitors’ batting line-

Meanwhile, Ogle defeated EC Masters by nine wickets in a one-sided contest. Batting first, EC Masters struggled to 91-9 in 40 overs, with S. Samlall (21) and R. Ramnaresh (20) offering brief resistance. Ogle’s bowlers shared the wickets, led by Soopaul Sanichar (224), Omari Lalbachan (213), Christopher Deonarine (2-23), and Anndram Persaud (2-24). In reply, Ogle cruised to 94-1, guided by Daveanand Khemraj’s unbeaten 34, alongside Andrew Samaroo (23) and Joshua Behari (18*).

tries will close on September 23 at 16:00h.

Horses for the “Clash at D Big Yard” can be entered via Fazal Habibulla at 611-1141, Dennis Deroop at 640-6396, Jagdeo’s office at Number One Road at 3220369, Ginjo at 618-7278, and

Simon Prince at +1 305-5099821.

The clash will be fierce, with JS Racing Stables, Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, Simply Royal Racing Stables, Jagdeo Racing Stables, and Slingerz Racing Stables all set to renew their

rivalries in what promises to be an exciting day of racing.

The Clash at D

Yard will be used as the President’s Cup preparation, which will also be held at

GFF unveils National eSports squad following League

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially announced the selection of its inaugural national eSports squad, following the successful staging of the GFF eSports League – Console Division. The four players will represent Guyana at the upcoming FIFAe World Cup 2025 Regional Qualifiers, marking the nation’s debut on the global eSports football stage.

After a thrilling finale held in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, the tournament produced four outstanding finalists from a pool of 33 registered participants:

• Moen Hall – Champion, GFF Console Division 2025

• Trayon Guillaume –Runner-up

• Ricardo Sukra – Third place

• Jermaine Lewis –Fourth place finalist

These players now be-

come Guyana’s first official national eSports team under the governance of the Guyana Football Federation, advancing to compete internationally in pursuit of qualification for the FIFAe World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.

In recognition of this milestone, a presentation ceremony was hosted at the GFF headquarters, attended by General Secretary Mr Pushpargha Chattopadhyay, Technical Director Bryan Joseph, and

Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Thomas Dooley. The General Secretary formally presented the players with their official national kits, symbolising their elevation to national team status.

With regional competition on the horizon, the GFF squad now begins its preparations for the Road to Riyadh 2025, where they will proudly represent the Golden Arrowhead on the international eSports stage.

Abrilliant all-round display from Jason Holder against the Barbados Royals kept the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the hunt for a spot in the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) playoffs. Holder made his second half-century of the tournament before taking 2/32 with the ball as the Patriots won by one run in a thrilling encounter at Kensington Oval.

The Royals won the toss and chose to bowl, and the Patriots got off to a decent start thanks to an opening stand of 46 between Mohammad Rizwan and Andre Fletcher. When Fletcher

Jason “holds” on to Patriots’ playoff hopes

and Evin Lewis departed in the space of three balls, it set the Patriots back, and Rizwan found scoring more difficult. He attempted a number of dabs and sweeps before being caught on the boundary looking to release the pressure.

ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Jomel Warrican 4-0-36-0

4-0-18-2

Chris Green

Eathan Bosch 3-0-26-3

Ramon Simmonds 4-0-33-0

Daniel Sams 4-0-30-2

Sherfane Rutherford 1-0-5-0

Having made 46 without loss, the Patriots stumbled to 74/5 as Chris Green kept things tight for the Royals. It was from there that the Holder masterclass took hold of this match, as he made an unbeaten 53 as he and Navin Bidaisee put on 74 for the sixth wicket to give the Patriots a defendable total. It was a steady start from the Royals when their innings got underway, with Quinton de Kock and Brandon King putting on 42 for the first wicket. Some very tidy bowling from the Patriots

Barbados Royals (T: 151 runs from 20 ovs)

Quinton de Kock † c & b Bidaisee 22

Brandon King b Waqar Salamkheil 29

Kadeem Alleyne c Drakes b Naseem Shah 5

Rassie van der Dussen not out 37

Sherfane Rutherford c Lewis b Bidaisee 25

Rovman Powell (c) c Drakes b Waqar Salamkheil 16

Chris Green lbw b Holder 4

Daniel Sams lbw b Holder 4

Extras (lb 1, w 6) 7

Total 20 Ov (RR: 7.45) 149/7

Did not bat: Ramon Simmonds, Eathan Bosch, Jomel Warrican Fall of wickets: 1-42 (Brandon King, 5.2 ov), 2-58 (Kadeem Alleyne, 7.5 ov), 3-60 (Quinton de Kock, 8.5 ov), 4-88 (Sherfane Rutherford, 12.4 ov), 5-116 (Rovman Powell, 15.6 ov), 6-123 (Chris Green, 17.2 ov), 7-149 (Daniel Sams, 19.6 ov) • DRS

Bowling O-M-R-W Ashmead Nedd 3-0-25-0 Jason Holder 4-0-32-2 Naseem Shah 4-0-30-1 Waqar Salamkheil 4-0-27-2 Navin Bidaisee 4-0-24-2 Dominic Drakes 1-0-10-0

spinners kept the Royals from ever really getting on top in the chase, with both Waqar Salamkheil and Bidaisee both going at around a run a ball from their four overs. With the two also sharing the wickets of the Royals openers, a topsy-turvy game swung back towards the Patriots.

Sherfane Rutherford and Rassie van der Dussen both made decent starts, with the latter finishing undefeated on 37, but regular wickets meant the Royals were always fighting to stay in

defend. Van der Dussen launched the first delivery for six, but Holder kept his cool, and the Patriots edged home by just one run.

The Royals are now eliminated from the tournament despite having one match left to play.

The Patriots, however, can make it to the knockout stages if the Guyana Amazon Warriors lose both of their final group stage matches by a wide enough margin for the Net Run Rate calculations to favour the Patriots.

Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title sponsors Republic Bank offered up a meet-andgreet opportunity of their own on Thursday morning, featuring players from the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) and the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons.

Hosted on Main Street in the capital city, cricket fans flocked to the bank’s parking lot for the opportunity to take photos and get autographs from the regional stars whilst also getting in on some Republic Bank merch.

On hand was Republic Bank Marketing and Communications Manager Jonelle Dummett, who gave some insight as to why the entity took that bold step.

“Well, as title sponsor and official bank of the CPL, we take the opportunity to give our fans, the players, the opportunity to meet, and it’s just as it’s called, a meet and greet where we have some of the CPL players from the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Antigua Falcons players who are meeting with customers, passers-by, just the ordinary man in the street, and it’s an

Fans cash in on Republic Bank CPL meet and greet

activity whereby the players have the opportunity to interact with persons who are coming, and persons have the opportunity to play different activities, win merch and get in on some of the CPL fun,” Dummett shared about the initiative.

Turning her attention to Republic Bank’s major role in the CPL, she noted, “This is the third consecutive year that we’re the title sponsor, and this is one of our major sport partnerships across the region. It is very important for Republic Bank because we believe in engaging our communities, and through the Caribbean Premier League, we are able to bring the Caribbean’s much-loved sport to our Caribbean nations. Through this partnership we are able, not only to impact our communities, but also the region and the sport, as well as provide opportunities for our players.”

Amongst the cricketers present at Thursday morning’s meet and greet were GAW’s Romario Shepherd and Shamarh Brooks, alongside Falcons’ Jayden Seales, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer and Karima Gore.

Warriors still in it to win it

– 1 win from playoff spot

The Guyana Amazon Warriors may have stumbled against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons on Wednesday, but with four wins and four losses, they’re

still holding firm on eight points in the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

With just two league matches left, the Warriors are

only a win away from locking in their playoff spot.

The Warriors’ struggles at the top continue, with their opening pair failing to fire. Yet to feature this season,

Shamarh Brooks and Kemol Savoury could be the answer to the team’s batting woes up front.

Speaking at the postmatch after the Warriors’ latest defeat, all-rounder Romario Shepherd credited the fight shown by the team, despite being bowled out for 99, their lowest CPL total at

After the Warriors were bowled out for 99 – their lowest CPL total at home –all-rounder Romario Shepherd praised the team’s fighting spirit in the post-match press con-

“We know it was doing a lot for the spinners, and they used their spinners wisely. We know if we can bowl well in the powerplay, it will get close, so it’s good to see that kind of fight from our bowl-

The Warriors return this weekend, hoping to topple the defending champions, the St Lucia Kings.

Warriors will be

hoping that the leading run scorer, Shai Hope with 372 runs at 74 this season, will be supported by his teammates.

Ben McDermott had a bright start this season with 171 runs, but has since tapered off.

Sitting atop the wickets leaderboard with 16 dismissals, Imran Tahir’s belief and fire could spark the Warriors’ revival.

“The pressure is always there; the expectation and pressure are there, and hopefully we can come in and give something to cheer about for the crowd on Saturday,” Shepherd added.

Meanwhile, West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales was delighted with his player-ofthe-match performance on his birthday.

“Feel really good. I knew what I needed to do today and just had to come out and execute the plans. We know wickets in the powerplay are very crucial because they bat very deep; getting that wicket in the last over was very important because we knew that Sampson could hit a few big ones. It was a total team effort,” Seales said.

The Guyana National Stadium tarmac at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was flooded with scores of children who were brimming with excitement and anticipation on Thursday, as they were presented with the opportunity to meet their favourite

Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) heroes.

Marking the 9-year milestone of the oil giants’ title sponsorship of the local Caribbean Premier League (CPL) team, the event also marked the culmination of this year’s Future Warriors Primary School competition, which saw the top three teams, Cropper Primary, Grove Primary and CV Nunes Primary getting in some game time against the Amazon Warriors.

Delivering brief remarks at Thursday afternoon’s event, GAW’s Event Operations Coordinator Romario Samaroo spoke to the significance and value of ExxonMobil’s investment.

Samaroo related to the eager crowd, “Since 2017, ExxonMobil Guyana has stood with us as a proud title sponsor. Their investment has gone far beyond sponsorship; it has been an investment in the people, in talent and in the future of sports in Guyana. From grassroots initiatives to marquee tournaments, ExxonMobil has en-

sured that cricket remains a bridge of opportunity for our nation’s youth.”

“Right here, before us, are the bright stars of the Future Warriors tournament: children who are living proof of what such investment can create. They are learning discipline, teamwork and passion for the game, lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime. And who knows, among them may be the next great warriors to inspire this nation.”

“Cricket is not only about the matches we win today but also the generations

we inspire for tomorrow. With ExxonMobil by our side and the Guyana Amazon Warriors leading the way, the future of cricket is stronger than ever,” the GAW Event Operations Manager further expressed.

Also gracing the event was West Indies Women’s Captain Hayley Matthews, who had inspiring words for the young female cricketers.

The Republic Bank CPL action in Guyana will con-

tinue on Saturday morning, as the Amazon Warriors battle the St. Lucia Kings in a must-win contest from 11:00h. Later that afternoon, the Amazon Warriors Women and the Trinbago Knight Riders Women will head into battle from 16:00h.