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Issue No. 6599

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

Guyana records rapid, sustained GDP growth since 2020 – World Bank …says oil boom sets country apart as Caribbean growth gap widens

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CoI into MV Barima tragedy

Ammo found hidden in concrete block at Pouderoyen P15

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Chinese cook charged with murder of P9 6-year-old boy

Page 3

Commission to begin work today; over 100 witnesses expected to testify See story on page 7

…only 1 survivor steps forward so far to give evidence

Guyana takes P14 CASSOS chairmanship for 2026-2028 Miner remanded on gun, ammo P10 possession charge

Performers entertain guests at State House on Tuesday evening during a welcome reception hosted by President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali for delegates attending the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Guyana, which is being attended by nearly 300 delegates (DPI photos)

Hand-in-Hand Group posts $287.7M profit as insurer returns to profitability P14

Region 1 gets 1st Labour shortage pushes SEND school farmers towards agricultural drones

Teen shot, chains worth $1.6M P10 snatched during Kitty robbery

See story on page 5

Page 9

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 Guyana records rapid, sustained GDP growth since 2020 – World Bank NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENING

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, October 7 – 14:25h–15:55h and Thursday, October 8 – 15:00h–16:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Cloudy skies are expected to clear to late-afternoon sunshine, followed by clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East-North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.12 metre and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 14:27h reaching a maximum height of 2.44 metres. Low Tide: 07:58h and 20:21h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 0.76 metre.

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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil

US$ $101.60/barrel

Rough Rice

$295.74/ton

London Sugar

$556.50/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

+1.00 +0.49 +1.63 USD Per Ounce

Low/High

$4150.30 $4105.50

$4152.30 $4184.30

Change

-12.70

-0.31%

Bid/Ask

…says oil boom sets country apart as Caribbean growth gap widens

uyana’s oil-driven economic expansion continues to set it apart from other Caribbean economies, with the country recording exceptionally rapid and sustained gross domestic product (GDP) growth since 2020 as offshore oil production scales up, according to the World Bank’s latest Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Economic Update. The report, released on Tuesday, said Guyana’s expansion has been accompanied by rising fiscal revenues, improved external balances and a declining public debt-toGDP ratio. However, it noted that the pace of growth also underscores the need for stronger public investment management, increased institutional capacity and policies to ensure that oil wealth translates into broad-based and inclusive development. The World Bank described the Caribbean as having a “dual-track” economic outlook, with Guyana and Suriname benefiting from commodity-driven expansion while tourism-dependent island economies face more moderate growth amid high energy and transportation costs. “Guyana’s unprecedented oil-driven expansion continues to pull up the subregional averages,” the report stated, noting that the country’s performance contrasts with the more tempered post-pandemic recovery of tourism-dependent economies. The report said the widening gap reflects a structural divide between resource-abundant commodity exporters and service-reliant economies across the Caribbean. Among commodity exporters, Trinidad and Tobago experienced a sharp contraction during the pandemic amid weaker energy prices, while Suriname also recorded a significant decline in economic activity despite favourable gold prices. Both economies have since recovered as the effects of the pandemic eased and commodity prices strengthened. Guyana, however, has recorded a stronger trajectory following the expansion of offshore oil production. The World Bank cautioned that countries such as Guyana face the parallel challenge of managing revenue volatility and avoiding procyclical fiscal policies as public finances expand rapidly. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, the World Bank projects economic growth of 2.2 per cent in 2026, broadly in line with the 2.4 per cent recorded in 2025. The report said regional growth remains modest, although countries pursuing sound and durable policy choices are recording stronger performances, including growth consistently above 3 to 4 per cent, increased investment and greater market confidence. El Salvador and Paraguay are among those outperform-

ing the regional average, supported by improved security conditions, fiscal consolidation and private investment. Panama and the Dominican Republic have also sustained strong growth. Argentina is projected to expand for three consecutive years from 2025 to 2027, which the World Bank said would be the first such period in nearly two decades, supported by fiscal adjustment, tax reforms and a more open economy. “Latin America and the Caribbean has the potential to achieve stronger and more ambitious growth,” World Bank Vice President (VP) for LAC Susana Cordeiro Guerra said. She said countries that have maintained sound macroeconomic frameworks, strengthened institutions and advanced reforms are demonstrating that stronger growth

is possible. The report warned that risks to the region remain tilted to the downside, with energy price volatility capable of slowing disinflation and keeping central banks cautious. High real interest rates, meanwhile, continue to constrain credit and investment, while high debt and interest burdens limit fiscal space and public investment. For Caribbean economies that depend heavily on tourism, transport and logistics, changes in global demand, air travel costs and the broader international economic environment remain key vulnerabilities. The report also highlighted the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on productivity and employment across the region. Firms are increasingly adopting AI, although the technology is rarely being in-

tegrated into core business processes. Across the region, a median of 17 per cent of working-age adults report using generative AI tools, roughly half the rate recorded in the United States (US) and Canada. The World Bank said the main barriers to productive AI use are not necessarily cost or access, but managerial know-how, workforce skills and the ability of firms to reorganise around the technology. “A powerful tool is less relevant if workers and firms lack the capacity to act on what it produces,” World Bank Acting Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean Carlos RodriguezCastelan said. The report estimates that about eight per cent of the region’s workforce is employed in high-skill, knowledge-intensive occupations that could be enhanced by AI, while approximately 10 per cent work in routine cognitive occupations more exposed to automation. A further wave of technological change could eventually affect physical work as automation hardware becomes less expensive, with about a quarter of workers employed in routine manual occupations that may be exposed. The World Bank recommended expanding technical and short-cycle training, strengthening firms’ capabilities, and modernising digital Government and data systems. It also pointed to the potential of low-cost, locally adapted AI applications, or “small AI”, in areas including education, telemedicine, public service delivery, agriculture and support for small and medium-sized businesses.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Adapting to the AI age without losing the human core

he rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is forcing education systems around the world to reconsider long-standing assumptions about teaching, learning and assessment. Guyana cannot afford to remain outside that conversation. President Dr Irfaan Ali’s intervention on the growing use of AI in education therefore raises an issue that extends well beyond technology. It goes to the heart of what education is intended to achieve and how learning should be measured in an environment where information, answers and even polished assignments can increasingly be generated within seconds. Speaking on Monday during Teachers’ Day celebrations, President Ali acknowledged both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI. His central message was clear: technology should support education, but it cannot replace the teacher. That distinction is important as AI can assist educators with lesson preparation, the development of teaching materials, adaptation of instruction and the creation of more interactive learning experiences. These possibilities could be particularly valuable as Guyana continues to expand digital technology in classrooms and seeks to equip students for a rapidly changing economy. A teacher recognises when a student is struggling. A teacher can identify potential that may not yet be visible in examination results. A teacher can encourage, challenge, motivate and provide the patience required to help a child overcome difficulties. Those human relationships are central to effective education and cannot be reduced to an algorithm. President Ali’s remarks are particularly relevant in the area of assessment, as traditional assignments can no longer automatically be regarded as reliable evidence of individual understanding when students have access to increasingly sophisticated AI tools capable of generating essays, solving problems and producing other forms of academic work. UNESCO has similarly identified the disruption of traditional assessment as one of the major consequences of generative AI. The organisation has argued that education systems must place greater emphasis on higher-order thinking, creativity and ethical reasoning rather than relying excessively on tasks that can be readily completed by machines. That does not mean abandoning written assignments, examinations or established forms of assessment. It means ensuring that assessment continues to measure what education is actually supposed to produce: understanding, reasoning, application, creativity and the ability to solve problems. The more important question is whether the student understands the material and can demonstrate independent thought. This requires a change in teaching practices as well as assessment methods. More classroom discussion, oral presentations, practical projects, problemsolving exercises and assignments rooted in local circumstances can provide opportunities for students to demonstrate genuine understanding. Assessments can also require students to critique AIgenerated material, identify errors, evaluate competing arguments and explain the reasoning behind their conclusions. Such an approach would make responsible use of the technology part of the learning process. That approach is consistent with UNESCO’s AI competency framework for teachers, which identifies human-centred thinking, ethics, AI foundations, AI pedagogy and professional learning among the competencies educators increasingly require. Guyana therefore has an opportunity to ensure that technological advancement is accompanied by investment in teacher capacity. President Ali has already pointed to the importance of continuous professional development as educators navigate an increasingly digital classroom. Teacher training must now include sufficient exposure to AI tools, their limitations, ethical considerations and practical applications. Educators should not be expected to confront technological changes without the necessary knowledge and institutional support. The objective cannot be to shield young people from AI, as students will enter workplaces where AI is likely to be commonplace. Education must instead prepare them to use the technology responsibly while retaining the ability to question information, exercise judgement and think independently. The President’s call to reconsider what learning means in the age of artificial intelligence is therefore timely. The education system must evolve because technology has evolved. But evolution must not come at the expense of the human purpose of education. The classroom of the future should be one in which teachers are better equipped by technology to educate, guide and inspire, while students become more capable of thinking critically and using technology responsibly. Guyana’s education transformation must embrace that balance.

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Commemorative ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Cubana Air Disaster, observed on the Day Against Terrorism. The ceremony, at the University of Guyana memorial site, honoured the 73 lives lost in the tragedy, including 11 Guyanese nationals, and highlighted the importance of peace, unity, and solidarity across the region. Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, Minister within Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry Steven Jacobs, and Minister within the Housing Ministry Vanessa Benn, along with other officials and members of the diplomatic community, were in attendance (Vanessa Benn, Minister within the Housing Ministry/Facebook)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

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News

Region 1 gets 1st SEND school

The newly-opened Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) School in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini)

he Education Ministry has expanded access to

specialised education in Region One (BarimaWaini) with the opening

of the region’s first Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school

in Mabaruma. The facility is the 57th SEND school nationally and has the capacity to accommodate up to 30 learners. It currently has two learners enrolled and four staff members, all trained in Special Education Needs and Disabilities. According to the Ministry, the establishment of the Mabaruma SEND School is aimed to strengthen inclusive education and provide learners with special educational needs and disabilities with access to specialised support and learning opportunities within their communities. The Ministry said the facility will allow learners and their families in the region to access specialised educational services without having to travel outside their communities to

receive the assistance required. The school is also expected to provide personalised educational support and resources to help learners with special educational needs and disabilities participate more fully in the education system.

Similar schools, the Ministry said on Tuesday, are planned for the region’s other two sub-districts, Moruca and Matarkai, as the it works to bring specialised educational support closer to learners and their families across the country.

Dr Cheddi Jagan: The champion of the poor, the defender of democracy Dear Editor, There are some figures in a nation’s history whose contributions cannot be measured merely by the years they occupied public office. Their significance lies in the principles they fought for, the lives they touched, and the possibilities they opened for future generations. For Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jagan remains one such figure. For more than five decades, Dr. Jagan was at the centre of Guyana’s political, social and economic struggles. From the earliest days of the labour movement and the fight for universal adult suffrage, through the struggle for independence and the long campaign for democratic elections, his political life was closely intertwined with the aspirations of ordinary Guyanese. Above all, Dr. Jagan became identified with the cause of working people, farmers, the poor and those who believed that the resources of Guyana should serve the wider population rather than a privileged few. Guyanese came to regard him as the champion of the poor and working class—a description that remains central to how his legacy is remembered. Perhaps no chapter of Dr. Jagan’s life carries greater historical significance than his role in the restoration of democratic government. The October 5, 1992 general election was a watershed moment in Guyanese history. It was the first election in 28 years to be internationally monitored and accepted by observers as free and fair. The Carter Center described it as the first credible elec-

tion in Guyana in 28 years, while international observers recorded that it resulted in a peaceful transfer of power. His return to the presidency was not simply the culmination of a personal political journey. It represented the return of electoral democracy after decades in which Guyanese had lived through deeply contested elections and restrictions on political and civil liberties. Historical accounts record that elections during the earlier period were fraudulent and that human rights and civil liberties had been suppressed. The restoration of credible elections therefore carried meaning far beyond the victory of one political party. It restored to Guyanese citizens the fundamental democratic right to have their votes genuinely determine who governed them. Dr. Jagan understood the significance of that moment. In his October 9, 1992 inaugural address, he called on Guyanese to rebuild the country together, without rancour, recrimination or victimisation, and spoke of a democratic and humane order based on the rule of law, the eradication of poverty and human development. The Guyana Dr. Jagan inherited in 1992 was not a prosperous country waiting for a new government to simply administer it. It was a country emerging from a prolonged period of economic and institutional decline. The inherited burden was immense. Contemporary government material described an external debt of approximately US$2.1 bil-

lion in October 1992, with debt servicing consuming an extraordinary share of government revenues. Health and education were under severe pressure, while the country’s physical and social infrastructure required extensive rehabilitation. The historical record also describes widespread emigration, a depleted population, deteriorating infrastructure and an education system that had fallen into serious disrepair. In the language of ordinary Guyanese, Dr. Jagan inherited a country that had been left economically barren and socially exhausted. But he did not use the condition of the country as an excuse for inaction. Instead, his government embarked upon a programme of reconstruction. Water systems, electricity generation, roads, schools and health facilities became priorities. Accounts of the period point to substantial investment in social infrastructure, including new schools and health centres in rural and Amerindian communities. The objective was not simply to make the economy grow. It was to ensure that economic recovery translat-

ed into a better quality of life for ordinary citizens. That distinction was fundamental to Dr. Jagan’s philosophy. Dr. Cheddi Jagan will always occupy a distinctive place in Guyana’s history. He will be remembered as a leader who fought for universal suffrage, independence, democracy, economic justice and social development. He will be remembered for returning to the presidency through the historic 1992 election and for inheriting a country burdened by debt, deteriorating infrastructure and deep social and economic problems. He will be remembered for placing education, health, housing, agriculture, infrastructure and the welfare of working people high on the national agenda. Dr. Cheddi Jagan will always remain the champion of the poor and working-class people of Guyana. His greatest legacy is not simply a list of projects or policies. It is the enduring proposition that a nation’s progress must be judged by the dignity, freedom and well-being of its people. Those who carry Dr. Jagan’s political tradition forward can look back with pride at the distance travelled since his historic re-

turn to office in 1992. That journey has continued under the leadership of General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who has helped guide, strengthen and evolve the movement that Dr. Jagan built, while playing a consequential role in the re-

markable transformation of Guyana’s political and economic landscape. Yours sincerely, Rajiv Kadarnauth Regional Councillor Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 0:00 Sign Off 6:00 Islam for Guyana 6:30 TVG Devotional Hour 7:00 Evening News (RB) 8:00 HGTV 9:00 Stop Suffering 10:00 Food Network 12:00 Movie - 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998) 13:30 Movie - Right in Front of Me (2021) 15:00 Cartoons 16:00 Indian Soaps 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Movie - Season for Love (2018) 22:00 Movie - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

Foundation ◄

Page

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Probability tree diagrams

What are probability tree diagrams? Probability tree diagrams are a way of organising the information of two or more probability events. Probability tree diagrams show all the possible outcomes of the events and can be used to solve probability questions. To use tree diagrams, we need to know the probability of individual events occurring and use the fact that probabilities on each set of branches add up to 1. Probability tree diagrams start by showing the possible outcomes for the first event, with the outcomes at the ends of the branches and the probabilities written along the branches. The probabilities of the events can be written as fractions or decimals. For example, A coin is flipped and a dice is rolled. What is the probability of getting a ‘tail’ and a '6'?

By Dana Levin

These outcomes can occur whether the coin landed on heads or tails so we add these outcomes to the end of both branches in order to show all possible combinations of outcomes. The probability of getting a ‘6’ is 16 . The probability of getting ‘not a 6’ will be 1- 16 = 56 . Remember that the probabilities on each set of branches add up to 1. We want the probability of getting a tail and a 6so we follow the path that shows tail and 6. The AND rule for probability states that P (A and B) = P(A)×P(B). Taking the probabilities from the corresponding branches of the tree diagram, we get

Because you think you are the world you felt bad that you didn’t give the stranger money, because you think you are the god with the pockets, that abundance begins and ends in you— You thought your dime would be the difference so you clutched your bag and frowned, because you think

The first event is flipping the coin. The two possible outcomes are ‘heads’ and ‘tails’. These are mutually exclusive events. They cannot happen at the same time. The second event is rolling the dice. The possible outcomes are ‘1’,‘2’,‘3’,‘4’,‘5’ and ‘6’.However, the question is only interested in "‘" 6"’",so we can have a ‘6’ branch and a ‘not a 6’ branch.

Probability of getting a ‘tail’ and a ‘6’ is 1× 1 =1 . 2 6 12 Tree diagrams can be used for both independent and dependent events. The events ‘flipping a coin’ and ‘rolling a dice’ are independent events – where the outcome of one event does not affect the outcome of the other event. Events can also be dependent events – where the outcome of one event depends upon what has happened before.

Make a rainbow

n this fun and easy water science experiment, we’re going to make a rainbow.

Materials: Baking pan Water Mirror White piece of paper

Instructions: Fill the baking pan three quarters of the way full with water. Find a sunny spot.

Place the mirror in the water and lean it against the edge of the baking dish. Now direct the mirror’s reflection onto the white piece of paper. You will see a rainbow of colours.

How it works: When the white sunlight shines into the water it bends. White light is a combination of all the visible colours. So when white light bends, all of its parts also bend. These parts or colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) all bend at a different angle

because each of the colours travel at different speeds in the water. When the mirror reflects the light back out of the water it has been broken up from refraction into the full rainbow of colours that you can see on the piece of white paper. Make this a science project: Try this experiment using a flashlight. Try this experiment with coloured light. Try using crumpled aluminium foil instead of a mirror. Try colouring the water. (sciencefun.org)

you are the rain, that all seeds emit from you. It’s because you think you are everything that you gave the stranger nothing, that you hated him for knowing the No alive in you. (Source: Poetry [October 2026])

Create a rainbow poem. WORD SEARCH

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CoI into MV Barima tragedy

Commission to begin work today; over 100 witnesses expected to testify …only 1 survivor steps forward so far to give evidence

Attorney at Law and MV Barima COI Secretary Javed Shadick

Some of the MV Barima victims

he Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima tragedy is set to commence its work on Wednesday, with the Commissioners expected to gather evidence and hear from witnesses as they seek to determine what led to the deadly incident. This was revealed by Attorney-at-Law and Secretary to the MV Barima CoI, Javid Shadick,

Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, where the Commission Secretariat is based. Proceedings will run from Mondays to Fridays, between 09:00h and 16:00h. Interpreters and counsellors will be available where necessary. The Commission has also announced the following schedule for its opening and family consultation sessions:

place, and, in the afternoon, consultation and meeting sessions will be held for families from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) to meet directly with the Commission team at the ACCC at 13:00h. On October 12, the Commission team will

with families at the Port Kaituma Waterfront. At the press conference, it was also outlined that the Secretariat remains committed to pro-

Commission, the terms of reference have broadly categorised potential witnesses into three groups: first responders and officials, survivors, and families of those who perished. When asked by Journalists about the Terms of Reference (TOR), including the evaluation of the team of doctors assessing the group and how the Commission would address persons who are currently

CoI, which was expected to span two months. However, he said the inquiry would likely have to extend beyond the two-month period. The MV Barima capsized on Saturday, July 18, 2026, approximately 9.3 nautical miles off Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast. The passenger and cargo ferry had departed the Kingston Goods Wharf in Georgetown at about

The crew members who were charged. From left to right: Kevin Price, Delon Granderson and Rondell Dwayne Roberts

viding support, guidance and logistical assistance to all families throughout the process. The five-member Commission is chaired by Belizean Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith. Its other members are Captain Hamada Fouda, Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard, and Dr Andrzej Jasionowski.

Witnesses

Members of the Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima tragedy

during a press briefing held on Tuesday. He outlined the schedule for the commencement of the inquiry, which is set to begin on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung

On October 6, 2026, the CoI officially announced its commencement via a press conference. Today, October 7, the formal opening session of the Commission will take

travel to Region One to meet with families at the Kumaka Waterfront at 10:00h. On October 13, the Commission team will continue its engagements in Region One, meeting

Meanwhile, Shadick informed us that only one survivor has so far contacted the Secretariat, expressing an intention to come forward to give evidence. “I would say now that not many persons have stepped forward. In fact, only one person has made contact with the Secretariat informing us of their intent to step forward,” he stated. However, more than 100 witnesses are expected to give evidence under the terms of reference, including first responders, officials, survivors, and families of those who perished. According to the

incarcerated, Shadick said those matters would be addressed by the commissioners. He noted that, as Secretary to the Commission, his role differs from that of the commissioners, adding that the TOR speaks specifically to the work of the commissioners. He said the questions raised would ultimately be addressed in the Commission’s report. “…so based so far on the TORs, we have kind of divided up types of witnesses. So we’re looking at persons who would have been first responders, officials, and survivors and families of those who would have perished. That is a very broad categorisation. The number of persons, I cannot say how much would be in each one, but our initial count, we’re looking at more than 100 witnesses.”

More than 2 months

Meanwhile, Shadick was also asked about the timeframe President Dr Irfaan Ali had given for the

15:15h on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma. However, at about 23:01h, the vessel transmitted a distress signal after encountering difficulties off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River. A total of 179 people, including 18 crew members, were onboard. The disaster claimed 73 lives, while 76 people survived, and approximately 30 remain unaccounted for. Three Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) employees have since been charged with murder over the tragedy. The accused were all members of the MV Barima’s crew on July 18, the day of the fatal incident. They are captain Kevin Price, called “KP”, 40, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD); chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and goods superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WCB).

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Democracy’s… …painful reinstatement

ctober 5 has come and gone, but your Eyewitness is adamant that it didn’t bring back democracy to our country. It might’ve been the day that Jimmy Carter made that call to President Clinton at the White House – who had Hoyte call in the army to quell the riots at GECOM HQ to overturn the results. But it simply ushered in a long, brutal and bloody struggle to REALLY bring back democracy here!! The New PPP Government was barely in place when Hoyte screamed the PPP was the “ethnic cleansing” of the public services!! When they were simply bringing in their own Permanent Secretaries that’s the practice in all Westminster Governments!! And of course, Hoyte pretended amnesia when it was under HIS watch that the IMF mandated a reduction in the Public Service – which the PPP halted!! Then there was Blackie London and his gang, who robbed Banks and Cambios, kidnapped Indian businessmen and demanded ransoms – but was yet draped with the flag of Guyana by Desmond Hoyte at his funeral!! This was followed by the “Wild Men”, who founded the “Peoples Liberation Army” and helped spring the Mash 5 – including London’s lieutenant Douglas - from Camp Street Jail and set them up in Buxton!! Following up on his strident and hysterical moves to tag the PPP as “racial”, Hoyte upped the ante and segued into his “slow fyaah; mo fyaah” strategy that brought unprecedented violence into Guyanese politics. Some “political sophisticates” indOctoberrinated the Buxton “Freedom Fighters” to kill Policemen and Indians from surrounding villages with impunity – and even chased out Eusi Kwayana from the village where he’d lived and nurtured for over 50 years!! Yet Hoyte went into Buxton and announced the PPP was maligning Buxtonians by claiming there were criminals there!! If we had real democracy after October 5, 1992, the authority of the lawfully elected PPP Government should’ve been recognised, and it should’ve never come to a point where drug lords had to “bring order” to the anarchy!! This was simply because the armed forces were unwilling to confront the “Freedom Bandits”!! Guyana became a killing field with bloody massacres by bandits at Lusignan and Bartica and counter-massacres by bandits at Agricola and the armed forces at Lindo Creek!! Peace was only returned after the Buxton bandits were wiped out after 2008. And in the face of this frontal attack on the democratic state, the PPP upheld the tenets of democracy by holding elections in 2011, where their majority was reduced, and finally, they were voted out in 2015!! We can never forget that the PNC-as-APNU returned to its old habit of rigging elections to subvert democracy in 2020!! Yes.., our democracy was birthed in blood – and we gotta protect it, always!! …and majority rule The Opposition is once again screaming that the Westminster principle of the winner of democratic elections assuming office – which is what our constitution demands – ain’t “democratic”!! They insist that the Opposition’s gotta be brought into the Executive, given Ministerial position – and perks!! – and this “shared governance” is the only kinda democracy for Guyana!! But your Eyewitness has gotta point out that even though they’d been singing this tune for decades – even Desmond Hoyte had joined the chorus just before he died! When they voted out the PPP in 2015, they didn’t bring in the PPP!! And they even miniaturised the AFC that had brought them into power by agreeing to a coalition!! Previously, when the just departed PNC leader Corbin had made his pitch, the PPP of Bharat Jagdeo had said that there first had to be “trust” developed between the parties seeking shared governance!! The PNC of Granger’s treatment of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo from the AFC showed he had ample reason for being sceptical!! What has changed since?? …discipline What history has shown us is that democracy insists on a discipline of recognising that to ever “right” – which most like to demand – there is a reciprocal and PRIOR “obligation”!! In Guyana, we gotta follow before we can lead!! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Chinese cook charged with Labour shortage pushes farmers murder of 6-year-old boy towards agricultural drones

Dead: Zi Feng Cao

eventy-six-year-old Chinese cook Quan Sheng Li has been charged and remanded to prison for the murder of six-year-old Zi Feng Cao at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) Li appeared before Magistrate Omadatt Chandan at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was not required to plead to the indictment. Nevertheless, during the court proceedings, the prosecution related that the post-mortem report and witness statements are still outstanding from the case file and requested time to complete same. As such, Li was remanded to prison until November 5, 2026. It was reported that the child was chopped to the neck and was pronounced

Remanded: Quan Sheng Li

dead at the De Kinderen Regional Hospital last Wednesday after he was rushed to the institution by his parents. The suspect, upon his arrest, did not only confess but also led investigators to the area where he had disposed of the murder weapon - a 12” stainless steel blade. During interrogation, the elderly man reportedly stated that he had visited the Kenny’s Ocean Restaurant owned by the now dead lad’s parents to collect money he claimed was owed to him. He stated that he had invested money in the business and wanted it returned. However, while at the premises, an argument broke out between him and the child’s parents after they allegedly told him they would not give him any money. He further claimed that

he felt cornered and repeatedly asked for his money so that he could return home. In his confession, the suspect told detectives via a translator that during the confrontation, the child had returned from school, and upon seeing him, he whipped out a knife from a bag and fired one chop towards him. He confessed to chopping the child in the area between the shoulder and head. After committing the act, he left the premises, and as he walked onto the roadway, he discarded the weapon in a drain before proceeding to the Police Station. He later accompanied Police to the location and assisted them in recovering the weapon. He was later charged with the heinous crime. The lad was cremated on Sunday.

Some of the agricultural drones on display

griculture remains a major economic activity in Berbice (East Berbice-Corentyne), but as farmers grapple with difficulties finding workers, technology is increasingly being presented as an alternative. The scale of the challenge was underscored on Monday, when Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith, speaking at the induction of the Guyana Technical Training College’s sixth cohort at Port Mourant, cited the 2023 Guyana Workforce Assessment, as summarised

by the International Labour Organisation, which projects that agriculture will require more than 12,000 additional workers by 2028. At the just concluded Berbice Expo, that projected labour demand met one possible technological response, with agricultural drones being showcased for tasks ranging from spraying and spreading to crop monitoring. Joel Singh of GuyDrones said farmers are already showing interest in the technology, with the availability of labour emerging as a major

concern. “Well, a lot of farmers are interested in the drone because, well, manpower. They’re complaining that manpower is a major issue right now. People are not coming out to work. So the farmers are reaching out to us either to utilise the service or to purchase their own drone,” Singh said. Among the equipment displayed was an agricultural drone which, according to Singh, can carry up to 50 kilogrammes when spreading and 40 litres when spraying. “The T50 is the payload capacity, which it could carry up to 50 kilogrammes weight when it’s been spreading. However, when it’s doing spraying, it’s 40 litres,” he explained. Singh said the drone is also equipped with obstacle-avoidance technology which alerts the operator when objects are detected in its path. With a change of tank, he said, the equipment can be used to spread seed or fertiliser. The technology extends beyond those applications, with systems also available for monitoring crops and identifying particular vegetation in fields. “If there’s a certain vegetation that you’re looking for in the field, a certain type of leaf or anything, we have the technology,” Singh said. TURN TO PAGE 10

10 NEWS Teen shot, chains worth $1.6M Miner remanded snatched during Kitty robbery on gun, ammo possession charge WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

made good their escape. The injured teen was taken to a private medical facility, where he was admitted in a stable condi-

hirty-threeyear -old Mark Gentle, a gold miner of Durban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition without a licence. Gentle appeared before Magistrate Caressa Henry at the Bartica Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded to prison until November 17, 2026.

tion. Police have since retrieved CCTV footage as investigations continue. No arrests were made.

Labour shortage pushes...

FROM PAGE 9

A Charged: Mark Gentle

19-year-old male of Campbellville, Georgetown, was on Monday evening shot during an armed robbery by two males on an XR motorcycle along Owen Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Based on reports received, the teenager was

in the company of several persons liming at about 20:00h when they were approached by two unidentified males on an XR motorcycle. The pillion rider, who was armed with a handgun, reportedly dismounted the motorcycle and instructed the victim and others not to move. The teen reportedly started to run, but the armed suspect discharged several rounds in his direction, resulting in one of the bullets hitting him in his left foot. The teenager fell onto the roadway, after which he was relieved of two yellow metal chains valued at $1.6 million. The suspect then returned to the waiting motorcycle, after which the two men rode away and

Singh also said operators are required to maintain visual contact with their drones, citing requirements of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. He said persons purchasing the agricultural equipment are trained in its operation, while the company assists with the paperwork associated with importing the drone. The Expo’s emphasis on innovation and technology, however, extended beyond the agriculture sector, with another exhibitor presenting a different approach to housing. Chef Pro Guyana showcased prefab units incorporating a range of features during the construction process. Manager Ruben Samnolsing said the company offers units ranging from offices and single units to two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and two-flat structures. “All our units come outfitted with electrical, plumbing, security grills, water heater, smart sink, camera

system, alarm system, fire system,” he said. According to Samnolsing, the structures are also treated with a rust-protective coating and anchored to their foundations. He said other features include gable roofing, an emergency side door and an air-conditioning unit. Samnolsing said a two-bedroom unit is being offered for $5 million, installed on the customer’s property. He said demand in Guyana is not confined to persons seeking individual homes, with prefab units also being used for larger residential projects. “Right now, we have a lot of projects going on throughout. We are doing some projects in Linden, in Annandale, in parts of Georgetown, where persons are doing housing developments with our homes. So it’s not just persons are buying to live in. Persons are also buying apartment complexes,” Samnolsing said.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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NAREI gets $60M fleet to step up fruit fly surveillance

Fleet of vehicles handed over to the Ministry

fleet of vehicles valued at $60 million was handed over to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to strengthen surveillance and control of the Carambola Fruit Fly and improve agricultural extension services across Guyana. The brand-new fleet handed over on Tuesday comprises five pickup trucks,

six ATVs and 12 motorcycles. The vehicles were procured under the Agricultural Infrastructure Development Programme (AIDP), financed by the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF). The investment will support the strengthening of Guyana’s national Carambola Fruit Fly surveillance network, allowing NAREI officers to conduct trapping programmes,

field inspections and regular monitoring, particularly in major fruit-producing areas. Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha highlighted the importance of the equipment in supporting Guyana’s efforts to ensure food security. “This is at a cost of approximately $60 million. I want NAREI, as I said,

Hand-in-Hand Group posts $287.7M profit as insurer returns to profitability

and-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited returned to profitability in 2025, moving from a $303 million loss in 2024 to a marginal profit of $205,559, while its wider group recorded a $287.7 million profit for the year. According to the company’s 2025 annual financial statements, insurance revenue increased to $1.97 billion in 2025, compared with $1.59 billion in 2024. The company’s insurance service expenses also rose, reaching $1.20 billion from $1.16 billion in the previous year. However, the net expense from reinsurance contracts held fell to $262.9 million from $221.7 million. As a result, the company recorded an insurance service result of $504.7 million, a significant improvement from the $109.3 million recorded in 2024. In an advertisement published in today’s edition of Guyana Times, it was stated that the net investment income increased to $146.3 million from $186.8 million, while the net investment and insurance finance re-

sult stood at $154 million, compared with $187.9 million in 2024. Other income rose to $46.1 million from $31.8 million, while other operating expenses increased to $643.6 million from $590.7 million. After accounting for interest expense, taxes and other charges, the company recorded a profit after taxation of $205,559, reversing the $303 million loss reported in 2024. At the group level, insurance revenue increased to $2.15 billion from $1.77 billion, while the insurance service result rose to $552.9 million from $163 million. The group’s profit after taxation stood at $287.7 million, compared with a loss of $152.6 million in 2024. The group also recorded total comprehensive income of $553.9 million for 2025, compared with $164.3 million in 2024. The company’s total assets increased to $10.65 billion at the end of 2025, up from $9.33 billion a year earlier. Group assets rose to $26.57 billion from $24.46 billion. At year-end, the com-

pany’s total equity stood at $4.36 billion, compared with $4.11 billion in 2024. Group equity increased to $8.51 billion from $6.98 billion. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on September 18, 2026. Meanwhile, the independent auditors, TSD Lal & Co Chartered Accountants, gave an unqualified opinion on the financial statements, stating that they present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and financial performance of the company and group in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. However, in its report on legal and regulatory requirements, the auditors noted that while the financial statements comply with the Companies Act and Financial Institutions Act 1995, the Insurance Act 2016, which came into effect in 2018, was not fully complied with by the company and its subsidiary, GCIS Inc. The auditors stated that the matter was explained in Note 42 of the financial statements.

NAREI is the premier resource institution for us in this country. We are ensuring that NAREI provides the kind of facilities so that NAREI can be equipped to provide the necessary guidance to us because, you know, food security is important. The President is putting a lot of effort into food security in Guyana; we want Guyana to be a premier food producer in CARICOM. We are moving there very aggressively, but we have to have the facilities, we have to have the resources.” Mustapha further highlighted the significant increase in Government’s investment in the agriculture sector, noting that the sector’s budget has grown from $18 billion to $113 billion in just a few years. “Over the years, we have seen the investment from Government. We have moved the agriculture budget from $18 billion to $113 billion, so you could see the

investment going up. But at the same time, you are employees of this institution. You are tasked with the responsibility of executing the Government’s policy, and you are very important for us. That is why we are providing these facilities to you.” He nevertheless explained that employees of NAREI have an important role to play in executing the Government’s agricultural policies, which is why the Government is providing the institution with the necessary facilities and resources. “I hope that you will use it in the best interest of the country and ensure that NAREI plays that important role that we want NAREI to play. You know we are now building that food hub at Yarrowkabra, we are looking at production in various areas. Although we have seen a little decline in our half-year production report in the first half of the year, I am very optimistic that come the end

of the year, we will rebound, and we are seeing increased production at various levels. Rice, for example, other crops, other areas in the agriculture sector.” Mustapha has since instructed NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to ensure the newly acquired vehicles and equipment are used efficiently and properly maintained. He also urged employees who will be using the vehicles to take good care of them and ensure they are used for their intended purposes. “The CEO, I have already instructed him that he use it efficiently, and we also have to take care of this equipment. Many times, we have these machines and equipment and vehicles and motorcycles and ATVs. Sometimes we abuse them too. So I want you, as employees who will be using them, to ensure you care for them and use them for the maximum purpose that they are there for.”

Guyana takes CASSOS chairmanship for 2026-2028

The organisation’s Board of Directors held its 29th meeting in Georgetown

uyana has assumed the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) for the 20262028 term, as the organisation’s Board of Directors held its 29th meeting in Georgetown. The meeting was held on Friday, October 2, at the Aiden by Best Western Hotel, with the Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt Col (Ret’d) Egbert Field, presiding over the session in his first meeting as Chairman. Representatives from all

CASSOS member states attended the meeting, which focused on several regional aviation priorities. Among the matters on the agenda was the full implementation of the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA), along with proposed organisational restructuring and measures aimed at strengthening CASSOS’s financial sustainability. The Board also discussed the advancement of the One Stop Security initiative, which is intended to support greater cooperation in aviation security across the region.

The discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing aviation safety and security standards among Caribbean countries. CASSOS is a specialised unit within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) responsible for supporting aviation safety and security oversight across the region. Guyana’s two-year Chairmanship places the country in the leadership of the regional aviation oversight system through 2028, with the Board expected to continue work on the organisation’s strategic priorities during the period.

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Efforts intensified on inmate Ruminations rehabilitation, reimplementing

PRESIDENT IRFAAN ALI CAN LEAD FIGHT AGAINST CANCER IN GUYANA AND IN THE WORLD

parole programme – Walrond

ike the rest of the world, Guyana faces a severe cancer burden. In the first six months of 2026, there were 704 new cancer cases diagnosed. This means that Guyana could see almost 1500 new cases for 2026 alone, an incidence rate of about 160 per 100,000 persons. Prostate, breast, cervical, colorectal, and endometrial cancers were the top five cancers in Guyana so far in 2026. In 2025, 34 children were diagnosed with cancer. With Dr Leslie Ramsammy improving diagnostics, the story can be even more frightening for Guyana. But this is also the global story, with every country affected. President Irfaan Ali can use the Commonwealth Heads of State 2026 meeting in November in Antigua and Barbuda to lead a Commonwealthled global fight against cancer. He and the First Lady are leading advocates in the fight against gender-based cancers, prostate, and cervical cancers in Guyana. President Irfaan Ali, in partnership with the Minister of Health and Men of Mission (MoM), has intensified the fight against prostate cancer. The First Lady has been a leading advocate in the fight against cervical cancer in Guyana and in the Caribbean Region. The Commonwealth Heads Meeting will be a good opportunity for both to become global leaders, not only in the fight against prostate and cervical cancers, but against all cancers. President Irfaan Ali has instructed Minister Frank Anthony to work with Mount Sinai of New York to ensure the establishment of a comprehensive cancer centre in Guyana for world-class diagnostics, treatment and care services by 2030. The Minister of Health himself has intensified the fight against cancer. In part the increased diagnosis of prostate cancer and other cancers in Guyana reflects the improved diagnostic testing available and the aggressive screening campaign that the government has been leading. The planned comprehensive cancer centre can revolutionise the fight against cancer in Guyana. The WHO 2026 Global Status Report on cancer portends a frightening future for the world. Globally, there were 19.5 million new cancer diagnoses (20.6 million including nonmelanoma skin cancer) in 2024, with 9.9 million men and 9.6 million women receiving such a diagnosis and 9.7 million cancer deaths. There were 400,000 new cancer diagnoses in children. The Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) projects that new cancer cases will reach 35 million annually and cancer deaths will reach 18.6 million by 2050, with the largest increases in incidence and mortality rates occurring in low- and middle-income countries. These figures must serve as both a warning and a call to action. Unless we change the current trajectory, one in five people globally will develop cancer, and 92 per cent of the global population will be affected. Guyana, CARICOM and other Commonwealth countries must ensure they utilise the full arsenal of tools already available but still not accessible to most of the developing countries. We must change this ugly dispensation now. President Ali can lead a paradigm shift empowering developing countries to access all cancer-fighting tools utilised in developed countries. Use of existing scientific knowledge and tools – particularly in highincome countries – guided by the WHO 90-70-90 targets for cervical cancer elimination has led to impressive progress in the elimination of cervical cancer. Already, several high-income countries are on the verge of eliminating cervical cancer by 2050. If Commonwealth leaders support the optimal use of these tools based on the roadmap proposed in the recent Lancet Oncology Perspective, their countries can contribute to the first-ever elimination of a cancer. Lessons from cervical cancer can also be applied to hepatitis B-linked liver cancer and other pathogen-linked cancers. Indeed, use of existing science-based knowledge and tools can prevent up to 40 per cent of cancers today. A GLOBOCAN study attributed 7.1 million (37.8 per cent) of 18.7 million cancer cases to 30 modifiable risk factors. Similarly, we already have the knowledge and tools at our disposal to reduce incidence, morbidity and mortality across the cancer control continuum of risk management, screening and prevention, early detection and diagnostics, treatment (including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery), survivorship, palliation and end-of-life support. Utilising the framework proposed in the Lancet Commonwealth Cancer Roadmap Perspective, the Commonwealth and the world can change the present projections for cancers by 2050. While additional knowledge and tools will further improve the trajectory of elimination, financing the optimal use of existing knowledge and tools represents a “best buy” for health and development. In a brief for the Lancet Commissioners, Rifat Atun and colleagues demonstrated a significant percentage of averted deaths and a return on investment of $16 to $24 for every $1 invested in the cancer control continuum, regardless of geography or economic status. Taking leadership to combat cancer, if it happens, will not be the first time Guyana has taken health leadership in the world. Between 2001 and 2010, Guyana became a leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Guyana was among the first developing countries to use a cocktail of medicines to reduce and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. When Guyana introduced vaccines such as the rotavirus, pneumococcus and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines between 2008 and 2010, Guyana became a lead country in the expansion of childhood immunisation. Guyana was among the first developing countries to screen transfused blood for hepatitis C and for Zika. These and several other initiatives demonstrate that even when we were a resource-poor country, Guyana was not afraid to take global leadership in fighting for the right to health and for better health for all citizens. Cancer has been a major global health threat for a long time now. It is time for a global battle to curb the cancer threat. Guyana must take the lead, and this can start with the Commonwealth Heads Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda in November. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond

he Home Affairs Ministry is currently designing a programme aimed at bolstering the efforts undertaken to rehabilitate inmates and to provide them with the requisite skills for their reintegration into society. This was according to the Subject Minister, Oneidge Walrond, during the Starting Point podcast aired last Sunday, during which she added that the parole programme is also being reimplemented after some four years. “We started to reimplement the parole programme, which is for persons who have served an extended length of time. They go off on parole, supervised, and this is all part of making sure that young people are still in their productive ages and not languishing in prison,” the Minister added. She further stated that a lot of attention is being paid

to rehabilitation with respect to education. “I pay specific attention to young people, late teens and early twenties, who are coming into the prison system. What can we do to rehabilitate this person while he or she is in the prison service? What particular skill can we continue to hone in on?” The Prison Act, she added, gives us more legal bandwidth to do more in terms of integration, noting that “while we are making progress and doing more in terms of skill building and counselling, we are also bringing in more sports programmes. They have started back doing boxing... So those are all initiatives to get our young people back interested in sports and the discipline that comes with participating in sports. But we also need a more structured reintegration. We have to make sure that they can be properly super-

vised,” Minister Walrond explained. She further stated that prison authorities and the Ministry are still building out a programme to ensure that those inmates are reintegrating safely into society. During the tenor of former Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, the ‘Fresh Start ‘ Programme was rolled out which provided a toolkit with the basic needs to persons who are leaving the prison system. The Fresh Start programme forms part of a broader rehabilitation and reintegration strategy by the Government of Guyana. The initiative focuses on training prisoners in vocational skills while they are incarcerated and providing them with equipment upon release to facilitate sustainable livelihoods outside of prison walls. Recent national policy decisions also reflect an intensified focus on corrections reform. In the 2026 national budget, the Government earmarked $141.8 million specifically for inmate and officer training to support rehabilitation efforts, while $1.5 billion was allocated for further infrastructure upgrades to prison facilities. Longstanding elements of the Fresh Start initiative include vocational training opportunities in tailoring, joinery, digital skills, anger management, and other fields offered across prison locations.

In fact, back in March, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Peter Ramsaroop stated that rehabilitated prisoners will be critical in addressing Guyana’s growing labour shortage as the country experiences unprecedented economic growth. He argued that the solution to the problem lies in rethinking the role of the correctional system and explained that it must not be seen as a place of confinement but as one of workforce development. According to Ramsaroop, rehabilitation must be tied directly to national growth, ensuring inmates leave the system equipped to contribute meaningfully to society. Ramsaroop highlighted agriculture as a major opportunity, noting that Guyana is positioning itself to be the breadbasket of the Caribbean, capitalising on the billions spent annually on food imports across the region. He encouraged both officers and inmates to think beyond their immediate roles and tap into the opportunities that are being made available. He issued a direct challenge to prison officers to see their work as part of the larger mission of the nation. With the labour demands expected to increase as the country continues to develop rapidly, Ramsaroop maintained that recidivism through training and employment is essential.

Ammo found hidden Ganja found stashed in concrete block in old refrigerator at Pouderoyen at Mahdia Arcade

The live ammunition found in the concrete block

olice have unearthed 10 .32 rounds of live ammunition during an intelligence-led operation at Pouderoyen Tarmac, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Monday evening. Police stated that during the operation, ranks conducted a search of an unoccupied wooden stall at the tarmac, where the ammuni-

tion was found concealed in a concrete block behind an old refrigerator. The ammunition was removed and taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, where it was lodged. At the time of the discovery, no arrest was made. Investigations are ongoing.

The ganja that was found in the old refrigerator

quantity of cannabis was reportedly found on Saturday during a police operation at 111 Miles Mahdia Arcade, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). Police stated that during the exercise, ranks conducted a search at Mahdia Arcade, during which a

black plastic bag containing the cannabis was found concealed in an old refrigerator. The suspected cannabis was taken to the Mahdia Police Station, where it was weighed and amounted to 470 grams. No arrests were made.

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ExxonMobil looks to Botanical Gardens to close offshore projects in T&T from Oct 12 for redevelopment for next boom – global T exploration head

xxonMobil is looking to replicate Guyana’s oil and gas boom off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, the company’s head of exploration said, as it pursues expansion in the basin to the east of Venezuela. The oil and gas giant has found success in developing one of the world’s largest oilfields offshore from neighbouring Guyana, as the biggest shareholder in the Stabroek block. “A lot of people ask, ‘well, where’s the next Guyana?’” John Ardill, vice-president — head of global exploration, said in an interview. “In Trinidad, we moved in as a play extension to Guyana.” Development in Trinidad and Tobago was occurring at a much faster pace than in Guyana, said Ardill. Exxon had negotiated a production-sharing agreement with the government within seven months “which is about half as long as it usually takes on a good day.” It typically took about a year to secure a vessel to begin acquiring seismic data over a prospect. In Trinidad and Tobago, however, the process was completed in just six months, he said. “That’s a record time,” he added. The government of the dual-island nation this year aligned itself with the Trump administration in officially recognising Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, seen as paving the way for greater energy co-operation. BP, Shell, and the government of Trinidad and Tobago are pursuing cross-border agreements with Caracas and Washington to supply the country’s LNG industry with Venezuelan gas. The southern Caribbean nation has also attempted to build a tourist economy to supplement its dependence on the oil and gas sector, which began when its first oil well was drilled in 1857. Crude output peaked in the late 1970s and has fallen steadily, with a shift to gas and petrochemicals

since the 1990s. A revival of Trinidad and Tobago’s oil industry could ease the strain on the country’s finances, which have been hit by shortages of LNG feedstocks in recent years.

BP and Shell each own 45 per cent of Atlantic LNG, the main gas export plant, with the remainder held by the stateowned National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago. Ardill said Exxon would make a decision on where to drill its first well by mid-2027. “If we’re successful with that well, we can deploy the Guyana development model — which is extremely fast — and we also have the AI tools developed in Guyana.” The US oil major sees its success in Guyana as vindication of its strategy to keep investing in exploring for oil and gas even when some competitors stepped back. Exxon and its partners committed $60bn to developing Guyana’s resources in pursuit of growth after striking oil in 2015, with offshore oil and gas development typically more expensive than tapping onshore fields. The fifth floating production, storage and offloading vessel, which processes and stores oil from seabed wells before transferring it to tankers, arrived in Guyanese waters in August. Ardill said Exxon was looking to apply the techniques it has used in the US to other shale-rich areas around the world. Exxon had taken delegations from Azerbaijan and Algeria to the Permian Basin to demonstrate how the company operates such projects, he added. “The big exploration play is to take what we’ve developed in the Permian, and replicate it somewhere like Azerbaijan or Algeria,” Ardill said. “Azerbaijan would be an oil play, Algeria’s a gas play, but these are huge, absolutely world-class.” (Financial Times)

he Protected Areas Commission (PAC) has announced that the Botanical Gardens will be temporarily closed to visitors from October 12, 2026, to facilitate ongoing construction and modernisation works. In a notice published Tuesday, the PAC said the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and workers while construction continues. The Commission apologised for any inconvenience caused and urged the public to exercise patience and understanding. Further information on the reopening of the facility will be provided as the works progress. The closure comes as the Government advances a major redevelopment of the Georgetown Botanical Gardens and Zoo, with the project expected to transform the facility into a modern nature, wildlife, education and recreation destination. According to information published by the Department of Public Information (DPI), the redevelopment is already underway, with work focused on site preparation, demolition of obsolete structures, foundations, internal roads, drainage and other supporting infrastructure. Foreign Secretary and Chairman of the PAC Robert Persaud told DPI that the project is expected to preserve the character of the Gardens while introducing new ways for visitors to experience nature. A major component of the redevelopment is the conversion of the existing zoo into a Wildlife Sanctuary, with larger and more natural habitats, upgraded animal care facilities and spaces intended to allow animals to display more natural behaviours. The plans also include a new entrance along Homestretch Avenue, a Discovery Centre with an aquarium, themed gardens, improved waterways and walkways over the ponds. A SkyTrail featuring five observation towers is also planned, along with a Roraima-inspired waterfall, canoe facilities, internal shuttle ser-

vices and a nature-themed children’s play area. An amphitheatre is being developed along Homestretch Avenue near the National Cultural Centre and is expected to provide space for performances, storytelling, exhibitions and community activities. The redevelopment is expected to retain mature trees and familiar landmarks while adding infrastructure to expand the recreational and educational uses of the Gardens. The Discovery Centre will provide opportunities for students and visitors to learn about Guyana’s biodiversity through interactive experiences involving the aquarium, gardens and wildlife habitats. The project is also expected to expand the Gardens’ role in Georgetown’s tourism offering, with opportunities for local guides, entrepreneurs, businesses and community partners to participate in the visitor experience. Animal welfare is also being considered during the construction period. Animals currently remain at the facility under the supervision of the veterinarian and animal care personnel. According to the DPI report, officials said keeping the animals on site avoids the risks associated with transportation and unfamiliar surroundings. As new habitats are

completed and certified as safe, the animals will be moved gradually into their permanent environments. The redevelopment also includes plans for conservation initiatives such as breeding and rehabilitation programmes for species including macaws and sun parakeets. Where appropriate, the release of rehabilitated animals into the wild will be considered. The facility is also expected to accommodate wildlife that cannot safely return to the wild, including animals surrendered by individuals who are no longer able to care for them. According to DPI, potential exchanges with other zoological institutions could eventually expand the range of species available for educational purposes, subject to animal health, veterinary and welfare requirements. The Gardens will also continue to provide habitat for free-living wildlife in Georgetown, with areas retaining a more natural character to provide food and shelter for birds and other species. The redevelopment is targeting completion of foundations and internal roads, along with the removal of most old enclosures, by the end of 2026. CNQC is the main contractor, with SRKN providing engineering advice and supervision. Construction is being accelerated during the extended dry period, while the temporary closure is expected to allow work to proceed with fewer safety risks associated with public activity around construction zones and animals. Engineering assessments are being conducted to address soil conditions, drainage and the requirements of larger structures. Work is also being done on staff training, recruitment planning, plant propagation and preparations for future partnerships with botanical gardens. The Government is targeting completion of the broader transformation within approximately three years.

R&B singer Freddie Jackson, known for ‘80s hits like “You Are My Lady,” dies G

rammy-nominated R&B singer Freddie Jackson, known for his smooth ‘80s hits “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” and “You Are My Lady,” has died. He was 70. A statement shared by his family on his official Instagram account confirmed Jackson died Monday, three days after his 70th birthday. No cause of death was provided. “Freddie was more than a legendary voice. He was a kind, generous soul who loved his fans, his family, his friends, and his music with everything he had. For decades he gave us the songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, our celebrations, and

our most treasured memories. That gift will live on forever,” the statement read. “To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you. You were family to him, and he carried your love with him always,” it continued. Details regarding arrangements will be announced in the coming days. Jackson was born and raised in Harlem, where he learned all about soul music and sang gospel at White Rock Baptist Church. He started his career in the New York club scene, eventually making his way out West with the

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Freddie Jackson

band Mystic Merlin in the late ‘70s. He soon returned to New York and released his debut album, “Rock Me Tonight,” in 1985. His distinctive voice proved to be his superpower: The album, which was quickly certified

platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, also led to his two career Grammy nominations. Those were for best new artist and best male R&B vocal performance for the single “You Are My

Lady.” “Rock Me Tonight” also created a new R&B superstar: Jackson became a mainstay of those Billboard charts and a fixture of contemporary urban radio play throughout the ’80s and early ‘90s. His sophomore album, 1987’s “Just Like the First Time,” was also certified platinum. In 2024, Jackson revealed he had been diagnosed with kidney disease in a video shared to his social media accounts. “This journey has had its challenges but I’ve decided to face it with openness and resilience,” he said in the clip. “It’s important to me that I share this with you,

not just as a part of my personal story, but as a way to make a positive difference.” At the time, Jackson also revealed he had partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness of the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 7 American adults has chronic kidney disease. As many as 9 in 10 don’t know they have it. Chronic kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys are damaged and struggle to filter blood. As a result, excess waste and fluids remain and can lead to other health issues, such as heart disease. (ABC News)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

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Regional

Alleged Jalisco cartel Venezuela’s power cuts fuel growing public anger leader, fuel smuggler “The Tank” arrested in Mexico

cross Venezuela, prolonged outages are riling locals, as the electricity supply to homes, businesses and essential services becomes unstable. Some of the cuts are deliberate, as the Government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez rationed electricity. The resulting frustration has spilt onto the streets, where demonstrators hold “cacerolazos” – a traditional form of protest that involves banging pots and pans. Some have gone as far as blocking roadways and setting tyres on fire. The electricity crisis has also raised concerns about how the Government is managing the country’s vast oil supply, a key source of income for the country. The energy crisis has its roots in multiple causes. Previous Governments have blamed foreign sanctions for weakening Venezuela’s economy. The Rodriguez administra-

Motorcyclists pass by a burning roadblock during a protest over power outages in Guacara, Venezuela

tion, meanwhile, has cited the climate phenomenon El Niño for the crisis. Some 90 per cent of Venezuela’s electricity is generated by hydropower, making the system vulnerable to extreme heat and drought. But energy specialist Nelson Hernandez is among the Venezuelans pointing a finger at the Government for this year’s surge in outages. Hernandez acknowledges that climate conditions can have an impact on electrici-

ty production. But he underscored that Venezuela’s electricity crisis is not a “random event”. He also signalled that shifting Government policies towards oil extraction plays a key role. As Venezuela revives its dilapidated oil industry, Hernandez says increased production is putting pressure on an already strained electricity system. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Brazil ex-President Bolsonaro wins big without his name on the ballot

anned from public office, former President Jair Bolsonaro is under house arrest, serving a 27-year sentence for a coup plot after his 2022 election loss. The 71-year-old watched from ‌confinement on Sunday as his eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, scored an upset victory over leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the first round of the presidential election. The result, which pundits linked to a right-wing wave sweeping the region and Lula’s own campaign missteps, made Flavio the favou-

rite to win second-round voting on October 25. The shock victory represented a stunning reversal of his father’s fortunes as the rehabilitated Bolsonaro family and ideological movement emerged stronger than ever. Candidates from Bolsonaro’s right-wing Liberal Party won up and down the ballot, demonstrating growing traction for the brand despite his legal woes, which the new right-wing Congress could resolve when it takes office in January. Along with Flavio’s surprising success, four more

members of the family won public office on Sunday, including Senate seats for Michelle Bolsonaro, the ex-president’s wife, and second son Carlos, while brothers Renato and youngest son Jair Renan took seats in the lower house. Bolsonaro and Lula, who got 47 per cent and 45 per cent of Sunday’s vote, respectively, will go head-to-head in a second-round vote that political consulting firm Think Policy said it would be “very difficult, but not impossible” for Lula to win. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Outcry in T&T after passing of Police bill that could threaten press freedom

ournalists in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) have called for an urgent amendment to a sweeping new bill that increases Police powers of search and seizure, which they argue threatens the country’s much-vaunted freedom of the press. The Government says the special operations bill 2026, passed on September 24, is designed to tackle alarmingly high crime and murder rates in the Caribbean nation. The country has spent more than a year in an almost perpetual State of Emergency, with Police empowered to bypass normal constitutional rights around arrest, detention, and search and seizure. But Journalists in T&T have called for explicit exemptions in the new legislation to prevent Police from searching and seizing their notebooks, phones and laptops.

Ivan “The Tank” Cazarin Molina was captured

ecurity forces in Mexico have arrested an alleged leader of a notorious cartel who is accused by the US of drug trafficking and a largescale fuel smuggling operation, authorities said Tuesday. Ivan Cazarin Molina (aka “El Tanque” – meaning “The Tank”) was captured on Monday in the town of Zapopan in Jalisco state, Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said in a social media post. Mexican authorities say Molina, the alleged region-

al leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), runs a massive fuel theft network and is linked to homicides, kidnappings, and drug trafficking. He is accused of being involved in the attack on a Mexican Army helicopter in Jalisco in 2015 that killed members of the Army and the Federal Police. The US Treasury sanctioned Molina in September 2024, saying he was part of the inner circle of “El Mencho”, the infamous Jalisco cartel leader who was later killed in a mili-

tary operation. US authorities allege Molina manages a network of ostensibly legitimate retail gas stations where he sells stolen fuel. He is also accused of selling stolen fuel to third parties in Mexico, who in turn sell it to the US market, often in Texas. One of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organisations, CJNG is among eight cartels designated as foreign terrorist organisations by the US Government. (Excerpt from CBS News)

Haiti delays election campaign, extends candidate registration to Oct 31

aiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has postponed the start of the official electoral campaign and extended the deadline for candidates to register and submit required documents to October 31, adding new uncertainty to an already long-delayed election process. The CEP said in a statement that the decision followed consultations with political actors and the Monday Council of Ministers’ adoption of amendments to the June 2 Electoral Decree. The coun-

cil said the additional time would allow candidates and political organisations to complete required formalities. The electoral governing body has not yet announced new campaign dates. It did not confirm whether December 13 will still be maintained for the first round of votes but said it is preparing a revised electoral calendar that will incorporate changes to the electoral decree and the process’ technical and operational requirements. The development matters because Haiti has not

held national elections since 2016, and the electoral process is unfolding amid persistent political disputes, organisational delays and a severe security crisis. The calendar published in July set the first round of presidential and legislative elections for December 13, with a second round scheduled for February 21, 2027. The CEP has not officially announced a new date for the first round, but the latest changes mean the previously published timetable is no longer being followed in full. (Excerpt from The Haitian Times)

A&B offers 30-day Visa-free entry to Cuban, Chinese nationals Officers in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago

In the past, Journalists have been forced to challenge warrants empowering Police to raid their homes and offices. Although the country prides itself in honouring freedom of speech, ranking 19 out of 180 countries in the 2025 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, this year it fell 13 places to 32, and Journalists say they are deeply concerned about whether they can protect

whistle-blowers and vulnerable sources who share information on the understanding that they will be protected. Stuart Young, T&T’s former Prime Minister, labelled the bill “unconstitutional and very dangerous”. He said the Government’s past use of emergency powers – including detaining citizens without charge – showed “the real likelihood of abuse” under the new legislation. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

uban and Chinese nationals may enter Antigua and Barbuda (A&B) without an entry Visa for visits of up to 30 days under immigration arrangements outlined by the Government’s Department of Immigration. According to information released by the department, the Visa-free provision applies to visitors whose stays do not exceed 30 days. Travellers who know before arriving that they intend to remain longer than 30 days are required to obtain the appropriate Visa before travelling, where required.

The department stressed that Visa-free entry does not give a visitor an automatic right to remain in Antigua and Barbuda beyond the initial 30-day period. All travellers also remain subject to the country’s normal immigration examination and admissibility requirements at the port of entry. Cuban and Chinese nationals may also qualify to enter A&B through other immigration arrangements. An A&B electronic Visa may authorise a stay of up to 90 days where applicable. Visitors who entered

A&B under the Visa-free arrangement and later decide they want to stay beyond 30 days do not need to obtain a new entry Visa. They must, however, apply for an extension of stay. Applications must be made before the visitor’s authorised period expires, and the person must receive approval to remain legally beyond the original 30 days. If an extension is approved, the applicant will be notified and required to pay any applicable arrears. (Excerpt from Antigua Newsroom)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

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Around the World US Vice President Vance says Iran must cut nuclear enrichment to end war

S Vice President JD Vance said in an exclusive interview with Reuters that Iran must make a “meaningful” reduction in its nuclear enrichment capacity to satisfy US demands and end the countries’ seven-month war, even as Washington was unsure how Tehran ‌makes decisions in negotiations. Vance, a long-time sceptic of US involvement in foreign wars, has taken a leading role in negotiating a settlement to the conflict and brokered a provisional peace agreement in September that quickly fell apart. The war has jolted global energy markets and become a political liability for President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans ahead of November midterm elections. Speaking on Monday after a campaign trip in Alaska,

US Vice President JD Vance

Vance said any agreement would require Iran to reduce its nuclear enrichment capacity, rather than offer assurances of future nuclear drawdowns. Iran and the US have exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the

war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route. Trump rejected Tehran’s latest offer and has warned that military operations could intensify after the midterms. Vance said the US remained open to an agreement

but would require concrete Iranian nuclear concessions. Complicating matters, Vance said Washington is uncertain who makes decisions in Tehran. Vance said the US was in talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. But it was unclear how much authority they wield within Iran’s power structure, he said, after joint US-Israeli strikes at the start of the war killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday that US officials are well aware of who their Iranian counterparts are and how Iran’s decision-making system works. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Russia denies imposing anti-plague measures after lab worker death

ussian authorities have denied that they imposed anti-plague measures after a laboratory technician died of suspected pneumonic plague in a case which has drawn international scrutiny. Russian media reported that a 28-year-old woman named Darya Shipilova, who had been working at the Irkutsk Anti-plague

Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East, died from suspected pneumonic plague on Friday. Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s health watchdog, said on Tuesday that no cases of plague had been detected among staff who had come into contact with the laboratory worker for the past 10 days. The institute said in a statement that extensive

testing during an autopsy on the woman’s body found no microorganisms linked to her work at the anti-plague institute. It said results had revealed two cases of COVID-19 and two cases of rhinovirus infection, but that no pathogens causing other infectious diseases had been detected. Elena Sofina, deputy head of the Shelekhov dis-

trict near Irkutsk, where a local hospital was placed under quarantine, said no “dangerous diagnosis” had been confirmed. She added that 60 per cent of those placed under quarantine as a precaution had already been released. Local media said about 200 persons had previously been quarantined. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Many Nepalis swept away in floods not officially dead, leaving families in limbo

t the Pashupatinath temple, on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Madan Lal Lawat joined other families in honouring loved ones who were lost when a deadly flood tore through the China-Nepal border last month. With more than 5000 persons still missing and the Government ending rescue operations, this is the only way people like Lawat can honour the dead. Five of his relatives – including his brother – were caught in the water’s onslaught and are still miss-

More than 5000 persons are still missing after the floods, leaving families stricken with grief

ing. Lawat survived because he was

driving his bus outside his village, Betrawati. The last law that he heard from survivors is that his brother Mangal died while going door-to-door, trying to warn others to leave. “I don’t know how to start over. Police say they’re still searching for the bodies, but I’m not sure they’ll ever be found,” Lawat says. He has little doubt they are dead. But legally, their fate is far more complicated. In Nepal, a missing person is only presumed dead after 12 years. (Excerpt from BBC News)

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices stable as market weighs supply risks, rising Middle East exports

il prices were little changed on Tuesday after recovering earlier losses, as the market weighed increases ‌in Middle Eastern crude exports and a planned Group of Seven release of emergency diesel and crude stockpiles against supply concerns related to attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. Brent futures rose 26 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to settle at US$100.58 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose one cent to settle at US$89.44. Around 12 million barrels per day of crude oil and 2 million bpd of refined products – volumes needed to dampen price pressure – have left the Middle East on tankers in the last seven to 10 days, the CEO of commodity trading giant Vitol said on Tuesday. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Tuesday that oil pumped through the East-West Pipeline, which runs to the kingdom’s Red Sea export hub of Yanbu, had reached 5.8 million barrels as of Tuesday morning. Oil price declines, however, have been limited by the possibility of further Middle East supply disruptions. Saudi Arabia’s airports in Jazan and Najran were targeted in two attacks on Monday evening, injuring three persons and causing limited damage, the Saudi aviation authority said, as hostilities between the kingdom and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis escalated. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Investigators to study “visual anomaly” that may be Amelia Earhart’s plane

Amelia Earhart at a refuelling stop in Khartoum, Sudan, with the Lockheed Electra 10E in which she was attempting a flight of the world with navigator Fred Noonan, June 13, 1937

Kenya confirms first Ebola case as A virus “surges” in DR Congo province

enya has reported its first-ever Ebola death, the health Minister announced on Tuesday, as the disease continues to spread rapidly through the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the outbreak was announced in May. A Kenyan man who had been living in the DRC for seven years died after returning to Kenya, the Kenyan health Minister Aden Duale told reporters.

The man, who has not been named, had been treated in the DRC after falling ill about a month ago. He then travelled overland to the Ugandan capital, Kampala, before flying to Nairobi on October 3. Kenya has previously never reported a case of Ebola, but neighbouring Uganda recorded 20 – almost all people who had travelled from the DRC – and two deaths, before being declared Ebola-free in August.

Duale said the man was taken by a relative and a friend from Nairobi’s international airport to Nairobi hospital, where he was immediately isolated, suffering from “fever, chills, intense fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, painful swallowing, sore throat, and bleeding under the skin at the injection sites”. He said the man was subsequently screened and confirmed positive for the virus but “regrettably passed on last night at around 11:30h

in the evening. Duale said officials had listed 28 contacts of the deceased, including family members and healthcare workers, but that so far “only one test has turned positive and is the one that we have just discussed.” Duale said a “safe and dignified burial” of the man had been planned for later in the day, in line with public health standards, but did not give further details. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

team searching for Amelia Earhart’s lost plane has begun its expedition to the Pacific, where it plans to study a mysterious object that researchers say may be her aircraft. The item, known as the Taraia Object, has been visible in photos dating back to 1938, the year after Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean during Earhart’s attempt to become the first female pilot to circle the world. Earhart, Noonan and their Electra 10E plane were never found. Researchers identified the “visual anomaly” in a lagoon on Nikumaroro, a small island in Kiribati about

halfway between Australia and Hawaii. The island is about 400 miles southeast of Howland Island, where Earhart and Noonan were planning to travel. Now, a team of researchers from Purdue University and the Oregonbased Archaeological Legacy Institute are travelling to Nikumaroro to examine the object. The research team previously said in a news release that there is “very strong” evidence that the object is Earhart’s lost plane. For nearly a century, researchers have tried to find Earhart’s missing plane, believing it will help them answer the question of what happened to the famed aviator.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

ARCHIE

DAILY HOROSCOPES

(March 21-April 19)

Added discipline will help you finish what you start. Whether it’s a long-overdue conversation or incorporating additional ways to lower your overhead, the results will be better than anticipated. Use your intuition and intelligence to find your way and your physical attributes to get things done. Rely on yourself, and distance yourself from those most likely to exaggerate.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) You have options. A change can be good, but only if it doesn’t cost you. Check out what’s doable and what isn’t before you agree to participate in something questionable.

(May 21-June 20) Indulge in events of interest. The connections you make will offer insight into new possibilities. Be sure to follow through with leads or information you receive.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself. An unusual offer will develop if you volunteer your expertise to someone in need. Don’t pay for someone else’s mistake or let temptation cost you.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Making decisions while you’re emotional will be your downfall. Back up, reevaluate your options and verify facts before you proceed. Put more effort into doing the best job possible.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Taking a disciplined approach to learning and executing your skills to meet demands or to open doors will pay off. Don’t waste your time or energy on negative people.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Keep busy, finish what you start, live up to your promises and take care of your responsibilities. Life is only as good as you make it. If you fall short, someone will take note.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Take care of business, pay attention to details and refuse to let your emotions spin out of control. Be open to suggestions, but stick to the plan that feels comfortable.

Don’t waste time on trivial matters. Take care of your responsibilities regardless of what others decide to do. Avoid working with people who are incompetent.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take responsibility and do the work necessary to reach your goal, and you’ll feel good about what you accomplish. Don’t let what others do or say bother you.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Be aware of the latest scams, and don’t share your plans or personal or financial information. Spend more time pampering yourself and updating your appearance. Romance and partnerships look promising.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

“Fill up the stadium” – Savory urges home support ahead of T10 Tapeball grand finale at Anna Regina

National cricketer and SVC/AJM CC skipper Kemol Savory in action

ational cricketer and SVC/ AJM Cricket Club (CC) skipper Kemol Savory has issued a rousing rallying to his home fans, calling on Essequibo natives to flood the Anna Regina National Stadium in their numbers for the grand national

finals of the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast on Sunday, October 11. Savory, fondly dubbed the “Prince of Essequibo”, earned his side a place in the final four after Captaining SVC/AJM CC to a thrilling victory over Avinash

All-Stars in the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone final. While he naturally craves vocal backing for his own squad as they chase national honours, Savory emphasised that the ultimate goal is to deliver an unmissable spectacle for the

local faithful regardless of who they support. “I’m calling on all Essequibians to come out in their numbers,” Savory said ahead of Sunday’s action. “Naturally, we’d love the home crowd behind SVC/AJM CC, but every team coming to Anna Regina is packed with quality and ready to put on a show for the fans. It’s going to be a grand day of tapeball, so bring the energy, and let’s fill up the stadium.” The carnival atmosphere at Anna Regina will come with serious cash on the line. Beyond regional bragging rights, an additional winner’s purse of $2 million is up for grabs, with the runners-up pocketing $1 million and both losing semi-finalists taking home $500,000 each. The action-packed day begins at 14:30h local time when GrillMaster Sip N Play AllStars lock horns with Mahdia (Movements Family) in the opening semi-final. Savory’s SVC/ AJM CC will then take centre

stage at 16:30h against Lusignan Bulls DTP II for a place in the showpiece event. Adding to the day’s drama, a fast-paced six-over women’s exhibition match between Tapakuma (Elite Warriors) and Capoey United will light up the venue at 18:30h, setting the stage for the grand final under lights at 19:30h. Organisers have confirmed free admission for all spectators, though they will enforce a strict no-cooler policy at the gates. The tournament’s Most

Valuable Player will drive away on a brand-new motorbike in addition to a $150,000 cash prize. Substantial windfalls also await the leading run-scorer and top wicket-taker, who will each receive $100,000 and a television set. Match-winning impact will be similarly recognised; the Player of the Final will earn $75,000, while the players finishing with the Super Strike Rate and Best Economy Rate (minimum 12 balls bowled or faced) will each pocket $50,000.

NCN joins IMC Over-40s World Cup as Diamond Sponsor, national media partner

Naeem Nasir 14th Annual Memorial Cricket Tournament…

Gaupat, Reddy lead RHT Bakewell to 2026 title

The victorious RHT Bakewell team pose with Bakewell General Manager Rajin Ganga, Mayor Dave Budhu, and Town Clerk Natasha Griffith

wo masterful performances from the highly talented Jayden Gaupat and Leon Reddy led the Rose Hall Town (RHT) Bakewell Team to a comfortable 60-run victory over Courtland in the final of the 14th annual Naeem Nasir Memorial Cricket Tournament. The oneday tournament involving four teams – RHT Bakewell, East Bank Strikers, Courtland, and Guymine Cricket Club – was played at the Area H Ground in front of a sizeable crowd. Early morning showers affected the Area H Ground and forced the organisers to cut the T20 tournament into a 15-over event. In the first match, Courtland defeated former champions Guymine by one wicket. Guymine posted 115 for nine in their allotted 15 overs, but Courtland, led by the experienced Garfield Benjamin, batted well to win by one wicket. Requiring two off the last ball of the innings, No. 11 batsman Somail Deonarine struck off

spinner B Ramsarran for six after the deep wicket fielder C Hope took a catch with his feet touching the boundary board. RHT Bakewell restricted East Bank Strikers to 60 for eight off 15 overs, with Jeremy Sandia’s two for seven being the best bowling figures. Jayden Gaupat, Romesh Bharat, Leon Reddy, and Javed Karim took a wicket apiece. In reply, the RHT Bakewell team reached 61 for three in 7.2 overs, with Javed Karim unbeaten on 22, while Razam Koobeer’s 16 and Romesh Bharat’s 13 each contributed. In the final, which was played over twelve overs due to time constraints, Courtland won the toss and elected to bowl first. RHT Bakewell lost former national youth player Romesh Bharat for nought off the fourth ball of the innings. Notable contributions from Ramzam Koobeer (15), Jeremy Sandia (14), Javed Karim (16), and Luther Arthur (10) enabled the eventual champions to reach

66 for seven in the eighth over. National Under 16 Player Leon Reddy then played a brute of an innings, scoring 40 not out off 14 balls with four massive sixes and two delightful boundaries. He shared a crucial ninth-wicket partnership with wicketkeeper Justin Bokin, who contributed 16, featuring a four and a six. RH Bakewell ended their innings on 130 for nine from 12 overs as the talented Reddy struck medium pacer Corley De Jonge for two sixes off the last two balls. Needing to score 131 from 72 balls to claim the championship title, Courtland was given a rousing start as the powerful Levi Thomas struck two sixes and two fours off left-arm spinner Jeremy Sandia in the second over, as the visitors raced to 30 without loss. Experienced offspinner Jonathan Rampersaud then bowled Thomas for 30, at 35 for one in the third over. National Under 16 left-arm spinner Jayden Gaupat and Rampersaud then spun webs around the Courtland batsmen. Kevin Sinclair (7), Kelsy Henry (6), Garfield Benjamin (10), Timothy McDonald (0), Troy Matheson (0), De Jonge (0), Somail Deonarine (1), Joel Johnson (1), and Stephen Kamaludin (2) all fell cheaply as Courtland were bowled out for 70 in 9.3 overs. Gaupat, who models himself after West Indies left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, had ended with four wickets for 16 runs, while Rampersaud claimed three wickets for 16 wickets, and Sandia took two wickets for 26

Jayden Reddy

Gaupat

and

Leon

runs. RHT Bakewell received $100,000 and the winner’s trophy, while Courtland carried home $50,000 and the runnerup trophy. Third Place Guymine also received a cash prize, while the RHT Youth and Sports Club, the organisers, donated a box of cricket balls to the East Bank Strikers. General Manager of Bakewell, Rajin Ganga, hailed the tournament as a success and as a perfect tribute to an outstanding tribute to the late Naeem Nasir. The popular Bakewell Bakery has been the official sponsor of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Under-17 and Second Division teams since 2000. The two teams have won over 12 Berbice Championships over the years and have produced over 50 national players for Guyana, including test players Assad Fudadin, Kevin Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson.

NCN Chief Executive Officer Neaz Subhan and members of his technical team met with the CWIMA Tournament Director Raj Singh and Media/IT/Marketing Officer Roy Singh (NCN photo)

he National Communications Network (NCN) has joined the 2026 International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s Cricket World Cup as a Diamond Sponsor and national media partner, strengthening the tournament’s broadcast and production plans ahead of its October 17 start in Guyana. The Caribbean West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) announced that NCN will serve as the tournament’s national production, broadcast, livestream, radio and media partner for selected matches, ceremonies, events, and promotional activities. The partnership is expected to expand the reach of the World Cup across Guyana, the Caribbean and international markets, with NCN providing television production, broadcast crews, camera resources, national television and radio distribution, promotional support, and clean feeds for the tournament’s wider streaming network. The arrangement was finalised during a meeting at NCN’s Homestretch Avenue offices involving NCN Chief Executive Officer Neaz Subhan and members of his technical team, along with CWIMA Tournament Director Raj Singh and Media/IT/Marketing Officer Roy Singh. Under the partnership, matches are expected to be carried locally on NCN Channels

11 and 33, while tournament coverage and commercial opportunities could also receive wider exposure through international distribution partners. Those partners include Flow Sports, Rush Live & Louder Sports, and the World Cup’s live-streaming platforms, providing participating countries and sponsors with an opportunity to reach audiences beyond Guyana. CWIMA and NCN are also working together on commentary access, production accreditation and sponsor integration as organisers seek to establish a professional, Guyanese-led production capable of being distributed throughout the Caribbean and internationally. A major objective is to make all 72 matches at the World Cup accessible to cricket supporters. “NCN is not simply placing its name behind this tournament; it is helping us deliver it to the public,” CWIMA Secretary Roy Singh said. He added that NCN’s production capabilities, national reach and willingness to work with international distribution partners will provide the tournament with a larger platform while giving sponsors increased exposure. The IMC Over-40s Cricket World Cup will bring together 16 international teams for 72 matches across Guyana from October 17 to November 1.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Greene replaces injured Mendes in Caribbean Championships Cycling team

National U23 champion Ajani Cutting

uyana’s final fiveman team for the Caribbean Elite and Under-23 Road Cycling Championships has been confirmed, with Andre Greene replacing the injured Alexis Mendes for the October 9-12 event in the Dominican Republic. The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) had initially selected Briton John, Ajani Cutting, Aaron Newton, Segun Hubbard and Mendes following a council meeting to reduce its original nine-man

squad to five riders. However, Mendes sustained an injury while competing at the Tour de Bim in Barbados over the weekend and will no longer make the trip. Greene, of the Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycle Club, has since been called into the squad as his replacement. The final team will therefore comprise national road race champion John, national Under-23 champion Cutting, Newton, Hubbard and Greene.

National road race champion Briton John

Andre Greene

The GCF was forced to revise its original selection after the Caribbean Cycling Union (CCU) advised that Guyana could not use places allocated for female cyclists to accommodate additional male riders. Guyana had initially

History! Boyce, Xavier to represent Golden Arrowhead at Commonwealth Cue Sports Championship

Andre Boyce and Anthony Xavier prior to their departure for the 2026 Commonwealth Cue Sports Championship in India

he Cue Sports Association Guyana (CSAG) has announced a historic milestone for Guyanese cue sports as Andre Boyce and Anthony Xavier prepare to represent Guyana at the 2026 Commonwealth Cue Sports Championship, scheduled for October 8-10, 2026, in Ahmedabad, India. According to the Association, this landmark

participation will mark the first time Guyana has representatives competing on the international stage in pool, making the occasion a defining moment in the development of cue sports locally. Boyce and Xavier will proudly carry the Golden Arrowhead as they compete alongside players from across the Commonwealth. Their selection reflects years of dedication, discipline and commitment to the sport

and demonstrates the growing standard of competitive pool in Guyana. CSAG President Steven Persaud stated, “This is a proud and historic moment for cue sports in Guyana. For the first time, our pool players will step onto the international stage carrying the Golden Arrowhead. Andre and Anthony are not only representing themselves and CSAG; they are representing every Guyanese player who dreams of one day competing for their country. We encourage them to embrace this opportunity, compete with confidence, show respect and sportsmanship, and give their very best for Guyana.” CSAG believes this historic appearance will inspire young and emerging players throughout Guyana and further strengthen efforts to develop structured competition, training and international opportunities for local athletes. The Association extended its sincere best wishes to Boyce and Xavier for a successful championship and a safe journey. “Regardless of the results, their participation has already created a new chapter in the history of Guyanese cue sports,” the Association noted.

identified nine male cyclists for the championships (five elite riders and four under-23 competitors) and had hoped to use its full allocation of 10 places after no female cyclists were selected. However, the CCU informed the federation that the allocation was divided evenly, with five positions for males and five for females, and that the unused female places could

not be reassigned. The original Elite selection consisted of John, Mendes, Greene, Hubbard and Devendra Sahadeo, while Cutting headed the Under-23 group alongside Newton, Sidwell Sandy and Mark Lewis. Following the CCU ruling, the GCF council met and selected John, Cutting, Newton, Hubbard and Mendes before the latter’s injury forced another change. GCF President Nigel London will accompany the cyclists as team man-

ager. London is also expected to attend the CCU meeting in his capacity as Federation president while in the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has provided financial assistance towards Guyana’s participation and has approved bicycles for John and Sandy. The Ministry has also committed to providing two additional bicycles during the next year as part of its support for the development of local cycling.

DVA Men’s League…

Premier Eagles rally past Castrol Strikers

Premier Eagles VC continues to be a powerhouse in the DVA (file photo)

remier Eagles Volleyball Club (VC) continued their impressive run in the Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) Men’s League, overcoming Castrol Strikers 3-1 in a hard-fought encounter to strengthen their position at the top of the standings. Castrol Strikers made the stronger start, edging a closely contested opening set 25-23 to take an early advantage. However, the Eagles responded emphatically in the second set, dominating 25-14 to level the

match. The momentum remained with the Premier Eagles in the third set as they capitalised on their attacking strength to secure a 25-21 victory and move within one set of the match. The fourth set produced the closest contest of the night, with both teams battling point for point. The Eagles, however, held their composure in the crucial moments to eventually close out the set 26-24 and seal the 3-1 victory. Trevon McRae was the

standout performer for the Eagles, producing 12 successful attacks, two blocks, and an ace serve in a commanding all-round display. Vance Harding led the fight for Castrol Strikers with eight attacks and three ace serves, but his efforts were not enough to prevent the Eagles from completing another victory. The result further underlines Premier Eagles VC’s consistency and firepower as they continue to set the pace in the DVA Men’s League.

22 Historic MSC-DCC rivalry set for revival with Lyght Cup GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

(Left to right) Linden Dodson, Shaquille Williams, Jeremiah Scott, Ricardo Percival, Mr Roger Harper, Sean Devers, and Colin Kurt

he launch of the Andrew Lyght Unity Cup was held yesterday at Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) in Georgetown, with the inaugural first division 40-over contest between MSC and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) set to reignite one of Guyana’s traditional cricket rivalries. Played under the tagline “Revive the Rivalry”, the

match will carry a $1 million prize purse and is expected to be staged at DCC’s home ground on a date to be announced in the coming weeks. The tournament honours the memory of former Guyana and Demerara cricketer Andrew Augustus Lyght, who passed away on April 16, 2001, at age 44. Affectionately known as

“Monster” for his aggressive and powerful opening batting, Lyght represented Guyana and Demerara between 1976 and 1988, making 38 first-class and 17 List A appearances. Despite his impressive record, Lyght never earned a Test cap, largely because of the established West Indies opening partnership of Gordon Greenidge and

Desmond Haynes. The initiative has received significant support from the Dodson family, who shared a longstanding connection with Lyght and Malteenoes Sports Club. Dodson family member Delon Moffett said cricket had been deeply rooted in the family for generations, with the sport’s influence passed down through successive generations. Moffett recalled his grandfather, Eustace Dodson, who was known as “Forward Stroke” because of his love for cricket, and said that family tradition continued through his uncles, aunts, and other relatives. “Most of us have spent our lives here at MSC,” Moffett said, while highlighting the family’s continued affection for the club and the game even after some members migrated. Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and MSC Vice President Steven Jacobs said the initiative was about more than a cricket match, stressing the importance of preserving the legacy of players who contributed to the development of the sport.

DCC and MSC set to compete in a 40-over first division contest

Jacobs thanked the Dodson family for recognising the significance of honouring Lyght, while pointing to the former opener’s aggressive approach and commitment to preparation and training as qualities younger players could emulate. He also welcomed the return of the rivalry between MSC and DCC. Jacobs expressed, “Honouring him and having this match against DCC, our sister club, a club that we always have that rivalry with, I’m seeing it as very exciting and will be exciting for us to play against DCC ev-

ery time we have the opportunity.” Meanwhile, DCC cricketer Ricardo Percival welcomed the initiative from a player’s perspective, saying the opportunity would allow current players to showcase their development while contributing to the continued remembrance of Lyght. MSC cricketer Shaquille Williams also praised the initiative, noting that many younger players may be unfamiliar with Lyght’s contribution to Guyana cricket. Williams said the tournament would help bring greater attention to the history of the game and remind current players of the contributions made by past club stalwarts. He also acknowledged the significance of the $1 million prize, describing it as a major incentive for a single cricket match. With the date yet to be confirmed, the Andrew Lyght Unity Cup is expected to provide both a competitive contest between two historic Georgetown clubs and an opportunity to reconnect the current generation with an important chapter of Guyana’s cricket history.

GMR&SC to set ancient county alive Videsh Persaud claims with Berbice invasion Drag meet

Round 3 honours T

Drag racing action will take centre stage in Berbice this Sunday

erbice is set to become the centre of Guyana’s drag racing action on Sunday, October 11, when the Berbice Drags Invasion 2026 takes over the Rose Hall Canje Airstrip. The event is scheduled to begin at 10:00h and is expected to attract competitors and fans from across the country for a full day of high-speed racing. The Rose Hall Canje Airstrip will host a competition featuring a range of performances and modified vehicles. The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) is organising the event, with ENet, Tropical Shipping, Castrol, GuyOil, and KFC among the sponsors. Meanwhile, the

GMR&SC will host a mandatory Competitors’ Meeting ahead of the Berbice Drags on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 18:00h. The meeting will be held at the GMR&SC Office, Thomas Lands. All registered competitors are strongly encouraged to attend, as important information regarding race procedures, safety, classes, staging, regulations and event-day arrangements will be discussed. Driver registration closes October 8 Organisers are also reminding drivers that registration for the Berbice Drags Invasion closes on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The registration fee is GY$20,000. Any registration received after the

deadline will attract an additional GY$10,000 late fee, bringing the late registration cost to GY$30,000. Drivers are therefore urged to complete registration before the deadline. Spectator admission has been set at GY$3000 for adults and GY$1000 for children. Fans can also enjoy the J’s Supermarket VIP section with unlimited drinks and food for GY$25,000. With drag racing continuing to attract a strong following locally, the Berbice Drags Invasion is expected to provide another major showcase for Guyana’s performance and modified car scene. The event will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 10:00h at the Rose Hall Canje Airstrip.

he PromoTech and Genuine Auto Spares and Tools National Top Flight Golf League (NTFGL) Tour Three continued in exciting fashion as Round Three produced the largest single-round turnout of the tournament so far, with 24 players taking to the course for another competitive day of golf. Under brilliant sunshine, with the lush fairways and well-manicured greens providing an excellent setting for the competition, players battled for valuable points in what proved to be another impressive round of scoring. The scoring was again impressive, with Chet Bowling setting the early pace by playing the front nine in a net 33 to claim the two points available. Not to be outdone, Videsh Persaud produced an outstanding performance on the back nine, posting a net 32 to collect the two points. His strong performance across the course saw him finish with an overall net of 66, earning eight points for his overall placing and a total of 10 points for the day. Joseph Szeplaki secured second place with a net 71, beating Bowling on the tiebreaker to claim five points. Bowling took third place with a net of 71 for three points, bringing his total haul for the day to five points. Ronald Bulkan finished fourth with a net 72 to collect two points, while Patrick Prashad rounded out the points positions with a net 73,

beating Pantanjilee Persaud on the tiebreaker to claim the final available points. Following Round Three, Videsh Persaud leads the PromoTech and Genuine Auto Spares and Tools NTFGL Tour Three standings with 15 points, followed by Chet Bowling on 13. Oliver Downes and Joseph Szeplaki are tied on 10 points, while Mike sits on eight points. The round also marked the first Skins Game of the tournament, with six members participating and 12 skins awarded. Anand Persaud and Joseph Szeplaki led the way with four skins apiece, with each skin carrying a value of GY$1000. With the sunshine beaming down on the course and the competition heating up on the greens, the Tour Three standings are becoming increasingly tight as players look to position themselves for the remainder of the tournament. Round Four of the PromoTech and Genuine Auto Spares and Tools NTFGL Tour Three is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, with players expected to return to the fairways ready for another exciting battle for points. The NTFGL has extended its sincere appreciation to PromoTech and Genuine Auto Spares and Tools for sponsoring the entire Tour Three, as well as to all participating members and supporters whose continued involvement is helping to make the tournament a success.

Videsh Persaud is now the current leader of the NTFGL League

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Shreyas Iyer’s maiden ton hands India crushing win

Naman Dhir picked up two key wickets on debut

ndia’s three spinners took eight wickets between them to help the hosts take their winning streak in T20Is to 10. Axar Patel started India’s domination with a double-wick-

of 4-0-31-3. With half-centuries from Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford, West Indies managed to get to 171, which might have tested India, had the visitors been able to capitalise on the rare early dismissals of both India openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. However, they lacked the bowling that could exploit the grip in the surface, and Shreyas Iyer blitzed his way to a maiden T20I hundred to end the chase in 14.4 overs.

Hope floats

Having lost his fourth toss of the tour, which also made it 14 tosses out of 17 for Iyer as international Captain, Hope again found himself batting at a less-than-ideal time. However, he hadn’t missed a beat since the One-Day International (ODI) series in which he hit two centuries. He hit four fours i n the second over to take West Indies to 21 for 0.

duced 56 runs, West Indies’ second wind. There were two big wins in this period. Rutherford hit two lovely sixes in Kuldeep’s second over, and they also took 18 off the 11th over, bowled by Axar. India were now forced to look at their fifth bowler.

Sherfane Rutherford hit a vital half-century

Dhir checks in

Dhir, who showed enough control of length in the ODIs, continued doing simple things and benefited from the bigger square boundaries. After Hope hit him for a six-third ball into his career, he slowed the ball down and managed to get Hope caught at deep midwicket. When Romario Shepherd took him down, he did the brave thing of tossing the next ball slow and wide, drawing a mishit to long-off. The same trick worked with Shamar Springer, this time the catch going too long. From 100 for three in 11 overs, the West Indies felt they were short by 20 runs even though they didn’t think it was a 200 kind of pitch.

Shreyas Iyer hammered a 42-ball century to help India over the line

Spin tests in India Abhishek and Samson came out full of intent, but Roston Chase and Akeal Hosein managed to extract just about enough from the pitch to draw catches from them. At 36 for two in

Shai Hope celebrates his maiden T20I 50 against India

et maiden to end the powerplay, and Kuldeep Yadav came back from an expensive over to take two wickets, but the jack-in-the-box was T20I debutant Naman Dhir, who bounced back from being hit for a six with an immediate wicket three times on his way to figures

Iyer ends the game

India hit back immediately with Ishan Kishan taking down Chase and Iyer hitting three fours of Joseph to make it 62 for two by the end of the powerplay. It seemed like a calculated chase by the halfway point.

Arshdeep, Axar pull West Indies back

Arshdeep Singh started pulling West Indies back as he went to yorkers as early as the third over. Axar continued his good run with the ball in limited-overs cricket with a fourth over that went for just eight. Arshdeep was asked to continue for a third straight over. Wide yorkers kept coming out. On one of those, international debutant Kamil Pooran played on. Then, Axar dealt the big blow with a maiden over in which two wickets fell. Shimron Hetmyer was unlucky to have his bat bounce up on a dive. It made its first contact with the ground short of the crease, so it never landed inside. Axar followed it up by stifling Rovman Powell, who then picked a straight ball to slog at but still missed it completely. A powerplay of 44 for three is usually it in India. Hope Rutherford fights The next five overs pro-

four overs, the West Indies would have had reason to believe, but they were up against a line-up that had Axar batting at No. 8. They needed more testing bowling.

aaa

SCOREBOARD

West Indies (20 ovs maximum) Shai Hope (c)† c Patel b Naman Dhir 52 Kamil Pooran b Arshdeep Singh 12 Shimron Hetmyer run out (Iyer/†Samson) 5 Rovman Powell b Patel 0 Sherfane Rutherford c Naman Dhir b Yadav 56 Roston Chase lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 5 Romario Shepherd c Tilak Varma b Naman Dhir 7 Matthew Forde c Ishan Kishan b Kuldeep Yadav 2 Shamar Springer c Patel b Naman Dhir 9 Akeal Hosein c Ishan Kishan b Patel 15 Shamar Joseph not out 0

Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford celebrate Sanju Samson’s early wicket

Iyer was 45 off 25, Kishan 25 off 16, and India needed 70 off the last 10 overs. All of a sudden, a switch flipped, and Iyer went on a rampage to score 57 of the remaining runs. He hit six sixes in the next 18 balls he faced, taking Matthew Forde for 24 runs in the 14th over. Kishan did his job by turning the strike over, and Iyer just kept smashing flat sixes to bring up his second hundred in Lucknow this year, but first in international T20s. (ESPNcricinfo)

Extras (b 2, lb 5, nb 1) 8 Total 19.1 Ov (RR: 8.92) 171 Fall of wickets: 1-38 (Kamil Pooran, 4.3 ov), 2-44 (Shimron Hetmyer, 5.2 ov), 3-44 (Rovman Powell, 5.5 ov), 4-107 (Shai Hope, 11.4 ov), 5-114 (Roston Chase, 12.3 ov), 6-121 (Romario Shepherd, 13.2 ov), 7-124 (Matthew Forde, 14.1 ov), 8-135 (Shamar Springer, 15.5 ov), 9-171 (Sherfane Rutherford, 18.5 ov), 10171 (Akeal Hosein, 19.1 ov)

Bowling Arshdeep Singh Mayank Yadav Axar Patel Kuldeep Yadav Naman Dhir

O-M-R-W 4-0-34-1 4-0-40-1 3.1-1-26-2 4-0-33-2 4-0-31-3

India (T: 172 runs from 20 ovs) Sanju Samson † c & b Hosein Abhishek Sharma c Hetmyer b Chase Ishan Kishan not out Shreyas Iyer (c) not out

11 21 37 102

Extras (nb 1) 1 Total 14.4 Ov (RR: 11.72) 172/2 Did not bat: Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav 1-29 (Abhishek Sharma, 2.3 ov), 2-35 (Sanju Samson, 3.3 ov) Bowling Matthew Forde Akeal Hosein Roston Chase Shamar Joseph Romario Shepherd Shamar Springer

O-M-R-W 2-0-39-0 4-0-37-1 3.4-0-37-1 2-0-23-0 2-0-24-0 1-0-12-0

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

Greene replaces injured Shreyas Iyer’s Mendes in Caribbean maiden team hands India Championships crushing win Cycling team Pg 23

Pg 21

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