Over 30 survivors, patients, caregivers sashed during annual Pinktober walk
Guyana stands ready to support Jamaica –
Parika businessman robbed of jewellery, cash by armed bandits
Health Ministry, PAHO launch campaign to end child pregnancies
Guyana seeking proposals to design, build & operate cooking gas bottling company
New "Christmas in Guyana" tour to add to season’s calendar of events
US warship arrives in T&T as Kamla hits back at critics
BRIDGE OPENING
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, October 27 –07:10h-08:40h and Tuesday, October 28 – 08:00h-09:30h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunny skies are expected during the day, and clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.36 metres.
High Tide: 07:29h and 19:39h reaching maximum heights of 2.24 metres and 2.31 metres.
Low Tide: 13:11h reaching a minimum height of 1.02 metres.
Longtail development to produce Guyana’s most premium oil to date – Routledge
resident of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, says the United States oil major’s 8 development project in the Stabroek Block offshore – Longtail, will produce Guyana’s most premium oil to date.
Currently, ExxonMobil is operating four developments offshore Guyana –Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, Payara and Yellowtail with approval already obtained for its fifth project – Uaru to come onstream in 2026, sixth – Whiptail in 2027, and seventh project –Hammerhead in 2029. All of these projects would produce what has been described as “black crude.”
However, the 8 development – the proposed Longtail Project, which is presently under consideration and is targeting a 2030 startup, is expected to produce condensate – a lighter grade of petroleum oil that is higher in value.
During the latest episode of the Starting Point podcast, which was streamed on Sunday, it was noted that once approved and operations begin, Longtail will produce the country’s most premium oil to date.
“Longtail will be a premium,” Routledge declared on the podcast.
Based on reports, the Longtail Project, which has significant natural gas deposits, will produce over one billion cubic feet of natural gas per day and around 250,000 barrels of condensate daily.
The ExxonMobil Guyana head explained that since this is the lighter end of what exists in the line of petroleum crude oils, it should attract a premium value.
“That is part of the work that we're doing today as we look forward to a full-funding decision on the project...understanding how the condensates from the Longtail area fields will compete in the market. But we do anticipate that they'll attract a premium. Because
at the end of the day, when you think of…that black crude, and when you push crude through a refinery, then at the very heavier ends, you get bitumen [which is] what we lay on the road in order to finish roads.”
“That comes from the very bottom cut of oil. It's the heavier, darker part. And then you come up and you have fuel oils – diesel, gasoline, and then you get up into jet fuels and the like… When you take a condensate and you put it through the refinery, you really take more of the premium products out of that petroleum cut. So, it'll be very similar… It'll be refined, but it will generate more of the higher-end fuels and products from the condensate,” he noted.
With the development cost of the Longtail Project pegged at around US$12.5 billion, this development has a lifespan of 30 years
– 10 years more than the other black crude-producing projects.
Routledge pointed out that this is as a result of the length of time it takes to fully develop gas fields.
“It's a non-associated gas field. Gas fields typically take longer to produce the resource, particularly when they have these level of liquids, because you really want to recycle the gas as much as possible in order to lift out that condensate. You essentially dissolve the condensate into the drier gas as you cycle it back through.
And as we all know, liquids are very valuable. We've just been talking about the premium of the condensate from Longtail versus the black oil fields. And so, we want to extract as much as possible to maximise the value of the resource that comes out of the Longtail Reservoirs for the country. So, it will likely be around 15 years. We're taking around about 1.2 billion cubic feet a day of gas,” the ExxonMobil Guyana President stated.
Meanwhile, the US-oil major is anticipating connecting the Longtail field to other assets in the Stabroek Block including the Gas-toEnergy (GtE) pipeline. Only earlier this month, another senior ExxonMobil Guyana official noted that the gas deposits from Longtail could be tapped into for major initiatives like fertili-
ser plants, data centre and the alumina plant that the Guyana Government has touted for Berbice.
“The southern part of the Stabroek Block is… rich in gas resources. We are well on our way to appraise those resources and then also take that to the next step, which is consider what is the most valuable development concept that brings the highest value for the people of Guyana, for the government of Guyana and for the other stakeholders,” Production Manager of ExxonMobil Guyana, Huzefa Ali, told stakeholders at a Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) breakfast event on October 2.
LNG development
During his appearance on the Sunday podcast, Routledge reassured that the development of Guyana’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) resources is a top priority for his company. At a press conference on October 13, Routledge had told reporters rather than Guyana’s gas resources being converted into LNG for export, it would be injected into several projects in the country including power generation, data centres and an alumina plant – something which Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has since rejected.
President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Justice and the 13th Parliament
With the National Assembly to be convened next week, we hope its new combination of representatives elected by the people will agree on some common principles of engagement. One being that they are seeking justice for their constituents and make the political, social and economic outcomes "variable sum", rather than "zero sum". Another consideration would be the nature of our political institutions in this push for "justice". When the political philosopher John Rawls declared: “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions as truth is of easy systems of thought”, it was because justice goes to the content of political action and its outcome. Justice is the paramount value of political activity.
But what about the need for "truth" in the paradigms within which we struggle for justice in social institutions? Today, neoliberalism appears to have swept the field as our ideology of choice by "all the sides". While some approaches have been highly criticised, we believe that liberalism’s stance on “truth and reason” in the variant dubbed "deliberative liberalism" offers us a practical approach towards a democratic process that can deliver "justice" in our social institutions.
As in science, deliberative liberalism holds that truth is to be found through reason, but the “truth” unearthed is never held as the “TRUTH”. It is always held provisionally, conceding that this “truth” may be overturned based on some new evidence. The outcomes of deliberative liberalism are indeterminate and are based on empirical practice. Truth claims must be fact based. We commend this approach to those who are engaged in the ongoing attacks on the Government for “justice” in the distribution of the national patrimony.
Liberal democracy rests on deliberation utilising “reason” – not screaming – as the yardstick for evaluating differing perspectives. The institutions, however, would only be democratic to the extent that the citizens themselves determine their precise nature. Such a deliberation, therefore, would have to be made as open as possible to all citizens, who recognise each other as citizens – that is recognise their common political identity. We are all Guyanese citizens with equal rights and responsibilities in a One Guyana.
Only public reasons should be proffered in such deliberations. That is, assertions rising solely on faith or dogma would not be accepted as “public reasons”. This requirement would obviously place burdens on some groups, but such burdensomeness itself would be evaluated by reason for its “degree of burdensomeness” caused by arbitrariness, etc. We cannot escape the fact that there will be aspects of some identity that will have to be withheld from the public realm. In most cases, these are the ones that stem from beliefs that are in deep, fundamental conflict with similarly-held beliefs of others. We will have to agree to disagree on such nettlesome issues and not insist on placing them on the national agenda.
For instance, we will have to be committed to democratic practices as we have enshrined in our Constitution to achieve our ends. The constitutionally-guaranteed “equality of opportunity” should be coupled with “equity” as values that we can all agree on in light of our common history of slavery and indentureship. However, it is possible that some groups may have differing views: we will have to deliberate with each other whether such values would be prioritised. The bottom line is whether citizens would be committed to such a process of deliberation. We believe so. The problem lies in some political leaders who have evidently abandoned our democratic process and descended into nihilism such as we saw after the Adriana Younge autopsy. Leaders will have to be practical and ensure that their proposals have incentives for the politicians sitting across from them.
While we are supposed to “take politics from the streets to Parliament”, we must deliberate with each other in every available forum – and then some. Letters pages of the newspapers, community meetings, town hall meetings, call-in talk shows, books, etc. But we have to respect each other as citizens with equal rights. We should avoid debate in vocabularies and ideologies that force us to consider issues only in black and white.
Nihang Sikh warriors ride horses as they display their skills on the occasion of Fateh Divas (Victory Day or Day of Liberation) in Amritsar, India. Fateh Divas is celebrated after Diwali to celebrate the liberation of Guru Hargobind Singh from
history, what makes this day unique is Guru Hargobind’s insistence on securing the freedom of 52 Hindu kings imprisoned with him, turning a personal liberation into a moment of collective justice and compassion (Al Jazeera photo)
The war in Gaza is supposed to be over. But be warned: without truth and justice, it will never truly end
By Simon TiSdall
Donald Trump insists the war in Gaza is over. No, it isn’t. The violence is much reduced. Yet Israeli forces have reportedly killed about 100 Palestinians and wounded hundreds more since the October 10 ceasefire began. Food aid supplies are still heavily restricted. The occupation continues, in Gaza and the West Bank. US officials fear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his accomplices may renege on the deal, as in the past.
Likewise, Hamas elements and rival gangs have kept fighting. The terrorist group is not disarming; Israeli forces have not fully withdrawn to the agreed lines. US-framed security, governance and reconstruction proposals remain vague, hypothetical and contentious. The war’s root causes, principally the denial of Palestinian sovereignty and statehood, are not addressed. Unless that changes, it will all kick off again, sooner or later.
Yet for the sake of argument, let’s pretend – and hope – that Trump is right, and sustainable peace somehow slowly emerges from Gaza’s ruins. What happens next? Justice is what must happen next. As in other “post-conflict” situations, the living and the dead in Israel and Palestine are owed a reckoning.
All who committed, or oversaw, war crimes on or after October 7, 2023 must answer for their actions. Lest we forget, there are multitudes of victims, on both sides, whose suffering cries out for recognition, resolution and reparation. If only to reduce the risk of resumed warfare, it’s imperative that there be accountability and an end to impunity. Genocide must never go unpunished. How extraordi-
nary, then, that Trump’s “historic”, supposedly Middle Easttransforming 20-point peace plan makes no mention of, and offers no path towards, any sort of official, postwar public investigatory process. Senior European, Arab and United Kingdom politicians are silent on this issue, too, apparently keen to draw a veil over the shaming events of the past two years.
One explanation is that, in different ways, their governments were complicit. Another is that the war exposed their lack of influence – and a societally damaging failure, exploited by Netanyahu and some Jewish diaspora leaders, to distinguish between crude antisemitism and legitimate anti-Israel, anti-war sentiment.
It’s even suggested that looking back jeopardises efforts to move forward. Nonsense. The restorative quest for justice, truth and reconciliation in Sierra Leone, Argentina, Rwanda, South Africa, Cambodia and former Yugoslavia demonstrates the opposite can be true. Lessons learned in such places have universal application.
A reckoning is necessary and urgent. So let’s start at the top. Netanyahu and Israel’s former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, were charged last year by the International Criminal Court (ICC) with war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder and starvation. The late Hamas chief, Mohammed Deif, was also indicted.
It’s shameful these two fugitives from justice remain at large. Israel must surrender them – or face punitive sanctions. The wartime words and actions of Netanyahu’s farright accomplices, notably Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, senior Israeli mil-
itary chiefs and surviving Hamas leaders also require expedited ICC investigation.
Netanyahu must face the consequences at home, too.
The unblocking of an independent commission of inquiry into October 7 security failures is essential. And now “peace” has broken out, Netanyahu’s oft-delayed corruption trial must quickly conclude. Trump’s demand that he be pardoned is itself deeply corrupt.
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) actions in Gaza have shocked world opinion and permanently harmed Israel’s reputation. The global verdict is already in: the IDF knowingly and systematically violated international humanitarian law (including the Geneva conventions) and routinely committed war crimes by deliberately targeting civilians.
If this verdict is unfair to what Netanyahu, in all seriousness, calls the world’s “most moral army”, then an independent, external investigation might clear its name.
Hamas must answer for its crimes, too.
It’s hard to keep track of all the atrocities, let alone prosecute those responsible. In March, 15 Palestinian medics and rescue workers were executed, the United Nations said. In April, photojournalist Fatma Hassouna and six family members died in an airstrike on their Gaza City home.
In June, civilians seeking food aid were shot in one of many such incidents. These are three recent instances of alleged IDF war crimes, chosen at random.
Israel stands accused by the UN, many governments, human rights groups, legal scholars and informal “people’s courts” of committing genocide in Gaza, which it denies. By some legal definitions – weaponisation of food and forcible
transfer – “genocidal acts” are continuing despite the ceasefire. After South Africa and others challenged Israel’s actions, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found in January that there was a demonstrable risk of genocide. Yet a final ruling may not come until 2028. That’s an unacceptable delay – and in any event, the court cannot enforce its decisions.
What’s urgently needed now is a UN-sponsored international criminal tribunal for Gaza, modelled on those in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. It should be empowered to examine all aspects of Israel’s and Hamas’s conduct of the war, especially their shared disregard for civilian lives and their killing, torture and mistreatment of hostages and detainees.
The tribunal, complementing the ICC and ICJ, should also scrutinise wartime political decision-making, and whether third parties such as the US and Iran, which actively aided and abetted the combatants, share responsibility for the unlawful consequences. The culpability of countries such as the UK that armed the IDF must also be assessed. To kickstart this process, all of Gaza should be immediately opened up to UN investigators and international journalists. An international tribunal with power to punish perpetrators and compensate victims is an essential antidote to Gaza’s world-shaking horrors. It’s not about revenge. It’s about justice – and political will. A tribunal cannot change what happened. Yet it could help ensure it does not happen again. Until there’s a full and honest accounting, the war will never be truly over. (The Guardian) Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator
Mughal captivity. In Sikh
Guyana stands ready to support Jamaica – Pres Ali
...as Hurricane Melissa heads towards island, President assures safety of Guyanese students there
President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) are ready to support Jamaica, as the country braces for the devastating Hurricane Melissa.
The Head of State, in a message on Sunday, emphasised his Government’s support for Jamaica and Guyanese, especially students, living in the country.
“I've sent off a letter to the government of Jamaica telling them that the Guyana Defence Force and the CDC are fully mobilised and stand ready to support every effort in this very dangerous situation.
I want to ask all of you
to remain safe, remain calm, support each other, and I want you to know that we are putting a full mechanism in place.”
The President also underscored that Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has been tasked with mobilising the private sector and other stakeholders to “get some level of support to the students and any vulnerable families in Jamaica”.
The Guyana Government is monitoring developments with Hurricane Melissa, which strengthened into a Category 4 storm on Sunday and is expected to bring significant rain, wind and flooding threats to the eastern
Caribbean.
President Ali emphasised that Guyana stands ready to provide assistance, noting that both the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) have been placed on alert to be mobilised if support is requested.
“The Government of Jamaica has been informed of Guyana’s willingness to assist should it be required,” the statement noted.
Guyanese students in Jamaica
With the hurricane fast approaching Jamaica, where a number of Guyanese students are studying, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it is closely monitoring the situation.
According to an official statement from the Office of the President, President Ali has mandated Permanent Secretary (PS) Sharon Roopchand-Edwards to engage directly with Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Jamaica, as well as with Guyanese students and residents, to assess their needs and ensure all necessary precautions are taken.
The Ministry has also been instructed to prepare care packages and emergency support, if required.
Additionally, the Guyana Government has been in direct contact with Jamaican authorities and emergency response agencies as part of its coordination and readiness efforts.
Guyanese students or
The independence of the Judiciary is strengthened, not threatened
Dear Editor, Today’s (October 26, 2025) letters column is once again flooded with submissions from the usual critics of government, all echoing the refrain that “the Judiciary’s independence is threatened.” I find this assertion not only perplexing but deeply disrespectful to the sitting acting Chancellor of the Judiciary.
This is a jurist who, in her capacity as acting Chief Justice, delivered several landmark judgments— some of which were initially overturned by the local Court of Appeal, but later upheld by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). That judicial trajectory
does not reflect weakness or compromise; rather, it underscores her unquestionable professionalism, legal acumen, and fidelity to the Constitution. Her record demonstrates that her rulings consistently withstood the most rigorous tests of appellate scrutiny at the regional level. It is therefore both ironic and revealing that those now claiming the judiciary’s independence is under threat are, in many cases, the same individuals who were the subjects of her decisions that upheld the Constitution and the rule of law. Their dissatisfaction is less about institutional independence and more about
judicial outcomes that did not align with their political preferences. Let’s do a simple evaluation. Examine the number of judgments handed down by the current acting Chancellor when she served as acting Chief Justice. Determine how many of her judgments were overturned or upheld by the CCJ and then compare that to how many judgments from the Court of Appeal were overturned or upheld by the CCJ. The empirical record will speak for itself—it will reveal a jurist whose decisions have been consistently validated at the highest level of the regional judiciary.
The fact of the matter is that the independence of the judiciary in Guyana is now more fortified than ever. The current leadership reflects judicial maturity, competence, and integrity. The record of judgments stands as evidence—unyielding to political winds and rooted in constitutional principle.
The assertion that judicial independence is being eroded is not only unsupported by fact, it is an affront to the credibility and professionalism of one of the country’s most distinguished jurists.
Yours sincerely, Joel Bhagwandin
nationals in Jamaica who may require assistance or additional information are urged to contact the PS at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation via telephone at +592 611 0345 or email at ps@minfor.gov.gy.
The Government of Guyana continues to extend solidarity with the people and Government of Jamaica as the country braces for the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
According to a Reuter’s report, the tropical Storm Melissa which manifested earlier last week, is a rapidly intensifying storm expect-
ed to wreak havoc across the Caribbean with catastrophic floods, landslides and storm surges expected in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola into early next week, forcing authorities and residents to batten down.
Hurricane Melissa is currently located about 130 miles (210 km) southeast of Kingston and about 250 miles southwest of Port-auPrince, Haiti, according to the NHC advisory. Maximum sustained winds increased to near 90 mph (150 km/h). It is already causing flooding on the island
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Jamaica. We stand in solidarity with you as you brace for the dangerous conditions brought by Hurricane Melissa” – President Ali
Jamaican officials have already issued dire warnings since Saturday as Hurricane Melissa moves towards the island and is poised to become the strongest storm ever recorded there
Page Foundation
Another way to look at factors:
Factors are the numbers we can multiply together to get another number. The two numbers multiplied together give the product. Some numbers may have more than two factors.
By Sanjeev ManSotra
In fields of green, the farmers toil, With sweat on brow, and hands in soil. They sow the seeds, and nurture the land, A labor of love, a harvest planned.
The diagrams below shows the factors of 12. Each pair of numbers can be multiplied to give the product 12. One and the number itself are always factors of the number.
Handprint Autumn Tree
Tissue paper (autumn colours)
How to make
Step 1: Draw around your hand twice on cardboard and cut out both shapes using scissors.
Step 2: Cut a slit in the bottom of one handprint and a slit in the top of the other handprint.
Step 3: Paint both cardboard handprints brown and leave them to dry.
Step 4: Once dry, slot the handprints together to make your tree trunk.
Step 5: Scrunch up autumn-coloured tissue paper squares and stick them onto your tree to make the leaves! (bakerross. co.uk)
With patience and care, they tend each day, Watching crops grow, in the sun's warm ray. They battle pests, and fight off blight, In nature's dance, they take the right.
From dawn till dusk, they work so hard, Their livelihood, the crops regard. For in their hands, the power lies, To feed the world, beneath vast skies.
Agriculture, a timeless art, That feeds the belly, and warms the heart. With gratitude, we thank the earth, And the farmers' hands, that bring our worth.
Begin with laughter and end with silence.
Glue
Poster paint
Scissors Paint brushes
Govt issues revised RFP for 165-MW Amaila Falls Hydropower Project
The Guyana Government over the weekend issued a new revised Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting companies from around the world to develop the 165-megawatt (MW) Amaila Falls Hydro Project under a Build-OwnOperate-Transfer (BOOT) model.
Only just over a week ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed that his Administration would be going out for expressions of interest for a number of projects, including the hydropower initiative. He subsequently confirmed to the Guyana Times that this includes the revival of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), and that the technical teams were finalising the document.
Subsequently, on Sunday, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) published the call for RFPs in the local newspapers.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has been keen on reviving the 165-megawatt (MW) Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), which has been on the cards since 2011 but was blocked by the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change) coalition both in and out of office.
According to the ad that was published in Sunday’s edition of the Guyana Times, the project, which is expected to deliver a minimum installed capacity of 165 megawatts (MW), forms a key part of Guyana’s clean energy transition.
The hydro facility will include a dam, powerhouse, substation, and a 23-square-kilometre storage reservoir, consistent with environmental studies and permits.
Revised RFP
Under the revised RFP, developers are required to assume all geotechnical risks associated with the project and must demonstrate proven capability and financial capacity to deliver large-scale hydro projects.
Only firms or consortia that have successfully built at least three hydro projects of 100 MW or more in the last ten years will be considered.
The government has stated that while the transmission network will be developed separately, the size of the hydro may be re-engineered to take advantage of advancements in turbine technology, potentially allowing for greater power generation.
This project will be executed through a new Special Purpose Company
(SPC), which will receive all relevant licenses and permits previously issued up to April 2015. Independent supervision of the project’s design and construction will also be engaged under agreed Terms of Reference (ToR).
Qualified developers are required to submit detailed proposals, including project schedules, EPC price breakdowns and financing plans, along with several other undertakings, as outlined in the RFP issued by the OPM.
The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2026, and all proposals must be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.
For additional information, interested companies may contact the Gas-toEnergy Task Force at the Office of the Prime Minister via email at gas-to-energy@ gte.gov.gy, with a copy to ps@opm.gov.gy, or by telephone at +1 (592) 225-2602.
It was noted that the Government reserves the right to select suitable partners or annul to the process without incurring any liability.
Amaila Falls Hydropower Project
The 165-megawatt AFHP was the flagship initiative of the Bharrat Jagdeo-crafted Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). However, the project failed to take off despite having a developer in United States-based Sithe Global, which was backed by investment major – The Blackstone Inc.
In August 2013, Sithe Global announced that it was pulling out of the project, which it said was too large to continue without national consensus and had cited the lack of consensus in Parliament. At the time, the then APNU and AFC oppositions, holding majority seats in the National Assembly, had both voted down key pieces of legislation which consequently halted the project. Then during its term in
6-year-old dead, several injured after explosion at Mobil Gas Station in Georgetown
office from 2015 to 2020, the APNU+AFC Coalition regime, again, shelved the project.
The revival of the 165-megawatt hydropower project was one of the promises made by the ruling PPP/C in its 2020 Manifesto. In November 2021, the AFHP was awarded to China Railway First Group (CRFG) but negotiations fell through after the company wanted to change the BOOT model which government rejected.
A revised Request for Proposals (RFP) was then issued in 2023 and four companies – Rialma S.A. (Grupo Rialma) from Brazil; China International Water & Elec. Corp; Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc., and a group made up of OEC, GE Vernova and Worley – had submitted tenders to be pre-qualified for the Amaila Falls Hydropower project. Those bids were under evaluation for several months.
However, VP Jagdeo told the Guyana Times earlier this year that the PPP/C Government would have to re-tender the project after much attention was not placed on the bids that came in due to pending General and Regional Elections held on last September 1.
But the Vice President went on to underscore the importance of this project to the continuous energy mix that the government is pursuing.
“What we’ve committed to is an energy mix that is sustainable, and hydropower is part of that energy mix– so it has to be part of our ongoing plan. So, it is a combination of gas, wind, solar and hydro – that’s the energy mix of the future. Clearly, we’re moving to the gas, which you saw will cut our emission profile. We’re doing some solar. We’re examining some wind but for smaller communities, and hydro will be a part of it. So, [the AFHP] will have rollover as part of our commitment to a cleaner energy mix for the future as part of our energy transition,” the Vice President told this newspaper at a January 2 press conference.
Tragedy struck on Sunday evening when a powerful explosion at the Mobil Gas Station on Regent and King Streets claimed the life of a child and left several others injured.
According to reports, the blast occurred just around 7:30 p.m., when four occupants were inside a car waiting to purchase KFC from the nearby outlet. The vehicle reportedly exploded, triggering a chain reaction that ignited one of the gas station’s propane cylinders, sending flames and debris into the air.
The occupants were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where a child was pronounced dead.
According to an NCN report, six-year-old Soraya Bourne was killed while eight-year-old Rashad Lord and eleven-year-old Sediya McClintock remain in critical condition. Their 77-yearold grandmother, Yvonne Jones, and a man identified as Andre McRae sustained
serious injuries.
Eyewitness Shumar Jack recounted the incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m. while he was at the gas station fuelling his vehicle.
“I was reversing, looking for a lane to fuel my vehicle, when I noticed the car in front of me move strangely,” Jack told NCN News. “It went up and down, and shortly after, a fire ignited at the back of the building.”
Jack quickly moved his vehicle to safety. “I parked it nearby and went back to see if I could help. I saw a girl and a boy covered in blood. People rushed them to the hospital…” he added.
The explosion also caused significant damage to several nearby businesses and shattered windows in surrounding buildings, as residents and passersby described hearing a deafening boom followed by scenes of panic and confusion.
Firefighters and police responded swiftly to the scene, working to extinguish the blaze and secure the area.
Emergency crews cordoned off the vicinity as investigations were launched to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
The incident sent shock waves through central Georgetown, with the sound of the blast heard from several blocks away. Investigations continue and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Longtail development to...
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday last, Jagdeo made it clear that the Government of Guyana — not ExxonMobil — would determine the country’s gas monetisation strategy.
He underscored that Guyana intended to chart its own course when it came to resource management, ensuring decisions serve national interests rather than corporate convenience.
“Guyana will determine its own destiny regarding gas monetisation,” he said firmly. “We will not allow anyone to take options off the table that can benefit our people.”
The Vice President’s remarks came as the Government continues discussions with Fulcrum LNG, a US-based company selected to collaborate with ExxonMobil to monetise the country’s offshore gas re-
sources, which are estimated at over 16 trillion cubic feet. However, no formal agreement has yet been signed.
But Routledge explained during the podcast that while LNG development is still on table, using the gas to develop local industries in Guyana would bring in the most value for the country.
“Guyana doesn't really have a gas market. It has a market that uses cooking gas, bottled LPGs – liquid petroleum gas, but it doesn't have a methane market, a piped market or large industrial uses as we stand today. So, the options that were clearly on the table when you start to look at developing a larger volume of gas offshore in the southeast part of the block are to say, well, we could grow a domestic gas market or we could export the gas…
And using the country's own energy resources, in this case gas, to support development of other industries – whether it's more power generation, whether it's taking the nation's bauxite resources and converting it into alumina or fertiliser for the agriculture sector, we've been looking at all these potential uses of the nation's gas resource.
And when you look at the economic benefit, it's clear that by using the gas to stimulate domestic industries, it offers the country higher value. So, that is why we've prioritised that as our area of focus. It isn't to say that we've taken export of gas, whether pipeline or LNG, off the table. It just means that we're moving our focus to where we think would deliver the highest value to the country,” the ExxonMobil Guyana President stated.
An artist’s impression of the 165-MW Amaila Falls Hydropower Project dam
Six-year-old Soraya Bourne who died in the explosion
The aftermath of the explosion at the Regent Street gas station (NCN photo)
Irate customer smashes ATM, doors of 2 banks in New Amsterdam
– shuts down service to thousands
Aman is now in police custody assisting with the investigations after the doors and other parts of two commercial banks in New Amsterdam Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were vandalised on Sunday morning.
Reports are that the man, a customer of the bank, went to the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) at Republic Bank, situated on Strand and New Streets, and found that the ATM had no cash.
After using a metal object to smash both ATM machines at the bank and also damage sections of the wall, the man then turned his attention to other infrastructure, smashing the door to the ATM and also inflicting several holes on the glass wall of the bank. The main commercial door to the bank was also severely damaged.
The man then moved to Scotiabank situated 120 meters away, which also uses visa debit cards. In recent
weeks the bank had placed a notice outside of the ATM stating that upgrades were being done and that the ATM
was also damaged.
This publication has also been unable to ascertain where the guards were at both of the banks at the time of the incident. It has become customary for customers using the New Amsterdam branch of Republic Bank to turn up on weekends and find that there is no cash at the ATM. Sometimes this episode oc-
was only available for deposits and not for withdrawals.
At Scotiabank the glass walls in front of the bank were also smashed in. There was also extensive damage to the ATM door. However, this publication could not confirm whether the ATM
curs several times over the weekend after cash would have been replaced in the ATM.
Meanwhile, there are customers who reported turning up to the Republic Bank ATM at 3:30h Sunday morn-
ing and found that there was no money in the ATM.
Police who have arrested the male suspect see that the matter is being investigated. Regional Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus confirmed that the incident occurred on Sunday morning, and it was reported as damage to property at Scotiabank and Republic Bank on Strand New Amsterdam.
According to the Commander, a 25-year-old man of of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice is in custody assisting the police with their investigation of damage to property committed on the two banks between 09:30h and 09:50h on Sunday.
At Republic Bank, the man maliciously damaged four glass windows, two glass doors, and two ATM machines, while at Scotiabank, he damaged eight glass windows and two glass doors.
Both institutions are yet to ascertain the value of the damage.
Meanwhile, when this publication visited, a contractor was installing ply to cover the doors and Republic Bank, while Scotiabank had persons working from the inside of the building.
Parika businessman robbed of jewellery, cash by armed bandits
Businessman Robal Nebar, was robbed on Sunday afternoon by two armed bandits of approximately $10 million in gold jewellery and cash at Parika, East Bank Essequibo. Nebar operated a jewellery business outside of the GR Shopping Plaza, located along the Parika Public Road.
At around 14:00h, Nebar was about to pack up his merchandise and close his business operations when the masked gunmen pounced upon him, placing a gun to his head.
One of the bandits grabbed a gold chain that the businessman was wearing
time and proceeded to
several shots as they made their escape on a motorcycle.
This publication was told that this is the third time the businessman has been robbed.
Back in February of this
year, Nebar was robbed of millions in cash and jewellery.
A source close to the businessman told this publication that the Police at the Parika Station are aware of the robberies, but to date, there has been no success in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Nevertheless, this latest incident has left the business family, which also owns Styles Guyana, another reputable business in Region Three, traumatised.
The family is appealing for the immediate attention of the law enforcement authorities to find the persons who committed today's robbery.
Carrying on… …with noise
We all make noise when we’re happy, don’t we?? Babies gurgle and donkeys bray!! Celebrations have always been accompanied by noise – be it music or of raised voices. Can you imagine celebrating, say, hitting the lottery and not whooping it up?? Now this ain’t no recent innovation but goes back to furthest antiquity! Remember the Greeks and Romans with their Dionysian and Bacchanalian revelries?? They were gods of “sporting” and making noise!! And in every tribal culture we made merry – noisily!! – around our campfires!! Heck!! Your Eyewitness bet that when those Cave Men brought back that deer from the hunt, they carried on like banshees!!
But here we are in 2025 Guyana and folks are complaining about noises that are driving them to distraction – and having them climbing up their walls!! What gives?? Imagine our minibus operators take the trouble to provide entertainment to their passengers – free!! - and some spoilsports call it “noise pollution”!! Can you believe it?? Now, dear reader, you may say the bus drivers could keep the music low – but then you’d miss the entire point of being West Indian, innit?!! How in god’s name can you listen to Dancehall, or Soca or Chutney “low”??
Then there’s the complaints about the music played all night – and all weekend – at wedding houses. Especially those Indian Guyanese 7-day-long weddings. Now this ain’t anything new – is it?. In the old days the musicians woulda been playing live – and the entire village would be getting down like there was no tomorrow!! In fact, did you know that the entire bawdy Caribbean Chutney genre – with its “rum till I die” ethos originated from these wedding-house goings on? And with the ladies, even!! Maybe the problem is that nowadays everyone ain’t invited??!!
But the loudest (yes…”loudest”!!) complaints to the sounds of merriment and celebration is about our “rum shops”. Now let’s be real. Even the Indigenous Peoples – who weren’t shanghaied to labour in our plantations back in the day – celebrated after hard work. Mashramani, we’re told they called it!! Now did you think they only worked one day a year?? If you said “yes” that just shows how you’ve bought into the racist European stereotypes!! Now don’t you think the slaves and indentured also wanted to celebrate after their gruelling labours in the fields. So they turned to the rum shops – which were conveniently facilitated by the ever-solicitous planter after emancipation!!
So dear readers, the noise around us are part and parcel of our culture in our neck of the woods!! Aren’t we a “happy go lucky” set of people?? And it’s part of the charm to those uptight folks from up north, who we can fleece as tourists!!
To get noisy is to be Guyanese!!
…with poverty?
Your Eyewitness notes the Opposition’s screams that folks are “struggling” in our dear land of Guyana. It’s based on the rising ‘cost of living”. Now while there’s no question the reports are describing a reality – your Eyewitness is thinking about how we’ve come to this when we have some 83,000 square miles of that land – with only three-quarters of a million people!? The focus of the articles seems to be that the government ought to wave a wand and stop the “struggling” with million-dollar handouts.
But hey…what about us?? How about the kitchen garden that used to be standard back in the day?? Each of the hard luck stories your Eyewitness read about concerned folks who were living in homes with backyards!! Is it that they don’t want to get their hands dirty to plant some Poi Bhagee and Bigan?? And how about minding some fowls??
Now don’t get your Eyewitness wrong…there ought to be a governmental safety net…but let’s help ourselves, shall we??!!
…with gridlock
While the Opposition’s wringing their hands – while weeping and wailing about the tempest in the (Judicial) tea cup - they ignore it’s an example of why their calls for power-sharing invariably brings gridlock!! Govt and Opposition won’t agree!!
Damage to one of the ATMs at Republic Bank
A contractor covering the damaged door at Republic Bank
The smashed glass doors at Scotiabank
at the
empty the glass case of all the gold jewellery that was on display. They also took the cash Nebar had on him at the time.
The two bandits then fired
The location at Parika where the businessman was robbed on Sunday
Over 30 survivors, patients, caregivers sashed during annual Pinktober walk
Over 30 breast cancer survivors, patients, and caregivers were honoured on Sunday as One Communications, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), hosted the annual One Pinktober Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and Run under the theme “Act Now, Live Strong.”
The highly anticipated event, which attracted thousands of participants, began
at the Scouts’ Ground and featured vibrant displays of unity, resilience, and advocacy in the ongoing fight against breast cancer.
As part of the day’s proceedings, One Communications sashed 15 survivors, 15 fighters, and 15 caregivers, recognising their strength, courage, and contributions to the awareness movement. The initiative forms part of the company’s broader “Champions
of Hope” campaign, which brings together leading NGOs working in cancer prevention and patient support.
These include the Guyana Cancer Society, Recover Guyana, The Periwinkle Club, The Giving Hope Foundation, Cancer Institute of Guyana, Beacon Foundation, The Debra Shipley George GoCare Foundation, Family Awareness Consciousness and Togetherness (FACT), and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA).
Participants also benefited from a suite of free health services provided by the Ministry of Health, including vital signs checks (blood pressure and blood sugar), HPV screenings, eye testing for persons under 18 and over 50, and access to $10,000 Universal Health Vouchers and $15,000 Spectacles Vouchers. Onsite laboratory and eye testing facilities were also available, allowing participants to complete screenings at the venue.
Delivering brief remarks at the event, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, lauded One Communications for its continued partnership
in raising awareness and expanding preventive health services across the country. “Every year in October, we have this walk where we raise awareness for cancer prevention,” he said. “But this effort has evolved—now we are not only spreading awareness, we are encouraging people to take action.”
The minister highlighted the government’s ongoing investments in cancer detection and treatment, including the installation of mammography machines at major hospitals in Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, and Lethem, and the establishment of a specialised laboratory at the Georgetown Public Hospital capable of distinguishing between different types of breast cancer for more targeted treatment.
The Health Minister underscored that some cancers affecting women are preventable and urged citizens to embrace regular screenings and vaccinations as part of a national effort to reduce cancer incidence. “While we celebrate those who have survived and those still fighting, each of us has a role to play. Go get checked. Take your vaccines. Prevention is power.”
One Communications’ Director of Marketing, Ian Lewis also commended the participants and organisations that have championed the Pinktober initiative. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting early detection, education, and community support in the fight against cancer.
The Pinktober Walk and Run has grown into one of
most recognised health awareness events, combining advocacy, access to health services, and celebration of the bravery of survivors and caregivers.
Organisers said the goal is to ensure that awareness leads to action, empowering individuals and families to take charge of their health and support others along the journey.
Guyana’s
See more photos on pages 12 & 13
Rotary Club of New Amsterdam leads polio awareness walk to “End Polio Now”
On Sunday, members of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam, along with community partners, students, and well-wishers, participated in a Polio Awareness Walk aimed at reinforcing the global message — End Polio Now.
The event, organised as part of Rotary International’s long-standing campaign to eradicate polio worldwide, saw participants walking from the entrance to the Berbice River Bridge to East Canje, carrying banners and posters urging continued vigilance and vaccination.
Addressing the gathering after the walk, President of the Rotary
Club of New Amsterdam, Roopnarine Hemraj, expressed gratitude for the strong show of support from the community, noting that the annual event brings together Rotarians, friends, partners, and members of our community with one shared goal — to end polio.
He reminded participants that the walk was more than just a physical journey.
“Today, as we walk side by side, we did not just take steps on a road; we take steps toward a world free from polio. Each stride we make symbolises hope, compassion, and commitment,” he declared. “We are this close to eradicat-
A global fight nearing the finish line
Rotary’s fight to end polio began more than 35 years ago, in 1985, when the organisation launched its PolioPlus initiative, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health goal.
Since then, thanks to partnerships with the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world has seen a 99.9 percent reduction in polio cases.
According to WHO data, polio cases have dropped from an estimated 350,000 cases annually in 125 countries in 1988 to fewer than 10 cases reported globally in 2024, with wild poliovirus now endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Despite this progress, health officials warn that outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus in parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe remind the world that polio anywhere remains a threat to children everywhere.
Rotary’s continuing commitment
Meanwhile, Hemraj emphasised that while enormous progress has been made, the fight is not over.
“Our efforts, alongside global partners, have led to a 99.9 percent reduction in polio cases worldwide; what a remarkable achievement. Yet our mis-
sion is not complete. Until the very last child is vaccinated, until the last trace of this disease is gone, none of us can rest.”
He reaffirmed Rotary’s core values of service and compassion, highlighting the organisation’s unwavering determination.
“This morning, let our walk remind the world that Rotary never gives up. We are people of action, united by purpose, driven by compassion, and powered by hope. Together, we walk for a polio-free world. Together, we make it happen.”
Local effort, global vision Sunday’s Polio Walk also sought to raise awareness among residents about the importance of maintaining vaccination coverage, especially as countries continue to recover from pandemic-related disrup-
tions to routine immunisation programs.
Rotarians from New Amsterdam joined by youth groups, civic organisations, and community leaders, all walking under the banner of Rotary’s enduring slogan: “Service Above Self.”
As the sun rose Sunday morning, the message was clear: while the end of polio is within reach, the commitment to finish the job must remain strong.
“Let’s keep walking, keep advocating, and keep believing in a future where polio is history and hope is restored,” President Hemraj urged.
With renewed spirit and unity of purpose, the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam’s Polio Walk stands as both a local call to action and a proud contribution to one of humanity’s greatest public health achievements — a world free of polio.
ing polio.”
Scenes from Breast Cancer Awareness
Awareness Annual Pinktober Walk
New "Christmas in Guyana" tour to add to season’s calendar of events
Government has introduced a new ‘Christmas in Guyana’ tour package that aims to celebrate Christmas the Guyanese way: with 6 nights and 7 days of adventure across Guyana, while enjoying festive favourites such as pepper pot, black cake, and ginger beer.
Priced just over US$1,900 per person, the scenic tour will visit Kaieteur Falls and offer sightseeing along the
Demerara, Essequibo, and Mahaica Rivers, along with birdwatching.
With the addition of the ‘Christmas in Guyana’ tour package, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce is said to be working to have a calendar of events for the entire year of 2026.
The new tour package will add to the popular Christmas Village event in Guyana’s Christmas tour-
ism calendar.
This comes after Minister of Tourism, Susan Rodrigues recently revealed that Guyanese living abroad, as well as visiting foreigners, can look forward to a well-planned Christmas holiday package that includes accommodation and guided tours to major attractions, such as Kaieteur Falls.
The Minister also explained that the holi-
day package will combine city tours, visits to the Christmas Village on Main Street, and other local experiences in Georgetown,
to the Christmas Village on Main Street, and to incorporate other local tours here in Georgetown,” she said. She emphasised that
and this
offering visitors a complete festive experience.
“Additionally, we are working with tour operators to take them on city tours,
this initiative will not end this year but will be a continuous experience.
“What we are giving them is a full package for
try, through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), is known for collaborative packages with privately owned tour operators.
Christmas,
holiday touring initiative will continue in the future,” she added.
The tourism minis-
The annual Christmas Village is a Guyanese holiday tradition
River tours
Kaieteur Falls
Guyanese envoy calls for UNSC reform amid growing inability to reach consensus
Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, has reiterated the urgent need for reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), warning that its current structure has made it increasingly difficult for the body to fulfil its mandate of maintaining international peace and security.
Speaking at the UNSC Open Debate on “The United Nations Organisation: Looking into the Future”—a signature event hosted by Russia on October 24, 2025— Ambassador RodriguesBirkett emphasised that the inability of Council members to reach consensus on critical issues has eroded global trust in the institution and undermined the principles on which the UN was founded.
“First, let us start right here, the Security Council must be reformed. Notwithstanding
the expansive breadth of the work of the United Nations, the reality is that the success or failure of the UN is judged in large measure through the action, or lack thereof, of the Security Council. Regrettably, the Council is increasingly seen to be failing in its sacred responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. We have, in recent years, borne witness to a proliferation of armed conflicts – the highest number since World War II according to the Global Peace Index. At the same time, there is the growing inability of Council members to reach consensus on some of the most critical issues”.
She attributed this paralysis to the structural imbalance of the Council, where the five permanent members (P5)—the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), France, Russia, and China—retain veto powers that can override the collective will of the majority of member
states. “In no other international structure in the world can 6.6 per cent of the vote cancel 93.3 per cent,” she said, describing the arrangement as a “serious impediment” to progress.
Rodrigues-Birkett called for an expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent categories
of membership, with permanent seats for Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean—the only regions currently excluded from permanent representation. She also proposed the introduction of a rotating seat for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to ensure their unique vulnerabilities and perspec-
tives are reflected in global decision-making.
“For the Council’s effectiveness to be restored and its legitimacy affirmed in the public eye, we must change its unrepresentative composition and unfair decision-making rules,” she asserted. “There is too high a premium on international peace and security for the structure which has the responsibility to maintain it to continue being unfit for purpose.”
The Guyanese representative further argued that national interest and international cooperation must not be treated as opposing concepts, noting that the interconnected nature of global crises—such as climate change, food insecurity, and terrorism—demands collective responses. “Advancing the common interest is ultimately in everyone’s national interest,” she said.
Addressing the financial strains facing the UN system, Rodrigues-Birkett
More needs to be done to boost
endorsed the UN 80 initiative proposed by SecretaryGeneral (SG) António Guterres, which seeks to streamline operations and eliminate inefficiencies. She urged all member states to meet their financial obligations, cautioning that the UN “cannot always be everything to everyone, but must never fail those who are most in need.”
Reflecting on the UN’s 80-year legacy, the Guyanese envoy called on nations to “recalibrate on the strong foundation bequeathed to us and build a United Nations that is fit to respond to the realities of the 21st century.”
“In 1945, our forefathers created a system that has done incalculable good,” she concluded. “We now face a new, if not equally critical, moment. If the United Nations did not exist, we would have to create it. Let us remember—the United Nations is us, and we are the United Nations.”
GuyanaIndia trade – High Commissioner
...wants to see more Guyanese businesses taking up marketing opportunities in India
Even as trade between Guyana and India is gaining momentum, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr Amit Telang believes more need to be done to increase bilateral trade between the longstanding partners.
During a recent interview with the Guyana Times , High Commissioner Telang noted that while traditional exports between India and Guyana have been increasing, there is room for a further increase in trade relations between the two nations.
“Steadily, there is an increase… There are opportunities [outside] some of the areas which are traditional. Commodities were exported like timber [and] some of the other raw material. These things are traditionally on the export from Guyana to India. And we, again, see that it's picking up momentum. But a lot needs to be done,” he contended.
According to the Indian diplomat, Guyanese companies need to be more proactive in seeking out market opportunities in India.
“What I would like to see, as the High Commissioner also, I won't say that it's
not happening – it's very much happening, but the fact of the matter is, more and more Guyanese businesses also will have to travel to India and participate in trade fairs and all such business events.”
“We recently had, a few months back, the IndiaLatin America business meet. Then we had extended an invitation to Guyanese companies for major trade expos in India. Some of them did participate as well. So, as I said, probably a little bit of more active involvement of Guyanese businesses in terms of visiting India,
looking at what are the commodities that are required in India will make it more fruitful,” the High Commissioner suggested.
Back in January of this year, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd had disclosed in the National Assembly that exports to non-traditional markets have increased substantially, with the UAE, Singapore and India now ranked among Guyana’s top export destinations.
According to High Commissioner Telang, that high trade figure could have been as a result of a
large crude shipment from Guyana to India. Based on local reports, India sourced as much as US$149 million in crude oil from Guyana between 2021 and 2022.
Meanwhile, just last week, it was reported that two Indian refiners have bought a total of 4 million barrels of Guyana’s crude from US oil major, Exxon Mobil, to be delivered at the end of this year or early 2026.
Dr Telang, however, is confident that there more opportunities to enhance trade between the two countries that are yet to be explored.
In fact, Indian is preparing to send a business delegation to Guyana next month to explore opportunities here. That visit will coincide with the hosting of GuyExpo 2025.
Set for November 13 to 16, GuyExpo is Guyana's premier trade and investment showcase that highlights local and regional products, bringing together innovations, entrepreneurship and culture.
“Based on what we are looking at in terms of what GuyExpo has to offer, which are the different areas that are part of GuyExpo, different sectors,
and wherever we find that there is complementarity existing, we'll certainly include those companies [from India to be a part of the visiting delegation,” the Indian diplomat noted.
Based on information from the Indian High Commission’s office in Georgetown, total trade between Guyana and India in 2021-2022 amounted to US$ 223.36 million, a tremendous increase from US$ 46.97 million in 202021.
During 2022-2023, the trade dipped to US$ 66.37 million, which is the generally an average figure for some years. This, however, has increased in 202324 to US$ 105.97 million with exports of US$ 99.36 million and imports of US$ 6.61 million.
Meanwhile, the major items of imports by India from Guyana are: Wood and Articles of Wood; Wood Charcoal; Ores, Slag & Ash; Electrical Machinery & Equipment and parts thereof; Sound Recorders & Reproducers, Television Image and Sound Recorders & Reproducers and parts; Iron & Steel; Lead & Articles thereof; Aluminium and other articles thereof.
Back in February 2023, Indian President Shrimati Droupadi Murmu had called for diversified bilateral trade with Guyana during a meeting with Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in New Delhi.
The following month, the India-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) was established in April 2023, thus paving the way for the facilitation of trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Among the major items of exports from India to Guyana are: Pharmaceutical products; Iron & Steel; Boilers, Machinery & Mechanical Appliances parts thereof; Electrical Machinery & Equipment and parts thereof; Sound Recorders & Reproducers, Television Image and Sound Recorders & Reproducers and parts; Apparel and Clothing Accessories not knitted crocheted; Apparel and Clothing Accessories knitted crocheted; Articles of Iron & Steel; Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, parts and accessories thereof; Coffee, Tea,, Mate & Spices; Rubber and other articles thereof.
Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, speaks at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Friday
Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr Amit Telang
Guyana seeking proposals to design, build & operate cooking gas bottling company
As Guyana pursues the development of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) resources, the Government has invited Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) proposals to design, engineer, construct and then operate all required assets for a cooking gas bottling and logistics company.
The call for EPC proposals was published in Sunday’s edition of the Guyana Times by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
Based on ad, the proposed Guyana Gas Bottling and Logistics Company (GGBL), a company to be incorporated under a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) model, will bottle, transport, and distribute cooking gas for domestic use.
According to the EPC proposal, the objective of GGBL is to lower the price of domestic cooking gas. At present, annual domestic demand for cooking gas is equivalent to 3 million 20-lb cylinders with a retail value of G$14 billion per annum. Back in July, President Dr Irfaan Ali had stated that they are targeting bringing down the cost of cooking gas as low as $1000 per cylinder.
EPC proposals
Interested companies must include in their EPC Proposals prior experience in EPCs of similar projects; prior experience operating similar projects; proposed size/perimeter of required land. Provide a detailed plot plan showing all; parts of the bottling plant,
storage/warehouse facilities, supporting infrastructure/equipment to load and transport cooking gas; Detailed project schedule showing (i) time for design/ engineering (ii) time for construction, both in sufficient detail.
Additionally, they must also state: EPC price breakdown (with as much detail) of entire project, including (i) site development (ii) construction of buildings/ facilities (iv) immovable equipment (v) transportation vehicles (vi) other infrastructure; Provide a detailed work methodology including local and foreign costs, and specifications of all key equipment to be installed; Describe key contractors and sub-contractors, manpower (local and foreign) during construction, and details of local content; Provide an EPC contract, with sufficient details and schedules, reflective of best practice and/ or executed by that firm as EPC contractor; Provide an Operator contract (in increments of 5 years), Business Plan for operations for similar periods, including detailed financial projections and assumptions, and Describe and detail all assumptions on taxation during (i) EPC stage (ii) Operations stage.
According to the ad, GGBL will be a private company with financing secured from the private sector. The Guyana Government shall be responsible for (i) establishing GGBL, (ii) structuring and securing financing, and (iii) arranging all contracts and permits. GGBL will be structured on a Project Finance basis.
Responses to this EPC will allow the Guyana Government to select an EPC contractor and Operator based on (i) qualifications and experience, (ii) EPC costs, (iii) operator costs, and (iv) timeframes. It was further noted that only qualified and experienced firms will be evaluated.
The deadline for submissions will be January 15, 2026 and all proposals must be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.
GtE and LNG
Through its model Gasto-Energy (GtE) Project, the Guyana Government is looking to significantly lower the price of cooking gas by piping natural gas from offshore operations to the Wales, West Bank Demerara site where a
Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt (MW) power plant are currently under construction.
The gas bottling project will be located at Wales, east of the GtE Combined Cycle Power Plant and NGL Facility, and will receive the cooking gas from Guyana Power and Gas Inc (GPGI) –a fully-owned Government of Guyana company, at wholesale prices.
Only last week, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo reaffirmed that developing Guyana’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) resources remains a top national priority, rejecting ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge’s recent claim that LNG is “not a priority” for the company at this stage.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday last, Jagdeo made it clear that the Government of Guyana — not ExxonMobil — would determine the country’s gas monetisation strategy. He underscored that Guyana intended to chart its own course when it came to resource management, ensuring decisions serve national interests rather than corporate convenience.
“Guyana will determine its own destiny regarding gas monetisation,” he said
firmly. “We will not allow anyone to take options off the table that can benefit our people.”
The Vice President’s remarks come as the Government continues discussions with Fulcrum LNG, a company selected to collaborate with ExxonMobil to monetise the country’s offshore gas resources, which are estimated at over 16 trillion cubic feet. However, no formal agreement has yet been signed.
Jagdeo stressed that while the feasibility of different gas development options remained under study, LNG could not be dismissed or sidelined prematurely.
“This project has to happen, and it has to happen soon,” Jagdeo declared. “It must become a priority for everyone — for Exxon, for the Government of Guyana, and for the other partners. We want a revenue stream to flow from gas early to Guyana.”
“Developers must look at every option — bringing gas onshore for industrial use, producing LNG through a floating platform, or transporting it to Trinidad,” he explained. “But if you take LNG off the table now, you limit our options. That’s premature. We don’t want that.”
Reserve Officer Course opens with 32 officer cadets
The Reserve Officer Course (ROC) 18 was officially declared opened on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS).
The ceremony marked a significant milestone in the Force’s ongoing commitment to cultivating leadership capacity within the Reserve component.
In his address, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, highlighted the indispensable role of the Reserve in national defence. As he officially declared the course opened, he alluded to the Reserve as a vital extension of the Regular Force,
enhancing operational readiness, and the Force’s ability to respond rapidly to emergencies, civil defence operations, and other national contingencies. He further emphasized that the Reserve embodies the unity of citizen and soldier, reflecting the GDF’s commitment to service, patriotism, and duty.
The course has 32 officer cadets actively engaged in training, comprising 18 males and 14 females. Prior to the official opening, the cadets underwent an intensive six-week Regimentation Phase at CUPOCS, where they were rigorously trained in four core subject areas: Skill at
lead soldiers effectively.
Reserve Officers are trained to lead, administer, and support soldiers in augmenting the Regular Force while also fulfilling civil defence and other national duties. ROC 18 strengthens the Force by producing leaders who embody the highest standards of military conduct, professionalism, and the GDF’s core values of discipline, integrity, loyalty, and Service.
A strong Reserve pro -
to reinforce the Regular Force, support humanitarian missions, and maintain national stability. Courses such as ROC 18 cultivate officers who are prepared to serve at a moment’s notice, ready to meet the diverse operational and strategic needs of the nation.
As the 32 cadets continue their demanding journey toward officership, they join a proud lineage soldiers committed to the Defence Force’s enduring
Arms, Drills, Field Craft, and Physical Training. These exercises instilled discipline, precision, team -
work, and resilience, ensuring that each cadet is prepared to assume command responsibilities and
vides the Guyana Defence Force with depth and flexibility, ensuring trained personnel are available
standards of the Guyana Defence Force.
Health Ministry, PAHO launch campaign to end child pregnancies
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Healthy Life Course Unit of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), launched a national awareness campaign, “Let’s End Child Pregnancies”, at the Sophia Health Centre on Wednesday.
The campaign begins
Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Week 2025 and aims to reduce adolescent pregnancies and promote safe motherhood.
The awareness campaign is also focused on preparing a comprehensive guide through a “safe motherhood approach’ while highlighting the importance of family planning, prenatal care, and healthy lifestyle choices.
During the campaign, various topics were covered, including safe ad-
olescent pregnancy and prevention strategies, essential practices for mothers and babies, emergen-
cy signs during pregnancy, and referral pathways.
A ‘Roadmap tool’ was used to engage adolescent
The interactive session included open discussions, a question-and-answer segment, and practical advice from healthcare professionals on labour, breastfeeding, and postnatal care.
Valuable information on registering newborns for post-natal clinics and the importance of continued family planning support was provided by the nurses of the Sophia Health Centre.
With similar activities scheduled to take place across various health facilities in Guyana, this reaffirms the government and PAHO commitment to supporting adolescent health initiatives.
This further aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to reduce teenage pregnancies and improve maternal health outcomes by 2030.
According to PAHO, Guyana continues to face challenges with adolescent birth rates, which remain higher than the average for the Latin America and Caribbean region.
While the adolescent age-specific fertility rate has declined from 80.5 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 in 2010 to 66.6 in 2021, the numbers still reflect a pressing public health concern.
Nurses at the Sophia Health Centre also provided valuable information on registering newborns for post-natal clinics and the importance of continued family planning support. This campaign is part of a broader national effort, with similar activities scheduled to take place at health facilities across the country throughout the month.
Kako Village completes landmark 10-year sustainability plan
After review and validation by residents, the plan was finalised
The Kako Village Council, in partnership with the National Toshaos Council (NTC), in a Saturday social media post announced that it has updated and completed its 10Year Village Sustainability Plan — a landmark roadmap to guide the community’s collective vision for sustainable development rooted both in Indigenous Kapong values and modern aspirations.
According to the village council, the plan, finalised last week after review and validation by residents, outlines seven key pillars of development: Nature & Environment, Culture, Livelihoods, Education, Health, Governance, and Infrastructure.
The 10-year plan was completed in partnership with the NTC
More than 80 projects and programs have been identified to strengthen community resilience, wellbeing and future trajecto-
ry. Among them are the creation of a Cultural Centre to safeguard ancestral knowledge and customs, a community-owned Research Centre
to deepen understanding of traditional and environmental practices, a Language Preservation Program to keep the Akawaio language
alive, and initiatives like a Food and Seedling Bank, Ecotourism development, Waterfront Development, and Disaster Aid Fund to ensure long-term security and sustainability.
Beyond providing a development blueprint, the plan positions Kako to mobilise support and partnerships from government, the private sector, and development organisations. It also offers a guiding framework for the village’s own investments and decision-making, ensuring that future growth aligns with the community’s values and vision for self-de-
termination.
The Toshao and Council extended gratitude to residents for their active participation throughout the process, as well as to facilitators from the NTC and technical experts from Conservation International for their support.
While the plan is now being finalised for publication, the Council emphasised that it will remain a living document— one that grows and adapts with the village’s changing needs, guided always by the people’s voice and their enduring relationship with the land.
mothers in understanding the stages of a healthy pregnancy and the benefits of family planning.
Regional
US warship arrives in T&T as Kamla hits back at critics
he US naval ves-
Tsel USS Gravely arrived in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) on October 26 for a joint training exercise with the T&T Defence Force.
Escorted by two tug boats and Coast Guard vessels, the boat docked at around 09.30h Sunday at the port in Port of Spain.
The warship will be in T&T for five days as part of the training exercise which ends on October 30.
Members of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit are expected to be on board and will participate in the exercise.
The boat's arrival comes amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the US.
So far, the US has claimed that its military has attacked and destroyed 11 vessels in regional waters, killing 49 alleged drug traffickers in the process.
The USS Gravely is a part of the US naval force in regional waters since early September that has carried out the attacks.
T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has welcomed the presence of the US Navy in the region and the USS Gravely's visit to the country.
On Friday, PersadBissessar hit back at her critics who claim she has abandoned Caricom's neu-
tral position and sided with the United States in its conflict with Venezuela.
Speaking to reporters outside of Parliament after wrapping up the Standing Finance Committee, she said, "We have had over 600 murders last year and almost every year counting. They have not had that experience. So, I think they have a different reality. In T&T the reality is we are crime-ridden, we are drug-ridden, we are cartel-ridden, we are gang-ridden, and therefore our approach has to be different. They are entitled to their view on the whole issue of a Zone of Peace, but in T&T there is clearly no Zone of Peace. There is none. Therefore, as I say, T&T first; we have to take care of our people first. I do not have the same view as they do because I think we are the worst impacted by this issue."
When asked specifically about former T&T prime minister Dr Keith Rowley's signature to a joint declaration by ten former Caribbean leaders calling for the region to remain "a 'Zone of Peace', she said, "That is why he was there for nine years; crime skyrocketed, and nothing was done. We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. I am not surprised by his take on it, and maybe that is why
he is a former prime minister. That is why the electorate voted him out."
Persad-Bissessar said historically and geographically, T&T was the closest to where the drugs are coming from, the narcotrafficking, the human trafficking and the gun running. "We are more southern and the closest to the South American mainland, and therefore their experiences may be different from ours in Trinidad."
With the arrival of the US warship Sunday, Persad-Bissessar said there are benefits to the population that will be derived beyond security guarantees. She explained, "Safety is priority number one to help keep the narcotraffickers, drug traffickers, and human traffickers out. They are also going to give us some assistance, technical assistance, IT assistance and some humanitarian work in using their Marines and their Navy members to help us with schools or maybe some of our bases to upgrade. Our infrastructure has been so run down, so they have offered that as well. In addition to the safety, security and the training, they are also going to give us some training here in T&T." (Source: Trinidad & Tobago Newsday, Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)
BVI manhunt underway as 2 escape HM Prison
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched an island-wide manhunt after two prisoners escaped from His Majesty's Prison on Saturday night, October 25.
According to a police statement, inmates Jose Almestica and John Burgos were discovered missing shortly after 9 p.m. The RVIPF confirmed that "an active search is now underway across the territory" and urged residents to report any sightings and not to approach either individual, but to contact Police immediately.
Police have not yet revealed the circumstances that led to the escape but confirmed that both men were last accounted for earlier in the evening. It is the second time Almestica has escaped custody in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
Almestica, who was previously wanted on multiple
charges, escaped from custody in 2017 and evaded capture for months before being recaptured in 2018 during a police operation. He was known to have connections to serious firearm-related offences at the time of his earlier arrest.
Almestica was found guilty on all counts by a jury in the High Court on 15 July 2025. He was convicted of possession of cannabis and cocaine with intent to supply, possession of prohibit-
ed and unlicensed firearms, and unlawful possession of explosives.
Saturday's incident has renewed public concern about security at the state prison, which has previously come under scrutiny for structural weaknesses and staff shortages. The facility, located in Balsam Ghut, houses inmates serving long-term sentences as well as remanded prisoners awaiting trial. (Source: BVI News)
Trump meets Brazil's Lula at ASEAN summit, touts "pretty good deals"
United States President Donald Trump and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have held what Brazil described as a constructive meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, raising hope for improved relations after stinging US tariffs.
Lula said the Sunday meeting with Trump - who is an ally of his political rival, embattled former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro - was "great" and added that their countries' negotiating teams would get to work "immediately"
J'ca farmers told to reap early where possible to minimise losses as Hurricane Melissa approaches
Farmers were urged to harvest whatever crops they could ahead of Jamaica being impacted by Hurricane Melissa in order to minimise their losses.
This was disclosed by Agriculture Minister Floyd Green during a special media briefing at Jamaica House on Saturday.
"We've been saying to our different types of farmers to take necessary precautions; firstly for them to be out
there harvesting if they can," he said.
"We have been working with a number of our farmers, our fruit farmers, pepper farmers [urging them] to harvest what they have, to work with our agro-processors to provide those items so they can minimise their losses," he emphasised.
"Additionally, we have been saying to our livestock farmers to ensure that they have sufficient feed for their
animals, ensure that they have sufficient clean water for their animals. If the animals are in a flood-prone area, move them to higher ground," Green added.
He shared that the agriculture ministry has sent out advisories and teams from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority have been on the ground visiting with farmers.
Green said farmers have been told to clear drains so
they can get rid of the excess water and "if you're a banana and plantain farmer, please get rid of the overhanging trees, prop up your plants; store your chemicals in a dry place".
The agriculture minister implored farmers not to venture out into the hurricane in an attempt to save their crops and animals.
"Oftentimes that causes loss of life," he stated. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
to tackle tariffs and other issues.
"We agreed that our teams will meet immediately to advance the search for solutions to the tariffs and sanctions against Brazilian authorities," Lula said in a message on X following the meeting.
Ahead of the meeting on Sunday, though, Trump said he could reach some agreements with Lula and
expected the two countries to enjoy strong ties despite his concerns about Bolsonaro's fate.
Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said that negotiations would start immediately and that Brazil had requested a pause in tariffs while talks proceed, though it was unclear whether the US had agreed. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Category 4 Hurricane Melissa on its way to Jamaica; catastrophic warning issued for parts of Hispaniola
Melissa continues its path through the Caribbean as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, with rapid strengthening forecast on its way to Jamaica, which is on alert along with portions of Hispaniola for heavy rains and flash flooding, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported Sunday.
Melissa could dump a total of 15 to 30 inches (380 to 760 millimetres) of rain, with a chance of more than 40 inches (1,000 millimetres) in parts of southern
Hispaniola and Jamaica through Wednesday, and between 6 and 12 inches (152 to 304 millimetres) in southeastern Cuba, the NHC said, warning of additional heavy rainfall throughout the week.
The storm has already caused at least three deaths in Haiti and left millions of people without drinking water in the Dominican Republic, where the storm has also displaced hundreds of people. (Excerpt from Listin Diario)
The USS Gravely, a US naval warship, is currently docked at the Port of Port of Spain on a five-day visit to T&T for training exercises. The warship is expected to leave the country on October 30
1 killed, 6 injured after shooting at Pennsylvania's Lincoln University
At least one person was killed and six others wounded in a shooting at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania late on Saturday, as students and alumni celebrated homecoming at outdoor festivities at the historically Black university, authorities said.
A person who had a firearm was detained, and officials are investigating the possibility that there was more than one shooter but don't believe there is any active threat to the campus, Chester county's District Attorney (DA), Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, said during a brief news conference early on Sunday.
"We don't have a lot of answers about exactly what happened," he said. "What I will tell you is that today we're operating as if this is not an incident where someone came in with the design to inflict mass damage on a college campus."
Authorities say the shooting took place at around 9.30pm outside a large building called the International Cultural Centre, where tents and tables were set up for tailgating and socialising after a football game earlier in the day.
"It was a chaotic scene and people fled in every direction," the DA said. He urged anyone with video from the scene or other information that could help the investigation to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Authorities weren't sharing details about the victims, including their conditions or where the injured were being treated. Saturday's shooting is the latest in a disturbing trend of gun violence at homecoming games and celebrations across the nation this football season.
On Friday, five people were shot near Washington
DC's Howard University as the school celebrated homecoming weekend. Police later arrested two suspects and recovered three guns near the scene, and a statement from the university said a fight between the two individuals had resulted in gunfire. High school homecoming celebrations in Mississippi were interrupted by gun violence on 11 October when three separate shootings resulted in six people being killed and 18 injured.
The most fatal shooting took place in Leland, where four people died, according to John Lee, the mayor of the small city in western Mississippi's Washington county. At least 16 were wounded in that incident, with four in critical condition airlifted to the state capital of Jackson and 12 others treated at local hospitals. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Hundreds protest in Tunisia's capital over worsening pollution crisis
Hundreds of Tunisians marched through the capital Tunis on Saturday to protest a severe environmental crisis, caused by pollution from a state chemical plant in Gabes, as protests that began there widen outside the southern city.
The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have underscored growing public frustration over the Government's handling of pollution and worsening state of public services, marking the biggest challenge to President Kais Saied since he seized all power in 2021. Residents of Gabes have reported rising rates of respiratory illnesses, osteoporosis and cancer, which they blame on toxic gases from the state chemical group's phosphate plants, which dump thousands of tonnes of waste into the sea daily.
The latest wave of protests in Gabes was triggered this month after dozens of schoolchildren suffered breathing difficulties caused by toxic fumes from a plant that converts phosphates into phosphoric acid and fertilisers.
Protesters in Tunis carried banners and chanted slogans in solidarity with residents of Gabes, calling the response of authorities "repression." The Government said it arrested people for violence.
"It's that simple, the people of Gabes want to breathe," Hani Faraj, a protester from the "Stop
Tunisians take to the streets as a pollution crisis chokes Gabes
Pollution" campaign, told Reuters. "Gabes is dying slowly... We will not remain silent. We will escalate our peaceful protests."
Saied's administration fears protests in the capital could spark unrest elsewhere in Tunisia, deepening pressure as it struggles with a prolonged economic downturn and political in-
stability. Environmental groups warn that tonnes of industrial waste are discharged daily into the sea at Chatt Essalam, severely damaging marine life. Local fishermen have reported a sharp decline in fish stocks over the past decade, threatening a vital source of income for many in the region.
(Reuters)
Around the World
3 killed in Russian strikes on Kyiv, officials say
Three people have been killed and at least 32 others injured in an overnight Russian air attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv, the city's mayor has said.
Two high-rise residential buildings were hit in the strikes, Vitali Klitschko said, adding in a Telegram post that six children were among the injured.
Meanwhile, Russian air defences destroyed two drones heading towards Moscow on Sunday, accord-
ing to the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin.
The latest Russian bombardment comes as Moscow has stepped up attacks on civilian targets and energy infrastructure ahead of winter, with Ukrainian authorities saying nearly 1,200 drones have been launched in the past week alone.
Officials in Kyiv said the three people were killed when a drone struck a nine-storey residential building in the Desnianskyi dis-
trict to the north-west of the city, with 24 others injured in the same attack. Damage was also reported to at least three other residential buildings in Kyiv. Seven people including two children are being treated in hospital, officials said. Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022, and it currently controls around a fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean Peninsula, which it annexed in 2014. (Excerpt from BBC News)
arrest mistakenly released asylum-seeker
More than 44 hours after he was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford, it was the grey trainers that gave Epping migrant Hadush Kebatu away.
He had ditched his prison-issue tracksuit for a checked hoodie, black puffer jacket and blue jeans, but detectives knew they had found their man when they spotted the shoes Kebatu had been wearing as he was ushered free from custody.
At 8:03 am, as the 41-year-
old fugitive loitered at a bus stop in Finsbury Park, a member of the public rang Police after driving past and recognising the face that had been splashed across newspapers and TV channels for two days.
Sixteen minutes later, Kebatu was spotted by officers who pursued him on foot. By 8:35am he was in handcuffs. Footage of Kebatu's eventual arrest shows the sex offender near a bench, where he was apprehended by four officers yards from a chil-
2 arrested over theft of jewels from Louvre Museum in Paris
Two suspects have been arrested over the theft of precious crown jewels from Paris's Louvre Museum, French media say.
The Paris prosecutor's office said one of the men had been taken into custody as he was preparing to take a flight from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Items worth €88m (£76m; $102m) were taken from the world's most-visited museum last Sunday, when four thieves wielding power tools broke into the building in broad daylight.
The Paris prosecutor's office said in a statement that the arrests had been made on Saturday evening, without specifying how many people had been taken into custody. One of the suspects was preparing to travel to Algeria, police sources have told French media, while it is understood the other was going to Mali. Specialist police can detain and question them for up to 96 hours.
According to reports in French media on Sunday,
Pakistan reports border clashes during talks with Afghanistan UK Police
FDNA found at the scene of the robbery led to the identification of one of the suspects. The gang left behind a number of items, including gloves and a high-vis jacket.
The thieves reportedly arrived at 09:30 (08:30 GMT), shortly after the museum opened to visitors. The suspects arrived with a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony close to the River Seine. (Excerpt from BBC News)
ive Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants have died in clashes near the border with Afghanistan, the military said on Sunday, as delegations from both countries met to try to defuse tensions after the deadliest fighting in years.
The militants tried to cross over from Afghanistan on Friday and Saturday in Kurram and North Waziristan districts, rugged areas along Pakistan's northwestern frontier, the Pakistani military's media wing said. It said the attempted infiltrations cast doubt on the intentions of the Government in Afghanistan in "regards to addressing the issue of ter-
dren's play area. There was no struggle and Kebatu was said to be "calm" as he was escorted out of the park. By 1:30pm he was back in the custody of the Prison Service. He can expect to be on a flight back to Ethiopia within days. On Sunday evening, Kebatu was being held in a London prison. Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, said he would be deported "as quickly as possible" and it is thought his deportation flight will be this week. (Source: The Telegraph)
rorism emanating from its soil".
In Afghanistan, the Taliban Government's chief spokesman and the Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported attacks.
The Taliban denies accusations of sheltering militants and says Pakistan's military operations violate Afghan sovereignty.
Officials from both countries are meeting in Istanbul to prevent a relapse into conflict after clashes between their armies earlier this month - the worst border fighting since the Taliban's 2021 takeover of Kabul.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Russian strikes on Kyiv this past week have injured dozens of people
If something sounds too good to be true, it's probably false. Hard work pays the bills and helps you gain respect. Trust your instincts and see things through to completion.
Be open to suggestions and learn all you can, but do only what's in your best interest. Focus on domestic issues, lowering your overhead and investing more time and money in personal growth and financial gain.
A shift is taking place. Allow your mind to wander, explore and learn, and embrace the freedom to grow. Ask questions and make distinctions, and you'll gain insight into what's valid and what's fake.
Pay attention to detail and do your best in everything you pursue. You will gain ground in ways that will enhance your reputation, life or position. Protect yourself from injury, illness and emotional manipulation.
Change or let go of whatever doesn't really matter or make sense to hold on to. Engage only in pastimes that address concerns or make your world a better place. Positive actions bring peace of mind.
Communication will determine your next move. Explore the possibilities of travel, relocation or acquiring a new skill. A commitment will stabilize your life.
Emotions are on the rise. Overdoing it or spending impulsively will leave you at a loss. Protect your physical well-being and your heart from manipulative people. Practice self-love.
Work your magic, interact, participate and paint a vivid, compelling picture. It's time to stand out rather than work behind the scenes. Be bold and expressive.
Refuse to let anyone dictate or complicate your life. Emotional meddling can interfere with how you do your job or earn your living. Don't hesitate to make a change if someone is taking advantage of you.
When opportunity knocks, open the door. Discuss possibilities and do your due diligence. What you discover will lead to interesting suggestions and the foresight to commit and make a difference.
Put more emphasis on making money and investing wisely. Enhance your skills, knowledge and experience, and navigate your way forward. Set your principles and stand by them.
Live, learn and excel. You have more going for you than you realize. Engage in talks, listen attentively and connect with people who have something to offer in return.
ARCHIE
Radha shines in washout between India and Bangladesh
Unseasonal rain washed out the final group stage match of the Women's World Cup, with India well-poised to complete a big win over Bangladesh.
With more rain forecast for the rest of the week in Mumbai, this match may have been a taste of things to come, especially for India's semi-final against Australia
ical staff. In Rawal's absence, Amanjot Kaur partnered Smriti Mandhana in the chase.
That India had such a modest target was largely on
The weather played more games than the cricketers after the start of play was delayed for two hours, which initially reduced the match to 43 overs a side. A further twohour stoppage 12.2 overs into Bangladesh's innings made it
on Thursday, but that could be the least of their concerns.
Opening batter Pratika Rawal suffered an injury to her knee and ankle while fielding and could not take her place at the top of the line-up in the chase. With a
account of their left-arm spinners, who shared five wickets between them. Radha Yadav, playing in her first match of the tournament, picked up 3 for 30 while Shree Charani iced the cake with 2 for 23. Only four Bangladesh batters got into double figures as they stumbled to 119 for 9 in Bangladesh were under pressure from the first ball when Renuka Singh produced an inswinging yorker that tested Sumaiya Akter's defence. She finished the over with a wide ball outside off that Sumaiya slashed at, only to find Charani at short third. Deepti Sharma opened the bowling from the other end, but had to wait until the 10th over to break through. She went
around the wicket to Rubya Haider and induced a leading edge, which was caught at mid-off.
There were 17 more balls bowled as the drizzle became a downpour and players were taken off the field at 5:50 pm (17:50h). Heavy rain followed and it looked increasingly unlikely the game could go ahead by 8:05 pm (20:05h), but the weather cleared leav-
the top. She was dismissed for a 21-ball 26 and featured in Bangladesh's highest partnership of 38. Shorna Akter was bowled by Amanjot before Nahida Akter swiped across the line and was bowled by Radha. Substitute fielder Arundhati Reddy sprinted in from deep midwicket when Sharmin slog-swept Charani, then flung herself forward as she
able. Marufa Akter found swing, and sometimes too much, but India established their chase when Amanjot short-arm pulled her with exquisite timing for the first boundary. Mandhana helped herself to a series of fours off Nishita Akter, using her feet well against the spin. After they had each faced 15 balls, Mandhana was on 23, and Amanjot just 7. They were
ing the players to deal with a wet ball.
Sharmin Akhter should have been run out when she thought a single was on even as Nigar Sultana sent her back from more than halfway down. Jemimah Rodrigues' throw was good, but Charani could not collect cleanly. Four overs later, Radha made no mistake. Sharmin hit the ball to her at point. Nigar, from the non-striker's end, ran and Radha's clean pick-up and throw found her short of her ground.
Bangladesh also struggled to find the boundary on resumption and it took 41 balls before they breached it with Sobhana Mostary taking advantage of a hint of width to cut Deepti for four. She stayed on the back foot to pull Radha through midwicket and inject some intent into the innings. Bangladesh were 73 for 3 after 20 overs and set up to go big.
Mostary took back-toback boundaries off Deepti at the start of the 21st over and then Sharmin joined in. She swung hard and sent the ball towards long-on, where Rawal ran to collect, but injured herself and had to be helped off the field.
Harleen Deol took a simple catch at mid-off when Mostary attempted to force the issue and hit Radha over
took the catch. Later in the over, Radha over-ran trying to field the ball and also seemed to tweak an ankle. It did not stop her bowling the penultimate over and picking up her third wicket as Rabeya Khan was bowled.
Bangladesh collapsed from 91 for 3 to 117 for 9, which meant their total could hardly be considered competitive, even with Rawal unavail-
both also dropped by Sultana, who could not hold on to difficult chances: Mandhana on 28 off Nahida, and Amanjot on 15 off Rabeya. The rain returned after that chance, and the Captains shook hands at 10:20 pm (22:20h). Bangladesh gained a point, which allowed them leapfrog Pakistan into seventh place, on net run-rate. (ESPNcricinfo)
Bangladesh Women (27 ovs maximum)
Sumaiya Akter c Shree Charani b Renuka Singh 2
Rubya Haider c Deol b Sharma 13
Sharmin Akhter c sub (A Reddy) b Shree Charani 36
Nigar Sultana (c)† run out (Yadav) 9
Sobhana Mostary c Deol b Yadav 26
Shorna Akter b AB Kaur
Khan, 25.2 ov), 9-117 (Ritu Moni, 26.5 ov)
(T:
Kaur
Extras (w 8) 8 Total 8.4 Ov (RR: 6.57) 57/0 Did not bat: Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Uma Chetry †, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh
Radha Yadav's direct hit removed Nigar Sultana after the rain break
There were multiple rain delays during the contest in Navi Mumbai
Marufa Akter walks off as the rain sets in
Smriti Mandhana made a brisk start
St John the Baptist, Leonora storm into Pee-Wee final
St John the Baptist Primary and Leonora Primary punched their tickets to the Courts
Optical Boys’ Under- 11 Pee-Wee final after a packed day of U11 football action at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue on Saturday.
In the first of the two semi-finals, St John the Baptist comfortably got past Redeemer Primary 2-0. Alex Pearson opened the scoring for the Region Seven-based outfit in the 17th minute while Aaron Christian flat shot into the corner of the goal in the 35th to make it a 2-0 affair.
In arguably the more entertaining of the two semi-finals, Leonora Primary needled West Ruimveldt Primary 1-0. Much of the
Heat & Trail Blazers win 1st games since arrests
Miami Heat claimed a crushing 146114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their first NBA game since guard Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged illegal sports betting.
Portland Trail Blazers Coach Chauncey Billups was also detained as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the allegations.
But the Heat were not distracted as they put up 86 first-half points to lead Memphis by 39 after two quarters, the biggest halftime advantage in the franchise's 37-year history.
Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 points and afterwards said Rozier had the team's full backing.
"We stand behind him. Full support," Adebayo said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother at the end of the day."
Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker
first game since the arrests, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Billups' absence and leading the team to a convincing 139-119 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter said. "We're thinking of him and his family, but we have a job to do."
NBA Commissioner “disturbed” by arrests
Speaking about the arrests for the first time, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the past few days.
"There's nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he told Amazon Prime. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."
Silver also said an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he played for the Charlotte Hornets
frankly, couldn't find anything.
"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the league office can't do.
"So, we've been working with them since then. And, of course, what they announced yesterday was an indictment.
"And two and a half years later, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in fairness to Terry.
"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a balance here between protecting people's rights and investigating."
Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic scored more than 40 points for the second game in a row to start the season.
After racking up 43 points in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the Slovenian put up 49 points – to go with 11 rebounds and eight assists – as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.
Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, 20 rebounds, and seven assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 win at the Toronto
Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 points, 11 rebounds, and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win against the Pelicans.
Meanwhile, Great Britain's Amari Williams made his NBA debut late on in the Boston Celtics' 105-95 loss to the New York Knicks.
The fourth edition of the ExxonMobilNew Era Futsal Championship was of ficially launched yes terday in the mining town of Linden.
The event, which will uti lise an initial group stage format, will feature 13 teams divided into four pools. The top two teams at the end of the group stage will advance to the knockout rounds. All matches will be staged at the Retrieve Tarmac.
encounter was a goalless affair, as both sides brought out all their tricks and shots to pierce the nets.
Eventually, it was Chrison Austin’s header in the 33rd minute that sealed the win for the West Demerara outfit.
Earlier in the day, Redeemer Primary were the first to make it into the semi-finals, on the account of an early Aaron Lall strike in the first minute against St Pius Primary.
Then, St John the Baptist’s battle with St Gabriel’s Primary had to be decided on penalty kicks when neither side could find the back of the net. St John the Baptist prevailed 3-0 on kicks from the penalty spot.
Another encounter was forced down to penalties
when Tucville Primary’s meeting with Leonora Primary ended 2-2. Roger Jason (10th) and Dominic Dickson (36th) scores for Tucville while Chrison Austin (28th) and Adrian Harry (38th) netted for Leonora. However, it was Leonora that came away with the win, 3-1 on penalty kicks.
The final quarter-final game of the day saw West Ruimveldt getting easy passage into the semi-finals, defeating Agatash Primary 2-0. Jassen Paris (8th) and Yanique Cadogan (15th) were the marksmen to watch.
The Courts Optical PeeWee final is set for the same venue on Saturday, November 1.
The competing teams are Fearless, Silver Bullets, Salah Family, Young Gunners, Hardball Management, Foundation Family, Bombers, YMCA, DC Ballers, YMCA B, Spaniards, HK, and Spaniards B.
The playing dates are November 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, and 29th.
The winner of the event will receive $1,500,000 and a championship trophy. The second-, third-, and fourth-place finishers will pocket $750,000, $350,000, and $200,000, respectively, and a trophy.
On the individual side, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) will ride away with a motorcycle. Similarly, a $300,000 economic grant will also be awarded to a player or fan to aid their continued academic development. Each team must submit their candidate.
Meanwhile, each team will receive an appear -
ExxonMobil Guyana Community Relations Supervisor Ryan Hoppie said that the event was about strategic community investment, noting that it also was important because it fostered cohesion and promoted healthy lifestyles.
According to Hoppie, the company is pleased to support an important event which affords players the avenue to highlight their respective talents.
He further challenged the teams to be disciplined, noting that the event was a social space that served as an alternative to illicit activities while also contributing to tourism in the region.
Upper Demerara Football Association President Wainwright Bethune commended the company for its continued investment and involvement in the region, noting that the entity’s annual partnership with the New Era ground illustrated that it was satisfied with the and strategies used to win games to aid in the development of their respective communities, noting that the players have tremendous influence on the behaviour of young people and should use this platform to improve the conditions of their communities.
Chrison Austin’s (9) header makes its way into the back of the net to book Leonora’s final spot
Slingerz FC crowned Elite League champions
…following anticlimactic final game
Slingerz Football Club kept their unbeaten record intact while the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC were unable to oust the Guyana Police Force (GPF) from their second-place spot when the seventh edition of the Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League concluded on Saturday night.
The heavily-touted seasonending clash between Slingerz and GDF attracted hundreds of fans to the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), but eventually bore no fruit, ending in a goalless
draw.
weeks ago, with two games in hand.
While both sides found it difficult to get past their opponents’ defences, there were a handful of thrilling moments where the strikers came close to finding the back of the net. However, in the case of Slingerz, goalkeeper Akel Clarke stepped up to the plate, pulling off several brilliant saves to keep GDF at bay.
Eventually, the 90 minutes expired without a winner, but it was of no consequence to the West Demerara-based club, who had already secured the league title
Meanwhile, the GPF FC rolled over Den Amstel FC in a 4-1 win to capture the second spot in the league.
While Akel Clarke was adjudged the League’s best goalkeeper, 17-year-old Malcolm Hendricks of Santos FC was announced as the best young player in the League.
Police’s Neron Barrow walked away with back-to-back highest goal-scorer awards while Slingerz FC midfielder Darron Niles was hailed as the League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) this season.
Bangladesh, WI hope for batting comforts in Chattogram T20Is
Bangladesh's high five?
Bangladesh have a chance to win their fifth bilateral T20 International (T20I) series on the trot this week.
They have had a decent time of it in the format since July this year, having defeated Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Netherlands. They fell well short at the Asia Cup before blanking Afghanistan 3-0. For the series against West Indies, they have kept the core of the squad in place, with a big-hitting line-up right down to the lower-middle order. They also have an effective spin attack and a settled fast bowling line-up. All of that has worked for them in the
recent past, and they have to make it work again.
West Indies at the other end of the spectrum
West Indies, meanwhile, have lost their last seven bilateral T20I series, dating back to October last year. This includes a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in December, but the one that might have hurt them the most was their last defeat: against Nepal.
(ODI) series defeat against Bangladesh in Dhaka last week.
Coach Daren Sammy is hoping for better things in Chattogram, saying that West Indies are taking a cue from Bangladesh, who lost the ODI series on their last West Indies tour, but won the T20I series.
Teams look for better batting conditions
Hassan is in great form, so there will be a choice between the left-hand batters Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon to partner him. Towhid Hridoy and Nurul Hasan have to lead the middle order, with Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain to provide the final thrust.
West Indies will look for firepower from Brandon King and Hope at the top, with the likes of Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste and Amir Jangoo fitting into the middle order. Powell has to push harder in the last six or seven overs, while Sherfane Rutherford will look to fix his batting form.
Will there be anything for the quicks?
West Indies will also hope for a bit of pace and bounce from the Chattogram pitches, so that the likes of Jayden Seales and Jason Holder have some say. Otherwise Hosein will take up new-ball duties, while Gudakesh Motie will look to get among the wickets after a poor ODI series. West Indies will also have an eye on Ramon Simmonds, es-
pecially after his impressive debut in Nepal. All dependent on the pitches, of course.
Bangladesh have almost all bases covered on that front. Offspinner Mahedi Hasan, like Hosein, opens the bowling, while Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed will provide middle-overs expertise with the ball. Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed will be rotated in the series, while Tanzim Hasan could be
used regularly in the death overs. Shoriful Islam could get a game or two, but only if there's movement on offer for him to exploit.
Pitch and conditions
Pitches in Chattogram have generally favoured batters, though the bounce has been on the lower side even in T20Is. There is some rain in the forecast over the coming week in Chattogram, which could affect proceedings. (ESPNcricinfo)
The horror run has already claimed Rovman Powell's captaincy – Akeal Hosein led the side in Shai Hope's absence against Nepal last month. Hope will hope for a better showing, although he did oversee a 2-1
After the difficult pitches in Dhaka, the two batting line-ups will hope for greener pastures (or flatter pitches at any rate) in Chattogram.
One-Day International
Litton Das returns for Bangladesh, slotting into the top order that now has a bit of competition. Saif
Darron Niles was named the tournament’s MVP
Neron Barrow ended as the tournament’s highest goalscorer
Malcolm Hendricks was the League’s best young player
Shai Hope and Litton Das pose with the T20I series trophy in front of the 128-year-old Central Railway Building
Batting was a struggle right through the ODI series in Dhaka
inister within the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Steven Jacobs takes a photo opportunity with the winner’s circle following the conclusion of the Kaieteur Attack Racing Club’s Fireworks 4, which was hosted on the Seawall Circuit on Sunday afternoon.
Guyanese champion cyclist Briton John (black and gold), after a tit-for-tat race, pipped his Trinidadian opponents on the last lap of 25 to capture the most coveted prize of the afternoon. (Jemima Holmes photos)
