Private sector backs Govt city enhancement & digitalisation plans
...says initiatives will create an investor-friendly environment
The local private sector has thrown its support behind the Guyana Government’s plans for the advancement of digitalisation in the country and the renewed enhancement of the capital city under Project Rescue Georgetown.
At a press conference earlier this week, President Dr Irfaan Ali outlined plans to push efficiency and modernisation in Guyana through the introduction of electronic identification cards (e-ID), online applications for passports and the renewed enhancement of Georgetown – initiatives that have been welcomed by the local private sector.
In a statement on Friday, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(GCCI) said that as a business support organisation, it has long advocated for the advancement of digitalisation in Guyana and is therefore pleased that e-IDs will be implemented by the end of this month.
This initiative, the Chamber noted, can also support transparency during electoral seasons, as it provides a platform for the identification of voters through biometrics and for the authentication of ID cards.
According to the GCCI, “The decentralisation of the passport application process and introduction of an online process will provide a time-saving and convenient procedure for citizens, while increasing accessibility of
services.”
Moreover, the Chamber also extends its support for the Government’s drive to enhance the capital city, which it said will, among other things, lend to a more investor-friendly environment as Guyana’s business landscape continues to evolve.
The GCCI says the initial plans for keen focus on sustainable urban development, heritage preservation, biodiversity, citizen engagement, upgraded drainage networks, architectural restoration, waste management and city upkeep are crucial factors in the creation of an attractive investment and tourism destination.
To this end, the Chamber said it readily supports the
efforts of the Government to improve the standard of living, access to services and quality of life for the people of Guyana.
Project Rescue Georgetown
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Private Sector Commission (PSC), which says that President Ali’s bold and visionary launch of Project Rescue Georgetown is a critical intervention to restore dignity to the capital city and position Georgetown as a modern, vibrant, and sustainable hub for business, culture, and national pride.
“As businesses, we know
that Georgetown is the first place most investors will see in Guyana, and we only have one chance to make a good first impression. That means putting every effort into ensuring our capital is clean, safe, and modern, sending the right message to investors and visitors alike,” the PSC stated in a separate missive on Friday.
According to the umbrella private sector body, Georgetown, once hailed as the Garden City of the Caribbean, has suffered from neglect and chronic mismanagement for decades. It noted that years of
partisan obstruction and administrative failures have left behind clogged drains, garbage-strewn streets, deteriorating roads, dilapidated markets, and neglected public spaces. These conditions, the Commission added, have not only undermined the quality of life for citizens but have also constrained investment, trade, and the ease of doing business. Against this backdrop, the PSC welcomed Project Rescue Georgetown as a timely and necessary response.
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BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, September 20 –03:30h–05:00h, and Sunday, September 21 – 04:00h–05:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, September 20 –15:50h–17:20h and Sunday, September 21 – 16:20h–17:50h.
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: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 15:32h reaching a maximum height of 2.54 metres.
Low Tide: 09:27h and 21:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.64 metres and 0.67 metres.
Pres Ali hails Elisabeth Harper as Guyana's " finest foreign service official ever"
...as trailblazer diplomat laid to rest
Showered with praises and admiration for her unwavering dedication to her nearly five-decade-long trailblazing career in the foreign service and her incomparable humility, Guyana, on Friday, bid farewell to one of the country’s most revered and finest diplomats, Ambassador Elisabeth Anne Harper.
Government officials, politicians, diplomats, colleagues, associates, friends, relatives and other loved ones all gathered on the lawns of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) to pay final respects to Ambassador Harper before she was laid to rest at Le Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown.
A career diplomat with almost five decades of service, Ambassador Harper died at the age of 67 on Saturday, after a period of illness. At the time of her death, she was serving as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Guyana’s national interest with unmatched effectiveness.
“Liz was a quiet architect who built the foundation upon which our public di-
Cooperation.
Reflecting on her service to the country, President Dr Irfaan Ali, in his tribute at the service, described Ambassador Harper as an outstanding all-around diplomat who has left behind an unmatched legacy, especially in the foreign service.
“Guyana has lost its finest foreign service official ever. And I've lost a friend and someone whom I've had the highest respect and regard for,” the Head of State posited.
He noted that Ambassador Harper was an all-rounder, having worked in almost every department at the Foreign Affairs Ministry during her long, illustrious and distinguished career there.
Diplomatic instinct
According to the President, she possessed technical excellence and a competence that could not be questioned, especially on issues like those relating to Guyana’s sovereignty. He noted that these qualities did not just define her approach to diplomacy but allowed her to earn the respect of colleagues and foreign emissaries alike and to advance
plomacy stood tall… Liz was the hidden face of our public diplomacy. She was always in the engine room of our foreign relations, ensuring that the machinery ran smoothly and with preci-
ence and her deep understanding of the people she dealt with, she knew when to press an issue and when to bide her time for the right opportuni-
“Liz had what can only be called a diplomatic instinct. Based on her years of experi-
sion…”
ty. She read rooms, she read people, and she read moments with accuracy.
Ambassador Elisabeth Anne Harper was laid to rest on Friday
President Dr Irfaan Ali paying final tributes to Ambassador Elisabeth Harper
Husband of Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Mark Harper, reflecting on time spent together
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707
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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Guyana’s influenza vaccine programme & new era in public health
The launch of Guyana’s first National Influenza Vaccine Programme signifies a historic and transformative moment in the nation’s healthcare journey. The initiative, introduced at the Eccles Health Centre, positions Guyana alongside countries that have made sustained investments in preventive medicine, and it reflects a decisive move towards strengthening health security, protecting vulnerable groups, and reducing the heavy toll of influenza.
For decades, influenza has been recognised as one of the most persistent and unpredictable threats to global health. The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately one billion people contract the virus annually, with millions facing severe illness and as many as 650,000 succumbing to related complications. This burden extends beyond mortality; influenza routinely disrupts productivity, strains health services, and weakens vulnerable populations. Against this backdrop, Guyana’s adoption of a national vaccination programme is more than a medical milestone; it is a strategic investment in safeguarding lives and strengthening resilience.
The decision to prioritise annual vaccination, beginning with 15,000 doses, signals recognition that prevention is both the most cost-effective and humane strategy in combating infectious disease. Administering vaccines to priority groups such as pregnant women, children, the elderly, and healthcare workers ensures that the programme immediately targets those at greatest risk of severe illness. This reduces mortality while also diminishing the likelihood of overwhelming the healthcare system during flu season.
Beyond its direct protective benefits, the vaccine rollout strengthens Guyana’s integration into global disease surveillance networks. The Ministry of Health’s participation in the WHO’s FluNet reporting system and its contribution of viral samples to the global vaccine development process represent a leap forward for scientific collaboration. By ensuring that Guyana’s unique viral strains inform international vaccine formulation, the country is not only protecting its own population but also contributing to global public health knowledge. This reciprocal approach, where local action supports global progress and global research benefits local populations, underscores the interconnected nature of disease prevention.
The launch of this programme also reflects progress in health equity. Vaccines are medical interventions as well as instruments of social protection. By making the influenza vaccine accessible to those who would otherwise be most exposed to the virus’s complications, the initiative addresses disparities in healthcare outcomes. It ensures that protection is not reserved for the privileged few but extended to every citizen in need, especially the most vulnerable.
Critically, the programme’s rollout has been accompanied by reassurances about vaccine safety and transparency regarding potential side effects. Such communication is vital in building public trust and ensuring strong uptake. Mild effects such as temporary soreness or slight fever pale in comparison to the severe risks associated with contracting influenza. By framing vaccination as both safe and necessary, the Ministry of Health is laying the groundwork for a culture of prevention in which vaccines become a normalised and expected aspect of annual healthcare.
A healthier population means a stronger workforce, fewer school disruptions, and reduced economic losses tied to seasonal illness. In a country committed to broad-based development, the cumulative impact of fewer hospitalisations, reduced absenteeism, and preserved productivity cannot be understated. In this sense, the influenza vaccine is not only a tool for health but also an investment in national stability and growth.
The image of Registered Nurse and Midwife Tenisha Hope receiving the first vaccine dose serves as a reminder that progress begins with individuals willing to lead by example. It illustrates the unity of purpose that underpins this national health strategy: Government officials, healthcare professionals, and international partners working together to protect the people of Guyana.
The role of the Pan American Health Organisation and the World Health Organisation in supporting this initiative must also be acknowledged. Their recognition of influenza as a highly contagious but preventable disease and their commitment to working alongside Guyana ensure that this programme benefits from both technical expertise and sustained global support. Such partnerships are essential for small and developing nations navigating the complex challenges of modern healthcare.
Ultimately, the National Influenza Vaccine Programme stands as more than a health initiative; it is a declaration of intent. It signals that Guyana is not content to react to outbreaks after they occur but rather instead committed to anticipating threats and neutralising them through structured, proactive measures. In doing so, Guyana not only protects its citizens but also sets a model for how smaller states can align with best practices to strengthen national and global health security.
Vaccination is a shared responsibility, where the protection of each individual contributes to the safety of the wider community. The collective adoption of this preventive measure ensures that families remain healthier, hospitals remain less burdened, and the nation as a whole becomes stronger.
With continued commitment, the National Influenza Vaccine Programme will stand as one of the defining achievements in the country’s quest to safeguard the health of its people.
Africa’s future runs on water. So treat it as essential infrastructure.
By Sareen Malik
Crises in Africa rarely begin with politics alone. They often start with water – too little, too dirty, or unfairly shared. Droughts push pastoralists off their land, floods wash away markets and schools, and in both cases, families are left more vulnerable to displacement, hunger and conflict. The Sahel has seen farmers and herders clash as rainfall patterns shift; in Southern Africa, dry taps in cities have fuelled unrest and forced rationing. Each example underscores a simple truth: when water fails, economies and social contracts fail, too.
This fragility is structural. Nearly 95 per cent of Africa’s agricultural land is still rain-fed, leaving harvests at the mercy of climate swings. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that water security is under mounting pressure from multiple directions. Adaptation will be impossible unless water is placed at the heart of planning, shaping what is built, how it is financed, and who makes the decisions. I have seen firsthand how communities become more resilient when water is stored, stewarded and shared fairly.
Yet despite this urgency, sub-Saharan Africa remains home to nearly half of the people worldwide who still lack at least basic drinking water services. That single fact ought to reorder our priorities. Water is not only a human right; it is the foundational infrastructure of de-
velopment, influencing what is grown on the farm, what is made in the factory and what is taught in the classroom.
When fields dry out or taps run dry, it is families, especially women and girls, who absorb the shock. They do so not in abstract numbers, but in hours walked, classes missed and opportunities lost.
UNICEF estimates women and girls spend around 200 million hours every day collecting water, time that could be spent learning, earning or leading. The inequity extends well beyond water collection. Sanitation progress is limited: no country in Africa is on track to achieve universal access to safely managed sanitation by 2030; only three are on track for universal basic sanitation.
Pipes alone do not bring dignity; people do. Efficient, sustainable and enduring services come when communities help set priorities, when fees are clear, and when users have a real voice. Policy must reflect daily reality. That means standards that fit local water conditions, budgets set aside for long-term upkeep, and information that communities can access and trust.
Some models work. Global analyses suggest that every US$1 invested in water and sanitation returns roughly US$4 in social and economic benefits – through time saved, better health and higher productivity. Innovation works best when it is rooted in context. Simple tools such as smallscale filtration, leak detec-
tion, solar pumping and water reuse can scale quickly when paired with training and local enterprises. Funding partners, philanthropies and prizes can also help proven solutions to scale.
One such platform is the Zayed Sustainability Prize, which recognises practical, scalable solutions while placing people at the centre. As a newly appointed member of its water category selection committee, I have seen how the prize elevates solutions that are both innovative and inclusive. In 2025, it honoured the SkyJuice Foundation for a simple, power-free filtration system (gravity-fed ultrafiltration) that brings safe drinking water to remote and underserved communities often excluded from conventional infrastructure. And in 2023, the prize recognised Eau et Vie (Better with Water) for bringing household taps to underserved urban neighbourhoods and lowering bills for low-income residents.
These examples show that inclusive progress is possible – but only if decision-makers match words with action. So, what should they do now?
Put service, not symbolism, at the centre. Treat a rural hand pump breakdown with the same urgency as an urban pipe burst. Make every budget line traceable, every contract transparent, and every community able to see what was promised and delivered. Finance should be tied not only to infrastructure built but also to hours saved for girls, diseases averted in clinics and crops
secured in the field. Civil society and local governments need a stronger seat at the table. Public forums should be convened in which utilities, users and regulators face the same scorecard, and those results should guide investments. Procurement rules should reward technologies that can be repaired locally, by local technicians, with parts sourced within the country. In agriculture, shift from betting only on mega-dams to backing soil-moisture management, rainwater harvesting and small-scale irrigation that reach families faster.
When governments send these signals – backed by predictable finance and political will – companies can follow with co-funding for watershed protection, and citizens will trust that their voices count. The test of every project should be simple: does it free up girls’ time, keep children healthy and build jobs where people live? Make water governance and infrastructure the plan, not a footnote. This means storage in the right places, pipes that do not leak, treatment that keeps running, and operators who are trained and paid. When the system works, health improves and local communities thrive. When you put this infrastructure first, dignity and prosperity will follow. (Al Jazeera) Sareen Malik leads the African Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation (ANEW), an umbrella organisation of water and sanitation NGOs spanning over 50 countries across Africa.
The Tasinpansa Festival was held along Main St as part of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s ongoing activities for Amerindian Heritage Month. The festival featured Amerindian exhibits and cultural presentations and brought together a multitude of visitors that also included Prime Minister
Mark Phillips and Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah Browne, among other Government officials. Tasinpansa means “We are happy” in Machushi
Small media cabal bitter over PPP/C’s successive victories
Dear Editor,
I read with interest the letter published on September 18 under the headline “Issues raised by Reporters Without Borders are valid and cumulatively constitute a threat to the press’s ability to hold power accountable without fear”.
While the concerns ex-
pressed try to cast Guyana’s Government in a negative light, they do not reflect the reality that under the PPP/C, press freedom has been stronger, more open, and more secure than at any other point in our history.
The PPP/C has always been the most progressive
Government when it comes to protecting the right of the press. President Irfaan Ali and his Ministers remain the most approachable leadership team this country has known. They host weekly engagements, attend community forums, and respond to questions from a wide range of media houses.
Unlike in previous years, no journalist is barred from asking tough questions, and no media house is stopped from carrying stories that criticise the Administration. It is clear that the loudest complaints are coming from a small, self-interested group that remains bitter about the PPP/C’s succes-
sive electoral victories.
After running campaigns built on lies and deception and failing to convince the Guyanese people, they are now attempting to use the banner of press freedom as a tool to keep themselves relevant as an opposition voice.
In doing so, they delib-
erately ignore the progress that has been made in ensuring openness and access. True press freedom is not freedom from accountability. It must also come with responsibility and honesty.
Yours sincerely, Alvin Hamilton
The abuse of press freedom in Guyana today
Dear Editor,
Recently, much has been made about press freedom and freedom of expression in Guyana. Ironically, most of the claims are made by those who are most active in the press, on TV and on social media.
The international community ought to take note of these developments because without careful scrutiny of the media space, one could end up making elementary errors, as evidenced in the claims by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
This RSF has not done its homework and, like other neo-colonial apparatuses in the form of protecting democracy, takes the word of the opposition without doing any investigative journalism. How ironic is that?
For instance, it states that “because members of the media regulatory authority are directly appointed by the president, the independence of certain media outlets, whose licences can be revoked, is hampered.”
Can RSF provide even the most rudimentary evidence of compromised independence? Is RSF aware that the Guyana Press Association is actually the most powerful media organisation in Guyana and that it is dom-
inated by journalists and personalities openly hostile to the PPP/C Government?
One must wonder if RSF et al. actually read the newspapers in Guyana. The letter sections of the two most widely read papers are platforms for anti-PPPC operatives. They get published 10-1 compared to those who write in favour of the current Administration.
Pro-Administration writers who are well informed and highly qualified are routinely pushed aside. Whenever they get a piece published, those articles are cut to protect core opposition interests.
Anyone who is a critic of the PPP/C gets published in the top two broadsheets. And what makes it worse is that many of these writers promote division, cultivate antagonism, and even call for “uprisings”.
Take Tacuma Ogunseye, for instance, who penned a lengthy (1168 words) Letter to the Editor in which he condemned the PNC-APNU for NOT engaging in street uprisings as an election strategy (KN 10/17/2025). In most countries, such a piece will never, I repeat, never be published.
I want the international community to read the
following sentences by Tacuma Ogunseye.
The APNU loss “… reflected frustration with the opposition’s failure to practice resistance politics, especially the APNU…”
“Of equal importance was the failure of the African collective to turn the (2023) Local Government Elections into an African and Guyanese uprising to achieve its political objectives.”
“[A] political uprising would have prevented the Government from reshaping the composition of the local bodies.”
“Since our community was not “battle-ready”, we needed a major pre-elec-
tion struggle to energise the base and to allow the young generation voters to experience our collective strength.”
I ask if the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, Globe & Mail, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Le Monde, Het Laatste Nieuws, Le Soir, or NRC Handelsblad would (dare) publish anything of the sort quoted above? Even the tabloids in North America and Western Europe would not publish materials that advocate incitement to “uprisings” – which in the case of Guyana has always involved burning, looting, and killing.
Mr Ogunseye, in his own words, wanted the PNC-APNU to engage in street uprisings to advance African interests. He wanted this to be done since 2023, and then the months leading up to the September 1, 2025 GRE.
Ogunseye also chastised Azruddin Mohamed’s WIN party for missing “…the opportunity to rally supporters in the streets to back their claims of either winning the election or being cheated.” Now that the APNU has been condemned at the polls, the ethnic nationalists want WIN to do the unsavoury work of street uprisings, street violence, and all that comes
with these campaigns of destabilisation.
I want the international community to note how brazenly Mr Ogunseye is pushing the inflammatory rhetoric of election malpractices. RSF has important work to do. It should take the time to do proper investigative journalism rather than rely on the likes of the GPA for information. If they do their work properly, they will find that the opendoor media environment in Guyana is actually being abused by those who want neither development nor democracy.
Yours sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud
Sign Off
Movie - Superman (2025)
Page Foundation
What is an Arc?
An arc is simply part of the circumference of a circle.
• Major arc: the larger part of the circle.
• Minor arc: the smaller part.
The arc can be measured using two different way. They are:
• Angle of the arc
• The length of the arc
Arc Length Formula
The arc is a part of the circle’s circumference. Therefore to find the length of it, you will calculate the fraction of the circle x the circumference:
Arc length =
Where the symbol θ represents the angle at the centre, and π=3.14.
Example 1
Radius r=6 cm, angle θ = 120o
Arc length =
Arc length = 12.6cm
Example 2
Radius r=21 cm, angle θ=150o.
Arc length =
Practice
Try these:
1. A circle has radius 10cm. Find the arc length if the angle at the centre is 90o.
2. A circle has radius 14cm. Find the arc length if the angle is 60o.
3. A wheel has radius 28cm. How long is the arc cut by an angle of 135o?
By KimBerly Blaeser
We all have the same little bones in our foot twenty-six with funny names like navicular. Together they build something strong— our foot arch a pyramid holding us up. The bones don’t get casts when they break. We tape them—one phalange to its neighbor for support. (Other things like sorrow work that way, too— find healing in the leaning, the closeness.)
Our feet have one quarter of all the bones in our body. Maybe we should give more honor to feet and to all those tiny but blessed cogs in the world— communities, the forgotten architecture of friendship. [Source: Poetry (March 2021)]
You were on your way to a very important event when you fell into a puddle. Now what?
2020 elections fraud trial Myers refused to answer questions about involvement in Reg 4 tabulation data
...as Police interview video shows former IT manager speaking of instructions received from DCEO
Former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers chose to remain silent and refused to answer any questions put before her when the Police interviewed her back in 2020 about the extent of her involvement in the tabulation of the Region Four votes for the 2020 General and Regional Elections (GRE), where the voting results were tampered with.
This is according to a recording played to the court on Friday, after proceedings in the trial of alleged electoral fraud had continued on Thursday morning before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate Court.
The video of Myers’s interrogation was played as part of the testimony of Police Corporal Sheldon Harvey, a crime scene examiner and videographer, who recorded the video of the Police questioning of Myers on October 7, 2020.
In the video, Myers can be seen being asked various questions about her functions as the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), as well as her actions between March 4 and 12, 2020, following the March 2 elections.
“I exercise my right to remain silent,” was Myers’s only response to the questions being asked.
Myers can be seen being interrogated by Head of Major Crimes Unit Senior Superintendent Mitchell Caesar and another officer. Myers could be seen being questioned in the presence of her attorney, Nigel Hughes.
Myers was particularly asked about directions and instructions she gave to GECOM staff and others, as well as to what extent she
was involved in the handling of the elections data. She was also asked about the Statements of Poll (SoPs) from which the election results from the various polling stations were being used to tabulate the overall results for the region. Through it all Myers refused to answer the questions.
IT manager interview
However, during Myers’ interrogation, the Police also brought in Anneal Giddings, who at the time served as GECOM Information Technology (IT) Manager.
In the recording, Giddings spoke about his interactions with and instructions he received from Myers on March 4–5, 2020.
Giddings recalled being requested by Myers that he hand over a flash drive with the tabulation data for Region Four.
“She instructed that the flash drive be delivered to her, and I complied, bearing in mind that would be my only copy of the backup,” Giddings is heard saying.
Giddings also recalled that following a bomb scare threat at the Ashmin’s Building where the Region Four tabulation was being done, he made attempts to safeguard election materials, including SoPs and a server which he removed from the facility. This is notwithstanding Myers instructing him to leave the server in the building.
“Mrs Myers entered the tabulation centre and instructed that I do not remove it [the server]. I disobeyed that instruction and placed the server in my car. Half an hour later, she instructed me to return the server to the building. However, [Myers] said since the server was taken out of the building, they would have to ter-
minate the tabulation exercise because the data could have been compromised,” Giddings recounted.
The court was also scheduled to hear recordings of Police interrogations conducted with former GECOM Region Four Returning Officer Claremont Mingo and former GECOM staff member Sheffern February; however, these were objected to by Hughes on the grounds that the suspects were interrogated without the presence of their lawyers despite requesting such. The admissibility of these recordings will be determined following a voir dire hearing.
Myers, Mingo and February are among nine individuals currently facing 19 charges of conspiracy to commit electoral fraud for the events that occurred following the March 2, 2020, GRE.
Other persons charged include former GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield; former
employees Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller and Denise Babb-Cummings; former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Minister, Volda Lawrence; and APNU+AFC Scrutineer,
Carol Smith-Joseph. They are accused of tampering with the March 2 election results for Region Four in an attempt to inflate the votes for the APNU+AFC party and decrease the votes for the People’s Progressive
Party/Civic (PPP/C), which had actually won the elections. With no other witnesses for the day aside from Cpl Harvey, the case was adjourned and will continue on Monday at 09:30h.
GECOM
From left – Volda Lawrence, Keith Lowenfield, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller
From left – Enrique Livan, Sheffern February, Clairmont Mingo, and Carol Smith-Joseph [Some of the individuals facing charges in relation to electoral fraud]
Warring Lodge couple slapped with multiple charges, granted bail
ALodge Housing Scheme Georgetown couple appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, where they were both charged with assault, unlawful wounding, threatening behaviour, and the use of threatening language, which were committed against each other during a dispute.
The defendants, Michael Alleyen and his wife, Shonetta Alleyen, stood before Magistrate Annette Singh, and both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the charges, Michael Alleyen is accused of unlawfully assaulting and wounding his wife, Shonetta, on September 10 at Lot 208 Lodge Housing Scheme. He also faces charges of displaying threatening behaviour and using threatening language towards
her on the same date and at the same location.
Shonetta, meanwhile, was charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Michael Allen on September 10, in addition to displaying threatening behaviour towards him.
Michael Allen was represented by attorney Everton Singh-Lammy, who told the court that his client is married to Shonetta and that the couple have children together. Singh-Lammy further noted that Michael works as a secretary and has no prior convictions or antecedents. “Not even a traffic ticket,” the attorney said, emphasising his client’s good character.
He assured the Magistrate that Michael is not a flight risk and declared his confidence that the accused is innocent.
“I am sure he is not guilty of any offence, and this
will be brought out at trial,” Singh-Lammy argued, while also contending that a proper investigation had not been conducted to determine what actually occurred between the parties. He therefore asked the court to grant reasonable bail for his client.
When given the opportunity to speak, Shonetta told the court that she wished to proceed with the matter against Michael. She also disclosed her desire to end the marriage, stating, “I want to have a divorce. This has been going on for too long.” She claimed that on the day of the incident, she was in her room when Michael charged after her.
The prosecutor objected to bail for both defendants, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the fact that threats were reportedly made by each party.
However, when asked
directly, Shonetta told the Magistrate that she did not believe Michael would harm her if he were released on bail. He also said that if she were released on bail, she would not harm him.
The woman also stated that she has moved out of their marital home and would only need to return to get her belongings. She also claimed that her two children, ages two and six, were left with her husband after the incident, and she would like to be able to see her children.
In addressing the situation, Magistrate Singh ruled that a third party must be established to supervise any visitation arrangements concerning the couple’s children. The Magistrate also instructed that police officers accompany Shonetta to the marital home so she could safely collect her belongings.
Bail was granted to both parties, with Shonetta being released on $40,000 bail for unlawfully and maliciously wounding and $10,000 for threatening behaviour.
Michael was granted $40,000 for causing bodily harm, $20,000 for threatening language, $20,000 for threatening behaviour, and $20,000 for assault.
When Shonette was asked who would post her bail, Michael told the court that he would pay the money on her behalf. He, however, was ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from her.
The matter has been adjourned until October 10.
Living…
…in the past
Your Eyewitness was hoping he could move past the elections, now that the four parties surviving the maelstrom of the peoples’ choice – including the PNC/ APNU that was chewed up and spat out!! – have named who they’ll be sending to Parliament. Sadly there are some who are so stuck in their humiliation of being thrashed so badly, it appears they’ll keep on washing their mouths on the elections’ probity for the next five years – at least!!
Take this Black Pudding fella from the WPA – a living fossil if there ever was one! He bitterly kvetched over a virtual press conference – virtual because he works and lives in the US!! – that the elections were “far below what is universally considered to be credible elections”!! Imagine that – “universally” – which means “everywhere or in every case; without exception” elections are more credible than ours!! But your Eyewitness thinks he protested too much –and in doing so tipped his hand.
He claimed the elections were marred by “widespread fear and political intimidation”!! Did he observe this from his perch in Arizona?? Maybe it was a mirage – which is a feature in his desert locale!! Which one of the several international observers said that? Isn’t it a fact they instead found that the voting was very orderly?? Didn’t even the very critical Carter Center report say, “Voting proceeded smoothly, with minimal technical issues in the stations observed, providing an important pillar supporting election integrity”??
There were also the old chestnuts of “bloated list” and “lack of biometrics”, which could lead to “voters’ impersonation”, thrown into the mix. Never mind that countries like Barbados have these same conditions but are mature enough to not cry “the sky is falling” since overseas registered citizens can’t be removed from their lists either!! Our Courts said that!! Maybe now that he’s in Parliament he can convince his parliamentary leader, Chicken Man, to give the PPP their nine-seat support for a two-thirds majority to change the constitution – and allow disenfranchisement of overseas citizens??
But what the Black Pudding Man revealed was why the PNC lost their mojo this election – and were pipped by the three-month-old Sanction Man-led party that then became a “giant killer”!! Black Pudding Man was WPA’s Presidential candidate for the geriatrics – minus one! Imagine fielding “co-leaders David Hinds, Tacuma Ogunseye and Rohit Kanhai; Elders: Rupert Roopnaraine, Clive Thomas, and Maurice Odle; Chairman: Deon Abrams; Organising Secretary: Kidackie Amsterdam; Administrative Secretary: Desmond Trotman; Overseas/Diaspora Secretary: Keith Branch; Economic Policy Secretary: Dennis Canterbury.! Can you imagine this bunch connecting to Scrapes like Doggie and Fatta?? They are yesteryear's news in a world breaking barriers into the future. Black Pudding Man and his comrades were the major reasons for the PNC’s demise!! RIP.
…with cocaine
Columbia’s found itself in Trump’s crosshairs. Being the source of 70% of the world’s supply of cocaine – much of it ending up in the US of A – that shouldn’t be surprising in the present War on Drugs!! However, for decades – when the cocaine trade was under the control of Pablo Escobar – Colombia was also a firm ally of the USA, which ended up with SEVEN military bases there!! Things went sour in 2022 when the present left-leaning, ex-guerrilla President Gustavo Petro took over.
Production has jumped 50% since then – and Trump not surprisingly feels Petro’s dragging his feet – even though his country’s the largest recipient of US aid in Latin America!! Petro rejects using the herbicide glyphosate to kill cocoa plants – cause it messes up the environment – and counters that the US gotta do more to cut demand for cocaine! So Trump just decertified Columbia on cocoa production –which will cause it to lose billions, esp. in military aid! Maybe we gotta re-look at our military training program with Columbia??
…in the future
Your Eyewitness had mentioned Albania’s President appointing the world’s first AI Minister – to deal with procurement. However, the virtual nominee Ms Diella’s intro to parliament ended in chaos when the Opposition refused to stop banging their desks!! Luddites!!
Shonette Alleyne and Michael Alleyne
€1.2M EU-funded project to boost Guyana’s climate finance, reforestation efforts
Backed by €1.2 million from the European Union (EU), Guyana is set to roll out a landmark three-year project in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), to expand reforestation, strengthen climate finance, and advance its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. Set to start in October 2025 and conclude in September 2028, the project will empower stakeholders to mobilise climate finance and utilise innovative financing tools. These efforts aim to expand reforestation and restoration projects, generate carbon credits, and position Guyana as a leader in climate action and sustainable development.
The project also aims to increase access to climate finance for Guyana, advancing sustainable development and climate resilience through CO2 removals and payment for ecosystem services (PES) projects. Interventions will enhance ecosystem resilience, promote sustainable land management through reforestation and restoration initiatives, and increase knowledge and awareness of climate finance instruments identified for Guyana. These will support sustainable development under the LCDS 2030 and potentially the Global Biodiversity Alliance.
This initiative seeks to address challenges with slow reforestation and restoration, which have been caused by interconnected barriers that include limited funding, low understanding of climate finance mechanisms, the absence of a comprehensive restoration plan, and the need for tested nested project approaches to enable scalability and attract private sector support.
Speaking at the launch of the project on Friday morning, Commissioner of the GFC Edward Goberdhan outlined key components of
the €1.2 million EU-funded initiative. “This project will add to the legal and sustainable management of our forests and we are happy that this can lend support. We want to thank GGGI for being a great partner in the sustainability of Guyana. This project falls directly under the Government’s vision of the Low Carbon Development Strategy and many of you would have seen that some of these areas have already started through Government plans like land restoration and through the support of other agencies.”
He added that this project will expand on the work already being done, and financing has been secured for some of these programmes. Meanwhile, the Ambassador of the EU to Guyana, René Van Nes, explained that the project’s delayed start was due to several factors. “We were talking about this project for as long as I have been in the country. Why did it take so long? Because we wanted to do it well. We had to sort out how we could implement it in the best possible way, and GGGI did not just return to their offices but rather used their time to build this process and build a relationship with the Government.”
Meanwhile, he lent his perspective towards the importance of environmental initiatives like these being backed monetarily.
“Conservation without money is just conversation – you cannot work in this area without financing. Making sure that financing is in place is really important. We pledged to provide €30 billion, and we are on track to deliver that between 2021 and 2027. Within this framework, you can see the support we have provided to Guyana.” In an interview with the Guyana Times, GGGI’s Regional Director, Ferruccio Santetti, outlined the organisation’s overall mandate and high-
lighted how its work will support Guyana’s green development.
“GGGI has a strong focus on finance mobilisation in this industry – if we can call it that – of international cooperation. There is always a lot of focus on plans, strategies, and policies, but GGGI really distinguishes itself through its emphasis on mobilising finance. We not only develop plans and design projects but also ensure that financing reaches the projects and, importantly, arrives at the country level.”
He highlighted that GGGI specialises in the design and structuring of innovative financial in-
struments. To date, the organisation has supported its member states to mobilise over US$15 billion towards long-term sustainability priorities.
“We currently manage a portfolio of over 60 projects across the region, many of which are in Guyana. Guyana is one of GGGI’s fastest-growing country programmes. We have a team of 15 people here and an annual budget that has been growing exponentially in recent years. My colleagues from the country team can provide more information about the structure and size of the country portfolio,’ he added.
Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Edward Goberdhan
GGGI’s Regional Director, Ferruccio Santetti
Education Ministry condemns bullying, probes student-on-student attacks at Secondary Schools
The Education Ministry has condemned two recent incidents of bullying that occurred among secondary school students in Regions Two and Four, and has moved to launch investigations into the matter.
The first case involved students from Charity Secondary School and 8th of May Secondary School in Region Two, while the second took place at the New Campbellville Secondary School in Georgetown.
Although details surrounding both incidents are still emerging, the Ministry has confirmed that enquiries have already been initiated to establish the facts before deciding on any disciplinary action.
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry stressed that bullying in any form will not be tolerated within the education system, noting that schools must remain safe
spaces where learners feel respected and supported.
“The Ministry condemns all forms of bullying and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that every learner has access to a safe, respect-
ful, and supportive school environment,” the statement read.
Education officials have since dispatched teams to the schools involved to gather information, interview
witnesses, and speak with affected students and teachers. The Ministry said the outcome of these investigations will determine the nature of disciplinary measures to be applied.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to remain vigilant and to report any acts of intimidation or violence. “Bullying has no place in our education system. Together, as schools, families, and communities, we must foster environments where every child feels safe, valued, and able to learn,” the Ministry added.
Just last year, the
Ministry introduced new guidelines under its Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum aimed at promoting positive student relationships and conflict resolution. Teachers were also provided with training to identify and intervene in cases of bullying.
However, despite these efforts, student-on-student aggression continues to be reported, with some cases escalating into fights that are filmed and shared on social media. Child rights advocates have warned that these incidents not only impact victims’ mental health and academic performance
but also normalise a culture of violence among youth if left unchecked.
The Ministry has signalled that in addition to disciplinary measures, the ongoing probes will also assess whether additional support – such as counselling services, peer mediation, and stronger community engagement – should be introduced at the affected schools.
Meanwhile, the Ministry is appealing for a collaborative effort between educators, parents, and law enforcement where necessary, to stamp out bullying at all levels of the education system.
Private sector backs Government...
It went on to note that the intended focus on improving waste management, rehabilitating canals and drainage systems, upgrading markets, modernising infrastructure, and restoring parks, boulevards, and heritage landmarks will significantly enhance the city’s functionality and attractiveness.
Specifically supporting the organisation of vending zones and improved urban order to create a safer and more efficient environment for commerce, the Commission also stressed the importance of a clean, orderly, and well-managed capital for private sector growth, investor confidence, tourism development, and the creation of sustainable jobs.
“These efforts will directly benefit the business community by strengthening confidence, boosting competitiveness, and cre-
ating jobs. Simple but powerful changes, like taking out the trash, creating safer work environments, and giving our people a beautiful city to live in, will lift morale, sharpen focus, and increase productivity,” the PSC stressed.
Collective responsibility
The private sector body further outlined that this “Rescue Georgetown” by President Ali builds on his Government’s consistent commitment to national transformation that has already seen new roads, bridges, housing, hospitals, schools, and modern public infrastructure being developed across Guyana. It added that extending this transformation to the capital ensures that Georgetown can truly match the pace of national growth and development.
On this note, the PSC calls on every citizen, busi-
ness and stakeholder to lend full support to this initiative. It underscored that “reclaiming Georgetown’s past glory requires collective responsibility and working together to create a capital city that reflects the aspirations of a modern Guyana. The Private Sector Commission pledges its partnership in this endeavour and stands ready to collaborate with the Government and all stakeholders to ensure the success of Project Rescue Georgetown.”
At a press conference on Tuesday, President Ali outlined plans to transform Georgetown into a sustainable, modern capital while preserving its unique heritage and identity. The plan includes flagship projects such as the Stabroek Waterfront Development, recreational spaces and heritage restoration, urban green enhancement, and sustainable growth clusters.
11 WBD, Georgetown families receive core homes
Eleven families from Georgetown and West Bank Demerara (WBD) are now proud homeowners after receiving keys to brandnew core homes under the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP). The beneficiaries—five from Sophia, Georgetown, and six from Parfaite Harmonie, Region Three— were handed their keys during a ceremony led by Minister of Housing Collin Croal, Minister within the
Ministry Vanessa Benn and Permanent Secretary (PS) Bishram Kuppen.
Among them was Nadia Hale of Cummings Park, Sophia, who for 26 years, built and rebuilt 11 small homes from scrap material on the same plot of land, determined to provide shelter for her children. Overcome with joy, she described receiving her new home as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
“I’m really really happy. I think this is the best thing that’s happened for me. This is one of my dreams come true,” Ms Hale said. “This home will not only benefit me but also my children and grandchildren, giving us more security after years of hardship.” Minister Croal reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safe and affordable housing for all Guyanese. He told beneficiaries that their new homes represent “a safe space and environment that your children and you can live comfortably.” He also announced that additional programmes will soon be rolled out to further expand housing opportunities. The AHUAP’s Core Homes Support Initiative is expected to provide housing for 300 households. Beneficiaries were selected during the open application phase of the programme, which has since closed. To date, 147 homes have been completed, including those handed over today. PS Kuppen explained that
AHUAP, which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), also includes a Home Improvement Subsidy, through which materials are distributed to vulnerable households to upgrade existing structures. He added that the programme supports wider community development by financing critical infrastructure such as roads and concrete drains. The initiative’s reach is extensive, spanning Georgetown to Grove on the EBD, up to Haslington on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) and several WBD communities, including Westminster, Onderneeming, RechtDoor-Zee, Lust en Rust, and Parfaite Harmonie Phase II. Other recipients also expressed their gratitude. Laticia Martin of Sophia said the new home has given her children comfort and proper sanitation
facilities, while Sherma Nelson, who previously moved between relatives’ houses and temporary lodgings, said her new house at Riverview, Georgetown, finally provides the stability she long prayed for. PS Kuppen explained that the programme also supports wider community development through roads, concrete drains and a home improvement subsidy for existing structures. Its reach extends across Georgetown, the East Bank, the East Coast, and several WBD communities. For the 11 new homeowners, the day marked not just the delivery of houses, but the promise of stability, dignity, and a brighter future. Also present at the event were Deputy Director of Community Development at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Donell BessBascom, and staff.
Minister Croal with one of the new homeowners during the ribboncutting ceremony
Minister of Housing and Water alongside a new homeowner
Farewell to Ambassador
The late Ambassador Elisabeth Harper was laid to rest on September Government officials, politicians, diplomats, colleagues, friends and
Ambassador Elisabeth Harper
September 19, after a funeral service at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre where and relatives gathered to express their condolences with those closest to her.
PE Fridays launched countrywide to enthusiastic students, teachers
The Ministry of Education on Friday rolled out its new initiative "PE Fridays" in schools across the country.
“I am pretty excited, and I am very happy to see that it’s being implemented in the schools with such energy, with such excitement,
with such vigour,” Minister of Education Sonia Parag said, “we want to have well-rounded human beings. Education is far more than just academ-
ics.”
Not only was there positive reception and extensive participation among both teachers and students, but they were all very enthused to take part in the exercises and games planned by their
an early age, the ministry is tackling sedentary habits and any potential screen addiction to ensure that Guyana’s children are prepared to thrive both physically and socially, the ministry noted.
According to the Education
excited about this new tradition, noting that it is a very structured and detailed approach in every school.
Responding to concerns aired on social media, Minister Parag clarified that while the Ministry of Education has partnered with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the role of the GDF is not intended, in any way, to take away from the functions of physical education teachers or impose military trainings of any kind.
“The Defence Force supports with structure, but the physical education teachers and coaches determine the activities,” the minister told reporters Friday.
Colonel General Staff Kenlloyd Roberts of the GDF also clarified the force’s role as a support system for teachers.
“Our role is limited to providing physical training instructors where necessary, to guide teachers on how to conduct safe and engaging activities,” Roberts said.
According to the release, while schools along the coast were brushing up on their football, cricket and dance moves, those in the rural schools, such as Sand Creek Secondary in Region Nine, were hosting archery competitions.
Minister Parag said that while the Government will continue to leave no stone unturned in churning out examination toppers, it has also made a commitment to pro-
schools.
Having “PE Fridays” is a direct response to a call from His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, to dedicate time to physical education – not just in theory, but in practice as well, and across every public school.
The programme aims to foster healthier lifestyles and instil values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience. By promoting active living from
Ministry's press release, Parag said, “Academics, without a doubt, are important. It’s paramount, but so is being a well-rounded individual.”
She explained that the ultimate goal is to nurture a generation of holistic Guyanese who are healthy, confident, and conscious of the importance of active living.
Minister Parag said she is pleased and satisfied to see both teachers and students
mote recreational activities and efficient skills training.
This mission, according to the Education Minister, will continue to be reflected in every national budget over the next five years.
In the meantime, Minister Parag is confident that “PE Fridays” will influence healthier habits and improve the lifestyles and interests of children all across the country.
President’s College at PE Friday
A Region 2 school takes part in the nationwide PE Friday rollout
Christ Church Secondary on PE Friday
Sand Creek Secondary, Region 9, engages in traditional sports activities at the launch
West Ruimveldt vendor accused of assault, granted $60,000 bail
AWest Ruimveldt vendor was on Friday before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he was accused of attacking a man with a baseball bat during a heated confrontation. Joshua Marshall, 26, stood before Magistrate Annette Singh and denied the allegation that on September 17 at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted Nigel Hawk.
In court, Marshall explained that although Hawk is not his blood relative, he was raised by Hawk’s family and has lived with them for years. He claimed that Hawk previously assaulted him and that on the day of the incident, he only acted out of fear when Hawk approached him.
Hawk, however, painted a different picture. He told the Magistrate that his grandmother, the property owner, allowed Marshall to stay with them when he was younger. According to Hawk, disputes frequently arise because Marshall locks the gate. On the day in question, Hawk said he was upstairs when he heard loud banging outside. When he went to investigate, Marshall allegedly confronted him and without warning, struck him several times with a bat, leaving him injured.
The prosecutor supported Hawk’s account, telling the court that the accused had asked Hawk to move his vehicle so that he could remove his motorcycle. The prosecutor said Marshall then armed himself with a bat and dealt Hawk
several lashes before fleeing. The matter was reported to the police, who later arrested Marshall.
Hawk firmly objected to Marshall returning to the residence, telling the court, “He is a present danger and the owners will have to put him out.”
After considering the submis-
sions, Magistrate Singh granted Marshall bail in the sum of $60,000. She further ordered that he vacate the property, remain at least 100 yards away from Hawk, and be escorted by police to collect his belongings.
The matter was adjourned until October 17.
Guard accused of threatening woman placed on $40,000
ASheriff Security guard was on Friday arraigned before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after allegedly threatening a woman and hurling a bottle in her direction during a dispute in Charlestown. The accused, 38-year-old Alfred Benjamin, stood before Magistrate Annette Singh and pleaded not guilty to the allegations. According to the charge, on September 15, 2025, at Charlestown, Georgetown, Benjamin used threatening language and threw a missile to the annoyance of Julian Payne.
He admitted that he had been intoxicated on the day of the incident and claimed the disagreement began after Payne asked him to move a motorcycle. He said he declined, suggesting that someone else could handle the task.
Payne, however, interrupted the proceedings to give her account. She told the court that Benjamin threw a bottle at her and threatened her life, allegedly saying, “Before the year is done, you have to die.”
The prosecutor offered no objection to bail but asked that Benjamin be placed on a bond to ensure good behaviour.
Magistrate Singh granted bail in the sum of $40,000 and adjourned the matter until October 17.
Alfred
Benjamin
Guyana bids farewell to Ambassador...
Her instincts served Guyana well in the most delicate of encounters, including in matters relating to our frontiers. She was our institutional memory. Her unparalleled institutional knowledge was matched only by her tireless dedication,” President Ali stated.
The Head of State added that Ambassador Harper was a hands-on person, as he recalled their late-night work sessions at overseas forums and overwhelming workload, which did not deter her from showing her known “special human touch” to colleagues and associates.
Pillar of institutional knowledge
President Ali also highlighted her commitment to regional integration, which had earned her the respect of regional leaders and even lucrative offers, which she declined in favour of serving Guyana. He also reflected fondly on her passion for cricket and her ability to calm tense moments with quiet reassurance.
“She was a pillar of institutional knowledge. She was a living archive of our diplomacy, a walking repository of knowledge when it came to the history and stored documentation of Guyana’s foreign policy. Liz was unmatched… Liz did not see the foreign Ministry as a job but as a calling to serve our country at every hour
and with every effort and without hesitation. For Liz, the foreign Ministry was not just a place of employment. It was her life. She gave 100 per cent of herself to its work. You could call Liz at any hour of the day or night – and we did – and she would be ready to respond. She got things done, and this was a hallmark of her commitment and dedication,” the Guyanese leader said.
Tributes also came from Ambassador Harper’s family members during Friday’s funeral service, with her husband, Mark Harper, a former cricketer, recalling simple moments spent together.
“I will miss her immensely. I will miss our sharing of meals together, sitting on the bed with our laptops, watching a movie [or], of course, looking at cricket… She was my inspiration du-
ring my cricket and coaching career… I never knew that she would leave us so quickly, but I'm eternally grateful she left us quietly and peacefully, and we were all with her in the end,” Harper stated.
According to Harper, his wife’s dedication and humanity shone most when she would distribute meals to persons working within the Ministry on holidays like Christmas Day. He added that in addition to assisting elderly persons, Ambassador Harper was a fierce advocate and supporter of women’s empowerment and had even sponsored many of their education.
“This gave her a huge satisfaction and fulfilment. I believe she was God’s hands and feet here on earth… So even as Liz’s light has gone out in our world, we are assured that it will continue to illuminate the hearts and
minds of all those whom she touched in so many ways,” the husband of the late ambassador said.
Wonderfully human
Meanwhile, Ambassador Harper’s granddaughter, Kaia Boodhoo, delivered the eulogy at Friday’s service, in which she spoke about the woman outside of diplomacy.
“Many of you knew her as Ambassador, DG or PS. Some of you simply called her ‘Liz’, but to us, she was Mom and Granny, and to me, she was my ‘Busy Tissy’. I called her that because, as many of you know, scheduling time with her was sometimes impossible – even at home, because Elisabeth’s work was never truly done…”
“But beyond the accolades, she was wonderfully human. She couldn’t boil rice too well. She would sneak off with me to drink Coke and eat chocolate… She was so proud of her Fabergé egg collection – one from every country she visited, and she made everything special… Granny, you’ve done your job, and you did it phenomenally, and although it hurts so deeply to let you go, you can rest knowing I’m so proud of you, so proud of the life you lived [and] so proud to call you my grandmother,” she said.
Boodhoo ended her eulogy with a final lesson
that Ambassador Harper would want to be passed on, that is, to live a life of service and kindness, to be patient and always make time for loved ones, and to always trust in God. “That is how she lived, and that is how she would want us to live,” Boodhoo stated.
Meanwhile, in an emotional tribute, Ladeca Chrystal Grant, a Foreign Service Officer at the Ministry who served as her Personal Assistant, also recalled many moments shared with Ambassador Harper, describing her as an inspiration who has left an indelible mark on the lives of everyone she touched.
“As a boss, she made her team feel not like subordinates, but like family. She rarely gave direct instructions to her staff. Instead, she would ask with her gentle, thoughtful manner, ‘Crystal, would you be able
to do it for me?’. We would always laugh afterwards and respond, ‘Of course, PS, anything for you. You're the boss.’. Her humility, consideration, and warmth made even the simplest requests feel like moments of connection rather than duty. She would often apologise for early mornings, late nights, and weekends, but I never minded. It was simply more time spent with her,” an emotional Grant declared. Ambassador Harper joined the Foreign Ministry in 1976, serving in several positions with distinction until she climbed to the top of the Foreign Service ladder. In 2011, she was bestowed with one of Guyana's most prestigious National Awards, the Golden Arrow of Achievement, for her long, dedicated and distinguished service in the Foreign Service.
Joshua Marshall
Baramita domestic dispute turns deadly as miner killed, abused girlfriend detained
Adomestic dispute in Baramita, Northwest District, ended in tragedy on Friday evening when 20-yearold miner Kevin Smith was fatally stabbed by his 19-year-old girlfriend, Nadria James.
According to investigators, the couple had been living together in a wooden and plastic camp for about a year when, on September 18, at around 17:00h, James reportedly returned home after consuming alcohol and found Smith lying in a hammock.
Upon seeing James, Smith armed himself with a cutlass and chopped James on her left shoulder and right hand. In retaliation, James allegedly drew a handmade knife from her waist and stabbed him on the left side of his chest.
James
Smith staggered out of the camp and collapsed in nearby bushes, while James fled to the Baramita Police Station, where she reported the incident.
Police later accompanied her back to the scene, where Smith was discovered lying motionless with a visible stab wound.
He was rushed to the Baramita Cottage Hospital,
where Medex Holy Hedglow pronounced him dead. His body remains at the hospital, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
James has since been taken into custody and remains under investigation.
Man jailed for larceny after stepping in to translate for court while awaiting own trial
Aman who stepped in on Friday to help the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts by translating for a Spanishspeaking defendant in another trial while waiting in the dock for his own trial was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment that same day.
Forty-eight-year-old Sunil Adnarine was sentenced after pleading guilty to larceny.
The charge stated that between September 15 and 16, 2025, at Carifesta, Georgetown, Adnarine stole construction equipment valued at $148,000, property of Colin Talbot Construction.
According to the case, on the night of September 16, a guard on duty spotted Adnarine at the site, where he was caught tampering with an excavator and attempting to remove a battery. The guard immediately intervened, and the accused admitted his actions before police were summoned. While no stolen items were recovered, Adnarine was arrested and later confessed to the offence.
The prosecutor told the court that Adnarine had approached the guard earlier, claiming he only wanted to move equipment, but when confronted, he lashed out and attempted to conceal his actions. Adnarine, in his defence, told the court he had taken only a single battery and insisted that he was beaten and falsely accused of stealing additional items.
In passing sentence, Magistrate Annette Singh began with a starting point of nine months. She deducted three months for the defendant’s early guilty plea, which saved judicial
time, and an additional two months in recognition of his previous assistance to the court as a translator. This left Adnarine with a fourmonth prison term.
During a previous court proceeding on Friday, a Spanish national appeared before the court, but no translator was present at the time, leading to difficulties in court in communicating with the defendant.
Shortly afterward, Adnarine was brought into
the courtroom in shackles to sit in the dock to await his trial. Upon noticing the communication barrier, he volunteered to assist, stating that he had lived in Venezuela for 32 years and was fluent in Spanish.
He was sworn in and served as a translator for the court. His willingness to help worked in his favour, and two months were subsequently deducted from his sentence.
“Odella” remanded on larceny charge after Stabroek Market theft
An 18-year-old James Street, Georgetown resident was on Friday remanded to prison after being accused of stealing $122,000 from a man at Stabroek Market earlier this month.
The teenager, Akeem Aaron John, also known as “Odella”, appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
It is alleged that on Wednesday, September 10, at Stabroek Market, Georgetown, John stole $122,000 from a man at Stabroek Market.
When questioned by Magistrate Singh, John offered an explanation, telling the court: “I was passing and see the bag and I pick up the bag. I didn’t know what was in the bag. I didn’t open the bag, I just picked up the bag”.
“Then I see a man running behind me and shouting hold he, hold. So, I start running and a car come and knock me down. I was on the ground for like 15 to 20 minutes. The man come and took back the bag....” He further insisted that he never went into the bag nor took any money from it.
A police officer who was present in court reported that, according to Persaud, John had in fact made off with the bag. The officer said that about a week later, Persaud spotted John again at the market and pointed him out, and gave chase, leading to his arrest.
The prosecutor strongly objected to bail, citing both the seriousness of the allegation and concerns that the teenager would not re-
turn to court if released. The prosecutor also informed the Magistrate that John had previously given the police different names on several occasions, including a false name at the time of his arrest and when he was taken for medical attention.
In his defence, John told the court he had been in custody since Monday and alleged that during his detention at the Stabroek Market outpost, he was beaten by several police officers and denied medical attention. He claimed that it was only on Friday before the proceeding that he was
taken to see a doctor. The investigating rank, however told the Magistrate that he was unaware of any physical assault being carried out on the defendant, and would investigate further.
Magistrate Singh raised concerns with the police regarding John’s claim of being assaulted in custody, but ultimately refused bail. She said she was not convinced the teenager would return to court given the history of him providing false names to the police.
John was remanded to prison, and the matter was adjourned until October 3.
Sunil Adnarine
Nadria
Akeem Aaron John
Guyana launches first-ever national influenza vaccination programme
Guyana on Friday launched its first national influenza vaccination programme at the Eccles Health Centre, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony described the initiative as “a historic day for our country”.
For the first time in the country’s history, citizens will have access to seasonal flu shots aimed at protecting the most vulnerable, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and healthcare workers.
At the launching ceremony on Friday, Dr Anthony stated that this is just one of many projects that the Government is introducing to guarantee healthier lives for citizens.
“For the first time in Guyana’s history, we are launching a national influenza vaccination programme,” Dr Anthony said, calling it a major step in protecting vulnerable groups and strengthening the nation’s health system.
The Health Minister stressed that influenza is often underestimated. “Influenza, we commonly would refer to it as a flu… we think of it that way, but it’s not that harmless,” he said. Citing World Health Organisation statistics, he noted that the disease affects about one billion people globally each year, leading to three to five million severe cases and as many as 650,000 deaths.
Dr Anthony explained that the virus changes annually, making yearly vaccines essential.
with chronic illnesses, and frontline healthcare workers.
“That’s why we are open-
Guyana’s progress in disease surveillance, noting that the country is now part of WHO’s
we don’t want them to expire on us… this is the flu season now,” he explained. The
ing up the vaccination programme, to ensure that any health worker who wants to get the vaccine will be able to access the vaccine,” he stated.
global FluNet and FluID systems. “We feel very proud that we can be part of this global system and contribute knowledge in this way,” he said.
“Every year, the virus that is circulating will change its genetic composition. And that is why it is important that every year you come and you get your influenza vaccine,” he said.
According to him, the programme will prioritise vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, persons
The vaccine being introduced is a trivalent shot that targets H1N1, H3N2, and the Victoria B lineage. Dr Anthony reassured the public of its safety: “Some people believe that if you take the vaccine, the vaccine can give you flu. That’s not the case. This vaccine is tailored to protect you from flu.”
He also highlighted
Meanwhile, Registered Nurse/Midwife Tenisha Hope, who is also pregnant, was the first to receive the vaccine, marking the official rollout.
In a side interview, Dr Anthony revealed that Guyana has received an initial 15,000 doses.
“We feel that that would be to start up with, because
doses were obtained through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) at a preferential price of under US$3 per dose.
He urged the public, especially older persons, to take advantage of the programme.
“We want older people to come in and get the flu shot… so we want to introduce that culture here so that we can protect people from getting influenza,” he said.
Dr Anthony concluded by encouraging citizens to take the vaccine not only for them-
selves but for the wider community. “Protect yourself, protect your community, protect our country,” he urged.
Meanwhile, Dr Garoma Denbeli, Health Systems and Services Advisor for PAHO/ WHO, noted in brief remarks that influenza is a highly contagious yet preventable infectious disease.
He commended Guyana's ongoing efforts to combat the virus and reaffirmed PAHO/ WHO's commitment to supporting the nationwide rollout of the programme.
Scenes from the vaccination programme launch
Deported from US, Jamaican man arrested at airport after fleeing on murder bail
A24-year-old man who fled Jamaica while on bail for murder was arrested Thursday at the Norman Manley International Airport after being deported from the United States (US).
Rogea Reid of Old Harbour Road, St Catherine, was among 61 deportees
on a chartered flight from Alexandria, Louisiana, which arrived around 11:55h.
Upon arrival, Reid was handed over to the law enforcement personnel for further processing. During the process, he was taken into custody.
Reid was the only deport-
ee detained. He is now facing charges of murder, absconding bail, and breaching his bail conditions.
Authorities say the arrest highlights ongoing cooperation between Jamaican and US law enforcement in tracking deportees with pending criminal cases. (CNW)
Long-running T&T fraud case ends as accused freed of over 100 charges
Former Trinidad & Tobago travel agent
Vicky Boodram was discharged of 107 fraud charges after prosecutors repeatedly failed to file evidence against her. Her discharge came during a virtual hearing before High Court Master Lisa Singh-Phillip on September 19.
Boodram’s case had been in the Magistrate’s Court for years before it was transferred to the High Court in March 2024. She has been in custody since March 2016.
State prosecutor Elaine Green, SC, admitted that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had missed three deadlines to submit witness statements and other filings. She told the court it would be unfair to continue proceedings against Boodram under the circumstances.
Vicky Boodram
World Bank calls for environmental tax to increase
Caribbean cruise ship revenue
The Caribbean earns less from Caribbean cruise ship revenue than any other region globally, according to the World Bank, which is urging Governments to consider an environmental levy and stronger collective bargaining.
one nature-based tourist,” she said.
The conference, hosted earlier this month by the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), provided a platform for Burunciuc to suggest a region-wide tax on cruise lines.
said growth rates have consistently lagged behind global averages.
She argued that the region’s dependence on traditional tourism products has reached a plateau and that diversification is overdue.
The levy, she argued, could create a more balanced tourism model while funding much-needed environmental protection for the Caribbean Sea.
Defence attorney Stephen Wilson, of the Public Defenders’ Department, applied for Boodram’s discharge due to the State’s repeated noncompliance. SinghPhillip granted the request under section 5.9(5) of the Criminal Procedure Rules, 2023. Green conceded the application but said the DPP may reinstate the matter if it resolves its procedural failures. “If we can get our house in order, then we would do what we have to do at that time,” she added.
lated offences, but two counts were dismissed when victims died. She also faced two money laundering charges linked to the purchase of a MercedesBenz and a Palmiste property worth more than $2 million.
Boodram, the owner of the defunct Boodram Travel and Ship Ahoy Cruises Ltd, was accused of defrauding clients of more than $1 million in payments for a 2011 cruise that never took place. She was initially charged with 109 fraud-re -
Boodram still faces charges stemming from her 2017 escape from the Women's Prison in Arouca and was not immediately released after the hearing.
That comes up in early October before another master. (Excerpt from Trinidad & Tobago Newsday)
BVI seeing more students with learning challenges
Schools across the Virgin Islands are seeing more students enter the system with learning challenges – an issue the Ministry of Education is addressing through a more tailored, student-focused approach.
Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe said the trend is linked to disruptions caused by the 2017 hurricanes, subsequent shift systems, and the global COVID-19 pandemic, all of which led students to miss significant amounts of instruction.
“Teachers have struggled with the idea that a tenth grader is supposed to be able to do certain things. But the typical tenth grader no longer exists, because globally school children have missed so much instruction that it has created gaps,” Ms. Crabbe explained. “We can’t start a tenth-grade curriculum with a student who comes to us missing some seventh-grade skills.” She added that the Ministry’s approach now emphasises meeting children where they are aca-
demically, identifying their needs, and building on those needs to help them catch up.
Ms Crabbe noted that more children are presenting “atypically”, particularly in kindergarten, though she stopped short of labelling all such cases as special needs.
“I believe that what they lack is experience and environment. But once we get them in the right environment and give them the right experiences, a lot of them catch up to their peers,” she said. (Excerpt from BVI News)
Lilia Burunciuc, the World Bank’s director for the Caribbean, told delegates at the Wider Caribbean Regional Risk Conference in Barbados that the region’s reliance on cruise tourism has become unsustainable. She stressed that while the Caribbean is the world’s largest hub for cruise travel, it earns the least per passenger.
She noted that cruise visitors generate far less economic benefit than other types of travellers. “One cruise ship passenger brings 24 times less than
She added that recent World Bank research indicated support from passengers themselves, who mostly said that they would be willing to pay more for preserving the environment if the money were used transparently and for the intended purposes.
While tourism remains a major economic driver for the Caribbean, Burunciuc
Burunciuc emphasised that her call was not to diminish cruise tourism, which continues to be a cornerstone of the Caribbean economy. Instead, she said Governments should use their collective strength to secure more favourable terms with cruise operators.
“I think it’s an important tourism segment, which will continue to be very important in the Caribbean,” she said. “But countries can actually get together and try to negotiate better results for themselves from cruise ship tourism.” (Excerpt from UnitedPac St Lucia)
T&T Teen raped in cemetery exorcism
ACentral man and his wife were granted bail yesterday, after they were charged in relation to the rape of the woman’s relative and the subsequent abortion of the man’s child.
According to the charges, the man, who claimed to be a spiritual advisor, suggested that the girl’s deceased father’s spirit was haunting her and she needed to get it exorcised. The girl was sixteen at that time. The way he suggested this be done was through sexual penetration.
The first incident reportedly took place at a cemetery in Caroni, after the child was made to write the name of her deceased father on a candle before she was assaulted on top a grave.
The man reportedly claimed that there were other spirits tormenting the child and those also needed to be dealt with.
The 67-year-old man allegedly convinced the 58-year-old woman, the teen’s grandmother, that in order to rid the teen of these further evil spirits, he needed to perform more rituals.
The woman is alleged to have allowed it, leading to the child being raped on more than one occasion.
The alleged incidents took place between January 2023 and October last year.
When the teen became pregnant, her relative allegedly assisted in facilitating the abortion with the use of an over-the-counter drug.
The girl, now 18, subsequently reported the matter to her aunt, a police officer, in October last year. The police officer, after confronting the child’s mother, took the child to the Chaguanas Police Station.
Last Thursday, the suspects were arrested and they were charged on Tuesday.
The man was charged with two offences of sexual penetration of a child and jointly charged with his wife with procuring an abortion.
The woman was independently charged with two offences of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activities.
If found guilty, the woman faces a fine of $50,000 or imprisonment for ten years on summary conviction and up to 25 years in prison on indictment for causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activities.
The offence of procuring an abortion carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.
The man was granted $200,000 bail, while the woman was granted $50,000 bail.
The couple will reappear in court next year. (Excerpt from Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)
Around the World
OOIL NEWS
Oil prices slip as robust supply outweighs Fed cut
US Supreme Court to hear Trump's tariffs case on November 5
The United States (US) Supreme Court on
Thursday set a date of November 5 for arguments it will hear concerning the legality of Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs in a major test of one of the Republican President's boldest assertions of executive power that has been central to his economic and trade agenda.
agreed to hear at the same time a separate challenge to Trump's tariffs brought by a family-owned toy company, Learning Resources.
Trump has made the levies a key foreign policy tool, using them to renegotiate trade deals, extract concessions and exert political pressure on other countries.
il prices dropped on Friday as worries about large supplies and declining demand outweighed expectations that the year's first interest-rate cut by the US Federal Reserve would trigger more consumption.
Brent crude futures settled at US$66.68 a barrel, down 76 cents or 1.1 per cent. US West Texas Intermediate futures finished at US$62.68, down 89 cents, or 1.4 per cent.
"Oil supplies continue to remain robust, and OPEC is reducing its oil production cuts," said Andrew Lipow, President of Lipow Oil Associates. "We haven't seen an impact on Russian crude oil exports" from sanctions.
John Kilduff, partner with Again Capital, said future Fed rate cuts of a quarter of a percentage point would likely not boost oil markets because they would further weaken the dollar, making oil more expensive to buy.
On the demand side, all energy agencies, including the US Energy Information Administration, have signalled concern about weakening demand, tempering expectations of significant near-term price upside, said Priyanka Sachdeva, an analyst at Phillip Nova.
A higher-than-expected increase of 4 million barrels to US distillate stockpiles raised worries over demand in the world's top oil consumer and pressured prices. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Canada bans Irish rap group Kneecap over alleged support for militants
Canada has barred Irish rap trio
Kneecap from entering the country ahead of concerts scheduled for next month, accusing the band of promoting hate and supporting militant groups, including Hamas in Gaza, a member of Canada's Government said on Friday.
But the Belfast-based group rejected the accusations as an attempt to silence them, arguing their support for Palestinians under Israeli attack in Gaza is being wrongly portrayed as antisemitic hate.
Vince Gasparro, a member of Parliament and Parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, said
in a video on X that Kneecap members were deemed ineligible for entry because of actions and statements that violate Canadian law.
He said the group has amplified political violence and has publicly displayed support for terrorist organisations, including the Iranbacked Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and the Palestinian group Hamas.
Kneecap responded by denying Gasparro's allegations as "wholly untrue and deeply malicious".
The group also threatened to take legal action against him.
Canada's Immigration Ministry declined to comment, citing privacy reasons. (Excerpt from Reuters)
The justices announced on September 9 that they would take up the case after a lower court ruled that Trump had overstepped his authority in imposing most of his tariffs under a federal law meant for emergencies.
That ruling stemmed from challenges brought by small businesses and by 12 US states.
The Supreme Court, which begins its next ninemonth term on October 6, also
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington ruled on August 29 that Trump overreached in invoking a 1977 law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, to impose the tariffs. The tariffs, however, remain in effect during the appeal to the Supreme Court.
Trump in April invoked IEEPA in imposing tariffs on goods imported from individual countries to address trade deficits, as well as separate tariffs announced in
February as economic leverage on China, Canada and Mexico to curb the trafficking of fentanyl and illicit drugs into the US.
The law gives the President power to deal with "an unusual and ex-
traordinary threat" amid a national emergency. It historically had been used for imposing sanctions on enemies or freezing their assets. Prior to Trump, the law had never been used to impose tariffs. (Reuters)
Judge rejects Trump’s New York Times lawsuit for being ‘decidedly improper and impermissible”
In a ruling dripping with derision, a federal Judge has rejected President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, asserting that the rambling 85-page suit did not follow federal rules for filing civil complaints.
The President’s team has been given a month to refile, and a Trump spokesperson indicated that they will do so.
Judge Steven D Merryday of the United States (US) District Court for the Middle District of Florida said Friday that the suit “stands unmistakably
and inexcusably athwart the requirements of Rule 8” of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
A complaint must be a “short, plain, direct statement of allegations of fact,” he wrote, and Trump’s broadside against The Times was “decidedly improper and impermissible.”
Merryday said Trump’s legal team can refile in the next four weeks but must keep the complaint to 40 pages or fewer.
A complaint is not supposed to be “a public forum for vituperation and invective” or “a megaphone for
British couple freed by Taliban reunite with family
ABritish couple freed by the Taliban after being detained for nearly eight months have emotionally reunited with their daughter, sharing hugs after landing in Qatar.
Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, who lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, were on their way home when they were stopped on February 1.
The couple was released on Friday morning through Qatari mediation and later landed in Doha, where they were met by their daughter. After medical checks they will travel to the United Kingdom, despite their long-term home being in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province.
The Taliban said the pair had broken Afghan
laws and were released after judicial proceedings – but has never disclosed the reason for their detention.
Peter and Barbie Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 and spent the past 18 years running a charitable training programme that had been approved by local Taliban officials when the armed group reclaimed power in 2021.
Their release follows months of public lobbying by their family, who have described the harrowing conditions of their detention.
The couple's son, Jonathan Reynolds, said in July that his father had been suffering serious convulsions and his mother was "numb" from anaemia and malnutrition. (Excerpt from BBC News)
public relations,” he said.
When Trump filed the defamation suit earlier this week, claiming $15 billion in damages, numerous legal experts told CNN that the suit was meritless, and several argued that it was more of a PR stunt than a serious case.
The lengthy lawsuit accused the Times of being a “virtual mouthpiece” for the Democratic Party. It also named as defendants publisher Penguin Random House and four Times reporters, including two who wrote a book for Penguin titled “Lucky Loser: How
Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success.”
The complaint read at times like a pro-Trump oped (opinion editorial), with page after page of gushing praise for the President and repeated references to lawsuits he has filed against other media outlets.
A spokesperson for the New York Times said they “welcome the Judge’s quick ruling, which recognised that the complaint was a political document rather than a serious legal filing.”
(Excerpt from CNN)
Afghanistan rejects US return to Bagram airbase
Afghanistan has rejected a call from President Donald Trump for the United States (US) military to return to the country and reclaim the Bagram airbase.
A foreign Ministry official declared on social media on Friday that Kabul is ready to engage but maintained that the US will not be allowed to re-establish a military presence in the Central Asian country.
Trump said on Thursday that his Administration is pressing to “get back” the base at Bagram. The US President, who has long expressed hope of reclaiming the facility, noted that its position is strategically vital due to its proximity to China.
“We’re trying to get it back,” Trump announced. “We gave it to [the Taliban] for nothing,” he complained, adding that Bagram is “exactly one hour away from where China makes its nu-
clear missiles.” However, Taliban officials have dismissed the idea.
“Afghanistan and the United States need to engage with one another … without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan,” Zakir Jalal, a foreign Ministry official, posted on social media.
Kabul is ready to pursue political and economic ties with Washington based on “mutual respect and shared interests,” he added.
The latest remarks came as Trump confirmed for the first time that his administration has been in talks with Taliban officials.
The US does not officially recognise the Taliban Government, which returned to power in 2021 after 20 years of conflict with American-led forces. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
US Associate Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito Jr, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh, and US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts look on during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 20, 2025, in Washington, DC (Photo from Newsweek)
Irish rap group Kneecap
Let your imagination wander and your creativity soar. It’s time to embark on something engaging that helps you fulfil needs. Don’t overreact or turn a minor setback into an unmanageable disruption. Do whatever it takes to maintain peace and achieve your goals. You have plenty to gain if you implement discipline and structure into your day.
Alternative thinking will help you make personal change and make a difference to how you think and do things. Be mindful of what you ingest and how you treat your body physically. Keep track of indulgent or excessive behaviour to prevent the risk of illness or injury. Work towards a healthy lifestyle and a happy home.
You can change the world around you if you participate. Air your concerns; use your voice to make a difference. Attend rallies or sign up to participate in an interest group that aligns with your values and lifestyle. Do your research and refrain from making costly domestic upgrades. Put your energy into bringing in extra cash.
Discipline and hard work will pay off. Home improvements can be mentally exhausting, but the results will make your life more comfortable and convenient. Invest time and money in yourself, your home, and your future. Assess how you look and live, and establish a fitness and diet regimen that leads to improved health.
Be willing to meet in the middle when dealing with people as earnest about reaching their agenda as you are about reaching yours. Take an energetic approach to domestic chores, but be mindful not to infringe on a neighbour or the city you live in without obtaining approval first. A slight mistake can lead to a big disaster.
Put safety first where health, wealth, rules, and regulations come into play. Do your research, and proceed with common sense. You can be helpful, but don’t commit to something or someone that will compromise your comfort or convenience. Be the one to enforce change, not the one who must succumb to others’ demands.
Take a slow look around you and consider what works best for you. Sticking close to home will give you time to fine-tune your surroundings to better suit your needs. It’s okay to do things differently or make lifestyle changes that offer health benefits or help someone or a cause that concerns you.
Keep life simple, your plans doable, and your conversations pleasant. At the first sign that someone is looking for a fight, walk away and redirect your energy to more productive use. Personal gain, physical fitness, updating your look, or enjoying time with someone you love is in your best interest. Romance is in the stars.
Weigh the pros and cons before you act. Do your research, formulate possibilities, and choose a path that’s physically and financially feasible. Leave nothing to chance or up to a third-party player. Call the shots, say no when necessary, and do what’s best for you. A job well done will pay top dollar. Invest in you.
You’ll face conflicts between what you want to do and what you must take care of today. Time management will be crucial, but once in place, it will offer benefits and the results you want to see unfold. Trust your instincts, not what someone else tells you or tries to convince you to do.
Size up your financial situation. An opportunity to sign a contract, apply for a new job, or use your skills more appropriately for today’s current job market will set you on a positive path. You may feel inclined to alter your domestic space or relationship with someone, but a wait-andsee approach is in your best interest.
Social events will provide an opportunity to gather information. Gravitate toward those who have expertise regarding something that interests you, and you’ll gain insight into how you can utilise their strengths to advance your longterm plans. See what you can offer in return, and a bond will develop. Romance is favoured.
ARCHIE
After their batters got only around 20 overs of crease time across their first two games against UAE and Pakistan, India batted first for the first time in the Asia Cup and posted 188 for eight against Oman. All their batters got a hit in the middle except their captain, Suryakumar Yadav, who did not come out to bat despite India losing eight wickets. Though Oman made a creditable impression with both ball and bat, they could not overcome India's might and depth.
Abhishek Sharma did Abhishek Sharma things, clattering 38 off 15 balls. He was the only India batter with a strike rate of over 200 on an Abu Dhabi pitch that offered grip and turn. Sanju Samson, who slotted in at No. 3, was less fluent but moved to a 41-ball fifty. Cameos from Tilak Varma (29 off 18), Axar Patel (26 off 13), and Harshit Rana (13* off 8) then pushed India up towards 190.
India had rested their bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and newly minted No. 1 T20I bowler Varun Chakravarthy, but Kuldeep Yadav befuddled Oman's batters with his variations. Oman openers Aamir Kaleem and Jatinder Singh struck up a 56-run partnership, but by the time Kuldeep broke it in the ninth over,
India used on Friday.
Abhishek's opening salvo
Left-arm seamer Shah Faisal dealt India an early blow when he castled Shubman Gill for five with a sharp inswinger in the second over. However, that didn't stop Abhishek from lining up Oman's bowlers in the powerplay.
Abhishek claimed 38 of the 60 runs India had scored in the first six overs. Leftarm fingerspinner Shakeel Ahmed got away with the first ball he bowled to
Abhishek's reach with his sharp left-arm angle, but the left-handed opener still found a counter.
Oman's seamers then took place off, but nobody can take Abhishek's power away. When Mohammad Nadeem bowled a slower ball into the pitch, Abhishek forayed down the track and scythed it over point. Then, when Jiten Ramanandi dug a 104 km/h delivery into the pitch, Abhishek pumped it for a straight six.
He got a reprieve on 21 when he tickled Nadeem
India go into Super Four unbeaten despite Oman's impressive display
Samson's stop-start innings
After having chalked up two DNBs, Samson had a slow start – he was on 13 off 14 balls at one point – but a six and a four off Madhya Pradesh-born wrist spinner Samay Shrivatsava got him out of first gear. Samson proceeded to crash Zikria Islam for a straight six in the tenth over but slowed down once again thereafter.
Having got to 42 off 32 balls, he took a further nine balls to bring up his half-century. Then, when he looked to turn up the tem po, he holed out to deep mid wicket for 56 off 45 balls in the 18th over.
India cobbled together 21 off the last three overs and managed to find the boundary just once during this period – off the last ball of the innings when Harshit scythed Faisal for six over point.
Oman's spirited chase
After bagging the wickets of Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, Kaleem, who will turn 44 in November, stood up to India's bowlers. He was ca gey during the powerplay –he scored only 15 off 13 balls during the period – but then laid into Dube's medium pace, taking him for 18 off nine balls.
Kaleem's knock ended on 64 when Hardik held onto
India (20 ovs maximum)
Abhishek Sharma c †Shukla
b Ramanandi 38
Shubman Gill b Shah Faisal 5 Sanju Samson † c Bisht
b Shah Faisal 56
Hardik Pandya run out (Ramanandi) 1
Axar Patel c †Shukla
b Aamir Kaleem 26
Shivam Dube c Jatinder Singh
b Aamir Kaleem 5 Tilak Varma c Zikria Islam
b Ramanandi 29
Harshit Rana not out 13
Arshdeep Singh run out (Ramanandi) 1 Kuldeep Yadav not out 1 (b 1, lb 2, w 10) 13
20 Ov (RR: 9.40) 188/8
Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Shubman Gill, 1.3 ov), 2-72 (Abhishek Sharma, 7.1 ov), 3-73 (Hardik Pandya, 7.3 ov), 4-118 (Axar Patel, 11.2 ov), 5-130 (Shivam Dube, 13.2 ov), 6-171 (Sanju Samson, 17.4 ov), 7-176 (Tilak Varma, 18.3 ov), 8-179 (Arshdeep Singh, 18.6 ov) Bowling O–M–R–W Shakeel Ahmed 3–0–33–0 Shah Faisal 4–1–23–2
Aamir Kaleem picked up two wickets and scored a half-century
Kuldeep Yadav celebrates a wicket with Suryakumar Yadav
Tucber Park pacer benefits from
Young and promising fast bowler
Kelvin Henry of New Amsterdambased Tucber Park Cricket Club was recently presented with a brand-new pair of cricket shoes, courtesy of “Project Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana”. The initiative is a joint effort by former Berbice senior all-rounder and long-serving cricket administrator Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the United States of America (USA).
Tucber Park Cricket Club is also the home of Shamar Joseph, Romario Shepherd, and Niall Smith – three outstanding fast bowlers. The 13-yearold Henry was recently selected for the Berbice Under-13 squad to participate in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County tournament. A student of Berbice High School, Henry only recently started playing the game, but it’s highly possible we could see him in national colours in the not-too-distant future. The facilitators of the project wished him every success.
“This project commends the work of his cricket club and the Berbice Cricket Board [BCB] for producing so many players for Guyana and the West Indies,” a statement from the organisers shared.
Over the years, many cricketers have benefited from this project, including ace pacer Shamar Joseph, Kevlon Anderson – who recently made his debut for the West Indies – and several others.
The project’s facilitators added, “This project will continue to improve the lives of youths in every community. We are pleased to be part of the development of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular.”
Total cricket-related items received/ purchased so far amount to some $730,000 in cash, including 13 coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, 36 pairs of cricket shoes, 39 pairs of batting pads, 48 cricket bats, 47 pairs of batting gloves, 29 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 14 gear bags, 13 bat rubbers, seven helmets, one fibreglass bat, one pair of floppy hats, 16 boxes, four of white cricket balls, 13 boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone, one batting inner and 28 footballs. In addition to the above, gear with a value of over $600,000 was donated by Sheikh Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper/batsman. All cash
Windies Umpires La Borde and Williams selected for ICC Women’s World Cup
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has congratulated Candace La Borde and Jacquline Williams on their selection to the Emirates International Cricket Council (ICC) Panel of Match Officials for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2. Their appointments are part of a historic first, as the tournament will feature an allfemale panel of 14 umpires and four match referees. This marks
brightest officiating talents
In 2022, Williams became the first female umpire from the West Indies to officiate in a men’s T20I between two full-member teams. Although she began her umpiring career in 2007, she admits that she is just as excited today as she was when she first started.
“I think being selected for any world event is always a good feeling. This is my third, but I still get the same goosebumps I got when I was selected for the first. It’s the same amount of passion,
a revolutionary step in the ICC’s commitment to support, elevate, and empower women in cricket, with the West Indies proudly contributing two of the 14 appointed umpires.
Williams, a Jamaican, will be officiating at her third Women’s World Cup, joining Australian Claire Polosak and England’s Sue Redfern as the most experienced members of the panel.
Trinidad and Tobago native La Borde’s selection marks another significant milestone for West Indies cricket, as she continues her rise among the region’s
excitement and enthusiasm.”
“Whenever I step out on the field, my aim is not just to perform for myself, but to remember there’s a possibility that whatever I do will have an impact especially on female umpires coming through, especially from the region. I want to represent well to ensure that I would create a pathway for other females to come through.”
Speaking on her first time appointment, La Borde considers it an honour to represent Caribbean women in sport on the world stage.
collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.
To date, one hundred and two cricketers, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, nine gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 39 bats, four boxes, six helmets, 37 pairs of cricket shoes, 21 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh pads, one bat grip, 40 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads and four pairs of wicketkeeping gloves with one pair of inners.
Many others benefited indirectly.
In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, and Cold Fusion Cricket Club received 13 coloured uniforms, while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves, two sets of stumps and bails.
Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and
“Our appointments are a good example for women in the region. ‘Jackie’ has been carrying the torch for the West Indies for several years, so to be able to follow in her footsteps, is an amazing feeling, proud moment for me and my career.”
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, hailed the announcement as an inspiring moment for Caribbean cricket.
“We are immensely proud of Candace and Jacquline. Their selections reflect years of dedication, professionalism and passion for the game. To have two West Indian umpires on an all-female panel for a World Cup is a testament to the progress being made in creating opportunities for women in cricket, both on and off the field.”
“Jacquline has long been a pioneer and role model in officiating, and we are delighted to see Candace following that path. They will inspire the next generation of women across the Caribbean who aspire to serve the game as officials at the highest level.”
The ICC Women’s World Cup will bring together the best players and officials in a global showcase of the women’s game.
La Borde and Williams will play central roles in ensuring that the spirit, integrity, and fairness of cricket shine through on the sport’s biggest stage.
Cricket West Indies wished La Borde, Williams, and the rest of the officiating group a safe and successful tournament.
female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans (30 T-Shirts), youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each), Kendall’s Union cricket club (12 red balls), Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary Schools (12 red balls each), Thaddeus Lovell (one pair of cricket shoes), GCC (two boxes of white cricket balls), Bush Lot United Sports Club (one box of red balls), West Demerara Cricket Association (one box of white balls), Blairmont Cricket Club (one pair of batting pads, one cricket bat, one helmet and cricket balls), Tagore Memorial Secondary School and St Cuthbert’s Mission (one box of balls), Port Mourant CC (three boxes of balls, white cricket uniforms and one bat stick) and the DCB.
Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and
promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders also assist to identify the same.
“Energised” Lyles makes happier Tokyo memories after heartbreak
There is more to Noah Lyles than just the showmanship, the grandstanding and the dyed orange hair.
The irrepressible American held off a stellar field in the 200m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Friday to win his fourth successive world title in the discipline.
It forms a stark contrast to his Olympic results in the discipline – bronze in Tokyo in 2021, the same last year in Paris amid struggles with Covid.
But back in the Japanese capital, Lyles banished the painful memories Tokyo previously held to equal Usain Bolt's title record.
"I can't wait for 2027 to become the only man to win five 200-metre titles," said Lyles.
"I don't have good memories from Tokyo in 2021. At that time I was depressed, but this time I am energised. I love what I do, and I am happy.
"My face is blasted everywhere over Tokyo. This is a joyous moment I am going to keep with me forever."
Lyles, dethroned as world 100m champion on Sunday as he took bronze, captured gold in his favoured discipline five days later to
secure his eighth global title.
He had produced a statement performance in Thursday's semi-finals, setting the fastest time of 2025 in 19.51 seconds.
After a final where he was just 0.01 seconds slower, he celebrated by raising four fingers to the crowd.
It was at the World Championships two years ago that Lyles asserted himself as the dominant male sprinter on the sport's biggest stages with three golds in Budapest, before claiming the Olympic 100m title at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Prior to the championships, Lyles told reporters that he would take bronze in the 100m if it meant he would get 200m gold by breaking Bolt's world-record time.
He got the gold – but Bolt's record remains elusive for now.
Lyles' American teammate Kenny Bednarek had to settle for silver – his fourth in a row across the last four Olympic and world championships.
Bednarek and Lyles have a tempestuous relationship and almost came to blows at the US trials when Lyles stared down his opponent in beating him to the 200m title, to which Bednarek responded with a shove.
Kelvin Henry displays his new shoes
Bronze went to 21-yearold Jamaican Bryan Levell, with Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo fourth. Britain's Zharnel Hughes ran a season-best 19.78 for fifth.
(BBC Sport)
Jacquline Williams in action
The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) Women’s duo of Ashmini Munisar and Realeanna Grimmond were standout performers in the recently concluded
Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
Munisar and Grimmond enjoyed playing in the CPL on home soil in Guyana, and, despite their team finishing as runners-up in the tournament, the young duo were bright sparks from a West Indian perspective.
Munisar finished as the tournament’s joint leading wicket-taker with eight scalps, while Grimmond amassed 116 runs – the most by a West Indian batter. The right-handed top-order batter’s highest score was 61, which came against the eventual champions, the Barbados Royals.
“Congratulations to both our cricketers who are part of the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women.
Despite coming so close to their first WCPL title, our club is extremely proud of you two for the hard work you put in during the
tournament.
Sammy backing young Chanderpaul to
do well in India
Tagenarine Chanderpaul is set to return to Test cricket next month, when the West Indies take on India in the first Test in Ahmedabad.
Since playing his last Test in January 2024, the young left-hander’s form has dipped, and despite scoring only one fifty in his last five first-class innings, West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy remains confident that Chanderpaul will perform well in India.
Sammy believes Chanderpaul’s style of play, and his strength against spin bowling, will be essential to the West Indies’ success when the first Test bowls off on October 2.
When asked about Chanderpaul’s recent numbers, Sammy had this to say:
“There are other factors when you select. You take number, performances, and the role required. Before Tage got injured in the Four-Day, he was averaging around 47. The opening spot during the last series is not giving us the results we want; when we look at the role required from these openers, Tage brings that character and skillset.”
“His experience and being able to play spin, he was right up there as one of the better contenders. He made a very strong case for the opening spot,” Sammy said.
Brandon King, a regular opener in whiteball cricket for the West Indies, will not be considered to open in Test cricket. According to Sammy, King has shown great promise batting at number four against Australia.
With Kraigg Brathwaite out of the picture, Sammy believes Chanderpaul is the next man in line to provide stability at the top of the order.
“Tage did have a poor firstclass season, but we saw, and we spoke to him about preparation and building up the role that we want him to play. Somebody like Tage – the style and role he brings to the team is critical to our success. In the absence of Kraigg (who plays that defensive role), Tage is the next best man to play that role,” Sammy explained.
Our club must say kudos to Munisar, as she played her heart out for her country, copping 3-21 in the final and a brilliant catch of the skipper Chinelle Henry, which swung the game back in Guyana’s favour. Tough loss, girls; continue to strive for excellence,” the Rose Hall Canje posted on the official social media page.
The Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club continues to produce female cricketers and is raising the benchmark for women’s cricket in Guyana. The 21-year-old Munisar has already featured in 11 Women’s T20 Internationals and six One Day Internationals. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Grimmond has represented the West Indies Women in four One Day Internationals and five T20 Internationals.
The 29-year-old Chanderpaul has played 10 Test matches so far, scoring 560 runs at an average of 32.9. He once recorded a double century against Zimbabwe, but his form has tapered since then.
With 149 first-class matches under his belt and a wealth of experience playing spin, Chanderpaul’s return to the Test arena will be crucial for the direction of his cricket career.
The GAW Women went down by three wickets in the final against the Barbados Royals at Providence. The victory gave the Barbadian franchise their third consecutive Women’s CPL title. Notably, the Royals achieved the feat without their most dynamic player, Hayley Matthews, who was side-lined due to surgery.
Norris crash "costly" as Hamilton leads Ferrari
1-2
Lando Norris said a crash in Friday practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was "costly" after Lewis Hamilton led Charles Leclerc to a Ferrari one-two. Norris lost control at Turn Four at the start of his qualifying simulation run in Baku, breaking his left rear suspension.
The Briton, 31 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri in the championship with eight races remaining, was unable to run again after limping back to the pits and ended up 10th in the classification.
It meant Norris missed his high-fuel run late in the session, when drivers get a feel for their cars in race trim.
"A costly one," Norris said. "Especially here. It was feeling good until then. I'd rather have this and push and find the limits than not push at all. I have to push and find the limit. Annoying.
"I would have liked to get some high fuel laps in, especially on these tyres, a softer compound compared to last year."
Piastri completed a messy session for McLaren, who are poised to clinch the constructors' title this weekend if they outscore Ferrari by nine points.
Piastri was 12th fastest following his own brush with the wall, in which he did not damage his car.
Hamilton “starting to see progress coming through”
Hamilton benefited from a slipstream from Leclerc at the start of his lap to beat his teammate by 0.074 seconds.
The Briton said he felt he had made a breakthrough in his attempts to get on top of the Ferrari's braking characteristics, which have been bothering him all season.
"This is a circuit where you have to have mega confidence in the brakes, and I have some problems with the brakes," Hamilton said.
"And then we made some changes going into P2, and the brakes were finally working perfectly.
"So really happy to see the progress, and it just
see the progress coming through."
Baku is a track where Leclerc's excellence on street circuits and in qualifying is at its most pronounced, but he said he did not expect to be able to score another pole.
"I don't think there is a battle for the win for now," he said. "But never say never. In 2021, and with many qualifying here, it wasn't possible, but in the end we kind of made it, so in the end I will keep my hopes high. But it looks unlikely."
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were third and fourth fastest, ahead of Haas' Oliver Bearman, two licence points short of a one-race ban, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Verstappen, winner of the last race in Italy, was 0.609 secs off the pace but guardedly optimistic about the weekend ahead.
The four-time champion said, "What was positive for us was the car felt quite good, so it definitely seems like we found a stable balance, and that is what we need.
"This track is very particular in its layout. Everything needs to come together to try to produce a good lap.
"The long run felt OK. It is always going to be slippery around here. It was tough on the tyres with the softer compounds, but it seemed not too bad.
"It seems like Ferrari are really on it. I do expect a few teams to be quite close, and then it all comes down to driving a perfect lap or getting your tyres in, which is always difficult around here. And then with such a long straight, if you get lucky with a little bit of a tow, you gain 0.2 secs easily, and that can also make quite a big difference."
Russell was another to have a scare, with a wild oversteer moment out of Turn 12, the exit of the section around Baku's mediaeval castle. The Mercedes hit the barrier, but the car was undamaged. Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson, the second Haas of Esteban Ocon, Williams' Alex Albon and Norris completed the top 10. (BBC Sport)
Munisar was the joint leading wicket taker
Grimmond scored the most runs by a West Indian batter
Defending champions St Lucia Kings crashed out of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) as the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) stormed into the final. With a ruthless display of batting and bowling, TKR left the Kings in their wake and set up a mouth-watering title clash against the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
“After being sent in to bat – and despite an early breakthrough from Khary Pierre, who removed Colin Munro cheaply – the Trinbago Knight Riders wasted little time in asserting their dominance. Alex Hales and Nicholas Pooran launched a counter-attack, propelling TKR to 61 for 1 at the end of the powerplay. Hales looked dangerous with his clean ball striking, while Pooran was at his fluent best, timing the ball sweetly and clearing the ropes with ease.
Pooran’s innings was the highlight of the early assault, as he raced to a sparkling half-century from just 32 balls, decorated with five boundaries and four towering sixes that had the
crowd on their feet. His aggressive intent ensured the Knight Riders maintained a scoring rate well above the norm, keeping the pressure firmly on the bowlers.
However, just as the partnership threatened to take the game away, Pooran’s dismissal shifted the momentum slightly, leaving TKR at 79 for 2. Skipper Kieron Pollard then strode to the crease with his usual air of authority, and with Hales still set at the other end, the Knight Riders remained well poised to build on their explosive start and push towards a commanding total.
And the show continued as Pollard announced his arrival in trademark fashion, taking a particular liking to Tabraiz Shamsi. The experienced leftarm wrist-spinner came under heavy fire in his final over, with Pollard launching three towering sixes that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
At the other end, Hales played the perfect anchor role, rotating the strike smartly and punishing anything loose to keep the scoreboard ticking. With Pollard striking cleanly and Hales providing stability, the Knight Riders looked ominous heading into the death overs. At 134 for 2 after 15 overs, they were perfectly placed to unleash a final assault in the last five, with plenty of power still in the tank.
Alzarri Joseph provided a crucial breakthrough for the Kings when he removed the dangerous Pollard, who miscued a short delivery straight into the hands of David Wiese. Pollard’s entertaining knock of 35 from 26 balls, decorated with four towering sixes, had already inflicted significant damage, but his departure briefly pegged the Knight
Riders back.
Hales, however, remained the bedrock of the innings. The Englishman accumulated steadily and brought up a well-composed half-century, anchoring the innings while others played around him. His controlled aggression gave the likes of Andre Russell the licence to play with complete freedom at the death.
Russell, as ever, delivered fireworks. His blistering cameo of 28 from just 12 balls, peppered with clean strikes to all parts of the ground, provided the perfect finishing touch to the innings. Combined with Hales’ stability, Russell’s late assault lifted TKR to a commanding 194 for 4 from their 20 overs.
Hales finished unbeaten on 58 from 44 balls, an innings highlighted by two fours and four sixes – a fitting anchor performance in an otherwise explosive batting display.
Chasing a steep target of 195, the Kings knew they needed to keep up with a required rate of 9.75 runs per over. Their openers provided the perfect platform, reaching 44 without loss at the end of the powerplay. Tim Seifert was the chief aggressor, taking on the new ball and finding the boundary regularly, while Johnson Charles played a supporting role to keep the chase on track in the early exchanges.
Charles struggled to find any rhythm, scratching his way to 17 from 24 balls before Pollard provided the breakthrough to end a frustrating innings. With the required rate steadily climbing, the Kings made a tactical move by promoting Tim David up the order to inject some momentum. At the halfway stage, the Kings were 61 for 1 after 10 overs, leaving plenty of work to do in the final half of the chase.
Seifert brought up a welltimed half-century with an audacious reverse sweep, showcasing his flair and intent to keep the Kings in the hunt. However, the required run rate had already climbed to a daunting 14.3 runs per over, putting immense pressure on the chasing side. In an attempt to accelerate further, Seifert was dismissed by Usman Tariq, finishing with a stylish 57 from 40 balls, which included eight fours and a six.
The pressure told immediately, as Tariq struck again on the very next delivery. Russell’s sharp catch in the deep sent Ackeem Auguste packing, leaving the Kings reeling at 90 for 3. Momentum swung further against them when Sunil Narine removed David, whose 28 off 19 balls wasn’t enough to keep the innings on track. The Kings now faced a steep uphill battle as the re-
quired run rate soared and wickets continued to tumble.
With 70 runs required from the final three overs, the chase had become
virtually impossible, and the Trinbago Knight Riders were firmly in control. Narine delivered the finishing blow, claiming two wickets in his final over to finish with impressive figures of 3 for 18 from four overs.
The defending champions, St Lucia Kings, were ultimately restricted to 138 for eight in their 20 overs, falling short by a convincing 56-run margin. The comprehensive victory allowed the Trinbago Knight Riders to book their place in the final, with their explosive batting and disciplined bowling proving too strong for the Kings that night.
Tim David c †Pooran b Narine 28 Ackeem Auguste c Russell b Usman Tariq 0 Roston Chase c Narine
b Usman Tariq 16 Aaron Jones lbw
Alzarri Joseph 4-0-36-1
David Wiese 2-0-42-0
Tabraiz Shamsi 4-0-36-0
St Lucia Kings (T: 195 runs from 20 ovs)
Tim Seifert † c Netravalkar
b Usman Tariq 57
Johnson Charles c Netravalkar
b Pollard 17
Trinbago Knight Riders advance to the CPL final after a comprehensive win
Alex Hales anchored the innings with a well-composed 58*
Sunil Narine was superb, claiming 3 wickets to seal victory