Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com
Issue No. 6570
THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED
Page 3
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Govt accounting officers warned of consequences for breaches of procurement rules …as VP tightens focus on accountability, transparency in Govt operations President Ali advances Qatar talks on energy, finance, food security, climate
3-day State visit
ERC issued 270 cautions over online ethnic hate speech so far in 2026 P5 GPL loses more than $2B as electricity theft drives 13-15% P13 losses Guyana’s gas shift could unlock new, greater onshore investments – Routledge P13
US-sanctioned LOO’s video P9 editor charged for unlawfully operating drone
See story on page 12
…granted $600K bail
Qatar’s Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Ghanem bin Shaheen Bin Ghanem Al Ghanem and Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali discussed advancing cooperation in education, culture, and heritage
Power grid under strain as evening …says overloaded feeders demand surges – GPL driving power outages
Page 7
Pensioner dies, 2 others hospitalised in 3-vehicle crash Page 5
Fisherman stabbed to death at friend’s Albion house Page 7
“So nonsensical” – Public Service Minister rejects misinformation on e-ID cards P2
MV Barima tragedy
US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed a threat to national security – witness tells court Page 11
3 accused further remanded; paper committal set for P8 Nov 16
2 NEWS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
“So nonsensical” – Public Service Minister rejects misinformation on e-ID cards …urges citizens to apply, says card designed to make services simpler
P
ublic Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Minister Zulfikar Ally has rejected misinformation being peddled about the electronic identification card initiative, emphasising that the digital document is intended to improve citizens’ quality of life and access to public services. Speaking during the commissioning of the Government Service Centre in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Ally dismissed claims that the initiative is intended to give the Government access to citizens’ private information to control them, calling the allegations “nonsensical.” “Sometimes I really don’t know how to answer that because it is so nonsensical…when you come to get the e-ID card, we ask you for some very basic documents, we ask you for your birth certificate, an original copy…and do you know who gives you your birth certificate? The Government through the GRO (General Register Office). We ask you for a proof of ID, you can either come with your passport or your GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) ID. You know who give you your pass-
port or your GECOM ID? The Government. The next thing we ask you for is a proof of address, either a letter or you can bring your TIN certificate that has your address on it and who gives you that? The Government. So, at what point in time is the Government trying to get your information?” the Minister posited. “…we’re not trying to get anything from you, what we’re trying to do is to ensure you live a life of comfort, that the service that you demand and you need, that the service that you deserve, that we will make it a lot simpler for you,” he empha-
sised. The Minister further explained the citizens equipped with an e-ID card would enjoy seamless access to public services, since all of their important documents are easily stored in one place. He also highlighted that citizens can utilise the e-ID cards for easy travel to Barbados. Effective July 1, Guyana and Barbados began the use of e-IDs for travel between the two countries, allowing eligible Guyanese and Barbadian citizens to travel seamlessly without their passports. The Guyana Government is currently in talks with oth-
er countries in the region to establish a similar arrangement. As of July, over 31,000 persons already registered for the e-ID card. Persons can register for cards at any of the Government Service Centres. Additionally, a centre is available at the Region Four Main Office at 37 Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown. Data Protection Commissioner Aneal Giddings told the Department of Public Information (DPI) in May that the Government is hoping to have 200,000 enrolments by the end of 2026. The digital ID system is designed to improve access to Government and Private Sector services by allowing citizens and eligible residents to use a single secure identification document to access information and complete transactions more efficiently. Citizens applying for the digital ID card are required to provide proof of citizenship, a pictorial form of identification and proof of address. Supporting documents may include a birth certificate, passport, national identification card, driver’s licence, utility bill or Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificate. Giddings has assured that the
digital ID card is not intended to replace existing identification documents, such as passports, driver’s licences or the GECOM identification card at this stage. Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had previously explained that the e-ID card will also be issued to foreigners in the country, enabling easier identification and tracking. In fact, he had noted that without their e-IDs, foreign residents will be prohibited from opening a bank account and obtaining employment, since employers will be required to ensure they are in possession of this new document. Jagdeo had explained in June 2025 that with this new e-Id card, “at any given moment, we will know of all of the people who are in our country who are not Guyanese and wherever they’re from. We will have their biometrics too so when we put in the 3000-4000 security cameras around the country, we will be able to tell you exactly where they are.” The Government of Guyana in 2023 signed a US$35.4 million contract with Germanbased company Veridos Identity Solutions for the implementation of the e-ID card initiative.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
BRIDGE OPENING
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, September 8 – 14:45h–16:15h and Wednesday, September 9 – 15:25h–16:55h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Govt accounting officers warned of consequences for breaches of procurement rules …as VP tightens focus on accountability, transparency in Govt operations
an improved quality of life. The latest meeting follows a similar engagement held on May 13, when President Dr Irfaan Ali and Jagdeo met with cabinet members, REO, PSs, officials from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and accounting officers from the regions. At that meeting, Ali described public office as a “sacred trust” and
WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers are expected during the day, with sunny conditions in the early-morning and late-afternoon hours, followed by clear to partlycloudy skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius. Winds: East-North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.58 metres. High Tide: 14:48h reaching a maximum height of 2.38 metres. Low Tide: 08:16h and 20:38h reaching minimum heights of 0.77 metre and 0.82 metre.
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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil
US$ $96.83/barrel
Change % +0.57
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$284.94/ton
-0.25
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tional development. The Government had also announced plans to use technological tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to monitor procurement processes, improve efficiency and detect improper practices. Both Ali and Jagdeo had warned that violations of financial and procurement procedures could result in serious consequences, in-
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
V
ice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday warned Permanent Secretaries (PSs), Regional Executive Officers (REOs) and other senior public officials that breaches of procurement and financial regulations will carry consequences as Government moves to strengthen accountability and oversight across the public sector. Jagdeo convened a meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) with several Ministers, all PSs, REOs, accounting officers of key semi-autonomous agencies and other officials. The discussions focused on measures to improve management across Ministries, regions and public sector agencies, with particular attention to accountability and transparency in procurement transactions, Government payment systems and the dissemination of information to the public. Jagdeo stressed the responsibility of PSs and REOs to ensure compliance with the relevant laws and regulations while maintaining sound and efficient management of public resources entrusted to their respective Ministries, regions and agencies. The meeting also examined initiatives to strengthen the tracking of compliance, including monitoring procurement and payment systems. According to the Government, the officials were cautioned that breaches and violations of established procedures would result in consequences for those responsible. Jagdeo also reaffirmed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s commitment to improving the delivery of public services, including through the use of modern technology. He said the measures are intended to im-
Vice President Jagdeo met with Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Regional Executive Officers, accounting officers of key semi-autonomous agencies and other officials at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre
prove citizens’ interactions with State institutions, enhance the quality of public services and contribute to
stressed that public funds must be used to advance citizens’ welfare and na-
cluding removal from office where warranted.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Public service through better service
T
he decision to introduce mandatory customer service training for public servants is a necessary direction in improving the quality of Government service delivery. Public institutions exist to serve citizens and the standard of that service must extend beyond efficient systems, modern buildings and digital platforms. Respect, courtesy, professionalism and accountability must remain central to every interaction between the State and the people. Public Service Minister Zulfikar Ally’s warning that public servants who deliberately give citizens “a hard time” could face disciplinary measures is a clear acknowledgement of a problem that has long clouded the public service. Complaints about the treatment received at Government offices have persisted for years, with citizens frequently expressing frustration over delays, poor communication, dismissive attitudes and difficulties obtaining services to which they are entitled. While significant improvements have been made in public service delivery, there remains considerable room for improvement. Modernisation must be measured by the quality of the human interaction at the point of service. A citizen entering a government office should not have to feel as though a favour is being requested. Government services are funded through public resources and are established to meet the needs of the population. Every citizen, therefore, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of social status, occupation, location or the nature of the service being sought. Minister Ally’s emphasis on customer service training is particularly relevant against this background. Professionalism cannot be assumed simply because a person holds a public service position. Customer service requires communication skills, patience, courtesy, problem-solving and an understanding of the responsibility attached to serving the public. The announcement that more than 3480 public servants have already received training in areas including professionalism and ethics; Information and Communications Technology (ICT) literacy; project management; digital transformation and customer service is encouraging. Such programmes must continue and become an integral part of the public service culture rather than a one-time exercise. The proposed introduction of QR codes at public facilities to allow citizens to rate the service received also deserves attention. Properly implemented, such a system could provide agencies with useful information about recurring weaknesses and individual performance. Complaints should not automatically be treated as proof of misconduct, but repeated and credible complaints should trigger examination and, where necessary, corrective action. Accountability must, however, be accompanied by fairness as a feedback mechanism should have safeguards against malicious or inaccurate complaints while providing public servants with an opportunity to respond to allegations. The objective should be improvement, not punishment for its own sake. The strongest aspect of the Minister’s position is the recognition that infrastructure and technology alone cannot transform public service delivery. A new service centre can shorten travel and improve accessibility. A digital platform can reduce paperwork and waiting times. Yet, when citizens eventually have to interact with a public servant, poor treatment can undermine the benefits of every other reform. There is also a responsibility on public servants to recognise the significance of the role entrusted to them. A routine interaction at a government office may represent an important matter for a citizen, whether involving a birth certificate, passport, licence, pension, social assistance, land transaction or another government service. Courtesy and professionalism in such circumstances are not optional extras; they are fundamental requirements of effective public administration. Government must, therefore, ensure that customer service training is supported by clear service standards, effective supervision, accessible complaint mechanisms and consistent consequences for misconduct. Performance should be assessed not only by internal administrative targets, but also by the quality and accessibility of services delivered to the public. The transformation of Guyana’s public service requires a culture in which efficiency and courtesy become inseparable from public administration.
guyanatimesgy.com
Minister within the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Steven Jacobs in Brooklyn, New York, for the Guyana Folk Festival 2026 and the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) Breakfast, ahead of the 59th Caribbean Carnival on Eastern Parkway. Jacobs shared in the experience of connecting with members of the Caribbean Diaspora while celebrating the shared culture, heritage and unity that continue to bring Caribbean communities together (Minister within the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Steven Jacobs/Facebook)
NEWS
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Pensioner dies, 2 others hospitalised in 3-vehicle crash
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The scene of the accident at Farm Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara
77-year-old New Amsterdam man died and two others were hospitalised following a three-vehicle collision along the Farm Public Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Dead is Balram Ramnarine of Lot 2 Angoy Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). Police said the
accident involved two hire cars, HD 9070 and HD 951 and motor canter GXX 5509. Ramnarine was an occupant of hire car HD 951, which was being driven by 39-year-old Sheik Mohamed, also of Lot 2 Angoy Avenue. Another occupant of the car, Odesh Mohamed, is also listed as residing at the same New Amsterdam address.
According to Police, following the collision, public-spirited persons assisted the driver and the two occupants of HD 951 and transported them to the Mahaicony Public Hospital for medical attention. Ramnarine subsequently succumbed to his injuries while at the medical institution. Sheik Mohamed and Odesh Mohamed
were admitted to at the Mahaicony Public Hospital. Photographs from the scene show extensive damage to HD 951, particularly along its side and upper section, while the other hire car and lorry also sustained visible damage. Police have not yet disclosed the circumstances that led to the three vehicles becoming involved in the collision.
ERC issued 270 cautions over online ethnic hate speech so far in 2026 tory language and 21 cases involving xenophobic content. The Commission said the increase in warnings reflects, in part, the expanded monitoring capacity of its Media Monitoring Unit and more systematic coverage of digital platforms. However, it raised concern over the continued presence of ethnically abusive content online and reminded citizens that social media platforms are subject to the same expectations of decency and mutual respect that apply to conduct elsewhere in society.
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he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has issued 48 cautionary warnings to social media users over ethnic hate speech between July 29 and August 24, 2026, marking an increase from the 37 warnings issued during the preceding reporting period. According to the Commission, the warnings were issued for various forms of ethnically offensive content. These included 18 standalone racial slurs, 12 racially prejudiced remarks, nine racially derogatory statements, four racially hate-
ful remarks, two racially divisive statements, two xenophobic remarks and one instance of racial stereotyping. The latest figures bring the total number of cautionary warnings issued by the ERC’s Media Monitoring Unit to 270 between January and August 24, compared with 194 during the corresponding period in 2025. Standalone racial and ethnic slurs accounted for the largest share of infractions recorded so far this year, with 77 cases. These were followed by 58 racially prejudicial or insensitive remarks, 45 instances of racially deroga-
87 matters
Meanwhile, the Commission’s Investigative Unit continued its work during August, with its consolidated caseload currently standing at 87 matters. Of these, three matters originated from 2022–2023, 14 were carried forward from 2024, 49 from 2025, and 21 were recorded in 2026 to date. One of the 2026 matters was received during the latest reporting period. The Commission said progress has been made in advancing and resolving matters within its portfolio, with a number of cases closed and several matters previously pend-
ing before the Investigative Sub-Committee deliberated upon and addressed. Nine matters are currently pending Sub-Committee review, while eight remain under active investigation. Five matters are pending legal advice and two remain pending. One matter is awaiting a statutory decision, while another has successfully completed the conciliation process.
51 matters closed
In terms of finalised outcomes, 51 matters have been closed by the Commission, seven have been completed and three have been withdrawn. The ERC is encouraging members of the public who experience or witness ethnic discrimination, hate speech or conduct likely to excite ethnic hostility to report such matters to the Commission. Complaints can be lodged at the Commission’s offices at 66 Peter Rose and 2 Anira Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown, or by telephone at 231-6265 or 2316281. Complaints can also be submitted by email to info@erc.org.gy. The Commission said it remains committed to its constitutional mandate of promoting harmony and good relations among Guyana’s ethnic groups.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Islam for Guyana 06:30 TVG Devotional Hour 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 HGTV 10:00 Stop Suffering 11:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 12:00 Movie - Frozen In Love (2018) 13:30 Movie - Storybook (1994) 15:00 Cartoons 16:00 Indian Soaps 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 TVG Music Break 18:30 Teaching the Truth in Love 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 GIT Perspectives 21:30 TVG Music Break 22:00 Movie - The Other Woman (2014)
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Foundation ◄
Page
guyanatimesgy.com
Area of a composite shape cont’d Composite Shapes (composed of triangles and rectangles)
By tripp j crouse Niizh manidoowag is the Ojibwemowin phrase from which the term “Two Spirit” is derived. I once asked my mom how to pronounce niizh manidoowag. She said, “That means ‘friends with ghosts.’ Why would you be friends with ghosts?” I said that oftentimes they are more reliable than people. This one time I asked my mom how to say niizh manidoowag. She said, “That means ‘friends with ghosts.’ Why would you be friends with ghosts?” Because they have the best jokes, I quip. A while back, I asked my mom how to say niizh manidoowag. She said, “That means ‘friends with ghosts.’ Why would you be friends with ghosts?”
Heat race weather science experiment I n this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate weather by determining if land or water heats up faster. Two plastic cups One half cup of water One half cup of soil Thermometer
Materials:
Instructions: Pour the water into one cup. Pour the soil into the other cup. Place both cups in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. Next place both cups in the sun for fifteen minutes. Record the temperatures of the both the soil and water and
determine which heated up more.
How it works: Land has the ability to absorb more solar radiation than water because water will reflect most solar radiation back into the atmosphere. Since land absorbs more solar radiation it will warm more quickly than water. A large body of water has a higher heat capacity than land, meaning it takes more energy to warm and cool the temperature of water. Because of this, cities situated close to water will often have a tighter range of temperatures throughout the year as compared to cities situated more inland. Make this a science project: Try adding salt to the water. Try different types of land materials like rocks or sand. Try freezing the soil and water before sitting them in the sun. (sciencefun.org)
And I tell her who wouldn’t want to divorce themselves from the living, the present and be lost to time forever. But I wonder when my mom passes on, would she want to be friends with me. (Source: Poetry [September 2026])
Set your story in a spooky cinema after dark. WORD SEARCH
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Power grid under strain as evening demand surges – GPL …says overloaded feeders driving power outages
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uyana Power and Light (GPL) on Monday said overloaded distribution feeders and transformers, along with faults at critical substations, were among the probable causes of two recent major power outages. GPL’s Head, Kesh Nandlall, who convened a press briefing to address concerns surrounding the outages, revealed that the country’s electricity distribution system is coming under increasing pressure, particularly during the evening peak between 19:00h and 21:00h, when electricity consumption increases amid the effects of El Niño. Nandlall noted that GPL has replaced approximately 5,000 transformers over the past few years as part of efforts to strengthen the distribution network, while further investments continue to be made in the electricity sector. The official explained that when a feeder reaches its normal operating lim-
it and demand continues to rise, the protection system is activated to prevent major damage to the conductor and line hardware. This results in the affected feeder being automatically tripped. According to GPL, a number of its feeders are currently tripping due to overloading conditions, prompting the utility to explore measures to reduce the strain on the network. Among the strategies being considered is the transfer of some customers from heavily loaded feeders to other feeders with available capacity. In other areas, sections of the network may have to be temporarily taken off a feeder to prevent disruptions from affecting all customers supplied by that feeder. Nandlall reported significant growth in its customer base between 2020 and 2026, further contributing to the increasing demand placed on the electricity distribution system. “We have grown from 201,791 to 250,000 customers. I want
to stress there’s been a significant increase in the current customers and how they consume, plus the addition of new customers. Now, and we have said this before, there are a lot of customers that are increasing their load and they’re not applying for that increase,” Nandlall said. He also explained that transformers are designed according to the expected electricity load of the homes they serve. When a street is developed, one or two transformers of particular sizes are installed to provide the required load for those homes. However, if every household on the street were to double its electricity load, the transformers could become overloaded. The official noted that the utility would not necessarily know when customers have significantly increased their electricity consumption because it does not yet have a smart system in place to monitor such changes. However, he
said the company is working towards implementing such a system. In the meantime, customers who are increasing their electricity load are being encouraged to notify GPL. He said this would allow the company to facilitate the increased demand while building the necessary infrastructure to prevent overloading and other related problems.
Increased capacity
Despite the growth in electricity demand, Nandlall said GPL has also increased its generating capacity significantly since 2020. “So we have the growth. While we added those customers, we have increased our generating capacity from 2020 to 2026 by 230 megawatts (MW), right? 230, including solar PV (photovoltaic) and farm generating capacity. So we have kept increasing the generation as well. We also have an investment plan, which we will discuss with you, what we are do-
ing in the near future, in the medium term, longer term, and how we’re going to be dealing with this growth.” Nandlall said GPL currently has 265.6 MW of generation capacity available, with an additional 5 MW expected to be added by Wednesday, bringing the available capacity to approximately 270 MW. He said peak electricity demand is currently averaging between 250 and 255 MW, while the utility is also exploring additional generation options. “We are seeing the peak averaging around 255, 250 to 255, right? So the generation is currently there, and we are also looking at additional generation options right now. So I also wanted to provide that update. As you are aware, the Government is invested in the Gas-to-Energy programme.” Meanwhile, Nandlall stressed that GPL has not increased electricity rates since 2020, despite increases in fuel prices during the
GPL’s Head, Kesh Nandlall
period. He explained that the utility has absorbed increases in fuel prices, while Government intervention has helped to keep electricity rates stable. According to Nandlall, any increases customers may have noticed in their electricity bills are primarily linked to increased consumption rather than an increase in electricity rates. He added that GPL currently has a number of projects under construction as the utility continues to expand and strengthen its infrastructure.
Fisherman stabbed to death at friend’s Albion house …28-year-old suspect arrested
Dead: Franklyn Sauers, called “Franky”
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34-year-old fisherman was fatally stabbed at a house at Albion Front, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Sunday night, and Police have arrested a fellow fisherman as investigations continue into the killing. Dead is Franklyn Sauers, called “Franky”, of Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice (EBB). Police said Sauers was found with apparent stab wounds at a Lot 71 Albion Front house at about 22:00h on Sunday. He was taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A 28-yearold fisherman was arrested at the scene and remains in custody as investigations continue. Sauers’ wife, 30-year-old Varund Sehadeo, has also provided an account of the final minutes before the fatal
confrontation. According to information received, investigators were initially told that Sauers entered the Lot 71 Albion Front home while holding a shiny object, prompting Singh’s reputed wife, to rush to the Albion Police Station to report the incident. Police subsequently responded to the location, where Sauers was found lying motionless inside the house, and the suspect was arrested. Sehadeo, of 247 Belvedere, said she had spoken with her husband by video call approximately seven minutes before learning of the fatal confrontation. She said that the suspect’s reputed wife had contacted her earlier asking whether their husbands were out together because she had been unable to contact him. Sehadeo then video-called Sauers. “I asked him, I said, ‘Where are you deh?’ He said, ‘Going to drop off Baba,’” she recalled. “Baba” is the name by which Sehadeo referred to the suspect, whom she said was captain of the fishing boat on which her husband worked. Sehadeo said she messaged the suspect’s wife and told her that Sauers was taking him home. She said minutes later the woman called her again and this time she said she was screaming, with considerable commotion in the background, and told her that
“Baba and Frankie” were stabbing each other. She also claimed that she heard the woman saying, “The man dead, the man dead.” The call sent Sehadeo rushing to Albion Front with her son. She initially telephoned her brother to take them there but said she became too anxious to wait. Instead, she placed her son on a motorcycle and headed to the location. When she arrived, she said, Sauers’ vehicle was parked in front of the house with its engine still running. Another fisherman, known as “Short Man”, was sitting outside. “I said, ‘Short Man, where’s Frankie? Where’s Frankie?’” Sehadeo recalled. She said the man did not verbally respond, but shook his head and pointed towards the inside of the house. “I just run in and I look for my husband. When I turn, my husband lie down in a pool of blood,” she recalled. She said she ran to Sauers and began calling out to him. “I said, ‘Babe, wake up, wake up.’ He breathes, his belly moves. My son jumps in. [He said], ‘Daddy, Daddy, no, Daddy, wake up.’” The suspect was also inside the house Sehadeo said, sitting on the floor and bracing against a refrigerator. Because of the manner in which he was sitting,
The house where the stabbing occurred on Sunday night
she initially thought he too had been injured. This publication understands that “Short Man” was also taken into Police custody as investigators sought to determine what had transpired at the house. Reports are that investigators also received an account from the suspect in which he reportedly admitted using a knife during the confrontation. He reportedly told investigators that he had been consuming alcohol at a Chinese supermarket at Kilcoy Village earlier that night and became highly intoxicated before returning home. According to that account, after his reputed wife opened the door for him, he was about to enter the house when a man approached from behind and struck him once on his back. He reportedly said he rushed into the kitchen, picked up a knife and stabbed twice in the man’s direction, but did not know where the blows landed. Investigators who examined Sauers’ body reported-
ly observed several apparent wounds – one to the left rib area and one each to the left and right sides of his neck. Several persons in the area were contacted and interviewed, while investigators also canvassed the area for surveillance cam-
eras. Meanwhile, Sehadeo said that the men were “very close friends. That is what shocked me,” she said. Sehadeo explained that it was routine for her husband to pick up the suspect and other fishing colleagues in the afternoons and take them to purchase snacks, water and other supplies for the following day’s work. Sauers and Sehadeo had been together for 14 years and have one son. She described him as a hardworking fisherman who provided for his family and was particularly devoted to their son. “I want justice. We all want justice,” the grieving woman said.
8 NEWS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
MV Barima tragedy
3 accused further remanded; paper committal set for Nov 16 Catching… I
Remanded: Rondell Dwayne Roberts
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he three Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) employees charged with murder over the MV Barima tragedy were further remanded to prison on Monday, as the court set November 16 for the commencement of paper committal proceedings. The matter was heard before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Charity Magistrate’s Court, where the prosecution confirmed that it had completed full disclosure of its case to the defence. The accused were all members of the MV Barima’s crew on July 18, the day of the fatal tragedy. They are captain Kevin Price, called “KP”, 40, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD); chief mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and goods superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WCB). They appeared virtually via Zoom. Senior Police Legal Advisor and Attorney-atLaw Mandel Moore, who is prosecuting the case, told the court that all evidence and material information gathered by the State had been disclosed. The defence was then granted seven days to review the material and determine whether statements would be filed on behalf of the accused. Magistrate Mohabir gave the defence until September 14 to indicate whether it intends to file statements. If statements are filed, they must be submitted within 45 days, with October 19 set as the deadline. The matter will return to court on September 14, while the accused remain on remand. Paper committal proceedings, which involve the court examining written evidence to determine whether there is sufficient basis for an accused to stand trial in the High Court, are scheduled to begin on November 16. Attorney-at-Law Dr Dexter Todd heads the legal team representing Price and
Remanded: Kevin Price
Granderson, with Attorney Dexter Smartt also appearing for the two. Roberts is represented by Attorney Everton Lammy-Singh. The three were jointly charged with murder following legal advice from Director of
Remanded: Delon Granderson
when the vessel capsized on Saturday, July 18, 2026, approximately 9.3 nautical miles off Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast. The passenger and cargo ferry had departed the Kingston Goods Wharf in Georgetown
68 victims, along with other persons unknown. A day after the tragedy, Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips disclosed that two crew members, including the captain, had tested positive for can-
Faces of some of the victims of the MV Barima disaster (Photos courtesy of News Room)
Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC. They first appeared before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on July 28, where they were not required to plead to the indictable charge before being remanded to prison. The matter was subsequently transferred to the Charity Magistrate’s Court. Police alleged that the three employees murdered passengers aboard the MV Barima
at about 15:15h on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma. However, at about 23:01h, the vessel transmitted a distress signal after encountering difficulties off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River. A total of 179 people, including 18 crew members, were onboard. The disaster claimed 73 lives, while 76 people survived and approximately 30 remain unaccounted for. The joint murder charge identifies
nabis sativa (marijuana). President Dr Irfaan Ali has established a five-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to examine, among other things, the circumstances surrounding the sinking, regulatory oversight and the emergency response. Meanwhile, DPP Ali has maintained that the CoI will not interfere with the criminal proceedings, noting that both processes can proceed simultaneously.
… Charles III
n case you didn’t know, Dear Reader, Jamaica ain’t a republic like us – even though they became independent before us in 1962! – so that makes Britain’s King Charles III THEIR king as much as old Blighty’s!! However, we all chose to remain as part of the Commonwealth that’s made up of all Britain’s former empire – on which, they boasted, “the sun never sets”!! Anyhow, as your Eyewitness had mentioned earlier, Charles and Camilla are coming to the Caribbean – Bahamas, Guyana and then onto Antigua and Barbuda - where they’ll grace the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit (C-HoGS) first week of November. We just heard that Jamaica’s gonna be using the opportunity to have Charles carry a message for them on the vexed question of Reparations for that “crime against humanity” – ironically kicked-off by Charles III’s ancestor and namesake, Charles I!!! As we all know, Caricom’s got a Ten-point Demand for Reparations, but up to now the former country ain’t been paying no heed!! The British political establishment – in the form of Prime Ministers from Tony Blair since the beginning of the millennium to Keir Starmer – have uniformly rejected offering reparations – even as they engaged in the obligatory hand-wringing at the “crime”!! Their rationale is the present generation of Brits can’t be held responsible for the crimes of their forefathers and foremothers!! Well, the message Jamaica’s gonna be sending Charles III is to be delivered to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) – which remains Jamaica’s apex court since they haven’t acceded to the CCJ!! And it’s a three-parter that asks their Lordships a) whether the enslavement of Africans in Jamaica was legal under English law; b) whether it broke international law, and c) whether Britain now has a legal duty to provide redress!! In a word, the Jamaicans are taking the reparations matter to the Courts – and it’ll be interesting to see how the eminent bewigged jurists from the House of Lords will respond!! As far as your Eyewitness knows, while slavery wasn’t legal in England itself – “the air of England was too pure!!” – they did have their Parliament pass laws like the Debt Recovery Act of 1732 – which explicitly classified “negroes” as real estate and property that could be seized to pay debts in the colonies!! In the colonies, of course, they approved the laws enacted by their local administrators that facilitated slavery!! Then, of course, their government did eventually abolish slavery in 1834 and offered £20MILLION reparations to the slave owners – and zilch to the slaves!! Your Eyewitness notes that the Jamaicans don’t go along with local Black Pudding Man’s claim that as a “successor state” – which international law declares we ain’t!! – the Guyanese Govt should also pay reparations!! …Europe’s rightward drift Europe has spent decades preaching unity – one market, one currency, one foreign policy – or at least ONE increasingly impressive collection of committees trying to agree on one!! Then along comes Germany’s SaxonyAnhalt – where the far-right AfD has collected 44%!! of the vote. To your Eyewitness, the irony’s delicious. The EU was designed partly to make nationalism so economically irrational and politically unfashionable that Europeans would eventually forget why their grandparents fought wars over borders!! Yet parts of Germany have joined Italy, Hungary to say: “Thanks, but we’ll take our country first!!” The AfD’s breakthrough is, therefore, more than another regional election since Germany’s supposed to be Europe’s anchor!! If its voters increasingly pull towards nationalism, immigration restriction and hostility to the established political order, Europe’s famous FrancoGerman engine may soon discover that one of its pistons has developed a distinctly German accent!! The EU may remain united on paper – but the more interesting question is whether Europeans still feel united enough to keep it that way!! …Prezzie’s momentum Prezzie just completed his first year of his second term – and the new Opposition’s criticism flies fast and furious!! But that means he’s active and taking risks as he moves Guyana from Third World to First!! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance
Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
US-sanctioned LOO’s video editor charged for unlawfully operating drone …granted $600K bail
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ays after he was detained for operating an unregistered drone over the private residence of President Dr Irfaan Ali, video editor Dwayne Ross, who is employed by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, was on Monday granted $600,000 bail. Ross appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court, where he was charged with operating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) at night; operating a UAV over the residence of President Irfaan Ali without written permission; and operating a UAV without first obtaining the required permit. Ross, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson, was arrested on Thursday evening after he was intercepted in a heavily tinted vehicle in
which Opposition Leader Mohamed was also travelling. During the court proceedings, Ross pleaded not guilty and was granted $200,000 bail on each charge and ordered to return to court on September 30. However, as to conditions of bail, Ross is required to report to the police on the first Friday of every month and lodge his passport with the court. It was reported that the three men and Mohamed were intercepted on Thursday evening after being seen in the vicinity of the Head of State’s home in two heavily tinted motor vehicles. According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the vehicles were observed at about 18:20h, raising security concerns in the area. The Police said that after the occupants observed the vigilance of presiden-
Charged: Video editor Dwayne Ross
tial guards on duty, the two vehicles sped away. A distress call was immediately issued, and Police patrols in the area were alerted. The vehicles were subsequently intercepted. A search was conducted on one of the ve-
hicles, and US-sanctioned and indicted Mohamed was found to be one of the occupants. He was taken to the Leonora Police Station for questioning. The vehicle also included occupants 35-yearold Eugene Thorne, the driv-
er, and 25-year-old technician Dwayne Ross. Searches were conducted on the occupants and the vehicle, during which ranks found a drone in the trunk. In addition, the other intercepted vehicle was being driven by 20-yearold Mario Mohamed. Police said that under questioning, the Opposition Leader denied owning the drone. He was subsequently released on self-bail. Dwayne Ross admitted ownership of the drone, claiming that he purchased it approximately one month ago. He further stated that his licence to operate a drone had expired in 2023 but that he possessed a certificate. Eugene Thorne claimed that he travelled to Leonora with the Opposition Leader and Ross to inspect the sea defence. He denied seeing anyone operate the drone or record the
President’s residence. Mario Mohamed reportedly stated that he was returning from Parika when he stopped at the Leonora seawall to meet the Opposition Leader. He subsequently declined to answer further questions and requested the presence of an attorney. Police later conducted searches at the residences of Ross, Thorne, and Mario Mohamed. Another drone was reportedly found at Ross’s residence, while nothing incriminating was discovered at Mohamed’s residence. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has since reminded the public that the unauthorised operation of drones, including unmanned aircraft within restricted or prohibited airspace, is illegal and may constitute a criminal offence.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Millions go up in flames after fire guts Ogle, ECD home
A section of the house after the blaze
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fire late Sunday evening has left millions in losses and several persons making alterna-
tive living arrangements after it swept through a building on Centre Road, Ogle, East Coast Demerara
(ECD). The fire reportedly started at about 22:35h following a loud explosion. At the time, there was a pow-
One of the vehicles destroyed in the fire
er failure. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responding with three tenders and several firefighters, reportedly contained the blaze from spreading to nearby properties. A car wash and an auto body works shop were operated at the premises, thus leaving millions in losses not only to equipment but also to household items, as the owners were unable to salvage anything. At the scene on Sunday evening, the owner, Sheik Yesseen, told the media that he was at a nearby shop when he received news that his house was on fire. “I went to the cricket and when I came back, I went to the shop to get a pack of cigarettes, I had a beer with a friend and
The house once occupied by the Yasseens
it was then I get a call from my neighbour saying my house on fire. I lost everything, everything,” the devasted man stated. He added that at the time of the blaze, his daughter-in-law was at home alone. She and his son occupied the lower flat of the building. “My daughter-in-law alone went downstairs. The fire started upstairs in my apartment but I have no idea what started the fire… we had a couple of cars in the yard, I think they all were damaged. He added that the most important thing is that no lives were lost as a result of the inferno. “We can get back material things but not lives, so
am happy that we haven’t experience that.” However, his daughter-in-law, Zebina Yasseen, who escaped unhurt, related that she was asleep when she was alerted to the fire. “I was sleeping downstairs, all I hear was noise upstairs and when go to opened the door, I get a hard time by then the fire start spread and the beams start collapsing but I run outside. We didn’t get to save anything,” she added. Meanwhile, the owner could not say what started the fire, but he estimated his losses to be in the millions. The GFS has launched an investigation into the cause and origin of the devastating inferno.
Body of unidentified man found floating in city canal
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he lifeless body of an unidentified man suspected to be in his 40s was on Monday pulled from a canal in the vicinity of a koker at Lombard and Sussex Streets, Georgetown. Police stated that the discovery was made at about 07:00h by a machine operator attached to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), who promptly raised an alarm and contacted the police. The partially decomposed body clad in a blue checkered shirt, black pants, and black boots was pulled from the canal and taken
to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it is awaiting identification and a post-mortem. Police started to say that
no marks of violence were observed on the deceased’s body. Investigations are ongoing.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed a threat to national security – witness tells court
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Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman
enior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine, Head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch Unit, has rejected a suggestion that President Dr Irfaan Ali directed his involvement in the extradition case against United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed. Narine told the court that, based on information available to him, he considers Azruddin Mohamed a threat to both society and national security. The evidence came Monday during continued cross-examination of Narine in the extradition proceedings before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Defence counsel, Siand Dhurjon was probing whether political considerations had influenced Narine’s involvement in the matter and the circumstances surrounding the Mohameds’ arrests on Friday, October 31, 2025. Dhurjon suggested that President Ali had instructed Narine to become involved in the case. Narine rejected the suggestion emphatically. “Definitely not,” he told the court. Narine said an instruction from the President was something he would remember, describing such a directive as a privilege. “An instruction from the President is a privilege. And it is something that I would remember,” he testified. When it was suggested that a presidential instruction would be binding on a police officer, Narine disagreed. He said, “That is not true. While it is a privilege for the President to give an instruction, myself or another officer is not bound to follow the instructions if it is illegal.” The defence continued its attempt to establish whether the arrests had been politically motivated, suggesting that the policeman had been specifically instructed to ensure that the Mohameds, particularly Azruddin, were arrested on October 31,
2025, because Parliament was scheduled to convene the following working day, Monday, November 3, 2025. Narine said he could not recall receiving instructions of that nature. The court subsequently sought clarification, prompting a more definitive response from the witness. “To be clear, I did not receive any instructions of that nature,” Narine said. He had previously testified that the Mohameds were arrested in Georgetown on October 31, 2025, pursuant to warrants issued to him and executed by him. He said he recalled receiving “a general instruction” that morning and, as events unfolded, took the necessary action. When asked who gave him that instruction, Narine said he could not recall. The defence also questioned whether the Government had adopted a particular posture towards the Mohameds before their arrests. Narine said he was not aware of any such posture. Dhurjon then raised public statements allegedly made by President Ali about Azruddin Mohamed, including a statement said to have described the Opposition Leader as a threat to national security and sovereignty. Narine said he was unaware of the President’s statement. However, that did not prevent him from giving his own assessment of Azruddin Mohamed. Asked whether he therefore did not regard Mohamed as a threat to national security, Narine said, “Based on information that I have, I would consider Azruddin Mohamed a threat to national security.” Narine had earlier said he was aware that Mohamed was “a threat to society.” The defence also sought to explore whether political considerations could have influenced the witness, pointing to the involvement of the Special Branch Unit in the matter. Dhurjon challenged Narine on whether Special Branch typically has a role in extradition proceedings. Narine rejected the suggestion. “That
is not correct,” he said. Narine has headed the Special Branch since July 2024 and testified that he was aware of several extradition requests being dealt with during that period. The role of Special Branch was also examined through the police force’s standing orders. The Defence Attorney put to Narine that Standing Order 52 provides that Special Branch should not be charged with the investigation and prosecution of crime. He further put to the witness that evidence concerning the commission of a crime coming to the attention of Special Branch should be handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters or the senior officer of the relevant division. Narine replied, “I agree, I am aware.” The defence also pointed to provisions dealing with offences Special Branch is empowered to investigate, including sedition, offences against the Official Secrets Act and narcotics offences threatening the stability of the State. When shown the relevant standing order, Narine agreed that sedition is referred to as a political offence. The questioning also touched on two draft arrest warrants which Narine said he uplifted from the Attorney General’s (AG) Chambers. He said he did not know why the Chambers had a role in transmitting the documents and could not say who prepared them, how they came to be at the Chambers, how long they remained there or who transmitted them. Narine was also challenged over his recollection of the events surrounding the arrests. He acknowledged that he had contemporaneously recorded his actions in a notebook on October 31, 2025, and later provided a written statement detailing what he had done, including the timing of the arrests and his collection of documents from the AG’s Chambers. When Dhurjon suggested that his memory was selective and that he was not being honest with the court, Narine rejected the allegation. He said, “That is not true. The entire suggestion is wrong.” The extradition hearing had been scheduled to continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 9. Contempt proceedings However, the Mohameds are required to appear before Justice Nigel Niles in the High Court in Demerara on Tuesday for contempt proceedings involving Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as the “Guyanese Critic”. Where court dates conflict, proceedings before the High Court take precedence
US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed
over those before the lower court. The extradition matter also cannot proceed on Wednesday because Chief Magistrate Latchman is scheduled to attend a meeting that day. The proceedings are therefore expected to resume on Thursday, September 10, with further cross-examination of Senior Superintendent Narine. The Mohameds remain on $150,000 bail each, with conditions including the surrender of their passports and weekly reporting to the Ruimveldt Police Station.
Extradition The US is seeking the extradition of the Mohameds over allegations stemming from a multiyear scheme involving the evasion of taxes and royalties on gold exports, money laundering and wire fraud. US authorities alleged that falsified customs declarations and the reuse of Government export seals were used as part of the scheme, which allegedly resulted in approximately US$50 million in revenue losses to the Government
of Guyana. Both father and son were sanctioned by the US Government in 2024 and subsequently indicted in the US in 2025 on criminal charges arising from the alleged gold export and tax-evasion scheme. The Mohameds continue to challenge their extradition under Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act on various grounds, including a constitutional challenge to provisions of the legislation that remains before the Court of Appeal of Guyana.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
3-day State visit
President Ali advances Qatar talks on energy, finance, food security, climate
Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali
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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday held a series of high-level meetings with Qatari officials as he continued his three-day State Visit to Doha, with discussions focused on expanding cooperation between Guyana and Qatar in several key areas. Ali, who arrived in Qatar on Sunday, said his engagements included talks with Qatar’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al Thani, on opportunities for collaboration in food security, mining, digitisation and infrastructure. The
ronmental issues also featured prominently during the visit. Ali said he held discussions with Qatar’s Environment and Climate Change Minister, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, on climate change, global biodiversity and potential partnerships involving carbon credits. The President also met Qatar’s Finance Minister, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, to discuss several areas of financial cooperation. These included potential collaboration between the Qatar Development Bank and the Guyana Development
to deepen its economic and investment relationships internationally. Ali arrived in Doha on Sunday accompanied by First Lady Arya Ali and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd. They were welcomed at Hamad International Airport by Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, and Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, Safraaz Ahmad Shadood. Upon arrival, Ali received a Guard of Honour before beginning his offi-
President Ali in discussion with Qatar’s Finance Minister, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari
portunities in Guyana. The US$350 million project, signed in August 2025, is planned for a 30-acre site in Georgetown, approximately 121,000 square metres, and is expected to include a luxury hotel, commercial spaces, residential units, sports fa-
pressed Qatar’s interest in broadening cooperation in investment, human capital development, technology, food security and critical infrastructure. Guyana has also been promoting itself as a strategic logistics and storage hub in the Western Hemisphere. The push has
and food security, as well as ambitions to position the country as a provider of education and health services. At the time, Ali also pointed to potential private-sector involvement from Qatar in areas including hospitality, eco-tour-
Qatar’s Environment and Climate Change Minister, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie and President Ali
President Ali and Qatar’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al Thani
two sides also discussed ways to strengthen partnerships between the private sectors of Guyana and Qatar. In another engagement, Ali met with Qatar’s Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Ghanem bin Shaheen Bin Ghanem Al Ghanem. According to the President, discussions centred on cooperation in education, culture and heritage. Climate and envi-
Bank (GDB), the investment fund and other investment opportunities. Energy was another key area of discussion, with Ali meeting Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, to explore potential cooperation in the energy sector. The engagements are part of the ongoing bilateral discussions between the two countries as Guyana seeks
cial engagements. Shortly after his arrival, Ali met with Mohammed Saif al Sowaidi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s state-owned sovereign wealth fund. According to the Office of the President, QIA is pursuing a major hospitality and real estate development in Georgetown and is examining other investment op-
cilities and public green spaces. Ali’s current visit comes months after he held discussions with Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. During an official telephone call in April, the two leaders discussed opportunities in investment, food security, energy security and technology, with the aim of expanding collaboration through partnerships. During those discussions, Ali positioned Guyana as an important destination for Qatar based on its geographic and market position, while the Amir ex-
taken place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East and disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s major oil transit routes. The President’s latest engagements also build on his previous visit to Doha in May 2023, when he held high-level meetings with Qatar’s Prime Minister (PM) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari. During that visit, Ali also met members of the Guyanese diaspora in Qatar and outlined Guyana’s development plans, including its focus on climate, energy
ism, energy services and infrastructure, while encouraging Guyanese living in Qatar to participate in Guyana’s development. Guyana and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1996, and bilateral ties have expanded in recent years through high-level engagements, the opening of diplomatic offices, agreements on economic and technical cooperation and increased Qatari commercial interests in Guyana. The latest State Visit therefore comes as both countries continue discussions on investment, energy, finance, food security, technology, infrastructure, climate and other areas of mutual interest.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Guyana’s gas shift could unlock new, greater onshore investments – Routledge P
resident of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge is optimistic that Guyana’s shift toward gas development will unlock greater opportunities for onshore investment and expand and diversify the country’s economy. Guyana is aggressively advancing its national gas development strategy through the flagship Gasto-Energy (GtE) Project at Wales and a planned heavy-industrial gas hub in Berbice. Already, more than 17 trillion cubic feet of natural gas have been discovered in the Stabroek Block. Longer-term developments like Longtail and Haimara aim for non-associated gas and condensate production by 2030. Speaking during the Energy Perspectives podcast aired on Monday, Routledge said works are ongoing to start those projects. “We're currently working on the Longtail project to bring that to full sanction with the Government. We submitted the documents; we've been going through the environmental impact assessment with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So, what we see with Longtail is not just the progression, the continued growth of production offshore Guyana, but also a little bit of a change of flavour. The projects to date, the first seven of all being
very much oil projects, what we're seeing as we shift to Longtail and hopefully behind that the Haimara project, is a shift to gas development,” he explained. “That project, assuming an approval by the Government this year and FID (Fina Investment Decision) by ourselves and our co-venturers, we anticipate could start up in the 2030 timeframe,” the ExxonMobil Guyana boss added. Currently, ExxonMobil is operating four developments in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana – Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two, Payara and Yellowtail – with its fifth project, Uaru, on schedule to come onstream later this year and the sixth, Whiptail, slated for startup in 2027. All of these projects produce what has been described as “black crude”. However, the seventh project, Hammerhead, slated for 2029, and the eighth development, Longtail, expected in 2030, are pegged as major gas development projects. Haimara, the ninth major project in the Stabroek Block, would be another gas development, with a targeted startup around 2031.
Gas shift
According to Routledge, “the gas shift is also something to be remarked upon”.
President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge
“As we look into the next decade, what we anticipate seeing, in addition to the pipeline to Wales that's already been constructed, the so-called Gas-to-Energy pipeline, we anticipate increasing the amount of gas that we can supply into that pipeline to feed further development in the Wales district in Region Three. But what we're also looking for, the vision is to build another pipeline that would ultimately bring gas onshore in the Berbice region, over in the Regions Five and Six part of the country, where we can feed larger volumes of gas to support greater onshore development of industry. And that will bring greater onshore investment from other companies, companies other than ExxonMobil, that will
further diversify the economy,” he highlighted. In fact, Routledge noted that the upcoming edition of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo (GECSCE) will provide investors with an opportunity to gain insight into how these investments are expected to unfold and explore the opportunities that lie ahead. “We are looking at how that gas can be used. When would those onshore investments be made? How do we align on those timelines and make sure that we can move forward all the investments that are needed, whether it's the offshore exploration and development projects, the pipelines needed to bring the gas onshore, the power generation, and all the many other projects that could be supported, ev-
erything from making fertiliser that the country can use to support the agricultural expansion that's going on, feeding other parts of Latin America, to alumina, taking the bauxite from the country and not only mining and exporting bauxite, but now being able to hydrate that into alumina or even alumina for supply to international markets, adding more value in the country in order that the country benefits more from natural resources, not just its oil and gas, but the other resources in the country,” he highlighted.
Guyana’s gas monetisation plan
President Dr Irfaan Ali has already made it clear that Guyana’s gas monetisation plan must be implemented before the end of his term in 2031. In fact, the Guyana Government has been pushing ExxonMobil to develop the country’s rich gas resources, touting the establishment of a second gas project in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to support large-scale industrial growth with power plants, a data centre, and an alumina plant, among other heavy industries – an initiative that will be separate from the highly anticipated GtE Project at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD). Routledge previ-
ously explained that the pipeline infrastructure to connect to the Berbice gas project would be much larger and could cost double the US$1 billion for the 250 kilometre (km), 12-inch pipelines that connect the GtE Project to the Liza field in the Stabroek Block. But he had noted that ExxonMobil is keen on making this investment since there is growing interest from international companies in Guyana’s energy potential. On the Energy Perspectives podcast, Routledge emphasised that ExxonMobil remains committed to being Guyana’s development partner. “As the primary investor in the country in the development of the natural resources and oil and gas resources, the energy sector, we are by far the biggest investor there. And therefore, we see ourselves as the country's energy partner, the operator of the Stabroek block. But there's a lot more to it than that. It's the energy that goes into driving the economic development, that partnership in seeing beyond…beyond just developing the resource, but how do you do that in a responsible way? Partnering to ensure that we develop the people, we protect the environment, and we deliver the maximum value to the country from that development,” he expressed.
GPL loses more than $2B as electricity theft drives 13-15% losses service by causing feeders to trip, resulting in disruptions to customers. “[Due to] persons who illegally take electricity are not properly connected to the system, as a result of that, you can have the quality of the power in that particular area affected. In terms of safety, it is unsafe, extremely unsafe, we normally put out a lot of publications, and you see how those wires are run all over the place, using all kinds
GPL Divisional Director of Engineering Services Ryan Ross
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he Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) is grappling with losses of about 13 to 15 per cent, with each one per cent representing more than $200 million in lost revenue, as electricity theft and other commercial losses continue to weigh on the utility. GPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kesh Nandlall explained during a recent press conference on Tuesday that the utility had conducted a number of exercises along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and in surrounding areas to address issues affecting the reliability of the electricity service. Only recently, GPL removed illegal electrical connections
during an enforcement operation in several communities across Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). GPL officials warned that electricity theft overloads transformers and feeders, causes severe network failures and poses critical safety hazards, including electrocution and structural fires. Underscoring that electricity theft is a criminal offence punishable by law, the company announced that nationwide loss-reduction exercises will continue, while urging citizens to report illegal hookups via GPL’s confidential hotlines at 226-2600, 0475, or WhatsApp at 699-4882. During the press briefing on Monday, Nandlall
GPL workers targeting the identification and removal of illegal electricity connections from the network at Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke three days ago
explained that GPL conducted exercises in areas such as Swan and along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, as well as in other areas east of the high-
way, where it identified and removed issues affecting the distribution network. According to Nandlall, these issues can affect the reliability of the
of different types of wires, and how they run all between the trees. Any child can go there, pass, and get shocked, right? And we continue to remove them.” Nandlall said that GPL had removed hundreds of illegal connections during recent enforcement exercises, including approximately 200 in one area and thousands in just weeks of investigating electrical theft. TURN TO PAGE 14
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Public servants who give citizens a “hard time” to be disciplined – Ally …as mandatory customer service training to be introduced
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Minister Zulfikar Ally
ublic Service, G o v e r n m e n t Efficiency and Implementation Minister, Zulfikar Ally, has announced that mandatory customer service training for public servants will be introduced, warning that those who give citizens “a hard time” will be disciplined. He made the announcement last week during the commissioning of a Government Service Centre in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). “It doesn’t matter what type
of service we are providing, once it is a public service, our expectation, President Ali’s expectation is that you serve it with love, you serve it with compassion and you ensure that whoever is in front of you, that they get the benefits of what they came for,” the Minister emphasised. “For the very few throughout the system who knows nothing better but to give our citizens a hard time, to give our brothers and sisters a hard time, that if they had a hard time at home in the morning, they’re gonna
come here and take it out on everyone, that is going to be a thing of the past because if it happens now, we are going to institute disciplinary measures and if you have to be removed from interfacing with the public, we will have to do so, we’ll put you at the backend. And we are going to put the judgement of that in the hands of the people of Guyana,” he further explained. According to Minister Ally, every public facility will soon be equipped with a QR code which citizens can utilise to rate the service they received. “It will take them one minute to scan that code and to put in their name, their number, the date, what happened and who was the officer involved and it will come and it will be sent to the agency and if you think you are a bad officer, and you getting 5-10 complaints from citizens, it can’t be ten people out to get you, it means you’re not doing something right,” the public service Minister asserted. In this regard, he announced that
customer service training will soon be rolled out for all public servants, especially those who interface with the public. The Minister emphasised that the objective is to transform the culture of public service delivery and ensure citizens leave Government offices satisfied with the assistance they receive. Meanwhile, the Minister has informed
the Department of Public Information (DPI) that to date, more than 3,480 public servants have been trained over the past year in various areas, including professionalism and ethics, information and communications technology (ICT) literacy, project management, digital transformation and customer service. The expansion of customer service training comes alongside
Government’s wider efforts to modernise public service delivery, including the establishment of service centres in the regions and the digitisation of Government services. He stressed that modern infrastructure and digital systems would have limited impact if citizens are not treated with the respect and dignity they deserve when interacting with public servants.
Be vigilant of increased spiking of drinks – CANU warns patrons, event organisers
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he Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) warns patrons and event organisers to be vigilant against drink spiking and the use of illicit drugs at social events. CANU’s Director James Singh urged citizens to remain alert and responsible while partying, amid concerns surrounding excessive alcohol consumption, illicit substances and the possible spiking of drinks. “It is deeply concerning to learn recently about illicit drugs, excessive alcohol use, and the possible spiking of drinks at social events. One pill, one drink, and one careless decision can change a life forever,” Singh said in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report. He warned that drugs can be concealed in drinks, pills, powders, vapes, candy and other substances, potentially causing overdose, unconsciousness, permanent injury, sexual vulnerability, violence or death. Patrons are being advised not to accept drinks or substances from strangers, to never leave
CANU’s Director, James Singh
their drinks unattended and to seek immediate assistance if they suspect something is wrong. Singh also called on event promoters and organisers to prioritise safety by maintaining visible security, preparing staff to respond to suspicious behaviour, ensuring medical assis-
tance is accessible and encouraging safe transportation. “A successful event is measured not only by the crowd or the music but also by whether everyone gets home safely,” he is quoted as saying by DPI. He added that one decision can change a life, make the right one.
GPL loses more than $2B...
FROM PAGE 13
“We have already removed, for a couple of weeks—I’ll admit, in the last couple of weeks—I’m telling you, one area might have had 200 removed in one area, right? And that’s one exercise. “And we have put out the numbers, and in that 200, in that 200 in one area, I think it was 20 in that particular area, we could use almost—how much—500 kilowatts (kW)? 500 kW, which is half a megawatt [but] When we have a smart grid, we’ll be able to measure that loss directly.”
Disruptions
Meanwhile, GPL Divisional Director of
Engineering Services Ryan Ross said electricity theft is another contributing factor to the utility’s losses, noting that it not only results in financial losses for the company but also contributes to disruptions in the electricity service. “It contributes to an overall total of about 13 to 15 per cent of losses, right? So there are two components, as you mentioned: technical and commercial. Technical is line losses emanating from transformers, lines and so on. Those you can do something about, but it’s a very costly exercise.” Ross said the financial value of the losses is significant, noting that one per
cent of losses was, the last time it was calculated, approximately $200 million. “It’s in excess of $200 million for one per cent. One per cent, the last time this was calculated, is about $200 million. A million US dollars for one per cent. We do prosecute. But the non-technical losses, or the commercial losses, as we call them, right? The diversion and theft of electricity is a significant issue. So they all come together to form almost 15 per cent of the losses. Each one of those illegal connections contributes to that, and that’s significant. So, in sum total, it’s right around that number.”
NEWS
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
GGDMA rolls out $6M back-to-school drive with 1000 school packages
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he Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has launched a $6 million back-to-school initiative that will see 1,000 school packages distributed to children, including those of workers in the mining sector, across Guyana. The first distribution was held on Saturday at the GGDMA Secretariat, where approximately 150 students from communities in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) received school supplies.
GGDMA rolled out its back-to-school drive
The beneficiaries included children from Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Sophia, Georgetown and families supported by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Women Across Differences (WAD). GGDMA Managing Director Avalon Jagnandan said the initiative is part of the Association’s corporate social responsibility programme and its efforts to support education. “Kids are the future of our country, and as a sector, we want to ensure that
our kids are well equipped so that they can receive a proper education. This initiative will continue across the other mining regions and districts over the next week,” Jagnandan said. According to Jagnandan, the initiative follows other social responsibility efforts undertaken by the Association. He said while the GGDMA assisted small miners with returning to work last year, its management and executive team decided to focus on children as they prepare for the new
school year. “We have 20 miners on board who contributed towards this project. The project is valued at over $6 million, and we are looking at over a 1000 school packages which will be distributed across the length and breadth of Guyana,” he said. The initiative comprises 500 primary school packages and 500 secondary school packages, which will be distributed in communities across the country. Among the beneficiaries of the first phase was
WAD, which works with women and youth, particularly young girls and teenage mothers, in several regions. WAD Coordinator Clonel Samuels-Boston welcomed the support, saying the organisation was grateful that the children of the teenage mothers it assists were included in the programme. “I know this is just the beginning, and we look forward to working together and supporting each other in the future,” Boston said. Community organ-
iser from Buxton, Devon Adams, also thanked the GGDMA for assisting children from the community. The GGDMA said the initiative is intended to help ease some of the financial pressure on parents and guardians as they prepare for the new academic year. The Region Four exercise is the first phase of the distribution, with additional school packages expected to be handed over to children in other mining regions and districts over the coming week.
16 NEWS 17 Rupununi loggers trained in reduced-impact logging practices TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Loggers from five North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) villages have completed a two-week Reduced Impact Logging Course
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eventeen loggers from five North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) villages have completed a two-week Reduced Impact Logging Course as part of efforts to strengthen sustainable forest management practices in the district. The Natural
Resources Ministry on its social media page said the training was implemented through the Sustainable Landscape Project by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Protected Areas Commission (PAC).
The participants came from the villages of Aranaputa, Kwaimatta, Rewa, Surama and Wowetta. The course was conducted by the Forestry Training Centre Inc. at its Mariwa Training Site. According to the Ministry, the training combined theoretical and practical instruction in key ar-
eas of forest management and logging. Participants received training in Forest Management Planning, Pre-harvest Inventory, Tree Identification and Directional Felling, as well as Occupational Health and Safety best practices. The capacity-building exercise, the Ministry said, is part of the agencies’ ongoing efforts under the Sustainable Landscape Project to strengthen local knowledge and promote sustainable practices in forest-dependent communities.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
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Regional
T&T PM tells teachers not to tolerate UK Government refuses misbehaviour in new academic year slavery reparations as Jamaica urges King to act T rinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has urged teachers to send disruptive students home and leave parents to deal with them, signalling a zero-tolerance approach to indiscipline as schools reopened for the 2026/2027 academic year on Monday. In a strongly-worded social media message on Sunday, Persad-Bissessar called on teachers and principals to adopt a no-nonsense stance toward disrespectful and misbehaving students, as well as uncooperative parents and guardians. “I strongly urge you to adopt a zero-tolerance policy
Jamaica and other Commonwealth countries have lobbied the UK for slavery reparations for many years, but to no avail [File: Gilbert Bellamy/Reuters]
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he United Kingdom’s Government has reiterated that it rejects reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade as Jamaica has petitioned King Charles III over the issue. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s spokesperson said on Monday that “the UK does not and will not pay reparations”. Successive British Governments have refused to engage in discussions about slavery reparations, while accepting that the country significantly benefitted from the trade. UK leaders have previously acknowledged the horrors of slavery and continue to do so, but have never formally apologised for Britain’s role in sustaining it. Burnham’s spokesperson labelled the practice as “abhorrent”, but maintained that position and insisted no compensation will be paid.
A delegation led by Jamaican Culture Minister Olivia Grange delivered a petition to Buckingham Palace on Monday, asking King Charles to seek legal advice from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. The petition poses three questions for the king to consider: whether the enslavement of Africans in Jamaica was legal under English law; whether it violated international law; and whether the UK has a legal obligation to provide compensation for the harms caused by slavery. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the final court of appeal for Jamaica and some other Commonwealth countries and territories. The Jamaican delegation is seeking US$10 billion in reparations and says it is the first time a Commonwealth country has tried to use this legal route. King Charles is current-
ly in Scotland and was not present at the palace as the petition was delivered. “Once again Charles ducks for cover when the issue of slavery and empire is raised,” said Graham Smith, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic. Minister Grange is also seeking the return of Caribbean artefacts held in British museums. Despite the King’s absence, and the government’s reiteration that reparations would not be paid, Grange told the Reuters news agency that she was “encouraged”. Last month, a United Nations committee concluded that countries are legally obliged to consider slavery reparations, warning that racial discrimination could not be tackled without “a full commitment to review and redress the ongoing harms and consequences of the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised slavery”. (Al Jazeera)
to disrespectful and misbehaved students and parents. Don’t stress out yourselves trying to help persons who don’t want to be helped. If students refuse to behave properly and parents are ignoring your concerns, send them straight home and let them and their parents battle it out in their house,” Persad-Bissessar said. “You are there to teach, mentor and protect those students willing to learn; you are not there to be abused, intimidated and harassed by any student or parent.” The Prime Minister accompanied the message with an equally blunt warning to students, urging them
to take their education seriously or risk facing a difficult future. She also criticised those who tell young people that failing at school does not mean their lives are over. “These same persons, while publicly giving you that advice, are privately giving their own children and grandchildren the same warnings about a difficult future without an education as I am giving you today. None of these glib people are going to lift a finger to help you when you complete schooling without an education and are struggling to earn a living,” she said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Cuba says no negotiations with US despite “genocidal” blockade
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uba says it is not currently negotiating with the United States, as the Trump Administration continues its campaign of economic pressure on the island. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said on Monday that Havana and Washington were not negotiating, and that there was no agenda for future talks. His comments came during a media conference, as he laid out Cuba’s latest estimate of the damage caused by the decades-old US embargo, imposed since former leader Fidel Castro‘s communist revolution in 1959. The Cuban Government says the US embargo cost its economy US$8 billion between March 2025 and February 2026, the highest figure yet recorded and seven per cent more than in the previous reporting period. The total does not include some of Washington’s more recent sanctions, including restrictions on the
A man pushes a bicycle taxi along a street in Havana on September 7, 2026 (Yamil Lage/AFP photo)
island’s energy supply imposed in January and secondary sanctions imposed in May, said Rodriguez. In a post on X, Rodríguez called the policy one of “economic asphyxiation” and described the blockade, which Havana has long blamed for shortages and economic hardships, as “genocidal”. “These are long months of living with only two or three hours of electricity per day or less,” Rodríguez wrote, painting a bleak pic-
ture of what the country’s worsening energy crisis looks like for Cubans. He described food spoiling without refrigeration, parents fanning their babies through the heat, children trying to do their schoolwork in the dark and young people going without Internet access. “All family life [is] damaged,” he said, adding that Cuba is not a threat, but the blockade is. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Rubio heads to Ecuador, Colombia, Peru Thousands of Brazilians rally for Bolsonaro in tight after right-wing victories in region presidential race against Lula U nited States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is travelling to three South American countries whose recently-elected leaders have closely aligned with President Donald Trump’s Administration. Rubio will travel to Colombia today to meet with newly elected President Abelardo de la Espriella. He will then visit Ecuador to meet with President Daniel Noboa before going to Peru, where he will meet with another newly-elected leader, Keiko Fujimori. The State Department has not yet released a more in-depth agenda for the trip, saying only that
Rubio will discuss “US support for Colombia’s earthquake response; enhanced cooperation in the shared fight against narcoterrorism, which threatens our hemisphere; and the benefits of deeper commercial relationships between our countries”. The trip comes amid a rightward shift in Latin America that has seen several Trump-aligned leaders take office. Beyond the three countries, Trump also backed Honduran President Nasry Asfura, who won the presidency in November, and Bolivia’s Rodrigo Paz, who won in October. Beyond the new leaders, Trump has also close-
ly aligned with Argentina’s Javier Milei, who took office in 2023, and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, who became the leader in 2019. Rubio’s visit comes as the Trump administration has pledged to assert more influence over the Western Hemisphere in what Trump has referred to as the “Donroe Doctrine”, a reference to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine that opposed European interference in the Americas. It has shifted to a militaristic approach to security in Latin American countries, while broadly reframing efforts to combat drug trafficking as a war against “narco-terrorists”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
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razil’s Opposition took to the streets on Independence Day on Monday as right-wing presidential candidate Senator Flavio Bolsonaro sought to capitalise on a Supreme Court crisis to bolster his campaign against leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in next month’s election. In chilly temperatures, some 28,500 people massed on São Paulo’s Paulista Avenue for the conservatives’ rally, researchers from the University of São Paulo’s Monitor do Debate Politico estimated. Organisers cast the
demonstration as a protest against Lula’s Government and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ahead of first-round voting on October 4. The Justice aggressively pursued former President Jair Bolsonaro, the Senator’s father, over a 2023 coup plot and won his conviction in 2025, making Moraes one of Brazil’s most polarising figures. “This consortium of Lula and Moraes will come to an end,” Flavio Bolsonaro told supporters. “Anyone who votes for Lula is voting for Alexandre de Moraes.” A Quaest poll released
on Monday showed Lula and Bolsonaro tied at 41 per cent each in a potential presidential runoff, which would be held on October 25. Speaking from a sound truck alongside other conservative politicians, Bolsonaro sought to revive mass street demonstrations that were a hallmark of his father, though turnout fell short of the elder Bolsonaro’s crowds. A similar event last year drew about 42,000 people, while a rally called by Jair Bolsonaro in early 2024 attracted roughly 185,000 supporters. (Excerpt from Reuters)
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
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Around the World
Iran warns US energy assets in Gulf OILNEWS OIL NEWS are vulnerable after latest clashes Oil prices rise to 6-week highs on worsening Middle East conflict
O
il prices rose to a six-week high on Monday as Iran vowed to strike energy infrastructure across the Middle East in response to further US attacks on its assets, the latest escalation in a conflict that has sharply reduced oil supply from the region. Brent crude futures rose US$1.03, or 1.1 per cent, to settle at US$97.31 a barrel, after hitting their highest point since July 24 at US$98.06. Brent futures settled around 13:30h EDT (1730 GMT), about an hour earlier than their usual settlement time due to the Labour Day holiday in the United States. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, which did not settle on Monday owing to the holiday, was up 1.3 per cent, or US$1.17, at US$92.65 a barrel by 13:45h EDT. WTI futures earlier rose as high as US$93.29, also the highest since July 24. “Strike our assets and you get struck,” Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Monday, in what appeared to be a response to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s warning that Tehran’s oil fleet was “defenceless”. The United States and Iran traded strikes on oil tankers and warships over the weekend, marking a major escalation of the war between the two countries that began when the US and Israel struck Iran on February 28, maritime intelligence firm Marisks said. “Commercial tankers are now being deliberately used as instruments of reciprocal economic pressure, substantially weakening the previous distinction between military confrontation and commercial shipping,” Marisks said. Brent rose around eight per cent last week and WTI gained nearly 10 per cent, after the US and Iran resumed attacks. The war has taken a heavy toll on global oil supply, forcing nations to burn through stockpiles to avoid deficits. In the United States, the largest oil producer and consumer, inventories of gasoline and distillate fuel are substantially below year-ago and five-year seasonal averages, PVM Energy analysts noted. “The current roundup indicates a slightly-more dire picture than the last time we took stock a few weeks ago,” they said. Worsening tensions Regional tensions were also heightened by Israeli strikes on a town in southern Lebanon that killed at least 12 persons on Monday, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, marking one of the deadliest days of bombardment in recent weeks. Elsewhere in the Middle East, Saudi Aramco’s Jazan oil refinery was attacked on Monday and damage was being ascertained, the Financial Times reported, citing two persons with knowledge of the matter. A week ago, a Saudi-owned tanker was attacked by Iran, with Saudi Arabia saying two seafarers had died. Oman said on Monday it had evacuated 16 crew members from the tanker. An average of 10 commodity ships transited the Strait of Hormuz per day over the past 10 days, the lowest since May, data from analytics firm Kpler showed on Monday. “If tanker traffic begins to slow materially, the market could price in a much larger supply shock. And there are already signs that this is happening,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, head of market insights at Phillip Nova. Goldman Sachs said oil prices may rally as high as US$120 a barrel if attacks on shipping rise. Iran will announce a restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, said Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is building alternative routes for its energy exports and trade to ensure they are not “held hostage” by the war between the United States and Iran, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said on Monday. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) kept its oil output policy unchanged for October at a meeting on Sunday, the producer group said in a statement, as it needs to agree on new quotas before deciding its next output steps. (Reuters)
I
ran threatened on Monday to retaliate against any new US attacks on its assets, warning that energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including US oil and gas interests, was vulnerable. “Strike our assets and you get struck,” Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said after US and Iranian strikes on shipping at the weekend that pushed oil prices up near six-week highs on Monday. The latest threat underscores the risks of further escalation after the sides traded blows again at the weekend, with no sign of progress towards a diplomatic breakthrough that could end more than six months of conflict and re-
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf (ShadatiXinhua/Getty Images file photo)
store normal energy flows through the Gulf. Iran has tightened restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and gas supplies, since the war began with US and Israeli strikes
on February 28. On Sunday, senior Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran would soon announce a new restricted zone in the Gulf and unveil a new shipping corridor through the strait.
Rezaei said the zone would begin where a US naval blockade of Iran starts and extend into parts of the Gulf. Any vessel entering the area would be placed on an Iranian sanctions list. “We will only commit to the Strait of Hormuz being open when they (the Americans) stop the sabotage, threats, and attacks on Iran,” Rezaei said. Regional tensions were heightened by Israeli strikes on a town in southern Lebanon that killed at least 12 persons on Monday, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, marking one of the deadliest days of bombardment in recent weeks. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Nepal rescuers focus on 900 hydropower workers, 121 could be trapped in tunnels, officials say
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epali rescuers searched on Monday for more than 100 hydropower workers feared trapped in tunnels days after four miracle rescues from the wreckage of catastrophic floods that laid waste to towns and villages on the Himalayan border with C hina. The rescues have offered a glimmer of hope
as Nepal marked the 13th day after the disaster, traditionally the final day of mourning in Hindu rites, as a national day of mourning for the hundreds killed in the floods. About 121 of a total 900 persons missing from the hydroelectric projects could have been trapped in these tunnels, army rescuers said. Others may have been working elsewhere at
the power plants, but not inside the vast network of tunnels. Among those whom rescuers were trying to find on Monday were four out of six persons missing at the Chilime hydropower project in the hard-hit Rasuwa district who could still be alive, Shri Ram Neupane, a lawmaker involved in rescue efforts, told Reuters.
Authorities had obtained specialised equipment and identified techniques needed for the Chilime operation, Neupane said. Rescuers believe that there could be survivors trapped inside tunnels because many have air pockets, as well as spaces and rooms for people to stay, they said last week. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Thousands turn out in Serbia for funeral of “Butcher of Bosnia” Ratko Mladić
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housands of people have turned out in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, to attend the funeral of the convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić. Widely known as the “Butcher of Bosnia”, Mladić died at the age of 84 while serving a life sentence in the United Nations prison in The Hague, the Netherlands. He was found guilty of genocide by a UN war crimes tribunal for his role in the
Mourners queue as they arrive to take part in a public memorial on the day of the funeral ceremony for late Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic at St Lukas church in Belgrade, on September 7, 2026 (Getty Images)
1995 Srebrenica massacre, when around 8000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were killed. It was described as Europe’s worst atrocity since World War Two. A Serbian Government Minister had initially said that Mladić would be given a state funeral, but those plans were changed after objections from some European leaders. On Monday, the EU denounced Mladić’s “glorification”. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Far-right election win in Germany delivers blow to Merz, warning to Europe
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he far-right AfD’s triumph in the eastern state of SaxonyAnhalt marks a defeat for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and sends a warning to other European leaders battling the same mixture of slow growth and disillusion with mainstream politics.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD), just short of an absolute majority in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament after Sunday’s vote, has become the face of opposition to the consensus-based political system that has governed Germany since World War Two. Thorsten Frei, the par-
liamentary leader for Merz’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), called it “a watershed for our country”. In an increasingly polarised political system, Merz, whose personal approval ratings have sunk to record lows, was one of the main targets of voter ire.
In his first reported comments on the election outcome, Merz on Monday told the CDU’s executive board the result had shaken his party “to its very foundations”, but he also again ruled out cooperating with the AfD, according to the Bild newspaper. (Excerpt from Reuters)
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
ARCHIE
19
DAILY HOROSCOPES Stop overthinking and start doing. Put yourself out there, and connect with people who share your beliefs and enthusiasm. The thoughts you share will help you piece together a plan.
(March 21-April 19) Patience will be necessary. Domestic problems will escalate quickly if you let your emotions take over and your imagination turn a small problem into something gigantic.
PICKLES
(April 20-May 20) Think matters through, and finish what you start. Refuse to let what others do stand in your way. Be true to yourself, and let your instincts guide you forward in a positive and helpful manner.
(May 21-June 20) If something is bothering you, speak up. If you allow anger to set in first, you’ll make a scene you’ll soon regret. Overreacting will work against you; keep your dialogue simple, direct and loving.
PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)
(July 23-Aug. 22)
Set your course and don’t look back. It’s necessary to have proper preparation in place in order to avoid getting lost or forgetting to do something. Think big, but model your plans to suit your budget and demands. Put more thought and energy into making a difference, helping others and forming decisions that will help you reach your professional and financial expectations.
CALVIN AND HOBBES
(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
SUDOKU
Relationships should be on your radar. Be aware of body language, how well you read whatever room you walk into and who you want to connect with most. Your charm will be hard to resist, but be careful what you allude to. Expectations will lead to disappointment if you believe what others tell you. There’s a lot of hype and little substance that comes your way today. Channel your energy into doing for yourself.
(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Research, then put a self-improvement plan that satisfies your soul in place. Working toward a concrete solution will help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Utilizing intelligence and following through with your plans will get you where you want to go. Don’t let the past stand in your way or allow someone to step in and redirect your focus.
SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
Get in the groove and burrow your way forward with vengeance. Trust your instincts, and leave the past behind you. Venture down a path that enables you to grow mentally and love who you are and where you are heading. When one door closes, another will open. Living both in the past and the future won’t work. Pick a side and give it your all. Letting go of what isn’t working for you is necessary.
(Feb. 20-March 20)
20
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Sandhu’s 6 for 7 seals Pakistan’s semi-final spot
Nashra Sandhu (centre) of Pakistan celebrates a wicket with teammates during the DP World Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026
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akistan will play Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-final on Friday af-
ter they secured a thumping win over Hong Kong in the final Group A contest. They finished second
Ayesha Zafar of Pakistan plays a shot during the DP World Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026
aaa SCOREBOARD Pakistan Women (20 ovs maximum) Muneeba Ali †b Iqra Sahar 6 Shawaal Zulfiqar c & b Joyleen Kaur 47 Gull Feroza lbw b Chan 3 Ayesha Zafar c Bibi b Joyleen Kaur 26 Sadaf Shamas c Lamplough b Joyleen Kaur 5 Fatima Sana (c) not out 24 Eyman Fatima lbw b Joyleen Kaur 1 Tuba Hassan b Chan 14 Umm-e-Hani c Bibi b Iqra Sahar 1 Nashra Sandhu not out 3 Extras (lb 2, w 11) 13 Total 20 Ov (RR: 7.15) 143/8 Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Muneeba Ali, 2.5 ov), 2-33 (Gull Feroza, 4.1 ov), 3-80 (Ayesha Zafar, 9.5 ov), 4-92 (Shawaal Zulfiqar, 11.2 ov), 5-99 (Sadaf Shamas, 13.2 ov), 6-101 (Eyman Fatima, 13.5 ov), 7-127 (Tuba Hassan, 17.4 ov), 8-129 (Umm-e-Hani, 18.4 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Iqra Sahar 4-0-27-2 Alison Siu 3-0-27-0 Kary Chan 4-0-33-2 Marina Lamplough 3-0-15-0 Joyleen Kaur 4-0-19-4 Maryam Bibi 1-0-11-0 Ruchitha Venkatesh 1-0-9-0
Hong Kong Women (T: 144 runs from 20 ovs) Natasha Miles (c) lbw b Sadia Iqbal 1 Mariko Hill b Fatima Sana 0 Yasmin Daswani †c & b Nashra Sandhu 13 Kary Chan b Ayesha Zafar 30 Marina Lamplough b Nashra Sandhu 2 Maryam Bibi c Sadaf Shamas b Nashra Sandhu 2 Shanzeen Shahzad c Sadia Iqbal b Nashra Sandhu 0 Alison Siu b Nashra Sandhu 0 Iqra Sahar b Nashra Sandhu 0 Joyleen Kaur c Gull Feroza b Umm-e-Hani 10 Ruchitha Venkatesh not out 9 Extras (b 2, w 2) 4 Total 19 Ov (RR: 3.73) 71 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Mariko Hill, 0.6 ov), 2-1 (Natasha Miles, 1.1 ov), 3-32 (Yasmin Daswani, 8.3 ov), 4-38 (Marina Lamplough, 10.2 ov), 5-40 (Maryam Bibi, 10.5 ov), 6-48 (Shanzeen Shahzad, 12.2 ov), 7-48 (Alison Siu, 12.3 ov), 8-48 (Iqra Sahar, 12.6 ov), 9-55 (Kary Chan, 15.1 ov), 10-71 (Joyleen Kaur, 18.6 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Fatima Sana 3-0-7-1 Sadia Iqbal 2-1-8-1 Umm-e-Hani 4-0-21-1 Nashra Sandhu 4-0-7-6 Tuba Hassan 3-0-15-0 Ayesha Zafar 3-1-11-1
in their group with a 72run win set up by a record-breaking spell of 6 for 7 from Nashra Sandhu and a resolute 35-ball 47 from Shawaal Zulfiqar. Pakistan scored 143 for 8 after electing to bat first for the third time in as many matches, with Ayesha Zafar and Captain Fatima Sana making valuable contributions of 26 off 19 and a run-a-ball 24, respectively, before an excellent display of bowling saw Hong Kong fold for 71 in 19 overs.
Zulfiqar lives up to expectations
Z u l f i q a r made a thumping comeback to the T20 International (T20I) side last month in Sri Lanka and it made Pakistan persist with her at the top of the order despite the return of experienced Gull Feroza, who slid down to one-down. She could not build on a start against India with the wickets tumbling from the other end and the pressure mounting. But the righthander fought through on Monday, despite the dismissals of experienced batters around her in Muneeba Ali (6 off 7) and Feroza (3 off 4). Despite batting on a challenging surface that played slow and gripped, Zulfiqar timed the ball well as she struck six boundaries. She hit a few sparkling cover drives and stitched a
sparkling partnership of 47 off 34 with Zafar before the latter fell in the 10th over. No Pakistan batter, barring Zafar and Fatima, was able to emulate the 21-yearold in an innings which saw only four batters post in the double digits. Zulfiqar was eventually outsmarted by Joyleen Kaur as she smashed a flighted ball outside off right back to the bowler to be caught and bowled in the 12th over. Pakistan seemed well in control until she was at the crease, but could add only 51 runs in 8.4 overs after her dismissal.
post a big total. It resulted in Zafar handing a simple catch at point while trying to slash hard at a tossed-up delivery outside off and Zulfiqar mis-hitting a smash down the ground. She continued with the plan and it brought her two more wickets in her last over as Sadaf Shamas holed out to long-on and Eyman Fatima played all around a lobbed off-break to be trapped in front. Joyleen finished with career-best figures of 4 for 19, the first time she took four wickets in a T20I.
Joyleen brings joy to Hong Kong
Pakistan’s bowlers too good for Hong Kong
Dubai has played slow throughout this women’s Asia Cup and naturally the idea was to make the most of the surface by bowling slow. While all the Hong Kong bowlers followed it, none of them executed it as perfectly as Joyleen as she hung the ball outside the hitting arc of the Pakistan batters who were desperate to
Hong Kong needed to overhaul the 144-run target inside 12.3 overs to beat Pakistan in the race to the semi-finals, but it was alAlison Siu of ways going to be Hong Kong an uphill task bowls considering Pakistan’s strong bowling.
They m a y h a v e been subpar w i t h the bat or in the field this tournament, but their bowling has been rated highly. Sana defeated the defences of Mariko Hill at the end of the first over and Sadia Iqbal started the second by trapping Natasha Miles in front with an arm ball. From there it was a struggle for Hong Kong. Kary Chan struck a few boundShawaal Zulfiqar aries as during her innings she finished with the highest score (30 off 47) in the innings.
Nashra Sandhu makes history
The left-arm spinner is known for her im-
maculate line-andlength bowling and Hong Kong never stood a chance against her.
Introduced into the attack after the power play, as is often the case with her, Sandhu returned incredible figures of six for seven, the first time a Pakistan bowler has bagged a six-for in a women’s T20I. Her loopy length ball, which turned away, had Yasmin Daswani in trouble. She then bowled Marina Lamplough and had Maryam Bibi caught across four balls in her next over. She took three wickets in five balls in her last over, the first two coming on consecutive balls. Each dismissal left her with a smile bigger than the last. (ESPNcricinfo)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
GUYANATIMESGY.COM
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Caribbean Boxing Championships…
T&T pugilists added to competitive card T
rinidad and Tobago will be represented by two promising amateur boxers when the Caribbean Boxing Championships return to Guyana for the second staging of the regional competition on Saturday, September 12, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Homestretch Avenue. Shastri Ramsanahie and Kozo Martin are set to add a Trinidadian presence to an increasingly-competitive regional card, with both boxers facing Guyanese opposition as the Caribbean Boxing Organisation (CBO) continues its push to strengthen boxing across the Region. According to the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Ramsanahie will square off against Guyanese rising star Ryan Rogers, who recently captured a gold medal at the Caribbean Schoolboys and
Kozo Martin will face off with Jofes Jackson in the CBO’s Caribbean Boxing Championships
Juniors Boxing Championships. Martin, meanwhile, will face another Guyanese prospect in Jofes Jackson, creating two intriguing regional match-ups on an amateur programme designed to give emerging fighters valuable exposure and experience. GBA President Steve Ninvalle said the Association remained committed to developing young talent by providing opportunities for them to compete against quality opposition. Ninvalle said the GBA will continue to utilise the professional-amateur cards organised by the CBO as an important platform for testing its best local boxers against some of the Region’s leading fighters. Guyana hosted the inaugural Caribbean Boxing Championships in January, with the event providing amateur and profes-
sional pugilists with an opportunity to showcase their skills while gaining valuable experience on the regional stage. The second edition promises another diverse night of boxing, with two championship belts up for grabs. In addition to the Caribbean Championship belt, organisers will introduce a Celebrity Belt, expected to add an element of entertainment and fun to the evening. Several of Guyana’s leading boxers are expected to feature, including Kevin Isaacs, Joel Williamson, Jamal Eastman, James Moore, Laured Stewart, Richard Howard Jr, and Stepton Barton. They will share the card with fighters from Venezuela, Jamaica, Grenada, Barbados, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, giving the championship a truly regional flavour.
Empire CC defeat Yakusari to capture Zheng wins set from 5-0 1st NYNCL T30 Division 1 crown down again to stun Swiatek
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Empire Cricket Club defeated Yakusari All Stars by 11 runs to win their first New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) Deo & Sons T30 Division One championship
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mpire Cricket Club completed a memorable season by defeating Yakusari All Stars by 11 runs to win their first New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) Deo & Sons T30 Division One championship at the Baisley Pond Cricket Ground in Queens, New York. Empire posted 172 for eight from their allotted 30 overs before restricting Yakusari to 161 for nine. The victory completed a Division One double for Empire, who had already secured the regular-season title after topping the standings in the 14-team competition. Ramesh Kasinath produced the standout all-round performance for the champions, scoring 60 from 48 balls and taking a spectacular boundary catch. He was later named Man of the Final. Yakusari Captain David Williams Jr won the toss and elected to field. Empire suffered an early setback when leading run-scorer Arnil Ragdnath was dismissed for five, leaving the score at 26 for one after 4.1 overs. Kasinath, who hails from Chesney, Berbice, then joined Captain Mahendra Persaud in an important 89-run second-wicket partnership. Persaud anchored the innings with a patient 50 from 66 balls, hitting one four and one six, while Kasinath provided the acceleration. Kasinath struck one four
and six sixes during his entertaining innings. He was particularly destructive in one over, which yielded 20 runs and included three sixes. His dismissal in the 18th over, with Empire on 115 for two, opened the door for Yakusari to fight back. A quick succession of wickets left Empire on 141 for five at the end of the 25th over. Surendra Ramcharitar, formerly of Albion, Berbice, contributed 18 from 20 balls during the closing stages to help Empire reach their eventual total. Chasing 173, Yakusari made a positive start when Alex Chuninlal struck Hayden Babulall for six over long-off. Chuninlal attempted another attacking shot the next delivery, but Kasinath completed a brilliant diving catch near the boundary while keeping the ball in play. Yakusari continued to challenge, but Empire regularly broke partnerships. Avinash Cassie was dismissed with the score on 94 for three, while Somesh Mangaroo fell at 121 for four during the 20th over. Williams, the son of former West Indies and Trinidad senior men s player David Williams Sr, kept Yakusari in contention with an impressive 66 from 59 balls under pressure. However, fast bowler Jermine Pollard delivered two vital breakthroughs by removing Cassie and Williams with
short-pitched deliveries. Both catches were completed by Ramcharitar near the boundary. Pollard finished with four wickets for 32 runs from six overs, while Chennaiborn off-spinner Khoushik Ram claimed three for 26 from his six overs. With Yakusari s main batters dismissed and the required scoring rate increasing, Empire maintained the pressure and restricted their opponents to 161 for nine. Williams was named Best Batter of the Final, Pollard collected the Best Bowler award, and Kasinath was adjudged Man of the Final. Empire team owners Samuel and Stephanie Mahabir expressed satisfaction with the team s performances throughout the season. The success added to the organisation s earlier Guyana Cup of New York T20 title, which was won under the Long Island Raptors franchise, making 2026 its most successful year. The club also expressed gratitude to sponsors Ahmed s Law Firm, GMA Plumbing, Cottage Home Care, Golden Auto Tech, AMJ Demo, Real Guyana West Indian Fish Market & Grocery, Ink Nerd, Shanta s Restaurant and Bakery, and SamShot Photography. The final brought the curtain down on the NYNCL s summer Sunday Division One season.
heng Qinwen won a set from 5-0 down for the second match in succession as she extended her fantastic US Open run by beating former champion Iga Swiatek to reach the quarter-finals. Zheng, the reigning Olympic champion and former world number four, dropped outside the world’s top 100 earlier this year while struggling to regain her best form following elb o w surgery in July 2025. T h e 23-year-old from China had trailed Madison Keys 5-0 in the deciding set of their thirdround match on Saturday before winning seven successive games to secure her spot in round four. And Zheng was 5-0 down in the opening set against Poland’s eighth seed Swiatek, but won 13 of the next 16 games at Arthur Ashe Stadium to set up a quarter-final against either Naomi Osaka or Elena Rybakina. The second set was on serve until the seventh game, when Zheng crushed a powerful backhand return winner to secure a crucial break, and she broke again two games later to complete a 7-5 6-3 victory. This latest win her seventh in a row in New York having come through three rounds of qualifying will put her back to the brink of the top 50. “The more matches I play, the more rhythm I have on court,” said Zheng. “People have asked me if I’m tired and when I arrived I was not tired at all. I felt really pumped for my match, trying to reach better levels here and enjoy this fantastic stadium.” Elsewhere, French Open winner Mirra Andreeva recovered from losing the first set to Austria’s Anastasia Potapova to reach the last
eight in New York for the first time in her career.
The year of the qualifier?
Zheng’s only win in eight previous meetings against Swiatek was in the semi-finals of the 2 0 2 4
Zheng Qinwen has matched her best-ever performance at the US Open by reaching the quarter-finals
Olympics on her way to singles gold in Paris. Her quarter-final opponent will be decided later on Monday, when former US Open champion Osaka plays second seed Rybakina. Former world number five Daniela Hantuchova told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: “She [Zheng] is starting to be very dangerous for the rest of the players left. “I don’t want to say she’s playing the best tennis out of everyone, but if you have Iga Swiatek panicking on the other side of the court, not knowing what to do, that says a lot.” The most recent qualifier to reach this stage of the women’s draw at the US Open was Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who went on to win the title in 2021. And Zheng is not the first female qualifier to perform well at a Grand Slam in 2026 Poland’s Maja Chwalinska, who began the French Open at 114th in the world, lost to Russian teenager Andreeva in the final at Roland Garros.
Swiatek started making mistakes after fast start
result. She was beaten in round four of the French Open, while the defence of her Wimbledon title ended in the third
For Swiatek, 25, a fourth-round exit is a disappointing end to her Grand Slam season, with a quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open her best
round. It means that for the first time since 2021, Swiatek will end a year without winning one of the sport’s four majors. Swiatek, who received treatment to her left thigh when leading 2-1 in the second set, had entered the US Open in excellent form by winning the WTA 1000 event in Toronto and getting to the semi-finals in Cincinnati, while she had progressed through to round four without dropping a set. Reflecting on losing the first set to Zheng, Swiatek said she simply missed too many shots after going 5-0 up. “My focus was the same as always,” said the sixtime major winner. “I wanted to play the same as always. [I] just started to miss too much, wanted to adjust it, but nothing kind of worked at that point. “I knew I was going to have another chance and I wanted to use it, but I missed them all.” She continued: “I wouldn’t say it had anything to do with mentality. It was more that I started making mistakes from easy balls and Qinwen stopped doing mistakes. She played the balls better.” (BBC Sport)
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GUYANATIMESGY.COM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Elite League Season 8…
Slingerz rout Camptown; GDF, Police, Monedderlust seal dramatic wins
GDF’s Colin Nelson (right) is surrounded by teammates after his stoppage-time penalty secured maximum points for the team
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efending champions Slingerz Football Club continued their Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Season Eight campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over newcomers Camptown FC, while
Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC edged Western Tigers 1-0 in Sunday night’s double-header at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Curtez Kellman opened
the scoring for Slingerz in the 38th minute with a header before second-half goals from Yusifu Kargbo and Bryan Wharton sealed the convincing victory. Kellman’s strike separated the teams at halftime as Camptown, one of the fresh faces in the league this season, kept the defending champions within reach during the opening period. Slingerz strengthened their position in the 72nd minute when Kargbo doubled the advantage. Wharton then scored twice in quick succession, finding the net in the 83rd and 86th minutes to complete the rout. In the second match, GDF overcame a red card to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory against Western Tigers. The contest remained goalless for most of the night before GDF defender Emmanuel Lewis was sent off in the 65th minute, leaving the Army side to continue with 10 players. Western Tigers were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage, and GDF
L-R: Curtez Kellman and Bryan Wharton (2) scored for Slingerz FC (Elite League photos)
were eventually awarded a penalty from Mark Jhalu’s foul deep into second-half stoppage time.
Veteran GDF defender and Captain Colin Nelson then converted the spot kick to secure all three points for
his team in dramatic fashion. Meanwhile on Saturday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC came from behind to pull off a close 2-1 victory over Fruta Conquerors FC. Micaiah DeFreitas gave Fruta Conquerors the lead two minutes into first-half stoppage time, but Nicholas McArthur turned the game around with goals in the 79th and 88th minutes. The second game that night saw an identical scoreline as Monedderlust FC opened their account in this edition of the league on a winning note. Royan Rose opened the scoring for Monedderlust in the 28th minute before Johenni Mendoza Gomez equalised for Den Amstel eight minutes later. Delwin Fraser restored Monedderlust’s advantage in the 48th minute, and his goal ultimately proved to be the match-winner. The Elite League will continue next weekend at the NTC.
Republic Bank CPL launches Greene wins Race 3 to take Keep Fit Series lead Next Gen Cricket Clinic
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ndre Greene powered to victory on Sunday in the third race of the Keep Fit Series at the inner circuit of the National Park, taking the overall lead by a single point as the competition heads into another round next Sunday. Greene completed the 36-lap race in one hour, 17 minutes and nine seconds to collect the maximum 10 points. Christopher Griffith finished second and earned seven points, while Devendra Sahadeo secured third place and five points. Segun Hubbard crossed the line fourth to add three points to his tally, while Paul Choo-wee-nam rounded out the top five and collected two points. The victory moved Greene to the top of the general classification with 13 points. Griffith and Alex
The clinic hosted by the Republic Bank CPL will conclude with a televised T10 showcase
Part of the peloton in action during the third race of the Keep Fit Series at the inner circuit of the National Park
opening-race winner Aaron Newton sits fourth with 11 points. Robin Persaud and Hubbard share fifth place with 10 points each. Choo-
The top six finishers inclusive of winner Andre Greene (third from right), whose victory took him to the top of the overall standings
Mendes are tied one point behind him on 12, while
wee-nam and Sahadeo have five points apiece, while
Jaikarran Sukhai and Geron Williams are tied on two. Julio Meville has one point. Newton won the opening 30-lap race in a time of one hour, nine minutes, and 22 seconds. Mendes placed second, followed by Griffith, Choo-wee-nam, Sukhai, and Melville. Persaud then won the second race, which covered 36 laps, in one hour and 16 minutes. Hubbard finished second, Mendes third, Greene fourth, Williams fifth, and Newton sixth. Points are awarded to the first six finishers, with 10 going to the winner, seven to second, five to third, three to fourth, two to fifth, and one to sixth. With just three points separating the leading four riders, the Keep Fit Series remains wide open ahead of its continuation next Sunday.
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he Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will launch CPL Next Gen, a new grassroots cricket initiative in Barbados, delivering six clinic sessions across three days before a televised T10 showcase match at the iconic Kensington Oval on September 11, 2026. Running from today, Tuesday, September 8 to Thursday, September 10 at the Franklyn Stephenson Cricket Academy, the clinics will welcome 100 young cricketers aged 11 to 14, nominated by schools from across the island. Each session combines fielding technique and decision-making under pressure, catching and throwing practice, rotational batting stations, and live net sessions offering match-realistic batting and bowling repetitions. Coaches will also work with participants on discipline and conduct, reinforcing professional standards alongside cricket skills. Academy coaches will assess technique and potential throughout the three days, with the 22 standout performers selected to progress to the CPL Next Gen Showcase
Match. That fixture will be played at Kensington Oval on September 11, and will be broadcast as part of Republic Bank CPL programming and across the league’s social channels. Beyond the clinic, participating players will be signposted into Barbados Cricket Association affiliated clubs, continuing their development along a pathway that leads through CPL’s regional Breakout League towards the men’s and women’s Republic Bank CPL tournaments. CPL Next Gen forms part of Republic Bank CPL’s ongoing commitment to grassroots development across the Caribbean, widening the base of young talent and building a clear route from school cricket to the professional game. The programme reflects the league’s focus on community outreach, encouraging greater participation in the sport while strengthening its presence at the grassroots level across the Region. Tournament Operations Director Michael Hall said: “CPL Next Gen is about clearing a genuine pathway for the most talented and committed
generation of new cricketers coming through right here in Barbados. Every young player who walks onto the field at Franklyn Stephenson Cricket Academy this September has a real route ahead of them, into BCA clubs, into regional cricket, and ultimately into the Republic Bank CPL itself. We can’t wait to see what this generation does with that opportunity!” As Republic Bank CPL continues to grow and expand its footprint across the Caribbean, initiatives such as CPL Next Gen underline the tournament’s growing global appeal and its standing as one of the region’s premier T20 leagues, while offering young Barbadian cricketers a genuine pathway towards the professional stage. (CPLT20)
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Tahir confident Warriors can cope without Nabi, Gurbaz
Mohammad Nabi has had an impressive campaign with the Guyana Amazon Warriors (CPL T20 photo)
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he Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) will look to maintain their unbeaten run when they face the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Match 30 of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, today from 19:00h. The Amazon Warriors enter the contest high on confidence
after securing a commanding seven-wicket victory over the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on Sunday, a result that confirmed their place in the play-offs and moved them to the top of the standings with six wins. Captain Imran Tahir praised his players for their consistency and hard work, while stressing the importance of maintaining their intensity despite their impressive run. “Really proud of the boys. The way we’ve been playing our cricket, it’s really good and pleasing,” Tahir said during a post-match interview on Sunday evening, “We’re not taking things for granted. We’re playing good cricket and we’re getting the results. We’re putting in a lot of hard work.” However, the Warriors will soon have to cope with the departures of key players Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, for international duty. Tahir acknowledged that losing the experienced Nabi will be a challenge, but expressed
confidence in the squad’s depth. He revealed that a replacement player from Bangladesh had arrived, whom he believes can make a similar impact. “Nabi’s done fantastic, so not taking that away,” Tahir shared, “Obviously, we need to give the guy [replacement player] a chance, which is a perfect time for him to come and get adapted to the conditions.” The Warriors will also rely on experienced campaigners who are familiar with the Providence conditions, including Glenn Phillips, Dwaine Pretorius, and Tahir himself. “We’re going to miss Gurbaz and Nabi, that’s for sure,” Tahir admitted. Despite those absences, the Warriors will be favourites against the Falcons, who will be aiming to disrupt their dominant campaign. With their play-off berth already secured, the Warriors will now be focused on strengthening their position at the top of the table and extending their unbeaten streak on home soil.
VMFA complete Youth Ensemble double with U15 victory
GFF President Wayne Forde presenting the championship trophy to the VMFA U15s
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he Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) have stamped their authority as the youth team to beat in Guyana following a sec-
ner of the net. When it rains it pours, and that was the case for the East Coast Demerara outfit. VMFA’s Brandon Park let a shot loose from near the
CPL Hall of Fame trophy named the Sir Garry Sobers Award
Another look at the Youth Ensemble U15 final action between VMFA (blue and white) and Buxton Stars The trophy presented each year to the player inducted into the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Hall of Fame will be named the Sir Garry Sobers Award (CPL photo)
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he trophy presented each year to the player inducted into the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Hall of Fame will be named the Sir Garry Sobers Award, CPL announced on Monday, honouring the man widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder West Indies cricket has produced. The naming follows the launch of the CPL Hall of Fame, which recognises two inductees annually – one player and one off-field contributor. Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop were confirmed as the inaugural class, and CPL has now secured the Sobers family’s support in attaching Sir Garry’s name to the trophy presented to each year’s play-
er inductee, one of the most significant moments in the league’s history. Sir Garry was one of the finest cricketers the game has produced, and a defining figure of West Indies cricket, and his name gives the award a weight and a history befitting the Hall of Fame it represents. The Sir Garry Sobers Award will be presented for the first time at the CPL Hall of Fame Gala Dinner on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at the Hilton Barbados, held in support of the Sir Clive Lloyd Healthcare Foundation’s prostate cancer awareness, testing and early detection work across the Caribbean. With the trophy now carrying Sir Garry’s name, the evening brings together two of West
Indies cricket’s most respected figures for a single showpiece night in support of the Region. CPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pete Russell said: “Sir Garry Sobers was, without question, the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen, and having his name on this award means a great deal to everyone at CPL. We are enormously grateful to the Sobers family for trusting us with his name and his legacy. It gives this trophy, and this Hall of Fame, a weight our players will carry with real pride. To present it for the first time at a gala dinner in support of Sir Clive Lloyd’s Healthcare Foundation makes 15 September an even more prestigious night for West Indies cricket.”
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ond national championship victory in the Guyana Football Federation’s Youth Ensemble programme, this time in the Under-15 Division. The battle between Georgetown Football Association’s VMFA and Buxton Stars Football Club out of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) captured the attention of a group of boisterous parents and supporters on Sunday at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara, EBD. VMFA struck early with Jashawn Haynes putting them ahead, Haynes later completed his brace with an individual run through the Buxton Stars defence, ending with a tuck into the cor-
top of the 18-yard box which found the back of the net for their 3-0 lead at half time. Whatever was said to the Buxton Stars youths at the interval seemed to have inspired some passion as they looked a different team in the second segment. They were finally rewarded when a Malik Sobers shot found the back of the net while Yao Roberts capitalised on some chaos in the box to slot home their second in quick succession. However, just when it appeared as though Buxton Stars’ comeback was on, they committed the cardinal sin, as a handled ball in the box resulted in a penalty opportunity for a now-nervous VMFA. Fabio Kowlessar con-
verted perfectly, rolling the ball into the left corner of the goal as the Buxton goalkeeper dived left, for their fourth goal. VMFA did well to defend in the remaining minutes of the encounter to seal a 4-2 victory and the U15 Youth Ensemble championship. At the presentation ceremony, GFF President Wayne Forde offered congratulations to the tournament’s top four teams, highlighting that the Youth Ensemble competition achieved its goal of providing more competitive opportunities to youth players. “Many of the young boys that would’ve played here today, would’ve played more than 15 matches to get to the finals and this is what we’re trying to do. The GFF, through its technical and competition department, really wants to see young, developing players play between 30-48 competitive, structured football matches every season. Of course, we know the game is the best teacher,” Forde revealed. The GFF boss went on to express an intention to improve on the tournament for next year’s edition. “So, this is the first year, we’ve learnt some very important and valuable lessons. We will sit back after the dust is settled on this competition, we will analyse the data and we will improve the way the tournament is organised for the coming years.” Meanwhile, Rupununi FA’s Challengers FC edged East Bank Football Association’s Friendship FC 4-3 in the third-place play-off, earlier on Sunday. Kardoraro Johnny registered a brace while Marrison Miguel netted one and Kevon Daniels found the game winner for Challengers FC. Jermaine Fraser and Tyler Abrams were the goalscorers for Friendship FC.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business
Tahir confident Warriors can cope Elite League Season 8… without Slingerz rout Camptown; GDF, Nabi, Police, Monedderlust Gurbaz seal dramatic wins
Slingerz FC’s Curtez Kellman (left) goes in for a tackle on Camptown FC’s Lennox “Tyga” Cort during their match on Sunday night at the NTC, Providence (Elite League photo)
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Guyana Amazon Warriors Captain Imran Tahir (CPL T20 photo)
VMFA complete Youth Ensemble double with U15 victory Pg 23
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