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Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, says negotiations with Sispro Inc. are progressing steadily, and he remains optimistic that a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) could be finalised before the end of this year.

Block S3 and block D2 were awarded to Sispro, a company headed by four Guyanese businesswomen, during the 2023 oil blocks auction. The company is now working to finalise its operating arrangements to meet the government’s requirements.

“Sispro, we would have mentioned over and over, is a company we want to work with so that is why I am even more hopeful they can reach a position with an operator and we can sign as soon as possible, if possible this year we will be even more excited to do that,” Bharrat told reporters at the sideline of the PSA signing with Ghanaian oil company Cybele Energy for shallow-water Block S7.

Responding to questions about delays in finalising the agreement, Minister Bharrat explained that Sispro must secure a qualified operator with the necessary technical and financial capabilities.

“They obviously need an operator with the kind of credentials and the balance sheet as well to execute the work programme because we are not going to sign an agreement with companies that cannot or accept an operator that cannot execute the work programme.”

On Tuesday, Cybele Energy became the second company to sign a PSA with the government. The deal came with a US$17 million signing bonus. Per Guyana’s new oil management regime, the minimum signing bonus for shallow blocks is US$10 million.

Last month, a consortium of TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and PETRONAS signed the first PSA under the new fiscal regime for Block S4. The updated model, introduced in the 2022 licensing round, raises the royalty from 2 percent to 10 percent, caps cost recovery at 65 percent, and adds a 10 percent corporate tax, while maintaining a 50/50 profit-oil split after cost recovery.

 

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Veerasammy Permaul, the unassuming left-arm spinner and First-Class behemoth, has officially completed his Level IV coaching certification, setting the stage for a new phase in his decorated career even as he continues to spin webs for the Guyana Harpy Eagles.

The 36-year-old, who finished as Guyana’s leading wicket-taker -32 wickets –  in the 2025 West Indies Four-Day Championship earlier this year, recently received the certificate from CoachEd—the platform directed by World Cup-winning South African coach Gary Kirsten.

Permaul, who already boasts a colossal 668 wickets from 151 first-class matches, remains focused on reaching the 700-wicket mark. However, his maiden Level IV badge signifies an immediate pivot toward mentoring.

Speaking to News Room Sport, Permaul explained that the advanced qualification—following his Level III completion in September 2025—fundamentally altered his view of player development.

He is now focused on harnessing this knowledge to benefit young Caribbean talent.

“Achieving my Level 4 coaching certificate is an incredible milestone,” Permaul stated.

“This process has expanded my knowledge and taught me to look at the game in greater depth. I’ve learned to analyse not just the technical side but also how players think, feel, and what they need in order to grow.”

Permaul is determined to use this expanded psychological and analytical toolkit to cultivate resilient cricketers.

“What I look forward to the most is the opportunity to pass this knowledge on to the next generation,” he added. “My goal is to use what I’ve learned throughout the years to help develop future cricketers who are passionate about the game.

I want to play a part in shaping players who not only succeed on the field but also grow as confident, resilient individuals off the field and also create a learning environment where young players feel supported, inspired, and empowered to push their boundaries.”

Permaul’s transition comes as he remains the most prolific spinner in regional history. Of his 668 first-class wickets, 587 were taken regionally—the highest tally for any spinner in the Caribbean.

Furthermore, of his 156 List A wickets, 126 were claimed for Guyana, another undisputed record in the region.

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Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on Wednesday dismissed an application by U.S. indicted businessmen Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, ruling that the constitutional issues raised were already settled by higher courts.

The case was called at 09:30 hrs for ruling, but before delivering her decision, the magistrate allowed the defence to respond to submissions previously made by the prosecution. She then set 11:00 hrs for the handing down of the ruling.

In a firm and detailed decision, Magistrate Latchman ruled that the application was “frivolous and vexatious” and amounted to “an abuse of the process,” emphasising that the issues raised had already been judicially determined by superior courts.

“It is the court’s rule that a diplomatic note is not set in stone but a treaty agreement is binding upon the party state and must be performed by them in good faith in accordance with Guyana’s convention law on treaties,” she said.

She added that the matters raised were not new and had already undergone adjudication. “I find the issues raised by the defence, having been adjudicated upon by its superior courts in Guyana,” the magistrate said.

Magistrate Latchman further rejected the defence’s reliance on older extradition case law, noting “this court will not rely on the Dataram authority since that matter was dealt with prior to the Fugitive Offenders Amendment Act 2009.”

Declaring that the court would not revisit settled issues, she said, “I find that this issue was put to rest… extradition is a state-to-state agreement and the individual plays no part in the contractual arrangement. So, the court is not about to resurrect what has been put to rest.”

After reviewing all submissions, the magistrate concluded, “Having judicially examined all the issues levelled by the defence… this court sees no basis to activate the referral article. This court therefore denies the application to engage the referral article on the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

She then confirmed that the extradition proceedings must now continue in the Magistrates’ court.

Prosecutor Terrence Williams indicated to the court that the prosecution has witnesses available and is ready to proceed with the substantive extradition hearing.

The magistrate noted that the court will be proceeding on leave and set January 6, 2026 as the date for the start of the extradition hearing. Until then, Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed must continue to report to the Police as previously ordered.

Speaking with reporters after the ruling, Prosecutor Williams said the prosecution welcomed the decision.

“We are happy to move along with the case. They have had their chance to raise their objections. They raised and the court ruled. So we hope that in January we will be able to conduct the proceeding,” he said.

He added that the next phase of the case would involve a formal examination of the evidence submitted with the U.S. extradition request.

Meanwhile, the defence signalled in court an intention to approach the High Court to pursue the constitutional issues.

“We believe that the court improperly exercised its discretion this morning when it found that the application should not be referred to the High Court. We are entitled to approach the High Court itself as part of the procedural process set out in the Constitution,” defence attorney, Roysdale Forde said.

He added that the defence only approached the Magistrates’ Court first to clear preliminary prosecutorial barriers.

“We ought not to have gone to the High Court initially, that is why we made the initial application. We intend to go to the High Court, which is our right, and we will be going there as part of this process,” he explained.

At the previous hearing, both sides had presented extensive arguments on whether constitutional concerns should pause the extradition inquiry. The defence questioned, among other things, whether they were required to wait for paper committal before raising constitutional challenges, and whether a diplomatic note provided by the United States could properly be relied upon.

Prosecutors urge Magistrate Court to see as ‘frivolous and vexatious’ Mohameds’ bid to stall extradition

The Mohameds remain on $150,000 bail each.

The U.S. government, on October 30, 2025, requested the extradition of the father and son under the extradition treaty between Guyana and the United Kingdom, which remains in force in Guyana under Section 4(1)(a) of the Fugitives Offenders Act, Cap. 10:04, as amended by Act No. 10 of 2024.

The Mohameds are facing multiple charges in the United States, unsealed on October 6, 2025, by a Southern District of Florida Grand Jury. The indictment includes wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and customs-related violations connected to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme.

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Gaico Construction and General Services Inc. has partnered with United States–based sugar distributor Sucro Limited to develop a modern sugar refinery at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara, an investment expected to significantly boost the sector across the region.

The new facility, to be operated under Demerara Sugar Refinery Inc, will be constructed at the former Wales Sugar Estate.

Speaking at the launch on Tuesday at the Pegasus Hotel, GAICO’s Chief Executive Officer, Komal Singh, said construction is expected to begin in January 2026, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.

Singh said the refinery will play a critical role in revitalising the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuyCuCo) and strengthening Guyana’s broader economy by transforming raw sugar into a value-added product for the Caribbean market.

“This project is transformational for GuySuCo and the entire sugar industry. We are working with GuySuCo to improve productivity by taking their excess sugar and refining it into white sugar,” Singh said.

Singh also said that the refinery will utilise rice husk as a renewable energy source, an environmentally focused solution that could reduce smoke pollution near rice mills.

“We now have an opportunity to take all the rice husk, use it in our plant, and convert it into energy for white sugar production,” he said.

Sucro Limited already operates refineries in Belize and Trinidad, and the addition of the Guyana refinery is expected to expand regional refining capacity and strengthen supply to the CARICOM market.

Sucro President and CEO Jonathan Taylor said the initiative will be a fully regional enterprise.

“We have production in Belize, Guyana, and Trinidad, and distribution across the islands. In that respect, this business is truly a CARICOM business from cane right through to the consumer,” Taylor said.

Taylor added that the partnership with GAICO and GuySuCo will modernise the sector using advanced refining and liquefaction technologies.

“Instead of just exporting the sugar and passing the value onto other countries and other refineries, we’re refining it right here with efficient technology that really passes that value back down. It’s world-class liquefying and world-class solutions, and what it leads to is a world-class refined sugar project right here,” Taylor said.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, emphasised the significance of partnering with global industry leaders.

“The potential is tremendous. The Caribbean market for refined sugar is at least 100,000 tonnes per year. Last year, CARICOM imported over US$180 million worth of refined sugar, and we now have an opportunity to meet the needs of that entire market,” the minister said.

Construction of the Demerara Sugar Refinery marks a major step in Guyana’s ongoing efforts to modernise and expand its agricultural and value-added sectors.

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New Zealand’s patchwork fast-bowling attack delivered a strong show on the opening day of the second Test in Wellington, dismissing West Indies for 205 inside 75 overs at Basin Reserve.

But the sight of Blair Tickner being stretchered off late in the afternoon with a suspected dislocated left shoulder took some sheen off their day of dominance.

Tickner, playing his first Test in two years and leading the bowling with 4 for 32, was central to turning a bright West Indies start into yet another collapse, while Michael Rae, the 30-year-old debutant drafted into a severely depleted pace unit, complemented him with 3 for 67 in an energetic outing that gave New Zealand the bite they had lacked in the opening hour.

That bite mattered because the first hour had belonged entirely to West Indies despite losing the toss, in a match where the hosts announced five changes and the visitors three.

On a pitch far milder than the traditional green seamer, John Campbell and Brandon King put on 66 for the opening wicket. Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes, burdened with heavy workloads from the first Test after the injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith in Christchurch, bowled honest but ineffective spells that allowed scoring opportunities.

Campbell drove through the line, King played compactly, and West Indies looked assured.

But once New Zealand turned to Tickner and Rae – fresher workload-wise, and sharper in pace – the difference was visible. They operated either full or short but always at the stumps or the body, and the tone of the innings shifted dramatically. (ESPNcricinfo)

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 (Reuters) – Exxon Mobil is targeting $25 billion in earnings growth from 2024 to 2030 and will increase oil and gas production, the top U.S. oil producer said on Tuesday as it leans on profitable assets in Guyana and the Permian Basin.

Exxon also announced that Chief Financial Officer Kathy Mikells will retire effective Feb. 1 due to a non-life-threatening health issue and will be succeeded by Neil Hansen, currently president of global business solutions.

The outlook represents a $5 billion increase from its previous plan, although Exxon will not increase its annual project spending from prior guidance. Shares of Exxon were up 3% in morning trading.
Exxon said its updated corporate plan reflects its work to cut costs and increase profits even through periods of oil price volatility. Its upstream focus also includes growing its liquefied natural gas business.

“We are more profitable than we were five years ago, and we expect that to continue as the advantages we’ve unlocked position us for even greater opportunities in the years ahead,” Exxon CEO Darren Woods said in prepared remarks.

LOW-COST PERMIAN OIL WILL BOOST PROFITS

Upstream production will reach 5.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2030, up from a previous forecast of 5.4 million boepd.

That will be helped by the Permian Basin, the top U.S. oilfield, where Exxon said it will grow production to 2.5 million boepd, up from the previous goal of 2.3 million boepd.

Earnings from the upstream business is expected to grow by more than $14 billion through the end of the decade from 2024.

Artificial intelligence is being used to direct drilling paths and Exxon said AI is allowing it to save money across operations. Cost of supply in the Permian is expected to be around $30 per barrel, Exxon said, down $5 from its previous expectation.

Capital expenditure will be between $27 billion to $29 billion next year, and $28 billion to $32 billion from 2027 through 2030 as LNG projects develop further.

Exxon said it also targets $35 billion in cash flow growth by 2030 versus 2024, representing a $5 billion increase from its earlier outlook.
Exxon increased its cost savings plan by $2 billion and now expects to reach $20 billion in reductions by 2030.

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Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Tuesday announced that opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul has been ruled out of the second Test between the West Indies and New Zealand due to a side strain.

“Chanderpaul suffered the injury while playing a shot in the nets on Tuesday,” CWI said.

“The left-handed batter is currently being examined by the medical team to determine the full extent of the injury as well as his availability for the remainder of the series.”

In the opening Test, the 29-year-old Chanderpaul made 52 and six.

After a drawn first Test in Christchurch, the two sides clash in the second match in Wellington, starting 18:00h on Tuesday.

West Indies made three changes from the first Test with Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze and Johann Layne making way for Brandon King, Kavem Hodge and Anderson Phillips.

New Zealand won the toss and decided to have a bowl first.

West Indies: John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (capt), Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wk), Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip, Ojay Shields.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay (wk), Glenn Phillips, Zakary Foulkes, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Michael Rae.

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(Al Jazeera) Australia has banned children under 16 from social media in a world-first, as other countries consider similar age-based measures amid rising concerns over its effects on children’s health and safety.

Under the new law, which came into effect at midnight local time on Wednesday (13:00 GMT on Tuesday), 10 of the biggest platforms face $33m in fines if they fail to purge Australia-based users younger than 16.

The law has been criticised by major technology companies and free speech campaigners, but praised by parents and child advocates.

The Australian government says unprecedented measures are needed to protect children from “predatory algorithms” filling phone screens with bullying, sex and violence.

“Too often, social media isn’t social at all,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in advance of the ban.

“Instead, it’s used as a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators.”

The law states that Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit are forbidden from creating or keeping accounts belonging to users in Australia under 16.

Streaming platforms Kick and Twitch are also on the government’s blacklist, as are message boards Threads and X. Popular apps and websites such as Roblox, Pinterest and WhatsApp are currently exempt – but the government has stressed that the list remains under review.

Meta, YouTube and other social media giants have already condemned the ban.

YouTube, in particular, has attacked the law, describing it as “rushed” and saying it would only push children into deeper, darker corners of the internet.

While most platforms have begrudgingly agreed to comply, for now, legal challenges are in the wind.

Online discussion site Reddit said Tuesday it could not confirm local media reports that said it would seek to overturn the ban in Australia’s High Court.

The Sydney-based internet rights group Digital Freedom Project has already launched its own bid to have teenagers reinstated to social media.

Some parents, tired of seeing children stuck to their phones, see the ban as a relief.

Father-of-five Dany Elachi said the restrictions were a long-overdue “line in the sand”.

“We need to err on the side of caution before putting anything addictive in the hands of children,” he told the AFP news agency.

The Australian government concedes the ban will be far from perfect at the outset, and canny teenagers will find ways to circumvent it.

Social media companies bear the sole responsibility for checking users are 16 or older.

Some platforms say they will use AI tools to estimate ages based on photos, while young users may also choose to prove their age by uploading a government ID.

There is keen interest in whether Australia’s sweeping restrictions can work as regulators around the globe wrestle with the potential dangers of social media.

Malaysia indicated it was planning to introduce a similar ban next year.

Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells said last week that the European Commission, France, Denmark, Greece, Romania and New Zealand were also interested in setting a minimum age for social media.

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The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Tuesday announced what it described as “a landmark contribution of G$2.5 million” to support the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) Senior Women’s League 2025/2026, “signalling yet another major investment in the advancement of women’s football in Guyana.”

The funding, the GFF highlighted in a press release, was provided through the GFF Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP), and underscores the Federation’s continued commitment to strengthening football in the hinterland and widening access to competitive opportunities for female players nationwide.

The GFF said: “The RFA has long been recognised for its exceptional dedication to the development of women’s football, organising leagues, festivals, and player development programmes for both girls and senior women. Their leadership and consistency have greatly contributed to the growth of the women’s game in the region, prompting the GFF to channel further support into the 2025/2026 edition of the league.”

RFA President Norbert Williams expressed profound appreciation on behalf of the Association: “We wish to thank President Wayne Forde and the GFF Council for this meaningful investment in the RFA Senior Women’s League.”

“The GFF has invested consistently in our women’s, men’s, boys’ and girls’ programmes, as well as in refereeing and other capacity-building initiatives across the region. We are proud of the strong working relationship we share with our governing body and look forward to working even more closely with them as we continue to elevate football in the Rupununi.”

The contribution was formally handed over by. Andrea Johnson, President of the GFF Women’s Football Association, and GFF General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay, on behalf of GFF President Wayne Forde.

The GFF release continued: “This investment further cements 2025 as a historic year for women’s football development in Guyana. The GFF has expanded opportunities at every level, from the launch of Guyana’s first 10-team Women’s Division One League, to nationwide girls’ competitions, women-specific coaching education, referee development, and increased exposure for national-team-eligible players.”

Speaking at the presentation, Johnson highlighted the significance of the moment: “The Rupununi continues to lead by example in advancing women’s football. I am incredibly proud of the tremendous work the RFA is doing to ensure that more girls and women have the opportunity to play the sport they love.”

“This investment is a recognition of their commitment and a reinforcement of the GFF’s belief in their vision. I look forward to seeing more RFA women’s teams competing in national tournaments and witnessing Rupununi’s talented players progress to the highest level, including representing our Lady Jags internationally.”

The GFF added that the contribution not only strengthens football in the hinterland, but reflects the its broader objective of ensuring that geography never limits opportunity.

By supporting competitions such as the Senior Women’s League in Region Nine, the GFF pointed out that it is enabling players in remote communities to access the same pathways and developmental structures available on the coast.

GFF President Forde reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to its Members and to the continued growth of women’s football.

“The GFF stands ready to support all its Members who remain dedicated, resourceful and committed to developing football in their communities. Our ‘You Do, We Do’ philosophy remains central, when Members demonstrate effort, accountability, good governance, and respect for the statutes, they will continue to benefit from the opportunities made available through the GFF’s M-FAP programme.”

“The Rupununi Football Association has consistently embodied these values, and this investment reflects our confidence in their leadership and the tremendous progress they continue to make, especially in women’s football.”

The GFF reiterated that it remains steadfast in its mission to build a strong, inclusive and sustainable future for women’s football across every region of Guyana.

“This G$2.5 million investment marks another powerful step towards that vision,” the GFF release concluded.

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