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A 17-year-old driver lost his life Friday morning following a collision between his car and a lorry on Mines Road, Kwakwani, police have confirmed.

The incident occurred around 11:35 hrs and involved motor lorry #GAD 5603 with trailer #TZZ 9525, driven by 26-year-old Teyon Rogers of Kwakwani, and motor car #PPP 449, driven by Adrian Welch of Kwakwani Park.

Police investigations revealed that the lorry was travelling west along the southern side of Mines Road, while the car was heading east along the northern side when it collided with the lorry’s rear wheel.

The impact left both vehicles damaged, with the car ending up on the grass parapet. Passers-by removed the unconscious driver, Welch, and rushed him to Kwakwani Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr Thomas.

The lorry driver is in police custody and is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

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The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has set out sweeping development plans for Region Six, aiming to unlock what it calls the region’s “vast economic potential” over the next five years.

Speaking at the launch of the Berbice Expo and Trade Fair earlier this week, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said the initiatives outlined in the PPP/C’s 2025 manifesto are designed to make Region Six the “industrial capital of the Caribbean.”

Key projects include the construction of a new four-lane Berbice River bridge to replace the current structure, which has long faced weight limitations; a deep-water harbour; an industrial park powered by natural gas; and enhanced connectivity through a highway to Georgetown, an upgraded Corentyne Coast road, and possible rail and road links to northern Brazil. Plans also extend to a bridge across the Corentyne River to Suriname, improved overland access to Kwakwani, and all-weather roads to Orealla and Siparuta.

“Over the next five years we will see Region Six connected with Region Five and the rest of Guyana, and through the road to Brazil, to northern Brazil as well,” Dr Singh told Berbicians. “For major industrial development, we need to be able to move containerised cargo smoothly and efficiently. That is why a new bridge and a deep-water harbour are essential.”

He added that government’s vision also targets new industries such as oil refining, alumina refining, fertiliser production, and petrochemicals, alongside value-added agro-processing for global export markets.

Dr Singh pointed to significant investment in the region’s agriculture sector, including new drainage and irrigation systems, Hope-like canals, and an embankment along the Canje Creek to better protect farms from flooding and improve water management.

Beyond heavy infrastructure and industry, the minister highlighted upcoming projects at Palmyra, including an international stadium, hotels, a modern shopping mall, the Guyana National Cultural Market, and major housing and commercial developments. The new Guyana Technical Training College at Port Mourant is also set to make Berbice the “technical and vocational capital of the Caribbean,” with students already graduating from its programmes.

“Imagine that we are mere months away from people travelling to Berbice for international cricket,” Dr Singh said. “They will not only watch cricket but will shop here, eat in Berbice restaurants, and stay in Berbice hotels.”

Concluding his address, Dr Singh emphasised that the PPP/C government has “a crystal-clear plan with concrete initiatives and projects” that will transform Region Six and improve the lives of its people.

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Dr Ian Andre Roberts, a Guyana-born educator who rose to become superintendent of Iowa’s largest public school district, has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over claims he has been living and working in the country illegally.

Roberts, 48, was born to Guyanese parents and spent his early years in Brooklyn, New York, before embarking on a distinguished career in education. A former Olympian who represented Guyana in track and field at the 2000 Sydney Games, he went on to earn advanced degrees from Coppin State University, St John’s University, Georgetown University, and Trident University, with further studies at Harvard.

Despite his achievements, ICE alleges that Roberts has remained in the United States without legal status since entering on a student visa in 1999. In May 2024, an immigration judge issued a final order of removal against him, which the agency says was never carried out.

Roberts was arrested Friday morning after reportedly fleeing an initial encounter with ICE agents the day before. He was later found in possession of a loaded handgun, US$3,000 in cash, and a hunting knife, officials said. Federal law bars undocumented individuals from possessing firearms, and the matter is now under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” said Sam Olson, director of ICE’s St Paul Field Office.

Roberts has served as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools since July 2023, following a national search. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners granted him a superintendent’s licence, and district officials said he passed third-party background checks and submitted required employment documentation. He had also disclosed a prior firearm charge during the hiring process.

The school board said it was unaware of the 2024 removal order and expressed shock at his detention. Board Chair Jackie Norris urged the community to practise “radical empathy,” while Interim Superintendent Matt Smith described Roberts as “an integral part of our school community.”

Roberts’ biography highlights not only his academic and professional accomplishments but also his Guyanese heritage and athletic career. Beyond Sydney 2000, he represented Guyana at the World Championships in Maebashi, Japan, and Seville, Spain.

For many in the Guyanese diaspora, his rise to the helm of a major U.S. school district had been a source of pride. Now, his sudden detention has left both the Iowa education community and Guyanese abroad grappling with the dramatic turn of events.

 

It is not immediately clear whether Roberts has retained legal counsel.

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See below the full release from the Central Housing and Planning Authority: 

The Ministry of Housing, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), has taken decisive enforcement action to stop unauthorized construction works for a proposed supermarket at Lot 72 Brickdam and Brummel Place, Georgetown.

An inspection conducted by CH&PA’s Enforcement and Compliance Department confirmed that construction commenced without seeking approval from CH&PA or the relevant regulatory agencies. No planning permission was ever issued for the development, nor is there any application pending before the Authority.

The Central Housing and Planning Authority halted the unauthorised construction of a supermarket at Brickam

As a result, the proprietor of the building was formally served with a Notice of Contravention in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act, Cap. 20:01, ordering the immediate cessation of all unauthorized works. The notice was served at the residence of the proprietor and a copy affixed at the construction site.

The CH&PA firmly reminds all businesses, developers, and property owners that the Authority is the first point of engagement for all construction and commercial development permits. Adherence to zoning laws and planning regulations is not only mandatory but critical to safeguarding orderly and sustainable development.

The Authority reiterates its commitment to supporting legitimate investment and projects that align with national planning standards, uplift communities, and contribute positively to urban development, while taking uncompromising action against any attempt to circumvent the law.

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The trial into attempts to derail the 2020 General and Regional Elections has been adjourned until October 21, 2025, following several days of proceedings.

At the recent hearings, new witnesses provided testimony regarding the events that derailed the 2020 elections. Additionally, witnesses who had previously testified were cross-examined by the defense attorneys, including Eusi Anderson, Nigel Hughes, Dexter Todd and Ronald Daniels.

The proceedings are being conducted under case management guidelines. This means that when the trial resumes on October 21st, the court will determine the specific dates on which the hearings will continue. This structured approach helps to streamline the process and ensure that all parties are adequately prepared for each stage of the trial.

Before the adjournment on Friday, the court heard that Michelle Miller, a former GECOM employee and a key figure in the ongoing 2020 elections fraud trial, repeatedly invoked her constitutional right to remain silent during a police interview part of the investigations.

This revelation was made as a video recording of Miller’s being questioned by the Police was played in court on Friday as the trial continued before Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Elections trial: Ramson Jr. details struggle to deliver recount letter to Mingo after false declaration made

During his testimony, Lance Corporal Christopher Martin Douglas, who is stationed at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Crime Lab, testified that on October 17, 2020, he was instructed to conduct a video-recorded interview with Miller at the Major Crimes Unit office.

Miller was accompanied by her attorney, Latoya Roberts, and from the outset made it clear that she was reluctant to participate.

“I am instructed to come here against my constitutional rights,” Miller said as the interview began, noting that the session was scheduled on her Sabbath. “This is violating my rights… Can’t I come any other day?”

Despite her objections, investigators informed Miller that the questioning was part of ongoing investigations into allegations surrounding the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. Miller, however, insisted she had already fully cooperated.

“This is my fourth time sitting in front of an investigator and I already answered a lot of questions. I cooperated to the fullest. I never denied to cooperate with the investigator or Police officers.

“But at this point in time I feel exhausted about this situation. I feel like I am not being heard and listened to… you guys already have what you need,” Miller said in the recording.

During the session, Miller also complained of feeling unwell, telling officers, ‘I am not feeling okay. I am not feeling well. I checked my pressure and it’s 168 over 112. I’m getting headache since yesterday and it’s ongoing.”

When officers attempted to proceed with the interview, Miller firmly declined to answer.

“I will reserve the right to stay silent because I already was questioned more than once and I give all the information that I know I had to give, so I reserve the right to remain silent,” she said.

When further questions were posed, Miller repeatedly responded, “I reserve the right to remain silent.”

Douglas testified that after the session, he copied the recorded interview to discs and returned the equipment to the lab.

The court has previously heard testimony viewed several other such interviews with other defendants including former Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and former Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo in the case.

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Guyana and Rwanda signed an ‘open skies’ Air Services Agreement to encourage and facilitate airlines operating air services between the two countries. The agreement was inked on Friday in Montreal, Canada, at the ICAO 42nd Assembly.

Signing the Agreement on behalf of Rwanda was Prosper Higiro, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Canada, and Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, on behalf of Guyana.

Alongside the standard articles on Grant of Rights, Designation and Authorization, Recognition of Certificates and Licences, Safety, Aviation Security, Commercial Activities, Code Sharing, Operational Flexibility, and others, both parties expressed a keen desire for this Agreement to create opportunities for airlines of both countries to expand their air connectivity.

During the signing ceremony, High Commissioner Higiro said, “This is not just another bilateral agreement on paper but signifies the spirit of where our two countries are going. We look forward to the operationalization and implementation of this Agreement.”

Director General Field said, “The African continent is at least five hours away from Guyana, and we must work diligently to operationalise air connectivity between Guyana and Africa, as this was done during the war days in the 1940s. The signature of this Agreement builds on the spirit of cooperation, committed between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda.”

With the signing of these Air Services Agreements, the vision of Guyana becoming an international hub for air connectivity gets closer.

Rwanda is home to Rwanda Air, which operates a fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft out of the Kigali International Airport to twenty-two cities in Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

The Agreement complements the more than 50 Air Services Agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO States to develop air connectivity among States.

Guyana and Rwanda established diplomatic ties on August 24, 2022. This Agreement demonstrates President Ali’s commitment to strengthening the relationship between Guyana and Rwanda. [Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Press Release]

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See below the full release from the Attorney General’s Chambers: 

The Hon. Mohabir Anil Nandlall SC, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs is leading a delegation from Guyana including witnesses who will be testifying in the arbitration proceedings Smart City Solutions Holdings Inc. v Co-operative Republic of Guyana (the Parking Meter Case) scheduled to be heard before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Paris, France from Monday, September 29 to Saturday, October 4.

Guyana is being sued for damages of US $100 million arising from a contract executed by the former A Partnership for National Unity – Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC) Coalition Government for the implementation of the Georgetown parking meter project, which was ultimately abandoned following strong public opposition.

The witnesses scheduled to testify for and on behalf of Guyana are former Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan and former Georgetown Mayor and City Council councillors Malcolm Ferreira and Bishram Kuppen. In addition, a former Chancellor of the Judiciary will also testify as an expert witness.

The case was registered with ICSID on December 22, 2021. A tribunal to hear the matter was constituted on September 20, 2022, comprising Dr. Campbell Alan McLachlan KC of New Zealand as President, with arbitrators Stephan Schill of Germany, appointed by the Claimant, and Marcelo Kohen of Argentina, appointed by the    Respondent.    Guyana is    represented in the   proceedings by the Washington-based law firm Foley Hoag and the Attorney General’s Chambers.

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Police intercepted a shipment containing eight pounds of suspected cannabis at BAC Couriers Shipping Company on D’Urban Street, Georgetown, on Thursday afternoon.

According to a Police report, ranks conducted a search around 16:30 hrs on a brown cardboard box that had been shipped from Florida by a man identified as Shamar Fraser to a recipient named Shequan Simon of Lamaha Park, Georgetown.

Inside the box, Police said, investigators discovered an orange suitcase which contained eight compressed parcels of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The suitcase and its contents were taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, where the suspected narcotics were processed, photographed, and weighed, amounting to eight pounds.

Investigations are ongoing.

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India captain Suryakumar Yadav has been found guilty by the ICC of breaching the code of conduct for his comments that alluded to the military skirmish between India and Pakistan, after their group match in the Asia Cup on September 14.

It is understood Suryakumar’s not-guilty plea was rejected by ICC match referee Richie Richardson and that he was fined 30% of his match fee. India have appealed against the verdict.

Two Pakistan players, Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf, also faced disciplinary hearings on Friday, following their actions in the Super Four game between the two sides on September 21. Farhan was pulled up for his gun celebration after reaching his fifty, while Rauf was captured on camera making gestures that alluded to the downing of aircraft. They are still waiting to hear what sanctions, if any, they face.

The PCB had complained to the ICC that Suryakumar’s remarks following the game on September 14 – both at the presentation ceremony and the post-match press conference – constituted a breach of the ICC regulation to avoid political messaging.

In its complaint to the ICC, seen by ESPNcricinfo, the PCB quoted Suryakumar’s remarks where he “dedicated today’s victory to our armed forces”. He later specified this dedication was made to India’s armed forces who took part in a military operation against Pakistan in May, which triggered a skirmish between the two sides.

The PCB had demanded the ICC impose a Level 4 sanction – reserved for the most serious breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct – on Suryakumar. It cited past examples of players who were either prevented from what was deemed political messaging or fined for deploying it.

The PCB pointed out that in the past the ICC had deemed messages calling attention to the humanitarian disaster caused by Israel’s war in Gaza to be political in nature, most recently when it blocked Usman Khawaja’s attempt to wear shoes with the message “Freedom is a human right” inscribed on them.

It could not be confirmed whether the appeal by India has been heard, or when it will take place. Generally, the match referee decides on a time and venue but India face Sri Lanka in the last Super Four match on Friday evening and then play Pakistan in the final on Sunday.

If Suryakumar is found guilty after the appeal too, his sanction will be increased accordingly.

There was heightened tension between India and Pakistan before their group game began on September 14, with India refusing to shake hands with Pakistan at the toss and after the game, which India won by seven wickets.

In the Super Four match between the sides, there were a number of confrontations between Pakistan’s bowlers and India’s openers. Abhishek Sharma later accused Pakistan of “coming at us for no reason”.

In that game, Farhan celebrated his half-century by miming the firing of a gun, which he later said was a “spur of the moment” decision. Rauf, meanwhile, made numerous gestures depicting the downing of aircraft while fielding on the boundary, in apparent reference to the recent military conflict.

ESPNcricinfo understands Farhan and Rauf also pleaded not guilty and contested that the gestures were not political in nature. While no official verdict has been reached on the two players, the PCB privately accept that they are also likely to cop fines. (ESPNcricinfo)

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The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will once again roll out its National Development Programme this Saturday (September 27) at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown, with national coach Lennox Daniels taking charge from ringside.

Traditionally aimed at nurturing up-and-coming fighters who are just stepping between the ropes, this edition of the programme carries a much wider scope.

With the eighth annual Caribbean Schoolboys and Juniors Boxing Championships fast approaching, Daniels confirmed that the initiative has been expanded to include Guyana’s elite boxers.

The regional showdown, set for November at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, holds special significance. Guyana is the birthplace of the tournament, which has since grown into one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated developmental events on the amateur boxing calendar.

Now, with the competition returning to local soil, the GBA is doubling down on preparations to ensure its boxers answer the bell in peak condition.

“We want to have a look at all our boxers,” Daniels explained, while adding, “While we usually focus on the young talents, I think it’s important for us to see what the Elites have been doing as well.”

The long-serving coach noted that the programme will be crucial in shaping Guyana’s squad for November, where local pugilists will aim to defend home turf against the region’s best young fighters.

Daniels highlighted that the GBA’s vision is not only to develop but also to unearth new talent, expanding the nation’s pool of fighters ready for the international stage.

“The programme will see boxers from all gyms competing on Saturday, and we will continue every Saturday leading up to the team’s selection for the Caribbean Championships,” Daniels said, hinting at intense sessions filled with sparring, fitness drills and technical evaluations.

Daniels said hosting the championship provides both an opportunity and a challenge to showcase the depth of local talent while also setting the stage for future champions.

He added that the GBA’s approach ensures that no fighter is overlooked, regardless of if they are now stepping into the ring, or seasoned elites sharpening their skills for regional supremacy.

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