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The Trinbago Knight Riders defeated the Saint Lucia Kings by 56 runs to secure a place in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League 2025 final.

Fifties from Nicholas Pooran and Alez Hales and brilliant bowling in the middle overs set up the win for the Knight Riders will now face the Guyana Amazon Warriors in Sunday’s final.

The Knight Riders’ innings began with the big wicket of Colin Munro but three consecutive partnerships of fifty or more allowed them to set a very challenging total. Pooran, eventual Player of the Match, continued his excellent form as he blasted 50 from 32 balls before he was bowled by Roston Chase.

While Pooran was going well Alex Hales was restrained at the other end but he upped his aggression as he also passed fifty to end the innings undefeated on 58.

Quick fire runs from Kieron Pollard (35) and Andre Russell (28) at the death saw the Knight Riders’ total reach 194/4 from their 20 overs, a total that proved enough to see the Trinidadian side reach the final to take on the Guyana Amazon Warriors. ​

​The Kings innings started steadily enough with Tim Seifert finding the boundary regularly in the PowerPlay. Johnson Charles played a supporting role but he found it harder to clear the ropes.

They reached the end of the PowerPlay at 44/0 and it was from there that the Knight Riders bowlers really squeezed the life out of the chase. ​

​The Kings faced 5.2 overs without scoring a boundary as the spin trio of Sunil Narine, Usman Tariq and Akeal Hosein increased the pressure on the kings. With the required rate climbing to nearly 15 an over by the second half of the innings. The 2024 champions needed a massive innings from someone in their middle order to keep their title defense alive.

That did not materialise with Tim David and Akeem Auguste falling in consecutive balls to Tariq who was the pick of the bowlers with 4/35.

​Narine supported admirably with remarkable figures of 3/18 from his four overs. ​

​Focus now shifts to Sunday’s final where the in form Amazon Warriors await the Knight Riders in a blockbuster clash that will decide who wins this year’s CPL. These two teams have met in two previous finals with TKR winning in 2018 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy while in 2023 the Guyana Amazon Warriors won at Providence. (CPL 2023) 

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The Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on bullying and violence in schools following two recent incidents involving students that were widely circulated on social media.

The first incident involved students of Charity Secondary School and 8th of May Secondary School in Region Two, while the second took place at the New Campbellville Secondary School in Georgetown.

In a statement on Friday, the Ministry condemned all forms of bullying and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every learner benefits from a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment.

“Bullying and violence will not be tolerated,” Education Minister Sonia Parag said, noting that detailed investigations have been launched into both cases to establish the facts. The Ministry assured that any necessary disciplinary measures will follow.

The Ministry also urged students, parents, and educators to report any acts of intimidation or violence so that they can be swiftly and appropriately addressed.

“Bullying has no place in our education system. Together, as schools, families, and communities, we must foster environments where every child feels safe, valued, and able to learn,” the statement added.

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The nationwide physical education, sports and recreation programme was rolled out on Friday with Education Minister Sonia Parag joining students in Georgetown.

This programme is being implemented with the support of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), which is providing assistance to teachers to promote wellness in schools.

Minister Parag said the initiative is part of government’s vision to nurture well-rounded citizens, noting that education must extend beyond academics.

“We want to have well-rounded human beings. You may never know what you possess until you are able to do something different, and that develops from an environment like this,” she said.

As part of the initiative, all secondary schools will dedicate Friday afternoons to physical activity, with schools engaging students in a range of exercises such as football, cricket, dance, warm-up drills, obstacle courses, and other recreational activities.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag poses with students from the Tutorial High School.

It forms part of President Irfaan Ali’s broader agenda to promote healthy lifestyles from a young age, ensuring that future generations grow up active, balanced, and prepared to contribute to national development.

Parag also emphasised that the collaboration with the GDF is not intended to impose military training, but rather to provide structure and nationwide uniformity. Additionally, it does not take away from the work done by physical education teachers, instead, it provides support.

“It’s supposed to be fun, but at the same time it develops students holistically. The Defence Force supports with structure, but the physical education teachers and coaches determine the activities,” she explained.

Colonel General Staff Kenlloyd Roberts of the GDF said the force’s role is to assist teachers with the technical aspects of physical training.

“This is an initiative to develop a culture of healthy living and wellness consciousness. Our role is limited to providing physical training instructors where necessary, to guide teachers on how to conduct safe and engaging activities,” he said.

 

 

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In a historic step for Guyana’s healthcare system, the Ministry of Health on Friday launched the first National Influenza Vaccine Programme. The initiative, introduced first at the Eccles Health Centre, is aimed at reducing the spread of influenza, saving lives, and strengthening national health security. The vaccine will be administered annually to priority groups, including pregnant women, children under 15, the elderly, and healthcare workers.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said Guyana was able to procure 15,000 doses which expire in one year. The flu season typically begins in August and lasts until the end of the year.

Registered Nurse/Midwife Tenisha Hope was the first to receive the vaccine, marking the official rollout.

Registered Nurse/Midwife Tenisha Hope was the first to receive the vaccine, marking the official rollout. (Photo: News Room/Friday, September 19, 2025)

“This moment marks a major step in strengthening our health care system, protecting our most vulnerable and aligning Guyana with the global best practices in disease prevention,” Dr Anthony said.

The Health Minister state that influenza affects about one billion people worldwide each year, with three to five million developing severe illness and up to 650,000 dying annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Influenza is an acute viral respiratory disease, mainly caused by influenza A and B viruses. The challenge is that the composition of the virus changes every year, which is why annual vaccination is necessary,” Dr. Anthony explained.

He highlighted Guyana’s recent progress in influenza surveillance, including participation in the WHO FluNet reporting system and contribution of viral samples to develop vaccines for Guyana.

“We’ve already sent samples from Guyana that were used to formulate this year’s vaccine, meaning Guyana is actively contributing to the global fight against influenza,” the Health Minister said.

In a historic step for Guyana’s healthcare system, the Ministry of Health on Friday launched the first National Influenza Vaccine Programme. (Photo: News Room/Friday, September 19, 2025)

The Minister assured the public of the safety of the vaccine, noting that side effects are generally mild, such as slight fever or soreness at the injection site.

“The benefits of protection far outweigh the minor discomfort.

“This is not just another health initiative. It is a comprehensive step to strengthen our healthcare system, safeguard vulnerable populations, and save lives,” Dr Anthony said.

Meanwhile, Health Systems and Services Advisor for PAHO/WHO, Dr. Garoma Denbeli during brief remarks noted that influenza is a highly contagious but preventable infectious disease.

He applauded Guyana’s efforts to tackle the virus and reiterated PAHO/WHO’s support in the rollout of the programme across the country.

 

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The Arthur Chung Conference Centre was filled with quiet reverence on Friday morning as Guyana bid a final farewell to Ambassador Elisabeth Anne Harper, A.A. For decades, she was a steady hand in the country’s foreign service, a woman whose brilliance was matched only by her humility.

At her funeral, those who knew her best—family, colleagues, and the President —painted a portrait of a life lived with purpose, faith and extraordinary service to her country.

The service began with music and prayers, anchored by the solemn notes of the Guyana Police Force band. But the formality of state was softened by deeply personal tributes—poems read by her colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a heartfelt solo by her gardener, Mr. Mathews.

It was, in many ways, a perfect reflection of who Harper was: a leader who left no one untouched, from the highest levels of diplomacy to the ordinary people she treated with kindness and dignity.

“The Perfect Human Being”

Foreign Service Officer Lisa Grant, who worked as Harper’s personal assistant, delivered one of the day’s most emotional tributes. Struggling through tears, she described Harper as “the perfect human being”—a mentor whose example shaped her career and her character.

“She literally rose from the entry level of the administrative scale to the highest diplomatic level as Director General, something that had never been done before,” Grant recalled. “Her smile was warm comfort and reassurance all in one. It lingered long after the moment had passed.”

Foreign Service Officer Lisa Grant

Grant spoke of Harper’s unique ability to lead with compassion, never wielding authority with arrogance but always with a spirit of empowerment. For younger officers, she was more than a boss—she was a guiding star.

Faith and Family

For her husband of 34 years, Mark Harper, the farewell was both a public and profoundly personal moment. He described her as a devoted wife and mother, sustained by her unshakeable faith even in the midst of illness.

Quoting from the book of Proverbs, he said: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all… Well done, good and faithful servant.” His words reminded mourners that behind the career of Ambassador Harper was a woman deeply anchored in love and spirituality.

President Irfaan Ali

A President’s Tribute

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, delivering one of the most significant tributes, hailed Ambassador Harper as “one of Guyana’s finest foreign service officials ever.” He praised her meticulous attention to detail, her institutional memory, and her ability to advance Guyana’s national interest with quiet effectiveness.

“She was the hidden face of our public diplomacy,” the President said. “Her achievements were attained purely on merit. She was proof that excellence and effort are the surest passports to success.”

Dr. Ali also emphasised Harper’s role in regional diplomacy, noting her deep conviction that Guyana’s destiny was bound up with that of its Caribbean neighbours. “She understood that diplomacy is not only about the pursuit of state interests, but also about the men and women who give life to those interests through selfless service,” he said.

A Trailblazing Career

Born in Georgetown in 1958, Elisabeth Harper joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a young officer and steadily worked her way up, eventually becoming Director General—the highest- ranking post within the professional foreign service. Her rise was historic, the first of its kind in Guyana.

Over the years, she represented Guyana in key international forums, earning respect for her sharp intellect, her skill in drafting resolutions, and her instinct for navigating sensitive negotiations. Colleagues often called her a “walking archive” of Guyana’s diplomacy, a repository of institutional knowledge who could draw on decades of experience with precision.

Her service was recognised nationally in 2011 when she was awarded the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (CCH), and later the Arrow of Achievement (A.A.), symbols of the high regard in which the state and people of Guyana held her.

But Harper’s career was not defined only by positions or awards. Those who worked with her recall her as a trailblazer for women in public service—showing that leadership could be exercised with grace, integrity, and empathy.

A Life That Touched Many

What emerged most strongly from Friday’s service was the sense that Harper’s impact went beyond diplomacy. She was remembered as a mentor who nurtured young professionals, a friend who gave comfort, and a woman of faith who lived her values daily.

Colleagues spoke of her ability to listen, to correct without belittling, and to inspire without demanding. For them, her legacy is not only in the agreements she helped craft or the negotiations she steered, but in the lives she touched and shaped.

Harper’s gardener, Mr. Mathews.

The Closing of a Chapter

Ambassador Harper passed away on 12 September 2025 while serving as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Her death, mourners agreed, marks the end of an era in Guyana’s diplomacy.

Yet, as President Ali noted, her life offers enduring lessons for those who follow: that service must be grounded in humility, that merit and hard work remain the truest path to success, and that leadership is ultimately about people.

As the casket was borne away from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, draped in flowers, there was both sorrow and pride in the air. Guyana had lost a daughter, a diplomat, and a mentor—but her example remains, shining as brightly as the smile that so many remembered.

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Nadria James, a 19-year-old woman from Baramita, North West District is in police custody for the alleged murder of her partner, 20-year-old Kevin Smith.

Police Headquarters in a statement said James reportedly stabbed Smith after she returned home from drinking alcohol. The incident occurred on Thursday at about 17:00hrs.

James and Smith had been living together for about a year in a camp.

She returned to the camp on Thursday and found Smith lying in his hammock.

“When the victim noticed the suspect, he grabbed a cutlass and struck her on the left shoulder and her right hand, which led to her becoming agitated. The suspect then pulled out a handmade knife from her waist and stabbed the victim on the left side of his chest,” Police Headquarters stated.

After he was injured, Smith stumbled out of the camp and collapsed in a patch of bushes. James then went to the Baramita Police Station and reported the incident.

Police officers then accompanied James back to the scene, where they found Smith lying motionless on his back.

The body was subsequently transported to the Baramita Cottage Hospital and pronounced dead.

 

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Former Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Shurwayne Holder, is now searching for employment opportunities as he navigates life outside Parliament and away from the leadership of the party he once helped to steer.

Holder’s father, Prince Holder, took to social media Friday morning to defend his son against criticisms that followed his resignation as PNCR Chairman. He clarified that while Holder has stepped down from the chairmanship, he remains a member of the party.

“I am Prince Holder, Shurwayne Holder’s father. I have noticed that both of you came out bashing my son … He did not resign from the party, which means that he is still a member of the People’s National Congress Reform,” the elder Holder wrote in a widely circulated statement.

He urged detractors to “desist from reckless and irresponsible behaviour,” pointing out that his son, who is an engineer with two master’s degrees, now faces the personal reality of providing for his wife, three daughters, and young son while also servicing a mortgage.

“Shurwayne is out of a job at present and has his mortgage to pay, which means that he has to find himself a job. If he is not going to Parliament, he has to go out there and work,” Prince Holder explained, while stressing that critics should “stop the nonsense.”

Shurwayne Holder and his father Prince Holder

The resignation of Shurwayne Holder marks yet another significant departure from the PNCR’s upper ranks. His exit came just a day after former Executive Member Mervyn Williams also announced his resignation, citing “unfortunate occurrences” within the party.

Holder, who was at the forefront of the APNU+AFC’s campaign on the Essequibo Coast and across Region Two, was notably absent from the list of 12 candidates selected by the coalition to sit in the 13th Parliament.

Although efforts to contact him directly have been unsuccessful, the PNC/R confirmed both resignations earlier this week.

The back-to-back resignations have stirred unease within the PNCR, with concerns mounting about dissatisfaction over how senior and parliamentary positions were distributed in the wake of the party’s electoral defeat.

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Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs,  has announced plans for a “robust” maintenance programme for Guyana’s sport facilities following a series of inspections.

The Minister’s tour included visits to the National Racquet Centre, Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, National Stadium, National Gymnasium, Coolgrain Pool and National Aquatic Centre, where he assessed their current condition and received updates on ongoing improvement works.

“We are going to have an extensive strategy where we visit all of our sporting facilities to assess their current state, so that we can design a robust maintenance programme,” Minister Jacobs said.

The aim, he added, is to ensure the facilities are “accessible for athletes, because that is foremost important.”

In addition to the maintenance initiative, several new projects are underway to enhance the country’s sports infrastructure.

A new tennis court will be commissioned at the National Park in the coming weeks, and a new facility for badminton and table tennis is nearing completion at the National Racquet Centre.

Furthermore, the squash facility will soon be equipped with air conditioning, while the tennis court will receive improved lighting.

The ministry aims to provide athletes with the resources needed to improve their skills and compete at higher levels, ultimately representing Guyana internationally.

Minister Jacobs reiterated that these developments are aimed at providing safe spaces for healthy recreation for all Guyanese. (Modified from DPI) 

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The Petra Organisation has received a significant boost for its upcoming 12th Annual Courts Optical Pee Wee Boys’ Under-11 Football Tournament, with continued support from longstanding partner Sterling Products Limited.

The sponsorship was formally announced at Sterling’s head office in Providence, with several key stakeholders in attendance, including Sterling Products CEO Ramsey Ali, Marketing Manager Dellon Lynch, and Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca.

The tournament will kick off on Saturday, September 27, at the Ministry of Education Ground.

This year’s event will feature 32 teams from across the country competing in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each of the eight groups will advance to the knockout stage.

Prizes will be awarded to the teams finishing in the top eight, and individual awards for outstanding players. The tournament fixtures will be released shortly.

Speaking at the presentation, Dellon Lynch highlighted the tournament’s impact.

“Over the past five years, we’ve witnessed not just matches but the steady growth of a programme that uplifts communities and helps shape the future of football in the nation,” he said.

Many of our standout players from previous editions have progressed to senior teams and even represented the country at the national level. We are incredibly proud of that.”

Lynch reaffirmed Sterling Products’ commitment: “football can connect neighbourhoods, build character, and open doors. That’s why we remain committed partners.”

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A 21-year-old motorcyclist from Victoria, East Coast Demerara, has been charged in connection with a fatal accident that claimed the life of his pillion rider, 31-year-old Kevin Nedd of Golden Grove, ECD.

The accident occurred around 07:55 hrs on 15 September 2025 along the Cove and John Public Road, East Coast Demerara. It involved motor car #PAL 8365, owned and driven by a 40-year-old man from Haslington, a motor lorry #GAC 5625 driven by a 49-year-old man from Vigilance, and motorcycle #CM 3708, which was being driven by Emanuel Elias with Nedd seated pillion.

Police investigations revealed that the car was heading west in the southern driving lane when the motorcycle, travelling at a fast rate from behind, slammed into its rear. The impact caused both Elias and Nedd to fall onto the northern lane, where Nedd was flung into the path of the oncoming lorry.

The injured men were taken to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where Nedd was pronounced dead on arrival. Elias was treated for minor injuries and discharged.

The charges

Elias was later charged with:

1. Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
2. Unlicensed Driver
3. Uninsured Motor Vehicle
4. Uncertified Motor Vehicle
5. Unlicensed Motor Vehicle

He appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court. He was not required to plead to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving and was granted bail in the sum of $200,000. The matter has been adjourned to 25 November 2025 for report and statements.

Elias, however, pleaded guilty to the remaining charges and was fined as follows:

• Unlicensed Driver – $40,000
• Uninsured Motor Vehicle – $40,000
• Uncertified Motor Vehicle – $10,000
• Unlicensed Motor Vehicle – $20,000

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