LuLu team to visit Guyana as President Ali explores Qatar Airways connectivity – Department of Public Information, Guyana
# LuLu team to visit Guyana as President Ali explores Qatar Airways connectivity
September 10, 2026
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has continued a series of high-level engagements in Qatar, securing interest from international retail giant LuLu Group in Guyana and opening discussions with Qatar Airways on establishing passenger and cargo connectivity.
The engagements form part of the president’s three-day State Visit to Qatar, during which Guyana and the Gulf state have been seeking to deepen bilateral cooperation and expand economic and investment ties.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali continued engagements in Qatar as part of his three-day State Visit. He met Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi-based LuLu Group International, M. A. Yusuff Ali
President Ali met Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi-based LuLu Group International, M. A. Yusuff Ali, who expressed the company’s commitment to investing in Guyana.
> According to the president, “ Mr Ali expressed his commitment to investing in Guyana and indicated that a technical team will visit our country within the next 30 days to explore potential opportunities.”
LuLu Retail is one of the largest retail operators in the Gulf region, with an extensive international sourcing network.
The Guyanese leader also met Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Hamad Ali Al-Khater, with discussions focused on the possibility of including Guyana within the airline’s network for both passenger and cargo services. Such connectivity could strengthen Guyana’s links with the Middle East and other international markets served through Qatar Airways’ global network
The Guyanese leader also met Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Hamad Ali Al-Khate
President Ali also met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
In its official account of the meeting, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to enhance and develop them in various fields.”
President Ali and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, engaged in discussions
The statement added that the two sides also exchanged views on “several regional and international issues of mutual interest.”
As part of the visit, President Ali toured Education City in Al Rayyan, including the 40,000-seat Education City Stadium, one of the venues constructed for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
President Ali and First Lady Arya Ali toured Education City in Al Rayyan
The Head of State and First Lady Arya Ali also toured the Qatar Foundation campus and met Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation.
The engagements provided an opportunity to examine Qatar’s investments in education, research, innovation and human development and areas from which Guyana could potentially draw greater cooperation.
The latest meetings follow earlier engagements during President Ali’s State Visit, including official talks with the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding investment cooperation.
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Success of the Qatar Armed Forces in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones does not diminish the gravity of these attacks: Dr. Al Ansari | The Peninsula Qatar
# Success of the Qatar Armed Forces in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones does not diminish the gravity of these attacks: Dr. Al Ansari
Published: 04 Sep 2026 - 08:37 pm | Last Updated: 04 Sep 2026 - 08:47 pm
##### The Peninsula Online
Doha, Qatar: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari said that the success of the Qatar Armed Forces in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones “does not diminish the gravity of these attacks, nor does it absolve those responsible of accountability.”
In a post on X, Dr. Al Ansari said that “It is regrettable that the attack on Ras Laffan has been described as “alleged,” despite having been formally documented in Qatar’s letter S/2026/207, particularly given that these facilities are national assets belonging to the Qatari people and form an integral part of the global energy security architecture.”
He added by saying that the State of Qatar is not “a party to this conflict” and that attacks on its territory and civilian infrastructure, the endangerment of its population, and destabilizing actions in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be justified as “legitimate responses.”
“Such acts constitute clear violations of international law, and no selective quotation or interpretation can alter that fact,” he continued.
> If the Iranian side wishes to reference official documentation, we invite it to refer to the record formally submitted by the State of Qatar to the United Nations, rather than selectively quoting a security risk assessment prepared for operational purposes. Qatar’s identical… pic.twitter.com/xcEs4wjDPx
>
> — د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) September 4, 2026
“If the Iranian side wishes to reference official documentation, we invite it to refer to the record formally submitted by the State of Qatar to the United Nations, rather than selectively quoting a security risk assessment prepared for operational purposes,” he further added.
“Qatar’s identical letters dated 1 March 2026 (S/2026/110) documented the launch of Iranian missiles over civilian, commercial and residential areas, resulting in damage and injuries to 16 people. Qatar’s letter dated 20 July also documented further attacks that injured three people, including a child.”
Dr. Al Ansari also saidf that the “document now being cited by the Iranian side is a safety and security risk assessment prepared for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. It is neither a comprehensive factual record nor a legal assessment of the events.”
“In fact, it expressly acknowledges direct attacks inside the State of Qatar, including the 18 March attack on gas facilities in Ras Laffan, and refers to the temporary closure of Qatari airspace and the impact on civilian life. Selectively extracting a sentence from that document while disregarding its broader context is therefore misleading,” he added.
The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded by saying: “Guided by its longstanding position that dialogue and peaceful means remain the best path to resolving differences, Qatar will continue its diplomatic efforts and sustained endeavors to de-escalate tensions and promote security and stability in the region.”
State denies any liability for deaths and injuries in Mahdia School Dorm fire in response to lawsuit - News Source Guyana
# State denies any liability for deaths and injuries in Mahdia School Dorm fire in response to lawsuit
By News Source Guyana on September 1, 2026
The State of Guyana, through the Attorney General, has filed its formal defense against civil claims stemming from the fatal May 21, 2023, Mahdia School female dorm, denying any liability over the deaths.
In its defense filed by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, the Government is denying all allegations of negligence or Constitutional violations contained in the lawsuit, contending that the lawsuit is “specious, misconceived in law,” and ought to be dismissed.
The lawsuit, which has been filed by families of some of the victims, is seeking damages from the State on behalf of victims and surviving families.
In the defense, the State is also contending that all safety procedures were in place during the deadly fire, claiming that emergency exits were accessible, and students had been instructed on fire safety and evacuation procedures through regular drills.
The defense by the State also noted that Police investigations revealed that the tragedy resulted from the deliberate, intentional, and malicious act of a student following the confiscation of her mobile phone. The student was subsequently charged with 20 counts of murder, the Court document noted.
The state also noted that all medical systems were in place, with specialized medical teams from the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) being deployed via air services to Mahdia overnight, while Government officials coordinated medical evacuations for the injured to Georgetown.
It said too that specialized treatment was also facilitated internationally, including transferring one studentto Mount Sinai Health Centre in New York.
The State also highlighted its financial assistance packages and relief efforts, noting that lump sum financial packages were established of GY$5 million for families of deceased students, GY$3 million for those with serious injuries, and GY$500,000 for minor injuries.
The defense maintains that the Claimants remain eligible to receive financial assistance but asks the High Court to dismiss the legal action in its entirety.
In May 2023, 20 children died in the tragic fire at the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory.
19 of those who died were female students of the school. The 20th child was a young boy who was the son of the caretaker of the facility.
The building was heavily grilled and Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy found that many safety protocols and systems were not in place.
# Tender Board opens bids for salvaging of MV Barima; Details to be released - News Source Guyana
Author: News Source Guyana
Published: 2026-09-08T22:40:38+00:00
Source: newssourcegy.com (newssourcegy.com)
Language: en
## Story
Tender Board opens bids for salvaging of MV Barima; Details to be released - News Source Guyana
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# Tender Board opens bids for salvaging of MV Barima; Details to be released
The National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTA) today opened bids submitted by companies interested in salvaging the MV Barima, a source close to the process told News Source.
Salvage firms were invited to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to retrieve the vessel, which sank off the Essequibo Coast on July 18, 2026, claiming the lives of more than 100 people.
As of press time, the Procurement and Tender Administration had not published the minutes of today’s tender opening. The information, however, is expected to be published in the coming days.
In a statement today, Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul, criticised the Government over what he described as “a lack of urgency and transparency” surrounding the salvage process.
He noted that today marked 25 days since the August 14 deadline for the submission of Expressions of Interest. According to Mahipaul, the Government’s silence on the issue is concerning.
“This is wickedness. This is shameless behaviour. This is an insult to the intelligence and dignity of the Guyanese people. Evil to say the least is how this Government is choosing to treat the families of more than 100 people who lost their lives,” MP Mahipaul said.
The APNU Member of Parliament said the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima with more than 179 people on board, represents the largest tragedy in modern Guyana. He argued that Guyanese should be kept informed at every stage of the process.
“More than 100 lives were lost. Families were shattered. Children lost parents. Parents lost children. Husbands and wives lost each other. Yet, instead of treating the recovery of the MV Barima as an urgent national priority, the PPP Government has allowed 25 days to pass without the families knowing about the salvager. What kind of Government does this? What kind of leadership is this? Where is the urgency? Where is the transparency? Where is the respect for the dead and their grieving families? The Government owes Guyanese a proper explanation for this disgraceful delay,” MP Mahipaul said.
Mahipaul also questioned whether the delay in releasing information on the salvage process is part of a delaying tactic.
“There have already been serious questions about the vessel, including questions about its condition and seaworthiness. Those questions must be answered by evidence. But if evidence is allowed to deteriorate while the Government drags its feet, then the public has every right to question why. The PPP Government cannot claim to want the truth while behaving as though recovering the most important piece of evidence in this tragedy is an inconvenience. This is beyond incompetence. It is political wickedness. It is gross disrespect. It is shameless. And it is an insult to every Guyanese who wants answers,” MP Mahipaul said.
He said those who died in the tragedy deserve dignity, while their families deserve closure.
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