–– President Ali dismisses US-sanctioned Mohamed’s video claims
–– says businessman lied about vehicle value, presented falsified invoice to GRA
– PNC Chandan-Edmond breaks ranks with opposition, endorses PPP/C
Opposition Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan-Edmond on Monday evening “crossed the floor” to throw her support behind President, Dr Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C for the upcoming General and Regional Elections
RoPA amendment further strengthens local electoral system
Ongoing road-maintenance works at Woolford Avenue. Similar road-upgrade projects are underway in Georgetown through the Special Projects Unit of the Ministry of Public Works in the lead-up to the National Cleanup Exercise set for Saturday, June 7 (Ministry of Public Works)
senior citizens
–– plugs possible loophole for interference by ‘miscreants’
RoPA amendment further strengthens local electoral system
boosts initial adjustment that facilitates greater decentralisation of tabulation, quicker response, effective oversight of
By Shamar Meusa
THE National Assembly on Monday passed an amendment to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) ahead of the 2025 General and Regional elections.
The amendment, which was passed, added further clarity and definition to a part of the act, which was previously amended two years ago, that saw the division of electoral districts Regions Three, Four and Six into sub-districts.
These sub-districts, as mentioned in the previous amendments, would be headed by a “Supernumerary Returning Officer”(SRO)” and as a result, the additional amendment sought to define the role to include “Deputy Supernumerary Officer”(DSRO).
To this end, the explanatory memorandum of the amendment noted that Clause Two amends section two, the interpretation section of the act, to extend, in subsection (1), the definition of “supernumerary returning officer” to mean “a deputy supernumerary returning officer” in keeping with the definition of “returning officer” in section two (one) of the act.
According to Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall,
SC, in whose name the bill was tabled, indicated that when amendments were enacted in 2022, the definition of a Supernumerary Returning Officer to include someone to deputise his or her function was omitted.
It was against this backdrop that he stated when one draws the analogy between this supernumerary returning officer and the returning officer, the former will be a miniaturised version of the latter.
He added that upon realisation of the omission, they believed that commonsense and logic would have allowed for a definition and interpretation that would accommodate the omission, as in his view, if that person is not there, someone can deputise by operation of law and by normal grammatical canons of interpretation.
“But we are dealing here with electoral miscreants, and you can’t leave anything to chance here… they are very annoyed that we are blocking this last hole,” he said.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, also added to the debate, noting that the amendment is a targeted insertion that must not be overlooked.
She told the House that it further reflects the practical structure already being
used in Guyana’s electoral process, one that allows for greater decentralisation of tabulation, quicker response times after the close of polls and more effective oversight of sub-districts.
Parag expressed, “No longer should we have to be sitting in a country waiting five months for the results of our election that we already can know within hours of the tallying and the ascertaining of those votes.”
Additionally, far from an arbitrary legal change, she added that it is a product of needed legislative reform that was brought by the administration subsequent to the distressing events that surrounded the 2020 election.
“The new definition supports a structure that is more robust, layered with accountability and one where
the duties of all officers are from presiding officers and tabulating offices are clear, are clearly assigned, codified and reinforced,” Parag disclosed.
Also adding to the debate was the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, who indicated that it serves part of a critical reform.
He asserted, “It is a deliberate and substantive clarification that fortifies structural integrity of our electoral process by defining the scope and status of these officers, particularly with the highly populated Regions, Three, Four and Six.”
Speaking of the specific definition, he indicated that this makes it clear so that whenever the SRO cannot continue with the counting, the DSRO will be able to take over, and as such, the
counting or tallying of votes will continue without being hampered and done in a timely and efficient manner.
In 2022, the 63-page bill amending the Representation of the People Act was passed and paved the way for electoral districts, three, four and six to be divided for the purpose of the tabulation of votes.
It was tabled following extensive consultation and was described as a much-needed amendment to the legislation.
At that time, it was indicated that the amendments are wide-ranging and cover from top to bottom of the initial ROPA.
Initially, the first recommendation was for District Four to be divided into these sub-districts, as this region was the subject of issues highlighted during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.
sub-districts
When proposals for the amendments were put forward, the opposition rebelled against this recommendation, as it believed that the adjustment would cause interference in an area that is widely considered their “stronghold”.
As such, in a bid to demonstrate the government’s commitment to a transparent process, a decision was made to include two electoral districts, these being Three and Six, by using the rationale of the voting population.
Specifically, section 6A of the 2022 amendments to ROPA states that Electoral District No. Three will be divided into three sub-districts, while District No. Four will be divided into four sub-districts, and District No. Six into three.
These sub-districts will have a Supernumerary Returning Officer, who will perform the duties of what used to be the functions of the Returning Officer for the entire district.
As such, ballots and Statements of Poll, along with ballot boxes will go to a centre presided over by this Supernumerary Officer, who will conduct the tabulation which would have been tabulated by a Returning Officer using the same guidelines.
Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha
‘Dishonest, factually incorrect’
–– President Ali dismisses US-sanctioned Mohamed’s video claims
–– says businessman lied about vehicle value, presented falsified invoice to GRA
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has strongly refuted claims made by US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, describing his recent public remarks as “dishonest and factually incorrect.”
Responding to a video released by Mohamed, President Ali stated, “the video of Azruddin Mohamed reinforces his duplicity and dishonesty.”
He also addressed Mohamed’s reference to having the President’s phone number, stating, “My number is no secret. It is the same number I have had in and out of government, so having my number is nothing special. Thousands of Guyanese continue to contact me on various matters.”
The issue stems from the valuation of a luxury Lamborghini vehicle imported into Guyana.
The President made it clear that Mohamed never disclosed the true purchase price of the vehicle, which has since been revealed by US authorities to be US$695,000.
“As I stated before, at no time did Azruddin Mohamed present any invoice for US$695,000, which we now know is the true and correct value of the car. Instead, he reaffirmed and confirmed his lies that the invoice he shared and presented to GRA was US$75,000,” the Presi-
dent said. He added: “We are also now aware of not one, but a series of financial transfers made to the same company, verifying what was actually paid for the car.”
According to President Ali, the issue at hand is clear, “Did he lie about the value he presented as the purchase price of the vehicle? The answer is yes. As he again maintains in the video, the value is US$75,000, which we know is dishonest and factually incorrect.
“Based on the facts now presented by the US authorities, he did lie and presented
a falsified invoice to the GRA,” the President reiterated.
President Ali chose not to respond to personal remarks made by Mohamed, saying, “As regards the personal insults, I will not address those as it is a revelation of their true personality and nature.”
Mohamed is currently out on $500,000 bail for customs fraud and tax evasion involving the same luxury Lamborghini imported in 2020.
He appeared in court last week and pleaded not guilty to the two charges
The first charge alleged
that he falsely declared the purchase price of a Lamborghini Roadster SVJ at US$75,300 when the real value of the vehicle was reportedly US$695,000.
The second charge alleged that Mohamed made the false declaration on or about December 7, 2020, at the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Camp Street office, which resulted in the evasion of taxes to the tune of $383,383,345.
The complaints were officially lodged by GRA Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia after the United States Department of Justice
(DoJ) reportedly provided damning evidence, including the original invoice from the American dealership that sold the vehicle.
Authorities say the Lamborghini, which features a 6,500cc engine and bears Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ZHWUN6ZDILLA09394, was imported using documentation that did not reflect its true value.
The case against Mohamed also includes wire-transfer records obtained from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), allegedly showing payments made from his account to the US seller that align with the higher value.
According to the GRA, the significantly undervalued declaration resulted in the non-payment of applicable duties and taxes, a matter now also under scrutiny in the High Court. If proven, Mohamed could be liable for substantial back payments and penalties.
Meanwhile, the GRA has initiated legal proceedings in the Demerara High Court against Mohamed and several of his family members, alleging that multiple luxury vehicles were grossly undervalued at the time of importation.
According to the tax agency, this caused the family to pay significantly less taxes than legally mandated.
As a result, the GRA is
seeking a court order requiring the Mohamed family to pay an additional $1.2 billion in taxes on the under-declared luxury vehicles, which include a Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 3000, a Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 4000, a Lamborghini PZZ 4000, and a Ferrari 488 PAD 5000.
The Full Court of Demerara had refused an application by the GRA to overturn an existing injunction. The Bench comprised Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC and High Court Judge Nareshwar Harnanan.
The injunction, granted in April 2025 by Justice Gino Persaud, bars the GRA from seizing the luxury vehicles while the tax-evasion case against the Mohameds remains pending.
The GRA’s legal team is headed by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, former Senator and Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, and includes Senior Counsel Robin Stoby, along with attorneys Maritha Halley, Judy Stuart-Adonis, Jason Moore, Fiona Hamilton, Ornise Gordon, and Nicklin Belgrave.
Following the Full Court’s ruling, the vehicles will remain in the Mohameds’ possession pending the outcome of the substantive case before Justice Persaud, who is expected to deliver his decision on September 12, 2025.
Drone tech, logistics overhaul to boost GuySuCo crop production
–– Cheong says, pushes back against critics of recent production underperformance –– highlights impact of climate, weather on corporation’s ability to meet deliverables
THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is ramping up its focus on modern technology and operational improvements in a bid to significantly improve performance in the second crop of 2025, Chief Executive Officer Paul Cheong has said. Cheong, in a letter to the editor, said the Corporation is embracing innovations such as drone technology, remote sensing, and logistics upgrades, while also partnering with international experts to improve yields and sugar content.
In a strongly worded letter addressing recent media commentary on GuySuCo’s
first crop results, Cheong pushed back against what he described as “character assassination and fiction”, noting that while the crop underperformed expectations, the circumstances were beyond the corporation’s control.
“Let’s start with the basics: Yes, First Crop 2025 was not what we projected! But let’s not pretend that we operate in a vacuum. Rainfall this year broke records. Berbice Estates saw 212 per cent above the long-term average, and Demerara was not far behind. Fifty-three per cent of the available days were classified as ‘wet days’. That’s not politics;
GuySuCo’s CEO Paul Cheong
that’s weather,” Cheong wrote. He defended the decision to continue harvesting at Albion despite the conditions, arguing it was made to “reduce losses and protect our
future crop”.
On technical performance, Cheong pointed to improvements in factory efficiency and yield.
“Albion hit as low as 11.38 [TC/TS] on good days, and downtime across the industry actually dropped by 22 per cent compared to 2024. Cane yields are up 11 per cent” he noted, while dismissing media reports alleging the use of substandard equipment as “conspiracy theories” without a bit of evidence.
Addressing financial scrutiny over the G$13 billion allocation to GuySuCo, Cheong stressed transparency, saying, “GuySuCo’s
spending is subject to audits, parliamentary oversight, and, frankly, commonsense.
As of the end of first crop, we’ve only used a portion of the funds nowhere near the inflated G$9 billion figure being thrown around”.
Cheong also highlighted labour shortages as a global agricultural trend not unique to GuySuCo, pointing to the Corporation’s high harvester wages and renewed focus on mechanisation.
“Building for the future requires adapting, not complaining,” he wrote.
Looking ahead to the second crop, Cheong outlined a comprehensive agenda for improvement, includ-
ing partnerships with Brazil, new factory equipment such as a sugar dryer and syrup clarifier, and expanded packaging capacity at Albion Estate.
A new product line is also being developed to target the North American market, alongside training in predictive maintenance for factory staff and expansion of value-added products like packet and mini-pack sugar.
“We’re not sitting still; we invite our critics to shift gears from tearing down to building up,” Cheong said, adding: “GuySuCo is not perfect, but we’re moving forward with focus, transparency, and resolve.”
From left: President, Dr Irfaan Ali and US-sanctioned Guyanese businessman, Azruddin Mohamed
Over $4B in ‘Because We Care’ cash grants to be distributed in Region Four this week
BY the end of this week, families in Region Four will collectively receive over $4 billion in cash grants as part of the government’s flagship “Because We Care” initiative.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand was on the ground at the Bel Air Primary School on Monday, overseeing the distribution and highlighting the success of the programme’s largest phase to date.
“We have completed Regions One, Two, Five, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10. This week is Region Four, Region Six and Region Three,” the minister stated, noting that the rollout is nearing nationwide completion.
She said: “This is the big guns this week. It has large numbers.”
Distribution in Georgetown began Monday and will run through Friday, while the exercise commenced in Region Three on Sunday.
Minister Manickchand
reported that the process has been smooth and well received by parents and guardians.
“We have gotten no complaints about waiting time or people not getting their grant,” she said. Manickchand said that significant preparatory work was done earlier in the year by teachers, education officers and other staff to ensure the smooth rollout of the initiative.
The list of eligible chil-
dren was compiled using school registers and underwent several stages of verification to maintain accuracy and transparency.
The 2025 edition of the “Because We Care” cash grant began on May 12, 2025, in hinterland regions, with the ministry opting to start in Regions Seven and Nine to ensure early access for students in remote areas.
Each child attending a public or private school is eligible to $55,000 — a $50,000 cash grant and a $5,000 school uniform voucher.
In total, over 205,000 students across the country are expected to benefit from the programme. The government has allocated $11 billion in the national budget to facilitate the initiative this year.
Minister Manickchand noted that Region Four, Guyana’s most populous region, accounts for the largest chunk of the allocation.
According to the minis-
ter, more than $2.1 billion will be distributed in Georgetown alone by the end of the week. An additional $1 billion has been allocated for the East Bank of Demerara and $1.2 billion for the East Coast, bringing the total distribution for Region Four to over $4 billion.
The minister emphasised the transparency of the pro-
cess, calling on members of the public to observe.
“The process is very transparent. We would invite anybody to come along and see that,” she asserted.
While the primary goal of the grant is to support educational preparation, Minister Manickchand acknowledged that the funds are also enabling broader improvements in families’ lives.
“People are using it for uniforms and school supplies, but I know people with six and seven children who are using it to improve their homes—putting in a toilet, a water pump, making their homes more comfortable— and all of that is in the interest of the child,” she said.
According to the minister, some parents have already begun shopping for school items in preparation for the new academic year.
“We [the government] named it ‘Because We Care’ because we could not think of a more appropriate name,” she said, adding: “Because we care about how parents look after their children, how they’re able to prepare for school in September, and how they’re able to make sure that their homes are more comfortable.”
With the phased rollout nearing completion, the ministry expects a high participation rate.
“We usually have an uptick of over 90 per cent with parents receiving. That is how popular the programme is,” Manickchand noted.
While each region has a pre-scheduled distribution timetable, the ministry has also accounted for parents or guardians who may have missed their dates.
“When you are dealing with so many children, some parents may not be able to make it. They might be ill, they might be in the hospital, they may have work commitments, they may be out of the area…,” she said.
The minister indicated that each region has a designated mop-up date to accommodate parents or guardians who missed the initial distribution schedule.
Manickchand said that these follow-up sessions are typically held at a central location within the region, with the specific dates and venues to be announced soon.
The minister said too that parents or guardians who are unable to collect the grants themselves may authorise someone else to do so.
The “Because We Care” initiative remains one of the government’s most far-reaching social-assistance programmes, reinforcing its commitment to education, equity, and child welfare.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand
A mother holds up envelopes containing the cash grants
Storm rattles several communities
–– more ‘extreme’ weather possible, meteorologists say –– all pumps in action as experts monitor ‘unpredictable’ rainy season
By Shaniya Harding
MANY Guyanese were jolted awake in the early hours of the morning on Monday by what many are describing as one of the most intense storms in recent memory.
The unexpected thunderstorm, which tore through several regions with some areas experiencing winds of over 60km/h overnight, left dozens of houses damaged and some with roofs ripped off. Yet, amid the shock, community members wasted no time clearing debris and helping neighbours, while the Guyana Hydrometeorological Service continues to monitor Guyana’s changing weather patterns.
Chief Hydrometeorological Officer, Dr. Garvin Cummings confirmed that while Guyana is currently in the height of its rainy season, such extreme weather, though uncommon, can occur. Monday’s storm was one of the more intense events.
“We are in the rainy season, so we expect that there’ll be extreme weather conditions almost at any given time, but last night’s event wasn’t necessarily forecasted as a storm. We did forecast, though, that the Tropical Convergence
Zone is in the area, and we did send out a warning for areas experiencing thundershowers, which may bring heavy winds and lightning strikes,” Dr. Cummings explained. Diving deeper into Monday’s thunderstorm, Dr. Cummings shared that although constant advisories are issued, predicting
a storm of this nature remains challenging due to its quickly changing patterns and movements.
“These thunderstorms are not the kind of events that you can forecast well in advance because of their nature. They tend to emerge in a very short space of time, and they can similarly disappear
in a very short space of time. [Monday morning’s] event, for example, did not last more than two hours,” he said.
“That’s why before of the season, we hold the outlook forum. We warn people about what is to come to ensure that infrastructure is in order and everything else is in place, especially with respect to agriculture and the agriculture sector too,” he added.
On the matter of precaution, Dr. Cummings shared that during this time, older and poorly constructed buildings are at greater risk of being impacted by violent weather.
The best that Guyanese can do as the season continues is to safeguard their homes, and businesses.
“From the Hydromet perspective, we give the
warnings, we advise people to ensure that they safeguard as much as they could. But if the infrastructure was not constructed properly in the first place, you’ll find that there can be some damage,” he said.
Meteorologists are now closely reviewing data and analysing the storm’s path, which began offshore and made landfall in several regions.
“It started in Region Five, on the boundaries of Region Five and Six. It moved inland, came from off the coast, moved inland across Region Four, Region Three, and then onward into Region Two and Region Seven.
So, we’re talking about a very small cell that produced a lot of rainfall and high winds. Our meteorologists are still analysing the rainfall data, and we should have some more details in the coming hours or days,” Dr. Cummings stated.
PUMPS ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL
The Ministry of Agriculture is also working to minimise flooding across Guyana, with recent investments in pumps. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, re-
cently stated that measures have been put in place to mitigate flooding and to prevent the negative impacts usually associated with such a situation.
During a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he explained that in Georgetown alone there are 15 pump stations, all of which are fully operable and are manned at all times. Further, he said that there are pumps in the different regions that are working to minimise heavy flooding
Minister Mustapha added that the outfalls and sluices across Guyana are being monitored on a 24-hour basis to deal with emergencies during this rainy season.
The agriculture minister further said that there have been reports of water accumulation in some areas, but no major flooding has been recorded as yet.
He noted that all drainage systems and networks are active and if needed, additional pumps will be deployed to help mitigate widespread flooding during this rainy season which is expected to last beyond the regular two-month period.
Flying sheets of zinc, torn from rooftops during the storm, damaged several streetlights and nearby houses in Kaneville. Clean-up crews comprising residents are working quickly to clear the area
A Tale of Two Parties
AS Guyana approaches the September, 2025 general and regional elections, a stark political narrative is emerging that could fundamentally reshape the country’s electoral landscape.
While the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) grapples with a haemorrhage of experienced members and organisational chaos, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is persistently expanding its reach and consolidating support through calculated youth mobilisation and institutionalisation.
The PNCR’s decline has become more apparent through a series of high-profile exoduses that would have been unthinkable mere years ago.
Internal chaos within the party reached a crescendo during its most recent congress, where voting processes consumed over 10 hours beyond the scheduled time, registration mechanisms broke down and delegates complained bitterly about the
party’s organisational ineptness.
More damaging than these recent logistical collapses, though, has been the steady trickle of experienced stalwarts deserting ship. James Bond, Daniel Seeram, Samuel Sandy and Geeta Chandan-Edmond have been just a few who have broken ranks with the party as part of a “steady trickle” of desertions that accelerated under Aubrey Norton’s leadership, reports say.
Most revealing is Norton’s tone-deaf reaction to the exodus. His assertion to be “not concerned at all” at losing senior members demonstrates a leadership perilously out of touch with political reality. These defections appear to be more than numbers. They are the decimation of institutional memory, grassroots networks and political legitimacy at the worst possible time. When top party leaders openly identify themselves with the PPP/C government, as a few have done, it delivers a
life-threatening blow to opposition legitimacy that reverberates far beyond party headquarters.
Contrasting this, the PPP/C has had a bold expansionist policy that indicates sophisticated long-term political thinking.
One example of this is the Progressive Youth Organisation’s recruitment campaign, which brought unprecedented returns with over 900 new young members joining Regions One and Nine alone. General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo’s ambitious target of building a “5,000-strong youth movement” was also not merely a matter of numbers, it was a strategic investment in the future leadership that will mature “in the next 10 years or so.”
This youth-mobilisation tactic takes the party beyond its traditional bastions into hinterland villages, forging new influence networks exactly where opposition parties have traditionally been weakest.
The PPP/C’s approach is one of a party
that is self-assured on its path and deeply committed to institution-building.
While the PNCR lingers at low organisational capacity—i.e., controversy about membership rolls, the governing party methodically develops its organisational apparatus across the country.
This contrast captures virtually distinct institutional cultures: one of conflict-ridden intra-party struggle and erosion, the other of deliberate enlargement and change.
With September looming, these divergent trajectories foretell an election battle that can be more uneven than two-party tradition would expect.
The PNCR’s haemorrhage of experienced leadership and Norton’s apparent insensitivity to this crisis provide openings for the PPP/C to consolidate authority over previously contested seats, and record a landslide victory at the upcoming elections.
Stricter penalties for masked, disguised persons committing offences
THE Criminal Law Miscellaneous Bill 2025 was passed on Monday in the National Assembly, providing strict penalties for persons committing offences while wearing masks.
The bill, which received the unanimous support of the House, was called for its second reading during the 105th sitting of the 12th Parliament, during which it was noted that it is expected to serve as a deterrent to criminal behaviour, enhance public safety and aid law enforcement.
Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC noted that the bill seeks to deter persons from engaging in crime by increasing the penalties for masked and disguised persons who commit an offence.
“One of the primary objectives of the bill is deter-
rence. When individuals are aware that concealing their identity while committing a crime will result in additional charges and hardship penalties, they may be less likely to engage in such behaviour,” Nandlall told the House.
According to the bill’s explanatory memorandum, it makes way to increase the penalty for the offence of un-
lawfully assaulting a person while masked or otherwise disguised, from $7,500 or no more than $15,000 or to imprisonment for 18 months to $50,000 or no more than $750,000 or to imprisonment for three years.
With this, the Attorney-General noted that the bill, therefore, sends a clear message that anonymity is not a shield for committing a crime.
However, he clarified that the bill does not outlaw the wearing of masks or any facial disguises; it only applies when that mask, facial disguise or facial apparel is used in the commission of a crime.
To this end, he indicated that several other jurisdictions have led the way in this area of law, including Canada, certain states within the United States of America, and regional neighbours.
He added, “This bill, similar to that of Canada, makes it an offence for any person to wear a mask to conceal their identity while committing any offence against public order, including riots, unlawful assembly and acts of terrorism.”
“The bill also extends its application to target the commission of other specif-
–– as Criminal Law Miscellaneous Bill 2025 passed
ic offences while wearing a mask or disguise, such as larceny, house breaking, burglary, and robbery, and it increases the penalty for assaulting any person while wearing a mask.”
Meanwhile, rising to voice the opposition’s support for the bill was MP Amanza Walton-Desir, who told the House that what the provision is doing is adding an aggravating element to an offence, and as such, they have no difficulty with that.
“We have no difficulty supporting the amendment,” she said.
She also raised the issue of private security firms here, which sometimes have their officers wearing masks and noted that this is a practice that should be stopped.
In response to this, the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, during his
contributions to the bill, stated that in security firms, there may be many reasons why the masks would be needed for protection.
However, he added to the intentions of the bill and stated, “So it is not the mere wearing of a mask, whether it’s a ski mask, a hoodie, a balaclava or whatever you want or a scarf to hide your face. If you are intent on committing a crime, if you are involved in terroristic activities… and you’re using a mask or means of hiding your face and the rest of it…. You are committing a crime, and this bill lays out the recourse in the law for response to this type of activity.”
Against this backdrop, the Attorney-General further reiterated that the wearing of a mask is only criminal if used during the commission of an offence.
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn
Opposition MP Amanza Walton-Desir
‘I stand with President Ali’
– PNC’s Chandan-Edmond breaks ranks with opposition, endorses PPP/C
PEOPLE’S National Congress (PNC) Member of Parliament Geeta Chandan- Edmond has endorsed President, Dr Irfaan Ali, throwing her full support behind his bid for a second term and aligning herself with the governing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).
Almost driven to tears, the long-standing opposition member during her presentation to the National Assembly on Mon-
day, said her decision to break ranks with the PNC came after several attempts to silence her.
Standing at the podium, Chandan-Edmond watched as members of the PNC camp exited the parliament chamber.
“Let the record reflect tonight that I stand proudly with President Irfaan Ali, I stand with his leadership, I stand with his vision and I stand with his steadfast commitment to this country…Because when the choices between progress and happiness, between development and dysfunction, between loudness and leadership, I will always choose Guy-
ana, ” Chandan-Edmond said.
She added: “Today I say no silence, no to bullies, no to division.” Her statement was met with applause from the government benches, with several PPP/C Members of Parliament were heard saying “Welcome home!”
Chandan-Edmond continued: “I say to every one of you in this House and out of this House that President Ali deserves a second term and Guyana deserves nothing less… and so I fully and unapologetically endorse President Irfaan Ali for a second term.”
But Chandan-Edmond is not alone.
Over the past day, several other known figures from within the opposition ranks, both former parliamentarians and long-time party operatives, have come forward to express similar sentiments, citing President Ali’s performance, inclusive policies and transformational development agenda as key reasons for their shift in allegiance. These endorsements come ahead of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections, as President Ali and the ruling PPP/C seek re-election.
People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Member of Parliament, Geeta Chandan-Edmond
Watch Bill Clinton and learn about the reality of humans
I WAS ruffled to the point where as host of a talk-show programme, I should always be careful not to violate protocol.
But all over the world the past umpteen years, we have seen interviewers get irritated when powerful men and women with undue influence during an interview would say horrible things that so shocked the host that they lost their cool.
This happened to me two weeks ago when I did an interview with two leading personalities from the opposition party, ANUG. Kian Jabour told us that why the developed world works and people don’t break the law is because they have systems in place to make people accountable.
I printed my attitude to what Jabour said, so there is no need to reproduce the arguments here. See my Saturday column of May 24, 2025, “Five days before the 59th year of independence.” Jabour is not the only one in Guyana who thinks like that. There are actually Prime Ministers in the Caribbean whose colonial mentality runs far deeper than Jabour’s.
Several Prime Ministers of Jamaica and Trinidad, past and present, are psychologically endowed with the fiction that the Privy Council is of higher judicial quality than the Caribbean Court of Justice.
There are many people in this country, including politicians who want to run this large, petro state that believe Western medicine, Western politics, Western things are superior to those of China, Brazil, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa, etc...
I thought of Jabour when I read what former American president, Bill Clinton said in an interview with CBS over the weekend. When you listen to Clinton, you see in the
most graphic way in front of your very eyes the nature of politics in the West, the very West, we in the post-colonial world think is of higher quality than ours.
Clinton was emphatic that Joe Biden has no cognitive problems. He asserted the normality of the mental faculties of Mr. Biden and said he will not read a recent book, “Original Sin” by two leading American journalists that documents with compelling facts the mental decline of Mr. Biden.
Mr. Clinton is dishonest and barefaced. And it is people like Mr. Clinton when the Democrats were in power the past five years that were responsible for the victory of Donald Trump. The entire globe knows Mr. Biden has cognitive problems. It caused him to concede to the demands of the big ones in the Democratic Party to oust him as presidential candidate.
Mr. Clinton made his remarks over the weekend and it was just two weeks ago, Mr. Biden was the guest on The View when he showed once more signs of mental decline and his wife had to come to his rescue.
The consensus among Americans is that Mrs. Biden went to the studio to protect Mr. Biden should he falter, and faltered he did and she came to his rescue. Apparently, Mr. Clinton did not see that edition of The View.
You look at Mr. Clinton’s attitude, you know this is politics all over the world, but the West has rammed down our throat the fiction that our political culture is of inferior quality, and that our rulers lack character, finesse, and substance. The thing about what Mr. Clinton said is that his remarks were viewed all over the world. The peoples of the world know that Mr. Clinton is not being truthful.
But do you think Mr. Clinton cares what
the world says about him? In the Third World, we rush to criticise our leaders for the clothes they wear and the things they say. We want them to adhere to Western standards. But even in the West, political standards are low and you have a pyrotechnical example of Clinton on the mental state of Mr. Biden. He denied the cognitive decline of Mr. Biden and the journalist did not correct him which brings us back to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and Western journalism. Look at American and European jurisprudence and compare them to the CCJ’s. India has one of the world’s top-class judiciaries and so does the Caribbean. Look at what is taking place in the Federal Supreme Court in the US right at this minute.
The judges on the Supreme Court are selected for their ideological convictions and armed with those beliefs, their decisions are infused with political judgements. Finallyjournalism in the West.
We in the Third World can’t be serious about the credibility and independence of Western journalism after the genocide in Gaza. The world is changing. I hope the colonial mentality becomes a victim of those changes.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
A brighter future begins at birth –– mothers praise Newborn Cash
LESS than three months after its launch, President, Dr Irfaan Ali’s Newborn Cash Grant initiative is already transforming lives across Guyana, bringing hope, relief and a stronger sense of security to thousands of families.
Launched on March 8, 2025, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the initiative provides $100,000 for every child born to a Guyanese mother on or after January 1, 2025.
President Ali, who has led a people-first development agenda since taking office, described the grant as a longterm investment in the future of our nation and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Mothers who have already benefitted from the programme shared their grat-
itude and explained how the grant has positively impacted their lives.
Region Four resident Aranza Krishna said she is “whole-heartedly thankful to the government and the Ministry of Health for this appreciated initiative.”
“This grant has benefitted me a lot, because it helped me to buy formula, which is very expensive; pampers which is [sic] very expensive, and it also help [sic] me to save because instead of taking out that money from my pocket, the government made that possible for me to be able to save,” she shared.
Another beneficiary, Hasyah Dodson, also from Region Four, expressed similar sentiments. “It helped me to get certain things, to put in an early savings for the baby,” she stated.
Dodson further stressed the importance of continued support, particularly for young mothers who may lack a strong support system.
“I think that the government should continue giving; in relation to young mothers that do not have the support,” she posited.
With more than 17,000 births projected for 2025, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring each newborn receives this financial start in life.
The initiative, which was first announced during the presentation of the 2025 National Budget, is part of a broader effort to enhance family welfare and social development.
In total, approximately $1.3 billion will be allocated annually to facilitate the grant.
Bartica man sentenced to 13 years for 2007 killing
MORE than 18 years after fleeing the country following the brutal killing of a gold miner, 45-year-old Michael O’lando Corrica has been slapped with a 13-year prison sentence.
The jail time was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Essequibo.
Corrica, called ‘Tall Man,’ a former resident of Fourth Avenue, Bartica, pleaded guilty to the capital offence of murder. The case was prosecuted by State Counsel II Caressa Henry, while Latchmi Dindayal appeared as defence counsel.
The killing took place on February 18, 2007, at Arimu, Region Seven. At the time, Corrica operated a shop in the area while the victim, gold miner Oswald Joris — also known as “Buns” — was employed at a nearby mining camp. Both men were familiar with each other.
According to the prosecution’s account, Joris’ daughter was notified by a third party that her father had been severely injured. When she arrived at the scene, she found him lying in a pool of blood with multiple chop wounds on his body.
While the precise motive was not outlined in court,
media sources indicate that the fatal altercation could have been the result of a fight over a woman.
Things escalated quickly and resulted in Corrica assaulting Joris with a cutlass. A subsequent post-mortem established that Joris died as a result of shock and haemorrhage sustained from 10 incised wounds.
Corrica had left Guyana right after the incident and was on the run for more than 16 years.
He was eventually tracked down to French Guiana, deported, and arrested upon arrival in Guyana. He was charged
Grant support for their babies
with the offence in June 2023.
Corrica later confessed to the murder during a statement under caution to the police and denied having had any prior disputes with the victim.
During Corrica’s sentencing hearing, his attorney urged the court to consider several mitigating factors, including his early guilty plea, co-operation with the police investigation, status as a first-time offender and his expression of remorse.
On the other hand, Prosecutor Caressa Henry outlined several aggravating factors, noting that the act was deliberate, involved the use of a dangerous weapon and resulted in severe injuries to the victim.
She also pointed to the broader context of the offence, highlighting the prevalence of unlawful killings in society, the seriousness of the crime and the fact that Corrica fled the country after committing it.
Justice Singh weighed both the mitigating and aggravating elements in determining the sentence.
He also ordered that the time Corrica spent in pre-trial custody be deducted from the 13-year sentence.
Michael O’lando Corrica
One of many families across Guyana receiving support through the government’s Newborn Cash Grant
Sophia man charged with assaulting cop, several traffic offences
SHAMAR Williams, a 24-year-old resident of Sophia Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown, who was allegedly seen assaulting a policeman in a viral social media video, was on Monday charged with assault and several traffic-related offences.
According to a press release, Williams first appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, where several charges related to the physical altercation with the police con-
stable were read to him.
Regarding the charge of ‘Assault causing actual bodily harm’, he pleaded not guilty and was placed on $15,000 bail.
He also denied a ‘Damage to property’ charge, and was placed on $10,000 bail.
Williams was also charged with ‘Assault of a peace officer with intent to resist lawful arrest’ and was remanded to prison. That matter has been ad-
Williams shortly after the physical confrontation with a police constable which resulted in his being placed before the court on several assault and traffic-related charges (GPF photo)
journed to June 23, 2025.
The police said Williams later appeared before Magistrate Shivani Lalaram at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court,
‘Exciting
where 10 traffic charges were read to him. The court found him guilty of nine of the charges. He pleaded not guilty to the tenth charge.
For being an ‘Unlicensed driver’, he will have to pay a fine of $30,000 or spend six weeks in prison. For his failure to ‘Confirm to sign’ he was fined $20,000, with an alternative of four weeks in prison.
Further, on the ‘Failure to wear safety helmet’ charge he was fined $10,000 with an alternative of two weeks in prison.
For the ‘Breach of oneway street’ charge he was slapped with a $20,000 fine or four weeks in prison.
With regards to ‘Driving an uninsured motor vehicle’, Williams was fined
$30,000 with an alternative of six weeks in prison.
On the charge of ‘Unlicensed motor vehicle’, he was fined $20,000 with an alternative of four weeks in prison.
Further, as it relates to a charge of ‘Uncertified motor vehicle,’ he was fined $25,000 or five weeks in prison.
For the charge of ‘Maintenance of motor vehicle,’ he was fined $20,000 or alternatively he will spend four weeks in prison. For the charge of ‘Obscured rear ID mark,’ he was fined $150,000 with an alternative of 30 weeks in prison.
Additionally, he was charged ‘Failure to have a front ID mark.’ He pleaded not guilty and was placed on $10,000 bail.
developments’ for Pizza Hut Guyana under new management
–– Beharry Group announces
THE Beharry Group has announced the acquisition of the Pizza Hut franchise in Guyana, effective June 1, 2025.
According to a press release, this strategic move represents the Group’s continued investment in the quick-service restaurant sector, and its commitment to delivering high-quality, globally-recognised dining experiences to the Guyanese public.
As part of the transition, all Pizza Hut locations across Guyana have been temporarily closed from May 31 to June 4, 2025 to facilitate minor infrastructural enhancements.
“These changes are being made to ensure a seamless and refreshed experience for cus-
tomers as operations resume under new management. The restaurants will reopen on June 5, 2025, with more exciting developments to follow in the coming weeks,” the Beharry Group said, adding:
“This acquisition reflects our vision to grow the presence of leading global brands in Guyana while elevating service and product quality through strong local leadership. We thank our valued customers for their patience and look forward to serving you even better in this exciting new chapter for Pizza Hut.” Customers are urged to follow Pizza Hut Guyana on social media for reopening updates, and a first look at what’s new.
Shamar Williams (GPF photos)
25,000 senior citizens to benefit as NIS rolls out one-off payment programme
THE National Insurance Scheme (NIS)’s One-Off payment programme for eligible insured persons who have between 500 and 749 contributions, was officially launched by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali had laid out the details of the initiative on April 10, 2025, following his earlier announcement of the programme.
It is expected to benefit over 25,000 senior citizens. The initiative also forms part of government’s broader range of interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of Guyana’s senior citizens
To be eligible under the programme, persons must have attained the age of 60 on or
before 31 December 2024, have between 500 to 749 contributions on record and not be in receipt of any pension from NIS.
These persons will benefit from the oneoff payment as follows:
• 500 to 549 NIS Contributions –
One-Off Payment of $260,000
• 550 to 599 NIS Contributions –
One-Off Payment of $390,000
• 600 to 699 NIS Contributions –
One-Off Payment of $520,000
• 700 to 749 NIS Contributions –
One-Off Payment of $650,000
The programme is intended to allow the NIS to address the challenges faced, particularly by those persons who have fallen marginally short of the 750 contributions required for a pension from the NIS, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release.
In keeping with President’s Ali’s commitment, a sum of $10 billion was allocated in Budget 2025 to ensure the financing and delivery of this programme.
The NIS has established a dedicated website at https://oneoffnis.gov.gy where persons can check their eligibility and submit their applications online. Alternatively, they could visit the nearest NIS office in their area, uplift and complete a form, and place it in the drop boxes available at NIS offices countrywide.
The Finance Minister, while highlighting further details of the initiative during the programme’s launch on Monday, urged persons who are eligible to submit their applications as soon as possible, so they may benefit from the President’s initiative.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that the senior citizens of
Guyana, who have given their best years in service to the country, can retire with dignity and the respect they deserve,” the Ministry of Finance said.
JCI Guyana celebrates 61 years of leadership, community impact with week of activities
THE Junior Chamber International (JCI) Guyana is celebrating a major milestone; 61 years of empowering young leaders and driving community impact, under the inspiring theme: “Fuel the Legacy, Accelerate the Impact.”
The week-long celebration, which runs from June 1 to June 7, features a series of events aimed at boosting public awareness, strengthening partnerships, and showcasing the organisation’s continued commitment to leadership development and volunteerism.
JCI Guyana, a non-profit youth-led organisation for individuals aged 18 to 40, is affiliated with JCI West Indies, and forms part of the global JCI network, which boasts more than 100,000 members across 120 coun-
tries. The organisation has been at the forefront of equipping young Guyanese with the skills and opportunities needed to create lasting positive change.
The 61st anniversary activities include a diverse lineup of initiatives that reflect JCI’s mission to serve communities and develop future leaders. These include: Thanksgiving church service and fellowship potluck; Community Impact Day – featuring hot meal distribution and a clothing drive; Brand Awareness and Visibility Campaign; Skills Development Day; Human Duties Day – including a blood drive at both the New Amsterdam Hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); Tree Planting Exercise and Fun Day; and Peace Walk – a
symbolic gesture promoting unity and harmony.
In a brief address, JCI Guyana President Kenisha Lashley reflected on the
initiatives in Dredge Creek on the Pomeroon River, and a recent partnership with Ramps Logistics to support a sustainable kitchen garden project at the F.E. Pollard Primary School.
Lashley made a heartfelt appeal to corporate sponsors and other stakeholders, urging them to support JCI Guyana’s vision for national development:
“If you want to create meaningful impact and development in our communities, we welcome your partnership. Together, we can achieve more,” she urged.
organization’s legacy and its ongoing partnerships that have advanced community-focused projects. She cited collaborations with Banks DIH Limited and SBM Offshore for back-to-school
Joining the local celebrations was JCI West Indies National President Leycia Samuels, who praised JCI Guyana for its strong track record and regional impact.
“We’ve been making a difference across the Caribbean for 65 years—in places like Antigua, Barba-
dos, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and of course, Guyana,” Samuels said. She added that efforts are underway to expand JCI West Indies’ reach to St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis later this year.
Samuels also highlighted the transformative role JCI plays in shaping future leaders:
“Our members often say they got their foundation in JCI—and from there, they’ve gone on to become leaders in politics, religion, civil society, and business,” she said.
Founded more than a century ago, JCI continues its global mission of providing leadership development opportunities to young people, empowering them to be agents of change in their communities and beyond.
JCI Guyana President Kenisha Lashley with JCI West Indies National President Leycia Samuels
Over 1,500 Berbice families move closer to home ownership
THE recent completion of a two-day “Dream Realised” housing drive in Region Six has marked a transformative moment for 1,550 Berbician families, who now hold the “keys” to security, independence, and generational wealth through home ownership.
This landmark achievement equates to far more than the mere distribution of land; it is the realisation of long-held aspirations for
families who previously had only known the uncertainty of rented accommodation or the constraints of shared living with extended family.
The May 30-31 Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) housing drive has led to an all-time record achievement in the housing industry, with the PPP/C administration officially crossing its five-year mark of 50,000 house lot allocations.
Minister of Housing and
Water Collin Croal referred to this activity as “a defining point” in the government’s ambitious housing programme, stating: “With the completion of this event, we will officially have exceeded 50,000 house lots distributed since assuming office in August 2020”.
This achievement underscored the government’s dedication to providing adequate housing for all.
The new residential allocations in Region Six go
beyond the simple allocation of land to include general community development with basic infrastructure and social amenities.
The land parcels will include dedicated sites for schools, health centres, and recreational facilities, so the new residents will be provid-
ed with fully-serviced community amenities instead of separate housing plots.
This masterplan demonstrates that the government understands that effective housing construction entails coordinated planning that considers the long-term interests of occupants.
With more than $240 billion spent on the housing sector since August 2020, and 93 new housing areas being created nationwide, the ground has been laid for the further growth of home ownership opportunities throughout Guyana.
The recent completion of a two-day “Dream Realised” Housing Drive in Region Six has marked a transformative moment for 1,550 Berbician families, who now hold the “keys” to security, independence, and generational wealth through home ownership
Region Six residents laud gov’t ICT training programme as life-changing
IN keeping with the Government of Guyana’s manifesto promise to bridge the digital divide, the Office of the Prime Minister, through its Industry and Innovation Unit, continues to expand its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training initiatives aimed at empowering Guyanese across the country.
The Industry and Innovation Unit, which falls under the Prime Minister’s purview, has been championing this transformative initiative by equipping citizens with vital skills in Office Productivity, Internet Literacy, and Computer Literacy. These sessions are tailored not only to prepare individuals for the modern job market, but also to foster an inclusive digital society—particularly by creating opportunities for youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
With the ICT sector offering the potential to generate thousands of new jobs— especially with co-investments, infrastructural development, and state-sponsored training—the government is laying the foundation for an ICT-driven private sector, aimed at eliminating social inequalities and promoting economic growth.
Recent feedback from Region Six participants of the programme underscores the tangible impact it has had on individuals and communities.
Among the enthusiastic beneficiaries is Udistair Persaud, a senior citizen who, prior to the training, had never used a computer. “I never think about computers… it’s the first time I use a computer, and I gain a lot of experience,” he shared, expressing gratitude to the
government and the Office of the Prime Minister. He said he learned about operating a computer, using the hard drive, and typing, and eagerly encouraged others to attend similar sessions in the future.
Alicia Persaud, another
MARAD’s fleet gets timely boost with new ‘Arau’ tug
THE Damen-built tug ‘Arau’ was launched in the Demerara River after being discharged from the vessel ‘Vertom Joy’ on Monday, June 2, 2025. According to information on the Ministry of Public Works’ Facebook page, the ‘Arau’ was built by the Dutch Company Damen.
“She is the newest acquisition to MARAD’s fleet. Prior to the Arau’s deployment, her assigned crew will undergo a two-week familiarisation training,” the ministry said.
The Stan Tug, which is 16 metres long and six metres wide, joins the fleet as the second newly built vessel
acquired by the MARAD within the last two years. The pilot vessel ‘Arapaima’ was commissioned in 2023.
“The acquisition of the Arau is in keeping with President Ali’s promise of modernisation of the maritime administration as part of Guyana’s economic transformation,” the ministry said.
phasising the growing role of technology in everyday life, she urged both young and older individuals to seize this opportunity. “You don’t find opportunities like this every day… it’s for the future,” she stated.
For Yogeeta Singh, the sessions offered a refreshing blend of review and new knowledge. “In the training I did learn a few things that I didn’t learn in school, which was nice,” she said, adding that the experience was enjoyable and she would encourage others to get involved.
participant, described the training as extremely beneficial, especially as she balances her studies through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). “I learned about Excel, which was something I struggled with,” she explained. Em-
Mildred Persaud, aged 50, echoed those sentiments. “That was something I always wanted to learn,” she said, highlighting the supportive environment created by the instructors. She now plans to purchase a computer for home use to continue building on her new skills.
Ramsundar Pagwah also praised the initiative. Initially uncertain about his ability to keep up, he credited the encouragement of fellow participants and the structure of the programme for helping him persevere. “It was well presented to us, and I think we have gained great knowledge,” he remarked. He urged all Guyanese, regardless of age, to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Being computer literate is very, very good,” he noted. “At the end of it, you would know that it brings a lot to you.”
Through continued investments in digital training and infrastructure, the Government of Guyana remains committed to fostering an inclusive digital economy and equipping all citizens with the tools needed to thrive in a modern, technology-driven world.
Previous ICT training conducted by the unit
Guyana hosts EU-led pharmaceutical investment forum to boost local healthcare
By Faith Greene
AS part of Guyana’s ongoing efforts to enhance its healthcare system, the European Union (EU) on Monday launched a high-level Health and Pharmaceutical Investment Mission at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.
The three-day event, which runs until Wednesday, aims to connect EU pharmaceutical and healthcare companies with local partners to explore investment and collaboration opportunities.
Funded by the EU, it partners with Guyana’s private sector; the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); the Guyana Office for Investment; the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association and the Ministry of Health. Around 10 companies from several EU countries are part of this venture, including: Spain, Austria, France, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden, Italy and Ireland.
In his feature address, the
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, said this mission has been a work in progress.
Reflecting, Minister Anthony said work commenced just after COVID-19, when it was difficult for countries around the world to access medical supplies, medication and vaccines.
He stated that with the lockdown came the challenge of the disruption of supply chains, moving resources from one country to another.
“So we learned from that experience and out of COVID, one of the things that there were lots of discussions about, was how do you relocate the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in countries or closer regions where they need it,” he said.
Dr Anthony further mentioned the EU’s decision to set aside resources to bring companies to Guyana and Barbados to see what opportunities are available in these two countries to boost the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and strengthen health systems within the Ca-
ribbean region. Both Guyana and Barbados are leading in this innovative initiative.
Additionally, he mentioned the Pharmaceutical Equity for Global Public Health initiative, which was launched in 2022 by Guyana, Barbados, and Rwanda, with the aim to ensure equitable access to medicines and vaccines by strengthening local production and reducing dependence on external supply chains.
Furthermore, in February this year, a joint declaration was signed by the Governments of Guyana, Barbados and Lithuania to co-operate in bringing drug regulators in the Caribbean to World Health Organisation (WHO) Level Three maturity.
The minister affirmed, “So we’ve laid the overall framework and the political will to get this done is at the highest level. His Excellency, the president, has been leading on this and he’s been championing this because we recognise the challenges that we’ve been through
during COVID. That is why we really would like to see a pharmaceutical sector being developed in the Caribbean, but more particularly in Guyana.”
Ambassador of the European Union in Guyana, Rene Van Nes, in his opening remarks told participants that over the three days, they will hear about the incredible opportunities for investment in Guyana, as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
The EU Ambassador posited that under the leadership of President, Dr Irfaan Ali, and with the drive of the Minister of Health, and his team to promote investments in the
health sector with the construction of several hospitals, Guyana is truly positioning itself for a future where it meets healthcare needs of its people, as well as the needs of the wider region.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony of the mission, the chairman of the EU (Guyana) Chamber of Commerce, Alista Bishop, remarked that Guyana, with its ramping economic transformation, growing population and ambitious development agenda, presents a unique and timely opportunity for strategic investment and partnerships in the vibrant
health sector.
The mission is a symbol of important investments, signalling deepening trust, shared goals and a vision for a healthier future for all Guyanese. Furthermore, she said it brings together Europe’s excellence, and Guyana’s potential.
“We welcome this focus on health and pharma because it aligns with Guinea’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Our national development priority and the EU’s global commitment to sustainable development are well-being,” the chairman said.
June 2025 criminal assizes begin with 114 cases listed in Demerara
THE June 2025 Demerara Criminal Assizes began on June 3, with 114 cases listed to be heard.
Justices Simone Morris-Ramlall, Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, Damone Younge, and Priscilla Chandra-Hanif will preside over the session.
Meanwhile, in Berbice, 63 cases are scheduled to
commence on July 1 before Justice Peter Hugh, while the Essequibo Criminal Assizes will also begin on July 1 with 67 cases to be heard by Justice Gino Peraud.
Further, the April 2025 Criminal Assizes in Demerara concluded on Friday, May 30, with 41 of the 105 listed cases disposed of, according to a report from
the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The Assizes, which spanned two months, were presided over by Justices Jo-Ann Barlow, Simone Morris-Ramlall, Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, Damone Younge, and Nareshwar Harnanan. Of the 41 concluded matters, the DPP’s Office prosecuted 28, while 13
were discontinued via nolle prosequi.
Among the 28 prosecuted cases, 15 were for Murder, nine for Sexual Offences, and four for other violent crimes including Attempted Murder, Manslaughter and Felonious Wounding. Outcomes included 14 guilty pleas, two jury-guilty verdicts, six not-guilty verdicts,
five formal acquittals, and three cases discontinued in open court. A total of 31 accused persons appeared before the courts during the Demerara Assizes.
In the Sexual Offences Court, nine cases were presented by State Counsel Simran Gajraj, Padma Dubraj, and Nerissa Peterkin. Three cases resulted in jury acquittals, three were discontinued owing to absent complainants, two ended in formal not-guilty verdicts following complainant withdrawals and one accused pleaded guilty to raping a child under 16. Sentencing for that matter is scheduled for June 4.
Before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, six cases were heard, including charges of Manslaughter, Attempted Murder, and Murder in the Furtherance of Robbery. In one notable case, three co-accused charged jointly with Murder and Attempted Murder pleaded guilty to Manslaughter and Felonious Wounding. The main accused was sentenced to 18 years for Manslaughter and 10 years for Wounding, while the others received 15 and 12 years respectively. All sentences are to run concurrently.
Justice Nareshwar Harnanan presided over six matters prosecuted by State Counsel Abiola Lowe, Praneta Seeraj, and Mtumika Lumumba. These included five cases of Murder and one of Manslaughter. Four accused pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of Manslaughter and were sentenced to terms ranging from seven years to over 16 years. One accused was acquitted, and another found guilty of Manslaughter is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17.
Before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, four Murder cases were prosecuted by State Counsel Muntaz Ali, Marisa Edwards, and Darin Chan. Three of the accused pleaded guilty to Murder; two received life sentences with parole eligibility after serving 18 and 24 years respectively, while the third awaits sentencing on June 17. The fourth accused was found guilty by jury and is also due for sentencing on that date.
Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul presided over three cases prosecuted by State Counsel Rbina Christmas and Alvaro Ramotar.
One Murder accused was sentenced to nearly 18 years following a guilty plea, while in another case involving two co-accused, one was acquitted by jury and the other’s charge was dismissed following a successful nocase submission. Another individual pleaded guilty to Wounding with Intent and is scheduled for sentencing on June 20.
Of the 13 matters withdrawn by the DPP, five were Sexual Offences cases discontinued due to complainants’ unwillingness to proceed. Seven were Attempted Murder cases, with discontinuation stemming from the death of one complainant and others choosing not to continue, often following compensation. One case of Abduction was withdrawn due to the unavailability of key witnesses. In the Essequibo Assizes, Justice Navindra Singh presided over 13 cases presented by State Counsel Caressa Henry. These included nine for Murder and four for Sexual Offences. Six accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Manslaughter and received sentences ranging from two to 20 years. In the Sexual Offences category, one accused was sentenced to 10 years, another is awaiting sentencing following a guilty verdict and two matters were discontinued—one due to a complainant’s withdrawal and the other requiring a retrial because of a hung jury.
In Berbice, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry heard four cases presented by State Counsel Cicelia Corbin. These included one Manslaughter plea and three Sexual Offences cases, two of which ended in acquittals. The third was withdrawn after the complainant declined to testify. An additional six matters in Berbice were discontinued by the DPP.
During April and May 2025, the DPP’s Office appeared in eight appeal matters before the Court of Appeal involving offences such as Murder, Attempted Murder, and Larceny. In one appeal, a life sentence was reduced to 25 years. Two of five bail applications pending appeal were granted, while the other three were denied. One Murder appeal remains ongoing. In the Full Court, a single Assault matter was heard, in which the bail appeal was withdrawn.
Canadian Legends upstage defending champions GTA Storm
A DEVASTATING collapse, which saw GTA Storm losing seven wickets for a mere 38 runs, propelled Canadian Legends to a 33-run win over the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-50 defending champions last Saturday at St. Bede ground, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.
Set 143 for victory after restricting Canadian Legends to 142 for eight in their allotted 20 overs, GTA Storm catapulted to 109 for eight in their 20 overs, after losing their second wicket, on 70, in the 11th over.
The victory was engineered by a superb spell of bowling from the experienced Abdool “Whito”
Azeez, who bagged three for four in his three overs, bowling a maiden in the process. So telling was his spell, the four runs included two wides. Newcomer Shivnarine George supported with two for 17, while Paul Balgobin ended with two for 26.
Richard Driffield was once again the standout for GTA Storm, hitting a four and three sixes in a top score of 42, and sharing in a sec-
Once the partnership was broken, it was all downhill for the defending champions. Earlier, openers Khemraj Budhai (46) and Dan Patram (31) gave Canadian Legends an excellent start of 96 before the former departed in the 10th over after smashing one four and five sixes. Patram’s knock contained three fours and a six.
Canadian Legends looked set for a big total, but once the openers were dismissed in quick succession, wickets fell at regular intervals, with the eventual total still proving well beyond the reach of GTA Storm.
ond-wicket partnership of 61 with Ken Itwaru (14).
Bowling for GTA Storm, skipper Troy Gobin took two for eight from his three overs. GTA Storm’s last defeat was at the hands of Ramblers Rampage in the third round of the 2024 season, when debutant Navindra Buchana blasted a boundary-studded unbeaten 114 to lead his team to a 21-run victory at Dean Park.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
The dynamic trio. From left are Khemraj Budhai, Abdool Azeez, and Dan Patram
Jamaica’s Nugent defeats McLaughlin-Levrone
‒
to claim second straight Grand Slam title
PHILADELPHIA, USA, (CMC) – Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent continued her dominance in the Women’s Short Hurdles, securing her second consecutive Grand Slam Championship despite facing a formidable challenge from American star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone at the Philadelphia event at the historic Franklin Field on Sunday.
Nugent swept both races in the event group, including a thrilling victory in the 100m hurdles in a time of 12:44, where she edged out McLaughlin-Levrone in a tightly contested finish.
This victory marks Nugent’s final Grand Slam appearance of the season, as she now shifts her focus to the upcoming Jamaican Championships.
Reflecting on her performance, Nugent said things clicked at the right time. “My personality was able to be shown out there from Grand Slam. I was able to get some practice in, and work on all of the things, and I think I’ve done that, and it shows in both Slams,” she said.
Klaasen
second consecutive Slam Championship in the Women’s Short Hurdles (Photo: Grand Slam Track)
The Jamaican hurdler clocked an impressive 11.11 seconds in the 100m race, further solidifying her status as a rising force in the event.
For McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic and world champion in the 400m hurdles, this meet marked a rare venture into the 100m hurdles, her first attempt at the distance this season, and her professional debut in the event.
“There’s just so much
announces...
Proteas supporter, and would like to thank everyone that supported me and my teammates during my career," he added.
The 33-year-old Klaasen, who made his ODI and T20I debut in 2018, has finished his career with 3000-plus runs in both formats combined. He got 2141 runs in 60 ODIs (56 innings), at an average of 43.69, and a strike rate of 117.05, including 4 hundreds and 11 fifties with a highest of 174 against Australia in 2023. In T20Is, he featured in
around the unknown that can make you nervous; especially with the short hurdles. I think it’s natural, but that’s part of the challenge, pushing myself out of my comfort zone to do those kinds of things,” she said.
The last Slam of the season, where the Racers of the Year will be determined, will be held in Los Angeles, the final weekend of June at UCLA’s Drake Stadium.
(From page 22)
58 matches (53 innings) in which he scored 1000 runs at an average of 23.25, and a strike rate of 141.84, with five half-centuries, including a highest of 81 against India in 2022.
Klaasen's last ODI appearance came in South Africa's loss to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy semifinal in March 2025. His final T20I was against Pakistan in December 2024.
Enoch Nkwe, the director of the national teams and high performance, said: "Heinrich has been a true match-winner
Gauff sails into French Open quarter-finals
WORLD Number Two
Coco Gauff continued her pursuit of a first French Open singles title with another impressive straightsets victory to reach the quarter-finals.
The American, 21, dismantled Russian 20th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-0 7-5, in Paris.
The opening set lasted 29 minutes, with Gauff dropping just five points across the first five games.
It is the fifth consecutive year 2022 runner-up Gauff has reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
She will face a stern test in the next round when she takes on compatriot and Australian Open champion
Madison Keys.
Seventh seed Keys beat fellow American Hailey Baptiste, 6-3 7-5, to progress.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva also progressed to the last eight in straight sets.
Broad to coach SA before Test final v Australia
FORMER England bowler
Stuart Broad will work with South Africa in the build-up to the World Test Championship final against Australia later this month.
Broad, 38, will work for one day as a consultant at training on 9 June, his first role in coaching since retiring at the end of the 2023 Ashes.
Broad took 604 wickets in 167 Tests, putting him second on England's all-time list behind long-time teammate James Anderson.
He took 153 of those wickets against Australia, the most by any player in Test history.
Since retiring, he has worked as a TV pundit, but will help South Africa
prepare for the World Test Championship final, which begins at Lord's on 11 June.
The Proteas begin a warm-up match against Zimbabwe at Arundel Castle
Glenn Maxwell retires...
for South Africa. He was a player capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of overs. His commitment and impact in the white-ball formats have been immense, and we thank him for his outstanding service to South African cricket.
"He has been transparent with Cricket South Africa throughout the past few months, and we fully respect his decision to retire from international cricket. We wish him continued success in the next chapter of his journey." (Cricbuzz)
the Final Word Podcast.
"We talked about the 2027 World Cup, and I said to him, 'I don't think I am going to make that; it's time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it, and make the position their own'. Hopefully, they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role.
"I always said I wasn't going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn't want to just hold on for a couple of series, and almost
play for selfish reasons.
Cricket
today. Australia are defending champions, having beaten India at The Oval in 2023. (BBC Sport)
(From page 22)
"They are moving in such a clear direction, so this gives them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup.
I know how important that planning is," he said.
Congratulating Maxwell on his career, his former captain and current chair of selectors, George Bailey, said, "Glenn will be known as one of the one-day game's most dynamic players, who had key roles in two ODI World Cup victories.
“His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, underrated ability with the ball, and longevity have been superb. What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia.
"Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format. All things going well, he will be pivotal in the next 12 months as we build towards the World Cup early next year." (Cricbuzz)
Despite the presence of the USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent (l) secured her
The sixth seed defeated Australian 17th seed Daria Kasatkina, 6-3 7-5, and will play French wildcard Lois Boisson, who stunned world Number Three Jessica Pegula, next. (BBC Sport)
Coco Gauff is through to her ninth major quarter-final
Ground in Sussex
Stuart Broad took a wicket with his final delivery before retirement to secure England victory in the fifth Ashes Test against Australia in 2023
Simmons’ brilliance helps Mighty Ruler retain Bartica Guinness title
LED by the in-form Andrew Simmons, defending champions Mighty Ruler reigned supreme with a successful defence of their title with a 3-0 drubbing of Jones Avenue, when the two sides clashed in the Bartica ‘Guinness Greatest In The Streets’ final Sunday night, in front of a supportive crowd at the Bartica Community Centre tarmac.
In a very competitive final, both sides were battling to get the goal ahead goal in front of a crowd which favoured the reigning champions, Mighty Ruler, and after a goalless first half, it was anybody’s game.
With neither side giving no quarters, it was a defensive lapse on the part of the challengers Jones Avenue that would open the way for the first goal scored by an alert Andrew Simmons in the 23rd minute.
That goal swung the momentum in favour of Mighty Ruler, and with the backing of spectators, they went on the offensive.
Jones Avenue were committed to the task at hand, but in the 27th minute, Oswin Joseph would blast in the second goal to put Mighty Rulers into a formidable position, as it was a Guinness Goal which counted as two, for a 3-0 lead.
It was a frenzied atmosphere, and one which signaled that the defending champions were about to retain their crown, to the delight of most of the raucous fans on hand.
When the final whistle came, the Mighty Ruler were $500,000 richer with the top prize, received the champions trophy and bragging rights to be the representative team that will contest the National Guinness Greatest In The Streets tournament to be played later this year in Georgetown.
Simmons, with nine goals, won the top scorer trophy.
For their efforts, Jones Avenue collected $300,000 and a trophy.
To reach the final, Mighty Ruler shut out Spaniards, 3-0,
with Simmons getting a brace in the 22nd and 23rd minutes of play, as the other goal was scored by Whitney Welcome in the 24th minute.
Jones Avenue had knocked out Misdeamor, 2-0, to reach the final, as Cyle Timmerman and Joshua Jones found the back of the net in the 2nd and 28th minutes, respectively.
Playing for third place, Misdeamor defeated Spanish, 2-0, after strikes by Usher Jones in the 8th, and Reon Hall in the 18th minutes of play. They received $200,000 while Spaniards were given $150,000.
For the Plate tournament among the losing quarterfinalists which had $100,000 at stake, Bad Boys won 3-2 against Ghenosyde.
Scoring for Bad Boys was Daniel Gardner with a hat-trick with the first coming in the 3rd minute, and then a Guinness Goal, recorded as two, in the 30th minute.
Jah Cure netted for Ghenosyde in the 4th and 20th minutes of play.
Banks DIH Brand Rep-
Glenn Maxwell retires from ODIs
AUSTRALIAN all-rounder
Glenn Maxwell has announced his retirement from ODI cricket to shift focus to T20s.
In a career spanning from 2012 to 2025, Maxwell featured in 149 ODIs, scoring 3990 runs, and picking up 77 wickets. He was also a part of Australia's World Cup-winning sides in 2015 and 2023.
An explosive batter, Maxwell scored his runs at an average of 33.81, and a strike rate of 126.70. His best effort in ODIs, an unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup, is regarded as arguably the greatest innings played in ODIs.
Apart from that, he scored three other centuries and 23 half-centuries. As a bowler also, he was a handy off-spinner, picking four-fers four times in his career. A stellar fielder, he also has 91 catches to his name in the format.
Jeff Clement was in Bartica for the final, which was witnessed by Regional Chairman of
Klaasen announces retirement from international cricket
HEINRICH Klaasen, the South Africa wicketkeeper-batter, has announced his international retirement, stepping away from the white-ball formats having ended his red-ball career in 2024.
Cricket Australia announced that Maxwell took the decision with an eye on preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The Board also stated Maxwell's intention to focus on the Big Bash League and other international commitments.
have that.”
Maxwell's last ODI appearance came against India in the Champions Trophy earlier this year. A leg injury has ruled Maxwell out of the ongoing IPL.
Reflecting on his career and decision to retire, Maxwell said, "I think back to right at the start I was picked ahead of my time and out of the blue. I was just proud just to be playing a couple of games for Australia. I thought I was just going to
"I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how my body was reacting to the conditions. I had a good chat with (Chair of Selectors) George Bailey, and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward," he told
(Turn to page 21)
"It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket. It took me a long time to decide what's best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision, but also one that I have absolute peace with," said Klaasen about his decision to step away from international cricket, having played for the South African team for seven years.
"From the first day, it was the biggest privilege representing my country, and it was everything that I have worked for and dreamed about as a young boy," said Klaasen. "I have made great friendships and relationships that I will treasure for life.
Klaasen's last appearance came in the CT semifinal earlier this year
Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people that changed my life, and to those people I can't say thank you enough.
"My road to wearing the Proteas shirt was different than most, and there were certain coaches in my career that kept believing in me; to
them, I will always be grateful. To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was and will always be the biggest honour in my career. I look forward to spending more time with my family, as this decision will allow me to do so. I will always be a big
(Turn to page 21)
resentative
Bartica Kenneth Williams, who received six flood lights from the beverage giants. Bartica Banks DIH Branch
Manager Keron Savoury and Outdoor Supervisor Keanu Harry assisted with the presentation of prizes.
Banks DIH Brand representative Jeff Clement, Banks DIH Bartica Branch Manager Keron Savoury (right), and Bartica Branch Outdoor Supervisor Keanu Harry, (second right), with the Mighty Ruler players after the trophy presentation
Glenn Maxwell played 149 ODIs for Australia
Ponting believes Test snub is inspiring Iyer to perform
RICKY Ponting believes in-form Shreyas Iyer is determined to prove national selectors wrong and guide Punjab Kings to their first Indian Premier League title.
Iyer was a notable absentee when India named their 18-player squad for their upcoming five-match Test tour of England, and the in-form right-hander has responded well by scoring runs and leading the Kings into the IPL final against Royal Challengers Bangalore. If the Kings manage to win, this will be their maiden IPL title.
ICC Hall of Famer and Punjab Kings head coach Ponting discussed Iyer's absence from India's Test squad on The ICC Review last week and the Australian great said the in-form mid-
dle-order batter had moved on quickly from the disappointment to try and focus on helping the Kings create history in the IPL. "I actually was gutted… but he’s accepted that really well and he’s moved on," Ponting said on The ICC Review of Iyer, prior to the
Junior Lady Jags crushed 9-0 by Costa Rica
ALAJUELA, Costa Rica, (CMC) – Guyana’s Women’s Under-20 National Team, the Junior Lady Jags, endured another heavy defeat in the 2025 CONCACAF Women.
The match was dominated by Costa Rican forward Sheika Scott, who netted five goals, including a first-half hat-trick.
Scott opened the scoring early, converting penalties in the 5th and 22nd minutes before completing her quick-fire hat-trick with a header from a corner in the 25th minute.
Emma Azofeifa added a fourth for Costa Rica with a powerful strike from outside the box in the 29th minute.
Just before halftime,
Scott struck again in stoppage time to claim her fourth goal of the match.
The second half brought no relief for Guyana as Lucía Paniagua 63rd, Daniela Ocampo 84th, and Azofeifa 90’+3’, all found the net.
Scott capped off a sensational individual performance with her fifth goal in the dying moments, solidifying her lead in the tournament’s Golden Boot race.
This marks Guyana’s second heavy loss in the competition after an 8-0 defeat by the USA in their opening match. The Junior Lady Jags will look to regroup before facing Puerto Rico today in their final group stage fixture.
IPL Playoffs commencing.
"He’s just got that real hunger in his eyes to do well every time that he plays for us here and wants to win games of cricket and wants to evolve and develop into the best leader and captain that he can be."
Iyer was one of India's
best performers during their run to the finals in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, and was the side's leading run-scorer at the ICC Champions Trophy event at the start of this year. He has also scored plenty of runs recently against the red ball at the first-class level in India, and Ponting thought that strong form would have seen Iyer win a recall to the Test side.
"Certain other players that have been picked in that (Test) squad have done it on the back of good first-class cricket and good IPL seasons leading up to that selection and Shreyas has done absolutely everything the same as some of those other players," Ponting noted.
"So I was disappointed that he didn’t get picked as I actually felt that he would
get picked. But he didn’t. And I think that probably makes him a little bit hungrier for us when these playoff games come around."
Ponting's working relationship with Iyer is not a new partnership, with the pair having combined previously at the Delhi Capitals and having helped the side into the playoffs from 2019 to 2021, and an appearance in the final in 2020.
The duo get the chance to go one better this year against Royal Challengers Bangalore, with Iyer's match-winning innings of 87* from just 41 deliveries against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday helping the Kings earn their place in the final in what is Ponting's first year as coach of the franchise.
Iyer scored 243 runs
from five innings at India’s successful Champions Trophy earlier this year and has tallied 603 runs for the Kings from 16 innings at the IPL this year to be sixth overall on the leading run-scorer charts.
"I enjoy playing a bit of a role with him as we work really well together," Ponting said.
"We talk a lot together about the game and tactics and, I think he said last night that he said ‘that I leave it to Ricky to look after the tactical stuff and pick the players, and then he hands it over to me and I go and execute it out on the field’.
"And that’s the way we’ve worked, this year and it’s been nice to get that sort of working relationship back together again." (ICC Media)
Holder and Russell return as West Indies announce T20 squads for England and Ireland series
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) has unveiled the squads for the upcoming T20 International series against England and Ireland, marking the first assignment for new captain Shai Hope.
The three-match England series, which will run from June 6-10, will see the return of all-rounder Jason Holder, who last played T20Is for the West Indies in February 2024.
Explosive star all-rounder Andre Russell also makes his comeback after recovering from an injury sustained during last year’s England series in Barbados, though he will only feature in the England leg.
Notably absent is Nicholas Pooran, who requested rest following an extended IPL campaign. Meanwhile, Test captain Roston Chase will depart after the England T20Is to join the redball squad’s training camp in Barbados ahead of the crucial Test series against
Australia for the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.
Brandon King, vice-captain for the England series, has been granted leave for the Ireland leg, with in-form batter Keacy Carty named as his replacement.
Exciting newcomer Jyd Goolie, a standout in the West Indies Breakout League and a member of the 2016 ICC U-19 World Cup squad, earns his maiden senior call-up as Chase’s replacement.
Head coach Daren Sammy, along with assistants Floyd Reifer and Ravi Rampaul, will transition to the Test camp after the England series, prioritising preparations for the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle.
Veteran coach Rayon Griffith will lead the squad against Ireland, supported by Donovan Miller and the rest of the management team.
SQUADS & SCHEDULE
T20Is vs England (June 6-10):
Shai Hope (C), Brandon King (VC), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
T20Is vs Ireland (June 12-15):
Shai Hope (C), Sherfane Rutherford (VC), Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Jyd Goolie, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd. Fixtures:
• vs England: o June 6: Chester-LeStreet, Durham
o June 8: Bristol
o June 10: Southampton
• vs Ireland (all at Bready): o June 12, 14, 15
Shreyas Iyer was notable absentee when India named their 18-player squad for the Test tour of England
West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder
THE Indiana Pacers reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, as they beat the New York Knicks,125-108, in Game Six of the Eastern Conference finals.
Pascal Siakam maintained his impressive form to be named MVP of the series after recording 31 points and three blocked shots on Saturday in Indianapolis.
Siakam scored over 30 points in three of four victories for the Pacers, who won the series, 4-2.
The Pacers will face Western Conference winners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the NBA Finals, which begin on Thursday.
Siakam, a nine-year veteran who won the title
in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors, said: "After a bad Game Five, we wanted to bounce back, and I have 100% belief in my teammates. Whenever we're down, we find a way, and we did that tonight."
Looking back to when he was an NBA champion, Siakam said: "That year was my third year; I was this young kid. I thought
Jamaica boxing legend, Mike McCallum, dies at 68
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Hall of Fame fighter and Jamaican boxing great, Mike ‘The Bodysnatcher’ McCallum died suddenly on Saturday in Las Vegas at the age of 68.
According to reports, McCallum fell ill while travelling to the gym, and was forced to pull off the road.
He was reportedly found unresponsive, and later pronounced dead.
Nicknamed ‘The Bodysnatcher’ due to his hard-hitting body punches, McCallum was the first Jamaican boxer to win a world title, doing so in 1984 when he defeated Irishman Sean Mannion at Madison Square Garden in New York to lift the WBA Junior Middleweight crown.
He was a first-ballot inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003, and had been a top amateur, winning gold at welterweight at the Commonwealth Games in 1978, fighting at the 1976 Olympics, and in 1977 also winning the Golden Gloves.
He was also a seven-time Jamaica Sportsman of the Year recipient.
Jamaica’s Minister of Sport, Olivia Grange expressed shock and sadness at Mc-
World boxing champion
Callum’s passing.
“It is with utter and complete sadness that I learned of the death of Jamaica’s three-time World Boxing champion Michael McKenzie McCallum,” Grange said in a statement.
“I express my personal condolences to his mother, siblings, and his children. On behalf of the Ministry of Sports, I take this opportunity to extend our sympathies to the family and friends of this legendary Jamaican,” she added.
Pacers reach NBA Finals as Knicks fall short
it was going to be easy [to get back].
"I appreciate it even more now, because I know how hard it is to get here."
Speaking about Siakam, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle added: "So deserving. The guy has been a rock of consistency all year."
Tyrese Haliburton also starred for the hosts, adding 21 points, 13 assists
and three steals, while Obi Toppin scored 18 points off the bench.
"It's a special feeling to do it with this group," Haliburton said. "We got to the same spot last year and we fell short. We worked our tails off to get back here."
For the Knicks, OG Anunoby top-scored with 24 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points
as the visitors fell short after conceding 18 turnovers.
The first quarter was a tight affair as the Pacers led 25-24 before stretching their lead to four points by the end of the first half.
Pacers took control in the third quarter, which began with a 9-0 run, to end the Knicks' resistance and claim the series win. (BBC Sport)
Carty credits hard work for current purple patch
‒ Sherfane Rutherford added to squad for final ODI
CARDIFF, England, (CMC) – West Indies batsman Keacy Carty credits his recent purple patch to meticulous preparation after notching his third century in four matches.
Still, his heroics were overshadowed by Joe Root’s sublime unbeaten 166, which guided England to a thrilling three-wicket win over the West Indies on Sunday.
The victory secured an unassailable 2-0 lead for the hosts in the three-match ODI series.
Opting to bat first, the West Indies posted a competitive 308 all out in 47.4 overs, with Carty’s 103 off 105 balls anchoring the innings.
After an early wobble at 6-1, the 26-yearold rebuilt the innings in a crucial 141-run second-wicket partnership with Brandon King, who scored 59.
Carty also added 58 runs for the third wicket with skipper Shai Hope, who contributed a fluent 78 off 66 deliveries.
For Carty, the extra pre-match work has been paying off, and he hopes he can maintain the same work ethic.
“I’ve been focusing on the areas the coaching staff highlighted for me to improve,
ensuring I can perform consistently at the international level,” Carty said.
Despite the Windies’ fighting total, Root’s century sealed the chase with seven balls to spare. The visitors now turn their attention to the final ODI, aiming to end the series on a high, as Carty believes a bit more effort could see them coming away with a consolation win.
“We pushed England hard, and took the game deep, and if we can add another 20-40 runs and maintain that intensity, we can finish strongly,” Carty said.
In the meantime, Sherfane Rutherford has been added to the West Indies squad for the final game of the series today at the Oval. Rutherford arrived in London on Sunday following his stint in the IPL.
Pascal Siakam was named MVP of the Eastern Conference finals after another starring role for the Indiana Pacers
Jamaica boxing great Mike McCallum was a three-time
Keacy Carty has now hit three centuries in four ODI matches
