‘No information or evidence will be disregarded’ in Adriana Younge investigation – Crime Chief
–– Investigators review crucial
INVESTIGATORS
probing the death of 11-yearold Adriana Younge are in possession of video footage captured around the time the child was reported missing, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum disclosed on Monday.
While the surveillance camera directly overlooking the hotel’s pool area was not functional, other recordings and photographs are being closely analysed as the case reaches a critical stage.
Blanhum confirmed that a forensic review of the digital video recorder (DVR) system determined the pool camera was inactive on the day in question. However, he said the police do have other relevant footage that may prove vital to the investigation.
Over this weekend a photograph was circulating online, reportedly taken at 1:29 PM on the day Adriana went missing, showing several persons in and around the pool area at the hotel.
Given the time stamp and claims attached to it, Blanhum was asked whether the image had been verified as part of the investigation and will it be addressed publicly as new evidence.
“What I can tell you is investigators are in posses-
sion of video footage either prior or at the same time an alarm was raised that Adriana was missing,” Blanhum told reporters at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
He also disclosed that the investigative team has been instructed to leave no stone unturned.
“I have instructed them to ensure that they do not disregard any information or any evidence during this probe,” he said.
The Crime Chief further revealed that the investigation is now at its “evidence culmination stage,” with detectives examining various theories, all of which will be tested against the available evidence.
“We have selected the best to work on this matter, and the investigators are very objective,” he noted.
The independent investigator, a distinguished retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Mr. Leonard Mc Coshen, is expected to arrive in the country by Monday night to support the Guyana Police Force in the ongoing probe.
Mc Coshen is a trained and qualified homicide and suspicious death investigator.
This additional resource, according to Blanhum, will
footage; independent expert arrives tonight to join probe
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum says investigators are reviewing key video footage in the Adriana Younge probe, as an independent expert joins efforts to uncover the truth behind the 11-year-old’s tragic death
enhance the integrity and thoroughness of the investigation.
As part of ongoing efforts, police have contacted several of Adriana’s family members over the weekend and plan to question at least two more individuals who were reportedly in the pool on the day the child went missing.
Meanwhile, the owner of
the hotel where the incident occurred remains under active monitoring.
“There were certain conditions imposed on him—he is required to report to the police daily and has been prohibited from leaving the jurisdiction,” Blanhum confirmed.
Adriana was found dead on April 24, 2025, in the swimming pool of the Dou-
ble Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), the day after she was reported missing. She disappeared shortly after arriving at the hotel with relatives.
Adriana, a promising pupil of the Parika Salem Primary School, had written the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) days before her tragic death and was eagerly awaiting her results. It
was always her dream to attend the prestigious Queen’s College.
Following the discovery of her lifeless body in the hotel’s pool, the building was set on fire and enraged ‘protestors’ looted the establishment.
Additionally, the home of the hotel’s proprietor was torched by unknown persons.
It has since been reported that three internationally respected forensic pathologists have concluded that she died by drowning.
Samples taken from the body were sent for testing at the Mount Sinai Hospital and the National Medical Services Laboratory in the United States and the authorities here are awaiting those results.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has already announced that everything possible will be done to ensure that the circumstances are investigated and her family gets the closure.
GECOM begins training of temporary election staff
–– urges prospective applicants to access, revise manuals available on its website
IN compliance with new statutory requirements that were introduced in December 2022, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has posted, on its website, the revised manuals for General and Regional Elections titled (i) Official Manual for Returning Officers, Supernumerary Returning Officers and Other Election Officials, and (ii) Official Manual for Presiding Officers and Other Polling Day Officials.
According to a press release, these manuals were prepared by the secretariat of GECOM in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, and with input from the parliamentary political parties with whom the manuals were shared for scrutiny and feedback.
“Both manuals were used
for the training of management staff for the upcoming elections. In fact, the manuals were provided beforehand via email to all persons who applied for appointment as temporary management staff for the upcoming elections,” GECOM said. With regards to training of polling day staff to fill
the positions of Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Poll Clerks, and Ballot Clerks for the upcoming elections, which is currently underway, applicants were urged to access and study the official manual for Presiding Officers and other polling day officials which is available at https://www.
gecom.org.gy/public/home/ resource_hub.
The Commission also encouraged all stakeholders to access the manuals from the training resource hub to familiarise themselves with the legal and procedural requirements for the conduct of General and Regional Elections.
US, China reach deal to temporarily slash tariffs, easing slump fears
THE US and China said on Monday they agreed to temporarily slash their steep tariffs on each other, sending global stocks and the US dollar surging as the world’s top two economies tapped the brakes on a trade war that had fed fears of a global recession.
The US will cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports last month from 145% to 30% for the next 90 days, the sides said, while Chinese duties on US imports will fall to 10% from 125%.
Financial markets cheered the reprieve in a conflict that had brought nearly $600 billion in twoway trade to a standstill, disrupting supply chains and triggering layoffs. Investors had also worried about stagflation, a toxic combination of high inflation and weak economic
growth.
Wall Street stocks jumped and the dollar rose, while safe-haven gold prices fell as the news eased investor concerns that Trump’s trade war could crater the global economy.
Seeking to reduce the US trade deficit, Trump targeted countries worldwide with an array of tariffs, and levies on China were his most aggressive. Financial markets swooned, prompting him to pause most “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries last month.
His erratic approach has rattled investors and weakened Trump’s approval ratings among US voters worried tariffs will lift prices on everything from toys to cars.
The remaining US tariffs on Chinese imports are still stacked atop prior US duties. Even before Trump took office in January, Chi-
na was saddled with 25% US tariffs he had imposed on many Chinese industrial goods during his first term, with lower rates on some consumer goods. Monday’s announcement leaves these duties unchanged, along with tariffs of 100% on electric vehicles and 50% on solar products imposed by former Democratic President Joe Biden.
The accord does not include the “de minimis” exemptions for low-value e-commerce shipments from China and Hong Kong, which the Trump administration terminated on May 2, according to a source familiar with the
negotiations.
However, the deal went further than many analysts had expected following weeks of confrontational rhetoric on trade. Last week, Trump floated the possibility of dropping the tariff rate to a still sky-high 80%.
“This is better than I expected. I thought tariffs would be cut to somewhere around 50%,” said Zhiwei Zhang, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management in Hong Kong.
Trump’s allies called Monday’s deal a political win for the president, who campaigned in 2024 on addressing unfair trade practices in hopes of res-
urrecting US manufacturing capacity that had gone overseas. He won heavy support among blue collar workers in “Rust Belt” states like Michigan and Pennsylvania that have lost manufacturing jobs for decades.
“The president is doing what he said he would. This is absolutely about resolving disparities in the trading relationship,” said Kelly Ann Shaw, a senior US official during Trump’s 2017-2021 term and now an attorney with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
But she cautioned that 90 days was not much time to address major US concerns over non-tariff barriers such as subsidies for capital and labor.
“They’ve got their work cut out for them.”
‘THE EQUIVALENT OF AN EMBARGO’
“The consensus from both delegations this weekend is neither side wants a decoupling,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after talks with Chinese officials in Geneva. “And what had occurred with these very high tariffs... was the equivalent of an embargo, and neither side wants that.”
The meetings were the first face-to-face interactions between senior US and Chinese economic officials since Trump returned to power.
China’s vice premier, He Lifeng, told reporters at China’s mission to the World Trade Organization on Sunday that the talks were “candid, in-depth and constructive.”
“The meeting achieved substantial progress and reached important consensus,” He said.
After Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, China hit back by putting export curbs on some rare earth elements, vital for US manufacturers of weapons and electronic consumer goods. Beijing raised tariffs on US goods to 125%.
Andrew Gossage, CEO of Ultimate Products,
which owns homeware and appliance brands that sell China-manufactured products mainly to the UK and Europe, said Chinese manufacturers will still prioritise European customers even if US tariffs drop to pre-Trump levels.
“The US has definitely gone into unreliable boyfriend territory when it comes to the attitude of the Chinese manufacturers to that market,” he said. “So they’re seeing European, UK markets as more rational, more reliable, less volatile.”
Shares in European firms hit by the trade war rallied after the deal. Shipping company Maersk (MAERSKb.CO), opens new tab was the biggest gainer in Europe, up more than 12%. It warned last week that container volumes between the US and China had plunged due to the dispute.
“We hope it can lay the foundation for the parties to also reach a permanent deal that can create the long-term predictability our customers need,” Maersk said in a statement.
Shares in luxury firms rose, with LVMH (LVMH. PA), opens new tab up 7.4% and Gucci-owner Kering (PRTP.PA), opens new tab up 6.7%.
Bessent told US media that much work remained to be done, and neither a place nor time for a next meeting had been set.
“Over the next 90 days, we have a mechanism to meet with the Chinese trade delegation,” he told MSNBC. “We will be discussing tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, currencies and their subsidies of labor and capital, and how we can open up China to American businesses.”
He said Chinese officials had understood the importance of addressing the fentanyl crisis and for the first time appeared to be working to halt the flow of precursor drugs into the US.
Trump levied the tariffs in part after declaring a national emergency over fentanyl entering the US. (Reuters)
President Ali condemns politicisation, glorification ...
From page 4
Jagdeo also weighed in on the opposition’s politicisation of Adriana’s death, stating that no explanation or action from the government will ever satisfy them.
However, he stressed that the government’s primary responsibility is to the family and those genuinely concerned about the child’s death, noting, “we have a duty to thoroughly investigate this matter.”
The 11-year-old girl was found dead on April 24, 2025, in the swimming pool of the Double Day
Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). She had visited the hotel the previous day with family members.
A post-mortem examination conducted by three international pathologists later confirmed that the child’s cause of death was drowning. Her family firmly believes that foul play is involved in her death and had called on the government to launch an investigation.
The girl’s death ignited widespread and fiery protests on the night of April 28, 2025, with some
exploiting the situation to engage in robberies, the looting of businesses, and the destruction of public and private properties, ultimately compelling the government to impose a curfew.
The police later charged dozens of individuals—mostly men—with terrorism-related offences.
Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Co-Leader David Hinds has since described that night’s riots not as criminal acts, but as a “transformative” uprising, referring to the lawless destruction as “torches of freedom.”
‘The scorecard will speak for itself’
–Minister Croal
AS Guyana experiences one of its most rapid phases of national transformation, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, says the government remains deliberate in responding to the country’s evolving needs, particularly in the areas of housing and water access.
Speaking during an update on sectoral progress, Minister Croal reflected on the journey thus far, noting that housing applications have ballooned from 17,000 to approximately 60,000 in
just a few years. Despite this surge in demand, he proudly announced that the government has already allocated over 47,000 house lots— putting them within reach of their ambitious target of distributing 50,000 lots within their first five-year term.
“We’re on track. Our aim has always been 10,000 allocations per year, and this year will see the highest number of housing allocations ever,” Minister Croal declared.
He explained that the government’s strategy has focused heavily on short-
term interventions to address urgent needs, while simultaneously planning for the long-term development of
communities and national infrastructure.
“As our country evolves—in terms of usage, population lifestyle, and growth concentration—we must adapt,” he said. “Our goal is not just to meet today’s needs, but to prepare for a Guyana that is ready to stand among developed nations.”
The minister acknowledged the criticisms that occasionally surface on social media and elsewhere, but cautioned the public not to overlook the broader picture of development.
“Sometimes, a single pothole makes headlines, and it may seem as though nothing is being done,” Croal noted. “But when you step back and look at the transformation across every sector—health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, sport—it’s undeniable that progress is being made.”
Minister Croal urged
citizens to reflect on the government’s accomplishments as the country approaches the next general elections, asserting that the results of the administration’s stewardship will be visible and measurable.
“When our stewardship comes later this year to be
judged by the electorate, the scorecard will speak for itself,” he concluded.
The housing sector, along with critical services such as water supply, remains central to the government’s push for inclusive and sustainable development as Guyana continues to be modernised.
President, Dr Irfaan Ali receives a plaque from ACCP President Atlee Rodney in recognition of his robust leadership, during the opening ceremony of the 39th Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police Conference
Recent developments at Silica City (Ministry of Housing and Water photo)
A Resilient Guyana
DESPITE the increasing aggression of Venezuela, Guyana’s business climate is remarkably unscathed, and continues to show impressive growth.
As testified to recently by Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kathy Smith at the Offshore Technology Conference, the private sector has operated uninterrupted, bearing witness to the record resilience of the Guyana economy amid geopolitical tension.
This consistent performance is in contrast to the atmosphere of uncertainty frequently dramatised by global media, which Smith appropriately pointed out has the tendency to provide skewed reports.
The truth on the ground is an economy not just barely holding on despite pressure, but actually booming, as Guyana positions itself as the newest major player in the international energy arena.
The jarring disparity between global perceptions and on-the-ground realities is perhaps best exemplified by Guyana’s remarkable economic growth. The nation registered an impressive 43.6 per cent GDP growth in 2024, with solid growth also being realised in other non-oil sectors.
The trend of diversified growth demon-
strates that economic advancement in Guyana extends well beyond the oil sector, solidifying a better foundation for sustainable progress.
The private sector’s overwhelming participation with the government’s ambitious $6.6 billion national budget also further asserts the business community’s confidence in the nation’s economic trajectory and leadership.
With record total expenditure of $1.382 trillion for 2025, the government has clearly focused on equitable benefit sharing from the country’s strong economic growth while establishing a business-friendly environment.
Since 2015, the discovery of vast quantities of oil reserves off the coast of Guyana has rewritten the country’s economic future in a dramatic manner. With more than 11 billion barrels of oil-equivalent resources discovered, and production projected to reach about 620,000 barrels per day when the Payara field is at full capacity, Guyana’s status as a future energy powerhouse seems certain.
Even with Venezuela’s growing aggression, such as troop mobilisations along Guyana’s western border and naval incursion
into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, major operations remain unimpeded.
The fact that ExxonMobil’s exploration and production activities go on uninterrupted sends a powerful message on operational continuity despite intimidation attempts.
The unyielding confidence in the private sector about Guyana’s economic solidity is partly owing to the proactive approach of the government in advocating business growth.
Recent policy interventions have increased the business climate to be more favourable, e.g., VAT relief on critical inputs such as agricultural machinery and standby generators; interventions that are specifically geared towards lowering the cost of doing business, and promoting diversification in non-oil industries like manufacturing and agriculture.
Also, the Guyanese government has prudently chosen to confront Venezuelan claims to territory on its own terms in respectable international legal forums rather than fruitless bilateral showdowns. This approach has been globally adopted, and provided a model for peaceful resolution that is adoptable by companies for planning purposes.
The case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerns the 1899 Arbitral Award that clearly delineated the border between the two nations through a judgement that had been accepted by Venezuela for many decades, until it unexpectedly declined in 1962.
The border conflict has ancient historical roots, but has increased considerably since the discovery of massive oil reserves. Venezuela’s claim of approximately two-thirds of Guyana’s territory in the resource-rich Essequibo region represents not only a border controversy, but an existential challenge to Guyana’s territorial integrity.
The coincidence of the increased assertiveness of Venezuela with massive ExxonMobil oil discoveries in the Essequibo waters belies economic interests likely behind this claim. Despite these strains, the ICJ ordered fundamental provisional measures in 2023, instructing Venezuela not to disrupt the status quo in the area of contention –essentially validating the administrative control by Guyana of the territory.
The nation’s ability to maintain this economic momentum amid challenging geopolitical tests is a testament to its potential and resilience.
I must commend the gov’t for policies that result in robust GDP performance
Dear Editor,
I AM writing to add my voice in commending the Government of Guyana, under the leadership of President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, by acknowledging the positive GDP performance mentioned in the concluding statements of the Article IV Consultation with Guyana, dated May 7, 2025. On the international scene, Guyana is being well recognised for this excellent performance.
This robust growth is a welcome indicator of the resilience and potential of our country, and it reflects the positive impact of the government’s strategic policies.
Real Human Development is not hot “verbal” air to be pontificated on a stage; it is hard, “back-breaking” work that requires careful project monitoring, implementation and decisions on the National Plans.
The evidence out of Guyana is there
for all to ascertain. We have seen what Dr Ali represents as a Project Leader on the national scene, and his excellent leadership on the big issues must be celebrated.
So yes there is oil, but without careful leadership of the resources, we could very well be classified as one of the selected others who are loaded with oil, but because of poor management of this God-given resource, they have rendered themselves into another banana republic.
The output from his careful management of the economy does have an outcome, and I quote from the IMF document, “Real oil GDP increased by nearly 58 percent in 2024, while real non-oil GDP expanded over 13 percent, reflecting a solid broad-based performance across sectors.”
The bottom line is, Guyana is having tangible results under His Excellency’s tenure, with positive private sector buildouts.
Therefore, the announcement in the Sunday Stabroek newspaper by none other than Mr Robin Muneshwer from the shipping magnate Muneshwers Limited (MSL) is just another spill off from this positive and focused leadership.
Mr Muneshwer announced a joint venture between MSL and John Fernandes Limited (JFL) to establish a US$285 million mega-commercial port facility at Blairmont in Berbice.
This is the sort of transformation project that is desperately needed before 2030. But these sorts of projects do not happen by magic, they require all stakeholders to be carefully aligned, especially within the public sector.
The last decade has provided enough evidence of who can do it and who cannot, and thus I leave it up to the people to deeply think about this statement and the experiences from the last decade. But with
a growth rate averaging 47 percent over the last three years under Dr Ali, it shows a clear trend of who has done it and who has not.
I have done my research, and the best consistent growth rate over three years from prior records illustrates the closest to this performance were the “Asian Tigers.”
The “Asian Tigers” (South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong) experienced impressive growth over several decades, but even their peak growth phases typically didn’t reach an average of 15 percent per year consistently for three years. So, in the final analysis, Guyana’s economic performance under Dr Ali since August 2020 was nothing but extraordinary.
There is much more to say, but for now – enough said.
Yours faithfully, Sasenarine Singh
Amna Ally: A rarity the PNC will never get again
ON December 23, 2015, around 11:00hrs, my gate bell was pressed. I looked out and there was a Black SUV at the gate.
I came out and the gentleman gave me a Christmas bag and told me Minister Amna Ally sent it for me. Inside was a bottle of Johnny Walker whiskey, a bunch of roses and a Christmas card. The card read: “Freddie, thank for you your bravery and patriotism.”
This is the third time I am writing about this occasion regarding Amna Ally. I hope there will be many more occasions that I can repeat this unusually positive attitude to me by a politician whose party I have denounced since I entered UG as a freshman in 1974.
I never got a mere or formal thank you from any politician from the AFC or PNC after the APNU+AFC won the election in May. There is a saying I heard from my mother when I was mere child. When people dismiss you as a nobody or too unimportant to even look at, then they would “pass you like exam.” Amna Ally unlike all other AFC and PNC leaders (except Ronald Bulkan and Aubrey Norton though in 2015, Norton was not a top tier PNC leader) never passed me like exam.
Amna Ally was an enduring figure of friendly temperament that cut across race, and party lines. Amna Ally was one of Guyanese politics most acceptable politicians. I don’t think since the fall of the Burnham government, someone like Amna Ally was appreciated in the PNC. Because after Burnham died, the PNC was incapable of repro-
ducing the political culture of camaraderie that inhered inside the PPP and the PNC.
After the death of Burnham, Hoyte with his middle class aloofness (which finds expression in David Granger) did not fertilise the grassroots fields of the PNC. After the death of Burnham, I think the era of an Indian icon in the PNC died. Whatever you want to say about Burnham, he was of a temperament that excluded the fear or bias or cultural thinking that an Indian being a powerful figure in the PNC, the way Roger Luncheon was a power in the PPP.
I think the difference between the PNC and the PPP since the death of Burnham and Jagan is that the Jaganite philosophical legacy is impossible to be dissolved in the PPP. Jagan was a quintessential philosophical politician whose mind was taken up with class, and thus he cultivated a multi-racial culture in the PPP through intense working-class activism.
So driven by ideology, Jagan locked away any thoughts of the PPP being for Indians only. He would have freely allowed for the rise of a school of African big wigs in the PPP. Clement Rohee and Roger Luncheon had far more power and authority in the PPP than 99 percent of the Indian hierarchy in the PPP.
I have to give Burnham credit, though he and Jagan arrived at their multi-racial mentality from different routes. The Burnham route was through strategic alliance with the Mulatto/Creole class and thus there was always a suspicion about the rise of a powerful Indian in the PNC. The only open-
ing an Indian had of achieving real, solid, concrete power inside the PNC was through the man, Burnham, himself.
Amna Ally never became a Rohee or a Luncheon although she deserved that, but her time came late. Under Hoyte, Corbin and now, Norton, the Indian necessity in the PNC was/is not what it was under Burnham. Unfortunately, Amna suffered from the death of strategic thinking in the PNC with the passage of the Burnhamite PNC.
But even under Hoyte and Corbin, Amna Ally was an outstanding icon in the PNC because of who she was. She was a woman who saw beyond adversarial politics. She was friendly, inviting and inimitable with her humour. Amna was a gem in the PNC government under David Granger. She did not treat people arrogantly and she had no time to for the perception of who is PPP and who is PNC.
I have always been bitingly critical of
the PNC all my life. From day one of the APNU+AFC government, I wrote a daily column critical of that government because my entrenched philosophical mind relentlessly whispered in my ear that this is not what they should do and what they promised to do.
But in the period of the APNU+AFC government, I could have talked to Amna about employment for people and there was not even an infinitesimal expression on her face that this was Freddie Kissoon who didn’t like the PNC.
There will not be another Amna Ally in the PNC because another Amna Ally will not choose the PNC as their house.
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.
Sanctions, solidarity
–– and the price to pay
Dear Editor,
SOCIAL media and the press went ablaze over the weekend with the news of Odessa Primus’ denial of entry into the US—and her return which quickly became a spectacle.
Ms Primus told News
Source that upon arrival at JFK on Friday, she was informed she had been denied entry and was given the option to allow cancellation of her visa and have her application to enter be
withdrawn —an option she ultimately accepted. Stabroek News reported that Ms Primus believes this denial is linked to her public support and affiliation with OFAC-sanctioned billionaire Azruddin Mohamed. Mohamed —who has now openly expressed political aspirations—was publicly hailed by Odessa as her brother.
Moreover, when GRA agents descended upon the Mohameds’ residence in relation to his tax evasion case,
Ms Primus was on the scene in full solidarity with the Mohameds, quipping, “I have a VISA!” with a laugh. No doubt, she was unaware of the events yet in store.
Weeks ago, I weighed in on the realities of associating with an OFAC-sanctioned individual or candidate. The Mohameds led a coordinated response amounting to nothing more than a tantrum of evasions.
For the benefit of us all, let us revisit the original OFAC press release to avoid
further “gross misunderstanding.”
The OFAC sanctions, under the Global Magnitsky Act, clamp down on transactions with financial institutions—yes—but also “other persons” who engage in “activities with the sanctioned entities” and will “expose themselves to sanctions” or “enforcement action.”
“Activities” being “any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the
receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person”.
What is denial of entry into the US if not a means of enforcement action?
The Mohameds were very swift in their attempt to malign my character, yet when asked very basic and direct questions about the sanctioned offences—it appeared a cat had grabbed their tongues.
Ms Primus is a public figure, known both as a beloved comedienne and political activist. It is truly unfortunate that she has become embroiled in all of this. The notion being peddled that her
denial and subsequent return wasn’t newsworthy is simply political and prejudicial contortion.
Growing up, I learnt from my parents never to kick someone when they’re down. As such, I won’t condone nor tolerate any attempts to mock Odessa. This shouldn’t be a moment of ridicule —but rather a teachable one. Contagion by Association. A harsh but simple reality.
Veritas vincit. Truth Conquers.
Yours faithfully, Nikhil Sankar
President Ali outlines ‘HITLIST’ approach to address region’s security needs
PRESIDENT, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Monday, outlined a comprehensive ‘HITLIST’ approach aimed at significantly strengthening regional security while fostering prosperity and continuity.
The president was at the time delivering the feature address at the 39th Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) Conference and Annual General Meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
He emphasised the importance of integrating the framework into the region’s policymaking process to ensure a coordinated and effective security response.
The ‘HITLIST’ framework is structured around the following key pillars: H – Human Capital; I – Infrastructure; T – Technology; L – Legislation; I – Intelligence; S – System; T –Training.
President Ali stressed that investment in the region’s human assets is critical to
enabling police officers to thrive.
“It is better if we have a higher level of training at every level of the system,” he said.
In Guyana, the government is laying the foundation for robust regional security by constructing a state-ofthe-art forensic facility, outfitted with modern equipment to serve the wider Caribbean.
The country is also investing in advanced technology to support regional crime-fighting efforts.
On the legislative front, the Attorney General’s Chambers are reviewing several crime-fighting laws to strengthen the region’s security framework.
The president also highlighted the critical importance of intelligence gathering and service in propelling the security agenda. Regionally, he noted there remains a heavy reliance on human input at every level of policing.
“This system must change…How do we reduce that human aspect with more technology so that we can [use] technology to build trust and to reduce dissatisfaction,” he highlighted.
The president further urged the region to utilise
the training opportunities that are available under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
The Caribbean remains a region that faces great problems in its homicide rate, assault and threats, firearm usage, illegal firearms, youth involvement, gang and drug-related violence.
President Ali, however, stated that, “This is not a challenge for our commissioners and security personnel. This is a challenge for our region, policymakers, commissioners, the private sector… and the religious community.”
The Guyanese Head of State emphasised the im -
portance of equipping policymakers with the necessary resources to create an environment that enables police officers to perform their duties effectively. He urged all commissioners to examine the evolving policy landscape and extra-regional dynamics to better address emerging security threats.
“If we are to safeguard our communities, our economies, and democracies, we must build an integrated Caribbean security architecture, one rooted in shared intelligence and coordinated action,” he added.
He highlighted that the workshop should be one of
See page 9
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn
Family Violence Act spurs national education and police reform
SINCE the passage of the Family Violence Bill No.11 of 2024, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) has embarked on a mission to reshape how Guyanese society understands and addresses domestic abuse.
With an expanded definition of “family violence” and an aggressive awareness campaign, the ministry is reinforcing its zero-tolerance stance on abuse within families—whether physical, emotional, psychological, or financial.
At the heart of this legislative reform is a deeper, more inclusive understanding of the many faces of abuse.
According to Legal Officer at the Ministry, Andre Jagnandan, the Family Violence Act identifies a broad range of abusive behaviours: from sexual or physical assault to emotional manipulation, coercive control, threats, and even harming or threatening to harm family pets.
A brief but impactful video presentation posted to the ministry’s Facebook page laid out these definitions, helping to inform the public of their rights and the protections now enshrined in law.
“The Act recognises that abuse is not always visible,” said Jagnandan. “It’s about addressing the full spectrum of harm that can occur within families and ensuring the law offers comprehensive protection.”
The Act also addresses
a historically overlooked but critical issue -- financial dependency. Many victims remain trapped in abusive relationships due to lack of financial independence. The new legislation acknowledges this and includes measures to ensure support mechanisms are in place for those seeking to leave abusive environments.
But education and outreach haven’t stopped at online posts. In December 2024, the MHSSS rolled out training sessions for prosecutors and members of the Guyana Police Force, equipping them with tools to enforce the legislation effectively.
This marked the beginning of what would become a sweeping, multi-pronged campaign aimed at changing the cultural and institutional response to domestic violence.
In early 2025, the ministry’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (SO&DVPU) led a national school-based awareness initiative, visiting 25 secondary schools across Regions Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Nine, and 10. In collaboration with the Family Enhancement Services Section (FESS) and the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), the campaign reached 1,704 students—720 boys and 984 girls—giving them insight into the legal framework now in place and how it can protect them and their families.
Recognising the pivotal role of law enforce
ment in addressing family violence, the ministry has also launched the Police Advanced Training and Readiness for Operational Leverage (P.A.T.R.O.L) initiative. This new programme focuses on improving the police force’s responsiveness to domestic violence cases.
The inaugural P.A.T.R.O.L. training session saw participation from 26 officers (nine women and 17 men) from Division ‘4’A’ of the Guyana Police Force. A second session targeted Region Five, where 18 additional officers were trained at the Fort Wellington Police Headquarters. These workshops emphasised the provisions of the Family Violence Act, the responsibilities of law enforcement and the need for inter-agency collaboration with SO&DVPU and CPA.
The MHSSS’s ongoing initiatives make it clear: Tackling family violence requires more than just legal reform. It demands community education, professional training, and a systemic cultural shift. With the Family Violence Act of 2024 as its cornerstone, the ministry is ensuring that every Guyanese—child, adult, officer, or educator—understands the signs of abuse and the avenues available for protection and justice.
As Guyana continues to evolve its social and legal infrastructure, the message is resounding: family violence will no longer be hidden behind closed doors.
President Ali outlines ‘HITLIST’ approach ...
action to dismantle criminal networks.
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn reported that over $9 billion has been invested in 72 capital projects to modernise police infrastructure, including the construction of 22 police stations, command centres, and IT systems across the country.
Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken also stressed the need for a unified approach to tackle cross-border crime and cyber threats, giv-
en their impact on security, the economy, and society.
Outgoing ACCP President and Antigua and Barbuda’s Police Commissioner, Atlee Rodney, called for greater regional focus on police officers’ mental health. He also encouraged active participation in solution-driven discussions and networking to address regional policing challenges.
Formally established on August 20, 1987, in Castries, Saint Lucia, the ACCP began with 13 member states.
From page 8
President Ali also received a plaque for his robust leadership.
Also present at the conference were the Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall S.C; Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service
Dr Ashni Singh, several heads of the joint service and 24 visiting commissioners of police. (DPI)
Construction progressing on new Bartica Secondary School dormitory
CONSTRUCTION
work
on the new Bartica student dormitory is moving apace and is set to expand access to secondary education in the region.
While in Region Seven on Monday, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand conducted a visit to the site with members of the media.
Providing details on the construction, Minister Manickchand disclosed that it is a brand-new dormitory that is being constructed, and it is part of a larger $423 million
project, which includes the rehabilitation of the existing dormitory.
The project is being executed by Dijiris Engineering and Construction and supervised by Deen and Partners.
The minister noted that the purpose of this, along with the rehabilitation of other dormitory facilities in the region, is to provide the required international standard for dormitories here, which includes ensuring there is proper ventilation, lights and other things children need in such a facility.
“If you look at this behind there, it’s a majestic piece but we couldn’t only rehabilitate what we had, we simply did not have the space or we would not be able to get the space or the standard for dining and study and all that so we had to put down a new building and we’re very happy to do that,” she remarked.
In the push for universal secondary education in Region Seven, Minister Manickchand indicated that efforts to construct the necessary facilities are ongoing.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand at the construction site on Monday
In addition to the work being done at Bartica Secondary, she said a secondary school with a small dorm and a teachers’ quarters is being constructed at Jawalla along with dorms at Phillipai, Issano and Karrau.
She emphasised that government has promised that it would ensure that every child can get access to secondary education in
their region.
“We have seen better retention already in the primary school because now children know there will be a secondary school to go to. We are seeing better attendance, [and] we attribute that to not only better schools but things like breakfast and the cash grant, trained teachers in the classroom, teachers in front of the
classroom and so we expect to see the system do much better,” she stated. Meanwhile, the education minister noted that most of what is being seen across the education sector are the flowers of seeds recently planted, which according to her are blooming faster than usual in some cases in relation to education cycles.
The new dormitory under construction at Bartica (Japheth Savory photos)
‘You have nothing to fear’
—President Ali assures Guyanese
–– says borders being monitored, international community alerted ahead of Venezuela’s planned Essequibo elections
By Feona Morrison
AS Venezuela continues with its aggressive posturing and plans to host an unlawful May 25, 2025, elections to supposedly elect a governor for Guyana’s Essequibo, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has assured citizens— particularly those residing near the border— that the Government of Guyana remains vigilant and committed to defending the nation’s sovereignty.
“You have nothing to fear,” the President declared on Monday, addressing growing public concern over the neighbouring country’s actions.
He added: “You’re living in what is our sovereign space, and we’re going to protect and ensure that our sovereign space is respected by all.”
Speaking confidently on the matter, President Ali reminded the nation that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has already issued orders regarding the upcoming election.
“We are confident and rule-based, and we have always said that we ask Venezuela to respect international law,” Dr Ali stated, noting: “But we are not sitting back.”
The Guyanese leader emphasised that the government, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and all relevant national and international stakeholders are actively engaged in protecting the country’s territorial integrity.
“I want to assure you [in the border area] and all Guyanese that the Guyana Defence Force, the government and every stakeholder, we are putting everything in place to ensure that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana is always protected and safeguarded,” he said.
In response to whether the border is being actively monitored ahead of the elections, the President confirmed that robust surveillance operations are underway, although details remain classified.
The Head of State said: “Definitely, I cannot go into details, but I can assure you that we and our partners are keeping each other abreast. There is continuous analysis and continuous monitoring, especially in areas close to the borders.”
The President’s comments come amid escalating tensions with Venezuela, which has continued to lay claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region despite ICJ proceedings and widespread international calls to respect Guyana’s territorial sovereignty.
The elections, widely criticised by the international community, is viewed by Guyana as a violation of international law and an attempt to undermine the ICJ’s authority. Nevertheless, Dr Ali made it clear that Guyana will not be intimidated.
On May 1, 2025, the ICJ ordered the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to refrain from holding or preparing for any elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region, pending a final ruling on the ongoing border controversy.
The decision comes in response to a request by Guyana following Venezuela’s January 2025 announcement of plans to elect a governor and legislative council for what it claims to be the “Guayana Esequiba State.”
Venezuela is set to hold elections for the so-called Guayana Esequiba state during its upcoming regional polls on May 25, 2025—just one day before Guyana marks its 59th independence anniversary.
In its ruling, the World Court reaffirmed the provisional measures granted on December 1, 2023, and introduced a new, binding directive.
The court in its December 1, 2023 order, stated: “Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from taking any action which would modify the situation that currently prevails in the territory in dispute for which the Cooperative Republic of Guyana administers and exercises control over that area; and both parties shall refrain from any action which might aggravate of extend the dispute before the court or make it more difficult to resolve.”
The new measure explicitly states that, pending a final decision, Venezuela “shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Co-operative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control.”
This latest directive was adopted by 12 votes to three by the judges of the ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands.
The December 2023 order had already instructed Venezuela to avoid taking any actions that would alter the status quo of the territory under Guyana’s control and called on both nations to refrain from aggravating the situation.
Venezuela has since rejected the ICJ’s orders and vowed to proceed with its planned election.
“Nothing in international law allows the International Court of Justice to interfere in matters that are the exclusive domain of Venezuelan
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali
‘We have done exactly what we promised’
–
Minister
Manickchand
says as ‘Because We Care’
cash grant distribution kicks off in Region Seven
By Shamar Meusa
EDUCATION Minister
Priya Manickchand has signalled that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has done exactly what it has promised to do with the return and increase of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant.
The minister made this known on Monday as the distribution exercise began in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) at the Little Achievers Nursery School in Bartica.
While addressing parents, Minister Manickchand stated that at that school alone, the government is putting into the pockets of those parents some $6.6 million.
At the end of the distribution process, Region Seven parents, collectively, will receive some $448 million. In addition to the $50,000 ‘Because We Care’ grant, each parent will receive a $5,000 uniform voucher.
The ‘Because We Care’ cash grant was introduced by the PPP/C administration in 2014, but was abolished in 2015 by the then APNU+AFC coalition government.
In addressing the callous
action taken by the previous government, Minister Manickchand said, “They took that away and gave you nothing in return.”
Against this backdrop, she noted that the PPP/C administration has lived up to its promise that upon their return to office, the grant would be restored, with assurances that it would increase every year over a five-year period until it has reached at least $50,000.
“We have done exactly what we promised; it has reached $55,000,” she said, adding: “So, this year, each child, once you’re registered, whether you’re here at Little Achievers or at a private school, you’re going to get $55,000 to help you, as parents outfit your children.”
The minister told the parents who were gathered that with this grant, they and all the other parents do not need to purchase textbooks, exercise books or workbooks, as the government has been and will continue to provide these to all schools across the country.
The education minister went on to say that the landscape has changed significantly, as the administration, while restoring the grant, has also invested more in buses
and boats for communities to aid in education access in the past four years, as opposed to what was done under the former administration.
While there were criticisms from the opposition about the cash grant and how the money will be spent, Minister Manickchand noted that the distribution is being done in such a way as to allow parents to decide how best to spend the money so that it benefits their child or children.
“I know people who have taken this and bought their children’s clothes, and still had savings to invest in something else in their homes,” she shared.
The ‘Because We Care’ cash grant has increased significantly over the past four years, from $19,000 in 2021 to $45,000 in 2024 and now $50,000.
The sum of $11 billion was set aside in the 2025 national budget to fund the distribution of the cash grant and uniform voucher to some 205,000 children in public and private schools across the country.
Distribution of the education grant is expected to continue this week in Regions Seven and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Distribution will commence next week in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice), followed by Regions One (Barima-Waini), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) from May 25 to May 31. From June 2, grants are
expected to be distributed in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), East Bank Demerara, Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Parents who are collecting the grants are required to walk with a form of identification, be it a passport, ID
Card or Driver’s Licence. This year, the ministry has secured as many locations as possible to make the distribution process smooth. Further, parents are urged to pay attention to various media platforms to see when and where distribution will take place for each region and school.
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand (Japheth Savory photos)
One of the first parents at the Little Achievers Nursery School in Region Seven signing to uplift the $55,000 education grant
The distribution process also got underway at St. Anthony’s Primary School in Bartica on Monday
China, Guyana to boost trade, investment ties
FOREIGN Minister Wang
Yi called for stronger cooperation to promote steady growth of China-Guyana relations, during talks with Guyanese Foreign Minister, Hugh Todd, on Monday in Beijing.
Guyana was the first English-speaking Caribbean country to establish diplomatic ties with China and now China’s largest trading partner in the region.
During the meeting, Wang affirmed China’s support for Guyana’s independent development path and called for deeper cooperation through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
He proposed strengthening collaboration in energy, mining, agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, and
infrastructure, while also exploring new areas such as the digital and green economies.
China will encourage its enterprises to invest in Guyana to support industrial upgrading and economic self-reliance, Wang said.
Noting that China’s development is not rooted in colonialism or geopolitical calculations, he said China will continue standing with developing countries, especially small and medium-sized nations, to uphold international fairness and justice, and work with the Global South to defend the core status of the United Nations and the basic norms governing international relations.
Todd noted that he has
visited China for three consecutive years and witnessed the deepening friendship between the two countries.
He praised Chinese companies’ contributions to Guyana’s development and welcomed further Chinese investment.
Given current global challenges, Todd stressed the growing significance of China’s series of global initiatives.
He expressed appreciation for China’s leadership in improving global governance, saying that Guyana is willing to uphold multilateralism and defend international law and international rules alongside China. The two sides also exchanged views on jointly building a community with a shared future for China and Latin America and the Caribbean. (China Daily)
Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball registration opens May 14
Cricket enthusiasts across Guyana can mark their calendars as registration for the highly anticipated 2025 Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast officially begins on Wednesday, May 14.
Organised by FL Sport, this year's tournament promises unprecedented reach and excitement. It will expand to include matches in all counties and culminate in a grand finale at the National Stadium, Providence, on Sunday, August 3.
FL Sport aims to attract a maximum of 80 teams for this expanded edition, which will feature a straight knockout format within distinct geographical zones. The tournament schedule is set to unfold across the country throughout June and July:
• Berbice Zone: June 28-29
• East Bank/West Demerara Zone: July 5-6
• Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone: July 19-20
• Essequibo Zone: July 26-27
Each zone will have a team limit of 16, except for the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara zone, which can accommodate up to 32 teams.
The tournament features a lucrative prize structure to reward zonal success and national championship aspi-
rations. The winning team from each zone will receive GY$300,000 and automatic qualification for the national finals.
The ultimate national champion will be awarded a staggering GY$1.7 million.
The national runners-up will receive GY$ 700,000, while the two losing semi-finalists will each receive GY$ 300,000. Losing finalists at the zonal level will also be rewarded with GY$ 100,000 each.
Individual player performances are also significantly incentivized with cash prizes and awards. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will
receive GY$ 150,000 and a motorcycle.
Prizes of GY$ 100,000 are designated for the players with the Most Runs and Wickets.
The Player-of-the-Final at the Nationals will earn GY$ 75,000, and GY$ 35,000 will go to the Super Striker and the player with the Best Economy rate.
Custom-made trophies and televisions will also accompany some of these prizes.
Participation requires a registration fee of GY$ 30,000 per team. Teams are permitted to register for only one zone. To
Mandhana ton, Rana four-fer power India's tri-series triumph
INDIA clinched the tri-series in Sri Lanka with a resounding 97-run win in the final over the hosts in Colombo on Sunday (May 11).
The win was set up by the batters, led Smriti Mandhana's 116, as India posted a mammoth 342 for 7. Sneh Rana then ended the competition the way she started, bagging 4 for 38 to bundle the Sri Lankans out for 245.
India, once again through their opening batters laid a strong foundation with a 70run opening stand between Pratika Rawal and the centurion Mandhana. Inoka Ranaweera broke the opening stand in the 15th over but it was after this that Mandhana came into her own.
The southpaw, who was dropped in the 11th over off Ranaweera, scored 15 boundaries and two sixes in her innings. She was prolific in the middle phase, punishing the slower bowlers.
She continued her elegant strokes against Dewmi Vihanga, rotating strike at regular
jot Kaur and Deepti Sharma then finished the innings with quickfire cameos as India posted a gargantuan total.
manage the logistics of the expanded tournament, FL Sport has set specific registration deadlines for each zone:
• Berbice Zone: June 21
• Georgetown/East Coast Demerara Zone: July 12
• Essequibo Zone: July 18
• East Bank/West Demerara Zone: June 27
John Ramsingh, Managing Director of FL Sport, commented on the opening of registration, stating, "Even before we reach the opening day, we have already seen significant feedback, with new and old teams signaling interest in joining the tournament."
He highlighted the positive reception to the tournament's expansion: "Teams have welcomed the expansion, as many community-based teams now have the luxury of playing at home in front of friends and family. This tournament's general exposure has been overwhelming, and we hope to give more to our loyal sponsors and players this year."
Ramsingh encouraged teams, particularly those outside of Georgetown, to register early due to limited spots and to be mindful of their respective zone deadlines.
Tournament rules stipulate that confirmed players
in the 15-man squad can only play for one team throughout the competition.
Due to the length of the tournament, teams are allowed to make changes to their squad specifically for the national finals, but they cannot draft players who have previously been named on any other team within the tournament.
No squad changes will be allowed after the registration deadlines.
Persons seeking to register or obtain further information can contact Akeem Greene via WhatsApp at +5926352235 or visit the tournament’s official social media pages under the name "One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast."
FL Sport will make a subsequent announcement with further details regarding the specific grounds to be used for matches this year. The tournament's official launch event is scheduled for June 14.
FL Sport also has plans for a Caribbean tournament, with teams from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Dominica expressing interest in competing against Guyana’s best.
Pacers win to edge closer to NBA Conference final
intervals before a hat-trick of boundaries off Athapaththu saw her bring up her 11th ODI century. During this time, she had Harleen Deol for good company in a 120-run second run-stand. Mandhana finally departed as she chipped one to backward point.
The Indian middle order of Harleen, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues all registered 40s, each of them scoring four boundaries each as the Indian innings continued to be freely scoring. Aman-
The Sri Lankan response saw in-form opener Hasini Perera depart for a duck to Amanjot but Vishmi Gunaratne and Athapaththu played out the first PowerPlay and attempted to lay the foundation for the innings. Gunaratne became Amanjot's second victim, having scored 36 but Athapaththu and Nilakshi de Silva put on a stubborn resistance again. However, the top-order of the hosts failed to strike above 100 which made the required run-rate continuously rise.
With 190 required off the last 20 overs, Rana scalped the two set batters which dealt a further blow to the hosts. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Anushka Sanjeewani scampered their way to the 20s but the runrate kept going up. Two runouts followed before Rana bowled Malki Madara first ball to seal the win.
THE Indiana Pacers overcame the first-quarter ejection of guard Bennedict Mathurin to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 129109 and go 3-1 up in their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series.
A win for the Pacers over the top seeds in game five in Cleveland on Wednesday will see them reach a second straight conference final.
Mathurin left the game with four minutes and 32 seconds left in the opening period after a punch to the chest of De'Andre Hunter.
At that stage, the Pacers led 22-10 and they were 3823 at the end of the quarter before outscoring their rivals 42-16 in the second to hold an 80-39 advantage.
The total was a Pacers franchise play-off record for points in a half.
Pascal Siakam scored 21 points for the Pacers while Myles Turner and Obi Toppin each added 20 as they bounced back from a heavy 126-104 loss in game three.
"This is a group that plays better through adversity," said
Myles Turner made four out of four three-pointers for the Pacers
Turner. "We got punched in the mouth last game. We had a hell of a response. The starters set the tone and the bench picked it up the rest of the game."
The Cavaliers were without six-time All Star Donovan Mitchell in the second half after he suffered an ankle injury - the 28-year-old will have an MRI scan on Monday to see if he can play on Wednesday. Thunder level series in 'disgusting' game.
Elsewhere, Oklahoma City Thunder edged the Denver Nuggets 92-87 to level their Western Conference series at 2-2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points with six rebounds and six assists to lead Oklahoma City, while NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Denver.
The game tipped off approximately 38 hours after Denver's overtime win in game three and both sides showed signs of fatigue with Nuggets coach David Adelman describing Sunday's encounter as a "really disgusting basketball game".
He added: "Give their team credit, those guys made plays, made enough plays to push them over the edge and win the game."
The Nuggets overcame a poor start to lead 53-52 midway through the third quarter and led by eight points early in the fourth.
But the visitors regained the lead thanks to a Cason Wallace three-pointer with 8:35 to play and held on until the end.
The Thunder host game five on Wednesday. (BBC Sport)
FL Sport aims to attract a maximum of 80 teams for this expanded edition, which will feature a straight knockout format within distinct geographical zones
Smriti Mandhana's 116 helped India post a big total in the final against Sri Lanka
Former DCC player provides support for Project ‘Cricket Gear’
FORMER Demerara
Cricket Club (DCC) opening batsman, Joseph Aubrey Blackman has contributed one cricket bat, one pair of batting pads and one pair of batting gloves to Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”.
The presentation was done recently in New York by former West Indies ‘B’ all-rounder Derek Kallicharran, on behalf of the donor. USA- based Blackman indicated that he is pleased with the work of the joint initiative between Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA.
The initiative will continue to strive to make every community a safer and better place and pleased to be part of the development of young cricketers in Guyana.
Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $610,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, 35 pairs of cricket shoes, 39 pairs of batting pads, 48 cricket bats, 42 pairs of batting gloves, 29 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 14 gear bags, 13 bat rubbers, eight helmets, one fiber glass bat, one pair of floppy hat, one pair of inners, 16 boxes and four of white cricket balls, 13 boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone and 28 footballs
To date, 98 players, male and female, from all three
counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, eight gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 35 bats, four boxes, six helmets, 36 pairs of cricket shoes, 21 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh pads, one bat grip, 38 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicket-keeping pads and four pairs of wicket-keeping gloves with one pair of inners.
To date, 98 players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, eight gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 35 bats, four boxes, six helmets, 36 pairs of cricket shoes, 21 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh pads, one bat grip, 38 pairs of batting
gloves, one pair of wicket-keeping pads and four pairs of wicket-keeping gloves with one pair of inners.
Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth program, will also benefit. Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.
IPL 2025 to resume on May 17, final to be played on June 3
…The rest of the tournament will be played at six venues
IPL 2025 will resume on May 17 and end on June 3, as the BCCI announced a revised schedule on Monday night.
The remainder of the tournament, which was suspended on May 9 for a week due to cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, will be played at six venues: Bengaluru, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The venues for the playoffs will be announced later, but they will be played on the following dates: Qualifier 1 on May 29, the Eliminator on May 30, Qualifier 2 on June 1 and the final on June 3. A total of 17 matches will be played, with two double-headers, which will be played on two Sundays.
The revised schedule features 13 league games and the four playoffs. That means the Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Delhi Capitals (DC) game that was called off midway in the first innings on May 8 in Dharamsala, will be played again, on May 24 in Jaipur, which will be the temporary home base for PBKS. Two days later, PBKS will play against Mumbai Indians (MI), a match they were originally meant to play in their second home base of Dharamsala on May 11.
The match that will resume the tournament on May 17 will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Bengaluru.
The first of the two double-headers in the revised schedule is Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs PBKS as the day game (3.30pm IST) on May 18 and DC vs Gujarat Titans (GT) later that evening. The next Sunday - May 25 - will see GT take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the
day game in Ahmedabad followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) vs KKR in Delhi from 7.30pm IST. The last league game will be between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and RCB on May 27 in Lucknow.
The change in venues also means that three teamsPBKS, CSK and SRH - won't get to play on their original home grounds anymore. With CSK and SRH out of the playoffs race, PBKS will count themselves unlucky considering they will play two of their home matches at a neutral venue. With 15 points from 11 matches PBKS were third on the points table before the tournament was suspended.
The official release said the BCCI held "extensive consultations with government and security agencies, and with all the key stakeholders," before finalising the resumption of the tournament.
The delay of the IPL, which was originally scheduled to end on May 25 in Kolkata, means it will now coincide with the entire ODI series between England and West Indies starting on May 29 in Birmingham and ending on June 3 at The Oval. It will lead to a clash for the West Indies players Romario Shepherd (RCB), Shamar Joseph (LSG) and Sherfane Rutherford (GT), all picked in the ODI squad. England have not named their squad yet but the players likely to be affected are Jos Buttler (GT), Phil Salt (RCB), Jacob Bethell (RCB), Liam Livingstone (RCB), Will Jacks (MI) and Reece Topley (MI), depending on which teams make the playoffs.
The revised IPL schedule also squeezes the gap between the IPL final and
the WTC final to just seven days, with Australia and South Africa set to clash for the ICC title from June 11 at Lord's. Both Australia and South Africa are scheduled to announce their respective squads on Tuesday. The players who are currently part of the IPL teams and are likely to be picked for the WTC final are Australia captain Pat Cummins and Travis Head (both SRH), Mitchell Starc and Tristan Stubbs (both DC), Josh Hazlewood (RCB), Marco Jansen and Josh Inglis (both PBKS), Aiden Markram (LSG), Kagiso Rabada (GT), Ryan Rickelton (MI) and Kwena Mphaka (RR).
The revised schedule will also potentially impact the India A tour of England which is scheduled to begin from May 30 for two unofficial Tests, in Canterbury and Northampton. Several fringe India players, some of whom are likely to be part of the India squad for the five-Test series starting on June 20 in England, will now be part of the IPL when the A matches begin.
For now, the biggest challenge for the 10 IPL franchises will be to re-assemble their squads and support staff members from overseas who had started flying back home over the weekend. The team that could find it easiest to get back together will be GT, currently on top of the table, who had seen only two of their overseas players fly back: Buttler and Gerald Coetzee.
The rest of their squad was training in Ahmedabad meanwhile. MI could also benefit from the revised schedule, as their first game is on May 21, four days after the tournament resumes. (ESPN Cricinfo)
Former Australia quick named Bangladesh pace bowling coach
SHAUN Tait has replaced Andre Adams as the head of Bangladesh’s pace bowling unit.
Tait will join the team setup later this month, having agreed terms with the BCB on a contract that runs until November 2027.
Adam Gilchrist's monstrous hundred helped Australia to victory over Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup Final.
Bangladesh’s previous pace bowling coach was New Zealand’s Andre Adams, whose tenure came to
Tait renowned for his express pace in his playing days, represented Australia in 59 international games across formats. He picked up 95 wickets in a career that spanned over a decade. He was a part of Australia's triumphant squad in the Cricket World Cup 2007.
an end recently.
Speaking on his appointment, Tait was pleased to work with the national side under the leadership of head coach Phil Simmons.
“It’s a good time to be involved with the Bangladesh cricket team right now, a bit of a new era if you like. It’s been spoken about many times recently—the young talent with the fast bowlers— which is great.
“This is international cricket, not a development team, and everyone expects the talent to bring results, which is very much my focus with the fast-bowling group and most importantly, getting more wins for the team.
“To have the opportunity to work with Phil Simmons is equally as exciting and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead.”
Bangladesh recently tied
a two-Test series against Zimbabwe, and have assignments against UAE, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in coming months.
Tait has previously served as bowling coach for several national teams including Pakistan, West Indies (Test team) and Afghanistan.
The 42-year-old has also held coaching roles in various top-level leagues and competitions around the world, including the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Big Bash League (BBL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Lankan Premier League (LPL) and English County Cricket.
He was the Head Coach of Chittagong Kings in the most recent BPL season and also played for the team during the 2012–13 edition. (ICC Media)
Derek Kallicharran, Harrischan Kamal and Anil Beharry pose with the donation
India great Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket
Legendary India batter Virat Kohli has announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket. His decision comes before this summer's five-Test tour of England, which starts on 20 June, and follows captain Rohit Sharma's retirement on Wednesday.
Kohli, 36, has played 123 Tests for India and scored 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85.
"It's been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket," Kohli posted on social media.
"Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It's tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I'll carry for life."
Virat Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests for India
making him the country's most successful leader in the format.
"There's something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no-one sees but that stay with you forever," he added.
"As I step away from this format, it's not easy - but it feels right. I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for.
body, the BCCI, praised Kohli for "redefining the standards of excellence, leadership and commitment in Indian cricket".
BCCI president Roger Binny added: "Virat Kohli's name will be remembered alongside the finest ever to have graced Test cricket.
garded as one of the four batting greats of his era, alongside England's Joe Root, Australia's Steve Smith and New Zealand's Kane Williamson, and has scored 30 Test centuries.
Only Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar have scored more Test runs for India than Kohli, while he has the most centuries for an India captain with 20.
After making his Test
Kohli retired from T20 internationals in 2024, after India's World Cup victory, but is expected to continue playing one-day internationals.
debut against West Indies in 2011, Kohli went on to captain India in 68 of his Tests, with his 40 wins in charge
GDF pick up handsome 4-1 win over Santos FC
Elite League defending champions the Guyana Defence Force grabbed their fourth win of their 2025 campaign on Sunday night against Santos FC at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Center.
Chris Macey would give the army men the lead three minutes after the opening whistle, the slim advantage remained until a first half injury time goal by Santos’s Carl Griffith leveled scores.
The soldiers retuned in the second half to play even better football as their skipper Colin Nelson got onto the score sheet to them the edge 2-1 in the 74th minute of play.
Goals followed in the 83rd and 85th minutes as the soldiers started to dominate in the closing stages to capture what look in the end to be a comfortable 4-1 win.
The opening contest was more sedate as Fruta Conquerors picked up a much
needed 1-0 win 1-nil stoppage of Den Amstel.
The first half saw both keepers maintain a clean sheet and the status quo remained for much of the second- half until a Jermaine Padmore strike in the 76 minutes broke the silence and gave Fruta Conquerors the solitary goal of the match.
After double headers on Saturday and Sunday,
Shallow confident CWI...
He admitted that even though the GCB had not thrown its full support behind him in recent times, he did not believe the court action was personal.
In fact, Dr Shallow said there was nothing wrong with CWI’s processes being tested.
“I’ve spoken to the Guyana Cricket Board and… I don’t think it is anything personal, but they are just seeking clarity and testing the processes and the systems of CWI and that is fine I believe.
“What we have to do at CWI is to show that our sys-
Slingerz maintain their top position with 7 wins in 7 followed by Western Tigers with 5 wins in 7 and the Guyana Police Force third with 4 wins in 7.
The champions GDF are fourth with 4 wins in 7 and Santos fifth with three wins.
Monedderlust, Fruta Conquerors, Den Amstel, Ann’s Grove and Mainstay Gold Star occupy the remaining places in the 10-team table.
(From back page)
tems and our processes are robust enough to withstand any kind of scrutiny from the public or even from the court,” Dr Shallow said.
“It happens everywhere, and we just have to embrace it, but it gives us an opportunity to strengthen our processes.”
"I'm walking away with a heart full of gratitude - for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile."
India cricket's governing
"What set him apart was not just his hunger for runs, but his commitment to excellence in the toughest format of the game. His leadership marked a shift in how India competed overseas—with aggression, belief and a refusal to settle for second best.
"He inspired a generation to take pride in the whites, and his impact on Indian cricket will be felt for decades to come."
Kohli has long been re-
But his most recent Test ton, 100 not out in the first Test against Australia in November, was his first in 15 innings across 16 months.
During that series, he scored 190 runs in nine innings averaging just 23.75.
Only three tons have come in 39 Tests since January 2020. He averages 30.72 in that time.
Ancelotti to leave Real Madrid to coach Brazil
REAL Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will leave the Spanish club at the end of the season to become the new national team coach of Brazil.
The 65-year-old Italian will officially take charge of Brazil on 26 May following the conclusion of the La Liga season.
He leaves the Santiago Bernabeu as one of the club's most successful managers.
Ancelotti won 15 trophies across two spells as Real manager and last season led Los Blancos to a Champions League and La Liga double.
However, his exit from Real comes after Sunday's El Clasico defeat left Real seven points behind leaders Barcelona with three games remaining.
Barring a spectacular collapse from Barcelona, that result all but confirmed that Real will end the season without a trophy for the first time in four years.
A statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said Ancelotti was a "legend of the game" and acknowledged the significance of a foreign coach taking charge of the team.
"This landmark moment sees the coming together of two icons — the only
five-time FIFA World Cup champions, and a coach with an unmatched record across Europe's elite competitions," the CBF said.
"The CBF warmly welcomes Mr Ancelotti and looks forward to a new era of success under his leadership."
In their statement, the CBF thanked Real president Florentino Perez for "facilitating the coach's release during his contract term" and also acknowledged Brazilian businessman Diego Fernandes for his role in the deal.
Ancelotti's current deal with Real was set to expire in June 2026.
The Italian takes over the Brazil job from Dorival
Junior, who was sacked in March after they lost 4-1 to arch-rivals Argentina in World Cup qualifying.
Brazil sit fourth in the South American group, having lost five of 14 games, although are still well placed to qualify for the 2026 finals.
Ancelotti's first games in charge of Brazil will be the Selecao's World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Ecuador next month.
Brazil have not won the World Cup since 2002 and the last time they were Copa America champions was in 2019.
During a 30-year managerial career Ancelotti has been in charge of some of the giants of European football, including Juventus, AC Milan, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich.
He has won league titles in Italy, Spain, France, Germany and England.
Former Real, Liverpool and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, 43, is set to replace Ancelotti in the Bernabeu hot seat.
Alonso announced last Friday he was leaving German side Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season and Real are said to want him in place before the start of next month's Club World Cup. (BBC Sport)
Fruta Conquerors scorer Jermaine Padmore
GDF skipper Colin Nelson
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti
IN a rain-affected final at Arnos Vale, St. Vincent, the Cricket West Indies Regional Women’s T20 Blaze title was decided in the most dramatic of ways, with a Super Over needed to crown this year’s winner.
Defending champions Jamaica faced off against Guyana in a gripping encounter that saw fortune swing in both directions, with Guyana emerging as victors in a nail-biting finish.
Jamaica, inserted to bat after losing the toss, set a
target of 123 from their 20 overs. The Jamaican top order found steady contributions from Chedean Nation (35), Abigail Bryce (32), and Jodian Morgan (27). Despite their efforts, the Jamaican innings was slightly restrained, finishing at 122 for 5. In response, Guyana’s chase was far from smooth sailing. Early breakthroughs saw them slump to 19 for 2, but a resilient fightback led by the ever-dependable Shemaine Campbelle (54) and Realeanna Grimmond (46)
brought them within touching distance of the target. However, with the scores tied, the game reached an unforgettable climax when, with just one ball remaining, Guyana needed 3 to win.
Ashmini Munisar, facing the critical final delivery, blasted it straight down the wicket. A misfield from Jodian Morgan allowed the ball to go through her legs, allowing Munisar and partner Sheneta Grimond to complete two runs, levelling the scores and sending the match into a
Guyana women prevail in thrilling Super Over T20 Blaze final
Super Over.
Earlier, Jodian Morgan had been outstanding with the ball for Jamaica, claiming 2 for 25, and made 27 with the bat. However, it was tight spin bowling Nyia Latchman (2 for 11) and Ashmini Munisar (2 for 26) that had kept the pressure on the Jamaicans in the latter stages of their innings, allowing Guyana to stay in the hunt for the title.
The Super Over was as intense as the match itself. Guyana, batting first, posted a modest total of 8 for 1, with
Realeanna Grimmond (2*) and Shemaine Campbelle (3*) at the crease. But the real drama unfolded when Jamaica came to bat.
The Jamaican Super Over chase got off to a disastrous start as they failed to score from the first two balls, leaving them under immense pressure. Chinelle Henry was caught for a duck by Shabika Gajnabi, putting even more pressure on the remaining batters.
As the final ball of the Super Over arrived, Jamaica
needed 8 to win. Chedean Nation, looking to make a mark, was run out for just 2, leaving Abigail Bryce stranded at the crease with a solitary run to her name.
Guyana’s fielding and tight bowling by Latchman had ensured that Jamaica could only manage a meager 3 for 2, handing them a remarkable victory in what will go down in history as one of the most thrilling finishes in regional T20 cricket. (Wayde Brown, Irie FM)
Shallow confident CWI will win ball tampering case against Guyanese duo
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – President of Cricket West Indies (CWI), Dr Kishore Shallow is not fazed by the recent move by Guyana Harpy Eagles’ players Veerasammy Permaul and Kevlon Anderson to take them to court over ball tampering charges.
Last month, the duo filed an application in the High Court of Guyana seeking to clear their name after they were hit with Level 2 breaches of CWI’s Code of Conduct in their final round contest against Trinidad and
Tobago Red Force in the recently concluded West Indies Championship.
They have received the full backing of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), which heavily criticised the actions of the umpires and match referee involved.
However, speaking during an interview on WESN Tv’s Face of Sports show recently, Dr Shallow said he believed CWI had a strong case.
“From CWI’s perspective on this particular matter, we believe it is done and dusted, in that the players
admitted, accepted the responsibility after the charges were laid against them, they signed and we moved on.
“…At this point we are proceeding with what is before us in black and white, which is that the players signed and until we see something different, something in writing from the players then we will change our position, but for right now we have accepted the position of the players, which is that they accepted the charges and the penalties,” Dr Shallow said.
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The winning Guyana women’s team
Veerasammy Permaul (left) and Kevlon Anderson have taken their ball tampering case to court
