Leader of WIN, Azruddin Mohamed addresses the media outside of Parliament Buildings
DEAD:LevonCollins
Jeremy Smith
9-year-oldkilledaftercousinhurlsbicycleintohisstomach
Ascuffleinvolvingtwominors which began over a bicycle has resultedinthedeathofanine-yearold boy of Kildonan Village, Corentyne.Berbice.
Levon Collins, of Kildonan Primary, died on Saturday at the New Amsterdam Hospital, nearly two weeks later, reportedly from theinjuriesincurredfromabicycle hittinghiminhisstomach.
At the home of the family, Collins’mother was too emotional to speak. Other family members informedthispublicationthata15year-old female cousin of the dead child was the one who, during the fight with him, dealt him several slapstowhichheretaliated.
His aunt, Lottie Collins, told Kaieteur News that on November 12, the child who lived not too far away,cametoherhometoborrowa bicycle That bicycle had a slackened chain link, but she said that her nephew persisted, and he collected it and went on his way Within 15 minutes, she said saw him making his way back with the cousin in question, called Ne Ne, trying to push him and the bike as heresisted.
“Whilst coming back with the bicycle, I ain’t know what transpired....Levon coming back and like she was pushing Levon, and Levon said he ain’t want nobodypushhe.Shesaid‘comelet mepushyou’,Levonsaidno.....and
DEAD: Levon Collins
likeshepushLevonandlikeLevon lashsheback,”theauntrecalled.
The young girl, she said, grew angry and began “roughing up her nephew”whiledemandingtopush the bicycle against his wishes, as thetwomadetheirwaytowardsher (theaunt’s)home.
Shestatedthattwoofhernieces frantically alerted her that “somebodyahbeatupLevon,”but she didn’t take it seriously and did not attend the matter immediately, but instructed another nephew to check the situation She then confronted the child’s cousin minutes after, who she said responded with aggression when asked why she assaulted Levon, andcontinuedonherway
“When Levon do reach to the yard now with the bicycle, Levon
The mother, siblings and grandparents of Levon Collins
hold on to his stomach and bare slimeouthemouth,andheiscrying and coughing. He take a while before he could’ve (explained what)transpired.”
According to what her now dead nephew related, ‘Ne Ne’was insisting on pushing the bicycle despitehisobjection,whichledtoa
fightwiththetwoduringwhichshe threwthesaidbicycleathim.
Throughout the rest of the day, he began crying out for stomach aches,andhisgrandfathertookhim toPortMourantHospital,wherehe received injections and saline. An x-rayexamdidnotyieldmuch,but doctors confirmed that the child
indeed had sustained a strong impact to his stomach. Days after, he was admitted to the New AmsterdamHospital.
The heartbroken aunt shared thatwhenshegottothehospitalto visit him Saturday last, but did not gettoseehimalive.Hersister,the Continued on page 3
…as Prosecution admits key U.S. documents still missing Mohameds’extraditioncasestallsagain
The extradition proceedings involving businessman Nazir “Shell” Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, continued Monday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Principal MagistrateJudyLatchman. During the hearing where full disclosure was
attorneys raised concerns afteritwasrevealedthatnot all required documents had been submitted and argued
that the documents submitted were not properly processed by the US
diplomatic channels Prosecutors informed the court that they had provided
additional materials, including diplomatic notes andU.S.warrants,similarto those previously tendered in earliersessions.
However, Special Jamaican Prosecutor
Nazar
Mohamed and his son Azruddin, at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court
Terrence Williams told the court that the remaining documents and evidence intended to support the U.S. extradition request were not yet available. He explained that these documents were stillbeingprocessedthrough diplomatic channels and therefore could not be submitted at this time. As a result, the prosecution
requestedafurtherextension tocompletefulldisclosure.
Defence attorneys
Roysdale Forde, SC, and Siand Dhurjon raised concerns, stating that the documents already presented were not properly processed and insisted that allmaterialsintendedforuse
9-year-oldkilledaftercousinhurlsbicycle...
Frompage2 mother of the child, told her in tears that he diedinherarms.
Uponventuringintotheroom,shestated that the child’s bed was blood-soaked. Images seen by this publication confirmed same.
His grandfather, Compton Collins, expressedfrustrationthatthefamilyisyetto haveadefinitecauseofdeath.Therealityof hisgrandson’sdeath,hestated,isalreadytoo harsh, but to not be handed a direct cause
deniesthemanylittleclosure.
“Ialwayskeephimclose.I’mveryhurtto know that I lost him. Is best me din dead beforehedead.I’mnotsatisfied.Thedoctor ain’tgiveusanythinguptonow,”hevented.
His mother, Loretta Collins, conveyed her perplexity and shock at the bizarre boldness of his cousin, who she said passed by the home and throw hints regarding her departed son. She shared too that the young ladywassenthomefromschoolonmultiple occasionsforoverlyunacceptablebehavior
in the matter be provided to the defence by the next
hearing Prosecutors
maintained that the documents submitted thus far had been processed by U.S.authorities,andassured the court that the remaining documents will undergo the sameprocedure.
Afterhearingbothsides, Magistrate Latchman ordered the prosecution to provide full disclosure by Friday,November28,ahead ofthenextcourtdate.
Outside the courtroom, attorney Dhurjon told reporters that this was the third hearing in which the prosecution had failed to
produce all the documents they intended to rely on for extradition. He noted that while the defence was willingtoallowanextension until Friday, it was essential that they receive every document the prosecution plans to use “That is important because all of these things need to be established before the court of law, before any lawful extradition order can be made,”hesaid.
Addressing broader constitutional issues being developed by the defence, Dhurjon said the legal team is working diligently to refine these arguments and will deploy them at the appropriate stage, once all disclosures are reviewed “ We a r e w o r k i n g assiduously on building on thosepointsoneachpassing day we are waiting on the appropriate time to deploy them at present now , it will beprematuretodeploythem but new issues may be identified in these new documents,”Dhurjonsaid.
Attorney Forde added t h a t t h e e x i s t i n g constitutional framework requires the matter to be referred to the High Court stating, “We maintain that theconstitutional Continuedonpage9
KaieteurNews
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456
Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
EDITORIAL
ExxonMobil and oil finds
TheslynessofExxonMobilstartedfromthetimethatoil was found in Guyana. The 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) stands as one of the earlier examples of ExxonMobil’sslyness.
The total oil reserves that Guyana has to its name is another instance of the company’s slyness. Taxes and for what purpose the company needed those tax receipts are a third element in the slyness of ExxonMobil. Fourth, new discoveries and new oil found present ExxonMobil’s slynessinanotherlight. Anoperator,apartner,thatismore oftheslythanwhat’sfrank.Guyanesearenotconvincedthat ExxonMobilsharedallthedetailsofhowmuchoilwasfound,and thecertaintyofmuchmoreoilintheStabroekBlock,whenthe 2016 PSAwas force fed to theAPNU+AFC Coalition The slyness started then, intensified in frequency, strength ExxonMobilstudiedtheGuyanaenvironment,andknewthatit couldgetawaywiththelucrativeopportunitiesitcreatedforitself, nomatterhowbarefaceditwentaboutpushingitsslytricks
The2016PSAconvincedthepeopleinthehigherelevations of this American corporate power that the foundations for unleashing an array of slick practices would encounter little resistance in Guyana The company had it right with the politiciansofGuyana,butitmiscalculatedwithsectionsofthe independentmedia,nonemorethanthisnewspaper
ExxonMobilcouldpracticeitsslynessontheAPNU+AFC Coalition and fool its members ExxonMobil could take that slyness to another level, and transform the PPPC Government fromthebiggest2016PSAhater,toitsbiggestcheerleader But weatthispaperhaveneverbeenfooledbyExxonMobil’sslyness, becausethetricksalwaysseemtooutnumberthetruthspresented by the company Whenever a patch of new oil was found, Guyanese knew about it, and whether it had commercial prospects,orwasnothingmorethananexpensivewellthatcame updry Positiveornegative,someonefromthecompanybroke the news Eight discoveries came in close succession and the slynessofExxonMobiltookoff Wherethecompanyusedtobe forthcoming before, it now became withdrawn, as though the victimofsomehigh-voltageshock Or,itwasbusyspinningit wheelstocomeupwithaplausiblenarrative,somethingwhich Guyanese would swallow in stride The sly masters at ExxonMobil found a good limb on which to hang the company’shat. Itwasprioritizingmonetizingofcurrentoil assets,whichwasastrategythatfewcouldfindfaultwith. Then,togetagriponnewdiscoveriesandhowmuchoiltheyheld wasalengthyandcomplicatedprocess BecauseGuyaneseknow so little about oil, a mongoose could make rings around them, fromtheirleaderstothemaninthestreet Thosewerethewebs that ExxonMobil spun to cloud the visions of the people who ownedtheoil Itissimilartotheslynesswithtaxesthatwerenot paid by the company to Guyana, but for which receipts were made What kind of corporation, one that is a global name, engages in that kind of practice, one that has assumed the dimensionsofapatterninGuyana? Inthesamemannerthatthis oilsuperpowerweaveditswebwiththe2016PSA,andthelast eight oil discoveries, it continued with narratives about tax receipts that few Guyanese now believe When slyness is overplayed,peoplecatchon,eveniftheyknowlittleabouthow businessoperates
From eight past discoveries and how much oil found shroudedinatangletothreenewdiscoveriesin2025,anda thicker tangle. This year’s three discoveries are below commercialquantities,solittlewassaidaboutthem,other than to the Government of Guyana. The standards that Exxonhadsetbeforerelativetonewdiscoveriesarenowcast aside. Thecompanyeithergotsocomplacent,orbecameso arrogant,thatitdidn’tevensharethenewsofthethree2025oil discoveries. In past times, there were announcements of discoveries,commercialoilornot. Thenewstandard(slyness) ofExxonMobilisnopublicannouncementofnewdiscoveries, nowordaboutnewoil WhenExxonMobilthinksofitselfas sophisticated,weseeslynessnowoutofcontrol
The Geography of our Future: A Pathway for Guyana for the 21st Century
DEAREDITOR
, Guyana faces a pregnant question about its future as the world around us shifts with remarkable speed and new fractures and fault lines appear
Developments across South America, including the growing influence of Brazil, the intensifying presence of China in the region and the renewed c o h e r e n c e a m o n g continental economies illustrate a simple truth.The countriesthat succeedin the comingdecadeswillbethose that understand their geography, align it with region
networks, and shape their nationalidentityinharmony with their continental realities.
In light of this, Guyana can no longer afford to remain suspended between itsphysicallocationinSouth America and the cultural
he Caribbean with which it has been historically associated. The time has come to recognize that our historical association with the Caribbean now restricts our sense of possibility as it has placed a weight on our
shoulders, a poetic burden that no longer serves our national interests or our culturalconfidence.
To be frank: our nation cannot walk creatively into its future while drawing its poetry primarily from a heritage that reinforces memories of captivity, plantation structures, and colonial domination, as they donotreflectthepromiseof the land beneath its feet. If history ruled us in the first sixty years of our independence, geography must be the handmaiden of our future. For generations Guyana has looked outward tothebrown,emptyAtlantic andnorthwardtotheislands for its cultural orientation. Thishasshapedourarts,our schooling, our diplomacy andevenoursenseofhumor and daily speech: our identity. Yet it has also fostered a mental distance betweenusandtheimmense green continentto which we b e l o n g i n e v e r y geographical, ecological, andstrategicsense.
While the Caribbean connection provided comfort for a new nation, it also confined us within a narrow historical narrative
burdened heavily by slavery and plantation memory that hasshapedtheculturalethos of the islands. This weight has slowed our national imagination and confined Guyanese thought and identity to a narrow bandwidth Our country mustnowliberateitselffrom the crucible of this history and look with courage and clarity toward a future shapednotbythelegaciesof colonial plantations but by the vast openness of the continentthatsurroundsus.
Thetimehascomeforus toturnSouth.
When Guyana faces the SouthAmericanmainland,it discovers an entirely different horizon of possibilities. The continent offers scale, diversity, creative inspirat
on, technological opportunity, and an economic landscape that rewards ambition. Brazil, Suriname, Colombia andthewiderregionpresent Guyana with access to new languages, grand economic corridors, continental markets, renewable energy grids, transportat
edge systems and creative impulsesthatreflecttheland
and the people of this hemisphere.
These connections are not optional They are natural extensions of where we are and who we are. Guyana’s forests, rivers, mountains, and Indigenous peoples and cultures are continentalincharacter:they have awaited our embrace forverylong.
Our ecological systems flow naturally into the Amazon basin and our landscapes share deep continuities with Brazil and Venezuela. No island in the Caribbean shares this. The cultural and economic anchors Guyana needs for the next century exist southward and westward, notoutwardintotheocean. Thisradicalreorientation of national identity must be matchedbyatransformation in national strategy. It requires that Guyana orient its trade, diplomacy, investment, transportation s y s t e m s , d i g i t a l infrastructure, and energy planning toward South America. Our agricultural potential must be integrated into continental food supply chains.Ourmineralsand (Continuedonpage06)
Every branch of government, including the judiciary, can be subject to criticism
DearEditor
TheJudiciaryshouldnot be considered untouchable or immune from public
criticism Holding it accountable partly through critiqueisessential.
Treating the Judiciary as “sacred” is an outdated colonial idea that no longer fits into today’s world. The influence of social media, free speech, transparency, and accountability which lead to genuine legitimacy makes this concept irrelevant.
In a rapidly changing society such as Guyana, publicscrutinyshouldapply to every branch of government Legislative, Judicial,orExecutive.
In a recent High Court case,PresidentDr IrfaanAli disagreed with Justice Geno Persaud’s decision to dismiss the GRA’s case against Mr Azruddin Mohamed about additional dutyonaLamborghini.
ThePresidenthasdenied allegations of judicial interference, stating that as chief executive he may critique rulings he believes
are factually unsupported or inconsistent with similar cases.
Recent court decisions on 2020 election petitions have aroused skepticism by the public, including politicians, on the work and rulings of the Guyana Court system.
They have raised concerns about the Guyana Court ofAppeal’s rationale and adherence to legal principles especially in politically related cases. For example,whenthe Courtof Appeal judges ruled that 33 is not a majority of 65, it provoked public and executive disbelief. Without the public and politicians’ active engagement during the pre-and post-2020 elections, Guyana could have faced serious instability,evenanarchy,and risked an opposition takeover
President Ali compared JudgeGenoPersaud’sruling in the GRAcase with Chief Justice Roxanne GeorgeWiltshire’s decision in a similar revenue matter He claimedthatJudgePersaud’s
verdict was flawed and it threatenedtheGRA’sability to collect duties, potentially harming national revenue collection. In contrast he commended Chief Justice
George-Wiltshire’s judgment for safeguarding the tax system and stressed that public interest should alsoguidejudicialdecisions.
Observed the President, “Justice George’s ruling has restored clarity and protected the tax system, reversing a flawed decision that exposed Guyana’s revenue to fraud and falsification.”
Critics readily point out whenever the executive branch allegedly exceeds its authority, but it is equally important to hold the judiciary to the same standards.
Judges are responsible for interpreting laws and protecting individual rights—not for creating law
or making executive decisions.
They should be guided by the principle of “judicial restraint.” However, some judges, influenced by their
personal ideology make rulings that seem more like executive actions or new laws; scholars call this “judicialactivism.”
Judicial immunity from criticismisacoloniallegacy that is irrelevant to an evolving system that requires transparency and accountability from all branches of government. In the United States, for example, courts face open criticismfromthepublicand officials, including Congress.
Today in the US and other democracies, modernization and social media have a profound influence on perceptions of theCourt. While some people argue for the right of the executive and citizens to voice disagreement with judicial decisions, they should respect the judicial office and avoid personal attacks Constructive criticisms support accountability, and judicial restraintmaylessencritique.
Sincerely Dr TaraSingh
CHPAClarifiesApplicant’s Submission Status and Reaffirms Commitment to Service Improvements
DEAREDITOR
TheCentralHousingand PlanningAuthority (CHPA) recognises the concerns raised by Mr J. Ramlochan
regarding delays in processing his application submitted through the SingleWindowforPlanning and Development
According to the portal records, the application was initially filed on 23 July 2025 but did not meet the required document standards and therefore failed the initial validation, requiring resubmission. It later became ready for payment on 14 October 2025,andafterthatstepwas completed,itwasmarkedas ready for processing on 29 October 2025 A site inspectionwassubsequently conducted, and the corresponding report was finalised on 12 November 2025.Theapplicationisnow
with the Secretary and awaits release to the CHPA Boardforfinalapproval. The CHPA emphasises that the Single Window system hinges on the submission of a complete application that meets all requirements Processing canonlycommenceoncean application passes documentvalidationandthe applicant pays the applicablefees.Thisensures thatallsubmissionsentering the system are compliant with the national planning and development standards that guide decision-making. While the Single Window platform has significantly improved transparency by allowing applicants to track the progress of their submissionsinrealtime,the CHPA acknowledges that processingtimescanstillbe affected by documentation gaps, increasing application
volumes,andessentialinteragency checks. Efforts are underway to enhance the platform’s efficiency, streamline internal procedures, and address potential bottlenecks to improve overall turnaround t
We
the concerns raised, including those relatedto applications for smaller modifications. However, it is important to note that this particular application has already passed all technical assessmentsandiscurrently at the final administrative stage.
The CHPA remains committed to ongoing improvements to the Single Windowsystemtoensureall applicants receive prompt, efficient, and reliable service.
Regards CentralHousingand PlanningAuthority
PresidentAli renews commitment to Region 6
DEAREDITOR
President Ali led his cabinet, (PPP) MPs, and advisors on a two outreach in Region6onNovember20-21. In the press conference that followed the outreach, the president reiterated the commitment of his administrationtocontinuewith the rapid development of the region
From Corriverton to Lochebar (West Canje), residents turned out in their numbers to engage with the presidential entourage A full gamut of issues was raised, discussed, and in some instancesresolvedonthespot
The two-day outreach in Berbice brings to mind observations made decades agobyGöranHydén,anoted development scholar In No Shortcut to Progress, Professor Hydén warned that it is impossible to develop economic policies or deliver government
services to regions and communities away from the national capital without sustained and direct engagement. Modern governancemustgobeyondthe ‘economies of affection’ that characteriseruralareas Thisis done by developing information loops between citizensandpolicymakers This way, policies are based on reliable data, and first-hand qualitative inputs from those who are ‘on the ground’ President Ali was insistent that accountability and t r a n s p a r e n c y a r e foundational dimensions of his administration He challengedcabinetmembers, permanent secretaries, and heads of agencies to connect with Region 6 communities in order that the ‘whole of government’ approach is a livedreality
The outreach clearly indicated that the priorities of the region is rapidly
The Digital ID Conundrum: How Can Registration Be Legal Without the Law?
DEAREDITOR, I am conflicted with regards to the ongoing registration for the Guyana DigitalIDcard,aprojectthat promises a modernised futurebutisbeingbuiltona foundation of significant legal ambiguity The recent statementbytheHonourable Prime Minister, Mark Phillips,thattheprogramme is operating without its governinglegislation-yetto be passed by the National Assembly,whichtodatehas not even met to vote in the presumptive Leader of the Opposition ( LOO), MP Azruddin Mohameddemands urgent public scrutiny and a clear explanation from the authorities.
The Prime Minister’s admission is startling. He confirmed that the government is using a “policydecision”toproceed with the collection of
citizens’ most sensitive biometricandpersonaldata.
While administrative efficiency is commendable, it cannot and must not supersede the rule of law In a democratic society, the authority to initiate such a transformative programme mustberootedinlegislation that has been duly debated, scrutinised, and enacted by ourParliament.
This situation raises several critical questions that the government has a dutytoanswer:
On What Legal Basis is Data Being used? Without the Guyana Digital Identity Act in force, what specific law gives the government the authority to do so?
“Policy” is not law; it is an internal directive that does not grant legal authority or provide citizens with legal recourse. W h e r e i s t h e Parliamentary Oversight?
Thelegislativeprocessisnot a mere formality It is the bedrock of our democracy, designed to allow for robust debate, input from stakeholders, and the insertion of necessary checksandbalances.Bynot chairing the voting for the presumptive LOO, MP Azruddin Mohamed, the Speakers of the National Assembly, Mr Manzoor Nadir,seemstobethwarting the process, possibly in an attempt to circumvent this important piece of legislation. Forestalling, the government is denying the nation an opportunity to shape a law that will fundamentally affect every Guyanese. It pre-empts the willofParliamentandplaces executive action above legislativeauthority
The government’s approach sets a dangerous precedent.Ifa“policy (Continuedonpage16)
Guyanese village
25 years without water
changing Instead of mere ‘bread&butter’issues,residents are keen on getting better and faster government services, connectivity, accessing information of government contracts,improvedrecreational facilities,moregreenspaces,and theopportunitiesassociatedwith the Orange Economy now being put in place by the current PPPC administration President Ali renewed his commitment to deliver on theseconcernsandtofulfilthe commitments made in the PPPC 2025 election manifesto Indicative of the resolvetomoveforward,the president called a debriefing and policy meeting aftermidnightondayoneof the outreach. The meeting lastedwellintheearlyhours of dawn. Only hours later, the entire entourage was backatwork.
Sincerely
Dr RandyPersaud OfficeofthePresident
DEAREDITOR
President Irfan Ali should know this is nothing to smile about The president’sglobetrottinghas never caused him to see communities in Dubai and other countries he visited withoutwater Foulislocated on the East Coast Demerara hasbeenoutofpotablewater for twenty five years. The PPPhasturnedablindeyeto the plight of the people in thatvillage.
What PresidentAli does tofeignasolutiontopoverty in Guyana is to visit depressedcommunitiessuch as Tiger Bay and cook food for the poor Guyana is thriving because of oil wealthandthepresident,his ministers,friendsandfamily live luxurious lives; throwing up mansions and driving luxury vehicles while the people of Foulis, Tiger Bay and other communities across Guyana face the worst form of
destitution. The BBC, CNN and other global news entitiesshouldvisitpovertystrickenareasinGuyanaand showtheworld‘Ali’shell’.
Whilealargepercentage of Guyanese live below the poverty line, the PPP government is reluctant not only to give the people of Guyana cash grant but also refuses to use the oil wealth to improve the day to day livesofGuyanesecitizens.
Guyana’s population is way below nine hundred thousand and in what is toutedasthefastestgrowing economy in the world, privilegedwomeninthePPP are more concerned with self-beautification than use their time to fight poverty andalleviatethesufferingof
young women and others. While President Ali tries to impress upon the world that Guyana is thriving, countlessGuyanesefacethe horror of poverty and nothingness worst that how hurricane Melissa left the islandofJamaica. Jamaica will speedily deal with their crisis while the poor in Guyana will see no opportunity for change overthenextfiveyears.The story of Foulis is a stark reminder of how cruel, inhumane and wicked the Aliregimeis…andthereis no indication that it will change.
THEWORLDMUST KNOW
Sincerely Norman
Browne
Dr. Vishnu Bisram honoured by NYSAssembly
DEAREDITOR, I write to congratulate well known Guyanese
journalist, political
commentator, and community advocate Dr Vishnu Bisram for being recognized and honored by theNewYorkStateAssembly ataprogramorganizedbythe HinduAmerican Foundation for his work among IndoCaribbean and the (Asian) IndiandiasporasonSunday The event, held in Queens, was well attended with participation among a wide spectrumofIndo-Guyanese, Trinis,andIndiannationals.
Dr Bisramiswellknown for,amongotherreasons,his academic achievements, writings, and international polling, and for promoting dignity, mutual respect, and pluralismamongthediverse ethnic groups in New York. Hehasalsobeeninvolvedin advocacyforIndia,Guyana, and the Caribbean and their diasporas He is a well known prolific writer in the mass media, penning
countless articles and has alsopublishedextensivelyin journals and books, writing on socio-economic, political, education, and immigrantissues. Dr Bisram, who came to studyinUSAasa16-year-old, became a recipient of earned multiple degrees in BioChemistry, History, Sociology, Political Science, andEducation Hetaughtand or tutored students for over fortyyearsinvarioussubjects at the university and grade levels of NY public school system He was also a guest lecturer at multiple universities in several countries Dr Bisram’s academic achievements have been nothing short of remarkable, earning multiple graduate and post graduate degrees from accredited universities through in class studies and being licensed in NY to teach Chemistry, General Sciences, Math, and Social Studies, certification obtained from courses of
studiesandexams. Heisalso licensed as a Principal, Asst Principal, and District Administrator Besides academia, Dr Bisram is knowntospeakoutonorwrite about issues affecting Guyanese,theCaribbean,and India and their diasporas He has also focused on immigration and community building of people from the Caribbean and the Indian diaspora Hewasapioneerin 1977 in activism in USA for restoration of democracy in Guyana He has also been involved in a movement to build closer links between Guyana and USA, between USA and Trinidad, between India and the entire Indian diaspora,aswellasconnecting theIndiandiasporainvarious partsoftheworldtoeachother Dr Bisram visited virtually everyIndiandiasporacountry conductingresearch
His achievements and contributions to the Guyanese, Indo Caribbean, andIndiandiasporahavebeen endlessbeginningin1977asa
Region 10 REO violation of act 10 of 2018
DEAREDITOR
,
The Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 10 haswillfullyviolatedthelaw and should be immediately dismissed and disqualified from serving in any local government administrative capacity
His refusal to convene themandatorysecondround of voting for the election of the Regional Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is not an administrativedelay—itisa direct breach of statute, a suppression of local democraticauthority,andan abuseofoffice.
It has been two months and twenty days since the National and Regional Elections, and Region 10 stillhasnoChairmanandno Vice Chairman. This is a blatantviolationofthelegal framework governing
Regional Democratic Councils,including:
• Act No. 10 of 2018
Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendments) Act whichamended
•Section20oftheLocal Democratic Organs Act, Chapter 28:09, act 12 of 1980
• The Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, and other localgovernmentacts
These provisions are unambiguous The law requiresthat:
1.Ifthefirstvoteresults in a tie, a second vote must beheld.
2. If the second vote results in a tie, a third vote mustbeheld.
3.Ifthethirdvoteresults in a tie, the Chairmanship must be awarded to the councillor representing the party that secured the majority of the popular vote intheregion,andWinisthat party with the most popular votes.
The REO has no legal authoritytohaltthisprocess, delayit,reinterpretit,orseek political instruction. His act ofrunningtotheMinisterof Local Government for direction is an admission that he has abandoned the law in favour of political interference.Thisisgrounds for:
‘disciplinarysanction, ‘removalfromoffice, ‘ investigation for misconduct in public administration.
The Local Government Commission, which holds statutory authority to appoint, discipline, and dismiss REOs, has also failedinitsdutybyallowing this illegal obstruction to continue.Silenceintheface of an unlawful act is not
17-year-olduniversitystudent in NY He was the first Guyanese to be elected in student government in 1978 and serving in various executivepositions,including as President, Vice President, Treasureroverseveralyearsas an undergrad and graduate student Heisknowntohave organised many conferences and conventions in NYC and globally on Guyana and the Indiandiasporasoverthe last fourdecades. TheNewYork State legislature comprises of two elected houses the larger lower house, The Assembly, and the smaller Upper House, The Senate, both of which are elected for two-year terms Guyanese wereorareknowntoservein both houses The Hindu AmericanFoundation(HAF)is a non-partisan, not for profit 501(c)(3) advocacy organisation It works closely with Hindus from all communities and all countries regardlessofrace Itorganisedprogramsall over the USA. A special programme was held last Sunday discussing issues facingtheHinducommunity inthefieldofeducation.Dr Vijay Satnarine, whose
parents are from Guyana, was the main speaker Dr Satnarine, who studied at leading universities in England,Canada,andUSA, informed the audience that hisgrandfatherorajastudied in USAin 1931 as a foreign student; he was one of the earliest Guyanese students in USA. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, an Ivy Leagueeducatedlawyer,the first Hindu to be elected to the NYS legislature, Chief GuestattheHAFevent,used the occasion to recognize and honor two Indian Americans and Guyanese Dr Bisram on behalf of the NYSAssembly Shereadthe writings on the fecognition honor She intoned that Dr Bisram,aholderofmultiple doctorates,joinstheranksof distinguished individuals who have been recognized byNYSLegislaturefortheir contributions in various fields and or community work. His recognition not onlycelebratesDr Bisram’s own success but also serves as an inspiration for others, encouraging them to strive for excellence , serve humanity, and make their markontheircommunity
Dr.Bisram’srecognition by Ms. Rajkumar on behalf of NYS Assembly underscores the importance ofeducationandcommunity service. The recognition not onlycelebrateshisworkand academic achievements but alsoservesasatestamentto his hard work on behalf of Guyanese,Trinidadians,and theIndiandiasporas. Heisalsoknowntohave dedicatedhimselftovarious philanthropic activities, donatingtoworthycausesin America, India, and the Caribbean Dr Bisram’s commitment to giving back to the public, various communitiesandsupporting social causes has further cemented his status as a multifaceted and socially consciouspublicfigure.Two yearsago,DrBisramwasalso recognized by President Joe Biden for community service, academic achievements, and journalismandforhisvolunteer service in American political campaigns He worked on dozensofpoliticalcampaigns inUSA
Yourstruly, BalramRambrich President,USAArya Samaj
The Geography of our Future: A Pathway...
neutrality—it is complicity
The government repeatedly
boasts of “restoring democracy,” yet is aiding, shielding, and benefiting from an REO who is openly suppressing the outcome of the electoral will in Region 10 Democracy is not restored by slogan—it is upheld by adherence to law Further, the 2025 election
remains stained by allegations documented in the EU Observer Report, including:
misuse of state databases,
targeted political messagingtiedtocashgrant access,
s t a t e - f u n d e d electioneering through ministriesandcontracts.
A forensic audit of government expenditure, p r o c u r e m e n t , a n d contractual issuance in the four months preceding the election would expose the unfair, illegal leveraging of state resources to secure electoraladvantage.
Region 10 voted decisively for WIN. Yet the PPP, having lost the region, now seeks to seize control throughdelay,manipulation, and psychological attrition hoping WIN councillors fracture, resign, orfailtoattend,enabling (Continuedonpage16)
Frompage04
biodiversity must connect with continental researchandmanufacturinghubs.Ourrivers already link us physically to Brazilian states and to the inland routes of the region. Our universities and technical institutions can formpartnershipswiththeirSouthAmerican counterparts, allowing students to share and learn in the languages and cultural environmentsthatdefinethishemisphere.
Aculturalreawakeningmustaccompany thesegeo-structuralchanges.SouthAmerica isacontinentofextraordinaryartisticdepth. Its literature, cinema, visual arts, music, theater,andindigenoustraditionsformsome ofthemostpowerfulcreativecurrentsinthe world. Guyana has long admired these traditionsfromadistancebuthasneverfully embraced them as mirrors in which we can see our own possibilities. The stories of the continent speak to landscapes of forest and savannah, to rivers that shape identity, to multicultural nations navigating complexity, to indigenous wisdom, and to the creative imaginationthatarisesfromlandratherthan sea.As thegreatWilsonHarrisrecognizeda longtimeago,thesethemesbelongnaturally toGuyana.Theyallowustospeakacultural languagethatresonateswithourrealityrather than only with the inherited memory of plantation societies. And they offer an ecosystemforavibrantOrangeeconomy
Education and culture is the cornerstone of this shift. Spanish and Portuguese must become foundational languages taught from early childhood, not ornamental subjects offered as electives. Guyanese students shouldgrowupreadingliteraturefromacross South America, studying continental geography, understanding continental economies, and experiencing cultural immersionthroughexchangeprograms.Our Englishheritageispregnantwithculturaland
economicpossibilities.
These decolonial moves will produce a generation of citizens who can think, negotiate,create,innovate,andcollaboratein anewculturalliteracyacrossthehemisphere with confidence and fluency Such a reorientation is not an erasure of Guyana’s past but an expansion of its future. It’s decolonial.Itisaninvitationtostepoutofthe narrow frame that the Caribbean’s anticolonial poetry has imposed and to step into thelargercontinentalidentitythatgeography and economy insist upon. The Caribbean connectionhasshaped theopeningchapters of our national story, but it does not and cannot offer an open narrative of the future thatour maturingnation needs.
Guyana must acknowledge that this cultural inheritance, rooted heavily in the traumaandmemoryofenslavement,haskept ustetheredtoanidentitythathaslimitedour ambition. It’s a colonial confinement from whichwemustbecourageousenoughtofree ourselves We honor our history and ancestors best by freeing ourselves from the constraintsthatchainedusandbychoosinga newdestinyunderwrittenbyourgeography
TheSouthAmericancontinentoffersGuyana the imaginative space to grow into a confident, sovereign, creative, and prosperous nation Aligningouridentitywithourgeographyallows ustogaincoherence Whenwealignourstrategy withcontinentalcurrentswegainstrength And when we align our culture with the vast creative energies of our interior and South America we gain inspiration. Our future lies in turning decisively South toward the continentthatholdsourpast,ourpresent,and our promise. This future will not rise at an appointedtime.Ithastobemadeandweare presentatitsmaking.
Respectfully Dr WalterHPersaud
Govt. greenlights Exxon’s
…LizaUnityand Prosperitynowpumping abovesafedesignlimits
TheGovernmentofGuyana(GoG)hasapprovedarequest by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) to increase productionontwoFloatingProductionStorageandOffloading vessels(FPSOs)by30,000barrels each, pushing the projects to produce a total of 60,000 barrels above their design capacity
According to the mid-year report, “Production from the StabroekBlock–theLizaDestiny,LizaUnity,andProsperity FPSOs – grew in the first half of 2025 Collectively, these projects achieved an average rate of nearly 640,000 bpd, exceedingthe624,000bpdattheendofJune2024.”
Governmentexplainedthatthehigherproductionrateswere driven by successful optimisation activities conducted on the LizaUnityandProsperityFPSOs.Optimisationintheoiland gassectorreferstoaprocessgearedatenhancingoilrecovery. The company would assess the performance of the facilities for existing limitations of the installed equipment to determinehowthosecouldbeimproved.
According to the report, “These scopes, largely entailing topside debottlenecking activities, will continue to enable production rates averaging beyond 250,000 (barrels per day) bpdatUnityandProsperityintothesecondhalf,respectively.”
It is important to note that the Liza Unity FPSO, which producesoilattheLizaTwodevelopment,hasadesigncapacity of 220,000 bpd, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) The document also states that “the facilitieswillhavethepotentialtosafelyoperateatsustained peaks of oil production up to approximately 250,000 bopd”. Be that as it may the vessel is now producing over its safe operatinglimit.
Similarly, the Prosperity FPSO which produces oil at the thirddeepwaterdevelopmentoffshorewasdesignedtoproduce 220,000bpd,accordingtotheEIA
At his end of year press conference in 2024, Minister of NaturalResources,VickramBharrattoldreportersthatarequest wasreceivedfromExxontoincreaseoilproductiononthetwo vessels Henotedthatanindependentconsultantwashiredby theGoGtoreviewthecompany’sapplication.
Additionally, he noted that the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)isalsofullyengagedintheprocess,sincethenoobjectionwouldbetiedtotheenvironmentalpermitissuedby theagency
Heexplained,“Onoursidetogivefinalapproval,wehave contractedathird-partyinternationalconsultanttolookatthis matter Assoonastheywouldhaveconcludedtheirreport,we would be in a better position to either say no or yes to the optimisation.”
TheMinisterdidnotsayhowmuchthecompanyislooking toincreaseproductionby
Bharrat however noted, “The government is not against production Wehavesaidthatfromdayonebutitmustbedone inasafemanner Itmustbedoneinamannerthatwillnotcause anyissuewithequipmentorwithregardstotheenvironment.”
Stakeholdershaveoftenraisedconcernsovertheincreased risk of an oil spill that can occur as a result of ramped up productionactivitiesonthevesselswhichhavespecificdesign rates
Both government and Exxon however maintain that the increasedproductionactivitiesarebeingconductedinasafeand responsible manner, following rigid tests and processes to the equipment
Stopgivingawaythestore
The President was in Bartica this w e e k e n d pleading with the aviation sector to lower domestic fares.Hewasnotdemanding this as a shareholder, but begging as the head of government.
The fact that he had to beg shows the limits of a system where government givesawayvastconcessions but earns no leverage in return.Andthishascreateda private sector that takes benefits but feels no duty to passthemon.
Each year, hundreds of billions of dollars in tax waivers, duty concessions, land deals, and other incentivesflowfromthestate totheprivatesector Theseare
realpublicresourceswithreal monetary value But they vanish into private hands without any structured return tocitizenswhoultimatelyfund them. And the public is left wondering why prices keep rising even as businesses accumulatebenefits
Since the pandemic, the government even allowed importers to pay duties on the freight component of their goods using prepandemic rates. This was intendedtocushioncostsfor struggling consumers. But consumersneversawthefull relief.And citizens bore the full weight of escalating livingexpenses.
I n e v e r y m a j o r investment agreement, including those involving
multinational corporations, the state grants generous concessions. These concessionsitissaidreduce thecostofcapital,thecostof equipment, and the cost of d
. But taxpayers, who underwrite these savings, get no equity stake despite being coinvestors through forgone revenue.And in the end, the public pays high costs for services built partly on publicsupport.
It is time to face a basic
h A concessionisnotagift,buta form of capital injection. Whenthestatereducestaxes for a company, it is effectively investing public resourcesintothatcompany And like any investor, the
Mohameds’ extradition case...
Frompage3 arrangements that currently existswouldrequirethatthis matterbereferredtothehigh court for determination on a n u m b e r o f m a j o r constitutionissueswhichwe willbeaggressingshortly.”
He further stated that, in his view, no evidence presented thus far meets the legal threshold required for extradition.
state should receive shares foritsinvestment.Thisisthe logic that the United States government applied under Donald Trump when it demanded equity from certain firms seeking assistance. The principle is simpleandsound.
If public money reduces your costs, the public becomes your partner And partnerships come with ownership rights and decision-making power Guyana should adopt the same model. For every tax break, there should be an equivalent valuation of the benefitgiven.
Andthatvaluationshould be translated directly into equity in the business receiving it This turns concessions into assets, not giveaways Such a system would radically change the relationship b
statetoquantifytherealcost of concessions before grantingthem.Anditwould force investors to consider whethertheygenuinelyneed concessions or simply want them because they are free. When concessions have a price,theywillbeusedmore wisely
Moreover, this model createslong-termwealthfor the nation. Equity generates dividends,capitalgains,and strategic influence. Instead of draining public coffers, concessions would build public assets. And future generations would inherit a
investments,notahistoryof lostrevenue.Criticswillsay that the private sector will resist. They will claim that
alsohowwebreakthecycle of superficial corporate responsibility Today, companiesgivehandoutsfor public relations while keeping the real profits private. With equity, their success becomes public success. And their growth fuelsnationaldevelopment.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor Williams, speaking briefly with reporters, said his team is working to provide the defence with their documents “as early as possible.”
OnOctober30,2025,the U.S. government formally requested the extradition of thefather-and-sonduounder the extradition treaty between Guyana and the UnitedKingdom, whichremainsinforcein Guyana under Section
“I have not seen anything in my opinion that is required by law which would indicate up to now that there is any degree of efficiency of evidence,” Fordalleged.
4(1)(a) of the Fugitives Offenders Act, Cap. 10:04, asamendedbyActNo.10of 2024.
The two are facing multiple U S charges unsealedonOctober6,2025, by a Southern District of FloridaGrandJury
Theindictmentincludes allegations of wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and customs-relatedviolationsin connection with an alleged US$50 million gold export andtaxevasionscheme.
DEM BOYS SEH
Cows, carts, an’ de kaka on de road
Bai, dem boys seh if Burnhamdidloveonething more than he cook-up, was cow pon de public road. In dem days, de four-foot creatures had more rights than de motorists. Yuh car could write off, yuh bonnet couldfolduplikebedsheet, but de cow? De cow was a national treasure Touch am, and yuh better had a good lawyer, a good priest, andagoodexcuse. Now, to be fair, nobody vex when de animals crossing from pasture to pen. Everybody know even cattle need to go home fuh dinner But wha we get instead? Cows, horses, sheep, dogs, cats, and the occasional confused goat holding Sunday strolls pon dehighway,grazinglikede grass sweeter between de white lines Some even
basking pon de warm asphaltinthenightlikedem on vacation. Meanwhile motorists doing brake-test at 80 km/h and praying fuh divineintervention.
Dem boys seh back in Burnham time, people didn’t complain too hard, because in dem mind de animals had more official protection than some citizens. Hit a cow and yuh could swear yuh interfere withagovernmentminister Compensation?Onlyifyuh countdelectureyuhget. Buthearnah—todayde same thing happening again. Animals loose like political promises in election season. De risk of accident rising like GPL lightbill.Anddetimecome fuhParliamenttostopmoomooaroundandfixdelaws. Yes, give de animals dem
right-of-passage, but not right of residence pon de public road. De only thing supposedtoliedownponde highwayisnewasphalt.
And while we talking animal rights, lewwe talk animal wrongs. How long more we allowing horse carts and donkey carts pon de public road? Is like cruelty in slow motion Dem poor animals pulling load heavier than some Cabinet portfolios Dem boyssehifweseriousabout compassion,istimetoretire de whole fleet. Send home de horse, send home de donkey, give dem pension andahammock.
In de meantime, motorists, look out fuh de cowandgoatdem.Deroads belong to everybody—but nottodecattlepen. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
n government and the private sector No longer would officialshavetobegforprice reductionsorfairpractices.
As shareholders, they coulddemandaccountability, influence business conduct, andinsistthatbenefitspassto consumers And companies would finally have to justify the public investment they receive
This approach would also strengthen fiscal discipline.Itwouldforcethe
partnership and shared risk.
And Guyanas booming economy ensures that serious investors will still come, especially when rules areclearandappliedevenly
The current system rewards extraction, not cooperation. It encourages businesses to take concessions and disappear with the benefits.
By requiring equity, we create a culture where businesses and taxpayers rise together And where everygainisshared. Thisis
If we adopt this model, the President will never again have to plead with the aviation sector to lower fares. He can walk into a boardroom as a co-owner and insist on the outcome thatbenefitsthepeoplewho paid for the sectors growth. This is not radical. It is rational, fair, and long overdue.Theeraofbegging must end. And the era of ownership must begin. Let usstopgivingawaytaxpayer resources for nothing. And let us start converting every concession into public equity, one investment at a time.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Guyana the ward of the world
Thirty years after democracy’s return to Guyana, the EU hands over this year’s final elections report. On each occasion that the EU,CarterCenter,OAS,andothers havetogetelbowdeepinGuyana’s elections, it says how much this country is still trapped in the same place that it has been for the last sevendecades.
For anyone or any place or anything to be at a standstill for seven decades must rank as a tragedy made up of countless catastrophes. InwelcomingtheEU anditsfinalreport,whichshouldn’t have any surprises (only newly discovered tricks), and alongside
other issues in this country, one conclusion becomes blindingly obvious. Guyana is not a country Guyana is a ward of the world This makes Guyanese dependents on the charity of others Think of thesematters
In thanking the EU for its efforts during the last elections, I ponderregardingwhyGuyanastill needs foreign elections cops Clearly, Guyanese at the top don’t trust one another, but they still turnaroundandsay‘trustme.’ Itis always either the Black man’s or Indian man’s tendencies, faults, visions, and all deformed. The other,notboth;orself Thatisthe
Twomenwoundedin drive-byattackinLinden
Two men were on Sunday wounded in a drive-by shooting incident at Lover’s Lane, Central Amelia’sWard,Linden.
Police said they are investigatingtheshootingincident which occurred around 22:30hrs, duringwhicha32-year-oldvendor ofCentralAmelia’sWardanda36year-old carpenter of South Amelia’sWardwereinjured.
According to police investigation, the vendor was standinginfrontofhisshop,while the carpenter was walking close by,whenamotorcardroveupand came to a halt near them, during which someone inside discharged
severalroundsintheirdirection.
Thevendorreceivedagunshot wound to the chest, while the carpenter sustained a gunshot woundtothefoot.Bothmenwere taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where they were seen andtreated.
The vendor has since been referredtotheGeorgetownPublic Hospital Corporation for further medical attention, while the carpenter remains at the Linden Hospital Complex receiving treatment. Their conditions are reportedasstable.
No arrests have been made. Investigationscontinue.
s
ance of Guyana’s governance and leadership, and Guyanaisstillcalledacountry
There is no leadership will for consensus and carving out a common vision and a common place as a destination The inevitablefallbackcomfortiswhat I call the orphan’s syndrome Somebody will come forward; someone will take care of the business at hand, whatever it is. And so they have, despite the remaining deficits and the substantialuneasethatlinger This cannotbethequalityofGuyanese existence,exceptthatitis
Example One: a child dies in mysterious circumstances, and something as routine as an autopsy degradesintoanationalcrisis The Foreign Legion has to be summoned At the end of that process, Guyanese still believe in their gut that something is missing Thechallengetothatisacountryis run on a combination of spiritual courage,cerebralvigor,muchmore. TherealityisthatGuyanalacksall of those at leadership levels, leavingthiscountryasawardofthe world,andGuyaneseasdependents onthecareofothers. Inacountry this rich in natural resources, there is this dependency by leaders and citizensontheworld,likedestitute friends and third cousins. This mentality is so ingrained now that foreignhelpinghandsaretakenfor granted: expected and accepted. Whetherelectionsorautopsies,this is where Guyana is. Thus, the EU
Example Three: drug smuggling is no longer a scourge. AsktheYankswholeftManhattan, parachuted into Matthews Ridge. The Guyana Police was so trusted thatitwassparedthetrip. Askthe Europeanswhointerceptedonebig shipment after another out of Guyana. Point is, without foreign intervention Guyana is the lawabiding nation of which Teflon Man Number Three from Carmichael Street loves to boast Aregularentertainerishe Example Four: the current matter of a Convenor for the EITI has hit the ceiling fan. The call is for foreign intervention. No give, no gain. No moving, no breaking new ground. No thinking, no maturing. A warm welcome to foreigners holding Guyanese hands, cleaning their noses, and helping them across the road Guyanaisthewardoftheworld.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
camewithitspostmortemresults. Example Two: gold smuggling was denied first, and then smuggling friendships disowned. One leader champions GRA and GPF investigations Another leader is fired up with newly discovered zeal: ‘we are goingtocomeandgetyou’washis warning to the mining sector, a generous donor community I present to Guyanese, their Teflon ManNumberOne,andTeflonMan Number Two The locals who didn’tknownothing,didnotknow nobody, relative to gold smuggling, are now afire with righteous zest But like national elections and autopsies, who is it that does the probing, the real investigating? Foreigners, with Americans rising to the occasion. Without OFAC, there is no gold smuggling. Withtheoutcomeofa FederalGrandJuryinFlorida,gold smuggling is Teflon Man One and Teflon Man Two highest priority Americans had to tell them about gold smuggling and tax evasion, beforetheycametotheirsensesand grudgingly agreed that those exist. Before, ruling politicians had no such knowledge, no such relationships. Theymustthinkthat Ambassadors Lynch and Theriot are country bumpkins. Note how that the 2025 EU report touched upon strict campaigning rules Money features, and long before elections Where millions are donated, onerous rules are dismantled, and gold smuggling doesn’t exist. Go back to May 2021, and there was one Teflon Man banishing it -no evidence. The Americans inform Guyana otherwise.
Suspects accused in gas station bombing further remanded
Two Guyanese men and a Venezuelan woman were further remanded on Monday in connection with the deadly October 26 bombing at the Mobil Gas Station on Regent and King Streets,Georgetown.
Venezuelan national Jennifer Rodriguez, along with Guyanese nationals Wayne Correia, 44, and Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, made their second court appearance at the LeonoraMagistrates’Courtbefore MagistrateAlishaGeorge.
The trio has been jointly charged with terrorism and is accusedofaidingandabettingthe actofterroratthegasstation.The two Guyanese defendants were represented by attorney Bernard DaSilva.
According to the attorney, full disclosure from the prosecution had been expected during Monday’s proceedings, but none was provided. The prosecution instead requested more time, and the matter was adjourned until December17fordisclosure.
Meanwhile, the prime suspect in the bombing, 33-year-old Venezuelan Daniel Alexander
RamirezPoedemo,alongwithcoaccused 44-year-old Venezuelan Alexander Bettancourt,
Venezuelan national Krystal LaCruz, and Guyanese national Johnny Boodram, remain on remand until December 3, 2025, forfurtherdisclosures.
The group made their first court appearance earlier in the month at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court.
Poedemo faces a separate charge of committing an act of terrorismonOctober26,allegedly using an explosive device at the Mobil Fuel Station at Regent and KingStreets,resultinginthedeath ofsix-year-oldSorayaBourne.He wasnotrequiredtoenterapleato theindictablecharge.
Bettancourt, LaCruz, and Boodram were jointly charged withaidingandabettingPoedemo in the bombing and were also not requiredtoenterpleas.
All accused were remanded to prison, with the Guyanese defendants maintaining their innocence.Amongthegroup,only Boodram was represented by counsel.
JohnnyBoodram
WayneCorriea
AlexanderBettancourt RameshPramdeo KrystalLaCruz
Allegedbombplanter
DanielPoedemoseen asmastermind
JenniferRodriguez
MohamedleadsprotestoutsideParliament
LeaderoftheWeInvestin Nationhood (WIN)
party Azruddin Mohamed has called out the government for what he alleges as the trampling on the rights of the Guyanesepeople.
In a short protest outside Parliament Buildings on Monday surrounded by his supporters, he was asked by the media what was the significance of it The businessman turned politician said that the government is “undermining democracy in this country The Speaker, (Manzoor Nadir) he has to convene the meeting to elect opposition leader…What is taking him so long?109,000personsvotedforme that’s what they said, that’s the figure they gave me, because I know more than that voted for me andtheyaretramplingontherights ofthewillofthepeople.”
Siand Dhurjon one of the lawyers on Mohamed’s team told the media that the 14 days for the letter dispatched to the Speaker of the National Assembly Mansoor Nadir will expire on Monday “We’re drafting proceedings already Wedon’texpecthimtodo anything sensible. We’re going to be prepared to serve him soon. Well, he has an obligation to facilitatetheelectionoftheLeader ofOpposition,”headded. Dhurjon clarified that the party isnotsayingthattheelectionhasto happen during a sitting, but rather
during a specifically convened meeting of non-governmental of the National Assembly “ it shouldbedoneassoonaspossible. Theveryconstitutioncontemplates that it be done as soon as possible. Therearedutiesandobligationsof the leader of the opposition which areindispensabletoourdemocracy thattheleaderofOppositionhasto do, which is as a result of the speaker’s inaction, he is deprived the ability to do those things, such as consultation or a brief consultationaboutaCommissioner
of Police Right before a Commissioner of Police is appointed,youhavetoconsultwith Leader of Opposition before a ChancellororaChiefJusticecanbe confirmed or substantively appointed, the leader of the oppositionhastoagreetherewith,” theattorneyexplained.
General Secretary of the party Odessa Primus told reporters that therehasbeennoinformationasto when Parliament will be meeting and looking at the elections of the opposition leader “And for the
best, to the best of our knowledge, there’s nothing that is preventing this elections outside of the government’s victimisation in terms of the election leader of the opposition,andofcourse,asmany of you would know, the Leader of the Opposition forms part of the government, and so what we are doing right now is functioning basicallyasadictatorship,because whatever the government says goes, whatever the government doesgoesandthisisnothowthings work,”Primusadded.
She reminded that there were instances in the past where the rulingpartyprofessedthattheyare standing up for democracy “However, today they are the ones who are ensuring that the democrats the democratic process doesnottakeplace,andweareinan unfortunate state, and at this point, we would like to call on all of Guyana, whether or not you supported us in these elections. Thisisaboutthedemocracyofour country,andsoweallneedtostand upandweallneedtoensurethatthe Leader of the Opposition is elected.”
A Partnership for National Unity(APNU)lastFridaysaidthat the non-election of the Leader of the Opposition will result in the aiding and abetting of the government’s “undemocratic practices.” APNU’s Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul maintained that the We Invest in Nationhood(WIN)isinitsrightto demandthattheelectionofthepost of opposition leader be done with alacrity Mahipaulmadeitclearthat the post cannot be left vacant. “If we allow that to happen then it means we are aiding and abetting with the PPP to advance in undemocratic practices and the APNU is not about that. It’s a constitutionalofficeandithastobe filled. The action is within the handsoftheSpeakerandhehasto know why he is behaving like this and why he’s acting like that,” Mahipaulstressed.
Last week WIN threatened to sue the Speaker for failing to convene a meeting of the opposition members of parliament fortheelectionoftheLeaderofthe Opposition.
In a letter dated November 17, 2025, WIN’s attorney Siand Dhurjon said that the 16 nongovernmental members of parliamentwhichincludeAzruddin Mohamed, Natasha Singh-Lewis, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Dawn Hastings-Williams, Odessa Primus, Duarte Hetsberger, Tonshana Famey-Corlette, Vishnu Panday,BeverleyCornelius,Gobin Harbhajan, Deon La Cruz, Nandranie Singh, Dr Gordon Barker, Janelle Sweatnam, Dr Ryan Richards and Dr Andre Lewis, called on the Speaker to convene the meeting within 14 days.Failuretodoso,willresultin theinstitutionofproceedingsinthe Supreme Court. “On behalf of my clients,Idoherebyrequirethatyou takeallstepsnecessarytoconvene a meeting among the nongovernmental members of the NationalAssemblyforthepurpose of electing the Leader of the OppositionunderArticle184(1)of the Constitution within fourteen (14) days failing which I shall institute proceedings in the SupremeCourttocompelyoutoact accordingly and to seek all other reliefs necessary to vindicate my clients’interests,” Dhurjon said in the letter which was received and stamped by the Speaker’s secretariat.
Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party Azruddin Mohamed and his supporters during the protest.
TechiejailedforpostingEx’snudephotos
…victim says digital scars “will never go away”
A33-year-oldITtechnicianhas been sentenced to 24 months in prison and fined $2.5 million after being found guilty of publishing explicitimagesofhisex-girlfriend and repeatedly harassing her for morethanayear
The sentence was handed down on Monday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court by Magistrate Orinthia Schmidt The man, identified as Jeremy Smith, who resides at Lot 139 Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, faced cybercrime charges stemming from allegations that between March 11 and May 6, 2023, he unlawfully obtained intimate electronic data, including photos and videos, from his ex-girlfriend’s WhatsApp messages. Additionally, between
May27andJuly16,2024,Smithis accused of publishing this content throughacomputersystem,causing emotional distress to the young woman His matter was first heard before Magistrate Clive Nurse on July 22, 2024 when he pleaded not guiltytoallcharges Smithalsohad anadditionalchargeattheDiamond Magistrates’ Court for breaching protectionorderagainstthewoman He was represented by attorney DarrenWade
The court heard that the man and the woman had been in an onand-offrelationshipforoverayear andahalf,butthewomanendedthe relationship after what she described as Smith’s abusive behaviour In December 2022, she obtainedarestrainingorderagainst
him,whichherepeatedlybreached. Throughout the ordeal, Smith allegedly harassed her continuously and had damaged some of her personal belongings. Fearingforherlife,thewomansaid she had hoped that justice would eventually prevail. After what she describedasalongandexhausting legalprocess,thewomansaidsheis relieved to finally see her expartnerbeingheldaccountableand placedbehindbars.
Speaking with Kaieteur News, she expressed mixed emotions but gratitudefortheoutcome.“Whenit comes to the decision, I honestly wanted it to be more, but I am so grateful and satisfied. I endured stress and humiliation because those photos were posted on the
internet and various social media platforms. It will leave a digital footprint that will never go away, but I am satisfied, justice has been serveddespiteittakingalmosttwo years,”shesaid. She also offered words of encouragement to other women facing similar abuse. “I would encourage young women in the same position not to give up. Suicide is never an option; it’s neverananswer Justkeeppraying, trusting God, and don’t give up on thecourtcasenomatterhowtiring and stressful it can be Keep showing up, keep going to court,” sheadvised.
The woman had previously shared with this publication the extent of Smith’s harassment. She
Guyanasignssixnewairservicesdeals
…asGovt.pushestomakeCJIAaregionalaviationhub
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) recently p
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2025) whereitnegotiatedandinitialedAir Services Agreements (ASAs) with sixcountries.
The event was held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from November 10 - 14, 2025 and Guyana was represented by officials of GCAA led by Lt. Col. (Ret’d)EgbertField,A.A.-Director General,andMr DinelloMahabirManager, Air Transport Management.
According to a release from GCAA,theagreementsweresigned withPanama,St.Maarten,Uganda, Ecuador, Liberia, and Kenya. The Civil Authority stated that the
Agreements create the legal framework that opens market access for airlines to operate and enhance competitive air transport services, trade, and economic growth between Guyana and these States.
GCAA noted that it is anticipated that these Agreements willstimulateinterestfromairlines in these countries to consider destination Guyana as part of their route network. “With these new Agreements, Guyana now has bilateralandmultilateralASAswith oversixtyStates,”GCAArelated.
Quoting the Minister of Public UtilitiesandAviation,DeodatIndar he said the “Air Services Agreements signed by Guyana are necessary to advance our aviation sector We are building a transformative aviation sector and
having ASAs with other states is criticaltoaccomplishingthevision ofconnectingGuyanawiththerest of the world and building the Cheddi Jagan InternationalAirport into an international air transport hub.”
Additionally,onthesidelinesof the ICAN event, GCAAstated that the Director General also signed
Technical Cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authorities of Cabo VerdeandtheDominicanRepublic.
“These MOUs aim to improve the development, modernisation, and operational efficiency of aviation systems between Guyana and these countries. Although the MOUs are non-binding, they signify the mutual commitment of both authorities to seek innovative solutions that enhance aviation safety, strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance knowledge sharing and the adoption of best practices in safety management, regulatory oversight, and training, including exploring mutual interests in areas such as human resources management and the economic regulation of air transport,”theAuthorityexplained.
GCAA also informed that they commenced negotiations with France to update the 1974 Air ServicesAgreement between these countries The update of the agreement will allow airlines of bothstatestooperatetoeachother’s territory under a more liberal arrangement. It was reported also thatnegotiationswerealsoinitiated to establish an Air Services AgreementwithAustria.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field signing the various Air Services Agreements with representatives from the countries.
recounted that even while he was facing legal action, the abuse escalated. “He created a Telegram groupandpostedmyphotos,andhe also uploaded a video he recorded without my knowledge using a hidden camera of us having sex,” she said She further recalled incidents where he appeared at her home unannounced after being grantedbailandthreatenedher.
Jeremy Smith sentenced to 24 months in prison
WANTED VACANCY
Sales Clerk wanted to work in store. Attractive salary offered. Call: 661-1000.
Wanted Drivers To Drive Canters , Experience Is An Asset . Porters To Work In Warehouse. Attractive Salary . Tele: 673-7373 .
Reputable transportation service is seeking experienced Chauffeur with mini bus and hire car license. Call: 645-0025.
Wanted one Maid.For more information please Call: 680-1282.
Wanted 1 House Cleaner in Georgetown. Must be honest and reliable, age 40-45 years. Contact 227-2321.
Job opening: Truck Driver, AC Technicians, Excavator and Skid Steer Operator. To apply send application via WhatsApp: 689-1111/ 6082114.
Sales Rep needed, ages 1830 years. Knowledge of vehicle model will be an asset. Contact: 619-1237.
VEHICLES FOR SALE
1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956.
One clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2 call 615-9132 or email application to techserigy@yahoo.com.
Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call 615-9132.
Maid for East Bank area call 615-9132.
One (1) female cleaner for Eccles office call 645-8443.
Painter and Electrician call 615-9132.
Vacancy for 1 live in care taker handy . $100,000 monthly , grocery included (free medical) , Call : 6955310/627-9945 .
Experienced office clerk, 30 yrs or older, proficiency in Microsoft Office, send application to: lawofficevacancy014@gmail.com
PITMEN NEEDED for interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 231-2250.
Govt. invites bids for new water treatment plant at Mabaruma
The government through the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is inviting contractors to bid for the establishment of a water treatment plant at Mabaruma, Region One.
According to the tender notice, the project is for the plant design, supply, installation and commissioning of the facility. The bids for the project are expected to open on December 2, 2025 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office.
The Guyana Water Inc. had reported a few days ago that a high-level technical team from its office conducted critical site visits as preparations ramp up for major water infrastructure development in the region.
The primary goal of the visit was to conduct a thor-
ough analysis and discussion on the geographical layout and capacity of the area’s water systems. Discussions were centered on identifying the most reliable potential water sources to feed the new treatment plant.
GWI stated that the Mabaruma Water Treatment Plant is set to serve Central Mabaruma and its surrounding communities.
The technical team from the Guyana Water Inc. conducting site visits for a new water treatment plant at Mabaruma, Region One.
“This plant is designed to fundamentally transform water delivery in Mabaruma by streamlining water quality and facilitating a 24-hour supply to residents. Currently, Mabaruma relies on a water system that limits service to intermittent, sectional delivery. The treatment plant will consolidate and enhance this system for consistent service,” the agency had explained. GWI stated that the construction of this water treatment plant, alongside the development of new wells, signifies the government’s unwavering commitment to expanding essential utilities and improving the daily lives of citizens in every region.
“GWI’s proactive efforts in Mabaruma underscore the dedication to building robust, modern infrastructure that ensures reliable, high-quality water service for all,” the agency noted.
Govt. set to launch hassle-free appointment app
A groundbreaking digital appointment app is on the verge of its launch, expertly crafted to eliminate the hassle and long-standing frustrations associated with accessing government services.Speaking at an engagement in New Amsterdam, Region Six, on Friday, Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, said the app is currently in its testing phase and will enable citizens to book appointments at any government agency. “We are testing right now the app where you can make appointments at any government agency.
So, you are not turning up, not knowing whether you are going to be served or not,” he said.Minister Ally explained that users will be able to choose available dates and times, receive confirmation, and be assured of ser-
ACCOMMODATIONS
Aracari Hotel, WBD (Versailles, Vreed-en-Hoop)A/C, all amenities & breakfast included. From $78 US. Call: 264-2946.
vice on arrival.
He said the initiative forms part of the President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s broader vision to digitalise and modernise public services and reduce inefficiencies. “If you don’t take advantage of these opportunities that are here, you are going to be left behind. Don’t be left behind, our president is making sure that all of Guyana is moving in the direction of a digitised economy,” the minister emphasised.He further shared that as a result of President Irfaan Ali’s man-
date to improve public service across the country, agencies such as the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) will also become digital. Minister Ally’s ministry and the Ministry of Finance were given eight months to fully digitise the NIS to ensure reliability, efficiency and respect for citizens’ time and dignity.
“What it means is that you are going to wake up one morning… download the NIS app, put in your information, see which service you need, check your contributions, apply for compliance, all
within five seconds and without even turning over in your bed,” he said.Minister Ally also added that digital systems will be implemented to improve accountability in infrastructure works. A new real-time project dashboard has been created, allowing the President to monitor progress on every government project. The minister said the government is committed to ensuring that residents of Region Six and all Guyanese benefit from improved, technology-driven public services. (DPI)
Chef fined for illegally importing dogs
A 40-year-old woman was on Monday fined $20,000 for importing 10 dogs without the necessary permit.
Elizabeth Chung, called “Liza,” a Chef of Albertown and Alexander Village,
Georgetown was arrested on November 22, 2025 at the Bina Hill Police Checkpoint, Region 9. She was charged with Importing a terrestrial animal without a permit, contrary to Section 22(1) and Section
40(1)(a) of the Animal Health Act No. 7 of 2011. Chung appeared at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court before His Worship Omadatt Chandan. The charge was read to her, she pleaded guilty and was fined.
The Digital ID Conundrum: How Can Registration...
From page 05 decision” is sufficient to launch a national digital identity system, what other areas of our lives can be governed by executive fiat rather than enacted law? The potential for overreach is immense.
Proponents may argue that the project is voluntary for now. However, the direction of travel is clear: this Digital ID is intended to become integral to accessing public
and eventually private services. The pressure to register will become immense, effectively making it mandatory for functional citizenship, all while its legal framework remains a ghost.
We are told to trust the process, but by the same token, frustrating the process of seating the presumptive LOO, MPAzruddin Mohamed, is an epic oxymoron. In my opinion, in a mature democracy, we do not govern by
trust alone; we govern by clear, transparent, and enforceable laws. The government must immediately halt the registration process until the enabling legislation is properly debated, passed, and assented to. To do otherwise is to build our digital future on quicksand, undermining the very legal principles that protect every citizen.
Sincerely, Jonathan Subrian Esq.
CAPE pure Mathematics online lessons.
M.I.Karimullah (Guyana Scholar), BSc, MSc. Email: capegy592@gmail.com / WhatsApp: 724-9552. EDUCATION
Region 10 REO violation of act 10 of 2018...
From page 06 a manufactured outcome. APNU/PNC, fully aware they lost the region, and are attempting to reclaim the Chairmanship through political bargaining rather than voter mandate. That is not representation—that is a betrayal of the electorate.
Therefore, I formally demand: 1. The Minister of Local Government to issue lawful direction compelling the immediate convening of the election of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the RDC Region 10.
2. The Local Government Commission to initiate disci-
plinary proceedings and remove the REO for: dereliction of duty, violation of statutory procedure, interference with democratic governance. Any further delay is not procedural—it is political.
Sincerely Michael Carrington AFC Vice Chairman
Chef fined for illegally importing dogs
CH&PA to spend $1.1B to develop housing schemes in Regions 3, 4 &5
TheCentralHousingand Planning Authority (CH&PA) is gearing up to spend approximately $1,138,741,621 to execute infrastructure works in new housing areas in Regions Three,FourandFive.
According to the recent reading of bids, the areas identifiedareatStewartville (East & West) on the West Coast Demerara, Great
Diamond Block ‘7’ on the EastBankofDemerara,and at Burma, Region Five. The projects will be done in variouslots.
This publication understandsthatsomeofthe infrastructure developments in these areas include construction of roads, drainage, culverts, drainage networks, and electrical works.
Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:
CentralHousingandPlanningAuthority(CH&PA)
InfrastructureDevelopmentWorksatStewartville East&West,WestCoastDemerara-Lot5&14.
InfrastructureDevelopmentWorksatGreat DiamondBlock‘7’,EBD,Region#4-Lot2.
InfrastructureDevelopment WorksatBurma,Region#5-Lot3.
MustapharollsoutnewagripushinLindenin
…Youth projects, shade houses, livestock plan among major boosts major
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday unveiled a fresh
wave of agricultural initiatives for Region Ten duringacommunitymeeting withresidentsandfarmersat the Christianburg CommunityCentre.
A c c o r d i n g t o a Department of Public Information (DPI) press
release, Mustapha underscored Linden’s growing role in the national food system, pointing to major investments the PPP/C government has already pumped into the region. Among them is the state-of-the-art hydroponic facility that trains and employs young people, an initiative he said reflects President Irfaan Ali’s push for stronger youth and female participation in agriculture.
Theministerannounced
Association’s request for a shade house has been approved, with delivery set forthecomingdays.
He also placed heavy emphasis on ensuring the region’s agro-processing facility operates daily, noting that several major companies have already expressed interest in sourcinglocalproduce.
He urged farmers to
ramp up production to meet the expected spike in demand.
As part of the broader diversification plan for Region Ten, Mustapha said support will be extended to livestock farmers, including efforts to develop a Black Belly Sheep brand in Linden.
He further committed to exp
farmland,increasingsupport for new entrants, and boosting milk production in Moblissa, measures he said will open up new income streams for residents Mustapha encouraged farmers to partner closely with government, stressing thatRegionTenispoisedfor significant agricultural growth as the sector continuestodiversify
Finance Minister, other officials visit families of victims killed in Corentyne accident
Following the fatal vehicular tragedy that caused ripples throughout the Corentyne and other parts of Region Six, government officials on Sundayvisitedthehomesof the bereaved families to offersupport.
Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh led a team comprising Member of Parliament Zamal Hussain, Regional Chairman of Region Six Junior Bassant, Regional Education Officer Sattish Udit, and the Regional Health Officer Vineshri Khirodar to the Limlair Village, Corentyne residence of 16-year-old Jodea Seline, where they offered condolences on behalfofPresidentIrfaanAli and the government to her mother, siblings and other relatives.
Seline, a student of the Central Corentyne Secondary School, lost her life on Friday evening after the bus transporting her and other schoolmates from the
Inter-School Athletics
Championshipwasinvolved in an accident on the No.63 Village Public Road, Corentyne. Her 13-year-old sister, Janiah, also sustained injuries from the incident, and is a patient at the High Dependency Unit at the No. 75VillageHospital.
Thefinanceministerand team then proceeded to the home of Jerome Bernard, where similar sentiments wereconveyed.
Bernard,31,ofBrighton Village, Corentyne was a teacher at the same school
Jodea attended. He suffered severe head injuries and succumbed while receiving treatmentonSaturdayatthe GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation(GPHC).
Following their visits to the mourning families, the governmen
journeyed to the No. 75 Village Hospital where they visited the students injured fromtheaccident.
On Monday, another batch of officials, led by the regional chairman, and included the Regional Vice Chairman Wajid Khan and
Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud, visited the hospital to assess the stateofthevictims.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had confirmed thattheminibus,BAB7570, was heading north with 17 passengers, which consisted of teachers and students around 18:05 hrs. when the driver reportedly lost control, causing the vehicle totoppleseveraltimes.
Bernard was said to be theonebehindthewheel,as hewastheregulardriverfor school-relatedevents.
PM Phillips holds talks with Suriname’s President
W
Bouva and the Ambassador ofGuyanatotheRepublicof Suriname, HE Virjanand Depoo, were also at the meeting.
Prime Minister Phillips and his wife, Mrs Mignon
Bowen-Phillips, also joined
gsSimons at an official luncheon hosted at the Royal Torarica
Members of the Naibingi Association receiving a tractor from the Ministry of Agriculture
Officials at the hospital
Almost 70,000 killed in Israel’s
Genocidal war on Gaza
(AL-JAZEERA)Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 69,733 Palestinians and wounded 170,863 since October 2023. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023,Hamas-ledattacksand about 200 were taken captive.
Despite the US-backed ceasefire, Palestinians are buryingtheirlovedoneswho were killed as Israel continues to violate the fragile truce Officials in Gazasayatleast342people have been killed, many of them children, since the agreement went into effect onOctober10.
More than 9,500 Palestinians remain missing as search efforts continue amid the widespread destruction caused by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza,accordingtoestimates by Gaza’s Government mediaoffice.
Funerals were held across Gaza Monday for PalestinianskilledinIsrael’s
Mourners pray next to the body of one of two Palestinians killed by Israeli fire, according to medics, during their funeral at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis [Ramadan Abed/Reuters].
scaled-back but ongoing bombardment of the territory
Four Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire across Gaza Israel has violated the ceasefire more than500timessinceitcame into effect in early October, Gazaofficialssay At least one Palestinian
was hit by Israeli fire in the Shujayea neighbourhood of GazaCity,asourceatal-Ahli Arab Hospital tells Al Jazeera Elswhere, an unconfirmed number of people were wounded in Israeli shelling in Beit Lahiya,inthefarnorthofthe GazaStrip.
The entirety of Gaza
remainsinthegripsofIsraeli army attacks, anxiously awaitingthesecondphaseof the ceasefire, should it indeedcontinuetohold.
Three Palestinian families have been forced from their homes due to Israeli settler attacks on a Bedouin community in the occupiedWestBank,Wafais reporting.
Thefamilies,fromthealHathroura Bedouin community in the Khan alAhmararea,eastofoccupied East Jerusalem, fled due to ongoing hostility from settlers,includingassaulting residents, stealing property, and harassing shepherds, all under the protection of Israeliforces,officialssaid.
Two other families from the community have also fled in recent weeks due to theattacks.
In other acts of settler hostility in the occupied WestBank,groupsofsettlers stormedthenorthernareaof KafrQaddumvillage,eastof Qalqilya, under the protection of Israeli soldiers who then clashed with residents, injuring two women and arresting two men,Wafareported.
‘Children take the mic’
Four civilians were killed as a result of these attacks, which Israel claims are measures taken to remove threats towards its troops beyond the yellow demarcationline.
What’s demoralising to see on a daily basis is the wider-scale demolition campaigns taking place in the eastern areas of Gaza C
something more systematic thanisolatedstrikes.
Entire rows of houses, farming plots and municipal infrastructure have been destroyed, often in areas where there’s no active combat.
People here see it as an Israeli attempt to carve out new buffer spaces and permanentlyalterthemapof Gaza’s eastern edge. Critics say these actions amount to the erasure of whole communitiesundertheguise ofsecurityoperations.
In a separate incident, Israeli settlers bulldozed landbelongingtoPalestinian residents in the town of Turmus Aya, north of Ramallah,astheycontinued with work on a road linking to an Israeli settlement for a secondconsecutiveday.
…voices rise at national conference on World Children’s Day
UNICEF Guyana in partnership
w i t h t h e MinistryofHumanServices and Social Security and the Rights of the Child Commission, hosted a Children’s Conference on Monday in observance of WorldChildren’sDay The event brought together more than 200 participants, including students from various schools,orphanages,andthe Unit for the Blind and Visually Impaired Key stakeholders from the
MinistriesofHealth,Natural Resources, and Education were also present, UNICEF Guyanasaidinarelease. Theconferenceprovided a platform for children to voice the issues affecting them and to share recommendations for strengthening the fulfilment of their rights. Insights gathered from the day’s discussions will support the MinistryofHumanServices and Social Security in developing a policy document the Children’s Manifesto—aimed at better
A section of the children at the conference
serving children across Guyana. World Children’s DayisUNICEF’sglobalday of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention ontheRightsoftheChildon November 20. Around the world, children are standing up and talking about their lives, their hopes, and their rights.
Meanwhile, in brief remarks,MinisterofHuman ServicesandSocialSecurity, Dr Vindhya Persaud reminded the children that they are leaders and they
shouldplayanactiverolein shaping the policies that affect them She also announced the creation of a Children’s Manifesto, capturing ideas and priorities directly from children across Guyana to guide future programmes and decisions Minister Persaud encouraged children to speak up confidently, especially against bullying, abuse, or discrimination and urged adults to take every disclosureseriously She highlighted
Representative of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname, Gabriel Vocke Minister of Human Services and Social Secuity, Dr Vindyha Persaud
children’s rights to safety, education, nutrition, and support, while promoting keyservicessuchasthe914 hotline, the Parenting and Life Skills Programme, and youth-friendlyspaces
“You are leaders today,” she told them “Your voices matter, and Guyana is listening” The event was hosted by the Ministry in partnershipwithUNICEFand the Rights of the Child Commission
Representative of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname,GabrielVockelsaid the organisation continues to workwithgovernmentsacross the world to ensure children are healthy, educated and
protected, and Guyana is no different He said since his deployment to Guyana just overayearago,hehasbeenon the ground interacting with children from across the country, learning about them, and the challenges that confront them with the intention of putting forward solutions “UNICEF we care deeply about working with governments around the world including of coursethegovernmenthere inGuyanatomakesurethat wecanputinplacetheright l a w s , t h e r i g h t methodologies, the right envelope of money to ensurethatthesolutionsfor children can become real,” Vockelsaid.
Unlucky Harpy Eagles face Hurricanes, as threat from weather looms
Bad weather has backed the Guyana Harpy Eagles into a tight position with time running out as they remainoptimisticabouttheir chances in reaching the finals, as they face off against the Leewards Island Hurricanes today at the
Queen’sParkOval. Both Leewards and Guyana were robbed of
either a full day of play or part of the innings, making today’s match a must-win especially for the Eagles whose chances at reaching the finals have significantly diminished.
TheHurricaneswillbank on the expertise of Test opener Mikyle Louis, skipper Karima Gore, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, Jahmar Hamilton and Jewel Andrew All-rounders Nathan Edward and Daniel Dooram will also have importantroleslatedownthe
Savory will be concerning given his failure to convert after solid starts, while Mavindra Dindyal is also due a good score Offspinning all-rounder Richie Looknauth will also be crucialwiththebatwhilehis skills in the slow-bowling department alongside Motie andSinclairismoreneeded.
orderfortheHurricanes.
OverintheEaglescamp, tensions will be rising given theextentoftheworkleftto bedone,coupledwiththatof the weather Majority of Guyana’s runs will come from their in- players in KevlonAnderson,Raymond Perez, Matthew Nandu and asofrecentGudakeshMotie whoscoredwhatcouldhave been a match-winning halfcenturyonSunday
All-rounders Keemo Paul, who found some form recently, Ronaldo Alimohamed and Junior Sinclair have been useful duringthetoughpatchesand could yet again prove to be bigfortheirteam.
The lack of quality production from Kemol
Due to the stop-start nature of the season, the Eagleshaveyettofullyclick and with stakes higher than ever, tonight’s result could likelywrapuptheseasonfor the Guyanese The Hurricanes are currently in last place while the Eagles will be looking to move up theranksfromtheir4thplace spot.Also as part of today’s round, the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force will play the Windward Island Volcanoes at the Sir Frank Worrell Ground from 9:00h, with the Day/Night battle between the Jamaica Scorpions and the Barbados Pride bowling off from 14:00hs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Ground. (CliftonRoss)
Mavendra Dindyal
Mikyle Louis
Kemol Savory
NBA’s Chauncey Billups pleads not guilty in rigged poker games case
(Reuters)-PortlandTrail Blazers coach Chauncey Billupspleadednotguiltyin Brooklyn federal court on Monday in a sweeping criminal case accusing the NBA Hall of Famer of conspiring with the mafia to rigillicitpokergames.
Billups’ lawyer Marc Mukaseyenteredthepleaon his behalf before U S District Judge Ramon Reyes.
Billups is charged with fraudandmoneylaundering conspiracy He has denied wrongdoing through his attorneys.
The arraignment took placeduringahearingforall 31 defendants in the case. Prosecutors say they orchestrated an elaborate scheme using pro athletes’ star power to lure victims to card games then cheat them usinghigh-techequipment.
Cavaliers guard Damon Joneswasalsochargedinthe case, along with alleged members of New York’s La CosaNostraorganizedcrime families They have all pleadednotguilty
The case is related to a criminal probe of alleged bet-rigging by pro athletes, which coincides with the explosion of legal sports betting in the U.S. in recent years.
2025-26 CWI CG United Regional Super50 Cup Round 3… GHE vs. TTRF
Rain, DLS gives Red Force
6-run win over Eagles
ByCliftonRoss Guyana Harpy Eagles
were again robbed of a possible win when rain interrupted the final lap versus the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, who got the win by 6 runs via DLS last night at the Brian Lara CricketAcademyGround.
TheRedForcetrailedby 91 when rain arrived but were 6 runs ahead based on the Duckworth/Lewis System,thusgivingthemthe edge.
It was the third time this season that rain played the decidingfactorafterGuyana imploded batting first after staging a tremendous recovery from 54-5 in the 16thover,toendstronglyon 196alloutafter40.3overs.
Arobustknockof65off 58 balls from deputy Gudakesh Motie coupled with contributions from allrounders Keemo Paul (39) and Ronaldo Alimohamed (25), helped the Eagles finishrespectably
The Red Force bowling unit did a great job initially, before allowing the Eagles lower-order to stage a fightback.
VeteranseamerTerrance Hinds (3-18) and Ricky Jaipaul(3-29)ledtheattack, with help from four other bowlers who returned a wicketeach.
Spinners Motie (1-8), Junior Sinclair (2-21) and medium-pacer Alimohamed (1-23) were the wickettakersfortheEagles.
The Eagles ripped out theRedForce’stop-orderof
Gudakesh Motie held the Harpy Eagles together with a defiant half-century last night.
CephasCooper(12),Joshua Da Silva (11) and Jason Mohammed(15). Atthecrease,JydGoolie (29*) and opener Tion Webster (31*) steadied the shipastheytookthescoreto 106-4whenrainarrived. Harpy Eagles misfiring early on set them back, as half-centurions from the first game; Raymond Perez (11), captain Matthew Nandu (2) and Kevlon Anderson (2) failed to leave animprintthistimearound.
Kemol Savory (20) hit a six and a four while Mavindra Dindyal (1) went cheaply, as the Eagles lost themajorityoftheirprimary scorerswithnotenoughruns ontheboard.Alimohamed’s timeinthemiddleyielded3
The charges against Billups were unveiled in October alongside a related case charging Jones and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier with using insider knowledge to rig bets on NBA games between 2022 and2024.
Jones and Rozier have pleadednotguilty
In the poker case, prosecutors say Billups and other pro athletes enticed victims into games against cheaters who used X-ray card tables and altered shuffling machines to learn thecardsinvictims’hands.
The alleged scheme dates to 2019 and defrauded victimsofatleast$7million, according to prosecutors, who say members of the conspiracy used violence and extortion to collect on debtsincurredbyvictims.
Billups,49,isinhisfifth year as Portland’s head coach but is currently suspended. He played for seventeamsduringhisNBA career and won a championship with the DetroitPistonsin2004.
Earlier this month, B
pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz with fraud and money laundering for allegedly rigging bets on their pitches during MLB games. They have pleaded not
d wrongdoing through their attorneys.
fours and a six before the fightback from Motie and others aided Guyana’s push to a psychologically defendablescore.
Motie showed h
international experience, smashing six fours and 3 sixes as he sped to his fifty, withsupport fromPaulwho dealt primarily in sixes; smashingthree.
All-rounder Sinclair scoredaboundary-less17to help seal off the innings for Guyana.
Meanwhile, Barbados Pride beat Leeward Hurricanes by 7 wickets while the Windward Volcanoes and Jamaica Scorpions saw their match being abandoned without a ballbeingbowled.
Chauncey Billups, NBAHall of Fame player and coach of the Portland Trailblazers, leaves the Brooklyn Federal Court after appearing for a status hearing. (REUTERS/Adam Gray)
FIFA and Saudi Fund for Development team up to boost sports infrastructure
Everton’s Gueye sent off for clash with team-mate Keane
Development (SFD) will provide up to $1 billion in concessional loans to build or enhance footballing infrastructure in developing
Understanding with FIFA announcedonMonday The initiative aims to
facilities, focusing on social
economicgrowth.
“FIFA’s role is to developfootballworldwide, and many of our FIFA Member Associations need additional support for the
infrastructure necessary to host competitions,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino saidinastatement.
“This agreement is a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA Member Associations have the facilities to make football truly global.” Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars in sports events, including soccer, Formula One, boxing and golf, with critics accusing the country
n “sportswashing” over its humanrightsrecord.
Thekingdomhasdenied accusations of human rights abuses.
The SFD provides concessional loans and technicalaidtofundprojects indevelopingcountries.
GuyanaNRA National Championships...
Fields increases lead going into final day; top shot on day 2 also
Another calculated performance from Captain oftheGuyanaNationalRifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Fullbore section, Dylan Fields, saw him increasing the lead on his counterparts following the penultimate dayofrivalryatthenational championships at the TimehriRifleRanges.
F i e l d s , L e n n o x Braithwaite and Sherwin Felician all recorded possibles on Sunday, Fields (50 4) and Braithwaite (50.3)atthe900yardsrange, while Felicien shot his at
500 yards (50 5) Fields havealsodoubledhisleadto six points on the field in the X Class and will be aiming to maintain this dominance come the final day, this Sunday,November30.
Three ranges will be contested, 900 yards (2 sighting shots and 7 rounds to count); 1000 yards (2 sightingshotsand10rounds to count) and 300 yards (2 sighting shots and 7 rounds tocount).
Followingaretheresults fromdaytwoandtheoverall aggregate:
BBC Sport - Everton’s Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking team-mate Michael Keane in the face duringhisside’s1-0Premier League win at Manchester United.
U n i t e d ’s B r u n o Fernandes had just gone closetoscoringwhenGueye and Keane began arguing in the 13th minute at Old Trafford, with the game goalless.
Defender Keane appeared to twice push Gueye away before the midfielder hit him with an openhand.
Everton’s England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had to pull the pair apart before referee Tony Harrington showed Gueye a straight red card for violent conduct.
The Premier League MatchCentrelaterpostedon X: “The referee’s call of red
card to Gueye for violent conduct was checked and confirmedbyVAR-withthe action deemed to be a clear striketothefaceofKeane.”
The law for violent conductdefinesasendingoff offence as striking an opponent or any other person, on the head or face
with their hand or arm, unless the force used was negligible.
According to Opta, it is onlythethirdtimeonrecord (since2000-01)aplayerhas been sent off in the Premier League for clashing with own team-mate after Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer -
for Newcastle againstAston Villa in 2005 - and Ricardo Fuller withAndy Griffin for Stoke in 2008 against West Ham.
Despite playing most of the game with 10 men, Everton won thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 29th-minutegoal
Sports Awards Gala was classy and professional – AAG
ThePresident,executive an
Athletics Association of Guyana would like to commend the Ministry of Culture,Youth and Sport for hosting a first of its kind National Sports Awards which took the form of a
Hermonstine said: “I think the event was a statement piece,oneofakind,andvery c
t showed professionalismwithatouch o f g l a m o r ”
The AAG believes that the recipients of awards and accolades were carefully selected by the panel responsiblewhichwasalsoa huge positive for the event. H e r m o n s t i n e , a longstanding administrator and former athlete, shared that the sports fraternity is humblyhonouredtoseethis level of recognition which speaks to the vision of the government of Guyana being executed by the
Ministry of Culture, Youth a n d S p o r t ”We must wholeheartedly commend and thank His Excellency President Ali and his government for believing and investing in sports. We at theAAG have been benefitting for the past fiveyearsandweareseeing infrontofustherewardsfor this investment and empowerment of our athletes. The Ministry of Sport and the National Sports Commission must also be applauded for the work that they have been doing with the AAG, they have been a pillar of s t r e n g t h ” Athleticswillcontinuetodo wellaswecontinuetoinvest in and expose our young athletes especially The Academy programme has been instrumental in honing theskillsofourathletes,and we are also thankful for this i n v e s t m e n t SportsinGuyanaisinagood place.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye is held back by Jordan Pickford after being sent off for striking team-mate Michael Keane. (Getty Images)
GBFnamesexperiencedsquadforFIBA3x3AmeriCupinMexico
…team departs on Wednesday
serveastheteam’sdelegate. Toney, who also sits on the
ation’s 3x3 Working Group, explained that this year’s selection process posed several challenges due to updated FIBAregulations.
Guyana 3x3 Basketball team for the event.
The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has unveiled its four-man roster for the 2025 FIBA 3x3
AmeriCup, set for November 27–30 in León, Mexico. Theannouncement marks the continuation of Guyana’s growing commitment to the fastpaced global discipline, as the nation aims to build on past performances and push for a breakthrough in this year’scompetition.
Headlining the squad is newcomer Deylon Bovell, a US-based Guyanese player
who will be making his AmeriCupdebut. Bovell, however, is far from a novice in the 3x3 arena.Widely known on the US circuit for his activity in numerous tournaments, he has long been on the GBF’s radar for the shorter format of the game. GBF President Michael Singh said Bovell’s inclusionisatestamenttohis dedication, adding, “Deylon has always been committed to representing Guyana. He understands the 3x3 game, he’s seasoned, and we believe he will bring a fresh
dynamictothesquad.”
Joining Bovell are three playerswithpriorAmeriCup experience. Nikkoloi Smith, whowillbemakinghisthird appearance at the event, along with standouts Travis BelgraveandHaroldAdams, both returning for their secondoutings.
The combination of experienced campaigners andnewbloodpresentswhat theFederationbelievestobe a well-balanced mix for success.
GBF Vice President RawleToneywillonceagain
Bodybuilding pleased with NSC Gala Awards Ceremony
Being invited to t h e 2 0 2 5 NationalAwards
Gala was an honour for the Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GBBFF).Itwasaprivilege to attend such a prestigious event and to receive several n o m i n a t i o n s This gala marks a new era for sports in Guyana, highlightingandcelebrating thetopathletesandofficials who dedicate themselves year-round.
T h e e v e n t w a s excellently organised, and we eagerly look forward to the next National Awards Galawithhopesofsecuring even more victories
The Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation extendssincerethankstothe Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the National
Roger Callendar - President GBBFF
SportsCommission,andthe Government of Guyana for their continued support and recognition over the years. The Honourable Minister, CharlesRamsonJr.,isaman of his word and one of the finest sports ministers Guyana has ever had Alongside the dynamic and dedicated Minister within theMinistry,StevenJacobs,
their commitment to advancing sports and bodybuilding is unwavering Without their support bodybuilding would not be whereitistoday,wearetruly gratefulandappreciateevery e f f o r t m a d e We look forward to an even brighterfutureinpartnership with the Ministry and the GovernmentofGuyana.
compete in Mexico Bovell plays a lot of 3x3, and Belgrave,Adams, and Smith are all familiar with the demands of the AmeriCup They understand what it takestowin.”
“Team selection was tough,”Toneysaid “Thenew rules required that players must have participated in at leasttwo3x3tournamentsin 2025 Ideally, the GBF had planned to host its National Championshiptocreatethose opportunities,buthostingthe Women’s Caribbean Championship meant every resource had to go in that direction.”
AccordingtoToney,GBF turnedtoplayerrankingsand eligibilitycriteriatoguideits decisions
“I think we’ve chosen a solid team, ” Toney continued “They have the experience and skill set to
Guyana has been placed in GroupAof the qualifying round, where they will face Jamaica and St Lucia on November 27 Toney acknowledged the difficulty of the group, noting that the road to the main draw is anythingbutstraightforward
“Both Jamaica and St Lucia are tough opponents. But I believe in the guys we selected.TheAmeriCup is a tough tournament, and getting to the main draw won’tbeeasy Still,thisteam can give a good account of themselves and represent Guyana well at this level,” Toneysaid. ShouldGuyana advance, they will join Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in
GroupBofthemaindraw
The remaining teams already placed in the main fieldincludeMexico(hosts), defending champions USA, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile,Brazil,andArgentina.
Other countries participatinginthequalifiers are Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Haiti, The Bahamas, Venezuela, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Ecuador The FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup stands as the premier 3x3 basketball competitionintheAmericas, featuring elite teams from across the continent Guyana has yet to secure a direct entry into the men’s main draw, but the nation’s best showing came in 2022 when the quartet of Delroy James, Gordon James, NikkoloiSmith,andShelroy Thomas advanced from the qualifiers and narrowly missed out on a quarterfinal berthinMiami.
Travis Belgrave facing the Cayman Islands in Puerto Rico at last year’s FIBA3x3AmeriCup.
Nikkoli Smith in action at the 2024 FIBA3x3AmeriCup in Puerto Rico.