“Stop playing victim” – Jagdeo slams Azruddin Mohamed for 'bullyism', photoop politics
Cutlass-wielding bandit caught after robbing labourer
“Unlawful, unjustified, and excessive” – Judge tells cop of actions in killing
Early line-up outside Umana Yana
Opposition parties' fear of duplicate backers driving desperation – VP
General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo suspects that many of the opposition political parties have the same backers on their respective candidate lists, which they have to submit to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Nomination Day on Monday, in order to qualify to contest the upcoming elections.
Any party’s list with duplicate signatures is deemed defective, and if the political organisation is unable to rectify the issue, they will not be able to contest the September 1 General and Regional Elections.
Jagdeo said this could be why the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Alliance For Change (AFC) and other smaller political parties are camping outside of the Umana Yana in Georgetown – days before the Nomination Day activities are scheduled to take place.
“Their fear, the reason APNU started so early, is that the same people might be signing the backers list for AFC, APNU and Amanza [Walton-
Desir]’s party and…Simona Broomes’ party,” the PPP General Secretary said.
His comments came recognising that several persons have crossed from the AFC to the APNU, while Walton-Desir of the Forward Guyana political party and Broomes of the Assembly For Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) were a part of the APNU.
While the parties may share supporters, individuals are only permitted to back one political party as candidates on their lists which are submitted to
GECOM.
The lists include a Geographical Constituency List, a National Top-Up List and a Regional Democratic Council List.
Each party is required to submit their lists of candidates for the election of a president, members of the National Assembly and members of the Regional Democratic Councils to the Chief Elections Officer.
The law prescribed that the submissions of the lists of candidates and nominators will have to be done strictly on Nomination Day
and within the timeframe set – no time earlier or later. Consequently, these lists will be presented to the Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud, on Monday from 10:00 to 14:00 at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown.
No fear for PPP Jagdeo said that his party members, including Housing and Water Minister Susan Rodrigues and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy, recently visited the location after observing the other parties camping out.
However, after contacting GECOM, it was clarified that the Commission has not yet commenced register-
ing parties.
“GECOM said they did not take over the site as yet, so right now they are just lining up in front of [a building managed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport]. GECOM has not taken over the site as yet,” the General Secretary said.
Meanwhile, he said the PPP does not share the same fear as the other political parties since “we have backers like crazy…and we don’t have to worry about that duplication that can make our list deficient.” In fact, he said his party is still working to reduce the signatories on its list to the final count.
Each party’s National Top-Up List should comprise 300-330 nominators
and 42 candidates (persons to be elected to sit in the National Assembly), who all need a signed statutory declaration form in the presence of a Commissioner of Oaths or Justice of Peace, and include the name of the presidential candidate.
The Statutory Declaration form is what candidates sign to indicate that they are Guyanese and conform to other requirements set out in the law, such as that they are not a citizen of any other country.
Requirements
Meanwhile, the Geographical Constituency (Administrative Regions) List must include 150-175 nominators from each constituency.
With regard to the regional elections, the Regional Democratic Council List must comprise 150-175 nominators for each constituency – all residing in the said region – and 12 to 36 candidates also from within the region. They too are required to sign a statutory form.
Candidates and nominators can only appear on one party’s list, including on both the National Top-up and Geographical Constituency Lists, but can only appear on one of that party’s geographical lists.
TURN TO PAGE 5
The APNU and AFC representatives outside of the Umana Yana, Georgetown, although Nomination Day is next Monday
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 11 – 03:55h-05:25h and Saturday, July 12 –05:00h-06:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 11 – 17:00h-18:30h and Saturday, July 12 –5:10h-6:40h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected during the day, and cloudy skies with late-night showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metre and 2.68 metres.
High Tide: 17:10h reaching a maximum height of 2.45 metres.
Low Tide: 10:42h and 22:55h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.77 metre.
GDF gets 2.9M euro aircraft to enhance military operations, humanitarian assistance
…as Guyana builds Air Corps' capacity
As part of Guyana’s defence transformation, the Air Corps of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) continues to be bolstered with the acquisition of another aircraft that will strengthen military operations and humanitarian support to remote hinterland areas across the country.
The Technam P2012 aircraft was commissioned on Thursday afternoon at the GDF Air Corps Hangar located at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle, on the East Coast of Demerara. The newly built twin-engine multi-role aircraft was acquired from the Italian manufacturer to the tune of 2.9 million euros.
At the commissioning ceremony, Commander-in-Chief of
tool but a weapon of readiness, a bridge to the hinterland, and a lifeline in times of distress.
with unwavering speed…
This Technam aircraft is going to help us land on the
the Armed Forces, President Irfaan Ali, stated that the acquisition of this ‘sleek aviation asset’ is part of ongoing efforts to modernise the local Defence Force.
In this shift from ‘patching-up to powering-up’, the Head of State pointed out that government is going beyond just equipping the army to investing in the GDF’s aerospace capability.
“The aerospace investment goes beyond the assets that we have out here. It’s about leveraging fully our airspace and all available technology for the defence and modernisation of the sovereignty and security of our country,” he stated.
Underscoring the importance of building Guyana’s aerospace defence, President Ali pointed out that his government is thinking ahead of time when it comes to aerospace security.
“We already have ongoing negotiations and discussions surrounding satellite technology and other key and important air assets and defence systems that are critical to the safety and security of our country and to ensuring that our sovereignty remains intact,” he added.
According to the Commander in Chief, this investment in the new aircraft is reflective of the government’s continued commitment to the recapitalisation of the GDF and the strengthening of its Air Corps. The Technam aircraft, he added, is not just a
“We are building an Air Corps that is not only agile but versatile. One that can conduct surveillance at dawn and deliver supplies by dusk. One that can monitor our territory with pinpoint precision and deliver mercy missions
short strips in the deep hinterland. It is not an attack aircraft, but it will take us where the GDF must go – whether it’s to resupply a remote outpost, to assist in a medevac, or to respond in a moment of national emergency.”
“When we chose this type of aircraft, it was not because it looked pretty; we chose it because it could perform, because it could get in and out of those tight hinterland strips, and because it could be a true multi-role platform for military operations and humanitarian assistance. The Technam is a formidable addition to our fleet,” President Ali stated.
Over the last five years, the GDF has seen its budgetary allocations more than tripling, moving from $13.9 billion in 2019 to $50.4 billion this year. The Air Corps has received $9 billion during this time.
This has not only seen the acquisition of helicopters, a Beechcraft, a HAL 228 aircraft, and now a Technam aircraft but also investments in the Air Corps infrastructure, including the new stateof-the-art at Ogle, with plans underway for a second hangar at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Timehri.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Irfaan Ali, and GDF Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan with Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips; Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and other officials at Thursday’s commissioning of the new aircraft
The newly-acquired Technam aircraft
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Community engagement & Judiciary
The Judiciary of Guyana has made an admirable move by hosting its first-ever “Career Day” at the Lethem Magistrate’s Court earlier this month. This initiative, spearheaded by the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, OR, CCH, and let in the region by Magistrates Dylon Bess and Omadatt Chandan, signals a significant and refreshing departure from the traditional and often rigid perception of courts as institutions solely concerned with the dispensation of justice. By opening its doors to the public and engaging directly with the youth, the Judiciary has demonstrated a growing recognition of its broader societal role, one that includes outreach, education, and empowerment.
Courts are often seen as intimidating spaces, associated primarily with conflict resolution, criminal trials, and formal legal proceedings. The very architecture and atmosphere of a courtroom can be overwhelming to the average citizen, let alone to young people from hinterland communities who may seldom interact with judicial institutions. Against this backdrop, the decision to host a “Career Day” within the precincts of the Lethem Magistrate’s Court is more than symbolic. It is transformative. It signals a commitment to transparency, inclusion, and a reimagined relationship between the Judiciary and the people it serves.
This initiative stands as a clear example of public institutions reorienting themselves to be more accessible and relatable to citizens. By involving magistrates, law enforcement, regional officials, educators, and students in a shared space for dialogue and learning, the Judiciary has taken a definitive step toward demystifying its operations. It is also actively contributing to civic education and professional development, particularly in areas that are geographically distant from the administrative centre.
Lethem, located in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) is a rapidly growing community with vast potential and a rising youth population. Often, rural and hinterland youths face barriers in accessing information about career paths in public service, especially in sectors such as law and justice. Hosting a Career Day in Lethem directly addresses this gap. It allows students to interact with legal professionals and public officials in an informal, engaging setting. These interactions foster curiosity, broaden perspectives, and open up real possibilities for future career planning.
The event also illustrates how public institutions can collaboratively respond to local development needs. The participation of key regional figures—including Deputy Mayor Indira Singh and Regional Chairman Brian Allicock—alongside Assistant Superintendent of Police Seon Leitch and other officials underscores the importance of multi-agency engagement. It reflects a shared vision of leadership that values the inclusion of youth in developmental discourse, particularly in remote communities.
Further, this initiative reinforces the Judiciary’s role in nationbuilding beyond its core legal mandate. Public trust in the justice system is cultivated not only through the fairness and efficiency of trials but also through the institution’s willingness to be present and proactive in the lives of citizens. When courts engage with communities in constructive, non-adversarial ways, they help to foster a more justice-literate and socially responsible citizenry.
It is important to note that this event was not a mere token gesture. The presence of judicial officers such as Magistrates Dylon Bess and Omadatt Chandan demonstrated professional commitment and an earnest desire to build relationships with the younger generation. Their engagement at the community level serves as a model of leadership that is both service-oriented and forward-looking.
The positive precedent set by this Career Day should not be underestimated. It reflects a shift, one that recognises the value of outreach and its potential to strengthen the justice system by building public confidence and inclusivity. Moreover, it opens the door for similar initiatives across other regions, especially in areas where the judiciary’s presence is often limited to court sittings and legal proceedings.
This step by the Judiciary deserves sets a new benchmark for civic engagement and exemplifies how institutions of law can become true partners in community growth.
Ranks of the Guyana Police Force in a marchpast practice as they celebrate their 186th Anniversary. Today at the Police Officers' Mess Annex, an awards ceremony will be held, followed by the Fallen
Laying)
on Sunday in the Officers' Mess Compound (GPF photos)
With the world in crisis, many say end globalisation. I say that would be a mistake …terms like ‘deglobalisation’ have become commonplace, but what we need is true multilateralism. Erecting walls won’t bring us peace and prosperity
By Luiz inácio LuLa da SiLva
The year 2025 should be a time of celebration, marking eight decades of the United Nations’ existence. But it risks going down in history as the year when the international order built since 1945 collapsed.
The cracks had long been visible. Since the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, the intervention in Libya and the war in Ukraine, some permanent members of the security council have trivialised the illegal use of force. The failure to act vis-a-vis the genocide in Gaza represents a denial of the most basic values of humanity. The inability to overcome differences is fuelling a new escalation of violence in the Middle East, the latest chapter of which includes the attack on Iran.
The law of the strongest also threatens the multilateral trading system. Sweeping tariffs disrupt value chains and push the global economy into a spiral of high prices and stagnation. The World Trade Organisation has been hollowed out, and no one remembers the Doha development round.
The 2008 financial collapse exposed the failure of neoliberal globalisation, but the world remained locked into the austerity playbook. The choice to
bail out the ultra-wealthy and major corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens and small businesses has deepened inequality. In the past 10 years, the US$33.9 trillion (£25 trillion) accumulated by the world’s richest 1% is equivalent to 22 times the resources needed to eradicate global poverty, according to a report by Oxfam.
The stranglehold on the state’s capacity for action has led to public distrust in institutions. Discontent has become fertile ground for extremist narratives that threaten democracy and promote hate as a political project.
Many countries have cut cooperation programmes instead of redoubling efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The available resources are insufficient, the costs are high, access is bureaucratic, and the conditions imposed often fail to respect local realities.
This is not about charity, but about addressing disparities rooted in centuries of exploitation, interference and violence against the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. In a world with a combined GDP of over US$100 trillion, it is unacceptable that more than 700 million peo-
ple still suffer from hunger and live without electricity or water.
The richest countries bear the greatest historical responsibility for carbon emissions, yet it is the poorest who will suffer the most from the climate crisis. The year 2024 was the hottest in history, showing that reality is moving faster than the Paris agreement. The binding obligations of the Kyoto protocol were replaced by voluntary commitments, and the financing pledges made at COP 15 in Copenhagen in 2009 – promising US$100 billion annually – never materialised. The recent increase in NATO’s military spending makes that possibility even more remote.
Attacks on international institutions ignore the concrete benefits the multilateral system has brought to people’s lives. If smallpox has been eradicated, the ozone layer preserved and labour rights still protected in much of the world, it is thanks to the efforts of these institutions.
In times of growing polarisation, terms such as “deglobalisation” have become commonplace. But it is impossible to “deplanetise” our shared existence. No wall is high enough to preserve islands of peace and prosperity surrounded by violence and misery.
Today’s world is vastly different from that of 1945. New forces have emerged, and new challenges have arisen. If international organisations seem ineffective, it is because their structure no longer reflects the current reality. Unilateral and exclusionary actions are worsened by the absence of collective leadership. The solution to the multilateralism crisis is not to abandon it, but to rebuild it on fairer and more inclusive foundations.
This is the understanding that Brazil – whose vocation has always been to foster collaboration among nations – demonstrated during its G20 presidency last year and continues to demonstrate through its presidencies of the BRICS and COP 30 this year: that it is possible to find common ground even in adverse scenarios.
There is an urgent need to recommit to diplomacy and rebuild the foundations of true multilateralism –one capable of answering the outcry of a humanity fearful for its future. Only then can we stop passively watching the rise of inequality, the senselessness of war, and the destruction of our own planet. (The Guardian)
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is the President of Brazil
Heroes (Wreath
Ceremony
A period not to be repeated
Dear Editor,
We, as Guyanese, must always remember the past despite the fact that those in the PNC and the AFC would like us to conveniently forget it, especially disastrous events which transpired from 1964 to 1992 and 2015 to 2020, as well as what happened when the PPP/C became a minority government from 2011 to 2015. In actual fact, the performance of the APNU/AFC should be judged from 2011 to 2020, since they were together in their quest to wrest power. All Guyanese are cognisant of how the PNC destroyed their lives for the 28 years from 1964 to 1992, and this hardly needs repeating.
Those were the dark days when buying food was a criminal act.
In this letter, I will deal mostly with what transpired from 2011 to 2015. In the 2011 General and Regional Elections were held on 28th November, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic was victorious and won 32 out of the 65 seats. However, the APNU and the AFC, contesting on separate lists, secured 33 seats, giving them an absolute majority in Parliament, and this was the recipe for disaster. Together they unleashed their sinister plan and destabilised the socio-economic progress of the country, wreaking chaos and havoc
as the PPP/C government came face to face with the venom of Ramjattan and Nagamoottoo. The latter was the ‘scissors man’, and he appeared more as the happy and sadistic executioner with his hands on the guillotine ready to destroy an entire country. They shredded the budget year after year, stymieing the socio-economic progress of this country. During the period 2011 to 2015, they cut the budget by over $90 billion, thwarting the progressive trajectory of this nation. Some of these debilitating cuts affected the electricity sector (Amaila Project), the Speciality Hospital, the CJIA Modernisation
Project, ICT development, NCN and GINA, the Ethnic Relations Commission, Guysuco, etc. Every sector in some way was affected by Nagamootoo’s malicious ‘scissors’.
The APNU and AFC did not coalesce before the 2011 elections but did so in Parliament from then onwards to 2015. This paved the way for the No Confidence Motion submitted by Nagamootoo in August 2014, but he was denied the self-gratification of seeing the fruition of this move since the then President, Mr Donald Ramotar, prorogued parliament and made the final dissolution 6 months later.
GAWU urges ex-Mayor to think before he speaks
Dear Editor,
Former Mayor, Pandit Ubraj Narine, has found time in his not-so-busy schedule to respond to GAWU through a letter appearing in the July 05, 2025, Stabroek News, apart from a few social media pages.
The GAWU anticipated the ‘goodly’ pandit’s response, recognising he has been clutching at straws in a very apparent attempt to draw attention, and maybe sympathy, to himself. We are conscious that since demitting the Office of Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit has been relegated to a backseat role without any real responsibility and, we daresay, influence.
The ex-mayor highlights my presence in the National Assembly. Am I not, like him, entitled to the inalien-
able constitutional right of freedom of association? It would appear that Pandit Narine also aspires to occupy a seat in the august House. It would explain his attack on sugar workers and their genuine organisations. Is this not an attempt to please your political bosses, Pandit? Your playbook is evident.
The Pandit again harps about the reopening of Skeldon and Wales Estate. I believe I conclusively addressed both concerns in my previous response. It appears the former mayor has adopted Goebbels's idea of repeating a lie often enough that it becomes the truth. That being said, there would be no discussion on reopening estates if the Coalition Government had not closed those estates in the first
place. Of course, we are aware where the Pandit’s political allegiance lies.
Again, I addressed both of the ex-mayor’s concerns regarding the NIS and pension scheme. It would seem he did not thoroughly digest my response, and I would urge him to do so. It would avoid him putting his foot in his mouth.
Pandit Narine said he is “…not afraid to stand with sugar workers now…” I find his expression noteworthy. It goes back to what I said: he remained silent when sugar workers were treated discriminatorily under the Coalition regime. I wonder, therefore, how I discredited his political history when the ex-Mayor admits he is only now standing with sugar workers. Is this not a political convenience and hy-
pocrisy at its best?
The former mayor concludes by urging me to emulate GAWU’s former president, the late Komal Chand. His sentiment exposes how far Pandit Narine is at sea. Our Union continued to uphold the same principles and virtues embraced by Cde Komal and other past, outstanding leaders of GAWU. We remain committed to safeguarding our union members and the working class. We will not be distracted or deterred by political featherweights, such as Pandit Narine, seeking to scapegoat our Union to earn their fifteen (15) minutes of fame.
Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine President, GAWU
Opposition parties' fear duplicate...
With Guyana’s National Assembly comprised of 65 elected members, 25 of these are elected from the 10 geographical constituencies and the remaining 40 from the national topup list. Parties also have to ensure that one-third of the candidates nominated are female.
A breakdown of the 10 geographical constituencies shows that Regions One, Two, Five, Seven and 10 are allocated two seats each; Regions Three and Six get three seats each; Region Four is allocated seven seats; and Regions Eight and Nine get one seat each.
Political parties can contest a minimum of six of the 10 geographical constituencies, but when combined, those constituencies must amount to a total of 13 seats.
These requirements, as well as others, will be examined by the Chief Elections Officer, and those parties ’whose lists do not meet all the requirements will be deemed de -
fective. However, the CEO will inform of the defective list(s), and the respective parties will have one day to make corrections and resubmit the lists.
GECOM has software that it has been using since 2006, which has been fine-tuned over the years, to run the lists from each political party to identify defects such as repetition of names where they ought not to be.
For those lists with defects, the respective party will be informed by GECOM on July 15, and they will have until July 17 to make the corrections. GECOM will give final approval or disapproval of the lists on July 18. Thereafter, provisions are made for any party to take legal action to contest GECOM’s decision.
During this time also, parties can make withdrawals or notifications of the death of candidates to GECOM by July 15; submit withdrawals of lists by July 17; and submit notifications of the Joinder of
Lists by July 21.
GECOM will then be publishing the final and approved lists, titles and symbols on July 23 after a rigorous vetting process to ensure that all the submissions are in compliance with the various legal practices and procedures.
Although GECOM has approved the list of 21 political parties, several of the smaller parties have since formed alliances with either other small parties or with much larger political parties. These changes will be reflected when GECOM publishes the final list on July 23.
But the lies, deceit and false promises took their toll, and the more gullible Guyanese were fooled into giving the APNU/AFC Coalition a oneseat majority, which actually resulted in a return of the dark days of the PNC.
The infamous duo were more focused on their personal ambition and greed for money and power. The APNU was willing to sit back and allow the AFC to be in the forefront of the attack, which they gleefully carried out. A crying shame for these men who are without honour, who were viciously beaten, subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment and unjustifiably jailed by the same PNC, yet they clung on for dear life. It was clear that the AFC was not interested in compromises. They wanted to remove the PPP from government to satiate their lust for power and were willing to destroy this country in the process. Are we now seeing the same scenario being replayed, this time by the WIN political party? It is difficult not to conclude that the founder of this party and some of his members are not being motivated by the quest for vengeance like the duo from the AFC. This is a bad omen for the country and its people should the configuration of the next parliament allow this. Our people need to make an objective judgemental call after deliberate considerations. It is always prudent to remember that a bird in hand is always worth 2 in the bushes.
Today, it is poetic justice that the AFC has been unceremoniously kicked out of the Coalition after it has
relegated itself to the toothless and subservient poodle of the PNC. It had lost sight of all its founding principles, which had existed on paper only, and for a long time its members have been exiting with great haste. It is doubtful that the AFC, which had once won 5 seats in 2006 and 7 seats in 2011, could even bring home 3 seats in 2025. Guyanese are wary of newcomers who have no proven track record, no persuasive manifesto and are surrounded by a gang of misfits, opportunists and rejects. If wishes were horses, then beggars may ride. If anyone feels that a country is run by doling out alms and not by smart social and economic policies that promote sustainable and inclusive growth by addressing inequalities, fostering innovation, and building resilient communities, then that is a sad miscalculation. They involve a range of strategies, including social protection, targeted investments, and policies that encourage both economic development and social well-being. Is WIN or any other political party capable of this, except the PPP/C?
It is highly probable that the PPP/C will once again repeat its performance at the poll in 2006 when it won 36 seats or even surpass this since the One Guyana initiative is bearing great dividends and more and more Guyanese are convinced that it is the only multi-racial party which can deliver on its promises to the people.
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2025
Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
Multiplying fractions and mixed numbers
To multiply a fraction and a whole number, you need to multiply the numerator by the whole number. Then place the product over the denominator.
Example:
Multiply 14 x
Step 1: Multiply the whole number by the numerator of the fraction: 14 x 1 = 14
Step 2: Place the product over the denominator of the original fraction:
Step 3: The product will often be an improper fraction. You may need to change it to a mixed number:
Exercises: Multiply
Nearly every big, tall tree once started out as a small seed!
(Adapted from startwithabook.org)
By Padma Venkatraman
Think how many long years this tree waited as a seed for an animal or bird or wind or rain to maybe carry it to maybe the right spot where again it waited months for seasons to change until time and temperature were fine enough to coax it to swell and burst its hard shell so it could send slender roots to clutch at grains of soil and let tender shoots reach toward the sun
Think how many decades or centuries it thickened and climbed and grew taller and deeper never knowing if it would find enough water or light or when conditions would be right so it could keep on spreading leaves adding blossoms and dancing Next time you see a tree think how much hope it holds
Source: Poetry (March 2021)
Anthropomorphise That
Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics to something that isn't human, such as animal or object. Write a scene or story that includes anthropomorphism.
PPP/C to launch election campaign with message of
progress, prosperity,
patriotism – GS
…promises energetic rollout; inclusive, people-driven movement
The ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is set to ignite the 2025 election season with the official launch of its campaign on Sunday, pledging a powerful, people-centred movement anchored on the pillars of progress, prosperity, and patriotism.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo struck an assertive and optimistic tone, promising a dynamic, high-energy rollout that reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development and nation-building.
“We’re not campaigning on optics or gimmicks. We’re campaigning on real work, real progress, and a real plan for every Guyanese,” Jagdeo de-
clared on Thursday at his weekly press conference hosted at Freedom House, Georgetown.
According to the VP, the PPP’s message is universal; no group, region, or community is left behind.
From housewives to miners, youth to sugar workers, public servants to dif-
ferently-abled persons, every Guyanese, he said, will see themselves reflected in the party’s comprehensive development agenda.
“Our message is positive. We’re working for all of Guyana. We’re bringing people together across race. Everyone
is included. Housewives, young people, the people living with disabilities or children, the miners, everybody, the rice farmers, the sugar workers, every group, public servants or joint services – they can look to our plan and see things for themselves, either directly or part of the things that affect society. They’ll all see themselves in our plans. And every region is included.”
“You’re going to have lots of messages, but it will all be about progress, prosperity, our people growing – that our people are growing – that would be the message. Our country, patriotism, and love for country are vital. Those are the kinds of things, positive things. So multiple messages, but all re-
inforcing the love for this country, working towards progress, bringing all of our people together. That is what our campaign is about,” he revealed.
Jagdeo also spoke of a surge in volunteerism and enthusiasm across the country, from flag-mounting teams in Georgetown to grassroots supporters in all communities.
On this point, Jagdeo made it clear that the PPP is not campaigning just for power but to continue governing with urgency and impact.
“We still have a lot of things to do. There are several people who have not had all the benefits. I see some people say, Oh, we still have poor people. And the answer is yes. The answer is yes. We can’t get
rich in five years because of oil, and oil is only 37 per cent of the budget. You can’t do that, but we will make sure that they are not excluded, that those people who live now in poor circumstances get their help through jobs and better housing and more benefits, direct benefits, and we get their children supported, all of that for them, wherever they live in this country. So that’s what our message is about,” he added. As the PPP prepares to unveil its candidate list and mobilise thousands across the country, Sunday’s launch, which will be held at Kitty Market Square, Georgetown, is expected to mark the start of weekly rallies up until elections, which are slated for September 1, 2025.
GDF gets 2.9M euro aircraft to enhance military operations...
According to Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan, the acquisition of this Technam aircraft – the sixth aircraft in the last five years – consolidates the unprecedented transformation of the army’s Air Corps, with more similar assets to be acquired in the coming months.
He noted that the Technam aircraft was acquired to complement and support air operations such as rapid deployment to remote areas and the
conduct of surveillance, humanitarian, and search and rescue operations.
Brigadier Khan explained that this Air Corps transformation is led by the strategic guidance of the Commander in Chief to build, deploy and operate a modern, smart and resilient force to not only support national defence but also national development.
“Clear in this strategic guidance is our resolve to enhance our awareness, improve our adaptability and
increase our agility across all domains – air, land and sea, and cyber. And to protect our people and to protect our resources, to maintain peace, promote harmonious relations, and support regional integration through strategic defence partnership,” the Chief of Defence Staff said at Thursday’s commissioning ceremony.
President Ali and Brigadier Khan were joined
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, along with heads of other security agencies in the country for the commissioning of the Technam aircraft.
2 Chinese nationals fined for assault in Bartica
Two Chinese nationals were on Thursday fined for assaulting a man in Bartica, Region Seven
(Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Those charged are 37-year-old Cai Zhiming and 27-year-old Qiu Weifu, both labourers re -
siding at First Avenue, Bartica, who were arrested on Wednesday in connection with an incident involving Jason James.
The duo appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where they were each charged with assault causing actual bodily harm. Both men pleaded guilty to the offence.
Following their guilty pleas, the court imposed
a fine of $15,000 on each of the men. However, in default of payment, they face an alternative sentence of two weeks’ imprisonment.
The circumstances surrounding the assault have not been publicly disclosed. However, in a video of the assault posted by the Guyana Police Force on its social media page, the two men are seen kicking and cuffing James.
Relations…
…and bumps
Your Eyewitness is avidly following the goings on in the international arena – and it’s now an ARENA more than anything else!! – after Trump’s latest ascension to the US presidency. He’s transfixed as he wonders every morning which leader’s toes he’s gonna mash. Mash…not step on!! The latest was Lula of Brazil, who’d just hosted the latest BRICS meet. Now, as we know some folks – who seem to include Trump – think that BRICS+ will be hitting the US where it hurts the most to seize world leadership – in the pockets. And as such they need to be brought to heel. What precipitated that fear is there’s been murmurs of BRICS launching a new reserve currency to replace the US greenback that presently accounts for 87% of world trade!! That means, of course, that for America to buy ANY product in the world – from needles to spaceships – all it has to do is print pieces of paper and call it “greenbacks”!! And while some Jeremiahs wail about America carrying FOUR TRILLION dollars of debt – all America gotta do is print some more paper to service it (pay back)!!! To cover that contingency, Trump just had Congress authorise raising the debt burden to US$5 TRILLION!!
Now can you blame Trump for getting his buckta into a knot if that money tree would be trimmed by some alternative currency?? Hey…right away it would give the issuer of THAT currency the power to just print paper and collect real goods and goodies!! So to the BRICS supposed challenge, Trump slapped a further 10% tariff on their goods collectively – amounting to almost 50% of the entire world trade!! – above and beyond what he’s already done to them individually!! To which Lula responded: “The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor”!! Well, who told him to suggest that Trump can’t do whatever he wants?? Lula was lucky President #47 didn’t have his B2s drop some of those Bunker-Buster Bombs he’d unloaded on Iran!! Instead he mildly slapped an additional 50% tariff on American imports from Brazil starting August 1st!! So what if Americans gonna now wake up to more expensive coffee and orange juice - which it gets from Brazil!! For good measure, Trump claimed that Lula was also conducting a ”witch hunt” against Brazil’s right-wing former President Bolsonaro!! Seems Brazil’s Supreme Court – not Lula!! – had made some rulings that went against Bolsonaro – who literally worships Trump. So what the heck – they’re all Brazilians, no??!!
So what does all of this have to do with us – apart from entertaining your Eyewitness?? Well, our political aspirants should ponder if the leader of the second largest economy in the hemisphere gets that kinda treatment – what about them?!!
…with Africa
Even though it’s widely known Trump thinks Africa’s full of “sh*thole” countries – as he confided during his first term!! – he’s supposedly trying to make amends since his big, bad rival China has been making economic inroads in the continent. So he invited the presidents of five West African nations – Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal – to lunch at the White House.
He was surprised, however, when Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai said, “We want to work with the United States in peace and security within the region because we are committed to that and we just want to thank you so much for this opportunity.” Obviously believing Africans were “uncivilised” and couldn’t speak English “properly”, Trump responded condescendingly: “Thank you. And such good English. Such beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated? Where?”
He’s clearly ignorant of the fact that Liberia had been founded by Americans in 1822 and has a ruling elite descended from freed American slaves – with English as its national language!!
…among transgressors
Your Eyewitness was surprised that ANUG’s Chairman Dr Mark Defrance – who’s merged his party with Mohamed’s WIN – had been convicted of a transgression so serious he’d been suspended from practising medicine for two years. Birds of a feather…?
Charged and fined: Cai Zhiming
Charged and fined: Qiu Weifu
Kenesha Vaughn murder case Nigel Hughes under fire for stalling PI as DPP asked to revoke “special prosecutor” status
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has broken its silence on the ongoing Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Kenesha Vaughn, expressing concern over repeated delays and making clear that the case is not under police prosecution.
In a statement issued Friday, the GPF clarified that Attorney-atLaw Nigel Hughes, who was granted a fiat by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute the matter, has had exclusive conduct of the case since March 17. A fiat is official legal permission that allows a private attorney to prosecute a criminal case on behalf of the state.
matter. Citing the gravity of the offence and the repeated adjournments, the Force announced its intention to raise the matter with the DPP, requesting a revocation of the fiat granted to Hughes.
“For the capital offence of murder, this state of affairs is unacceptable,” the statement emphasised.
The case, involving businessman Marlon DaSilva, who is charged with the brutal killing of his partner Kenesha Vaughn on February 22, 2025, has been marred by delays. Although all statements have been filed, the PI has yet to commence substantively.
The police force, in a statement, expressed concern over media reports indicating that the prosecution has been ill-prepared, which it says reflects poorly on the administration of justice in such a serious
“The Guyana Police Force wishes to clarify that the ongoing preliminary inquiry of the State vs Marlon DaSilva for the murder of Kenesha Vaughn is not being prosecuted by the police,” the statement noted. “Mr Hughes and his associates have had sole conduct of the prosecution of this matter since the 17th day of March 2025.”
On Thursday, the matter was once again adjourned when it was called before Acting Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Defence attorney Sanjeev Datadin in an interview with News Room said the defence has been ready for
the past two months and that the delay lies squarely with the prosecution.
“We expected the trial to have started by now,” Datadin told News Room, adding that the defence is prepared to proceed and has only requested cross-examination of a few witnesses. According to him, the process should take no more than a day, and a ruling on whether DaSilva should face trial in the High Court can then be made.
Notably, the inquiry is being conducted as a “paper committal”, a streamlined process in which evidence is submitted in writing rather than through full oral hearings. Legal observers have noted that this format should expedite rather than delay proceedings.
Datadin further warned that if the prosecution continues to stall, the defence will move to have the murder charge dismissed.
Marlon DaSilva and Kenesha Vaughn in happier times
Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes
Cutlass-wielding bandit caught after robbing labourer
Junior Linton, also known as "Butter", of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was arrested on Thursday, minutes after attacking and robbing Yasmin Mohamed of Albouystown, Georgetown, with a cutlass.
The robbery occurred on Hogg Street, Albouystown, during which the suspect relieved the victim of $30,000.
Investigations so far revealed that on Thursday at about 05:30h, the victim, a 61-yearold labourer, was riding his electric bike along Hogg Street and was heading to the La Penitence Market when he was confronted by the 19-year-old suspect, who was armed with a cutlass.
The suspect then held onto the victim and pulled him off the cycle. The victim reportedly fell to the ground, during which the suspect pushed his hand into
the victim's pants pocket and relieved him of the cash.
During the ordeal, the suspect dealt the victim several blows to his body with the cutlass, after which he made good his escape.
The scene was captured by
CCTV cameras, and the suspect was arrested at a 'Guess House' on Hogg Street, Albouystown, with the cutlass in his possession.
The stolen money was not recovered. The teen is presently in custody pending investigations.
The items found in possession of the robber
The robbery was caught on CCTV camera
Death of Essequibo Coast businessman “Unlawful, unjustified, and excessive” – Judge tells cop of actions in killing
…jailed for 25 years
PPeters was on Thursday sentenced to 25 years in jail for the unlawful killing of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast businessman Orin Boston, nearly four years after the incident occurred.
On June 25, 2025, before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Essequibo, Peters was found guilty of manslaughter following a trial that featured testimony from some 25 witnesses.
He was remanded to prison and returned to court on Thursday for sentencing.
The 25-year sentence is to be computed from June 25 – the date the jury returned its verdict and Peters was remanded to prison.
The charge stemmed from an early morning shooting on September 15, 2021, during an anti-crime operation conducted by the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit at Boston’s home.
Despite the operation, no illegal items were found on the premises.
According to the prosecution, led by State Counsel Latifah Elliot, Peters unlaw-
fully shot Boston during the course of the raid. Peters, who chose to represent himself during the trial, was first charged in January 2022 and granted bail in the sum of $1 million.
The incident triggered outrage after Boston’s relatives disputed the police’s version of events.
While initial statements from the police suggested there was a confrontation, the family maintained that Boston was shot while sleeping.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, angry residents mounted roadblocks and lit debris in protest, demanding accountability for what many considered an unjustified killing.
An internal probe conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) was completed and sent to the Police Complaints Authority, chaired by retired Justice William Ramlall.
The findings were later reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who advised that manslaughter charges be instituted against the rank.
Peters was officially committed to stand trial in July 2022, nearly a year after the shooting.
Meanwhile, in handing down the sentence, Justice Kissoon declared that “the actions of Peters were unlawful, unreasonable, unjustified, disproportionate, and excessive.”
“The resort to lethal force was without any basis against an unarmed man asleep in his bed,” the Judge added.
The Judge further pointed out that the SWAT unit, comprising officers specially trained for high-risk interventions, failed in their responsibility to act with caution, restraint, and professionalism.
The Judge described their conduct as reckless, stressing that none of the officers had lawful grounds to enter Boston’s home, which he referred to as the man’s “castle and sanctuary”.
Man dies after opening fire with father’s gun during dispute
Joshua Taylor, 23, reportedly died from a suspected gunshot wound in the wee hours of Thursday following a disturbance at his Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, home.
Guyana Times understands that Taylor had been involved in an argument with his cousins in the yard when his father attempted to intervene and calm the situation.
However, reports indicated that Taylor ran into the house, retrieved his father’s licensed firearm, returned outside, and discharged several rounds into the air.
The incident was reported to the police. A patrol in the area responded, and upon their arrival, Taylor allegedly fled into a nearby yard, but he was subsequently apprehended by two civilians, one of
whom was a security officer. The men managed to restrain and disarm him. It was then that it was noticed that he was shot.
Taylor was then transported in an unconscious state to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was later pronounced dead.
While initial police reports stated there were no
visible marks of violence, further examination revealed a gunshot wound on his body.
Police also recovered a 9mm spent shell and a warhead from the scene as the investigation continues.
Up to late Thursday evening, the Public Relations Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has not released any information on the fatal incident.
olice Constable Sherwin
Dead: Orin Boston Jailed: Sherwin Peters
Justice Sandil Kissoon
Dead: Joshua Taylor
Nomination Day
Dual citizens must renounce foreign citizenship to be included on parties’ lists
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has cautioned individuals who are dual citizens to renounce their citizenship to any foreign country if they plan on being candidates for any political party for the upcoming elections.
Speaking at his party’s weekly press conference, Jagdeo said many persons have approached him indicating that they were being asked to join the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party led by USsanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed.
“Those who have been coming to me to ask; they have been offered money to go on Mohamed’s list; it is up to them to decide if they
want to,” he noted. Jagdeo referred to Gobin Harbhajan, the former Prime Minister's Representative in Region Six during the APNU/AFC administration, and Dr Veerasammy Ramayyah, who was a member of the AFC.
“I want to let Ramayyah and the others out there like Harbhajan walking around with lists to let them either give up their dual citizen-
ship or put their name on their lists, and some of the Mohamed’s family as well; let them give up their dual citizenship, and then you will know if they are really committed,” he added.
Ahead of Nomination Day on July 14, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has issued a reminder that any individual who wishes to sit in the National Assembly must renounce their citizenship to a foreign nation. This is in accordance with Article 155(1) (a) of the Constitution, which states that no one is qualified for election to Parliament if they owe “allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state”.
This article was ignored until 2019, when former
government MP Charrandas Persaud voted in favour of a no-confidence motion, which was tabled by the then PPP opposition and validly passed in the National Assembly.
A private citizen, Compton Reid, challenged the validity of the vote cast by Persaud in the National
Assembly on the basis that he breached Article 155 of the Constitution, which bars MPs from having dual citizenship.
Acting Chief Justice Roxane George then ruled that while Persaud’s vote remained valid since he was a valid MP at the time of his vote, by swearing al-
legiance to another state, a dual citizen is not qualified to be elected to serve in the National Assembly. The Court of Appeal has also upheld the constitutional requirement for membership to the National Assembly, namely that dual citizens are not eligible.
“I collected it from my soldier” – man caught with cocaine tells cops …“Samsung” jailed for drug offence
Police on mobile pa-
trol duty in Charity, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), back street on Wednesday night arrested a 25-year-old man after he was allegedly found in possession of over 28 grams of cocaine.
According to police, ranks from the Charity Police Station were on patrol around 20:02h when they observed a labourer of Siriki Village, Upper Pomeroon River, acting suspiciously as they approached. The officers stopped their vehicle and conducted a search on the person.
During the search, police said they discovered four transparent plastic bags containing several white/cream coloured rock-like substanc-
es suspected to be cocaine. The substance was seized, and the man was informed of the offence and cautioned. In
response, he allegedly said, “Officer, I collected it from my soldier.” He was taken into custo-
dy and escorted to the Charity Police Station along with the suspected narcotics. The substance was weighed and found to be 28.2 grams of cocaine. Investigations are ongoing.
In a separate case, Akash Parsaram, also known as “Samsung”, a 21-year-old construction worker from Success, East Coast Demerara, was charged with multiple offences stemming from incidents earlier this week.
Parsaram was arrested on July 7 by ranks of the Beterverwagting Police Station and charged with robbery under arms contrary to Section 222(c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 08:01. The charge relates to an incident in which he alleged-
Pensioner killed in head-on 2-vehicle crash at Friendship
Apensioner was on Thursday killed following a two-vehicle collision along the Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Dead is 77-yearold Mike Dasrat of Lot 24 Brickery, EBD.
Based on reports received, the accident involved a motor lorry, GAE 5317, which was at the time being driven by a 37-year-old resident of Timehri, EBD, and a motor jeep, PLL 8152, driven by the now-dead man.
Investigations revealed that the lorry was heading north while the Jeep was proceeding in the opposite direction.
However, the lorry driver told investigators that he was in the vicinity of Friendship Secondary
School when Dasrat swerved into his lane and continued to proceed further south in front of him.
Upon seeing this, he re-
portedly applied brakes, swerved west and brought his vehicle to a halt to avoid a collision, but due to the short distance, the
Jeep collided head-on with the lorry.
As a result of the impact, Dasrat sustained injuries to his body. He was subsequently pulled from the wreckage by emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and taken to the Diamond Public Hospital in an unconscious state.
He was examined and treated but later succumbed to his injuries. Up to the time of his demise, he had not regained consciousness.
His body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination. The driver was arrested as investigations continue. A breathalyser test conducted on the driver proved that there was no alcohol in his system.
Akash Parsaram, also known as “Samsung”
ly robbed a 16-year-old trainee woodworker of a cell phone valued at $26,000, a leather wallet valued at $3,000, and
$10,000 in cash. He appeared before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs at the Sparendaam Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning, where he pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge. Bail was refused, and he was remanded to prison. The case will continue on August 20.
Parsaram also faced a separate charge of possession of a smoking utensil, in violation of Section 12(1)(d) (i) of the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act, Chapter 10:10. He pleaded guilty to that offence and was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $6,000.
Family of 5 homeless after Wismar fire
Afire believed to have been caused by arcing and sparking has ravaged the home of a 56-year-old man at Phase 1 (B), Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).
The house was occupied by a family of five, which included three children, but no one was at home at the time of the fire. The building was also shared with four other individuals—his wife and 3 children.
GFS officials stated that the fire spread to nearby combustible materials, which ignited and intensified the flames. According to reports, the fire service received a phone call alerting them to the fire from a resident in the neighbourhood at about 12:24 on Thursday.
The house was a one-storey wooden and concrete building measuring 10 metres by 13.3 metres, this newspaper was told
The cocaine that was found by Police
The Wismar house on fire on Thursday
“Stop playing victim” – Jagdeo slams Azruddin Mohamed for
'bullyism', photo-op politics
…says sanctioned businessman must face consequences instead of shifting blame
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo unleashed a blistering criticism of United States sanctioned businessman-turned-political aspirant Azruddin Mohamed and his associates, accusing them of “bullyism, ”photo-op politics, and dangerous victim theatrics designed to mislead the public and dodge accountability.
Jagdeo, speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, expressed disgust over what he described as "a free pass" given to Mohamed by sections of the media, while also exposing alleged behind-the-scenes tactics involving manipulation, bullying of Indigenous leaders, and attempts to bypass electoral laws.
Recalling a recent incident, whereby Mohamed and members of his party ‘We Invest in Nationhood’ (WIN) politicised the hosting of the ‘Queens of the Pitch’ cricket tournament in Wikki Calcuni in the Berbice River, Jagdeo lamented that there is a clear distinction between providing support and bullying citizens to subscribe to political rhetoric.
“What upset me a lot was the Berbice River incident. When it's disparaging for the people who live in these communities and the Toshao… so people are free to go to the day of sport, I think the Toshaos made it clear. And they showed up with about 10 people, took out their flags and started waving them in the people's faces, and ran through the community, taking pictures as though the whole gathering there were for them.”
“They do that very cleverly. They go, and they're photobombing people's pictures and stuff like that, crowds. So, the Toshao objected. The Toshao said, 'You know, here, I didn't give you permission for a po-
litical event. You can come to the sport but not the political event.' They tried to bully the two in his own village. And you know, the law is quite clear that you have to get permission to go to the villages,” Jagdeo said.
Against this backdrop, Jagdeo criticised the silence of civil society organisations and some media houses, who he says are quick to condemn the Government but have turned a blind eye to thuggery and disrespect from Mohamed’s camp.
“That is what they do, the thuggish behaviour. And they're not going to make much impact, but they're just good at playing the victim. So, they posted this image where the Toshao, when they're pushing this stuff in their face, just grabbed it and threw it on the ground, the flag. They posted that to get sympathy. Look, oh, this man is pro PPP. I don't even know if the Toshao is a card member of the party. But they were just bullying him in his own community. And not a word from all of these NGOs,” the Vice President said.
Further, Jagdeo firmly rejected claims that the PPP/C is behind Mohamed’s legal woes and sanctions, particularly the high-profile sanctions imposed by the United States Government on Mohamed’s company for gold smuggling.
In fact, he reminded that it was the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that sanctioned Mohamed, not the Government.
“So, we will defend our record, but we're not persecuting him. He likes to claim that. He goes and lies around the country that the PPP sanctioned him. We didn't sanction him. The US did, but we are obligated once he is sanctioned.”
“This is a serious, serious business. Very few people in the world are sanctioned by the US Treasury… If you're local and you do business with the Mohameds, you're subjected,” he said.
In 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had announced that it sanctioned members of one of Guyana’s wealthiest families, Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, several of their companies, and a Guyanese Government official, Mae Thomas, for their roles in alleged public corruption in Guyana.
According to a statement from OFAC, this is related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10 thousand kilograms (kg) of gold from import and export declarations
and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.
Citing five sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Reuters had reported that the Mohameds are suspected of smuggling both Colombian cocaine and Venezuelan gold to international markets. Further, an intelligence report referenced in the investigation suggests that they may also be involved in laundering money for drug traffickers and criminal organisations, including sanctioned Russian nationals operating in the region.
Maduro “puppet”
Earlier this month, United States (US) Congressman Carlos Gimenez raised concerns over what he describes as Venezuela’s attempt to influence internal affairs in Guyana, specifically through a controversial figure. In a statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) today, Gimenez stated: “In the US Congress we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela’s attempt to undermine Guyana through its pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by OFAC (Office of Foreign
WCB hit and run
Assets Control).”
One day later, US Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar also issued a pointed rebuke of any efforts to derail democratic norms in Guyana, underscoring that sanctioned individuals must not be allowed to threaten the country’s relationship with the US.
She made this remark via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We remain deeply concerned about efforts to undermine democracy in Guyana. As a strategic ally of the United States, Guyana deserves leaders who respect democratic values. Individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardise this vital relationship.”
Tax evasion and fraudulent declaration
In March of this year, local law enforcement agencies, including the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), received a ‘sufficient volume’ of evidence to take action against the businessmen.
In a Reuters article published on July 14, 2023, it was revealed that the family was under investigation by several US agencies, including the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Homeland Security.
In May, Mohamed was placed on $500,000 bail for tax evasion and fraudulent declaration charges in relation to the purchase of the Lamborghini Roadster SVJ. Mohamed appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on May 29 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he answered to the two charges brought by GRA: false declaration to the GRA and tax evasion.
The first charge alleged that the 39-year-old, on or around December 7, 2020, caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration to the GRA when he stated on the GRA’s custom declaration form that the purchase amount for the Lamborghini was US$75,300, instead of the true purchase price of US$695,000.
The second charge accuses Mohamed of, on the same date, fraudulently declaring to the Revenue Authority US $75,300 as the purchase price for the luxury vehicle, thus resulting in the sum of $383,383,345 in taxes being evaded. Mohamed, who is also currently facing sanctions by the US Government over gold smuggling and tax evasion allegations, pleaded not guilty to both charges. It was previously reported that these charges were filed by the GRA after it obtained evidence from the US Department of Justice (DoJ). GRA Commissioner Godfrey Statia had written to the US authorities for information on the purchase of the luxury vehicle.
The Revenue Authority and Mohamed are currently embroiled in legal proceedings in the High Court. The GRA filed the matter to recover the outstanding taxes owed by the businessman.
“She just wanted to work and earn her own money” – grieving sister
The teenager, who was killed on Tuesday night in a hit-andrun accident along the Bel Air (Number 22 Village) West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Public Road, wanted to work while she waited for her CXC results.
This is according to the now-dead teenager’s sister, Keiole Doris.
The incident on Tuesday night left 16-year-old Kimberly Natasha Jones of Bel Air dead. The teenager who was attempting to cross the road was hit from the centre of the thoroughfare and pitched some 72 feet. The car did not stop.
The accident occurred at about 21:20 on Tuesday
and involved motor car PAF 2130, owned and driven by a 32-year-old resident of Montrose, East Coast Demerara. The police in a release said the car was proceeding
west along the southern side of the road when the right side front of the vehicle collided with the pedestrian who was crossing the road from north to south.
The car continued to proceed west along the road without stopping. The 16-year-old girl was picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited citizens and taken to Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to Keiole Doris, she took care of her little sister since she was a baby. The eldest of eight siblings told this publication that Jones was on her way home from work when she met her demise.
After completing her exams, Jones sought employment as she waited for the results of the nine subjects she sat. She had been working at a fast-food chain.
“She just wanted to work and earn her own money,” she said. Jones sought employment at a chain restaurant and worked until 21:00 nightly.
Doris said she was at home taking care of domestic chores when she received a telephone call informing her that her sister was involved in a car accident.
“The boy that picked her up and took her to the hospital said that somebody hit her, and the person just
drove away. And a couple of the boys drive behind the person, and I think somebody called the station.”
Police said contact was made with Mahaicony
Police Station, who stopped the car and arrested the driver.
Doris said she was not told whether the car was speeding at the time of the accident.
“Well, we tried to get the footage to know exactly what happened. But mostly it was speed… She was only 16 years old. My sister is so young. My sister is a very loving person. Anybody will tell you she is very loving, quiet, and respectful,” the elder sister added.
Police are continuing their investigations, and the driver is expected to be charged today with causing death by dangerous driving, along with other related charges.
Grieving sister Keiole Doris
Dead: Kimberly Natasha Jones
United-States-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
GECOM shuts door on seat rotation in Joinder Lists
…only party with most votes can occupy Parliamentary seat
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has provided clarity on the legal procedures governing the Joinder of Lists and the Filling of Vacancies in the National Assembly, following extensive deliberations at its Statutory Meeting held on Thursday. In a statement issued by the Commission, GECOM confirmed that its determinations were guided strictly by the legal framework established in the Representation of the People Act (ROPA). The meeting focused on how seats are allocated when political parties combine their candidate lists — a process known as the joinder of lists — as well as how vacancies in Parliament are to be lawfully filled.
Joinder
GECOM in a statement reiterated that under Section 22(1) of ROPA, two or more political parties may formally combine their candidate lists for the
purpose of seat allocation in the National Assembly. This combination, termed a joinder of lists, allows parties to pool their valid votes to increase the likelihood of gaining parliamentary representation.
However, the Commission noted that the joinder is not reflected as a single option on the ballot paper. Instead, each party in the combination remains individually listed; for the purposes of allocating seats, the combination is treated as a single list.
Seats within joinder
GECOM outlined the process to determine how seats are distributed within a combined list, stating that the valid votes received by each list in the joinder are summed (Vote Aggregation); it must then be determined whether the combination as a whole won any seats (Eligibility for Seats). The total valid votes cast across all contesting lists are divided by 65—the number
UNHCR closes
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Thursday announced that it closed its office in Guyana due to severe and ongoing funding constraints. This decision, the agency stated, follows a global strategic review aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of UNHCR’s operations.
Despite the closure, UNHCR said it remains firmly committed to supporting forcibly displaced populations in Guyana. Coordination and support will be managed through the Multi-Country Office
of seats in the National Assembly—to establish the national electoral quota (National Allocation). If the combination secured seats, the internal quota is determined by dividing the combination’s total valid votes by the number of seats won (Internal Allocation). Each party’s votes are then divided by this internal quota to calculate how many seats it receives (Seat Distribution). If there is one remaining seat within the combination, it goes to the party with the largest number of surplus votes (Surplus Votes). If only one seat is won by the combination, that seat is awarded to the party with the highest number of valid votes (Single Seat Scenario).
Importantly, each party in the joinder retains its own Representative and Deputy Representative, who alone are authorized to extract candidates from their list to become Members of Parliament — but only if the party has been allocat-
office in Guyana
(MCO) in Panama. In the last year alone, and in collaboration with the Government, civil society, and UN partners, UNHCR counselled on access to protection services to over 5000 people, including access to education, legal assistance, healthcare, and direct assistance for vulnerable groups, including women and girls.
“The decision to close our office in Georgetown has not been taken lightly. We are aware of its impact on forcibly displaced people, host communities, and our partners,”
said José Egas, UNHCR Representative for Belize, Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Central and Southern Caribbean. “We will continue to closely follow the situation and find new ways of supporting Guyana and the displaced people it hosts and protects.”
UNHCR continues to advocate for sustained and flexible funding to meet rising humanitarian needs and ensure that people forced to flee are not left behind. (reliefweb.int)
ed seats.
Filling of vacant seat
Addressing the procedures for filling parliamentary vacancies, GECOM cited Section 99A of ROPA, stating that if a seat becomes vacant outside of a general dissolution of Parliament, the replacement must be someone who is not currently an elected Member of Parliament; be qualified and willing to serve; be selected from the same list from which the original MP was elected.
Only the Representative or Deputy Representative of that list is empowered to extract the replacement member.
In November 2024, Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, had committed to
resolving the then ongoing controversy involving the presence of Dr Asha Kissoon sitting in the National Assembly in a seat she had been occupying beyond the six-month term allotted to her party under the Joinder Agreement.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the Joinder List, Dr Kissoon’s party, The New Movement (TNM), was entitled to occupy the opposition seat in the National Assembly for 91 days. That timeline had ended since November 2023, but Dr Kissoon had continued to occupy the parliamentary seat in a move that had sparked criticisms.
On March 2, 2020, TNM, ANUG, and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) had crafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in
which it was agreed that they would merge the votes earned by them if those were sufficient to earn them a seat in Parliament, and they would share occupation of that seat in Parliament on a rotational basis that is proportionate to the votes each had earned.
At those elections, the number of votes secured by the three joinder parties were: 2657 by LJP – the most votes secured by a joinder party; 2313 by ANUG, and 244 by TNM. Based on the Joinder Agreement, each party was entitled to occupy the shared seat for a specific period.
The stipulated duration of the terms for each party was: two years, six months and 20 days for the LJP; two years five months for ANUG, and 91 days for TNM.
Trio busted with over 25kg of “creepy” remanded to prison
Three men were on Monday arrested after the Custom-Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) discovered more than 24 kilograms of imported ganja during an operation at De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
ing a quantity of foreign marijuana.
According to CANU, Antonio Bobb and Pooran Seemangal were arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters along with the suspected narcotic, which tested positive for
CANU stated that on the day in question, ranks acting on information received intercepted a motor car along the De Kinderen Public Road, which subsequently led to the discovery of several parcels contain-
foreign marijuana also known as “Creepy” and amounted to 21.714 kilograms when weighed.
pleaded not guilty to the offence of possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. As such, bail was refused, and they were remanded to prison until August 20, 2025.
In addition, CANU officers, during a follow-up investigation in Hauge, WCD, searched a residence, which led to the discovery of an additional 3.138 kilograms of cannabis and the arrest of Kenner Arjun. Meanwhile, the trio appeared before Magistrate George at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where they
The ganja that was discovered
Antonio Bobb Pooran Seemangal
Kenner Arjun
“Some of us did not have this opportunity” – Minister tells parents
…as $73.7M Kwakwani Waterfront Nursery School commissioned
The new $73.7 million Kwakwani
Waterfront Nursery School was officially commissioned on Wednesday, marking a significant step forward in the government’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education for children across the country. The school was delivered through the Ministry of Finance’s Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank.
The facility includes two spacious classrooms designed to accommodate up to 48 children, along with a staff room, storage area, headmistress’s office, sick bay, and sanitary block.
The modern, purpose-built school offers a fresh, welcoming environment for 31 students from Kwakwani, with room for future growth.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill reflected on the transformation of the area, from a flood-prone community to one now uplifted by the development of the new school.
“I remember going in a boat down to the waterfront nursery school with the teachers inside, helping
them to retrieve things from the nursery school because it was flooded. Learning was disrupted, and the furnishings of that school were damaged because water was more than knee-high in the building. And we can’t keep doing the same thing all the time,” he said.
He added, “The government made a quality decision that it will move to relocate the waterfront nursery school that was prone to flooding to take it to a place
where it will not be easily flooded. Furthermore, while doing that, improve the standard. Here in Kwakwani, you’re having one of the most modern nursery schools in the country.”
He also addressed those who claim that the government has done nothing for the people of Kwakwani, stating that residents must tell them about the significant investment.
He stated that this new
school is a whopping $73.7 million that they are looking at investing in education in a building for the children of Kwakwani.”
This enhancement to the school was driven by the government’s vision of providing education for all students, ensuring that this generation outperforms the last.
He stated that when a government creates an environment where every child can have an education from nursery all the way to tertiary, fully funded by the state, the government is sending a clear message to every Guyanese family:
“You can improve your welfare, you can improve your circumstances, and families could be better tomorrow than they are today.”
He added that the joy of every parent is to ensure that their children do better
than them. Over the years, he noted, there has been a positive return on the investment in the lives of those children.
He also stated that the school caters to a wide variety of students, including those with different abilities, and he urged parents and students to take care of the school.
“This school provides that opportunity. So I want you to consider alongside all of that what we’re doing in health care, what we’re doing in physical infrastructure, what we’re doing in the delivery of services, and the improvements that we are bringing to the lives of people. Today, we can celebrate the fact that you have a government that has served you
and has served you well.”
“Children of Kwakwani, all of us, let’s care for this building. Now the government gives you the uniform, the cash grant, the meals, and the support. You don’t expect me to come and flood the children here in the morning and beat them and bring them to school. Government has its role; parents have their role. And I’m calling upon parents— some of us did not have this opportunity.”
The school is also fully equipped with basic furniture, fire detection and suppression systems, and, importantly, features designed to accommodate children with disabilities, including ramps and accessible washrooms.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill flanked by nursery pupils
Sections of the brand-new school
Regional
Brazil's Lula pledges retaliation to Trump tariffs, but keeps diplomacy open
resident Luiz Inácio
PLula da Silva said he wanted to find a diplomatic solution to US President Donald Trump’s threat of 50 per cent tariffs on Brazilian exports, but vowed to reciprocate like-for-like if they take effect on August 1.
"We'll first try to negotiate, but if there's no negotiation, the law of reciprocity will be put into practice," Lula said in an interview to Record TV, citing a law Congress recently passed giving the President powers to retaliate against trade barriers. "If they're going to charge us 50, we'll charge them 50."
The President is unlikely to announce any retaliatory measures until the tariffs are implemented, said a Brazilian diplomat who requested anonymity to describe internal Government debates. "We have until August 1," the source added.
In a letter to Lula published on Wednesday, Trump linked the tariffs to Brazil's Judiciary launching legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial over charges
of plotting a coup to stop Lula from taking office in 2023 after hundreds of pro-Bolsonaro supporters stormed Congress. He said Bolsonaro was the victim of a "witch hunt".
Lula criticised Bolsonaro for perpetuating claims of legal persecution, stressing that the former President's son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, took leave from his role in Congress, at least in part to lead a campaign in his father's favour in the US.
"The former president of the Republic should take responsibility, because he is agreeing with Trump's taxa-
tion of Brazil. In fact, it was his son who went there to influence Trump's mind," said Lula.
Lula said the Government would set up a committee with Brazilian business leaders to "rethink" the country's commercial policy with the US. He also mentioned Brazil's new reciprocity law, passed just after Trump made his first tariff announcements in April, that allows the Government to respond with reciprocal measures in case other countries impose unilateral barriers to Brazilian products.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Jamaica, Barbados removed from high-risk anti-money laundering list
Jamaica and Barbados were on Wednesday removed from the European Union (EU) list of ‘high-risk’ third countries with deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism regimes, a day after Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness expressed Caricom’s concern that an appeal for the delisting had been lagging for a month.
Wednesday’s action follows last year’s removal of Jamaica from the EU’s
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) listing.
Welcoming the development, Holness said it marked a significant step forward for both countries and for the wider Caricom region.
“We have been actively advocating for such a decision — one which reflects the reality of the hard work we have undertaken to strengthen our financial systems. This is yet another demonstration of the strength of our partnership with the EU, a partnership I am committed to deepen-
ing even further as Chair of Caricom,” Holness said in a post on his X account.
He noted that he had referenced this issue at the closing press briefing of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) on Tuesday, “as an example of the value of the Caricom platform to amplify our voices on the global stage and secure benefits for our people locally”.
(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
T&T: Panday concerned about attacks on President, Independent Senators
Patriotic Front (PF) political leader Mickela Panday has expressed concern about the United National Congress (UNC) attacking President Christine Kangaloo and Independent Senators, two months after winning the April 28 General Election.
In a Facebook post on July 10, Panday said, "This troubling trend, combined with the widespread dismissal of thousands of workers without regard for their livelihoods, paints a picture of governance with a heavy hand."
She added that if there were institutional biases or constitutional shortcomings which warrant the UNC's actions, the solution lay in comprehensive constitutional reform.
Panday recalled the UNCled People's Partnership (PP) coalition won 29 constituencies in the May 24, 2010 election.
This equated to a twothirds majority in the House of Representatives.
Panday said despite having this power, the PP lost a golden opportunity to deliver meaningful constitutional change.
The UNC won 26 constituencies on April 28 while the People’s National Movement (PNM) retained 13 and the Tobago People's Party won two.
Panday criticised the UNC's behaviour towards people who question or criticise it.
"Holding the Government to account does not make you a supporter of the PNM. Dismissing concerns by labelling people as PNM is a cheap and lazy political tactic, meant to silence legitimate concerns."
Panday said some Government Ministers continue to use social media to bully and intimidate people.
"A form of cyber-bullying that mirrors conduct before the election and has continued since."
She warned, "This behaviour normalises cyber-bullying from the highest levels of office and sends a dangerous message that abuse is power."
(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)
Holders of Venezuelan bond ask New York court to protect their rights
Holders of a key bond defaulted by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA asked a New York Judge on Thursday to ensure they can claim compensation from proceeds expected in an auction of shares in the parent of Venezuelaowned US refiner Citgo Petroleum.
The holders' case in New York about the validity of their claim against Venezuela has not been resolved, but if they secure an injunction in the meantime, they could ultimately block the transfer
of shares in Citgo's parent PDV Holding to the auction's winner.
A US$7.4 billion bid for PDV Holding submitted by a group led by a unit of miner Gold Reserve was recommended last week as the auction's winner by a court officer overseeing the bidding round in Delaware.
The court-organised auction aims to pay back Venezuela's creditors after the South American country's debt defaults and expropriations. But contrary to some competing offers, the Gold Reserve group's bid does not include an
agreement to pay the bondholders.
The holders are getting ready to move with an injunction if the Gold Reserve group's offer is ultimately approved in Delaware under the proposed terms.
"We don't want to interfere with the sale," Christopher Clark, who represents the holders, told Judge Katherine Polk Failla from the Southern District of New York, in a court hearing. "All we are trying to do is to protect our rights. Delaware is not the proper forum for that."
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum blasts US screwworm response as ‘exaggerated’
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has denounced a decision by the United States to once again suspend imports of her country’s cattle over a flesh-eating parasite called the screwworm.
On Thursday, Sheinbaum used her morning news conference to call fears of the worm overblown. She pointed out that a single case in the eastern state of Veracruz had prompted the import pause.
“From our point of view, it is a totally exaggerated decision to close the border again,” Sheinbaum said.
At the centre of the cross-border debate is the New World screwworm, a species endemic to the Caribbean and parts of South America. It had previously been eradicated from the northernmost
part of its range, in Central and North America.
The US, for instance, declared it eliminated from the country in 1966.
But the parasite may be making a comeback, leaving the US Government alarmed about its potential impact on its cattle and beef sector, a US$515 billion industry.
The New World screwworms appear when a variety of parasitic flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax ,
lay their eggs near wounds or sores on warm-blooded animals. Most commonly, its hosts are livestock like horses or cattle, but even household pets or humans can be infested.
Each female fly is capable of laying hundreds of eggs. When the eggs hatch, they release larvae that tunnel into the flesh of their hosts, often causing incredible pain.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Interpol to expand support for Caricom
Barbados and other Caricom countries will be getting more support from Interpol, the world’s largest Police organisation, as they intensify efforts against crime and violence.
Caricom Chair, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said regional leaders met with Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza during the 49th Heads Meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica, over the last few days and that the organisation was “committed to strengthening cooperation and expanding access to its global resources”.
“A secure Caricom is a viable Caricom and as such security remains high on the agenda for the duration of my chairmanship and beyond,” Holness said as he also announced that Heads “adopted The Montego Bay Declaration On Transnational Organised Crime And Gangs, underscoring our united stance
against criminal networks”.
Holness said that while in the past the issue of serious crime may have been seen as a Jamaica problem, “now it is a regional problem, and all Heads have to be addressing it”.
He welcomed the expected increased support from Interpol.
“Interpol is the premier global policing organisation. They have incredible resources. They have massive
databases which can be of use to us in dealing with this organised criminal enterprise, and therefore, we are exploring ways to intensify,” the Caricom Chair said.
“We do have a very strong relationship with Interpol, but we’re looking at ways to intensify that. And more than that, we are also sharing with other countries in the Region….”
(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)
A drone view shows containers storage next to Rio de Janeiro's port, Brazil, July 10, 2025 (Reuters/Pilar Olivares photo)
Adult New World screwworm flies can lay hundreds of eggs
Caricom Chair, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (JIS photo)
Around the World
TEuropean Commission to propose floating Russian oil price cap
OIL NEWS
Judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order in Supreme Court ruling
Ahe European Commission is expected to propose a floating Russian oil price cap this week as part of a new draft sanctions package in an attempt to overcome opposition from some Member States, four European Union (EU) diplomats said.
The Commission proposed lowering the Group of Seven (G7) nations' price cap from US$60 a barrel to US$45 barrel in June in its 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The G7 price cap, aimed at curbing Russia's ability to finance the war in Ukraine, was originally agreed in December 2022.
The plan to lower the price cap was prompted by a fall in global oil prices, which made the current cap largely irrelevant.
Britain and the EU failed to garner support from US President Donald Trump for a lower cap at the G7 leaders' meeting in Canada in June.
Oil prices briefly spiked to nearly US$80 a barrel during the 12day war between Israel and Iran in June before falling back into the US$60s.
The EU is now forging ahead on its own.
The four EU sources said the Commission was drafting a mechanism that would adjust the Russia crude cap based on changes to the global oil price.
The European Commission declined to comment.
It is still being revised and envisages a more automated review process of the price cap to adjust it to global crude oil prices, one of the sources said.
It was not clear what the cap would be, but the starting point would be a little more than US$45, one of the sources said.
Maritime nations like Greece, Cyprus and Malta have longstanding concerns over the price cap given the potential loss of business to their shipping sectors and fearing that shipowners could move operations outside the EU.
The cap bans trade in Russian crude oil transported by tankers if the price paid was above US$60 per barrel and prohibiting shipping, insurance and re-insurance companies from handling cargoes of Russian crude around the globe, unless it is sold for less than the price cap.
During the G7 Finance Ministers meeting in the Canadian Rockies in May, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained unconvinced there was a need to lower the cap, sources said at the time.
But Trump has toughened his rhetoric towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and has suggested he may push ahead with new US sanctions.
The price cap option could gain more traction in Washington as some US Senators may endorse the idea, including Lindsey Graham, who has said he supports lowering the cap.
Even if EU Ambassadors manage to agree on the revised price cap mechanism, Slovakia opposes the sanctions package over its concerns around an EU plan to end Russian energy imports by 2027. EU sanctions need unanimity in order to be adopted. (Reuters)
federal Judge on Thursday again barred President Donald Trump's Administration from denying citizenship to some babies born in the United States, making use of an exception to overcome the US Supreme Court's recent ruling that restricted the ability of Judges to block that and other policies nationwide.
US District Judge Joseph Laplante ruled at a hearing in Concord, New Hampshire, after immigrant rights advocates implored him to grant class action status to a lawsuit they filed seeking to represent any children whose citizenship status would be threatened by the implementation of Trump's executive order curtailing automatic birth right citizenship.
ful permanent residents risked being denied citizenship and becoming subject to deportation. But the ruling contained an exception for class action lawsuits that seek relief on behalf of a group of similarly situated people nationwide.
Laplante, who had already in a related case concluded Trump's order was unconstitutional, said the question of whether to issue an injunction was "not a close call", as children could be deprived of citizenship by Trump's order, which was set to take effect on July 27 following the Supreme Court's ruling.
The Supreme Court's decision meant babies born in some parts of the United States to parents who are not US citizens or law-
The ruling is far from the last word in the legal battle over Trump's order, which he signed in January on his first day back in office. The Judge paused his ruling for seven days to give the Trump Administration time to appeal, which a Justice Department lawyer at the hearing indicated would certainly happen.
"That's irreparable harm, citizenship alone," he said during the hearing. "It is the greatest privilege that exists in the world.”
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Israeli attacks kill 82 amid forced displacement plans and truce talks in Gaza
Israeli attacks across Gaza have killed at least 82 people since dawn, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, amid ongoing ceasefire talks and criticism of plans to forcibly transfer Palestinians to Rafah.
Among those killed on Thursday, 15 people, including nine children and four women, were killed in an Israeli air attack while waiting in line for nutritional supplies for children in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza.
At least 30 others were wounded, including 19 children, during the Israeli attack.
Catherine Russell, the director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), condemned the attack on aid seekers and said the killing
Accelerated glacial melt and monsoon rains trigger deadly floods in Pakistan
Glaciers across northern Pakistan have been melting at an accelerated pace as a result of record-breaking summer temperatures, leading to deadly flash flooding and landslides.
The floods and heavy monsoon rains have caused devastation across the country this summer, killing at least 72 persons and injuring more than 130 since the rains began in late June.
The region, which spans the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush and the Karakoram mountain ranges, has witnessed an acceleration in the melting of its glaciers in the past week.
It has led to the swelling of the local rivers and the formation of unstable lakes that have burst, triggering flash floods and landslides that have washed away villages and roads, cutting off some communities entirely and leaving others without power or drinking water.
of families trying to access aid was “unconscionable”.
“This is the cruel reality confronting many in Gaza today after months of insufficient aid being allowed into the territory and parties to the conflict failing to uphold basic responsibilities to protect civilians,” the UNICEF official said.
“The lack of aid means children are facing starvation while the risk of famine grows. The number of malnourished children will continue to rise until life-saving aid and services are resumed at full scale,” she added.
Separately, Hamas condemned the attack and said it was part of Israel’s “ongoing campaign of genocide in the
make
Strip”.
Israel is “escalating its brutal massacres against innocent civilians in schools, streets, displacement camps, and civilian centres, in a
amounts to a full-fledged ethnic cleansing crime, perpetrated in full view of the world”, the Palestinian group said.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
South Africa fears spike in HIV infections as US cuts aid programmes
Unless funding is replaced, the halt to foreign aid by the administration of US President Donald Trump could reverse “decades of progress” on HIV, the United Nations warns in its annual report on HIV/ AIDS.
The United States’ decision to make cuts to the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) could result in six million extra HIV infections and four million more AIDS-related deaths by 2029, according to the 2025 Global AIDS Update released on Thursday.
people acquiring HIV and those dying from AIDS-related causes were at their lowest levels in “more than 30 years”.
on track to achieve a 90 per cent decline in new infections by 2030 compared with 2010,” the UN added.
The head of GilgitBaltistan’s disaster management authority, Zakir Hussain, said the region was facing a “very serious situation” and described the fast formation of volatile glacial lakes as “highly hostile” to people’s safety.
He said those in some areas close to the glaciers were being evacuated from their homes. “We are facing a flood situation in many areas,” he said. “The rise of temperature has sent a shiver down our spines. We have never before witnessed such weather here.”
(The Guardian)
“HIV programmes in lowand middle-income countries have been rocked by sudden, major financial disruptions that threaten to reverse years of progress in the response to HIV,” the UNAIDS report said.
According to the report,
However, by the end of 2024, the decline in numbers was “not sufficient” to end AIDS as a public threat by 2030.
In new infections, there was a 56 per cent decline in sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to half of all people who “acquired HIV globally in 2024”.
“Five countries, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, were
However, the significance of Trump’s cut to the programme is immense, as the US was the largest donor of humanitarian assistance worldwide.
“The sudden withdrawal of the single biggest contributor to the global HIV response disrupted treatment and prevention programmes around the world,” the report said.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Commuters negotiate a flooded street after heavy monsoon rains in Lahore on Wednesday (Murtaza Ali/AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators rally outside the US Supreme Court as Justices hear arguments over President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship order (Reuters photo)
systematic behaviour that
Displaced Palestinians
their way towards the al-Mawasi area as they flee amid an Israeli ground offensive, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, July 10, 2025 (Hatem Khaled/Reuters)
Balance the budget before committing to home improvements, moves or anything that may jeopardize you financially. Rethink how you earn a living and consider how you can use your skills.
Refrain from starting something you cannot finish. Spend time gathering information to help you reach your goals; stop spinning your wheels. Do the legwork and set your sights on what’s practical.
Take your time, gather information and stick to basics. Too much, too fast will lead to undue expense and worry. When someone applies pressure, know enough to back away.
Focus on your objective, and don’t stop until you finish. The outcome will be satisfying and help you gain outside interest. Believe in yourself. Network, promote and market who you are and what you offer.
Consider what others can contribute, and incorporate fresh ideas into your plans. Set a budget before you begin a project. Social and networking events will motivate you to start something new.
Listen carefully. Refuse to let changes others make tempt you to follow. Gather information, watch others’ progress and learn from their pitfalls and failures. Avoid premature assessments.
Emotional energy will require direction. Keeping your eye on expenditures and essentials will help you make better choices. Too much of anything will require adjustments.
Conversations that bring about change may not be easy, but the results will enhance your life. Line up your preferences and set a course that can carry you to victory.
Let your intuition take the lead. If you move too quickly, you’ll face unexpected pitfalls that delay your timing. Put your money in a safe place and refuse to pay for someone else’s mistakes.
Question everything regarding money and work. Reset your plans, review your investments and options, and map out a plan to get where you want to go.
Focus on home improvements. Consider what you feel passionate about and start to make changes at home or to yourself that will give you a new lease on life.
Do what works for you, regardless of what others choose. Be careful; avoid jeopardizing your health or physical well-being. Be charming instead of complaintive.
Shubman Gill declared the return of “boring Test cricket”, but England did not care. They scored uncharacteristically slowly – at just 3.02 runs per over – and ground their way into the ascendancy on their slowest-scoring full day of the Bazball era, as Joe Root reached the close a run short of his 37th Test century and his eighth at Lord’s.
“Baz-Baz-Bazball!
Come on, I want to see it,” Mohammed Siraj was heard telling Root over the stump microphones as England put their attacking shots away during a wicketless second session. “No more entertaining cricket, lads,” Gill told his team-mates after Ollie Pope left the ball alone outside his off stump. “Welcome back to the boring Test cricket.”
Boring suited England just fine. The crowd at Lord’s were probably anticipating a very different day when they
Kumar
struck twice in his first over
cheered Ben Stokes’ decision to bat first after winning his third consecutive toss, but a sluggish surface and a disciplined bowling effort from India’s seamers – including the returning Jasprit Bumrah –
led England to scale back their usual aggressive intent.
But India will be heartened by the fact that after a long day in the field, they have kept England in check. The bowling heroes of their 336-run win at Edgbaston, Siraj and Akash Deep, both went wicketless, but timely scalps for Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and two in an over from Nitish Kumar Reddy ensured that England never got away from them.
come a major worry.
India had their own injury problem to worry about: Rishabh Pant tried to grimace
through the pain after being struck on the index finger as he tried
too late or fell on deaf ears. It was clear within an over that this was a slow surface, with Ben Duckett edging through to Pant on the half-volley; Bumrah, who replaced Prasidh Krishna, immediately called for the slip cordon to stand closer.
Duckett was repeatedly struck on the body in the first hour as Bumrah nipped the new ball off the seam, while Zak Crawley was frenetic. He repeatedly changed his guard and threw his hands at the ball, and while he nailed three cover drives, he slashed another over the slips and repeatedly played and missed at both Akash Deep and Siraj.
But it was Reddy, wicketless in Birmingham, who made the breakthroughs. He struck first with perhaps the worst ball of the morning, a long hop on Duckett’s hip, which he under-edged to Pant on the pull, but then dismissed Crawley with one of the best, a wicked outswinger which angled in then shaped away late to take the outside edge.
Root walked in straight after Reddy’s first over, which accounted for both England openers and saw Gill drop a tough chance off Pope in the gully, and quickly got his head down. He put on 109 with Pope for the third wicket and then an unbroken 79 with Stokes for the fifth, though Stokes’ apparent groin issue could be-
to gather a rare loose ball from Bumrah but instead spent the last 49 overs off the field. But Dhruv Jurel proved an able deputy, taking a fine catch to dismiss Pope as Jadeja found his outside edge with the first ball after tea.
Brendon McCullum ordered a pitch with “plenty of life in it” after England’s heavy defeat at Edgbaston, but his plea either arrived
Pope was reprieved by Gill in between those two dismissals and batted as though determined to live up to his tag – coined by Steve James in the Times –as “the worst starter since prawn cocktail”. But he made it through to lunch unscathed and dug in alongside Root after the interval; early in the second session, they went 28 consecutive balls without scoring.
Root, the senior pro, rec-
ognised that the best way to play Bumrah was from the non-striker’s end: he faced only two balls of his five-over spell after lunch, pinching singles from both to give Pope the strike back. They added 70 in a sleepy second session, as India’s seamers hung the ball wide outside off stump and waited for a mistake which didn’t come.
It finally arrived straight after tea, as Pope flashed hard at Jadeja and edged through to Jurel. He stood disconsolate, bent over his bat handle in disbelief that he had thrown his wicket away. India had another soon after, as the battle between the ICC’s No. 1-ranked batter and bowler ended swiftly: Bumrah nipped one back off the seam to peg Harry Brook’s off stump back.
Stokes was underway early with consecutive cuts for four but looked uncomfortable against spin once more and survived an lbw
shout from Reddy via DRS thanks only to the on-field umpire’s call. He was in obvious discomfort after a leave against Akash Deep but batted on, getting treatment from England’s physio during another long delay. Root, meanwhile, cruised along as he does, only once putting his foot down with a rasping slog-sweep off Jadeja. He was a boundary away from his hundred in the final over of the day but could only manage a two and then a single. History bodes well: the previous 16 men to sleep on 99 in Test cricket have all reached three figures the following morning. (ESPNcricinfo)
Ben Stokes hits one into the offside
Ollie Pope misses on the pull
Nitish
Reddy
Joe Root celebrates his half-century
Fifty-six teams have been trimmed down to 16 across the boys and girls’ divisions following a thrilling Round of 16 in the ExxonMobil Under-14 Schools football tournament, which unfolded on Wednesday afternoon at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.
Action in the girls’ division got proceedings going, with Abram Zuil Secondary bringing up the first win, 4-0, against St Joseph’s High. Akeela Williams (20th, 25th, 39th) led with a hat trick, while Faith Adams added the team’s other goal in the 36th.
Next, Bartica Secondary continues their high-scoring exploits with an 11-0 drubbing of Good Hope Secondary. Kelys Williams (4th, 28th, 32nd) and Virlerkys Simon (9th, 13th, 22nd) netted hat tricks; Ronelly Williams (28th, 32nd) a brace, added to one each off the boots of Nerismar Williams, Genesha Spencer and Keysi Austin in the 16th, 24th and 31st minutes, respectively.
Another high-scoring game in the girls’ divi-
sion saw Marian Academy cruising to the next round with a 6-0 win over West Ruimveldt. Haley Haberkorn (2nd, 8th) and Kaleigh Todd (6th, 40th) put up doubles for the Carifesta Avenue outfit, accompanied by one strike each from Crystal Patterson and Skylar Denobrega in the 22nd and 26th minutes, respectively.
Bushlot Secondary later edged New Central High’s girls 2-1 on the back of goals from Ashante Scott (26th) and Maliya Reynolds (34th). Janicia Rocke scored New Central’s lone goal in the 17th minute. Similarly, Leandra Henrito (14th) and Diana Edwards (27th) netted once each to guide Chase’s Academic Foundation to a 2-1 victory over Annandale Secondary. Shinqua Shiney brought up Annandale’s lone strike in the 18th. Next, Rodelisa Collins’ 30th-minute strike later helped East Ruimveldt needle West Minster Secondary. Over in the boys’ division, after a stalemate in regulation time, Bygeval Secondary got the better of Charity Secondary 3-2 on penalty kicks.
Another drawn encounter, Cotton Field and Dolphin Secondary’s clash ended 1-1. However, the latter prevailed 7-6 on kicks from the penalty mark. Earlier in the game, Anthony Charles put Cotton Field ahead in the 30th, while Tyler Abram levelled the scores for Dolphin in the
CWI Women’s Rising Stars…
Tiea Isaacs’s all-round performance helped Guyana’s U19 women back to winning ways as they defeated the Windward Islands at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground in Trinidad and Tobago during their second game of the tournament. Coming off a disappointing opening loss against Jamaica, Guyana were eager to open their win account at this year’s Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Women’s U19 Championship. The Windward Islands U19 women won the toss and elected to bat first.
Isaacs led the attack brilliantly as she picked four wickets for a mere 15 runs during her spell. Trisha Hardat and Danellie Manns supported her well, as they both claimed two wickets to help bowl out Windward Island for a total of 72.
Amaih Gilbert (14) and Devona Tyson (13) were the only two batters that reached double figures for the batting side. In reply, the Guyanese side didn’t make light work of the target, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Crystal Durant top scored with 19 runs, but
39th. A Joshua James hat trick in the 8th, 28th and 35th minutes later got
Three Miles past New Amsterdam Secondary 3-0. Mooses Allen (15th, 27th) found the back of the net twice and Omari Chase (24th) once to hand East Ruimveldt’s boys a 3-1 win over West Demerara Secondary. Malachi Charles netted for West Demerara in the 29th.
While Jasiah Nedd struck in the very first minute, Shangi Welch later added a brace in the 24th and 28th minutes during a 3-0 victory for St John’s College against Belladrum Secondary.
West Ruimveldt and Annandale Secondary’s clash also went down to the wire, but West eventually came out on top, 5-4, on penalty kicks. Malachi Jervis pierced the nets for Annandale in the 19th minute, but Joel Griffith was swift with West Ruimveldt’s response in the 20th.
Defending champions Chase’s Academic
Foundation had a comfortable 3-1 win against Charlestown Secondary, in spite of a blunder. Jadan Christian (39th), Nyron Barrow (40th), and Jashan Haynes (30th) contributed to the tally, while an own goal accounted for the opposition’s consolation.
An exhilarating battle between Waramuri and St Joseph’s High brought the curtains down. Darwin Lyte (21st, 23rd) pierced the nets twice, while Sion Mathias (25th) and Wade Ferreiro (33rd) had one strike each in Waramuri’s 4-2 win. For St Joseph’s High, Josiah John scored both goals in the 3rd and 35th minutes.
Other schools like Waramuri Secondary and Vreed-en-Hoop secondary’s girls received walkovers to the next round.
The ExxonMobil U14 tournament will head into the quarterfinal round this Sunday, July 13th.
Alfred is set for quick bounce back in 100m at Monaco Diamond
League
…Richards to clash with Lyles, Tebogo in 200m
Rwhen she was run out, the Guyana camp was nervous, as their team was 43 for 6 after 17.5 overs. Isaacs held her nerve as she compiled a sensible innings of 16 of 25 balls. Her batting partner, Hardat, played the supporting role as she made 6. Both batters would finish the game not out as the Guyana women reached their target score of 73 for 6 in 21.3 overs.
Guyana’s U19 women are scheduled to play their next match against Barbados on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad.
eigning Olympic champion Julien Alfred will get an opportunity to swiftly move on from her first defeat of the season when she competes in the 100m at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday. The St Lucian was beaten by the USA’s Melissa JeffersonWooden at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on July 5 after winning her first two Diamond League races of the season in Oslo on June 12 and Stockholm on June 15. Her time in second in Eugene was 10.77, following up her 10.89 and 10.75 performances in Oslo and Stockholm, respectively.
New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs, Great Britain’s Amy Hunt, the USA’s Maia McCoy and Hungary’s Boglarka Takacs. Elsewhere, Trinidad & Tobago’s Commonwealth Games champion Jereem Richards will line up in a men’s 200m field that will include a clash between reigning world champion Noah Lyles and Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo. This will be Lyles’ 200m season opener, while Tebogo ran a world-leading 19.76 to win at the Prefontaine Classic.
Friday, her biggest challenge will likely come from American Jacious Sears, who has a season’s best of 10.85 and a personal best of 10.77.
Also in the field will be American Aleia Hobbs, Liberia’s Thelma Davies,
Four-time Jamaican champion and 2021 Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper and Bahamian 60m hurdles world record holder Devynne Charlton will compete in the 100m hurdles.
Jamaica’s two-time national champion Nickisha Pryce will take on the Dominican Republic’s world and Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino in the women’s 400m, while Andrenette Knight will compete in the 400m hurdles.
In the field, Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford and Raymond Richards will both compete in the high jump. (Sportsmax)
Olympic champion Julien Alfred
Guyana’s U19 women brought up their first win of the tournament (file photo)
Snippets from the ExxonMobil U14 Round of 16
ExxonMobil GSL…
Shakib Al Hasan starred on Wednesday morning as the second edition of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 kicked off, as the Central Stags took on the Dubai Capitals at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD). In
slightly overcast conditions, Central Stags won the toss and elected to field first. The Dubai Capitals had a respectable start, but after 3.1 overs and a score of 24 for 1, Niroshan Dickwella was beautifully caught at extra cover by Will Young, costing them their first wicket.
Shortly after, the captain of the Dubai Capitals, Gulbadin Naib, also departed, as he was run out, with the score now at 31 for 2.
The Stags’ spinners continued to take wickets
er batsman Dane Cleaver putting on a 30run opening stand.
Shakib Al Hasan had an immediate impact again, as in the first ball of his spell, he dismissed Will Young for 19, following a Capitals review of the umpire’s LBW decision. In the same over, the cunning left-arm spinner struck again, dismissing Foxcroft for a duck, as he had a double-wicket maiden in his first rotation. When the powerplay concluded, the Stags were 40 for the loss of two wickets.
throughout the middle period, with Angus Schaw dismissing the West Indies duo of Kadeem Alleyne and Jordan Johnson for 3 and 1, respectively. Dean Foxcroft also was in the action as he bowled Capitals opening batsman Sediqullah Atal for a well-played 41 off 25 deliveries.
After 12 overs the score was 89 for 5 with Bangladesh veteran Shakib Al Hasan and Jesse Bootan at the crease. A crucial moment in the game, Ajaz Patel dropped Shakib Al Hasan at backward point off Blair Tickner’s bowling, giving him a lifeline. However, Tickner would receive some compensation in the same over when he dismissed Bootan, who was caught behind.
Tickner was back in
Wickets continued to fall for the Stags throughout the middle overs as Cleaver (21) and Josh Clarkson (12) were bowled by Aryaman Varma and Shakib Al Hasan, respectively. After 11 overs, the Central Stags were 74 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.
The Central Stags had a chance due to a 43-run partnership between Clark and Captain Tom Bruce, which increased the score to 116 for 4. After being brought back into the attack for his last over, Shakib Al Hasan bowled Clark for 20 to make a crucial breakthrough. At an economy rate of 3.25 runs per over, the Bangladeshi
all-rounder would finish his stint with 4 wickets for 13 runs.
Dominic Drakes struck in the 19th over of the game as he dismissed Bruce with a high full toss that was caught at cover. Bruce struggled throughout his innings as he made 34 from 30 balls at a strike rate of 87.1.
With the Central Stags’ innings ending at 144 for 8, the first game of the Global Super League 2025 belonged to the Dubai Capitals, who won by a margin of 22 runs.
the action soon after, dismissing Dominic Drakes for 11 when he was caught at mid-off while attempting to inject some energy into the innings. Shakib Al Hasan made the most of his chance as he registered the first half-century of the Global Super League 2025. At a strike rate of 156.75, Shakib Al Hasan made 58 off 37 balls. His innings consisted of seven boundaries and one six as he propelled his team to a respectable total of 165 for 7 after their allotted 20 overs.
With a required run rate of 8.30 runs per over needed for victory, the Central Stags in their reply had a steady start to their innings, with New Zealand international batsman Will Young and wicketkeep-
The school-age fans were out in their numbers for the ExxonMobil GSL opener
Sediqullah Atal scored 41 in 25 balls for Dubai Capitals
Shakib Al Hasan top-scored for Dubai Capitals with an unbeaten 58
Angus Schaw of Central Stags picked up three wickets in his first three overs
The Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was blanketed in an eerie silence 19.1 overs into the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ chase of 162. Being bowled out for 154, the Rangpur Riders again got the better of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 hosts for the second year in a row.
Seemingly taking some inspiration from the tournament’s opening game earlier in the day, where the Dubai Capitals batted first and won, the tournament’s defending champions won the toss and opted to take first strike.
Though the Rangpur Riders were restricted to 1625, one would think the total could have been much smaller, considering the numerous
dropped catches and midfields on the part of the hosts.
Their first bout of misfortune arose in the 6th over being served up by David Wiese. What would have been a caught-and-bowled wicket of Soumya Sarkar and a prized one at that (being the inaugural edition’s highest run-scorer) had to go down to the review and was eventually overturned.
Son of the soil Gudakesh Motie ended up being the man to bring the breakthrough, rattling Saif Hassan’s stumps for a run-a-ball 18. In his very next over, Motie had Sarkar caught on the boundary by returning Warriors player Sherfane Rutherford for 35 off 36
balls, an occurrence that sent the Guyana National Stadium into a frenzy.
The Amazon Warriors found more favour in the middle overs as Captain Imran Tahir had a double-wicket over in the 11th while Shamar Springer had to break out his famed body roll celebration in the 13th when he removed the Rangpur Captain, Nurul Hasan for 18 runs.
Reduced to 86-5 by the 13th over, that’s where the tides turned for both sides. No stranger to the Providence conditions, Kyle Mayers played the handy support to Iftikhar Ahmed’s fireworks at first, before adding his own flair to a 76-run partnership that saw the defending champions through to their 20 overs.
Crucial dropped catches in the 16th and 17th overs did not help the Warriors' case in trying to break the game-changing partnership. Mayers ended on an unbeaten 44 off 31 while Ahmed hit 34 from 21.
Tahir had the best returns of 2-21 from 4, alongside Motie’s 2-32 from 4.
As Patrice Roberts serenaded the fans, the Amazon Warriors were likely hatching their master plan to cut down the 160+ target that Central Stags just couldn’t do earlier that day.
A new-look opening partnership for the Warriors featuring Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Johnson Charles did not bear much fruit for a 29-run partnership, but it was
Charles who prevailed to give the Guyanese crowd something to cheer about.
By the 10th over, Johnson Charles was castled for a wellplayed 40 off 28, encompassing five fours and two sixes while Moeen Ali had been the victim of a cheeky caught behind for an 18-ball 27.
Though two new batters were at the crease, the Amazon Warriors kept their scorecard ticking and above the required run-rate. Though not spending too long at the crease, Jewel Andrew and Sherfane Rutherford added some impetus to the Warriors innings with 14 and 19 runs respectively. Shimron Hetmyer stuck around, but got no bang for his buck and after only being able to contribute an 18-ball 13, the Amazon Warriors looked to be in trouble.
of the tension. The rollercoaster over then saw a dot ball, a maximum and Dwaine Pretorious being bowled. Nine off 7 was now needed and a decisive final ball of the over laid ahead. Shamar Springer, new to the crease, was trapped lbw leaving the Warriors in a desperate position with one wicket remaining.
The ensuing ball was even more horrifying for “Warrior
Nation” who had to watch Davis Wiese being bowled, ending their innings 8 runs short.
Khaled Ahmed was the pick of the Rangpur bowlers, claiming 4-36 from 4 overs. The ExxonMobilGuyana GSL will continue today with the Dubai Capitals taking on the Hobart Hurricanes at 10:00h while the Amazon Warriors get back in action, this time against Central Stags from 19:00h.
A pin drop could be heard in the National Stadium as the Amazon Warriors needed 20 from 12 balls. But, a boundary off the first ball of the 19th over relieved some
Johnson Charles got the Amazon Warriors off to a good start in the chase
Kyle Mayers led Rangpur’s comeback
Sherfane Rutherford gave the Warriors some hope in the middle
The Rangpur Riders began their title defence with a win