Investment bank, biodiversity museum in cards – Pres Ali says “work now begins”
story on page 3
Wendy’s to open in Guyana ‘A blatant lie’ – Jagdeo on US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed housing distribution claims 98% of Guyana's FDI inflows went to hydrocarbon in 2024 – ECLAC report
inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit wraps up
GECOM engages diplomatic community on election preparedness
"No band-aid fixes”, local production increase “way out of this," VP on cost of living
“He shot her through her hands” – grieving grandmother
US sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed ‘already stole 275 years’ worth of presidential salaries via tax evasion – Jagdeo
GECOM probes fraudulent ID application using voter's details …cops called in as SoP breach uncovered
US green card holders issued new warning by immigration officials "Concrete Man" charged for murder of Linden teacher
“We need to have fair pricing for carbon credits” – fmr Colombian President demands …dismisses ‘no’ salary pledge, anti-corruption promises
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 25 – 03:55h-05:25h and Saturday, July 26 –04:30h-06:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, July 25 – 17:15h-18:45h and Saturday, July 26 –04:55h-06:25h.
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 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 3.57 metres.
High Tide: 17:11h reaching a maximum height of 2.49 metres.
Low Tide: 10:44h and 22:57h reaching minimum heights of 0.60 metre and 0.71 metre.
Investment bank, biodiversity museum in cards – Pres Ali says “Work now begins”
alks of an investment bank and a biodiversity museum are among some of the ideas coming out of the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit 2025 that was held in Guyana over the last two days.
The three-day event would have brought together world leaders, biodiversity experts, key players from various sectors, and local stakeholders in Guyana to have tough conversations on biodiversity preservation.
Delivering closing remarks on Thursday evening at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), President Irfaan Ali said the work now begins to holistically address biodiversity loss across the world and finance a nature-positive future.
“The work begins now. Let this stand as a bold signal of Guyana's unwavering commitment to nature, climate, and our shared future,” the Head of State posited.
Following the opening of the summit on Wednesday, the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) was formally launched with 15 signatories under the Georgetown Declaration – a shared commitment to strengthen global action for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of the planet’s biodiversity.
Key highlights from the summit include the unveiling of the 2030 Action Plan that outlines a shared growth map surrounding five strategic pillars, including achieving the 30 by 30 Biodiversity Goal, that is, protecting 30 percent of the world’s land and sea by 2030.
Another pillar is unlocking innovative financing, green bonds, biodiversity credits, and debt swaps.
According to President Ali, “We have had such good coverage of this conference that we already have some suggestions… We've already had some initial discussions on the possibility of an investment bank.”
Other outcomes of the inaugural GBA summit include the establishment of a fully standardised, border-to-border national biodiversity monitoring system by 2030 –a first of its kind globally that will support the effective valuation of Guyana's biodiversity assets.
“Guyana is taking a bold step in being the first globally to adopt such a system – the development of the National Biodiversity Information System to serve as a digital backbone for conservation finance and policy,” the Head of State noted.
The National Biodiversity Information System (NBIS) will collect and analyse data on the country’s plants, animals, and ecosystems and help guide decisions and policies that support sustainable development and conservation.
According to President Ali, this initiative shows
Guyana’s commitment to protecting the environment and will create a new global standard for biodiversity accountability at the national level.
“Building on the foundations of Guyana's successful leadership in carbon finance, the country is moving into the era of biodiversity finance, rooted in transparency, science, and sovereignty. At the heart of this initiative is the National Biodiversity Information System… A robust digital infrastructure that will unify biodiversity data collection, analysis, and decision-making across Guyana,” he noted.
This strategy will be developed and led by an inter-agency coalition of Government, local and indigenous peoples, academic institutions, and non-Governmental organisations (NGOs), building on decades of Guyanese-led conservation.
In fact, Guyana will be working directly with Yale University with support from the European Union (EU) to push this initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was already signed between Guyana and Yale’s Centre for Biodiversity and Global Change on Wednesday for this collaboration.
Stakeholders also agreed, during the summit, on the establishment of an International Biodiversity Research Consortium to be anchored in Guyana, which will also be the seat of the GBA, with a technical secretariat to be established in Georgetown. Additionally, a Centre of Excellence is also in the cards.
“So, the Alliance has moved from vision to action through collective leadership, shared knowledge, and inclusive stewardship. We now have a bold, yet practical path to halt biodiversity loss and finance a nature-positive future. This summit marks not just a declaration but a turning point for our planet,” the Guyanese leader stressed.
Now that the Alliance is fully established and the inaugural summit completed, the focus will move to finalising a comprehensive paper capturing the summit’s key outcomes, findings, and international agreements that will be formally presented at COP30 in Brazil later this year and at the United Nations General Assembly in September with the aim of placing biodiversity at the top of the global agenda.
In fact, COP30 President Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago was among the global leaders who were in Georgetown for the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit 2025.
At the upcoming COP30 in Belem, Brazil, the Global Biodiversity Alliance will be seeking to have at least 140 countries and organisations, including NGOs and private sector representatives, sign onto the Georgetown Declaration.
On the final day of the event, July 25, participants of the Summit are expected to engage in field visits to either a Mahaica River Tour or the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve.
“We’re also hoping that we can have our own museum because we have enough history and enough of an ecosystem to support such a museum and the development of an intensive park to showcase in one area the richness of our biodiversity.”
President Irfaan Ali with COP30 President Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, where the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit 2025 was held
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Positive development & professional satisfaction
The recent announcement by the Ministry of Education of the duty-free concessions to 187 teachers across Guyana as part of a multi-year agreement with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) marks a significant milestone for the country's education sector. This initiative, which spans across multiple regions, offers an important incentive to teachers, long sought after by educational stakeholders. The benefits of this initiative reach far beyond the individuals directly impacted; it has the potential to improve the education system as a whole, contributing positively to the nation’s educational outcomes and quality of life for educators.
One of the key aspects of this agreement is the expansion of the duty-free concession scheme, which now includes teachers from across all ten administrative regions of Guyana. The concessions primarily cover the importation of motor vehicles, including those suited for the unique needs of teachers working in riverine and hinterland areas. Teachers in these regions will now be able to import vehicles with capacities up to 1800 cc, as well as outboard engines and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). This is a significant step in addressing the logistical challenges that many educators face, especially in more remote or rural areas. By easing transportation issues, the Government is enabling teachers to more effectively perform their duties, without the constraints that distance and inadequate infrastructure can impose.
The initiative also underscores a commitment to recognising and rewarding the efforts of educators, who often work in difficult conditions to provide quality education to students. As part of the new agreement, the number of teachers eligible for concessions has been increased by 50 per cent. This expansion ensures that a greater number of teachers will benefit from the scheme, thus incentivising retention and further enhancing the attractiveness of the teaching profession. For teachers, the ability to access duty-free concessions is not just a financial boon; it represents a tangible form of appreciation for their hard work and dedication to the development of the nation's future leaders.
In addition, the agreement introduces a nuanced approach to eligibility, taking into account factors such as age and position within the education system. Teachers above the age of 32 have been given priority for duty-free concessions, acknowledging the role of senior educators in shaping the educational landscape. Further, the criteria for eligibility are tiered, offering benefits to those holding senior roles such as heads of departments, senior masters, and principals, with different timeframes for accessing the concession based on their service. This structured approach ensures that those who have dedicated years to the profession and have demonstrated leadership are appropriately rewarded.
The implementation of these duty-free concessions is a positive development for the education sector, as it speaks to the Government's broader commitment to improving the conditions of teachers across the country. Education is a cornerstone of national development, and the treatment of teachers as professionals deserving of incentives is integral to the long-term improvement of the system. By addressing the needs of teachers, particularly those in challenging regions, the Government is investing in the quality of education that students will receive, ultimately benefitting the nation as a whole.
Moreover, this agreement follows a similar initiative introduced previously, which allowed 300 educators to benefit from duty-free concessions under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers’ Union. This recent extension under the 2024-2026 agreement builds on the successes, reflecting a Government that is continuously responsive to the evolving needs of the education sector.
While some may view these measures as purely financial incentives, they should be understood in the broader context of teacher motivation and professional satisfaction. Teachers who feel valued are more likely to remain in the profession, thus ensuring a stable and experienced workforce. With this in mind, the duty-free concession initiative has the potential to address some of the key challenges facing the education sector, such as high turnover rates, especially in rural and remote areas. By facilitating the mobility of teachers, especially those working in regions with limited infrastructure, the Government is making strides toward closing the gap between urban and rural education experiences.
By investing in teachers through initiatives like duty-free concessions, the Government is sending a message of support and recognition to those who dedicate their lives to educating the youth of Guyana.
From Gaza to Ukraine, peace always seems just out of reach – and the reason isn’t only political
By Simon TiSdall
The quest for peace in major conflicts has rarely been so desperate and so seemingly futile. In Gaza, talk of ceasefires, truces, and pauses typically ends in tears. In Ukraine, the war is now well into its fourth year with no end in sight, despite Donald Trump’s new 50-day deadline. Syria burns anew. Sudan’s horrors never cease. Last year, state-based conflicts reached a peak – 61 across 36 countries. It was the highest recorded total since 1946. This year could be worse.
The sheer scale and depravity of war crimes and other conflict-zone atrocities are extraordinary. The deliberate, illegal targeting and terrorising of civilians; the killing, maiming, and abduction of children; and the use of starvation, sexual violence, torture, and forced displacement as weapons of war have grown almost routine. Israel’s killing last week of children queueing for water in Gaza was shocking, made doubly so by the fact that scenes like this have become so commonplace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,” said Saint Matthew, but today, impartial mediators are in wickedly short supply. Surely everyone agrees: murdering and massacring innocents is morally indefensible. So why on earth is it allowed to continue? This same question is shouted out loud by grief-stricken parents in Rafah, Kyiv, and Darfur; by UN relief workers; in pulpits, pubs, and parliaments; in street protests; and at Glastonbury. Why? WHY?
The curse of moral relativism provides a clue. The fact is, not everyone does agree. What is absolutely morally indefensible to one group of people is relatively permissible or justifiable to another. This has held true throughout human history. Yet today’s geopolitically and economically divided world is also ethically and morally fractured to a possibly unparalleled degree. Agreed, observed standards – what the American writer David Brooks terms a “permanent moral order – are ”lacking.
The collapse of the international rulesbased order is mirrored by this crisis of the moral order. Without accepted universal principles, the peaceful settlement
of conflicts, foreign or domestic, becomes highly problematic. “We have no objective standard by which to determine that one view is right and another view is wrong. So public arguments just go on indefinitely, at greater levels of indignation and polarisation,” Brooks argues. What’s left is coercion and manipulation.
No individual better personifies the moral-relativist confusion permeating contemporary life than Trump, the master coercer and manipulator. He believes, for example, that he deserves the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Yet Trump, in collusion with Israel, did bomb Iran recently and killed numerous civilians. In his morally muddled view, that illegal act of aggression was justified because it restored the peace he had just broken.
In a world wedded to war, Alfred Nobel’s venerable peace prize looks increasingly anachronistic – and politicised. Barack Obama won it in 2009 for doing nothing. If only Trump would do nothing for the next four years. Worse, he has been nominated by Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, arch foe to peace and morality. It might be preferable to replace the prize with a Warlord of the Year award – and put a bounty on the winner’s head. Making a moral case for peace can be confusing, even controversial; ask any church or mosque leader. For many people, it seems, morality is a dirty word these days. It’s fungible, negotiable, and emotive – a matter primarily of individual choice and cultural belonging, not of duty, obligation, or fidelity to a higher law. How else to explain why so many Americans turn a blind eye to Trump’s astounding moral turpitude, illustrated again by the Jeffrey Epstein affair? Social identity trumps social conscience.
Much of the Russian public suffers from a similarly chronic moral deficiency when contemplating Vladimir Putin’s devastation of Ukraine. Intimidated dissenters avoid the subject. Others believe the disinformation fairy-tales spun by regime-controlled media. The majority inhabits a state of profound ignorance about the crimes committed in their name. When it’s over, Russians may claim, like
Germans in 1945, that they didn’t know. Amorality is mitigated by mendacity.
Israel’s denial of peace in Palestine also comes at a high moral cost. Its reputation is in shreds; its prime minister has an arrest warrant issued against him for war crimes. Antisemitism is surging internationally as a direct result. How can so many Israelis live with their army’s Gaza rampage, with the spectre of 58,000 corpses? Some say it would all stop if only the last hostages were freed; others say that all Palestinians are Hamas. Some on the far right, forgetting their country’s history, suggest the idea of a Palestinian nation is fiction. They want all 2 million of Gaza’s residents caged in one huge concentration camp.
Many Israelis passionately disagree. They desire peace. Their failure to force a change in government policy is moral as well as political. Also at fault are Americans, Russians, and all in Britain and Europe – politicians and the public –who fail to speak out, who look the other way, who excuse the inexcusable for reasons of state or personal comfort, or who claim that murder and mayhem, wherever they occur, are relatively morally tolerable if committed, as argued by Saint Thomas Aquinas, in the prosecution of a “just war.”
This very modern failure, this retreat into subjective, made-to-measure morality, this renunciation of shared responsibility, is reversible. Universal ethical standards still apply. They are defined by the Geneva Conventions, by other secular instruments of international law, through religious faith, and through the social contract. They should be respected and strengthened. They are necessary, sometimes inconvenient truths.
Ordinary people in ordinary times may pick and choose their moral battles. But ending major conflicts and easing the suffering of millions is a moral imperative that demands a determined collective response from all concerned. That way lies peace. That way lies salvation. (The Guardian)
Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator
Aspects of Guyanese culture were on display when the President and First Lady on Wednesday evening hosted a reception for participants of the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit in Guyana, July 23–25,at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Lilliendal, Georgetown
Wendy’s to open in Guyana
Global quick-service restaurant giant Wendy’s® is officially entering the Guyanese market, with its first location slated to open in August 2025 on Vlissingen Road in Georgetown. The move marks a significant milestone in the brand’s broader expansion strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The launch is being facilitated through a new franchise agreement with WenKai Inc., a locally led company that plans to open three Wendy’s restaurants across Guyana by the end of the year. The flagship Georgetown outlet will feature modern amenities, including a drive-thru, dine-in seating, and delivery services, catering to a wide range of customer preferences from breakfast to dinner.
“We’ve long admired Wendy’s for its commitment to quality, inno -
vation, and hospitality,” said Franchisee and Founder of WenKai Inc., Iman Khan Cummings. “Bringing this beloved brand to Guyana – our home – is incredibly exciting. We look forward to serving fresh, madeto-order meals and build -
ing strong community relationships through this new venture.”
Wendy’s entry into Guyana is part of a larger regional expansion effort, with WenKai Inc. also expected to develop new outlets in neighbouring Suriname. The brand
aims to tap into the growing appetite for high-quality, quick-service dining experiences in northern South America.
“Latin America is a stronghold for Wendy’s, and with experienced partners like WenKai Inc., we’re accelerating our mo -
mentum and expanding our presence across the region,” said Carlos Ribas, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at The Wendy’s Company. “The opening of the first Wendy’s restaurant in Guyana marks an exciting milestone in our journey to bring our fresh, famous food to fans throughout Latin America.”
Customers can look forward to Wendy’s iconic offerings, including its signature square hamburgers, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, crispy chicken nuggets, bone-in chicken, and the beloved Frosty™ dessert. Staying true to the brand’s global promise – Quality is Our Recipe’ – all meals will be made to order using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Dawn Ng-See-Quan, Head of Operations at WenKai Inc., emphasised the company’s ded -
2025 Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit
ication to excellence.
“At WenKai, we’re committed to delivering excellence in every detail – from sourcing and operations to customer experience,” she said. “Wendy’s is a perfect match for today’s Guyanese consumer: fresh, flavourful, and fast – but never ordinary.”
Led by a team of experienced franchise operators, WenKai Inc. has pledged to contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s economy by creating employment opportunities and elevating the standards of the local foodservice industry.
“Wendy’s is entering a vibrant, fast-growing market, and we’re proud to be leading the way,” Khan Cummings added. “With an experienced team and a deep appreciation for the brand, we’re confident in our ability to make Wendy’s a household name across Guyana – and soon, Suriname.”
EPA launches innovative Bio credit plan to protect Rupununi biodiversity
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is ensuring that Guyana steps into the global spotlight with a bold new move to protect its rich biodiversity.
Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj Parsram, announced that the agency has been actively developing a bio credit framework in the Rupununi region, aimed at enhancing biodiversity.
Speaking at the 2025 Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit under the theme “Overcoming Biodiversity Loss – An Imperative,” Dr Parsram alluded to a bio credit framework being developed in Rupununi, Region Nine – thus positioning the country as a leader in sustainable conservation.
“Importantly, through ground-breaking community-led innovation, we are pioneering a bio credit framework in the Rupununi by testing and validating six biodiversity monitoring methods: eDNA, camera traps, acoustic sensors, fish stock assessments, bird counts, and traditional ecological knowledge. And this has been led by the Wildlife Commission with the help of the FAO,” he stated.
He also emphasised that the initiative is part of Guyana’s efforts to demonstrate global leadership in
sustainable conservation.
“It is a prototype to the world, showing that biodiversity credits can be science-based, community-powered, and integrated into local livelihoods. The biodiversity data generated is feeding directly into a new generation of nature credits.”
Meanwhile, he pointed out that the EPA recently received approval for a US$4 million full-scale project focused on biodiversity credit development and forest ecosystem restoration. The initiative is expected to facilitate large-scale restoration of mined-out lands while strengthening Guyana’s framework for biodiversity credit markets.
It is on this note that he championed the cause for the global community to support the evaluation of
Guyana’s biodiversity, considering the great lengths the country has taken to enhance its environmental heritage.
“What I want to highlight today is that we have restored over 500 hectares of mangroves along our coastline – particularly with help from the EU –and also legacy mined-out landscapes. We have mining in Guyana, and through our national forest restoration initiative, we have restored or now building on that restoration work. We are now also moving beyond carbon into biodiversity markets.”
“We call on the global community to support evaluation of our biodiversity at the global level – not as an abstract ideal, but as real capital, real infrastructure, real planetary insur-
ance. Colleagues all, this is our chance not just to speak for nature, but to act for it. Guyana may be small, but our ecosystems still thrive. Our vision is clear, our commitment is proven.”
According to Dr Parsram, the country is also “developing a market for biodiversity credits and other payment-for-ecosystem-service schemes.”
He added that significant investments are being made in “education, indigenous knowledge, community resilience, public awareness, community wildlife conflict management, and legal reforms.”
Those legal reforms, he stated, include “biosafety rules, marine mammal protection, and controls against illegal fishing.”
Parsram said the EPA is looking forward to renewed momentum from the summit toward achieving the 30 by 30 biodiversity target with integrity. He also highlighted expectations for innovation in biodiversity financing – anchored in transparency, inclusion, and equity – as well as bold partnerships to strengthen monitoring systems and biodiversity intelligence.
The inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, which commenced on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, will culminate on Friday.
Several world leaders
are in attendance, including the President of the Dominican Republic, the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Former President of Colombia, and the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
EPA Director, Kemraj Parsram
Commutative and Associative Properties
Numbers behave in specific ways. Each kind of number behaviour is called a property.
The Commutative Property of Addition: Addends may be added in any order without changing the sum. An addend is any number in an addition problem. It does not matter the order in which you add those numbers. The sum will always be the same.
The Commutative Property of Multiplication: Numbers may be multiplied in any order without changing the product.
The Associative Property of Addition: Addends may be grouped in any order without changing the sum.
The Associative Property of Multiplication: Numbers may be grouped in any order without changing the product.
Example:
Find the answers to the following problems and tell which property they represent.
Exercises:
Identify the property
Poetree: Tree-Inspired Writing
Supplies
• Notebook
• Writing and drawing materials
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• String or stapler
• Clear packing tape
• A tree (real or artificial) or bulletin board
Let’s get started!
Check out these tree poems: “Birches” by Robert Frost; “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost; “Loveliest of Trees” by AE Houseman; and “The Poet Tree” by Shel Silverstein
People write poetry—to express their feelings, ideas, or tell stories in a creative way! Poetry can be fun because it uses words
in a special way – sometimes with rhymes, rhythm, or interesting descriptions. It helps people share things they care about or imagine. Some people write poetry to make others think or laugh, while others do it to share something personal. It’s like making a picture with words and there are lots of different ways to write poetry. Some forms of poetry that would work well with trees as a topic:
• Haiku: A Japanese poetry form with three unrhyming lines of five, seven, and five syllables
• Concrete: A poem in written in the shape of its subject, such as a tree or leaf
• Acrostic: A poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word, name, or phrase when read vertically
• Ode: A poem expressing praise for or celebrating something
• Diamante: A diamond-shaped poem that compares and contrasts two different things such as tree roots and crown (Adapted from startwithabook.org) To be continued
Open
By William WordsWorth
Nor perchance, If I were not thus taught, should I the more Suffer my genial spirits to decay: For thou art with me here upon the banks Of this fair river; thou my dearest Friend, My dear, dear Friend; and in thy voice I catch The language of my former heart, and read My former pleasures in the shooting lights Of thy wild eyes. Oh! yet a little while May I behold in thee what I was once, My dear, dear Sister! and this prayer I make, Knowing that Nature never did betray The heart that loved her; ‘tis her privilege, Through all the years of this our life, to lead From joy to joy: for she can so inform
The mind that is within us, so impress
With quietness and beauty, and so feed With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues, Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men, Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all The dreary intercourse of daily life, Shall e’er prevail against us, or disturb Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold Is full of blessings. Therefore let the moon Shine on thee in thy solitary walk;
To be continued
or
GECOM engages the diplomatic community on election preparedness
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday met with heads and representatives of diplomatic missions to discuss the country’s preparedness for the upcoming national elections.
The meeting brought together Heads of Mission from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The diplomatic delegation was welcomed by GECOM Chairperson, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh.
Justice Singh expressed gratitude for the ongoing support provided by the international community, particularly in the form of tech-
nical assistance, which she noted has strengthened GECOM’s efforts to conduct elections that meet international standards.
“We deeply appreciate the continued support of our international partners, whose contributions have been instrumental in our preparations. Their involvement underscores our shared commitment to ensuring credible and transparent elections,” Justice Singh stated.
She also welcomed the role of international observers, highlighting the importance of their independent assessments in bolstering public confidence in the electoral process.
Deputy Chief Election Officer Aneal Giddings presented an update on the
Commission’s operational readiness. He outlined the progress made in various areas of election preparation and assured the visiting diplomats that GECOM is on track to execute its mandate effectively.
During an interactive session, the diplomats raised several pertinent issues and received detailed responses from GECOM officials. According to a statement from the Commission, the engagement was productive, with the envoys expressing satisfaction with the clarifications provided.
The meeting concluded with assurances from GECOM that the Commission remains committed to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible, and transparent.
"No band-aid fixes”, local production increase
“way out of this" – VP on cost of living …outlines $100B already spent to ease burdens
Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has declared that price controls on food are not a viable long-term solution to tackling the rising cost of living, stating instead that the Government's approach remains rooted in expanding local production to stabilise prices and ensure food security.
Speaking at his weekly press conference on Thursday, the VP said the Government has already rolled out multiple programmes to support this objective, including seed financing, farm-to-market infrastructure, and regional food hubs. These, he emphasised, are tangible responses to cost-of-living challenges that have been exacerbated globally by supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures.
“So, we have to work now to make sure that we have greater production. Once you expand the production and the supply to the market – why do you think the black eye that we import now from abroad, which comes in at a higher price, we will be producing within two years? We're going to produce all the black eye that we consume. Within another two years, we'll be doing all the red beans that we're importing. We'll be taking our soya production and pressing the soybean oil so that the hundreds of containers that come in every month to supply our need for cooking oil... we can produce it right here in Guyana. That is what we have to do. We have to produce more meat here, the pork. We're just having... prices went up because more people are eating more meat now. So, the best response is to incentivise people. We have to put it now to produce more,” Jagdeo said.
Dismissing suggestions recently echoed by certain
sections of society that recommended price controls should be considered as a tool to protect consumers, Jagdeo explained that such an approach is economically dangerous, which could cripple local supply chains and create artificial shortages.
On this point, he emphasised that the cost of living cannot be addressed with temporary band-aids. Instead, the administration is committed to a dual approach: putting more money in people’s pockets while lowering the cost of essentials.
“So, this is how we are approaching that whole issue. And it's laid out here. So, we are focused on putting more money in people's pockets through higher wages and salaries and lowering costs. Lowering costs. We're taking away the cost of funding education and health care from you, from your families. So, you can go to any public hospital and get proper care. You don't have to worry when your child is born about their education because the state will take care of it. You just have to be able to work. We provide more opportunities and acquire more things, and your community will have a safer environment,” he explained.
Bring down cost of living
The ruling PPP/C has assured that when elected to office at the September 1 General and Regional elections, it will further bring down the cost of living.
Jagdeo, who was outlining some of the party’s plans for the next five years, said the party has a track record of providing jobs, pointing to when it took office in 2020. Jagdeo recalled that tens of thousands of jobs were created for Guyanese. He zeroed in on the agriculture sector, saying that the
part will give support to farmers and sugar workers. Apart from implementing initiatives to reduce the cost of living, Jagdeo said much attention will be placed on security during the PPP/C’s next term in office.
“We have to make sure that we get more loans to people who want to start small businesses. In every one of your villages, we want to make sure that we have streetlights and security cameras to fight against crime.”
Speaking about infrastructure, the VP pointed out that the plan is to have the drainage system improved.
“We want to do concrete drains. We want to make sure that all your communities are secure. We have to pick up the garbage better. We get a lot of complaints about the NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic Council), etc. We need to fix a lot of things in the future. But only one party can do that, and that's the People's Progressive Party. I want you again to commit to safeguarding that future,” the VP said.
Array of initiatives
The PPP/C Government has implemented a wide array of initiatives aimed at directly improving the livelihoods of Guyanese families and reducing everyday expenses. These initiatives have a total projected cost of over $100 billion to the treasury between 2024 and 2025 alone.
Among some of the initiatives already implemented are the $100,000 one-time cash grant to every Guyanese over the age of 18; free tuition at the University of Guyana (UG); electricity and water subsidy for pensioners; minimum monthly salary of $100,000 for all Government workers; increased tax threshold;$10,000 per child per month for one parent per
family; and $100,000 pay out for every new-born to support early childhood needs.
In addition, pensions were raised from $36,000 to $41,000 per month in the 2025 budget, boosting disposable income for over 76,000 pensioners. Public assistance increased from $19,000 to $22,000 per month starting January 1, 2025, offering enhanced support for vulnerable groups; a $10,000 universal healthcare voucher for every citizen, financing basic health tests and targeting around 500,000 persons, costing an estimated $5 billion; removal of all customs duty and value-added tax (VAT) on electric vehicles in the 2025 National Budget, encouraging greener transportation and environmental responsibility; a 50 percent write-down allowance on
electric vehicles, to further incentivise their purchase; reduced import duty on new motor vehicles under 1500 cc from 45 percent to 35 percent in 2023, saving approximately $200,000 per vehicle; introduction of a flat $800,000 tax on used vehicles under 1500 cc, replacing the variable tax and reducing overall import costs by around $300,000 per vehicle; reduction of excise
tax on gasoline and diesel, reducing fuel costs for all motorists.
This is in addition to $1 billion in fertiliser for farmers; removal of VAT on sheetrock and concrete boards, basic construction materials; and removal of VAT on fertilisers, agrochemicals, pesticides, and several inputs in the poultry industry.
GECOM’s meeting with the heads and representatives of diplomatic missions on Thursday
"Concrete Man" charged for murder of Linden teacher
A21-year-old labourer from Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was on Thursday formally charged with the murder of a local teacher, days after the fatal incident that sent shockwaves through the community.
Shaka Phillips, known as “Concrete Man,” was arrested on July 20 and appeared virtually before Senior Magistrate Rondel Weaver at the Linden Magistrate’s Court to answer to the capital offence.
The charge stems from the July 19 killing of 26-year-old Jenel Pollydore, a teacher of Lower Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden. The incident reportedly occurred at Central Amelia’s Ward.
During Thursday’s court proceedings, Phillips was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge. Bail was denied, and he was remanded to prison.
The matter has been adjourned to August 28.
Phillips, in his alleged confession of the crime, told investigators that on July 19 he had been calling Jenel’s cell phone, but she was not answering. As a result, he went to the R&R Hotel in Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, where a wedding reception was being held, and saw Jenel talking to a man.
He allegedly admitted
that he confronted her and asked why she was not answering his calls, leading to an argument. He stated that he became upset, took a gun from his shoulder bag, and shot her. Pollydore ran into the hotel yard, and he chased her, shooting her again. He saw her fall to the ground, then fled the scene on a bicycle and went into hiding in Amelia’s Ward. He told investigators that he subsequently went to ‘Adams boat landing’ and threw the gun into the Demerara River. Police said that he was taken back to the scene and the area where he claimed he threw the gun; however, due to the spring tide on Sunday, investigators were unable to conduct a search for the gun. The interview with the suspect was video and audio recorded.
The man was arrested at
South Amelia’s Ward hours after he killed the mother of three.
Initial police reports concluded that the couple had been in a relationship and were cohabiting, but Pollydore had reportedly separated from Phillips after enduring repeated physical abuse.
A restraining order had been taken out against him, but that did not stop the violence. The victim’s relative, Malika Pollydore, told investigators that they were attending a wedding reception at the hotel when the incident occurred. Pollydore was standing near the hotel’s gate when Phillips approached her and questioned why she was not answering her phone. An argument followed, during which he pulled out a handgun and shot her.
“She tried; she did everything”
In a live video interview conducted by Simona Broomes, former Government Minister and member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), the woman’s stepmother, Madonna Pollydore, said that she had endured harassment and abuse at the hands of her child’s father.
Meanwhile, her father said that Phillips had tried to stab her previously.
“He would show up at
all hours. He even threw gasoline on himself to light himself on fire. He took her phone, and he damaged it. Once, in front of the children, he started lashing himself in the head with a hammer.” Repeated reports were made to the police, but the family claims their pleas for help were ignored. “We were told they didn’t have a patrol. One officer even told us to ‘throw stale pee’ on him. They did nothing.”
Despite a restraining order and ongoing complaints, Phillips continued to stalk Pollydore, showing up at her workplace, home, and other locations, even as she tried to protect her children. The most recent of the Pollydore’s children is just three months old.
The victim had confided in friends that she feared for her life. In a voice note shared online, Pollydore said she broke up with Phillips because he had “started acting like he was running mad.” She said, “I didn’t block him because I didn’t want to take his child away from him.”
“She tried. She did everything. We made the reports. She got the restraining order and still, she died.”
The stepmother lamented. “When she was alive they did nothing, now that she dead, a set of them guarding her body. For what?!” she asked.
Dealing with… …the upstarts
Now far be it for your Eyewitness to deny anyone their right to get involved with politics – being a card-carrying, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat all his (long) life!! And that doesn’t mean folks just showing up every five years at campaign rallies to then put their Xs opposite the symbols of people who think they can run the country. It also means THEY can put THEIR names on the ballots to gather Xs and become President!!
So, when he speaks about “upstarts,” he don’t mean no disrespect to those who’ve decided to enter the political hustings by not joining up with any of the veteran parties – namely the PPP and the PNC – but launched their own parties!! But they earn the monicker “upstarts” when they start acting as if they’re gonna actually REPLACE those parties—on their first outing!! The term came to your Eyewitness’ mind when he read a missive from that old sacakwoo Hamilton Green – who recently conferred the title “Elder” on himself. Note that he doesn’t mean he’s OLD – which he certainly is – but that he’s a fount of wisdom because he’s old!!
Anyhow, the PNC’s old – as in past – enforcer analysed the parties contesting the Sept 1st elections using an extended (and strained) metaphor of a horse race on the “homestretch” of a racetrack!! He described “…a filly, with a jockey in purple, not yet politically matured, thinking and being led to believe by sycophants that they are, with just a few years of political internship, right and ready for the final gallop of the homestretch. One can hardly ignore the story of Narcissus. Narcissus thought he was the most beautiful and was consumed with his own self-adulation, rejecting all others. The gods, according to Greek mythology, turned him into a flower.”
He was clearly putting down Amanza Walton-Desir, who’d exited the Elder’s PNC to launch her own “Forward Guyana” party after only being in politics since 2020 –when she was appointed an MP. But isn’t Green being disingenuous about Desir when his hero Burnham demanded to become leader of the PPP over Cheddi even though he’d just returned as a lawyer – with NO experience in politics??!! And Cheddi had been toiling away in the political field for seven years – and had become an MP!! Meanwhile, Burnham had already been given the chairmanship!
What’s more narcissistic than that?? As for the dig about the colour purple – Desir’s Party wheel-symbol’s colour, which is associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition – wasn’t this also Burnham’s colour?? And he was so full of himself he renamed three Bauxite villages as “”Linden – his given name!! Ahhh… there are none so blind as they who will not see!!
…OFAC’s
sanction
Some folks are getting a bit bassidy about a seeming disjuncture between a US State Dept instruction to their ambassadors on pronouncements on their host countries’ elections and the statement of their Guyanese Ambassador on Mohamed’s WIN presidential bid. They really gotta get used to making close readings of diplomatic language!!
What were the original instructions? “When it is appropriate to comment on a foreign election, our message should be brief, focused on congratulating the winning candidate and, when appropriate, noting shared foreign policy interests.” The key phrase is ”when appropriate, noting shared foreign policy interests.”
And what did Ambassador Theriot say? “We are concerned anytime an… OFAC-sanctioned individual has the potential to become a member of Government. As the US Government…we have to be very careful if that person is involved; let us say he is on a certain committee. We would have to ensure that when we work with that committee, we don’t work with him specifically.”
OFAC sanctions imply US foreign policy interests!!
… nuclear North Korea
Talking about “US foreign policy interests,” whatever happened to those interests and nuclear-armed North Korea under Dictator Kim Jong Un? Unlike Iran – which didn’t even have the enriched uranium to make a bomb – North Korea’s ICBMs can deliver theirs into the US!!
Charged: Shaka Phillips, known as "Concrete Man"
Banks justified in cutting ties with US-sanctioned Mohamed WIN’s candidates – Jagdeo
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the country’s Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has rubbished claims by candidates of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party, founded by United States (US)sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, that the Government is influencing commercial banks to close their accounts.
“They’re quick to say everything is ‘PPP discrimination – this bank is closed to the Peoples Progressive Party; that is why the accounts were closed’.” Jagdeo said during his party’s weekly press conference on Thursday.
However, he noted that former member of the PPP, Mae Thomas, who – along with Mohamed, his father, and businesses – was sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), had her accounts closed shortly after the sanctions were disclosed.
“What about Mae Thomas? The fact of the matter is that Mae Thomas’ accounts were
closed by Citizens Bank and Republic Bank. That is the fact of the matter.” Jagdeo highlighted.
Thomas is a former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Labour.
In 2024, OFAC announced that it sanctioned Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, as well as several of their companies.
Sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed has since launched a political party – WIN – to contest the 2025 General and Regional Elections; he is listed as the presidential candidate.
Cut ties
It was recently disclosed that Demerara Bank Limited has so far moved to close the accounts of several of WIN’s candidates, including Duarte Hetsberger, Natasha Singh-Lewis, and Trishanna Park-Cort.
While they have alleged discrimination by the bank, the financial institution has stated that its decision was made to ensure it complies with regulations of the international financial sector as it
relates to sanctioned individuals.
Jagdeo on Thursday explained that all banks will be forced to de-risk their services to protect relations with United States banking facilities.
“The banks in Guyana, if they lose two things: access to the SWIFT that allows them to transfer money – it’s a code used by all banks around the world – when you transfer money abroad, you have to access that system,” he explained.
“If you lose correspon-
dent banking relations with the US or you lose access to the SWIFT, you might as well shut down the bank; you can’t function, you can’t send a wire transfer abroad,” he further outlined.
Jagdeo, an economist by profession who also served as Minister of Finance from 1995 to 1999, further questioned, “How will we pay for goods and services? We going to put the money in a bag or get Mohamed to smuggle it out for you?”
He noted that the candidates affected by the
banks’ decision were aware of what they were signing up for, as they were adequately warned about the risks of being associated with a US-sanctioned individual at that level of OFAC.
“What is this big outrage? All the people who are on his list, in spite of being told about this, you’re now formally part of an organisation headed by a man who is an OFACsanctioned individual. It is different from when you were not on the list… So you are subjected to enhanced scrutiny; no bank will want to risk their relationship with the US,” Jagdeo said.
He pointed out that more banks will be taking similar steps to protect their relations with US banks as well as the private sector.
Jagdeo also used the opportunity to criticise Mohamed and his associates for trying to downplay the impact of the US sanctions.
“They don’t look at themselves. I can’t imagine the level of stupidity in the analysis that I see,” he expressed.
The VP posited that the ambassador is also justified in her statement.
“The treasury sanction is a serious sanction; it’s not just like taking away your visa, which is a form of sanction too… It dictates how US entities can engage with sanctioned individuals; you are prohibited from dealing with these individuals,” Jagdeo explained.
He also expressed that the local private sector may be worried about their investments in light of these developments.
“Look how many franchises you have here, Starbucks; you have all of the other [US] franchises now… You don’t wanna lose your jobs or your money you invested in these things. The private sector must be worried too, extremely worried about the possibility of a sanctioned individual causing consequences for them and their families and their businesses and their employees,” Jagdeo said.
US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot recently expressed that the US would be concerned if the sanctioned businessman is elected a parliamentarian.
WIN candidates, Duarte Hetsberger and Natasha Singh-Lewis
‘A blatant lie’ – Jagdeo on US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed housing distribution claims
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has sharply rejected claims made by US-sanctioned businessman-turned-political aspirant Azruddin Mohamed that he has built more homes for citizens than the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, branding the assertion a “blatant lie.”
Jagdeo was responding to statements made during Mohamed’s recent public appearance, where the businessman boasted of constructing more houses with his own money than the Government has using taxpayer dollars.
While acknowledging that Azruddin Mohamed did assist a few families with the construction of their home, he made it unequivocally clear that Mohamed could never, from a policy directive, surpass the PPP/C house lot distribution programme, even with additionally funds.
“Do you know what it takes to prepare 50,000 house lots? Do you know what it takes? Not just to go and hide a ton of gold and smuggle it one time out of the country. It takes much more to do that. It's a large-scale task. You have to clear areas, put in drains. You have to put in light water. That's what's
happening now. $300 billion. He's making a joke of it: “Oh, they only give out the 50,000 lots. They didn't build homes. He built more homes than the Government”.
“He said this – a blatant lie. You had about 5000 houses built by the Government since we took office, although we didn't promise that in the manifesto. We lowered the mortgage rate. We put in the free cement and steel programme to address increasing costs for people, for low-income people,” Jagdeo added.
The Government has exceeded its target to deliver 50,000 house lots promised in its 2020 man-
ifesto, with single women, young people, and low-income families among the main beneficiaries.
According to Ministry of Housing and Water, of the total allocations, 47 per cent have gone to single women, and 54 per cent have been granted to young Guyanese aged 21 to 35, providing them with the opportunity to take their first step towards homeownership.
Notably, 90 per cent of the over 50,000 lots have been designated for low-income families, emphasising the administration’s commitment to providing affordable housing and improving the living standards of all Guyanese.
Against this back-
drop, Jagdeo ridiculed Mohamed’s comparison, saying the businessman downplayed the scale of what it takes to prepare communities.
“We have a lot of homes to build in the future because a lot of people are
money, with their money because of the taxes stolen. So that's what we said here. We recognise all the things that haven't been done as yet,” he added.
For the next five years, the PPP has committed to building on the success of
steel and cement subsidy programme, which allows eligible persons to receive either cement only (for foundation construction) or both steel and cement, depending on their income bracket and stage of construction.
now getting their land. That's why we said we will assist to also help people to build homes in the next term. This is part of the manifesto because we want every person to own their own home. The blatant lie that this guy tells, he says he built more houses, he told the people in Parfait, than the Government of Guyana did with their own
its housing programme, to ensure every Guyanese becomes a homeowner.
The administration has already committed to distributing an additional 30,000 house lots between 2026 and 2027, with an emphasis on meeting the housing needs of young people.
Further, more citizens are set to benefit from the
The initiative was launched by Government in 2022 to accelerate homeownership and ease the financial burden on first-time homebuilders. Nationally, the Government has already distributed over 2000 vouchers, representing more than $500 million invested into the homebuilding sector.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
One of the Young Professional Housing Schemes under construction. An initiative by the PPP Government
US-sanctioned
Azruddin Mohamed already stole 275 years’
worth of Presidential salaries via tax evasion – Jagdeo …dismisses ‘no’ salary pledge, anti-corruption promises
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday rubbished several promises made by Presidential candidate of
the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party, United States (US)-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed.
One of the promises recently made by the businessman, who is facing sanctions from the US’ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), is that he will give up his Presidential salary if he is elected to serve in that high office.
However, Jagdeo pointed out that through corruption and tax evasion, for which Mohamed is sanctioned, he has already robbed the State of 275 years’ worth of Presidential salaries.
“He evaded $11 billion in taxes in five years, so he hasn’t even served a single day, and he has collect-
ed the salary equivalent to 275 years that a President would take to earn what he has stolen from the treasury. He doesn’t need to collect a Presidential salary; he collected it already,” Jagdeo noted during his weekly press conference.
In 2024, OFAC announced that it sanctioned Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, as well as several of their companies for their roles in public corruption in Guyana. The sanctions are related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10,000 kilograms (kg) of gold from import and export declarations. They were sanctioned pur-
suant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and corruption globally.
Further, Mohamed is before the court for allegedly evading taxes on a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster imported in December 2020.
“Even on the Lamborghini, he has evaded [taxes] by submitting a fake invoice, the equivalent of ten years of a Presidential salary,” the PPP General Secretary and former President said.
Jagdeo further scoffed at promises made by Mohamed to also tackle corruption giv-
en his sanctioned status for similar practices.
“Imagine a man sanctioned for gold smuggling by the United States of America Treasury, being accused of money laundering by Reuters, drug smuggling by Reuters, who has been accused of murder, who has been implicated in torture and trafficking of people, and who is talking about tackling corruption,” he highlighted.
After being slapped with the sanctions, Mohamed announced his intention to run for office and has formed a political party called WIN. It has since been approved by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to contest the upcoming General and Regional Elections on September 1.
The party officially launched its manifesto on Thursday.
Jagdeo has since urged citizens to avoid the “empty talk.” He emphasised that the PPP is the only party with a real plan to take the country forward.
GECOM probes fraudulent ID application using voter’s details …cops called in as SOP breach uncovered
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has launched an internal investigation after it was unearthed that someone used the details of another registered voter to fraudulently apply for a national identification (ID) card.
In a statement on Thursday, GECOM said this discrepancy was discovered in the Revised List of Electors (RLE) that is currently on display across the country to allow stakeholders the opportunity to examine it for accuracy.
With reference to this specific irregular registration transaction, the Elections Commission said the necessary remedial action was taken, which is statutorily permissible during the prescribed 21day period for the display of the RLE.
“Immediately upon being notified of the incorrectness, the GECOM Secretariat launched an internal investigation, which revealed that the occurrence was due to non-compliance with established procedures at the level of the concerned registration offices, which involved accepting applications for a replacement ID card and change of address by a random person using the registration particulars of a genuine registrant/ elector,” the commission detailed.
According to GECOM, “Having recognised by way of internal queries that the registration records of a legitimate registrant/elector were altered without his involvement, the Chief Election Officer instructed that the unlawful transactions be reversed. This was done. The replacement ID card that was prepared is still in the Commission’s possession. The card will be destroyed.”
The Elections Commission added that an in-person discussion was held with the concerned registration officials. As a result of that discussion, it was determined that firstly, there was a breach of the standard operating procedures by registration staff throughout the system; and secondly, the staff who interacted with the person who visited the office to make the applications could not provide logical explanations for his actions in the matter.
“Consequently, the police were invited to carry out investigations to determine whether actions of the concerned registration officials amount to a criminal offence,” the missive from the Commission stated.
Moreover, GECOM further publicly acknowledged that two erroneous transactions were conducted at one of its registration offices. In the same breath, however, the Elections Commission has assured stakeholders, especially the bona fide registrant who was affected, that had the established registration procedures been followed, then the incorrectness would not have occurred.
“Insofar as the breach of procedures is concerned, the Commission is currently conducting an internal investigation to ensure that there is no recurrence,” GECOM reassured.
Nevertheless, the Elections Commission used Thursday’s missive to remind citizens that the RLE is still on public display for scrutiny and urged all concerned to check it to ensure that their particulars are accurate.
The RLE is currently being displayed at two prominent locations in every
registration division and subdivision as well as on GECOM’s website for public scrutiny until July 29, 2025. It was noted that if anyone makes a discovery of concern, then a report must be made forthwith to the respective registration office.
GECOM says it is committed to a transparent registration process that adheres strictly to the legal provisions and one in which all registration transactions conducted are scrutinised by representatives of the parliamentary political parties.
“Against this backdrop, the Commission reassures all stakeholders that there are robust mechanisms in place to guard against errors and remains committed to ensuring that its operations are transparent, credible, free, and fair and uphold the tenets of integrity and democracy,” the statement added.
GECOM has already approved the lists of candidates for six political parties to contest the upcoming September 1 General and Regional Elections in Guyana, namely, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Alliance for Change (AFC), Assembly of Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).
However, while all six approved parties will contest in the General Elections, only four of them will contest all 10 electoral districts (administrative regions) in the Regional Elections. These are PPP, which is seeking re-election for a second term with President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips returning as the party’s
frontrunners; APNU, led by Presidential Candidate Aubrey Norton and Prime Ministerial Candidate Juretha Fernandes; AFC, with Nigel Hughes as the presidential candidate and no prime Ministerial candidate selected to date; and WIN, led by US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who is also yet to name his running mate.
On the other hand, the ALP, led by former Minister under the previous APNU+AFC coalition regime Simona Broomes, will only be contesting in districts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 in the regional elections. Additionally, FGM,
with presidential candidate Amanza Walton-Desir – a former APNU+AFC Member of Parliament – will be contesting in the regional elections in districts one, two, three, four, five, six, and 10. Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud had told reporters on the side-lines of the July 14 Nomination Day that following the approval of the parties’ lists, the next step would be designing the ballot paper, which will be sent overseas along with the tally sheets and Statements of Poll (SoPs) to be printed by Ottawabased Canadian Bank Note Company Limited.
In the meantime, the
Elections Secretariat will continue logistical work in preparation for the upcoming polls.
“[When] the ballots come back, we do extraction for the conduct of Discipline Services’ balloting, and then we pack ballot boxes for election day – September 1,” Persaud had explained. Since police officers are required to be out on duty on election day, and the other discipline services are on standby, the members of these agencies customarily vote before civilians. These ranks are expected to cast their votes on August 22 – 10 days before the September 1 polling day.
PPP’s General Secretary, Bharat Jagdeo
US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed
Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit
“We need to have fair pricing for carbon credits” fmr Colombian President demands …COP30 President says strengthening of carbon market is high on the agenda
ith carbon cred-
Wits fast becoming an option for countries and major companies around the world to offset their high emissions, former Colombian President Iván Duque has sounded calls for the right price to be placed on carbon credits.
“We have seen many advancements on carbon credit markets despite the critics that the market has faced in the last few years, but we need to have fair pricing,” Duque declared during a presentation on Day Two of the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit 2025 being held in Georgetown.
According to the former Head of State, accurately pricing carbon is important to help incentivise biodiversity protection and climate
action. He pointed out that the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region is already facing the challenge of finding adequate funding to trigger the level of climate action that is required.
Duque ruled out that this funding will come from philanthropy, bilateral allocation, and national budget-
ary resources. To this end, he posited that the mobilisation of resources to achieve climate action will have to come through the market-driven, nature-based, or climate-based solutions like carbon credits.
“We have seen many advancements on carbon credit markets, even despite the
critics that the market has faced in the last few years. But we need to have fair pricing; we need to improve on the accounting. We need to provide all the transparency, and we need to allow those regions in the world that already have a voluntary carbon market to be able to compensate through
projects in the Global South so that resources are very well allocated,” the former Colombian leader stated.
Duque believes that the carbon credit market is the only way, at least in the short term, to mobilise the resources that are badly needed in the Global South. Without these market solutions, the former Head of State says there will continue to be great promises and pledges, but not enough results.
In fact, he is hoping that this agenda to strengthen and accelerate practical, smart, and financial solutions like the carbon credit markets will be advanced at the upcoming 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), which will be held in November this year in neighbouring Brazil.
“I don’t want to see either a whining situation from the Global South or a patronising situation from the Global North. And that involves the Global North needing to do something fast to provide the right pricing for carbon in the Global South. And it also has to do with the need that voluntary carbon credit markets in the Global North have to allow big companies from the Global North to provide resources to the Global South via compensation in projects,” Duque posited.
Bemoaned significant loss
The former Colombian President also bemoaned the significant loss of the Amazon Rainforest over the last four decades and stressed the importance of ending deforestation – a sentiment that was shared by President of COP30, Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago.
He pointed out that ending deforestation and stimulating restoration of forests within the Amazon basin is highly important – the latter, especially, to the carbon credit market.
“I completely agree that we need to have the most dynamic and efficient carbon market possible because the credits from carbon, from forest restoration, are, by definition, much better credits than any other credits because they are the only ones that capture CO2 that has al-
ready been emitted.
“I think that it is our obligation as forest countries to prove that we can have extremely serious and verifiable credits from forest restoration. And so, I believe that there is a really impressive opportunity at COP30 for us to show how we can strengthen the idea of a carbon market [and] of forest restoration,” Ambassador Lago stated.
When it comes to avoiding deforestation, the COP30 President pointed to financial mechanisms created under the Climate Change Convention – the REDD+, which awards countries financially for maintaining their forests.
Ambassador Lago further outlined plans by Brazil to launch the Tropical Forest for Forever Facility (TFFF) at COP30 – a novel investment fund that aims to protect tropical forests by paying countries for keeping their forests intact.
“I believe that this is going to be an extremely positive evolution because you're going to have the TFFF for conservation, you will have to strengthen REDD+ to avoid deforestation, and we have to have a very strong carbon market for restoration of forests. So, we have three distinct activities in forests that have to receive the financial resources to go ahead,” the COP30 President stated.
Financial instruments
To this end, Ambassador Lago indicated that there is a group of global economists that is currently working on a variety of financial instruments that can be presented at COP30 aimed at bringing innovative solutions for developing countries to receive the resources critically needed for climate action.
“This is a very difficult moment for international financing for the developing countries, because the risk that is perceived in our countries is much higher than the reality. We don't have fiscal space, and if we think we can depend on official resources from developed countries, unfortunately, it's going to be infinitely lower than what is necessary. So, we definitely need new ideas,” the COP30 President stated.
Since launching the world’s first Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in 2009, Guyana has received significant results-based payments for forest climate services, including through a formative partnership with Norway that was followed by the world’s first issuance of jurisdictional REDD+ carbon credits under the ARTTREES standard, which have been sold to companies such as Apple, Hess Corporation, and 16 global airlines.
Former Colombian President Iván Duque
President of COP30 Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago
98% of Guyana's FDI inflows went to hydrocarbon in 2024 – ECLAC report
…as FDI flows to the LAC region climb to US$189B
Almost all of Guyana’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in 2024 went to the country’s burgeoning oil and gas sector, according to a recent report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
In its annual report –Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the
When it comes to natural resources, this industry had the smallest share of inflows – 16 per cent of the regional total. However, Guyana was named among two countries that saw a climb in foreign investments.
“Nearly all countries saw declining investment in this sector, except Argentina, where a 44 per
cent of the region’s gross fixed capital formation and 2.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 –below the levels recorded in the 2010s when it accounted for 16.8 per cent and 3.3 percent, respectively.
It was reported that the 2024 growth was driven by transnational firms that already operated in the region, mainly due to
Caribbean 2025 – that was recently released in Santiago, Chile, ECLAC reported that hydrocarbon production accounted for a staggering 98 per cent of Guyana’s total FDI inflows last year.
According to ECLAC, FDI flows to the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region grew to US$188.962 billion in 2024.
Based on reports, Brazil and Mexico dominated headlines, capturing 38 per cent and 24 per cent of Latin American FDI, respectively, while the Caribbean region delivered 2024's strongest regional growth performance.
Caribbean FDI inflows surged 32.7 per cent to $15.28 billion – the highest regional growth rate, outpacing Central America's 16.6 per cent and South America's mixed results, where several major economies saw declining inflows.
On a sectorial basis, manufacturing inflows increased and services inflows decreased last year.
cent increase carried the sector’s share of the total to 39 per cent, and Guyana, where inflows to the sector – up 43 per cent on the back of expanded hydrocarbon production – accounted for 98 per cent of total inflows,” the report detailed.
Guyana began producing oil in 2019 from the prolific Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, which is being operated by United States oil major ExxonMobil along with its coventurers.
With three active Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs – all operating at near optimal levels – Guyana’s total production capacity stood at some 690,000 barrels per day (bpd) as of May 2025.
ECLAC report
ECLAC – a regional United Nations body – says last year’s $189B growth in FDI inflows to the LAC region reflects a 7.1 per cent increase from 2023. This figure, it noted, represented, on average, 13.7 per
increased reinvestment of earnings, while the contributions of capital remain stagnant, with ECLAC warning that the latter reflects new companies’ limited interest in locating in the region.
It was further noted that project announcements rose due to a big push from hydrocarbon investments, while renewable energy and more technology-intensive sectors lost ground in this area, the UN regional organisation stated.
According to the annual publication, the United States consolidated its position as the biggest investor in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 38 per cent of the value invested in 2024.
The share of the European Union (excluding Luxembourg and the Netherlands) fell to 15 per cent of the regional total in 2024 – the lowest figure since 2012. The investments coming from within Latin America and the Caribbean represented 12
per cent of FDI inflows in the region, ranking as the third place of origin.
Meanwhile, Chinese FDI represented just 2 per cent of total inflows in 2024. However, ECLAC explains that only a small proportion of FDI inflows coming from China are recorded in balance of payments statistics, since a significant number of Chinese investments pass through third countries, and another large amount has been in the form of purchases of assets that already belonged to foreign companies or in modalities that do not comprise FDI (for example, as concessions or construction contracts).
With regard to the behaviour of Latin American transnational corporations (known as trans-Latins), the report shows that FDI outflows from the region increased by 47 per cent in 2024, totalling $53.033 billion dollars. Brazil was named the biggest investor abroad with 46 per cent of the total, despite having experienced a slight decline in FDI outflows –three per cent – while investments coming from Mexico showed the greatest growth.
ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, said,
“At ECLAC we believe that Latin America and the Caribbean must harness Foreign Direct Investment to achieve more productive, inclusive, and sustainable development. Using FDI as a strategic tool within productive development policies will be key to achieving this. Fittingly, we include in this report a series of guidelines that can help improve the technical, operational, political, and prospective (TOPP) capabilities of countries and their territories in relation to policies aimed at attracting investment and creating a positive impact on productive development.”
Murder suspect remanded after turning self in 2024 murder over cell phone
– Court reveals suspect sentenced in absentia on another charge; faces other trials on separate charges
Aman who had evaded law enforcement officers for more than a year but decided to turn himself in Wednesday has been remanded to prison for the 2024 murder, allegedly over a cell phone, in the Corentyne.
Nicholas Johnson, called ‘Suga,’ a 25-year-old heavy-duty machine operator, was not required to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Springlands Magistrate Court charged with murder.
Johnson is now being charged, 17 months after the offence, because he was on the run until Wednesday, when he turned up at the Springlands Police Station with an attorney, where he was arrested.
Johnson is being represented by attorneys Chandra Sohan and Adrian Annamyaha.
No stranger to the courts In court on Thursday it was also revealed that Johnson had been sentenced for another matter while on the run and also had other trials in unrelated matters at the same time.
After being placed in custody, police notified Johnson that in his absence he was sentenced to a 51-month jail term for felonious wounding committed on Andrea Greaves. That sentence was imposed by Magistrate Robindranauth Singh.
Johnson is also committed by Magistrate Renita Singh to stand trial in the High Court for rape. He was also charged for causing bodily harm by wanton driving and also faced various assault charges.
2024 murder allegation It is alleged that on February 20, 2024,
at Number 53 Village Corentyne, Johnson murdered Colene Toney.
The court was told that Johnson and 31-year-old Toney had an argument that escalated. Johnson then left the scene and returned with a knife and dealt Toney several stabs before fleeing.
The injured man was taken to the Skeldon Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the court heard.
It had been reported that at about 23:30h on the day in question, Toney was stabbed several times, including once in the chest.
Reports are that Johnson, a taxi driver at the time and of Number 51 Village, carried out the act.
Toney’s mother, Clair Hope, told this publication back then that her son and Johnson got involved in an argument over a cell phone earlier in the night.
Teen killed by stray bullet
“He shot her through her hands” – grieving grandmother
Sixteen-year-old Reyna Depeazer, who had just completed her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and was anxiously awaiting her results, died Wednesday after being tragically struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by a well-known character who is now in police custody.
The aspiring student from East La Penitence, Georgetown, was reportedly shot after attending a party on the night of July 21 at Mango Lane, East Ruimveldt.
One day after her passing, this publication visited the teen’s home and spoke with her grieving grandmother, Simone Gonzales, who recalled the events leading up to the tragic incident.
She stated that on the night of the shooting, Depeazer left to attend the party with her friends around 19:30h.
“She left around 7:30 pm to go to the party. Her friend picked her up. When she left, my grandson –who is 15 years old – said he was going over there with her. After that, I saw him running outside along with all the people who were at the party,” she recounted.
“I found out that a guy was in a car. He came out
Sixteen-year-old Reyna Depeazer
and took out a gun to shoot someone he had a problem with… My granddaughter was coming home. Her friend dropped her. When she stopped, the guy fired the shot. She put her arm up...he shot her through her hands when she raised them to block the bullets. The bullet flew through her hand and hit her in the neck, striking her spine,” she alleged.
Police investigations have so far revealed that the teenager and a friend were sitting on a motorcycle, socialising along Mango Lane, while another motorcycle was parked nearby.
It is alleged that the suspect arrived in a white Fielder Waggon bearing registration number PYY 2896. He exited the vehicle carrying a handgun and walked towards the other
motorcyclist.
A confrontation reportedly ensued between them, during which the suspect discharged a round that accidentally struck Reyna in the neck. She reportedly collapsed to the ground, after which the suspect re-entered his vehicle and sped off.
On July 22, at about 01:00 hrs, the suspect was arrested on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, while driving the same vehicle. He was informed of the allegation made against him, arrested, and cautioned. A search was conducted on his person, the motorcar, and his home, but no firearm was found.
He was escorted to CID Headquarters, where he was swabbed for gunpowder residue, and the motorcar was lodged. He is expected to be charged with murder.
According to Hope, her son had sold the taxi driver a phone for $20,000 but was not paid immediately.
Her son subsequently demanded payment and was given $5000 of the $20,000 being demanded. The two men subsequently got involved in a fight, then Johnson left and returned with a knife.
Man reportedly admits to burning fish vendor’s new home …claims he was paid to do it
Aman has reportedly confessed to setting a Corentyne fish vendor’s newly built, two-storey, 3-bedroom structure ablaze on Tuesday morning.
On Thursday, acting on information, Corentyne fish vendor Michael Ramnarine approached a yet unnamed man and confronted him about the incident.
During the encounter, which was video recorded, the man claimed that he was paid $40,000 to carry out the act.
He claimed that he was told that Ramnarine chased three heads of cattle belonging to a cattle farmer off the property, and as such the farmer paid him to burn the building and also supplied the gasoline.
The man who allegedly confessed to the arson was subsequently handed over to the police and has reportedly since provided vital information to aid with the investigation.
On Tuesday morning Ramnarine had received a telephone call stating that the house he built and
was hoping to move into on Saturday with his family was on fire.
When he arrived at the premises situated at the Chesney New Housing Scheme, he found that the entire building was engulfed.
He had previously told this publication that he had moved from his mother’s home with his family and started living with his mother-in-law nine years ago. But in March of
this year, he bought a plot of land at Chesney New Housing Scheme and immediately started constructing his new home. Ramnarine said he had been putting all his efforts into constructing his new home, and as he acquired funds, he purchased material.
According to the fish vendor, he was planning to purchase tiles and a sink for the kitchen, which he would have installed on Thursday.
Accused Nicholas Johnson being led away after court on Thursday
Simone Gonzales, grandmother
Michael Ramnarine
The completely destroyed home
The case has been transferred to the Number 51 Court and comes up again on August 27.
Azruddin Mohamed admits to running for office to get sanctions lifted …as
WIN launches manifesto
The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party, led by United States (US)sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed, finally launched its manifesto on Thursday ahead of the September 1 General and Regional Elections, unveiling a slew of eye-raising “welfare and tax reform” promises that have raised questions on how the party would fund its extravagant agenda, given its pledge to reduce major sources of Government revenue.
The manifesto, branded with policy pillars like WIN for Children, WIN for Youth, and WIN for Public Servants, proposes unprecedented increases in Government spending while simultaneously slashing a broad range of tax revenues. At the heart of the manifesto are promises to significantly boost state support across multiple sectors, from healthcare and education to pensions and public servant salaries.
Among the headline promises are a 50 per cent increase in public servants’ salaries, a more than doubling of the oldage pension from $41,000 to $100,000 per month, a jump in public assistance for vulnerable groups from $22,000 to $50,000 per month, an increase in the “Because We Care” school cash grant from $55,000 to $100,000 annually, and a push to raise the national minimum wage, in partnership with the private sector.
The “Because We Care” school cash grant was started in 2013 by the current PPP/C Administration.
Simultaneously, the WIN manifesto also promises to lower the VAT rate from 14 per cent to 10 per cent, reduce PAYE income tax from 25 per cent to 20 per cent, and raise the taxfree income threshold from $130,000 to $200,000. In
addition, it proposes major cuts to import duties on vehicles, with reductions of up to 60 per cent across categories, and full exemptions for ATVs and smaller outboard engines.
Pressed by reporters on how such an expansive spending program would be funded, Mohamed insisted the money would come from eliminating corruption and what he calls “wasteful spending.” He claimed that up to 30 percent of the national budget is lost to corruption.
Joining Mohamed at the manifesto launch were WIN General Secretary Odessa Primus and several former opposition politicians who have defected from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU): Dawn Hastings-Williams, Natasha Singh-Lewis, and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley.
The manifesto also includes promises to re-establish a national public service academy, revise the Amerindian Act of 2002, and encourage the creation of an indigenous credit union.
To address the country’s domestic violence epidemic, the party promises to build safe houses for victims of domestic violence and establish a gender-based violence registry. However, they did not address the fact that the current administration has already built safe houses for victims of domestic violence.
The policy platform was unveiled even as concerns continued to intensify over Mohamed’s US sanctions and implications for the country should he be elected to a seat in parliament.
The manifesto launch comes days after US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, issued a stark warning about the potential diplomatic and economic fallout should Mohamed become part of the Government, citing
risks to both Government relations and US private sector investment.
She noted that it “sends concern through the private sector of the United States.” Mohamed, who is WIN’s presidential candidate, is currently under sanctions by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly evading over US$50 million in taxes through underreporting of gold exports between 2019 and 2023.
Mohamed Admits
Pressed on this matter at the manifesto launch, Mohamed offered vague reassurance.
“When we take office September 2, the United States of America will work with us. We saw recently what transpired between President Trump and the Syrian president. He lifted the sanctions and congratulated him,” he said.
Mohamed refused to elaborate further, only saying, “I don’t want to comment on that anymore. I will comment on that at a later time.”
Despite mounting concerns over the legality, feasibility, and international ramifications of WIN’s leadership, the party has been officially approved by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to contest the upcoming elections.
In another controversial pledge, Mohamed promised to renegotiate Guyana’s 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with oil giant ExxonMobil.
“We will engage ExxonMobil for fair terms on the 2016 PSA,” Mohamed said. “It’s in the manifesto. We will engage with ExxonMobil when we take office and ring-fence some of the projects. We will discuss this when we take office.”
Finance Min says WIN manifesto unoriginal, copied, recycled
Speaking to online news media, News Room, after the launch of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party’s manifesto, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh described it as one that is completely lacking in originality.
He described it as “short on originality and full of plagiarised, copied, and recycled ideas,” the report noted.
“Predictably, it was striking for its complete lack of originality and the extent to which it either plagiarised or recycled initiatives that the PPP/C is already implementing or has long committed to implementing in the public domain,” Dr Singh had told News Room on Thursday night.
According to the report, Dr Singh pointed out several examples from the manifesto, which he said the PPP has been executing already or explicitly committed to in their recent manifesto consultation that drew a large crowd at the Princess Hotel on the East Bank of Demerara.
For example, the Finance Minister said the PPP has already publicly promised a new development bank that will finance small and medium-sized enterprises using
state funds. WIN, he pointed out, says it will establish a similar bank for these enterprises, providing loans with flexible terms and offering start-up capital, seed funding, and microloans.
He also pointed out WIN’s plan to establish business incubators, which will offer free training, brand development, and mentorship to entrepreneurs and SMEs. However, Dr Singh said the PPP has already been doing this and plans to expand such ventures once re-elected.
WIN’s plans to amend the 2021 Local Content Act so that other sectors are catered for, Dr Singh said, have also been committed to by the PPP.
But it’s not only about business development. Dr Singh said the promis-
es from housing expansion ventures to increased cash incentives have been made and delivered on by the PPP since taking office in 2020 and will continue in the years ahead.
Dr Singh also pointed out that it was only on Saturday, while in Moruca, that President Ali said the cost of hinterland travel will be reduced as the PPP will remove taxes on ATVs and boat engines. These were also promises unveiled on Thursday by the WIN party.
“So this manifesto is, unsurprisingly, a huge disappointment that is woefully short on originality and recycles ideas from much that the PPP has already said publicly,” Dr Singh contended, according to the report.
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh
Regional
Antigua PM signals legal action against defamation campaigns
Antigua and Barbuda
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans to take legal action against individuals he accuses of waging a coordinated campaign to damage his reputation both locally and abroad.
Speaking on his Browne and Browne program on Pointe FM, the Prime Minister said the time had come to go on the offensive after years of enduring what he called malicious and unfounded accusations.
“These people are now routinely trying to literally destroy my integrity by taking me to international entities, courts, and tribunals to try and sully my name,” Browne said. “I don’t know that I can just sit back and defend – I have to go on the offensive.” He said the continued le-
gal attacks – often involving foreign advocacy groups
Sean Kingston’s mother sentenced to five years in prison for wire fraud – Singer to be sentenced Aug 28
The mother of sing-
er Sean Kingston was sentenced on Wednesday to five years in prison and three years of probation after being convicted alongside her son in a federal wire fraud case involving more than a million dollars.
Janice Turner, 63, and 35-year-old Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Anderson, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.
Kingston is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28.
Federal prosecutors said the charges stemmed from a 2024 scheme to defraud vendors of luxury items, including high-end vehicles and jewellery.
– are not only targeting him personally but are also costing the Government significant sums in legal fees. He referenced the ongoing Alfa Nero litigation, which he said could cost the Government up to US$400,000 in legal defence.
Browne clarified that his intention to sue is not about silencing free speech. “We believe in diversity of views,” he said. “And I think I’m one of the most tolerant Prime Ministers anywhere in the world when it comes to taking criticism. But this is beyond criticism – it’s defamation.”
“There were lies told –that I owned PLH, that I was getting kickbacks. They
took us to court and lost, but PLH had to spend over a million dollars defending the case,” Browne said. He warned that some of his associates had been subjected to legal enquiries aimed at uncovering alleged transactions involving him. “Even people who are wealthy, who may have some kind of friendship with me – they’ve used certain legal systems to try and interrogate them,” he said.
The Prime Minister said more details would be revealed in time but maintained that a firm legal response is now necessary to put an end to what he called a campaign of “character assassination.” (Excerpt from Antigua Newsroom)
Caricom cricket subcommittee urges CWI to undertake thorough review
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) has urged Cricket West Indies (CWI) to undertake a thorough and transparent review of its governance, leadership, management, economic models, and development frameworks, which underpin the sport.
This follows West Indies’ recent 176-run defeat against Australia at Sabina Park.
The PMSC said it is deeply concerned about all aspects of the current state of cricket in the region, particularly in its long form.
reckoning for this cherished Caribbean institution. Every cricket match in which our West Indies team competes resonates far beyond the boundary,” the PMSC said in a statement on Wednesday.
Further, the PMSC said it is establishing a special committee of diverse stakeholders, including our cricket legends, the private sector, and academia.
It said multiple reports on West Indies cricket have been prepared over the years, including the Patterson Report on the Governance Committee on West Indies Cricket Report of 2007, the V. Eudine Barriteau Report of the Review Panel on the Governance of Cricket of 2015, and the Wehby Report on Governance Reform of Cricket West Indies of 2020.
Turner and Kingston falsely claimed to have made wire payments for the merchandise, but investigators later confirmed the payments were never completed.
million worth of goods and assets without fulfilling the financial obligations.
Authorities said the pair retained more than US$1
Turner and Kingston were arrested on May 23, 2024. (Radio Jamaica News)
“The concerns extend from youth development and talent retention to governance arrangements and long-term strategy. The PMSC believes that the team’s recent performance is a moment of
PMSC said it is troubled by the lack of real progress on the implementation of these recommendations and urged CWI to take the concrete actions outlined in these reports.
“We will, with this committee, review the multiple high-level reports on West Indies cricket, synthesise the various recommendations that they contain, and propose an action plan. Cricket West Indies and the National Cricket Associations will be invited to be a part of the consultation and review process. Caricom remains committed to engaging with CWI and the regional public to support bold, strategic reforms that will be designed to rebuild public confidence and restore West Indies cricket to the pinnacle of global cricket excellence in all formats of the game,” it said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
US prepares to allow limited oil operations in Venezuela, starting with Chevron, sources say
US President Donald Trump’s Administration is preparing to grant new authorisations to key partners of Venezuela’s staterun PDVSA, starting with Chevron, which would allow them to operate with limitations in the sanctioned OPEC nation and swap oil, five sources close to the matter said on Thursday.
If granted, the authorisations to the US oil major, and possibly also to PDVSA’s European partners, would mark a policy shift from a pressure strategy Washington adopted earlier this year on Venezuela’s energy industry, which has been under US sanctions since 2019.
The US might not allow the energy companies to pay oilfield contractors and make necessary imports to secure operational continuity. Some imports could be swapped for Venezuelan oil, as autho-
rised in previous licenses, three of the sources said.
A senior State Department official said in a statement they could not speak about any specific licenses to PDVSA’s partners but added the US would not allow President Nicolas Maduro’s Government to profit from the sale of oil.
Chevron shares touched $155.93 on Thursday, their highest level since April 3, according to LSEG data.
Though Venezuela and the US conducted a prisoner swap this month, relations between the two countries have been tense for years, and the Trump Administration has publicly supported opposition leaders who say their candidate won last year’s election, not Maduro.
Trump in February announced the cancellation of a handful of energy licenses in Venezuela, including Chevron’s, and gave until
late May to wind down all transactions.
The move left all operations in oil and gas joint ventures with Chevron and other partners in PDVSA’s hands, but the companies were authorised to preserve their stakes, and output remained almost unchanged.
The US State Department, which in May blocked a move by special presidential envoy Richard Grenell to extend the licenses, is this time imposing conditions on any authorisation modifications so that no cash reaches Maduro’s coffers, the three sources said.
It was not immediately clear if the terms of the license that could be granted to Chevron would be reproduced for other foreign companies in Venezuela, including Italy’s Eni and Spain’s Repsol, which have been asking the US to allow them to swap fuel supplies for
Venezuelan oil. The authorisations might remain private, one of the sources said.
The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and PDVSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)
T&T prison officers on alert following voice note
Prison officers in Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) have been placed on alert following the surfacing of a voice note, which seemingly originated within prison walls, suggesting attacks were being planned against those in “khaki suits.”
Acting Commissioner of Prisons Carlos Corraspe told Newsday the service had alerted all prison officers and would do everything possible to protect them.
Corraspe said officers were already aware of steps to be taken to protect themselves, as the prison service often hosted training sessions on the topic.
“The thing about it is, as prison officers, we have continued to operate within that understanding, so over time officers have developed ways and means of ensuring that we are able to protect ourselves.”
Earlier this week, an almost two-minute recording surfaced on social
media. In it, the speaker used coded language like “purge the place” and “put it on them,” interpreted as threats against law enforcement.
The voice note prompted what police called a “targeted raid” at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca on the night of July 22. It resulted in the seizure of several mobile devices and the uncovering of key intelligence allegedly associated with the threats, a police statement
said on July 23. The threat comes less than a week after a state of emergency was called to grant law enforcement additional powers to combat an assassination plot brewing inside the prisons with members outside. Several inmates have since been moved out of the prisons and into higher security locations such as Teteron Barracks in Chaguaramas. (Excerpt from Trinidad & Tobago Newsday)
Sean Kingston and mother Janice Turner
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne
Around the World
OOIL NEWS
Oil pares gains on possible US OK for Chevron to renew Venezuelan operations
il pared gains on Thursday afternoon following a Reuters report that Unites States (US) President Donald Trump’s Administration may allow Chevron to resume operations in Venezuela.
Brent crude futures were up 26 cents, or 0.38 per cent, to US$68.77 a barrel by 1:14 pm CDT (1814 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 44 cents, or 0.67 per cent, to US$65.69 per barrel.
Earlier in the session, WTI had been up more than a dollar, and Brent crude came near that level.
“The news about Chevron being able to go back into Venezuela and get oil going again just took the knees out of the market,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC.
Kilduff said the market does not expect the Trump Administration will open up Venezuela to other US oil companies.
“This is a unique one-off,” he said.
Oil was stronger on news. Russia was planning to cut gasoline exports to all but a few allies and nations, including Mongolia, with which it has supply agreements.
“Russia looking to cut off gasoline exports gave the market a boost,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group. “The market was looking for a reason to go higher.”
Early in the session, futures gained on the previous day’s report of a US crude inventory draw and on hopes for a trade deal between the US and the European Union that would lower tariffs.
“The US crude inventory draw and the trade efforts are adding some support to prices,” said Janiv Shah, an analyst at Rystad.
Oil prices were also supported by a suspension of Azeri crude exports from the Turkish port of Ceyhan and a brief halt to loadings at Russia’s main Black Sea ports, which has since been resolved. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan dies at 71
Hulk Hogan, the American sport and entertainment star who made professional wrestling a global phenomenon, has died at the age of 71, World Wrestling Entertainment said.
First responders received a call from his Florida home at 10:00 local time over a report of “cardiac arrest,” authorities say; he was pronounced dead at the hospital later.
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was the biggest professional wrestler of the 80s and 90s and went on to achieve crossover fame.
He later became more involved in US politics,
Britain, India sign free trade pact during Modi visit
Britain and India signed a free trade agreement on Thursday during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sealing a deal to cut tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky and cars and allow more market access for businesses.
Talks on the trade pact were concluded in May after three years of stop-start negotiations, with both sides hastening efforts to clinch a deal in the shadow of tariff turmoil unleashed by US President Donald Trump.
The agreement between the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies aims to increase bilateral trade by a further 25.5 billion pounds (US$34 billion) by 2040.
It is Britain’s biggest trade deal since it left the
Both sides hailed as historic a deal that will take effect following a ratification process, likely within a year, after which firms such as whisky distiller Diageo and carmakers including BMW, Nissan, Aston Martin, and Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover could benefit from lower duties.
The countries also agreed on a partnership covering areas such as defence and climate and aim to strengthen cooperation on tackling crime.
European Union in 2020, but its impact will be a fraction of the effect of leaving the orbit of its closest trading partner.
It is India’s biggest stra-
tegic partnership with an advanced economy, and it could provide a template for a long-mooted deal with the EU and for talks with other regions.
Under the deal, 99 per cent of Indian exports to Britain will benefit from zero duties, including textiles, and Britain will have reductions on 90 per cent of its tariff lines, with the average tariff UK firms face dropping to three per cent from 15 per cent. (Excerpt from Reuters)
US green card holders issued new warning by US immigration officials
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a warning to green card holders, reminding lawful permanent residents to carry proof of their immigration status at all times.
“Always carry your alien registration documentation. Not having these when stopped by federal law enforcement can lead to a misdemeanour and fines,” CBP wrote on X.
In addition to people living in the country without legal status, immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and
visas, have been detained.
Newsweek has reported on dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.
The requirement for noncitizens to carry registration documents is not new. It originates from Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which makes failure to carry these documents a federal misdemeanour.
According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS), lawful permanent residents who fail to comply with these legal requirements risk losing their immigration status and may face removal from the country.
Green card holders have the right to remain silent and request legal representation if detained. While carrying proof of status is legally required, individuals are not obligated to answer questions without a lawyer present.
USCIS has also implemented a new $1,050 fee for certain applications that were previously free when filed as part of a
green card case if the case was being adjudicated by an immigration court. Customs and Border Protection posted, X: “Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him. Failing to do so can lead to a misdemeanour and fines if you are stopped by federal law enforcement. If you are a non-citizen, please follow the laws of the United States of America.” (Source: Newsweek via MSN)
US judge weighing disciplinary referral for DOJ lawyers in Venezuela deportations case
Uoffering a full-throated endorsement of Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
“We lost a great friend today, the “Hulkster,” Trump said in a social media post on Thursday. “Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way – strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention; that was one of the highlights of the entire week.”
In 2018, he was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame after being ejected for using a racist slur.
(Source: Al Jazeera, BBC News)
S District Judge James Boasberg said on Thursday he may initiate disciplinary proceedings against Justice Department lawyers for their conduct in a lawsuit brought by Venezuelans challenging their removal to a Salvadoran prison in March.
French president
Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France will recognise Palestine as a state.
In a post on X, Macron said he will formalise the “solemn” decision at the UN General Assembly in September, saying “there is
Boasberg, a prominent Washington, DC, Judge who has drawn President Donald Trump’s ire, said during a court hearing that a recent whistle-blower complaint had strengthened the argument that Trump Administration officials engaged in criminal contempt of court by failing to turn around deportation flights.
Boasberg also raised the prospect of referring Justice Department lawyers to state bar associations, which have the authority to discipline unethical conduct by attorneys.
“I will certainly be assessing whether government counsel’s conduct and veracity to the court warrant a referral to state bars or our grievance committee, which determines lawyers’ fitness to practice in our court,” Boasberg said. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)
France to recognise Palestine as state, says Macron; US recalls Gaza ceasefire team
no alternative.”
“The urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and to rescue the civilian population,” he said. “Peace is possible.”
Meanwhile, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said that the Donald Trump Administration has decided to bring its consultation
team home from the Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha.
In a post on X, Witkoff said, “We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. While the mediators have
made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.”
The US State Department also announced on Thursday that the US will not attend the conference on a two-state solution next week. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India shake hands after Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds (left) and Piyush Goyal, Minister of Industry and Supply of India (right) signed a free trade agreement at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025 (Times Union photo)
US wrestling icon Hulk Hogan
Plan to have some fun. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll discover you have more in common with an associate than you thought. Developing relationships lets you gain insight into who you can count on for support.
Rethink your strategy before you begin. You’ll face opposition if you haven’t thought your intentions through from beginning to end. Size down, stick to your budget and be willing to do the work yourself.
Embrace change with vigor and enthusiastically lead the way forward. Set the pace and plan your route. Your compassion and understanding, will catapult you into a leadership position. Trust your instincts.
Pay attention to your finances. Maintaining a strict budget will help you save for something worthwhile. Say no to temptation and people wanting to lead you astray. Focus on optimizing your space to meet your needs.
Surround yourself with competent people and pursue your goals. Embrace change with a positive attitude and input, and you will have a lasting impact. A partnership looks promising.
Initiate change, keep busy and ignore what others do. Remaining calm will help you make the most of your day. Letting someone goad you into an argument will leave you at a loss. Seize the moment.
Speak up; sharing your thoughts and feelings will attract interesting people and lead to conversations that will contribute to your personal growth. Take what you receive and turn it into a perfect fit.
You’ll want to get involved in in something that can put you in harm’s way. Broadening your awareness and taking better care of yourself and your finances will be worthwhile and give you a reason to be grateful.
Refuse to waste time. Focus on what you can achieve and get moving. Align yourself with people who are upbeat and offer insight that you can incorporate into your daily routine.
Give yourself plenty of time to develop and nourish what you want to grow. Consider what’s necessary and what isn’t. Declutter your home, resolve any pressing issues and then relax.
You’re on the right track, so what are you waiting for? Speak up, share your intentions and make sure everything runs smoothly. Change is brewing. Romance and physical improvements are favored.
You won’t get ahead if you don’t act. Be aware of what others are doing or saying, but don’t follow suit. Attend an event that offers food for thought and shows you possibilities that can lead to a richer life.
ARCHIE
India had one high mo-
ment at Old Trafford, the kind that cuts through eras, uniting the hardcore fans, radicalising the casual ones, and irritating those who have no idea about cricket because why is a video of a man walking down the stairs wearing weird body armour suddenly blowing up on socials? Rishabh Pant’s bravery ended trivial things like the match situation and its result as he walked out to bat on a fractured foot, which is just as well because by the end of the day his team was losing control of the Manchester Test.
England’s openers alone took a massive bite out of India’s total of 358 as Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley put on a 166-run stand at 5.18 runs an over. It was accidental Bazball, though. Neither of them were really looking to score quickly, but they were given no choice in the matter by a bowling performance so error-prone that packaging it as a highlights reel would be a missed opportunity. There’s a word starting with ‘B’ and ending with ‘looper’ that fits better. India might contend that they were doing what England had done. Jofra Archer bowled leg stump to left-handers and kept picking up wickets. When the debutant Anshul Kamboj tried that, he gave up three fours in the second over. Ben Stokes claimed his first fivefor in eight years by pitching the ball right up. When Mohammed Siraj tried that, he kept getting driven for boundaries. It took until the last 45 minutes of play for a contest to break out as Ravindra Jadeja removed Crawley for 84 and Kamboj KO’d Duckett for 94. It is a quirk of the Duke’s
ball that it isn’t at its most threatening when it’s brand new. The lacquer needs to wear off, which takes about 10-15 overs. India found ways to manage this period better in the previous tests (barring maybe the second innings at Headingley), but here they were found rather wanting. Which meant even the last half-hour, when they had two new batters, including a skittish Ollie Pope, to prey on and the opposition finally felt some pressure, it didn’t really matter. England gritted it out and went to stumps at 225 for 2 in 46 overs, with batting all the way down to No. 10 to get the other 133 they need to take a first-innings lead.
A largely uneventful morning session got its adrenaline shot when Stokes dismissed the stubborn Shardul Thakur for 41. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had sent word that Pant, who had injured his right foot on the first day’s play so badly that he required fourwheeled transportation from the pitch to the dressing room, was available to bat if the team needed it. The assumption was he would come out as the last man standing. But, having
bucked a diagnosis of six to eight weeks of rest to join the squad at the ground, Pant grabbed his bat and his gloves and began to make his way down the stairs at
ries in England. Not bad for a man who came to his office wearing a moon boot. Between those wild shots, the backflip celebrations, the silly mistakes, and the commentary from behind the stumps, Pant’s heart often goes unnoticed. It shouldn’t. Not when it’s so overwhelmingly big.
Stokes continued his stellar series with the ball, picking up 16 wickets – a new career best, going past his efforts on debut in the 2013-14 Ashes. It is often said when he has the ball in hand that he makes things happen. That’s possibly because he’s never afraid of having a punt. Sometimes,
Old Trafford.
Applause rained down from all corners. Cricket has seen its share of wounded warriors. Anil Kumble with a bandage around his head. Graeme Smith with one working arm. Shamar Joseph steaming in with a broken toe. Rick McCosker and his shattered jaw. Moments like these transcend sport. They live on for years and years.
Pant’s willingness to put his body on the line – he is set to miss the fifth Test –ushered India to an abovepar total. He finished with 54 off 75 balls and hit the 90th six of his Test career, equalling Virender Sehwag, who holds the national record. He also went past 479 runs on this tour, which meant he eclipsed Alec Stewart and now has the highest tally for a wicketkeeper in a Test se-
he bowls too full, and that works because he gets movement both ways – Thakur found that out the hard way. Sometimes, he bowls way too short for way too long, and that works because he has the strength to hurry batters up – Washington Sundar found that out the hard way.
A peach brought him his fifth wicket – angled in, nipping away, taking Kamboj’s outside edge for a duck.
England built on their captain’s hard work, with Duckett especially showing how little the margin of error is to him now. He turned a pretty good ball, on the base of off stump, maybe even outside, into a boundary through midwicket that kept two fielders interested right the way through, and the crowd absolutely loved it. They went “oooooooohhhhh… yaaaaaaaayyyyyy” as
Siraj and Washington were beaten. Given he was able to do that, it was barely a surprise that any time India went too straight, Duckett was able to access the squareleg region to great profit. He went to fifty without a single boundary on the off side and celebrated the landmark with a backfoot punch for four through cover.
Crawley, at the other end, had to be a lot more circumspect. He took 13 balls to get off the mark, and those runs came with a reminder of the danger the pitch still posed as a Jasprit Bumrah delivery rose up sharply to rap him on the bottom hand. That is why India would feel like they’ve let themselves down. There was help for the fast bowlers right through the day. Those late wickets they picked up resulted in a mini-session where it was revealed how hard it was to bat out there when the ball was in the right areas. Just that it was difficult to
find for a bowling unit that isn’t used to this kind of bounce. Their stock length, coupled with the movement on offer, kept beating the edge. So they went fuller, only to stray a little too close to the pads or the half-volley mark. Crawley, in particular, played some sumptuous drives through cover and down the ground, and it looked like the opening partnership itself might see England through to stumps. India did raise their game towards the close, and they need to raise it again on the third day to keep themselves in the fight. Otherwise the revellers in the party stand – repurposing the Mitchell Johnson song for Siraj – would be proven right. India bowled to the left. They bowled to the right. Their bowling was, well... (ESPNcricinfo)
(Washington Sundar, 109.2 ov), 8-337 (Anshul Kamboj, 109.5
Rishabh Pant after playing a shot on an injured foot
Stokes celebrates his five-for
Ben Duckett celebrates his fifty
Zak Crawley plays a shot behind the wicket
TChe Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) is proud to host the Independence T10 Cup, a thrilling and impactful fundraising event on August 1 at the LBI Ground, dedicated to the development of young male and female cricketers at the inter-association level.
This exciting tournament not only promises entertaining cricket action but also serves as a platform to nurture the next generation of cricketing talent in Guyana and beyond.
Mike’s Pharmacy, founded in 1986, is honoured to contribute to this important initiative, continuing its long-standing commitment to community development and youth empowerment. The pharmaceutical company has donated GY$100,000 and 15 gate prizes to the one-day event.
Cricket holds a special place in the heart of the organisation, as the late founder, Mr Lakhram Singh, was deeply passionate about the sport and actively involved in the cricketing community.
His legacy lives on through Mike’s Pharmacy’s continued support of sports, particularly cricket, which remains deeply embedded in the company’s history.
In supporting this fundraiser, Mike’s Pharmacy reflects on the enduring principles of its founder and the powerful role that sports play in shaping young lives.
The company is proud to help create meaningful opportunities for youth and sees this contribution as a step toward strengthening the future of cricket in Guyana.
In addition to its community support, Mike’s Pharmacy is the sole distributor of Tynor Orthopaedics in Guyana and the Caribbean.
The company is especially excited to spotlight the Tynor Sports Range, a specialised line of athletic support and protection products designed to enhance performance and prevent injury.
hris Lynn lit up the County Ground as the Australia champions handed West Indies their second defeat of the World Champions of Legends tournament on June 23rd, 2025.
After winning the toss, Australia decided to put West Indies in to bat first. Captain Bret
Lee struck first as he removed opening batsman William Perkins for 10 during the power play. West Indies then proceeded to lose a flurry of wickets just outside the power play, including Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, and Chadwick Walton. After eight overs, West Indies were 56 for 4. West Indies struggled for impetus and momentum during their innings, as they could muster a 142 for 8 in their 20 overs. Lendl Simmons
This range includes knee, ankle, elbow, and wrist supports – ideal for athletes and anyone with an active lifestyle.
Mike’s Pharmacy, located at 1 Blygezight, Bel Air, and 147 Regent and Albert Street, Bourda, Georgetown, also offers a wide selection of pain relief medications and sports vitamins, providing comprehensive support for injury recovery and overall wellness in sport.
Even more exciting, Mike’s Pharmacy will officially launch its online shopping platform on July 26, 2025. This new platform will allow customers to conveniently shop for health and wellness products from anywhere – delivered straight to their door in a fast, easy, and secure way.
Mike’s Pharmacy remains dedicated to serving the community and promoting health through sports, honouring the values of its founder and looking ahead to a future filled with opportunity and growth.
About the tournament
Eight first division teams from the county of Demerara will compete for top honours, with the format being a onegame knockout.
The teams are Better Hope, Enterprise, Helena One and Two, Herstelling A, LBI, Lusignan, Meten-MeerZorg East, and Transport Sports Club. A total cash
and tro-
phies will be up for grabs at the one-day event.
While the teams will be represented by players within the respective associations, each team is allowed two guest players from other counties.
The champion team is guaranteed GY$250,000 cash plus a trophy; the runners-up get GY$150,000 and a trophy, while the losing semi-finalists will receive GY$50,000 each. On the individual side, the Man-ofthe-Match in the semi-finals and final will receive a trophy.
Action will bowl off at 10:00h and conclude under floodlights, with patrons
paying GY$1,000 for admission to the venue. Apart from the on-field entertainment, fans can get lucky with several gate prizes to be won.
The tournament is sponsored by Ansa McAl Trading, Republic Bank, Mike’s Pharmacy, Ramchand Auto Spares, Survival Group Inc., Rid-O-Pes, Petama Enterprise, Premier Insurance, CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc., L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio, Office Express, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Anil Beharry Real Estate, Construction and General Business Services, and Naven’s Construction.
Chess Grandmaster Samy Shoker on 3-day visit to Guyana
Local chess players and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with and learn from one of the best in the world as Grandmaster Samy Shoker visits Guyana. The Grandmaster will be hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) in a threeday visit that began on Wednesday, July 23, and will run until Friday, July 25.
Grandmaster Shoker put his skills to the test in a Simultaneous Chess Exhibition against some of Guyana’s best and strongest players. That exciting event took place at the Giftland Mall on Thursday afternoon. GM Samy will also hold a lecture for registered participants today, Friday, July 25.
Grandmaster Samy began his chess journey at the remarkable age of four. Born in France, he has since travelled extensively to promote the sport, even residing in Egypt for several years. He has represented Egypt in numerous prestigious international events, including the Chess Olympiad. He is widely respected for his dynamic playing style and his exceptional ability as a coach and educator, leveraging modern tools
and a charismatic personality to promote chess globally.
GM Samy holds a master’s degree in French Literature from La Sorbonne University (France) and is a member of the Texas Tech University team: Chess Program (US). He was a primary school teacher in French Guiana, Egypt, and Uzbekistan, and taught history in high school in Noumea, New Caledonia. He’s also a chessboxer, a true hybrid athlete. Chess boxing uniquely blends the intellectual strategy of chess with the physical intensity
of boxing. In this sport, competitors alternate between rounds of a chess game and rounds in a boxing ring. A winner can be declared by checkmate or time forfeit in the chess portion or by knockout in the boxing match.
The GCF welcomed Grandmaster Samy Shoker to Guyana and wishes him an exciting and enjoyable stay.
The Federation, in a missive, went on to extend special thanks to the Giftland Mall for graciously providing the venue for the Simul Chess event.
top scored with a pedestrian innings of 29 runs off 28 balls. Peter Siddle was the standout bowler for the Australians with figures of 3 for 28. Nathan CoulterNile supported by picking up 2 wickets at an economy of 5.25 in his four overs. Ashley Nurse found some early success for West Indies he bowled opening batsman Shaun Marsh for 7. Chris Lynn then blasted West Indies completely out of the game with an extraordinary innings of with 81 form 27 balls. At an impressive strike rate of 300, Lynn produced six glorious boundaries and eight monstrous sixes. Ben Dunk also had his share of fun finished the game with a quick-fire cameo of 30 from 9 balls. Australia ended the game on 143 for 2 in 9.3 overs, winning the game by eight wickets. The West Indies Champions are scheduled to play against the Pakistan Champions in their next encounter on Saturday, July 26th, 2025.
GM Samy Shoker (L) shares a light moment with GCF President Anand Raghunauth
Procurement Officer of Mike’s Pharmacy Sasha Arjuna (centre) presents the sponsorship to DCB representatives Davteerth Anandjit and Anil Beharry in the presence of Azeemul Haniff and Wayne Jones of Mike’s Pharmacy
Man of the Match, Chris Lynn West Indies Champions lost prize of GY$500,000
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast 2025 is set for a blockbuster conclusion to its zonal phase, with three West Indies players set to feature in the highly anticipated Essequibo zone final.
All-rounders Kyle Mayers and Shamar Joseph, along with fast bowler Ronsford Beaton, will lead their respective sides in the ‘Super Sunday’ of action.
Initially scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, all the zonal matches will now be played on Sunday, July 27, at various venues across Essequibo. The winner will be the final team to book a spot in the national finals.
Ronsford Beaton, who has played two ODIs for the
West Indies, will captain the Avinash All-Stars. His side boasts a formidable lineup, including the powerful Kyle Mayers, along with talented regional players such
Their main competition is expected to come from
After months of intense training and preparation, scores of young, up-and-coming fighters will converge on the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from today, Friday, as the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) stages its most crucial event, the Andrew Lewis Novice Championship.
The tournament, which runs until Sunday, is the official proving ground for newcomers to the sport. This year, the GBA has placed strong emphasis on the development and exposure of its boxing youths.
According to GBA President Steve Ninvalle, the Novice Championship is “one of the most important competitions on our calendar,” adding that he’s personally paying keen attention to the young athletes stepping into the ring.
“These are the boxers who represent the very foundation of boxing in Guyana,” Ninvalle said.
“Their growth, their development, and their journey all begin here. That’s why we commend the coaches and trainers who continue to nurture their talents and ensure the sport has a bright future.”
The GBA is using the Andrew Lewis Novice Championship as a critical scouting event to identify the next generation of national boxing talent.
Last year, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gym dominated the championship, claiming the Best Overall Gym title, a feat built on disciplined preparation and depth across divisions.
National Coach Lennox Daniels praised GDF’s efforts in 2024, noting their consistent display of elite preparation and performance.
However, Daniels is also welcoming the competition from other boxing gyms that are eager to challenge the reigning champions.
“GDF has set a high bar, no question,” Daniels said. “But the Novices is about hunger, raw talent, and proving you belong. There are several gyms out there with real potential to upset the order, and that’s the beauty of this championship.”
Last year’s tournament saw standout performances that set the tone for what’s to come.
Jagwan Milo emerged as Best Novice Boxer, Ryan Rogers of the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym earned Best Schoolboy Boxer, and Kenisha Plass announced herself as a force in the women’s division, walking away with the Best Female Boxer title.
With clubs from across the country fielding young, hungry boxers, and with national pride on the line, the ring at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is sure to come alive with intensity, passion, and the relentless pursuit of boxing glory.
Family), the 2024 national semi-finalists, who have secured the services of West Indies pace sensation Shamar Joseph. Joseph was instrumental in the success of the inaugural champions, the Eccles All-Stars, in 2023, and his presence adds significant firepower to Mahdia. He will be supported by experienced campaigners like Ricardo Adams, Ershaad Ali, Daniel Seegobin, and Suresh Dhanai.
While these two teams are the front-runners on paper, a quick look at the other 14 squads reveals a wealth of promising young talent from the region, including Jathaniel Nurse for the Essequibo Jaguars and Ronaldo Jeffrey for the Bartica Royals.
The Fredricks brothers, Norwayne and Norman, will also be on display, with a strong softball unit, Ariel, fielding a team. The rising stars of Renegades Cricket Club are another side to watch, making this zone difficult to predict.
Matches will be held at Pomona Ground, Richmond Ballfield, Hampton Court, and Anna Regina Ground. The champion of the Essequibo zone will join Montra Jaguars (Berbice), Eccles All-Stars (East Bank Demerara/West Demerara), and Titans All-Stars (East Coast/Georgetown) in the national finals.
Admission to all venues is free, with matches com mencing at 09:00h.
Beyond the bragging rights, the tournament of fers substantial financial rewards. The Essequibo zone winner will receive $300,000, while the run ner-up takes home $100,000.
The stakes are even higher at the national fi nal on Sunday, August 3, at the National Stadium, Providence. The nation al champion will secure a grand prize of $1.7 million, with the runner-up pocket ing $700,000. Even the los ing semi-finalists will not go home empty-handed, each receiving $300,000. Individual brilliance won’t go unnoticed either, with a host of prizes up for grabs, including MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + tro phy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-the-National Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy ($35,000).
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from Kares Engineering Inc., the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions,
CWI Rising Stars…
The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Men's Under-19 Championship came to an end on Thursday at the St Paul's Sports Complex as Guyana's Under-19 men defeated Trinidad Under-19 by five wickets. A very disappointing campaign would see the Guyana squad finish fifth in the tournament.
Guyana Under-19s Men won the toss and elected to field first. Their bowling performance was exceptional, as they managed to limit Trinidad to 128 in 38.5 overs. Leg spinner Riyad Latiff was very good, as he had figures of 3 for 20. Nityanand Mathura and Parmeshwar Ram also picked two wickets.
Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.
Aadian Racha scored 39 off 64 balls to top score for Trinidad. Opening batsman Romeo Deonarine continued his fine form as he made an impressive unbeaten half-century (52) to lead his team to victory. Captain Jonathan Van Lange sup-
ported with a good knock of 44 from 52 balls. Guyana ended the game on 129 for 5 in 30.5 overs.
In the finals, the United States of America Under19s won the toss and elected to bat first against Barbados. Sahil Garg top scored with 40, while Adnit Jhamb scored 38 as the USA scored 212 all out in 48.2
overs. Jakeem Pollard and Zachary Carter both picked up three wickets. In reply, Barbados constructed their run chase well, as many batsmen got good starts. Captain Joshua Dorne led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 55 as Barbados reached 215 for 4 in 38.2 overs. Barbados ended the USA's unbeaten streak to become champions of the CWI Rising Star Under 19 tournament.
as Thaddeus Lovell, Carlos LaRose, Ashmead Nedd, and Steven Sankar.
Mahdia (Movements
A glimpse of what to expect this weekend at the Andrew Lewis Novice Championship
Romeo Deonarine scored 52 runs
Shamar Joseph
Joshua Dorne scored 55
