Politically-driven unrest undermines justice for Adrianna Younge – Pres Ali
– says burning public infrastructure, blocking roads unlawful, disruptive – Region 3 Commander removed; hotel owner, staff questioned
IMF lauds Guyana’s “very good management” of economy
– expects “very fast growth rates” to continue
MP Charlie slams APA for misrepresentation at UN; defends Indigenous progress
Killer in Highway murders not licensed firearm holder – Police
WGEC demands accountability from enforcement agencies
Police investigating burglary at new NA Ministry of Labour building
Sophia man on bail for threatening, assaulting sister Government partners with Centreville Office Support to create 200 jobs in Berbice
The Guyana Defence Force’s recently acquired GDFS Shahoud will participate in the Maritime Tracks of the 2025 Exercise Tradewinds multinational military training event to be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago from April 26 to May 8
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 25 – 02:25h-03:55h and Saturday, April 26 –03:10h-04:40h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 25 – 14:40h-16:10h and Saturday, April 26 –15:30h-17:00h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day, interrupted by thundery showers in the mid-morning hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected, along with thundery showers, at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.13 metres and 5.81 metres.
High Tide: 14:59h reaching a maximum height of 2.68 metres.
Low Tide: 08:32h and 20:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.54 metre and 0.52 metre.
Protests in front of Leonora Police Station, other areas along WCD Politically-driven unrest undermines justice for Adrianna Younge – Pres Ali
– says burning public infrastructure, blocking roads unlawful, disruptive – Region 3 Commander removed; hotel owner, staff questioned
As protest actions continue in Region Three in demand for justice over the suspicious death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, President Dr Irfaan Ali has called for calm, stating that destruction to public properties is not only unlawful but disruptive.
The young girl’s body was found on Thursday morning in the pool at the Double Day Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), nearly 24 hours after she was reported missing.
The 11-year-old had gone to the hotel’s poolside with her grandmother and other relatives when she disappeared shortly after arriving.
Previous searches of the pool showed no signs of the girl, according to relatives, sparking countrywide outrage when Adrianna’s body mysteriously appeared in the pool later.
This discovery led to heightened protest action by both family members and concerned residents, including the burning of tires on the roadway. There was also a fire that destroyed sections of the hotel, as well as the home of the hotel’s owners.
On Friday morning, persons returned outside the hotel to continue what was initially a peaceful protest.
A protest was also staged outside the Leonora Police Station on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).
However, the situation intensified later in the day, resulting in the public road being blocked at Leonora, disrupting traffic flow. Persons were seen setting up a fireside, and cooking in the middle of the road.
Later in the evening, persons lit tires and blocked off the public road at MetenMeer-Zorg, WCD.
In a brief statement on Friday evening, President Ali said “There is no way blocking public roads, burning public infrastructure, and inconveniencing citizens will help little Adrianna's cause or those interested in the truth.”
“These actions are now politically instigated and will not be accepted. They are unlawful and unhelpful, and action will be taken,” he added.
Commander removed; hotel owner, staff, police ranks questioned
On Thursday, the Head of State had ordered a special investigation into Adrianna’s death.
Consequently, ranks of the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Major Crimes Unit commenced work on Friday morning and cordoned off the Double Day Hotel as an active crime scene.
Detectives were seen at the hotel, sections of which were destroyed by fire on Thursday, combing through the debris, and taking photos and notes.
In a statement Friday night, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, disclosed that several persons, including the hotel’s owner and staff members, were questioned.
“Thus far, the investigators have contacted and questioned a number of individuals, including the pro-
prietor of Double Day Hotel and Bar and his employees… Additionally, a security guard attached to the hotel, along with a swimming instructor, was interviewed by detective,” the statement from the Commissioner’s office detailed.
According to the missive, the investigators are still interviewing persons who can assist with the investigations.
Meanwhile, the Top Cop also revealed that a number of police ranks of Regional Division #3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) were also questioned.
The actions of several members of the regional police team that responded to the report of the disappearance of Adrianna on Wednesday are under question, with both President Ali and Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo demanding answers – something that was supported by the Home Affairs Ministry.
In fact, the police had initially claimed that there was footage from the hotel, showing that the 11-yearold girl had entered a motorcar, which drove off in an eastern direction heading towards Vreed-en-Hoop.
But the family was adamant that the girl was still inside the hotel since they reviewed footage from a neighbour’s security camera, which showed no signs that the girl left the establishment at any time. She was only seen entering the premises with her relatives. Hours after Adrianna’s body was discovered, the police admitted to releasing “inaccurate” information, but did not state specifically what it was; though it is widely speculated that it had to be about footage of the girl leaving the hotel. This had sparked calls for the regional commander to be removed.
Dead: Adrianna Younge
Editor: Tusika Martin
News Hotline: 231-8063Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761
Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707
Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Cybersecurity & Guyana’s digital transformation
The reaffirmation by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips of the Government’s commitment to cybersecurity marks a critical moment in the nation’s digital transformation. Speaking at the Cybersecurity Fair hosted by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), the Prime Minister underscored the urgency of safeguarding digital infrastructure as the country accelerates its investments in e-Government platforms, smart public systems, and national connectivity.
The gravity of the cybersecurity challenge was clearly framed with reference to global statistics from the World Economic Forum, which reported cybercrime losses of US$11.5 trillion in 2023 — a number expected to more than double by 2027. In the face of such staggering figures, the importance of cybersecurity as a foundational element of national development cannot be overstated.
Guyana’s push towards a digital economy is not a vision for the distant future; it is actively underway. The implementation of 43 cybersecurity policies, standards and guidelines across Government agencies represents a strategic and pre-emptive response to emerging digital threats. These measures, initiated in 2024, are already demonstrating effectiveness in key national initiatives such as the Safe Road Intelligent System with e-ticketing, the Border Control System featuring automated e-gates at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the Electronic Identification Card Project, and the National Health Records Management System.
These innovations are more than technological upgrades; they represent a paradigm shift in how public services are delivered. Efficiency, transparency, and accessibility are now becoming the hallmarks of public interaction with the state. Yet, with increased digital dependency comes increased vulnerability, particularly to cyberattacks that can disrupt services, compromise sensitive data, and undermine public trust.
The Prime Minister’s call for equipping public servants with cybersecurity training and resources is both timely and necessary. No digital transformation effort can be successful if the human element is neglected. Public officers must be empowered with the knowledge and tools to defend the nation’s digital assets, especially in a climate where cybercrime techniques are evolving as rapidly as the technologies they seek to exploit.
The Cybersecurity Fair itself serves as a commendable model for proactive engagement. By bringing together Government agencies, ICT professionals, and cybersecurity experts for workshops and live demonstrations, the event functioned not only as a training platform, but also as a symbol of the collaborative spirit required to safeguard the digital realm. It was a clear demonstration of NDMA’s growing leadership in building national cyber resilience.
Partnerships at the regional and international levels also play a vital role. The Caricom Regional ICT Sector Gap Analysis and the UNDP-supported Digital Readiness Assessment are providing Guyana with invaluable benchmarks and frameworks to guide policy and investment decisions. Such collaborations enhance the ability to adopt best practices, access technical expertise, and align Guyana’s efforts with global standards.
The work being done is not without challenges, but the results are becoming increasingly visible. Communities across the country are experiencing improved internet access. Digital infrastructure is enabling faster and more inclusive public services. Government agencies are becoming more agile and responsive through digital integration. These are signs of a country on the cusp of a digital revolution — one that is inclusive, secure, and forward-looking.
However, the Prime Minister’s message also included a crucial reminder: cybersecurity cannot rest solely on Government action. A cohesive, whole-of-society approach is necessary. The private sector, civil society, academia, and individual citizens must all participate in shaping and protecting the digital landscape. Only through unified effort can the full benefits of the digital era be realised, while mitigating the risks that accompany it.
As Guyana continues its journey towards becoming a smarter and more connected nation, cybersecurity must remain a non-negotiable pillar of development. It is a national imperative. The country’s digital future depends not just on innovation, but on resilience. This Government's stance, as articulated by the Prime Minister, is a decisive step in that direction. It is a vision that demands continued investment, vigilance, and collective responsibility. Guyana must remain not only digitally advanced, but digitally secure.
A personal axe to grind
Dear Editor, I have read with disdain a letter captioned ‘State of the Rice Industry’, written by one Mrs Emily Lorrimer, in which the main object of the ad hominem attacks was on the agriculture minister.
This makes it evident that the letter was written by a person who has a personal axe to grind with the minister; and, as such, objectivity was completely lost, and this person has deliberately lost sight of the multitude of evidence which supports the progressive trajectory of the agriculture sector.
It is evident that the letter writer was doing a Rip Van Winkle during the tenure of the Coalition. But what is glaring is that this letter writer became active in the press from the beginning of 2025.
Every sub-sector has been improved significantly since 2020, due to proper strategic planning and implementation; resulting in increased yields due to innovative agricultural techniques, new varieties, new and non-traditional crops, new markets, and timely intervention to meet challenges by not only Mr Mustapha, but by the President and the Vice President.
In addition, ade -
quate budgetary allocations and vital subsidies meet the needs of the sector, unlike what prevailed from 2015 to 2020 under the Coalition. During the Coalition’s tenure, allocations were cut drastically year after year; the rice industry was deemed to be ‘private business’; and entire communities were pauperized and devastated by the indefensible and spiteful closure of four grinding sugar estates. Emily was oblivious of these occurrences, and did not care.
The minister and his team can be seen in every farming community, always engaging the farmers, listening to their problems and resolving these in a timely manner. This minister knows no rest.
It is a pity that the writer failed to list the ‘failures’ being claimed: “it is one failure after another”, but she delved into 33 fallacious generalizations which do not support her argument. The writer unwittingly ignored the facts, which are so glaring. This kind of generalization hardly befits a proper argument to support the writer’s proposition.
Then the writer made some outlandish claims, wherein she misinformed
the public. “I am advised that Mr. Mustapha instructed the Corporation to keep the crop open and pay the workers for coming to work, do nothing, and return the next day”.
This is pure trash.
Workers are entitled to work according to the Collective Labour Agreement, and cane harvesters are not paid if they are not engaged in that job during the in-crop period. This proves the vindictiveness of the letter writer.
This minister has skilfully steered the agriculture sector from the depths of destruction to the heights of progress in less than 5 years. From COVID-19, through severe droughts and through devastating floods, every single challenge has been successfully managed through the astute and competent leadership of the minister.
There will always be challenges, but how these are managed is what is important.
Let the writer do some research on the many challenges agriculture faces throughout the world, and make a comparison to our situation. The writer should know that no sector except oil has grown and progressed more than the agriculture sector.
Moreover, budgetary
and supplementary allocations to the sugar industry are to right a wrong which the Coalition committed on that industry, resulting in nearly 100 billion dollars in losses – fixed assets and cane fields and harvesting – not counting the loss in human capital, which has plunged the industry into its current labour crisis. It would take a lot more investment to fully mechanize the fields in order to enable mechanical harvesting and bring the industry back to viability. This is no secret.
The minister has pledged in Parliament to right this wrong, and it is not expected that the results would be seen immediately. Investments in both the rice and sugar industry would take time, but success is guaranteed by the end of this year and within the next year. Even the Opposition are now promising to do better with rice and sugar, but we fully know from past experience what that means.
It is no surprise that the most successful sector is being singled out for condemnation. This reminds me of a quote, ‘No one pelts a green mango’. Naysayers are a fact of life.
Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
It’s turtle season, and rangers of the Kanuku Mountains Protected Area (KMPA) discovered a rare Albino yellow-spotted river turtle hatchling among this year's new arrivals. Albino yellow-spotted river turtles are incredibly rare, appearing only once in about every 100,000 individuals (Protected Areas Commission)
IMF lauds Guyana’s
“very good
– expects “very fast growth rates” to continue
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has hailed Guyana for the good management of its economy, which it anticipates will continue to grow in the double digits, fuelled by the country’s burgeoning oil and gas sector.
The IMF is currently holding its 2025 Spring Meetings in Washington DC from April 21 to 26.
During a press briefing on Friday on the "Regional Economic Outlook for the Western Hemisphere," the panel was asked about the role of Guyana and Suriname, as major oil producers, in ensuring the Caribbean’s economic growth and stability.
According to the IMF’s Director of Western Hemisphere Department, Rodrigo Valdés, these two neighbouring countries are important for the region especially with Guyana already experiencing real
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growths in the double digits.
In the same breath, however, the IMF official underscored the importance of prudent economic management.
“Suriname and Guyana are two countries that are living through important discoveries of oil and that is a very challenging situation. There are lessons in history that these [oil] discoveries, or more generally – natural
resources, can be a blessing or can be a curse, depending on how you manage that.”
“We’re seeing a very good management in Guyana; now Suriname has to establish a framework for this to work well for them,” Valdés stated.
Similar sentiments were also echoed by the IMF’s Deputy Director of the Western Hemisphere Department, Ana Corbacho, who recognised that Guyana
management” of economy
has been the fastest growing economy, not only in the Caribbean but in the whole world, with average growth rates of 47 per cent between 2022 and 2024 – a pattern she anticipates will continue.
“We expect Guyana to continue to have very fast growth rates in an environment of macroeconomic stability,” she noted.
According to Corbacho,
maintaining this macroeconomic stability is very critical in the current uncertain global environment. She further stressed the need for the country to continue strengthening it resilience to shocks, includes shocks from oil prices.
Moreover, the IMF official outlined the importance of continuing to build very strong institutions so that the benefits of the oil wealth
can be shared across generations in Guyana.
“Currently, oil revenues are already helping Guyana address very significant development needs,” Corbacho noted, adding “The Sovereign Wealth Fund has about 13 per cent of GDP in buffers, and that this is going to be very crucial to mitigate the impact of any global shocks. And over time, we have emphasised the need to gradually close fiscal deficits, again to preserve that wealth for the future.”
In its April 2025 Outlook, the IMF projected that Guyana’s Real GDP will expand by some 10.3 per cent this year with non-oil GDP projected to increase by about 13 per cent – the highest for in the region. Similarly, it also predicted a 23 per cent GDP growth next year.
A reminder of General & Regional Elections of 2020
Dear Editor,
Almost exactly two (2) years ago, in April 2023, the Commission of Inquiry into the General & Regional Elections of Guyana of 2nd March 2020 delivered its Report to President Irfaan Ali.
As we approach the time of another General & Regional Elections, it is imperative that we remind ourselves of the Findings of that Report. Let me remind our readers.
I quote extractions from the Summary of Findings of the Report:
“There was a conscious and deliberate – even brazen – effort to violate the provisions of section 84(1) of the Representation of the People Act (ROPA).
Senior Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials abandoned all need for neutrality and impartiality, and demonstrated a bias for a competing political party and, in the course of events over those days, showed an open connection with that party and, by their efforts, sought a desired result for that party.
Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Mr. Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Ms. Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer (RO) Mr. Clairmont Mingo were principally responsible for clear and deliberate attempts to frustrate, obstruct and subvert the ascertainment of votes in electoral district No. 4.
The DCEO knew, or ought to have known, that at the time of the RO’s declaration, the statutorily prescribed procedure and requirements of ascertainment and tabulation for electoral district No. 4 had not been completed, and that there-
fore the RO’s declaration was a clear violation of the law.
But the DCEO merely looked on; she said nothing and did nothing.
From the totality of the evidence surrounding the RO’s declaration, there appears to be such collusion and collaboration between senior GECOM officials as to likely amount to a conspiracy to make what was undoubtedly a premature and unlawful declaration of falsified results which showed the A Partnership for National Unity & Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) party as the winner of electoral district No. 4. This was the ultimate goal of the CEO, the DCEO and the RO.
The conduct and actions of CEO Lowenfield in relation to the discharge of his statutory duties prescribed by sections 96 and 97 of the ROPA were a brazen attempt to prevent GECOM declaring the true results of the elections of 2nd March, 2020.
His conduct was – to borrow the words of former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Head of the OAS Observer Mission to Guyana – “a transparent attempt to alter the results of an election”.
While all of this was taking place as a “brazen attempt” to put the APNU/ AFC back in office, former President and the leader of the APNU/AFC Party, David Granger, and his cohorts sat in waiting.
They may well have been declared the government, had it not been for the persistent intervention of the Local Observers, those of the International Community and, ultimately, the intervention of the threat of sanctions from the Government of the United States of America,
and, in all probability, from the major democratic governments of the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe and South American countries.
Where would Guyana be today should that have happened? We don’t have to look far. We would have been a pariah state as the Maduro regime of Venezuela finds itself today. A country ruled by a dictator through the force of arms, under sanctions by the USA, virtually unable to sell its vast oil wealth (much larger than ours), supported only by other dictatorship re-
gimes external to our hemisphere; its people in poverty and fleeing their country by the thousands.
The former GECOM officials named in the Commission of Inquiry Report are still before our courts, largely due to the lethargy, deliberate or otherwise, of our justice system, and may well not be prosecuted before the coming Elections.
However, to the everlasting credit of the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, supported by the representatives of the
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on the Commission who voted with her, none of them remain in GECOM.
In contrast and to their everlasting discredit, indeed, their shame, those who were active leaders of APNU/ AFC and in positions of authority of that coalition party’s attempt to rig the 2020 Elections remain in place and refuse to either acknowledge or apologize; yet they unbelievably ask the electorate for their vote. We do not, for instance, hear the voices of David Granger or Aubrey Norton or Nigel Hughes. Let us not forget who was in power for the fifteen (15) months between the no confidence motion in Parliament and the March 2020 Elections, and the five (5) months between the conduct of the voting and the final correct declaration of the results, and who now ask to be given electoral power again.
Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento
SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025
Director of IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, Rodrigo Valdés
IMF’s Deputy Director of Western Hemisphere Department, Ana Corbacho
Page Foundation
Things to do
• Reduce your revision notes for Section Eight to revision cards
Reduce your pile of revision cards (as many as you have time to do). You will do some of these each day, so that you gradually see the pile reducing.
• Give yourself a mock exam
Mock exams
A mock exam prepare you for how you might feel in the exam, help you to see how well you remember under pressure, give you a sense
2) Put away every scrap of revision material you have.
3) Answer the exam questions to time. It does not matter if you have tackled the question before in your revision: this will feel different because it is timed.
CSEC QUESTIONS
Maths Day 10
(1) From a harbour, H, the bearing of two buoys, S and Q, are 185° and 311° respectively. Q is 5.4 km from H while S is 3.5 km from H.
(a) On the diagram below, which shows the sketch of this information, insert the value of the marked angle, QHS.
Below are past CXC Maths and English questions to help you review.
(b) Calculate QS, the distance between the two buoys.
(c) Calculate the bearing of S from Q.
(2)
(b) A right-angled triangle, M, has vertices X(1, 1), Y(3, 1) and Z(3, 4). When M is transformed
By DaviD RuBaDiRi
Whirling, Tossing up things on its tail Like a madman chasing nothing. Pregnant clouds Ride stately on its back, Gathering to perch on hills Like sinister dark wings; The wind whistles by And trees bend to let it pass. In the village Screams of delighted children, Toss and turn In the din of the whirling wind, Women, Babies clinging on their backs Dart about In and out Madly; The wind whistles by Whilst trees bend to let it pass. Clothes wave like tattered flags Flying off To expose dangling breasts As jagged blinding flashes Rumble, tremble and crack Amidst the smell of fired smoke And the pelting march of the storm.
Questions
• Summarise the poem
• What type of poem is it?
• Describe the tone, mood, atmosphere, and persona
• List two examples of imagery, metaphor/simile and all the figures of speech found in the poem
• Describe how the poem makes you feel
WORD SEARCH:
WGEC demands accountability from enforcement agencies
In light of recent cases where women have violently lost their lives, the Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) has made calls for accountability from enforcement agencies.
“Today, like many Guyanese especially mothers, fathers and young people, we share the sorrow of the family of Adrianna Younge, a pre-teen who lost her life under suspicious and the most troubling of circumstances during what was supposed to be a fun-filled day out with her family. The accusations and clear misdirection by officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are most worthy of an independent inquiry,” it said in a statement on Friday.
The Commission noted that it is only too aware of the honouring in the breach by the GPF, in incidents involving violence against women and girls.
As yesterday also brought the news of the horrific slaughter of the DeCruz women, which also revealed a disconnect between reports and appropriate actions by enforcement agencies, leading to a tragic end for this family, the statement added.
The WGEC stressed
that these deaths, especially that of a child, are chilling in every way, and have shocked the communities and the nation as a whole.
On this point the WGEC asked, “What is to be done to address these profound failures of law enforcement?”
Moreover, the commission will undertake to increase their vigilance, advocacy and voices to engage the many factors that underpin the lack of confidence in those who have sworn to serve and protect us all.
The WGEC calls on the administration to continue to make every effort to bring justice to Adriana Younge so those who are directly responsible, and or who aided and abetted them in the killing of this child, are brought to justice.
On Wednesday, Adrianna had accompanied her grandmother and other relatives to the poolside at the Double Day Hotel. She was later reported missing some -
time between 13:10h and 14:00h.
Her grandmother, Carol Xavier, told investigators that around 13:10h, she gave Adrianna money to purchase a wristband for access to the pool. Shortly after, Adrianna entered the pool with her siblings. However, when her grandmother later called for the children to come out of the water, she realised that Adrianna was missing.
A search was launched by the family in the pool and around the hotel but without success.
According to family members, the hotel’s owners and workers refused to give them access to security footage to locate the girl.
The matter was then reported to the Tuschen Police Station and investigators visited the hotel at about 15:30h.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the police made further search in and around the hotel, including rooms, store room, yard, and roof, but they came up empty-handed,” a statement
from the GPF’s Corporate Communications Unit, which was issued at 23:59h on Wednesday, detailed. It went on to note that several cameras were seen attached to the building. However, when the ranks asked to view the same, the Manager indicated that they are not in working order.
Initially, the GPF had said that the ranks from Regional Division #3 were able to review footage of the hotel, which showed that “…Adrianna entered a Red and Black Raum motorcar, bearing registration number PSS 4684, which drove off in an eastern direction heading towards Vreed-en-Hoop.”
However, Adrianna’s family members were adamant that the girl was still at the hotel.
After being unable to check security cameras from the hotel, family members reviewed footage from a neighbour’s security camera which showed no signs that the girl left the establishment. She was only seen entering the premises with her relatives.
With the persistence of the girl’s family, a search was conducted around midnight on Wednesday
at the hotel including the pool area but there were no signs of her. Relatives stayed outside the hotel overnight, adamant that the girl never left the hotel, and demanded a proper search of the premises.
On Thursday morning, another search was conducted by the police and a few family mem -
bers but there was still no sign of the young girl including at the poolside. Family members and concerned citizens then started to protest outside of the hotel, burning tyres and demanding a better investigation, before her body was discovered with visible marks of violence in the pool at the hotel.
Friendship labourer sentenced to over 10 years for 2020 killing
A30-year-old labourer from Friendship, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Thursday sentenced to 10 years and four months in prison for the 2020 killing of 18-year-old Daniel Amore, who was stabbed while trying to protect his family during a violent altercation.
John France appeared before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan at the High Court in Demerara after pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. France was initially indicted for murder but opted to take responsibility for the unlawful killing of the teenager.
The incident occurred on March 1, 2020, at Section 20 ‘A’, Friendship. According to the facts presented by the state’s prosecution, the chain of events was triggered by a drunken altercation between France’s father, Andrew Haslyn, and Amore’s stepfather, James Dublin, who had been drinking together at a nearby shop. The argument escalated into a physical fight. Dublin’s wife, Melissa Garraway, intervened and managed to separate the men. France, who had not been present initially, later entered the yard and confronted
Dublin. He then left and returned armed with a cutlass and a knife. He struck Dublin several times with the flat side of the cutlass, prompting Garraway to step in again. During her attempt to intervene, she suffered injuries to her left hand.
Moments later, Amore intervened. France reportedly dropped the cutlass and ran, but Amore chased after him and managed to catch up. During the struggle that ensued, France stabbed the teenager once in the chest
and fled the scene. Amore collapsed and died in his mother’s arms.
A post-mortem examination later confirmed that he died as a result of heart perforation due to the stab wound. France was captured several days later in Mahdia.
During the sentencing hearing, France, when invited to speak, told the court that the incident was not intentional. He explained that he had acted out of self-defence but accepted full responsibility for his actions. “I am sorry for what happened,” France said.
He pleaded with the judge to show mercy, expressing his desire to reintegrate into society and build a better life after serving his sentence.
His Attorney, Adrian Thompson, in a plea for leniency, highlighted that France had completed anger management courses while in
custody. Thompson said the courses had a rehabilitative impact and urged the court to consider his client’s willingness to change.
The probation report corroborated the defence’s submission, noting that France had been a compliant inmate, possessed no prior convictions, and had expressed remorse by extending apologies to the family of the deceased.
Justice Harnanan, in handing down the sentence, said he considered several critical factors: the nature and seriousness of the offence, the impact statements from the victim’s family, the probation report, and relevant sentencing guidelines from Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rulings. The judge recounted that France had initially attacked Dublin, causing a disturbance in the home. He then fled from Amore, who gave chase, and
during the struggle, delivered the fatal stab.
Justice Harnanan set the starting point for sentencing at 25 years. He then applied a downward adjustment of 23 years after weighing the mitigating and aggravating factors. A further one-third reduction was granted following France’s guilty plea
and demonstrated remorse. Taking into account the four years he has already spent in custody, France was sentenced to serve a final term of 10 years and four months. France was represented by Attorney Adrian Thompson, while prosecutors Preeneta Seeraj and Abiola Lowe appeared for the State.
Dead: Adrianna Younge
John France
Cop remanded on murder charge for Ronaldo Peters shooting
The police sergeant accused of fatally shooting 21-year-old Linden resident, Ronaldo Peters, was on Friday remanded to prison after he appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The officer, identified as 45-year-old Sergeant Philbert Kendall, and stationed at the Wismar Police Station, was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder.
The charge stems from the fatal shooting of Peters on the evening of April 7 in the One Mile area, Wismar, Linden. According to the prosecution, the officer, who was on duty at the time, was informed that Peters was wanted by the police and had been seen at a place called Shabba Bar.
Upon receiving the information, the sergeant reportedly armed himself with a 9mm service pistol and 15 rounds of ammunition, before leaving the Wismar Police Station in a privately owned minibus in the company of ranks.
Once at the scene, it is alleged Peters was seen brac-
ing on a motorcycle, and when he saw the officers, he reportedly jumped over a gate. The prosecution further stated that based on their facts, the sergeant exited the front passenger seat of the vehicle, pointed the firearm at Peters, and discharged a round, hitting him in the waist.
However, instead of transporting the injured man directly to the hospital for medical attention, the officer reportedly took him back to the Wismar Police Station. It was later that Peters was taken for treat-
ment, but he succumbed to his injuries while receiving care at the Linden Hospital Complex.
The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) launched a probe into the incident and subsequently recommended charges be laid against the officer. The Regional Security System (RSS), which was brought in to assist with investigations, also conducted an independent inquiry.
In court, the officer was represented by Attorney-atLaw Patrice Henry, who indicated that the defence was
“shocked” by the murder charge. He requested that disclosure be made at an earlier date and raised concerns about the limited video footage available to the defence. Henry stated that only a short clip showing part of the incident had been seen and insisted that the police provide all video evidence that exists.
The prosecution told the court that the case file was still incomplete and needed to be returned for finalisation before full disclosure could be made. Henry also informed the court that his client is a father of seven children and has served the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for 26 years, with a previously unblemished record.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Azore remanded Kendall to prison until May 9.
Meanwhile, the GPF has maintained that Peters was a wanted man at the time of his death. The police initially claimed that during efforts to restrain him, the officer’s firearm accidentally discharged. However, the details emerging in court allege that the weapon was deliberately pointed and fired at Peters.
The matter sparked public outrage, with hundreds of Lindeners taking to the streets in protest. Then, in an unfortunate turn of events, just before midday on Tuesday, tensions quickly escalated between police and protestors, which resulted in the death of Keon Fogenay, commonly known as “Dan”.
According to a statement from the GPF, police discharged rounds at the crowd to mitigate the situation where they were burning tires and destroying Government infrastructure. As the police engaged to protesters, they were greeted with missiles. The rounds discharged at the protesters caused the demise of a protester.
Exposed…
Y…police screw-ups
our Eyewitness is a “crime buff”. No! No! No! He doesn’t enjoy COMMITTING crimes, but since he was a kid, he enjoys reading “whodunnits”; looking at them in movies in cinemas, and looking at police shows like “Law and Order” and CSI. And now with global channels like Netflix getting into the act, he’s getting a chance to see how the police solve crimes across the world – from Albania to Zimbabwe!!
And through all those years, he always wondered whether “our” police investigated and “cracked” cases with the same investigative techniques. SOPs?
Sadly, he’s had to conclude that our local police are in a league of their own when it comes to solving crimes – the Hapless League. Never, in all his wide and eclectic exposure to policing, has he come across such a level of ineptitude. All of this came to a head this week with the heart-rending murder of that poor 11-yearold child Adrianna Younge, at a local motel at Tuschen that’s certainly destined to become our version of the Bates Motel in the movie Psycho. Remember that iconic shower scene when the screaming Janet Leigh character is murdered?
Thing is, this ain’t the first murder committed at the motel. Back in 2012, a young man who came to the motel for the same reason Adrianna did – to enjoy the pool with some friends – was murdered. The facts in that murder showed the young man was viciously beaten, taken to a room, then later dumped into the pool. The hotel owner’s son and an employee were charged and arraigned; released for prosecutorial deficiencies, and recently rearraigned – 13 years after!!
But here with Adrianna – whose body shows evidence of violence inflicted - the plot thickens. The police actually claimed they had evidence that the child was picked up by a red Raum – number plates and all identified – and the driver was located. Now that we know the child’s body had to’ve been in the motel all along – which RELATIVES had ascertained by looking at CCTV from a neighbour’s camera – the police will have to explain why they tried to throw everybody offscent.
Similarly, the hotel owner – who’s been arrested –will have to at least explain why he refused to have the ENTIRE premises searched, and how come all HIS hotel cameras were “off”!!
In your Eyewitness’s estimate, this terrible incident is merely another manifestation of the rot that has overtaken the entire Police Force for decades. Part of that rot is a total loss of professionalism, driven by bribery of all ranks from top to bottom.
Imagine one police official with $800 MILLION in his account and not even the bank questioned it!! Root and branch reorganization demanded!!
…societal sentiments
Adrianna’s murder has brought together all Guyana – and Guyanese abroad – like few events have done before. Unfortunately, it took this gruesome act to make us see each other as human beings and not as political pawns. We all know the innocence of children, and should henceforth strive to resurrect this commonality of perspective when leaders try to divide us again. Sadly, some Opposition types sought to score political points – proving they can slither lower than a snake’s belly.
The multiracial crowd that gathered in front of the motel to protest the murder directed their anger at the owners, and not at each other. And the Government political types understood that the protesters had to be allowed to let off steam. A few tried to provoke the police, but the police didn’t lose their discipline, and others in the crowd didn’t join in.
Unfortunately, some took the opportunity during the confusion to loot property like mattresses, TVs, and other items from the motel.
They really desecrated Adrianna’s memory.
…bias
Your Eyewitness agrees that the local police are compromised, and can’t be trusted to investigate their own. But the RSS officers from the Caribbean?? And a most highly qualified pathologist from Barbados? So, to the Opposition, only the FBI are incorruptible??
Ronaldo Peters Sergeant Philbert Kendall
“Dream Realised”
1500 house lots for distribution in Berbice two-day event
The Ministry of Housing and Water in
an effort to clear the backlog of pending applications in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) will be distributing 1,500 house lots, starting on Friday and concluding on Saturday. Additionally, over 100 home owners are also expected to receive titles for their properties.
The two-day Dream Realised event, which is being held on the lawns of State House in New Amsterdam in Region Six will see persons receiving house lots at two new housing areas: Providence and Glasgow, both part of Greater New Amsterdam.
Minister within The Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, said the Ministry is current-
ly on a move to clean up all pending applications dated before December 31, 2024.
Region Six has a backlog of about 6,200 pending applications, and Minister Rodrigues said they will all be addressed before the end of this year, 2025.
“And you know that you can take our word for it because over the last four and a half years, you have seen continuous delivery in the housing sector, and not only in this sector but all of the sectors of Government. You have seen that all of the Ministries have been working tremendously hard to deliver on our targets,” she asserted.
The Housing Ministry had committed to issuing 50,000 house lots during the People’s Progressive Party’s current term in of-
IMF lauds Guyana’s...
Only last month, a staff team from the IMF completed their 2025 Article IV Consultation with Guyana. The consultation, held both virtually and in-person in Georgetown from February 24 to March 7, 2025, involved discussions with high-level Government officials as well as stakeholders from the private sector, labour unions, and banks.
In a subsequent statement, the IMF team commended Guyana’s impressive economic progress and transformation over the last few years, driven primarily by rapidly expanding oil production, robust non-oil output, and significant public infrastructure investments.
Despite its impressive growth, however, the IMF has warned that potential risks to the economic outlook remain, including overheating pressures that could push inflation higher and cause the real exchange rate to appreciate excessively.
The IMF team had highlighted the potential upside of additional oil discoveries and investments aimed at strengthening energy resilience, which could further support Guyana’s economic trajectory.
However, challenges such as commodity price volatility and climate-related shocks could pose challenges to future growth.
On the other hand, the IMF team praised the Guyana Government’s fiscal policies, particularly its focus on ensuring macroeconomic stability and fiscal sustainability. The budget deficit, which stood at 7.3 per cent of GDP in 2024, is projected to decrease to just below 5 per cent in 2025, supported by increased oil revenues.
The team also emphasised the importance of closing the fiscal deficit by 2031, coupled with measures to enhance public financial management and improve the efficiency of
fice. Already, the figure has exceeded 45,000.
According to Rodrigues, the figure does not include house lots that were regularised or those allocated for commercial and industrial development.
The commitment to address the backlog up to 31 December 2024 is not unique to Region Six; it applies to all other regions, with the exception of Region Four, which has the highest number of outstanding allocations.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Collin Croal noted that, prior to Thursday, a total of 45,800 house lots had been allocated nationwide since the current administration took office in 2020. Of that number, 4,545 were in Region Six.
Over the period, the Ministry received 4,393 new applications from the region.
frastructure work will be done in this year 2025, for the areas that you are being allocated,” Croal said.
He noted that $16.3 billion has been invested in infrastructure development at Number 75 and 76 Villages, Palmyra, Moleson Creek, and Hogstye.
public spending. Monetary policy was also deemed appropriately tight, with the IMF urging continued vigilance to prevent inflationary pressures. The team recommended strengthening the monetary policy toolkit and improving liquidity management in the banking system to maintain price stability. It also suggested a reassessment of the exchange rate framework in the medium term, to ensure continued macroeconomic resilience as Guyana’s economy continues to evolve.
In terms of financial stability, the IMF called for improvements to Guyana’s macroprudential framework to better respond to potential shocks.
Additionally, the team welcomed ongoing efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering (AML), counter-financing of terrorism (CFT), and anti-corruption measures, noting significant progress in these areas.
Guyana’s commitment to sustainable development was also highlighted, particularly its pioneering work in climate policy. The country is advancing its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), focusing on forest conservation and biodiversity. The IMF also supported Guyana’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, including the Gasto-Energy (GtE) Project, which is expected to bolster electricity provision and contribute to a cleaner energy matrix.
The IMF’s statement noted recognition of Guyana’s strides toward inclusive growth and economic diversification. With a strong emphasis on upgrading labour skills, addressing labour shortages, and increasing women’s participation in the workforce, it said the Government is positioning the country for sustained economic expansion.
“And I am starting today with our pending applicants in Region Six, with just over 6,000. We have been issu-
ing letters that outline and commit the Government to have all pending applicants here in Region Six that have a pending application from December 31, 2024, and prior, will be addressed in this year 2025. We are only starting another round today; more lands are continually being allocated for these new areas. it is 1,500 we are making available today, and by the end of May, we will be back right here to allocate another set for the new area.”
Additionally, 3,000 house lots are being developed at Moleson Creek while a new housing scheme is being developed at Hogstye, all in Region Six.
“There is no need to worry because we will work on every area, all ten regions; address housing matters. Similarly, here in Region Six, we have investment in the infrastructure. The letter that you will be getting commits to you that the in-
The Minister pointed out that during the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) tenure in Government from 2015 to 2020, there were only 1,100 house lots allocated in Region Six and 7,534 across the entire country.
“This is for first phase infrastructure to ensure that everyone has access to their lands that have already been allocated… to allocate land, required two things, and one is to find the land. It is the very Guyana that was here and the lands were all here, so the APNU+AFC had the lands to allocate too – it was at their disposal,” the Minister noted.
Shelly James pulling out a number which will represent the lot of her new home
MP Charlie slams APA for misrepresentation at UN; defends Indigenous progress
arliamentarian Alister
PCharlie has strongly criticised the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) for what he described as deliberate misrepresentation at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
Charlie made his criticisms just after several misleading remarks were made at the forum by the APA, about the lack of reforms being made for Indigenous people within Guyana.
“This [APA] organisation continues to disregard the very principle of FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent)—it attends this Forum without securing FPIC from the people it claims to represent,” he asserted.
He further accused the APA of undermining the National Toshaos Council (NTC), which comprises 243 elected Indigenous leaders, and of at-
tempting to block development funding by submitting baseless complaints to international partners.
Speaking at the event and providing clear, detailed facts, he presented an evidence-based update on the status of Indigenous people in Guyana, highlighting advancements in healthcare, education, land rights, cultural preservation, and environmental justice.
Charlie described the current era as unprecedented for Indigenous access to education and healthcare, and drew comparisons to several years ago, of how things have changed for Amerindian People.
“Twenty years ago, there was one Indigenous medical doctor; today, Indigenous doctors form a critical part of the nation’s health system,” he noted.
He added that that the growth of Indigenous professionals across Guyana’s public sector is the direct result of increased educational access.
Progress in land rights was also spotlighted, with Charlie revealing that land ownership by Indigenous persons has more than doubled over the last two decades, now representing more than 16 per cent of Guyana’s territory.
He also highlighted the Ministry of Housing and Water's commitment to providing affordable housing, including a drive to provide 50,000 house lots by 2025. This initiative includes the allocation of land to Indigenous communities, as well as broader efforts to address housing shortages and improve living conditions.
“The Amerindian Act of 2006 has been a cornerstone of this progress,” he said. The legislation promotes the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed
Consent, requiring full Indigenous agreement before any extractive or investment activities occur on their lands.
Charlie underscored the importance of cultural recognition, pointing to the annual observance of Amerindian Heritage Month in September as a national commitment to Indigenous identity and traditions.
A central feature of his address was Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which he said was endorsed by Indigenous leaders and their communities.
Under the LCDS, 26.5 per cent of all revenues from carbon credit sales are transferred directly to Indigenous villages— funding development priorities identified at the local level.
Despite the APA’s actions, Charlie reaffirmed the Guyana Government’s commitment to Indigenous advancement.
He announced that the
Government has allocated funds for the revision of the Amerindian Act, with Indigenous facilitators set to lead the national consultation process and Indigenous Peoples' Organisations (IPO) participating in the oversight committee.
In closing, Charlie urged the international community to choose “partnerships over division,” pledging that Guyana would continue its work in full collaboration with Indigenous communities.
The 24th session of the UNPFII began Monday, April 21, and ends Friday, May 2 at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, New York, USA, under the theme: "Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges”.
Parliamentarian Alister Charlie
Killer in Highway murders not licensed firearm holder – Police
The man who fatally shot his reputed wife and several members of her family before taking his own life, was not the holder of a firearm licence, according to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
On Wednesday night, Parmanand Ramdehol shot and killed his 26-year-old reputed wife, Maline LaCruz; her mother, 50-year-old Waveney LaCruz, and younger sister, 16-year-old SueAnn LaCruz at their Ideal Road, Waiakabra home on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
Maline’s 23-year-old brother, Seon LaCruz, survived his gunshot injuries and is currently hospitalised in stable condition.
Having confirmed that the suspect was not a licensed firearm holder, the police said that the weapon has since been sent to the ‘Ballistic Section’ to be analysed, as investigations continue.
Additionally, a search was conducted at the suspect’s West Ruimveldt, Georgetown home but nothing illegal was found.
This revelation comes just one day after Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo called for a proper investigation into what he described as the “senseless” killing of the LaCruz women.
“I hope that in the investigations that will follow, we will get answers here too,” he said during his press conference on
Thursday afternoon.
The VP had raised questions about whether Ramdehol’s firearm was legal or illegal, stating that in the former’s case, then the weapon should have been lodged after the man was charged.
The former couple had been together for over six years and shared two kids, ages 3 and 5,
dragged her out. He was subsequently charged on January 9, 2025, for wounding and threatening the woman, and was initially remanded to prison, but was recently granted bail.
In fact, he had a court appearance earlier on Wednesday – the same day he committed the murders.
A neighbour had told the
and Parmanand
while the woman had a 9-yearold child from a previous relationship. Based on reports, Ramdehol was abusive and at the time of the murders, the couple was separated. In fact, Maline had previously attempted to leave the suspect but he found her at a hotel with their children, and
police that she, along with Maline, her sister and children, were at the Soesdyke Junction on Wednesday night when the suspect showed up. The women then left and went home but were followed by Ramdehol, who arrived at the house just before 21:10h.
According to a police state-
ment on Friday, nearby CCTV footage showed the suspect arriving at the LaCruz’s home on a motorcycle. He then followed Maline into the house.
“An argument was overheard on the audio from the CCTV footage, followed by several loud explosions. It also showed the suspect at a western door and when he drank something from a bottle, and immediately fell to the ground,” the police say.
It was previously reported that a small uncorked bottle that emitted a noxious smell
and a 9mm APX Baretta pistol were found next to the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.
Back in January, Maline had shared footage on social media of her being dragged out of a hotel by Ramdehol after attempting to leave the abusive relationship.
In the January 9, 2025, Facebook post, Maline said “6yrs 7months living with this individual and this is what I have to face even tho I ran for my life he keeps coming after
me. He keeps abusing me mentally, emotionally, physically and verbally. At this point this is my last option to get help and to get out of this abusive relationship and to get my children away from him.”
Meanwhile, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud met with the surviving members of the LaCruz family on Thursday afternoon and committed to covering the funeral expenses of the three women as well as offer counselling support especially for the children.
Sophia man on bail for threatening, assaulting sister
A40-year-old labourer from Lot 29 North Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Friday granted $50,000 bail after being charged with threatening and assaulting his sister during a domestic dispute at their shared residence.
Lennox Kidram appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabyo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he faced two charges.
It is alleged that on April 24, at Lot 29 North Sophia, he used threatening behaviour towards his sister, Pamela Kidram, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace. He is further accused of unlawfully assaulting her on the same date. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The prosecution objected to bail, citing concerns that the defendant lives at the same address as the virtual complainant
and may be at risk, or could interfere with her.
Despite their objections, the Magistrate granted bail in the sum of $25,000 on each charge, totalling $50,000.
Lennox explained that he was building a fence, and there was a tree that was obstructing the building process. He said he went and got his chainsaw, climbed the tree to cut branches for the construction of a fence, and a small branch accidentally fell on his sister as she passed. He told the court that she later went to the police and accused him of threatening to chop her up with the said chainsaw, burn down her house, and harm her daughter. “I didn’t do that,” he insisted. Upon learning of the bail amount, Lennox responded, “My worship, I don’t have no money on me,” prompting Magistrate Azore to inform him that he would be taken to the Lusignan Prison if the bail was not posted. The case was adjourned until May 20.
Charged: Lennox Kidram Maline LaCruz
Ramdehol at their August 2024 wedding
Government partners with Centreville Office Support to create 200 jobs in Berbice
Atotal of 200 jobs are to be created at the No. 75 Village BPO Centre, as the Government partners with Centreville Office Support Ltd to foster an environment for job creation.
Centreville Office Support Ltd is a leading provider of specialised customer service solutions and officially opened its expanded site office in Berbice while hosting a job fair designed to attract, engage, and recruit
new talent from the region.
The company provides outsourced client support services exclusively to the legal sector, with its clientele including law firms, corporate legal departments, and independent attorneys across North America.
Politically-driven unrest...
Commissioner Hicken indicated in his Friday night statement that “an administrative decision” was taken to reassign the Commander of Regional Division #3, Assistant Commissioner Khalid Mandall. He has been sent to Regional Division #4B, East Bank Demerara (EBD), while Assistant Commissioner Mahindra Siewnarine has been posted to Regional Division #3 as the Commander. Siewnarine was previously commanding Regional Division #4B.
PME likely for Monday
Meanwhile, the Top Cop explained in his missive that the GPF is awaiting the conduct of a post-mortem examination (PME) on the body of Adrianna, as part of its investigation.
An autopsy on the girl’s body was initially scheduled to be done on Friday by Barbadian Pathologist, Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul, whom the Guyana Government brought in late Thursday afternoon. Dr Paul had previously assisted local forensic experts with the identification of the nearly two dozen persons who died in the May 2023 Mahdia Dormitory fire.
However, during a meeting with Adrianna’s parents and other family members on Thursday night, President Ali agreed to their request for an independent pathologist, thus postponing the PME.
The family’s lawyer said on Friday that they are seeking a North America-based pathologist to conduct the autopsy on the child’s body. It is expected that the pathologist would travel to Guyana over the weekend, for a possible post-mortem examination on Monday.
“The Guyana Police Force is also awaiting the arrival of another independent pathologist, who was identi-
fied by family members of the deceased, to perform the post-mortem examination. The post-mortem examination is an important aspect of the investigation in order to confirm the cause of death of Adrianna Younge,” the Police Commissioner’s office stated.
Shots were later reportedly fired at the Leonora Police Station by unknown persons, however this publication could not independently confirm this.
The crowds were eventually dispersed by the TSU (Tactical Services Unit).
Up to press time, persons taken for questioning remained in custody.
The business offers a wide range of remote support services, including client intake and onboarding, virtual receptionist and phone handling, and legal document preparation and administrative support.
The company already has more than 300 employees working remotely across various parts of Guyana since starting operations here two and a half years ago. It will now be adding an additional 200 employees at No. 75 Village to its workforce.
This expansion is happening in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, attended and delivered the feature address at the launch ceremony of the job fair and the expansion of operations of Centerville Office Support Ltd.
Dr Singh was accompanied by the Regional Vice Chairman of Region Six, Zamal Hussain. Speaking at the launch, Dr Singh reiterated the Government’s commitment to continue partnering with the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and the wider business community, for growth and expansion to create economic opportunities.
“President Ali has said on every available opportunity that he and his Government are building a Guyana that
has economic opportunities for every single citizen of our country. That means opportunities of several types. When we say we want to create opportunities for every single Guyanese person to uplift and improve their lives, we are speaking about education and training, employment, entrepreneurial or business opportunities. Even if you did not have the opportunity to complete high school through traditional routes, you don’t have to assume that this means the end of the road in terms of uplifting yourself academically, or that you should rule yourself out of the workforce forever,” Dr Singh said, as he addressed those in attendance.
The Senior Minister added that this is why the Government is providing an additional route for people to get high school diplomas or their equivalent, including through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme. He also emphasised the availability of training programmes that are free of charge and designed to help individuals gain certifications to enter the workforce. He pointed out that the Government wants every person to take advantage of these opportunities.
The Minister expressed strong appreciation to the company for its confidence in Guyana.
Nalini Locke, Operations Manager of Centerville Office Support Inc, who also spoke at the launch, said, “We believe that Berbice holds untapped potential in its workforce—individuals who are capable, committed, and eager to grow. This expansion is part of our long-term strategy to empower regional communities through employment and career development. We are not just looking to fill job vacancies. We are building careers with pathways for advancement, onthe-job training, and performance-based incentives.”
Only last week, the Minister also alluded to the Government’s commitment to provide economic opportunities for Guyanese during the expansion of another company at Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), VChart, which is expected to create 250 jobs.
Minister Singh also mentioned President Ali’s role in bringing the new Telecommunications Act into operation within his first month in office. This development allowed three companies to deploy fibre optic cables across various parts of the country, significantly reducing the cost of bandwidth to one-tenth of what it was in August 2020. This has enabled companies like Centreville and its parent company and shareholders in the United States (US) to come to Guyana and create jobs for Guyanese people.
NDMA hosts ICT Day to empower women in tech sectors
In observance of International Girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Day 2025, the Cybersecurity Division of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) hosted a programme for women and girls, aimed at empowering young women to envision and pursue careers in the ICT Sector, aligning with this year’s global theme: “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation.”
NDMA’s Cybersecurity Director, Ms Muriana McPherson, during her opening address, stated that the observance of Girls
tor, noting, “I want you to feel empowered, as if you’re standing before a door of opportunity. There are barriers that we need to eliminate, and abilities we need to nurture. That’s why we’re here today – to equip you with the tools and confidence to survive and thrive in this age.”
Building on Ms McPherson’s remarks, Dr Andreasa Morris-Martin, Head of Computer Science at the University of Guyana (UG) stated that digital transformation is not just a technical change, it’s a cultural one, noting that this can only be accomplished if we have the views from all
She reminded the gathering that ICT impacts every sector—not only ICT and technological development, but also education, healthcare, and even culture. She encouraged the students, noting that their contributions to the sector have the potential to generate positive ripple effects both nationally and globally.
Dr Morris-Martin reminded the participants that they must be willing to lend their hands to create solutions for Guyana’s specific needs, reminding them that although solutions may exist, solutions for Guyana’s context must also
in ICT Day 2025 is necessary and plays a critical role in outlining the importance of women in the world of technology. Ms McPherson reminded the gathering that we are living in a time where technology shapes almost every aspect of our lives: how we learn, how we connect, and even more, how we define ourselves.
She encouraged the participants to ensure they take up space in the sec-
aspects of society, including women, who she noted bring a different view to ICT development.
Dr Morris-Martin remarked that “the story of technology is that it moves so fast, it sometimes forgets people. But we need diverse voices. If only one kind of person is designing systems, then the result lacks perspective. It won’t surprise, won’t innovate. We need your voices. Your ideas.”
be developed, and women must ensure they are a part of creating those solutions.
Outside of the opening speeches, participants also benefited from a dynamic panel discussion featuring Ms McPherson and Dr Morris-Martin, NDMA’s e-Services Manager, Ms Nkasi Nedd, and Assistant ICT Engineer, Ms Theoshammah Bunbury, along with Yolanda Lamott, Technical Analyst: Policy & Planning at
Police investigating burglary at new NA Ministry of Labour building
etectives in Police
DRegional Division #6 are investigating the alleged break and enter and larceny committed at the Ministry of Labour, situated at Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam (NA), Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).
The items reported missing are one desktop computer, a backup battery and one water pump.
The incident reportedly
occurred sometime between 15:30h and on April 22, 2025, and 07:30h on April 23, 2025.
The two-storey concrete building is secured by wooden doors with external locks and internally secured glass windows.
According to a 52-year-old cleaner who is responsible for opening and securing the building, at about 15:30hrs on April 22, she secured the premises and left. Upon returning at 07:30hrs on April
the Telecommunications Agency. The panellists shared their experiences, challenges, and insights, providing attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse opportunities within the ICT sector.
Additionally, today’s event featured a series of interactive activities designed to engage and educate participants. Activities
ranged from Cyber Feud, Cyber Sleuths: Decoding the Mystery, Roboquest: Build and Code, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Differentiation Exercises, among others.
In its press release, the institution noted that as the world celebrates International Girls in ICT Day, the NDMA remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting women
in leadership roles within the ICT sector.
With women holding key positions across various departments, NDMA continues to champion gender equity, capacity building, and mentorship programmes to bridge the digital gender divide.
International Girls in ICT Day is a global initiative led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), aimed at inspiring girls and young women to explore careers in the rapidly growing field of ICT.
NDMA’s involvement each year reaffirms its dedication to ensuring inclusive, future-ready digital citizenship for all Guyanese.
For more information about NDMA and its programmes, visit www.ndma. gov.gy or follow on Facebook and Instagram.
23, she discovered the western door and a window open. She immediately raised an alarm, and the incident was reported to the police.
Reports are that entry was made through a washroom window, before the perpetrators ransacked the building and removed its valuable items.
Police investigators viewed CCTV footage, as they continue their investigations.
The new, $40M Ministry of Labour building at NA, Berbice
TT police kill former eyewitness to 2011 police shooting deaths
Aformer witness in the prosecution of six police officers charged in connection with the fatal shooting of three people in 2011, was fatally shot by police during a shootout in St. Mary’s Village, Moruga, T&T on Friday.
Around 10:30h, Shumba James and another occupant of a vehicle exchanged gunfire with police officers. Both men died at the scene.
James, a resident of St. Mary’s, was also among sever-
al people detained during the State of Emergency, and had recently been released.
Police claim James was linked to several crimes in the community. Relatives, including James himself before his death, have denied the allegations.
James was the main eyewitness in the 2011 police shooting deaths of Abigail Johnson, 23; Alana Duncan, 28; and Kerron “Fingers” Eccles, 26, on the night of July
22, 2011, on Rochard
Seven police officers were initially charged in connection with the murders, which sparked massive protests in the community that lasted for days.
At the end of the trial in November 2023, six officers were found not guilty. The seventh officer turned state witness and refused to testify at the trial. (Source: TT Newsday)
J’ca police seize shipment of weapons at Kingston wharves
Radio Jamaica News has been informed that the police have intercepted another shipment of arms at the Kingston Wharves.
The weapons were found on Tuesday in a shipment of goods from New York in the United States.
The Police High Command has declined to
comment on the find, but Radio Jamaica News was informed that 15 handguns, two rifles – identified as M4 and AK-47 models – and 29 magazines were seized.
The shipment also contained 141 rounds of ammunition.
Another shipment of weapons, including 30 illegal guns and over 100 rounds of ammunition, was seized at a warehouse on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston last month.
(Radio Jamaica News)
Two people were arrested and charged last month in connection with a seizure of 17 illegal guns also at Kingston Wharves.
Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes Ecuador, buildings damaged
Amagnitude 6.3 earthquake struck near the coast of Ecuador on Friday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said, damaging buildings in the city of Esmeraldas and temporarily shutting down some oil infrastructure.
The quake struck at a depth of 23 km (14.29 miles), EMSC said, with Ecuadorean authorities ruling out issuing a tsunami warning.
The government in a preliminary report said that one person was injured, while several public buildings and private homes were damaged. Some areas were also hit with power outages.
President Daniel Noboa, in a post on social media platform X, said the government would work to set up shelters, deliver humanitarian aid kids and "assist with everything our people need."
State oil company Petroecuador said it had suspended operations at the Esmeraldas refinery and SOTE pipeline as a preventative measure following the quake, without detailing po-
tential production impact. Ecuador's Geophysical Institute, which had estimated the quake's magnitude at 6.0, also reported a second earthquake with a magnitude of 4.1 minutes later in the province of Guayas. (Reuters)
Risk of ‘rapid fire spread’ remains in New Jersey as battle continues against blaze
With crews still working to contain one of New Jersey’s largest wildfires on record, fire danger remains elevated across the state and into eastern Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service warned on Friday.
“There is an increased risk for rapid fire spread this afternoon across portions of New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania,” the NWS said. Low humidity, ranging from 25% to 35%, along with warm temperatures and winds of 10 to 15mph and with gusts up to 20mph (32km/h)
create conditions that could allow the fire to spark and spread rapidly.
Highs are expected to reach the upper 70s to near 80F (27C). This, paired with increasingly dry brush and grass, make it easier for new fires to ignite and “become difficult to control”, according to the US weather agency.
The Jones Road wildfire, which broke out on 22 April in southern Ocean county, had scorched roughly 15,250 acres as of Thursday night and was halfway contained, according to state officials. The number of structures under threat
has dropped from 20 earlier this week to just four. One commercial building was lost, along with several vehicles and smaller structures. No injuries have been reported. Prosecutors announced charges on Thursday against 19-year-old Joseph Kling of Waretown, New Jersey, who they say failed to fully extinguish a pallet bonfire, leading to the wildfire. Authorities allege Kling left the area while the fire was still active. He was arrested and taken to the Ocean county jail, where he awaits a court hearing. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Douglas Road.
(Photo from Ecuador Comunicación Siempre Más Noticias post on X)
Around the World
OOIL NEWS
Oil drops, set for weekly fall on tariff worry and rising supplies
il prices fell on Friday and were set for a weekly decline of over 2%, under pressure from market expectations of oversupply and uncertainty around tariff talks between the U.S. and China.
Brent crude futures were down 33 cents to $66.22 a barrel at 11:05 a.m. EDT (1505 GMT), taking losses to 2.5% over the week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 31 cents to $62.48 a barrel, headed for a weekly decline of 3.3%.
“Prices are down as concerns over oversupply from OPEC+ persist, while the demand outlook remains uncertain amid ongoing trade tensions,” LSEG senior analyst Anh Pham said. “A stronger U.S. dollar has also added pressure to crude prices.”
Oil erased early gains after a spokesperson from China’s foreign ministry said Beijing and Washington were not having any consultations or negotiations on tariffs. That contradicted earlier comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on Thursday trade talks were underway.
Oil prices fell earlier this month to four-year lows after tariffs sparked investor concern about global demand and a selloff in financial markets.
While the risk is a weaker economy will erode demand, supplies could swell.
Several OPEC+ members have suggested the group accelerate oil output increases for a second month in June, Reuters reported earlier this week.
An end to the war in Ukraine also has the potential to add to supplies if it allows more Russian oil to reach global markets. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Trump envoy meets Putin hours after Moscow killing of Russian general
Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff has met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin for highstakes peace talks, hours after a senior Russian military official was killed in a car explosion near Moscow.
Trump has played up Witkoff’s visit – his fourth to Russia in recent months – claiming a deal on ending the war in Ukraine was within reach. “The next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
“I think we’re going to make a deal … I think we’re getting very close.”
But no apparent break-
India, Pakistan trade gunfire as tensions rise over deadly Kashmir attack
Indian and Pakistani forces have exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LOC) separating the two countries as the UN calls for “maximum restraint” amid warnings of a wider military escalation following the latest deadly attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam town.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in
1947, with both claiming the territory in full but governing separate portions of it, leading to lingering tensions that have devolved into violence over the years.
Indian army sources told Al Jazeera on Friday that the Pakistani side initiated the shooting. A government official in Pakistanadministered Kashmir also confirmed to the AFP news
agency on Friday that troops exchanged fire, but did not say who started the exchange.
“There was no firing on the civilian population,” Syed Ashfaq Gilani, the Pakistani official, told AFP.
It was unclear which area along the LOC the exchange of fire took place.
On Tuesday, suspected rebels killed at least 26 peo-
ple at a resort in Pahalgam, in the deadliest such attack in a quarter-century in Indian-administered Kashmir.
A statement issued in the name of The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistani-based Lashkar-eTaiba armed group, claimed responsibility for the attack.
(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Calls for inquiry after German police kill black man outside nightclub
Civil rights activists in Germany have demanded an independent inquiry into alleged police racism after an officer shot a 21-year-old black man from behind, killing him after an altercation outside a nightclub.
The 27-year-old officer was suspended from duty over the shooting early on Sunday morning in the city of Oldenburg in north-west Germany pending a murder investigation, said state prosecutors. Fatal police shootings are relatively rare in Germany and prosecutors were quoted in local media as saying the suspension and investigation were “routine”.
Police have not identified the victim due to data protec-
tion laws but media and pressure groups have identified him as Lorenz A.
Police said in a statement that the man, a German citizen, aimed pepper spray at security staff outside the club after they refused him entry, hurting four people, and that he threatened others with a knife while running away.
When a patrol car tracked him down, police said he again used the pepper spray and approached the 27-year-old officer in a threatening manner. The police officer then opened fire.
A coroner’s report found that at least three bullets hit the man from behind: in the back of his head, torso and hip, local prosecutors said. A fourth shot is believed to have
grazed his upper thigh. He later died in hospital.
The state interior minister, Daniela Behrens, said the autopsy results raised “serious questions and grave suspicions” that must be “unsparingly addressed and resolved”.
Police representatives warned against any rush to judgment. “There are racism accusations because the deceased was a person of colour,” Kevin Komolka, the state chair of the GdP police union, told the public broadcaster NDR. “There’s a mood developing painting police as trigger-happy hooligans.”
Prosecutors have begun evaluating security camera footage and audio recordings from the scene and said there
was no indication that Lorenz A had threatened police with the knife he had with him.
The officers’ body cameras were reportedly turned off.
Rights groups, which have organised a rally in Oldenburg on Friday, said the shooting raised serious concerns.
The German chapter of Amnesty International said the killing “impacts an entire community and all those people in Germany affected by racism”. It said any investigation into the incident led by police would be biased.
“We finally need independent investigation mechanisms that are not controlled by police or interior affairs authorities,” it said, citing “structural racism”. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
UN agency runs out of food aid in Gaza after Israeli blockade
The UN World Food Programme says it has depleted all its food stocks in Gaza, where Israel has blocked deliveries of humanitarian aid for seven weeks.
through was reached on Friday. Putin’s senior aide Yuri Ushakov, who was present at the talks, said the discussions were “constructive and quite useful” and noted that the two sides had “narrowed differences”.
In comments to journalists, Ushakov said the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine had also been discussed.
Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said Witkoff had left Moscow carrying a message for Trump. There was no immediate comment from Witkoff on the outcome of the meeting. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
“Today, WFP delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens,” it warned. “These kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days.”
Israel cut off aid on 2 March and resumed its offensive two weeks later after the collapse of a two-month ceasefire, saying it was put-
China eases some US tariffs, denies Trump’s negotiation claims
China exempted some U.S. imports from its steep tariffs in a sign on Friday that the trade war between the world’s top two economies could be easing, though Beijing quickly knocked down U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that negotiations were under way.
Business groups said China has allowed some U.S.made pharmaceuticals to enter the country without paying the 125% duties that Beijing imposed earlier this month in response to Trump’s 145% tariffs on U.S. imports.
Also, a list of 131 product categories said to be under consideration for exemptions was circulating among some businesses and trade groups. Reuters could not verify the list, which includes vaccines,
chemicals and jet engines, and China has not yet communicated publicly on the issue.
Trump’s administration has in recent days signaled it is looking to de-escalate the confrontation with China, and Trump himself told TIME magazine that talks were taking place and that Chinese President Xi Jinping had called him.
“I don’t think it’s a sign of weakness on his behalf,” he said.
China denied that discussions were happening.
“China and the U.S. are NOT having any consultation or negotiation on #tariffs. The U.S. should stop creating confusion,” the Chinese Embassy in Washington wrote on social media.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
ting pressure on Hamas to release its remaining hostages.
The UN says Israel is obliged under international law to ensure supplies for the 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza. Israel says it is complying with international law and there is no aid shortage.
At the end of March, all 25 bakeries supported by the WFP in Gaza were forced to close after wheat flour and cooking fuel ran out. Food parcels distributed to families containing two weeks’ rations were also exhausted.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says there are also severe shortages of medicine, medical supplies and equipment for hospitals overwhelmed by casualties from the Israeli bombardment, and that fuel shortages are hampering water produc-
tion and distribution.
The WFP said the current Israeli blockade – the longest closure Gaza has ever faced – had exacerbated already fragile markets and food systems.
“The situation inside the Gaza Strip has once again reached a breaking point: people are running out of ways to cope, and the fragile gains made during the short ceasefire have unravelled. Without urgent action to open borders for aid and trade to enter, WFP’s critical assistance may be forced to end,” the agency said.
More than 116,000 tonnes of food assistance – enough to feed one million people for up to four months – is positioned at aid corridors and is ready to be delivered as soon as Israel reopens Gaza’s border crossings, according to the agency.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Friday
The World Food Programme has said it delivered its last food stocks to hot-meal kitchens on Friday
SUDOKU
Socialize and engage in activities that challenge and encourage you. Resurrecting your dreams, hopes and wishes will enable you to revamp your schedule. Change begins with you
Clear up unfinished business and rework your space to suit your needs. Declutter, donate or sell what you don’t use, and you’ll make your life easier.
Connect and brainstorm with like-minded people, and you will bring about positive change in your community. Travel, research and communication are all favored.
Look within for solutions and concentrate on making a positive personal shift to accommodate your goals. Refuse to let negativity set in or take you in the wrong direction.
Push boundaries, initiate change and learn all you can to support your efforts. Discuss your intentions with someone you want to include in your journey. A passionate attitude is the key to gaining momentum.
Adopt a unique perspective and see where it leads. Dedication, thoroughness and finishing what you start will endear you to those you care about most.
Playing fair will encourage others to give you more leeway to do as you see fit. Put your energy into your relationships, and everything else will fall into place.
Avoid pressure tactics. You’ll have much better luck if you are straightforward, pleasant and accommodating. Road rage and toxic situations will escalate if you react aggressively.
Think before you act. Look for peaceful solutions and worthwhile ways to expel excess energy. Pay attention to investments, spending and bringing in additional cash.
Your perception is off, so don’t jump to conclusions. What you do and how you react will be important. Verify facts, and you’ll gain insight into how best to proceed.
Follow your heart, not the crowd, and happiness will prevail. A social or networking event will encourage you to connect with someone who will contribute to your objective.
Set standards, a tight budget and boundaries regarding home improvements and joint ventures. Downsize, declutter or alter anything that suggests excess or indulgence.
ARCHIE
HARSHAL, KAMINDU HAND SRH FIRST WIN OF IPL 2025
Athree-pronged performance from Kamindu Mendis and Harshal Patel’s use of the middle of the pitch led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to their first-ever win against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2025. The match was played in Chennai, and SRH would hope this win has revived a faltering campaign.
Dewald Brevis, on his CSK debut, and Ayush Mhatre, the youngest CSK player ever, in only his second innings, threatened to inject some freshness into a stale CSK campaign, but the 154 they took CSK to was not enough to avoid their fourth loss at home, even though they did give SRH a scare on the dry pitch.
In the kind of slugfest one would expect of lowly-placed sides on a tricky surface, batters overcame conditions only in small pockets, despite the presence of heavy dew for a considerable duration of the game. Brevis looked every bit the player that earned the nickname Baby AB, but his threatening innings was cut short on 42 off 25 balls by arguably the catch of this IPL, taken by Kamindu, who again had earlier wowed spectators with his ambidextrous spin. CSK mounted a spirited defence, but Kamindu calmed SRH with his unbeaten 32 off 22 to see them home.
Clever bowling thwarts early intent
Despite a first-ball wick-
et for Mohammed Shami, the 17-year-old Mhatre continued to display his quality through good intent and efficient hitting through the off side. He hit six fours in the first four overs to take CSK to 37 for 1, but now SRH began to dig the ball in and started to make both him and Sam Curran hit into the leg side.
Harshal was the bowler to kickstart the plan. Mhatre nearly holed out to deep midwicket before Curran actually did so. In the next over, Mhatre drilled Pat Cummins straight into the lap of mid-off. At 50 for 3, CSK edged past only their fourth powerplay of fifty or
more in nine games.
Brevis checks in
Brought in in place of Rachin Ravindra, Brevis immediately looked a notch above the other batters in the match. Even as the placeholder No. 4 Ravindra Jadeja struggled to get any fluency, Brevis took down Kamindu, who had bowled the first two overs for no boundaries and had taken the wicket of Jadeja.
On a dry pitch with enough grip in it, Kamindu made no mistake, but Brevis still hit three sixes in his one over, the 12th. He then cut a slower bouncer from Harshal for a six off extra cover.
run a ball for a long time.
Heinrich Klaasen, promoted ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy who would eventually bat at No. 7, felt obliged to take a risk and got out to Jadeja to make it 54 for 3 in 8.1 overs.
Kamindu flies, brings down CSK
This is when Brevis looked to hit a second six off Harshal. The ball was in the slot, too. He got a good part of it, but not quite the elevation. Kamindu, however, was too far in off the longoff fence, so it looked like he would be beaten; but he flew to his left, went with two hands at this missile, and came up with the ball in his right hand.
After Brevis’s wicket, SRH turned the screws right in. Cummins bowled overs 16 and 18 for no boundary, hitting a Test-match hard length and beating the bat with some away movement. SRH kept chipping at the wickets, including that of MS Dhoni, who caressed Harshal to backward point. There was no finishing kick.
CSK mount a spirited defence
If Shami took a wicket first ball, Khaleel Ahmed took one second ball, reaching eight powerplay wickets this IPL, joint-highest along with Mohammed Siraj. Anshul Kamboj, preferred to R Ashwin for this match, then bowled successfully to a difficult plan: a 6-3 off-side field with two midoffs. He had Travis Head repeatedly playing across the line to straight balls, hitting the pad twice and then the top of off.
Ishan Kishan fought his way past 17 for the first time since the hundred in SRH’s first match, but it was an innings that hovered around a
With enough in the pitch for them, the CSK spinners continued to stifle Kishan and Aniket Verma. Just when Kishan looked like he could break free, Curran took a special catch at deep midwicket to send him back for 44 off 34.
Verma swung a lot, hit two sixes, but became Noor Ahmad’s second wicket for 19 off 19, leaving 49 required in 6.1 overs.
Kamindu, Reddy see SRH home
The two overseas bowl -
Chennai Super Kings (20 ovs maximum)
Shaik Rasheed c Abhishek Sharma
b Mohammed Shami 0
Ayush Mhatre c Ishan Kishan
b Cummins 30
Sam Curran c Verma
b Patel 9
Ravindra Jadeja
b Mendis 21
Dewald Brevis c Mendis
b Patel 42
Shivam Dube c Abhishek Sharma
b Unadkat 12
Deepak Hooda c Abhishek Sharma
b Unadkat 22
MS Dhoni (c)† c Abhishek Sharma
b Patel 6
Anshul Kamboj c †Klaasen
b Cummins 2 Noor Ahmad c Mohammed Shami
b Patel 2
Khaleel Ahmed not out 1
Extras (lb 3, nb 2, w 2) 7
Total 19.5 Ov (RR: 7.76) 154
ers of CSK, Matheesha Pathirana and Noor, were generous with extras, but it was more Kamindu’s assured sweeping that sent signals of calm to the SRH camp. It was actually a credit to the CSK bowling that they took the game so deep, because even the changed ball was now wet and flying across the outfield.
Kamindu and Reddy didn’t have to do anything fancy in their unbeaten 49-run stand in under five overs. They didn’t try to hit a single six. Extras helped, but they also timed the ball well.
They got to their first away win of this season with eight balls to spare.
(ESPNcricinfo)
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Shaik Rasheed, 0.1 ov), 2-39 (Sam Curran, 4.3 ov), 3-47 (Ayush Mhatre, 5.3 ov), 4-74 (Ravindra Jadeja, 9.3 ov), 5-114 (Dewald Brevis, 12.5 ov), 6-118 (Shivam Dube, 13.5 ov), 7-131 (MS Dhoni, 16.3 ov), 8-134 (Anshul Kamboj, 17.3 ov), 9-137 (Noor Ahmad, 18.1 ov), 10154 (Deepak Hooda, 19.5 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Mohammed Shami
Sunrisers Hyderabad got their first win, against CSK in Chennai
Harshal Patel had figures of 4 for 28
Ishan Kishan during his innings of 44 runs off 34 balls
Dewald Brevis contributed 42 from 25 balls
– against CSK in Chennai
Milo U18 Football…
Chase’s, Dolphin meet again in final showdown
Defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation would again be locking proverbial horns with familiar foes Dolphin Secondary when the final game of the Milo Schools U18 Football tournament is contested at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown on Sunday, April 27, from 19:00 hrs.
These teams have secured the right to again match their skills after the semi-final segment of this tournament was contested in an exciting double header on Thursday night at this same ground. The first semifinal was a contest between Dolphin and West Ruimveldt Secondary, and based on the stalemated first half, the two teams had looked evenly poised.
However, Dolphin Secondary turned things around in the second segment when front-man
Colin Frank David slotted the ball past the West Ruimveldt keeper in the 60th. Four minutes later, his brother Ezekiel Frank David made it a two-nil af -
fair, and then went on to compete his brace in the 81st for Dolphin’s 3. However, West Ruimveldt pulled one back through Captain Jeremiah Griffith’s strike in the 82nd for the 3-1 result.
The second semi, a repeat of last year’s final,
GCB U19 Inter-County Super50 Championship begins today
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Friday unveiled the official schedule and squad selections for the GCB Under-19 Inter-County Super50 Championship for 2025, scheduled to begin today: Saturday, April 26.
Four teams: Demerara, Berbice, Essequibo, and GCB Select XI, are participating in this year’s competition.
According to the GCB, tournament dates have been carefully chosen to guarantee fair play and competitive balance among all participating counties, following the recent period of bad weather.
Fixtures
Saturday April 26:
Essequibo vs Demerara at Imam Bacchus Ground
Berbice vs Select XI at Police SC
Sunday April
27: Rest Day
Monday April 28: Select XI vs Demerara at LBI cricket ground
Berbice vs Essequibo at Police SC
Tuesday April
29: Demerara vs Berbice at Police SC
Select XI vs Essequibo
at LBI cricket ground
Final: Date and venue to be confirmed
County teams read:
Demerara Under-19
Sachin Balgobin (Captain), Jayden Dowlin (Vice Captain), Shiloh Adams, Vickash Wilkinson, Ryan Latif, Nicholas Shiopersad, Romeo Deonarain, Shamar Apple (Wk), Wavell Allen, Kelvin Raymond, Udesh Seetaram, Nityanand Mathura, Neeraj Bani, Vemol Lall, Emmanuel Lewis Standby Players: Deonarine Dindyal, Lakeram Sukhdeo, Moin Persaud, Shane Prince, Syaad Lakeram and Arvin Sukhnand
Berbice Under-19
Rampersaud Ramnauth, Sanjay Algoo, Matthew Pottaya (Vice Captain), Salim Khan, Okasie Boyce, Kevin Kisten, Damion Cecil, Afraz Ali Boodhu, Ari Afrizal Kadir, Micah Amsterdam, Daniel Joseph, Rashad Gaffur, Kumar Deopershad, Romesh Bharrat
Essequibo Under-19
Raqendra Ramrattan
was filled with drama from beginning to end. Chase’s Captain Bryan Wharton wasted no time in putting his side ahead in the 2nd minute.
A baffling decision from the officiating referee saw Wharton getting his marching orders in the 8th minute, thereby reducing the defending champions to 10 men.
(Captain) Godbaran Chulai, Shazim Mohamed, Bruce Vincent, Ronaldo Jeffery (Vice Captain), Teddy Wong, Glodewin Henry, Jelroy Brown, Ovin Persaud, Mahendra Sankar, Nicholas Lovell, Benny Persaud, Harold Daniels, Saif Samaroo, Ashton Simmons
GCB Select XI
Romario Ramdeholl (Captain), Parmeshwar Ram (Vice Captain), Jonathan Mentore, Kishan Silas, Dave Mohabir, Joshua Boodram, Avishkar Beharry, Adil Ali, Devon Wharton, Raj Tika, Andres Fraser, Natron Gill, Trivel Evans, Saheed Baksh and Shazam Mohamed
Initially they were unbothered, as Isaiah Ifill found the back of the net in the 14th to give Chase the 2-goal cushion; but
they were starved for the remainder of the half by Waramuri’s improved defenses.
Waramuri owned the second half of play, as they pulled off an astonishing comeback. Rondell Peters registered a brace in the 51st and 86th, while Eldon Lewis joined the scoring party in the 77th to put the Region One side ahead.
With not many minutes to go before the game ended, Chase upped the ante when Ifill found the back of the net in the 89th
to level the scores just before regulation time ended. When extra time bore no fruit, the contest went down to penalties; and after 9 kicks on each side, Chase’s Academy prevailed by a scoreline of 7 goals to 6.
Third-place playoff in the Milo U18 is being contested between West Ruimveldt and Waramuri Secondary. It starts at 17:00hrs on Sunday, and precedes the grand final between Chase’s and Dolphins.
Janet Jagan Memorial Windball…
Annandale Secondary crowned Champions
-defeat Yarrowkabra in thrilling match
Annandale Secondary School have emerged Region 4 champions of the Janet Jagan Memorial Windball cricket competition sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport (MCYS) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), having defeated Yarrowkabra Secondary in a thrilling final match played at the National Gymnasium.
Annadale chose to bat first after winning the toss, and amassed a respectable 130 runs without loss of wicket.
Mahadevi Dass, a member of the Guyana school-
girls squad during last year’s West Indies Women’s Windball competition, hit a strong 71 that included seven sixes; and Shanya Macey supported with a solid 46run innings.
Yarrowkabra batted superbly in reply, but ultimately ended up scoring one run short of victory. Their innings ended at 129 for 1.
Region 4’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Saann Patterson blasted an unbeaten 85 that included 11 sixes, and V Jandoo contributed 15, but it wasn’t enough, and the team disappointingly had to settle for second best.
Dass, with figures of 1 for 17, picked up the lone wicket to fall for Yarrowkabra.
A look at Yarrowkabra batting
Romario Ramdeholl Shamar Apple
Rampersaud Ramnauth
Teddy Wong
Action between Chase’s Academy (blue and white) and Waramuri Secondary
Action between Dolphin (orange) and West Ruimveldt Secondary
Breakout League…
Cyrus restricts Rainforest Rangers in tournament opener
SCOREBOARD
Ameltdown or royal proportions was in store for the Guyana Rainforest Rangers on Friday afternoon as they slumped to a 25-run defeat at the hands of the Windward Islands Infernos in the opening match of the West Indies breakout League.
At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, the Guyanese team won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Windward Islands Infernos struggled, but a captain’s knock from Alick Athanaze enabled the team to post 166-6 in their 20 overs. Openers Johann Jeremiah and Ackeem Auguste hit 14 and 1 respectively before perishing to
Guyana’s pace department.
While wickets fell around him, Athanaze held his nerve to craft an unbeaten 91 off 57 balls that was laced with 5 fours and 7 sixes. The next best score, 26 off 32, came off the bat of Dillon Douglas.
While the Infernos were barely getting by with 121 in 18 overs, they managed to turn it around in the final two, hitting 16 and 29 runs off the 19th and 20th to move past the 150-run mark.
Nial Smith was the pick of the Guyanese bowlers in taking 3-28 from 4 overs; while Jediah Blades claimed 2-34 from the same number of overs.
In stark contrast,
Guyana had a better start to their batting innings, and a 107- run partnership between Adrian Sukhwa and Kevlon Anderson had the Guyanese eyeing a comfortable victory -- until it all came crashing down in the 15th over.
Sukhwa produced 57 runs in 43 balls, and Anderson hit 58 runs in 43 balls, to get the score to 120 before the second wicket fell. However, careless shots and overall thoughtless batting came from the remainder of the Guyanese batters. Among the lot, Riyad Latif had the highest score of 4 not out. The Guyanese eventually reached 141-9 in
their 20 overs, and lost the match by 25 runs. Darel Cyrus led the comeback for the Infernos by snaring 4-37 from 4 overs, while Ryan John picked up 2-16 from 4.
The Rainforest Rangers will again be in action today as they look for redemption against the
“If I’m running first, then that’s the man to beat” – Matthew
– Superbike showdown set for South Dakota on Sunday
All roads would be leading to the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri on Sunday, for the highly anticipated opening round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) Circuit Championship.
Already, the hype is set and the track is in top form for one of the most thrilling showdowns in the Superbike A Class category.
Dylan Singh, a 19-yearold emerging talent from the United States, is intent on ‘taking something away from Guyana’s ace rider Matthew Vieira’, who holds the title of Champion Rider for 2024. Vieira, however, would be intent on carrying the competition to the increasingly threatening Kevin Persaud.
Originally from New Jersey, Singh grew up racing at the renowned New Jersey Motorsports Park, where he spent his formative years developing his skills as a junior racer.
His competitive resume includes multiple appearances in CCS/ASRA events as an Expert, and most notably, a season in the MotoAmerica Junior Cup aboard a Kawasaki ZX-4, besides competing in two Supersport classes as an Expert.
He now brings his ex -
perience and determination to Guyana, riding a platform similar to his U.S. setup with his sights firmly set on capturing the A Class Championship.
But Singh will come up against the towering challenge of 28-year-old Matthew Vieira, a rider widely regarded as the best in Guyana and the Caribbean. With multiple championships to his name, Vieira has long proven his dominance in the region, combining expert racecraft with unwavering focus.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport ahead of race day, young Matthew Vieira is cognizant of the attention the matchup commands, but remains confident in his position.
“I know for a fact that
Dylan team mates have been spewing a lot about a clash on Sunday, but all I can tell them and him is to put their mouth on the track…,” he said.
“I know the target is on my back… Dylan was in Guyana in November 2023 with a lot of hype; and didn’t trouble me then, and I am confident that won’t change this time around,” the young speedster has predicted. He added that his competition right now is Kevin Persaud, who lately acquired a new machine.
In fact, Persaud told Guyana Times Sport that his 2024 Kawasaki ZXR6R is a different brand from the other bikes, but it’s the preferred race bike around the world, and not only in Guyana.
“We have about 80% progress on it thus far, but we are still going through developmental stage… I can say that our lap time is already matching November lap times,” Persaud explained. His best lap time on the track stands at 1:18.94, while Matthew Vieira’s fastest time at the November meet was 1:17.8.
“We have been pushing…on Thursday I clocked 1:19.5 minutes, and that isn’t bad at all…while the other riders may have lower times back in November, it’s totally different out here now,” he declared.
Persaud doesn’t regard anyone as competition other than Vieira. “I am confident that I will be fighting at the front with Matthew,” he declared.
However, despite the competitive atmosphere, Singh has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to race in Guyana. “I’m just happy to be riding in Guyana on my machine…,” he declared.
“Racing requires a lot of concentration, so I’ll avoid distractions and focus on finishing first,” he added.
Vieira, on the other hand, has sent a strong message to the riders: “If I’m running first, then
Vieira
that’s the man to beat,” he has said while reinforcing his status as the rider to watch.
Matthew is no stranger to the motor racing fraternity. He has represented Guyana in Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, and is the only Guyanese rider to win races in all three foreign countries.
Presently Super Bike Class A Champion for two consecutive years, Vieira plans to defend that title this year, and make it three in a row with his Yamaha R6, fully branded by Enet with number 48.
“I also want to send a strong message to my competitors: that I intend to defend the title, and I am up for the competition.” He is thanking his sponsors: Enet, Cyril’s Transportation Services, Vieira66 Logistics, KSM Inc. and Lucozade, for their unwavering support over the years.
With the competitors ready and determined, this showdown promises to be one of the most exhilarating battles of the championship season. The action revs off at 11:00h sharp.
“Come Sunday, I want to set the bar high, so moving into the other rounds will be much easier…,” he disclosed. “Some good run will set the tone for the remainder of the year…
Trinidad and Tobago Legions in a match that starts from 19:00hrs.
Alick Athanaze was unbeaten on 91 (Photo credit: CWI)
Superbike champion Matthew Vieira
Kevin Persaud
Adrian Sukhwa recovered from a slow start to slam a half-century (Photo credit: CWI)
Kevlon Anderson also hit a halfcentury (Photo credit: CWI)
