

Guyana’s President unveils global formula to finance biodiversity protection
…as Guyana taps into AI to lead regional healthcare revolution
…already attracting regional health workers
…daycare centres to be built nationwide to provide childcare for professional women
No heavyweights, no impact on party’s votes – Norton on PNC members’ resignations
Region 10 housing backlog as at Dec 2024 to be cleared this year – Min Croal
Agricola man remanded for brutal cutlass attack, robbery Men accused of child sexual abuse remanded
Guyana and the State of Roraima, Brazil, have reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation following a high-level visit by Roraima Governor Antonio Olivério Garcia de Almeida and his delegation on Friday.
Governor Garcia de Almeida was accompanied by senior officials, including the Secretaries for Investment Attraction, Agriculture, Communication, and Military, along with Roraima’s Special Envoy to Guyana on a two-day visit. The delegation held discussions with President Irfaan Ali at State House, joined by Cabinet ministers and the foreign secretary.
The two sides engaged in dialogue on enhancing cooperation in strategic sectors such as agriculture, livestock, energy, infrastructure, and technical exchanges. Emphasis was placed on unlocking greater opportunities for private sector investment and collaboration between
Guyana and Northern Brazil.
A central topic of discussion was the advancement of the Linden-Lethem Road project, particularly the timely completion of its second phase. Both sides underscored the project's importance in improving connectivity and facilitating trade between the two territories.
Several priority ar-
eas for collaboration were outlined during the meeting, including the establishment of a food and livestock processing hub in Lethem to support increased agricultural output and facilitate exports to the wider Caribbean region and international markets; development of an integrated energy complex in Lethem through a public-private partner-
ship model, with facilities for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and other petroleum products; creation of scholarship and exchange programmes between tertiary institutions in Guyana and Roraima, with a focus on agriculture, research, and technology transfer; enhancement of
border administration systems, particularly at the Lethem-Bonfim crossing, aimed at improving customs and immigration efficiency.
There was a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise and accelerate collaboration across these and other shared priority areas. To support implementation, the two sides agreed to establish a joint working group tasked with setting clear objectives and timelines. The group will also be responsible for identifying additional avenues for collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
9:30
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 5 – 00:55h - 02:25h and Sunday, July 6 – 01:45h03:15h and 14:00h - 14:45h
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 5 – 12:05h13:35h and Sunday, July 6 –13:15h - 14:45h
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
Thundery showers and late-afternoon sunshine are expected during the day, and cloudy skies are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 0.44 metres and 2.68 metres.
High Tide: 12:19h reaching a maximum height of 2.16 metres.
Low Tide: 18:10h reaching a minimum height of 1.05 metre.
…as Guyana taps into AI to lead regional healthcare revolution …already attracting regional health workers …daycare centres to be built nationwide to provide childcare for professional women
resident Irfaan Ali on Friday evening detailed a bold vision to revolutionise healthcare delivery in Guyana, while harnessing world-class technology and innovation, to position the country as a regional leader.
Speaking at the commissioning of the new, multi-billion-dollar, modern, stateof-the-art Enmore Regional Hospital – the first of its kind along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) corridor, the Head of State said his Government is opening the door to a new era of health care that is people-centred and accessible to everyone. Key to this vision is building out a digitally integrated health ecosystem that is supported by global experts and the harnessing of artificial in-
country’s human capital and building out a workforce to match the growing infrastructure and technology development.
According to President Ali, Government is already creating the working environment with increased salaries
telligence (AI).
“Already, we are exploring AI-assisted interpretation of medical images – X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds… We were sitting with some specialists from Northwell a few nights ago, and they were telling us that now they can [place] a few robots in Guyana, and their specialist from Northwell can perform surgery here with the robots, with their specialist sitting at Northwell and supervised by our local doctors here; that is where medicine is going, and it’s not guesswork. It is precision medicine,” he stated.
Noting that AI will help guide complex clinical decisions and assist in early diagnosis of life-threatening conditions, the President Ali stated that Guyana is leading the way in this age of smart care.
“Guyana will emerge as a regional leader in smart care health services through a bold and forward-thinking health agenda. The country is rapidly integrating digital technology into public health infrastructure. We’re ushering an era where data driven decisions, telemedicine, electronic health records and AI-assisted diagnostics are no longer futuristic ideas, but everyday realities,” he posited.
Attracting human capital
In the same breath however, the Guyanese leader emphasised that this vision requires investment in the
as well as other benefits such as facilities for professional enhancement. These investments, he added, are proving to be effective, attracting qual-
ified Guyanese professionals.
As such, nurses who had previously migrated in search of betterment, are now returning because of the benefits Government has introduced.
Moreover, the Head of State went on to highlight that these investments are also making Guyana an attractive destination for human capital – something that could address the human resource woes plaguing the health sector.
“For the first time, we have a situation in Guyana where regional graduates are now seeking to come to Guyana to work for our salaries. So, we are more and more becoming an attractive destination, not only for investment but for human capital. The changes in our salary structure, our welfare structure, our benefit structure, our infrastructure, our health care system, our entertainment system, our services – they are all adding up now to create an enabling environment where people want
to come to Guyana and want to be part of this transformation that is taking place,” the President stated.
A balanced life
This transformation he outlined, is taking place all across the country and in every sector; benefiting every category of people, including young people and women. But with more young females entering the workforce or advancing their academic qualifications, many of them are sacrificing their personal/family life, putting it on hold – a trend that the Guyanese leader says must be addressed.
“They postpone decisions about family development because it does not fit into their professional schedule. That is, they don’t have that support mechanism to allow them to pursue both at the same time. So, we have to fix this because we want our young professionals and young people to also enjoy the balance of life, and one of the important things to ensure they enjoy that balance in life is daycare facilities for their children.”
“Many young people here will tell you that they are afraid sometimes because they don’t know where it’s safe… So, in the next five years, we will be building day care facilities across our country to support our young people and young professionals and their development, especially women in our society,” he declared.
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The announcement by President Irfaan Ali this week that Guyana has secured funding for climate insurance for approximately 6,000 rice farmers represents a watershed moment in national development and climate adaptation strategy.
This achievement, the product of three years of persistent global negotiation, and a demonstration of forward-thinking leadership and a model for climate-vulnerable nations worldwide.
Securing climate insurance for rice farmers in a country acutely vulnerable to rising sea levels, extreme rainfall, and prolonged dry seasons is no small feat. Global financial institutions have traditionally been reluctant to extend such coverage to small developing states, citing high risk and low returns. Guyana's success in breaking through this barrier signifies a major shift in how risk in the Global South is assessed, valued, and supported.
This development must be understood within the broader framework of Guyana’s evolving approach to national resilience. It is a strategic intervention that links local economic security with global climate accountability. Guyana, though a low emitter of greenhouse gases, has been disproportionately affected by climaterelated disasters. This disparity has long been recognised in climate diplomacy, but financial redress and tangible support mechanisms have been very fast to materialise. What the government has accomplished is the transformation of years of advocacy into measurable benefit.
This breakthrough comes with immediate practical outcomes. The climate insurance scheme is expected to be rolled out in phases over the next three years. It will offer farmers a safety net in the face of weather volatility that has increasingly disrupted planting cycles, damaged crops, and eroded livelihoods. With insurance coverage in place, the sector can now build forward with more confidence, attract greater investment, and plan long-term.
The implications go beyond economic buffering. Climate insurance has the potential to change the culture of agricultural planning and risk management in Guyana. It formalises a new understanding between the state and its productive sectors, one based on risk-sharing and mutual responsibility. It encourages accountability, transparency, and innovation in how farmers manage land and water resources. And it may catalyse a broader ecosystem of climate risk services, including early warning systems, data-driven crop modelling, and digital platforms for claims processing.
Moreover, this achievement has emerged from a consistent policy vision rooted in multilevel resilience. For years, the government has directed significant investments into agricultural infrastructure, improving drainage and irrigation systems, upgrading farm-to-market roads, and subsidising key inputs such as fertilisers. These investments have not only boosted productivity but have laid the groundwork for climate-smart agriculture. The insurance scheme now complements this approach by securing gains and ensuring continuity in times of crisis.
President Ali’s remarks delivered during the commissioning of the new Christ Church Secondary School, highlighted the uphill battle in convincing international partners of Guyana’s viability for such a scheme. The global community often regards small states with scepticism when it comes to complex financial instruments like climate insurance. The successful negotiation, therefore, is not only a matter of national pride but also a diplomatic statement: that developing countries can shape their own destinies with resolve and strategic leadership.
The announcement also coincided with reiteration of plans to unlock co-investment opportunities for key public sectors, including teachers and public servants. These initiatives, geared toward asset ownership and wealth creation, signal a broader economic transformation in progress. The intention is not only to protect livelihoods but to elevate them, by opening new channels for economic mobility and reducing vulnerability across the board.
The administration has long articulated a vision in which agriculture is not only preserved but modernised. This latest milestone affirms that the future of agriculture in Guyana will not be left at the mercy of climate unpredictability, but will be actively shaped through resilience-building tools, strategic partnerships, and data-informed decision-making.
In the international arena, this achievement provides a compelling case study for other climate-vulnerable countries seeking similar instruments. It challenges financial institutions to rethink their models and invites a re-examination of risk when measured against political will and national coordination. It also sends a strong message that small states are not mere recipients of aid but can be pioneers of sustainable solutions.
Guyana’s success in securing climate insurance represents the confluence of policy perseverance, global advocacy, and strategic governance.
Ministers are fretting about Britain’s falling birth-rate. Here’s why it could be a good thing
By Larry ELLiott
Back in the early 1970s when he was lead singer with the Faces, few of his fans would have expected Rod Stewart to be still belting out Maggie May at Glastonbury more than half a century later. Long gone are the days when rock stars hoped to die before they got old. Instead, 80-year-old rock stars symbolise the fact that Britain and other developed economies have ageing populations. Women are having children later in life and having fewer of them.
Politicians are starting to fret about the prospect of a decreasing number of people of working age supporting an ever-increasing number of pensioners. Just this week, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said the falling birth-rate had “worrying repercussions” and that she hoped to be able to make it easier for women to have children.
This might seem a curious concern given that the UK’s population has risen from fewer than 60 million at the turn of the millennium to 67.2 million by 2022 and is expected to rise by another 5 million by 2032. Yet the fertility rate in England and Wales – the number of live births per woman – is currently 1.44, the lowest since records began in 1938 and well below the 2.1 level consistent with a stable population. If that trend continues and net migration is reduced, the number of people in the UK will eventually start to decline.
So much is obvious. Less clear is what, if anything, policymakers should do to raise fertility rates. The answer may well be nothing. A falling population is not a disaster. It might even be a good thing.
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, would certainly disagree with that conclusion. So would France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, and Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. Italy has a tax-free allowance – a “baby bonus” – for women having children. Macron has a plan for France’s demographic rearmament. In 2019, Hungary offered women a €30,000 (£26,000) interest-free loan that would be non-repayable in the event that they had three or more children. The chances of the UK matching that level of generosity given the strains on the public finances are infinitesimally small.
Yet the evidence from countries that have already hit the panic button over declining populations is not encouraging. Fertility rates in Italy, France and Hungary remain well below 2.1 despite the fiscal inducements. And that’s because the factors that are persuading women to delay having children – or not have children at all – are stronger than government tax breaks or interest-free loans.
Make no mistake, these are welcome changes. Women are better educated than they have ever been. More of them go to university, so have the possibility of securing interesting
and well-paid jobs. It is not surprising that for many of them career progression takes precedence over childbirth in their 20s. The days when households were financially dependent on one male breadwinner are over – and a good thing too.
It is also tough for women who do want to start a family at a younger age. Rising house prices have resulted in home ownership rates among 25- to 34-year-olds declining from 59% to 39% since 2000. Rents have also increased sharply.
Given all this, it is hard to see much future for pronatalist policies in the UK. The reality is that the demographic makeup of Britain will change over the coming decades as people live longer and fertility rates remain well below 2.1. If net migration is below the levels of recent years, the Office for Budget Responsibility thinks the population could be 1.2 million lower in 2072 than it was in 2022.
Is this really so much of a problem? The economist David Miles – one of those responsible for putting together the OBR’s economic and fiscal forecasts – says not. In a recent paper, he argues that the catastrophising about shrinking populations is “largely bunkum”.
In part, that’s because the global population is expected to continue growing for some decades to come, putting added pressure on the environment and speeding up climate breakdown. It makes little sense to adopt policies designed to increase
fertility rates when the UK is an overcrowded island in an overpopulated world. But it is also the case that the combination of an ageing and gently falling population could result in living standards rising. Older people tend to save more and that means the ratio of capital to worker will increase. There will, in other words, be fewer workers but they could well be more productive.
Measured by gross domestic product, the economy would be getting smaller, but GDP per head – a much better measure of wellbeing –would be increasing. There would be less congestion on the roads, less pressure on public services and less competition for housing. Japan already has an ageing and shrinking population and seems to be coping just fine. To be sure, there will still need to be policy changes in Britain. If there are going to be fewer young people, it is bad for the economy as well as a waste of individual potential for them not to be working. To that extent, the motivation behind the government’s botched welfare reforms makes sense. Childcare needs to be more affordable and changes to the pension age might also be required to extend the working lives of those able to do so.
But it is not inevitable that a falling population would be bad for the economy. It would certainly be good for the planet. (The Guardian)
(Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnist)
Dear Editor,
When questioned about several defections at his ‘press conference’ from the PNCR recently, all the Opposition Leader’s response was that the defectors, without exception, were non-performers, inferring that they did not work as expected (by him) for the development of the party. What a revelation! It couldn’t be that they had just started being non-performers, just before national and regional elections.
He claimed that not being the head of the list,
he could not have recalled them from their positions. Why then did he not meet with the head of the list (former President Granger) and lobby for their recall?
The Leader of the Opposition’s reaction is nothing but a sour-grapes attitude—you can’t have them, so they are no good. These same defectors have moved on to the governing PPP/C and other endeavours, where they are welcomed and will surely debunk the propaganda that they are cognitively indolent (mentally lazy) or
physically slothful by exhibiting their activism energetically.
Editor, what the Leader of the Opposition is doing to save face is distracting viewers and listeners (a red-herring tactic) from the fact that high-level members of his party are abandoning the party which is sinking and draining it of useful political capital. The PNCR is in panic mode with defections and lack of compromise within its ranks. From the time he was selected as leader by default (for lack
of opposition from within), key party members became disgruntled and less enthusiastic about working with him. But like the king wearing invisible new clothes, he was oblivious of the obvious.
The three Members of Parliament (MPs) who abandoned the sunken AFC and joined the half-sunken PNCR are nothing but opportunists. They fully well knew that the AFC would not get enough seats at the upcoming elections to keep them in parliament. They think the PNCR would re-
ward them by doing so. Little do they know that the PNCR will not secure sufficient seats in the next parliament to accommodate them and their wishful thinking, delusions of grandeur. Further, long-standing members of the PNCR will not take it too kindly for new crossover wannabes to supersede them in dividing the meagre spoils they will acquire.
So, after reading from a brief prepared script, without making eye contact with the reporters, at the press conference, all the
Leader of the Opposition could say was that the defectors were not significant, tantamount to good riddance, in an effort to console himself and his diminishing loyal followers. Editor, the bottom line is that the PNCR will continue for a long time as the official opposition, and the irrevocable dispensation will be a resounding victory for the PPP, something most Guyanese want, rather, need and deserve.
Sincerely,
Karan Chand
Dear Editor,
Someone under the signature of “Concerned Journalist” has complained that Svetlana Marshall, a media operative, was disrespected by President Ali. In fact, what happened was the exact opposite. In answering a question from
Ms Marshall, the president was clear that statements by two US House of Representative members concerning Azruddin Mohamed are not related to Continental Strategy, a firm contracted to help defend Guyana’s national interest. Yet, Ms Marshall stubbornly and arrogant -
ly persisted. Journalists have a right to ask questions, but they also have a professional duty not to harass the interviewee under the cover of press freedom. Ms Marshall disrespected President Ali, something the novice concerned journalist is too inexperienced to see.
The ‘Concerned Journalist’ also has the temerity to say that “journalists [are] being verbally attacked” at the press conferences of Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP. The truth is exactly the opposite. VP/GS Jagdeo actually takes all (yes, all) of the questions
from the journalists, sometimes with a bit of jocular bantering. The only questions not answered are those that have been repeatedly asked and answered in previous pressers.
Guyana has one of the most open media environments in the world. The
PPP needs no lecture on press freedom, because it is indeed the PPP that restored this most cherished aspect of liberal democracy. The ‘Concerned Journalist’ has it wrong.
Sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud
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SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2025
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By Carole Boston Weatherford
Gazing at the sky, all cloud-strewn
A child wonders, Where’s my moon?
Child cries a river like a monsoon; Wails and wails, Where’s my moon?
Tucked in bed, snug as a cocoon, Child coos gently, Where’s my moon?
Child wakes at sunup, fresh as June
But worries still, Where’s my moon?
Child nibbles fruit like a little raccoon; Frets between bites, Where’s my moon?
Child even watches a favorite cartoon.
But young mind wanders: Where’s my moon?
Like a broken record stuck on one tune,
Child keeps asking, Where’s my moon?
Child pretends all afternoon
And quizzes a wizard, Where’s my moon?
Child swims long and wrinkles like a prune; Floats the question, Where’s my moon?
Dinosaur twisted from a green balloon. Pops! Gone forever. Like my moon?
Child eats ice cream from a silver spoon. The scoop a reminder: Where’s my moon?
Child rolls in the tub like a silly loon. Splashing, asking, Where’s my moon?
Child sees the sunset from a little room, and begs once more: Where’s my moon? Mama promises, Soon, dear, soon. And sure enough: There’s my moon! (poetryfoundation.org)
As your character watches the chef prepare a meal, something seems ... off. What is it?
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo, has stated that the only threat to the conduct of free and fair elections in Guyana is from the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR).
“If there is ever a threat to holding free and fair elections at GECOM from anyone, it would be the PNC cabal… In the five months [after the 2020 elections], that cabal sought to support the rigging, and that cabal is already seeking to undermine the preparations for the [2025] elections. They will not succeed,” Jagdeo stated at a press conference on Thursday.
He was at the time responding to recent statements made by opposition-aligned Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission, Vincent Alexander, who expressed concerns about GECOM’s capacity to hold free and fair elections.
In a letter to the editor on Friday, Alexander complained about the lack of urgency by the Elections Commission to deal with
certain matters ahead of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.
In fact, he noted that “GECOM never mentions free, fair and transparent elections in its mantra of readiness.”
Objections to Guyanese registration
Moreover, the PPP General Secretary went on to call out the Opposition Commissioner for objecting to Guyanese nationals from remote Amerindian villages being registered to vote at the upcoming elections.
Alexander recent-
ly raised concerns about laws that allow Toshaos to vouch for persons born in indigenous villages so that they can obtain a Guyanese birth certificate, which then allows them to register to vote.
According to Alexander, this has created an opportunity for foreign nationals to take advantage of this system.
But Jagdeo explained that these are Guyanese nationals from remote indigenous communities who lived here all their lives but were never registered to get their birth certificates –
A26-year-old mechanic of D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, was fatally stabbed during an altercation on Thursday afternoon in what police suspect to be a case of road rage.
Dead is Jamal Green, who is a mechanic.
The incident occurred around 13:30h on July 4, at the intersection of Robb and Albert Streets, Georgetown.
The suspect, a 30-yearold taxi driver from the B Field Sophia Squatting Area Dam, is currently in police custody assisting with the investigation.
According to police, initial investigations revealed that the mechanic was riding a motorcycle behind the suspect’s vehicle, both heading south along Albert Street, Georgetown. The victim reportedly rode alongside the suspect and remarked that the driver "should have hit him with his car". The mechanic then pulled ahead and stopped his motorcycle.
The suspect also stopped his vehicle nearby and exited. An eyewitness, who was standing at a nearby store,
told investigators that the mechanic was seen holding a piece of iron and dealt the driver a blow to his back.
The taxi driver then returned to his car, retrieved a knife, and confronted the mechanic. A scuffle ensued, during which the victim was stabbed three times in the back.
Emergency medical technicians arrived shortly after and transported the injured man to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pro-
nounced dead.
Police responded to the scene at approximately 14:10 and recovered both the weapon allegedly used in the stabbing and the iron rod allegedly wielded by the victim.
CCTV footage from cameras installed in the vicinity reportedly captured the scuffle and subsequent fall of both individuals to the roadway.
The suspect, who sustained injuries to his left thumb and had bruises on his back, was arrested at the scene. He was interviewed and allegedly admitted to the altercation, claiming that he acted in self-defence after being attacked with a steel pipe. He alleged that the mechanic struck him and later pursued him along Robb Street, Georgetown, before confronting him again.
The body of the deceased is currently at the GPHC mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. Statements have been taken from witnesses as the investigation continues.
an issue that has been ongoing for decades.
“When a child is born in some of these villages, the child doesn’t get registered… They’re living all their lives in Guyana – some of them are even working for the Government – and they don’t have a birth certificate. They don’t have any document to show. They were born in our country and lived their whole lives here, but because their mother or father couldn’t register them in a village, say Baramita or somewhere else … they are our people, not people coming from Venezuela; he’s opposed to them getting their birth certificates,” the PPP General Secretary lamented.
According to Jagdeo, who also serves as the
country’s vice president, these are small numbers of Amerindian Guyanese.
For example, the figures for the outlying regions range from 3000 to 5000 –all registered between the period 2020 and 2025.
Jagdeo said the Opposition would go to any extent of accusing the PPP of wanting to rig the upcoming September 1 elections when they have shown at the contentious 2020 polls that they will stand on the side of unrighteousness and those who tried to subvert the elections.
“They will make every excuse to paint a picture that the PPP/C is trying to rig the elections in the future. We have a tough system. You have to run a gauntlet of checks before you get a ballot [to vote] … Some countries don’t have
that...”
“So, I would say ignore all of the noise coming from people like Vincent Alexander. They’ve shown that they would stand on the side of unrighteousness or on the side of people who’ve been trying to subvert the elections,” he posited.
Nevertheless, the PPP General Secretary declared his confidence in the electoral system, further expressing satisfaction with the presence of the United States-based Carter Centre and other observer groups, both local and international, that will be here in Guyana to monitor the September 1 polls. The international community had played a crucial role in 2020 to thwart attempts to rig those elections.
A23-year-old mason from Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was remanded to prison on Friday after he was charged for a vicious robbery that left a man severely injured and fearing for his life.
Brandon Williams of Lot 61 Agricola, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He is accused of committing robbery under arms in the Agricola village on April 30.
According to the charge, Williams, while armed with a cutlass and in the company of others, robbed Kweisi Lewis of an Akunya cellphone valued at $150,000 and $40,000 in cash, amounting to a total of $190,000.
During the proceedings, the prosecution strongly opposed bail. The court was told that Williams had previously appeared before the court in 2023, when he was remanded for two years. Prosecutors claimed that in the present mat-
ter, Williams admitted to chopping the virtual complainant (VC), though no video footage was available to corroborate that statement.
The prosecution also expressed concern over the risk of witness tampering, as the accused and the complainant both reside in close proximity.
Kweisi Lewis, the VC, told the court that Williams had been sending threats through intermediaries, warning that he would be killed if he ever returned to the village.
Lewis explained to the court that the attack followed a dispute involving his girlfriend and another woman said to be connected to one of Williams’ accomplices. He said his girlfriend made a report against the female and police were called into the village.
Williams and another man allegedly confronted Lewis, accusing him of bringing law enforcement into the community and threatening to “ban” him from returning to the community.
Lewis said that on the day of the attack, he had gone to visit a friend living at the front of the village. But before he could get inside, he spotted Williams and another man approaching with cutlasses. He claimed the men kicked down his friend’s door, ransacked the home, and stole his phone and wallet.
When he tried to question their actions, Lewis said they turned on him.
Williams reportedly swung a cutlass at his head. In an attempt to defend himself, Lewis raised his hand, which absorbed the blow, resulting in a deep cut to his wrist. He was then chopped several more times about his body by both men.
Despite his injuries, Lewis managed to flee the scene and run into a nearby yard behind the village.
He told the court that, at the time, he was in much pain but couldn’t scream, and had to suppress his groans to avoid being found, as the attackers continued searching for him throughout the village.
Eventually Lewis said, he wrapped his bleeding hand with his vest and made a desperate run toward the public road. His wrist was reportedly sliced so deeply that the bone was exposed. Once on the road, he tried to flag down passing vehicles and begged people for help. But no one stopped. Weak from blood loss, he claimed he passed out on the roadside.
When he regained consciousness, Lewis said he again pleaded for help. He then saw a police vehicle approaching and used the last of his strength to roll himself into the middle of the road to get their attention.
Officers exited the vehicle and seemingly shocked by the extent of his injuries, quickly placed him in the back and rushed him to the hospital. Lewis recalled that the last thing he heard was one of the officers asking for his name and what had happened, before he passed out again.
He remained hospitalised for three days before he was discharged.
The man further told the court that even though he stopped going to the community, Williams and his accomplice have been sending threats to him, that they will “shoot” him and kill him on the next occasion.
Given the serious nature of the attack and the ongoing threats to the VC, Magistrate McGusty denied bail and remanded Williams to prison. The matter was adjourned until August 8.
It ain’t often your Eyewitness gets a real belly laugh from reading our daily media – excluding re-reading his own columns, of course!! But he was in stitches after reading a letter from David Granger responding to a critical article in one of our online news outfits. Seems that the former president – described as a “Sanctimonious Gangster” by Caribbean leaders after his 2020 rigging attempt – didn’t like the column’s punch line: “His regime came across as an incompetent, arrogant, over-promising, under-delivering cabal…”!!! Wow!!
But Granger exposed his arrogance even in the FORMAT of his letter!! Signing as “David Granger, former President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana”, he ostentatiously and repeatedly referred to himself in the third person throughout his missive!! As in “The Office of the former President has taken note…” or “President Granger responded…” or “President Granger’s restoration…” Clearly he was imitating the style of communication of the British monarchs whom he revered!! Your Eyewitness remembers his bowing so low to the now-deceased Queen Elizabeth that he almost kissed the hem of her gown!!
So how did Granger respond substantively to the succinct summation of his record as president? Starting off with a bland assertion, “The article made several erroneous and malicious statements against the former president” – there he goes again with his pompousness! – All the man did was to string together a welter of non-sequiturs about his supposed “accomplishments”! For instance, on the “over-promising, under-delivering cabal” charges, this is what he countered with: “The APNU+AFC Coalition measurably increased the State Old Age Pension (SOAP) and public sector salaries and wages”!!
Can you believe that?? This is the man who criticised the PPP governments for giving public servants “starvation” annual increases after their 36% super raise in 1999, promised them “substantial” raises on the campaign trail and ended up giving them 5%! In 2015!! But that wasn’t all – at the same time, he gave Cabinet Ministers (his ruling “cabal”!) a FIFTYPERCENT increase!! But to his credit, he did say before the announcement that “Those who are lazy will get lazy-man salaries.” So we can infer from the 5%, his assessment of public servants!! Sanctimonious Gangster!!
Another counter to the "overpromising" charge was offered by Granger: "President Granger purposefully established the Guyana Youth Corps aimed at providing young people who were not in education, employment or training (i.e., NEET) with skills for self-employment." Now, this Youth Corps – originally launched by Burnham in 1968 and spectacularly failed – was promised by Granger (in 2015) to be launched in 2017, then 2018. It finally got going in 2019. But it was doomed to “underperform” because Aubrey Norton, who’d been fobbed off as “Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment”, wasn’t even involved!!
Begone, sanctimonious gangster!!
…election schedule
Step by step, we’re moving inexorably towards what’s gonna be a historic election on Sept 1st – with the latest step being Pres Ali signing proclamations declaring that Parliament and RDCs were now dissolved!! Your Eyewitness always expects that such signings would be followed by a fella blowing a trumpet from the public buildings balcony and bellowing “HEAR YE! HEAR YE!!” as he reads the proclamation from a sheepskin parchment scroll!!
Clearly, addressing the Opposition’s relentless campaign to discredit GECOM and its preparations for the elections – so as to supposedly allow the PPP to rig – the President declared after signing the proclamations: “The task of administering the forthcoming elections rests with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and I remain confident in its ability to hold free, fair, and credible elections.” What’s ironic is that the trial of pro-PNC GECOM officials and PNC officials for attempting to rig the last elections is presently before the court!!
Talk about taking your (PNC) doody and rubbing it on others’ (PPP) bamsies!!
…agri focus
Pressie also announced his government’s finally secured financing to provide crop insurance for some 6000 rice farmers. This had long been a hurdle in maintaining stable production levels as we head towards exporting 1 million tonnes!!
Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson, has rejected claims that his party engages in sexism, racism and homophobia.
Speaking at the party’s weekly press conference on Friday, Patterson said the AFC is “a free and liberal party”.
He was at the time responding to claims by the party's Vice President (VP) for the Youth for Change (YFC) – AFC’s youth arm –Onix Duncan and Advisor to YFC, Dillon Mohamed, who recently resigned from their positions.
The duo, in their resignation letters, alleged that the AFC failed to create a space of genuine inclusion and internal engagement and cited disrespectful and homophobic behaviour towards members.
Patterson said these claims are untrue.
National Unity (APNU).
Recently, Vice Chairman of Region Ten, Mark Goring, an AFC member, tendered his resignation.
“Unlike everyone else, he did not cite any reasons,” Patterson said.
The AFC Chairman said he wishes all of the party's former members well.
“This is a free and liberal party; we practice liberal democracies. If a member chooses to resign, if they choose to leave the party, while we obviously will be disappointed in that decision, we wish them well,” he said.
“It is hard to think that we can be accused of not being tolerant when we were going to enshrine the right to representation in the constitution,” he said.
sion for all races, ethnicities and sexual orientations. We have been at the forefront of that without fear.”
He added that “while there may be internal issues, personality issues and things like that, overall as a policy of the party we have demonstrated inclu-
The AFC has also seen resignations from three of its Members of Parliament (MP), Juretha Fernandes, Sherod Duncan, and Deonarine Ramsaroop, who joined the A Partnership for
He added that “whoever has moved on, we wish them well in their future endeavours; our door has never remained closed to former and current members....”
The AFC's former coalition partner, the PNC/ APNU, has also been hit with a series of resignations of senior members.
Coalition talks between the AFC and PNC/APNU for the upcoming have collapsed.
Both parties submitted their symbols separately to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), each signalling their intention to contest the upcoming polls independently.
A total of 22 parties has submitted symbols to contest the September 1, 2025, polls. These parties are expected to submit their list of candidates and nominators on July 14 as they gear up for General and Regional Elections on September 1.
Several persons have been arrested after a mob attacked and killed a West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) construction worker. The issue reportedly stemmed from an ongoing feud with a gang from another village.
Dead is Jerroy Gorden, 18, of Leichfield Village, WCB.
Reports are that he and his 16-year-old brother went four villages away to Number 41 Village on the WCB to purchase food. On their way, they passed a group of young men known to them.
According to the younger brother Jerry, when they arrived at the food stand, they realised that their motorbike was out of gasoline.
The teenager said he was sent to his sister’s house a few doors away to make a phone
“He started the bike, he was riding and we see them, well, they had a little problem. So my brother started to speed up. And a little bit, all we know, we see a... Ferris wheel over the road with a rope, and he shoved my
tacked. This publication understands that members of the Number 40 Village gang did not want the now-dead teenager to venture into Number 41 Village.
Going westwards from Lichfield, the gang had con-
call home to have someone bring gasoline for them.
As he was leaving his sister’s yard Jerry claimed that he noticed his brother in the company of another man who was carrying a bottle, and when he arrived, he was told by his now dead brother that he was able to obtain some gasoline.
brother off the bike. When he fall... I fall off the bike. And I can see one of them coming to me with a cutlass. I had to run. I run, I run, and I call my cousin. I take a while before I go back to the scene,” he recounted.
According to Jerry, the village gang had more than 5 persons when they were at-
tended that the now dead Gorden should only go to Cottage, Belle Vue, Number 40 Village, and Seafield but not venture into Number 41 Village.
According to Gorden’s sister, Candacy Welcome, the feud between her sibling and members of the Number 40 gang has been going on for
more than a year.
“They had a matter which got the attention of the court,” she explained. Meanwhile, the younger
brother said that when he returned to the scene, he saw his brother lying motionless.
“When I return, I saw a crowd of people down there.
When I go and watch him, he get a hole in his neck.” The police have since arrested several persons as the investigation continues.
President Irfaan Ali has extended congratulations to United States (US) President Donald J. Trump, the Government, and the people of the US on the occasion of the country’s 249th Independence Anniversary.
In a message dispatched to the White House, President Ali conveyed best wishes on behalf of the Government and people of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, noting the long-standing and friendly relations between the two nations.
“Guyana and the United States have enjoyed decades of friendly relations grounded in the principles of democracy, good governance, and respect for international law,” the message stated. “Our fruitful collaboration has touched several areas of our bilateral co-operation agenda, benefiting both our countries mutually.” Ali underscored Guyana’s appreciation for the enduring ties with the US and expressed optimism about expanding areas of co-operation. He also reaffirmed his confi-
dence that the bonds of friendship and partnership between the two countries would continue to strengthen.
“I eagerly look forward to meeting and working with you on matters of mutual interest and concern,” President Ali noted in his letter to President Trump.
The Guyanese Head of State also extended his best wishes for the continued success and prosperity of the American people and reaffirmed his highest consideration and esteem for the US President.
At a reception here in Guyana to mark the 249th Independence Anniversary last week, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot revealed that bilateral trade between the two countries reached an all-time high of US$4.7 billion in 2024.
“Our commercial ties continue to deepen and expand,” Ambassador Theriot stated. “Over the past year, we’ve reached another milestone... The number of US companies working with Guyanese partners continues to grow, along
with sustained investment across many sectors.”
New US–Guyana ventures over the past year include the establishment of a US-branded hotel, the opening of a primary and secondary school partnership, and the launch of Guyana’s first industrial 3D-printing service by a US firm. Additionally, a US welding and machining company has entered the local market.
Theriot noted that cooperation would continue on major infrastructure initiatives such as the transformative
deep-sea port and proposed road and rail projects.
“These are nation-building investments that can shape the trajectory of a country for generations to come,” she said, adding that the US is honoured to be Guyana’s preferred development partner.
Expanding security cooperation
The ambassador also highlighted the growing strength of US–Guyana military and security cooperation. She pointed to the success of the joint hosting of the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) exercise, which provided medical care to over 1,700 Guyanese across five medical facilities.
Further collaboration includes military training, security exchanges and acquisition initiatives, including the joint development of coastal radar capabilities for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Theriot referenced the recent joint appearance of the GDF Coast Guard vessel SHAHOUD and the US Navy cruiser NORMANDY during a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as symbolic of deepening military ties.
Law enforcement collaboration has intensified, with joint operations involv-
ing the US’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and New York Police Department (NYPD), alongside the GPF, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).
A major milestone came in August 2024, when a DEA–CANU operation resulted in the seizure of thousands of kilogrammes (kg) of narcotics.
Investing in Guyana’s Youth Beyond trade and security, the US -Guyana partnership continues to support youth empowerment and community development.
Ambassador Theriot praised the contributions of US exchange alumni and youth-led initiatives like “Steps Towards Literacy,” which promote education and development among Guyanese students. Sports diplomacy programmes have also empowered over 250 athletes, with two securing scholarships to US universities –including national sprinter Malachi Austin, who received a full scholarship to Louisiana State University (LSU).
In June, 25 new Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Guyana, bringing the current
total to over 40. Their focus areas include childhood literacy, adolescent health, and environmental education.
Friendship Last Friday’s reception was held under the theme “A Night in New Orleans”, honouring the rich cultural tapestry of Ambassador Theriot’s home state. Drawing parallels between Guyana and New Orleans, the Ambassador celebrated the shared resilience, diversity, and cultural vibrancy of both places.
“Like Guyana, New Orleans is a melting pot of identities and influences… our greatest strength lies in the harmony and appreciation of the many influences that shape our nations and our shared values,” she said.
The event saw attendance from Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Foreign Minister Hugh Todd, several Cabinet members, opposition representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps.
As both nations look ahead to the US’s 250th Independence Anniversary next year, the spirit of partnership and mutual respect continues to define and elevate Guyana–US relations.
The suggestions and promises being made by political aspirants that house lots can be distributed to citizens for free, while citizens can pay for infrastructure, were rejected Friday by the Ministers of Housing Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues.
“You have parties that are now coming to say if they can get an opportunity to go into office, all the lands must be free…But it costs money,” Minister Croal stressed on Friday.
Minister Croal explained that the Government invests significant resources into the development of these housing developments, which are then sold to citizens at a heavily subsidised cost.
He pointed out that with-
in the last five years, 95 new housing areas were developed through which there was a minimum investment of $250 billion.
“So, it’s very easy as politicians…to say “yes, everything is free, everything should be free”,” the Housing Minister contended as he urged right-thinking Guyanese to ignore the noise and think about what is sustainable and practical.
In fact, he further highlighted that despite development costs increasing, the price of lands for citizens has remained the same.
He noted that “you have low-income (lands) today that is as low as $226,000.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Minister Rodrigues who also observed political aspirants claiming
“we’ll give you a free house lot, you will pay for the infrastructure”.
But this proposal, she indicated, will cost citizens more.
“…the infrastructure is more expensive obviously than the cost that you are paying for the land.”
Minister Rodrigues explained that it costs about $5 million to install infrastructure and utilities per house lot – most of which are given to low-middle-income families – but citizens only pay between $500,000 to $800,000.
In this regard, she encouraged citizens to ignore the noise and determine what is practical and sustainable. “You have to assess for yourselves as to who really has a plan that deliv-
ers, a plan that makes sense. I know all of us are capable of drowning out the noise.”
Meanwhile, both Ministers noted that in addition to the subsidised costs
for the land, the Government has rolled out a number of initiatives aimed at helping citizens realise their dreams of home ownership.
For instance, Minister
Croal explained that through Government intervention, the commercial banks have reduced their mortgage lending rate –making it more affordable and easier for citizens to access finance for housing development.
He also referred to the steel and cement subsidy programme, which allows homebuilders to offset costs associated with construction.
Minister Rodrigues also reminded that the Government removed VAT from building and construction materials.
“And of course, we’ve been building homes at affordable prices also to help people to acquire home ownership very early,” she noted.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has intensified the implementation of its civic and voter education strategy for general and regional elections with sever-
er planned activities in the coming weeks.
This is in addition to its radio, television and social media advertising campaigns.
According to a GECOM
ducted public outreaches at the Vreed-en-Hoop and Parika Stellings and at the Mon Repos, Stabroek and Anna Regina markets, respectively.
An information session was also held on July 3 at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) with teacher trainees.
Further, in the coming days, the team will ramp up their efforts through planned outreaches in Region Two at the Supenaam Water Front, Suddie and Charity Markets, Mainstay/Whyaka Community and Bethany Mission, the release stated.
Teams will also be in Main Street, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Port Mourant, Corriverton and Parika markets.
GECOM said that this strategy forms part of its mandate to ensure all stakeholders receive accurate information that will contribute to them making
important decisions regarding their participation in the democratic process.
While these engagements are specifically designed to ensure that all stakeholders, particularly the electorate, receive adequate information and are knowledgeable about the
electoral processes, the importance of their participation, their rights and responsibilities, and election offences, among other information, it
In view of the foregoing, GECOM noted that it is encouraging all stakeholders to interact with its voter education team, uplift pertinent information materials and also visit GECOM’s website at www.gecom. org.gy or follow it on its Facebook page at Guyana Elections Commission to keep abreast of updated and relevant information on the electoral process.
Weary of lagging efforts to meet global pledges, President Irfaan Ali said Guyana has moved to create a formula that can be used to leverage financing to conserve and protect the world’s biodiversity resources.
During an appearance on the ‘United for Biodiversity: The Alliance Podcast,’ the Head of State noted that the inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit that would be held later this month in Georgetown will direct the world’s attention to these crucial resources.
Set for July 23 to 25, this premier event will bring together world leaders and key
stakeholders to discuss biodiversity as an important element in the climate equation with the intention of formulating policy and market mechanisms to support and safeguard these assets.
“We have to look at what are the contributing factors to the loss of biodiversity and how do we create an ecosystem to support, first of all, the audit, the valuation, the pricing mechanism, the market structure and the tools of getting that market. So, it is not really looking at this as pledges and financing alone, it is creating a mechanism. It is creating a market-based mechanism that I think can
sell itself; a market-based mechanism that we, as a global community adopt, if we believe, as we should, that biodiversity is a key and critical issue,” President Ali stated.
According to the Head of State, Guyana has already demonstrated its leadership by keeping its rich biodiversity resources largely intact at a time when the world has lost more than 50 per cent of these assets.
Consequently, he pointed out that if action is not taken now to find such a formula to protect and conserve the world’s biodiversity assets, which are crucial for the balance of the planet, then there
could be a serious crisis.
“We had all of these pledges at various COPs and we saw nothing coming out of the pledges. So, I'm just weary and tired of the pledges. But here is where Guyana has shown that we go beyond pledges. We create a product, we create a mechanism, we create a formula, and through the LCDS (Low Carbon Development Strategy) – the carbon credits, we have demonstrated how we can make this work,” the Guyanese Leader explained.
Guyana has already led the fight to have tropical forests placed on the global agenda.
Though a number of senior leaders within the Peoples National Congress (PNC)-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have re-
signed over varying issues, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton says these departures will not affect the party’s performance at the upcoming polls.
According to Norton, the persons who resigned are not “heavyweights” and in some cases, they lacked competence.
“None of them are heavy-
weights,” Norton said, noting that heavyweights are determined by the work you do and not the position you hold.
Among the recent resignations are Members of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira and Amanza Walton-
Culture, Youth, and Sport and as Chairman for Region Ten.
Following his resignation, Figueira released a statement to the media explaining his reasons for leaving the party, citing issues such as the PNC’s lack of visionary lead-
Desir.
Figueira was an executive member of the PNC, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), shadow Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, and the PNC’s chairman of Region Ten – one of the party’s strongholds.
According to Norton, Figueira was just an ‘occupier of a seat’ and he lacked competence. Last year, Norton removed Figueira from his position as shadow Minister of
ership and its embrace of ethnic antagonism.
Norton said he is not worried that Figueira will pull votes from the PNC for Region Ten, despite the fact that the young politician has done a number of charity and community work in the villages there.
In fact, according to Norton, “Figueira was not doing the work and he was removed, both as chairman of the region and as shadow Minister youth sport and cul-
ture, and this had to do with competence or lack of it.”
In the case of WaltonDesir, Norton said, “it is true that at a particular point, she was not on our press conferences, etc. And it is for a reason which I think is justifiable, but I do not want to be in the public domain saying what it is, unless she says something contrary.”
Natasha Singh-Lewis, another PNC parliamentarian, recently resigned from the party. Norton said her resignation was rooted in her friendship with the late Amna Ally, a former General Secretary (GS) and there was nothing he could have done to prevent it.
Regarding the resignations of the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman of Region Four, Daniel Seeram and Samuel Sandy, Norton said they were never working in the interest of the PNC.
Some other persons who have resigned from the PNC are Dr Richard Van-West Charles, Thandi McAllister, James Bond, and Geeta Chandan-Edmond.
But Norton insists that these resignations will not affect the party’s performance at the September 1 polls.
“None of the persons who have departed can carry with them the support from the APNU,” he said.
– as ministry allocates 1,000 house lots to Region 10 residents
The Ministry of Housing and Water on Friday al-
located 1,000 house lots to residents of Region Ten, as Housing Minister Collin Croal assured that the remaining applicants in the system as of the end of 2024 will receive their lots before December 31, 2025.
Friday’s recipients were allocated lots in Phase Two of the Wismar Housing Scheme during the third edition of the ‘Dream Realised Housing Drive’ hosted by the Ministry at the Watooka Guest House in Linden.
According to Minister Croal, there are currently 2,553 outstanding applicants in the region, and the Wismar Phase Two Housing Scheme already caters for 2,400 lots.
“As committed… the
plained.
The minister pointed out that the government has allocated over 1800 lots in the region in under four years. He said $5.9 billion was spent on housing development in the region.
Despite this investment, he added that the cost of the plots has not increased, with the low-income lots available for as low as $226,000 in the Wismar Housing Scheme.
He reminded that the former government, with former minister Annette Ferguson responsible for the housing sector, failed to deliver house lots to the residents of the region.
“You had a minister who had responsibility for housing who was from Region Ten, and they didn’t do what was committed to the people; so
mary school, a cemetery, and zones for industrial and commercial plots.
She urged those who are still awaiting calls from the
pending applicants will be able to be cleared in this current year of 2025 for all pending applicants for December 2024 and prior,” he said.
In fact, he said this feat should be achieved for all re-
it is important to remember some of these people who will be coming and making a lot of noise,” Croal emphasised, noting that prior to 2020, for five years, there were only 435 allocations.
gions across the country with the exception of Region Four because of the high volume of applicants in the system.
Meanwhile, Minister Croal noted that the time between allocation of the lands and occupation has significantly reduced. Therefore, persons who were allotted lands in the first phase of the Wismar Housing Scheme will be able to access their lands by the end of this year, while current allottees will be able to access their lands in early 2026.
“When you ask where our resources are going since we’re earning more, this is what it is going to. It is allowing us to do more today – not tomorrow –because historically when you get your land, the infrastructure work doesn’t start until the next year because the budgetary request from the following year [is used], so it is a minimum of two years,” he ex-
Meanwhile, according to Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan
ministry to be patient. “Today, after we have distributed the first 1,000 house lots, I don’t want people to panic if they don’t get their house lots today. We have made more land available, and we will be returning because this housing programme will not end,” she committed.
She assured that the government will continue to serve every region equally.
“We have been working; we’ve stayed true to our commitment, and we’ve been providing real tangible results, and we’ve taken this programme all across the country – there is no favouritism; there is no region that has benefitted disproportionately to other regions,” Rodrigues assured.
In addition to the distribu-
scheme provides spaces for low, moderate, middle and high-income lots, as well as spaces for a nursery and pri-
tion of house lots, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) will be distributing 97 titles to residents of Region Ten.
Minister Croal disclosed that more than 600 lots are to be regularised in the region in ten areas. These were lands owned by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).
“When you have that document/title, it signals [what] you have achieved and attained; and similarly, it secures for your children their security of tenure… When we talk about generational wealth, we mean it; it is not idle gyaff,” he told the residents.
According to the minister, NICIL is currently working on a number of areas in the region, including Plantation Retrieve, Plantation Richmond Hill, Plantation Fairs Rust and others.
Cement and Steel programme
Minister Croal disclosed that under the government’s cement and steel subsidy programme, over $48.5 million has been disbursed in Region Ten. This caters for 194 vouchers.
“Today you have 42 more people who will be receiv-
ing the voucher for the programme; we’re talking about another $9.5M subsidy to help persons to start their construction,” he disclosed, assuring allottees that they will be able to apply for the funding.
On Thursday, the ministry had also announced that it has invested $1.4 billion into the new Kwakwani Housing Development in Region Ten. The sum covers infrastructure works scheduled for completion by November 2025, paving the way for landowners to begin individual lot identification and construction.
The Ministry of Housing and Water
is working to clear a backlog of house lot applications in Region Four which exceeds 48,000, according to Minister Collin Croal.
Speaking at the Ministry’s ‘Dream Realised Housing Drive’ in Linden on Friday, the Minister assured that the Government is committed to providing housing for all administrative regions in Guyana.
“If you have 40-something thousand [applications], obviously to find the
land for all of those persons will take time, but we’re committed for all the Regions.” He noted.
In the past four years, the Minister said over 28,000 residents received their house lots and homes from the Government in Region Four.
Countrywide, he said the Ministry of Housing allocated 50,295 house lots, while the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) allocated an additional 2,458 lots.
“That is over 52,700 plus
to date Government-wide,” the Minister emphasised.
The Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, noted that of the total allocations, 54% went to young people between the ages of 21 and 35 years old, of which 47% having gone to women only,.
Overall, she said that 90% went to low- to middle-income families.
“We have stayed true to the objectives of the housing programme of empowering people,” she added.
More than $2 million in prizes are up for grabs as Innovation Challenge 2025 was officially launched Friday, bringing together young innovators, entrepreneurs and developers from across the country to tackle real-world problems with home-grown technical solutions.
The competition is being held under the theme "Transitioning to Innovation", serving as a key platform for students, developers, engineers, entrepreneurs and creatives to address critical national challenges through innovation and technology.
Hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister’s Industry and Innovation Unit, Innovative Challenge runs from July 4 – 6 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). Winners will receive substantial cash prizes of $1.5 million for first place, $750,000 for second, and $500,000 for third.
Beyond monetary rewards, participants will gain
access to mentorship, industry exposure, and opportunities for long-term development.
Described as a bridge between ideas and implementation, Innovation Challenge aims to convert creativity into measurable impact. Participants will be expected to showcase their coding and technical skills, along with critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving abilities.
This year, 11 teams are participating in the threeday competition which is primarily sponsored by SBM Offshore.
Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, outlined the importance of the competition, and emphasised the role of technology in national development.
“It is a vehicle for bridging the gap between ideas and implementation, between innovation and impact. Over the next three days, we will witness 11 teams from
Regions Three, Four, and Six rise to this moment — showcasing their coding and technical abilities, as well as their capacity to think critically, collaborate effectively, and propose scalable solutions that address key national challenges."
According to the Prime Minster, since the inception of this challenge, more than 60 teams have participated, leaving with invaluable skills, increased confidence and a stronger sense of selfworth. Amidst this, he added, the real value lies beyond the numbers, and lies in the growing community of young innovators who are beginning to view technology not just as a tool, but as a national asset and one that can transform communities, industries, and lives.
The Prime Minister further emphasised the Government's commitment to building a knowledge-based digital economy that is inclusive, adaptive and future-ready.
“Since assuming office in 2020, we have prioritised investment in human capital, particularly in STEM education — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — as well as ICT (Information and Communications Technology) training and digital infrastructure. Through the ICT Access and E-Services Programme, we’ve brought connectivity and digital services to some of our most underserved populations in hinterland and riverine communities.”
Meanwhile he also used the opportunity to call on the private sector to support innovation-driven initiatives like the Innovation Challenge.
“I urge members of the
private sector to invest in the future of our nation. Support innovation. Sponsor hackathons. Offer internships. Open doors. Help us build the economy. Every idea leads to invention, and creativity leads to careers.”
He stressed that these efforts are part of a deliberate strategy to embed innovation into every aspect of society, noting:
“Each of these initiatives form part of a broader mission — and that mission is to ensure that every young Guyanese, regardless of where they come from, has the tools, opportunities and support to thrive in an increasingly digital world. The Innovation Challenge is a vivid reflection of that mission.”
Maryam Bacchus, winner of last year’s challenge, offered her experiences and heartfelt advice to this year’s competitors.
She stated that throughout this period they are going to be exhausted staring at solutions for hours and not knowing how to solve them. Despite this she highlighted that it’s not about the problems — it’s about how you push through them. Don’t focus on winning; focus on learning. This challenge isn’t just about building apps — it’s about giving you the confidence to keep going."
“Each one of you has the potential to change this country with your solutions. Let’s use the next few days to prove that Guyana has world-class talent right here.”
The revised LCDS 2030 sets out the framework for the country to receive revenues for forest climate services from global voluntary carbon markets while also explore potential revenue streams from other ecosystem services such as Guyana’s world-class biodiversity and water resources.
President Ali stated that the LCDS is not just limited to prosperity but also focuses on a development strategy that is global in scope. He said it demonstrates, using Guyana as a model, how the rest of world can similarly achieve economic prosperity through a sustainable and resilient manner without harming the environment.
“[It’s] not to say that we don't utilise the richness of our environment. That is not what this strategy is
about. It is about how we do so in a sustainable way, in a resilient way. How do we enable this international asset, this global asset that we have in Guyana to also be a revenue earner for us so that we can finance the different initiatives, the livelihood options, that is required to safeguarding the forest, safeguarding the ecosystem, safeguarding our biodiversity and safeguarding our flora and fauna,” the Guyanese Leader stressed.
With Guyana now taking on the international responsibility to push the biodiversity agenda, the Head of State disclosed that the outcome of the upcoming summit will be shared at major global forums to leverage actions on the world stage.
He explained that there will be a comprehensive pa-
per compiled with the key findings and learnings from the three-day biodiversity summit as well as from any agreements inked with international partners and that document will be presented at COP30 which will be held in neighbouring Brazil later this year.
“We want that document to find its way at COP. We've already discussed with Brazil having this attention being paid to the outcome of this [biodiversity] summit. We intend to send a full copy of the report of the summit and the papers that will emerge out of the summit to the United Nations (UN), so that we can start the long journey of putting biodiversity on the agenda and at the top of the agenda,” President Ali noted.
Following the news of the contractor for the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project, Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc. – a United States-based consortium of Lindsayca and CH4 – deciding to split, Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo says this could augur well for the highly anticipated initiative and could see the works being fast-tracked.
Earlier this week, it was reported locally that Lindsayca and CH4 were parting ways over financial issues. This separation, according to reports, would see Lindsayca becoming the 100-per-cent shareholder with full responsibility for the completion of the GtE project.
Questioned about the split during a press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo explained that the government was informed that the internal woes between the joint venture (JV) partners were affecting the progress of the project.
As such, he surmised that the breakup would be a positive outcome in achieving the revised mid-2026 deadline for the project completion.
“We’ve been hearing about the breakup of the consortium, and we’re told that is to facilitate – because they have internal issues –to facilitate completion of the project by that deadline. [It] would allow them to accelerate the work because it seems as though the internal rambling between the companies is affecting the pace of implementation of the project. So, I’m told that it’s a positive thing that is happening, but the technical people have to examine that,” the VP stated.
According to Jagdeo, the government has been assured by its project leads that even with the split, the GtE project is still on schedule to meet the timeline of mid-next year.
In addition to the deadline being unaffected, the
separation will also have no consequences on the US$527 million loan that Guyana secured from the US ExportImport (EXIM) Bank to partially fund the project.
“So, it will not impact the loan… because it still remains a US company… The loan is to the Government of Guyana… And we believe the company’s proposal to split is to ensure faster movement of the project,” the VP assured.
The US$759 million project, which will utilise gas resources that will be piped from offshore, will see the construction of a 300-megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Power Plant and a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility built at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
It is expected that once power starts to be delivered next year, Guyanese will see the cost of electricity slashed by half and also benefit from a reliable electricity supply.
In addition to the US EXIM Bank loan, the gov-
ernment has also set aside some G$51 billion in the 2025 budget to advance works on the project.
The LNDCH4 consortium was awarded the US$759 million contract in November 2022 to build the power plant and NGL facility at Wales. In fact, the highly anticipated GtE Project was initially slated to come on stream by April this year. However, the Guyana government has been engaged in a dispute with the project contractor, LNDCH4, which has made financial claims and a deadline extension.
These claims stem from the late handing over of other aspects that affected the work of the contractor, which had filed financial claims to the tune of US$50 million and sought a six-month extension to the deadline over the delays –
both of which were rejected by the Guyana Government, thus leading to a dispute resolution process that was activated.
Following a Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Board (DAAB) process to settle the matter, both Guyana and the GtE contractor decided back in March of this year to go to full arbitration. The arbitration will be administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), with Washington, D.C., selected
as the venue. It is unclear what stage this proceeding is at. The government had previously noted that pursuant to the International Federation of Consulting Engineers’ (FIDIC’s) DAAB procedures, all DAAB decisions in this matter are confidential.
Notwithstanding the disputes, both the Guyana Government and LNDCH4 had emphasised the strategic importance of the GtE project to the Guyanese economy, and works are ongoing at the site.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Guyana’s Ambassador to the European Union (EU) and former Minister of Health and Agriculture, delivered the keynote address at the Fyrish Village Nursery School graduation in the Corentyne, where he highlighted that Guyana ranks highest in nursery education access across the Caribbean and Latin America—a reflection of the Government’s sustained investment in early childhood development. This, he highlighted as a milestone that reflects the Government’s continued investment in early childhood development.
According to Ramsammy, this is a pivotal moment for the institution, as it was the first time a high-ranking Government official attended a graduation ceremony at the school. He represented, Minister within the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry,
Anand Persaud. In his address, Ramsammy reflected on his own childhood and how far the country has progressed in education.
“When I was a child, there was no opportunity to attend nursery school. We started directly in primary school,” he said. “So, it’s heartening to see how far we’ve come. Today, our country provides access to nursery education for all, and we should all be proud of that.” He added that the thing that most people
are unaware about is that, many may not know is that Guyana leads the Caribbean in access to nursery education. No other country in the region has achieved this level of accessibility. Therefore, we must continue to create more and better opportunities for our children. The generation graduating today will be the one in Guyana’s history with the most opportunities in their lifetime.”
Each graduating student received a Graduation Trophy from the Government
of Guyana, made possible through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and the efforts of Minister Anand Persaud.
The graduation ceremony was also graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including:
Mrs Patricia Chase-Green, former Mayor of Georgetown and serving Councillor Mr Andre Jackman, Senior Community Development Officer, Dr Berysha Saskia Solomon, Senior Community Development Officer, Mrs Geeta Chandan-Edmond, former Member of Parliament (MP).
Their attendance further underscored the significance of the event and the commitment of the Government and stakeholders to community and educational development at the grassroots level.
AGeorgetown man who goes by the alias “Lilawattie” was granted bail on Friday after he was charged with robbery involving violence, stemming from an incident that occurred in April. The accused, 22-year-old Orin Fraser, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was not required to enter a plea to
Two men were remanded to prison this week after being charged in separate cases involving sexual offences against minors.
In the first case, 42-year-old Haniff Khan of Four Miles Housing Scheme, Bartica, was charged with sexual activity with a child family member.
Khan, who is unemployed, was arrested by police on July 1, following investigations into the incident.
He appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was remanded to prison, and the matter was adjourned until August 15.
In the second case, 24-year-old construction worker Andrew Ali of Lot 12 Annandale Railway
Embankment, East Coast Demerara, was charged with the rape of a child under 16 years, contrary to Section 10(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03.
Ali was arrested on July 1 by a rank from the Cove and John Police Station and charged two days later.
He appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison.
The case has been adjourned until August 5 for disclosure.
Investigations into both matters are ongoing.
the indictable charge.
According to the allegation, on April 10, 2025, at King Street, Georgetown, Fraser robbed Melvin Marks of a black cellphone valued at $78,000, a black purse worth $5,000 and $15,000 in cash, totalling $98,000.
During the robbery, or either immediately before or after it, he reportedly used personal violence against Marks, the virtual
complainant (VC).
The prosecutor objected to bail, highlighting that Fraser had previously been before the court on similar matters, and even referenced a case in which he allegedly robbed a police officer. The prosecutor emphasised that Fraser is no stranger to the justice system.
When questioned by the Magistrate about the relationship between the accused and the VC, it was disclosed that the two had become acquainted via Facebook.
Despite the prosecution’s concerns, the court granted Fraser bail in the sum of $80,000. The matter was adjourned until August 8.
Fraser told the court he is self-employed and lives at Lot 52 Princes and William Streets, Georgetown.
A26-year-old labourer was remanded to prison on Friday after he was accused of snatching a woman’s purse along Brickdam Road in Georgetown – a crime he insists he did not commit.
Shawn Dover, of Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was charged with larceny. He pleaded not guilty to the offence.
The charge alleges that on July 3, 2025, Dover stole a purse belonging to Chandralaka Chunilall. The bag reportedly contained a Republic Bank card, a National Identification Card, a Samsung S24 Ultra valued at $250,000, and $48,790 in cash, a total value of $298,790.
According to the prosecution, Chunilall was in the vicinity of Brickdam when her bag was suddenly snatched. Dover was reportedly chased and later apprehended by police, who allegedly found the stolen items on his person.
The prosecution further stated that not all of the woman’s belongings were recovered, and emphasised that the victim did not give consent for her belongings to be taken.
Given the seriousness of the offence and the high value of the stolen items, the prosecution objected to bail.
However, when given an opportunity to speak, Dover denied the allegations and offered a different version of events. He told the court that he is a married man and father and has never been involved in such criminal activity. On the day in
Shawn Dover
question, he said he went to work but found there was no work on that day and decided to leave.
He claimed that while in the Brickdam area, he may have accidentally brushed past Chunilall, possibly touching her, but said he did not snatch her bag. According to Dover, as he passed her, she suddenly began screaming, and soon after, a police vehicle drove into him and knocked him off his bicycle.
“Ma’am, I was crossing the road and passing she when a police van run over me and start asking me, ‘Wey de bag deh? Wey de bag deh?’ I didn’t even know bout no bag,” he told the court.
Dover insisted that the
woman’s bag was not found on him, but at a distance from where she was standing, and suggested that the police acted with force before conducting a proper investigation.
He also claimed that the police did not take a statement from him nor escort him for medical attention after the alleged incident involving the police vehicle.
In court, Magistrate McGusty asked Chunilall whether she would voluntarily throw her purse, phone and a large sum of cash to a stranger. Chunilall firmly said no. The matter has been adjourned until August 8. Dover will remain on remand until then.
The ExxonMobil Guyana
Global Super League (GSLT20) is taking cricket beyond the stadium and into the heart of Guyana’s breath-taking landscapes and vibrant communities. In a bold and exciting move, the league’s stars from across the globe will embark on a series of regional tours that celebrate the essence of eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and local connection. From towering waterfalls to untouched hinterland villages, the GSL
is embracing the beauty of Guyana while giving fans across the country a chance to interact with their cricketing
heroes in unexpected and unforgettable ways.
Kicking off the adventure, players from all teams will journey together to the leg-
endary Kaieteur Falls, one of the world’s most majestic single-drop waterfalls. This shared experience will be a symbolic moment of unity, as cricketers from different corners of the globe stand together in awe of one of nature’s greatest wonders right here in Guyana.
The defending champions, Rangpur Riders out of Bangladesh, will then head into Region 7, where they will explore the majestic Essequibo River and make their way to Baganara Island. Amidst lush greenery and golden riverbanks, the Riders will soak in the scenery and engage with local communities, bringing cricketing spirit to the heart of the region.
Meanwhile, Central Stags, champions of New Zealand’s Super Smash, will take to the streets of Georgetown on two wheels. Their tour of the Garden City will include visits to several national heritage sites and monuments, a taste of iconic local dishes, and casual interactions with citizens.
Over in Region 6, Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) champions, Hobart Hurricanes XI, will embrace the wild, setting out on a bird-watching expedition along the Canje River. Their day will be filled with the sights and sounds of exotic birds, peaceful water trails and the excitement of fishing in the local channels. Most importantly, they’ll meet with fans and families in the re-
laughter.
According to President Ali, this intervention is especially important since more than 70 per cent of the local graduates are now women, enforcing the need to plan ahead because that trend will manifest into the local workforce.
“…and when it manifests itself in our workforce, we have to create the enabling infrastructure to support them in their working environment,” the Head of State contended.
State-of-the-art facility
The newly commissioned, fully air conditioned, stateof-the-art Enmore Regional Hospital is outfitted with modern diagnostic equipment for a host of critical healthcare services, including ultrasound, digital X-rays, and CT scans with specialised clinics and departments. It has a 75-bed capacity, several operation theatres, several five-bed wards, a dental suite, ICUs (Intensive Care Units) and HDUs (High Dependency Units), neonatal facilities, and a 24-hour phar-
macy and laboratory, among other ancillary features.
According to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, this facility will remove the burden on residents of Enmore and surrounding communities along the ECD, who previously would have to travel to Georgetown to receive critical care and specialised services – all of which are now available at the new hospital.
“For generations, the people on the East Coast and residents had to journey to Georgetown to get their surgeries. And if they needed a simple thing like an X-ray [and] …CT scan, you had to go to the Georgetown Hospital to get that… And very often, it depends of the type of laboratory services that you need, you had also
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go to Georgetown to get those types of laboratory services. All of that you would now be able to get at this new hospital,” the Health Minister stated.
The new Enmore Regional Hospital is one of six hospitals being built across Guyana to enhance healthcare delivery and access for citizens.
China’s Sinopharm International is partnering with the Guyana Government to build the six regional hospitals, funded by a $37.2 billion partnership. These hospitals will be located in Regions Two (Lima), Three (De Kinderen), Four (Diamond and Enmore), Five (Bath), and Six (Skeldon and No. 75).
Only last month, President Ali commissioned the new $6.6 billion Diamond Regional Hospital.
Also in Region 6, the beloved Guyana Amazon Warriors will return to their roots with a nostalgic tour through New Amsterdam and Albion. In this historic region, the Warriors will immerse themselves in “country life”, sampling traditional dishes, visiting cherished landmarks, and playing a few overs of cricket with Berbice All Stars in an atmosphere of celebration and homegrown pride.
Not to be left out, the DP World International League T20 (LT20) winners, the Dubai Capitals, will travel to Region 9, where they’ll venture deep into the Rupununi to explore the hinterland. There, they’ll experience life among indigenous communities, learn about traditional customs, and relax at the serene and captivating Kumu Falls. It’s a journey that promises cultural depth and scenic wonder, showing a different but equally important side of Guyana.
Romario Samaroo of the League’s event management team expressed the league’s
passion for this initiative, stating, “This tour isn’t just about cricket; it’s about culture, nature, and connection. Guyana is more than a host country; it’s an experience, and we want the world to see that. From waterfalls to wildlife, the GSL is proud to showcase Guyana’s eco-tourism alongside its sporting excellence.” This unique experience will unfold during the first two weeks of July, just ahead of the high-intensity tournament action.
The GSLT20 runs from July 10 to 18, and in addition to global cricket among various league champions, will feature Global Super Concerts over the course of several nights featuring local and regional stars. While stocks last, fans can purchase tickets for Guyana Amazon Warriors matches and have the option of buying tickets for the Caribbean Premier League. Tickets start at $1,000 and are available at the local box office at 233-234 Camp Street, Georgetown, or at GSLT20. com.
Bolivia’s energy minister was doused with water and pelted with garbage on Thursday as chaos erupted in Congress during a debate on controversial lithium contracts with Chinese and Russian firms that could bring in investments worth some $2 billion.
It was the latest outburst of growing tension over Bolivia’s efforts to fast-track foreign investment to exploit its lithium reserves, which are among the largest in the world.
Opposition lawmakers and others loyal to former President Evo Morales disrupted the lower house session that targeted Energy Minister Alejandro Gallardo as he tried to defend the pending contracts.
“They are trying to swindle us,” said opposition lawmaker Daniel Rojas, one of those opposing the contracts they say are unfavourable to the state and demanding that profits for Bolivia be secured before the lithium is sold.
Thursday’s session devolved into scuffles, with lawmakers pushing, shouting and throwing stacks of paper at congressional leaders.
Video images showed an opposition lawmaker, Maria Salazar, tussling with another member who covered Salazar’s mouth after Salazar demanded that the vote be held by roll-call.
Meanwhile, a lawmaker later tore away an umbrella from a chamber leader, using it to try and bat away the barrage of paper balls and objects pelted at the board.
Legislators and civic leaders from the mineral-rich Potosi region, home to Bolivia’s vast lithium depos-
its, joined the protest.
Protesters said they feared the deals would not benefit local communities and would cause environmental damage.
“We want conditions so that the local people... can have a dignified life,” said Alberto Perez Ramos, president of the Potosi Civic Committee (COMCIPO).
“The government isn’t interested in that; the government is only interested in its own pockets.” (Source: Reuters, El Deber)
News that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive Trinidad and Tobago’s highest honour during a historic visit to the country has been welcomed by the Indo-Trinidadian Hindu population but has drawn strong objections from the country’s largest Muslim organisation.
Announcing the decision to honour Modi with the prestigious Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) during his visit, the government described it as “a tribute of the nation’s appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s outstanding contribution to the development of Trinidad and Tobago and service to the region and wider international community”.
But on Wednesday the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association (ASJA) said it planned to write to the prime minister’s office and the Indian high commission to express concern over the honour being extended to a political leader they say has a widely criticised human rights record.
In a statement signed by general secretary Rahimool Hosein, the ASJA said it has “deep and principled concern” about the state’s legitimisation of a figure they believe has emboldened religious intolerance in India and targeted the Muslim minority. “We cannot ignore Mr Modi’s political legacy and its ramifications for Muslim communities globally,” the organisation said.
The ASJA referenced
the revocation of Kashmir’s special status and the 2002 Gujarat riots, during which more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed. Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat at the time, though the Indian Supreme Court cleared him of wrongdoing in 2022. The ASJA also pointed to continuing criticism from international human rights groups.
While some Muslim communities and human rights advocates have criticised Modi’s policies, he has also received state honours from
several Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
About 35% to 40% of Trinidad and Tobago’s population is of Indian descent, one of the largest and most prominent Indodiasporic communities in the Caribbean. Most trace their roots to the approximately 143,000 indentured workers brought from India between 1845 and 1917 to work on sugar estates after the abolition of slavery. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
in video beating man placed on ‘administrative leave’
The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) says it has placed on administrative leave two officers from the Special Services Unit who were filmed beating a man in Kingstown.
A video circulated on social media shows the two officers, wearing their green camouflage tactical uniforms, beating the man repeatedly even after he falls to the ground.
The circumstances surrounding the beating are unclear, but it continued even as members of the public commented as it was taking place. It is not clear when the beating occurred, but the video began making the
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has launched a full criminal investigation into the suspicious death of K-9 officer Tyson, a highly trained police dog whose work in narcotics and weapons recovery played a critical role in national security operations.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Mashama Sealy confirmed that a post-mortem examination has been conducted, and investigators are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including examination of operational environments, forensic testing, interviews and a comprehensive review of recent K-9 deployments.
She assured that no effort would be spared in uncovering the truth and holding anyone involved in the
of the canine – officially known as Police Canine 642 Tyson – accountable. The working animal was gifted
Suriname expected to elect first female president amid discovery of oil reserves
Suriname is expected to elect its first female president this Sunday, the congresswoman and physician Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, 71, who will run unopposed after the ruling party decided not to field a candidate.
Geerlings-Simons will succeed current president Chandrikapersad Santokhi, 66, who has been in office since 2020 and was eligible for re-election – but whose party failed to secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority required in the country’s indirect voting system.
She will take office at a moment of profound contradiction for the former Dutch colony. Independent since 1975, it is still one of the poorest countries in the region, yet Suriname has recently discovered significant offshore oil reserves that could generate billions of dollars in revenue over the coming decades. The country is not expected to begin production until 2028.
rounds on Tuesday.
In a statement on Wednesday, the RSVGPF said it “unequivocally condemns the inappropriate actions of two police officers captured in a video circulating on social media.
“The footage depicts an incident involving the apprehension of a suspect near PeppaKorn Supermarket in Kingstown.”
The statement said acting Commissioner of Police Enville Williams had initiated a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
“The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this inquiry,” the statement said. (Excerpt from iWitness News)
Geerlings-Simons began her rise to power on 25 May, when voters elected the 51 members of Suriname’s National Assembly, though the results produced no clear winner.
Her National Democratic Party secured a narrow lead with 18 seats, just ahead of Santokhi’s party, which won 17. In the days that followed, she managed to form
a coalition with five other parties, giving her the minimum 34 seats required to be appointed president. Last Thursday, which was the deadline for registering presidential candidates, Santokhi’s Progressive Reform Party announced it would not be putting forward a nominee. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
J’ca: Manchester man charged with murder, abduction of car mart dealer and family
Detectives in Manchester, Jamaica, have charged a man in relation to the murder of a car mart dealer, the abduction of the businessman’s family and the theft of three cars committed in Melrose Gardens last year.
The accused is Nicholas Knight, otherwise called ‘Biggs’, a resident of Royal Flat.
Detectives on Thursday charged Knight with the offences of murder; three counts of kidnapping; three counts of robbery with aggravation; three counts of conspiracy to murder; unauthorised possession of ammunition; a prohibited weapon; conspiracy to kidnapping;
two counts of assault at common law; three counts of using a prohibited weapon to commit a felony and conspiracy to robbery with aggravation.
A police report said on July 10, 2024, car mart dealer Omar Powell, 35, his partner, and his then 15-yearold daughter were on their way home when gunmen attacked them. They were reportedly abducted at gunpoint and taken into bushes, where they were tied up on a bauxite haul road.
Police said the accused and two other men kidnapped and robbed the family of three cellular phones, an iPod, a Mercedes Benz, and two Toyota Probox vehi-
cles. The attackers then killed Powell before escaping. His partner and daughter were found hours later, around 2:00 am, and were taken to get medical attention.
Police said the accused was arrested and charged following an extensive investigation by the Manchester Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).
Police said a second suspect, identified as Javar Blake, otherwise called ‘Ballah’, was fatally shot during an alleged confrontation by cops in the Christiana area last year. A third suspect is being sought. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
il futures slipped slightly in thin holiday trading on Friday, as the market looked ahead to this weekend's OPEC+ meeting and the likelihood that member countries will decide to raise output.
Brent crude futures settled down 50 cents, or 0.7%, at $68.30 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was down 50 cents, or 0.75%, at $66.50 just before 1300 EDT (1700 GMT). Trade was sparse due to the US Independence Day holiday.
Brent settled about 0.8% higher than last Friday's close, and WTI was around 1.5% higher.
Eight OPEC+ countries are likely to make another oil output increase for August at a meeting on Saturday in their push to boost market share.
The meeting was moved forward a day to Saturday.
"If the group decides to increase its output by another 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) in August, as expected, for the fourth successive month, oil balance estimates for the second half of the year will be reassessed and will suggest accelerated swelling in global oil reserves," said PVM analyst Tamas Varga.
"There seems to be some profit-taking on concerns that OPEC will raise production by more than expected," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with the Price Futures group.
Crude prices also came under pressure from a report on the US news website Axios, which said the United States was planning to resume nuclear talks with Iran next week, while Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran remained committed to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Separately, Barclays said it had raised its Brent oil price forecast by $6 to $72 a barrel for 2025 and by $10 to $70 a barrel for 2026 on an improved demand outlook. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Russia has become the first country to formally recognize the Taliban's government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021 after Moscow removed the group from its list of outlawed organizations. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that it had received credentials from Afghanistan's newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan. The official recognition of the Afghan government will foster "productive bilateral cooperation," the ministry said in a statement.
Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry called it a "historic step," and quoted Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as welcoming the decision as "a good example for other countries."
Donald Trump threat-
ened to impose 17% tariffs on food and farm produce exports from Europe during talks in Washington this week, it has emerged.
Such tariffs would hit everything from Belgian chocolate to Kerrygold butter from Ireland and olive oil from Italy, Spain and France, all big sellers in the US.
First reported in the Financial Times, sources confirmed that the EU trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, was given the warning on Thursday when he met the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, trade representative Jamieson Greer and commerce secretary Howard Lutnick.
EU ambassadors were briefed on the threat on Friday.
EU trade spokesperson Olof Gill said on Friday evening that the EU’s priority continued to “favour a negotiated solution”.
He added that “progress was made towards an agreement in principle during the latest round of negotiations which took place this week” and negotiations would continue “on substance over the weekend”.
But the EU also made
clear it is prepared for a potential trade war with retaliatory tariffs on everything from Bourbon to Boeing 747s if Trump walks away before Wednesday. The 90-day pause on Trump’s “liberation tariffs” ends on Wednesday for more than 60 countries in addition to the EU which was more recently threatened with a 50% tariff. (The Guardian)
Kyiv hit by barrage of drone strikes as
One person has been killed and 26 others were injured after a night of intensive Russian strikes on almost every district in Kyiv, officials say.
A pall of acrid smoke hung over the Ukrainian capital on Friday morning following hours of nightfall punctuated by the staccato of air defence guns, buzz of drones and large explosions. Ukraine said Russia fired a record 539 drones and 11 missiles.
The strikes came hours after a call between US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin, after which Trump said he was "disappointed" that Putin was not ready to end the war against Ukraine.
Moscow says the war will continue for as long as it is
necessary to reach its objectives.
Russia's overnight air strikes broke another record, Ukraine's air force said, with 72 of the 539 drones penetrating air defences – up from a previous record of 537 launched last Saturday night.
Noting that it came directly after Putin's call with Trump, Zelensky added in a post on Telegram: "Russia once again demonstrates that it does not intend to end the war".
According to Ukrainian authorities, the overnight strikes damaged railway infrastructure, while schools, buildings and cars were set ablaze across Kyiv.
The Russian strikes also hit the regions of Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Chernihiv.
Russia's defence ministry said the "massive strike" had been launched in response to the "terrorist acts of the Kyiv regime".
Friday's attacks were the latest in a string of major Russian air strikes on Ukraine that have intensified in recent weeks as ceasefire talks have largely stalled.
Following his conversation with Putin on Thursday, Trump said that "no progress" to end the fighting had been made.
"I'm very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin, because I don't think he's there, and I'm very disappointed," Trump said. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Hamas says it has delivered a "positive response" to mediators on the latest proposal for a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal put forward by the US.
20 of whom are believed to be alive.
A former senior Taliban official told CBS News' Sami Yousafzai on Friday that while the group's leadership would no doubt welcome the Russian and Chinese backing, there was a recognition that "Russia and China can't financially support us the way the Americans did."
While no country had formally recognized the Taliban administration until now, the group had engaged in high-level talks with many nations and established some diplomatic ties with countries including China and the United Arab Emirates. (Excerpt from CBS News)
"We believe Russia's move is a positive message to the rest of the world. … We think some Muslim and regional countries may follow suit," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told CBS News.
It added in a statement that it was "seriously ready to enter immediately into a round of negotiations". It has not confirmed if it will accept the proposals yet.
Earlier on Friday Donald Trump said he expected a Hamas response within a day.
He said earlier this week that Israel had accepted the conditions necessary for a 60-day ceasefire, during which the parties would work to end the 20-month war.
The proposal is believed to include the staggered release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 other hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Fifty hostages are still being held in Gaza, at least
One of Hamas's key demands is the resumption of unrestricted food and medical aid into Gaza, and the proposal reportedly says sufficient quantities would enter the territory immediately with the involvement of the United Nations and Red Cross.
It is said the plan would also include a phased Israeli military withdrawal from parts of Gaza.
Above all, Hamas wants a guarantee that Israeli air and ground operations will not resume after the end of the 60-day ceasefire.
The proposal is believed to say that negotiations on an end to the war and the release of the remaining hostages would begin on day one.
A positive Hamas response would then lead to the resumption of formal, indirect, talks ahead of a planned visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Afederal judge briefly halted the Trump administration on Friday from placing eight migrants on a plane destined for conflict-ridden South Sudan, to give lawyers for the men time to make their argument to a court in Massachusetts.
US District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington made the ruling at an emergency hearing on July 4, when courts are otherwise closed for the Independence Day holiday.
The group of migrants had filed new claims on Thursday after the Supreme Court clarified that a federal judge in Boston could no longer require US Department of Homeland
Security to hold them. The order stops the US government from moving the men until 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. They were scheduled to be removed to South Sudan on a 7 p.m. flight.
The group of men have been convicted of various crimes, with four of them convicted of murder, the US Department of Homeland Security has said.
The eight men, who their lawyers said are from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Burma, Sudan and Vietnam, argue their deportations to South Sudan would violate the US constitution, which prohibits "cruel and unusual" punishment. (Excerpt from Reuters)
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Take a break and see what life offers: Go on a mini vacation, attend a conference or have a reunion. The important thing is to relax and bask in the possibilities.
Make the first move, start a conversation, listen attentively and take mental notes, and you will discover helpful information. Keep your emotions hidden and display your poker face.
Put your energy into gaining ground and building a solid base for your next venture. Opportunity is apparent, but patience, knowledge and experience are required.
A reaction, body language or verbal response will reveal what's to come. Don't shy away from the truth or ignore it. Don't be bashful; you cannot move forward until you deal with the present.
Get ready to change things and deal with any mismanagement slowing you down. Review your expenses, medications and home environment, and consider what's not working for you anymore.
Take an interest in how you can hone your skills or use them differently. Partnerships look promising, but be aware of competitors trying to undermine or steal your thunder.
Embrace change and enjoy the results. How you set up your home or deal with relationships will set the tone for the day. Love and romance are in the stars.
Home in on your target and muster up the energy to carry through with your plans. Make personal relationships your priority and enjoy what you can accomplish when people work together.
Day Three’s claim on the “moving day” moniker in a Test match was given extra credence at Edgbaston. Because while the situation in this second Test at stumps was not all that different from how it began – India ahead by plenty, England ruing various mistakes with ball and then bat – this was as stirring, emotional and mesmerising as this format gets.
It began with Mohammed Siraj prising out Joe Root and Ben Stokes with successive deliveries in the second over of the day, and he would close England’s innings with the final three to finish with 6 for 70. This was Siraj’s fourth five-wicket haul and first on these shores, confirming a first-innings lead of 180 that would eventually swell to 244 by the close, for the loss of just Yashasvi Jaiswal, trapped lbw by Josh Tongue.
In between, however, Jamie Smith’s unbeaten 184, of which the first century clocked in at a jointthird fastest 80 deliveries, alongside Harry Brook’s 158, dared England to believe they might wipe out India’s opening effort of 587 despite hav- ing to rise from the canvas. From 84 for 5, Smith struck Siraj’s hat- trick delivery
back past him for four and did not look back, while Brook occupied his slipstream for an initial retaliation that
turned into a calculated occupation of the crease and time.
They were eventually parted for 303 in the evening session, England’s second-highest stand for the sixth wicket. On a new-ball pitch, the second one had done the trick, as Akash Deep seamed one through Brook’s bat and pad off a length, disturbing the timber. That would be the first of the final five wickets to fall for just 20 runs in 7.2 overs. As KL Rahul’s 28 not out led a quick dart to 64 for 1 with dark clouds looming, England had snapped out of their Smith-inspired fever dream and were back in cold, dank reality.
And it was Smithinspired. Siraj set the scene with jeopardy. Smith used it to fuel a second Test century and a new top score for an English wicketkeeper, beating his Surrey mentor Alec Stewart’s 173 against New Zealand back in 1997.
Stokes attempted to protect his neck – gave England’s Test captain his first golden duck in the format. It was only the second time England’s top six had provided three noughts.
It was immediately from that point of disarray, with England trailing by 503 in the 22nd over, that Smith unleashed his astonishing counterattack. Smith was more or less a run-a-ball up until he locked horns with Prasidh Krishna in the over before the drinks break. With Shubman Gill chasing the match earlier than he needed to, Krishna was ordered to bounce Smith, who cashed handsomely with four fours and a six smashed high over fine leg, taking the over for 23.
Remarkably, Gill persisted with Krishna and the short-ball tactic, and, as expected, Smith tonked the first ball of this new over for another six over backward square leg.
The previous over had seen Smith move to his sixth fifty-plus score from 43 deliveries.
Further shifts came with consecutive boundaries off spinners
Root’s demise was a boost for its earliness –nine balls into Friday – and ease; over-balancing to tickle an edge down the leg side through to Rishabh Pant. If that was a little bit of good fortune for Siraj, it was all him for the next delivery, as a snorter – leaping off a short length, scorching the gloves as
Washington Sundar (two fours through cover) and Ravindra Jadeja (a cut through point, then a launch back over the left-armer’s head), bringing Smith in with a shout of taking the record for England’s fastest Test century.
He was 84 from 62 deliveries, needing 16 from nine deliveries to take the record outright with the uncertainty of whether Gilbert Jessop achieved the feat from 72 or 76 deliveries. Alas, a slowdown as lunch approached, while sensible, meant that opportunity passed him by.
Nevertheless, the century within the session came with three deliveries to go, as Smith lifted Jadeja down the ground and then smeared a 17th boundary through midwicket to take him to three figures. Edgbaston roared and then roared again as
he walked off with Brook unbeaten on 91, the pair of them smashing 165 of the 172 scored in the first 27 overs between them – the third-most India have conceded in a session. Brook’s ninth Test century came up four overs into the afternoon, with a controlled guide through the cordon – his 13th boundary, off his 137th ball –between gully and second slip off Krishna. It was Brook’s first century against India and only his second at home, having fallen for 99 in his first innings of the series at Headingley. By tea, Smith and Brook had eaten further into India’s lead – 232 by this point – but they had started to slow down, taking 101 deliveries to move their partnership to 250 from 200, which had only taken 192. A combination of Siraj, Jadeja and Sundar could claim responsibility for prompting that deceleration with wider, more consistent lines. Nitish Kumar Reddy did find Smith’s edge on 121, but Pant could only get fingertips to the chance, allowing the 24-year-old to pass 150 – off 144 balls – for the third time in his first-class career.
The 12 runs off the penultimate over of the second session, bowled by Sundar, who was reverse swept with ease by Brook, spoke of the ability of both batters to shift back up the gears. However, India pinned their hopes on the second new ball, which arrived five overs and one warm-up delivery from Akash Deep into
the evening and proved their saviour.
Brook was cramping up, needing the physio – and a banana – eight deliveries before he was dismissed. He could score no runs during this period, considering he only faced up to one of these deliveries, the one that dismissed him, prompting Smith to switch back to sicko mode. The wicket-taker Akash Deep was lifted gorgeously over long-on, then clouted through longoff for four. But with that second boundary coming at the end of the over, Smith watched on as Siraj trapped Josh Tongue lbw and put a sickening bouncer on Shoaib Bashir’s temples before castling the No. 11, who had opted to leave a delivery that moved in off the deck.
Smith rushed off, with cursory waves of his bat for a quite incredible innings that ran India ragged and thrilled a large home support. At various points, you needed the scoreboard to
show you who was actually in charge. By the end, it was clear as day, as Rahul drove pristinely and Jaiswal, while he was there for 22 deliveries, smoked 28, punishing both Woakes and Brydon Carse when they dropped short.
There was almost a moment of controversy when, having been pinned by Tongue, Jaiswal seemed to run out of time before calling for his review, which was given to him by standing umpire Sharfuddoula, who had given the decision as out on the field. Stokes immediately stormed over to remonstrate after watching intently as the big screen ticked from 15 to zero before Jaiswal’s late signal. In the end, it did not matter and resulted in India losing a review as three reds were confirmed on the big screen. A small victory for England in a mini session that, not unlike this Test match so far, belongs to India. (ESPNcricinfo)
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2025
Adramatic conclusion to the second day in Grenada put Australia under severe pressure as Jayden Seales removed both openers after West Indies had limited their deficit to 33. Australia’s bowlers shared the success, but Brandon King’s maiden Test fifty and lower-order resistance lifted the home side before the visitors’ top order was put under the pump again.
The West Indies had extended their first innings to the point that Australia had an awkward 35 minutes before the close. Sam Konstas couldn’t make it to the end of the first over. Looking to force through the off side from the back foot, playing away from his body, he dragged into his stumps to leave much for him to ponder ahead of the final Test in Jamaica.
It was tough against the new ball. Cameron Green’s first delivery reared at him and hit the shoulder of the bat as he tried to avoid it, but
it landed short of the slips. Then Usman Khawaja received one that scuttled from Shamar Joseph but wasn’t straight. However, in Seales’ next over, Khawaja was caught on the crease from round the wicket, a familiar line of attack that has troubled him, and was plumb lbw – burning a review in desperation.
Green and night-watcher Nathan Lyon, who took a blow on the arm in the dying moments of the day, were able to make it through to stumps, but Australia were sitting far from comfortably.
The West Indies had been twice building a foothold in their innings at 111 for 3 and then 169 for 4 –the latter after a promising stand was formed between King and Shai Hope. Pat Cummins, who earlier in the day claimed a stunning caught-and-bowled to remove Keacy Carty, broke through at a key time, and further swift wickets left the home side well behind.
However, Alzarri and
Shamar Joseph added 51, a stand littered with some powerful hitting, before the last-wicket pair of Seales and Anderson Phillip survived 10 overs. Travis Head ended the innings with the day’s third return catch, a sharp low effort. Unlike in Barbados, batting did appear more comfortable when the ball got softer, although there remained assistance for the quicks and signs of unevenness. Lyon, who sent down a 17-over spell, also extracted some bounce.
Bad light had denied Australia the chance of a quick burst at West Indies’ top order the previous night, but they wasted little time in making inroads in the morning when Josh Hazlewood held a low return catch to dismiss Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in his 100th Test. It meant three single-figure scores for Brathwaite in the series, and while the landmark Test is a fine achievement, there are significant questions around his output.
For just the eighth time
in Test history, the first two wickets of an innings fell to return catches – although that phrasing hardly does justice to Cummins’ outstanding effort. Carty got an inside edge into his pad which looped towards the vacant short leg area; Cummins changed direction in his follow-through, made it to the other side of the pitch, dived and got his right hand under the ball – as confirmed by the TV umpire. It was a breath-taking piece of athleticism from Australia’s captain.
John Campbell had taken an aggressive route, ridden some luck and profited from the positive mindset, which included a pulled six off Hazlewood. But his dismissal was a soft one, walking down the pitch at Beau Webster and looking to clear the onside but only finding mid-on.
King, who showed his strength through the off side, and captain Roston Chase took the West Indies through to lunch without
The One Guyana Kares
T10 Blast is set to continue this weekend at various venues, including the Laluni Ground along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and Meten-MeerZorg Ground, West Coast Demerara zones.
Last year’s semi-finalists, the Diamond Gunners, will be looking to take a step further in this year’s edition of the T10 tournament, as they suffered defeat in the semis to Titans All-Stars.
One of their key players and fast bowlers, Dorian Grenion, shared his thoughts as he prepared mentally and physically for the competition.
“Diamond Gunners will be looking to have a successful season. On the back
of last year’s performance in the batting department, Ricardo Sagar and Jones will be the forefront batsmen, and all-rounder Ricky will be there as well. In the bowling department, I [Grenion] will look to display my heroics once again alongside Bamfield, and not forgetting mystery fin-
ger spinner Daimon. This season we have a few faces set and ready for battle. Gunners promises to be a force to reckon with and go all the way this season.”
Sixteen teams are competing in the East Bank Demerara/West Demerara zone this weekend in an attempt to earn a position in
the finals at the national stadium. The following teams are scheduled to compete: Hyde Park, Young Guns, Laluni, Timehri Sports Club, Visionary Vipers, Trendsetters, The Guard, Stripling Warriors, Tourism Guyana Titans, Young Steppaz, CJIA Warriors, Diamond Gunners, Soesdyke XI, Eccles AllStars, 592 Gunners, and K&B All-Stars. The organisers are keenly looking at the weather and will provide updates on the venues to be used over the weekend. However, beyond the prestige of reaching the national final, each zone champion will also be rewarded with a significant prize of $300,000 and a specially commissioned trophy.
further loss, with King taking on Lyon with two boundaries in the last over of the session. But in the first over after the break, Hazlewood earned an lbw against Chase when Australia correctly opted to use a review.
West Indies initially took the honours in the afternoon session during a proactive stand of 58 between King and Hope. King took on a short delivery from Hazlewood and pulled him over midwicket for six on the way to a 77-ball half-century, brought up with a slash against Mitchell Starc. His absorbing contest with Lyon continued, too, when he danced down the pitch and deposited him straight for two sixes.
It was a threatening stand for Australia, but as so often, Cummins struck when needed. It was a wonderful set-up of Hope: the ball before he had made one straight to beat the outside edge, then nipped one back between bat and pad with
Hope’s feet stuck in the crease.
Next over, King’s impressive innings ended when he gloved a delivery with extra bounce from Lyon down the leg side. Initially given not out on the field, Green at midwicket was convinced it had been touched, and Steven Smith, at the time in charge with Cummins off the field, called for the DRS. When Justin Greaves got an inside edge into his pad that popped up to Alex Carey, Australia appeared set for a significant lead, but the stand between the Josephs cut into that. They thought the innings was over on 247 when Phillip was given lbw sweeping at Lyon, but it had turned too much and was missing leg. (ESPNCricinfo)
They will then be able to compete for a further $1.7 million in the national finals.
The runner-up in the zone final will also receive a substantial prize of $100,000.
The Montra Jaguars is the first team to be qualified for the showdown at the Guyana National Stadium on August 3, 2025.
This year, the stakes will be even higher at the national finals. The runner-up will take home $700,000, along with a trophy and medals, while the two losing semi-finalists will each receive $300,000.
The tournament will continue with the Georgetown/ East Coast Demerara zone scheduled for July 19 and 20, followed by the Essequibo zone on July 26 and 27.
Fans are in for a potentially mouth-watering evening of football come Sunday night when the semi-finals of the third edition of the ‘One Guyana’ Kings and Queens of the Sand football championships are contested at the People’s Progressive Party ground in the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden.
While a new male champion team would be crowned in this third edition of the championship, defending female champions, Speightland, will be severely tested in their semi-final against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), which has been very dominant in group matches, ending as the top team in Group A with three wins from as many matches; their opponent had to settle for the runner-up position in Group B.
The GDF, whilst conceding one goal more than Speightland, has scored the most goals of any of the four teams contesting the semis, 21. Speightland is next with 15, conceding 2 to the
GDF’s 3. This match will be fiercely contested, with the winner earning the right to contest the final, which has $800,000 as the winner’s prize.
The next clash between Iconic Strikers, winner of Group B with an unblemished record of three wins, and Hururu, runner-up in Group A, will see the former starting as huge favourites
to advance to the championship match.
Iconic Strikers has conceded just a single goal in their three matches, scoring 14, while Hururu has conceded the most, 11, whilst only scoring 9 goals. Unless there is a great change in the offensive and defensive fortunes for Hururu, Iconic Strikers are certain of advancing.
On the men’s side of the divide, the LA Ballers v Hardknocks final match of the night will be a humdinger of a faceoff. LA Ballers will start as the odds-on favourite to win, having scored 43 goals in group and quarterfinal matches and conceding just 7 times, and are the only undefeated team of the last four male teams; with five out of five,
they topped Group A. Hardknocks, though, cannot be underestimated, as they too ended at the top of Group ‘C’ with three wins and a loss, then won their quarterfinal game, for a combined 30 goals and being scored upon 14 times.
They have been hardened from their matches so far and will be fearless in the main event of the night on Sunday, knowing that a place in the final is at stake and a chance to pocket 1.5 million.
The other semifinal, Spaniards v Goal IQ, the main supporting match, is billed to be another ac-
tion-packed showdown between two teams boasting three wins and a loss apiece in the group stage and a quarterfinal win each.
Spaniards have netted 17 times whilst conceding 7; Goal IQ has fired in 15 goals and took 8, which shows the almost neck-and-neck stats by these two sides. What will make the difference in this clash will be the defensive fortitude of each team whilst also being clinical in the final third.
The opening match on Sunday night will be a junior queens affair between Mackenzie High School and Multilateral from 18:30hrs.
US-based Guyanese
Ray Cappell is back in Guyana for the second round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sport Club circuit meet on Sunday with lots of excitement to clash with the likes of Alian Hopkinson, Adrian Mohar and others.
Ahead of the clash on Sunday, he is adamant in putting up a good fight, thus calling out his competitors to the starting line. “Put in as much practice, or seat time, as we call it, when I am not around, but I want to tell you that I always come back faster,” was his challenge to them.
The 30-year-old who is ready to turn up the heat in the B Class category feels that his machine numbered 106 is the bike to look out for.
“My biggest challenge is Adrian Mohar in the B class category. I’m not scared of Alain Hopkinson because I beat him already in Trinidad last year twice,” he told this publication.
He added that he stepped up to the B Class so that he can challenge the faster guys but reiterated that he is not scared since his new bike, the 2020 R6,
He told the Guyana Times Sport that he grew up watching his father compete at the tracks and knew that he had to follow in his footsteps. Despite returning to Guyana to compete, he has never raced in the US but plans to do so this year at the New Jersey Safety Track.
He nevertheless took part in his first race in Guyana in 2023, where he secured two podium spots, and then again in 2024, he placed second in his category.
is ready for the competition.
“I’m prepared mentally for the big day, and I am hoping for good weather
track, they are ‘enemies’.
He is heading into Sunday’s meet with a lap time of 1.20.8 but hopes to improve on it once the weather holds.
However, he believes that the sport has grown over the years and is getting bigger. I myself have been encouraging people to join the sport… In fact, I brought four people into the sport over the past two years – Josh Rangasammy, Roger Austin, Salim Azeez and Elan Rahaman.”
In the next five years, Cappell sees himself as one of the legends of the sport fraternity.
so we can have some clean fun,” while pointing out that his relationship with other riders has been good over the years, but on the
Meanwhile, he expressed his gratitude to his sponsors – Sip and Chat, Club Red Dragon, Red Bar, Falcon Trucking Construction and K2 Bar and Lounge. He encouraged the motor racing fanatics to come out and be a part of the action on Sunday.
Afraz Ali is emerging as a serious contender in the 2025 circuit racing season, currently leading both the Group 3 and Toyota Starlet Cup Championships. After a frustrating 2024 campaign plagued by electrical issues, Ali says this year is different—his team is focused, prepared, and determined to deliver.
“I found myself in a similar position last year,” Afraz explained, “but we ran into electrical problems that set us back. For 2025, we’re on top of every aspect of the car. Reliability is the number one goal.”
That preparation is clearly paying off. Ali currently sits at the top of the Group 3 standings with 65
points, ahead of rival Steven Nobrega, and also leads the Starlet Cup with 58 points, again just ahead of Nobrega, who sits on 50.
When asked about his main rivalry, Afraz was direct: “It’s definitely Steven. My goal is to stay ahead of him in both classes and head into the November showdown leading both championships.”
Looking further ahead, Ali has his sights set on the Starlet Cup lap record. “Maybe not this meet,” he said, “but I’m definitely eyeing it for November.” With consistent performance and a car built for reliability, Afraz Ali is positioning himself as the man to beat in 2025.
With the second edition of the ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL) mere days away from bowling off, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) team has arrived in Guyana, with its members engaged in intense training at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
At the training session on Friday, the skipper, Imran Tahir, believes that the team might have taken it a bit easy last year, but it is time to step the foot on the accelerator.
“I think last year, to be honest with you, we took it a little bit easy, and I’m a kind of guy who doesn’t like that. I think we took things
Guyanese athletes
Jelicia Wright, Cleveland Thomas, and Timothy Smith, along with their coach Jonathan Fungudes, arrived in Jamaica on Friday ahead of today’s CARICOM 10K Road Race in Montego Bay.
The team, accompanied by General Secretary of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), James Cole, paid a courtesy call on the National Sports Commission (NSC) before departing Guyana.
There, they met with Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and NSC Commissioner, Christy Campbell. Ninvalle disclosed that all expenses related to Guyana’s participation in the event were fully covered by the Culture, Youth and Sport
for granted, and we’re not going to do that this time. This is the promise we made to each other, and that’s why we came earlier to start this camp to make sure we know our role in the team, and we want to play exciting cricket.”
Nevertheless, he told Guyana Times Sport that it always feels good to be back in Guyana, especially leading a talented and dynamic side.
“I know we have got a couple of new guys… We are all gelling well, especially with this camp days before the competition… We have got Jewel in our team, and I am excited to see him…
We’ve got Evin Lewis coming, Charles is here, we’ve got Pretorius, we’ve got my-
self, Moeen Ali, Ramanullah Gurbaz… but it’s nice to have time all here, and we are hoping to do very well…”
However, he is anticipating a tough surface with the recent downpours lately but noted with a good team combination, fans can expect some exciting cricket this season. “We want to win… that is what we are here for,” Tahir added.
Meanwhile, with Guyanese batsman Shimron Hetmyer in great form coming out of the Major League Cricket in the US, the GAW coach, Prasanna Agoram, is optimistic that the talented left-hander will perform well.
“Hetmyer has been someone who has been batting at number four from the time we took over in 2023, and the performances have been stupendous, so he is someone who can bat at number four to anchor the innings and come up with a blitz in the last five overs, so that role is not going to change.”
The Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on the defending champions, Rangpur Riders, in their opening game on July 10, 2025, at 19:00 hrs.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors squad includes Imran Tahir (c), Evin Lewis,
– says team here to win this year
Ministry and the National Sports Commission.
He noted that Guyana has had strong performances at the CARICOM 10K in previous years and expressed confidence that this year’s team would continue that tradition.
Ninvalle added that the Government of Guyana fully supports the athletes and, on behalf of the nation, wished them the best of luck in the “Land of Wood and Water”.
The 10K and 5K races, along with a 5K walk, will begin at 6:30 (Eastern Caribbean Time) from the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James.
The road races are among the fringe events being held in conjunction with the 49th Regular
Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr Andrew Holness.
The winner of the Open 10K Race will receive US$1,000, while the second- and third-place finishers will earn US$500 and US$250, respectively.
Additionally, the top male and female athletes in the 10K will be awarded the CARICOM Chairman’s Trophy (Male) and the CARICOM SecretaryGeneral’s Trophy (Female).
The 2024 edition of the CARICOM Road Races was previously cancelled due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl on Grenada.
At the 16th CARICOM Road Races in 2023, Guyana and Trinidad and
Tobago dominated the podium. Guyanese distance runner Attoya Harvey won the overall female category and captured the CARICOM SecretaryGeneral’s Trophy.
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