National suicide surveillance system launched to tackle suicide in Guyana
Guyana launches 1st ever crop insurance programme
No joinder lists submitted for 2025 elections – GECOM
CN Sharma endorses Pres Ali & PPP
16-year-old critical after being struck by stray bullet at birthday party
83% of secondary schools already have counsellors –Education Minister tells APNU
“I cannot lie to myself anymore” – former AFC MP, citing visible progress under PPP
Carpenter drowns during hunting trip in Berbice
President Dr Irfaan Ali along with Global CEO and Chairman of UPL, Jai Shroff; Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha; Region Two Chair Vilma De Silva; representatives from GRDB and NAREI among other officials at the launching on Tuesday
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, July 23 –02:55h-04:25h and Thursday, July 24 – 03:45h-05:15h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, July 23 –15:45h-17:15h and Thursday, July 24– 16:35h-18:05h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery showers are expected during the day, and cloudy skies with late-night showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.
High Tide: 15:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.37 metres.
Low Tide: 09:10h and 21:26h reaching minimum heights of 0.69 metre and 0.84 metre.
Guyana launches 1st-ever crop insurance programme
…premium-free for 6000 rice farmers
In a major push towards securing the livelihoods of rice farmers across Guyana, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday officially launched Guyana’s first-ever crop insurance programme for rice farmers.
The launch, held at the Anna Regina Secondary School, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), saw the announcement of free agricultural insurance coverage for 6000 rice farmers across Guyana, particularly those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, floods, and extreme weather patterns. The coverage will span an initial three-year period, completely free of cost to the farmers.
“For years we have talked about crop insurance, but little traction was made until now. That is what makes today so historic. This programme is not just relief; it is a lifeline,” President Ali said.
President Ali emphasised that the crop insurance
harvest loss.
“To those farmers, this programme is not a promise; it is a guarantee. It is the protection you deserve,” the President declared.
Climate-smart, technologydriven, and people-focused
The crop insurance initiative is part of the Government’s broader agricultural vision, which President Ali described as climate-smart, technology-driven, and people-focused.
“We’re not building this food sector halfway. We’re going all in investing in research, in drone technology, in high-yielding rice varieties, and now in comprehensive risk management tools like crop insurance,” he asserted.
Ali challenged the banking sector to take note of the reduced risk this insurance brings and to lower lending costs for farmers accordingly.
“With this insurance, the risk is reduced. And the cost
programme is a result of a unique partnership between the Government of Guyana, UPL Costa Rica, and Philip Morris International (PMI).
This agreement among the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), UPL, and PMI has resulted in a product that will support rice farmers who are most exposed to climate risks."... What you’re getting today, farmers around the world are longing for. But you can lose all of this in the blink of an eye if you do not do what is right for your families, your communities, and your country," the Head of State said.
Ali acknowledged that the increasing threats of floods, droughts, and other external shocks have pushed many farmers to the brink, with little to no protection against total crop loss.
“We all know the pain associated with crop failure. We’ve seen it with floods, with pest infestations, with erratic weather, and we’ve seen what it does to your finances and to your ability to recover. This insurance is here to break that cycle,” he said.
He singled out communities like Hampton Court, Devonshire Castle, and Walton Hall in Region Two, whose farmers have frequently suffered from flooding and
of lending to farmers must reduce. That is non-negotiable. No more 7 to 8 per cent inter-
est. Our farmers must be able to borrow at three-point five per cent, and the Government will subsidise the rest to zero per cent,” he stated.
Consistent support
Ali used the launch to outline his Government’s consistent support for the rice industry over the past four years, which includes the removal of VAT on fuel, agrochemicals, machinery, and equipment; $1.5 billion settlement with Panama to recover payments to Guyanese farmers; $3.6 billion in support for fertiliser, flood relief, and seed quality; and $2 billion planned for 2025 in continued fertiliser assistance and the construction of nine drying floors in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six.
He added that ongoing rice research, with new GRDB varieties yielding up to nine tonnes per hectare,
free ferry transportation of paddy for 1500 Region Two farmers and Government purchase of 71,000 bags of paddy at $4000 per bag.
“These are not just policies. They are real investments in your lives and communities. This is what a Government that cares looks like,” he told the crowd.
Looking ahead, President Ali spoke about plans to implement a pilot of innovative rice farming systems, including modern drone technology and eco-friendly practices to protect the environment.
“By the first crop of 2026, we want complete drone application from fertilisation to pesticide spraying. And we’re going to support the farmers by grouping them into clusters, giving them the tools and logistics to reduce costs and increase returns,” he explained.
President Dr Irfaan Ali
A section of the gathering at the launching of Guyana’s first-ever crop insurance programme for rice farmers at the Anna Regina Secondary School, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)
"Get on the train to progress" – PPP/C takes campaign momentum to South Georgetown
Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill declared that government policies under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) have put more money in the pockets of Guyanese, while Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues asserted that “progress is contagious,” as the party took its elections campaigning to South Georgetown on Tuesday with a public meeting at Turning Point, Tucville.
As the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) continued its campaign for the September 1, 2025 General and Regional
Elections, Rodrigues challenged that in the past five years the PPPC has delivered more than 7 times than
what was done under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) government
during their five years from 2015 - 2020.
Rodrigues argued that the concept of political strongholds has been eroded by the PPPC’s performance and inclusivity.
“I don't believe that any community anywhere in Guyana can be considered an APNU stronghold anymore. That time has passed,” she said. “The PPPC has been the most inclusive party ever in the history of this country. We don't leave anyone out of this progress.”
Both ministers took aim at the opposition, accusing the former APNU/AFC coalition Government of mismanagement, stagnation, and betrayal during its 2015-2020 tenure.
“The APNU legacy is a legacy of betrayal, broken promises,” Rodrigues said. “Their five years in office were marked only by no vision, incompetence, aloft leadership, arrogant government, and bad policies resulting in the economy grinding to a halt with no money circulating.”
Echoing the same sentiments, Edghill emphasized the government’s record of delivery in areas such as infrastructure, health, education, and housing.
“The PPPC has delivered development in Guyana without discrimination,” he
“I cannot lie to myself anymore” – former AFC MP, citing visible progress under PPP …says APNU/AFC betrayed, failed citizens
Former parliamentar-
ian representing the Alliance for Change (AFC) in the National Assembly during the 20152020 period, Reynard Ward is now throwing his support behind the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
Addressing a political meeting hosted by the PPP at Sisters Village on the East Bank of Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Tuesday, Ward expressed that AFC failed the citizens of this country when it was in Government in a coalition with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
“We had a bold manifesto. Youth were the focus. We promised everything. I stood here, and I made bold promises. Post 2015, I don’t have to tell you what happened, but I stayed on. In 2020, I did campaign for the coalition again because I thought that there was an opportunity for persons to change, for things to change,” Ward informed.
“I stayed out of politics for several years. And come these elections, I had to make a choice. The choice is clear. The choice that I have made, and that you are making, and that a lot of people, 90 per cent of Guyanese, will
make come election day, it is clear. It is clear because of the work of His Excellency President Irfaan Ali and his team, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and his Ministers, and all the supporters would have done for this country,” the former AFC member expressed.
He testified that over the past five years, along the East Bank of Berbice, residents would have seen tremendous development when compared to the years under APNU+AFC.
“I was always one who stood for the conditions of the road. I know the Regional Chairman, David Armogon, used to get some licks, but now I cannot say anything because he and his team would have produced
what they would have done tremendous work on the East Bank.”
“You can see the progress, not only on roads, the infrastructure, the drainage and the irrigation system.”
Pointing out that the communities in this area heavily depend on agriculture, Ward highlighted that the PPP/C Government would have invested billions of dollars in the sector.
This, he said, is unlike the approach of the previous administration.
“… I asked the then Minister of Agriculture [Noel Holder] to assist farmers, but that went on deaf ears,” the former AFC parliamentarian said.
“But the PPP/C came into office, and from day one,
they started to do what the people were asking for. And that is assistance – help to help them make their livelihoods better.”
He noted that under the PPP/C Administration, thousands of acres of land were cleared for farming purposes.
“And not only for one set of people, not only for one colour of people, not only for one texture, but for every single farmer. The cash grants and the flood reliefs weren’t given to ‘Tom’ that belonged to the PPP or to Jones that belonged to the PPP. It was given across the board,” Ward explained.
Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman David Armogan, who also spoke at the same meeting, recalled that even though the people on the East Bank of Berbice depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihood, between 2015 and 2020, the then Minister of Agriculture only visited the community once in comparison to scores of visits to that community by the current Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustoaha since being at the helm of that ministry when the PPP/C came into Government in August 2020.
stated. “Nobody in South [Georgetown] right now can complain about roads, it’s either your road is being done or it has already been done.”
He issued a direct challenge to opposition figures, singling out APNU MP Christopher Jones: “Go and check Christopher Jones’ Road. It is fixed. I want Christopher Jones to come and tell the people what his party did for the people of South Georgetown.”
Edghill also reminded the crowd of the political turbulence of the 2020 elections, arguing that Guyana is now on a stable path.
“September 1, 2025 is about leadership moving Guyana from where we have come from 2020 to 2025 and carry it to 2030 and beyond,”
he said. “The leader that can get that done is Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.” Rodrigues, speaking on the importance of grassroots engagement and leadership credibility, added: “People pass me on the road all the time. They say ‘Susan,’ and I respond. They feel connected to me. My work will speak for itself, not the title that comes with the name.”
Pushing the message that “one good term deserves another.”
Rodrigues concluded with a call for continuity: “We are giving President Ali a special term. He has to finish the work that we have started. If you thought you saw progress in the last five years, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill
Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues
A section of the gathering on Tuesday in South Georgetown (Minister Susan Rodrigues photo) TURN TO
18
Former Alliance For Change (AFC) MP, Reynard Ward
Percents and fractions
Since percents are ratios, you can change them to fractions. The denominator will be 100. The numerator will be the number in front of the percent sign.
Examples:
What is 20% of 25?
Step 1: Convert the percent to a fraction:
Step 2: Simplify the fraction if you can:
Step 3: Multiply:
Step 4: Simplify the product:
You can also change fractions to percents:
Step 1: Divide 100 by the denominator:
Step 2: Multiply the numerator by the quotient:
Step 3: Add the percent sign:
Remember…
Some fractions cannot be changed easily to percents. If 100 cannot be divided evenly by the fraction’s denominator, you will not be able to convert that fraction to a percent.
Exercises: Convert the percent to a fraction and reduce where possible. 1)10% 2)
Creative Roots: Connecting trees to art and history
Trees provide us with fresh air, food, and materials to make things. They also help protect our environment from erosion, heat, and wind, and are home to many animals, plants, and insects. But that’s not all. Trees are important members of our communities and can inspire people to create art. Whether it’s showing a tree’s beauty, strength, or role in a community, art can capture the personalities of trees. Trees are a common subject of poetry, paintings, drawings, and photography. They’ve even inspired sculpture and music.
Some trees that inspire are very old, and have been present for important historical events. Others have been planted to remember or celebrate special events. Artists, musicians, architects, engineers, inventors, and authors from around the world have been inspired by trees.
People all over the world make art about trees. Kids can use the things they’ve learned about trees, or the questions they still have about them, to make art too.
Questions to guide explorations and experiments
1. How can trees bring people together?
2. What is inspiring or interesting about trees?
3. How can a tree be famous?
4. Why do people create art?
5. How do songs, poems, books, or works of art that feature trees make you feel about trees?
6. How do you think trees should be represented in art?
(Adapted from startwithabook.org)
By William WordsWorth
That in this moment there is life and food For future years. And so I dare to hope, Though changed, no doubt, from what I was when first I came among these hills; when like a roe I bounded o’er the mountains, by the sides Of the deep rivers, and the lonely streams, Wherever nature led: more like a man Flying from something that he dreads, than one Who sought the thing he loved. For nature then (The coarser pleasures of my boyish days And their glad animal movements all gone by) To me was all in all.—I cannot paint What then I was. The sounding cataract Haunted me like a passion: the tall rock, The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood, Their colours and their forms, were then to me An appetite; a feeling and a love, That had no need of a remoter charm, By thought supplied, nor any interest Unborrowed from the eye.—That time is past, And all its aching joys are now no more, And all its dizzy raptures. Not for this Faint I, nor mourn nor murmur; other gifts Have followed; for such loss, I would believe, Abundant recompense.
To be continued...
Imagine your character is a child or camp counsellor at a summer camp that is the setting of a horrorcomedy movie. Write a letter home to family or friends from your character's perspective, telling your family about the strange happenings at camp. Letters From Summer Camp
WORD SEARCH
Pres Ali to swear in Chief Justice as acting Chancellor
…Norton snubs consultation
President Irfaan Ali is set to appoint Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George to act as Chancellor of the Judiciary as Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton continues to debate what constitutes “meaningful consultation” as required by the Constitution.
The move to appoint Chief Justice (ag) George to act as Chancellor follows the approval of two months of outstanding leave for acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings.
Nevertheless, despite the president’s formal letter informing the opposition leader of his intentions and requesting feedback by July 18, 2025, no response was received.
On Tuesday, during his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News’, Attorney General Anil Nandlall SC addressed the matter, emphasising that the President had fulfilled his constitutional obligation to initiate consultation and that silence from the opposition leader does not equal a veto.
“A leadership vacuum in an important institution such as the judiciary for such a protracted period of time, and indicated to the Leader of the Opposition that he is considering appointing to act in that position, the Honourable Roxanne George, and the President made reference to Article 127.2 of the Constitution… and indicated to the Leader of the Opposition his desire to appoint Chief Justice George to act as Chancellor,” Nandlall explained.
“He gave a deadline for response, July 18. That date has come and gone.
CN Sharma endorses Pres Ali & PPP
Well-known Guyanese television talk show host of ‘Voice of the People' and political party founder and leader of the Justice for All Party (JEAP), CN Sharma, along with his wife Savitree Sharma, has endorsed President Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government for a second term in office.
Chandra Narine Sharma, 72, was an outspoken political commentator and activist who had previously heavily criticised the PPP/C Government. Having taken a step back from the political frontlines and the media limelight, Sharma is throwing his support behind the ruling party.
“I see change within the party. Irfaan Ali shows he cares for all the Guyanese people of all races, equally. Well done, Irfaan,” he said in a release to the media on Tuesday evening.
“I have a genuine concern for the voiceless people of Guyana, and I see we have a President who cares about the people. Guyana is progressing with a bright future for all the people of this country.”
The Justice for All Party first contested national elections in 1997, receiving 0.3 per cent of votes, with further small increas-
es in subsequent polls, 0.7 per cent in 2001 and 0.8 per cent in 2006, but it failed to win parliamentary seats in those years.
The party then joined the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition for the 2011 elections, but during that campaign, CN Sharma himself did not run as a candidate; instead, his party supported the coalition and campaigned on its behalf.
The Sharmas’ attention and support toward the PPP/C came in 2020, when their political party, JFAP, split away from the then governing party, the APNU Coalition, after Sharma’s party conceded to the PPP/C in support of the election result and recount, agreeing that the PPP/C was the declared winner of
the 2020 General Election, and demanded that Irfaan Ali be sworn in without further delay.
“I was once a loud voice against the Government. I have no apologies for keeping them in line, but unity and support are necessary for progress to continue for the good of all Guyanese,” Sharma said in his release on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, his son, Jaipaul Sharma, a former member of the APNU coalition, earlier this month joined the Alliance for Change (AFC).
In the previous APNU/ AFC Government, Jaipaul Sharma was a minister within the Ministry of Finance. His party, the Justice For All Party (JFAP), was part of the APNU coalition.
There has
And consultation, as the High Court has ruled, is not a one-way street.”
The Office of Chancellor of the Judiciary, Guyana’s top judicial position, has remained without a substantive appointee for nearly two decades. Currently, Justice Roxane George serves as acting Chief Justice, while Justice Yonnette CummingsEdwards serves as acting Chancellor.
However, with the Chancellor on extended leave from July to October, the President signalled his intent to have Justice George temporarily elevated.
While Norton has claimed publicly that the President is violating the Constitution, Nandlall shot back with judicial precedent, stating, “This is not the first time the courts have had to interpret what ‘meaningful consultation’ means,” Nandlall said, referencing legal rulings
during the appointment of Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken.
“In every case, the court has made it clear: the President must consult— but the other side must respond.”
In legal terms, the absence of response is not deemed a breach on the President’s part. According to the AG, the courts have ruled that constitutional appointments cannot be held hostage by non-engagement from the opposition.
With mounting pressure to prevent a leadership vacuum in one of the most vital arms of state, the attorney general has made clear that Guyana cannot afford institutional paralysis.
“The judiciary is a sacred pillar of our democracy,” Nandlall noted. “And it is highly desirable that there is no vacuum in the apex offices of that institution.”
“The President is engaging in this process in accordance with the letter and spirit of the constitutional definition of what constitutes meaningful consultation. Now we are not without guidance on what constitutes meaningful consultation in the constitutional context… The time delimited by the President for a response has now expired. So, we have to wait and see how this matter unfolds. But in my respectful view, the President, having not received any response from the Leader of the Opposition in the time specified, can proceed to appoint as he desires,” he explained.
Norton’s non-response comes at a time when he himself has called for Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings–Edwards and Chief Justice Roxane George to be confirmed in the substantive posts.
Acting Chief Justice Roxane George and acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards
President Dr Irfaan Ali
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton
been no reply.
CN Sharma, along with his wife Savitree Sharma
What’s going down…
…with the PNC
If a patient loses blood for any reason – cutlass chops, surgical incisions, injuries, internal bleeding, whatever – we all know they gotta get a transfusion of blood if there’s any hope of surviving. Well, the PNC’s bled quite profusely in the leadup to Nomination Day – with so many big wigs departing – yet leader Norton says the party wasn’t affected any!! “Our party structure is intact, our party base is intact, that is not to say one or two persons might not, but there will be no negative impact on the party. I don’t want to get into specifics but I don’t believe any of them can pull three votes,” he said. Was he whistling in the dark – or was he burying his head in the sand like a proverbial ostrich – with his behind in the air?? Contrary to his bravado, however, he himself went out beating the bush and brought back three mid-level recruits from the ailing AFC – one of whom he had to play his biggest card to make her his PM Candidate!! The test, of course, would’ve been if he could’ve bled the PPP (who he said had to be weak if they needed bodies from the PNC!!) even a bit and snag some worthies from them!! That DIDN’T happen so he’s had to make do with the old faithful who stuck with him. At the Rally in Melanie last week, your Eyewitness saw Hamilton Green and Basil Williams – and he wondered if either of them could pull three votes!!
Juretha’s claim to fame was supposed to be her Bartician and Amerindian roots – but in her first foray to a PNC meeting on her native hunting grounds she clearly flopped. And it wasn’t as if she hadn’t beaten the drums to let folks know she was “home” – she’d gone on a house-to-house walkabout to invite them!! Clearly her decision to hook up with the PNC had damaged her “brand”. She hadn’t learnt anything from Ramjhaat!! But even though your Eyewitness has already mentioned one new face that intrigued him – retd Dep Com Paul Williams – he does believe the fella deserves a closer look. He came out of two closets!! Firstly, in the Police his ENTIRE adult life, the man announced he couldn’t wait to get out to “provide leadership in the PNC”!! So, now we know why he used HIS time and THE FORCE’S money to pile up all those degrees!! And he’s surprised the PPP didn’t make him COP??
Secondly, he boasted being from “the ghetto’ (of BV??!!) and took time to tell present-day Scrapes he didn’t like their name!! Cause the police “allows” them to create mayhem – just to call them “Scrapes”!!
…with this loud music
Your Eyewitness is quite miffed he hasn’t seen any of the parties coming out with a position on what he considers to be the most important issue in front – and in fact all around – us: LOUD MUSIC!! Now your Eyewitness likes his music as much as the next fella – but Jeez!! – he likes his eardrums and sanity even more!! He used to be bombarded in the buses he’d travelled in, but since, like most Guyanese, he’s graduated to a car, it doesn’t bother him no mo’. Not that it ain’t bothering others!!
And he now has to put up with being bombarded in his house – which he once naively thought was his castle – at all sorts of unholy hours after midnight from portable sound systems in cars!! So yes!! If any of the parties were to promise they’ll get rid of this hellish cacophony assaulting his ears, they’ll be getting his “X” come Sept 1st!!
WIN, of course, is excused since their position is “We know nothing”!!
…with Rowley??
Former T&T PM Keith Rowley on an Interpol Watch List?? Seems he was detained in Antigua and blames his successor, Kamla for ratting him out!! Maybe our Sanctimonious Gangster who he’d warned, “It wouldn’t end well”??
No joinder lists submitted for 2025 elections – GECOM
Despite some political parties expressing their willingness to form a joinder list for the upcoming September 1 General and Regional Elections (GRE), the parties failed to reach a consensus, with no joinder list being submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by Monday night’s deadline.
GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde, on Tuesday confirmed that GECOM had received no joinder list submissions by the deadline.
Six parties have currently been approved to contest the upcoming GRE: the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), led by presidential candidate Dr Irfaan Ali; the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), led by Aubrey Norton; the Alliance For Change (AFC),
led by presidential candidate Attorney Nigel Hughes; the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), with presidential candidate Amanza Walton-Desir; We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), led by US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed; and the Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), created by former APNU Minister Simona Broomes.
Both the AFC and WIN parties had publicly noted that they were in negotiations with other parties looking into the possibility of a joint list, while the PPP, APNU and FGM were not considering a list.
Under Guyana’s proportional representation (PR) electoral system, a joinder list is when two or more parties agree in advance of the election to pool their votes together for the purpose of
seat allocation after the election. The parties remain independent during the campaign, and voters vote for each party separately, but when seats in the National Assembly are calculated, their votes are combined as one.
GECOM earlier this month clarified that under the legal procedures governing the Joinder of Lists and the Filling of Vacancies in the National Assembly, if only one seat is won by the combination, then that seat is awarded to the party with the highest number of valid votes (Single Seat Scenario).
GECOM issued a statement clarifying the parameters of parliamentary seat sharing under a joinder list following the controversy that arose from the 2020 election joinder list between The New Movement
(TNM), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and the A New and United Guyana (ANUG), when Dr Asha Kissoon was sitting in the National Assembly in a seat she occupied beyond a six-month term allotted to her party under the joinder agreement.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the Joinder List, signed by the three parties, they would rotate occupation of the single seat that was won on a rotational basis proportionate to the votes each had earned. Under the agreement, the stipulated duration of the terms for each party was two years, six months and 20 days for the LJP; two years, five months for ANUG; and 91 days for TNM.
However, when her timeline had ended in November
2023, Dr Kissoon continued to occupy the parliamentary seat in a move that had sparked criticisms.
However, addressing the procedures for filling parliamentary vacancies, GECOM cited Section 99A of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), stating that if a seat becomes vacant outside of a general dissolution of Parliament, the replacement must be someone who is not currently an elected Member of Parliament, be qualified and willing to serve, and be selected from the same list from which the original MP was elected.
As such, only members from the same party can continue to successively occupy the parliamentary seat if it becomes vacant.
The APNU and AFC had previously joined forces to contest the 2015 elections as
a coalition and won that election by a slim margin; their party joined together again to contest the 2020 elections but with reduced concessions to the AFC. Over the years, the AFC has been experiencing declining electoral value during poor showings in the local government elections in 2018 and 2023. During negotiations to renew their coalition for the upcoming elections, the AFC had demanded the presidential candidacy for their leader, Nigel Hughes, while also demanding a 40-60 split of government positions in APNU’s favour and the condition that the presidential candidate’s party should not hold the Leader of the List position, which controls parliamentary appointments and removal. However, this was rejected by APNU. The talks eventually broke down.
16-year-old critical after being struck by stray bullet at birthday party
A16-year-old girl is fighting for her life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after she was struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident on Monday evening in Mango Lane, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
Reyna Depeazer of East La Penitence was reportedly attending a birthday celebration at the East Ruimveldt Learning Centre in Mango Lane when the incident occurred.
When Guyana Times visited the area on Tuesday, Depeazer’s mother and relatives were too distraught to speak about her condition. However, residents recounted the moments that led to the
teenager being shot.
According to residents, Depeazer had been at the party but was last seen on a motorcycle with a female friend.
It was reported that a man on a motorcycle crashed into a culvert next door to the venue. Moments later, a car reportedly sped into the street, appar-
Premium-free insurance for 6000...
He added that UPL and PMI would work closely with GRDB and the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure farmers benefit from smart infrastructure, shared equipment, and supply chain optimisation.
“It makes no sense for 100 farmers to all drive to Georgetown to buy the same inputs. We will bring the system to you... You’ve seen the difference. You’ve felt the results. You know who is standing by you in good times and in hard times,” he said.
Global agricultural solutions
Also speaking at the launch of Guyana’s first-ever crop insurance programme for rice farmers was Jai Shroff, the Global CEO and Chairman of UPL, a global agricultural solutions leader headquartered in India.
Shroff, who travelled from India to attend the launch, described the initiative as both historic and visionary, praising President Mohamed Irfaan Ali for his relentless commitment to agriculture and food security.
“UPL operates in about 140 countries globally. And I must say, I’ve met very few presidents as relentlessly focused on agriculture as President Ali. He didn’t talk to me about oil or wealth; he talked only about farmers and food,” Shroff said.
UPL is a global leader in sustainable agricultural solutions, with over 14,000 product registrations, a presence in nearly 140 countries, and access to 90 per cent of the world’s food basket. The company records annual revenue exceeding US$6 billion.
Shroff shared that UPL, with its advanced technologies, is deeply focused on building resilience for smallholder farmers, especially those affected by climate shocks like floods, droughts, and erratic weather.
“No community is more affected by climate change than farmers. Our mission is to make farmers more resilient, more profitable, and better supported through science and innovation,” he told the audience.
He noted that UPL invests nearly US$400 million annu-
ally in agricultural research, with a focus on financial inclusion for farmers who are often excluded from mainstream banking and lending due to high risk.
One of the flagship technologies now being rolled out in Guyana is ‘Weatherlist’, a platform developed by UPL to assess climate-related risks in real-time using satellite data, weather stations, and ground-level inputs.
“Using this system, within seven days of a climate event, we can deliver pay-outs directly to affected farmers, ensuring they don’t fall into financial ruin after a flood or drought,” Shroff said.
Shroff emphasised UPL’s long-term commitment to Guyana and to expanding the programme from rice to other crops, working closely with the Government and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).
“We are committed to helping rice farmers here and scaling this project across other crops. There’s no reason why Guyana, with its rivers, rainfall, and fertile land, cannot become the region’s agricultural powerhouse,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, in his remarks, said that this insurance initiative builds on the foundation already laid by Government investments in drainage and irrigation infrastructure, farm-to-market roads, and the development of new rice varieties. Over the past four years, the Government has invested over $7.9 billion – approximately 81 per cent of its agricultural capital budget in the region – in these critical public goods. The remaining funds have supported advancements in crops, fisheries, and livestock, with the overall aim of modernising the agricultural value chain.
“This is a historic day for Guyana. For the first time, we have a safety net – not just promises, but action. Today, we say to our farmers, We see you, we value you, and we are standing with you,” he said.
Also attending the launching were Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva,
ently, and a man exited the vehicle, confronted the motorcyclist, and shouted, “I should have known it was you,” before pulling a firearm.
was caught in the crossfire.
“She and a girl were on the motorcycle riding towards where the party was being held…”, the resident said.
Tuesday, police had not released an official statement regarding the incident. However, sources have indicated that the shooting may have stemmed from an ongoing feud involving rival gangs.
Meanwhile, members of the community have also raised concerns about the East Ruimveldt Learning Centre, where the party was being held. The facility, which was originally built as a learning centre for children, is now reportedly being rented out for activities that residents claim are inappropriate and unsafe.
representatives from GRDB, representatives from NARIE, among other regional officials.
The first shot allegedly misfired, but the gunman fired two more rounds as the motorcyclist fled. The motorcyclist managed to escape without injury. However, Depeazer, who was reportedly on another motorcycle with a female friend,
As the friend attempted to turn away from the scene, Depeazer was allegedly struck by bullets to the neck and arm. The teenager was rushed to GPHC, where she remains in critical condition.
Up to press time on
One resident, expressing frustration over the situation, said, “I’m sorry to hear what happened to the girl, but I hope this is a lesson to the person renting it out to these people. The place should be used for what it was built for – the children of this community, not for these illegal activities and these kinds of parties.” Investigations into the shooting are ongoing.
Injured: Reyna Depeazer
The East Ruimveldt Learning Centre, where the celebrations were being held
83% of secondary schools already have counsellors – Education Minister tells APNU …exposes
APNU’s claims of need for guidance counsellors in schools
Education Minister Priya Manickchand has dismissed recent assertions made by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) candidate Ganesh Mahipaul, stating that guidance and counselling officers are already in place in the vast majority of secondary schools across the country.
The Minister’s remarks seek to counter what she described as misleading claims by Mahipaul, who suggested there was a significant absence of such services in secondary institutions.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Melanie Damishana on the East Coast of Demerara on Sunday, Mahipaul ‘promised’ that if APNU is elected to Government, the party would introduce guidance and counselling officers into schools, saying such interventions would help address social issues among students and reduce crime by tackling root causes early. “We need to put guidance
and counselling officers so that they can start to find the issues at an early stage. We want to have a proper society, and we can reduce the crimes if we tackle it from the root cause,” Mahipaul told supporters at the rally.
However, Manickchand clarified that it has already been done. Rejecting the implication that such support systems are currently absent, Manickchand stated that under the current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government, 97 out of the country’s 117 secondary schools, representing 83 per cent coverage, already have trained guidance and counselling officers.
Taking to her official social media platform on Sunday, Manickchand em-
phasised, “We have guidance and counselling officers in 97 of our 117 secondary schools currently, and that only happened under the PPP/C after 2020. Some schools have more than one such officer. Where there is no such officer, it is because no one is qualified in the community for the same. But we are currently building living quarters for guidance and counselling officers.”
The Education Minister went further, questioning APNU's track record and commitment to the education sector during its time in office from 2015 to 2020. She highlighted the previous administration’s failure to build or complete any new secondary school despite an increasing student population and mounting pressure on the ed-
ucation system.
“What he [Mahipaul] failed to explain to you is why the APNU/AFC failed, neglected, and refused to start or finish a single secondary school anywhere in Guyana for their entire five years in office,” Manickchand stated.
Upon taking office in 2020, the PPP/C Government inherited a system struggling to accommodate incoming secondary students. According to Manickchand, at that time, more than 800 students in Georgetown, 700 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandWest Demerara), 565 on the East Bank of Demerara, and over 400 on the East Coast of Demerara were unable to be placed in secondary schools due to a severe shortage of space and infrastructure due to APNU’s
From
inability to build any new schools between 2015 and 2020. In addition to this, some schools were demolished but not rebuilt by the APNU/AFC Government.
2020 to date, the current administration has built and is in the process of building 40 secondary schools.
APNU candidate Ganesh Mahipaul
Education Minister Priya Manickchand
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
The great pretenders cannot fool people – voters are not stupid
In any election, anywhere in the world, there are always the
“great pretenders”. Elections 2025 in Guyana has its share of pretenders. At the end of the day, however, the majority of voters always know who are real, who they can trust, who has a team that can govern.
The dilemma that the “great pretenders” confront for Elections 2025 is that people, by-and-large, know that Guyana has been on the right path since August 2020. One of the decisions voters must make on September 1st is whether to stay the course or change direction. The majority of people appeared already well-set to stay the course. They have come to love, admire and respect President Irfaan Ali and echo the same sentiment in all ten regions of Guyana that President Ali has had a great term as the Head-of-State, and is well-deserving of a second term.
The PPP held its traditional Albion Elections Campaign Rally on Sunday July 20th. One week before, the party had shattered attendance record for its traditional Kitty campaign launch. The launch at Kitty was a tsunami of red; the largest-ever launching rally for any political party in Guyana. Outside of the 25,000 to 30,000 in attendance at Kitty, the vibes were electrifying. But that record lasted just one week because on July 20th, Albion exceeded Kitty in numbers and in energy. It is estimated that attendance was 35,000 to 40,000. The atmosphere at Albion was exhilarating and was one of the most spirited political rallies anyone could recall in Guyana.
For the “great pretenders” with the wishful thinking that Region 6 is fertile grounds for votes, the Albion rally essentially dispelled all false hopes. For the old PPP opponent, the PNC, they are now fighting to remain a credible opponent. In the Albion crowd, there were thousands of persons who have voted all their lives for the PNC or who are first-time voters from families who are traditional PNCsupporters. PNC supporters have been in a mass exodus from the PNC to the PPP. With less than 40 days to Elections 2025, the PNC-led APNU is conspicuously absent from Region 6. Sugar workers do not trust them; rice farmers do not trust them; public servants do not trust them; pensioners do not trust them; business does not trust them; people with children do not trust them. Worst, their own loyal supports are distrustful of them.
It is not a mystery why loyal supporters have chosen to abandon the PNC. Listen to the latest ranting from Aubrey Norton and you understand why. He said the economists advised that an income tax threshold of $200,000 per month and an annual cash grant of $150,000 per family are doable, but he will ignore the economists and promise people $400,000 income tax threshold and cash grant of $1M per family. In other words, it is not what is possible. Promise big, because promises are made to be broken. The history of his party has been to make promises and then ignore them. Remember, the specialists his party choose told them in 2015 not to close sugar estates; they ignored them and closed sugar estates. This is the PNC’s modus operandi to make promises that they will abandon at their whims and fancies.
If the PNC are the original “pretenders”, then Elections 2025 has brought out a new set of “great pretenders”. In fact, the greatest of all “great pretenders” makes his debut in Elections 2025. Azruddin Mohamed, with wealth derived from criminal activities, according to the US Government which has sanctioned him and his businesses, thinks that his wealth makes him the ideal person to be Guyana’s President. His dishonesty knows no bounds and the people of Guyana know. He lies every and each day on the campaign. He tells people that it is the Government of Guyana that sanctioned him; he has never acknowledged that it is the US Government that sanctioned him. He tells people that the Government closed down his businesses when the Government has never done so. The banks have refused to deal with him for fear they will be sanctioned by the US. He was forced to leave the consortium for the shore-based oil business because the other partners wanted him out. He lies about who will be his PM candidate, about his manifesto and policies, always telling people “Very shortly”, “very soon”, “in due time”.
He treats Guyanese as if the people have no dignity, ripping their integrity away from them, pretending that citizens could be bought with his money. The social media manipulation has not escaped people. He turns small numbers of people through smart camera tricks bought with his money to fool people – he has hundreds of thousands of supporters when he could only fill his list with anyone he could buy, many with serious criminal records, even records for murder.
But President Ali and the PPP continue to demonstrate across Guyana that it is the only genuine national party with overwhelming support from all corners of Guyana. Indeed, everywhere the PPP shows up right now, whether a rally, a public meeting, or a fundraiser, the party is creating records for attendance and energy. In fact, as Elections 2025 enters the homestretch, the PPP is so far ahead, the others are simply out of the race. They are fighting it out to see which “great pretender” will emerge as the leading opposition party. The “great pretenders” from the AFC, GFM and ALP are not even off yet. While WIN (Mohamed’s party) is desperately manipulating the social media to create the impression it is a large entity, this party will fade away after election, badly beaten in Elections 2025.
Pretending does not win elections – it is hard work, gaining people’s trust. No one wants to gamble with their future. Guyana on September 1st have already decided that they will stay the course.
Taxi driver on $750K bail after allegedly wounding 3 in bar brawl
…also charged for illegal gun and ammo possession
A21-year-old taxi driver and car rental operator was on Tuesday granted bail on multiple charges after he was accused of wounding three men and discharging a firearm during a violent altercation outside a popular bar in Georgetown.
Uquawn Williams of South Ruimveldt-Lamaha Park, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was charged with maiming, disfiguring, disabling, or causing grievous bodily harm to Joshua Persaud, Asher Waddell, and Sherwin Vincent. The incidents are alleged to have occurred on July 19, at Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown.
Williams was also charged with possession of an illegal firearm and 10 live 9 mm rounds of ammunition without a licence.
Williams, who was represented by attorneys Darren Wade and Meshonn Persaud, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. His legal team told the court that he is self-employed as both a taxi driver and a car rental service provider.
The lawyers further claimed that Williams had a previous altercation with the same individuals and that both parties were taken to the police station on an earlier occasion, where they agreed to resolve the matter.
However, on the date of the current incident,
which occurred at the Red Dragon Bar, his attorneys allege that Williams was attacked and robbed by the same individuals. The defence claimed that Williams had no firearm and denied ever discharg -
ing one. The prosecution strongly objected to bail, citing public safety concerns and the seriousness of the charges. The prosecutor argued that Williams discharged a firearm in a crowded area, endanger -
ing lives. They added that while the weapon was not recovered from Williams, eyewitnesses claimed he fired the shot, and the alleged attackers beat and restrained him before the firearm was recovered.
However, the prosecution objected to bail and further stated that based on available statements, it was Joshua Persaud who sustained a gunshot injury. Surveillance footage from the club was also submitted to the court. While the defence claimed the footage only showed Williams entering the venue after being searched, the video presented in court revealed Williams outside the premises before his entry.
Nonetheless, the magistrate noted that the footage did not clearly indicate Williams was in possession of a firearm. Taking all the submissions into consideration, the magistrate granted Williams bail in the sum of $150,000 for each of the offences, a total of $750,000. He is scheduled to return to court on August 13.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Uquawn Williams
National suicide surveillance system launched to tackle suicide in Guyana
The Health Ministry on Tuesday successfully launched the National Suicide Surveillance System in an effort to reduce suicide cases across the country.
This new system will allow the ministry to monitor suicide incidents across various regions. It covers both children and adults and aligns with global frameworks such as the World Health Organisation’s global strategies on child and adolescent mental health.
A key feature of the system is a standardised reporting form, which will be responsible for collecting and receiving statistical data.
“There were at least two attempts to modernise the legislation. The first being around 2011 to get new legislation. But at the time, for whatever reason, we could not have agreement in moving the legislation forward. And then around 2019 or so, or a little bit earlier, there was another attempt at modernising the legislation. And that too did not move very far before they just drafted something. But not much had happened. So, in the midst of COVID, we came in, in 2020.”
get that, then we would respond appropriately. If we get attempted suicide, we can prevent that from happening. And that's why this is so important.”
Meanwhile, explaining how the program functions, Dr Timothy Morgan emphasised the importance of real-time reporting.
The form will be shared among key stakeholders, including the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Home Affairs Ministry, Indigenous leaders, and other partners.
According to the Health Ministry, it meets international standards, supports field monitoring activities, and is simple to
complete. Some sections to fill out on the form are gender, age, contact info, etc. Importantly, it will be used nationally across agencies, not limited to just one institution.
For example, if a particular region reports a spike in suicide attempts, the Health Ministry can receive that data in real time and begin early interventions before the situation escalates. The system also factors in social determinants that may contribute to suicidal behaviour.
The information gathered will be stored on a secure server, in compliance with legal and confidentiality requirements, ensuring that individuals’ personal data remains protected. Additionally, the form complies with Sections 31 and 32 of the Suicide Prevention Act, as well as the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan of Guyana, ensuring the initiative is legally grounded and aligned with national priorities.
Speaking about the sig-
Businessman allegedly busted with gun on waist granted $200,000 bail
A52-year-old businessman, who was recently arrested after police allegedly found him with an unlicensed firearm, was on Monday released on $200,000 bail when he appeared before a Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Rodney Raghubansee, a resident of Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara, was arrested Saturday night on Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown, following reports of a disorderly individual. He was later charged with being in possession of a Taurus .38 revolver without being the holder of a firearm licence. The weapon was reportedly discovered in the waist of his pants after police stopped and searched him.
During the court hearing, Raghubansee’s attorney asked that he be released on bail, stating that he was not aware of the weapon and denied having any knowledge of it. According to the attorney, Raghubansee had been at a bar on Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, when he
got into a heated exchange with a group of men who later physically assaulted him. She told the court that her client had been drinking at the time, and as he tried to leave the venue, the men allegedly hurled threats, warning, “Watch and see what’s going to happen to you. You’re not going to get far.”
Shortly after the incident, Raghubansee reportedly left the bar and was on his way home when he was stopped by police officers.
The attorney emphasised that her client is a law-abiding businessman who operates a trading enterprise, dealing in the import and export of rugs, stones, and other goods. She said there were no fingerprints linking him to the weapon and that there was no confrontation with police, nor any video or eyewitness account proving he was in possession of the firearm.
She described Raghubansee as a contributing member of soci-
Rodney Raghubansee
ety who poses no risk to the public and assured the court that he was willing to comply with any conditions imposed. The prosecution raised no objections to bail, noting that the firearm had been recovered and lodged as part of the ongoing investigation.
The magistrate subsequently granted bail in the amount of $200,000 and ordered Raghubansee to return to court on August 13.
nificance of the initiative, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony highlighted how outdated Guyana’s mental health laws were and what ultimately prompted the creation of the surveillance system.
“Guyana’s mental health ordinances are long outdated – spanning back to the British times – and Guyana is trying to enhance them with new legislation. And we saw that not a lot of progress was made in mental health. In fact, when you look at our legislation, it was very dated, very antiquated. The mental health ordinances went back to the time of the British. It was the 1934 ordinances that we were using.”
He noted there were multiple failed attempts to modernise the laws.
According to Anthony, this realisation led to the creation of the surveillance system.
“But then as we were implementing, we recognised that we needed additional support to make this legislation active, and that’s where this surveillance system comes in. Because while this existed for long, we were still having challenges with institutions reporting – especially hospitals."
He explained that initially, when suicide-related cases occurred, people would go to the hospital, but they were either not reported or reported poorly. He stated that the health ministry sought that by developing this in an electronic format, giving people access to it, they would be able to get the information almost every time.
“Once we were able to
“This form is something that was put together to ensure better coordination. Having data that is collected in real time – along with geolocation and timestamps – helps us to have a more robust and modern approach to dealing with mental health conditions. So that is, in a nutshell, what it is,” one stakeholder said.
Guyana consistently ranks second-highest globally in terms of suicide rates per capita. In 2019, the estimated age-standardised suicide rate was approximately 40.3-40.9 per 100,000 persons.
Guyana experienced a “significant” decline in the number of deaths caused by suicide in 2024, with 40 cases recorded during the period from January to August. In 2023, the Health Ministry had recorded 100 deaths by suicide across the country.
Over the last three years, the majority of the deaths were as a result of pesticide use, followed by persons hanging themselves.
2 remanded for theft of One Communications copper wires
Two men were remanded to prison on Tuesday after being jointly charged with simple larceny in connection with the alleged theft of copper wires from One Communications.
Nigel Glasgow, 55, and Quacy Andrews, 34, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, where the charge was read to them. It is alleged that on July 18, at the corner of Sussex and Kettley Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown, they stole a quantity of copper wires valued at $60,000, property of One Communications. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge.
During the bail hearing, the police prosecutor objected to their release, pointing out that Glasgow has no fixed place of abode and that both accused were captured on surveillance camera committing the act. The prosecutor further argued that releasing the men could jeopardise public safety and hinder preservation of order, especially since the theft involved infrastructure essential to national communications.
Glasgow, who is unemployed and does odd jobs
around Stabroek Market, is no stranger to the law.
In 2003, he was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. That matter was heard before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Covent Garden Magistrate’s Court.
In 2009, he was remanded to prison again, this time in relation to an alleged theft of 75 jerseys from a man named Morris Ridwald. While it is unclear whether he was convicted in that matter, Glasgow reportedly admitted to the act, telling
Fogarty’s Department Store and decided to take them. Meanwhile, Andrews, of Lot 17 Broad Street, Georgetown, told the court he earns a living by assisting with parking cars along Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. He said he was at work when he was arrested and accused of stealing the items.
The prosecution’s objections were upheld, and bail was denied for both men. The case will continue on August 13.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony alongside Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Dr Jarbas Barbosa; Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh and other health officials
The suicide surveillance form
OFAC sanctions & compliance risks Demerara Bank cuts ties with several candidates of US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed-led WIN
Demerara Bank has closed the accounts of several candidates from the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, which is led by Azruddin Mohamed, who was sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury and now is contesting the September 1 polls.
Among the candidates who were notified that their accounts will be closed on July 25, 2025, are Duarte Hetsberger and Natasha Singh-Lewis, who have revealed that Demerara Bank has informed them that the financial institution will be closing their personal accounts. Singh-Lewis is a former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member of parliament, while Hetsberger is a former personal assistant of former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.
At a press conference on Tuesday where only a selected group of media practitioners were invited by WIN, it was revealed that the candidates were informed via email and calls from the bank, but no explanation was provided besides the entity citing “internal policies”.
On Tuesday, this publication reached out to Demerara Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Dowlat Parbhu, for comment regarding the bank’s recent decision. However, Parbhu declined to provide a response, stating only that he is unable to discuss the personal details of account holders.
Nevertheless, in an interview with Demerara Waves Online also on Tuesday,
Parbhu revealed that the decision was made to ensure the bank complies with international financial sector rules governing relations with sanctioned individuals.
He was quoted by that publication as saying, “I don’t think it should be unclear. If they had read all the provisions of international compliance legislation and protocol dealing with an individual that was sanctioned by OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), then they should be very clear. If those who are interested go and read it, they will find the reason why Demerara Bank had to take such a decision.”
Further, according to that same report, he had explained that the decision was taken in light of DBL’s risk assessment.
“Anybody who has a relationship that poses a compliance risk with the bank, we have an obligation under the AML (Anti-Money Laundering) legislation to take action and derisk, and that comes with international correspondent bank guidelines,” he added.
Financial systems at risk
Back in March, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had explained that Guyana would put its financial systems at risk if the Government continues to engage in business with the Mohamed family, members of whom have been sanctioned by the United States for alleged corruption and gold smuggling.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, President Irfaan Ali issued a forceful public statement that challenged controversial United States (US)-sanctioned business-
man-turned-political aspirant Azruddin Mohamed, declaring him a “risk” to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty and regional diplomacy.
The Head-of-State too had warned that the Guyanese businessman threatens the very institutions that protect Guyana’s borders and economy.
“He (Azruddin Mohamed) is a risk to our financial system. I would ask the media and all his handlers to ask the commercial banks why they have not sanctioned him. Why is he a risk to our country? Ask the insurance companies why they cannot conduct financial transactions with him.”
“He is also a threat to our diplomacy, and our diplomacy is linked to the defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. In those sanctions, the US Government has made it very clear that the US Government or agencies or businesses cannot conduct business with him,” he said.
In 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s OFAC had
announced that it sanctioned Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, several of their companies, and a Guyanese Government official, Mae Thomas, for their roles in alleged public corruption in Guyana.
According to a statement from OFAC, this is related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10 thousand kilograms (kg) of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.
Maduro puppet
Recently, US Congressman Carlos Gimenez expressed that “in the US Congress we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela’s attempt to undermine Guyana through its pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by OFAC.”
Additionally, United States Congresswoman María
Elvira Salazar recently cautioned that “individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardise” the important Guyana-US relations.
Local tax evasion
Mohamed is currently before the local court charged with allegedly fraudulently under-declaring the value of a Lamborghini Aventador, which is currently at the centre of the dispute between him and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The US Department of Justice, under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), provided an original invoice for the Lamborghini Aventador, which was billed to Azruddin Mohamed himself, to the tune of US$695,000.
However, in his previous declarations to the court, Mohamed claimed to have spent US$76,000 on the luxury car. A difference of some US$619,000.
In April, GRA officials, backed by police, attempted to
2025 General and Regional Elections
seize several luxury vehicles – including a Lamborghini Roadster, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, and Land Cruisers – from the Mohamed’s residence in Houston, Greater Georgetown. The operation was aborted after a hostile crowd, reportedly paid by Mohamed, blocked access to the premises.
GRA has said that the vehicles were imported under the remigrant scheme but failed to meet key requirements, including residency status and proper declaration of value. The total tax liability in the matter is estimated at nearly $900 million.
Among the outstanding amounts are: $479.7 million for a 2020 Ferrari registered to Hana Mohamed; $371.7 million for the Lamborghini tied to Azruddin Mohamed; $320 million for a 2023 Rolls Royce registered to Bibi Mohamed; and additional millions linked to a Range Rover and Toyota Land Cruisers under various family names.
Cash-strapped APNU rationing resources on campaign trail – Norton admits
With the 2025 elections approaching, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is reportedly ‘rationing’ campaign resources amid mounting financial constraints.
Amid a visibly scaledback campaign presence, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has confirmed that the APNU is deliberately rationing resources during the 2025 General and Regional Election season, choosing what he described as “strategy over spectacle”.
General and regional elections are set for September 1, and already, political parties have kickstarted their campaigns across the country.
The APNU on July 6 officially launched its campaign, an event that has since been described as “lukewarm” and lacking in attendance, especially among the youth population.
Since then, the party has held several rallies and public meetings, including in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), and in Melanie, on
the East Coast of Demerara.
In an appearance Monday night on the GlobeSpan24X7 programme, Norton addressed growing public concern over APNU’s low visual and ground presence in traditional PPP strongholds. The long-time politician brushed off claims of campaign weakness, asserting, “We don’t have the resources like PPP, but we are campaigning, just strategically.”
“If you peak too early in an election and you don’t have the resources your opponents have, then they will come back and counter,” Norton stated. “So, you have to time it and ensure you go straight through and impact as you move along.”
Signs of a frugal fight
While PPP rallies continue to dominate the visual and media landscape with billboards, banners, full-blown concerts and high-tech productions, APNU’s approach has been visibly more muted. Norton's remarks come as party supporters ’express frustra-
tion with the absence of flags, campaign posters, and mass mobilisation efforts in several parts of the country.
The Opposition Leader admitted to “banners going up near the Demerara Harbour Bridge” but emphasised that the party “will only roll out material at the right time.”
Despite the party’s quieter campaign, Norton revealed that since assuming leadership, many disillusioned youths have returned to the party, some of whom had left during the David Granger era. While he did not provide data, he described this resurgence as “a quiet but meaningful shift” in APNU’s voter base.
However, any alleged increase in youth participants comes at a time when several prominent PNC youth leaders have exited the PNC and either joined the PPP campaign or endorsed President Ali for a second term. The most recent is MP Jermaine Figueira.
Figueira, who served 10 years in Parliament and chaired the Public Accounts Committee, has also urged
voters to think critically and act responsibly, emphasising the need to “vote with intelligence”, placing country above partisan politics.
Against this backdrop, he offered his full endorsement and active support to President Ali’s re-election campaign.
Among those persons who have recently come forward to endorse the PPP are former People’s National Congress (PNC) General Secretary and Opposition Parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmond;
Alliance For Change (AFC)
Regional Councillor Ismail Muhammad-Al-Cush; and Chairman of the Region Seven division of the AFC, David Daniels. Additionally, Regional Vice Chairman for Region Four and member of the PNC, Samuel Sandy, has endorsed the PPP. He joined Executive Member of the PNCR and Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram, who also endorsed President Ali for a second term.
Former PNCR Central Executive member, Dr
Richard Van West-Charles, said he believed that President Ali was the leader Guyana needed now. Dr Van West-Charles is the son-inlaw of former President and founder of the PNC, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
In April, former PNC member Thandi McAllister also threw her support behind the PPP/C.
In 2023, Lance Smith, former General Secretary of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM), the youth arm of the PNCR, and former Georgetown Mayor and longstanding PNC member Patricia Chase-Green broke ties with the PNC and joined the PPP to contest the local government elections. Additionally, leaders of smaller parties, The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), Shaz Ally; The New Movement (TNM), Dr Asha Kissoon; and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman, have also joined the PPP ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton
Duarte Hetsberger and Natasha Singh-Lewis
US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed
Police crack down on speeding trucks, rowdy minibuses
…as speed-limiting devices to now be installed on trucks
The Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) traffic department is working to curb the speeding of trucks and motor lorries as the drivers of these vehicles continue to pose a significant threat to other road users due to their “unsafe behaviour”.
This was highlighted by Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh, during this week’s edition of ‘Safeguarding the Nation’, a pre-recorded programme produced by the Government.
One of the initiatives to be implemented shortly, he said, involves a device that limits the speed of these motor vehicles. “In the time to come, there will be speed-limiting devices to be installed on these motor lorries which limit speed capability,” he said.
A speed limiting device for vehicles, also known as a speed limiter or governor, is a system that restricts a vehicle’s maximum speed. These devices are used to prevent drivers from exceeding a set speed, enhancing safety and potentially reducing accidents.
The traffic chief noted that trucks and motor lorries have been flagged with the offences of speeding, faulty packed loads and bad maintenance.
So far, the GPF has partnered with the Ministry of Public Works to establish weigh stations to deal with the overloading of the vehicles, while more patrols are deployed at areas frequent-
"Get
ed by this type of vehicle.
A few months ago, the Government said it was in the process of procuring 20 motion weight scales and 400 clamps to deal with the issue of overloaded trucks. Particularly, these tools are intended to curb damage to roads and other infrastructure caused by these overloaded trucks.
Already, police have already implemented notruck routes in several villages.
Meanwhile, the other category of vehicle posing a danger to road users is minibuses, a major form of public transportation in Guyana. Offences also include speeding, overloading and/or loud music.
To address these issues, the GPF has been engaging the minibus owners, drivers and passengers as well as tightening some of its procedures, according to the Assistant Commissioner.
“We have tightened the process of issuance of a certificate of fitness and a road services licence which they require to operate on the road, as minibuses are recognised to be one of the most important means of public transportation,” he said.
The strengthening of these procedures, coupled with the Government’s speed cameras and e-ticketing system, he added, has contributed to a reduction in fatal accidents caused by minibuses. According to the traffic chief, in 2024, there were eight fatal accidents
involving minibuses from a total of 117. This year, of the 63 fatal accidents recorded thus far, only one involves a minibus.
Reckless driving
Noting that the accidents are mainly caused by reckless driving due to a combination of mixed attitude, lateness, poor planning and a long-standing tendency towards supporting bending the rules, Singh said, “Younger folks continue to speed, and when accidents occur, younger folks also lose their lives.”
He acknowledged that in some cases, bad roads, poor lighting and improper and poor signage can lead to accidents, and in this case, he said information on areas prone to accidents is shared with the Public Works Ministry.
Therefore, he noted that the GPF and the ministry are conducting road safety audits, using crash data to identify accident black spots and improve lighting, road surfaces and signage.
This year, he disclosed that a total of 89,506 cases relating to traffic offences have been brought against errant drivers and motorcyclists. In 2024, the total was over 139,000.
The offences range from speeding, failure to wear safety helmets, failure to wear seatbelts, carrying more persons than permitted, breach of traffic light signals, uninsured motor vehicle, uncertified motor vehicle, leaving a vehicle
on the train to progress...
The meeting also featured a passionate address from former opposition stalwart, former Georgetown Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen.
Once a member of the APNU coalition, ChaseGreen now serves as Georgetown Councilor for the PPPC, fellow PPPC
Georgetown Councilor Steven Jacobs also delivered remarks at Tuesday’s event. Both highlighted what they described as five years of inclusive development and unprecedented progress under the PPPC administration.
“Get on the PPPC train, get on the train to progress, get on the train to victory,”
Chase-Green said. Jacobs described the PPPC as a party full of strength.
“It is under the PPPC that we are seeing transformation and it will continue for five more years. This is a party full of strength and will continue to build,” he said.
in a dangerous parking position, maintenance of motor vehicle and obscured ID mark, among others.
As it relates to speeding, he said 4,300+ e-speeding tickets have been issued thus far for 2025, clarifying a number previously given by Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken in July, who said there were 889 speeding tickets issued.
The Traffic Chief said, “Remote monitoring and enforcement have reduced the ability for confrontation and
officer biases when enforcement is done. Those speed cameras are now being installed across all spaces and roads in our country… to ensure we have greater scope to monitor, to enforce and to have clear control over what obtains.”
This system, he pointed out, has reduced bias or discretion from police officers issuing tickets. Meanwhile, for the year so far, there were 63 fatal accidents resulting in 68 deaths.
Last year, there were 117 fatal accidents which resulted in 132 lives lost.
Temporary power outages, traffic disruptions from Liliendaal to Good Hope next week
Residents and commuters using the Railway Embankment Corridor between Liliendaal and Good Hope, East Coast of Demerara, have been advised by the Public Works Ministry to prepare for temporary power outages and traffic disruptions on two days next week.
In a public notice on Tuesday the ministry announced that the sched-
uled disruptions will occur on Monday, July 28, 2025, from 09:00h (9am) to 17:00h (5pm) and on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 09:00h (9am) to 17:00h (5pm).
The outages and traffic interruptions, the notice stated, are necessary to facilitate utility relocation works being carried out by China Rail First Group as part of ongoing road construction along the corridor.
During these hours, road users are urged to exercise caution, reduce their speed, and follow the instructions of flag personnel and posted traffic signs in the area.
The ministry further stated that the Guyana Police Force will be coordinating with road crews to ensure the safety of commuters and workers while enabling the timely progress of the project.
Carpenter drowns during hunting trip in Berbice
Acarpenter is now dead and is believed to have drowned while hunting for wild. This incident occurred on Monday afternoon at Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Dead is 19-year-old Yodesh Inderjit, called ‘Boyo’ and ‘Rasta’, of the said village.
The teen’s father, Loknauth Narine, said his son and two friends left home around 15:00h on Monday to catch 'wisy wisy' ducks on the seashore.
An hour later, he received information stating that the teen had drowned and immediately rushed to
the scene and was shown the area where the teen went under the water and did not resurface.
Narine said he and others searched the area and, within minutes, found the lifeless body, which was submerged.
The teen's body was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Inderjit worked as a carpenter. According to his mother, Roopawattie Latchman, it is very difficult for her to accept that her son drowned since he was considered an excellent swimmer.
Dead: 19-year-old Yodesh
and "Rasta"
She is calling on the police to conduct a thorough probe. Meanwhile, police have launched an investigation.
Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh
Inderjit, called "Boyo"
Oil prices fall as key trade talks falter ahead of tariff deadline
Oil prices fell on Tuesday for a third consecutive session, as hopes faded for a trade deal between the Unites States (US) and Europe, feeding fears of an economic slowdown in the world's largest oil markets.
Brent crude futures were down 82 cents, or 1.2 per cent, to US$68.39 a barrel by 1:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). US West Texas Intermediate crude futures for August delivery, set to expire on Tuesday, fell US$1.05, or 1.6 per cent, to US$66.15 per barrel.
The more active September WTI contract was down 87 cents, or 1.3 per cent, to US$65.08 a barrel.
The European Union (EU) was exploring a broader set of possible countermeasures against the US as prospects faded for an acceptable trade agreement with Washington, EU diplomats told Reuters.
US President Donald Trump has set an August 1 deadline for countries to secure trade deals or face steep tariffs. He had threatened a 30 per cent tariff on EU imports if no deal was reached.
"It appears that the tariff factor is becoming a greater focus ahead of the US deadline," analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note.
Prospects of an interim trade deal between the US and India before that deadline have also dimmed, two Indian Government sources told Reuters.
Diesel was the top decliner across the energy complex, reflecting economic concerns. The industrial fuel, used predominantly in manufacturing, construction and heavy transport, had been the top performer in oil markets over recent weeks due to tight global supplies.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
DR Congo rescuers dig with bare hands for trapped miners
Workers at a makeshift gold mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo are trying to dig out their colleagues after a tunnel collapsed on Sunday.
Six have been pulled out alive, with one seriously injured, since shafts collapsed in Lomera in the early hours of Sunday, local journalist Ashuza Barack told the BBC.
There have been conflicting reports on the death toll. One resident said that 12 bodies had been found, but Barack said no bodies had been recovered.
Lomera has witnessed a gold rush since the end of last year, when the precious ore was discovered in the hills near what was then a quiet village, according to medical charity MSF.
Thousands of people arrived hoping to make mon-
No aid supplies left; staff starves in Gaza – Norwegian Refugee Council
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), one of the largest independent aid organisations in Gaza, told Reuters on Tuesday its supplies were exhausted and some of its staff were starving, and the group accused Israel of paralysing its work.
"Our last tent, our last food parcel, and our last relief items have been distributed. There is nothing left," Jan Egeland, the secretary general of the council, told Reuters in an interview via video link from Oslo.
The council, which has 64 Palestinian and two international staff on the ground in Gaza, echoed comments on Tuesday by the head of the
Palestinian refugee agency United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), who said its staff were faint-
ing on the job from hunger and exhaustion.
The NRC said that for the last 145 days, it has
not been able to get tents, water, sanitation supplies, food and education materials into Gaza, where Israel has been at war against the Palestinian group Hamas since October 2023 and the United Nations has warned of a worsening hunger crisis.
"Hundreds of truckloads have been sitting in warehouses or in Egypt or elsewhere and costing our Western European donors a lot of money, but they are blocked from coming in… That's why we are so angry. Because our job is to help," Egeland said.
"Israel is not yielding. They just want to paralyse our work," he added.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Putin appears unfazed by ‘emotional’ Trump’s threats over Ukraine
Vladimir Putin appears unfazed by Donald Trump’s first tangible break with Moscow – a sign, analysts and Kremlin insiders say, that the Russian leader had long anticipated a deterioration in relations from the apparent improvement at the beginning of Trump’s second term.
While Moscow views the souring of ties with Trump as regrettable – the US President dramatically shifted tone last week as
he announced a deal to arm Ukraine and threatened massive sanctions against Russia – sources say Putin was always going to prioritise the war. He remains confident that Russian forces are gaining ground and that Ukraine’s resistance could soon unravel.
Moscow is disappointed and upset that it didn’t work out with Trump,” said a former high-ranking Kremlin official. “But whatever expectations Putin might have
T&T kidnap victim rescued
Cops kill male suspect, detain female in connection with abduction
After eight days in captivity, kidnap victim Jankie Satie Karim is now back home safe and sound.
ey as freelance or artisanal miners, turning the area into a "sprawling chaos of mineshafts and makeshift shelters", MSF said in a statement on a cholera outbreak in the area last month.
Reports said a series of cascading landslides buried up to 15 of these makeshift shafts without warning.
Rescue efforts have slowed as debris and large stones continue to block access.
Journalist Barack told the BBC that the lack of proper equipment has hampered attempts to clear the site. Survivors told him that many miners remain stuck.
"We've been digging since Sunday night but have not recovered any bodies. We are exhausted," one miner said. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro made the disclosure to reporters late last night, after Karim was rescued during a police operation.
Guevarro said although “visibly shaken”, the 44-yearold victim, who was rescued around 6.30 pm off the Toco Main Road in Rampanalgas and taken to hospital for medical examination, was “otherwise okay”.
However, one of her abductors was reportedly killed in a confrontation with police. Guevarro explained that based on information and intelligence received, officers, including members of the MultiOptional Police Section, the Special Investigations Unit and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), were able to locate the victim, who was abducted on July 13.
“An intelligence-led operation went into play, and as the officers would have approached the house (where the victim was being held), the male suspect would have held Ms Karim hostage, armed with a firearm … And sad-
ly, police officers had to use the Use of Force Policy, and he was wounded and taken to hospital, where he succumbed subsequently,” Guevarro told reporters gathered near the house where Karim was located.
“The victim, Ms Karim, was also taken to hospital, where she was medically examined, and she is now reunited with her family.”
“I would like to urge the members of the public to continue to partner with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and share information that is of use to us.” He confirmed that Karim’s abduction was linked to last Friday’s declaration of a state of emergency, which he said was aimed at dismantling a crime syndicate. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
had for a good relationship with Trump, it was always going to come second to his maximalist goals in Ukraine. For Putin, the invasion of Ukraine is existential,” the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, added.
“In Moscow, there had been hope and anticipation of forging a strong relationship with Trump,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, an independent Russian political analyst.
“But the baseline expectation in Russia has always been tougher US sanctions and a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine,” Stanovaya added.
Trump seemed particularly aggrieved that his personal outreach to Putin – including six phone calls –had yielded nothing, a perceived personal slight for a leader known for his vanity. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
J’ca cop charged with girlfriend’s death in apparent attempted murder-suicide
Constable Patrick Walters was charged on Monday in connection with the June 25 shooting death of 21-year-old infant school teacher D’Jonnay Graham, otherwise called Moya. He is also facing a charge of using a firearm to commit a felony.
According to police reports, the incident occurred around 9:15 pm during a domestic dispute at Graham’s home. When officers arrived at the scene, the constable, who is assigned to the St Andrew North police division, shot Graham in the head with his service pistol, then used the weapon to inflict a gunshot wound to his own head.
They were taken to hospital, where Graham was pronounced dead and Walters was admitted under police guard.
Following an investigation, a file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who ruled on July 17 that Walters should be charged. He was officially charged after being discharged from the hospital. The matter has also been reported to the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) and the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB) for further review. (Jamaica Observer)
Vladimir Putin, who has gone out of his way to flatter Donald Trump, has not yet commented on the US President’s threats
Palestinians carry aid supplies which they received from the USbacked Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the central Gaza Strip
Rescued kidnapping victim Satie Karim
SUDOKU
Pursue your interests. Don't wait for someone to beat you to the finish line. Keep whatever you do simple and affordable, and you will see long-term benefits.
Tidy up loose ends and complete whatever task or responsibility you receive from your superiors. What you do and how you do it will be what counts, not the promises or compliments you make.
Sticking to facts and figures will help liberate you from the people most likely to attempt to take advantage of you. Making personal improvements will boost your confidence.
Your imagination will be in overdrive. Don't overreact; give others the benefit of the doubt, but keep your guard up just in case. A little charm will go a long way.
Engage in events that stimulate the mind and motivate you to be and do your best. Working alongside others will encourage new friendships and provide opportunities to experience different lifestyle choices.
Take precautions when dealing with financial, medical or contractual matters. Pay attention to detail and negotiate any changes you want to implement before proceeding.
Walk away from anyone demanding too much time, patience and talent. Concentrate on doing more for yourself. Change your work or living space to accentuate your lifestyle.
If you want more money, focus on careers that pay top dollar. Including educational pursuits on your resume when applying for your dream job will pay off.
Live, learn and appreciate whatever comes your way. Let your charm work its magic on someone you want to get to know better. Persistence, playfulness and patience will pay off.
Take time to rethink your next move. Numerous outside influences can deter you from achieving what you want. Bide your time, watch how others respond and learn from the experience you gain.
Turn up the volume, direct your energy and play to win. Kindness and confidence will carry you forward with the class and poise of a winner. Believe in yourself and your actions.
You'll thrive in environments that feature something you enjoy. Refuse to let anyone play with your emotions. Rise above it all, know your worth and use your energy to ensure every move is right on the money.
ARCHIE
New Zealand will take the advantage into the tri-series final after beating South Africa for the second time in two meetings in the group stage. The two sides will meet again on Saturday, and New Zealand will have one more opportunity to fine-tune when they play Zimbabwe on Thursday. Zimbabwe have already been eliminated.
In a competition where the chasing team has won four out of the five games so far (including this one), New Zealand played the situation to perfection. On a dry Harare surface, they
dominate
SA in dress rehearsal for final
New Zealand ear ly squeeze
Under cloudy skies, New Zealand made run-scoring particularly difficult and found the right lengths straight away.
of Tim Seifert. Contrastingly, South Africa struggled to find fluidity or string together partnerships. Their highest was a sixth-wicket stand of 30 off 16 balls between Reeza Hendricks and George Linde, who were also the only two batters to have individual scores over 20.
None of their bowlers could keep New Zealand quiet, and Gerald Coetzee was particularly expensive. His three overs cost 37 runs, while Zakary Foulkes and Adam Milne gave away just 33 runs in seven overs.
Jacob Duffy opened the bowling and set the tone with back-of-good-length balls and a hint of extra bounce. He would not have been too unhappy when the first runs came off the edge as Rassie van der Dussen threw his hands at one and earned a streaky boundary.
Foulkes followed up with a similar strategy, and Milne reaped the rewards from the early pressure when van der Dussen made room to try and find the boundary but exposed his stumps and was bowled. South Africa managed just 17 runs off the first five overs, off seven scoring shots.
South Africa slew of soft dismissals
At 52 for 2 and approaching the halfway mark, South Africa needed quick runs and made sever -
al
reckless attempts to get them.
Dewald Brevis tried to uppercut Will O'Rourke but only managed to give Seifert a simple catch. In the next over, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, moved down to No. 5 for this match, sent a Mitchell Santner ball that was zoning in on the pads straight to Duffy at short fine when he could have hit it anywhere on the leg side. While those two mistakes could be put down to inexperience, Hendricks, who was holding the innings together on 41, will be livid with the shot he played off the penultimate ball of the 17th over. Duffy offered him width, and Hendricks tried to smash it over the covers but only got it as far as Michael Bracewell in the ring. South Africa were 109 for 6 at that stage but had Senuran Muthusamy, who
can bat as high as No. 4, in hand. He was deceived by a change-up from Milne and sent a slower ball straight to extra cover as South Africa's innings stuttered at the death. They scored 30 runs off the last four overs and lost three wickets.
South Africa wayward start
The fielding team can ill afford mistakes when defending a small total, but South Africa had three in the first over, which made things even more difficult for Linde's first ball went wide down the leg side, his sec ond did the same thing and snuck past Pretorius behind the stumps to go for four, which meant New Zealand had six runs on the board before a legiti mate ball was bowled.
hands to the ball but could not keep it under control, and it popped out as he fell to the floor. Seifert collected his first three runs and went on to score his 11th T20I half-century.
Seifert charmed life
deliver - ies late, Linde floated one up, and Seifert, who had yet to score a run, went inside-out and tried to clear long-off but didn't quite get enough on it. Andile Simelane ran around to attempt a catch. He got both
After he was dropped on 0, Seifert could have been bowled when he shuffled across his stumps to try and lap Coetzee but missed and then could have been caught when he top-edged Coetzee on the leg side, but the ball fell safely over both Rubin Hermann and Linde, who converged from midwicket and mid-on, respectively. Seifert went on to hit Coetzee for back-to-back boundaries and seemed to settle. Just as things seemed to become easier for him, he survived a caught-and-bowled chance off Linde, who could not snatch a return chance. Seifert wrest - ed back control with the shot that brought up his fifty, a massive six off Muthusamy over long-on, off the 38th ball he faced. He hit another off Nqaba Peter and put the result beyond doubt. (ESPNCricinfo)
The New Zealand players celebrate a wicket (Zimbabwe Cricket)
Tim Seifert led New Zealand's chase (Zimbabwe Cricket)
Shoriful, Tanzim help Bangladesh seal 1st T20I series win over Pakistan
Bangladesh completed their first T20I series win against Pakistan after prevailing in an eight-run win in the second game. The packed Shere Bangla National Stadium got a thrilling finish with the home side staving off a late Faheem Ashraf onslaught.
Pakistan's top six couldn't reach double digits in this game, with five having missed out in simi-
Bangladesh however kept their cool, particularly their pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Hasan putting pressure on the visitors. Bangladesh's start with the ball put them well in front, which also ultimately helped them get the win in the end.
Pakistan hit a new low Pakistan couldn't have asked for a worse start to their 134-run chase as they
lar fashion in the previous outing too. This time it was their bottom-half that gave them some hope. Ashraf top scored with his maiden T20I half-century, having added 41 runs for the ninth wicket with Abbas Afridi.
aaa
slumped to 15 for 5, their lowest score after losing their first five wickets. Saim Ayub was run out after a mix-up with Fakhar Zaman in the first over. Rishad Hossain fielded superbly in the deeppoint boundary, which creat-
SCOREBOARD
Bangladesh (20 ovs maximum)
Mohammad Naim c †Mohammad Haris
b Faheem Ashraf 3
Parvez Hossain Emon
c Faheem Ashraf
b Ahmed Daniyal 13
Litton Das (c)† c Hasan Nawaz
b Salman Mirza 8
Towhid Hridoy run out (Agha Salman) 0
Jaker Ali c Mohammad Nawaz
b Abbas Afridi 55
Mahedi Hasan c Hasan Nawaz
b Mohammad Nawaz 33
Shamim Hossain
b Ahmed Daniyal 1
Tanzim Hasan Sakib c Fakhar Zaman
b Salman Mirza 7
Rishad Hossain
b Abbas Afridi 8
Shoriful Islam run out (Agha
Salman/Abbas Afridi) 1
Mustafizur Rahman not out 0
Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 2) 4
Total 20 Ov (RR: 6.65) 133
Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Mohammad Naim, 1.3 ov), 2-25 (Litton Das, 4.1 ov), 3-25 (Towhid Hridoy, 4.4 ov), 4-28 (Parvez Hossain Emon, 5.5 ov), 5-81 (Mahedi Hasan, 13.6 ov), 6-93 (Shamim Hossain, 15.3 ov), 7-100 (Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 16.3 ov), 8-111 (Rishad Hossain, 17.6 ov), 9-127 (Shoriful Islam, 19.3 ov), 10-133 (Jaker Ali, 19.6 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W-ECON
Salman Mirza
Faheem Ashraf
Ahmed Daniyal
4-1-17-2-4.25
3-0-20-1-6.66
4-0-23-2-5.75
Mohammad Nawaz 3-0-19-1-6.33
1-0-3-0-3.00
Saim Ayub
Khushdil Shah
1-0-12-0-12.00
Abbas Afridi
4-0-37-2-9.25
Pakistan (T: 134 runs from 20 ovs)
Fakhar Zaman c †Litton Das
b Shoriful Islam 8
Saim Ayub run out (Parvez Hossain Emon/Rishad Hossain/†Litton Das) 1 Mohammad Haris † lbw
b Shoriful Islam 0 Salman Agha (c) c Towhid Hridoy
b Mahedi Hasan 9
Hasan Nawaz c †Litton Das
b Tanzim Hasan Sakib 0 Mohammad Nawaz c †Litton Das
b Tanzim Hasan Sakib 0 Khushdil Shah lbw
b Mahedi Hasan 13
Faheem Ashraf
b Rishad Hossain 51 Abbas Afridi
b Shoriful Islam 19 Ahmed Daniyal c Shamim Hossain
b Mustafizur Rahman 17 Salman Mirza not out 0 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 3) 7
Total: 19.2 Ov (RR: 6.46) 125 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Saim Ayub, 0.6 ov), 2-9 (Mohammad Haris, 1.3 ov), 3-14 (Fakhar Zaman, 3.2 ov), 4-15 (Hasan Nawaz, 4.3 ov), 5-15 (Mohammad Nawaz, 4.4 ov), 6-30 (Salman Agha, 9.2 ov), 7-47 (Khushdil Shah, 11.5 ov), 8-88 (Abbas Afridi, 16.1 ov), 9-121 (Faheem Ashraf, 18.6 ov), 10125 (Ahmed Daniyal, 19.2 ov).
Bowling O-M-R-W-ECON Mahedi Hasan 4-0-25-2-6.25 Shoriful
ed the initial confusion before Ayub couldn't beat the fielder's throw.
Shoriful, replacing Taskin Ahmed for the match, struck with his third ball the next over. He had Mohammad Haris pinned in front with a late-moving in-ducker for a golden duck. Fakhar, who top scored in the first T20I, fell in Shoriful's next over, caught down the leg side for 8.
Tanzim's double blow in the fifth over put Bangladesh further ahead. He had both Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz caught behind, both falling for ducks, in consecutive deliveries.
Ashraf's valiant effort
Pakistan looked doomed at 47 for 7 in the 12th over. With batters running out at the other end, Ashraf chose this point to launch into the Bangladesh attack. He had already slammed Mahedi over long-on for his first six before smashing Rishad Hossain for four and two sixes in a 20-run over. Pakistan was in with a chance, needing 52 off the last five overs.
Shoriful, though, removed Abbas Afridi at the start of the 17th over; three balls later, Ashraf slammed his third six. Shoriful could have settled matters by the end of the over, but Tanzim dropped a straightforward chance running in from longon, with Ashraf on 38.
Debutant Ahmed Daniyal picked up two fours off Rishad before Ashraf brought up his fifty with a six over long-on but fell next ball to a delivery that kept low. With 13 need-
ed off the final over,
portant catch.
Ashraf had also given Pakistan their first breakthrough of the match before their rookies Salman Mirza and Daniyal rocked Bangladesh. Mirza had Litton Das caught in the deep before Towhid Hridoy was run out in the fifth over. Daniyal got into the act in the next over when Parvez Hossain Emon struck the ball down mid-on's throat for 13. The dangerous Shamim also fell to Daniyal when he inside edged in the 16th over.
Jaker goes big
Bangladesh usually expect Jaker Ali to get them out of trouble, and that's exactly what he did. He waited seven overs before looking for his first big hit, as Bangladesh were reduced to 28 for 4. He started with a mow across the line that caught the middle of his bat, landing deep into the backward-square-leg stands.
Jaker added 53 runs for the fifth wicket with Mahedi Hasan, who contributed with 33 off 25 balls. He also struck two sixes. After he
fell to Mohammad Nawaz in the 14th over, Jaker went for broke. He walloped Daniyal over midwicket for his second six before Bangladesh lost three more wickets. Shamim, Tanzim and Rishad fell quickly, leaving Jaker with just the last two batters to work with. He struck three more sixes, depositing two more over midwicket and then the last one down the ground to bring up his fifty. Those last few sixes boosted Bangladesh to an above-par T20I score at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. (ESPNCricinfo)
Pakistan had a horror powerplay
Shoriful Islam finished with a match-winning 3 for 17
Jaker Ali top scorer with 55
Daniyal struck Mustafizur's first ball for four but was then caught at the deep midwick-
et boundary, with Shamim
Hossain taking the all-im-
Rookies lead Pakistan
Bangladesh secures back-to-back victories
Kennard's Memorial Emancipation horse race set for August 3
Arguably Guyana’s best racetrack, the Kennard Memorial Turf Club is set to host the Emancipation horse race. The gran event is set for Sunday August 3, at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, East Berbice Corentyne.
Six races are on the provisional program, with the feature event being the E Open with horses running at one mile. More than five million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs and horses from across the country will be out to battle for supremacy.
The top horse in the E Open will bag G$ 500,000. Other races on the card include the H& Lower race, the K & Lower race, the L Open the two-year-old Guyana bred open and the three-year-old Guyana bred.
Horses in the H and Lower will run at seven furlungs and the top prize is G$ 400,000. The K and Lower horses will run at five furlungs and the winning horse will walk away with G$300,000. The L Open race is a six furlung battle and the winning prize is similar to the K and Lower event.
The two-year-old race will run at five furlung and the three-year-old will run at seven furlung. Both races, the top cash prize is G$ 300,000.
These races are being run under the rules of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club.
If there are less than five (5) horses entered for any
event the club reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event or reduce the prize money after consulting with the horse's owners.
Owners of horses must pay at least $5,000 for each horse at the point of entry.
Five horses to start be fore a third prize will be paid. Seven horses to start before a fourth prize to be paid. If only four horses start, the prize money will be reduced by 25 per cent. If only three horses start, the prize will be reduced by 40 per cent.
Entries must be paid in ad vance of racing day and no late entry will be accepted. Horses can enter with by contacting Ivan Dipnarine on 331-0316, Roop Sewsankar on 687-8722 and Sancho on 682-8558.
Some of the horses in this event will use the race as final competitive preparation for the Guyana Cup. The
Republican Gym is anxious to compete at QPCC triumphs in Edge Series
With just three days to go before the bell rings for the return of the Andrew Lewis National Novice Championships, the Republican Gym is shaping up to be a serious contender at the National Gymnasium.
The three-night slugfest, widely regarded as the launching pad for Guyana’s future champions, will showcase emerging talent from across the country. It also marks the highly anticipated comeback of the Republican Boxing Gym, now under the experienced tutelage of veteran trainer Wincell Thomas.
Coach Thomas revealed that preparations are on track, noting that the gym will host an inter-prison boxing camp to finalise its roster for the July 25–27 showdown, hosted by the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA).
first world champion, the tournament, often dubbed the GBA’s “talent cradle”, serves as a critical stepping stone for young boxers making the leap into the amateur ranks. The event also plays a pivotal role in scouting and grooming talent for the national team.
At last year’s edition, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gym reasserted its dominance, clinching the Best Overall Team title.
Standout performances included Jagwan Milo, who was named Best Novice Boxer; Ryan Rogers of the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym, who took home Best Schoolboy Boxer; and rising star Kenisha Plass, who was crowned Best Female Boxer.
He pointed out that they will host an inter-prison event, where the boxers will be selected for this weekend’s event.
Named in honour of the late Andrew “SixHead” Lewis, Guyana’s
“I’m pleased with the progress of the inmates, particularly those who have dedicated themselves and embraced the rigours of training,” Thomas said, praising the grit and determination shown by his charges.
This year’s tournament is expected to attract fighters from all ten administrative regions, setting the stage for three action-packed nights of pure boxing action.
It was a thrilling end to the Edge Series Table Tennis Championships on Sunday afternoon, where Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) dominated all challengers to bag the $500,000 grand prize.
QPCC, comprising Aaron Wilson, Imanai Taylor-Edwards, Sekel McIntosh and Guyanese Shemar Britton overcame WASA in the highly anticipated final 4-1 to bag top honours.
WASA, comprising Nigel Bryan, Josiah Joseph, Curtis Humphreys and Ambika Sitram had to settle for second place and a $300,000 prize.
Earlier in the competition, QPCC overcame Quiet Storm 4-1 in the semi-finals to advance to the feature match. The Quiet storm outfit featured Orin
Hickerson, Krystian Sahadeo, Thuraia Thomas and Colin Wong. Meanwhile, a Niran Bissu, Malachi Moore, Rosalba Aguilar and Elishaba Johnson teamed up for GuyCuba Team 7 but could not get past WASA in the semis, missing out 4-2 in a hotly contested game.
Eventually, Team 7 overcame Quiet Storm 3-2 in a nail-biter to claim the $200,000 third-place prize.
Notably for his efforts in the Men’s Singles final, rallying from 2-0 to come back for a win against WASA’s Humphreys, Aaron Wilson was adjudged the tournament’s MVP.
The Table Tennis culminated the three-discipline Edge Sports Management, Edge Series that was hosted over the past two weekends.
Guyana Cup is set for Sunday August 17 at Rising Sun Turf Club.
Horse race action is set for a grand return at Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club
Trainer Wincell Thomas
The victorious QPCC celebrate their success
Guyana GSL a grand success
From a more than 14,000-capacity crowd at the Guyana National Stadium, to bumper-to-bumper traffic on the East Bank Demerara carriageway and droves of supporters pouring into the venue, the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20, in just its second year, greatly mirrored the fanfare and craze of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in Guyana.
Describing the cricket and energy as ‘incredible’, GSL Director Jamie Stewart had words of high praise for this year’s tournament, especially the final showdown between eventual champions Guyana Amazon Warriors and Bangladesh’s Rangpur Riders.
A beaming Stewart expressed, “The cricket Gods have been kind to us, it’s been an amazing tournament. I think anyone who watched in Guyana, who was at the Stadium or watching around the world, I mean, what an amazing day it was today, sold out, incredible cricket, incredible energy. We’ve spoken all along about this event showing everyone what Guyana is all about and you know, I think we saw that today with an amazing capacity crowd, amazing images on the TV and fortunately, the right result for the Guyana fans but we’re already looking forward to next year.”
Already looking ahead to next year’s third edition of the tournament, Stewart is focused on locking down an equally lucrative window as this year.
“I think we live and we learn, its going to be a step jump every year, we’ve seen how much its grown from year 1 to year 2 and I think year 3; we hopefully achieve the same sort of step jump. We’ve
to play is a challenge,” Stewart explained.
He added, “The feedback from the teams have been amazing, I think that word of mouth will get around, all around the world and I think we’re going to have teams queuing up to come to Guyana. Already a couple of the teams that have played GSL are talking about doing their pre- seasons in Guyana, which is an interesting benefit from hosting the event.”
Quizzed about the World Club Championship which was recently given the go ahead by ICC and will likely return in 2026, Stewart noted that its resurgence is expected but envisioned barriers for them with finding a suitable window.
“It makes sense for global cricket to sort of do a Champions League at some point, but it’s very difficult to schedule this invitational, which doesn’t take very long at all; as you know, it’s 8 days, and it’s hard to schedule that. We don’t have access to all the
you’ve got to find a window. That, to me, seems the biggest challenge because they’ll want all the best players playing. You’ve already got IPL taking a big window, you’ve got ICC events taking a big window. So, I think it’s a good idea for cricket to have that but how soon you can schedule that, that’s a big challenge I think.”
GSL Director Jamie Stewart
The ExxonMobil Guyana GSL is being considered a resounding success
West Indies have suffered their second defeat in the 5-match T20I series against the visiting Australian side on Tuesday evening at the Sabina Park, Kingston Jamaica.
West Indies batted first and managed to score 172 for 8 off their allotted 20 overs with Brandon King top scoring with 51. In reply, the Australians reached the target with 4.4 overs to spare. Josh Inglis top scored with 78 followed by Cameron Green with 56