Guyana Times - Wednesday, August 27, 2025

United States hails Guyana’s role in US-led coalition to combat drug cartels

…“Guyana is among the countries showing real commitment” – US Secretary of State See story on page 3

3 killed in fiery LindenSoesdyke Highway collision

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 27 –03:55h–04:55h and 19:15h-20:00h and Thursday, August 28 – 03:55h–05:25h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, August 27 –06:15h–07:45h and Thursday, August 28 – 06:45h–08:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny skies are expected during the day, interrupted by thundery showers in the mid-morning hours, with clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 06:45h and 18:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.62 metres and 2.60 metres.

Low Tide: 12:35h reaching a minimum height of 0.65 metre.

United States hails Guyana’s role in US-led coalition to combat drug cartels

…“Guyana is among the countries showing real commitment” – US Secretary of State

uyana has been named among a growing coalition of nations partnering with the United States (US) to strengthen border security and combat transnational narcotics trafficking as part of a broader push to counter organised crime and enhance regional stability. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking alongside President Donald Trump, praised Guyana and several Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations, including Ecuador, Paraguay, Trinidad and Argentina for stepping forward to cooperate in what he described as an unprecedented international effort to disrupt criminal cartels.

“For the first time in the modern era, we are truly on offence against organised cartels that are pumping poison into our cities,” Rubio said. “Countries just in the last week, Ecuador, Paraguay, Guyana, Trinidad, today Argentina, all joining us or trying to be helpful in advancing this. And this just, you know, one thing is there, we're going to stop drugs from coming in and we're having record seizures, but another thing is to build an international coalition against the scourge on the international stage… This is not just about record drug seizures, it’s about building an international coalition against the scourge on the international stage. Guyana is among the countries showing real commitment.”

The partnership will focus on intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement and strengthening legal frameworks to combat trafficking networks that use porous borders and maritime routes across the Caribbean and South America.

Beyond counter-narcotics operations, the alliance is also addressing the challenges of mass migration and border management.

Rubio emphasised that border security is no longer a matter of domestic patrols alone but requires global

cooperation. “We’ve redefined our border. It’s no longer just our physical border. We are working ahead of time with international partners to stem migration flows before they reach the US,” he explained. The US official also underscored the broader geopolitical role of such cooperation, highlighting recent diplomatic efforts by Washington to mediate conflicts and promote peace abroad.

Support Late last week, the Guyana Government underscored the need for strengthened co-operation at the regional and hemispheric levels to tackle the threats posed to regional security from transnational crime and narco-terrorism.

In a statement on Friday last, the Government expressed grave concern over the threat to peace and se-

curity in the LAC regions by transnational organised crime and narco-terrorism, including criminal networks, such as the Cartel de los Soles from Venezuela, which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by some countries in the region.

These concerns by Guyanese authorities come on the heels of the US recently deploying three warships off the coast of Venezuela as part of its crackdown on drug cartels in the region.

Washington has stated that designated narco-terrorist organisations like the Cartel de los Soles are using the region’s air and sea corridors to funnel drugs into the US, thus posing a direct threat to American lives and security.

According to the Guyana Government in Friday’s missive, “Such criminal networks have the capacity to overwhelm state institutions, un-

dermine democracy, pervert the rule of law and threaten human dignity and development. The Government of Guyana underscores the necessity for strengthened cooperation and concerted efforts at the national, regional, hemispheric and global levels to effectively combat this menace.”

Citing previous commitments made by President Irfaan Ali, the Guyana Government reaffirms its commitment and support for a collaborative and integrated approach to tackle transnational organised crime by working with bilateral partners to dismantle criminal networks, safeguarding the region’s shared security. These sentiments were reiterated by President Ali, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, during an engagement with reporters on Friday morning.

Editor: Tusika Martin

News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761

Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

When families break and tragedy unfolds

The nation has once again been jolted by the tragic loss of life arising from domestic violence. The horrific murder of Teekadai “Atiya” Solomon at the hands of her husband, Alroy Solomon, followed by his suicide and the wounding of their 10-year-old son, is more than another entry in the crime blotter. It is a grim reminder of a deep and ongoing social crisis, the prevalence of intimate partner violence and the fragility of families.

The details released by the Guyana Police Force paint a chilling sequence of events. On August 26, 2025, in broad daylight at Charlotte and Bourda Streets, Georgetown, a family was shattered by violence. Atiya, only 36, was shot multiple times as she fled for her life. Her young son was also targeted, suffering a gunshot wound, while her husband ultimately turned the weapon on himself. Behind this act lay a history of abuse, accusations, control, and isolation, patterns familiar in countless other households where domestic turmoil festers in silence.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, in responding to this tragedy, struck at the heart of the matter, “The family remains the basic cell of human society, and its preservation is essential to our nation’s well-being. When families break, society bleeds. But when families thrive, a nation stands tall.” His words are sobering because they transcend the immediacy of this case. They highlight the truth that the ripple effects of broken families go beyond the private sphere, they weaken the social fabric itself. Children caught in such environments carry scars that last a lifetime, perpetuating cycles of trauma that echo into future generations.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has also acknowledged the urgent need to address men’s inability, or unwillingness, to manage emotions in healthy ways. On the campaign trail ahead of the September elections, he announced that one of the Government’s upcoming programmes will specifically focus on helping men to deal with their emotions. This recognition is both timely and necessary. Too often, men who are unable to cope with rejection, jealousy, or feelings of inadequacy resort to violence, mistakenly equating control with love, and power with masculinity. Society pays the price when unresolved emotions become destructive impulses.

Domestic violence is not an isolated issue. It is prevalent across communities, cutting across class, ethnicity, and geography. The Solomon case is only the latest, not the last, unless there is sustained and collective intervention. Reports of women enduring years of psychological and physical abuse, often in silence, are far too common. Many remain trapped due to economic dependence, cultural stigma, or fear of escalation. In turn, children raised in such homes learn to normalise violence, continuing the cycle.

This tragedy must, therefore, serve as a turning point. It compels urgent reflection and stronger societal response. While law enforcement has a role to play in ensuring swift justice and protection for victims, the challenge cannot be left to Police alone. What is needed is a comprehensive, multi-layered approach which includes stronger support systems for victims, including safe shelters, accessible legal aid, and robust counselling services; focused interventions for men, especially in helping them process emotions without violence, as the Vice President has outlined; community vigilance where friends, family, and neighbours no longer remain silent when they see warning signs of abuse; public education campaigns that dismantle the myths sustaining abusive relationships and empower individuals to seek help early.

The silence that so often surrounds domestic violence must be broken. It is not a “family matter” to be hidden behind closed doors; it is a public health crisis, a social justice issue, and a national priority.

The preservation of families, as President Ali emphasised, is foundational to national well-being. But families cannot thrive where fear and violence dominate. Nor can society stand tall when women and children live under constant threat. Addressing this scourge requires a shift in cultural attitudes, robust institutional frameworks, and a collective will to confront uncomfortable truths.

Guyanese must now make the right choice

Dear Editor, September 1st, 2025 is a historic day for Guyanese who have to make the most vitally important decision which will not only affect their lives but those of their children, grandchildren and the future generations of Guyanese. It is Election Day. And this election has been rightfully dubbed ‘the Mother of All Elections’.

In the past Guyanese have had to endure several rigged elections: from 1968 to 1985 and the massively rigged 1978 Referendum which gave the PNC nearly 98 per cent of the votes. We barely missed the rigging in the 2020 Elections. It must be remembered that the first free and fair election since 1964 was held in 1992 which saw the PPP/C taking its rightful place as the Government. It was the beginning of progress and prosperity for Guyanese, having been once categorised as worse off than Haiti (McIntyre Report 1989), Guyana moved up as a middle income country and its people enjoyed an increasingly higher standard of living, as never experienced before. This period lasted until 2015 when the APNU (PNC) and the AFC entered into a destructive coalition which once again massively eroded the gains made by the PPP/C, not unlike what happened in 1964. Dr

Walter Rodney had made a memorable interpretation of the Midas Touch- he had said that everything that Burnham touched turned to sh….This legacy of infamy never deserted the PNC. Therefore, no matter what Norton promises in this year’s election it will never be believed. The PNC and its associates will always have the opposite of the Midas Touch. The track record of the PNC speaks for itself and no number of baptisms will ever grant it absolution for its nefarious and abominable misdeeds perpetrated on the Guyanese people. Guyanese must say emphatically, ‘Never again’.

In the past, the Alliance for Change (AFC) at its formation in 2005 had sworn never to associate or coalesce with the PNC but they created havoc to the economy from 2011 to 2015 by a de facto coalition in Parliament which drastically pushed back the progress made by the PPP/C Government. They then became a coalition Government in the 2015 Elections and together they began their journey of destruction to the Guyanese economy. Today, true to Khemraj Ramjattan’s prediction, the AFC is ‘dead meat’ and the cremation is completed.

Today, another deluded adventurer has joined the political stage. His par-

ty has a hilarious and ambitious acronym WIN (We Invest in Nationhood) and is of the misconceived notion that all Guyanese are in dire straits and in need of his intervention. This man feels that being a philanthropist is all the qualification required to be the President of a country. A country is run by a democratically elected Government and its institutions, comprising the various sectors and Ministries which are run by qualified and competent persons, therefore, one must peruse the list of candidates to assess their suitability. This cursory perusal will unearth a band of persons who lack the competence to run any organisation and tainted with poor performance records where they were previously employed. Immediately, two supposedly ‘top notched’ candidates come to mind: Vishnu Panday and Dwarka Bahadur. Vishnu Panday held posts of General Manager and Agriculture Director with the Guyana Sugar Corporation and was removed due to insubordination and poor performance. Dwarka bahadur also held posts as General Manager and Technical Director and was likewise removed. I do wonder if these goodly gentlemen contracts were renewed by GUYSUCO, if they would have been on WIN’s list of candidates. Would

they have cried ‘corruption’? Absolutely not! What can these people offer their country? A similar analysis can be done with all the others and it will reveal that their commitment is not for country but for self and all had their individual axe to grind with their former parties. Azruddin’s goal in forming his political party is to save his own skin from the grips of the OFAC sanctions, not country and people.

Today, all Guyanese are fully cognisant and history will attest to the fact that the PPP/C is the only multi-racial political party which has consistently delivered on its manifesto and never lied and deceived the public, and has always worked to uplift the lives of each and every Guyanese in every nook and cranny. No community is ever neglected. Let everyone take a glance around, development can be seen with just a cursory glance. The General Secretary, Dr Jagdeo made it clear that the peoples’ concerns are translated into the Government’s policies. The PPP/C is a party which can be trusted to deliver and all its years in Government have proven this fact.

In conclusion, the choice on September 1st is pellucid and unambiguous.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Final slab of cement on new US$262M Demerara River Bridge to be poured on Thursday

The completion of the new US$262 million Demerara River Bridge is nearing reality, with President Dr Irfaan Ali announcing that the final slab of cement will be poured at midnight on Thursday. Speaking at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) public meeting in Eccles on Tuesday night, President Ali said the final pour will mark the delivery of one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects to the Guyanese people. “On Thursday night, by the grace of God, at midnight, I will be on top of the new Demerara River Bridge. We will be making the final pour for the bridge … the final leg, and your bridge is delivered to you, to us,” President Ali declared to loud applause.

The Head of State tied the bridge’s construction to the broader vision of national development and investor confidence, stressing that Guyana’s rapid pace of growth is rooted in sound economic management, strong partnerships, and political stability. “Why are people building these massive new structures

across our country? Because they trust our policies, they trust the Government, they trust our economy, and they trust our leadership. Will you build a house on a sinking ship? No. You only build when you know the foundation is secure,” he asserted.

Ali pointed out that the country is not only advancing in infrastructure but is also gaining strong global support on critical issues.

“This is a race for ideas, policies, programmes. This is a race about your future, about your children’s future, about your parents, about your community,

about your country. It’s a race about national security. We will commence the building process of the economy of the future. And what is the economy of the future? The economy of the future is the knowledge economy. That is why we are investing so much in human protection,” Ali said.

Transformational project

The new Demerara River Bridge, set to replace the ageing floating Demerara Harbour Bridge, is a 2.65-kilometre (km), four-lane, high-span, cable-stayed structure with a 23.6-me-

tre-wide driving surface and a dedicated bicycle lane. Its 50-metre fixed-high span will allow the free passage of vessels, eliminating the frequent closures that currently disrupt traffic flow.

The bridge will connect Regions Three and Four, significantly easing congestion and reducing travel time along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). With a speed limit of 80 km/h and

capacity for vehicles of all sizes, it is expected to become a key driver of economic activity. President Ali has already assured that the crossing will be toll-free, in keeping with the Government’s removal of tolls on all major bridges across the country. He further pledged that no worker will be left behind as toll operations are phased out, with staff being retrained

Businessman

and redeployed into new technical and managerial roles.

“This bridge is more than just concrete and steel,” Ali told supporters. “It is about building the economy of the future – a knowledge economy, where our people are the strongest, brightest, and most capable, delivering services from Guyana to the world.”

granted $100,000 bail after allegedly firing at rival

A29-year-old Georgetown businessman was on Monday placed on $100,000 bail he was charged with discharging a loaded firearm with intent.

Xavier Scott appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he denied the allegation. The charge alleges that on August 18, at Meadowbrook Gardens, Georgetown, Scott discharged several rounds at Ronaldo Gilbert with the intent to cause harm or disfig-

urement.

Prosecutors objected to bail, pointing out that the two men are well known to each other and that the shooting reportedly stemmed from an ongoing dispute. The court was told that Scott approached Gilbert on the day in question, opened fire, and then chased him as he attempted to flee. The prosecution further revealed that the altercation was captured on video and argued that Scott’s alleged actions suggested an intention to kill. Scott was represented by Attorney-at-

Time and tide are favourable to

Dear Editor, Guyanese are familiar with the saying, “Time and Tide wait for None.” The ancient proverb originated from St. Marher's 1225 work, "And te tide and te time... schal beon iblescet". This phrase was later used around 1395 in Geoffrey Chaucer's “Prologue to the Clerk's Tale.” President Dr. Irfaan Ali did not hesitate to announce the 2025 election date when it was officially due. Who ready, ready, as we say in Guyana. Like the proverbial scout’s motto, the PPP/C is “always ready” and leaves no room to be caught in any unguarded moment. President Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C always do the right thing. Guyanese are assured of that.

Unlike the APNU/AFC, the PPP/C did not stall for any right time to come for any favourable tide. The PNC’s “band of cabals” had to “pussyfoot” and drag their feet through mud, misery and many misgivings for some eighteen months before settling on a 2020 election date. Former President Granger and his team of political malingers refused to demit office after losing to the PPP/C vote of no-confidence motion in December 2018. His merry men and women included the likes of Trotman, Hughes and Williams who are all brilliant attorneys! History has shown that you cannot depend on

the APNU nor the AFC to do anything legally right!

The PNC, AFC and all their lawful luminaries who are acclaimed experts and professionals in the proficiency of legal affairs, had more than their mouths shut when the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) slam-dunked their frivolous, vexatious and ludicrous arguments that 33 is not the absolute majority of 65. They ridiculously contended also that, former Member of Parliament Charandass Persaud’s ability to legally cast his dissenting vote on December 21, 2018 was not valid. Of course, the honourable CCJ chastised their rancorous case and revoked their venomous argument. How can you trust these parties to ever make any legitimate decisions?

“D” day was the sixth of the sixth month in the year 1944. Six days more to go before Guyana experiences “d” day the electorate will vote to decide, which of the six contesting parties will be their favorite to govern this nation. Is the Guyanese sixth sense perceiving a 2020 “déjà vu?”

Perhaps with the advent of AI, the “Sixth Estate” may kick in to override the fourth and fifth estates, thereby avoiding Uncle Sam having to react with “Booths on the ground” to help quell any sanctimonious gangsters and their misguided miscreants.

The PNC/AFC had to be ordered by the US Government to “Step aside” in 2020 and allow justice to prevail. Guyanese learnt a harsh lesson and know that APNU nor the AFC can never be on the right side of the law!

History has well documented the acidic and asinine ailments Guyana had to abide with, during the PNC/ AFC exasperating era in 2020 when they squatted in office for some five unholy, unlawful and unacceptable months. After losing the free, fair and transparent 2nd March 2020 General and Regional Elections as declared by the international, regional and local observers, a putrid APNU/AFC care-taker Government headed by an obstinate President Granger, angered Guyana and the world at large when he refused to accede to the election recount totals and demit office. How can Guyanese accept such unrighteous people to run a Government?

On the very night of August 2nd 2020, a jubilating crowd of PNC and AFC supporters were celebrating their party’s assumed election victory when they were fooled by their party leaders that their party had won the election. They claimed that their Statements of Polls (SOP’s), collected and tabulated from each polling station from all the regions, supported their

conclusion. On the contrary, the PPP/C also staked claim to winning the election based on their Statements of Polls. In the final analysis, the APNU/ AFC was found to be lying to the Guyanese electorate and the world also. To date, the APNU nor the AFC cannot produce their SOP’s for anyone to check! Guyanese will not be deceived again and will not believe anything they say.

In Guyana we say, “Moon a run till day ketch am.” The ill-conceived propaganda and deliberate prevarications fabricated to fool the world that they, APNU/AFC, had won the election in 2020, was exposed by one of their own in June 2025. Samuel Sandy, Region Four Vice Chairman and former PNC/R Member confessed that, “In 2020, the APNU/AFC lost the election. I was the Operations Manager for the East Coast campaign. I was responsible for collecting all SOPs. And I did take it upon myself to record the scores of every SOP received. I took pictures. I kept them. I still have them. I went to the Ashmin’s Building. I listened to the numbers being tabulated. I looked at my numbers and thought to myself, where might this be going?”

The APNU and AFC will always try to conceal the truth from the Guyanese public. Old man time is ticking away as the tide comes in and goes out routinely.

Law Everton Singh-Lammy, who challenged the prosecution’s stance.

After listening to the bail application and the prosecution’s objections, Magistrate Daly granted bail in the sum of $100,000. As part of his release conditions, Scott must remain at least 300 feet away from Gilbert and is required to report every two weeks to the East La Penitence Police Station’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The matter has been adjourned until September 15.

The PNC and AFC had thirty-three years to make the small man the real man. They failed miserably and only made their Executives live the good life. They wasted a lot of time to put this nation on the right foot and most Guyanese lost out bigtime. Now that they are submerged at sea, they are hoping for some miracle to flow with the washing tide and rise again. But a red tsunami has afforded the PPP/C to white-wash any such hope! In their last five years of governance to this country, the PPP/C has outdone what the PNC and AFC have done in all their years in governance!

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

00:00 Sign Off

06:00 Cartoons

07:00

Types of angles

Complementary angles are two angles that form a right angle. Their sum will be 90o

Example:

If angle A = 30o, what is the measure of angle B?

Step 1: Think: A right angle = 90o

Step 2: Subtract: 90 – 30 = 60

So angle B = 60o

When two lines intersect the angles opposite each other are called vertical angles. Those angles are equal.

The mix of gases in Earth’s atmosphere is what helps protect the planet from cold, like a warm blanket. Sunlight coming through the atmosphere warms the Earth’s surface. The atmosphere holds in or traps some of that warmth.

Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat are called greenhouse gases. The primary greenhouse gases on Earth are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and

Exercises: Identify the complementary angles and vertical angles

ozone. When these gases trap heat from the sun, it is called the greenhouse effect.

These gases, which come from both natural and humanmade sources, are increasing in the atmosphere. This results in the atmosphere holding in more warmth and the Earth’s temperature increases. An increasingly warmer atmosphere affects our weather — and our repeated weather patterns, or climate. (Excerpt from startwithabook.org)

By Samuel GreenBerG

By a peninsula the painter sat and Sketched the uneven valley groves. The apostle gave alms to the Meek. The volcano burst In fusive sulphur and hurled Rocks and ore into the air— Heaven’s sudden change at The drawing tempestuous, Darkening shade of dense clouded hues. The wanderer soon chose His spot of rest; they bore the Chosen hero upon their shoulders, Whom they strangely admired, as The beach-tide summer of people desired.

Source: The Oxford Book of American Poetry (Oxford University Press, 2006)

WORD SEARCH

Brace yourself for acceleration – Pres Ali to Guyanese on rapid economic growth, new opportunities

President Dr Irfaan Ali has signaled that Guyanese citizens may see a second distribution of the Government’s cash grant before Christmas, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to poverty alleviation and wealth redistribution.

Approximately 600,000 Guyanese aged 18 and above are eligible for the initiative, which was first introduced in October 2024. During the initial rollout, 629,498 beneficiaries received the grant. President Ali has repeatedly emphasised that the initiative is not a one-off measure but part of a wider strategy to support families and strengthen the economy. Speaking at a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) rally in Eccles on Tuesday, the President underscored the importance of investing directly in citizens.

“We will have a beautiful Christmas. Just trust me,” Ali said.

“We will put more money in your pocket because your cost of electricity will cut by half and the cost of cooking gas will be reduced. We will put back more money in your pocket because we will pay for your education service, your health service, your lab service. We will give you treated water at less cost, no increases in taxes, and we will reduce taxes. We will make it easier for you to own ve-

hicles by reducing the taxes and removing in some cases. We will help you to own your own businesses by co-investing with you and establishing a zero-interest facility for sale. The speed at which the economy will grow and the speed at which the economy will expand will require every single person to brace for this acceleration,” he told the gathering.

The President highlighted that the Government’s agenda extends beyond financial support, pointing to investments in housing, infrastructure, recreational facilities, and youth development. He reminded supporters of his administra-

tion’s pledge to build 40,000 homes, describing the scale of the project as “like building out half of Antigua’s landmass in five years.” Ali also linked the cash grant to broader social objectives, noting the importance of creating family-friendly spaces and promoting positive youth engagement.

The President also stressed that his Government’s development drive will demand sacrifice and hard work, but promised that the rewards will be tangible, with citizens benefitting from lower costs, greater access to services and expanded opportunities for employment and business ownership.

United States hails...

“As President, part of my duty is to ensure our sovereignty is maintained and that we continue to live in peace here… We’ve always said we support this region being a zone of peace, and we understand the importance of our sovereignty, and we’ll do everything to protect our sovereignty,” Ali declared.

Welcomed

In fact, Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo had also pointed this out when he

welcomed the US’s decision to deploy air and naval forces to the Southern Caribbean Sea to counter the activities of powerful Latin American drug cartels.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing on August 14, Jagdeo said the US position on combating drug trafficking is consistent with President Trump’s commitment during his campaign and in office that drug smuggling into the US would be met with “serious consequences”.

FROM PAGE 3

Only recently, the Trump administration had offered a $50 million reward for the arrest of Maduro, accusing him of being one of the world’s largest narco-traffickers and working with cartels to flood the US with fentanyl-laced cocaine.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Maduro has said on state television that he would deploy 4.5 million militia members “that are prepared, activated and armed” in response to “outlandish threats” by the US.

As Guyana’s oil-fueled economy accelerates, the Guyanese Leader noted that Government’s direct cash transfers remain a centerpiece of its effort to ensure ordinary citizens share in the country’s growing wealth.

“We will turn Sundays into Mondays, holidays into working days, and night into day because we have to work 24-7 to get this agenda completed. And for us to achieve this, you must be prepared. You must be prepared to expand your income… not only by increases in salaries, but to expand your income by increases in employment opportunities, extended hours, second jobs. We must make a sacrifice in the next five years to lead a revolution in your economy, a revolution in your disposable income, a revolution in your infrastructure, a revolution in your development, a revolution in your advancement,” he added.

Doubling of grants under 2025-2030 manifesto

About a week ago, in what can be described as one of the most aggressive social-support packages in Guyana’s history, President Dr Irfaan Ali unveiled sweeping increases in grants and pensions that will channel more than $200 billion in disposable income directly into the hands of citizens.

Speaking before a massive crowd at the PPP/C rally in Lethem, Region Nine, President Ali said the measures are aimed at easing the cost of living, stimulating local spending and placing greater financial power directly in the hands of families.

At the heart of the announcements is a dramatic increase in the “Because We Care” cash grant, which will rise to $100,000 per child. In addition, each student will receive a new an-

nual transportation grant of $100,000. Together, this means that every schoolchild will benefit from a minimum of $200,000 per year—a policy expected to inject $40 billion annually into households across Guyana.

A total of $11 billion was allocated in the 2025 Budget for the distribution of the grant to 205,000 children in public and private schools nationwide. This year, the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant was increased to $50,000, coupled with the $5,000 uniform allowance, giving parents a total of $55,000 per child.

The President also announced a major boost in public assistance, which will more than double from $22,000 to $40,000 per month per person. This expansion, Ali said, will represent an additional $19 billion annually invested in vulnerable groups. Similarly, the country’s elderly population will see unprecedented support. The old age pension will increase from $41,000 to a minimum of $60,000 monthly, complemented by a $50,000 transportation grant. This initiative, the President explained, will see the Government spending an additional $65 billion each year to support pensioners. “Two things came up in our consultations—transportation support and increased pensions,” Ali said at the time. “Tonight, I am pleased to tell you that we are setting aside at least $65 billion for our pensioners, plus $4 billion more for transportation support. This is real, this is calculated, and this will be delivered.”

GCCI warns against attempts to destabilise elections

…calls on parties to respect democracy, avoid incitement

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has condemned what it describes as deliberate efforts by some political parties to create uncertainty and destabilise the electoral process in the lead-up to the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chamber rejected claims by some contesting parties that they had already secured victory in specific regions, despite the fact that ballots cast by members of the Joint Services, the first category of votes, are yet to be counted.

The GCCI also expressed concern over public assertions made by certain candidates, who have alleged that their opponents intend to interfere with the election results, while at the same time signalling support for extreme measures should those claims

be realised. “The successful execution of a national election is the fundamental tenet of a democratic country,” the statement said, adding that the Chamber, which is accredited as a local observer, “rebukes any narrative or action aimed at destabilising the elec-

tion process and casting society into a state of uncertainty and peril during this crucial period.”

The organisation emphasised that attempts to undermine or usurp the democratic process should be met with “strong condemnation and legal action, where necessary.”

Reaffirming its commitment to monitor the elections, the GCCI called on all political parties to exercise restraint, refrain from making inflammatory statements, and respect the democratic process. It also repeated its call for a free, fair, and transparent election accompanied by the timely release of results.

“The Chamber will continue to monitor this critical period,” the statement noted, “and urges all parties to maintain peace and respect for the democratic electoral process.”

Guyanese-Venezuelan boat captain allegedly abducted along Cuyuni River

A66-year-old Guyanese-born boat captain of San Martin, Venezuela, has been missing for several days and it is suspected that he has been abducted by members of the Venezuelan Sindicato gang.

Frederick Pollard, who hails from Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) but has been living on the other side of the border for some time now, was last heard from on the morning of August 24, when he telephoned his son to say he was returning from Ekereku Backdam along the Cuyuni River with a porter onboard.

Pollard never returned and remains missing to date.

The son had reportedly told the investigators that he subsequently received a phone call from an unknown individual who claimed that his father is being held captive by the Sindicato gang. Pollard’s nephew, Ron Ghanie, told this publication that the boat captain was familiar with his suspected captors since he plied the route regularly and would often encounter the gang.

Frederick Pollard

properly. He’d come down to Devil Hole, most of the time they’d go there, transport the fuel from there and they’d go up from Devil Hole up that side. I don’t know if he had a previous quarrel with them before now, or it was never said,” the nephew further disclosed.

The porter, who was onboard with Pollard, was reportedly freed. The relative noted that Pollard, who is bilingual and holds dual citizenship, often traveled along the border areas, making his disappearance even

more troubling for the family.

In the meantime, Ghanie has been desperately trying to reach his uncle’s phone, but all calls have gone unanswered.

Ghanie said more information surrounding what exactly transpired remains limited but the family is nonetheless praying for the man’s safe return.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have launched an investigation into the alleged abduction.

Returning…

…home??

Back in the day, Tom Wolfe wrote his magnificent, semi-autobiographical, novel “You Can’t Go Home Again” – which came to his mind when he heard that old, PNC ideologue Henry Jeffrey popped up on the PNC/APNU campaign stage!! Jeffrey clearly wanted to prove Wolf wrong!! You see, Dear Reader, Jeffrey began his political career in the PNC when “Fat Boy” Burnham was around – and was so highly regarded as a youthful, kindred (cooperative socialist) spirit that he was appointed Principal of the PNC’s Cuffy Ideological Institute!!

In the interval between then and now, Jeffrey lectured for donkey years at UG – since there was no place for him in the capitalist PNC politics of Desmond Hoyte, who saw him as part of Burnham’s leftist clique and had banished them all from his government. Then, “lo and behold!” – as they say biblically – when Cheddi the chastened, Simon-pure socialist was returned to office, there appeared Henry at Cheddi’s side in the PPP Government!! He was to remain in the PPP long after Cheddi’s passing – for a dozen years, circulating at the top of some four Ministries – until he finally quit in indignation in 2008. He saw a posting to Suriname as an infra dig banishment by Pres Jagdeo!!

A decade later, he popped up on your Eyewitness’s radar when he and blue-blood PPPite Ralph Ramkarran – who’d by then also decamped – formed a new party ANUG!! But for reasons that have escaped his aforementioned radar, your Eyewitness hasn’t been able to discover why Jeffrey jumped ship from ANUG practically the day after it was launched!! Well, now he knows – and knows why Wolfe was wrong. The writer posited if you returned home after a prolonged absence, conditions there would’ve changed so much, you would never feel really “at home”.

Essequibo Coast man nabbed with illegal gun

“He does buy fuel, he comes down to Bartica, buys fuel, he’s a good captain.

This [businessman] trusts him to carry out the boat, the metal boat, because he knows the falls and so on

“He knows these people, because usually when he comes, he would talk and say, well, they require you to stop and give them something, whatever you’re transporting, whatever they want…Like money or ration or whatever they’re transporting and he said he doesn’t have time with them anymore because they know him…,” the nephew related.

Ranks of Regional

Police Division Two arrested a 24-yearold man on Sunday after he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm on the Pomona Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Police reported that at about 19:45h, ranks were on mobile patrol when they observed a labourer of Maria’s Lodge, riding motorcycle, CM 3483, along the roadway. According to the police, upon seeing the patrol, the man turned his motorcycle around and rode into a nearby burial ground, arousing suspicion. Ranks pursued him and observed him fall with the motorcy-

cle.

He was subsequently apprehended and a search of his person revealed a silver .38 revolver without ammunition in the right side of his waist. Police said the firearm’s pistol grip was wrapped with black insulation tape and bore serial number, ML 876305. When cautioned and he reportedly responded, “Officer is nah me gun.” He was arrested and taken to the Aurora Police Station along with the firearm and the motorcycle.

The firearm was dusted for fingerprints and lodged with the subordinate officer in charge. The motorcycle was also lodged at the station. He remains in custody pending investigation.

But from Henry’s maiden speech at the PNC rally at Plaisance – a stone’s throw from his home – he was so clearly in sync with the PNC – and at variance from the ANUG he left – that he was clearly “at home” like a pig in shit!!.In sync with the PNC of Norton – guided by the rabidly racial Afro-centric David Hinds – Jeffrey insisted African-Guyanese must vote “racially” for the PNC!! Calling Sanction Man a “drug dealer”, he said as an Indian he’ll support the PPP!! “Don’ split the vote!!” Jeffrey screamed. Providing no evidence for his assertion – and ignoring that to the contrary – Jeffrey bellowed that “the PPP impoverished Afro-Guyanese to get their votes”!! So Afro-Guyanese are masochists??

But that’s the APNU line – just expressed more crudely by David Hinds. Afro-Guyanese who accept the PPP’s done more for them in five years than the PNC has done in thirtythree – and vote for them – are “Batty Lickers”!!

…big stick

US President Teddy Roosevelt’s motto was, “Speak softly and carry a big stick—you will go far”. Dubbed “The Roosevelt Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine, it described American foreign policy strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean!! The latter, of course, declared all countries in the aforementioned neck of the woods was in the US’s sphere of influence – and outsiders better keep their grubby paws off!!

Well, looks like one of President Trump’s legacies – and there will be multitudes!! – gonna be the “Trump Codicil” to the “Roosevelt Corollary”!! “Speak frankly and carry a big stick – to Make America Great Again (MAGA)!! Trump’s made no secret of his dislike of Mad Maduro – for all of the excesses he has committed against his own people and others in the hemisphere – such as neighbouring Guyana!!

Trump loudly condemned Mad Maduro’s utopian social and economic policies that’ve sent 8 million Venezuelans into exile – while getting rich through drug cartel shipments to the US!! And sent a flotilla of warships as his stick!!

…easier from CJIA

Prezzie created quite a buzz with your Eyewitness when he opened the Buzz Bee Dam highway between Great Diamond to Craig enroute to CJIA. No more torture when traversing the old Public Road in Diamond and Grove!!

Years of domestic violence end in murder-suicide, woman shot 10 times

…“somebody help” – neighbour recalls child screaming …“we will stand firmly by your side” – Pres Ali tells injured child

RJeremiah Solomon, was shot by his father but survived. Teekadai, who had been married for just over six years but had been in a relationship with the man for more than 13 years, was described by her friends as “trapped” in a cycle of domestic abuse. According to close friends and social media posts, the man beat her repeatedly, sometimes in front of her son. He allegedly took her cars for his own use, controlled her finances and gradually cut her off from some of her family and friends.

“She couldn’t talk to us anymore,” one friend said. “He hid her away and kept her under his thumb. She was suffering silently for years.”

the victim of a

husband may have been involved.

esidents of Charlotte Street, Georgetown were jolted on Tuesday afternoon by the sharp cracks of gunfire. Within minutes, a horrific scene unfolded outside a home, where a woman lay bleeding, her young son screaming for help, and her husband lying nearby with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. What seemed like the sudden eruption of violence was, according to friends and neighbours, the tragic end of years of abuse, control and escalating danger.

Breaking point

Dead are 36-year-old Alroy Solomon, the shooter, and his 36-year-old wife, Teekadai Atiya Solomon. Their 10-year-old son,

The past year seemed to mark a breaking point. In July, the couple’s home was destroyed by fire. They decided to separate, and Teekadai moved into a rented property on Charlotte Street, Georgetown with her son. But even there, according to her friends, violence

home invasion while staying in Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Strangers burst into the house and assaulted everyone inside, including her. Weeks later, it is alleged that she was involved in a hit-and-run accident that left her with an injured arm after being thrown into a roadside trench. A friend told Guyana Times that her estranged

“He was jealous and insecure,” the friend explained. “He would accuse her of cheating; of things she never did. Everyone feared what he might do next.”

Just last Sunday, the couple and their son attended the Tucville Assemblies of God church in Georgetown, where they normally worship, and took part in an altar call for families in need

of healing. Video footage showed them standing, as the pastor and congregation prayed over them and other families who were having “broken relationships”. “We thought maybe they were trying to make things right because all of them, including the son, were crying during the prayer and after the prayer,” the friend said. “No one imagined this would happen days later.”

TURN TO PAGE 18

3 killed in fiery LindenSoesdyke Highway collision

Acrash along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway near Loo Creek claimed the lives of three people, including a Venezuelan woman on Tuesday.

Dead are Lional Campbell, 73, of Kuru Kururu Village, LindenSoesdyke Highway, and a Venezuelan, known only as “Meli”. The other person who died remains unidentified. Reports are that the accident which occurred at about 12:30h involved motor lorry, GXX 1546, driven by 73-year-old Lional Campbell of Kuru Kururu Village and motor lorry, GAG 313, driven by 29-year-old Venezuelan national Carlos Yasmanie. Each lorry carried one passenger. Campbell’s passenger has not yet been identified, while Yasmanie’s passenger, a Venezuelan woman known only as “Meli,” had been living and sleeping in the lorry daily with Yasmanie.

Investigations indicate that Yasmanie was travel-

ing north along the western lane of the highway at high speed when a car in front of him suddenly braked to avoid a pothole. In an effort to avoid a collision, he swerved northeast and collided head-on with Campbell’s southbound lorry in the eastern lane. The impact caused lorry, GAG 313, to ignite. Yasmanie was rescued by bystanders with injuries, but Meli was trapped inside and died in the fire. Campbell and his passenger also sustained serious head and body injuries. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) along with ambulance and fire service teams, responded to the scene, but all three victims were pronounced dead at the site.

The bodies of the deceased were transported to the Pensioners’ Mortuary in Linden, awaiting post-mortem examinations. Yasmanie, who suffered a broken left foot and multiple lacerations, was taken in a conscious

Soldier charged for rape

A25-year-old soldier of Belle View, West Coast Berbice (WCB), who was arrested on August 19, 2025, and charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl, has been remanded to prison after he appeared in court on Tuesday.

Charged: Ewart Nicholson

Ewart Nicholson, appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where the charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison. The case will continue on September 23. The 25-year-old man is accused of committing the offence sometime between May 1 and May 31, 2025 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

state to Georgetown Public Hospital and admitted. Investigations into the circumstances of the accident are ongoing.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FGM has only itself to blame for ballot exclusion – GECOM lawyer argues

…case continues today

Attorney General (AG)

Anil Nandlall argued that the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) failed to identify any constitutional violation, noting that voters can only cast ballots for parties that qualify to appear on the ballot, while the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Attorney, Arudranauth Gossai, added that it is the responsibility of each political party to submit candidate lists in the geographical constituencies where they wish to be included. The attorneys put forth their ar-

guments on Tuesday as the FGM case against GECOM continued before acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh. The case is set to continue today with attorney for the applicant, Vivian Williams set to reply to the arguments from Gossai and AG, Anil Nandalall. Gossai dismissed it as bizarre that FGM is arguing that the party’s exclusion from the ballot in regions where it did not field a geographical constituency list.

“If you choose not to field a list of candidates for a geographical constituency, how do you blame GECOM for that?” Gossai argued.

The case has been filed by Region Nine resident FGM candidate Krystal Hadassah Fisher, who is challenging that FGM’s exclusion from the ballot in her region violates her constitutional right to vote for a party of her choice. Fisher is represented by United States (US)-based Attorney, Vivian Williams.

are desirous of contesting…. Somehow [the applicant] miraculously was anticipating that FGM would appear on the list? This is not a Cinderella story,” Gossai reasoned.

With just days before the September 1 General and Regional Elections (GRE), FGM has challenged the party’s exclusion from ballots in Regions Seven, Eight, and Nine, areas where the party did not submit geographical constituency lists. Gossai argued that it is not GECOM, but FGM that has disenfranchised the voters from their ability to vote for that party.

“It's not GECOM that excludes you, you excluded yourself,” Gossai reasoned.

“The parties have to canvas those constituencies. They [FGM] decided we are not going to canvas in that region but want GECOM to put them on the ballot. Your party chose not to canvas in your region, how is that GECOM’s problem? They want GECOM to facilitate them even though it would be in breach of the legislation.”

Gossai asked that the case be dismissed with substantial costs. Gossai noted that notwithstanding GECOM having posted the list of candidates since July, the applicant waited until days before the September 1 elections to file her grievance with the court. Nandalall is also asking the court to award substantial costs against the applicant. Nandalall in his arguments highlighted that any citizen's right to vote, while protected under the Constitution, is not absolute and must be exercised within the framework of electoral laws. FGM

“If [parties] don't submit a list for a geographical constituency, [they] are telling GECOM: I am not contesting in that geographical constituency. [Parties] have to submit a list in all the geographical constituencies that you

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Elections 2025 – Finishing line in sight and President Ali is set for a second term

Given that this is the last Ruminations before Elections 2025, this is an opportune time for the column to make its Elections 2025 endorsement and prediction. Ruminations strongly endorses President Irfaan Ali to serve a second five-year term. We predict that he will win by a landslide, with the PPP winning its biggest-ever electoral victory in a free and fair election. In 2006, President Bharrat Jagdeo led the PPP to a historic 36-seat victory. The PPP is likely to equal this performance, if not eclipse its 2006 victory margin.

We predict that the PNC will retain its place as the main Opposition party and that Aubrey Norton will remain Opposition Leader, at least, until the PNC replaces him as leader. We predict that the AFC will not win a single seat and that both Amanza Walton-Desir and Simona Broomes will be decimated with no more than a handful of votes. While it is possible for Azruddin Mohamed to win a seat in Parliament, the prohibition of cell phones in the voting booth will put a serious dent in this possibility. Azruddin Mohamed will be sorely disappointed because the number of votes he will garner will be far below what he genuinely believes he will get.

Voting for Elections 2025 started on Friday, August 22, when more about 10,000 members of the Disciplined Services, including Police, military, firefighters and prison officers, voted in what was regarded as smooth-sailing. There were no meaningful hiccups. Other than an accident that involved some polling agents, a Police Officer and a GECOM staff, all of whom were treated and subsequently discharged, the process was reported to have been conducted with complete professionalism. In five days, on September 1st, about 500,000 Guyanese are likely to show up for voting. Guyana must decide whether to stay the course or to choose another pathway.

As Guyana decides, the major consideration for the people’s decision-making is which candidate is best qualified to be President. Ruminations will not go through the analysis, but to say that when the credentials of the candidates are considered, President Irfaan Ali is clearly way ahead of the others. Besides being tested, tried and trusted, President Ali is respected, admired and loved across the country and has become internationally-recognised as a global leader in food, climate and energy security and biodiversity preservation . Aubrey Norton is not even respected and trusted in his own party. Azruddin Mohamed’s most distinguishing credential is that he is internationally-sanctioned, is unable to travel outside of Guyana, maybe with the exception of visiting Venezuela. He has been sanctioned by the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America, for gold smuggling, money laundering, and tax evasion.

An equally-important consideration for citizens is that a president cannot run the country by himself or herself. Unless a President have access to a list of candidates with highly-qualified people from which to choose a cabinet, his or her Cabinet will be a disaster. President Ali will have dozens of candidates from which to choose any of the Cabinet members. There are several qualified candidates for each ministerial position in the lists the PPP presented to the nation. There is no candidate on any of the other lists that can, for example, compare to Minister Ashni Singh for the Finance Ministry; Minister Priya Manickchand for education; Minister Frank Anthony for health, etc.

Of the other lists, none can form a credible government. Azruddin Mohamed’s party, a party he “owns”, rather than lead, has no candidate that can take up any of the ministries. His associate, “Doggie”, has proclaimed himself the Finance Minister and sometimes, even the Home Affairs Minister. Another follower has declared that she will be the Vice President and yet another has declared he would be the Attorney General. Azruddin Mohamed has not denied these declarations. Ruminations has previously challenged Azruddin Mohamed to make a clear and definitive statement whether these persons are members of his party and whether they have been offered or will be in contention for any Cabinet position. His silence is both weird and worrisome.

Outside of who would be President, and their ability to form a credible government, policies and plans are critical. On the security front, the PPP has promised to hire more Police Officers, pay them better, create better opportunities for training and promotion and provide first-world technology and training. The PPP promises security cameras on every street in every community throughout Guyana. “Doggie”, with claims of speaking for Azruddin Mohamed, declared that the first thing Azruddin will do is to release all prisoners. With such asinine policy, who could take this seriously? But Azruddin has remained silent. It is as asinine as a PNC/APNU candidate insisting that “sugar is dead; we will plant hemp and marijuana”.

Perhaps the most outrageous proposal comes from the AFC. They have proposed to replace the present non-contributory pension system in place for public service employees and employees of public corporations such as GuySuCo with a mandatory 10% contributory pension scheme. Why would anyone support such a proposal? Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!

The Opposition has even presented promises that have already been delivered. For example, they will reduce bridge tolls when the bridge tolls are already zero. They even claim they will make education from “nursery to university” free when this has already been achieved. But maybe this means that they will reverse the PPP’s elimination of bridge tolls and free university.

It is clear that there is no strong Opposition to the PPP and President Irfaan Ali. The PPP is way ahead as the frontrunner in Elections 2025. It will take a real miracle for any party to stop the PPP from its biggest-ever electoral victory.

ERC calls for respect, peaceful dialogue during election period

As Guyana prepares for the 2025 General and Regional Elections, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has reminded citizens that every individual has the right to freely support the political party of their choice without intimidation, fear, or harassment. The Commission underscored that the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana guarantees freedom of association, assembly and political participation, including the right to join, support and express allegiance to any political party. Article 147 (1) of the Constitution affirms that, “no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of assembly and association, that is to say, his right to assemble freely and associate with other persons and in particular to form or belong to political parties or to form or belong to trade unions or other associations for the protection of his interests.”

The ERC noted that this constitutional protection extends to wearing political paraphernalia, attending

rallies, or openly expressing political support. Any attempt to intimidate, harass, or commit acts of violence against individuals because of their political preference is a violation of the laws of

Guyana.

The Commission called on all Guyanese to engage in respectful dialogue during the election period, stressing that political opponents are not enemies. It added that the ability to freely express support for different parties is a hallmark of a healthy democracy. Political leaders, campaigners and supporters were urged to set an example by discouraging hostility toward those with differing political views, whether in public spaces or on social media. According to the ERC, such actions undermine individual rights and threaten national unity.

Reaffirming its commitment to promoting harmony and good relations, the Commission encouraged citizens to contribute to ensuring that the 2025 elections are conducted in an atmosphere of peace, respect, and dignity.

Justice system must deter crime, be more accountable on genderbased violence – Manickchand

Education Minister Priya Manickchand has issued a strong call for Guyana’s justice system to become more accountable and effective in tackling gender-based violence, stressing that the system must serve both as a deterrent to offenders and a source of protection for victims.

The Minister, who was a guest on the Starting Point Podcast on Monday, underscored the urgent need for swifter trials, tougher deterrents and a justice system that reflects intolerance for abuse in all its forms.

“We have to move to speedier trials and a more accountable system. No Magistrate should feel comfortable adjourning a matter repeatedly, because every time you do that, you make a woman unsafe. Deal with this matter expeditiously and make the orders that you are allowed to make without hesitation,” Manickchand said.

The Minister noted that women often face repeated abuse before they ever make an official complaint, emphasising why delays in the courts are especially dangerous. Manickchand further expressed frustration that some judicial officers still fail to act with urgency, despite years of knowledge and training on domestic violence. “These things are so old now that it irritates me when I see people not being

cognisant of them,” she remarked.

She also raised alarm about evolving forms of gender-based violence, particularly the use of social media to harm women after relationships end.

“We have a developing trend where people use media to hurt women by exposing nude pictures—whether those were given voluntarily or acquired otherwise. I’ve seen courts dragging their feet on how quickly those cases should be addressed. You shouldn’t drag your feet on that,” she said, stressing that the justice system must move with urgency. On that note Manickchand argued that society as a whole must demonstrate zero tolerance for such actions. “If any part of the system—whether it be Magistrates, police, or the courts—slows down, that

delay gives offenders room to repeat their actions and sends a message to others that they can do the same without consequence. That must not be allowed,” she said.

She pointed out that one of the most powerful tools to stop offenders is the fear of consequences. “Why don’t we walk around killing people? Because we don’t want to be in jail. We don’t want to be sentenced to death. We don’t want to invoke the iron scorn of our fellow citizens. The justice system has to present itself in a way that deters people who might want to offend or reoffend, as well as those looking on,” Manickchand explained.

While pushing for stronger accountability, she acknowledged the complexities of domestic violence, particularly when emotions and

love are intertwined with abuse. She reminded that the challenge is not unique to Guyana, while pointing out that there have been noticeable improvements over the years, particularly with how law enforcement handles reports of abuse.

She credited former Minister Clement Rohee for instituting a policy ensuring that every complaint must reach the courts, preventing cases from being dropped at the police station level. The Minister stressed that gender-based violence cannot be solved by the courts alone, but requires a whole-of-society approach that combines legal accountability, cultural change, and education.

“As a country we have to determine that we do not want these acts in our society. We must all speak up, implement laws and hold the system accountable. It is only then that victims can truly be protected and offenders will think twice before committing these crimes,” Manickchand said. Even as Manickchand made the call for stricter laws to be implemented for gender-based violence, a tragedy struck in Georgetown. 36-year-old Atiya Solomon, an employee of ExxonMobil Guyana, was shot and killed by her husband Alroy Solomon, who then died by suicide. He also shot his son in his chest. The child was rushed to a city hospital where he remains a patient.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2025| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fisherman sentenced to 25 years for murder of former partner

A53-year-old fisherman from Onderneeming, who evaded law enforcement for more than two decades, was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years in prison for the 2002 murder of his former partner, Tajwantie Sooklall, also known as “Roshanie.”

Gautier Fernandez, nicknamed “Meltie,” appeared before Justice Zamilla AllySeepaul at the High Court in Demerara. The prosecution was led by Christopher Belfield, assisted by Praneta Seeraj and Nelissa Peterkin, while the accused was represented by Attorney Adrien Thompson.

A pre-sentence report prepared by a Prisoners’ Welfare Officer noted that Fernandez expressed remorse for his actions. The report also highlighted his quiet demeanor, respectful behaviour and lack of infractions while in custody. Fernandez actively participated in prison programmes, showing a willingness to learn and improve himself. The probation report detailed that Fernandez grew up in a broken home, moving between his grandparents, mother and father. This instability affected his

education and prompted him to enter the workforce early to support his family. The report noted that his family was shocked to learn of his involvement in the crime. Fernandez told the probation officer that the act was not premeditated and claimed the deceased had pulled a knife on him during a scuffle with a friend, which resulted in her being fatally injured. The report emphasised that Fernandez treated the deceased not as a person but as property to be controlled, reinforcing the need for a strong message against such violence.

A psychiatric evaluation concluded that Fernandez was calm, of sound mind, and functioning at a composed manner, with optimism and no indications of psychological disturbances affecting his judgment. During his address to the court, Fernandez apologised for his actions and requested another chance to return to his family. Prosecutor Belfield highlighted several aggravating factors, including the violent nature of the attack and the fact that Fernandez had strategically concealed a knife and attacked both the deceased and

her companion. He stressed the rising concern over domestic violence in Guyana and called for a strong deterrent sentence to send a message to society. Belfield described the post-mortem report by Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, which revealed that the deceased suffered multiple sharp-force injuries to her neck, trachea, and bronchi, causing hemorrhage and shock. The injuries indicated an agonising and violent death.

Attorney Thompson requested consideration of mitigating factors, including Fernandez’s remorse, guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and positive prison conduct.

FGM has only itself...

“You decided not to participate and then said that the system is depriving you. They have not submitted a list to qualify for Region Nine but want to come here and qualify for a seat in the National Assembly? An election is a process that has rules if u don't comply with the rules you cannot contest the elections,” Nandlall said.

According to Nandlall, the Constitution guarantees the voter only the right to vote for those who are contesting, and in this instance, FGM did not submit a geographical constituency list for Region Nine, thereby making itself ineligible to appear on the ballot in that region.

According to the attorney general, it is therefore inaccurate for the applicant to claim that she has been deprived of her constitutional right to vote for a party of her choice. The exclusion of FGM from the ballot in Region Nine, the AG argued is a direct result of the party’s own failure to comply with the rules outlined under the Representation of the People Act (ROPA).

“Nobody is depriving the applicant of her right to vote. The problem is she wants to vote for a particular list that is not available in that region. There are lists available for the voter to exercise their franchise and that is what the constitution allows,” Nandlall said.

Nandlall likened the situation to the analogy of a person wanting to place a bet on a horse that isn’t running in a race, arguing that no voter can demand to vote for a list that was never submitted. He stressed that there are other lists available on the bal-

lot in Region Nine, and voters remain free to exercise their franchise among the contesting parties. The Attorney General also rejected the narrative that GECOM's actions amount to discrimination, instead pointing to FGM’s deliberate decision not to contest in Region Nine.

At the core of the arguments of both sides are the interpretations of articles contained in Guyana’s Constitution and the Representation of the People’s Act (ROPA).

From the Constitution sections at the heart of the arguments include Articles 59, which enshrines a Guyanese citizen’s right to vote, Article 159, which places places conditions and limitations on eligibility on a citizen’s right to vote, Article 160, which outlines that voters cast their votes for a list of candidates and not individuals. Sections 39, and Section 11 of the Representation of the People’s Act we also cited.

Nandlall posited that the applicant’s Attorney has not made out a case citing how any constitutional rights are being violated.

“[Williams] has not yet shown that ROPA is in challenge of the constitution. The right to vote is a constitutional entitlement subject to the constitution itself… no constitutional violation has been identified,” Nandlall said. Meanwhile, Williams, put forth that the right to vote is a fundamental, universal right that cannot be altered. According to Williams, omitting political parties from the ballot of regions where they did not submit a geographical constituency list of candi-

FROM PAGE 14

dates creates an uneven, and discriminatory system that disenfranchises residents in the regions where the omitted party does not appear.

According to Williams, excluding certain political parties creates “basic” and “premium” options for voters in different parts of the country.

“If the court were to accept the interpretation of the constitution and the practice GECOM seeks. it will turn [hinterland] citizens into second class citizens than those of us who sit in the centre of the country,’ Williams said.

However, Gossai argued that it was FGM - and not GECOM - that created the “basic” vs “premium” options when that party deliberately chose not to contest in particular geographical constituencies.

“If you don't subscribe to the premium package how is that GECOM’s problem?” Gossai commented.

GECOM has approved six political parties to contest the September 1 elections: A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Alliance for Change (AFC), Assembly of Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN). FGM, headed by former APNU Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir, is one of two contesting parties that did not submit Geographical Constituency Lists to contest all 10 regions. The ALP party was approved by GECOM but did not field constituency candidates in Regions One and Two, and are not on the ballot for those regions.

He also noted Fernandez’s participation in rehabilitation programmes. The victim impact statement from the deceased’s sister, Sandra, expressed deep grief and emotional trauma following her sister’s death. She described the deceased as a loving, hardworking woman and thanked the police for bringing Fernandez to justice, urging the court to impose the maximum penalty.

Justice Seepaul re-

viewed the facts, noting that Fernandez admitted to arming himself with a knife, confronting the deceased as she attempted to leave, and fatally cutting her throat while also injuring her friend. Fernandez fled the scene and remained at large for 20 years before being apprehended. Justice Seepaul emphasised that Fernandez had consistently maintained the same account throughout police interviews and his written caution statement, demonstrating deliberate intent. The judge explained the court’s four-stage approach to sentencing: establishing a starting point based on the gravity of the offence, adjusting for aggravating or mitigating factors specific to the offender, considering deductions for the guilty plea, and accounting for pretrial custody.

Aggravating factors included the domestic context of the murder, the use of a knife, and Fernandez’s complete disregard for the deceased’s life by fleeing instead of ren-

dering assistance. The court also considered the severe impact on the deceased’s children and family. The starting point for the sentence was set at 30 years. Mitigating factors included Fernandez’s lack of prior convictions and satisfactory prison conduct, resulting in a one-year deduction. However, the court added three years due to the aggravating circumstances of evading justice for 20 years and attempting to minimise his culpability, raising the sentence to 32 years.

Justice Seepaul ruled that Fernandez would not receive the full one-third reduction for his guilty plea because he had evaded the law for decades, pleading only after being apprehended. Nevertheless, a seven-year reduction was applied, bringing the final sentence to 25 years. Time already served on remand will be deducted from this sentence. Fernandez was formally sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment.

Years of domestic violence...

“Somebody help” When Guyana Times arrived on the scene on Tuesday, neighbours recalled hearing “several loud gunshots”. One woman, who identified herself as “Sharon,” said her son was nearby selling, and after hearing the sounds of gunshots, she rushed outside in fear.

“I was praying it wasn’t my child. I hear a set of gunshots. I come out to check on my child,” she said. Instead, she said she found the nowdead woman lying motionless in the street, blood streaming from her head.

According to the woman, Jeremiah was heard screaming, “Somebody help!”. She claimed that upon checking with some other residents, they realized that he had been shot somewhere around his stomach. She said he cried out that his father had shot him and that he was dead. The boy was rushed to the hospital, where he remains under treatment.

The father was later found nearby with a gunshot wound to the head. Police believe he turned the weapon on himself after shooting his wife and son.

According to the property owner’s brother, Coel Marks, the family had only been living at the Charlotte Street, Georgetown residence for three months. In that time, the house was twice targeted by gunfire, with one attack damaging his sister’s car.

“There is an ongoing investigation, a police investigation, into a shooting incident that happened twice at the residence, where they suspect it was him passing the shooter at the property. He actually damaged my sister's car as well. But yeah, this is a case of domestic violence. Surveillance would have supported that claim”.

“They shared a residence together, and that proper-

ty burned, suspected arson. Then she moved here less than three months ago. And again, from the optics of it, they seemed to be cordial with each other. He would come, he would take her places, and they would come back. After the incident, my brother-inlaw spoke to her about it, and she indicated that no, he's not a harmful person. He wouldn't hurt her. Clearly, that's not true. Clearly, the results of today will show”, Marks stated.

Meanwhile, police in a statement said that the alleged murder/suicide occurred at Lot 199, Charlotte and Bourda Street, Georgetown. Their investigations revealed that the victim was at her apartment with her son when the suspect showed up in the area in a black motor vehicle, GUY 94, and parked in front of the apartment building.

The 36-year-old man then reportedly exited the vehicle and ran into the compound, after which the woman was heard screaming, followed by several suspected gunshots. The victim ran out of the yard and was followed by the suspect, who discharged several rounds at her, causing her to fall on the ground in front of her apartment, south on Charlotte Street, where she remained motionless.

Following that, the suspect went back into the yard, where he discharged a round at his 10-year-old son, hitting him to his left side lower chest. Alroy Solomon then used the same firearm and shot himself on the left side of his head.

Teekadai was examined, and several gunshot injuries were seen on her body. These include: two to her right-side abdomen, one to her right index finger, one to her left arm, two to her chest, two to her forehead, one to her right hip, and one to her right leg.

Crime Scene investiga-

tors recovered a 9mm pistol, containing a magazine and 6 live 9mm rounds of ammunition. One live 9mm round and a matching spent shell were also found next to the suspect. The bodies were taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting PME.

“We will stand firmly by his side”

Some moments after the incident, ExxonMobil Guyana, where Teekadai was an employee, in a statement said: “We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of our dear colleague today. Her loss is felt profoundly across our organization. Our thoughts are with her family, her loved ones, and all who were close to her”.

Also, President Dr Irfan, in a statement, said he was deeply distressed and saddened by the tragic incident. He stated that the family remains the basic cell of human society, and its preservation is essential to our nation’s well-being.

“When families break, society bleeds. But when families thrive, a nation stands tall. I remain firmly committed to working to provide all the help and support that families need to be nurtured, to grow stronger, and to flourish”, he said.

He also visited the injured child on Tuesday evening, and stated that he assured him that he carries with him the love and compassion of an entire nation.

“…we will stand firmly by his side as he works to overcome this painful trauma and ordeal. I call upon our religious leaders, and indeed all our people, to lift this child in prayer and to ask the Almighty to surround him with strength, comfort, and healing in the days and months ahead”, he said. FROM PAGE 10

Around the World

OOil falls 2% from nearly 3-week high; focus on tariffs, Russian supply

OIL NEWS

Families leave Gaza City after night of bombardment; Israelis protest

More Palestinian families left Gaza City on Tuesday after a night of Israeli shelling on its outskirts, as Israelis launched a day of nationwide protests calling for hostages to be released and the war in Gaza to end.

il prices fell two per cent on Tuesday, erasing gains from the previous session, as investors watched developments around US tariffs, the war in Ukraine and the potential disruption of Russian fuel supplies.

Brent crude was down US$1.58, or 2.3 per cent, at US$67.22 a barrel, a day after hitting its highest price since early August. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude lost US$1.55, or about 2.4 per cent, to US$63.25.

"Given the huge amount of uncertainties in the oil market caused by the Ukrainian conflict and the tariff war, investors will remain unwilling to commit themselves to either direction on a prolonged basis," said Tamas Varga, an analyst with PVM Oil Associates.

Brent prices could be bound to a trading range of US$65US$74 for the foreseeable future, he added.

Oil's rally on Monday was primarily driven by supply risks after Ukraine strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and the possibility of further US sanctions on Russian oil.

Ukraine's attacks in response to Russia's advances in the conflict and its pounding of Ukrainian gas and power facilities have disrupted Moscow's oil processing and exports and created gasoline shortages in some parts of Russia.

Russia has revised up its crude oil export plan from western ports by 200,000 barrels per day in August from the initial schedule after Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted refinery operations and freed up more crude for shipment, three people familiar with the matter said.

US President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to impose sanctions on Russia if there is no progress towards a peace deal in the next two weeks.

However, sources have told Reuters that US and Russian Government officials discussed several energy deals on the sidelines of this month's negotiations to seek peace in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Indian exports could face US duties of up to 50 per cent – among the highest imposed by Washington.

"Front and centre in this week's trade is the possibility that US tariffs on India could be doubled to 50 per cent as early as tomorrow ... further restricting Russian export flows that are already being inhibited by recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries," analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said in a note. (Reuters)

“Powerful optics”: China's Xi to welcome Putin, Modi in grand show of solidarity

President Xi Jinping will gather more than 20 world leaders at a regional security forum in China next week in a powerful show of Global South solidarity in the age of Donald Trump while also helping sanctions-hit Russia pull off another diplomatic coup.

Aside from Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia have been invited to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, to be held in the northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1.

The summit will feature Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to China in more than seven years as the two neighbours work on further defusing tensions roiled by deadly border clashes in 2020.

Modi last shared the

same stage with Xi and Putin at last year's BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, even as Western leaders turned their backs on the Russian leader amid the war in Ukraine. Russian embassy officials in New Delhi last week said Moscow hopes trilateral talks with China and India will take place soon.

"Xi will want to use the summit as an opportunity to showcase what a post-American-led international order begins to look like and that all White House efforts since January to counter China, Iran, Russia, and now India have not had the intended effect," said Eric Olander, editor-in-chief of The China-Global South Project, a research agency.

"Just look at how much BRICS has rattled (US President) Donald Trump, which is precisely what these groups are designed to do." (Excerpt from Reuters)

Residents said Israeli aerial and tank shelling continued throughout the night and early on Tuesday in the eastern Gaza City suburbs of Sabra, Shejaia, and Tuffah, as well as in Jabalia town to the north, destroying roads and houses.

"Earthquakes, we call it, they want to scare people to leave their homes," said Ismail, 40, a Gaza City resident.

The Israeli military has said its forces are operating in the area to locate weapons and destroy tunnels used by militants. Despite widespread protests at home and

Protesters sit in a cage as they block a main road during a demonstration demanding the immediate end of the war and the release of all hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, near Habonim, Israel, August 26, 2025 (Reuters/Rami Shlush photo)

international condemnation, Israel is preparing to launch a new offensive in Gaza City, in what it describes as Hamas' last bastion.

Israeli strikes at Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday killed at least 20 persons, including Journalists working for Reuters, the Associated

Press, Al Jazeera and others. At least 34 persons were killed in Israeli strikes in the enclave overnight and on Tuesday, local health authorities said, including 18 people around Gaza City.

Around half of the enclave's two million people currently live in Gaza City,

with several thousand already moved westward, pouring into the heart of the city and along the coast.

Others have ventured further south to central Gaza and the coastal area of Al-Muwasi near Khan Younis.

Meanwhile, the BBC reported that the United Nations has said "there needs to be justice" following Israel's double strike on the Gaza hospital, as an initial Israeli military probe said the strike had targeted a "camera positioned by Hamas".

Condemnation of the attack, whose victims included five Journalists and four health workers, has been mounting, with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing it as "completely indefensible". (Excerpt from Reuters and BBC News)

Ukraine admits Russia has entered key region of Dnipropetrovsk

Ukrainian forces have acknowledged that Russia's military has crossed into the eastern industrial region of Dnipropetrovsk and is trying to establish a foothold.

"This is the first attack of such a large scale in Dnipropetrovsk region," Viktor Trehubov, of the Dnipro OperationalStrategic Group of Troops told the BBC, although he made clear their advance had been stopped.

Russia has claimed throughout the summer that it has entered the area, as its forces

try to push deeper into Ukrainian territory from the Donetsk region.

In early June, Russian officials said an of -

Brazilian high court requests increased security for Bolsonaro

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has requested the police to tighten security around former President Jair Bolsonaro’s home while he is under house arrest.

Moraes on Monday sent a notice to Police calling for full-time monitoring near Bolsonaro’s house to ensure he is complying with the restraining orders against him.

Earlier this month, the embattled former President was placed under house arrest after Moraes determined that he had violated precautionary measures imposed by the court restricting his social media

use and political messaging.

Police said last week that they had found a draft letter on Bolsonaro’s phone of a request for asylum in Argentina. It was last edited in 2024, Police said.

Bolsonaro’s legal defence said the document was not evidence that the former President was a flight risk.

Bolsonaro’s trial is expected to start on September 2. The former President faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of plotting to overthrow his democratically elected successor as President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in 2022. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

fensive had begun in Dnipropetrovsk, although the latest Ukrainian reports suggest they have barely breached the regional border.

Any Russian advance into Dnipropetrovsk would be a blow to Ukrainian morale, as a US-led diplomatic bid to bring the war to an end appears to be flagging

despite President Donald Trump meeting Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The Ukrainian DeepState mapping project assessed on Tuesday that Russia had now occupied two villages just inside the region, Zaporizke and Novohryhorivka. However, Ukraine's armed forces general staff denied that was the case. The military "continue to control" Zaporizke, it said in a statement, and "active hostilities are also ongoing in the area of the village of Novohryhorivka". Moscow has not laid claim to Dnipropetrovsk, unlike Donetsk and Ukraine's four other eastern regions, but it has attacked its big cities, including the regional capital Dnipro. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Taylor Swift announces engagement, sending fans into frenzy

"Y

our English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married."

With that one-line, five-picture Instagram post, signed off with a fire cracker emoji, Taylor Swift announced her engagement to American football player Travis Kelce, sending the Internet into a frenzy. Swift, wearing a Ralph Lauren halter neck dress and diamond encrusted Cartier watch, flashes her

engagement ring in the photos. Kelce is pictured getting down on one knee popping the very question, gazing into each other's eyes and embracing.

Congratulations have poured in from all sides, including US President Donald Trump. "I wish them a lot of luck," Trump says. "I think he's a great player. A great guy. And I think she's a terrific person." (Excerpt from BBC News)

A clear head and disciplined attitude will overcome the obstacles that get in your way. Create a to-do list and get started. Put your muscles to work and proceed with the intent to finish what you start.

SUDOKU

Pay attention. Refuse to let what others do or say distract you. It's necessary to live up to your promises if you want others to reciprocate. Work quickly and efficiently.

Push the reset button and redirect your energy to get the best results. Use your physical and mental skills to execute what you want to see unfold. Leave no stone unturned or potential left unfinished.

Avoid chaos by focusing on essentials. Keep your plans simple, and maintain your budget. Balance will make a difference in the outcome of whatever you pursue.

Turn every encounter and experience into an educational pursuit. The more you know, the easier it will be to advance your agenda. Don't wait for someone else to pick up the pieces and run.

Enjoy a midweek break with friends. Interaction is the key to mental stimulation and keeping up with what's trending. Don't share your secrets, but speak passionately about life and your vision.

Keep your life simple, take care of your responsibilities, listen attentively and choose practicality, patience and kindness. Make equality your guiding principle, and move forward with a positive mindset.

Don't jeopardize your position by promising the impossible. Question what you hear, recap what you see and walk away from whatever appears unrealistic. Now is not the time to make waves but to calm the waters.

Your input is necessary if you want your vision to unfold properly. Your power is in your ability to weather the storms. What you say and do will have an impact on the financial outcome.

Don't play with fire or let spontaneity lead to financial disaster. Domestic problems will arise if you don't nurture relationships or maintain an efficient lifestyle and home.

You're in the groove; let the momentum carry you forward without delays. Intelligence and integrity will make the difference in a competitive situation. Self-improvement will boost your ego.

You'll bounce back and forth if you lack resourcefulness. When doubt sets in, do your due diligence and prepare for whatever comes your way. Refuse to let someone step in and take over or outmaneuver you.

With the return of Sir James Anderson to the Manchester Originals' line-up, there was an extra frisson at Headingley for the local derby as the Northern Superchargers looked to record eight wins from eight for the women and men at their northern fortress. Alas for Harry Brook's side, although they will still be in the Eliminator at the Kia Oval on Saturday, it was not to be.

Starting on the same points total as the Trent Rockets, but with a significant deficit in Net Run Rate (NRR), the Superchargers were looking for a big win to give themselves a decent chance of finishing second in the group stages.

The Originals won the toss and chose to field, with Anderson bowling the first 10, and rapidly picking up his first and second wickets in The Hundred,

accompanied by a broad grin. He then had Brook dropped in the deep before seeing England's whiteball Captain try his falling-over scoop, the ball merely dribbling a few feet from the bat, Brook ending up on his bottom and Anderson in stitches.

Brook (20 off 20) was then caught off Scott Currie and Zak Crawley (17 off 17) holed out, and at 73 for 5 off 67 balls, the Originals were in the box seat. Enter the 40-year-old Samit Patel, three years younger than Anderson perhaps, but still very much a senior citizen in professional cricketing terms. When he was dismissed off the penultimate

delivery, he had pummelled four fours and three sixes in his 19-ball 42 and, along with David Miller (30 off 22), given the Superchargers something to defend despite Tom Aspinwall's impressive 3 for 17.

The Superchargers' opening pair of Jacob Duffy and Matthew Potts were tidy, Phil Salt (9 off 13) and Ben McKinney (6 off 8) struggling to break free, but once they had gone, Jos Buttler and Rachin Ravindra (47* off 23) showed just why they are rated two of the best white-ball batters in the world, a thrilling partnership of 99 off 48 ensuring the Originals finished the competition on a high and consigning the Superchargers

to a third-place group finish, barring a catastrophic defeat by the Rockets against the Phoenix today at Trent Bridge.

Buttler was imperious, smiting seven fours and five sixes in his 37-ball 70 before being bowled by Adil Rashid, at which point only 10 were needed off 21 balls. Rashid conceded 39 from his 20, the most he has ever leaked in The Hundred, and successive boundaries from Ravindra sealed the deal with seven wickets and 16 balls to spare.

(Ben McKinney, 14b), 2-31 (Phil Salt, 31b), 3-130 (Jos Buttler, 79b)

Meerkat Match Hero Buttler said: "The surface was a bit tricky, a bit slow. I thought we bowled exceptionally well apart from three or four balls and that allowed us to chase it down. We showed our best cricket in this last game when we were already out of the tournament, which is frustrating.

"Overall, over the course of the tournament, we left a lot out there. In a couple of games, we failed to get over the line and we are where we deserve to be in the end. Tonight we showed what we are truly capable of as a team." (ESPNcricinfo)

Northern Superchargers 96 for 2 (Sutherland 30*, Davidson-Richards 30) beat Manchester Originals 94 (Monaghan 26, Sutherland 3-15) by eight wickets

In the battle to reach The Hundred Eliminator this Saturday – with Southern Brave having already secured their spot in The Hundred Final – it was the Northern Superchargers who came out on top at Headingley as Manchester Originals, targeting the huge score that would have significantly bumped up their run rate, ended up being bowled out for just 94, a score that the Superchargers knocked off with ease to win by eight wickets and ensure second place.

With the runners-up in the table going through to the final in the event of an Eliminator wash-out, the Superchargers will be pleased with their afternoon's work, their win guaranteeing them that second spot and ensuring London Spirit would join them in the Eliminator.

Electing to field first, Hollie Armitage's side saw Beth Mooney get off to a flyer, but once she had gone for 20 off 13, the rest of the innings was something of a procession.

Kate Cross put the disappointment of her nonselection for England's World Cup squad behind her, showcasing the enduring qualities of line and length in conceding just six runs from her 15 deliveries.

Annabel Sutherland also starred with 3 for 15, while Nicola Carey took 2 for 13, both off their full allocation. Only Alice Monaghan sparkled, her 26 in 17 balls containing the innings' only two sixes.

Faced with the nigh-on impossible task of restricting the Superchargers to 38 in order to finish in third place or 35 to claim second, the Originals tried hard, but the task was simply too great.

Those two targets came and went as Alice Davidson-Richards went on the charge, hitting 30 off 18 with six boundaries, before she hit the competition's quickest bowler Lauren Filer to Deandra Dottin on

the edge.

Sutherland (30* off 17) carried on attacking, hitting Dottin down the ground exquisitely for four then six, Phoebe Litchfield (26* off 20) at the other end working the gaps and unfurling the occasional well-timed sweep and pull shot.

The result was beyond doubt well before the end as the Australian pair eased to victory by eight wickets with 35 balls to spare.

The Meerkat Match Hero Sutherland said: "It feels great. Hopefully, we can carry that momentum into the next two games. We love it at Headingley and I guess it shows in the results

we've got here. "Everyone's really keen for Saturday, and hopefully we will put our best foot forward. We honestly just have a blast out there. We really enjoy each other's company. It's a great tournament, lots of fun." (ESPNcricinfo)

Manchester Originals (Women) (100 balls maximum)

Beth Mooney (c)† c Carey b Sutherland 20 Kathryn Bryce c Davidson-Richards b Cross 5 Amelia Kerrc & b Smith 6 Deandra Dottin c †Heath b Ballinger 11

Alice Monaghan c

PSC smash Everest by 191 runs

he

TThe powerful Rose Hall Town (RHT) NAMILCO

Thunderbolt Flour FirstDivision team, on Sunday, secured their second consecutive outright victory as play in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) TwoDay competition continued in the Ancient County. They got past arch-rivals Port Mourant by six wickets at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground despite missing eight of their senior players, owing to overseas and work commitments.

Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) won the toss and elected to take first strike on a wicket with some preparation moisture and were bowled out for 80 in just 35 overs, with former national junior player Matthew Pottaya taking five wickets for 13 runs from 16 overs while national senior player

Junior Sinclair took 3 for 30. Javed Karim and Keith Simpson took one wicket apiece for 13 and 11 runs respectively as only

Rampersaud Ramnauth (15) and his elder brother Rampertab Ramnauth (33) reached double figures for the home team.

Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt, in response, chalked up 142 on a pitch that kept low later in the day.

Former national junior players Romesh Bharrat (33), Karim (19) and Pottaya (30) were the top-scorers as the visitors got a first-innings lead of 54 runs. Left-arm spinner Rueben Latcha took six wickets for 34 runs while off-spinner Rampersaud Ramnauth claimed three for 18. With a deficit of 54 runs, PMCC batted a little better in their second innings and were able to reach 164, primarily due to an even fifty from Rampersaud Ramnauth. Ramnauth struck three boundaries in his top score and received support from Vishal Williams (33); Rampertab Ramnauth (27) and Paul Tyndall (19). Sinclair with 3 for 40 and Clinton Pestano with 3 for 30 were the main

Division game played over the weekend.

Captain Kunhuiya Ramkarran led the way as Police Sports Club (PSC) posted a mammoth total of 332 all out. Ramkarran delivered a brilliant century as he scored 107 off 116 balls. His innings included 10 fours and four sixes. Providing excellent support, Chemroy Kendell blasted 71 from just 33 balls. During his cameo, he hit nine towering sixes and one four. Opening batsman Pernell London also played a solid hand as he contributed a half-century (53). Bowling for the Everest Sports Club, Javed Rasheed had the best figures as he claimed three wickets for 57 runs. Rafael Singh, Chris Harry, and Captain Richie Looknauth

all picked up two wickets each.

Everest got off to a very poor start in their run chase as they lost three wickets for just 21 runs. Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Looknauth put up some resistance in their innings, but both batsmen fell to the bowling of Ivor Trotz. Chanderpaul top-scored with 48 from 72 balls, while Looknauth made 33. Everest were eventually bundled out for just 103 as the Police Sports Club claimed a lead of 229 runs heading into their second innings. Trotz and Dwayne Dick claimed four wickets apiece.

wicket takers for the visitors while left-arm spinner Keith Simpson (2 for 40) and Pottaya (1 for 21) and Karim (1 for 2) also bowled well.

Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt, needing 111 to register their second straight victory in the tournament, were given an 80-run opening partnership by Karim and Bharrat. Karim, in his first half-century for his new club, top-scored with a solid fifty, featuring seven boundaries while Bharrat chipped in with 23. Victory was achieved at 112 for four wickets, with over four hours remaining on the final day. Rampersaud Ramnauth completed a fine all-round performance by taking three wickets for 22 runs while Latcha took one for 16.

The next round would see a top-of-the table clash between Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour and Albion at the Area H Ground. Rose Hall Town are expected to be strengthened by the addition of senior players Jonathan Rampersaud, Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, and Jeremy Sandia.

Chanderpaul's brilliant bowling display reduced and contained the PSC batters in their second innings. Kevon Boodie (40) and Dick (29) were the significant contributors as the Police Sports Club were bundled out for a total of 139. Chanderpaul had figures of 5 for 46, while Javed Rasheed bowled brilliantly as well with figures of 4 for 29.

Needing 369 runs for victory, the Everest Sports Club did not threaten the target score whatsoever, as they were bowled out for 177. Chanderpaul stood firm as he finished the game on an unbeaten 66 from 81 balls. Opening batsman Ushardeva Balgobin provided decent support, scoring 60, and Denesh Mangal made 25. Trotz once again was impressive as he had figures of 5 for 34 as the Police Sports Club went on to register a massive win by 191 runs.

Emotional confrontation with Bellingham family sparks Borussia Dortmund policy

change

…as director denies relationship breakdown

Borussia Dortmund

Managing Director

Lars Ricken says there is no tension between the club and Jobe Bellingham's family after an unhappy conversation.

What happened?

Dortmund bottled their two-goal lead to draw against St Pauli to end up with a 3-3 draw in their opening league game of the season. Bellingham's family flew in to watch his debut game, but were left upset to see him substituted early. Moreover, Jobe's father, Mark, was reportedly also unhappy with Niko Kovac's uncreative playing style and had a heated discussion with the club's sporting director, Sebastian Kehl.

The bigger picture

Bellingham's father and a few family members made their way to the player's locker room with the help of

security, where the confrontation with Kehl took place. The family members voiced their complaints about the tactical decisions and Jobe's early substitution. While Ricken emphasised that there was no problem and the situation was resolved peacefully, he asserted that he would take measures to prevent such instances from happening in the future.

What Ricken said

In an interview with Sky, the Dortmund boss said: "We got Jobe Bellingham because we really built a relationship of trust with the parents over the years. Now the family flew in especially for their son's first Bundesliga game and wanted to meet Jobe after the game. They stood in the hallway to the locker room and had an emotional conversation with Sebastian, which, however, is not a problem at all given this relationship."

He further added: "In the future, we will ensure that players, coaches, and any officials have access to the locker room area, so that we no longer get into trouble by commenting on such news. But today everything has been resolved – no drama." (Goal.com)

eager as Guyana prepares to host its 1st Massy WCPL

or the first time in the tournament’s four-year history, the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) will host the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2025.

Preparing to represent the local franchise, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Guyanese bowler Kaysia Schultz is focused

Foremost is her personal performance, which Schultz hopes will be great enough to secure her return to Maroon

“Obviously, yes,” Schultz responded to an inquiry about whether or not she has set out goals for this season, “I’ve been training, looking to get some wickets, making an impact in the team and obviously, getting back into the West Indies team.”

Quizzed about playing at home for the first time in this tournament and whether or not it will be what the Amazon Warriors Women need to lift the trophy, Schultz highlighted the team’s consistency as she anticipated the renowned Guyanese

“Obviously, I’m super excited you know. Having the family at home is a big boost, having family, friends. It’s also a boost to your confidence and I’m looking forward to it,” Schultz explained.

She went on to opine, “I wouldn’t say that [Warriors needed to play at home to win] for that fact that we’ve been in some finals before. But like I said before, it’s a boost; obviously, the crowd will be backing us, they will be hyping us and we’ll bring it home this time around.”

Zeroing in on Guyana’s women and girls in the sport, Schultz is also hoping that hosting the tournament here can impact the next generation of Guyanese players.

The bowler envisioned, “I’m expecting to see a crowd; obviously, it’s the first time we’ll be hosting it in Guyana. Hopefully, it can impact a lot of girls that will be coming out to watch and we could have that consistently throughout Guyana when it comes to female cricket in

The Massy Women’s CPL will bowl off in Guyana next Saturday, September 6 with a clash between the Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders Women. The tournament is set to conclude with the final on Wednesday, September 17.

Guyana’s U16 chess team return from Colombia after credible performance Rising

Team Coach FIDE Master (FM) Anthony Drayton believes Guyana’s four-member Under-16 chess team delivered a strong performance against tough Latin American opponents at the FIDE World Youth U16 Chess Olympiad in Barranquilla, Colombia, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the competition.

In nine rounds of battle to keep the Guyana flag flying, they faced opposing teams from Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Guatemala, and Chile without going down 4-0 in any round.

According to Drayton, the matches were hard-fought tests of nerves, but unexpected results from Alexander Zhang and Women Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi cost the team a durable finish and an accolade as the top Under-16 team in the Caribbean.

After a solid performance against Colombia 11 in Round 6, scoring three out of six match points, the

Guyanese players were close to bettering their standings.

In Round 7, Guyana faced Peru 4 with Kyle Couchman and Candidate Master (CM) CM Sachin Pitamber on the top two boards. The duo secured early draws, leaving the job of winning the round to Zhang and WCM Joshi. Zhang fumbled in a better positional opening and lost a pawn in a combination attack, losing in an unfortunate fashion. WCM Joshi achieved an equal endgame with the black pieces, but under severe time pressure, with less than 10 seconds on the clock remaining, her chances of turning around the team’s fortunes were very slim; time ran out, and she lost the match. The round ended 3-1 in Peru's favour.

Guyana faced Chile 3 in Round 8, and a plan was set, with the team poised to take the match. Couchman scored a quick win, crushing his opponent in a potent and well-prepared middle-game attack. Not wanting to be counted out yet, Couchman

Guyana suffer defeat; Trinidad and Leeward win

Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and the Leeward Islands all secured victories on a rain-affected day as the latest round of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Men's Under-17 50-Over Championship resumed on Tuesday. Guyana disappointingly failed to secure a victory in their encounter with Barbados.

At the Inshan Ali Park, Barbados Under-17s won the toss and elected to

field first. Guyana put on a lacklustre display with the bat as they were bundled out for 105 in 27.5 overs. Opening batsman and Captain Parmeshwar Ram topped the scoring with 24 while Shamar Apple contributed 23 runs. They were the only two batters who reached double figures. Justin Parris led the way for Barbados, as he had figures of 3 for 14. Asher Branford and Raphael Lovell both claimed two

wickets in their spells.

Gadson Bowens and Barbados made light work of the chase as they reached their target score in 20 overs. Bowens finished his innings not out on 50 off 46 balls, while Kelani Clarke contributed 17. Barbados finished the game with a score of 108 for 3 to win by seven wickets (DLS Method).

In the other games, Trinidad and Tobago Under-17s won by 5 wick-

ets – DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern)

Method – against the Windward Islands. Trinidad and Tobago Under17s won the toss and opted to field first as they bowled out the Windward Islands for 125 in 42.4 overs. Daron Dhanraj was outstanding as he picked up seven wickets for just 22 runs during his spell. In reply, Trinidad chased down the target score in 27.4 overs. Christian Lall top-scored with 44 from 41 balls in a very composed innings.

At the National Cricket Centre, the Leeward Islands sent the Jamaicans in to bat first. Captain Demarco Scott led with a gutsy half-century (57). Odane Binns also provided support as he made 39 from 32 balls. Kasim Challenger's 3 for 31 was crucial as the Leeward Islands restricted Jamaica to 186 for 8 in their 35 overs.

Tanez Francis stole the show as he led his side to a comfortable chase in the end as he made 110 off just 94 balls. Leeward Islands finished their innings on 197 for 9 in 34 overs to win by one wicket (DLS Method).

The next round of matches is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025.

reached a solid 4.5 out of eight individual points. In his match, Zhang committed an unexpected blunder from a better middle-game position and lost, while CM Pitamber secured a draw. WCM Joshi obtained a crushing position against her opponent, but her fortunes evaporated to convert the game into a win. She, too, was forced to settle for a draw, tying the match 2-2.

In the ninth and final round, Guyana were paired with Peru 5. The day was long, but the games were short and filled with excitement. Zhang obtained a quick draw, but WCM Joshi suffered an unfortunate defeat in the endgame. Couchman and CM Pitamber were taken to task to make aggressive moves in fighting chess as they confronted their opponents. In his match, CM Pitamber was completely winning. However, one slightly inaccurate move caused his opponent to achieve a drawn endgame, with nothing to reverse the result. Couchman stood his ground to fight for a win. He sacrificed three pieces - two Rooks and a Knight to force a checkmate. His opponent also stood his ground, and the match ended in a draw, 2-2.

Guyana ended in 52nd out of 85 teams.

CM Pitamber ended on six points out of nine, gaining an impressive 95 Elo rating points, finishing in 85th out of 340 participants. Couchman ended with 5.5 points out of nine with a 33 Elo points, finishing at 109th place in the competition. Zhang and WCM Joshi ended with 2.5 points each and are searching for new ways to improve with the tournament experience now behind them.

The Guyana Chess Federation(GCF) noted that it appreciated the support of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for the U16 Olympiad Chess Team. The Federation revealed that it was committed to improving the skills of our chess players on both a national and international level. The GCF believes this experience will be valuable for the young players' growth as both individuals and competitors.

Auguste blitz helps Kings defend home turf against Warriors

As Shepherd lit up the Daren Sammy ground, Ahmed was content with playing the supporting role, putting together 33 off 27 balls. Dwaine Pretorius later kept the momentum going with two fours and a six, propelling the Amazon Warriors to 202-6.

In response, the Kings constructed their best power play score in the franchise’s history, getting to 86-1 in just six overs, compared to the Amazon Warriors’ 44-3 at a similar stage. So, the visitors’ bowling needed something special to shift the scales.

For a moment, the Amazon Warriors’ solace came from Captain Imran Tahir, who baited Tim Seifert with a wide-ish delivery, which he sent flying to the boundary, only for r Ahmed to claim a comfortable, run ning catch.

prowess, got the Amazon Warriors up to their 200+ run score.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the visitors at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground found themselves in hot water, reeling at 78-5 in 13 overs.

Their collapse came swiftly, in the space of just our overs, after Ben McDermott and Kevlon Anderson put on a 36-run first-wicket partner-

coming the fifth Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) batter to perish, but he made way for a scintillating 102-run partnership between Iftikhar Ahmed and Shepherd.

In an innings that was later dedicated to his son, Romauldo, for his birthday, Shepherd slammed five fours and seven sixes in an unbeaten 73 off 34 balls, a strike rate in excess of 214.

In spite of Seifert’s depar ture for 37, Ackeem Auguste kept the fire going slam ming a 19-ball half-centu ry. Gudakesh Motie and Jediah Blades later account ed for Roston Chase (13) and Auguste (73), but David’s hard-hitting stature at the crease was still a cause for worry for the visitors.

David raced to a brisk 25 off 15 before becoming Motie’s second victim of the night.

ov), 5-78 (Shai Hope, 12.1 ov), 6-180 (Iftikhar Ahmed, 18.4 ov)

fending champions needed only four runs from 12 balls. As such, the Kings got to 2036 in 18.1 overs.

Motie claimed 2-32 from four overs while Blades picked up 2-35 from 3.1 overs.

The Republic Bank CPL action continues today, Wednesday, August 27 with