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The ICC has finally decided to suspend USA Cricket (USAC), in the process hitting the reset button as it attempts to overhaul the leadership and governance structure of the sport in a key market. The decision was taken by the ICC Board after a virtual meeting on Tuesday.

USAC’s suspension will not impact USA’s participation in the T20 World Cup starting in February in India and Sri Lanka

While the specific reason for the suspension has not yet been confirmed, it comes just over two months after the ICC, at its annual general meeting in July, had granted USAC three months to hold “free and fair elections” and carry out “comprehensive” governance reforms. At the time, the ICC reiterated that USAC would continue to remain “on notice”, as it has been since July 2024.

The ICC Board also warned USAC that it reserved the right to take any action it deemed fit based on the progress of reforms. USAC chairman Venu Pisike told ESPNcricinfo that there had been “no communication” yet from ICC on the suspension.

The suspension does not have an immediate impact on cricket being part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The three-month reprieve had come close on the heels of the ICC drawing a “roadmap” to facilitate USAC in securing national governing body (NGB) status from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which is mandatory for all sports that were added to LA28 Games.

As hosts, USA are expected to be one of the six teams to contest for medals in both men’s and women’s categories.

That roadmap, which comprises six steps, was drawn by the ICC’s Normalisation Committee, headed by chairman Jay Shah. Prior to that, the committee met USAC top brass Pisike (chairman) and Johnathan Atkeison (CEO) twice – first in April virtually and then in person in June.

The roadmap called for USAC to start the revamp by bringing in three new independent directors to replace the incumbents on the Board. Following that the USAC Board would step down and prompt fresh elections. At this point USAC would apply for NGB status.

Simultaneously, the ICC also said a comprehensive review and reform of the USA Cricket Constitution “shall be undertaken” in close consultation with the Independent Directors and relevant ICC stakeholders.

It is not yet clear who will oversee the operations of cricket in the country now. The development will likely further escalate the concerns of players recently impacted by USAC’s move to terminate its contract with American Cricket Enterprise (ACE), its commercial partner and owner of Major League and Minor League Cricket.

Last week ACE opted to legally challenge the termination. Former New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson, who moved to the USA and became eligible to play there since 2022, and is now the operational director of USA Cricketers Association, said the differences between USAC and ACE had put players in “limbo” and “uncertain of their futures. (ESPNcricinfo)

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The Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into a report of Simple Larceny involving approximately $5 million (GYD), which was allegedly stolen from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

According to the police, several GECOM employees are currently assisting investigators with the probe.

A portion of the missing funds was reportedly recovered by detectives and was found in the possession of an Assistant Accounts Clerk, who has since been taken into custody.

The individual remains in police custody as the investigation continues.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact circumstances surrounding the alleged theft or whether additional arrests are expected.

The Guyana Police Force has confirmed that the matter remains under active investigation.

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(AFP)-US President Donald Trump blasted the United Nations and Europe on his return to the world body Tuesday, warning that Western countries were “going to hell” because of migration and calling climate change a “con job.”

In a blistering speech during his first UN General Assembly appearance since his White House comeback, Trump also accused the world body of failing to help him as he tried to broker a series of peace deals including in Gaza and Ukraine.

“What is the purpose of the United Nations?” asked Trump in a wide-ranging speech lasting nearly an hour. “It has such tremendous potential but it’s not even coming close to living up to that.”

Trump’s first speech to the UN back in 2018 saw fellow leaders laughing at the Republican, but this time his full-frontal attack on the global organization and US allies was received in near total silence.

– ‘Going to hell’ –
Trump began his speech by criticizing the UN for failing to get involved in what he claims are seven wars that he has ended, or in his failed efforts to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s war in Gaza.

“All they seem to do is write a really strongly worded letter,” he said. “It’s empty words, and empty words don’t solve war.”

He then called recognition by a slate of Washington’s allies of a Palestinian state a “reward” to Hamas for “horrible atrocities ” in the armed group’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

Trump had more harsh words for European allies for failing to stop oil purchases from Russia. He criticized China and India on the same score — but Moscow itself escaped relatively lightly.

His strongest language was reserved for blasting migration, one of the core political messages that has driven his two US election victories.

Trump lambasted the UN for “funding an assault” on Western nations that he described as an “invasion.”

“Your countries are going to hell,” he told European leaders.

The US president took a typically controversial stance on climate change too, calling it a “hoax” made up by “evil people.” He has pushed for oil drilling and rolled back environmental protections since returning to office.

“Climate change — it’s the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world,” said Trump.

– ‘Wreaking havoc’ –

Trump boasted of his tough crime policies, including sending troops to Washington and deadly US strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug smuggling boats.

“To every terrorist thug smuggling poisonous drugs into the United States of America, please be warned that we will blow you out of existence,” Trump said.

Trump’s second term has opened with a blaze of nationalist policies curbing cooperation with the rest of the world.

He has moved to pull the United States out of the World Health Organization and the UN climate pact, severely curtailed US development assistance and wielded sanctions against foreign judges over rulings he sees as violating sovereignty.

Opening the annual summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that aid cuts led by the United States were “wreaking havoc” in the world.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meanwhile warned in his speech of “anti-democratic forces” targeting institutions after an alleged coup plot orchestrated by his predecessor, who has won backing from Trump.

Trump however said he and Lula shared a brief hug at the UN and had agreed to meet next week.

On Ukraine, Trump will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky for the second time since he sat down in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin in August — a summit that broke Moscow’s isolation in the West but yielded no progress.

Ahead of Trump’s speech, the US Secret Service said they had disrupted a plot to potentially disrupt telecommunications around the UN that involved “nation-state threat actors.”

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On Monday, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, and Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, met with cane farmers along the Corentyne Coast as part of an ambitious government plan to revitalise agriculture and maximise land use.

Minister Mustapha announced that the government is working closely with farmers to develop 35,000 acres of farmland for a multi-crop model featuring cane, citrus, and coconuts.

“Last week, President Ali met with cane farmers from Upper Corentyne and instructed that I, along with other ministers, work with them. Many farmers want to return to cane cultivation, while others are keen on citrus and coconuts. We’ve already begun mapping the land, conducting soil testing, and engaging the Private Sector to construct a juice plant to process the citrus into market-ready products,” Mustapha explained.

Turning to Skeldon, he revealed that GuySuCo has resumed cane cultivation, with 1,000 hectares expected to be planted by the end of November. The ultimate target is 5,000 hectares under GuySuCo’s management, complemented by an additional 10,000 to 12,000 acres from private farmers.

“This combined effort will drive a turnaround at Skeldon,” the minister said.

Supporting infrastructure is also being advanced. A contract valued at just over $800 million has been awarded for the construction of an 18-kilometre all-weather road at Moleson Creek to service the new farmlands. Additionally, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will develop the main canals and drainage systems to support large-scale cultivation.

This comes just days after President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali met with cane farmers at Skeldon Estate, where he stressed the need for government investments to translate into tangible results. The Head of State outlined a bold vision for a diversified agricultural economy where sugarcane coexists with high-value crops like citrus, all guided by scientific planning, modern technology, and market-driven strategies.

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See full statement below:

On Monday, 22 September 2025, in Montreal, Canada, at the ICAO 42nd Assembly, Guyana and Oman signed an Air Services Agreement to encourage and facilitate airlines operating air services between the two countries, as well as to other nations.

Signing the Agreement on behalf of Oman was Eng. Nayef Ali Al Abri, Chairman of the Oman Civil Aviation Authority, and Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, on behalf of Guyana.

In addition to the standard articles on Designation of Airlines, Application of Laws and Regulations, Cooperative Arrangements, Tariffs, Recognition of Certificates and Licences, Aviation Safety, Aviation Security, User Charges, among others, both sides expressed an eagerness for this Agreement to open opportunities for airlines of both countries to expand their air connectivity.

The Director General explained that “These Agreements are necessary and create the legal foundation that will help Guyana realise President Ali’s vision of Guyana becoming an international hub for air connectivity, more so with the construction of a modern Terminal B at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.”

Currently, there are no direct flights between Guyana and Oman. Nevertheless, this Agreement provides market access for airlines to operate and improve competitive air transport services, trade, and economic growth between the two nations. Oman Air, one of Oman’s national airlines, operates in at least 22 countries and serves over 37 destinations worldwide, including flights to Africa, the Far East, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the Middle East, and North Africa. It is expected that this Agreement will encourage interest from Omani airlines to consider including Guyana in their route network.

The Agreement complements the more than 50 Air Services Agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO States to develop air connectivity among States.

Guyana and Oman established diplomatic ties on 17 January 1996. This agreement demonstrates the friendship and warm diplomatic relationship between Guyana and Oman.

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Police are investigating a construction accident that claimed the life of 28-year-old Dayrovis Martinez Mendoza, a Cuban national and construction worker of 15th Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara. The incident occurred around 11:30 hrs on Monday at a private property along the Bachelor’s Adventure Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

Investigations revealed that Xie Guohui, a 49-year-old Chinese businessman, had leased the property from its owner, Carlos Paul, under a 40-year agreement signed on 7 October 2024. The site was being developed for the construction of a supermarket and residential quarters. Guohui, who has over 15 years of experience in construction, told police he had personally supervised work for the past two months but was unwell and absent on the day of the accident.

According to eyewitness accounts, several Spanish-speaking workers were on site when the eastern fence wall—approximately 15 feet high and 120 feet long—suddenly collapsed. Mendoza was pinned beneath the rubble.

Emergency responders, including police and the Guyana Fire Service, rushed to the scene. They broke through the collapsed structure to pull Mendoza out but he was already lifeless. The site was thoroughly searched to ensure no other workers were trapped, but no additional casualties were reported.

Shortly after the incident, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, visited the location with Assistant Chief Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Roydon Croal, and other ministry officials. They conducted an immediate inspection of the site, underscoring the ministry’s active oversight in matters of workplace safety.

The body of Mendoza was removed by undertakers from the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it now awaits a post-mortem examination.

Police investigations and a full occupational safety review are ongoing.

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Dr. Martin Pertab, who served as the Director of Guyana’s Local Content Secretariat, has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing & Planning Authority.

A release from the authority noted that Dr. Pertab is an accomplished professional with extensive expertise in finance and economics, and public polic. He served as a Financial Analyst at the Ministry of Housing and Water in 2010 and subsequently served as Housing Economist at the Ministry of Communities from 2016 to 2018.

In 2020, he was appointed Senior Petroleum Economist at the Ministry of Natural Resources. Most recently, from 2022 to 2025, Dr. Pertab held the position of Director of the Local Content Secretariat within the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Academically, Dr. Pertab holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Cienfuegos, Cuba; a Master of Science Degree in Economics from New Mexico State University, United States; and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Dr. Pertab’s appointment comes after Collin Croal was reappointed Minister of Housing. Croal is now joined by Vanessa Benn as the Minister within the Ministry of Housing.

The former CEO, Sherwyn Greaves, resigned earlier this year amid allegations of corruption. Greaves has maintained his innocence but said the social media allegations caused him and his family much distress.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

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Authorities are on the lookout for 26-year-old Aleeba Anthony London, who was arrested in connection with the murder of 40-year-old boat operator Ryan Fredericks but has since escaped from lawful custody.

London, last known to reside at Lot 74, Second Street, Kaneville Grove, East Bank Demerara, is wanted for murder and escape from lawful custody. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the police at 227-1149, 225-8196, 227-1611, 268-2328/268-2329, 226-3405, 225-6978, 333-3876, or the nearest police station.

Fredericks, a resident of Mongrippa Hill, Bartica, was found dead on the night of Thursday, 28 August 2025, in a room at the Safari Inn Hotel in Friendship, East Bank Demerara, after allegedly being robbed. He had checked into the hotel around 17:45 hours with an unidentified woman, accompanied by fellow boat operator 38-year-old Navindra Kanhai of Second Avenue, Bartica.

Police reports indicate that Fredericks and Kanhai met the woman at Parika earlier that day, travelling together to the Safari Inn where two rooms were booked—one for Kanhai, and another for Fredericks and the woman.

According to investigators, between 23:00 and 23:30 hours, Fredericks reportedly knocked on Kanhai’s hotel room door, bleeding from a severe wound to his left arm. Fredericks told Kanhai that he had been “robbed and chopped.” Emergency Medical Technicians were called to the scene, but he was pronounced dead before their arrival.

A post-mortem examination is pending at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Kanhai remains in police custody assisting with the investigation, while efforts continue to locate the unidentified woman.

Police are appealing to the public for urgent assistance in capturing London, stressing that he is considered dangerous.

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Zulfikar Ally is Guyana’s new Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation. As part of President Irfaan Ali’s government, Ally has the task of vastly improving the public service and delivering more efficient services to people across the country.

“We would like the public to go into any ministry, into any government agency… get their service as fast as possible, be out of there as fast as possible, to be happy and go on with their business,” Ally told the News Room in his first interview as Public Service Minister.

The vision is clear. But how will it be executed?

The government believes that moving away from a heavily paper-based system is key. Last week, at his first press conference since being re-elected, President Ali said his government is pursuing an ambitious national digitisation programme driven by a strategic focus on digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), cross-agency collaboration, and the integration of technology systems. With this, he said, most government services should be fully digitised before the end of the second quarter in 2026.

The services to be digitised include security clearance, birth and death certificate applications. There will also be an online passport portal and digital healthcare offerings.

But Ally explained that to truly implement efficient systems, his team will visit each government ministry and agency within the next two weeks to see how work is currently being done and how that work can be improved.

And Ally said the entire public service- thousands of workers all across the country- will undergo training to embrace these new technological solutions. He is also batting for behavioural changes so that there are fewer frustrating encounters that ultimately delay service delivery.

“We want, within the next year, for everyone to wake up to a very different, modern public service and in another three to four years, people will want to be in the pubic service, because of the speed of service delivery, digitisation of the work and modern technology used,” the Public Service Minister said.

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The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) is buoyant about the sport’s prospects after a “fruitful” meeting with Minister Steven Jacobs, who reiterated the government’s commitment to basketball’s growth.

GBF Vice Presidents Rawle Toney and Jermaine Slater met with Minister Jacobs during his ongoing consultations with national sports associations, an initiative designed to reinforce governmental support and explore new avenues for collaboration and improvement.

Minister Jacobs, affirming President Irfaan Ali’s vision, stressed the government’s resolve to deliver on its sports manifesto pledges.

A key focus is creating sustainable pathways for athletes post-competition, alongside prioritising their holistic well-being.

He highlighted coaching and mentorship as vital areas for personal and professional growth, remarking, “Whatever is in that manifesto must be done and completed.”

The GBF leadership also briefed the Minister on its strengthened relationship with the Ministry, particularly under the stewardship of Minister Charles Ramson Jr. Toney and Slater acknowledged significant government backing, including funding for national tournaments, support for international travel, and collaborations enabling Guyana to host major regional and international events.

Jacobs, a former national cricketer, pledged to build upon the foundations laid by Minister Ramson Jr.

Drawing on his sporting background, he demonstrated a keen understanding of the challenges faced by athletes and administrators.

He emphasised that government support extends beyond finance and focuses on long-term investments in the flourishing of athletes and coaches.

The GBF outlined ambitious plans for expanding basketball, encompassing grassroots development, school engagement, and structured competitions for male and female athletes across various age groups, in traditional and 3×3 formats.

With Guyana poised to host the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Women’s Championships from 9-17 November at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, and national teams set for several international tournaments, Minister Jacobs reaffirmed the government’s full backing.

He indicated that new initiatives would be rolled out to complement the GBF’s existing work, ensuring continued development with government support at the forefront.

The GBF expressed strong optimism for the sport’s trajectory and confidence in its ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

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