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Fourteen-year-old batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi experienced the lows of elite sport just three days after his record-breaking century as he was dismissed for a two-ball duck in the Indian Premier League.

The prodigious talent became the youngest player to hit a men’s T20 century in Monday’s victory over Gujarat Titans, but in his following outing he lobbed a catch to Will Jacks inside the first over of Rajasthan Royals’ chase.

His dismissal was just the start of his side’s woes, as Mumbai Indians’ bowlers tore through the Rajasthan line-up, bowling them out for 117 in the 17th over to win by 100 runs.

A sixth consecutive win takes Mumbai top of the table while Rajasthan remain in eighth and can no longer qualify for the end of season play-offs.

Having struck 101 from 35 balls in just his third outing in the IPL, all eyes were on Suryavanshi as Rajasthan embarked on a chase of 218.

He was unable to repeat his feat of hitting his first ball in the competition for six, fending his first ball into the covers before chipping to Jacks at mid-on from Deepak Chahar’s next delivery.

His opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal struck two sixes off Trent Boult in the following over, but the veteran New Zealand seamer then took his revenge, bowling the India international.

Rajasthan slid to 47-5 as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer with consecutive deliveries, before 37-year-old spinner Karn Sharma took three wickets for 23 to ensure there would be no Rajasthan fightback.

Jofra Archer held up the Mumbai victory, top-scoring with 30, but he became the last man out as Boult returned to have the England seamer caught at short fine-leg and finish with figures of 3-28.

Having been put into bat, Mumbai openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton got their team off to a strong side with an opening partnership of 116.

South African Rickelton was bowled by Maheesh Theekshana for 61 and Rohit followed in the next over, lofting Parag to Jaiswal at long-off having scored 53.

The wickets brought Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya to the crease and they each scored an unbeaten 48 from 23 balls as Mumbai closed on 217-2, a total Rajasthan proved incapable of chasing.

Mumbai move up two places from third and now sit at the top of the standings with seven wins and four losses – ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru on net run-rate, having played one game more. (BBC)

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The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) is delighted to announce a first-of-its-kind event in the history of the sport in Guyana.

It is planning to host a weekend long series of events to mark the 60^th Anniversary of Squash in Guyana.

President of the GSA David Fernandes said: “We wanted to mark this special occasion with a celebration of the sport for the entire Guyana squash community and our supporters both local and international. Given all our incredible accomplishments and sustained excellence during this time, we felt it appropriate, not only to acknowledge the contributions from previous generations, but also to outline our vision and strategy for continued success into the future.”

President of the Guyana Squash Association, David Fernandes

The GSA expects significant participation from the diaspora for this inaugural event, scheduled to take place in Guyana between September 26 and 28, 2025.

Of the many events scheduled over the three-day period, the GSA aims to host a presentation on the history of the game since 1965, an unveiling of the national champions from 1971 to the present, outlining a strategy for the future, as well as promoting its marque event- inducting its first-ever class into the Guyana Squash Hall of Fame.

Fernandes said that a sub-group of the association, called the Guyana Squash Archival Project (GSAP), has been quietly and diligently working hard over the past three years to research, digitise and preserve the history and records of the sports from its inception to date.

Fernandes said, “We are so excited to have the first player ever to play on the first court built in the country, Ian McDonald attending this event, along with the first ever Men’s and Women’s national champions, Mike, James, and Josephine Whitehead respectively. It is the contributions of these great players along with many others why the sport is where it is today.”

He added that the announcement of the inductees for the Hall of Fame will be publicised in the coming months, and emphasised that this would be the highest honour that can be bestowed on a national player.

“We very much believe in recognising and acknowledging what great individuals have done for our sport. The sport is in a terrific place right now, and we are so grateful for the support the government has given us with funding the new National Racquet Centre. Especially now with squash being included in the Olympic Games in 2028, we need to plan for the next generation of future national champions and support them in order to compete with the very best on the international level.”

The GSA is currently approaching the local business community to help secure sponsorship for this historic event.

The Association is expecting people from the US, Europe and Canada to attend the main gala event on September 27 for the Hall of Fame ceremony.

Also expected to attend are the Presidents of other Caribbean squash playing nations, as well as various government officials from the Ministry of Sport, the Guyana Olympic Association and the National Sports Commission.

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Two men have been arrested and are assisting with investigations into a shooting incident at Perseverance Village, Mahaicony, that left a 23-year-old businessman injured.

The injured businessman is Ijaaz Arjune; he was shot at about 01:45 hrs Wednesday after an altercation with two suspects in a black motorcar.

A statement from the Officer of the Commissioner of Police noted that Arjune, of Unity, Mahaica, is in a stable condition receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A .32 pistol and nine matching rounds were recovered at the scene and lodged. The men apprehended are said to be assisting with the ongoing probe.

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The Mayor and Councilors of the Municipality of Linden wish to inform residents that following consultations with all of our stakeholder partners and promoters, that all remaining activities on the Linden Town Week 2025 calendar are hereby officially halted, as from today, April 30th 2025. This, in light of prevailing national unrest and growing public safety concerns around several constituencies across the town.

This difficult but necessary decision comes, as the town was already coping, and as we now mourn with the rest of the nation the tragic and deeply unsettling deaths of Ronaldo Peters, Keon Fogenay, and most recently, Adrianna Younge.
Linden, like much of Guyana, is experiencing intense grief, anger, and a sustained call for justice.

Over the past weeks, the leadership of our municipality stood in strong solidarity with the families and residents, urging a vigilant pursuit of justice in line with the law.

Lindeners have demonstrated strength and resolve during vigils and protests, seeking truth and accountability while preserving peace within our community and ensuring constant updates with all stakeholders.

However, the situation has since escalated in and beyond our town’s borders, with growing civil unrest now affecting the national landscape. The murder of Adrianna Younge—and the public’s response to the initial narrative issued by the Guyana Police Force—has sparked countrywide outcry. This heightened tension, coupled with increased reports of violence, looting, and the destruction of both public and private property, compels us to act decisively.

As we commemorated Linden’s 55th anniversary as a town, yesterday (April 29th), we did so with a sense of pride and unity, that Linden is the Heart of Guyana. But we must also acknowledge the responsibility we bear to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents, especially at a time when legitimate expressions of grief risk being manipulated by those who seek to exploit public emotions.

The Government of Guyana’s implementation of a national curfew reinforces the need for us to act with urgency. We have received reports of residents encountering dangerous obstructions on roads while returning home from Town Week events, are clear indicators that the current environment is not conducive to large public gatherings.

In a prior joint statement, Linden’s elected leaders emphasized:
“Peaceful protest is a fundamental right in any democracy, but looting, damage to public property, and acts of violence threaten to derail our pursuit of justice and risk provoking confrontations that place more lives in danger. If these disruptions continue, they will not only delay justice but also severely affect the daily lives of Lindeners, interrupt access to healthcare, education, transportation, and essential public services, as well as severely affect our own children who are preparing to, or are writing, CXC and CAPE examinations.”

The Mayor and Councilors will convene an upcoming statutory and committee meetings to deliberate on the potential rescheduling or reimagining of halted events later in the year, should circumstances permit. Further updates will be shared accordingly.

We thank all the promoters who we have already spoken with and who have already expressed their support for this decision and we appeal for the continued understanding of others in the entertainment, hospitality, and tourism sectors, as well as the general public, and our many overseas visitors, as we prioritize the safety and unity of our town.

Let us remain focused on the path to justice.

[Linden Town Week Press Release]

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Statement from the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on the commencement of written CSEC examinations.

“The first written CXC exams for CSEC and CAPE commence tomorrow, marking an important milestone for thousands of our students across the country.

On Monday, May 5th, nearly 10,000 candidates will sit the English paper 2 exam, one of the largest exams on the CSEC calendar followed by Mathematics on Friday, May 9th, 2025. We at the Ministry of Education recognize the tremendous effort that has gone into preparing for these exams, by both parents and educators who have supported our children along the way.

The Ministry of Education takes this opportunity to extend our very best wishes to all students undertaking their exams in the coming weeks. Your hard work and resilience have brought you to this point and we are confident that you will make yourselves, your families and your schools proud.

To our parents, guardians and communities, I urge you all to remain actively engaged; ensure that our students are well-rested, properly nourished and arrive at their examination centres on time and in good spirits. Your support is essential.

May every student walk into their exams with confidence and walk out with pride.”

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As Guyana prepares to celebrate Labour Day on Thursday, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo extended warm wishes to all workers across the country and used the occasion to highlight the progress made in the labour sector under the PPP/C since 2020.

In his remarks, Dr. Jagdeo called for a deeper reflection on the significance of Labour Day, rather than limiting it to what he described as “routine, perfunctory celebrations” involving marches, speeches, and a return to everyday life.

“This day should be used not only to celebrate, but to track the progress the country has made in relation to labour,” the Vice President said.

Comparing Guyana’s labour landscape today with that of 2020, Dr. Jagdeo pointed to significant improvements under the current administration.

“Today, we have 60,000 more people working than we did under the APNU+AFC government,” he stated.

“The dignity of work is essential—it transforms people’s outlook on life. While not everyone may have their dream job, they are at least working now.”

He credited various government initiatives for the employment surge, including the part-time workers’ programme, which he said has created income opportunities for thousands. He also noted the re-employment of 3,000 Community Support Officers (CSOs) in Amerindian communities, many of whom had lost their jobs under the previous administration.

“On Labour Day, we should be discussing which government is actually creating jobs,” Dr. Jagdeo asserted.

“The opposition doesn’t generate employment; they focus on distributing money the country doesn’t have.”

Highlighting key achievements in workforce development, the Vice President pointed to the training of 2,000 teachers and the enrolment of 4,000 others in the GOAL scholarship programme. “Once completed, these individuals will be able to earn higher incomes,” he said.

He also referenced the signing of multi-year agreements with major unions, noting that collective bargaining was restored after being “violated” by the APNU+AFC administration.

“We negotiated wages through negotiations not by imposing them,” he emphasised.

Dr. Jagdeo outlined several tax measures designed to benefit workers, including increased income tax thresholds and the introduction of tax-free overtime allowances, allowing hardworking employees to retain more of their earnings.

He also spoke about addressing long-standing issues with the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), noting that 10,000 pensioners and 25,000 contributors who previously could not access benefits will now receive support.

Other improvements cited include subsidies on electricity and water, better access to housing and healthcare, and increased workplace inspections.

“Public servants are now receiving $105 billion more annually than they did in 2020 [equivalent to an additional US$500 million] in wages, salaries, and benefits,” Dr. Jagdeo reported. He also mentioned the reinstatement of the one-month bonus for the Joint Services, which was previously removed.

Anticipating criticisms from the opposition, the Vice President dismissed expected claims of discrimination and racism as “nonsense,” urging citizens to focus on the tangible progress made.

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See below the full release from the Chinese Association of Guyana: 

The Chinese Association of Guyana takes note of an upload of a music video, titled ‘Chiney’, that is trending on social media. After reviewing the video, the Chinese Association wishes to express its concern for the content and portrayal of the music video, especially at the current time, just following widespread unrest which resulted in the robberies of Chinese-owned business establishments nationwide.

The Chinese Association of Guyana also notes the public statement by the producer of the music video, which included the following clarification:

1. That the music video is created as a work of artistic expression and does not intend to promote violence or encourage crime against the Chinese community.

2. That although the video was only uploaded in recent hours following the widespread unrest, the video is not a new piece of work, and the video has been trending since January 2025.

3. That the producer of the video stands against forms of discrimination and criminal behaviour.

The Chinese Association of Guyana notes and appreciates artistic expressions of all kinds, but urges artists to use better discretion in considering the impact of their works, especially if it involves the security of real human lives. The Association hopes that future works by any artist will use better judgment when constructing the content of their work and, in this case, the contextual timing in which they are released.

At the time of this release, many persons in the Chinese community are attending to injuries and loss, some of which are life-threatening and life-altering for the victims and their families. The Chinese Association is concerned that some interpretations of this music video may lead to further harm.

Finally, the Chinese Association wishes to note, with understanding, the developments which led to the recent unrest involving the pursuit of justice. Our community stands with the pursuit of social justice in Guyana and mourns with the families of Adrianna Young. However, we categorically condemn the resultant acts of crime and robberies, which are misguided and misdirected, resulting in harm to countless innocent persons in not only the Chinese community but also the wider community across Guyana.

The Chinese Association of Guyana remains committed to opportunities to cooperate and contribute to the development of Guyana for a bright future shared by all.

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Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo accused the PNC-led political opposition of orchestrating the chaos that unfolded Monday, noting that violence was instigated while people’s emotions ran high.

Speaking on Wednesday, Dr Jagdeo said the opposition mobilised individuals to incite unrest, dismissing claims by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton that the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had infiltrated protests and engaged in looting.

“It is not surprising that Norton would make such accusations,” Jagdeo said.

“This is a tactic they have used before… putting vulnerable individuals on the frontlines to create mayhem.”

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: 17 remanded for attempting to incite terror in Georgetown

According to Jagdeo, intelligence reports indicated that individuals spreading terror and committing acts of arson were acting under centralised instructions.

“They were seen riding around on motorcycles, moving in a coordinated fashion. This was not a spontaneous protest. It was mobilised,” he stated.

There were protests following the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge and the release of the autopsy findings. However, Jagdeo contended that some persons capitalised on the tense situation and engaged in violent political maneuvering.

“They paid people to cause destruction. This is a well-established pattern of behaviour,” he claimed.

Several Chinese-owned supermarkets were looted and set alight, private vehicles were attacked, and major roadways were blocked using burning debris during the disturbance.

(more…)

Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a thorough investigation into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, stating that while the cause of death has been established as drowning, the circumstances surrounding how she died remain unclear.

Jagdeo said that while the autopsy report confirms that she died from drowning, only a full investigation will provide the answers her grieving family desperately seeks.

“Now we know the cause of death, we need to find out how she died,” Dr Jagdeo said on Wednesday.

“I, myself, initially believed the child was murdered. For a moment, I didn’t consider drowning, but now that all the pathologists agree it was drowning, we have to follow the science.”

Independent Pathologists rule out ‘forced drowning’ in Adrianna Younge’s death

He reminded the public that President Dr. Irfaan Ali has already vowed that a thorough investigation will be done. Jagdeo said the forensic autopsy was a necessary part of that probe.

Adriana Younge’s body was found after she had reportedly been swimming at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen. Her family has raised multiple concerns regarding the events leading up to her death.

In response, Dr Jagdeo said the government remains committed to uncovering the full truth, whether or not foul play was involved.

“I have seen the anguish on the faces of her mother and father.

“They need to know whether there was foul play or not. The truth is owed to them more than anyone else,” Jagdeo said.

The Vice-President also addressed claims made on social media, including reports that Adriana suffered broken bones and internal injuries. These claims were dismissed following a CT scan and X-ray that found no fractures or trauma inconsistent with drowning. Jagdeo confirmed that the trauma visible on her knees and arms in photographs was deemed consistent with drowning by the forensic pathologists involved.

Three international pathologists conducted the post-mortem examination, which lasted five hours and was recorded on video. Present were a family doctor, a nurse, and a lawyer representing the family. Additional tissue samples have been sent for toxicology analysis, and the full results are still pending.

There was worry she was sexually assaulted — but that was ruled out. There was also speculation about cotton in her nose, but that too was investigated and found to be false.

(more…)

A 23-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to robbing a female police officer at knifepoint.

Videsh Persaud, of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he admitted to the offence of robbery under arms.

The court heard that around 19:00 hrs on Tuesday evening, Persaud accosted Police Constable Abigail Valentine on Quamina Street, Georgetown, as she was on her way to work. Armed with a knife, he relieved her of her mobile phone and handbag, which together were valued at $43,000.

However, shortly after the robbery, members of the public confronted Persaud. Upon realising that his victim was a police officer, he returned the stolen items.

During his court appearance Wednesday morning, Persaud pleaded guilty and expressed remorse, telling the magistrate that he had already returned the stolen belongings. When asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, he pleaded for mercy and apologised for his actions.

This was Persaud’s first offence, and taking that into consideration, Magistrate Azore sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment.

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