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Guyana’s senior women’s cricket team received a hero’s welcome after clinching their first-ever senior regional title, the Cricket West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze.

The Guyanese squad returned home to a festive reception at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, where they were greeted by Steve Ninvalle, Director of Sport, among others.

Ninvalle hailed the team’s “historic success,” expressing the government’s immense pride in their achievement.

He highlighted the team’s resilience and “Guyanese grit” in overcoming challenges to secure the trophy.

“You have made a nation proud, and you would have exhibited true Guyanese grit,” Ninvalle said.

“You know Guyanese are a very resilient people; you went down to Jamaica and bounced back up.”

The Director of Sport also drew a favourable comparison to the men’s team, who won the regional Four-Day Championship earlier this year.

“We were here earlier this year because the male team would’ve won the Four-Day championship.

You ladies have shown that anything the men do, you can do, and even better,” he added, referencing the team’s dance celebrations in a light-hearted moment.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle

Guyana secured their maiden title in dramatic fashion on Sunday evening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, defeating the 2024 champions, Jamaica, in a thrilling final that went to a Super Over.

Both teams finished their 20 overs tied on 122 for 5.

Leg-spinner Nyia Latchman, the joint highest wicket-taker in the tournament, proved the hero in the one-over eliminator, successfully defending eight runs to seal a memorable victory for Guyana.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Latchman expressed their ambition for future success: “We have more tournaments to win, and I’d just like to say, ‘Thank you’.”

President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Bissoondyal Singh, also congratulated the team’s performance as “nothing short of extraordinary.”

“Your return to Guyana as champions is a moment we have been eagerly awaiting,” Singh stated.

“You went abroad not just as competitors, but as ambassadors of Guyana’s spirit, determination, and cricketing excellence, and you have returned home as heroes.”

He underscored the win’s significance, noting it was the first time Guyana had lifted the CWI T20 Blaze Trophy.

PHOTOS: https://www.facebook.com/newsroomgy/posts/pfbid037gvp2iMKx9zxEvAwwvM5R25D6X7KbFDY3jtS2VYskZDzuv8p7MHrmrjCMEK7z2nHl

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The next edition of the ILT20 has been brought forward to a December-January window to avoid the cluttered January-February window and finish up well before the men’s T20 World Cup, which will run from February to March.

The ILT20, UAE’s franchise-based league, is three seasons old and has always been played at the start of the year, clashing almost entirely with South Africa’s SA20 and parts of the Australian BBL and Bangladesh’s BPL and, before this year, the PSL in Pakistan.

This time, though, it will begin on December 2, 2025 and run till January 4, 2026.

December 2 is also the UAE’s national day – Eid Al Etihad. There will be a slight overlap with the SA20, though, which starts on December 26, and a similar – or somewhat bigger – overlap with the BBL.

“Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 tournament window is ideal for the DP World International League T20 Season 4,” ILT20 chief executive David White said in a statement.

“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins in early February, hence it was important for us to start and finish Season 4 well before the tournament, as it will allow the players playing both the DP World ILT20 and the T20 World Cup to prepare for national duty.

“In addition, we feel that the December-January window will provide the teams with the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players.”

It’s not clear yet if this is a one-off or will be the regular window for the tournament going forward.

ILT20 chairman and Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni said, “The UAE National Day is the day where we celebrate the United Arab Emirates, which is home to people from around the world, including millions of diehard cricket fans.

It is a real honour for us to join the nation in the UAE National Day 2025 celebrations with the launch of the region’s biggest T20 league – the DP World ILT20 Season 4 – on the same day.”

The ILT20 has been a six-team competition so far, with Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals winning the trophy in the first three seasons. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Investigators probing the armed robbery at the Number 66 Village, Corentyne Chinese supermarket have arrested four suspects, who have since admitted their roles in the crime.

The suspects in custody are Joshua Smith, called “Bias”, a 30-year-old construction worker of Liverpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice; Andre Crandon, called “Gunman”, 38, a labourer of Little India, Corriverton, Berbice; Jacob Fable, also known as ‘Samuel Fable’, 58-year-old Guyanese fisherman, residing in Paramaribo, Suriname and Fitzroy Joseph, 27, also a labourer of No. 65 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

A fifth suspect, who goes by the alias ‘Edson’ is being sought.

The robbery occurred around 19:20hrs on May 8 at Golden Spring Chinese Supermarket, owned by Zing Hong, at Number 66 Village, Corentyne.

Several persons, including the owner and customers, were robbed of cash, jewellery, and a motor car.

According to information reaching the News Room, the suspects were questioned and have since reportedly provided detectives with details about the respective roles they played in the crime.

Joseph repeatedly admitted that he acted as a “look-out”.

While Fable reportedly told investigators that he planned the robbery and also supplied the firearms, which he said he brought from Suriname via backtrack.

On the night after the robbery, he claimed that he handed over the weapons to an individual known as “Tallman”, who returned them to Suriname.

The News Room was told that while the robbery was being committed, Joseph reportedly claimed that he took up position at a gas station situated close to the police station and sent out an alert if the Police were summoned and dispatched to the scene. For this, he was given $100,000 after the robbery.

Meanwhile, Smith and Crandon also admitted to their involvement. They identified themselves to the Police in the CCTV footage which captured the robbery.

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In a new development in the ongoing tax evasion case involving sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has submitted in a supplemental affidavit to the High Court, the original purchase invoice for the Lamborghini central to the case.

The publicly available document, filed in the High Court on Wednesday, contains 78 pages detailing correspondence between the U.S. Department of Justice, the Guyana Government and the GRA.

It includes a copy of the official invoice for the Lamborghini Aventador. According to the records, the luxury vehicle was purchased for a staggering US$695,000.

This new evidence starkly contradicts Mohamed’s earlier sworn declaration to the court, where he claimed to have paid only US$76,000 for the car — a discrepancy of over US$600,000.

GRA attorneys argue this discrepancy is not a clerical error, but rather a deliberate act of misrepresentation designed to evade the substantial import taxes associated with such a high-value vehicle.

The affidavit builds the evidentiary basis that could support a perjury claim — due to the apparent false declaration under oath.

The invoice obtained from U.S. authorities and shared through established channels for exchange of information between governments, adds considerable weight to the GRA’s case.

The original invoice was obtained directly through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), and confirms the vehicle’s true market value, not the grossly undervalued figure previously submitted by the applicant.”

The inclusion of this invoice could shift the dynamics of the trial, with potential consequences beyond tax penalties, including criminal charges for perjury and fraud.

The case, listed under 2025/18-HC-FDA-CAD-DEM-CIV, will see a next court hearing in the coming weeks.

Mohamed earlier this week secured a judgment in the Appeal Court which upheld a High Court ruling barring the GRA from seizing several luxury vehicles until the determination of the case.

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A 31-year-old labourer from Triangle Backdam Baramita, North West District was charged for possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, and assault on Wednesday.

Orangel Antonio Castro Rodrigces appeared before Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrates Court.

The allegations against him are serious: on February 26, 2025, he unlawfully assaulted Yulismar Rodrigues, causing her actual bodily harm. The following day, February 27, 2025, he was found in possession of three 16-gauge live ammunition without a valid firearm license. Also, he possessed a 12-gauge shotgun (serial # AV60664E) and another shotgun (serial # 10-05), both without the necessary firearm license.

Rodrigces pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the prosecution’s case file remains incomplete.

Rodrigces’s lawyer, Bernard Da Silva, who appeared virtually, raised concerns about potential delays due to the investigation’s nature and the court’s sitting frequency. He emphasized that there is no certainty regarding a trial date.

Da Silva asserted that Rodrigces is not a flight risk, citing his responsibilities as a husband and father to three children. He also noted that the firearms and ammunition were not found on Rodrigces, but rather hidden in bushes away from his camp in the backdam.

In response to the bail application, Magistrate Singh granted bail in the amount of $150,000 for four of the gun charges. For the assault charge, Rodrigces was permitted to self-bail.

The conditions of his bail require Rodrigces to report to the Baramita police station on the last Friday of each month.

Rodrigces is scheduled to appear in court again on June 10, 2025.

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Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks appear set to miss the rearranged IPL 2025 playoffs after they were named in England’s squad for a home ODI series against West Indies.

England’s players left the IPL when the tournament was suspended last week following cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, but are expected to return ahead of the league’s resumption on Saturday. But the new dates leave Buttler (GT), Bethell (RCB) and Jacks (MI) facing a clash between their franchise commitments and international duty.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that Bethell will return to India for RCB’s next two fixtures, but will fly home before their final group match in Lucknow and report to Birmingham ahead of the first ODI at Edgbaston.

Jacks and Buttler’s travel plans could not be confirmed on Tuesday evening, but they were also expected to return to the IPL briefly before flying home for the ODI series.

The ECB made a commitment before November’s mega auction that centrally contracted England players would be fully available for the IPL in 2025, which meant Bethell was not included in their Test squad to face Zimbabwe from May 22. But that commitment covered the IPL’s original dates, and the final has now been pushed back to June 3.

England named a 16-man squad on Tuesday for their three-match ODI series against West Indies, which starts on May 29. The IPL’s group stage now runs until May 27, with the playoffs starting on May 29 and running until the final on June 3. GT, RCB and MI are all well-placed to qualify for the final stages.

The ECB did not provide a definitive answer when contacted on Tuesday evening. “No Objection Certificates have been granted based on the original IPL dates, so we’ll need to review any potential extensions, particularly in relation to any clash with the final white-ball squad,” an ECB spokesperson said when the squad was announced.

“We’re keen to support the IPL and the BCCI in getting the schedule up and running, and to facilitate players’ return should they choose to go back. We’ll continue to work closely with the BCCI and the IPL as the situation develops.”

Jofra Archer (RR) and Jamie Overton (CSK) have also been named in the ODI squad, with their franchises already knocked out of contention for the IPL’s knockout stages.

While Bethell’s absence is a blow for RCB, their two other English players, Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt, are set to be available for the rest of the IPL after they were dropped from England’s ODI squad. Salt has been included for the T20I series which starts on June 6, three days after the IPL final, while Livingstone has been left out entirely.

There are two players in the West Indies ODI squad likely to be affected by the clash of dates: Romario Shepherd (RCB) and Sherfane Rutherford (GT). Shamar Joseph is also involved in both the ODI squad and the IPL, though his team, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), are not well-placed to qualify for the playoffs.

Shepherd and Rutherford were both expected to miss West Indies’ ODIs against Ireland from May 21-25, and ESPNcricinfo understands that they will likely be allowed to stay at the IPL until their respective franchises’ seasons are over.

CWI has been contacted for comment and is expected to issue a statement on Tuesday night.

England and West Indies have regularly fielded weakened sides in their recent meetings, but this ODI series takes on unusual importance with both teams battling to reach the 2027 World Cup.

Co-hosts South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe will qualify automatically along with the next eight highest-ranked teams, and England and West Indies sit eighth and ninth respectively.

The series is also Harry Brook’s first since assuming the captaincy from Buttler on a permanent basis following their abject results earlier this year, losing 10 out of 11 white-ball matches across a tour to India and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. (ESPNcricinfo)

 

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Momentum is building for the first-ever Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Independence T10 Cup on May 25, with Regal Stationery and Computer Centre confirming its support to the grand fund-raising event.

Set to start at 10:00h and conclude under lights at the LBI Ground, East Coast Demerara, the competition promises scintillating cricket with top local players set to showcase their skills in the high-intensity format.

Regal Stationery and Computer Centre of 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, has pledged G$150,000 to the initiative, further extending it benevolence to sport development and cricket in particular.

Sales Representative Anuradha Bahadur, moments before presenting the sponsorship cheque to DCB Secretary Davteerth Anandjit, pointed out that Regal Stationery and Computer Centre is always keen on being involved in activities that make a positive difference.

Proceeds from the Independence T10 Cup will be channeled into cricket development in Demerara, and Bahadur indicated that is something the company is pleased to be associated with.

Speaking on behalf of the DCB, Anandjit expressed immense gratitude to Regal Stationery and Computer Centre for embracing the Independence T10 Cup, noting that such partnerships with the corporate community are key to fostering the growth and development of cricket.

Regal Stationery and Computer Centre is the third corporate entity to align with the Independence T10 Cup, following in the footsteps of Office Express and Anil Beharry Real Estate, Construction and General Business Services.

Anandjit added that preparations are moving apace for a grand day of cricket and teams are excited to commence the battle for championship honours.

Eight first division teams from the county will compete for top honours, with the format being a one game knockout.

Total cash prize of G$500,000 and trophies will be up grabs at the one day event.

While the teams will be represented by players within the respective associations, each team is allowed two guest players from other counties.

The champion team is guaranteed G$250,000 cash plus trophy; the runners-up G$150,000 and trophy, while the losing semi-finalists will be receive G$50,000 each.

On the individual side, Man-of-the-Match in the semi-finals and final will receive a trophy.

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Officers from the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) have carried out a series of drug raids in Tabatinga, Central Rupununi, resulting in the seizure of over 13 kilograms of cannabis and cocaine over a two-day period.

The operations, conducted between Monday and Tuesday, were all based on intelligence received by CANU and formed part of an ongoing crackdown on narcotics trafficking in the region.

On Monday, CANU officers executed two separate raids. The first occurred at an abandoned residence, where a search uncovered 1.2 kilograms of cannabis. No arrests were made, and investigations into the find are continuing.

Later the same day, officers conducted a second operation at another residence in Tabatinga. This search led to the discovery of 1.6 kilograms of cannabis and 63.7 grams of cocaine. One person was taken into custody and is currently assisting with the investigation.

On Tuesday, a third operation was carried out at a separate location in Tabatinga. Officers discovered a significant haul of 10.5 kilograms of cannabis. Two persons were arrested and are also assisting with ongoing enquiries.

The cumulative seizures from the three operations amount to 13.3 kilograms of cannabis and 63.7 grams of cocaine. CANU has not yet confirmed whether the incidents are connected but has indicated that investigations are active and further actions may follow.

Authorities continue to urge members of the public to report suspicious activities, especially in border regions such as Lethem, which have been identified as key transit points in the narcotics trade.

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A retired officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Leonard McCoshen, will officially begin working on the investigation into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge from Wednesday.

McCoshen arrived in Guyana on Monday night and is expected to lend his expertise to the high-profile investigation, which has drawn national and international attention. His involvement comes in response to repeated calls from the Younge family for international law enforcement to assist with the probe.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall confirmed the start of McCoshen’s work on Tuesday evening. He emphasized that McCoshen’s involvement fulfills a promise made by President Irfaan Ali to the Younge family amid mounting public pressure and speculation surrounding the case.

“The gentleman, Staff Sergeant of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Leonard McCoshen, is a very experienced and qualified suspicious death investigator,” Nandlall said.

“He has joined the team and will begin working on the investigation from tomorrow.”

Adriana Younge went missing on April 23 while at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen. Her body was discovered in the hotel’s pool the following day, sparking national outcry and calls for an independent investigation.

So far, three internationally recognized pathologists have been involved in the initial autopsy:

Despite these efforts, the family has requested a second autopsy and is now seeking the involvement of Dr. Hubert Daisley, a Trinidadian forensic pathologist, as a fourth opinion. This request has raised concerns from Nandlall, who questioned the forensic value of further examinations.

Dr. Hubert Daisley, a Trinidad and Tobago-based pathologist and Adriana Younge

“From what I’ve been advised by persons far more qualified than I am… the body, in its current state, would have been deprived of any forensic value given the time elapsed and previous procedures conducted,” Nandlall reasoned.

He also criticized individuals who have made public claims about the investigation without proper qualifications, cautioning against actions that could damage the morale of the Guyana Police Force.

The Younge family, who have postponed Adrianna’s funeral since April 24, say they are hoping for significant progress in the investigation before laying her to rest.

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Several Toshaos of North Rupununi villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo) have responded to a letter from Mr. Charles Sugrim, representative of Team Mohameds, about a planned visit to their communities.

The Toshaos, in their letter, acknowledged philanthropy work done by businessman Azruddin Mohamed but said they are also aware of allegations of criminal activities levelled against him. As such, permission to enter their communities was denied.

See below the full letter issued:

With reference to the subject matter, we the undersigned leaders, on behalf of our residents, do hereby acknowledge receipt of your correspondence.

As leaders, we note Mr. Azruddin Mohamed’s work in philanthropy in selective parts of the country. However, based on our research in considering the application to enter our Village lands, we have become aware of several international allegations of criminal activities conducted by Mr. Azruddin Mohamed.

Based on our findings, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has announced sanctions against Mr. Azruddin Mohamed for his roles in corruption in Guyana.

Additionally, there are allegations that Mr. Mohamed evaded Guyana’s tax on gold exports and defrauded the Government of Guyana of tax revenues by under-declaring his gold exports to the Authorities. It has been stated that between 2019 and 2023, Mr. Mohamed omitted more than 10,000 kilograms of gold from import and export declarations and avoided paying more than $50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.

Also, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has said that it has irrefutable evidence of tax breaches by Mr. Azruddin Mohamed over several high-end vehicles linked to nearly $900 million in unpaid duties.

Therefore, acting in the best interests of our Villages and based on precaution, permission to enter our Village lands is hereby denied.

We underscore that we will continue to uphold the governance systems established in law, which guarantee the autonomy of Amerindian Village Councils. As Village Councils we are legally empowered to regulate activities within our village lands, including who may enter and under what conditions. As such, we wish to remind you that our decision detailed here is final on the matter.

We wish you the best in your future endeavors.

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