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The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will host its annual Chess 960 Tournament on Independence Day, Tuesday, May 26, as part of the country’s landmark 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Returning for a second consecutive year, the rapid-play event will be held in the Exhibition Room at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Georgetown.

What is Chess 960?

Also known as Fischer Random Chess—strongly advocated by legendary former world champion Bobby Fischer—the variant shuffles the pieces on the back rank randomly before the start of each game.

While pawns remain on their standard rows, the randomisation creates exactly 960 unique starting positions.

The format effectively neutralises memorised opening theories, forcing players to rely entirely on raw creativity and first-principles

The tournament has secured major local backing, with Pegasus Suites providing the venue and Trophy Stall sponsoring the trophies and cash prizes.

Brandon Badal, Director of Pegasus Suites and a keen chess player himself, noted that the variant truly “pushes players to think outside the box.”

Ramesh Sunich, proprietor of Trophy Stall, highlighted the surging interest in the sport across Guyana.

“More young people are becoming interested in the game, more schools are introducing chess activities, and local players continue to perform with growing confidence and skill,” Sunich said, emphasising the need for sustained public and private support to maintain the sport’s momentum.

Tournament Structure & Registration

The championship will test players under fast-paced conditions, utilising a short time control format designed to create high-intensity finishes.

Format	Structure
Tournament Type	7-Round Swiss system
Time Control	15 minutes per player, per game
Increment	5 seconds added per move

 

The GCF has confirmed that the registration deadline is Monday, May 25, at 17:00hrs. Players can sign up via the registration link on the Guyana Chess Federation’s Facebook page, with fee payments processed through MMG.

Live pairings, standings, and official results will be tracked throughout the day on chessresults.com.

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The ongoing trial into the March 2020 elections resumed Wednesday with Registrar of the High Court Sueanna Lovell making her first appearance as a witness in the high-profile matter.

Lovell served as a gatekeeper of Statements of Poll (SOPs) and Statements of Recount (SORs) over the past years.

The documents, packed in five cardboard boxes were brought to Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.

During her testimony, Lovell explained that the transfer of the documents from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to the High Court was ordered by then acting Chief Justice Roxane George to ensure their safekeeping.

The Registrar said the documents were then escorted to the High Court in the presence of GECOM Chairperson Claudette Singh and former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.

“We went through a verification process of what exactly was being handed over to me by checking all of the documents, as they were handed over records were created which detailed what the documents were that I was receiving and once I would have verified all of those particulars I signed as receiving and Mr Lowenfield affix his signature as the person handing over,” Lovell told the court.

Upon completing the process, Lovell said she signed the records after satisfying herself that all the documents matched what was listed.

“I signed the document because I was satisfied with what I was receiving was what was in the record, they corresponded,” she said.

Lovell further explained that after receiving the election documents, they were secured in two fireproof cabinets located in her office.

“After receiving documents I secured them in two fire safe cabinets that had been procured for that purpose and that were in my office. Those cabinets are secured by combination locks as well as keys. After I secured the documents into those cabinets I locked them with the keys and the combination and I am the only person who has the combination to those locks and who has possession of the keys since that time,” she explained to the court.

The court also heard that on May 28, 2021, Justice George issued an order compelling the Registrar to make copies of the SOPs and SORs and hand them over to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Guyana Police Force.

“As a result of that I caused some copies to be made in my secretariat, by my office under my supervision,” Lovell testified.

According to the Registrar, police officers visited her office the following day where a verification exercise was carried out by comparing the originals to the photocopies before the copies were officially handed over to investigators.

 

The arrangement, the court heard, was intended to ensure the secure preservation of the electoral documents.

Lovell is expected to continue her testimony on Friday as she will be out of the jurisdiction on Thursday. The trail was adjourned to Thursday, May 21.

Nine individuals are currently before the court charged with conspiring to manipulate the election results in favour of APNU+AFC, allegedly in an attempt to deny victory to the PPP.

Those charged include former government minister Volda Lawrence, Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, among others.

The controversy surrounding the March 2020 elections delayed the declaration of results for five months, until PPP candidate Irfaan Ali was sworn in as President on August 2, 2020.

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Students and lecturers from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the University of Guyana were given an up-close look at one of the country’s largest developing energy infrastructure projects during an educational visit to the Gas-to-Energy Project site at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

The visit was facilitated by the Office of the Prime Minister through the Gas-to-Energy Task Force and included approximately 70 students from the university’s architecture, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering programmes.

Head of the Gas-to-Energy Task Force, Winston Brassington, briefed the students on the development of the project, its current progress and its potential impact on Guyana’s energy and industrial sectors.

Among the lecturers participating were Dean of the Faculty and Presidential Advisor on Tertiary Education Reform, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple; Assistant Dean and Architecture Lecturer Shion Norton; Lecturer Anirude Khelawan; and Head of the Petroleum and Geological Engineering Department, Ms. Klass.

Dr. Dalrymple described the experience as an important opportunity for students to engage directly with large-scale engineering and industrial systems now emerging in Guyana.

“This is a transformational project that promises to revolutionise the industrial sectors of Guyana,” he said. “What students saw here today was inspiring and brings world-class engineering right here to Guyana, giving them opportunities never before available in the country.”

Project Manager of Linsayca, Luis Pirela, said the project highlights the growing opportunities available within Guyana’s expanding oil, gas and infrastructure sectors.

“Guyana is one of the hottest places in the world right now when it comes to development, and this project will make a huge impact on the country and the wider region,” he noted.

During the tour, students observed large-scale civil infrastructure works, industrial engineering systems, energy operations and modern construction technologies while engaging project officials on technical and operational aspects of the facility.

Faculty representatives said the initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen industry engagement and expose students to practical engineering applications and emerging career opportunities within Guyana’s rapidly developing energy and industrial landscape.

Senior Petroleum Coordinator within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bobby Gossai Jr., also participated in the visit.

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Trinidad and Tobago Red Force clinched the 2026 West Indies Four-Day Championship title on Wednesday afternoon, dismantling defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles by 141 runs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

The emphatic victory successfully halted Guyana’s quest for a fourth consecutive title and what would have been their ninth crown in eleven professional seasons, securing Trinidad and Tobago’s first first-class title since 2006.

Chasing a demanding 281 for victory on the final day, the Harpy Eagles’ vaunted batting lineup crumbled under a relentless assault from the Red Force pace battery, folding for a meagre 139 in just 39 overs.

FULL SCORECARD: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/3b0b1451-f844-4668-bd79-a0082e6e297f/scorecard/4

The chase was derailed early and never found its footing. Terrance Hinds and Jayden Seales, who tormented Guyana throughout the match, starred once again with the ball.

Hinds finished with 3 for 30, while Seales matched his intensity with 3 for 39 as  Joshua James (2-12) and Anderson Phillip (2-63) provided stellar support, ensuring no respite for the Guyanese batsmen.

Only Kevlon Anderson offered sustained resistance with a fighting 41, and Kemol Savory chipped in with 24, but the remainder of the batting card capitulated under clinical, sustained pressure.

The groundwork for the historic triumph was laid across the first three days of a see-saw encounter. Trinidad and Tobago’s first innings was rescued from the depths of despair by an extraordinary, unbeaten 70 from lower-order batsman Jayden Seales.

Alongside Khary Pierre’s crucial 40, Terrance Hinds’ 29, and Anderson Phillip’s 26, the tail wagged furiously to push the total to 260. Keemo Paul (3-28) and Nial Smith (3-51) had done the initial damage for Guyana, while Gudakesh Motie snared 2-45.

Guyana’s first-innings response fell just short of parity, as they were bowled out for 247. Emerging talent Jonathan Van Lange top-scored with a charmed 50, closely supported by Keemo Paul’s sedate 49, and identical contributions of 33 from Motie and opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

Seales was the chief destroyer in that innings as well, bagging 4 for 56, while Hinds claimed 3 for 46.

Holding a slender 13-run lead, the Red Force reasserted dominance in their second dig, racking up 267.

The innings was anchored by a magnificent, authoritative 122 from opener Evin Lewis. Amir Jangoo (48) and the veteran Jason Mohammed (37) built vital partnerships around Lewis, setting a target that ultimately proved well beyond Guyana’s reach, despite a valiant 4 for 14 from veteran spinner Veerasammy Permaul and 3 for 47 from Paul.

When the final wicket fell on Wednesday afternoon, it triggered wild celebrations from the Trinidad and Tobago contingent, drawing a curtain on two decades of heartbreak in the regional four-day arena and cementing a legendary shift in West Indies domestic cricket

 

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The charge of a fatal accident against Naitram Anghad, aged 61, of Lot 23, Number 64 Village, Corentyne Berbice, who was operating his vehicle at the time of the incident, was officially dropped on Wednesday. This occurred after the family of the deceased, Jagdeo Bhimsingh, elected to discontinue legal proceedings.

Anghad faced charges of causing the death of Jagdeo Bhimsingh through dangerous driving.

During his initial court appearance before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, Anghad was remanded to custody. Subsequently, on the second court session, he was granted bail in the amount of $600,000 on February 25th, 2026.

After multiple court appearances, the mother of the deceased, Nadira Nathoo, aged 52, elected to cease pursuing the case.

Following her request, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that the matter be discontinued.

The case was officially discontinued on Wednesday, May 20th.

In an interview with the News Room following the court proceedings, Nathoo expressed her satisfaction with the resolution, stating that she was pleased the matter concluded without any settlement from Anghad.

“Apart from him [Anghad] he is not the only person involved in this situation. The person who had encourage my son to send the motorcycle, he is the main root of the problem. If wasn’t for that motorcycle to ship and come to Guyana, my son wouldn’t die like this. I am the loser,” Nathoo revealed.

She further explained that the decision to discontinue the case was influenced by her desire for her son to rest in peace.

“My son is priceless. My son carry no value. No money, no wealth can give me back my son. So I just settle the story for nothing and let my son go and rest,” Nathoo disclosed.

Anghad expressed his contentment with Nathoo’s decision.

“Today I am very happy that this case finish. I am very thankful that the mother and father of the kid didn’t take any money from me. I am very happy for that,” Anghad remarked.

According to the police report, at approximately 13:00 hours on February 17th, 2026, Jagdeo Bhimsingh, an overseas-based Guyanese, was riding his motorcycle (JH25C4002 7M003943) southward in the eastern lane when a vehicle, driven by a 60-year-old man from Number 64 Village, turned east into his path. The collision was reportedly caused as the vehicle was maneuvering into a turning lane.

Following the incident, Jagdeo was ejected from his motorcycle and fell onto the grassy parapet, sustaining severe injuries. Bystanders promptly assisted him and transported him to the Number 75 Regional Hospital, where medical personnel declared him dead on arrival.

Police authorities conducted a breathalyzer test on the driver of the car, which indicated alcohol levels of 7 and 8 micrograms, respectively.

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As Guyana builds its human resource capacity, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith on Wednesday said stronger laws and ethical recruitment are a priority to safeguard against labour issues.

Griffith was at the time addressing attendees at the Diaspora Stakeholder’s Forum at the Guyana Marriott Hotel. He said migrant workers are not a threat to local human resource capacity.

“Guyana has become a destination for migrant workers, particularly from China, India, Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and regional neighbours but I wish to make one thing clear, migrants are not a threat – they are our partners in development,” the minister said.

According to the minister, the recruitment of these workers must be safe, orderly, ethical, regulated and grounded in human rights.

“Informal recruitment agencies have proliferated increasing the risks of exploitation and human trafficking, in response this government remains committed in enforcing ethical recruitment standards,” he said.

He said human trafficking, particularly in women and children through labour migration cannot become a channel for exploitation. He said legislative and institutional measures are being strengthened better supervise recruitment.

Guyana’s growing dependence on migrant labour is a priority for the ministry and Griffith said in 2026, the ministry intends to progress its work in developing a migration policy.

“As outlined in Budget 2026, the development of a migration policy will allow for the recruitment of foreign workers to meet the needs of our country’s rapidly growing economy without compromising the rights and interests of Guyanese,” Griffith said.

He noted that Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy is placing significant pressure on the labour market, with industries facing shortages of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

He said the Board of Industrial Training is tasked with equipping workers with the relevant skills needed.

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Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith on Wednesday said the investigation into allegations by 38 Indian nationals who claim they were subjected to poor working and living conditions while employed at a quarry operation in Region Seven is still ongoing.

The minister told reporters at the sidelines of an event that even as the investigation is being conducted, the company, Ekaa Hrim Earth Resources denied the allegation.

Importantly the minister said the investigation now involves his ministry and the Ministries of Human Services and Home Affairs because of the seriousness and scope of the claims, which include allegations of withheld passports, unsafe working conditions, outstanding payments and other labour violations.

“This is an inter-ministerial approach we’re taking because every part of it doesn’t fall within my ministry,” Griffith said.

Griffith said the matter was being treated with “the utmost attention and urgency.”

The minister said labour officials, accompanied by the Indian High Commissioner, met with all 38 workers on Monday and obtained statements from them as part of the ongoing probe. This was following an investigative team which was deployed to the area at the weekend.

He also confirmed that representatives of EKAA HRIM Earth Resources Management were summoned to a meeting during which the ministry demanded the immediate return of the workers’ passports. As such, the passports were returned but the company maintains its innocence in the situation.

According to Griffith, investigators are examining workers’ contracts, safety conditions, living arrangements and allegations of unpaid salaries and overtime. The company, he said, was given 24 hours to provide documents and other information requested by investigators and has since complied. He did not disclose the preliminary findings.

Griffith stressed repeatedly that the investigation remains ongoing and cautioned against drawing premature conclusions before all the facts are established.

“It is our responsibility to listen to both sides and investigate,” he said.

He disclosed that the company has denied allegations relating to unsafe working conditions and the alleged retention of workers’ passports.

“It’s important for me to say that they have denied there was any retention of the passports,” Griffith said.

Asked whether the alleged withholding of passports could amount to trafficking in persons, the minister said he could not make such a determination without evidence gathered during the investigation.

“I’m not going to make an allegation of human trafficking without information. That would be irresponsible,” he said.

Griffith also declined to comment extensively on claims that workers were owed salaries. He said the company had provided explanations for some outstanding payments and additional information was being reviewed.

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The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is moving ahead with charges against the other accused in the deadly Mobil gas station explosion case, despite the alleged mastermind repeatedly claiming he acted alone and insisting the others had no involvement.

The court was informed of the development on Wednesday when the matter was called before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.

During previous hearings, Venezuelan national, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, the alleged mastermind behind the October 26, 2025 attack at the Mobil gas station, reiterated in court that he alone was responsible for the explosion and urged the court to free the other individuals on trial.

However, following an adjournment, the court was informed that the DPP had decided to proceed with charges against the remaining accused.

In light of that decision, Poedemo indicated that he will no longer be taking a plea in the matter.

Poedemo is jointly charged alongside Alexander Bettencourt, Johnny Boodram and Krystal La Cruz in connection with the attack.

Meanwhile, two other accused who had been charged in another magisterial district — Ramesh Pramdeo and Wayne Correia — were freed in April after the court upheld a no-case submission in their favour.

The matter was adjourned to June 8 for the commencement of paper committal proceedings.

The deadly explosion resulted in the death of young Soraya Bourne and sent shockwaves across the country.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says more than 20 persons have already been fined for littering as authorities intensify enforcement efforts across the country.

Head of EPA Investigations and Enforcement, Surjpaul Singh, revealed that the agency began the strengthened enforcement drive in March and has since seen several persons penalised for violating anti-littering regulations.

“So far we would have commenced this like in March and so far we actually fined over 20 to 25 persons and we have been seeing compliance of persons coming to pay their fines and so on,” Singh told the News Room during an exclusive interview recently.

According to Singh, many of the reports are being received through social media and the EPA’s “Clean 592” web-based reporting app, where members of the public submit photos and videos of persons littering.

“We are receiving reports of persons littering and we get that mostly on social media where we have video evidence of them actually committing an offence,” he said.

The app allows reports to be submitted in real time, enabling the agency to quickly launch investigations and take enforcement action.

“So soon as you upload, we are in receipt and can take action,” Singh noted.

He explained that persons caught littering from motor vehicles can also be identified through their licence plate numbers.

“If it’s a motor vehicle we collect the license plate and we share that information with GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) who then provide the information to us, like the person’s contact information, and we send a fine to them,” Singh said.

He added that most offenders are given the option of paying a fixed penalty rather than appearing before the courts.

“Mostly it’s a fixed penalty where we go to them and we offer them the opportunity to discharge liability to going to court,” Singh said.

Under the anti-littering regulations, individuals can face fines of up to $50,000, while businesses can be fined up to $100,000.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the EPA, Kemraj Parsram, reminded the public that the laws have existed since 2013 and warned that littering in any form is an offence.

“You can throw sand, water, dirt, plastic, paper…it is the act of littering. Once you do that then you are liable to penalties,” Parsram said.

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