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The Swadish International Food Festival is set to return this weekend, bringing a blend of international cuisines, local favourites and family-friendly entertainment.

The event hosted by the Indian Commemoration Trust will be held at the Monument Garden at Camp and Church Streets. Gavin Ramnarine, a representative of the Commemoration Trust said this year’s event will feature a diverse lineup of vendors, with a strong focus on supporting small businesses.

Ramnarine said the event will have international flavours for persons to experience.

“We have an actual French bakery, baking croissants and all the fancy French Pastries, over the last few years, Guyana used to be pretty bland but we’ve changed dramatically over the years so now you see all these different kinds of restaurants,” Ramnarine said.

He said the evolving food industry in Guyana has paved the way for persons to explore newer international cuisines. As such, the Trust hopes to provide patrons with foods from local small businesses that offer unique Guyanese cuisines as well as other international foods. He said one of the businesses, Puri Gal, will be coming from Enmore.

Some of the Guyanese dishes include pepperpot and curries, as well as Caribbean favourites like doubles. The activities commence at 14:00hrs and admission is $1,000. Ramnarine said the Trust starting planning this event two months prior to ensure that the small businesses participating can be adequately prepared to deliver. Notably, the Trust has managed the Garden through donations from members and events such as this. He encouraged persons to support.

“It’s an ideal time to bring the children to try new things,” he said.

Ramnarine further said the festival creates an opportunity for people to try something new. He said foods like sushi will be freshly made at the event.

“Bringing Guyanese together with their favourite thing, food. If it’s one thing that unites people, its food and music,” he said.

Adding to the lineup of activities, Ramnarine said face painting will also be available. He encouraged persons to take their children to the event to introduce them to international cuisines.

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The upcoming Nitro Kart Clash, the brainchild of the Jumbo Jet Events team, has announced its official list of events ahead of the April 19, 2026, race date.

Set for the parking lot of the National Stadium at Providence, the event is building up to be a mega attraction for both motorsport enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

At the core of the event are several established classes that form the foundation of the competition. Among them is the 200cc 4-Stroke Honda category, known for its reliability and smooth performance, making it a popular choice for both intermediate and experienced racers.

The Briggs 206 divisions further refine the competition by grouping drivers based on specific criteria; the Heavy and Light classes ensure fair racing conditions by accounting for driver weight, while the Junior and Cadet categories provide a clear development pathway for younger participants entering the sport.

For more advanced competitors, the 125cc IAME class stands out as one of the fastest and most demanding categories, requiring sharp reflexes and high technical skill. Meanwhile, the Supermoto Senior class adds a different dimension to the event, blending elements of asphalt and dirt racing to test rider adaptability.

The Time Attack Open Class offers a contrasting format, shifting the focus from wheel-to-wheel battles to individual performance, where racers compete strictly for the fastest lap times.

In a move to broaden participation, Nitro Kart Klash has introduced several new classes aimed at inclusivity and growth.

The Briggs Rookie Over 35 category is expected to attract older, non-professional racers looking to enter the sport in a welcoming environment. A dedicated Briggs Female class has been introduced to encourage greater representation, reflecting a growing push for diversity in motorsports.

Younger riders are also being given new opportunities through the Supermoto Juniors category, which allows them to develop multi-surface racing skills early in their careers.

Adding a modern twist to the lineup is the Electric Scooter class, signalling a step toward sustainable and innovative racing formats while offering an accessible entry point for newcomers.

Organisers have confirmed that the event is a family-friendly setting with several other attractions planned.

A representative noted that they have a Kids Zone planned for the weekend, as they consider the Nitro Kart Klash a family affair.

This “village” dedicated to children will feature bouncy castles and trampolines, encouraging competitors and spectators to bring their families out for good, clean fun.

The event has the support of Banks DIH, AJM Enterprise, KP Jagdeo General Contractors, J’s Supermarket, SCI (Sawh’s Construction Inc.), Precision Service Centre, and Ramchand’s Autobody. (Modified Press Release) 

 

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The Guyana Harpy Eagles departed on Thursday for Antigua and Barbuda to compete in the revamped Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day Championship.

They will be on the hunt for a fourth straight title and ninth since the commencement of the Professional Cricket League in 2014.

From the 2014/2015 to the 2018/19 season, the then Guyana Jaguars won five titles on the trot.

Only Barbados Pride, who won titles during the COVID-19 period in 2020 and 2022, have won the championship outside the Eagles in the PCL era.

There was no championship in 2021 and since 2023, the Guyana Harpy Eagles have held the Four-Day title.

Before the squad’s departure, Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Bissoondyal Singh met with the players to offer a final charge, emphasising that “consistency, not flashes of brilliance” would be the key to retaining their crown.

Addressing the 13-man squad, President Singh underscored the weight of representing the nation.

According to a GCB press release, “the squad, which was submitted by the Ramnaresh Sarwan-led Selection Panel, received unanimous approval from the full.”

“You are not just representing yourselves—you are representing an entire nation that believes in your ability,” Singh told the players.

“As defending champions, you must expect every opponent to come hard at you—that is the true test of a champion. If you remain focused and committed, there is every reason why this title should stay right here in Guyana.”

The Harpy Eagles will be led by Tevin Imlach, with opener Matthew Nandu serving as his deputy.

Despite some concerns regarding the batting following the two local practice matches, Head Coach Ryan Hercules remained steadfast in his belief in the squad’s depth and ability.

Captain Imlach echoed this sentiment, noting that the team is “mentally ready” for the challenge ahead.

“We understand how we want to play four-day cricket, and that’s what we’ll focus on,” Imlach stated.

Guyana Harpy Eagles Squad: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Matthew Nandu (vice-captain), Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach (captain/wicketkeeper), Kemol Savory, Keemo Paul, Richie Looknauth, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Isai Thorne, Nial Smith, Raymond Perez,  Zeynul Ramsammy

Management: Ryan Hercules (Head Coach), Garvin Nedd (Assistant Coach), Surendra Hiralal (Manager), Angelica Holder (Physiotherapist)

Speedster Shamar Joseph is expected to join the squad from the second round as he continues his CWI workload management programme.

The upcoming Regional Championship is expected to be a critical build-up as West Indies host Sri Lanka for two Tests in June.

The winners of each bilateral contest will be ranked 1st through 3rd based on total points accumulated, with the top-ranked team advancing directly to the Grand Final.

During the Playoff round, the first-placed team will take on the West Indies Academy to maintain match readiness and ensure fairness in preparation ahead of the final.

The second and third-ranked teams will meet in a Playoff match to determine the second finalist.

Harpy Eagles Fixtures:

Round 1: April 12-15, 2026- Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Guyana Harpy Eagles – Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

Round 2: April 19- 22, 2026- Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Guyana Harpy Eagles – Antigua Recreation Ground, Antigua

Round 3: April 26-29, 2026- Windward Islands Volcanoes vs Guyana Harpy Eagles – Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua

Playoff Round: (May 10-13)

• 2nd Place vs 3rd Place @ Antigua
• 1st Place vs West Indies Academy @ Antigua

Grand Final: (May 17-20)

• 1st Place vs Playoff Winner @ Antigua

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The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially signed a new sponsorship agreement with Guiana Holding Inc., operators of Superbet Guyana, for the 2026–2027 period.

This agreement marks Superbet’s first annual partnership with the Federation and will see the brand prominently featured across key GFF competitions and matchday environments.

The partnership was formally signed by General Manager Shrikant Kisoensingh on behalf of the company and GFF President Wayne Forde.

Superbet Marketing Representative Clay Roberts welcomed the collaboration, reaffirming the company’s commitment to supporting football and creating opportunities for young people across Guyana.

GFF President Wayne Forde expressed optimism about the partnership’s long-term impact, emphasising the Federation’s broader mission of youth development through sport.

“We are delighted to welcome Superbet to our family of partners. As we look ahead, I am confident that this collaboration will deliver tremendous benefits across our expansive range of activities and programmes. In particular, partnerships like this create more opportunities for our young players to express themselves on the pitch, while offering our passionate fans the excitement and entertainment of the beautiful game.”

The partnership represents a significant step forward in strengthening the commercial landscape of football in Guyana, while reinforcing shared values around youth empowerment and national development.(Modified GFF Press Release) 

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In the lead-up to IPL 2026, Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer believed that rookie Mukul Choudhary had the potential to become the “scariest” finisher in India.

The 21-year-old showcased his potential and power, bashing a 25-ball half-century, which snatched victory for LSG from Kolkata Knight Riders’ grasp.

When Choudhary came into bat, LSG were 104 for 5 in the 13th over in pursuit of 182. Choudhary watched them slump further to 125 for 6 and then 128 for 7.

He then took matters into his own hands with a display of incredible power-hitting. But despite that, KKR were ahead and it boiled down to LSG needing 14 off the final over, with three wickets in hand.

After Avesh Khan got a single off the first ball, Choudhary monstered Arora over square leg for six. Arora then responded with two dots and a barely believable six off the next ball – a near wide yorker – brought the equation to one off one.

Choudhary swung and missed the slower bouncer, but he scampered across for a leg-bye and completed a stunning turnaround for LSG. A new star was born in the IPL. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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The Government is moving to strengthen the enforcement of road traffic laws through the creation of a national digital registry of drivers and road users, a measure expected to improve the suspension and revocation of drivers’ licenses for repeat offenders.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, said the current system is hampered by its reliance on manual records that are dispersed across various locations, making it difficult for magistrates and law enforcement to access a person’s full history of offences.

“Every offence, the data in relation to antecedents… is manually stored,” Nandlall said during an interview with News Room on Thursday. “The magistrate court would not have the previous convictions or charges of that person… and that stultifies the enforcement of these important measures.”

He explained that under the new initiative, authorities will construct and populate a centralised digital registry containing critical information on road users, including their licensing particulars as well as records of previous charges and convictions for traffic-related offences.

The Government intends to have the registry operational as quickly as possible, though Nandlall acknowledged that its rollout will depend on coordination between technical teams and the agencies responsible for supplying the data.

Once implemented, the registry is expected to close longstanding gaps in enforcement by ensuring that repeat offenders are properly identified and penalised in accordance with the law.

The system will be made accessible to key state agencies such as the Judiciary, the Guyana Police Force, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Probation Department, the Guyana Prison Service and the Guyana Revenue Authority. This, Nandlall said, will ensure that judicial officers and enforcement authorities have immediate access to accurate antecedents when making decisions.

“For example, a person who is convicted for a second or third time for a drunken driving offence can now, in keeping with the law, have his or her license either suspended or revoked,” he explained.

Also, Nandlall highlighted growing concerns over excessive noise from vehicles, particularly motorcycles operating without proper muffler systems, as well as the indiscriminate dumping of garbage in public spaces. He said these behaviours contribute to an unacceptable level of disorder that the Government intends to address through updated laws and stricter enforcement.

“We can’t continue with this system of uncivilised behaviour,” he said.

The Attorney General noted that efforts will be made to incorporate existing records into the new system by digitising data currently stored in physical files across various agencies. While this process will depend on the availability and accuracy of those records, he said the aim is to go as far back as possible to ensure the registry is comprehensive.

 

“We will go as far as the record currently held… will allow us to go,” he said.

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Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has warned that businesses and institutions refusing to accept Guyana’s new digital identification card are in violation of the law.

The issue came to light after this publication was told of a troubling encounter at a local bank, where staff refused to accept the newly implemented digital ID card as a valid form of identification.

The complainant said that despite presenting the digital ID card and informing bank employees that the law came into effect on March 31, staff insisted that the card was not being recognised.

“They told me they are not recognising this card right now and can’t say when. Only a national ID card or passport,” the individual recounted.

Even after being advised that the Digital Identity Card Act is now fully in force, the staff reportedly maintained their position and refused to accept the card as a legal or official form of identification.

The transaction was eventually completed using a driver’s licence.

“Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” Nandlall said during an interview with News Room on Thursday.

The Digital Identity Card Act, which came into full operation at the end of March 2026 through an order issued by Prime Minister Mark Phillips, establishes the digital ID card as an official and legally sufficient form of identification.

Nandlall pointed to Section 6 of the Act, which makes it clear that the card is valid for conducting business with both public and private sector entities, whether in person or online.

“The law says very clearly that the card is a sufficient and lawful form of identification to conduct any business,” he explained.

According to the Attorney General, any entity that refuses to accept the card is acting in breach of the law. He noted that the legislation provides for consequences of a penal nature where there is non-compliance with its provisions, particularly those that give the card its legal authority.

“The agency or entity that refused to use the card is violating the Act,” he said.

While the Act does not explicitly outline a standalone offence for refusal in simple terms, Nandlall made it clear that failure to comply with its requirements can still attract enforcement action.

He further emphasised that all sectors, including banks, businesses and public agencies, have a responsibility to familiarise themselves with new laws once they are enacted and published.

He explained that publication in the Official Gazette is intended to notify the public of the law’s content and effect, and this is directly tied to the longstanding legal principle that ignorance of the law is no defence.

“The purpose of publication is to give the world notice of the content of the law. That is followed by the principle that ignorance of the law is not a defence,” he said.

Nandlall also warned that if there is continued resistance or refusal to comply with the law, law enforcement authorities may be called upon to intervene.

“If there continues to be non-compliance, then the police force will have to be informed and directed to ensure that the law is complied with,” he said.

He noted that this was the first complaint of its kind brought to his attention, but acknowledged that ongoing public education will be necessary as the country transitions to the new digital identification system.

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Guyana received more than G$159 billion in oil revenues during the first quarter of 2026, according to receipts made public in the Official Gazette.

The Ministry of Finance notice details receipts paid into the Fund between December 30, 2025, and March 31, 2026, including profit oil and royalty payments from offshore production.

The bulk of the inflows came from profit oil lifts across ExxonMobil-operated projects, including the Liza Unity, Liza Destiny, Prosperity and One Guyana FPSOs. Individual payments ranged from approximately G$12.3 billion to G$15.1 billion per cargo.

A major contributor was a G$23.1 billion royalty payment linked to fourth-quarter 2025 production, reflecting the government’s fixed two percent royalty under the production sharing agreement.

Production has been steadily ramping up with multiple FPSOs now online, positioning Guyana among the world’s fastest-growing oil producers.

Under Guyana’s oil regime, profit oil represents the government’s share of crude after cost recovery and royalties are paid quarterly based on total production. All revenues are deposited into the Natural Resources Fund and reported on a cash basis, with figures subject to adjustment following price reconciliation.

Guyana’s government has said the Fund is designed to ensure transparent management of oil wealth, with withdrawals governed by parliamentary approval under the Natural Resource Fund Act.

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Harold Bissoo, a resident of Goed Bananen Land in East Canje Berbice, celebrated his 106th birth anniversary surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday.

Born on April 8, 1920, to Bharosi and Chowrasia, Mr. Bissoo is the middle child of three, though he sadly lost two siblings over the years.

Growing up in the close-knit community of Goed Bananen Land, East Canje Berbice, he pursued his education there and formed lifelong connections. In his younger days, he met the love of his life, Bephia, and together they welcomed two children, with one still alive today. Tragically, Mr. Bissoo lost his beloved wife in 2005.

He dedicated much of his life to hard work, serving as a Bull Boy at the Rose Hall Plantation and embracing the life of a farmer, cultivating various crops and spending time fishing.

Now at the age of 106, Mr. Bissoo faces some challenges with mobility and hearing, but he is lovingly supported by his family.

His daughter, Moona Jewjodhan, 78, beams with pride and joy, cherishing her father’s incredible journey and wishing for many more years of happiness together.

” I feel very proud because many people glad to see that age and they couldn’t,” she stated.

In her heartfelt account, Geetaa Kishun shared that her journey of caring for Mr. Bissoo has spanned nearly 20 years. She described how the elderly gentleman enjoys his peaceful moments after breakfast each morning. Additionally, she noted that he has a unique charm all his own.

Geetaa expressed that looking after Mr. Bissoo is a manageable task, filled with warmth and joy.

With a sense of urgency, she has reached out to health authorities, urging them to arrange regular check-ups for Mr. Bissoo with a doctor.

Mr. Bissoo is blessed with many grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren.

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President Dr Irfaan Ali says Guyanese will soon be able to apply for passports online, reducing the need for in-person visits and cutting wait times.

“There are a number of things that has to be completed… I would say within a month we would have closer to that,” President Ali told reporters at the sidelines of an event on Wednesday.

The passport portal is part of a wider digitisation effort under President Ali’s administration, which also includes online access to police clearances, birth and death certificates, and other key government services.

According to President Ali, digitisation is progressing well across government services.

“The digitisation of government services… we are having great reviews. The immigration process coming through the airport is becoming seamless. So we are moving at great speed with digitisation,” he said.

The initiative is being coordinated by the Chief Technology Officer, supported by the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) and aims to complete full digitisation of key services by the second quarter of 2026.

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