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See below the full release from the GCAA:

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) officially opened its highly anticipated Women in Aviation Conference on Monday March 30, 2026, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, bringing together industry leaders, aviation professionals, and stakeholders to champion the advancement of women across the aviation sector.

Delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, the Hon Deodat Indar, M.P., issued a strong call to action for greater female participation in aviation. The Minister highlighted the inspiring contributions of several women who have already risen to leadership positions within their respective fields, citing them as powerful examples of what is possible.

“The Government of Guyana is committed to building an aviation sector that is inclusive, modern, and world-class, with women playing a pivotal role in its development” Minister Indar affirmed, underscoring the administration’s dedication to empowering women in the industry.

Minister Indar also outlined the Government of Guyana’s significant and ongoing investment in the nation’s aviation infrastructure, highlighting several transformative flagship projects currently underway. These include the construction of Terminal Two at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the establishment of the Civil Aviation School of Excellence, and the construction of two new municipal airports — developments that signal a bold new era for aviation in Guyana.

Also addressing the conference, Director General of the GCAA, Lt. Col. (ret’d) Egbert Field A.A., reinforced that safety remains the sector’s highest priority. He further emphasised that aviation is stronger and more effective with women in key positions and encouraged all women in attendance to aspire for greater heights within the industry.

The Women in Aviation Conference will feature panel discussions and networking opportunities designed to inspire, connect, and equip the next generation of female aviation professionals. The two half days Conference ends on March 31, 2026.

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President Dr. Irfaan Ali has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of former President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, describing him as a trusted friend, regional partner and distinguished statesman.

In a statement, President Ali extended condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana to the Government and citizens of Suriname, as well as to Santokhi’s family.

The Guyanese Head of State reflected on their close working relationship, noting that both leaders shared a commitment to regional unity and cooperation through CARICOM and other international engagements.

President Ali said Santokhi played a key role in strengthening ties between Guyana and Suriname, highlighting that the two countries share deep historical and economic connections.

He noted that under Santokhi’s leadership, bilateral relations flourished, with both nations working together to advance common interests and regional development.

Describing the late Surinamese leader as a man of humility and quiet strength, President Ali said he served his country with dedication and conviction.

He added that the region has lost an important voice and Guyana has lost a genuine friend whose leadership and partnership contributed meaningfully to regional progress.

President Ali also offered words of comfort to Santokhi’s family, urging them to find solace in the legacy he leaves behind.

He said the former President’s example, friendship and commitment to service will continue to be remembered across the region.

Santokhi’s passing marks a significant loss for both Suriname and the wider Caribbean community.

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Vaibhav Suryavanshi whacked the joint-third fastest half-century in Indian Premier League history as he helped Rajasthan Royals to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings.

Set a modest 128 for victory by CSK in the opening game for both sides in this year’s tournament, the 15-year-old Royals opening batter hammered 50 off just 15 balls in Guwahati.

It was just two balls more than the record set by his Rajasthan opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023.

The teenager was dismissed by seamer Anshul Kamboj – caught at extra cover – on 52 off 17 balls with a strike-rate of 305.88 having hammered four fours and five sixes.

After watching Suryavanshi break the back of the chase Jaiswal made an unbeaten 38 off 36 balls as the Royals cruised over the line with 47 balls remaining.

“The plan was to go big in the powerplay. The wicket was sticky early on but then it eased up,” Suryavanshi said.

“The coaches have told me that they back me and they’re behind me. They told me to read the situation and back my game.

“After every ball, Jaiswal didn’t tell me to take a single. He told me that the ball’s going off the bat nicely and to keep going.”

Earlier, England fast bowler Jofra Archer took 2-19 to finish the pick of the Rajasthan bowlers as the Super Kings lost wickets at regular intervals.

Jamie Overton, one of three CSK players into double figures, added some respectability as he top-scored with 43 off 36 balls. (BBC)

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(Republished from Waterkant News) VHP Chairman and former Head of State of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi passed away today at the age of 67.

Earlier in the day, an ambulance was called to the former president’s home due to a medical emergency.

After the emergency services had provided assistance at the scene, it was decided to transfer him to the hospital, where he passed away.

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Several women who received startup kits through the Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme on Monday said the equipment will allow them to immediately begin expanding their businesses and offering new services within their communities.

Twenty women were presented with the startup kits after successfully completing courses in social media marketing and graphic design.

Women who completed the graphic design course received laptops, while social media marketing graduates were given tablets, ring lights and gimbal to support online content creation and digital promotion.

For Venita Maniram of Region Two, the social media marketing kit will help her move forward with plans to open a printery and stationery store.

Meanwhile, fellow Region Two resident Shereze Wong said the laptop she received will allow her to expand her existing services and support institutions in her area.

“I have a printer and I will use this business kit not only to expand my business but also to help the schools nearby…I also specialised with t-shirt printing, edible cakes and the list goes on,” Wong explained, noting that the initiative will impact not just her, but her wider community.

Another recipient, Annabelle Clements of Region Six, said she is grateful for the opportunity, explaining that the training exposed her to several new skills, including designing programmes.

She said she learnt of the course through Facebook and decided to enroll, despite the challenges of balancing work and studies. Clements now plans to purchase a printer so she can start a small business and earn additional income.

Addressing the women at the distribution ceremony, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud told the recipients that the handover of the kits comes with expectations that they will use the tools to achieve their goals.

“I know that many times it was a struggle for you to complete the programmes, quite a few times you would have made sacrifices but here you are,” Dr Persaud said, adding that the support would continue beyond the startup phase.

“Because we believe in not only helping you to start up which this is intended to do but also helping you to grow…there are tonnes of opportunities that await you,” she added.

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The University of Guyana on Monday opened its third Diaspora Conference, with a bold call to move beyond remittances and recognise the diaspora as a powerful source of skills, innovation and intellectual capital.

The virtual conference is themed “Diaspora Matters: Belonging, Technology and Diaspora in the 21st Century.” It brings together academics, policymakers and members of the diaspora to explore new models of engagement in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Paloma Mohamed Martin said there is a need for a fundamental shift in how the diaspora is perceived and engaged. She argued that Caribbean societies must move beyond the traditional “remittances model” and instead recognise diaspora communities as a “permanent global extension” of national capacity, particularly within academia.

“There has to be an existential shift here. We have to see frame the diaspora as a permanent, global extension of faculties and permanent resovior of intellectual capital for our countries,” she said.

Dr Mohamed Martin said she hopes that the conference would produce a formal statement redefining the diaspora as a vital and enduring contributor to national development, highlighting the contributions of overseas-based Guyanese who continue to influence research, policy and innovation.

She also pointed to ongoing research within the university that examines both international and intra-Caribbean migration.

“They are doing so much work on migrants in our own country, focusing on Brazil, focusing on Suriname and so on. This is part of what we said we were going to do when we launched the Diaspora Centre,” she said.

The second diaspora conference book is also possible through the documentation provided by researchers at the university.

Director of the Diaspora Unit, Rosalinda Rasul, emphasised that the government has already begun shifting its approach to diaspora engagement. She said that the unit has deliberately moved away from stereotypical views of the diaspora, instead prioritising skill transfer and investment as central pillars for 2026.

“Two critical areas that we are looking at would be skills transfer and diasporic investments because we believe that with where the country is going these are going to be the leading areas for diasporic engagement,” Rasul said.

She added the growing role of digital platforms in connecting Guyanese abroad with opportunities at home allows direct interaction with policymakers. According to Rasul, such initiatives demonstrate how diaspora expertise can address national challenges while contributing to economic growth.

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Fifty-four women from across the country on Monday received business grants valued at $300,000 each, in a move aimed at helping vulnerable women establish or grow their own enterprises and achieve financial independence.

The grants were distributed through a collaboration between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Canadian High Commission.

Ten of the fifty-four women were handed over cheques at a simple ceremony held at the Umana Yana on Monday.

The beneficiaries, including survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, successfully completed training under the Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIN) programme.

In delivering remarks, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, said the initiative is designed to move women “from a place of dependency to independence,” noting that the programme is already transforming lives.

“These women come from various regions across Guyana. These women have also come through the Women Innovation and Investment Network (WIN) and these women come from three categories, persons who experience the horrors of trafficking in persons, persons who are survivors of violence and all that violence brings and women who want better for themselves,” Dr Persaud said.

Each of the women developed a business plan as part of the training process, with the grants now providing the capital needed to either start a new venture or expand an existing micro or small enterprise.

Dr. Persaud emphasized the broader national importance of women’s economic participation, stating that “if we don’t harness the energy, talent, the skills and the potential of women we are excluding half of our country’s population in essence.” She assured the recipients of continued support, telling them, “we are here to hold your hand in every step of the way.”

The ministry will monitor the progress of each business to ensure that the funds are used in accordance with their approved plans and that the goal of gender inclusion and equality is achieved.

IDB Country Representative, Lorena Solorzano Salazar, described the initiative as a sign of growing commitment to financial inclusion and support for women-led businesses.

“When you invest in a woman you invest in the community,” she said, adding that the programme’s expansion from individual entrepreneurship to consortiums and partnerships will improve market access and long-term sustainability.

She noted that the grants are expected to translate into increased household income and more resilient businesses, creating a ripple effect that benefits families and communities alike.

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Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali believes that Gulf states should invest in large-scale storage facilities in the South American nation as part of efforts to cushion the impact of global disruptions.

“I want to present Guyana as that location, that geographic location that can be a strategic location and a strategic storage for countries in the Gulf,” President Ali said at a recent event.

Those storage facilities could be for fuel or fertilisers, products crucial to energy and food security.

His comments came in the wake of global disruptions caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ramifications on the critical Strait of Hormuz. The President said countries’ energy security and trade are vulnerable to such disruptions. However, he believes that investments in Guyana could help.

According to President Ali, investing in Guyana is strategic because the country has access to the Atlantic Ocean and Brazil, and it enjoys regional trade agreements. Moreover, the President said Guyana has natural assets of its own—gold, oil, and natural gas—that can be tapped.

Because he believes in Guyana’s potential, the President said technical engagements for this venture are already underway. He did not name which Gulf state might be engaged in the venture, but Guyana has seen increasing cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Days before, the Guyanese Head of State said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has once again demonstrated why the establishment of a local oil refinery is crucial. Guyana, an oil hotspot producing more than 900,000 barrels daily, stands to benefit from higher oil prices, but government interventions that have long cushioned inflationary pressures must be sustained. For the country’s President, an oil refinery here is crucial.

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The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is warning of possible flooding as heavy rainfall is expected to intensify across Guyana upto Tuesday.

In a statement on Sunday, the CDC said the Hydrometeorological Service advised that persistent rainfall could lead to significant flooding.

The commission is urging residents to take precautionary measures, particularly in flood-prone and low-lying areas where the soil is already saturated due to recent heavy rainfall.

The government has deployed special teams, including engineers and technical personnel nationwide to monitor drainage infrastructure and ensure sluices, pumps, and canals are fully operational.

These efforts are part of a coordinated response to minimise flooding.

Citizens are however advised to avoid areas susceptible to flooding, exercise caution when walking or driving through pooled water, and ensure drains and waterways are kept clear.

The CDC also recommends securing important documents and household items. Weather projections indicate mostly cloudy skies with intermittent showers on Sunday, with rainfall between 10 and 30 millimetres.

On Monday, inland and southern regions are expected to see heavier rainfall, ranging from 30 to 60 millimeters, while other areas may receive between 10 and 25 millimetres. Showers are forecast from early morning through the afternoon.

Conditions are expected to ease slightly by Tuesday and Wednesday, with cloudy skies and scattered showers producing between 10 and 20 millimetres of rainfall.

The Hydrometeorological Service further forecasted that hilly regions could face an increased risk of mudslides, while thunderstorms may bring strong winds and lightning, adding to already hazardous conditions.

The CDC is urging the public to remain vigilant and monitor official updates.

Incidents of flooding or rising water levels can be reported to the National Emergency Monitoring System via telephone, 592-2261027 or WhatsApp on 6007500.

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The Guyana Cricket Board on Sunday evening announced the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for the opening round of the 2026 Cricket West Indies Four-Day Championship.

Guyana, the defending champions, will begin their title defence against the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

The team will be led by Tevin Imlach, with Matthew Nandu serving as vice-captain, under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Ryan Hercules.

Fast bowler Shamar Joseph will join the squad from Round Two following his approved rest by Cricket West Indies, the Board stated.

The 2026 tournament will be contested under a revamped format, with teams engaged in a series of bilateral encounters. Guyana will play three matches against the Windward Islands Volcanoes across venues in Antigua.

The matches will take place on April 12-15, April 19-22 and April 26-29.

At the conclusion of the preliminary phase, the top three teams will advance to the playoffs, with the first-place team progressing directly to the final, while the second and third-placed teams contest a semi-final.

Guyana Harpy Eagles have won eight of the last 10 championships, including the last three on the trot.

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