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The 2026 Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) mission concluded on Friday after delivering thousands of medical services across Guyana over a two-week period.

The team recorded nearly 3,000 patient encounters across 26 medical specialties, significantly expanding access to care in communities served during the mission.

During a closing reception at State House in Georgetown on Friday evening, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali thanked the mission for strengthening Guyana’s healthcare system and expanding access to care for thousands of citizens.

“I say on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you to all of you for this mission to Guyana,” he said. “Over the past few days, your work has moved beyond hospitals, health centres, clinics and consultation rooms and into the lives of our people – and that is important.”

US Air Force Brigadier General (Dr) Leigh Swanson, Air Mobility Command Surgeon and Chief, Air Force medical Corps, said “Over the past two weeks, medical professionals from both of our countries work side by side, sharing expertise, strengthening professional relationships, and forging true partnerships.”

The joint mission also carried out approximately 500 surgical and dental procedures, alongside 600 emergency encounters, and conducted dozens of mental health evaluations. The total value of services delivered was estimated at close to US $500,000.

Apart from procedures, the combined biomedical team repaired more than 130 critical medical devices, contributing technical expertise valued at approximately US $150,000.

Beyond direct patient care, the mission also focused on improving operational readiness and technical capacity. US military medical personnel completed over 5,500 specialty-specific readiness tasks, ensuring preparedness to respond to crises and emergencies globally.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, also addressed the gathering, noting that a total of 76 US Air Force and Army Personell participated, working closely with local healthcare providers.

She said that among the most critical achievements were 29 complex retinal surgeries, restoring sight to patients who would have otherwise faced permanent blindness.

Of these, 17 individuals who were completely blind regained both vision and independence, marking one of the most profound human outcomes of the mission.

Additional life-changing interventions included saving the eye of a patient with a severe post-surgical infection and restoring vision to a young patient diagnosed with Marfan syndrome.

“The Guyanese doctors were then able to perform and master this and other procedures so they can help many more patients. These invaluable skills will remain long after our team departs, empowering your doctors to independently deliver world-class care to their own communities for years to come,” she stated.

Also attending were the Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony and Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, along with other officials and medical personnel.

LAMAT missions form part of a broader health security cooperation initiative led by Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH), integrating US military medical services with host nation providers like Guyana.

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Game One of the Cricket West Indies’ Rising Stars Under-16, 50-over bilateral series between Guyana and Barbados joined the list of activities affected by the severe inclement weather battering Guyana this weekend.

The opening match at Lusignan on Sunday (March 29) was abandoned without a ball bowled, owing to a wet outfield.

Upcoming Games:

• March 31 at Lusignan
• April 2 at Everest
• April 4 at Georgetown Cricket Club
• April 6 at Georgetown Cricket Club  

Guyana: Lomar Seecharan, Brandon Grimmond, Gautam Dhanraj, Luke Amsterdam, Akash Ramdewar, Nathan Bishop, Asgallary Nabbie, Altaf Ali, Makai Dowlin, Leon Reddy, Johnathan Barry, Devraj Persaud, Ravid Fredricks and Jaydan Ganpat.

Barbados: Javion Batson, Michael Bend, Micaiah Brathwaite, Omari Daniel-Hood, Oshea Francis, Kieran Gittens, Malikai Mason, Jalan McAllister, Shaquan Parris, Shiv Sahadeo, Shawnico Sargeant, Liam Sealy, Ben Shepherd and Charles Wood.

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Before Sunday, Mumbai Indians had never chased down a 220-plus target in their previous seven attempts. MI had never won their opening game of the IPL since 2012. On day two of IPL 2026, MI broke two jinxes as they chased down 221 in 19.1 overs to begin their season with a comfortable six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders.

Rohit Sharma wound back the clock, smashing 78 off 38 balls, while Ryan Rickelton thumped 81 off 43, the duo adding 148 runs for the opening wicket off 71 balls.

That KKR were coming into this opening game severely depleted on the bowling front was known. The extent of it was visible on Sunday night with Vaibhav Arora and Blessing Muzarabani toothless, Varun Chakravarthy ineffective and Sunil Narine a shadow of his former self.

At the halfway mark, KKR might have been happy reaching 220-4, their second-highest score against MI in the IPL.

Ajinkya Rahane, who at the toss said that he had “never seen so much of grass at Wankhede”, scored 67 off 40 balls while Angkrish Raghuvanshi, another Mumbai lad, made 51 off 29 as KKR breached the 220 mark.

But against a KKR unit missing several of their frontline seamers, MI barely had any hiccups, completing the highest-successful IPL chase at the Wankhede with five balls to spare.

Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings clash in Game Three on Monday from 10:00h in Guwahati. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body found on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in the Demerara River behind the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

The discovery was made around 10:40h.

Police said the deceased is an unidentified male who appeared to be of African descent and in his early teens.

Preliminary investigations revealed that persons were walking on the jetty at the Kingston Seawall behind the Marriott Hotel when they observed the body floating in the river and raised an alarm.

The body was later retrieved from the river and pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. It was examined, and no marks of violence were seen. The body was then escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits identification and a post-mortem examination.

CCTV cameras were seen in the vicinity and will be viewed.

Investigations are ongoing.

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A 19-year-old female of Moblissa, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, was killed in her home village on Saturday after the minibus in which she was travelling turned turtle.

Police said Sarah Simon of Moblissa was travelling in minibus BAK 9272, driven by a 22-year-old male of Moblissa. At around 09:45h on Saturday, the driver who was speeding allegedly lost control of the minibus while negotiating a left turn causing the vehicle to topple several times before stopping on the parapet.

As a result of the accident, the driver and the occupant were picked up in an unconscious condition by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where the Simon was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty. The driver was admitted as a patient.

The body was later transferred to the Linden Senior Citizens Association Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

The vehicle has been lodged for examination by a licensing and certifying officer.

Investigations are ongoing.

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An Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft touched down at Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Saturday, delivering a new H-228 aircraft as part of growing aviation cooperation between India and Guyana.

The aircraft, a HAL Dornier 228 manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a light, twin-engine turboprop designed for short take-off and landing, allowing it to operate on short and even unpaved airstrips. It typically carries up to 19 passengers and is widely used for passenger transport, cargo movement, medical evacuation and surveillance.

A second C-17 is expected to arrive on Sunday, bringing another aircraft of the same type.

The delivery builds on India’s earlier transfer of two Dornier 228 aircraft in March 2024 under a Line of Credit arrangement, signalling a steady expansion of support in the aviation sector.

Officials say the additional aircraft will significantly enhance access to remote and hinterland communities, where air transport remains critical. The aircraft’s rugged design makes it particularly suited to Guyana’s terrain, improving the movement of people, goods and essential services, while also supporting emergency response and monitoring activities.

Guyana’s Acting High Commissioner welcomed the aircraft and its crew on arrival, praising the professionalism of the Indian Air Force and HAL team.

The latest delivery underscores deepening ties between Georgetown and New Delhi, with both countries continuing to expand cooperation across infrastructure, connectivity and development.

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Fenty Beauty, the globally renowned beauty brand founded by Rihanna officially launched in Guyana on Saturday, bringing its wide range of beauty and skincare products directly to local consumers for the first time.

The milestone launch was spearheaded by Glamour Beauty, Guyana’s premier retail chain founded by Varsha Sharma. Despite inclement weather, scores of eager customers turned out at Glamour Beauty’s MovieTowne location to celebrate the long-anticipated arrival.

Sharma revealed that the launch came one year after securing a contract with Fenty Beauty, marking a significant achievement for the local beauty industry and underscoring Guyana’s readiness to meet international standards.

“This launch proves that Guyana is no longer on the sidelines of beauty. We’re part of it now… we’re not just launching a brand. We’re making a statement that Guyana is ready. That we deserve global brands and that we can deliver world class experiences right here at home,” Sharma said.

Sharma collaborated with Miami-based beauty distributor Essence Corp which is executing the brand’s expansion in the Caribbean. It had not previously been available in the Caribbean, where superstar Rihanna is recognized as a cultural ambassador for her home country of Barbados and throughout the region. Guyana joins more than ten Caribbean territories in retailing the products.

Kimberly Layne, the Regional Retail and Training Manager for Fenty Beauty is part of the team that has worked directly with the Glamour team to ensure the rollout met brand’s global standards.

The strong demand for the brand, which has been especially designed for inclusivity to appeal to as wide a range of skin tones as possible, has been evident with multiple local influencers advocating for its availability in Guyana.

Saturday’s launch featured live product testing, with several professional makeup artists on-site to offer shade matching and personalised recommendations. Some customers, many already familiar with the brand, came with specific requests, eager to try out cult-favourite items.

Matthew Jeffrey, a customer said this launch provides high-end products that he excited to ‘spend a bag’ on.

“Its like knowing that Fenty is here, means I can venture off into my skincare here and makeup… persons do sell skincare and makeup here [locally] but it’s mostly drugstore makeup so knowing that I can get it from the store [is great],”  Jeffrey said.

Customers can now purchase products directly, eliminating extra costs associated with overseas shipping and ensuring timely access to new releases as they become available globally.

Chantelle Sewett, a local makeup artist and influencer, who has years of experience in the beauty industry, said this is no ordinary brand launch, it is a shift in the country’s beauty market.

“I’m ecstatic, I’m speaking from a makeup artist perspective, it’s a huge deal. It’s big for our country, the fact that we are being recognised,” she said.

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Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, on Saturday visited several communities across the East Bank and Georgetown that were severely impacted by flooding following heavy, persistent rainfall overnight.

During her visits, Minister Manickchand engaged directly with residents, taking the time to hear their concerns and understand the challenges they are facing as a result of the flooding. She told residents that, where possible, we will address their issues through follow-up community meetings once the rainfall has subsided and conditions allow for detailed planning and intervention.

The Minister’s walkthrough included communities in Bagotstown, Region Three, North and South Ruimveldt, Albouystown, Norton Street, Bent Street, Kingston, and the Koker area. At each location, she examined the extent of flooding, assessed drainage systems, and consulted with local officials and residents.

Minister Manickchand emphasised the Government’s commitment to responsive governance and proactive intervention, stating that efforts will continue to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in affected areas. Residents pointed out that drainage areas were blocked by other residents who had built over necessary drainage, and that garbage was also blocking waterways. These are all issues that must be addressed, said the minister.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development continues to work closely with relevant agencies to monitor rainfall impacts, maintain operational readiness at pump stations and Kokers and provide timely support to Georgetown communities.

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After Jacob Duffy made his best Josh Hazlewood impersonation on IPL debut, Devdutt Padikkal, who had replaced him as the Impact Sub, took centerstage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru kicked off their title defence with a drubbing of Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Click here to view full scorecard

Duffy bowled a nerveless spell, taking the new ball and delivering four overs on the trot to come away with 4-0-22-3, including the wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head.

Duffy then put his feet up in his dressing room while Padikkal ripped the heart out of SRH’s attack with a high-intent 61 off 26 balls.

Virat Kohli did his thing and knocked off a fifty (69* off 38) of his own as RCB mowed down 202 with six wickets and 26 balls to spare.

Ishan Kishan had marked his IPL captaincy debut with 80 off 38 balls, but Duffy and Padikkal combined to put that in the shade.

Game Two on Sunday will pit Mumbai Indians against Kolkata Knight Riders from 10:00h. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Business proprietors in Region Eight have been urged to comply with licensing laws amid ongoing concerns about the sale of alcoholic beverages without proper authorisation.

The warning came during a meeting on Thursday, led by the Commander of Regional Division #8, Ravindra Stanley.

The engagement brought together members of the division’s administrative team and representatives from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), who outlined the procedures for obtaining a liquor licence.

Commander Stanley stressed that strict adherence to the law is essential for businesses involved in the sale and distribution of alcohol. He cautioned that failure to comply could result in enforcement measures, including fines, seizure of goods and possible closure of operations.

Thus, proprietors were advised to regularise their operations by applying for the required licences before selling alcohol.

Particular concerns were raised about the illegal sale of alcohol to drivers and minors, as it poses significant risks to public safety and is a punishable offence.

The meeting also highlighted the role businesses can play in supporting safer communities.

The commander encouraged proprietors to promote positive environments for young people, stressing that responsible practices can help reduce youth involvement in crime.

Business owners were urged to work closely with law enforcement through information sharing and cooperation on crime prevention efforts.

The engagement ended with clarification about the licensing process. Requirements to obtain the liquor licence include submitting a completed application to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), along with a valid ID, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and proof of business registration.

Applicants must also secure a fire safety certificate and a trade licence for their premises. The process involves approval from a district licensing board.

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