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Police are investigating an armed robbery at a mining camp along the Cuyuni River in Region Seven, where masked gunmen reportedly made off with an undisclosed quantity of raw gold, authorities said on Friday.

Police said the incident occurred between 08:30 hrs and 11:00 hrs at a camp operated by a 58-year-old Brazilian national at 68 Backdam, Cuyuni River. Preliminary reports indicate that three masked men, armed with firearms and dressed in camouflage, arrived at the camp and held workers at gunpoint.

The suspects, who reportedly spoke English, Portuguese and Spanish, fled the scene with the gold, police said.

Several people, including the camp operator, sustained injuries during the robbery. Their conditions were not immediately known.

Police said a team of ranks was en route to the remote location to conduct further investigations, and efforts were under way to locate and apprehend the suspects.

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Several babies were delivered on Christmas Day at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital and the Number 75 Public Hospital in Region Six.

At the Number 75 Public Hospital, four mothers gave birth during the day and night.

In an interview with reporters, Nafana Willis, 28, of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, explained that she was overdue by one week and two days. Nafana’s second child, a girl, was born at 00:07 hours on December 25 via Lower Segment Cesarean Section at Number 75 Hospital.

“I feel tremendous joy for the fact that she came, and everything went well because I had her via a C-section, and it was not an easy journey,” she stated.

Amanda Albert-Lyte, 32, of Nursery Village, Corentyne, Berbice, who delivered her son at the same hospital via C-section, noted that she was given three different dates for delivery. After those dates had passed, she visited the hospital on Tuesday, December 23. A doctor informed her she would be delivering on Christmas Day. Amanda delivered her son at approximately 11:28 hrs via Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery (SVD).

“It was very painful. I thank God that me and my baby come through safe and the mothers that come through safe on Christmas Day,” she expressed

Falecia Narine, 19, of Kingston Village, Corriverton, reported that she visited the hospital after experiencing pain. As a first-time mother, she had a normal delivery and noted that the process was painful. She delivered her son around 15:54 hrs.

Falecia shared that she did not expect to deliver her child on Christmas Day, but rather just after or during the New Year.

“I feel good the baby born on that day,” she stated.

Kenosha Halley, 28, of Manchester Village, stated that she had anticipated delivering on December 12th or 27th. As a first-time mother and a Police Lance Corporal stationed at Coven John Court  Department, she delivered her daughter around 18:36 hours via LSCS.

“It was shocking and exciting at the same time. It is a very nice experience to deliver my baby on Christmas Day, ” she shared.

At the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, two mothers delivered their babies.

Samantha Rajaram, 33, of Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, expected to deliver her child on December 23. However, she delivered her fifth child, a girl, around 13:00 hours via LSCS.

She expressed that she felt normal about delivering on Christmas Day, despite it being a significant holiday in the Christian calendar.

Sarah Mangroop, 18, of Number 36 Village, Corentyne Berbice, expected to deliver her baby boy on December 24. She gave birth to her second child at approximately 21:50 hrs on Christmas Day after being rushed to the hospital due to pain experienced at home.

“I am so happy it’s a Christmas baby. I got my gift,” she stated.

The Medical Superintendent of the Number 75 Regional Hospital, neurologist Dr. Devindra Radhay, told reporters that despite the busy day, a team of nurses and doctors was present to ensure the safe delivery of the mothers.

“The staff, I must commend them for doing a good job. Even though they were away from their family, it shows that they care; they want to give love and ensure that the patients are good,” he revealed.

Hampers were distributed to all the mothers on behalf of the Region Six Regional Health Services.

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The decomposed body of a man was found inside a barrel on Christmas Day at Le Reprentir Cemetery, between Louisa Row and St. Stephen Street, Georgetown.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, said the man was of African descent, but he has not been positively identified yet.

The body was discovered after ranks responded to a 911 report and subsequently located the body inside a barrel within the cemetery. Investigators processed the scene, and the body was later removed by undertakers and taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

Additionally, it was noted that CCTV cameras were observed within the vicinity and will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

Investigations are ongoing.

 

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The veteran powerhouse Colin Chesney lived up to his ‘Mr. Clean’ moniker at the National Cultural Centre over the weekend, delivering a masterclass in physique and poise to be crowned the 2025 Mr. Guyana Senior Bodybuilding champion.

Chesney emerged as the undisputed star of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) ‘Clash of the Titans,’ outmuscling a field of elite athletes to secure the evening’s most coveted prizes.

He first asserted his authority in the Super Heavyweight division, where he outperformed the formidable Dwayne Mars.

His momentum only grew as the evening progressed. Returning to the stage for the Masters Bodybuilding category, Chesney faced off against a high-calibre lineup that included former Central American and Caribbean Games medalist Rawle Greene.

Despite the veteran experience on stage, Chesney’s conditioning proved superior, earning him the Masters crown before he moved on to the final pose-off.

While Chesney took the top honors, Christopher Anthony established himself as one of the most versatile athletes in the country.

Anthony secured a hard-fought win in the Welterweight category against Daniel Latchman and Martin Longe, before pivoting to dominate the Classic Physique (short) and the Overall Men’s Physique titles.

Other notable weight-class victories included Shemar Burrowes (Lightweight), Kareem Bowman (Bantamweight), and Orlando Dublin, who stood atop the Heavyweight podium.

The 2025 championships also saw the successful introduction of the Fit Model category.

Romelton Siland—who also won the Men’s Fitness title—took the inaugural men’s Fit Model crown, while Savita Boodhoo made history as the first female winner in the category.

In the glamour divisions, Christina Ramsammy was crowned Miss Bikini, while Melitha Anderson took home the Bikini Wellness title, both athletes receiving deafening support from a capacity crowd.

The GBBFF highlighted the sport’s growth through its Kids Fitness categories, where Trinity Cole and Amariah Siland took the top spots.

The federation credited the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and several private sponsors for making the historic night possible.

“Guyana bodybuilding is alive, thriving, and stronger than ever,” the GBBFF said in a closing statement.

Click to view slideshow.

Clash of the Titans: Key Results

Overall Mr. Guyana 2025: Colin Chesney

Overall Men’s Physique: Christopher Anthony

Masters Bodybuilding: 1st Colin Chesney, 2nd Rawle Greene, 3rd Delrae McLean

Men’s Physique: 1st Roley Chandler, 2nd Yusuf Khan

Miss Bikini: 1st Christina Ramsammy, 2nd Sabita Stepheson

Bikini Wellness: 1st Melitha Anderson

Men’s Fitness: 1st Romelton Siland

Heavyweight Winner: Orlando Dublin

Super Heavyweight Winner: Colin Chesney

 

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Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph could both be back in West Indies colours for next year’s T20 World Cup.

The fast bowlers, key members of the West Indies pace attack, missed the Caribbean side’s recent red and white-ball tours of India, Bangladesh and New Zealand because of injury. Alzarri Joseph has been sidelined by a lower back injury, while Shamar Joseph is suffering from a shoulder problem.

However, giving an update on the pair during the Mason and Guest programme on the Voice of Barbados, Tuesday, CEO of Cricket West Indies, Chris Dehring said both players were making progress.

”Alzarri is a little better than Shamar,” Dehring said. “Alzarri is back training and hopefully he will be back to full fitness. He’s looking much better.”

Dehring added that, “there’s a strong possibility they both will be available for the World Cup but there’s a stronger possibility for Alzarri than Shamar. But we’re hopeful. They’re both working, they are getting treated and building up strength, doing some fitness work, so hopefully they’ll both be available.”

Next year’s World Cup will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. West Indies are in Group C along with England, Bangladesh, Nepal and Italy.

Breakout League window

Dehring also commented on CWI’s decision to put a hold on the Breakout T20 League which had been scheduled for this country in January.

In a release last week, CWI had said: “Given the increasingly congested international and domestic cricket calendar, coupled with preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it has been determined that the tournament cannot be staged in its originally planned window,”

Tuesday, Dehring said of the tournament that was staged for the first time this year: “It’s going to be happening, we just have to find the right window.” And he further expanded on the reasons for the delay.

“We were quite frankly trying to force cricket into January but it was not the right time. It’s become an extremely chaotic calendar and between the Under-19 World Cup and the T20 World Cup in India in February and an Afghanistan tour, we decided that it’s just not the best window, even though that was the only kind of window immediately available. (We’ll) try and play it later on down the year in a more appropriate time slot when you’re going to have more players available that you want to put through that ringer,” he said.

Money management crucial

The CEO also pointed to the need for cash-strapped CWI to carefully use its funds.

“It doesn’t make sense to play it (Breakout League) and waste resources that you don’t have to waste, when you can deploy those resources elsewhere in preparation for an Under-19 World Cup; in preparation for a T20 World Cup…

“This (2026) is a tough year for us… We’re hosting Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan on international tours. We rely on those international tours to generate revenue that then funds everything else for the fiscal year. And of course, those tours are not money-spinners. Those television markets are moribund really, probably worse than the Caribbean’s, so we have to be very careful about how we spend the resources this fiscal year whilst we put in place things for the future.” (Daily Express)

 

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A spicy, green-tinged MCG pitch came under significant scrutiny after a 20-wicket Boxing Day blockbuster in which both Australia and England were bowled out cheaply.

Matt Page, the MCG curator, said ahead of the fourth Ashes Test that he hoped to replicate the pitch he had prepared for last year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy fixture, which Australia won in the final session of day five.

But this Test looks highly unlikely to last into a fourth day, let alone a fifth, after ball dominated bat in front of a record crowd.

Page left 10mm of grass on the surface, 3mm more than he had last year, and fast bowlers on both sides found substantial seam movement throughout the day. England have not picked a frontline spinner all series, but Australia’s decision to play an all-seam attack was a reflection of conditions and both captains wanted to bowl first at the toss in unseasonably cool weather.

Ex-players from both sides blamed the pitch – more so than the attacking approach or technical shortcoming of both sets of batters – for the fact that 20 wickets fell on the opening day, with Stuart Broad and Glenn McGrath leading the criticism.

“The pitch is doing too much, if I’m brutally honest. Test match bowlers don’t need this amount of movement to look threatening,” Broad said, commentating on SEN Radio. “Great Test matches pitches, generally, they bounce, but they don’t jag all over the place.”

Glenn McGrath told the BBC: “This pitch has got far too much grass on it… That pitch has got too much life in it for Test cricket… The Australians bowled well [but] it’s hard to apply yourself on a pitch that’s doing plenty because if you’re looking to defend, one’s got your name on it. You’ve got to find that balance between somehow keeping balls out while still looking to score.”

MCG pitches have been far more sporting in recent years after the batter-friendly surface was heavily criticised during the 2017-18 Ashes Test, which saw 24 wickets fall across five days. Alastair Cook, who scored 244 not out in that match, said that the balance had tipped too far the other way.

“The bowlers didn’t have to work hard for their wickets,” Cook said on TNT Sports. “It was an unfair contest. I don’t know how you hit it [the ball]. If this flattens out tomorrow then fine, it’s an even contest over three or four days. But I don’t think this is particularly even.”

There was new attendance record set for a cricket match at the MCG• Dec 26, 2025•Getty Images and Cricket Australia

Brett Lee, another former fast bowler, joked on Fox Cricket that Pat Cummins “was almost going to go back to the hotel to pick up his spikes” after seeing the pitch, having ruled himself out of the rest of the series as he continues his rehabilitation from a back injury.

“I think there’s a bit too much in it,” Lee said. “I wouldn’t be complaining at the end of the day if I was a [current] fast bowler. It’s a different surface: it’s that furry feeling. I rubbed my hand on the side of the wicket this morning, and you can feel the grass lift up.”

This is the second time in the series that all 22 players have batted on the opening day of a Test match, after 19 wickets fell in Perth on a pitch that was ultimately rated “very good” by the ICC – though was described as a “piece of s***” by Australia’s Usman Khawaja.

The ball appeared to deviate more off the seam at the MCG than in Perth, with several balls moving sharply after pitching – including Josh Tongue’s delivery to clean up Steven Smith, and Scott Boland’s nip-backers to Harry Brook (pinned lbw) and Jamie Smith (bowled through the gate).

Michael Neser was Australia’s outstanding performer on the opening day, top-scoring with a counter-attacking 35 from No. 8 before taking 4 for 45 to help bowl England out inside 30 overs. He suggested that the pitch might yet flatten out, and defended the attacking approach that both sets of batters took.

“The ball definitely nipped around a bit there with the new rock, so it was just a matter of trying to find ways to put pressure back on their bowlers – and knowing that, when we bowled, we had to just be patient and let the wicket do the work,” Neser said.

“Going into it, you knew it was going to nip around with the amount of grass there, but traditionally it can flatten out here, so we’ll see how it pans out… I don’t want to go into tomorrow with the preconception of ‘the wicket’s going to be doing a lot’ because it can flatten, and we’ve just got to stick to our processes.

“I think you have to change the way you approach it because bowlers are so good at just holding their length nowadays, so you have to actually put pressure back on them as a batter. I know it can look streaky at times, but at times that’s the only way to score: be brave and come at them.” (ESPNcricinfo)

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England’s Ashes tour teetered on another crisis as they were bowled out for 110 by Australia on an almost farcical first day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The 20 wickets to fall is the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 1909 and surpassed the 19 of the first day of the first Test of this series in Perth.

Steve Smith, standing-in as Australia captain, said the 10mm long grass on the pitch would mean batters had to be “on their game” in the Boxing Day Test.

Smith was right. His side were hustled out for 152, then England were decimated in a single session after tea.

There was still time for Australia to face one over of their second innings before the close, only the third time in Ashes history the third innings of the match has begun on day one. The hosts are 4-0, leading by 46 runs.

Perth was the first two-day Ashes Test in 104 years. Melbourne could be the second in the space of five weeks.

The havoc of the evening made England’s improved performance with ball and in the field a distant memory. Pace bowler Josh Tongue was excellent in claiming 5-45.

But England were bowling again before the end of the day as their batting was flattened in 29.5 overs.

England were 8-3 and 16-4.

Harry Brook’s dance, swipe and miss at Mitchell Starc from his first ball seemed witless in the moment, yet it was Brook’s audacity that kept England from a complete implosion.

Brook swatted 41, including two sixes. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were the only other men to reach double figures.

Michael Neser claimed four wickets, Scott Boland three, with the silliness of the day summed up by Boland then opening the batting as nightwatchman. (BBC Sport) 

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Elderly citizens and vulnerable residents at the Dharm Shala in Albouystown, Georgetown, were overjoyed to be served lunch on Thursday by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. This is the sixth consecutive year that the president has visited the country’s oldest humanitarian charity on Christmas Day.

The president was joined by Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn.

The Dharm Shala (“Home of Benevolence for all Races”) continues to serve as a haven for those in need, and President Ali has pledged the government’s continuous support through the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative, a brainchild of his.

“We can support some of the maintenance work that you have on the building here and in Berbice,” he told the management and staff of the charity. “We know how expensive it is. If we have to get the material to you [through] the Men on Mission programme, [we] will work with you on some of that maintenance programme,” President Ali said.

Describing the organisation as a place of hope and compassion, President Ali reminded residents that they are valued members of society,

“A very important aspect of the Christmas story is a story of community; various communities coming together to acknowledge this symbol of hope, of togetherness, of love, of faith and as is demonstrated by this home,” he said.

The head of state pledged his government’s support in the new year and commended the management for their consistent and passionate support for the vulnerable.

In his first term as president, President Ali has made his annual lunch visit to the Dharm Shala into a tradition, affirming his commitment to his ‘One Guyana’ vision. The government has donated over $3 million in monetary aid to the Charity, which was established over a hundred years ago.

Residents were treated to a variety of food and drinks, accompanied by musical entertainment reflecting the merriment of the Christmas season.

President Ali distributed toys to the children in Albouystown to spread joy this season.

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Five babies were born at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Christmas Day. First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali spent the holiday morning bringing comfort, compassion, and cheer to the babies, their patients, and healthcare workers.

The newborns: two girls and three boys, were delivered earlier in the day, with hospital officials noting that more births were expected as essential services continued uninterrupted.

During her visit to the maternity and paediatric wards, the first lady distributed care packages and hampers and announced that toys would also be provided for children receiving care. She said her visit reflects the true spirit of the season, sharing love and hope.

“Christmas is a time for family, but today we are extending our love to our extended family, spreading compassion, hope and joy,” she said.

The first lady expressed gratitude to corporate partners, including Massy Distribution, Haliborange, BPI, J’s Group of Companies and Sleepy, for supporting the initiative and giving back to the community.

She also extended Christmas greetings to patients, healthcare workers and their loved ones.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran, said that Christmas Day remains a busy and emotionally demanding period for the hospital, as staff continue to serve patients at their most vulnerable.

“While we would all prefer to be home with our families, it is a true honour and privilege to be here serving people when they need us most,” Rambarran said.

He reported that several infants were also receiving care in the neonatal and postnatal wards, while patients continued to be treated in the paediatric unit (Republished from the Department of Public Information)

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The Guyana Police Force, in a release, has stated that a vehicle driven by a member of the Mohameds family has been detained and will be examined by a licensing and certifying officer.

Police Headquarters said an officer was conducting a traffic enforcement exercise along the Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara, when motorcar PAB3000 was stopped. That vehicle was reportedly driven by a woman.

However, Police said an incident unfolded thereafter.

“She was asked to produce her driver’s licence and the documents for the said vehicle. While in the process of waiting for the documents to be produced, one identifiable male Mr Azruddin Mohamed, MP, approached the said vehicle, having arrived in a black car, and told the female driver to drive home and not to the police station,” Police said.

It was noted that the driver complied with the instructions and drove to Republic Park. The officers at the traffic enforcement exercise reportedly followed the vehicle and attempted to clamp the wheel when a man, who identified himself as Maksim Dmitriyev of Eccles EBD, produced the documents indicating that he is the registered owner of Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 3000.

Police said he was then told of the offences committed by him, to which he was invited to Providence Police Station. At the station, the driver was processed for the Prohibition of tinted glass, among other traffic-related offenses.

Meanwhile, Police said the female driver will be notified by notice and summoned for failure to comply with directions of Police in uniform, failure to produce a driver’s license, and other documents. The vehicle was then lodged for the engine and chassis to be verified at the Guyana Revenue Authority by the License and Certifying Officer.

Additionally, it was noted that the owner was then placed on his own recognisance to report on Monday, 29th December 2025 at 09: 00hrs.

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