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President Irfaan Ali met financial sector leaders on Wednesday to discuss modernising Guyana’s banking system and ensuring commercial banks keep pace with government-led digital transformation plans.

The stakeholder group, which included the heads of commercial banks, Bank of Guyana Governor Dr Gobind Ganga and Private Sector Commission Chairman Gerald Gouveia Jr, is expected to present a report within six weeks outlining what the sector needs to support a digital economy.

Ali has been speaking about initiatives aimed at addressing long-standing concerns faced by citizens while pushing the financial sector to adopt new technologies in line with the country’s broader economic strategy.

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The Ministry of Education on Wednesday joined the global community in observing World Suicide Prevention Day, pledging to step up counselling services and awareness campaigns in schools under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide – Start the Conversation.”

The ministry said 130 trained counsellors are now deployed in 97 of the country’s 117 secondary schools, offering confidential guidance and psychosocial support to students. The Cyril Potter College of Education also provides permanent, in-house counselling for trainee teachers.

Officials said the focus is on protecting mental health, building supportive environments and fostering resilience among young people. The ministry is working with parents, teachers and community stakeholders to reduce stigma and promote help-seeking behaviour. Training programmes are being expanded to help educators and counsellors identify early signs of distress.

“On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we encourage all Guyanese to remember that every conversation, every act of kindness, and every gesture of support can save a life,” the ministry said in a statement.

Counsellors from the Student Support Unit and the wider school system are leading awareness sessions across secondary schools on Wednesday, highlighting resilience and letting students know that help is within reach.

Hotlines are available for anyone in need of support:

• Inter-Agency Suicide Prevention Help Line: 623-4444 or 600-7896
• Guyana 24-Hour Crisis Help Line: 603-3666
• Mental Health Unit: 226-1416
• Ministry of Education Guidance and Counselling Department: 225-9537
• Click to view slideshow.

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The High Court has ordered social media personality Melissa Ann Atwell, also known as “Melly Mell,” to pay a total of $35 million in damages to Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc. and its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Madhu Singh, after finding that a series of Facebook posts in June 2019 were defamatory. The court also ordered Atwell to remove the defamatory statements from her Facebook account and to pay prescribed costs of $3.15 million.

Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln, in a judgment delivered on 3 September 2025, ruled that the posts – 33 separate stories published over five days – imputed professional malpractice, medical negligence, and improper billing practices against the hospital and Dr Singh. The court said the statements constituted a “very serious form of libel,” striking at the claimants’ professional reputation.

Dr Singh, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, testified that the publications left her subject to ridicule and suspicion among peers, anonymous threats, online trolling, and emotional distress, although she continues to practise medicine. While no evidence of pecuniary loss or psychological trauma was produced, the court accepted that the allegations caused “distress, hurt and humiliation.”

The hospital was awarded $15 million in damages, while Dr Singh was awarded $20 million. Both sums include aggravated damages.

Justice Corbin-Lincoln noted that Atwell failed to verify the truth of the claims before publishing and persisted with a defence of justification without evidence, which aggravated the damages.

“Facebook libel was appropriately described as ‘libel without borders’… its use to circulate unverified defamatory allegations which cannot be proved must be met with the appropriate consequences,” the judge said.

The attorneys who represented Balwant Singh Hospital and its CEO were Mr. Robin Stoby, S.C., Mr. Stephen Fraser SC and Mrs. Shantel Scott-Lall.

The attorneys who represented Melly Mel were Mr. Sanjeev Datadin, Mr. Donovan Rangiah, Ms. Anessa Chow and Ms. Mohanie Anagnaoo for the Defendant.

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The Guyana Police Force is appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the suspect involved in a recent acid attack that left two women injured on East Street, Georgetown.

The incident occurred on September 3, 2025, when the suspect, who was in a car, allegedly hurled a glass bottle containing a corrosive liquid at the women as they were on their way to get lunch.

He then fled the scene.

Police have since released an image of the suspect and are urging anyone who recognizes him or has information about his identity to come forward.

“Please contact the nearest police station if you have information that can help investigators identify the suspect.

Any and all information will be treated with strict confidentiality,” Police said in a statement.

Investigations are ongoing.

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The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) said on Wednesday it was looking forward to the government’s ambitious plans to further boost the sector during President Irfaan Ali’s second term.

Ali, who secured re-election in the Sept. 1 General and Regional Elections, has pledged to transform Guyana into a globally recognised, sustainable tourism powerhouse.

THAG President Mitra Ramkumar told the News Room the association was eager to work with the incoming cabinet, which will play a central role in developing new products and strengthening collaboration.

“We work with everyone, so it’s not only the tourism minister. We look forward to the appointment of cabinet. We have congratulated the President on his re-election and we look forward to all the excitement. There are a lot of plans for these five years,” Ramkumar said.

Mitra Ramkumar during an interview with the News Room and President Dr. Irfaan Ali during the inauguration for his second term.

“We look forward to those plans materialising. It comes with challenges as well, and so we want to work with the government to ensure that as we develop, we develop sustainably and in a way that will benefit all,” he added.

The government has identified niche strategies including medical tourism, spa and wellness retreats, agro-tourism and sports tourism as avenues for growth and diversification.

Domestically, tourism expansion is being aligned with economic planning and investment in infrastructure. Community-based eco-tourism in hinterland regions and public-private partnerships are central to inclusive development, connecting communities while protecting Guyana’s rich natural and cultural heritage.

Ramkumar said THAG already has several cross-border collaborations that will require state backing. The association recently partnered with its counterparts in Suriname and French Guiana to develop inter-regional tourism products.

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Tour operators in Guyana are fully booked and wider sections of the economy are seeing benefits as the country hosts the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) cricket tournament, the head of the tourism body said on Wednesday.

Mitra Ramkumar, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), said sports tourism was proving to be a major driver of growth.

“It’s an exciting time. For THAG members, and for us at Roraima, we’ve been receiving so many Kaieteur bookings that we can’t even handle them. Every other tour operator has been receiving bookings as well,” Ramkumar told the News Room.

Mitra Ramkumar, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG)

The surge in visitors has allowed operators to take advantage of off-days between matches to run excursions to local attractions.

The CPL generated a record-breaking US$101 million for Guyana’s economy in 2023. While figures for 2024 are still to be released, Ramkumar said the momentum was clear and the impact was expanding.

“When one travels to the destination, they don’t only need a hotel. It drives consumer demand and that benefits everyone, even those not directly in the tourism industry … farmers, vendors, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, the man on the street selling craft or egg ball – they all benefit,” he said.

Ramkumar added that CPL highlighted Guyana’s growing ability to stage international sporting events, creating a ripple effect across the economy. “Sports tourism is not just about cricket or hotels; it gives Guyanese at every level a chance to benefit,” he said.

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A 39-year-old city businessman was arrested Tuesday evening after police intercepted his vehicle on Vlissengen Road and allegedly found him with an unlicensed firearm and a large quantity of suspected cannabis.

Police Headquarters said Franz Paul of Middle Road, La Penitence, was stopped around 18:32 hrs near the Square of the Revolution while driving a black Honda Vezel.

Acting on information received, police conducted a search of his person and discovered a .22 pistol with a magazine containing two live rounds concealed in his pocket.

Police said Paul admitted he was not a licensed firearm holder.

His vehicle was then searched and Police reportedly uncovered a garbage bag behind the front passenger seat containing two taped parcels. The parcels, which were later weighed, amounted to 2,267 grams of suspected cannabis.

Paul was immediately arrested and cautioned before being taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station.

The firearm and ammunition have since been lodged for ballistic testing.

Police confirmed that Paul remains in custody and is expected to face multiple charges.

Paul is an ex-police officer. He  is known to the Police and was previously charged.

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Social media personality and entertainer Lolita Callendar, popularly known as ‘Lola Doll,’ is reported to be improving and the Police have since been able to interview her about the shooting which has left her hospitalised.

Police Headquarters in a statement on Wednesday confirmed that they spoke with her doctors, who indicated that her condition has stabilised and is improving.

Investigators have also been able to interview Callendar as part of the ongoing probe.

Two persons were arrested as part of the probe.

The first suspect, Police said, has since been released on $500,000 bail on condtion that he reports to the Police. His release comes after his 72-hour detention period expired.

The other suspect, Paul Daby Jr., also known as ‘Randell’, who the Police had issued a wanted bulletin for in relation to the attack, remains in custody.

Callendar was shot multiple times outside her home at Texas Square, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on Saturday, September 6th, 2025, at around 23:35 hours.

The shooting occurred on Saturday night at Texas Square, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, when Lola Doll was seated in her car.

Investigators said she was shot multiple times by a man on a motorcycle, sustaining wounds to her neck, face, hands and right leg. She was rushed to hospital, where doctors stabilised her condition.

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China’s 20th medical team to Guyana recently held a free clinic and cultural exhibition in the mining town of Linden, deepening long-standing cooperation in health between the two countries.

The team provided consultations to local government staff, testing blood glucose and pressure levels, and offering guidance on occupational ailments such as neck, back and joint pain. Free medication was also distributed.

Alongside the clinic, residents explored a cultural display featuring traditional Chinese medicine sachets and cooling ointments, which drew wide interest.

Mr. Sharma Solomen, Mayor of Linden, praised the work of the Chinese medical team in Linden and presented letters of appreciation to all members of the Linden Team. (China Medical Team photo)

Linden Mayor Sharma Solomen attended the event and thanked the doctors for their service at the Linden Hospital Complex. “You have done extraordinary work at the Linden Hospital Complex,” he said, adding that the team had shown consistent care for the town’s residents. The mayor presented each team member with a letter of appreciation, describing them as both skilled physicians and envoys of friendship.

China has been sending medical teams to Guyana for more than three decades. Beyond providing advanced medical technology and equipment, the doctors have won local trust through their skills and commitment, becoming an important bridge in bilateral relations.

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