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An unidentified male is being accused of firing 19 gunshots in the air while driving a Mercedes-Benz vehicle outside the South Ruimveldt residence of Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill.

Police Headquarters reported that the incident occurred sometime around 20:10 hrs Saturday, along Sugar Cane Road, South Ruimveldt.

It was reported that there was a social gathering at the house of 69-year-old businessman Richard Austin that night. Several students, including Austin’s  16-year-old son, who recently completed their CSEC Examinations, were said to be part of the gathering.

Gunshots fired outside Public Works Minister’s Ruimveldt home 

A 15-year-old female student who was at the gathering and the unidentified male suspected of firing the gunshots were standing next to Mercedes-Benz parked on the road, and they were hugging. Police said the suspect entered the car shortly after and drove off at a fast rate.

“As the car was moving, the suspect pointed a handgun through the driver’s side window, discharged several rounds in the air, and continued to drive heading west until the vehicle disappeared.

“The scene was processed by detectives, and nineteen (19) 9mm spent shells were found at the scene,” the Police statement noted.

The registration number of the car was not seen and it was noted that when questioned, the 15-year-old female student refused to identify the suspect. Efforts are presently being made to locate the suspect and the motor car as investigations continue.

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Though the APNU+AFC coalition that was in government from 2015 to 2020 maintains it won the 2020 elections, a former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Campaign Manager has admitted that the coalition did not win.

“I never addressed this question in the open but I’ll categorically state that in 2020, the APNU + AFC lost the elections.

“I was the operations manager for the East Coast campaign. I was responsible for collecting all the [Statements of Poll] and I did take it upon myself to record the scores of every SOP received. I took pictures, I kept them, I still have them,” Samuel Sandy, formerly of the PNCR, said on the Starting Point podcast.

Lowenfield, Mingo & Myers involved in ‘shockingly brazen attempts’ to derail & corrupt 2020 elections – CoI concludes

Sandy, who has been a longstanding member of the PNCR and the Regional Vice Chairman for Region Four, recently endorsed President Dr Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.

In his first public appearance since endorsing the PPP, Sandy took aim at the PNC-led APNU+AFC coalition, admitting that the coalition did not win the elections and has been lying to Guyanese since 2020.

The politician emphasised that he possesses tallies of votes cast and copped by the coalition and those tallies differ significantly from the figures presented by GECOM’s Clairmont Mingo.

Former Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield, his deputy, Roxanne Myers and the District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo are before the Courts facing electoral fraud charges.

It has been widely acknowledged that the 2020 General and Regional elections were derailed by forces from the coalition and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). It was only five months after the March 2, 2020 polls that Irfaan Ali and the PPP took office.

Sandy said he feared sharing this information publicly before- though it was shared internally- but has now made peace with the situation. He said his intention is to be a person of integrity.

Moreover Sandy said many in the party are aware that the coalition lost the elections but he opined that former President David Granger, who was the APNU+AFC presidential candidate, was not among those aware that elections were being derailed in favour of the coalition.

(more…)

Natasha Singh- Lewis has resigned from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), a move that came just days after her colleague Amanza Walton-Desir left to start her own party.

Singh-Lewis has also given up her seat in the National Assembly. She was the shadow minister for the social services sector. She became a Parliamentarian in 2020.

The resignation was made known to PNCR leader, Aubrey Norton, and General Secretary Sherwin Benjamin.

“It is with profound regret, but driven by deep-seated conviction and an unwavering duty to the people who entrusted me with their vote, that I tender my immediate resignation. This was a very difficult decision for me, but after consultation with my family, key stakeholders, my constituents, and my mentors, this is my position,” she reportedly said in a letter to the party leaders.

Singh-Lewis joins several persons who have walked away from the PNCR. Last week, Walton-Desir said she left the PNCR because she was being sidelined and felt as though she was unable to meaningfully contribute to the party or its plans for the September 1, 2025 elections.

Walton-Desir breaks down over being sidelined by PNC/R; launches new political party

The post Days after Amanza, Natasha Singh-Lewis resigns from PNC appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Harry Brook threw his head back in despair after picking out long leg but his innings of 99 set up a tantalising one-innings match at his home ground.

India had three first-innings centurions to England’s one and Jasprit Bumrah completed a dazzling five-for to prove he is a class above any other bowler on show, yet only six runs separated the two teams after eight sessions.

Reprieved before he had scored a run on the second evening thanks to Bumrah overstepping, Brook made India pay for their profligacy.

He was dropped twice – on 46, then 80 – but played several outrageous shots as he approached his first Headingley Test hundred, only to fall into a short-ball trap by pulling Prasidh Krishna down Shardul Thakur’s throat.

But England’s lower order ensured that they raced towards parity. Where India had lost their last five wickets for 24, England added 189 in 35.5 overs, with Chris Woakes pulling back-to-back sixes to reach 2,000 Test runs.

Bumrah cleaned up his stumps, then Josh Tongue’s, to clinch his third five-wicket haul in England and a slender, single-figure lead.

It meant the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy would be determined by both teams’ second innings, and KL Rahul batted with characteristic class to lay the early foundations for a steep England target.

But Ben Stokes’ late wicket of Sai Sudharsan, three overs before rain brought an early close, left the match in the balance heading into the final two days. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant will join the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster move from the Phoenix Suns.

The 36-year-old forward will join the Rockets at the start of July in a deal involving eight other players.

In exchange, guard Jalen Green and small forward Dillon Brooks will move to Phoenix – who will also gain the 10th pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft and five future second-round picks, according to reports in US media.

Speaking at a media event in New York on Sunday Durant told reporter Kay Adams: “Being part of the Houston Rockets, I’m looking forward to it.

“Crazy, crazy last couple weeks, but I’m glad it’s over with.

“They had a great season last year. Love their leadership. I felt like I’d be a good addition.”

Durant is a four-time Olympic champion with the United States and was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2014.

Last season the Suns could only finish 11th in the Western Conference, with Durant averaging 26.6 points, six rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots a game.

The Rockets finished second in the Western Conference but were knocked out of the play-offs in the first round.

They are coached by Ime Udoka, who signed a long-term deal last week to remain as Houston’s coach. Durant and Udoka previously worked together with the Brooklyn Nets and on the US Olympic squad.

Durant is the seventh highest-scoring player in NBA history and won his two NBA titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, taking the NBA Finals MVP award on both occasions. (BBC Sport) 

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Several gunshots were fired outside the South Ruimveldt, Georgetown residence of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill late Saturday night.

Police ranks were at the scene around 10:00 hrs, probing the matter. However, there has been no official release on what transpired.

Just before midnight, Minister Edghill made a Facebook post informing the public that he nor his family members were harmed.

“The Lord has been our protector. The Edghill’s family is safe in God’s hands. Thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers,” Edghill said in the Facebook post.

Weeks ago, Minister’s Edghill’s church in Lodge, Georgetown, was set afire. A release from the Ministry of Affairs noted that the fire was being treated as an act of arson, as an individual wearing a hood was captured on CCTV footage entering the premises just before the fire was reported. It is unclear if the fire and the shooting incidents are related.

UPDATE: Arson now suspected in Church Hall fire

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See below the full release: 

The Women in Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC) – Guyana Chapter successfully hosted its inaugural Gala and Awards Ceremony under the theme “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women: Anchoring Excellence” at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Georgetown on Friday June 20.

The prestigious event brought together leading voices in maritime to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across the sector.

Held in honour of the trailblazing women working both locally and internationally within the maritime industry, the event recognised their unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous development. The evening was marked by a spirit of celebration, inspiration and advocacy, reflecting WiMAC–Guyana’s mission to champion gender equity and professional growth within the maritime sphere.

In April 2025, fourteen award categories were open for nominations, recognising diverse areas of excellence across the maritime sector. Fourteen visionary women were honoured as the 2025 awardees in each category: Maritime Leadership Award-Romona Arthur; Executive of the Year-Briony Tiwarie-Gabriel; Port Management Excellence Award-Nalini Jamuna; Outstanding Female Ship Captain-Sabita Sookdeo; Sustainable Maritime Champion-Dawn Maison; Blue Economy Advocate-Donnette Streete; STEM In Maritime Award-Shania Stewart; Mentor of the Year-Annette Arjoon- Martins; Diversity & Inclusion Champion-Miranda Thakur-Deen; Maritime Educator of the Year-Coleen Denyse Abrams; Exemplary Seafarer Award-Rebecca Samuels; Maritime Safety Advocate-Sherry-Ann Wilson; Shipping & Logistics Innovator-Keisha Hack; Women-Owned Maritime Business Award-Kerensa Bart. The Executive Council of WIMAC recognized and honored Thandi  McAllister as the Maritime Ambassador for her continued advocacy and excellence in maritime stewardship.

In her opening remarks, Katina Benn, President of WiMAC–Guyana, expressed pride in the Chapter’s milestone event, stating: “This Gala is more than a celebration, it is a statement of intent. We are here to honour the resilience, intellect and leadership of women in maritime, while actively creating space for the next generation of female professionals. WiMAC–Guyana is steadfast in its commitment to building a more inclusive, visible and empowered maritime workforce.”

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including The Honourable Bishop Juan A. Edghill., Minister of Public Works, who offered congratulatory remarks and reaffirmed the government’s support for gender equity and development within the maritime industry. He reiterated “The establishment of the national WiMAC Guyana chapter, which serves as the voice for women in our local maritime sector, and actively seeks opportunities for women is something that must be applauded.”

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to outstanding women who have made notable contributions to the maritime industry. Nominees were assessed based on criteria including active employment within the sector, a demonstrated impact in their area of expertise, and between two to five years of professional experience.

Delivering the keynote address to over 360 guests was esteemed Jamaican legal scholar and maritime governance expert, Dr. Deniece M. Aiken. As the President of WISTA-Jamaica, Dr. Aiken’s address focused on the critical role of women in shaping a resilient, inclusive maritime future.Offering an inspiring call to action, she encouraged women to seize the ocean of opportunity. “Let every step you take be purposeful, you belong in this industry and your voice matters. To the awardees, thank you for your courage and resilience. You remind us of what is possible when determination meets opportunity. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition”.

Since its inception, WiMAC–Guyana advocates for and actively works to create equal opportunities for women in the maritime sector by fostering an environment that supports capacity building, training, and increased visibility. The award ceremony reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where women are empowered to lead, innovate and thrive within the maritime sector.

The event’s accomplishments were made possible by the generous contributions of its sponsors and partners, including the Guyana Maritime Administration Department, International Register of Shipping, El Dorado Offshore, Caribbean Shipping Ltd., C&V Shipping Ltd., Muneshwers Shipping, BK Marine, SBM Offshore Guyana, John Fernandes Ltd., and Tropical Shipping.

WiMAC–Guyana extends its sincere gratitude to all sponsors, stakeholders, and members of the maritime community whose participation and contributions helped make the inaugural event a resounding success.

The post Women in maritime sector celebrated appeared first on News Room Guyana.

See below the full release from Iwokrama: 

The new Chairman of Iwokrama’s International Board of Trustees, Mr. Fareed Amin, along with senior management, visited the Iwokrama River Lodge (IRL) on June 20, 2025.

Mr Amin met with IRL staff, expressing his deep appreciation for their continued commitment to ensuring the outstanding work of Iwokrama continues. He toured the Lodge and the Iwokrama Mill Site where he got firsthand insight into Iwokrama’s operations. 

He also met with the executives of the North Rupununi District Development Board, which represents the 21 communities of the North Rupununi, and the Village Council of Fair View Village, the only community within the Iwokrama Reserve.

Iwokrama River Lodge staffers with new Chairman, Fareed Amin

In his discussions with staff and community representatives he lauded the importance of Iwokrama in global and national conservation efforts and further emphasized the contributions and great value that Indigenous traditional knowledge has played in the successful development of Iwokrama’s operations and programmes.

Mr. Amin is an accomplished public servant with over 30 years of experience at the provincial and municipal levels in Canada, having served as Ontario Deputy Minister and City of Toronto Deputy City Manager. He brings expertise in nonprofit leadership, government, international relations, and community engagement.

Since assuming the role, Mr. Amin has held several high-level engagements, including a recent meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General,  the Rt. Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. He has committed to strengthening Iwokrama’s visibility and advancing its work in conservation, research, and sustainable development.

The post Fareed Amin new Board Chairman of Iwokrama appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyanese businessman Suresh Beharry has been appointed the new Chairman of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), according to a release from the bank.

GBTI, in a Facebook post, said Mr. Beharry was appointed after Robin Stoby S.C. retired from the role.

“A seasoned executive with over 15 years on our Board, Mr. Beharry brings deep industry insight and a strong commitment to our continued growth and innovation. We thank Mr. Stoby for his visionary leadership and congratulate Mr. Beharry as he steps into this important role,” GBTI said.

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See below full statement issued by the Guyana Police Force:

The ruling of the Chief Justice in the legal challenge filed by Rickford Burke notwithstanding, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) maintains resolutely that it is in possession of cogent, compelling, and irrefutable evidence that Rickford Burke has engaged in the conduct of extorting money from a local businessman.

The matter is under review and the Police is awaiting further legal advice in relation to the institution of fresh charges.

Since Mr. Burke remains outside of the jurisdiction of Guyana, extradition proceedings will be pursued under the Fugitive Offenders Act in keeping with the ruling of the Chief Justice.

The post Guyana to seek extradition of Rickford Burke – Police Force appeared first on News Room Guyana.