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A 25-year-old man has been remanded to prison following serious charges of domestic violence, wounding, and other offences.

Karran Sukhan of #2 Village, East Canje Berbice, appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Michelle Mathias.

During the court proceedings, Sukhan pled guilty to charges of Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Threatening Language, and Threatening Behavior against 20-year-old Joanna, which occurred on June 6th.

These charges were invoked under Section 141 (a) and Section 30 (a) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offenses) Act, Chapter 8:02.

Man accused of abusing partner in Reg. 6 arrested

Magistrate Mathias took a firm stance and remanded Sukhan to prison, where he will remain until his next court appearance on June 23rd.

On Thursday, Joanna took a powerful step by sharing her experience of the abuse she suffered in their six-year relationship on Facebook, seeking urgent assistance.

In an emotional and detailed Facebook post, Joanna, who recently fled the abusive household with her two children, recounted the evolution of her relationship with Sukhan — from romance in 2018 to repeated brutality by 2019.

Despite filing five separate reports with the police, Joanna said she was met with indifference and ridicule. One officer at the New Amsterdam Police Station, she claimed, went as far as to blame her for staying.

Region Six Police Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus has since assured the public that disciplinary actions will be taken against the officer in question and that every effort is being made to apprehend Sukhan.

Following her post, action was taken, and Sukhan was arrested and now faces the consequences of his actions.

The post Berbice man remanded for domestic violence against partner appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) wrapped up its 2025 ElevateAll Programme, focused on tourism and hospitality, on Friday, with a Demo Day graduation event.

The event, held at CLBD’s office in Georgetown, marked the end of four months of intensive training, mentorship, and business development support divided into two phases. The programme was co-facilitated by Programme Leads Nicola Panday and Ron Glasglow, and Programme Coordinator Cecil Maxwell.

Addressing attendees at the graduation, Programme Lead Panday explained, “The ElevateAll Programme is for a specific niche of business in Guyana. This year, we chose the tourism and hospitality industry given the growing need for tourism in Guyana, all of the investments towards it, and most importantly, this is one of the sectors that literally touches every single region in Guyana.”

Panday also provided an overview of the programme, explaining the work done during the two phases and their sessions.

Phase One kicked off with an engaging two-day boot camp, where participants took part in peer- and mentor-led sessions, developed business models, refined their pitching skills, and explored growth strategies.

This led into Phase Two – a 12-week programme offering personalised mentoring, weekly business progression sessions covering topics like marketing, market sizing, pitch development, impact measurement, OHSSE, project management, and more.

Panday noted, “During this programme, we have had the pleasure of getting to know them a little bit more intimately, as individuals, as entrepreneurs, as senior persons in their business.”

She praised the entrepreneurs that participated for their willingness and persistence despite experiencing personal and professional turmoil.

Providing a participant testimonial was Romain Persaud, Managing Director of Eco Destinations Guyana.

“They continued to share tools that shifted our perspective on how we operate as (a) business and helped me to recognise how I can add value towards growing my business.”

Persaud expressed gratitude to the funders and CLBD team stating, “For your attention, your time, and most importantly, the knowledge that they would’ve shared with us for free… that was most impactful.”

He also encouraged fellow entrepreneurs to “continue to grow in the entities that (they) lead.”

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Dee George also addressed the entrepreneurs.

“The programme that you would’ve embarked on, it’s more than just adding to your business venture.

“It’s more like adding to the experiences that will unfold.”

Dee George, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (Photo: News Room)

“…we’re assuming, that you had that entrepreneur gift already, and what this programme does for you is to just build on it, bring out your passions, bring out your already embedded gifts and to see how best we can upscale and give you added confidence as you go forward.”

Kathy Smith, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commended the graduating entrepreneurs and gave extensive advice on matters surrounding business, with a focus on business in Guyana.

Kathy Smith, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Photo: News Room)

“As soon as you go through that door, you are faced with the challenges. But the challenges (are) not for you anymore. This is your country, one of the few (countries) that is going to be the (richest) in the world.

“And if you want to ensure that you’re part of business you have to understand business. And as a private sector president I want to ensure that you do that.”

She further emphasised the importance of building a system to guarantee credibility and trust.

The ElevateAll Programme was supported by the Greater Guyana Initiative, funded by ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd., and CNOOC Petroleum Limited Guyana.

Yogeeta Singh, Local Content Supervisor from ExxonMobil Guyana

Local Content Supervisor from ExxonMobil Guyana, Yogeeta Singh relayed, “At ExxonMobil… we are truly inspired by the way each of you embrace the learning journey. Sharing your experiences, building your expertise, and already planning on how to apply your knowledge you’ve acquired over the few weeks you’ve been here… that’s really remarkable.

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AFC leader Nigel Hughes on Friday pointed to a new transport system spanning from Mahaica to Durban Park and Diamond as part of the party’s infrastructure proposals ahead of the 2025 elections.

Mr. Hughes outlined the party’s infrastructure plans for each administrative region at a party press conference on Friday.

A huge focus, he said, will be the development of new roads, stellings and hubs to support agricultural activity and other economic ventures. Mr. Hughes spoke of the party’s embrace of the 25 by 2025 goal, which is a CARICOM goal crafted by President Irfaan Ali that aims to slash costly food imports by 25% by 2025.

However, Region Four could undergo a transport transformation, he said.
“An urban transport centre will be established at Durban Park, similar to what is in Jamaica,” Hughes said.

He explained that this system will include a light rail and rapid bus transportation system from Diamond to Durban Park, and Mahaica to Durban Park. Mr. Hughes said this venture will be part of “major transportation reforms” in the region.

The AFC leader also said the party wants to establish a deepwater port at Clonbrook, Region Five, while Region Seven will be a hub for hydropower and renewable energy solutions.

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(BBC) The British man who was the sole survivor of Thursday’s Air India plane crash said he managed to escape the wreckage through an opening in the fuselage.

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(Reuters) – Israel launched large-scale strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it had attacked nuclear facilities and missile factories and killed a swathe of military commanders in what could be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran had brought the attack on itself by resisting U.S. demands in talks to restrict its nuclear programme, and urged it to make a deal, “with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal”.

Washington said it had no part in the operation, however.

Iran promised a harsh response to a barrage that killed the heads of both its armed forces and the powerful Revolutionary Guards, and Israel said it was trying to intercept about 100 drones launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation.

But around 0800 GMT, Israeli media said an order to citizens to remain near protected areas had been lifted, suggesting that most or all of the drones had been neutralised.

The price of crude leapt around 9% on fears of wider retaliatory attacks across a major oil-producing region.

An Israeli security source said Mossad commandos had been operating deep inside the Islamic Republic before the attack and the Israeli spy agency and military had mounted a series of covert operations against Iran’s strategic missile array.

Israel also established an attack-drone base near Tehran, the source added. The military said it had carried out a large-scale strike against Iran’s air defences, destroying “dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers”.

Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions, including some at the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said Natanz had sustained damage but no casualties had been reported.

Iran said several top commanders and six nuclear scientists had been killed, including the armed forces chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami. Two sources in the region said at least 20 senior commanders were dead, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace force.

An Israeli military official said the strikes had achieved a great deal but assessments were continuing and Israel was prepared to keep the operation going for days. Among the targets were ballistic missiles pointed towards Israel, they added.

“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

Just before 6 a.m. Washington time, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal,” he said.

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left…”

ISRAEL’S ENEMIES IN LEBANON AND GAZA WEAKENED

At one time, Israel might have expected a wave of retaliation from Iranian-backed militias around the region.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel had “unleashed its wicked and bloody” hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive “a bitter fate for itself”.

But since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023, Israel has severely weakened Iran’s allies, notably by assassinating the top leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah and attacking the Houthis who control much of Yemen.

Some 200 Israeli fighter jets took part in the strikes, hitting more than 100 targets in Iran, military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said. Iran’s Fars news agency reported a strike near the northwestern city of Tabriz.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no increase in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear site, citing information provided by Iranian authorities.

Airlines quit the airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan after the Israeli strikes, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers diverting or cancelling flights.

Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia said they were moving their planes out of Israel and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was shut.

Dubai-based Emirates cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran as Iran closed its airspace.

The global crude oil benchmark Brent blend was up almost 9% at $75.37 at 1000 GMT.

The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said oil refining and storage facilities had not been damaged and continued to operate.

Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers had been called up and “prepared across all borders”.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi joined global calls for de-escalation and accused Israel of violating international law.

“At an extremely critical time when the U.S. was negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran that would save the whole region and the world, a new vicious escalation,” he said on X.

U.S. officials have repeatedly said any new deal – to replace a 2015 accord between Tehran and six world powers from which Trump withdrew – must include a commitment to scrap uranium enrichment, a prerequisite for developing nuclear bombs.

NUCLEAR TALKS WITH IRAN DUE ON SUNDAY

The Islamic Republic insists it wants nuclear energy only for civilian purposes.

But the IAEA’s Board of Governors on Thursday declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.
Iran is a signatory to the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel is not, and is believed to have the Middle East’s sole nuclear arsenal.

Iran said in a statement that Israel’s “cowardly” attack showed why Iran had to insist on enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power.
Iranian citizens reacted to the strikes with anger and fear.

Some opponents of the ruling clerics expressed hope that Israel’s attack might lead to their downfall, though one Tehran resident who was not a supporter of clerical rule said Iran must retaliate.

“We can’t afford not to respond. Either we surrender and they take our missiles, or we fire them. There’s no other option — and if we don’t, we’ll end up surrendering them anyway.”

The Israeli military said it had been forced to act by new intelligence information showing that Iran was “approaching the point of no return” in the development of a nuclear weapon.

But a source familiar with U.S. intelligence reports said there had been no recent change in the U.S. assessment that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and that Khamenei had not authorised a resumption of the nuclear weapons programme that was shut in 2003.

Trump was convening the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said. He had said on Thursday that an Israeli strike on Iran “could very well happen” but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution.

Iran’s armed forces spokesperson accused Washington of providing support for the operation.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. had not been involved in the strikes and Israel had acted unilaterally in self-defence.

U.S. and Iranian officials are scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday.

The post Israel blasts nuclear and military targets in Iran appeared first on News Room Guyana.

See below the full release from the Guyana Elections Commission: 

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has approved the use of a modified version of the Nomination Form that is statutorily required to be submitted along with the Lists of Candidates by Political Parties to contest General and Regional Elections.

The modified version of the Form was proposed by Chief Election Officer (CEO), Mr. Vishnu Persaud to cater for greater accuracy and to guard against misuse.

Nomination Forms are used to record the particulars of the Nominators submitting the Lists of Candidates for (i) the National Top-up List of Candidates, (ii) the Geographic Constituency List of Candidates, and (iii) the Regional Democratic Council List of Candidates.

The CEO’s proposal was premised on the fact that there were numerous cases, during the period following Nomination Day for Local Government Elections in 2023, where persons claimed that either they did not sign as Nominators or they did not know that they signed the Form as Nominators. This matter generated a great deal of controversy in the public domain and affected timely processing of Lists of Candidates.
In view of this development, GECOM takes this opportunity to notify all potential contestants to use the modified version of the form to document the particulars and signatures of their Nominators for their respective Lists of Candidates. This is of crucial importance for the avoidance of doubt and to ensure timely processing of Lists of Candidates within the short window of time that is statutorily available for the examination and correction of Lists of Candidates.

Specifically, the modified version of the Nomination Form carries the following text at the top of every page: “We the undersigned knowingly and willingly provide our particulars and append our signatures as  Nominators for the National Top-up/Geographic Constituency/Regional Democratic List of  Candidates for the ………………………………………………….. Party” 

The updated forms are accessible on GECOM’s website in the General and Regional Elections 2025  resource hub at https://www.gecom.org.gy/public/home/resource_hub

Alternatively, hardcopies can be  uplifted from the Office of the Chief Election Officer or from the Office of the Public Relations Officer.  

 

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A story of domestic abuse spanning six years has surfaced in Region Six, as a woman named Joanna took to social media to detail the violence she endured at the hands of her partner, prompting an active police investigation.

Region Six Police Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus has confirmed that an investigation is underway and that the suspect, identified as Karran Sukhan, is currently being sought. Sukhan is the owner of Red Scorpion Car Rental and, according to Joanna, the man behind years of unspeakable torment.

In an emotional and detailed Facebook post, Joanna, who recently fled the abusive household with her two children, recounted the evolution of her relationship with Sukhan — from romance in 2018 to repeated brutality by 2019.

“HE KICKED ME IN THE STOMACH, STOMPED ON MY HEAD, AND BEAT ME REPEATEDLY. OVER THE YEARS, THE VIOLENCE ONLY WORSENED,” JOANNA SHARED.

She described a chilling pattern of abuse: slaps turning into beatings, beatings into torture. Her post paints a picture of a life lived in fear — filled with threats, humiliation, and sexual violence. In one instance, Joanna recalled falling asleep and missing Sukhan’s first call. His reaction?

“HE KICKED ME IN MY STOMACH AND I FLEW INTO THE HOUSE AND HURT MYSELF,” SHE SAID.

“A FEW MONTHS AFTER I GAVE BIRTH, HE MADE ME ROLL ON HOT CONCRETE. HE SLAPPED ME WHILE I WAS HOLDING OUR ONE-MONTH-OLD BABY, CAUSING THE CHILD TO HIT HIS HEAD.”

According to Joanna, the abuse included rape, beatings with hoses, being pelted with household items, and being tied with wire and nearly strangled — all while pregnant.

“SOMETIMES HE BEAT ME WHILE I HELD OUR NEWBORN,” SHE SAID, HER WORDS ECHOING THE TRAUMA THAT DEFINED HER DAILY LIFE.

Even more disturbing is her account of a recent attack, triggered by her decision to leave the relationship.

“THIS TIME WITH A KNIFE AND A CUTLASS. MY BODY IS NOW COVERED IN SCARS AND BRUISES. HE EVEN PULLED A KNIFE ON OUR TWO-YEAR-OLD SON AND THREATENED TO POISON AND KILL ALL OF US,” JOANNA REVEALED.

She said she was left to run Sukhan’s business, care for their children, and endure his violent rages without help or relief.

“HE LEFT ME HOME ALONE WHILE HE DRANK AND CHEATED, THEN CAME HOME TO TORMENT ME FURTHER,” SHE ADDED.

Despite filing five separate reports with the police, Joanna said she was met with indifference and ridicule. One officer at the New Amsterdam Police Station, she claimed, went as far as to blame her for staying.

“OFFICER TROTMAN TOLD ME I MUST HAVE ‘ENJOYED THE LICKS’ SINCE I STAYED SO LONG,” SHE SAID.

Commander Bacchus has since assured the public that disciplinary actions will be taken against the officer in question and that every effort is being made to apprehend Sukhan.

Joanna also revealed that Sukhan’s grandmother was a witness to the abuse but her attempts to intervene were dismissed.

“SHE’S MY WIFE. I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT TO HER,” WAS SUKHAN’S ALLEGED RESPONSE.

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A Nigerian national has been sentenced to six years in prison following his conviction for orchestrating a series of romance and package delivery scams that defrauded several Guyanese of millions of dollars in 2022.

Matthew Ejike Nwachukwu was found guilty on Thursday by Magistrate Liverpool at the Wismar Magistrate’s Court on two counts of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, contrary to Section 33 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. He was handed a three-year prison sentence on each count, to run consecutively.

Nwachukwu’s conviction follows a comprehensive investigation by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which unearthed evidence linking him to multiple fraudulent schemes. According to SOCU, Nwachukwu acted as a key accomplice to a foreign-based mastermind – reportedly a German national – who posed as a romantic interest to unsuspecting victims across Guyana.

One of the victims testified that she was lured into a long-distance relationship with a man claiming to be German. In July 2022, she was told that valuable packages – including diamonds – would be sent to her via FedEx. Days later, she received a call from a foreign number advising that the packages had arrived and that she was required to pay G$155,000 to uplift them from the McKenzie Post Office.

Believing the package to be genuine and fearful of potential confiscation under money laundering suspicion, the victim made the payment. SOCU’s evidence revealed that Nwachukwu was instrumental in coordinating local agents to collect the money on behalf of the overseas fraudster.

Nwachukwu was initially charged and remanded in September 2022. At trial, prosecutors Aaron Daniels and Neville Jeffers presented detailed evidence of his role in the conspiracy. He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Lawrence Harris.

SOCU has confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the German ringleader and other accomplices linked to the broader romance and package delivery scam network allegedly operated by Nigerian nationals in Guyana.

Authorities are urging members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in online relationships, especially those involving financial transactions or promises of high-value shipments.

Investigations remain active as law enforcement tracks the larger criminal network targeting vulnerable individuals across the country.

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General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday said the Guyana Elections Commission should be wary of parties fraudulently listing citizens as their backers or threatening persons to stop them from backing other parties.

Jagdeo, who is Guyana’s Vice President, spoke at a party press conference on Thursday.

During that press conference, he voiced concerns about individuals and parties who may be engaged in actions that undermine the will of the people ahead of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.

“GECOM should take firm action against any party threatening people not to go on any party’s list. They should also take action against parties fraudulently putting backers on their list,” Jagdeo said.

Delving into the latter, Jagdeo opined that representatives of some parties may lie to citizens, telling them that they are signing up for sports teams or cash grants, but instead, they are being used as party nominators.

To successfully participate in the elections, parties must submit their symbol for approval and their Lists of Candidates: one National Top-Up List, at least six Geographical Constituencies’ Lists, and the Regional Democratic Councils’ Lists. The National Top-Up list, which identifies the Presidential candidate, must have at least 42 candidates and between 300 and 330 nominators countrywide. Each Geographical Constituency List must have between 150 and 175 nominators from each geographical constituency.

Such unscrupulous actions, Jagdeo said, must not be condoned. And he vowed that the PPP will “pay keen attention” to what unfolds over the next few weeks.

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General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo rebuked “vile” comments against some of the former opposition politicians who have now thrown their support behind his party.

“If you’re Afro-Guyanese and you come to the PPP, you are called all sorts of names. It’s so vile.

“And then the Indian ones who might’ve supported the PNC, if they decided to support the PPP or anyone else, it’s suddenly ‘Oh we expected that from them’,” Jagdeo said on Thursday at his weekly press conference.

Jagdeo juxtaposed those reactions and utterances to what transpires in his party. In the PPP, according to Jagdeo, persons of all ethnicities are embraced.

“If you wanna make the choice to support us… PPP supporters are happy for that because they see people recognising that we are changing the country.

“Most PPP supporters know that what is important is winning the elections so that we can continue transforming this country,” JKagdeo said.

Fmr. APNU+AFC Gov’t Minister Sydney Allicock endorses President Ali

On Wednesday, respected Indigenous leader and former Vice President Sydney Allicock joined a growing list of opposition figures who have backed the PPP/C.

Other prominent political players who have now endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the PPP include: Liberty and Justice Party Leader, Lenox Shuman; The Citizenship Initiative’s Shazaam Ally; PNCR’s Daniel Seeram, Samuel Sandy, and Dr. Richard Van-West Charles; and the AFC’s David Daniels.

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