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The British Chamber of Commerce Guyana (BritCham Guyana) wishes to inform you that our Business Forum and Networking event originally scheduled to take place on 11th September,2025 at Stamford Bridge, Home of English Premier League’s Chelsea Football Club in London, UK, will be rescheduled to a later date.

Following consultations with our members and sponsors, the board has decided to reschedule the event due to conflicting activities in Guyana. BritCham Guyana are currently working closely with Chelsea Football Club to confirm a new date that aligns with the 2025 English Premier League’s schedule, which will be released on 18th June, 2025. We endeavour to announce a new date for this highly anticipated event before 1st July.

We also take this opportunity to encourage those who are not yet members to explore the value of joining BritCham Guyana. Membership provides:

• Access to high-level networking events and trade missions
• Enhanced visibility across UK and Guyanese markets
• Opportunities to engage with key government and private sector stakeholders
• Priority access and discounts for major events such as this one

We sincerely thank those who have expressed interest in attending or becoming a sponsor, as well as our members and partners, for your continued support and understanding.

For more information, please feel free to contact the BritCham Secretariat at (+592) 708 9989 or email info@britchamgy.com.

The post BritCham Guyana business forum at Stamford Bridge rescheduled appeared first on News Room Guyana.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that investments will soon be made to expand aviation education in Guyana.

He said plans are underway to introduce a local programme to train professionals across all areas of the aviation sector, including pilots.

“Very soon, we will invest here in Guyana in expanding aviation education—in every aspect of aviation. Aviation management, training of pilots, aeronautical engineers—every single sphere of aviation life will be part of the training programme we want to offer here in Guyana,” President Ali stated.

The Head of State made this disclosure during his address at the launch of KLM Dutch Airlines on Tuesday night.

Reflecting on the sector’s growth over the years, President Ali noted that passenger traffic in Guyana has significantly increased. As a result, the current focus is on building a system that can accommodate 3 million people passing through the economy by 2030.

To support this vision, he emphasised the need for an ecosystem capable of sustaining such expansion.

“I am very proud of all that we have been able to achieve—moving our seat capacity coming into Guyana from 336,000 to almost 1.5 million seats.

“…Four years ago, we had just about five carriers serving our country. Today, we have eleven. We were connected to six destinations; today, we are connected to sixteen. These connections don’t happen by accident—you must have confidence in the economy,” President Ali said.

The post More investment to expand local aviation education – President Ali appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A 28-year-old driver was placed on $1 million bail after he was charged in relation to the explosions that occurred at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) substation in Georgetown last month.

Jason Jacobis of Annandale, East Coast Demerara, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. He was charged with two counts of facilitating a terrorist act.

Jacobis, who was represented by attorney Mikel Puran, was not required to plead to the indictable charges.

The prosecutor objected to bail. However, bail was granted with the condition that Jacobis lodge his passport and report to the Ruimveldt Police station every Friday.

G/Town Explosions: Driver was paid $20,000; claims Venezuelans threatened to kill his family

The case was adjourned to July 2 for report.

In a Police release sent days ago, Jacobis was not named as one of the suspects. He is now the second suspect who was charged with the crimes, however.

Last week, Seon Carmichael, a 35-year-old minibus driver from Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, was remanded to prison after being charged with facilitating two acts of terrorism.

Police have issued wanted bulletins for the three main suspects: two Venezuelans and a Brazilian known only as “Flavio Tasso.” Investigators say they have gathered CCTV footage and other evidence linking the men to the explosions. They remain on the run.

The News Room understands that Jacobis surrendered to the Police after noticing the wanted bulletins. He allegedly sold a vehicle to one of the suspects.

Police Headquarters has been investigating the explosions at the outpost and the substation. It was previously reported that the gate of the East Ruimveldt Police outpost was blown off after an improvised explosive device was thrown at the facility by unknown individuals.

Police said the two incidents occurred around the same time on Saturday, May 17. So, authorities said they were investigating the possibility of a coordinated effort between the two incidents.

The post G/Town explosions: New suspect charged, placed on $1M bail appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The statutory meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday came to an abrupt end following a walkout by opposition-nominated Commissioner Desmond Trotman, stalling key election preparations.

Trotman’s exit, just minutes after the meeting commenced, effectively halted discussions on several agenda items crucial to the advancement of the Commission’s work in the lead-up to the  September 01, 2025, General and Regional Elections.

Speaking with News Room, government-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj explained that GECOM’s weekly statutory meetings, traditionally held on Tuesdays, require a quorum comprising the Chairperson and two Commissioners from each side — two from the government and two from the opposition.

Sase Gunraj

Gunraj confirmed that the government-nominated Commissioners Clement Rohee, Manoj Narayan, and himself were present for the meeting, alongside opposition-nominated Commissioners Desmond Trotman and Vincent Alexander.

“An agenda had been set, covering several critical matters related to the upcoming elections,” Gunraj stated.

According to him, shortly after the meeting commenced, Alexander inquired about unresolved issues not placed on the agenda. The Chairperson reportedly explained their exclusion. However, Trotman objected to proceeding with any other matters in their absence and exited the meeting.

“As a consequence, the meeting lost its quorum,” Gunraj said. “Not only were we unable to address the agenda items, but we also could not discuss off-agenda matters critical to the holding of elections.”

Following the disruption, the Chairperson issued notice for another meeting to be held on Thursday. Gunraj noted that, as provided for in the Constitution, the quorum for that meeting would now be the Chairperson and any three Commissioners.

“The Constitution contemplates the participation of a majority of Commissioners, likely to encourage thorough deliberation. But this trend of walkouts and delays has been ongoing — even before the announcement of the election date,” Gunraj lamented.

He described Tuesday’s aborted meeting as yet another instance of what he termed “a deliberate strategy of delay, obfuscation, and filibustering.”

“In essence, there was no meaningful discussion on any single issue. This has long characterised our engagements and gives the strong impression that there is no real desire by some Commissioners to ensure successful elections,” he added.

While he did not have the agenda for the aborted meeting in front of him, Gunraj stressed that there are “key decisions” the Commission must make urgently, including finalising timelines for the application of symbols and nomination deadlines.

“This kind of walkout at such a critical juncture appears clearly designed to frustrate the process,” Gunraj said.

Asked whether these actions could jeopardise the timeline for the elections, he responded cautiously.

“I don’t want to cast doubt or be a naysayer. As a realist, I’ve looked at the timeline and was perhaps the first to say it is practical and achievable. But when mischief-makers act up, we always have to cater for these eventualities.”

So far, Gunraj said, a review of the Commission’s work plan does not reveal any major impact caused by the walkouts.

Continuous registration has already ended, and the Claims and Objections period is set to begin later this month. Nomination Day has been announced, and training for staff is ongoing, as GECOM continues its preparations for the September 2025 polls.

The post Another walkout stalls GECOM’s work in preparation for September elections appeared first on News Room Guyana.

England romped to a 3-0 series clean sweep over West Indies with a seven-wicket victory in the third one-day international at The Oval.

Chasing 246 in 40 overs after rain, Jamie Smith crashed 64 from just 28 balls – his first ODI half-century – as England reached 100 after just eight overs.

That was the joint-fourth quickest any men’s side has reached three figures in the format and they were able to complete their chase with 10.2 overs to spare with Ben Duckett hitting 58 and Joe Root 44.

Smith’s assault quickly eradicated fears England would be punished for letting a good position slip in allowing West Indies to post 251-9 in their rain-interrupted 40 overs.

In an innings split in two by a 90-minute rain delay, Gudakesh Motie’s 63 at number eight rescued an innings that was floundering at 154-7 despite Sherfane Rutherford’s 70.

But Adil Rashid took 3-40 and, despite the bowling lacking accuracy throughout, England secured their first ODI series win since before their white-ball downturn began at the 2023 World Cup.

New captain Harry Brook will look to continue his perfect start in charge in the three-match T20 series which starts in Chester-le-Street on Friday.

Brook’s big call pays off

Brook has been charged with reinvigorating England’s white-ball fortunes after a third poor major tournament in a row led to Jos Buttler’s resignation, and could hardly have had a better start.

The clean sweep is their first since one in the Netherlands in 2022 and one of the biggest decisions of his tenure so far – the promotion of Smith to open – appears to be paying off.

Smith showed glimpses in making 37 in the first ODI and with more effortless shot-making on his home ground showed why, despite the 24-year-old having never opened the batting in professional cricket, England have given him this role.

His first runs came off the inside edge but afterwards he cleanly struck another nine fours and three sixes as he targeted the leg side without resorting to slogs.

Having raced to 44 in 22 deliveries, he was dropped at mid-wicket by Justin Greaves and lifted Gudakesh Motie for six over long-on to reach fifty.

In the rest of the over he swept a four, rocked back to hit Motie for six again over mid-wicket and was bowled by the left-arm spinner but Smith had taken any jeopardy from the chase.

Duckett, also dropped on 15 in a lacklustre effort by West Indies, allowed his new opening partner to take the leading role in their opening stand of 93 and was eventually caught by Roston Chase.

The only surprise was that Root top-edged a catch to fine leg off Alzarri Joseph as he eased towards the winning line but, perhaps fittingly, that left captains new and old – Brook and Buttler – to secure victory, Buttler doing so with a huge six.

Bowling a mixed bag

England rediscovering the rhythms of 50-over batting has been welcome.

Their bowling has also impressed at times in this series but this showing proved there remains significant room for improvement.

The recalled Evin Lewis pulled Brydon Carse to mid-wicket, Brandon King drove Matthew Potts to point and Shai Hope pulled Saqib Mahmood to deep square leg all within the first powerplay – an opening 10 overs delayed by 30 minutes after the Windies were stuck in traffic – but those wickets came amid the regular loss of line and length by England’s pace trio.

Left-hander Rutherford, who missed the first two matches of the series because of his commitments at the Indian Premier League, played a lone hand either side of the rain to rebuild as Rashid dismissed Keacy Carty for 29 and Justin Greaves and Chase in consecutive deliveries.

Ultimately, Rutherford was caught at long-on mistiming a pull off Carse, leaving West Indies seven down in the 28th over with the innings still in danger.

Motie, having earlier hit Rashid’s hat-trick ball for six, chanced his arm with a counter-attack and ended up adding 91 in 68 balls with Alzarri Joseph.

The overs of England’s fifth bowler were again made up by part-time spinners Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell, who were largely innocuous while Carse, Potts and Mahmood struggled for penetration with the older ball.

That, though, is a problem for another day.

Brook’s rebuild is under way while West Indies, who will be able to call on all-rounders Jason Holder and Andre Russell plus former captain Rovman Powell in their ranks, will hope to be more competitive in the T20s. (BBC)

The post 3-0 thrashing for West Indies despite fifties from Rutherford and Motie appeared first on News Room Guyana.

In response to several violent and physical attacks against traffic officers by citizens, Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner, Mahendra Singh, said ranks have been instructed to use taser guns as a non-lethal measure in confrontations.

In a statement, Singh revealed that a significant number of citizens are bent on breaking the laws by committing traffic breaches and not cooperating with traffic officers when caught.

He noted that it has become popular for offenders (motorists) to attack traffic officers who are unarmed all of the time.

“I want to re-emphasise that this type of behaviour by our citizens will not be condoned by the Guyana Police Force, more so the Department. Anyone found committing any traffic offence in this country and when challenged by our traffic officers resort to violently resisting and assaulting them will be met with the full force of the law.

“I have given instructions to all traffic officers throughout the country to continue enforcing the laws as mandated by the Police Act Chapter 16:01 and be prepared to deal condignly with violators who would attempt to resist them violently,” the Traffic Chief said in the statement.

The move comes amid recent social media posts showing members of the public violently assaulting and resisting uniformed police ranks.

According to Singh, traffic officers will now be issued with taser guns to protect themselves and to subdue offenders while enforcing the law and bringing them to justice.

“No longer will members of the public be allowed to violently assault members of the Force with impunity when enforcing the laws. All offenders are forewarned that whoever commits traffic violations and does not cooperate with the Police as is mandated by the Constitution of Guyana will be dealt with as provided for by law,” the Traffic Chief stated.

The post Cops to tase citizens who attack officers, resist arrest appeared first on News Room Guyana.

David Daniels, AFC’s Region Seven Chairman and Founder of the Small Miners Association, has endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) ahead of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections.

Daniels told the News Room that he joined the Alliance For Change (AFC) in 2018, ahead of the Local Government Elections that year. He is grateful to the party for entrusting him with leadership, but believes that his vision for development better aligns with President Ali’s and the PPP’s.

“It is just fitting that if I see that your vision and my vision align, then I will support you.

“Me ain’t born in no party, I represent the people… I represent that constituency of mining, and I will continue to represent that,” Daniels said.

Daniels opined that much progress has unfolded under President Ali’s government. He also believes that the President’s focus on diversifying the economy, instead of focusing solely on oil and gas developments, is important.

“What I have seen is the transformation in the mining industry. I have seen that our continuous engagement with the (Ministry of Natural Resources), the President, and the stakeholders is that the President is someone who wants to see what is good and what is right for the industry.

“My decision right now- joining onto President Ali and his team and this current government- will help small miners, will help who I think is my constituency,” Daniels said.

 

The post AFC’s David Daniels endorses President Ali appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Virat Kohli finally won the Indian Premier League as Royal Challengers Bengaluru sealed their maiden title with a six-run win over Punjab Kings.

The 36-year-old India legend, the only player to represent the same franchise in every edition of the tournament, top-scored for RCB, hitting 43 in his side’s 190-9 from 20 overs.

Kings, who were also seeking a first IPL title, were unable to chase down their target, finishing on 184-7.

Opening the batting alongside England’s Phil Salt, Kohli’s crucial knock from 35 deliveries, took RCB to 143 before he was the fourth wicket to fall, caught and bowled by Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai.

Salt struck 16 from nine balls before being caught by Shreyas Iyer off Kyle Jamieson, while England all-rounder Liam Livingstone hit 25 as the side’s numbers three to six all posted scores in the mid-20s.

Having accumulated steadily, Andy Flower’s team failed to accelerate in the final over, with Arshdeep Singh taking three wickets in his last six balls to ensure RCB didn’t pass 200.

Kings found themselves 98-4 in the 13th over of their reply, losing captain and star batter Shreyas for just one, caught by Jitesh Sharma off Romario Shepherd.

Romario Shepherd picked up the key wicket of Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer (Photo by: s Saikat Das / Sportzpics for IPL)

Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh began to rebuild, but their side’s challenge effectively ended when Wadhera and the big-hitting Marcus Stoinis were both caught in the same Bhuvneshwar Kumar over.

Needing 29 from Josh Hazlewood’s final over, Shashank hammered 22 from the last four balls of the innings, bringing his side tantalisingly close to their target with an unbeaten 61.

However, his efforts were ultimately in vain, and after 18 years and three previous final defeats, Kohli and RCB could finally celebrate a successful IPL campaign.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru players celebrate win during the final of the Indian Premier League season 18 (IPL 2025) between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on the 3rd June 2025
Photo by Arjun Singh / Sportzpics for IPL

Kohli and Flower lift RCB to new heights

It has been a long wait for Kohli, who played in the first IPL game for RCB in April 2008.

Then aged 19, he was bowled for one, but he would go on to hit 8,661 runs in 267 matches in the competition at an average of 39.54, with eight hundreds and 63 half-centuries.

He tasted defeat in his side’s two final appearances, losing to Chennai Super Kings in 2011 and 2016 to Sunrisers Hyderabad, while he also captained the franchise between 2013 and 2021.

Kohli has been in strong form in recent years, averaging over 50 in the past three seasons, including 54.75 in this campaign, and now gets to lift the IPL trophy after 267 matches in the competition.

The title also represents another success in the franchise coaching career of Flower, who took over RCB in 2024.

The Ashes-winning former England coach led RCB to fourth in his first season, losing in the eliminator match, before placing second this year, behind Kings on net run-rate.

His side then beat Kings in the first qualifier match to progress straight to the final, and have now repeated that feat.

It follows wins in the Pakistan Super League with Multan Sultans in 2021 and Trent Rockets in The Hundred in 2022.

Meanwhile England internationals Salt, Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell will also be awarded winners medals.

Livingstone hit 25 from 15 in the final, while Bethell was playing for England in the third ODI against the West Indies during the game, having returned home for international duty. (BBC)

The post Finally! RCB and Kohli win maiden IPL title after 18 years appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The ever-strong relationship between Jamaica and China was on display last weekend as a mixture of competitors from both countries battled for supremacy at Jamaica’s first-ever Dragon Boat Festival.

“I’m very very happy and humbled by all of the people who have come, everybody- I’m happy if it gets much bigger!” said president of the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) Vincent Chang.

The Chinese Benevolent Association team tied with the Jamaica Coast Guard for the top spot in the competitive final, claiming victory in 1.04.257, in a tight race that brought spectators to their feet, screaming from the deck of boats and prime viewing spots on land.

In second place was the Chinese Embassy team.

The festival attracted entire families filling all the seats at Grand Excelsior hotel in Port Royal as patrons crowded the dock to cheer on their favourites.

Dragon boat racing, a traditional Chinese paddled watercraft activity for more than 2,000 years, requires teams to paddle a straight line and keep within their allocated lane/line from the start to the finish of their race.

It is forbidden to knowingly impede other boats.

A standard dragon boat race is 500 metres and takes about two to three minutes. Some festivals include short 200-metre races and longer 2,000-metre “guts and glory” races.

The two-day event in Jamaica began last Saturday with 11 teams competing in 200-metre races.

Only nine advanced to day two- Hydra Jamaica, Hydra 2, The Confucius Institute, McKay Security, Chinese Benevolent Association, CHEC Construction, Jamaica Coast Guard, Generals, and the Chinese Embassy.

All the teams- which were a mixture of Chinese, Chinese-Jamaicans, and afro-Jamaicans- had to learn how to paddle in time with a drummer who sits at the bow of the thin boat and beats a drum to direct the pace of the rowers.

After a ceremonial Dotting of the Eye, to ‘open the eyes’ of the dragons mounted on each boat the teams were set off.

Some of the teams had trouble initially finding their rhythm and more than one race was delayed either because a dragon boat drifted too close to the motor-boats marking the lanes, or to each other, or got turned around completely, or drifted off course.

The Jamaica Guard, Chinese Benevolent Association, and Chinese Embassy teams proved themselves, taking the top three spots after the times from two heats were combined.

The table remained mainly the same for the second and final day of events.

All nine teams had a chance to win a gold medal as the finals were separated into three races consisting of the three lowest times (novice), the three next fastest times (intermediate), and the fastest three times (competitive).

CHEC Construction won the Novice Finals, with Hydra Jamaica and the Confucius Institute placing second and third, respectively.

McKay Security took the Intermediate Finals beating Hydra Jamaica 2 and Generals, respectively.

Chairman of the festival’s Organising Committee Dalton Yap indicated that the event had been over a decade in the making, with the proverbial stars aligning in 2023 leading to this year’s inaugural staging.

The event was launched in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Chen Daojiang, and Pan American Dragon Boat Federation President Franco Sui Chong.

It closed the chapter on Ambassador Chen’s tour of duty which ended on June 2.

Sui Chong, representing the International Dragon Boat Federation, officially inducted Jamaica into the Caribbean, Pan American, and International federations, presenting the country’s official certificate of membership.

In that vein a Caribbean cup race was held with teams from Jamaica, The Bahamas, a mixed team of Caribbean and North American participants and the CBA. Jamaica secured the top spot with The Bahamas and mixed team in second and third, respectively.

Chang indicated that the hope is to stage the event biannually and eventually introduce longer distances than the 200-metre race. (Jamaica Observer)

 

The post Excitement and pleasure mark inaugural Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Geeta Chandan-Edmond, a member of the opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), on Monday night said she was pushing back against attempts to divide Guyanese, as she declared her endorsement of President Irfaan Ali for a second term.

Her endorsement came during a sitting of the National Assembly, at a time when efforts were being made to prevent her from speaking.

The Parliamentarian addressed these actions in her speech.

“Today I say no to silence, no to bullies, no to division… and no to pettiness,” she stated.

‘The work is not done’ – PNC’s Geeta Chandan- Edmond endorses President Ali

She added, “I am a product of the sugar plantation. I am a child of Chesney, Albion. We are strong, and we are resilient. My back is broad… my chest is strong, and I am ready to rumble.”

Throughout her address, Chandan-Edmond stood defiantly. She thanked former President David Granger for entrusting her with political leadership but criticised her opposition colleagues for what she described as divisive actions. These included withholding support for the 2025 National Budget and recently walking out of the House, alongside fellow opposition MPs, at a time when national solidarity was needed to reaffirm Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In her contribution to the budget debate, Chandan-Edmond was the only APNU+AFC opposition member to support the 2025 Budget. On Monday night, she defended that decision, stating that she believed the government was investing in Guyana’s “transformation.”

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