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It’s more than just hitting a ball against a wall.

For a contingent of Guyana’s most promising squash talents, a rigorous seven-day high-performance training camp in Paraguay is proving to be a deep dive into the science of athletic excellence.

The camp is underpinned by a recently activated Memorandum of Understanding between the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Paraguayan Olympic Committee.

This ground-breaking collaboration has paved the way for three male and two female athletes to benefit from an environment where data drives development and progress is meticulously measured.

The Guyanese athletes participating in this intensive programme are:

• Mary Fung-A-Fat
• Kirsten Gomes
• Samuel Ince-Carvalhal
• Louis Da Silva
• Mohrayn Baksh

The camp’s comprehensive schedule is designed to enhance every facet of their game.

Key areas of focus include crucial strength and performance assessments, allowing for a data-driven approach to identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

This is complemented by targeted strength and conditioning sessions, dynamic court work, and focused circuit training.

Furthermore, the athletes receive expert guidance on nutrition, doubles play strategy, essential footwork drills, and engaging in competitive play to hone their match readiness.

This initiative, born from the formal activation of the GOA-Paraguayan Olympic Committee MoU, signifies a significant step in leveraging international partnerships to boost athlete development and performance through scientifically backed methods.

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See below the full release from the Ministry of Finance: 

The post Union agreements inked for GPL, GUYOIL workers appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyanese swimmer Raekwon Noel has continued his impressive form at the inaugural Pan Am Aquatics Championships in Colombia, securing his second gold medal and lowering another national record, this time in the 200m Butterfly.

Noel commanded the final, touching the wall at 2:02.53 to claim the gold.

His powerful swim saw him finish ahead of Andres Brooks of Puerto Rico, who took silver in 2:04.04, and Mark Van Eybergen of Mexico, who secured the bronze in 2:05.69.

The gold-medal winning time also represents a new Guyanese national record in the 200m Butterfly, surpassing his previous mark of 2:03.33 set in the preliminary heats of the same competition.

Noel had already lowered the national record in the prelims from his prior best of 2:04.21, highlighting his significant improvement in the event.

This latest triumph follows his winning performance in the 100m Butterfly earlier in the championships, where he also set a new national record (54.00 seconds), further cementing his status as a rising star in regional swimming.

Looking ahead, Noel is scheduled to compete in the 100m Backstroke and 400m Freestyle as he chases further success in Colombia.

Meanwhile, fellow Guyanese swimmer Shareefah Lewis is also in action. She is set to compete in the heats of the girls’ 16-18 50m Butterfly on Friday, aiming to qualify for a spot in the final.

Lewis previously competed in the 50m backstroke final, finishing in eighth place.

The post Another gold, another record for Raekwon Noel at Pan Am Championships appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Corporate support continues to stream in for the Demerara Cricket Board’s (DCB) upcoming Independence T10 Cup, with L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio being the latest establishments to commit to the tournament.

The fund-raising event is slated for May 25 at the LBI Ground, East Coast Demerara.

L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio CEO Lookeshwar ‘Vick’ Mahabeer presented a financial contribution to DCB Secretary Davteerth Anandjit earlier this week.

The presentation occurred at the cambio’s location on King Street, Georgetown.

Mahabeer, an ardent cricket fan and West Indies Over-40 player, expressed his delight in becoming a partner of the highly anticipated tournament.

He wished the DCB well in its endeavour to garner much-needed funds to aid in the growth and development of the sport in the county of Demerara.

L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio is the fifth business to support the tournament, joining Office Express, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Anil Beharry Real Estate, Construction and General Business Services and Naven’s Construction.

Anandjit commended Mahabeer for his kind gesture and reiterated the importance of corporate support in fostering the game’s development.

The DCB executive said the board is extremely grateful to everyone who has embraced the tournament, whether through financial means or other forms of support.

Anandjit added that plans are moving full steam for the grand Independence T10 Cup, with teams and players to be announced in the coming days.

Eight first division teams from the county will compete for top honours in a one-game knockout format.

A total cash prize of G$500,000 and trophies will be up for grabs at the one-day event.

While players within the respective associations will represent the teams, each team is allowed two guest players from other counties.

The champion team is guaranteed G$250,000 cash plus a trophy; the runners-up will receive G$150,000 and a trophy, while the losing semi-finalists will receive G$50,000 each.

On the individual side, the Man-of-the-Match in the semi-finals and final will receive a trophy.

Action will bowl off at 10:00h and conclude under floodlights.

The post L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio partners with DCB for Independence T10 Cup appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have risen as the Spanish-speaking nation plans an election for the Essequibo region, and Guyana’s Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan warned that there will be serious consequences for anyone in Guyana who votes in those elections.

The Chief of Defence Staff told reporters that any Venezuelan living in Guyana who votes in the May 25 election will be arrested and then deported.

“You cannot vote in a country of yours and come to our country and believe that it will be okay,” Brigadier Khan said on Thursday.

He acknowledged that numerous Venezuelans are living in Guyana, many of whom came to the country in search of “betterment.” However, he said it would be unacceptable if those Venezuelans went back to their country to vote in an election that concerns territory recognised as Guyana’s.

‘We’re not sitting back’ – President says borders actively monitored, foreign partners updated on Venezuela situation 

Additionally, Brigadier Khan warned that any Guyanese participating in those elections would also be dealt with condignly. There will be “implications,” he said.

The two countries have grappled with a border controversy for decades. Guyana has taken the case to the ICJ, seeking a final, binding ruling that the Essequibo is its own, affirming the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the border between the two countries.

Venezuela announced that it intends to hold elections in the Essequibo region, an area internationally recognised as Guyana’s territory and has been under Guyana’s administration for over 100 years. So the Venezuelan election plan, scheduled for May 25, 2025, is seen by Guyana as a direct violation of the Court’s Order and international law.

Earlier this month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) unanimously reaffirmed provisional measures granted in December 2023 and told Venezuela that it shall refrain from conducting, or preparing to conduct, elections in the Essequibo region.

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The findings of the internal investigation into the crash of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Bell 412 helicopter, which claimed the lives of five soldiers in December 2023, were all acted upon, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, said on Thursday.

However, the findings of the substantive probe into the accident have not yet been released.

The Brigadier spoke about the GDF’s Board of Inquiry done after the crash, at a press conference on Thursday.

“All the recommendations, all the findings of our internal investigation have been acted upon,” Brigadier Khan told reporters.

Five confirmed dead following crash of army helicopter

In keeping with its protocols, the GDF established a Board of Inquiry into the crash that occurred on December 6, 2023. This is different from the substantive probe undertaken.

“We were a stakeholder in that investigation. By the nature of Guyana’s law, the Ministry of Public Works has that mandate to direct an investigative body to investigate that incident,” Brigadier Khan said.

He said the findings will be made available once the official report is released.

The crash claimed the lives of five servicemen. They are: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Warrant Officer Class 2, Jason Khan.

They were part of a seven-member crew on board the army’s Bell 412 helicopter.

The helicopter’s black box, which consists of the aircraft’s flight information, has been sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Washington, United States, for analysis.

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See below the full release from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD): 

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is responding to an oil spill incident involving the Motor Vessel AROYAT, IMO # 9151395, which is moored alongside the Demerara Sugar terminal (DST), Ruimveldt.

The Palau-flagged vessel is a bulk carrier and entered the Port Georgetown on May 15, 2025, for the purpose of loading rice.

MARAD was informed about this incident at approximately 17:00 hours today.

The National Emergency Response Team including, MARAD, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard (GDF-CG) was immediately mobilised, and mitigating efforts are underway to stop the leak and contain the spill.

Concurrently, an active investigation into the cause(s) of the incident is ongoing.

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With three attacks occurring within the past 48 hours at the Guyana-Venezuela border, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, has said that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has enhanced its operational posture and is continuing to monitor the country’s western border.

There are currently soldiers from both the Infantry and Coast Guard at the border locations.

The attacks occurred between Tuesday, May 13, and Thursday, 15 May. During each instance, Brigadier Khan on Thursday said the GDF ranks returned fire. No ranks were injured, nor was any vessel damaged.

The attacks were carried out by men dressed in civilian clothing who used automatic weapons. At this point, Brigadier Khan said the GDF has an idea about the type of weapon which was used, but he did not disclose details. He was, however, unable to state whether the Venezuelan gunmen are part of the country’s military.

“In the last 48 hours we would have had three such incidents. This is unprecedented.

“The Guyana Defence Force has since the first incident enhanced its operational posture and adopted drills that would mitigate and react wherever such incidents occurred. Certainly this has now become a situation which we will continue to monitor.

“….We will continue to patrol that same area and to eliminate any threat to our people and any incursion to our territory,” Brigadier Khan told reporters at a press conference held at Camp Base Ayanganna on Thursday.

In providing details, Brigadier Khan said on May 13, at around 17:17 hrs, a patrol departed Eteringbang to Makapa using two of the marine assets. While en route, he said the armed men opened fire on the patrol. The patrol returned fire and was able to exit safely along the river heading to Makapa.

While on Wednesday at about 14:35 hrs, Brigadier Khan said another patrol departed Makapa and was heading to Black Water. At Baboon, he said the armed men opened fire again on the patrol. The patrol returned fire and no rank was injured.

Three hours later, Brigadier Khan noted that another patrol travelling from Eteringbang, while passing Baboon, came under fire and they returned fire.

Brigadier Khan confirmed that he was “in location” when the first attack unfolded on Tuesday.

Whilst there, he said he visited four communities and interacted with residents who he said were “not scared”.

In fact, Brigadier Khan highlighted that Baboon is an isolated area with no civilian operation.

The incidents, Brigadier Khan said, would have caused “some concern” along the bordering community.

In fact, Brigadier Khan said just on Thursday afternoon, another patrol was conducted by the GDF in the Baboon area and it was incident-free.

The post GDF enhances operational posture, continuing to patrol border – Chief of Defence Staff appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Firefighters in Region Six displayed remarkable efficiency by averting a significant disaster at Tain Village, Corentyne Berbice, on Thursday.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald confirmed that the Guyana Fire Service received an urgent call about the blaze at 05:01 hrs and promptly dispatched two fire tenders—one from Rose Hall Town and another from New Amsterdam Fire Station.

Upon arrival, the teams confronted heavy smoke and fierce flames emanating from the structure.

McDonald emphasized that their rapid response was instrumental in preventing a catastrophic outcome at the property owned by Sudesh Ramdholl.

While the third and ground floors of the building suffered extensive damage, the garage was completely devastated, along with its contents, including a vehicle and various electrical components.

McDonald noted that the strategic maneuvers executed by the first arriving unit from Rose Hall Town were critical in mitigating a major conflagration.

The fire originated from a lithium battery that overheated and ignited surrounding combustible materials.

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The Guyana Police Force been asked to launch an investigation into what the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has labelled as false and damaging claims made by a woman alleging medical malpractice at the institution.

The allegations involve a woman identified as Narepa Makhanlall. She claimed to have been a patient at GPHC’s Gynaecology Clinic, stating she was 45 weeks pregnant with twins—both allegedly deceased—when she was admitted on 7 May. According to her account, she was shown the deceased infants in a plastic bag the following day and discharged with only Panadol.

Makhanlall further alleged she was previously turned away by the hospital on 5 May and that she and her husband were denied the right to bury the remains. They are reportedly seeking justice for what they describe as emotional trauma and financial hardship caused by the experience.

In a detailed response issued today, GPHC said internal investigations have found no evidence to support any of the claims. Key findings include:
1. No Patient Record: There is no record of a Narepa Makhanlall in any of the hospital’s systems, including clinic logs, admission and discharge records, delivery registries, or imaging archives.
2. No Documentation Provided: Makhanlall was unable to present any hospital-issued documents or proof of visit.
3. Falsified Ultrasound Images: The ultrasound images she shared match examples found online, dated December 2024, and use 4D and 5D imaging technology that GPHC does not offer.
4. CCTV Evidence: Security footage from relevant areas of the hospital during the claimed time period shows no trace of Makhanlall’s presence.
5. Medical Examination: A clinical assessment conducted on 15 May, with the patient’s consent and in the presence of relatives, revealed no signs of recent pregnancy, childbirth, or surgical intervention.
6. Police Report Filed: Given the gravity of the false claims and their potential to damage public trust, GPHC has formally referred the matter to the Guyana Police Force.

GPHC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and high standards of care, and encouraged the public to use official hospital channels to report any legitimate concerns. The hospital has also urged responsible media reporting to prevent the spread of misinformation.

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