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A 26-year-old Venezuelan motorcyclist died on Wednesday afternoon following a collision with a lorry along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.

The deceased has been identified as Keinner Hernandez of Lot 1 Railway Embankment, Kitty.

Police Headquarters said the accident occurred at around 15:00 hrs.

Reports indicate that Hernandez, who was riding a red motorcycle bearing registration number CN 9396, was travelling east along the southern drive lane of the northern carriageway. At the time, he was wearing a safety helmet.

Preliminary investigations, police said, revealed that Hernandez attempted to overtake a motor lorry (registration number unknown).

In doing so, he swerved into the northern drive lane and into the path of a blue motor lorry, NPC 1, which was also travelling east.

The blue lorry, owned by Nand Persaud Company Limited of No. 38 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, and driven by 21-year-old Saheed Ramcharran of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, collided with the motorcycle.

The impact caused Hernandez and his bike to fall onto the roadway, where they were run over by the lorry.

Emergency Medical Technicians responded to the scene, but Hernandez was pronounced dead by a doctor.

His body was later transported to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

The lorry driver was taken into custody and is assisting police with the investigation.

The post Motorcyclist, 26, dies in collision with lorry on Mandela Avenue appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) is excited to announce the upcoming Men’s ‘A’ Team home series, as West Indies ‘A’ takes on South Africa ‘A’ from May 21 to June 11, 2025.

The tour will feature three 50-over matches and two four-day first-class matches, all hosted at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia.

As part of CWI’s ongoing commitment to bringing international cricket to all corners of the Caribbean, all matches in this series will be free to the public.

St. Lucians are strongly encouraged to come out in their numbers to support the West Indies team, take in the live action, and enjoy a unique opportunity to see the region’s brightest talent compete at a high level.

This series reflects CWI’s broader strategy to ensure international cricket is always shared equitably across the territories, strengthening regional ties and fan engagement at every level.

The mix of white-ball and red-ball formats also means there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a lifelong cricket fan or just discovering the game.

CWI CEO Chris Dehring reinforced the significance of the series and its role in energising the region: “The upcoming ‘A’ Series provides an excellent opportunity for our players and teams to prepare for international commitments. The international schedule is getting busier by the season and therefore it is very important for the cricketers to keep themselves ready through good competitive cricket. Having the opportunity to stage matches across the region strengthens our relationship with each territory and allows for consistent engagement with our passionate fans.”

The West Indies ‘A’ team is set to welcome their South African counterparts in what is expected to be a hotly contested series- a continuation of the rivalry that began with the West Indies ‘A’ tour of South Africa in 2023.

With St. Lucia now playing host, home support will be a crucial advantage.

Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, added: “This is a critical part of the development of our players while creating a pathway towards full international selection. Following an encouraging first-class season, this series comes at the perfect time especially with the new World Test Championship cycle only a couple months away.”

This series also serves as the perfect curtain-raiser for the highly anticipated “Full Ah Energy” West Indies Home Series, which bowls off in Barbados on June 25, 2025.

Fans across the region can look forward to a full summer of top-tier international cricket, starting with this exciting ‘A’ team clash.

The West Indies ‘A’ squad will be announced shortly, while South Africa ‘A’ is scheduled to arrive in St. Lucia on May 16. With free admission, local pride on the line, and future stars in action, this is cricket that no fan will want to miss.

MATCH SCHEDULE

Wednesday, 21 May

1st 50-over match: West Indies A vs South Africa A- local start time 9:30am AST (8:30am Jamaica)

Saturday, 24 May

2nd 50-over match: West Indies A vs South Africa A- local start time 9:30am AST (8:30am Jamaica)

Tuesday, 27 May

3rd 50-over match: West Indies A vs South Africa A- local start time 9:30am AST (8:30am Jamaica)

1-4 June: 1st Four-Day “Test”- local start time 10:00am AST (9am Jamaica)

8-11 June: 2nd Four-Day “Test”- local start time 10:00am AST (9am Jamaica)

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Guyana is harnessing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet to enhance connectivity in rural and hinterland regions, with Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo saying this bolster critical services such as the GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) scholarship programme and telemedicine, thereby improving access to education and healthcare for remote communities.

“We were thinking about how do we give every child an opportunity to go to University in Guyana and that is why we came up with the model…The Prime Minister is rolling out a programme where are putting Starlink facilities in all the indigenous communities, hinterland communities generally and all the riverine communities of the country.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Photo: News Room/ Vishani Ragobeer/ October 24, 2024)

“So you can have access to internet,” Dr Jagdeo said.

Government has approved Starlink’s licence to operate.

“We are solving this issue by putting in the Starlink,” Jagdeo said.

The rollout of Starlink has already yielded tangible benefits.

In Moruca, Region One, the government launched a project providing free high-speed internet to 138 communities.

Elon Musk’s Starlink seeks license to provide internet services in Guyana

This connectivity supports online education through the GOAL programme and enables life-saving telemedicine services, reducing the need for residents to travel to the Essequibo Coast and further.

“The Starlink initiative promises improved living standards as Guyana leverages technology to diversify its economy and empower its citizens,” the office of the Prime Minister had stated.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, while in Region Nine late last year, announced plans to connect approximately 300 health facilities across Guyana to Starlink by June 2025.

Currently, over 50 telemedicine sites are operational with Starlink, with expectations to expand to 85 by year-end and exceed 100 by 2025.

This expansion will allow healthcare professionals in remote areas to consult with specialists in urban centers, enhancing patient care and treatment outcomes.

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The breakdown in coalition talks between A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) has triggered a wave of public backlash, with many citizens blaming the failure on greed and political self-interest.

The two sides Thursday announced that the talks had collapsed, with the AFC saying it will go into the upcoming general elections on its own and with APNU saying it is willing to re-engage.

Public sentiment quickly surged online following the news.

One commenter, Simone Anderson, did not hold back: “All I can see is greed and selfishness and not thinking about the people that will suffer.”

Another, Elroy Smith, drew on cultural metaphor to criticise the AFC’s role, likening the partnership to a one-sided marriage: “This marriage look like AFC want collect a dowry and live by de girl father tuh!”

The coalition, which once held government office between 2015 and 2020, had been engaged in talks to revive the alliance ahead of the next general elections. However, multiple sources suggest the talks collapsed over disagreements about the allocation of parliamentary seats and ministerial portfolios—issues seen by many as reflective of deeper mistrust and competition for power.

APNU held firm that the presidential candidate should be PNC leader Aubrey Norton, since the PNC is the largest opposition political party and the largest party in APNU. The AFC wanted Nigel Hughes as presidential candidate.

The AFC had demanded a 40% share in any coalition agreement, a move many observers saw as disproportionate given the party’s waning support. Its leader, Hughes, has struggled to garner broad national appeal and has faced early controversies, including scrutiny over his past legal work for ExxonMobil. More recently, Hughes was seen meeting with the Mohamed family—sanctioned by the US government—sparking concerns despite his denial that the encounter was a formal engagement.

In contrast, Norton has been viewed as more grounded in his position and there is every likelihood that Norton will emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate.

But the public response is less concerned with strategy and more with the sense that ordinary people are being ignored.

“They [the leaders] need to have a serious talk. Don’t let us down,” pleaded Carl Johnson. Others echoed the call for maturity and patriotism. “Put Guyana first—everything will fall in place,” wrote Abdul Somat.

Another commenter, Tirbanie Singh, saw value in the two sides splitting: “Bat alone and get stronger partners and appeal to others with great policies.”

The post ‘Greed and Selfishness’: Public reacts to collapse of APNU/AFC Coalition talks appeared first on News Room Guyana.

A firearm and motorcycle used in the robbery that led to the tragic death of 53-year-old Hemchan Utan at his Edinburgh residence on Thursday morning have been successfully recovered.

Reports indicate that on Thursday, an intelligence-led operation spearheaded by a senior officer, along with a dedicated team of police ranks, was conducted in Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, resulting in the prompt apprehension of 28-year-old Troyden Trellis, of mixed ancestry, and a resident of Timmers Dam, Angoy’s Avenue.

During a thorough search of the suspect’s apartment, officers discovered a 9mm pistol, serial number KL1973, concealed in a hidden compartment within the living room wall divider, along with three matching rounds of ammunition.

Edinburgh businessman murdered during robbery

According to information received, a black Honda motorcycle was located at the rear of the property. This vehicle was positively identified as the one used during the robbery/murder and for the subsequent escape.

Also present at the scene was a 25-year-old woman, the mother of Trellis’ child, who resides at the same address. She was apprehended and is currently in custody.

Both the firearm and motorcycle have been seized and securely lodged as investigations continue.

The suspect remains in custody as the inquiry unfolds.

The post Edinburgh Robbery/Murder: Firearm and Motorcycle Recovered appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Two hundred and ninety-three small contractors in Region Six have been awarded contracts to enhance road networks across communities in Berbice.

The government and the contractors inked the pacts on Wednesday at the Berbice High School in Region Six. The individual contracts awarded are fixed-rate projects costing $15 million or less.

A significant number of female contractors were observed participating.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke with Yasmin Khan of Imran’s Trucking.

Contractors at the signing ceremony (Photo: DPI/April 17, 2025)

As a first-timer, Khan commended the government’s efforts to include and allow small contractors to contribute to the country’s infrastructural development.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill overlooked the signing process.

He lauded the participation of women contractors and urged them to take up the challenge and produce quality work.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

“This creates economic empowerment for women across Guyana,” said Minister Edghill.

He stated that women have produced impressive works in the past, which were completed within the stipulated time.

Of the 239 contractors, more than 150 are also first-time awardees. They were urged by the minister to prioritise efficient time management to ensure the timely completion of the projects.

He made it clear that substandard work will not be accepted.

“While infrastructural development is taking place and people at the small contractor’s level are engaged, the standard of excellence must remain the same,” Minister Edghill stated.

These community road projects are expected to be completed by the end of July this year. (Republished from DPI)

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Motorcyclists have accounted for the majority of road deaths recorded so far this year.

In an effort to curb this trend and promote safer road use, the Guyana Police Force has intensified its clampdown on errant motorcyclists.

During an enforcement exercise on Thursday, police made a total of 23 cases.

The exercise was conducted between 13:00 hrs and 14:15 hrs along Lamaha and Irving Streets.

Out of the cases made, 14 tickets were issued

The offences recorded include:

* Unlicensed driver – 1

* Breach of insurance – 1

* Driver failing to wear safety helmet – 11

* Obscured ID mark (front) – 2

* Uncertified motor vehicle – 1

* Unlicensed motor vehicle – 1

* Uninsured motor vehicle – 1

* Carrying pillion rider without safety helmet – 2

* Breach of conditions of provisional licence – 1

* Leaving motor vehicle in a dangerous position – 2

A total of fourteen tickets were issued to several motorcyclists.

Of these, five drivers are scheduled to appear in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to make the necessary payments for the tickets issued.

Enforcement exercises are ongoing.

This latest operation comes just a day after President Dr Irfaan Ali urged road users—particularly motorcyclists—to exercise “extreme” caution on the roadways.

He made the appeal after revealing that, so far this year, 43 per cent of road fatalities involved motorcyclists, the majority of whom were not wearing helmets.

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Jer Sweany Calder, the driver who was the first to be captured exceeding the speed limit via the new electronic ticketing system, has been charged with several offences and was fined $47,000.

Calder appeared at Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs to answer to the charges.

He was charged for speeding. To be specific, he was captured exceeding the legal speed limit and was travelling at 152 kilometres per hour. He was fined for that offence.

Based on the footage retrieved, it was revealed that Calder breached several other traffic laws.

So, he was charged for obscured identification mark and having prohibited tinted glass.

He was fined an additional $7,000 and $40,000, respectively for those charges.

The charges were laid following the successful apprehension of Calder on April 8.

At the time he was speeding, he was driving motorcar PAJ 4671.

Since the implementation of the system on April 7, in excess of 700 tickets were issued to speeding drivers.

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One person has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Hemchan Utam, a 54-year-old businessman of Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice.

The tragic event occurred on Thursday morning at approximately 10:30 hrs.

Initial investigations confirm that Utam was engaged in his regular business activities when he was confronted by a suspect demanding money. A struggle ensued, culminating in a loud explosion believed to be a gunshot, after which the assailant fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry.

Utam was promptly transported to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

Police have secured a suspect who is currently cooperating with their inquiries. Additionally, a motor vehicle, suspected to be the getaway car, has been seized for further investigation.

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A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday morning when a businessman was shot dead by a lone assailant in Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice.

The victim, Hemchand Utam, 53, was at his hardware store, located at Lot 116, Edinburgh.

In an interview with reporters, Basdeo Utam, Hemchand’s brother, explained that around 10:00 hrs, he learned that his brother was in the process of unloading plywood when a masked man, armed with a handgun, attacked him.

The bandit demanded that Hemchand hand over all his valuables and, during a violent struggle, shot him in the abdomen.

After the shooting, the assailant ransacked Hemchand’s home, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry on a motorcycle.

Hemchand was immediately rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

Fortunately, Hemchand’s family escaped unharmed. The Police were contacted and have begun an investigation into the scene of the crime.

“I hope we get justice from this, this is not fair. When you kill the bandits they have empathy on them. But this is an innocent businessman who is hustling for a living,” he related.

Basdeo added, “They robbed him, they took what that had to took and still kill him.”

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