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FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup final in the United States will break with tradition and have a Super Bowl-style halftime show.

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, known as New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament, was announced in February 2024 as the venue that will stage the World Cup final on July 19, 2026.

Despite a football half-time break lasting just 15 minutes, Infantino has said that a “list of artists” will perform during the half-time show at the World Cup final next year.

“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey,” Infantino posted on Instagram.

“This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”

FIFA or Infantino has given no details about whether the Word Cup final will have an extended half-time interval to accommodate the show. Infantino said that Coldplay will help advise FIFA to produce the show and also a so-called Times Square takeover during the final weekend.

“We also spoke about how FIFA will takeover Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final,” Infantino said.

“These will be two incredible matches, featuring some of the best players in the world, and what better way to celebrate them than in the historic Times Square in New York City.

“I also want to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalise the list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square.” (ESPN)

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Steve Smith has retired from one-day international cricket following Australia’s semi-final exit from the Champions Trophy.

The 35-year-old made 170 appearances for Australia in his 50-over career, hitting 12 centuries and winning the ODI World Cup in 2015 and 2023.

Smith captained the side in Pat Cummins’ absence during his final ODI appearance on Tuesday, when Australia suffered a four-wicket loss to India in Dubai in the Champions Trophy.

The former Sussex batsman will remain available for Test and T20 selection for his country.

“There have been so many amazing times and wonderful memories. Winning two World Cups was a great highlight along with the many fantastic team-mates who shared the journey,” said Smith, Australian men’s ODI player of the year in 2015 and 2021.

“Now is a great opportunity for people to start preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup so it feels like the right time to make way.

“Test cricket remains a priority and I am really looking forward to the World Test Championship final, the West Indies in the winter and then England at home. I feel I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.”

Smith hit the winning boundary as Australia beat New Zealand in the 2015 ODI World Cup final at the MCG.

He also played a key role eight years later as Australia upset hots India to win the tournament for a sixth time.

Smith finishes his ODI career with 5,800 runs, at an average of 43.28.

His highest score of 164 came against New Zealand at the SCG in 2016. (BBC) 

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Established just over a year ago, Victoria Greens, a hydroponics farm is making waves in Guyana with its quality high-value crops.

Manager for Victoria Greens, Roland Beckles-Lamazon shared insights on the project’s progress during an interview with the News Room on Tuesday.

“In terms of the products, we have about 15 different types and for varieties we have about 26. So for instance, like the general lettuce you would usually get in the market but we grow a variety call lalique and we have that in green and red,” Beckles-Lamazon said.

Currently, Victoria Greens supplies the local market, serving major supermarkets and restaurants.

“We don’t export at the moment and most of our customers are like the major supermarkets, restaurants we do home deliveries so we have like those health conscious Guyanese who prefer to have their products fresh so we harvest the same day when we are delivering so the gap is like four hours” the manager explained.

He revealed that since its establishment production at the farm have quadrupled and every day the demand is increasing. The farm is making significant impact by cultivating crop with longer shelf lives.

“So let’s say like celery we grow a specific variety that people like and we would do about 500 kg and that has to go out on a weekly basis and then you have to add in the packaged items we would send to the supermarkets twice a week and then you have the restaurants and they order when they need.

“We can definitely see that there is a need here in Guyana for hydroponically grown produce,” Beckles-Lamazon said.

According to Beckles-Lamazon, Victoria Greens stands out not only in Guyana but across the Caribbean, due to its advanced technology and precision farming techniques.

“I don’t know of any hydroponics farm of this scale and I do know that in the Caribbean, Victoria Greens, we are the only hydroponics farm that uses so many different technologies to ensure that things are grown properly, that we are able to monitor and have proper evaluation on our products so we are able to ensure that is it is optimum quality that we are sending out,” Beckles-Lamazon revealed.

The hydroponics farm uses a state-of-the-art pump and irrigation system that controls factors like water temperature and flow and nutrient balance.

“Then we look at things like pest and disease, we are able to capture it in early stages and we don’t have to reserve to using harmful pesticides.”

Now, Victoria Greens is already working on expanding with more and new produce.

“We are going to start with products or vegetables that right now in our country the import bill for it is high, so we want to contribute with bringing it down,” Beckles-Lamazon said.

He revealed the introduction of mini cucumbers has been a huge success that the produce is gone as soon as it is reaped.

But beyond farming, Victoria Greens actively engages in knowledge-sharing initiatives. The farm welcomes visits from institutions like the University of Guyana, the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), and local schools, helping students and entrepreneurs learn how to adapt hydroponic systems to smaller spaces.

“We also get a lot of small business entrepreneurs who wants to do something like this in other regions,” Beckles-Lamazon said while noting that Victoria Greens believes learning and growth.

For him, Beckles-Lamazon said it is fulfilling to be part of such a project and hopes Victoria Greens can make a profound impact on Guyana’s food security and economic resilience.

“If you really think about it, we are the only greenhouse like this in Guyana and we are making such a huge impact in our country right now, and for me to manage this and be the face of this, you can’t ask for nothing better.”

 

 

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The family of the individuals affected in a hit-and-run accident that tragically claimed the life of a nine-month-old baby is demanding justice.

The accident occurred on Sunday, at around 18:30 hrs on Line Path Public Road in Corentyne, Berbice.

Reports indicate that Tushan Surujnarine, 17, was riding an electric cycle with his wife, Kavita Bedsan, 19, and their baby, Eli Surujnarine. They all reside at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice.

They were struck from behind by a white Fielder wagon, causing severe injuries as they fell to the ground.

Ganesh Gomanie, Tushan’s uncle, expressed the family’s devastation during an interview with the News Room.

“We want the driver and we want to bring him to justice. Because we nah want more people end up in this situation. This is a sad situation. When he hit these people, he run away. The child fall on her back, flat on the road. The father unconscious the mother unconscious. The girl break up about six places,” Gomanie revealed.

Baby dies after accident involving electric bike, wagon 

Gomanie also urged the owner of the vehicle to encourage the driver to come forward and take responsibility for their actions.

“We are asking the owner of this car if she can please ask the driver to come out and turn himself in,” he disclosed.

After the accident, the couple and their child were initially transported to Skeldon Public Hospital before being referred to New Amsterdam Public Hospital and subsequently to Georgetown Hospital. Tragically, the baby succumbed to her injuries while en route around 09:45 hrs on Monday.

While the car involved in the incident has been located, the driver remains unarrested as investigations continue.

(more…)

Director of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), Professor Jacob Opadeyi said the scholarships offered for degree programmes at the United Kingdom’s Staffordshire University are not fake.

Through GOAL, Guyanese can access several degree programmes offered by Staffordshire University through ISDC, which is a UK Education facilitator. However, the existing arrangement between the university and ISDC has faced some challenges.

“When we investigated what is the problem, we were made to realise that there is a change of leadership at Staffordshire and the new leadership did not like the agreement with ISDC,” Professor Opadeyi told the News Room on Tuesday.

He added, “There is nothing like anything fake in all of this because the two institutions are accredited bodies but you will expect that a new administration will have continuity with any agreement they signed before but this is what happened.”

Already, Professor Opadeyi and his GOAL team engaged officials from both institutions hoping to resolve the matter soon so that Guyanese scholarship awardees can continue learning comfortably. Some feedback is expected by Thursday and students should expect the issue to be resolved in about two weeks, according to the GOAL Director.

However, he clarified that the issue isn’t one that GOAL has control over. He provided letters to show that bona fide arrangements were in place for GOAL scholarship awardees.

Students were told of the issue on Monday, during a virtual town hall meeting. Professor Opadeyi said alternatives are being instituted for students.

If students want to continue their studies under the ISDC/Staffordshire arrangement, he has asked for two weeks to resolve the issue. The GOAL Director is optimistic that both institutions will return to the existing arrangement.

If students wish to change programmes, however, they will be supported. Professor Opadeyi noted that students will be allowed to switch to any other GOAL University and the GOAL team will engage that university so that credits already earned by the students during their Staffordshire studies can be accepted.

“Our job is to ensure that the lives of our students are made better.

“We have lists of similar programmes not identical. So you may want to do Public Administration and the other university calls it Public Management,” he said.

Professor Opadeyi highlighted that students affected may even be allowed to switch to a different programme than what they were originally pursuing at Staffordshire.

 

The post GOAL scholarships for Staffordshire University not fake – Prof. Opadeyi appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Some 6,500 paddy producers are set to benefit from a new agreement that guarantees a price of $4,000 per bag of paddy. This much-needed price increase comes after weeks of discussions between the government, millers, and farmers.

The announcement, made last week and reiterated during a meeting in Mahaica on Tuesday with Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha and was met with overwhelming satisfaction from the farming community, who have long been calling for better paddy prices to cope with the financial strain caused by soaring fertiliser costs and unpredictable weather patterns.

Some farmers in attendance at he meeting. [Photo: Ministry of Agriculture ]

The meeting, which saw the attendance of over 60 farmers, ended with farmers expressing their gratitude towards the government’s intervention.

Minister Mustapha, who played a pivotal role in securing the agreement, praised the President’s involvement in the discussions, which spanned several weeks. The government’s efforts, he said, were crucial in reaching a resolution that will benefit farmers across the nation.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha. [Photo: Ministry of Agriculture.]

“We worked closely with the millers, and I want to recognise the President’s role in these discussions. As a result, we were able to come to an agreement that guarantees farmers will receive no less than $4,000 per bag for their paddy,” said Mustapha.

While the majority of the farmers in attendance were pleased with the outcome, the meeting was not without its moments of contention. Two individuals raised critical remarks, questioning the direction of the discussions. However, Minister Mustapha swiftly addressed the concerns, reminding attendees of the importance of maintaining discipline in the meeting.

The new price structure will see a substantial financial boost for the farming community. According to the Minister, the agreement will inject an additional $2.7 billion into the pockets of farmers, offering significant economic relief to an industry that has faced many challenges over the past few years.

In terms of overall impact, Mustapha confirmed that approximately 6,500 farmers will benefit from the price increase, which is expected to have a ripple effect on the rice industry. With an estimated 232,000 acres of land cultivated for this season’s crop, the deal is poised to have a major impact on the agricultural economy.

“This agreement ensures that farmers will not only cover their costs but also make a profit,” Mustapha stated, adding that the government’s intervention was key to stabilising the market.

“This is a significant boost to the livelihoods of our farmers and will go a long way in securing the future of the rice industry.”

Over the past four years, investments in farming have seen increased yields, with farmers now producing more rice with better quality crops. In fact, the country’s rice production reached a record-breaking 725,000 metric tons last year, and the target for 2025 is set at 804,000 metric tons.

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Days after a driver allegedly struck down a family on their electric bike and fled the scene, Police are yet to apprehend him.

However, the driver wanted has been identified as Avinesh Naidoo.

The accident resulted in the death of nine-month-old Eli Surujnarine. Her teenage parents were also injured and remain hospitalised.

Police Headquarters reported that Naidoo of Corriverton, Berbice was driving a motorcar HV 8905 when he collided with the family at about 18:30hrs on Sunday along the Line Path Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

The car has been located and is currently lodged at the Springlands Police Station in Berbice.

Police reported that the owner of the motor car, Vidawattie Arjune, of Crabwood Creek is also assisting with the investigation.

The baby’s father, 17-year-old Tushan Surujnarine was riding the electric cycle at the time of the accident; the baby and her mother, 19-year-old Kavita Bedsan were pillion riders.

The family was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where they were treated and subsequently referred them to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

There, they were also treated by a doctor who later referred them to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The baby died on his way to the hospital, at about 09:45hrs on Monday.

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A truck offloading incident occurred earlier on Tuesday aboard the M.V. Malali, a vessel transporting vehicles from Parika to Bartica.

A statement from the Transport and Harbours Department noted that at approximately 10:45 hrs, one of the heavy-laden trucks, part of a fleet of 18 vehicles occupying 31 spaces on the vessel, was being offloaded when the incident took place.

The Transport and Harbours Department has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the mishap and to implement measures to prevent a similar event from happening in the future.

Images captured at the scene show the aftermath of the incident, including the damaged ramp and the immediate area. Fortunately, the incident did not result in any further complications or delays.

By 14:30 hrs, the M.V. Malali was fully loaded once again, now with 17 vehicles occupying 31 spaces, and set sail from Bartica towards Parika. The vessel continued its journey without any further issues.

The Transport and Harbours Department continues to monitor the situation closely as part of their ongoing commitment to ensuring safe and efficient transportation services.

The investigation is expected to provide further insights into the cause of the incident and any necessary steps to enhance safety protocols moving forward.

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See below the full statement issued:

Ongoing efforts of the Iwokrama International Centre together with support from the Government of Guyana agencies to stem the illegal gold mining situation within the Protected Area has resulted in further arrests.

A mission with the  Guyana Geology and Mines Commission along with Guyana Police Force and support from Ministry of Natural Resources saw several persons being arrested  on Republic Day, February 23, 2025. These illegal miners included a Brazilian national with family ties to a nearby community, who has a long history of illegal incursions in the Iwokrama forest along with two other Guyanese – from the Essequibo Coast and Paramakatoi Village.

Iwokrama, over the past years has been besieged by illegal gold mining in the Siparuni area and has sent stern warnings that such intrusions will be forcefully dealt with.  Several enforcement activities led by Government of Guyana regulatory agencies have been undertaken to curb these illegal activities which saw 14 persons were arrested in 2024.

Community leaders associated with Iwokrama have also strongly condemned resident community persons’ involvement in illegal gold mining within Iwokrama and signed on to a joint communique in October 2024.

Illegal Mining and damage in the Iwokrama Forest

Iwokrama and North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB):

1. Strongly condemn these illegal operations in the Iwokrama Forest.
2. Undertake to ensure that members of the communities understand that gold mining is illegal in the Iwokrama Forest and that supplying these illegal operations with materials and supplies is also illegal.
3. Work together on a comprehensive monitoring programme that will include communication and reporting mechanisms amongst each other and report on any suspicious activities in and around their communities and the Iwokrama Forest.
4. Are grateful for the Government of Guyana support in eradicating this major problem and will continue to engage with and support the Government in their efforts to curb this activity.
5. Would like to remind the general public of the importance of the Iwokrama Forest to 1.) the livelihoods of the communities of Regions 8 and 9 and 2.) the national reputation of Guyana as a country known for its biodiversity conservation initiatives.

The Centre would like to once again remind the Public that gold mining activities are absolutely not allowed in the Iwokrama Forest. Furthermore, such illegal activities are a threat to the Centre’s international certification and to Guyana’s forest management system as a whole and will be tolerated.  Iwokrama reserves the right to publish the names and photographs of persons found conducting illegal gold mining activities on the Protected Area.

Iwokrama’s management acknowledges that collaboration is the most effective way to target such illegal activities and are grateful for the continued support from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Police Force, the Protected Areas Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency.

 

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The International Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies at the University of Guyana recently hosted a panel discussion on suicide prevention under the theme “Creating Hope Through Action.”

The event brought together key mental health experts to address the evolving landscape of suicide in Guyana and the steps being taken to implement the National Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024-2030. Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Mark Constantine, who was one of the speakers, revealed a shift in a high number of suicide cases from Indo-Guyanese to Indigenous Guyanese.

And so, he emphasised the need for research to understand the factors driving this change.

“In Guyana, while we would have seen significantly, a high number of suicide cases among Indo-Guyanese, of recent times there has been a shift where we have seen a tremendous spike in numbers among the Indigenous population as well and so the research needs to be done to find out why that shift,” Dr. Constantine stated while noting that culture plays a significant role in suicide.

Dr. Mark Constantine (Photo: Guyana Chronicle)

Accessibility to mental health services, Dr. Constantine noted, is important for the implementation of the national action plan. He revealed that efforts are underway to decentralise mental health support and place professionals in previously underserved areas across the country.

“There was once a time where the mental health unit at Quamina Street [Georgetown] is where everyone came who needed any sort of mental health support or services,” Dr. Constantine noted.

But over the last year and half this has changed tremendously with the services taken to other parts of the country.

“We hope that by the time we get to 2030, we would have successfully covered all 10 administrative regions,” Dr. Constantine said. He believe that access to mental health services is of crucial importance to every citizen.

Suicide remains a significant concern, Dr. Constantine explained noting that there is no single cause but many contributing factors.

“A lot of things that we point out every so often as being causes to suicide is not necessarily the cause it would have been the trigger to the cause.

“From working with folks over the many years who would have attempted suicide and survivors, and even for those who would have lost their loves ones to suicide, they would say to you is sometimes what we believe to be suicide and the cause would have just been the trigger. There is no one answer to why people commit suicide,” Dr. Constantine explained.

Meanwhile, Advisor on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO/WHO Guyana, Dr. Natasha Sobers further reinforced the link between mental health and national well-being. She pointed out the societal loss when young people die by suicide and highlighted the economic impact of neglecting mental health.

“If we have persons dying by suicide at young ages, in the prime of their lives that really is a loss to society. Our investment case for mental health clearly demonstrates that the wealth of the nation is compromised if we also do not invest in good mental health,” Dr. Sobers said.

The Investment Case for mental health was done in collaboration with PAHO/WHO and the ministry of health with some initiatives already being implemented.

Dr. Sobers further revealed that a suicide surveillance system is also in the pipeline to help with future prevention strategies.

“We want to work with the ministry in terms of setting up a suicide surveillance system and getting that going as well,” Dr. Sobers said.

She further underscored the need for a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention that addresses individual, relationship, community, and societal factors.

“It is important that we think about all of these causes and consider how all of these causes contribute because then and only then can we start to think about prevention.”

 

 

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