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Nearly six months following the tragic death of nine-year-old Avenash Charam, of Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice, legal proceedings have commenced. The young boy lost his life as a result of a collision involving two vehicles.

On Wednesday, Curtis Cort, aged 21, who resides at Lot 1429 Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, was formally charged in relation to this incident.

Cort made his appearance before Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir at the Fort Wellington Magistrates Court, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

The courtroom proceedings unfolded with the prosecution opting not to object to granting bail. As a result, Magistrate Mohabir adjudicated that bail be set at $500,000, imposing specific conditions that Cort must report to the Sisters Police Station monthly.

Additionally, his driver’s license has been suspended pending the outcome of the case.

The legal proceedings are set to advance, with the case adjourned until February 27, 2024, for the exchange of statements and the scheduling of further fixtures.

Reports are that on Friday, August 29, 2024, at about 01:45 hrs the accident occurred on Armadale Public Road West Coast Berbice.

Cort was driving motor car # PAE 3462 eastward when he attempted to negotiate a left bend and collided with motor car # PAG 3611, driven by Jose, 31, of Lot 3 Portuguese Quarter, Corentyne Berbice.

The latter vehicle had passengers Jeffrey Mootoo, Lachman Charam, and Avenash and Poran Charam, aged 17, all from the same address, and was traveling in the opposite direction. The collision resulted in injuries to both drivers and the passengers.

The individuals were extricated from the vehicles and transported to Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where they were examined by a doctor.

Avinash Charam was diagnosed with a fractured right leg, and the driver of Motor car #PAG 3611, Jose Teixeira, had fractured right ribs. Both were referred to New Amsterdam Public Hospital in stable condition, while other passengers received treatment and were discharged.

Subsequently, Avinash succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical care.

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It was both untidy and emphatic. India made light work of their 249 target, passing it with 68 deliveries to spare in Nagpur.

That they only won this first ODI by four wickets was down to an unnecessarily messy finish.

One that spoke more to their disorder at how simple this was than any rallying from England’s part.

It was a mix of old and new that combined to give those in light blue a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.

Ravindra Jadeja‘s 3-26 was supplemented by Harshit Rana‘s 3-53 on his maiden ODI appearance to roll England for 248 with 14 deliveries to spare.

Jos Buttler‘s 52 and Jacob Bethell‘s 51 were the only scores of note after Phil Salt‘s emphatic start of 43 from 26 had been wasted.

With Virat Kohli ruled out with a right knee injury sustained on Wednesday evening, Shubman Gill stepped up to ice the chase with 87, helped initially by Shreyas Iyer‘s 59 and Axar Patel‘s outstanding 52, in stands of 94 and 108, respectively.

The former came at a vital juncture, as Jofra Archer nicked off Yashasvi Jaiswal on ODI debut and Saqib Mahmood – in for the rested Mark Wood – had skipper Rohit Sharma caught at mid-on in the space of six deliveries. From 19 for 2, India did not look back.

Iyer’s fifty off 30 deliveries set an emphatic tone, dealing with anything and everything short, pulling and then ramping Archer for consecutive sixes at the end of the seventh over.

Four of his nine fours were carved off Brydon Carse, who opted for length deliveries more on the off side once it became apparent Iyer was relishing the chance to heave to leg.

Axar’s introduction up the order proved a masterstroke, the left-hander playing with the kind of freedom that allowed Gill to calmly go about his business.

Gill’s one alarm came when given out lbw on 38 to Liam Livingstone, but even that was corrected immediately as DRS showed a clear inside edge. The vice-captain’s 14th fifty was his first against England.

The pair combined expertly in the 29th over against Carse, taking 17 from it with two boundaries each – the best of them a ramp from Axar over the keeper.

It was then that this chase officially became a canter, with just 48 needed from the last 21 overs. Axar raised his bat for fifty for the first time on home soil, driving his 46th ball, from Carse, on the up and through the fielder at mid-off. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Berbice made a winning start to the Guyana Cricket Board’s Senior Female Inter-County 50-over competition, defeating Essequibo by seven wickets in the opening round at the LBI ground, East Coast Demerara.

Batting first, Essequibo lost wickets at regular intervals, being bowled out for just 97.

Click here to view photos 

Berbice players celebrate the fall of a wicket at the LBI ground (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/February 5, 2025)

West Indies spinner Ashmini Munisar produced a top spell of 3-17, and Crystal Durant took 2-12.

In reply, Berbice lost three wickets on their way to victory with national Under-19 player Realeanna Grimmond leading the charge with an unbeaten 37.

West Indies spinner Ashmini Munisar in her delivery stride (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/February 5, 2025)

The tournament will continue on Thursday (February 6) with Demerara playing Essequibo, followed by Demerara against Berbice on Friday (February 7) at the same venue.

Matches will bowl off at 09:30h.

The T20 segment on the competition will also be played at the LBI ground, with night games starting at 19:00h.

On February 9, Demerara will play Essequibo, while Berbice will take on Essequibo the following night, and Berbice will face Demerara on February 11.

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Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has announced his immediate retirement from ODI cricket, ruling himself out of the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Stoinis, 35, will now focus on T20 cricket and remains available for Australia in that format.

He scored 1,495 runs in 71 ODIs at an average of 26.69 with a best of 146 not out against New Zealand in Auckland in 2017, and also took 48 wickets at 43.12 apiece.

“Playing ODI cricket for Australia has been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for every moment I’ve had in the green and gold,” Stoinis said.

“Representing my country at the highest level is something I’ll always cherish.

“This wasn’t an easy decision, but I believe it’s the right time for me to step away from ODIs and fully focus on the next chapter of my career. I’ve got a fantastic relationship with Ron [Andrew McDonald] and I’ve hugely appreciated his support. I’ll be cheering the boys on in Pakistan.”

Stoinis was part of the 2023 ODI World Cup squad and played an important role with the ball against Pakistan, when Australia began their fightback from a poor start to the tournament and ended it as champions.

“Stoin has been such a pivotal part of our ODI set-up for the past decade,” McDonald said.

“Not only has he been an invaluable player but also an incredible person to have in the group. He is a natural leader, an exceptionally popular player and a great person. He should be congratulated on his ODI career and all of his achievements.”

However, he played only one more ODI after that World Cup, against Pakistan earlier this season, and did not receive a Cricket Australia contact last year, but was earmarked to play a role at the Champions Trophy in the absence of the injured Cameron Green.

“I wasn’t involved in those discussions, but from our perspective, Stoinis was trying to map out how one-day cricket was going for him,” assistant coach Daniel Vettori said after the opening day of the second Test in Galle.

“[The] 2027 World Cup is a long way away. From my perspective, it’s been great the way he’s been able to lead with the ball at times. I think back to that 2023 World Cup and those two breakthroughs against Pakistan, and his style of bowling and the aggressiveness. If the big three weren’t able to get a breakthrough or Zamps, then Stoins was turned to a lot on the bowling front, and he brought a real energy and attitude.”

Stoinis recently played three matches for Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20, where he suffered an injury in his second outing, on the back of the BBL with Melbourne Stars.

Australia will need to make numerous changes to their Champions Trophy squad, which they are due to confirm after the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out with a back injury, while captain Pat Cummins and fellow quick Josh Hazlewood will also miss the tournament. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) posted a commendable 279 for 6 at the close of play on the opening day of their second-round clash against the Guyana Harpy Eagles in the 2025 West Indies Four-Day Championship at the National Stadium, Providence.

Opting to bowl after winning the toss, the Harpy Eagles found themselves in a challenging position as CCC’s batsmen displayed resilience on a batting-friendly surface.

Despite early wickets, a series of partnerships steadied the innings, allowing CCC to end the day in a strong position.

Standout performances came from Johann Jeremiah, who top-scored with 84 runs off 126 balls, including 11 boundaries and one six.

He was well supported by Shaqkere Parris, who contributed 56 runs from 87 deliveries, and Kyle Corbin, who finished the day unbeaten on 62 off 114 balls.

The innings began shakily for CCC with early dismissals of Damel Evelyn (5) and Sadique Henry (10) within the first ten overs. However, the partnership between Parris and Jeremiah helped recover the innings, allowing CCC to build a competitive total.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Demario Richards also played a vital role, adding 40 runs before being dismissed by Veerasammy Permaul.

Abhijai Mansingh chipped in with a steady 14 runs before falling to Ronaldo Alimohamed, who emerged as the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of 3 for 37 from 19 overs.

Ronaldo Alimohamed took 3-37

Permaul provided valuable support with 2 for 67 in his 28 overs, while Shamar Joseph contributed with 1 for 61.

With a solid foundation laid, CCC will aim to push past the 300-run mark on day two, putting pressure on the Harpy Eagles to respond.

Day two is scheduled to commence at 10:00h.

FULL SCORECARD: https://matchcentre.windiescricket.com/match/3a0eee5b-e79d-4e01-99ff-1f0ad644cd98/scorecard

Below are the summarized scores of the other round-two matches:

At Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua: Jamaica Scorpions 306-9 from 88 overs (John Campbell 126, Brad Barnes 56*, Kirk McKenzie 33; Jeremiah Louis 3-35, Rahkeem Cornwall 3-71, Hayden Walsh Jr 2-78) v Leeward Islands Hurricanes

At Kensington Oval, Barbados: Barbados Pride 354-3 from 90 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 143*, Jonathan Drakes 117, Zachary McCaskie 49; Johann Layne 1-45, McKenny Clarke 1-67) v West Indies Academy

At Arnos Vale, St. Vincent: Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 137-1 from 36 overs (Cephas Cooper 69*, Amir Jangoo 60*; Daurius Martin 1-44) trail Windward Volcanoes 166 all out from 51.1 overs (Kavem Hodge 126, Stephan Pascal 9,  Sunil Ambris 9; Khary Pierre 4-17, Yannic Cariah 4-30) by 29 runs

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The parliamentary Committee of Supply on Wednesday approved the budget for the Ministry of Health for 2025, with a significant emphasis on the expansion and modernisation of health infrastructure across the country.

Defending the budget, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to address the challenges in the health sector, especially in light of the pressures the sector faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was grilled for two hours by opposition MPs, including former Health Ministers Volda Lawrence and Karen Cummings, but remained steadfast in his defence of the government’s approach.

A notable allocation in the budget is the $2.98 billion for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), which will be used to provide essential facilities, vehicles, furniture, and equipment.

The funds will contribute to the continued expansion of GPHC’s capabilities, which has seen the introduction of new surgeries and advanced medical technologies, such as laparoscopic kidney transplants and minimally invasive surgeries.

The health budget for 2025 will also fund several key projects aimed at expanding health infrastructure. Among the most significant investments are the $28.1 billion allocation for the completion and commissioning of the Paediatric and Maternity Hospital at Ogle, as well as the construction of six regional hospitals in Lima, De Kinderen, Diamond, Enmore, Bath, and No. 75 Village. Additionally, works will progress on the construction of four more regional hospitals and the upgrade of Lethem Regional Hospital.

Dr. Anthony also outlined plans to establish new training complexes in Suddie and New Amsterdam, as well as two dormitories for health sciences training. The budget includes $852 million for these projects.

To further improve the availability of medical supplies, the government has allocated $28 billion for drugs and medical supplies in 2025. This will ensure that the basic necessities for treating patients are readily available, with a particular focus on expanding vaccine storage capacity and increasing outreach in remote areas.

Human resource development also remains a priority, with significant investments in training. Since 2020, over 2,000 healthcare professionals have graduated, with a further 3,761 currently in training. By 2025, an additional 3,290 healthcare professionals are expected to complete their training.

In addressing chronic diseases, Dr. Anthony confirmed that over 90,000 people were screened in 2024, surpassing the targeted number. A further 100,000 individuals will be screened in 2025, with the continued rollout of the HEARTS protocol at an additional 163 sites.

Mental health also remains a key area of focus, with the expansion of services including an 18-bed mental health ward at GPHC. The government has also committed to converting the current New Amsterdam Hospital into a dedicated mental health facility, following the closure of the old National Psychiatric Hospital.

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In revising the Local Content Act, the Local Content Secretariat has said it wants to ensure that local businesses participate fully and benefit from procurement opportunities.

Director of the secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab, told the News Room on Wednesday that in order to address this “burning concern,” the body will develop a schedule of upcoming procurement opportunities and make such information available early and for a longer period of time on their online platforms.

It will also take steps to educate locals about strategies on how to respond to these opportunities.

“We want to ensure that they all have access and given an opportunity to participate. So in terms of addressing that, we will develop a schedule of upcoming procurement opportunities…and they will have the app on their smart phone…you can reach out to the companies directly through the app…” Pertab said about the measures being taken to increase participation by local companies.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC), in support of moves to revise the Local Content Act, has finalised its own set of proposals to ensure that local businesses continue to participate in the oil and gas sector, and that new categories for local participation are identified.

In addition to these proposals, though, Pertab said the secretariat also received recommendations from several local companies on areas they believe should be addressed.

“The intention is to facilitate the growth of existing companies, At the end of the day, the local content law is to ensure that we prioritise Guyanese – to ensure that they grow and become competitive not only in Guyana, both regionally and globally,” Pertab said.

To this end, the body is looking at high-end or big ticket services, such as commodity chemicals, which several local companies have expressed an interest in providing.

Commodity chemicals act as basic building blocks or raw materials used in large quantities to manufacture a wide range of products across various industries, serving as essential intermediates in manufacturing processes rather than being the final product themselves.

They are typically produced in high volumes, are readily available, and are often priced based on market fluctuations, with examples including sulfuric acid, ammonia, and ethylene.

“We are in discussion with the tier one companies and contractors to ensure that they get to provide those services. This is a huge opportunity for Guyanese. We want the local content law to help facilitate the development of those businesses. Once we are capable of providing that service, we will be able to supply chemical not only to Guyana but you have Trinidad and now Suriname,” he explained.

The revisions are intended to address and strengthen areas that have evolved since the introduction of the Act, while covering new and emerging sectors that support oil and gas production.

“It comes on the heels of rapid development in the sector and identifies conditional areas to be included in the law,” the PSC has explained, noting that President Irfaan Ali has signalled his intention to review the proposal with the option to amend the legislation.

Noteworthy is the fact that the new categories are not primarily focused on oil and gas.

“We are looking at the activities that will support broader economic growth because we have to think about Guyana’s economy and sustainability, and so this is where those proposed changes are coming from,” PSC’s Honorary Secretary, Dr. Natasha Gaskin-Peters told the News Room recently.

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Exciting developments are unfolding in Suriname following last year’s announcement of a substantial US$10.5 billion investment in the country’s Block 58 oil and gas project.

As the Dutch-speaking nation prepares for an oil boom in the years ahead, the President of neighbouring Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali, is encouraging the Surinamese government and private sector to embrace Guyanese expertise and services.

In a message to the ongoing International Business Conference in Suriname, Dr Ali emphasised that Guyana has undergone tremendous development over the past few years, owing to growth in its burgeoning oil industry. As such, the country is a strong partner.

“We built infrastructure, training institutes, and (developed) programmes, and we have been able to develop good experience in offshore exploration and support services.

“Feel free to work with the Guyanese private sector to build and coordinate the future requirements of Suriname,” the President said in a prerecorded message that was shown at the conference.

A significant US$10.5 billion investment in Suriname’s Block 58 oil and gas project was announced last October. TotalEnergies and APA plan to develop the Sapakara and Krabdagu fields, renamed “Gran Morgu,” with combined recoverable resources estimated at over 700 million barrels.

Guyana began oil production in 2019 and is expected to produce about one million barrels of oil daily by the end of the decade.

Already, the two countries are partnering to drive joint development in areas such as manufacturing and agro-processing. The new Corentyne River Bridge is also expected to foster further collaboration between the two states.

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Eon Clarke, one of the two suspects who are accused of robbing businessman Ravindra Somai of cash and jewellery, was on Tuesday arrested.

The News Room was reliably informed that at the time of his arrest, Clarke, 34, of Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje Berbice was found in possession of 11 pounds of cannabis.

Clarke has since reportedly admitted his involvement in the robbery.

Businessman robbed of jewellery, cash at Corentyne home

Thirty-one-year-old Somai, known as “Buxton” was robbed at his tint shop on January 31, 2025 at around 19:15 hrs.

Reports had revealed that two masked men, armed with handguns, approached the shop on a black and red XR motorcycle. They threatened Somai and his workers, demanding valuables.

At the time of the robbery, Somai was wearing two gold chains and a gold band, which were among the items stolen. The robbers also took $400,000 in cash and a Samsung S22 Plus phone valued at $120,000.

One of the suspects struck the businessman to his head with a handgun before forcing him to hand over his jewellery and money. After taking the items, the robbers fled the scene on their motorcycle.

The second suspect is yet to be located.

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Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Wednesday unveiled an action-packed schedule for the senior Men’s and Women’s teams from May to December 2025, featuring a mix of home and away fixtures.

“Fans can now start planning for an exciting year of cricket, with the men beginning their campaign with limited-overs tours in the United Kingdom,” CWI said in a press release.

The Men’s team will continue its preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, starting with a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Ireland from May 21-25 in Malahide, Dublin.

Four days later, they will face England in a bid for back-to-back ODI series wins, with three ODIs scheduled from May 29 to June 3.

This will be followed by three T20 Internationals (T20Is) against England from June 6-10, before concluding the UK tour with three T20Is against Ireland in Belfast from June 12-15.

The ‘Men in Maroon’ will then shift focus to Test cricket, with the start of the ICC World Test Championship cycle under new head coach Daren Sammy.

They will battle for the prestigious Frank Worrell Trophy against Australia in a three-match Test series, beginning in Barbados (June 25-29), before moving to Grenada (July 3-7) and concluding in Jamaica (July 12-16).

A five-match T20I series against Australia follows, with the first two games at Sabina Park (July 20, 22) and the remaining three at Warner Park, St. Kitts (July 25, 26, 28).

To close out the home summer, the West Indies will play against Pakistan in three T20Is in Lauderhill, Florida, followed by three ODIs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad from July 31 to August 12.

The Men’s team will then embark on an overseas tour to India, Bangladesh and New Zealand, spanning from September 21 to December 23.

India will feature two Test matches, Bangladesh three ODIs and three T20Is, while a full tour will be hosted by New Zealand, consisting of five T20Is, three ODIs and three Test matches.

The Women’s team begins their 2025 campaign with the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Pakistan from April 4-19, where six teams will compete for two spots in the marquee event in India, scheduled for August-September.

Following the qualifiers, the Women will tour England for a full white-ball series, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs from May 21 to June 8.

Later in the year, they will host South Africa for a historic white-ball series at the 3Ws Oval in Barbados, marking the first time the venue will stage such an international series. (CWI)

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