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After years of evading law enforcement officers, Rishiram Persaud, who is wanted for the 2017 beating death of Balwan Ramsarran, was on Thursday arrested.

Police Headquarters reported that Persaud, 35, a labourer of Farm/Herstelling, East Bank Demerara was apprehended at about 19:10hrs by ranks on patrol duty in the area.

He was cautioned and Police said Persaud admitted to assaulting Ramsarran.

He was placed in custody as efforts are being made to locate the case file.

Persaud was wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of 41-year-old Ramsarran, which occurred on April 19, 2017 at Farm/Herstelling, East Bank Demerara.

Reports indicate that Ramsarran was consuming alcohol at a shop at Farm, EBD, when he was involved in an argument and later attacked.

He was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre in an unconscious condition and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed.

Ramsarran’s family had demanded justice and called on the Police to conduct a thorough investigation.

The post Labourer wanted for 2017 murder arrested appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Press Release from Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League

The 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will take place from Thursday August 14 to Sunday September 21.

This window has been agreed between CPL and Cricket West Indies (CWI) and once again there will be no clash with West Indies international matches.

The six teams taking part in the 2025 season will be Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Kings and Trinbago Knight Riders.

The teams will compete across 34 matches to decide who will claim the 2025 CPL title.

READ MORE: Guyana to host 2025 final 

Pete Russell, CEO of the Republic Bank CPL, said: “We are pleased to have once again worked with Cricket West Indies to find a window that allows the very best players from across the region to take part in the CPL. The 2024 season was our most successful to date and we are looking forward to building on that success in 2025.”

Lynford Inverary, Cricket West Indies acting CEO and COO, said: “We are delighted to confirm the 2025 CPL window. While CWI continues to take a leading role in shaping our overall cricket calendar, the CPL remains a key part of our cricketing ecosystem, playing an important role in the development and promotion of the game throughout the Caribbean. Our collaboration with CPL ensures that the best talent will be on display while avoiding any conflicts with international cricket.”

The post Republic Bank CPL 2025 set for August 14 to September 21 appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Alick Athanaze narrowly missed a hundred as West Indies closed day one of their three-day practice match against Pakistan Shaheens on 273-7 from 74 overs in Rawalpindi.

The left-hander was bowled by Ahmed Safi Abdullah on 99, an innings that spanned 142 balls and included 15 fours and a six.

Athanaze was the only West Indian to get a 50+ score on the day, with openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Mikyle Louis with 34 each being the next best.

Wicketkeeper/batter Amir Jangoo, who scored a hundred on ODI debut in December, and is now aiming to break into the Test side, is unbeaten on 29 off 42 (2x4s, 1×6) with Joshua Da Silva not out on 11.

Keacy Carty made 22, Kavem Hodge 17, Tevin Imlach 13 and Justin Greaves five.

Bowling for Pakistan Shaheens, Mohammad Rameez Jr. has taken 3-40 and Ahmed Safi Abdullah 2-91.

This is the West Indies lone warm-up ahead of the first Test, starting on January 17. The second and final Test begins on January 25.

The last series between the two sides, in Kingston in 2021, was drawn 1-1, but West Indies have not won a Test in Pakistan since November 1990.

The post Athanaze scores 99 as West Indies make 273-7 on first day against Pakistan Shaheens appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Kevlon Anderson and Thaddeus Lovell made an impression on day one of the Guyana Harpy Eagles’ Four-Day pink-ball practice match at the National Stadium, Providence.

On Thursday, Anderson scored 69 while Lovell took 5-45  in 12.3 overs.

At the close of play, Kemol Savory’s XI was 26-1 in response to Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s 230 all out.

Anderson struck ten fours in a patient knock from 147 balls, while Jonathan Van Lange made an unbeaten 41 (8x4s) from 48 balls.

Kevlon Anderson

Shamar Yearwood (30), Tagenarine Chanderpaul (24), and Ushardeva Balgobin (20) also got starts but didn’t go on for a big score.

Ashmead Nedd (2-22) and Isai Thorne (2-44) were also among the wickets.

Day two is scheduled to commence at 14:00h.

The second practice match, at the National Stadium, is from January 15.

Both matches are being held to prepare the Guyana Harpy Eagles for the Regional Four-Day, which begins on January 29. The opening match will be at Providence, where they will play Barbados Pride.

More so, this season, Cricket West Indies has reintroduced day/night Four-Day matches.

The post Four-Day practice: Anderson (69) and Lovell (5-45) impress on day one appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana is well-positioned to swiftly secure its share of the funds required for the long-anticipated Corentyne River Bridge, with Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo confirming the country’s readiness to proceed with the project.

Speaking at his regular press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo revealed that while Guyana will rely on a loan for its 50 percent contribution, there is no concern about securing the necessary funds, once Suriname signals its readiness to move forward.

Multiple potential financiers, including the Chinese, have already been explored, making the swift mobilisation of funds highly likely.

The Corentyne River Bridge is seen as a critical infrastructure project aimed at strengthening connectivity between Guyana and Suriname, while also advancing broader regional integration with Brazil.

Both Presidents Irfaan Ali of Guyana and Chandrikapersad Santokhi of Suriname have repeatedly emphasised the importance of the bridge, noting how it will enhance the flow of people, facilitate trade, strengthen agricultural cooperation, and boost tourism and investment in the region.

Jagdeo reassured the public that Guyana will be able to repay its share of the loan with “great ease,” particularly in light of the potential revenue from the development of the Deep Water Harbour in Berbice.

“We’ve been working on this for a while, and although it took longer than expected, we are now ready to proceed. Once the financing is secured, the project will move forward quickly,” Jagdeo confirmed.

He also reiterated that the costs will be shared between Guyana and Suriname, ensuring mutual benefits for both nations.

The post Guyana poised to swiftly secure funds for Corentyne River Bridge, says VP Jagdeo appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has announced the participation of Guyana’s Senior Men’s Basketball Team in the highly anticipated Nations Cup tournament, set to take place from January 24 to 27 in Paramaribo, Suriname. 

The team will face tough competition from regional rivals Suriname and Grenada in what promises to be a thrilling showcase of basketball talent in the Caribbean.

The GBF has shortlisted 23 players for the tournament, emphasising a commitment to showcasing and developing local talent. The list includes standout performers from the ongoing One Guyana Premier Basketball League. 

The players selected for trials are: Travis Belgrave (Eagles), Harold Adams (Royals), Dominic Vincente (Ravens), Zian Gray (Eagles), Nikkoloi Smith (Ravens), Yannick Tappin (Royals), Shelroy Thomas (Colts), Jushawn Bayley, Oquacey Shortt (Colts), Shane Webster (Colts), Orlan Glasgow (Royals), Jermaine Slater (Kobras), Kimol Grimmond (Untouchables), Domair Gladstone (Untouchables), Stanton Rose (Untouchables), Shamaar Huntley (Ravens), Denzil Ross (Eagles), Jamaal Gilkes (Untouchables), Brando Bento (Mambas), Emmanuel Atherly (Kobras), Nathan Saul (Pacesetters), Jaleel Duke (Pacesetters), and Elijah David (Kobras). 

The team will be led by Head Coach Adrian Hooper, with Marlon Rodrigues serving as Assistant Coach and Warren Wilson as Team Manager. 

The squad will undergo a rigorous two-day trial this weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where the final roster of 12 players will be determined.

Coach Hooper noted that the final selection process will be highly competitive, given the exceptional talent and performances of the shortlisted players in the One Guyana Premier Basketball League. 

“Every player on this list has earned their spot based on merit. It’s going to be a challenge narrowing this group down to 12, but I’m confident that we’ll assemble a team capable of representing Guyana with pride and competitiveness,” Hooper stated.

According to GBF President Michael Singh, the Nations Cup marks the beginning of what promises to be a busy and exciting year for Guyana’s National Basketball Team. 

The tournament in Suriname serves as a key step in the team’s preparation to defend their title at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship. 

“This tour is the start of early preparations for our national team, and it provides an excellent opportunity to measure the standard of our local game,” Singh said. 

“By focusing on our locally based players for this tournament, we aim to identify and develop talent here at home, giving them the exposure needed to compete at the international level. This approach will allow us to integrate overseas-based players into future engagements with a stronger foundation.”

Singh also highlighted the significance of the ongoing One Guyana Premier Basketball League as a developmental platform. 

“Our players have been competing at a high level domestically, and this has provided the GBF with a robust pool of talent to work with. The Nations Cup will give us valuable insights into how our local players match up against regional competition,” he added.

The Nations Cup, the GBF said, will be a test of endurance, skill, and teamwork as Guyana’s Senior Men’s Team takes on Suriname and Grenada in back-to-back games. 

The GBF is confident that this opportunity will not only strengthen Guyana’s presence in Caribbean basketball, but also provide invaluable experience for the players and coaching staff as they gear up for a year of competitive engagements.

Meanwhile, Singh revealed that the GBF is also planning its own version of the Nations Cup in May this year, with three other CBC teams competing in Guyana.

The post Guyana to play Suriname, Grenada in Nations Cup Basketball; 23 players shortlisted for trials appeared first on News Room Guyana.

In a significant show of support for President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Attorney-at-Law and businessman James Bond, along with several residents of Melanie, East Coast Demerara, publicly endorsed the President for a second term in office on Thursday.

The endorsement came during President Ali’s ongoing community outreach tour, which is aimed at engaging directly with citizens to address concerns and build stronger connections.

Bond, a member of the opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and former Parliamentarian made his endorsement in a heartfelt manner.

Standing alongside President Ali, Bond praised the Head of State’s consistent commitment to the people of Guyana, highlighting how the President had always remembered him and maintained a personal connection since his tenure as a minister.

“President Ali is one person who has always remembered me,” Bond said, embracing the President with a warm hug.

“Since he was a minister, he always remembered me. He is a friend to me, and I’m giving you my full support for a second term. I’ve said it publicly.”

The endorsement was met with resounding applause from the crowd, which was predominantly made up of Afro-Guyanese residents and long-time supporters of the opposition. It marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the region, where the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) had traditionally fought to make inroads.

Attorney-at-Law and businessman James Bond

The gathering also witnessed an endorsement from an overseas-based Guyanese woman, who remarked that it was a historic moment for the community.

“I believe this is the first time a President from the People’s Progressive Party Civic Government has visited our village,” she said, acknowledging the positive impact of the outreach efforts in fostering political unity.

The sense of enthusiasm was further amplified by a young resident, who took the microphone to declare the community’s growing support for the current administration.

“Melanie, this community, this turnout and even more on the day, we young people want to let you know that we will ensure this administration gets another term,” he stated with confidence, sending a clear message that the tide of political support was shifting in favour of Dr. Ali and the PPP/C.

The post James Bond, Melanie residents endorse President Ali for a second term appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has assured that the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is committed to ensuring a peaceful and stable environment in the lead-up to Guyana’s upcoming elections later this year.

In his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo spoke about his concerns regarding the opposition’s tactics and their efforts to create instability.

As General Secretary of the PPP/C, Jagdeo met with the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and its affiliates on Wednesday to discuss the state of preparations for the elections. The vice president praised the PSC for its commitment to transparency and its interest in ensuring free and fair elections.

“This was a productive meeting, and I commend the PSC for being proactive in their concerns about the upcoming elections,” Jagdeo said.

He said the PSC is right to be concerned about any potential instability, but assured them that the PPP/C will do whatever is necessary to prevent any unrest.

Jagdeo, however, wasted no time in addressing what he described as the opposition’s predictable strategy of “crying foul” and stirring controversy in the event of a loss.

According to the vice president, the opposition parties are already laying the groundwork for a post-election narrative that seeks to delegitimise the results, regardless of the outcome.

“The opposition is already preparing to create a hullabaloo when they lose. We’ve seen it before and we expect it again,” he said.

“They want to confuse the process and create an excuse for their defeat.”

He highlighted the opposition’s call for a “house-to-house” voter registration process, which he believes could disenfranchise many who are not currently residing in Guyana. Jagdeo firmly rejected this proposal, asserting that it is unconstitutional to remove names from the voters list unless someone has passed away or migrated.

“The opposition’s plan to remove people’s names based on migration is simply misleading,” Jagdeo said. “The constitution does not allow for this. Voters who have gone through the robust registration process should not be removed from the list.”

Jagdeo expressed concern that such tactics, if implemented, could lead to further confusion, potentially causing delays or even stopping the elections entirely through legal challenges.

Turning his attention to issues surrounding voter biometrics and the voters list, the vice president called on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to adhere strictly to the law and the constitution.

“We have made it clear that GECOM must act lawfully and transparently,” he stressed.

Jagdeo also dismissed fears that divisive rhetoric from the opposition could cause polarisation within the electorate. He insisted that the PPP/C’s focus is on unity and stability, rather than sowing division.

“We do not have any interest in dividing the people. We want to bring everyone together. Our campaign will focus on our track record and our commitment to the country,” Jagdeo declared.

“The people will decide their government freely, fairly, and transparently.”

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