Blog

Seven masked men reportedly robbed a family residing at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, early Monday morning, and Police have already arrested five suspects.

In a release, Police Headquarters noted that a 49-year-old self-employed man was at home with his wife and two daughters when the seven masked men, armed with firearms, cutlasses, and knives, arrived at the premises.

The suspects allegedly struck the front door. Shortly after, loud explosions, suspected to be gunshots, were heard, and the suspects forcibly gained entry into the house.

During the ordeal, the 49-year-old man and his wife were assaulted, while one of his daughters was also struck. The suspects then ransacked the house and relieved the family of a quantity of jewellery, two cell phones, cash, and personal documents, the value of which is yet to be determined.

The victim later managed to escape and reported the matter to the Police. Ranks responded, visited the scene, and the victims were escorted to the Enmore Regional Hospital for medical examination.

Further investigations led ranks to a location at Phase Two, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, where a search was conducted on Tuesday. During the search, two .32 pistols were recovered in a blue cookie tin.

The firearms were examined and lodged pending further investigation.

A 21-year-old labourer and a 33-year-old taxi driver, both of Good Hope Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara, were initially arrested and remain in Police custody assisting with the investigation.

Further investigations led to three additional suspects being taken into custody. Five persons are presently in custody assisting with the investigation.

The post Seven masked men rob Good Hope family  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Statement by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and the wider motorsport fraternity on the passing of veteran racer and respected motorsport stalwart, Victor Pires.

Pires, whose contributions to motorcycle racing in Guyana spanned more than five decades, passed away on Monday, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in the history of local motorsport.

Widely regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished and knowledgeable motorcycle racers, Pires excelled in both the 125cc and 250cc classes and was revered by generations of riders for his skill, dedication, and passion for the sport.

Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) President Mohamed Shairaz Roshandin paid tribute to the late racing icon.

“Motorsport has definitely lost a pillar in Victor. His work in the sport, and more so the motorcycle aspect, cannot be overstated. He brought tremendous value to motorsport in Guyana, and his legacy will live on for generations to come,” Roshandin stated.

“To his family and friends, know that Victor will continue to live on through the sport he loved and helped develop.”

Pires began his racing career in the early 1970s, during the formative years of Guyana’s grass-track racing scene, competing alongside notable figures such as Kamil Haniff, Peter Da Silva, Clive Ng Kien, Rene Carrega, and Terrence Clarke. He quickly rose through the ranks, capturing championship honors before transitioning to circuit racing.

Representing Team Solo and Guyana on several occasions, Pires established himself as one of the country’s premier riders, competing against some of the sport’s most respected names, including Frank Van Sertima and Stanley Ming.

Following a period in Canada, Pires returned to Guyana in the 1990s and once again made an immediate impact. After returning to grass-track competition, he moved back to circuit racing, where he dominated the 125cc category aboard specially prepared machines.

His pursuit of excellence saw him acquire a Honda 250 Grand Prix motorcycle, with fellow racing legend Stanley Ming serving as his mechanic.

The pair competed at Daytona in Florida before bringing the machine to Guyana, where Pires successfully challenged much larger motorcycles in the 600cc and 1000cc categories.

Throughout his illustrious career, Pires competed against and alongside some of the finest riders of his era, including Wayne Vieira, Mike Correia, Kevin Graham, Lennox Beckles, and Aubrey Archer, among many others.

Beyond his achievements on the track, Pires was respected for his vast knowledge of motorcycle racing and his willingness to share his experience with younger competitors, helping to shape the sport’s continued growth and development.

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club joins the entire motorsport community in mourning the loss of a true champion, mentor, and ambassador of motorcycle racing.

His remarkable contributions and enduring legacy will continue to inspire racers for generations to come.

The post ‘Motorsport has lost a pillar’- GMR&SC mourns passing of stalwart Victor Pires appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Rotary Club of Georgetown has installed a new Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 Rotary year at a ceremony on 7 June 2026, marking the beginning of a new year of service under the leadership of President Annabelle Carter-Sharma.

Guided by the Rotary International theme, “Create Lasting Impact,” President Carter-Sharma’s year will focus on Health & Dignity, with initiatives aimed at improving community health outcomes, supporting vulnerable populations, and strengthening partnerships that create sustainable change throughout Guyana.

In her installation address, President Carter-Sharma emphasized that lasting impact requires more than short-term solutions.

“This year, Rotary calls us to Create Lasting Impact—not temporary, not symbolic, not forgotten—but impact that strengthens communities, changes lives, and continues long after we are gone.”

The Rotary Club of Georgetown will build upon its proud legacy of 67 years of service, honouring the work of past Rotarians while expanding efforts to address some of the country’s most pressing social and community needs.

Key Areas of Focus for 2026–2027

The Club’s programme of service will focus on three interconnected areas:

Preventive Health

The Club will expand its Medical Outreach Programme through community health screenings, health awareness initiatives, and partnerships that encourage follow-up care and improved health outcomes.

Health & Dignity

Projects will support vulnerable groups, including the elderly, individuals in recovery programmes, and survivors of domestic violence, through collaboration with existing organisations and community partners.

Community Health & Prevention

Recognising the importance of healthy communities, the Club will explore initiatives that promote environmental responsibility, public awareness, and responsible pet ownership, including support for spay and neuter programmes aimed at addressing the growing stray animal population.

Collaboration at the Centre of Service

President Carter-Sharma highlighted that meaningful change cannot be achieved by one organisation alone.

The Club intends to strengthen partnerships with fellow Rotary Clubs throughout Guyana and District 7030, government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, non-governmental organisations, private sector partners, and community groups.

The Rotary Club of Georgetown will also continue to work closely with its Rotaract and Interact Clubs, creating opportunities for youth leadership development and intergenerational service.

Call for Community Involvement

The Club is encouraging individuals, businesses, and community stakeholders to become involved in its projects through volunteering, partnerships, sponsorships, mentorship, and financial support.

“There is a place for everyone in Rotary. Not everyone will serve in the same way, but every contribution helps us create stronger communities and greater impact.”

As the Rotary Club of Georgetown embarks on its 68th year of service, the incoming President and Board remain committed to Rotary’s guiding principles of fellowship, integrity, service, and leadership.

Incoming Board of Directors 2026–2027

* Annabelle Carter-Sharma – President
* Mark Roopnarain – Vice President
* David Persaud – President-Elect
* Gautam Thani – Immediate Past President
* Nerissa Moore – Secretary
* Victor Pires – Treasurer
* Veerendra Bhagwandin – Membership Director
* Sean Yassin – Projects Director
* Anisia Bacchus – Public Image Director
* Alista Bishop – New Generations Director
* Ryan Kirton – Administration Director
* Stephen Fraser – Sergeant-at-Arms

About the Rotary Club of Georgetown

Chartered in 1959, the Rotary Club of Georgetown is one of Guyana’s longest-serving service organisations. For 67 years, the Club has supported initiatives in health, education, youth development, community service, and humanitarian assistance, guided by Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” (Press release)

The post Rotary Club of Georgetown installs new President and Board  appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Two men were found guilty on Tuesday for the brutal killings of cousins Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry.

Charged with the murders are Akash Singh, called “Monkey,” of Zeelugt Squatting Area, East Bank Essequibo; his stepbrother, Anil Sancharra, called “Dan Pole” and “Rasta,” of D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice; and Vinod Gopaul, called “Magga,” of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne.

The trio is accused of murdering the teenage cousins between September 5 and September 6, 2020, at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.

When the matter came before Justice Simone Morris at the Berbice High Court, only Sancharra and Gopaul were called upon to stand trial. Singh was admitted as the prosecution’s main witness.

During the trial before a 12-member jury, State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards called approximately 45 witnesses, including Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, 16 police officers, and relatives of the deceased teenagers.

Earlier in the proceedings, Akash Singh testified that he, Sancharra, and Gopaul killed Joel and Isaiah after the teenagers allegedly discovered a marijuana farm in the backlands that had been sprayed.
However, when they took the stand, both Sancharra and Gopaul denied any involvement in the murders and rejected Singh’s testimony.

Sancharra maintained that he was never at the crime scene and insisted that Singh fabricated the allegations against him. During cross-examination, he repeatedly denied being in the West Coast Berbice backlands at the time of the killings and refuted claims linking him to a marijuana camp in the area.

Sancharra also challenged the prosecution’s suggestions that Singh implicated him because he witnessed the murders, arguing instead that the witness was not telling the truth.

Gopaul, meanwhile, testified that he was in police custody on a separate firearm-related matter on September 5, 2020. He told the court that he remained detained until September 11 and therefore could not have been at the Cotton Tree backlands when the murders occurred.

Gopaul further denied Singh’s allegations, including claims that he instructed anyone to dispose of weapons. Gopaul said he first learned of the murders in January 2021 when he was arrested by police and soldiers.

On Tuesday, Gopaul and Sancharra seemed composed as Justice Morris spoke to the jury, reminding them to base their decision solely on the evidence presented in court.

After deliberating for over two hours, the jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict for the murders of the cousins.

When the verdict was announced, Sancharra was overcome with emotion and began to cry, while Gopaul looked visibly upset.

Justice Morris then ordered psychiatric and prohibition reports for both defendants.

Outside the courtroom, Sancharra expressed his frustration, saying,” the police beat Akash Singh fuh come lie on me and them nah put he in jail and them bringing me in jail.”

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2026.

The post Jury finds accused men guilty of killing Henry cousins appeared first on News Room Guyana.

See below the full statement from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security: 

The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill 2026 marks a historic milestone as Guyana introduces its first-ever sex offenders registry, joining dozens of nations globally in deploying this critical public safety tool. Arriving more than 15 years after the principal 2010 Sexual Offences Act, these comprehensive amendments are designed to systematically correct the statutory gaps and operational deficiencies that existed in the previous legislation. The Bill benefits from multiple amendments, of which the Sex Offenders Registry is only one. Overall, the amendments seek to strengthen protection for victims of sexual offences, harmonize the procedures, making it easier for cases of sexual offences to be addressed by the courts, and significantly provide for “no statute of limitations”; no time limit to charge someone with this crime.

This landmark bill is the product of a proactive and inclusive national consultation. To ensure total transparency and maximum civic participation, the draft legislation was subjected to widespread in-person consultations and was hosted publicly on the official website of Ministry of Legal Affairs for two years to facilitate public input and recommendations. The resulting framework deeply reflects the diverse perspectives of the public, including over 60 civil society bodies, the judiciary, legal professionals, prosecutors, police and faith-based organizations, honoring our citizenry’s overwhelming demand for a registry and a stronger law, while maintaining a balanced, evidence-backed approach to risk management.

Crucially, on the question of the model of the registry to be used in the legislative framework, it is the widespread consultation that overwhelmingly advocated for the establishment of a closed model registry. As such, Guyana has adopted a closed registry model—an architecture that mirrors the legislative standard utilized by a majority of countries. In fact, numerous international jurisdictions have actively closed their previously open registries and transitioned to this exact model to eliminate the counterproductive impacts of public databases, such as driving offenders into hiding, inciting vigilantism, and causing damage to innocent family members, including children who may bear the devastating consequences like bullying, physical and ostracism because of someone else’s actions.

Should family members, especially children, face these dire consequences simply because of their relation?

It is to guard against these unintended consequences that a penalty is imposed on those who make unauthorized disclosures.

Contrary to the misinformation that is circulating, this registry is accessible to the public through a procedure outlined in the legislation which requires an application to be made for the information on persons who are subjects of the registry.

Under the 2026 amendments, the registry is merely one component of a proactive tracking system: it establishes strict, lawful channels for stakeholders—such as parents, guardians, and care-adjacent employers—to formally apply for and access vital safety information, while simultaneously imposing rigorous legal obligations on offenders to routinely check in with police and report all movements into and out of communities.

While this modernized legislation remains open to future refinement as society evolves, it represents a decisive advancement in protecting Guyanese communities and strengthening the rule of law.

The post The Closed Registry Model within the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill is the direct product of public consultations and it aligns with international Models appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Ben Stokes will meet with his advisors on Wednesday to decide on his future, with the ECB giving England’s Test captain room to weigh up his options amid fears he could retire from international cricket.

The ECB and the Cricket Regulator are investigating a nightclub incident after the first Test against New Zealand, in which Stokes and Gus Atkinson broke the team curfew and got into a fracas with Saracens rugby player, Totoa Auvaa.

The incident left an England security officer needing stitches and put the spotlight back on the England dressing-room and management, after promises to improve behaviours and culture around the team following off-the-field indiscretions over the winter.

The governing body is sure to discipline the pair accordingly for their breach of team protocol. However, they are keen to let Stokes come to his own decision around his future, having been spooked by the prospect of the England captain retiring altogether.

Those fears led to an emergency executive board meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss the matter. At that point, there were strong suggestions Stokes was fed up and keen to call time on a 15-year career.

Such has been the breakdown of communication between Stokes and the ECB, some feared they would only be informed of his decision via a post on his Instagram page.

Retirement remains a live issue, but there is optimism that Stokes has cooled on that nuclear option. He will meet with his long-time agent, Neil Fairbrother, the former England and Lancashire batter, to determine the best course of action.

Offered the chance to resign on Monday, the 35-year old may yet take the chance to step down and carry on through to the end of his central contract, in 2027, after the next Ashes. He could also opt to relinquish the captaincy and take an indefinite break from the game.

For now, Stokes and Atkinson are expected to incur a suspension and fines, perhaps even ruling them out of the rest of the New Zealand series. The second Test starts at The Kia Oval on June 17 and the ECB will name a squad before Friday, regardless of whether Stokes has made a decision on his future or not.

Stokes is said to be in relatively good spirits, rueful for being out late and worried about the knock-on effect this incident will have on his team-mates. There is also a sense he is not entirely happy with the ECB’s handling of the situation, despite his own culpability in the situation. (ESPNcricinfo)

The post Stokes to hold crisis talks with management as Test future hangs in balance appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Australia suffered only their second one-day international defeat by Bangladesh – and first for 21 years – in a comprehensive humbling in the series opener in Mirpur.

Australia, without a host of first-team players for the tour, dropped six catches, including four to reprieve all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain as he made 86 in Bangladesh’s 284-8.

The tourists slipped to 2-2 in reply as they lost Matt Short, to the first ball, and Marnus Labuschagne.

Click here to view full scorecard 

Australia laboured to 191-9 before a storm ended play and sealed a 86-run defeat under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Alex Carey made 47 and Cameron Green 52 not out.

The pacy Nahid Rana took 4-41, including Carey and stand-in captain Josh Inglis, while spinner Mosaddek claimed 2-37 on his first appearance for four years.

Bangladesh’s only other ODI win over Australia came at Cardiff in 2005 in a tri-series involving England.

The second ODI also takes place at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

The three-match series could be significant for England and qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

England are eighth in the International Cricket Council one-day rankings, Bangladesh ninth and West Indies 10th.

Only the top nine teams in September qualify directly for the World Cup, and England face the tough challenge of India in their next one-day series in July. (BBC)

The post ODI cricket: Bangladesh beat Australia for first time in 21 years appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Beharry Group of Companies Schools U-19 Cricket Tournament is gathering serious momentum across Guyana, with key briefing sessions charting the course for both knockout football-style drama in some regions and highly anticipated opening-round clashes in others.

In Zone Two,  which encompasses Regions One and Two, the competition has already reached the business end.

Following a successful team briefing filled with teachers, players, and officials, teams have signalled their readiness for a blockbuster Saturday of quarterfinal action on June 13.

Lead Coordinator Azizi Christiani opened proceedings by praising the schools’ commitment and emphasising the vital role this platform plays in youth skill development.

The Zone Two briefing also featured recently appointed Guyana Under-19 Assistant Coach and active national cricketer Antony Adams, who reflected on his own journey through school cricket.

Adams lauded the Beharry Group’s corporate backing, reminding the young student-athletes that tournaments like this are essential for catching the eyes of national selectors and advancing their careers.

The quarterfinal matchups on June 13 will feature a doubleheader at the Joe Jagmohan Ground, with Charity facing Anna Regina in the morning and Cotton Field taking on Abram Zuil in the afternoon.

Elsewhere, Waramuri battles Santa Rosa at the Sheba Ground, while Johanna Cecelia goes head-to-head with Aurora at the Pomona Ground.

Meanwhile, excitement is brewing in Zone Seven, covering East Berbice and Corentyne, where 16 secondary schools are preparing to kick off their tournament campaigns.

During their respective team briefing, Region Six Coordinator Ameer Rahaman challenged the incoming squads to play with discipline and sportsmanship.

Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Secretary Ryan Algu echoed those sentiments, thanking the sponsors for building a structured environment to unearth the region’s next generation of talent.

Crucially for the players, BCB Chief Junior Selector Balram Samaroo put the tournament on high alert by confirming he will be tracking matches live to scout out standout prospects.

Zone Seven action also bowls off on Saturday, June 13, with a heavily stacked opening round. Skeldon Ground will host Tagore Memorial against Line Path, while Albion Ground features Lower Corentyne against J.C. Chandisingh.

Doubleheaders are scheduled for the Port Mourant Ground—featuring Black Bush versus Manchester, followed by Corentyne Comprehensive against Port Mourant—and the Canje Ground, which hosts Vrymans Erven versus New Amsterdam, before Berbice High takes on Canje.

Zone Seven’s opening weekend wraps up on Sunday, June 14, back at the Canje Ground when Tutorial faces BEI.

 

The post Adams urges youths to ‘make every moment count’ as Beharry U-19 School cricket looms appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Shaeed Mohammed, called ‘Max’, was on Tuesday charged with the brutal murder of seven-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed.

Mohammed, a 23-year-old resident of Providence, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

It was alleged that on June 5, 2026, at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, Mohammed murdered the child. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge. The matter was adjourned to July 20, 2026, for a report on statements.

The charge was instituted after investigators received legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Mohammed was arrested on Saturday and reportedly confessed to the crime.

Deputy Commissioner and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum had previously disclosed that detectives secured digital evidence linking the suspect to the crime scene at the time of the attack. According to Blanhum, when confronted with the evidence, the 23-year-old admitted to the offence and provided investigators with details of what occurred.

Adriel was killed on the morning of June 5 while at home with his 72-year-old great-grandmother. The elderly woman was also seriously injured during the attack and remains under medical care.

A post-mortem examination conducted on Monday found that the child died as a result of an incised wound to the neck. Investigators also observed evidence of both sharp and blunt force injuries on the boy’s body, injuries consistent with the use of a knife.

Police recovered a knife from the crime scene, which investigators said the suspect identified as the weapon used to kill the child and injure his great-grandmother.

Meanwhile, relatives have dismissed claims that Shaeed Mohammed is related to anyone in the family.

Speaking with the News Room after the court hearing on Tuesday, the child’s uncle, Naseeb Mohamed, said the family has no relationship with the 23-year-old accused and does not know him personally.

“I hearing that for a while now. Whoever want to believe that, let them come and prove that. I don’t know that man, I never see him before.

‘That guy is heartless. He is not related to us,” Naseeb told the News Room.
He explained that only after seeing the suspect for the first time in court on Tuesday that while Adriel’s father recalled seeing the suspect around the community at a shop near his mother’s home sometime.

The post Man, 23, charged with murder of 7-Y-O Adriel Mohamed appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Two Cuban nationals were charged and remanded to prison on Monday after they were allegedly involved in a staged kidnapping matter.

The Cuban nationals are Daikol Tartabull Rodriguez, a 22-year-old Cuban national and labourer of Grove, East Bank Demerara, and Iban Martinez, a 28-year-old Cuban national and labourer of North Road, Georgetown. They were both charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony.

The men were arrested on Wednesday, June 3. They appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where the charge was read to them.

They were not required to plead and were remanded to prison. The matter was adjourned to June 22, 2026.

According to reports reaching the News Room, a photograph showing Martinez with what appeared to be a firearm in his mouth was sent to his father in the United States along with a request for money.

Police launched an investigation and reviewed CCTV footage from a North Road, Georgetown building where Martinez had been staying. The footage led investigators to a property on the East Bank of Demerara, where Martinez and several other persons were found.

During a search, police recovered an air pistol believed to be the one seen in the photograph. Several persons, including a Police Constable and other Cuban nationals, were detained and questioned.

However, the News Room was told during questioning, Martinez reportedly told investigators that he had not been kidnapped. He claimed the air pistol belonged to him and that he asked another man to place it in his mouth while a photograph was taken. He also reportedly admitted to sending the image to his father while requesting US$1,500.

The post Two Cubans charged in alleged staged kidnapping matter appeared first on News Room Guyana.