Guyana ended their campaign at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in emphatic style, thrashing St Kitts and Nevis 8-0 to finish 149th overall in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The result on Friday secured a top-10 ranking among Caribbean nations for the Junior Golden Jaguars at the 189-team global tournament, placing them behind regional leaders Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba.

Across a demanding 10-match schedule against sides from diverse footballing cultures, Guyana recorded four wins, two draws, and four defeats.

Forward Jadan Christian proved a standout in front of goal for the Guyanese youngsters, finding the net six times across four matches before the final-day rout.

Drawn in a challenging Group R, Guyana struggled to find their feet in international tournament football before finding their rhythm.

• Oct 24 – Iran 6-0 Guyana: A tough opening-day defeat against Asian opposition.
• Oct 25 – Guyana 1-1 Mauritius: Jadan Christian struck a 36th-minute equaliser to earn the Junior Golden Jaguars their first point in the opening leg of a Sunday double-header.
• Oct 25 – Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 Guyana: Kijani Drakes found the net in the 30th minute, though the European side proved too strong in the second match of the day.
• Oct 26 – Guyana 3-0 Brunei Darussalam: Guyana claimed their maiden tournament victory thanks to goals from Jashan Haynes (13′), Christian (35′), and Mark Stewart (39′).
• Final Group Game – Vietnam 2-1 Guyana: Christian was on target again in the 15th minute, but the Guyanese boys fell just short in a tight contest to conclude group play.

Following the group phase, Guyana entered the Tier E placement bracket, bouncing back from an early setback to win three of their final four games in regulation time.

• Round of 32 – Gambia 5-1 Guyana: The West African nation handed Guyana a heavy defeat to open the placement round.
• Round of 16 – Guyana 3-1 Dominica: A clinical double from Christian and a goal from captain Nyron Barrow sealed victory over their Caribbean neighbours.
• Placement Match – Guyana 1-1 Guam (4-5 pens): Guyana were edged out on spot-kicks after battling to a stalemate in normal time.
• Placement Match – Guyana 3-2 Belize: Goals from Christian, Malachai Muhammad, and Drakes secured a hard-fought victory over the Central American side.
• Final Placement Match (Oct 30) – Guyana 8-0 St Kitts and Nevis: A dominant attacking display rounded off the tournament on a high note.

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde praised the squad’s resilience and conduct in Azerbaijan, calling the outing a vital milestone for the country’s youth setup.

“Our national youth teams are improving steadily and delivering increasingly credible performances on the international stage,” Forde said.

“This was a particularly valuable experience for our U-15 boys, who had the opportunity to test themselves against different playing styles and in a very different football environment. Equally important, our coaching staff were able to experience first-hand the exceptional standards of the game among some of the leading football nations.”

While acknowledging the gap that still exists on the global stage, Forde credited Technical Director Bryan Joseph and the coaching staff for the team’s preparation, pointing to domestic initiatives like the Youth Ensemble Programme and Schools Football as key pillars for the future.

“We are under no illusion about the amount of work that remains, but we are confident that the right programmes and sustained investment will deliver significant benefits in the months and years ahead,” Forde added. “The evidence is encouraging, and I believe we are heading in the right direction.” (Modified Press Release) 

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Digital promotions and discounted domestic travel packages will form part of efforts to attract more visitors to Guyana’s tourism offerings, as the country seeks to strengthen its image and improve the overall visitor experience.

The activities were outlined by Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh, during the launch of Tourism Awareness Month 2026 under the theme: “Tourism is Everybody’s Business,” on Saturday evening at the Aiden By Best Western Hotel in Georgetown.

Baksh said activities planned for the month include public engagements, digital promotions, discounted domestic travel packages and international promotions in London and Brussels. A tourism village will also be established at GuyExpo from November 12 to 15, while a media familiarisation trip to Essequibo and the introduction of new tourism products are among the other planned activities.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues during the launch said this year’s theme speaks to the need for every Guyanese to play a role in strengthening the country’s tourism industry.

“Today the name Guyana echoes in boardrooms across the globe, international financial publications and at some of the highest levels in decision making…sectors like tourism will be the enduring soul long after the wells run dry,” she said.

She noted that while international attention is increasingly focused on Guyana’s oil and gas sector, tourism must also be developed to contribute to the wider economy.

Georgetown remains a major part of the country’s tourism product, with its rich history, ongoing transformation and growing appeal for business travel, conferences and cultural experiences.

But Rodrigues said the city’s upkeep must match the image being promoted to visitors, with everyone having a responsibility to pay attention to the details that shape their experiences.

“We cannot promote the beauty and curvature of our capital while overlooking the garbage accumulating along streets in drains and in public spaces. A visitor who leaves a hotel and encounters litter along the street experiences that too,” she said.

She said that beautification initiatives being undertaken by the King’s Foundation and the Office of the First Lady form part of wider efforts to improve the visitor experience. The ministry is also working to ensure taxi drivers, tour guides and others in the tourism sector make lasting impressions on visitors.

She also said Guyana’s accommodation capacity continues to expand, with 738 hotel rooms added in 2025 and more than 1,000 additional rooms projected by the end of 2026. This is expected to take the country’s total capacity beyond 5,600 rooms. Visitor arrivals reached 360,623 by September 2026, representing a 10 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Gavin Kennard Douglas, the man who died while in Police custody over the weekend, died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

There were also reportedly visible marks of violence about his body.

An autopsy was performed on Monday morning.

Douglas, of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, had been arrested on Saturday in connection with an alleged armed robbery committed on Wednesday, October 28, at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop.

According to Police Headquarters, Douglas was escorted to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station at approximately 11:36 hrs. At around midday, while being placed in the lockups, he reportedly became aggressive and resisted police ranks, who subsequently restrained him and placed him in the cell.

However, at approximately 12:45 hrs, ranks conducting checks reportedly discovered Douglas frothing at the mouth.

He was immediately rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation into the incident.

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has assured Douglas’s family that allegations surrounding his death in police custody will be investigated fairly. She stressed that accountability must follow wherever wrongdoing is established.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

“I am sincerely sorry.”

Those were the words of former Region Four Chairman Daniel Seeram as he addressed the court shortly before receiving a suspended 13-month prison sentence on Monday, following his conviction for assaulting his ex-wife, Farzana Hamid.

Seeram was initially sentenced to 24 months imprisonment by Magistrate Abigail Gibbs. However, 10 months were deducted in recognition of his good character and record of service to the state. A further 31 days were deducted for the time he spent on remand following his conviction on October 2, 2026.

With 13 months remaining, the Magistrate exercised her powers under Section 3(1) of the Criminal Law Reform Act to suspend the sentence. Seeram will therefore not have to serve the remaining prison term unless he commits another offence, in which case he will be required to serve the sentence.

During his virtual remarks to the court, Seeram described the entire ordeal as unfortunate, saying the circumstances surrounding the breakdown of his marriage had made matters difficult.

“It was never my vision for the marriage between Miss Hamid and I to conclude in such a manner,” he said, adding that he had initially believed they would have a good marriage but attributed its eventual breakdown to external forces.

Seeram also expressed regret over the proceedings and extended an apology to those who had supported him throughout the matter, including Hamid.

“I am quite remorseful and rather depressed at the entire situation that has unfolded. I wish Miss Hamid the best in all of her future endeavours and I trust that she can find somebody who she is compatible with to lead a fulfilling life with.

“None of this should have ever happened,” he added, reiterating that he was “greatly sorry”, he told the court.

However, the expressions of regret came against the backdrop of an emotional impact statement from Hamid, who told the court that the abuse she experienced during the marriage continues to affect her physical health, emotional wellbeing and ability to move forward with her life.

Fighting back tears before a packed courtroom, which included her parents, Hamid stood in the witness box and detailed the lasting consequences of the abuse.

“Although I eventually found the courage to leave the marriage and seek justice, the impact of what I experienced did not end when the relationship ended. It has affected my physical health, my emotional wellbeing and my ability to move forward with my life,” she said.

Hamid disclosed that she had sought therapy to deal with the emotional and mental trauma, and continues to struggle with anxiety, fear and difficulty trusting others.

“Even after leaving the marriage I have continued to struggle with anxiety, fear and difficulty trusting others. These experiences and fear have affected my confidence, my sense of security and my ability to establish another relationship,” she told the court.

She further explained that the fear of experiencing abuse again had not disappeared with the end of the relationship.

“For nearly three years I have had to endure the emotional strain of pursuing justice through the court system,” she said, adding that she remains fearful that Seeram could retaliate against her for pursuing the matter.

Hamid said the guilty verdict had brought some relief and validation, but could not erase the emotional toll of the years spent seeking justice.

“The guilty verdict brought a sense of relief and validation but it cannot erase the emotional toll of the years spent seeking justice,” she said.

She also told the court that Seeram had never apologised to her or acknowledged the harm he had caused.

“While an apology will not undo what happened, the absence of any expression of remorse has added to the hurt I continue to carry,” Hamid said.

In making her appeal for an appropriate sentence, Hamid stressed that she was not seeking revenge but wanted Seeram held accountable for his actions.

“Your Worship, I am not seeking revenge. I am asking that Daniel be held fully accountable for his actions,” she said.

She urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offence, the suffering she endured and the fear she continues to live with, particularly the possibility of retaliation.

“No sentence can undo what has happened to me,” she said, expressing hope that the court’s decision would reflect the gravity of domestic violence and reinforce the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.

“All I want is justice, accountability and the opportunity to live my life without fear,” she added.

Before Hamid could deliver her statement, proceedings were twice disrupted by internet connectivity problems at the prison from which Seeram was participating virtually, resulting in two adjournments.

Meanwhile, in presenting the probation report, Senior Probation Officer Erlene Foster outlined the history of the relationship between Seeram and Hamid.

According to Foster, the two were married in June 2019, but their marriage lasted approximately four years before ending in divorce in 2023.

The report indicated that the couple began experiencing domestic difficulties, which Seeram attributed to what he described as constant interference by Hamid’s parents.

As a result of the marital problems, Seeram reportedly sought relationship counselling for six months in an effort to gain a new perspective on the situation.

Foster also told the court that Hamid had described Seeram as a good person, saying he was initially nice, kind and loving towards her. “According to her he was nice, kind and loving towards her however she also stated that whenever he imbibes alcohol, he was a different person as he became emotionally distant and hardly spoke to her in the home,” Foster reported.

According to the probation report, Hamid said Seeram would frequently go out and return home late, and arguments would follow whenever she questioned his behaviour.

Foster said Hamid had expressed discomfort with the abuse and felt compelled to seek the court’s intervention, adding that she would be satisfied with whatever outcome the court determined.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Ganesh Hira, in his submissions, questioned whether Seeram’s remarks could be regarded as genuine remorse, pointing out that he had not explicitly apologised to Hamid for the suffering she endured.

Hira also highlighted the circumstances surrounding the incident, noting that Hamid was in bed at the time.

He argued that the bed was a place where she should have felt safe.

The prosecutor further submitted that Seeram had changed his account of the incident over time and raised concerns about the destruction of Hamid’s phone, which she had reportedly been using to record the incident and which could have provided evidence.

Seeram was found guilty of assaulting Hamid on October 2, 2026, bringing an end to the trial but leaving the court to consider the circumstances of the offence, the probation report, the victim’s impact statement and the appropriate sentence.

Seeram was presented by attorney Tifane Rutherford, from Hughes, Field and Stoby.

Seeram currently serves as the National Border Patrol Director. He reportedly assaulted his ex-wife, causing grievous bodily harm on September 11, 2023, at the Cummings Lodge, Georgetown apartment they shared.  He was arrested and placed on $50,000 station bail.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

A 20-year-old Venezuelan national has been charged with child stealing and remanded to prison after allegedly taking a seven-month-old infant from Port Kaituma without the mother’s knowledge or permission.

Dariana Figuera, a babysitter of White Water Village, North West District, was charged under Section 90(a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

The charge stems from an investigation into the disappearance of the infant from Oronoque, Port Kaituma, on Wednesday, October 28.

Police said the infant’s mother had left the child in Figuera’s care while she went to work. Figuera allegedly left the residence with the baby and travelled on a flight from Port Kaituma to Ogle International Airport.

Acting on information received, police located Figuera with the infant at Hague Backdam, West Coast Demerara, at about 23:20hrs the same day. The infant was safely recovered, and Figuera was arrested. She was charged on Monday, November 2.

Figuera appeared virtually before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Port Kaituma Magistrate’s Court, where the charge was read to her. She was not required to plead. Bail was refused, and she was remanded to prison until November 11.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

See below the full release from the Guyana Prison Service: 

The Guyana Prison Service considers it necessary to place on record the documented prison regime of remanded prisoner Azruddin Mohamed for Saturday, October 31, 2026, and Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Prison records show that on Saturday, October 31, 2026, Mr. Mohamed was briefed on activities related to the admission process. He was also briefed on prison rules and general expectations.

During the day, he received visits from his family members and his attorneys. Mr. Mohamed was permitted to make a telephone call to a family member, lasting approximately 16 minutes.

Prison records show that on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Mr. Mohamed:

• was unlocked at 06:00 hrs for his morning hygiene;
• received breakfast delivered by a relative at 06:40 hrs;
• attended a welfare counselling session lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
• was permitted three telephone calls to family members, lasting approximately 29 minutes in total;
• received a two-hour visit from one of his attorneys;
• received lunch delivered by a relative during that visit;
• was permitted afternoon hygiene at 15:35 hrs;
• was seen by a medical officer at 15:55 hrs and provided with cough medication;
• was provided with writing and reading materials; and
• was visited at 19:00 hrs by Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot, during which Mr. Mohamed indicated that he had no complaints.

Security checks were conducted periodically throughout the night.

The official prison record establishes that Mr. Mohamed spent approximately 9 hours and 20 minutes outside of his holding area on November 1, 2026.

Accordingly, any assertion that Mr. Mohamed was confined to his holding area for “23 hours and 50 minutes” on that day is inconsistent with the documented prison record.

The Guyana Prison Service will continue to ensure that Mr. Mohamed, like every person in its custody, is treated in accordance with the law, established prison procedures and applicable standards, while maintaining the security and good order of the institution.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

A 24-year-old Police Constable has been charged and remanded to prison in connection with the alleged leak of CCTV footage involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, making him the second officer to be charged in the matter.

Ashton Chappelle, called “Chappy,” of Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, was charged with obtaining and giving electronic data relating to the national security of the State, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) and Section 9(2)(b) of the Cybercrime Act No. 16 of 2018.

The charge stems from an investigation into an alleged offence committed on Saturday, October 24. Police Officer Ryan Greene was previously charged and remanded to prison in relation to the same matter; it is believed he disclosed the footage in exchange for the money.

Mohamed was also arrested in connection with an alleged $800,000 bribery for the release of surveillance footage from the Safe Country System.

Chappelle was arrested on Friday, October 30, and charged on Monday, November 2. He appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Abigail Gibbs, where the charge was read to him. Bail was refused and he was remanded to prison.

The matter was adjourned to November 24, 2026.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Four police ranks stationed at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station have been arrested and are currently in custody at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) as investigations continue into the death of 32-year-old Gavin Douglas.

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating the circumstances surrounding Douglas’ death, following an incident at the police station on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination conducted on Monday, by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, determined that Douglas died from brain haemorrhage due to blunt trauma.

During the examination, two Taser studs were removed from his body and lodged as exhibits.

The Guyana Police Force has assured the public that the matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness and that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation.

The Force reiterated its commitment to accountability and the rule of law, adding that appropriate action will be taken against any rank found culpable, in accordance with the law.

Douglas, of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, had been arrested on Saturday in connection with an alleged armed robbery committed on Wednesday, October 28, at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop.

According to Police Headquarters, Douglas was escorted to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station at approximately 11:36 hrs. At around midday, while being placed in the lockups, he reportedly became aggressive and resisted police ranks, who subsequently restrained him and placed him in the cell.

However, at approximately 12:45 hrs, ranks conducting checks reportedly discovered Douglas frothing at the mouth.

He was immediately rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has assured Douglas’s family that allegations surrounding his death in police custody will be investigated fairly. She stressed that accountability must follow wherever wrongdoing is established.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

On Monday morning, scores of Lindeners participated in a picketing exercise in front of the Linden Utilities Services Coop Society Limited (LUSCSL), the cooperative society responsible for electricity service on the Wismar shore.

Holding placards, the protestors chanted, “No Water, No Light, yal gon get it right.”

The protestors said they were tired of the constant daily blackouts.

Residents have expressed their frustration over the instability of the service, which has resulted in damaged appliances in many homes and in a more serious case, the loss of an entire home as a result of an electrical fire.

In addition to the peaceful protest, boat operators and some route taxis also halted their service for the day. Many parents also kept their children home from school. “This is sickening, every day is blackout and when the light go, the water going, no water, no light, by the time the light come on, it coming off, yuh can’t catch ya self and this heat is ordinary, we tired, we tired,” one protestor expressed.

Also participating in the protest was Mayor of Linden Dominic Blair and Member of Parliament Sharma Solomon.

Martin Richmond, Light Supervisor for LUSCSL addressed the crowd of protestors and said there is an ongoing technical issue that the Coop is facing as a result of an unbalancing in the system. To fix the entire problem, he said will take up to three months.

Subsequently, the LUSCSL released a statement in collaboration with Linden Electricity Incorporated, which said that a management meeting was held with both entities as they are working collaboratively to fix the long standing issues.

“As part of our commitment to provide reliable electricity, we pledge to conduct an extensive survey of our distribution system over the next seven (7) days to identify and resolve any further potential issues.”

The scheduled power outages will take place daily from 13:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Counsel representing the United States of America have signalled their intention to mount a legal challenge to the decision of the Chief Magistrate today refusing to revoke the bail granted to Azruddin Mohamed in the ongoing extradition proceedings.

The application for revocation was driven principally by grave concerns arising from a recently instituted charge alleging an attempt to obstruct the course of justice in the extradition proceedings through the intimidation of a prosecution witness, Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine.

The allegations concern an incident in which a firearm and matching ammunition were unlawfully possessed and the firearm discharged at approximately midnight outside the private residence of Senior Superintendent Narine, whose testimony in the extradition proceedings is presently part-heard.

The seriousness of this development was brought into particularly sharp focus today when Senior Superintendent Narine openly expressed his fear of the Mohameds before the Court and pleaded for the Court’s protection. His appeal underscores the gravity of the circumstances in which a serving senior police officer, who is a witness in these proceedings, has found himself.

This is not simply a question of the personal safety of one witness. It raises fundamental concerns about the ability of other witnesses, who are yet to testify, to come forward and give their evidence freely and without fear of intimidation, reprisal or other forms of interference. The integrity of the extradition proceedings depends upon witnesses being able to discharge their responsibilities without apprehension that doing so may expose them or their families to danger.

The potential chilling effect of such circumstances upon witnesses yet to testify cannot be ignored. The administration of justice requires that witnesses be protected and that no person, regardless of status or influence, be permitted to undermine the judicial process through intimidation or conduct calculated to interfere with the giving of evidence.

The prosecution’s position is that the commission of further offences while on bail, particularly where the allegations involve witness intimidation and attempts to obstruct ongoing judicial proceedings, engages serious considerations under the Bail Act and other applicable legislation. Such conduct constitutes powerful grounds for refusing or revoking bail.

In addition to the witness-related charge, other serious local charges have recently been instituted against Mohamed, including one relating to the alleged unauthorised removal of CCTV footage from the Police Command Centre.

Following the Chief Magistrate’s refusal to revoke bail, counsel for the United States formally applied for the Court’s recorded reasons for its decision. Those reasons are expected to be provided tomorrow.

Upon receipt and consideration of those reasons, counsel for the United States will pursue the appropriate legal avenues to challenge the decision.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE