main photo, Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips along with Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony enjoyed seven curry at Enterprise,
AI is a ticking time bomb if left unchecked –Pres Ali urges Caricom unity to tame tech threats
Describing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a “ticking time bomb” if its dark side is not brought under control, President Dr Irfaan Ali has urged that the region as a whole combine its efforts to develop AI policies and regulations.
The President made these remarks during a recent brunch held at State House on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. The President further noted that Guyana will work with its CARICOM counterparts, to develop unified policies to tackle AI.
that if left unchecked, AI will become a ticking time bomb. According to President Ali, they must look at both the challenges and the opportunities.
“How do we ensure in this environment of AI, that we pursue a path. And for CARICOM, I’m positioning this morning, that we pursue a common path. Because we don’t have the capacity individually to do this,” President Ali added.
“That would look at the intellectual and professional conduct of AI. That would look at the chal -
Ali noted that there is strength in numbers, if the region combines its efforts. He made it clear
lenges, threats and opportunities of AI. That would look at policies, regulations and legislations that
would ensure AI does not go unchecked. If we don’t do it, it’s a ticking time bomb.”
When it comes to AI and digitisation, he noted that Guyana’s constitution currently does not cater for this. According to him, this means that in the constitutional reform process, AI and digitisation must be among the areas dealt with.
“In Guyana, freedom of expression including the freedom of the press, is enshrined in our constitution. It is the cornerstone of our democracy, society and a fundamental human right, that allows our cit -
izens to speak freely, access information and engage in public discourse without fear of reprisal.”
“This was enshrined in our constitution at a time when digitisation and AI was not there. That is why in the reform process, we will have to pay attention to these new areas,” President Ali further said.
Guyana has worked with CARICOM when it comes to developing other pieces of legislation. A poignant example is the CARICOM Arrest Warrant Bill, which was introduced last year as part of regional efforts to tackle crime and curb the movement
of criminals in the region, while unifying separate pieces of legislation among member countries.
Already, countries around the world have been moving to set up legislation to govern AI. In the European Union (EU), laws were approved last year to regulate AI based on risk assessments of the different models. AI that carries ‘unacceptable risk’ were banned outright, while AI at the lower end of the risk spectrum will see developers having to disclose to users whenever any content, they interact with is AI generated.
Meanwhile in the US, work continues at both the federal and state level to bring about laws to regulate AI. In California for instance, there have been efforts to assess the risk of deepfake technology- AI technology that can manipulate video to mimic real persons-to the Government systems.
In February 2024, it was uncovered that a deepfake AI scam was used to trick a financial officer at a multi-national firm in Hong Kong into
paying out US$25 million of the company’s money. According to authorities in Hong Kong, the scammers used deepfake technology to pose as the financial officer’s boss on a video conference call, which led to him approving the payout… only to later discover that he had been talking to fake AI recreations.
Only last week, the United States (US) House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority voted to pass a bill that would crack down on the posting of sexual images and videos of people online without their consent. This bill will include AI-generated “deepfake” nudes of real people.
Sovereign AI refers to a nation’s or region’s ability to control, create and deploy AI models using its own infrastructure, data and workforce. Recently Dr Toussant Boyce of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), while speaking at a Guyana Press Association (GPA) organised lecture, had highlighted the need for Guyana’s policy makers to leverage and regulate AI.
President Dr Irfaan Ali
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular
on: Tuesday, May 6 – 00:55h-02:25h and Wednesday, May 7 –01:45h-03:15h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, May 6 – 11:55h-13:25h and Wednesday, May 7 –13:00h-14:30h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Thundery to light rain showers are expected during the day and at night, with sunny conditions in the early-morning and late-afternoon hours. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.79 metres and 4.47 metres.
High Tide: 12:19h reaching a maximum height of 2.12 metres.
Low Tide: 18:24h reaching a minimum height of 1.05 metres.
Guyana’s regulatory environment, business freedom lauded by Economic Freedom Index …labour,
monetary freedom also rated above world average
Guyana has been recognised by the Index of Economic Freedom for the efficiency of its regulatory environment, scoring an overall score of 58.2 and improving in its ranking when it comes to economic freedom.
The Index of Economic Freedom, is an annual index prepared by The Heritage Foundation, an American conservative think tank, and The Wall Street Journal. In this year’s index, Guyana was ranked 99 out of 184 countries for its economic freedom. Its 58.2-point score is a 0.9-point increase from last year.
Guyana received a strong score when it comes to its overall regulatory environment. The report described Guyana’s regulatory environment as well institutionalised and relatively efficient. It also noted that Guyana’s business, labour and monetary freedom scores of 71.1, 76.7 and 76 respectively, are above world average.
Another metric used was the openness of Guyana’s market. It was noted that generally, both foreign and domestic investors are treated equally under the law. However, lack of access to financing was recognised by the index as a hindrance to the growth of entrepreneurship.
“The trade-weighted average tariff rate is 13.0 per cent, and multiple nontariff measures are in effect. In general, foreign and domestic investors are treated equally under the law. The financial sector is underdeveloped, and limited access to financing impedes the long-term growth of entrepreneurial activity,” the index stated.
Government spending and the tax burden were
both rated well, with scores of 83.6 and 76.9 respectively. But when it comes to the rule of law, including the effectiveness of the judiciary for which Guyana received a score of 48.3, the index noted that this was below average.
“The top individual income tax rate is 40 per cent, and the top corporate tax rate is 25 per cent. The tax burden equals 9.5 per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Threeyear Government spending and budget balance averages are, respectively, 23.3 per cent and 6.1 per cent of GDP. Public debt amounts to 26.4 per cent of GDP,” the report added.
As recent as March, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) had called for the Central Bank to take necessary steps and procedures to address existing gaps in the country’s financial sector as it relates to the demands of
the economy and business landscape and the ability or lack thereof, of the banking sector to deliver the level and quality of services needed.
In 2023, the GCCI had met with the Finance Ministry, the Governor of the Bank of Guyana, and the Guyana Association of Bankers Inc to begin discussions on the banking challenges. Since then, towards making tangible improvements in the legislative framework of the financial sector the Government has laid and passed the Security Interests in Movable Property Bill, and the Financial Institutions Amendment Bill of 2024.
The Security Interest in Movable Property Bill was passed with bipartisan support in the National Assembly in December. The bill has been described by the GCCI as “a game-changer” to the financial sector in Guyana. The Act al-
lows businesses to leverage moveable assets—ranging from vehicles, equipment, and inventory to crops, livestock, and even intellectual property—as collateral to access credit.
The GCCI had described this as a much-needed boost for enterprises that have often struggled to secure financing under the traditional collateral models.
Meanwhile, the Financial Institutions Amendment Bill of 2024, allows foreign financial institutions to establish representative offices in Guyana.
The Government has made progress when it comes to using digital solutions to improve the ease of doing business. In 2024, the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) had launched the Electronic Planning and Development Single Window System with the aim of consolidating the various applications needed for the construction permitting process and having them approved through one portal.
And it was announced in January, less than a year after becoming operational, that the Electronic Planning and Development Single Window System had already approved over a dozen applications while more than 300 applications are currently being processed including several for major oil and gas projects.
The Heritage Foundation
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Nursing assistant’s deceit & self-interest
The disturbing revelations surrounding the conduct of a nursing assistant now wanted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) must be unequivocally condemned. Her reckless dissemination of false and misleading information concerning the post-mortem examination (PME) of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, who was tragically found dead at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, represents not only a grievous breach of professional ethics but also a callous disregard for the grieving family and the wider public.
The facts, as detailed by the Guyana Police Force, expose a web of deceit. In a circulating voice note, the nursing assistant claimed to have been present during Adrianna Younge’s PME, which took place at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on April 28. She further alleged that her attendance had been sanctioned by the Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony. Both assertions have been categorically debunked. Dr Anthony, Pathologist Dr Caleb McCloggan, and Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, all of whom were present, confirmed that the particular nursing assistant was not in attendance and had no involvement in the proceedings.
Such deliberate fabrication is not merely a lapse in judgment; it is a malicious act with far-reaching consequences. The claim that the autopsy was improperly managed, and that unqualified individuals were consulted, undermines public trust in the institutions tasked with delivering justice in sensitive cases. More egregiously, it inflicts additional suffering on Adrianna Younge’s bereaved family, who are already grappling with an unimaginable loss. For a nursing assistant, someone ostensibly committed to care and compassion, to engage in this behaviour is a gross betrayal of the core values that define the medical profession.
The dissemination of misinformation, particularly in matters of such gravity, is both dangerous and reprehensible. By purporting to have insider knowledge and by invoking the authority of senior officials, this nursing assistant sought to lend false credibility to her narrative, thereby amplifying its potential to cause harm. The voice note did not merely sow confusion; it actively threatened to derail an ongoing investigation and incite public mistrust. Such actions, if left unchecked, have the capacity to erode confidence in the judicial and healthcare systems, institutions that rely fundamentally on the integrity of their personnel.
The GPF’s swift response, which included verifying facts with all parties named and issuing a wanted bulletin for her, must be commended. It demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the investigation and upholding the rule of law. Equally, the firm stance taken by Dr Frank Anthony, who has rightfully denounced the claims and signalled his intent to pursue legal recourse, underscores the seriousness of the offence and the need for accountability.
At the heart of this troubling episode lies a profound lack of empathy. Adrianna Younge’s family, already enduring deep sorrow, has been subjected to further anguish by these unfounded claims. In moments of public tragedy, the role of health professionals and community members alike should be to offer support, comfort, and truth. Instead, this nursing assistant’s actions have exacerbated the family’s grief, introducing unnecessary distress at a time when sensitivity and respect were most needed.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the critical responsibility borne by those who work in healthcare and allied fields. Professional conduct extends beyond the clinical setting; it encompasses the ethical obligation to uphold truth, confidentiality, and the dignity of those affected by tragedy. When that trust is betrayed, as in this case, the repercussions are profound, not only for the immediate victims but for the entire community.
It is imperative that justice is pursued rigorously in this matter. The law must take its full course to send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. Beyond legal accountability, this case also calls for introspection within the medical and nursing community about the standards of professionalism and the mechanisms in place to prevent such breaches.
Distractions fuelled by deceit and self-interest in Adrianna Younge’s case have no place in this process. The public must remain vigilant and discerning, rejecting sensationalism in favour of verified facts, and standing firm in the defence of integrity and compassion.
Memo to Harry: megaphone diplomacy isn’t working. You could write to your dad – it only costs a stamp
By Stephen BateS
Was the timing deliberate? It did seem so as Prince Harry backed into the limelight once again last Friday evening with his extended lament to the BBC about the fact that he and his wife and children had been denied taxpayer-funded security protection by a wicked establishment if ever they choose to visit Britain again.
In the great scale of world events, or even of the royal family, Harry’s private security needs are probably not near the top of anybody’s priorities, but they were enough to knock the local election results and even the picture of a grinning Nigel Farage off Saturday’s front pages.
But if he thought his latest intervention was going to change minds at Buckingham Palace or effect the reconciliation he claims to want with his father, though not apparently with others like the queen or his brother, he has surely got another think coming.
The interview – the latest in a string of complaints emerging at regular intervals from Harry and Meghan’s home in Montecito – is likely to be filed alongside previous interviews, documentaries and his book Spare. We have heard such complaints before, several times over. His trouble is that the family firm, the UK media and most of the public – insofar as they think of his plight at all – have giv-
en up on Harry. If he wants reconciliation, he needs better PR and less megaphone diplomacy.
The spark for his latest grievance comes as the rest of the royal family and the nation prepare to celebrate that moment in UK history which gave the coun-
am who I am.” And he implied that the shadowy forces that had had it in for his mother were out to get him too. The old discredited conspiracy theory lives on in his brain.
Harry said he wants to reconcile with his father, who might be dying of can-
try something to be proud about: its role 80 years ago in the defeat of Nazi Germany. It will be a commemoration of service, duty and unity, with parades, flypasts and civic celebrations, which Harry will miss despite his own military service.
At the interview in a private house (not his own) in California, the prince, who gave up royal duties five years ago and moved to America’s West Coast, complained, as if it were the most important thing, that he was a victim. That he was being discriminated against by the UK establishment for being, well, a prince: “My status hasn’t changed. It can’t change. I
cer for all he knew, but could not get hold of him “because of the security stuff”. He would not bring his family to Britain because of their vulnerability to attack in a country which is somewhat safer than the West Coast, or indeed Ukraine, which he has recently visited. He said: “If anything were to happen to me, my wife or my father’s grandchildren…look where the responsibility lies,” and last night, possibly coincidentally, Meghan published a photograph of her husband holding their son Archie’s hand and carrying daughter Lilibet on his shoulders.
The prince thought King Charles might have intervened, or at least stepped
aside, to allow a proper review of his safety needs from a body other than Ravec – the Royal and VIP Executive Committee –which reviews the security of vulnerable public figures and contains a staff member from Buckingham Palace. As the judges in Harry’s latest court case about the decision to remove protection pointed out on Friday, his complaint has been examined several times and found groundless.
More to the point, despite whatever constitutional training he ever received, the fifth in line to the throne does not seem to realise that his dad cannot intervene even in what are technically his own courts to get a favourable outcome for his younger son. That’s the sort of thing Donald Trump might try.
Pragmatically, instead of revelling in victimhood, Harry and Meghan might reflect that if they turn up for official events, they will get protection. If they turn up privately to stay with friends, the British public will remain blissfully unaware of their presence or even location. For now, all the palace can do is keep calm and carry on, albeit with exasperation. If Harry really wants reconciliation, he could always write a private letter. He knows where his father lives. (The Guardian)
(Stephen Bates is a former Guardian royal correspondent)
The Indian Heritage Site, Palmyra, Corentyne, Berbice on Monday where the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha hosted a Sanskriti to mark Arrival Day 2025 (GHDS photo)
Prince Harry during his interview
2 men killed, woman critical in NA stabbing
Two men are now dead and a woman is critical following an incident at Caracas, situated on the outskirts of New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Dead are Shawn LeFleur and 52-year-old Leon Fordyce, both of Angoy’s Avenue. Injured is 44-yearold Angelisha Newyear.
Residents said the incident may have its origin in issues surrounding a trian-
legedly engaged in an argument with Newyear about threats made to the woman’s 26-year-old son Gregory De Jonge.
The Police said the argument escalated and Newyear was stabbed to the abdomen and Fordyce reportedly received a blow to the head, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the New Amsterdam Hospital.
LaFleur was also stabbed; he was escort-
gular love affair. According to the Police, about 22:30h on Sunday, Lafleur was in the company of Neon De Jonge, known only as “Thunder” or “Bristol” and were al-
ed to the New Amsterdam Hospital and admitted.
However, he succumbed to his injuries on Monday while being transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Newyear was admitted to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. Gregory De Jonge was arrested and is assisting with the investigations.
Meanwhile, villagers told <<<Guyana Times>>> following the injuries Fordyce received, a mob pounced on LaFleur and left him on the street bleeding. He was removed from the street by the Police hours later.
One villager said that he closed his business place at midnight and went to bed, but shortly after he heard a lady screaming for help and when he got out of bed he found Newyear at his gate. He said the woman was bleeding and begged him to
open up his gate for her.
He identified the woman as Newyear, called in the community “Angie”.
“She say [called him by name] please open, because people would kill me. So, I opened and she came in. The attacker start to break the gate. We calling the Police for one hour before they come. We call all to Georgetown and no Police response – over one hour. After the Police come they take her to the hospital.”
The villager said the attacker had been trying to get the woman by attempting to break his gate.
The New York Ashram observes East Indian Arrival Day
Dear Editor,
The sun shone brightly as a cool breeze swept across Jamaica. Plants and trees blossomed with spring, while adults and children enjoyed camping and playing games in the park near the America Sevashram, where a programme celebrated the 187th arrival of East Indians in Guyana.
The first batch of East Indian immigrants arrived on May 5, 1838 on the ship Whitby that landed at Highbury, Berbice, and the second batch arrived on the same date on the ship Hesperus that landed at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD). From 1838 to 1917, 239,000 East Indian immigrants arrived in Guyana.
The cultural programme included patriotic songs from Guyana, India, and the United States (US) with children waving flags to the Angels Caribbean Band's tunes. Ms Geeta Bisram sang Indian patriotic songs and shared insights into the immigration experience. Swami
Siveshanandaji Maharaj delivered a keynote on culture and history's importance for personal and communal growth.
Another highlight of the programme was the presentation of some mesmerising traditional Indian dances, including kathak, by the famous Natraj Centre for the Performing Arts. They portrayed their exquisite talent with their intricate movements, colorful costumes, and panache much to the admiration of the audience.
East Indian immigration was a “monstrous rotten system” said Guyana’s colonial Chief Justice Joseph Beaumont. The historian Hugh Tinker referred to it as “another form of slavery.” Throughout indentureship East Indians remained resilient and had as their main ally, their culture and religion. Despite strenuous efforts by the authorities to anglicise them, the majority of East Indians stuck to their traditional religion: Hinduism and Islam.
One of the reasons why
the Jewish people are so successful is that they lean on three pillars: culture, religion, and history. East Indians are good at culture and religion but not necessarily at history. One of the purposes of East Indian Arrival Day is expand their awareness of East Indian history. East Indian leaders believe that a “people without history is like a flock of sheep without a shepherd.” And yes, “we cannot separate ourselves from our history no more can we separate ourselves from our shadow.”
One of the intriguing things about East Indian immigration to Guyana compared to Trinidad and Tobago (TT) is the vast difference in the Indian population. Between 1838 and 1917 over 239,000 East Indian immigrants landed in Guyana while 148,000 landed in TT. Despite Guyana having received more immigrants. Yet the current Indian population of TT (470,00) is much higher than Guyana (297,000).
Our analysis shows that this difference in population size was not due to higher fer-
tility levels of TT Indians but to the massive emigration (outflow) of East Indians from Guyana, especially during the decades of the 1970s and 1980s. Although Guyanese Africans were leading initially in the emigration stream, they were overtaken by East Indians in 1973 and that trend has persisted until today.
The challenge for researchers is to determine if East Indians are better off in their new adopted countries compared to living in Guyana. What impact has history had on their perceived progress?
East Indian Arrival Day is observed on May 5th. Guyana’s Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo extends congratulations to the organisers of the Ashram’s event on behalf of himself and the Guyana Government and he further commended the organisers for conducting a dignified and authentic cultural programme.
Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh
“I try begging him to stop… but after I out my light, he move off,” the villager related.
He identified the attacker as Lafleur, who was also killed. His mother, 50-yearold Nicole LaFleur said early Monday morning someone informed her that Shawn, the second of her seven children, had met his demise.
“Ah hear somebody call me, but I don’t know is who, they call me and tell me that my son dead. So when I come out and I go by the same spot down there, I meet my son lie down and I go to him and asked him what happened to him. I took off my jacket and I wrap his head and I didn’t know he had a wound on his throat too.
When I turn his neck, I see the big thing and my cousin she take off her top too and
wrap his neck with it,” the woman said.
She pointed out that her son’s death could be related to an affair he had with a woman who has a twomonth-old baby.
“The girl get a child and he [Shawn] is claiming that the child is not his own. Anyhow, he went and register the child…she say that the child is my son child and not “Buck Man”, but my son say it is not his child, because the child don’t resemble the two children that he has,” the mother revealed.
However, some villagers told this newspaper it was a mob that injured LaFleur, which contradicts the version the Police reported after speaking with the suspect. An investigation has been launched.
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025
Dead: Shawn LeFleur
The damaged gate
The crime scene
Page Foundation
English
CSEC QUESTIONS
Read all instructions carefully before starting to write. Write in the ESSAY format and develop all your responses fully.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE - William Shakespeare
1. Consider the casket scenes in Portia's home in Belmont.
(a) Describe the test that has been set for Portia's suitors, and the consequences of their choosing wrongly.
(b) How was the casket test supposed to ensure that Portia married a man who would truly value her?
(c) How good a father is Shylock to Jessica when compared with Portia's father?
2. In Act 4 Scene 1, Portia gives a speech in court about mercy.
(a) What advice does Portia give Shylock in this speech?
(b) What evidence is there in this scene to show that the Christians who preach mercy are themselves lacking this quality?
(c) Comment on the mercy that is shown to Shylock.
FENCES - August Wilson
3. As the family meets for Troy's funeral, forgiveness for the past and hope for the future are evident.
(a) Discuss the ways in which Troy has wronged EACH of the following persons:
(i) Rose
(ii) Gabriel
(iii) Cory
(b) Show how forgiveness and hope are presented dramatically in the final scene of the play
4. Rose is protrayed as a nurturing person.
(a) Discuss how Rose nurtured EACH of the following persons:
(i) Troy
(ii) Cory
(iii) Raynell(b) Show how Rose was both hurt and blessed in her relationship with Troy.1
Maths
ALGEBRA, RELATIONS, FUNCTIONS AND GRAPHS
8. (a) (i) Complete the table below for the function f(x) = 3 + 2x – x2
(ii) Complete the grid below to show all the points in the table and hence, draw the graph of the function f(x) = 3 + 2x – x2 for –2 ≤ x ≤ 4.
(iii) Using the graph above, determine a) the coordinates of the maximum point of f(x)
b) the range of values of x for which f(x) > 0
c) the gradient of f(x) at x = 1.
(b) Mr Thomas makes x bottles of juice and y cakes each day. To supply his customers, he makes at least 20 bottles of juice and no more than 15 cakes each day. (i) Write TWO inequalities to represent this information.
(ii) Each day, Mr Thomas uses $163 to make the bottles of juice and the cakes. The cost to make a bottle of juice is $3.50 while the cost to make a cake is $5.25. Write an inequality to represent this information.
(iii) Show that on any given day, it is NOT possible for Mr Thomas to make 50 bottles of juice and 12 cakes.
Adrianna Younge’s drowning Foreign diplomats urge “calm, respect for rule of law”
…funeral postponed
As the nation reels from the tragic death of 11-yearold Adrianna Younge, diplomatic voices from the international community are calling for calm, restraint and a united respect for the rule of law in Guyana.
The outpouring of grief has been compounded by instances of public terror and rising tensions, prompting urgent appeals for peace and solidarity during this emotionally charged period.
The funeral for young Adrianna, originally scheduled for Monday has been postponed by the family. In a statement, Adrianna’s mother, Ameica Simon described the unbearable pain of losing her daughter, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by people from all walks of life.
“My heart is shattered beyond words,” the mother wrote. “We want to honour her with the peace, love and the dignity she deserves.”
The appeal comes amid heightened national attention and public speculation surrounding Adrianna’s
tragic death at a hotel pool on April 24, including a public social media post made by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, in which he alleged that certain individuals and organisations are planning to disrupt the funeral of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge and incite violence.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a statement expressing grave concern over the statement, noting that multiple attempts were made to contact Hughes via phone to obtain details that could assist in preventing any potential threats and ensuring the safety of mourners and the wider public. However, the Force stated that these efforts were unsuccessful as Hughes did not cooperate with the police. Instead, when an assistant Police commissioner contracted him, he said among other things, “… there is no whistle blower legislation in place to protect sources of information.
I would not want to expose anyone to increased danger.”
Foreign envoys
In response to these concerns, foreign envoys, including ambassadors from the United States (US), European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) joined voices in mourning Adrianna’s death while urging Guyanese citizens to pursue justice through peaceful and lawful means.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot expressed “deep concern and sorrow” over the ongoing unrest, stating “Looting and destruction of property are harmful to all. I strongly urge all involved to commit to peace as the Government works to resolve the situation.”
Her sentiment was echoed by EU Ambassador Rene van Nes, who emphasised the importance of non-violence and democratic principles, reiterating the EU’s commitment to Guyana’s stability and the wellbeing of its people.
Additionally, British High Commissioner Jane Miller added her voice in support, noting that “Whilst I understand the strength of feeling over this issue, I am confident that the right way forward is always through legal and non-violent means.”
Further, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana
Sébastien Sigouin urged all Guyanese to keep the peace and respect the rule of law highlighting “Canada remains committed to supporting the people of Guyana, our shared democratic principles, and the country’s continued stability and prosperity.”
Unity and compassion
At the national level, President Dr Irfaan Ali renewed his message of unity and compassion, offering prayers and sympathy to Adrianna’s grieving family.
“We pray that her soul finds eternal peace and that her memory be an inspiration of goodness, hope and positivity,” the Head of State related in a statement.
The body of Adrianna Younge was discovered in the pool of the now-gutted Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on April 24, almost 24 hours after she was reported missing from the facility.
The child along with her grandmother and other relatives had gone to the poolside on Wednesday, April 23. She was reported missing at around 14:00hrs and despite initial searches in the pool, her body was not found.
Nevertheless, a post-mortem examination conducted on the child’s body four days after its discovery—by three international pathologists, including one appointed by the family—determined
that she died as a result of drowning.
The family was planning to conduct a second autopsy, to be performed this time by Trinidadian pathologist Dr Hubert Daisley. Critics argue that seeking another autopsy may be an attempt to obtain a conclusion that aligns with certain beliefs, rather than accepting the consistent findings of the previous examinations. Additionally, repeated post-mortem examinations can deteriorate the quality of the body, potentially compromising further forensic analyses. At least one local attorney has been vocal on the issue, raising concerns about the chain of custody regarding Adrianna’s remains.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot
EU Ambassador Rene van Nes
British High Commissioner Jane Miller
Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin
Eleven-year-old
Adrianna Younge
Chinese worker crushed to death at glass factory
…OSH launches probe
The Labour Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department has initiated a formal investigation following a workplace incident that resulted in the death of a Chinese national.
Dead is Eddie Yang, a resident of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.
Reports are that the incident occurred at about 23:46h on Saturday, at a storage facility operated by Zheng Xin Aluminium Alloy Doors and Windows Processing Factory, located at Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara.
Initial reports indicated that a large quantity of glass stored in a 40-foot container at the front of the premises unexpectedly collapsed, trapping Yang beneath it.
Co-workers at the scene quickly raised an alarm and worked to rescue. Yang, subsequently transporting him to a nearby healthcare facility. He was however pronounced dead upon arrival.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:06 of the Laws of Guyana, the ministry has launched an investigation led by two Occupational
Safety and Health Officers. Meanwhile, Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, has extended sympathy to the grieving relatives, co-workers, and friends of Yang. He also took the opportunity to remind employers and workers of the importance of adhering to safety and health practices in the workplace to prevent similar incidents that can
result in the loss of lives. In 2024, Guyana witnessed a hike in workplace fatalities when compared to previous years with the Labour Ministry reporting that 32 persons would have lost their lives at their places of employment. In 2020, the Ministry recorded 32 workplace deaths followed by 27 in 2021, 21 in 2022 and 20 in 2023.
The Zheng Xin Aluminium Alloy Doors and Windows Processing Factory, at Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara
Georgetown will not suffer for City Hall’s ‘incompetence’ – Edghill
…drainage, road works kick off across city amid rainy season
With the rainy season almost in full swing and residents fear flooding, the Public Works Ministry has commenced mass infrastructural works to tackle long-standing infrastructure issues across Georgetown, including crumbling roads, damaged bridges, and clogged drains.
On Saturday, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, led a team of engineers on a series of site inspections across several vulnerable communities. Areas visited included Agricola, Container City, Rasville, Benn Kirton Drive, Rivers View, Sussex and Hill Street, Middle Road, Barbie Dam, Bamboo Drive, Meadow Brook, Kitty, Bel-
Air Park, North Sophia, and Merriman’s Mall.
During the site visits to some of the communities, residents expressed frustration at what they described as years of neglect by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (G/MCC), with many pointing to poor drainage and weak road infrastructure as primary causes of frequent flooding and mobility challenges, particularly during heavy rainfall. In response, Edghill gave clear assurance that immediate interventions are on the horizon, instructing engineers to collect names of residents to facilitate return visits, allowing for detailed technical assessments and the development of commu-
nity-specific action plans.
“The Government of Guyana will not neglect Georgetown or any ward in Georgetown because of the incompetence and the infantile politics of City Hall,” he emphasised stating that, “People are suffering and we will intervene. The government will do what it takes to ensure the lives and livelihoods of people are improved.”
This initiative forms part of a broader plan being spearheaded by People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration to address infrastructural issues affecting citizens across the country.
In 2024, the Ministry of Public Works (MOPW) man-
aged over 4500 public infrastructure projects, engaging small, medium and large-scale contractors from across Guyana.
This included the $475 million Cemetery Road Project, 21 contracts for 2.7 kilometer (km) of concrete roads and 10 contracts for 9.8km for all sub districts in Region One (Barima-Waini), seven contracts for 35 km of laterite road in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 42 contract for 2.5 km, 66 community participation contracts for roads in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), seven contract for 350 km of laterite road, and 1.5km each in four main villages across Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 21 Contracts for 14.6 km, 16 contract for 1 km in Kwakwani, 32 contracts for 2 km in Ituni and 31 contracts for 2km in Coomaka in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Specifically, of the 4500 public infrastructure proj-
ects, more than 3,000 community roads were completed nationwide with small contractors playing a pivotal role in this transformative initiative.
In Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) alone, over 300 contractors executed projects worth more than $4 billion.
In addition to road improvements, nearly 200
bridges are being constructed across Guyana. In Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 45 of 46 bridges leading to Lethem are being replaced, enhancing connectivity. Major projects such as the construction of two four-lane bridges—one across the river at Wismar and another underway—are reshaping the nation’s infrastructure landscape.
Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill inspecting areas in Georgetown
Lt Col Brenda Aaron, 1st female officer in GDF, dies
…paved way for generations of female soldiers
The bravery of women within the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was paved by the path of one woman some 58 years ago - on January 30, 1967, when Lieutenant Colonel Brenda Aaron was recruited as one of the first four female officers in the GDF.
Her legacy has been felt across the length and breadth of Guyana, especially following the anniversary of her passing on May 4, 2025.
In her own words, the
GDF uniform signified a lot to her: “When I got in and I put on the uniform, things started happening... I fell in love with Timehri and there came also, my love for the Guyana Defence Force,” Aaron stated in happier times.
Since her passing, the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, along with officers and ranks of the GDF, extend sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Lieutenant
Colonel (Ret’d) Brenda Aaron, who passed away on May 4.
“As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate a life of courage, service, and nation-building. The Guyana Defence Force salutes her with deepest respect and eternal gratitude. Her example endures, and her service will always be remembered,” the GDF stated in a statement.
The GDF also related that Lieutenant Colonel Aaron stands as a monu -
mental figure in the history of the GDF, highlighting her accomplishments. She was a recipient of the Military Efficiency Medal (MEM) in 1980, the 25th Anniversary Medal in 1990, and the Military Service Medal in 1993.
On January 30, 1967, Lt Col Aaron was recruited as one of the first four female officers in the GDF. Assigned the rank of Cadet Officer, she completed her initial officer training under the guidance of British Army Officer Major Neil Pulling. A week later, she helped welcome 56 women who joined as Other Ranks—marking the birth of what would become the Women’s Army Corps (WAC).
Before answering the call to military service, she was a teacher—nurturing young minds with the same discipline, strength, and dedication she would later bring to uniform. That transition from educator to officer was not merely a change in profession; it marked the beginning of a groundbreaking military journey that helped redefine the role of women in the defence of our nation.
Her leadership in those formative days was instrumental in shaping the Corps into a disciplined and capable body, and she would go on to become its first Commanding Officer. Her service with the GDF
concluded in 1994.
Throughout her career, Lieutenant Colonel Aaron served with distinction in numerous key appointments that reflected her versatility and commitment to service. She was the Officer Commanding of the WAC and later served as Administrative Officer and Executive Officer at Base Camp Ayanganna. She was also appointed Executive Officer and subsequently Base Commander at Base Camp Stephenson. In addition, she held the posts of Officer Commanding of the Welfare Department and the Five Service Support Battalion. Her leader -
ship and administrative acumen were further recognised through her appointments as Staff Officer One – Special Duties and Civil Affairs Officer. According to the GDF, her steadfast leadership, professionalism, and commitment to duty left an indelible mark on the Force and on all who had the privilege to serve alongside her. She mentored and inspired countless officers and ranks, always placing service before self. Her legacy lives on in every female soldier who proudly wears the uniform and in every standard of excellence she helped to establish, the GDF said.
Lieutenant Colonel Brenda Aaron among other GDF members years ago
Lieutenant Colonel Brenda Aaron
Adrianna Younge's drowning
Nursing aide wanted by Police over false claim about autopsy surrenders
…misleadingly claims she was present at PME, cops confirm she was not there
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched an investigation and issued a wanted bulletin for Tiana Serena Lewis-King, a nursing assistant accused of spreading false and misleading information about the post-mortem examination (PME) of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, whose body was discovered in the pool of the now-gutted Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on Thursday, April 24 – almost 24 hours after she was reported missing from the facility.
Arrival
In a circulating voice note, Lewis-King claimed that she was present during the post-mortem, which was conducted on April 28 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and that she had been sent there by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony. According to the GPF, both claims are entirely false. In fact, once the voice note began circulating on social media, the GPF promptly launched an investigation and began reaching out to several individuals named by King, including Health Minister Dr.
Day
Frank Anthony, Pathologist Dr Caleb McCloggan, and Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade.
In a statement GPF revealed that Dr Frank Anthony has denied knowing Lewis-King or instructing her presence at the autopsy and Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, who was present to represent the family, confirmed to police that Lewis-King was not present during the examination.
Additionally, Dr Celeb McCloggan, a medical representative for the family, recognised the voice in the recording as that of LewisKing and also confirmed her absence on April 28.
Further, several other claims made by LewisKing was reported to be false including the fact that no nurse aide was consulted for opinions by the three qualified international pathologists present contrary to claims made in the audio note.
As a result, Lewis-King is now wanted by the police for an attempt to incite public mistrust, pervert the
course of justice, and generate unnecessary panic.
Denouncing
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has issued a personal statement denouncing the claims made in the recording, stating that “I have never met or spoken to this person, and she was certainly not present on my behalf. The post-mortem was properly videotaped.”
The minister further noted that he is in consultation with his legal team and is considering civil action for the attempt to “maliciously tarnish [his] professional, public, and personal reputation.”
Moreover, the management of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has confirmed that Lewis-King, an employee with the institution was not present during the postmortem examination and is not qualified to comment on the findings of such procedures.
In a statement, GPHC discussed that it views this matter with utmost seriousness and as such has since
“engaged the Guyana Police Force and our legal counsel to address the circulation of the misinformation and the potential implications thereof.”
Meanwhile, on Monday evening, the GPF in a statement said that LewisKing turned herself in to the Police at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) accompanied by an attorney from the law office of Hughes, Fields and Stoby.
is a "journey that we must all remember"
Arrival Day serves as a reminder of the resilience of every ethnic group that came to Guyana, in different periods, under
varying conditions. This reminder was given by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, when she attended a grand
Arrival Day celebration at the Oval in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
She echoed that “we are building a united country
under the philosophy of His Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali.”
That concept is called One Guyana “where everyone is recognised, a Guyana
where everyone has a position, a Guyana where our contribution is welcomed, our participation is required, and where we all will benefit from our country and its resources.”
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, Sukhai noted that none of our forefathers must be forgotten from the Africans who were forcefully brought to Guyana, enslaved and worked under inhumane conditions, to the Chinese indentured immigrants who also endured hardships.
The Amerindian Affairs Minister underscored that even though “we may have ethnic and religious differences and political persuasions, Guyanese have demonstrated that we are a diverse and united nation.”
Sukhai pointed out that when Venezuela intensified its threat to Guyana’s Essequibo (a sovereign part of the country), Guyanese
– Sukhai
united and demonstrated their position under a common slogan, ‘Essequibo belongs to Guyana.’
Even during the observation of national holidays that birthed from religion like Christmas, Diwali and Phagwah, Guyanese celebrate together.
The DPI report stated that the impacting message that the Minister left was regardless of a specific ethnicity arriving first or last, “it’s a journey which we must always remember, a journey which we must study, a journey which we must allow our young people to read about, to understand, so that the journey will tie them to a journey towards unity and prosperity.”
On May 5 each year Guyanese celebrate Arrival Day. It signifies the arrival of all six ethnicities that brought with them their cultures, dishes, dances, foods and religions that makes Guyana diverse.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony
Wanted bulletin issued for the arrest of Tiana Serena Lewis-King
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, with a group of Indigenous dancers
Experts advance banana diseaseresistant varieties to combat threat – IICA
Experts brought together by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) presented the latest progress in plant breeding programs aimed at developing varieties resistant to the disease threatening banana production—a key crop for food security and the livelihoods of smallscale farmers across the continent and around the world.
The presentation was made to more than 190 stakeholders in the banana production, marketing, and research sectors from 22 countries in the Americas and Europe, all of whom are on alert due to the spread of the Fusarium TR4 fungus.
This disease originated in Asia but has been moving westward and was detected in the Americas in 2019, raising alarms in tropical areas of South
America, Central America, and the Caribbean—regions that are among the world’s largest banana producers and exporters.
In 2020, representatives from the private sector, academia, civil society organizations, government agencies, and international bodies formed the Global Alliance for Cooperation against Fusarium TR4, with IICA serving as its technical secretariat.
The event was organized by the Tropical Race 4 Fusarium Musaceae Network (FR4T), made up of a broad team of IICA specialists working in collaboration. It featured presentations from experts at the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), based in Costa Rica, and Agrosavia—the Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research.
In addition to detailing the progress made in de -
At the event organised by the Tropical Race 4 Fusarium Musaceae Network (FTR4) — a broad team of IICA specialists working together — progress was shared on developing diseaseresistant banana varieties, alongside strategic discussions on phytosanitary management.
veloping banana varieties resistant to the disease, both institutions offered strategic insights on phytosanitary management.
Role of science
IICA’s Director of Technical Cooperation, Muhammad Ibrahim opened the meeting by highlighting the banana
sector’s importance for global food security and the critical role of science in strengthening phytosanitary prevention across the hemisphere.
Luis Pocasangre, Director General of CATIE, presented advances in genetic breeding programs aimed at developing tolerant variet -
ies, including those led by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Costa Rica’s National Banana Corporation (CORBANA), and the French agricultural research and cooperation organization CIRAD.
Pocasangre emphasized that successfully containing the disease will depend on strengthening technical capacities, fostering regional coordination, and implementing an integrated approach.
Mónica Betancourt Vásquez, Senior Researcher at AGROSAVIA, shared the results of introducing and evaluating promising materials in Colombia. She concluded that while there are promising genetic options, there are still no Cavendish-type varieties fully resistant to TR4.
Manager of IICA’s Agricultural Health and Food Safety Program (AHFS), José Urdaz and
Erika Soto, Coordinator of the Musaceae Network – Foc TR4, called for stronger technical cooperation, better access to science-based knowledge for decision-making, and continued efforts to coordinate regional action.
The meeting reaffirmed IICA’s role as a technical facilitator in the region and a promoter of scientific cooperation, capacity building, and public-private partnerships to confront this threat to food security and the livelihoods of millions of rural producers.
Representatives from Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and other countries joined the call to strengthen a hemispheric strategy based on prevention, genetic innovation, and the phytosanitary protection of banana and plantain crops. (IICA)
Trump calls for 100% tariff on foreign films a day after Jon Voight proposed ‘limited’ tariffs
US president Donald Trump announced his 100% tariff on films “coming into our country produced in foreign lands” one day after meeting with actor Jon Voight to discuss his proposals to bring film production back to the US – which only suggested that tariffs could be used “in certain limited circumstances”.
The Midnight Cowboy and Heat actor, who was appointed a “special ambassador” to Hollywood by Trump, has been meeting with studios, streamers, unions and guilds for months to develop a plan to lure film and television productions back to the US. Production companies often seek more cost-effective locations or tax incentives in other countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Hungary, Italy and Spain.
On the weekend Voight and his manager and film producer Steven Paul met with Trump at Mar-A-Lago to deliver his “comprehensive plan” – just before Trump stunned the international film industry with the idea of a 100% tariff on all films “coming into our country produced in foreign lands”.
Only the topline details of Voight’s proposal were revealed on Monday, but the only mention of tariffs in the plan was that they could be used “in certain limited circumstances”
– in contrast with Trump’s sweeping announcement. His main proposals involve federal tax incentives, changes to tax codes, co-production treaties with other countries, and infrastructure subsidies for theater owners, and production and post-production companies.
Hollywood productions are often filmed in countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Hungary, Italy and Spain in order to take advantage of local tax incentives, talent pools and landscapes that look geographically similar enough to stand in for more expensive US locations.
In a statement on Monday Voight said the White House was now “reviewing” his proposals.
“The President loves the entertainment business and this country, and he will help us make Hollywood great again,” Voight said. “We look forward to working with the administration, the unions, studios, and streamers to help form a plan to keep our industry healthy and bring more productions back to America.”
The White House walked back on Trump’s announcement afterwards, saying that “no final decisions on foreign film tariffs have been made”.
Film production in Los Angeles has declined almost 40% over the last decade, according to FilmLA, but not all this business
went overseas: other states such as New York and Georgia have long offered generous tax incentives to attract productions.
Reactions in Hollywood to Trump’s announcement have been varied, in the absence of detail; it remains unclear how it would be decided which films would qualify as “foreign”. Marvel’s new film Thunderbolts*, for instance, was mostly made in the US but included some shoots on location in Malaysia and a score recorded in London. The tariff would also not address the comparatively higher cost of shooting in the US.
US performers union Sag-Aftra seemed broadly positive, saying it “supports efforts to increase movie, television and streaming production in the US” and that it would “advocate for policies that strengthen our competitive position, accelerate economic growth and create good middle class jobs for American workers”.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) called for a “balanced federal response”, with IATSE’s international president Matthew Loeb saying the crew union had “recommended that the Trump administration implement a federal film production tax incentive and other domestic tax provisions to level the playing field for American workers”.
IATSE, however, also
represents workers in Canada, with Loeb saying it would “continue to stand firm in our conviction that any eventual trade policy must do no harm to our Canadian members – nor the industry overall.”
Australia has reacted with trepidation: the country has attracted US tent pole productions via various rebates, including the feder-
al government’s 30% rebate for big-budget film projects shot in Australia. Just under half of the A$1.7bn spent on screen production in Australia during 2023-24 was on international productions.
Australia’s arts minster, Tony Burke, said he was monitoring the situation closely.
“Nobody should be un-
der any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry,” Burke said.
Voight, Mel Gibson and Sylvester Stallone were appointed by Trump to be “special ambassadors to Hollywood”, which the president has called a “great but very troubled place”. (The Guardian)
Regional
Young cautions on Grenada, Guyana energy deals
Former Prime Minister and former Energy
Minister Stuart Young sounded an alert over Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar’s plans to seek new gas-supply sources from neighbouring Grenada plus Guyana and Suriname, as he addressed a briefing at Balisier House, Port of Spain, on May 5.
At the swearing-in of the new Government on May 3 at President’s House, PersadBissessar had proposed Grenada plus the booming oil provinces of Guyana and Suriname as alternatives to the Dragon gas field for which the US Government recently withdrew its licence to T&T to exploit as part of a wider US embargo against the Venezuelan Government over human rights concerns.
However, Young told reporters any gas supply from Grenada to T&T, if feasible, could take 10-15 years.
He said much work needed to be done to firstly find out about such gas reserves (whereby “possible” reserves
become “probable” and then “proven”.)
Young said a gas exploration project in Grenada was begun in 2012, but then “abandoned and capped” in 2018.
Replying to Newsday’s questions about a Russian company known as GPG being involved in that exploration in Grenada, he said participation by Russian companies was now outlawed by the US (referring to US sanctions on Russia over the Russia-Ukraine war.)
Young said gas reserves in
Guyana and Suriname must also be proved up. Further, he said a feasibility study must be done for any pipeline from those two countries to T&T.
Rejecting PersadBissessar’s claim that the Dragon deal was dead, Young said after his meeting with US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, he understood the Dragon deal was still open for negotiation. “The door was far from closed.”
(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)
Gold mining suspended in Peru’s north after 13 miners killed
Mining in Peru’s northern district of Pataz will be suspended for 30 days, President Dina Boluarte said on Monday, after 13 gold mine workers in the area were kidnapped and killed by illegal miners.
Peru’s government also plans to set up a military base and implement a curfew lasting from 18:00h to 06:00h in the district.
On Sunday, miner Poderosa said the bodies of 13 workers from a local firm, R&R, which held a mining contract with Poderosa, had been recovered by Police after they were kidnapped last month.
“The armed forces will take control of the area where Poderosa operates,” Boluarte said, but did not provide details on how the mining pause would work.
“We’re clarifying the issue,” Poderosa’s manager of corporate affairs told Reuters, adding that the suspension
should only apply to informal miners.
Peru is the world’s third-largest copper producer, but the deposits of the red metal are largely in the south. Gold and silver are mined in the north.
Poderosa alleged that nearly 40 persons – including contractors and artisanal miners – have been killed recently in Pataz at the hands of criminal gangs.
Since 2020, illegal miners have taken over several areas under Poderosa’s control.
The area had already been under a state of emergency, with heavy Police and military presence, due to prior attacks on Poderosa’s operations.
Peru’s Mining And Energy Minister, Jorge Montoro, said the 30-day pause could be extended.
(Reuters)
Chinese Premier congratulates Persad-Bissessar
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to Kamla PersadBissessar on her assuming office as Prime Minister.
Qiang said Trinidad and Tobago was an important partner of China in the Caribbean region. He added that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 51 years ago, the two countries have enjoyed a sound and steady development of bilateral relations, with their cooperation yielding fruitful results across various fields, and
traditional friendship deepening between the two peoples.
Li spoke highly of PersadBissessar’s role as a key participant in and promoter of the development of ChinaTrinidad and Tobago ties.
(Trinidad Guardian)
Mexican Mayor arrested over alleged links to cartel training camp
Prosecutors in Mexico have arrested the Mayor of Teuchitlán in western Jalisco state as part of their investigation into a nearby cartel training site.
The mayor, José Murguía Santiago, is suspected of colluding with the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG), which he has denied.
The investigation was launched after activists discovered bone fragments and hundreds of discarded shoes, backpacks and items of clothing at the Izaguirre ranch outside the town in March.
Rights groups said that they feared the ranch had been used as an “extermination camp”, where peo-
ple were forcedly recruited and trained, and those who refused were tortured and killed.
The discovery by people searching for their missing relatives of what appeared to be evidence of mass killings at the site shocked the country, where cartel violence is rife.
Mexico’s Attorney General Alejandro Gertz gave a news conference last week updating Journalists on the federal investigation into the ranch.
He confirmed that the site had been used as a training centre for recruits of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the most feared and powerful transnational drug trafficking gangs, which has its
power base in Jalisco.
However, he said that there was no evidence that it had been used as an extermination and cremation site.
According to the Attorney General, bone fragments discovered there were not recent and forensic tests suggested that the fires lit at the ranch would not have been hot enough to dispose of human remains.
Gertz’s statements caused anger among “searchers”, the name given to relatives looking for the more than 120,000 persons who have been reported missing in Mexico over the past two decades.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Jamaica: PNP demands explanation for closure of KPH accident and emergency department
The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has expressed concern and outrage following the temporary closure of the accident and emergency department at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) due to chemical leak over the weekend.
“This alarming incident comes less than a month after a mould outbreak at the same facility, Jamaica’s only functional primary Type A hospital serving thousands of patients each week. The repeated disruption of critical emergency services at KPH is not only unacceptable, but places lives at risk and highlights severe lapses in planning, oversight,
and public communication,” said Dr Dayton Campbell, General Secretary of the Party in a statement on Monday.
Reports are that the accident and emergency services have since been relocated to another section of the hospital.
However, Campbell said this level of improvisation is unsustainable and emblematic of a system mismanaged
with gross dereliction of the duty of care. He is now calling on the Minister of Health and Wellness and the South East Regional Health Authority to immediately provide a detailed report on the air quality assessment conducted at KPH, including the results and recommendations made following the most recent incident.
(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Venezuelan Opposition Leader
Gonzalez hospitalised but stable
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Edmundo Gonzalez has gone to hospital in Spain after a
sudden episode of low blood pressure but is stable, he said on Monday.
(Reuters)
Former Prime Minister Stuart Young (Faith Ayoung file photo)
Activists searching for missing relatives said they want a “real” investigation into what happened at the ranch [Reuters]
Blue Water Shipping U15 Girls’ School Championship…
2025 edition kicks off with thrilling regional matches
The 2025 edition of the Blue Water Shipping Under-15 Girls’ National Secondary School Championship got underway over the weekend with exciting fixtures and standout performances across Regions One and Two, following its official launch on Saturday across multiple regions.
Organised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with title sponsor Blue Water Shipping, the tournament features 91 secondary schools from across the country, including new participants from the Mabaruma District, as the GFF continues its efforts to bring girls’ football to every region in Guyana.
Matches in Region Two were hosted at the Richmond ground and featured fierce competition among schools such as Charity, Abram Zuil, Kabakaburi, Cottonfield, and Wakapao Secondary Schools.
Cottonfield Secondary opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Kabakaburi Secondary.
Abram Zuil and Charity later played to an intense 1-1 draw, while Abram Zuil rebounded with a 3-1 victo-
ry over Kabakaburi. Charity then delivered a dominant performance with a 5-0 rout of Cottonfield before closing off with another impressive 3-1 win over Kabakaburi.
Abram Zuil and Cottonfield ended their final match in another draw, with both sides netting one goal each.
Charity Secondary
emerged as the Region Two champions and were awarded the championship trophy by regional coordinator Fenton Williams. Star striker Veronica Chatra received the top goalscorer trophy after netting four goals during the opening round.
Simultaneously, Region
One matches were held in Moruca, with Santa Rosa, Kamwatta, Waramuri, and Kwebanna Secondary Schools
battling for early supremacy. Santa Rosa Secondary opened their campaign with a strong 2-1 victory over Kamwatta before crushing Kwebanna 5-0. Waramuri Secondary proved their consistency, edging Kwebanna 1-0 and later defeating Santa Rosa 1-0 in a tight match. Waramuri also notched up another 1-0 win over Kamwatta.
Kamwatta closed off with a 2-1 win over Kwebanna in
what was a spirited display of resilience and improvement by both sides.
The competition will continue in the coming weeks across multiple regions. This year’s edition will feature a revised format where the Round of 16 will be hosted in Regions Two, Three, Five, 10, and Georgetown, bringing the game closer to communi-
ties. The finals will return to the National Training Centre (NTC) in Georgetown.
With record participation, passionate performances, and ongoing investment in youth and infrastructure, the 2025 Blue Water Shipping U15 Girls’ National School Championship is shaping up to be a transformative force for girls’ football in Guyana.
Rain knocks SRH out and hands DC a reprieve
Rain put an official end to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 play-off hopes and gave Delhi Capitals (DC) what could be a valuable point in their bid to finish in the top four. It certainly looked like a point gained for DC rather than one lost, after Pat Cummins took three new-ball wickets to put SRH in the driver’s seat at the innings break.
Rain arrived soon after DC, sent in to bat, finished their innings at 133 for 7. By the time the weather cleared, the outfield was too sodden for the ground staff to clear by 11:42pm, the official cutoff time for a five-over chase.
c Kishan b Cummins, again and again and again
A grass-free surface at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium proved to be a tricky one, offering enough grip for balls banged into a hard length to misbehave, and Cummins is a master of banging the ball into a hard length.
The SRH Captain took the new ball himself with Mohammed Shami left out, and struck first ball, get-
ting it to straighten and find Karun Nair’s edge. It was a sign of things to come, with the ball frequently stopping on the batter or – particularly if delivered with a wobbly seam – deviating sideways, usually just enough to find the edge.
By the time he had bowled 19 balls, Cummins had taken three wickets and Ishan Kishan – keeping for the first time this season, relieving Heinrich Klaasen of the gloves – three catches.
With Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat also getting into the wickets column, DC were gasping at 29 for 5 in the eighth over. The fullish ball Unadkat bowled to dismiss KL Rahul, from leftarm around, summed up the conditions – on nine out of 10 IPL pitches, Rahul would have probably middled the drive he attempted; this was the tenth pitch, and the ball straightened to kiss his edge and make Kishan the first keeper to catch out an entire top four in an IPL innings.
Stubbs and Ashutosh steer DC towards respectability
Tristan Stubbs anchored DC’s recovery from that
Rain put an official end to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2025 play-off hopes
point, putting on 33 with Vipraj Nigam for the sixth wicket – Nigam sacrificed his wicket following a mixup that left both batters at the same end – and 66 with Ashutosh Sharma for the seventh.
As they have done in other recent games, DC named a bowler-heavy starting XI despite batting first, and brought Ashutosh off the Impact Player bench when the need arose. And Ashutosh was primarily responsible for a late flourish that brought DC 61 runs off their last six overs, hitting
three sixes in a 26-ball 41. Stubbs finished unbeaten on 41 off 36 balls.
Rain ends SRH’s hopes Rain began soon after DC’s innings ended, leaving SRH waiting to begin a chase that eventually never took place.
With three games left to play, SRH can finish the league stage with a maximum of 13 points. Four teams already have 14 or more points. DC, with 13 from 11 games, sit just outside that group.
(ESPNcricinfo)
Rain affected the outcome of the game
Region One Coordinator Earl Richards presents the unbeaten Waramuri Secondary with the championship trophy
The Champion School of Region Two, Charity Secondary, receiving the trophy from the coordinator, Fenton Williams
Sheleza Boston and Donelle Smith from Charity shared the highest goalscorer prize
4 Guyanese in Windies ODI squad for England, Ireland tours
Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Monday unveiled an exciting and dynamic 15-member squad for three One-Day International (ODI) matches against Ireland from May 21 to May 25 and three against England from May 29 to June 3.
Four Guyanese players –Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph – have been named in the squad with Shimron Hetmyer being a notable exception.
According to CWI, the squad has the nucleus of players who were successful during
home series wins against England and Bangladesh to end 2024. The highly-antic-
Elite League 2025…
ipated tour will be the first one of this year for the limited-overs team and provides
Slingerz FC impressive once again
The National Training Center in Providence saw the Western Tigers FC, Police Football Club, and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC all register wins in the weekend fixtures, but they were unable to close the gap on Slingerz Football Club as they went six for six with another win.
Western Tigers FC played a great game of football as they registered a fourth win, this time against Monedderlust FC. Simeon Moore got the ball rolling in the ninth minute of the game, scoring for the Western Tigers. Samuel Garnett doubled the Tigers’ advantage as they went into halftime 2-0, with full control of the game. Ryan Rose’s 65th-minute goal gave Monedderlust FC some hope, but it was not to be, as the Tigers held on to secure their 2-1 victory.
Defending champions GDF completely demoralised their opposition, Ann’s Grove United, with an 8-0 thrashing. Ian Dooker started the onslaught in the eighth minute for the GDF. GDF proceeded to go 2-0 up in the 20th minute via a Shemar Scott goal. The third goal of the game was scored shortly after as Keron Spencer got into the action. With halftime approaching, Ann’s Grove United continued to play lacklustre defence as Dooker got his brace and Chris Macey scored his first goal, leaving the halftime scoreline at 5-0. The second half mirrored the first in many ways as GDF continued to outplay their opposition. Goals from Malcolm Miggins (60’) and Jeffery Pereira (64’) would drive the score up to 7-0. Scott’s second goal on the night in the 88th minute placed the final nail in the coffin as the nightmare finally ended for Ann’s Grove United.
Slingerz FC won once again this weekend in a hard-fought encounter against Fruta Conquerors. The flying Slingerz FC team came out aggressive, but were matched in aggression and energy by Fruta Conquerors. The vCon-
querors played strong defence and were sticking to their game plan as the first half ended 0-0. Slingerz FC continued to knock on the door in the second half; their persistence eventually paid off as Marcus Tudor scored in the 76th minute. Conquerors tried to get an equaliser, but could not unlock the Slingerz FC defence as they went on to score in added time via Leo Lovell. The game finished 2-0 and Slingerz FC remain unbeaten thus far this sea-
son.
Guyana Police Force FC defeated Den Amstel FC, continuing their recent success. Neron Barrow’s brilliant brace in the sixth and 58th minutes of the match helped his team win their fourth game in the Elite League this season. Due to their ongoing inconsistencies, Den Amstel FC lost for the third time this season and will be trying to improve quickly.
The League is set to continue this weekend.
an opportunity for CWI to focus on building its ODI team ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Head Coach Daren Sammy welcomed the opportunity to build on recent momentum, “These matches form a critical component towards the 2027 World Cup and there are signs of the team building consistency following the series sweep against Bangladesh and the win over England late last year.”
Sammy also added, “We expect the conditions to be
challenging, but we are creating a culture and mindset which emphasise playing the brand of cricket that is taking us closer to some of our overall objectives.”
CWI also announced changes to the coaching staff for the tour. Former West Indies fast bowler and 2012 World Cup champion Ravi Rampaul will be the team’s bowling coach, replacing James Franklin. CWI will also utilise the services of former Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien as part of the coaching staff during the
Team Management Unit (TMU):
Head Coach: Daren Sammy
Manager: Rawl Lewis
Assistant Coach
(Batting): Floyd Reifer
Assistant Coach
(Bowling): Ravi Rampaul
Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith
Physiotherapist: Dr Denis Byam
Strength & Conditioning
Coach: Ronald Rogers
Massage Therapist: Fitzbert Alleyne
Analyst: Avenesh
Seetaram
Media & Content Officer: Jerome Foster
AAG hosts 1st Coaches meeting for 2025 …discloses
upcoming planned events
The Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) on Sunday last held its first meeting of the year with athletics coaches at the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Hall, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.
According to a missive from the Association, President Sheryl Hermonstine and her executive team engaged in meaningful consultations aimed at advancing athletics in Guyana.
A key highlight was a presentation by members of the Development Committee, outlining strategic development plans for the remainder of 2025 and the following three years. The discussion also focused on how coaches and club executives can actively support the sport’s growth.
A report on Guyana’s participation in the recently-concluded 2025 CARIFTA Games was also presented, followed by the announcement of several upcoming events scheduled for May and June:
Among those upcom-
ing events outlined by the AAG is the Kids Athletics meet at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), West Coast Demerara this Saturday.
Then, on Saturday, May 24, the athletics action will shift to Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) where the Plaisance Golden Mile will take centre stage. On the same day, the Guyana Overseas-based Sports Association (GOBSA) will host its Track and Field Championships and AAG Fundraising Barbeque at the NTFC.
On May 25, the AAG has scheduled the Burgette Williams 10K Road Race in Georgetown while the National Senior Track and Field Championships is pencilled in for the weekend of June 27 to June 29 at the NTFC.
Further, the AAG has emphasised its commitment to regular communication with the press and to hosting more forums with stakeholders throughout the year to ensure transparency and collective progress.
Ireland leg of the tour. West Indies ODI squad: Captain Shai Hope, Jewel Andrew, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, and Romario Shepherd.
AAG President Sheryl Hermonstine
Shemar Scott was the Man of the Match in the GDFAnn’s Grove match Neron Barrow helped Police defeat Den Amstel FC
Leo Lovell (left) and Marcus Tudor
The latter part of May will be a busy one for athletics in Guyana
The touring West Indies ODI team will feature four Guyanese players
West Indies will tour England and Ireland for three ODIs against each opposition
