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In a strong show of continued political support for the incumbent government, former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman, has officially endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali for a second term.

Shuman’s endorsement adds to a growing list of political figures, activists, and former critics now backing the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) ahead of this year’s general elections.

Shuman, known for championing Indigenous rights and inclusive governance, cited the administration’s developmental efforts and respect for Indigenous communities as key reasons behind his decision. His public endorsement was issued via social media, where he praised the PPP/C’s track record over the past five years.

“I have witnessed genuine efforts to include and uplift Indigenous voices and communities. I believe in continuity where progress is evident,” Shuman stated.

His endorsement signals further consolidation of support for the PPP/C from across the political spectrum—an encouraging sign for the ruling party as it seeks a renewed mandate.

Joining Shuman in support of President Ali are several other notable figures:
– Daniel Seeram, Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Chairman of Region Four, declared his endorsement of both President Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. Citing “fruitful discussions and careful considerations on matters of national and regional development,” Seeram’s endorsement is seen as a major departure from his party’s stance.
– Shazaam Ally, a founding member of The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), also announced his support for the PPP/C’s reelection campaign. “While I haven’t always agreed with the PPP/C, I’ve seen real progress… and want to contribute meaningfully to that momentum,” he wrote on Facebook.
– Selwyn Pieters, a prominent Guyanese-Canadian civil rights lawyer, publicly endorsed President Ali, highlighting the administration’s consistent engagement with civil society and advocacy for justice.

His statement followed a similar endorsement by businessman and former parliamentarian James Bond, who has previously been aligned with opposition politics.

This series of high-profile endorsements underscores a growing narrative of cross-party and civil society support for the PPP/C government, reflecting a broader national consensus around development continuity and political stability.

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The final autopsy report into the death of 11-year-old Adriana Sueria Younge has found no evidence to support claims that the child was removed from a hotel pool and placed there after death.

The report, compiled by a team of three medical professionals and marked confidential, confirms that the cause of death was drowning, and that the young girl showed no signs of trauma or foul play. Adriana was found unresponsive in the pool of a hotel on the East Bank of Essequibo on the morning of April 24, 2025, a day after she was last seen alive.

The examination was conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital and involved extensive external and internal inspections, postmortem imaging including CT scans and X-rays, toxicology, and DNA analysis.

Crucially, the report notes:

“There is no external or internal evidence of acute traumatic injury… No evidence of strangulation. No evidence of anogenital trauma. Clothing was appropriately positioned… Skin is intact and free of antemortem injuries.”

A key detail supporting the conclusion that Adriana was not moved after death is the presence of a distinct patterned imprint on her right forearm, matching the design of a VIP wristband she was wearing. The report states this pattern likely formed from the band pressing against her skin during prolonged submersion in water — a mark that experts say could not have occurred if the child’s body had been removed and placed back posthumously.

Toxicology revealed the presence of ethanol in her system, but forensic experts clarified that the level detected in the blood and stomach fluid is consistent with postmortem decomposition, not with alcohol consumption.

The DNA analysis also returned no foreign profiles. “No molecular evidence of sexual assault,” the report adds, quelling earlier speculation about foul play.

The findings bring a measure of clarity to a deeply emotional case, although questions may still remain about supervision and safety measures at the hotel pool. Nonetheless, based on the current forensic evidence, there is no indication that Adriana’s body was manipulated after death or that any person played a role in her tragic drowning.

Investigations remain ongoing, particularly from a procedural and accountability standpoint, but the medical conclusion is unequivocal — Adriana Younge died from drowning, and there is no evidence she was removed from the pool and placed there afterward.

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Senior officials from the Ministry of Labour held a high-level engagement on Wednesday with members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), in a landmark session aimed at deepening collaboration between government and the private sector. The focus: ensuring legal compliance, developing the workforce, and driving inclusive economic progress.

Held at the GCCI’s headquarters in Georgetown, the forum featured a keynote address by Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Labour, and remarks by Ms Kathy Smith, President of the GCCI.

Ms Smith lauded the Ministry’s direct engagement, calling it vital for the business community’s growth and legal awareness.
“These are organisations that advocate on behalf of businesses,” she said. “GCCI has now surpassed 130 corporate citizens. While 70 per cent of our members are small and medium enterprises, many micro-businesses are now coming in. But they’re often unfamiliar with the regulatory structure, especially as it relates to labour. That’s why your presence here today is so meaningful.”

In a frank and wide-ranging address, Minister Hamilton addressed a number of critical issues plaguing the business-labour interface. Chief among them: the prevalence of employers relying on unqualified consultants for labour advice.

“Over the years, I’ve heard companies say they acted on the advice of lawyers or HR consultants—even when those actions were against the law,” he said. “Let me be clear: the authority to speak on labour law, hiring practices, and workplace standards lies with the Ministry of Labour.”

Hamilton urged businesses to take advantage of the Ministry’s free legal expertise, including services offered by the Chief Labour Officer, a qualified lawyer.

“Stop paying for bad advice. Engage directly with the Ministry. All the guidance you need—on hiring, safety, termination—is available to you without cost.”

Touching on the national labour market, the Minister expressed concern about the widespread misconception that academic qualifications automatically translate to job readiness.

“Qualification does not equal employability,” he declared. “We’ve seen graduates with ten or more CXCs who can’t write a professional email. Real employability comes from ethics, responsibility, and job readiness—not just certificates.”

He called for a cultural shift, encouraging the private sector to value technical training and practical skills just as highly as academic achievement.

Hamilton also spotlighted the Ministry’s free training initiatives, including those facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA). Over the past five years, more than 13,000 individuals—60 per cent of them women—have been trained.

The Minister urged greater uptake of apprenticeship programmes and better utilisation of the CRMA’s job bank. He further encouraged the private sector to help shape training curricula to align with evolving demands, such as fibre optic maintenance and solar PV technology.

“We have a vibrant apprenticeship programme. It allows businesses to shape model employees from day one—those who understand the company, culture, and expectations,” he said. “I am not satisfied with the private sector’s current use of this programme. It is an untapped opportunity for growth.”

One of the most powerful moments of the engagement came as Minister Hamilton addressed the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) framework—stressing that mental health is now a recognised and enforceable part of workplace safety standards.

“We’ve had to intervene in cases where employers acted as torturers,” he said bluntly. “Mental health is now a core part of OSH, and we’re working with the Ministry of Health to address it across the workforce.”

In his closing remarks, the Minister called for stronger tripartite collaboration between government, businesses, and the labour force. He emphasised the enduring importance of unions and employee representation, even in non-unionised environments.

“We can’t build a strong labour market without representation,” he asserted. “Even if unions aren’t present, companies must create internal channels for dialogue—employee representation groups, regular meetings—not just when there’s a crisis.”

Several senior labour officials joined the session, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment. Among them were:

• Mr Dhaneshwar Deonarine, Chief Labour Officer

• Mr Richard Maughn, CEO of the Board of Industrial Training

• Ms Yolanda Grant, Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer

• Ms Gweneth King, Consultant, Occupational Safety and Health Department

• Mr Janaknauth Panchu, Chief Cooperative Development Officer

The session concluded with a pledge of continued partnership and support. The Ministry committed to maintaining open dialogue, increasing its presence at future Chamber events, and working alongside the private sector to build a labour market that is modern, inclusive, and legally robust.

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Toxicology and DNA analyses in Adriana Younge’s autopsy reinforce the conclusion that she died from accidental drowning.

Tests showed no presence of drugs, and a minor trace of ethanol — later attributed to natural postmortem decomposition. Most notably, DNA swabs taken from the mouth, genitals, and anus found no foreign DNA and no molecular evidence of sexual assault.

“Swabs were collected before the body was manipulated, and results confirmed no interference or trauma,” the report read.

Experts say these findings remove any forensic basis for suspicion of foul play. In the pathologists’ opinion, Adriana drowned — alone, and without interference.

Fluid, foam & swelling all confirm drowning in Adriana Younge’s death – signed pathology report

 

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The head and facial examination of Adriana Younge showed no trauma — a critical detail in ruling out foul play. According to the report, her scalp, skull, and facial bones were intact and free of wounds or fractures.

A CT scan and radiographs confirmed the absence of contusions, hemorrhages, or signs of impact.

The only notable observation was frothy white mucus at the nostrils — a sign often associated with drowning. Her tongue, found wedged between her teeth, did not indicate any forced trauma or suffocation.

The forensic team concluded: there was no head trauma — bolstering their opinion that Adriana died by drowning.

Fluid, foam & swelling all confirm drowning in Adriana Younge’s death – signed pathology report

 

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[BBC] – US President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered US embassies around the world to stop scheduling appointments for student visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of such applicants.

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Indigenous communities across Guyana continue to receive designated funds from carbon credit earnings, but they are receiving more than the promised 15% allocation, according to Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

In the first year the funds were distributed to Indigenous communities, 2023, a total sum of US$22.7 million (or about G$4.75 billion) was distributed to more than 200 Indigenous communities.

Last year, the sum was US$23.27 million. Jagdeo announced at this year’s National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference that the communities will receive US$23.27 million again this year.

“… although we have received less this year, we have kept the US$23.27 million to give to the communities.

“We did not want, because of lower receipts this year, to change the allocations to the villages,” he told the Toshaos gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendall, Georgetown.

Billions in carbon revenues helping Amerindian communities with economic, social, cultural advancement

Guyana earns from the sale of its carbon credits, a venture that came about after Guyana became the first country to be issued carbon credits on a jurisdictional or national scale. The credits serve sort of like coupons that you exchange for something tangible. The money is paid to the communities from the second phase of the Low Carbon Development Strategy, called LCDS 2030. This strategy is the plan by which the government intends to develop Guyana while upholding its promise to protect the natural environment.

The money the Indigenous communities are getting is separate from the billions that go into the development of the communities through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, which is especially set up to spearhead the development of Guyana’s Indigenous people.

And per the LCDS, the communities are to receive 15% of whatever earnings Guyana rakes in from the sale of carbon credits. The remaining 85% is for national development projects, like mega canals to help with flood protection efforts.

Jagdeo, however, explained that over the past two years, the government was disbursing more than 15% of the funds to the Indigenous communities.

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The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will once again host the prestigious CARICOM Classic Team Chess Tournament from June 30 to July 7, 2025, at its official venue, the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.

An Open competition for junior players under 16 will run alongside the main event, creating an invaluable opportunity for more young chess enthusiasts to gain international competitive experience.

The CARICOM Classic, a collaboration between the Guyana Chess Federation and the CARICOM Secretariat, invites chess players from CARICOM nations, along with top local chess players, to compete in a nine-round Classical Swiss format of the game, each team vying for a chance to place in the top three positions.

The U-16 chess competition promises to have a host of young Guyanese players who will get a chance to shine and compete among other players their age.

The GCF, in its aim to promote chess in Guyana and the Caribbean region, hosted the first instalment of the CARICOM Classic Chess tournament in 2024 to coincide with CARICOM’s 50th anniversary, attracting participants from Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Dominica, St. Lucia, Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

The Trinidad and Tobago team took home the first-place trophy, while Guyana came second and Barbados placed third.

“This successful tournament paved the way for our CARICOM brothers and sisters to compete among themselves and provided an opportunity to foster and solidify stronger friendships among the Caribbean nations,” the GCF said in a release.

“The Federation’s goal is to establish the CARICOM Classic as a biennial event, strategically held in the years between Chess Olympiads. This year, the GCF has chosen to host the competition (the next CARICOM tournament is earmarked for 2027) as the next Chess Olympiad is scheduled for 2026.”

The participating teams will enjoy a week-long stay at the prestigious Pegasus Hotel, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

GCF executives with Mr. Brandon Badal (centre), Managing Director, Pegasus Hotel Guyana

The tournament itself will take place in the Exhibition Centre of the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, a venue renowned for its modern amenities and exquisite design, ensuring a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for all competitors.

Brandon Badal, Managing Director, commented that the CARICOM Chess Tournament is a remarkable initiative that not only celebrates the spirit of competition, but also strengthens regional unity through the game of chess.

He stated that the Pegasus Hotel is proud to sponsor the Guyana Chess Federation in hosting this important event at Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, and commended the federation’s efforts in promoting chess as a tool for education, strategic thinking, and youth development across the Caribbean.

“The GCF expresses profound thanks to the Pegasus Hotel Guyana for generously providing their exceptional venue for both tournaments,” the GCF highlighted.

The GCF also extends it sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the National Sports Commission for their unwavering support and invaluable sponsorship of the CARICOM Classic tournament.

“Thank you to APAN Energy who has substantially supported the CARICOM tournament, CB Group of Companies and NTS Amega Global. The GCF is heartened by the sponsorship received from these companies and the support they have expressed for the development of chess in Guyana.”

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Archery Guyana last weekend welcomed a new affiliation in Bow Nation Archery Club, labelling it “a warm and symbolic gesture of unity and growth.”

The event, hosted over breakfast, brought together the leadership of Archery Guyana and the newly affiliated Bow Nation in an atmosphere of camaraderie, vision-sharing and commitment to the advancement of the sport.

President of Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, in delivering remarks, stated, “Today marks a significant milestone, not just for Bow Nation Archery Club, but for the entire archery community in Guyana.”

She emphasised the importance of such moments that embody unity, development and the shared love of archery.

Persaud-McKinnon commended Bow Nation for its visible enthusiasm and initiative.

“To the members and directors of Bow Nation: thank you for your passion, your vision, and your commitment to aligning with the standards of the national federation,” she noted.

“On behalf of the Executive Committee of Archery Guyana, I extend heartfelt congratulations, and I invite you to continue working alongside the National Federation to ensure archery becomes a strong pillar of opportunity and transformation across Guyana.”

President of Archery Guyana, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon (second right) presents the Certificate of Affiliation to Bow Nation’s President, Jeewanram Persaud. Watching on are Archery Guyana Directors Saeed Karim (left) and Ryan McKinnon

The highlight of the morning was the official presentation of the Certificate of Affiliation to Bow Nation’s President, Jeewanram Persaud, by Persaud-McKinnon- an act that formally sealed the club’s standing as an affiliated club of the national federation.

Delivering remarks on behalf of Bow Nation was Secretary Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud, who expressed sincere gratitude to Archery Guyana’s Board of Directors for their guidance and support.

She reaffirmed Bow Nation’s commitment to upholding the values and principles of the national federation and pledged to work in harmony with Archery Guyana in fostering discipline, excellence and opportunity in the sport.

Boodhoo-Persaud also formally introduced the executive members of Bow Nation Archery Club as follows:

President- Jeewanram Persaud

Vice President- Juanita Persaud

Secretary- Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud

Treasurer- Bibi Gani

Executive Members- Mehendra Chatargum, Faraad Gani, Melesa Ramnaraine and Sean Duncan

Also in attendance were Directors of Archery Guyana, Ryan McKinnon and Saeed Karim, who expressed their support and encouragement to the new club executives, reinforcing the Federation’s commitment to inclusive growth and collaborative development across all regions.

The morning concluded with light networking and shared dialogue, with both entities looking forward to fruitful collaborations and the continued growth of archery in Guyana.

(Modified Press Release from Archery Guyana)

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Yujraj Ram, a 17-year-old student of the Anna Regina Multilateral School, died on Tuesday after he was struck down by a minibus along the Dartmouth Public Road, Region Two.

Police Headquarters said the accident involved a minibus (#BAC 597), owned and driven by a 34-year-old male resident of Charity Squatting Area, and Ram.

The minibus was reportedly proceeding north on the Dartmouth public road. According to the driver, the 17-year-old disembarked from another minibus that was proceeding in the opposite direction. After disembarking, the teenager proceeded to walk out from behind the minibus, but upon seeing the approaching minibus (# BAC 597), the teenager stopped briefly and then tried to run across the road.

The minibus collided with the 17-year-old, who fell onto the roadway and received injuries to his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious condition by the minibus driver, who took him to the Oscar Joseph Charity Public Hospital. He was seen and examined by a doctor for head trauma and was bleeding from his nose and mouth.

The 17-year-old later succumbed to his injuries at about 15:20 hrs, whilst receiving medical attention. The body is at the Oscar Joseph Charity Hospital’s Mortuary, awaiting a Post-Mortem Examination.

The minibus driver is in custody at the Charity Police Station, assisting with the investigation.

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