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The Guyana Police Force on Tuesday night said Adriana Younge’s death has been officially ruled a drowning with no signs of foul play, based on the final report submitted by the three pathologists.

However, the young girl’s remains were flown to New York this week for a second autopsy to be done.

Younge, 11, who was reported missing and later found dead in the Double Day Hotel at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on April 24.

See below the full release from the Guyana Police Force: 

The Guyana Police Force wishes to confirm that the death of 11-year-old Adriana Younge has been officially ruled a drowning, with no signs of foul play, according to the final post-mortem report submitted today by the three internationally renowned Pathologists to investigators.

Younge’s body was discovered on April 24, 2025, in the swimming pool of the Double Day International Hotel. The certified findings from the autopsy confirmed that her death was consistent with drowning, and no evidence of trauma, assault, or any other criminal activity was found.

Moreover, the above findings support an earlier report submitted by Mr. Leonard McCoshan (retired) Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigator who concluded that there is “𝐧𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.”

Adriana, a female of mixed ancestry, was reportedly last seen by her grandmother at approximately 13:01 hours on April 23, 2025, in the hotel’s swimming pool. Her body was found floating in the same pool the following morning.

Upon learning of the incident, the Guyana Police Force launched a thorough investigation. The child’s family raised several concerns, citing her ability to swim and alleging the possibility of sexual assault, forced drowning elsewhere, and ritualistic activity. These concerns were taken seriously and fully explored in collaboration with forensic experts.

A comprehensive postmortem examination, including toxicology and DNA testing, was carried out. Key findings include:

• No signs of acute injury or trauma were present.
• Toxicology results showed ethanol levels consistent with postmortem decomposition.
• Sexual assault kit and DNA analysis for potential suspects were negative.
• Skin and airway changes were in line with prolonged submersion and drowning.
• There was no evidence of restraint, struggle, removal, and return of the body.

The Pathologists concluded that Adriana Younge drowned, likely sank to the bottom of the pool, and later surfaced due to natural decomposition processes common in tropical climates.

The detectives are currently preparing the investigative case file for submission to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for her perusal and legal opinion.

The Guyana Police Force extends heartfelt condolences to the Younge family and remains committed to transparency and justice.

Pathologists tell family Adrianna Younge died by drowning – Father says 

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Daniel Seeram, who is an Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Chairman of Region Four, has endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali for a second term.

Seeram signalled his support for President Ali, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“After fruitful discussions and careful considerations on matters of National and Regional development, I am pleased to endorse President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for a second term to lead the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

“God Bless the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” Seeram said.

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See below the full release from the Private Sector Commission (PSC): 

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) acknowledges the official announcement by His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, that General and Regional Elections will be held on Monday, September 1, 2025.

The PSC recognises the importance of free, fair, and transparent elections in preserving democracy and fostering the continued development of our nation. In keeping with our longstanding commitment to good governance and democratic principles, the PSC is pleased to announce that we intend to deploy an Independent Electoral Observer Mission, duly accredited by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), to observe the conduct of the upcoming elections.

Our Observer Mission will be composed of qualified and impartial individuals drawn from a broad cross-section of the private sector. The mission will monitor key aspects of the electoral process before, during, and after polling day to ensure compliance with the laws and internationally accepted standards for democratic elections.

The PSC reaffirms its non-partisan stance and reiterates its commitment to supporting an environment of peace, respect, and civic responsibility throughout the electoral period. We urge all political stakeholders, state agencies, and the electorate to uphold the principles of integrity, transparency, and tolerance in the interest of national unity and democratic stability.

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A scheduled Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) meeting was abandoned on Tuesday after the three Opposition-nominated commissioners walked out.

PPP-nominated GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj said he believes that the Opposition-nominated commissioners – Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman – aim to derail the execution of General and Regional elections on September 1, 2025.

According to Gunraj, the opposition commissioners showed no indication of participating in future meetings to deal with the 2025 elections work plan presented. But GECOM can continue its work, Gunraj highlighted.

“I hasten to add that the framers of the Constitution perhaps contemplated this, and set in place a provision to deal with issues such as this in the absence of a quorum,” Gunraj stated, directing attention to Article 226 of the Constitution.

ELECTIONS 2025: GECOM Commissioners clash on readiness for Sept. 1 polls

Article 226 (5) of the Constitution states – “Provided that if at any stage of a duly summoned meeting a quorum is not present, due to the absence of members therefrom – (i) without just cause, such just cause being determined by the Chairman, the meeting shall stand adjourned to a day not later than two calendar days.

Further: “…if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present, the members then present, being not less than four including the Chairman, shall be deemed to constitute a quorum and any decision made at that or any such meeting shall be valid in law and binding.”

So Gunraj posited, “GECOM’s work must go on.”

Gunraj said he hopes that the Chairman of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh would exercise this provision in the Constitution “to ensure that meetings are held regularly and the work of the Commission is executed without delay.”

He believes that the walkout by the Opposition-nominated commissioners was deliberate but not “unexpected.”

“The comments that were made in the meeting were quite indicative of their desire not to hold elections, not to have this country ensure its democratic mandate is carried out,” Gunraj said.

The Opposition-nominated commissioners do not believe that the body would be ready to conduct elections by September 1.

Gunraj disagreed and posited that GECOM would be ready for elections on September 1.

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Two days after President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that the 2025 General and Regional Elections will be held on September 1, GECOMS’ Commissioners are divided on the body’s readiness.

Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman, the Opposition-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioners, do not believe that the body would be ready to conduct elections by September 1.

Furthermore, at a press conference on Tuesday, the opposition-nominated commissioners stated that they were not involved in the decision for the elections date.

“While recognising that it is the President’s prerogative to determine the election date, it is crass for him to have done so based on the purported chairman’s guidance which clearly misrepresented the Chief Election Officer’s projected date of September 22, 2025 and the fact that even the proposed date was still under consideration and not yet agreed,” Commissioner Vincent Alexander said.

According to Alexander, at the last meeting of the seven-member commission on May 20, 2025, the September 22 date was still being discussed. Another meeting scheduled for May 22 was postponed.

The opposition-commissioners claimed that they were only informed of the September 1 date when President Irfaan Ali made his announcement at Guyana’s Independence celebrations. And on Monday afternoon, they said a revised work plan for the elections was sent to the commissioners.

The commissioners claim that GECOM has crafted a new work plan to match a commitment given by the Chairman, Justice retired Claudette Singh to the President.

“GECOM has crafted a new work plan to facilitate the undertaking that the Chairperson seemed to have given the President a cursory review of that plan suggests that changes have been made to timelines in the plan to reduce the previously estimated timeframe by 21 days.

“Those changes have affected the timelines traditionally used for claims and objections, submission of candidates among other requirements and even statutory deadlines as in the instance of the time provided for appeals for parties in relation to the list of nominees,” Alexander explained.

The new work plan reportedly reduces the claims and objections period from 21 days to just 5 days, and cut the candidate preparation period before Nomination Day from 30 days to 4 days.

He also reminded reporters of the opposition’s calls for biometrics at the polls. However, it has been said that there is no constitutional of legal requirement for biometric fingerprinting identification at polls. Even so, Alexander said the proposal was “confronted with spurious arguments about legality the need for legislation intervention and the inadequacy of time for meaningful attention to be paid to the issue in time for the impending 2025 elections.”

PPP-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj disagreed with many of the assertions made and posited that GECOM would be ready for elections on September 1.

“I did indicate that the Constitution provides generally for elections to be held within 90 days, and I believe the naming of the date by the President exceeds 90 days. So I have every confidence that it can be done and done effectively in that time,” Gunraj told reporters outside of GECOM’s Headquarters on Georgetown.

He added, “Three months is more than adequate for the holding of elections.”

Gunraj also explained that GECOM has two mandates: one for registration and another for holding elections, and reaffirmed that setting a date lies within the President’s prerogative.

“We now have a work plan to consider in that regard. I have no difficulty considering that work plan to ensure it accords with the date set by the President,” Gunraj said.

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See below the full release from the Guyana Defence Force: 

The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard successfully completed a comprehensive Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, rescuing four crew members from the fishing trawler ‘SEA NIGHT’, after the vessel sank at approximately 20:00 hours on Sunday evening.

The distress signal was received at around 05:30 hours on Monday, May 26, 2025, by the Timehri Control Tower. In a swift response led by Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard, Commander David Shamsudeen, two Metal Shark boats were mobilised and coordination with the GDF Air Corps, resulted in the deployment of a HAL aircraft to
conduct aerial reconnaissance. Through these coordinated efforts, all four crew members were rescued between 10:30 and 16:00 hours. The first fisherman was located adrift approximately six nautical miles off the mouth of the Pomeroon River. The remaining three were subsequently recovered about five nautical miles offshore from Devonshire Castle Village, Essequibo.

The rescued crew recalled that the ‘SEA NIGHT’, began taking in water rapidly due to a sudden and catastrophic leak. Despite their efforts to contain the flooding, the vessel was quickly overwhelmed and submerged around 20:00 hours.

Upon their return to the GDF Coast Guard Headquarters, the rescued fishermen received immediate medical attention and were later transported safely to their homes.

The GDF extends sincere gratitude to two civilian fishing vessels operating in the area, as their timely assistance contributed significantly to the success of the rescue operation.

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Azruddin Mohamed, the local businessman who was sanctioned by the United States government, announced on Monday that he will be joining the presidential race in Guyana’s upcoming General and Regional Elections.

Mohamed made the announcement in a video message shared on the “Team Mohamed’s” Facebook page on Monday evening, a day after President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that elections would be held on September 1.

“I stand ready to raise my hand, put my shoulder to the task, and dedicate my mind and heart to building a world-class Guyana where every citizen is treated equally, not through buzzwords but through the hard work of building trust and forging genuine harmony,” he said in the video message.

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See below the full statement issued by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio: 

On behalf of the Government of the United States, I extend warm congratulations to the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on your 59th Independence Day. The United States reaffirms its steadfast commitment to our partnership with Guyana, grounded in shared democratic values and a mutual dedication to regional security and prosperity. As Guyana continues to experience historic economic transformation, under the leadership of Guyanese President Ali, we emphasize the importance of transparent governance and the rule of law that benefits all citizens. The United States remains committed to advancing cooperation with Guyana in combating transnational crime, promoting energy and economic security, and encouraging responsible private sector investment. On this important day, we send our sincere wishes for continued peace, democratic progress, and prosperity for all Guyanese people.

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Priyansh Arya and Josh Inglis were at the heart of a statement win for Punjab Kings, a seven-wicket demolition of Mumbai Indians that sealed a top-two finish and gave them a shot at a direct entry into the IPL 2025 final.

Chasing a potentially tricky target, the pair added 109 for the second wicket en route stunning half-centuries each to turn what could have been a tense contest into a canter.

It meant Suryakumar Yadav’s 57 – a record 14th score of 25 or more in T20s – wasn’t anywhere near enough.

MI will now play in the Eliminator, with the final playoffs line-up to be decided after Tuesday night’s fixture. A Royal Challengers Bengaluru win over Lucknow Super Giants will set up their clash with PBKS in Qualifier-1. A defeat will see them meet MI in the Eliminator on May 30.

The Arya-Inglis knockout blow

Arya, known as a powerplay dasher, began by hitting Trent Boult for three fours off his first four deliveries, but quickly showcased a new gear to his rapidly evolving game.

Coming off three single-digit scores, he allowed Inglis to dictate the early tempo when PBKS needed momentum after the loss of Prabhsimran Singh had them 35 for 1 in five overs.

Once settled, Arya stamped his authority – none of his shots more emphatic than a short-arm jab off Hardik Pandya for six over wide long-on to raise a 27-ball half-century.

That wasn’t it. He also hooked Jasprit Bumrah over fine leg for six at a time when he could’ve so easily afforded to play him out.

Inglis, for his part, was equally enterprising, marrying brute force with audacity. He countered Mitchell Santner’s threat early, by pulling him to the short leg-side boundary for six – his first two overs cost 23.

Along the way, Inglis also exhibited his flair for innovation. The knock featured a pair of audacious reverse scoops off Ashwani Kumar, including one against a slower ball, underlining his confidence and clarity.

It wasn’t just the rookie he was after. Inglis superbly ramped Hardik for six, and was equally authoritative against Bumrah, who he drove on the up through the line fearlessly, at no point showing any willingness to backdown against MI’s trump card.

The effect of the second-wicket partnership meant Bumrah had bowled out by the 17th, with PBKS needing just 20 off 18.

Arya and Inglis fell with the target within touching distance, but Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera, formerly MI, saw PBKS home without any flutters.

MI’s misery was compounded by potential injuries to Deepak Chahar and Tilak Varma. Chahar had his right hamstring heavily taped one ball into his opening burst in the powerplay. He bowled three overs in all but was seemingly low on pace.

Tilak, meanwhile, jarred his knee onto the turf while trying to stop the ball on the boundary rope and spent the remainder of PBKS’ chase off the park. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Shazaam Ally, a founding member of The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), has joined the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) and will support the party in its reelection campaign this year.

“While I haven’t always agreed with the PPP/C, I’ve seen real progress in the past five years, with growing investment, empowered youth, and an engaged and present government. I believe Guyana is moving forward and want to contribute meaningfully to that momentum,” Ally said in a Facebook post.

He added, “This move is not about abandoning my values but living them. My integrity, principles, and love for Guyana remain unchanged. I’ve also served on the state board of the National Communications Network (NCN) for nearly five years and remain committed to public service.”

TCI was formed in 2019 to contest the March 2020 General and Regional Elections. Ally was one of the people behind the initiative. He also contested the 2023 Local Government Elections.

In his Facebook post, Ally said his decision to join the PPP came after “careful reflection” and observing development under President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

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