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Authorities here have confirmed the death of a 16-year-old Bahamian student who died in Panama after reportedly falling from the 27th floor of a hotel while attending an international robotics competition in Central America.

The St Augustine’s College confirmed the death of the student during a school trip to Panama City, where the school was participating in the FIRST Global Robotics Challenge. It did not identify the student.

‘It is with the deepest sorrow and heavy hearts that St Augustine’s College confirms the tragic passing of one of our students in Panama City,’ the school said in a statement, adding that the delegation was accompanied by a parent, a chaperone, the principal, and members of the faculty..

‘The loss is felt profoundly by our entire school family. Our thoughts, prayers, and unwavering support are with the student’s family, loved ones, classmates, teachers, and all who are grieving during this unimaginable time,’ the statement added.

The school said it is in close communication with Panamanian authorities and is providing support where needed.

The media in Panama said that the incident occurred last Friday when the teenager fell from the 27th floor to the 12th landing in the hotel’s social area where the pool is located. Local reports said she was sharing a room with two classmates at the time.

The St Joseph’s Parish here described the student as a ‘cherished member of our parish family who served faithfully at the St Joseph’s Soup Kitchen every Saturday.

‘Her kind heart, gentle spirit, and willingness to help others reflected the love of Christ in all she did,’ the St. Joseph Parish said in a statement, adding ‘we join her parents.loved ones, and the entire St Augustine’s College community in mourning this heartbreaking loss’.

A new session of the Guyana Parliament began here on Monday with legislators taking their oaths including the leader of the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed, who is facing an extradition to the United States on fraud and money laundering charges.

The parliamentary meeting was the first since the September 1 regional and general elections resulted n the re-election of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), but unlike previous occasions, the new session was not addressed by President Irfaan Ali.

Ali, however has dismissed the notion that the Parliament was delayed in order to facilitate ‘an extradition’ saying this is ‘totally disconnected from the truth and it is a notion that is created for a specific intention and a specific purpose’.

WIN political leader, Azruddin Mohamed, arriving to attend the first session of the new Parliament on Monday (CMC Photo)

In an interview with the state-owned Department of Public Information (DPI) hours ahead of the opening of the new parliament, Ali said that he would be addressing the new legislators following the election of an Opposition Leader and the other administrative issues are completed.

‘I definitely will be addressing Parliament in a substantive way, outlining the vision, outlining the strategy and outlining where we want to position Guyana for all of Guyana,’ he added.

During the 16 minute interview , Ali sought to distance his ruling party from any involvement in the court matter that followed the extradition request by the United States justice officials involving the politician and his billionaire businessman father, Nazar Mohamed.

The Mohameds were arrested and granted GUY$150,000 (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) bail last Friday, a day after the United States formally sent an extradition request to Guyana.

The 38-year-old politician along with his 73-year-old father, are the subject of an indictment unsealed on October 6, 2025, by a United States Grand Jury sitting in the Southern District of Florida, which charges them with multiple offences including wire fraud, mail fraud, money-laundering, conspiracy, aiding and abetting and customs-related violations connected to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme.

The indictment alleges that between 2017 and June 2024, the accused conspired to defraud the Guyana government by evading export taxes and royalties on over 10,000 kilograms of gold, using falsified customs declarations and re-used export seals to disguise unpaid duties. The indictment further references the attempted shipment of US$5.3 million in undeclared gold seized at Miami International Airport, and the alleged under-invoicing of a luxury vehicle valued at over US$680,000.

According to the indictment, the alleged fraudulent scheme operated ‘from in or about 2017’ through June 2024.

In June 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the Mohameds and their company, Mohamed’s Enterprise, citing allegations of tax evasion, trade-based money-laundering, and gold smuggling.

The young Mohamed, who led the WIN party to securing the second majority of seats in the National Assembly during the last election, was sworn in as a member of parliament on Monday, but no date has been given as to when the election of an opposition leader, which he is in line to become, will take place.

During the interview, President Ali said that following the OFAC sanction, the United States government had been working with the Guyana government in providing the details regarding the Mohameds.

‘The government took all the administrative steps and measures necessitated by the sanction.and an international investigation was ongoing into gold smuggling, money laundering and other criminal activities.

‘We made clear we were going to work closely with our international partners to ensure what legal and administrative steps must be taken would be taken’ Ali said, insisting that there was nothing ‘political’ about the US moves.

He said Mohamed entered the political fray ‘and then suddenly used it as a scenario where he is being discriminated against by the People’s Progressive Party government.which is a total lie’.

Ali insisted that an extradition request had been made by Washington and it is being processed, adding ‘this has nothing to do with the victim syndrome or claims of political prosecution.

‘This is a clear investigation that started long before 2020, an investigation that has followed legal and administrative mechanism, an investigation that has crossed jurisdiction (and) .international in nature.’

Ali said that the Guyana government is convinced that there is enough evidence to process the extradition requests.

‘The extradition request was made in accordance with the legal and administrative mechanism, that request, like many other requests before, has been processed by the government of Guyana after examining the evidence and being convinces that there is a clear case.

‘Now, that extradition request has been made and that request is being processed, this has nothing to do with the victim syndrome or claiming political persecution,’ Ali said, reiterating that the investigation against the Mohameds started long before his government took office, and that his government cannot be held responsible for what is taking place.

‘This is not an investigation that originated from here, this is an investigation that is international in nature. So, this notion that the Parliament was delayed for an extradition is totally disconnected from the truth and it is a notion that is created for a specific intention and specific purpose.’

The Mohameds once shared close ties with the President and his Government, donating millions to the governing party and supporting its campaigns over the years. In the last Local Government Election, Nazar Mohamed, was elected to the Eccles NDC as a PPP Councillor. He has since resigned from the post.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, said that several landmark pieces of legislative will be introduced in the new Parliament.

He told reporters that the new legislation will cut across the various sectors to ensure that there is a structured approach to the way things are being done.

‘It will largely be a continuation of what we left off. Significantly, what we will act with are the promises and commitments which were made in our manifesto and there are some extraordinary and big pieces of legislation that will come, I don’t want to name all, because the mention of some will diminish the importance of others because I will not be able to name all,’ Nandlall said.

He said that while the government’s legislative agenda will largely be a continuation from the last Parliament, there will be some new and progressive pieces of legislation being introduced.

‘We will continue to pursue a very aggressive legislative agenda that is designed to advance the modernization of Guyana, to advance the interest of all Guyanese and to advance our manifesto commitments,’ Nandlall said.

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) says the government empathy after the Ministry of Education announced that it was moving towards reopening schools following the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa last Tuesday.

The category 5 storm tore into the country, particularly on the western section of Jamaica, leaving millions of dollars in damages and being responsible for at least 28 deaths.

School books left in the open after Hurricane Melissa destroyed a school in Jamaica

Education Minister Dr. Dana Morris Dixon said that schools in parishes that fared better than others following Hurricane Melissa may reopen on Monday and that the Parliamentary Secretary in the ministry, Marlon Morgan, has been tasked with spearheading the emergency plan for students in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James and Hanover.

‘The call for a rapid resumption of normal school operation does not reflect the empathy and understanding required in a national crisis of the magnitude, ‘ said JTA president, Mark Malabver, who is advocating that more time be given to teachers and principals to recover from the ordeal of the hurricane.

‘The JTA is urging the ministry to demonstrate crisis leadership grounded in compassion, flexibility and responsiveness to the emotional and physical realities facing our education committee.

‘The immediate focus should not be on academic recovery, but rather emotion recovery providing, students, teachers and school leaders with the space, time and psychosocial support they need to bein the healing process’.

Malabver, says the union is reminding the ministry that over the past few years educators have been called upon to weather numerous storms, ‘both literal and emotional’.

He said that from the tragic deaths of students to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and now the destruction cause by Hurricane Melissa ‘our teachers and principals have been tested beyond measure.

‘Their resilience must not be mistaken for invincibility. The Association therefore calls on the Ministry of Education to exercise due care, empathy and responsible decision making as the nation recovers,’Malabver added.

Police say they have seized more than 108 kilograms of high-grade cannabis with a street value of approximately TT$11.9 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) during an anti-crime exercise conducted in the North Central Division over the last weekend.

A police statement said that officers from the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Task Force (NDTF) South, working in collaboration with a Specialist Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) conducted he exercise after receiving intelligence information from a specialist unit that a vehicle was ‘conveying firearms and narcotics’ along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

Marijuana seized by police with a street value of over TT$11 million (TTPS Photo)

The police said that following a brief chase, the driver who is known to the police abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, evading capture.

‘A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of five bales containing 179 packets of Colombian ‘Creepy’ Cannabis, with a combined weight of 108.89 kilograms,’ the police said, adding that the vehicle and narcotics were seized.

The police said investigations are ongoing, and the arrest of the suspect is imminent.

The Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWP) says while it is mindful that some students may be unable to return to classes on Monday, it is nonetheless moving towards having ‘face to face operations’ from that day.

The university was among institutions affected by the passage of Hurricane Melissa last Tuesday that left 28 people dead and caused widespread damage and destruction, particular in the western section of the country.

According to a notice posted on its Facebook social media page, the university said that further to its October 26 advisory, the management of the campus met on October 29 following a preliminary assessment of the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

It said that efforts were being made towards the restoration of the campus to allow for the commencement of face-to-face operations on Monday, November 3, 2025, adding ‘consequently, we are advising students with accommodation at our Mona halls of residence that they may return.

‘We are mindful that some students may be unable to return on Monday, particularly those in Western Jamaica. Therefore, concurrent with face-to-face classes, lecturers will post course material on our learning management system so that affected students will be able to consume subsequently,’ it added.

The university said that with respect to operations at the Western Jamaica Campus, which was significantly impacted by the passing of the hurricane, the Campus Management has taken the decision to suspend all teaching and learning activities at that Campus until November 10, 2025.

‘Given the extent of the impact of the hurricane, we are mindful that it may take a little longer for those most impacted to re-engage. In such instances, students are encouraged to engage their lecturers and the Dean of their faculty for special consideration as required.’

But the Jamaica Observer newspaper reported that students were set to stage a peaceful sit-out Monday, in protest at the university’s decision to resume face-to-face classes.

In an open letter released on Sunday, a group of students called for a one-week suspension of academic activities, followed by the implementation of a mixed-modality learning framework to accommodate those still grappling with the storm’s aftermath.

The letter describes the university’s move as ‘irresponsible’ and ‘tone-deaf,’ noting that many students remain displaced, without access to basic utilities, and emotionally unprepared to resume studies.

In their letter, the students insist that their protest is an act of solidarity with peers from western Jamaica, one of the hardest-hit regions, where thousands remain in shelters and key hospitals have been rendered inoperable.

They noted that 25,000 people are currently displaced and at least 28 Jamaicans have died as a result of the hurricane, citing official statistics.

‘The university does not yet have the capacity to accurately identify how many of its own students are homeless, injured, trapped or God forbid have died,’ the letter stated, adding that the decision to reopen campus ‘prematurely’ ignores the physical and emotional toll of the disaster.

The students noted that other tertiary institutions like the University of Technology (UTech) has suspended face-to-face classes indefinitely and that UWI’s Western Jamaica Campus has delayed reopening by a week.

They also made reference to the mental strain facing many students, describing a ‘frozen mental and emotional state’ brought on by trauma and uncertainty.

‘To demand immediate academic participation amid such upheaval is not only imprudent but inhumane,’ they added in the statement.

President Jennifer Greelings-Simons leaves here on Monday for Brazil to attend the Bélem Climate Summit that will precede the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which will be held in Bélem from November 10 to 21.

The Bélem Climate Summit will take place from November 6-7 and the organisers say it is significant because it is the first climate summit to be held in an Amazon city, a location chosen to highlight rainforest conservation and the impacts of the climate crisis on the region.

The summit is also marking the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and according to a government statement President Greelings-Simons will participate in discussions on global climate action and explain Suriname’s role as a carbon-negative country.

She will also hold bilateral discussions with fellow heads of state, government leaders, and representatives of multilateral institutions on cooperation in climate finance, forest conservation, and sustainable growth.

The statement said that as a result of her presence, President Greelings-Simons is re-affirming Suriname’s ambition to serve as an example in sustainable forest management, nature conservation, and climate action.

It recalled that during the opening of the 80th 80th United Nations General Assembly in September, she underscored this commitment, which led to a US$20 million pledge from a coalition of international environmental organizations to support nature conservation in Suriname.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Justice Alliance is urging government and delegates attending the COP30 that they should set ‘clear and ambitious targets’ to curb emissions and limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C considering historical responsibilities and prioritising people over profits.

The Alliance is also urging the delegates to ‘improve access to and delivery of climate finance for frontline communities, small and micro-enterprises and civl society organisations as part of a ‘whole of society approach’ and ‘advance a rights-based approach for just, gender-responsive and inclusive action action’.

The Alliance said that climate finance must be predictable, programmatic and transparent ‘with the mechanisms in place to ensure that funds are channelled to the local level to meet the needs if frontline communities and build resilient livelihoods’.

It said this includes innovative mechanism like the Caribbean SIDS Climate Premium.

‘It must also focus on strengthening the technical and organisational capacity of frontline communities, enterprises and civil society organisations,’ the Alliance added.

Dominica is observing its 47th anniversary of political independence from Britain on Monday with the traditional National Day Observance Ceremony taking place at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium in the evening.

‘Today, we celebrate forty-seven years of independence- forty-seven years of resilience, progress and pride in who we are as a people,’ Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a post on his Facebook page.

‘May our love for country continue to guide every step we take toward a stronger, more prosperous and united Dominica,’ he said, ahead of his Independence Day address that will be delivered at the National Day Observance Ceremony.

Meanwhile, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, in extending congratulations to Dominica, said the theme for the occasion, ’47 Years of Progress and Purpose’, aptly captures the consistent and focused efforts the nation has made towards achieving its development objectives and in promoting sustainable development.

‘The Community commends Dominica’s continued dedication to the regional integration movement,’ she wrote in a message to Prime Minister Skerrit.

‘Consistent with your responsibility for Labour (including Intra-Community Movement of Skills) in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet, Dominica has demonstrated great leadership in moving to implement full freedom of movement as of 1 October 2025. This undertaking stands as an historic milestone in the achievement of our collective goal of integration.’

A highly anticipated President’s Cup match between S.L. Horsfords St. Paul’s United FC and Rams Village Superstars FC was abandoned at halftime on Sunday night following a large-scale on-field brawl, prompting an immediate investigation from the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA).

In a strongly worded statement, the SKNFA condemned the violence that forced the premature end of the fixture, calling it ‘wholly unacceptable.’

‘The altercation stands in direct contradiction to the values of respect, discipline, and fair play that the Association promotes,’ the statement read.

The SKNFA confirmed it has launched an immediate investigation and that ‘all players, officials, and other participants involved in the brawl will be subjected to the appropriate disciplinary process.’

Reaffirming its ‘zero-tolerance policy toward violence,’ the Association also issued a sincere apology to fans in attendance. ‘We recognise the disappointment caused by this unfortunate disruption,’ the statement continued, pledging to ensure future matches provide a ‘safe and enjoyable environment for all.’

The incident has drawn the attention of the nation’s highest office. Prime Minister Dr Terrance M. Drew announced early Monday that he has intervened to help mediate the conflict.

‘I have spoken with the presidents of the Village Superstars and St. Paul’s United football teams, as well as officials from the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association,’ Dr Drew stated in a social media post.

The Prime Minister has offered his office to facilitate reconciliation talks, emphasising that ‘violence has no place in our sports or among our people.’ He urged support for the players ‘as they work to resolve this matter in the spirit of harmony, respect, and togetherness.’

The Minister of Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF), Pedrica Saint-Jean, has ‘strongly condemn’ the rape of a 16-year-old girl, who had been detained at the Saint-Marc police station by an officer of the Haitian National Police (PNH) assigned to that station.

Saint-Jean said she wanted to strongly condemn ‘this extremely serious act’ since it was committed by a public official entrusted with the duty to protect and serve.

She is urging the relevant authorities, particularly the PNH and the Ministry of Justice, to take all necessary administrative and legal measures without delay to ensure that the perpetrator is punished in accordance with the Decree of July 6, 2005, concerning sexual assault.

In a statement, the Ministry of Women’s Rights and Family Affairs (MCFDF) said as the central body responsible for promoting and defending women’s rights, it ‘cannot tolerate such actions and calls for the mobilization of all institutional and organizational actors to ensure that justice is served for the victim in accordance with the laws of the Republic’.

In a statement on Sunday, the PNH announced that it is ‘actively searching for the police officer accused of raping the 16-year-old in July this year.

‘At the request of the Saint-Marc Police Station and the Office of Citizen Protection, the PNH intends to bring him before the investigating judge,’ the statement said.

It said the Inspector General’s Office has been notified, and has ordered the immediate arrest of the officer and that a warrant has been issued to facilitate the arrest of the police officer.

‘The High Command of the Haitian National Police (PNH) reaffirms its zero tolerance for any breach of ethics or the law. The institution assures the public of its full cooperation with the justice system to establish accountability and ensure the application of the law.’

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett says it is imperative that the 15-member regional integration grouping focus on energy security through the renewable energy potential that exists in all the member states.

‘Energy security is no longer a distant goal; it is a regional priority that requires bold, forward-thinking deliberations and decisions. We must invest in energy systems that empower our people, and embrace the technologies that will shape our future,’ she said in a statement, as the region observes the month of November as CARICOM Energy Month 2025 under the theme ”Invest, Innovate, Sustain: Leading the Charge in Renewable Energy Frontiers’.

She said access to affordable finance for critical climate-resilient infrastructure is therefore essential.

‘Concessional financing, along with innovative mechanisms such as green bonds are vital to attracting long-term investment in renewable energy technologies. Public-private partnerships are important to reduce dependence on public finances. These approaches promote long-term resilience and prosperity.’

Barnett said that the theme for CARICOM Energy Month 2025, ‘conveys our collective ambition, shared commitment and readiness to embrace a future where energy is clean, sustainable, and a catalyst for economic resilience, social equity, and regional solidarity’.

Barnett said beyond adopting new technologies, the region must also craft innovative solutions that are scalable and tailored to its unique context.

‘ From battery storage and microgrids, to electric vehicles and smart energy management, CARICOM member states can leverage natural resource assets and intellectual capital to pioneer forward-looking solutions.

‘Regional collaboration, knowledge exchange, cross-sector partnerships and community engagement can amplify these efforts and help to position our Community as a leader in climate-smart energy innovation.’

She said that true sustainability means achieving energy security while simultaneously advancing economic growth, social equity, and climate resilience. Energy systems should minimise environmental impact, foster social inclusion, and deliver equitable economic benefits.

‘Let us strengthen partnerships across governments, Regional Institutions, development agencies, and with the private sector and civil society. Together, we can build a Caribbean Community that is energy-secure, climate-resilient, economically dynamic, and a leader in renewable energy.’