Category: CANA News

Police Tuesday said they are investigating the suspected suspected murder-suicide of two employees of a guest house in the capital.

They have identified the victims as 31 year old housekeeper, whose only name given so far is Loriann and Cyril Saul, a 36-year-old security guard.

‘Preliminary enquiries revealed that both individuals were employed at the said guest house and were the only staff members on duty during the overnight period. Investigations further disclosed that the two were previously involved in an intimate relationship which reportedly ended approximately two months ago,’ the police said in a statement.

It said that the police had responded to a call and discovered the female lying motionless in one of the rooms with visible injuries, while the male was found unresponsive in a separate room. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor on duty from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

The police said that several items, including a firearm, ammunition, a knife and a quantity of ‘a suspected substance’ were recovered at the scene and secured for forensic examination. ‘CCTV footage from the premises was reviewed and is forming part of the ongoing investigation. Several persons have since been contacted and questioned,’ the police statement added.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Energy Minister, Melford Nicholas, has been elected as Vice President of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) representing Latin America and the Caribbean.

His election took place at the 16th session of the IRENA Assembly Bureau that ended here on Monday with Nicholas already holding talks with IRENA Director General, Francesco La Camera, on Antigua and Barbuda’s priorities and practical pathways for accelerating implementation across Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including investment mobilization and partnership delivery. Nicholas had told the two-day Assembly that Antigua and Barbuda’s key priorities for a resilient and affordable renewable energy transition include reducing vulnerability to volatile fossil-fuel imports, noting that fuel and related costs account for an estimated 67 per cent of utility earnings.

He said accelerating deployment of solar and wind, supported by phased and hybrid approaches that enable a just transition and manage system risks as well as strengthening and climate-proofing the grid and energy infrastructure against hurricanes and other climate impacts were other priorities.

The Assembly was overshadowed by the decision of the United States to withdraw from IRENA and 65 other international organisations, many of them UN-affiliated bodies and Nicholas enphsised the need for reinforcing regional cooperation through institutions such as the Barbados-based Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) to support pooled procurement, training and financing.

Energy and Energy Industries Minister, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, has welcomed the ruling of a High Court that dismissed a defamation claim brought by two investment entities and their principal.

Justice Frank Seepersad, in dismissing the claim by Trillions Systems Ltd, Rose Capital Investments Ltd and businessman James Kerron Rose, was also critical of the claimants’ failure to comply with court orders and to actively pursue the matter. ‘This matter has come up on a few occasions,’ Justice Seepersad said, noting that directions had been issued on July 16, 2025, for specific procedural steps to be taken, including the filing of a reply and lists of documents.

‘I have no information whether a reply was filed. A list of documents were to be filed and there was no compliance,’ the judge said, adding that six months had passed with no meaningful progress.

‘What concerns me is the court’s jurisdiction having been invoked and there seems to be no interest from the claimant. With the order just granted, there is clear indication that there is a lack of instructions as to the progress of this matter.’

The defamation suit arose from statements made by Moonilal during a September 8, 2024, press briefing streamed on the then opposition United National Congress’s (UNC) Facebook page and shared on his personal social media accounts.

Rose and the companies alleged Moonilal had falsely and maliciously linked them to illegal quarrying, questionable state contracts and other financial improprieties.

They claimed the statements caused reputational harm, business losses and emotional distress, and complained that Moonilal allowed the posts to remain online without verification, correction or apology. Moonilal denied wrongdoing and maintained that his statements were made in the public interest.

He noted that Rose and his company had been the subject of widespread public controversy involving investors. referring to media investigations and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which confirmed that it had launched an investigation into the company. He called for swift action by the authorities and questioned the status of that probe, for what he described as the ‘pain and suffering of people’ who have lost their money.

‘Today, however, aggrieved citizens are claiming fraud and deception because they have not been able to get back any money,’ Moonilal said. ‘They have lost their personal savings.’

Moonilal said the court’s decision clearly vindicated his position and the issues he raised – including allegations of illegal quarrying and other activities – were serious matters of public interest that warranted investigation.

He pledged to continue speaking out against injustice and wrongdoing, ‘regardless of the consequences.’.

Attorney Jared Jagroo, who appeared with former attorney general, Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan for Moonilal, told the court there had been no communication from the claimants since the matter was filed and that the claimants had not appeared in court.

Justice Seepersad said that parties who invoke the court’s jurisdiction have a duty to advance their cases.

‘The claimant has failed to comply with orders of the court and even attend court to provide any explanation. Delay will not be tolerated by this court. The court must jealously guard its process.’

The judge dismissed the claim and ordered the claimants to pay costs in default of agreement.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Tuesday urged Caribbean governments to significantly strengthen taxes on sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages amid concerns that these products are getting cheaper, due to consistently low tax rates in most countries.

The WHO said that as a result, it is fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers and injuries, especially in children and young adults. In two new global reports released Tuesday, the WHO is warning that weak tax systems are allowing harmful products to remain cheap while health systems face mounting financial pressure from preventable noncommunicable diseases and injuries.

‘Health taxes are one of the strongest tools we have for promoting health and preventing disease,’ said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

‘By increasing taxes on products like tobacco, sugary drinks, and alcohol, governments can reduce harmful consumption and unlock funds for vital health services.’

The WHO said the combined global market for sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages generates billions of dollars in profit, fueling widespread consumption and corporate profit. Yet governments capture only a relatively small share of this value through health-motivated taxes, leaving societies to bear the long-term health and economic costs.

The reports show that at least 116 countries tax sugary drinks, many of which are sodas. But many other high-sugar products, such as 100 per cent fruit juices, sweetened milk drinks, and ready-to-drink coffees and teas, escape taxation.

The WHO said that while 97 per cent of countries tax energy drinks, this figure has not changed since the last global report in 2023.

A separate WHO report shows that at least 167 countries levy taxes on alcoholic beverages, while 12 ban alcohol entirely.

Despite this, alcohol has become more affordable or remained unchanged in price in most countries since 2022, as taxes fail to keep pace with inflation and income growth. Wine remains untaxed in at least 25 countries, mostly in Europe, despite clear health risks.

‘More affordable alcohol drives violence, injuries and disease,’ warned Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention, noting that ‘while industry profits, the public often carries the health consequences and society the economic costs’.

The WHO found that across regions tax shares on alcohol remain low with global excise share medians of 14 per cent for beer and 22.5 per cent for spirits; sugary drink taxes are weak and poorly targeted with the median tax accounting for only about two per cent of the price of a common sugary soda and often applying only to a subset of beverages, missing large parts of the market.

The report found that few countries adjust taxes for inflation, allowing health-harming products to become steadily more affordable.

These trends in tax persist despite a 2022 Gallup Poll finding that the majority of people surveyed supported higher taxes on alcohol and sugary beverages.

‘WHO is calling on countries to raise and redesign taxes as part of its new 3 by 35 initiative, which aims to increase the real prices of three products, tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks, by 2035 making them less affordable over time to help protect people’s health.’

Proman Trinidad says it will temporarily suspend operations at its melamine plant in Point Lisas in central Triniddad for an initial two-year period, citing continued unfavourable global market conditions.

‘We do not take these decisions lightly. Proman has been a key contributor to the Trinidad and Tobago energy sector for over 35 years, and we will continue to invest in our operations, our people, and our local communities. This decision does not affect the production or operations of our other plants in Trinidad,’ said Proman Trinidad’s executive director, Anand Ragbir. Headquartered in Switzerland, Proman is a multi-asset, multi-regional diversified energy producer with methanol and fertilizer production facilities in Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and Oman and currently expanding into Mexico.

Melamine is a chemical used to make many products, including heat-resistant plastics and dinnerware and Proman Trinidad, which describes itself as the leading integrated petrochemical company here, said that the decision follows a detailed review of international market dynamics and is intended to safeguard the long-term sustainability and efficiency of its operations in Trinidad and Tobago.

‘The pause in production comes after the International Trade Commission (ITC) in the United States imposed significant anti-dumping and countervailing duties in January 2025 of 154.28 per cent on melamine exports from Trinidad and Tobago and other countries into the United States. These duties, combined with ongoing global price pressures, have made the continued production of melamine economically unviable at this time.’

Proman said its top priority during the transition is supporting its employees and that the vast majority of the 89 potentially impacted employees will be redeployed to other plants, projects, and roles across Proman’s operations, with access to training and resources to ensure a smooth transition.

It said that for the small number that the company cannot find redeployment roles for, Proman will provide full outplacement support, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and statutory benefits, ensuring that all employees are treated with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Looking ahead, Proman Trinidad said it will continue to monitor market conditions and evaluate the feasibility of resuming melamine production should circumstances change.

‘The company remains focused on strengthening its core operations and ensuring long-term competitiveness.’

Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal told the Trinidad Guardian newspaper that the decision reflects difficult market conditions affecting the global melamine trade.

‘It is clear that this is an issue arising from challenging market circumstances. I am aware that Proman has been seeking alternative markets for melamine, but the global environment is extremely difficult. In the short term, the company has taken a decision to pause production,’ Moonilal said.

CRICKET-T20 BLAZE-RESULT Guyana Women defeat Windward Islands Women by seven runs – 1st match

The Leeward Islands Women defeated Jamaica Women by nine runs in the second match of the T20 Blaze here at Arnos Vale on Tuesday.

Scores

LEEWARD ISLANDS WOMEN 108-5 in 20 overs (Shawnisha Hector 56, Amanda Edwards 20; Chedean Nation 2-15).

JAMAICA WOMEN 99-8 in 20 overs (Chedean Nation 48 not out, Stafanie Taylor 25; Shawnisha Hector 2-15, Davronique Maynard 2-19, Jahzara Claxton 2-26).

The ruling Tobago People’s Party (TPP) swept the polls for the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) following Monday’s election, winning all15 seats in the process.

The TPP, led by the Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, brushed aside the People’s National Movement (PNM) that had won one seat in the last THA elections. In the 2021 THA election, Watson Duke’s Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) soundly defeated the PNM, breaking its 21-year control of the THA with a resounding 14-1 victory.

That election marked the rise of Augustine as THA Chief Secretary following his split from the PDP.

Augustine led the TPP to win the two seats on Tobago in last April’s general election that saw the United national Congress (UNC) returning to office after a 10 year spell on the opposition benches.

‘This is the second time in the last 45 years a political party has won all the THA seats,’ Augustine told joyous supporters during his victory speech at the Scarborough Esplanade after the PNM Tobago Council leader, Ancil Dennis, conceded defeat.

‘We have lost the election. I don’t know by how many seats or margins, but we’ve lost . Following the results, I will be stepping aside as leader,’ he added.

The Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA), led by Dr Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus, did not win any of the 11 seats it contested, while the Unity of the People, led by Nickocy Phillips, which contested in Buccoo/Mt Pleasant alone, lost there.

Only the TPP and the PNM contested all 15 seats and the Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) said that 52,857 people were eligible to vote, with the TPP securing 10,064 votes, the PNM, 6,266 and the IDA, 195 votes.

A High Court judge has ordered the government controlled Department of Public Information (DPI) and the Attorney General, to pay GUY$10 million (One Guyana dollar=US$0,004 cents) to the chairman of the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G), Vincent Alexander, for statements made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and published by the DPI in 2022.

‘Having weighed all the factors and had regard to the purpose of an award of damages I am satisfied that an award of GUY$10,000,000 represents fair and reasonable compensation to vindicate the claimant’s reputation and to compensate him for the injury suffered,’ Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln said in her judgement. In addition, Justice Lincoln also ordered DPI to remove the interview by the end of this year, and pay GUY$500,000 in costs to Alexander.

Alexander will have to pay Jagdeo costs of GUY$350,000 after the Court found him not liable, and that ‘the first defendant (Jagdeo) failed to establish that the defamatory words were true in substance or in fact or that they were fair comment’.

The judge said Alexander failed to prove malice.

Referring to Jagdeo’s comments, in addressing the issue of qualified privilege, the judge said the Vice-President, as a public official, had a duty to inform the public about the use and potential misuse of public funds.

‘The taxpaying public would have a corresponding right to know how public funds are being used. Having regard to all the circumstances including the subject matter and identity of the publisher and recipients I find that the publication was made by the 1st defendant (Mr Jagdeo) on a privileged occasion,’ she said.

Jagdeo at one of his numerous press conference, had accused Alexander of being part owner of the IDPADA-G organization that has benefited from millions of dollars in annual government subventions.

Jagdeo among other things, said Alexander was among a group of persons who are directly benefiting from the subventions and that the monies were not benefiting Afro- Guyanese groups. The interview was then posted by the Government controlled, DPI.

Alexander had taken offence with the statements and had approached the Courts seeking relief and for the interview to be taken down.

In her ruling, Justice Corbin-Lincoln said naming Alexander among a group of persons who benefit directly from the Government subvention to IDPADA-G is capable of being a defamatory as they convey that the he is dishonest, holds himself out as believing in the Afro Guyanese cause for his own pecuniary interest and, as one of the beneficial owner of IDPADA-G, he is part of a group that has used public funds given to the company for his personal benefit to the detriment of ordinary Afro-Guyanese.

She said among other things, the words uttered also convey the message that the claimant was unscrupulous and that he engages in unethical, immoral and illegal behaviour

‘Having considered the words complained of I find that they are capable of the meanings alleged in that the words mean that the claimant is dishonest, lacks integrity and has engaged in conduct which was unethical, unscrupulous and insincere and was doing so for his personal financial benefit to the detriment of others including using public funds for his personal benefit.

‘I find that the words complained of are capable of lowering the claimant in the estimation of right-thinking members of the society and are defamatory,’ the judge said in her ruling.

‘In determining the appropriate award, I have had regard to the awards made in other cases and taken into account all the relevant circumstances including the standing of the claimant, the seriousness of the allegation, the nature (online) and extent of the publication, the absence of any retraction or apology and the facts that the defamatory publication continues to be available on the 2nd defendant’s website,’ Justice Corbin-Lincoln also said.

She said DPI and the Attorney General led no evidence to prove any of the pleaded defences and that ‘the publication is still available on the 2nd defendant’s webpage and thus the injury is ongoing.

‘There is no evidence of the extent of the publication or viewership of the 2nd defendant (DPI) but the publication is accessible to the world at large,’ she added.

West Indies Women all-rounder Chinelle Henry grabbed two wickets, but her Delhi Capitals Women lost a nailbiter by four runs to the Gujarat Giants Women when the Women’s Premier League (WPL) continued here on Sunday.

Henry, who hit a blistering half century on Saturday in her side’s opening loss to the Mumbai Indians Women, took 2-43 this time around as the Giants posted a sizeable 209 in their 20 overs after being sent in at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.

Player-of-the-Match, Sophie Devine struck a superb 95 off just 42 balls with eight sixes and seven fours, while captain Ashleigh Gardner made 49 off 26 balls. Nandani Sharma finished with the impressive figures of 5-33 from her four overs, including a hat-trick, while Shree Charani took 2-42.

Despite a magnificent innings from Lizelle Lee, who scored 86 off 54 balls, inclusive of 12 fours and three sixes, and Laura Wolvaardt, who belted 77 off 38 balls with nine fours and three sixes, the Capitals fell just short, finishing on 205 for five.

Henry managed just seven runs from six balls before being dismissed by Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

Devine led the way with the ball as well, taking 2-21, while Gayakwad snared 2-34 for the Giants, who moved to the top of the table with two wins from two matches.