NEWS
Mother's Day appeal for disabled toddler: Help Sarai thrive
Mother’s Day has been quite different for 27-year-old Angeli Rambally over the past four years. The mother of two spends her days providing round-the-clock care for her disabled daughter, often leaving her overwhelmed and emotionally drained. Her husband, 29-year-old Ricardo Rambally, works as a machine operator and is the sole breadwinner for the young Carapichaima-based family. They are in desperate need of financial assistance to provide their four-year-old daughter, Sarai Rambally, with the basic skills and support she needs to gain some level of independence. Sarai is currently under the care of the Paediatric Neurology Clinic at Eric Williams Medical Science Complex as well as the Neurosurgery Clinic at San Fernando General Hospital. Read more here
Ball in CoP Erla’s court
Former Police Service Commission (PolSC) member Martin George says the handling of the investigation into suspended Commissioner of Erla Harewood-Christopher may trigger a lawsuit. Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, on the heels of the announcement by the Director of Public Prosecutions that Harewood-Christopher had been cleared of wrongdoing in the matter, George said her attorneys may now have enough ammunition to mount a legal challenge. In a press release on Saturday, Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard cleared Harewood-Christopher, who was arrested in January, saying the evidence against her was not sufficient to successfully prosecute in the matter involving the procurement of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Services Agency (SSA). Read more here
POLITICS
Parliament members' lists updated
The Parliament has updated the lists of members of the House of Representatives and Senate to reflect the outcome of the April 28 general election. The UNC won the election with 26 seats, the PNM retained 13 and the Tobago People's Party (TPP) won the two Tobago constituencies (Tobago East and Tobago West). Checks on the Parliament's website shows the new members of the House and Senate are listed. Included in the former are the UNC's Roger Alexander, Michael Dowlath and Clyde Elder; the PNM's Hans Des Vignes, Kareem Marcelle and Christian Birchwood and the TPP's Joel Sampson and David Thomas. Read more here
Beckles denies there's infighting in PNM
Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles says there is no infighting in the People’s National Movement (PNM), but has noted that existing conflict stems from those who felt hurt that the party lost the recent General Election. Speaking to reporters after attending La Divina Pastora activities in Siparia yesterday, Beckles addressed several issues, including the selection of senators and the future of the party. Responding to questions about possible internal party conflict in the wake of the election defeat, Beckles said, “I’m not aware of any infighting. The truth is, we have lost. This is not the first time the party has lost the election. We understand that when you lose an election, there are going to be challenges. You know, there will be concerns. You may have a bit of conflict as well. But we have always been a resilient party.” Last week, a group calling itself the Changemakers called on general secretary Foster Cummings to follow the other executive members who resigned in the wake of the election defeat. Read more here
BUSINESS
Nidco, NIB heads step down following election
Herbert George has stepped down as chairman of the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco), and Patrick Ferreira has resigned as chairman of the National Insurance Board, the Trinidad and Tobago Mortgage Bank, and its subsidiary, the Home Mortgage Bank, as the reconfiguration of State boards continues following the April 28 general election. George was appointed the chairman of Nidco on October 29, 2015 following the People’s National Movement’s election victory that year. He succeeded Prof Winston Suite for the position. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Because We Care’ cash grant distribution begins today in Regions Seven, Nine
The distribution of the 2025 ‘Because We Care’ cash grant officially begins today, Monday, May 12, in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), marking the start of a phased rollout aimed at supporting families with school-aged children across Guyana. Preparations were underway for the beginning of the distribution of the grants on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Education via a post to its Facebook page. This initiative will see each child receiving a total of $55,000, of which $50,000 accounts for the Because we care grant and $5,000 for the uniform voucher. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Canada's Liberal Party one seat closer to majority after Quebec recount
A single vote in a Quebec riding has brought Canada's Liberal Party one seat closer to holding a majority in parliament. A judicial recount in the Terrebonne riding declared Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste the victor with 23,352 votes, ahead of Bloc Québécois incumbent Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, who received 23,351. The result gives the Liberal Party 170 seats in the House of Commons, two seats shy of the 172 required for a majority. In a statement on social media, Auguste thanked the citizens of Terrebonne for their trust and promised to "get to work". Read more here
12th May 2025