NEWS
CAISO launches report on support for LGBTQI+ community
The Coalition Advocating for Inclusion of Sexual Orientation (CAISO) released its first report, Insights from Wholeness and Justice, on Tuesday. At a press conference, CAISO emphasised support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) community. It intends to present a report annually. The report was presented as part of the events to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), on May 17, to commemorate the removal of homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses by the General Assembly of the World Health Organization on May 17, 1990. Read more here
Jacob appoints special team to probe abuse at children’s homes
Acting Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob says allegations of abuse in children’s homes emerging in the recent Judith Jones report and the 1997 Robert Sabga report are being investigated. Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Jacob said a special team was created to look into the allegations last week and will be headed by acting Superintendent of the Gender-Based Violence Unit (GBVU) Claire Guy-Alleyne. He said the primary focus of the investigations will be on the allegations in the more recent Jones report, as they are still searching for a copy of the 25-year-old Sabga report. If located, Jacob noted the allegations will have to be evaluated to determine which allegations are still viable to pursue. Read more here
POLITICS
Rowley meets with Guyana's President and PM
The Prime Minister arrived in Guyana on Tuesday where he was received at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport by that country's Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, along with Guyana's Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat. Dr Rowley, according to a post on the Office of the Prime Minister's Facebook page, also met with Guyana's President Dr Irfaan Ali who presented him with a steel portrait of his likeness at State House. Read more here
BUSINESS
Gopee-Scoon: Seprod, AS Bryden merger boost to Caricom single market
Jamaica-based Seprod Ltd's acquisition of AS Bryden and Sons Holdings underscores the importance of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon said on Tuesday. It also strengthens the competitiveness of the regional manufacturing sector, she said. “The announcement affirms the objectives of the CSME,” the minister said in a release, after a meeting with executives of both companies. Read more here
Internal auditors get holistic view of companies
In 2019, Guardian Holdings Ltd (GHL) decided to build out an internal audit department. They had previously outsourced their auditing needs. To head it, they recruited Sasha Ali, who is GHL’s Group Head Internal Audit. Ali, 40, began working at GHL in December 2019, four months before the pandemic hit. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) remained GHL’s external auditor. She began her career as an auditor at PWC when she was 17, straight out of school, before working at different organisations nationally and internationally. Read more here
REGIONAL
Toolsie Persaud ‘pumps’ US$3.5M into new timber operation
Toolsie Persaud Timber Traders Incorporated (TPTTI), a renowned pioneer in the development of Guyana’s timber sector, plans to expand its operations with a new project in the Kartabo Triangle, Region Seven. The project, which has been in the works for a few years, is now being reviewed by the Environmental Project Agency (EPA). Approval from the EPA will pave the way for the company to acquire State Forest Authorisation (SFA) from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Russian soldier pleads guilty in first war crimes trial of Ukraine conflict
A Russian soldier on trial for war crimes in Ukraine has pleaded guilty to killing an unarmed civilian. Vadim Shishimarin, 21, is accused of gunning down a 62-year-old man in the days after the invasion began. He could face life in prison. Prosecutors say more trials are to come, after identifying other potential war crimes committed by Russian soldiers. Moscow has denied its troops have targeted civilians. The trial is the first case of its kind since Russia's invasion in February. Read more here
18th May 2022