Guyana, April 11, 2025 – The government is engaging major tech giants to transform the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) into a centre for research, artificial intelligence (AI) development and technological advancement.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a community meeting in Canal No 2 Polder on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) in Region Three, on Sunday.

IAST is a science and technology organisation located on the University of Guyana’s (UG) Turkeyen campus.

President Ali said the initiative will attract global startups to build and test the next generation of technology locally, driven by private sector investment and government support.

NASA Innovation Forum

President Ali also revealed that in mid-January 2026, Guyana will host the Berkeley-Guyana NASA Innovation Forum for the very first time.

The Berkeley Innovation Forum is a membership organisation led by Dr Henry Chesbrough, Faculty Director of the Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley.

The forum provides its members with an ongoing perspective on the innovation challenges confronting companies around the world. It gathers members together to share experiences in tackling these challenges.

Last Thursday, the Guyanese head of state participated in the Spring 2025 Berkeley Innovation Forum in California, United States, where he was featured as a guest speaker. During that forum, he was honoured with the prestigious Global Leadership Award for Open Innovation 2025. This accolade recognises his leadership in promoting environmental sustainability and inclusive economic development on a global scale.

By: Hayley Reid

Cayman, April 11, 2025 – The Elections Office issued 121 ballots yesterday for the upcoming General Election and Referendum.  This includes ballots distributed in Cayman Brac West & Little Cayman and Cayman Brac East.

Of the ballots issued, 82 postal ballots have been dispatched overseas via DHL, ensuring that Caymanians abroad have the opportunity to participate in this important electoral process. The remaining ballots are designated for local deliveries to individuals within the Cayman Islands who will be off-island on General Election and Referendum Day.

Expressing gratitude for the efforts behind this process, Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell stated, “I extend a huge thank you to all the designers and print technicians who worked long hours to produce the 19 sets of ballot papers, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service who secured the production process, the Elections Office staff who completed the logistical work, and the Returning Officers who issued the ballots.”

The process of issuing ballots was observed by a combination of candidates and designated agents, ensuring transparency and integrity in the election process.

Eligible voters who require a postal ballot or wish to do mobile voting are reminded that the deadline to apply is Thursday, 17 April 2025. However, individuals are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure timely processing and delivery.

For more information on postal ballots or other election-related enquiries, please visit elections.ky or contact the Elections Office directly.

Photo Caption (L-R): DHL Station Manager Christian Joseph, Supervisor of Elections Wesley Howell, Elections Office Manager Gina Whittaker, and DHL Courier Keneil Hillock.

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

The Bahamas, April 11, 2025 – Iram Lewis is the member of Parliament for Central Grand Bahama, a constituency in the nation’s second city of Freeport which he won in the 2017 and 2021 general elections on the FNM ticket; now he makes history as the first person to hold a parliamentary seat for the Coalition of Independents, COI.

“I stand before you today Madame Speaker and Bahamas, not with anger but with a profound sense of responsibility to my constituents and of course to the Bahamian people.  It is with this responsibility in mind that I announce my decision to painfully, yet courageously to withdraw from the Free National Movement caucus,” said Lewis during a special agenda item, allowed by the Speaker of the House.

It was not by election that this seat was won for the COI, but by a defection which left many stunned and others overjoyed.

“We are proud of Iram Lewis for making this step.  We have been talking for some time and he has stood with us on many of our protests for The Bahamian people and I think this was just natural progression,” said Lincoln Bain, Leader of the COI, who spoke to the significance of his party’s first seat.

“What makes this significant is not just the fact that the COI is now in the House of Assembly and now a part of the Government. No one has ever crossed the floor and gone to a third party before.”

Hon Lewis, on April 2nd, announced that a disappointing change in the ideologies of the Free National Movement party led him to be frank about his concerns.  Lewis said that candour, was not embraced, it was instead met with something the member found distasteful and devious.

“I have witnessed the departure from the collaborative spirit that should guide our actions. I have felt the lack of the support is due to any member of this body and in my case due to a personal choice that is also a constitutional right of mine.  My decision, I believe to not opening endorse the current leadership, a decision I made in good conscience has seemingly led to a situation where my dedication and my service are called into question.  With elections looming, uncertainty surrounding my candidacy for Central Grand Bahama, a constituency that I have faithfully serviced has become a matter of deep concern.”

Lewis believed there was a plot within the FNM to withdraw endorsement of him as candidate for his seat. It was also stated the same would be the fate of former prime minister, Hubert Minnis, who is the sitting member of the Killarney Constituency.

“Behind the scenes discussions, whispers and implications have eroded the trust that should exist between the party and its dedicated members.  My feelings.”

In a statement about the departure of Lewis, the FNM would confirm some suspicions and mere days later, Michael Pintard, as the FNM party leader announced to media the FNM would not endorse Minnis and publicly offered the former PM a consultancy role instead.

The PLP have admitted to enjoying the public spectacle created by the dismantling of the FNM.  The FNM defends that its house is in order.

“The people of The Bahamas deserve a government that is united in its commitment to progress and prosperity.  Therefore, from this day forward I will no longer remain where I am tolerated but where I believe I am appreciated.  I will not cross the floor and sit with the other side because it would be very disingenuous of me, having criticized the other side so openly and consistently,” said Lewis as part of his explanation.

“From this day forward I will sit as the first member of parliament representing the Coalition of Independents party.  I will dedicate myself to a bi partisan approach working with all members of this body – yes this take courage, this takes commitment – and I am convinced I am doing what I have to do.  I will be a voice for all Bahamians, regardless of their political affiliation.”

The COI welcomes this posture, saying Lewis’ stature in the House gives them a voice in parliament and insight into public spending.

“The momentum in this country has shifted.  Iram Lewis is a member of the Public Accounts Committee, PAC.  We’ve been the Public Accounts Committee in this country for a long time, we’ve also been the Freedom of Information Act (per se) and now we will have a legal position on the PAC, to actually find out what is going on in this country and to enforce some things.”

Iram Lewis thanked the “good people of Central Grand Bahama”, concluding his remarks with a pledge to continue serving diligently, to ensure “every dream is within reach.”