GEORGETOWN, Guyana, May 22, CMC -The Guyana government says it is advancing plans to develop an industrial hemp industry here with areas within the country already identified for hemp cultivation once a processing plant is established. Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that the Guyana Industrial Hemp Regulatory Authority has now become operational and that a […]
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Barbados Revenue Authority warns of fraudulent emails
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, May 22, CMC – The Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) is warning against what it described as “fraudulent emails” currently being circulated on social media and claiming to be from the Authority. “The emails falsely reference an “Official Notification Regarding Your Tax Account” and are not legitimate communications from the BRA. The messages also display […]
Government names new chairman for reconstituted Fiscal Council of Barbados
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, May 22, CMC – Government says it has reconstituted the Fiscal Council of Barbados, a body of independent experts charged with one mission, which is to assess, publicly and honestly, how well the government is managing the country’s finances on behalf of the population. “Good governance is not just about making the right […]
CWI and WIPA pay tribute to title-winning Red Force
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, May 21, CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are champions of the West Indies Championship for the first time in two decades, after a composed and determined 141-run victory over the defending champions, the Guyana Harpy Eagles, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Wednesday. Cricket West Indies (CWI) President, Dr […]
‘So loved by so many’: Tributes to dad killed in shark attack off Rottnest Island
The loved ones of shark attack victim Steven Mattaboni have come together to pay tribute to the father-of-two.
With feet in the sand at one of his favourite beaches today, they remembered the proud dad who would want his girls to carry on his love of the ocean.
"Steve had two great loves: his first great love was the ocean and he was a really talented fisherman, and his greatest love was his family. He was just so proud of his two beautiful daughters," friend Liam Thomas said.
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Those closest to him stood side by side today as they opened up about the heartache and grief that comes in waves.
His best mate of more than 30 years was speaking out for the first time since his loss.
"Steve truly was the type of person that would give the shirt off his back," Thomas said.
"He was charismatic, loyal, funny, hardworking and had so many wonderful qualities that just made him so loved by so many people."
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The 38-year-old was spearfishing off Rottnest Island on Saturday when he was bitten on the legs by a four-metre great white shark.
His wife and two young girls were his lifeline.
"He was just so proud of his two beautiful daughters, and everything that he did for them and everything that he worked for was for them," Thomas said.
Donations have poured in, more than $376,000 raised for his family.
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Mattaboni's loved ones say it's important not to remember his life by how it was taken, rather by how it was lived.
They have been left broken but also with beautiful memories.
"Steve would absolutely want us to continue enjoying the ocean the way that he did, but also encouraging his beautiful girls to enjoy the water like he did as well," Thomas said.
"(We'll) continue to remember Steve in Rottnest and that place will always hold a special place in our hearts moving forward."
Truck hits dozens of sprinklers in busy Sydney tunnel
Drivers in a busy Sydney tunnel have witnessed a spray after a truck hit the overhead sprinklers this morning.
Footage shows the moment Sydney's Airport M5 tunnel's sprinkler system was activated after being bumped by the truck, sending water pouring onto the road below the airport tarmac.
Traffic conditions returned to normal shortly after the incident.
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Maintenance crews will now repair the damage outside of peak travel times.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said repairs will have to take place outside of busy peak periods.
"Transport for NSW is advising motorists that all southbound lanes of General Holmes Drive at Mascot, including within the Airport Tunnel, are now open following an earlier incident involving the activation of the tunnel's overhead sprinkler system," the spokesperson said.
"The incident occurred about 5.15am this morning when a truck travelling in lane 1 struck multiple overhead sprinkler heads, causing the system to activate and resulting in the temporary closure of one southbound lane.
"Emergency services and Transport for NSW maintenance crews attended the scene promptly to assess and manage the situation.
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"All southbound lanes have since been safely re-opened, with no delays currently being experienced by motorists. The driver of the vehicle is assisting authorities.
"As a precautionary measure, the southbound sprinkler system within the tunnel has been isolated following the damage to infrastructure.
"Fire and Rescue NSW has been notified, and appropriate safety protocols have been implemented.
"Maintenance crews will undertake repair work to replace the damaged sprinkler heads outside of peak travel times, with works scheduled to occur tonight following further assessment.
"Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience and cooperation while crews responded to the incident and restored normal traffic conditions. Motorists are encouraged to continue to check Live Traffic for the latest updates."
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Police issue fresh update on investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
UK police say the ongoing investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is broad and could cover alleged sexual misconduct, as they made a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward.
The update comes about three months after the former prince was arrested at his Sandringham home in February.
While he was released shortly after, police have continued their investigation into an allegation of misconduct in public office, after the US Justice Department released files that suggested he may have allegedly shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
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In an update today, Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright told local media that misconduct in public office can cover a range of offences, including sexual misconduct and perverting the course of justice, as he appealed for fresh information from the public.
Police are reportedly concerned witnesses may believe investigators are only focusing on the allegation that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential information with Epstein.
"Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation," Wright said.
"Our team of very experienced detectives are working meticulously through a significant amount of information that has come in from the public and other sources.
"We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation into all reasonable lines of inquiry, wherever they may lead."
Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed as the UK trade envoy in 2001, a role in which he is alleged to have committed misconduct in public office.
Wright said police were also assessing reports a woman in her 20s was taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual misconduct.
The victim-survivor alleged to the BBC that Epstein had sent her for Mountbatten-Windsor.
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Wright said police are engaging with the woman's lawyer, but she has not yet reported the offence.
Police acknowledged victim-survivors may be put off from coming forward due to the national and international focus but assured them the door is open whenever they are ready to come forward.
"In terms of Epstein victims and survivors, we hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward and I really want to stress that our door is open whenever a victim-survivor is ready to engage with us," Wright said.
"We're ready for you at whatever point that may be."
Police are working with the UK government and the US Justice Department to receive as much information as possible.
King Charles, in a statement after his younger brother's arrest earlier this year, said police had his "full and wholehearted" support and cooperation.
"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," he said at the time.
Wright said the ongoing investigation will be thorough, lengthy and complex.
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Everest sees record 274 climbers in single day, including Aussie milestone
A record 274 climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest in a single day on Wednesday, as mountaineers rushed to take advantage of a brief stretch of clear weather on the world's tallest peak.
Nepalese officials confirmed a new record for Everest's southern route, with hundreds making the push toward the summit before conditions deteriorate later in the season.
Among them was 18-year-old Melbourne student Bianca Adler, who became the youngest Australian to summit Everest.
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"We just got news that Bianca is at the summit of Mt Everest!" her mother, Fiona Adler, wrote on the family blog on the day.
Hours later, Bianca shared an audio update while descending back down the mountain.
"I feel pretty awful," she said.
"I still have to go to camp 2. I'm just resting, just trying to take it one step at a time."
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYj2yMpScMV/
To avoid getting caught behind crowds in extreme cold, Bianca began the final stretch overnight while it was still dark.
Her mother described it as "a small price to pay for a safe and successful summit".
The Victorian teenager overtakes fellow Melbourne climber Gabby Kanizay, who previously held the record after summiting Everest at age 19 in 2022.
Bianca, a VCE student at St Leonard's College in Brighton East, has spent years climbing peaks across the Himalayas, Alps and Andes after growing up around the French Alps.
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Last year, she became the youngest female climber to summit Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain.
Her Everest success comes less than a year after she was forced to turn back about five hours short of the summit due to brutal weather conditions.
Nepalese authorities said nearly 500 climbers and a similar number of Sherpa guides are expected to attempt Everest before the climbing season ends later this month.
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Budget 2026: $35 million boost announced for ambulance services
The investment aims to cut avoidable emergency transports by 23,000 a year.
Roblox introduces new parental controls – but admits it can’t be sure the ‘parent’ is legitimate
New age-based accounts in New Zealand group children and restrict games by age.