Latest World News

Guyanese-born movie star, Letitia Wright has already hit the ground running in Guyana as she visits her homeland.

Wright, 29, who arrived on Friday night, was out yesterday on a nature tour at the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Conservation and Development.

According to a post from Tourism Guyana, the Iwokrama Rain Forest is one of South America’s bird-watching hotspots, she will experience Guyana’s biodiversity first-hand and no visit to Iwokrama is complete without experiencing dawn chorus from the waters of the Essequibo River Guyana’s Conservation and Development in region 9.

Prior to this outing, Wright received a hearty welcome from the First Lady of Guyana, Arya Ali.

The warm exchange was shared on social media with the following post:

“Welcoming home our very own Letitia Wright or, what many of us prefer to call her, the Black Panther. Incredible few minutes interacting with this humble daughter of the soil who is here to explore her motherland, share her experiences and create memories with us over the next few days.

Letitia is an inspiration to every little child in Guyana with a dream. Her story inspires us to work hard and never quit on those dreams. We celebrate her, today and always. Welcome home, Black Panther.”

The movie star was extended an invitation by the President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali back in November 2022, to visit her homeland.

Watch from here; Wakanda Forever star Letitia Wright starts her adventure in Guyana

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Visit Guyana (@visitguyana)

Guyana-born actress Letitia Wright, widely known for her role in the Black Panther movie franchise, arrives in Guyana yesterday. There she received a warm welcome on her return.

At age seven, Letitia Wright experienced culture shock when her family migrated to Tottenham, London, from Guyana.

After a flight from the United Kingdom to Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, which arrived at 22:22 hrs, Wright was met with special performances by the National School of Dance, steel-pan music and a personal welcome by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond.

But the international star became more emotional as she hugged her father and grandmother who were in the reception team.

Years later, drenched in big shows and receptions abroad, Wright built her career as an actress in tears.

She told the press that when the plane landed, she remembered her last day in Guyana.

In expressing her gratitude for the warm reception, an emotional Wright recalled living in Guyana before migrating to the United Kingdom.

“I said bye to my friends and I came to the airport with my family.”

Wright shared that after checking in, she and her mom missed the flight while bidding farewell to everyone.

“I don’t know why I felt this at the age of eight but I felt that there was something for me to do. And God had a way of aligning everything. But I didn’t know that I would go away for so long. So, as I was landing, I was remembering that little girl and how frustrated she was in not knowing how much she would miss her country and how much she would mean to this country.”

“I just went to the UK and used the opportunity and God aligned me with acting. But he always aligned me with it. I was in my yard in Goed Intent singing Backstreet Boys songs… I would just be singing, dancing and acting, not knowing that God would use that in the years to come to inspire other people…”

“I come from a humble family, humble background and I just used every opportunity that I could to just use my talent for good… So, as you see me, I pray that you’re inspired no matter how old you are, no matter what you want to do… You continue to chase your dreams and you continue to use your talent and gifts for purpose because it’s allowed to travel the world. It’s allowed me to be honoured, it’s allowed me to honour other people and it’s allowed me to bring great honour to my country.”

Wright played the lead role of scientist “Shuri” and now Queen of Wakanda in the Black Panther film franchise. In her role, she won the hearts of her fans across the world as well as in her homeland.

“I’m proud to be Guyanese. I’ve always celebrated the fact that I am Guyanese. I celebrate that more than anything. So, I am just thankful for the welcome… You guys really went above and beyond to show me love and I promise to always honour you and show you love as well.”

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was a box office success after its release in theatres worldwide last November.

Soon after its release, President Dr Irfan Ali praised the star for her role and wished her a successful career. He also invited her to visit Guyana.

During her stay in Guyana, Wright will visit several locations in Guyana as she meets President Ali and celebrates her success in the film industry.

Among her activities, she will give an inspirational talk to young actors in Guyana. She will also watch her film with a group of Guyanese.

Guyana-born actress Letitia Wright, widely known for her role in the Black Panther movie franchise, arrives in Guyana yesterday.

You know her as Princess Shuri in Marvel’s Black Panther 1 and 2, and have seen her in other box office success films, including Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi adventure Ready Player One. Letitia Wright is undeniably a Black actress on the rise.

At age seven, Letitia Wright experienced culture shock when her family migrated to Tottenham, London, from Guyana. Coming from a place with a strong sense of community, she shared in an interview with Caribbean Beat that living in England was a stark contrast to what she was accustomed to in Guyana.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond welcomed the star on arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

In November last year, President Dr Irfaan Ali wrote a letter to Wright, congratulating her on her successful career and more so, her acclaimed role in the Black Panther movie and its sequel.

“The Government of Guyana would be honored to host you,” he said in a letter dated November 15.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Letitia Wright Update (@letitiawrightupdate)

She repeated the role in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and the blockbuster Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which is now showing in cinemas across the globe.

“If I can do it, you can do it too.” Guyanese-born Letitia Wright says she feels happy and honored to be an inspiration to her fellow Guyanese.

Letitia Michelle Wright was born on 31 October 1993 in Georgetown, Guyana. She has one brother, Ivan Bombokka.

she attended Northumberland Park Community School while her brother relocated to Europe.

In 2019, when she won the Bafta Rising Star Award, Leticia said during her acceptance speech, “I identify myself as a child of God and I can’t get up here without thanking God. A few years ago I saw myself in a deep state of depression and I literally wanted to quit acting. The only thing that pulled me out of it was God, my belief, my faith and my family…”

Watch;- Letitia has arrived in Guyana, such a beautiful welcome

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Letitia Wright Update (@letitiawrightupdate)

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is showing “remarkable improvement” over the past 24 hours, the team said in a statement Thursday morning, although he remains “critically ill” in a Cincinnati ICU nearly three days after suffering a harrowing cardiac arrest on the field that sent shockwaves through the NFL.

“While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact,” the Bills said in a statement. “His lungs continue to heal and he is making steady progress.”

Hamlin’s agent, Ronald Butler, told The Associated Press that Hamlin was awake and has been able to grip the hands of family members at his hospital bedside.

The developments came as the Bills were scheduled to return to practice on Thursday for the first time since Hamlin collapsed when his heart stopped after making a tackle and was rushed to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center during the first quarter of Buffalo’s game against the Bengals on Monday night.

The second-year player spent the past two days sedated and listed in critical condition.

Bills rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam posted a message Thursday on Twitter that said Hamlin “is doing better, awake and showing signs of improvement.”

The Bills’ announcement comes as they prepare to play a home game against the New England Patriots, and with the team still dealing with the shock of seeing their teammate collapse on the field, his heart not beating.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick called the update on Hamlin’s health encouraging.

“Life is bigger than this game. And I think this is one of those humbling moments for all of us,” Belichick said.

As to how his players were dealing with preparations for the game scheduled for Sunday, he said they are navigating it by the moment.

“I think we’re all doing the best that we can,” Belichick said. “All of those questions are out of our control. I’m not going to worry about any of those. We’re trying to control what we can control. That’s what we’re doing here and how we’re doing it. And we’re doing the best we can.”

After returning home early Tuesday once the game was suspended, the Bills held meetings and a walkthrough practice without any media availability on Wednesday. On Thursday, players were spotted arriving at the facility, though the team has not yet released a practice schedule.

Numerous players across the league — former teammates and those who didn’t know Hamlin until Monday — voiced their support, while saying they were shaken by what unfolded in front of a North American TV audience.

Colts safety Rodney Thomas made the two-hour drive from Indianapolis to Cincinnati on Tuesday just to be by the side of his former high school teammate.

“He’s a fighter. I know he’s a fighter and there’s no other thought in my mind other than him walking out under his own power,” Thomas said Wednesday.

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, who spent the previous four seasons playing for Buffalo, had dinner delivered to the hospital for Hamlin’s family and medical staff.

Hamlin’s marketing representative, Jordon Rooney, said Wednesday that the player’s family was buoyed by the words and acts of kindness.

“They are elated right now,” Rooney said. “Damar is still their first concern. But for them, they always look at how they can turn a somewhat troubling situation into a good one. The bounce back from this, for him and his family is going to be incredible.”

What remains unclear is whether the NFL will reschedule the Bills’ game against the Bengals, which has major implications in determining the top spot in the AFC. The playoffs are set to open on Jan. 14.

The Chiefs (13-3) have a half-game lead over Buffalo (12-3), with the Bills owning the tiebreaker after beating Kansas City this season. The Bengals (11-4) are currently the third seed and have also defeated the Chiefs.

Hamlin was hurt in the first quarter when he was struck squarely in the chest while making what appeared to be a routine tackle of Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin briefly got up and adjusted his facemask before collapsing backward.

Hamlin was selected by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Pitt. He spent his rookie season limited to special teams roles, and took over the starting safety job in Week 3 in place of veteran Micah Hyde, who remains sidelined by a neck injury.