Daily Archive: Saturday, October 31, 2020

Two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered England back into a national lockdown after the United Kingdom passed the milestone of one million COVID-19 cases and a second wave of infections threatened to overwhelm the health service.

Caribbean Airlines made its inaugural flight today to the E.F. Correia International Airport at Ogle.

Schools will open from November 9th for face-to-face engagement for students of Grades 10, 11 and 12.

The opposition APNU+AFC today again accused the government of bungling the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic citing the 103 deaths since the PPP/C took over on August 3rd and the rapidly rising number of cases.

(Reuters) – Scottish movie legend Sean Connery, who shot to international stardom as the suave, sexy and sophisticated British agent James Bond and went on to grace the silver screen for four decades, has died aged 90.

(Jamaica Observer) A fruit vendor in Allman Town, Kingston, is being hailed as a hero after he rescued a woman who was asleep while fire engulfed her home in the Kingston Gardens community yesterday evening.

The Guyana Government yesterday terminated with immediate effect the services of Colvin Heath-London, head of NICIL’s Special Purpose Unit (SPU) which had controversially presided over the disposal of assets of the sugar industry.  

Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) yesterday joined the Trade Finance Facilitation Programme (TFFP) of the Inter-American Develop-ment Bank (IDB) and will now have access to a US$7 million line of credit with which it can provide financing to a host of sectors, including the oil and gas industry and small businesses.

Saying that a monitoring team recently came under gunfire from miners, the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development yesterday announced a reward for information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of persons engaged in illegal activities in the protected forest, while warning that perpetrators will face the full force of the law.

The government’s roll back of COVID-19 restrictions will continue next month with the reopening of schools and the restart of sporting events, according to the new COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are due to take effect from tomorrow.

The main opposition APNU+AFC yesterday pressed for an independent, international investigation into the killings of West Coast Berbice (WCB) youths Isaiah and Joel Henry and Haresh Singh, while saying that state is duty-bound to deliver.

Guyana’s COVID-19 fatalities now stand at 124 after another death was on Friday recorded even as cases continue to rise.

Lawyers for Bibi Sharima-Gopaul and her former partner Jarvis Small, the two persons found guilty of murdering 16-year-old Neesa Gopaul, yesterday argued that several irregularities may have led to their conviction.

Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon has once again called for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to be allocated the funds that will allow it to begin preparing for local government polls next year.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony is warning members of the public to be wary of private institutions claiming to offer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19 as only one lab has been granted permission to conduct those tests.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) did a remarkable job in their run-chase as they beat Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) by seven wickets in Match 50 of the Dream11 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

A policeman was yesterday arrested during a sting operation after he was allegedly caught soliciting money from a member of the public who wished to avoid prosecution.

Despite the financial difficulties Cricket West Indies face, it will not benefit financially from the West Indies’ tour of New Zealand.

I was very pleased when I saw young Windies Under – 19 fast bowler Jayden Seales’ name in the West Indies touring party for their test assignment against New Zealand in the coming weeks. 

Dear Editor, An October 19th OilNow article titled: ‘LNG Company targets big benefits from Guyana gas-to-power plan’, makes a case for developing in-country liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity, in alignment, the LNG company states, GoG plans to introduce natural gas (NG)-to-power and countrywide pipeline utility gas service.

Twenty-seven years after migrating to Canada, a Guyanese-born woman is slated to take up her new post as vice-president of finance and operations at the University of Guelph in the province of Ontario, where thousands of her countrymen and women live, the Guelph Mercury Tribune reported this week.

Dear Editor, The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central (RCGC) on Sunday, Novem-ber 01, 2020, celebrates 37 years since its establishment.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday engaged the parents of CAPE and CSEC-level students from regions 1, 8, 9 and 10 on its plans to prepare for the sitting of exams next year.

With many schools still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Education is continuing to distribute print packages to students to ensure continued learning.

As cancer awareness month comes to an end, the Guyana Cancer Institute was presented with a cheque from the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) and Nexgen Golf Academy to help in the fight against the disease.

Dear Editor, The Ameena Gafoor Foundation deserves plaudits for initiating the Inden-tureship Institute to conduct research on the legacies of indentureship (Al Creighton column Sunday Stabroek  Oct 25).

MILWAUKEE/ROCHESTER, Minn.,  (Reuters) – President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden yesterday sought support in Midwestern states where the coronavirus has roared back, with Trump falsely accusing doctors of profiting from COVID-19 deaths while Biden said Trump had surrendered to the pandemic.

CAW Designs brings a modern twist to the Guyanese brand and boasts to be one that speaks volumes when it comes to presentation, finish, and class.

The Guyana Golf Association ‘Shoot for Cash’ activity in support of Cancer Awareness Month was a testament to how strong Guyanese can be in the face of adversity as the week long event was successfully completed while adhering to the strict COVID-19 guidelines.

Dhal has always been one of my favourite dishes. I especially like it simply – with rice and achar.

Three firefighters who were accused of stealing items from the site where a Fly Jamaica plane crash landed at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, almost two years ago, have been freed of the charge after a court upheld no-case submissions made by their attorneys earlier this week.

Canada has announced that its envoy here, Lilian Chatterjee, has been appointed as the new High Commissioner for Barbados.

NAIROBI, (Reuters) – Tanzania’s President John Magufuli was re-elected for a second, five-year term yesterday, securing a huge victory in a contest that has been dismissed by the opposition as a “travesty” due to widespread irregularities.

Dear Editor, The month of November is celebrated globally as the commemoration of the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Gym owners will have the option of  reopening their doors to 50% capacity and sports events are now permitted under the new COVID-19 measures.

A lone gunman yesterday robbed a Skeldon money changer and a vendor of a total of $525,000 in cash at the Skeldon Market. 

DUBAI,  (Reuters) – Iran accused the United States yesterday of acting like the “Pirates of the Caribbean” after Washington said it had sold off Iranian crude oil shipments that it seized on their way to Venezuela.

Every joyous and celebratory moment this year has felt like a forced attempt at retaining some amount of normalcy.

BRASILIA,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s government will “of course” buy a Chinese COVID-19 vaccine that is being tested in the country, Vice President Hamilton Mourão said yesterday, in the latest example of him contradicting President Jair Bolsonaro.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick wants to see highly regarded left-hander Nicholas Pooran playing the longest format within a year.

Dear Editor, I am flummoxed at discussions regarding rebuilding the penitentiary located at Camp Street in Georgetown.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) yesterday warned all vendors that with effect from Monday, November 2nd, 2020, it will not allow unauthorised vending in and around Georgetown.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is continuing to provide temporary shelter for squatters from Success at the Graham’s Hall Primary School.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, CMC – Members of the travel-weary West Indies touring party have all tested negative for COVID-19 following their arrival here yesterday.

(Trinidad Express) Former Government Minister Vasant Bharath has issued a warning to the People’s National Movement (PNM) that under his leadership the United National Congress (UNC) will return to Government.

Soca diva Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts, has dropped another captivating single called “Grab On”, her first in eight months since “I am 592” saw her earning third place in this year’s Soca Monarch Competition.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Twitter said yesterday it had changed its policy and lifted a freeze it placed on the account of the New York Post after the newspaper published articles about Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s son.

Dear Editor, The occasion of Youman Nabi saw a well-organized and executed programme at the ACIC, during which the many speakers exhorted for peace and unity among the populace.

The police are responsible for enforcing the law. They work to ensure our safety and to maintain the peace.

MOSCOW/BRASILIA,  (Reuters) – The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is backing the development and roll-out of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, said yesterday it had completed the pre-submission of preliminary documents to Brazil’s health regulator.

(Reuters) – Australian batsman Steve Smith has ruled out participating in the country’s domestic Twenty20 Big Bash League this season, saying that continuing to play in bio-secure bubbles amid the COVID-19 pandemic will take a toll on his mental health.

Sheldin Wolin, a professor of political theory at Princeton University wisely observed that “The experience of democracy is not ultimately about winning but about deliberating and acting together.”

Chinese engineering company Sinohydro, which is contracted to execute upgrading works along Sheriff Street and Mandela Avenue, has moved ahead with the trial application of asphalt between the Rupert Craig Highway and David Street, Kitty.

Charmaine Blackman’s virtual concerts have become a sweet treat for all of Guyana to anticipate.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – Wealthy nations grouped together in the Paris Club of creditors have waived Cuba’s annual payment for restructured debt but plan to impose a penalty on the Communist–run island, according to five Western diplomats with knowledge of the situation.

Dear Editor, Just a brief enquiry… Haven’t heard from the political spy chief, James Bond, since the US Million-dollar disclosure or is it a “ bust”…which is so strange as he is such an informative chap to hear from.