Daily Archive: Saturday, April 17, 2021

The Ministry of Health today reported that there were 120 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 persons are in the ICU.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) today defended a joint anti-smuggling operation in Lethem on Thursday which has raised questions about the manner in which the exercise was conducted.

Yesterday, the Guyana Prison Service hosted a Tactical Exercise Without Troops (TEWTs) at the Mazaruni Prisons.

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess and French Non-Resident Ambassador to Guyana Antoine Joly have signed a Letter of Intent which paves the way for enhanced cooperation between the GDF and the French Military.

WINDSOR, England, (Reuters) – Queen Elizabeth and her family paid their last respects to Prince Philip at a funeral today  that celebrated his naval past, his international heritage and seven decades of service in which he helped guide the queen through repeated crises.

(Trinidad Guardian) Energy Minister Franklin Khan is dead. In a brief post, Prime Minister Keith Rowley extended “his deepest condolences to the family of Senator the Hon Franklin Khan”.

The Ministry of Health says that another person who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has died.

Frustrated at the delay in wages negotiations between the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and their union, GAWU, employees of the Uitvlugt Estate yesterday downed tools and called for speedy talks on pay increases dating back to 2019.

By Readawne Henery Young adults have begun streaming into vaccination centres to get their COVID-19 shots after the government announced on Thursday that persons 18 years and over were eligible from yesterday.

The procedures of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) are expected to see “some” internal changes following the actions of some ranks during a recent anti-smuggling operation in Lethem, according to CANU Head James Singh.

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is expected to meet “soon” to examine a study to determine how soon the party will host its overdue 21st Biennial Delegates’ Congress this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, party leader David Granger said on Friday.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said that increased calls by the public led to the government’s decision to extend the National COVID-19 Vaccination Pro-gramme to its entire adult population, although Guyana is yet to acquire enough COVID-19 vaccines to immunise everyone.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday confirmed the deaths of four more persons who were infected with COVID-19.

A nurse was on Friday charged with fraud after being accused of obtaining monies from persons through the operation of a Ponzi scheme.

Despite continuing contentions over its chairmanship, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has moved to seek nominees in order to reconstitute the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

Guyana is rated “Free” in Freedom House’s latest Freedom in the World report, an annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide, although it still has the lowest score among Carib-bean countries except for Haiti.

The Guyana senior men’s basketball team suffered their second consecutive loss in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers, losing to powerhouse Jamaica 107-87 last evening at the José Adolfo Pineda National Gymnasium in El Salvador.

The Guyana Court of Appeal has set Mon-day, June 14th, to hear the appeal filed by the main opposition APNU+AFC to the dismissal of one of its two petitions challenging the March 2nd, 2020 General Elections.

West Indies’ Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams believes that there must be some sort of competitive cricket played in order to keep advancing the standard of the sport in the region.

With supplies of basic household items running low in the remote communities of the Parabara and Masakenari in Deep South Rupununi, Toshaos Richard Andrews and Paul Chekema are appealing for relief packages for their villages.

Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings 107/4 (Moeen Ali 46, Faf du Plessis 36*; Mohammad Shami 2/21) beat Punjab Kings 106/8 (Shahrukh Khan 47, Jhye Richardson 15; Deepak Chahar 4/13) by 6 wickets The bowlers led from the front once again in the early stage of the season as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured their first victory of the VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Match 8 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai yesterday.

Parliament Office has announced that all meetings of Parliamentary Committees and Sub-Committees at the Public Buildings have been be discontinued with immediate effect until further notice due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases.

Thirty arrest warrants were on Friday issued for persons who were due to be formally charged with breaching restrictions on social activities. 

The domestic-based Guyana senior men’s national squad will restart training sessions at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre today in preparation for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in June a release from the Guyana Football Federation yesterday stated.

President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle is looking at the glass half-full despite the local boxers suffering a serious blow to their chances at competing at the Olympic Games following the cancellation of the boxing qualifier for the Americas. 

A search is underway for a Crabwood Creek, Upper Corentyne fisherman who went missing in the Corentyne River on Thursday evening.

Dear Editor, Due to the rise in cases of COVID-19, including five members of staff who tested positive during the past week, the Speaker of the National Assembly has decided that all meetings of Parliamentary Committees and Sub-Committees at the Public Buildings will be discontinued with immediate effect until further notice.

Cyclists will be back in action tomorrow for just the third time this quiet season, battling for spoils on the open roads.

Sentenced last month to 47 years in prison for raping an eight-year-girl back in 2015 and then repeating the crime two years later, Ivor Laud has lodged an appeal with the Guyana Court of Appeal on the claim that his sentence is too harsh. 

Dear Editor, I would like to do a follow-up to a letter that was kindly published by your newspaper a few weeks ago titled `Illegal structures on Deobirana St affecting residents’ which noted that a home owner has illegally extended his property over the alleyway blocking off the drainage so he can build for himself, family and friends a bar in which they can gather late into the nights breaking curfew measures and skirting Covid-19 regulations and safety guidelines.

There is still a possibility that South Africa Under-19s could tour the Caribbean this year.

Found guilty last month and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a fisherman, whose body he buried in the Number 68 Village, Corentyne backlands, Munilall Sarjoo has appealed his conviction.

Dear Editor, In reference to the letter from Swami Aksharnand, he has justifiable reason(s) to question the selection and use of the West Coast Masjid (Apr 7) as a site for Covid vaccinations if equitable consideration was not given to sites of other religions or religious organizations.

LONDON, CMC – Veteram seamer Kemar Roach yesterday snatched two wickets to inch closer to 400 first class wickets as Surrey flourished on the second day of their County Championship match against Leicestershire at the Oval.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – President Joe Biden yesterday sought to present a united front with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to counter an increasingly assertive China as the U.S.

Venezuelan currency and contraband have been seized by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) as part of its operations to locate marijuana camps along the Mahaicony River area.

Dear Editor, From the time she took office, Hon. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security has impressed and has been impressive.

A West La Penitence, Georgetown man was on Friday charged with raping a minor under the age of 16.

Jaylen Brown scored 40 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Boston Celtics closed out a perfect road trip with a 121-113 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday.

CHICAGO, (Reuters) – Hundreds marched through the streets of Chicago yesterday to protest the police shooting of Adam Toledo, a day after the city released a graphic video of a police officer shooting and killing the 13-year-old Latino boy in an alley two weeks ago.

Dear Editor, I was delighted to note in your Thursday 16 April edition of Stabroek News, front page coverage of “Guyana COVID-19 Vaccination Sites”. 

Retired NBA star Dwyane Wade bought an undisclosed share of the Utah Jazz with plans to be active in the team’s operation and in the community, ESPN reported yesterday.

(Reuters) – The gunman who opened fire at a FedEx site in Indianapolis, killing eight workers, then himself, was a 19-year-old former employee with a history of mental illness that led to his detention by law enforcement last year, police and FBI officials said yesterday.

Frontera Energy Corporation and CGX Energy Inc., joint venture partners in Petroleum Prospecting Licenses for the Corentyne and Demerara blocks offshore Guyana, on Friday announced that they have entered into a term sheet for a US$19 million loan that will enable CGX to continue to finance its share of costs related to the oil blocks, the Berbice Deepwater Port, and other budgeted costs as agreed to by Frontera.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha on Friday assured flooded farmers that emergency works to repair the dams and clear clogged channels in the Mahaicony area would begin over the weekend.

Dear Editor, Guyana’s Opposition Leader Mr. Joseph Harmon is still contending that Mr.

Eight companies have submitted bids for the rehabilitation of the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – Raul Castro confirmed he was handing over the leadership of the all-powerful Cuban Communist Party to a younger generation at its congress that kicked off yesterday, ending six decades of rule by himself and older brother Fidel.

MUMBAI, (Reuters) – The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) most expensive signing Chris Morris proved he is worth every penny as the all-rounder fired Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling three-wicket victory against Delhi Capitals on Thursday.

For some time now, photos with the SR Photography watermark have been blowing up social media, but not many people are aware that the S and R stand for Steven Ramphal, the singer/songwriter who was the 2019 Chutney Monarch.

Dear Editor, In certain quarters, there continue to be a concerted and concentrated effort, to convey the impression that there is a rift between Vice President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Dr.

TORONTO/OTTAWA,  (Reuters) – The Canadian province of Ontario expanded and extended a stay at home order yesterday and said police will be given new powers to stop and question people who leave home as expert advisors warned that new cases of COVID-19 will continue to soar, overwhelming hospitals.

MUMBAI, (Reuters) – Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting was left to rue his team’s poor bowling on Thursday after they allowed Rajasthan Royals’ Chris Morris to smack four sixes off the final 10 balls to seal a three-wicket win in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

(Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica— Jamaica’s COVID-19 death toll surpassed 700 after recording 16 virus-related deaths yesterday as the country recorded 233 new cases of the virus.

The loud whistling kettle interrupts my thoughts. Slowly, almost reluctantly, I raise the upper half of my body that was leaning on the kitchen counter, looking through the closed glass window.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – NASA awarded billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX a $2.9 billion contract to build a spacecraft to bring astronauts to the moon as early as 2024, the agency said yesterday, picking it over Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and defense contractor Dynetics Inc.

Dear Editor,  Guyanese have a reputation of coming together to give assistance to our neighbouring countries that are in great need.

Mayor Ubraj Narine has denied a suggestion that the City Council is considering disposing of its Water Street property that houses the City Constabulary Training Complex.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – England all-rounder Ben Stokes will be sidelined for about three months after fracturing his finger while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said  yesterday.

The Guyana Police Force Marine Department’s Marine Vessel (MV) Baramani has been restored to full operation.

(The Nassau Guardian) Six men who were released from police custody on Wednesday were shot and killed two hours later at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and Chesapeake Road by assailants who escaped the scene, authorities reported last night.

My late godmother used to say that she was really happy about the time period in which she was born.

WASHINGTON/KAMPALA,  (Reuters) – The United States is imposing visa bans on Ugandan government officials accused of human rights violation and repressive acts that tainted the January election, putting pressure on longtime Western ally President Yoweri Museveni.

Dear Editor, Trinidad is snapping up prized oil business like a bear catching salmon in spawning season.

SANTIAGO, (Reuters) – China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine was 67% effective in preventing symptomatic infection, data from a huge real-world study in Chile has shown, a potential boost for the jab which has come under scrutiny over its level of protection against the virus.

Moray House Trust in collaboration with the Amateur Astronomers Association of Guyana presents Astronomy in the Caribbean, a virtual event today at 5 pm for all astronomy enthusiasts.

(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal suffered a shock quarter-final defeat by Russian Andrey Rublev at the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday as he was overpowered 6-2 4-6 6-2, only his sixth ever loss at the tournament he has won 11 times.

LIMA,  (Reuters) – Former Peruvian president Martín Vizcarra has been banned from holding public office for 10 years in a unanimous vote by the country’s congress after he allegedly jumped the queue to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Dear Editor, Small businesses have brought to my attention their inability to register with Exxon and affiliated companies to get contracts under the local content policy.

The police are yet to apprehend a second suspect wanted in connection with the murder of Roy Ross, who was found dead on Easter Monday.

(Trinidad Express) The 60 year old man who suffered a blood clot and paralysis after taking the AstraZeneca vaccine has died.

El Dorado Tours presents a Designers Fashion Auction and afternoon tea series that is likely to begin on May 1 and continues for four consecutive weekends where designers will have the opportunity to have their latest designs sold.

(Reuters) – Liberty University has sued its former president Jerry Falwell Jr, a once influential figure among U.S.

PRETORIA, (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman struck a blazing half-century as they survived a scare to seal a three-wicket victory over depleted South Africa with a ball to spare and win the four-match Twenty20 International series 3-1 yesterday.

Dear Editor, Please explain why, with reference to the death of Walter Rodney that occurred in 1980, the Head of Government of the Republic at that time is referred to as “the Prime Minister”.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips through his office will be collaborating with Junior Chambers International (JCI) Guyana in a campaign to encourage the public to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines and to get vaccinated against the virus, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported.

Undoubtedly the culture in Guyana is changing largely because of the new oil industry.

By the end of this week, Ontario could no longer deny that the province’s third wave of Covid infections had become a crisis.