Daily Archive: Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Tragedy Five GDF servicemen died in copter crash: Tributes and condolences poured in yesterday for the five members of the Guyana Defence Force who perished in a helicopter crash on last Wednesday.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s acceptance letter to the meeting on Thursday with President Irfaan Ali envisages the resumption of direct talks with Guyana on the border controversy – a position that Georgetown has already ruled out.

Meeting in an emergency session yesterday, the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana (CMGG) has rejected recent actions by Venezuela that it said constitute a threat to this country’s sovereignty and it called for Caracas to fully respect the provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Essequibo controversy.

BANGKOK,  (Reuters) – Myanmar has become the world’s largest source of opium, thanks to domestic instability and a decline in cultivation in Afghanistan, the United Nations said in a report on Tuesday.

NAIROBI, (Reuters) – Visitors to Kenya from across the world will no longer require a visa from January, President William Ruto said today.

(Trinidad Guardian) When fire erupted at their New Grant home on Sunday night, 92-year-old Surujdai Soogrim fought to save her son instead of saving herself.

(Trinidad Express) The body of a man found in Cunupia on Saturday morning has been identified as 20-year-old Elijah Lashley.

By Antonio Dey Based on tabulations, 21, 782 Venezuelan migrants have been registered in nine regions and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has once again called on the government to curb the influx.

The Auditor General’s report for 2022 says that $725m in drugs and medical supplies were still outstanding at the end of August this year.

HGP Nightly News journalist, Travis Chase escaped what appeared to be an attempt on his life last night at D’Urban Street and Cemetery Road after a gunman on a motorcycle shot several times at his car.

Kosmos Grill and Lounge yesterday announced that December will be their last month at MovieTowne Guyana as they have been negatively impacted by the mall’s new venture.

A Glasgow construction worker was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged with the murder of a Heathburn Village, East Bank Berbice businessman who succumbed on Wednesday last in the Intensive Care Unit at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, some thirteen days after he was stabbed multiple times.

By Subhana Shiwmangal The mini-bus accident on the East Bank Demerara Public Road on Sunday morning has claimed the life of a third person.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) says that even as it mourns with all Guyana the loss of the five soldiers who perished in a helicopter crash last week, it is calling for a full and thorough investigation into what may have caused it. 

By Michaelangelo Jacobus After weeks of anticipation amid an air of hype among the football fans and players alike, the fourth edition of the Goodwill Schools Football tournament kicks off today at the Queen’s College Ground on Thomas Lands.

On Saturday morning, a female prison officer was found with marijuana in the compound of the New Amsterdam jail.

The Gokarn Ramdhani Memorial Tournament wrapped up on Saturday at the National Gymnasium and saw Priyanna Ramdhani and Akili Haynes prevailing in the finals of the Women and Men’s U-23 categories respectively.

Dear Editor, In the early months of 1991, when negotiations began for financial assistance to respond to the balance of payments crisis in Barbados, both the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank were involved with the IMF in the discussions.

Dear Editor, On December 8th, 2023, the Government of Guyana (GoG) announced a 6.5% across the board increase for public sector employees, bringing the cumulative total to date to 21.5% for the period 2021-2023.

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) says it views the government’s recent unilateral salary imposition of 6.5% for Public Sectors Workers as insensitive, uncaring, and a blatant disregard for the collective bargaining process.

As longstanding Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President, Hilbert Foster prepares to step away from the game, he has been issued a directive by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to submit audited financial reports for 2022 and 2023.

32-year-old Kwesi Sumner who was arrested for the fatal stabbing of Raymond Cozier, a 16-year-old miner of Isseneru Village, Middle Mazaruni River on November 6th was charged with his murder on November 10th.

Dear Editor, It has become the norm, without exception, that the Opposition in Guyana utilizes every opportunity to give a political twist and flavour to each and every issue.

Dear Editor, Shocking it is! “Two of the most common mental health conditions, depression and anxiety, cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year.

Vice President of the United Socialist Party (USPV), Diosdado Cabello yesterday encouraged the militants of the party to work on selecting heads of the municipal and regional council in what they are calling “Guayana Esequiba”.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday said that the two Guyana Defence Force (GDF) personnel who survived the helicopter crash at Arau, Region Seven are both recuperating.

Dear Editor, Is Venezuela on the path of becoming a ‘rogue’ state?

Dear Editor, Congratulations to the West Indies on winning an ODI home series against England for the first time since 1998.

CAIRO/UNITED NATIONS,  (Reuters) – Hunger was worsening among Palestinians in the besieged Gaza strip, aid agencies said, as the United Nations General Assembly prepared to vote on Tuesday on an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the two-month-old conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday disclosed an upgrade in dental services at two flagship health centres, Campbellville Health Centre, and Enmore Polyclinic.

WASHINGTON/GUATEMALA CITY,  (Reuters) – The U.S. government announced measures yesterday to punish what it has described as anti-democratic moves by officials including Guatemala’s top prosecutor that seek to annul the election won decisively by President-elect Bernardo Arevalo.

Dear Editor, One cannot help but reflecting on the missed opportunities we have had to collect and construct a database of Guyana’s cultural heritage and now with the looming threats from Venezuela one would hope that this national duty will be fulfilled without delay.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. special counsel prosecuting Donald Trump on federal charges of trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat asked the Supreme Court yesterday to launch a fast-track review of the former president’s claim he cannot be tried on those charges.

Mobile finance company, mmg yesterday announced the appointment of Mark Singh as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective November 2023.

Dear Editor, Insulting.  Pitiful.  Shocking.  Those are some of the milder words I have heard used to describe the recent pay increase for public servants. 

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – A land-based cruise missile launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen has struck a commercial tanker vessel, causing a fire and damage but no casualties, two U.S.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – Three Cubans are facing up to 30 years in jail for anti-government propaganda and violence, state-run media said, in attacks authorities allege were funded from outside Cuba and aimed to destabilize the island’s government.

Customs and Law Enforcement Officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), have seized twenty-four packs of Leaves, Seeds and Stems, (suspected to be Cannabis Sativa) found concealed between several bedsheets imported in a parcel from the USA.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – West Indies Under-19s will feature on the opening day of the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup against hosts South Africa on January 19 next year at J.B.

(Field Level Media) Joel Embiid had 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in three quarters and the host Philadelphia 76ers blitzed the Washington Wizards 146-101 yesterday.

If there is anything that we, as Guyanese, must seek to learn from the recent quixotic behaviour from a Venezuelan President long in the throes of fending off his own political demons, is that, in our particular circumstances, we need to move with due haste to understanding the true meaning of our national motto, One People, One Nation, One Destiny and to apply that meaning to the process of expunging the various kinds of internal divisions in which we have historically indulged.

(Field Level Media) Bennedict Mathurin piled up 30 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and the visiting Indiana Pacers handed the Detroit Pistons their single-season, franchise-record-tying 20th consecutive loss, 131-123, last night.

Dear Editor, When there is a national crisis, as in an invasion threat and annexation of a country, government and opposition, supported by civil society, tend to come together thinking of and planning common strategies to counter the peril.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,  CMC – West Indies and England will start to fine-tune their preparations for the ICC Men’s Twenty20 International Cricket World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean and the United States today in Barbados.

DUBAI,  (Reuters) – A draft of a potential climate deal at the COP28 summit yesterday suggested a range of measures countries could take to slash greenhouse gas emissions, but omitted the “phase out” of fossil fuels many nations have demanded – drawing criticism from the U.S.,

By Carlos Nobre and Marielos Peña-Claros SÃO PAULO/WAGENINGEN – This year has been the warmest on record, with climate change causing more frequent and intense heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and droughts.

(Trinidad Guardian) One Colombian male and two females from the Dominican Republic who were charged with Human Trafficking offences and an offence under the Children’s Act were all denied bail when they appeared before a Scarborough Magistrate on 4th December 2023.

(Reuters) – Six athletes – Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles, Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, Tigist Assefa, Kelvin Kiptum, and Yulimar Rojas – were all named World Athletes of the Year on Monday after the awards were expanded into three categories.

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Cricket Australia will conduct a “thorough review” into Sunday’s abandoned Big Bash League (BBL) match in Geelong after the Melbourne Renegades-Perth Scorchers clash was called off with 6.5 overs bowled due to safety concerns about the pitch.

(Field Level Media) Duncan Robinson scored 24 points and the Miami Heat overcame some shoddy final-minute sequences to hold on for a 116-114 victory against the host Charlotte Hornets last night.

(Reuters) – The Canadian federal government announced yesterday the formation of an independent commission that will look into abuses within the national sport system but stopped short of the public inquiry many groups have demanded.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates,  CMC – West Indies and England will be the first two teams that will trial new regulations to increase the pace of play in their Twenty20 International series that opens tomorrow at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

(Reuters) – Three uncapped players have been included in England’s squad for the five-test series against India, which begins in January.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,  CMC – England fast bowler Jofra Archer made a surprise appearance for his relegation-threatened alma mater, Foundation School in the Barbados Cricket Association’s Division 1 championship on Sunday.

(Reuters) – Novak Djokovic turns 37 next year but the Serbian says his appetite for success will only increase with young challengers awakening the “beast” in him.