Regional News

RIO DE JANEIRO,  (Reuters) – Brazil yesterday reported a daily record of 3,869 new COVID-19 deaths, with 90,638 new coronavirus cases in the prior 24 hours, the health ministry said.

(Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica— Jamaica recorded 389 new cases of COVID-19 and nine additional deaths yesterday bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 39,237 and the death toll to 596.

(Trinidad Express) “ Fire Faris!” This was the call of Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar as she noted that errant government ministers in other countries were swiftly dealt with after breaking Covid-19 laws.

(Trinidad Guardian) The long-anticipated COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility are now in Trinidad and Tobago.

RIO DE JANEIRO,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro yesterday signed an executive order to disburse 5.3 billion reais ($918.08 million) in new loans to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country hit a record tally of 3,780 deaths in the past day.

(Trinidad Guardian) A proposal has been offered up by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) for a new financial model which would see host governments contributing 50 per cent of overall financing—with the remainder coming from students’ fees, entrepreneurial efforts, private sector donations, and alumni grants.

(Reuters) – Aruba’s prime minister resigned yesterday after prosecutors on the Dutch Caribbean island announced an investigation into one of the parties making up her ruling coalition for suspected embezzlement of funds, the government said in a statement.

(Trinidad Guardian) Single mother of two Natalie Brathwaite put her son in the care of the Children’s Authority of T&T because he was heading down the wrong path and she thought they would help him to become a better person.

(Trinidad Guardian) A proposal has been offered up by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) for a new financial model which would see host governments contributing 50 per cent of overall financing—with the remainder coming from students’ fees, entrepreneurial efforts, private sector donations, and alumni grants.

BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Monday lost two ministers when his combative Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo stepped down over struggles to get coronavirus vaccines, sources said, and Defense Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva unexpectedly quit.

(Trinidad Guardian) Preliminary investigations have revealed that two of the teenagers who recently escaped from a safe house belonging to the Children’s Authority, and who were killed on Sunday night, may have been caught in the crossfire of gang violence.

BRASÍLIA,  (Reuters) – Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said yesterday that he was pushing Brazilian and U.S.

(Trinidad Guardian) Two of the five teenage boys who escaped from the Children’s Authority Child Support Centre last weekend were ambushed and shot dead by two men dressed in police uniform in Port-of-Spain, last night.

(Trinidad Guardian) MovieTowne owner Derek Chin believes COVID-19 fatigue and the need to exhale may have been the cause behind Saturday’s crowds flocking to the venue despite the latest appeal by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for the nation to remain vigilant in following public health protocols, including avoiding large crowd congregations.

(Trinidad Guardian) Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi has apologised and admitted that he should have worn a mask to protect himself and others against COVID-19 when he appeared on Vibes With Voicey last Thursday.

 ARAUQUITA MUNICIPALITY, Colombia,  (Reuters) – A dispute over control of drug trafficking between the Venezuelan military and illegal armed groups is behind the violence causing thousands of people to flee to Colombia, Colombian Defense Minister Diego Molano said yesterday.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro yesterday proposed paying for vaccines against the novel coronavirus with oil, though he provided few details about how such a scheme would work.

(Trinidad Guardian) The AstraZeneca vaccines for T&T from the COVAX facility are being manufactured in South Korea and are still on track despite a recent raid on an Italian warehouse where AstraZeneca vaccines were housed.

(Trinidad Express) – A landmark High Court order was made on Friday when, for the first time, the use of an electronic motoring device in the form of an ankle bracelet was imposed as a bail condition on a man charged with robbery with aggravation and possession of arms and ammunition.

ARAUQUITA MUNICIPALITY, Colombia,  (Reuters) – Venezuelans fleeing to Colombia to escape clashes between the Venezuelan military and irregular armed groups have accused soldiers of abuses, including killing civilians.