Daily Archive: Thursday, March 12, 2020

(Jamaica Gleaner) Former national distance runner Kemoy Campbell is now recovering after experiencing a cardiac episode early this week.

Acting US Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael G Kozak today said that it is vital that the High Court mandated tabulation for Region Four be done in a fair and transparent manner and he also warned of consequences for those who benefit from electoral fraud and impede a peaceful transition of power.

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission has written to the Returning Officer of Region Four, Clairmont Mingo asking to see the Statements of Poll that he used to prepare a spreadsheet of results which is intended to be utilised  for the declaration of results for Demerara-Mahaica.

(Trinidad Guardian) Health Min­is­ter Ter­rence Deyals­ingh says no cruise ships will be al­lowed to berth in ei­ther Trinidad or To­ba­go for the rest of the cruise ship sea­son.

(Trinidad Guardian) Min­is­ter of Health Ter­rance Deyals­ingh has con­firmed the first case of coro­n­avirus COVID-19 in Trinidad and To­ba­go.

(CAL press release) Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, March 12, 2020.

(Jamaica Observer) The police are reporting that two more women were arrested for their alleged involvement in the fatal beating of former Miss Jamaica contestant Tamara Sinclair in the lobby of a Bronx bank.

Following separate meetings earlier yesterday, President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo last night met together with the visiting CARICOM delegation here to discuss the way forward given the current elections impasse and gave commitments to a free and transparent process, CARICOM Chairperson and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley today said.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Scotiabank has closed its New Kingston Branch after it came to light that one of the two confirmed local COVID-19 patients visited the location and was in contact with some staff members.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Percival Joseph, the Canadian who was arrested on February 21 after attempting to smuggle 14lb of cocaine out of Jamaica via the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, has been sentenced to two years in prison and fined J$5 million.

Less than two hours after the restart of the tabulation of votes cast in Region Four the process was once again suspended just after midday so that the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh   could read the written ruling of Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George delivered yesterday.

With the coronavirus being confirmed as present here, pharmacies and stores today experienced a rush for hand sanitisers and disinfectants among other supplies.

BEIJING, (Reuters) – The global coronavirus pandemic could be over by June if countries mobilise to fight it, a senior Chinese medical adviser said on Thursday, as China declared the peak had passed there and new cases in Hubei fell to single digits for the first time.

(Jamaica Star) The US Embassy has suspended visa services and American citizens services after news that one of its employees has tested positive for the coronavirus.

(Jamaica Observer) Approximately 500,000 students are facing the prospect of being out of school as the island’s educational institutions were yesterday put on notice that they could be closed, following the announcement of the second imported case ofthe  novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) here.

(Jamaica Gleaner) A reward of $350,000 is being offered for the safe return of missing University of the West Indies, Mona student Jasmine Deen.

(Trinidad Express) A team of police officers disrupted the Express newsroom operations yesterday when they swooped down on Express House in Port of Spain and searched the office of the Editor-in-Chief.

Today’s pink ball contest between the Guyana Jaguars and Barbados Pride – two of the current regional juggernauts in the West Indies regional four-day championships – presents an opportunity to settle matters regarding the composition of the regional Test side.

President David Granger last evening announced that Guyana has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and the woman, who travelled from New York and had underlying health conditions, died at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) yesterday. 

In a major ruling, the High Court has quashed the presidential respite granted to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who was held in criminal contempt for the non-payment of over US$2.2 million owed to Trinidad company Dipcon, saying, among other things, that the decision was in excess of jurisdiction and no reasonable argument had been advanced in support of the said decision.

West Indies test captain, Jason Holder,  Kemar Roach and Jonathan Carter will suit up for Barbados Pride when they face Guyana Jagaurs from today in round eight of the West Indies Championships.

Head Coach of Guyana Jaguars, Esaun Crandon believes the inclusion of West Indies trio Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd will be critical to the outcome of  the West Indies Championships match against leaders Barbados Pride starting today.

-orders GECOM to take remedial steps Photos by Orlando Charles Acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire has ruled that the purported declaration of results for Region Four, by Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo, following the March 2nd general elections was unlawful as it did not conform with requirements in Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act.

Four persons were yesterday remanded to prison in connection with the murder of Lomenzo Johnny, a Rose Hall Town grocer, whose bound body was found a short distance away from his house on February, 27, while police are still on the hunt for a fifth individual.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – There will be no secondary schools’ athletics championships this year, it was announced yesterday, a day after Jamaica confirmed its first case of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Businessman Harold Hopkinson of Secure Innovations gave national under-21 table tennis champion Jasmine Billingy an ultimatum before she left Guyana to participate in the recent Trinidad Silver Bowl tournament. He

The police have been advised to charge former cop Teon Allen with the murder of his girlfriend which occurred two weeks ago.

The ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George yesterday nullifying the unacceptable declaration of results on March 5th for Region Four provides a crucial opening to rectify what has threatened to derail the March 2nd elections and democracy.

Canada yesterday welcomed a ruling by Chief Justice Roxane George in the High Court nullifying the controversial March 5th declaration of results for Region Four for the March 2nd general elections and requiring a full validation according to the Representation of the People Act be done.

Due to the prevailing political situation regarding the outcome of the nation’s General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) remains uncertain when season four of their marquee national league championship, the Elite League will start.

Andrew Phang and Ryan McKinnon shot their way to individual titles in the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation’s (GSSF) first Practical Pistol match for 2020.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday told a delegation of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders that he prefers that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) recount the ballots for Region Four following a disputed result that saw both major parties claiming victory. 

Dear Editor, I and my 16-year-old daughter was listening to your live feed on the high court case for the verification of Region Four votes.

President David Granger yesterday afternoon met a team of CARICOM leaders seeking to mediate in the elections crisis here and he maintained that he is committed to respect for the constitution and the rule of law.

Dear Editor, Miles Fitzpatrick died a year ago. In the1960s he and our father, David, set up a small law practice and devoted a large part of the next 50 years to defending the principles and practice of democratic rule in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.

The fear of the Corona Virus has forced the cancellation of Americas Olympic Qualifier.

Months after Bourda Street pensioner, Marva Oudkerk was discovered dead in her house, the police yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for a Cuban national.

Dear Editor, A plea for peace and sanity from an educator with no political agenda.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia will be banking on their top order as they seek to end their five-match winless streak in one-day internationals against a buoyant New Zealand in the three-match series beginning in Sydney tomorrow.

Dear Editor, There is no hierarchy of documents among the Statements of Polls held by GECOM and those issued to political parties, placed on the exterior of polling places and given to law enforcement officers.

DHARAMSALA, India, (Reuters) – Indian bowlers face a dilemma over whether to apply saliva to shine the ball against South Africa while England’s players have been asked not to sign autographs or take selfies with fans in Sri Lanka following the coronavirus outbreak.

The questionable process employed in tabulating the votes in Region Four and the results do an injustice to all of the voters, says attorney Selwyn Pieters, who was an observer at the March 2 general and regional elections.

Dear Editor, I stand with indigenous leader, Mr Lenox Shuman, on his right to wear his cultural garb and be represented.

(Reuters) – Australia will tour Bangladesh for a two-match test series in June ahead of their limited overs tour in England, the country’s cricket board said yesterday.

Since Guyana began screening for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at the country’s main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, to date approximately 97 persons, who  travelled from places with confirmed cases of the disease, were asked to self-isolate after leaving the airport. 

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – Cuba confirmed its first cases of the new coronavirus yesterday, while its textile industry has been drafted to fabricate masks and the government also urges citizens to make their own, amid a cash crunch and dwindling supplies worldwide.

DHARAMSALA, India, (Reuters) – New South Africa captain Quinton de Kock has welcomed the return to the One Day International squad of his predecessor Faf du Plessis as they prepare to meet India in Dharamsala today.

Almost three years after being charged with fraudulently authorising payments to herself amounting to just over $4.5 million, Registrar of Deeds Azeena Baksh was yesterday found guilty of the offence.

GUATEMALA CITY,  (Reuters) – Guatemala said yesterday it will ban the entry of citizens of European countries, Iran, China, South Korea and North Korea in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as governments around the world race to contain the deadly disease.

Dear Editor, The tragic events unfolding in Guyana remind us more than ever that, as elders Eusi Kwayana and Moses Bhagwan have underlined in their courageous and urgent statement, whoever wins the elections under this winner take all system, all of Guyana loses.

Prison Officer George Selman was further remanded yesterday over the breach of a protection order after the court heard that he was still making threats and this time from behind bars.

Dear Editor, On January 22 in a Stabroek News missive (`Ms Lawrence’s call will undermine electoral process and invite disturbances’) criticizing Ms.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 23 points and hit the go-ahead basket, and Caris LeVert added 22 points as the Brooklyn Nets surprised the host Los Angeles Lakers 104-102 on Tuesday night.

(Trinidad Guardian) Health authorities in St Vincent and the Grenadines have announced that the country has registered its first case of coronavirus COVID-19.

The WPA has renewed its call for a government of national unity that guarantees Guyana’s major ethnic groups protection against domination by the other.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – President Donald Trump yesterday imposed sweeping restrictions to prevent people from 26 European countries from traveling to the United States for a month as he responded to mounting pressure to take action against the spread of the coronavirus.

LIVERPOOL, England, (Reuters) – Holders Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 after Atletico Madrid scored three goals in extra time to earn a shock 3-2 victory at Anfield yesterday that sent them through 4-2 on aggregate.

Dear Editor, We hasten to make five clarifications regarding our recent statement https://www.stabroeknews.com/2020/03/10/features/whoever-wins-this-election-all-of-guyana-loses-a-call-for-a-government-of-national-unity/.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The United States Embassy in Kingston has suspended visa and other consular service after one of its employees tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The driver allegedly involved in last Saturday’s hit and run along the Letter Kenny Public Road which left motorcyclist, Shawn Smith, dead, was on Tuesday released on $300,000 bail when he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court. 

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein was sentenced yesterday to 23 years in prison for sexual assault and rape after giving a rambling court statement sympathizing with men accused of sexual misconduct during the #MeToo era.

ZURICH,  (Reuters) – The coronavirus outbreak led to more soccer postponements around Europe yesterday while travel and quarantine restrictions posed potential problems for international matches even in regions which have so far been less affected.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaica has a second confirmed imported case of the new coronavirus.

Dear Editor, The circulation of an email purporting to be sent by Mr.

Three men were yesterday granted a total of $300,000 bail after they denied breaking and entering ANSA McAl Trading Limited last Friday.

Days ago, the Berbice reggae artiste, “Mystic” released an online video of a Bartica pastor re-singing his 2019 hit single, “Live Like We At De Cricket.” 

Briton John took his talents to Linden on Monday and won the feature event of LonLam Cycling Classic.

JAKARTA,  (Reuters) – Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologized on Tuesday for the “excessive violence” inflicted on Indonesia during his country’s colonial rule, the monarchy’s first such admission of regret to the Southeast Asian nation.

Dear Editor, President Donald Trump announced to journalists at the White House that he would be considering compensating weekly paid workers for absence due to the requirement to avoid contact with the coronavirus by staying at home.

QUITO,  (Reuters) – Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno yesterday said he will seek to improve debt payment terms and slash $1.4 billion from the government’s budget in response to the crash in oil prices and the economic effects of the coronavirus.

Every five years, many Guyanese don red and black or green (now green and yellow) shades that do not allow them to see anything objectively.