Daily Archive: Sunday, May 10, 2020

The number of persons with COVID-19 surged by seven overnight to 104, the Ministry of Public Health disclosed today.

GECOM commissioners at a meeting this afternoon decided to identify ballot boxes with smaller numbers of votes to be recounted later in the afternoon to maximise the time available at the 10 counting stations.

SAO PAULO/NEW YORK  (Reuters) – Avianca Holdings , Latin America’s No.

BERLIN, (Reuters) – New coronavirus infections are accelerating again in Germany just days after its leaders loosened social restrictions, raising concerns that the pandemic could once again slip out of control.

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China has issued a lengthy rebuttal of what it said were 24 “preposterous allegations” by some leading U.S.

(Trinidad Express) A chef has issued a pre-action protocol letter to Massy Motors as she seeks a $199,000 refund for a vehicle purchased from the company.

(Trinidad Guardian) There have been no new confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded in T&T since April 26.

(Jamaica Observer) They arrived in Jamaica seven weeks ago in a militant mood with one basic objective in mind — to improve the quality of life for Jamaica’s people.

(Jamaica Star) Prime Minister Andrew Holness, through his Positive Jamaica Foundation, has donated $100,000 to the Little Bay Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland to support the institution’s initiative in providing worksheets to students, who do not have internet access.

(Jamaica Gleaner) When siblings Norma and Warren Williams left Jamaica to attend the funeral of a relative in Margate, South Florida, in February, they had no idea that a rapidly developing COVID-19 outbreak would have crippled global travel, leaving them stranded in the United States.

Government’s billion-dollar expenditure on the decrepit Ocean View Hotel to construct a COVID-19 hospital has attracted the scrutiny of Auditor General Deodat Sharma and a local transparency group even as the current owner Jacob Rambarran maintains silence on the terms of the controversial deal.

The votes from another 48 ballot boxes were tallied yesterday when the national recount entered its fourth day, bringing the grand total for the process to 156 of the 2,339 boxes generated from the March 2 general and regional polls.

The Carter Center can return to Guyana to observe the national recount of votes if it requests permission through the right channels and complies with the measures in place to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), according to government spokesman Joseph Harmon.

Guyanese stranded abroad are continuing to plead with the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) to grant approval for their return home.

After testing positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) more than 40 days ago, Neaz Subhan remains in isolation, where he has been waging a quiet battle against despair, while hoping to use what he is learning in order to help others.

National hockey midfielder Gabriella Xavier is certainly one of Guyana’s most decorated female hockey players. 

For many young cricketers in Guyana a Cricket Guy Inc., Academy contract is seen as a stepping stone towards representing the country and an inch closer to earning a West Indies cap.

“They treating us like total garbage.” These are the words of a 39-year-old Block 22, Wismar Linden resident, who says she and other members of her family are being discriminated against by the Region Ten community after what she believes was a case of mistaken identity led to a relative being quarantined for two weeks on suspicion that she had the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Following days of thrilling action Emuwnah Pross was crowned the inaugural champion of the iBet Supreme FIFA 20 ‘League of Champions’ e-Sports tournament, defeating Tevin Bremner Thursday evening in a hard-fought contest.

A leading United States-based manufacturer of offshore drilling and production equipment has planned to construct a state-of-the-art tubular fabrication, maintenance and storage facility in Georgetown, although the start of the project has been delayed by current COVID-19 restrictions.

Three years ago, Nafeeza Khan decided that it was time for her to take care of herself and her special needs son and no longer depend on anyone. 

Debra Anibal of Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice, faces a bleak Mother’s Day without her daughter, Vanessa Benjamin, who was brutally stabbed to death last month, allegedly by her children’s father. 

With major sports leagues preparing for the eventuality of restarting behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic, NBA commissioner Adam Silver reportedly took the concept to the next level on Friday.

Three additional positive cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been recorded by the Public Health Ministry, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 97.

Dear Editor, Up to the end of the third day of the recount of votes cast in the March 2 elections, GECOM had completed a total of 108 boxes, or 4.62% of the 2,339 ballot boxes.

While the restrictions put in place to curb COVID-19 have put a squeeze on some businesses, they have provided a springboard for some like the delivery services that are becoming lifelines for Guyanese not eager to leave their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Reuters) – There is no one more unbeatable in men’s tennis than Novak Djokovic when the Serb is at his best, former world number four American Todd Martin has said.

The Guyana Police Force has arrested over 40 persons in Region Four for breaching the national 6pm to 6am curfew implemented by the Public Health Ministry in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Dear Editor, The National Recount exercise allows for this nation to resolve whatever question exists about the election process in a peaceful manner.

(Reuters) – Germany’s plans to restart competitive soccer on May 16 have suffered an early setback after the entire team of second tier Dynamo Dresden were placed in a two-week quarantine following two positive coronavirus tests.

With water levels rising in Region Nine from recent rainfall, the incomplete bridges at Manari and Yakarinta could pose a threat to essential supplies getting to Rupununi residents.

Five Guyanese singers have united virtually to release one of the latest anti-Covid-19 songs.

(BBC) Lewis Hamilton says he is “enjoying” some aspects of Formula One’s enforced break because it has given him time to refresh and revitalise himself.

Dear Editor, The preoccupation of Guyanese, both resident and abroad, with the recently held elections are rooted in much more than idle curiosity.

Officials in Linden and other communities in Region Ten have voiced their concern that those most in need did not benefit during the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) mission to distribute food hampers as part of its COVID-19 relief efforts.

My Boy Lollipop                                         My boy lollipop You make my heart go giddy up You are as sweet as candy You’re my sugar dandy My boy lollipop Never ever leave me Because it would grieve me My heart told me so   I love you, I love you, I love you so But I don’t want you to know I need you, I need you, I need you so And I’ll never let you go   My boy lollipop You make my heart go giddy up You set my heart on fire You are my one desire My boy lollipop   Millie Small Today, the legacy of this music rules popular culture around the world, but especially in every corner of the Caribbean region.

(Reuters) – Three children in New York have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome believed to be linked to the novel coronavirus, Governor Andrew Cuomo said yesterday, a development that may augur a pandemic risk for the very young.

Dear Editor, I woke up today feeling like an eel having done something I realized was very irresponsible and stupid.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Well-travelled Barbadian umpire Gregory Brathwaite has been tipped to become the next Test umpire from the region.

The Guyana Foundation has moved to supply food and medical supplies, including masks, to residents of Santa Rosa, in Region One, who are in need of assistance due to the impact of the current CIVID-19 pandemic.

Nothing in the deliriously trippy “Ema” is accidental. Instead, Pablo Larraín’s nervy drama deepens in complexity when you try to dissect any individual moment.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuela’s military said it seized three abandoned Colombian light combat vessels that soldiers found yesterday while patrolling the Orinoco river, several days after the government accused its neighbour of aiding a failed invasion.

Dear Editor, What the public does not know about voting on election day is that there is a document called a “folio” which has a picture of all the persons registered to vote at that polling station.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has moved a step closer to securing funds to execute works on the vulnerable Content, Mahaicony Sea Defences, which pose a threat of flooding to residents in the community and its environs, Sea and River Defence Officer Jermaine Braithwaite has said.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Senior international Olympics official John Coates said yesterday the delayed Tokyo Olympics could end up being the greatest Games ever, coming next year as the world emerges from COVID-19 crisis.

With the world on its knees due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stress and other factors are leading to more restless or sleepless nights.

LONDON, (Reuters) – The British government has told airlines it will introduce a 14-day quarantine period for most people arriving from abroad to try to avoid a second peak of the coronavirus outbreak, an association representing the airlines said yesterday.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Former President Barack Obama described President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as “chaotic” in a conference call with former members of his administration, a source said yesterday.

Members of the Guyana Police Force on Friday conducted a drug eradication exercise at Ebeni and Bartica Village, in the Upper Berbice River, where they found and destroyed more than $21 million in cannabis.

SYDNEY, May 9 (Reuters) – Playing against India behind closed doors in the much-anticipated test series at the end of the year might end up being an advantage for the home side, according to Australia batsman Usman Khawaja.

Dear Editor, If the APNU+AFC party mouthpieces’ opinions on what constitutes a credible election are to be taken seriously, Guyana may never have another.

“From since I was a little girl, I always know myself to be depressed.

RIO DE JANEIRO,  (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Brazil’s Supreme Court has overturned rules that limit gay and bisexual men from donating blood in a decision considered a human rights victory for LGBT+ people in the country.

(Trinidad Guardian)  Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has announced three main phases by which the country will reopen following the shutting down of businesses to combat COVID-19.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Jamaica Football Federation president, Michael Ricketts, is relaxed about possible changes to the “hexagonal” qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, and says he will adopt a “wait and see” approach to planned deliberations within continental governing body, CONCACAF.

Has this time at home made you reevaluate what it is you really want to be doing in life?

With International Nurses Day (IND) due to be observed on Tuesday, the President of the Guyana Nurses Association (GNA) is calling on the general public to show appreciation for nurses who continue to work assiduously to provide a high level of health care.

Dear Editor, The Baramita Toshao who claimed alleged disrespectful behaviour and conduct in the form of threats  being meted out to her and a fellow village councillor, ‘Baramita Toshao says threatened with arrest after asking cops to abide by COVID -19 curfew’ SN May 8, if true, could be discerned to be nothing more than sheer bullyism at its height It would be totally unacceptable if the rank(s) involved in this disgusting behaviour is only doing so to exercise their  male ego, chauvinism attitude since the Toshao is a female.

For 30 years I have published a column in the Stabroek News every week.

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Corona-virus patients were being turned away from hospitals in the Mexican capital yesterday, as both public and private medical facilities quickly fill up and the number of new infections continues to rise.

Today we will take a look at recording the moves that we play on the chessboard.

To describe the pace of the recount as slothful would be the understatement of the year.

(Reuters) – Little Richard, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock ‘n’ roll” who built his ground-breaking sound with a boiling blend of boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues and gospel, died on Saturday at the age of 87.

The Chicago Bulls’ new leaders have gotten enough negative reviews of coach Jim Boylen that they are leaning toward moving on without him, according to a report.

By John M. Seeram The month of May is designated International Internal Audit Awareness Month by the Institute of Internal Auditors, Global (IIAG).

In the midst of all the woeful, I would even say daunting COVID-19 news landing on us, it is unfortunate that some of the more uplifting items pass virtually unnoticed, so purely from the good news angle, I’m citing three of the latter here.

Introduction Last week’s column drew attention to the fact that the United States remains comfortably the world’s pre-eminent economic powerhouse. 

The President and Leader of the Opposition agreed on a recount.

With the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases climbing daily in politically and economically downtrodden Venezuela and its citizens in “dire” need of help, the United States last week reiterated its plea to that country’s President Nicholas Maduro to allow it to take in humanitarian aid.

Dear Editor, I am not privy to all the facts surrounding the refusal of the authorities to assist with the return of the body of the late Komal Chand from Cuba but I respectfully wish to join the appeal for an expeditious return.

LONDON (Reuters) – Andrew Wong knew from an early age that running a restaurant required improvisation, having watched his parents steer their London Chinese restaurant through nearly 30 years of good times and bad.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Bob Dylan is releasing his first album of new music in eight years following a spurt of creativity from the man regarded as one of the world’s most influential songwriters.

LONDON (Reuters) – A young boy chooses a nurse as the superhero he wants to play with over Batman and Spiderman in a new artwork by Banksy that encapsulates the gratitude Britons have felt toward the country’s National Health Service during the coronavirus crisis.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – At an outer suburban manufacturing plant, engineer Byron Kennedy is resetting a machine to spray-print a layer of copper on to a door handle, aiming to use the metal’s antiviral properties to counter the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Astronomers have spotted the closest black hole to Earth ever discovered and are surprised about its living arrangements – residing harmoniously with two stars in a remarkable celestial marriage that may end in a nasty breakup.

(SciDev.Net) – A fungus that lives in malaria-carrying mosquitoes could boost global efforts to control the disease, which kills about half a million people — mostly children under five — every year.

MILAN/LONDON (Reuters) – Can creative sparks fly through plexiglass? Is the water cooler chat a thing of the past?

LONDON (Reuters) – A genetic study of samples from more than 7,500 people infected with COVID-19 suggests the new coronavirus spread quickly around the world after it emerged in China sometime between October and December last year, scientists said on Wednesday.

(SciDev.Net) – Remote psychological support services are struggling to manage COVID-19 fear and stress, as experts warn a mental illness pandemic is on its way.

SANTIAGO (Reuters) – When the nightclub in which she touted for business in southern Chile was shut down by the authorities as the new coronavirus spread, sex worker Camila Hormazabal was left without access to her sole source of income.