Daily Archive: Sunday, August 9, 2020

President Irfaan Ali and Suriname’s President  Chandrikapersad Santokhi have begun crafting a plan for economic, security and other agreements which will see the  swift reopening of the borders between Georgetown and Paramaribo, while catering  for COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines.

KABUL, (Reuters) – Afghanistan agreed on Sunday to release 400 “hard-core” Taliban prisoners, paving the way for the beginning of peace talks aimed at ending more than 19 years of war.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia’s second-most populous state, Victoria, reported its deadliest day of the COVID-19 outbreak yesterday, with 17 people dying, as police thwarted a planned anti-mask rally in the capital of Melbourne.

(Trinidad Express) The constituency of Chaguanas East is turning out to be one of the major battle grounds for the 2020 general election, as all the candidates have expressed varying degrees of confidence in emerging victorious.

(Trinidadian Guardian) Come rain or hail, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) will not be extending the hours for voting in tomorrow’s general election.

The new PPP/C government is working to secure $4.5 billion as an emergency response for households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and is also establishing a response unit as part of a revamped effort to tackle the disease that has claimed 22 lives and battered the business sector.

President Irfaan Ali has announced a planned review of the recently-concluded elections process and to hold anyone who tried to undermine it to account.

Residents and livestock farmers along the Upper Corentyne area are now counting their losses after a major flood yesterday destroyed several chicken farms and gardens and damaged household items.

Cecil Sampat, the man who succumbed on Wednesday almost two weeks after he was allegedly shot following a police chase in the city, died as a result of sepsis caused by gunshot injuries, an autopsy confirmed on Friday.

Two suspects were arrested yesterday over the armed robbery that occurred early Friday morning at Apaikwa Landing, in Upper Mazaruni, which left a miner hospitalised with multiple chop wounds about his body.

A report by a technical assessment team on the management and financial standing of key state agencies will be presented to President Irfaan Ali later this week.

President Irfaan Ali yesterday called late former prime minister of Barbados Owen Arthur a “true friend” of Guyana as he thanked those who supported the fight for democracy in Guyana during the contentious five-month impasse over the results of the March 2nd elections.

Keavon Bess, President of the bodybuilding federation has endorsed the new Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.,

Kashif Muhammad, Co-Director of established promotional group, the Kashif and Shanghai Organization, has been tipped to become the new Director of Sport of the prestigious and powerful entity, the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The bodyguard of former minister Simona Broomes was released from police custody on Friday after the being held for three days without charge on allegations that he threatened and wounded a city councillor during a confrontation in Sophia.

Committed to service to humanity, the new Minister of Human Services (previously Social Protection) Dr Vindhya Persaud wants to see the ministry reorganized so that it can be more effective and efficient in dealing with members of the public.

Guyana’s rich and diverse culture were put on show during President Irfaan Ali’s inauguration, where singer Jackie Jaxx was among the highlights.

West Indies lead selector, Roger Harper, believes there is a need for Caribbean batsmen to refine their skills and techniques in order to romp with the best in the world.

By Karuna Persaud On paper, New Jersey native Nadia Jagessar seems to have it all.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados,  CMC – Not for the first time, a governance report has urged Cricket West Indies to undertake “comprehensive reform”, and has recommended a restructuring of its board to achieve greater efficiency in managing the sport across the region.

Guyana recorded 16 new cases of the novel coronavirus disease yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 554 since March 11th.

When local entrepreneur Abbigale Loncke started MBW Energy Support Services Inc last year, it was partly with the goal of furthering the representation of women in the sector.

MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) – A magnificent partnership between Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler helped propel England to an unlikely three-wicket victory over Pakistan in a topsy-turvy first test at Old Trafford yesterday.

Dear Editor, In response to my concerns about the location of a COVID quarantine centre in a Lethem residential area, the Regional Chairman, a non-medical person, explained that the use to which the centre will be put will reduce the risk of persons living nearby becoming infected.

The indigenous village of Kanapang, in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), recently recorded six cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and all of those infected are asymptomatic, the Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Charissundra Abdool-Faizoul has revealed.

Despite the COVID-19-related setbacks faced by STEMGuyana, the organisation has managed to engage and educate local youths through its virtual programs and is working towards the launching of a national robotics challenge slated for August 15 to September 7.

Dear Editor, Since the NCM in 2018, the courts have impacted on our political destiny as never before.

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Cricket Australia interim Chief Executive Nick Hockley has said it was still too early to determine whether they would shift the Boxing Day test match against India from Melbourne as the state of Victoria battled a novel coronavirus resurgence.

President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday defended his government’s decision to support controversial Trump administration official, Mauricio Claver-Carone, for the presidency of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at elections next month.

The social and cultural implications of the present pandemic are so incisive, it feels impossible not to see it in any media that we consume.

A petition has been launched to ask the newly-appointed Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai not to rename the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

WELLINGTON,  (Reuters) – New Zealand said yesterday it could have probably hosted the women’s Cricket World Cup next year but supported the decision of the International Cricket Council to postpone the event for a year. 

BEDMINSTER, N.J.,  (Reuters) – President Donald Trump signed executive orders yesterday partly restoring enhanced unemployment payments to the tens of millions of Americans who lost jobs in the coronavirus pandemic, as the United States marked a grim milestone of 5 million cases.

The culture of the contemporary Caribbean is multi-ethnic, or more importantly cross-cultural (according to Wilson Harris), and one can usually highlight the contributions of different ethnic groups.

While welcoming the “democratic” conclusion of Guyana’s elections, the European Union (EU) yesterday underscored the need for unity and cooperation and also pledged its support for electoral reforms.

(Reuters) – Serena Williams said yesterday the COVID-19 outbreak has not only given her a much needed stretch of downtime with her family, it has also turned her into a bit of a “neurotic” and “a recluse” given her past health scares.

Following negotiations, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), and the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) have inked an agreement with the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) on pay 2020 increases for workers.

Dear Editor, The state funeral for the late Caribbean statesman and former Barbados Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, takes place on Friday, August 14.

BEIRUT,  (Reuters) – Lebanese protesters stormed government ministries in Beirut and trashed the offices of the Association of Lebanese Banks yesterday as shots rang out in increasingly angry demonstrations over this week’s devastating explosion.

“Is like I just working to feed them,” has been the refrain of many mothers – myself included – as they struggle to upkeep their children’s eating habits over the past few months.

At the end of July, it seemed that good news was coming, meaning local gyms would reopen as scheduled during phase 5 of this country’s reopening plan.

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Five Indian hockey players, including captain Manpreet Singh, have tested positive for COVID-19 at the team’s training base in Bengaluru and the number of infected players could rise, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has said.

Dear Editor: President Ali’s promises of being results-oriented, and promises of transparency, efficiency, and accountability are very refreshing and inspiring.

BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s death toll from COVID-19 reached 100,000 yesterday and continues to climb as most Brazilian cities reopen shops and dining even though the pandemic has yet to peak.

PORT LOUIS, (Reuters) – Fuel spilling from a Japanese bulk carrier that ran aground on a reef in Mauritius two weeks ago is creating an ecological disaster, endangering corals, fish and other marine life around the Indian Ocean island, officials and environmentalists say.

A fire that destroyed the home of Lindener Kevon Lorrimer on August 1st is believed to be an act of arson.

Recently sworn in President Irfaan Ali has committed to strengthening the disciplined forces, particularly the Guyana Police Force (GPF) so as to ensure that every citizen is safe.

The NBA announced the finalists for six major awards yesterday including Most Valuable Player hopefuls Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden and LeBron James.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – Cuba placed Havana back on a strict lockdown yesterday following a rebound in coronavirus cases, ordering restaurants, bars and pools once more to close, suspending public transportation and banning access to the beach.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – A Venezuelan court sentenced two former U.S. soldiers to 20 years in prison for their role in a failed incursion aimed at ousting President Nicolas Maduro in early May, chief prosecutor Tarek Saab said late on Friday.

(Reuters) – Eastman Kodak Co’s $765 million loan agreement with the U.S.

Dear Minerva, I am 29 years old. There is this beautiful young lady who I have loved for over 10 years as a friend and I want to take it to the next level.

 There is nothing more valuable in man than an ability to write well. 

I congratulate the PPP/C on its electoral victory and Dr. Irfaan Ali on his inauguration as the President of Guyana.

Guyana played in its first virtual tournament ever at the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Online Olympiad on July 31, and August 1 and 2 and gave a good account of itself although it failed to move on to the next round.

Introduction Today’s column continues my appraisal of the likely impacts of the 2020 global general crisis on Guyana’s infant oil and gas sector.

Last Update: 616.80                      Movement: 0.00% Current Update: 616.80                   YTD Movement: 1.78% The Lucas Stock Index (LSI) remained unchanged during the first period of trading in August, 2020.

If you’re fortunate enough to travel around the Caribbean, over time you meet individuals who make you proud to be a West Indian.

JERUSALEM, (Reuters) – Thousands of Israelis rallied outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem yesterday as anger mounted over corruption allegations and his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

On Thursday President Irfaan Ali said that his new ministers were expected to be results oriented, efficient and transparent, and that they would be held accountable. 

BARCELONA, (Reuters) – Barcelona insist they have as much chance as Bayern Munich of winning their Champions League quarter-final despite a far from convincing 3-1 win over Napoli yesterday.

SYDNEY (Reuters) – As countries scramble to test for the novel coronavirus, a Chinese company has become a go-to name around the world.

(Trinidad Express) The Ministry of Health is reporting an alarming increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.

President Irfaan Ali on Friday met with Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Maria Clara Duclos Carisio, Chilean Ambassador to Guyana Patricio Becker and Argentine Ambassador to Guyana Felipe Alejandro Gardella.

Dear Editor, Is the government being hypocritical by allowing a large number of people to attend President Ali’s inauguration and limiting the number of people attending churches?

Some people—not you nor I, because we are so awfully self-possessed—but some people, find great difficulty in saying good-bye when making a call or spending the evening.

Dear Editor, As we grow older, we sometimes tend to develop an attitude of patient acceptance of present realities, even as we long for the good old days.