Daily Archive: Thursday, November 26, 2020

President Irfaan Ali today announced a two-week bonus for all healthcare professionals as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guyana and Brazil today agreed to resume discussions on the completion of the road project between the two countries and to intensify collaboration on security.

 (Reuters) – AstraZeneca is likely to run an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine, its chief executive Pascal Soriot was quoted as saying today after questions over the results from its late-stage study.

 (Reuters) – Walt Disney Co said on Wednesday it would lay off about 32,000 workers, primarily at its theme parks, an increase from the 28,000 it announced in September, as the company struggles with limited customers due to the coronavirus pandemic.

PARIS,  (Reuters) – A highly contagious and deadly form of avian influenza is spreading rapidly in Europe, putting the poultry industry on alert with previous outbreaks in mind that saw tens of millions of birds culled and significant economic losses.

David Reid, 24, and his fiancee Ann-Marie Neil, are set to tie the knot on February 27.

(Trinidad Express) THE State has been restrained from again deporting 16 Venezuelan children and 11 adults while their challenge against their deportation that took place over the weekend is heard and determined by the High Court.

The World Bank yesterday approved US$7.5m ($1.5b) for the Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project to support the country in tackling the current pandemic.

Trawler owners and seafood processors have voiced alarm at reports that the Ministry of Agriculture has issued two new trawling licences in contravention of a years-long agreement to ensure sustainable fishing of seabob and other species.

One of three men charged for the 2014 murder of taxi driver Raphael Campbell was on Tuesday sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading instead to the lesser offence of manslaughter before Justice Navindra Singh.

The pedestrian who was fatally hit by a truck on the Agricola Public Road as he attempted to cross the four-lane thoroughfare on Monday has been identified as Kevin Monderson.

As hoteliers anticipate an increase in  arrivals brought on by the discovery of oil offshore Guyana, local companies such as King’s Jewellery World and Palm Court have responded to the government’s call for investors to build hotels which aim to provide first-class accommodations.

The developers of the planned US$90 million Hilton Garden Inn, one of four chain-branded hotels expected to be constructed here, have already received the requisite approvals to begin construction, Head of the Guyana Office for Foreign and Local Investment (G-Invest) Peter Ramsaroop has said.

Although they have ceased operations, dredge owners who were illegally mining on Micobie’s titled lands have refused to move from the Lower Potaro River as was instructed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, CMC – West Indies Twenty20 International captain Kieron Pollard said his side should use their three-match series against New Zealand, starting tomorrow (2 am – East Caribbean Time) at Eden Park, to improve their results in the format.

Guyana’s local content final report has been completed and was yesterday submitted to government through Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, with Chairman of the Committee, Shyam Nokta, emphasising that the policy will ensure Guyanese capitalize on  the benefits of the bourgeoning oil and gas sector.

Head Coach, Phil Simmons is pushing the T20 players harder than normal as they prepare to kick start the new era of consistency with a series win against New Zealand.

Former NICIL acting Chief Executive Officer Colvin Heath-London was released from police custody on Tuesday over a lands probe even as further doubts have been cast on documents that are intended to put him in the clear.

The deck is stacked heavily against the West Indies who are set to kick start their tour of New Zealand tomorrow.

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Diego Maradona, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time before drug and alcohol addiction marred his career, died yesterday at his home in Argentina after suffering a heart attack, his lawyer said.

Guyana’s 146th COVID-19 fatality, the 69-year-old Deputy Mayor of Anna Regina spent approximately nine days in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit before succumbing to the virus.

The police have been  directed to conduct further investigations into the killing of teenager Rockey Sawh, who was allegedly accidentally shot by his friend during a sleepover in Kitty more than a week ago.

Vice President of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) Cristy Campbell has expressed gratitude to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., 

Guyana’s COVID-19 fatalities have now increased to 147 as two new deaths were officially reported yesterday.

When the fourth edition of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated’s Prime Minister’s T20 Cup bowls off tomorrow, Regal side are  confident of a clean sweep once again.

Chaos broke out at the Stabroek Market area last evening as the police attempted to arrest an individual and were allegedly attacked by bystanders.

The  second of the three Time Trial events which was scheduled to be staged Sunday in Berbice has been postponed to December 13 due to unforeseen circumstances. 

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, CMC – A third test on a group of West Indies players and support staff – including Test captain Jason Holder and Twenty20 International captain Kieron Pollard – currently enduring managed isolation for the COVID-19 virus on the Tour of New Zealand, have all returned negative.

Heavy rainfall in Region Eight continues to delay the re-construction of the bridge at Tiger Creek which collapsed more than three weeks ago.

Dear Editor, In an extensive Brief on Criminal Justice Systems there is an advisory catchphrase which warns that “jailing is failing.” 

Stating that the future of the economies of Guyana and Suriname  is intertwined, President Irfaan Ali has urged that advantage be taken of the synergies and complementarities to deepen integration.  

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – President Donald Trump yesterday pardoned his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Dear Editor, The PPP Government when it was in Opposition had much to say about the APNU+AFC’s management of COVID-19.

It is official, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will host the 18th edition of the South American 10km road race on December 6.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The seemingly ill-fated inaugural edition of the Caribbean Games has been delayed again.

Dear Editor, I note with interest the news reports of the fruits of President Ali’s visit to next door neighbour Suriname.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – Britain reduced its foreign aid spending commitment yesterday to 0.5% of gross domestic product from 0.7%, causing one minister to resign and an immediate outcry from development organisations and the spiritual head of the Church of England.

Tenders were yesterday opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administra-tion Board for the upgrading and construction of sea defences between Dantzig and Fairfield, Mahaicony which are estimated to cost almost $400 Million.

The National Covid-19 Task Force has given approval for the staging of the inaugural ‘Skill Thrill Freestyle Football Festival’ grand final which is scheduled for December 12 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

The trial of Jaipaul Hitlall over the murder of Cor-nelia Ida senior, Bibi Keniez whom he is also accused of raping, commenced on Tuesday before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – James Wolfensohn, a former investment banker who pushed through debt relief for the poorest nations during a decade at the helm of the World Bank, has died, the Bank said yesterday.

Dear Editor, I write to ask what crime has been committed by the Haitians who are being detained against their will by the government of Guyana and threatened with deportation.

Regional officials have not granted approval for a lockdown to be instituted in the indigenous community of Warapoka in Region One, Toshao Alan Henry has said.

Dear Editor, Since taking office almost four months ago, the PPP/C Government has been moving ahead with its plans to re-open three of the four sugar estates shuttered by the coalition government.

BUJUMBURA,  (Reuters) – Burundi’s ex-President Pierre Buyoya said yesterday he had resigned his position as an African Union envoy after his conviction and life sentence last month for the 1993 killing of another president who defeated him in an election.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, CMC – A foot injury has ruled New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme out of the forthcoming two-Test series against West Indies.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The contents of a recent letter from Gaston Browne, the Antigua and Barbuda prime minister, to his Barbados counterpart, Mia Mottley, appears to reflect both frustration in St John’s and long-running difficulty among Carib-bean Community (CARICOM) leaders to agree and implement common policies.

Today the United States celebrates Thanksgiving; a tradition that reportedly dates back to 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast, although it was not until nearly 250 years later in 1863, that the then president Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday. Despite

MONACO, CMC – Jamaica sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah is one of five athletes shortlisted for the Female World Athlete of the Year award.

The police in Region Ten have arrested one of two men, who allegedly robbed a Linden couple of more than $4M in cash and other valuables shortly after they arrived home on Tuesday night.

OTTAWA, (Reuters) – Toronto police said yesterday they had identified a person of interest in the high-profile murders three years ago of a Canadian pharmaceutical billionaire couple but had not made an arrest.

Dear Editor, I wish to comment on the letter by Pro-fessor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of UWI and to also put a few questions to him about President Ali’s doctoral research.

President Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali were part of Suriname’s Independence Day Parade and Cultural display yesterday in Paramaribo.