Daily Archive: Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Watch: Briefing by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn on the discovery of bodies in a boat floating about 120 km offshore Georgetown on Monday afternoon.

Thirty companies have expressed interest for the Consultancy Services in conducting a Feasibility Study and Detailed Designs for the proposed bridge across the Corentyne River, according to a release today from the Ministry of Public Works.

Four prisoners escaped today from the Mazaruni Prison including two who were convicted of murder.

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) today announced its unaudited financial results for year to the end of December 2020, with the impact of the global pandemic resulting in an operating loss (Earnings Before Interest & Taxes – EBIT) of TT$738m (US$109.2m) on revenue of TT$802m (US$118.6m).

 (Reuters) – Myanmar’s military junta guaranteed today that it would hold an election and hand over power, denied its ouster of an elected government was a coup or that its leaders were detained, and accused protesters of violence and intimidation.

LLEIDA, Spain, (Reuters) – Dozens of Spanish police stormed a university today and arrested a rapper who had barricaded himself inside after being sentenced to jail on charges of glorifying terrorism and insulting royalty in his songs.

CANBERRA,  (Reuters) – Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologised today to a woman who alleged that she was raped in parliament two years ago for the way her complaint was handled at that time, ordering a probe into the government’s workplace culture.

(Jamaica Gleaner) JetBlue Airways, the employer of American Kalina Collier, who reported that she was being held hostage in Jamaica after testing positive for COVID-19, says the company will be conducting an investigation into her actions. 

(Trinidad Guardian) National Security Minister Stuart Young said yesterday that during a meeting with Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith, he was told that the units include the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), the Inter-Agency Task Force and Guard and Emergency Branch.

Stakeholders yesterday used a Local Content consultation – primarily focused on the oil and gas industry – to request that government legislate for easier access to financing especially for small to medium size enterprises (SMEs).

Local authorities have launched an investigation into the discovery of bodies in a boat floating about 120 km offshore Georgetown yesterday afternoon.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony yesterday said  that at last word 668 healthcare workers have gotten the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and that he is pleased with the response.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday said that a Board of Inquiry has been convened to investigate a rape complaint by a Mabaruma girl against five soldiers.

The National Assembly last Thursday approved a bill to improve management of the estates of deceased persons valued at up to $750,000 where no will has been left.  

Guyana yesterday recorded its 187th fatality as a result of the novel coronavirus while only one new case was reported.

The suspect in the recent fatal stabbing of Sophia resident Kevin Smith was yesterday charged with murder.

The Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agricul-ture Development Authority’s (MMA-ADA) Land Dispute Resolution sub-committee is now in place, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture.

City Engineer Colvern Venture has secured an interim injunction against the Mayor and City Councillors who have publicly declared their intention to dismiss him from his post despite not actually having the power to do so.

Attorney Leon Oswald Rockliffe has died. He was 90 years old.

Relatives of Haresh Singh, the West Coast Berbice (WCB) teenager who was murdered more than five months ago during unrest yesterday staged a protest outside the Office of the President as they continue their quest for justice.

Tropical Orchard Products Company Limited (TOPCO), a subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), yesterday launched its new range of  one-litre juices and juice drinks in four flavours.

Troy Glen, a survivor of the accident along Homestretch Avenue that claimed the lives of Dakera Gritten and Tonika Halley on Sunday, yesterday underwent emergency surgery for a fractured jaw and chin.

The families who were displaced after an electrical fire destroyed their properties on Saturday have estimated that over $12 million was lost due to the destruction caused.

The PPP/C government has proposed a budget of over $5 billion to strengthen the sea and river defence infrastructure in regions Three, Five and Six, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh announced.

Royalty Air Service, a new charter company, yesterday launched its first flight between Ogle and Port Kaituma with the aim of delivering a high quality air service locally.

Emmanuel Archibald got his season off to sublime start, leaping to a world leading (unofficial) 8.10m when the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) staged its first track and field meet for the year on Sunday at the National Track and Field Centre.

Following recent work place fatalities, the Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton has said there are plans to widen monitoring by increasing the current cadre of Occupational Health and Safety Officers across the country.

Candidate Master (CM), Taffin Khan said yesterday that he is not  looking too far ahead following his win at the just concluded National Chess Championships but was taking it one step at a time.

Guyana yesterday declared its support for the launch of an initiative by Canada which is aimed at stopping countries from detaining foreign citizens for use as diplomatic leverage.

A 62-year-old woman was yesterday robbed by three men during a home invasion at Festival City.

The Supreme Court yesterday ruled that elections for the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) are set for Friday but an appeal was filed to set aside the decision shortly after.

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Captain Kieron Pollard undermined Barbados Pride with a devastating maiden five-wicket haul and veteran Jason Mohammed followed up with his sixth List A hundred, to power Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to a three-wicket win in the Regional Super50 Cup here yesterday.

Disclosure of the evidence used to lay a fraud charge against former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and the former General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) Rawlston Adams is expected to continue at the start of next month.

Dear Editor, In a SN Budget Day Report on Feb. 12, the Minister with responsibility for Finance (MoF) unveiled his 2021 budget presentation of a record $383.1B budget with a meager $5.1B (1.33 % of the Budget) allocation to strengthen Guyana’s Sea and River defence capability.

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) says that during February 8-10, 2021, it conducted training on COVID-19-related hygiene and sanitation for 90 persons in Region 9 communities .

A record $1.5B has been allocated for the sports sector for 2021 as part of the historic $383.1B National Budget which was read by Dr Ashni Singh on Friday in the National Assembly.

Dear Editor, A look at global flaring data provided me with an eye-opening moment.

West Vybz Sports Bar and Restaurant, of Tuschen Public Road, East Bank Essequibo, has  thrown its support behind the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated President’s Cup.

Dear Editor, Please permit me space in your newspaper to respond to a missive on social media written by APNU+AFC’s Juretha Fernandes MP, where she sought to discredit Vice President Dr.

GENEVA/WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Three months after the Trump administration rejected her, former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received unanimous backing yesterday to become the first woman and first African director-general of the World Trade Organization.

The trial of the three persons accused of the 2017 murder of Ruby fisherman Shereffudeen Nazamudeen is scheduled to commence this morning before Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court.

(Reuters) – India continued their march towards a series-levelling victory after Ravichandran Ashwin’s scintillating century on a turning track flattened England in the second test yesterday.

(Reuters) – A rare deep freeze in Texas that raised demand for power forced the state’s electric grid operator yesterday to impose rotating blackouts, leaving 4 million customers without power even as temperatures dipped to teeth-chattering levels.

Dear Editor, The Government recognises that transformative development is an integral part of the community development process.

Damian Lillard scored 34 points, dished 11 assists, and made the decisive 3-pointer as the Portland Trail Blazers weathered 44 points from Luka Doncic to beat the host Dallas Mavericks 121-118 Sunday.

GENEVA,  (Reuters) – The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday listed AstraZeneca and Oxford University’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, widening access to the relatively inexpensive shot in the developing world.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has extended its provision of a complimentary mobile plan to support the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Health Department as  essential workers there continue their efforts to remain connected to Covid-19 patients.

Dear Editor, Despite the 2021 budget occupying much attention and commentary, talk of that gas to shore project, with Wales seeming to be the shoo-in location for onshore facilities, has not faded. 

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Serena Williams will lead the charge of American women in the last-eight of the Australian Open and continue her bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title when she meets a familiar foe in second seed Simona Halep today.

SAO PAULO,  (Reuters) – Brazil recorded 528 new COVID-19 deaths and 32,197 new coronavirus cases, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

The Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the governing PPP/C’s 2021 $383.1 billion budget.

Dear Editor, I am confused of OX2. I have a Bsc (Econ) from the London School of Economics but have always failed to understand the budget of Guyana.

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal eased past Italian 16th seed Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-4 6-2 to reach his 13th Australian Open quarter-final yesterday.

CAIRO,  (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia will no longer sign contracts with foreign companies which do not have a regional headquarters in the kingdom after 2023, state news agency SPA reported yesterday, citing an official source. 

Dear Editor, When the government changed in August 2020, I was among thousands of delighted Guyanese to see the long night of the APNU+AFC rule had come to an end.

(Reuters) – South Africa will travel to Ireland in July for a first full limited overs tour comprising three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 fixtures, officials confirmed yesterday.

BENGALURU,  (Reuters) – South Africa has asked the Serum Institute of India to take back the one million COVID-19 vaccine doses the company had sent in early February, The Economic Times reported yesterday, a week after the country said it will put on hold use of AstraZeneca’s shot in its vaccination program.

Dear Editor, Exxon ,with its worldwide footprint, is a source of what many oil-rich countries (without Exxon’s expertise) have described as negative in the main, but, can be a source of good for Guyana, if, Exxon themselves so choose.

KINSHASA, (Reuters) – At least 60 people died when a passenger barge carrying more than 700 people became shipwrecked on the Congo river at night, Democratic Republic of Congo’s humanitarian affairs minister said on Monday.

In her capacity as both the Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and as Prime Minister of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, has drawn particular attention to her capabilities as a regional leader of substance.

Dear Editor, Budget 2021 should have clearly indicated, as it did in other sectors, the quantum of salary increases allocated to public servants.

By  Nina L. Khrushcheva MOSCOW – There are arguably two moments in the last century when a wrecking ball was taken to Russia’s political regime.

BARCELONA, (Reuters) – Paris St Germain travel to Barcelona for their Champions League round of 16 clash today with the French side’s unrelenting pursuit of Lionel Messi adding intrigue to a rivalry laced with recent history.

When the economies of the Caribbean and Central America finally exit the pandemic, most will be in crisis.

(Trinidad Guardian) Pregnant women would not be allowed to receive a COVID-19 vaccine- at least not right now.

(Barbados Nation) Barbados’ National Pause to fight the spread of COVID-19 has been extended until February 28, 2021.