Daily Archive: Friday, May 28, 2021

A Trans Guyana Airways baggage handler was gunned down and robbed this afternoon shortly after he had concluded selling a quantity of gold.

President Irfaan Ali visited Mahaicony Creek, Region Five this afternoon to assess flooding in the area after heavy and persistent rainfall, a release today from the Office of the President said.

The Ministry of Health today said  that four more persons have succumbed to COVID-19.

Approximately 5,000 acres of land has been identified for the development of new housing areas in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), according to a release today from the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

Nelson Barrington Clonmell turned 100 years old yesterday, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security said.

Citing the sensitivity of the issue as well as a confidentiality clause that governs executive meetings, Bank of Guyana Governor and current Chairman of the Guyana Gold Board, Dr Gobin Ganga yesterday declined to comment on allegations made by former Chairman GHK Lall that he [Ganga] had in 2019 said that there was evidence of gold smuggling from Venezuela which could have led to blacklisting of this country.

KUALA LUMPUR, (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today announced a nationwide “total lockdown” starting in June as coronavirus infections in the country surged to record levels.

 (Reuters) – A Dominican court has restrained local authorities from removing fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi from the country, throwing up another hurdle to India’s attempts to have him brought home and tried in India’s largest bank fraud case.

BERLIN/WINDHOEK, (Reuters) – Germany apologised today for its role in the slaughter of Herero and Nama tribespeople in Namibia more than a century ago and officially described the massacre as genocide for the first time, as it agreed to fund projects worth over a billion euros.

(Trinidad Express) After receiving heavy criticism from Trinidadians last year for his wax sculpture of veteran calypsonian Slinger Francisco “The Mighty Sparrow”, sculptor Arthur Edwards is coming under fire from Trinidadians yet again, for his interpretation of David Rudder.

Villages in the North and South Rupununi have been cut off from access to Lethem as floodwater from over- flowing creeks and rivers have either covered parts of the roads or washed away sections, making it impassable for small vehicles.

Almost forty per cent of Guyana’s adult population has received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine but in a sign of how tight supply chains are the Ministry of Health has no more second doses of Russia’s Sputnik V shots on hand as there has been in a delay in shipments.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Alex Garraway, 22, called ‘Uncle Alex,’ of 1162 Cummings Park, ‘E’ Field, Sophia, who was yesterday afternoon found guilty by a jury of raping a five-year-old girl back in 2018.

A security guard died after she was struck by a motor car along the Number 77 Village, Corentyne road in a hit and run on Wednesday evening.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has handed over a $30 million cheque to the Mayor and City Council to aid in the completion of its administration building.

The two Brazilian men who were busted with close to 1,000 pounds of cocaine in their aircraft last week after they crash-landed in Orealla, were remanded to prison after they were charged with illegal entry and trafficking of cocaine.

Floodwater in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) has receded and affected residents yesterday received relief hampers from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

Regional officials yesterday said that the flooding caused by consistent heavy rainfall is creating misery and also affecting the agricultural sector.

Given the level of prominence afforded what President Irfaan Ali had to say at last Saturday’s virtual diaspora engagement, it is difficult to dispel the view that his administration may be moving in the direction of taking more seriously, the contribution that overseas-based Guyanese can play in the country’s development, going forward.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall yesterday urged contractors in Berbice to ensure that they go above and beyond to deliver on $1 billion worth of contracts awarded to them at the signing of four contracts as part of the Region Six Regional Democratic Council (RDC) budget.

The Golden Jaguars, the Guyana men’s senior football program, has officially selected their playing squad for the impending 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, which is slated to be held on the island of St.

With Guyana’s new-found oil wealth singling the country out as a potential haven for both foreign and local investment, investors from various countries are homing in on what they see as opportunities to realise lucrative returns from possible business opportunities here.

Vurlon Mills, founder and lead instructor of the Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA), has endorsed and praised the involvement of parents for their contribution in the development of players who operate under the umbrella of the entity.

The dates for the administering of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) remain unchanged, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand has confirmed.

Guyana’s death toll as a result of COVID-19 now stands at 376 after two more fatalities were reported yesterday.

Locally grown pumpkin is somewhat different to the varieties cultivated elsewhere, the main visible difference being in the generally green and white exterior of the home-grown vegetable.

It is now official, Guyana will be represented by 12 Track and Field athletes at the South American Championships which gets off to a flying start in Ecuador tomorrow.

Celtics president Danny Ainge said he never heard or witnessed racist behavior from fans in the Garden.

Dear Editor, The news inside Guyana today that Exxon as the operator of the Liza 1 Project will begin paying a flaring charge was completely overtaken by events outside of Guyana.

Flood-affected residents in Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, yesterday in a state of frustration burned some tyres along the Mibicuri Public Road in their attempt to block the Regional Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain, who was present in the area to check on works, from leaving.

This week’s Stabroek Business Fruits and Vegetables Personality is Joodnauth Bissesar aka Cecil.

The Ministry of Education in Barbados has secured the support of a number of regional agencies in support of the rolling out in the island’s upcoming 2021-22 academic year of a School Nutrition Policy designed to support the nutritional needs of schoolchildren in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member country.

The Guyana Police Force yesterday stated that it is investigating the death of a 15-year-old boy who reportedly drowned on Wednesday at Arau Mountain, Cuyuni River, in Region Seven.

(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal has already hoisted the French Open trophy a jaw dropping 13 times and with the tantalising prospect of increasing his Grand Slam haul to 21 — thus becoming the most successful player in men’s tennis — it is difficult to see anyone stopping him in Paris.

Now that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries Guyana and Suriname have joined Trinidad and Tobago as bona fide oil-producing countries in a region that has, over time, had its economies stifled by high global oil prices, all eyes are now on Jamaica which would now appear to be next in line for oil-producer status.

Dear Editor, Recent concerns about the US Government’s planned electoral reform project, to be implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI), were met with a positive response from the PPP/C, which has variously confirmed that civil society and political parties will have an input on electoral reforms, and that the draft amended Representation of the People Act (RPA) would be circulated at the end of June 2021.

Marketers and agents of alleged Ponzi scheme, Accelerated Capital Firm Inc (ACFI) have been asked to visit the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Head-quarters, Eve Leary with all documents of transactions they carried out with the principals of the firm, as part of an ongoing investigation.

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists in its frightening rampage, loss of jobs, whether through temporary or longer-term displacement, have closed off income-earning avenues for several types of businesses, arguably, none more so, than Farmers’ Markets.

CMC – Veteran superstar Chris Gayle has made a return for this year’s Caribbean Premier League, after sitting out last year’s tournament for “personal reasons”.

Dear Editor, The PM is quoted as saying the new 46.5MW power generators currently being installed is “part of the Government’s plan for reliable electricity” – Hogwash!!

The odds have turned significantly in favor of the Dallas Mavericks heading into Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers tonight.

The need for the Caribbean to ensure the integrity of its key and critical internet and other communication infrastructure as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make its presence felt in the various territories was one of the key currents of the discourses that attended the recent Fourth Annual Technology Community Forum hosted jointly by the Caribbean Network Operators Group (Carib.NOG)

A Sophia resident who allegedly stole a woman’s jewellery was on Tuesday remanded to prison.

Dear Editor, On the 26th of May this year, which marks the 55th anniversary of the independence of our great nation, good news comes by way of the courts in Hague.

(Reuters) – Iga Swiatek has proved she has added consistency to her game since her breakthrough French Open victory last year and after adding the Rome title to her tally this month, the Pole would be assured that a Roland Garros defence was a real possibility.

A man was on Tuesday remanded to prison after being charged with an armed robbery, in which it is alleged that he stole $350,000 from a woman while holding her at gunpoint at her work place.

The announcement a matter of days ago by the Dominican-born Director of  the Pan American Health Organisation Dr Carissa Etienne, that between them, Latin America and the Caribbean have now chalked up in excess of a million Covid-19 casualties, came just at that point in time when Caribbean countries, faced with some measure of indifference to strict observance of the related protocols as well as to the taking of the prescribed vaccines, had begun to double down on the strictures, not least curfews and complete lockdowns, in a desperate hope to fend off what is believed to be a second, possibly more virulent strain of the virus.

Dear Editor, With regard to our natural resources, I believe like every Guyanese that we should always be looking to get a bit more directly and/or indirectly, but however well intended, it is inaccurate and there is great danger to believe and worse in preaching that we Guyanese are receiving crumbs from the ongoing extraction and commercialization of our natural resources, gold and oil. 

(Reuters) – England fast bowler Jofra Archer will not rush his return from elbow surgery in case it affects his primary targets of playing the Twenty20 World Cup in India and the subsequent Ashes series against Australia later this year, the 26-year-old has said.

The two persons who were injured on Sunday night after a driver lost control of his car and plowed into them and others while they were sitting on the curbside of the road at Kairuni, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, are still in critical condition while post mortem examinations (PME) will be conducted today on the three persons who were killed.

Dear Editor, I skimmed the tributes for the departed Vic Persaud, long serving Chief of Protocol in Guyana’s Diplomatic Service. 

The continual development of communication technology and more particularly the spread of internet services into what were once considered inaccessible regions of many developing countries is breathing new life into rural and other remote areas and refashioning perspectives for global development, a new report issued by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and titled ‘Reconsidering Rural Development’ says.

Dear Editor, The Guyana daily (SN, May 24, 2021) reported on two “gifts”, one to UG for a lab from Halliburton, the other an “offering [of] oil & gas services” by a Danish (BWS) company.

A clothes vendor’s car was lit on fire on Tuesday and surveillance footage later showed a man pouring what appeared to be a liquid on the vehicle before starting the fire.

(Reuters) – Juventus have sacked coach Andrea Pirlo and replaced him with former manager Massimiliano Allegri, Italian media reported yesterday.

Gold Prices for the three day period ending Thursday May 27, 2021 Kitco is a Canadian company that buys and sells precious metals such as gold, copper and silver.

Dear Editor, I knew Vic Persaud from the time he first became Chief of Protocol to the first of all the Presidents of Guyana whom he served.

(Reuters) – The European Union and Japan yesterday backed Tokyo’s hosting of the Olympic Games this year, with EU-produced vaccines helping Japan in its battle against a fourth wave of infections.

GASCI (www.gasci.com/telephone Nº 223-6175/6) reports that session 916’s trading results showed consideration of $88,432,883 from 1,106,256 shares traded in 17 transactions as compared to session 915’s trading results which showed consideration of $14,655,455 from 138,949 shares traded in 26 transactions.

HOUSTON/BOSTON,  (Reuters) – Last December, when a week-old hedge fund named Engine No.

A 59-year-old Sans Souci woman has suffered serious injuries after being hit down by a motorcycle on Tuesday evening.

Dear Editor, I wish Guyanese at home and abroad the best for you, your families and communities.

After Minister of Education Priya Manickchand spoke at the National Grade Six Assessment booster programme last Friday, her words were seized upon by a number of people in the belief that the exam was about to be abolished.

In the course of the recent engagement between Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana Mark Berman during which – as reported in this issue of the Stabroek Business – the two talked up possibilities for the strengthening of relations between the two countries, Minister Mustapha, who is the serving Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force for advancing the agriculture agenda of the region, reportedly alluded to the current focus of the Task Force on producing a document on food security highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each member state, for submission to CARICOM Heads.

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – An Australian court ruled yesterday that the country’s environment minister has an obligation to children to consider the harm caused by climate change as part of her decision-making in approving the expansion of a new coal mine.

Over the decades, several international charities and aid organizations have made a home in Guyana.

(Trinidad Express) A Covid-19 positive police sergeant died after leaving home quarantine yesterday.

Our police travails – real and fake (?) My own vital formative years – six to twenty-one – were spent in the George-town ward of Alberttown.

(Reuters) – After a season in which Europe’s traditional powerhouses stumbled, tomorrow’s Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea is a showcase for the contemporary dominance of England’s Premier League.

The Ministry of Health  last night refuted claims made by a Member of Parliament on social media that Nursing Students at the New Amsterdam Nursing School are being forced to take the COVID-19 vaccines.