Guyana News

 The Ministry of Health says that four more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) died today.

Months after they were questioned by the police as part of an investigation into the award of state lands at Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD), four persons including PNCR member and attorney, James Bond and former acting Chief Executive Officer of NICIL, Colvin Heath-London are to appear in court today.

Ten days after gold dealer, Ricardo Fagundes was riddled with bullets just after he exited the Palm Court bar on Main Street, Georgetown, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) remains silent on the investigation.

The refusal of the APNU+AFC government to accept defeat in the March 2, 2020 elections, the arrest of Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones and the killing of a man by the police last year were some of the issues highlighted in the US State Department’s 2020 Country Report on Human Rights Practices here.

As of Tuesday, approximately 32,714 persons have been vaccinated as the authorities begin the rollout of the inoculation expansion programme, says Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony.

The Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) yesterday apprehended a 64-year-old man with a suitcase containing nine parcels of suspected marijuana weighing a total of around 10 lbs.

Relatives of Surojdeo Deochand, who was found murdered in the lower flat of his house on Tuesday afternoon, are claiming that the man was threatened numerous times in the past and his house was stoned several times causing him to relocate for months.

Fifty-seven new COVID-19 cases were yesterday recorded while an additional 100 persons have recovered from the virus.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is working to finalise a request made by the proprietor of Sleepin Hotel and Casino on Church Street, Clifton Bacchus, to utilise a section of the Merriman Mall for vehicular parking.

Representatives from the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) yesterday met with  Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud to discuss their plans to construct a shelter for women who have survived abusive relationships and a home for the elderly.

As he blasted government’s COVID-19 response for lack of preparations and enforcement to date, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon yesterday said that he would advise persons to take the vaccine but it must be of their own volition.

President Irfaan Ali yesterday visited Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne where he provided on-the-spot answers to issues raised by residents in connection with drainage, water, roads, electricity, security and streetlights.

The Mayor and City Council is currently investigating the dumping of pharmaceutical supplies on the parapet of a building located at the corner of Forshaw and Oronoque streets, in Queenstown, Georgetown.

Ministers from the United Kingdom and the Caribbean have pledged co-operation on COVID-19 and a raft of other areas.

A man was on Monday arrested after he was found with 711 grammes of suspected cannabis at Good Success, Wakenaam Island, Essequibo River.

Two newcomers stole the show and took the top honours when the Soca and Chutney Monarch competitions concluded last Saturday.

A Superbet proprietor was on Tuesday robbed of over $2 million and other valuables by two identifiable suspects at his West Bank Demerara residence.

Former government minister Annette Ferguson today defended a High Court order awarding her damages against Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo because of his failure to file a defence in a libel case.

As part of the Ministry of Education’s efforts to prepare Grade Six students to write the 2021 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), Minister of Education Priya Manickchand had announced that study packages will be sent to every child in the public sector.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security today denied that the residents of the Palms elderly care home were being served black tea because of a shortage of milk.