Guyana News

The National Assembly yesterday approv-ed an increase of the domestic debt ceiling and up to press time was still debating a motion for a similar increase of the external debt ceiling.

Less than a day after it was disclosed by the US embassy here, the setting up of a Taiwanese trade office in Guyana was scrapped yesterday amid a blast from the Chinese Government, raising questions about decision-making at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and whether Cabinet had been aware of the plan.

Almost two months after contractor Peter Gonsalves was fatally shot and robbed of his XR motorcycle in front of a Kitty bar, the police have arrested the alleged shooter who has since confessed to the crime.

The identity of the holder of the two controversial trawling licences continues to be a mystery, as fisher folk here and in neighbouring Trinidad are unacquainted with the name Rampersaud Sookhdeo, the man purported to have had operations in the twin-island republic, according to the Ministry of Agriculture  President of the Carli Bay Fishing Association, and member of Fisherman and Friends of the Sea, Imtiaz Khan, who has been a part of the fishing industry for years in Trinidad and Tobago, yesterday told Stabroek News that they are unfamiliar with the name of the individual and the name of the operations.

Stating that he will not be intimidated by “front yard or back yard bullies,” House Speaker Manzoor Nadir yesterday reprimanded Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and fellow APNU+AFC member Sherod Duncan for publicly accusing him of showing bias in the National Assembly.

Guyana could receive approximately 149,000 doses of approved COVID-19 vaccines through an arrangement between CARICOM and the African Union.

Guyana’s COVID-19 fatalities now stand at 179 with two new deaths yesterday and 66 new cases of the virus were recorded.

The Ministry of the Public Service distributed 446 scholarships for both local and overseas studies to persons across the country since the PPP/C government was sworn into office on August 2nd, 2020.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has instructed the Guyana Police Force to institute charges against a police constable who fatally struck and killed a Golden Grove woman while driving a Guyana Police Force minibus.

Police have arrested a suspect in relation to the murder of Osafo Pollard, the 29-year-old man who was shot while attending a party in North East La Penitence earlier this week.

A mini-bus driver was yesterday charged with causing death by dangerous driving and released on $250,000 bail.

APNU+AFC  Region Six Councillor, Shurla Scott-Richardson has informed Stabroek News that, based on her own investigation, Skeldon Estate’s General Manager, Vishnu Panday, has been replaced by former finance manager, Rama Persaud.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has provided details of government’s continuing plan to combat COVID-19.

The Ministry of the Public Service and its associated agencies have employed 889 employees on contract, inclusive of those renewed on contract since August 2, 2020.

A North West District resident was stabbed by two men at Baramita early yesterday morning.

The police yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for Akeem John, 22, also known as ‘Fineman’, who is wanted for escaping from lawful custody.

The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the 2019 murder of a Better Hope, East Coast Demerara money changer and his daughter, will continue on February 9 with Mark Rufino removed from the joint charge.

Two more men have died from COVID-19 bringing the death toll to 179.

The APNU+AFC coalition today hammered the government for the fiasco over a Taiwan office here and expressed concern that relations with China had been damaged.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today said that an agreement which had been announced yesterday for the setting up of a Taiwan office has been terminated.