NEWS
One new covid death, 12 additional cases
There has been one additional covid19 related death as of Sunday afternoon, bringing the total number of deaths to 109, a Ministry of Health media release reported. The release announced the latest death was an elderly man with comorbidities. In addition to the death, there has also been 12 new recorded cases of the coronavirus, with seven people being discharged from public health facilities. Read more here
Felicity residents rally against criminal elements
With 24 cases of larceny and burglaries and four home invasions in recent times, the most recent one four days ago when an elderly woman was held up at gunpoint in her home, residents of Felicity yesterday united to fight back against the criminal elements. Community leader Imam Rasheed Karim, Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed and Chaguanas MP Dinesh Rambally headed a walkabout and small motorcade before beginning a petition and seeking information from residents regarding the increase in criminal activity in the area and how it had affected them. Read more here
POLITICS
Duke: Government taking advantage of workers
Public Service Association (PSA) president Watson Duke has accused the government and Ag Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Beresford Riley of taking advantage of public servants. On Sunday during a broadcast on Facebook, Duke further scrutinised the Prime Minister's announcement that public servants were required to return to work last Monday as restrictions implemented to slow the spread of covid19 were lifted. Read more here
Stakeholders get draft reopening plan from Gadsby-Dolly
As part of the preparatory process for the anticipated reopening of schools in January 2021, the Ministry of Education has compiled a draft document outlining measures defining the new normal and what will prevail once Ministry of Health officials grant access to return to physical classes. Among the proposed measures will be a hybrid learning system consisting both online classes and physical interaction in classrooms; staggered hours for the arrival and departure of students; social distancing in classrooms; preference of class assemblies; and separate recess; and lunch and bathroom breaks to avoid congregation in washrooms and cafeterias. Read more here
BUSINESS
Managing your expenses
Virus threat to your livelihood. The health crisis, followed by the economic crunch brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic has been unprecedented. Read more here
REGIONAL
EU investing $1B to tackle gender-based violence
The European Union (EU) will be contributing €4.5M or $1B towards Guyana’s efforts to combat gender-based violence. Over a three-year period, the money will be invested in strategic and catalytic interventions to address the root causes and holistically address gender-based violence and family violence. President Irfaan Ali, on Saturday, in his feature address at the virtual launch of the Spotlight Initiative Programme to end violence against women and girls, said the programme “offers a platform for creating greater awareness, mobilizing financial resources and technical assistance and for the sharing of experiences related to gender-based violence.” Read more here
Leslie Harrow Appointed New Head Of ODPEM
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, has announced the appointment of Leslie Harrow as the new Director-General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), effective Monday, November 2. “Mr Harrow brings to the leadership of the ODPEM over 23 years of service in the public sector, including over 18 in various strategic, logistical and other organisational leadership capacities in the Electoral Office of Jamaica. I am confident that his skills and experience will serve the agency and the country well. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump and Biden race to shore up votes in final hours before Election Day
President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are racing to drive out the votes of Americans not among the more than 91 million who already cast early ballots as an election that started months before the pandemic, and then was defined by it, heads into its final, frantic hours. Tuesday's moment of destiny -- and what could turn into a prolonged count owing to the crush of mail-in votes -- will decide whether Americans reject Trump after a single term or re-up for four more years of his brazen presidency. Read more here
Covid-19: Prince William 'tested positive in April'
The Duke of Cambridge contracted Covid-19 earlier this year, palace sources have told the BBC. It is believed he tested positive in April at a similar time to his father, the Prince of Wales. According to the Sun newspaper, which first reported the story, Prince William, 38, kept his diagnosis private to avoid alarming the nation. Kensington Palace, the office and home of Prince William, refused to comment officially. Prince William, second in line to the throne, did not tell anyone about his positive test result because "there were important things going on and I didn't want to worry anyone", according to the Sun. Read more here
2nd November 2020