November 10th, 2024

*The following articles were summarized usng AI

Fact of the day

Bananas are slightly radioactive because they are rich in potassium, specifically the natural isotope potassium-40. Potassium-40 is found in all potassium sources and contributes a small amount of natural radiation. In fact, the radiation level in a single banana is so low that it poses no risk to human health. Our bodies already contain about 16 milligrams of potassium-40, making us significantly more "radioactive" than a banana—about 280 times more, to be exact. Additionally, any extra potassium we absorb from eating bananas is quickly regulated by our kidneys and excreted, preventing any accumulation. This phenomenon has even led to the “Banana Equivalent Dose,” a playful measure used to illustrate radiation exposure in everyday terms.

Jokes of the day

1. What kind of music do bubbles hate? Pop

2. Why can’t a toe be 12 inches long? Then it’d be a foot

3. Why do French people eat snails? They don’t like fast food

4. Why shouldn’t you trust atoms? Because they make up everything

Highlights

1. 1,600 House Lots to be Allocated in Linden

2. Core Homes Handed Over in Mon Repos and Lusignan

3. Danielle Swain Wins Fellowship to Cover UN Climate Summit

4. Guyana Sets an Example in Climate Financing

5. 21-Year-Old Dies of Electrocution While Using Grinder

6. Two Men Charged in Staged Multi-Million Dollar Robbery

7. India Will Not Attend 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan

Infrastructure & Development

1,600 House Lots to be Allocated in Linden

The Ministry of Housing and Water will allocate 1,600 house lots to residents of Linden, Region 10, in two weeks. Approximately 4,000 people in the region have active applications in the ministry’s land management system. Minister Susan Rodrigues announced that additional lands in Wismar and Fitz Hope would be made available, with 500 lots in Fitz Hope and over 1,000 in Wismar. The government also plans to improve infrastructure in Blue Berry Hill and regularize Block 42, where similar development is expected soon.

Core Homes Handed Over in Mon Repos and Lusignan

Two low-income families in Mon Repos and Lusignan received new homes through the Core Homes Support programme funded by the IDB. Minister Collin Croal presented the homes, providing improved living standards for recipients. Shauna Badrinauth, 63, expressed relief over her new, flood-resistant home, while Baburam Sanichar’s home was modified with a wheelchair ramp for his wife, Rajdularie Hookumchand. To date, 22 homes have been delivered, and contracts for 157 more are underway. Each home, valued at $5 million, includes a kitchen, two bedrooms, and indoor sanitation.

Environment

Danielle Swain Wins Fellowship to Cover UN Climate Summit

News Room journalist Danielle Swain was awarded a fellowship by Climate Tracker to report on COP29 in Azerbaijan. Swain, known for her environmental coverage in Guyana, aims to highlight how carbon credits from the Low Carbon Development Strategy support local communities. The fellowship allows her to report on climate financing and connects her with global climate experts. Swain's work at COP29 will focus on Guyana's contributions to climate efforts and its role in preserving forests, bringing attention to the importance of funding for environmental resilience in vulnerable countries.

Guyana Sets an Example in Climate Financing

Ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit (COP29), Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo underscored the critical need for efficient climate financing to support developing nations. He voiced frustration over the sluggish mobilization of global funds, emphasizing that bureaucratic hurdles often prevent timely disbursement of essential climate resources. Guyana, a small but environmentally significant nation, has managed to secure $1 billion from carbon credits, primarily through partnerships with Norway and corporations like Hess, demonstrating how forest conservation can drive economic growth. Guyana’s forests, storing an estimated 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon, represent a powerful asset in the global fight against climate change.

Jagdeo is a staunch advocate for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), through which Guyana monetizes its vast forest reserves, generating financial incentives to preserve these crucial ecosystems. He urged international carbon markets to value forest carbon credits on par with other traded carbon credits, highlighting the disparity between Guyana’s success in securing climate funds and the broader global struggle to finance similar initiatives. According to Jagdeo, an inclusive and efficient funding mechanism could help other forest-rich, developing countries contribute meaningfully to climate mitigation efforts.

As COP29 approaches, Jagdeo hopes for robust frameworks that eliminate excessive red tape, enabling rapid and reliable climate financing for countries in urgent need. He believes that replicating Guyana’s approach can bolster global forest preservation efforts, ensuring that developing nations can access the resources necessary to protect their natural environments while benefiting economically.

Crime and Safety

21-Year-Old Dies of Electrocution While Using Grinder

Claymont “Clay” Doris, a 21-year-old from West Coast Berbice, tragically died on November 6 after being electrocuted while using an angle grinder with exposed wiring. His girlfriend found him unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at Fort Wellington Public Hospital. A post-mortem confirmed electrocution as the cause. Family members are preparing funeral arrangements, as the community mourns this unexpected loss.

Two Men Charged in Staged Multi-Million Dollar Robbery

Paramdeo Victor and Cornell Taylor, involved in a staged robbery to steal millions from a jeweller, appeared in court on Friday. Charged with larceny, Victor was additionally fined $30,000 for giving false information after admitting to faking the robbery. Following an investigation, police recovered over $8 million hidden in Victor’s vehicle and residence. Bail was set at $150,000 for both men, with the case adjourned to December 13. The Director of Public Prosecutions is expected to advise on further action.

Sports

India Will Not Attend 2025 Champions Trophy in PakistanThe BCCI has notified the ICC that India will not participate in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, following government advice. With eight teams scheduled to play, including India and Pakistan, the ICC and PCB are considering a hybrid model to allow matches in multiple locations. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed resistance to this arrangement, recalling past hybrid formats for ICC events. Political tension between India and Pakistan continues to affect their sports relations, leaving the tournament's schedule uncertain.