November 6th, 2024

*The following articles were summarized using AI

 Fact of the day

Did you know? The hashtag symbol (#) is technically called an octothorpe. The name combines "octo," meaning "eight," and "thorpe," which has a few debated origins. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "Octo" refers to the symbol's eight points or line segments—four vertical and horizontal, intersected by four angled lines. The origin of "thorpe" is less clear, but one theory suggests it’s inspired by the Old Norse word for "village," used humorously by Bell Labs engineers who coined the term in the 1960s. Another theory is that it was a playful addition with no specific meaning or even a tribute to the famed athlete Jim Thorpe. Originally used to denote numbers or pounds, the symbol became known as the "hashtag" after Twitter adopted it for categorizing posts. Today, we use it online to tag topics, but its technical name, octothorpe, holds a quirky spot in linguistic history.

Joke of the day

During my check-up I asked the Doctor, "Do you think I'll live a long and healthy life then?"He replied, "I doubt it somehow. Mercury is in Uranus right now."I said, "I don't go in for any of that astrology nonsense."He replied, "Neither do I. My thermometer just broke."

Highlights

1. President Ali Urges Faster Progress on Ogle Maternal and Paediatric Hospital

2. Private Sector Commission Criticizes Law Enforcement Gaps

3. Severe Storm Hits Karasabai, Destroying Homes and Injuring Three

4. Full Scholarships and Employment for 20 Guyanese in Offshore Industry

5. Ganja Worth $27.4 Million Destroyed in Kimbia

6. Ganja and Cocaine Seized in Mahdia Arcade Raid

7. Kwakwani Man Hospitalized After Multiple Stabbing Incident

8. Bartica Couple Arrested for Drug Possession

9. Three Arrested for Alleged Murder of Linden Food Vendor

10. Police Arrest Suspects in East Coast Robberies

11. Rice Farmer Dies in Tractor Accident

Politics

President Ali Urges Faster Progress on Ogle Maternal and Paediatric Hospital

President Irfaan Ali has directed contractors to speed up work on the new Maternal and Paediatric Hospital at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, aiming for a mid-2025 completion. Expressing dissatisfaction with current progress, he instructed the Austrian contractor, VAMED, to increase manpower and work shifts. The hospital, expected to be the first of its kind in the Caribbean, will feature 256 beds, a modern imaging suite, a laboratory, and specialized paediatric care facilities. Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony highlighted the inclusion of subspeciality services and 24-hour operations. The project, signed in June 2022, is part of Guyana’s commitment to advanced healthcare for mothers and children.

Business and Economy

Private Sector Commission Criticizes Law Enforcement Gaps

Ramesh Dookhoo, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission’s Economics and Finance Committee, raised concerns about widespread regulatory breaches across Guyana. At an anti-corruption workshop in Georgetown, Dookhoo highlighted issues like subjective enforcement of laws and the prevalence of illicit trade, including smuggled alcohol, which evades high import duties and pressures local businesses. He noted that up to 80% of high-end alcohol in bars is smuggled, with some sold at just 20% of the standard retail price. Other concerns include breaches in labor laws and tax evasion. The PSC recently established an illicit trade desk, allowing citizens to report violations directly.

This is Agriculture and Environment

Severe Storm Hits Karasabai, Destroying Homes and Injuring Three

A brief but intense storm struck Karasabai Village in Region Nine, injuring three people and damaging over 20 homes. Toshao David Albert described the storm’s cyclone-like force, which uprooted roofs and collapsed walls within minutes. Many of the damaged homes belonged to students attending Karasabai Secondary School. The government, led by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, has committed to reconstruction, and the Civil Defence Commission has provided emergency relief hampers.

Education

Full Scholarships and Employment for 20 Guyanese in Offshore Industry

El Dorado Offshore, Noble Corporation, and MatPal Marine Institute have launched the Noble Marine Cadet Scholarship Program, offering 20 full scholarships annually, each valued at over $100,000. The program includes 18 months of classroom learning, 18 months of offshore experience, and a guaranteed job upon completion. Renatha Khan, Noble’s Local Content Manager, highlighted the program’s success since 2017, noting over 440 Guyanese are now working on Noble’s drill ships. Applicants require a strong high school background or a technical certificate, a GPA of 3.2, and 85% attendance. Applications are open until December 31, 2024, on the El Dorado Offshore website.

Crime & Security

Ganja Worth $27.4 Million Destroyed in Kimbia

Cannabis valued at $27.4 million was destroyed in Kimbia, Upper Berbice River. During the police operation, two farms were discovered. The first farm covered four acres and held 6,000 cannabis plants (6,600 kg) and 54 kg of dried cannabis. The second farm spanned six acres, with 10,000 plants (10,000 kg). Officers also found 50,000 cannabis seedlings. Both farms, along with several makeshift camps, were burned. Samples were collected and taken to the Mackenzie Police Station.

Ganja and Cocaine Seized in Mahdia Arcade Raid

Police seized 910 grams of cannabis and 30 grams of cocaine in a raid at Mahdia Arcade, Region Eight. The search, targeting illegal firearms and narcotics, uncovered three black plastic bags of cannabis and a transparent bag of cocaine. The items were photographed, weighed, and taken to the station; no arrests were made. A previous raid at the same location found two additional bags of cannabis totaling 76 grams under water tanks. Investigations are ongoing.

Kwakwani Man Hospitalized After Multiple Stabbing Incident

Lancelot Captain, a 28-year-old from Kwakwani, is in serious condition after being stabbed 10 times. The incident occurred following an argument with Orlando Towler, who allegedly attacked Captain with a knife. Captain was treated at Kwakwani Hospital before being transferred to Linden Hospital. Towler was arrested and will appear in court as investigations continue.

Bartica Couple Arrested for Drug Possession

Collin Obermuller, a businessman from Bartica, and his wife were arrested for drug possession. Police found a buried five-gallon bucket with suspected cannabis (362 grams), cocaine (25 grams), and amphetamines (24 grams). Additionally, 62 grams of cocaine were discovered in 11 bags. The couple is in custody and assisting in the investigation at Bartica Police Station.

Three Arrested for Alleged Murder of Linden Food Vendor

Three men, including 55-year-old Calwyn "Brother" Croal, are in custody for the alleged murder of Nigel Somersoll, a Linden food vendor. Somersoll was found with a gunshot wound to his chest and a head laceration outside his home. He was pronounced dead at Linden Hospital. Police investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack.

Police Arrest Suspects in East Coast Robberies

Police apprehended two suspects connected to armed robberies along the East Coast of Demerara. The first incident took place at a barbershop in Clonbrook, where a barber and two customers were robbed of gold chains worth $1 million, $205,000 cash, and two phones by four men armed with pistols. The suspects fled in a vehicle but were pursued, leading to the arrest of the driver, while others remain at large. In a separate incident, a female security guard in Ogle was robbed by six men on motorcycles who stole her gold chain, $25,000, and phone. One suspect was later apprehended.

Rice Farmer Dies in Tractor Accident

Sunil Rampersaud, a 43-year-old rice farmer from Mibicuri South, Region Six, tragically died after his tractor flipped into a trench. The accident occurred as he attempted to turn near a wooden bridge. Bystanders pulled him from the trench and rushed him to Mibicuri Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending, and further investigations are underway.