November 9th, 2024

*The following articles were summarized using AI

Fact of the day 

Sound can fall below zero decibels, meaning it’s quieter than what humans typically perceive. The quietest place on Earth, Microsoft's anechoic chamber in Redmond, Washington, measures -20.6 dB. In such ultra-silent environments, sounds like heartbeat or blood flow become audible. The chamber’s design—thick concrete walls, sound-absorbing wedges, and a spring-mounted floor to block vibrations—creates an environment where sound has nowhere to travel, resulting in this record-breaking silence.

These chambers are critical for testing products like microphones and speakers, ensuring they perform even in near-silent conditions. However, extreme silence can feel disorienting and uncomfortable, with many people tolerating only minutes before feeling overwhelmed. In anechoic chambers, with no external sounds to guide the senses, some even experience hallucinations. While anechoic chambers are scientific tools, they also highlight our dependence on everyday sounds for orientation and comfort.

Jokes of the day

• A guy asks a lawyer about his fees.“I charge $50 for three questions”, the lawyer says.“That’s awfully steep, isn’t it?”, the guy asks.“Yes, I suppose so”, the lawyer replies. “Now what’s your final question?”

• A cruise ship passes by a remote island, and all the passengers see a bearded man running around and waving his arms wildly.“Captain,” one passenger asks, “who is that man over there?” “I have no idea,” the captain says, “but he goes nuts every year when we pass him.”

Highlights

1. Old Age Pension to Increase to $41,000 in 2025 with Enhanced Security Measures

2. Clean Water Reaches Bamia Residents After Over 30 Years

3. Nine More Squatting Areas to Be Regularized in 2025 – Croal

4. House Lots Awarded to 500 East Coast Demerara Residents, Including Amputee and Pensioners

5. Police Detain Vendor Attempting to Sell Cotton Candy to Students

6. Student, 14, Shot in Chest After Alleged Robbery Incident

7. Two Men Charged with Burglary in Bartica, Granted $100,000 Bail Each

8. Guyana Tops Caribbean in 2024 CSEC and CAPE Exams

9. Cricket West Indies Signs Historic Six-Year Media Rights Deal with ESPN Caribbean

Economy & Development

Old Age Pension to Increase to $41,000 in 2025 with Enhanced Security Measures

In line with its campaign promise, the PPP/C government announced an increase in old age pension to $41,000 for 2025, up by $5,000 from the current $36,000 for pensioners aged 65 and above. Concerns over pension book duplication have prompted discussions on additional security features. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo stated that Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, is planning new methods to prevent duplication, possibly linked to reports of alleged pension book theft worth $150 million. The issue, believed to involve criminal activity, has been under police investigation. Dr. Jagdeo affirmed efforts to prosecute anyone involved while ensuring timely distribution of the updated pension books.

Clean Water Reaches Bamia Residents After Over 30 Years

In a milestone for the Bamia community along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, residents now have access to clean water for the first time in over three decades. Minister Susan Rodrigues, from the Ministry of Housing and Water, inaugurated the water main on Wednesday, benefiting around 200 families. Previously, residents had to fetch water from distant sources, often unsure if they’d have sufficient water each day. Rodrigues noted the challenges encountered in establishing the well, emphasizing the government’s commitment to achieving 100% access to potable water by 2025. This new connection marks a significant improvement in the residents’ daily lives, finally bringing reliable, safe water to their homes.

Nine More Squatting Areas to Be Regularized in 2025 – Croal

The Ministry of Housing and Water aims to regularize nine additional squatting areas by the first quarter of 2025, following the regularization of seventeen areas since 2020. According to Minister Croal, this initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to promoting legal housing and discouraging new squatting. Areas scheduled for regularization include Vigilance South and North, Coldingen North, De Endraght South, Enmore, and Enterprise. Minister Croal emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy on squatting, urging citizens to avoid new settlements in unregulated areas.

House Lots Awarded to 500 East Coast Demerara Residents, Including Amputee and Pensioners

At its 50th "Dream Realised" initiative held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, the Ministry of Housing and Water allocated 500 house lots to residents along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), targeting areas in La Bonne Intention Phase 4 and De Endragt. Among the recipients was Jesus Mahamgoo, an amputee and father of four, who shared his excitement about finally being able to build a home after years of renting. Pensioner Corin Gibson, who is wheelchair-bound, also expressed relief at gaining independence with her new house lot.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, highlighted the government’s ongoing investments in the ECD, with over $62 billion already spent on infrastructure and another $32 billion allocated for 2024 projects. He also noted that Region Four currently has 40,000 pending housing applications, and efforts are underway to address applications from 2019 and earlier. The event also included the distribution of 490 Certificates of Title to new homeowners, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to providing housing and supporting generational wealth.

Crime & Security

Police Detain Vendor Attempting to Sell Cotton Candy to Students

A 24-year-old cotton candy vendor was arrested following an incident at Marian Academy in Georgetown. The arrest occurred after a 12-year-old and an 11-year-old student reported being approached by the vendor’s vehicle on school premises on November 1. The students noted the vendor’s vehicle with tinted windows and reported that he offered them cotton candy, which they declined. The police tracked the vehicle, and the vendor was detained on November 7 at La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station. The man admitted to being on school grounds to sell candy but stated he did not exit the vehicle due to school policies prohibiting vendors. His girlfriend, also present, was taken into custody along with the vendor’s vehicle, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Student, 14, Shot in Chest After Alleged Robbery Incident

A 14-year-old student from Georgetown remains hospitalized after being shot in the chest during an alleged robbery incident on Thursday night at Durban Park. The student reported that he and a friend, known as "Ranks," stole a handbag from a woman with a cutlass, prompting bystanders to pursue them. The teen fled towards Durban Park, where he was caught and assaulted by a group of men. During the altercation, he heard a gunshot and felt a burning sensation on his chest. Bystanders assisted him, and he was taken to Georgetown Public Hospital, where he is in stable condition. Police are searching for "Ranks," the woman involved, and those responsible for the assault and shooting. Investigations are ongoing, and the police encourage anyone with information to come forward.

Two Men Charged with Burglary in Bartica, Granted $100,000 Bail Each

John Gillette, 21, and Naresh Persaud, 20, appeared in Bartica Magistrate’s Court on November 7, charged with Break-and-Enter and Larceny related to an alleged burglary in Bartica. Both pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed and were granted bail of $100,000 each. The incident reportedly occurred on November 5, when the defendants allegedly broke into the property of a 62-year-old businessman on Fourth Avenue, Bartica, and stole several items. The case has been adjourned to November 21 for further proceedings as investigations continue.

Local News

Guyana Tops Caribbean in 2024 CSEC and CAPE Exams

Guyana excelled in the 2024 CXC May/June exams, leading in both the CSEC and CAPE levels and securing numerous awards across subjects. Queens College student Anaya Couchman was named Top Overall Student at CAPE, and David Chowtie topped CSEC in the Caribbean, also earning Most Outstanding in Humanities. ISA Islamic School’s Asiyah Karim, Anna Regina Secondary’s Venisha Lall, Saraswati Vidya Niketan’s Chitra Parbhu, and St. Rose’s High’s Carlana Alexander also received regional distinctions. Minister of Education Priya Manickchand celebrated these achievements, underscoring Guyana's educational diversity and commitment to equity. A full report on subjects and grades will be released soon.

Sports

GFF Completes First Phase of C Licence Course for Local Football Coaches

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has concluded the first phase of its CONCACAF C Licence course for Elite League and Youth National Team coaches, aligning with Club licensing requirements and CONCACAF standards. Block One of the program ran from October 28 to November 1, 2024, featuring hands-on sessions. Coaches now enter a developmental phase, applying skills in real-game settings until December 2, 2024. Block Two, scheduled from December 3 to December 7, will continue development, while Block Three in January 2025 will conclude with assessments. Overseen by GFF’s Technical Director Bryan Joseph and Coach Development Officer Lyndon France, the course emphasizes leadership, team functions, and tactical principles, with 27 coaches enrolled to elevate Guyana’s football coaching standards.

Quarter-Final Spots on the Line in ExxonMobil Futsal Championship

The ExxonMobil Futsal Championship heats up Friday night at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden, with five pivotal matches determining quarter-final spots as the group stage nears its end. In Group D, Germans face an elimination game against Fearless, needing a substantial win to advance. In Group A, undefeated YMCA takes on One Syde, who must win to keep their hopes alive, while Bomberz and Ahsasa clash in a do-or-die match for a top-two finish. Group C sees leaders Silver Bullets compete against Money Bell to determine final group standings. The tournament’s G$1 million prize intensifies the competition, with individual standout performances potentially catching the eye of futsal enthusiasts.

Cricket West Indies Signs Historic Six-Year Media Rights Deal with ESPN Caribbean

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has finalized a landmark six-year media rights agreement with ESPN Caribbean, ensuring exclusive broadcast and digital coverage of West Indies Men’s and Women’s home international matches, as well as the CG United Super50 Cup. This partnership, covering 2024-2030, secures ESPN Caribbean as the premier home for West Indies cricket. CWI Acting CEO Lynford Inverary highlighted that this is the largest media rights deal CWI has ever secured within the Caribbean. ESPN’s Sr. Director Scott McGlone expressed enthusiasm for expanding the reach of West Indies cricket, noting ESPN's commitment to providing extensive coverage for Caribbean sports fans. The deal also allows CWI to license post-match highlights on free-to-air and digital platforms, broadening accessibility and engagement.

West Indies Announce Strong T20 Squad for England Series

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has revealed a powerful 15-man squad for the first two games of the five-match T20I ‘Rivalry’ series against England, starting November 9 at Kensington Oval, Barbados. The team includes seasoned players like Akeal Hosein, Shimron Hetmyer, and Nicholas Pooran, who rejoin after the Sri Lanka tour. Medium-pacer Matthew Forde replaces Alzarri Joseph, currently suspended for two games. Head Coach Daren Sammy expressed confidence in the squad, highlighting the competitive lineup ready to face England. Following Barbados, the series moves to St. Lucia for the final three matches.

West Indies T20I Squad: Rovman Powell (Captain), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.