NEWS
New, viable green C'bean energy projects – ANSA McAL, KGL sign MoU
The ANSA McAL Group and Kenesjay Green Limited (KGL) – an indigenous regional leader in green energy project development – have signed an MOU to accelerate development of new and commercially viable green energy projects in the Caribbean. Significantly, an ANSA McAL release said, the signing which was done on Saturday, was done at the COP28 Climate Summit in Dubai, during the session on Regional Green Hydrogen Developments in the Caribbean. The event was applauded by representative ministers of several Caribbean states, and supported by co-hosts in the auspicious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Pavilion in the Blue Zone – the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator (CCSA) and Kenesjay Green Limited. Read more here
Venezuelan activist objects to contentious referendum
A local Venezuelan activist has rejected yesterday’s referendum in the South American country that could determine the fate of Essequibo, a contentious territory in Guyana. During an interview with Guardian Media yesterday, Yesenia Gonzales said the vote, which was conducted in defiance against the International Court of Justice’s recent ruling, was a dark day in the country’s history. She said, “This thing he (Nicolas Maduro) doing today is a fraud for the general election that is coming up in October next year, so he trying to get as much vote as he can so he could use that, because he knows he cannot go through the election system again so therefore he doing this to try and get vote.” The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling on Friday, warning Venezuela against taking any action that can alter Guyana’s control over the oil-rich region. Venezuelan authorities have claimed that the swath of land in their dispute with Guyana was stolen when the border was determined back in 1899 and that they did not recognise the court’s order. Read more here
POLITICS
Deyalsingh meets with pharmaceutical reps
Ministry of Health officials including minister Terrence Deyalsingh met with key stakeholders from the pharmaceutical industry last week as part of the ministry’s efforts to digitise critical health services. In a press release, the ministry said the stakeholder meeting was held to finalise its online drug database for registered drugs. Representatives from pharmaceutical distributors including Smith Robertson and Co Ltd, Bryden Pi Ltd, Massy Distribution Ltd, Vernon Technologies Ltd and Healthcare Services Caribbean Ltd attended the meeting. Officials from the Private Pharmacy Retail Chamber, the Pharmacy Board and the Pharmaceutical Society were also present to review and test the online database as well as submit recommendations for improvement. Read more here
BUSINESS
‘Park and Ride’ for shoppers
Kiran Singh, president of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce (GSFCC), said the “Park and Ride” system in downtown San Fernando is an initiative that will bring about more enthusiasm and encouragement into consumer spending in the city. Singh, in a phone interview with the Express yesterday, said business owners hope that the shuttle service will increase foot traffic into the numerous retail outlets and small business ventures in downtown San Fernando. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘We will not be trampled upon; we will not be caught off-guard’ – President Ali tells citizens
Amid patriotic displays of music, art and dance, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Sunday declared that Guyana is standing on solid ground and will be not “trampled upon” as Venezuela’s seeks to annex the country’s Essequibo region. Addressing a mammoth crowd at the National Stadium, Providence, the Head-of-State in a bold and direct charge, said, both himself and his people will not be moved. “I have a message for President Maduro and the vice president, nothing you say, no amount of propaganda or lies will drive any fear in my heart or the heart of any Guyanese.” The Nicholas Maduro government on Sunday, held a controversial referendum. This saw Venezuelans taking to the polls to vote on the country’s claims to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, despite an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling last Friday which ordered the Bolivian state to refrain from any action that would change the status quo, which is, Essequibo is governed by Guyana. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Mount Marapi: Eleven hikers killed as volcano erupts in Indonesia
Eleven hikers have been found dead near the crater of Indonesia's Mount Marapi volcano after it erupted over the weekend, rescuers say. Twelve others are missing and the search was suspended on Monday after another, smaller eruption. There were 75 hikers in the area during the main eruption on Sunday but most were safely evacuated. Marapi spewed a 3km (9,800ft) ash cloud into the air, dimming the sky and blanketing surrounding villages in ash. It is among the most active of Indonesia's 127 volcanoes and is also popular among hikers. Some trails reopened only last June due to ash eruptions from January to February. Marapi's deadliest eruption occurred in 1979, when 60 people died. Read more here
4th December 2023