NEWS
UWI principal: Physical classes not likely before vaccine
For university students, UWI St Augustine campus principal Prof Brian Copeland said until a vaccine is delivered, it may not be plausible to have students physically attend classes en masse. He said allowances were made in the public health regulations for the university for students to attend campus for labs and practicals. He said each department would have to present him with the precautionary measures they intend to take to limit the risk of spreading the virus if students are brought back to campus. Read more here
MovieTowne crowd raises concerns
Videos have emerged of scores of young people gathered at MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain, Saturday evening without adhering to COVID-19 regulations which include the wearing of masks and not gathering in groups of more than 10. The videos which were posted on social media sites showed what is commonly known as ‘teenie-boppers’ gathered en masse in front of the entrance to the MovieTowne theatres, many of whom were not wearing face masks. Read more here
POLITICS
Sinanan: Revision of taxi badge process in the works
Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan said his ministry is revisiting the requirements to acquire a taxi badge as well as the length of time the process takes. He encouraged everyone who wants to operate a vehicle for hire to go through the legal process. Read more here
Kamla, Vasant’s teams claim irregularities
Complaints of problems in yesterday’s UNC internal election came from both incumbent Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s Star team and challenger Vasant Bharath’s Lotus team. Dr John Bharath, father of challenger Vasant Bharath, said he was unable to vote as his name wasn’t on the voting list. Agricultural Society head Dhanoo Sookoo also queried why her name wasn’t on the voting list. She was recently screened by the PNM among Toco/Sangre Grande general election nominees and was rejected. Her problem yesterday was brought to Guardian Media’s attention by Bharath’s camp. Read more here
BUSINESS
Resilience of emerging markets
The old adage — when the US sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold — continues to hold true, especially for emerging market (EM) countries, including those in the Caribbean. Over the last two decades, the global economic landscape has changed significantly. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘Aggressive’ works underway to supply reliable electricity
As ‘blackout’ woes continue to be an issue that many Guyanese have grown weary of, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, has emphasised that the current administration is working “aggressively” to supply reliable electricity to Guyanese. On Saturday night, the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) announced that ten 1.6 Megawatt (MW) Caterpillar Units were acquired to boost the company’s generating capacity for the holiday season. Read more here
Positive For COVID And His Spouse Having A Miscarriage, Deportee Decries Treatment By UK Authorities
A Jamaican who expressed concern last week that his deportation from the United Kingdom could be a “death sentence” as he had no known relatives here has tested positive for COVID-19 after landing last Wednesday. Now undergoing treatment as he serves out a mandatory 14 days in isolation, Milton* told The Gleaner that he was not tested for the deadly coronavirus before he left the UK on a charter flight with 12 other deportees last week. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump's pandemic blindness and election denial darkens America's desperate winter
Donald Trump's denial during his final days in office is darkening America's winter of sickness and death, damaging democracy, hampering Joe Biden's nascent presidency and jeopardizing Republican hopes of clinging to the Senate. The President's dereliction of duty as a pandemic that has never been worse rages out of control is depriving America of sorely needed leadership from its most powerful voice. The scale of the crisis with death rates and hospitalizations soaring was further underscored Sunday after it emerged that Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani has Covid-19. Read more here
Brexit: UK-EU talks to resume in final push for trade deal
Talks between the UK and EU are due to resume in Brussels in a final bid to reach a post-Brexit trade deal. Disputes over fishing and business competition rules are still going on, but the UK government said there was "still time to reach an agreement". The EU mood was described as "downbeat" ahead of chief negotiator Michel Barnier meeting the UK's Lord Frost. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will speak to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday evening. Read more here
7th December 2020