NEWS
HDC strengthens security after cutlass attack
The Housing Development Corporation will be implementing enhanced security at its South Quay office following an incident on Wednesday where two customers assaulted each other. A statement from the HDC said a customer began arguing with another customer who was conducting business at its premises. The first customer left the building and returned with a cutlass, breaking through the security door to re-enter the premises. The two customers continued to fight, and an onlooking customer attempted to intervene. The statement said a report was made to the Besson Street Police Station and the incident was being investigated. The statement said the HDC had since reviewed its security arrangements. It said the HDC consulted with staff to alleviate their fears and would be engaging its employee assistance programme (EAP) from Thursday. Read more here
POLITICS
Businessman on guards’ call for high-powered guns: NO THANKS TO ARMS RACE WITH BANDITS
Businessman Derek Chin warned against any arms-race between security guards and robbers, commenting on recent calls for guards to be given high-powered firearms to match those used by some criminals. He instead wanted crime tackled at the root, offering several diverse strategies. He spoke to Newsday on Wednesday as head of Telecom Security Services, whose employee, guard Hasley Augustine, 46, was killed last Thursday when five bandits with high-powered firearms attacked four guards depositing cash at a bank ATM in Cunupia. Last September, bandits killed two security guards – Jeffrey Peters, 51, and Jerry Stuart, 49 – in the Pennywise robbery in La Romaine. Read more here
BUSINESS
Back to school: parents spend more for special-needs students
As the back-to-school season approaches, families across the nation gear up for the annual ritual of buying uniforms, textbooks, and school supplies. However, for families with special-needs children, the cost of education takes on an entirely different dimension. Saira Joseph La Foucade, the mother of two, sheds light on the immense financial burden faced by families of children with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. La Foucade's insights into the exorbitant expenses associated with specialised education and support offer a poignant perspective on these challenges that often go unnoticed. Read more here
US proposes sanctions relief for fair elections in Venezuela
The Biden administration is in talks with Venezuela to explore a temporary lifting of crippling sanctions in exchange for allowing fair elections next year. The preliminary discussions involve senior officials from both nations, including Venezuela’s head of congress Jorge Rodríguez, according to people familiar with the process, who asked not to be identified. Washington has floated the idea of sanctions relief to persuade the regime of President Nicolás Maduro to hold a competitive presidential vote in 2024, and free political prisoners. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyana’s workers critical to country’s prosperity
President, Dr Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday, said that his government has workers as the highest priority on its agenda, as part of pushing Guyana forward. The Head of State made those remarks while delivering the feature address at the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) 22nd delegates congress which was held under the theme, “Advancing workers’ rights, economic progress and social justice.” Noting that the event was an important one to examine the realities of what the country was facing, to come up with tangible solutions, President Ali said that everyone has to take the responsibility of building Guyana seriously. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine claims Crimea landing for 'special operation' on Independence Day
Ukraine has claimed that its troops landed in occupied Crimea, as it marked its second Independence Day fighting Russian invaders. The mission's objectives were achieved with no casualties among its troops, defence ministry spokesman Andriy Yusov wrote on Telegram. Russia illegally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, eight years before it launched a full-scale invasion. Mr Yusov said an encounter ensued in Olenivka, west of the peninsula. He claimed Russia suffered personnel losses. However, there was no immediate comment from Moscow. "Troops have landed at the peninsula as part of a special operation," Mr Yusov told public broadcaster Suspilne, referring to Crimea. Mr Yusov refused to give further details of the operation, but he claimed that the Ukrainian state flag was briefly raised in Crimea. Read more here
24th August 2023