Monthly Archives: July, 2024

Destruction of Gaza water wells deepens Palestinian misery Jul 31, 2024 News A child stands holding a water container as Palestinians gather to collect water amid shortages during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, July 29, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled GAZA, July 30 (Reuters) – Israel’s military blew up more than 30 water wells in Gaza this month, a municipality official and residents said, adding to the trauma of air strikes that have turned much of the Palestinian enclave into a wasteland ravaged by a humanitarian crisis. Salama Shurab, head of the water networks at Khan Younis municipality, said the wells were destroyed by Israeli forces between July 18-27 in the southern towns of Rafah and Khan Younis. The Israeli military did not respond to the allegations that its soldiers had torched the wells. It is not only ever-present danger from Israeli bombardment or ground fighting that makes life a trial for Gaza’s Palestinian civilians. It is also the daily slog to find bare necessities such as water, to drink or cook or wash with. People have dug wells in bleak areas near the sea where the bombing has pushed them, or rely on salty tap water from Gaza’s only aquifer, now contaminated with seawater and sewage. Children walk long distances to line up at makeshift water collection points. Often not strong enough to carry the filled containers, they drag them home on wooden boards. Gaza City has lost nearly all its water production capacity, with 88% of its water wells and 100% of its desalination plants damaged or destroyed, Oxfam said in a recent report. Palestinians were already facing a severe water crisis as well as shortages of food, fuel and medicine before the destruction of the wells, which has deepened the anguish brought on by the Gaza war, now in its tenth month. All Gazans can do is wait in long lines to collect water since U.S., Qatari and Egyptian mediators have failed to secure a ceasefire from Israel and its arch-foe Hamas. Not only is there a shortage of water, much of it is also contaminated. “We stand in the sun, my eye hurts because of the sun, because we stand for long (hours) to (secure) water,” said Youssef El-Shenawy, a Gaza resident. “This is our struggle with non-potable water, and then there is our struggle with drinking water, which we take another queue for, that’s if it is available.” The war started on Oct. 7 when Hamas, the Palestinian militant group ruling Gaza, killed 1,200 people in Israel, according to Israeli tallies, and took another 250 or so to hold as hostages in Gaza, one of the most crowded places on earth. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 39,000 people and bombed much of Gaza, where functioning hospitals are scarce, into rubble, Gaza health authorities say. Fayez Abu Toh observed fellow Gazans standing in line in the heat eager to get their hands on water. Like many Palestinians he wonders why Israel strikes targets that pose no threat to its military. “Whoever has a bit of a sense of humanity has to look at these people, care for them and try to (impose) a ceasefire and end this war. We are fed up; we are all dead and tired. The people have nothing left,” he said. “Does this well affect the strength of the (Israeli) Defense Force? This is a destruction of the infrastructure of the Palestinian people to further worsen the situation, and to pressure these people that have no one, but God.” Related Similar Articles

Curaçao joins CARICOM Jul 31, 2024 News – pledges to leverage cultural, economic strengths Kaieteur News – CARICOM Secretariat – Curaçao is now the sixth Associate Member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The country’s Prime Minister said it brings a unique blend of cultural traditions, economic strengths, and social perspectives that will hopefully strengthen the Community. On Sunday, 28 July 2024, CARICOM Chairman, the Hon. Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, and Prime Minister of Curaçao, His Excellency Gilmar Simon Pisas signed the Agreement accepting Curaçao as an Associate Member of CARICOM during the Opening Ceremony of the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in St. George’s Grenada. In his inaugural remarks following the signing of the Agreement accepting Curaçao into CARICOM, Prime Minister Pisas stated: “We also bring the experience, resources, and the vast international network of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which we can leverage in optimizing our collective strengths and economic connections, and to navigate geo-political complexities to benefit all CARICOM Members States and Associate Members.” Describing the occasion as another historic event in Curaçao’s history, the Prime Minister said joining CARICOM is a testament to its “shared vision of a united, prosperous, and resilient Caribbean Community.” Articulating the potential for participating in Regional Economic Integration, he said the country’s strategic location, natural ports, and well-developed physical and professional services infrastructure, can serve as a hub for regional trade. The Prime Minister said that through investments in connectivity and logistics, Curaçao can help streamline the movement of goods and services across the Caribbean, which can redound to greater economic activity and job creation. “By working together, we can create a more competitive and resilient regional economy,” Prime Minister Pisas stated. He added that Curaçao has begun negotiations with Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic, and imminently with Suriname, demonstrating a firm commitment to regional trade. The Prime Minister also articulated Curaçao’s willingness to support renewable energy, new forms of agriculture, digital technology and telecommunications, human capital development, climate resilience, and sustainable development. He noted that the country intends to participate actively in Functional Cooperation through CARICOM’s robust network of support across the Region. While acknowledging its commitments within the family of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, he said Curaçao is committed to pursuing Regional Integration, as an integral part of the Caribbean family whose cultural identity is linked to the rich historical heritage of the Caribbean region. His Excellency Gilmar Pisas was warmly welcomed by the Chairman of CARICOM and the CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett. In her remarks, Dr. Barnett said she looks forward to Curaçao’s active engagement as the newest member of the CARICOM family. She added that the Community’s growing impact and stature have led to an increasing number of expressions of interest from countries in the hemisphere to participate more fully in CARICOM. CARICOM has fifteen Member States and six Associate Members. Related Similar Articles

Oil companies at risk of losing local content certificate over failure to train, hire Guyanese – Natural Resource Ministry Jul 31, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Ministry of Natural Resource in a statement on Tuesday issued a warning to companies operating within the oil and gas sector that failure to train and hire Guyanese can result in the revocation of their local content certificates In the statement, the Ministry disclosed that in accordance with the Local Content Act No. 18 of 2021 (‘Act’) and in keeping with the approved Local Content Master Plans and Local Content Annual Plans, the Local Content Secretariat this week, wrote to contractors, sub-contractors, and licencees, reminding of their obligation to prioritise Guyanese nationals having the relevant qualification and experience for employment. In the missive, the Ministry said that the parties were reminded that when a Guyanese national has the relevant qualification, but lacks the requisite experience, that Guyanese shall benefit from necessary training. The Ministry noted therefore that contractors, sub-contractors, and licensees are required to ensure that Guyanese nationals employed to support their operations continuously benefit from training and capacity development. “The Secretariat wrote, too, that it will be conducting audits to ensure compliance with the foregoing and other requirements stated in the Act,” the release stated. According to the Ministry as part of those audits, contractors, sub-contractors, and licencees will be required to submit evidence of, inter alia, providing Guyanese nationals the opportunity to apply for new and vacant positions, ensuring a level playing of benefits between Guyanese nationals and non-Guyanese applicants, and consideration for overcoming experience gaps for Guyanese national applicants through training and mentorship. The Ministry warned that a failure to comply with this and other requirements of the Act would render the contractor, sub-contractor, or licensee non-compliant and therefore hinder the receipt of the Local Content Certificate of Compliance and other related approvals. Related Similar Articles

$500M to build 80 more core homes, two recreational facilities – Min. Croal Jul 31, 2024 News Kaieteur News – $500 million will be invested to construct 80 more core homes and two multi-purpose recreational facilities along the East Bank corridor. This was according to Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal during the handing over of five core homes on the East Bank, on Thursday last. These undertakings form a part of the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP), funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). He stated that the 80 homes are currently at the procurement stage. “Here, on the East Bank, we have about another 80 that have been identified. We have already completed the initial part of the procurement process for the contractor to build the houses. So, the evaluation is complete and this is in conjunction with the Inter-American Development Bank. So, it has to go to the IDB for their ‘No Objection’. And very shortly, awards will be made for the various contractors and we will build those houses,” the minister further expounded. So far, 18 houses have been handed over to vulnerable families on the East Bank corridor, ensuring access to comfortable living environments. Each home costs about $5 million, with beneficiaries only required to contribute $100,000 towards construction. Minister Croal reiterated that all the beneficiaries have already been selected for the programme and applications are closed. “I want to ask for patience for those who have been informed and identified. We [will] ensure that we fulfill this project to completion,” Minister Croal emphasised. The minister highlighted, “When we take into consideration the additional work to be done for the houses and the recreational facilities, one can expect to spend, here, at least another half of a billion dollars to complete this.” Meanwhile, the two recreational facilities are currently in the tendering stage. They would be constructed at Herstelling Plot C and Covent Garden, ensuring residents can partake in leisure activities. The facilities would have play areas, washrooms, pavilions, basketball courts, open auditoriums, footpaths, perimeter fences, and LED floodlights. Some $1.125 billion is being invested in the East Bank corridor to execute numerous activities through the AHUAP. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

Addressing health equity is key to ensuring better pandemic preparedness, PAHO director says Jul 31, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Rio de Janeiro, 30 July 2024 (PAHO) – Addressing inequality and ensuring equitable access to health were key issues raised by Pan American Health Organization Director (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, during a high-level event at the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. “We all know that poverty and disease is a vicious cycle that we have to break,” Dr. Barbosa said during the event — The state of global pandemic preparedness and response — but “when the health sector works properly, it can contribute to improving lives and reducing inequality.” During the event, which included the participation of Joy Phumaphi, Co-Chair of the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, Dr. Barbosa also reinforced the importance of ensuring that equity remains front and center of discussions around the new pandemic agreement.“The main basis of global disease surveillance is trust,” the PAHO Director said. “When a country shares information, data, samples, they expect to receive support,” including access to diagnostics, protective equipment, medicines, and vaccines. “If we do not meet these expectations, countries will think twice” about sharing. “Equity is extremely important,” Phumaphi added. “Equity in consultation, in responsibility, in access and in outcomes.” When it comes to ensuring better pandemic preparedness and response, the PAHO Director and Global Preparedness Monitoring Board Co-Chair agreed that while the world is better prepared than before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, much remains to be done. “You can’t talk about prevention, preparedness and response in one single silo,” Phumaphi said. “Everything is interrelated.” “We are not here today but we are getting there,” she added. While there have been some positive developments in terms of improved genomic surveillance, the recent amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the creation of the Pandemic Fund, in the Americas “we are still far from where we need to be to be better prepared for the next pandemic,” Dr. Barbosa said. “In most countries, One Health is still a concept that needs to be translated into concrete actions,” he added. “This is the only way we have to provide early detection and to improve response.” Organised by the Ministry of Health of Brazil, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024, which takes Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 29-30 July 2024, convenes high-level officials from governments and global health from all over the world. The Summit will focus on a variety of issues key to ensuring pandemic preparedness, including equitable access to vaccines, medicines and other health technologies, and enhancing disease surveillance, among other issues. Related Similar Articles

St. Cuthbert’s man missing after leaving campsite to buy rum Jul 31, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Roy Schuman, a 35-year-old labourer from St. Cuthbert’s Mission has been reported missing after disappearing from his worksite at Chinese Landing in Region One. 25-year-old, Roy Schuman According to his mother, Adlene Schuman, he left his home in St. Cuthbert’s Mission to travel to Chinese Landing to work as a chainsaw operator last Thursday, July 25th. She says he would have arrived at Chinese Landing on Saturday around 20:00 hrs, and that his employer informed her that he went to purchase some alcohol after setting up his hammock. Schuman’s mother says that she was told this is the last time he was seen. According to her, his employer said that a possible explanation is that, after purchasing and drinking his alcohol, he became intoxicated and fell into the river. Reports have been swirling that a body was found at Chinese Landing, but these reports have not yet been confirmed by Adlene Schuman or her family at this time. A report has been made by Schuman’s family to the police at St. Cuthbert’s Mission. Related Similar Articles

Election Observer recalls dispute over Region Four results Jul 31, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Trial into 2020 election fraud case… Kaieteur News – Former Election Observer, Rosalinda Rasul, on Tuesday took the stand at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court as the second witness in the 2020 Election Fraud case. Rasul told the court of the dispute between party officials and representatives of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) about the tabulation and announcement of the Region Four results. The trial for the electoral fraud case involves nine defendants that are facing 19 conspiracy charges. The defendants; former GECOM Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield; former Returning Officer (RO) for District Four Clairmont Mingo; former Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers; Former Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence; APNU+AFC’s Chief Scrutineer Carol Smith Joseph; and former GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Liven, Michelle Miller and Denise Babb-Cummings. On day two of the trial, all defendants were present in court except Michelle Miller who appeared virtually for special reasons. The charge is that Lowenfield, Mingo and Myers between the March 2 and August 2, 2020 in Ashmins’ building, Georgetown, conspired with each other and together with Lawrence, Joseph, February, Livan, Cummings, Miller and others to defraud the electors of Guyana by presenting false votes cast at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. The trial was called at 9:30hrs before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.  Leading Tuesday’s trail was Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat. Rasul, who was the former credited observer of Amcham Guyana, told the court that on March 2, 2020 she was assigned to several polling stations to observe the casting of votes in Districts Three and Four. She testified that around 22:35hrs she proceeded to the Ashmins building briefly to observe the tabulation process into Region Four. Rasul further stated that around 01:35hrs on March 2 she heard RO Mingo announce that the tabulation process would be halted and resume at 02:00hrs. “He said that there was one SOP (Statement of Polls) that was tabulated when he halted the process to state that the parties will be given an opportunity to put their recipes in order and resume the tabulation process at 2 am,” Rasul said. She said that, while present at the building, she noticed local and international observers, as well as agents from all the respective political parties, including A Partnership for National Unity + the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). The election observer claimed that the tabulation process was halted at 04:15 hrs. and resumed at 9:30h on March 3, though she was not present at the Ashmins building that day. On March 4, Rasul recalled that while she was waiting in the regional office room, she saw Deputy Chief Election Officer Roxanne Myers enter the room announcing that Mingo was unwell and had to be taken away by an ambulance. Myers subsequently returned to the room and according to Rasul announced that she (Myers) will resume the tabulation process of the East Bank Demerara District. Rasul said she observed that three persons from the PPP/C objected to Myers’ statement. Those persons were Sonia Parag, Kwame McCoy, and Sasenarine Singh. She told the court, “Political parties started to speak very loudly against that decision stated that they had not yet completed the tabulation process for Georgetown.” There was a back and forth between the PPP/C and Myers in relation to how many SOPs were tabulated for Georgetown. Rasul continued, “The PPP/C were saying 100 SOPs are still to be tabulated and Myers had said three. Myself and partner opted to present a list to Myers from our laptop as to how many SOPs were remaining.” She said that the outstanding tabulation contained 59 SOPs. Around 14:00 hrs. it was announced that the tabulation will resume with the East Bank Demerara District and two GECOM staff, Alexandra Bowen and Michelle Miller would continue the tabulation process. Rasul observed that Bowen and Miller were calling the number of votes from a document that was not the SOP. At that point, defence attorney Darren Wade objected to Rasul’s statement questioning whether she knew what an SOP looked like. As a result, Rasul rephrased and said that the document looked like a legal sized paper. She told the court that when Miller started calling numbers there were noises coming from the PPP/C party saying that the figures were “inaccurate” and that they were showing a deviation from what they had on their SOPs. Rasul said that the objecting PPP/C members asked the Miller to stop calling the numbers and get GECOM Chief Elections Officer Lowenfield into the room to clear the matter. However, Miller continued calling the numbers. Miller subsequently paused the counting when a member from PPP/C group exited the room to summon Lowenfield. “There was lot of arguments from various persons from the room with Miller regarding the numbers,” Rasul recalled noting that  Lowenfield entered the room and party agents explained to him what was happening and their disagreement with the procedure since it deviated from the norm. The witness told the court that the PPP/C members stated that the numbers being called by Miller were not reflected on their SOPs and that they wanted the procedure to return to normalcy. “Lowenfield at that point had some things to say and he referred to the document as a broad sheet and he said that it was an administrative tool [and] that he had no problem with the figures used in the tabulation process,” Rasul told the court. She recalled that those present in the room objected to the process and Lowenfield in response said if there were issues with the broad sheet and their SOPs then he would provide GECOM’s SOPs to clarify the queries. Subsequently, Lowenfield reportedly used the SOPs to continue counting the votes. Rasul said that Parag called her numbers from the SOPs in her possession while Lowenfield called his. The observer concluded that the numbers presented by both Lowenfield and Parag correlated. Meanwhile, during Tuesday’s testimony by Rasul, lawyers representing the defence Eusi Anderson and Ronald Daniels, frequently interjected by noting that the observer drew her own conclusions based on what she observed and that ought to be inadmissible. Magistrate Daly acknowledged and made it clear that Rasul’s personal opinions would be struck from the record. The matter was adjourned to 09:30h today when Rasul will return to the witness box to resume her testimony. Parag, who is currently Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, continued her testimony on Tuesday is expected to be cross examined soon. Additionally, the Prosecution led by attorney Darshan Ramdhani, KC is expected to call Rawl Nedd and Edgar Thomas to the witness stand this week. Related Similar Articles