Daily Archive: Saturday, June 13, 2009

-down 11% in ‘difficult’ year The Demerara Distillers Limited Group says that 2008 was one of its most difficult in recent times and after tax profit of $789.2M was 11% less than 2007’s $885.2M in a year in which there was also heavy borrowing.

-husband taken into custody A 50-year-old Cornelia Ida (CI) woman, after suffering more than a decade of abuse at the hands of her reputed husband, was stabbed to death yesterday afternoon.

Two of the three men implicated in the murders of Romeo De Agrella and his son Clint De Agrella yesterday appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Court.

-had been accused of threatening woman A 48-year-old West Berbice man, described as a drug addict was shot dead at around 11 am yesterday after he ran at police officers with a cutlass when they tried to arrest him for threatening a woman.

A 28-year-old Guyana Chron-icle employee was shot late Thursday night allegedly by a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) corporal and is currently hospitalized at a city hospital.

“I can’t remember is wha happen,” Sharmin McKay whispered from her High Dependency Unit (HDU) bed yesterday.

The US government has offered details of what was seized from the law office of Roger Khan’s former attorney, Robert Simels last year, saying on Thursday that it had recovered a surveillance device and its operational software, and two laptop computers on which the software had been installed.

Jason Fraser is wanted by the police in relation to drug trafficking and an arrest warrant has been issued for him by the court. 

LONDON, England, CMC – Dwayne Bravo delivered a superb match-winning performance and engineered a stylish seven-wicket win for West Indies over defending champions in their ICC World Twenty20 Championship match yesterday at Lord’s.

The University of Guyana (UG) has announced the Sunday opening hours of its Turkeyen Campus library.

-GFFPresident of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass and national coach Paul James believe that disgruntled former members of the Golden Jaguars still stand a chance of coming back and representing their country.

-PNCR The main opposition PNCR says the alleged link between Health Minister Dr.

The Miss Guyana Universe pageant ‘The Quest’ returns this year with a few changes.

Culture Box Reality television is not hugely popular here if it’s popular at all, but there is a sense that this is going to change with the kind of exciting, unscripted and unexpected stuff that is unfolding in the GT&T jingle competition this year.

The Public Utilities Commission yesterday expressed strong concern over  “the severe disruptions”  in GT&T’s voice and data services  on Thursday at approximately 11:00am,  and warned that if there are repeated interruptions  it may recommend that other providers be issued with licences allowing for international connectivity.

-Magic Superman succumbs  to free throw kryptonite  ORLANDO, Florida, (Reuters) – Dwight Howard is  known to Orlando Magic fans as “Superman”, but on Thursday the  All-Star centre was undone by his own personal kryptonite —  free throws.    Howard had 16 points, grabbed 21 rebounds and had nine  blocks in Game Four of the NBA finals but it is two blown free  throws with just 11.1 seconds left that he will be remembered  for.  

The match-up between the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) sponsored North Ruimveldt and the Giftland Office Max All-Star team is certainly the talk of the town and tonight, the two teams will put those words to the test when they clash in an All-Star game dubbed ‘The settlement of all confrontations.’

Tastes Like Home Hi Everyone, What’s your steak preference – ribeye, strip, flank, sirloin, porterhouse, t-bone, prime rib…?

-no debt resolution as yet The Georgetown Mayor and City Council is yet to reach an agreement with the two companies contracted to collect refuse in the city.

LONDON, CMC – Sri Lanka bowled purposefully to secure a remarkable 19-run victory over Pakistan in their Group-F match of the Super Eights in the ICC World Twenty20 Championship yesterday.

An unlicensed driver, who was reportedly learning how to drive, crashed into a group of persons at the corner of Broad and Ketley streets yesterday, fatally hitting one man and injuring another.

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Rich countries may act on  their own to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing a  carbon market they hope will lure in poor nations even if U.N. 

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – A forensic pathologist who  oversaw a second autopsy on “Kung Fu” star David Carradine’s  body at the direction of his family suggested yesterday that  the death was not a suicide but declined to say why.  

Sonia Noel says she is ready to pick Guyana’s next top model after a year of scouting, and has declared that a new breed of “fabulous designers” are about to be introduced as well.

A funeral procession of six horse-drawn carts carrying relatives and friends of Gavin Paul (inset), the chain snatcher who was fatally shot on Saturday, rode past the Robb Street location where he collapsed and died.

Former coach of the Golden Jaguars team Wayne `Wiggy’ Dover says he is relishing working in his new professional environment.

Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang has granted an order approving the sale of seven of CLICO (Guyana’s) immovable properties and businesses, and allowing also for the monies earned to be placed in the statutory fund for the benefit of policyholders.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – The Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) has named an eight-member team for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Age Group Track and Field championship in The Bahamas next week.

Where to place the artist in society? That’s the question raised by “Image and Identity: Guyanese Art Now,” the new exhibition now on at the National Gallery, Castellani House.

LONDON, (Reuters Life!) – Dracula actor Christopher  Lee and golfer Nick Faldo will receive knighthoods in the  Queen’s Birthday Honours List — and a 93-year-old station  master gets a nod too.    The 87-year-old Lee, famed for his role as the blood-sucking  Count in the Hammer horror movie classics, has found popularity  with more modern audiences by starring in the Lord of the Rings  and Star Wars trilogies. 

Dear Editor, A serious health hazard of sewerage overflow has erupted in Henry Street, Werk-en-Rust dating back to late March this year.

Dear Editor, Violence against our womenfolk in Guyana is on the rise with each act of abuse becoming more and more gruesome, the latest victim being Ms Sharmin McKay of Bare Root.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Low thyroid activity, one  of the most treated conditions in the United States, may  actually be a sign of longevity, researchers reported yesterday.    While they said it was far too soon for people taking thyroid pills to stop, they will be looking to see if the  thyroid may hold the key to a long life, at least for some  people.    Dr.

TORONTO, Canada, CMC – American track and field great Michael Johnson has embraced Jamaican sprint marvel Usain Bolt as deserving of the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award he landed on Wednesday.

Tomorrow, writers and artists can grab their pens, paints, brushes and other paraphernalia and head up the highway to Pandama, where a day retreat is being held.

-JagdeoBarbadian Prime Minister David Thompson has assured that his government’s new immigration policy is intended to deal only with undocumented Caricom nationals living there and has denied knowledge of raids on the homes of Guyanese living on the island, President Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday.

-East La Penitence teachers end protestTeachers at the East La Penitence Primary yesterday ended their protest after the headteacher received instructions from the Ministry of Education to write an open transfer for the children whose father stormed the school on Friday and verbally abused teachers.

TEHRAN, (Reuters) – State media declared President  Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of Iran’s election      but challenger  Mirhossein Mousavi alleged irregularities and claimed victory  for himself.    The state election commission said early today (last night local time) that   Ahmadinejad, a hardline conservative, was ahead with 66 percent  of the votes in yesterday’s election after 21 million ballots were  counted. 

-Lakers on the brink of 15th title as Orlando sinks to gut-wrenching loss ORLANDO, Florida, (Reuters) – The Los Angeles Lakers moved to the brink of their 15th NBA Championship on Thursday, capitalising on the long-range shooting of Derek Fisher to defeat the Orlando Magic 99-91 in overtime.

Dear Editor, Several opinions have been expressed recently in the letter columns on economic policy.

FACTS 3 has hit television screens with a fresh crop of student designers and a new mix of models, all vying for the top spots in the respective categories, and so far it has made for interesting viewing.

Dear Editor, I refer to Mr Sasenarine Singh’s second item of correspondence (‘What was promised to the people should be delivered’ SN, June 9) on the achievements of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, under the stewardship of Minister Dr Frank Anthony.

Next Sunday Tony’s Place, Pouderoyen, West Coast Demerara, will come alive when Cinderella Promotions hosts a grand ‘Fathers Day Extravaganza’ which will see a number of musicians entertaining.

The Ministry of Agriculture says the H1N1 flu (swine flu) poses no threat to the local pig industry and it is safe to eat pork and pork products.

By Tiadi Blair Third Dan black belt Ganesh Babulall and green belt Victor Burnett copped a total of five awards at the Karate Champion-of-Champions tournament in Trinidad and Tobago last weekend.   Babulall, who is also an instructor at the Guyana Amateur Karate Association placed second and fourth respectively competing in the kata and kumite categories.

BAGHDAD, (Reuters) – The head of Iraq’s biggest   Sunni Muslim parliament bloc was killed at a mosque yesterday,  officials said, an assassination which could undermine efforts  for sectarian reconciliation in Iraq.    Recently picked as leader of the Accordance Front, Harith  al-Ubaidi was seen as a moderate able to make peace  among the  bloc’s groups and also with Shi’ites, Kurds and others who have  struggled for power since the 2003 U.S.

UNITED NATIONS, (Reuters) – The U.N. Security  Council yesterday unanimously approved wider sanctions against  North Korea over its May 25 nuclear test, a move close ally  China said showed firm opposition to Pyongyang’s atomic  ambitions.    The sanctions resolution banned all weapons exports from  North Korea and most arms imports into the reclusive Communist  state.

Dear Editor, I am replying to the letter captioned ‘Caribbean New Yorker did not support Obama during election campaign’ (SN Jun 12) to correct several inaccuracies as they relate to me.

The Ministry of Education says the state-of-the-art secondary school at Hope will be ready in time for the new school year.

(Trinidad Express) – Between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, the lives of four men were brought to a violent and bloody end, sending the year’s murder toll to 247.

By Tiadi Blair Winners of the Grove Inter-block programme yesterday received an undisclosed amount of money following their performance at the final match between North and South Grove with a presentation from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Former beauty queen and well-known personality Olive Gopaul last Wednesday gave birth to a bouncing baby boy at the Woodlands Hospital.

The third week of the SASOD film festival continues next week at the Sidewalk Café with an Academy award winning drama feature, a documentary and a comedy in honour of Fathers’ Day.

Digicel has announced its ‘Free after 5’ text promotion in keeping with its commitment to boost cellular service in Guyana.

LAHORE, Pakistan, (Reuters) – A prominent  anti-Taliban Muslim cleric who condemned suicide bombings was  killed yesterday in a suicide attack in the Pakistani city of  Lahore, police said.  

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez vowed yesterday to strengthen the PetroCaribe regional energy alliance that his nation funds, despite the drop in world oil prices over the last year.

Dear Editor, The participation of Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, in the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) 36 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Damascus, Syria on May 25 did not make news in Guyana.     The OIC is a grouping of 57 countries, the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN, and a major ally of Guyana in its effort to protect its territorial integrity.

Veteran race walker Maurice Fagundes and his son Jonathan copped the top two positions in the Cavaliers Sports and  Tour Club (CSTC) organized New Building Society (NBS) race-walk in the National Park last Sunday.

TCL Guyana Inc (TGI) is hosting seminars for cement inspectors, vendors, block makers and construction workers in keeping with its commitment to provide “quality building investments” in Guyana.

Dear Editor, I refer to the article in the Stabroek News of June 11, 2009, captioned ‘New OAS Resolution condemns violence linked to sexual orientation, gender ID.’

(Trinidad Guardian) – As she was jogging along a nature trail, a woman was suddenly set upon by two men with a shotgun who yanked at her hair and cuffed her about the face and body.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s international golfer Stephen Ames who shot a second-round even-par 70 yesterday missed the cut at the St Jude Classic.

– Mira Kamdar is a senior fellow at the World Policy Institute and a fellow at the Asia Society.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Three detainees from  Guantanamo Bay were transferred to Saudi Arabia “under  appropriate security measures,” the U.S.

DeSinco Trading yesterday presented three tents and sleeping bags to the St Augustine Scouts Group (Buxton) for their use at the upcoming 14th Caribbean Jamboree which will he hosted here at the Scout’s Association HQ from August 8th to August 16th.

Despite increasing efforts by the US and Mexican governments to coordinate their ‘war’ on Mexico’s drug cartels, drug-related violence along the border seems to be escalating inexorably.