Daily Archive: Saturday, August 15, 2009

-total of 78 years Six Guyanese pirates have been sentenced to a total of 78 years in jail in Suriname after being found guilty of several charges including robbery, abduction and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

-Wallisa Roberts is top student Queen’s College student Wallisa Roberts, who obtained Grade One passes in five subjects, heads the list of outstanding performers at this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), according to preliminary results released by the Ministry of Education (MoE) yesterday.

-army mum The main sugar union GAWU yesterday expressed concern about testimony in a New York courtroom that members of the army in 2005 moved the bodies of missing sugar workers from the front of Buxton to the backlands and it raised the question as to whether those who have been named shouldn’t be made to provide a response.

Early morning raids were conducted by the police yesterday in several East Bank Demerara villages and a number of persons including a suspect in two murders were arrested and an unlicensed weapon found.

They thought their life could get no better. Seeking shelter under an old wooden table as rain fell through the porous zinc sheet roof was the way of life  for 61-year-old Gladys Madramootoo, called ‘Moon’, and her surviving son David, a forty-five-year-old drainage and irrigation foreman, attached to the Canefield Enterprise Neighbourhood Democratic Council in East Canje, Berbice.

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) says with access to quality education, decent work opportunities and adequate remuneration young workers can make an important contribution to the development of the country.

Magistrate Priya Beharry on Tuesday granted $100,000 bail each to two East Bank men accused of conspiring to commit a felony, when they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – West Indies batting legend Brian Lara is among several coaches attending the ninth annual Sandals Cricket Academy, which opened at the Beausejour Cricket Ground last weekend.

Magistrate Priya Beharry granted a man accused of stealing a bottle of coffee from the Fogarty’s Supermarket $20,000 bail when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

A man accused of forging a will for a plot of land for his own benefit was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $200,000 when he appeared before Magistrate Priya Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

A $95M contract was yesterday sealed for the construction of a dormitory at Liliendaal for hinterland scholars.

The Education Ministry will be examining a proposed five-year educational plan, prepared by the Board of Governors of the St Stanislaus College which the institution says can be used as a model for private-public sector partnerships to transform secondary education in Guyana.

A Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara businessman and his wife were attacked and robbed by four men on Thursday of $200,000.

Magistrate Priya Beharry granted $60,000 bail to a woman accused of knowingly providing the police with false information that she had been raped.

A prisoner, who was serving two concurrent three-year sentences, escaped from the New Amsterdam Prisons on Thursday.

Government is spending $15M towards the hinterland component of the Uniform Programme this year and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is targeting approximately 7,000 students with a focus on Regions Seven and Eight, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said in a release.

The Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce  and Development  (LCICD) at its recent AGM elected Basil Jaipaul as president and  Marvin Burns as senior vice- president, the Chamber said in a news release yesterday.

A Charity, Essequibo captain died shortly after sustaining injuries when two boats collided on the Moruca River on Thursday afternoon.

– Olympic 100 and 200m champion Usain Bolt will look to leave his own personal stamp on this year’s World Championships which begins today in Berlin but will find American Tyson Gay standing in his way BERLIN, Germany, CMC – Phenomenal Jamaican Usain Bolt and reigning champion Tyson Gay, of the USA, are the undisputed star attractions at the 12th IAAF World Championship and fans will not have to wait long to see them.

The Rastafari Patriots will resume their rivalry against the Baldheads on August 22 at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground but unlike the two previous occasions, both teams have added overseas-based players to their lineup to help strengthen their chances.

-elude chasers Two taxi drivers of Number 28 Village, West Berbice are upset that bandits stripped their cars early yesterday morning of lights valued over $200,000, cash and a bottle of cologne.

Local speedster Stephen ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira says that he is hoping to transfer his winning ways from the South Dakota Circuit in Guyana to the Bushy Park race circuit which will play host to the second round of the Caribbean Race of Champions series.

Sydney Christophe and Michelle John turned in outstanding performances in the New York Table Tennis Federation event held recently at the club’s headquarters in Manhattan, NYC.

The Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCGI) has repaired 60 km of road including a 38-km stretch from Aroaima to Ituni (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

An Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council tractor trailer driver who alleged caused the death of a co-worker and failed to report the incident and render assistance, was yesterday slapped with three charges and later released on $360,000 bail.

By Orin Davidson Only in the West Indies would you find an `Old Boys Club’ being allowed to run a professional sports organisation into the ground.

By Marlon Munroe Women from seven Caribbean nations will contest the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)  Senior Women’s Challenge 50 limited overs tournament which bowls off today.

Over 250 books were delivered to the Buxton and Friendship Primary schools and Buxton Community High School each following a meeting between President Bharrat Jagdeo and community leaders about illiteracy in East Coast communities.

Naya Zamana 15- Dancing through the ages offered up the expected beauty, intensity and diversity that has become synonymous with the production.

Culture Box Travelling overland most times is a tedious exercise especially when one considers the long line to check in, the immigration process and then the long waiting time before actually boarding an aircraft.

By Marlon Munroe The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) concluded its two-week cricket academy with president Bissondial Singh urging participants to utilize the new found knowledge for the development of self and more particularly for the development of the game.

Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Thursday granted $100,000 bail to an Alexander Village man accused of stealing a man’s bag which contained $100,000.

Trade unionists Lincoln Lewis and Norris Witter along with social activist Mark Benschop are contending that Guyana has never been this bad since the legacy of Dr Cheddi Jagan’s pre-colonial struggles is being tarnished by what they see as President Bharrat Jagdeo’s “tyrannical reign.”

Tastes Like Home Hi Everyone, It’s Scottish. No, it’s Indian. It’s British.

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Veteran rock band Aerosmith  has scrapped its ill-starred North American tour a little over  a week after singer Steven Tyler fell off the stage and broke  his shoulder.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) says it is continuing investigations into the allegation that a special constable had stolen a vehicle from the Customs and Trade Administration compound but it refutes claims that the suspect is part of a crime ring.

‘Music is the world to me’ says Calvin Burnett By Tiffiny Rhodius Music means the world to 20-year-old Calvin Burnett and by winning second place in the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition, he believes he has now boosted his standing from that of a small town singer to a Guyanese artist.

Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton on Tuesday remanded to prison two men accused of robbery under arms when they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

MUMBAI (Reuters) – Known for his dashing good looks and the yuppie characters he plays, Saif Ali Khan has established himself as one of Bollywood’s most reliable actors.

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – A cinematic love story about a  time traveler popping in and out of his wife’s life is looking  to emulate the success of the bestselling debut novel it is  based on, but early reviews of the film show an uphill battle.

One of Guyana’s longest surviving record studios is set to observe its tenth anniversary come next year, but the company is not waiting that long to mark the occasion kicking off the celebrations last evening.

Dear Editor, The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is disappointed that we were not given the opportunity to respond to the letter, entitled ‘Waiting two years for title from Ministry of Housing,’ which was published in the Stabroek News edition of July 25, 2009.

Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Wednesday ordered a Herstelling man to keep the peace for two years when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charge of using threatening language towards his former wife.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Britain ordered the suspension  of the government of its Caribbean territory of Turks and Caicos yesterday and imposed direct rule after an investigation  found evidence of widespread corruption.

Dear Editor, Some time ago I wrote a letter to you about a chicken farm in Success.

By Nicosia Smith City cosmetologists, through a Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) and United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) sponsored programme, are forging a path toward behavioural change through their service as they learn about gender violence and its causes.

GAZA, (Reuters) – Islamist radicals from a pan-Arab  group defied the Hamas rulers of Gaza yesterday by declaring an  “Islamic emirate”, prompting clashes that killed 16 gunmen.

Dear Editor, The competition for space on our limited roads among men, machines and stray animals seems to be intensifying with every passing day.

Guyana Fashion Weekend is importing a sizzling Trinidad contingent for its month-end extravaganza, delivering what it calls a blend of “local and Trini catwalk teasers”.

BELGRADE, Mont., (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack  Obama, pushing for healthcare reform during a trip to the West,  said yesterday the country was “held hostage” by insurance  companies that deny coverage to sick people.

From this afternoon children will be treated to children’s films originating from the Caribbean when the Sidewalk Cafe and the Cuban Embassy in Guyana join hands to screen the second Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase.

Dear Editor, I saw in today’s papers, Chairman of the GPL, my good friend, Bharrat Dindyal lamenting the  difficulties of filling key vacancies.

Local Beverage gain Ansa McAl recently launched the Smalta Kids promotion giving those 17 years and under a chance to win a Xbox game and other prizes.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The founder of the defunct  British online gambling firm BetOnSports pleaded guilty in U.S. 

Dear Editor, Just today (August 13) at Springlands Magistrate’s Court, almost a dozen persons were fined $20,000 for having left Guyana to go to Suriname ‘backtrack.’

(Reuters) – Ethiopia’s most popular singer, Teddy Afro, was freed early from prison on Thursday after serving 18 months of a two-year sentence for hit-and-run manslaughter.

Dear Editor, Community policing has met with a variety of setbacks since the late eighties.

SOCHI, Russia, (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela  Merkel yesterday backed a host of Russian investments in the car  and shipbuilding sectors to help struggling European companies  weather the economic crisis.

Scottsburg United and Port Mourant through to semis Scottsburg United and Port Mourant have moved onto the semi-final round of the 2009 Spready’s Bakery Under-19 50-overs cricket competition in Berbice after registering easy victories against their opponents in the quarter-final matches.

(Reuters) – Legendary guitarist and inventor Les Paul, who pioneered the design of solid body Gibson electric guitars that bore his name, died Thursday at a New York hospital of complications from pneumonia.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Media Association of Jamaica Ltd (MAJ) and the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) have come out in strong support of Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s endorsement of proposed amendments to libel laws that would engender higher levels of accountability among public officials.

Dear Editor, In his column of August 13, Freddie Kissoon stated, “Burnham had finessed methodologies at his disposal” and “Burnham was the personification of the sophisticated use of power.”

TAIPEI, (Reuters) – Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou,  under mounting pressure over his government’s response to a  devastating typhoon, yesterday estimated that more than 500  people had died in flooding and mudslides.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico,  CMC – The World Boxing Council (WBC) on Thursday sanctioned the November rematch between the Jamaican Glen Johnson and the undefeated American Chad Dawson.

Dear Editor, On Thursday, August 6, 2009, I attended the small ceremony held beside the Seven Ponds in commemoration of the 24th Anniversary of the passing of President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. 

(Jamaica Gleaner) Even as discussions continue for Jamaica to resume a borrowing relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the way has been cleared for the country to get approximately US$320 million (J$28.5 billion) from the fund by early next month.

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Billboard) – The Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” led Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart for a second week on Thursday, while box office champ “Hannah Montana: The Movie” accounted for six tunes on the tally.

BONN, Germany,  (Reuters) – U.N. talks on a new  climate treaty due to be agreed in December risk failure unless  negotiations accelerate, a senior U.N.

(This is the ninth in a 10-part series intended to look at some of the issues surrounding Guyana’s bid for funds from the World Bank-administered Forest Carbon Partnership Fund (FCPF) and from Norway, and for the President’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.)

(Jamaica Gleaner) Remittance inflows to Jamaica have already dropped close to 16 per cent since January, and a multilateral agency is predicting that money transfer markets will continue to slide and that the drop would be widespread across Latin America and the Caribbean region.

(Reuters) Oscar winner Denzel Washington might be making a foray into series television.

Dear Editor, I refer to a letter by Mr Frederick Kissoon in SN on August 7 (‘It is not the age of an activist which matters…’), his second response to my call for a new writers and thinkers for our political discourse.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – Legislators passed a law late  on Thursday that could reduce religious education in Venezuela,  where critics of President Hugo Chavez say he wants to  strengthen his grip over schools and universities.

It was considered  one of the biggest tournaments to grace the Linden community when it was first held last year and this time  the organizers are promising an even bigger Brush’s Basketball Classic which will run from August 21-29 at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) hard court.

Within the Caribbean, we often tend to think that our politicians are uniquely ignorant and venal, and that in places like the United States, public life is pursued with a proper respect for facts and reasonable arguments.

LAGOS, (Reuters) – Nigeria’s central bank said yesterday it was injecting 400 billion naira ($2.6 billion) into  five banks and removing their senior management because their  undercapitalisation posed a risk to the banking system.

(Trinidad Express) A single phone call on Thursday from the Express corrected a 37 year-old mistake that had denied a 102-year-old man his pension payments.

Dear Editor, One of your letter writers commented on the continual pessimism about Guyana. 

Dr Bertrand Ramcharan, Ph.D. (LSE), Barrister-at-Law, is a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Commissioner of the International Commission of Jurists, and Professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.

Sheik Promotions in association with the Guyana Softball League (GSL) will host a Floodlight Softball Competition tonight at the Ogle Community Centre ground.