Daily Archive: Saturday, February 27, 2010

CONCEPCION, Chile,  (Reuters) – One of the world’s  most powerful earthquakes in a century battered Chile today, killing at least 214 people, knocking down buildings  and triggering a tsunami that threatened Pacific coastlines as  far away as Hawaii and Russia.

Region Four Regional Executive Officer (REO) Shafdar Ali is being sought by police for questioning in relation to a multi-million dollar fraud committed on the state.

MV Northcote breaks down, perishable goods lost Port Kaituma residents are calling on the authorities to improve the ferry service offered by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) to the Region One area, some calling on the authorities to make available a new and faster vessel to serve the mining district.

Two weeks of debate on the 2010 National Budget and consideration of estimates in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly concluded last evening when the House passed the Appropriation Bill 2010, giving the go-ahead for public spending this year.

Eleven titles of the Guyana Classic Series republished under the recently established Caribbean Publishing House, were last evening launched by President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Umana Yana.

The arrival of tracker dogs around an hour after Ishwar Mithu’s bedroom was cleaned and unwanted items burnt, has left the remigrant’s relatives upset and convinced that any evidence the animals could have picked up is now lost.

– mutual respect lacking President Bharrat Jagdeo says developing countries continue to be shut out from key decision-making forums globally because an air of dominance still plagues the relationship between smaller states and the developed powers.

Residents of the Port Kaituma area have expressed dissatisfaction over police investigation into an alleged report of rape committed on two young girls by a relative who has since been placed on bail and is roaming the area.

President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday joined relatives and friends of Seeraj Persaud an HIV Counsellor who had been murdered at his Parika office, at a solemn cremation ceremony held at the Kaashi Dhaam.

PPP/C Region Four councillor Kwame McCoy, who was recently suspended by the council for what it termed “his disobedience at meetings”, has hit back at it, stating that he is prepared for a “battle in the interests of preserving my rights, responsibilities and obligation to protect the people of Region Four”.

‘Let Everything that has Breath Praise God’ is the theme for World Day of Prayer this year and it will be observed on Friday March 5.

The search of a tractor-trailer at Kamuni Creek, Demerara River on Thursday led to the discovery of a gun trap, cartridges and ganja beneath pieces of lumber.

Joycelyn’s chips “Chips, chips, chips,” Joycelyn Ambrose peeks into the bars and shops of Mahdia, coaxing people to buy the plantain chips and mangoes that fill the basket she lugs.

Twenty-three-year-old Rishaun Bollers called ‘Precious’ of Brutus Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara,  was remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly accompanying his friend in robbing a man at gunpoint of a quantity of cash, among other items.

Thirty-four-year-old Michael Thomas of Atlantic Gardens was remanded to prison when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly threatening to kill his girlfriend.

Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton yesterday ordered that a 19-year-old be remanded to prison when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly being involved in the robbery at Mainstay, Essequibo Coast, where a farmer and his family were relieved of a quantity of jewellery and cash.

A housewife was yesterday placed on $75,000 bail when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court accused of snatching another woman’s gold bangle in a city store.

Dennis Bacchus, 45, of Cemetery Road, Mocha, East Bank Demerara and 24-year-old George Mc Clennon were placed on $30,000 bail each when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly beating and robbing a man of cash and a wristwatch.

Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton yesterday ordered Royston Wellington of Hadfield Street to  be remanded to prison when he appeared before her for allegedly being found with a quantity of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The Ministry of Education on Thursday signed contracts valued US$9.6M for the construction of two more technical institutes.

There were nervous moments yesterday near the KFC restaurant on Mandela Avenue after a small fire ignited fat that had drained way from the restaurant.

Carl Greenidge, former Minister of Finance in the Desmond Hoyte administration, will deliver the Third Desmond Hoyte  Memorial Lecture series in the Rupununi Room of the Tower Hotel on Tuesday, March  9  at 5:00 pm.

“That’s a matter of policy”, said Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee when questioned by PNCR-1G Parliamentarian, Deborah Backer yesterday, on who has day-to-day control of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) in Guyana.

-Europe now lowest priced market The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) has agreed that it needs to start making new arrangements now for the sale of sugar to the European Union (EU) after the 2015 date that the current agreement covers.

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali said the nation must move forward in unity in order that it might achieve all the plans and net gains from investments already made, in his address to Region Ten residents at the flag-raising ceremony held to mark Guyana’s 40th Republic anniversary.

The Golden Arrowhead was proudly hoisted at around 7 am at Parliament Buildings and other ceremonial functions performed as Guyana marked its 40th Republic anniversary.

By Rawle Toney The Queen’s Baton which is making its journey through Guyana en-route to the 19th Commonwealth Games in India was relayed across Georgetown in style yesterday.

Veteran player Michael Pereira has taken the lead in the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Topco Juice Mash Chess Tournament as the tourney reached the half way stage.

U15 one day tourney launched The ninth annual Inter-County Castrol Under-15 limited-overs tournament will begin on March 9.

Excitement then shock is what ‘Sugar Cake Girl’ Fiona felt last Friday night when she won the Mash Chutney Competition.

The PPP says Youman Nabi offers everyone an opportunity to reflect on the message of the Holy Prophet since today much of the teachings has been distorted and misunderstood.

By Tiffny Rhodius The last time The Scene spoke to Orlando ‘Bonesman’ Johashen, he was a contender for the Soca Monarch crown promising to do his best at the finals of the competition.

By Marlon Munroe East Coast Demerara (ECD) thoroughly outplayed defending champions Georgetown in the Demerara Cricket Board DCB NALICO/NAFICO under-15 limited overs tournament at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground yesterday.

The PNCR in its Youmun Nabi message has suggested that “as a nation, we reflect on the significance of the birth of the Holy Prophet (On Whom Be Peace) and take to heart the lessons and messages of this religion.”

South Ruimveldt Secondary School’s (SRSS) female team lifted the Guyana Cricket Board/Ministry of Education trophy when they defeated Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS) by five wickets at the Demerara Cricket Club ground yesterday.

This commentary will likely offend people and I unapologetically say that is not my problem.

BOGOTA, (Reuters) – A court blocked Colombian  President Alvaro Uribe yesterday from running for re-election,  making his former defence minister the favourite to replace the  U.S.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) calls on the nation to emulate the Prophet Muhammad and to unite with all democratically-minded citizens to rid the nation of the corruption that has polluted it.

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) said the nation should aspire to emulate the life of the Prophet Muhammad in every situation which they face in their daily lives.

Hi Everyone, Fact: tell me to go into a health food store to buy a food item or product and I’ll roll my eyes.

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, (Reuters) – An independent board  of scientists is to review the work of a U.N.

Coming hot on the heels of the Mashramani Stableford competition, local golfers will tomorrow compete in the Toolsie Persaud Limited  Hardware Division Medal Play tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club.

Dear Editor, We refer to the letter that was published in your February 16, 2010 edition under the caption ‘Long waits at Republic Bank, Linden’ by Mr Frank Fyffe.

Twenty two teams will compete in a specially arranged four-overs-a-side “One Tip, Two Tip”  Invitational Cricket competition.

ISTANBUL, (Reuters) – Two retired generals were  charged yesterday over a plot to unseat the government, raising  the stakes in a potential stand-off between the ruling party and  armed forces that has hit Turkish markets.

The Muslim Youth League (MYL) calls on Muslims to observe special prayers for the solidarity, prosperity and integrity of the Muslim community and to emulate the Prophet Muhammad’s path.

Dear Editor, I suspect Dr Randy Persaud was not clear on my public position that the 2010 national budget lacked inspiration and offered minimal benefits to the working class in Guyana.

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s President  Robert Mugabe celebrates his 86th birthday on Saturday with a  lavish party as the economy struggles to recover from crisis,  showing no sign of planning to retire after 30 years in power.

Former Soca queen Shellon ‘Shelly G’ Garraway has apologized to her fans for failing to defend her title at last weekend’s Carib Soca Monarch competition at the National Park.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was nearing a century in his first match back from injury as Guyana fought back strongly on the first day of their final round, WICB regional first class clash against the Windward Islands yesterday.

The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) said the message of Youman Nabi reminds citizens that they share a common humanity which should inspire them to cooperate for the benefit of the country.

Dear Editor, Most debates if not all comprise a proposer, opposition and a moderator.

After its Mash night break, Link Show 26 continued on Wednesday and will now run until Monday night (March 1) at the National Cultural Centre.

LONDON, (Reuters) – The Court of Appeal ruled yesterday that a judgement strongly criticising the country’s  security services over the alleged torture of a former  Guantanamo Bay detainee should be published.

(Cricinfo) Pakistan cricket plunged itself into wholesale confusion as the sniff of match-fixing rolled around once again, this time as a particularly nasty smell.

– Bas on the back bench, refuses to deal with Chief Whip Jack (Trinidad Express) – Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Thursday pledged to return Trinidad and Tobago to a peaceful country under a UNC government.

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Teenaged batsman Jahmar Hamilton narrowly missed out on a century while pacer Lionel Baker wrecked Combined Campuses and Colleges’ top order, to leave the Leeward Islands in command on day one of their final round WICB regional first class match yesterday.

NUSA DUA, Indonesia, (Reuters) – India and China  have demonstrated commitment to a climate accord struck in  Copenhagen last year and their refusal so far to “associate”  with it should not be overblown, the UN’s climate chief said yesterday.

Dear Editor, We can expect the usual suspects to come crawling out of the woods hollering and screaming that AFC Chairman, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan was proven wrong and that his apology (‘Ramjattan apologises to Parliament,’ SN, February 26) should qualify him for the worst public treatment possible by government and PPP supporters.

(BBC) Owl City has taken the UK singles chart by storm with his debut track “Fireflies”, a catchy ditty written while 23-year-old Minnesota native Adam Young was suffering from a bout of insomnia.

NEW YORK (Billboard) – The Black Eyed Peas on Thursday became the first group in 19 years to send three singles from one album to the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

GRENVILLE, Grenada,  CMC – Showing a very healthy appetite for runs, Danza Hyatt and Brenton Parchment enjoyed a batting feast and both scored hundreds to propel title-chasing Jamaica to a solid score against Trinidad and Tobago on the opening day of their crucial final round WICB Regional first class match yesterday.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Democrat Charles Rangel, the  top tax writer in the U.S.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – A Rastafarian church’s 14-year bid for incorporation in Jamaica continues to be a major source of contention among the nation’s lawmakers.

Dear Editor, One year ago (February 15, 2009) we had cause to write a letter to the local and regional press, which was published in an edited version by Stabroek News on February 17, 2009 under the caption ‘Sasod should be rejected yet again.’

SYDNEY (Reuters) – US pop diva Whitney Houston says her tour of Australia is going great, so tell that to the swathes of fans and critics who have panned her performance.

Dear Editor, If the 2009 Sportswoman, Nicolette Fernandes was never a fan of the dailies, I bet she has just become one with the attention surrounding her selection for the national award that was recently bestowed on her.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad, CMC – Kraigg Brathwaite and Nekoli Parris failed to trump a hundred from Tatenda Taibu that set up a five-run victory for Zimbabwe in their opening tour match against a University of the West Indies’ Vice Chancellor’s XI yesterday.

Police in ‘B’ Division continued their drug eradication exercise in the Berbice River and yesterday returned to destroy over 4,000 pounds of the plants that had been spotted in a field the day before.

OECS issues warning on Black Sigatoka A fungus that causes premature ripening in fruit has been found spreading among various crops in the Eastern Caribbean.

President Obama’s healthcare summit, broadcast live to a national and international audience,  must have puzzled anyone who does not grasp the importance of his proposed reforms to the economic future of the United States, and to the political prospects of his own party and administration.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont.,  (Reuters Life!) – Hollywood North  is auditioning for the role of Bollywood West.