Daily Archive: Friday, March 12, 2010

-crew member in ICU A fuel boat exploded early yesterday morning at Bartica, leaving a man battling for his life.

Torture and mistreatment of suspects and detainees by security forces, killings by police and poor prison and jail conditions were among the most significant human rights abuses committed in Guyana during 2009, according to the US State Department Human Rights country report on Guyana.

– as El Nino scorches Rupununi Government is purchasing Brazilian peanuts to boost the upcoming crop in the Rupununi.

Armed bandits struck at the Agricola Post Office yesterday morning, where they held staff and customers at gunpoint before escaping with cash.

Alliance For Change MP Khemraj Ramjattan yesterday asked that the first reading of the Broadcasting Bill 2010 in the National Assembly be deferred after he received notice that the government was not prepared to support the piece of legislation.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud earlier this week met with representatives of a company from Aruba, as the latter plans to source fruits and vegetables from Guyana for the Aruban market.

Twenty-four-year-old Rabindranauth Basil was remanded to prison on Wednesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend.

– unveils elaborate US$8M renovation plan Any thought that the Pegasus Hotel might be tempted to follow the Princess International into the gaming industry was effectively killed off by the Chief Executive Officer of 40-year old flagship property earlier this week when he told Stabroek Business that no casino will be established there under his watch.

-Colonel Lovell and GABA boss pleased with performances. Special Forces Squadron with 26 points captured the 2010 Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Champion Unit title when the final bell rang Wednesday evening at Base Camp Ayanganna.

Government yesterday used its majority to block a motion by PNCR-1G MP Deborah Backer to have Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh questioned before the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges in relation to a previous motion he had moved to have her disciplined.

As El Nino dry weather conditions persist over Guyana, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has adopted several strategies to conserve water used for supply to the sugar estates along the coast.

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent, CMC – Seemingly recovered from their early series stuttering, West Indies will look to wrap up the series against Zimbabwe in the fourth One-Day International of the five-match series which bowls off here today.

Mining sector ponders alternative methods of gold recovery Even as the international community prepares to make decisive moves to reduce the production and global sales of mercury, the local mining sector, particularly the large numbers of small-scale miners, is pondering the challenge of finding alternatives to what has traditionally been the ‘approved’ method of alloying the precious metal.

Sinclair, 258 n.o,  Fudadin, 150,  pound Skeldon A double century from Jason Sinclair and a century from national middle order batsman Assad Fudadin helped Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets team to a massive victory over Skeldon when the Georgetown Cricket Board (GCB) National Three-Day Tournament continued in the Ancient County.

Business Editorial Perhaps much later than ought to have been the case the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dominique Strauss-Khan set out what he describes as “a vision that responds to the challenges our 186 member countries are facing in the post-crisis era” in a paper delivered exactly two weeks ago to the Annual Meeting of the Bretton Woods Committee in Washington.

Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana Dairo Morandy yesterday urged students to make use of the once in a lifetime opportunity to study medicine in Venezuela at a meeting with ten scholarship awardees and their parents at the Venezuelan Cultural Centre.

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has shortlisted eight athletes to compete at the CARIFTA Games in the Cayman Islands from April 3-5.

By Marlon Munroe With a demanding international schedule this year the new executive of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) indicated yesterday that it is currently cash strapped and unable to solely finance teams’ participation at various international assignments.

Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday ordered that a 40-year-old man be remanded to prison when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly threatening to kill a woman.

Rawle Lucas is a Guyanese-born Certified Public Accountant and Assistant Vice-President of the Lending Services Division.

Dear Editor, Guyana Water Incorporated wishes to respond to the letter in your newspaper, titled ‘Only estimated bills from GWI,’ dated Friday, March 5, 2010.

Dear Editor, Your article ‘Indigneous leaders call for hold on LCDS, REDD+projects’ SN, March 10, has highlighted a very important point with respect to the consultation process that took place in the Amerindian communities, which is that the overwhelming majority did not understand the LCDS process. 

By Jacquelyn Hamer The emergence of the SME Caribbean Toolkit which, according to Republic Bank’s full page advertisement in the local newspapers can be used “to start, strengthen or expand” existing businesses provides the most recent indication that local commercial banks are beginning to pay more serious attention to the needs of growing businesses.

The Neal and Massy Group of Companies yesterday  named a strong 15-man squad from which the final 11 will be chosen to oppose Zeelandia Sports Club of Wakenaam in a return  35-over Cricket match tomorrow at the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground, West Coast Demerara.

– urges conservation The decreasing water level of the Lamaha Canal has forced the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) to adjust its water supply schedule, as El Nino persists.

CONSTITUCION, Chile (Reuters) – The ground shook and buildings swayed as billionaire Sebastian Pinera took over as Chile’s president yestersday, tasked with rebuilding after a massive earthquake killed hundreds just 12 days ago.

-Wall Street Journal/Heritage Foundation report says inefficient financial systems compromising private sector growth The Wall Street Journal/Heritage Foundation 2010 Index of Economic Freedom in Guyana has said that the country’s financial system is plagued by inefficiency and a poor institutional framework that continues to compromise the growth of the business community.

Dear Editor, There appears to be a simmering argument between the Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Com-mission over the issue reported as ‘Over 150 teachers fired last year’ (SN, March 4) and ‘Education ministry supports TSC…’ (SN, March 10).

The Continental Group of Companies, Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, will sponsor tomorrow’s Medal Play Golf tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club, East Coast Demerara.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki posted mixed results in initial returns yesterday from Iraq’s parliamentary election, and a rival grouping complained of serious fraud.

A recently released study on tax regimes in Latin America and the Caribbean has cautioned that special tax regimes instituted by some countries to ensure the viability of small and micro businesses can have harmful long-term effects on productivity in those countries.

Round three of the Inter-County Castrol Under-15 limited-overs tournament continues today with Essequibo clashing with Berbice at Enmore Community Centre ground from 09:30 hours.

Dear Editor, I refer to a letter written by Dr Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr) and published in Stabroek News on  March 10, under the caption ‘Ramkarran should take the lead in convincing others in party…’ in response to a letter I wrote, which was published in SN on March 9 (‘Ramkarran was referring to an existing constitutional right…’).

– court hears Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday sentenced a 48-year-old man to four years imprisonment for breaking into his neighbour’s home and stealing a quantity of jewellery, among other items.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – As US prospects for a national climate change bill fade, five US states and Canadian provinces are on track to start a cap-and-trade market for carbon dioxide in 2012, say officials who see fading federal momentum boosting regional efforts.

The Guyana Football Referees Council will this week-end stage a course for referees.

Thirty-one-year-old Royston James of Lot 448 East Ruimveldt was remanded to prison on Wednesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing a quantity of jewellery from a two- year-old boy.

Dear Editor, Miranda La Rose in an article in the SN dated August 10, 2008, captioned ‘PPP central committee votes – Ramkarran disappointed, cites lobby against him’ stated, “PPP Central Committee Member and Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran is disappointed at the low vote tally he received for his seat on the Central Committee of the PPP at its recent congress and cited a lobby against him as the reason for his decline in the party rankings.”

– passage of new laws expected this year Commercial banks and other local lending agencies are eagerly anticipating the passage in the National Assembly later this year of a Credit Reporting Bill that will create a quick reference rating for potential borrowers.

ATHENS – Police clashed with stone-throwing youths in Athens yesterday as tens of thousands of strikers protested against draconian cutbacks aimed at pulling Greece out of a debt crisis shaking the euro zone.

A 15-member Canadian Vision Care team/Kemptville Lions Club recently teamed up with local Lions, the St Joseph Mercy Hospital and two ministries to host an eye-care refraction clinic at the Kumaka Hospital in Moruca.

GASCI (www.gasci.com/telephone Nº 223-6175/6) reports that session 346’s trading results showed consideration of $1,505,367 from 78,450 shares traded in 8 transactions as compared to session 345 which showed consideration of $5,686,129 from 485,234 shares traded in 19 transactions. 

Dear Editor, New York Congressman Charles Rangel, the powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, may not have done much for Guyana but he has done a lot for City College where tens of thousands of Guyanese graduated and where hundreds of Guyanese have been enrolled every year since the late 1970s. 

– trials get underway today at Malteenoes Sports Club ground Thirty-eight Under19 cricketers will be in action this weekend as the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) embarks on preparation for the upcoming Demerara Cricket Board Inter Sub Association competition.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Michelle Obama paid a visit to the State Department on Wednesday for a ceremony honoring courageous women from around the world — and almost went overboard in the honorifics for her host,  Hillary Clinton.

The Mayor and City Council apologises to residents for the smoke nuisance from the landfill site at Le Repentir Cemetery and says that city engineers and other officers are working hard to reduce the incidents of fire and the related irritants.

(Cricinfo) It’s the first of 60 matches: The defending champions taking on wooden-spoon winners, after a flashy opening ceremony, amid high security at a stadium neither calls home.

Readers of our print copy would have been spared the online debate among bloggers arising from what we had thought to be a fairly innocuous but useful historical piece on the houses of Queen’s College appearing in our Sunday edition of March 7.

Dear Editor, If Guyanese living overseas cannot vote, how could they come back and take part in sports (cricket, etc) on behalf of Guyana?

Frankly Speaking…By A.A. Fenty How does the cocaine get here? The country’s still-largest trade union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), represents workers in the Sugar, Forestry, Alcoholic Beverages, Rice and Fisheries Sectors, among other areas of our national economy.

(Prepared by the Guyana marketing Corporation and published by Stabroek News Business as a public service)