Daily Archive: Wednesday, September 22, 2010

-open to torture review The Bharrat Jagdeo administration has rejected calls by Canada and the United Kingdom for independent probes into allegations of human rights abuses here, including murders and extra-judicial killings committed by members of the armed forces and a ‘phantom squad.’

-after maid agrees to drop case John and Cynthia Singh, owners of the Guyana Variety Store & Nut Centre on Robb Street, who were accused of breaching the labour laws in the treatment of an Amerindian maid in their employ, yesterday said they had been cleared of all the allegations made against them and threatened legal action against the woman.

Ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Monday destroyed approximately US$600,000 worth of cocaine and US$150,000 (street value) of cannabis sativa that were seized over a two-year period.

-gov’t informs UN Human Rights Council The government has committed to holding national consultations to review the death penalty and sexual orientation discrimination over the next two years, saying the outcome would be reflected in the country’s laws.

Sameer Amin, 22, of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, lost his sight after he was struck by lightning on Monday.

One man has taken to protest in front of City Hall after attempts to have a name change on his rates and taxes bill proved futile.

In keeping with the four year national plan to tackle cervical cancer, the Health Ministry is planning a mass human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination exercise next year aimed at young girls.

…but regional chairman says major improvements made, more coming Black Bush Polder (BBP), a farming community with a population of about 5,000 has been experiencing serious social problems and deteriorating roadways but the government maintains that with its interventions, life seems more promising.

Staff and students of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School were yesterday sent home as a precaution, after fears arose that a chemical used to spray the school had rendered the environment unsafe.

High tides on Monday damaged the doors at the Cunha sluice on the East Bank of Demerara and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been working to rectify the problem.

The East La Penitence Health Centre last Tuesday hosted a community health fair to raise awareness of chronic diseases as part of the activities of the Ministry of Health to mark Caribbean Wellness Month.

This is the second in a series of interviews with women who have been supported by the Ministry of Human Services being published in recognition of Child Protection Week, which is being observed under the theme, ‘Positive parenting; saving tomorrow, today’.

What lies beneath: The western Front Road Canal in the city was cleared of growth to reveal the plastic bottles that contribute to the clogging up of the drainage system.

A team of policemen from Bartica were yesterday sent to Puruni Landing, in the Mazaruni River, following the murder of a miner on Monday.

Seaton Daphness, 46, of Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara, became the latest road fatality yesterday, a day after he was struck down by a vehicle while crossing the Agricola Public Road.

Police yesterday issued wanted bulletins for two men who are being sought for questioning in relation to murder and a series of armed robberies. 

The Canadian government is contributing some $5M to construct a multipurpose building at the Vigilance Community Ground, which will be used to support the work of the Buxton Youth Developers (BYD).

Twelve organisations on Monday were the recipients of monetary donations from the Neal and Massy Guyana Group of Companies as part of the company’s 42nd Anniversary celebrations.

-27 injured, foreign delegations unhappy with village NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – A footbridge being built for  the Commonwealth Games in India collapsed yesterday, injuring 27 people and highlighting the raft of problems that have so far blighted the event, meant to showcase an emerging global power.

The importance of peace and the need to educate youths to resolve their conflicts in non-violent ways were highlighted at a programme to mark the UN International Day of Peace yesterday at the YWCA.

A woman charged with simple larceny and unlawful wounding was yesterday remanded to prison when she appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Today the 24-man Demerara Under-23 cricket squad will be trimmed to the 14 players who will oppose Berbice Under-23 side in two matches for the Colin Wilshire and Leslie Amsterdam trophies.

– Gayle asks for extension BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies vice-captain Dwayne Bravo is one of two players who have turned down central retainer contracts from the West Indies Cricket Board.

Natasha Moore’s desperate fight to stay alive was lost on Friday night when she succumbed to a brain tumour that had been plaguing her for the past year.

A female security guard accused of stealing two cell phones and a quantity of cash from a man was yesterday granted $25,000 bail when she appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Pakistan tried to shut out another day of speculation, criticism and acrimony  yesterday to focus on ending their blighted tour of England on a winning note.

Dear Editor, I refer to the recent flooding along the East Bank and elsewhere and recent comments by Dr Luncheon reported in SN dated September 18, stating that a full review of the sea defences is underway.

The man accused of murdering Bartica grocer Charles Garraway who died after he was doused with gasoline and then set alight was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Dear Editor, Accountant, attorney and newspaper columnist, Mr Christopher Ram, truly is deserving of a national award for his relentless expositions of questionable managerial and financial decisions by the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, which otherwise would have gone unnoticed by most.

– GBBC president Peter Abdool Peter Abdool, president of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), yesterday declared that the monthly Pro-Am boxing card was steadily gaining momentum after commenceing in February.

Dear Editor, I am not asking, but rather I am begging the Minister of Education and the Regional Education officials of Region Six to send some furniture to the Vryman’s Erven and Overwinning schools.

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House) is inviting the public to a discourse on The West On Trial on October 7.

Dear Editor, Once again the lives of two women have been snuffed out.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, (MCYS) Dr. Frank Anthony is encouraging the Neighbouring Democartic Councils (NDC’s) and the municipalities to put systems in place so as to identify schools and communities which have excelled in sports.

Commissioner of Forests James Singh is said to be “responding well to medical attention and therapy at home” after recently proceeding on sick leave.

Dear Editor, With reference to an article published by Stabroek News on September 20 with the caption ‘Laluni farmers need assistance,’ the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association (GAPA) wishes to categorically denounce the insinuations that farmers of Laluni never received any form of  assistance from GAPA.

OHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – Ramnaresh Sarwan’s highest Twenty20 score failed to carry Guyana over the threshold, and they limped out of the Champions League T20 yesterday, following a 15-run defeat to South Australia’s Redbacks.

Dear Editor, Almost two weeks ago I penned a letter to this newspaper regarding a large herd of cows belonging to NARI that has been roaming St Ignatius Village for over three months and creating a major nuisance to the villagers, especially at nights.

SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea’s ruling party will hold its biggest meeting in decades on Sept.

Giftland OfficeMax continues to be a major supporter of sports in Guyana and football in particular.

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry yesterday presented bursary awards to 15 members of its Early Saver’s Club who would have performed exceedingly well at this year’s Grade Six Assessment.

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – African leaders said yesterday they could do more to meet UN goals to slash extreme poverty and urged stronger leadership among developing countries to tackle hunger and disease and attract investment.

The Albion Community Centre and the Port Mourant grounds will come alive on Sunday with the semi-finals of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club 20th Anniversary Busta Champion of Champions Tournament.

TAMPA, Florida (Jamaica Observer) — The prosecution called its main witness to the stand yesterday as the second day of the trial involving Reggae superstar Buju Banton got underway in this city.

Dear Editor, What transpired at the Clico meeting between Mr Chris Ram and the President is regrettable. 

COPIAPO, Chile (Reuters) – Rescuers could free 33 miners weeks earlier than expected as drills work around the clock to bore an escape shaft to the men trapped underground for 47 days.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, CMC – Royal Challengers Bangalore roared into the semi-finals of the Champions League Twenty20 yesterday, beating Highveld Lions by six wickets with an over to spare at New Wanderers Stadium.

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) – Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean said yesterday he was abandoning his attempt to run in Haiti’s November presidential election, one month after his candidacy was formally rejected by Haitian authorities.

Dear Editor, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that your reporters do not cover even a few of the most significant court decisions in Berbice.

The inner circuit of the National Park will become a  cycling speedway where some of Guyana’s top cyclists will keep spectators engrossed as  Laparkan Holdings Limited holds their annual 11-race cycle programme on Saturday.

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran said yesterday the defection of Iranian diplomats in foreign capitals was not politically motivated despite suggestions that it highlights deepening rifts among the country’s ruling elites.

LONDON/CHICAGO (Reuters) – The worldwide costs of dementia will reach $604 billion in 2010, more than one per cent of global GDP output, and those costs will soar as the number of sufferers triples by 2050, according to a report yesterday.

Dear Editor, Politics as practised by the Jagdeo regime are becoming more predictable as this plagued term of office fast approaches its expiry date. 

KARACHI: Pakistan’s one-day captain Shahid Afridi said yesterday his team could have filed a police complaint against England batsman Jonathan Trott over an altercation with fast bowler Wahab Riaz.

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s list of enemies is long, ranging from western governments to reformists at home and emerging rivals in his own hardline camp.

Alpha United Football Club is sitting pretty in the Guyana Football Federation National Super League tournament.

Dear Editor, There are some occasions where I find some Indians volunteer, albeit coded, messages to Africans.

There is a consensus among foreign policy pundits that Brazil is the upcoming world emerging power.

Grenada wants UN help Grenada has called on the United Nations to assist developing countries strengthen their institutional capacity to achieve the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Controversy and differing interpretations continue to follow Fidel Castro’s statement that “the Cuban model doesn’t even work for Cuba any more,” with experts trying hard to read the tea leaves in the still intensely closed political system of that country.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Brazil is ready to help Cuba develop small and mid-sized businesses in order to support the economic development of the communist island, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said on Monday.