Daily Archive: Friday, August 26, 2011

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has requested from the Guyana Government written communications on its plans for local cricket.

Caribbean Airlines this evening said that five flights scheduled to depart from Port-of-Spain tomorrow, August 27 have been cancelled because of Hurricane Irene.

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Hurricane Irene caused as much  as $1.1 billion in insured losses in the Caribbean, catastrophe  modeling company AIR Worldwide said today, with more  expected to come as the storm heads for the U.S.

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – New York City today  ordered the evacuation of more than 250,000 people and prepared  to shut down its entire mass transit system, both unprecedented  measures ahead of the expected battering from Hurricane Irene.

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Airlines canceled  more than 3,000 weekend flights as Hurricane Irene swept up the  East Coast toward New York, forcing carriers to move planes to  safer territory and disrupting service at the busiest U.S. 

(Nassau Guardian) Hurricane Irene started its exit from The Bahamas last night, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

(Trinidad Express) It is a misconception by the public that the “big fish” involved in the illegal trading of drugs and guns are not being targeted by this country’s law enforcement agencies during the state of emergency.

Engineer Mel Sankies died suddenly last night at a city hospital.

(Barbados Nation) One of Barbados’ oldest nightclubs and entertainment spots is calling it a day.

ABUJA,  (Reuters) – A bomb blast ripped through the  United Nations offices in the Nigerian capital of Abuja today as a car rammed into the building, and witnesses said  they had seen a number of dead bodies being carried from the  site.

Tapped phones, a warship in the night and dramatic details of the upending of the Cheddi Jagan government here in 1953 are revealed in secret documents declassified on Friday by Britain’s MI5 security service.

An Interim Management Committee (IMC) will be formed to govern the affairs of the embattled Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

The police say they are investigating the murder of chainsaw operator Phillip Prince, 29 years of Capoey, Essequibo Coast, which occurred at about 1800h yesterday at Capoey.

400 metres specialist and US-based Guyanese Aliann Pompey will look to make her mark on the 13th edition of the Outdoor World Championships in Daegu, South Korea beginning tomorrow.

A 30–year-old father of four was today remanded to prison for the murder of Radika Ramjattan who was stabbed to death on Tuesday night at Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

DAEGU, South Korea,  (Reuters) – Asafa Powell has  rarely, if ever, upstaged Usain Bolt but he managed it yesterday when his withdrawal from the world championships  dominated a farcical Jamaican team press conference.  

LEEDS, England, CMC – Veteran West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul missed out on a double century as Warwickshire crushed Yorkshire by an innings and 58 runs inside three days in the Division One County Championship yesterday.

Police yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for a Festival City, North Ruimveldt man, in connection with the May 21 murder of East Coast Demerara businessman, Mark Kandhai.

The opposition political group APNU yesterday called for an inquiry into the Guyana Sugar Corporation saying it is unacceptable that Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud can now say that management cannot run the flagship Skeldon estate after making “excuses” before.

DAEGU, South Korea, CMC – British sprinter Christian Malcolm has dared to dream and believes he can cut down the seemingly unstoppable Jamaican Usain Bolt.

The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) male and female Rugby Sevens League continues at the National Park rugby ground tomorrow from 3:00 pm.

GuySuCo yesterday said it will continue to award contracts in a transparent manner but did not say whether there was any tender for a management contract for the troubled Skeldon sugar factory for which two companies are currently being evaluated.

The Pro Am Friday Night Fights programme returns to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tonight with several of Guyana’s top amateur pugilists on show.

The Colgrain swimming pool remains unavailable after closing recently for repairs due to an electrical fault since the installation of its new pump four months ago.

The Mon Repos Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has not been able to find the shallow grave plots at the Good Hope Cemetery storing coffins with unclaimed bodies, with one inspector saying it would be difficult to find them.

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – India coach Duncan Fletcher  faces a dilemma after player power and a lack of discipline  helped account for India’s 4-0 series loss to England, according  to former South Africa captain Kepler Wessels.   

The US ambassador stationed here in 2006 viewed large-scale Cuban medical training of Guyanese here as unsustainable because of the brain drain and he also reported back to Washington that regional leaders including President Bharrat Jagdeo had refrained from criticizing Havana on human rights because of the aid they were getting.

DOHA,  (Reuters) – Banned Asian soccer president  Mohamed Bin Hammam launched an appeal against his lifetime ban  by FIFA but said in a strongly worded statement yesterday that  he did not expect to clear his name yet despite the decision  being ‘hugely flawed.’   

Relatives of the five missing Corentyne, Berbice fishermen yesterday accused Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud of failing to keep a promise to have coast guard ranks and police accompany villagers on another search effort.

New Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana David Devine has vowed to continue the longstanding relationship that exists between Canada and Guyana which he said holds tremendous potential for economic growth and investment.

DAEGU, South Korea, (Reuters) – Sanya Richards-Ross’s  coach’s description of the U.S.

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Australia and New Zealand head  into tomorrow’s Tri-Nations decider insisting their focus is on  the silverware but both sides will be keenly aware that far more  than southern hemisphere bragging rights are on the line.   

Repairs to the Lethem trail are ongoing and according to the project engineer attached to construction company BK International, the scope of works between the Kurupukari Crossing and Lethem has changed following recent prolonged rainfall.

The Region Six blood bank located in the northern end of  the New Amsterdam Hospital  Complex was on Wednesday commissioned by Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy who noted that there will be a problem unless persons come forward and voluntarily donate.

Dear Editor, Guyexpo is now touted to be Guyana and the Caribbean’s premier trade fair and exposition.

(Trinidad Express) There are positive signs, but no decision yet on Chris Gayle’s status within the West Indies cricket team.

Dear Editor, In response to a letter that appeared in your edition of August 20 (‘Buses should have conductors‘) I agree with the writer but I would like to highlight a few points.

Caribbean Airlines (CAL) yesterday said that effective immediately  all its passengers travelling to Georgetown from Piarco in Trinidad will be able to connect from the arrival gate to the departure gate on the same level of the airport.

GT&T’s negotiations with government preceding the recently tabled telecoms bill, aimed at liberalizing the sector, were both unsatisfactory and incomplete, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer Yog Mahadeo.

(Barbados Nation) Past and present local and international drivers will share the spotlight at the Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL) Williams Digicel Int.

Invitations have been circulated for an appreciation event for President Bharrat Jagdeo on September 16, 2011 at the

DAEGU, South Korea,  (Reuters) – U.S. sprinter Allyson  Felix will receive some last-minute tips from a trailblazer as  she launches her bid for a unparalleled 200-400 metres double at  the world championships, the three-times world 200 metres  champion’s coach said yesterday.     “Valerie Brisco is coming in,” said Bob Kersee of the first  woman to win both events at an Olympics in 1984 at Los Angeles.   

Dear Editor, I am appalled by the lack of professionalism among some public servants in our country.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud on Monday moved to allay industry fears of an imminent imposition of restrictions on the export of timber and value-added products from the sector triggered by a letter dispatched last week to business houses by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) informing them of export restrictions from September 1.

Dear Editor, India got quite a drubbing in the just concluded Test series against England which displaces India as the top ranked team.

An aunt who assaulted and cursed her niece was yesterday fined $30,000 when she appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

GT&T Chief Executive Officer Yog Mahadeo says that it costs the telephone company around $60M to replace 20,000 landline handsets every year.

(Trinidad Guardian) Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs says 315 people have been arrested since the institution of the state of emergency.

TRIPOLI, (Reuters) – Fugitive strongman Muammar Gaddafi taunted his Libyan enemies and their Western backers  from his hiding place as NATO targeted his hometown and rebels announced a move to govern the country from Tripoli.

A man accused of stealing $2.5M worth of raw gold and a Blackberry cell phone valued $50,000 was yesterday admitted to bail in the sum of $465,000 after appearing before Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton.

MUMBAI,  (Reuters) – Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad  Amir has escaped further punishment for flouting his five-year  ban by playing for an English amateur side in a league match in  June.    Amir has been cautioned by the International Cricket Council  and warned over his future conduct.   

Rice and Sugar Quite recently, Guyanese have been led to expect much from the rice industry. 

Dear Editor, I am now very pleased that that ‘gift‘ from the Jagdeo-Ramotar regime to ACDA has been refused.

A Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) official who has been assigned to oversee the Bank’s administration of a fund designed to help prepare the region for the full and effective implementation of trade deal with Europe says the lack of qualified persons is a key impediment.

MIAMI,  (Reuters) – Thirteen people have been  indicted in Miami in a crackdown on what U.S.

Dear Editor, Twenty years after Mikhail Gorbachev fell from power in the failed coup, all of the Soviet republics have swapped central planning for market economics. 

MONTERREY, Mexico, (Reuters) – Armed men killed at  least 20 people in an attack on a casino in northern Mexico  that left the building ablaze with gamblers trapped inside,  officials said yesterday.

DUBLIN, (Reuters) – Eoin Morgan led England to  victory over his native Ireland in his first match as captain of  his adopted country on Thursday in a rain-affected 50 overs  match.     Man-of-the-match Morgan scored 59 in England’s 201 for eight  while Jonathan Trott collected 69.   

If only it’s because I’m past my mid–sixties, indulge with me as I share regrets and laments, in waffle and preaching today.

Except for complaints about the state of the country’s interior airstrips and the absence of navigation aids, the local aviation industry generally avoids the public limelight.

Dear Editor, We are a strange people. The heavily weighted media remind us about one or two martyrs, but we seem to ignore the two hundred odd enslaved Africans who were killed in 1823.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority yesterday received two track-type tractors, one Dooson excavator, and four D6 Caterpillars along with two brand new Hyundai tractors from

Business Cartoons

SANTIAGO,  (Reuters) – Protesters battled police in  Chile’s capital yesterday, the second day of a two-day strike  against unpopular President Sebastian Pinera that was marked by  sporadic looting but had no impact on the vital mining sector.

MONACO,  (Reuters) – Lionel Messi won the inaugural  UEFA Best Player in Europe award yesterday, finishing ahead of  Barcelona team mate Xavi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.     The vote, conducted by sports journalists representing each  of UEFA’s member associations, was organised with the idea of  reviving the spirit of the former European Footballer of the  Year award which is now known as the Ballon D’Or and organised  by soccer’s ruling body FIFA.   

In the space of a couple of weeks, two expatriate Guyanese were named to high-level positions in the sister Caricom state of Belize: Justice Kenneth Benjamin to the post of Chief Justice of Belize and Professor Cary Fraser to the presidency of the University of Belize.

NASSAU, (Reuters) – The northeast U.S. seaboard,  including the capital, Washington, and financial center New  York, rushed to prepare yesterday for a possible mauling from  powerful Hurricane Irene this weekend.

Politikles

As we pointed out in an article that appears in this issue of Stabroek Business the local aviation industry has a reputation for discretion as far as its public profile is concerned though recent circumstances have more-or-less thrust the sector into the limelight.