Daily Archive: Saturday, November 12, 2011

MONACO, (Reuters) – Jamaican Usain Bolt and  Australian Sally Pearson were named Athletes of the Year by the  International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) today.

Police say that at about 1930h yesterday medical doctors Kalai Rajan, 24 years, and Ragharendra Balakrishnan, 24 years, were on their way home along First Street, Cummings Lodge, ECD, when they were attacked and held at gunpoint by four men, one of whom was armed with a firearm.

ROME, (Reuters) – Prime Minister Silvio  Berlusconi formally resigned today,    ending one of the  most scandal-plagued eras in recent Italian history amid the  jeers of hundreds of protestors gathered in central Rome to  celebrate his departure.

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Illegal logging is still occurring in several areas of the hinterland.

The Guyana Defence Force says it is investigating the circumstances under which one of its ranks was shot in his left leg whilst performing security duties at Air Corps, Timehri at around 21:40 hours yesterday.

CAIRO, (Reuters) – The Arab League suspended Syria  and called on its army to stop killing civilians in a surprise  move today that turned up the heat on President Bashar  al-Assad.

(Trinidad Guardian) The Government announced yesterday that it proposed to issue a TT$1.5 billion, 20-year bond to finance payouts to Clico policyholders, according to an information memorandum issued yesterday.

(Trinidad Guardian) Former West Indies batting legend and captain Brian Lara says that the cricket infrastructure in the Caribbean is terrible and it will take between five to ten years to bring the sport back up to a top level in the region again.

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar did not visit any health spa when she went to Brazil in April but engaged in a number of meetings, including one with officials of oil company Petrobas which encouraged them to do business with this country, says Minister of Communications and Foreign Affairs Suruj Rambachan.

(Trinidad Express) Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley yesterday apologised unreservedly for his statements made on Tuesday on the Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson extradition matter.

TEHRAN, (Reuters) – Fifteen Iranian servicemen  were killed and several others seriously wounded in an explosion  today at a military base near Tehran that happened as  troops were moving munitions, a Revolutionary Guards spokesman  told state TV.

(Jamaica Observer) The United States Embassy in Kingston has dismissed a claim by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) that temporary bans had been imposed on some local food processors after they were inspected by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

(Reuters) – The 2014 World Cup dreams of former  finalists Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago came to a shock end yesterday as all six berths in the first phase of the Concacaf  qualifiers were taken with a round of matches to spare.

(Barbados Nation) As of yesterday, over 150 000 Barbadians were accessing free Wi-Fi around the island.

The five groups contesting the upcoming elections yesterday signed a code of conduct binding them to peaceful campaigning.

Although University of Guyana (UG) students found Thursday’s presidential candidates’ discourse “very useful,” they say that it will not influence how they vote at the November 28 elections.

The United Force (TUF) has announced that Marissa Nadir, the daughter of former party leader Manzoor Nadir, is its prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) company rolled out its BlackBerry service yesterday touting its “affordable” service plans but unlike its competitor, Digicel, the company has instituted data caps based on the plan selected by the customer.

Goals from English-based mid-fielder and defender Ricky Shakes and Leon Cort propelled the Golden Jaguars to a historic 2-1 victory over the Soca Warriors, in the penultimate Group B, 2014 World Cup Qualifier at the Providence Stadium last evening.

One in five youths in Guyana may be using alcohol and this is considered to be very high figure, PAHO official Mary Jo Vasquez said at a forum focused on the issue of underage drinking.

Salvation Army’s red kettles will be seen and its bells heard across Guyana beginning today, with the launch of its annual Christmas appeal.

The death toll from a minibus accident in St Lucia on Thursday evening now stands at 17, following the discovery of another body yesterday afternoon.

The National Parks Commission yesterday announced the death of the Guyana Zoological Park’s lioness, which was found dead in its cage on Thursday morning.

The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) now has the means to expand its programme with the opening of a public squash court at the Non Pariel Racquet Centre.

A 48-year-old single-parent mother and her sons yesterday lost their home and all their possessions in a midday fire.

GCB President’s XI recorded an easy 44-run victory over Noble House Young Warriors yesterday in the Carib/Pepsi T20 tournament at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.

Sharona Haniff loves people, but more than that she projects a humility and genuine quality that many persons twice her age would do well to emulate.

Keith Doris was found not guilty of murder yesterday but left the court of Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes in handcuffs as there are remaining charges against him.

KOLKATA, India, IANS/CMC – Eden Gardens, known the world over for its large and boisterous crowd during international cricket matches, is again bracing for vacant stands with only 324 season tickets sold up to yesterday for the November 14-18 India-West Indies Test.

Police have recovered three shotguns near Zorg-en-Vlygt, Essequibo Coast, where they were investigating the shooting of a resident.

Two weeks ago, I stood at the counter of the store where I usually buy my beauty products, waiting.

Dear Editor, I would like to add to previous reports and letters in the media on the contentious subject of the recent distribution of flood relief funds in Lethem.

Hi Everyone, ●    Do you like making bread? ●    Are you intimidated by the traditional process of  having to knead and proof the dough twice?

Digicel ODI Series 1st Digicel ODI,   March 16 – Arnos Vale Cricket Ground 2nd Digicel ODI,  March 18 – Arnos Vale Cricket Ground 3rd Digicel ODI,  March 20 – Arnos Vale Cricket Ground 4th Digicel ODI,  March 23 – Beausejour Cricket Ground 5th Digicel ODI,  March 25 – Beausejour Cricket Ground Digicel Twenty20 Series 1st Digicel ODI,  March 27 – Beausejour Cricket Ground 2nd Digicel ODI, March 30 – Kensington Oval Three day warm-up, April 2-4 – (venue & opposition TBC) Digicel Test Series 1st Digicel Test,   April 7-11 – Kensington Oval 2nd Digicel Test,  April 15-19 – Queen’s Park Oval 3rd Digicel Test,  April 23-27 – Guyana National Stadium

After much uncertainty, organisers have finally declared that the Miss India Guyana Pageant will be hosted at the Princess Hotel on November 19, and it is to be judged by Miss Femina India 2004 and Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta, filmmaker Poonam Jhawer and President of the All India Congress Committee based in India Saleh Gul Khan.

Dear Editor, In his November 9 letter titled ‘The entire parliamentary opposition voted against the Former Presidents Bill… 2009,’ Mr Christopher Ram has clearly shown I was quite wrong to characterize the opposition for being asleep at the wheel when this Bill came to Parliament. 

The winner of the local spelling bee competition yesterday left Guyana for the island of St Kitts, where she will participate today in the Caribbean spelling bee competition.

Dear Editor, The Department of Government and International Affairs, University of Guyana must be commended for hosting the first ever presidential discourse at the George Walcott Large Lecture Theatre.

Maria Thomas played flawlessly to win the 2011 senior national chess qualifier last weekend at Keishar’s Sports Club.

The Scene Cartoon

Dear Editor, In my political life I have run into a lot of trouble because I have denounced people including people of my own race for injustice to others of any race or gender.

The Miss Guyana World (MGW) Organisation said it still believes that the reigning Miss Guyana World 2011 Arti Cameron will be an excellent ambassador for Guyana on the international stage while declaring that it will not respond to “malicious misrepresentation” will could cast Cameron in an “unfavourable light”.

The Inter-American Deve-lopment Bank (IDB), in partnership with CANTO, the leading trade association of the ICT sector in the Caribbean, is seeking to promote the usage of broadband as a critical technology for innovation and to increase productivity, growth and social inclusion in the region.

The Schools National Championships, the  largest local sporting event that draws over 2,000 athletes, will run off from November 14 as the three Georgetown Districts get set to make a bid for the title.

The national men’s and women’s sevens rugby teams flew out yesterday for Barbados in their quest to defend their respective North American  Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Sevens titles today and tomorrow.

Dear Editor, Election time the world over is a time for debate, criticism, counter-criticism, and even mudslinging.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$70 million loan to help Barbados reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by diversifying its energy matrix, promoting sustainable energy sources, and supporting power saving efforts.

ATHENS, (Reuters) – Technocrat Prime Minister  Lucas Papademos took office on Friday to save Greece from  bankruptcy, heading a coalition cabinet filled with many of the  same politicians who led the nation into crisis and pushed the  euro zone to the brink of collapse.

Six Caribbean poets from the Toronto/Southern Ontario region have come together and published an anthology titled Roraima.

SAO PAULO,  (Reuters) – Cuba is seeking a credit of  $200 million from Brazil to import agricultural machinery and  technology in hopes of increasing food output and reducing its  reliance on imports, a Brazilian official said yesterday.

CAPE TOWN,  (Reuters) – South Africa captain  Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla led their country to a remarkable  comeback victory against Australia when the hosts won the  topsy-turvy first test by eight wickets yesterday.

Dear Editor, Some people have questioned my participation and that of the WPA in the APNU. 

Fifteen contestants are set to vie for a place in the final of the GT&T Guyana Star Jingle and Song Competition on Monday night when they compete in the semi final billed for the National Cultural Centre.

Dear Editor, Pastor V Beresford has in SN, Nov 10, given the Christian voters three very important principles to guide their decision: 1.

CAPE TOWN,  (Reuters) – Graeme Smith hoped his  captain’s knock that led South Africa to a spectacular victory  in the first test would finally silence his critics while his  Australian counterpart Michael Clarke lambasted his team for an  abysmal performance with bat and ball.

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – Almost two weeks after the  bankruptcy of commodities firm MF Global, customers at rival  firms are all asking the same question: How safe is my money?

The Committee for the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch Competition, held annually in Trinidad, is urging local artists interested in participating to submit their songs for screening.

Four local fashion designers received plaudits recently when their collections took to the stage at ‘Bois’- Antigua’s Independence Fashion Weekend.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo  Chavez is launching a plan to make a traditional Christmas dish  available at rock-bottom prices in his latest populist move  ahead of an election next year.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Oscar organizers on Thursday brought back funnyman Billy Crystal to host the film awards after recent days of turmoil that led to the departure of one producer and his handpicked emcee Eddie Murphy.

SYDNEY,  (Reuters) – Tiger Woods flourished in balmy  morning conditions to claim one-stroke advantage halfway through  the Australian Open yesterday, leading a tournament overnight  for the first time this year.

CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque says that the private sector is a critical partner in building the Community and as such he is seeking ways to build and strengthen opportunities for trade between them.

(Trinidad Express) “Serious concerns” were raised about the suitability of Lawrence Duprey and Andre Monteil to manage the affairs of Republic Bank Limited 15 years ago.

Dear Editor, As a young person who will be voting on November 28, I believe that Guyanese for too long have had their fate determined by one group of people at the polls.

St Stanislaus College beat 15 other secondary schools to win the first Climate Change – LCDS Secondary Schools Quiz.

ROME – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is expected  to resign on Saturday, making way for an emergency government  and ending one of the most scandal-plagued eras in Italy’s  post-war history.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Rihanna on Thursday released track teasers online from her upcoming album ‘Talk That Talk’, pushing the album up to No 12 on the iTunes chart ahead of its November 21 release.

(Reuters) – NBA owners and the players union have  concluded their latest negotiating efforts with a proposal to be  voted on by the players that if accepted will allow for a  72-game season beginning on Dec.

Dear Editor, I thought I had adequately addressed President Bharrat Jagdeo reckless allegations on March 10, 2011 (‘President misrepresented record of accomplishment,’ SN), but I guess not.

Republic Bank announced the winners in its ‘Deal on Wheels’ campaign at a ceremony held at its head office at Promenade Court on Wednesday.

BELFAST,  (Reuters) – Ireland’s former richest  man, Sean Quinn, was declared bankrupt yesterday after having  bet the family fortune on the shares of Ireland’s most  notoriously profligate bank just before it collapsed.

“You know this is not really a matter of women’s liberation, it is really a matter of survival.”

(Trinidad Guardian) A boldface liar. That was the charge levelled on former finance head at CL Financial (CLF) Michael Carballo by Justin Phelps, attorney for former corporate secretary Gita Sakal.

Dear Editor, The political opposition in Guyana is certainly very exhausted and frustrated due to their desperate search for issues with which to confront the PPP government.

The University of Guyana (UG) announces the Sunday opening hours of its library at the Turkeyen Campus.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Mohammad Amir, one of the  Pakistan cricketers jailed for fixing parts of a test match in  England last year, was given permission yesterday to challenge  his sentence.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce says the third annual Orealla Regatta is being held today in the Region Six community.

MEXICO CITY,  (Reuters) – Mexican Interior Minister  Francisco Blake was killed in a helicopter crash yesterday, a  blow to the government as it fights powerful drug cartels.

A cast of young actors is set to take the stage of the National Cultural Centre next Saturday and Sunday night as Top Cat in association with Limelight Productions present Ah Diff’Rent Kinda Ting.

I’m here to have my property insured

In mid-September, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels sent a warning to the people of Nuevo Laredo.

(Trinidad Express) Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) general secretary Satnarine Maharaj said yesterday he was being vilified as a “black hater” by the media and the People’s National Movement (PNM) in order to sell papers and buy votes.