Daily Archive: Wednesday, December 7, 2011

GECOM has given itself a pass mark for its conduct of the national and regional elections.

The Press Trust of India is reporting that legendary Bollywood actor-filmmaker Dev Anand’s last rites will be performed in London on Saturday.

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – An email circulating  among Internet users that claims Venezuela’s president Hugo  Chavez has died is false and carries a computer virus, the  national police of Panama said on its website today.

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexico uncovered and stopped  an international plot to smuggle late Libyan leader Muammar  Gaddafi’s son Saadi into the country using fake names and false  papers, authorities said today.

The police today said it was “unfortunate” that some people were shot during yesterday’s demonstration and it said that contrary to news reports no tear gas was used.

(Jamaica Observer) The Caribbean has failed in its lobby to get the United Kingdom (UK) to place it in a band which would see tourists to the region paying similar Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates as those to several rival destinations.

(Jamaica Observer) The Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) has written to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, regarding comments he made about the media at a recent Jamaica Labour Party rally in Portland.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Government is today expected to provide answers to a report out of the United States, which has contradicted information provided by the government, in the aftermath of the West Kingston operation last year.

(Barbados Nation) Excessive use of force by police is of concern to Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, and he has asked regional commissioners to pay attention to it.

LIAT today advised that all pilots who were scheduled to work this morning, Wednesday December 07, 2011, have called in sick.

(De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – If everything goes according to plan, the Kaloti Suriname Mint House will be producing by late 2012, early 2013.

(Trinidad Express) US-based hotel chain Hilton Worldwide has been denied a special licence from the US Government to allow for the IV Caricom/Cuba Summit to be held at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre with visiting Cuban President Raul Castro.

INDORE, India, (Reuters) – In-form West Indies  batsman Darren Bravo has been ruled out of tomorrow’s  penultimate one-day international against India with a hamstring  problem, the team’s captain Darren Sammy said.

Riot police fired rubber bullets at protestors in an illegal march in the city yesterday as APNU continued to press for the release of statements of poll from last week’s elections, copies of which will now be released following private sector intervention.

Police yesterday announced a zero-tolerance policy towards unlawful marches, after ranks fired rubber bullets at protestors who were ordered to disperse after they failed to get permission to march in the city.

By Marcelle Thomas A seven-year-old boy was among several persons who were injured after police fired rubber bullets to disperse an illegal protest march in the city yesterday.

By Johann Earle Attorney James Bond and retired Brigadier Edward Collins yesterday said that they were only marching peacefully when they were shot in the back by police with rubber bullets.

Following a meeting with the private sector on Monday, GECOM agreed to hand over scanned Statements of Poll (SoPs) to the parties which contested the November 28 general elections but this decision was only made public last evening, hours after several APNU protesters were injured by police rubber bullets during a demonstration for the verification of SoP’s.

Eight students and a teacher of St Sidwell’s Primary School, in Georgetown, were yesterday taken to hospital for treatment after police fired tear gas at the nearby Square of the Revolution.

Magistrate Sueanna Lovell remanded a 34-year-old father of four accused of attempting to murder his two-year-old daughter, when he yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charges.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is appealing to consumers to pay outstanding water services charges, as it has mobilised its disconnection crew from today.

The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday condemned the police force over the shooting of protesters in the city with rubber bullets.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud says that from all indications there was no foul play involved in the death of the three Aishalton school boys and investigators are awaiting a preliminary report to determine the way forward.

Linden Lord, the Guyanese doctor residing in Jamaica who was shot outside his Mandeville home in October, is said to be in a stable condition in a US hospital.

Magistrate Sueanna Lovell ordered proprietor Tie Sheng Ye called “George” to pay for the cost of a Blackberry cellular phone that he destroyed, when he yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s court to answer to the charge of malicious damage to property.

The finals of the Bollywood segment of the Jingle and Song Competition is slated for Friday, and Chief Executive Officer of GT&T  Yog Mahadeo told this newspaper that the response received thus far from the public has been phenomenal.

Sidelined first by the West Indies selectors and now by the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) selection panel, middle order batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan said yesterday he believes that there is an orchestrated move by the local selectors to stifle his career.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company in collaboration with the Education Ministry yesterday launched the ‘Know your Stuff’ Literature Quiz Competition which is expected to begin in January when schools reopen.

Quarter-finalists at last year’s Kashif and Shanghai tournament, Western Tigers, have already commenced preparations for this year’s 22nd annual K&S tournament in their quest to secure their second title.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland,  (Reuters) – The International Olympic Committee has shelved an investigation into former FIFA head Joao Havelange after he resigned as an IOC member just days before an ethics hearing into his conduct, IOC President Jacques Rogge told Reuters on yesterday.

Transparency International Institute Guyana is joining the international community to mark the 2011 International Anti-Corruption Day initiated by the United Nations (UN) in its campaign to combat corruption globally.

The second annual West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Under-17 tournament that was scheduled to bowl of in Trinidad from December 10-20 has been postponed due heavy rainy conditions in Trinidad.

Despite overwhelming positive coverage of the incumbent by the state-owned newspaper, the print media did not commit any ethical breaches of the media code for the elections in the almost month-long campaign period leading up to the general elections, according to the Guyana Elections Commission Media Monitoring Unit (MMU).

(Reuters) – Olympique Marseille yesterday snatched a last-gasp 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League knockout stages while Chelsea spared themselves an anxious night with a comfortable 3-0 win over Valencia to join them in the last 16.

A 34-year old labourer accused of attempted murder was granted $200,000 bail when he yesterday made his first court appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell.

DURBAN, South Africa, (Reuters) – The world’s  three biggest polluters China, the United States and India  refused to move towards a new legal commitment to curb their  carbon emissions yesterday, increasing the risk that climate  talks will fail to clinch a meaningful deal this week.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) is calling on the diplomatic community to work  with the Guyanese people “to ensure the freedoms and rights they embrace and enjoy in their respective countries are also embraced and enjoyed here.”

(Reuters) – World number one Luke Donald and second-ranked Rory McIlroy go in search of desert treasure at this week’s Dubai World Championship, the final event of the European Tour season.

AHMEDABAD, India, IANS/CMC – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reprimanded India batsman Virat Kohli for “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision” during the third One-day International against the West Indies here Monday.

A 26-year-old miner was stabbed twice on Monday last at Matthew’s Ridge by a man who was said to be “still at large”.

The confrontation on Hadfield Street moments before the police fired rubber bullets yesterday injuring several APNU supporters.

OTTAWA, (Reuters) – Canada is betraying its  native peoples, who must deal with dreadful living conditions,  poor health care and discrimination, the country’s top  aboriginal leader said in a fiery speech yesterday.

A man, who died last month at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after he was involved in an accident on Mandela Avenue, is still to be identified.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – President Barack Obama told  U.S. diplomats and foreign aid workers today to do more to  advance gay rights abroad, a move that promotes U.S.

(Reuters) – All-rounder Irfan Pathan has been drafted into the India squad for their two remaining one-day internationals against West Indies in place of paceman Umesh Yadav, who will leave for Australia early to get acclimatised for an upcoming tour.

Dear Editor, Having been present at the compilations of all General and Regional Elections since 1992, an interesting statistic is evident – more so after the 2006 and the just concluded 2011 elections.

St Sidwells pupils covered their noses and mouths yesterday to ward off the tear gas that was fired by the police in the vicinity of the school.

Magistrate Sueanna Lovell granted a 46-year-old father of two $150,000 bail when he yesterday appeared in court to answer to the charge of obtaining by false pretence.

AHMEDABAD, India, CMC – Captain Darren Sammy has praised wily Trinidadian off-spinner Sunil Narine who snatched two wickets on debut yesterday to help steer West Indies to a handsome win over India in the third One-Day International.

KABUL, (Reuters) – A suicide attack killed  dozens of Shi’ite Muslims at a crowded Kabul shrine yesterday,  and four others died in a smaller blast in a key northern city,  in the worst sectarian violence Afghanistan has seen since the  fall of the Taliban.

Dear Editor, APNU/PNC came second in the elections. It got about 26,000 votes less than the PPP.

(Reuters) – Paceman Pat Cummins will miss part of Australia’s four-test series against India after scans revealed his heel injury was more serious than expected and would take longer to recover.

Dear Editor, In a two-part series captioned ‘Expectations for  the 2011 national elections in Guyana‘  (‘In the Diaspora,’ SN, July 5 and 12, 2010) in which I reviewed the strengths and weaknesses of the three major political parties, the PPP, PNC and AFC, at the time, I wrote: “I believe the governing PPP is likely to be returned with a majority.

Protest

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – The top U.S. aviation safety  official resigned yesterday over a drunken driving charge.

Magistrate Sueanna Lovell ordered the three men accused of fatally shooting 72-year-old Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris at her Robb Street home to appear in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on January 5 for a report and fixture.

(Trinidad Express) The image of this country has been damaged. The “success” of the State of Emergency is not convincing and the alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and three Government Ministers was perhaps another “misstep”.

Magistrate Sueanna Lovell granted a South Sophia man accused of robbery $100,000 bail when he yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to the charge.

Dear Editor, As a citizen of Guyana, I am proud of our youth and I would like all of our adult Guyanese to give thanks and praise to our youth who have let their votes that were cast on November 28 bring back some pride and dignity to the Guyanese people.

Police arresting one of the APNU protesters yesterday

SAO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s  economy stalled in the third quarter as the euro zone debt  crisis dragged on global demand and the country’s increasingly  indebted consumers retreated after nearly three years of  buoyant spending.

ADMEDABAD, India, CMC – West Indies captain Darren Sammy has praised the fighting spirit of his side after they twice rebounded from difficult situations to win the third One-Day International against India yesterday.

Dear Editor, The outcome of last week’s general elections in Guyana reminds me of what happened in Trinidad in 2001 as a result of a division in the ruling camp when a party stalwart was not on the party’s list of candidates.

Police on guard at the Square of the Revolution after breaking up the march yesterday.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, (Reuters) – Pakistan’s spin quartet capitalised on an unexpected power failure to beat Bangladesh by 58 runs in the third one-day international to complete a 3-0 series victory yesterday.

(Trinidad Express) Joseph Hagley’ss acute sense of hearing saved the lives of his wife and daughter before he was killed by the landslide which destroyed their Sans Souci home on Sunday morning, according to two of his sons.

BEIRUT, (Reuters) – Shadowy death squads   are operating in Syria’s flashpoint city of Homs, according  to accounts from anti-government activists in the country, from  which foreign reporters are officially banned.

AHMEDABAD, India, CMC – Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul said Monday his experience of playing on subcontinent-type wickets in his homeland Trinidad, has benefited him greatly in the ongoing series against India.

A vehicle belonging to an APNU protester being towed by the police yesterday from the Square of the Revolution

(Trinidad Guardian) Despite criticisms from Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley and many others in T&T, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she has no regrets about calling the state of emergency to deal with spiralling crime. The

Dear Editor, I wish to extend heartiest congratulations to President Donald Ramotar who led the PPP/C to a minority victory in the free, fair and open elections of November 28 last.

MOSCOW, (Reuters) – Hundreds of people took to  the streets of Moscow for a second successive day yesterday to  demand an end to Vladimir Putin’s 12-year rule, defying a  crackdown by tens of thousands of police reinforced by crack  Interior Ministry troops.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Political analyst, Kevin O’Brien Chang, says it is disgraceful that an election is just weeks away and neither of the country’s major political parties have published their manifesto.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Antigua’s Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium will now help to host the preliminary round of next month’s Caribbean Twenty20, after organisers took the decision to move the tournament from Trinidad and Tobago.

Protest shooting photos by Brennon Sookram

Dear Editor, This morning on Canadian National Radio, there was an excellent documentary on the minority outcome of Russia’s recent parliamentary elections, and the unpopularity of Vladimir Putin who until now has been gleefully attempting to stage a comeback.

TOKYO, (Reuters) – An independent panel issued a  damning report on a $1.7 billion accounting scandal at Japan’s  disgraced Olympus Corp yesterday, urging legal action against  “rotten” executives responsible for the cover-up and the  replacement of other board members.

When a small but meaningful number of Indian voters chose to cast their votes for the Alliance For Change and others not to vote at all rather than vote for the PPP/C, they made what I previously conceived as a possibility and referred to as an opening up of “a mammoth possibility for national renewal.”

INDORE, India, CMC – Batsman Darren Bravo is recovering from the hamstring injury that curtailed his innings in the last One-Day International on Monday, but West Indies are continuing to sweat on his fitness for the fourth game starting here tomorrow.

Coinciding closely with the elections in Guyana and just before the forthcoming ones in Jamaica on December 29, general elections were concluded in St Lucia on November 28, with the opposition St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) displacing the former Prime Minister Sir John Compton’s United Workers Party (UWP) with an 11-6 majority in the country’s House of Assembly.

(Barbados Nation) Bridgetown is set to launch Duty-Free Day on Friday, with Government and the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) very upbeat about the returns in the face of the economic downturn.

LIMA, (Reuters) – Peru’s counterterrorism police yesterday detained two leaders of protests that have stalled  Newmont Mining’s $4.8 billion Conga gold mine project, in a  widening crackdown by President Ollanta Humala.

olice clearing the Square of the Revolution following the APNU protest

Dear Editor, Re: ‘Ramotar adds few new faces, ministry to cabinet,‘ (SN, December 6), President Donald Ramotar did say that his cabinet will be comprised entirely of PPP/Civic members, except for the Prime Minister who came in on the new Civic arm in 1992 and Bishop Juan Edghill’s appointment to Minister within the Ministry of Finance.

Politikles