Daily Archive: Friday, March 9, 2012

Caricom Heads meeting in Suriname have expressed concern over the severe impact on fellow member Grenada as a result of legal measure taken by the EXIM Bank of Taiwan to recover US$28M in loans.

Amid months of turmoil in West Indies cricket particularly in relation to the administration of the game in Guyana and the shutting out of Jamaican batsman Chris Gayle, Caricom heads have agreed to seek an urgent meeting between the prime ministerial subcommittee on cricket and the WICB.

In the wake of a damning report warning that the community could be brought to its knees and disintegration, Caricom leaders meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname have agreed that the restructuring of the Secretariat will begin with the hiring of a change facilitator.

PNCR member Aubrey Norton says party leader Robert Corbin did not adequately address several issues he raised at last Saturday’s General Council including the alleged forging by a party executive of a document for a district election over a year ago.

CHICAGO, (Reuters) – A female flight attendant who started ranting about a possible crash over the public address system of an American Airlines plane today was subdued by passengers and crew as the plane returned to the gate, passengers said.

The Guyana Energy Agency says Rudolph Ferreira of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on March 2, 2012 pleaded guilty to the offence of Transporting Petroleum in Bulk Quantity without a Licence, contrary to the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations 2004 enacted under the Guyana Energy Agency Act 1997.

(Barbados Nation) The transfer of the final and largest part of British American Insurance Company’s (BAICO) Barbados business to another entity is to begin soon, with the entire process completed by yearend.

The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert M. Persaud and staff of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission are mourning the passing of a former Commissioner,  Brian Lance Sucre who died at the age of 64.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Within two months, eleven new ambulances will be stationed at clinics of the Regional Health Service (RGD).

(de Ware Tijd) NIEUW NICKERIE – The government is to make US$30 million available for the improvement of the rice farming infrastructures in Nickerie, Coronie and Saramacca.

Several ministers face a grilling at the next session of Parliament as a series of questions related to the Marriott Hotel, Amaila and other controversial projects are listed to be answered.

(Reuters) – Convicted swindler Allen Stanford should forfeit some $330 million stashed in foreign bank accounts, a jury found yesterday.

Local cricket has now been firmly launched into orbit. It took a while but once the political administration took off the velvet glove and decided that the way forward was to simply bludgeon the Board out of existence the GCB simply didn’t stand a chance.

Human rights activist Karen de Souza was nominated by the US embassy here for this year’s International Women of Courage Award.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Paramaribo’s harbour is the most attractive option for French Guiana to process their containers and transport those overland.

(Jamaica Observer) Reggae music suffered another blow recently with the decision of veteran booking agent Peter Schwartz of the Agency Group, to cut back on the number of Jamaican artistes his company represents.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The government and the World Bank will attempt to offer a bond to the Jamaican diaspora by Independence Day in order to tap into the US$5.4 billion (J$470 billion) annual savings of that group.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia’s one-day side had barely 12 hours to celebrate their Tri-series victory before departing for the Caribbean today and stand-in captain Shane Watson conceded there were some tired players in his squad.

MUMBAI, – India batting great and former skipper Rahul Dravid announced his retirement from international cricket today, saying it was the right time to “move on” and make way for the next generation of players.

A 42-year-old carpenter was yesterday morning murdered after he went to the rescue of some children who were attacked by a man who had become enraged after they threw water on him as part of their Phagwah merriment.

A Phagwah day road accident has left a three-year-old boy dead and his family in mourning.

In the backdrop of a bleak report on the future of Caricom, the intersessional Heads of Government meeting got underway yesterday in Paramaribo with ringing calls for fundamental change underlined by Suriname President Desi Bouterse’s appeal for a “new beginning”.

Gunmen on Wednesday night shot and injured  a vendor on North Road after terrorising and robbing two others  of over half a million dollars in cash and jewellery,  renewing calls by business persons operating in the Bourda Market area for police protection particularly at nights.

Remittances to Guyana in 2011 amounted to US$401 million, an increase of 7.2 percent over 2010, says a new report on remittances in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Enmore Sugar Estate employees yesterday staged a strike at the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument in solidarity with fellow workers who were injured and had other health related issues that they feel are not being appropriately dealt with by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the National Insurance Scheme.

Photos by Orlando Charles Stephan James and Chavez Ageday sent the Police Sports Club ground into an uproar when they matched strides in the under-20 200 metres yesterday at the Athletics Association of Guyana junior Carifta Trials meet.

The St. Rose’s High School student who was on Wednesday evening shot and robbed of her cell phone in Thomas Street, Kitty will have to remain with the bullet lodged in her arm indefinitely since surgery now may cause further damage.

The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union yesterday said that the Ministry of Labour has appointed Francis Carryl, Chief Industrial Relations Manager, GuySuCo as the arbitrator in the dispute between it and Rusal subsidiary, the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI).

Through artists from the Caribbean, the Caricom Community Secretariat (CARICOM) used their half-yearly meeting of Heads of Government Conference in Suriname to launch a variety of products intended to bring public awareness to Gender Based Violence.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Rampant Jamaica will chase their fifth win in a row when they clash with their nearest rivals Trinidad and Tobago, in the fifth round of matches in the Regional Four-Day Championship which bowls off today.

Regional health officers were urged to exercise greater care and accountability in managing resources in order to deliver the best possible health care.

KARACHI, (Reuters) – New Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore has is looking forward to the challenge of taking charge of a third Asian team and is confident the side can improve their standing in world cricket.

Dear Editor, The Aishalton Village Council has noted with great discontent statements made by the Leader of the Opposition and of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr.

ISTANBUL,  (Reuters) – Healthy and confident with a new technique, former Olympic and world hurdles champion Liu Xiang predicted yesterday the London Olympics year will bring his fastest times ever.

The Government Analyst Department is reminding all importers of veterinary drugs that it has implemented a programme to regularise the importation and sale of such drugs in order to reduce the incidence of unauthorised drugs or residues appearing in food products.

As the world celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday under the theme ‘Connecting Girls Inspiring futures’ The Alliance for Change (AFC) hopes that social issues affecting Guyanese women would be looked at with urgency by the authorities.

Dear Editor, It is ironic that the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) on Monday March 5, 2012, launched the new building code at a venue that is disability unfriendly.

By Emmerson Campbell Amidst the Phagwah celebrations yesterday, super bantamweight boxer Mandessa Moses was hard at work at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis gym preparing for her bout on March 30 against Venezuelan Anys Cedillo.

Talented young striker Vurlon Mills made a successful return from injury, by scoring for his club T& Tec in their 1-0 triumph over Winners Connection in Trinidad & Tobago Pro League (TTPL) reserve game fixture on Wednesday evening.

Guyana’s political and judicial infrastructure has been impacted by narco-influence and its economy has become increasingly affected by drug money according to the US’s annual report to Congress which also expressed the hope for more co-operation from Georgetown on extraditions and fighting money-laundering.

Happy Holi: Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy (centre) got a

Dear Editor, The NICIL issue highlighted recently is just another case of widespread irregularity in the Public Sector.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has published notices in the local media announcing an impending lottery for special mining permit parcels in the gold-bearing regions of Guyana.

(Reuters) – Debutant wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk and former captain Daniel Vettori staged a middle order fightback to help New Zealand establish a slim first innings lead at the close of play on the second day of the first test against South Africa on Thursday.

(Trinidad Express) A Guyanese attorney and businessman was on Monday reprimanded and discharged after he pleaded guilty to a charge of being in possession of a live round of ammunition.

Businesses at last Saturday’s Job Fair organized by the Rotary Clubs of Demerara and Georgetown have lauded the initiative as one that should be undertaken more frequently with the support of both the government and the private sector.

Dear Editor, I read with some bemusement of the government, peopled exclusively by PPP/C members and supporters, seeking the intervention of the Courts on the basis that the “Compo-sition of the Committee of Selection is violative of the principle of proportionality as contemplated by the Constitution”.

Phagwah cheer: Acting Indian High Commissioner, Teraj Singh (left), Mayor of

(Reuters) – Clint McKay took five wickets as  Australia’s bowlers suffocated Sri Lanka’s normally free-scoring batsmen to wrap up the one-day international Tri-series with a 16-run victory in the third and deciding final at the Adelaide Oval yesterday.

VIENNA, (Reuters) – Six world powers demanded Iran keep its promise to let international inspectors visit a military installation where the U.N.

Dear Editor, It has been brought to my attention that the Immigration Officers (Police) at the Cheddi  Jagan International Airport and police officers at the CID Georgetown Headquarters, are harassing persons who are being sent back to Guyana from Canada by Departure Orders issued by Immigration Canada.

Mood The mood is upbeat at Reunion Manganese Incorporated (RMI) about the prospects for achieving economic success from its Matthews Ridge mining operations. 

Forty young entrepreneurs are currently operating new businesses through funding provided by the Guyana Youth Business Trust (GYBT) the youth arm of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) under a US$101,800, 000 partnership programme between IPED and the Inter American Development Bank (IDB) and several more are being prepared to access funding for business startups, according to GYBT General Manager Daren Torrington.

Blue power: Phagwah playing at GT&T’s blue power fest at

In a notice in yesterday’s newspapers, telephone company GT&T says that until further notice no payment for telephone and internet bills can be paid to any Bill Direct agent.

MUMBAI, (Reuters) – India batting stalwart and former skipper Rahul Dravid is expected to announce his retirement from international cricket today, according to local media reports.

BEIRUT/PARIS,  (Reuters) – Four more high-ranking officers have defected from the Syrian armed forces and joined the year-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, two rebel groups said yesterday.

Dear Editor, I  manage a business based at Le Ressou-venir on the East Coast of Demerara and would like  to make an appeal to the relevant  authorities to put an immediate stop to the dirt /grass track riding activities and ATV  vehicles around this area.

Starting young: This little one celebrated

Dear Editor, When I went recently to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) headquarters at Brickdam to make a claim for sickness benefit, I was informed by several of the staff there that the Scheme no longer provides blank claims forms, SB6A and SB6 to claimants.

Citizens Bank says that from March 17, 2012 its Linden branch will be open on Saturdays from 8 am to 12 midday.

MADRID,  (Reuters) – Lionel Messi gave a new meaning to the phrase ‘Hand of God’ when he netted a Champions League record five goals in Barcelona’s 7-1 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Fourteen years after launching Despat’s Creative Craft, Patricia Helwig continues to search for the rewards which she believes her efforts should have yielded by this time.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Chinese cyberwarfare would pose a genuine risk to the U.S.

A senior Guyanese educator currently serving in the state school system has told Stabroek Business that some books delivered to schools by the Ministry of Education’s Book Distribution Unit (BDU) have included copied texts, which constitute a violation of the copyright law.

SYDNEY,  (Reuters) – Australia captain Michael Clarke will miss the first part of the upcoming tour of West Indies because of a hamstring injury, Cricket Australia said yesterday.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – President Barack Obama praised the African state of Ghana yesterday as a model of democracy and growth in a continent that many Americans associate with poverty and violence.

Dear Editor, A straightforward basic elementary issue of maintaining discipline is surprisingly creating problems of obnoxious proportions for seemingly intelligent personalities and I refer to the astounding intemperate outbursts by former West Indies cricket captain Christopher Gayle, who took to the electronic media in Jamaica and proceeded to publicly harangue officers of the West Indies Cricket Board including the official coach Ottis Gibson and the board itself.

By the truckload: The Pulse Truck with

HAVANA, (Reuters) – Cuba said yesterday it was “unacceptable” that it will not be invited to an upcoming hemispheric summit in Colombia and blamed the United States for insisting that Cuba be excluded.

(Reuters) – Belize moved closer to a potential renegotiation of its $550 million overseas debt yesterday after the tiny Central American country’s centrist government narrowly won a second term in power, according to preliminary results.

ISTANBUL,  (Reuters) – World 100 metres hurdles champion Sally Pearson will be venturing into foreign territory when she competes in the world indoor championships today.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – Britain’s press watchdog confirmed yesterday it was disbanding, a move seen as inevitable after the self-regulating body lost almost all credibility for failing to address a phone-hacking scandal at one of Rupert Murdoch’s British papers.

Business Cartoons

Perplexed? Puzzled? Bemused? Bewildered? Mesmerized? All of the above, I suppose.

Politikles

With Prince Harry visiting Jamaica this week, Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller repeated her intention to hold a referendum on Jamaica becoming a republic and no longer having Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

There may well be no nexus between what Acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brummell had to say about interior crime at the Police Officers Conference earlier this week and the story carried in last Friday’s edition of the Stabroek Business on the same issue.

Britain’s Independent on Sunday newspaper’s global survey to mark International Women’s Day has revealed that “Jamaica has the highest ratio of women in high-skilled jobs, such as legislators, senior officials and managers”.

Colour parade: Phagwah yesterday at the

Dear Editor, A few weeks ago, the residents of Kwak-wani were given the opportunity to have a fair and frank discussion with the new Chairman  and councillors of Region Ten.

(Trinidad Guardian) PARAMARIBO—The region’s only two female leaders ganged up on the Antigua-based West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in the midst of its string of apparently never-ending quarrels with players and governments at the opening of a two-day heads of government meeting in Suriname yesterday, saying the time has long come for it to be held accountable for all its actions.

(Barbados Nation) Leroy Parris has been officially served. The former CLICO executive chairman is due to appear in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court on April 13 to answer a criminal charge for which he has now been issued with a summons by court marshals.

(Trinidad Express) Some hardware owners have started selling cement at black market prices, even as local producer Trinidad Cement Ltd (TCL) has begun distributing cement imported from Jamaica and Barbados to plug the shortage caused by a strike by workers, a TCL official said yesterday.