Daily Archive: Tuesday, April 3, 2012

CARACAS, (Reuters) – The European Union banned Venezuelan state airline Conviasa today from flying in the 27-nation bloc over safety concerns in a move that Venezuela’s government said was disproportionate.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Kingston businessman Dick Hart was today sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at hard labour for bribing a policeman.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Workers at Caribbean Cement remain off the job this afternoon as discussions continue at the labour ministry over an industrial dispute.

LONDON, (Reuters) – James Murdoch resigned as chairman of BSkyB today to prevent his links to a tabloid phone-hacking scandal from undermining the pay TV group, which has so far escaped the worst of the damage convulsing its controlling shareholder News Corp.

Chief Justice Ian Chang today declined to respond to a raft of withering public criticism at his ruling last Friday in which he dismissed the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge Commissioner of Police Henry Greene with rape.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – A possible conviction of Desi Bouterse, main suspect in the ‘December murders’, will create much unrest in Suriname, and that is why amnesty should be granted for these crimes, so the current positive economic developments may continue, Theo Vishnudatt (MC/NDP), chairman of the reporting committee, told Parliament yesterday.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Yesterday, opposition members, at times supported by some coalition members, tore to pieces the proposed amendment to the 1989 Amnesty Act submitted by some coalition members.

(Trinidad Guardian) Thieves made off with large chunks of a 68-foot metal bridge across the Cap-de-Ville River, Cedros, over the weekend in a brazen theft of material for sale as scrap metal.

Notice has been served by Parliament Office that APNU MP Carl Greenidge will be asking Finance Minister Ashni Singh whether the regulations for the former presidents benefits Act have been presented to Parliament.

Major rehabilitation works including the redesigning and re-engineering of several aspects of the troubled multi-million dollar Skeldon Sugar factory are being planned and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) anticipates a significant increase in production at the factory next year.

(Jamaica Observer) National Integrity Action Limited’s executive director, Professor Trevor Munroe, has been appointed an individual member of Transparency International.

(Barbados Nation) More than a dozen international business companies (IBCs) left Barbados over a two-year period, taking away a quarter of the island’s tax base, says Opposition Leader Owen Arthur.

(Barbados Nation) An international aviation think tank has suggested that Caribbean governments must shoulder some of the blame for REDjet’s demise.

A 28-year-old wash bay operator last evening succumbed to his injuries after slamming into a median in the vicinity of Rahaman’s Park, Houston, East Bank Demerara.

Two prisoners on Sunday escaped from the Leonora Police Station lockups and according to acting police commissioner Leroy Brumell, two ranks who have been implicated could face criminal charges.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) wants Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack to appeal last Friday’s decision by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang which dismissed her advice to charge Commissioner of Police Henry Greene with rape and it renewed its call for the commissioner to be removed from office immediately.

A 15-month-old girl was yesterday afternoon admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) in a critical condition after rats bit out parts of her tongue and ear at her family’s Mahaicony home.

Senior Counsel Ashton Chase yesterday argued that the seats on the parliamentary committees must reflect the proportionality of the polls.

Hampton Scott of Lot 18 Supply, East Bank Demerara was late last evening shot in the left shoulder by two armed men who robbed his brother in the vicinity of the White Castle Fish Shop, Hadfield Street Brickdam.

Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran says he plans to have his technical people study the recent scientific studies by the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, which found popular bush remedies consumed in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries including Guyana to be potentially harmful.

A Nigerian national was yesterday morning reportedly intercepted with 21 kilogrammes of cocaine as he was about to leave Guyana backtrack for Suriname.

Late former President Desmond Hoyte has not been given the accolades he deserves for reforming Guyana and lifting its economy out of the doldrums.

When Guyana’s  indigenous peoples took to the polls last year there was a recorded  high volume of spoilt ballots,  low voter turnout and even evidence of them being misled by at least one major party, says the Electoral Assistance Bureau.

Action in the Linden leg of the 2012 Guinness in the Street Fustal competition, kicked off with eight games in the opening round of matches at the Wisroc Amelia’s Ward Bus Park Sunday evening.

CAVE HILL, Barbados, CMC – Dwayne Smith hit a typically attractive half-century and shared a century partnership with Jason Holder that propped up the WICB President’s XI batting in the first-class tour match against Australia yesterday.

As store owners from the razed building at Regent and Wellington streets consider their future, the Guyana Fire Service is trying to determine the cause of the Sunday morning blaze that resulted in millions in losses and left many without jobs.

The University of Guyana yesterday launched its Online Library Service at the Turkeyen Campus to facilitate online access to over 65,000 books for students, staff and members of the public, while access to another 120,000 is expected soon.

By Neil Barry Gandhi Youth Organisation’s Dwayne De Barros’s  maiden century against Malteenoes Cricket Club  highlighted the opening day of the Brainstreet Under 15 tournament yesterday.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Former captain Ricky Ponting says Australia are bracing for a strong challenge from a rejuvenated West Indies and would spare no effort in preparing thoroughly for the upcoming three-Test series.

Armed, masked pirates attacked and robbed a few fishing boats close to the Suriname waters between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and escaped with large quantities of fish, fish glue and other articles.

By Neil Barry Skipper Paul Castello took an eight-wicket match haul and scored 35 second innings runs opening the batting to guide Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to an outright victory over Transport Sports Club at Camp Ayanganna in their two-day Heroes Cup match over the weekend.

Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton yesterday sentenced Wayne Layne to six weeks imprisonment when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer charges of common assault and threatening language committed against his reputed wife.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua,  CMC – West Indies Cricket Board president Julian Hunte has lauded head coach Ottis Gibson for his outstanding work with the regional side and believes the team has made huge strides under his watch.

Aubrey Stewart is known for his kite making skills; his kites are quite simple but guaranteed to fly.

A tobacco farmer who appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with unlawful wounding was put on $15,000 bail by Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.

COLOMBO,  (Reuters) – England captain Andrew Strauss, who has been under attack in the media for his lack of form with the bat, came out fighting on the eve of the second and final test against Sri Lanka.

Sophia robbery victim Jerry Jones who was shot to his neck during a robbery on Sunday night was yesterday hooked up to a life support machine as his family remained hopeful that he will recover fully from the ordeal.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – A revitalised Fernando Torres is expected to lead Chelsea’s attack tomorrow  when they try to sweep Benfica aside to claim their sixth Champions League semi-final appearance in nine years.

Dear Editor, There are many troubling aspects of the recent written decision of the Chief Justice on the issues before him involving the Commissioner of Police.

NEW ORLEANS,  (Reuters) – Sharpshooting guard Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers and longtime National Basketball Association (NBA) coach Don Nelson were elected yesterday to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The US Embassy is introducing new fees for most non-immigrant visa applications and decreasing immigrant visa processing fees from April 13.

By Iva Wharton The sport of motor racing is improving in Guyana, says Super Biker Kevin Graham.

Dear Editor, President Donald Ramotar last week visited two offshore oil rigs, Repsol and CGX to “get a feel” for their oil drilling operations.

A 20-year-old armed robbery accused who said he is a gold miner was put on $350,000 bail yesterday by Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

BV United, Golden Stars, Victoria Kings and Bakewell Buxton Stars all recorded victories at the Victoria Ground when the Victoria Kings/Healthy Choice Easter Cup Football tournament kicked off Saturday.

Come next Monday the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) will continue its activism through the teaming up with Dreamcatchers to host an empowerment session at the New York University in NYC.

Dear Editor, In view of the recent ruling by the Chief Justice Ian Chang to dismiss charges of rape recommended by the DPP against the Commissioner of Police, Mr Henry Greene I, as a woman and child rights activist, would like to point out the following passages in the Sexual Offences Act 2010 which have significant relevance and which seem not to have attracted the consideration of the Chief Justice in his ruling: In part IV of the SOA, Procedures at Court, # 52, Behaviours and reaction of complainant it says “Where on the trial of an accused person for an offence under this Act evidence is given or a question is asked of a witness about the behaviour or reaction of the complainant during or after the alleged offence the judge shall inform the jury that complainants of sexual offences display a wide range of responses, and that the absence of behaviour that they might expect a complainant of a sexual offence to display should not be taken as evidence that the offence charged did not take place.” 

UNITED NATIONS/ BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syria has pledged to withdraw all military units from towns by April 10 to pave the way for a ceasefire with rebels two days later, though Western envoys were skeptical yesterday about Damascus’ intent to halt its year-long assault on opponents.

SANFORD, Fla (Reuters) – George Zimmerman will surrender to authorities if he is charged in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, his attorney said yesterday.

Two men accused of larceny of $2.7 million which was stashed in a parked car were placed on $250,000 bail each when they appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.

By Iva Wharton Seventeen-year-old Samuel Kaitan left today for Bermuda where he will compete in the Carifta Games.

Dear Editor, It would appear that the disability community has been left out of the 2012 budgetary allocations.

A man who was accused of using abusive language to his common-law wife and damaging property belonging to her was put on $20,000 bail yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court by Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton.

Dear Editor, I would like to give a completely opposite take on the views presented by Abu Bakr in his letter, ‘A “landmark“ decision‘ in which he concludes that “the decision by Justice Ian Chang in the Henry Greene case is correct, of “landmark” quality, and “a major contribution to legal history in the Common-wealth.”

Samuel Kaitan upstaged national 5000 metres champ Nathaniel Giddings yet again when the third Developmental Meet of the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) was held last Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden.

OAKLAND, Calif (Reuters) – A gunman opened fire at a private Christian college in California yesterday, killing at least seven people and wounding three others after telling former classmates to “get in line … I’m going to kill you all.”

The damaged vehicle that

Dear Editor, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago continues to reap benefits as a result of the state’s decision to fund and maintain lighting facilities at several grounds across the country.

BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia’s FARC rebels freed 10 members of the armed forces held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade yesterday, the last of a group the drug-funded group had used as bargaining chips to pressure the government.

By Iva Wharton Women’s cricket in Guyana will receive equal attention as male cricket, according to newly- appointed advisor to the President on Sport and Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) for Cricket, Clive Lloyd.

(Reuters) – Coty Inc disclosed yesterday that it had offered $10 billion for Avon Products Inc but the larger company, which is grappling with sliding sales and a bribery probe, rejected the bid as too low and “opportunistic”.

It would be a travesty, no less, if the recent revelation of an 80.5 per cent failure rate among the current batch of students at the Guyana School of Nursing were not now to result in an independent enquiry into conditions at the institution.

(Barbados Nation) Government is working on a plan to get low-cost carrier REDjet back in the skies.

Hot Momma’s advice: Children with physical disabilities are children first! Allow them to experience freedom and independence today!

A Haitian woman working at a Maryland, US McDonald’s is one of three persons to win the Mega Millions US jackpot of US$656M but there is some controversy over whether her co-workers should also benefit.

Prof David Dabydeen yesterday introduced his two new books—Pak’s Britannica and Talking Words—the

Politikles

Pepsi Hikers and Bokra emerged men’s and women’s champion at Sunday’s Bounty one-day hockey tournament held at the National Stadium at Providence.

Dear Editor, I had the most harrowing experience at Republic Bank, Camp Street yesterday.

(Trinidad Express) Government’s trumpeted announcement of an oil find is a hoax “in the identical vein” to the assassination plot announced by the Prime Minister last November, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley said yesterday.

NEW ORLEANS,  (Reuters) – Kentucky overcame an uncharacteristically tepid performance by freshman Anthony Davis to defeat Kansas 67-59 on Monday to win the national basketball championship for the eighth time.

(Trinidad Express) Trinidad and Tobago’s “best days” are still ahead. And, in order for the country to successfully move forward there must be a level of compromise, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said last night.