Daily Archive: Thursday, April 26, 2012

The 2012 budget was finally passed tonight after the joint opposition excised $20B of its original $192.8B.

The combined opposition this evening voted in Parliament against $224.4 million in allocations for the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, the Ethnic Relations Commission and the State Planning Secretariat.

ROSEAU, Dominica, (Reuters) – Shivnarine Chanderpaul became the 10th batsman to reach 10,000 test runs as he headed West Indies’ attempt to avoid defeat in the third and final test against Australia today.

The two parliamentary opposition parties today said they are prepared for early general and regional elections, amid concerns in some quarters that government is becoming increasingly frustrated at APNU and AFC’s exercising control in the National Assembly.

With Guyana still to tap major funding under its forest services deal with Norway, the AFC has questioned the legality of including just over $18 billion of the funds in the National Budget and has signalled that it intends to cut the entire allocation.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, has issued an advisory to students warning that they will not be allowed to sit their final exams this semester, unless they have cleared their tuition balances.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – While Iamgold is negotiating with the government about expansion of the Rosebel Goldmines (RGM) in Brokopondo, it has caused much speculation on international stock markets by mentioning more expansion plans in the Americas.

A Partnership for National Unity today defended cuts it helped engineer in the budget provisions for GINA and NCN saying that non-political management of these two media outfits was needed.

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaican finger-rape victim Shanique Myrie says a flood of bitter memories fell on her like a ton of bricks on her return to the Eastern Caribbean island of Barbados last week.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaicans who frequent the United States (US) – including merchants, athletes, pilots and entertainers – should soon expect to see their income and savings above US$50,000 disclosed to that government under a measure to catch tax dodgers called the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

(Jamaica Gleaner) The head of one major financial institution in Jamaica is urging the government delegation now meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials in Washington to use the opportunity to engage members of the Barack Obama administration in discussion on the controversial Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), and how it will impact local financial institutions.

(Barbados Nation) The governments of Barbados and its regional neighbours have been severely criticized for their increasing “appetite for taxation of the tourism industry” which is biting into the sector’s earnings.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – VHP legislator Asiskumar Gajadien is not surprised the coalition has fewer members now, as this was to be expected.

(Barbados Nation) Barbados’ main economic engine seems to be sputtering as commercial banks report that a sizeable portion of their non-performing loans are linked to the tourism industry.

OSLO, (Reuters) – Around 40,000 people gathered in Oslo today to sing a popular children’s song ridiculed by Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people last July, as a show of protest against the right-wing activist’s anti-immigrant views.

KADUNA, Nigeria,  (Reuters) – The office of Nigeria’s This Day newspaper in the northern city of Kaduna was bombed today, security sources said, the same day a bomber killed at least three people in the paper’s building in the capital Abuja.

THE HAGUE, (Reuters) – A United Nations-backed court convicted former Liberian president Charles Taylor of war crimes today, the first time an African head of state has been found guilty by an international tribunal.

-GINA, NCN, Gecom among affected In a ground-breaking move yesterday, the combined opposition voted against expenditures in the 2012 budget to the tune of $2.233 billion, including $1 billion from an allocation of $6 billion for the Guyana Power and Light and sums allocated to GINA and NCN in what was a boisterous session which is set to continue today when the budget comes up for a final vote.

Opposition Leader David Granger says that the APNU intends to use the cuts it jointly made with AFC last evening to the government’s $192.8B budget as a form of “leverage” to get the PPP/C administration to address the core concerns raised by the Opposition.

Despite losing almost its entire $81M subvention to opposition cuts yesterday, CEO of the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) Mohammed ‘Fuzzy’ Sattaur says the company will continue to fulfill its mandate of educating citizens on government’s developmental programme.

Photos by Anjuli Persaud You knew something big was about to happen yesterday when APNU’s Chief Whip Amna Ally, before the National Assembly reconvened, herded her MPs and told them that no “walking about” was going to be tolerated during the sitting.

While the business community remains optimistic that their profits will increase this year they want the current 16 percent Value Added Tax reduced to at least 12 percent.

With their government subvention reduced to a single dollar, the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Government Information Agency (GINA) staffers last evening staged a candlelight vigil.

An ex-Guyana Defence Force soldier appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday accused of chopping a miner to death at Puruni Backdam in Region Seven last Saturday.

Leadership – political, institutional and business – has failed the Caribbean integration process and people over the last decade in the thrust to move from common market to single market and economy and to cope in an unsympathetic global environment.

There was little that was extraordinary or even either eye-catching about President Donald Ramotar’s February 10th address to the National Assembly though it never seemed as though the Republic’s seventh Executive President set out to deliver a rousing speech to the Parliament anyway.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who, if you believe him, hasn’t stretched before lifting, running or training for the entirety of his 16-year professional career, is now doing bikram yoga.

A man accused of performing the duties of a registered medical practitioner  when he was not licensed was remanded yesterday by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – West Indies hit back in the last session with key wickets but Australia’s extended their lead significantly to leave the hosts with an enormous task of winning the third and final Test here yesterday.

By Stephen Alleyne Outwardly, Jennifer (whose real name has been withheld to protect her identity) has a body most women her age would spend a pretty penny to acquire and maintain – petite, curvaceous, unblemished.

A woman and her five children lost their La Parfaite Harmonie Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara home early yesterday morning after her husband, from whom she is separated, set it on fire.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud revealed on Tuesday that former minister Clinton Collymore is employed as an advisor to him and is earning $362,000 a month in salary and allowances.

The ‘green wave’  that followed the formation of A Partnership for National Unity last June, the results of the general and regional elections in November 2011 and the current configuration of

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed undermined the Sri Lanka batting with a five-wicket haul to spur West Indies Women to a resounding 88-run win over Sri Lanka Women in the first One-Day International here yesterday.

BERLIN, (Reuters) – World number two Maria Sharapova eased into the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart indoor tournament after France’s Alize Cornet retired with an injury at the start of the second set.

Just how divided public opinion on the allegation of rape made against Police Commissioner Henry Greene has become is evidenced in the view expressed recently by Education Minister Priya Mannickchand that the controversial 57-year-old ‘top cop’ should no longer occupy public office.

The couple, who were held for allegedly operating a prostitution ring of young girls in the Oko Backdam in Region Seven, have been released from police custody since the 72 hours that a person could be held without charge had elapsed,  Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said yesterday.

The Youth Coalition for Transfor-mation (YCT) says that the administration has insulted the Guyanese people with its refusal to discipline the former Police Commissioner Henry Greene.

Joschka Fischer, Germany’s foreign minister and vice-chancellor from 1998 to 2005, was a leader in the German Green Party for almost 20 years.

(Reuters) – World number two Rafa Nadal swept into the third round of the Barcelona Open when he thrashed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-1 6-2 as he began his quest for a seventh Conde de Godo trophy in eight years yesterday.

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA) raked in a surplus of $208M last year and CEO Ramesh Ghir said it is being ploughed into sustaining its operations.

Dear Editor, I write in response to the rambling comments of Minister Bheri Ramsaran in the Stabroek News of April 24, 2012.

By Iva Wharton Construction of the 25 metre warm-pool at the National Aquatic Centre, Pattensen, and East Coast Demerara is dependent on whether finances are approved in the National Assembly, Director of Sports Neil Kumar said yesterday.

By far the most significant outcomes of Guyana’s 2011 general elections was the loss of its parliamentary majority by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/CIVIC and the emergence of the Alliance for Change (AFC) as a critical power broker in the National Assembly.

East Ruimveldt Secondary brushed aside North Georgetown Secondary 4-0 in their Group ‘B’ match of the Scotia Bank/Pepsi Schools football tournament at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue yesterday.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has started preparatory work for the US$12.3M Linden Water Supply and Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP), which is expected to provide water supply and quality that meet international standards.

By Susan Giles, Senior Assistant Registrar – Examinations Administration & Security Caribbean Examinations Council Extract from a Paper presented at the 37th International Association for Educational Assessment Conference, 23 – October 23-28, 2011, Manila, Philippines Background The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is a regionally funded non-profit examining board established in 1972. 

Dear Editor, I previously voiced my displeasure at the daily sight of an innocent child whose duty it is to assist his begging and mentally challenged mother, but absolutely nothing has been done by the relevant authorities as the child continues to be denied an education and a better standard of living.

NAIROBI,  (Reuters) – World marathon record holder Patrick Makau was left out of the Kenyan men’s team named  yesterday for the London Olympics after he failed to finish last Sunday’s London marathon.

(Reuters) – The Utah Jazz grabbed the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs with a 100-88 home victory over Phoenix, dashing the Suns’ own post-season hopes on Tuesday.

Dear Editor, Stabroek News report dated April 25, captioned ‘Despite seniority, Brumell unlikely to be confirmed top cop,’ if accurate, is likely to cause even more concern to the citizenry with respect to the whole question of fairness.

Technicians from the coast have been rushed into Lethem to assess the condition of the two main generating sets at the power company which mal-functioned last weekend.

Peter Singer is Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University and Laureate Professor at the University of Melbourne.

A man appeared yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court accused of using threatening language towards a woman, who is the wife of a prominent attorney.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – An accused Venezuelan drug lord wanted by the United States said yesterday he made monthly payments to a former judge who recently embarrassed President Hugo Chavez with accusations of widespread manipulation in the OPEC nation’s justice system.

Dear Editor, In an article in KN captioned, ‘Local writer calls for massive investment in arts and culture,’  it is reported that “writer, artist and folklorist Barrington Braithwaite is calling on Government to make massive investments in Guyana’s underdeveloped but potentially rich cultural industry.”

LONDON,  (Reuters) – Crime and disorder similar to Britain’s 2011 summer riots are the most likely serious threats to the London Olympics although Islamist militants and al Qaeda offshoot groups pose a growing challenge, a British official said  yesterday.

BEIJING, (Reuters) – A wiretapping network run by Chongqing officials was detected on a phone call made to Chinese President Hu Jintao in August, a discovery that helped topple the city’s ambitious party chief Bo Xilai, the New York Times reported.

The man widely regarded as Guyana’s most accomplished sports commentator, launched his book Living My Dream on Monday March 19 in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Georgetown City Council said yesterday that Councillor Junior Garrett was elected chairman of its finance committee at Monday’s statutory meeting.

MADRID,  (Reuters) – Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s penalty shootout saves secured Bayern Munich a Champions League final against Chelsea in their own Allianz Arena after the German side ended Real Madrid’s bid for a 10th European crown  yesterday.

Dear Editor, With a constantly rising population due to the construction of new homes, particularly in the community of Parfaite Harmonie, coupled with recent fires, there is an urgent need for a centrally located fire station on the West Bank of Demerara.

JOHANNESBURG,  (Reuters) – South Africa have turned down a request from Bangladesh to play a limited over series in May primarily because of a hectic schedule, the country’s cricket board said yesterday.

A handyman employed at Rabbie Snackette and Variety Store is nursing several chop wounds about his body, after a group of men asked attacked and chopped him early Monday morning.

JOHANNESBURG,  (Reuters) – Bribery, theft and other kinds of fraud cost African governments and companies at least $10.9 billion last year, auditing firm KPMG estimated in a study yesterday, a sobering reminder of the challenges facing the fast-growing continent.

Dear Editor, I was a little disappointed to learn that going to Kaieteur from Ogle could be equal or more costly than going to Trinidad and Tobago from Guyana.

Home Affais Minister Clement Rohee is nothing if not the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) lightning rod for controversy.

BUENOS AIRES,  (Reuters) – Argentina’s Senate yesterday approved a government bill to nationalize the country’s biggest oil company, YPF, clearing the way for likely approval by the lower house next week.

(Trinidad Express) A historic move was made yesterday by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as she announced that legislation will be brought to the Parliament to remove the British Privy Council as this country’s final appellate court and replaced with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)—with respect to criminal matters.

Amid concerns over the stench caused by drying of shrimp along the Zeeburg seawall, acting chairman of the Tuschen Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Khusial Mangra said it is trying to address the situation.

By Retired Judge Romain Pitt Ontario Supreme Court of Justice Even those who hold power legitimately ought not to exercise such power arbitrarily.

MOSCOW, (Reuters) – Former Olympic silver medallist Irina Meleshina has been banned for two years after failing a doping test.

Dear Editor, I wish to raise a concern with the Minister of Home Affairs, Commissioner of Police, Traffic Chief and the nation as a whole.

(Jamaica Gleaner) A senior member of the Government has declared the administration will not allow the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) to be a stumbling block in the engagement of private entities as the state moves to take advantage of investment opportunities.

MOHALI, India,  CMC – West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard played virtually no role as his Mumbai Indians beat Kings XI Punjab by four-wickets in the Indian Premier League here yesterday.

ISLAMABAD, (Reuters) – Pakistan’s Supreme Court today found Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani guilty of contempt of court for refusing to reopen corruption cases against the president, but gave him only a symbolic

The Ministry of Agriculture plans to establish a sugar museum, as part of its efforts to recapture and preserve the history surrounding the transformation of the sugar industry.

One doubts that there is any international cricketer who has been more maligned than West Indies captain Darren Sammy though from the way he handles his critics you might think that they simply do not exist.

Dear Editor, The Demerara Harbour Bridge has issued a notice that from April 29 to May 5 2012 the bridge would be operating with a single-lane.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Rupert Murdoch is used to slipping into Downing Street by the back door for discreet meetings with prime ministers, but there was no such privacy yesterday when he faced a grilling about his political influence in the full glare of the world’s media.

Australia’s seemingly somewhat risky declaration on the penultimate day of the first test match in the current series against the West Indies was reflective of a belief that not much had changed in Caribbean cricket at least as far as the will to win was concerned.

Dear Editor, In the last general election the people of Guyana spoke in no uncertain terms, indicating they will not loyally put up with the government’s management of the economy.

Q: What can the US Embassy do for a US citizen in trouble with the law in Guyana?

Over the past 16 months or so, the world has been preoccupied with the ‘Arab Spring’ revolutions, which started in December 2010 and the ongoing global economic downturn that spawned the universal ‘occupy’ movement.

Our nation searches for the kind of leadership that lifts us, that causes us to delve deep into our character and believe in building our society, community by community, village by village.

Things change

(Trinidad Express) Several  prominent attorneys are welcoming the announcement by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Government’s intention to abolish appeals to the Privy Council in all criminal matters and, instead, have the matters determined by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday placed Sherwin Ken on $100,000 bail when he pleaded not guilty to a larceny from the person charge in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Rupert Murdoch is used to slipping into Downing Street by the back door for discreet meetings with prime ministers, but there was no such privacy yesterday when he faced a grilling about his political influence in the full glare of the world’s media.