Daily Archive: Monday, May 7, 2012

(Jamaica Gleaner) Telecommunications Company Digicel has responded to comments by Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) following Friday’s tax raid at Digicel’s New Kingston offices.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has admitted that Olint’s David Smith was one of its contributors for the 2007 election campaign.

CGX Energy Inc is moving on to other locations in its hunt for oil after drilling at the Eagle-1 location in the Corentyne Basin proved to be futile, with the company now having to raise an additional US$20 million to finance the added drilling days spent at that site.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Dancehall Hall star David ‘Mavado’ Brooks was this morning found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm and malicious destruction of property, when the case against him concluded in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Former Prime Minister of Jamaica P. J. Patterson has denied ever receiving US$1,000,000 from David Smith of Olint.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – The FBI is investigating an explosive device that could have been used by a suicide bomber on an airliner, and which was seized when the United States and its partners thwarted a plot believed linked to al Qaeda, U.S.

Police say that a post-mortem examination was today performed on the body of Bryan Dickson of East Street, Georgetown, by Pathologist Dr.

China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is drawing controversy over a number of projects in the Caribbean, including the US$138 million expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri and others, which have evoked public criticism over procurement and tendering.

BRUSSELS,  (Reuters) – EU nations are dithering over how to fill a multi-billion-euro fund to help tackle climate change, just as the region’s executive body hosts talks with countries likely to bear the brunt of extreme weather.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – Allies of Venezuela’s ailing President Hugo Chavez insisted today he was still leading the OPEC nation despite a week of silence from the usually loquacious leader whose battle with cancer has overshadowed his reelection bid.

LISBON,  (Reuters) – Portugal’s privatisation programme – part of its push to comply with the terms of a 78-billion euro bailout from international lenders – is being managed in an opaque fashion that risks stoking already rife corruption, a report warned today.

NASSAU,  (Reuters) – Bahamians voted today in national elections as Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham seeks to keep the ruling party in power in this sparsely populated island chain dependent on tourism and offshore banking.

MONGSTAD, Norway,  (Reuters) – Norway today launched the world’s largest facility of its kind to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS), the so-far commercially unproven technology that would allow greenhouse gases from power plants to be buried safely underground.

(WICB) HOVE, England – Darren Bravo felt it was unfortunate that there was so little play in the West Indies’ tour opener against Sussex, which ended in a no-result today.

A father of three died this morning and another is in critical condition after a speeding car slammed into them on the Wales Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD) last night.

(Jamaica Observer) A 24-year-old song writer of a Waltham Park Kingston address has been sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labour over what has been described as “a crime of passion”.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Former High Commissioner to London, Anthony Johnson, refused to submit his resignation to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the change of political administration in early January.

(Jamaica Gleaner) As part of his mandate to place special emphasis on early-childhood education, Education Minister Ronald Thwaites has announced that some 50 early-childhood facilities will be constructed across the island over the coming months.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO — Relations between Suriname and Brazil are at unprecedented heights in terms of the fields of cooperation including energy, the agrarian sector, government policy and social development, says Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio de Aguiar Patriota.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO — Ronnie Brunswijk, chair A Combinatie will continue to back Desi Bouterse until 2030, adding that his cooperation with his firmer adversary is meant to demonstrate true peace to the Surinamese society.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO — Roman Catholic bishop Wilhelmus de Bekker claims that President Desi Bouterse has issued unfounded accusations of his participation in the protest march against the adopted Amnesty Act.

(Jamaica Observer) More women are cheating on their partners, a feature of changing gender roles in the Caribbean, according to a tri-nation study carried out in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

(Barbados Nation) Veteran sports journalist Trevor Thorpe and a law enforcement officer remain hospitalized after being struck by a car at  Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) Shakedown Stages Rally in St John yesterday.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) will continue to push for reform of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with the AFC calling for the commission to be a more “professional body” rather than a “politically dominated” body.

A taxi driver died yesterday morning when he collided with a motor lorry along the Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

The teenager who was unconscious after the taxi he was in plunged into the Sussex Street Canal on Saturday evening died hours after the incident.

Two persons were yesterday rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by the police following a violent confrontation between them at Norton Street, Lodge, during which one was stabbed to the neck and the other chopped twice to the head.

With the budget debates and the examination of the estimates out of the way, government will be proceeding with its legislative agenda in the National Assembly, Presidential Advisor on Governance and PPP/C MP Gail Teixeira has said.

Relatives of 42-year-old Andre Thompson, who died early Saturday morning when a tug belonging to the Oldendorff Carriers Guyana Ltd ran over a small launch he was asleep in at De Veldt, Berbice River plan to meet with officials from the company to seek compensation.

As the water levels in the main waterways in northern Brazil rose last week, residents of Lethem are bracing for the worst and some are criticizing the authorities over the absence of a broad-based flood preparation plan.

Acting Auditor General Deodat Sharma is yet to complete the audit he initiated into the $90 million allocated to the Guyana Police Force for the 2011 general and regional elections and over which a senior rank received a lot of flak for speaking out.

Hire-car drivers operating at the Tuschen Housing Scheme say that private cars are unfairly competing with them and their complaints to the police have fallen on deaf ears.

By Emmerson Campbell One day after Alonzo Greaves won the first of two warm up races in the National Park ahead of the 30th annual three-stage road race, his Roraima Bikers club-mate Warren ‘40’ McKay yesterday felt the urge to taste his own success.

Traffic along the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) slowed to a crawl yesterday afternoon after sections of the anchorage system at the structure malfunctioned.

Wolf Warriors and Mike’s Wellwoman were crowned male and female champions of the 2012 Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association, Hadi’s Word/City Mall, nationwide softball tournament which ended Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground Carifesta Avenue.

The Trinidadian conglomerate, ANSA McAL, is inviting companies and consultants to indicate their interest in providing services as the company moves ahead with its proposed ethanol/sugar project here.

The Government is yet to decide whether an appeal will be filed against last Wednesday’s decision by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang throwing out its challenge of the numerical make-up of the National Assembly’s Committee of Selection.

Dear Editor, I recently sought to correct the statement in an editorial of SN that the PPP considered the withdrawal of ads by the Government in 2006 to be ‘a trifling matter.’

Guyana’s local track and field big three athletes in Winston George, Rupert Perry and Quinse Clarke have been hit by injury which has robbed Perry and Clarke of the opportunity of qualifying for the upcoming London Olympic Games.

Dear Editor, I write to bring to the attention of the authorities the possibility of flooding again in Lethem.

Amelia’s Ward Russians held their nerves to pull off a cliff-hanger win over Hardnocks in the Guinness Greatest of the Streets five-aside football finals in Linden Saturday evening at the Mackenzie Municipal Market tarmac.

Relatives of an 18-year-old mother of two, who died more than four months ago as a result of injuries she sustained during a botched abortion, are calling on higher authorities to intervene in the investigation of the police and the  Medical Council of Guyana since there has been no progress by either.

Police say that at about 0045h yesterday, mechanic Mark Dookhie, 28 years of Aishalton, South Rupununi, was allegedly

LAS VEGAS, (Reuters) – Floyd Mayweather came through 12 bruising rounds to outpoint Miguel Cotto in their WBA super welterweight clash in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Dear Editor, The basic principle in problem-solving is that there should be an understanding by the affected parties that a problem does exist, and a willingness to resolve the problem.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Manchester City took a huge step towards their first title for 44 years when they won 2-0 at Newcastle United to stay top of the Premier League on goal difference from Manchester United with one match left.

A Partnership for National Unity on Saturday said that Sandra V.

PARIS,  (Reuters) – Socialist Francois Hollande swept to victory in France’s presidential election yesterday in a swing to the left at the heart of Europe that could start a pushback against German-led austerity.

Dear Editor, I believe that many persons with an interest in the development of sports in Guyana are thankful that the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has finally given the public an insight into its governance (Page 29, S/N May 6, 2012 – All our statements have been audited).

HOVE, England,  CMC – West Indies endured another miserable day on their tour of England when only 18 overs were possible on the scheduled second day of the rain-ravaged three-day tour match against Sussex here  yesterday.

CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque has challenged the Community’s foreign ministers to engage in strategic discussions in order to forge clear policy reactions to the formative changes in this hemisphere.

Dear Editor, It has been two weeks since phone lines in the vicinity of second and third Streets, Cummingslodge have been vandalized by some mischievous persons, who had no other goal, but to disrupt the lives of other people for their own gain.

Dear Editor, Why is there a need for airstrips on Wakenaam and Leguan?

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Taliban is stronger now than before President Barack Obama ordered a surge of U.S.

Kross Kolor Records is launching its new brand ‘Showcase Guyana’ aimed at promoting local music, arts and craft, fashion and food across the Caribbean.

MUMBAI, India,  IANS/CMC – Hard-hitting West Indies batsman Dwayne Smith pulled off a stunning last ball win for Mumbai Indians after a fine all-round performance from fellow Windies star Dwayne Bravo had put Chennai Super Kings on course for victory in the Indian Premier League here yesterday.

Blocked: The Cemetery Road bridge was

Dear Editor, Following the historic election in October 1992, today, Guyana’s media ranks among the freest in the world, where freedom of expression is guaranteed, with the private media, inclusive of Stabroek News, hosting some of the fiercest critics of the government in their daily columns.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Scientists have figured out how to stop brain cell death in mice with brain disease and say their discovery deepens understanding of the mechanisms of human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

(Trinidad Guardian) On April 25, 2012, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that her administration would be bringing legislation to Parliament to make the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) the islands’ final court of appeal in criminal matters.

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) said 38 persons participated in a National Quranic Competition it held recently at the Meten-Meer-Zorg west masjid.

ATHENS – Greek voters enraged by economic hardship caused by the terms of an international bailout turned on ruling parties in an election yesterday, putting the country’s future in the euro zone at risk and threatening to revive Europe’s debt crisis.

Arrival jig: This senior citizen livened up

KINGSTON, Jamaica,  CMC – Sprint sensation Usain Bolt sent a stern warning to his rivals as he launched his Olympic season with a world-leading 9.82 seconds in the 100 metres at the JN Jamaica Invitational here Saturday night.

Dear Editor, May I take this opportunity to ask President Donald Ramotar to remember that although the political opposition would like to replace the People‘s Progressive Party/Civic in government to pursue their own development agenda, they want what he wants.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Chelsea’s remarkable turnaround since Roberto Di Matteo took over as interim coach has taken them to the brink of a cup double after they beat a disappointing Liverpool side 2-1 with goals from Ramires and Didier Drogba on Saturday.

The Guyana Women’s Miners Organisation will hold a members’ meeting tomorrow at the Sea Breeze Hotel, Pere Street, Kitty.

The Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association has announced that First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar has agreed to serve as its patron.

Kries entertains: Surinamese singer Kries Ramkhelawan  entertaining the crowd at the Albion Sports Complex on

(Jamaica Observer) The mother and stepfather of a 12-year-old girl who is now pregnant, as well as the girl’s 20-year-old boyfriend have been charged with various breaches of the Sexual Offences Act and Child Care and Protection Act, the police reported yesterday.

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – “The Avengers” proved that five superheroes are better than one by bursting into Hollywood’s record books with a massive $200.3 million in ticket sales over its opening weekend in U.S.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is not backing down despite threats of legal action by telecommunications giant Digicel following a raid at the company’s New Kingston head office on Friday.

Dance lesson: This mature couple showed younger folk how to

MUMBAI,  (Reuters) – Political thrillers are not that common in Bollywood but then director and producer Dibakar Banerjee rarely chooses conventional subjects for his films.

MADRID, (Reuters) – In fine fettle after a month-long rest, Roger Federer is ready to get his clay season underway and continue his bid to recapture the world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic.

Dear Editor, Recovery from the brutality and the psychological impact of 1492, slavery, indentureship, colonialism, falls within the domain of all Guyanese.

(Reuters) – The Oklahoma City Thunder roared home with a final quarter blitz to eliminate last season’s NBA champions Dallas from the Western Conference playoffs, rallying for a 103-97 victory on Saturday.

Dear Editor, We refer to an article in KN captioned ‘Govt has no obligation to transfer money to Consolidated Fund, says Brassington.‘ 

Kala Ramnath is a mother of two, autism advocate and member of the Board of The Step by Step Foundation By Kala Ramnath Life with autism is a daily reality for millions of families around the world.

This week we asked the man and woman in the street their thoughts about the recent hike in bus fares.

Politikles

(Trinidad Express) Former Caribbean Airlines (CAL) chairman George Nicholas has lashed out at Finance Minister Winston Dookeran, saying he has “failed his people”.

More than ever before, the selection of an elections commissioner to replace the late Mr Robert Williams has underlined the fact that the Carter-Price formula for the Commission that was used for the 1992 elections has no relevance to the present context and must be abandoned in its entirety before any new poll is held.

“Touch of luxury”: ANSA McAL on Friday held the first drawing for its Trin Chloro Bleach “Touch of Luxury” promotion in front of

ISTANBUL, (Reuters) – Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes said on Sunday he would not have made the latest James Bond film “Skyfall” without Daniel Craig playing the MI6 agent because of the complexity the British actor has brought to the character.