Daily Archive: Friday, May 18, 2012

LONDON – Toby Radford said West Indies have little room for error, when the first Test against England resumes on Saturday.

Police say that two men armed with a gun at about 20:30 hours yesterday robbed a family of $11,000, jewellery and articles at Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara.

The lawyer for Guyanese businessman Ed Ahmad, who has been indicted in New York over a US$50M mortgage fraud, is looking to stall the May 21 commencement of his trial in order to address a “complicated, recently emergent issue.”

BANGKOK, (Reuters) – Thai police arrested a British citizen today after the bodies of six babies thought to have been used in a black magic ritual were found stuffed into travel bags in a Bangkok hotel room.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – President Hugo Chavez’s public assurances that he will beat cancer have failed to quell Venezuelans’ frenetic speculation about whether the illness will ruin his chances of winning another six-year term in October.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez has not been seen or heard in public since returning a week ago from his latest cancer treatment in Cuba but was well enough to monitor a jail riot in Caracas, an ally said today.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Pentagon said today it believes China spent up to $180 billion on its military buildup last year, a far higher figure than acknowledged by Beijing, and it accused “Chinese actors” of being the world’s biggest perpetrators of economic espionage.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – “Suriname wants to become the food basket of the region, but we must feed ourselves first.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – England captain Andrew Strauss described a feeling of release after ending an l8-month wait for a century with an polished unbeaten 121 in the first test against West Indies at Lord’s yesterday.

(Jamaica Observer) Gay and transgender organisations in Belgium have promised to end their protest at Reggae concerts featuring acts who are known to have recorded songs bashing their lifestyle.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Newly installed Anglican Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, the Right Reverend Dr Howard Gregory, is urging the church to dissociate itself from tainted money, which continues to circulate in the society where corruption is rampant.

Police last evening found the car of murdered GTM manager Lionel Bert Whyte parked on a street at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice but so far there has been no sighting of the suspect.

(Barbados Nation) There will be no local autopsy or coroner’s inquest into the apparent suicide of United States Embassy official George Gaines.

(Reuters) Delhi You cannot escape Bollywood and the drama that comes with it, not even in the hallowed environs of the Rajya Sabha.

(Reuters) – Bollywood actor and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner Shah Rukh Khan was banned today from entering Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium for the next five years but the decision may not be cast in stone yet.

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach has been arrested on molestation and assault charges, a senior Delhi Police official said toiday.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – England fast bowler Stuart Broad struck with the first ball of the second day to dismiss West Indies for 243 in the first test at Lord’s today.

Head of the Privatisation Unit, Winston Brassington says he is prepared to be questioned by any parliamentary committee and would resign if the Opposition produces evidence to substantiate its assertions of corruption in the operations of the government holding company NICIL.

The complainant in the Henry Greene rape allegation has moved, through her attorney Nigel Hughes to appeal the decision of Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang; just two days before the six weeks permitted by law to do so expired.

Police know the identity of the prime suspect in the killing of GTM manager and actor Lionel Bert Whyte, but so far numerous checks for him and Whyte’s missing car have turned up nothing, Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said.

The bodies of two Chenapau, Region Eight men, who were involved in a boat accident along the Potaro River in the wee hours of Tuesday morning were recovered the following day in the waterway.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) last evening staunchly defended opposition cuts in the budget at a public meeting at Rosignol Village and urged the government to have mercy on Berbicians and drop the fare to cross the Berbice Bridge.

LONDON, England, CMC – World number one batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul produced another resolute effort to close in on his 26th Test century but seamer Stuart Broad’s six-wicket haul undermined West Indies on the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s here yesterday.

President  Donald Ramotar yesterday issued a call at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, for a clear agenda of concerted efforts and greater attention to addressing the circumstances of small, vulnerable states.

NEW DELHI, India, CMC – Talismanic opener Chris Gayle sent his strongest message yet to West Indies selectors yesterday, smashing a whirlwind, unbeaten century for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League to become the first-ever player to cross 700 runs in the multi-million dollar tournament.

Ryan Gonsalves, captain of the national 7s and 15s rugby team, is confident of his side’s chances for their first game in Round 2 of the Southern Zone of the NACRA Regional Qualifier for the 2015 Rugby World Cup which kicks off in Barbados tomorrow.

The Brazilian miner who created a furore on Wednesday when he said he had received permission to mine on government reserve land in Kamarang this year, has presented his documents which are contrary to his initial reports.

The National Community Basketball League (NCBL) is officially set to bounce off tomorrow at the Burnham Hard Courts, according to  a press conference held on Wednesday at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Head Office.

Guyana and the United States participated in a three-day Counter Narcotics Orientation at USSouthcom headquarters and Joint Interagency Task Force-South in Florida recently.

The trial of Dwight Da Silva who is accused of killing businessman Barbot Paul began yesterday in the

(Reuters) – The Oklahoma City Thunder scored nine unanswered points in the final two minutes to edge the Los Angeles Lakers 77-75 on Wednesday and seize a 2-0 lead in their second-round playoff series.

One week after photographer Delano Williams was freed of causing death by dangerous driving and drunk driving, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has appealed the decision.

Golden Jaguars national coach, Jamaal Shabazz, says that after next week’s friendly international against Panama he and his technical staff will select the final squad for Guyana’s two opening third round 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Mexico and Costa Rica to be played on June 8 and 12.

 (Reuters) – The surprising Indiana Pacers held Dwyane Wade to five points and shocked the cold shooting Miami Heat 94-75 to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final series yesterday.

The Bureau of Statistics is conducting its Pilot Census from today until May 24 and is urging the public to cooperate with its enumerators as it prepares for the 2012 Population and Housing Census.

Dear Editor, We need help and help does not seem to be forthcoming. Many

Dear Editor, Please permit me to respond to a letter which was penned by Gordon Forte and published in the May 8 edition of the Stabroek News under the caption ‘Why is VAT charged on the full price of goods at each stage of the commercial system?‘

After being without electricity for close to a month, residents of the Mabaruma Sub-Region are planning to protest at the offices of the regional administration over the issue and other matters.

Dear Editor, It is interesting that at this crucial time the concerns of trainee teachers are not being addressed. 

Stakeholders in the local forestry sector are to make a submission to local commercial banks that could determine whether or not the industry secures the financial support it desperately needs for recapitalization, President of the Forest Producers Associa-tion (FPA) Hilbertus Cort has told the Stabroek Business.

Tillage operators at the Wales Sugar Estate began strike action on Wednesday to oppose the proposed change in the beginning of their working day and it continued yesterday.

A medical team is expected to conduct a sweep of the West Watooka community today while environmental health officers are set to visit tomorrow after  residents expressed uneasiness over increased illnesses and environmental issues.

Significant changes in the mining industry resulting from the profits that now accrue to investors continue to present challenges to the regulatory capacity of the state machinery, a Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) senior official has told Stabroek Business.

BALTIMORE, (Reuters) – While the Preakness Stakes appears to be a two-horse affair between Kentucky Derby champ I’ll Have Another and the speedster Bodemeister, the owner of Went the Day Well is waving the caution flag.

Dear Editor, On behalf of the students of the University of Guyana (UG), I write to highlight the level of disdain and contempt with which the students are customarily treated.

The suspect in the murder of Corentyne security guard, Karamchand Panchoo has been released on station bail.

ROME,  (Reuters) – Briton Andy Murray suffered a setback in his French Open preparations as he was ousted 6-7 6-3 6-2 by Richard Gasquet in the third round of the Rome Masters yesterday.

Beginning in this issue, Stabroek Business will be publishing a series of interviews with women owners of business enterprises.

Dear Editor, The humiliation begins on the appointed pay day; you report to the bank or post office to receive your pension that you have earned by dint of hard work over the years with government, only to be told by the teller that your name is not on the pay sheet.

BOSTON,  (Reuters) – Osiris Therapeutics Inc said yesterday that Canadian health regulators have approved its treatment for acute graft-versus host disease in children, making it the first stem cell drug to be approved for a systemic disease anywhere in the world.

A James Street, Albouystown, man who is accused of robbing a woman in a hold-up was placed on $120,000 bail yesterday by Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – Jamaican sprint queen Veronica Campbell-Brown was leaving no hostages to fortune on Thursday as she looked forward to her first 200 metres race of a season she hopes will climax in a third successive Olympic gold in the event.

Dear Editor, I write to support Lennox Arthur’s appeal that “public open spaces should be developed so youngsters can play football, etc” (Stabroek News, May16).

Since 2008 Farfan and Mendes has been partnering with one of the world’s leaders in the water treatment industry in an undertaking that seeks to enhance countrywide access to potable water.

(Reuters) – Pastor Maldonado spoke yesterday of how he had feared a tragic ending to his astonishing Spanish Grand Prix success in Barcelona last weekend.

Even as sections of the small business community continue to pronounce on  challenges associated with accessing commercial bank loans, Republic Bank says it continues to offer “a comprehensive range of corporate, commercial and retail banking services” to meet the business and personal financial needs of small and medium enterprises.

ATHENS – Greece’s surging leftist leader predicted on Thursday his party would sweep next month’s election and refused to stop demanding an end to “barbaric” austerity policies he said were bankrupting the nation.

Dear Editor, It was a pleasant surprise to see the President at the Indian Arrival Day celebrations at Highbury, East Bank, Berbice, on May 5. 

Trevor Sealy and Guy Gittience were placed on a bond   to keep the peace for six months after they appeared yesterday before Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in a threatening language case.

UBAI, (Reuters) – Newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City will strengthen their squad in the close season as the club target European glory next year, manager Roberto Mancini said yesterday.

Dear Editor, Both President Donald Ramotar and Vishnu Bisram are wrong on the voting right issue.

Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has received several reports about broken utility poles along the East Coast Demerara as a result of the high winds experienced yesterday afternoon.

The proliferation of food vendors on city streets is posing major challenges for the Georgetown municipality in its efforts to effectively monitor health and safety standards in the industry, acting Chief Meat and Food Inspector Jagdish Singh told Stabroek Business in a telephone interview earlier this week.

SANTO DOMINGO, (Reuters) – Voters in the Dominican Republic’s presidential election on Sunday will choose between two candidates vying to be seen as agents of change, even though one represents the ruling party and the other is a former president.

Relatively low cost of living and favourable weather conditions position Guyana as one of the ideal destinations for offshore siting of international universities, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of Texila American University Saju Bhaskar told Stabroek Business in an interview earlier this week.

YAOUNDE (Reuters) – Cameroon’s soccer federation has dismissed former striker Roger Milla from his post as honorary president of the organisation after his calls for a clean-up of the leadership.

Dear Editor, They say that lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place, but I beg to differ.

Starting young: Marian Academy pupils Lucas and Ethan Jonas (foreground)  making a donation to Help and Shelter yesterday.

LISBON,  (Reuters) – Angola’s Supreme Court has annulled the appointment of the country’s electoral commission chief, a nomination which the opposition had criticised but which the ruling MPLA party defended as impartial, state news agency Angop reported yesterday.

BRASILIA, (Reuters) – Brazil’s state-owned oil company Petrobras, its navy, and oil industry regulators rushed to investigate multiple reports of an oil leak from an offshore field yesterday, but said they found no signs of oil in the water.

Business Cartoons

GASCI (www.gasci.com/telephone Nº 223-6175/6) reports that session 459’s trading results showed consideration of $8,241,677 from 183,675 shares traded in 8 transactions as compared to session 458 which showed consideration of $32,362,551 from 261,688 shares traded in 38 transactions. 

For all his titles and letters after his name, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, KA, PhD, etc, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies, really does spout a lot of rubbish sometimes.

RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Two rival coaches came to blows and had to be separated by riot police after both were sent off in a Brazilian regional final.

LOS ANGELES,  (Reuters) – Disco queen Donna Summer, whose sultry voice and pulsing rhythms on hits like “Last Dance” and “Love to Love You Baby” defined the 1970s disco era, died of cancer yesterday at age 63.

Expressions of concern from the private sector over what it says is a scarcity of skills in key areas of the productive sector are nothing new.

Dear Editor, I appeal to the various organizations that fought for the rights of the lady who alleged she was raped by former Commissioner Henry Greene, to get on board with those activists who are fighting for justice for the late Karen Badal, who passed away after a doctor performed an illegal abortion at his residence.

Politikles

Dear Editor, Lindeners are protesting the plan to increase their electricity rates and APNU and the AFC are supporting them.

Another very brief sermon today.  I suspect that I might have even used the caption years ago and that I would have discussed, in layman’s terms, issues related to publishers’ priorities or prerogatives, editorial policy and the fact that, in the print media, bad news attract interest, attention  – and money Just a little more of the same today.

(Trinidad Express) A security guard is expected to be charged with the beating of former beauty queen, Candice Worrell.

(Trinidad Express) Police have seized a truck transporting 21 barrels of diesel which were to be shipped to Grenada.

(Trinidad Express) Attorneys representing former prime minister Basdeo Panday are seeking a stay of proceedings after a Port of Spain magistrate ruled that he had a case to answer on charges of failing to declare the assets of a London-based bank account to the Integrity Commission.