Daily Archive: Friday, November 16, 2012

MELBOURNE, Australia,  CMC – Legendary West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards believes he can make a difference at Melbourne Stars after being named as mentor for the Twenty20 Big Bash outfit today.

SAN PEDRO, Belize,  (Reuters) – To the many people who crossed his path on a tropical island in Belize, it was apparent John McAfee’s life had taken some bizarre turns in the last few years.

(Reuters) – Hostess Brands Inc, the bankrupt maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, has sought a U.S.

ATHENS,  (Reuters) – Actors and the producer and director of an American play in Greece that depicted Jesus Christ and his apostles as gay have been charged with blasphemy, court officials said today.

(Trinidad Guardian) Director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Gillian Lucky has recommended that police be outfitted with body cameras when out on duty to execute search warrants and for closed-circuit television cameras to be installed in all charge rooms and holding cells at police stations.

(Trinidad Guardian) A request from the T&T Government for the removal of ten videos currently posted on YouTube has been declined.

Inefficiency in the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has resulted in a large portion of the workforce not making contributions to the scheme and some elderly persons not receiving pensions.

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaica’s David Summerbell Jnr was controversially disqualified from race two in the final round of the Seaboard Marine-sponsored Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) at the South Dakota race track in Guyana on Sunday.

(Jamaica Observer) Days after a scheduled performance in northern California was scrutinised by a gay rights group deejay Beenie Man is facing more pressure from the gay community in the United States.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Jamaicans pumped more money into local unit trust investments while reducing the amounts held in overseas mutual funds at mid-year, according to information out of the Financial Services Commission (FSC).

DHAKA,  (Reuters) – Kieran Powell notched up his second century of the match before Bangladesh brought alive the first test by grabbing five West Indian wickets in 13.1 overs today to raise the spectre of an unlikely victory.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has cautioned regional financial institutions against taking a “knee-jerk” reaction in opposition to the implementation of the United States’ (US) Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).

(BBC) A Cheteshwar Pujara double hundred and three late wickets put India in complete control of the first Test against England in Ahmedabad.

(Barbados Nation) Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton is confident the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will rule in his country’s favour and against Barbados when it hands down the decision in a widely anticipated case involving 24-year-old Shanique Myrie, a Jamaican who accused Barbadian Customs and Immigration officers of cavity-searching her at Grantley Adams’ International Airport.

(Barbados Nation) Barbados’ cricket selectors have been bowled a vicious bouncer by a coach.

-Mabaruma hospital had no doctor on duty A 16-year-old schoolgirl died yesterday, some ten hours after she was brutally stabbed by a man who subsequently hung himself and upset relatives say that her life could have been saved if a plane was available to medivac her to the city.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday denied that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is in immediate financial trouble and could soon collapse, in the face of warnings that it is nearing a crisis stage unless reforms are urgently implemented.

Government officials of Trinidad and Tobago led by Minister of Food Production,  Devant Maharaj yesterday met President Donald Ramotar on the offer made in the Jagdeo Initiative on Agriculture to make land available here for food production, the Government Information Agency reported.

The government is not obligated to give a subsidy to any airline to keep it in existence, Dr Roger Luncheon said yesterday, adding that such a move would not only demonstrate favouritism but create a precedent that could see all carriers petitioning for the same treatment.

A man yesterday appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Albion magistrate’s court to face the charge of murder.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali, on Wednesday met with Delta Airlines’ officials to discuss ways to address the present situation which has left thousands of EZJet passengers stranded and to deal with the busy year-end period.

Police yesterday afternoon expressed an interest in Salim Bacchus, in connection with the execution-style killing of Berbice narcotics Detective Constable, Jirbahan Dianand.

A 15-year-old boy and two other persons yesterday appeared before Magistrate Khrisndat Persaud at the Springlands Magistrate’s court over the shooting of a taxi driver.

Two parliamentary consultants are in Guyana to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the committee system of the National Assembly and are to make their recommendations in a report to be released early next year.

Hardat Kumar, one of the accused on trial for the July 12, 2011 $7M Bel Air heist, was yesterday faced with a second charge of making a death threat.

-residents say better crowd control needed Alexander Village residents are crediting the stronger police presence in the area for reduced reports of the use of firecrackers on Diwali evening, but they say there remains a need for improved crowd control methods.

Three persons were arrested in connection with the fire that gutted the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office, which is suspected to be the work of arsonists.

CNS Channel 6 is complaining of interference with its television signal and wants the authorities to investigate and the new broadcasting authority has promised to look into what might be the cause of the disturbance.

By Emmerson Campbell in Grenada Guyana’s Golden Jaguars football team will be looking to bounce back against the host Grenada tonight after a one-nil loss to Haiti in their first Group Six Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Cup game at the National Stadium here in St George’s on Wednesday.

Seven teams, including three from Brazil, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago will be contending in the Trade Wind Tankers International Volleyball Tournament which starts today at the National Gymnasium.

Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major General (rtd) Michael Atherley will head the inquiry into activities of the Ecuadorean-registered 421 Cessna plane found abandoned at an illegal airstrip in the interior last month.

-aims to protect its clubs   The Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) says it will not be taking sides in the dispute between the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) but it will continue to invite all of its clubs and leagues to tournaments in the interest of the game.

-driver in custody The four persons injured in Wednesday’s fatal Puruni Backdam accident are now at a private city hospital for treatment.

Fireworks are expected when Tucville and North Georgetown Primary clash in the semi-finals of the Courts schools pee wee championship tomorrow at Thirst Park.

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has told the Mayor and City Council that it wants local government reform and elections.

-police say were pelted by residents Albouystown resident Mark Kemble Pierre was yesterday remanded to prison on a charge that he was found by police with 31 grammes of cannabis in his possession.

EL SEGUNDO, California,  (Reuters) – Mike D’Antoni, controversially appointed over 11-time NBA championship winner and fan favourite Phil Jackson as the new Lakers head coach, has promised to try to return ‘Showtime’ basketball to Los Angeles.

– poor households, under-skilled communities to get special attention Stabroek Business has been informed that the first phase of the long-awaited small business support project, officially titled ‘Micro and Small Enterprise Development and Building Alternative Livelihoods for Vulnerable Groups’ will get underway in January next year.

A security guard was yesterday accused of burgling a friend’s home to steal his passport.

Ten teams will be participating in the Kashif and Shanghai under-13 football tournament which is set to run concurrently with the 23rd Edition of the Kashif and Shanghai end of year game.

-consultants for National Teaching Council Consultations on the establishment of a National Teaching Council in Guyana found that steps must be taken to professionalise teaching at all levels as part of a strategic plan to ensure that teachers remain at the forefront of development.

Caribbean ESCO Ltd, a Jamaican energy consultancy company, and a local electrical engineering firm, Dynamic Engineering Company, are collaborating with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in the execution of a project designed to improve energy management in the local manufacturing sector by improving the efficiency of electrical equipment and appliances.

BACOLET, Tobago,  CMC – Hosts Trinidad and Tobago made a disappointing start to their Group Eight semi-final campaign of the Caribbean Cup when they were held to a draw by St Vincent and the Grenadines here Wednesday.

Dear Editor, I refer to an article in your November 15, 2012 edition regarding the imbalance in “NIS investments.”

Fifty-six teams will be vying for the $500,000 prize when F&H Printing hosts its domino play-offs tomorrow at the National Gymnasium.

-joint consultation hears Stakeholders at the joint Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conference on ‘Managing the Extractive Sector for Deve-lopment in Guyana’ posited that a robust management system designed by countries tackling similar challenges in mining could curb exploitation and corruption.

Dear Editor, I wish to refer to your article dated November 3, 2012 under the caption ‘Concerns raised over TB prevalence in Linden, poor conditions at hospitals.’

Dear Editor, Ms Oluatoyin Alleyne, in her article ‘Women miners’ organization finds eight-year-old in mining pit,‘ published in the Sunday Stabroek, November 4, 2012, has given us an account of some of the activities in the Puruni Backdam as told by Ms Simona Broomes.

Loan Portfolio The most recent quarterly statistics from the Bank of Guyana show a mixed picture of the lending patterns of the commercial banks in Guyana. 

DHAKA, Bangladesh,  CMC – Naeem Islam’s maiden Test century inspired a gallant Bangladesh batting effort which frustrated West Indies on the third day of the opening Test here yesterday.

-Caricom roundtable hears Stakeholders at a Postal Reform Roundtable Conference said one of the steps that can be taken to overcome the challenges of reforming the postal system is to view it as a communication business.

When the owners of motor car PMM 2649, Heather and William Denny sent their car to the wash bay in Mackenzie yesterday morning they had no idea of the fate that awaited it.

LOS ANGELES,  (Reuters) – Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers embraced their biggest test of the season in triumphant style on Wednesday, exploding in the second half to stun the NBA champion Miami Heat 107-100.

Five years ago, a group of farmers plying their trade in the Central Mahaicony village of Perth responded to the encouragement of the Ministry of Agriculture to band themselves into a collective in order to benefit from support services that were already being made available to other groups of farmers across the country.

Dear Editor, The CEO of SLM Surinam Airways said some time ago that the success of its investment in Guyana and future expansion from Guyana to Toronto and New York City depend on the cooperation of the Government of Guyana.

Dear Editor, Every year the head of state, government, the opposition, political parties, and trade unions, business houses, etc, send out Dipavali messages to the Hindu community and the nation as a whole. 

LONDON, (Reuters) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s memorable fourth strike in Sweden’s 4-2 win over England on Wednesday has sparked worldwide debate about its place in the pantheon of great goals.

Mahdia Power and Light (MPL) Chairman David Adams has asked residents to exercise some more patience until another transformer is purchased to ease the problem of low voltage, even as he indicated that the company continues to be hampered by electricity theft and the high cost of fuel.

BEIJING,  (Reuters) – However ploddingly China’s new leaders might like to reform the world’s second-largest economy and the way they govern, pressures set to build over the next decade will likely force great change upon them.

– Urling urges local government reform, elections President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Clinton Urling says businesses must take some of the responsibility for the “thoughtless dumping, littering” in the capital.

Dear Editor, In recent proceedings in the National Assembly on a no-confidence motion against the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Clement Rohee, much emphasis was placed on the concept of ministerial responsibility as that concept is applied in Britain.

(Jamaica Observer) There is a backlog of some 500 cases before the Home Circuit Court, but the Ministry of Justice says it needs about J$5 billion and time to straighten out the besieged system, with no other option than turning to an already cash-strapped Ministry of Finance and Planning.

The Smith Memorial Congregational Church, Brickdam, celebrates its 169th anniversary on Sunday, November 18 with a special service at 9 am.

Mariam Allen is not one to hide her light under a bushel.

Manchester Secondary School student Denzil Leitch won the first monthly Digicel sponsored Diwali Day five kilometres road race for school students of the Lower Corentyne.

GAZA,  (Reuters) – Two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip targeted Tel Aviv yesterday in the first attack on Israel’s commercial capital in 20 years, raising the stakes in a showdown between Israel and the Palestinians that is moving towards all-out war.

(Trinidad Guardian) Dr Neil Parsan, T&T’s ambassador to Washington, has been reported on an official Web site as saying the local East Indian community is the “most well-to-do and culturally strong and progressive ethnic group in the uniquely plural society of T&T.”

DHAKA, Bangladesh,  CMC – West Indies coach Ottis Gibson believes a positive result is still possible in the opening Test against Bangladesh, despite the run feast that has left a draw as the most likely outcome.

LOS ANGELES,  (Reuters) – The earliest known surviving feature in which Alfred Hitchcock is credited was released online yesterday after sitting under the noses of archivists for decades.

Dear Editor, There is a perception that the government is making very little effort to curb criminal activities, including an upsurge in corrupt transactions involving the regions, other politicians and some contractors. 

At the age of 15, Satrohan Sookdeo was required by his father to end his formal schooling and seek an apprenticeship in a trade that might one day provide him with a regular income.

Two persons were injured after an early morning accident yesterday at Dennis and Sheriff streets involving a sand truck and a car.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Classified material kept by the woman who conducted an affair with former CIA Director David Petraeus predates their liaison and does not come from the spy agency, sources briefed on the investigation told Reuters yesterday.

Dear Editor, At the time of his resignation from the BBC, George Entwistle, its former Director General said: “In the light of the fact that the director-general is also the editor in chief and ultimately responsible for all content and in the light of the unacceptable journalistic standards in the Newsnight film, I have decided the honourable thing to do is to step down as director general of the BBC.”

Robeson Benn Jnr, who was stabbed on Saturday night after a fight with a  woman, was discharged from the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of the Georgetown Hospital on Wednesday, officials at the hospital stated yesterday.

AUSTIN, Texas, (Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton has no regrets over his jump to Mercedes next season, again dismissing comments from McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh that the Englishman was having second thoughts about his move.

(Jamaica Observer) Students in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI) can now access electronic medical texts at a fraction of the cost for the printed material, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

By Collin M Constantine Guyana had experienced positive growth since 2006 and made exceptional strides in its recovery process from the rampant economic contractions and poor standards of living of the past.

Business Cartoons

The seasonal vending that never fails to bring a period of chaos and confusion to the capital is here again.

Angela Cropper, who died of cancer in England on Monday, might not have been well known to the general public in Guyana.

Politikles

“Shubh Diwali, Happy Mashramani” Not having attended Secondary School, much more the local University,  my unlettered, uncertified “inferiority complex”  intrudes whenever I make bold to comment on things related to our highest tertiary institution, the University of Guyana (UG).

(Barbados Nation) Devaluation of the Barbados dollar is out of the question.

KARACHI, (Reuters) – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have stopped three of their top players from playing in the Australian Big Bash League next month because it clashes with their national Twenty20 championship.

Dear Editor, Given the International Cricket Council’s zero tolerance for indiscipline, I am indeed surprised about a trend that is beginning to threaten the game on the field in Guyana.

GASCI (www.gasci.com/telephone Nº 223-6175/6) reports that session 485’s trading results showed consideration of $5,734,609 from 223,014 shares traded in 18 transactions as compared to session 484 which showed consideration of $1,671,716 from 74,844 shares traded in 10 transactions. 

NEW ORLEANS/WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – BP Plc will pay $4.5 billion in penalties and plead guilty to felony misconduct in the Deepwater Horizon disaster, which caused the worst U.S.

(Trinidad Express) In a bid to capitalise on access to new sources of information available, Transparency International has revised the methodology which it uses to calculate the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of countries around the world.

(Trinidad Express) CCTV cameras will be installed “almost immediately” in Tobago and in crime hotspots such as Port of Spain and environs, Laventille, Morvant, Beetham Estate and Diego Martin.