Daily Archive: Tuesday, January 29, 2013

General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Oscar Clarke was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) last night after he sustained three gunshot wounds attempting to fend off home invaders.

Schoolchildren of Windsor Forest Primary on their playground today. Improvements to the tune of $5M were carried out at the school by the Chinese company CHEC.

(Barbados Nation) Barbadians will be going to the polls on Thursday, February 21.

(WICB) St John’s, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board today announced the 2013 window for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Turks and Caicos Government has now filed a formal request to Brazilian authorities for the extradition of former premier Michael Misick.

LAS VEGAS,  (Reuters) – President Barack Obama called on Congress today to make good on plans to overhaul the U.S.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Hugo Chavez is upbeat about recovering from cancer and confident in his medical team, his No.

(Trinidad Guardian) Former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe, who is in T&T attending the 2013 Energy Conference, warned yesterday T&T’s high crime rate could affect investments and the economy.

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy was earlier today admitted to the Georgetown Hospital after he collapsed while at his office.

BEIRUT,  (Reuters) – At least 65 people, apparently shot in the head, were found dead with their hands bound in a district of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo today, activists said.

HARARE, (Reuters) – A draft constitution in Zimbabwe that paves the way for an election this year curbs presidential powers and strengthens cabinet and parliament, which have been weakened under veteran President Robert Mugabe’s rule.

Marking 20 years of service in Guyana, GENERAL EQUIPMENT GUYANA Ltd, headed by Renger van Dijk , donated 1 million dollars earlier this month towards the rehabilitation of the St.

“Caricom is in danger” was the stark warning that former Prime Minister of Jamaica, PJ Patterson delivered to a Rotary event here last night and he called for decisive action from leaders and the development of a “knowledge economy” for the survival and future prosperity of the integration movement.

(Jamaica Observer) Red Stripe and Pepsi Cola Jamaica have joined forces to form what they say will be the largest beverage distribution company in Jamaica, providing up to 200 new jobs and adding significant efficiencies to both companies’ route to market network.

CANBERRA, Australia,  CMC – Opener Kieran Powell narrowly missed out on a century while Ramnaresh Sarwan made a timely return to form with a half-century but West Indies still made a losing start to their tour of Australia with a 23-run defeat to the Prime Minister’s XI here today.

The JR Burgers fast food franchise yesterday commissioned its new building at its Sandy Babb Street Kitty location boasting now, in addition to its famous burger outlet, a bar, a restaurant and drive-thru service.

(Reuters) – Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland has defended the organisation following a scathing attack aimed at them by spin great Shane Warne, who panned the board in a series of Twitter rants.

(Trinidad Express) The family of a Sea Lots man who was stabbed to death after he bumped into a group of women along the Brian Lara Promenade, in Port of Spain are pleading with the police to solve the crime.

CAIRO, Egypt,  (Reuters) – Egypt’s army chief said political strife was pushing the state to the brink of collapse – a stark warning from the institution that ran the country until last year, as Cairo’s first elected leader struggles to contain bloody street violence.

The Linden Commission of Inquiry (COI) has deemed the compensation sought by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) for the destruction by fire of the Linmine Secretariat on July 18, 2012 as absurd and leading to a dead end.

The European Parliament’s agriculture committee on January 23, 2013 voted to maintain until 2020 the European Union’s national beet sugar production quotas, which means that the dedicated allotment for sugar from Guyana and other ACP countries will continue up to that period instead of ending in 2015 as originally planned.

The search for victims of last week’s boat collision on the Mazaruni River has been called off, according to Transport Minister Robeson Benn who said yesterday that maritime officials are now looking to reconstruct what happened in the deadliest riverain accident in decades.

A Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice mother is claiming wrongful arrest and detention by the police at the Fort Wellington Police Station, who she said kept her in custody for several hours on Sunday, while her three children including a one-year-old who breast-feeds, were unattended.

Retrieval of monies from the GRA and the NIS was the key issue queried with Region Seven officials at yesterday’s Public Accounts Committee’s consideration of the 2010 report of the Auditor General.

No further suspects have been held in relation to the murder of Cross Street resident, Wesley Holder, but seven people were questioned and released while the investigation is still ongoing, according to a senior police official.

More than two years after he was sentenced to life in prison for plotting to blow up fuel tanks at the John F Kennedy Airport, former PNC parliamentarian Abdul Kadir maintains his innocence stating that evidence which would have cleared him was not allowed.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon said Cabinet had green-lighted two contracts in areas of commerce and sport, at its January 22 statutory meeting.

Newspaper columnist, Freddie Kissoon yesterday maintained his position that former president Bharrat Jagdeo “in his personal capacity and as head of the executive” practised and pursued policies and actions that were ideologically racist and he provided statistics to back his case.

Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) on Cricket, Clive Lloyd has said that the elections held by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Sunday were illegal.

Justice Dawn Gregory has overruled the no-case submissions that were made by defence counsel in the trial of Mortimer Melville and Jevon Ismond who are accused of killing a former presidential guard during a robbery.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and United Kingdom based Capita Symonds yesterday signed a US$129,750 ($25 million) agreement for the provision of consultancy services for the Guyana Police Force’s Security Sector Strategic Plan (SSSP).

Up to yesterday, no charge had been filed against the captain of the boat in the December 18 Pomeroon River crash that claimed six lives despite a manslaughter recommendation from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

UNAIDS is inviting the Caribbean to make submissions to the post-2015 global development agenda concerning three connected themes in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, for an e-consultation planned for February 3.

The Caribbean Spa and Wellness Association (C-SWA) supported by the Caribbean Export Develop-ment Agency launched its new website last week as it advanced plans to promote the Caribbean as a leading spa destination by 2015.

General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Marcelene Merchant yesterday said that though the ferry service being provided to Wakenaam is not where the T&HD would like it to be, it is the best that can be done given the agency’s current resources.

Twenty police officers from across the country are undergoing a training programme with two trainers from the Martinique-based French Interdepartmental Anti-Drug Training Centre (CIFAD), a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Recent evaluations have found Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) to be incompetent in several areas of service and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has urged them to shape up.

China Forest Industry Group Company, the owners of Bai Shan Lin Forest Development Inc says Guyanese have responded overwhelmingly to job vacancies it posted, with applications exceeding expectations by more than 100 responses.

Just over a week after a mentally unstable man was allegedly beaten to death by residents of the Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting community, a senior police official said that no one has since been arrested in connection with the killing.

Strong club structures will lead to a strong association says West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) president and former Fruta Conquerors and University of Guyana football coach Jevon Rodrigues.

A father of five accused of unlawfully assaulting his wife was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 and sent for counselling, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

(Reuters) – Cycling’s world governing body is disbanding the Independent Commission which investigated the Lance Armstrong doping scandal in favour of a “truth and reconciliation process”, the UCI said  yesterday.

A high-level team comprising APNU shadow Cabinet members and PNCR executives hosted an outreach exercise in Region Two on Saturday.

A teenager was yesterday placed on $100,000 bail after he was charged with stealing a gold chain when he made an appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

One week after they were plunged into darkness Barticians are still enduring several hours of power outages, which have stymied business and discomfited homes even as the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) struggles to improve generation.

The place was Alberta, Canada, the occasion the third Junior Pan American  badminton championships and for Priyanna Ramdhani, it was like a dream come true to be standing on the podium receiving a silver medal for her country at the prestigious games.

Despite protestations that he looked innocent, a man was yesterday refused bail and remanded to prison after he was charged with break and enter and larceny, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Roraima Airways takes its annual Wedding Expo up a notch this year, promising a real life wedding at the event’s fifth showing; one lucky couple can win an all expenses paid wedding, compliments of Roraima and GT&T as long as they are prepared to have their wedding during the expo.

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka prevailed in a rain-hit thriller to clinch the second and final Twenty20 international against Australia and seal the series 2-0 yesterday.

The University of Guyana’s (UG) progress in second division cricket continued when they grabbed first innings points from the Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) while Everest Cricket Club were just nine runs away from taking first innings points against Police when play in the Georgetown Cricket Association/Noble House Seafoods second division two-day competition continued on Saturday.

World Boxing Council (WBC) CABOFE bantamweight champion, Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry has denied calling out three-division champion Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell or former world rated super bantamweight boxer, Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore but stated that he will step in the ring with anyone that makes the bantamweight limit.

Eleven amateur boxers yesterday commenced training for possible selection to represent Guyana at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in March.

A man was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $75,000 after he was charged with larceny when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Rayon Baird, the dancer who was shot in his right chest during an attempted robbery in ‘A’ Field Sophia last week, is improving as he still awaits surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital to repair his punctured lung and to remove the lodged bullet.

The preliminary inquiry into the death of ‘B’ Field, Sophia mother Carmelita Jones commenced yesterday at the Sparendaam Magistrate Court.

CANBERRA, Australia,  CMC- West Indies all rounder Dwayne Bravo has sounded a warning to jog the memory of Australian cricket fans as he makes a return to the regional side in a warm-up fixture here  today.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) will be held on February 10 at Tropical View Hotel in Campbellville.

Dear Editor, I travelled up the Linden-Soesdyke highway last Sunday evening and the return drive was a hair-raising experience.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa,  (Reuters) – Ghana and Mali took contrasting routes to join Ivory Coast, South Africa and Cape Verde Islands in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals yesterday.

SAN DIEGO, (Reuters) – Tiger Woods withstood a late bogey, double-bogey, par, bogey wobble in strengthening winds to end a week of dominant golf by clinching his 75th PGA Tour title by four shots at the Farmers Insurance Open yesterday.

A driver returning from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in the wee hours of Sunday was the unfortunate recipient of the excesses of all-night party, when a beer bottle pelted by an unknown person shattered his car’s windscreen.

SANTA MARIA, Brazil, (Reuters) – Brazilian police investigating a nightclub fire that killed 231 people detained yesterday the owners of the club and two band members whose pyrotechnics show authorities say triggered the blaze as the focus turned to finding those responsible for the tragedy.

(Reuters) – Kobe Bryant’s new pass-friendly approach helped the Los Angeles Lakers overcome the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 105-96 on Sunday as they attempt to reverse a woeful start to the season.

MBAI, India, CMC – A fighting half century stand between Deandra Dottin and Shemaine Campbelle failed to pull West Indies women out of a rut as they lost to Australia Women by 135 runs in an official warm-up game of the ICC Women’s World Cup at Middle Income Group Ground here yesterday.

Dear Editor, We write to register our grateful thanks to Mr Deolall Rooplal, the Region Four REO and his staff for their kind efforts in constructing the new bridge which connects section ‘B’ Non Pareil and Melanie Damishana.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – From would-be assassins to capitalist hoarders, Venezuela’s government is jumping on any perceived threats from old enemies in what opponents see as a tactic to shore up support during socialist President Hugo Chavez’s absence after cancer surgery.

MUMBAI, India, CMC- Captain Merrisa Aguilleira has conceded that West Indies women will be campaigning in a tough group but says her charges are not worried as they prepare to do battle in the ICC women’s World Cup in India.

Dear Editor, Traditionally, the new year is a time for reflection, stock-taking, resolutions and expectations.

SANTIAGO, Jan 27 (Reuters) – Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s cancer-stricken president, made his presence felt at a regional summit on Monday with a flowery letter from his sickbed in Cuba that was laced with literary references and calls for Latin American unity.

CAIRO/ISMAILIA, Egypt,  (Reuters) – Egyptian protesters defied a nighttime curfew in restive towns along the Suez Canal, attacking police stations and ignoring emergency rule imposed by Islamist President Mohamed Mursi to end days of clashes that have killed at least 52 people.

PARIS,  (Reuters) – World number 10 Marion Bartoli does not think drug cheats in tennis can escape detection as players are subjected to too many dope tests in and out of competition.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – A bipartisan group of U.S. senators who have agreed on an immigration reform plan said yesterday they hope to move quickly with legislation giving 11 million illegal immigrants a chance to eventually become American citizens.

Canberra, Australia – West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach will miss  today’s warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval.

Dear Editor, I am a resident of Non Pareil on the East Coast of Demerara.

AMSTERDAM,  (Reuters) – Dutch Queen Beatrix, who turns 75 on Thursday, announced she was abdicating in favour of her son, Prince Willem-Alexander, who will become king on April 30.

Dear Editor, A ‘rape free’ society is desired by all women and girls in the 21st century.

COLOMBO, (Reuters) – Former Sri Lanka cricketer turned politician Sanath Jayasuriya was appointed chairman of selectors in a new-look five-member committee named by sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage  yesterday.

Electricity post leaning back onto wires on Golden Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (Photo by Arian Browne)  

Dear Editor, Guyana has become one big lawless society. This is what I encountered at Christmas. Walking

Anne-Marie Slaughter, a former director of policy planning in the US State Department (2009-2011) and a former dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, is Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University.

GAO, Mali, (Reuters) – French and Malian troops retook control of Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage site, yesterday after Islamist rebel occupiers fled the ancient Sahara trading town and torched several buildings, including a library holding priceless manuscripts.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The United States yesterday warned Antigua and Barbuda not to retaliate against U.S.

Over time, North Korea has become highly effective at the craft of drawing periodic international attention to itself.

Car overboard: This driver lost control of his car and ended up in the trench after he had a blowout at the intersection of Meadow Bank and Mandela Ave yesterday morning.

The Editor, We often read stories of murders, suicides, serious assaults on citizens and breaking and entering of premises.

Yuriko Koike, Japan’s former Minister of Defense and National Security Adviser, is a former chairwoman of Japan’s Liberal Democrat Party and currently a member of the National Diet.

(Trinidad Express) Finance Minister Larry Howai said yesterday that the deficit in the National Insurance Fund was manageable and there was no cause for panic.