Daily Archive: Sunday, December 22, 2013

(Trinidad Express) Three men—a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, a businessman and a teenager—were shot dead in a drive-by shooting outside a bar in Preysal, Couva, yesterday.

JOHANNESBURG,  (Reuters) – South Africa gave up on the chance to set a new world record in chasing down 458 for victory against India on day five of the first test at the Wanderers on Sunday, falling eight runs short as they settled for a draw in the closing overs.

At about 0320h today, police say that Fazal Baksh, 37 years, of Cotton Tree, WCB, was riding a motor cycle along the main road at D’Edward Village, WCB, when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a utility pole.

The police say they are investigating the murder of Percival Williams, 43 years, of Hague, WCD, which occurred at about 1900h last night at the Parika Stelling, EBE.

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that an investigation has been launched into possible sabotage of operations at State-owned oil company Petrotrin.

(Reuters) – Kane Williamson completed his second half-century of the match to take New Zealand to an eight-wicket victory in the third and final test against West Indies and seal the series 2-0 after lunch on the fourth day on Sunday in Hamilton.

The Inter-American Deve-lopment Bank (IDB) has approved funding for studies required to prepare a road link to Brazil and a deep-water port project that could eventually be financed through a public/private partnership.

Port Mourant, Corentyne, the home village of the late president of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan as well as some outstanding cricketers, was described as the only village that offers education from “nursery to university.” 

Chairman of the Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources Dr Rupert Roopnaraine says he will be seeking to convene a meeting early in January to deal with the issue of the Permission for Geological and Geophysical Survey (PGGS) issued to Muri Brasil Ventures Inc and the answers Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud provided at an earlier meeting when quizzed.

A West Ruimveldt family was yesterday morning robbed and terrorized by two men armed with guns, but believes the men were not there with the intention of robbing them.

Crowded: Regent Street is always one of the busiest streets at Christmas time.

The man accused of the November 2012 murder of Winston Ragnauth called ‘Tony’ was held last week at Agricola.

(Reuters) – New Zealand openers Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford safely negotiated their way to the close of play on the third day of the third test against West Indies yesterday after their bowlers had set up a likely victory with a destructive display.

Guyana Goldfields Inc at its 2013 Corporate Social Responsibly support programme event on Thursday last indicated that the company will be seeking to employ some 600 persons in its construction phase in 2014.

The US democracy project snubbed by government covers a wide scope of activities from boosting citizens’ engagement with local parliamentarians and education on recently-passed local government reform legislation to assistance for parliamentarians in legislative research and drafting of laws.

Well known businessman in Linden, Dennis Muhammad aka Jafar is adamant that the final of the GT Beer tournament will kick off on January 1 despite the ruling by the GFF’s general council not to have it staged on that date.

Samantha Henry, the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School teacher who had accused a male colleague of physically assaulting her earlier this month, said she is awaiting the inquiry results from the Ministry of Education, which had launched an investigation into the assault.

The Trophy Stall’s 20 plus years of sponsorship of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Boxing Day meet continued yesterday.

Governments in North America and Europe are beginning to look more closely at citizenship for investment schemes, after a small but growing number of incidents have raised concerns about who passports are being issued to.

While the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is taking steps to implement the recently approved and gazetted mortgage interest relief for first time home builders and owners, not all of the commercial banking institutions have put the necessary measures in place, according to Commissioner General of the GRA Khurshid Sattaur.

Defending champions Sunburst Camptown defeated Winners Connection 3-0 to book their quarterfinal spot when the Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Cup continued at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda on Friday.

This shopper with her Santa hat seemed to be in the spirit yesterday along Regent Street (Photo by Arian Browne)

Green-colored currency It is the season when money matters and as Christmas draws near Guyanese will spend plenty of it. 

Christmas shopping was made even more convenient for Berbicians last Monday with the opening of the three-storey multimillion dollar ‘Stretch D Dollar’ supermarket and supercentre in Pitt Street, New Amsterdam.

Den Amstel Porknockers edged Mahaica Determinators 2-1 in their round of 16 matchup when the Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Cup continued at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda on Friday.

Like every other serious investment venture in recent times, the PGGS (Permission for Geophysical and Geological Surveys) granted to Muri Brasil Ventures Inc in November last year has come under serious questioning and has given rise to suspicion and innuendo.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said on Wednesday that there had been division between former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo and some members of the cabinet during his 2006-2011 term on account of him favouring exploration and mining activity in the New River Triangle.

PERTH, Australia, CMC- Perth Scorchers have confirmed that West Indies allrounder, Dwayne Smith, will miss their opening game of the Big Bash League 2013-14 today.

Avon tent in the Camp Street Avenue between Lamaha and New Market streets

Writing a column on the celebration of Christmas is a little like trying to illustrate the scope and scale of Shakespeare with one or two quotations; you can succeed about as well as the man who tried describing the marvellous cathedral at Chartres by showing a carved stone and single piece of stained glass as specimens of the building’s majesty.

OBSCURED by the distractions of the current double-tour from hell, a significant appointment by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has slipped under the radar.

Do a little dance? An entertainer getting down for a group of delighted shoppers along Regent Street yesterday (Photo by Arian Browne)

Legislative changes now protect persons living with HIV against discrimination in the workplace, and it is mandatory for employers with more than five regular employees on staff to develop a written policy on HIV and AIDS.

What’s most worrisome about Latin America’s disastrous performance in the recently released international PISA student tests are not the results themselves, but that many countries in the region are not even recognizing that they have a serious problem.

Introduction Last week I drew readers’ attention to the far more potent threat facing tax evaders and money launderers operating in and through Guyana, than the activities of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and its regional counterpart, the Caribbean Financial Task Force (CFATF).

The Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Cup round of 16 continues today with a scintillating doubleheader at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) in Bourda.

Music to shop by: The Guyana Police Force Steel Band providing live music for shoppers in Robb Street yesterday.

We have this picture of dogs as frolicking creatures, leaping about in an open area, splashing happily in water, and never seeming to tire of playing games of fetch. 

Coach of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President’s XI team Julian Moore has lauded the determination and teamwork exhibited by his players who finished second in the recently concluded GCB Senior Inter-County four-day tournament.

Gotcha! This traffic policeman was on hand to write a ticket for this driver who ignored the no-entry rule and turned right into Robb Street from Wellington Street to try and park at the intersection.

The police say they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of miner Clement David of Baramita, North West District whose body was found with marks of violence to the head at about 07.30 am yesterday, on the roadway at Baramita.

JUBA (Reuters) – Three US aircraft came under fire from unidentified forces yesterday while trying to evacuate Americans from a spiralling conflict in South Sudan.

Hibiscus sabdariffa commonly called sorrel or rosella comes from the Malvaceae family and originated from India and Malaysia, later spreading to Africa and the Caribbean.

The Guyana Horse Racing Authority met with Minister of Sport, Dr.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India said yesterday that it had transferred the diplomat at the centre of a row with the United States to its UN delegation, a move that it hopes will give her protection from prosecution for visa fraud and underpaying a maid.

MELBOURNE,  (Reuters) – Australia have wrapped up the Ashes two tests early, but opening batsman Chris Rogers still feels on shaky ground ahead of the fourth test in Melbourne without a century to his name in the series.

Pavement vendor draws the interest of quite a few shoppers at Robb Street and Avenue of the Republic yesterday (Photo by Arian Browne)

A Pomeroon man drowned on Friday in the Barama River where he was working as a diver.

African beats: Leaving a contribution for the African drummers entertaining shoppers at Regent and King streets yesterday.

United States grandmaster and its number one chess player Hikaru Nakamura emerged victorious at the recent London Super Sixteen rapid tournament at which some of the finest players in the world were represented.

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s main opposition party announced yesterday it would boycott an election in February, deepening uncertainty about the poll and fuelling a campaign to overthrow Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government.

Facing a fuel shortage in Region Nine due to a collapsed bridge, the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has reiterated its call for an improved maintenance regime for the Linden-Lethem road.

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – India are closing in on a famous victory at the Wanderers after South Africa went to stumps at 138 for two on the fourth day of the first test yesterday, with the hosts needing another 320 runs in their bid to chase down a world-record victory target of 458.

ANKARA (Reuters) – Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan denounced “international groups” and “dark alliances” on Saturday for entangling Turkey in a corruption scandal that has exposed deep rifts between him and a US-based Muslim cleric who helped him rise to power.

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuban President Raul Castro yesterday called on the United States to establish civilized relations with his country, recognizing a new tone in bilateral talks on secondary issues while reiterating that the country’s political and economic system were non-negotiable.

KARACHI, (Reuters) – Experienced pace bowler Umar Gul could make his international comeback next week following a nine-month injury break after being drafted into the Pakistan squad for the one-day series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.

Friends? Bird perched on a horse yesterday at La Bonne Intention, Rupert Craig Highway (Photo by Arian Browne)

Dear Editor, After witnessing the debacle surrounding the appointment of the Georgetown Municipality Town Clerk under circumstances that undermine due process and procedures and which potentially perpetuate a culture of mediocrity in our country’s public offices and institutions, I feel compelled to write on one of the most compelling issues affecting all municipalities – solid waste management and disposal.

Sunday Cartoons

Today, on the threshold of the festive season, we’ll deal with food intake, or rather, what not to feed your pet(s) at Christmas. 

Roadside pepperpot? This homeless woman was tending her pot along Avenue of the Republic opposite Bank of Guyana yesterday.

Recently the Sunday Stabroek featured the story of a brave ten-year-old who has a rare skin condition which speeds her skin cell turnover, causing the top layer to shed six times faster than in a normal person, and whose only wish is to get an education.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Moody’s Investors Service announced on Friday that it has downgraded the country’s bond rating from B-A-1 to B-A-3, citing poor economic growth and rising fiscal deficits.

(The Sports Xchange) – – -Led by center Al Horford’s 23 points, the Atlanta Hawks continued their high-scoring ways in a 118-85 victory over the Utah Jazz, extending their winning streak to three games.

It was Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon who last week brought former president, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo, into the frame in relation to the granting of a controversial permission for a minerals survey in the New River Triangle that would in due course lead to mining.

BERLIN/MOSCOW (Reuters) – Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky was reunited with family members in Berlin yesterday, a day after he was released from a decade-long jail term during which he became one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent critics.

Dear Editor, The Private Sector Commission (PSC) in its most recent statement (December 20, 2013) on the Berbice Bridge Company Inc was unwilling to acknowledge writing the following on December 11: “As far as we are aware, the Government directly or indirectly has no investment in, or liability relating to, the [Berbice River] bridge at this time.”