Daily Archive: Friday, December 25, 2015

President David Granger today announced an increase in the Government subvention for the Dharm Shala indigent home, and a donation of $1 million before year end, for the continued work at the institution.

About 1500h. today, the police say that a man so far identified as ‘Fluffie’ was involved in an argument with another man in Albouystown, Georgetown, during which he was stabbed to his chest and neck.

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Pakistan today to meet his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, the first time an Indian premier has visited the rival nation in over a decade.

President David Granger and First Lady, Sandra Granger visited the maternity and children’s wards at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) this morning, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said.

Rice production boomed again in 2015 following impressive harvests the last few years, however, the value of rice exports decreased by over US$37.6 million, a drop of 15 per cent from 2014, mostly owing to the loss of the Venezuela market and its preferential price.

Armed with draft legislation, the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) will be meeting with the World Bank’s Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative (StAR) in mid-January to plot the way forward in transforming the unit into an agency with the authority to freeze assets and proceed with civil litigation alongside criminal investigations.

The Middle Road, La Penitence beautician who was busted in the US state of Georgia this month was carrying just over five kilos of cocaine concealed in nine pairs of shoes and had been expecting a US$15,000 payoff for the job.

The Sea and River Defence Department (SRDD), under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) yesterday responded to a sea defence breach at Bush Lot/Maida, Corentyne (an earlier release from MPI had inaccurately stated the location as Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice).

President David Granger yesterday pledged $1 million to support the educational programmes which are being undertaken by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and inveighed against extremism.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira says there are issues with various parliamentary procedures that need to be addressed and cited the breaching of Standing Orders, which she said is deeply concerning.

For twenty-one-year-old Lukeisha Clarke, this will be a “black Christmas” as she will spend it hoping for justice instead of fancy presents.

Former Georgetown Mayor and well-known florist Compton Young now lives in a senior residential care home but despite this, and having a leg amputated as a result of diabetes, he says he is living his best life yet as he continues to do what he loves, floral arrangements.

MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Beleaguered West Indies will face the ultimate challenge in order to stay alive in the series when they face a supremely confident Australia in the historic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

If there is one wish that 12-year-old Reaha Mangru of Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara would like to have granted this Christmas, it would be to save the vision in her left eye.

(WICB) St. John’s, ANTIGUA – West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President, Dave Cameron on Wednesday confirmed that following discussions with BCCI President, Shashank Manohar, that the West Indies will host India in the Caribbean in 2016.

The police have completed their investigations into the alleged drugging and gang raping of a woman which occurred a month ago at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) building at Mahdia, according to Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram.

(WICB) St. John’s, ANTIGUA – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), following its board of directors meeting in St.

Aubrey Squires and Milton Massiah will be spending Christmas on the streets but to them that’s not a great problem.

These nativity musings have to do specifically with the Birth of the Jesus Child, who eventually was to become the Christ – the One sent and anointed to become a Messiah.

MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Barbados all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite could make his long awaited Test debut on Boxing Day.

The Haags Bosch Landfill fire continues to burn, though the intensity of the fire is less, almost a week since it started and garbage disposal at the facility remains at a standstill.

Campbellville giant Sunburst Camptown downed arch-rival and Kitty-based unit Northern Rangers 2-0 to seal a quarterfinal berth when the 5th Annual Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Knockout Championship continued on Wednesday.

An errant signal by the fourth official led to the Beacons and Flamingo matchup being marred as the former prevailed 4-2 on penalty kicks when the 5th annual GFA/Banks Beer Knockout Championship continued on Wednesday.

When the 2016 Budget is presented in January, sweeper/cleaners who earn meagre salaries can expect to see their wages increased to at least minimum wage, according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

Den Amstel and Mahaica Determinators secured quarterfinal berths in the 2nd Annual Stag Beer Super XVI Knockout Championship, downing Agricola Red Triangle and Kuru-Kururu Warriors respectively on Wednesday at the Den Amstel ground.

(The Sports Xchange) – Kevin Love had 23 points and 13 rebounds and forward LeBron James added 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 91-84 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Christmas Eve on the mall: A family is all smiles as they test out a seesaw at the Merriman Mall Play Park last evening.

(Reuters) – Manchester United players are right behind under-fire manager Louis Van Gaal and are determined to get their season back on track, captain Wayne Rooney said.

Chief Executive Officer of NICIL Winston Brassington said he believes that over time the Marriott Hotel will come to be a significant asset to Guyana and to its accommodation industry.

Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (Demtoco) on December 17th spread Christmas cheer at the Night Shelter at La Penitence.

The investigation into the invasion of a Puruni mining camp on November 15, which ended in assault, has been completed and the police will soon send the file for legal advice, Divisional Commander Senior Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram said on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, (Reuters) – The Obama administration yesterday came under fire from Democratic presidential candidates and human rights groups for plans to intensify deportations of Central American migrants by rounding up undocumented families.

DURBAN, (Reuters) – There is sufficient depth in England’s bowling department to make up for the absence of their record wicket taker James Anderson in the Boxing Day test against South Africa, Stuart Broad said yesterday.

DUBAI, (Reuters) – A fire tore through the intensive care unit and the maternity ward of a Saudi hospital before dawn yesterday, killing at least 24 people and injuring 123, officials said.

(The Sports Xchange) – Presented with the five names of those ahead of him on the NBA career scoring list after passing a major personal milestone, Dirk Nowitzki responded as if it was music to his ears “That sounds pretty good,” the German told reporters.

By Vijay Datadin Vijay Datadin is a GIS Specialist. A Chevening Scholar, he holds an MSc in GIS from Edinburgh University, UK A modern, powerful technology called Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was the focus of a grassroots-organized event on the University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus in November this year.

The girls of St. Ann’s Orphanage in Georgetown got a special Christmas treat on Monday from the management of the Ramada Georgetown Princess, a release from the hotel said yesterday.

Dear Editor,   There must be many of us who are as befuddled as the officials who gratuitously utter words without providing information, or who when they do offer some information, would not elucidate on how they themselves can utilise it.

Dear Editor, We, at the Mayor and City Council, wish to extend special season’s greetings to all of our valued citizens.

The Government of Guyana may be weighing its options in the matter of the liquidation of the debt associated with the outstanding payment of US$5 million due on the agreed price of US$30 million for its 25 per cent stake in the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company.

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) – Pope Francis led the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas yesterday, urging those “intoxicated” by possessions and superficial appearances to return to the essential values of life.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Sweden’s Robin Soderling, the player best-known for being the first man to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open, has retired from professional tennis because of a long-running illness.

Dear Editor, In 2005 the Stabroek News pub­lished in its Christmas Day edition an article which for me was good and refreshing reading: ‘Does Santa really exist?’

Christmas Eve scenes

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – A Mexican judge has sentenced a former regional governor from the main conservative opposition party to two years and three months in prison for embezzlement, the government of Aguascalientes state said.

MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Head coach Phil Simmons has praised captain Jason Holder for the way he has handled the constant pressure on the ongoing three-Test tour against Australia.

With seasonal shopping for food having intensified significantly in the days leading up to Christmas, the Government Analyst Food & Drug Department (GA-FDD) this week issued yet another warning regarding standards associated with the sale of powdered milk on the local market.

BANGKOK, (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Thai authorities must step up witness protection for a major human trafficking trial with the accused including an army general and one investigator fleeing the country fearing for his life, activists said on Thursday as the first witnesses gave evidence.

Retrieve Raiders concluded the preliminary round in the LABA-sanctioned Malta Supreme Christmas Open Championship undefeated, downing Half Mile Bulls by a 61-52 margin on Wednesday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hardcourt.

Father and son enjoying a slice of pizza at the Merriman Mall Play Park on Christmas Eve.

Digicel Guyana on Tuesday hosted its annual children’s party to give back to the children of the Kingston community, where the company’s main branch is located.

Against the background of mounting concern over the increase in the number of site accidents and fatalities in the country’s mining sector, the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre Inc (GMSTC) has announced that its regime of training, beginning in January next year, will embrace occupational safety and health directly related to “predicting and monitoring the possible potential of a mining pit collapsing.”

Gold Prices for the three-day period ending Thursday  December 25, 2015

Inside a Robb Street store

As the United States Department of State celebrates 75 years of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S.

Dear Editor, I wish to take this opportunity to extend season’s greetings to all Guyanese.

The mall on Christmas Eve: A group of young ladies posing in front of the Christmas tree at the Merriman Mall Play Park last evening.

GASCI (www.gasci.com/telephone Nº 223-6175/6) reports that session 647’s trading results showed consideration of $9,491,809 from 112,619 shares traded in 7 transactions as compared to session 646’s trading results, which showed consideration of $1,474,100 from 22,705 shares traded in 12 transactions.

Dear Editor, Being around family and friends is always of utmost importance at Christmastime.

RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – The governor of Rio de Janeiro declared a state of emergency late on Wednesday as a budget shortfall caused chaos in the state’s healthcare system only eight months before the city of Rio is due to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

Customer Service: Stabroek Business took this ‘dressed up’ photograph of Starr Computers staff on Wednesday preparing to hit the floor with their hi- tech offerings.

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Just two weeks remain before PGA Tour players have to adapt to a ban by golf’s rulemakers on long putters being anchored to the body and Tim Clark is among those who expect “some challenges along the way”.

West Indian players during the “Family Day at the G” event hosted by the West Indies and Australia teams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, December 23, 2015.

Well, well, well, do you realise that this December’s Christmas Season is the first one that young Guyanese, twenty three years and young, will spend not under a PPP government?

Politikles

You don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas, but it probably helps.

At 65, Dr Shoba Gobin is showing no signs of altering her energetic lifestyle.

(The Sports Xchange) – The Phoenix Suns suspended disgruntled forward Markieff Morris for two games for conduct detrimental to the team, the club announced Thursday.

By Clem Seecharran Rohan Bholalall Kanhai will be 80 on 26 December 2015.

There were things about the seasonal commercial activity that were different this year.

Business Cartoons

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – California Governor Jerry Brown yesterday pardoned “Iron Man” film star Robert Downey Jr.

Dear Editor,   During the season, Caribbean people in North America reminisce about the enjoyment of the year-end season as they knew it.

Last minute bargains: Christmas Eve shopping on Regent Street between Camp and Wellington yesterday.

Part of the Water Street Christmas congestion.

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Days into his presidency, Mauricio Macri faces his first big threats as he seeks to fix Argentina’s ailing economy: inflation and recession.