Daily Archive: Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Police in Berbice are seeking to determine if a 12-year-old girl, who has been missing since mid-June, may have been abducted by human traffickers.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuelan leftist President Nicolas Maduro this evening held a ceremony to swear in a military officer as the new head of state oil company PDVSA in the presence of the military’s top brass and cheering red-shirted oil workers.

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso,  (Reuters) – President Emmanuel Macron today sought to make a clean break from his predecessors saying that he came from a generation that would not tell Africans what to do and would focus his efforts on bridging ties between Africa and Europe.

Dear Editor, Not for the first time, but probably more ominous than before, a small party in the coalition government is calling for its decision-making to be both collective and structured.

Under the fourth APNU+AFC Budget styled `The Journey to the Good Life Continues’, real growth of the economy next year is targeted at 3.8%, with the non-sugar growth rate anticipated to be 4.6%.

The former student who admitted to a relationship with Bishops’ High School teacher Coen Jackson, leading to a complaint that has resulted in a criminal investigation, has broken her public silence, saying that she now believes that he preyed on her.

There has been no adjustment in the 2018 budget to the income tax threshold though the entire personal allowance of $720,000 will now be available to those who only work for a part of the year.

The Legal Affairs and Security Committee of the Mayor and City Council has recommended a two-week suspension for the Chief Constable and the lead investigator in the probe of the alleged sexual assault of a teen by a member of the constabulary.

As interest in exploring unallocated petroleum blocks off Guyana’s shores increases, Government is seeking to revise the existing template of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) so as to “safeguard the rights of our nation to a fair share of resource wealth.”

Finance Minister Winston Jordan yesterday announced the creation of a Legal Aid programme next year to not only focus on defending non-violent juvenile offenders but also in reducing the burden on the prison system.

A baker and his reputed wife were yesterday each granted their release on $400,000 bail after they denied a charge of possession of cannabis for trafficking.

Declaring that the $267.1B 2018 National Budget is “disastrous” and “pathetic”, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said last evening that it failed to live up to the government’s promise of a good life.

A city magistrate yesterday found motorcyclist Melroy Barnwell guilty of causing the death of his pillion rider in an accident that occurred in June last year.

The Rotaract Club of Georgetown on Friday held a public art showcase at the Giftland Mall for its pilot environmental art project, which challenged secondary school students to illustrate this year’s World Environment Day theme, “Connecting People with Nature.”

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan yesterday flagged the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) as having performed far below both expectations and economic needs in 2017.

Two men were yesterday remanded to prison by a city magistrate on the charge that they robbed a pastor of $1.8 million.

A 25-year-old plumber was yesterday charged with carjacking an Indian national in an attack along the seawall public road.

Gunshots that were fired from the home of an Alliance for Change (AFC) official at Amsterdam, Leguan were aimed at a caiman and were fired by his friend, the official told police yesterday when he was questioned.

Residents of William and Queen streets, Kitty, have been waiting for almost two weeks for their garbage to be picked up.

With Guyana still feeling the effects of the bank de-risking phenomenon, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said yesterday that in the new year, government will continue to work with its international partners to find ways to alleviate the effects here.

One of the four men accused of robbing a Brazilian woman and her driver will be spending the next 50 months in jail after he admitted to the crimes yesterday.

A taxi driver is now hospitalised after he was shot in a carjacking in D’Urban Backlands, where he was lured by two women who hired him.

Samples were taken from the remains of school teacher Kescia Branche and the individuals who were detained for questioning over her death, according to Crime Chief (ag) Paul Williams, who says they will be sent overseas for DNA testing.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said yesterday that as government strives to provide quality education, increasing the number of teachers, improving infrastructure and utilizing technology in education delivery, will be the focus in 2018.

Government has negotiated a US$30M loan for the provision of quality public infrastructure in existing housing schemes and housing subsidies for home improvements and core homes, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced yesterday.

“We must come quickly to appreciate and understand that no conduct whether unethical, whether immoral, whether criminal, whether unprofessional will be spared,” Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine warned graduates of several police courses on Thursday as he lamented about ranks being accused of multiple crimes over the year.

By Noelle Smith Leon Seaton smashed a 22-year-old record on his way to winning three gold medals as North Georgetown’s (District 11) rule of the pool continued for yet another year following yesterday’s swimming competition of the 57th annual Guyana Teachers Union National Schools Cycling, Track and Field and Swimming championships at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

LINCOLN, New Zealand, CMC – Leading West Indies batsman Kraigg Brathwaite warmed up for next weekend’s first Test with a half-century, as the Caribbean side earned a tame draw against New Zealand A in their three-day match here Monday.

The brother of Fazil Haniff, the mason who was shot during a confrontation with a man he accused of having an affair with his wife, is not satisfied with the police investigation into the matter, including the failure to locate the suspect.

Michael Singh, who police say admitted to stealing over $400,000 worth of footwear to buy drugs, was yesterday sentenced to a total of 36 months in jail.

The Chapter Presidents of the Bishops’ High School (BHS) Alumni Association have called for a “thorough and independent investigation” of the sexual predation allegations made against a teacher at the school and they say headmistress Winifred Ellis should be sent on administrative leave, pending the findings.

After 32 of 34 events of this year’s National Schools, Swimming, Cycling and Track and Field Championships were completed in the National Park yesterday the cyclists from Berbice are ahead by seven points.

The trial of Lorenzo Forde, the man accused of murdering Pegasus Hotel taxi driver Rudranauth Jeeboo in 2013, began yesterday morning before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a 12-member jury.

A flurry of punches is set to be thrown from tonight when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) stages its Terrence Ali National Open Championships at the National Gymnasium.

A construction worker was remanded to prison last Friday on charges of attempted murder and armed robbery.

All roads tonight will lead to the Burnham Basketball Tarmac, Parade Ground when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Georgetown Zone continues with nine group matches.

Defending champion Guyana Police Force (GPF) will battle Winners Connection of Linden in the Hamilton Green Cup football final following semi-final wins on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, Linden.

A youth was sentenced to two years in jail last Friday after he admitted to having an unlicensed firearm.

Defending champion Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Den Amstel secured convincing wins when Season Three of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) ‘Elite League’ continued  Sunday at the No.#5

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) says the decision by the government to have all pinewood importers licensed is a step in the right direction, but there is still a need for more enforcement on the importation of all types of logs.

Beterverwagting (BV)/Triumph crushed Plaisance 7-0 when the East Coast Demerara leg of the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) U17 football league continued Sunday.

Poudeoryen will face-off with Den Amstel in the final of the Derrick Josiah Memorial football tournament after defeating Young Achievers 2-0 Sunday at the Den Amstel ground.

Georgetown and Essequibo on Sunday last recorded wins in fourth round action of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Jaguars one – day league.

Dear Editor, Debate and discussion are always good and certainly welcome for they serve to increase understanding.

LINCOLN, New Zealand, CMC – West Indies’ latest batting recruit, Sunil Ambris has been praised for the way he has transformed his game in order to make the rise to the international level.

Dear Editor, Several sections of the media reported on Minister of State, Joseph Harmon’s statement that some seventy unsolicited expressions of interest were received by the Sugar Special Purpose Unit in recent times.

A city magistrate yesterday fined a police constable $25,000 for accepting bribes.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies batsmen Evin Lewis and Nicholas Pooran produced cracking half-centuries to spearhead wins for their respective franchises in the Bangladesh Premier League here yesterday.

Dear Editor, The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) takes note of a conscious and proactive workforce employed at the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) seeking to have their employer respect their right to enjoy benefits awarded to them by the government through a decision made in 2016 to cease taxing overtime and all premium hours worked.

The trial of the three accused in last year’s Ramada Princess casino robbery will restart next year.

(Reuters) – Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin polished off Sri Lanka’s tail in the second test to help India equal their biggest victory and go 1-0 up in the three-match series in Nagpur yesterday.

Dear Editor, Saturday, November 25, 2017 saw a large contingent of Guyanese and a few foreigners take to the streets of Georgetown for the annual AIDS Awareness Walk.

BRISBANE, (Reuters) – Australia sealed a dominant 10-wicket victory over England before lunch on day five of the series-opening Ashes test yesterday, having chased 170 runs without loss in a blow to the tourists’ pride.

Dear Editor, The reasoning behind having difficulties on the grounds of age with some appointees, when those persons are younger than the octogenarian Chair, but having no difficulty on the grounds of age with the appointment of the octogenarian Chair, is baffling.

The St Vincent & Grenadines (SVG) government has recalled one of his diplomats attached to the United Nations following a report that police were called to his home in the United States after he punched his wife, also a diplomat, in her mouth.

Dear Editor, There are new and revolutionary standards of conduct on display in this country. 

TEGUCIGALPA,  (Reuters) – A TV host was on course for victory in the Honduran presidential race yesterday, in a dramatic election that upended forecasts of a win for the country’s U.S.-friendly

Dear Editor, That I like all the young men representing us in New Zealand now and want them to do very well, and will watch every ball bowled, if possible, does not make me any less mad about the injustice and stupidity that persists in the management of our cricket, particularly as it relates to the treatment of our cricketers.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand,  CMC – Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been called into the Black Caps squad to face West Indies in the opening Test on Friday, joining wicketkeeper Tom Blundell who will replace injured first-choice gloveman, BJ Watling.

An ambulance was one of three vehicles that sustained damage yesterday morning in a collision along Camp Street, between Middle and New Market streets.

(Trinidad Guardian) Embattled Chief Justice Ivor Archie has refused a request to meet with his fellow judges to discuss recent misconduct allegations made against him.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – Britain’s Prince Harry and U.S. actress Meghan Markle announced on Monday they were getting married next year, saying their relationship had blossomed “incredibly quickly” after meeting on a blind date.

MUMBAI, (Reuters) – Virat Kohli has been rested for India’s three one-day internationals against Sri Lanka next month and Rohit Sharma will lead the hosts in the absence of their regular captain, the Indian cricket board said yesterday.

Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to ask as a supporter of the PPP what exactly are the leaders of the party doing for the Guyanese people?

BOGOTA,  (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Killings and violence against LGBT people in Central America are driving hundreds to flee their homes each year, but they have no safe sanctuary to run to, Amnesty International said yesterday.

To say that the recent reports of the sexual grooming of students of the Bishops High School by a male teacher triggered a level of public response that, at times, came perilously close to a social media feeding frenzy, is not to suggest in the slightest that the disclosure does not warrant a serious and decisive official response.

(The Sports Xchange) – Goran Dragic scored 24 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and Wayne Ellington finished with 19 points as Miami defeated Chicago.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – A U.S. Senate Republican tax bill strongly backed by President Donald Trump faced potential opposition yesterday from two Republican lawmakers who could prevent the sweeping legislation from reaching the Senate floor.