Daily Archive: Thursday, May 7, 2009

–budget support, sea defence earmarked The European Commission (EC) yesterday signed an agreement giving more than 55 million euros ($14.6B) in grants to Guyana under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), mainly for macroeconomic support to the national budget and maintaining critical sea defences.

The police know the identity of the man who pulled the trigger of the gun that shot Commissioner of Insurance Maria van Beek on April 15, according to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud.

A labourer appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court yesterday, charged with the murder of Morasi resident, Naiomi Singh and was remanded to prison.

GRA prosecutor surprised, seeks explanation Director of Public Prosecu-tions, Shalimar Ali-Hack has discontinued eleven tax evasion charges against beverage company Kong Inc, and Joshua Safeek of Fidelity Investments, clearing them both of complaints that triggered a huge probe into underhand activities at customs and a raft of charges against GRA employees last week.

–has already handed over $16M, returned transformers Owner of Buddy’s Inter-national Hotel, Omprakash Shivraj was yesterday ordered to pay Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) just over $35 million owed to the power company for the supply of electricity.

An 18-year-old labourer was crushed to death sometime around noon on Tuesday while on duty at a Caribbean Resources Limited (CRL) logging concession at Kaburi, Essequibo River.

The unlawful possession of arms and ammunition case against Terrence Sugrim was discharged at the Wales Magistrate’s Court last week.

A 31-year-old Linden clothes vendor early yesterday morning hanged herself with her nightgown following a misunderstanding.

-was reportedly trying to steal drum A Triumph man was electrocuted yesterday morning while he was reportedly stealing a water drum from the yard of a Justice of the Peace over a wired fence.

Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday remanded to prison a 42-year-old father of two who allegedly broke and entered a woman’s nightclub and stole several items valued $1M.

–ignored barking dog’s warning A Friendship, East Bank Demerara businessman considers himself lucky following a scuffle with bandits who invaded his home on Monday night.

Opposition Leader Robert Corbin is expected to undergo surgery today in a New York hospital, according to a release from the PNCR.

Only invalidity and old age pensioners will now be eligible to receive drugs under the National Insurance Scheme’s (NIS) drug distribution programme.

Almost a month after his son, Akeem, was fatally shot by a policeman on Main St; Oswald Andrews says that his efforts to meet with senior police officials have proved futile and he now hopes to speak to the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA).

-fined $90,000 The driver of one of the cars that was involved in the accident at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo on Sunday, in which another driver, 26-year-old Ramesh Sookdeo died, did not have a licence and admitted that he was driving in a dangerous manner.

Defending champions Berbice were in control at the end of the penultimate day in their final preliminary round Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/GTM sponsored Under-19 Inter-county match against Demerara at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday.

-following President Jagdeo’s pledge The problems with transportation for students in the Abary Creek are expected to be solved soon as President Bharrat Jagdeo’s promise to provide them with a boat is being acted upon.

GDF book final spot Last year’s runner-up Guyana Defence Force has booked their place in this year’s Bakewell Buxton Stars organized Digicel/Mackeson Stout sponsored Sweet 16 football tournament, following a hard fought 2-1 victory over Alpha United at the Plaisance Community Centre ground on Tuesday night.

The second Caribbean Hockey Cup which was slated for Jamaica next month, has been postponed and may now take place next year, president of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), Philip Fernandes confirmed yesterday.

-Guyana ranked at number 9 PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Jamaica stretched their reign as No.1 in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) to six consecutive months yesterday when FIFA released its May ratings.

Following elections which were held on April 28th, 2009, V Seegobin was returned as General President of the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) for the next three years.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports nationwide inter-block football tournament moved to the East Bank community of Grove on Tuesday last and defending champs Grove South along with Craig and Grove North have all qualified for Sunday’s semi-finals.

World Youth Championship-bound athlete Ricardo Martin along with junior sprint champions Roxanna Rigby and Treiston Joseph each received a pair of Adidas training sneakers  yesterday, compliments of the West Indian Sports Complex.

Dear Editor, I am indeed pained at the recent happenings, letter of complaint from the Registrar and press release from the office of the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary as they relate to the Registrar of the Supreme Court and the acting Chancellor. 

LONDON, (Reuters) – Barcelona snatched a place in the  Champions League final yesterday when a last-gasp goal from  Andres Iniesta earned them a 1-1 draw with Chelsea and victory  on away goals.

It is a recurring and irritating storyline – and one which the West Indies have done nothing to change.

Dear Editor, Stealing electricity is a crime punishable by law. Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has made it known in its many advertisements in both the print and electronic media that the fine for anyone caught stealing electricity is $50,000 dollars and a jail term of one year.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – President Barack Obama won a  fresh promise from the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan yesterday to work together to defeat al Qaeda, and vowed he  would make “every effort” to avoid civilian deaths.

Dear Editor, I refer to an article in your issue of Tuesday April 28, 2009 captioned ‘Hope Canal consultancy contract awarded solely on set guidelines.’

LONDON, England, CMC – Pacer Fidel Edwards lamented the poor West Indies fielding yesterday that allowed England to complete the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s in a satisfying position.

Dear Editor, Which party should replace the PPP?  On what basis should we select this party? 

HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Trinidadian ex-West Indies batsman Gus Logie is to stand down as coach of Bermuda’s national team, the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed yesterday.

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexicans got back into the  swing of normal life yesterday after a five-day business  shutdown due to the H1N1 flu virus, which spread in Europe with  new infections in Poland and Sweden.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (Reuters) – LeBron James showed why  he is the NBA’s Most Valuable Player on Tuesday, scoring 34  points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a crushing 99-72  victory over the Atlanta Hawks in their Eastern Conference  semi-final opener.

Dear Editor, It’s an outrage! Our parliamentary representatives continue to abuse the privilege entrusted to them by the electorate, and show gross disregard for the taxpayers.

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – ANC leader Jacob Zuma was  elected president of South Africa by parliament yesterday,  and set boosting the economy and creating jobs as his immediate  priorities.

Dear Editor, ‘Screw’ Richmond was a celebrated household name in the Linden community (Mackenzie) during his reign in the ’60s and ’70s – an outstanding, flamboyant and inspirational sports personality.

CENTURION, South Africa, (Reuters) – A hat-trick by  off-spinner Rohit Sharma propelled the Deccan Chargers a 19-run  victory over the Mumbai Indians in their Indian Premier League  match yesterday.

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – The amount of forest and  farmland certified by Rainforest Alliance will continue to soar  along with demand for products that meet standards for social  and environmental sustainability, a spokesman said yesterday.

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – Swindler Bernard Madoff’s firm  was a “piggy bank” that enriched his extended family, supported  their lavish lifestyle and paid for the house or personal  expenses of at least two loyal longtime employees, according to  court documents.

(Jamaica Gleaner) – Staring nine counts of illegal possession of a firearm, shooting with intent and robbery with aggravation in the face, accused attempted hijacker Stephen Fray wasn’t about to look at any of the two judges in court on Tuesday.

Dear Editor, Could we have the truth and nothing but the truth from the President, the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police.

(Jamaica Gleaner) –  It was 30 minutes of terror which the survivors will never forget.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela’s President Hugo  Chavez faces growing pro-tests by government workers this year  as falling oil prices cut into economic growth and force  spending cuts.

LONDON, (Reuters) – European champions Spain remained  unchallenged at the top of FIFA’s world rankings published yesterday which showed no movement at all in the top 39 places  after a quiet month with little international activity.

Traveling With Children (Part I) My husband will be traveling to the U.S.

Banker says lending has declined Loan demand in the Caribbean is tapering off during the financial crisis, according to a senior regional banker.

MADRID, (Reuters) – Seve Ballesteros is “already 90  percent” recovered from surgery to remove a cancerous brain  tumour, he said in a radio interview late on Tuesday.

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) – The success of books and  films like “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels and Demons” should  make the Catholic Church rethink the way it uses the media to  present itself, the Vatican newspaper said yesterday.

Celebrating 100 years of public library service: A Historical Perspective of the National Library of Guyana By Gwyneth George and Gillian Thompson This article is the first installment in a two-part series that gives a historical perspective of the development of the Public Library Service in Guyana.

Dear Editor, On Thursday, April 30, I visited the Critchlow Labour College hoping to get something about the life and achievements of that great but unrecognized Guyanese, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow.

Dear Editor, I note that the Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh has introduced legislation [The Insurance (Supplementary Provisions) Bill 2009] that will bring the functions of the Commissioner of Insurance (CoI) under the Bank of Guyana (BoG). 

Several GPL poles on Camp Street between Quamina and Church streets were knocked out of alignment after a pole fell on Tuesday night.

Television personality Andy Rooney said some years ago in one of his commentaries on the CBS show ‘60 Minutes’ that anyone who chose to run for president/leader of a country had to have a high opinion of him/herself.

The author is the Julius B. Richmond FAMRI Professor of Child Health and Development, and Director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.

BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s domination at the world  table tennis championships was detrimental to the development  of the sport and it must do more to help rivals become more  competitive, the country’s deputy sports minister said.

(Trinidad Guardian) – The common-law wife of a man accused of kidnapping eight-year-old Leah Lammy smiled on Tuesday after she was granted $25,000 bail by a Chaguanas magistrate.

TEL AVIV,  (Reuters) – When he first got word of  Israel’s sneak attack on the Iraqi atomic reactor in 1981, U.S.