Daily Archive: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

HOUSTON, (Reuters) – Allen Stanford funneled $2 billion of investor money from his offshore bank to pay operating expenses at his other companies, including money-losing airlines and his cricket concerns, a former Stanford Financial Group accountant said today.

PORT SAID, Egypt, (Reuters) – Seventy-four people were killed and at least 1,000 injured on Wednesday when Egyptian soccer fans staged a pitch invasion in the city of Port Said, the deadliest incident since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak from power.

A woman was found dead in her Craig, East Bank Demerara home with her throat slit this afternoon, after a suspected robbery.

Report # 5   Citizens are advised that the La Nina phenomenon still persists over Guyana.

We cannot afford to wait any longer! We must read a riot act against those miscreants who sate their twisted sexual pleasures by molesting our children and leaving ugly physical and mental scars on their young lives.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – An extraordinary switch-hit six from David Warner and a Matt Wade half century fired Australia to a 31-run victory over India in the first of two Twenty20 matches today.

(New York Newsday) This news just out now: Don Cornelius is dead of an apparent suicide, TMZ and The Associated Press are reporting.

(Trinidad Guardian) An order was issued for the immediate deportation of Guyanese national Allian Gilgeous yesterday after he was convicted of working in T&T without a permit.

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Captain Horace Burrell, in a bid to end the sordid episode of his recent three-month FIFA suspension, yesterday reiterated that neither himself nor his administration benefited from the US$40,000 during the controversial meeting in Trinidad.

(Barbados Nation) Some Caribbean Governments have been accused of “drinking milk through the fence [for free] but don’t want to buy the cow” when it comes to LIAT.

The threat to Guyana’s cricket grew more dire today when the Board of the International Cricket Council (ICC)  condemned the Guyana Government over its installation of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to run cricket here.

(Barbados Nation) A CLICO solution that pleases all the interested parties looks unlikely.

(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday uninvited herself from a meeting planned by her Works and Infrastructure Minister Jack Warner at Petite Morne, Ste Madeleine.

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s offer to step aside as India captain if a “better” candidate can be found is a noble gesture given the team’s woeful run of test form, but several former skippers believe the wicketkeeper remains the best man for the job.

(Trinidad Express) Acting Commissioner of Police Jack Ewatski yesterday said when he went flying with Daniel Condon, one of the directors of the Trinidad and Tobago Air Support Company, it was for pleasure, not business.

With rain continuing to pound the coast, the government yesterday announced that water would be released into the Mahaica Creek from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), a move likely to deepen criticism of its handling of drainage since the 2005 Great Flood.

Sections of the University of Guyana student body and most lecturers yesterday interrupted classes at the Turkeyen Campus to protest the dismissal of Freddie Kissoon as well as shoddy facilities at the institution.

A fire of unknown origin last night gutted a Range House at Lot 334 Timehri, Hill Top opposite the Timehri Red Ground and about half a mile from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport leaving approximately ten families homeless.

Four PPP/C members of the University of Guyana (UG) council last night defended the decision to cancel the contract of lecturer Freddie Kissoon, saying that he failed to meet staff requirements and that no member of the body was in favour of keeping him on.

Justice Brassington Reynolds yesterday imposed a twelve-year sentence on Shawn Tyndall who confessed to the unlawful killing of his lover Camille  Medina De Jonge at her Manchester Village home between September 24 and 25, 2006.

As rainfall persisted for most of yesterday, several villages along the East Coast of Demerara were waterlogged, including Dazzell Housing Scheme, where residents appealed for better drainage to prevent recurring floods in the community.

As the rain continues, the water level in the Mahaica and Mahaicony is getting higher and some residents have already lost their entire crops while others are struggling to save what is left of theirs.

After enduring over three days of heavy rainfall, residents of some areas in Region Three want to know why they were not given any warning which could have helped them to avert

Three organizations, the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be going all out to ensure that Guyana is well represented at track and field at this year’s London Olympic Games.

Guyanese requiring emergency health treatment can soon expect improved ambulatory care as more than two dozen healthcare workers are being trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) trainers.

The Golden Jaguars completed a successful 2011 by qualifying for the third round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers for the first time in the nation’s history, since Guyana commenced participation in World Cup qualifiers for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.

New Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman has sounded out members of the media with a view to addressing their concerns with regard to Parliamentary coverage and has announced his commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Sir Michael Davies report on parliamentary reform.

The police say they are investigating a fatal accident that occurred at about 1155h yesterday on the Suddie Public Road, Essequibo, and which resulted in the death of pedal cyclist Kenrick Boyce, 73 years,

A man and his reputed wife who  were charged with  cultivating cannabis and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking at Kimbia were each sentenced yesterday to four years imprisonment along with a $30,000 fine when they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton sentenced a North West District woman to three years jail for felonious wounding and 18 months jail for unlawful wounding, when she appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall yesterday said that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack has completely withdrawn herself from giving advice in the sexual molestation scandal involving a Muslim scholar and that a senior member of her chambers will now be handling the matter.

Several residents of Region 10 are calling for an  investigation into a number of projects in the region for which contracts were awarded  in the last quarter of 2011 and full payments made but which to date have not started.

By Iva Wharton President of the Guyana Chess Federation Shiv Nandalall says he is heartened by the progress shown by young chess players.

Members of the Disabled People’s Network (DPN) in Region Five met with President Donald Ramotar yesterday seeking a subvention for its programmes as well as support for skills training.

Youngsters Leon Seaton and Jonathan van Lange stole the limelight on Saturday last when the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) held its first event of the year, the January Splash, at the Colgrain Swimming Pool, Camp Street.

A police officer who allegedly demanded $400,000 from another man was on Monday placed on self-bail after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

An Albouystown man was on Monday night robbed of cash by two men who fled the scene in a waiting motor car.

National Chess champion Taffin Khan is among the leaders after the first round of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Trophy Stall sponsored eight round tournament.

Despite longstanding suspicions, Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy has said Guyana must embrace the cooperative movement, arguing that it is crucial to achieving long-term sugar production targets while ensuring the country’s food security.

The Parliamentary Opposition, yesterday accused the Government of Guyana of setting a dangerous precedent by its involvement in the affairs of the local cricket board and urged the government to end the lockout of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) from its Regent Street office and also to withdraw the Interim Management Committee (IMC).

The principals of the Ocean Saratoga, the rig that will very soon begin oil drilling for Repsol YPF off Guyana’s coast, have refuted a statement which appeared in this newspaper’s satirical column ‘The Tantalizer’, which was published on January 23, 2012.

East Coast flood woes Photos by Anjuli Persaud

Dear Editor, In your Sunday editorial of January 22, 2012, you mentioned that if national and regional elections were to be called, “Gecom simply could not manage it.”

The favoured pair of Sudesh Fitzgerald and Lallchand Rambahrose was beaten in the final of the Malteenoes Sports Club sponsored Draw Doubles darts tournament by Anil Latchman and Bryan James held on Friday at the Malteenoes Sports Club Thomas Lands.

East Coast flood woes   Photos by Anjuli Persaud

(Reuters) – Blake Griffin delivered the dunk of the season on a rim-rattling slam over Kendrick Perkins to highlight the Los Angeles Clippers’ 112-100 home victory over the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Police arrested the head of the customs’ Special Laws department last Saturday for aiding and abetting fuel fraud.

Dear Editor, I refer to the PPP press release of January 17, 2012; Mr Ralph Ramkarran’s press release which appeared on the page 3 of the Stabroek News of Wednesday January 18, under the caption, ‘PPP/C addressing voter loss‘; and, the news item which appeared on page 2 of Stabroek News January 23, under the caption, ‘Trotman cannot remain as AFC List Rep.‘

President Donald Ramotar has pledged government’s continued support to the tourism sector, saying that Guyana has the potential to become the Caribbean region’s number one tourist destination.

The socio-cultural and charitable arm of the Ifa Aiyetoro Church Yoruba Heritage Foundation on Tuesday donated a number of school supplies to several schools in the Buxton/Foulis district.

(Trinidad Express) San Fernando East Member of Parliament Patrick Manning continues to show signs of improvement, as he recovers from a stroke at the San Fernando General Hospital.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, – Prime Minister Denzil Douglas has hailed the exploits of the country’s veteran sprinter Kim Collins who rolled back the years again last weekend to shine in the Aviva International Match in Scotland.

Dear Editor, Every day, for the past three years on my way to Georgetown I drive along the Railway Embankment road. 

East Coast flood woes   Photos by Anjuli Persaud

NEW DELHI,  (Reuters) – Following the Pakistan cricket team has often been a veritable health hazard for their supporters, pledging allegiance to a supremely talented but highly fractious bunch that would veer from the sublime to the ridiculous in the blink of an eye.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Popular dancehall entertainer Ele-phant Man has been charged with grievous sexual assault and rape.

Paula Meusa of Dazzell Housing Scheme

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) last Friday concluded its Police First Aid Competition for the Smellie Cup at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Drill Square, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary and the Felix Austin Police College A was the winner for the fourteenth time.

East Coast flood woes  Photos by Anjuli Persaud

Dear Editor, My colleagues have reminded me of my letter in your publication of December 19, 2011, imploring obedience to the law disqualifying persons with dual citizenship from sitting in the National Assembly (‘The new MPs should hold only Guyanese citizenship’).

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad — Kieron Pollard is eagerly looking forward to this weekend.

The Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (DEMTOCO) on Friday bid goodbye to Chandradat Chintamani and announced the appointment of Malissa Sylvester as Managing-Director designate at a farewell and welcoming cocktail function hosted at the Pegasus Hotel.

(Jamaica Gleaner) WESTERN BUREAU: Less than two months after returning to Miami, Florida, Air Jamaica is pulling out of that gateway again.

East Coast flood woes Photos by Anjuli Persaud

Dear Editor, In last Sunday’s Chronicle of January 29, Mr Keith Burrows concluded that “Guyana has made significant progress to reach higher standards of integrity, transparency and value for money” in the awarding of contracts.

Tucber Park, New Amsterdam

A flooded section of Vryman’s Erven

President Donald Ramotar recently met with representatives from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, the largest independent oil and gas company in the United States, which has renewed its interest in petroleum exploration in Guyana.

Trench meets mall

GENEVA,  (Reuters) – Former Haitian dictator Jean Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier should be tried for torture, rape and killings committed during his rule, not merely on corruption charges as proposed by a Haitian judge, the United Nations human rights office said today.

Dear Editor, In reply to Dave Martins’ letter of January 28, 2012, I would like to say that if heaping praise on Rahul Bhattacharya and his book, The Sly Company of People who Care, in his column (August 14, 2011) was meant to convey gratitude to the writer for showing us what needs to be fixed then he fell very short of his intention.

President and CEO of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), Dinanath Ramnarine is calling on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to not recognise the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and bring good governance to cricket in the Caribbean.

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – Mexicans have been overcharged $13.4 billion a year for phone and internet services as the industry dominated by billionaire Carlos Slim gouges customers and keeps the economy from growing, a study released yesterday said.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Mahendra Singh Dhoni would readily step aside as India captain if there was a suitable replacement available, the under-fire skipper said on Tuesday.

Dear Editor, Climate change means that farmers can no longer rely on the signs that they used in the past to help them decide when to sow and harvest along with predicting flooding.

Water invades

Flood walk

(Jamaica Observer) A collaborative programme between Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) should see political representatives and local government officials being trained in best practices for development.

The Parent-Teacher Associa-tion (PTA) and staff of the Pine Street Nursery in Linden recently demonstrated their appreciation to a number of residents and businesses throughout the town for supporting the school in various forms.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Rookie batsman Gavin Williams will lead a 13-man Leeward Islands side for their first match of the Regional Four-Day Championship against Guyana starting Friday.

The Office of the Ombudsman

The Professorial and Readership Committee of the University of Central Lancashire in England has appointed UG Pro-Chancellor Dr Prem Misir as Professor in Public Health.

AMMAN/UNITED NATIONS – Syrian government forces reasserted control of Damascus suburbs yesterday after beating back rebels at the capital’s gates, ahead of a push at the United Nations for a resolution calling for President Bashar al-Assad to give up powers.

(Barbados Nation) Canada has pointed a finger at Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada and their Commonwealth Caribbean neighbours, accusing them of being behind the times by keeping anti-homosexual laws on their statute books.

Bourda market under water

Dear Editor, There are matters of governance which are of concern; foremost among these is the FipMotilall contract.

The dominating thought in the minds of those who would have heard of an imminent meeting between the foreign ministers of Caricom and their counterpart from the United Kingdom, William Hague, a little over a week and a half ago, must have been whether he would be bringing fresh, positive news about what Caricom considers the exorbitant Air Passenger Duty (APD) imposed by the British.

Recently, Newt Gingrich criticised President Obama for being too nuanced in his policy-making and Fareed Zakaria, on one of his CNN programmes, rightly wondered why being nuanced should be criticised.