Daily Archive: Thursday, February 9, 2012

Musician and legendary pannist, Roy Geddes, was yesterday attacked by a lone gunman who carted off two gold chains after beating the 72-year-old in front of his home.

The Muslim scholar charged with sexually molesting three boys was granted $750,000 bail in the High Court yesterday but his freedom was short lived as he was rearrested today while leaving the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, where he had made his second appearance.

The police say that they conducted searches today in Tucville and West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, during which a total of seventeen men were arrested pending investigations for various offences including trafficking in narcotics, robbery under arms and possession of house breaking implements.

Police say that at about 2015h last night, Police Constable Jermaine Brown was shot to his left hip by another rank who was clearing his firearm at the time at Impact Base, Brickdam Police Station.

CGX Energy Inc today announced that drilling for oil had started offshore Guyana on a licence in which it has 25% ownership.

(Jamaica Observer) A new documentary on the life of reggae legend Bob Marley is scheduled to open April 20 in the United States.

(Jamaica Gleaner)  Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Philip Paulwell said on Tuesday that Parliament was conceived with a bias against women.

Drug trafficking is responsible for a third of homicides in Guyana annually and has promoted  corruption to such an extent that traffickers are shielded from prosecution, a United Nations (UNDP) Citizens Security Survey has  found.

Dozens of Mon Repos villagers last evening poured into the streets to protest  the recent spate of piracy  even as the second body of four men who went to the aid of hijacked fishermen and encountered tragedy washed ashore in Essequibo.

The admission by Police Commissioner Henry Greene  in court documents that he had consensual sex with the woman accusing him of rape concerns government and in time could attract disciplinary action, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr.

Hundreds turned out yesterday to bid farewell to the late deputy mayor Robert Williams, who was laid to rest in his hometown of Corentyne at the St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church.

The Guyana Government is working with the European Union (EU) on a security agenda.

With the flood-causing Maduni sluice to  have been closed yesterday, residents of the Mahaica and Mahaicony creeks were happy that with two days of sun, the water level has dropped slightly although rice farmers have already lost their crops while others were battling to save theirs.

Two corpses found at separate locations along the Essequibo coast have been identified as two from the five-man rescue party that went to the aid of a group of fishermen robbed by pirates on the Essequibo Coast.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has implemented new procedures governing the issuance of visas for visitors, employment, students and business persons.

The people of the Wapichan communities of South Rupununi on Tuesday unveiled a digital map of their traditional territories along with a plan that if successfully implemented would protect 1.4 million hectares of pristine rainforest, while preserving their cultural, linguistic and historic heritage.

Popular diamond miner and a founding member of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), the late Joseph De Agrella was hailed as a gem for his contribution to the industry.

Co-Chair of the CARICOM Regional Task Force on Cultural Industries, Adrian Augier, last Thursday told a meeting of culture ministers in Georgetown that the Caribbean had failed to maximize its advantage in the creative cultural industries.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) says that with regard to the intention of Minister of Finance, Ashni Singh to bring two financial papers before the National Assembly tomorrow, the PPP/C and in particular the Minister himself ought to know that there are specific laws governing the Contingencies Fund and that there will be greater scrutiny now that the PPP/C is in the minority in the House.

(Cricinfo) The first edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will kick off today.

University of Guyana students from the Faculty of Agriculture yesterday came out in support of improvements at the institution and in solidarity with dismissed lecturer Freddie Kissoon.

One week ago, Vanessa Wilson, 30, of Weldaad, West Coast Berbice and her three children, ages four, nine and 11 were left homeless when the house they were living in was gutted by fire.

`If he thinks he is coming in my backyard to fight a lame duck he best start doing the quacking’ By Carwyn Holland Guyana’s second World Champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite says he knows nothing much about Barbadian Shawn “The Sniper” Cox, but what he knows for sure is that the Barbadian will not leave Guyana with a victory come February 25th.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development says the rotation of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils’ overseers has been done within the legal framework.

‘Definitely the guys are going to go out there and give it their all’ By Emmerson Campbell The local men’s Sevens Rugby team will open their Las Vegas Invitational tournament campaign this morning at 8:40am against the Force XV Froggies (a French team).

The Alliance For Change (AFC) is demanding that the National Industrial and Commercial Invest-ments Limited (NICIL) be subject to total scrutiny in the Economic Services Committee of Parliament before the departure of Winston Brassington, its Head, citing numerous instances of opaque financial dealings.

By Emmerson Campbell Will the ‘Big Truck’ roll over the ‘Sniper’ or will the ‘The Sniper’ shoot down the ‘Big Truck’?

(Cricinfo) Lalit Modi, the former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner, has said he was arm-twisted into rigging the 2009 player auction to ensure Andrew Flintoff was sold to the Chennai Super Kings.

When the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council sits at its first decision-making session today, several motions are likely to be moved to trigger the process of making the administration transparent, following the disclosure that some 16 projects which were paid for in full in 2011 had not been completed.

Head Coach of Guyana’s Golden Jaguars football squad Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz has offered to assist the Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy by making available two coaches from the Twin Island republic to work with their Guyanese counterparts ahead of the tournament phase of the academy.

A man from Linden who broke and entered another man’s  home in Kitty and stole cash and items  valued over $160,000 was on Tuesday sentenced to four months in jail after he pleaded guilty to the offence of burglary when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said the number of cocaine and cannabis seizures last year is evidence that law enforcement officials are making a determined effort in the war on narco-trafficking.

(BBC) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has moved to clarify Saeed Ajmal’s claim that he has permission to straighten his arm more than other bowlers.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Italian Fabio Capello’s turbulent reign as England manager ended yesterday when he resigned after meeting FA chairman David Bernstein and general secretary Alex Horne at Wembley stadium.

Dear Editor, It is understood that there was a marked sense of relief at the recent departure of the former Chairman of the Guyana Post Office Corporation.

A 20-year-old man who allegedly broke and entered  the home of another man and stole raw gold and cash valued in excess of $185,000 was on Tuesday remanded to prison after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

(Reuters) – India made heavy weather of a modest run chase before securing a four-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the second match of the triangular series at Perth yesterday.

Dear Editor, In this still new year, there are several outstanding issues that Red Thread wishes to highlight, in the hope that the relevant authorities will continue to follow up.

Marian Academy will host its fifth annual blood drive on Saturday, 11 February 2012.

Dear Editor, Ms Chandarpal’s recent comments (SN, February 4) should go down as the iconic moment in the debate concerning the termination of Freddie Kissoon’s contract.

(Reuters) – The Miami Heat inched closer to top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 107-91 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.

GUATEMALA CITY, (Reuters) – The secrets from a vault of moldy documents long covered in bat and rat droppings could soon help to put former top Guatemalan officials behind bars, years after the country’s brutal civil war ended in 1996.

AMMAN,  (Reuters) – Syria’s army pounded the rebel city of Homs as Turkey sought international action to protect civilians from former ally President Bashar al-Assad, a move that risks the wrath of Russia and China.

Dear Editor, One can appreciate the quandary posed by the stipulations in Guyana’s constitution as we were correctly reminded by Mr Christopher Ram, and the practical consideration of other factors reportedly emanating from representatives of the three political parties in parliament.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Football here was plunged further into chaos yesterday when police and a court-appointed marshall swooped down on the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation offices to seize its assets.

(Barbados Nation) Not even death could separate Cecil and Joan Fitt.

The stage of the National Cultural Centre (NCC) came alive with exuberant dance moves and colourful costumes when the Ministry of Education’s Children’s Mash Competition continued on Tuesday.

Roseau, Dominica – Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, fresh off his match haul of 8-70 against the Leeward Islands in Guyana’s opening round game of the regional Four Day tournament is looking forward to tomorrow’s encounter against the Windward Islands in Dominica.

(Trinidad Express) A day after the attempted murder of a man at Ste Madeleine, a witness to the crime who helped police identify suspects was shot dead on Monday night.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Digicel Limited plans to raise US$250 million (J$21b) from a private placement of an eight-year bond.

MALE,  (Reuters) – The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean islands, said yesterday he had been forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.

Dear Editor, The Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) forecast of an $11 billion deficit that will warrant almost a 20% increase to consumers (SN, Feb 8) is a colossal disaster that should not be allowed to happen.

Installment One Hundred Twenty-Seven This edition of Ask the Consul addresses common questions that applicants ask when they intend to travel outside the United States.

Dear Editor, In a statement issued by University of Guyana councillors to “Set the record straight,” the claim is made that the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof L Carrington had breached the statutes of the university, which they sought to correct at a Council meeting on January, 18.

SANTO DOMINGO, (Reuters) – Search crews recovered 22 more bodies from the sea off the coast of the Dominican Republic yesterday, bringing the death toll to 47 after an overloaded migrant smuggling vessel capsized.

BUENOS AIRES/LONDON,  (Reuters) – Argentina’s president accused Britain of “militarizing the South Atlantic” and said she would complain to the United Nations, as tension rises ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Falklands war.

The 13th annual Guyana Olympic Association (GOA)  annual International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sports Administrators’ Course will commence this afternoon.

Dear Editor, We are sometimes assailed with news of this or that initiative, but increasingly we experience what seems to be a meltdown occasioned by inadequate or total lack of feedback on these interventions. 

Cartoon

Last rites for Robert Williams: The funeral service for

Moruca-born sisters Stephanie Wall and Jean Rodrigues travelled from their Canadian homes in the heart of winter to traverse their beloved Guyana with one hope: to bring joy to the hearts of Guyanese children.

Politikles

INAPARI, Peru, (Reuters) – Nearly 300 Haitians fleeing the poverty of their earthquake-ravaged homeland have been stuck for a month in the Peruvian Amazon, where a gate to what they saw as a better life in Brazil has abruptly closed.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Barbados captain Edwards likes Barbados chances against champions said his side was geared up to face defending champions Jamaica in their second round, Regional Four-Day Championship clash at Sabina Park starting tomorrow.

It was reported last Friday, that following one of their meetings, the government and the parliamentary opposition agreed to set up three committees that would, broadly, deal with issues affecting governance, the constitution and the economy.

(Trinidad Express) The European Union (EU) handed over a cheque for 16.585 million euros (TT$134.2 million) to the Government yesterday to aid in restructuring the country’s sugar industry.

(Trinidad Express) After almost seven hours in committee stage, the DNA Bill (Deoxyribonucleic Acid Bill, 2011) was passed yesterday morning unanimously.

(Trinidad Guardian) Citibank yesterday confirmed that it has been engaged by the Government as debt process advisor to assist with the Phase 2 settlement of claims with respect to holders of Clico’s short term investment policies in amounts greater than TT$75,000.

(Trinidad Guardian) United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Beatrice Wilkinson Welters has written to the Government, raising concerns about the Government’s proposal to award two projects worth US$5.3 billion to a consortium led by the Saudi Arabia’s state company SABIC.

(Trinidad Express) The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) had some of its physical assets levied upon by some members of the national football team that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany.