Daily Archive: Friday, January 11, 2013

(Trinidad Express) A senior supervisor with Guardian Media Ltd became this country’s latest murder statistic after he was shot several times about the body as he stood outside his Laventille home yesterday morning.

(Reuters) – Influenza has officially reached epidemic proportions in the United States, with 7.3 percent of deaths last week caused by pneumonia and the flu, the U.S.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC – Jamaica edged Leeward Islands in a nail-biter, pulling off an exciting win via the super-over to move into contention for a playoff spot in the Caribbean Twenty20 here Friday night.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC – Veteran West Indies left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul says he is champing at the bit for Guyana’s showdown with Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean Twenty20 on Saturday night.

A man was electrocuted today after he forced his way past a police cordon and came into contact with a live wire, at Stabroek Market.

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang this afternoon ruled that Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee has a constitutional right to speak in the National Assembly as an elected member, with his ministerial portfolio being of no relevance.

(WICB) Port-of-Spain, Trinidad – Steven Jacobs had a major say in the outcome of Thursday night’s Caribbean T20 contest, bowling Guyana to a big win over Barbados in a low-scoring affair.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC-A much-anticipated top-of-the-table clash between defending champions Trinidad and Tobago and arch-rivals Guyana will be played to a packed Queen’s Park Oval when the Caribbean T20 tournament climaxes its Port-of-Spain leg on Saturday night.

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa,  (Reuters) – Hashim Amla plundered yet another century to lead South Africa to a commanding 325 for four on the first day of the second and final test against New Zealand at St George’s Park today.

(Barbados Nation) Economic recession or not the Barbados Workers Union (BWU) intends to call out its full membership to hit the streets of Barbados for wide-scale industrial action in an effort to force telecommunications giant LIME to withdraw 97 letters of redundancy which were issued last week.

(Barbados Nation) The local and regional motorsport fraternity was thrown into mourning Tuesday with news of the passing of British racing driver Gabriel Konig at the age of 70.

(Trinidad Express) In an effort to not burden the Trinidad and Tobago consumer who is now faced with a 9.5 per cent increase in the price of cement by Trinidad Cement Ltd, Government plans to approach Caricom for a relief of the 15 per cent duty on cement imported from outside the region.

(Trinidad Express) More than 400 females were raped at gunpoint and/or gang raped over the past ten years in this country, a report from the Medical Research Foundation (MRF) has stated.

The body of a male commercial sex worker was found this morning behind the Carnegie School of Home Economics with stab wounds.

PARIS/BAMAKO,  (Reuters) – France would intervene to stop any further drive southward by Islamist rebels in Mali, President Francois Hollande said today, as Malian soldiers launched a counter-offensive to wrest back a key town captured by militants this week.

Eleven gold bars were found by US border patrol authorities last month at an airport in Puerto Rico and the precious metal is believed to have been part of the November 30 heist aboard a Guyanese boat in the Dutch island of Curacao.

Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh says that allocations cut from last year’s national budget were lawfully restored when the sums approved were found to be inadequate.

Government only endorsed the Chris Brown concert that was billed to be staged here last month, and it did not commit any financial support to the promoters.

The Minister of Finance yesterday tabled an amendment to the Customs Act seeking to lower the rate of the Environmental Tax charged on beverage containers while widening the range of bottles, cans and other receptacles that will attract the tax.

Three men, including a police constable and a former cop who were charged with robbery with aggravation were freed at the Whim court yesterday by Magistrate Fabio Azore.

The Opposition using their majority in the National Assembly yesterday passed a motion granting leave for the introduction of a Bill to repeal the controversial Presidents’ Benefits and Other Facilities Act of 2009.

A part-time pastor accused of breaking into his former partner’s home and stealing US$20 was yesterday bonded to keep the peace after the complainant told the court that she no longer wanted to proceed with the matter.

The Opposition yesterday allowed the passage of Financial Paper 6/2012 in the National Assembly even as they had concerns that the explanations for the expenditure were inadequate and that the requests did not meet the qualifying ‘emergency and unforeseen’ criteria for supplementary provisions.

Darwin Joseph was on Tuesday arraigned on charges of threatening behaviour and abusive language, stemming from an altercation with the mother of his children, who said he threatened to chop her.

Even though the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary (MMA) scheme has started operating an irrigation pump at Mora Point, some Mahaicony rice farmers are still without water but Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy says there will be some relief by this weekend.

The Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara main access road, which serves five communities, has been in need of urgent repairs for a year and villagers are demanding action.

General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) Rawlston Adams says that no feasibility study has been conducted into the construction of a second Demerara Harbour Bridge.

The government yesterday moved to formalize a postponement of local government elections which were due to be held last year.

Murder accused Mortimer Melville yesterday gave a sworn statement in the voir dire (trial within a trial) that is being held before Justice Dawn Gregory in the High Court.

The prosecution may wrap its case today against murder accused father and son, Arif and Latiff Mohammed.

A man accused of cursing another was on Tuesday placed on $20,000 bail after he denied the charge.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC – Guyana overcame an indifferent batting display with a gutsy bowling performance to stun Barbados by 42 runs, and post their second win in the Caribbean Twenty20 at Queen’s Park Oval here last night.

A 36-year-old mechanic accused of using an uninsured motorcycle was yesterday placed on $20,000 bail after he made an appearance before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) has launched a countrywide outreach programme as part of its push for higher gold declarations and to increase awareness about malaria in mining districts.

The 18-month long dispute between the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) ended yesterday with the inking of a FIFA-mediated agreement which will see all constitutional rights being restored to the GFA and elections for the executives of both organizations.

The National Assembly last Thursday paid tribute to the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Guyana, while voicing condemnation of the US-instituted trade embargo on the island and called for its removal.

Yesterday’s FIFA-mediated resolution to the long running dispute between the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) is being seen as a resounding victory for the GFA with the agreement largely echoing positions called for by it.

Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker on Monday visited the city’s Solid Waste Management Department and Municipal Mechanic Workshop in Princes Street to check on the status of the eight compactor trucks that were out of order.

After being dethroned as the kings of NACRA Sevens rugby by Mexico last year, the national team’s main goal this year is to recover its title.

The private sector has been less than diligent in pursuit of the appropriate lobbies to compel the government to address the issues that impact negatively on the well-being of the business community, Leader of the Opposition Brigadier David Granger told Stabroek Business in a telephone interview on Saturday.

The Ministry of Health will be joining the rest of world to observe cervical cancer awareness month during January with the theme “Early Detection Saves Lives,” a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

As far as Annette Arjoon-Martins is concerned, Air Services Limited’s Flight Training School at Ogle is much more than a subsidiary of one of the most successful entities in the local aviation sector.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC-Former West Indies batsman, Wavell Hinds, has been elected to serve a full term as president of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) following his tenure as interim president.

(Reuters) – Chris Paul orchestrated another Los Angeles Clippers triumph with a season-high 16 assists as he pulled the strings in a 99-93 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

All of the talk that there has been about tourism and its potential to contribute more meaningfully to the country’s economy cannot gainsay the fact that Guyana is not even remotely close to being that tropical tourist paradise which has long been highly marketed to travellers from Europe and North America.

Making a case: APNU MP Carl Greenidge arguing a point yesterday in the National Assembly.

The National Commission on Law and Order (NCLO) plans to play an active role in supporting the Ministry of Home Affairs as it rolls out its strategic plans to enhance the operations of the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Prison Service.

SEATTLE/SACRAMENTO, (Reuters) – A group of investors led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft Corp CEO Steve Ballmer is close to a deal to buy the Sacramento Kings basketball team for $500 million and move the franchise to Seattle, Yahoo Sports reported on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds yesterday called for the deferment of the second reading of the Telecommunications Bill and related Public Utilities Commission Bill citing ongoing talks with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited.

RK’s Dragnet Satellite Tracking and Asset Recovery and its parent company, RK’s Guyana Security Services on New Year’s Day, presented a $2.5 million minibus to the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and the Joshua House Orphanage, a release from the company said.

Small Flame As Guyanese gradually settle into the New Year and the trading season for 2013 gets on the way, it is a good time to review the performance of the Guyana Stock Exchange (GSE) during 2012. 

Dear Editor, The recent statement by Dr David Hinds on ‘Plain Talk’ giving the APNU coalition building process and activity in parliament an ‘F’ grade might well rattle the nerves of formal political structures, but should actually be viewed as a positive indicator of a developing political culture in Guyana. 

BEVERLY HILLS, (Reuters) – Steven Spielberg’s tale of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln’s battle to end slavery emerged as the front-runner for Oscar glory yesterday, after Academy Awards voters snubbed four major filmmakers for the coveted best director trophy.

The President’s XI and Berbice competed for honours on the first day of their senior Inter-County Four-Day fixture at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, with President’s XI edging ahead until Berbice fought  back late in the day to bowl them out for 182.

  My point is: APNU MP Basil Williams making a point in parliament yesterday.

Dear Editor, I have been following the discussion between Swami Aksharananda and Messrs ul Haq, Bakr and Ally regarding the issue of rape with much interest.

Demerara were 64 runs adrift of first innings points against Essequibo yesterday at stumps on Day One after their bowlers again displayed exceptional talent at the Everest Cricket Ground.

Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker on Wednesday led a city delegation and others to the Haags Bosch landfill site and it was announced that a public awareness effort will be launched on solid waste.

BERLIN, (Reuters) – A daughter of the late Klaus Kinski, the German actor with the haunted face who starred in epic films like “Fitzcarraldo”, has accused him of raping her as a child, over a period of 14 years, in her new book.

Legitimate importers of school texts are almost certain to take “a cautious line” as far as the number of texts imported for the forthcoming school year is concerned since there is no certainty that last September’s court ruling prohibiting the publication and sale of ‘pirated’ school books in Guyana will guarantee the cessation of the practice, Proprietor of Austin’s Bookstore Lloyd Austin has told Stabroek Business.

Dear Editor, I am writing to address the possible promotion of dangerous activities through the very pages of your newspaper, of which you and your readers may be unaware.

Demerara Tobacco Company (Demtoco) has been named in the 2012 Caribbean Community Stock Market Review as the company whose shares posted the largest gain – 117.32% — for the year among the six stock exchanges in the region.

By Shilpa Jamkhandikar (Reuters) Ashok Kohli’s “Rajdhani Express” is one of those films which will force you to answer some existential questions.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC – West Indies captain Darren Sammy made his presence felt with bat and ball, helping to spur his Windward Islands to a convincing 42-run over winless Combined Campuses and Colleges and to their first points of the Caribbean Twenty20 here last night.

(Prepared by the Guyana Marketing Corporation and published by Stabroek Business as a public service)*Prices only represent the average Wholesale Farmgate and Retail Prices at the above mentioned markets and are NOT prices set by the Guyana Marketing Corporation or Ministry of Agriculture.

Dear Editor, Demerara has just won the recently concluded Inter County limited over cricket tournament.

QUETTA, Pakistan  (Reuters) – At least 101 people were killed in bombings in two Pakistani cities yesterday in one of the country’s bloodiest days in recent years, officials said, with most casualties caused by sectarian attacks in Quetta.

Stock market updates

Let me explain: Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali (left) and Leader of the Opposition David Granger in dialogue yesterday in the National Assembly.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC- Attacking Trinidad and Tobago opening batsman, Lendl Simmons, says he wants to become the first player to score a century in the Caribbean T20 tournament.

Dear Editor, According to Mr Anatram Balram, General Manager (ag) of the Guyana Gold Board, “It is the policy of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and all relevant agencies to report accurate and responsible information for public consumption” (‘The Minister of Natural Resources will only make pronouncements…‘ SN, January 9).

BAMAKO,  (Reuters) – Mali asked for military help from France after residents of the strategic northern town of Konna said Islamist rebels drove out the Malian army yesterday, the fiercest fighting since militants took control of the country’s north nine months ago.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez remained on his sickbed in Cuba yesterday while thousands of supporters rallied in his honour on the day he should have been sworn in for a new six-year term in the South American OPEC nation.

OTTAWA, (Reuters) – Native Canadians are so angry that they could resort to blocking resource development and bring the economy “to its knees” unless the Conservative government addresses their grievances, an influential chief said yesterday.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC – A ruthless Trinidad and Tobago stormed to the top of the Caribbean Twenty20 standings on Wednesday night after clobbering hapless Leeward Islands by 95 runs in a lopsided affair.

Dear Editor, I’m a vacationer in Guyana and on this, my third visit, I developed a medical condition which I sought help for at Woodlands Hospital.

Citing what it says have been “positive results and evident business growth and success among participants, Republic Bank Guyana Ltd has announced that it will further extend its support for EMPRETEC’s Venture Out For Women 2013 programme, by facilitating a total of $1 million in collateral-free loan prizes to the three participants in this year’s programme with the best business proposals. 

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Turks and Caicos Attorney General’s Chamber has signaled its intention to submit a formal extradition request to have former Premier Michael Misick extradited.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Two U.S. drug enforcement agents “facilitated a sexual encounter” between a prostitute and a Secret Service agent before an international summit in Colombia last April, NBC News reported yesterday, citing a Justice Department investigation.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Prime Minister of Grenada, Tillman Thomas, has asked the country’s governor general to dissolve the parliament paving the way for elections to be held within 90 days.

KARACHI, (Reuters) – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will launch its own Twenty20 Super League in March with the five franchises involved allowed to sign six overseas players each.

In the movie, The Life of Pi, when the protagonist’s father seeks to reinforce his argument for the family’s move to Canada, he proudly declaims, “We will sail like Columbus!”

– My dear Mayor Green – Let’s text for Young Bill Greetings to my layman, man-in-the-street, fellow citizens especially.

Dear Editor, Recently I had cause to go to the Caribbean Heart Institute for an angiogram.

Not for the first time, Guyana’s apiculture sector is making a case for a more generous measure of official attention.