Daily Archive: Saturday, January 19, 2013

ALGIERS/IN AMENAS, Algeria,  (Reuters) – The Algerian army carried out a dramatic final assault to end a siege by Islamist militants at a desert gas plant today in which 23 hostages were killed, many of them believed to be foreigners, the interior ministry said.

PERTH, Australia,  CMC – West Indies speedster Kemar Roach saved his best for last, producing a superb spell to help propel Brisbane Heat to the capture of the Australian Big Bash title here today.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuela’s vice president hit out at the country’s business leaders today, saying they were seeking to destabilize the nation while cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez fights to recover from surgery.

(Trinidad Guardian) Over the last two years T&T has intensified its deportation of illegal immigrants and criminals as some 750 people were sent back to their respective countries in Africa, Asia and Europe.

(Barbados Nation) THE LIME/Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) negotiations have made significant progress after more than 12 hours of talks spilling into the wee hours of this morning, with the telecom-munications giant set to tender an apology on how it has handled the matter.

(Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica – Fire of unknown origin destroyed a section of the Omni Industries Limited and Flexpak compound in Twickenham Park, St Catherine early this morning.

The police today said they are investigating the murder of Jasmattie Pooran, 70 years, of Guava Bush, Albion, Corentyne, whose body was found at about 1110h today.

The police today said that a watchman at the Lethem RDC office died after he was gagged during a robbery and bandits raided five safes before fleeing.

(Barbados Nation) RIHANNA’S “good girl gone bad” image isn’t shining a positive spotlight on Barbados as of late, say some Barbadians on social media.

(Trinidad Express) A man accused of murdering four people in 2006 walked out of the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain, a free man yesterday afternoon after he was found not guilty of the charges.

(Trinidad Express) Police believe they made some headway in a spate of shootings between rival gangs from John John and the Beetham Gardens.

MELBOURNE,  (Reuters) – Roger Federer was in no mood to let a trend develop after the first real upsets of the week at the Australian Open tennis today and slapped down local upstart Bernard Tomic with authority to reach the fourth round.

(Reuters)  – By seizing hundreds of hostages at a gas plant in the Algerian desert, al Qaeda-linked militants angry at French intervention in Mali sent a clear message: they could strike anywhere in the Sahara.

(Trinidad Express) United States-based ratings agency Moody’s has reaffirmed the Baa1 government bond rating of Trinidad and Tobago, with an economic outlook regarded as “stable” for the country.

ALGIERS,  (Reuters) – The field commander of the Islamist group that attacked a gas plant in the Algerian desert this week and seized many hostages is a veteran fighter from Niger called Abdul Rahman al-Nigeri, Mauritanian news agencies reported.

ALGIERS,  (Reuters) – Algerian special forces today found 15 burned bodies at the desert gas plant attacked by al Qaeda-linked fighters, a source familiar with the unfolding hostage crisis there said.

In a nail-biting finish Guyana defeated the Windward Islands by four wickets to set up a showdown with Chris Gayle’s Jamaicans today for a spot in tomorrow’s final of the West Indies Cricket Board’s T20 tournament at Gros Islet, St Lucia yesterday.

The government has moved to abort the first meeting of the Committee of Privileges, which is tasked with charting a course for the National Assembly in the opposition attempts to gag Home Minister Clement Rohee.

Vendors at the New Amsterdam market suffered major losses when 18 stalls were broken into between Thursday night and yesterday morning and two constables have since been taken into custody in connection with the raid.

A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal yesterday morning collapsed and subsequently died during an annual five-mile fitness exercise.

Over 30 persons were yesterday arrested after the Guyana Police Force conducted a raid at the Stabroek Market Square after a robbery was reported in the area.

Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee is slated to give the feature address at the launching of a new political party in Grenada over the weekend and he says that there is nothing wrong with him responding to an invitation.

A football player died yesterday shortly after he collapsed at practice session at the Melanie Play Field.

Four condemned murder convicts had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment on Wednesday.

Murder accused Arif Mohammed was yesterday found not guilty by a jury in the High Court—a day after his father was acquitted of the same charge.

Regional integration, once fully achieved, may very well make the difference in affording small states such as Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, and other Caricom countries, a plethora of advantages both in their personal development and as a unified bloc.

Well-known Trinidadian professor Dr Tony Martin, who recently launched a book making the claim that the first Indian came to the Caribbean in 1595 and not 1838 as is widely believed, died on Thursday night at the West Shore Medical Hospital in Trinidad and Tobago.

The government has failed to honour any of the promises it made to the Region Ten administration in the August 21, 2012 agreement brokered to end a more than month-long protest in the region, the main opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said after a meeting of its leadership council on Thursday.

Fourteen years after it stopped serving dinner, high demands from local and Diaspora customers saw German’s Restaurant yesterday resume its evening dining service, promising its customers safe and hygienic Creole food with its special flair.

The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Hadi’s World Incorporated (City Mall) first division two-day cricket competition resumes this weekend with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) playing Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO) at Camp Ayanganna.

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – Lance Armstrong ended years of vehement denial on Thursday by finally coming clean and admitting he had cheated his way to a record seven Tour de France titles with systematic use of banned, performance-enhancing drugs.

(Reuters) – LeBron James scored a season-high 39 points to help the Miami Heat survive a late rally from the Lakers and post a 99-90 win in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) yesterday promised an electrifying Mashramani show that will return the university to its former glory when it launched ‘Campus Bubblin,’ scheduled for February 16.

In the wee hours of yesterday morning, bandits gained access to The Garage—the popular hangout spot located along Aubrey Barker Road—and carted off a variety of valuables.

Her love for the literary arts and her passion for drama are what drive Lloyda Nicholas-Garrett.

Dear Editor, I sometimes wonder if anyone cares about people who are less fortunate than us.

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Batting superstar Chris Gayle announced his arrival at the Caribbean Twenty20 the only way he knows how, belting an high octane half-century to fire Jamaica to a seven-wicket win over Combined Campuses and Colleges and confirm their place in today’s playoff final.

The buzz in Guyana right now is about the twin theatres: Kara and Nash, together they are under the ‘Avinash Theatres’ brand and they are the pre-ups to a mega entertainment complex the company is still working on in an effort to remodel Water Street, Georgetown.

A single father, who admitted to assaulting one of his two girlfriends, was yesterday ordered to undergo counselling by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Medium pacer Mark Tyrell bagged 6-14 to help Essequibo secure first innings points against GT&T Berbice on the third day of their Guyana Cricket Board Inter County cricket match at the Wales Community Development Centre ground yesterday.

A labourer was sentenced to five years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a charge of break and enter and larceny yesterday at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.

(Jamaica Gleaner) After 14 months of working assiduously to meet rigorous regulatory aviation requirements, Fly Jamaica Airways will officially take to the skies on Friday, January 25, with its inaugural flight scheduled to depart for the John F.

Half centuries from Vishaul Singh and Shaquille Williams saw Demerara  posting 365 all out against the President’s XI who had replied with 62-2 at the close of the third day’s play of the Guyana Cricket Board Inter County four day competition at the Demerara Cricket Club in Queenstown on Thursday.

Dear Editor, The use of the Caribbean Press imprint for the publication of the book of Minister Frank Anthony’s daughter – a paid publication – raises many issues and Mr Ruel Johnson is quite correct to bring this matter to the public’s notice.

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka laboured to a four-wicket victory after right-arm pacer Nuwan Kulasekara destroyed Australia with a fine display of swing bowling in the third one-day international in Brisbane  yesterday.

Kitty resident Marlon Tullock, who was allegedly found with cocaine hidden in an M&M’s container under his bed, was yesterday refused bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Hi Everyone, I was planning to hopefully recreate a treat I’d eaten a few times from a snack lady while at secondary school.

LONDON/ALGIERS, (Reuters) – The In Amenas gas plant felt impregnable to many who worked there – walled in, hundreds of miles from anywhere and with the Algerian army constantly patrolling its desert approaches.

Dear Editor, I am amazed at the disrespect, and uncaring attitude of GPL towards the residents of Berbice, especially the Upper Corentyne.

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – A scintillating Darren Sammy cameo helped Windward Islands overpower beleaguered Barbados and keep alive their chances of reaching the playoffs of the Caribbean Twenty20.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Ministry of Youth and Culture has confirmed that its Director of Corporate Services Sean Thompson was shot and killed at his home in Spanish Town St.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The PetroCaribe Development Fund has been approached by the Port Authority of Jamaica to finance dredging in the Kingston Harbour.

Dear Editor,        I recently travelled with one of the two new ferries that currently ply the waters of the Parika to Good Hope route.

HARARE,  (Reuters) – Zimbabwean rights groups yesterday condemned what they called an escalating campaign against critics of veteran President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party ahead of elections expected this year.

A teen boy was remanded yesterday when he faced charges of armed robbery at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.

(Trinidad Express) France-based aviation company ATR and regional airline LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) have signed an agreement for the purchase of three 48-seater ATR 42-600 aircraft.

Family members of murdered male prostitute Wesley Holder are now concerned over the release of two persons held in connection with his death and the danger that a witness may face if no protection is provided by the police.

Dear Editor, Writing in the SN of January15 under the title ‘Ramkarran did not acknowledge African feelings of disenfranchisement’ Dr David Hinds suggests:  “I make bold to say that just as the PPP’s behaviour in office  has been heavily influenced by the perception and reality of  its treatment at the hands of the PNC in office, that the PNC’s behaviour in office was also largely grounded  in similar fears, perceived and real, arising from the PPP’s 1957-64 tenure.

D&C Promotions will host this year’s Miss Bartica Regatta pageant which is scheduled for March 13, 2013, in the mining gateway community.

OTTAWA,  (Reuters) – Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty apologized yesterday for breaking ethics rules when he lobbied on behalf of a constituent who wanted to set up a radio station, and said it was an “oversight” that would not happen again.

A big catch: Rajpaul Singh (at right), a cash crop farmer of Bush, West Coast Berbice on Thursday caught this anaconda in a seine he had set in the trench close to his farm.

Dear Editor, For the second consecutive month, teachers in Berbice will be paid late.

Comedy Central, the comedy-driven general entertainment destination targeting the 25+ adult audiences is now available on DIRECTV.

OTTAWA,  (Reuters) – The Bank of Canada has barked up the wrong maple tree with its new plastic banknotes, using a foreign Norway maple leaf as the emblem on the notes instead of the sugar maple that the country has on its national flag, an eagle-eyed Canadian botanist says.

The City Council is not accepting the decision by Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud to dismiss the five officers after the findings of a probe by the Audit Office into mismanagement at City Hall.

After watching weeks of dialogue in the letter pages about rape, some Sisters (including myself) weighed in on the topic this week to add more female voices to the matter at hand.

Ravens and the Amelia’s Ward Jets bastketball teams will clash today in the ‘Jets Basketball Exchange Classic’ at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hardcourt.

In 2006, the year before he died, Arthur Schlesinger Jr was asked what he thought of President Bush’s policy on torture.

(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – Minister of Finance, Adeline Wijnerman, has suspended five top Customs officials, effective immediately in an effort to push through radical reforms aimed at improving the service’s image.

Who did this? Are these the crazed drawings of a deranged person?

BRASILIA, (Reuters) – A judge in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state has confiscated copies of wildly-popular trilogy “Fifty Shades of Grey” and other erotic books from two stores, saying proprietors must seal the novels to prevent children leafing through them.

(Reuters) – A welcome wind blew away the stifling heat at Melbourne Park yesterday but there was no diverting Novak Djokovic or Maria Sharapova from their paths to the last 16 of the Australian Open on day five of the tournament.

(Trinidad Express) A man who left his two-year-old son in a vehicle—when he fled police with a bag containing $60,000 in marijuana—was on Thursday told his defence was a “long-winded tale”.