Daily Archive: Saturday, February 9, 2013

At about 1630h yesterday, police say that the driver of a mini-bus at First Creek, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, allegedly reversed the vehicle and struck down Hilary Reeves, 61 years, of Kuru Kururu.

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Tonito Willett’s half-century propped up Leeward Islands but Guyana were making a strong reply on the opening day of the first round of matches in the Regional Four-Day Championship here today.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Opposition leaders derided another currency devaluation by President Hugo Chavez’s government as evidence of economic incompetence, while some anxious Venezuelans hit shops today in fear of price increases.

BOSTON/NEW YORK, (Reuters) – A record-breaking blizzard packing hurricane-force winds hammered the northeastern United States today, cutting power to 700,000 homes and businesses, shutting down travel and leaving at least four people dead.

BOGOTA,  (Reuters) – A strong earthquake rocked southwestern Colombia today rattling residents near the border with Ecuador, but there were no reports of deaths or major damage, authorities said.

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Germany’s education minister will resign on Saturday after being stripped of her doctorate over plagiarism charges, sources from the ruling coalition said, an embarrassment for Chancellor Angela Merkel as she campaigns to win a third term in office.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Jamaican entertainer at the centre of a bribery case involving a former security official at the United States (US) Embassy in Kingston will automatically lose his American visa and could face criminal prosecution, a US-based attorney has revealed.

RIYADH, (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could survive two more years of revolt despite U.S.

BRUSSELS,  (Reuters) – A small passenger plane crashed at Belgium’s Charleroi airport today, killing five people and closing the international hub used by Ryanair and other low-cost carriers.

Despite allowing Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee to address the National Assembly on Thursday, Speaker Raphael Trotman says any further speeches in the House by Rohee will be decided on a case-by-case basis until the controversy is finally resolved.

Two persons are in police custody after ranks of the Customs Anti- Narcotic Unit (CANU) yesterday found 36 kilogrammes of cocaine and two magazines with live rounds in a house at Ogle, East Coast Demerera.

Peter Anthony Ogle, one of the three men killed by police during what they have called an attempted robbery at the Prashad Nagar residence of a popular Bartica businessman, sustained multiple gunshot wounds, according to family members, who said he had previously told them that police were pursuing him.

Minister of Transport Robeson Benn on Thursday told the National Assembly that there are no plans at present to reduce the Berbice River Bridge toll this year.

Rawle Samuels, the man who allegedly stabbed his four-year-old stepson to death at Linden was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a murder charge.

A man was yesterday charged with stealing tens of millions in raw gold from a mining consultancy.

Murder accused Calvin Bailey will have to face a new trial after jurors yesterday failed to reach a unanimous verdict on whether he killed his 18-month-old son.

Government and the opposition yesterday held a meeting to discuss proposals for this year’s national budget, but members of both the APNU and AFC later described the meeting as not being very fruitful.

SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Kieron Pollard’s third One-Day International century could not prevent another West Indies defeat, as their five-match series against Australia quickly turned to disaster here yesterday.

CUTTACK, India, CMC – West Indies Women survived a now familiar batting slump before steadying themselves to beat South Africa Women by two wickets, in their opening Super Six game of the ICC Women’s World Cup here  yesterday.

CEO of Atlantic Hotels Inc Winston Brassington stated that it is a condition of the contract with Shanghai Construction Group – the contractor building the Marriott Hotel – that the labour be from China at least in the first instance and called for the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) to look at the bigger picture.

Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn says adhering to safety and quality guidelines are among the ministry’s main concerns about engineers executing public works.

The total public debt (external and domestic) was US$1.7B as of March 31, 2012, according to Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, confirming the relatively high debt that the country still carries.

The National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) yesterday reiterated that it would take industrial action if demands for higher salaries for its members at the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) are not met by February 24.

Lumber yard dealer Lancelot Douglas, was killed yesterday after he was hit off of his All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) by a car that was being driven by his nephew at Bartica.

The AFC is urging government to increase the salary of school cleaners to a minimum of $40,000 per month effective from January 1, 2013, and to start payment now even as the administration works to establish a national minimum wage.

Neil Miggins, the 13 year-old student of Patentia Secondary who had a pair of scissors lodged in his head during a misunderstanding with another student, is now being monitored for brain damage after undergoing surgery to remove the instrument.

Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran on Thursday told the National Assembly that a blackout at the New Amsterdam Hospital was not responsible for the death of a post-operative patient last month.

A juice vendor was refused bail and remanded to prison after he was charged with break and enter and larceny yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The Health Ministry on Thursday emphasised that malaria remained a “serious public health threat” and that moves are being made to win support from the “grassroots” and experts to battle the mosquito-borne disease, especially in the interior mining districts.

A one year-old child was burnt to death when a fire of unknown origin gutted his home at Grant Everette-Regina, Lower Pomeroon River on Thursday night, police said yesterday.

A candlelight vigil was held on the lawns of Public Buildings on Wednesday to raise awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of early detection.

The Guyana Police Force has so far made seven arrests from 51 reports made by citizens using the Online Crime Reporting System (OCRS) launched last year.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is advising the public that there will be minor traffic diversions and some amount of noise nuisance in several city streets as it has started upgrading works under the Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP).

Dear Editor, I share the distress of our Mr GHK Lall and fellow contributors to your letter pages over the lamentable breakdown in civic behaviour which we seem doomed both to suffer and tolerate. 

Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud has assured A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MP Jennifer Wade that all of the necessary procedures were adhered to in the selection of land filling sites at St John-Firebrace, Zorg-en-Hoop and West of Burma Road.

      Attracting loud cheers:  St George’s girls were among the favourites in the Physical Display Segment of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday.

It is difficult to believe that the shy, soft-spoken Niossi Alsopp who sat down with The Scene this week, is the same one who took stormed the stage and won the Junior Calypso Monarchy with her rendition of Bonny Alves’ “Drama School”.

China Central TV (CCTV) offers Guyanese the opportunity to learn about the culture, history and current issues of the Chinese people as the two countries enhance their friendship, Chinese Ambassa-dor to Guyana Zhang Limin said at the commissioning of the CCTV channel yesterday.

Dear Editor, The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act was passed unanimously by the National Assembly on  January 3, 2013.

    St George’s High during their performance in the Combination Category during the Physical Display Segment of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday (Photo by Arian Browne)

Thirty youths from across Guyana are currently part of a three-month training programme to become community leaders and during a simple opening ceremony yesterday were urged to use the knowledge they would gain to impact positively on the lives of others.

Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary said on Thursday that Cabinet has condemned the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for its disregard of Guyana’s High Court ruling with respect to sports and the administration of sports especially cricket.

Last week saw me at the premiere of three films from local filmmakers, under the banner ‘Femme’, by CineGuyana – the Film Producing Company of Guyana.

The chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the four-constitutionally mandated Sectoral Standing Committees of the National Assembly were elected on Thursday, almost a year since the members had been nominated.

Dear Editor, I erred when I did not allow Mr Christopher Ram to remain intoxicated in his own bewilderment.

The 2013 New Building Society second division limited overs cricket competition commenced recently with first and second round matches in Berbice which saw two centuries being recorded.

Hi Everyone, Pancake Day is just a few days away… what’s the syrup plan this year for drizzling your pancakes?

Dear Editor, Please allow me to turn my attention as a former trade unionist with the Guyana Agricultural and General Worker’s Union to the question of some 140 Chinese workers employed in the construction  of  Marriott Hotel absent the input of members of the Guyanese labour force.

BK International and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport yesterday signed a G$176 million contract for the construction of the Northern Stands at the Athletic Track, Leonora.

Dear Editor, The contractors contracted to clean the MMA/ADA drainage and irrigation canals used to employ up to four or five persons; nowadays many of these contractors don’t employ workmen at all.

Lovers of Indian music will be given a treat come May 5 when some of India’s popular playback singers–in the name of Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan–take to the stage for the 175th anniversary celebration of Indian arrival to Guyana put on by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

  Masterpiece: St John’s High girls show their strength by lifting their male counterparts during their performance of ‘Masterpiece’ in the Group Dance category of the Children’s Mashramani Competition at the National Cultural Centre yesterday.

A proposal to make nursery education compulsory has been included in the government’s draft Education Bill.

One cannot help but feel sorry for newly elected president of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson who, it seems, has found himself between a rock and a hard place.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – During a fresh round of debate this week over President Barack Obama’s claim that he can unilaterally order lethal strikes by unmanned aircraft against U.S.

Dear Editor, The citizens of Georgetown and Guyana must feel pained and a sense of sadness when they look at the state of the capital, and the many things that are ugly − a situation that need not have been.

TUNIS – Tens of thousands of Tunisians turned out on Friday to mourn secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid, whose assassination has deepened a political crisis and led to violent protests against the Islamist-led government.

Gangnam Style:  These boys were caught doing a celebratory “Gangnam Style” dance as they cheered their school on yesterday, during the Physical Display Segment of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall  (Photo by Arian Browne)

Having set a solid foundation over the past three years, local punk rock band Keep Your Day Job!

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC- Much is at stake for player and country when the West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Four-day First-class competition bowls off at three venues across the Caribbean today.

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaican manufacturers of some key items are likely to have their profit margins squeezed by higher duties in the Canadian export market, if Caricom fails to reach a new trade agreement with the North American country before year end.

Dear Editor, I hasten to pay tribute to the late Justice Aubrey Bishop, one of the most distinguished and outstanding chancellors the judiciary ever had.

NEW DELHI,  (Reuters) – A quiet lunch between European Union ambassadors and Indian prime ministerial contender Narendra Modi has shattered what remained of a decade-old informal boycott of the Hindu nationalist political leader.

(Reuters) – The Denver Nuggets rolled to their eighth successive win with a 128-96 demolition of the Chicago Bulls at home on Thursday.

(Jamaica Gleaner) A State Department security officer in the United States has pleaded guilty to accepting two luxury watches in exchange for helping a Jamaican musician gain a visa to enter the US.

Setting it up: Tucville boys setting up their moves during the Pyramid Category in the Physical Display Segment of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday (Photo by Arian Browne)

Dear Editor, As the world prepares for the World Championships, I am eagerly awaiting the announcement of the participation of Americans, Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards and Carmelita Jeter.

MIAMI, (Reuters) – All Ana Soto had to do to gain entry to the United States at the Texas-Mexico border in 2008 was show her Cuban identity card and birth certificate.

JOHANNESBURG,  (Reuters) – Nigeria are one win away from ending a 19-year wait to reclaim the African Nations Cup but the favourites are wary of the threat posed by surprise finalists Burkina Faso in tomorrow’s showdown at Soccer City.

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif., (Reuters) – Heavy snow hampered the second day of a mountaintop manhunt yesterday for a fugitive former policeman wanted as a suspect in three California murders and accused of declaring war on police in an Internet manifesto that railed against his 2008 firing.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) says it continues to be hamstrung by the slow pace at which forensic and ballistic certificates are produced.

I have already given my own reasons as to why I am rising at the One Billion Rising – Guyana event next Thursday, February 14 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at the Promenade Gardens.

Dear Editor, Many, if not most of us encounter persons in our walks of life who make an indelible impression on us either positive, negative or both, and whom our ‘delete’ memory button cannot erase.

On the eve of confirmation hearings for John O Brennan − President Obama’s counter-terrorism adviser and proposed CIA Director − the White House instructed the Department of Justice to share classified documents that justify its drone programme with two congressional Intelligence Committees. 

LONDON,  (Reuters) – The British government accused unknown criminals for a growing scandal of horsemeat being sold in imported beef products that has generated shock headlines in a country where many recoil in horror at the very idea of eating horses.

A new film detailing the life and career of hip-hop/rap artist Snoop Lion (formerly Snoop Dogg) is set to be released on March 15.

Clive ‘The Punisher” Atwell could land a shot at competing at the World Boxing Council (WBC) World Cup in June of this year if he manages to get past Venezuelan Rafael Hernandez.