Daily Archive: Thursday, February 14, 2013

LOS ANGELES, (Reuters) – Maggie Smith’s sarcastic dowager Countess may be the star of British period drama “Downton Abbey,” but the award-winning actress says she has never watched the TV series.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Republican lawmakers succeeded today in delaying a Senate vote on confirming President Barack Obama’s choice of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary, but another vote was planned for later in the month and Obama said he expected his nominee to be approved.

(Jamaica Gleaner) Director of Tourism, John Lynch was among the more than 100 passengers including Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority personnel who boarded the inaugural Fly Jamaica Airways aircraft earlier this morning en route to the John F.

Delta Airlines today confirmed that it will no longer offer its service to Guyana effective May 6th of this year.

The parliamentary opposition together with labour and civil society today held a picketing exercise outside the Marriott Hotel construction site.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – When it comes to love, sometimes old songs say it best.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Actor, writer and comedian Steve Martin has become a dad for the first time at age 67 – and managed to keep it secret from the media for more than a month.

Police say that at about 1800h yesterday, the driver of motor car PPP 923 was proceeding along the roadway at Mahdia, when he lost control of the vehicle which crashed and turned turtle.

(Barbados Nation) There has been a worrying spike in dengue cases so far this year.

(Trinidad Express) Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams has launched an investigation into claims that a revamped “Flying Squad” is currently operating.

JOHANNESBURG,  (Reuters) – South African Olympic and Paralympic track star Oscar Pistorius, known as the “Blade Runner” for his racing prosthetics, was charged today with murdering his girlfriend at his home in Pretoria.

VATICAN CITY,  (Reuters) – Pope Benedict indicated today he would withdraw into isolation, away from public sight after his resignation at the end of the month.

Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul yesterday defended the use of non-national Chinese labour for the Marriott Hotel construction, saying that at this stage the contractor is using highly technical and advanced construction methods and it will be some time before the Guyanese workers acquire the competencies to use that technology.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the US Coastguard  yesterday embarked on a training exercise meant to boost port security.

A crackdown on illegal shops suspected of harbouring criminals in mining districts is looming and several agencies are to be networked to keep a lid on all illegal activities through greater intelligence gathering.

The AFC has condemned attacks on the character of former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, saying that such actions are likely to deter professionals from thinking about offering their services to Guyana.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is currently expanding its monitoring of mining operations’ compliance and this will see 11 new mining stations, in the various mining districts to address the rapid growth of the mining sector, a release from the agency said.

MUMBAI, India,  CMC – Gutsy West Indies defied the odds to beat Australia and book their place in the final of the Women’s World Cup for the first time here yesterday.

BRISBANE, Australia,  CMC-West Indies proved why they are world T20 champions with a 27 run win over Australia in a one-off fixture yesterday to ease the pain inflicted by a white wash in the just concluded five match ODI series.

Three persons, including a woman, were up to late yesterday afternoon being interrogated by police over the murder of police recruit Harold Haimchand Sukhai.

Looking for an ideal place to make your Valentine’s Day celebration special without breaking the bank?

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday dismissed the trafficking in narcotics case against a 63-year-old Canada-based Guyanese  after the prosecution failed to prove that the woman knew that she had been in possession of the narcotic.

A bus conductor accused of attempted robbery with violence was granted $100,000 bail when he yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer the charge.

After spending the night in the lock-ups, Michelle Lynch, the pregnant woman who was arrested for failing to attend court as a witness, was taken to the Georgetown Magis-trates’ Court yesterday.

A Ministry of Health ambulance with the driver and another person in it ended up in a trench outside Banks DIH yesterday afternoon after the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was launched Tuesday night at the Country Club, Sandy Lane Hotel, St.

The trial of Louis Lancaster at the High Court for the murder of a taxi driver yesterday saw the caution statement he gave to the police, which implicated another person, admitted as evidence.

Two salesmen were both placed on $35,000 bail yesterday after they denied stealing two water tanks from Habitat for Humanity-Guyana at Mocha Arcadia.

The West Indies ladies have certainly made the Caribbean proud with their entry into the final of the ICC Women’s World cup after defeating powerhouse Australia yesterday.

Alpha United Coach Wayne “Wiggy” Dover says although it causes some amount of hardship, players are transferred in every team for various reasons when the opportunity arises but he is still puzzled and pained at the recent exits.

Prohabi Singh was yesterday sentenced to a year in jail after he admitted to stealing his father’s bicycle and pawning it for $2,000.

UNDP Resident Represen-tative and UN Resident Coordinator Khadija Musa says co-operatives should re-examine the role of youth in supporting food security ventures.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., (Reuters) – A cabin in the mountains above Los Angeles where fugitive and former cop Christopher Dorner is believed to have died following a gunfight with police was not purposely set on fire by law enforcement, the San Bernardino County sheriff said yesterday.

An 18 year old man was placed on $75,000 bail after he was charged with break and entering, when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Dear Editor, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, has attempted to deflect from the telling growth in the National Debt in three months.

A release from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has said that Chile, Brazil, Peru, Mexico and Colombia are the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with the best environment to be able to carry out sustainable public-private partnerships (PPPs) to develop infrastructure and increase access to basic services.

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – Skipper Graeme Smith believes South Africa have possibly the best top-six among contemporary batting line-ups as they prepare to face Pakistan in the second test at Newlands starting on Thursday.

Dear Editor, Around 4th May, 2011 in the run-up to the elections, I did a commentary which was aired on CNS Channel 6 in which I made certain allegations regarding the agenda of Juan Edghill and Bharrat Jagdeo. 

MUMBAI, India,  CMC Captain Merissa Aguilleira says West Indies women have a chance to be crowned world champions of one day cricket because her players stuck diligently to the plan entering the penultimate phase of the current tournament.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – A day after U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order on ways to better defend against cyber attacks, administration officials told a packed audience of industry insiders that no government agency can tackle the threat alone.

Last Saturday, RK’s Guyana Securities Services awarded two of its guards for bravery in foiling an armed robber last December.

Having fun as animals: Regma Primary School performing ‘Jungle Jamboree’ in the Fantasy Category of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions at the National Cultural Centre yesterday.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC-West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul has his sights on the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe to launch his return to international cricket after being sidelined with injury.

Officials at the Georgetown Public Hospital yesterday reported that two sisters, ages six and seven, were taken to its Accident and Emergency Unit for treatment after they accidentally ingested a pesticide.

MADRID, (Reuters) – Guatemalan President Otto Perez said yesterday he is feeling less alone in his drive to re-think the fight against drug-trafficking than a year ago, when he shocked fellow Central American leaders with a proposal to decriminalise narcotics.

Dear Editor, I had reason to visit the East La Penitence Police Station and was appalled at the garbage pile-up in front of the eastern gate.

MEXICO CITY,  (Reuters) – The “ugliest woman in the world” was buried in her native northern Mexico yesterday, more than 150 years after her death and a tragic life spent exhibited as a freak of nature at circuses around the world.

Dear Editor, Every village in West Coast Berbice has a signboard with the name of the village and the speed limit.

(BBC) England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has called on his team to emulate Australia by becoming “the bullies” in this year’s back-to-back Ashes series.

Orin Johnson was yesterday placed on a one-year bond to keep the peace and be on good behaviour after he admitted to unlawfully assaulting a man, who refused to pursue the case against him.

Dear Editor, Administrations have come and gone with the passage of time.

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – Injured Pakistan seamer Junaid Khan has been ruled out of the second cricket test against South Africa at Newlands starting today.

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – With Valentine’s day today, singer Whitney Houston’s classic ballad “I Will Always Love You” has been voted the most popular love song in a U.S.

Book donation: The Richard Ishmael Secondary School recently received a donation of over two hundred new titles for its library, a release from the Old Students’ Association said.

Waving time: Flags went up as children enjoyed the entertainment between performances in the Physical Display Segment of the Children’s Mashramani Competitions at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Friday.

MALE,  (Reuters) – Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed took refuge in the Indian High Commission in the capital Male yesterday as police attempted to arrest him, raising the prospect of protests by supporters who say he was ousted a year ago in a coup.

Dear Editor, Leon Trotsky reminded us that the “depth and strength of human character are defined by its moral reserves.”

TORONTO,  (Reuters) – Rudy Gay drained the game-winning shot in the final seconds as the rejuvenated Toronto Raptors withstood a furious fightback from the Denver Nuggets for a 109-108 victory over one of the NBA’s hottest teams on Tuesday.

OAKLAND, Calif., (Reuters) – Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin returned to the San Francisco Bay area for a warm welcome and a 116-107 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

TORONTO,  (Reuters) – Singles who believe in love at first sight can turn to new apps that will match them with potential dates in time for Valentine’s Day, but only if each person has expressed an interest.

A man accused of assaulting another with a hammer was granted $30,000 bail when he yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Nice bounce: Enjoying the trampoline along the seawall last week.  

GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba,  (Reuters) – The warden of the Guantanamo prison camp testified yesterday that he had forbidden military guards from listening to attorney-client conversations but did not know that the rooms where the meetings took place had been bugged by intelligence agents.

Dear Editor, Dr Henry Jeffrey is right in his argument that “Majority rule is acceptable to no one” (SN, February 13). 

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Cinema has a new odd couple in “Prince Avalanche”, a low-budget film set in the remote, fire-ravaged forests of Texas and starring Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch as an unlikely pair of workers painting markings on a seemingly endless road.

On January 20, Tirtawattie Shoandeo of Whim, Corentyne died at the New Amsterdam Hospital some hours after she had undergone a surgical procedure.

Inspiring people, accomplishing amazing feats, live all around us in our nation.

A man was yesterday sentenced to a six-month jail term after he admitted to stealing a phone from a teacher’s bag, which she had left in her classroom.

Something must bite: A spot of urban fishing in the vicinity of D’Urban Park along Hadfield Street.

Dear Editor, The announcement of the resignation of Pope Benedict at month end sent shockwaves not only around the 1.2 billion Catholics, but the entire world, and as expected there is what can be termed behind the scenes lobbying for the top position in the Catholic Church.

(Reuters) – LeBron James’ red-hot shooting hit record level on Tuesday as he became the first NBA player ever to score 30 points while shooting 60 percent in six straight games.

Beginning February 1, 2013, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting a $165 fee from applicants once they have been issued Immigrant Visas.

AUBREY FITZ RONALD BISHOP OR CCH