Daily Archive: Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Cabinet has given its no-objection to a contract for the emergency docking of the MV Bonasika to the value of $49.9m.

ANKARA/ISTANBUL, (Reuters) – Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan reshuffled his cabinet on Wednesday after three members quit over a corruption scandal that has posed an unprecedented challenge to his 11-year rule.

There were smiles on the faces of many of the 26 young patients on Christmas Day, when President Donald Ramotar accompanied by his daughter Lisa Ramotar, along with Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan and other officials visited the Paediatric ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

(Jamaica Gleaner) The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands has confirmed that 18 people, suspected to be illegal migrants, died this morning at sea.

(Jamaica Gleaner) St Vincent’s Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves is to cut short a visit to Europe and is expected back home tomorrow as the death toll from the rains over the past 48 hours continues to go up.

A police officer was among five reportedly killed as heavy rains caused widespread damage throughout St Lucia, CMC reported today.

By Dacia Whaul A Leguan woman was slashed to death yesterday morning by her husband who was later found hanging on the foreshore.

The Chief Librarian at the National Library, Gillian Thompson, succumbed following an accident yesterday at the corner of New Garden Street and North Road.

A miner was yesterday found dead with a wound to his neck along the Five Star Trail, Port Kaituma, North West District.

Having sent a diplomatic note to the US State Department, the government yesterday challenged American Ambassador Brendt Hardt to prove that USAID has a right to go ahead with a $300 million democracy project here despite government’s objections on grounds of a lack of consultation.

The management and board of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated yesterday assured  Cabinet that every possible step will be taken to address promptly, the transmission and distribution difficulties that have caused a spate of power outages, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon reported.

Neville Chandrawattie, one of the alleged masterminds of November’s multi-million dollar gold heist in Port Kaituma, was yesterday remanded to prison for involvement in the death of Dharam Chanmangra in 2007.

A Kitty man who is alleging that he had only been doing a friend a favour, was yesterday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court after live ammunition was found inside the sneakers he had carried to a prison inmate.

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall said yesterday that the conditions under which the police can stop and search citizens is one that must be reviewed and this has been his longstanding position even before a recent High Court judgment addressing the matter.

Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) President Phillip Fernandes says that the highlight for the sport during the year 2013 was the first time participation of the national women side in the Pan American Hockey (PAHF) Cup in Mendoza, Argentina.

An accident that occurred around 11 am yesterday on the public road at La Belle Alliance, took the life of yet an Essequibo Coast man.

At about 0005h yesterday, businessman Rex Holder, 45 years, of Wisroc, Linden, was attacked and robbed by a man armed with a shotgun in front of his home.

The Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Cup continues today with the traditional Christmas Day quarterfinals double header at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Bourda.

In the early 1990s, my family moved to Canada. When my parents decided to move, they were in their 40s, petrified, with two kids, two suitcases and just Cdn$80 in their pockets.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, CMC- West Indies One Day international (ODI) Captain Dwayne Bravo is lamenting the absence of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels from the regional side as it prepares to go into battle against New Zealand in an ODI series starting on Boxing Day.

While most parents busied themselves shopping this Christmas for gifts for their children, a mother and father grapple with the loss of their eight-year-old son.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, CMC- Middle order batsman Marlon Samuels will miss the rest of the West Indies’ tour of New Zealand due to injury.

By Jeff Trotman The family and friends of the late Dr Walter Alleyne Kyte held a memorial on Saturday, December 21, at the Kairuni Creek bridge on the Linden-Soesdyke highway where the New York-based educator was involved in an accident on Sunday, August 25.

Fifteen non-violent prisoners from the various prisons in Guyana were released on Monday 16th December, 2013 in time to spend the Christmas holidays with their families and friends after Food for the Poor paid their fines.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- FormerWest Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor says he is still passionate about the game as he makes a claim for a recall to the Jamaica national side after more than two years.

The demarcation of Sawariwau’s titled land has been finally been completed by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC).

(Reuters) – Brooklyn Nets forward Paul Pierce has been fined $15,000 by the National Basketball Association (NBA) for committing a flagrant foul on opposing point guard George Hill during Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.

Turfites get ready, the stage is set for the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) grand horse race meet to run off tomorrow at the club’s track at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

A five-year-old girl has been reported missing after her father left her in the care of an adult yesterday.

By David Papannah If you spend enough time around ‘grown’ folks, more often than not you would have heard them longing for ‘the good old days’, despite the challenges and lack of modern technology, and especially at Christmas.

Dear Editor, I have noted the statements in the media about the USAID project that was disapproved by Cabinet.

(The Sports Xchange) – – – -Tony Parker had 26 points and eight assists, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a  112 -99 points win over the Toronto Raptors Monday night.

A man from Kaba-kaburi, Upper Pom-eroon River, Region Two, is now a patient of the Suddie Public Hospital after he was brutally chopped on Sunday around 11.30 pm.

Dear Editor, Excuse me, we are expected to believe that the PGGS over the New River Triangle will not lead to prospecting and mining?

President of the GGDMA Patrick Harding said while the gold mining industry has grown from strength-to-strength; even recording significant production levels in 2013, it has been a year of mixed fortunes.

Dear Editor, The (St) Kittians have this saying: ‘You talk a lot, but you ain’t make no speech.’

Boxing fans can look forward to a holiday gift when Nation’s Promotions unwraps 26 fistic rounds of professional boxing tomorrow night at the MacKenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground.

Last Friday, for the third year running, children of all ages were thrilled by Santa and his many helpers as the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri’s staff staged the annual Santa parade and gift distribution.

Late shopping: Picking up bargains last evening on Regent Street.

Christmas Eve rush:  Regent Street crammed to capacity yesterday. (Arian Browne photo)

Two young persons from the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) and Youth Media Guyana (YMG) represented Guyana at a recent UNICEF sponsored workshop in Brazil and made presentations on youth and adolescent participation in education policies and youth participation using new information and communication technologies.

JUBA/UNITED NATIONS, (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council approved plans yesterday to almost double the number of peacekeepers in South Sudan in an effort to protect civilians as reports of mass graves fueled fears of a worsening of ethnic bloodletting in the world’s newest state.

SAO PAULO,  (Reuters) – The most expensive of the 12 stadiums built or revamped for the 2014 World Cup has a leaking roof less than eight months after it was finished, the stadium’s operators said yesterday.

Dear Editor, The National Commun-ications Network Incorporated (NCN) must be commended for a number of things.

Christmas had always meant being among loved ones and having a good time for 33-year-old Gubraj Durjan, but this year he would be spending it all alone.

Dear Editor, Over the past weeks, there have been sincere outpourings of generosity, kindness and an excellent demonstration of true goodwill by all Guyanese towards children, shut-ins, the sick, the poor and the needy.

(Reuters) – South Africa will seek to arrest a dismal Durban run of four straight defeats at Kingsmead when they host India in the second and final test tomorrow, four days after their epic draw in Johannesburg.

Ganesh Parts and General Store last Friday donated two million dollars to the Doobay Medical Centre, a non-profit organisation, opened in 2011 to provide dialysis.

I fix, you blend

ISLAMABAD,  (Reuters) – China has committed $6.5 billion to finance the construction of a major nuclear power project in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi as it seeks to strengthen ties with its strategic partner, Pakistani officials said.

Dear Editor, I am driven to write about the current impasse between the government and the Guyana Public Service Union over wage increases, and improved conditions of work.

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn was left distressed after being heavily criticised by his own fans for opting against chasing victory in the drawn first test against India, the team’s vice-captain AB de Villiers said.

ABUJA, (Reuters) – Nigeria’s military said yesterday it had killed at least 50 Islamist rebels fleeing towards Cameroon in a battle in which 15 of its own soldiers and five civilians also died.

(Trinidad Express) The oil spill at Rancho Quemado has already been classified as sabotage and a report was made to the police by operators Trinity Oil, Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine said on Monday.

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Iran wants to improve bilateral relations with the United States and other Western powers, President Hassan Rouhani said in comments published in a German newspaper on Monday, broaching an issue he has so far avoided since he took office.

Seasoning must

The Georgetown Magistrates’ Court was on Christmas Eve flooded with a number of theft charges in relation to over $280,000 in items.

Dear Editor, Do my fellow Guyanese need calendars, watches and the aphorism, ‘My word is my bond’ tattooed on their heads?

(Reuters) – Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann, who made a shock decision to quit all forms of cricket on Sunday, has denied his criticism of arrogant international players was aimed at his team mates.

Dear Editor, Some of the words of the songs of Jimmy, Bunny, Frank and Bob, are pertinent to the struggles of Nelson Mandela from the beginning, during his 27 years of imprisonment and after his release.

How holidays should be spent

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Kevin Pietersen felt like a “clown” after getting out in the first innings of the second test but maintained yesterday he has been in prime form during England’s heavy defeats in the opening three Ashes matches.

Politikles

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) – Pope Francis, celebrating his first Christmas as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, yesterday urged people to shun pride and selfishness and open up their hearts to God and their fellow man.

By 1988/89, President Desmond Hoyte was already committed to his Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) and was not to be given an easy ride.

ANKARA, (Reuters) – Turkey’s president pledged yesterday there would be no cover-up in a high-level corruption case, despite a government-ordered purge of police investigating it that drew protests at home and a caution from the European Union.