Daily Archive: Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee (right) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall at the Sleep Inn Old Year’s Night festivities.

(Jamaica Observer) BIG BRIDGE, Westmoreland — The reputed leader of the feared Alma Gang, 29-year-old Torneal Haughton, also called ‘Malta’, was shot and killed during a reported shoot-out with the police here yesterday afternoon.

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand, CMC-New Zealand outclassed West Indies by 159 runs to win a lopsided and rain shortened third One Day International (ODI), powered by the fastest international century from Corey Anderson at the Queenstown Events Centre today.

These ladies were apparently on their own at Gravity this morning.

These chaps went all out for their appearance at Gravity last night.

These two lit up Gravity last night.

We’re having fun.

Chilling at Gravity last night.

This couple was colour coordinated at Gravity last night.

An exultant group at the Gravity night club last night for old year’s.

This couple was having a rollicking time at the Gravity night club last night.

The London theme at the Gravity Night Club on Regent and Camp Sts last night.

A performer at the police officer’s mess, Eve Leary last night.

This couple was at the police officer’s mess last night.

At the police officer’s mess last night.

President Donald Ramotar (fourth from left) with Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell (Second from left), George Vyphuis (third from left) and Seelall Persaud (fifth from left) at the police officer’s mess last night.

These party people had a great time at police officer’s mess, Eve Leary.

The police say they are investigating the murder of Carlissa Matthews, 20 years, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, which occurred at about 2345h.

Magnificent fireworks (Kester Clarke photo)

Phone cameras were hard at work this morning capturing the coruscating fireworks display from the GDF.

Radiant smiles as this group awaited the GDF fireworks last night.

This family was part of the large numbers at the Kitty and East Coast seawalls for the annual GDF fireworks display last night.

This couple rang in the new year at the seawall waiting for the fireworks.

Seawall vendors cashed in as citizens awaited last night’s GDF fireworks.

Another of the spectacular fireworks display from the GDF today.

A medley of fireworks from the GDF this morning.

The fireworks delivered glorious colours.

Part of the GDF fireworks display this morning.

The GDF fireworks crew preparing for the pyrotechnic display just after midnight.

A large crowd gathered at the seawall last night for the annual GDF fireworks display.

Part of the excellent fireworks display put on by the Guyana Defence Force at the dawn of the New Year.

This couple was having a good time at Camp Ayanganna last night.

This chap had this part of the floor at Camp Ayanganna all to himself.

New Year’s revellers at Camp Ayanganna last night. (Arian Browne photo)

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar (second from left) and President Donald Ramotar (right) at last night’s GDF soirée at Camp Ayanganna.

This couple lovingly rang in the New Year at the GDF’s do at Camp Ayanganna last night.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Donald Ramotar (second from right) wishing a happy new year to Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Mark Phillips at Camp Ayanganna.

At St George’s cathedral last night. (Arian Browne photo)

Part of the ceremonials last night at St George’s Cathedral (Arian Browne photo)

This quartet was well-dressed for the New Year’s festivities last night at St George’s Cathedral.

The faithful at St George’s Cathedral last night (Arian Browne photo)

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was packed last night for the usual New Year’s service.

Worshippers ringing in the New Year at the Brickdam Cathedral last night.

The  Ministry of Health has put together new criteria for prequalified bidders for the supply of pharmaceuticals and critics say the awarding of maximum points for turnover of $1b, assets of $500m, warehousing facilities and local registration are tailor-made to ensure that New GPC continues to harvest billions in contracts while other contenders here and abroad are shut out.

Head of Atlantic Hotels Inc. (AHI) Winston Brassington has not disclosed the name and other details of the US$8 million equity private investor into the Marriott Hotel despite giving several undertakings to make that information public before the end of 2013.

President Donald Ramotar in his New Year’s message to the nation last night called for citizens to work together in the interest of all the people since the politics of blackmail will undermine the country’s democracy, leading to further inequality.

Autopsies were yesterday done on the bodies of three Brazilian miners who were working in Region 7 and were robbed and murdered on December 28.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon says that the US$32 million E-Governance project which includes the laying of a fibre optic cable from Brazil is on-going and will be completed sometime in 2014.

In a New Year message, Clement Rohee, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party said, “The search for a political solution that meets the expectations of the Guyanese people must continue.”

Some six fishermen have gone missing along with their fishing boat, Invincible 3, which reportedly overturned near Shell Beach at the Pomeroon River mouth.

The breached conservancy dam at Airy Hall on the Essequibo Coast that caused over 200 acres of rice fields to be submerged and a number of homes to be flooded was yesterday repaired by workers from the region and central government.

“Let us, therefore, make the new year – 2014 – Guyana’s ‘Year for Workers’ as we all work together towards providing ‘a good life for all Guyanese.’”

As the nation rings in the New Year, 2013 will always be remembered by those whose lives were touched by the notable Guyanese who passed away this year. 

In its New Year’s message, the Alliance For Change (AFC) said that the party will in 2014 continue their incomplete agenda of waging the fight against corruption and advocating the need for good governance.

To enhance fisheries surveillance and enforcement capabilities, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries Department, in collaboration with the Guyana Association of Trawlers Owners and Seafood Processors is implementing Vessel Moni-toring Systems (VMS) on all marine vessels.

Within the next five years, 80% of all teachers will be trained, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand said, highlighting that the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has been turning out increasingly large numbers of trained teachers, with the highest number graduating last year.

Guyana will contribute US$100,000 to the Government of St Lucia, US$100,000 to the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines and US$75,000 to the Government of Dominica to assist in their recovery efforts following flooding and deaths, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Patrick Yarde has commended the militancy displayed by public servants against the authoritarianism displayed by the government and called on stakeholders to continue to struggle for respect and good governance.

The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) yesterday notified the general public and particularly Government Old Age Pensioners that, for the ease of comfort, the encashment of pension vouchers will commence at 09:00h on Thursday January 2, 2014, at Post Offices countrywide.

Dumping of garbage remains a constant as Guyana begins a new year today.

Chief Librarian Gillian Thompson who died in an accident on Christmas Eve will be laid to rest on Friday.

Courts Guyana Inc. ended its “Become a millionaire only at Courts” promotions yesterday.

By Desiree Kissoon “Wake up mom, we are in Guyana!” I thought my kids were pulling my legs.

Albouystown and Tiger Bay residents say they are ready to bid goodbye to 2013 as it was a very challenging year and they are eagerly anticipating 2014.

Georgetown Football Association (GFA) President Vernon Burnett yesterday stated that the third annual Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Knockout Cup final will be hosted at the National Stadium Providence today.

Ian McDonald has established himself as one of the leading literary figures in the Caribbean.

Three men who were taken to court yesterday on narcotics charges all claimed that the marijuana found in their possession was for medicinal purposes.

National rugby coach, Theodore Henry appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday on an assault charge.

The National Stadium at Providence will be the setting and a new champion will be crowned when the third annual Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer Knockout Cup commences today.

A man who was entrusted with selling one iPhone 4S and instead allegedly converted the funds to his own use was yesterday taken before the Georgetown Magis-trates’ Court to face the charge of fraudulent conversion.

The Ministry of Amerin-dian Affairs awarded titles to three more Amerindian communities last year and Minister Pauline Sukhai said the target for titling eligible communities will soon be achieved.

Ash Education and tournament favourite, Wismar Christianburg powered into today’s final of the Chico/Kashif and Shanghai Elite Next Generation tournament following semi final victories on Monday.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Sidelined West Indies wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jnr., is in hot water with cricket authorities in Jamaica after missing a national training session without receiving permission.

A re-tender yesterday for the installation of new air-conditioning units at the National Cultural Centre saw two companies submitting bids.

MONTEVIDEO,  (Reuters) – Ronaldinho, who had a disappointing Club World Cup this month, has been elected South American footballer of the year in the annual poll conducted by the Uruguayan daily El Pais.

In keeping with the season, the Guyana Defence Force presented hampers and cash to the surviving spouses, children and relatives of seven of its members who passed away during 2013.

Caricom Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque says the Community’s accomplishments in 2013 are a testimony of its “determination and commitment to forge a common destiny as small unified States” even as he revealed that a Five-Year Strategic Plan to chart the way forward for the Region is almost completed.

(Reuters) – Roger Federer, who has taken on childhood hero Stefan Edberg as part of his team, thinks the recruitment of former great players as coaches will be good for tennis in the long term.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Leading Jamaican leg-spinner, Odean Brown, will miss the upcoming regional Super50 tournament because of a knee injury.

Facing three charges, including forging a Republic Bank Guyana Ltd cheque for the sum of $295,450, a 25-year-old man was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

(Trinidad Guardian) US oil spill expert Brian Gove says the oil spill ravaging the southwestern coastline is “challenging” and clean-up operations may take up to three months.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Aspiring young Jamaican spinner, Donovan Nelson, increased his chances of national selection with a six wicket haul during the second two-day warm-up trial match which ended here on Monday.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Fifty years ago Martin Luther King departed from a prepared speech to electrify and exalt a quarter of a million people packed into Washington by inviting them to share his dream of a nation in which all men and women would finally be equal regardless of colour.

A 67-year-old man on Monday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court over possessing a shotgun without a licence.

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand, CMC- Rain has delayed the start of the third One Day International (ODI) between West Indies and New Zealand here at the Queenstown Events Centre yesterday.

(Trinidad Express) An investigation has been launched into claims made by a teenager that he was set on fire by officers while in custody at the Princes Town Police Station.

(Trinidad Express) As the year draws to a close, two men were gunned down in El Socorro on Sunday night in what police have described as a drug-related incident.

BRISBANE, (Reuters) – World number one Serena Williams looked rusty in her first competitive match of the season ahead of the Australian Open but battled through to beat Andrea Petkovic 6-4 6-4 at the Brisbane International yesterday.

(The Sports Xchange) – ——-LeBron James scored 26 points and made 10 assists as the Miami Heat beat the reeling Denver Nuggets 97-94 Monday night.

JUBA, (Reuters) – South Sudan’s government and rebels are set for New Year’s Day peace talks in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, to thrash out a ceasefire to end weeks of ethnic bloodletting in the world’s newest state.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC- Jamaica’s Women’s Under-20 team is due to leave here today for a one-week training camp in Florida, the final phase of their preparation for the CONCACAF tournament which kicks off in January.

Dear Editor, Today, December 31, 2013, I had a visit from the postman.

VOLGOGRAD, Russia, (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin yesterday vowed to annihilate all “terrorists” following two deadly bomb attacks in the southern Russian city of Volgograd that raised security fears ahead of the Winter Olympics.

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – A former New Jersey official  yesterday claimed Governor Chris Christie knew about politically motivated traffic jams as they happened, re-igniting a political scandal that has taken a toll on the prominent Republican.

Dear Editor, Chairman of the Police Com-plaints Authority (PCA), retired Justice Cecil Kennard, recently reacted to criticism by explaining how the PCA works and releasing some interesting statistics.

Chief instructor Fernando Marques yesterday applauded the enthusiasm shown by the players who are currently involved in the 2014 South American Volleyball Fed-eration/Guyana Volley-ball Federation’s (GVF) beach volleyball course.

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – U.S. stocks closed out their best year in more than 15 yesterday, with major indexes advancing throughout 2013 on the back of the Federal Reserve’s massive stimulus and expectations for accelerating growth going forward.

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC- An all-round performance from Imran Khanand a powerful half century from all-rounder kevon Cooper inspired the A side to a 57 run win over the B side inTrinidad and Tobago’s final Super50 trial match on Monday.

(Reuters) – India might have lost the brief test series in South Africa but the experience garnered from two tough tests against the top-ranked team will serve them in good stead in tough away campaigns to come over the next year, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said  yesterday.

Dear Editor, I was given an April/May 1988 edition of Guymine News during the festive season and it was one of the best gifts I could have received from a friend.

  WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts asked Congress yesterday to ensure the judiciary has sufficient funding in the coming year following recent budget cuts.

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) – The Vatican felt compelled yesterday to deny that Pope Francis had “abolished sin”, after a well-known Italian intellectual wrote that he had effectively done so through his words and gestures.

Dear Editor, The constitution forms the bedrock to guide society in the laws needed to be developed to manage the nation’s affairs.

(Reuters) – Opening batsman Chris Rogers wants an unchanged Australian team for the fifth and final Ashes test as a reward for the 11 players who beat England in the first four matches to emphatically wrest back the urn.

SAO PAULO,  (Reuters) – Even by Brazilian standards – man, it’s hot.

(Reuters) – Injured fast bowler James Pattinson has returned to the Australia set-up when he was named yesterday for the one-day series against England in January.

Unfortunately, we cannot cherry-pick the vicissitudes of fortune. Thus, when the PPP came to government in 1992, it inherited both Desmond Hoyte’s Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) and the industrial relations environment it had helped to create to obstruct the ERP’s establishment.

Dear Editor, Mr Aubrey Retemyer, a former soldier, takes Dr Roger Luncheon to task because “Dr  Luncheon also questioned the political-military relationship which has been in existence from the nation’s independence up to now.”

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Argentina ends 2013 with a heat wave that has sparked protests over electricity shortages, taking another chunk out of President Cristina Fernandez’s popularity as she faces a rocky final two years in power.

Dear Editor, Instead of making another batch of New Year’s resolutions that you’re probably going to break before January comes to a close, consider the following bad habits and which of these you might want to let go.

The press release on the Article IV consultation between Guyana and the IMF raised several important points, some of which dovetails nicely with the theme of unity and human development.

(Reuters) – Pakistan fast bowlers Junaid Khan and Bilawal Bhatti scythed through Sri Lanka’s batting during an exciting afternoon session to restrict their opponents to 204 on the first day of the opening test in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

  From January 5th, 2014, the new price of the Sunday Stabroek will be $140.

The year has come to an end in the Caricom part of the wider region with the IMF giving approval to Jamaica’s efforts at implementation of its Extended Fund Arrangement which had been laboriously finalized over a prolonged period that saw the electoral defeat of the Jamaica Labour Party Government led by Andrew Holness, and the assumption of office by the People’s National Party led by Portia Simpson, subsequently elected in December of 2011.