Daily Archive: Thursday, January 1, 2015

President Donald Ramotar (left), First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar (right) and Top Cop Seelall Persaud (second from right) at the police ball.

ALBANY, N.Y., (Reuters) – Mario Cuomo, the three-time governor of New York who turned down several invitations to seek the U.S.

Lindley Geborde (the legendary eagle) and his partner at Georgetown Club last night.

An exuberant greeting from President Donald Ramotar to a couple at the GDF ball.

This couple was showing how it should be done at the GDF ball at Camp Ayanganna

The well-decorated ballroom at Camp Ayanganna last night.

Commander-in-Chief President Donald Ramotar (right) and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar (second from right) with celebrants at the GDF ball at Camp Ayanganna.

The lady and the gentleman, elegantly attired for the occasion at Camp Ayanganna.

This family enjoyed old year’s night at the Kitty seawall.

The nativity scene at the Brickdam Cathedral last night.

Worshippers preparing for the New Year at the Brickdam Cathedral.

Toddlers were also in attendance with their families at St Andrew’s Kirk.

Part of the ceremonies heralding the New Year at St Andrew’s Kirk

Preparing for the New Year at St Andrew’s Kirk, Brickdam.

Ringing in the new year at St Andrew’s Kirk.

At about 0800h. today, the police say that Police Constable Mohamed Salim who is stationed in ‘D’ Division (West Demerara/East Bank Essequibo) was on the main road at Vergenoegen, EBE, when a motor vehicle drove past from which shots were discharged at him.

At about 2130h. last night, police say that Errol Campbell, 33 years, of Ann’s Grove, ECD, was involved in an altercation with two other men at Ann’s Grove during which he was stabbed about his body.

CAIRO, (Reuters) – Egypt’s highest court has ordered a retrial of three jailed journalists working for Al Jazeera television, citing procedural flaws in last year’s trial, defence lawyers said on Thursday.

President Donald Ramotar last night said that “within months” the government expected to achieve financial closure and the start of construction of the Amaila Hydropower Project (AFHP) for which he announced Norway has transferred US$80M to the IDB.

By Suraj Narine   Sales during this Christmas past were not satisfactory according to some business owners who said that Chinese businesses dominated the market; other businesspersons chose to “accept and bless” their takings for the holiday season.

By Kenesha Fraser A 25-year-old mother of two and clerk at the Region Two Department of Education Office died on Tuesday at the Suddie Hospital along with her unborn child, and her mother is blaming hospital officials for neglecting to provide blood transfusions.

Less than a week after cradling her newborn baby on Christmas Day, a young woman died at the Georgetown Public Hospital yesterday.

A 22-year-old minibus driver, who is accused of causing the death of his uncle 16 months ago and going into hiding after the incident, was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Well-known Guyanese who have served key sectors with distinction transitioned during 2014, several of them losing their battles with cancer and leaving behind their countrymen and women to grapple with life’s vicissitudes and successes.

The Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday handed over five boats valued at $76.8M to the Guyana Police Force Marine Department that will enable the force to better respond to crimes on the waterways.

Even as two power plants were commissioned on Wakenaam Island yesterday, and the promise of 24-hour electricity floated, residents were asked not to get irritated if blackouts came once in a while.

Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee yesterday lashed out at the media for their reportage of burgeoning crime, road fatalities and numerous security issues and events last year, deeming them deliberate smear attacks on his ministry.

Based on sightings and the assumption that the missing Air Services Limited (ASL) aircraft was flying its normal route without any malfunctioning, the search and rescue operation has been narrowed down to the Black Water area.

A young Plaisance husband has been plunged into further grief after his wife passed away at the Georgetown Public Hospital, a mere two months after they lost their five-month-old baby to bronchopneumonia.

By Tony Co0zier INFLUENTIAL pressure continues to mount on West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron and his directors for their handling of the team’s abandonment of the tour of India in October and the subsequent fallout.

A Courtland Village construction worker, who allegedly tied up his reputed wife overnight, burnt her with cigarettes and a knife and attempted to burn the bed she was tied to, has been placed on $200,000 bail after he was charged with unlawful wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Corentyne man was refused bail in the Albion Magistrate Court on Tuesday after he was charged with robbery with violence.

An 18-year-old Crabwood Creek resident was refused bail on Monday in the Whim Magistrate’s Court after he was charged with robbery under arms.

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy yesterday acknowledged that the 216,000 tonnes sugar target for 2014 which GuySuCo met was a modest one.

Bridgetown, Barbados – Shane Dowrich slammed a fine century and in-form fellow wicket-keeper/batsman Shai Hope missed out on a hundred by four runs in a high-scoring and exciting third Barbados one-day trial match at Dayrells Road yesterday.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday unveiled its team of distinguished cricketers who will contribute expert columns in the lead up to and during the ICC’s pinnacle event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which begins in Australia and New Zealand on 14 February.

Orealla/Siparuta has lauded the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) for providing employment and bringing much needed revenue and development projects to the region.

A 27-year-old taxi driver was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with having an unlicensed gun, which the police say he stashed in his pants crotch.

It will be a battle of the Groves when Grove Hi-Tech opposes Ann’s Grove in the inaugural final of the East Coast Football Association/East Demerara Football Association/Berbice Football Association Stag Beer football tourney today at the No.

Familiar foes will renew their rivalry when Alpha United battle the Guyana Defence Force in the grand finale of the fourth annual Georgetown Football Association Banks Beer Cup today at the National Stadium in Providence.

Five more persons have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and two were fined $7,500 each after pleading guilty.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, CMC – West Indies touched down in Cape Town earlier yesterday, pondering the balance of their side ahead of tomorrow’s start of the final Test against South Africa at Newlands.

The beginning of a new year is generally a time of reflection and resolution making.

Dear Editor, It is most tragic that GuySuCo has found itself in such a difficult position again at the end of 2014 where it no closer to covering its operating costs.

ADELAIDE, Australia, CMC – Darren Sammy failed with the bat and Kieron Pollard had little to do as his Adelaide Strikers easily defeated Hobart Hurricanes by eight wickets in the Big Bash League here yesterday.

Dear Editor,   Newsweek, the respectable international magazine reported yesterday that crude oil prices tumbled Monday, with global grades settling down more than $1 a barrel after an early rally fizzled and prices fell to their lowest levels since May 2009.

Dear Editor, In discussing the poor fielding performance of the WI team in the first Test, there was no mention of the absence of Gayle, one of the few specialist slippers, from the slip cordon, the absence of Darren Bravo, the most improved fieldsman in the region, the absence of Dwayne Bravo, one of the world`s great fieldsmen, or the absence of Sammy (recently retired) whom Gavaskar described as one of the best slip fielders in the world.

HARARE, (Reuters) – Dav Whatmore has been unveiled as the new Zimbabwe coach with the Australian agreeing to an initial contract that runs until the end of the World Cup early next year.

RAMALLAH, West Bank, (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed on to 20 international agreements on Wednesday, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a day after a bid for independence by 2017 failed at the United Nations Security Council.

(The Sports Xchange) – – – -Forward Paul Milsap scored 10 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to help the Atlanta Hawks ease by a LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers by 109 points to 101.

(Reuters) – Australia may have sealed the four-test series against India but the final match in Sydney could prove the most emotionally taxing for the hosts as they return to the venue where Phillip Hughes was fatally struck by a bouncer last month.

SEOUL, (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he was open to a high-level summit with neighbouring South Korea, days after a proposal from Seoul to resume dialogue.

Port of Spain, Trinidad – T&T’s senior cricket team will be bolstered by the return of their top West Indies players for the upcoming Nagico Super50 tournament that will be played in T&T from January 15.

Dear Editor, Now that M Maxwell has acknowledged his errant conduct in misrepresenting the constitution ‘Wrong version of the constitution was quoted’ (SN, December 29), he needs to inform this nation how his call for a new constitution through referendum can be realised in the absence of the present constitution and its attendant laws, as requested via letter ‘Constitutional conversation’ (SN, December 12).

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Rookie West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite has jumped 11 places in the International Cricket Council batting rankings, and into the top 40 for the first time in his career.

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – JP Duminy has been named in the South African Twenty20 squad for the three-match home series against West Indies next month, but a number of other top players will again be rested.

GENEVA, (Reuters) – The Ebola virus is still spreading in West Africa, especially in Sierra Leone, and the number of known cases globally has now exceeded 20,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday.

Introduction: Stabroek News has invited the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change to submit a weekly column on governance and related matters.

Dear Editor,   I decided to present readers with a New Year gift.

(Reuters) – Luise Rainer, the German-born actress who made cinema history by winning back-to-back Oscars as best actress for the 1936 musical “The Great Ziegfeld” and the 1937 drama “The Good Earth” during a brief, stormy Hollywood career, died on Tuesday at age 104.

Dear Editor,   It is my sincere prayer that you and the entire staff of the Stabroek News would have a most happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.

HAVANA, (Reuters) – Cuba freed some leading dissidents yesterday after holding them overnight to thwart an unauthorized demonstration in a crackdown that has tested its new detente with the United States.

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – A stampede killed at least 35 people during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Shanghai, authorities said, possibly caused by people rushing to pick up fake money thrown from a building overlooking the city’s famed Bund waterfront district.

On the stroke of midnight and way into the wee hours of today, many persons would have been singing the traditional ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

On this, our first day of the New Year, I should be concentrating on beginnings, not endings.

Residents of Wakenaam, one of the largest islands located in the Essequibo River are now benefiting from a 24-hour electricity service, as the Guyana Power and Light Inc.

In his address to the nation this morning, President Donald Ramotar said he envisaged that there could be financial closure for the controversial Amaila Falls hydropower project “within months”.