Daily Archive: Saturday, May 23, 2015

Managers/Directors of the newly renamed Ministry of Public Infrastructure were challenged by the incumbent Minister, David Patterson, during an interactive meeting at the Ministry’s Boardroom yesterday to be proactive in how they manage their respective agencies/departments.

The Guyana-China Business Council has raised $5.5M for the ongoing clean-up work around Georgetown and its environs, a release from the council said today.

The opposition People’s Progressive Party today said that it viewed with deep concern the appointment of the APNU+AFC government of twenty-six ministers with as many as three in one ministry.

The police say they are conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Chandroutie Persaud, 68 years, of River View Squatting Area, Mahaica, ECD, whose body was found in her home at about 0530h.

DUBLIN, (Reuters) – Ireland appears to have voted heavily in favour of allowing same-sex marriage in a historic referendum that marks a dramatic social shift in the traditionally Catholic country, government ministers and opponents of the bill said on Saturday.

  Nine new ministers were yesterday appointed for the new APNU+AFC administration and there is at least one still to be sworn in, which would swell the number to 25, but President David Granger said the junior appointees would be understudying their seniors.

Reform of the Guyana Police Force is high on the agenda of the newly-appointed APNU+AFC Minister of National Security Khemraj Ramjattan, who yesterday zeroed in on the modernisation and professionalising of the agency as his priorities.

The new APNU+AFC government has taken a decision not to completely scrap the Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) but would be incorporating it into a broad security agency that will be established soon, according to President David Granger.

A young mother was on Thursday night knifed to death and police have arrested her best friend for the crime.

Former president Donald Ramotar yesterday refused to answer questions about why he chose to pardon a man sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murdering an eight-year-old boy.

International observers made premature declarations on the May 11 general elections prior to the Statements of Polls (SoPs) being verified by the returning officers with polling agents, former president Bharrat Jagdeo stated yesterday.

New Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton says he plans focus on reducing the maternal mortality rate, the suicide rate and ensuring much needed training for staff in the health care sector as well as the availability of medical supplies.

Improving the lives of ordinary Guyanese citizens, especially the poor, is a “priority” for newly-appointed Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) have secured the support of the European Union (EU) in their efforts to restore City Hall to its former glory.

A rural constable was shot early yesterday morning during attempts to apprehend armed bandits who invaded a Werk-en-Rust home and stole over $1M in valuables.

Baishanlin International Forest Development yesterday donated $1M to the government-led clean-up efforts which started at Independence Arch last Sunday.

Three persons including a woman are currently in police custody in connection with the armed robbery of a Skeldon businessman in which almost $2M in cash was carted away on Thursday.

Four of the five men who were charged with the murder of kidnapped businessman Rajendra Singh were yesterday committed to stand trial at the High Court.

The Surinamese woman who was nabbed at the Ogle Airport with cocaine hidden in her vagina was one of two women charged with drug trafficking in the city yesterday.

A young employee of an airport handling service has been charged in connection with the cocaine in crème liqueur drug bust at the JFK Airport in New York last December.

After seven years on the run, murder accused Kendell Skeete was held on Thursday by police.

India’s President Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated President David Granger on his election and voiced his confidence about strengthened ties between their two countries.

Two and a half months after political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing was gunned down, investigators have had little success in finding his killers but the newly-appointed National Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has vowed that he will not allow the man’s death to become another unsolved crime.

The Guyana Rastafari Council, on behalf of the Rastafari Community of Guyana, has extended congratulations to President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on their campaign’s recent victory in the national elections.

Dear Editor, I write this letter conscious of the likely risk of offending comrades in the APNU and thousands of its supporters who are at present enjoying and celebrating the electoral defeat of the PPP/C , the coming to office of the APNU+AFC coalition and the installation of our newly elected Head of State, President David Granger.

Dear Editor, I do not believe that Dominic Gaskin needs anyone to defend his appointment as Minister in President Granger’s cabinet.

Guyanese born, world renowned bodybuilding legend, Laura Creavalle returned home yesterday after 15 years to host a fitness seminar and to celebrate the first anniversary of the Maximum Sports Combat and Strength Show.

As the lone overseas player in the Guyana Jaguars side, Barbadian Raymon Reifer is looking to build on his debut season and to grab the attention of the West Indies selectors once chosen to represent his adopted country again for the upcoming 2015/16 Professional Cricket League (PCL) tournament.

Dear Editor, Having read of President Granger’s seemingly sudden decision to rename the Convention Centre, my personal analysis leads me to believe that his decision was not well thought out.

The Guyana Lottery Company has agreed to offer part sponsorship to senior national female rugby player, Andrea Ashley ahead of the national team’s international engagement next month in Raleigh, N.C

Dear Editor, Guyana Trans United (GTU) and other concerned individuals and groups wish to voice our collective displeasure and distress over the recent decision by Magistrate Renita Singh in a case between a member of GTU and a driver for the MMC security company.

Fyrish Black Sharks secured their semi-final berth in the inaugural NPG Packaging first division competition squeaking past Smythfield Rockers by a 63-62 score line on Sunday at the Fyrish Basketball Court.

Dear Editor, Things are unfolding quickly in Guyana and the new government seems anxious to restore decency, and informed and intelligent decision-making at the level of central government.

Many of us may have heard of Bravo Arts, some may have witnessed its work first-hand, while others may have actually experienced it.

RANCHI, India, CMC – Chris Gayle threatened to spoil the party but Chennai Super Kings did just enough to pull off a tense three-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore with a ball to spare, to storm into tomorrow’s final of the Indian Premier League.

Dear Editor, There are two fish port complexes which were built by the Hoyte government, one at Charity and the other at Lima Essequibo Coast, with an ice plant for the local fishing fleet.

Dear Editor, I am writing on behalf of the youths and the Kittitians and Nevisians who have similar questions.

LONDON, CMC – Sir Curtly Ambrose says he is all for the exciting Twenty20 format but believes Test cricket remains the holy grail of the international game.

Dear Editor, Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN), in collaboration with SEWA-GUYANA and the Cornelia Ida Mandir, quietly conducted its 9th annual blood donation drive on May 2 and 3 last.

“Guyana, Guyana, this fair land of ours Has broken the bondage of far distant powers, We love you Guyana from high land to sea, And pray God make worthy your children to be.

LONDON, CMC – Legendary fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose believes West Indies should focus in short term on a top three spot in World cricket, instead of concerning themselves with trying to return to the pinnacle of the world game.

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Cuba and the United States reported making progress toward restoring diplomatic relations following two days of talks and pledged yesterday to continue informal negotiations in the coming weeks.

Dear Editor,   Guyanese are living all over the planet and with a new government in office, most are very optimistic that the APNU+AFC will turn the country around after 49 years of mismanagement, first by the People’s National Con-gress (PNC) under Forbes Burnham and worse yet by the People’s Progressive Party (Civic) under the leadership of Bharrat Jagdeo and later Donald Ramotar.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC – After clinching the One-Day International series convincingly, West Indies Women have now set their sights on sweeping the three-match Twenty20 series which bowls off at the R Premadasa Stadium here today.

Hi Everyone,  Do you find that as you get older, that you repeat yourself?

BOGOTA, (Reuters) – Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels suspended a unilateral ceasefire after government troops killed 26 of its fighters, the guerrilla group said yesterday, a move that will likely ratchet up tension at peace talks to end five decades of war.

Dear Editor, Firstly, the sound of congratulatory music will soon fade; the flags and banners which were held aloft, will soon be encased and stored.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor mastered a lifeless England attack to lift New Zealand to 303 for two at the close on the second day of the first test at Lord’s yesterday.

MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – At least 42 people were killed yesterday in western Mexico in a gunfight between suspected gang members and security forces, two government officials said, the latest bloodshed in an area that has been plagued by violent drug gangs.

Dear Editor, The IPL has an excellent business model − excellent wages, good profits and a short season.

Reigning Chutney king Roger Hinds also known as ‘Young Bill Rogers’ will perform next Saturday, May 30 at the Guyana Day in Florida, USA.

LAHORE, (Reuters) – Pakistan marked international cricket’s return to the trouble-torn country with a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 International at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Brazil will freeze 69.9 billion reais ($22.58 billion) worth of spending on investment, education and health programs this year, limiting outlays in a bid to convince investors that President Dilma Rousseff is committed to saving the nation’s investment-grade rating.

Dear Editor, Newly-elected President David Granger must take stem action against squatters whether they are his party supporters or supporters of the People’s Progressive Party.

(Trinidad Express) Integrity Commission deputy chairman Justice Sebastian Ventour on Thursday tendered his resignation saying he was “flabbergasted” with the Commission’s decision to terminate its investigation into Emailgate.

New ministers sworn in yesterday: From left are Jaipaul Sharma, who is Junior Finance Minister; Valerie Garrido-Lowe, who is Junior Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister; Raphael Trotman, Minister of Governance; Dominic Gaskin, Minister of Business; Sydney Allicock, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister; Khemraj Ramjattan, Second Vice-President and National Security Minister; President David Granger; Prime Minister and First Vice-President Moses Nagamootoo; Noel Holder, Minister of Agriculture; Keith Scott, Junior Minister of Infrastructure; and Winston Felix, Minister of Citizenship.

DHAKA, (Reuters) – Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim faces a race against time to be fit for the one-off test against India next month after the wicketkeeper-batsman was advised a week’s rest to recover from a finger injury.

While preparing for Guyana Fashion Week scheduled for November, Sonia Noel has been taking her ‘lattice becomes lace’ couture to distant shores.

I got the chance to style Lisa Punch again last Saturday for the Swearing-In Ceremony for President David Granger.

BEIRUT, (Reuters) – Almost a year after Islamic State’s shock capture of Mosul, Iraq’s second city, the black flags of the jihadis have been raised over Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province to the west of Baghdad, seat of Iraq’s increasingly theoretical central government.

(Reuters) – The Golden State Warriors survived a stirring James Harden-inspired fightback to take command of the Western Conference Final with a 99-98 Game Two victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

On June 6, when Barcelona face Juventus in the UEFA Champions league final in Berlin’s Olympiastadion, millions of fans around the world will gather to watch the match in communal settings like pubs and sports bars.

(Trinidad Express) Two weeks after Cyrus Fulchan was gunned down in Valencia, his younger brothers were also murdered.

Dear Editor, While the legitimacy of the election is being debated in public and will be addressed by the court, I wish to focus on the incoming list of parliamentarians as well as the list of regional councillors and chairs.