Articles published on Thursday, December 31, 2015
The Ministry of the Presidency today announced a Cabinet reshuffle and the creation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Telecommunications to be headed by Raphael Trotman and Catherine Hughes respectively.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Guyana left-hander Shimron Hetmyer has been appointed captain of the West Indies Under-19 squad which will do battle in the ICC Youth World Cup starting next month in Bangladesh.
(Trinidad Guardian) The Government’s intention to split and utilise a portion of the multi-billion Heritage and Stabilsation Fund is a cause for concern to the Opposition.
A head-on collision last night on Carifesta Avenue claimed the lives of three persons including a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) sergeant and his wife.
The Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the sugar industry has said that the beleaguered Guyana Sugar Corporation should aim for full privatisation within three years while also noting that there have already been formal and informal expressions of interest in it.
Following a marathon debate in the House, government last night used its majority to pass the anti-terrorism bill with the opposition abstaining from the vote after raising a number of questions about the “draconian” bill including the inclusion of the death penalty for 14 offences.
Relatives of Trevon April who was shot and killed in a Route 32 minibus on the Demerara Harbour Bridge on Monday said they confirmed his death after reading an article published in yesterday’s edition of the Stabroek News.
The Guyana Police Force yesterday reported that there had been a small percentage increase in serious crime as compared to last year but that as the year ends today those numbers are down from a high at the beginning of the year.
A teen was remanded to prison yesterday after he was charged with the murder of a Bare Root man on Sunday.
Two Bourda Market vendors accused of stealing more than $2 million in milk, cheese and other groceries, were yesterday granted $75,000 bail each by a city court.
North Road man Hilbert ‘Junior’ Benneth died after losing control of his bike on Tuesday afternoon.
The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) reached an agreement on December 29, 2015 for the emoluments and benefits for employees represented by the GPSU for the year 2015.
As investigations into the case where Bel Air Park resident, Nicholas Coates was shot to his knee during a home invasion continue, the police yesterday made their second arrest.
President David Granger and senior APNU+AFC figures yesterday committed to making the governing coalition work and a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said that the alliance will continue at the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE).
The Guyana Police Force has received the audit report on the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) from government and has begun investigations to determine if any criminality was involved in the management of the controversial state holding company.
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson says it is “unlikely” the river taxi service across the Berbice River will cease even as Berbice Bridge toll reductions are set to commence on New Year’s Day.
A Yarrowkabra resident was yesterday remanded to prison on a charge that he had severed another man’s hand.
President David Granger yesterday swore in two more Commissioners to serve on the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and charged them to operate within their mandate, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said Rajendra Bissessar and Dela Atta Kuma Britton, an Attorney-at-Law by profession, were inducted as PUC Commissioners in the presence of the Chairman, Justice Prem Persaud; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and other stakeholders at the Ministry of the Presidency.
The temporary landfill site at Le Repentir Cemetery has been closed as steps are being taken towards opening a new cell at the Haags Bosch facility by midday today to ease a growing garbage problem in the city.
Riddim Squad and Western Tigers will faceoff in the grand finale of the fifth annual GFA/Banks Beer Knockout Championships after they defeated Santos and New Amsterdam United respectively in the semi-finals Tuesday.
Dear Editor, There is a GPL Disconnection notice with a nice, festive border being published in all the newspapers (SN, December 30, page 13).
Miscommunication among three parties has led to them enjoying their favourite meal and engaging in a discussion as to what resulted in the assault charges brought against each other.
Owen Crum-Ewing had three charges brought against him yesterday in the courts of abusive language, disorderly behaviour and assault.
Dear Editor, In an SN letter of Dec 29, writer Edward Gonsalves expressed the view that former President Bharrat Jagdeo and now Leader of the Opposition has acquired a deep understanding of the problems facing Guyana due to the rise in sea level and accompanying drainage problems.
A Diamond Housing Scheme mason was yesterday placed on $15,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of breaking and entering.
Dear Editor, Darren Bravo and a few other batsmen made it seem a little better in the second Test.
A confrontation between a couple last night at their Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home, has led to the arrest of a man who reportedly doused his wife with kersosene before threatening to kill her while armed with a gun.
Dear Editor, Reference is made to PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee’s December 30 letter ‘A group is trying to push an extremist agenda on the administration’ (SN) in which my name is mentioned as being part of this alleged group.
The Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) brought the curtains down on its 2015 calendar of activities with a Cross Country event on Sunday at the National Park.
Dear Editor, Permit me space in your newspaper to respond to a letter penned by Elroy Stephney, in your Wednesday, December 30 edition, under the heading “Government must intervene to restore credibility to GCB.’
Half Mile Bulls reached the final of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) sanctioned Malta Supreme Christmas Open Basketball Championships by downing Victory Valley Royals 61-51 on Tuesday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hard-court.
Two separate larceny charges involving a handbag and pepper will result in two men spending time in jail.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and his eldest daughter, Daniele Harmon-Klien, on Sunday spread holiday cheer to more than 250 children of Phoenix Park, Pouderoyen and neighbouring communities on the West Bank Demerara, at a Christmas party held
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The salary cap of franchises has been raised for next year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League, in what is one of several changes to the region’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
Dear Editor, The long awaited visit to Region Two by First Vice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo took place on Saturday, December 5.
MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Embattled West Indies have come in for high praise from several unexpected quarters, following their fightback against Australia in the just-concluded Test match.
Dear Editor, Now that the rainy season is with us again after a period of a short drought, the National Democratic Council of LBI/Better Hope on the East Coast of Demerara whose administrative office is at Better Hope, should pay some attention to the myriad concerns of its beleaguered ratepayers in Chateau Margot.
DURBAN, (Reuters) – Moeen Ali took three wickets yesterday as England made quick work of securing victory in the first test by bundling out South Africa for 174 before lunch and ensuring a 241-run win on the last day at Kingsmead.
A Friendship man was yesterday reprimanded and placed on a bond for a year after he was charged with assaulting his reputed wife over a text message from a taxi driver.
Three days ago, Regent Street vendor, Keron Herbert died after he was shot several times and the police are still looking for the perpetrator/s.
Dear Editor, Whether you laughed, cried, celebrated, mourned, embarked on new ventures and projects; got married or had a baby; took over the reins of government, or gave up same; 2015 would go down as a very eventful year in Guyana’s history.
A 51-year-old man was yesterday fined after he was read charges of narcotics possession.
MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Marquee West Indies opener Chris Gayle extended his decent form in the Big Bash League but his Melbourne Renegades crashed to a ten-wicket defeat to Perth Scorchers here yesterday.
Dear Editor, I wish to correct a piece of information highlighted by a letter writer in the December 28 edition of Kaieteur News.
DURBAN, (Reuters) – South Africa added wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock and fast bowler Chris Morris to their squad for the second test against England, which starts in Cape Town on Saturday, just minutes after being beaten in the first match in Durban yesterday.
Dear Editor, The power to reduce traffic accidents rests not in the hands of the driver, but in the voice(s) of the passengers.
NORRISTOWN, Pa., (Reuters) – Bill Cosby was charged yesterday with sexually assaulting a woman after plying her with drugs and alcohol in 2004, marking the only criminal case against the once-beloved performer whose father-figure persona has been tainted by dozens of misconduct accusations.
Dear Editor, I am writing to enlighten you about two issues which are not being addressed by our new government, and should be looked into urgently as our independence celebration is upon us.
KUALA LUMPUR, (Reuters) – Rivers and the sea ran red in parts of Malaysia this week after two days of heavy rain brought an increase in run-off from the booming and largely unregulated bauxite mining industry.
Time for a drink: This garbage picker got some refreshment at the Lusignan landfill on Tuesday surrounded by refuse.
DURBAN, (Reuters) – Fast bowler James Anderson is set to return to the England side for the second test starting in Cape Town on Saturday, boosting their chances of a repeat win as South Africa declared their front-line bowler Dale Steyn doubtful.
LONDON, (Reuters) – British Prime Minister David Cameron’s policy chief apologised yesterday after a newly released memo from 30 years ago revealed he had blamed poor morals in the black community for riots and said any investment would be wasted on discos and drugs.
Water fun: Children cavorting in this pool of water near Mandela Avenue on Tuesday.
CHICAGO, (Reuters) – Rain-swollen rivers in the U.S. Midwest forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents, threatened crops and livestock and left scores of buildings underwater yesterday after days of extreme weather in which 24 people died.
BOGOTA, (Reuters) – Colombia has declared a red alert because of low water levels in two key rivers which supply hundreds of towns and cities in the South American country, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – A U.S. federal judge identified the former president of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, as one of several alleged co-conspirators in a bribery scheme that helped SAP to sell millions of dollars in software to Panama, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.
Dear Editor, Guyana has never seen democracy played out in its truest form in a way which benefits the people since independence.
Dear Editor, A new year comes. People have their resolutions; I have questions.
When we focus too narrowly on what happens close to home — whether that be Guyana, Caricom, or the Americas — we tend to forget how difficult and uncertain political, social and economic progress has been in many other countries.
CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela’s Supreme Court yesterday blocked four newly elected lawmakers from taking office after a legal challenge by the ruling Socialist Party, which was roundly defeated by the opposition coalition in the Dec.
Dear Editor, Those who read my cricket pieces would, and indeed, should have been annoyed at the absence of the captain`s name in the last piece.
(The Sports Xchange) – Highlights of Tuesday’s National Basketball Association games: – – – Cavaliers 93, Nuggets 87 LeBron James scored 34 points and Iman Shumpert had a season-high 16 as Cleveland beat Denver 93-87 on Tuesday.
DURBAN, (Reuters) – Captain Hashim Amla said South Africa were suffering a crisis of confidence following a woeful 2015 which culminated with a 241-run defeat to England in the first test yesterday.
