Daily Archive: Friday, January 8, 2016

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Batsman Leon Johnson and left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell have both been handed retainer contracts by the West Indies Cricket Board, despite not featuring for the regional side over the last year.

Several staff members from Digicel Guyana paid a visit to the Mahaica Children’s Home to deliver school packs and grocery items for the girls that are living at the home.

Staymon George and Aaron Wilfred Hing are wanted by the police for questioning in relation to the disappearance of British citizen Dominic Bernard, the police said this afternoon.

SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Legendary former Australia Test captain Ian Chappell says he would support an international ban on West Indies batting star Chris Gayle for his controversial on-air flirtations with a female television reporter.

LONDON, (Reuters) – David Bowie marked his 69th birthday today with the release of a new album, “Blackstar”, with critics giving the thumbs up to the latest work in a long and innovative career.

Twenty-one students of Bartica, Region Seven, today, received bicycles from the Government as part of President David Granger’s ‘Buses, Boats and Bicycles’ programme aimed at ensuring that all of Guyana’s children are able to attend school, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said.

The Ministry of Agriculture today received a drone which will be used to help combat climate change, GINA said.

The Ministry of Public Health is closely monitoring the indigenous community of Baramita, Region One, after several cases of vomiting and diarrhoea were detected in the area, GINA said today.

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams, and Canadian Chargé d’Affaires, Sharmini Poulin, visited the Police Training Centre on Friday afternoon to meet with police, police prosecutors and state prosecutors who are being trained under the Canadian funded project “Strengthening the Guyanese Criminal Justice System”, a release from his ministry said.

Ambassador Jernej Videtič, Head of Delegation of the EU to Guyana and Omattie Madray, Managing Director of ChildLink today signed a grant contract to implement the project titled “Child Rights Alliance”.

The Guyana Water Inc today said that a disconnection team contracted by it was attacked twice and one of the workers severely injured.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) today expressed concern over the reported search of the home of Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur by officials of the GRA.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) today said that it is alarmed to learn that the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) is involved in a money laundering investigation of a major financial institution as per a headline in the Kaieteur News of Wednesday January 6, 2016.

At about 2045h. last night police ranks acting on information received went to an abandoned lot at Rose Hall, Corentyne, where they arrested escaped prisoner Neshan Jagmohan.

(Trinidad Guardian) Chutney soca artiste Samraj “Rikki Jai” Jaimungal had to beg for his life after a gunman who shot at him and missed kept the loaded gun pointed at his waist for approximately three of the most terrifying minutes of his life, as he demanded money and other valuables in exchange for Jaimungal’s life on Wednesday.

In a historic first, the National Assembly yesterday approved budget proposals of some constitutional agencies outside of the main budget presentation but the process was held up for hours as the two sides squabbled over who was responsible for answering questions on the Audit Office and Finance Minister Winston Jordan also faced heat for “cutting” figures for several agencies.

A Corentyne businessman is now dead after he was shot and chopped by two bandits who invaded his home on Wednesday night.

Although 50-year-old Vishnunarine “Shook” Sugrim was infected with the H1N1 virus, he did not die from the swine flu, according to his family.

Just days after announcing plans to end vending along a strip of the Merriman Mall, Town Clerk Royston King yesterday said that vendors would be allowed to resume selling in two weeks, with the conditions that their operations are clean and environmentally-friendly.

Following a double suicide on Wednesday on the East Bank of Berbice, President David Granger yesterday convened an emergency meeting of several ministers and vowed a hands-on approach to the scourge which has seen Guyana being tagged with the highest rate globally.

Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited says it rejects any assertion that it has been engaged in money laundering activities.

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Veteran opener Devon Smith missed out on a hundred as Windward Islands Volcanoes edged Guyana Jaguars by one run courtesy of the Duckworth/Lewis method in their opening Group B, Regional Super50 game here yesterday.

(Reuters) – Trent Boult produced an economical spell of bowling to take three wickets and help New Zealand to a tense three-run win over Sri Lanka in their first Twenty20 international yesterday.

Members of the tax reform panel set up by former President Donald Ramotar in 2011 yesterday listed unfavourable regimens which should be addressed and adverted to the findings of an international study which showed a concentration of tax collection from a limited number of taxpayers.

Chinese company Baishanlin’s forestry operations have stopped as the company seeks further financing, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has said.

ZURICH, (Reuters) – FIFA’s ethics judges announced yesterday they had opened formal proceedings against suspended Secretary General Jerome Valcke over alleged corruption involving World Cup ticket sales, one of many scandals now surrounding soccer’s governing body.

New Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes is assuring that there will be a level playing field for both small and large-scale operators in the mining and forestry sectors.

SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Not even a fine all-round effort from West Indies star Andre Russell was enough to save Sydney Thunder from crashing to a 30-run defeat to Perth Scorchers, in the Australian Big Bash here yesterday.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force defeated Jamaica Scorpions by 84 runs in their Group B game of the Regional Super50 at Queen’s Park Oval here yesterday.

Courts made a new millionaire out of another customer, who was awarded $2 million in prize money after he was declared the winner of the company’s Big Prize promotion on Wednesday.

Up to press time yesterday, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was reviewing over 100 symbols submitted for approval by political parties, voluntary groups and individual candidates wishing to contest Local Government Elections (LGE).

Following a hiatus due to the Christmas season, the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League Championships will resume today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with a doubleheader from 18:30hrs.

With arid weather continuing in Region Nine, a Guyana Water Inc (GWI) team will be addressing defective pumps and providing other help.

(The Sports Xchange) – In Kyrie Irving’s seventh game since breaking his kneecap in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard broke the hearts of the Washington Wizards.

CAPE TOWN, (Reuters) – Out-of-favour England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler is being encouraged by coach Trevor Bayliss to play in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) to hone his limited overs skills.

An East La Penitence man was yesterday freed of charges of assault and using abusive language after his accusers decided against pursuing their complaints.

ABUJA, (Reuters) – Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was named African Footballer of the Year yesterday, beating Yaya Toure to the award when the winner was unveiled at the Confederation of African football.

A teen was remanded to prison on Wednesday after being once again charged with using violence against his stepfather.

ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad, CMC – Seasoned left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn combined with left-hander Jonathan Carter to deliver Barbados Pride a nervy four-wicket win over ICC Americas, in their opening game of the Regional Super50 here yesterday.

Dear Editor, Management would like to thank Messrs Sahadeo Bates and George Daniels for expressing their concerns about the services offered by the airport’s Red Cap porters and taxi drivers.

Jewan Persaud, who is accused of shoplifting from a city supermarket, was on Wednesday placed on $25,000 bail after he blamed a mix up for the charge.

Dear Editor The media on January 6 and 7, reported on the case of a 20 or 21-year-old man and 14-year-old girl who were found dead in East Berbice.

President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) Philip Fernandes says the focus of 2016 will be on youth development at various levels and international competition such as the impending Boys and Girls Pan American Junior Championships.

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia’s David Warner lit up the fifth day of the weather-ravaged third test against West Indies with an 82-ball century before the dead rubber contest petered out in a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) yesterday.

Dear Editor, Please allow me to respond to an article written by Mr B Balkarran which was published in the Stabroek News and the Kaieteur News on Thursday, January 7, in relation to co-operatives in Guyana (‘The enquiry into coops should start at head office’ SN, Jan 7).

Paul Persaud, the Albouystown cart man accused of robbing a woman of hundreds of thousands of dollars in diamonds and other items, was on Wednesday granted bail in the sum of $100,000 by a city court.

(The Sports Xchange) – Blake Griffin is coming back sometime soon from his quad injury, but until he does, his team mates are making out just fine.

Dear Editor, I write in relation to a self-imposed mandate that is arbitrarily being applied by various government and other agencies, including GPL, GRA, GT&T, NIS, etc.

Dear Editor, In a news article of January 5, it was reported that Bharrat Jagdeo, former President of Guyana and now Leader of the Opposition has warned that his party will oppose any move to privatize the sugar industry (GuySuCo).

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – West Indies spurned the chance to make the final day of the drawn third test into a genuine contest by turning down Australia’s offer to chase a victory target of 370 from 70 overs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

At about 10:00h on Wednesday, police ranks in ‘F’ Division whilst on patrol at Ekereku, stumbled upon a field of suspected marijuana plants.

(Reuters) – The Portland Trail Blazers committed a clerical error with their roster that prohibited guard C.J.

Dear Editor, I would like to congratulate the Critchlow Labour College administration for bringing off their graduation exercises after a hiatus.

What appears to be evidence of significantly higher costs for biodegradable food containers is likely to impact on the widely popular take-away and street vending food culture with indications pointing to a likely knock-on rise in food prices.

A team of Coast Guards and two police officers is expected to reach the yacht today where the body of a man and his dog were spotted earlier in the week.

A man facing charges of assault and using threatening language yesterday told a city court that he was provoked by the victim.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Two top Russian athletics officials and the son of former world governing body President Lamine Diack were banned from the sport for life yesterday for covering up an elite Russian athlete’s positive dope test and blackmailing her over it.

A protracted period of low world market prices coupled with the slowing down of China’s economy continues to ensure the ongoing underperformance of Guyana’s bauxite industry, newly appointed Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman disclosed at a press conference held at the Cara Lodge Hotel on Wednesday.

Dear Editor, Governments will always begin with good intentions and they will always manage to turn some of these good intentions into actions which contain some good.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition wants to use its majority in the new congress to bring the central bank back under legislative control in a first measure to try to influence economic policy, lawmakers said.

WELLINGTON, (Reuters) – Fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who spent time in jail and served a five-year ban for spot-fixing, has been granted a visa to travel to New Zealand for Pakistan’s limited overs matches later this month, immigration officials said yesterday.

Dear Editor, The recent public disclosures by the union GAWU as to the authenticity of data pertaining to sugar workers’ earnings, as contained in the released findings of the GuySuCo Commission of Inquiry (CoI), raises many doubts about the credibility and objectivity of the CoI.

More than thirty years of involvement in singing gospel music has brought Miriam Williams to a place of greater enlightenment and realism about the pursuit that is her passion.

Trees along Brickdam are still being hacked apart and residents and the city are still to figure out who is responsible.

(Trinidad Guardian) A 30-year-old Tunapuna man accused of trafficking a minor and inciting her into prostitution has been granted TT$2 million bail.

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – China’s yuan firmed in early trade today after the central bank strengthened its official rate for the first time in nine trading days.

General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU)) Lincoln Lewis says the failure of the APNU+AFC administration to clear the way for arbitration with the RUSAL-owned BCGI on protracted labour issues raises doubts about the government’s pre-elections commitments.

At about 1000h on Wednesday, police ranks in ‘F’ Division whilst on mobile patrol conducted a search on a man at Agatash, Bartica, during which an unlicensed .32 revolver was found.

Dear Editor, I was given a special invitation by the Prime Minister’s office to attend the commissioning of the Lima pump at 11am and to attend a special meeting with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder at 1.30 pm on January 4, at State House to discuss the way forward with rice production and agriculture in Region Two.

BARCELONA, Jan 7 (Reuters) – All eyes will be on new Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and on how he delivers his brand of attacking football spearheaded by the ‘BBC’ in his first match in charge against Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga tomorrow.

East Bank Essequibo residents flocked the Multi-purpose Centre at Farm on Monday where they benefitted from free medical services provided by a team of doctors from the USA.

ZURICH, (Reuters) – Banned European soccer boss president Michel Platini has withdrawn his candidacy from the race for the presidency of soccer’s scandal-plagued governing body FIFA, he told French sports daily L’Equipe yesterday.

RIO DE JANEIRO, (Reuters) – Brazil’s health ministry promised yesterday to hire nearly 2,500 medical staff in the state of Rio de Janeiro as it scrambles to help local authorities deal with a funding crisis that has left hospitals under-staffed and ill equipped.

Gold Prices for the three day period ending Thursday January 7, 2016

Dear Editor, I am convinced more and more every day that my desire to see an inaugural ex-offender rehabilitation centre established in Guyana is rooted in logic and basic common sense.

GASCI (www.gasci.com/telephone Nº 223-6175/6) reports that session 649’s trading results showed consideration of $1,631,490 from 66,740 shares traded in 4 transactions as compared to session 648’s trading results, which showed consideration of $221,603 from 11,783 shares traded in 2 transactions.

Dear Editor, As a youth of the Alliance For Change, I would like to take this opportunity to give my unequivocal support to the private member’s bill brought to the National Assembly entitled ‘An Act to amend the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Control Act 1988’ (Bill No 17, 2015).

(Trinidad Guardian) Accused gang leader Rajaee Ali and 11 members of his organisation accused of assassinating Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal have succeeded in their bid to have Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar recuse herself from their preliminary inquiry.

MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – Embattled West Indies batting star Chris Gayle plans to sue Fairfax Media for the publication of an article alleging he indecently exposed himself in a Sydney dressing room during last year’s ICC Cricket World Cup.

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, (Reuters) – The United States called on China yesterday to end “business as usual” with its ally North Korea after Pyongyang defied world powers by announcing it had tested a hydrogen bomb.

MISRATA, Libya (Reuters) – At least 47 people were killed yesterday when Libya’s worst bomb attack since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi hit a police training centre as hundreds of recruits gathered for a morning meeting.

Business Cartoon

Firdose Moonda, the South African cricket journalist, has written a wonderful article (‘Africa applauds a son of transformation’) on ESPNcricinfo, on the significance of Temba Bavuma’s century against England, on Tuesday, in the just concluded Test at Cape Town.

Politikles

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – A rare crested macaque that took a now internationally famous “selfie” cannot own the copyright to the photograph because he is not human, a U.S.

Pole down on Vlissengen: A fallen utility pole on Vlissengen road provided an obstacle for the traffic to steer away from yesterday.

During the Group “B” match between Guyana Jaguars and Windward Islands Volcanoes in the NAGICO Super50 Tournament on Thursday, January 7, 2016 at the St.

HAVANA, (Reuters) – Germany and Cuba yesterday agreed to open a trade office in Havana that would help German businesses seeking to invest in the Communist-led island and possibly increase the current 225 million euros ($244.22 million) in annual bilateral trade.

ASUNCION, (Reuters) – Paraguayan state prosecutors yesterday raided the headquarters of South American soccer confederation CONMEBOL after a request for cooperation from U.S.

Dear Editor,   Independence found me a mere child. This infant nation and I started out together, except I left her, abandoned her, for some three decades and counting.

There was something more than a trifle curious about last week’s announcement that City Hall had called a halt to construction work on the 81-82 Camp and Robb streets construction site after it had been determined that the developer had apparently gone ahead with the exercise without receiving the requisite permission from the City Engineer’s Department.

During May-June last year   they solemnly and spitefully promised to deliver what we – meaning all those not with them – seem to be receiving: A cheated-not-defeated/oppose-expose-depose parliamentary and political opposition.

The once thriving Buxton Market persists through episodes of community stigmatization and tragedy which the proud and prominent East Coast Demerara village has had to endure.

STILL ON THE JOB: Workers on this Robb & Camp streets construction site where the Town Clerk had issued a stop  work order after it had been determined that the relevant documentation from the City Engineer’s Department had not been secured were seen at work (atop the partially erected structure) yesterday.