Daily Archive: Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee says that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) will have to arrest him at his premises as while he is prepared to co-operate with any investigation he will not be visiting its Camp Road HQ.

LONDON, (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – When “Game of Thrones” fans blasted a scene involving the brutal rape of Sansa Stark by her sadistic husband on their wedding night, Sophie Turner, who plays the TV show’s popular character, was shocked.

BENGALURU,  (Reuters) – Australia captain Steve Smith is a “role model” and allegations that he and his team flouted the rules when deciding whether to review decisions during the second test against India are “outrageous”, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Wednesday.

Former president Bharrat Jagdeo, former Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon and former PPP/C minister Robert Persaud were among seven  persons who were arrested and questioned by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) yesterday as part of its criminal investigation of the sale of lands in the controversial ‘Pradoville 2’ housing scheme.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has sought approval for an emergency purchase of $605m in drugs from ANSA McAl and concerns have been raised in some quarters over the lack of tendering and the possibility that the best price might not have been obtained.

A security guard at the GuyGas Inc complex at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, shot and killed one of three men who were attempting to rob the business during the wee hours of yesterday morning.

Police in the North West District are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a deadly fire at Morawhanna, which claimed the life of an elderly woman on Tuesday morning.

The latest United States State Department report on human rights in Guyana has found that alleged    government corruption, including among police officials, and laws that discriminate against women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons were the most significant human rights problems.

A University of Guyana (UG) business management major was yesterday granted bail after she was charged with harbouring a fugitive from the law.

By Royston Alkins  Members of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) on Monday evening elected a new executive at the club’s `Home of Legends’ Queenstown pavilion with Patrick Harding replacing Alfred Mentore as the new president.

The nation’s leading football promotional entity, the Petra Organization officially launched their 2nd Futsal Championship yesterday at Brandsville Hotel Conference room, Campbellville.

An urgent revamping of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is needed to make it fit for the collecting of taxes and broadening the taxpayers’ base, according to Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan.

A 15-year-old boy was yesterday charged with the murder of Hemant Persaud, the brother of Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, who was stabbed to death almost two weeks ago at the Stabroek Market.

Dear Editor, Presidential advisor Dr CY Thomas’s column (Sunday Stabroek Feb 26) about the Extractive Industries Transparency initiative (EITI) offers a critical portrayal “that due to space constraints … [was] able to refer to only five critiques.”

New Amsterdam (NA) Warriors reached the final of the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) sanctioned Anamayah Championships crushing Fyrish Black Sharks 44-26 Sunday at the Fyrish Court.

The charge against Bollywood Club owner Eladio Peraza, who was accused of trafficking a woman, was yesterday dismissed by the Chief Magistrate.

“I love birds and I don’t have kids,” was Canada resident Davendra Narine’s explanation for attempting to smuggle 10 ‘Towa Towa’ birds onto a flight in his hand luggage.

With berths to the semi-final round still up for grabs the final two quarterfinal matches in the Den Amstel Mash Knockout Cup will take place today at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Dear Editor, Minister Trotman recently assured the citizens of Guyana that this country is prepared for an oil spill.

Wisburg Secondary secured the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond 2016 Football Championship by defeating Mackenzie High 2-0 Monday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in Linden.

An arrest warrant was yesterday re-issued for fugitive Marcus Bisram, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of Number 70 Village carpenter Faiyaz Narinedatt, committed last year.

Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has observed in recent days in various sections of the media, references to the earnings of sugar workers, where the claim was made that sugar workers earn about $200,000 on average per month.

  Two Guyanese admitted to possession, trafficking and importation of 14.5 kilogrammes of cocaine and 2 kilogrammes of cannabis in a Barbados court on Monday A Barbados Today report said Guyanese Coco Profitt and Paul Fraser admitted to committing the crime on a boat, the Lady Sandra, at Bridgetown Port on September 10, 2015.

By Royston Alkins Former West Indies under 19 all-rounder Keemo Paul has expressed delight with his maiden call-up to the Guyana Jaguars squad for the resumption of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League four-day competition.

Dear Editor, We write on behalf of the administrators and parents of Mae’s Schools, the New Guyana School, The School of Nations, The Business School, Green Acres School, Cherry Blossom Play School, Apex Academy, Concord Academy, Westfield Preparatory, ISA Islamic School, Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) and Chase Academy, regarding the recent introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on tuition fees for students attending private educational institutions.

Dear Editor, Dr Ian McDonald, in his short letter (‘Still hopeful about sugar’s future’, Stabroek News, March 8) in response to criticism by Mr Rishee Thakur (‘Bitter Sugar continues to hold sway,’ Sunday Stabroek  March 5) demonstrates his genteel manners and class by simply stating “Excellent letter in yesterday’s Sunday Stabroek by Rishee Thakur if he is right”.

Over $200,000 in cash and a quantity of phone cards, valued around $30,000, were among the items stolen from Poonai’s Pharmacy and Animal Health Care, in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne during the wee hours of yesterday morning.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies bowling coach Roddy Estwick has rued the loss of speedster Shannon Gabriel for tomorrow’s final One-Day International against England but said the Trinidadian’s absence could provide an opportunity to expose other talent.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies may have already conceded the three-match one-day series to England but bowling coach Roddy Estwick has warned there is still much at stake in tomorrow’s final encounter at Kensington Oval.

LONDON,  (Reuters) – Britain’s upper house of parliament voted yesterday to give lawmakers more power to reject the final terms of the country’s exit from the European Union, ignoring pleas from Prime Minister Theresa May’s government not to hamstring their negotiations.

Citizens who have opted for the prepaid meters can now receive them as the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) now has meters in stock, GINA reported yesterday.

SAN FRANCISCO,  (Reuters) – The state of Hawaii said it will ask a federal court today for an emergency halt to President Donald Trump’s new executive order restricting travel from six Muslim-majority countries, becoming the first state to challenge the ban in court.

Dear Editor, International Women’s Day (IWD) has been observed since the 19th century; however, since the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring March 8 IWD it has been observed globally, and in some countries it is a national holiday.

Dear Editor, Marking the centenary commemoration of the end of Indian abolition has become a most interesting exercise, moreso for the Indian Guyanese community.

(Reuters) – A U.S. judge yesterday ruled against Native American tribes seeking to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline as their legal options narrow weeks before oil is set to flow on the project.

Odell Hicks, a mason who was charged in January with unlawful possession of a pistol and live ammunition, was yesterday sentenced to two and a half years in jail after being found guilty of the crime.

(The Sports Xchange) – Kawhi Leonard poured in an off-balance three-pointer and then ran the floor to block a layup attempt by James Harden on the opposite end to propel the San Antonio Spurs past the Houston Rockets 112-110 on Monday.

The options being considered by the government and the proposals by the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers’ Union (GAWU) on the future of the sugar industry will form the basis of a White Paper.

BRASILIA,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s federal environmental agency, Ibama, launched yesterday a centralized database to track timber from source to sale, a vital step in the fight against illegal logging in the Amazon.

HAMBURG, (Reuters) – Turkey’s foreign minister accused Berlin yesterday of exerting systematic pressure on Turkish citizens in Germany and hampering campaigns in support of President Tayyip Erdogan’s bid for new powers in a referendum next month.

Dear Editor, Some time ago, I borrowed an American expression to highlight some of the very correctable nonsense in our society.

(Reuters) – Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 166 and combined in a fourth-wicket partnership of 196 with Asela Gunaratne to put Sri Lanka on course for a big first innings total against Bangladesh on the first day of the opening test at Galle yesterday.

BENGALURU, (Reuters) – India captain Virat Kohli yesterday accused Australia counterpart Steve Smith and his team of “crossing the line” by looking towards the players’ area while deciding whether to review the umpire’s decisions during the second test.

GUATEMALA CITY, (Reuters) – Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of the Guatemalan capital yesterday to demand the resignation of President Jimmy Morales, whose popularity has dropped since his brother and elder son were caught up in a graft investigation.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – President Donald Trump yesterday endorsed Republican legislation to replace the Obamacare healthcare law but the measure faced a rebellion by conservative groups and lawmakers, complicating its chances for passage in the U.S.

Dear Editor,   Fareed Zakaria reminded us of a quote from Alfred Montapert, which states, “Do not confuse motion and progress. 

Million-dollar bids were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the construction of facilities for the Mahdia Radio Station, in Mahdia, under the Office of the Prime Minister.

Dear Editor, Over the past month I have taken to the print, social and electronic media to highlight the incompetence of the Chairman and Councillors who govern the Golden Grove/Diamond NDC.

PANAMA CITY,  (Reuters) – Panamanian former dictator, CIA spy and convicted cocaine trafficker Manuel Noriega was in a coma yesterday after suffering a hemorrhage from an operation to remove a benign brain tumor, representatives for the 83-year-old said.

BENGALURU, (Reuters) – India captain Virat Kohli said the 75-run win against Australia in the second test was the best under his captaincy, after his side fought back to level the four-match series at 1-1.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee said yesterday he had seen no evidence to support President Donald Trump’s allegation he was wiretapped by then-President Barack Obama during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Most of the internal roads in Grove, East Bank Demerara, are almost impassable, according to residents, who want them repaired.

HOUSTON/CALGARY,  (Reuters) – Doug Lucas stood outside a Houston energy conference early one morning last month handing out resumes and hoping to catch the eye of oil executives with a hand-written sign advertising “Petroleum Eng.

KUALA LUMPUR/ SEOUL,  (Reuters) – North Korea barred Malaysians from leaving the country yesterday, sparking tit-for-tat action by Malaysia, as police investigating the murder of Kim Jong Nam in Kuala Lumpur sought to question three men hiding in the North Korean embassy.

Over the last few weeks, seasoned White House observers perhaps have found excuse to dredge up memories of forty-odd years ago.

Good Management Means Good Business MICHAEL SOLO­MON is one of three businessmen who pooled their re­sources and ex­perience to form Home Services En­terprise two months ago.

A jury on Monday convicted a career criminal for gunning down US-based Guyanese cop Randolph Holder and he now faces a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Dear Editor, We did write a letter to President Granger dated 1st February 2016 requesting reparation for slavery.

(Reuters) – Attorneys for a Mexican immigrant in Seattle, who has permission to work in the United States, are hoping to convince a federal judge to hear a challenge to his immigration arrest and bypass U.S.

BENGALURU,  (Reuters) – Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up six wickets to lead India to a dramatic 75-run victory over Australia in the second test yesterday, the win enabling the hosts to level the four-match series at 1-1.

Last Friday afternoon I attended the launch of Rudy Insanally’s The Guyanese culture: Fusion or Diffusion?

BENGALURU, (Reuters) – Chinese smartphone maker OPPO outbid rival Vivo to be the new sponsor of the India’s cricket team and will pay 10.79 billion rupees ($162 million) for a five-year period starting in April, the India cricket board (BCCI) said yesterday.