Daily Archive: Wednesday, March 15, 2017

HONG KONG, CMC – Daren Sammy is leaving the decision about whether he plays again for West Indies up to the selection panel.

HONOLULU/NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – A U.S. federal judge in Hawaii dealt another legal blow to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, issuing an emergency halt to his revised travel ban just hours before it was set to go into effect early on Thursday.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, along with a team from the Ministry, and General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, Rawlston Adams, yesterday met with LievenseCSO to discuss the first stage of a feasibility study for the new Demerara River crossing, a release from the ministry said.

  GINA said that the convoy which comprised 10 vehicles and eight bikes gathered at Yarrowkabra on the Soeskdyke-Linden Highway at 6:15 hours on Sunday morning to undertake the  journey; the first Wet Savannah Drive.

Parking meters company, Smart City Solutions (SCS) says it has seen certain reporting in the media today purporting that Cabinet has recommended that the Mayor and Councilors of the City of Georgetown take action to suspend the geoPark project for some period of time.

KUALA LUMPUR,  (Reuters) – Malaysia has confirmed the identity of Kim Jong Nam’s body based on a DNA sample taken from one of his children, the deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

Following intense pressure from Georgetown citizens and stakeholders to scrap the controversial parking meter deal, Cabinet yesterday decided to ask City Hall to immediately suspend the project pending a review and modification of the contract.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) will review Health Minister Volda Lawrence’s emergency purchase of drugs for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in the wake of concerns that procurement procedures were breached.

With the removal of a transmission mast at Sparendaam one of the central points of investigation into the origins of the Pradoville 2 housing scheme, former President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday presented documents to show that its relocation was required for safe operations at the Ogle Airport.

A student of the Tuschen Nursery succumbed at the West Demerara Regional Hospital yesterday afternoon, hours after he was struck down by a car on the Tuschen Housing Scheme Main Road.

Six men were yesterday charged over three separate armed attacks, between January and the start of this month, in which a total of $3 million was stolen.

After almost a week-long trial for the murder of Reyad Khan, Christopher Da Silva yesterday pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for unlawfully killing the teenager.

A 21-year-old teacher was yesterday discovered dead in her Mahdia, Region 8 apartment and while suicide is suspected the police are awaiting the results of an autopsy.

A restaurateur, who was arrested last Thursday after the police found two AK-47 rifles at his Met-en-Meerzorg, West Coast Demerara, residence, was yesterday remanded to prison after being read a charge for the alleged illegal possession of the weapons.

A Mercedes Benz motor car yesterday afternoon burst into flames on the Rupert Craig Highway outside of Subryanville at around 1.30 pm.

Police Corporal Shavon Marks, who allegedly aided in the smuggling of an AK-47 rifle out of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Compound, at Eve Leary, was yesterday read charges of illegal firearm and ammunition possession.

A taxi driver was yesterday remanded to prison after being read multiple charges, including the attempted murder and armed robbery of a BK International supervisor who was attacked outside the compound of the Ministry of Finance on Main Street last December.

Five high-powered rifles, including four AK-47s, which were recently recovered by police at different locations, have not been linked as yet to any recent crime, according to preliminary checks.

Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) President Victor Montagliani officially launched the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Frank Watson national U15 tournament yesterday at the National Gymnasium on the first day of his two-day visit to local shores.

  Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) President Victor Montagliani yesterday declared that stronger governance models aid in eradicating corruption while promoting transparency and accountability within the confederation.

  Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital has enhanced its medical services with the introduction of its Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) examination, which is the first of its kind to be offered in Guyana.

By Royston Alkins  Skipper Shoaib Shaw stroked a crafty 56 and got support from his bowlers as defending champions  Demerara dismissed Essequibo for 64 to complete a comprehensive 115-run victory at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, yesterday.

The Iwokrama International Centre and its joint venture partner, the local firm of Farfan and Mendes Ltd.

A prisoner has been hospitalised after being involved in a fight with another inmate at the Camp Street Prison on Sunday.

Four teams, Sparta Boss, Broad Street Bullies, Tucville and Agricola secured their berths to the group stage when the Petra Organization Futsal Championship commenced Monday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

A Somalian national, who claimed he used a forged British passport to enter the country in search of asylum, was yesterday fined and ordered deported.

VARGINHA, Brazil, (Reuters) – The president of a Brazilian soccer club that signed a goalkeeper who was jailed for murdering his ex-girlfriend called the decision ‘courageous’ yesterday, although the player could be sent back to jail at any time.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that an inquest be held into the death of Shane Scipio who was shot by police seven months ago outside the Georgetown Prison.

Corentyne residents marked another ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday by burning some calories at the Benjamin’s Fitness Centre at Fyrish.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Guyana Jaguars head coach Esuan Crandon said his side’s sixth-round victory over Jamaica Scorpions is a huge boost to their push for a third straight Regional Four-Day title.

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan will join a team of traffic and transportation practitioners from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Guyana Police Force on a week-long transportation study tour, which will take place in Mexico and Colombia from next week.

Dear Editor, I thank the Ministry of Natural Resources for a courteous response to my recent letter (‘Exxon’s environmental record does not bear scrutiny’ SN, March 8).

The effects of the storage of toxic chemicals in close proximity to city public health workers and near the city’s nursery school, day care, and health centre received the attention of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) yesterday at its statutory meeting.

Dear Editor, The appointed Chairman of the Lotto Control Commission is not aware of the Commission meeting since being appointed in July 2015 (‘Lotto Commission hasn’t met since appointment in 2015’ SN, March 14).

A Berbice Under-15 team defeated the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/President’s XI by 147 runs at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground (GCC), Bourda, yesterday, to start the GCB/Dave West Indian Imports U15 Inter-County competition in commanding fashion.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – The head of the Organization of American States (OAS) yesterday said that crisis-wrought Venezuela should be suspended from the regional diplomatic body if it does not hold general elections “as quickly as possible.”

HOUSTON,  (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, while chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp, used an alias for emails with employees and board members because his primary account was jammed with too many messages, the oil company said yesterday.

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Keeping a lid on emotion will be nearly as important as executing gameplans for both India and Australia when the world’s top two teams continue their captivating series with the third test in Ranchi tomorrow.

Bids in the millions of US dollars were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the Sheriff Street – Mandela Avenue Roadway Enhancement Project under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Dear Editor, In an earlier letter, I had mentioned the resignation of Anil Beharry as President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in January 2017; the assumption to the presidency of 1st Vice President, D Somwaru without a meeting being held; Somwaru’s efforts to have a few clubs request a Special Meeting; and his creation of the letterhead of the BCB, referring to himself as President, signing letters as President, sending out mail and dismissing executive members of the BCB by sending them these letters which he has signed as President.

Puruni miners on March 11 took part in a training workshop by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) where environmental issues were at the forefront.

Dear Editor, The nation should pay key attention to the political rhetoric that came from the opposition PPP platform in Port Mourant, Berbice, at the memorial ceremony for its late founder leader and former President, Cheddi Jagan.

(The Sports Xchange) – Kawhi Leonard poured in 31 points to lead four team mates in double-figure scoring as the San Antonio Spurs played through a season-high 23 turnovers and defeated the Atlanta Hawks 107-99 at the AT&T Center.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – President Donald Trump paid $38 million in taxes on more than $150 million in income in 2005, the White House said yesterday, responding to an MSNBC report that the network had obtained two pages of the returns.

BENGHAZI, Libya, (Reuters) – East Libyan forces said they had regained control yesterday of the major oil ports of Ras Lanuf and Es Sider from a rival faction that seized them earlier this month and were pursuing their opponents into the desert.

Dear Editor, The March 2017 exit of Dr Steve Surujbally from the Guyana Election Commission (Gecom) came suddenly and swiftly given his previous indicated resignation, but further questionable prolonged accommodation by the APNU+AFC government.

PANAMA CITY, Panama, CMC – The World Boxing Association, one of the four major organizations that sanction professional bouts, officially launched its programme to combat the use of prohibited substances in the sport on Monday.

The Alliance For Change has made undisclosed monetary donations to four persons who suffered significant losses in a recent conflagration in Kitty, Georgetown.

SYDNEY,  (Reuters) – A recall for one-test paceman Pat Cummins has been a long time coming but New South Wales captain Moises Henriques believes it still might be too soon for the bowler he considers a “freak of nature”.

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) in collaboration with the Viraat Sabhaa Guyana held its first Phagwah Mela ‘Rang Barse’ at the Helena No.

BRASILIA,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s top public prosecutor asked the Supreme Court to open 83 new investigations into senior politicians yesterday, reportedly including five ministers and leading lawmakers, in a dramatic escalation of a graft probe threatening the government.

Dear Editor, I read with great pleasure an article in Kaieteur News, February 28, under the caption, ‘Police liaison officers being trained in conflict resolution, anger management.’ 

(Trinidad Guardian) Caribbean Airlines Ltd is saddled with a US$270,000 monthly bill for breaking its lease on two 767 jets that are now flying for Air Canada.

WELLINGTON,  (Reuters) – Left arm pace bowler Trent Boult will miss New Zealand’s second test against South Africa after failing to recover from a leg injury he sustained in the first game in Dunedin, fellow opening bowler Tim Southee said.

  SEOUL,  (Reuters) – South Korean prosecutors summoned ousted leader Park Geun-hye yesterday for questioning next week about a corruption scandal that led to her dismissal as president, the prosecutors’ office said.

Dear Editor, The Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education has been reported as saying “the Education Act does not have sufficient teeth in regards to the regulating of private schools.

BRASILIA, (Reuters) – Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yesterday called charges “false” that he tried to block an ongoing investigation of the biggest graft scandal in Brazil’s history, which helped end the 13-year rule of his leftist Workers Party.

(Jamaica Gleaner) The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has agreed to a support package of more than US$430 million for Trinidad & Tobago to be distributed over five years under a new country strategy for the twin-island republic launched last week.

Dear Editor, Since the recent discovery of oil offshore Guyana, I have respectfully posited in my writings and discussions as well as in a letter to this newspaper that this nation carefully guard its spoils with the utmost of zeal.

MELBOURNE,  (Reuters) – Australia batsman Adam Voges and spin bowler Xavier Doherty announced their retirements from international cricket at the end of the domestic Sheffield Shield season yesterday.

Truth is stranger than fiction, or is it the other way round nowadays?

Officials from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) yesterday met with local suppliers of stone and other items to facilitate a link between them and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Modernisation Project.

As part of its 30th anniversary observances, Guyana Publications Inc (GPI)  publishers of Stabroek News and the Sunday Stabroek, recently donated school supplies to St John’s College.

BOGOTA, (Reuters) – Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos yesterday acknowledged that funds were illegally obtained during his 2010 election campaign and asked the nation’s forgiveness for the “shameful” act.

—Pres. Hoyte PRESIDENT Des­mond Hoyte has ex­pressed the hope that the proposed ‘Skills Training for Development Programme’ (STEP) would produce people with the necessary skills who will not com­promise high standards.

VINA DEL MAR, Chile,  (Reuters) – The Latin American free trade area known as the Pacific Alliance has agreed a new category of “associate member,” it said yesterday, as it seeks to increase its reach and show it is serious about its message of fighting protectionist trends.

The sight of the PPP/C leadership traipsing to the headquarters of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in relation to the Sparendaam Housing Project (Prado 2) has again raised the expectation, particularly among APNU+AFC supporters, that they are on the verge of some kind of reckoning for the massive corruption we have been made to understand existed under the PPP/C government.

Dear Editor, The government, led by President David Granger, has a critical facilitating and enabling role to bring the relevant stakeholders together to arrive at a national consensus to save the sugar industry.