Daily Archive: Friday, April 7, 2017

Under increasing pressure from the public, the government today said that Cabinet will review the 14% Value Added Tax on private education tuition at its next meeting on Tuesday, April 11th.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC — Jason Mohammed struck the second fastest-ever half-century by a West Indian against Pakistan, as the embattled Caribbean side pulled off a daring record run chase to win the opening One-Day International by four wickets here Friday.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Grammy award-winning artist Sheena Easton has made her West End debut in the musical “42nd Street”, with Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, actor Morgan Freeman and tennis coach Judy Murray attending the show’s premiere.

MOSCOW,  (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned U.S. cruise missile strikes on Syria as illegal today, warning the move would further damage already battered U.S.-Russia

(Trinidad Express) Former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine says while bpTT’s decision to not build its Angelin platform in La Brea is disappointing, it should come as no surprise.

The E-Governance Unit of the Ministry of the Presidency, accompanied by officers from the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), yesterday seized 15 complete desktop computers from the Enmore Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), triggering condemnation from the opposition PPP.

Mohammed Iqbal was yesterday morning sentenced to 15 years in jail after pleading guilty to unlawfully killing his ex-wife, Sookdai (Lalita) Basdeo, whom he admitted stabbing to death.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana,  CMC — West Indies once against find themselves in the unenviable position of hoping to make a fresh start, when they clash with Pakistan in the opening One-Day International of the three-match series here Friday.

The Petra Organization, the nation’s leading football promotional group, continued their mandate to develop the discipline at every level by donating to the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA).

Arguing that the granting of scholarships to two government ministers appeared to be a continuation of suspected old practices, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) yesterday called on the government to enhance transparency and accountability of the programme.

Ganesh Dhanraj, who is the prime suspect in the murder of his wife, yesterday plunged into the Essequibo River at Roden Rust to evade the police.

If you are a fan of speed, skills and thrills, then the place to be today at 18:00 hrs is the Guyana Motor Racing Sports Club (GMR&SC) at Thomas Road and Albert Street, to witness the second edition of GT Sports Georgetown Grand Prix.

Although the Diamond Diagnostic Centre is staffed by a number of specialists in different fields, its efficiency has been hindered by the shortage of drugs and nonfunctioning equipment, members of the National Assembly’s Social Services Committee were told yesterday during a performance assessment visit.

General Services successfully retained their title in the BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inter-Department Basketball Championship, crushing Mines 61-44 on Saturday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hard-Court.

Samuel Ince-Carvahal, Makeda Harding and Gianni Carpenter secured contrasting wins in Category-B when the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) sanctioned Toucan Distributors Junior Skill Level Championship continued on Wednesday at the Georgetown Club Facility.

A Guyana Police Force rank was yesterday charged with two counts of fraud, including converting $400,000 he received for another man to his own use.

LAHORE, Pakistan, CMC — Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq said Thursday the upcoming three-match series in the Caribbean would be his swansong in international cricket.

A former murder accused was yesterday granted his release on bail after he denied a charge of causing bodily harm to another man, whose injuries may be life-threatening.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC — West Indies Under-19s head coach, Graeme West, expects the tour of South Africa in July to play a crucial part in the side’s preparation for the defence of their ICC Youth World Cup crown.

The trial of Lennox Wayne and Melroy Doris, who are accused of murdering beautician Ashmini Harriram, commenced yesterday morning before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a 12-member jury at the High Court in Georgetown.

Up until now hinterland development may not have featured nearly sufficiently on the agenda of government’s priorities in Guyana, but according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Agricul-tural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) Udho Homenauth, force of circumstances could compel a drastic change in policy direction.

Amid ongoing questions about its use, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) yesterday facilitated a tour by the media of the Sussex Street, Charlestown  drug bond and while it was filled with medication a series of questions remain unanswered.

Dear Editor, The decision by Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Minister of Education, to meet five parents and Swami Aksharananda, educator, as representatives of the group protesting outside of his ministry against VAT on education services on April 5 was commendable.

MUMBAI, (Reuters) – Batting great Viv Richards has slammed “arrogant” Caribbean administrators for thinking they are as important as players and has laid the blame for the decline of West Indies cricket firmly at their door.

Dear Editor, Today’s news sparked a mood to write on a very disturbing issue.

PUNE, India, CMC — West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard produced a cameo but bowled a poor last over as his Mumbai Indians tasted defeat with a seven-wicket loss to Rising Pune Supergiant, in the second game of the new Indian Premier League season here Thursday.

The imminent legitimate allocation on mining lands to groups comprising the newly-formed mining syndicates will represent “an historic landmark” for the sector and “step in the direction of fulfilling the government’s good life promise,” Minister in the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes has told the Stabroek Business.

As government moves to merge 911, 912 and 913 into one emergency system, it has already trained police ranks and given the greenlight to a contract for the purchase of the necessary equipment, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan said on Wednesday.

The Guyanese Diaspora in the United States continues to play an important role in the broader Caribbean effort to strengthen and expand commercial relations between the United States and its Caribbean neighbours.

MUMBAI,(Reuters) – The Indian board (BCCI) will consider a further increase in salaries for its contracted players after leading cricketers expressed dissatisfaction with the pay raise announced last month.

A recent United Nations mission on constitutional reform has recommended that the process must emphasise “meaningful dialogue, negotiation and compromise” on the part of the government, opposition and citizenry in order to be successful, the Office of the Prime Minister said yesterday.

Dear Editor, In reading the recently released final draft of the Framework for Guyana Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) by the Department of Environment, Ministry of the Presidency, I saw that a lot of financing is expected to come from the private sector and private investors.

Dear Editor, I am appalled to learn that the tuition fees for University of Guyana students will increase by 35% over the coming three years.

By John Seeram Background Recently the news media has been highlighting the issue of an emergency procurement by the Georgetown Hospital Cor-poration (GHPC) of drugs valued at $605 million from ANSA McAL Trad-ing Limited.

The 90-day potato trial project is currently in its eighth week and showing positive results, GINA said yesterday.

LONDON,(Reuters) – Tottenham Hotspur have the chance to exert psychological pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea when they open the weekend programme at home to Watford tomorrow.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs,  Basil Williams SC  on Wednesday met with a team from the US Department of State’s Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI).

Arising out of a meeting between Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin and a group comprising representatives of the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF), the Deaf Associa-tion of Guyana (DAG), Help and Shelter and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), on Wednesday April 5 to discuss some of the collective challenges facing their constituents, an understanding was reached on the issue of creating a more constructive relationship between the aforementioned organizations and the ministry.

Dear Editor, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Mr Errol Hanoman told the National Assembly’s Economic Services Committee (ESC) in January this year that the entity was saddled with a $77 billion debt and defaulting on all of its repayment obligations, while Chairman Clive Thomas said that given the debt it made no business sense to keep it going. 

AUGUSTA, Georgia, (Reuters) – American journeyman Charley Hoffman led the U.S.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC — West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels is set to receive “substantial damages” and a full public apology after succeeding in a defamation case against former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson.

Concerns in the agricultural sector over the high probability of heavy financial losses resulting from natural disasters have witnessed an initiative that will allow for farming communities to mitigate the effectiveness of those eventualities.

The Guyana National Industrial Company Inc (GNIC) on Wednesday filed a reply in the case brought against it by government holding company, the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL), to recover money which it says it is owed for leased land.

Dear Editor, The coverage of l’affaire Williams has been extensive, if not fevered on occasion. 

A construction worker, charged with misappropriating over $500,000 sent to him to construct the lower flat of a home, was yesterday released on bail by a city magistrate after his lawyer signaled that he was willing to repay the victim.

LONDON (Reuters) – British businesses must overhaul their executive pay and perks to rebuild public trust following a spate of corporate scandals, lawmakers said on Wednesday.

ZURICH, (Reuters) – Five-times world champions Brazil have returned to what they will consider their rightful place at the top of the FIFA rankings for the first time in seven years.

Dear Editor, I have long reasoned that in Guyana, common sense is not largely the modus operandi of the governing parties.

The daughter of the elderly woman who died last month in a blaze at Morawhanna, in the North West District, is appealing to officials to properly investigate the case, which she believes may have stemmed from malicious circumstances.

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuelan opposition protesters and security officers clashed yesterday as the country’s fragmented opposition gained new impetus against a socialist government it blames for the country’s social and economic collapse.

Dear Editor, The PPP and the PPP/C government has always committed to consultation with the masses on issues of development.

LONDON, (Reuters) – Jemima Sumgong, who last year became the first Kenyan woman to win Olympic gold in the marathon, has tested positive for the banned blood-booster EPO in an out-of-competition test carried out by the IAAF, the sport’s governing body said on Thursday.

GENEVA/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Brexit has created an administrative and diplomatic minefield for Britain by triggering a reworking of its relations in the most contentious area of international trade — agriculture.

BUENOS AIRES,  (Reuters) – Protesters in Argentina clashed with police during marches over government austerity measures yesterday as labour unions challenged President Mauricio Macri in the first general strike since he took office 16 months ago.

Westbrook misses triple-double record by one rebound Warriors 120, Suns 111 (The Sports Xchange) Stephen Curry scored 42 points as Golden State clinched the top spot in the Western Conference and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over Phoenix.

Dear Editor, Is the Guyana Learning Channel acquainted with the Guyana Mathematics Curriculum Guides and the Interactive Radio Instruction Programme?

Kitco Market Data Gold Prices for the three-day period ending Thursday April 6, 2017

PALM BEACH, Fla.,  (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping sat down together to dine on pan-seared Dover sole and New York strip steak yesterday, spending some social time before digging into thorny bilateral security and trade issues.

A pork knocker was yesterday denied bail on charges of possession of cocaine and a single bullet.

A fifty-six year old cattle farmer of Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne, Berbice was on Wednesday afternoon arrested with an unlicensed .32 Pistol and five matching rounds, the police said yesterday.

BRASILIA,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s top electoral court must consider the country’s plight when deciding a case accusing President Michel Temer of illegal campaign funding, an incoming justice said, suggesting the tribunal should avoid pitching the nation deeper into crisis.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – The Republican head of a congressional inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S.

Dear Editor, The horrific, deadly and chilling scenes blaring across televisions and other media from news organizations worldwide on the atrocities perpetrated against a rebel area in Syria transcend all barriers and borders.

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – Formula One triple champion Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes will have to raise their game if they are to beat a resurgent Ferrari in Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) – Argentine President Mauricio Macri said yesterday that Venezuela could be permanently expelled from the South American trade bloc Mercosur if its government does not change its behavior.

Dear Editor, It is in the interest of posterity that our citizenry not lose perspective on the emerging energy realities because of the prospects of an oil boom in Guyana in the next few years.

GASCI (www.gasci.com/telephone Nº 223-6175/6) reports that session 715’s trading results showed consideration of $11,416,955 from 270,360 shares traded in 12 transactions as compared to session 714’s trading results, which showed consideration of $4,641,577 from 130,951 shares traded in 15 transactions. 

Caricom education ministers together with their senior education officials and other education sector stakeholders met on Friday last at the Caricom Secretariat to finalise a regional strategy for education and human resource development, which is to be presented at the next Caricom Heads of Government Summit for approval.

GENEVA, (Reuters) – Cuba has agreed to a visit by a United Nations human rights investigator for the first time in decade, inviting an expert on human trafficking this month, a U.N.

By the time this editorial is read the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be winding down what is arguably its most important Heads of Mission conferences in several years.

bravado and big-time thieves Why – as current cost-of-living, quality of life, bread and butter issues “consume” the Guyanese Citizen – am I fast forwarding to some Jubilee general election three years away?

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – A barrage of aces can be expected in the second rubber of Australia’s Davis Cup quarter-final against the United States in Brisbane today after Nick Kyrgios was drawn to play John Isner in singles.

Students of the Ministry of Education’s Unit for the visually impaired were last Friday in an interactive session with the Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) as part of its effort to ensure that all Guyanese are informed about its programmes of rainforest and biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

(Prepared by the Guyana Marketing Corporation and published by Stabroek Business as a public service) The New Guyana Marketing Corporation has agreed to provide us with the above information which we will publish on a weekly basis subject to receipt.