Staff Editor

The nativity scene at the Brickdam Cathedral last night.

Worshippers preparing for the New Year at the Brickdam Cathedral.

Toddlers were also in attendance with their families at St Andrew’s Kirk.

Part of the ceremonies heralding the New Year at St Andrew’s Kirk

Preparing for the New Year at St Andrew’s Kirk, Brickdam.

Ringing in the new year at St Andrew’s Kirk.

At about 0800h. today, the police say that Police Constable Mohamed Salim who is stationed in ‘D’ Division (West Demerara/East Bank Essequibo) was on the main road at Vergenoegen, EBE, when a motor vehicle drove past from which shots were discharged at him.

At about 2130h. last night, police say that Errol Campbell, 33 years, of Ann’s Grove, ECD, was involved in an altercation with two other men at Ann’s Grove during which he was stabbed about his body.

CAIRO, (Reuters) – Egypt’s highest court has ordered a retrial of three jailed journalists working for Al Jazeera television, citing procedural flaws in last year’s trial, defence lawyers said on Thursday.

Residents of Wakenaam, one of the largest islands located in the Essequibo River are now benefiting from a 24-hour electricity service, as the Guyana Power and Light Inc.

In his address to the nation this morning, President Donald Ramotar said he envisaged that there could be financial closure for the controversial Amaila Falls hydropower project “within months”.

(Trinidad Express) Robbie Ramcharitar, the man in a wheelchair who was seen in a viral video being slapped and his wheelchair shoved down a busy High Street by two police officers in San Fernando, said yesterday he was hurt and embarrassed by the public beating which has been seen by thousands of people.

The Guyana Police Force says 20 pedal cyclists have died in road accidents this year and it is calling on this category to use the roadways in a more responsible manner.

(Trinidad Express) A video has emerged on Facebook showing a policeman slapping a man in a wheelchair, and a policewoman pushing his wheelchair downhill along a busy street.

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has retired from test cricket “citing the strain of playing all formats,” and Virat Kohli will lead the team in the fourth test against Australia in Sydney, the country’s cricket board said today.

JAKARTA, (Reuters) – Indonesian rescuers searching for a missing AirAsia plane carrying 162 people pulled bodies and wreckage from the sea off the coast of Borneo today as relatives of those on board broke down in tears on hearing the news.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group, which follows a formal invitation from Sri Lanka’s Commissioner of Elections, Mahinda Deshapriya, a release from the Commonwealth said today.

(Trinidad Express) Two of the photos bearing the face of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar wishing the nation “a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous new year” were removed yesterday from the billboards on which they were placed.

JAKARTA, (Reuters) – A missing AirAsia jet carrying 162 people could be at the bottom of the sea after it was presumed to have crashed off the Indonesian coast, an official said today, as countries around Asia sent ships and planes to help in the search effort.

A search team is currently looking for an Islander plane after it went silent about ten minutes after takeoff from Mahdia to Karisparu in Region 8 around 11:45 am this morning.