MONDAY, 13
Several homeless after early-morning fireSEVERAL persons were rendered homeless in a fire that started at approximately 02:30 hours at a two-flat house at Lot 9, Charles Street Charlestown, Georgetown, and completely destroyed that home and severely damaged a three-storey property in which several persons lived.

No one could say what exactly caused the fire, although speculation was fire that the fire might have been electrical in origin.

The Guyana Fire Service came in for some really harsh words yesterday, after persons alleged that firemen entered their rooms to battle the blaze but carted off items which were not supposed to be removed from the home.

The burnt property had housed several rooms for which persons paid individual rental. They said that their rent monies were removed, and their passports and several other items are missing.

 SASOD/GTU stage march against “slothful” police probes into homosexual killings
SOME 20 persons recently staged a march in the city against what they dubbed “slow police probing” of cases in which homosexuals were murdered. The march was held to coincide with the first anniversary of the murder of 19-year-old Wesley Holder, which occurred on January 11, 2013, and the dumping of his body near St. Phillip’s Anglican Church.

Others killed were Delon Melville, whose body was found aback Mocha in August; and 36-year-old Nandkumar Purnwassie, also known as Vishaul, Champa and Darshinie, whose battered body was found on a street at Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne last November.

 12 to vie for $1.5M at 2014 Carib Soca Monarch final
DEEJAYS, officials of ANSA McAL Trading Ltd, and music critics are presently reviewing the entries submitted for this year’s Carib Soca Monarch competition, which will see at least 12 persons competing for $1.5M final prize money payout.

The finals are set for the National Park on February 15, and will see 12 finalists stepping up their game.

Cabinet grants $56M to improve city’s sanitation, aesthetics

CABINET has granted the sum of $56M to improve conditions in various communities across Georgetown. Of this amount, $41M was given to the Ministry of Public Works, while the Ministry of Local Government will work with 15M. The money will be used to assist in improving the aesthetics and sanitation of Georgetown.

 TUESDAY, 14
2012 Budget-cut case to move ahead for final ruling as Granger loses appeal
ATTORNEY-General Anil Nandlall has won the case against Leader of the Opposition, David Granger, who had appealed the decision of Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang to strike him and Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, from the 2012 Budget Cut court case.

On June 19, 2013, the decision was taken by the Chief Justice to dismiss the two from the case, on the grounds that, as Members of Parliament, the constitution provides them with immunity.

Granger sought to waive his immunity in an appeal with which the AG disagreed, arguing that waiving Granger’s prohibition could expose all other Parliamentarians. Nandlall said that, for the Opposition Leader to waive his rights to immunity, legislation has to be passed amending the current law.

Deputy Mayor accuses Town Clerk Sooba of misappropriation
TOWN Clerk Carol Sooba has been accused of misappropriating $500,000 of Council’s money by Deputy City Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green, but Sooba has said she is challenging anyone with doubts to take up the matter in a court of law.

Sooba has allegedly paid in full for the services of a lawyer in a matter that has nothing to do with the M&CC.

“It is most inappropriate for her to expend such large amount of funds on her own personal use. She cannot be trusted to handle the council’s money if she is going to spend it on her own use. This is not the first time. She once carried out sanitary works in her yard with council’s money,” Chase-Green remarked.

Minibus driver jailed for assaulting ex-paramour
MINIBUS driver, Shamal Shivnarine, 47, of Lot 66 Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by Magistrate Judy Latchman for assault, after he pleaded guilty to unlawfully assaulting Alancia Howard at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty. Howard previously shared a relationship with Shivnarine.

Shivnarine confronted the woman and told her that he could not forget what she had done to him. An argument ensued, and he dealt her several cuffs about her face and body.

Shivnarine confessed that he had a previous conviction at the Vreed-en-Hoop court for a similar offence; and he said that after serving six months in prison, he had asked Howard to return his National Insurance Scheme (NIS) card and driver’s licence, but she refused to do so.

WEDNESDAY, 15
Corpse of teenage girl found in trench at Kuru Kururu
THE body of a teenage girl was found with stab wounds in a trench at Kuru Kururu, along the Soesdyke /Linden Highway.

16-year-old Ravina Cozier’s body was found by her mother and father, who were searching for her, and a knife suspected to be the murder weapon was found on the scene.

The teen was reportedly last seen with the suspect, 28-year-old Leo Rodrigues, with whom she had shared a relationship, and a police source said he is believed to have committed suicide by hanging himself after fleeing to Essequibo.

10-year-old cyclist dies in Bloomfield accident
POLICE are investigating a fatal accident which occurred at Bloomfield, Corentyne, resulting in the death of 10-year-old Selena Anthony.

She succumbed to injuries following a collision with a minibus and the bicycle she was riding. Anthony, of Lot 383, Bloomfield, died at the Port Mourant Public hospital while receiving medical attention.

 Travelspan to hire Guyanese flight attendants
TRAVELSPAN and Vision Airlines have announced their intention to hire Guyanese flight attendants to staff an additional aircraft that will come into service on February 15, 2014.

Travelspan is seeking persons of amiable personality, who have effective communication and time management skills and the ability to learn quickly. University graduates are preferred.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to send their resumes and a photograph to career@travelspan.com. This recruitment process is to facilitate an additional aircraft that Vision Airlines will be putting into service for Guyana from February 15, 2014. Vision Airlines will be adding one 767-300 and two 767-200 aircraft to its fleet, in addition to its 737 and Dornier aircraft.

Prolonged heavy downpour causes flooding in Georgetown, some coastal communities
A HEAVY and prolonged downpour yesterday morning caused flooding in some commercial and residential areas of Georgetown, as well as in a few coastal communities.

In what has become a common scenario, many persons in Georgetown woke up to flooded yards and lower flats, streets, and roads due to the heavy and incessant rainfall. High levels of water were evident in several city streets and walkways, while floodwaters were seen up to the doors of some businesses, and garbage flowed in many waterways.

THURSDAY, 16
Police rank under close arrest after alleged sexual torture of detainee
COMMISSIONER of Police, Mr Leroy Brumell, has said he is very disturbed at the details unfolding with respect to reports that a member of the Guyana Police Force had sexually brutalised 23-year-old Colwyn Harding.

Brumell made it clear that the issue will not be swept under the carpet, and those who are to face the heat will not be shielded. He confirmed that the police rank who has been accused of sexually torturing the man has been removed from the police station and is at present under close arrest.

Brumell said he is saddened at what has happened to young Colwyn Harding, noting that it was a very cruel and distasteful act on the part of the police officer and those who condoned it.

Motor car thief sentenced to 56 months
ANDREW Taylor was sentenced to 56 months’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravation. Before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates Court, the 35-year-old prisoner pleaded guilty to the offence that, on Saturday, December 28 last, at La Penitence Market in Georgetown, he robbed Kataya Da Silva of his motor car.

Police Sergeant Vishnu Hunt, prosecuting, said that on the day in question, at around 13:00 hrs, the virtual complainant was at La Penitence Market removing some bags from the trunk of motor vehicle PRR 7690 when he heard the engine start and, upon checking, he saw Taylor in the driving seat. Da Silva held on to the side of the vehicle, attempting to hold the steering wheel and prevent the vehicle from moving any further, but Taylor dealt him a cuff to his mouth and continued driving, dragging the latter for several metres before Da Silva managed to raise an alarm and public-spirited citizens came to his rescue.

Imbibing ‘yeast tonic’ leads to murder of cousin
PHILLIP and Franklin Sutherland were charged with murdering their cousin, Martin Robert, on January 10, at Quamatta Village, Central Rupununi.

The two brothers and their relative had reportedly gone to the Quamatta Village Farm, and when they returned home, they were imbibing yeast tonic (Amerindian alcoholic beverage). An argument subsequently developed, after which Robert was thrown to the ground and the two accused dealt him several kicks and cuffs to his head, before persons observed that his body was motionless and reported the incident.

FRIDAY, 17
Firearms Amendment Bill approved by National Assembly
HONOURING obligations under international conventions to which Guyana is a signatory, the National Assembly created a new offence of ‘trafficking in firearms and ammunition’ with the passage of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2013.

The Bill was moved for a second reading by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who pointed out that the legislation introduces harsh penalties for those in breach.

According to the bill, a person guilty of an offence under the legislation shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $500,000 and five years’ imprisonment; and on conviction or indictment, to a fine of $5M and 10 years’ imprisonment.

GWI advises customers to be cautious in the event of flooding
THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is advising customers of the low coastal regions of Guyana to implement precautionary measures in the event of excessive rainfall and flooding.

Should the water supply be compromised due to flooding, please ensure that all tap water intended for food and drink preparation and personal consumption (brushing of teeth, etc.) is boiled for 15 minutes.

Ensure that boiled water, whilst cooling before use, is stored in a tightly covered container.

Alternatively, water can be made safe by using household bleach. Add 3 to 4 drops of household bleach to each gallon of water; mix well, and allow standing for 30 minutes before use.

Again, ensure that treated water is stored in a tightly covered container. For further information customers are advised to call GWI’s Customer Services Call Centre on 227-8701/03/04, email customercallcentre@gwi.gy, visit www.gwiguyana.com or via social media at www.facebook.com/everydropcountsgy

Traffic tickets now payable at convenient locations
THE Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) (Amendment) Bill 2013 was passed by the National Assembly with the assurances of increased efficiency in the traffic ticketing system.

The bill’s passage now allows for persons issued with a traffic ticket to pay the prescribed penalty to the clerk of the court of any magisterial district, regardless of where the traffic offence was committed.

SATURDAY, 18
Armed bandit shot dead in early-morning Annandale home invasion
AN armed bandit was shot dead in an early-morning home invasion at Annandale, East Coast Demerara; and police are searching for his two accomplices. The trio, all of whom were said to have been armed, had attempted a robbery.

The shooting occurred when businessman Ishwar Jeffrey, 49, was aroused by the barking of his dogs. He awoke his son, Mananno Jeffrey, who is a rural constable and a member of the Annandale North Community Policing Group, and is licensed to use the CPG’s gun.

77-yr-old pensioner found hanging in his home
EDWARD Bradford, a 77-year-old pensioner, was found dead hanging in his house at Bounty Hall on the Essequibo Coast.

Reports are that the body of the man, who lived alone, was discovered by his neighbour hanging via a piece of rope tied to a rafter in his house. Police officers who arrived promptly on the scene removed the body to the Suddie mortuary. Suicide is suspected.

Overseas-based Guyanese father and son killed on Essequibo Coast
MUMTAZ Baksh, 72, and his son Rafmat, 44, both overseas-based Guyanese, were killed in a road accident on the Land of Plenty Public Road on the Essequibo Coast while walking to their home.

According to reports, Canadian citizen Mumtaz Baksh and his wife Zoorul had come home last December for the Christmas holidays, and were still enjoying their vacation when tragedy struck.

The driver of the ill-fated car, who is said to be very young and inexperienced, is in police custody assisting with investigations. The car has also been impounded.

 Alleged baby snatcher remanded
NINETEEN-year-old Candacy Adonis, who was accused of stealing four-month-old Miracle Price, was remanded to prison when she appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Alli at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

She was not required to plead to the indictable charge of child stealing, which stated that she unlawfully took possession of Miracle Price at Buxton and carried the baby away with intent to deprive baby mother Samantha Price of her child.

Adonis will return to court on February 14.