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LBI man on $75k bail for misuse of money Jul 18, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Clifford Ramlagan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Kaieteur News – A father of three from La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara was granted bail in the sum of $75,000 when appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on a charge of fraudulent misappropriation. Charged and before the court is Clifford Ramlagan. The charge alleges that on May 14, 2024, at New Market and East Streets in Georgetown, Ramlagan was entrusted by Godfrey Jones with $190,000 Guyanese currency to purchase lights and perform bodywork on motor vehicle PMM 5671. However, he is accused of fraudulently misappropriating the funds for his own use or benefit. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to the facts presented, Ramlagan and the victim, Godfrey Jones, were known to each other. Ramlagan is a spray painter, and Jones, the owner of vehicle PMM 5671, had contacted him to have bodywork and painting done on the car. They agreed that the total cost, including the purchase of new front lights, would be $280,000. Jones initially paid $90,000 for the first stage of the work, which was completed and returned to him. On the day in question, Jones provided the remaining $190,000 GC to the man, along with the vehicle. A few days later, the man contacted Jones, saying the car was ready. However, when the man dropped off the vehicle, it was observed to be in the same condition as when it was given to him. Jones reported the matter to the police and Ramlagan was arrested, though he denied receiving the full $190,000. The man’s attorney, Dominic Best, requested bail, citing his client’s lack of prior convictions and stating that it was a misunderstanding. The prosecutor did not object to the bail request, and Magistrate McGusty granted the man bail in the amount of $75,000. The next court appearance is scheduled for July 31, 2024. Related Similar Articles

Restricting access to pesticides, firearms could prevent more than 120,000 suicide deaths in the Americas over a decade – new PAHO study Jul 18, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, reveals that implementing policies to restrict access to highly hazardous pesticides and firearms could prevent more than 120,000 deaths by suicide in the region of the Americas over a 10-year period. The research, conducted in collaboration with experts from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Canada, suggests that if restrictions on access to firearms or pesticides were applied in countries where they account for 40% or more of suicides, the mortality rate could be reduced by over 20% among males and 11% among females by 2030. Annually, nearly 100,000 lives are lost to suicide in the Americas, and unlike other WHO regions, the suicide mortality rate has increased in recent years. Means restriction is an effective evidence-based intervention in suicide prevention, and a key strategy recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) under its “LIVE LIFE” approach to reduce suicide mortality. “Suicide is preventable and each life lost is devastating,” Anselm Hennis, Director of the Department of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO and co-author of the study said. “This study shows that effective policies that limit access to two of the most common methods for suicide can have an impact on reducing mortality in the region,” he added. Using data modeled from 2020 to 2030, the study estimates important impact in several countries. For instance, in El Salvador, Guyana, Nicaragua, and Suriname, where ingestion of highly hazardous pesticides led to 40% or more of suicides in each country in 2019, proactive restriction measures could substantially reduce suicide rates by 2030. Similarly, in the United States, where firearms accounted for over 40% of suicide deaths in the same year, implementing targeted restrictions is predicted to lead to a marked decline in suicide rates over the next decade. The study concludes that the effective implementation of measures for restricting access to pesticides and firearms could prevent the loss of over 123,000 lives to suicide throughout the region of the Americas.  The most notable reductions would be observed in the non-Latin Caribbean subregion, where the suicide mortality rate could be reduced by up to 31% among males and 34% among females if a specific restriction on highly hazardous pesticides were to be applied in three key countries: Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, in 2020. “Implementing restriction measures is most effective when the methods are prevalent and account for a significant proportion of suicide deaths,” Dr. Renato Oliveira e Souza, Chief of the PAHO Mental Health and Substance Use Unit, and co-author of the study said. “However, it is also crucial to consider the socio-cultural context when implementing means restriction policies.” The researchers behind the study are calling for multisectoral collaboration to implement these evidence-based interventions to meet the WHO target of reducing the suicide mortality rate by one-third by 2030. Related Similar Articles

Security cooperation discussed during Guyana, US strategic dialogue Jul 18, 2024 News Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud addressing the US-Guyana meeting Kaieteur News – As the Government of Guyana continues strengthening its bilateral relationship with the United States of America, the First Strategic Dialogue on Tuesday began between the two countries. The dialogue, which was agreed upon by the administrations of Presidents Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Joe Biden, was convened to outline strategic issues and policies as well as other opportunities for collaboration. The governments convened the bilateral meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in Georgetown, Guyana. At the opening ceremony, Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud asserted that the dialogue continues along the upward trajectory of partnerships and relationships that the two sides have enjoyed for decades. “This dialogue seeks to build on the friendship and the partnership that exists between our two countries under the bilateral, regional and international cooperation frameworks,” he explained. The discussions centred on several global thematic areas, including energy security, food security, climate change, the US-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC) 2030, and security and defence cooperation. “I’m quite confident that our deliberations can pave the way for innovative solutions and strengthened ties between our two governments,” the Foreign Secretary affirmed. US delegation participating in the dialogue virtually Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the United States National Security Council (USNSC), Daniel Erikson, lauded Guyana’s global efforts to support the development of the Caribbean region. “Your leadership in the Caribbean Community is well recognized and your current role in the United Nations Security Council is a testament to the growing stature and influence of Guyana,” he posited. Erikson also recorded the US government’s support for Guyana’s inclusive and sustainable policy directives. “We know your government is working to ensure an equitable and thoughtful path towards an inclusive and sustainable development in safeguarding Guyana’s sovereign wealth throughout Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund. The U.S. stands ready to support you in that effort,” he said. He further reaffirmed his administration’s stance on maintaining Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “I do want to reiterate once again, and this comes directly from President Biden himself, that the United States fully supports Guyana’s territorial integrity,” Erikson noted. Also present at the dialogues were Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols, Special Advisor to the US Vice President for the Western Hemisphere Scott Winton, other senior officials of the US White House, the US State Department, the US National Security Council, the US Department of Energy, the US Department of Defence, and the US Department of Commerce. Additionally, Guyana’s delegation included the Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, Ambassador of Guyana to the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS) Samuel Hinds, Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Brigadier Omar Khan, National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia, Director of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) James Singh, representatives of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Office of the President (OP), Ministries of Natural Resources, Finance, and Commerce, and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), among other senior government officials. (DPI) Related Similar Articles

International tutor hosting summer learning programme in Victoria Jul 18, 2024 News International Tutor and Programme Director, Tessa Webb-Lewis Kaieteur News – United Stated-based International Tutor, Tessa Webb-Lewis alongside her team commenced their second annual Summer Learning Programme on Monday at Victoria, East Coast Demerara. The four-week initiative aims to enhance children’s skills in mathematics, reading, writing, arts and craft in Guyana. Classes which started on July 15 at Victoria Primary School are expected to conclude on August 9, 2024.  The sessions run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 hrs to 13:00hrs. A programme which started in 2023 with fifty students has increased significantly to one hundred students who eagerly seized the opportunity to participate in this educational programme, specifically designed for children ages four to 12 years old. Children from Ann’s Grove, Cove and John, Victoria, Golden Grove, Haslington, Enmore and Georgetown are part of the programme. At the opening ceremony of the programme on Monday, there were officials from the Ministry of Education Regional Literacy Coordinator for Region Four, Cindy Singh along with other members including teachers and volunteers. This summer learning programme marked the fulfilment of Lewis’ determination to develop mathematical skills in Guyanese students from their early age. Students of the Learning Summer Programme 2024 Addressing the participants, Lewis spoke about the challenges children of Guyana are experiencing in mathematics. She shared that: “It is my goal to use my expertise to work with students providing a one-to-one tutoring in mathematics and that has proven to be successful. It is that common trend of difficulty that runs learning mathematics…I want to give back I want to see every boy and girl be able to do mathematics.” Meanwhile, Singh commended Lewis and her team for assisting the Ministry of Education in promoting learning in Victoria and other communities. Speaking with Kaieteur News, Lewis expressed her passion for learning and improving the children of Guyana. During Covid-19 pandemic, Lewis tutored Guyanese children preparing for National Grade Six Assessment where she appeared virtually. “Schools needed help so I volunteered, I jumped in single- handedly. I worked with three schools, Victoria Primary, Swami Purnananda and Paradise, and so about 15 plus children I tutored,” Lewis recounted. Related Similar Articles

Man granted bail for assaulting and stealing chain from woman Jul 18, 2024 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – A 25-year-old mason on Wednesday appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer a charge of robbery with violence. granted bail; Samuel Hyman Samuel Hyman, of Friendship, East Coast Demerara made his first court appearance before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, who read the charge to him. The charge read that on July 8, 2024 at Water Street, Georgetown, he robbed Diana Williams one silver chain with a diamond and gold pendant valued $120,000 and immediately after used personal violence to the said person. Hyman pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to police report, on the mentioned date, Williams was walking along Water Street with her silver chain around her neck. While in the vicinity of Stabroek Market, she felt someone choked her from behind and grabbed the chain. He then ran in the westerly direction, running further into the market. Williams then made a report to the Stabroek police outpost where an investigation was conducted. He was identified and arrested on July 13 where he was charged for the offence committed. Hyman was granted bail in the sum of $75,000 along with the mention conditions.  He is scheduled to return on July 31, 2024 for disclosure. Related Similar Articles

Masked bandits in fielder wagon rob Chinese supermarket at Linden Jul 18, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Three bandits – two of them masked and armed with a gun on Tuesday night robbed a Chinese supermarket located at Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden of $300,000 cash, $20,000 in GT&T and Digicel phone cards and the owner’s iPhone 13. They escaped in a white Toyota Fielder Wagon.  The owner of the supermarket, Xpang Guan, 40, reportedly told investigators that the bandits entered the supermarket around 20:35hrs while he was attending to customers at the cash register. He said two of them were dressed in dark clothing and had on masks. The third did not wear a mask and was dressed in a white t-shirt. He pulled out a gun while his masked accomplices pulled out knives and started demanding cash and valuables from the owner and the customers. Fearful for their lives, they allowed the bandits to take what they wanted. Investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Lone gunman robs Jettoo Lumber Yard Manager $5M Jul 18, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A lone gunman on Monday robbed  Jettoo Lumber Yard’s manager of a laptop bag containing $5 million in cash. The manager identified as Ashley Jettoo, 28, was robbed around 17:15hrs in front of the Lumber yard located at Deroy and Lombard Streets, Georgetown. Investigators said that she had just closed up the business and was heading to her vehicle with the laptop bag on her shoulder when the gunman attacker. Just as she was about to rest the bag on the vehicle seat, the suspect pulled out a gun from his pants crotch and pressed the muzzle against her stomach and instructed her to drop her laptop bag. She complied and the bandit grabbed the bag with cash and ran away. Police have been able to identify a suspect and are presently hunting him down. Related Similar Articles