Agents blast WICB’s plan to impose levy
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC):The company that manages several of the Caribbean’s leading T20 stars has blasted an unprecedented move by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to impose a 20 percent levy on their contracts for overseas T20 tournaments.Insignia Sports, who manages all-rounders Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle ,among others, also plans to challenge the WICB move.”It is a blatant restraint of trade on a player who has not been selected by WICB for the upcoming Tri-Series, does not have a contractual tie to the WICB permitting such a restriction,” said Eddie Tolchard, one of the partners at Insignia Sports.”Applying an unreasonable and unjustifiable fee and requesting CSA pay it in order to provide a NOC is a restraint of trade.”The new WICB policy was disclosed by chief executive Michael Muirhead in an email to Pollard last week.The WICB has written to various boards around the world asking them to comply the new policy.NEW POLICYWICB has said that so far India and Bangladesh have agreed to the release fees.However, they are reports that the new policy has been rejected by Cricket South Africa and there has been no response yet from the Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Australia.The Federation of International Players’ Association (FICA) has criticised the move to slap a 20 percent levy on T20 players contract fees and is threatening to take legal action against the WICB.However, Muirhead has defended the WICB position as justified.”WICB however, having invested in developing a player’s talent, is not able to realise a return on its investment if the player is not available to play in local tournament, which would allow lesser experienced players the opportunity to face a more experienced and skilled opposition, thereby improving on the standard and competitiveness of the domestic tournaments,” he wrote.”In the end, it compromises the standard of the WICB’s international team and that team’s performance internationally. The primacy of international cricket is threatened.”WICB has promised to redistribute fees collected for an NOC in contracts to players who only play T20.”It is our expectation too, that the accumulation of these fees will facilitate the offer of contracts to players participating only in the short format of the game,” Muirhead said.FICA chairman, Tony Irish, plans to raise the issue during a meeting with WICB on Tuesday.
The United States Government, under the Operation United Assistance, has brought in two additional mobile testing labs to test people suspected of the Ebola virus.The two mobile labs are being set up at the Island Clinic with another in Bong County.The labs, according to experts, will provide results in four hours after testing, meaning that it is very effective and fast unlike other testing that took about a month to give results.The testing labs from the U.S. Government, which were flown into Liberia last weekend, have already been installed and are up and running at the Ebola Treatment Units at Island Clinic and in Bong County.The U.S. Navy laboratories, is part of the ongoing Joint Forces Command-United Assistance, have reduced the time needed to determine if a sick person has Ebola from several days to just a few hours, and are capable of processing about 80 samples a day. Members of a U.S. Navy Medical Research Unit will operate both laboratories. “Having a laboratory on site will dramatically improve our ability to provide appropriate care to all of our patients,” Dr. Pranav Shetty, Emergency Medical Coordinator for International Medical Corps (IMC), said. “The sooner we can confirm patients who are positive (for Ebola), the sooner they can receive specialized care.” IMC is the organization running the Bong County site.“And the sooner we can identify patients as negative,” Dr. Shetty said, “the sooner they can be discharged from the ETU and return safely to their communities. We welcome the U.S. Navy to our unit in Bong County and thank them for their dedication.”The mobile testing labs are part of the U.S. effort to help the government of Liberia and other Ebola-affected countries to contain the Ebola virus, save lives and alleviate human suffering. Other U.S. activities include setting up a logistics base to facilitate the flow of U.S. military personnel, supplies, and equipment into the affected region, helping to build 17 Ebola treatment units, and training hundreds of health care workers.The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. government agency overseeing the overall U.S. response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The U.S. military response, led by Major General Darryl Williams, Commanding General of U.S. Army Africa, is acting in support of the USAID-led Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) by providing expertise in command and control, engineering and logistics.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A couple were on Thursday arraigned and remanded to prison for stabbing their neighbour during a misunderstanding.Kenese Bobb, 24, and Kemo Harlequin, 28, of D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and were not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated on December 10, 2019, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jermaine Sampson with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm.Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on the day in question, Harlequin and the Virtual Complainant had a misunderstanding and Bobb intervened.It was then the couple went into the man’s home and hurled glass bottles at him.The court further heard that the man was then dragged down his stairway and into the yard, during which he was stabbed about his body with kitchen knives by the couple.The injured man was later picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remains a patient.The matter was reported and the couple were arrested and charged for the offence.The Prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the couple on the grounds of the serious nature of the allegation and the fact that the VC was still hospitalised in critical condition.The couple will return to court on January 2, 2020.
Two years laterGovernment, over two years ago, tore down the old Endeavour (East Leguan) Primary School and constructed a new building in its place. Now, despite several complaints from teachers and parents, the Education Ministry is yet to outfit this new edifice with electricity and proper drainage.When this publication visited the school, it was observed that the building remains unpainted, and there are no connections to facilitate the provision of electricity. Parents complain that the lack of electricity hampers the learning capabilities of the students, since they are often in heated classrooms that make them uneasy.“I am a big woman, and I can’t stand the heat for a long time. When the place is hot I does come outside and sit down and get some breeze; so, just imagine them small-small children suffering in there for so long,” a parent, Vidya (only name given), told Guyana Times.She said she has two children attending the school and they would complain aboutThe Leguan East Primary Schoolthe heat.A teacher who spoke with this publication said several complaints have been made to the Region Three Department of Education, (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) but nothing has been done to assist them.The teacher related that the school’s location makes it not afforded a lot of breeze, and this makes concentration hard for the students, especially during afternoon hours.“You have to dress in your suit and (look) appropriate for school, because when the ministry people come and you are not dressed properly, then it’s a whole other problem; but we have to suffer here. (There is) no current, so we (cannot) get some fans for us and the students, or nothing. The trees does block off the breeze, and some days we boiling in here. We does have to take the children outside sometimes, because that is how we does feel,” the teacher explained.The Education Ministry or the Regional Administration is being called upon to ensure that the building is outfitted with electricity prior to the commencement of the new school year in September 2018.In addition, the parents have complained that whenever it rains, the water runs off the gutters into the school yard, making the assembly area inaccessible. The pipes all lead from the gutters into the yard, with no drain in sight to take off the water.“Education is very important, because, without education, nobody will want to employ you. So education is the gateway, and believe me,” those were the words of President David Granger, delivered in Region One a few months ago. However, the residents of Leguan Island feel they are being dealt a short hand when it comes to educating their children.A few months after taking office, President Granger had said there are troubling disparities in education attainment between the coastland and the hinterland, and between the schools in Georgetown and the rest of the coastland. He had said education delivery in Guyana is akin to ‘apartness,’ which is another form of ‘apartheid’ and “we must avoid and avert the danger of children being separated along lines of gender, social class, or geographical location.”But that level of apartness still remains, since all of the schools, with the exception of the Leguan East Primary, are painted; have proper drainage; and, most importantly, are outfitted with electricity.The teacher told this publication that the Education Ministry is pushing for the inclusion of ICT in the schools’ curriculum, but questioned how that is possible, since the electricity to power computers and other ICT devices is non-existent.Guyana Times made contact with the Regional Administration of Region Three, and it was indicated that the answers to the questions posed would be provided. However, this never materialised. Efforts to contact Education Minister Nicolette Henry proved futile. (Lakhram Bhagirat)
As of 4:30 p.m on Tuesday, there are only a couple hundred H1N1 vaccines left at the Fort St. John Medical Clinic. Spokesperson Lorraine Gerow says more than half of the vaccines have been distributed since 9:00 a.m. She anticipates all of the vaccines will be given-out by the end of the clinic, scheduled to end at 9:00 p.m. These vaccines are for individuals who are at-risk for the H1N1 flu. – Advertisement -Gerow says she expects more vaccination clinics to be scheduled at the Medical Clinic in the upcoming weeks.Visit www.fsjmedicalclinic.com for updated clinic dates and times. In the meantime, the Fort St. John Health Unit will be offereing the vaccine to at-risk people on Friday. Advertisement There are also a few clinics scheduled next week, visit www.northernhealth.ca for an updated list.
FORT ST JOHN, B.C. -A new milestone was reached for BC Hydro and the Site C project with the completion of the Peace River diversion tunnel excavations.The completion of the excavation of the two large diversion tunnels that are located on the north bank of the river was December 24, 2019. According to BC Hydro, the tunnels are approximately 750 metres long and 11 metres in diameter.- Advertisement -BC Hydro shares, that later this year, the tunnels will be used to reroute the Peace River around the dam site, allowing for the construction of the earth-fill dam across the main river channel.Excavations on the two tunnels began in summer 2018 and breakthrough on the upper half of the tunnels (known as the “crown”) occurred in summer 2019. Since that time, efforts focused on excavating the lower half the tunnels (known as the “bench”).BC Hydro shares the concrete tunnel lining process is, on average, about 50 percent complete in the tunnels. By using a custom-built slip form that enables concrete to cure in a perfect circle outside the form. At the same time, construction of the structures that will house the inlet gates are nearing completion; construction of the outlet gate structures will be completed once the concrete lining forms have been removed from the tunnels.According to BC Hydro, they remain on schedule to begin diverting the Peace River in September 2020. River diversion will be in place until the Site C reservoir is filled in 2023.Advertisement
In a recent research note, Bear Stearns analyst Peter Nesvold said Ford may benefit more from a retiree health care deal than GM. Part of the reason is that Ford’s cash flow has exceeded expectations in recent quarters and should get an additional cash boost from potential sales of its Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo brands. Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans said Ford is pleased that GM and the UAW were able to tentatively agree but would not comment what it might mean for Ford. She said discussions are ongoing but the next step in the bargaining process is up to the union. Chrysler spokeswoman Michele Tinson said the company also is awaiting word from the UAW on when bargaining will begin. The company has not had time to fully assess the GM contract, she said. “We look forward to working with the UAW on finalizing a responsible agreement that meets the needs of the company, our employees and the UAW,” she said. In exchange for their ratification, GM workers would get a one-time bonus of $3,000 and then bonuses of 3 percent, 4 percent and 3 percent of their annual pay each year for the last three years of the contract, said one of the people briefed on the contract. That’s equally as attractive to Ford and Chrysler, said Greg Gardner, an analyst with Troy-based Harbour Consulting. “It’s not like they don’t get anything, but it’s less costly to the companies to pay those lump sums than to see base-wage rate increases of 3 percent this year, 3 percent next year,” he said. “Given the conditions … I’m sure they’ll push for certain customized elements, but the fact that there is an agreement with GM is definitely a very positive development for all three companies,” he said.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! In exchange, the UAW won bonuses, an agreement from GM to hire thousands of temporary workers and commitments to invest in U.S. plants, according to a person who was briefed on the contract. The person requested anonymity because the contract details haven’t been publicly released. The contract must be reviewed by local UAW presidents and will then be subject to a vote of GM’s 74,000 rank-and-file members. The agreement is expected to set a pattern for contracts that now will be negotiated at Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC. Ross Eisenbrey, vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based Economic Policy Institute, said the shift in retiree health care obligation into the UAW-run Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association, or VEBA, is more important to GM than its Detroit rivals. He said the automaker carries roughly 3 retired workers for every one active worker, while Ford has 1 retired workers for every active worker. Chrysler’s ratio is even lower. Of greater interest to Ford and Chrysler, he said, is the two-tiered wage structure, though both elements of the deal clearly serve the automakers’ overall goal of cutting costs. All three lost money last year and their combined share of the U.S. market has plunged from 73 percent in 1996 to 54 percent last year. “The union agreed to reduce the overall labor costs significantly, so that will be a help to both Ford and Chrysler,” Eisenbrey said. “They’ll want to get reductions that are in line with what GM gave.” DETROIT – GM’s tentative new contract with the United Auto Workers offers the other struggling domestic automakers, Ford and Chrysler, enough cost cutting inducements to find common ground and strike a deal with the union, analysts said Wednesday. “You can do some specific things for them and still work within the framework of this contract,” said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. “I don’t believe that the union would have negotiated that if they did not believe it was viable for Ford and Chrysler. “They couldn’t hang Ford and Chrysler on this contract.” GM and the UAW agreed Wednesday to a deal that allows GM to move its unfunded retiree health care costs into an independent trust administered by the UAW. The union also agreed to lower wages for some workers. 
A large crowd turned out today for the official sod turning ceremony for the new Joe Bonnar Link road, with development on the project set to commence in the next few weeks. Councillor Ciaran Brogan said the new link road will join the Neil T Blaney Road and will be a fantastic asset for Letterkenny. Speaking at the ceremony where he was joined by fellow councillors Michael McBride and Gerry McMonagle, Brogan said, “In the words of the late Joe Bonnar, let’s get it going.”That statement a trademark saying from the late Joe Bonnar sparked laughter amongst those in attendance at the ceremony.Other notable figures in attendance were Fr. Kelly, manager of Donegal County Council Seamus Neely and owner of Moonshine Ann Marie Bonar.After the ceremony those in attendance retired to Moonshine where they were treated to a selection of sandwiches and a selection of delicious homemade cakes and scones to wash down with their tea and coffee. “NEW LINK ROAD WILL BE A FANTASTIC ASSET FOR LETTERKENNY” – CIARAN BROGAN was last modified: June 8th, 2016 by Mark ForkerShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:Businessnews
Patsy with those famous spikes!The world’s fastest man has put his foot in it again – and Donegal is delighted!Just days ago Usain Bolt made Raphoe woman Grainne O’Dea the happiest woman in the world when he gave her his 200m winning spikes.Irish athletics coach Patsy McGonagle.Grainne, who works with Usain’s Pace Management, was left speechless by the gesture at the World Championships in Beijing. And now he has done it again.This time around Usain, through his manager Ricky Simms, has donated his priceless room winning running spikes to the Finn Valley club.Irish athletics coach Patsy McGonagle revealed the signed shoes (pictured) will now be put on display at the famous Finn Valley centre for all to see.Patsy says the gesture was typical of Milford man Simms, himself a former Finn Valley athlete who has never forgotten his roots. “In language we use here at home, Ricky has never forgotten where he came from. Thank you on behalf of your fellow members at #Fvac it’s an honour to showcase these spikes,” he said.USAIN BOLT GIVES DONEGAL A KICK-START WITH UNIQUE GESTURE! was last modified: September 2nd, 2015 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:finn valleypatsy mcgonaglespikesUsain Bolt
With just a week to go to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Letterkenny Chamber’s parade committee are calling on as many sporting groups, community groups and businesses to get involved.Last year’s parade in Letterkenny.As a national holiday everyone is off work and traditionally Letterkenny St.Patrick’s Day parade attracts a large number of spectators.Letterkenny Chamber President Gerard Grant said “St. Patrick’s Day is an important event in the calendar for Letterkenny. This year it once again falls on a weekend and we expect large crowds in town to celebrate, not just on the Monday. “The Parade is a great family event in Letterkenny. This year we have five bands, sports groups, youth groups and many of the usual community entries as well as the Irish Army colour party. We hope the parade will be colourful and lively celebrating international culture.”Letterkenny Chamber is the sole organiser of the Parade and it relies on financial contributions from large and small businesses and ask other businesses. It is a real voluntary effort by members of the Chamber and we are proud to play our part in this important day.“But this year we really want to make it even more vibrant, colourful and lively and we want to remind people that an entry doesn’t have to be a full scale float, we love to see clubs and societies dressed up walking along the street, this can be every bit as effective. If you have thought about entering and want to know more please do let us know as soon as posssible. ”The Parade starts at 3pm on Monday 17th March preceded by entertainment on the viewing platform at Market Square. The parade makes its way from Pearse Road via Port Road, through Main Street past the reviewing platform at Market Square to finish in Old Town. On the day the independent judges view the parade with various categories in mind including community, sports, youth, band and dance. Each category winner receives a plaque and the overall winning entry receives the Danny Doherty Perpetual Plaque plus a cheque for €500.To enter a float or for more information contact Letterkenny Chamber on 074 9124866 or email anne@letterkennychamber.com. LETTERKENNY WANTS YOU TO FLOAT THEIR BOAT FOR PADDY’S DAY! was last modified: March 10th, 2014 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:Letterkenny ChamberSt Patrick’s Day