Dear Editor,On February 13, 2018, Word Radio Day was celebrated. The day was dedicated to the role of radio and sports. Radio is a medium of educating, providing information, and promoting freedom of expression.Very early in my life, I developed a keen interest in radio. I remember my parents purchasing a Panasonic Radio Cassette player in the late 1970s, way before the first television set – a gift from a migrating friend – entered our home in 1990.My fondness for radio remains strong, with an acquired preference for certain stations and programme content.In the 1980s I was an ardent DX-er. Only persons familiar with listening to International Radio via Short Wave would be familiar with the term DX. I listened mostly to English and Spanish broadcasts from the BBC, VOA, Radio Habana, Czech Radio and HCJB, just to name a few. HCJB, which transmitted out of Quito, Ecuador was one of my favourites. That radio station transmitted programmes in English and Spanish.I continue to pay keen attention to both local and international media. It is on such volition that this missive was inspired.In his World Radio Day message, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres posited – “On World Radio Day, let us celebrate both radio and sports as helping people achieve their full potential.”What I hear on many of our local radio stations nowadays is particularly worrying. I often wonder if our radio practitioners ever READ, other than when they are tasked to do so from work scripts. Sometimes, their efforts reveal a lack of familiarity or preparation of what they present. My curious thoughts also ponder if they ever hear or listen to other internationally renowned media outfits; the quality of language, grammatical usage and correctness of pronunciation.Radio is not just informative or entertaining, it is also a learning tool and beacon of who we are and what we represent. In closing, I encourage our radio practitioners to be cognisant of the importance of their roles and thrive to perform professionally and eloquently. For radio impacts lives!Sincerely,Orette Cutting
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SOCU should remain under Police – Ramjattan
Following the recent pronouncement by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) should be independent, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan is of the view that the Unit should remain under the purview of the Guyana Police Force.Public Security Minister Khemraj RamjattanSpeaking with reporters on Friday, Minister Ramjattan posited that he would personally want SOCU to come under the Police Force, but noted this would be determined following debates in the National Assembly.“I would still want (SOCU) to come under the Police Force because it’s a policing authority and that’s my personal opinion. But first we have to collectively agree, I think the Attorney General has a different perspective on the issue. So like we do on everything, right down to contracts, we debate and then make a decision,” the Public Security Minister stated.On Tuesday last, Minister Basil Williams had announced that SOCU should be removed from under the Police Force in order to focus more on fighting money laundering, noting that it would not be wise for the Unit to be considered as one carrying out the work of the Force.“It is important for us because SOCU has been very busy, very up and about and it’s very important for it to perform its core functions related to AML/CFT and not be burdened with other Police work… SOCU needs to be an independent body like in the manner of CANU (Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit)… It is required now that these agencies be independent and carry out their own investigations when they receive report. We cannot remove SOCU from its core functions,” the Attorney General had stated.However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo days later criticised such a move, warning that the Unit would be used as a political weapon.Moreover, Jagdeo posited that the Unit should return to focusing on its core function; that is fighting money laundering, rather than doing regular Police work such as investigating murders, robbery and theft in accordance with the protocol recently developed by the Public Security Ministry.Armed with a signed copy of the SOCU protocol, he told a Thursday afternoon press conference that this new mandate is ridiculous and with this expanded mandate, not much is left for the rest of the Guyana Police Force to do, as he urged that SOCU returns to its original mandate.“This is a Special Organsied Crime Unit, it can’t do 21 things, it has to go back to its core functions, which was [fighting] money laundering and terrorism. There are other places in the Police Force where the deal with piracy, smuggling, fraud murder, you have the CID, or environmental crimes and counterfeiting of products, that’s not for SOCU,” the Opposition Leader declared.However, in response to Jagdeo, the Public Security Minister pointed out on Friday that the amended Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for SOCU does not entail the investigating robberies or petty crimes. But he explained that SOCU is a Police Unit and every Police Unit is involved in all types of crime.Nevertheless, he noted that the emphasis of the Unit is on anti-money laundering and anti-terrorists offences, which the AML provisions cater for.“That is what they have been doing all along… So it is not as if in the new Standard Operating Procedure, which we amended to accommodate them, that they are going to be robberies and so on. But if there is, let’s say, an anti-terrorist crime that then results in murder are you telling me that this Unit will deal with the anti-money laundering but when it comes to the murder, they send it back to the homicide squad – no! (SOCU) will proceed to do all of these investigations because a lot will be inter-related,” the Minister stated.According to Ramjattan, he found it “ludicrous” that the Opposition Leader would criticise the SoPs when his Administration – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – set up the Unit without any such protocols.
Indian Govt introduces KIP for older generation
The Indian High Commission in Georgetown has announced that the Government of India through its Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is organising a special “Know India Programme” (KIP) for the elder generation to visit India and reconnect with their roots.KIP is a flagship initiative of the Indian Government which familiarises youths of Indian origin with their Indian roots and contemporary India, through a 25-day orientation programme organised by the MEA. The KIP, in the past, was only available to youths between 18 and 30 years.However, for the first time-ever, India is hosting a KIP for the older generation.The Programme is available to seven Latin American countries, including Guyana, for Persons of Indian origin in the 45-65 age group, who have never been to India previously and fall in the low-income group.Persons of Indian origin within this age group, who may be interested in attending the KIP are being advised that the first KIP will be held in India with partner states Delhi, Varanasi, Allahabad, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Behar, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala from January 20, 2019 to February 10, 2019.This will coincides with the Annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention for which applicants would also have to register for.The second KIP will be organised from January 31, 2019 to February 16, 2019. A formal announcement of the KIP for Elders will be made soon. The Indian High Commission will provide registration details to the general public as they become available by the MEA.In the meantime, the Indian High Mission is urging those interested in applying for the programme to make necessary arrangements for their participation.
Hwy. 138 funding is sought
PALMDALE – After missing out on a recent allotment of transportation bond money, Antelope Valley civic leaders said Wednesday they will try to secure $15.8million needed to widen a portion of Highway 138 – a route dubbed “Blood Alley.” At a meeting convened by county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, civic leaders and representatives of the state Department of Transportation said they think they can come up with the money, about half of the $32 million needed for the entire project. The project would widen Highway138 from 165thStreet East to Largo Vista Road. Originally, officials had hoped to tap funds from Proposition 1B, the $19.9 billion transportation bond measure approved in November, for the project. But last week, the California Transportation Commission voted not to include it for funding. “We have to look for funding to make up for this disastrous decision,” Antonovich said. “I’m optimistic we will be able to work together.” Highway 138 picked up the moniker “Blood Alley” because of fatal collisions often involving impatient motorists trying to pass in areas where the route is just two lanes wide. Caltrans is widening the highway to four lanes in segments as funding allows. “This will (help stop) people from doing stupid things,” said Doug Failing, director of the Caltrans district that includes Los Angeles County. The state Transportation Commission primarily looked at two criteria in approving projects for Proposition 1B money – readiness for construction and congestion relief. It scored well on the first but poorly on the latter, Failing said. Failing said the plan now is to try to get the money through the State Highway Operations and Protections Program, or SHOPP. “I don’t care where the money comes from as long as it doesn’t delay my project,” Failing said. The project has a tentative completion date of 2010. Lancaster Mayor Henry Hearns said he was very disappointed by the commission’s decision, but he gave credit to Antonovich and Failing for keeping the issue a high priority. “I think we’re going to get there,” Hearns said. Some portions of the highway already have been funded for widening. That includes $24million to widen the Twin Bridges area – from 146th to 165th streets east – from two lanes to four. That project is slated for completion late this year. Twin Bridges has been the scene of numerous collisions, including one that killed three people in 1995. The stretch of highway has no shoulder for a driver to use if an oncoming vehicle crosses the center line. Also funded is a $16 million European-style traffic roundabout, which is planned to consolidate five closely spaced intersections into one, and eliminate the 90-degree curve from Palmdale Boulevard onto 47th Street East. In a roundabout, a driver yields to traffic already in the circle, makes a right turn to enter the circle and makes a right turn to exit. Roundabouts are designed so the traffic in the circle is traveling slower than 30mph. Work is scheduled to begin this year and be complete in 2008. Three other segments are in the design phases and have projected construction start dates this year – a segment from 60th Street East to AvenueT, a segment from 77th to 89th streets east, and a segment from 96th to 106th streets east. Construction costs for those three projects total $21 million. The segments are all slated for completion in 2009. james.skeen@dailynews (661) 267-5743160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Manchester United outcast Victor Valdes was considered for a Spain recall, reveals Vicente del Bosque
Victor Valdes Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has revealed he considered naming out-of-favour goalkeeper Victor Valdes in his latest squad. Valdes has made just two senior appearances since joining Manchester United in January after recovering from a knee injury.The former Barcelona man’s relationship with United manager Louis van Gaal deteriorated during the summer and he has not been given a squad number for the 2015-16 campaign.“We were very close to bringing Victor Valdes to the team and I really liked the idea,” Del Bosque told Atresmedia.“But in the end, we acted a little bit cowardly just because of what people might say, such as that I’ve lost my mind or those sort of things.“It was a time when Valdes needed support and why couldn’t we have given it ourselves?“I know that we have to call up the best players, that we need to prepare for the future, one that he might not be a part of.“But without a doubt it would have been a good idea to have called him up.”Valdes earned 20 caps for Spain and was a member of the squad that won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship two years later.“He is a unique man, special and very good for the national team,” Del Bosque said. “At times there is a need for humanity.”The 33-year-old saw his transfer to Turkish side Besiktas fall through last week after failing to agree personal terms and is under contract with United until next summer.Spain take on Slovakia in Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier in Oviedo before travelling to Skopje to face Macedonia three days later. 1
Jose Mourinho labels his side as ‘ridiculous’ after Champions League defeat to Porto
1 Jose Mourinho Jose Mourinho labeled his side’s defensive errors as “ridiculous” after Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by his former club Porto.The Blues lost to the Portuguese side on Mourinho’s first return to the club in 2004-05 and history repeated itself at Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday as Andre Andre and Maicon scored either side of Willian’s free-kick.Chelsea, who have now lost five times in all competitions this season, are now third in Group G after Dynamo Kiev beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2-0.Mourinho, who had criticised the attitude of his players on the eve of the game, said: “It was a good performance with two ridiculous mistakes.“Sometimes you make that kind of mistake and you are not punished. We were punished.“The second goal for us is a ridiculous mistake. We watch dozens of repetitions of Porto taking corners.“We were completely ready for that and in a moment where the game is completely under control and we were preparing a change, to concede that goal is ridiculous.”Mourinho reacted to the abject draw at Newcastle by dropping Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic to the substitutes’ bench, alongside captain John Terry, while leaving Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao and Oscar at home.But Mourinho refused to rebuke his players again, although Chelsea were easily exposed for Andre’s opener.“I don’t think my players deserve me to be critical of them, apart from the two mistakes that are difficult to accept,” he said. “I’m not going to point the finger to one or to another. The two mistakes that cost us the game, a game that was fantastic.”
‘BALLYBOFEY GAVE US THE X FACTOR AGAINST TYRONE’ – MARK MCHUGH
Donegal star Mark McHugh has said that home advantage and support was a crucial factor for Donegal overcoming Tyrone in a bruising Ulster SFC quarter final on Sunday. Despite the manner in which Donegal seemed to ease away from Tyrone especially after Ross Wherity’s goal, McHugh does not believe they are pulling further away from the chasing pack.McHugh said, “Tyrone and Donegal, it is probably one of those things where they could play 10 times and Tyrone could win five and Donegal could win five, they are so evenly matched.”“Home advantage really stood by us. We are used to the field, we trained there during the week, the free-takers know it so well, all these wee points all add up to making it easier for you.“And if you can take those things to improve your performance, all the better.”“We regrouped at half-time and we lifted the siege again and I don’t think they had any answer to us. We were quietly confident going into the game that if could produce the display we are capable of that we could do that to Tyrone. McHugh is now hoping over the next four weeks he can build up his fitness so he starts the Ulster SFC semi-final where Donegal will either face Derry or Down.“Whoever we play it will be it will be a test, there are no easy games in Ulster, and as we are reigning Ulster and All Ireland champins there are plenty of counties out there that want to knock us of our perch.” ‘BALLYBOFEY GAVE US THE X FACTOR AGAINST TYRONE’ – MARK MCHUGH was last modified: May 29th, 2013 by BrendaShare 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:BallybofeyCrowdHome advantageMark McHughPerparationTyroneUlster Semi finalXfactor
Five things you may not know about Man United’s new £52million signing
Doping caseFred tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide at the 2015 Copa America.He was initially suspended for a year, backdated to the tournament.But after a lengthy process he was eventually suspended for four months between March and July 2017. Former Arsenal star Gilberto is now Fred’s agent 5 Silva liningArsenal double winner Gilberto Silva represents Fred.But Silva sees his role as “mentor first, agent second” to young Brazilians like Fred.The former Brazil holding midfielder has been quoted as saying: “Since I started working with Fred he’s been a big challenge for me as well, because it wasn’t my job.” 5 Fred wasn’t the only player who refused to return to Ukraine 5 5 Manchester United have finally announced the signing of Brazil midfielder Fred – but how much do you know about him?The 25-year-old arrives at Old Trafford from Shakhtar Donetsk, and has signed a five-year deal.His Red Devils move – announced with another ‘cringe’ video on the club’s social media – has is ended months of speculation and yet there is little known of his background following five years in Ukraine, where the Champions League presents the only real opportunity to see him play.So here are five things you may not know about the midfielder, as he looks ahead to his debut Premier League season in the red shirt of United.Born and bredFred – full name Frederico Rodrigues de Paula Santos – was born in Brazil’s sixth largest city Belo Horizonte on March 5, 1993.Belo Horizonte hosted matches at the 1950 and 2014 World Cups and staged two of the tournament’s biggest-ever shocks – England’s 1-0 defeat to the USA in 1950 and Brazil’s 7-1 semi-final thrashing to Germany in 2014. Donetsk no-showSigned as a replacement for Manchester City-bound Fernandinho, Fred joined Shakhtar Donetsk from Brazilian club Internacional in 2013 in a deal worth €15 million.He was among the six Shakhtar players who refused to return to Donetsk in July 2014 as the Russia-Ukraine crisis escalated. Hero worshipBrazilian maestro Ronaldinho was Fred’s childhood hero.Fred’s first goal in the Brazilian championship in July 2012 came against his hometown club Atletico Mineiro, who Ronaldinho – once linked with joining United – was playing for at the time. 5 Brazil players react after the semi-final drubbing against Germany at their home World Cup Brazil star Ronaldinho inspired a whole generation of future footballers Fred was banned from football for doping offences in 2017
Wolves vs Burnley: preview, confirmed team news, plus more
Every current Premier League club’s best kit from the past decade Top nine Premier League free transfers of the decade REVEALED Forbes list reveals how much Mayweather, Ronaldo and Messi earned this decade Every Championship club’s best signing of the decade, including Taarabt and Dack LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS How the Premier League table could change after the Boxing Day fixtures 2 Out of form Burnley are attempting to claim their first Premier League victory of the season when they travel to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.The Clarets have collected just one point from their opening four games of the 2018/19 campaign and manager Sean Dyche knows he must stop the rot. possible standings smart causal highlights silverware 
impact MONEY England’s most successful clubs of the past decade, according to trophies won Best clips, calls and talkSPORT moments of 2019, feat Hearn, McCoist and more Their opponents, on the other hand, are enjoying life in their new division, having picked up five points from their four games.A late Adama Traore goal against West Ham saw them earn their first win of the season, after they had drawn against champions Manchester City the week before.Where can I listen?Wolves vs Burnley will be live on talkSPORT from 1.30pm on September 16.What is the team news?Record-signing Adama Traore again impressed off the bench and bagged the winner against West Ham, but he will have to wait for his first Wolves start after being named among the substitutes. 2 RANKED Which teams do the best on Boxing Day in the Premier League era? Burnley are still without Nick Pope and Joe Hart retains the No1 jersey, while James Tarkowski plays his ELEVENTH game of the season already after appearing for England in midweek.Confirmed teams:Wolves: Rui Patricio, Bennett, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Neves, Joao Moutinho, Jonny, Helder Costa, Jimenez, Jota.Subs: Gibbs-White, John Ruddy, Saiss, Ruben Vinagre, Hause, Leo Bonatini, Traore.Burnley: Hart, Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Lennon, Hendrick, Cork, Gudmundsson, Barnes, Vokes.Subs: Heaton, Lowton, Wood, Westwood, Ward, Vydra, Long. Traore’s late goal against West Ham sent Wolves into 11th Pope remains out for Burnley 
Groves: Froch is wrong, I’m ready for him
George Groves has told Carl Froch he has no intention of boxing on the back foot when he faces him for the world super-middleweight title.Groves has been widely tipped to adopt similar tactics to those that paid off when he upset the odds to beat local rival James DeGale on points in 2011.Champion Froch predicted that Hammersmith’s unbeaten challenger would “run for his life” on Saturday night.But Groves, 25, had a simple message for his opponent at the final press conference before they meet in the ring in Manchester.Speaking directly to the 36-year-old, Groves said: “He believes I’m going to run from him. Carl, you’re wrong.“I’m going to come out and meet you in the centre of the ring in the first round.“I’m going to win the jab exchanges and I’m going to hit you with two right hands – just two – just to let you know that whenever I want I can hit you with a right hand.Groves has been trained by Paddy Fitzpatrick.“Second round I’m going to come out and do the same. I’m going to win the jab exchanges but hit you with more right hands.“Third round I’m going to push you onto your back foot. And after the third round, Carl, you’re going to have to see what’s coming next.”Froch’s vast experience at the top level means he is strongly fancied to successfully defend his WBA and IBF belts.He has lost only twice in a 33-fight career and avenged one of those defeats by beating Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler on points earlier this year.But Groves, a product of the Dale Youth Boxing Club in Notting Hill, is rated as one of the best emerging talents in the sport and insists he is ready to prove himself as a world-class operator.“I’m very excited. This is my opportunity to be a world champion and I’ve put a lot of hard work into it,” he said.“He says I’m chinny but I’ve never been knocked out and I’m unbeaten. He’s fighting himself psychologically and he’s losing.“I know I’m ready. It’s my time. I cannot wait for Saturday night so that I can show everybody this is where I belong. I’m going to be world champion.”See also:Confident Groves squares up to Froch after final press conferenceGroves reveals his plan to beat Froch in Saturday’s world title clashHearn predicts Groves will go on the attackRelaxed Groves unfazed by Froch – trainerFroch claims Groves will be ‘annihilated’Groves stays cool at tense weigh-inGroves says Froch ‘has 48 hours to readjust’ after gameplan is revealedFroch v Groves: Live 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 Follow West London Sport on TwitterFind us on Facebook