Broadcasting Bill tabled

Government, on July 21, tabled the highly-anticipated broadcast legislation, paving the way for the establishment of a Broadcast Authority which will regulate radio and television stations and issue licences. The Broadcasting Bill was presented and read for the first time in the National Assembly by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who previously held the portfolio of minister of information before President Bharrat Jagdeo took over. It is the third draft of a broadcast bill; the previous two documents were condemned by several groups before they were withdrawn. The legislation has been…

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APNU vows to end one-party rule politics

BY SHAWNETTE FIEDTKOU The newly-formed coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), says it is committed to ending the winner-take-all and one-party rule politics practised in Guyana, if elected into office at the upcoming general and regional elections slated for later this year. The message was delivered to just under 1000 residents who attended a rally held by the group on Friday, July 22. Presidential candidate of APNU, David Granger, opened his address with the announcement of the plan to “establish an inclusionary democracy, fulfilling our national constitution,” while relating…

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Man accused of killing adoptive mother in Florida had troubled history – friends

Six years ago, when her adoptive son was 15, something made Natalie Belmonte reach out to her estranged husband for help with controlling the teen. The response was disastrous, resulting in a felony child abuse charge against the husband, later reduced to the misdemeanour of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, court records show. Andre Belmonte pleaded no contest, and had to attend a parenting class and serve a term of probation. The incident stands in stark contrast to the post mortem portrait of a happy family provided by…

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Death toll rises to five – six remain hospitalised with serious injuries

BY DEVI SEITARAM The death toll of the horrific early Monday evening accident on Homestretch Avenue rose from four to five by Tuesday morning, but the other patients who were listed as critical are now stable and are presently hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital. GPH officials said fifteen persons were rushed to the hospital to receive medical attention following the accident. Dead are Coretta Benjamin, 39, headmistress of JE Burnham Nursery School, her daughter Crazel Paul, 8, Erica La Cruz, Peter Mc Clennon 29, and Junior Duncan. They are…

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Argentina to set up Guyana embassy

The arrival of the Argentine Navy’s training ship to Guyana’s shores is the first step to fostering better relationship with the Spanish-speaking country and Guyana. While on a tour of the Libertad on July 16, charge d’ affaires of the Embassy of Argentina, Luis Martino told the media that the ship’s arrival signals appreciation for Guyana, and Argentina plans to launch better relationship henceforth. The Republic of Argentina, he said, is currently looking for a location in Georgetown to set up an embassy, which will become operable in a short…

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TT mulls setting up in- transit lounge for Guyanese – Minister Prashad

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad, on July 18, said that the new Transport Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Devant Maharaj, is considering setting up an in-transit lounge for Guyanese. Minister Prashad remarked that he recently met with the minister and addressed concerns about the hassle Guyanese face when in transit in Trinidad and Tobago. He said the new minister is considering setting up an in-transit lounge so that Guyanese passengers will not have to face the harassment. Recently, at a media conference, President Bharrat Jagdeo argued the case…

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GECOM reopens Claims and Objections Period– says new round of registration will not delay elections

BY ARIANA GORDON The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on July 18, announced that it was reopening the Claims and Objections(C&O) Period for 13 days, starting July 25, to accommodate those persons who were not in receipt of their source documents during the initial C&O Period. The decision was not unanimously taken, and saw two of the five commissioners voting against the reopening process at a special meeting held on July 18. GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally told the media after the two- hour-long meeting that the decision by the commission…

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Guyana readies private sector for EPA

A two-day Guyana consultation series on the CARIFORUM/EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on July 19 concluded with enhanced focus being placed on trade services, with reference to cross border supply of services and other issues. The forum, held at the Foreign Service Institute at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive in Georgetown, focused on positioning the region’s goods and services to tap into commercial and other opportunities within the EU market, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, while addressing stakeholders at the consultation, said that Heads of Government,…

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GTI takes inaugural title

– Government Technical Institute (GTI) drubs Wismar/ Christianburg 5-3 to grab inaugural Digicel Schools’ Football title Red and silver confetti covered the players of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) after winning the first ever Digicel Schools’ Football championships title last night at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground with a convincing 5-3 victory against Linden powerhouses Wismar/ Christianburg Multilateral. GTI was piloted by their prolific striker Jermaine Junior, who broke the score-line in the 20th minute for his 23rd goal of the tournament, to give his team the early advantage. The…

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Guyana romp to innings victory

The spin duo of left- arm spinner Gudakesh Motie (4- 57) and leg- spinner Amir Khan (3- 43) spun a web around the Leeward Islands’ batsmen to bowl hosts Guyana to an innings and 27- run win in round one of this year’s regional Under-19 tournament at the National Stadium yesterday. The Guyanese bowlers snapped up the four wickets required for victory an hour and eighteen minutes into the first session to earn themselves 12 points. Scores in the match: Leeward Islands 107 and 183, Guyana 317 for 9 declared.…

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