Guyana committed to complying with international obligations in bio-tech utilisation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the University of Guyana (UG) on Tuesday, February 21, hosted a second training workshop on biosafety. Facilitator of the workshop, Fred Phillips, who is a specialist in the implementation of multilateral agreements, said that this project is designed to get participants reacquainted with bio-safety clearing house; giving them an insight on the state of biosafety at the international level. All the signatories to the Cartagena Protocol have to provide information about the state of bio-safety and laws in place or any decisions…

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Stillborn Trust

The Americans have an expression – borrowed from their character- defining sport, baseball: “three strikes and you’re out!” In the contest between (round) bat and ball, the hitter is given two free chances (“strikes”) if he misses the ball. A third miss and he’s out. In the so-called ‘new dispensation’ of ‘consensus and cooperation’ ushered in at the last elections, the opposition that secured a majority in parliament was allowed two “strikes” at building trust with the executive. There was first, the selection of the Speaker: the opposition broke tradition…

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Ramotar, Bouterse reiterate importance of bridging Corentyne River

President Donald Ramotar and his Surinamese counterpart Desi Bouterse have reiterated the importance of bridging the Corentyne River and tackling cross-border crime, among several issues of mutual importance. This is according to a joint communiqué issued following President Ramotar’s one-day state visit to Guyana’s Dutch- speaking neighbour. During the visit, the two heads of state discussed several matters of mutual interest and exchanged ideas on ways and means of advancing their shared vision of intensifying existing relations. Agreement was reached on several areas that can forge closer ties between the…

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Teen had become rebellious, out of control – brother

By Pushpa Balgobin  Days after a 15-year-old girl laced her relatives’ meal of hassar curry with poison, police investigators found a diary detailing her intentions, the teen’s brother told Guyana Times International in an interview last week. The teen of Handsome Tree, Mahaicony, West Coast Berbice was charged with attempted murder for poisoning her five family members with monocrotophos, a commonly used farming insecticide. Her brother, Eshwardat, told this publication that when police searched the home they found the teen’s diary, which disclosed in detail her intention of killing her…

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Enough evidence to charge Greene with rape – DPP

-Chief justice orders tendering of all evidence Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang on Monday, February 20, ordered that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack submit to the High Court all evidence and statements which led to her recommending that a charge of rape be instituted against Police Commissioner Henry Greene. However, the DPP in an affidavit in response to Greene’s motion barring the institution of the charge on February 7, the DPP said she is not required to answer to anyone constitutionally. She noted that she made her…

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N.Y. –based Guyanese welcome new Queens’ immigration office

– optimistic that waiting times will be significantly reduced By North American Correspondent A new federal office recently opened in Queens to handle all immigration related matters is being welcomed by the large Guyanese and other immigrant groups in New York. The new two-floor office is located at 27-35 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City, not far from communities where large numbers of Guyanese are settled, such as in Astoria, Woodside, and Elmhurst, etc. Queens is the largest borough of New York and is believed to have the largest number…

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Secondary schools step-up with extraordinary dance performances – as Mash competitions continue

The National Cultural Centre in Georgetown was filled to capacity, on Wednesday, February 8, with secondary school students from Georgetown, many of whom came out to support their respective schools participating in this year’s children’s mash competitions. Just under 100 dance pieces were presented by individuals and groups (11-13 and 14-17 age groups) in the traditional, legends and traditions, religious beliefs, interpretative, social commentary and masquerade categories. The participating schools stepped-up their game as they took the audience through a cascade of colours and up-beat sounds which induced the Mashramani…

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Govt will not be held to ransom – Ramotar

By Ariana Gordon President Donald Ramotar on February 10, warned the National Assembly that his administration will not be held at ransom by any intractable posture by the opposition while stressing the importance of the House working together in the best interest of all citizens. “As willing however as my government is to exercise patience, forbearance, and reasonableness in the interest of all of our people, my administration will not be held ransom to intractable postures,” the president said in his inaugural speech to the National Assembly in which he…

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New army officers warned about lure of fast cash

By Bhisham Mohamed “Avoid the temptation of being compromised by the lure of fast money and quick riches. Yielding to such temptation corrupt morals and is an affront to our proud heritage.” These were the sentiments of Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar during his address to the graduates of the Guyana Defence Force Standard Officers’ Course Number 44 held at the Drill Square, Camp Ayanganna on Wednesday, February 15. The president charged the officers that they must at all times work hard and be honest; a trademark that will bear fruit.…

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Opposition takes control of Committee of Selection

The combined opposition on February 10 took control of the Committee of Selection, which is responsible for the composition of all other committees in the Parliament, with five seats to government’s four seats. Representing government on the committee are Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira, Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy and Indranie Chandarpal. Sitting on the committee for the opposition are Chief Whip Amna Ally, Joseph Harmon, Volda Lawrence, Dr George Norton of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Khemraj Ramjattan of the Alliance…

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