NY-based Guyanese singer gets warm welcome home

Guyanese artiste and entertainer Lisa Punch was warmly welcomed by President Donald Ramotar when she paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday at the Office of the President, GINA said. She was accompanied by her parents and Manager Mary Brown. Punch described her meeting with the president as very fruitful and encouraging. She said that she was inspired by President Ramotar to continue representing Guyana and making all Guyanese proud. Punch recently participated in US television network, ABC’s reality show `Rising Star’ and sang at the recent Guyana Festival.

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The power of sport

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2014 tournament is not yet over, but still, it has pleasantly reminded us of the power and influence of sport, and in the Guyana and Caribbean context, cricket is uniting our oftentimes divided people. Thus far in the tournament, we have seen fans jumping in joy, waving flags of support, blaring horns, and engaging in light banter, among others, in a picnic, carnival-like atmosphere. In Guyana, the tournament had witnessed some of the biggest and most vocal crowds since the commencement last month. During…

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General Election looms

While the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has decided to throw its support behind the proposed vote of no-confidence by the Alliance For Change (AFC), the Government is expecting that the process would go through the normal course in the National Assembly. This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who told reporters that the proposed no-confidence motion should not be seen as something to be done away with in a swift manner. The Cabinet Secretary said: “So you have a motion that is now…

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New GPC must compete with top int’l agencies

…to supply medical drugs to Guyana Despite being cleared as the sole pre-qualified company to supply medical drugs to the Guyana Government, NEW GPC INC would still have to compete with a number of top international agencies that gained automatic qualification. These agencies include the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). There has been some confusion regarding sole-sourcing of drugs with some reporters equating the NEW GPC’s pre-qualification clearance as being…

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Gov’t to GECOM: Bring the evidence

– Luncheon maintains GECOM not ready to hold national or local gov’t elections Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon has issued a challenge to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to lay the evidence on the table to supports its claims that it is ready for the hosting of Local Government and General Elections. According to Dr Luncheon at his post-Cabinet briefing last Wednesday, the Government is yet to be convinced that the Commission is as ready for the calling of any of the elections, despite the many claims Chairman of the…

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Guyana’s One Laptop Per Family drive reaches more beneficiaries

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA: Guyana’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Programme is adding to its long list of recipients, hundreds more happy and grateful people, as it continues another phase of distribution. Last Thursday, staff of the OLPF Secretariat visited Golden Grove, Haslington, Hope and Mahaica, Region Four, where together over 340 laptops were handed out. Golden Grove and Haslington received 90 laptops, distributed at the Golden Grove Grove-Nabaclis-Haslington Community Centre, while 150 were given out at the Hope Secondary School. At Mahaica, more than 100 of the devices were presented to…

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Congress Place shooter to be charged

Moments before boarding a Travelspan Flight destined for John F Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday, the perpetrator who discharged a round during the last day of the People’s National Congress/Reform Congress was nabbed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Ever since the shooting incident, the Police have been hunting for Linden Primo, but he disappeared until his arrest on Tuesday evening. Members of the Criminal Investigations Department have launched an investigation into the shooting incident and have since confirmed that no firearm licence was issued to the said individual.…

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Rift widens in PNCR -top members set to resign

By Jomo Paul Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) stalwart Clarissa Riehl has signalled her intention to resign from the party, contending that it has lost direction under incumbent David Granger. According to Riehl, she was by default not a member of the party for the past two years, but recently renewed her membership with hopes of being able to bring change within the party, but regrets the decision. When asked if she intends to resign, the former Deputy Speaker responded: “I do,…

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Guyana Gov’t looking to set up gold refinery

Amid falling international gold prices and low gold declarations at the Guyana Gold Board, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud last Friday disclosed that Government is looking to set up a gold refinery. Responding to a question posed by Guyana Times International at a press conference, the Minister related that the idea of setting up a refinery in Guyana was one that was being considered by Government and stakeholders in the mining industry. He said: “Value-added continues to attract the attention of various parties outside of the gold industry,…

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Guyana’s sugar industry must brace itself for ‘bitter days’- Professor Thomas warns

By Michael Younge Things will get far worse before they get better and the sugar industry in Guyana must brace itself to face bitter days ahead, unless those who are managing the sector make some tough but necessary decisions now. This is the position of renowned Caribbean Economist, Professor Clive Thomas, who, speaking with Guyana Times International, laid the premise for a renewed national approach to managing its affairs. Professor Thomas said there is urgent need for the establishment of a national task force or commission to investigate the current…

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