Month: September 2019

Guyana’s public servants being paid “grossly inadequate” wages – Union head

TIMES INT'L

The Guyana Public Service Commission (GPSU) on Wednesday facilitated its 23rd biennial conference at State House, which was declared open by caretaker President David Granger. In the presence of stakeholders from the public sector, GPSU President Patrick Yarde highlighted the current situation of public servants, explaining that some of them are living on small wages. This, he noted, is grossly inadequate. “The reality is that many public servants are living in abject poverty…Whoever is responsible for advising the Government about the adequacy of pay is not merely only out of…

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Piercing

TIMES INT'L

…the constitutional crisis The Constitution of a country is supposed to address its political questions – those that have to do ultimately with power, that is, which crop up as the people go about their business. The Constitution is like a contract where the citizens of the country set up the terms that’ll govern the institutions running the state. The state has the ultimate sanction of using force, if necessary, to ensure that it’s laws – as encompassed by the Constitution or emanating from it – are upheld. A citizen…

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GECOM Chair should explain why the sudden change in elections timeline

TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, It is refreshing to finally read the joint statement issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, which unequivocally denounced Guyana’s illegal Government for being “in breach of the Constitution following its failure to adhere to the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on June 18 and its subsequent orders.” Kindly permit two comments. First, the de facto President, arguably, admitted to having “breached” the Constitution. On one hand, he rejected the tripartite joint statement and stated: “My only response is that…

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Another family returns from hurricane-ravaged Bahamas

TIMES INT'L

Another family of five, who was affected by Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas returned to Guyana on Sunday evening. The Cooper family arrived in Guyana at about 22:00h at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, East Bank Demerara. Stevie Cooper, who is originally from The Bahamas, and his reputed wife, Vanessa Taite, a Guyanese, and their three children, Stevie Cooper Jnr, Steven Cooper and Steve Cooper, who were all born on the island, were welcomed to Guyana by Citizenship Minister Winston Felix. The Minister told reporters at the…

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World Court to begin hearing Guyana-Venezuela border case in March 2020

TIMES INT'L

Almost one year after the Government of Guyana approached the International Court of Justice for a resolution in relation to territorial claims made by its western neighbour Venezuela, the hearing is expected to begin in March of next year. According to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the oral hearing will be held in The Hague, Netherlands from March 23 to 27 2020. It also explained that the hearing will determine whether the Court has the jurisdiction to take the case forward. “This hearing will determine whether the Court…

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Foreign powers say Guyana Govt in breach of Constitution

TIMES INT'L

The United Kingdom, United States and the European Union, in a joint statement on Thursday, said that the Guyana government has breached the constitution by not calling general and regional elections before September 18 following the passage of the no-confidence motion and subsequent court rulings. “We deeply regret that, by surpassing September 18, the Government is currently in breach of the Constitution following its failure to adhere to the decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on 18 June and its subsequent orders,” the diplomats said in a joint…

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APNU/AFC fundraiser hit by massive protest in New York

TIMES INT'L

A fundraiser organised by A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government in New York (NY) was completely overshadowed by more than one hundred protesters picketing the meeting, demanding elections and constitutional compliance. Held at the Richi Rich Palace on Atlantic Avenue in Richmond Hill, NY on Sunday, the fundraiser featured Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan representing the AFC, together with Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine representing APNU, and a small group in attendance. The Minister and entourage arrived to be greeted by the large crowd of protesters behind…

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Jagdeo says “disappointed” with February 2020 timeline

TIMES INT'L

…but has “great faith in GECOM Chair to deliver credible polls” Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday expressed disappointment with the proposed February 2020 elections timeline decided on by the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). However, he noted that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will work towards ensuring elections are held no later than February 2020. According to Jagdeo, he is disappointed in the fact that the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission has indicated this timeline to the President when she had only last week said that…

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2019 Diwali Parade & Cultural Show

TIMES INT'L

– an eagerly anticipated event in New York By Lakshmee Singh Deepavali or Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, will be again celebrated in a very spectacular and jubilant manner in Queens New York on October 19th, 2019 starting at 5:30 PM sharp when thousands of celebrants will participate in this annual Diwali Motorcade/Parade event that will wind its way through Liberty Avenue, the heart of the Indo-Caribbean community of Richmond Hill, Queens. The Diwali Motorcade/Parade event has become over the years, a much anticipated cultural celebration during the fall…

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