Staff Editor

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States today, succeeding Barack Obama and telling a bitterly divided country he will pursue “America First” policies at home and abroad.

(Trinidad Express) Trinidad and Tobago has been ranked 59th among a list of 199 countries deemed to have the most powerful passports in the world.

Srinath Ispat Limited, a firm based in India with extensive knowledge of the sugar industry, will be in Guyana from Monday, January 23, 2017 to have dialogue with the Guyana Government  on possible investments in the beleaguered Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture today said..

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Test captain Jason Holder says one of his main goals is to transform the Caribbean side into a tightly-knit unit, and believes this is will be the catalyst for any turnaround in the team’s fortunes.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) today said that the Value-Added Tax (Amendment) Regulations will come into operation on February 01, 2017 when the VAT rate will be reduced from 16% to 14%.

MELBOURNE,  (Reuters) – Uzbek journeyman Denis Istomin pulled off an Australian Open upset for the ages on Thursday when he sent Novak Djokovic tumbling out of the second round of the grand slam the Serbian has all but dominated for the last seven years.

President David Granger today wrote Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo suggesting that Attorney General, Basil Williams meets a representative of Jagdeo on issues surrounding the controversial GECOM list.

Former New York state Senate leader John Sampson was sentenced to five years in prison today for lying and obstructing justice to cover up his misuse of escrow money, according to Newsday.

MUMBAI,  (Reuters) – An Indian court on Wednesday acquitted Bollywood movie star Salman Khan of possessing an unlicensed weapon nearly two decades ago, ending a case that threatened to derail the career of one of the country’s biggest actors.

(Trinidad Express) Gunmen stormed the home of a couple and shot the pair in bed shortly after midnight on Monday.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) says it will be holding a Public Forum on the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), on Friday, January 20, 2017, commencing at 17:00 hours at the Umana Yana, Kingston.

The Ministry of Education today said that the Mashramani float parade this year will travel along Brickdam to D’Urban Park as was the case last year.

(Trinidad Guardian) An autopsy on the body of 16-year-old schoolgirl Rachael Ramkissoon yesterday revealed that she was strangled.

SYDNEY,  (Reuters) – The deep-sea search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 ended on Tuesday without any trace being found of the plane that vanished in 2014 with 239 people on board, the three countries involved in the search said.

New Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, today, held introductory meetings with representatives of various religious and social groups to ensure continuity and increased areas of collaboration as part of advancing the social cohesion agenda, a release from the Ministey of the Presidency said.

The opposition PPP today raised a series of questions about a deal signed by the government for the establishment of a law school here.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday said that amended lists of items zero-rated and exempt for the Value-Added Tax (VAT) will take effect from February 1st  2017.          

(Trinidad Guardian) A romantic drive with his common-law-wife of over nine years ended tragically for Mahase Latchman, 28, as gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, shooting his wife and wounding him during the wee hours of yesterday morning.

Residents of Georgetown who live in areas where parking meters will be placed are being invited to apply for discounted parking.

(Trinidad Guardian) A police investigation has begun into the housing allowance paid to President Anthony Carmona.