News

The government last evening took a major step towards scaling back the controversial benefits package for former presidents, which Finance Minister Winston Jordan denounced as a “vulgar” insult to hardworking taxpayers that have had to foot the bill.

President David Granger yesterday continued the pressure on Venezuela over its stunning bid to appropriate Guyana’s Atlantic waters, declaring that a replacement decree issued by Caracas was still exceptionable and that Georgetown would broaden its diplomatic offensive to counter it.

A judge and her husband were brutalised and robbed early yesterday morning by a gang of armed men, who broke into their home in the secured, gated community of Felicity, East Coast Demerara, where they later engaged in a gunfight with a security guard during a botched getaway.

GuyOil Managing Director Badrie Persaud has been sent on 210 days leave while the government completes its forensic audit of the state-owned company.

Guyana’s annual rice barter agreement with Venezuela since 2009 will conclude in November of this year with Finance Minister, Winston Jordan yesterday stating that since 2014 Venezuela was signalling that there would be no additional arrangements under the PetroCaribe fund.

A member of the Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad (BASS) was charged yesterday with killing a detainee during a recent raid.

Clarence Schwartz, the taxi driver charged with causing a man’s death while driving under the influence, was yesterday granted $1 million bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The National Assembly yesterday passed a bill that seeks to provide financial autonomy to constitutional bodies, including the service commissions, the Ombudsman’s office and the elections commission.

The controversial One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project is under review, according to the Ministry of the Presidency, which says a tour of the project’s office has revealed an inventory of “unserviceable and defective” computers.

During a stakeholders’ consultation meeting on road safety on Wednesday, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan told the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) that the current administration will fully support its efforts to promote road safety in Guyana.

Ill-health has caused the withdrawal of former Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy from the list of PPP/C MPs for the 11th Parliament and he has been replaced by Harry Gill.

The Hussain family, which was attacked and robbed at gunpoint at their Lot 62 Brehaspat Street, No.

Two men were yesterday each fined $75,000 after a city magistrate found them guilty of attempting to break and enter a police officer’s vehicle.

LUANDA, (Reuters) – When a halving of oil prices left a gaping hole in Angola’s finances this year, it became clear sub-Saharan Africa’s third largest economy needed help fast – and President Jose Eduardo dos Santos knew exactly where to turn.

A team headed by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan met with officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Wednesday to discuss and sort out details for the holding of local government elections.

A man was sentenced to six months in prison on Wednesday after he was found guilty of being in possession of stolen items belonging to the United States Embassy.

ATHENS/FRANKFURT, (Reuters) – The Greek government sent a package of reform proposals to its euro zone creditors yesterday in a race to win new funds to avert bankruptcy and will seek a parliamentary vote today to endorse immediate actions.

CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela’s bolivar tumbled to a rate of more than 600 per U.S.

SHANGHAI, (Reuters) – Chinese stocks rose strongly for a second day on Friday, buoyed by a barrage of government support measures, but worries persist about the long-term impact that four weeks of stock market turmoil may have on the world’s second-largest economy.

Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang this afternoon ruled that the presidential term limit is unconstitutional, clearing the way for former president Bharrat Jagdeo to make another run for the presidency.