TIMES INT'L

15-yr-old was among notorious gang who carried out Lindo Creek massacre

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…CoI hears The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the June 2008 massacre at Lindo Creek heard that a then 15-year-old member of the notorious Rondell “Fine Man” Rawlins gang told Police investigators that the gang was responsible for murdering the eight men at their mining camp. When Special Superintendent of Police Trevor Reid took to the stand on Tuesday, he testified that he was the one who took the caution statement from then 15-year-old gang member, Dwayne ‘Small Friend” Williams. Despite failing to produce the original statement to the CoI,…

WPA Overseas Chapter believes no legislation should deprive citizens of their constitutional rights

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Dear Editor, The working Peoples Alliance Overseas Associate adds its voice to those organisations and individuals who have spoken out in opposition to the draconian and archaic Article 18 of the Cybercrimes Bill, 2016. We accept that with new modes of communication that were not anticipated by laws presently enacted, many countries have gone beyond common law to enact legislation to deal with various forms of Cyber abuse, but this Article 18 seems geared for repression under the guise of combating sedition. We in Guyana have had our bad experiences…

Newfound respect for teachers

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 TIMES INT'L

By Ashley Anthony My relationship to the education sector has always been that of a recipient- a student. I have upon many occasions criticized the way that our students are taught, and whilst I do believe that these complaints are still very valid and need to be addressed, I have developed a newfound respect for teachers. Let me be clear, in this instance, I mean teachers who honestly try their best. The kind who don’t tell you that you have to attend their lessons to pass, and who are dedicated…

Rift deepens between Govt, Opposition over top judicial appointments

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…it’s up to the president to initiate further discussions – Jagdeo When it comes to the appointment of a Chancellor of the Judiciary and a Chief Justice, President David Granger’s recent statement that “the ball is in Jagdeo’s court” is not sitting well with the parliamentary Opposition. During a press conference on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo drew reference to the letter he wrote to Granger since February 2018, when he rejected the President’s nominees. Jagdeo reminded that in his letter, he had committed to continuous engagement with the President.…

General Nursing Council board installed as 2,669 nurses registered in Guyana

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 TIMES INT'L

The fifteen-member General Nursing Council Board, responsible for registration and practising of nurses was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Herdmanston Lodge, Georgetown. According to a DPI release, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence reminded the Council of their responsibility to enforce rules and regulations. “I ask that you be satisfied that each candidate is fit and proper to be registered, ensure that each person meets the necessary criteria.” She noted that among the ministry’s primary focus is the equipping of various health facilities across the country, with competent nurses thereby…

Where are the missing diamonds?

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…AG’s Chambers given 2 weeks to produce G$54M in diamonds which vanished from Police hands Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln has given the Attorney General’s Chambers two weeks to locate some G$54 million in missing diamonds, which vanished from Police hands sometime after a 1994 robbery investigation. At a hearing before this High Court Judge on Monday, lawyers for the AG’s Chambers claimed being unable to contact several Police officers connected to the probe. This revelation comes in the wake of retired Police Commissioner Floyd McDonald breaking his silence by denying that…

Still no breakthrough in murder of ECD contractor – Crime Chief

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Almost two weeks after 29-year-old Denis Nandlall of Lot 21 Lalchan Street, Better Hope South, East Coast Demerara was shot dead, the Police are yet to make an arrest. This was according to Crime Chief Paul Williams during a telephone interview on Saturday, who further stated that since there were no eyewitnesses to the shooting, solving the crime could be more challenging. He nevertheless added that the Police are working with several leads, but none have led to any success thus far. Williams reiterated that the Police will continue their…

Govt to look into concerns of Cyber Crimes Bill

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

…following mounting pressure from civil society Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams on Thursday stated that the sedition clause of the controversial Cyber Crimes Bill will be looked at, while highlighting that there’s no rush have the bit of legislation passed. According to clause 18 of the Bill, persons commit an offence of sedition when they “attempt to bring into hatred or excite disaffection towards the government.” “We will look at it. We will take it to the cabinet. Just like how it took two years [to…

2nd pirate attack leaves 1 dead, crew members missing

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Almost one week after pirates attacked four boats on the Atlantic Ocean, displacing 16 fishermen most of whom are feared dead, another attack was reportedly staged on Wednesday evening in the vicinity of Matapica Canal, Suriname, leaving one fisherman dead, while his crew members have gone missing. The identity of the dead man is yet to be ascertained. According to information received, Suriname law enforcement officers are presently at the scene where the attack reportedly occurred. Meanwhile, four bodies were recovered on Wednesday following last Saturday’s piracy attack. The bodies…

APNU/AFC Govt leading country on downward trajectory – PPP MP

May 4, 2018May 4, 2018 TIMES INT'L

Weeks after declaring that Guyana was on its way to amassing exorbitant debt levels, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Irfaan Ali has once again condemned the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration’s handling of the economy, contending that Government is continually plundering public funds. “Since taking up office in 2015, the APNU/AFC Government continues to plunder the nation’s coffers [by] outstripping private investment to satisfy their growing budget deficit and unruly profligate spending habit,” Ali highlighted on Tuesday. He also contended that market securities were in decline,…