News

Described by the US government as the leader of an extensive mortgage fraud scheme, New York-based Guyanese businessman Ed Ahmad could get a jail term of less than 6.5 to eight years when he comes up for sentencing on April 21 as prosecutors have asked for leniency because of his detailed testimony against former state senator John Sampson.

Dissatisfied with the muzzling of smaller parties that form the APNU+AFC coalition from speaking out independently on issues, the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) plans to push for consultation in decision making in APNU, the main constituent in the government.

A La Penitence house was completely destroyed in a mysterious fire yesterday but two others were saved from destruction after a prompt response by the Guyana Fire Service.

The Middle Road, La Penitence beautician who was busted in the US state of Georgia in December 2015 was jailed on March 29th for 15 months by an Atlanta judge.

ASUNCION,  (Reuters) – The United States, historically a major backer of multilateral lending institutions, will not renew its contribution to an Inter-American Development Bank fund that supports pilot development projects, the head of the Washington-based organization said yesterday.

QUITO,  (Reuters) – Leftist government candidate Lenin Moreno claimed victory in Ecuador’s presidential election yesterday but the right-wing challenger disputed the result and asked for a recount, setting the stage for potential protests in the historically turbulent Andean nation.

The woman who was living with the Mibicuri man accused of strangling his wife and then burying her in their backyard says she wants nothing more to do with him and also complained of abuse during their four-month relationship.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate said yesterday it was unlikely that Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch would be able to clear a procedural hurdle to a final vote, even as a third Senate Democrat threw support behind the pick.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Irfaan Ali says that the parliamentary body is looking forward to the completion of a report by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on the recent controversial purchase of $605m worth of drugs for the GPHC.

Some 18 kilos of marijuana was found in a container at the John Fernandes Limited wharf early Saturday morning.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump held out the possibility yesterday of using trade as a lever to secure Chinese cooperation against North Korea and suggested Washington might deal with Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programmes on its own if need be.

ASUNCION,  (Reuters) – Protesters were collecting signatures yesterday demanding the withdrawal of a proposed amendment that would allow Paraguay’s president to stand for re-election while his allies vowed to move forward with the measure despite Friday’s violent clashes.

In addition to investigations into the procurement and inventory-keeping processes at the Public Health Ministry, expert help should be solicited in preparing a sound data-management system, Shadow Minister of Health for the People’s Progres-sive Party, Dr Frank Anthony has said.

QUITO, Ecuador,  (Reuters) – The Venezuelan Supreme Court may have amended part of its explosive decision to take over the opposition-led congress, but it still gives embattled leftist President Nicolas Maduro broad new powers over the OPEC nation’s vast oil wealth.

MOCOA, Colombia,  (Reuters) – Families and rescuers searched desperately yesterday through mud-plastered rubble for victims of flooding and landslides in Colombia that have killed at least 210 people, injured hundreds and devastated entire neighborhoods.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) says it has received the Staff Statement of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with which the Commission met on March 16, 2017 as part of the Fund’s Article IV Consultations.

Dynamic International Airways has announced the cancellation of its flight 2D 402 out of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri bound for JFK International Airport this afternoon, due to a hydraulic leak on its 767 aircraft.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC — Saturday’s convincing victory proved only a false dawn as West Indies quickly returned to their unpleasant old habits, plunging to a seven-wicket defeat to Pakistan here today, to concede the four-match series 3-1.

President David Granger says that Guyana welcomes Chinese investment but called for such investments to be more closely geared to providing employment here and national development.

SYDNEY,  (Reuters) – Investors are ploughing ever more into ethical funds to back their views on issues such as global warming and gender equality, but such investments can be confusingly similar to standard funds, except for higher fees and ‘green halo’ marketing.