GUYANA-Fear of bio-terrorism has forced the United States of America (USA) to sign into law a Food and Safety Modernisation Act. This Act was designed to change the way the US conducts trade with other countries, Guyana being no exception. The Act was assented to by President Barack Obama, on January 4, 2011. It is aimed at ensuring that the US food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it altogether. This is according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which has described the Act as “the most sweeping reform of our food and safety laws in more than 70 years…”(KAIETEUR NEWS/ kaieteurnewsonline.com)…[+]

GUYANA-As Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, continues to pursue the reform of his sector; he emphasized recently that a main concern remains with those companies that are still to deliver millions of dollars’ worth of drugs to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dr. Norton said that several companies have been in default for many years. He said that this is not only “negligence and deceit, but a clear sign of blatant disrespect for the procurement laws of the country.” This, he said, would not be tolerated under his watch.(KAIEUTEUR NEWS/ kaieteurnewsonline.com)…[+]

GUYANA-An investment is expected to yield justifiable returns. The larger the investment the larger the return, but the National Communications Network (NCN)—cash strapped as it is—has done precisely the opposite by having on its books an investment of almost $200M. The investment represents spending on a project for which the only beneficiaries are the residents of the now infamous Pradoville II. Information coming to light reveals that the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the parent company of NCN, spent $188M to remove the transmission tower. That tower was relocated from Sparendaam, East Coast of Demerara (ECD) to La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.(KAIETEUR NEWS/ kaieteurnewsonline.com)…[+]

AFGHANISTAN-Afghan security forces are struggling in their attempt to wrest the major city of Kunduz back from Taliban militants.The Afghan government lost control of Kunduz on Monday, the first time the Taliban have taken over a provincial capital since 2001.The effort to retake the strategically important city began Tuesday, but it is being hindered by a shortage of ground troops, said Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, a spokesman for the police chief of Kunduz province. Hundreds of reinforcements supposed to arrive in Kunduz on Tuesday are still stuck in neighboring Baghlan province where the Taliban have blocked the highway, he said Wednesday.(CNN NEWS/ edition.cnn.com)…[+]

GUYANA-The cash strapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is still to receive some US$11M from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the balance owed for the purchase of its electricity generation facilities. The confirmation was made yesterday by NICIL’s Communication Manager, Julianna Hutson, in response to an article which pointed out that the sugar company was still owed monies. Skeldon Energy Inc (SEI) is another of the Special Purpose Companies created by Winston Brassington, the Executive Director of NICIL, who had also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Power and Light. (KAIETEUR NEWS/ kaieteurnewsonline.com)…[+]

BANGLADESH-ISIS has claimed responsibility for gunning down an Italian citizen on the streets of Bangladesh — and threatens more attacks to come. Cesare Tavella, 51, was jogging home Monday evening in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka after swimming at the American International School’s pool. As Tavella was jogging through Gulshan, the diplomatic zone of Dhaka, two gunmen fired three shots, Dhaka police Deputy Commissioner Munatshirul Islam said. The assailants fled on a waiting motorbike. Nothing was taken from Tavella, and police said the attack was definitely planned. ISIS issued a statement saying an ISIS sniper shot and killed Tavella.CNN NEWS/ cnnmobile.com)…[+]

GUYANA- pvilleFormer Member of Parliament (MP) Desmond Trotman has moved to the courts to challenge the sale and transfer of acres of prime ocean-front state lands to former President Bharrat Jagdeo, past government Ministers and other close associates. In a high court motion filed yesterday, Trotman and the Committee for the Defence of the Constitution Incorporated, are seeking a mandatory order directed to each of the property owners that the legal and beneficial ownership of the parcels of land at Plantations Goedverwagting and Sparendaam, purported to be sold and transferred to them, shall be returned to the State.(KAIETEUR NEWS/ kaieteurnewsonline.com)…[+]

GUYANA-The world of an artist is often characterized by vision, creativity and finesse. Art often reveals a world that is totally hidden from the masses.   Such is the craft of renowned Guyanese Sculptor, Ernest Van Dyke. Van Dkye draws inspiration from his surroundings— nature, scenery and the current affairs of the nation. He underscored that “the beauty of art is taking something old or what may seem useless and creating something captivating and worthwhile to look at.” On a visit to his home, the artist pointed to a piece of art which hung on the wall of his intimate work space. (KAIETEUR NEWS/ kaieteurnewsonline.com)…[+]

GUYANA-A group of Middle Road, East La Penitence vendors are crying foul after they were forced to vacate road stall positions they had held for the past five years, apparently as a result of a crackdown by the city constabulary. The exercise was reported to have been conducted at 4:00AM, as the vendors were putting out their produce. While some were taken completely by surprise, vendor Patricia Bharrat is contending that the exercise resulted in an actual scuffle between her and one of the constables that caused her to be detained. According to one vendor, Rishi Roopnarine of Canal No. (KAIETEUR NEWS/ kaieteurnewsonline.com)…[+]