GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – China are providing eight million US dollars for the implementation of a number of projects in Guyana. The two countries Thursday signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement with Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh praising Beijing’s efforts in the socio-economic development of his country. Singh made specific reference to the long-standing historical friendship between the two countries, recalling that Guyana was the first Caribbean country to establish formal diplomatic relations with China following its independence.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - Although, if readers will forgive the sporting expressions, popular support for the regional claim for reparations for slavery might have been considered a “slam-dunk” or a “gimme” in the current economic environment, it is refreshing to see that the debate has been joined by an opposing contribution from Dr. Leonard Shorey, published in both of the weekend newspapers.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) have adopted a political declaration ahead of the Third International Conference on Sustainable Development of SIDS Global conference in Samoa next year. But negotiations on the draft outcome document on sustainable development for SIDS will continue in New York following three days of discussions here.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC –President Donald Ramotar says he is optimistic about the possible integration of South America and the Caribbean as Guyana prepares to welcome Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday. Maduro will pay a one-day official visit to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country and Ramotar said that closer cooperation between South America and the region will result in significant benefits for all parties. "The tempo (of integration) has increased, particularly, since the presence of president (Hugo) Chavez, who had placed more attention to this issue.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Express - A revenge attack was blocked by the police yesterday, about an hour after a Laventille schoolboy was murdered while walking out of a trade school on the first day of school. The group of about six men had items that looked like weapons stuffed in their front pockets and were attempting to run into the Bee¬tham Gardens when they were chased back into the hills by a team of heavily armed police officers who were on the scene of the murder in Laventille. The police also arrested two men from Beetham Gardens for the murder.