Botanists have discovered a new species of tree with commercial significance in Guyana. The discovery is published in Brittonia, a journal put out by the New York Botanical Garden.The new species, Carapa akuri, had long been mistaken for Carapa guianensis,Jerseys From China, a tree widely dispersed across the Amazon and commonly logged for the furniture industry.The find is significant because it is an important source of natural oil for Makushi Amerindians and the cosmetic market,Cheap MLB Jerseys, according to Pierre-Michel Forget, lead author of the paper that describes the species and a researcher at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris.“Akuri is an important source of sustainable development within the Iwokrama forest,” Forget told mongabay.com, referring to Guyana’s innovative forest reserve that has become the centre piece for the country’s efforts to protect its forests through sustainable management. Oil from Carapa’s large seeds is used for a variety of purposes,Wholesale China Jerseys, including treatment for dandruff and rashes, insect repellent, and as a moisturizer. When produced from Carapa guianensis the oil is known as Crabwood oil or Andiroba.The species is also endemic to the region and may be at risk from logging, providing new impetus for protecting its diverse rainforest habitat.“This single tree can save a forest,” said Forget.Carapa akuri is named after the red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) which is likely the main seed disperser of Carapa in Guyana. The indigenous Makushi named for the agouti is “akuri”.Co-authors on the paper include Odile Poncy of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research) in Paris,Wholesale Authentic China Jerseys, Rachel Thomas of Iwokrama, David Hammond of NWFS Consultancy,NFL Jerseys Cheap Authentic, and David Kenfack of the Missouri Botanical Garden. (Source: mongabay.com)

As is customary at Kaieteur News, each reporter was tasked with writing a Christmas feature. Even as the other reporters were deliberating their topics, I made it clear that I would be featuring the traditional recipes of Christmas. I chose this topic for two reasons; one being that it was easy to complete and the other being that I’m an avid lover of food.Guyanese enjoy “dressing” up their homes during this season, but the real pride comes from the preparation of the food.In this article I’ll share with you a few of the traditional dishes that most Guyanese enjoy at Christmas.Black Cake ….Christmas isn’t Christmas without “black cake”, that’s what most people say.? Although black cake has over the years made its mark as a signature dish, featuring at weddings, topped with delicious icing,NFL Jerseys China Cheap, there is no denying that it is a requirement for most when the Christmas season rolls around.? In order to bake a perfect black cake,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic, one should plan for it way in advance. Soaking the fruits in rum, brandy, port and other flavors is very important to make a flawless cake. The longer the fruits are soaked, the better the outcome.Recipe for Black CakeIngredientsBlack Cake– ? lb cherries–? 1 lb local dried fruits (or raisins)–? 1 cup rum– 1? lbs. brown sugar– ? teaspoon baking powder– 1 teaspoon cinnamon– ? lb flour– 12 eggs– ? lb orange or lemon peel– ? lb butterPreparation– Grind dried fruits and soak in three cups of rum. Store in an air tight container for three weeks.– Prepare the caramel by heating the sugar until it turns dark brown.– Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, soaked fruits, and rum. When it is well blended, pour the caramel.– Add the flour with the baking powder and mixed spice.– Fold in the cherries.– Pour mixture in a baking pan and bake in a slow oven (about 300 degrees Fahrenheit) for two hours. Remove cake from pan after two days.Pepper PotIf you are Guyanese, then more than likely, you will be having Pepperpot for breakfast on Christmas morning. Pepperpot is a unique stew made with casareep and some type of red meat or pork (some people use chicken), but that seems to be the exception.? The stew is cooked with a handful of ingredients and tends to taste better over time. It is served alongside slices of bread.Pepperpot is considered a national dish and one that was made popular by the Amerindians. It is believed that these indigenous people concocted this dish as a means to preserve their meats since they did not have refrigeration.IngredientsPepperpot3 lbs of meat- beef,jerseys from china, lamb or pork1 cup casareep4 cinnamon sticks (not ground)1 1/2 inch orange peel6 cloves1-2 wiri wiri peppers1/2 cup light brown sugar1 1/2 tsp salt16 cups waterDirections:Steam the meat for about 20 minutes so that all the fat can be removed.? You want your meat to be very lean and this step will help you achieve that.? Once you have steamed the meat, remove any dangling pieces of fat.? Set aside.In a large pot,NFL Jerseys Supply, bring the 16 cups of water to a boil.? Add the casareep and all of the ingredients.? Add the meat and continue to boil until the meat is tender and until the broth has reduced by three-quarters.Garlic PorkGarlic pork is another traditional dish which is prepared during this festive season.? It’s a Portuguese pickled pork dish which is always welcomed at breakfast.Ingredients2 pints vinegar1/2lb garlic1 bunch fine thyme6-8 wirri-wirri peppers4-6 cloves4 teaspoon saltMethod for preparing garlic porkCut pork into bite size pieces. Steep pork in solution of 1/4 pint vinegar and water, then remove pork pieces, and put in large jar or bottle. Pound garlic, thyme and pepper,Jerseys NFL Wholesale China, add the rest of vinegar with the salt and clove. Pour this mixture over pork, making sure there is enough liquid to cover completelyLeave to soak for 3 to 4 days or longer if possible, use as desire.PreparationIn a pan put pork with very little of vinegar liquid and leave to boil until liquid evaporates. Fry pork in fat that was melted during boiling, until brown. To follow through on tradition you should serve hot with home-made Bread.Ginger beerGinger-beer is a must have in my home, although for some reason I don’t ever part take in the drinking of it.? I’ve watched my grandmother make this drink countless times.IngredientsGinger Beer1 whole gingerroot1/2 teaspoon yeast3/4 cup sugar15 cloves1/4 teaspoon aniseDirections:1 -Take about a half-cup of warm water, and mix with sugar. Then sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit.2-Boil about 2 litres of water.3-Peel the ginger root and cut

Weaknesses associated with the National Grade Two,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, Four and Six Assessments were highlighted yesterday when the Ministry of Education held the first in a series of workshops geared at deriving remedial interventions.The forum, which was held at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), saw the attendance of managers and educational professionals of several top primary schools countrywide.According to Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, who played an integral role at the workshop,Cheap Jerseys From China, the need for remedial action comes as part of the Ministry’s strategic plan since it will serve to address the weaknesses of the National Grade Assessment System.The gathering of education professionals at the workshop yesterdayBased on the Ministry’s analysis over the years, the mean score of the assessments either remained static or fluctuated,China Jerseys Online, thus no significant improvement in pupils’ performance has been realised.This year, a total of 18,Wholesale China Jerseys,279 candidates will be entered to participate in the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). According to the Minister, the Ministry has recognised that there is much need for the performance of pupils to be addressed urgently so that there could be a positive change in the results.“It is timely that we review this assessment at each level. We will look at what remedial interventions must be put in place, because we cannot continue with the system whereby only about 60 per cent of children are reaching an acceptable standard, so we have invited all of the top school managers to share with us possible interventions that could improve the system,” the Minister disclosed.At the forum it was highlighted that as a national programme, the assessment system could be more fair and realistic if external examiners are allowed to administer the assessment rather than teachers who teach at the very institutions.? Moreover, it was speculated that there is a possibility that teachers could be biased in carrying out this crucial process.And then there was the observation that some teachers may not clearly understand the difference between the term ‘assessment’ and ‘examination’, therefore they may not be preparing their pupils for an assessment.Further, it was emphasised that there is a need for teachers to teach pupils the necessary skills they require to cope and not simply leave them to understand on their own at the respective levels.According to Minister Baksh, all of the recommendations and solutions offered by the participants of the workshop will be considered and will shortly be included in the system.“We will send a team to each region to work with the teachers and the school managers on the ways and means of improving the system. We will target those solutions and interventions that come out of this workshop.”In a matter of days, Minister Baksh stated, a document will be produced entailing all of the shortcomings and solutions highlighted at the workshop, a basis from which workshops will be designed for the respective regions.It is the anticipation of the Minister that with the remedial move, measures will be successfully put in place to help improve the system so that within the next year or two the assessments will yield better results.“The primary level is the critical level and we are doing this with renewed vibrancy to ensure that we get better results. This will ultimately result in better performance at Grade Six in about two years’ time…”Already the Education Ministry has several interventions on stream but, according to the Minister, there are problems that must be ‘smoothed out’ to ensure that all teachers are on board and that they understand what they have to do.According to Baksh, it is his hope that the areas of Mathematics and English, the core subjects, will garner improved results urgently. He, however, noted that efforts must first be made to bring all problems to the forefront, coupled with the continuous implementation of measures to improve the system.