Month: September 2016

Soyini Fraser cops Miss Universe Guyana title

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It was a night of elegance, charm, sophistication and intense competition as the curtains came down on the Miss Universe Guyana 2016, with Soyini Fraser walking away with the coveted title. The Hits and Jams Entertainment employee outshone the 13 other delegates when the finals of the highly anticipated event was held in the well illuminated and decorated grand ballroom of the Marriott Hotel. Fraser was undoubtedly one of the front runners from the inception; she however sealed the deal in the question and answer segment on Saturday evening. On…

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Guyana’s real “third force”

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By Ryhaan Shah The idea of a “third force” that would act as a balance of power between the two major political parties, the PPP and PNC, is still being floated as the best way to help us transcend ethnic politics and graduate to a national issue-based agenda. The feeling is that this would introduce the kind of political maturity needed for progress. However, despite the appearance of several new political parties over the years and the emergence of two coalition governments formed by the PNC with one respective “third…

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The art of embroidery

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For indigenous Guyanese Genevieve Cox, whose hand- embroidered artwork depicts her indigenous cultures, her embroidery is being used as art to showcase what she calls, “the natural world, stories and customs of the Atorad (Atorai), Wapishana and Arawak” nations. According to Cox, “Embroidery is not a native craft but it is the medium closest to weaving, and has its roots in basket making, mat making and sewing.” Embroidery was introduced by Guyana’s British colonial rule. While hand-made embroidery has a rich history dating back to the 5th century BC, over…

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Making it in Business

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Despite the ups and downs, crafter not giving up on her passion. Lawanda Pillay has always been artistic but, for a while in her life, she says in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, her focus on art drifted. Life got in the way. Even after successful CXC results in 2005, she couldn’t get a job; most business places were telling her she was too young. Born in May, 1988 in Georgetown, Lawanda had attended Saint Stanislaus College where she wrote CXC. Unsuccessful at job hunting at 17, she took…

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Broadcasting Authority seeking to regularise cable broadcasters

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…investigation launched into corruption allegations against two board members The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is seeking to regularise all cable broadcasters and to have them take necessary steps to become fully compliant with the existing legal framework. This is according to GNBA Chairman Leonard Craig, who in a statement on Wednesday said that one necessary step for full compliance is for all cable broadcasters to enter into a settlement agreement with the GNBA to pay all required fees with respect to the period during which they were unregularised. “It…

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Any attempt to desensitise rape must be strongly condemned – Manickchand

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It is both disturbing and dangerous when the agency responsible for helping victims of rape refers to this horrendous act as “deflowering” – a term which does not encompass everything that is rape. This was expressed by former Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand, who posited that “rape is rape” and any attempt to desensitise this horrific crime must be strongly condemned. The Social Protection Ministry, headed by the Volda Lawrence, in more than one public statement, urged the end to the “deflowering of children”. As a matter of fact, even…

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6-month maternity leave soon to be part of Guyana’s legislation

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…Health Minister announces Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton has announced that six-month maternity leave would soon be part of Guyana’s legislation. Minister Norton made this pronouncement while addressing the audience at the National Symposium held at the National Cultural Centre on Monday, which focused on addressing the protection, promotion and support of exclusive breastfeeding. This event was held as part of activities in observance of National Breastfeeding Week, which began on September 18. Norton said “breastfeeding is everybody’s business”, hence the new legislation, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release…

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Three-card monte…..at City Hall

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Your Eyewitness has heard about “the other foot” falling to confirm what had been suspected in shady deals, but needed further confirmation. But on this Georgetown Parking Meter abomination that’s been shoved down the throats of Guyanese, so many feet have been falling, it’s clear a centipede has been let loose in our midst! And we know who’s that centipede, don’t we?! But yet nothing’s being done by those above to rein in on the Town Clerk and Mayor who reign over us like Stalin executing one his more notorious…

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Jagdeo commences series of engagements in the US

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Upon the invitation of former US President Bill Clinton, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo travelled to the United States to deliver a keynote address at the 12th Clinton Global Initiative’s Annual Meeting which commenced on Tuesday. The event addresses a series of global issues, including how the international community can build from last year’s historic Paris Climate Agreement. President Clinton and the Clinton Foundation have been highly supportive of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), with a team from the Clinton Foundation working with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the…

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Out to lunch…

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…on the economy It’s clear Finance Minister Winston Jordan still doesn’t get it about why his insistence on stressing increased gold production in keeping the economy on its growth trajectory isn’t cutting any ice with anyone. So why isn’t he giving the Public Servants their promised “substantial” raise if the economy’s doing so well. Most recently he was challenged by PPP’s shadow finance maven Irfaan Ali when he blurted we should consider ourselves “lucky” for the role of gold. Is this guy for real? So this is what’s supposed to…

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