Pageantry and Fitness

An ardent promoter of healthy living, recently crowned Miss Global International Guyana 2017, Cynthia Dookie, is convinced “that many life-threatening illnesses can be curbed and/or prevented if we make healthier choices as it relates to our diets and wellness”. In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, the 23-year-old said Miss Global International Guyana is not her first pageant. She was a contestant in the Miss India Guyana 2017 pageant, in which she placed second runner-up or “Second Princess”, was awarded Miss Fitness, and second place within the ‘Beautiful Heart’ category.…

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Tobacco company ups pressure on Govt to review Tobacco Control Bill

Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (DEMTOCO) has taken its advocacy to the highest office of the land, calling on President David Granger to step in and forestall making the Tobacco Control Bill a law unless certain provisions in the Bill are changed. In a statement released on Tuesday, the company noted that the Government used the passage of the Bill in other countries as justification for the new bill in Guyana. But DEMTOCO said the countries that were cited have actually implemented less stringent laws than the ones passed in the…

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It happened in August

Scholars will differ on the most defining event leading to the ‘full’ emancipation of enslaved Africans in Guyana. After reading the only fictional account of the 1823 Demerara slave uprising, it would appear that the above event was the most critical on the road to freedom. The fictional account in reference is a book titled “Ratoon”, published in 1962 and written by prolific Guyanese author, Christopher Nicole. “Ratoon” is based on an improbable romance of two protagonists – a white female plantation heiress and a black male slave and freedom…

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‘We need justice’ – family of 4-yr-old Tuschen accident victim

Family members of 4-year-old Ramkarran Mohan of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), who lost his life after being struck down by an errant driver some five months ago, have said they are yet to receive justice. His grandmother, Bibi Nazmoon Khan, claims the family is currently being “pushed around” by the Police Commander at the Leonora Police Station and by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The woman is alleging that on a weekly basis she is contacted by the Police Commander, who continuously explains to her that he is…

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Using Art to “create magic”

By Lakhram Bhagirat For 17-year-old Vimaldat ‘Chris’ Bissessar, art means expressing every emotion coursing through his body via his paint brushes, pens and pencils. Art gives him the opportunity to “create magic”. Chris, as he prefers to be called, was born on May 6, 2000 and is an only child. He attended the West Demerara Secondary School, where he recently wrote CSEC. “Growing up I was always an artistic child, constantly doodling on my text books. Teachers from primary school and my parents were always enthusiastic and very encouraging of…

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Mayor Chase-Green says still perusing final report of parking meter committee

The life of the Parking Meter Re-negotiation Committee came to an end with it submitting its final report and finding to the Mayor of Georgetown on August 2, 2017, but almost one week later, the report is yet to be circulated to Councillors. Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase Green acknowledged receiving the report, stating, “I am still looking at it as I said before there will be a special meeting held by Council, a copy would be given to every Councillor so they will have enough time to look at it…

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Caribbean leaders discuss Venezuela situation

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders on Tuesday held “varied and robust views” on the on-going political situation in Venezuela during a three-hour meeting. No official statement has been issued by the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat or from the office of the Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, who is the CARICOM chairman and who is reported to have convened the special emergency meeting by videoconference. However, the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a brief statement Wednesday said that the leaders who had participated in the videoconference call had engaged…

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Man fined G$75,000 for slew of traffic-related charges

…claims he is not in the right frame of mind Laurent McGarrell was arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Sunil Scarce on a slew of traffic related charges: driving without a driver’s licence; driving without third party insurance; driving without a safety helmet; carrying a pillion without protective head gear; driving a motorcycle while being under the influence of alcohol; and driving a motorcycle without consent from the owner. Except for the last two allegations stated above, the accused readily pleaded guilty to the charges, and was fined a total of G$75,000.…

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Former army rank accused of beheading uncle slapped with murder charge

The former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank who on Sunday morning allegedly decapitated his uncle over a land dispute, was on Wednesday arraigned at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. Dwayne Tappin, called “Waynie”, appeared before Magistrate Ashley George and had the indictable charge of murder read to him. The charge alleged that on August 6, 2017, at Lot 125 South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, he murdered his 51-year-old uncle, Randolph Seenauth. The 27-year-old was remanded. The case will continue on September 28. This publication had previously reported that Seenauth’s head…

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Guyana needs to do more to tackle police corruption

Dear Editor, Police ‘shakedowns’ (demand for a bribe for an alleged moving violation) of motorists are very common on the coast of Guyana. I experienced it a few times, and countless experiences of others were related to me as I travelled around Guyana and among the diaspora. The population also feels police shakedown is a common practice, and that the Government – preceding ones also — has not done much to curb or stamp out police bribery. As many people reveal, to say elements of the police are corrupt is…

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