…and racial discrimination Looks like Opposition Leader Jagdeo has had it with the PNC-led Government and its partisans branding him and the PPP as “anti-African”. He’s once again challenged one of the most vociferous proponents of that line, David Hinds, to a debate. Your Eyewitness doubts Hinds will accept the challenge, since much of the rhetoric on the issue is just that – rhetoric!! What’s facts got to do with it?!! Take one of the standard examples cited by Hinds and others –unemployment in Linden’s bauxite belt. Sam Hinds, who…
Read MoreYear: 2019
Stalling the elections
On December 21st, 2018 the successful passage of the historic no-confidence motion (NCM) brought by the Opposition PPP against the PNC-led coalition government triggered the compulsory holding of national and regional elections to determine a new government, in accordance with the mandate given by Art 106 (6) (7) of the Constitution, the highest law of the land. As such, it also became necessary for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to make preparations for such elections, in accordance with its mandate. The government sadly, backtracked on its initial acceptance of the…
Read MoreThe History of Chutney Music
Chutney music is a form indigenous to the southern Caribbean, popular in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and other parts of the Caribbean. It is also popular in Fiji, Mauritius, and South Africa. Chutney Music is a mixture of Bhojpuri music with influences from traditional genres such as calypso, soca and Bollywood filmi songs. Chutney music emerged mid-20th century and reached a peak of popularity during the 1980s. Initially lyrics were religious in nature and typically sung by females but as time progressed the males started to dominate the scene.…
Read MoreGuyana tied with Panama, Gambia, among others for 93rd position in latest corruption index
Transparency International has released its latest global rankings, showing that while Guyana is considered one of 20 countries that have made improvements it has also taken a step backwards last year. According to the index, Guyana fell by one spot to the 93rd position out of 180 countries. The index placed Guyana’s corruption perception score at 37 to tie with Gambia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mongolia and Panama. The highest ranked Caribbean country was the Bahamas at 29th place with a score of 65. It is followed by Barbados, which received a…
Read MoreProbe into major drug bust in Georgetown widens
… bus driver arrested Following the major drug bust in Charlestown, Georgetown, on Tuesday, ranks from the Customs Anti-Narcotics (CANU) have taken a Route 42 minibus driver into custody for questioning. He was arrested on Wednesday morning and is assisting with the investigation. The bus driver was observed by CANU ranks collecting a package from another suspect – a 58-year-old male of St Stephen Street, Charlestown – on Tuesday. In addition to the two males, the ranks also arrested a 23-year-old female of Lamaha Springs, Georgetown, who was found in…
Read MoreCops question 4 in Nations’ shooting/threats
…as probe deepens As the Guyana Police Force continues its investigation into threats made against School of the Nations and the subsequent shooting of its Director, Dr Brian O’Toole, several persons have been questioned by the Major Crimes Unit which is leading the probe. “We have embarked on an investigation…What I can say is that we have taken some action and we’ve contacted a few persons. There’re some others that we are pursuing and it’s an ongoing investigation… [So far] we have questioned at least four persons to my knowledge,”…
Read More“Smallie”, “Catty” fled “Mango Man” murder scene via horse cart – Police
As the 2007 “Mango Man” murder trial continued before Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the High Court, Police Detective, Inspector Suraj Singh testified on Wednesday that the accused, Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie” and Sherwin Nero known as “Catty”, admitted under caution that an ex-Police accomplice was the one who transported them from the scene via a horse cart. Now that the voir dire (trial within a trial) hearing has ended, the main trial of the duo got underway when Inspector Singh denied that neither he nor any rank in his…
Read MoreHouse-to-house registration unnecessary – GECOM Commissioners
House-to-house registration has been touted as necessary by Government Commissioners before elections can be held, but according to the Opposition-nominated Commissioners, the voters’ list is valid and such a process is wholly unnecessary. Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn were at the time appearing on a television programme. On the programme , “Elections 2019; what is GECOM’s mandate?”, the Commissioners were adamant that GECOM has the capacity to hold elections by March 19. Commissioner Bibi Shadick noted that even if the list has a few deceased persons on…
Read MoreBerbicians protest rapidly deteriorating condition at the NA Hospital
By Andrew Carmichael Residents of New Amsterdam, Berbice and surrounding areas are calling on the Government to address the rapidly deteriorating condition at the New Amsterdam Hospital after an elderly patient died on Tuesday night after she was reportedly given nine injections. Additionally, the residents are alleging that several critical pieces of equipment are out of order in addition to a shortage of basic medicine leaving them to come to the conclusion that the state of the institution’s affairs is not being properly managed. As a consequence, they are calling…
Read MoreAfter being told to never sing again, Nishal B takes us on his musical journey
By Lakhram Bhagirat Challenges are a part of our daily existence and overcoming them is what makes us strong individuals, but quite often we have to have that passion for what is on the other side in order to overcome the challenges. So about six years ago when a producer told Deonarine Balkissoon or as we may know him Nishal B that he should never sing again, he lost all hope and gave up. Nishal’s journey into the music industry is quite unconventional, since it was something he did not…
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