admin

Guyana Fashion Showcase now billed for Ramada Princess Hotel today Oct 05, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Guyana Fashion Showcase (GFS), originally scheduled for Friday at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House in Georgetown, has been postponed to today. The event will now take place at the Ramada Princess Hotel located at Providence, East Bank Demerara. Philbert Giddings, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the showcase announced on Friday that unforeseen inclement weather is responsible for the postponement. Giddings said that to ensure a comfortable experience for attendees, models, and the production team, the decision was made to move the event indoors. Doors will open at 14:00hrs, with the show set to commence at 15:00hrs. Giddings assured ticket holders that all previously purchased tickets will remain valid for the new date and location. “We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we prioritize the safety and comfort of our attendees,” Giddings stated while adding that, “We look forward to welcoming you tomorrow for a spectacular showcase of Guyanese fashion talent.” The GFS is part of the Cricket Carnival calendar, and this year marks its second appearance in Guyana. The event will feature international designer Michelle Cole Wagner, head of COLEFACTS, as well as American actress, model, and reality television personality Cynthia Denise Bailey, who will host the event. Additionally, prominent figures such as Miss Guyana Culture Queen 2024, Shequana Holder, and international actress and model Sharminah Leah will be in attendance. Related Similar Articles

Labourer remanded for snatching chain from minibus window Oct 05, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 30-year-old labourer was remanded to prison on Friday after appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer a simple larceny charge. The defendant, Christopher Benn, is accused of stealing a four pennyweight gold chain valued at $60,000 from Asmma Ali on September 3, 2024, at Cornhill Street, Stabroek, Georgetown. Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty read the charges to Benn, who pleaded not guilty. According to the facts presented in court, at around 12:00 hrs, Ali was seated near a window in a route 42 minibus when Benn allegedly approached her and snatched the chain from her neck through the window, making his escape in the direction of Stabroek Market. Ali, along with some bystanders, gave chase but was unable to apprehend him. On October 2, police acting on information received, were able to locate and arrest Benn. A search was conducted on him but the stolen chain was not recovered. Ali was subsequently contacted to identify the accused. Her identification of the accused led to Benn being charged with the offence. Prosecutor Seon Williams objected to bail, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence, as well as the fact that the stolen item had not been recovered. During court proceedings, Benn was unable to provide the same address he had given to the police, raising concerns for Magistrate McGusty about the possibility of him being a flight risk. As a result, he was remanded to prison and is scheduled to return to court on October 25, 2024. Related Similar Articles

Round Three kicks off today at MoE Oct 05, 2024 Sports 11th Annual Courts Optical Pee Wee U11 Football C/ship A glimpse of what to expect to today at MoE. Kaieteur Sports – The 2024 Courts Optical Pee Wee Under-11 Schools Football Tournament is set to heat up today at the Ministry of Education ground, with thrilling Third Round action kicking off at 11:00 am. After two weeks of play, defending champions St. Pius, St. John the Baptist, Enterprise, Belladrum Primary, and Tapakuma Lake Primary have all made strong showings. Standout individual performances have also been seen, with Kareme Welcome, Jeremiah McDonald, Raphael Fredericks, Clyde Jacobs, and Kester Jacobs each securing a hat-trick so far. Additionally, Dontay Kowlessar, Shine Arthur, and young Joshua Johnson have all notched impressive four-goal performances. Currently leading the goal-scoring chart are Juan Jaramillo, Jovaine Wright, and Kriston Chandler, each with five goals. Jaramillo, from School of the Nations, put on an exceptional display by scoring all five of his goals in a commanding 5-1 victory over GIA, setting the stage for more action as the tournament enters its third round. Today’s lineup promises some exciting matchups. Redeemer Primary face Stella Marris Primary on one pitch, while Batarvia Primary take on Den Amstel Primary on another to start the day. Other notable matches include frontrunners St. John the Baptist clashing with Timehri Primary in match #33, Belladrum Primary against Pataro Primary at noon, and North Georgetown Primary going head-to-head with a full-strength Tapakuma Lake in match #35. The afternoon features more exciting matchups: FE Pollard meet Rosignol Primary, Winfer Garden take on St. Mary Primary, and other teams like Colasco Primary, Georgetown International Academy, West Ruimveldt, Golden Grove, Marian Academy, and School of the Nation will also be in action. Additional clashes include Genesis Academy versus St. Gabriel’s, Smith Memorial against Enterprise, and a highlight matchup between St. Pius Primary and Tucville Primary. The final game of the day sees Santa Rosa Primary face Ann’s Grove Primary. This year’s tournament is proudly sponsored by Unicomer Guyana Inc. through its Courts Optical brand, with additional support from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, MVP Sports, Sterling Products Limited, and Stena Drilling. Related Similar Articles

Fossils, Tricksters, and Exploiters Continue to Plunder Guyana Oct 05, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, Guyanese like everybody else want wealth, but Guyanese won’t stand against their beloved political parties that are in their way to achieve their wealth, so how will they get their wealth if they won’t protest against their political parties, only experts in this subject can explain. I once heard a grandmother telling her grandson, “Why don’t you go to the sugar estate and beg management for a “lil-wuk”?, to which the grandson replied, “Burnham nationalized the sugar estates so they belong to us now, so why should I go beg anybody for a “lil-wuk”?. Unfortunately, the majority of Guyanese have the mentality like the grandmother where Guyanese don’t think about managing Guyana’s wealth as owners, but give it away, then go beg the “new owners” mostly foreigners for a “lil-wuk”, a policy being championed and implemented by Guyana’s leaders. The PPP has come up with the perfect political trick, borrow money, give Guyanese paltry cash grants and “lil-wuk” from this spending, and Guyanese thank them saying this is better than what the PNC gave them. A perfect example is the PPP pumping borrowed money into the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, and the people referred to the PPP as divine beings from the holy books for the “lil-wuk” they received, not thinking this is not from the PPP but from debt taken in their name. The PPP leaders then say how much more they invest in Guyanese more than the PNC. Guyanese should ask themselves how much debt did the PNC incur compared to the PPP, I have to now defend the PNC, a party just like the PPP that should leave the political landscape of Guyana and disappear into the sunset. Guyanese would rather accept a “lil-wuk” as cooks, cleaners, weeders, landscapers, pet attendants, handymen and women, porters, drivers, security guards, parking attendants, washers, etc, in exchange for the plundering of trillions of dollars of their oil, gold, diamonds, manganese, bauxite, timber etc. MP Bharrat Jagdeo now calls all those who criticize his mismanagement of Guyana’s oil as “Fossils”, he is finally onto something, except including himself also as a fossil who has been in Guyana’s government for more than half of the time since Guyana gained independence, Jagdeo along with the other fossils collaborate or stay silent as Exxon plunders Guyana’s crown jewel, it’s oil fossils. LOP Aubrey Compton Norton has recently emerged from his fossilized state with plans of managing the oil sector to benefit Guyanese, which sounds like he copied or borrowed Bharrat Jagdeo’s plans for the oil sector when Jagdeo was in opposition. This is the same Norton when asked about these crucial oil issues a while ago spoke about orgasms instead, looks like life in the State House is so sweet people would become the biggest sell-outs, liars, and hypocrites to get in there, things are looking very bleak for Guyanese to benefit from their oil, since it looks like which party gives more to Exxon will win the State House as if Exxon is not getting enough. Exxon is already shipping out Guyanese valuable oil fossils, it is high time they did Guyanese a big favour by shipping out the useless fossils as well, being the political, civic, and religious leaders, the principal one being PPP’s Bharrat Jagdeo. Bharrat Jagdeo along with Vickram Bharrat say their model of managing the oil sector is among the best in the world, and other countries want to follow Guyana’s model, it’s time someone asked them to name which country in the world has 2% royalty, no taxes, no ring-fencing, no parent company full liability insurance from oil spills, no oil meters at the pumps and non-existent environmental protection for 90% of their oil fields. With tensions rising in the Middle East, oil prices usually spike, the Bharrats should say what strategy they have to make Guyanese benefit from this spike in oil prices. Bharrat Jagdeo instead of acquiring a team of oil experts to manage the oil sector spends his time reading newspapers to see who criticizes him, so he can attack them at what he calls his press conference. With all the magic trick shows in the oil sector so far, the feature presentation trick is about to commence in Guyana, being the Wales Gas Plant. First, the Government and Exxon sell the trick, that gas generated from oil production can be “monetized” for revenue and also used to produce power for local consumption. Like tricksters they show the benefits in one hand but hide dangers in the other, Jagdeo says this is such a good investment even Exxon will be investing, what he doesn’t say is that no Exxon shareholder in their right mind will invest in that gas plant, any investment Exxon makes will come from Guyana’s oil and Guyana will have to match it with Guyana’s oil profits plus obviously debts on Guyanese backs. Jagdeo says Guyana will sell gas to Suriname and Brazil, with Brazil being a gas-producing giant and Suriname soon to come on stream with its own gas production, this would be like selling wood to a forest dweller since Guyana can’t tap into the Euro, Asia, or North American market as they have their own reserves and suppliers already. Jagdeo says the gas plant will produce power for Guyana, but he doesn’t want to hear about cheaper alternatives and still won’t produce data this plant will benefit Guyana. The gas plant is going ahead and the Guyanese sat there and allowed it to happen, not knowing what they have got themselves into, this is the perfect legal trick oil companies and sell-out leaders perpetuate on their countries. Guyana’s oil profits that should be going to Guyanese and debt incurred by Govt. on Guyanese backs will create a large pool of money around the gas plant, this money will be shared by oil companies, their subsidiaries, partner firms, contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, suppliers, and the local sell-outs with companies close to them will get some local content while digging a mass grave for Guyanese with poverty, debt, and pollution. Red flags are already evident with this expensive venture for Guyana that is destined to become a dead white elephant for the Guyanese. Firstly, when Exxon and Jagdeo say something is good for Guyana means it’s bad. Secondly, Exxon nor Jagdeo cannot provide comprehensive and technical data to support their words that the plant will be beneficial to Guyana. Thirdly, Exxon nor Jagdeo wants to hear about crucial policies to monetize the oil for Guyanese like taxes and ring-fencing of oil projects. Fourthly, neither Exxon nor Jagdeo wants to talk about cheaper alternatives to provide power to Guyana preaching the gas plant will be Guyana’s ultimate saviour, and finally, the name Brassington is associated with the gas plant. All Guyanese will get from this plant is a “lil-wuk” being unskilled slave-like low-paying jobs. So Once again Guyanese are getting a choice, stay silent and accept “lil-wuk” or fight for their rightful share of their wealth and get “big money”, so once again Guyanese, what will it be? R.David Related Similar Articles

I cannot support the appointment of Clifton Hicken as Commissioner of Police. Oct 05, 2024 Letters Dear Editor Under the leadership of Clifton Hicken, the Guyana Police Force has descended into chaos and corruption, representing the absolute worst of law enforcement failures. The rot starts with something as blatant and visible as the rampant abuse of red and blue lights and sirens on private vehicles. This once simple issue—an easy matter of enforcement—has spiraled into unchecked mayhem on our roadways. Private citizens, emboldened by their SUV ownership, tint their windows and slap on emergency lights to flout traffic laws, brazenly bypassing police scrutiny. This is not just a violation of the law—it’s a reflection of a total collapse in the respect for authority and lawfulness under Hicken’s tenure. But the lawlessness doesn’t end on the roads. Allegations of massive corruption, involving billions of dollars of taxpayers’ hard-earned money, hang like a dark cloud over the Guyana Police Force, and yet there is deafening silence. Not one attempt to clear the air, not one transparent investigation into where these billions are going. How can we, as a nation, trust a force that cannot even answer to the people about the most serious of allegations? This is not just a minor failing—this is systemic, and it reeks of deep-rooted corruption. It gets worse. Reports are rife with civilians having to buy their way to firearm licences, a basic right for lawful citizens, now turned into a corrupt bidding process. Policemen and women, who should be advancing through merit and dedication, are being forced to pay for their promotions from constable to sergeant. Is this the standard of policing the people of Guyana deserve? Absolutely not. Under Hicken’s watch, our police force has become an institution where money and influence rule the day, and justice is nowhere to be found. And now, with all this incompetence and corruption laid bare, the powers that be want to confirm a man in this leadership position—past retirement age! Is this not an insult to every law-abiding, taxpaying citizen in Guyana? The people must take note! The confirmation of Clifton Hicken would be a direct endorsement of everything that has gone wrong under his command. This is the PPP/C at its worst—compromising national security, fostering corruption, and allowing a once proud force to deteriorate into a playground for the wealthy and well-connected. This is not leadership; this is a betrayal of the people of Guyana. We must reject this at every turn. The PPP/C has failed to deliver on its promises, and if this is what they stand for, it is clear: they cannot be trusted with the future of our country. We, the people, must never vote for the PPP/C again if we want to see true accountability, justice, and a return to law and order. Yours faithfullyGanesh Mahipaul, M.P. Related Similar Articles

Title: Regulation, Not Restriction, is a Sovereign Right and Necessity to justly and fairly protect and preserve Guyanese businesses Oct 05, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, I write in response to Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s recent assertion that restricting Chinese businesses in Guyana would violate international norms and could lead to foreign policy issues with China. While his concerns regarding international relations are valid, they fundamentally overlook the sovereign right of a nation to regulate its economy in a way that protects and preserves its national industries. Across the globe, many countries, including the United States, European Union, China, India, and even smaller economies in the Caribbean, have implemented mechanisms to safeguard their domestic industries from foreign competition. These policies are not about outright restrictions but rather about non-discriminatory regulation, which ensures that local businesses are not undermined while maintaining compliance with international law. Global Precedents for Protective Regulation: The United States: Strategic Trade Defense Mechanisms: The United States has long been a defender of its domestic industries against foreign dominance, particularly from China. Through the imposition of tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the U.S. has taken a strong stance against unfair trade practices, such as intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers, which have disadvantaged American businesses. Moreover, through the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), the U.S. government has scrutinized foreign acquisitions, particularly by Chinese entities, that could threaten national security. A prominent example of this was the 2019 ban on Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which posed a significant risk to U.S. technological infrastructure and national security (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2020). These measures reflect the fact that regulating foreign participation in domestic markets is not only permissible but essential to preserving economic sovereignty. The U.S. demonstrates that protective regulation of foreign businesses is crucial to ensuring fair competition and preventing economic dominance by foreign entities (U.S. Trade Representative, 2020). The European Union: Protecting Against Unfair Competition: The European Union (EU) is another prime example of how regulation, not restriction, ensures market fairness. The EU has employed anti-dumping measures to prevent foreign entities, particularly from China, from selling products below market value and destabilizing local industries. A notable example of this is the imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel and solar panels to protect European manufacturers (European Commission, 2021). These anti-dumping regulations illustrate how protective regulation serves to shield domestic industries from unfair competition. Furthermore, the EU’s foreign investment screening framework scrutinizes investments in critical sectors, ensuring that foreign control does not threaten its industrial capacity or economic sovereignty. This mechanism ensures that foreign investments are beneficial and do not lead to economic dependency or loss of control over key industries (European Commission, 2021). Such balanced regulation could easily be adapted in Guyana’s context to ensure that foreign businesses, like Chinese supermarkets, do not displace local entrepreneurs. China: The Quintessential Example of Domestic Protectionism: Ironically, China, the very country Dr. Jagdeo fears may retaliate, has itself been a staunch defender of its local industries against foreign competition. China employs a range of restrictive measures, including joint venture requirements and regulatory barriers, which make it difficult for foreign firms to operate independently in key sectors. Foreign companies in industries such as telecommunications, finance, and technology face significant restrictions and often must partner with local firms to gain market access (OECD, 2017). China’s practice of limiting foreign influence in strategic industries exemplifies the very regulatory protection that Guyana should adopt. In shielding domestic firms from foreign dominance, China has allowed companies like Alibaba and Tencent to thrive without the threat of competition from foreign giants such as Google or Facebook, which are effectively barred from the Chinese market. This approach underscores the importance of strategic economic regulation that Guyana can emulate without violating international trade laws. India: Protecting Local Retailers from Foreign Giants: India has similarly adopted a protective stance, particularly in its retail sector. Through its limitations on foreign direct investment (FDI), India has shielded its small, family-owned retail businesses, known as “Kirana Stores”, from being overwhelmed by global giants like Walmart and Amazon. India’s policies place strict conditions on foreign multi-brand retail operations, ensuring that local businesses remain competitive (Government of India, 2021). This approach reflects the principle that non-discriminatory but protective regulation can maintain fair competition between local and foreign businesses, preventing the former from being squeezed out by the latter’s financial power. The United Kingdom: National Security and Economic Sovereignty: The United Kingdom’s approach to foreign investment, especially post-Brexit, offers another clear example of how non-discriminatory regulation protects national interests. In 2021, the UK government blocked the sale of a British semiconductor firm to a Chinese company due to national security concerns (UK Department for International Trade, 2021). The UK’s decision highlights how economic sovereignty can be maintained through strategic regulatory measures, ensuring that foreign ownership does not erode control over key industries. The Caribbean: Supporting Local Business Dominance: Even in the Caribbean, where economies are often smaller and more reliant on foreign investment, governments have taken steps to protect local businesses. Barbados, for instance, has implemented restrictions on foreign ownership in certain industries, ensuring that local enterprises retain control over key sectors (CARICOM, 2018). This approach shows that even smaller nations can assert their economic sovereignty through balanced market regulation. Regulation, Not Restriction, as a Necessary Approach for Guyana: Guyana must recognize that non-discriminatory but protective regulation is not only permissible but essential. The influx of Chinese businesses, while contributing to some economic activity, poses a significant threat to local enterprises that lack the capital and supply chains to compete on equal footing. Regulation that ensures foreign businesses adhere to the same standards as local ones, without favoritism, is critical to maintaining a level playing field. Dr. Jagdeo’s fear of retaliatory action from China overlooks the fact that China itself employs some of the most stringent regulatory frameworks to protect its industries. Guyana should not shy away from asserting its economic sovereignty, particularly when foreign competition threatens to marginalize local businesses. Moreover, by ensuring that foreign enterprises, including Chinese businesses, are subject to fair but stringent regulation, Guyana can safeguard its domestic economy without violating international trade laws. Conclusion: Vice President, Dr. Jagdeo’s assertion that restricting Chinese businesses would violate international norms is a misreading of global trade practices. Across the world, nations have implemented non-discriminatory but protective regulations to safeguard their domestic industries from foreign dominance. From the United States to China and from the EU to the Caribbean, countries have recognized that regulation, not restriction, is the sovereign right of any nation seeking to protect and preserve its economy. Guyana must not hesitate to adopt similar measures to ensure that its local businesses can thrive in an increasingly competitive global market. References: CARICOM. (2018). Trade policy review mechanism. https://www.caricom.org European Commission. (2021). Anti-dumping measures. https://trade.ec.europa.eu Government of India. (2021). FDI policy in retail. https://www.dipp.nic.in OECD. (2017). Regulatory reform in China. https://www.oecd.org U.S. Department of Commerce. (2020). Entity list – Targeting China’s trade practices. https://www.commerce.gov U.S. Trade Representative. (2020). Section 301 investigation. https://ustr.gov UK Department for International Trade. (2021). National security and investment. https://www.gov.uk Sincerely,Prof., Dr. Stanley A. V. Paul. Related Similar Articles

Photo Feature by Ernesto Gonzalez Diaz HAVANA TIMES – Bars are primarily made to protect properties from intruders and criminals. In many cases, they also...