Guyana Post Newspapers

Pg2

Keeping you updated on current events...

Friday January 22, 2021

ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER

DUI case against Gary Best to be decided in February Pg2

Pg2

LJP loses Women fined Pg2 confidence for racial social in regional media posts candidate Pg2

Man arrested for Pg4 impersonating CANU officer

Pg3

COVID-19 Update January 22 Pg2

Pg3 Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post, Friday January 23, 2021

DUI case against Gary Best Women fined to be decided in February for racial social

Mr. Gary Best

February 9 is the date that has been set by Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse to rule on whether a case has been made out against former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chiefof-Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best for the offence of driving under the influence (DUI).

Police Prosecutor, Sanj

Singh, laid over a written submission to the court on Wednesday in response to a submission of no case to answer presented

by Best’s lawyers, Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels, and Sophia Findlay. The lawyers are contending the prosecution has failed to prove the elements of the offence and therefore the charge should be dismissed.

On December 3, 2020, Magistrate Rondel Weever dismissed the causing death by dangerous driving charge against Best. That charge alleged that on February 8, 2020, Best drove Land Cruiser PRR 8182 in a

manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of former national cyclist Jude Bentley.

Magistrate Weever said that the prosecution’s case contained many gaps that the court could not fill without speculation. The Magistrate added that whether Best was driving dangerously or not- the crucial element of the prosecution’s case- was not established.

It was reported that Bentley was struck down and run over by the vehicle driven by Best on Clive Lloyd Drive near the Russian Embassy at around 04:00 a.m.

Both Best and Bentley

James was the regional candidate for the party in the last elections and was submitted to be the party’s representative for the Region 8 Democratic Council.

The LJP initially claimed that the nominee was no longer in good health to perform his duties, noting their COVID-19 diagnosis last year. However, James has since made a full recovery and has accused officials of his party of telling lies about him and his health.

James had indicated his intention to support the APNU+AFC’s nominee for Chairman

of the Council since that party gained the most votes in the region, with its marginal win over the PPP. Shuman does not agree with the candidate’s position and the LJP has been making requests to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to recall the nomination.

Shuman also accused GECOM of deliberately ignoring their requests.

The Elections Commission has not commented on the issue, but the situation has led to the many delays in the swearing in of the Region 8 Council.

LJP loses confidence in regional candidate

Mr. Jimmy James

The Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) has disowned Jimmy James, one of its own regional candidates, as according to LJP Leader, Lenox Shuman, the party no longer has confidence in the candidate.

Honduran abortion law: Congress moves to set total ban ‘in stone’ BBC News- Parliament impossible to legalise quarters of Congress in Honduras has initially abortion in the country. to vote in favour of approved a bill that The new measure will modifying the abortion will make it virtually require at least threeCon’t pg3

media posts

were travelling East when Bentley, allegedly, suddenly appeared in front of Best’s vehicle. Best claimed that he applied brakes but the right side of the front of his vehicle collided with Bentley, who was knocked onto the roadway. Police also reported that Best was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time.

L-R: Stacy Smarte and Glynis Gibson

Four women appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday and charged for inciting racial tension during the March 2020 elections period.

The women were identified as Tiffany Greene, Lashona Chester, Stacy Smarte, and Glynis Gibson.

The charges were brought against the women by the Ethnic Relations Commission

(ERC) and stated that during the month of March 2020, on their Facebook pages, they caused racial or ethnic violence or hatred and excited hostility or ill-will on the basis of race.

The women pleaded guilty but asked for leniency, noting that they were first-time offenders.

They were each fined $100,000 and given a stern warning by Chief Magistrate McLennan.

COVID-19 Update January 22

The Ministry of Health recorded 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday January 21.

Two cases were recorded in Region One, seven in Region Three, 29 in Region Four, 2 in Region Five, one in Region Six, two in Region Seven, two in Region Nine and seven in Region Ten. The total number of cases recorded in Guyana

2

is now 7,067.

The COVID-19 death toll is currently at 170.

As of January 21 there have been 45,427 persons tested for the virus. 6,277 persons have recovered leaving 620 active cases in the country.

Minister of Health, Frank Anthony, has issued a warning to bars and hangout spots that have been flouting the COVID-19 gazetted order

which prohibits them from opening for business.

“Bars are not permitted to be open. A lot of people have been lobbying for us to open bars but this is prohibited by the order that was issued. I hope people can abide by the law because if you don’t, you will suffer the consequences”, the Minister said.

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Man arrested for Man found guilty of impersonating murdering 13-year-old CANU officer

Guyana Post, Friday January 23, 2021

Mr. Kevin McDonald

Kevin McDonald, also known as “Brother Fraud”,was arrested on Wednesday for claiming to be an employee of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU).

McDonald is currently in police custody at the Brickdam Police Station as investigators look into the allegations that he attempted to arrest a young man while pretending to be a CANU officer.

This incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in the vicinity of Thomas and Middle Streets, Georgetown. According to Raj Persaud, a friend of the man, who has been identified only as Dameon, McDonald presented

himself to the friend while neatly dressed and wearing a body camera and attempted to handcuff him and place him into a tinted Toyota Premio he was driving.

McDonald reportedly claimed that Dameon was wanted on narcoticsrelated charges and that he was going to take him to the Brickdam Police Station.

Persaud said that that while Dameon was resisting the arrest and demanding that McDonald properly identify himself, two police ranks on bike patrol approached the scene.

McDonald then fled the scene in his car but was

pursued by the ranks and cornered. When he could not provide identification to support his claims of being a CANU officer, he was arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

McDonald was also charged in 2016 with four counts of forgery and later found guilty. He was arraigned on July 21, 2016 on charges that he forged receipts showing payments made to him

by Universal Machinery and knowingly uttered forged receipts to Yohini Latchman, Principal Assistant Secretary (Finance), at the former Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Man robbed at gunpoint after bandit asks for water

was staggering by and asked the victim for a glass of water. The suspect then placed a handgun against the victim’s chest and proceeded to take several items from him, which included jewellery, documents and gadgets.

Police also said that the robbery was committed by a “known individual”.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing and several persons are being questioned.

Restaurant owner robbed at gunpoint

Bing Tao Su, a 51-yearold businessman, was robbed at gunpoint of $45,000 in cash on Thursday by four men at

his Thomas Street, South Cummingsburg home.

The businessman lives with his 49-year-old wife and 17-year-old daughter and operates a restaurant at the location. He was robbed.

Su said he was closing a shutter on the eastern side of the lower flat when he was confronted by the four suspects who

entered the restaurant and pointed a handgun at him.

The bandits took the cash which was secured in a drawer on the counter of the restaurant and then fled from the scene.

Police were called and a search of the area was done but they could not locate the suspects.

Investigations are still ongoing.

The measure still needs to be ratified by a second vote. However, support was clear on Thursday: with 88 legislators voting in favour, 28 opposed and seven abstentions.

Honduras has a stanchly conservative majority, which referred to the measure as a “shield against abortion”.

“What they did was set this article in stone because we can never reform it if 96 votes are needed [out of 128]”, opposition MP Doris Gutiérrez told AFP news agency.

Mario Pérez, a lawmaker with the ruling party of President Juan Orlando Hernandez, formally proposed the change last week, calling it a “constitutional lock” to prevent any future moderations of the abortion law.

“Every human being

has the right to life from the moment of conception,” said Mr Pérez.

Ahead of the vote, UN human rights experts condemned the move, saying in a statement: “This bill is alarming.

Instead of taking a step towards fulfilling the fundamental rights of women and girls, the country is moving backwards.”

Abortion has been constitutionally banned in Honduras since 1982.

In 2017, lawmakers voted on decriminalising it in the case of rape, incest or when there was danger to the mother or the fetus, but the move was roundly rejected.

Nicaragua, El Salvador and Haiti also have complete bans on abortion, but Honduras is the only country to also prohibit the use of emergency contraceptives in all cases, including after rape.

Cuba, Uruguay, Guyana and Argentina are the only Latin American countries to permit abortion in the first weeks of pregnancy.

L-R: Hillary Edwards and Leonard Archibald

On Wednesday a mixed jury at the Berbice Assizes found Hillary Edwards, a 31-year-old resident of Kortberaadt, East Bank Berbice, guilty of murdering 13-yearold Leonard Archibald in September 2017.

The trial was conducted

by Justice Simone MorrisRamlall and the case was prosecuted by State Attorney Tuana Hardy.

During the trial, Hardy called 16 witnesses to prove her case that

Honduran abortion law: Congress....

Con’t from pg2

Kaya Dover, 26, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was robbed at gunpoint on Thursday morning of over $500,000 worth of items.

The incident occurred at around 04:45 a.m.

According to a statement from Police, the suspect

between September 17, and September 24, 2017, Edwards sodomised the 13-year-old and in the process killed him.

Archibald was last seen by relatives after riding ahead of three of his sisters, who were returning home from a birthday party. His body was discovered off the Berbice river bank at Korthberaadt Village, six days after he was reported missing on September 17.

Edwards claimed that he was innocent, saying

that he last saw Archibald at the birthday party.

However, Detective Constable Beharry Jaigopaul, told the jury that Edwards confessed to luring the child to his home, committing the act and later throwing him into the Berbice River with his hands and feet bound along with the boy’s bicycle.

Jaigopaul also told the court that it was Edwards who took investigators to the location where the bicycle was dumped.

After deliberating for almost three hours the jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict. February 11 was set as the date for sentencing by Justice Morris-Ramlall.

law, which is among the strictest in world.

Honduras forbids abortion under any circumstance, even rape or incest.

Its latest move comes in response to Argentina legalising abortion last month.

Across Latin America, there has been increased pro-choice campaigning, known as the “green wave”, based on the colour worn by protesters.

The new legislation in Honduras hinges on an article in the constitution that gives a fetus the same legal status of a person.

Constitutional changes have until now been permitted with a two-thirds majority, but the new legislation raises that bar to three-quarters within the 128-member body.

3

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post, Wednesday January 20, 2021

AFTER BEING SWORN IN… PRES. BIDEN CALLS ON AMERICANS TO ‘END THIS UNCIVI WAR” OF POLITICAL DIVISION! Amid a devastating pandemic and the threat of domestic terrorism, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States shortly before noon on Wednesday, January 20 pledging to unite the country and calling on Americans to end the “uncivil war” that has fractured the nation.

In a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol that kept with tradition while being unlike any other inauguration in U.S. history, Biden took his oath of office before a small, socially-distanced audience in a city that has been locked down because of the dual threats of Covid-19, which has killed over 400,000 people in the U.S., and worries over another attack just two weeks after the deadly riot at the Capitol.

In an impassioned address, Biden repeatedly stressed the need for unity, calling it the only “path forward.” Con’t on pg6

By Adam Edelman and Lauren Egan (NBC)

Kamala Devi Harris is sworn in as the US first female, Black, Asian American Vice President! primary before joining Biden’s ticket. Her record as a prosecutor at times sparked criticism from progressive advocates for criminal justice reform, though Harris has said she sought reform from within those roles. Harris clashed with Biden during first Democratic debate, criticizing his record o n racial

By Hannah Miao@HANNAHMIAO_

Kamala Harris is sworn in as Vice President

Kamala Harris was sworn in Wednesday, January 20 as the nation’s first female, Black and South Asian American vice president. A daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Harris has made history throughout her career.

After her own inauguration, Harris was set to swear in three barrier-

breaking senators in her new role as President of the upper chamber. She took her oath moments before Joe Biden was set to be sworn in as the nation’s 46th President.

Sonia Sotomayor, America’s first Latina Supreme Court Justice, administered the vice presidential oath of office to Harris. Both Harris and

Biden, on Inauguration Day, inherit a country facing the Covid-19 crisis, an economic downturn and demands for racial justice.

A daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, Harris has made history throughout her career.

As a U.S. senator for California, Harris, 56, was the second Black

woman and first South Asian American to serve in the upper chamber.

Before her Senate tenure, Harris was the first female, Black and South Asian American Attorney General of California.

Harris also served as District Attorney of San Francisco.

Harris ran for President in the 2020 Democratic

4

justice issues.

An alumna of Howard University and member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Harris is also the first Vice President to have graduated from a historically Black college and to be in a historically Black Greek letter organization.

After her own inauguration, Harris is set

to swear in three barrierbreaking senators in her new role as president of the upper chamber. Alex Padilla, appointed by California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom as Harris’ successor, will be the first Latino Senator from the state. Following a competitive January runoff elections, the Rev. Raphael Warnock will be the first Black Senator from Georgia and Jon Ossoff will be the first Jewish Senator from the Peach State.

The new Democratic Senators will create a 50-50 split between the two party caucuses in the Senate, giving Democrats a slim majority with Harris as the tie-breaking vote. On the campaign trail, Harris often recalled a message her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, told her, “You may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last.”

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

President Ali thanks Qatar for Covid field hospital

Guyana Post, Wednesday January 20, 2021

by Felecia Valenzuela

– mobile hospital arrives in Guyana His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Tuesday evening, expressed his gratitude to the Government and People of Qatar for their generosity and support in donating a Covid field hospital to Guyana. The field hospital arrived Tuesday evening at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

President Ali, in a Facebook post, recalled that it was soon after his inauguration in August that he held discussions with Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani via telephone, where he pledged to provide the facility to aid Guyana’s Covid fight.

“I thank the Emir and people of Qatar for their love and support. Weeks after my inauguration the Emir and I spoke and he promised to fly in a field hospital and accessories.

Today, he delivered on that

promise. Soon, we will be establishing our embassy in Qatar, and together we will accomplish lots more for the people of our two countries,” President Ali said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony travelled to the CJIA to receive the mobile hospital which arrived on a Boeing C-17 Globemaster jet from Qatar. The field hospital will be set up in the compound of the West Demerara Regional

Hospital at Best village to treat critical Covid patients.

Altogether it comprises 60 beds, 60 mattresses, 12 air-conditioners, 60 pillows, 60 blankets, eight carpets, one generator, 20 respirators, 20,000 types of small and large medical equipment and one diesel tank. Presidential Advisor on National Security Captain Gerry Gouveia also formed part of the Minister of Health - Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony and a delegation including Presidential Advisor on delegation which received National Security - Captain Gerry Gouveia and Army Chief of Staff - Brigadier Godfrey Bess, the mobile hospital received the field hospital at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Equipment for the field hospital donated by the Government of Qatar to the Government of Guyana, on board the Boeing C-17 Globemaster jet from Qatar Tuesday afternoon at the airport.

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster jet from Qatar which brought the field hospital.

PM thanks outgoing Chinese Ambassador for his contribution to Guyana’s development

Prime Minister Phillips thanked the ambassador for his service and said that he is optimistic about continued cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips Tuesday praised the work done by outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, during a courtesy visit.

Guyana was the first country in the Englishspeaking Caribbean to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. The historic event took place on June 27, 1972 “On behalf of the people of Guyana, I want to thank the Ambassador for four years of service that has benefited the Guyanese people. During those years the Ambassador would

5

have spearheaded many initiatives that contributed immensely to the development of Guyana.

Those projects would have been in the health sector, infrastructure, ICT, assistance to the police and assistance to the Guyana Defence Force and we look forward to continued cooperation with his successor”.

The Chinese Ambassador praised Guyana for its unique culture and said that he is optimistic about the development of the country over the next decade.

“I thank the Guyanese

people and the Government for their warm welcome and hospitality… I am really moved by the culture here, Guyana is a melting pot and I am proud that Chinese is of one of the six ethnic groups. Not many countries have such an advantage and I am very proud that the country’s first President was Chinese.”

Ambassador Cui, who is scheduled to return home at the end of the month, was accompanied by the Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Mr Chen Xilai.

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post, Wednesday January 20, 2021

AFTER BEING SWORN IN… PRES. Con’t from pg4

“I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days, I know the forces that divide are deep and they are real,” he said.

“Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we’re all created equal and the harsh ugly reality of racism, nativism, fear, demonization.”

“This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge - and unity is the path forward,” he said. “The answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don’t look like you or worship the way you do, or don’t get their news from the same sources you do,” the President added a moment later.

“We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus

liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts - if we show a little tolerance and humility, and if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes,” he continued.

Biden vowed to move quickly to address the pandemic, the subsequent economic collapse, racial justice, climate change and political extremism.

He also repudiated the mob that had attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6 and promised he would be president for all Americans, including those who didn’t vote for him.

“With unity we can do great things, important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs, we can teach our children in safe schools, we can overcome the deadly virus,” he said. “We can

deliver racial justice and we can make America once again a leading force for good in the world.”

Temperatures were in the low 40s in the nation’s capital, with strong winds.

Snow flurries dotted the air as Biden took to the lectern. While Biden did not once mention Donald Trump by name, his 21-minute speech served as a powerful rebuttal of his predecessor.

Biden’s refutation of Trump was especially apparent when he, in the opening words of his speech, reflected on the fragility of democracy, and indirectly referred to how Trump’s efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 election nearly shattered the country.

“Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy,” he said.

“We’ve learned again that

democracy is precious.

Democracy is fragile, and, at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”

As is tradition, the Chief Justice of the United States - John Roberts administered the oath of office to Biden just before the clock struck 12. Biden took the oath with his hand on top of his 127-yearold, 5-inch-thick family Bible, which was held by his wife, Jill Biden.

Moments earlier, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first woman, the first Black American and the first South Asian American Vice President by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina member of the Supreme Court.

At 78, Biden is the oldest President to take office. And with his inauguration coming just two weeks to the day after a violent mob of Trump

supporters stormed the Capitol, the stakes for his inaugural address couldn’t have been much higher.

His swearing-in cemented Democratic control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.

That, however, isn’t likely to make Biden’s job any easier. Democrats hold a razor-thin majority in the House, and their control of the 50-50 Senate is only thanks to Harris’ ability to cast a tie-breaking vote as Vice President.

In attendance at the scaled-down ceremony were most members of Congress and the Supreme Court and former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and their spouses, as well as Vice President Mike Pence.

Among those who were not present was Trump, making him the

first President to skip his successor’s inauguration in more than 150 years. As he left the White House on Wednesday morning, he told reporters that serving as President was “the honor of a lifetime” and claimed that “we’ve accomplished a lot.”

Trump and his wife, Melania, then participated in a send-off ceremony before a small group at Joint Base Andrews, in Maryland, where the outgoing President said about his exit, “hopefully, it’s not a long-term goodbye.”

“We will be back in some form,” Trump said before boarding Air Force One for the last time to fly to his private club in Palm Beach, Florida.

“We were not a regular administration!”

Minister of Housing and Water - Hon. Collin D Croal on Wednesday announced the injection of $2 billion for infrastructural works in Region Six in Budget 2021.The Minister also announced the construction of 200 houses in the region. The Minister was at the time engaging residents of

New Amsterdam, Region Six at an outreach.

Minister Croal was accompanied by Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud and Vice Chairman - Zamal Hussain, along with personnel from the Central Housing and Planning Authority and the Guyana Water Incorporated.

Injection of G$2 billion for infrastructural works in Region Six in Budget 2021

6

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post, Wednesday January 20, 2021

Donald Trump leaves the White House for the last time before Biden’s inauguration

The departing President leaves the White House for the final time this morning (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

After four chaotic years in the White House disgraced ex-President Donald Trump has been booted out by the American public - but now faces several fraught legal battles. Wednesday morning he departed the White House for the final time of his failed Presidency as he headed off to Florida to sulk.

The desperate Republican attended a farewell rally on the outskirts of Washington DC before boarding Air Force One with wife

Melania. As he walked out onto the White House lawn for the last time, he told reporters: “It has been a great honor and an amazing four years.”

Trump, 74, gave a fist bump as he walked alongside the First Lady, before climbing onto helicopter Marine One. He will become the first living outgoing President to snub his successor’s swearing in for more than 150 years. A removal truck was pictured outside the White House at dawn.

Vice President Mike

Pence did not visit before Trump’s departure as tensions mount between the two.

Disgraced ex-President Trump could face court for many “crimes”!

Until the bitter end the 74-year-old refused to acknowledge that he legitimately lost the 2020 Presidential election. The 45th President’s reign has been one of chaos and division, although Trump ominously says he is not done yet, telling supporters his time in office is “just the beginning”.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania leave the White House (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania depart the White House to board Marine One (Image: REUTERS)

Before flying to his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump attended a farewell event at Joint Base Andrews, which has been snubbed

by Republican allies, including Vice President Mike Pence.

Hours before being booted from office Trump issued 73 pardons and 70

commutations, including of political ally Stephen Bannon who was facing trial for fraud.

The first ever US President to be twice impeached and now banned from Twitter the business mogul now faces a string of potential legal battles. The US

convention is that former Presidents are immune from prosecution to guard against the criminalization of politics. Any federal prosecution of Trump would be political dynamite.

Supporters of Trump stormed the US Capitol (Image: AFP via Getty Images) The Trump “klan” (Image: REUTERS)

But many believe he should be prosecuted if there is evidence he broke the law as a private citizen, such as in his financial dealings and allegations

of sexual assault. There’s also concern he may face an investigation for inciting the insurrection in Washington earlier this month. On January 6 pro-

There has also been reporting that wife Trump rioters stormed Melania is set to leave the US Capitol DC in him, with Trump accused an attempt to stop the of an affair with the democratic process. adult actress Stormy Daniels during their marriage (although

7

prior to his ascending to the presidency). With a significant portion of Americans, and specifically Republicans, still supporting Trump it is thought he’ll continue have a significant

influence over the party in the years to come.

Ivanka or even son Donald have both been tipped for a run at the White House in four years’ time!

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Email or text your letters to us we would be happy to have publish them ExxonMobil Oil Rig

adameharris@yahoo.com lendellnurse6995@gmail.com