WANTED Page 2 - Not a plane crash - Delmar Johnson. See story on Page 3 - Pointe FM Radio
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WANTED
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 129 | WWW.POINTVILLE.AG
Page 2 - Not
a plane crash
Delmar Johnson. See story on Page 3
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 2
Local News
ABAA dispells plane crash rumors
On Thursday, the country ever, that the supposed crash
was alarmed by reports that was actually a simulation
they may have been an air- exercise that had been car-
plane crash at the V. C. Bird ried out by the Antigua and
International Airport. Barbuda Airport Authority
Social media was soon (ABAA). The ABBA car-
abuzz with rumors of a crash ried out the exercise in order
and photographs of a smoke to test the efficacy of the na-
filled area near the airport tional response that would
began to circulate online. be activated in the event of
It was soon revealed, how- an aircraft emergency.
According to the ABAA, opened some hours after for
“The drill replicated an air- the resumption of regular
craft accident of a 737 air- commercial operations.”
craft caused by severe wind The ABAA explained that
shear and a strong crosswind part of the drill utilized all
as the plane approached the of Antigua and Barbuda’s
V. C. Bird International emergency services, includ-
for landing shortly before ing the EMS, Fire Services,
mid-morning on Thursday. the Police, the Antigua and
The airport was officially Barbuda Defence Force
closed as a result and re- cont’d on pg 3
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
Local News PAGE 3
Jamaican national wanted
A Jamaican national is being pur- custody. Anyone with information of
sued by immigration officials after the whereabouts of the wanted man is
running afoul of the law. asked to contact the Immigration En-
The Immigration Department has forcement Unit at 464-3245 or 464-
issued a wanted poster identifying 3141 or contact the nearest Police
Delmar Johnson, 34, who escaped Station,” the wanted poster stated.
from the department’s detention cen- The department is also advising the
tre prior to being deported. public against assisting or harbouring
Johnson is described as being dark Johnson.
in complexion, approximately 5 feet The Immigration Department is
7 inches in height, of slim build and also warning persons that they should
weighing approximately 150 lbs. not approach the wanted man.
“The assistance of the general pub- Johnson was released from Her
lic is being sought in locating the sub- Majesty’s Prison after being ordered
ject. to leave the state when he escaped
“Johnson is wanted after escaping from immigration officials.
cont’d from pg 2
and other relevant agencies
that fall under the Nation-
al Emergency Operations
Centre. This call to action
was signaled as an “activa-
tion” protocol.
The authority continued,
“The Airport’s Emergency
Centre was activated and
provided overall manage-
ment of the activity under
the watchful eyes of the
National Office of Disaster
Services. Key agencies and years, and partial emergen-
the critical departments of cy exercises in the interven-
the entire airline community ing year, to ensure that any
were engaged as a measure deficiencies found during
of overall effectiveness in the full scale aerodrome
dealing with an incident of emergency exercise have
this magnitude.” been corrected.”
The emergency drill was Director of Safety and Se-
conducted as part of a re- curity Avery Henry said he
quirement by the Interna- was satisfied with the out-
tional Civil Aviation Orga- come of the drill.
nization (ICAO). “I am very pleased we
The requirement states were able to hold the exer- mediately to make improve- Services and its team led by
that, “ Contracting States cise at this time since we ments in this critical area of Director Philmore Mullin
must conduct a full scale are now able to assess our our emergency operations.” for the support and guidance
emergency exercise at in- strengths and our weakness- Henry also thanked the they provided in the execu-
tervals not exceeding two es so that we can move im- National Office of Disaster tion of the exercise.
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 4
Local News
St. Paul primary schools receive supplies
Students of Cobbs Cross demic.
Primary, Liberta Primary He said that as a national
and Bethel Seventh Day and community leader he
Adventists have become is compelled to go the extra
the latest beneficiaries of mile in order to help those
school supplies from Mem- in need.
ber of Parliament for St. The gifts to the Liberta
Paul, E.P Chet Greene. Primary School were made
Books, geometry sets, possible through a donation
pencils and school bags from the Falmouth Harbour
were among the items do- Marina. General Manager,
nated on Wednesday morn- Robert ‘Bobby’ Reis said
ing by Minister Greene and that as a corporate citizen
his team. the company feels a re-
Greene, who made a pre- sponsibility to give back to
sentation to schools in the the community.
area last week, indicated During the ceremony,
that there had been addi- face masks were presented
tional requests for assis- to each school by a repre-
tance as many parents have sentative of the community
been negatively impacted mask making initiative or-
by the coronavirus pan- ganized by Greene.
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
Local News PAGE 5
Barbuda’s secession
request goes to Parliament
A showdown is set to head of government as jus- shy away. national economic mix so
take place when a resolu- tification for the Council’s “For Antigua and Barbu- that we can build infra-
tion is introduced at the move. da to consider at this stage structure and provide ser-
next sitting of Parliament Nedd said these and oth- the giveaway of one third vices throughout the coun-
to address the Barbuda’s er incidents created a strain of its resources and to let try. The almost religious
Council’s request to se- on the failing relationship it walk away is incompre- fervor by which Barbudans
cede from Antigua. between Antigua and Bar- hensible, it’s unthinkable. associate with questions of
The government is tak- buda. He further expressed So at this time the gov- the land is something that
ing the unprecedented step the view that Barbuda was ernment’s position will be we note, but we are not go-
of presenting the matter being used as a bread bas- well laid out in our pre- ing to be afraid of it. It is a
to the Parliament after it ket for Antigua, which is sentations. The resolution matter of law that the lands
received a letter from the evidenced by the use and would likely be a negative on Barbuda are vested in
Barbuda Council request- abuse of the island’s re- resolution but nonethe- the crown; it’s incontest-
ing that discussions com- sources without benefit to less everyone will have a able and we are going to
mence on the separation of their people. chance to have their say,” go forward on that basis,”
Antigua from Barbuda. The contentious issue he remarked. Nicholas declared.
In the letter dated 31st will be introduced in the Nicholas told reporters The minister acknowl-
August, 2020, Council Lower House, by way of a that Barbuda is important edged that the tone of the
Secretary, Paul Nedd, in- resolution next Thursday. to the country as a whole discussions between the
formed Cabinet Secretary, Information Minister, and there are no plans to islands could be improved
Konata Lee, that the Coun- Melford Nicholas, said change that. and he expressed the hope
cil wished to secede from the matter is not one from “The resources that are that this would be one of
Antigua in order to deter- which the government will on Barbuda get into the the outcomes of the debate.
mine a separate future for
Barbuda and its people.
The letter continued that
this move had become nec-
essary as a result of the
Gaston Browne admin-
istration’s neglect of the
Barbudan people which
only intensified after the
passage of Hurricane Irma
in 2017.
Adding that the Coun-
cil had no choice but to
expose the mistreatment
the Barbudan people have
been subjected to, Nedd
went on to cite the Barbu-
da Land Act of 2007, the
declaration by the prime
minister that Barbudans
are ‘squatters’ along with
the ‘derogatory name call-
ing’ of Barbudans by the
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 6
Local News
PM congratulates
Goddard on expansion
Prime Minister Gaston
Browne has offered his gov-
ernment’s congratulations
to the Goddard Catering
Group on the opening of
its new multi-million dollar
facility on the Sir George
Walter Highway.
In his remarks at the open-
ing, Browne highlighted
the company’s long histo-
ry in Antigua and Barbuda
having opened its doors in
1974.
During this timeGoddard
Catering has provided many
opportunities for nationals.
“Goddard Catering has of-
fered training for our people Utilities Minister, Sir Robin
Yearwood, Station Manager
in catering and food prepa- GCG Antigua, Mario Colin-
ration services. dres, PM Gaston Browne and
“It is an international com- GCG Regional Manager, Pe-
pany that is required to sat- dro Corbin
isfy the required standards,” this was a hallmark of the
Browne noted. company’s competence and
The prime minister also competitiveness.
congratulated the company Goddard Catering Group
for diversifying its prod- opened its new state-of the-
uct offerings adding that cont’d on pg 7
PM Browne and Mario Colindres formally cut the ribbon to the
multi-million dollar facility
Local News
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 7
Home-porting under consideration
At least one cruise com- posal as an economic op- fall ill with COVID-19, sengers to Antigua. Upon
pany has initiated dia- portunity. facilities onshore will be arrival here, passengers
logue with the government “It is an opportunity for made available to them will board the vessel. Simi-
to establish layover or some onshore business to with the caveat that this larly crew will arrive to and
home-porting arrangement get an economic lift. We are does not affect the coun- depart from the V. C. Bird
in St. John’s. in the preliminary stages of try’s COVID-19 statistics. International Airport.
In order to reduce costs to the discussion but we have These particulars, he said, The Cabinet revealed that
the company, it is propos- to consider all the issues are now being fine tuned. the final decision on which
ing that its crew layover in relative to that including This week’s post-Cabi- Caribbean port will receive
St. John’s before heading the safety protocols specif- net Notes revealed that the home-port status will likely
off on new cruises. ically related to COVID,” General Manager of the be determined by cost.
Several ports in the Carib- he explained. Deepwater Harbour was The Cabinet warned
bean have been approached Discussion was held on invited to the meeting to against a race to the bot-
setting off competition be- crew members who may address the home-porting tom and has cautioned the
tween regional ports for fa- test positive for Coronavi- proposal which at least one company’s general manag-
vour with the company. rus. cruise line has made in its er to decide on the basis of
Information Minister, Nicholas noted while the effort to reduce the cost of a defined policy set by the
Melford Nicholas, says the crew is not expected to passengers flying its pas- Cabinet.
government views the pro- come ashore, should they
PM Browne assists GCG Station Manager with unveiling the
plaque
cont’d from pg 6 in airline catering..
art complex in Antigua on The company also pro-
Thursday. vides catering services for
The $18 million invest- local events.
ment is expected to provide Goddard Catering oper-
a major fillip to the compa- ates in thirteen Caribbe-
ny’s plans for diversifying an territories. Its Regional
its operations. Manager is Pedro Corbin,
The Goddard Catering who is based at the new fa-
Group is primarily engaged cility.
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 8
Local News
Bench warrant against
Asot Michael discharged
The civil case against Member of pains for more than a week which
Parliament for St. Peter, Asot Michael, eventually resulted in him being trans-
was adjourned until September 21, ported by ambulance to the Mount St.
2020, when he appeared in court on John’s Medical Centre.
Thursday morning. Subsequent to being treated at the
Michael presented himself to the hospital, he also visited ophthalmol-
court after a bench warrant was issued ogist, Dr. Ian Walwyn, last Friday to
for his arrest by Chief Magistrate Jo- receive treatment for a ruptured blood
anne Walsh because he failed to ap- vessel in his left eye.
pear before the court on a civil matter. Member of Parliament for St. Peter, Asot Michael said he had been heavily se-
Michael
His appearance on Thursday result- dated during his illness resulting in his
ed in the bench warrant being dis- neys have described the civil suit as inability to appear before the Court.
charged. ‘outrageous’, the St. Peter MP ex- In the interest of preventing further
Michael offered humble apologies plained that he had ‘absolutely no in- delays to the court, and in the interest
to Chief Magistrate Walsh for failing tention of disrespecting the Court’ and of the swift execution of justice,Mi-
to present himself to the court on Sep- was absent due to illness. chael instructed his attorneys request
tember 9th. He continued that he had been suf- that the Court grant a continuance of
Although Michael’s defense attor- fering low blood pressure and chest the matter in his absence.
Governor General to spearhead
Caribbean Wellness Day
Governor General, Sir regular exercise, proper di-
Rodney Williams, will etary habits and the aware-
spearhead activities to mark ness of the factors that
the observance of Caribbe- predispose to non-commu-
an Wellness Day 2020 to- nicable diseases.
morrow. The staff of the Office of
In addition to Education the Governor General are
and the preservation of His- active participants in the
tory and Heritage, Health ‘Don’t Quit, Get Fit’ and
and Wellness are among the Caribbean Wellness Day ac-
platforms to which Sir Rod- tivities.
ney and Lady Williams have Meanwhile, Governor
pledged their support. General Williams has com-
Last month, Sir Rodney mended national sports
launched the ‘Don’t Quit, icons Sir Richie Richardson
Get Fit’ programme with the and Team Island Girls and
support of the Halo Founda- the Non-Communicable
tion. Disease (NCD) Unit in the Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams
This initiative is designed Ministry of Health and oth- Caribbean Wellness Day non-communicable diseases
to sensitize the nation to er groups who are engaged was introduced by CAR- such as hypertension, dia-
the importance of leading in the activities to mark the ICOM in 2007 in response betes mellitus and obesity in
healthy lifestyles through annual occasion. to the high prevalence of the Caribbean.
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
Local News PAGE 9
Sandals Antigua GM tours
Wallings Nature Reserve
Sandals Grande Antigua
Resort & Spa General Man-
ager, Matthew Cornall, has
taken his first official tour
of the newly refurbished
administrative building at
the Wallings Nature Re-
serve.
The structural upgrades
were made possible by a
US$27,000 donation from
the Sandals Foundation
earlier this year.
Work on the building of a deck, shed, electrical facility also boasts a wheel- cameras and a solar panel
began in February and in- work, painting, tiling and chair-accessible bathroom, system.
cluded the construction guttering. The improved four water tanks, security Information signs will
also be installed along the
surrounding hiking trails in
order to highlight the area’s
biodiversity.
The Wallings Nature Re-
serve project was under-
taken as part of outreach
intended to meet the objec-
tives of the Sandals Foun-
dation – community, edu-
cation and the environment.
Cornall’s tour was led by
the reserve’s Executive Di-
rector, Refica Attwood.
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 10
Local News
DPP won’t seek death
penalty in Christian’s murder
The Director of Public of the DPP and not the exec-
Prosecution will not pursue utive. Greene also disclosed
the death penalty against the that when he commented on
people responsible for Nigel the issue earlier this week,
Christian’s murder. he was unaware that the
This assurance has been DPP had already moved to
given to the United King- respond to the UK’s terms
dom whose help is being for assistance.
sought in the Christian ho- A look at DPP Arm-
micide investigation. strong’s letter to UK author-
This was a condition de- ities revealed that several
manded by UK authorities factors were carefully con-
if a request by Antigua and sidered before responding
Barbuda for assistance from to the conditions outlined
Scotland Yard with the in- by the British.
vestigation of the murder of “In the event that a person
the former Customs officer or persons is or are charged,
was to be granted. persecuted and convicted for Nigel Christian
Foreign Affairs Minister, the murder of the late cus- Although capital punish- capital punishment as that
E.P Chet Greene, has now toms officer, Nigel Chris- ment has not been carried issue falls under the author-
revealed that Director of tian, the Director of Public out since the early 1990s in ity of the judiciary.
Public Prosecution, Antho- Prosecution will not at the Antigua and Barbuda, it re- He said until the people of
ny Armstrong dispatched a start of the trial, during the mains an available penalty Antigua and Barbuda decide
communiqué to London in trial or completion of the tri- for homicide under the laws in a referendum that they no
which a commitment was al upon conviction seek the of the state. longer wish to have capi-
given that his office would death penalty,” Armstrong’s This week, Foreign Affairs tal punishment as a penalty
not pursue a death penalty said. Minister Greene confirmed for crimes against the State,
case. The letter did not, howev- that the executive arm of he will continue to take the
Greene made it clear that er, state that the death penal- government was unwilling position that this is a matter
it was proper for the matter ty will be removed from the to meddle with the affairs of best left to under the pur-
to be pursued by the Office books entirely. the judiciary with respect to view of the courts.Local News
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 11
Janice Sutherland to head local chapter
of Caribbean Women in Leadership
A national chapter of the regional or-
ganisation, Caribbean Women in Lead-
ership (CIWiL) organization has been
established.
Following the recent election of a na-
tional executive on 8th September, CI-
WiL announced on Thursday that the
CIWiL Antigua and Barbuda National
Chapter had been formed.
Antigua and Barbuda is now home to
the organisation’s fourth regional Na-
tional Chapter.
According to the organisation, “Ca-
ribbean Women in Leadership (CI- Janice Sutherland
WiL) is a non-partisan and independent while Independent Senator, Bakesha
organisation, established to monitor Francis-James, was elected Vice Chair-
person. Calisha Spencer
and strengthen the work of increasing
women’s leadership, decision-making The other elected executive members tional leadership joining women across
and political participation in the region of the chapter include Marian Barbara our region. You have our solidarity and
through advocacy, networking, research, Hesse, Merchant and Secretary/ Coor- support. Know that there are other wom-
and capacity building.” dinator, Calisha Spencer,Treasurer and en just like you with very similar stories
The local chapter is composed of An- award-winning entrepreneur, Chaneil all wanting better for our sisters across
tiguan and Barbudan female leaders and Imhoff, Public Relations Officer. the region. I welcome you to this move-
future leaders across several sectors in- In welcoming the executive to the re- ment of women.”
cluding politics, business and non-gov- gional organization, CIWiL President Antigua and Barbuda now joins CI-
ernmental organisations. Lady A. Anande Trotman-Joseph of- WiL members in St. Kitts and Nevis, the
At the end of the elections, Digicel fered congratulations and encourage- Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and
Chief Executive Officer, author and life ment to the incoming executive. Trinidad and Tobago.
coach, Janice Sutherland was named “Congratulations to all the sisters who The organisation has pledged its con-
Chairperson of the National Chapter have stepped up to be part of Team An- tinued commitment to women leaders
tigua and Barbuda. We commend and and aspiring women leaders as it works
salute you on this journey of transforma- toward women’s equality in leadership
throughout the region.
Chaneil Imhoff Bakesha Francis-James Marian Barbara HesseFRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 12
UWI Update
Building named to honour UWI’s Sir Hilary
Chancellor of The Univer- man pillars that reflect the Eu-
sity of the West Indies (UWI), ropean legacy. The Usain Bolt
President of Universities Ca- Sport Complex was conceived
ribbean, and Chairman of the and designed to celebrate the
CARICOM Reparations Com- blended beauty of Barbados’
mission, Professor Sir Hilary land and sea environments.
Beckles, has been paid special Cave Hill now has a unique
tribute by having the admin- multicultural built environ-
istration building at the Cave ment that celebrates human
Hill Campus named in his cultural diversity.The iconic
honour. 3Ws Oval serves as the cen-
The building now bears the justice and minority economic creating new and innovative trepiece of identity cohesion
name Hilary McDonald Beck- enfranchisement, adding, “He programmes and facilities that with the Mandela Freedom
les Administration Complex. is someone who thinks ahead enabled the campus to thrive. Park as an open invitation.
The iconic four storey struc- of the times. His emphasis on These developments meant These structures were creat-
ture was conceptualised by Sir reparatory justice is one exam- that the enrolment of the ed in order to radically improve
Hilary, during his tenure as ple.” campus could move from the the pedagogical and educa-
principal at Cave Hill to reflect Sir Hilary served the Cave 3,000 range to the 9,000 range tional capacity of the campus
the architectural motif of the Hill Campus as the Universi- within the context of a scien- with new and innovative aca-
Golden Stool of the Ashan- ty’s youngest appointed Per- tific system that monitored the demic programmes, and an ag-
ti that serves as a symbol of sonal Professor, Head of the relationship between quanti- gressive postgraduate training
cultural identity and the col- History Department, and Dean ty and quality. The academic and research culture. From the
lective wisdom of elders and of the Faculty of Humanities quality management system Creative Arts to the Faculty of
ancestors. Sir Hilary invited and Education before assum- at Cave Hill became highly Medicine, the School of Busi-
the Asantehene, or King of the ing the office of Principal, respected by national and in- ness and Student Services, ac-
Ashanti, Otumfuo Osei Tutu which he held for 13 years be- ternational experts. Working ademic disciplines and student
II of Ghana to Barbados to lay tween 2002 and 2015. with the Owen Arthur Regime support systems were empow-
the foundation plaque. He is a globally distin- he successfully negotiated the ered in this way.
The building was opened in guished academic whose wide acquisition of 50 acres of addi- Sir Hilary, commenting on
April 2010. ranging scholarship includes tional lands at the Lazaretto for the honour said, “My entire
Principal, Professor, the gender research, an interna- expansion, reflecting the com- professional life has been ded-
Most Honourable Eudine tional thought leader, transfor- mitment to the quality remit. icated to perfecting a contri-
Barriteau, said the Cave Hill mational education administra- Sir Hilary has a deep inter- bution to the art and science
campus community, and wider tor, United Nations Committee est in the identity issues of the of decolonization and nation
UWI family, fully supported official, private sector director built environment. Never ac- building within the context of
the honour given Sir Hilary’s of major corporations, and ex- cepting up front a design brief, institutional and public educa-
more than forty years of contri- pert in sport history, science he worked closely with the tion. It has been by necessity a
butions to the development of and practice. He holds Barba- best local architects to fulfill highly discursive experience,
the university, and his current dos’ highest national honour, his passion by conceptualis- and therefore inevitably con-
leadership of The UWI’s man- Commander Knight of St An- ing, sketching, and co-design- tentious. One’s head is always
agement of the COVID-19 drew, in acknowledgment of ing the many iconic buildings buried in the work at hand, and
pandemic. his distinguished service in the on the campus. These include: this expression of generosi-
“It is entirely appropriate field of education, culture and the Errol Barrow Centre for ty from my peers gave cause
for him to be saluted through sport. He also holds the second Creative Imagination building to lift it and smile. I feel very
the naming of that building in highest national recognition that reflects the indigenous blessed by this recognition
which decisions are made that from the Commonwealth of creole culture; the ‘China/ and accept it as a tribute to
give the institution its direction Dominica, the Sisserou Award India’ building that hosts the all my very noble colleagues,
and governance. He is some- of Honour. Confucius Institute, reflecting staff and students, who I know
one renowned for his decisive During his tenure as prin- the regional Asian heritage; worked and are working very
role and leadership qualities,” cipal of the Cave Hill Cam- the Administration Building, hard for the campus and uni-
she said. Professor Barriteau pus, Sir Hilary transformed celebrating African culture; versity, enabling our collective
also hailed Sir Hilary’s advo- the academic, funding and and the CLICO and Sagicor results to be viable, sustainable
cacy work in the areas of social infrastructural environment, buildings with majestic Ro- and visible.”Local News
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 13FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 14
Opinion
Internal strife making Guyana
a continuing regional problem
(The writer is Antigua and Barbu- a public statement, saying: “I am
da’s Ambassador to the U.S. and the calling on every single member of the
OAS. He is also a senior fellow at People’s National Congress Reform,
the Institute of Commonwealth Stud- irrespective of your status, I am
ies at the University of London and at saying that we cannot continue. This
Massey College in the University of To- carnage must stop.” Similar strong
ronto. The views expressed are entirely statements from the Opposition leader
his own) in Parliament, Mr Joseph Harmon, and
former President David Granger, would
Once again, Guyana is causing be the responsible thing for them to do.
regional and international worry Guyanese, who lived through
following two sets of killings of young Guyana’s destructive and haunting
men (two of African origin and two racial violence between 1962 and
of Indian origin) that have sparked 1964, worry that a similar disaster
the flames of communal violence and is being promoted, which could not
threaten to engulf the country. be controlled or stopped without
The facts of these killings are yet foreign military intervention. In
unknown and unestablished. As this the 1962-64 period, Guyana was a
By Sir Ronald Sanders
commentary is being written, the Police British Colony and British troops
are still in the process of investigating intervened. Nonetheless, the Commissions might be helpful, but as
the crimes. What should be a period of considerable loss of life and property in South Africa and Northern Ireland, it
national support to find the perpetrators wounded the country and scarred the is in Guyana that solutions to communal
and deliver justice, has been misused to society. strife must be found.
promote violence and civil disturbance. Addressing the present situation, In this, he should follow the lead
Justice for the four persons who have Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, of a remarkable Guyanese – Mr.
been killed is necessary, but justice assured the Guyanese people that his Gladstone Henry, the father of one of
is not about assuming facts, acting government “will work to bring justice the murdered boys. Mr. Henry has
lawlessly and exploiting emotional to every single person who has been publicly declared, “I am not supporting
sentiment to further the ambitions of a affected in these circumstances”. He immoral protesting. As a family we
few politicians. announced that he would be want justice (but) we as a nation cannot
Following the first killings of the approaching the British Government be fighting each other”.
African-Guyanese teenagers, Isaiah and the Caribbean Regional Security Therefore, consideration might be
and Joel Henry, supporters of the System for help in investigating the given to the creation of a “One Guyana
opposition, APNU-AFC, blocked killings. He should include a forensic Commission”, to explore practical
main highways and confronted investigator in his request. An external steps that can be taken to cement
Police. Hooligans took advantage of qualified investigator would help to Guyana’s one society. The work of the
the protests to commit atrocities which give confidence to the thoroughness of Commission should be countrywide,
included beatings. The following day, investigations. listening to the free contention of all
two Indo-Guyanese were killed – one President Ali also said that he is voices, concerning ways in which
of them a 17-year old, Hareshi Singh, “exploring the commissioning of an every Guyanese can honour the
and the other Prettipaul Hargobon who International Commission of Inquiry to strands of their ancestral heritage while
was beaten to death by a crowd. look at every aspect of this situation”. celebrating their uniquely blended
Commendably, Volda Lawrence, However, he should also consider how, Guyanese civilization, with equal
the Chairman of the People’s National as a nation, Guyana will, internally, opportunities for all.
Congress Reform (PNCR), the main address the racial issue that has been An observation made by Joshua
party in the opposition APNU, made exploited for so long. International cont’d on pg 15FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
Opinion PAGE 15
cont’d from pg 14 Guyanese – of all races – have themselves of the very high quality
Hyles in his book, ‘Guiana and the resided together for almost two of life that their recent oil and gas
Shadows of Empire’ is compelling: centuries. In doing so, a Guyanese production offers.
“Country studies of Guyana point civilization has been woven from In the past, violence in Guyana has led
out that the country’s disparate ethnic strands that originated in other lands – to refugees, migration, and instability in
groups have come to resemble one in India, Africa, Europe, China and in the region. Neither the countries of the
another culturally and physically more Guyana itself. What has been created is Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
than those of their (racial) countries of a unique blend that is Guyanese. nor the nations of the Americas would
origin”. In other words, what Hyles Together, the two main groups in sit-by and watch Guyana descend into
is saying is that a person of Indian or Guyana – people whose ancestors civil strife and violence now. Such a
African origin living in Guyana often came from Africa and India – are development would have consequences
exhibits more cultural and physical a formidable force. The British for them, and they will undoubtedly act
similarities to a person of Indian or colonizers and plantation owners if circumstances demand it.
African origin in Guyana than another knew that very well, which is why For the time being neighbouring
Indian or African abroad. they employed the strategy of divide states will keep a watchful eye, hoping
This is a truism for any Guyanese and rule; a strategy continued by self- that good sense will prevail among
of Indian or African origin who has serving local politicians. In the words all the politicians in Guyana to calm
travelled to India or Africa. Those, who of Lord Varys in the television series, emotions and maintain stability.
have visited the lands of their ancestors, Game of Thrones: «He would see this Guyana must become part of the
recognize that their visceral homeland country burn if he could be King of the solution to the region’s challenges, not
is Guyana. The challenges of language ashes.» continually be part of its problems.
of tribe, of cast, of culture set aside Guyanese should free themselves Responses and previous
Guyanese, except Amerindians, from from the ‘race’ trap if they are to avoid commentaries: www.
the distant lands of their ancestors. despoiling their country and robbing sirronaldsanders.comFRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 16
Regional News
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 17
Dominica cancels 2020
World Creole Music Festival
(SKNnews) A decision has made to Miss Charles also said to the patrons
cancel the top signature event of Dom- of the importance of the protocols es-
inica, the World Creole Music Festival. tablished for COVID-19, she stated that
The event, which was scheduled for they have to adhere to the protocols,
October 23, 24 and 25, would have as a government, they cannot encour-
been the 22nd edition of the event. age mass gathering activities till things
The World Creole Music Festival come under control.
saw a footfall of over 20,000 attend- Given the current world pandemic,
ees in 2019, and the event has served an assessment was done of the status
as a strong economic stimulant for the of the current source markets to include
island. Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia,
The Honorable Denise Charles, the the World Creole Music Festival for St. Maarten, Antigua and by extension
Minister for Tourism, International 2020. North America and Europe (France,
Transport and Maritime Initiatives, of- The decision of cancelling the World England).
ficially announced the cancellation of Creole Music Festival was extremely The analysis included the number of
the event stating during an interview on important. COVID-19 active cases, border restric-
August 28. The Dominica Festivals Committee tions and the overall ability of individ-
She said that the country would have did thorough consultation with approx- uals to travel.
loved to have the World Creole Music imately forty diverse stakeholders and It was concluded that there is uncer-
Festival, but as these are challenging the members of the Dominica Festivals tainty as it relates to airline capacity and
times and the health and safety of the Committee. All of them have played frequency and that new protocols for
citizens is a priority and, the govern- a vital role in the implementation and travel and mass gatherings may hinder
ment has taken the decision to cancel success of the festival over the years. the experience for patrons significantly.
T&T Police advise: Report sour
‘sou sou’ incidents to police
(LoopTT) Acting Depu- their payments until the cycle
ty Commissioner of Police, is up.
Jayson Forde is calling on However, an uprise in a
members of all ‘blessings cir- new money sharing method
cles’ and ill-advised ‘sou sou’ disguised as a sou sou has
circles to report their experi- been noticed. Police, the
ences to the police. Ministry of Finance and the
A sou sou, traditionally, is Financial Intelligence Unit
an agreement made among a have all come out imploring
group of people where they citizens to stay away.
all contribute equal amounts Speaking at the Trinidad if you enter and are aggrieved have come out, admitting
of money either months or and Tobago Police Service’s and made a report it will that they were bamboozled in
weekly, in an effort to save Weekly Media Briefing, be investigated and if per- their sou sou circles.
money. At the beginning, DCP Forde said that despite sons are found culpable, then Some have even claimed
each person is made aware of the uncertainty surround the we will take the necessary ac- that administrators of the cir-
when their payment or ‘hand’ practice, the police will still tion within the ambits of the cles have gone missing, tak-
will be made and they are try to be of service. law,” he said. ing the members’ money with
expected to continue making “Like any other interaction Various social media users them.FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 18
Regional News
Guyana asks Britain, RSS to help
probe killings; inquiry planned
(Demerarawaves) President Irfaan
Ali Wednesday night announced that
Guyana has asked the United King-
dom (UK) and the Caribbean Region-
al Security System (RSS) to probe the
killing of three youths over the past
three days and violent unrest in West
Coast Berbice that has resulted in se-
vere injuries, robberies and damage to
property.
“In consultation with the Guyana Po-
lice Force, I have engaged the mecha-
nism in which I will be reaching out to
the British Government and the RSS,
which is the Regional Security System
to come to Guyana in support of the President Irfaan Ali
Guyana Police Force’s investigative means available to hold to account, all would be aimed at getting a compre-
capacity,” he said. those who spread race hate and insti- hensive and holistic picture as to all the
Autopsies on the mutilated bodies of gate racial strife,” the President said. events surrounding what took place.
Isaiah and Joel Henry were conduct- The President said as part of efforts Dr. Ali said he was confident that the
ed Wednesday and the bodies handed to bring to justice all those responsible Guyana Police Force and the Guyana
over to the families for burial. Seven for the killings and associated events, Defence Force would restore order in
people- including the owner of the he was considering holding a Com- keeping with all available resources,
coconut estate at Cotton Tree village mission of Inquiry. laws, protocols and guidelines to en-
where Henrys’ bodies were found, his “We need to understand who insti- sure the situation does not escalate.
son, a handyman and coconut vendors- gated, what was instigated and as a The President promised “to bring jus-
remained in custody. Attorney-at-Law result, I am exploring the commission- tice to every single person who has
Nigel Hughes reportedly captured ing of an International Commission of been affected in these circumstances.”
video and pictures of the autopsies to Inquiry (COI) to look at every aspect Hours after he blamed Leader of the
provide to an international forensic in- of this situation, to look beyond what People’s National Congress Reform
vestigator. The opposition A Partner- took place on the ground, to look at the (PNCR), David Granger and Opposi-
ship for National Unity+Alliance For behaviours that came about as a result tion Leader Joseph Harmon for oppor-
Change (APNU+AFC) has also called of statements made. The COI is im- tunistically using the brutal slayings
for an impartial and professional probe portant for us to have a comprehensive of the Henrys to confront the illegiti-
as it has no confidence in Crime Chief, understanding as to what took place,” mate People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
Senior Superintendent Wendell Blan- he said. administration, the President flayed
hum. “The events surrounding these hor- those who wanted to score political
Dr. Ali also announced that he was rific and barbaric acts of murder and points from such tragic circumstances.
mulling an international Commission the criminality that saw the loss of “The time has come for us to deal
of Inquiry into the events surrounding property, that saw even the loss of with this issue very frontally. The time
the killings and would ask the United lives, people being chopped, robbed has come for us to deal with it very se-
Nations (UN) for help to possibly pun- and brutally assaulted, require a more riously and no one must believe that
ish perpetrators or racial hostility. “I comprehensive and holistic review they can use situations like these for
have asked the Attorney General and and as such, we need to get to the bot- any political gain. There is no gain
Minister of Legal Affairs to explore, tom of this,” the President added. whether politically, socially, econom-
within the United Nations system, all He said those planned three steps cont’d on pg 19Regional News
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 19
Teachers must have ‘office
hours’; some schools require
students to wear uniforms online
(BVI NEWS) In an effort
to create a sound educa-
tional structure during this
online learning school year,
teachers will be required to
have consultation hours and
some schools will require
students to wear school
uniforms during live online
sessions.
This is according to Chief
Education Officer Connie
George who recently said
the Ministry of Education
has been working to create
an atmosphere for online
students that will reflect the
physical school environ-
ment.
“A school day will run
from 9 am to 2:30 pm, of
course, with the lunch and the two children who would would resemble the usual schools
the breaks in between as need extra attention or extra pre-COVID school morning To further assist with
usual. So we want it to look help with special education pattern. conditioning the minds of
exactly like it would have or extra the reading time,” “You need to have a good students, George said that
looked if they were actual- the Chief Education Officer structure for the child at some schools have taken the
ly getting up in the morning added. home. extra step of requesting their
and going off to school,” Parents encouraged to cre- “The child must feel like students to wear uniforms
she said. ate structure ‘I am going to school’. So during the online classes.
“We are encouraging what To assist with the minis- they must be asked to get up “I know that some schools
we are calling office hours try’s intended goal, George at a certain time, have their have encouraged children to
for the teacher where at that is asking for parents to bath and their breakfast and put on their school uniforms
time, they would be able to create a daily atmosphere get themselves ready.” so that when they open the
zero in on the one child or within their household that Uniform wearing by some camera everybody is wear-
cont’d from pg 18 ing their school uniforms.
17-year old Haresh Singh was killed and
That’s not mandated, but it
ically, morally or culturally. There is no motorcycle burnt as he was heading to his
does help the child to fall in
gain that you can get out of this. The only farm aback Number Three Village, West
line and recognise, ‘yes I am
persons who lose are the families who are Coast Berbice. Later Wednesday after-
really going to school’,” she
suffering, the people who received and noon, 34-year old Chatterpaul Harripaul
explained.
who were inflicted with blows and loss of called Roy of Bath Settlement was beaten
The 2020/2021 academic
property and the country; the credibility to death after, according to police, he exit-
year for local public schools
and image of our country suffers greatly,” ed his car and fired his shotgun at a crowd
is set to begin on September
he said. of protesters about 60 metres away.
21.International
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 20
AROUND THE WORLD
Dozens of Amazon’s own products
have been reported as dangerous
(CNN) When firefighters arrived at
Austin Parra’s home on January 12,
2017, they could see smoke and the
charred remnants of an office chair out-
side.
Parra, then 20, had been transported
to the hospital. His mother explained to
firefighters that her son’s chair caught on
fire while he was sleeping, and he was
burned as he carried the flaming chair
outside.
Anthony Dignoti, the Wethersfield,
Connecticut, fire marshal in charge of
investigating the incident, could see that
the door and door frame were damaged
by the fire as well. He noticed bowls
strewn about, which he wrote in his offi-
cial report had been filled with water in
an attempt to extinguish the fire.
But most interesting to Dignoti was
a white USB cord. Part of the cord was
hanging off the chair and still intact, but
the other side was stuck to the seat and
had melted into a bare wire, he said in The fire at Austin Parra’s home originated with an AmazonBasics USB cord, Fire Mar-
his report and an interview with CNN. shal Anthony Dignoti determined.
Dignoti ultimately concluded that the can create at a similar or higher quality 1,500 reviews, covering more than 70
fire originated with the cord Parra was and lower price point when compared to items, have described products explod-
using to charge his cellphone. His report existing name brands -- a strategy also ing, catching on fire, smoking, melting,
stated the cord experienced a short cir- employed by companies such as Costco causing electrical malfunctions or other-
cuit, and while it was unclear why this and Target. wise posing risks, according to an anal-
happened, “the heat produced by the A growing number of AmazonBasics ysis of AmazonBasics electronics and
cord ignited the upholstery for the office products, which the company promotes appliances listed on its website.
chair.” heavily on its site, have become best- The reviews identified represent a
The cord had been branded with the sellers since the line’s inception, and small fraction of the overall purchas-
name of the world’s largest online retail- many have ratings above four stars, ac- es of the products, and fires caused by
er: Amazon. cording to Marketplace Pulse research. consumer electronics are not unique to
It was sold by one of Amazon’s pop- In recent months, the online retailer’s Amazon branded items. User error can
ular private label lines, AmazonBasics, sales have been soaring as millions of also be a factor, as can faulty or aging
which offers budget-friendly products Americans have been staying at home wiring within a home or a defective de-
including consumer electronics, house- -- and in many cases working remotely vice being used in conjunction with the
hold appliances, home goods and office -- during the ongoing pandemic. product.
accessories. But consumers have raised serious But when well-made and used proper-
Launched in 2009, AmazonBasics has safety concerns about AmazonBasics ly by consumers, electronics like those
grown to offer more than 5,000 products, items in complaints to government reg- sold under the AmazonBasics name
according to the retailer. Its mission: ulators and in reviews posted on Ama- should rarely pose dangers, said electri-
identifying everyday items that Amazon zon’s own website. Since 2016, at least cal engineers interviewed by CNN.International
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 21
AROUND THE WORLD
Huge fire at Beirut port sows
panic after last month’s blast
(AP) A huge fire broke out
at Beirut’s port Thursday,
raising new panic among
residents still struggling
with the traumatic effects of
the catastrophic explosion
at the same site last month.
Some sought safety in
closed bathrooms or threw
open their windows to guard
against shattering glass in
case of another blast; oth-
ers piled into cars to flee the
capital.
Dark smoke and the smell
of toxic fumes enveloped
Beirut in the evening as
army helicopters circled
and sprayed water over the
orange flames, helping fire-
fighters on the ground. Black smoke rises from a fire at warehouses at the seaport of Beirut, Lebanon yesterday.
It was unclear what caused
the blaze at the port, which non radio that the fire started blamed on decades of mis- shake. Living a flashback.”
was decimated by the Aug. in a warehouse containing management and corruption Jennifer Moorehead, Save
4 explosion when nearly barrels of cooking oil and by an entrenched political the Children’s country di-
3,000 tons of ammonium ni- later spread to where tires class. Last month’s blast is rector in Lebanon, said the
trate blew up, sending out a were piled. He added it was seen as the culmination of fire will inevitably bring
shock wave that killed near- too early to say if it began as leaders unable to to manage back distressing memories
ly 200 people and caused “the result of heat or some the country’s affairs or pro- to many Lebanese children
widespread damage. other mistake.” tect its people. So far, au- who are still trying to recov-
The Lebanese army said In a sign of the ever-wid- thorities have been unable er from last month’s blast.
the fire started in the port’s ening gulf of distrust after to provide answers about “Children in Beirut have
duty free zone amid con- the explosion, many Leba- the explosion, and there has experienced a terrible shock
tainers of tires, oil and other nese accused politicians of been no accountability for and they need time to re-
flammable materials. deliberately trying to de- it. cover; today’s fire and pan-
Fabrizio Carboni, regional stroy evidence at the port For Dana Awad, a mother ic will only make things
director for the International that led to the blast. Thurs- of two girls, the fire brought worse,” she said.
Red Cross, tweeted that the day’s fire was the second back memories of the trem- Najat Saliba, a professor
warehouse on fire is where mysterious blaze there this or that shook her Beirut specializing in atmospheric
his organization stores thou- week, following a small fire neighborhood before the ex- chemistry at the American
sands of food parcels and on Tuesday that also caused plosion. University of Beirut, tweet-
oil, risking the serious dis- some panic but was quickly “We opened all windows ed warnings for the elder-
ruption of humanitarian op- extinguished. and are in the corridor right ly and children to protect
erations. Lebanon is gripped by an now,” Awad said as they themselves or even to leave
Port director Bassem unprecedented economic sought safety in a hallway. the city if possible until the
al-Qaisi told Voice of Leba- crisis and financial collapse, “I am still feeling the earth smoke cleared.International
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 22
AROUND THE WORLD
EU mulls legal action against
UK over plan to break Brexit deal
(Aljazeera) The United
Kingdom and the European
Union held emergency talks
on Thursday over Prime Min-
ister Boris Johnson’s plan to
undercut parts of the Brexit
divorce treaty, with Brussels
exploring possible legal ac-
tion against London.
As the UK pushes ahead
with its plan to act outside in-
ternational law by breaching
the divorce treaty, the EU ne-
gotiators are trying to gauge
how to deal with London.
The EU said the UK must
withdraw the planned law
dealing with Northern Ireland
trade by the end of the month Britons voted to leave the EU in a June 2016 referendum
or face a legal fight even be- of the legal obligations con- try to push the bill into law the treaty breach or prepare
fore the transition period fol- tained in the text - which the quickly, scheduling it for de- for a messy divorce. The UK
lowing Britain’s EU depar- European Union will not be bate in Parliament starting on signed the treaty and formal-
ture ends on December 31. shy in using,” Sefcovic said. Monday. ly left the EU in January, and
“By putting forward this EU diplomats and officials “I made it perfectly clear to leaves the single market when
bill, the UK has seriously had previously said the bloc Vice President Sefcovic that the status quo agreement ex-
damaged trust between the could use the Withdrawal we would not be withdraw- pires at the end of this year.
EU and the UK. It is now Agreement to take legal ac- ing this legislation,” Gove Sterling, which tends to fall
up to the UK government to tion against the UK, though said. when Brexit hits a snag, has
reestablish that trust,” Euro- there would be no resolution Sefcovic said the EU “does tumbled in recent days. The
pean Commission Vice Pres- before the end-of-year dead- not accept the argument that currency was flat at $1.2999
ident Maros Sefcovic said, line for Britain’s full exit. the aim of the draft Bill is to on Thursday, but overnight
using language that, by the The British government protect the Good Friday (Bel- implied volatility, an indi-
EU’s diplomatic standards, says its planned law, put for- fast) Agreement. In fact, it is cator of investor jitters, rose
was furious. ward on Wednesday, clarifies of the view that it does the 13 percent, its highest since
He spoke after meeting ambiguities in the Withdraw- opposite.” March 26.
Britain’s chief Brexit minis- al Agreement, and its main A note distributed by the Talks on a trade deal have
ter, Michael Gove, at a hastily priority is the 1998 Northern EU executive to the 27 EU been stuck over state aid
arranged meeting in London. Irish peace deal that ended member states said the With- rules and fishing. Without an
Sefcovic said that if Brit- decades of violence. drawal Agreement gives agreement, nearly $1 trillion
ain didn’t change course by Britain says its law is in- the bloc up to four years to in trade between the EU and
the end of September, the EU tended to ensure there are launch a legal procedure the UK could be thrown into
would take legal action. no barriers to trade between against the UK if it violates confusion at the beginning of
“The Withdrawal Agree- Northern Ireland and the rest EU rules during a transition 2021, compounding the eco-
ment contains a number of of the UK in the event that period this year. nomic impact of the corona-
mechanisms and legal rem- there is no deal with the EU. Europe’s leaders have been virus pandemic.
edies to address violations On Thursday, it said it would handed an ultimatum: accept cont’d on pg 23International
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2020
PAGE 23
AROUND THE WORLD
US revokes visas for 1,000 Chinese
students deemed security risk
(BBC) The US says it has revoked the
visas of more than 1,000 Chinese stu-
dents and researchers who are deemed
to be a security risk.
The move follows a proclamation by
President Donald Trump in May aimed
at Chinese nationals suspected of having
ties to the military. He said some had
stolen data and intellectual property.
China has accused the US of racial
discrimination.
Nearly 370,000 students from China
enrolled at US universities in 2018-19.
A state department spokeswoman de-
scribed those whose visas were revoked
as “high-risk graduate students and re- adding that China reserved the right to still comes as a bombshell for nearly
search scholars”. “further respond”. 370,000 Chinese nationals studying in
She said they were a “small subset” of The proclamation of 29 May accused the US.
the total number of Chinese students. China of engaging in a “wide-ranging Many of them have been anxious
“We continue to welcome legitimate and heavily resourced campaign to ac- about US-China tensions, especially
students and scholars from China who quire sensitive United States technolo- Washington’s increased scrutiny of Chi-
do not further the Chinese Communist gies and intellectual property” and said nese students in America over technolo-
Party’s goals of military dominance,” it was using some students “to operate as gy theft and economic espionage.
the spokeswoman said. non-traditional collectors of intellectual US Assistant Secretary of State David
The Chinese foreign ministry de- property”. Stilwell told me last month that, against
nounced the move at a daily media brief- Some Chinese students in the US say Chinese nationals who concealed mili-
ing in Beijing. they are facing increased hostility and tary ties and came to the US “masquer-
“This is outright political persecution suspicion on university campuses, and ading” as students, “we have to defend
and racial discrimination. It seriously vi- their reasons for studying being ques- ourselves”. The US authorities have in-
olates the human rights of these Chinese tioned. dicted several Chinese nationals for visa
students,” spokesman Zhao Lijian said, Though hardly unexpected, this move fraud and theft of trade secrets.
But many Chinese students see Wash-
cont’d from pg 22 US House of Representatives Speak- ington’s move as unreasonable, fearing
The latest dispute centres on rules for er Nancy Pelosi said any move by the that they are being used as a pawn in the
Northern Ireland, which shares a land UK that undermined the 1998 Irish escalating US-China competition.
border with EU member Ireland. Un- peace agreement would ensure that a According to an online spreadsheet
der the 1998 agreement, there must be potential United States-UK trade deal collecting self-reporting information
no hard border in Ireland. would not pass the US Congress. from affected students, Washington’s
To ensure that, the British-EU di- Former British leaders Theresa May scope of visa revocation appears to go
vorce pact calls for Northern Ireland to and John Major scolded Johnson for beyond Chinese graduate students in
continue to apply some EU rules. But considering an explicit, intentional advanced scientific fields, also targeting
the UK’s new bill unveiled this week breach of international law. undergraduate students and those study-
would assert the power to override “If we lose our reputation for hon- ing economics and finance.
many of those EU rules, acknowledg- ouring the promises we make, we will Education used to be low-hanging
ing that London would be violating in- have lost something beyond price that fruit for US-China co-operation but now
ternational law by doing so. may never be regained,” Major said. it has turned into a new front in the bilat-
eral conflict.You can also read
