Jamaican-American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has taken her 8th Oath of Office at the start of the historic 117th United States Congress.

“We ushered in the 117th Congress — the most diverse Congress in our nation’s history —  and I proudly took my 8th Oath of Office to represent New York’s 9th Congressional District,” Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Tuesday following her swearing-in for her eight consecutive, two-year term.

“While this is often a celebratory occasion, we must not forget we are beginning this new Congress during a time of extraordinary difficulty,” added the representative for the predominantly Caribbean 9^th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York.

“Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, we have experienced more than 350,000 tragic deaths, over 20 million infections, an unprecedented economic crisis, a racial reckoning,” continued Clarke, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce, and Homeland Security Committees.

“The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated many of the inequalities plaguing our nation. Still, it has served as an opportunity for House Democrats to focus on the critical issues to the American people.”

With the passing of the US$900 billion pandemic relief bill, the congresswoman said communities have begun receiving enhanced unemployment benefits, US$600 direct cash payments and protections against evictions.

She said the legislation is “a strong beginning to continued efforts to accomplish all that we had hoped.”

Clarke said navigating this pandemic has been “extremely challenging,” adding, however, that “we have seen many within our communities that have been most adversely impacted and marginalized arise as true champions for democracy.

“Additionally, I find it alarming that some of my colleagues are utilizing this difficult time to advance divisive agendas to contest the electoral college results,” she said, alluding to a statement by late US Congressman John Lewis.

“‘The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy,’” she quoted Lewis as saying.

“These efforts are futile and harmful to our democracy; now is not the time for division,” Clarke said. “Now is the time for unity, and the strengthening and preservation of our democracy.

“I am proud to continue representing the residents of the 9th Congressional District as we strive towards more accountability, transparency and truth in supporting the needs of the American people,” she added.

CMC

The post 8 Times Elected Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Takes Oath of Office appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

The UK recorded its highest number of COVID-related deaths since mid-April, and the highest daily increase in virus cases.

The post UK Records Highest Daily COVID Deaths at 1,041 appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Sir William Allen, who served as governor of The Central Bank of The Bahamas and later minister of finance, died at his New Providence home yesterday after a long illness. He was 83.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, in expressing condolences to Sir William’s family, said his contribution to the development and advancement of The Bahamas is immeasurable.

Ingraham noted that Allen returned home from the United States in 1970 to take up a post as research manager at the Central Bank. He went on to serve as deputy governor and ultimately as governor of the bank. He was appointed to that post on June 1, 1980 after the resignation of the late Timothy Baswell Donaldson from the post.

“In 1992, I persuaded Bill to join my new government as a senator and accept an appointment as minister of state in the Ministry of Finance and Planning,” the former prime minister added.

“Following his election to Parliament in 1994, he became my portfolio minister of finance, a position which he held through to the end of our second term in office in 2002.

“Bill’s experience and advice was invaluable to me and to each of the governments I was privileged to lead. I credit him for the new levels of discipline introduced into the government’s budget process and for setting the country on a path of financial reform that ushered in greater degrees of transparency and accountability in government financing.”

Ingraham said, “Bill has been in declining health for some time and early last year suggested to me that he knew that his time was limited. He was gracious in expressing appreciation for having had the opportunity to serve our great country.

“He said that he believed that we had made our country better. And of course, we had, in no small part because of the commitment and dedication of men like him; men of great talent and character who placed love of country and duty to public service ahead of personal gain.”

In 2017, Ingraham hosted a luncheon in honor of Sir William, who turned 80.

At the time, he described his former minister as “one of the unsung heroes in terms of public service in The Bahamas”.

Zhivargo Laing, former minister of state for finance who was one of the former ministers who attended the luncheon, remarked at the time: “In almost every way that a friend and professional colleague could impact a person, Sir William Allen has impacted me.

“His intellectual capacity, his authenticity, his seriousness about the task and assignment and his desire to see you grow as an individual, was all the experience I had with him, as a Cabinet colleague, as a parliamentary colleague, and simply as a friend.”

In a statement last night, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis offered condolences to Sir William’s family on behalf of the Bahamian people and said he was saddened to learn of his death.

“The Bahamas was fundamentally bettered by Sir William’s service,” Minnis said.

“He was a man of integrity who gave his all to his country. I also wish to express my gratitude for his advice and assistance when I served as leader of the opposition.”

Minnis said The Bahamas has lost a distinguished statesman.

The post Bahamas: Sir William Allen, 83, Dies after Long Illness appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

However, the information on which flights were cancelled and which are allowed was not readily available. This created a chaotic situation for many Cubans who came to visit relatives for the holidays. Most of their return flights are cancelled.

The rumor mill and trying to get a straight answer out of the airlines is their current situation. Some could lose their jobs if they do not return to their countries of residence in time.

The chaotic scene at the Havana airport on Tuesday saw hundreds seeking information from overwhelmed and poorly informed ticket agents.

Let me give one example with a friend’s situation; he was visiting family. His return flight from Havana to the US was on January 15^th.  He was unable to make contact with the airline in Havana and was seeing rumors fly left and right on social media.

I offered to help by calling them from outside the country. According to my friend, he heard that American Airlines had to reduce its flights from 42 to 7 a week.

If that is correct, you can imagine trying to get ticked passengers from 42 flights on 7 per week. I have looked at the airline’s news page on their website and there is no information available. Calling them and waiting for up to an hour to be attended is not a viable option from Cuba.

Anyway, I was able to get through and they said the first available flight for my friend is on January 28^th which I immediately booked. However, if the restrictions on flights continue that could also be cancelled as it approaches.

A decision popular with some, not with others

The decision to backtrack on foreign entries is supported by a sizeable part of the population, concerned about the pandemic’s spread. Others want to see family and receive money and needed products from abroad.

Likewise, people who travel to buy products unavailable on the Island for resale now find themselves partially paralyzed. Some stuck in countries like Panama, Guyana, Mexico and the US and others grounded in Cuba.

The government’s decision and the airlines response are both too secretive. Neither lays out clearly what flights are cancelled, and which are flying. For people with upcoming trips to Cuba I advise you constantly check with the airlines. Additionally, plan for a possible extended stay if your flight home is cancelled.

The post Pandemic Created Chaos Continues at Cuban Airports appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

The post Good News for T&T, Suriname–Oil Drilling to Expand appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

The post Corona Effect: Caribbean Airlines with Serious Money Problems appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hours after hundreds of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a harrowing assault on American democracy, a shaken Congress on Thursday formally certified Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory.

Immediately afterward, the White House released a statement from Trump in which he pledged an “orderly transition” when Biden is sworn into office on Jan. 20, although he repeated his false claim that he won the November election. On Wednesday, the Republican president had seemingly encouraged his followers to swarm the Capitol.

Congress resumed its work certifying Biden’s Electoral College win late in the evening after the chaotic scenes on Capitol Hill. After a debate stretching into the early hours of Thursday, the Senate and the House of Representatives rejected two objections to the tally and certified the final Electoral College vote with Biden receiving 306 votes and Trump 232 votes.

Vice President Mike Pence, in declaring the final vote totals, said this “shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons elected president and vice president of the United States.”

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will take office alongside Biden.

The outcome of the certification proceedings had never been in doubt, but was interrupted by rioters who forced their way past metal security barricades, broke windows and scaled walls to fight their way into the Capitol.

Police said four people died during the chaos – one from gunshot wounds and three from medical emergencies – and 52 people were arrested.

Some besieged the House chamber while lawmakers were inside, banging on its doors and forcing suspension of the certification debate. Security officers piled furniture against the chamber’s door and drew their pistols before helping lawmakers and others escape.

The assault on the Capitol was the culmination of months of divisive and escalating rhetoric around the Nov. 3 election, with Trump repeatedly making false claims that the vote was rigged and urging his supporters to help him overturn his loss

Following Thursday’s certification by Congress, he issued a statement via White House aide Dan Scavino, saying:

“Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of the election, and the facts bear me out, nevertheless there will be an orderly transition on January 20th.”

Wednesday’s chaos unfolded after Trump – who before the election refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he lost – addressed thousands of supporters near the White House and told them to march on the Capitol to express their anger at lawmakers.

He told supporters to pressure their elected officials to reject the results, urging them “to fight.”

Some prominent Republicans in Congress put the blame for the day’s violence squarely on his shoulders.

“There is no question that the President formed the mob, the President incited the mob, the President addressed the mob. He lit the flame,” House Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney said on Twitter.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who had long remained silent while Trump sought to overturn the election result, called the invasion a “failed insurrection” and referred to those who had stormed the Capitol as “unhinged.”

=====================================================

US:Talk of Booting Trump Out Before Jan. 20

(CNN) After violent pro-Trump protesters stormed the US Capitol on Wednesday, a growing number of Republican leaders and Cabinet officials told CNN that they believe Donald Trump should be removed from office before January 20. Four of them called for the 25th Amendment to be invoked, and two others said the President should be impeached.

“He has to be impeached and removed,” said one current Republican elected official.

A former senior official said the President’s actions were egregious enough to remove him even with such a short time left in his tenure.

“I think this has been a huge shock to the system,” said the former official. “How do you keep him in place for two weeks after this?” 

By impeaching and removing Trump, even at this late stage of his term, the Senate could subsequently vote to disqualify Trump from ever holding federal office again. #

On the other hand, invoking the 25th Amendment would require Vice President Mike Pence and a majority of the Cabinet to vote to remove Trump from office due to his inability to “discharge the powers and duties of his office” — an unprecedented step.

Some Cabinet members are holding preliminary discussions about invoking the 25th Amendment, a well-placed GOP source told CNN.

The discussions are ongoing but it’s unclear if there will be enough Cabinet members to result in Trump’s removal. The conversations have reached Capitol Hill where some senators have been made aware of the discussions, the source said.

Within minutes of protestors breaching the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, Republicans were revisiting the idea of removing Trump from office, a choice that nearly all of them passed on making a year ago during last year’s impeachment trial.

The forceful denunciations of Trump are also unprecedented. Former President George W. Bush, who has kept a low profile, released a strongly-worded rebuke Wednesday evening calling the “insurrection” at the Capitol a “sickening and heartbreaking sight.” While not mentioning Trump by name, Bush said he was “appalled by the reckless behavior of some political leaders since the election and by the lack of respect shown today for our institutions, our traditions, and our law enforcement.”

Mitt Romney, the Utah senator who was the only Republican to vote to convict the President on an article of impeachment last year, went further, calling the President a “selfish man” who “deliberately misinformed his supporters” about the election. Romney also called the attack on the Capitol an “insurrection” and blamed Trump, saying he “stirred [supporters] to action this very morning.”

Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, a member of the House leadership, echoed Romney’s anger and frustration at Trump. “There is no question that the President formed the mob. The President incited mob, the President addressed the mob,” said Cheney on Fox News. “He lit the flame.”

And Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, an otherwise staunch ally of Trump’s, was unsparing. “It’s past time for the president to accept the results of the election, quit misleading the American people, and repudiate mob violence,” Cotton said.

Other Republicans on Capitol Hill were furious as well with the President.

“The President needs to call it off,” Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “Call it off! It’s over. The election is over.”

Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois dismissed Trump’s Wednesday afternoon tweet asking rioters at the Capitol to “remain peaceful.”

“That’s cowardice,” Kinzinger told Tapper. “He needs to stand up and say, I lost the election, let the count go ahead.”

But as Trump seems unlikely to make those concessions, two longtime Republican activists and allies of the White House said the President must go.

“Pence should move against him on the 25th Amendment,” said one.

“They need to invoke the 25th Amendment immediately,” said the other.

 

 

The post Biden Confirmed by Congress After Deadly Capitol Riot appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.