Pfizer to discuss vaccine booster with US officials Monday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer says it plans to meet with top U.S. health officials Monday to discuss the drugmaker’s request for federal authorization of a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine as President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser acknowledged that…Read More

Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson flying own rocket to space

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. (AP) — After a lifetime of yearning to fly in space, Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson was poised to blast off aboard his own rocket ship Sunday in his boldest, grandest adventure yet. …Read More

Condo collapse victim fought at failed Bay of Pigs invasion

Sixty years before Juan Mora’s Florida condo building came crashing down, killing him and at least 89 others, he was among hundreds of Cuban exiles who signed up for a covert, CIA-funded operation to overthrow Fidel Castro’s Soviet-backed dictatorshi…Read More

Gangs complicate Haiti effort to recover from assassination

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Gangs in Haiti have long been financed by powerful politicians and their allies — and many feel they may be losing control of the increasingly powerful armed groups who have driven thousands of people from their homes as …Read More

For democracy, it’s a time of swimming against the tide

The old Nicaraguan revolutionary, with his receding hairline and the goatee that he had finally let turn grey, spoke calmly into the camera as police swarmed toward his house, hidden behind a high wall in a leafy Managua neighborhood. …Read More

The post World View: Pfizer COVID Booster?, Branson in Space, Haiti in Chaos, More appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

James Hockaday

Metro

The nation’s coronavirus death toll could rise to one million as the pandemic is far from over, a Government adviser has warned.

As Boris Johnson is poised to give the green light for so-called ‘Freedom Day’ on July 19, cases are continuing to soar across the country.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show one in 160 people in England, and one in 100 in Scotland, are thought to have Covid-19 — a 58% rise in one week.

An estimated 332,900 people had the virus in the week ending July 3, which is similar to mid-October levels, one month before the PM declared a second national lockdown.

The vaccine has ‘weakened’ the link between infections and hospitalisations, according to chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.

But Johnson was criticised for suggesting it had been ‘broken’ or ‘severed’ when the number of patients is rising, albeit at a slower rate than in previous waves.

Yesterday the Department of Health confirmed another 26 people had died within 28 days of taking a test, bringing the official Covid death toll to 128,425.

But Professor Lucy Easthope, who advises the Cabinet Office and specialises in disaster response, believes the toll will ultimately rise to one million.

She says it is generally accepted that the effects of a pandemic will last between 10 and 15 years but that ministers have shied away from being open about this with the public.

The University of Durham professor told the Times: ‘The issue was about public tolerance of reality and last March it was decided that the public couldn’t handle the truth.’

She added: ‘The problem with a pandemic is that it’s not like a tap and you can’t just turn it off.

‘I don’t think we have been very honest with the public about this. When you are swimming for the shore, it is important to tell people how long the swim is.’

Professor Easthope said the decision to end lockdown on July 19 – including opening nightclubs and lifting capacity caps at large events – is in part political.

As well as having to consider people’s health and the burden faced by hospitals, she said the Government also wants to avoid civil disobedience after well over a year of restrictions.

On top of this, Downing Street also wants to give the economy room to recover and fend off a mental health crisis among young people.

To make matters worse, Professor Easthope, a fellow at the Centre for Death and Society at Bath University, thinks another pandemic could be closer than we think.

She warned that there are ‘much worse things out there’ than Covid-19 and pointed to 21 more serious diseases on the national risk register.

It comes after a recent Opinium poll showed 50% of people wanted to see the lifting of restrictions delayed, compared to 31% who thought it should still go ahead.

The data also showed 73% of respondents thought face-coverings should still be worn on public transport, but they are expected to be made non-compulsory from July 19.

Johnson has been warned it would be ‘dangerous’ to drop all restrictions at once while cases rise, but at a press conference last Monday, he said: ‘If not now, then when?’

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairwoman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday: ‘We’ve only just heard in this bulletin about the rising numbers of cases, the rising numbers of people requiring hospital treatment, in intensive care and sadly deaths are starting to rise again, too.

‘There seems to be a misapprehension that life will return to normal from then (July 19), and that we can throw away all the precautions, and frankly, that would be dangerous.’

Warning of the pressures already faced by medical staff, she added: ‘It feels in hospitals and GP surgeries as like the middle of winter in terms of how busy we are, rather than July, which would normally see a very low number of infections.’

A No 10 spokesman said: ‘The prime minister will review the latest data tomorrow and set out our plans for step four. We need to learn to live with the virus, but caution remains key.

‘The prime minister will urge the public to continue to use their freedoms responsibly, so we do not put at risk the progress we have worked so hard for

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

WORLD STATS

Coronavirus Cases:

187,682,953

view by country

Deaths:

4,050,208

Recovered:

171,631,154

The post One Million in UK Could Eventually Die from Coronavirus-Scientists, World Stats appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

The post Majority of Brazilians Want President Impeached appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 11 (Reuters) – Haitian police said on Sunday they had arrested one of the suspected masterminds in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, a Haitian man whom authorities accused of hiring mercenaries to oust and replace Moise.

Moise was shot dead early on Wednesday at his Port-au-Prince home by what Haitian authorities describe as a unit of assassins formed of 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans, plunging the troubled Caribbean nation deeper into turmoil. read more

National Police Chief Leon Charles told a news conference the arrested man, 63-year-old Christian Emmanuel Sanon, flew to Haiti on a private jet in early June, accompanied by hired security guards, and wanted to take over as president.

He did not explain Sanon’s motives beyond saying they were political, but added that one of those in custody had contacted him upon being arrested. Sanon, in turn, contacted two other “intellectual authors” of the assassination, Charles added.

“The mission of these attackers was initially to ensure the safety of Emmanuel Sanon, but later the mission was changed…and they presented one of the attackers with an arrest warrant for the president of the republic,” Charles said.

Public records online show a man with Sanon’s name worked as a doctor in Florida, but it was not immediately clear if it was the same man.

Nor was it clear why Sanon would want to topple Moise, whose murder is the latest in a string of reverses for the struggling country, which has sought international help. read more

Washington has rebuffed Haiti’s request for troops, though a senior U.S. official said on Sunday it was sending a technical team to assess the situation. read more

Haitian police have arrested 18 Colombians and 3 Haitian Americans, including Sanon, over the murder, Charles said. Five Colombians are still at large and three were killed, he added.

The suspected assassins told investigators they were there to arrest him, not kill him, the Miami Herald and a person familiar with the matter said earlier on Sunday.

A source close to the investigation said two Haitian Americans, James Solages and Joseph Vincent, told investigators they were translators for the Colombian commando unit that had an arrest warrant. But when they arrived, they found him dead.

The news follows reports that some of the Colombians had said they had gone to work as security personnel on Haiti, including for Moise himself. read more

The Miami Herald reported that the detained Colombians said they were hired to work in Haiti by Miami-based company CTU Security, run by Venezuelan emigre Antonio Enmanuel Intriago Valera.

Charles indicated that CTU had been used to hire at least some of the Colombian suspects, but gave no details.

Neither CTU nor Intriago could immediately be reached for comment.

One phone number associated with the company in public records sent calls to an answering machine that made a reference to the fictional TV character Jack Bauer, who fought terrorism in the series “24.”

The recorded message ran, “Thank you for calling CTU Security. For Tony Intriago, please leave a message or send a text. For Jack Bauer, wait for the next season. Thank you for calling and have a great day.”

Social media profiles that appeared to belong to Intriago included a Facebook photo showing a man in tactical gear pointing a high-powered rifle. Instagram pictures showed ammunition, guns, and people engaged in tactical training.

VIOLENT END

Photos and X-ray images posted on social media at the weekend said to be from Moise’s autopsy showed his body riddled with bullet holes, a fractured skull and other broken bones, underscoring the brutal nature of the attack.

Reuters could not independently confirm their authenticity.

Via social media, Haitians in parts of the capital Port-au-Prince were planning protests this week against the interim prime minister and acting head of state Claude Joseph.

Joseph’s right to lead the country has been challenged by other senior politicians, threatening to exacerbate the turmoil engulfing the poorest country in the Americas. r

On Saturday, one of Haiti’s top gang leaders, Jimmy Cherizier, a former police officer known as Barbecue, said his men would take to the streets to protest the assassination.

Cherizier, boss of the so-called G9 federation of nine gangs, said police and opposition politicians had conspired with the “stinking bourgeoisie” to “sacrifice” Moise. read more

Gunfire rang out overnight in the capital, which has suffered a surge in gang violence in recent months, displacing thousands and hampering economic activity.

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

WILMINGTON, Del., July 11 (Reuters) – A team of U.S. security and law enforcement experts is traveling to Haiti to determine what assistance Washington can provide following the assassination of the Haitian president last week, the Pentagon said on Sunday.

“Today, an inter-agency team largely from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are heading down to Haiti right now to see what we can to do help in the investigative process,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told “Fox News Sunday.”

“That’s really where our energies are best applied right now – in helping them get their arms around investigating this incident and figuring out who’s culpable … and how best to hold them accountable,” Kirby said in the interview.

President Joe Biden will be briefed by the team when it returns and “then make decisions about the way forward,” a senior Biden administration official told Reuters separately.

Haiti has sought U.S. aid in securing the country and investigating the attack that killed President Jovenel Moise on Wednesday at his Port-au-Prince homeand plunged the impoverished island nation further into turmoil. Haitian authorities have said two Haitian Americans were among the suspected assassins. read more

It was not immediately clear how long the U.S. team would remain in Haiti. The administration official saidon Sunday that Washington would also consult with its regional partners and the United Nations.

The United States has so far rebuffed Haiti’s request for troops, while the United Nations would need Security Council authorization to send armed forces.

Kirby said: “We’re analyzing it just like we would any other request for assistance at the Pentagon. It’s going through a review.”

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The post Haiti: Main Suspect in President’s Killing Arrested, US Security Team on Way appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

image copyrightGetty Images

The post Cuba: Thousands Rally Against Government as Economy Struggles appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Maria Marcello

Reuters

BRASILIA, July 9 (Reuters) – Brazilian Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco on Friday vehemently rejected any speculation that the 2022 presidential election may not take place, insisting that the constitution will be upheld and the wishes and expectations of the Brazilian people will be met.

Speaking to reporters in the Senate, Pacheco was responding to comments made by President Jair Bolsonaro earlier in the week that he may not accept the result of the election unless the voting system is changed.

Bolsonaro even suggested the vote might not be held at all as he accused the system of being fraudulent.

“The elections will take place as this is a constitutional imperative,” Pacheco said. “We cannot deprive the Brazilian people of their most sacred and sovereign right, which is the right to choose their representatives. It’s that simple.”

Bolsonaro claims the voting system, which uses computers to record votes, is susceptible to voter fraud, and is insisting that only printed ballots be used. On Thursday, he told supporters in Brasilia that if the election is not “clean” it will not go ahead.

“That is my last word on the matter. There will be printed ballots, because if there are no printed ballots, this is a sign that there will be no election. The message is clear.”

Pacheco on Friday rejected any suggestion there has been voter fraud in previous elections or that the current system is vulnerable to fraud.

The Supreme Electoral Court on Friday issued a statement calling Bolsonaro’s comments “lamentable” and stating that any action to prevent the election violates the constitution and is a “dereliction of duty..

It also said that since electronic voting machines were first used in 1996, “not a single case of fraud has been recorded.”

Polls this week put Bolsonaro’s disapproval rating at an all-time high, and voter intentions show him falling further behind former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is expected to challenge him. read more

Reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia Writing by Jamie McGeever Editing by Leslie Adler and Matthew Lewis

The post Brazil 2022 Election Will Take Place, Says Senate President appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

BBC- Street battles have been raging between security forces and armed gangs in the Venezuelan capital Caracas.

No official death toll has been given but local media reports say more than 10 people have been killed since the fighting began on Wednesday.

Hundreds of officers have been deployed to seize weapons and search for gang leaders, who have been seeking to expand their territory.

One local resident said the recent violence was “like a war”.

Images shared on social media showed bullet castings littering the ground in the Cota 905 neighbourhood on Friday.

One officer told AFP news agency that authorities were now in control, but said “there may still be a few snipers”.

Some 800 security personnel were deployed to affected areas, where they conducted house-to-house searches.

Interior Minister Carmen Meléndez said police had “advanced in the dismantling of the criminal structures that have settled in these territories with the intention of sowing terror”.

She said the officers had freed citizens kidnapped by the gangs, and would remain deployed “as long as necessary”.

The Venezuelan government has offered rewards of up to $500,000 (£360,000) for information leading to the detention of gang bosses.

Local human rights groups called for a de-escalation in the violence, expressing “deep concern for the lives and safety” of local residents.

While the shooting appears to have died down, dozens of civilians have been fleeing their homes, frightened of being hit by bullets.

“We are experiencing trauma”, one Cota 905 resident told the Associated Press news agency.

The operation marks the first time in years that authorities have launched a major offensive against the gangs, AFP reports.

The government accuses the opposition, with the help of foreign powers, of orchestrating the violence to “destabilise” President Nicolás Maduro.

But opposition media outlets said the government was to blame.

An op-ed published by newspaper El Universal said the powerful El Coqui gang’s firepower had “disproportionately grown while state security bodies that exist to confront them and reduce them, have seen themselves diminish through the years”.

An editorial by El Nacional said the strength of the gang was “a result of [the government] having given these criminals all types of advantages”.

Venezuela has been caught in a downward spiral for years with growing political discontent further fuelled by hyperinflation, power cuts, and shortages of food and medicine.

Critics say basic services, like policing, health care and road maintenance, have been neglected.

The post Caracas Chaos as Street Battles Rage appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

By Alex Gangitano

The Hill

The post Biden Order Declares War on Corporate Worker, Consumer Exploitation appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

The post Soccer: Italy Wins European Title After Penalty Shootout with England appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

Lionel Messi ended his wait for a first major international title as Argentina beat Brazil in the Copa America final in Rio’s Maracana stadium.

He also helped end Argentina’s 28-year spell since they last won the competition and was named player of the tournament after his four goals in the competition.

Angel di Maria proved the matchwinner with his superb lob, after taking down Rodrigo de Paul’s lofted pass.

Messi had a chance to sign off the win but slipped with the goal at his mercy, in what would have been the perfect finale for the Argentine captain.

“The happiness is immense,” said Messi after the game as he also praised the attitude of the Argentina squad. “Many times I dreamed of this.

“I had a lot of confidence in this group that became very strong since the last Copa America. It is a group of very good people, who always push forward, who never complain about anything.”

Defending champions Brazil were disappointing, with their only chances of note coming when Richarlison and Gabriel Barbosa forced saves from Emi Martinez.

In a contrast of emotions, Messi’s opposite number 10 and former Barcelona team-mate Neymar sank to his knees in tears at the final whistle, as his own personal pursuit of international success continues, having missed Brazil’s 2019 Copa win through injury.

The pair, who played together at the Nou Camp between 2013 and 2017 before the Brazilian’s move to Paris St-Germain, embraced in a long-lasting hug while they waited for the trophy ceremony.

“If you knew the way that he [Messi] played in the Copa America you’d love him even more,” said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni.

“You can never do without a player like him, even when he is not fully fit like in this game and the previous one.”

• How Copa America final unfolded
• Messi becomes Argentina’s most capped player
• Why Messi is the greatest – Lineker

The game was watched by a small crowd of 7,000 invited guests, because of Covid-19 restrictions, but was the first of the tournament to have spectators in attendance.

The sparse home supporters made their voices heard, though, particularly every time Messi touched the ball, booing and jeering the forward.

The tournament, delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and moved from initial co-hosts Colombia and Argentina, was switched to Brazil in a last-minute decision which received criticism in light of a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.

Messi finally shines on international stage

It was clear from the ecstatic Argentina celebrations at full-time, with Messi the focal point, that this squad’s drive to triumph against their old rival was as much for their legendary forward as it was the nation.

It has been 15 years since Messi first represented Argentina at a major tournament and after four World Cups and six Copa America appearances, taking in 53 matches, he finally has the major international title he – and his country – has craved.

Despite being one of the most decorated and brilliant players of the modern era – and arguably all time – with 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and six Ballons d’Or, questions over his lack of impact on the international stage have hung over his legacy.

And while many will say his greatness has been cemented, regardless of what he achieves with Argentina, this lengthy wait for a maiden senior trophy with his country will go a long way to silencing any doubters.

Repeated failures with Argentina have been painful for the forward, who went as far as announcing his retirement – before later reversing the decision – after losing a second consecutive Copa America final in 2016, his third defeat in the final of the competition and coming just two years after suffering a loss in the 2014 World Cup final.

“In the end he [Messi] did not throw in the towel and he succeeded,” said Scaloni.

“We are talking about the best footballer of all time and everyone knew how important it was for him to win a title with the national team.”

Messi was not explosive against Brazil, with few opportunities to get on the ball after Argentina showed defensive resolve once taking the lead in a niggly game disrupted by 41 fouls, but he carried the ball well, particularly in the latter stages, to help relieve pressure.

Questions about his immediate future will now continue to be asked, with Messi now a free agent after his Barcelona contract ended two weeks ago – although Barca have stepped up their attempts to keep hold of their star man with negotiations continuing.

There also remains the prospect of Messi going for what would likely be his last chance of winning the World Cup – something Argentina have not done since 1986 – should he lead his country out in Qatar at the age of 35 in December 2022.

The post Messi Leads Argentina to Copa Crown with 1-0 Win Over Brazil appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.