Police in St. Kitts and Nevis are investigating a fatal shooting incident that took place this evening in the McKnight area.

The incident took place shortly after 7:00 pm with another individual also being wounded in the matter.

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CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — Hon. Spencer Brand, Cabinet Minister in the Nevis Island Administration and parliamentary representative for the St. Paul’s constituency in the Nevis Island Assembly, will resume his one-on-one consultations with constituents on January 13.

Hon. Brand began personal consultations in August 2020. There was a brief hiatus in December for Christmas activities.

“The consultations were not held in December as that was a busy time for most persons, however I intend to resume now in the new year, said Brand. “The first consultation will be on Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Springate Office Complex on Government Road.

Reflecting on previous consultations, Brand stressed the importance of personal interaction with residents in his constituency.

The one-on-one consultations are planned for the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, during which all COVID-19 protocols will be adhered to.

“It is critical that politicians, once elected, make themselves available to the people they serve,” said Brand. “I have sought to provide this forum where anyone in the area can come and talk with me, share ideas, express concerns.”

He noted that during the consultations, constituents raise many diverse issues, including drainage problems, road issues, water issues, getting property, and planning matters.

The chief concern expressed, he lamented, were people seeking employment.

“That was a major issue last year with the serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and so many people lost their jobs,” said Brand. “As a member of the Nevis Island Administration I do my best to help people through the various government ministries, even if not with a permanent job, anywhere they could be fit in, or connect them those with private businesses who are looking for people to work. It’s not easy because the reality is you cannot help everyone.”

Although he interacts with members of the public every day, Brand said he looks forward to once again sit down with his constituents to discuss how he can assist them.

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CNN- The potential removal of President Donald Trump from office starts out more popular than any other removal process of a president in recent American history. Yet, removing Trump from office remains quite unpopular among Republicans, however.

A look across polls conducted since riots at the Capitol on Wednesday shows that a clear plurality of Americans overall want Trump out of office, even as President-elect Joe Biden is set to be inaugurated on January 20.

You can see that well in an ABC News/Ipsos poll released on Sunday. The majority (56%) say Trump should be removed from office, while just 43% believe he should not be removed.

How Trump led Republicans to historic losses

An average across polls since Wednesday (in which no pollster is counted more than once) shows that 50% of Americans want Trump to either be impeached, for the 25th Amendment to be invoked or for Trump to resign from office. The minority (43%) say that none of these should occur.

The high percentage of Americans who want Trump out of office comes as House Democrats are already planning to introduce an impeachment resolution against Trump as soon as Monday.

When Democrats began an impeachment inquiry against Trump in September 2019, removing him from office wasn’t anywhere near as popular. Before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that inquiry, only about 40% of Americans were for impeaching and removing Trump. About half the electorate was against it.

The fact that so many Americans want Trump out of office is, indeed, historically unprecedented this early in the process.

The percentage of Americans who wanted Bill Clinton impeached after his affair with Monica Lewinsky never climbed higher than 40%.

Likewise, the percentage of Americans who thought Richard Nixon should be removed or should resign from office was at about 40% when the House voted to formally start an impeachment inquiry in February 1974.

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Eventually, the plurality of Americans wanted Nixon and Trump out of office, but it took impeachment proceedings for support to outrun opposition.

At this point, it’s not clear whether more Americans want Trump out of office than after the impeachment and removal proceedings against him began and took place in late 2019 and early 2020. The percentages between now and then (about half the electorate) are close.

Trump, of course, was impeached by the House, but he was not removed by the Senate.

Read MoLike last time around, there does not seem to be much of an appetite among Republicans for Trump to be booted from office. In order for Trump to be found guilty by the Senate this time around, at least 34% of Senate Republicans would have to vote yes.

Support among Republicans stood at just 13% in the ABC News/Ipsos poll. And an average of all polls since Wednesday puts that percentage at about 15%. About 10% to 15% of Republicans were in favor of impeaching and/or removing Trump during the last Trump impeachment proceedings.

What happens to these percentages in the coming weeks is very much up in the air. Biden’s going to be president in less than two weeks. He will be president and Trump will likely be gone from office by the time the Senate votes on any impeachment issues regarding Trump.

It’s possible that Trump leaving office will leave Americans wanting to forget about the issue of impeachment all together. (Scholars are split on whether you can impeach and remove a president who is no longer in office.) It’s also conceivable that Trump being out of office will make the stakes less high on impeachment proceedings and more Americans more likely to want to punish him

What is clear cut is that Americans are very unhappy with Trump after the events and aftermath of Wednesday. The mere idea of removing a president from office is a big step. A lot of Americans look ready to take it again.

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Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell has confided that he will not be exiting public life before the 2023 general election despite previously stating that he would not be doing so.

During the campaign for the 2018 general election Mitchell, who is at the helm of the ruling New National Party (NNP), then indicated that he will not contest another general election, however, in an interview on Thursday  –  approximately two years before the election is constitutionally due, the Prime Minister said that he has had to change his plans about handing over leadership.

“A decision has been made, I would have preferred not to have but there are rationales based on my own colleagues’ views and general perceptions that the right time will have to be after the next election to hand over the reigns to someone. So, it looks likely, highly likely that I will certainly run, unless I have some health issues or physical problem,” said Mitchell who has served in the Parliament for almost four decades.

The Prime Minister will celebrate his 75th birth in November.

The NNP, which is currently in the process of identifying caretakers, was returned to office in the last election with voters giving majority support to the NNP candidates. All 15 constituency seats were won by the NNP candidates.

As a result, there was not an official opposition in Lower House of Parliament until Tobias Clement who represents the constituency of St George’s North East crossed the floor and became the Leader of the Opposition.

That constituency is one in which the NNP must appoint a new caretaker.

The other constituency will be St Patrick West because Anthony Boatswain who currently represents that constituency has also indicated that he will not contest another election.

CMC

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Desmond McKenzie

Since the start of the new year, Jamaica has reported a steady uptick in COVID-19 cases. The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie has placed some of the blame for the increase on party promoters and patrons who he says have disobeyed the island’s safety protocols.

McKenzie said that over the holiday period, an alarming number of parties were held on the island. The government had placed a ban on all mass gatherings over the December holidays, but McKenzie said residents insisted on being defiant.

“I can’t deny that there is value in terms of entertainment events. But under the circumstances, I think a lot of what is happening is just mere indiscipline and disregard for law and order. We have a problem and I don’t think it’s a lack of public education,” McKenzie said while on a local radio program.

Many of the island’s well-known party promoters also travelled to Florida to host their annual Christmas parties. Videos on social media showed massive Caribbean parties being held in South Florida at the start of January, many of which were hosted by Jamaican promoters.

With no local parties being granted permits in Jamaica, the Florida events were attended by scores of Jamaican residents who flew to the United States for the holidays.

Minister McKenzie said residents that travel elsewhere to party and come back to the island pose a serious public health threat.

“Quite a number of people travel during that period. But what we are seeing is going to create major problems. I’ve listened to the Chief Medical Officer explain the difficulties that we are going to face. With that amount of persons that I’ve seen on the video and other residents who we aren’t aware of, it means that a significant number of Jamaicans are coming back into the island and we don’t know if they’re COVID-positive,” the Minister said.

Over the last month, the government of Jamaica has shut down Maiden and Lime Cays due to illegal yacht parties. Entertainer Beenie Man was also recently charged for hosting an illegal party.

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Strokes are way too common in our communities and are often the cause of death or permanent disabilities. It’s important for people to be aware of the causes of a stroke and be proactive in preventing being a victim.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds, or when there’s a blockage, a blood clot, in the blood supply to the brain. The rupture or blockage prevents blood and oxygen from reaching the brain’s tissues.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States. Every year, more than 795,000 U.S. people have a stroke.

One of the unknown factors that cause stroke, according to local cardiologists, is a cardiac condition known as Atrial Fibrillation or A-Fib.

This condition affects some 2.2 million people in the U.S. annually, and pertains to an irregular heartbeat, often caused when the two upper chambers of the heart, beat unpredictably and sometimes rapidly. These irregular heartbeats can cause blood to collect in the heart and potentially form a clot, which can travel to a person’s brain and cause a stroke.

Some people have pronounced symptoms of AFib as they will sense a pulsating, rapid heartbeat over a period of time. But AFib can also be asymptomatic, that is without any symptom. This type of AFib, paroxysmal AFib, can be quite dangerous, resulting in blood clots that cause a stroke.

AFib is more common in people over age 60, and more common in those with diabetes and high blood pressure. Without symptoms, some people are not aware of the problem until they have an electrocardiogram (ECG) done during the course of an annual or bi-annual physical when an irregular heartbeat is determined.

Cardiologists caution that people with AFib are several times more likely to have a stroke.

Symptoms of AFib 

When they are symptoms of AFib, these may include the following:

Frequent heart palpitations, feeling tired and out of breath with little exertion, unusual sweatiness, feeling dizzy and lightheaded, or fainting spells, pain or pressure in the chest, and experiencing anxiety or panicky.

If these symptoms recur, people should visit their doctor as s soon as possible, so the appropriate tests can be conducted to determine the cause.

The first and most common test to determine if one has AFib is the ECG which will measure the rhythm of your heartbeat for a few minutes. If the readout of the ECG detects any irregularity, one is usually referred to a cardiologist who will conduct more advanced tests.

These tests will likely include a Stress test, which included another ECG but normally conducted while the patient walks on a treadmill or take a medicine that increases heartbeat. The cardiologists may also prescribe that the patient wear a Holter, a small device attached to the chest, which is in effect a portable ECG that measures heart rhythm during a period, normally at least 24 hours.

If AFib is confirmed the cardiologists will recommend treatment.

Typically, the first course of treatment is to be prescribed blood-thinning medication to prevent clots that could cause a stroke. One of the more common blood thinner is aspirin, preferably Baby Aspirins 81mg, which are chewable, and can be taken at least once daily. However, there are stronger blood-thinning medications and, depending on the patient’s condition, the doctor will make the appropriate prescription.

Based on the severity of the AFib, the cardiologist could treat the condition with cardioversion a procedure that stimulates the heart to its regular rhythm with medication or low bursts of electricity.

It’s extremely important that people with AFib, especially, paroxysmal AFib, adjust their lifestyle significantly in order to improve the condition of their heart and minimize the risks of blood clots, and therefore strokes.

Those diagnosed with AFib must not smoke, eat a heart-healthy diet and exercise regularly, avoid weight gain, avoid alcohol, especially where this triggers AFib symptoms, and most importantly avoid a life of stress or stressful situations.

Essentially, a healthy low-fat, sugar- and salt-free diet along with regular light exercise and a stress-free life will be useful in countering AFib, and the possibility of blood clots that could cause a stroke.

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The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says security personnel recovered some 1.9 tonnes of cocaine valued about US$65 million in Caribbean waters last month. 

CBP said on December 18, an Airborne Early Warning crew detected a  45-foot go fast vessel and coordinated with law enforcement officials to interdict it.

The crew later  recovered 66 bales of cocaine, totalling 3,781 pounds.

“The President and Secretary of Defense announced the Enhanced Counter Narcotics mission on  April 1, 2020; and, since then, the Department of State, Department of Defense and other federal agencies have strengthened our methods and improved operations in order to obstruct the drug shipments from transnational criminal organisations,” said CBP in a statement.

“Air and Marine Operations (AMO) safeguard our nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond, with about 1,800 US federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.”

In 2020, CBP said AMO enforcement actions resulted in the seizure or disruption of 194,220 pounds of cocaine; 278,492 pounds of marijuana; 15,985 pounds of methamphetamine; 952 weapons and US$51.5 million. Some 1,066 arrests and 47,872 apprehensions of illegal immigrants from the Caribbean and other places were also made.

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Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a news conference on the day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach President Donald Trump as she pushes the vice president and the Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority force him out, warning that Trump is a threat to democracy after the deadly assault on the Capitol.

The House action could start as soon as Monday as pressure increases on Trump to step aside. A Republican senator, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, joined Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in calling for Trump to “resign and go away as soon as possible.”

A stunning end to Trump’s final 10 days in office was underway as lawmakers warned of the damage the president could still do before Joe Biden was inaugurated Jan. 20. Trump, holed up at the White House, was increasingly isolated after a mob rioted in the Capitol in support of his false claims of election fraud.

Judges across the country, including some nominated by Trump, repeatedly dismissed cases and Attorney General William Barr, a Trump ally, said there was no sign of any widespread fraud. Pelosi emphasized the need for quick action.

“We will act with urgency, because this President represents an imminent threat,” Pelosi said in a letter late Sunday to colleagues.

“The horror of the ongoing assault on our democracy perpetrated by this President is intensified and so is the immediate need for action.”

On Monday, Pelosi’s leadership team will seek a vote on a resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence and Cabinet officials to invoke the 25th Amendment, with a full House vote expected on Tuesday.

After that, Pence and the Cabinet would have 24 hours to act before the House would move toward impeachment.

During an interview on “60 Minutes” aired Sunday, Pelosi invoked the Watergate era when Republicans in the Senate told President Richard Nixon, “It’s over.”

“That’s what has to happen now,” she said.

With impeachment planning intensifying, Toomey said he doubted impeachment could be done before Biden is inaugurated, even though a growing number of lawmakers say that step is necessary to ensure Trump can never hold elected office again.

“I think the president has disqualified himself from ever, certainly, serving in office again,” Toomey said. “I don’t think he is electable in any way.”

Murkowski, long exasperated with the president, told the Anchorage Daily News on Friday that Trump simply “needs to get out.” A third, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., did not go that far, but on Sunday he warned Trump to be “very careful” in his final days in office.

House Democrats were expected to introduce articles of impeachment on Monday. The strategy would be to condemn the president’s actions swiftly but delay an impeachment trial in the Senate for 100 days. That would allow President-elect Joe Biden to focus on other priorities as soon as he is inaugurated Jan. 20.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, the third-ranking House Democrat and a top Biden ally, laid out the ideas Sunday as the country came to grips with the siege at the Capitol by Trump loyalists trying to overturn the election results.

“Let’s give President-elect Biden the 100 days he needs to get his agenda off and running,” Clyburn said.

Corporate America began to show its reaction to the Capitol riots by tying them to campaign contributions.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s CEO and President Kim Keck said it will not contribute to those lawmakers — all Republicans — who supported challenges to Biden’s Electoral College win. The group “will suspend contributions to those lawmakers who voted to undermine our democracy,” Kim said.

Citigroup did not single out lawmakers aligned with Trump’s effort to overturn the election, but said it would be pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year. Citi’s head of global government affairs, Candi Wolff, said in a Friday memo to employees, “We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law.”

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said an impeachment trial could not begin under the current calendar before Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.

While many have criticized Trump, Republicans have said that impeachment would be divisive in a time of unity.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said that instead of coming together, Democrats want to “talk about ridiculous things like ‘Let’s impeach a president’” with just days left in office.

Still, some Republicans might be supportive.

Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse said he would take a look at any articles that the House sent over. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump critic, said he would “vote the right way” if the matter were put in front of him.

The Democratic effort to stamp Trump’s presidential record — for the second time — with the indelible mark of impeachment had advanced rapidly since the riot.

Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I, a leader of the House effort to draft impeachment articles accusing Trump of inciting insurrection, said Sunday that his group had 200-plus co-sponsors.

The articles, if passed by the House, could then be transmitted to the Senate for a trial, with senators acting as jurors to acquit or convict Trump. If convicted, Trump would be removed from office and succeeded by the vice president. It would be the first time a U.S. president had been impeached twice.

Potentially complicating Pelosi’s decision about impeachment was what it meant for Biden and the beginning of his presidency. While reiterating that he had long viewed Trump as unfit for office, Biden on Friday sidestepped a question about impeachment, saying what Congress did “is for them to decide.”

A violent and largely white mob of Trump supporters overpowered police, broke through security lines and windows and rampaged through the Capitol on Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to scatter as they were finalizing Biden’s victory over Trump in the Electoral College.

Toomey appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Clyburn was on “Fox News Sunday” and CNN. Kinzinger was on ABC’s “This Week,” Blunt was on CBS’ “Face the Nation” and Rubio was on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”

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Superville reported from Wilmington, Delaware. Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe, Alan Fram and Zeke Miller contributed to this report.

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