Japan’s Foreign Minister His Excellency Katsuya Okada BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 6TH 2010 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis and other Caribbean nations are to get assistance from Japan in recovering from the global economic crisis and deepen cooperation on global issues, including nuclear disarmament and the reform of the U.N. Security Council. During the Japan-CARICOM Summit in Tokyo, Japan’s... 

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The Traffic Department has advised motor vehicle owners to remove all vehicles including broken down vehicles from College and Westbourne Ghauts and other water courses around the island, ahead of the passage of Tropical Storm Earl which is expected to affect the island on Sunday. “Motorists are also asked to avoid crossing these water courses when they are active,... 

Douglas BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The Kitts and Nevis government says it will launch the first phase of a project that provides high school and college students with their personal laptops by the end of the year. But Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas has warned recipients that the laptops must be valued and viewed as the key to intellectual liberation and academic advancement. “I urge all recipients,... 

Grant BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The main opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) Monday said it was concerned over the recent decision by the Us-based Reed Data Services Ltd (RDS) to close its operations by yearend. “I am saddened and disheartened by the pending closure of the Reed Data Services as it has provided employment for hundreds of our citizens and has been a major presence on the... 

Douglas By Peter Richards BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The government says it will send a strong signal to criminals, but the opposition is fearful that the authorities will use the Interception of Communications Bill to deal with its opponents. “We have certainly seen over the last few months where many incidents have been exposed which involves the use of high-tech, interceptory type equipment,”... 

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The St. Kitts and Nevis government says it will lift a 15-year old ban on the importation of jet skis into the twin-island Federation. The ban on the small water sport craft was imposed after an accident at sea left a sea bather nursing injuries to the head. “Over the last 15 years, the propulsion technology for jet skis has changed thereby eliminating the propeller... 

Douglas BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas Friday said it was important for the twin-island federation to position itself to take advantage of the opportunities that will emerge at the end of the current global economic and financial crisis. Addressing the launch of a private aircraft terminal at the RLB International airport, he said that the new service would complement... 

Douglas BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The government of this twin-island federation is hoping that its Interception of Communications Bill will send a strong signal that it is serious about fighting crime but an opposition legislator is expressing concern about the implications of the proposed law. Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas has said the bill will assist law enforcement in fighting crime... 

Nisbett BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The St. Kitts and Nevis government has given the assurance that new legislation to intercept communications on private and public networks will not be abused by the authorities. Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Patrice Nisbett, speaking on WINN FM radio here, said that the legislation contained built in safeguards to prevent abuse and... 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The St. Kitts and Nevis government says it will soon table legislation to intercept communications on private and public networks with the approval of the High Court. Cabinet earlier this week approved of the Interception of Communication Bill and will soon be presenting it to Parliament. “Some legislation already exists such as the Anti-terrorism Act of 2002 which makes... 

LONDON, CMC – British campaigners are making a last ditch attempt to stop the execution of a St. Kitts and Nevis-born woman on death row in the United States. Linda Carty, 51, a British citizen, is due to be executed by lethal injection in Texas for the murder of a woman nine years ago. Carty has always protested her innocence but she could be given the lethal injection within weeks after the US... 

Douglas BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas wrapped up debate on the impending Value-Added Tax (VAT), describing the measure as a necessary component of the federal government’s economic stabilisation plans. “The global situation is harsh. It is still not settled in the way one expected it to settle. We do not have the luxury, therefore, of delaying anything. We have... 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The main opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) has called for a reduction in the rate of the soon to be introduced Value Added Tax (VAT) in St. Kitts and Nevis. Opposition legislator Eugene Hamilton told Parliament that his party wants the Denzil Douglas administration to reduce the tax from 17 per cent to 10 per cent and warned of increased unemployment if the... 

Douglas BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Lawmakers continue debate on the Value Added Tax (VAT) Bill on Tuesday, as the Labour administration prepares to implement a new tax regime in November. Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Denzil Douglas gave the 150-page bill its second reading in the House last Friday. Parliamentarians also received a 35-page document containing proposed amendments... 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Less than a week after consumers were warned to brace for possible scheduled power interruptions, the local electricity company is now indicating that there may not be a need for that to happen. Officials at the electricity company have been conducting an assessment to determine whether they need to overhaul the generation plant and had said that scheduled interruptions,... 

Minister of Information, Sen. the Hon. Higel Carty. BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 12TH 2010 (CUOPM) – The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration is committed reducing public sector debt, turning around deficits, and achieving greater macroeconomic stability over the short to medium term. Minister of Information, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty said that although small and large economies around the... 

Customs at the Deep Water Port at Bird Rock. *Photo credit: Erasmus Williams BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MAY 11TH 2010 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis Customs Officers, Ivy Browne and Ernesto Thomas are getting training in combating smuggling. Browne and Thomas are among their counterparts from several countries in the Caribbean attending a Product Identification Training Course in Barbados. ... 

Chief Education Officer in the Federal Ministry of Education Dr. Patrick Welcome. CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (May 10, 2010) — The Federation’s Top Educator called on school Principals in St. Kitts and Nevis, to seek divine intervention in their tasks as leaders in their various learning institutions, particularly when they felt helpless. Chief Education Officer Dr. Patrick Welcome told the head teachers... 

Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas. HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC — St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas arrives here later this month for a visit aimed at improving relations between the two Caribbean countries. “With such close links between Bermuda and St. Kitts, it is a tremendous honour to welcome Dr. Douglas during our Heritage Month celebrations,” said Premier Ewart Brown.. “The... 

Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), Lindsay Grant. BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The High Court on Thursday set July dates for the hearing of matters relating to two petitions challenging the outcome of the January 25 general election in St Kitts and Nevis. In the first matter, the leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), Lindsay Grant, is challenging his defeat to Labour... 

Premier Parry CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS, CMC – Premier Joseph Parry is calling on parents to spend more time with their children as a means of combating the growing incidents of criminal activity on the island. “It is imperative that the parents check their children’s rooms and take full stock of what is going on around their children’s lives. “I am taking a strong stance on the gang issue... 

Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas. *Photo credit: sknvibes.com BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The St. Kitts and Nevis government Wednesday released a White paper on the Value Added Tax (VAT) that it intends to introduce as part of a reform of the existing tax system. Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas said that the White Paper “s intended to give our people an overview of the VAT system and how it... 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – St Kitts and Nevis, one of five Caribbean countries to recoginse Taiwan, says it has upgraded its diplomatic presence in that Far East country. A Government statement said that Ms. Jasmine Huggins had become the Federation’s first Ambassador to Taiwan when she presented her letters of credence to President Ma Ying-jeou on Monday. The new diplomat said that her... 

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The St Kitts and Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association (HTA) is warning that the upsurge in criminal activity could threaten the industry and urged the authorities to do more to deal with the situation. “Crime has a dramatic effect everywhere. I think people’s ability to feel safe in their own homes, living in a society and community,  is a most essential thing and... 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas says his government is seeking to exploit other areas of alternative energy, building on the progress of geothermal tapping on Nevis. “The susceptibility of our economy to world oil prices has caused this government to continue to explore alternative sources of energy to reduce our dependence upon petroleum products and thereby... 

Defeated Labour Party candidate Dr Norgen Wilson. BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Defeated Labour Party candidate Dr Norgen Wilson has withdrawn his challenge to the nomination and subsequent election of Shawn Richards of the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) at last January’s general election. Richards, PAM’s deputy leader, said he was served the official notice of discontinuance... 

Prime Minister Douglas delivering the 2010 national budget on Tuesday. BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas on Tuesday unveiled a leaner and meaner national budget for 2010, while telling nationals of the twin island federation of St. Kitts and Nevis that they too will need to “do more with less”. The overall budget makes provision for recurrent... 

Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas took over the Finance portfolio after the January 25 general election. BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Denzil Douglas will on Tuesday present the Budget for the upcoming financial year. The Budget is normally presented in December but was delayed this time around because the National Assembly was dissolved ahead of the January... 

Opposition spokesman Mark Brantley. *Photo credit: Opposition spokesman Mark Brantley CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, CMC – A political firestorm is brewing here over the treatment of non-nationals, following reports that at least 30 people being arrested since Friday in what police are calling a crackdown on illegal migrants. Opposition spokesman Mark Brantley has claimed that the lawmen, acting on the... 

Richard Skerrit taking the oath of office. BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – A few hours after he resigned as tourism minister to accept the post of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Richard Skerritt was sworn in as Minister of Tourism and International Transport. A government press statement said that the oaths of allegiance, of office and of secrecy were administered by the Registrar of the High Court,... 

The resignation of Skerrit follows the standoff between the government of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas and the opposition over the election of the Deputy Speaker. *Photo credit: sknvibes.com BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Tourism Minister Rickey Skerrit resigned as Tourism Minister in order to take up the post of Deputy Speaker as the new session of the parliament began here on Wednesday. The resignation... 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The St Kitts Nevis Defence Force says it is disappointed at a report by a local non-government group that monitored the recently held general elections in the twin-island federation. In its report, the Non-Governmental Coalition (NGO), comprising of the St. Kitts Christian Council, the St. Kitts Evangelical Association and the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry &... 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC - A teenager was killed and three other persons injured after gunfire erupted during the early hours of Sunday, health officials confirmed. District Medical Officer Garfield Alexander pronounced 17-year-old Jervin Wilson dead on the scene, while two other people were shot and injured. No motive for the killing has been given. Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility... 

Premier Joseph Parry. CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, CMC – Premier Joseph Parry Tuesday strongly defending the appointment of Patrice Nisbett as Attorney General of the twin-island federation saying that the decision was taken in the interest of the people of Nevis. Nisbett is the only successful candidate of Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) in the January 25 general election that the St. Kitts and Nevis... 

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas has demanded a local group that monitored the January 26 general election retract a segment of its report that accused him of interfering in the electoral process, describing it as “malicious in intent and deliberately false”. The allegations were contained in a report from the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Coalition, which...