Author: SKNISEditor

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 10, 2024 (SKNIS): The Federal Parliament of Saint Christopher and Nevis, on Thursday, May 09, 2024, passed the Justice Interference Prevention Bill, 2024, a pivotal legislation aimed at fortifying the criminal justice system against interference in legal proceedings. The Bill, passionately championed by Attorney General (AG), the Honourable Garth Wilkin, addressed critical issues of witness and juror intimidation. The development of this Bill, he said, was triggered by the unsettling trend in which key trials were undermined through both overt and covert intimidation tactics by criminal entities. “Witnesses and jurors play crucial roles in the criminal justice system,…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 09, 2024 (SKNIS): The Federal Parliament of St. Kitts and Nevis has approved the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2024, signalling a resolute stance against illegal gun ownership and use in the Federation. The Honourable Garth Wilkin, Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, supported the Bill, emphasising its critical role in combating gun-related crimes and safeguarding public safety. “What this Bill does, Madam Speaker, is to put the gun-toting criminals on notice. It tells the international community that St. Kitts and Nevis has a zero-tolerance approach to illegal gun ownership and use,” he said, while…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 09, 2024 (SKNIS): The new changes to the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2024, passed in the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis on Thursday, May 09, 2024, were fully endorsed by the Honourable Marsha Henderson, who noted that the amendments will greatly assist with the fair and efficient administration of justice. The Bill essentially proposes increases to maximum sentencing and fines for the importation, transhipment and possession of automatic weapons, non-automatic weapons and ammunition, as well as offences involving the use of firearms. It also allows for a 15-day gun amnesty programme (May 10-25, 2024), which allows…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 09, 2024 (SKNIS):  In a strong show of commitment to public safety, Senior Minister and Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Six (6), the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil Douglas has voiced his staunch support for the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2024, during the May 09, 2024, parliamentary session. This critical amendment, which was passed in the National Assembly, aims to significantly toughen penalties for gun-related crimes in response to the escalating violence affecting the nation. The amendment enhances the Firearms Act, Cap. 19.05, originally enacted in 1967 and last revised in 2017. Under the new legislation, offences involving…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 09, 2024 (SKNIS) – Following the successful passage of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, in his capacity as Minister of National Security, announced the commencement of a 15-day gun amnesty in St. Kitts and Nevis, effective Friday, May 10, 2024. The gun amnesty allows for persons to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms and ammunition to the nearest police station. During the May 10-25, 2024, amnesty period, persons with these illegal weapons can do so without fear of prosecution. “You can contact any police station in either St. Kitts or Nevis,…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 09, 2024 (SKNIS) – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has made significant amendments to the Firearms Act, effectively introducing tougher penalties for persons convicted of the importation, possession and use of illegal firearms in the Federation. This forms part of the Government’s multi-faceted approach to deter the prevalence of gun-related crimes and to reduce the number of illegal weapons on the streets of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which was passed in the National Assembly on Thursday, May 09, 2024, substantively increased the maximum penalty for high-level firearm offences, such…

Basseterre, May 9th, 2024 – Last Tuesday, 30th April 2024, the Department of Marine Resources hosted a successful fish pot workshop. This workshop, a pivotal initiative under the COASTFISH Project funded by JICA, represents a significant leap forward in the preservation of marine life and the sustainable management of marine resources along our coasts. The workshop focused on empowering fisherfolk by providing them with essential tools and resources. Through the distribution of fish pots installed with biodegradable panels and comprehensive training sessions on their proper use, fisherfolk are not only being equipped to safeguard our oceans but are also leading the…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 09, 2024 (SKNBS): In its ongoing commitment to safeguarding the quality of food consumed by our citizens, Ms. Clilia Davis, a leading scientist heading the Department of Food Toxins Analysis at the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS), has embarked on a month-long trip to the University of South Alabama to learn advanced techniques in identifying Ciguatera toxin in fish. The initiative comes as the Bureau seeks to enhance its capabilities in detecting and mitigating potential risks to consumer health. As part of this endeavour, 150 pounds of various fish species were collected from…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 09, 2024 (SKNBS): The St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS) has reached a significant milestone in its testing capacity with the acquisition of a Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) funded by a grant from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). This advanced machine is set to revolutionize the Bureau’s laboratory capabilities, particularly in confirming residual limits in fresh and packaged foods and water sources. The GCMS technology enables precise detection of various contaminants in food and water, including pesticides, herbicides, aflatoxins, and more. With the implementation of this equipment, the Bureau can now ensure that…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 08, 2024 (SKNIS) – On a daily basis, nurses are called upon to serve, heal and provide care for countless patients across St. Kitts and Nevis. Today, Wednesday, May 08, 2024, greater attention was placed on nurses as the Ministry of Health underscores the importance of empowering and celebrating nurses who contribute to the well-being of the entire nation. This was done through a nurses’ symposium held at the Customs and Excise Department’s Conference Room. The event was one of the activities organised as part of the celebrations for International Nurses Week, observed worldwide from May…