Author: SKNISEditor

The results of the research conducted by PAHO and partners can serve as a basis for targeted prevention strategies among men and women. Washington, DC, 23 February 2023 (PAHO) – A new study by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and partners published today in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas highlights the importance of considering gender-specific social determinants of suicide when developing risk reduction interventions and prevention strategies.The article Contextual factors associated with country-level suicide mortality in the Americas, 2000-2019, identified that while homicide and the use of alcohol and other substances are associated with an increase in suicide mortality among males,…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 23, 2023 (SKNIS): The long-awaited commissioning of the traffic lights, the last set of signal lights to be switched on in Basseterre, took place on February 22, 2023, at 1:00 pm at the intersection of Bird Rock and the Bay Road.Chief Engineer at the Public Works Department, Livingston Pemberton said, “The Government would have taken a position to install traffic lights at seven (7) junctions in the Basseterre area, six (6) would have been commissioned in the past but there were some challenges here at the Birdrock-Bayroad intersection and as a result, it was delayed.”“What would…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 23, 2023 (SKNIS): The Federal Parliament of St. Kitts and Nevis passed three key Bills, namely, the Anti-Corruption Bill, 2023, Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023 on Wednesday, February 22. The Bills, which received safe passage through the House, seek to further strengthen the Federation’s good governance agenda.“This is a momentous day in the history of our country. It is telling our people and the international community that we are serious about cutting out corruption from our society,” said Attorney-General and Mover of all three Bills, the…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 23, 2023 (SKNBS): In addition to the seven standards that were previously adopted, St. Kitts and Nevis has adopted 211 standards to facilitate trade and ensure the health and safety of consumers.The seven standards initially adopted include Specification for Packaged Water, Labelling of Pre-Packaged Food, Labelling of Goods — Part 1: General requirements, Labelling of Goods — Part 2: Specific Requirements for Prepackaged Goods, CARICOM Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (CREEBC), Tourism and Related Services — Requirements and Recommendations for Beach Operations and Environmental Management System.Standards have been adopted from international organisations CODEX, ASTM, and ISO.…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 23, 2023 (SKNIS): The historic passage of the Anti-Corruption Bill, 2023, in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly on February 22. 2023, established the post of a Special Prosecutor. The Special Prosecutor must be an Attorney-at-Law and may investigate and prosecute a public officer for a criminal offense of corrupt conduct or a civil claim related to corrupt behaviour.While moving the Bill through Parliament, Senator and Attorney General, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, said that the appointment of a special prosecutor is one that the legal fraternity supports.“The [St. Kitts and Nevis] Bar Association has no…

(Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 22, 2023): The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Action, and Constituency Empowerment will be hosting a ‘National Consultation on the Management of the Invasive Green Monkey, where the results of pilot project research on green monkeys, conducted under the GEF-funded project entitled ‘Preventing the Costs of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Barbados and the OECS,’ will be shared and discussed. This important national consultation will take place at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort on Tuesday, 28 February 2023, starting from 8:45 a.m. The project objectives…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 23, 2023 (SKNIS): The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023, received safe passage through the National Assembly during the Sitting of February 22, 2023. Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, described the legislation as key to improving transparency, accountability, and overall good governance in public office.“I want to inform the persons that are affected by this legislation that the intention of the Government is to spend the next six (6) weeks educating the general public and public servants about these pieces of legislation before they are actually triggered into operation.…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 23, 2023 (SKNIS): The Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) within the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship held a Customer Service Training workshop for small business owners from across the Federation on February 22, 2023.This workshop is one of several workshops planned for the remainder of the year that will benefit small and medium-sized businesses as the unit continues its mandate of strengthening small businesses across the Federation.At the event, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the Hon. Samal Duggins took the opportunity to encourage business owners to take advantage of the resources available to them.“I am…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 23, 2023 (SKNIS) – During the February 22, 2023, sitting of the National Assembly, three critical Bills that are central to the Government’s good governance agenda were successfully passed into law with majority support from the Members of Parliament on both sides of House. Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew said the passage of the three Bills, namely, the Anti-Corruption Bill, 2023; Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will hold the Government accountable to the people whom it serves, and as such described it as a great…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 23, 2023 (SKN National Commission for UNESCO): As part of spearheading technical assistance initiatives being pursued with UNESCO, the Ministry of Education was informed this week that a grant of US$90,000 will be deployed to St. Kitts and Nevis to enable the Ministry to develop an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework for the Federation’s education sector. The funding is to be provided under the Japan-fund-in-trust for allocation to St. Kitts and Nevis to complete this project. Only two Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Cape Verde Islands and St. Kitts and Nevis, have been selected for UNESCO…