Local News

The St. Kitts Music Festival Committee has described the 23rd edition of the festival, last month, as a very successful venture.

This was disclosed during a press conference a few minutes ago, at the Ministry of Tourism Conference Room, Pelican Mall, Basseterre.

The committee disclosed that $EC 1.5 million was paid out last week and the majority of that money was for local vendors for their services, a testament to the positive impact on the local economy.

The head table, however, was questioned about several concerns, ranging from Trinidad and Tobago soca star Framer Nappy, who advocated for “live band” and Ella Mai’s very brief inclusion of profanity.

Jonel Powell, chairman of the artiste’s selection committee, defended his committee’s decision to use tracks and seemingly justified the action by pointing to several artistes who gave very good performances, with tracks, including Mykal Somer and Skinny Fabulous.

He downplayed Ella Mai’s “slip of the tongue” and hinted that a change in policy should be looked at to allow artistes to give “sterile” performances.

In previous years, two artistes were arrested because of their use of profanity.

Plans are already in motion for next year’s edition.

High marks for Leon Natta-Nelson, the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) candidate for St Christopher 7 in his back to back guest appearance on The Rebuttal – KYSS-FM’s highly favoured Wednesday evening talk-radio show.

“Labour’s newest candidate, who has begun to capture the attention of voters across the constituency and the country, addressed the issues of national significance that were raised by Rebuttal’s host, Mr Douglas Wattley,” a press release from Constituency 7 said.

“Natta-Nelson ably presented himself as being in touch with the constituency and people in general. He distinguished himself not just as a believer in the principles of fairness and justice but as a servant-leader who is prepared to fight against those nasty forces that threaten the people’s progress. Listeners left with the understanding that the young man is ready to lead,” the constituency said,

It noted that as a result of his sterling presentation on Wednesday, July 3, Natta-Nelson returned to the show one week later on Wednesday, July 10, in a follow-up Rebuttal episode with fellow guest, Mr. Chesley Hamilton, former PAM Chairman, ran previously for the seat in Constituency Seven.

“Both of Natta-Nelson’s presentations were acclaimed by Rebuttal’s avid listeners as having been strong, formidable and thoroughly impressive,” the release said.

“Natta-Nelson competently addressed issues such as public integrity, poverty alleviation, persistent political harassment and improved standards of living. The political newcomer credibly distinguished himself from the scandal-ridden incumbent who he seeks to unseat in the upcoming polls, with the support of the people,” the release added.

Natta-Nelson was formally announced as the Labour Party’s candidate for Constituency Seven at a highly successful formal announcement gathering at Ottley’s Play-field on Saturday, June 22, 2019. His all embracing campaign is being conducted under the theme, “People Over Politics”.

President Tsai Ing Wen has been conferred with the Order of St. Christopher and Nevis by Governor General His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton.

The medal was conferred on the visiting President during a cocktail event hosted by the Governor General to culminate the Taiwanese head’s visit.

In accepting the medal, President Tsai indicated that “it is the biggest recognition of the long-term friendship and development of [partnership between the two countries.

Governor General Sir Tapley Seaton and President Tsai also planted a tree to commemorate the 36 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

St. Kitts and Nevis and Taiwan established diplomatic relations in 1983, when St. Kitts and Nevis became and independent country.

President Tsai featured in several other activities, including the signing of an agreement for technical and vocational support in education and the ground breaking for a sustainable park in Nevis.

The Taiwanese President left earlier this morning, July 16, for two more Caribbean destinations on her Caribbean tour- St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Her first stop was in Haiti.

A Nevisian secondary school teacher, with a history of success in preparing students for the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s Tourism Youth Congress, has been selected as the first-ever recipient of the Bonita Morgan Memorial Scholarship.

Philicia Walters, a graduate teacher at Gingerland Secondary School, was chosen by the CTO Scholarship Foundation for this scholarship named in honour of the organization’s former head of human resources who passed away in April 2018 after serving 22 years as the CTO’s director of human resources and later, the director of resource mobilization and development.

“As a recent teacher chaperone of the CTO Tourism Youth Congress, I would have interacted with Bonita Morgan on several occasions and have always been impacted by her dedication and zeal to ensure that the Caribbean’s tourism product remains among the best in the world. Furthermore, she was also passionate about making certain that our young tourism ambassadors were aware of the region’s diverse contributions. Hence, to be accorded a scholarship in her honour is a humbling experience,” said Walters, who is pursuing a Masters Degree in Tourism Management at Colorado State University in the United States.

Since 2011 Walters has been preparing students at her school for the youth congress, two of whom have emerged as winners. She also teaches tourism and delves deeper into tourism concepts as part of her syllabus for her geography and social studies courses.

“I am confident that with the aid of the Bonita Morgan Memorial Scholarship to finalize this aspect of my educational journey, I will be better empowered to assist in the development of tourism in Nevis and the Caribbean by extension,” Walters said.

This year the foundation granted five scholarships and five study grants – approximately US$35,000 – from a list of over 60 applications.

The Police seized an illegal firearm over the weekend as the security forces continue to their offensive against crime and violence.

Three persons are also in custody in relation to the find.

“During a search operation executed on Saturday morning, one firearm was found at a Newtown house and was brought into Police custody. Three persons were also brought into custody to assist with the investigation into the matter. Police are continuing their investigations,” a Police issued statement said.

This is the eleventh firearm that has been confiscated by the Police for the year so far, according to law officials.

Michael Davis, a young man who was wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to the murder of Elva York is in Police custody.

The 29 year old man turned himself in to authorities yesterday, July 11.

York was murdered on June 17, according to Police, based on results from an autopsy done on the deceased.

Meanwhile, Police are still searching for Gerard Stapleton, alias “Saddam”, of Conaree, who is wanted for the offence of battery.

He is described as a 5 feet 7 inch, dark skinned male.

Stapleton is 38 years old.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will arrive in St. Kitts and Nevis tomorrow, July13, the second stop in a four-country state visit to the Caribbean with stops in the United States on the way there and back.

The President’s visit also includes stops in Haiti, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia on the 12-day trip. The island nations are among the few that recognize Taiwan, as an independent state.

Tsai said that she wants to share the values of democracy and perseverance with Taiwan’s friends.

“Our democracy has not come easily and now is facing the threat and technological penetration of foreign forces,” she said, in a veiled reference to China.

Tsai will also make what her government is calling “two-evening transit stops” in the United States.

Taiwan does not have diplomatic ties with the United States, but the U.S. provides the self-governing island with military and other support. China objects to such support as an interference in what it considers its internal affairs.

In the Caribbean, the delegation will promote sustainable development and look for business opportunities for Taiwanese companies, Tsai said.

Taiwan split from China during a civil war that brought the Communist Party to power in 1949.

A national of St. Kitts and Nevis is currently receiving medical attention in Taiwan after being rescued from a cliff in Hualien Province, on the Pacific side of that island.

Sources with knowledge of the situation says the young lady suffered a fracture in one part of her body and several cuts and bruises.

The sources further revealed that at least one family member is with the young female as she goes through the ordeal.

News first broke from Taiwan News in Taipei which stated “A foreign woman student was removed from a cliff over the Pacific in Hualien County following a 17-hour standoff on July 10.

“The incident began when passersby told the emergency services that a foreign woman was wandering around aimlessly by the side of the Suao-Hualien highway near the scenic Qingshui Cliff,” the Central News Agency reported.

“The sighting happened as early as 6 a.m., and rescue workers from the Hualien County town of Xincheng headed immediately to the site. However, as they arrived, the woman walked away from them, and since they were worried that she would take more extreme action, they kept their distance,” the report added

“The Coast Guard even sent a ship to the area, which pointed a light at the scene as darkness fell,” it was revealed.

Several persons were utilized in rescuers efforts to persuade the young student to return to the safety of the road above.

Efforts to source a statement from the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Foreign Affair have been unsuccessful.

However, several persons familiar with the situation have indicated that the Ministry of Education has reached out the family.

This media house understands that this is the student’s first semester back in Taiwan, after taking a break for a year from her studies there.