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13 Nationals Receive Full-Time Taiwanese Scholarships

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13 Nationals Receive Full-Time Taiwanese Scholarships

By: Precious Mills

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (August 2018) -A combined total of 13 nationals from the Federation-five from Nevis and eight from St.Kitts- are slated to depart the Federation later this month to pursue academic studies in Taiwan having been successfully selected as the 2018 recipients of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Taiwan Scholarship and the International Cooperative and Development Fund (ICDF) Scholarship.

A dinner awards ceremony, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Ministry of Education of Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, was held last night ( Wednesday) at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) located at Fortlands in Basseterre.

The nine MOFA (9) awardees are: Ke-Jaun Raheem De-Quan Browne Chaddessa Sensia Bernice Rodriques; Krislee Tyra Terese Dasent (Nevis); Kyric Shakim Phillip (Nevis); Jasmine Melicia Liburd; Garim Kawanzo Trevon Jones; Orecia Valencia Hutchinson; Kyree Kamoy Shaquille Martin and Daniella Sabrina Murraine (Nevis).

The five (5) ICDF awardees are: Karen Annetta Crawford; Pierre Bowrin as well as Meritzer Lovelle Lawrence and Chalieze Jamiella Browne both from Nevis.

Notably, for the MOFA programme, students are expected to undergo a one-year study of Mandarin language before pursuing their schedule of courses.

As understood, under both programs that will see students pursuing full-time studies at graduate and undergraduate levels, their airfare, housing, tuition and credit fees, textbook costs and monthly allowance will be covered.

Newly-appointed resident Taiwanese Ambassador to St. Kitts-Nevis Tom Lee made an observation from the presence of those in attendance, including distinguished guests, saying “I can tell that education is also strongly emphasised here in St.Kitts and Nevis.”

“Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1983, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis have enjoyed a bond and solid friendship relations.

He shared that Taiwan and St.Kitts-Nevis are “very similar” as he cited natural resources and relying upon human resource.

Ambassador Lee went on to say: “In my opinion, education is the key to our success and also as a foundation for the national development. As a strong ally of the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis, Taiwan, we are very willing to share our experience in education and our office will continue to work hard and send more students from St.Kitts and Nevis to Taiwan for study.”

The resident Taiwanese official urged the scholarship recipients to focus on their studies in their interest of their homeland.

“Taiwan is known for our hospitality and also generosity. You can be rest assured our people will treat you like our own and pretty soon you will feel that Taiwan will be your home away from home., and I also want to encourage them to make most of their stay in Taiwan and study as hard as they can so when you come back to St.Kitts and Nevis, you can immediately make a contribution to your countries economy.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Shawn Richards informed that the 2018 awardees have been chosen from a field of thirty-two (32) applicants.

He then congratulated them “for the perseverance and commitment exhibited in completing the application process well in advance of the deadline and also meeting the necessary requirements as were outlined in application process.”

Richards expressed that the government and people of the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis continue to enjoy, acknowledged and appreciate the generosity of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

“The sincere appreciation of such generosity is well noted within the Ministry of Education.  The federal Ministry of Education owes a tremendous depth of gratitude to the government and people of Republic of China (Taiwan) for its unwavering support to the educational advancement of our people in general and the youth of our Federation in particular,” he added.

Richards continued: “As we approach the 35th anniversary of our proud nation, we are reminded of the birth of our relationship with this great nation as The Republic of China (Taiwan) was the first to establish diplomatic ties with an independent St. Christopher and Nevis. This is in fact is a significant time in the relationship between our two countries. Our young people at all levels of the education system are the beneficiaries of the financial and human resourcing of our Taiwanese friends.”

Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris encouraged the awardees to return home and contribute to nation building.

“I want you to come back to us better prepared than you were when you left, better prepared to make a contribution to nation building because we this year are celebrating our 35th anniversary our Independence building upon the shoulder and platform laid of our fore parents,” he remarked.

Douglas On Crime- ‘Something Desperately Wrong’

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Douglas On Crime- ‘Something Desperately Wrong’

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (THURSDAY 23RD AUGUST 2018) – “When our criminals are getting bolder by the day, with senior police sergeants being brutally cut down and armed robberies taking place within public view for all to see, without any fear whatsoever, we must all admit that something is desperately wrong.”

Such sentiment was expressed by Opposition Leader of the St.Kitts Nevis Labour Party Dr. Denzil Douglas while speaking at the party’s specially-organised press conference on crime held on Wednesday 22nd August at the Koi Building located at the Airport Road as he called for national togetherness in tackling the issue.

He added: “When criminals can turn on a brother who was born and raised in the very same community, go to school with that person, interact with his family and friends and yet be so spiritually deficient as to turn on that brother and savagely take his life with no regard for the impact on him, no regard at all for the impact on his children and his own family, his community and his nation, this shows that our society and the cultural fabric that binds us together is definitely broken. It tells us that we have lost as a nation the sense of social cohesion and brotherly love that have for so long been a part of the ethos of our great Federation.”

The immediate former Prime Minister and Minister of National Security commented that addressing the issue of crime has to do with the method and leadership of the country which are both presently “wrong” under the Harris-led administration.

Dr. Douglas questioned the results of the government’s various point plans to tackle the issue and also questioned the leadership approach in curbing the situation.

“As the rapidly escalating crime situation demonstrates, the problem isn’t so much the lack of money and resources, it is due to the fact that the method, the method has to be wrong and the leadership has to be wrong as well. The government has announced that it has a Sixteen-Point Plan, it has said before it has a twelve- point plan, a ten- point plan, an eight-point plan, a six -point Plan but where are the results of these plans? Their plans are obviously not working,” the former National Security Minister said.

He also questioned: “Where is the leadership, I ask? Where is the leadership? I contend that the Harris Administration has proven itself extremely lacking in competence and leadership to effectively address the pressing crime problem of our Federation. There must be leadership; leadership to point the new way forward. The Team Unity government has shown, time and again, that it is incredibly lacking in innovative ideas that would bring a new approach that would yield results in cutting crime.

Dr. Douglas has called on the government to establish again a special National Commission on crime.

“ We must all put our heads together, our heads must be put together to combine our ideas and take a holistic, multi-pronged approach in order to effectively cut crime.”

According to him, “The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party has always insisted that crime is a matter that requires the total involvement of all stakeholders whether it is government, Opposition, private sector, civil society, the media; whether it is parents, teachers, or ordinary citizens, we all must engage in a national discussion that would coalesce our varied and maybe different viewpoints around one single core objective and that is how we cut crime and take preventative measures to curb criminality to ensure that offences do not take place in the first instance.”

The Opposition Leader outlined that: “At this present rate, our nation, our bleeding nation faces the alarming possibility that 2018 will be one of the bloodiest and crime-riddled years in the history of our once peaceful St.Kitts and Nevis. This, I remind us, must not be allowed to continue to happen. The time has come to break out of the sterile debates and to take bold, unprecedented and decisive action to effectively cut crime.”

 

Photo: “The time has come to break out of the sterile debates and to take bold, unprecedented and decisive action to effectively cut crime.”- Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil Douglas speaking at the Party’s press conference on crime this week. (Spokesman Snap)

Autopsy Results For Sgt. Powell Revealed

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Autopsy Results For Sgt. Powell Revealed

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 23rd August 2018)– Killed police sergeant 44-year-old Leon ‘Shabba’ Powell died as a result of “multiple gunshot wounds to the body”, according to the autopsy results by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Valery Alexandrov.

This media house understands that his injuries included to his chest area.

At about 1:00 AM on Saturday, police received a report of an armed robbery in Newton Ground at Powell’s bar.

Police investigations revealed that he was killed after two armed, masked men entered a bar entered the business place and demanded money from him.

Reportedly, a struggle ensued between the cop and one of the armed men during which one of them shot him several times about the body.

Powell was pronounced dead at the scene.

Autopsy: Car Washer Beaten, Stabbed to Death

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Autopsy: Car Washer Beaten, Stabbed to Death

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 22nd August 2018)– A well-known car washer found dead earlier this week was beaten and stabbed to death according to the autopsy results by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Valery Alexandrov who has concluded that Kasim Buchanan,36, “died as a result of multiple homicidal blunt force injuries combined with multiple stab wounds.”

The young man, who originally hailed from Sandy Point, was on Monday found by his girlfriend in a pool of blood with signs of trauma about his body in their Basseterre home situated in an alley within the vicinity of the Epworth/Maurice Hillier Memorial Junior School.

The couple lived in a house in an alley that connects Nevis Street and College Street Ghaut.

Police say that at about 6:25 PM, a report was received from the victim’s girlfriend.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that she left him at home in the morning, and upon her return in the evening, she found his motionless body in a pool of blood.

Reportedly, the arrived on the scene and Buchanan was pronounced dead at the scene by the district medical doctor .

Persons with information about this incident are urged to call the Violent Crimes Unit at 467-1887/1888 or 662-3468 or their nearest Police Station.

 

 

 

Well-known Car Washer Found Dead With Trauma Signs

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Well-known Car Washer Found Dead With Trauma Signs

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 21st August 2018)- A young man killed last night was found by his girlfriend in a pool of blood with signs of trauma about his body in their Basseterre home situated in an alley within the vicinity of the Maurice Hillier School.

Dead is 36-year-old  Kasim Buchanan who originally hailed from Sandy Point.

The deceased is a well-known car washer who plied his trade around Basseterre including Lozack Road and Church Street.

Kasim Buchanan

Police are reporting that at about 6:25 PM yesterday (Monday),  a report was received from the victim’s girlfriend.

Reportedly, the couple lived in a house in an alley that connects Nevis Street and College Street Ghaut.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that she left him at home in the morning, and upon her return in the evening, she found his motionless body in a pool of blood.

Police say Buchanan “ had visible signs of trauma to his body.”

This media house understands that a certain electrical device was found at the scene which is believed to have been the weapon used.

Reportedly, the District Medical Doctor arrived on the scene and pronounced Buchanan dead.

Also, the scene was processed by technicians from the Forensic Services Unit and items of evidential value were collected.

Persons with information about this incident are urged to call the Violent Crimes Unit at 467-1887/1888 or 662-3468 or their nearest Police Station.

Buchanan is the 19th homicide victim in St.Kitts-Nevis for 2018.

 

 

Police Investigating Homicide

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Police Investigating Homicide
By: Spokesman Newsroom 
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Monday  20th August 2018)- Police are currently on a a scene in Basseterre within the vicinity of the Maurice Hillier School investigating a homicide.
This media house has gathered that the victim is a male said to be in his 30s.
More details to be provided in a follow- up report.

KNOW YOUR STATUS REGARDING HEPATITIS B

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KNOW YOUR STATUS REGARDING HEPATITIS B

From the Desk of Dr. Terrance Drew, Internal Specialist

Recently, I had a health talk session on ZIZ courtesy the St. Kitts -Nevis Medical Dental Association on the topic of Hepatitis B.

HepB is a virus that attacks the liver.

The liver is a latte solid organ that is stigmatised in the abiding under the right rib cage .

You can get Hepatitis B through the following ways.

=》Sexual contact

=》Injection with dirty needles ( tattoo , heroine etc. )

=》Infected mother to child

=》Sharing intimate space with an infected person .

=》Blood products transfusion

The good news is that this disease can be prevented by way of vaccination . However many in our federation do not have it .

The vaccine consists of three shots .

I recommend to all to get to know your status through a simple blood test .

It is very important to know as Hepatitis B can be deadly. It can lead to liver cirrhosis (the liver becomes hard and does not function correctly). Additionally, it can lead to liver cancer especially in black people .

The reason why I am concerned is that over the last few years I have seen a number of cases of men with Hepatitis B and liver cancer which have resulted in deaths .

To conclude, we should all practice safe sex (use condoms ) and get check- ups. So the next time you visit your doctor ask about Hepatitis B.

21 Guns Found By Police

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21 Guns Found By Police

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Monday 20th August 2018)- Police are reporting that to date a total of twenty-one (21) guns have been taken off the streets and into police custody for 2018 with the most recent operation taking place on the sister isle of Nevis over the past weekend.

According to the local authorities, a stop and search exercise on Friday 17th August
at the Quarry at New River has resulted in a firearm being seized by police and two individuals arrested.

Reportedly, while conducting that exercise, one 40mm pistol with several matching rounds of ammunition were found in motor lorry PB1053. The two persons who were in the vehicle at the time were both taken into Police custody.

Police say no charges have been laid as yet in the matter and that investigations are continuing.

Min. of Finance on Nevis informs of changes in processing NIA payments effective August 21st

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Min. of Finance on Nevis informs of changes in processing NIA payments effective August 21st

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (August 20, 2018) — The following is a press statement from the Ministry of Finance in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) dated August 20, 2018, relating to changes in processing payments by the NIA through the Treasury Department.

The commercial banking sector has changed its procedure for processing payments issued by the NIA’s Treasury Department to persons who would have supplied goods and services to the Administration. This would also include changes in the procedure for payment of government salaries, wages and pensions as well.

Effective immediately, all government payments including the payment of salaries, wages and pensions will be processed through an Electronic Fund Transfer System, operated through the commercial banks rather than the manual procedure previously practiced whereby the Treasury Department would send manual payment listings to the various banks.

This new system now requires the Treasury Department to upload the payment instructions including salary and wages and pensions onto the payment portal which then routes the payment to the relevant bank for deposit to the accounts of Civil Servants, Pensioners and other suppliers.

This system is totally electronic and will be used for the first time for the payment of government salaries on Tuesday 21st August, 2018. There will be no noticeable effect on the lodgment of funds to your account and we expect that there will be smooth seamless processing of payments on that day.

However, as this system is being used for the first time and bearing in mind the number of transactions for processing on that day, it is likely that there may be some delays in the posting of salaries to the various accounts, especially for persons who normally access their salary online or at the Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

We crave your patience and understanding, as we seek to embrace advances in technology to enhance our payment processing system.

In the event that you experience any difficulty with your payment on that day, you are asked to immediately contact the Treasury Department or your bank for assistance in resolving the issues faced.

Reward Offered In Cop’s Murder Case

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Reward Offered In Cop’s Murder Case

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Monday 20th August 2018)- A reward in the sum of EC$50,000 is being offered by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force in an effort to gather helpful information during the investigation of killed colleague Police Sergeant Leon Powell.

The local authorities are hoping to solicit information that may lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the death of the 44-year-old who was the Subordinate Police Officer in charge of the Stapleton Police District in St.Peter’s Parish.

The Police Public Relations Department has informed that Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley, made the reward announcement following a press briefing in Nevis yesterday (Sunday) on the heels of a similar meeting held in St.Kitts the day before.

In making his address at the press conference held in St.Kitts, COP Queeley while pledging the police force’s commitment to find those responsible for their colleague’s death commented:

“These cowards for their own selfish gain and greed have senselessly cut him down in the prime of his life, by brutally killing him. I say openly to the perpetrators of this most heinous crime, that you will find no comfort. I give my commitment here and now that we will hunt you down and flush you out from wherever you are hiding and bring you to justice. I consider this to be an attack on the entire organization and, by extension, the State, and as such we will respond in an appropriate manner.”

The late Sergeant Leon Powell

Anyone who may have information that can move this investigation forward is asked to call any Police Station or the Violent Crimes Unit at 467-1887, 467-1888, 662-3468.

At about 1:00 AM this morning, police received a report of an armed robbery in Newton Ground.

Police investigations revealed that Sgt. Powell was killedafter two armed, masked men entered a bar entered the business place and demanded money from him.

Reportedly, a struggle ensued between the cop and one of the armed men during which one of them shot him several times about the body.

Powell was pronounced dead at the scene.

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