In a significant move to celebrate and sustain the rich cultural legacy of Calypso music, the St. Kitts & Nevis National Carnival Committee (SKNNCC) has unveiled its Recording Support Initiative (RSI) for October 2025. This program, designed to empower Calypsonians, offers financial assistance of EC$500 to artists releasing new music during this period. The initiative builds on the momentum of last year’s successful campaign during Sugar Mas 53, aiming to amplify the reach and recognition of Calypso music across traditional radio and digital platforms. By supporting early releases, the SKNNCC ensures that these powerful voices resonate throughout the carnival season, preserving the music, stories, and heritage that define the festival. With over 60 Calypsonians registered in Calypso Tents this year, the upcoming season promises to be a vibrant celebration of talent and tradition. The SKNNCC urges all artists to seize this opportunity to showcase their creativity and connect with broader audiences. For more information, contact the Carnival Secretariat at 869-466-0058 or email info@skncarnival.com.
标签： Saint Kitts and Nevis
圣基茨和尼维斯
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St. Kitts’ Venetta Zakers Secured First Runner-Up in CIBC Caribbean Regional Unsung Heroes Competition
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – October 21, 2025 – Venetta Zakers, a prominent figure from St. Kitts, has been honored as the First Runner-Up in the 2025 CIBC Caribbean Regional Unsung Heroes competition. This prestigious recognition underscores her exceptional contributions to community service and philanthropy through her non-profit organization, Zakers Affinity Causes (ZAC).
ZAC is renowned for its transformative initiatives, particularly the ‘Entrepreneurship Behind Bars’ (EBB) program, which empowers at-risk youth and incarcerated women by equipping them with essential skills and support. Ms. Zakers’ dedication to uplifting vulnerable groups has not only made a significant impact locally but has also garnered regional acclaim.
Ms. Eberna Whyte, CIBC Country Head, expressed immense pride in Ms. Zakers’ achievement, stating, ‘Her innovative approach and unwavering commitment to community development truly embody the spirit of the Unsung Heroes initiative. This recognition serves as an inspiration for all of us to further our efforts in serving our communities.’
The competition, which featured nominees from ten Caribbean territories, awarded the title of Regional Unsung Hero to Lucinda Smith of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, for her volunteer work in providing meals to families in need and supporting individuals facing serious illnesses. Joshuanette Francis of Antigua and Barbuda, founder of Good Humans 268 Inc., secured third place for her work in disability awareness, climate justice, and youth empowerment.
The top winners were celebrated at an awards ceremony held in Barbados, marking a moment of pride and inspiration for the Caribbean region.
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Overnight fire destroys two bars on Frigate Bay Strip
A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday, October 21, 2025, on the Frigate Bay Strip in Basseterre, St. Kitts, completely destroying two well-known bars, Cathy’s and Zanzi Bar. The blaze, which reportedly started around 12:30 a.m., rapidly consumed the establishments despite the efforts of firefighters who battled the flames for several hours. The incident has left several employees without jobs and created a void in the Strip, a vibrant entertainment hub frequented by tourists, locals, and students. Social media was quickly flooded with videos and photos of the fire, sparking widespread concern and sympathy from the public. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
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AWS outage causes major global disruptions to businesses and online services
A significant disruption in Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Monday, October 20, 2025, sent shockwaves across the globe, crippling a vast array of online platforms and digital services. The outage, which commenced around 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time, impacted everything from video conferencing tools like Zoom to social media platforms such as Snapchat, as well as Amazon’s own Alexa-enabled smart devices. Initially, the issue seemed resolved, but Amazon later confirmed the problems had reemerged, leaving numerous services offline for hours. AWS engineers worked tirelessly to address the crisis, issuing regular updates to keep users informed. By 11:00 a.m., the company identified the root cause as a malfunctioning internal subsystem responsible for monitoring network load balancers. To mitigate the issue, AWS throttled requests for new EC2 instance launches and implemented additional recovery measures. By midday, Amazon reported progress in restoring connectivity and API functionality, promising further updates by 10:00 a.m. PDT. The outage highlighted the global reliance on AWS infrastructure, affecting universities, businesses, governments, and media organizations worldwide, many of which were forced offline during the disruption.
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IMF Managing Director says global economy performing better than expected, but challenges persist
In a press conference held during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva provided a cautiously optimistic assessment of the global economy. Despite facing significant geopolitical and economic pressures, the global economy has demonstrated unexpected resilience, performing ‘better than expected, but worse than needed.’ Georgieva highlighted the impact of fluctuating tariffs, political uncertainty, and recession fears over the past six months, which have tested economic stability worldwide. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook reveals that global growth remains steady, with projections indicating a slight slowdown from 3.3 percent in the previous year to 3.2 percent this year and 3.1 percent in 2026. Georgieva attributed this resilience to stronger policy fundamentals in emerging markets and the private sector’s swift adaptation through frontloading imports and reinforcing supply chains. However, she cautioned that medium-term growth prospects remain weak, with public debt nearing record highs and global imbalances persisting. Georgieva emphasized the need for countries to focus on unlocking private sector growth, securing strong macroeconomic fundamentals, and addressing global imbalances to strengthen economic resilience. The meetings concluded on Friday at the IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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From the office to the stage: Sashoné Mitchell charts her own musical path
Jamaican-born musician Sashoné Mitchell has transitioned from a life of office work to pursuing her true passion in music. After years of working behind a desk in St. Kitts and Nevis, Mitchell has stepped into the spotlight with her latest release, ‘Showers of Grace.’ The song and its accompanying music video pay tribute to the resilience and struggles of ordinary working people. Mitchell drew inspiration from everyday encounters, such as individuals offering services at stoplights or mothers working long factory shifts, to craft a message of hope and perseverance. Now back in Jamaica, Mitchell has reconnected with her roots, finding creative inspiration in her homeland. Her journey of self-discovery and artistic expression began when she attended a studio session with a friend, reigniting her passion for music. Mitchell’s goal is not just personal success but to impact lives through her spiritually uplifting music. Despite the competitive nature of the Jamaican music industry, she remains confident in her mission to share meaningful messages with the world. Mitchell’s story serves as an inspiration to others striving to find their voice in the industry.
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CWI Announces Restructured CG United Super50 Cup for 2025
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has introduced a revamped structure for the 2025 CG United Super50 Cup, the premier regional 50-over cricket tournament. Scheduled to take place in Trinidad from November 19 to November 29, the competition will feature six teams instead of the previous eight, with a total of 16 matches replacing the earlier 31-match format. The West Indies Academy and Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) teams have been excluded from this year’s edition. The tournament will adopt a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing directly to the final. Participating teams include Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, Barbados Pride, Guyana Harpy Eagles, Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, and Windward Islands Volcanoes. The decision to streamline the event comes amid financial challenges faced by CWI, as highlighted during their recent Quarterly Media Briefing. Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket, emphasized that the changes aim to enhance competitiveness and quality of play. He noted that the reduced format would require teams to adopt more strategic preparations, while the exclusion of CCC and West Indies Academy players would intensify competition for spots within territorial franchises. The championship purse remains a significant incentive, with the winner set to receive US$100,000, the runner-up US$50,000, and the third and fourth-placed teams each earning US$25,000. The full fixture schedule is expected to be released shortly.
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Cricket West Indies Announces ODI Series against England U19
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially announced a seven-match Youth ODI series between the West Indies Men’s Under-19 team and England Under-19s. The series, set to take place from November 16 to December 1, 2025, will be hosted at the Grenada National Stadium in St George’s. This series is a pivotal part of the West Indies’ preparation for the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup in January 2026, following their recent 4–3 series victory against Sri Lanka in Antigua. Originally planned for St Vincent, the series was relocated to Grenada due to scheduling conflicts with the National Sports Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Both teams will arrive in Grenada on November 8, with three days of training and a warm-up match against a Grenada Under-25 select XI scheduled before the series opener. CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe emphasized the importance of the series, stating that it provides a critical opportunity for the squad to refine their skills and gain exposure to high-level competition. The matches will be streamed live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel, with live scorecards available on www.windiescricket.com.
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Come Worship in Pink
The Antioch Baptist Church is extending a heartfelt invitation to the public for a special event titled ‘Worship in Pink,’ scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025. This unique gathering aims to bring the community together in a morning of fellowship, prayer, and uplifting worship. The event is dedicated to honoring those who have battled breast cancer, celebrating survivors, and remembering loved ones who have lost their lives to the disease. Services will be held at 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., providing two opportunities for attendees to participate in this meaningful occasion. The church encourages everyone to join in this act of solidarity and support, fostering a sense of unity and compassion within the community.
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The 3rd Annual Regional Schools Investment Competition Commences
The 3rd Annual Regional Schools Investment Competition has officially commenced, bringing together high school and first-year college students from across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. Organized by the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) in collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC) and licensed broker-dealers, the event aims to provide students with a hands-on experience in securities market activities. Running from October 14 to November 7, 2025, the competition offers participants the chance to apply their knowledge, gain practical investing skills, and compete for the prestigious title of Regional Schools Investment Champion. The event began with an Education Webinar on October 2, followed by a Competition Briefing on October 8. This initiative not only fosters financial literacy but also aims to inspire young individuals to explore investment opportunities and build wealth. As the ECSE and ECSRC celebrate their 24th anniversary on October 19, 2025, the competition serves as a platform to cultivate future active participants in the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market. For updates, visit the ECSE’s website and social media pages.