标签： Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Nevis Co-operative Credit Union (NCCU) has announced the renaming of its esteemed Scholarship Programme to the George Sydney Newton Scholarship Award, in honor of the retired General Manager, George Sydney Newton. This decision was unveiled during the Credit Union’s 52nd Annual General Meeting held on August 28, 2025, at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre. The renaming serves as a tribute to Mr. Newton’s 30 years of dedicated service and leadership, which significantly impacted the credit union movement in Nevis, the Caribbean, and beyond. Established in 1986, the scholarship programme has supported numerous students from local secondary schools and colleges, providing financial assistance for textbooks, uniforms, and examination fees. The programme has benefited 79 students as of December 2024. NCCU President Kris Liburd emphasized the renaming as a fitting gesture to celebrate Mr. Newton’s legacy and contributions. Regional leaders from organizations such as the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions and the World Council of Credit Unions also paid tribute to Mr. Newton’s influence. The first cohort of students under the newly renamed scholarship will be recognized during International Credit Union Week in October 2025. This renaming ensures that Mr. Newton’s legacy of service and community development continues to inspire future generations.

In a heartwarming gesture of community support, Food Centre St. Kitts Limited has donated organic baby pampers to new mothers at the PAHO-certified Baby Friendly JNF General Hospital in Basseterre, St. Kitts. The donation, made on September 10, 2025, aims to ease the challenges faced by new mothers and ensure a comfortable start for newborns. The initiative was spearheaded by Mr. McCleon Hobson, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Food Centre St. Kitts Limited, who emphasized the company’s commitment to giving back to the community during these challenging times. The donation was formally presented to Nurse Manager Mrs. Naomi Brownbill, the Baby Friendly Representative for the hospital, in the presence of key hospital officials, including Dr. Jenson Morton, Director of Health Institutions, Dr. Daveen Wilkin, Medical Chief of Staff, and Mrs. Lindsey Maynard, Director of Operations. The organic pampers were distributed to new mothers in both the private and general maternity wards, with Mrs. Grace Lawrence and Ms. Shamica Prentice being among the first recipients. Dr. Morton expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to providing a baby-friendly environment since its certification in October 2022. Mrs. Brownbill also thanked Food Centre St. Kitts Limited, assuring that the donation would be put to good use to enhance the comfort of newborns.

The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has reported another significant seizure of illegal firearms in Saddlers, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by the influx of illicit weapons in the Federation. On September 9, officers conducted a yard search that led to the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition. Among the items confiscated were a Mac-10 with a magazine and five rounds of .380mm ammunition, as well as another firearm accompanied by two magazines—one loaded with six rounds of .45mm ammunition and the other empty—along with 15 additional rounds of .45mm ammunition. This latest discovery comes amid a series of recent incidents involving the use of firearms, which has heightened concerns about the persistent flow of weapons into the region despite intensified enforcement efforts. Authorities have emphasized that neither St. Kitts and Nevis nor the broader Caribbean manufactures firearms or ammunition, raising questions about the origins of these weapons, which are believed to be smuggled from the United States. In response, the government has implemented stricter penalties for illegal possession, leading to several recent arrests and charges related to firearms and ammunition offenses.