Independence 42 wasn’t just about parades and patriotism — it was also about partnerships. PM Dr Terrance Drew used the moment to sit down with Karin Sullivan, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Mission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and the message was clear: SKN values its security ties with Washington.

From intel-sharing to joint ops and training, the collaboration has already helped curb narcotics trafficking through the Federation and the wider region. But Dr Drew stressed it’s about balance — SKN’s sovereignty stays intact. “The US stands beside us, not in place of us,” he said, calling the Caribbean a zone that must remain peaceful, stable, and prosperous.

Big stage, big message. St Kitts and Nevis stood tall this week, delivering a powerful statement on behalf of CARICOM at the UN — and the focus was clear: women and girls must be at the centre of sustainable development, not left on the sidelines.

Marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, the speech pulled no punches. The promises of 1995? Too many broken. Inequality still rampant. Data still damning. Women worldwide earn 20% less for equal work, carry 2.5 times more unpaid labour, and hold less than 30% of leadership roles.

The talk done. The Special Sustainability Zones (SSZ) Act is now in black and white and up for grabs. The first 100 copies are free at Government Headquarters, a move straight from PM Terrance Drew to show that nothing hiding here. After that, more copies can be bought at SKNIS, and for the tech crowd, the whole thing is online too.

For weeks the opposition bawling about “secrecy” and “sellout.” Now the government flip the script: if you want to know, go read it yourself.

Run Di Chat family, Destiny just levelled up. Hot on the heels of its website launch, the sustainable resort community planned for South Nevis has now rolled out its official social media channels – X, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook – and they’re already busy setting the record straight.

The move comes after weeks of chatter, rumours, and wild claims floating around online. Destiny’s response? Hit back with plain facts, served up in neat, shareable posts.

As the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis celebrated its 42nd Anniversary of Independence under the theme “Perpetual Progress – A Sustainable Future in View: Independence 42”, sixteen outstanding citizens were officially recognised for their service to the nation.

During his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Hon. Dr Terrance Drew praised the honourees as proof that heroism is alive in the present, not just confined to the past. He said their contributions in education, health, sports, business, law, and community service embody the sacrifice and vision needed to secure a sustainable future.

The opposition’s latest outburst against the Special Sustainability Zone (SSZ) has once again exposed their warped priorities. While the government and the Nevis Island Administration are working to attract sustainable investment that creates jobs, protects the environment, and secures the Federation’s future, the People’s Labour Party (PLP) and its leader, Dr Timothy Harris, are throwing up smokescreens and half-truths.

Their claim of “secret land deals” and “selling out the birthright” is not only baseless but deeply hypocritical. After all, prominent opposition figures such as Janice Daniel-Hodge have sold private land for personal profit. It raises a serious question: why is it acceptable for them to line their own pockets but unacceptable for Nevis to chart a sustainable, carefully legislated development path through the SSZ?

Today, September 19, 2025, Saint Kitts and Nevis proudly celebrates the 42nd anniversary of its independence from Britain, a moment that continues to symbolise the resilience, strength and determination of the Federation’s people.

Independence Day traditions began early with the national flag-raising ceremony at Warner Park in Basseterre, mirrored by a similar ceremony in Charlestown, Nevis. These official events were followed by a military parade featuring the St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, police and cadet corps.

SKN has been named one of the world’s most overcrowded tourist destinations, according to a new global list published by WION.

The twin-island Federation ranked fifth overall, joining global hotspots such as Vatican City, Andorra, San Marino, the Bahamas and Monaco. With a population of fewer than 47,000, the country welcomes close to 900,000 visitors annually – almost 20 times its resident population.

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis and Incoming Chairman of CARICOM, Hon Dr Terrance Drew, has urged leaders of the Caribbean and Africa to transform the painful legacy of the Atlantic Slave Trade into a new “Atlantic Bridge” of cooperation, opportunity and shared progress.

Speaking at the opening of the Second CARICOM-Africa Summit, held in the Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union Commission Headquarters, Dr Drew described the renewed engagement between the regions as a pivotal moment. He stressed that this first in-person gathering since the 2021 virtual summit provides a unique platform to deepen historic bonds and expand strategic partnerships.

Eight young people from Taiwan have arrived in St Kitts and Nevis as part of Taiwan’s Global Pathfinders Initiative, a programme designed to foster international cooperation and leadership.

For the next two months, the youth delegation will intern in government agencies, connect with local leaders and communities, and showcase Taiwan’s creativity and innovation. The initiative reflects both countries’ commitment to building strong people-to-people ties while giving young professionals real-world experience in diplomacy, governance and development.

Four Seasons Resort Nevis, long regarded as one of the Caribbean’s premier luxury destinations, has appointed Avi Phookan as its new General Manager. With more than two decades of international hospitality experience, Phookan brings both a passion for guest service and a proven track record in environmental stewardship.

Most recently General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii, Phookan led initiatives that won awards for sustainable operations and guest experience. His global career has spanned Dubai, Doha, New Orleans, Charleston and Belize, with Caribbean experience at The Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman and the St Kitts Marriott Beach Resort.

Prime Minister Hon Dr Terrance Drew led the annual National Heroes Day ceremony at Heroes Park on September 16, calling on citizens to honour the Federation’s past by working together to secure its future.

Against the backdrop of the 42nd Anniversary of Independence, Dr Drew reminded the nation that the legacy of its five National Heroes was forged not only in government chambers, but in fields, villages and classrooms where ordinary men and women dared to dream of liberty and justice.

SKN has firmly rejected claims circulating on social media that Tyler Robinson, the US student accused in the fatal shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, had ever visited the Federation.

In an official statement released on Monday, the Fed said there is “no evidence that neither the individual nor his family entered St Kitts and Nevis” and stressed its commitment to maintaining accurate information. “We remain open to reviewing any credible information to the contrary, as accuracy and truth are paramount,” the statement added.

SKN has once again secured its place as the world’s leading citizenship by investment (CBI) programme, taking the top spot in the 2025 CBI Index for the fifth consecutive year.

The annual rankings, published by Professional Wealth Management and widely seen as the global benchmark for investor migration, credited the Federation with bold reforms that have enhanced transparency, strengthened due diligence and improved security. The establishment of a statutory body to oversee the programme was highlighted as a major step forward.

SKN has been named one of the Caribbean’s top retirement destinations, with its stunning natural beauty, tax-friendly environment and affordable cost of living making it an attractive choice for retirees worldwide.

The ranking comes from Global Citizens Solutions, which reviewed climate, safety, healthcare access, community and financial factors to identify the 13 best Caribbean islands to retire. The Federation stood out for combining a relaxed lifestyle with a favourable tax system that includes no income, capital gains, inheritance or wealth taxes.

Premier of Nevis Hon Mark Brantley has doubled down on his vision for the Special Sustainability Zone (SSZ), describing it as one of the boldest and most forward-thinking initiatives ever pursued by the Federation.

Speaking on the “Brown Business” podcast, Brantley positioned the SSZ as a global first – an economic zone that doesn’t just attract investment, but requires developers to put sustainability at the core of their projects.

SKN is celebrating a major milestone in its push towards sustainability, with the Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC) preparing to export its third container of recycled plastic bricks before the end of 2025.

The achievement was highlighted during a site visit on September 11 by Ambassador Edward Tao of Taiwan, who toured the recycling plant alongside Embassy Secretary Tina Lin, Taiwan Technical Mission Leader Roy Lo and Project Manager Joyce Chang. They were welcomed by SWMC General Manager Nelvin Maynard, who credited Taiwan’s technical expertise for transforming the Federation’s waste management capacity over the past four years.

An 18-year-old student of the Washington Archibald High School was shot and killed late on Saturday night in College Housing, St Kitts, in an incident that has shocked the school community and left family and friends grieving.

Police have identified the victim as Sean Kadim John, a Dominican national whose family hails from Gutter Village in Roseau, Dominica. According to initial reports, John sustained a single gunshot wound to the head. Emergency responders confirmed his death at the scene.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Right Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas, met with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, in Abuja this week to advance discussions on cooperation between the two nations.

The meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic ties and exploring opportunities for collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including education, trade and cultural exchange. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to building lasting partnerships between Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots’ hopes of sneaking into the Caribbean Premier League play-offs came to an end on Friday night, as Guyana Amazon Warriors sealed their spot with a last-ball six against Saint Lucia Kings in Providence.

The result lifted the Warriors above the Patriots in the points table, confirming St Kitts and Nevis’ elimination from CPL 2025 despite their dramatic one-run win over Barbados Royals earlier in the week.