US veterans trade mission visits St Kitts and NevisFifteen veteran business owners and prospective investors are exploring opportunities in energy, agriculture, tourism and the digital economy.STEP bill hits EC$54 million as long-serving workers wait for permanent jobsThe Prime Minister defended the spending but acknowledged that some participants have spent years on the programme without a path to a permanent post.
Drew says government has absorbed millions to shield householdsThe Prime Minister listed electricity subsidies of more than EC$80 million and EC$36.6 million in direct assistance among measures to ease the cost of living.Subsidies keep cooking gas cheapest in the ECCUA 20lb cylinder costs EC$30 and a 100lb cylinder EC$140, the lowest prices in the currency union, the Prime Minister says.Cruise turnaround workshop maps opportunities for local businessesCarnival Corporation executives told suppliers what the P&O ships Arvia and Iona will need when partial turnarounds begin.
Explora III makes first call at Port ZanteThe luxury ship's visit was the first inaugural call of the 2026 to 2027 cruise season in St Kitts.Medicinal cannabis businesses secure access to bankingThe Medicinal Cannabis Authority says licensed operators will be able to open business accounts, make deposits and run payroll.Government's first retail bond fully subscribed at EC$10 millionThe two-year bond, aimed at households, churches and community groups, pays 4.5 per cent a year and was taken up within weeks.Cabinet approves duty-free concessions for Christmas and CarnivalThe first 400lbs of food in gift packages will be duty free, and non-commercial imports get an EC$675 allowance from 1 December to 31 January.Cruise season closes with more than one million passengersTourism officials describe 2026 to 2027 as a season of preparation before P&O Cruises begins turnaround operations from Port Zante.Air arrivals top 116,000 as tourism reports strong 2026The Minister of Tourism says August arrivals rose 5.6 per cent on July, and Air Canada will start its seasonal service a month early.Citizenship Unit marks two years as a statutory bodyThe CIU says applications rose 169 per cent in its first 100 days under the new structure and approvals now take 120 to 180 days.