ZIZ Evening News - May 21st, 2026

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-24

[00:01:02][music] [music] [music] [music] >> In the top stories, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has addressed the launch of a new CARICOM UN framework advancing a public health approach to crime and violence prevention.

[00:01:38]Civil servants are being encouraged to collect and use the new Well Care digital health insurance card system.

[00:01:45]And Calvin Saint Juste says CBR reforms are showing results after recent major awards win for Saint Kitts and Nevis. We have the details of these stories and others right after this break.

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[00:03:12]Welcome to the ZIZ Major Newscast. I'm your presenter this evening, Ebony Brandon.

[00:03:16]Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has called for a regional shift from reaction to prevention in addressing crime and violence across the Caribbean.

[00:03:24]The Prime Minister was addressing the official launch of the CARICOM UNDP diagnostic document and the CARICOM UN action framework on crime and violence prevention now underway at the Marriott Resort.

[00:03:37]The two-day hybrid event brings together regional governments, development partners, judicial representatives, security experts, and United Nations agencies to build a more coordinated approach to prevention. The initiative focuses on moving the away from a response-driven model and towards a public health and human security approach that treats crime and violence as development challenges rooted in social conditions, family stability, health, education, and opportunity.

[00:04:07]always held that nothing can really be done unless there's political will.

[00:04:13]Political will is what allows us to be able to implement policies and to put whatever is necessary behind it um to get it done.

[00:04:24]Dr. Drew welcomed the framework as an important step in building regional consensus, emphasizing that crime and violence cannot be viewed only through a law enforcement lens.

[00:04:35]That the answer is not only law enforcement. I want to stress that law enforcement and the judicial system are critically important. Please, I want that to be said as well. So, I'm not downplaying that in any way.

[00:04:50]I'm simply saying that that alone is not the answer.

[00:04:57]And invariably, when law enforcement and the judicial judicial system really get involved, it's at the end of a long process of bringing somebody to that Discussions are also examining how governments, health systems, social services, justice institutions, and community organizations can better align resources to address the root causes of violence and build long-term resilience.

[00:05:24]science.

[00:05:25]This is data-driven.

[00:05:28]Intelligence-guided.

[00:05:29]This is not guesswork.

[00:05:34]Just as you go up, if you don't do anything to counteract gravity, you will fall down.

[00:05:42]If you implement this, this would be the result that you want.

[00:05:47]The Prime Minister said the framework offers a practical pathway towards stronger regional coordination, sustainable financing, and long-term violence reduction across the Caribbean.

[00:05:58]Executive Chairman of the Citizenship Unit board Calvin Sint Eustace the Federation's performance at the CIU 2026 awards is a strong signal that reforms to the Citizenship by Investment program are delivering results. St. Kitts and Nevis captured four awards including program of the year. Speaking on ZIZ radio Mr. Sint Eustace praised to the work undertaken to reposition and strengthen the program.

[00:06:26]And the last key and most prized award is to be recognized by our peers as program of the year 2026.

[00:06:37]You know, I alluded to 20 months ago where our program was. We were not in a good place.

[00:06:44]We know we had some significant challenges at that point in time and we cannot forget where we came from. And so I true testament to all the I always recognize, you know, the the leadership obviously first from the the Prime Minister in terms of he took a very bold move in making some some really strong reforms and the ministers and cabinet as well.

[00:07:11]But also the board of governors and the leadership at the CIU and every staff member who really rolled up their sleeve and said, "Listen, we're going to make this program not only the best in St. Kitts and Nevis, but we're going to make it the best in the week."

[00:07:24]Mr. Sint Eustace also sought to highlight the wider significance of the recognition for the Federation saying a strong CBI program supports national development. There's just several programs, many many programs around the world. We have we we're no longer competing with just our Caribbean members. We're competing with um developed countries who established similar residency programs as well.

[00:07:50]But the significance of this, it demonstrates that the work we have done, the level of integrity that we've brought back to the program, the governance structure around the program, the operational efficiency around the program, but most importantly, the impact that our in our citizens are seeing and even others in the region that have seen that the revenue is actually being used for social and national development.

[00:08:19]Head of the Civil Service, Thelma Richards, is encouraging eligible persons to take advantage of government's new Well Care digital health insurance card system. Well, if you've listened to the honorable Prime Minister, he has been talking about that ease of access to health care for a very, very long time. And so, I think he has pushed and worked with the NCI to make sure that that access comes to reality. Okay. The system has been introduced for civil servants and others covered under the National Caribbean Insurance. Richards says more than 8,500 people are enrolled, including government auxiliary workers, teachers, nurses, police officers, fire officers, and retirees. She explained that the new digital card reduces the need for large upfront payments at medical facilities with users paying only their share of the cost, while the balance is billed directly to NCI.

[00:09:14]Once they have that card reader, you do not need to pay your portion. You only need to pay your portion of the bill, your 20% of the bill. So, the doctor is $100, you swipe and you pay $20, and NCI is immediately billed that $80.

[00:09:31]She urged persons who missed their original collection date to collect their cards at the Human Resource Management Department at Government Headquarters between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. starting next week.

[00:09:43]After the break, the New Horizon the Rehabilitation Center has been recommissioned following extensive upgrades and SCASPA's Chief Operations Officer Calvin Huggins recently attended a regional workshop focused on port reform and digital transformation. Stay tuned, we have these stories up next.

[00:10:02]This summer, the Caribbean's [music] premier music experience returns.

[00:10:06]Welcome to the 28th edition of the Saint Kitts Music Festival. Featuring the incredible [music] Kehlani, Fantasia, Beres Hammond, Luciano, soca king Machel Montano, soca sensation Voice, and V'ghn.

[00:10:22]Dancehall giant Movado, Aidonia, and the new wave, Valiant.

[00:10:26][music] Also featuring Masicka, Cranium, Tarrus Riley, Steel Pulse, Dean Fraser and the Black Soil Band, Shaniel Muir, Diani, Wah Landi Tat Tat, and Zoo.

[00:10:34]Legendary New Vibes [music] Band International, Brandon and Shanna Band, Shelly and Signal Band, plus Edwin Yearwood and Kollision Band, Lucas AG and Garlic and the Upper Level Band.

[00:10:45]June 25th to June 27th, [music] Warner Park Cricket Stadium, Saint Kitts. Get your tickets now at saintkittsmusicfestival.com.

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[00:15:12]>> [music] >> Welcome back. On Wednesday, the government re-commissioned the New Horizon Rehabilitation Center at its original location in Harris' Village following extensive upgrades. The center established on March 13th, 2013 provides educational and rehabilitative support for at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 18. Since its opening, it has served nearly 100 young people offering guidance and structured support to those in need of intervention.

[00:15:51]The rehabilitation work included major infrastructure improvements such as a new water pump house and storage system, upgrades to sewage and electrical networks, and enhanced security features. Officials say the water system now includes a total storage capacity of 5,000 gallons with a manual backup in place to maintain service during outages. The re-commissioning is being positioned as part of continued efforts to strengthen support systems for vulnerable youth and improve social development services across St. Kitts and Nevis.

[00:16:27]Chief Operations Officer of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority, or SCASPA, Calvin Duggins recently represented the Federation at a high-level regional workshop on port reform, digitalization, and customs cooperation in St. Lucia. The three-day session brought together ministers, permanent secretaries, port and customs officials along with international partners, including the World Bank and European Union. Discussions centered on monetizing maritime gateways across the Eastern Caribbean and strengthening regional trade and logistics systems.

[00:17:02]Participants also emphasized the need for policy, regulatory, and institutional reforms to improve port efficiency, advance digital transformation, and strengthen cooperation between ports and customs authorities.

[00:17:17]The workshop further underscored the importance of greater regional coordination and practical implementation of reform initiatives across the Caribbean.

[00:17:28]That wraps up our national developments this evening, but stay with us. Next in regional news, former Cuban President Raul Castro has been charged in the United States over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes, and police say the investigation into missing 2-year-old Tobagonian has taken a critical turn. We have the details after this.

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[00:20:38][music] We spearheaded the renovation of JNF Hospital lobby to ensure better care for all. The Cable sponsors [music] free Wi-Fi in every community center across St. Kitts so no one is left behind in an increasingly connected world. We stand with communities through every moment, big or small, in culture, education, youth development, [music] and more. Y ahora también comunidad latina, cuenta con nosotros. Estamos con ustedes. And when it comes to customer service, we set [music] the standard.

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[00:21:31]>> [music] >> Welcome back. Former Cuban President Raul Castro has been charged by US federal prosecutors over the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft operated by a Miami-based exile group.

[00:21:47]The indictment accuses Castro, who was Cuba's defense minister at the time, of ordering the shoot down of two planes flown by the group of brothers to rescue, killing four men.

[00:21:58]Five former Cuban military pilots have also been charged. US officials say the planes were unarmed and flying humanitarian missions linked to rescue operations for Cubans attempting to flee the island. The incident has long been one of the lowest points in US-Cuba relations. The charges include murder, conspiracy, and destruction of aircraft, with American authorities saying the move is aimed at delivering long-delayed justice for the victims' families. Cuba has strongly rejected the case with President Miguel Diaz-Canel describing it as politically motivated and defending Cuba's response to what officials at of the time called airspace violations.

[00:22:41]The investigation into the disappearance of two-year-old Angelo Coby in Tobago has taken what police describe as a critical turn. The child was reported missing 10 days ago by his mother.

[00:22:53]Police say seven people, including the child's mother and stepfather, are now being detained for questioning.

[00:23:00]Assistant Commissioner of Police Rishi Singh says investigators are continuing to work diligently towards what he described as a clear and a definitive outcome. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says the matter remains a sensitive one and active investigation with inquiries continuing in line with due process. Media reports claim the child's stepfather alleged the boy was killed and his body disposed of in an area now being searched. However, police have not confirmed those reports.

[00:23:30]Meanwhile, members of the Hunters Search and Rescue team say such efforts are continuing with hopes of bringing closure to the case.

[00:23:40]Coming up next in this evening's international developments, an Ebola treatment center in eastern Congo has been set on fire amid growing tensions over burial practices. And the United Nations top court has affirmed that international labor rules protect the right to strike. Stay tuned, we have these stories up next.

[00:24:02]>> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Starting international developments this evening, health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are facing growing challenges in containing an Ebola outbreak after an attack on a treatment center in the country's east.

[00:25:12]Authorities say people set fire to an Ebola treatment facility in the town of War Pampa after being prevented from removing the body of a local man. The incident highlights tensions between public health measures and local burial traditions as officials work to limit the spread of the highly infectious virus. Health teams have been taking responsibility for burials of suspected victims as the bodies of people who die from Ebola can remain highly contagious.

[00:25:41]However, the policy has sparked frustration among some families who say they are being denied the opportunity to bury their loved ones. The outbreak has been spreading in a region with limited health facilities and ongoing instability caused by armed conflict.

[00:25:58]The United Nations top court has backed workers rights to strike in a landmark legal opinion that could influence labor laws around the world. The International Court of Justice ruled that the right to strike is protected under key international labor treaty despite the word strike not appearing directly in the agreement. The court found that walkout actions are covered under freedom of association protections contained in the International Labor Organization's 1948 convention on the right to organize.

[00:26:30]While the opinion is not legally binding, it carries significant weight and could shape labor standards, employment rules, and international trade agreements.

[00:26:40]Trade unions have welcomed the decision describing the right to strike as essential to workers ability to organize and negotiate. The convention has been ratified by more than 150 countries and is already referenced in a range of global employment guidelines.

[00:26:59]Coming up next in sports this evening, Grayson Burrell is set to become the first sailor from St. Kitts and Nevis to compete at the Optimist North American Championships. And the Democratic Republic of Congo has moved its World Cup preparations overseas amid the Ebola outbreak. Stay with us.

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[00:28:17]12-year-old Grayson Burrell is set to make history as the first sailor from St. Kitts and Nevis to compete at the Optimist North American Championships.

[00:28:25]The prestigious youth sailing event runs from May 21st to 28th in Halifax, Canada and will feature some of the top young sailors from across North America, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Around 172 young athletes are expected to compete in what is widely regarded as one of the premier events in Optimist sailing.

[00:28:47]Grayson's participation marks a major personal milestone while also representing a significant moment for the development of youth sailing in St. Kitts and Nevis. Officials say the achievement reflects growing interest and investment in the sport as young athletes continue to gain exposure on the regional and international stage.

[00:29:08]In other news, the Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team has moved its World Cup preparations overseas following the Ebola outbreak in the country's east. Team officials have called off a planned 3-day training camp in Kinshasa along with a fan farewell event as health authorities continue to respond to the outbreak. Officials say the outbreak linked to a rare strain of the virus has resulted in hundreds of suspected of cases and dozens of deaths prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern. The change in plans means the team will continue its World Cup build-up abroad with friendly matches scheduled against Denmark and Chile. The squad is then expected to travel to its training base in the United States ahead of the tournament.

[00:29:58]That wraps up sport this evening. When we come back, we'll have another look at the headlines.

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[00:30:42]>> [music] >> Now for another look at this evening's top stories. Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has addressed the launch of a new CARICOM UN framework advancing a public health approach to crime and violence prevention.

[00:31:08]Civil servants are being encouraged to collect and use the new well care digital health insurance card system.

[00:31:14]And Calvin St. Juste says CBI reforms are showing results after recent major awards win for St. Kitts and Nevis.

[00:31:23]That brings us to a close of this evening's major newscast. I want to thank you so much for tuning in to ZIZ.

[00:31:28]I've been your presenter, Ebony Brandon.