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Business, Travel

No More New York-San Juan Flights on American Airlines Soon

Published 11 April 2017

NEW YORK, United States, Tuesday April 11, 2017 – After 46 years of flying non-stop between New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico, American Airlines (AA) is bringing that service to an end.

On August 21, 2017, AA’s last flight from John F King International Airport (JFK) to San Juan will leave at 7:45 p.m. The following day, the last flight from San Juan to JFK will leave at 9 a.m., discontinuing a route it has flown since the early 1970s.

AA spokeswoman LaKesha Beown told USA Today in a statement that the decision to cancel the service was a “difficult” one.

“We continually evaluate our network, looking at supply and demand for each route we serve. We want to ensure our fleet and crews are serving routes that are profitable, better positioning us for long term success against global competition,” she said.

The airline will continue to fly 21 daily flights between San Juan and five of its other hubs: Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami and Philadelphia.

Business, Health, Local news

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine Receives NIH Grant to Study Transmission of Mosquito-Borne Diseases

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170207005161/en/Ross-University-School-Veterinary-Medicine-Receives-NIH #

Published 10 April 2017

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In recent years, mosquito-transmitted arboviruses such as chikungunya, dengue and Zika, have emerged as global public health threats. Scientists are still unsure as to how these viruses spread from their natural hosts, non-human primates in Africa and Asia, to people – resulting in epidemics around the world. Researchers at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (Ross) have been awarded a grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study these viruses and advance our understanding of how they may be transmitted between animals and humans.Ross received grant from @NIAIDNews to study transmission of #chikungunya, #dengue and #Zika.

The research will investigate whether African Green Monkeys are infected with arboviruses in the five ecosystems present on the island of St. Kitts, identify the mosquitoes that may be involved in the transmission of the viruses among the monkeys, and probe how the virus is spread amongst people on the island.

“Without readily available vaccines and specific treatment for many arboviruses, it is critical to understand their transmission cycles in order to control the spread of the diseases they cause,” said Patrick Kelly, BVSC, Ph.D., Ross professor of small animal medicine, who is the principal investigator for this project. “This better understanding of the roles non-human primates play in the epidemiology of arboviral diseases will lead to improved surveillance and control strategies for the diseases.”

Kelly said the findings of this study could potentially help scientists who are studying the transmission dynamics of the viruses in other regions of the world, including Africa, South America and Asia.

“Our university’s location in the tropics provides an ideal backdrop for conducting surveillance and research programs of strategic importance to the developing world,” said Sean Callanan, dean at Ross. “This project leverages our skilled scientists and advanced research facilities to tackle one of the most pressing health issues of the 21^st century.”

Led by Ross, the research is a collaborative effort with investigators at Kansas State University and the University of Georgia. The grant was awarded by NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (grant number 1R21AI128407-01). It is the first NIH grant awarded to a research team at Ross.

About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (Ross), founded in 1982, is committed to preparing students to become members and leaders of the worldwide public and professional healthcare team and to advance human, animal and ecosystem health through research and knowledge exchange. Ross has focused research programs with an emphasis on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine, and ecosystem health. Ross offers postgraduate Masters’, Ph.D. and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board. The DVM program also holds accredited status from the American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org). Ross is a part of DeVry Education Group (NYSE:DV). For more information about Ross, visit www.rossu.edu/vet.

Education, Health

Dr. Terrance Drew named a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine

http://sknpulse.com/dr-drew-named-diplomate/ #

Published 10 April 2017

Photo Caption: Local Medical Practitioner, Dr. Terrance Drew

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Local medical practitioner, Dr Terrance Drew has been named a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Drew, who hails from St. Peter’s, St. Kitts, completed his medical school studies at the University of Villa Clara Cuba , from 1998- 2005 where he graduated with first class honours.

After successfully completing his studies in Cuba, Dr. Drew journeyed to Jamaica where he took up the position of medical intern, but after careful consideration, he gave up this position and returned to St. Kitts, to work in the Ministry of Health as a general practitioner. He worked in many areas with doctors in several specialists fields who served as mentors and guides in his new career.

At the J. N. France General Hospital, he worked on the Medical Ward with Dr. Bichara Saheley, on the Surgical Ward with Dr. Desmond Fosbery, Paediatrics with Dr. Ian Jacobs and A & E with Dr. Retna Walwyn, who all contributed to his success in some way.

Later, Dr. Drew moved on to private practice where Dr. Desmond Fosbery was very instrumental as he turned over his office to Dr. Drew and to whom Dr. Drew has said he would always be grateful.

Dr. Drew worked for a full five years completing the years of his bond and looked towards a new chapter in his career, that of becoming a specialist in medicine.

His decision to go to the United States was met with much opposition as he was told that because he studied in Cuba that it would be very difficult.

Not daunted by this challenge, Dr. Drew studied for his USMLE (United States Medical License Exam) and passed, ranking among the exams top performers. In 2010, Dr. Drew received a residency position in internal medicine in Texas and although the process was long, challenging and expensive, journeyed to US State and began his studies. Three years later he fully completed his studies and despite the many lucrative contracts offered to him he decided to return home to contribute once again to his country.

Dr. Drew is a fully trained internist and was eligible to be licensed in any state of the USA, despite false statements that he had not completed his studies.

The latest good news is that he is now a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Asked about his future plans with such a prestigious achievement, Dr. Drew said: “My goal is to work to ensure that the health system in St. Kitts and Nevis meets the needs of our people and rank among the best in the Caribbean.”

He pointed out that the present system is in shambles and needs capable leadership at the highest level.

St. Kitts and Nevis takes this opportunity to congratulate our very own Dr. Terrance Drew, Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Education, Local news, News

The Verchilds High School Scout Group just return from Nevis.

Published 10 April 2017

The Verchilds High School Scout Group just return from Nevis. The group held its Easter Camp at the Cotton Ground Community Centre with 42 boys in attendace. Troop Leader Petros Peets of form 3v1 said that the camp was great and the campers learnt a lot from the sessions. The boys took part in preparing meals, indoor and outdoor games, devotions. The highlight of the camp is a session which was conducted by Pastor Shorn Edwards, the Senior Office on the Prison Farm in Nevis. Pastor Shorn spoke to the campers about good behavior and the consequence of bad behavior. He also spoke to them about the workings of the Prison and why it is so important that none of the campers should get into prison. The campers enjoyed the Tour of the Four Seasons Hotel. The campers could not believe that the Four Seasons Hotel were that big and beautiful. Thanks to the staff who took so good care of us during the tour.

Business, Economics, News

St Kitts-Nevis government to introduce campaign finance law

http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-St-Kitts-Nevis-government-to-introduce-campaign-finance-law-34036.html #

Published 7 April, 2017

By Ken Richards

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (WINN) — Campaign financing is part of the St Kitts and Nevis government’s good governance legislative agenda, Prime Minister Timothy Harris confirmed on Wednesday at a press conference.

The prime minister was responding to a question about how much of a priority for the administration that issue is.

“Campaign financing that is part of good governance and that is a matter that is there, when that particular program is put to the public then the public will be advised of it. You brought in too, the mischief being propagated by persons who are no longer with the PLP in large measure because of that mischief.”

Harris was referring to a question from WINN FM about allegations from three former executive members of Harris’s Peoples Labour Party (PLP), allegations of unaccounted for campaign funds.

The prime minister told reporters that legal action had already been initiated on that matter.

Citing an apology he had received from one media house on the issue, Harris suggested that others could find themselves before the court on the unaccounted for campaign funds allegations.

“I would therefore caution those who want to propagate those mischief, that they will answer to the court. I myself, is not going to get into any to or fro but it is discouraging when media houses attempt to take hearsay without a scintilla of evidence from disaffected persons and attempt to propagate it as if there is some truth in it. Not one scintilla of evidence and that has been reported not just by myself, but by senior members of the party.

“In fact all you have from those stories are some hearsay. Not one credible bit of evidence has been put in the public domain, so why are we talking about this hearsay and propaganda that people are attempting to put on social media for others to follow. I have taken legal action because ultimately that is where the matter will resolve itself,” Harris said.

Former PLP deputy leader Sam Condor, chairman Douglas Wattley and secretary Clecton Phillip have been calling for an inquiry into the alleged unaccounted for campaign funds.

The three are no longer executive members of the PLP, after a new executive was voted in at the party’s recent convention.

They continue to maintain however, that there is need for an inquiry into the matter.

WINN FM’s follow-up question pointing this out didn’t find favour with Harris.

“Yes but if it is a question to do with the PLP, please that is a matter already before lawyers and I will not entertain any questions to do with that matter,” he said.

WINN FM wished to follow up on a statement that the prime minister made by pointing out that the allegations were not coming from persons on the street but from three persons who were executive members.

“For the record I am not entertaining that discussion at an appropriate forum of the PLP you could perhaps put that to the PLP. I am dealing here as the prime minister with matters relevant to the government and the accusation of members, whoever they are, of the PLP have no bearing on the functioning of this government and they are not matters that I raised or matters that I figure a press conference of the government should be diverted to,” the prime minister replied.

Republished with permission of West Indies News Network