In a high-profile court hearing held Tuesday at the Serious Offences Court in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a sitting officer of the national police force has found himself at the center of multiple overlapping criminal investigations, sparking heated debate over procedural fairness and institutional transparency. Prosecutor Inspector Renrick Cato made the bombshell disclosure that Police Constable Phillip Arrindell, who currently faces a single charge of theft, is a named suspect in an ongoing probe into attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. Arrindell appeared before the court this week to answer to the theft allegation, which accuses him of stealing a Suzuki vehicle key belonging to Jahriel Griffin, a resident of Villa, between March 15 and 20, 2026, in the area spanning Kingstown to Calliaqua. The officer has formally entered a not guilty plea to the theft charge. Cato urged Chief Magistrate Colin John to reject any application for bail and remand Arrindell into custody for a seven-day period to allow investigators to wrap up their work on the more serious criminal allegations. The prosecutor argued that releasing Arrindell on bail would create an unacceptable risk that he would tamper with evidence, intimidate witnesses, or otherwise obstruct the ongoing investigations. The request for pre-trial detention was immediately challenged by Arrindell’s defense counsel, Grant Connell, who denounced the prosecution’s position as fundamentally unfair, describing the broader investigation into the attempted murder and firearm charges as a baseless “fishing expedition” that lacks credible evidence. Connell told the court that his client has already been held in police custody since Monday, and he detailed a troubling experience when he attempted to access Arrindell at the local police station. According to the defense lawyer, station staff initially denied that Arrindell was being held at the facility, only for Connell to encounter an elderly woman outside the station who confirmed the officer was indeed in custody. This discrepancy, Connell argued, has eroded trust in the institutional process, noting that the incident deviates from the fundamental legal principle that guides the jurisdiction: that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead, the defense claimed, law enforcement appears to be operating under a reversed standard where Arrindell is assumed guilty and forced to prove his own innocence. Connell further revealed that he had obtained a formal notice indicating that Arrindell has already been suspended from the police force on unpaid leave, a move he described as “draconian” and evidence of a personal vendetta against his client. Prosecutor Cato responded that he had no prior knowledge of any unpaid suspension for the defendant. In a sharp rebuke of the prosecution’s case, Connell told the court he planned to conduct a rigorous cross-examination of all prosecution witnesses when the case goes to trial, saying “We will do the post mortem during trial, not after.” After considering the prosecution’s argument that Arrindell poses a flight risk and a threat to the integrity of the investigation, Chief Magistrate John ultimately ruled to deny bail and scheduled the next hearing in the case for Tuesday, April 7.
作者： admin
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Global Agencies Form Taskforce to Tackle Economic Fallout from Middle East War
As an ongoing military conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel stretches on, ripple effects have begun to destabilize the global economy, with warning from economic analysts that these disruptions could persist for months or even years. In a proactive response to the growing crisis, three of the world’s most influential multilateral institutions — the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Bank Group — have joined forces to form a dedicated coordination taskforce aimed at lessening the conflict’s broad energy and economic damage.
The joint announcement, made via a public media statement from Washington D.C. on Wednesday afternoon, lays out the urgent need for unified action amid unprecedented market turmoil. Per the statement, the Middle East conflict has already claimed untold damage to livelihoods across the region and triggered one of the most severe global energy supply shortages in modern history. Unlike economic shocks from past regional conflicts, the current fallout is deeply asymmetric, placing the heaviest burden on energy-importing nations, particularly low-income economies that lack the policy buffer to absorb sudden price spikes.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, targeted strikes on critical regional oil infrastructure have sent crude and natural gas prices soaring. Iran has also halted commercial vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical chokepoint for global commodity trade, which handles roughly a fifth of the world’s daily oil consumption. The disruption extends far beyond energy markets: higher fertilizer costs have sparked fears of imminent food price inflation, while key global supply chains for critical materials including helium, phosphate, and aluminum have been thrown off course. Flight disruptions at major Gulf aviation hubs have also hit international tourism hard, erasing revenue for destinations that depend on international travel.
The cascading shocks have already spiked widespread market volatility, weakened currency valuations across emerging markets, and shifted inflation expectations higher. These developments have raised the specter of forced monetary policy tightening across major economies, which would further drag down already slowing global growth projections. Both the IMF and World Bank have issued repeated warnings about the conflict’s impact on the global economic outlook in recent weeks, stressing that the ultimate scale of damage will be tied directly to how long the conflict remains unresolved.
In an environment of extreme economic uncertainty, institutional leaders emphasized that coordinated action is non-negotiable. “It is paramount that our institutions join forces to monitor developments, align analysis, and coordinate support to policymakers to navigate this crisis,” the statement noted, adding that targeted support is especially critical for the countries most exposed to downstream disruptions, which often face limited policy room to maneuver and already carry unsustainable debt loads. Among the regions identified as most at risk is the Caribbean, which relies almost entirely on imported fuel and food to sustain its population and economy.
The newly formed taskforce has outlined three core pillars for its coordinated response. First, it will conduct a granular, global assessment of impact severity through standardized cross-institutional data sharing, covering energy market dynamics, trade flows, fiscal and balance of payments pressures, inflation trajectories, commodity export restrictions, and supply chain breakdowns. Second, it will align response mechanisms, including delivering targeted policy guidance to national governments, evaluating country-specific financing needs, deploying concessional financing and other forms of financial support, and rolling out risk mitigation tools where market volatility creates unmanageable exposure. Third, the taskforce will coordinate with a broad network of stakeholders, including other multilateral bodies, regional development organizations, and bilateral donor partners, to deliver efficient, unified support to vulnerable countries in need. The group also noted it will draw on the technical expertise of other specialized international organizations to address niche challenges emerging from the conflict.
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Nevis Geothermal Project Advances with August Drilling Target
CHARLESTOWN, Nevis — In a major milestone for the Caribbean island’s quest for energy independence, Nevis Premier Mark Brantley has officially confirmed that the long-planned national geothermal energy project is on track to launch drilling operations by August 2026, following detailed planning sessions with the selected contractor, Iceland Drilling.
During his regular monthly press briefing held Monday, Brantley shared that technical representatives from Iceland Drilling completed an on-site inspection of the project area last week, where they formalized their aggressive operational timeline. The firm has committed to full mobilization and the start of core drilling activities by the August target, a timeline Brantley says he is cautiously optimistic the team will meet.
“During my discussions with the Iceland Drilling delegation, they laid out a clear, ambitious schedule to get all equipment and personnel in place ahead of the August start date,” Brantley told reporters. “Right now, their drilling rig is already en route to Iceland for necessary repairs and custom retrofitting, after which it will sail directly to Nevis to begin work. Getting this drilling phase underway will be a transformative leap forward for our geothermal development goals.”
The updated project timeline comes as a much-needed boost for both the Nevis Island Administration and the broader Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, which is already facing growing economic pressure from skyrocketing global fossil fuel prices. These price spikes have been driven by escalating geopolitical tensions linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with ripple effects hitting small island economies heavily dependent on imported energy.
Brantley emphasized that ongoing global instability, centered on major oil-producing regions including the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, has created a sustained period of market volatility. Major global energy players including Russia, Venezuela, Iran and key Gulf Cooperation Council nations are all facing overlapping political and economic disruptions that have pushed crude oil and energy costs steadily higher. Brantley warned that Nevis residents should prepare for an extended period of elevated prices for fuel, electricity, and essential goods, as rising energy costs flow through every sector of the local economy.
The current global energy crisis has underscored the urgent strategic importance of Nevis’ geothermal project for the entire federation, Brantley noted. The initiative is core to the government’s policy agenda to boost national energy security and cut longstanding reliance on costly imported fossil fuels.
Brantley also pointed to the direct, tangible impacts of global conflict that are already being felt across Nevis’ local economy, pushing back against the common perception that distant geopolitical events do not affect small Caribbean islands. “Fishermen have no option but to raise fish prices because their fuel costs are climbing. Bus operators have to increase fares for the same reason,” he explained. “Too often, we see conflicts playing out on international news channels like CNN or BBC and write them off as distant problems that have nothing to do with us. But that’s not the case — the impacts of these tensions are felt right here, on the streets and in the markets of Nevis, and that’s a reality we all need to recognize.”
The project update, delivered during Brantley’s scheduled Monday press briefing, confirms that Nevis remains on track to advance one of the Caribbean’s most high-profile renewable energy infrastructure projects this year.
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Baní Bypass to operate one-way for Easter traffic control
PERAVIA — Authorities from the Dominican Republic’s National Institute of Traffic and Land Transportation (DIGESETT) have rolled out a targeted traffic management adjustment ahead of the Easter holiday rush, announcing that the Baní Bypass will switch to a temporary southbound-only configuration starting Wednesday afternoon. This strategic shift is designed to streamline movement along the critical corridor that thousands of holidaymakers use to reach popular destinations in the country’s southern provinces.
To accommodate the expected wave of return traffic heading back to the capital after the long weekend, the directional arrangement will be reversed on Easter Sunday. On that day, the entire bypass will operate as a single northbound lane, with all traffic permitted to travel only from the southern region toward Santo Domingo. This phased adjustment is intended to cut down on long delays and gridlock that typically plague major travel routes during peak holiday arrival and departure periods.
The traffic plan was formally unveiled by DIGESETT spokesperson Rafael Tejeda Baldera during the official launch of the agency’s annual “Conscience for Life” road safety operation in Peravia. Beyond the infrastructure adjustment, officials have issued a public appeal to all motorists traveling over the holiday. Drivers are strongly encouraged to comply with posted traffic regulations, adhere to speed limits, and follow on-the-ground instructions from deployed traffic personnel to minimize the risk of accidents and keep the road network operating safely for all users.
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Puerto Plata to welcome 54 cruise ships in April 2026
The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism has unveiled a landmark update for the country’s northern cruise sector, confirming that the popular coastal destination of Puerto Plata will welcome 54 scheduled cruise ship calls in April 2026. This announcement underscores the steady, long-term expansion of cruise tourism across the Dominican Republic’s northern coastline.
The scheduled arrivals will be split between two major local port facilities: the well-established Amber Cove terminal will host 19 cruise ship operations, while the growing Taíno Bay port will accommodate the remaining 35 calls, reflecting the increasing capacity and demand for cruise stops in the region.
David Collado, the Dominican Republic’s Tourism Minister, attributed the cruise sector’s consistent strong performance to a targeted national strategy that prioritizes long-term infrastructure planning, rigorous daily operational monitoring, and ongoing upgrades to the services delivered to international visitors. Collado noted that this intentional, visitor-focused approach has significantly boosted the country’s competitive standing among top cruise destinations across the Caribbean, a region that draws millions of cruise passengers every year.
Local tourism leadership echoed Collado’s optimism, emphasizing that the early announcement of the 2026 April schedule creates unique opportunities for advance operational planning. With clear advance knowledge of arrival volumes, stakeholders can refine passenger flow management, streamline communication and collaboration between port operators, local tour providers, and national government agencies, and eliminate last-minute logistical bottlenecks that can detract from visitor experiences.
Industry and government projections indicate that the higher volume of cruise arrivals will deliver widespread benefits across Puerto Plata’s local economy. Beyond boosting the revenue of local tourism-dependent businesses, the increased passenger footfall is expected to drive incremental improvements in service standards, help refine visitor experience offerings, and create additional informal and formal employment opportunities for local residents.
With consistent strategic planning and close cross-institutional coordination, Puerto Plata is continuing to solidify its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s premier cruise tourism hubs, attracting growing numbers of major cruise lines and their passengers year after year.
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Conflict tussen VS en Iran bereikt beslissend moment
Tensions between the United States and Iran have entered a defining, high-stakes phase that threatens broader regional instability and ripple effects across the global economy, top U.S. defense officials have warned.
On Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the coming days will shape the entire trajectory of the escalating standoff. The latest escalation came on March 31, when an Iranian attack targeted the fully loaded Kuwaiti-flagged crude oil tanker Al-Salmi anchored off the coast of Dubai, sparking a fire on board the vessel. The strike, confirmed by photos released by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, followed weeks of intensifying military and rhetorical exchanges between the two sides.
In direct response to U.S. military pressure, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a stark new threat: Tehran published a list of 18 U.S. companies that will be considered legitimate targets starting Wednesday. The roster includes major American technology and defense giants spanning Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla and Boeing. The White House quickly issued a counterstatement, confirming that U.S. armed forces are fully positioned to mitigate any potential attacks and respond decisively to Iranian aggression.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict continue to hang in the balance amid a fragile standoff between threats and quiet outreach. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi rejected U.S. communications delivered through special envoy Steve Witkoff, dismissing the messages as nothing more than third-party threats rather than genuine negotiating proposals. Despite a month of heavy fighting that has killed thousands of people and put global energy supplies under unprecedented strain, diplomatic sources confirm that backchannel discussions between the two sides remain ongoing.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to Tehran: if Iran refuses to sign a peace agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint through which a fifth of global oil exports pass, he will order the complete destruction of Iranian energy infrastructure. Trump has also publicly criticized U.S. allies, most notably the United Kingdom, for failing to provide sufficient support to American military operations in the region.
The ongoing conflict has exposed deep divisions within the NATO alliance. France and Italy have adopted cautious stances, refusing to back several recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. Pope Leo has also publicly called on Trump to prioritize a diplomatic offramp to reduce the ongoing cycle of violence.
The Iranian attack on the Al-Salmi tanker has already sent shockwaves through global energy markets, driving a sharp temporary spike in crude oil prices. Brent crude futures notched a historic 64% surge across the month of March, peaking above $118 per barrel. For Trump, soaring fuel prices carry significant domestic political risk ahead of upcoming U.S. midterm elections, with higher energy costs already putting pressure on American household budgets.
On the military front, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine reported that targeted strikes on Iranian weapons research and production facilities have steadily eroded Tehran’s military capabilities. U.S. officials claim more than 150 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed in the campaign, and Defense Secretary Hegseth added that widespread desertions are now being reported within Iranian military ranks.
Despite these setbacks for Tehran, the conflict continues to expand across the Middle East. Israel launched a new round of airstrikes targeting 20 Iranian weapons sites and a military research facility. In Yemen, Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have stepped up attacks against Israeli targets. Most recently, Turkey announced it intercepted and shot down an Iranian ballistic missile that entered its airspace, marking a new escalation that draws an additional regional power into the crisis.
International calls for de-escalation are growing from global actors. Pakistan and China have jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and urgent peace negotiations. The foreign ministers of both nations met in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss the urgent need to lower tensions and avoid a full-scale regional war.
Yet Iran has shown no sign of backing down amid mounting international pressure. Its continued hardline stance has pushed the conflict toward further escalation, putting both Middle Eastern stability and the health of the entire global economy at severe ongoing risk.
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Govia Outlines Structure, Powers of New Festivals Commission in Senate Debate
During a Tuesday session of the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda, Senate Majority Leader Shenella Govia laid out a comprehensive breakdown of the landmark Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Bill 2026, a piece of legislation designed to transform the island nation’s approach to national festival management by establishing a formal, legally grounded, and financially independent framework for major cultural events.
For years, national celebrations such as the iconic annual Carnival and the widely popular One Nation concert have operated under less structured administrative arrangements, leading to gaps in accountability, delayed payments to vendors, and scattered lines of responsibility. The 2026 bill seeks to address these longstanding challenges by creating a dedicated, statutory corporate body: the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, which will hold independent legal standing analogous to other well-established government entities like the national Tourism Authority.
Under the proposed legislation, the newly formed commission will be granted a broad set of explicit powers to streamline every stage of festival planning and execution. These authorities include the ability to negotiate and sign contracts with performers, service providers, and suppliers; generate revenue through ticket sales, venue concessions, official branding licensing, and corporate sponsorships; hire third-party agents, consultants, and event promoters; and build collaborative partnerships with local government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international cultural organizations. To ensure robust legal oversight, a representative from the Attorney General’s office will hold a seat on the commission’s governing board, enabling faster contract review and compliance checks. The board is mandated to hold at least one regular meeting per month, with additional sessions scheduled during peak festival planning periods to keep preparations on track.
Day-to-day operations of the commission will be overseen by an appointed Chief Executive Officer, who will be responsible for implementing board decisions, managing commissioned staff, and allocating resources. A dedicated financial controller will also be appointed to monitor all financial activity and ensure full compliance with national public finance regulations. To avoid disruptions to ongoing festival planning during the transition, Govia noted that existing public sector staff currently assigned to festival coordination may be seconded to the new commission, preserving institutional knowledge and ensuring continuity.
A central, innovative component of the bill is the creation of a dedicated Festivals Commission Fund, which will be classified as public finances but maintained as a separate, ring-fenced resource. The fund will draw revenue from three primary sources: annual parliamentary allocations, special Cabinet-approved grants for large-scale events, and independent revenue generated by the commission through sponsorships, licensing, and ticket sales. Govia emphasized that this dedicated fund is designed to reduce the commission’s reliance on the national consolidated fund, enabling faster, more flexible payments to service providers at a time when staging Carnival alone costs between $5 million and $7 million. To guarantee full financial transparency and accountability, the legislation enforces strict oversight requirements: the commission must maintain approved bank accounts with designated signatories, submit annual budgets ahead of each fiscal year, publish regular public reports on all income and expenditure, and adhere fully to the provisions of the national Finance Administration Act.
Beyond administrative and financial reforms, the bill grants the commission authority to set binding operational rules for all festivals, including mandatory safety standards for participants, vendors, and attendees. Specific regulatory powers include designating and managing parade routes, enforcing safety requirements for parade vehicles, and coordinating crowd control measures to protect public safety. The commission will also hold exclusive rights to license official festival branding, enabling it to regulate unauthorized use of official logos and generate additional revenue through official merchandising agreements. It may also impose participation fees for vendors and events, though Govia confirmed that popular subsidized programs like free children’s activities will remain accessible under the new structure.
Govia clarified that the new commission will not replace the existing Department of Culture or other established cultural bodies. Instead, the legislation clearly delineates roles and responsibilities between the new commission and existing agencies, eliminating overlap and allowing both entities to operate more effectively. The reform, she argued, will strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s capacity to deliver world-class cultural events and reinforce the country’s standing as a top regional cultural tourism destination.
After concluding her detailed presentation, Govia formally commended the bill to the Senate for consideration. The legislation forms a core part of the Antigua and Barbuda government’s broader agenda to strengthen public governance and expand the economic footprint of the nation’s fast-growing cultural industries.
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International Athletes Head To Antigua And Barbuda As Tourism Authority Backs 12th Aua Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest
The 12th iteration of the highly anticipated AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest, scheduled to unfold across April 11 and 12, 2026, has secured a continued gold sponsorship from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. This ongoing collaboration reflects a unified strategic goal: to cement the twin-island nation’s reputation as a top-tier global sports tourism destination, leveraging elite endurance competition to highlight the archipelago’s one-of-a-kind natural splendor.
Even with registration still open to new participants, the 2026 event has already drawn impressive international interest, with more than 100 registered athletes traveling from across the Caribbean, North America, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. The largest delegations hail from Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and the United States, while additional competitors are set to arrive from a diverse roster of nations including Canada, Guadeloupe, Ireland, the UK, Australia, Poland, Jamaica, and Cuba. This broad geographic turnout underscores the event’s rapidly expanding global footprint and cross-border appeal.
Colin C. James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, emphasized the long-term value of the partnership. “The AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest serves as a critical platform for establishing Antigua and Barbuda as a leading global sports tourism hub,” James explained. “This event showcases the very best our country has to offer, from our jaw-dropping landscapes and crystal-clear, pristine coastal waters to our proven ability to host seamless, high-caliber international events. As athletes travel from every corner of the region and the world to compete, the festival generates tangible, lasting economic benefits for local communities while spreading awareness of our destination across the globe.”
Rory Butler, Event Director of the AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest, echoed James’s enthusiasm, noting that sustained institutional support from the tourism authority has allowed organizers to elevate the event to new professional heights. “The ongoing backing from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority enables us to take the AUA Rohrman to the next level,” Butler said. “Not only are we welcoming elite and amateur athletes from across the world, but we can now showcase Antigua and Barbuda in a truly world-class format, through high-resolution video and professional photography that captures the unfiltered essence of our islands.”
The tourism authority’s sponsorship investment will play a foundational role in boosting the event’s international standing, funding elite video production, professional on-location photography, and expanded global marketing campaigns that center Antigua and Barbuda’s natural assets. This support will help share the unparalleled experience of racing through some of the Caribbean’s most scenic, untouched coastal and mountain landscapes with a global audience, firmly placing the twin-island nation on the map for international endurance sports enthusiasts.
Unlike many regional endurance events, the AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest delivers a deeply immersive experience that guides athletes through some of Antigua and Barbuda’s most iconic natural locations, including Rendezvous Bay, Wallings Nature Reserve, Cade Peak, Carlisle Bay, and Morris Bay. From uneven, rugged coastal hiking trails and steep, challenging ascents to powdery pristine beaches and vivid turquoise open waters, the race offers one of the most diverse and visually striking competition environments in the entire Caribbean.
With only a few weeks remaining before registration closes, event organizers are urging interested athletes of all skill levels to reserve their spots quickly. The festival is designed to accommodate a wide range of participants, with offerings including a 5K walk/run, 7K, 16K, and 25K trail races, 2K and 4K open water swims, sprint and Olympic-distance triathlons, and a dedicated kids’ triathlon category.
First launched in 2012, the AUA Rohrman Trail & Swim Fest has grown over more than a decade to become Antigua and Barbuda’s preeminent endurance sports festival, pairing world-class competitive action with unforgettable access to the nation’s natural beauty. For its 12th edition, the event continues to draw global athletic talent while celebrating the twin islands’ unique natural landscape and vibrant local sporting culture.
Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, Antigua and Barbuda welcomes visitors with two distinct island experiences, year-round warm temperatures, a rich colonial and cultural history, lively local traditions, thrilling outdoor adventures, award-winning luxury resorts, diverse local and international cuisine, and 365 postcard-perfect pink and white sand beaches – one for every day of the year.
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ABAA Athletes Receive Motivation Boost from Ambassador Melissa Seaforth Ahead of CARIFTA
As regional athletics competition draws near, young track and field athletes from Antigua and Barbuda got a rare boost of guidance and inspiration ahead of their trip to the CARIFTA Games, during a special preparation workshop hosted by the Antigua Barbuda Athletic Association (ABAA).
Leading the interactive session was Melissa Seaforth, a decorated local sports star who holds the title of back-to-back Sportswoman of the Year for 2024 and 2025. As a professional bodybuilder and the reigning 2025 IFBB Pro Masters World Champion, Seaforth brought firsthand, elite-level experience to the table when talking to the upcoming generation of competitors. She centered her talk on the dual challenges of top-tier competition: the intense physical demands of elite sport and just as critical, the mental stamina required to succeed on a big regional stage.
Seaforth walked the assembled athletes through actionable strategies for everything from structuring training in the final weeks before a major event to pushing through fatigue during grueling preparation blocks. She also emphasized how to deliver peak results when all eyes are on them during competition. A core takeaway from her talk was the 5 P’s principle — Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance — which she framed as the fundamental foundation for any athlete looking to achieve their competitive goals. She stressed that consistent discipline and intentional pre-competition planning are just as important as natural talent for long-term success in sport.
Unlike a standard keynote speech, the workshop was built for open engagement. Athletes took the opportunity to ask Seaforth specific questions about personal challenges they face, ranging from managing pre-competition anxiety to sustaining focus through multi-event schedules. This open exchange allowed young competitors to get personalized advice tailored to their own experiences leading up to the Games.
ABAA leadership publicly thanked Seaforth for donating her time and expertise to mentor the national team. Officials noted that her perspective as a successful elite athlete offers a unique form of support that goes beyond standard coaching, and they expect her insights to leave a lasting positive impact on the young team as they put the final touches on their preparations for the regional championship.
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Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Collaborates With Music Producer Kitwana Israel
The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) is moving forward with a targeted, longstanding pledge to grow and elevate the country’s burgeoning music ecosystem, forging a new strategic partnership with celebrated Caribbean music producer and songwriter Kitwana Israel, founder of AdvoKit Productions.
Boasting more than 10 years of hands-on professional experience in the global music space, Israel brings a deep well of industry expertise and extensive cross-regional connections to the collaborative initiative. Having built his career delivering projects across the Caribbean, the United States, and continental Africa, he has earned widespread acclaim for crafting high-caliber, culturally rooted music that connects with audiences both at home and across international markets.
Israel’s production discography reads as a who’s who of modern Caribbean hitmaking. His standout credits include *Ola (Kan Kan Riddim)* performed by Olatunji Yearwood, *Hello (Folklore Riddim)* from Kes, and *Buss Head*, a fan-favorite collaboration between Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin. He has also produced charting tracks including *Tender* and *Anxiety* for Patrice Roberts, *DAP (Drink and Party)* for Viking Ding Dong, *Come Home* for the pairing of Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous, and *Take Me Home* for Trinidadian collective Freetown Collective. Most recently, he released *Doux Darlin* for rising artist Christo, a project that has further solidified his reputation as a leading architect of contemporary Caribbean sound.
In comments on the new partnership, Israel opened up about his current work on the island, where he is already collaborating with local creators to develop a custom rhythm crafted exclusively for the annual Antigua Carnival. The core goal of the project, he explained, is to center the distinct sound and identity of Antiguan music on a global stage. “Being here and working in the same space with local artistes like Tian and DJ Quest has been an incredible experience,” Israel said. “There’s a unique energy that can’t be replicated anywhere else, and we’re channelling that into music that can resonate not only in Antigua but across the Caribbean and internationally. This project is about creating timeless music that reflects the culture, the people, and the spirit of the island.”
ABFC Chairperson Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul reiterated the commission’s unwavering commitment to investing in the country’s creative economy, echoing the priorities laid out by national leadership. Minister Daryll S. Matthew, who serves in the Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, highlighted why cross-sector partnerships like this one are foundational to the future of Antigua and Barbuda’s creative sector.
“Investing in our creative industries is critical to national development and levelling up our artistes,” Matthew explained. He noted that this collaboration builds on a successful track record of empowering local talent, pointing to 2023’s Music Producers’ Masterclass: Audio Essentials, led by industry veteran Kasey Phillips. That initiative, like the new partnership with Israel, was designed to upskill local creators, strengthen the domestic music ecosystem, and build pathways for long-term, sustainable growth for the sector.
“By facilitating knowledge transfer and real-time collaboration, we are ensuring that our creatives are equipped with the tools and exposure needed to succeed beyond our shores,” Matthew added.