作者: admin

  • Antigua cruise terminal partnership hailed as ‘transformational’

    Antigua cruise terminal partnership hailed as ‘transformational’

    Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation through its strategic alliance with Global Ports Holding Ltd (GPH), according to Tourism Minister Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez. The minister’s remarks came during the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed cruise terminal located on Lower Newgate Street, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s maritime infrastructure development.

    The collaboration, formalized through a comprehensive 2019 agreement, represents a calculated governmental strategy to secure Antigua and Barbuda’s competitive positioning within the rapidly evolving global cruise industry. Fernandez emphasized that this partnership extends beyond mere physical infrastructure, creating vital connections between international visitors and local cultural experiences, commercial enterprises, and community networks.

    GPH’s involvement has introduced international operational standards, enhanced efficiency protocols, and implemented a forward-looking development framework that has fundamentally redefined the nation’s cruise tourism proposition. The minister revealed that passenger arrival projections for the current year indicate a remarkable doubling of pre-partnership figures, significantly surpassing post-pandemic recovery expectations.

    Among the partnership’s most notable achievements highlighted by Fernandez was Antigua Cruise Port’s decision to maintain full staff compensation throughout the COVID-19 operational shutdown—a move characterized as exemplary corporate citizenship. Additional benefits include comprehensive facility modernization, optimized passenger processing systems, elevated visitor satisfaction metrics, and increased participation opportunities for local businesses within the cruise tourism value chain.

    The successful implementation of this public-private partnership model demonstrates how strategic international collaboration can catalyze sectoral growth while maintaining strong community engagement and corporate responsibility standards.

  • PM Says Immigration Amnesty Needed to Unlock Skills Already in Workforce

    PM Says Immigration Amnesty Needed to Unlock Skills Already in Workforce

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne has articulated a compelling economic rationale for Antigua and Barbuda’s newly announced immigration amnesty program. In a recent appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ programme, the leader emphasized that regularizing undocumented workers represents an essential strategy for sustaining the nation’s economic expansion.

    The policy initiative, according to Browne, aims to harness the untapped potential of skilled laborers already contributing to the economy while constrained by their irregular immigration status. ‘The economy is growing, and quite frankly, without the immigrants, we would not be able to sustain the growth,’ Browne stated, highlighting critical workforce gaps in construction, tourism, and other rapidly expanding sectors.

    Browne pointed to the increasingly tight labor market as development activities intensify across the twin-island nation. This economic reality has created unprecedented demand that cannot be satisfied solely by the local workforce. ‘Practically anyone who wants a job and is not too fussy about what job they do can find a job,’ the Prime Minister observed, noting that immigrant labor has become indispensable for maintaining momentum across multiple industries.

    The regularization program is designed to transition workers from informal economic participation to fully documented status, enabling them to contribute more openly and productively. Browne emphasized that this approach benefits both workers and the state, creating a more regulated and compliant workforce while addressing genuine economic needs rather than political considerations.

    While specific details regarding implementation timelines and eligibility criteria will be formally outlined by relevant authorities, the Prime Minister positioned the amnesty as a cornerstone of a broader labor-management strategy. This comprehensive approach seeks to balance continued economic growth with improved regulatory frameworks and workforce compliance mechanisms.

  • Cubaanse diplomaat beschuldigt VS van ‘piraterij’ na blokkade Venezolaanse olie

    Cubaanse diplomaat beschuldigt VS van ‘piraterij’ na blokkade Venezolaanse olie

    Cuban Ambassador to Colombia Carlos de Cespedes has leveled serious accusations against the United States, characterizing Washington’s interception of Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba as “international piracy.” This dramatic escalation follows a controversial U.S. military operation that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

    In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday, de Cespedes described the American restrictions as a “maritime siege” that severely impacts Cuba’s economy. He asserted that Cuba currently faces the most intense threats from the United States since the 1959 revolution, with comprehensive sanctions and military pressure creating unprecedented economic strain.

    The oil supply from Venezuela, which had served as Cuba’s primary energy source for years, has virtually ceased following Maduro’s capture. President Donald Trump declared earlier this month that “zero” Venezuelan oil would reach Cuba and threatened additional military actions if necessary.

    American forces have been intercepting and confiscating Venezuelan oil tankers throughout the Caribbean region—actions that critics equate with modern-day piracy. Trump has stated that Cuba stands “ready to collapse” due to the loss of these critical energy revenues.

    Although Cuba continues importing limited oil supplies from alternative sources including Mexico, the termination of Venezuelan shipments threatens to push the island’s already fragile economy to the brink. Washington is reportedly considering a complete energy blockade that could potentially trigger a humanitarian crisis.

    Relations between Washington and Havana have remained tense since Fidel Castro’s communist revolution in 1959. The current Trump administration, influenced by Cuban-American officials including Senator Marco Rubio, has adopted an increasingly hardline stance toward Cuba.

    The United States continues to implement its hemispheric foreign policy through a strategy reminiscent of the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which treats the American continent as an exclusive sphere of influence. This historical precedent established that European interference in the Americas would be viewed as an attack on the United States itself.

    Despite these mounting pressures, Ambassador de Cespedes emphasized Cuba’s resilience: “It will not subjugate us or break our determination, even if not another drop of oil enters our country.” He invoked Fidel Castro’s anti-imperialist legacy and affirmed that Cuba remains unafraid of threats or terror, concluding with a powerful statement: “Those who seek peace must be prepared to defend it.”

  • PM Predicts significant improvement in agricultural production with million-dollar equipment purchase

    PM Predicts significant improvement in agricultural production with million-dollar equipment purchase

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has initiated a comprehensive agricultural modernization program featuring significant infrastructure investments to address food security challenges and enhance climate resilience. Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced these developments during his recent appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ program, detailing substantial equipment acquisitions and facility upgrades currently underway.

    The Ministry of Agriculture has already taken delivery of new heavy machinery including two 20-ton trucks and an excavator, with additional equipment scheduled to arrive within weeks. The incoming inventory includes a bulldozer, track loader, backhoe, and another excavator—all designated exclusively for agricultural purposes. This specialized equipment will directly support farmers with critical tasks including land preparation, water storage solutions, and improved farm accessibility.

    Concurrently, the government has procured two modern abattoirs whose equipment has already been shipped and is expected to reach the islands within approximately 45 days. Site preparation and civil works for these facilities are slated to commence imminently, with projected operational status within 12-18 months.

    As part of climate adaptation initiatives, the administration will implement solar-powered lighting systems to facilitate night farming operations. This innovative approach addresses growing concerns about heat waves exacerbated by climate change, enabling agricultural workers to avoid peak daytime temperatures while maintaining productivity.

    Prime Minister Browne emphasized that these combined investments represent strategic measures to reduce the nation’s dependency on imported food supplies. While acknowledging that complete food self-sufficiency remains challenging, the government is implementing deliberate policies to expand domestic production capacity and strengthen national food security.

  • Local charity continues to transform lives 13 years later

    Local charity continues to transform lives 13 years later

    In a world grappling with escalating inequality, where countless families face impossible choices between dignity and survival, the critical question has shifted from whether assistance is necessary to identifying those willing to take meaningful action. Vulnerability seldom announces its arrival—it emerges abruptly, silently, and without warning.

    For over a decade, a visionary nonprofit established by Cherry-Ann Pompey-Delpeche has consistently bridged this gap, prioritizing compassion over convenience and choosing decisive action over passive indifference. What originated as modest gestures of kindness has matured into a sustained movement dedicated to ensuring no child, family, or community remains overlooked.

    “For the past 13 years, our organization has served as a beacon of hope and tangible support for vulnerable families throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” states Pompey-Delpeche.

    Since its founding, the charity has extended vital assistance to more than 400 families, distributing essential resources including clothing for all ages, neonatal and adult diapers, bedding sets, footwear, nutritional supplies, sports equipment, educational materials, books, children’s scooters, and toys.

    “Our mission is fundamentally rooted in both compassion and advocacy,” Pompey-Delpeche explains. She recounts how a simple concept shared with her sister—sending supplies to individuals in need—blossomed into a robust charitable enterprise.

    Leveraging her professional background in social work and current practice as a counselor, advocacy for vulnerable populations became an organic and crucial dimension of their efforts. Strategic long-term partnerships, particularly with AGAPE UK–SVG, have significantly amplified the organization’s reach and effectiveness.

    Her counseling practice has exposed the profound and frequently unaddressed needs within local communities, reinforcing the necessity of addressing both psychological well-being and practical burdens through concrete support. The charity consequently provides holistic assistance that targets immediate requirements while fostering long-term stability.

    Key initiatives include the “Pack-a-Bag per Child” program, which delivers school bags stocked with essential educational supplies to students. This effort, supported by associates both locally and internationally, has benefited approximately 150 children. Additional contributions have included customized t-shirts for boys’ development programs across multiple schools.

    During catastrophic events such as the volcanic eruption and Hurricane Beryl, the organization secured and distributed critical aid from Canadian sources, AGAPE UK–SVG, and personal contacts in England. This support provided essential relief to families and shelters during their most challenging periods, with many recipients continuing to express profound gratitude.

    Beyond emergency response, the charity maintains its commitment to community elevation through ongoing projects. Recent distributions include specialized sports gear—football boots, goalkeeper gloves, and shin guards—to the Glenside Ball Blazers FC in Marriaqua and the Richland Park Government Schools Football Team. Educational books were donated to Evesham Methodist School, alongside toys for behavioral modification reward programs encouraging positive student development.

    The organization also identified economically disadvantaged parents, providing crucial newborn supplies such as diapers and infant clothing. The distribution of scooters to children generated particularly memorable moments of pure joy, described by Pompey-Delpeche as “truly indescribable and deeply heart-warming.”

    This spirit of giving was especially evident during the 2025 Christmas season and into January 2026, as children received gifts and supplies. Their emotional responses—beaming smiles, heartfelt hugs, and sincere appreciation—served as powerful affirmations of the initiative’s importance.

    As the organization marks its 13th anniversary, Pompey-Delpeche expresses profound gratitude to partners, supporters, and the families who continually inspire their work. “This charity was born from genuine community love,” she reflects, “and it endures through collaboration, compassion, and our collective belief that together we can drive meaningful change.”

    She concludes with a powerful conviction: “Supporting vulnerable populations transcends mere charity—it represents an act of justice, humanity, and moral responsibility. When we give, we provide more than material aid; we restore hope, dignity, and faith in achievable futures. Every distributed bag, every clothed child, every supported family reaffirms that transformative change begins when ordinary people choose to care. Our work isn’t about recognition—it’s about transformation. And as long as need exists, our mission remains unequivocal: to serve, to uplift, and to remind the world that compassion retains the power to change everything.”

  • President Abinader leads parade commemorating 213th anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte

    President Abinader leads parade commemorating 213th anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte

    SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS – The Dominican Republic officially launched its Month of the Homeland celebrations with a grand commemorative parade honoring the 213th birth anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte, the nation’s founding father. President Luis Abinader presided over Monday’s ceremonial events that emphasized the government’s dedication to preserving Duarte’s core principles of freedom, national sovereignty, and patriotic values.

    Juan Pablo Uribe, heading the Permanent Commission of Patriotic Anniversaries (CPEP), delivered a stirring tribute characterizing Duarte as “the Dominican of purest glory.” Uribe urged citizens to embrace the founding father’s exemplary dedication through love, diligent work, and national sacrifice. The CPEP president notably connected these historical values to the current administration, praising President Abinader for embodying Duartean ideals including governmental honesty, personal integrity, national dignity, and transparent leadership.

    Local leadership including San Francisco de Macorís Mayor Alex Díaz and Provincial Governor Ana Xiomara Cortés echoed these sentiments, stressing how Duarte’s legacy translates to modern governance through strong civic ethics, social responsibility, and dedicated public service. Both officials emphasized that transparency and commitment to communal welfare serve as fundamental pillars for national development.

    The ceremony culminated with President Abinader authorizing a combined civic-military and police parade featuring students from Duarte province schools, elite Armed Forces units, and specialized National Police divisions. The president’s participation alongside high-ranking military, governmental, and religious authorities reinforced the institutional commitment to honoring Duarte’s enduring influence on Dominican society and governance.

  • PM says 4000 jobs created last year as Antigua nears a 7-billion-dollar economy

    PM says 4000 jobs created last year as Antigua nears a 7-billion-dollar economy

    Antigua and Barbuda’s economic trajectory shows remarkable expansion with projections indicating the nation’s economy will soon surpass the US$7 billion threshold, according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne. The leader made these declarations during a recent appearance on Pointe FM’s ‘Browne and Browne’ programme, countering assertions of administrative underperformance with concrete economic metrics.

    Statistical evidence reveals the economy has experienced substantial growth from approximately US$3.6 billion when the current administration assumed office to its present valuation nearing US$6 billion. This represents significant economic progression over the past decade, with continued expansion anticipated within the forthcoming two to three years.

    Prime Minister Browne emphatically stated, ‘Within the next two, two and a half years, Antigua and Barbuda’s economy will reach approximately seven billion dollars. The figures demonstrate sustained economic expansion that contradicts critical narratives.’ He challenged skeptics to observe the visible economic activity throughout the nation, noting the evident vitality across the islands.

    The tourism sector remains a primary economic driver, maintaining what Browne described as a ‘buoyant’ performance that continues to generate employment opportunities and stimulate broader economic activity. Notably, the nation created over 4,000 jobs between 2024 and 2025—a substantial achievement for a country with a population of approximately 100,000 residents.

    Immigration has additionally supported economic growth by addressing labor shortages in expanding construction and tourism industries. The government maintains its commitment to sustaining this growth trajectory while simultaneously enhancing local participation across key economic sectors.

  • Antigua and Barbuda’s Queen Kia Kirwan to Represent at the Miss OECS Pageant in Dominica

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Queen Kia Kirwan to Represent at the Miss OECS Pageant in Dominica

    Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural ambassador, Queen Kia (Ms. Kia Kirwan), is preparing to represent the nation at the prestigious Miss OECS Pageant scheduled for January 30, 2026, in Dominica. This regional competition unites delegates from across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in a celebration that transcends conventional beauty contests by emphasizing intellectual acuity, cultural heritage, and regional solidarity.

    The pageant serves as a dynamic platform for emerging female leaders to advocate for their nations while promoting cross-cultural understanding. Queen Kia’s participation highlights Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing initiatives to empower young women and showcase national cultural assets within the Caribbean community.

    Official endorsements have poured in from prominent national figures. Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul, Chairperson of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, commended Kirwan’s dedication: “Queen Kia exemplifies the vibrant spirit and cultural richness of our nation. We proudly support her representation with confidence and distinction.”

    Echoing this sentiment, The Honourable Daryll S. Matthew, Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries, characterized her participation as both a personal milestone and a national achievement: “She embodies our creative talent and cultural identity on the regional stage.”

    With anticipation building, the Festivals Commission has mobilized public support, encouraging citizens to demonstrate national pride through the ‘268’ campaign (referencing the country’s telephone code) as Kirwan prepares to compete in this showcase of Caribbean beauty, unity, and female empowerment.

  • Vincy’s embrace of Garifuna heritage puts her in Guinness Records

    Vincy’s embrace of Garifuna heritage puts her in Guinness Records

    In a historic musical achievement, Vincentian vocalist Rianka Chance joined 194 other women from across the globe to create ‘195’ – the world’s first anthem promoting gender equality through sound healing frequencies. The groundbreaking project, produced by Martina Fuchs, The Frequency School, and Grammy-nominated producer Maejor, premiered at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos.

    At just 19 years old, Chance became the representative voice for St. Vincent and the Grenadines in this unprecedented global initiative. The collaboration officially broke the world record for the most nationalities represented in a single song in June 2025, with Chance receiving official certification of the achievement as her 20th birthday gift.

    For Chance, the experience represented profound personal and cultural significance. As an Indigenous woman who once struggled with self-esteem, she described the opportunity as ‘healing and transformative.’ Her participation carried particular importance for the Garifuna people, whose origins trace back to St. Vincent (Yurumein) despite common misconceptions placing their heritage in Central American countries.

    Chance emphasized that her inclusion of the Garifuna word for ‘equality’ in the anthem served as a powerful declaration that Indigenous cultures remain vibrant and worthy of global recognition. The project aligned with her advocacy work for Indigenous rights, decolonized education systems, and the preservation of ancestral heritage.

    The achievement demonstrates how voices from smaller nations can contribute to global conversations about equality and representation. Chance reflected that breaking the record provided ‘visibility, validation and victory for a people whose contributions are too often erased or misattributed.’

  • “When we have united, history has shown that we have always achieved victory”

    “When we have united, history has shown that we have always achieved victory”

    Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez oversaw extensive military exercises on National Defense Day, emphasizing the nation’s preparedness against potential foreign aggression. The tactical demonstrations at the Great Tank Unit of Combat Glory Rescate de Sanguily featured combined forces from regular military units, Territorial Troop Militias, and Production and Defense Brigades.

    Accompanied by high-ranking military officials including Army Corps General Álvaro López Miera and General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, Díaz-Canel observed the drills that began three weeks prior. The President highlighted the significance of these exercises in the current geopolitical climate, specifically referencing the “hegemonic offensive being carried out by the United States government” since January 3.

    The drills demonstrated remarkable coordination between different components of Cuba’s territorial defense system. Díaz-Canel praised the “levels of preparation, cohesion, and cooperation” as admirable, noting that the systematic preparation program is yielding concrete results while strengthening national patriotism and anti-imperialist sentiment.

    The President later visited university students practicing rifle assembly, mine deployment, and other combat skills. He emphasized to the future professionals that defense preparedness remains crucial, echoing historical warnings from Fidel and Raúl Castro that the best deterrent against aggression is comprehensive military readiness. The students responded with revolutionary slogans including “Fatherland or Death!” and “No one surrenders here!”

    The inspection concluded at an air defense unit where Díaz-Canel verified combat technology conditions and observed demonstrations of Cuba’s response capabilities to potential enemy attacks.