Carib Scope

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  • Penny: Leave me alone

    Penny: Leave me alone

    A simmering political controversy in Trinidad and Tobago has erupted into open confrontation, with Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles pushing back forcefully against calls from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to expedite action against embattled Opposition Senator Janelle John-Bates, while turning the tables to highlight unresolved ethical questions surrounding multiple sitting government ministers.

    The controversy at the center of the clash traces back to early April, when committee leadership discovered that John-Bates had provided support to former Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh by reviewing and revising his witness statement ahead of his appearance before the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC). The inquiry she was involved in focuses on the government’s process for acquiring, importing, and approving pharmaceutical products.

    Following the discovery of John-Bates’ involvement, PAAC Chairman Jagdeo Singh announced an adjournment of the probe after a closed-door meeting held on April 13. One week later, on April 21, the Opposition leadership removed John-Bates from her PAAC post and appointed Opposition Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul as her replacement. Despite this initial action, the ruling People’s National Assembly (UNC) ramped up pressure on the opposition just over a week later, tabling a motion on April 29 to remove John-Bates from her position on the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security.

    John-Bates herself confirmed to the Senate on May 1 that she had already submitted a formal resignation to Beckles in the wake of the improper conduct allegations. For days, Beckles declined to comment on the timeline of her final decision, remaining silent when approached by reporters over the weekend at the PNM Big Red Road Race 5K event. She broke her silence publicly on Monday at the PNM Sport and Family Day, held at Port of Spain’s Nelson Mandela Park, where she delivered a fiery pushback against the prime minister’s demands.

    Beckles argued that the ruling government has failed to hold its own appointees accountable for far more serious ethical and legal allegations, pointing to three high-profile cases to back up her claim. First, she called out Housing Minister David Lee, who currently faces 2022 fraud conspiracy charges linked to alleged abuses of parliamentary tax exemptions between March and June 2019. Prosecutors allege Lee and businessman Hugh Leong Poi conspired to defraud the state out of more than TT$1.4 million in value-added tax, customs duties, and motor vehicle taxes, by using Lee’s parliamentary exemption to purchase a TT$2.3 million Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG for Leong Poi, who was ineligible for the tax break. Both men were granted bail ahead of trial, with Lee’s bail set at TT$1 million.

    She next referenced Housing Ministry Minister Anil Roberts and his ties to the now-defunct LifeSport programme, alluding to a widely circulated controversial video purportedly showing the minister using illegal drugs, which Roberts has previously denied involvement in. Finally, she called out an unnamed government official who she claimed falsely misrepresented holding professional qualifications to secure their post, only for the falsification to be exposed later.

    Addressing the prime minister directly, Beckles made clear that the authority to appoint and discipline Opposition senators rests exclusively with her as Opposition Leader. “I want to make it abundantly clear to the UNC — the responsibility to appoint senators of the PNM is mine. Right. So let Kamla deal with her problems. Let her decide about her appointment of her senators. But if you’re comfortable appointing those people with questionable characters, questionable characteristics, leave me alone,” she stated.

    She added that she would follow constitutional protocol when making her final decision on John-Bates’ future, saying: “When the time comes for me to act as the Constitution requires, I will act.”

    Beckles also used the public event to acknowledge the attendance of former PNM political leader and former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, a gesture that drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd of party supporters gathered at the park.

  • Search shifts to dump after tip-off

    Search shifts to dump after tip-off

    The multi-day search for missing two-year-old Angelo Tobias Plaza in Tobago has entered a devastating new phase, after law enforcement officials received an anonymous tip via WhatsApp that the young boy’s body may have been dumped at the Studley Park landfill in the days following Mother’s Day. This development comes as the investigation into the toddler’s unexplained disappearance continues to unfold, gripping the entire nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

    As of yesterday, the toddler’s 22-year-old mother Kalifah Tobias and her partner Shannon Miller, who is identified as Angelo’s stepfather, remained in police custody as detectives work to piece together the timeline of the child’s disappearance. Investigative efforts are being led by a cross-regional team of law enforcement, including officers from the Special Victims Department, the Homicide Bureau, and personnel from Trinidad, operating under the command of Assistant Commissioner of Police Rishi Singh.

    Nisha Sookram-Loutan, an inspector and legal officer with the Special Victims Department assigned to the Tobago-based case, reaffirmed law enforcement’s unwavering commitment to the investigation in an interview with the *Express* on Thursday. “We are committed to pursuing every possible lead to bring this case to closure,” she stated, confirming the multi-unit structure of the investigative team.

    Detectives are currently analyzing CCTV footage that captures Tobias and Miller near a Goodwood neighborhood supermarket just before 8 p.m. on the Monday Angelo was reported missing. The footage confirms the couple was alone at the time, with no sign of the toddler, a detail that has drawn additional scrutiny from investigators.

    Following the new tip, large-scale coordinated search operations have been launched at the Studley Park landfill. Multiple agencies have joined the effort, including the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) which deployed its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle unit for aerial reconnaissance, and the volunteer Hunters Search and Rescue Team. Search teams are carrying out systematic sweeps of sections of the site, combining aerial surveys, on-foot ground searches, and evidence recovery work to locate any trace connected to the missing child.

    Angelo was first reported missing last Monday, after relatives discovered he was unaccounted for at the family’s Goodwood home. Since that announcement, law enforcement and volunteer teams have carried out extensive land, sea, and air searches across multiple regions of Tobago, all launched in the hope of bringing the toddler home safely.

    The case has sent profound shockwaves through the small island community, with Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine publicly addressing the widespread grief and anger surrounding the disappearance in a social media statement released yesterday. “This disappearance has shaken Tobago to its core. Every parent, every grandparent, every decent citizen feels the weight of this tragedy,” Augustine wrote. “Tobago is hurting, and we refuse to stay silent.”

    Augustine shared that the case has weighed heavily on him since his first public remarks, noting that “All of last night this child was on my mind.” He acknowledged the extraordinary effort that ordinary citizens, first responders, and volunteers have put into the search effort over the past week, including fishermen, hunters, village residents, and protective service personnel who have combed every corner of the island for any sign of Angelo.

    While he thanked all who have joined the search in solidarity with the child and his extended family, Augustine did not hold back on calling out the many unresolved questions surrounding the case. “Too many questions remain unanswered. The public outrage and heartbreak we are seeing across Tobago and Trinidad right now are completely justified. We have every right to be deeply angry about how this is unfolding and the unconvincing stories that are being circulated,” he said.

    Augustine emphasized that the situation has left the national conscience deeply unsettled, and the public is demanding full accountability. “A two-year-old child does not simply vanish without explanation. Toddlers do not climb through ditches and cross rough terrain to reach the ocean in complete darkness,” he argued. “Tobago will not accept the disappearance of a child as a normal event.”

    He called on every relevant national agency, including the TTPS, Homicide Bureau, and Child Protection Unit, to treat the investigation with the extreme urgency and seriousness it demands. “Leave no stone unturned. Every lead must be followed, every inconsistency must be examined, and every person with any information must cooperate fully with authorities,” Augustine said.

    He went on to stress that any negligence or wrongdoing must be brought to light: “If there has been negligence, it must be exposed. If there has been criminal activity, those responsible must face prosecution. Anyone holding information needs to understand that silence in a case involving a child is completely unacceptable.”

    Beyond the immediate investigation, Augustine said the tragedy must push Trinidad and Tobago as a society to reflect on our shared responsibility to protect children. “Too often, after these incidents, we move on too quickly. We cannot do that. Protecting children is not optional – it is a sacred responsibility,” he said. “Today, Tobago stands with Angelo. We stand with the people of Goodwood crying out for justice. We stand with every citizen demanding the truth. We hold onto the belief that this child matters. A nation is judged by how it protects its most vulnerable members. There can be no peace, no comfort, and no closure until we get answers.”

  • ‘Drip-drip’ investment from diaspora can help boost SVG’s economy — Bramble

    ‘Drip-drip’ investment from diaspora can help boost SVG’s economy — Bramble

    Against a stark backdrop of worsening debt vulnerability flagged by the International Monetary Fund, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)’s top foreign affairs and foreign investment official has issued a urgent call: the small island nation must tap its global diaspora network and upend its outdated investment playbook to climb out from under its growing debt burden.

    Speaking at an Invest SVG diaspora outreach event hosted in Toronto on Saturday, Minister Fitzgerald Bramble — an economist serving his second term as Member of Parliament for East Kingstown — told assembled Vincentians and SVG supporters that the IMF’s latest assessment has pulled back the curtain on the country’s true fiscal reality, leaving no room for delay in overhauling SVG’s economic growth strategy.
    Bramble laid out the unvarnished numbers: SVG’s current debt-to-GDP ratio sits at 113% and continues to climb, meaning the nation owes $1.13 for every dollar of annual economic output it generates. He added that IMF analysis confirms even steady modest growth will do almost nothing to meaningfully reduce the country’s debt load. If GDP grows by just 1% annually over the next five years, the national debt ratio will only fall by six percentage points, a drop too small to ease fiscal pressure. To make a tangible difference to the debt burden, the IMF projects SVG needs to sustain annual growth of at least 3% — hitting a range of 2.5% to 2.7% as a minimum baseline — over the coming half-decade.

    The scale of the challenge was already put on public record by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Godwin Friday, who revealed that as of December 31, 2025, SVG’s total public debt hit EC$3.5 billion. Friday has blamed the previous Unity Labour Party administration for reckless pre-election spending ahead of the November 27 general election to drive the debt to current levels. Back in April, the IMF warned that without immediate, decisive policy shifts, the debt trajectory will only worsen: the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to surge to 145% by 2031, with gross financing needs jumping to 26% of GDP. The country already faces high risk of debt distress, making urgent fiscal consolidation a critical priority.

    Bramble characterized the IMF’s findings as a long-overdue “rude awakening” for SVG, but clarified that the current government will not adopt a one-size-fits-all fiscal prescription pushed by the fund. “While the IMF has outlined potential solutions they see for our challenges, Prime Minister Friday and our administration have been clear that we will pursue a home-grown approach tailored to SVG’s unique needs to resolve this crisis,” he said.

    Linking the required growth targets directly to increased investment, Bramble argued that SVG cannot hit the 3% annual growth benchmark without ramping up capital inflows into productive domestic sectors. “How can you expect consistent economic expansion without commensurate or even expanded levels of investment?” he asked.

    The minister, who also holds oversight for foreign trade and diaspora affairs, criticized the narrow, outdated framing of investment that has dominated SVG’s policy approach to date. He noted that for too long, the country has restricted its definition of productive investment to large-scale projects from foreign investors based in North America and Europe — most often big hotel developments or similar large infrastructure builds. While Bramble confirmed the government still welcomes these large foreign projects, he argued they cannot be the only, or even the primary, driver of national growth. Instead, he pushed for a greater focus on what he calls the “drip-drip effect” of cumulative small-scale investment, particularly from members of the SVG diaspora living around the world.

    Outlining the model to the Toronto audience, Bramble illustrated how widespread small investments from diaspora members can add up to transformative change. “If just 10 diaspora Vincentians return home to invest CA$50,000 each, the cumulative impact of that inflow would already move the needle for our economy,” he explained. “If we can replicate that level of engagement across diaspora communities in North America, Europe, Asia and every other region where our people live, it would completely reshape our country’s economic trajectory for the better.”

    Bramble pushed back against the common assumption among diaspora members that small individual contributions do not matter, urging them not to underestimate their own capacity to drive change. “Don’t ever think ‘my small idea, my $200 a month in savings, that can’t possibly make a difference,’” he said. “That simply is not true.”

    He drew on a personal, recent lesson from his late mother Mona Bramble, who passed away one week before the Toronto event, to drive the point home. Mona Bramble built a small but successful and impactful local business starting from nothing, selling homemade tamarind balls. “She started by tying four tamarind balls in a small plastic bag, worked her way up to a heat sealer, then eventually to branded packaging,” Bramble recalled. “She grew that little business into something that supported her and helped countless people in our community. There even came a time when she used her tamarind ball savings to buy me goalkeeper gloves when I was representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines at a competition in Trinidad.”

    From that example, Bramble extended a clear invitation to the global diaspora: even small monthly contributions, small personal investments, or small business partnerships can create enormous long-term value for SVG. “Whether you’re starting your own small business back home, or partnering with an existing entrepreneur on the island, your $200 a month, your $50 a month in investment goes a very long way to supporting the growth of micro and small enterprises across our country,” he said. “It makes a huge, huge difference for all of us.”

  • St. Kitts and Nevis IGS 2026 is much larger this year: Reports – WIC News

    St. Kitts and Nevis IGS 2026 is much larger this year: Reports – WIC News

    The Caribbean twin-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis is preparing to host its third annual Investment Gateway Summit (IGS) from June 17 to 20, 2026, and early indicators confirm this year’s gathering will be the most expansive and globally inclusive iteration since the event launched.

    Built on two consecutive years of successful programming, the IGS has rapidly outgrown its origins as a small regional networking meetup to become a cornerstone event on the Caribbean’s global economic calendar. For 2026, organizers have expanded the scope of participation, with confirmed delegates and speakers set to attend from four continents, including Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America, marking a significant step up from the regional focus of earlier summits.

    Centered on the 2026 theme “Connect, Collaborate and Celebrate,” the summit is designed to foster long-term strategic partnerships rather than only focus on short-term transactional deals. Over four days, attendees will gain access to a full lineup of panel discussions, industry exhibitions, and keynote presentations led by senior government officials and leading private sector stakeholders from across the global investment landscape.

    One of the event’s most unique draws for attendees is unparalleled direct access to the country’s top investment and government leadership. St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew and Calvin St. Juste, Chairman of the nation’s Citizenship by Investment Unit, are both scheduled to deliver keynote addresses at the summit.

    Prime Minister Drew framed the upcoming gathering as a tangible demonstration of the country’s dedication to building mutually beneficial global partnerships, driving sustainable economic growth, and highlighting the wide range of untapped investment opportunities available across St. Kitts and Nevis. As international business wire AccessNewswire notes, few global investment conferences offer attendees the chance to engage directly with both a head of government and the leader of the jurisdiction’s primary investment promotion body, a feature that has made the IGS particularly popular with high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors seeking direct, on-the-ground insight into Caribbean markets.

    The impact of the IGS extends far beyond the borders of St. Kitts and Nevis as well. The summit fills a critical gap in the global investment space, creating a homegrown Caribbean platform for high-level dialogue between regional governments and international investors, eliminating the need for these conversations to be held exclusively at events hosted in Europe, North America, or other global hubs. Leading international publications including Nigeria’s *The Guardian Nigeria* and Egypt’s Al-Ahram have already recognized the summit as a key resource for global investors looking to understand and explore emerging opportunities across the Caribbean region.

    The event has also earned growing intellectual as well as commercial acclaim, with past editions drawing prominent academic speakers: the 2025 IGS Gala Dinner featured a talk from Oliver Ullrich, a respected scholar from the University of Zurich, reflecting the event’s expanding reputation as a serious forum for thought leadership as well as business networking.

    Beyond formal business programming, the 2026 summit continues the event’s tradition of integrating curated cultural and experiential activities to give delegates a firsthand look at the islands’ natural and historical heritage. Confirmed excursions for attendees include a ride along the islands’ famous scenic railway, a day trip to the sister island of Nevis, and guided tours of Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved colonial-era military fortifications in the Americas.

    As regional and global business outlets including Yahoo Finance and MSN have confirmed, growing international interest has positioned the 2026 IGS to surpass all previous editions in size, scope, and global participation, cementing its status as a must-attend event for investors eyeing opportunities in the Caribbean.

  • Olieprijzen stijgen opnieuw na drone-aanval op nucleaire centrale in VAE

    Olieprijzen stijgen opnieuw na drone-aanval op nucleaire centrale in VAE

    Global crude oil prices climbed further on Monday, pushing Brent crude reaching its highest level since early May, following a reported drone strike targeting a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This upward price momentum comes against a backdrop of stalled diplomatic efforts between the region, with peace talks between the U.S.-Israeli bloc and Iran have broken down, and emerging indications that Washington is actively considering military options against Tehran.

    By Monday’s market close, benchmark Brent crude had advanced $1.44, or 1.32%, to settle at $110.70 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $1.84, equal to a 1.75% gain, to hit $107.26 per barrel, also its highest level since early May. Last week alone, both major crude contracts surged more than 7%, driven by fading market optimism over a potential peace deal that would end attacks and ship seizures around the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint through which roughly 20% of global oil trade passes.

    Recent drone strikes targeting infrastructure in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, paired with increasingly heated rhetoric between the U.S. and Iran, have stoked widespread market fears of a full escalation of conflict in the oil-rich Gulf region. UAE officials are currently investigating the origin of the attack on the Barakah nuclear power plant, and have reaffirmed the country’s right to respond to what they label as terrorist attacks on sovereign territory.

    Separately, Saudi Arabia announced it had intercepted three drones that entered its airspace from Iraqi territory, and issued a warning that it would take all necessary operational measures to protect its national sovereignty and domestic security.

    Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG Markets, noted that the recent string of drone attacks acts as a clear warning to global powers. “Renewed U.S. or Israeli military strikes against Iran could trigger a wave of additional proxy attacks on energy infrastructure and critical facilities across the Gulf region, carried out by Iran or its regional allied groups,” Sycamore explained.

    U.S. news outlet Axios also reported that former U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to convene a meeting with his national security advisory team to discuss a range of potential military actions against Iran.

  • CPL and UWI open applications for 2026 internship programme

    CPL and UWI open applications for 2026 internship programme

    The region’s premier T20 cricket competition, Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has teamed up with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Faculty of Sport to launch the 2026 iteration of its highly regarded annual internship programme, marking a decade of bridging academic learning and professional sports experience for young Caribbean talent.

    First launched a decade ago, this innovative initiative has carved out a reputation for blending structured academic coursework with immersive, on-the-ground experience at one of the Caribbean’s most high-profile annual sporting events. This year’s programme will run from July through September 2026, aligned with the 2026 CPL tournament schedule, and organizers have opened applications for interested students immediately.

    A total of 21 selected participants will be accepted into the 2026 cohort, with a unique option to complete a fully accredited three-credit course in Sports Marketing, developed and delivered entirely online by UWI’s experienced sport faculty. The coursework is designed to build a robust theoretical foundation in sports marketing strategy, which interns will immediately put into practice as active contributing members of the CPL marketing team throughout the tournament.

    Unlike many classroom-only internships, this programme places participants directly at the heart of tournament operations across all seven 2026 CPL host nations: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago. This cross-territory immersive placement gives young professionals unparalleled front-row access to the inner workings of an international sporting competition, while letting them play a tangible role in CPL’s on-location promotional and outreach work.

    Over the past nine years, the programme has transformed the career trajectories of dozens of emerging sport industry professionals across the Caribbean. A large number of past interns have gone on to secure full-time paid positions with CPL itself, as well as with leading organizations across the global sports and entertainment sectors.

    Reflecting on the programme’s 10-year milestone, CPL CEO Pete Russell emphasized the lasting impact of the partnership. “It is incredibly rewarding to see how many young Caribbean professionals have used this opportunity as a launchpad for their careers,” Russell said. “The internship gives students genuine hands-on experience in a fast-paced international sporting environment, and every year they make an important contribution to the CPL team. With the addition of Jamaica as a new host venue for 2026, this year’s programme promises to be our biggest and most exciting yet.”

    Interested applicants can submit their materials for the 2026 internship through the official application link published alongside the programme announcement.

  • Premier Brantley Champions Caribbean Digital Transformation at Amplify Summit

    Premier Brantley Champions Caribbean Digital Transformation at Amplify Summit

    In mid-May 2026, regional heads of government and international tech innovators gathered in Miami, Florida, for the second annual Liberty Caribbean Amplify Summit, a leading forum dedicated to shaping the digital future of Caribbean nations. The 2026 summit, convened under the central theme “Elevating the Caribbean’s Digital Future,” brought together cross-sector stakeholders to explore pathways for accelerating digital adoption, strengthening regional economic resilience, and leveraging cutting-edge innovation to drive inclusive, sustainable growth across the Caribbean basin.

    Among the key speakers was the Honorable Mark Brantley, Premier of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ island of Nevis, who framed his participation in the summit as a landmark opportunity to elevate Nevis’ and the wider Caribbean’s priorities in the global digital transition. Brantley noted that the gathering offered an unparalleled space to connect with leading regional thinkers and chart a collective approach to emerging technological shifts. “It was great to interact with some of the brightest minds in the region. It is always a privilege to represent our beloved Nevis. Thank you to Liberty for the invitation,” he stated in remarks following his panel participation.

    On May 14, Brantley took the stage for a high-profile panel focused on integrating artificial intelligence into the Caribbean’s critical hospitality sector — one of the region’s largest sources of employment and foreign revenue. During the discussion, he outlined both the transformative potential of AI for Caribbean tourism and the urgent risks that demand proactive policy action. A core priority Brantley highlighted was the immediate need for large-scale workforce reskilling and upskilling programs across the region, to offset projected job displacement as AI tools become more widespread in hotels, resorts, and travel services. He also emphasized that Caribbean nations must retain full ownership of their regional data to prevent external exploitation and support home-grown innovation. Most notably, Brantley called for a sweeping public education campaign to familiarize Caribbean communities with AI’s rapid evolution, stressing that “the technology does not leave our people behind.”

    Beyond the AI and hospitality discussion, the 2026 Amplify Summit tackled a broad range of issues tied to the Caribbean’s digital transition, from mapping emerging risks to unlocking untapped opportunities for growth. Attendees aligned on the need to embed long-term resilience into regional digital infrastructure and operations, ensuring that digital development strategies align with global economic and technological shifts while advancing local and regional growth priorities. The summit also centered cross-border collaboration as a core driver of progress, highlighting how coordinated action can expand connectivity and unlock new economic opportunities across all Caribbean island nations. Through supplementary initiatives such as the Amplify Fundraiser, the summit focused on advancing digital inclusion, broadening access to digital tools for underserved communities, and investing in local capacity to support long-term sustainable progress. Panel discussions throughout the event explored actionable strategies to strengthen the Caribbean’s digital ecosystem, including targeted talent development initiatives, harmonized regional digital policies, attracting private and public investment, and leveraging expanding connectivity to boost broad-based economic growth and systemic resilience.

  • ABLP Holds National Thanksgiving Service Following Election Win

    ABLP Holds National Thanksgiving Service Following Election Win

    In the wake of the closely contested April 30 general election that delivered a victory to the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, a multi-faceted thanksgiving service on Sunday at St. John’s Pentecostal Church House of Restoration wove together spiritual worship, political acknowledgment and urgent calls for national reconciliation. The gathering drew a diverse cross-section of the nation’s leadership and community, including sitting Cabinet ministers, incoming senate appointees, foreign diplomatic representatives, senior church figures and thousands of party supporters, framed by organizers as both a sacred observance and a moment of collective national pause after a heated campaign cycle.

    The event opened with a solemn performance of the national anthem, followed by a series of intercessory prayers covering every corner of Antigua and Barbuda’s national life: elected political leaders, the independent judiciary, religious communities, educational institutions and households across both islands. One particularly resonant prayer invoked divine provision, asking God to grant the nation “wisdom in the midst of confusion” and “peace in the midst of chaos.”

    Throughout the service, speakers framed the Labour Party’s electoral win as the opening of a transformative “new season” for the twin-island nation, returning again and again to themes of gratitude, divine direction and healing after the tensions of the campaign period. Host organizers emphasized that the gathering was far more than a post-election victory lap for the governing party; instead, it was designed to center the critical need for divine guidance, collective wisdom and cross-community unity as the new administration prepares to lead the country forward.

    A second layer of gratitude emerged during the service, as religious leaders urged attendees to give thanks not only for the outcome of the election and the promise of continued political stability, but also for collective deliverance just days prior. A 5.0+ magnitude earthquake centered nearby had shaken Antigua and Barbuda and multiple neighboring Caribbean islands just two days before the service on Friday, and speakers noted that the nation had escaped widespread damage or loss of life. Congregants were invited to physically mark themselves as “safe” and offer praise for God’s protection over their islands.

    Extended segments of joyful praise and worship filled much of the morning’s schedule, with attendees singing traditional hymns and contemporary gospel songs centered on themes of divine grace, national restoration and communal perseverance. Worship leaders encouraged the crowd to celebrate the fundamental gifts of life, health and collective strength, while guest speakers highlighted the nation’s long history of resilience through periods of economic and social challenge.

    The church also used the high-profile occasion to publicly honor the incoming political leadership, introducing each Cabinet minister and senator-designate to the congregation. Organizers issued a quick on-stage correction to several recently announced ministry portfolio assignments during the introductions, a minor note that reflected the still-forming structure of the new government.

    The core message of the day came in the main sermon delivered by Apostle Dr. Stephen C. Andrews, who expanded at length on the dual themes of thanksgiving and national renewal. Andrews urged both the newly elected leadership and ordinary citizens to remain rooted in faith and committed to a spirit of service to the public good. The entire service drew its spiritual foundation from three key scripture passages: Psalm 103, Psalm 107 and 1 Chronicles 16, all of which center on the core themes of gratitude, divine protection and covenant relationship between people and God.

    Attendees also viewed pre-recorded video messages of congratulations from faith leaders based overseas. Bishop Israel Ade Ajala of Colorado offered remarks praising the government’s decisive electoral win, and affirmed that international faith communities would continue holding Antigua and Barbuda in prayer as the nation works toward sustained prosperity.

    In closing, church leadership wrapped up the service with a formal pledge to continue lifting the new government and the entire nation in prayer as they pursue progress. They closed with a renewed call for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to set aside past divisions and work together toward shared national development.

  • Government Continuing Repiping Programme as Drought Pressures Water Supply, PM Says

    Government Continuing Repiping Programme as Drought Pressures Water Supply, PM Says

    As Antigua and Barbuda grapples with increasingly severe drought conditions and a century-old crumbling water distribution network, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed that the administration is pressing forward with a sweeping national initiative to replace outdated pipes and modernize critical water infrastructure. In an interview aired on local radio station Pointe FM, Browne laid out the urgent scope of the project, explaining that large swathes of the country’s underground pipe network have deteriorated so significantly that massive volumes of treated water are lost to leaks before ever reaching residential and commercial consumers.

    “We have systematically been rolling out pipe replacement projects across every region of the country,” Browne stated during the discussion of the ongoing infrastructure drive. The core goals of the program, he emphasized, are to bring the country’s water system into the 21st century and cut down on the crippling non-revenue water loss that has strained supply for years.

    The prime minister tied the country’s mounting water challenges to two interconnected factors: prolonged dry spells that have become far more frequent, and shifting climate patterns that are disrupting rainfall across not just Antigua and Barbuda, but the entire Caribbean basin. “We are actively confronting persistent drought conditions right now,” Browne said, noting that well below average rainfall over recent months has added unprecedented pressure to a system already operating beyond its designed capacity.

    To address immediate supply gaps alongside long-term resilience, the government is also ramping up production at reverse osmosis desalination facilities, which convert saltwater from the surrounding ocean into potable water for domestic use. Browne added that utility managers have implemented a key coordination strategy to avoid unnecessary disruption and waste: all water infrastructure upgrades are being timed to align with planned road repair and reconstruction projects across the country. This integrated approach eliminates the costly and frustrating scenario of resurfacing a road only to dig it up again weeks later to access and replace underground pipes. “There is no logic in completing road repairs, then turning around and digging up fresh pavement to access pipe lines,” Browne explained of the coordinated planning.

    For years, intermittent water supplies and outright shortages have been a top complaint for residents in communities across Antigua and Barbuda, with problems intensifying during seasonal droughts and peak tourist seasons when demand for water surges. According to government statements, the ongoing multi-million dollar investments in desalination expansion, network repiping and utility modernization are designed not just to address current shortages, but to build long-term water security and strengthen the country’s ability to withstand the growing climate impacts that threaten small island developing states across the Caribbean.

  • PM Calls for Unity After Election, Says Victory Should Not Divide Nation

    PM Calls for Unity After Election, Says Victory Should Not Divide Nation

    Fresh off securing a historic fourth consecutive general election victory, the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) has capped its electoral win with a national thanksgiving service that doubled as a rallying cry for cross-community solidarity. Held on Sunday at the St. John’s Pentecostal Church House of Restoration, the gathering brought together a cross-section of the nation’s leadership, including newly appointed government ministers, senators-designate, senior church figures, and hundreds of jubilant ABLP supporters. In his keynote address to the congregation, Prime Minister Gaston Browne centered his remarks on a urgent call for national unity, framing the election outcome as a catalyst to bridge divides rather than entrench political rifts.

    Browne argued that regardless of differing political affiliations or religious backgrounds, all Antiguans and Barbudans share a common stake in the country’s progress. “I do not expect this victory to divide us. Instead, it should unite us,” he told attendees, pushing for the country to evolve into a “more harmonious society” that puts collective progress above partisan interests. “So let us not move forward as different political institutions, different religious denominations, but as reborn Antiguans and Barbudans who are working harmoniously to build this country,” he added.

    The prime minister emphasized that widespread collaboration around shared national development goals could unlock Antigua and Barbuda’s full potential, positioning the small island nation as a global example to be admired. In a nod to the campaign and election process, he extended gratitude to a broad group of stakeholders: ABLP voters, the party’s election candidates, and what he called “prayer warriors” who worked to secure the party’s win and advocated for a peaceful, transparent voting process.

    The interwoven service blended traditional Christian worship, solemn scripture readings, and thoughtful political reflection, with religious leaders echoing Browne’s core themes of gratitude, national healing after a divisive campaign, and shared responsibility for the country’s future. Speakers also wove in an unexpected note of thanks, referencing a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Antigua and Barbuda and nearby neighboring islands just two days earlier on Friday. With no reported major casualties or catastrophic damage across the country, the collective survival from the natural event served as a second, urgent reminder of why national unity and gratitude remain critical for the Caribbean nation.