作者: admin

  • Police investigate armed robbery

    Police investigate armed robbery

    In a startling early morning event on Wednesday, September 1st, 2025, Nassau, Bahamas, witnessed an armed robbery that has left the local community on edge. The incident occurred off East Street South, specifically on Cox Way, where a male victim was accosted by a masked individual wielding a firearm. According to initial reports, the confrontation took place shortly after 6:00 a.m. The assailant allegedly fired a shot before seizing the victim’s personal belongings and making a swift escape in an unknown direction. Fortunately, the victim emerged from the ordeal unharmed. The Nassau Police Department has launched a full-scale investigation into the matter and is urging the public to come forward with any information that could aid in apprehending the suspect. Authorities have provided multiple channels for reporting tips, including emergency numbers 911 and 919, local police stations, and the Criminal Investigation Department at 502-9991. Additionally, anonymous tips can be submitted through CRIME STOPPERS at 328-TIPS (8477). The police are hopeful that community cooperation will lead to a swift resolution of this case.

  • Police investigate stabbing incident

    Police investigate stabbing incident

    Authorities in Nassau, Bahamas, are currently investigating a violent altercation that unfolded on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, resulting in a man being hospitalized with serious injuries. The incident began shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Seventh Terrace, near Mount Royal Avenue, when a collision occurred between two vehicles. According to initial reports, one of the drivers involved fled the scene but was pursued and intercepted by the other driver. A heated argument erupted between the two individuals, escalating into physical violence. During the confrontation, one of the men was stabbed with an unidentified object. The injured party was rushed to the hospital in a private vehicle and remains in critical condition. Police have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the altercation and to identify those responsible.

  • Christmas Home and Business Lighting Competition 2025 Announced

    Christmas Home and Business Lighting Competition 2025 Announced

    The Department of Creative Industries in Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled plans for the highly anticipated Christmas Home and Business Lighting Competition 2025. This annual event aims to capture the festive spirit through creative and dazzling lighting displays, encouraging both homeowners and businesses to participate. Registration is now open and will close on December 17, 2025. Forms can be collected at the Department of Creative Industries Headquarters on Old Parham Road, the INET office upstairs, or the National Festivals Office on Redcliffe Street and Corn Alley, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Pre-judging will take place on December 20 and 21, 2025, with final judging scheduled for December 28, 2025. Winners will be announced on January 5, 2026, during the Good Morning Antigua and Barbuda broadcast. Home entries will be categorized into East, West, North, and South zones, with participants receiving a 100% waiver on electricity services from December 15, 2025, to January 15, 2026, along with duty-free concessions on Christmas lights and decorations. Cash prizes of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 XCD will be awarded to the top three winners in each zone. Business participants will enjoy a 50% electricity waiver for December 2025, similar duty-free concessions, and cash prizes matching those for home entries. The competition promises to bring joy and splendor to the holiday season, fostering community spirit and creativity. For advertising opportunities, contact [email protected].

  • Antigua’s Junior Tourism Minister Kiara Kwenga to Compete at Youth Congress in Barbados Today

    Antigua’s Junior Tourism Minister Kiara Kwenga to Compete at Youth Congress in Barbados Today

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Junior Tourism Minister, 16-year-old Kiara Kwenga, is poised to represent her nation at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Regional Youth Congress on October 2, 2025. The event, a highlight of the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Barbados, will bring together young leaders from across the Caribbean to discuss the future of tourism in the region. Kiara, a fifth-form student at Christ The King High School, will showcase her innovative ideas on sustainable tourism, digital innovation, and cultural preservation. The Youth Congress, known for its lively debate-style format, challenges participants to address real-world issues facing Caribbean tourism, from enhancing visitor experiences to fostering community development. Kiara’s participation underscores the creativity and resilience of Antigua and Barbuda’s youth, as she competes for the title of CTO Youth Ambassador. The winner will take on the prestigious role of promoting Caribbean tourism globally and inspiring the next generation of industry leaders. The event is a testament to the CTO’s commitment to empowering young voices in shaping the future of tourism.

  • Greene Urges Healthy Living as St. Paul’s Marks Health Month

    Greene Urges Healthy Living as St. Paul’s Marks Health Month

    St. Paul’s annual Health Month has officially commenced, with Parliamentary Representative E.P. Chet Greene urging residents to take proactive steps toward improving their well-being. Running from October 1 to 31 under the theme “Healthy Lifestyle …things we can change,” the initiative aims to foster healthier habits through a series of activities, including health screenings, public lectures, radio programs, and outreach efforts to homes and schools. Greene emphasized that the campaign is not just about individual health but also about strengthening community engagement and collective responsibility. In his Health Month message, Greene highlighted the importance of mindful consumption, advising residents to “eat and drink wisely” and track their daily water intake. He encouraged active participation in the month’s events, framing the observance as both a personal challenge and a commitment to families, the community, and the nation. “Stay healthy for yourselves, your families, our community, and our country,” Greene stated, underscoring the broader societal impact of individual health choices. The initiative seeks to empower residents to make sustainable lifestyle changes while fostering a culture of health awareness across St. Paul.

  • Central Bank Celebrates 42 Years of Financial Stewardship and Stability

    Central Bank Celebrates 42 Years of Financial Stewardship and Stability

    The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) commemorated its 42nd anniversary on Wednesday, 1 October, marking over four decades of unwavering service to the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). The milestone was celebrated with a special worship service on Sunday, 28 September, attended by ECCB management, staff, retirees, stakeholders, and community members. The event, led by Pastor Leroy Matthew of the People’s Evangelistic Centre, was a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the Bank’s enduring contributions to regional financial stability. Pastor Matthew praised the steadfastness of the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar, which has been pegged to the U.S. dollar at EC$2.70=US$1.00 since 1976, highlighting its role in fostering economic confidence. ECCB Governor Timothy N.J. Antoine, in his address, thanked God for the Bank’s journey and reaffirmed the strength of the EC dollar, backed by nearly 99.0% foreign reserves. He emphasized the ECCB’s commitment to maintaining financial stability across its eight member countries. Governor Antoine also honored the Bank’s pioneers, including Dr. Sir Kennedy Simmonds, Sir Cecil Jacobs, Sir K Dwight Venner, and Sir Errol Allen, while acknowledging the collective efforts of past and present contributors. In a poignant moment, he addressed the younger generation, explaining the ECCB’s critical role in regulating financial institutions, issuing currency, and safeguarding deposits. He urged both children and adults to value the Bank’s work and to pray for its continued success. The anniversary coincided with the Financial Information Month (FIM) Festival, a regional initiative promoting financial literacy under the theme ‘Financial Empowerment Through Education.’ The event underscored the ECCB’s legacy of leadership and its ongoing mission to empower the people of the Eastern Caribbean.

  • Adames Sentenced to Prison for Indecent Assault

    Adames Sentenced to Prison for Indecent Assault

    In a significant legal development, Rafael Adames has been sentenced to five years in prison for the crime of indecent assault. The ruling was issued by His Lordship Justice Iain Morley, KC, at the Basseterre Circuit Court on September 25, 2025. The incident, which occurred on June 8, 2024, led to Adames pleading guilty to one count of indecent assault on July 8, 2025. His sentencing was postponed until September 2025. Notably, the court has deducted the 10 months and 27 days Adames spent on remand from his total sentence. Under current legal provisions, Adames is required to serve two-thirds of his sentence, contingent upon good behaviour. This case underscores the judicial system’s commitment to addressing serious offences and ensuring justice for victims.

  • Blake Sentenced to Four Years for House Breaking and Larceny

    Blake Sentenced to Four Years for House Breaking and Larceny

    In a significant legal development, Gibson Blake from Conaree, St. Kitts, has been sentenced to four years in His Majesty’s Prison for charges of House Breaking and Larceny. The incident, which took place in January 2025, culminated in Blake’s appearance before Justice Iain Morley KC at the Basseterre Circuit Court on September 26, 2025, where the verdict was pronounced. Blake, who had been in custody since his arrest, will have the time already served—one year, eight months, and 21 days—deducted from his total sentence after remission is applied. This case underscores the judicial system’s commitment to addressing property crimes and ensuring justice for affected parties.

  • Sosúa Council orders removal of underwater Atabey Statue

    Sosúa Council orders removal of underwater Atabey Statue

    The Sosúa City Council in Puerto Plata has unanimously decided to dismantle the Atabey statue, a 16-foot underwater sculpture installed in March 2023. The statue, created by the Maguá Foundation and Global Coralition, was intended to serve as both a tourist attraction and a project to restore coral reefs. It represented Atabey, the Taíno mother of water deity, and aimed to promote art, culture, and environmental conservation. However, the decision to remove it was made during a session led by Council President Fausto Santos, following a proposal by Catholic priest Johnny Espinal Castillo and pastor Sebero Cordero Capellán, head of the Federation of Pastors. Since its installation in Sosúa Bay, the sculpture has been a source of controversy. Supporters praised its cultural and ecological significance, while critics, particularly religious groups, labeled it as promoting idolatry. The municipal ordinance has reignited debates on social media, with opinions divided between viewing the statue as a valuable cultural and environmental initiative or as an unwelcome foreign element.

  • OP-ED- Last Stand: Trinidad And Tobago Races Against Time To Save Caribbean’s Final Investment Grade Rating

    OP-ED- Last Stand: Trinidad And Tobago Races Against Time To Save Caribbean’s Final Investment Grade Rating

    Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean’s last remaining investment-grade sovereign, is teetering on the edge of a financial precipice. Last week, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded the country’s economic outlook from ‘stable’ to ‘negative,’ signaling a one-in-three chance of a full credit rating downgrade within the next 6 to 24 months. This warning has profound implications for the nation’s 1.4 million citizens, who could face skyrocketing borrowing costs, reduced public services, and heightened economic hardship. The twin-island nation currently holds a BBB- rating, the lowest tier of investment-grade status. A further downgrade to BB+ would plunge the country into ‘junk’ territory, forcing institutional investors to divest and significantly increasing the cost of government borrowing. The stakes are high: Trinidad and Tobago’s potential fall would leave the entire English-speaking Caribbean without a single investment-grade sovereign. The root causes of this crisis are deeply entrenched. The country’s over-reliance on its declining oil and gas sector, chronic fiscal deficits, and stagnant economic growth have created a perfect storm. Oil and gas still account for over 25% of GDP, nearly 80% of exports, and the bulk of government revenues. However, production has been declining for years, and new projects require costly deep-water drilling. Meanwhile, the government’s debt burden has reached 81.3% of GDP, and the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund, built from past oil booms, continues to shrink. S&P has issued an ultimatum: implement fundamental structural reforms within the next two years or face junk status. These reforms include diversifying the economy beyond oil and gas, improving fiscal discipline, addressing chronic USD shortages, and strengthening institutions. While the challenges are daunting, Trinidad and Tobago retains some advantages, including political stability, substantial liquid assets, and sound monetary management. The country’s strategic location as a regional energy hub and gateway to South America also offers opportunities for diversification. The government’s response to this crisis will determine whether Trinidad and Tobago can avoid the fate of its Caribbean neighbors, such as Barbados and The Bahamas, which have struggled with high borrowing costs and austerity measures after losing their investment-grade status. The clock is ticking, and the stakes extend far beyond credit ratings. Success could position Trinidad and Tobago as a model for small island developing states navigating the transition to post-petroleum prosperity. Failure, however, would burden citizens with higher costs and eliminate the Caribbean’s last beacon of investment-grade credibility.