Peetron Thomas, the 2024 Embark Gospel Voice Caribbean winner and versatile vocalist, alongside Enoch Thomas, the 2025 Praise Break Gospel Quest Antigua & Barbuda champion, are thrilled to announce their inclusion in the International Calypso Gospel Fusion Project. This initiative, spearheaded by Una Fagan, known as Touched by an Angel, under Basco House Production, a renowned Jamaican gospel production company based in New York City, aims to elevate Caribbean gospel music on a global scale. Antigua’s Island Trap Records has been entrusted with engineering the project, ensuring top-tier production quality. Fagan expressed her enthusiasm for the Antiguan contributions, highlighting the exceptional vocal talents of the artists and their potential to inspire audiences worldwide. Peetron Thomas shared his excitement, emphasizing his commitment to representing Antigua with pride and his passion for music that glorifies God. He also praised Enoch Thomas, predicting a bright future for the young artist. The project will feature Peetron’s track “Cover Me” and Enoch’s single “Hallelujah” in the upcoming album, *The Fourth Voyage: Touched by an Angel*, set to release on major digital platforms soon. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Caribbean gospel music, showcasing its growing influence and unity across the region.
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National Youth Theatre Company marks 20 years with awards dinner
The National Youth Theatre Company of Antigua and Barbuda has reached a significant milestone, celebrating its 20th anniversary with a grand awards dinner and banquet. Over the past two decades, the theatre group has become a cornerstone of cultural expression, offering audiences a blend of drama, humor, and poignant storytelling rooted in local traditions. The Department of Culture highlighted the company’s role in nurturing young talent, helping performers hone their skills and build confidence while delivering productions that take audiences on emotional journeys. The anniversary event brought together past and present members, as well as long-standing supporters, for an evening filled with laughter, surprises, and heartfelt moments. During the ceremony, the theatre company honored key individuals and stakeholders who have contributed to its growth and success. Officials emphasized the community’s unwavering support as a driving force behind the company’s continued vitality. The Department of Culture lauded the group’s contributions to national arts development and expressed optimism for its enduring impact in the years to come.
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Antigua Sailing Weeks Evolution:A Return to Destination Sailing
The 57th edition of Antigua Sailing Week, scheduled for April 22–26, 2026, is set to introduce a transformative experience for sailing enthusiasts. The event, reimagined as a four-day destination sailing adventure, will feature a circumnavigation of Antigua’s breathtaking coastline. Participants will embark from English Harbour, navigating through iconic anchorages such as Nonsuch Bay, Little Jumby Bay, and Ffryes Beach before concluding at Nelson’s Dockyard. The format offers flexibility, with options for cruise-in-company or point-to-point racing, catering to a diverse fleet of competitive racers, bareboat charterers, and live-aboard cruisers.
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Antigua and Barbuda Urges Direct Budget Support for Disaster-Hit States
At the COP30 summit, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed the unveiling of the Global Infrastructure Resilience (GIR 2025) Report, emphasizing that its true effectiveness hinges on the accessibility of financing and support for implementing resilience measures. Ambassador Ruleta Camacho Thomas highlighted the critical issue of affordability, stating that without accessible and affordable finance, even the most advanced technical guidance remains unattainable for those who need it most. She warned that the cost of resilience should not push families into poverty and urged global partners to ensure that vulnerable communities are not excluded from safety due to financial constraints. The Caribbean region, already grappling with severe climate impacts, sees households frequently transitioning from stability to hardship. When infrastructure fails—be it roofs, coastlines, or homes—the financial burden often falls entirely on families. With reinsurers retreating from parts of the region and insurance premiums skyrocketing, many households are left unprotected against climate disasters. Ambassador Camacho Thomas stressed that without affordable financing, individuals cannot afford the upfront costs of reinforcing their homes or rebuilding to resilient standards, leaving them increasingly vulnerable each season. This cycle, she noted, transforms vulnerability into poverty and exacerbates inequality. The issue extends to the national level, where each disaster amplifies debt burdens, hindering long-term resilience investments. For instance, Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica caused losses of nearly USD 8–9 billion, yet only USD 1 billion is available for recovery. This vast gap forces governments into new borrowing, stalling resilience efforts. Ambassador Camacho Thomas called for direct budget support for highly indebted nations and a rapid, equitable scale-up of international financing. While the GIR 2025 report provides essential evidence and tools, she emphasized that real access to finance is crucial for actionable progress.
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2025 Tourism Awards Nominees For Customer Service Excellence and Tour Guide of the Year Announced
The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) has unveiled the nominees for two prestigious categories in the 2025 Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Awards, which honor exceptional service in the nation’s hospitality industry. The shortlist for the Customer Service Excellence – Company category features a diverse array of establishments, from boutique hotels such as Siboney Beach Club and Trade Winds Hotel to larger resorts like Sandals Grande Antigua, Royalton Antigua, Royalton CHIC, and Hermitage Bay. Public sector entities, including the Customs & Excise Division and the Department of Immigration, are also recognized for their contributions. Additionally, Antigua Cruise Port, Tamarind Hills Resort & Villas, Mill Reef Club, and The Verandah Antigua have secured spots on the list. In the Tour Guide of the Year – Company category, nominees include the Antigua and Barbuda National Parks Authority, Antigua Rum Experience, and South Coast Horizons, all lauded for providing immersive and culturally enriching experiences for visitors. The winners will be announced on November 29, 2025, at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Awards Gala, hosted at Sandals Grande Antigua. This year’s event, themed ‘Mirror Ball Gala – A Night to Reflect and Shine,’ will celebrate the individuals and organizations that have significantly enhanced the country’s tourism offerings.
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Arry Simon Delivers Closing Statement at Research and Systematic Observation Negotiations
In a week where climate discussions seemed to falter, Arry Simon, the Climate Assessment Officer at the Department of Environment and lead coordinator for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) on Research and Systematic Observations (RSO), delivered a resolute message: scientific integrity must remain paramount, and small island nations will not remain silent as deadlines are postponed. Speaking at the conclusion of recent negotiations, Simon expressed profound disappointment over the decision to delay the Periodic Review (PR)—a crucial process that evaluates global progress against the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s scientific benchmarks and the 1.5°C global warming target—until the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31). He stressed that this deferral jeopardizes a vital accountability mechanism essential for vulnerable nations. ‘This review is not just a technical exercise; it’s a lifeline,’ Simon asserted, expressing confidence that the PR would proceed at COP31. Despite this setback, Simon celebrated the successful conclusion of the RSO agenda item, which highlighted advancements in climate science, including the deteriorating state of the global climate system, progress in attribution science, and the critical role of systematic observation in mitigation, adaptation, and early warning systems. AOSIS also lauded the focus on the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), which supports Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in leveraging data for policy and life-saving decisions. However, Simon raised concerns about the failure to adequately recognize the IPCC’s role as the cornerstone of the UNFCCC and the omission of ‘extremely alarming’ climate indicators, such as record-breaking global temperatures and accelerating sea-level rise. ‘The way scientific and lived truths were challenged is deeply concerning,’ Simon remarked, calling for greater accountability. As the world looks ahead to COP31, Simon emphasized AOSIS’s unwavering commitment to ensuring scientific integrity remains a priority, warning that for frontline nations, every delay is a step closer to an irreversible future.
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Dominican Republic takes part in UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference in Uzbekistan
The Dominican Republic made a significant impact at the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO, a historic event held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan—marking the first time in 40 years that the conference took place outside Paris. The Dominican delegation, led by Minister of Culture Roberto Ángel Salcedo, actively participated in high-level discussions, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to cultural diversity, heritage preservation, and the expansion of creative industries. Minister Salcedo highlighted the crucial role of youth in driving cultural innovation and called for more equitable international cooperation, particularly advocating for increased Caribbean involvement in UNESCO’s strategic initiatives. Ambassador Larissa Veloz Santana, the Dominican Republic’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, played a pivotal role in aligning national priorities with global agendas. She engaged with key stakeholders, participated in working committees, and reinforced partnerships within the multilateral framework. The delegation also included representatives from the Ministry of Culture, the Dominican National Commission for UNESCO, and diplomatic missions in Uzbekistan and Russia, all contributing to the technical and diplomatic efforts. Throughout the conference, the Dominican Republic championed cultural policies aligned with the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the importance of creativity, heritage protection, and cultural diversity on the global stage.
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Presidency clarifies digital service disruptions were caused by external providers
The Dominican Republic’s Presidency has officially addressed the temporary disruptions experienced by users on various digital platforms earlier in the day, attributing the issue to a global technical incident involving Cloudflare, a leading international company that supports numerous websites and online services worldwide. The government clarified that the outages were not caused by failures within its own systems, emphasizing the robustness of its digital infrastructure. Cloudflare confirmed the incident, citing network degradation that temporarily affected platform performance and stability across the region and other parts of the globe. Despite the external outage, the Dominican government’s critical systems, including institutional websites, administrative platforms, service channels, and internal networks, remained fully operational. This resilience was credited to the State’s redundancy mechanisms, backup systems, and continuous monitoring protocols. The Directorate of Strategy and Government Communication (DIECOM) reported that its technical team has been actively monitoring the situation since the incident began, coordinating with local providers to ensure overall connectivity. Government officials reiterated that the disruptions did not originate from State platforms and reaffirmed their commitment to modernization, cybersecurity, and enhancing the country’s digital resilience to provide reliable and accessible services for all citizens.
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Parent urges earlier decisions on school closures as flood warning prompts early dismissal
Barbados’ education authorities faced renewed criticism this week as flood warnings forced an early closure of schools across the island. The Ministry of Educational Transformation mandated that all schools dismiss students at 1 p.m. on Monday following a flood warning issued by the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS). However, parent advocate Paula-Anne Moore argued that the decision came too late, given the severe flooding experienced the previous day and the dire weather forecast for Monday. Moore emphasized that earlier action could have mitigated risks for students, particularly those reliant on public transport. The island had been under a flood watch since Sunday, when torrential rains caused widespread damage, including waterlogged communities and damaged roads. The BMS upgraded the watch to a flood warning at 9:38 a.m. on Monday, predicting ‘heavy to intense showers’ and potential rainfall exceeding nine inches in some areas. Moore criticized the ministry for its delayed communication, stating that proactive decisions are crucial in such situations. She also questioned whether a national protocol exists to guide school closures during extreme weather events. The ministry has promised further updates on school reopenings based on BMS guidance, while urging the public to remain vigilant amid ongoing unstable weather conditions.
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Trump opent de deur voor mogelijke gesprekken met Venezuela
President Donald Trump has not ruled out military action against Venezuela, even as he hinted at possible diplomatic discussions with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. During a press briefing at the White House, Trump reiterated his willingness to engage in talks with Maduro but emphasized that military intervention remains a viable option. ‘I’m not ruling anything out,’ Trump stated, addressing reporters in the Oval Office. He accused Maduro of causing significant harm to the United States through drug trafficking and migration from Venezuela. ‘He has not been good for the United States, so we’ll see what happens,’ Trump added. The remarks have heightened uncertainty about the Trump administration’s next steps toward Maduro’s regime, which the U.S. has recently accused of leading a criminal organization. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford and accompanying warships in the Caribbean over the weekend, coupled with U.S. military strikes on suspected drug vessels, has been framed as part of an anti-drug operation. However, analysts and Venezuelan opposition figures view these actions as increasing pressure on Maduro. Geoff Ramsey, an expert at the Atlantic Council, noted that the Trump administration could swiftly shift its approach, drawing parallels to diplomatic talks with Iran preceding military strikes on its nuclear facilities in June. Meanwhile, Maduro has yet to respond to Trump’s comments, and Venezuelan citizens expressed a mix of skepticism and hope regarding potential dialogue. ‘If the dialogue happens, I hope the government keeps its word this time,’ said Gustavo García, a 38-year-old shopkeeper in Caracas. ‘We need to be serious. They’re used to talking but not keeping agreements. You can’t mess around with Trump.’