This Sunday, the Antigua and Barbuda diaspora residing in the tri-state area of New York will gather to commemorate their nation’s 44th anniversary of political independence. The annual Independence Thanksgiving Service, a cherished tradition, will be held at the Westchester Methodist Church in the Bronx at 4 pm. The event promises to be a heartfelt afternoon of reflection, featuring songs and prayers to honor the blessings bestowed upon the nation since its independence on November 1, 1981.
分类： society
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Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard join French authorities in search for missing boat captain, enroute to Dominica
The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) Coast Guard is spearheading a critical search and rescue mission following a maritime incident near Guadeloupe. The operation focuses on locating Captain Phillippe “Daniel” Jules, a French national, who fell overboard from the vessel SV VOILACTUS late on October 21, 2025. The incident occurred approximately six nautical miles northeast of Guadeloupe, as Jules reportedly attempted to avoid the boat’s mast, leading to his unfortunate plunge into open waters. French authorities initially launched the search, with the ABDF taking over coordination efforts. The remaining ten crew members have been confirmed safe and are currently in Guadeloupe. The ABDF has expressed concern over the delayed reporting of the incident, which hindered an immediate response. Despite this, the Coast Guard is deploying all available resources, including collaboration with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Fort-de-France and the Commandement de la Gendarmerie, to ensure a successful rescue. The ABDF has also emphasized the importance of maritime safety, urging mariners to adhere to protocols such as using personal flotation devices and man-overboard alert systems. Lieutenant Randolph Best of the ABDF assured the public that all efforts are being made to achieve a favorable outcome, while extending support to Jules’ family and friends. Updates will be provided as the situation evolves.
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San Felipe Village Buries Mother and Children Lost in Horrific Arson
The tight-knit community of San Felipe gathered in profound sorrow today to bid farewell to Angelita Magana and her two children, Tishan Godoy, 6, and Shadia Magana, 17, who tragically lost their lives in a devastating house fire earlier this week. Authorities have confirmed that the blaze was a deliberate act of violence, shattering the family’s dreams of a fresh start in their new home. The perpetrator, Francisco Godoy, Angelita’s former common-law husband, had recently been released from prison after serving time for domestic violence and rape. Police allege that he doused the house with gasoline and set it ablaze, claiming the lives of Angelita and her children while leaving three others critically injured. The incident has sparked widespread grief and renewed calls for stronger measures to combat domestic violence. Local schools, including St. Michael R.C. School and the Belize High School of Agriculture, paid heartfelt tributes to the victims, honoring Angelita’s dedication as an educator and Shadia’s academic achievements. Health Minister Kevin Bernard and the Cabinet have condemned the attack, emphasizing that gender-based violence remains a pressing national crisis. They urged communities to rally behind victims and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
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Three Female Finalists Announced in CHOGM 2026 Logo Design Contest
In a remarkable display of talent and innovation, three female designers have emerged as finalists in the prestigious Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 logo design competition. Selected from an impressive pool of 141 submissions, these finalists embody the creative spirit and national pride of Antigua and Barbuda. The rigorous selection process was overseen by a distinguished panel of judges, including representatives from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and branding experts. The winning logo, set to be unveiled on November 4 at Sandals Grande Antigua, will be revealed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. This event underscores Antigua and Barbuda’s dedication to fostering youth innovation and artistic expression as the nation prepares to host CHOGM 2026, a pivotal diplomatic gathering of 56 Commonwealth nations. The logo will symbolize unity, sustainability, and resilience, key themes of the summit, which aims to address global cooperation, climate action, and development. This marks the first time Antigua and Barbuda will host CHOGM, highlighting the country’s growing influence in international diplomacy and its commitment to advancing Commonwealth values.
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Security guard granted bail after $370,000 fleeced from woman’s bank account
In a significant cybercrime case, three individuals appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday, facing charges related to the unauthorized theft of over $370,000 from a woman’s bank account. Christopher Howell, Delano Wright, and Shakey Stewart are accused of violating the Cybercrimes Act by allegedly accessing and spending the funds without consent. Stewart was granted bail of $150,000 with up to three sureties and reporting conditions by Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton, while Howell and Wright had their station bail extended until November 19, when the case resumes. The incident came to light in late August when the complainant attempted a withdrawal at an NCB ATM in Montego Bay and discovered insufficient funds. A subsequent bank investigation revealed unauthorized transactions between August 22 and 27, totaling $371,468.98. The complainant, who worked alongside Stewart and Howell at a Montego Bay health center, reported the theft to the police, citing the lack of lockers at the facility as a potential vulnerability. During the court proceedings, Howell acknowledged the charges, Stewart expressed stress, and Wright remained silent. The case awaits further evidence, including a corroboration officer’s statement, bank records, and a Q&A document.
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#EyeOnMelissa: JR2R sets new date for Pink Run 2025 due to hurricane watch
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica Reach to Recovery (JR2R) has made the decision to postpone the 25th anniversary of the Pink Run, originally set for this Sunday, in response to the ongoing hurricane watch affecting the island. The event has been rescheduled to Saturday, November 15, 2025, and will be held at Emancipation Park in New Kingston. This move underscores JR2R’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants, volunteers, and attendees. Additional information regarding the rescheduled event will be released in the coming weeks via JR2R’s official website and social media channels. Sandra Samuels, President of JR2R, emphasized the organization’s dedication to safety, stating, ‘The safety of everyone is our top priority. We deeply appreciate the understanding, flexibility, and unwavering enthusiasm of our participants, sponsors, and supporters. We eagerly anticipate uniting everyone on November 15 to run in solidarity, hope, and support for those impacted by breast cancer.’
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![[UPDATED] Barrackpore coconut vendor gunned down](https://wp.caribscopeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/9f0f863a0b3f582c9305397ae42f0477.jpg)
[UPDATED] Barrackpore coconut vendor gunned down
The Barrackpore community is reeling from the tragic shooting of 34-year-old coconut vendor Michael Seeraj, who was gunned down on October 23 while disposing of coconut shells with a worker. The incident occurred around 7:35 pm on Project Road, Ramsabad Trace, Rochard Road, Barrackpore, a location Seeraj frequented for this purpose. According to the worker, he fled the scene upon hearing multiple gunshots. Police arrived to find Seeraj unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a district medical officer, and an autopsy has been ordered. Investigators discovered $2,300 in Seeraj’s pocket, but the motive behind the killing remains unclear. Homicide Region Three is actively investigating the case. Seeraj’s wife, Resha Ramdeo, 36, expressed her shock and grief, stating that she could not fathom why anyone would target her husband. Described as a hardworking and quiet man, Seeraj had turned to selling coconuts after losing his job in the scrap-iron industry in August 2022. He was in the process of building a home for his family in Pancham Trace. The community remembers him as a devoted father who frequently visited his six-year-old daughter, the ‘light of his life.’ The family is awaiting the autopsy results, expected early next week, before proceeding with funeral arrangements.
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Tobago police expect largest, incident free carnival
The Tobago Carnival 2024, now in its fourth edition, is poised to be the largest yet, with an unprecedented influx of visitors expected to descend on the island this weekend. Senior Superintendent of Police Earl Elie, speaking at a press conference on October 23 at the Scarborough Police Station, emphasized that safety remains the top priority for law enforcement. Elie revealed that approximately 23,000 people are anticipated to arrive via Caribbean Airlines, with additional travelers expected to come by ferry. Despite the surge in attendance, the carnival events have so far been incident-free, and authorities are optimistic this trend will continue. To manage the festivities, over 50 officers from Trinidad will join local police, alongside a significant contingent from the Defence Force, ensuring a robust security presence. Assistant Commissioner of Police Oswain Subero highlighted the collaborative efforts of the TT Police Service, the Tobago House of Assembly, and other agencies in implementing a comprehensive operational and security plan. This plan covers all aspects of carnival activities, from pre-carnival events to the main-day parades, with a focus on traffic management, crowd control, and intelligence-led policing. Subero stressed the importance of both enforcement and community engagement, noting that emergency response units and traffic departments are working in unison to ensure minimal disruptions and rapid incident response. The Tobago Carnival promises to be a vibrant celebration, underpinned by meticulous planning and a commitment to public safety.
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Education Ministry: Book grant review doesn’t mean discontinuation
The Ministry of Education has announced a comprehensive review of its School Supplies and Book Grant initiative, a program designed to support students in government and government-assisted primary and secondary schools. This review is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to modernize education in line with the Education Strategic Plan 2025-2030, a national framework guiding education reform over the next five years. The initiative, which provides essential learning materials to students, will not be discontinued but will be enhanced to ensure equity, efficiency, and alignment with emerging technologies, including AI-supported textbooks and adaptive digital resources. Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath emphasized that the review reflects a deliberate, evidence-based approach to improving education support systems. He stated, ‘Our responsibility is to ensure that every dollar spent delivers measurable improvement in student learning outcomes.’ The decision to review the program follows a period in which no allocations were made in the annual budget, prompting the ministry to seek funding through the mid-year budget process. In the 2024 cycle, approximately 27,000 applications were received, with 20,000 grants disbursed. The ministry secured funding for 20,000 grants of $1,000 each during the 2025 mid-year budget review. The current review aims to strengthen the program’s design and delivery, ensuring timely and efficient allocations that align with national education priorities. The ministry reiterated its commitment to fiscal prudence, transparency, and accountability in all education spending.
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Court: ‘Beyond belief’ Valley Boys name hijacked
The Court of Appeal has issued a scathing critique of the Registrar General’s handling of the Valley Boys Junkanoo registration dispute, labeling the situation as “beyond belief.” The court expressed astonishment that an unauthorized group could appropriate the name and legacy of one of the nation’s most revered cultural institutions without proper oversight. The appellate panel has granted leave for Brian Adderley, leader of the World Famous Valley Boys, to challenge a Supreme Court decision that dismissed their bid for judicial review. The justices emphasized that the lower court failed to grasp the gravity of the issues and the public significance of clarifying the Non-Profit Organisations Act, 2019 (NPO Act). The panel noted that the appeal has “excellent prospects of success” and that the interpretation of the NPO Act warrants judicial review in the interest of justice. The court’s ruling highlighted troubling irregularities, including the fact that the constitution of the newly registered group was filed weeks after its registration and that its first board meeting occurred six weeks later. These lapses, the judges argued, indicate a failure by the Registrar General to perform due diligence as mandated by the NPO Act. The immediate implications of the ruling remain uncertain but could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for the allocation of seed money for holiday parades. The dispute stems from a deep internal rift within the Valley Boys, a group founded in 1958 and led by Adderley since 2014. A faction led by Trevor Davis and Michael Foster accused Adderley’s team of mismanagement and non-compliance with the NPO Act, leading to the registration of a new entity under the same name in September 2023. Adderley’s group subsequently registered a separate non-profit to preserve their identity, but the Registrar General directed them to change their name, prompting the legal challenge. The Court of Appeal criticized the Supreme Court’s decision, stating that it overlooked irregularities and failed to address the public interest in clarifying the NPO Act. The judges stressed that the original Valley Boys, recognized by government agencies and the public, should not have their identity usurped by an unauthorized group. The ruling reopens the leadership dispute and allows Adderley’s team to pursue a full appeal, with the court underscoring the case’s exceptional cultural importance and its potential impact on all Junkanoo groups and non-profits under the law.