标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, in collaboration with key corporate partners, successfully organized the Tourism Week 2025 Charity Day. This year’s event, themed ‘Our People, Our Culture, Our Environment in Full Thrive,’ emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to comprehensive national development. The initiative highlighted tourism’s dual role as both an economic driver and a force for social progress in Antigua and Barbuda. Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Charles Fernandez, led the outreach efforts, visiting The Adele School, Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, The Fiennes Institute, and The Care Project. Essential items were donated to support these institutions, which cater to some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations. The success of the Charity Day was bolstered by the contributions of corporate partners such as Mega Distributors, Epicurean Fine Foods, Christo’s, Frank B. Armstrong, Hutchinson Antigua Ltd., A.S. Brydens, Cool & Smooth, and Anjo Wholesale. The Ministry expressed deep gratitude to these partners, whose generosity exemplifies the spirit of corporate citizenship and strengthens community bonds. Minister Fernandez commended the collaborative effort, stating that Tourism Week is not merely an industry celebration but a reflection of the nation’s commitment to uplifting its people and fostering community resilience. ‘Today’s Charity Day underlines the importance of investing in one another to build a stronger, more compassionate Antigua and Barbuda,’ he remarked. Tourism Week 2025 continues with the Tourism Week Health Fair at the House of Culture lawn, offering free health screenings, and the Sweat Tourism Week Edition at the YMCA, featuring fitness sessions with Dancer Boy Shan and Fit with Ceejay, promoting wellness and community spirit.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shannon Jones-Gittens is set to spearhead the upcoming session of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court’s Public Education Lecture Series. The event, focusing on the pressing issue of criminal case backlogs, will take place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 6 p.m. (AST) in Courtroom #1 of the Antigua and Barbuda High Court of Justice. Jones-Gittens’ presentation, titled ‘Addressing Criminal Court Backlogs: Pathways to Reform,’ aims to shed light on the challenges burdening the justice system and explore strategies to enhance case management and ensure equitable access to justice. The lecture is part of a broader initiative to foster public awareness and engagement with judicial reforms in the region. The event will be broadcast live on Flow EVO and streamed globally via uwitv.global and UWITV’s platforms. For viewing details, visit https://uwitv.global/listings/ or stream directly at https://www.uwitv.global.

Residents of St. John’s Rural South expressed their growing concerns over crime and inadequate policing during a heated town hall meeting with senior officers of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda on Monday night. The meeting, part of a community-policing initiative, aimed to rebuild public trust and strengthen ties between law enforcement and the community. However, frustrations over slow response times, understaffed police outposts, and a perceived lack of visible policing dominated the discussion. Police administrators, including an Assistant Commissioner and Superintendent, acknowledged the issues and pledged to address them. Residents shared harrowing experiences, such as delayed responses to break-ins and closed outposts, which forced them to seek help from distant stations. Police officials attributed reduced patrols to manpower being diverted to national events but promised increased patrols during the Christmas season and immediate action on staffing shortages. While overall crime statistics show a decline, residents argued that the fear of crime remains pervasive. Police urged collaboration with the government and community to tackle environmental factors like abandoned properties and poor lighting, while also emphasizing the need for stronger parental involvement to curb youth delinquency. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to work together for safer neighborhoods.

Barbuda has officially recognized the lifelong contributions of Bernice Lewis, an 80-year-old retired preschool teacher, for her over two decades of service in early childhood education. Lewis, who began her teaching career in 1978 and retired in 2000, was celebrated in a heartfelt ceremony attended by Foreign Affairs and Barbuda Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene and ABLP caretaker Bonneitha John. Notably, Lewis is the only retired preschool teacher still residing on the island. During the event, Greene and John presented her with a token of appreciation, commending her unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds and supporting families across Barbuda. Attendees, including former students, relatives, and community members, praised Lewis as a mentor and a cornerstone of the community, whose influence has transcended generations. Many highlighted her compassion, resilience, and pivotal role in establishing the foundation of early education on the island. Bonneitha John emphasized that the recognition was part of a broader effort to honor individuals whose lifelong work has significantly contributed to Barbuda’s development.

Jamie Saunders, the Director of Gender Affairs in Antigua and Barbuda, has called for men to play a more proactive role in addressing gender-based violence. Saunders emphasized that meaningful progress in reducing such violence hinges on viewing men as integral to the solution rather than the problem. He criticized the current public discourse, which often frames men and women as adversaries, labeling it counterproductive. Saunders highlighted how societal norms that discourage men from expressing vulnerability contribute to anger and unhealthy conflict resolution, with repercussions felt in homes, workplaces, and communities. While women remain the primary victims of gender-based violence, Saunders noted that men also suffer—both as direct victims and through societal pressures that stifle emotional expression. He stressed the importance of equipping men with better communication and conflict-management skills to foster safer relationships. Additionally, Saunders underscored the economic toll of domestic abuse, referencing international studies that reveal annual losses of millions of dollars due to medical expenses, reduced productivity, and legal proceedings. He observed a growing trend of men supporting prevention initiatives and engaging more willingly in these efforts. According to Saunders, sustaining this momentum is vital to curbing violence and building more stable, inclusive communities.

A former employee of Hadeed Motors, Dylan Simon, has been found guilty of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that involved falsifying company records, stealing an SUV, and selling it for a substantial profit. Simon, who had been with the company for over 20 years, was convicted on six charges, including electronic forgery, larceny by a clerk, obtaining money by false pretences, and money laundering. Justice Stanley John presided over the case, and Simon is now in custody awaiting sentencing on December 11. The fraudulent activities came to light during an audit conducted after the company resumed operations following the COVID-19 shutdown. The audit revealed irregularities, including altered cheque numbers and missing payments linked to transactions Simon had handled. Simon had entered false information into the dealership’s system to indicate that a Suzuki Vitara had been purchased with a non-existent cheque, allowing him to produce documents to remove the vehicle from the lot. He later received a $600 commission as if a legitimate sale had occurred. Approximately six months later, the SUV was sold to a used-car dealer for $55,000, with Simon receiving a vehicle valued at $22,000 and $23,000 in cash. Simon resigned after failing to explain the discrepancies and attempted to transfer ownership of the stolen SUV the following day. Despite his claims that others had access to his computer and that the transaction was paid for in cash, his explanations were dismissed. An auditor called by the defence confirmed that Simon had manipulated records and exploited weak internal controls. This conviction marks Simon’s second in as many years; he was previously fined $100,000 in 2023 for unrelated electronic forgery at the same dealership.

With profound sorrow and a heavy heart, I address this letter to your news platform today. The tragic accident on Friars Hill Road last Friday claimed the life of my dear friend, Brenton Bristol, and the pain of his loss grows more unbearable with each passing day. It feels surreal—one moment, he was among us, brimming with vitality, kindness, and dreams for the future, and in the next, he was gone forever. Brenton was not just a name in a news headline; he was a cherished friend who brought light to ordinary days. He was the person who could always be relied upon for a smile, a helping hand, or a hearty laugh when it was needed most. His sudden departure has left those who loved him grappling with the incomprehensible loss of such a vibrant soul, all because of an animal wandering onto the road. As I mourn, my grief is intertwined with frustration. This is not the first life lost on our roads under similar circumstances. How many more friends, siblings, parents, and loved ones must we bury before meaningful change is enacted? How many more families must endure the heartbreak of that devastating phone call? Every time I drive past stretches of road where animals roam freely, I cannot help but wonder whose life might be next. Brenton deserved better, and so do we all. Roads should not be death traps where drivers are forced to choose between swerving into danger or colliding with animals they had no chance to avoid. This tragedy compels us to confront a painful but essential question: How many more lives must be lost before we take decisive action to prevent such accidents? I write this letter not only to honor my friend’s memory but also in the hope that his death will not become just another statistic. I hope that the authorities and our community will finally address the dangers that have been overlooked for far too long. No one should have to endure the agony of mourning a loved one in this way again. Grieving, Javorne Moore