Carib Scope

标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • Charity Henry to represent Antigua and Barbuda at international pageant in St. Martin This Weekend

    Charity Henry to represent Antigua and Barbuda at international pageant in St. Martin This Weekend

    Charity Henry, an accomplished makeup artist and business owner from Antigua and Barbuda, has been officially selected as the national representative for the upcoming BTA 8th Annual Miss International Elegant Mothers Pageant. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, in the dual-nation island of St. Maarten/St. Martin.

    Beyond the glamour of the competition, Henry brings a profound personal mission to the international stage. As a mother of two daughters, she aims to leverage this platform to demonstrate the powerful combination of maternal strength, professional confidence, and unwavering determination. Her participation transcends the pursuit of a crown, focusing instead on inspiring the next generation of young women to pursue their dreams relentlessly.

    Henry’s journey to the international pageant stage is rooted in a distinguished history of leadership and beauty industry expertise. A native Antiguan, she first exhibited her leadership capabilities as Head Girl at All Saints Secondary School. Her entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when she entered the beauty sector at just 13 years old, subsequently cultivating a thriving career that spans over a decade in both makeup artistry and business development.

    Her pageant pedigree includes significant prior achievements, having claimed the Miss Teenage 2017 title while representing her secondary school. She further solidified her pageant prowess by winning the Miss Labour Queen 2022 crown while representing Prime Minister Gaston Browne and the St. John’s City West constituency, demonstrating her deep connections to both community and national leadership.

  • Tissue Culture Laboratory to Open in Bethesda

    Tissue Culture Laboratory to Open in Bethesda

    The agricultural landscape of Antigua and Barbuda is poised for a significant technological transformation with the imminent inauguration of the Bethesda Tissue Culture Laboratory. The Hon. Minister for Agriculture confirmed the facility’s official opening scheduled for the coming week, marking a pivotal advancement for the nation’s farming sector.

    This cutting-edge laboratory employs sophisticated plant tissue culture techniques, a cornerstone of modern agricultural biotechnology. By cultivating plants from minute tissue samples within sterile, controlled environments, scientists can generate vast quantities of genetically uniform and disease-free plantlets. This method is critically effective for the rapid propagation of key economic crops, including bananas, pineapples, various root crops, and ornamental plants, while simultaneously curbing the transmission of pathogens that commonly plague traditional farming.

    The strategic implementation of this technology is projected to deliver multifaceted benefits for Antigua and Barbuda. Primary objectives include a substantial boost in crop yields, a marked improvement in the overall quality of plant material available to farmers, and a strengthened framework for national food security. By providing local agriculturists with access to superior, disease-resistant planting stocks, the facility is designed to enhance the sector’s resilience against climatic and biological challenges.

    The national Cabinet has formally endorsed the project, recognizing the laboratory as an instrumental component in the broader modernization of the country’s agricultural practices. Officials emphasized the facility’s vital role in equipping farmers with the advanced tools necessary to significantly elevate productivity and sustainability, thereby securing a more robust and self-sufficient agricultural future for the nation.

  • WIOC Says Adequate LPG Supply Available Across Antigua and Barbuda

    WIOC Says Adequate LPG Supply Available Across Antigua and Barbuda

    West Indies Oil Company Limited (WIOC) has issued a formal advisory addressing a recent surge in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder purchases across Antigua and Barbuda, attributing the trend to unwarranted public anxiety and speculation. The energy provider has moved swiftly to reassure consumers that its supply chain remains fully operational with sufficient inventory to meet regular demand levels.

    In an official statement, WIOC confirmed that both LPG product and cylinder availability are at adequate levels, explicitly urging against stockpiling behavior. The company emphasized that current distribution capabilities can comfortably sustain normal consumption patterns without supply chain interruptions.

    Addressing circulating rumors, WIOC categorically denied engaging in any discussions with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda regarding potential price increases for LPG cylinders. This clarification aims to dispel market uncertainties that may have contributed to the recent buying surge.

    The company has implemented enhanced monitoring protocols to track distribution patterns and consumption rates in real-time. WIOC reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining reliable LPG distribution throughout the nation, with contingency measures in place to ensure continuous service delivery during this period of heightened demand.

  • Senegal doubles maximum penalty for same-sex activity to 10 years’ jail

    Senegal doubles maximum penalty for same-sex activity to 10 years’ jail

    In a sweeping legislative move, Senegal’s National Assembly has passed a stringent anti-homosexuality bill that significantly escalates penalties for same-sex acts. The Wednesday evening vote saw overwhelming approval with 135 votes in favor, zero against, and three abstentions.

    The new legislation doubles the maximum prison sentence from five to ten years for same-sex relations and introduces substantial fines up to 10 million CFA francs (approximately $16,300). The law specifically criminalizes homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality, zoophilia, and necrophilia under the umbrella term “acts against nature.”

    Notably, the bill removes judicial discretion, mandating that courts cannot grant suspended sentences or reduce prison terms below the statutory minimum. This represents a significant hardening of Senegal’s existing penal code, which previously carried a maximum five-year sentence under legislation last amended in 1966.

    The legislation fulfills campaign promises made by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration, which assumed power in 2024. Religious leaders including Imam Babacar Sylla of the And Samm Jikko Yi network have publicly urged President Faye to promptly sign the bill into law, characterizing LGBT individuals as “public dangers.”

    In the weeks preceding the vote, supporters organized demonstrations in Dakar featuring crossed-out rainbow symbols and chants of “No to homosexuality!” This development occurs amid a broader regional trend of tightening anti-LGBT laws across West Africa.

  • Musician Yung Luiy is in urgent need of a transfusion, any blood type welcome

    Musician Yung Luiy is in urgent need of a transfusion, any blood type welcome

    The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society has launched an urgent public appeal for blood donations to support Christopher Howell, a local resident known professionally as Yung Luiy, who requires immediate transfusion services. The humanitarian organization has extended its operational hours to facilitate this emergency response, welcoming donors from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM today.

    In an effort to maximize community outreach, the Red Cross is leveraging social networks and public communications channels to amplify their message. Officials emphasize that widespread sharing of this appeal could significantly enhance the likelihood of meeting the critical blood requirement. The organization has established a dedicated communication line at (268) 462-0800 for prospective donors seeking clarification on eligibility criteria or donation procedures.

    This emergency mobilization highlights both the ongoing challenges in maintaining adequate blood reserves and the critical role of community participation in healthcare response systems. The Red Cross’s coordinated effort demonstrates how humanitarian organizations bridge gaps in medical infrastructure during individual health crises.

  • Canadian woman Charged with Drug Trafficking After Cannabis Seizure at Airport

    Canadian woman Charged with Drug Trafficking After Cannabis Seizure at Airport

    In a significant narcotics interdiction operation, Antiguan authorities have apprehended and formally charged a Canadian national following the discovery of a substantial cannabis shipment at V.C. Bird International Airport. Roselynee Crisostomo, 48, faces multiple serious charges including drug trafficking, cannabis possession with intent to supply, and importation of controlled substances after law enforcement intercepted approximately 67 pounds of cannabis with an estimated street value of EC $536,000 (approximately USD $198,000).

    The operation unfolded on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, when a coordinated task force comprising specialists from the Narcotics Department, Special Services Unit, K-9 Division, and Customs Enforcement Unit conducted targeted surveillance of incoming flights. At approximately 4:30 p.m., authorities identified and detained Crisostomo upon her arrival aboard Air Canada flight AC1832 from Toronto. A subsequent search of her belongings revealed the substantial cannabis shipment.

    This interception represents one of the largest recent drug seizures at Antigua’s primary international gateway, highlighting intensified border security measures throughout the Eastern Caribbean region. The successful operation demonstrates enhanced inter-agency cooperation among Antigua and Barbuda’s various law enforcement divisions, particularly in combating transnational drug trafficking networks that exploit commercial air transport routes.

    Crisostomo remains in custody awaiting judicial proceedings, which will determine the legal consequences she faces under Antigua and Barbuda’s strict drug trafficking legislation. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has emphasized its continued commitment to disrupting narcotics smuggling operations through advanced intelligence gathering and coordinated interdiction efforts at all entry points to the nation.

  • Repairs Underway at Government Printery

    Repairs Underway at Government Printery

    A comprehensive renovation initiative is now underway at the Government Printery facility, targeting significant improvements to workplace conditions and addressing critical sanitation issues. The development was formally announced during this week’s post-Cabinet media briefing, where government representatives outlined the scope of the ongoing upgrades.

    Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, revealed that among the most pressing concerns being addressed is a persistent pigeon infestation that has plagued the building for an extended period. “Work has commenced at the government’s printery to enhance working conditions for employees,” Merchant stated. “A primary focus involves the removal of substantial pigeon populations that have established residence within the facility.”

    The remediation process involves carefully relocating the birds through humane methods as part of the initial cleanup phase. This essential first step will precede additional structural repairs and maintenance activities planned for the government printing operation.

    According to officials from the Ministry of Works, which is overseeing the project, these measures are designed to guarantee that staff members can perform their duties in both safe and hygienic surroundings. The improvements will simultaneously ensure the printery’s continuous operational capacity throughout the renovation period. Merchant emphasized that these upgrades specifically aim to provide workers with substantially improved environmental conditions for their professional activities.

  • Record Participation Expected for National Interschool Championships

    Record Participation Expected for National Interschool Championships

    Antigua and Barbuda is poised to host one of its largest youth athletic events in recent history as the National Interschool Championships prepares to welcome nearly 700 student competitors. The four-day tournament, set to take place at YASCO grounds from March 12-15, has garnered unprecedented institutional support with Cabinet members personally committing to attend and champion the event.

    During the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant revealed that government officials expressed particular enthusiasm for the championships, which represent a cornerstone of the national school sports calendar. The competition will feature track and field athletes from educational institutions across the twin-island nation, showcasing emerging talent in various athletic disciplines.

    The Office of the Prime Minister has issued a formal invitation to citizens, urging widespread public attendance to bolster morale for the young participants. Merchant conveyed the Cabinet’s collective message: ‘The general public is invited to come out and support young athletes and the Cabinet sends its best wishes and success to all of the athletes.’ This endorsement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering youth development through sports.

    Organizers emphasize that the championships serve as a critical platform for identifying and nurturing athletic potential while promoting physical activity among the youth population. The anticipated record participation reflects growing interest in school-based sports programs and indicates a positive trajectory for athletic development in the country.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Government Closing Bethesda Tissue Culture Lab as New Facility Planned

    Antigua and Barbuda Government Closing Bethesda Tissue Culture Lab as New Facility Planned

    In a strategic move to bolster national food security and agricultural output, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has initiated a significant restructuring of its agricultural support system. The Cabinet has confirmed the imminent closure of the existing tissue culture laboratory in Bethesda. This decision, announced by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant during the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, paves the way for the establishment of a new, advanced agricultural facility.

    The core objective of this transition is to enhance plant propagation capabilities across the twin-island nation. The new center will be dedicated to the production of superior, disease-free planting materials. These high-quality resources are specifically intended for widespread distribution to local farmers and national agricultural programs, ensuring a healthier and more robust foundation for crop cultivation.

    Government officials project that this modernization initiative will yield substantial benefits, including a marked increase in crop production volumes and a significant improvement in the overall quality of plants available to the agricultural sector. By providing farmers with access to optimized planting material, the initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of local agriculture against diseases and climate vulnerabilities, thereby reinforcing long-term food security.

    Complementing this infrastructural upgrade, the government has also procured new agricultural machinery. This equipment has already arrived at the port and is slated for imminent deployment. The integration of this modern technology is designed to further empower farmers, directly supporting efforts to boost crop yields and overall production efficiency, marking a comprehensive investment in the future of the nation’s agriculture.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Advancing ‘Blind Free Zone’ Eye Care Initiative

    Antigua and Barbuda Advancing ‘Blind Free Zone’ Eye Care Initiative

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has launched an ambitious public health program designed to eliminate preventable blindness and dramatically enhance national eye care capabilities. The groundbreaking ‘Blind Free Zone’ initiative, recently approved by the Cabinet, represents a strategic two-year collaboration between the Ministry of Health and international partners.

    Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, confirmed the program’s dual focus on expanding accessibility to vision services while implementing robust early detection and treatment protocols for ocular conditions. ‘This represents a comprehensive collaborative program specifically engineered to reduce preventable blindness and substantially strengthen eye care services throughout Antigua and Barbuda,’ Merchant stated.

    The initiative has already secured significant international support, including a substantial donation of specialized ophthalmic equipment valued at US$90,000 to upgrade medical infrastructure nationwide. In a critical capacity-building component, several Antiguan nurses are presently undergoing advanced clinical training at India’s prestigious Aravind Eye Hospital, recognized as the world’s largest eye care network.

    Upon completing their intensive specialization, these healthcare professionals will return to establish and manage two new community-based eye care centers operating under Ministry of Health supervision. These facilities will strategically serve populations along a designated corridor extending from Grace Farm through Golden Grove, Jennings, All Saints, English Harbour, and Falmouth, while remaining accessible to residents across both islands.

    The program will prioritize early intervention for treatable eye conditions that constitute major causes of vision impairment globally. In a significant affordability measure, government officials have committed to maintaining eyeglass prices below $100, ensuring economic accessibility while preserving the initiative’s long-term operational sustainability.