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标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • Joseph, Henry, Pigott among athletes setting personal bests for Antigua and Barbuda at CARIFTA

    Joseph, Henry, Pigott among athletes setting personal bests for Antigua and Barbuda at CARIFTA

    The annual CARIFTA Games, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious regional track and field competitions for young emerging athletes, delivered a series of standout results for Team Antigua and Barbuda this year, with five local competitors turning in career-topping performances across sprint and distance events.

    The first wave of personal bests came during the competition’s morning session, where two young male sprinters dominated their respective age-group 200-meter races. Delbert Joseph, competing in the hotly contested Under-20 boys’ division, crossed the finish line with an official time of 21.73 seconds, shaving precious milliseconds off his previous best mark to set a new personal standard. Not to be outdone, 17-and-under sprinter Geron Henry recorded his own career best in the same event, stopping the clock at 21.92 seconds in his preliminary outing.

    In the afternoon session, the island nation’s middle-distance competitor Jaeda Pigott matched her teammates’ momentum in the Under-17 girls’ 800 meters. The young runner crossed the line with a final time of 2 minutes and 18.03 seconds, securing a new personal best that capped a successful day of competition for Antigua and Barbuda’s track contingent.

    Two more local distance runners turned in impressive career performances in the Under-17 boys’ long-distance events. Shawn-Ze Joseph finished with a time of 10:25.48, while teammate Elite Thomas crossed the line shortly after at 10:31.62, both hitting new personal milestones in the race.

    In a post-competition statement, the Antigua Barbuda Athletic Association highlighted that the string of personal bests marks encouraging steady progress for the country’s track and field development program. The association noted that the results reflect a consistent upward trajectory for young Antigua and Barbuda athletes, who continue to push their limits and raise their competitive profiles against top regional talent at the tournament.

  • Maliek Francis wins bronze in U20 javelin at CARIFTA Games

    Maliek Francis wins bronze in U20 javelin at CARIFTA Games

    At the recently concluded CARIFTA Games, the Caribbean’s premier annual youth athletics championship, Antigua and Barbuda picked up a new podium finish thanks to rising throwing star Maliek Francis. Competing in the fiercely contested Under-20 boys’ javelin event, Francis delivered a personal best-caliber throw of 60.14 meters, which earned him a well-deserved bronze medal to add to his nation’s overall medal count at the regional tournament.

    The Antigua Barbuda Athletic Association was quick to publicly celebrate Francis’ achievement, lauding the young athlete’s disciplined preparation and competitive composure during the event. In an official statement, the governing body for the sport in the country framed his performance as a masterclass demonstration of raw strength, unwavering focus, and flawless technical execution, emphasizing that the bronze medal was the direct product of months of consistent hard work off the track.

    Beyond the individual accolade, Francis’ standout result at the 202x CARIFTA Games underscores a clear upward trajectory for Antigua and Barbuda’s development in Olympic field events. As one of the Caribbean nation’s highest-performing competitors at this year’s championships, the young javelin thrower has cemented his status as one of the country’s most promising young athletic prospects, pointing toward future success for both Francis and Antigua and Barbuda’s athletics program on regional and global stages.

  • Devil’s Bridge kite tradition marks 21 years of Easter Monday celebrations

    Devil’s Bridge kite tradition marks 21 years of Easter Monday celebrations

    For more than two decades, one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most beloved Easter celebrations has brought communities together across generations, and this year the coastal tradition reaches a meaningful milestone. The annual Easter Monday kite-flying gathering at Devil’s Bridge, a signature cultural event that has become woven into the nation’s holiday identity, is celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2024.

    Held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. along the country’s scenic eastern coastline, the event turns the open sky above Devil’s Bridge into a moving canvas of color. Every kite that takes flight is handcrafted by local participants, each bearing unique designs that reflect the creativity and artistry of Antigua and Barbuda’s people. What started as a casual, informal pastime for local residents has gradually grown into a cornerstone of the country’s Easter observances, drawing thousands of locals and visitors alike each year.

    Unlike large-scale commercial festivals, this gathering centers on connection and shared heritage. Multi-generational families travel to the coastline to take part: grandparents pass down kite-building techniques to younger children, friends reconnect over the holiday, and attendees bond over their shared love of this distinctly Antiguan and Barbudan tradition. Organizers note that the 21-year milestone stands as a testament to the event’s lasting, enduring appeal. Far from fading with time, the kite-flying day continues to grow in popularity, remaining one of the most anticipated highlights of the national Easter calendar, balancing lighthearted family fun with a deep, abiding sense of cultural heritage.

  • Adrian Williams Gives His Side Of The Story

    Adrian Williams Gives His Side Of The Story

    For weeks, swirling rumors and secondhand accounts have dominated public conversation around events connected to Adrian Williams, leaving key gaps in the public understanding of what actually unfolded. Now, for the first time, Williams is stepping forward to share his own version of events, pushing back against incomplete narratives that have circulated in mainstream and social media alike.

    In his firsthand account, Williams addresses long-unanswered questions that have fueled speculation, laying out the sequence of events as he experienced them, from the initial triggers that set the situation in motion to the aftermath that has reshaped his public standing. He outlines contextual details that had not been previously reported, explaining how misinterpretations of his actions and statements took root and spread beyond his control.

    Williams’s decision to go public with his side of the story comes amid growing calls for transparency from observers who have only been able to access fragmented accounts from other sources. While his narrative does not resolve all outstanding questions surrounding the situation, it provides a critical missing perspective that allows the public to build a more complete picture of what occurred. Moving forward, Williams indicates he is prepared to answer further questions and engage in any appropriate processes to clarify the facts for all parties involved.

  • Oil prices climb after Trump threatens Iran over Strait of Hormuz

    Oil prices climb after Trump threatens Iran over Strait of Hormuz

    Tensions flared in the Middle East over the weekend as former President Donald Trump’s aggressive verbal threat against Iranian energy infrastructure triggered a sharp upward swing in global crude oil prices, amplifying existing market uncertainty and driving down stock futures. In an inflammatory post shared to his Truth Social platform Sunday morning, Trump issued an extreme ultimatum to Iranian authorities, warning that if the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for global energy trade—remains closed, Iran will face devastating targeted attacks on its key power plants and bridge infrastructure. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!” the post read.

    In an immediate response to the threat, a senior Iranian government official reiterated Sunday that the country will not reopen the strategic waterway until it receives full compensation for damages it sustained from previous conflicts. This latest exchange marks the second time Trump has issued a public ultimatum to Iran over the strait: an earlier deadline set on March 21 was extended to April 6, with no resolution reached by that date. The hardline stance also marks a notable shift from Trump’s claims just one week prior, when he asserted the United States had no critical reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for energy supplies.

    Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation were already underway Sunday, with Oman’s foreign ministry confirming that Omani officials had convened talks with Iranian representatives to negotiate the resumption of unimpeded commercial shipping access through the waterway. On the same day, major oil-producing nations of the OPEC+ alliance held a virtual emergency meeting to address growing risks of attacks on global energy infrastructure. In an official statement released after the gathering, the bloc emphasized that repairing disruptions to global oil supply and restoring stable market demand is an extraordinarily costly process that requires extended timelines to complete. The meeting came just weeks after OPEC+ agreed to implement a modest daily production increase of 206,000 barrels starting in May, a move intended to cool rising prices.

    The sudden disruption to potential energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz—through which roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil shipments pass—has already pushed retail fuel prices in the United States to their highest level since 2022. Data from motoring group AAA released Sunday shows the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline climbed to $4.11, representing an almost 38% increase since the outbreak of the latest regional conflict that triggered the strait closure.

    Beyond energy markets, the escalating geopolitical tensions rippled through global equity futures on Sunday, following a long weekend closure for U.S. markets. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 0.69%, equal to a 324-point decline, while S&P 500 futures fell 0.76% and Nasdaq 100 futures retreated 0.91%, signaling widespread investor risk aversion amid the growing uncertainty.

  • Magnitude 3.9 Earthquake Recorded Near Antigua and Barbuda

    Magnitude 3.9 Earthquake Recorded Near Antigua and Barbuda

    A minor earthquake measuring magnitude 3.9 has been registered in waters north of the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, according to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre.

    The seismic event struck at 4:12 p.m. local time on Sunday, with a calculated depth of 28 kilometers below the ocean surface. Geographical data pinpoints the epicenter at coordinates 18.35 degrees north latitude and 63.13 degrees west longitude, placing it around 198 kilometers northwest of St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda’s capital. The epicenter is also situated roughly 124 kilometers north-northwest of Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts and Nevis, and approximately 200 kilometers northwest of Brades, the administrative center of Montserrat. All measurements confirm the quake struck a significant distance from any populated landmass, in open offshore waters.

    As of the first official updates, there have been no public reports that the tremor was felt by residents across Antigua and Barbuda, nor have any casualties or structural damage been linked to the event.

    The UWI Seismic Research Centre has cautioned that the current magnitude and epicenter location data was produced automatically by computer algorithms. The readings are classified as preliminary, and will undergo further evaluation and adjustment if needed by the center’s team of seismic analysts before final confirmation.

  • LISTEN: UPP Accused of “Pretending” to Be United

    LISTEN: UPP Accused of “Pretending” to Be United

    As Antigua and Barbuda prepares for its upcoming general election, a sharp political clash has erupted, with sitting Prime Minister Gaston Browne calling into question the opposition’s public display of cohesion. During an interview on Pointe FM’s popular Browne and Browne Show, the incumbent leader made bold claims about the internal state of the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP), arguing that the unified front the party presents to voters is nothing more than a carefully constructed false narrative.

    Browne emphasized that despite the UPP’s coordinated public appearances and campaign messaging designed to project a united team to the electorate, the party is actually fractured by deep-seated internal rifts. “They are totally disunited but pretending as though they have a team,” Browne stated plainly during the live radio segment, directly challenging the opposition’s branding ahead of the polls.

    Beyond allegations of disunity, Browne also pointed to systemic coordination failures within the opposition bloc. He claimed that rather than operating as a cohesive, aligned political unit working toward shared campaign goals, individual UPP members prioritize their own independent agendas. This lack of aligned strategy, he argued, further undermines the opposition’s ability to present a viable alternative to his governing administration ahead of the upcoming vote.

  • St. John’s Rural West Candidate Shares Message of Hope and Repentance at Easter

    St. John’s Rural West Candidate Shares Message of Hope and Repentance at Easter

    Easter stands as one of Christianity’s most profound observances, a celebration centered on the core themes of life, renewed hope and spiritual rebirth. Rooted in the belief of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, the holiday frames this event as an ultimate triumph over death, and a tangible demonstration of divine love for humanity. Beyond traditional rituals and family gatherings, the occasion calls on believers to engage in intentional self-reflection and wholehearted repentance.

    As worshippers and celebrants contemplate the dual stories of Christ’s crucifixion and rising again, they are encouraged to embody the unconditional love that lies at the heart of the faith—love that fosters lasting peace and brings divided communities together. This calling asks people to align their lives and actions with the spiritual principles Christ taught, extending mercy and genuine compassion to every person they encounter.

    Even when hurt by others and when the instinct for revenge pushes for retaliation, the message of Easter calls for forgiveness. Setting aside resentment and extending grace to those who have caused pain is framed as the truest way to live out Christ-like values.

    Celebration of the Resurrection also honors the core promise of Christian faith: that all believers will share in new life after death. This season invites people to pause and appreciate the gift of divine grace, and to share the hope of Easter with those who need it most—including people grappling with grief, hardship, uncertainty, who are in need of comfort, support and encouragement.

    This holy Easter, as families, friends and local communities gather to share joy and find connection in one another’s company, the message reminds all to keep Christ’s love, kindness and sacrificial gift to humanity at the center of celebrations. It also calls on celebrants to prioritize mutual care and personal safety as they mark the holiday together.

    In closing, the message extends special Easter blessings to all people, with a particular note of goodwill to residents of the St. John’s Rural West Constituency. It closes with a prayer that the love and peace of Christ may remain rooted in all hearts and communities through the season and beyond.

  • Antigua and Barbuda invites Commonwealth, OAS and CARICOM observers ahead of general election announcement

    Antigua and Barbuda invites Commonwealth, OAS and CARICOM observers ahead of general election announcement

    The twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has taken a significant step toward reinforcing electoral transparency by formally inviting independent observer missions from three key international and regional bodies to oversee its forthcoming general election. The official invitation comes one week after the country’s Parliament was formally dissolved to clear the way for a national vote to select a new governing administration.

    In formal correspondence dated April 5, 2026, Prime Minister Gaston Browne notified three leading organizations – the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) – of the April 1 dissolution of the national legislative body. Browne confirmed in his letters that he plans to officially publicize the official polling date just two days after the invitations were sent, on April 7.

    Addressed respectively to Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin, and CARICOM Secretary-General Carla Barnett, each letter formally requests the deployment of independent observer teams to monitor every stage of the upcoming electoral process. “In these circumstances, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda would welcome the presence of a Commonwealth Observer Group,” Browne wrote in his correspondence to the Commonwealth chief, adding that matching invitations had been extended to both the OAS and CARICOM to ensure broad, multi-stakeholder oversight.

    The prime minister also gave a formal assurance that all standard logistical support, access, and diplomatic courtesies that are routinely extended to international electoral observation missions will be provided to each deployed team without exception.

    This targeted move to open the country’s electoral process to independent regional and international scrutiny underscores the Antigua and Barbuda government’s commitment to holding a free, fair, and verifiable election. Per the country’s foundational constitutional requirements, the general election must be convened and held no later than 90 days following the official dissolution of Parliament, putting the vote on track to take place before the end of June 2026.

  • Antigua and Barbuda athletes record personal bests at CARIFTA Games

    Antigua and Barbuda athletes record personal bests at CARIFTA Games

    The CARIFTA Games delivered a breakout day of achievement for team Antigua and Barbuda, as a wave of track and field athletes smashed their own previous personal records to cap a landmark showing for the national delegation.

    In the 400-meter sprint discipline, four competitors — Tyra Fenton, Ryan Aikin, Jaeda Pigott, and Shaquan Garding — all turned in career-topping performances. Aikin led the group with a blistering time of 49.38 seconds, followed by Garding who crossed the finish line in 51.93 seconds, while Pigott notched a new personal best of 57.65 seconds to round out the quartet’s successful outing.

    Later in the competition schedule, two more young Antigua and Barbuda athletes picked up where the 400-meter group left off, securing personal bests in the Boys’ Under-17 1500-meter race. Shawn-Ze Joseph clocked an impressive 4 minutes 21.41 seconds, and his teammate Elite Thomas followed closely behind with a new career best of 4:43.74.

    The string of improved results across multiple event categories offers clear evidence of steady, ongoing growth for Antigua and Barbuda’s national track and field program. Team officials emphasized that these standout personal bests are a direct reflection of the rigorous preparation and unwavering commitment each athlete has put in ahead of the regional competition, with more events still remaining on the CARIFTA Games schedule for the delegation to compete in.