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标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • UWI Global Campus Antigua Guild Introduces 2026/2027 Executive Team

    UWI Global Campus Antigua Guild Introduces 2026/2027 Executive Team

    The Antigua Chapter of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus Guild of Students has officially announced its new executive leadership team for the 2026/2027 academic year, marking a fresh chapter of student-centered advocacy and support for the island nation’s distance learning community.

    As the UWI system’s dedicated online learning arm, the UWI Global Campus fills a critical gap in Caribbean higher education. Designed to remove barriers to academic advancement for working adults, the campus serves a diverse student population spread across 16 Caribbean countries, enabling learners to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees while remaining rooted in their jobs, families and local communities. For this non-traditional student body that balances multiple life responsibilities alongside their studies, the Guild of Students plays an indispensable role: amplifying student voices, addressing unmet needs, and building a supportive community for distance learners. The newly seated Antigua Chapter executive team has made supporting this unique student demographic its core mission.

    Profiles of the 2026/2027 Executive Team
    The new leadership slate brings together a diverse group of student leaders committed to serving Antigua’s UWI Global Campus community:
    – Makiba Ward, Chapter Chair: Tasked with steering the chapter’s overall strategic direction, coordinating cross-team work across the executive committee, and serving as the official representative for Antigua’s students at both the institutional and regional levels. Ward additionally takes on an expanded regional role, serving as Vice President for Administration, Sites and Services on the UWI Global Campus Regional Guild of Students. This dual appointment gives students from Antigua and Barbuda direct, elevated input into regional-level decision making for the campus.
    – Samantha Wallace, Vice Chapter Chair: Supports the Chair in all core responsibilities and takes ownership of overseeing daily chapter operations and ensuring long-term organizational continuity amid leadership transitions.
    – Liane Daniel, Secretary: Responsible for maintaining all official chapter records, managing internal and external communications for the organization, and ensuring transparency around the chapter’s activities.
    – Kimberly Thomas-Lawrence, Treasurer: Oversees all of the chapter’s financial activities, including budgeting, expenditure tracking, and formal financial reporting to ensure full accountability for all student funds.
    – Kellonda Burke-Lawrence, Academic Student Representative: Serves as the key liaison between Antigua students and campus and guild leadership, elevating academic concerns and driving forward initiatives designed to boost student academic success.
    – Gabrielle Dryden, Postgraduate Representative: Focuses exclusively on advocating for the unique interests and needs of postgraduate students within the Antigua chapter.
    – Anizia Vigo, Committee Liaison Officer: Acts as a bridge between the executive committee and sub-committees, streamlining information sharing and ensuring all planned student activities are executed smoothly.

    The Antigua Chapter maintains a close collaborative partnership with Coleen Letlow, Head of Site for UWI Global Campus Antigua and Barbuda. Leadership notes that Letlow’s ongoing support has been foundational to delivering a positive, accessible student experience at the local site.

    Looking ahead to the 2026/2027 academic year, the chapter’s first major public event is scheduled for November 15, 2026: a combined Honour Roll Ceremony and Executive Induction. The dual-purpose event will recognize high-achieving students who earned top marks across the first and second semesters of the 2025/2026 academic year, celebrating the hard work of learners who excel academically while balancing work, family and community commitments. Following the honoree recognitions, the ceremony will formally swear in the 2026/2027 executive team, kicking off their term of service. Under the leadership of this new team, the chapter reaffirms its commitment to lifting up student voices and delivering tangible support: “Together We Can Make It Happen.”

  • PM Browne Congratulates Former Gang Members on ABICE Graduation

    PM Browne Congratulates Former Gang Members on ABICE Graduation

    In a landmark milestone for intervention and second-chance education in Antigua and Barbuda, a cohort of formerly school-disconnected young men with past ties to gang activity have crossed the graduation stage at the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of Continuing Education (ABICE), capping off a two-year rehabilitation and skills-building programme designed to redirect at-risk youth.

    Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne made the formal announcement of the graduation this past Thursday, extending heartfelt congratulations to the graduates while framing their successful completion of the programme as tangible proof that young people entrenched in gang life can be guided toward positive, productive paths through intentional education and consistent, targeted support.

    The programme itself grew out of urgent action to address rising community violence across the nation. After Prime Minister Browne held direct talks with active young gang members amid growing public concern over surging violence, the administration rolled out a targeted plan to reconnect out-of-school youth with learning opportunities. That plan centered on enrolling interested participants in vocational and continuing education tracks at ABICE, also widely known as the Harrison Centre.

    Unlike traditional academic secondary institutions, ABICE specializes in hands-on technical and vocational training that prepares graduates for immediate entry into skilled workforces. The institute offers accredited programming across a range of high-demand trades, including automotive repair, carpentry, electrical wiring and installation, plumbing, welding, and refrigeration and air conditioning maintenance. These skills provide graduates with a tangible foundation for stable employment and economic independence, key factors in supporting long-term desistance from gang activity.

    Speaking at the announcement, Prime Minister Browne emphasized that the successful graduation of this first cohort proves rehabilitation is achievable when communities invest in at-risk youth. He went on to call for expanded cross-sector collaboration, urging private sector businesses, faith institutions including churches, and broader civil society organizations to deepen their engagement with youth intervention programmes. Browne noted that more coordinated, multi-stakeholder action is necessary to address the underlying social and economic conditions that push vulnerable young people toward gang involvement, crime, and violence in the first place, framing the graduates’ success as a proof of concept for what scaled investment can achieve.

  • BREAKING: VIDEO | XPZ Supermarket Catches Fire Again Nearly Two Years After Reopening

    BREAKING: VIDEO | XPZ Supermarket Catches Fire Again Nearly Two Years After Reopening

    On a Friday morning, emergency fire crews were dispatched to XPZ Supermarket, located along Sir Sydney Walling Highway, after reports of an electrical fire originating in the store’s commercial kitchen triggered a building-wide smoke emergency. As of initial public updates, first responders have not yet released details on the total scope of property damage from the incident, nor have they confirmed any reports of civilian or first responder injuries.

    This latest emergency comes at a particularly difficult moment for the supermarket, which only recently resumed operations at the same location following a catastrophic 2021 blaze that erased the original structure. That earlier fire, which caused an estimated EC$10 million in total economic damage, put dozens of out of work and left the popular local retailer without a home for nearly three years. A former XPZ employee, Tianzhao “Alex” Feng, ultimately pleaded guilty to arson for setting the 2021 fire.

    The rebuilt XPZ Supermarket held its grand reopening on October 18, 2024, marking a major milestone for the business and its returning staff. Investigators have stated that there is currently no evidence linking Friday’s accidental electrical fire to the deliberate 2021 arson attack.

  • Robert De Niro’s Nobu Beach Inn in Barbuda Targets Late 2026 Construction Completion

    Robert De Niro’s Nobu Beach Inn in Barbuda Targets Late 2026 Construction Completion

    Luxury hospitality brand Nobu Hospitality is advancing a high-end beach resort development on the Caribbean island of Barbuda, with construction of the Nobu Beach Inn projected to wrap up by the end of 2026. While an official guest opening date has not been confirmed to the public, the brand has opened pre-registration for customers interested in receiving project updates. This new resort is a collaborative venture between Nobu, Hollywood actor Robert De Niro, Australian investor James Packer, and seasoned hotelier Daniel Shamoon, marking a major expansion of the brand’s footprint in the region.

    The property is sited along Barbuda’s undeveloped southwest coast, spanning a sprawling 400 acres of land with two full miles of pristine beachfront access. In terms of accommodation, the resort will feature 36 guest bedrooms housed across 17 exclusive private villas, alongside 25 premium beachfront residences that are currently being offered for private sale. Starting prices for these luxury residences are set at $12 million, and buyers will gain full access to all of the resort’s shared amenities and services. Residence owners also have the option to enroll their properties in the resort’s rental program, allowing them to generate rental income when they are not using their units.

    To meet the expectations of high-end leisure travelers, the development includes a comprehensive range of recreational and hospitality facilities. Planned amenities include multiple signature Nobu restaurants, a private beach club, an ocean-facing infinity pool, a full-service spa, a dedicated fitness pavilion, a children’s activity club, and an open-air outdoor cinema. The resort will also feature hard court facilities for both tennis and padel, plus a fully equipped water sports center that will offer popular activities including sailing and water skiing.

    This new project builds on Nobu Hospitality’s existing established presence on Barbuda. The brand first opened a Nobu Barbuda restaurant and beach lounge on the island’s Princess Diana Beach back in 2020, and partner Robert De Niro has a decades-long personal connection to the area. De Niro shared that he first visited Barbuda more than 30 years ago, and from the project’s earliest planning stages, the team has prioritized designing the resort to complement, rather than overshadow, Barbuda’s unspoiled natural landscape and coastal ecosystem.

    A recent hotel industry report published earlier this week incorrectly stated that the resort would open to guests in late 2026. In response to the report, Nobu Hospitality clarified its current timeline on its official project page, confirming that only construction completion is targeted for the end of 2026, with a launch date for guest operations still to be determined.

  • Indian Seafarer Killed in Attack on Antigua and Barbuda-Flagged Ship Near Strait of Hormuz

    Indian Seafarer Killed in Attack on Antigua and Barbuda-Flagged Ship Near Strait of Hormuz

    A fatal assault on a Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk cargo vessel transiting the Arabian Sea off the coast of Oman has left one Indian maritime worker dead and triggered an urgent international investigation into the nature and perpetrators of the attack. The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday, September 23, targeted the MV Cape Dao, a bulk carrier en route from the United Arab Emirates to India, according to official updates from Oman’s Maritime Security Centre.

    Following the strike, the vessel suffered significant damage that ignited a blaze in its engine room, leaving the ship dead in the water. Quick response teams from the Omani navy deployed immediately to the scene of the emergency, successfully evacuating all 27 surviving crew members from the burning vessel and bringing them to safety.

    In subsequent identifications released by Indian news outlets, the deceased seafarer was named as Suraj Yadav, a native of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Of the full 28-person complement on board the MV Cape Dao at the time of the attack, 20 were citizens of India, marking the heavy Indian representation in the commercial vessel’s crew.

    To date, key details about the attack remain unconfirmed, with conflicting accounts emerging from initial intelligence and on-scene reports. Some sources have documented the strike as coming from two torpedoes, while early assessments from maritime security agencies categorized the weapon involved as an unknown projectile. No group or nation has yet claimed responsibility for the assault, and official investigations are still working to pinpoint both the perpetrators and the underlying motive for the attack on the commercial vessel.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Youth Parliament Delegation Visits St. Kitts and Nevis

    Antigua and Barbuda Youth Parliament Delegation Visits St. Kitts and Nevis

    A high-level delegation from the National Youth Parliament Association of Antigua and Barbuda (NYPAAB) arrived in St. Kitts and Nevis on September 23, kicking off a new round of regional diplomatic engagement centered on expanding youth parliamentary collaboration across the Eastern Caribbean.

    Led by NYPAAB President Ezekiel Francois, the visiting delegation includes key organizational leaders: Vice President Rainer Santos Mercado, External Affairs Officer Esther McKenzie, and Celine Edwards, who serves as the Youth Member of Parliament for All Saints East & St. Luke.

    This trip coincides with a major milestone for the regional youth parliamentary network: the partner organization in St. Kitts and Nevis is celebrating 25 years of its founding, a testament to the long-running work of youth civic engagement across the bloc. Over the past four years, the partnership between NYPAAB and regional youth parliamentary bodies has already delivered tangible results, with a packed schedule of collaborative activities. These include the 2022 and 2023 regional youth parliamentary sittings, the 2023 Eastern Caribbean Youth Parliamentary Network (ECYPN) gathering, and joint initiatives with the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) that bring parliamentary representatives together to share governance insights, exchange on-the-ground experiences, and deepen cross-border collective action.

    As NYPAAB joins its regional counterparts to honor this 25-year milestone, the organization has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to nurturing substantive, mutually beneficial relationships with youth parliamentary groups across the Eastern Caribbean. Beyond collaboration on existing initiatives, the association’s core mission focuses on cultivating a new generation of skilled, informed parliamentary leaders who can shape the future of regional governance and address shared challenges facing young people across the subregion.

  • St. Philip’s North to Host Fitness Jam and Free Health Fair Oct. 3–4

    St. Philip’s North to Host Fitness Jam and Free Health Fair Oct. 3–4

    Residents of St. Philip’s North and surrounding areas will soon have a new opportunity to prioritize physical health, connect with neighbors, and access critical health resources when a weekend of community-focused wellbeing events kicks off on October 3 and 4, 2026. The series of activities opens on the morning of Saturday, October 3, with the Sunrise Fitness Jam & Socarobics, an energetic group event organized by the ABLP St. Philip’s North Youth Arm. Hosted at the Willikies Basketball Court from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and emceed by popular entertainer Supa Dymond, the morning will blend high-energy movement and live entertainment. Guided socarobics sessions will be led by experienced instructors Timzo and Lynnique, with the St. Philip’s North Cheerleaders bringing additional high-energy performances to get attendees moving and excited. Built around the theme “Move. Vibe. Connect.”, the event is designed to bring community members together through shared physical activity, with organizers encouraging all participants to wear red and white clothing to show community spirit. Tickets for the Sunrise Fitness Jam are priced at $20 per person, and admission includes a full breakfast for attendees following the morning of activity. The focus on community health continues the next day, Sunday, October 4, with Hon. Randy Baltimore’s Health & Wellness Fair, hosted at the Glanvilles Polyclinic from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Unlike the active Saturday event, Sunday’s gathering centers on proactive health care, offering attendees free preventative health screenings to help catch potential health concerns early. Attendees are still encouraged to bring comfortable clothing and sneakers, as there will be light interactive activities for visitors to take part in throughout the afternoon. Combined, the two back-to-back events create a holistic approach to community wellbeing, bridging recreational fitness and accessible health care. Saturday’s fitness jam creates a casual, fun space for residents to get active, socialize with neighbors, and build healthy habits as a group, while Sunday’s wellness fair offers a dedicated, low-cost environment for people to ask clinical questions, get evidence-based health guidance, and invest time in checking in on their personal health. Organizers have extended an open invitation to all St. Philip’s North residents, as well as members of the general public from across the region, to join one or both events, framing the weekend as a chance to prioritize fitness, spend time with family, and strengthen broader community bonds. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the Sunrise Fitness Jam & Socarobics or seeking additional details about either event can reach out to organizers at (268) 775-7979 or (268) 770-2298, or connect with the ABLP SPN Youth Arm for updates.

  • IATA Calls for Transparency and Regional Coordination on Proposed Antigua andBarbuda Passenger Charge Increase

    IATA Calls for Transparency and Regional Coordination on Proposed Antigua andBarbuda Passenger Charge Increase

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents more than 370 airlines covering 85% of global air traffic, has raised urgent concerns over a planned $10 increase in passenger service charges by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, warning the change could erode the Caribbean nation’s air connectivity and competitive position in the global tourism market.

    Under the current proposal, every international passenger—including local residents—would face a $50 charge on both arrival and departure. For a round-trip journey, this adds an extra $20 to total travel costs, a significant increase that comes at a delicate moment for Antigua and Barbuda’s aviation sector. Data from the first half of 2026 already shows a 2.6% drop in passenger volumes compared to the same period in 2025, a decline that IATA argues could deepen if travel costs rise further.

    While airlines operating in the region have repeatedly stated they support sustainable funding for core aviation priorities—from safety oversight to planned infrastructure upgrades at V.C. Bird International Airport and Barbuda International Airport—industry stakeholders say they have been denied critical details about the proposal. To date, there has been no public clarification on how the size of the proposed increase was calculated, what total revenue the government expects to raise, or how the new funds will be allocated across airport development, day-to-day operations, and civil aviation safety oversight.

    The timing of the national charge hike is also particularly problematic, IATA notes, because the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member states are currently negotiating a region-wide harmonized funding framework for the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA). The ECCAA is the regional body responsible for aviation safety oversight across most of the Eastern Caribbean, and earlier in 2026, participating OECS prime ministers agreed to develop a coordinated, cross-border framework that includes shared legislation, aligned implementation timelines, and a sustainable, collective funding model. The draft framework currently under discussion proposes a $2.50 charge on both arrival and departure for travel across participating states, far lower than the national increase proposed by Antigua and Barbuda.

    Antigua and Barbuda’s government has stated that a portion of the new revenue from its charge increase will go toward ECCAA funding, but stakeholders have yet to receive clear details on how the full proposed increase was determined or how funds will be split between national projects and regional ECCAA obligations. IATA warns that moving forward with a unilateral national charge before the regional framework is finalized and publicly debated risks undermining months of work to build a coordinated regional approach to aviation funding that works for all OECS members.

    As a leading tourism destination competing for international visitors, foreign investment, and new air services, Antigua and Barbuda’s competitiveness depends heavily on affordable travel, IATA emphasizes. Any increase to passenger travel costs must therefore undergo rigorous impact assessment to understand how it will affect destination affordability, tourist demand, long-term connectivity, and sustained economic growth from aviation.

    “It is essential that the government clearly explains the rationale for the proposed increase and how the additional revenues will be used,” said Peter Cerda, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Americas. “Any contribution toward ECCAA funding should be advanced through the agreed regional framework, supported by transparent governance and funding mechanisms that ensure revenues collected for aviation safety oversight are dedicated to that purpose and transferred accordingly. This would also facilitate informed stakeholder consultation and maintain confidence in efforts to support aviation development and oversight across the region. Separating the regional ECCAA initiative from proposals for national passenger charge increases would allow each measure to be considered independently and assessed on its own merits.”

  • Bangladesh Donates Commonwealth Flags For Chogm 2026

    Bangladesh Donates Commonwealth Flags For Chogm 2026

    On September 24, 2026, in central London, a symbolic act of Commonwealth solidarity took place as Bangladesh’s acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr M. Nazrul Islam, formally handed over a donation of professionally produced flags to Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, Antigua and Barbuda’s top diplomatic representative to the UK. The contribution, first pledged earlier this year, will directly support Antigua and Barbuda’s preparations to host the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to run from November 1 to 4 in the Caribbean nation.

    The donated package includes complete sets of national flags for every member state of the Commonwealth, alongside official Commonwealth organizational flags, covering three distinct formats: indoor display flags, outdoor event flags, and desktop flags for official meetings. All of these banners will be installed across the multiple venues that will host CHOGM sessions, side events, and official receptions during the gathering.

    E. P. Chet Greene, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, offered warm praise for the gesture in remarks following the handover. He emphasized that this generous donation embodies the collaborative, purpose-driven partnership that forms the core identity of the Commonwealth bloc, noting that the flags will serve as a visible, meaningful centerpiece of preparations as the country prepares to welcome hundreds of leaders and diplomatic delegates from across the globe.

    High Commissioner Hill echoed this gratitude, extending appreciation to Dr Islam, as well as the government and people of Bangladesh for the thoughtful, targeted contribution. She highlighted that the flags are more than just decorative items—they are tangible symbols of the Commonwealth’s core identity: a diverse community of nations bound together by shared values and collective purpose. “They will help bring that spirit to life as we prepare to host this important gathering in Antigua and Barbuda,” Hill added.

    Dr Islam expanded on the origin of the donation, explaining that the pledge was first made by Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, who currently serves as President of the United Nations General Assembly, during the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting (CFAMM) held in London last March. He framed the gift as a reflection of Bangladesh’s longstanding commitment to the Commonwealth community, and pointed out that the flags themselves showcase Bangladesh’s globally recognized high-quality textile manufacturing. “These flags are a token of love from the People of Bangladesh for Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Commonwealth Family,” Dr Islam said, adding that Bangladesh stands in full solidarity with Antigua and Barbuda as it puts the final touches on preparations for the major international summit.

  • PHOTO: FM Greene Meets Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister at UN General Assembly

    PHOTO: FM Greene Meets Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister at UN General Assembly

    High-level diplomatic engagement between two UN member states has unfolded on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, bringing top foreign policy leaders of Pakistan and Antigua and Barbuda together for bilateral discussions.

    Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who serves as both Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, sat down for the meeting with His Excellency E.P. Chet Greene, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs. The gathering, which took place during the annual high-level week of the UN General Assembly, comes as part of the wide slate of bilateral negotiations that regularly occur between world leaders when they gather in New York for the global policy gathering. These sideline meetings have long served as key opportunities for nations of different sizes and regional backgrounds to strengthen bilateral ties, align on shared global priorities, and discuss areas of potential future cooperation outside the formal schedule of General Assembly debates.