Carib Scope

标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • Liberta resident raises concerns after reporting woman carrying knife

    Liberta resident raises concerns after reporting woman carrying knife

    A member of the public has spoken out to question how police responded to two separate sightings of a woman reportedly carrying a large blade in a public area on Friday, warning that a potential safety hazard was left unaddressed.

    The witness first caught sight of the individual just before 9 a.m. in the Liberta district. According to their account, the woman was dressed in a bikini top paired with denim jeans, and was positioned close to a local fresh produce stall, clutching what the observer described as a sizable knife. Worried that the open carrying of the weapon put nearby community members at risk, the resident immediately went to the Liberta Police Station to file an official report.

    Despite the visit, the resident claims that while an on-duty officer recorded their name and contact telephone number, no formal incident report was logged into police systems. Several hours after the first encounter, the same resident crossed paths with the same woman again, this time close to the main entry point of All Saints. They further allege that the woman remained in possession of the large knife, and was seen throwing a vehicle hubcap directly into an active roadway while moving traffic was passing through the area.

    In response to this second, more dangerous incident, the resident placed an emergency call to 911, which was subsequently routed to the All Saints Police Station. Officers were given clear directions to the woman’s exact location to enable them to intervene. The resident later returned to the Liberta Police Station to share details of the second sighting as an update to their original report, but once again, they claim no notes of the new information were taken, and no officer asked for additional context or evidence to support their claims.

    To date, the allegations made by the resident have not been independently confirmed by third-party outlets or official investigations. It also remains unclear whether responding police officers ever successfully located the woman, or made contact with her to question her about the reported incidents. Frustrated by the perceived lack of action, the resident chose to reach out to local media to highlight their concerns, arguing that what they view as a potentially dangerous public situation has not received the urgent attention it deserves.

  • ‘We Stand With Senator Malaka Parker,’ United Progressive Party and Women’s Forum Declare

    ‘We Stand With Senator Malaka Parker,’ United Progressive Party and Women’s Forum Declare

    Critics have launched a blistering rebuke of the nation’s prime minister, accusing the sitting leader of blatant political manipulation and blatant hypocrisy after a series of inconsistent actions targeting political rivals and shielding close allies from accountability. At the heart of the current controversy is the prime minister’s ongoing campaign against Senator Parker, a political opponent who has not been linked to any unlawful activity by law enforcement agencies. Critics emphasize that without any official confirmation of law enforcement interest in Parker, the prime minister’s public moves can only be interpreted as a calculated attempt to pressure police investigations into the senator and drag Parker’s public reputation through the mud in a particularly underhanded fashion.

    This uneven treatment of political scandals, critics argue, lays bare the prime minister’s deep-seated political malice. They point to two recent high-profile drug trafficking cases that were ultimately dismissed by the director of public prosecutions, for which the prime minister offered no public commentary or criticism whatsoever. Similarly, the prime minister remained entirely silent when one of his own cabinet ministers was tied to a major drug bust connected to the national Post Office, breaking his pattern of calling out alleged wrongdoing when it touches his own inner circle.

    Perhaps the most outrageous example of the prime minister’s double standard, critics note, comes from the $15 million so-called “Vehicle-gate Scandal”, which was first brought to light by the country’s Public Works minister. When growing public pressure demanded an open, independent inquiry into the allegations, the prime minister acted unilaterally to block any transparent investigation, a move widely interpreted as a deliberate effort to shield his own wife from public scrutiny into her potential connections to the scandal.

    Critics have decried the prime minister’s inconsistent approach to political accountability as egregious and morally repugnant. They have issued a public call for all ethical, principled members of society to stand against the prime minister’s biased actions, and reject his effort to undermine the long-held legal principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The opposition and critics have made clear that they stand in full solidarity with Senator Parker amid what they describe as an unprovoked and unfair political attack.

  • New Carnival Stage Completed As Build-Out Of Carnival City Advances Ahead Of Schedule

    New Carnival Stage Completed As Build-Out Of Carnival City Advances Ahead Of Schedule

    Preparations for Antigua’s highly anticipated 2026 Carnival reached a landmark milestone this week, as the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) confirmed the successful completion of a cutting-edge new stage and integrated roof system for the iconic event. Construction of the broader Carnival City venue is already progressing ahead of original timelines, positioning the island’s signature celebration as it prepares to step onto a new global stage.

    Measuring 115 feet in length and 50 feet in width when fully expanded, the massive new staging system is currently configured to 105 feet by 50 feet for Carnival operations. This flexible footprint cements its status as one of the largest and most adaptable performance platforms across the Eastern Caribbean. Unlike fixed staging setups common across the region, the new structure’s modular design allows organizers to reconfigure it into three distinct sizes, while keeping all critical technical infrastructure—including speaker towers, projection screens, motorized rigging walls, and production equipment—fully integrated under the protective roof. Project leaders estimate that with regular maintenance, this long-term public investment will serve Antigua and Barbuda for 10 to 15 years, delivering value for events far beyond the annual Carnival celebration.

    Recently, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne led an official on-site inspection of the progressing Carnival City development, where he voiced full satisfaction with the work completed to date. Browne emphasized that the project extends far beyond upgrading a single annual festival, framing it as a strategic investment in the nation’s creative economy. “This goes beyond Carnival. We are building out the creative industries that can make our people competitive in a global society,” he stated, noting that the new stage will already see high-profile use ahead of 2026, including as the host venue for the upcoming CHOGM Super Concert.

    Hon. Dwayne George, Minister of Creative Industries and Carnival, shared his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the relentless behind-the-scenes work of the ABFC team to deliver what is globally billed as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. “I am so proud and happy to be working alongside my ABFC team. It is a solid, competent team. The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to deliver Antigua Carnival as a world-class production, truly touches my heart. It is a lot of work, and I am pleased to be working alongside them, doing my part.”

    ABFC Chairperson Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul confirmed that the overall Carnival City build-out remains well ahead of schedule, with the core stage and roof infrastructure now fully checked off the project list. “I am very pleased to report that we are well ahead of schedule with the building out of Carnival City. The stage and roof are complete, and our next focus is enhancing the overall venue in keeping with the Prime Minister’s vision for the space,” she explained.

    The new stage and roof were assembled by local firm Sound 2000, and the installation process also included hands-on skills training for local technicians, building long-term local capacity to operate and maintain the new infrastructure. Earl “Churchie” York, Managing Director of Sound 2000, called the project a transformative shift for the nation’s events industry. “Antigua can boast of having the largest and most modern stage and roof system in the Eastern Caribbean… With proper maintenance, this investment can serve Antigua for the next 10 to 15 years. Antigua is leading the region,” York said.

    Over the past weekend, ABFC hosted a full stakeholder walkthrough of the site, bringing together senior government leaders, ABFC board and team members, representatives from the Ministry of Works, and management of the Antigua Recreation Grounds, where Carnival City is located. During the inspection, Prime Minister Browne issued a formal mandate for the next phase of upgrades, which will focus on improving the overall patron experience through expanded and improved seating, upgraded lighting systems, public murals, enhanced landscaping, and a range of other aesthetic improvements designed to create a more welcoming environment for both local and visiting attendees.

    As work on the venue continues, the ABFC has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a modern, world-class Carnival City that reflects the growing strength and potential of Antigua and Barbuda’s creative industries. With the core stage in place and the venue rapidly taking shape, the 2026 Antigua Carnival is more than just another iteration of the annual celebration: it is a legacy project designed to benefit generations of local creatives, performers, and audience members, lifting the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival to an unprecedented new level of global acclaim.

  • Census Office Intensifies Field Operations As New Enumerators Are Deployed

    Census Office Intensifies Field Operations As New Enumerators Are Deployed

    After a temporary pause triggered by Antigua and Barbuda’s recent General Elections, the country’s national Census Office is moving forward with the 2025 Population and Housing Census, rolling out a second wave of trained enumerators to the field starting Monday, June 15.

    The first communities to see these new enumerators in action are the Greenbay Primary School neighborhood and its surrounding areas, where enumerators will begin conducting door-to-door interviews, gathering responses from both residential households and local business establishments. This deployment of additional field staff marks a key milestone in the national counting exercise, bringing the project one step closer to its successful completion.

    More than a simple headcount, the decennial Population and Housing Census stands as one of the most critical national undertakings for any country. The comprehensive, granular data collected through the census process forms the evidence base for nearly every major government policy decision, shapes long-term national development planning, and guides the fair allocation of public resources across high-priority sectors including public health, education, affordable housing, employment services, and core infrastructure development. Accurate, timely census data ensures that policy choices impacting local communities are rooted in reliable, up-to-date information rather than outdated estimates.

    To clear up common public concerns, the Census Office has emphasized that all personal information collected by enumerators is handled with the strictest confidentiality, protected by the country’s Statistics Act. No individual responses will ever be shared with any unauthorized third party or external organization, so residents can share accurate information without fear of privacy breaches.

    For easy identification by the public, all official enumerators will carry clear, verifiable credentials: they will wear branded official census vests, display government-issued photo ID cards specific to the census, and be equipped with census-provided tablets, branded census bags, and an official authorization letter issued directly by the Census Office.

    Alongside expanding field operations, the Census Office is ramping up public education and outreach efforts over the coming week. Senior census officials will make scheduled appearances across multiple local media outlets throughout Antigua and Barbuda, giving residents a dedicated opportunity to learn more about the enumeration process, ask questions about procedures or privacy protections, and get the latest updates on the progress of field work.

    The 2025 national census operates under the official theme “Mapping the Present, Shaping the Future,” a slogan that reflects the exercise’s core purpose of documenting current population and housing trends to build better long-term growth for the nation. Census leadership has expressed sincere gratitude for the public’s patience and cooperation during the post-election resumption, and stressed that the overall success of the count depends entirely on the full participation and support of every resident across the country. Residents with questions or concerns can reach census officials by phone at 562-7495, 562-7492, or 462-4775.

  • COMMENTARY: Artemis, ILRS, and Humanity’s Next Giant Leap for Mankind l PART II

    COMMENTARY: Artemis, ILRS, and Humanity’s Next Giant Leap for Mankind l PART II

    As humanity stands at the threshold of a new era of lunar exploration, two ambitious global initiatives – NASA’s Artemis Program and the collaborative International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) – are reshaping what we once thought possible for off-Earth scientific discovery and long-term space habitation. This second installment of the commentary series delves deeper into how these parallel projects, far from being purely competing efforts, are creating complementary pathways that could accelerate progress toward humanity’s next giant leap: sending the first crewed missions to Mars.

    Decades after the final Apollo mission returned to Earth, the Artemis Program reignited global public interest in lunar exploration, with a core mission to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar south pole. This region, permanently shadowed craters hold vast reserves of water ice – a resource that could be broken down into oxygen for breathing and hydrogen for rocket fuel, transforming the Moon from a dead rock we only visit into a viable refueling stop for deeper space missions. Beyond symbolic milestones, Artemis has already laid critical groundwork: developing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion crew capsule, and partnering with private aerospace companies like SpaceX to build the lunar lander that will carry humans back to the surface by 2025 or 2026, delayed only slightly by technical and budgetary hurdles. In parallel, the ILRS, a collaborative project led by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and Roscosmos with open invitations to global space agencies and scientific institutions, is focused on building a permanent, continuously crewed research outpost on the lunar surface by the 2030s. Its core goals align closely with many of Artemis’ long-term objectives: studying lunar geology, testing in-situ resource utilization technologies, and preparing for the extreme conditions of deep space travel.

    Critics have framed the two programs as a new space race, echoing the geopolitical tensions of the 1960s Apollo era. But many space policy analysts and planetary scientists argue that this framing misses the bigger picture. Across the global space community, there is growing recognition that even separate projects generate shared knowledge that benefits all of humanity. Data on lunar surface conditions, new life support technologies, and lessons learned about long-duration habitation in a reduced-gravity environment will all be openly shared in many scientific forums, lowering the risk and cost of future exploration for every participating nation.

    What makes this moment a true turning point for human spaceflight is not just the technology, but the broader participation. Unlike the mid-20th century space race, which was driven by geopolitical rivalry between two superpowers, today’s lunar efforts include contributions from private industry, smaller national space agencies, and academic institutions from every inhabited continent. This collaborative, open model creates a sustainable foundation for expansion that the early Apollo program never had. The long-term vision shared by both initiatives is clear: to turn the Moon into a testing ground for the technologies and systems that will allow humans to survive the 6-month journey to Mars, establish the first human outpost on another planet, and answer one of humanity’s oldest questions: are we alone in the universe?

    As both programs move through their development and early mission phases in the coming years, the choices made today – from how we share scientific data to how we structure international cooperation – will define the trajectory of human space exploration for generations. This is not just a race to the Moon; it is humanity’s collective preparation for the next giant leap into the unknown.

  • National Youth Parliament Association Completes Election of Executive Committee and Youth Members of Parliament

    National Youth Parliament Association Completes Election of Executive Committee and Youth Members of Parliament

    The National Youth Parliament Association of Antigua and Barbuda (NYPAAB) has officially wrapped up its democratic electoral process, finalizing the full rosters of its governing Executive Committee and Youth Parliament body for the coming tenure.

    Earlier this cycle, voters had already confirmed selections for several key leadership posts: Ezekiel Francois will lead the organization as President, joined by Jordyn Roberts as Recruitment and Mobilization Officer, Lorianna Richards as Projects and Events Manager, and Janiyah Winston as Financial Secretary. At a recent gathering of association members, the remaining executive positions were filled through democratic voting. Rainer Santos Mercado secured the role of Vice President, while Romario Hughes was elected General Secretary. Lutrell John will take on duties as Public Relations Officer, and Esther Mckenzie will serve as External Affairs Officer. Jessica Zouetr will remain on the committee as Immediate-Past President to provide institutional continuity and guidance.

    Beyond the executive leadership team, NYPAAB also celebrated the successful election of Youth Members of Parliament, who will represent geographic constituencies across the twin-island nation. These young representatives are tasked with amplifying the voices of Antigua and Barbuda’s youth, advancing priorities that matter to younger generations, and gaining hands-on experience in governance through formal parliamentary debate, targeted policy advocacy, and broader civic engagement initiatives.

    The confirmed constituency representatives are Johanna Jacobs for St. Mary’s North, Cyniya Ireland for All Saints West, Celine Edwards for All Saints East and St. Lukes, Jawan Jackson for St. Philip’s North, Chrysean Jarvis for St Johns Rural South, Alton Alcendor for St. Johns Rural West, Daniel Taylor for St. Paul, and Leanna Browne for St. John’s City South. The association has noted that caretaker appointments for the remaining unrepresented constituencies will be announced at a later date.

    In a statement following the conclusion of voting, NYPAAB extended formal congratulations to all candidates who won positions in the election and expressed gratitude to every association member who participated in the democratic process. The organization says its upcoming term will center on four core goals: cultivating leadership skills among young people, expanding opportunities for civic participation, fostering open and constructive policy dialogue, and empowering the next generation of Antigua and Barbuda’s public and community leaders.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Successfully Conclude Music Development Masterclass

    Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Successfully Conclude Music Development Masterclass

    A transformative initiative aimed at lifting up local creative talent has drawn to a successful close in Antigua and Barbuda, with the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) celebrating the completion of its widely anticipated Music Development Masterclass. This intensive program represents the latest targeted investment by the commission into strengthening the nation’s fast-growing creative economy, unlocking new opportunities for creators across multiple disciplines.

    Hosted between June 8 and 12 at the Eustace Hill Campus located in Coolidge, the four-day training brought together a diverse cross-section of entertainment industry stakeholders. From emerging up-and-coming artistes, songwriters, producers, DJs and dancers to established industry professionals and visual creatives, all attendees gathered to deepen their understanding of the modern global music business through hands-on, immersive learning sessions.

    The program was led by three internationally recognized industry experts with decades of collective experience: Stephen “Int’l Stephen” Phillip from DSM Music Group, Daryll Gervais of Gervais Music, and Titan VCD from the NXUS Collective Agency. Throughout the course of the masterclass, facilitators emphasized the long-term value of professional networking and cross-local collaboration, urging participants to maintain the connections they built during the event and continue refining their craft long after the final session. To support ongoing development, all instructors shared their personal professional contact information with attendees, opening the door for future review of original music, creative projects and other work, as well as continued guidance.

    Dwayne George, the cabinet minister with oversight for Carnival, reaffirmed the Antigua and Barbuda government’s long-standing commitment to empowering local creatives through accessible education and targeted professional development opportunities.

    Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul, chairperson of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, outlined the commission’s core vision for expanding the local creative sector. “The Festivals Commission remains committed to creating pathways for growth within the creative sector. We are providing these programmes free of charge because we believe in the immense potential of our people. My appeal to creatives is simple: take advantage of every opportunity. Show up, engage, ask questions, and invest in your own development. The knowledge and connections gained through programmes like these can be transformative,” Makhoul said.

    Lead facilitator Stephen “Int’l Stephen” Phillip spoke highly of the energy and curiosity participants brought to the masterclass, noting that the next generation of Antigua and Barbuda’s creative talent shows exceptional promise. “It’s clear that the next generation is hungry, and they’re asking the right questions. The level of engagement we’ve seen over the past four days has been impressive. I genuinely believe there are quite a few global stars being born right here in Antigua and Barbuda,” Phillip shared.

    He also announced that early planning is already underway for an exciting collaborative project tied to the upcoming 70th anniversary of Antigua Carnival, a historic milestone for the nation’s biggest annual cultural celebration. “We’re already working on something special for Antigua Carnival 70 with some of the talented individuals we’ve met during this programme. What we’re building is what I like to call ‘The Carnival 70th Anthem’, something that captures the spirit, energy, and legacy of Antigua Carnival while showcasing local talent on a bigger stage,” Phillip added.

    To cap off the program, every participant received a formal certificate acknowledging their completion of the training and their commitment to ongoing professional growth within the creative industries.

  • Local Business Makes Major Donation Towards RCA Smurf Village

    Local Business Makes Major Donation Towards RCA Smurf Village

    A major local business in Antigua has stepped forward to back one of the nation’s most anticipated annual community fundraisers, marking a meaningful continuation of a decades-long family legacy of public service. On Friday, Automotive Arts and Outdoor World Antigua formally presented a donation exceeding EC$10,000 to the Rotary Club of Antigua to support the 2026 edition of its flagship fundraising event, Colours, which will carry the playful theme “Welcome to Smurf Village.”

    What drew the business to this partnership was the event’s core mission: advancing community empowerment and creating new opportunities for young people across Antigua and Barbuda, a mission that aligns perfectly with the company’s values of local investment. Robert Shoul, owner of Automotive Arts and Outdoor World Antigua, emphasized his deep personal commitment to nurturing youth entrepreneurship during the short handover ceremony. He noted that when he learned this focus would anchor the Rotary Club’s 2026 event, he was eager to join as a lead sponsor. Shoul’s involvement also carries special personal weight: it carries forward his late father Stephen Shoul’s legacy of service, as the elder Shoul was a long-standing, dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Antigua for many years.

    As the Rotary Club of Antigua’s signature annual fundraiser, all net proceeds from Colours 2026 will directly fund the organization’s wide range of community-led projects across both Antigua and Barbuda, from public infrastructure upgrades to educational programs and social support initiatives. Marsha Kalloo, group manager at Automotive Arts and Outdoor World Antigua, shared that the company’s team is working to deliver an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience for all event attendees. To align with the Smurf Village theme, the team is developing a custom glow-in-the-dark miniature golf zone that will feature dozens of prizes and unexpected surprises for guests of all ages, designed to elevate the overall event experience.

    Colours 2026: Welcome to Smurf Village is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026, hosted at Antigua’s popular Coolidge Cricket Ground venue. All-inclusive tickets, priced at EC$300 per person, are currently available for purchase at two retail locations: Automotive Arts on Old Parham Road, and Tropic Wear located in Heritage Quay. Attendees can look forward to a full lineup of live musical performances throughout the evening, including sets from Kaution Band, Claudette CP Peters and the Disturbance Band, a special guest appearance from Menace XL, and a headline performance by iconic local act The Original Burning Flames.

  • U.S. and Iran agree on peace deal to end the war

    U.S. and Iran agree on peace deal to end the war

    After months of behind-the-scenes diplomatic negotiations and intense international mediation, the United States and Iran have announced a breakthrough agreement that brings an end to their open military conflict. The deal, struck after multiple rounds of talks hosted by a neutral third-party nation, marks the end of years of escalating tensions that had threatened to destabilize the entire Middle East region.

    Diplomatic sources close to the negotiations confirm that the agreement includes provisions for a comprehensive ceasefire across all active front lines, the withdrawal of unauthorized military forces from disputed territories, and the establishment of a joint bilateral commission to oversee the implementation of all deal terms. Additionally, the agreement opens pathways for renewed diplomatic relations between the two nations, which have been frozen for decades.

    International leaders have quickly reacted to the news, with the United Nations, European Union and major regional powers all praising the breakthrough as a critical step toward broader regional security. Analysts note that the deal avoids what many feared would be a wider regional war that could have disrupted global energy supplies and triggered economic instability worldwide.

    Both American and Iranian official statements have emphasized that the agreement was reached through good-faith negotiations that addressed core security and sovereignty concerns on both sides. While observers note that significant challenges remain in fully implementing all terms of the deal, the announcement itself represents a historic shift in the long-running standoff between the two nations.

  • NOTICE For Calypso Monarch Competition

    NOTICE For Calypso Monarch Competition

    The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has issued an official notification calling a critical mandatory gathering for all key stakeholders involved in the upcoming 2026 Calypso Monarch Competition. The meeting is set to take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, kicking off promptly at 5:00 p.m. at Carnival City, the central hub for the island nation’s carnival activities.

    Who is required to attend? The Commission has outlined specific groups that must be present: every calypsonian who has completed registration for the 2026 competition, all accompanying band members, assigned backup vocalists, and sitting members of the Calypso Sub-Committee. Organizers have stressed that punctuality and full attendance are non-negotiable for this session, as the agenda covers high-stakes details that will shape the course of the competition in the coming months.

    During the gathering, the Festivals Commission will walk attendees through critical logistics, address key outstanding questions, and lay out a clear roadmap for all participants ahead of the main event. The commission closed its notice by expressing anticipation for full cooperation from all attendees, noting that collective teamwork is essential to pulling off a dynamic, memorable, and successful 2026 Calypso Monarch Competition.