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标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • Antigua and Barbuda Students Honoured in FCCA Environmental Poster and Essay Competitions

    Antigua and Barbuda Students Honoured in FCCA Environmental Poster and Essay Competitions

    Young talent from the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has once again turned heads across the Caribbean region, clinching multiple top awards at the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Foundation’s 2025 Environmental Poster and Essay Competitions. The annual contest, which centers on linking environmental protection to sustainable regional tourism, saw local students dominate national-level categories and earn a prestigious regional distinction, cementing the country’s reputation for nurturing creative, environmentally conscious youth.

    Across both the essay and poster divisions, Antigua and Barbuda’s student competitors secured all national championship titles, with one participant going on to take second place in the broader regional competition. The impressive haul of awards is being widely celebrated as evidence of the strong potential and skill held by the nation’s younger generation.

    To honor the winning students, an official prize-giving ceremony was hosted last Thursday at the headquarters of Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Tourism. Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez personally presented the trophies, cash rewards, and other prizes to the victorious participants, taking time to praise each student for their creative vision, commitment to environmental protection, and academic dedication.

    Leading the group of national winners is Mckenzi Edwards, a student at New Bethel SDA School, who claimed first place in both the junior division essay and poster competitions. Edwards walked away with a $200 USD cash prize for each of his two winning entries, totaling $400 USD in rewards.

    In the senior division of the environmental poster competition, Sophia Cao from St. Anthony’s Secondary School took the national top spot, earning a $200 USD cash prize for her work.

    The highlight of the event came when Kiara Kwenga, a student at Christ the King High School and Antigua and Barbuda’s sitting Junior Minister of Tourism, earned regional acclaim for her essay, taking second place in the competition open to all Caribbean participants. For her achievement, Kwenga received a brand-new Lenovo laptop, while her school was awarded a $1,500 USD grant to support student programs.

    Addressing attendees at the ceremony, Minister Fernandez emphasized the broader meaning of the students’ wins beyond the competition itself. He praised the young competitors for channeling their creative abilities into raising awareness about environmental stewardship and its critical connection to the Caribbean’s tourism-dependent economy, which is the backbone of Antigua and Barbuda’s national income.

    “The FCCA competitions create an invaluable space for young people across our region to show off their creativity, while also building a deeper personal understanding of why protecting our natural home matters,” Fernandez said in his remarks. “These students have represented Antigua and Barbuda with incredible distinction, and every one of us in the country is incredibly proud of what they have accomplished here.”

    The FCCA Foundation’s Environmental Poster and Essay Competitions are held every year to encourage secondary and primary school students across the Caribbean to engage with key topics around climate action, environmental conservation, sustainable development, and the way these priorities intersect with the regional tourism sector. The industry relies heavily on the appeal of pristine beaches, coral reefs, and natural landscapes, making environmental awareness among young people a critical long-term investment for regional economies.

    Following the ceremony, the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment issued a statement extending congratulations to all competition participants, with special recognition for the winning students, their families, teachers, and school administrators who supported their preparation for the contest. The ministry also encouraged all young people across Antigua and Barbuda to continue taking part in similar educational programs that build environmental responsibility while contributing to long-term national growth.

  • Tributes Pour In for Dr. Krishna Following Sudden Death

    Tributes Pour In for Dr. Krishna Following Sudden Death

    The Medical Association of Antigua and Barbuda Inc. (MAAB) has confirmed the unexpected death of one of the nation’s most beloved long-serving surgical practitioners, Dr. Subbiah Radhakrishnan—known widely to colleagues, patients, and friends as Dr. Krishnan. The announcement was made in an official statement released by MAAB President Dr. Alafea Stevens, shared with the local medical community this week.

    At the time of his passing, Dr. Krishnan remained an actively engaged and deeply committed member of Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare ecosystem. He continued to deliver critical care to patients at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, while also maintaining an active private practice that served residents across the islands.

    Widely celebrated for his magnetic personality and unparalleled expertise in the operating room, Dr. Krishnan leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond his thousands of successful procedures. Colleagues remember his surgical skill as a benchmark for excellence, one that motivated and shaped generations of local medical workers. What truly set him apart, however, was his dedication to lifting up other professionals: he served as a generous mentor and trusted confidant to countless new and established clinicians across the country, always willing to share his knowledge and experience to help others grow.

    On behalf of MAAB’s Executive leadership and its full general membership, President Stevens extended the association’s sincerest condolences to Dr. Krishnan’s family, including his wife Dr. Saravana Sabharmathi and their children. “Our collective thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, his patients, his professional peers, and the entire medical fraternity as we grieve this extraordinary loss,” the statement read. “May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

  • Senior Surgeon Found Dead Outside Belmont Home

    Senior Surgeon Found Dead Outside Belmont Home

    A senior surgeon at one of the region’s prominent medical facilities has died in unexpected circumstances, prompting a full investigation from local law enforcement. Dr. Krishna, a leading senior surgeon at Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, was discovered unresponsive outside his private residence in Belmont last Friday, according to initial official reports. First responders were immediately dispatched to the location to provide emergency care, but medical personnel confirmed Dr. Krishna had passed away upon their arrival. Early preliminary assessments have pointed to the possibility that his death was the result of an accident, but law enforcement officials have emphasized that no official determination has been made regarding the exact cause or surrounding circumstances of the incident. Forensic and investigative teams have cordoned off the area surrounding the Belmont home to preserve evidence, and a formal probe into the death is already underway. As of the latest media update, leadership at Mount St. John’s Medical Centre has not released any public statement commenting on Dr. Krishna’s passing or the ongoing investigation. Police have indicated that they will release additional details to the public once they complete key stages of their inquiry, and updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

  • Flow Announced as Official Partner of the Republic Bank CPL

    Flow Announced as Official Partner of the Republic Bank CPL

    The Caribbean Premier League (CPL), one of the most dynamic and widely followed Twenty20 cricket competitions in the world, has announced a landmark new partnership that will see regional telecommunications leader Flow take on the role of Official Partner for the upcoming editions of the Republic Bank-backed tournament.

    This collaboration marks a significant step forward for both organizations, bringing together a premier cricket platform that showcases top cricketing talent from across the globe and a leading communications provider deeply rooted in the Caribbean community. As an official partner, Flow will gain extensive brand visibility across all CPL match venues, broadcast coverage, and digital platforms, reaching millions of cricket fans both in the Caribbean and around the world.

    CPL CEO Peter Russell emphasized the importance of the new partnership, noting that Flow’s long-standing commitment to connecting communities across the region aligns perfectly with the league’s mission to grow cricket and drive engagement across Caribbean nations. Representatives from Flow also expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting that the partnership will allow the company to deliver unique experiences to its customers, including exclusive access to match tickets, behind-the-scenes content, and special fan events throughout the tournament.

    The Republic Bank CPL has grown steadily in popularity since its inaugural season in 2013, attracting star players from major cricketing nations and drawing record viewership year after year. Partnerships with leading regional brands like Flow play a critical role in supporting the league’s continued expansion and development, from upgrading venue infrastructure to nurturing young local cricket talent through the league’s development programs.

    Both organizations have confirmed that the partnership will kick off with the upcoming 2024 edition of the Republic Bank CPL, with plans to extend the collaboration across future tournaments. Fans can expect to see integrated activations from Flow throughout the tournament season, enhancing the overall matchday experience for in-stadium audiences and remote viewers alike.

  • Barbuda Successfully Completes Tsunami Ready Exercise and Public Awareness Activity

    Barbuda Successfully Completes Tsunami Ready Exercise and Public Awareness Activity

    The small Caribbean island of Barbuda has wrapped up a three-day, comprehensive tsunami preparedness drill that marks a critical milestone in its quest to earn the globally recognized Tsunami Ready designation from UNESCO. Held between May 26 and 28, the exercise was spearheaded by Antigua and Barbuda’s National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), and drew cross-sector collaboration from local educational institutions, government disaster response teams, international disaster risk experts, and community groups all aligned to advance the island’s long-term goal of securing and retaining official Tsunami Ready status.

    The Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme, operated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), is a widely accepted global framework designed to boost community resilience against tsunami hazards. To qualify for the designation, communities must meet clear standards: sustained public education on tsunami risks, functional standardized early warning systems, formally documented and tested evacuation plans, and regular preparedness drills. This recent exercise in Barbuda is the first formal requirement the island has completed to move forward in the evaluation process for the recognition, which is only granted to communities that have fully implemented risk reduction measures tailored to their local tsunami threat.

    The initiative kicked off on May 26 with educational outreach activities at two of Barbuda’s main schools: Holy Trinity Primary School and Sir McChesney George Secondary School. During the school visits, participating students and faculty took part in interactive workshops covering key topics including the nature of local tsunami hazards, basic individual and community preparedness actions, and step-by-step evacuation protocols. The outreach effort was designed to embed safety knowledge among young residents, who can in turn share that information with their families and broader community networks.

    The full-scale exercise concluded on May 28 with an island-wide community evacuation drill, with a primary focus on the two participating secondary and primary schools to test the evacuation procedures that had been discussed just days prior. The drill successfully tested response times, route clarity, and communication between school administrators, disaster management officials, and community volunteers.

    In comments following the completion of the exercise, NODS Director Sherrod James emphasized the foundational role of broad community engagement in effective disaster preparedness. “This exercise demonstrates the importance of community involvement in disaster preparedness,” James stated. “By engaging young people and conducting practical evacuation exercises, we are helping to ensure that Barbuda remains prepared to respond effectively to tsunami threats.”

    The drill received technical and operational support from a multi-national team of local and international disaster risk specialists. Leading the international contingent was Christa von Hillebrandt-Andrade, Manager of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) International Tsunami Information Center Caribbean Office (ITIC-CAR). They were joined by Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch, Director at Risk Communications Agency Pacifico and a leading expert in risk communication and behavioural science, as well as Diego Voloschin, a videographer documenting the exercise for future training and outreach use.

    Local technical support was provided by members of the NODS team including Alvah Guishard, NODS’ GIS mapping specialist, and Daryl George, Project Officer in the NODS Project Management Unit. Additional support came from John Mussington, Chairman of the Barbuda Council and a dedicated consultant for the Barbuda Tsunami Ready initiative, alongside a number of other local technical specialists.

    Following the successful completion of the exercise, NODS issued formal statements thanking the leadership, teaching staff, and student bodies of both participating schools for their energetic participation and commitment to building a local culture of safety and disaster resilience. The agency also extended gratitude to Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Education for its ongoing backing of the Tsunami Ready initiative.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Seeks Japanese Support for Fisheries and Agriculture Development

    Antigua and Barbuda Seeks Japanese Support for Fisheries and Agriculture Development

    The twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has formally opened discussions with Japan to secure targeted development support for two of its most critical economic sectors: fisheries and agriculture. As small island developing states (SIDS) heavily reliant on ocean resources and domestic food production, Antigua and Barbuda faces unique structural challenges that have held back the full potential of these key industries. These challenges range from outdated infrastructure and limited access to advanced sustainable fishing technologies to climate-driven shifts in weather patterns that disrupt crop yields and threaten coastal fish populations.

    Government officials from Antigua and Barbuda have outlined that the proposed partnership with Japan would focus on three core areas: upgrading fishing port facilities to improve post-harvest handling and reduce waste, introducing climate-resilient crop varieties and sustainable farming practices, and providing technical training for local small-scale producers and fishers. The Caribbean nation has emphasized that strengthening these two sectors is central to its long-term food security strategy, as it currently relies heavily on imported food products that drive up domestic living costs and leave the country vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions.

    Diplomatic sources note that Japan has a long history of supporting sustainable development initiatives across the Caribbean region, through both official development assistance (ODA) programs and public-private partnership projects focused on climate adaptation and economic empowerment for local communities. Antigua and Barbuda’s leaders have expressed confidence that the collaboration will not only improve productivity in fisheries and agriculture but also open new opportunities for exporting high-quality regional products to Asian markets, boosting the nation’s foreign exchange earnings and creating new local jobs.

    Discussions between the two governments are still in the early stages, with both sides expected to finalize the details of funding, project timelines, and implementation frameworks in the coming months. If the agreement moves forward as planned, it is expected to serve as a model for other small island developing states seeking targeted international support to build resilient, sustainable local economies in the face of global climate change.

  • Harris Paints Makes History with Launch of Quantum Dry™

    Harris Paints Makes History with Launch of Quantum Dry™

    A Caribbean-based paint manufacturer has made a landmark breakthrough in the global coatings industry, launching what experts are calling the world’s first single-base dry tinting system for decorative paint that promises to raise the bar for colour accuracy, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

    Harris Paints, headquartered in Barbados, pulled back the curtain on its new Quantum Dry system at a launch event held this week at the company’s corporate office. The launch comes four years after the firm first revolutionized regional and global paint production with its pioneering Quantum i12 single-base colour system, a Caribbean-born innovation that redefined colour consistency for the industry.

    The original Quantum i12 platform, which has been widely adopted by paint retailers across Antigua, was the first industry system to use a single base formula to produce cleaner, more vivid and reliably consistent colours than traditional multi-base alternatives. The success of that initial innovation led Harris Paints to spin its Quantum technology portfolio into a dedicated subsidiary, The Quantum Corporation, which has since expanded the platform with a proprietary artificial intelligence-powered colour matching tool and now licenses its technology to paint manufacturers across the globe. Today, paints produced using Caribbean-originated Quantum technology are sold as far as Italy and Bangladesh, with new market expansions planned in the coming year.

    Quantum Dry, the latest iteration of the company’s single-base platform, leverages specialized solid pigment pearls developed by Vibrantz Technologies, a global leader in advanced materials and colour solutions, to tint single-base paint. This marks a sharp break from traditional made-to-order architectural paints, which rely on liquid colourants for tinting. According to Quantum Corporation leadership, the new dry pearl system delivers meaningful upgrades to three core pillars of paint production: colour accuracy, batch-to-batch repeatability, and environmental sustainability.

    “The beauty of dry tinting lies in its fundamental simplicity,” said Angelo Vincenzi, co-CEO of The Quantum Corporation. “Precision control of liquid colourants to guarantee consistent performance requires a huge array of complex technical workarounds. Vibrantz has engineered a unique process that encapsulates pure, water-free pigment into a solid dry pearl. This makes the entire Quantum Dry system cleaner, simpler, and far more resilient to operational variables, and we see enormous untapped potential for this technology across the global industry.”

    Dry pigment pearl tinting has grown in popularity across the global paint sector in recent years, particularly in European markets where environmental regulatory standards have grown increasingly strict. Until this launch, however, dry pigment technology was only available for traditional multi-base tint systems, and had not been adapted for the streamlined single-base approach that Quantum pioneered.

    “Dry tinting is widely recognized as one of the most important forward-looking directions for the entire paint industry,” added Antonio Vasconcellos, the other co-CEO of The Quantum Corporation. “Quantum Dry represents a fundamentally more sustainable approach to tinting paint. By cutting down on unnecessary additives, rolling out more easily recyclable packaging, and shrinking the overall carbon footprint of the tinting process, the system dramatically reduces environmental impact without any compromise to paint or colour performance. In fact, the specialized dispensing process for the dry pearls actually delivers more accurate and repeatable colour results than traditional liquid tinting, building on the already unique advantage of our Quantum i12 single-base framework.”

    Don Gooding, Colour Delivery Manager for the Harris Paints Group, emphasized the tangible operational benefits that the original Quantum i12 system has already delivered to regional paint retailers, noting that the new dry technology will build on those gains. “Quantum i12 was a true game-changer for our business. It allowed us to offer retailers across the Caribbean major operational advantages and huge efficiency gains, from lower inventory and storage requirements to simpler stock management, all while maintaining exceptional colour performance standards,” Gooding explained. “It streamlined and simplified the entire colour production process, and it’s delivering better results than ever for colour consistency and colour matching. We are incredibly proud to be the first paint supplier in the world to partner with Quantum and Vibrantz to bring this new dry technology to single-base tint systems, and we are eager to refine its integration across our operations as we scale.”

    Harris Paints will first roll out the new Quantum Dry tinting system in its most eco-conscious product line: Ulttima Pure Zero VOC Interior Flat Emulsion, which will be the first commercial product available with the new tint technology. Initially, the system will only be available at the company’s Wildey retail location in Barbados, as the team executes a deliberate phased rollout plan to ensure long-term performance, colour consistency, and scalable production.

    “This launch is not just another new product rollout for us—it’s a historic first step, and it reinforces Harris Paints’ track record of bringing first-to-market innovation to the global paint industry,” Gooding noted. “This innovation also highlights how Quantum technology has allowed Harris to expand its global footprint dramatically. With Quantum Dry, we aren’t just launching a new colour system—we’re helping shape the future of sustainable paint technology for the entire world.”

  • Facebook and IG are currently down for millions of users

    Facebook and IG are currently down for millions of users

    Thousands of Meta platform users across the globe have reported sudden, unexpected access disruptions, with many saying they were automatically logged out of their personal and professional accounts without warning. Other users have shared that they encountered persistent error codes when trying to load feed pages, send messages, or use core platform features, leaving them unable to connect with contacts or access their stored content.

    Independent technology analysts who reviewed the widespread user reports have clarified that outages of this nature are most often temporary service disruptions, rather than permanent account issues or security breaches. To resolve the access problems for individual users, experts suggest a range of quick at-home fixes: reloading the affected web page, fully closing and restarting the Meta mobile application, clearing the browser or app’s cached data, or simply waiting for Meta’s engineering team to restore full service on the backend.

    As of the time this report was published, Meta has not issued any official public statement addressing the outage, nor has the company shared details on what caused the disruption, how many users were affected, or an estimated timeline for full service restoration.

  • Department of Culture to Host Soca and Calypso Adjudicators’ Training Workshop

    Department of Culture to Host Soca and Calypso Adjudicators’ Training Workshop

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Culture, operating under the Ministry of Creative Industries, has announced a specialized training workshop for Soca and Calypso competition adjudicators, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026. The event will take place on the campus of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies at the Harrison Centre, marking a key step in the department’s long-running mission to bolster the professionalism, integrity and public trust in the country’s iconic Carnival judging processes.

    Running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the scheduled date, the workshop will welcome both sitting adjudicators who oversee the island nation’s most high-profile Carnival contests—including the widely popular Soca Monarch, Party Monarch and Calypso Monarch competitions—and emerging candidates hoping to join judging panels in future events. Over the course of the day, participants will build practical skills in core judging competencies, ranging from standardized scoring methodologies and consistent rubric application to nuanced performance analysis and proactive implicit bias awareness.

    Leading the training will be Kimdale Mackellar, an experienced cultural practitioner and adjudication specialist with deep expertise in Caribbean performance arts. Mackellar will guide attendees through a deep dive into the key assessment criteria that shape competition outcomes, covering everything from lyrical depth and musical composition to originality of work, stage presence, audience connection, thematic communication and overall performance quality.

    Unlike traditional passive training formats, the workshop will center on interactive, hands-on learning to help participants put new skills into practice immediately. Scheduled activities include small-group discussions on common judging challenges, supervised mock adjudication exercises, cross-adjudicator calibration sessions, audio and video analysis of past performances, side-by-side score comparison activities, and one-on-one guided feedback sessions to address individual growth areas.

    As Carnival continues to grow in cultural significance and draw increasing public and tourism attention across the Caribbean, the Department of Culture has emphasized that consistent, transparent judging is more critical than ever. The department notes that the workshop is rooted in a core priority: ensuring every person sitting on a competition judging panel has a complete, up-to-date mastery of official judging criteria, and can apply those standards fairly, uniformly and transparently across all performances.

    Through capacity-building initiatives like this specialized training, the Department of Culture is working to systematically strengthen the institutional frameworks that underpin Carnival competitions, with the goal of ensuring all artistic achievements are evaluated consistently, objectively and to the highest professional standards.

    Individuals interested in participating in the workshop or seeking additional logistical details are invited to contact the Department of Culture directly by phone at 562-9606 for more information.

  • PM Browne Rejects DPP’s ‘I Owe the Public No Explanation’ Position

    PM Browne Rejects DPP’s ‘I Owe the Public No Explanation’ Position

    A high-profile public dispute has erupted between Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Clement Joseph, centered on a fundamental question: are top prosecutorial officials obligated to explain their case decisions to the general public?

    The conflict was sparked after Joseph recently made public comments arguing that the country’s Constitution grants his office broad prosecutorial independence, and does not require him to justify individual case rulings to the public. His remarks came amid mounting public criticism following his office’s dismissal of two high-profile recent criminal cases.

    In a sharp public rebuke, Browne pushed back directly against Joseph’s stance, warning that the DPP’s position could erode public trust in the nation’s entire justice system. In a scathing public post, Browne questioned: “Really Mr DPP? You are El supremo – Beyond reproach? As a public servant, you are not accountable to the public who pays your bill and at whose ultimate discretion and pleasure you serve?”

    The Prime Minister added that he holds out hope Joseph’s controversial comments were the result of misquotation, framing the claim that the DPP owes no public explanation as a reckless statement that risks damaging public confidence in the prosecutorial office. “For any avoidance of doubt, no one is above the law and no one is beyond reproach,” Browne emphasized.

    For his part, Joseph has stood by his original position, while acknowledging that judicial oversight provides a check on his authority. He clarified that parties aggrieved by his decisions are permitted to challenge rulings in court if they are deemed unreasonable or amount to an abuse of power. The DPP also noted that while he supports transparency as a core principle, some prosecutorial matters must remain confidential, only disclosed on a strict need-to-know basis. He rejected calls to break confidentiality for political gain or to appease public criticism, adding that his office already publishes annual updates on broad prosecutorial trends at the opening of each law term, and the constitutional framework does not mandate explanations for individual case outcomes.

    The debate has drawn perspectives from other legal experts in the country, with Wendell Alexander, an attorney-at-law and former Police Commissioner, aligning with the Prime Minister’s position. Alexander argued that proactive transparency around high-interest cases strengthens, rather than weakens, public confidence in the justice system. “In the interest of transparency, I would say that the public has a right to know because the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is a public office,” he explained.

    Alexander added that when a prosecutorial decision sparks widespread public concern, offering a clear public explanation benefits the entire administration of justice. He also echoed Joseph’s note that the DPP’s constitutional powers are not unlimited, noting that all decisions remain open to judicial review by the High Court if found to be unreasonable or abusive.

    The public clash has now reignited a broader national debate over the delicate balance between three core principles of Antigua and Barbuda’s justice system: prosecutorial independence, the need for case confidentiality, and the public’s right to government accountability.