标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda’s Junior Minister of Tourism, Kiara Kwenga, is set to represent her nation at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress. The event, scheduled for October 2 at the Hilton Barbados Resort, will gather young delegates aged 14 to 17 from 16 CTO member states and territories. Each participant, serving as a ‘Junior Minister or Commissioner of Tourism,’ will present innovative ideas and research on the future of Caribbean tourism. Organized in collaboration with the Barbados Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., the Congress is a cornerstone of CTO’s youth development initiatives. It aims to foster critical thinking, enhance communication skills, and provide a platform for young visionaries to shape the region’s tourism sector. Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO’s Director of Resource Mobilization and Development, emphasized that the event is more than a competition; it’s a pathway to nurturing future leaders and innovators in tourism. Beyond the Congress, participants will engage in the broader State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), including a master class by Ed Limon of Winged Whale Media and a career-focused workshop led by Davina Layne. Last year’s top honors went to Nevis representative Keyana Warner, and this year, Kwenga and her peers will aim to impress judges with fresh perspectives on strengthening the Caribbean’s tourism industry. The 2025 Youth Congress is supported by Breeze Travel Solutions, Carnival Corporation & plc, Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx), Marketplace Excellence (MPE), and Winged Whale Media. The SOTIC conference runs from September 30 to October 3 at the Hilton Barbados Resort.

In a recent development in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, a 17-year-old male has been taken into police custody for questioning regarding his alleged involvement in a robbery incident. The event unfolded on the evening of Monday, September 22, 2025, when two individuals were reportedly confronted at gunpoint by two assailants on High Street. The victims were robbed of their vehicle, mobile phone, and other valuable possessions. The suspects fled the scene in the stolen vehicle, heading westward along High Street.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was promptly notified, and an investigation was launched. On Thursday, September 25, 2025, law enforcement officers apprehended the teenager in the Clare Hall area. He is currently assisting the police with their inquiries.

The Police Administration is appealing to the public for any information that could aid in the ongoing investigation. Individuals with relevant details are encouraged to contact the CID at 462-3913 or provide anonymous tips through the Crimestoppers Hotline at 800-TIPS (8477).

This incident highlights the ongoing efforts of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to address and mitigate criminal activities within the community. The authorities remain committed to ensuring public safety and bringing those responsible for such acts to justice.

In a harrowing case that has drawn widespread attention, a man in his late 40s was convicted on Wednesday of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. The trial, presided over by Justice Ann Marie Smith, commenced in July and concluded with the jury delivering a guilty verdict after careful deliberation. The assaults took place in December 2021 when the defendant, then 45, was romantically involved with a family friend who was hosting the child for the weekend. Prosecutors revealed that the man entered the girl’s bedroom while she was asleep and touched her, causing her significant distress. He later returned to escalate the assault, and in a separate incident, forcibly removed her from a shower and assaulted her again despite her resistance. The defendant’s request for bail was denied by Justice Smith, and sentencing is scheduled for October 24. This case has underscored the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children and ensuring justice for victims of such heinous crimes.

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is intensifying its efforts to combat crime by seeking greater collaboration with telecommunications providers. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communication in the Prime Minister’s Office, emphasized that telecom companies could significantly bolster police investigations by providing crucial data. Merchant revealed that discussions have been held with the Attorney General and his legal team to explore ways to persuade telecom providers to share necessary information with law enforcement. However, he acknowledged the delicate balance between aiding investigations and protecting customer privacy, stating, ‘It is an area that all parties tread lightly, because the issue of privacy comes into play.’ The police have also encouraged the public to volunteer information to assist in solving crimes. This initiative comes amid heightened public scrutiny over recent violent incidents and a surge in robberies. While community tips remain vital, Merchant suggested that alternative measures may be necessary when voluntary cooperation is insufficient. The push for enhanced telecom collaboration underscores the police’s commitment to addressing crime more effectively.

In what has become a recurring phenomenon, another highly publicized prophecy of the rapture has failed to materialize. This latest prediction, made by South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela, claimed that Jesus had appeared to him in 2018 and revealed that the rapture would occur on September 23–24, 2025, coinciding with the Feast of Trumpets. The prophecy gained significant traction on social media platforms like TikTok, where users shared farewell messages and even prepared for the event by selling possessions and transferring property deeds. However, as the final hours of September 24 passed without incident, the world remained unchanged, leaving believers and skeptics alike to reflect on the enduring allure of apocalyptic predictions. This event echoes previous failed prophecies, such as the 2012 Mayan calendar end-of-world speculation and the tragic mass suicide of the Heaven’s Gate cult in 1997. While some content creators have fallen silent, others continue to hold out hope for a delayed fulfillment. For now, life goes on as usual, and the world remains intact.