Carib Scope

标签： Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • Antigua & Barbuda Trades and Labour Union Celebrates 87 Years of Service

    Antigua & Barbuda Trades and Labour Union Celebrates 87 Years of Service

    The Antigua & Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) is preparing to commemorate its 87th anniversary on January 16, 2026, celebrating nearly nine decades of continuous service to the nation’s workforce. The milestone event will recognize the institution’s enduring legacy and unwavering dedication to labor rights and social justice.

    A special Thanksgiving service held on January 11, 2026, at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, led by Reverend Pauline Ramsey-Burns, set the spiritual tone for the anniversary celebrations. During the ceremony, Union President Bernard de Nilly delivered a powerful address reflecting on the organization’s historical significance.

    “The sustained existence of our Union transcends mere coincidence; it embodies a profound divine purpose,” de Nilly stated in his prepared remarks. He emphasized the fundamental principle that has guided the organization: “The Unity of Labour is the Salvation of our Country,” underscoring the critical role of collective worker solidarity in national development.

    The Union leadership has announced ambitious plans for 2026, prioritizing organizational renewal and enhanced youth engagement. A key initiative involves revitalizing the AT&LU’s youth wing to ensure intergenerational continuity and fresh perspectives within the labor movement. de Nilly connected this forward-looking approach with historical context, noting, “We owe our current position to the sacrifices of the pioneering 1939 founders, whose efforts established the foundation we continue to build upon.”

    The memorial service included a solemn moment of silence honoring late comrades Rufus Lewis and Harold Carter, whose contributions continue to inspire current union activities. Their dedication is cited as instrumental in maintaining the Union’s resilience through 87 years of operation.

    Infrastructure development forms another component of the anniversary plans, with scheduled rehabilitation works set to complete the “Emancipation House” project within the year. de Nilly concluded his address with a call for spiritual and collective strength: “As we embark on this new chapter, I pray for the transformation of our members’ spirits as we advance with faith and determination.”

    The Union extends an open invitation to all citizens to participate in recognizing 87 years of persistent commitment, sacrifice, and achievement in advancing workers’ rights and national development.

  • MP Rawdon Turner Offers 10 UWI Global Campus Scholarships for St. Peter Residents

    MP Rawdon Turner Offers 10 UWI Global Campus Scholarships for St. Peter Residents

    In a significant educational advancement for the constituency, St. Peter MP Rawdon Turner has unveiled a scholarship program offering ten fully-funded opportunities for local residents. The initiative provides complete financial coverage for short courses available through the UWI Global Campus based in Antigua.

    The scholarship program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with precisely ten slots available for eligible constituents. Turner emphasized that the educational initiative aims to empower residents by facilitating skill acquisition, professional advancement, and personal development through the university’s diverse short-course catalog.

    Interested parties residing within the St. Peter constituency are directed to contact (268) 785-5757 for comprehensive information regarding application procedures and course selection. The MP characterized this effort as part of a broader commitment to fostering educational access and personal growth within the community, urging constituents to seize this opportunity while positions remain open.

    The UWI Global Campus short courses provide flexible learning options across various disciplines, enabling participants to enhance their qualifications without financial burden. This parliamentary initiative represents a direct investment in human capital development within the St. Peter constituency, potentially creating long-term benefits for both individual recipients and the broader community.

  • UWI Five Islands Launches Mentorship Programme for Final-Year Nursing Students

    UWI Five Islands Launches Mentorship Programme for Final-Year Nursing Students

    The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has inaugurated a groundbreaking Preceptorship Programme specifically tailored for final-year nursing students, marking a significant advancement in healthcare education methodology. This structured initiative aims to bridge the critical gap between academic preparation and professional practice through comprehensive mentorship.

    During the official launch ceremony, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph delivered a compelling address emphasizing the profound importance of hands-on mentorship in developing competent healthcare professionals. “Nursing transcends conventional professional boundaries—it constitutes a vocation demanding exceptional discipline, profound compassion, and unwavering resilience,” Sir Molwyn asserted. “This pioneering programme serves as an essential formative stage that shapes emerging nursing professionals before they enter our healthcare ecosystem.”

    The Minister highlighted the programme’s transition from primarily virtual delivery to tangible in-person engagement, noting: “UWI Five Islands Campus has revolutionized mentorship accessibility by facilitating direct interpersonal connections. This face-to-face interaction fosters authentic professional relationships, reinforces practice standards, and genuinely prepares aspiring nurses for healthcare’s practical challenges.”

    This comprehensive preceptorship framework incorporates multidimensional support systems including specialized academic direction, professional career coaching, leadership enhancement modules, and realistic clinical environment exposure. The programme’s curriculum is meticulously designed to produce graduates who enter the healthcare sector with demonstrated confidence, strong ethical foundations, and robust preparedness for contemporary nursing demands.

    University administrators emphasized the programme’s alignment with institutional commitments to educational excellence and student achievement. “This initiative represents targeted educational reinforcement at the most crucial phase of our students’ professional development,” a campus official stated. “We ensure our graduates depart not merely with qualifications, but with genuine readiness for healthcare’s practical realities.”

    The launch event assembled government representatives, academic leadership, faculty members, nursing students, and healthcare sector partners, demonstrating collective dedication to cultivating a highly skilled, compassionate nursing workforce for Antigua and Barbuda and the broader Caribbean region.

  • Backyard Gardeners Collect Seedlings for Plant2Plate Competition in Antigua

    Backyard Gardeners Collect Seedlings for Plant2Plate Competition in Antigua

    Antigua’s backyard gardening movement gained significant momentum on January 15th as enthusiastic gardeners assembled at the Agricultural Extension Division (AED) office on Valley Road. The gathering marked the commencement of the crop-growing segment within the national Plant2Plate Competition, a government-backed initiative designed to transform residential spaces into productive agricultural plots.

    The event witnessed high-level governmental participation with Anthony Smith Jr., Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, alongside Permanent Secretary Walter Christopher, personally overseeing the seedling distribution process that began promptly at 9 a.m. The substantial turnout demonstrated robust governmental endorsement for community-based agriculture and enhanced household food production capabilities.

    Participants queued systematically to receive their starter plants, signaling their official entry into the competition that champions sustainable farming practices at the domestic level. Program organizers emphasized that the initiative serves multiple purposes: promoting nutritional awareness, fostering greater self-sufficiency, and encouraging environmentally conscious cultivation methods among residents.

    The AED efficiently coordinated the distribution mechanism while providing comprehensive technical guidance to ensure participants could successfully establish and maintain their crops. Officials reported an exceptionally smooth operation with gardeners departing fully equipped and knowledgeable to commence immediate planting operations.

    The distributed seedlings encompassed a diverse array of produce including beetroot, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, lettuce, thyme, chives, celery, kale, arugula, eggplant, and Chinese cabbage—carefully selected varieties suited for Antiguan growing conditions.

    This seedling distribution event represents a crucial preliminary phase in the broader Plant2Plate Competition, which ultimately seeks to strengthen national food security by empowering citizens throughout Antigua and Barbuda to cultivate fresh, nutritious produce within their own living environments.

  • Joella Lloyd to Receive Full Government Sponsorship for International Competition

    Joella Lloyd to Receive Full Government Sponsorship for International Competition

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has committed to fully sponsoring national sprinter Joella Lloyd’s athletic career through a specialized financial assistance program. This decisive action emerged from Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, where officials unanimously endorsed comprehensive support for Lloyd’s training and competitive development as she targets major international competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

    Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed the government’s commitment to providing direct sponsorship following substantive discussions about national sports development. The Cabinet’s resolution establishes a structured support program specifically designed to ensure Lloyd receives optimal training resources as she transitions from collegiate athletics to professional competition.

    This sponsorship arrangement represents a continuation of government support that began during Lloyd’s university years, where she previously received assistance while balancing academic and athletic pursuits. Having recently graduated, Lloyd can now dedicate her full attention to elite training and international competition preparation without financial constraints.

    The government’s investment reflects a strategic approach to sports development, recognizing Lloyd’s potential to represent Antigua and Barbuda on the global stage. The program will facilitate her participation in qualifying meets and provide necessary resources for her Olympic qualification campaign. This endorsement positions Lloyd as a flagship athlete in the nation’s sports development initiative, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics serving as the primary long-term objective for both the athlete and her supporting government.

  • Turner Marks First Year as St. Peter MP, Says Work Has Only Begun

    Turner Marks First Year as St. Peter MP, Says Work Has Only Begun

    Following his parliamentary election victory one year ago, Rawdon Turner, who represents the St. Peter constituency and serves as Minister of Social and Urban Transformation, has characterized his inaugural term as a period dedicated to foundational development rather than public acclaim. In a reflective statement, Turner emphasized that his primary focus has been on comprehensive listening, intensive learning, and establishing the necessary groundwork for future initiatives.

    Turner explicitly stated that the past twelve months were not measured by traditional achievements or ceremonial titles, but rather by the diligent process of understanding community needs and preparing for substantive action. “We have initiated crucial collaborative projects,” he acknowledged, “yet I maintain a realistic perspective: significant work remains ahead.”

    The Minister highlighted the inherent challenges of societal transformation, noting that genuine progress emerges through consistent effort and cooperative engagement at the grassroots level. He articulated that community development occurs incrementally through sustained dialogue and systematic problem-solving rather than through immediate, visible changes.

    Addressing the complex issues confronting both his constituency and the nation broadly, Turner identified three essential components for success: patient dedication, persistent effort, and constructive partnerships. He renewed his commitment to maintaining transparent communication with constituents, promising continued presence within communities and honest assessments of governmental capabilities and limitations.

    Turner concluded by expressing gratitude to St. Peter residents for their ongoing support and thanked the broader public for entrusting him with governmental responsibility. He framed the completion of his first year not as a destination reached, but as the preliminary phase of an extended journey toward tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.

  • No Dengue Outbreak or Unusual Mosquito-Borne Illness Activity, Government Says

    No Dengue Outbreak or Unusual Mosquito-Borne Illness Activity, Government Says

    Health authorities in Antigua and Barbuda have officially confirmed the absence of dengue outbreaks or unusual increases in mosquito-borne illnesses across the nation. This assurance came through a detailed epidemiological briefing presented to the Cabinet by Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph, with subsequent public communication handled by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant.

    The comprehensive surveillance data reveals that all indicators for dengue and other arboviral diseases remain consistently within expected baseline parameters. The statistical trajectory shows a notable decline in confirmed dengue cases over recent years, with 2026 recording zero infections to date. Historical data indicates two cases in 2022, a significant spike to 106 cases in 2023, followed by a substantial reduction to 18 cases in 2024, and further decline to 11 cases in 2025.

    Other mosquito-transmitted illnesses including Zika, chikungunya, Oropouche fever, and yellow fever have similarly maintained minimal presence. Zika virus registered only two confirmed cases in the previous year, with no infections detected in 2022, 2023, 2024, or the current year. The more severe diseases—chikungunya, Oropouche fever, and yellow fever—have recorded zero laboratory-confirmed cases from 2020 through present.

    Cabinet officials concluded that arboviral activity remains effectively controlled with no evidence of sustained transmission or outbreak conditions. The Ministry of Health maintains fully operational surveillance systems designed for early detection and rapid response should disease patterns shift. While current risks remain low, health officials continue advocating for routine mosquito control measures including elimination of standing water and use of personal protection equipment. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, evidence-based public health management and ongoing protection of citizen welfare.

  • Cabinet Says One Nation Festival Was Well Organized

    Cabinet Says One Nation Festival Was Well Organized

    The Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet has formally recognized the One Nation Caribbean Music Festival as an exemplary model of event organization, setting new standards for cultural productions within the nation. During Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, conveyed the government’s commendation of Festival Minister Daryll Matthew for the flawlessly executed two-day event.

    Merchant characterized the festival as “a shining example of excellence in planning, coordination, and execution,” with Cabinet members unanimously regarding it as among the most impeccably organized festivals ever hosted in Antigua and Barbuda. The government’s assessment highlighted how the event’s operational framework, audience turnout, and artistic presentations demonstrated clear strategic vision, effective leadership, and meticulous preparation.

    The festival’s success extended beyond logistical achievements, serving as a catalyst for national unity and cultural pride. According to official statements, the event showcased the nation’s capability to produce world-class cultural experiences while simultaneously strengthening community bonds and elevating the country’s profile as a premier destination for entertainment and cultural tourism.

    Cabinet members extended particular recognition to Festival Commission Chairperson Ambassador Elizabeth McCool and her entire team, acknowledging their dedication and professionalism as instrumental components of the event’s triumph. The government also expressed gratitude to the thousands of attendees whose enthusiastic participation and strong turnout generated the festival’s vibrant atmosphere and contributed substantially to its overall success.

    Appreciation was further directed toward service providers, security personnel, vendors, technical crews, volunteers, and support staff whose collective efforts ensured a safe, well-managed, and enjoyable experience for all patrons. Regarding future developments, government officials confirmed there are presently no discussions about expanding the festival or relocating its venue, asserting that the current format possesses the ideal components for continued success.

  • WATCH: U.S. forces seize tanker in Caribbean under Operation Southern Spear

    WATCH: U.S. forces seize tanker in Caribbean under Operation Southern Spear

    In a coordinated pre-dawn naval operation, U.S. military forces successfully intercepted and seized the motor tanker Veronica in Caribbean waters as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt unauthorized Venezuelan oil exports. The operation, conducted under the banner of Operation Southern Spear, involved specialized Marines and sailors deployed from the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.

    The seizure was executed without incident according to U.S. Southern Command, which characterized the tanker as operating in direct violation of U.S.-imposed sanctions targeting vessels associated with Venezuela’s oil sector. The military command emphasized that this intervention demonstrates continued effectiveness in enforcing maritime quarantine measures against sanctioned Venezuelan oil activities.

    This strategic operation featured extensive interagency collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of Justice. The broader naval presence supporting these efforts includes assets from the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group, notably the USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale.

    U.S. Southern Command framed the operation within its wider hemispheric security objectives, stating that preventing illicit oil shipments from Venezuela remains a priority to ensure that any petroleum exports comply with U.S. legal standards and proper coordination protocols. The command further emphasized that such operations reinforce maritime security partnerships and counter illicit activities throughout the Western Hemisphere.

  • Miss St. John’s Rural West Pageant set for Feb. 7

    Miss St. John’s Rural West Pageant set for Feb. 7

    The cultural landscape of St. John’s Rural West is set to be revitalized with the official return of its longstanding beauty pageant tradition. Scheduled for February 7, 2026, the Miss St. John’s Rural West Pageant will make its celebrated comeback under the evocative theme “Rekindled,” signaling the renewal of a cherished constituency institution dedicated to cultural expression and community pride.

    The evening event will commence at 7 p.m. within the Multipurpose Cultural Centre, serving as both a talent showcase and cultural revival. According to event coordinators, the pageant’s reinstatement aims to honor local artistry and restore a significant platform for community representation after a period of absence.

    Ticket acquisition is available for $40 at designated community outlets including Cool & Smooth, Bridge Service Station, Mr. Garfield, and Roti King. Cool & Smooth has been announced as the title sponsor for the occasion.

    The production is organized in partnership with the Fire Phoenix Foundation and will operate under the patronage of Senator Michael Joseph. Organizers characterize the 2026 edition as a renaissance of constituency pageantry, emphasizing the dual celebration of tradition and civic engagement through this eagerly anticipated return.