Government House provides venue for Street Pastors Fundraiser

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The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

Government House provides venue for Street Pastors Fundraiser

The Street Pastors (Antigua and Barbuda Branch) recently held a fundraising brunch on the North Lawn of Government House.

The event was attended by the Governor General His Excellency Sir  Rodney Williams and Her Excellency Lady Williams.

Speakers at the event included Sir Rodney and the organisation’s Chairman, Pastor Holder.

Also in attendance were Mistress of Ceremonies Tracey Samuel, Co-ordinator of Street Pastors Barry Sebastian, Mr. Lestroy Samuel and others of the executive arm of the Antigua and Barbuda Branch — as well as friends and supporters of the non-profit body.

The effort was assisted by the staff of the Office of the Governor General.

The purpose of the occasion was to generate funds through ticket sales, targeted at the creation of a central space in St. John’s where the homeless and destitute can ultimately find some respite.

The Halo foundation, of which Their Excellencies Sir Rodney and Lady Williams are Patron and President respectively, highlighted the work of Street Pastors at Wings of Charity held in London last June.

The Halo Foundation is also assisting Street Pastors to meet a portion of their financial objectives.

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Antigua and Barbuda celebrate a record-breaking year of tourism at CHTA travel marketplace

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The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

Antigua and Barbuda is celebrating the success of its participation in the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the region’s largest and most significant marketing forum staged by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

The 40th Travel Marketplace, hosted at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, was the first to be held in person since 2020.

The Marketplace is the premiere annual event to showcase the Caribbean’s offerings, with buys from 14 countries and suppliers from 21 countries and territories gathering for high-impact one-on-one business meetings, knowledge sharing, and networking.

The Antigua and Barbuda delegation was led by the CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, and Executive Director of Antigua Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association (ABHTA), Patrice Simon.

They were joined by the Director of Tourism, US, Dean Fenton, and Norrell Joseph, US Sales Officer, along with representatives from Elite Islands Resorts, Blue Waters, Hermitage, and Suntours.

As a key delegation, Antigua and Barbuda was able to connect in one place with over 30 meetings with suppliers from and met with the top tour operators, airlines, travel agencies, OTAs, and multiple interviews with the media houses, as well as the top travel and trade publications in attendance.

The marketplace is the best opportunity to generate last-minute seasonal business while setting the stage for long-term business and enhancing the relationship between Antigua and Barbuda, hoteliers, buying companies and leaders in the industry.

Antigua and Barbuda is building on a record-breaking year in arrivals, with increased airlift and exciting growth in the product – including the cruise and yachting industry – and new excursions with a multitude of new properties in the pipeline.

Key stakeholders and tour operators from around the globe expressed optimism about the prospects for growth in 2023 and beyond.

CEO Colin C. James spoke of the success of CHTA Travel Marketplace, “After a difficult two years, the tourism industry is seeing the pent-up demand for travel, and we’re delighted to say that Antigua and Barbuda is at the top of visitors list.

“We’ve seen unprecedented numbers in arrivals with air arrivals for the past three months, July to September surpassing air arrivals for the corresponding months in 2019, which was our best year. is important to support this growth by continuing to engage with key stakeholders, forge new business deals and promote everything the destination offers to businesses and visitors.

“We’ve been busy at work for the past two years, adding properties, products and attractions with renovations taking place in many.

“Travel Marketplace provides the vital opportunity to meet face-to-face with stakeholders from around the world selling Caribbean vacation packages and we are confident more visitors from around the world will be choosing Antigua and Barbuda in 2023.”

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President: ‘Wet Grondconversie wordt komende maand goedgekeurd’

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The content originally appeared on: De Ware Tijd Online

NIEUW-NICKERIE — Bij het uitreiken van grondpapieren aan 158 burgers in district Nickerie heeft president Chandrikapersad Santokhi aangegeven dat de

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Westmoreland ‘ganja postman’ pleads guilty in Kingston court Loop Jamaica

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The content originally appeared on: Jamaica News Loop News
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A Westmoreland man who pleaded guilty to 66 counts of breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last Monday.

Forty-nine-year-old Alton Anderson of Revival district in Westmoreland was convicted of 22 counts of possession of ganja, 22 counts of dealing in ganja, and 22 counts of attempting to export ganja

Information received from the narcotics police is that Anderson attempted to use postal services to ship 22 parcels with ganja valued at over $1 million to Canada over a two-year period.

An investigation was launched and the accused man was arrested by narcotics detectives during an operation on September 22, 2022, in Westmoreland.

The police are urging members of the public to desist from the exportation of drugs, advising that the drugs will be seized and the offenders relentlessly pursued and prosecuted.

Anderson is to return to court on January 9, 2023 for sentencing.

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Grenada prepared to lease aircraft to ease intra-regional travel woes

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The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

CMC: Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says his administration is prepared to lease an aircraft if Caribbean governments are unable to sort out the regional transportation sector by year-end.

Caribbean travel has been thrown into chaos following the collapse of the Antigua-based regional airline, LIAT (1974) limited with the region travelling population disgruntled at the inability to move around as freely as they used to during LIAT’s operations.

In an exclusive interview aired on WPG10 on Friday night, Mitchell, who led his National Democratic Congress (NDC) to power in June, said the regional airline sector needs urgent fixing and that there needs to be more decisive movement on the issue before year-end.

“If by October, November, we don’t have an arrangement …then it means if Grenada has to go and lease the planes so that we can fly between Grenada and Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago we will have to do so.

“The truth is we can’t get to Trinidad,” Mitchell said, noting however that with several new leaders in the Caribbean he is optimistic that the situation will be dealt with.

“Let’s put it this way, I am optimistic it will not get to that,” he said, adding that regional governments must be prepared to spend more money on regional transport.

“I have made it quite clear we have to put money, if not into LIAT 2020, if not Inter Caribbean then some other vehicle that is prepared to fly, it is as simple as that,” Mitchell added.

In August, regional leaders met to discuss the situation regarding air transportation in the Caribbean amidst concerns that both regional and international travellers are finding it very expensive and difficult to commute.

Mitchell said then it was agreed that a consultant would be retained to provide advice to the heads of the region as to how we can address the critical need to have, particularly air transportation resumed at a level that existed prior to COVID-19.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders at their summit in Suriname in July had agreed on a new modern Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) that will allow for a new framework within which air transportation will operate in the region.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, who had served as LIAT chairman, said that countries, particularly those in the Eastern Caribbean were being severely affected by the loss of thousands of seats “because LIAT, as it was, is no longer before us.

LIAT is owned by the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said previously that a decision had been taken that would allow Barbados and SVG to turn over their shares in LIAT to St. John’s for one EC dollar (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents).

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Browne appealed to Caribbean trade unions to re-think their positions regarding the latest offer made to laid-off workers of the airline.

The Grenada Prime Minister told reporters that LIAT (1974) Limited “is bankrupt and that has been made clear and it is in receivership”.

LIAT (1974) limited in June 2020, entered into court-appointed administration after a high court judge in Antigua and Barbuda granted a petition for the cash-strapped pan-Caribbean carrier’s reorganisation.

The Guyana-born Cleveland Seaforth has been appointed LIAT’s administrator for the duration of proceedings.

The airline owes former employees including pilots millions of dollars in severance and other payments.

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CARICOM Education Ministers To Meet In Guyana – St. Lucia Times News

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The content originally appeared on: St. Lucia Times News

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Progress on the implementation of the CARICOM Human Resource Development 2030 Strategy and key transformative initiatives for education quality and equality are among the issues the Region’s Ministers of Education will tackle when they meet next week in Georgetown, Guyana.

CARICOM Ministers of Education will hold their first face-to-face meeting in two years, in the 44th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD)-Education on 13-14 October, 2022.

In preparation, the Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (RCM-TVET), and CARICOM education officials met on September 29-30 to fine tune the matters to take forward to the COHSOD.

During that meeting, Director for Human Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Mrs. Helen Royer expressed satisfaction that the education system has returned to face-to-face teaching and learning modality.

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“We should all be breathing a sigh of relief that we are now in a better position to address the learning loss from the unprecedented disruptions created by the pandemic,” Mrs. Royer said.

Emphasizing the importance of securing the education system against social and natural shocks, she said developing the human resources in the region is “a crucial enabler of sustainable economic development.”

She anticipated that the discussions among the regional education officials would enhance education development and contribute effectively to implementing the CARICOM Human Resource Development (CHRD) 2030 Strategy while working to meet the set targets for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“We have made some strides, but we have much to do if we are to remain on course, considering the negative impact and setback we experienced as a result of C0VID -19.” Mrs. Royer stated.

The officials meeting covered issues in the basic education and life-long learning sectors including regional targets and baselines for the phased implementation of the CARICOM HRD 2030 Strategy, a conceptual framework for the Caribbean New School Model, guidelines for the Basic Education Quality Management Framework, the implementation of the CARICOM Standards for the Teaching Professional, approval for the CARICOM Vocational Qualification Standards (CVQs), and revision of the Revised Regional Vocational Qualifications Framework (RVQF and proposals for a CARICOM Early Childhood Development Association.

SOURCE: CARICOM Secretariat

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Antigua & Barbuda Welcomes More Canadians as Air Canada Adds New Flights

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The content originally appeared on: Antigua News Room

(October 8, 2022 )– St. John’s, Antigua – The dual-island destination of Antigua & Barbuda is seeing an uptick in Canadian traffic just in time for the winter travel season.

Beginning today, October 8th, a new offering of flights from Air Canada is expected to help realize a recovery to pre-pandemic airlift levels in the Canadian market.

The Air Canada flight arrived this afternoon carrying 106 passengers from Toronto and the aircraft was given a welcome back water cannon salute.  Passengers were also greeted by cultural dancers, music and small welcome tokens.

“We are extremely pleased with Air Canada’s decision to both resume and increase service to our shores and look forward to extending our famous Antigua and Barbuda hospitality to our Canadian visitors,” said The Honorable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment. “We know many Canadians are more than ready for a vacation and we are equally ready to provide the relaxation and escape that Canadians have been craving.”

As noted, the rollout of the new service begins today with a single direct flight weekly from Toronto (YYZ) to St. John’s (ANU). Service will continue to ramp up to meet the traditional demand of the holiday season, with Air Canada forecasting the eventual operation of five weekly flights at peak traffic.

Travellers from Montreal looking to fly south for the winter can look forward to once-a-week direct flights (YUL to ANU) beginning December 23rd.

The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua & Barbuda comes in the wake of the destination’s latest travel advisory, which has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for passengers arriving by air, yacht, and ferry. While a successful strategy of mass vaccinations and proactive public awareness campaigns has kept COVID-19 infection levels low, visitors are still encouraged to wear mask and practice social distancing in public spaces where crowds are likely to gather. You can read the latest travel advisory here.

“Over the course of the pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a monumental, joint effort involving both the government and industry stakeholders to make the destination as safe as it can be,” said Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “With that goal now realized and our Canadian friends set to return, we are extremely excited that our guests will once again be able to experience everything our home has to offer.”

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PM: Challenge to PNM political leadership ‘life-and-death’ situation

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The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

News

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley chats with some young men at the opening of the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Pt Fortin on Saturday. – Marvin Hamilton

THE CHALLENGE for leadership of the People’s National Movement (PNM) is being viewed by present political leader and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley as a “life and death situation.”

Reporters broached the topic as the Prime Minister opened the Mahaica Sporting Complex, Point Fortin on Saturday.

He refused to take any questions apart from the day’s event, but when one slipped in about the challenge mounted against him by former PNM government minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira, Rowley quipped with a mischievous laugh, “that is a life and death situation,” before walking away from reporters.

He ignored a question as to whether he had filed his nomination papers as a candidate to contest the leadership of the party which he leads. Nomination for elected party position closes on Monday.

Rowley has projected differing views as to whether or not he has an interest in continuing as the country’s Prime Minister and by extension political leader of the party.

Chairman of the PNM’s Election Supervisory Committee (ESC) Anthony Roberts announced two Saturdays ago that internal elections would take place and all 15 positions, including that of the political leader were open.

Three days have been set aside for PNM members to vote for their candidates of choice – on November 26 and 27 and on December 4, which is also date of the party’s convention.

Roberts told the Newsday on Saturday the process is going well and there has been a lot of interest.

He said apart from Nunez-Tesheira he did not hear about any other nominees for the leadership position which Rowley has held since 2010.

Nunez-Tesheira has also penned a letter to Roberts, expressing concerns about the voting process.

In the letter which was shared with the media, Nunez-Tesheira stated, “It is a matter of grave concern, as it is my understanding, that the voting by qualified registrants, is to be conducted over two days – November 26 and 27 and again on December 4, almost a week later and on the same date of the national executive elections.”

She claimed this “amounts to nine days as the counting of the votes cast will not occur until the final day set aside for voting.”

She said while there is no express by-law or rule that the voting process should be completed in one day, that has been the practice and custom from the very inception of the party that voting would be completed and votes immediately counted in the presence of appointed representatives.

Roberts said he had a glance of the statement published in the media, but had not gotten it.

“I don’t communicate with party members on the news. It (letter) did not come to me. I received no written correspondence from Mrs Nunez-Tesheira or anyone else.”

Roberts asserted, “That is not the practice in the PNM. If you have a problem, come, let us discuss it.”

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Met Office issues yellow-level adverse weather alert

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The content originally appeared on: Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

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TRINIDAD and Tobago is once again under a yellow-level adverse weather alert.

The Met Office said it began at 8am on Sunday and will end at 8pm.

It said, “As the ITCZ continues to linger in and around the islands, rainfall and showers of varying intensities are expected during the day today, with a 70 per cent (high) chance of thunderstorm activity.”

It said flooding and landslides may occur.

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Youman Nabi Messages 2022

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The content originally appeared on: INews Guyana

Prophet Muhammad should strengthen our will to follow his example – CIOG 

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah (SWT) be with you all.

My dear brothers and sisters in Islam and humanity, on this auspicious occasion of observing the birth and life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS), I extend greetings to you on behalf of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana. I pray that Allah (SWT) will increase our love for the final Messenger to Humanity, Prophet Muhammad (SAS). May Allah (SWT) bless us and accept all our devotion and service. Ameen.

More than fourteen hundred years ago, Allah bestowed great mercy upon humanity by sending the final Prophet Muhammad with the final message of the Qur’an and to guide humanity with his exemplary conduct.

The Prophet worked for a living, got married, had a family, and endured hardships. Through it all, the Prophet (SAS) set the example of how to live in a manner that is pleasing to Allah (SWT). The Prophet (SAS) was humble, loyal, honest, patient, considerate, compassionate, and merciful.

The Prophet’s (SAS) character was of such high moral excellence that even his enemies testified to it, and he was known among his people as Al-Ameen — The Trustworthy.

Allah (SWT) confirmed: And verily, you (Muhammad) are of the highest standard of character (Quran 68:4)

Stories abound about Prophet Muhammad’s (SAS) patience, loyalty, and compassion to all around him. He (SAS) was consistently kind and considerate to his family, his followers, his foes, and to every living creature, including animals and trees. The Prophet (SAS) reminded us:

“…verily, Allah is kind (gentle) and He loves kindness (gentleness) and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else like it [kindness/gentleness]” – Sahih Muslim

The occasion of celebrating the birth and life of our Master and Guide our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS) should be used to strengthen our will to follow his example. Are we emulating him by trying to be kind and merciful to our fellow man? If we aren’t, we should understand that our adherence to his tradition is lacking. Let us reflect on his message:

“Wealth, social position and racial superiority do not give special status to anyone; all of you are equal in the eyes of God. It is only the path of righteousness, which makes you a distinguished human being.”

We should remember that our love for the Prophet (SAS) will be a means of our being with Him (SAS) In-Sha-Allah, (God Willing). Let us spend these days in increased prayers upon the Prophet (SAS), as Allah (SWT) commanded us in the Holy Quran Chapter 33: Verse 56 “Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet: O you who believe! Send blessings on Him and salute Him (SAS) with a worthy salutation.”

This is a unique command from Allah (SWT), in which He commands us to perform an act that He and His Angels are performing. Whenever we send blessings on our Beloved Prophet (SAS), Allah (SWT), His Angels, and His Messenger (SAS) send blessings on this person. Such a person’s sins are expiated, his good deeds are increased and purified, his status elevated, his wealth increases, poverty is removed, and the supplicant attains proximity and closeness to the Messenger of Allah (SAS) on the day of resurrection. The Messenger of Allah will testify on the Day of Judgment for such a person and His intercession will be granted for him.

Our perpetual love for Prophet Muhammad (SAS) is the framework by which every Muslim lives his life; and what a beautiful life we will have if we pattern ourselves by the most beautiful example depicted to us by our Beloved and final Messenger Muhammad (SAS). I ask Allah (SWT) to bless all of you and let us collectively praise our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAS):

O Allah, bless our Master Muhammad, who opened what was closed and sealed what was before. He makes the truth victorious and he is the guide to Your Straight Path. And bless his Household as it befits his immense stature and splendor.

Oh Allah! Bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is remembered, and bestow Your Mercy and Blessings upon Muhammad whenever he is not remembered.

Wa-Alaikumus-Salaam WA Rahmatullaahi WA Barakaatuh.

May the Peace and Blessing of the Most Merciful be upon each and everyone.

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Youman Nabi message offers guidance to peace, love & brotherhood – PPP

On the occasion of Youman Nabi, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to all Guyanese, particularly the Muslim communities here in Guyana and across the Diaspora.

Youman Nabi is very dear to our Muslim brothers and sisters as both the birth and death anniversaries of Islam’s Holy Prophet Mohammad are observed. Its significance offers many pertinent lessons in humility, contentment, respect, and love among mankind.

In reflecting on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet there are also universal lessons for forgiveness and tolerance.

Our Party firmly believes that the messages from these lessons offer much guidance and if heeded by all can aid in the realization of peace, love, and brotherhood across the world.

Our national festivals and holidays continue to be that vital conduit of togetherness, tolerance, and the forging of unity as we work collectively towards achieving the national motto of one people with a common destiny.

Once again, best wishes to all!

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Use life of Prophet as inspiration for change to unite as a people – PNC

May the Peace and blessings of God Almighty Be with all of you

Today, we witnessed another Youman Nabi in our beautiful country Guyana.  It is a time when we reflect on the birth of the last Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). Islam teaches that the prophets who came before Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) like Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, Prophet Muhammed, are believed to have been sent by God to spread the teachings of monotheism – which is the belief that there is only one God. The record of the world shows that Muhammed, since his birth in 570 CE, lived and promulgated excellence in character and the best treatment towards women among other traits.

Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) was seen as the personification of righteousness, which became the way of life that mankind resort to in solving many of society’s present problems.  In fact, the Prophet’s life is being used as a way of life for all Muslims and even non-Muslims. His teachings are referred to as a guide to uniting the world in love and harmony.  It is noteworthy that Prophet Muhammad died in the year 632, but he spent his entire adult life teaching and practicing brotherhood and unity, kindness and forgiveness. It is against that backdrop that today in Guyana it is most appropriate that we reflect on the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) in resolving our issues that are decaying the moral fabric of our society such as, racism, discrimination, oppression and disrespect to our women, as we know he fought valiantly against injustices, and took care of the less fortunate.

In Guyana, as we strive to become One People, One Nation and One Destiny, we are blessed to enjoy a high level of religious freedom and tolerance. And so today, here again on this special day of Youman Nabi, another perfect opportunity presents itself for us to remind ourselves as a country that there is hope and that we can make the effort to treat our people with respect and dignity.  Let us use life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) as an inspiration for change so that we can be united as a people living in harmony.

We wish all of Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, a Happy Youman Nabi 2022.

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