Caribbean Times 91st Issue - Monday 6th February 2017
Informative, reliable, enriching!
Monday 6th February 2017 A n t i g u a a n d B a r b u d a
Vol.8 No.91 $2.00
TAX DODGERS
MUST PAY: PM
By Everton Barnes
Importers who used the prime minister’s
absence from the country last
December to get warrants approved
without paying the requisite government
taxes or duties will have to pay
these fees after all.
That’s the message contained in a
statement issued by Prime Minister,
Gaston Browne, while addressing last
Friday’s official launch of the Customs
Division AYCUDA Automated system
at the Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre.
Browne told the gathering that no
goods brought into the country for sale
should enjoy waiver of taxes or duty.
“I want to make it abundantly clear
that this has been the policy of my government
since 2014. However, I have
been told that last December during a
brief absence from the country, a few
warrants were actually processed with
waivers and I have since written to the
comptroller of customs to ensure that
those entities and individuals who have
gotten those waivers, pay ‘every red
cent’ outstanding,” he declared.
Browne stated that he is not a prime
minister who sends messages. “Whatever
I have to say, I pick up the phone;
I call or I write. So when individuals
come to you with their nefarious actions
and they say to you the prime
minister say…this prime minister does
not send messages!” he reiterated.
He also had a word of advice for
public servants and customs officers
who may from time to time be placed
in such situations.
“I want to make it clear to all public
servants. Customs officers should implement
the government’s policy without
fail; without fear of favour, because
ultimately you have recourse to this
prime minister,” PM Browne noted
He again repeated his instructions
to the comptroller of customs to collect
‘the government’s money’.
The prime minister highlighted this
issue he when announced the creation
of the Trusted Trader Programme by
the Customs Division which should become
operational by May this year.
“In this programme, the previous 3
to 4 years data of trading patterns and
compliance rates of traders will be analyzed;
the most compliant traders will
be given “Trusted Trader” status. Such
Prime Minister, the Hon., Gaston Browne
traders will often get fast-track service
and a green light for their cargo releases,”
he disclosed. However, he cautioned
that while this programme is in
effect, these traders can expect to have
unscheduled checks of their imports.
“Not only will we trust, but we will
certainly verify. So that you can be assured
that from time to time there will
be routine spot checks to ensure that
there is compliance. There will also be
routine audit as well to ensure full compliance,”
he emphasized.
2 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 6th February 2017
Customs Division upgrades systems
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By Everton Barnes
The Customs Division has
introduced a new software
system –ASYCUDA World
– that is aimed at greatly improving
the efficiency of this
vital agency of the government.
The official launch of the
programme was held last Friday
at the Multi-Purpose Cultural
Centre at Perry Bay with
senior officials of the government,
donor agencies and customs
officers in attendance.
In his remarks, Comptroller
of Customs, Raju Boddu,
noted that in an ever changing
dynamics of business environment,
organizations need
to experiment with new digital
capabilities and accept risk
in pursuit of newer productivity
levels.
“With this in focus, Customs
Antigua and Barbuda
embarked on a sustained campaign
for modernizing operations
to facilitate trade and
investment and to contribute
more significantly to the Nation’s
economic advancement,”
he added.
The customs official also
urged the general public to be
patient with his department
during the implementation
period. “A lot of consultation
and a robust training effort has
gone in to preparation for the
implementation of the programme.
Like any other new
system, ASYCUDA World
implementation is also expected
to present some teething
problems. We crave for
the patience and understanding
of all the stakeholders,” he
explained.
Boddu said the upgrade
was made possible through
the assistance of several donor
agencies including the
European Union under their
EDF funding programme,
the World Bank which joined
hands to extend support in
terms of hardware and software
needs of the project and
with UNCTAD as the implementation
agency.
United Nations Conference
for Trade and Development
(UNCTAD) representatives,
Terrence Leonard, said
his agency’s key strategic
objective has been to support
developing countries like Antigua
and Barbuda to access
the benefits of a globalized
economy more fairly and effectively.
“The strategy has been to
provide trade and economic
analysis, consensus-building,
and technical assistance to ensure
that these developing nations
effectively utilize trade,
investment, finance, and technology
as vehicles for inclusive
and sustainable development,”
he added.
According to Leonard
ASUCUDA is now being
used in over 90 countries
and is considered the leading
software integrating customs
departments and divisions internationally.
The funding arrangement
for the ASYCUDA World
programme was negotiated
through the Office of the National
Authorising Officer,
headed by Dr Clarence Henry.
He too urged patience with the
adoption of the new system
noting that it forms part of
strengthening of the government’s
fiscal framework.
He anticipates that it will
speed up the clearance of
goods as well as contribute
to the expansion of trade and
commerce in Antigua and
Barbuda.
Monday 6th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 3
Potters family caught with drugs
By Joanna Paris
The Heritage Hotel stands in the heart
of Heritage Quay and over the years has
been a stable place for conferences and
other forums. It also serves as the ideal
location for business travellers seeking
a convenient and affordable hotel while
visiting the island.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable
Asot Michael says this year the property
A Potters family is expected
before the court on Monday
charged with Possession
of Cocaine and Ecstasy.
55-year old Roan Jacobs,
along with his wife Colene
Jacobs and their son Kareem
Jacobs all of Potters were arrested
and jointly charged
with Possession of 377.9
grams of Crack-Cocaine; Possession
with intent to supply;
Being concerned in the Supplying
of Crack-Cocaine and
Possession of Ecstasy. Kareem
Jacobs was further jointly
charged with 31-year old
Alston Rodney also of Potters
with Possession of 92 grams
of Cannabis and Possession
with intent to transfer.
On Thursday, officers at-
Kareem Jacobs
tached to the Narcotics Department
and the Special Services
Unit executed a Search
Warrant on the Jacob’s family
home and found a large
quantity of Crack-Cocaine
and one Ecstasy tablet hidden
inside. The police also executed
a Search Warrant on a bar
in Potters called Magic City
Enterprise owned and operated
by Kareem and found a
quantity of Cannabis. Alston
Rodney, who was also found
on the premises was arrested
and taken into custody along
with the rest of the family. The
drugs were seized and taken
to the police station.
Both Kareem Jacobs and
Alston Rodney were remanded
to Her Majesty’s Prison
will be upgraded.
“In 2017 we will be improving Heritage
Hotel room stock quality with the
phased refurbishing of its rooms and public
areas and the relocation of the restaurant
to the ground floor of the hotel”, he
said in Parliament on Friday.
He explained that the intention is to
further develop the Heritage Hotel into
the Premier Business Class hotel in the
Roan Jacobs
Alston Rodney
until Monday; while both
parents were offered bail in
the sum of $2,500 each with
two separate sureties. They
are also expected in Court on
Monday.
Meanwhile, Ingrid Natasha
Gouldbourne of Jamaica,
who was charged for a number
of drugs related offences
in March of last year, was
sentenced to 4yrs in prison
on Friday. She appeared before
Justice Keith Thom in the
High Court and was convicted
and sentenced to 2 years for
Possession of Cannabis and
4 years on the charge of Importation
of Cannabis. Time
spent on remand was taken
into consideration. The sen-
Colene Jacobs
tences will run concurrently.
She was held at the V.C. Bird
International Airport with a
suitcase of Cannabis, weighing
49 ¾ pounds.
Tourism Minister unveils plans to improve Heritage Hotel
Ingrid Gouldbourne
sub-region. He noted that “this will add
greatly to our product offering and profitability”.
In 2016, the Minister revealed that
the hotel’s occupancy levels increased
significantly when compared to previous
years. The Hotel Occupancy figures
translate to an overall performance of
operating in a net positive position with
a net income in 2016 of EC$213,619.18.
4 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 6th February 2017
Security of government data a priority
By Everton Barnes
Government is putting
much value on securing its
entire informational technology
network in an era
when hacking of sensitive
information has become a
major concern for countries
and corporations internationally.
Information technology
Minister, Melford Nicholas,
told the recent launch
of the custom division’s
ASYCUDA programme,
that not only has adopting
to new software been a
challenge within the government
service, but securing
or protecting these
systems also presents quite
a task.
“It is a concern when I
think of the vast array of
resources of government
that are coming on stream
almost on a quarterly basis.
As these IT assets are
important, we have to
be concerned about the
scourge of cyber-crime and
the risks associated with
managing these platforms,”
he stated.
He noted that the issue
of hacking is going to be an
ongoing challenge that has
to be managed to ensure the
systems’ availability, but
the integrity of the information
that are contained in
those systems at all times.
According to Nicholas
this matter is an area which
his ministry has already solicited
the support of international
partners to enable
it to have in place the type
of cyber security and governance
procedures needed.
Additionally, he wants
the support of the relevant
technical expertise to ensure
that across all ministries;
all functions of government
that these systems
are secured as much as possible.
The minister wants to
eliminate the possibility
for fraud or mischief as he
is of the view that not all
cyber-crimes are motivated
by fraudulent intentions.
Interest grows in
Barbuda airport project
By Everton Barnes
The proposed new airport project for Barbuda is attracting
the interest of a number of international groups.
One such entity is the BHM Group out of the Bahamas
that specializes in building runways, water catchments
and installing reverse osmosis plants on remote islands;
constructing roadways and highways.
Cabinet spokesman Lionel Max Hurst said the group
has an enviable record in the Bahamas and elsewhere as it
also arranges for financing, utilizing its firm’s other arm
in London, when the country seeking any of its engineering
and building expertise does not have a readily-available
source of funding.
Hurst reported that the BHM Group visited the Cabinet
Saturday to pursue the possibility of building the new
6,100 linear-feet runway that is proposed for Barbuda.
“The runway is to be built in proximity to the Robert
DiNero Paradise Found and the PLH Project by DeJoria,
in order to accommodate private jets which the owners
and their guests are likely to fly into Barbuda,” he revealed.
He noted that the Codrington airstrip is too short and
to close to houses to accommodate the private jets.
He said the BHM Group made a presentation to Cabinet
to construct the proposed runway, and it was very
well-received by the Members.
Hurst added thatthe Group will proceed to develop engineering
drawings that would meet the IATA standards,
and specific costs for each phase of the project. It will
then submit its bid for consideration.
Monday 6th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 5
SJPC House of Restoration Ministries
expands food relief efforts
More than 170 vulnerable
individuals and families
received food relief under
the St. John’s Pentecostal
Church (SJPC) House
of Restoration Ministries’
Blessed to Bless food assistance
programme.
The programme, which
targets low-income individuals
and families and
also those with no source
of income, held an official
launch on Sunday January
29, 2017.
Apostle Stephen Andrews,
who serves as the
church’s senior pastor, said:
“We met our goal and beyond
that of feeding over
150 people. We think it
is significant; we think it
speaks volumes.”
Apostle Andrews said
he envisioned the idea of
expanding the church’s
food relief efforts to reach
more people in need and set
an initial target of feeding
100 individuals and households.
He asked the church
membership to support
the initiative by donating
fresh produce, contributing
non-perishable food items
and making monetary contributions.
One hundred
members also donated $100
each towards the cause.
Andrews also appealed
over the radio for public
support. To better identify
those in need, prospective
recipients were also encouraged
to complete a programme
application.
By meeting the recipients’
most immediate needs,
Andrews said the church
demonstrated the Christian
concept of using one’s
blessings to bless others.
“We feel we can assist
[the needy] by giving them
something tangible,” he
said.
The new food assistance
programme grew out
of the church’s Love and
Care Ministry – an existing
initiative that provides
relief, on a monthly and at
times weekly basis, to a few
individuals and families
requesting help from the
church.
SJPC’s new Blessed to
Bless assistance programme
has a much larger target recipient
group and will make
quarterly food distributions.
“We want it to grow and
to expand it on a monthly
basis, but as for now we will
do it every quarter,” Apostle
Andrews said. “But, we
continue to feed people on
a small scale on a monthly
basis.”
According to Heatherlyn
Millet, President of SJPC’s
Women’s Ministry, since
launching the appeal for
donations there has been a
surge in support from the
church membership, local
businesses, individuals and
government.
“We have had an overwhelming
response from
our membership and also
from private individuals
in the community,” Millet
said. “The government also
gave us a waiver of ABST
[Antigua and Barbuda Sales
Tax] on the goods purchased.”
Millet said that this programme
has since touched
the lives of single mothers,
pensioners, students and
many other vulnerable and
disadvantaged people.
“When we started, we
began getting requests from
members of the community,”
she said. “People were
asking if they could get assistance,
so we allowed our
members to reach out into
the community and identify
persons in need.”
The Blessed to Bless
assistance programme’s
launch is symbolic as it coincided
with the church’s
celebration of the biblical
Feast of First Fruits and the
jubilee year 5777, which
are significant dates on the
Jewish calendar.
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Monday 6th February 2017
New promotions within the ranks
Well over 50 Police Officers of the
regular department within the Royal Police
Force of Antigua and Barbuda received
promotions earlier this week. A
list of 55 officers, from Corporals to Deputy
Commissioner of Police was published
amongst the ranks on Wednesday.
These promotions followed right at
the heels of an announcement made by
Police Commissioner, Wendel Robinson
during a Thanksgiving Service held at
the Multi-purpose Cultural Center on the
25th of January.
In his brief remarks then, Commissioner
Robinson hinted to the gathering
of almost 400 officers that promotions
would be made shortly. He however said
that he will remain mum until the final
list, which was before the (PSC) Police
By Joanna Paris
The rules and procedures of Parliament will
soon be guided by new and improved standing
orders.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs,
the Honourable Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin
has announced that the new Standing Orders
will be in place by mid-year or earlier.
“That important milestone would have
been made by the Gaston Browne administration”,
he said smilingly.
He said that last year, a number of select
committees met to discuss various issues,
an occurrence that the Attorney General explained
is necessary to ensure that the House of
Representatives truly address the concerns and
Service Commission is with him.
The list includes Assistant Commissioner
of Police Joseph Hughes, who was
promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner
of Police. Superintendents Nuffield
Burnette, Clayton Davis and Atlee
Rodney were all promoted to Assistant
Commissioners of Police. Meanwhile,
Assistant Superintendents of Police
Everton Jeffers, Clifton Cabral, Leonard
Cabral and Avil Jacobs were promoted
to the ranks of Superintendent; while Inspectors
Cecil Daley, Errol Paige, Ray
John, Roland Cuffy, James Tonge and
Samuel Joseph were elevated to the Assistant
Superintendent of Police rank. On
the other hand, Senior Sergeants of Police
Frankie Thomas, Logan Joseph, Devon
Graham, Theodore Horne, Mrs Louisa
By Joanna Paris
Attorney General and
Minister with responsibility
for Legal Affairs and Public
Safety, the Hon. Steadroy
“Cutie” Benjamin has indicated
that his department in
in the process of developing
a law to address the surge in
“runaways”.
Speaking during his contribution
to the 2017 debate
in Parliament on Friday, Minister
Benjamin, noted that the
increase in cases of runaway
teenagers, particularly young
girls from home is indeed a
cause for concern that must be
New standing orders coming soon
needs of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Minister Benjamin gave kudos to the
Speaker of the House Sir Gerald Watt QC,
for his call to modernize the Standing Orders
which have been in place since the country attained
statehood in 1967. He also said that the
country can look forward to an improvement
in the standard of debate in the House.
“We will make certain that we uplift the
level of debate in Parliament, so longer will
be have vacuous debates, but we will focus on
persons who represent their constituents, who
make certain that their contributions are relevant,
to make certain that laws are passed to
improve the lives of the people of Antigua and
Barbuda”, he said.
Benjamin-Quashie, Ms Brenda Jacobs,
Trevor Robins, Elvis Cordice, among
others, were promoted to the ranks of
Inspector of Police. Also making up the
list was a total of 14 Senior Sergeants, 19
Sergeants, and 2 Corporals.
Commissioner Robinson, in congratulating
the officers encouraged them
to continue strive for excellence, and to
keep the integrity of the police organization
held at the highest level. He also
cautioned that there is no room for failure
and that the safety and security of every
citizen is hinged on the dedication and
continued commitment of all within the
organization. Within the past 2yrs, well
over 400 promotions were made within
the rank and file, excluding the Fire Department.
AG pledges to address “runaway” situation
addressed with urgency.
He said that the proposed
legislation which is currently
being developed will also
have stipulations for persons
who wilfully house these individuals
with the knowledge
that there are appeals for them
to return home.
He boldly expressed that
these types of behaviour will
not be tolerated”.
“Something must be done,
something will be done”, he
said seriously. We shall make
certain that we keep Antigua
and Barbuda safe and sound
from all harm and danger, if
Antigua and Barbuda is not
safe, no investor will come
here, no visitors will come
here, this government want
people to feel safe when they
visit this country and we are
committed to that”, he noted.
Monday 6th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 7
Newest edition of Mas magazine now available
With the second edition
of MIA (Mas In Antigua),
Myst Carnival extends its
efforts to promote not only
Antigua’s Carnival but Antigua
and Barbuda as a destination.
MIA, is a Myst Carnival
publication created as a
marketing tool to support the
growth and development of
Antigua’s Carnival.
It provides readers with
a multitude of reasons why
they should come to Antigua
for Carnival, and stay for the
destination. From the beautifully
crafted costumes, to
the pulsating rhythms of local
music, to the good energy
and vibe, to fun events, to an
unmatched mas experience,
Antigua’s Carnival stands
tall amongst its regional and
international competitors,
and continues to earn the
right to the be called ‘The
Caribbean’s Greatest Summer
Festival’.
Issue 1 of MIA was such a
tremendous success, that the
Myst Carnival creative and
editorial team felt the pressure
to deliver and even better
product for Issue 2. The
newest publication of the
magazine captures all the details
a prospective masquerader
needs to know to have
an exceptional mas experience,
while guiding visitors
to discover the activities that
unearth the island’s sacred indulgences.
Features like profiles
on the prolific history of
iconic jam band The Burning
Flames, and Hells Gate Steel
Orchestra, the world’s oldest,
continuously operating
steel orchestra, signifies the
cultural distinctiveness of the
Antigua sound.
The scenic images of Antigua’s
physical and cultural
landscape, plastered across
the pages of the magazine
will force any curious visitor
to imagine themselves
sipping a drink on one of the
island’s beaches, taking hikes
across picturesque locations,
enjoying delectable cuisines,
and of course playing mas as
they jam on the streets to the
island’s unique brand of soca.
MIA does an amazing job of
capturing the sights, sounds
and tastes of Antigua’s Carnival
and its culture.
Carnival 2017 promises
to be an unforgettable one.
Not only will Antigua be
celebrating its 60th anniversary,
but Myst Carnival will
also be stirring with excitement
as they celebrate their
10th year. With the recent
official presentation of Issue
2 to the Hon. E. P. Chet
Greene, Minister of Culture
& Festivals, at the Prime
Minister’s Office, and to Maria
Blackman, Marketing and
Communications Executive
at the Antigua and Barbuda
Tourism Authority at her
office, expect MIA’s Issue
2 circulation to amplify the
twin-islands visibility in the
upcoming weeks and months
leading up to Carnival.
MIA will be available at
most book stores, restaurants
and gift shops across the island,
and in circulation at
all the Antigua and Barbuda
Tourism overseas offices.
Digital copies are accessible
for download via www.mystcarnival.com,
www.masinantigua.com
and the MYST
app which is available for
Apple users at the Appstore
and at the Playstore for Android
users.
Myst Carnival thanks
the Festival’s Commission
and the Antigua and Barbuda
Tourism Authority for its
continued partnership and
support of MIA.
8 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 6th February 2017
Monday 6th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 9
10 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 6th February 2017
Antigua and Barbuda celebrate success
of 2017 Caribbean Travel Marketplace
Nassau, Bahamas –
Antigua and Barbuda is
celebrating the successful
participation of the Caribbean
Travel Marketplace,
the region’s largest and most
significant marketing forum
staged by the Caribbean Hotel
and Tourism Association
(CHTA) in Nassau, Bahamas
from January 31 – February
2, 2017 at Atlantis, Paradise
Found. The Caribbean Travel
Marketplace is the premier
annual event for more
than 1,200 Caribbean Hoteliers,
Tourist Boards, Tour
Operators and Attractions to
gather for high-impact oneon-one
business meetings,
knowledge sharing and networking.
The Antigua and Barbuda
delegation was led by the
Chairman of the Antigua and
Barbuda Tourism Authority
Board, Ricky Skerritt, with
CEO of the Tourism Authority,
Colin James, and joined
by Director of Tourism, US,
Kim Jack Riley and Director
of Tourism, Canada, Colin
Skerritt and Dean Fenton,
Sales and Marketing Manager.
As a key delegation,
From left: Frank J. Comito, CEO & General Director, CHTA, Joy
Jibrilu, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, The Bahamas, Colin
C. James, CEO, ABTA, Hon. Obediah H. Wilchcombe, Minister of
Tourism, Bahamas, Kim Jack Riley, Director of Tourism, US, ABTA,
Colin Skerritt, Director of Tourism, Canada, ABTA, Dean Fenton,
Sales and Marketing Manager, ABTA.
Antigua and Barbuda was able to connect in one place
with over 350 suppliers from
26 plus Caribbean countries
and met with the top tour operators,
airlines, travel agencies,
OTAs and 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
state for long-term business
and enhancing the relationship
between Antigua and
Barbuda, hoteliers, buying
companies and leaders in the
industry.
Team Antigua and Barbuda
were also joined by
leading hotelier and industry
partners that included Cocos,
Blue Waters, Heritage
Bay, Carlisle Bay, Sugar
Ridge, and National Tours
who all had successful meetings
with their industry buyers.
These business opportunities
are critical to ensure
the destination continues the
momentum for growth that
was achieved in 2016 into
the new year.
Key tour operators from
Europe and North America
expressed confidence in the
country’s product and were
optimistic of the prospects
for growth for 2017.
Caribbean Travel Marketplace
affords tourism
suppliers the vital opportunity
to meet face-to-face with
wholesalers from around
the world selling Caribbean
vacation packages over the
course of two days of business
meetings as well as senior
Tourism officials from
attending countries. This
year that were even more
buyers, suppliers and countries
in attendance, representing
over 1,200 delegates.
Monday 6th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 11
Caribbeantales announces call for submissions
The renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator
Program (CTI), now in its eighth
year, has hosted over two hundred (200)
producers from across the Caribbean
Region and its Diaspora. Sponsored by
Flow, the consumer brand of Cable and
Wireless (C&W), the CTI serves as a
funnel for the creation of original TV Series.
Launched in 2010, the CTI is a yearround
development and production hub
for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora
producers that helps to build the Region’s
audio-visual capacity. As such, it
offers selected producers the opportunity
to hone their creative and business skills
within an international marketplace environment.
It produces strong, compelling
and sustainable content that increases the
Region’s pool of world-class indigenous
film and television content destined for
the global market.
The CTI’s intensive eight-week program
includes seven weeks of online tuition,
and an intensive five-day workshop
in Toronto that culminates in a Caribbean
Pitch Breakfast at the TIFF Bell Lightbox
attended by high-profile industry
delegates.
There are several lucrative awards,
including up to $30,000.00 USD in production
funding for each of three (3)
successful TV series pilots, that will be
broadcast on Flow’s TV networks across
the Region.
CTFF - Your Caribbean film on the
international screen!
The CaribbeanTales International
Film Festival (CTFF), now in its twelfth
year, presents a multi-ethnic mix of exciting
and dynamic films that showcase
diverse, shared stories and cultures, and
celebrates the talents of established and
emerging filmmakers of Caribbean heritage
who practise their art worldwide –
in Canada and the Caribbean, across Europe,
the Americas, Africa, China, India
and the Middle East.
The Festival will hold its Media
Launch and Screening at the Royal Cinema
in early July. Throughout the summer
there will be community screenings and
related activities. The Festival’s main juried
program of feature films and shorts
will be held between September 6 and
September 20, 2017.
CTFF will program films of all
lengths and genres. Please note that films
considered for programming must be Toronto
Premieres.
12 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 6th February 2017
Friday’s Sudoku Solution
S U D O K U
CROSSWORD
Across
1. “Friends” character
5. “Star Wars” name
10. Multipurpose plant
14. Unused
15. Deprive of weapons
16. Oviform
17. Drugstore purchase
19. “Star Wars” name
20. Engage in polemics
21. Second or fourth wife of
Henry VIII
22. Word on a sale sign, perhaps
23. Dr. Jekyll creator’s monogram
25. Mountain goat’s perch,
perhaps
27. A-one stuff
34. Feel malaise
35. Do in a dragon
36. Film shots
38. Straight man in comedy
40. Your place or mine, really
43. “Gunsmoke” role
44. Moral principle
46. Cookie treat since 1912
48. Kind of brain
49. “Nutcracker” dancer
53. Lotion base
54. “--- Were a Rich Man”
55. Entry
58. Auto grille protectors
61. Remove marginalia
65. Lessen the force of
66. Pancake ingredient, perhaps
68. Where Kerman is
69. Bass-baritone Simon
70. Adams in “The Apartment”
71. Northern road crew’s supply
72. Brings in the sheaves
73. Trawling needs
Down
1. Costa ---
2. Nitrogen’s lack
3. Illegal coin
4. Tennis legend Pancho
5. Au --- (in gravy)
6. “Dragonwyck” author Seton
7. Rural structure
8. Combined meal
9. It’s of current interest?
10. Certain 3-D image
11. Word after get or break
12. It may be certified
13. Dramatic presentation
18. Positions of control
24. Filleted fish
26. Do one’s part?
27. Artsy gathering place
28. Hilarious joke tellers
29. Root or Yale
30. Org. responsible for aviation
safety
31. Innsbruck is its capital
32. Giraffe relative
33. First pope
37. Admonition to Spot
39. Bone connector
41. Broadway play about
Capote
42. Prefix with sphere
45. First name in baseball
ironmen
47. Bid
50. Second-story man
51. Read carefully
52. Pilots
55. Nile wading bird
56. Fictional home in Dixie
57. Footnote term
59. Lead-in to “boy!” or
“girl!”
60. Graduation
62. Adjuvant
63. Alluring dress feature
64. Barely manages
67. Twisty letter
Monday 6th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 13
Today’s weather forecast
Antigua and Barbuda
Sunshine along with some cloudy
intervals.
High - 80ºF
Low - 73ºF
Wind: East 16 mph
Sunrise 6.40 am; Sunset 6.01 pm
Friday’s Crossword Solution
HOROSCOPE
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.
18). To be important and
known might be cool. But if
you could do something important
instead and never be
particularly well-known for it,
which would you choose?
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20).
Even if you think they know
what you want, it can’t hurt to
make it even clearer. Articulating
this will help you, too. As
you home in on the most specific
and essential elements of
your desire, a new plan comes
together in your mind.
ARIES (March 21-April 19).
The way to misery is absolutely
simple. Set up an expectation.
When it doesn’t happen,
voila! Misery! If, on the other
hand, you do not have an expectation,
good luck finding
misery. Happiness is wanting
what you have.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20).
Today begins an uptick in
support for you. Note the increased
encouragement, constructive
criticism, leadership
and resources around you, and
by all means, take advantage
of it!
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People
may change their opinions
because more information
comes to light or the circumstances
shift — a change that
represents strength. But an
opinion that changes to conform
represents weakness.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22).
It’s all going your way, so
don’t question it! Do nothing
to interrupt the energy flow
of a winning streak. Bonus
points: Be happy! These are
the good old days!
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23).
You’re getting good at something,
and as you improve, expect
to vacillate between humility
and egotism. All states
are helping you get better —
that is, unless you stay egotistical
for too long, which can
only end in stagnation.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21).
Even though you intellectually
know better, you still forget
to set your goals solely around
the things you can control. For
example, the goal should be
about not how many pounds
you’ll lose but how many calories
you’ll consume.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21).
It’s as if today is a movie and
there’s an impressive cast,
A-list all the way. The other
characters will play their roles
much to your satisfaction, but
do keep in mind that they’re
only roles. Don’t mistake
the actor for the character he
plays.
CANCER (June 22-July 22).
An introverted mood rules the
day. If you have to be around
people, you’ll be happy to
stand back and watch them
converse, compete and posture
while you make your exit plan.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-
Dec. 21). Talk is depleting,
even the kind that never leaves
your lips. Self-talk uses up energy
you could be applying to
getting the job done. Silence
the board of directors in your
head, and focus on doing instead
of saying.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.
19). You’ve been able to float
lately, showing up here and
there with minimal commitment
and impact. That’s going
to end soon, though, as life
will bring a roll call. You will
have to make a decision and be
counted.
14 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 6th February 2017
Ahmani Browne Eric Williams Judah Ferris Sheldon Gomes
ABBA announces historic national
3x3 youth basketball team
The Antigua and Barbuda
Basketball Association
(ABBA) has selected
the country’s first ever Under
18 3x3 National Youth
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Team.
After hosting a successful
U18 3x3 National qualifier
tournament, ABBA is
pleased to announce the National
3x3 Youth Team selected
to represent Antigua
and Barbuda in the upcoming
International Basketball
Foundation (IBF) Lesser
Antilles 3x3 International
Youth Championships.
The Championship will
be held in Castries, Saint
Lucia on February 25th and
26th respectively.
Of the eight teams that
participated in the National
Qualifiers held in September,
2016, the winning
team, comprising of Judah
Ferris, Sheldon Gomes and
Eric Joseph, were victorious,
and formed the National
3x3 Youth Team in addition
to Ahmani Brown.
Brown, who represented
another team in the national
qualifier, was selected as
the 4th player to complete
the team of four to compete
against eleven other Caribbean
Teams in the upcoming
Championships.
President of the Association,
Daryll Matthew, is
ecstatic that Antigua and
Barbuda will be a part of
history, and equates this
competition to 20/20 Cricket.
“It’s fun, it’s fast-paced,
and it’s a new side of Basketball
that will be the next
big thing worldwide”, Matthew
states.
The competition will see
the likes of teams such as
Aruba, Barbados, Guyana,
Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines, Trinidad
and Tobago, France
(Guadeloupe, Martinique),
and the Netherlands (Curacao,
Saint Maarten).
ABBA 3x3 Coordinator,
Gemma Hazelwood, is confident
that the Antigua and
Barbuda Pitbulls will do
very well in the competition
as training preparations are
progressing smoothly.
The Association is encouraging
the general public
and stakeholders to
support the youths on their
journey to the IBF 3x3 International
Youth Championships
slated for February
25 and 26th.
Monday 6th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 15
The Antigua Girls High School invites all parents, old girls, past
teachers and well wishers, to its 131st Anniversary Service and
Prize Giving, on Wednesday 8th February 2017, at the Spring
Gardens Moravian Church, beginning at 8:30 am. Following
the service there will be an EXHIBITION OF WORKS at the
school’s auditorium. ALL are invited to view the creative works
of our young ladies.
Bring along your picnic blankets and folding chairs and enjoy a
relaxing evening on the lawn watching a movie or just mingling
with a bowl of delicious hot soup at the South Zone Planning
Committee of the Anglican Church's Pre-Lenten Water Night
and Movie on Friday, February 24, 2017 from 6 pm to 9 pm
at All Saints Anglican Rectory Grounds, Matthews Road, All
Saints. The contribution is only $10. Patrons will have a choice
of various types of soups. There will be Hot Dogs, Cupcakes,
Popcorn and a bounce castle. Beverages will also be on sale.
Tickets are available from Parish Priests and members of South
Zone Planning Committee.
The fundraising post Valentines for Antigua & Barbuda Diabetes
Association is now rescheduled for Tuesday 21st February,
2017 from 4:00-6:00pm.
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology will be having
their Education Week from the 03-10 February 2017 under the
theme : Increasing Learning Outcomes through tangible Investments
in Education.
The Antigua & Barbuda Social Security Board wishes to advise
all employers that have weekly paid employees that the new
rate of 11% for Government employees and 12% for Private
sector employees commences from February 6th, 2017. This
means that this week ending February 3rd should be calculated
at 9% and 10% respectively. Please be guided accordingly.
Upsets in Premier league
By Carlena Knight
A number of upsets were recorded on Saturday night at
the historic Antigua Recreation Grounds in the Antigua Barbuda
Football Association Premier League.
FLOW Old Road who came off of a convincing win last
weekend, fell to a struggling Liberta S.C. in the first encounter
of the double header day, defeating them 3-1.
With this victory, Liberta move up onto 15 points, one
point ahead of Harney Motors Tryum.
Meanwhile, Old Road remain on 28 points and 4th in the
standings.
Defending champions, Cool and Smooth AC Delco
Glenn’s Pet Paradise Green Bay Hoppers continued on their
downward spiral as they also were upset by Tryum F.C.
The feature encounter saw the champs being stunned by
1-0 margin by Tryum. With this loss, Hoppers remain on 31
points, tied with Grenades but with a better goal average.
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Email: editor@caribbeantimes.ag
Or news@caribbeantimes.ag
Reach us now with that breaking news!
16 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g
Monday 6th February 2017
Powell century helps Leeward
Islands thump Kent by 105 runs
Kieran Powell’s third century
of the tournament and
a three-for from Alzarri Joseph
helped Leeward Islands
open up a six-point lead in
the Group A table, following
a 105-run win over Kent in
Antigua.
Opening the innings, Powell
shared half-century stands
with Montcin Hodge and Nkrumah
Bonner for the first and
second wickets respectively,
guiding his team to 170 for 2
in the 37th over before he was
dismissed.
Powell’s 106 came off 111
balls and included five fours
and four sixes, and was also
his fourth consecutive fifty-plus
score. After Powell’s
departure, contributions from
Rahkeem Cornwall (43 off 28
balls) and Gavin Tonge (28
off 15 balls) pushed the score
to 275.
Kent were reduced to 60
for 4 by the 15th over before
Will Gidman and Alex Blake
(44 off 76 balls) added the
highest partnership of the innings
- 41 for the fifth wicket.
Once that stand was broken,
they suffered another slump,
Kieran Powell steers the ball deftly during his 106.
losing four wickets for 36
runs by the 35th over.
They were eventually dismissed
for 170 in the 40th
over. Apart from Joseph, who
took 3 for 62, Jason Campbell
and Akeal Hosein picked up
two wickets each, with Hosein
conceding only 28 runs
in his 10 overs.
Windward Islands eased to
a five-wicket win over West
Indies Under-19s, banking
on seamer Kyle Mayers’ 4 for
38 and Shane Shillingford’s 3
for 22. The pair ensured that
WI U-19s were limited to 207
for 9 after a first-wicket partnership
off 88 and promising
knocks from openers, Shian
Brathwaite (42) and Matthew
Patrick (45). Shillingford began
WI U-19s’ slide with the
wickets of Brathwaite and
Bhaskar Yadram before Mayers
cut through the middle order.
Windward suffered a
wobble in their pursuit, but
an unbeaten 67 off 78 balls
from Sunil Ambris - his fourth
half-century of the tournament
- saw the side home in
the 41st over. Shillingford’s
supporting role with the bat,
an unbeaten 25 off 16 deliveries,
helped him clinch the
Player-of-the-Match award.
(ESPNcricinfo)