作者: admin

  • Govt expands hurricane strap programme to strengthen roofs

    Govt expands hurricane strap programme to strengthen roofs

    As climate change drives more rapid and extreme storm intensification across the Atlantic, the government of Barbados is moving to scale up a life-saving public initiative designed to strengthen residential infrastructure against hurricane-force winds. The free hurricane strap installation program, which has already improved the structural resilience of more than 2,000 Barbadian households, has drawn $300,000 in government funding since its launch in November 2022, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Gregory Nicholls confirmed during Monday’s 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook event.

    The program is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Home Affairs, which leads national disaster preparedness strategy, and the Ministry of Housing, Lands, and Maintenance. Nicholls emphasized that the initiative targets vulnerable homeowners who lack the financial means or access to purchase and install the critical roof-securing hardware themselves, while wealthier households are still encouraged to source the straps independently if they are able.

    “Every carpenter, builder, and contractor in the industry will confirm how critical roof strapping is to holding a structure together during severe storms,” Nicholls said. “Our goal is to build resilience from the ground up, starting at the individual homeowner level. For those who cannot afford this protection, we are delivering it for free. Trained teams are still available across the island to complete installations for qualifying homeowners who have yet to access the program.”

    To expand reach and public participation, Nicholls announced a new public awareness partnership between the Government Information Service and the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), aimed at educating more Barbadians about the program’s benefits and eligibility requirements.

    Alongside highlighting the program, Nicholls raised pointed concerns about shifting residential construction trends that have weakened Barbados’ overall hurricane preparedness. For decades, Barbadian home design favored gable-shaped roofs with wide overhangs, engineered to redirect air pressure evenly across a structure during high winds, reducing the risk of roof lift or structural failure. In recent decades, however, many modern home builders have abandoned this proven design, creating new stock of housing that is far more vulnerable to damage during intense storms.

    Nicholls framed the strap program as one core component of a broader government strategy to reverse this trend and boost household-level resilience across the island. The initiative has grown increasingly urgent as meteorologists document a troubling new pattern of rapid storm intensification, a trend that leaves communities with far less time to prepare for extreme weather. Barbados Meteorological Services director Sabu Best has previously observed that tropical storms that were once days from strengthening can now jump to Category 5 intensity in just 24 hours – a rate of intensification rarely seen in previous decades.

    While the government acknowledges it cannot make every home on the island completely impervious to hurricane damage, Nicholls stressed that proactive investment in small, low-cost upgrades like roof strapping will drastically reduce casualty and damage totals when the next major storm makes landfall. “We cannot stop intense hurricanes from forming, but we can take concrete action today to protect our people and their homes,” he added.

  • WATCH: 41-Year-Old British-Antiguan Whylee O’Brien Attains Combat Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

    WATCH: 41-Year-Old British-Antiguan Whylee O’Brien Attains Combat Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

    For 41-year-old British-Antiguan Whylee O’Brien, a years-long journey of grueling training, unshakable discipline, and relentless commitment has reached a historic milestone: the award of a Combat Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Hailing from New Winthropes Village, O’Brien’s hard-won achievement has sparked widespread celebration across his tight-knit family and the broader Antiguan community, who have long watched him pursue this goal with steady determination.
    O’Brien carries a legacy of excellence in his family lineage: he is the great-grandson of the late Mary Henry, a beloved community figure known affectionately to many as “Mem”, and the nephew of celebrated Antiguan writer William Henry. His historic black belt win adds a notable new chapter to a family tradition defined by resilience, dedication, and outstanding achievement across generations.
    Earning a black belt stands as one of the most respected and challenging milestones in global martial arts, demanding far more than just elite physical technique. Candidates must cultivate exceptional mental fortitude, rigorous self-discipline, unwavering focus, and a deep-rooted respect for the art, their training partners, and their instructors. Over more than a decade of consistent practice, O’Brien has embodied all of these core values, turning in thousands of hours of mat work to refine his skills and push past personal and physical obstacles.
    Family members who have supported O’Brien throughout his journey describe him as naturally focused, tirelessly hardworking, and unwaveringly determined—traits that allowed him to push through setbacks and stay aligned with his long-term goal of reaching black belt status. His accomplishment does more than mark a personal victory: it serves as a powerful reminder of how consistent discipline and patient effort can unlock extraordinary results, even for the most ambitious goals.
    At a moment when young people across Antigua and Barbuda crave relatable, grounded positive role models, O’Brien’s journey stands out as a source of widespread inspiration. His success proves that with sustained commitment, patience, and a willingness to put in daily work, even the most daunting personal goals are within reach.
    The milestone has filled his family, friends, and long-time supporters with immense collective pride, all of whom have followed his growth from a new martial arts student to a black belt credentialed practitioner. As he accepts this well-earned recognition, O’Brien stands as a powerful testament to the raw talent and untapped potential of young people across Antigua and Barbuda.
    His family has issued a public statement extending warm congratulations to O’Brien on claiming this prestigious honor, and expressing their excitement to see what he achieves next in both his martial arts career and personal pursuits outside the dojo. O’Brien and his family also extended special public recognition and deepest gratitude to his long-time trainer, Kevin O’Hagan, whose guidance and mentorship were instrumental to reaching this milestone. In the end, O’Brien’s achievement is not just a personal win—it is a moment of national pride for the entire Antiguan community.

  • Cancer Centre Could Open by End of June, Health Minister Says

    Cancer Centre Could Open by End of June, Health Minister Says

    Antigua and Barbuda’s first dedicated, in-country cancer treatment centre is on track to welcome its first patients by the end of June, the nation’s Health Minister Michael Joseph has announced, a development poised to cut heavy government spending on overseas medical care and expand life-saving access for local residents.

    Speaking during an interview with Pointe FM’s popular current affairs show *On Pointe*, Minister Joseph emphasized that advancing the long-delayed launch of the facility has become a top priority for his ministry, as the government continues to face crippling annual costs from sending patients abroad for life-sustaining cancer care.

    “When the project was brought forward for discussion in Cabinet, I was given a clear timeline: the centre will be ready to open by the end of June,” Joseph told listeners.

    The minister shared new details highlighting just how pressing the need for a local treatment hub has become, revealing that in the past two weeks alone, his government has approved roughly $200,000 in public assistance to cover treatment costs for Antiguan and Barbudan cancer patients receiving care in Colombia.

    “Going over the approval protocols, I signed off on around $200,000 in just the last fortnight to support people currently undergoing treatment outside our borders,” he explained.

    Those staggering short-term costs underscore the urgent need to bring cancer care home, Joseph argued. When extrapolated over a full year, even the two-week spending figure illustrates how much public funding could be redirected to other critical healthcare needs once the centre is operational.

    “If we can deliver most of these treatments right here at home, we can cut those massive outbound expenses significantly,” he noted.

    Beyond easing the government’s fiscal burden, the in-country centre will remove major barriers to care for local residents, many of whom face additional stress and logistical challenges from having to travel abroad for treatment, away from their families and support systems.

    Looking ahead, the facility also has the potential to expand access to cancer care across the entire region, Joseph said. Eventually, the centre could accept patients from other member nations of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), extending its public health impact far beyond Antigua and Barbuda’s borders.

    The cancer centre is just one of several transformative healthcare projects the Ministry of Health is currently advancing, the minister added. Other key initiatives in the pipeline include the development of a new cardiac care unit and major expansions to the country’s public mental health services. For the coming months, however, launching the cancer treatment hub remains the ministry’s top near-term objective.

  • Margaret Price Findlay appointed the 14th Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

    Margaret Price Findlay appointed the 14th Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

    The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) has made a historic official announcement: His Majesty King Charles III, via formal letters patent, has named Her Ladyship the Honourable Madam Margaret Price Findlay as the 14th Chief Justice of the regional judicial body. The appointment is scheduled to take effect on April 9, 2026.

    Findlay will step into the top judicial role after a decades-long distinguished career spanning legal practice and judicial service across the Eastern Caribbean sub-region. Her career has been widely recognized for its consistent adherence to robust legal reasoning, exemplary public service, and an unshakable commitment to upholding equal justice for all communities in the region.

    As Chief Justice, Findlay will assume core responsibilities for strategic judicial leadership and comprehensive administrative oversight of the ECSC. The court serves a total of nine jurisdictions under the umbrella of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS): six fully independent member states and three British Overseas Territories.

    This appointment is far more than a routine leadership transition: it represents a landmark milestone for the ECSC and the broader Eastern Caribbean region in advancing judicial excellence, deepening cross-jurisdictional regional cooperation, and strengthening the foundation of the rule of law across the sub-region. Findlay’s ascent to the highest judicial office in the region is a direct reflection of her extraordinary long-term contributions to the regional judiciary and her proven track record of dedicated service to both justice and regional integration.

    Leadership of the ECSC has expressed full confidence that under Findlay’s stewardship, the court will continue to uphold and advance the highest standards of judicial integrity, excellence, and adaptive innovation to meet the evolving legal needs of the region.

  • State-owned Morgue Among Health Ministry Priorities, Joseph Reveals

    State-owned Morgue Among Health Ministry Priorities, Joseph Reveals

    In a recent public address on Pointe FM’s current affairs program *On Pointe*, Health Minister Michael Joseph has outlined a key infrastructure initiative aimed at overhauling the nation’s healthcare system: the establishment and operationalization of the country’s first dedicated public morgue, paired with a fully functional new autopsy suite. For years, the government has been forced to rely on private funeral homes to store deceased individuals awaiting post-mortem examination or burial, a arrangement that has steadily drained public health funds. According to Joseph, the new public facility will eliminate these recurring, unplanned expenditures, freeing up critical budget allocations that can be redirected to underfunded, high-priority areas of the healthcare sector. The minister emphasized that the morgue project is just one piece of a broader, multi-pronged strategy by the Ministry of Health to boost system-wide efficiency, optimize the use of limited public resources, and expand access to essential care services. Beyond the morgue and autopsy suite, the ministry is currently advancing several other transformative healthcare projects, including the upcoming opening of a dedicated cancer treatment center, long-term development plans for a new cardiac care unit, expanded access to community mental health services, and the construction of a specialized cognitive behavioral treatment center. As of the minister’s announcement, no official timeline has been released for the completion and opening of the new public morgue.

  • Daniel Cadet Remembered for Lifelong Contribution to Tourism

    Daniel Cadet Remembered for Lifelong Contribution to Tourism

    The Caribbean tourism community is in mourning this week after the passing of Daniel Cadet, a pioneering veteran whose decades-long dedication helped transform the hospitality sector of Antigua and Barbuda and leave an indelible mark across the entire region. In an official statement released Sunday, the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association (ABHTA) led tributes to the iconic industry figure, celebrating a multi-faceted career that extended far beyond hotel operations to shape education, workforce development, and labor standards across the local sector.

    Over the course of his professional journey, Cadet occupied senior leadership roles at multiple prominent hospitality properties across Antigua and Barbuda, each time bringing a strategic, forward-thinking approach that drove growth and raised industry-wide benchmarks. What truly set Cadet apart, ABHTA emphasized, was his longstanding commitment to nurturing emerging talent through his work with the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute. As a mentor, he invested deeply in the professional growth of thousands of new professionals entering the tourism trade, equipping them with the skills and values to succeed in the competitive global hospitality landscape.

    Beyond his professional contributions, Cadet earned widespread respect for his collaborative approach to industry challenges and his consistent push for excellence across all areas of tourism operations. His strategic vision and steady leadership strengthened core industry institutions, creating a foundation that continues to support the sector’s growth today. “Mr. Cadet will be remembered as a respected leader, mentor, colleague, and friend whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations,” the ABHTA statement noted.

    The association has extended its deepest sympathies to Cadet’s family, including his wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as his extended network of friends, former colleagues, and collaborators across the global tourism industry. As tributes continue to pour in from across the Caribbean, Cadet is being remembered as a foundational figure in Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism evolution, leaving behind a enduring legacy of service, integrity, and professional excellence that will shape the sector for decades to come.

  • Small craft advisory for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands…

    Small craft advisory for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands…

    The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services has issued an urgent small craft advisory, warning of hazardous sea conditions across open Atlantic waters surrounding four major Eastern Caribbean island groups through the first half of this week. The alert, which was published at 5:45 p.m. local time on Monday, June 1, 2026, impacts open ocean areas extending 20 nautical miles off the Atlantic coastlines of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands.

    Each affected region faces slightly different timing for the rough conditions, with dangerous seas expected to arrive pre-dawn and persist through midday Thursday for Antigua and Barbuda. For Anguilla, the hazardous conditions will kick in at midnight Tuesday and continue through Wednesday afternoon, while the British Virgin Islands will see the threat from pre-dawn Wednesday to midday the same day.

    Meteorologists attribute the unsafe conditions to a system of moderate to fresh east-southeast winds churning up a dangerous combination of wind-driven waves and swells across the region. Current wind readings over open waters range from 24 to 35 km/h (13 to 19 knots, 15 to 22 mph), with strong gusts reaching as high as 56 km/h (30 knots, 35 mph). Significant wave heights measure between 1.4 and 2.1 meters (4 to 7 feet) on average, with occasional local swells climbing to near 2.7 meters (9 feet). Dominant wind wave periods fall between 6 and 9 seconds, consistent with unstable sea conditions that meet small craft advisory thresholds.

    A small craft advisory is triggered when wind speeds reach 17 to 21 knots, or when wave heights hit 7 feet or higher – conditions that are either already present or imminent across the affected areas. Forecasters have categorized the current threat level as moderate, noting that it carries the potential for significant impacts to mariners and marine-related activity. Key risks include loss of life at sea, personal injury, vessel capsizing, damage or total loss of watercraft and marine equipment, and unexpected financial losses for local industries. The hazardous conditions are also expected to disrupt commercial and small-scale fishing operations, which could lead to temporary scarcity of local fish products, as well as delays and disruptions to regional marine transportation.

    In line with standard safety protocols, officials have issued a clear caution: inexperienced mariners, and all operators of smaller recreational and commercial vessels, should avoid navigating through the warned areas for the full duration of the advisory. The alert was issued by on-duty forecaster Letitia Humphreys.

  • Youth Ambassador Donates Menstrual Hygiene Supplies to Police Recruits

    Youth Ambassador Donates Menstrual Hygiene Supplies to Police Recruits

    On May 28, a meaningful community initiative led by CARICOM Youth Ambassador Chrysean Jarvis brought critical hygiene resources to new recruits of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, tying directly to global observances of Menstrual Hygiene Day. Jarvis and his volunteer team delivered a large shipment of essential supplies to Course #50 of the police training academy, where dozens of new recruits are currently completing their preparation for service.

    The donation package covered a wide range of necessary items, from general personal care products including toiletries and hand sanitizers to surface disinfectants, with a targeted focus on providing high-quality feminine hygiene products to support the health and dignity of female trainees in the cohort. Beyond the material contribution, the core mission of the project was to elevate public conversation around menstrual hygiene management, create safe spaces for open dialogue, and chip away at the persistent social stigma that still surrounds discussions of menstruation in many communities.

    During their visit to the police training facility, Jarvis and his team did not limit their engagement to the hygiene donation. They also held extended interactive discussions with the recruits about pressing topics that impact young people across Antigua and Barbuda, from expanding youth participation in public life to building cross-sector partnerships that address the most pressing challenges facing younger generations.

    The initiative drew broad support from local stakeholders, ranging from grassroots youth leaders to established community and private sector partners. Key backers included the National Youth Ambassador Corps, which operates under the country’s Department of Youth Affairs, and local private enterprise Ibrahim Construction Ltd.

    Leadership of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda issued a formal statement following the donation, expressing gratitude to Jarvis, his team, and all supporting organizations for their generous contribution and ongoing commitment to advancing youth empowerment and public health awareness across the nation.

  • Former Senator Mary-Clare Hurst To Be Laid To Rest Today

    Former Senator Mary-Clare Hurst To Be Laid To Rest Today

    The passing of veteran Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party figure and former government senator Mary-Clare Hurst has been followed by official confirmation of her funeral services, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 2. Born in November 1962, Hurst died on May 5, 2026, at the age of 63, leaving behind a decades-long legacy of public service and political leadership across the nation.

    Before the formal funeral ceremony, structured public viewings will be held at People’s Place to allow both loved ones and ordinary citizens to pay their final respects. The private viewing, reserved exclusively for immediate family and close personal friends, will run from 11:00 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Immediately following that window, general public will have the opportunity to honor Hurst’s life between 11:40 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

    The official funeral service will kick off at 1:30 p.m. at the SJPC House of Restoration Ministries, and will be led by Apostle Dr. Stephen Andrews. The service is designed to highlight and celebrate the profound impact Hurst had across Antigua and Barbuda’s political and social spheres throughout her career. Beyond her role as a sitting senator, Hurst also served as Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and held multiple long-standing leadership positions within the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.

    In the weeks following her death, messages of condolence and tribute have flooded in from across the country. Political allies, current public officials, and local community leaders have consistently highlighted Hurst’s far-reaching contributions, from shaping the nation’s tourism sector to mentoring emerging public servants and steadying political leadership through pivotal moments. Many have noted her commitment to advancing public interest initiatives that benefited residents across the country, cementing her reputation as a dedicated servant of the Antiguan and Barbudan people.

  • New Guild President Urges UWI Five Islands Student Leaders to Serve With Purpose

    New Guild President Urges UWI Five Islands Student Leaders to Serve With Purpose

    A new era of student governance officially launched this week at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, as incoming members of the Guild Council were sworn into their positions. In a ceremonial opening address, 2026–2027 Guild President Jake Taylor extended heartfelt congratulations to all new council members, framing the transition as a landmark moment for student leadership on campus.

    Taylor emphasized that the mandate granted to the council by the wider student body carries equal parts honor and weighty responsibility. Contrary to common misconceptions of student leadership roles as markers of status or personal prestige, the president stressed that every position on the council exists solely as a tool to advance the needs of the broader student population. Rather than holding titles for personal recognition, council members carry a core obligation to advocate for their peers, deliver accessible public service, and build tangible, long-lasting change that improves campus life for all students.

    At the core of his address, Taylor charged every incoming council member to center their work on the foundational philosophy of servant leadership. He redefined what effective student leadership looks like, arguing that success in these roles does not come from public attention or personal gain. Instead, true leadership means centering the needs of others before one’s own, prioritizing consistent action over empty titles, holding oneself accountable for outcomes, and being willing to make personal sacrifices for the collective good.

    The president acknowledged that the coming term will not be without its challenges. There will be moments when council members must go above and beyond their expected commitments, when hard, unpopular decisions demand action, and when unglamorous work goes unrecognized by the wider campus community. In these difficult moments, Taylor urged members to return to their core motivation for seeking office: every policy, every decision, and every action should be judged by one simple question: Does this improve the lives of the students we are elected to represent?

    To unify the council around a shared mission, Taylor called for a collective commitment to four core values: unwavering integrity, radical transparency in all decision-making, consistent professionalism in interactions with university administration and peers, and unified alignment around a common purpose of serving students. He urged council members to remain accessible to their constituents, respond quickly to student concerns, and never relent in the push for tangible, meaningful results. Most importantly, Taylor noted that the council’s success will not be measured by the number of promises it makes at the start of the term, but by how many of those promises it delivers on by the end of its tenure.

    Closing his address, Taylor expressed enthusiasm for the work ahead, noting that he is eager to collaborate with all new council members to write the next successful chapter in the campus Guild of Students’ history. He ended by extending a warm welcome to all incoming members, offering a blessing for a tenure defined by clear purpose, dedicated service, and lasting positive impact for the UWI Five Islands Campus community.