The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has announced that the Potworks Reservoir currently holds enough water to meet the island’s needs for the next four to five months. As of October 17, the reservoir’s staff gauge recorded a water level of 12 feet, with the Water Business Unit distributing approximately one million imperial gallons daily to customers across the network. APUA remains hopeful that ongoing rainfall and runoff from the Liberta and All Saints areas will further enhance the reservoir’s capacity in the coming days. This optimistic outlook comes as a relief to residents, ensuring a stable water supply during the critical months ahead. APUA continues to monitor the situation closely, leveraging natural resources to maintain water security for the island.
分类： society
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Backyard farming drive aims to empower vulnerable families
In a groundbreaking initiative to foster self-reliance and enhance food security, the Ministry of Agriculture in Barbados has joined forces with the One Family Programme to empower vulnerable households through backyard farming. The collaboration was officially launched at a ceremony held at the ministry’s Graeme Hall headquarters on Friday, coinciding with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and following World Food Day. The event marked the symbolic presentation of two grow boxes, which will serve as the foundation for a broader community-driven effort to encourage sustainable food production. Senior Agricultural Officer Bret Taylor emphasized the practicality of the initiative, noting that each grow box can yield up to 25 to 30 heads of lettuce, alongside herbs and peppers, demonstrating the potential of small spaces for diverse crop cultivation. “This initiative is designed to show households how they can achieve self-sufficiency,” Taylor explained. “It’s about maximizing limited space to grow a variety of crops, fostering both nutrition and independence.” Nicole Daniel, social development project manager with the One Family Programme, highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership. “These grow boxes are more than just containers of soil and seedlings—they are powerful tools for empowerment, teaching families that even the smallest spaces can yield meaningful results,” she said. The programme, which supports 1,000 of the most vulnerable families in Barbados, aims to transition participants from dependency to independence through mentorship, training, and community support. The initial phase of the project will involve 50 families, selected for their interest and aptitude in gardening, with technical assistance provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. Daniel also revealed that 25 barrels, donated by pharmaceutical supplier Aventa Barbados (formerly Collins Limited), will be utilized in the initiative. Beyond improving household nutrition, the project seeks to strengthen community bonds by encouraging families to share and trade their produce. “When one family plants a seed, another can help it grow,” Daniel said. “This exchange of resources—whether it’s thyme for lettuce or peppers for herbs—embodies the spirit of empowerment that defines the One Family Programme.”
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Woburn Clarkes Court Bay MPA stakeholder consultations
The Grenada Sustainable Development Trust Fund (GSDTF), in collaboration with the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund and Global Affairs Canada, is set to organize a series of stakeholder consultations from October 21 to 23, 2025. These meetings will focus on the Enhanced Management and Monitoring of the Woburn Clarkes Court Bay Marine Protected Area (WCCBMPA), a critical initiative aimed at bolstering marine conservation in Grenada. The consultations will engage local communities, business leaders, and fishermen from Woburn, St. George, fostering a collaborative approach to sustainable marine resource management. This project is part of the broader Caribbean Organisations for a Resilient Environment (CORE) initiative, which seeks to enhance climate resilience among vulnerable groups across eight Caribbean nations, including Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname. The consultations will address key issues such as enforcement, zoning, and ecological monitoring, while promoting gender-responsive and climate-resilient conservation strategies. The GSDTF encourages all stakeholders to participate in these pivotal discussions, emphasizing the importance of collective action in safeguarding Grenada’s marine biodiversity.
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Fire Service responds to 86 emergencies last weekend
The Saint Lucia Fire Service (SLFS) experienced an exceptionally active weekend from October 10 to October 13, 2025, responding to a total of 86 emergency calls, as confirmed by SLFS representative Cheria St. Rose. The majority of these calls—84 in total—were ambulance responses, with only two incidents involving fires. Medical emergencies dominated the ambulance calls, with 50 cases reported island-wide. Additionally, the SLFS addressed five assault-related injuries, eight motor vehicle collisions, ten trauma incidents such as falls and cuts, and 11 non-emergency cases. On October 11, the Babonneau Fire Station was particularly busy, handling two consecutive road accidents in Union, Gros Islet. The first collision involved a motorcycle, a minibus, and an SUV, resulting in abrasions to a male motorcyclist. While emergency teams were managing this scene, a second accident occurred just 50 feet away when a truck was forced off the road by a white Mitsubishi van, injuring a male passenger. Both individuals were treated on-site and transported to the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital. Later that evening, another severe motorcycle accident took place on the Millennium Highway involving a white minibus, leaving the motorcyclist with head, jaw, and arm injuries. He was rushed to OKEU Hospital in serious condition. On October 12, a BMW X3 veered off the road in Soufrière, injuring the female driver, who was taken to Soufrière Hospital in stable condition. That same night, a Toyota Rush carrying five passengers crashed into a ditch south of the Ti Rocher Micoud junction. One passenger was unresponsive, while another left the scene privately. The remaining passengers were treated and transported to St Jude Hospital. The SLFS also dealt with two fire incidents: a bush fire in Cas En Bas, Gros Islet, and a pole fire in La Pointe, Micoud. The SLFS has urged motorists to drive cautiously, especially in high-risk areas, and to report emergencies promptly.
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San Ignacio Police Seize High-Powered Weapon, Ammunition
In a significant operation on October 17, 2025, the San Ignacio Police conducted a search at a residence on Maya Street, leading to the seizure of a high-powered firearm and a substantial cache of ammunition. The raid resulted in the detention of three individuals who failed to produce a valid firearm license. Among the confiscated items were a GIVATI-brand 9mm rifle-type firearm (serial number GFX0006), two magazines, a drum magazine, 195 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 20 rounds of .223 ammunition. These were concealed in a bucket within a room of the property. The suspects were transported to the San Ignacio Police Station and are awaiting formal charges related to the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. The police have indicated that their investigation is still ongoing.
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Karim Warner Challenges Sentence for Gunfire Incident
Police Constable Karim Warner is challenging his one-year prison sentence after being convicted of unlawfully discharging a firearm during a heated confrontation in Willikies last December. The incident occurred near the Emerald Cove Resort, where Warner was involved in a dispute over a rental vehicle he owned. According to court testimonies, Warner allegedly blocked the renters’ Toyota Mark X with his Lexus and demanded they exit the vehicle. When a female passenger suggested resolving the matter at a police station, Warner reportedly drew his firearm and fired multiple shots, striking the car’s rear panel, trunk, and a front tire. The passenger testified that she was so terrified during the incident that she lost control of her bladder. Warner denied the prosecution’s claims, stating he only fired a few shots in self-defense to protect his property. However, Senior Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel dismissed his defense, ruling that firing twelve bullets was a “grossly disproportionate” use of force. Warner, who wept as the verdict was read, has now taken his case to the Court of Appeal. His attorney, Andrew Okola, filed the appeal shortly after the October 1 conviction. The case continues to draw attention as it highlights issues of property disputes and the appropriate use of force by law enforcement officers.
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Antigua and Barbuda Celebrates Tourism Week 2025 Under the Theme: “Our People, Our Culture, Our Environment in Full Thrive, Tourism Week 2025.
The Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment has unveiled the eagerly awaited Tourism Week 2025, set to take place from November 22 to 29. This year’s theme, “Our People, Our Culture, Our Environment in Full Thrive,” highlights the integral role of Antigua and Barbuda’s citizens, cultural heritage, and natural beauty in fostering a sustainable and prosperous tourism industry. The event marks the official commencement of the Winter Tourism Season, serving as a platform for reflection, celebration, and renewed dedication to the nation’s leading economic sector.
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Chief Justice, Attorney General to new attorneys: Use your legal judgement, not AI
In a significant ceremony held at the Number 1 Supreme Court on Friday morning, 34 newly admitted attorneys-at-law were formally welcomed to the legal profession. However, the occasion was marked by stern cautions from Barbados’ Attorney General Dale Marshall and Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, who emphasized the limitations of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice. Both leaders, addressing the gathering during a special sitting of the bench, underscored that AI should serve merely as an auxiliary tool rather than a substitute for the critical thinking, factual analysis, and application of established case law that are fundamental to legal advocacy. They urged the newly minted lawyers to exercise their own professional judgment and not to anchor their clients’ defense strategies solely on AI-generated insights. The event, captured in a photograph by Emmanuel Joseph, highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding the integration of technology into traditional legal frameworks and the importance of maintaining human oversight in the justice system.
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Four BDF Officers Commissioned in Guyana After Completing Military Training
In a significant milestone for military collaboration in the region, four officers from the Belize Defence Force (BDF) have successfully completed the rigorous Standard Officer Course 56 (SOC 56) in Guyana. The graduation ceremony, held on October 15, 2025, at Base Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown, marked the culmination of two years of intensive military and academic training. The event saw 31 newly commissioned officers from various forces, including the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, and regional partners like the BDF, receive their badges of rank. Among the graduates, Second Lieutenant Claudio Bolon distinguished himself by securing two prestigious awards: Best International Student and the Commandant, Guyana National Reserve Prize. His fellow BDF graduates—Second Lieutenant Sair Rodriquez, Second Lieutenant Lindon Bolon, and Second Lieutenant Jordi Osorio—also celebrated their achievements. This accomplishment underscores the strengthening ties between Belize and Guyana in defense and security cooperation, while also highlighting the exceptional caliber of BDF personnel on the international stage.
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Man Fined $5,000 for Possessing Jaguar Teeth
In a landmark case highlighting Belize’s commitment to wildlife conservation, Jordan David Woods of Stann Creek has been fined $5,000 for the unlawful possession of two jaguar teeth. The verdict was delivered on October 15th by the Stann Creek District Court, marking a significant enforcement of Section 19 of the Forest Act, Chapter 213 of the Laws of Belize. Woods was also ordered to pay $5 in court costs, with a one-year deadline to settle the fine. Failure to comply by October 15, 2026, will result in a six-month prison sentence. Jaguars, revered as Belize’s national symbol of strength and beauty, are fully protected under the law. Possessing any part of these majestic creatures, including skins, claws, or teeth, without proper authorization is strictly prohibited. The Forest Department lauded the conviction as a pivotal victory in the fight against wildlife crimes. ‘This ruling sends a clear message,’ the Department stated. ‘Belize’s environmental laws are designed to safeguard our wildlife, and violators will face severe consequences.’ The Department also encouraged the public to report illegal wildlife activities or human-wildlife conflicts through the Wildlife Hotline at 610-1524.