分类： society

The Antigua and Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU) Women’s Council successfully launched its revitalized programming with a therapeutic candle-making workshop this past Saturday. Over thirty women from the union’s membership gathered for a hands-on creative session, marking the first major initiative since the Council’s re-establishment at the 2025 Women’s Conference.

Under expert guidance, participants were immersed in the artisanal craft of creating scented 8oz candles. The workshop, led by Union Shop Steward Menardia Mason, provided comprehensive instruction on the technical intricacies of the process. Attendees mastered precise temperature controls for incorporating dye colors and fragrance oils into wax, alongside designing decorative embellishments for their finished products.

Mason expressed admiration for participants’ rapid skill acquisition and artistic expression. ‘The creativity in design and presentation was remarkable, and there was visible pride in their accomplished work,’ she observed. Beyond technical education, the event generated profound personal impacts, with one participant describing the experience as ‘both therapeutic and empowering—the ultimate relaxation.’

Hazel Luke, Coordinator of the Women’s Council, emphasized the Council’s mission to develop tailored programming addressing women’s specific interests and needs. This workshop represents the beginning of a broader agenda, with numerous engaging activities planned throughout the year to strengthen community among female union members.

In a remarkable display of intellectual prowess, the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus has etched its name in academic debating history. The campus’s postgraduate debate team secured an extraordinary second-place finish at the prestigious 2026 UWI Inter-Campus Postgraduate Debate Competition, held February 20-21 at the Mona Campus in Jamaica.

Making their inaugural appearance in the annual regional championship, the Five Islands Association of Postgraduate Students (F.I.C.A.P.S.) demonstrated exceptional skill and composure throughout the competition. The team, comprising postgraduate scholars Jake Taylor (Team Captain), Cedric Park, and Michelle Paige, received guidance from Postgraduate Representative Kimon Drigo and Debate Coach Odaissia Nichols.

The team’s journey to the finals began on February 20th with a decisive victory against the UWI Global Campus. Debating the moot regarding CARICOM’s authority to impose economic sanctions on member states failing to implement regional policies, the F.I.C.A.P.S. team, arguing the Proposition, delivered a compelling performance that earned them a spot in the championship round. Their excellence was further highlighted when Cedric Park received the Overall Best Debater award for Day One.

During the finals on February 21st, the debutante team faced the historically dominant UWI Mona team, debating the controversial topic of foreign military intervention to remove sitting heads of state when international legal mechanisms fail. Despite being newcomers, the Five Islands team held their ground against the debating ‘titans’ from Mona, ultimately securing second place in the competition.

The achievement garnered significant recognition from debate authorities. Head Judge and international debate champion Germaine Barrett publicly praised the F.I.C.A.P.S. team during closing remarks, noting the extraordinary accomplishment of debutantes reaching second place and challenging an established debating powerhouse. Mona’s debate team captain, Omolora Wilson, acknowledged in post-debate interviews that they hadn’t encountered such formidable competition in recent memory.

This historic placement positioned Five Islands ahead of UWI’s Global Campus and Cave Hill campuses, with St. Augustine unable to participate. F.I.C.A.P.S. has expressed gratitude to the UWI Five Islands Debate Society and campus leadership for their support and investment in student development. The team now looks toward future competitions with renewed determination, aiming to build on this momentum and continue representing Antigua and Barbuda on the regional academic stage.

The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has officially identified systemic causes behind a recent escalation in water main breaks across the island. In a public statement released on Monday, February 23, 2026, the authority’s Water Business Unit confirmed that the rising frequency of pipeline ruptures is a direct consequence of two primary factors: critically aging infrastructure and a significant increase in overall water production. The utility explained that substantial sections of the existing distribution network were engineered decades ago and were never designed to withstand the higher volumes and corresponding system pressures of contemporary water output. This combination of antiquated piping materials and intensified operational strain has created a vulnerability, leading to more frequent and disruptive failures. In response, APUA has initiated a comprehensive, phased modernization program targeting its primary water mains. This initiative involves the systematic replacement of old pipes with advanced, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, a material lauded for its superior durability and resistance to corrosion. While these long-term upgrades are underway, the authority has assured the public that dedicated emergency response teams remain on active, daily deployment to swiftly address new leaks and other operational faults. For residents encountering water disruptions or related issues, APUA continues to operate its 24/7 Contact Centre, available at the hotline number 211.

The Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Association (ABNA) has formally introduced its newly appointed Executive Committee, marking a significant transition in nursing leadership. This accomplished team of healthcare professionals assumes responsibility for guiding the organization’s mission to enhance medical services, bolster nurse welfare, and champion exemplary patient care standards throughout the nation.

The comprehensive leadership roster features Laurellyn Williams as President, supported by dual Vice Presidents Kesha Willock and Emelda Peters Smith. Administrative functions will be managed by Secretary Eletha George with Wanda Ferris as Assistant Secretary. Financial oversight falls to Treasurer Alden Robins and Assistant Treasurer Petal Adams Nedd, while Oona Cabral-Knight will serve as Public Relations Officer.

Complementing the core leadership, five Executive Officers complete the administrative framework: Mcbert Arthur, Jenita Cuffy, Tanasha Roberts, Sonia Farrell Willock, Michelle Sealey, and Nerissa Skepple Thomas.

The Association has publicly acknowledged the contributions of the departing administration, recognizing their dedication and service to the nursing community. Simultaneously, ABNA has extended warm congratulations to the incoming committee members, emphasizing their commitment to advancing professional development opportunities, strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation, and amplifying nursing perspectives in healthcare policy formulation.

The newly constituted leadership has identified key priorities including the enhancement of continuing education programs, improvement of working conditions for nursing professionals, and strengthened advocacy within the national healthcare landscape. The Association encourages both its membership and public stakeholders to rally behind the new committee as they commence their strategic initiatives aimed at elevating nursing standards and healthcare delivery across Antigua and Barbuda.

Substantial renovations are poised to transform the Pigotts Sports Club in St. George, with construction scheduled to initiate imminently following a significant injection of support from the national Ministry of Housing. The announcement was formally delivered by local caretaker Senator Michael Freeland, who confirmed the government’s direct involvement in refurbishing the club’s central administrative structure.

The critical infrastructure upgrade targets the building that functions as the primary operational hub, housing essential office space and dedicated dressing rooms for athletes and administrative personnel. Senator Freeland detailed that the initial phase of structurally repositioning the facility is already underway, with comprehensive restoration works slated to begin in the coming days.

This development is characterized as a direct response to the club’s proactive pursuit of excellence. Freeland emphasized that the organization’s leadership formally requested governmental assistance to modernize its infrastructure, a move that aligns with its core mission to foster athletic growth, discipline, and competitive excellence within the community.

In his official remarks, Senator Freeland extended gratitude to Housing Minister Maria Browne and Senator Rawdon Turner for their pivotal roles in endorsing what he termed a vital community-focused initiative. He further elaborated on the profound societal value of such projects, underscoring the indispensable role of sports in promoting positive youth development and strengthening community bonds. Freeland reiterated his personal commitment to championing the infrastructure needs of local clubs, asserting that robust facilities are fundamental to their success and sustainability.

As a cornerstone institution within the St. George constituency, the Pigotts Sports Club is a key promoter of community health and engagement, primarily through its organized cricket and football programs.

A significant legal proceeding is unfolding in the High Court involving two individuals charged with transmitting electronic communications containing offensive content about a protected complainant. The case has direct connections to the previously concluded criminal proceedings against former parliamentarian Michael Browne.

The defendants, identified as Jafari Matthews and Jerri-Ann King, both residents of Sea View Farm, face serious allegations of intentionally disseminating objectionable messages without legal justification. According to prosecution details, these electronic communications specifically referenced the high-profile case that resulted in Mr. Browne’s acquittal in 2021. Browne previously served as the All Saints West representative in parliament.

Court documents reveal that the initial charges against Matthews and King were filed in January 2022, with the Magistrates’ Court granting bail under stringent conditions that explicitly prohibited any further defamatory statements against the complainant. The case underwent judicial escalation, being formally committed to the High Court in July 2023.

During a recent hearing held on Friday, court proceedings indicated that while the formal indictment has not yet been formally submitted, judicial authorities anticipate its imminent filing. The presiding justice subsequently scheduled the next hearing for March 6, 2026, allowing substantial time for case preparation. Both defendants maintain their bail status pending future proceedings.

This legal action originates from allegedly malicious online activities that occurred following the conclusion of one of the nation’s most closely monitored criminal prosecutions in recent years. The case highlights growing concerns about digital harassment and the judicial system’s response to protecting victims in high-sensitivity legal matters.

In a striking display of infrastructural neglect, a critical water pipe rupture near Antigua’s Government Transport Board has persisted for over three months despite repeated citizen reports, exposing systemic failures in public utilities management. The issue gained prominence after local resident Murrain publicly denounced the authorities’ inaction, highlighting the absurd contradiction between this continuous water wastage and concurrent supply shortages affecting multiple communities.

The damaged pipeline, located on a road frequently traveled by citizens obtaining driver’s licenses, has been discharging untreated potable water directly onto the roadway since early February. Murrain documented having reported the problem multiple times, most recently three weeks ago, when officials acknowledged the complaint existed in their system but failed to execute repairs. ‘The pipe remains burst and water continues flowing unabated down the road,’ she stated, expressing frustration over the blatant resource mismanagement.

This visible waste occurs against a backdrop of severe water rationing affecting Murrain’s community and other regions across Antigua. Residents reportedly endure regular service interruptions and have received official notifications attributing these shortages to insufficient water reserves. The prolonged leakage represents not just infrastructure deterioration but also significant financial and environmental costs, with thousands of gallons of treated water lost daily.

Murrain characterized the situation as ‘completely unacceptable’ and demanded immediate intervention from the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA). Her public appeal emphasized the need for transparent accountability mechanisms within public service institutions. The case has sparked broader discussions about maintenance responsiveness, resource allocation equity, and environmental conservation priorities in Antigua’s public utilities sector. As water security becomes increasingly pressing due to climate challenges, such incidents highlight the urgent need for infrastructure modernization and more responsive public service frameworks.

Authorities in Green Bay have launched an urgent public appeal to help locate 71-year-old Janet Hughes Warrington, a resident with dementia who vanished on Tuesday afternoon. The elderly woman was last observed after 2 p.m., triggering immediate concerns among family members and local law enforcement regarding her welfare due to her medical condition.

According to official descriptions provided by relatives, Warrington was wearing distinctive clothing at the time of her disappearance: a yellow and white top layered over a bright orange dress, complemented by a hat and green Crocs footwear. This detailed attire may assist community members in identifying her should they encounter her in the area.

Green Bay Police Department, collaborating with the family, has established a dedicated contact line for information. Individuals with any knowledge of Warrington’s whereabouts are strongly encouraged to call 783-5581 and ask for Melissa. Alternatively, sightings can be reported directly to the nearest police station to ensure swift official response.

The family is specifically appealing to residents throughout Green Bay and neighboring communities to maintain heightened vigilance, check their properties, and report any potential sightings. Community cooperation is considered vital in ensuring the safe return of the vulnerable missing woman, with authorities emphasizing the time-sensitive nature of the search operation.