分类： society

On what would have been her 75th birthday, the memory of Sonia Benjamin, a revered public servant who passed away last year, is being honored through an expanded charitable initiative bearing her name. The late Benjamin, remembered for her distinguished service in the Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbuda and her devout membership at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, continues to inspire through her legacy of generosity and unwavering commitment to community welfare.

Building upon the success of a previous outreach conducted in December 2024, Jessica Berman has announced a significant expansion of this year’s ‘Remembering Sonia Benjamin Christmas Outreach.’ The initiative aims to extend its reach to a greater number of households and individuals during the upcoming holiday season, embodying Benjamin’s core principles of duty and compassionate action.

The revitalized program will feature a trio of core charitable activities meticulously designed to provide both essential support and festive joy. These include operational soup kitchens dedicated to serving warm meals to the underprivileged, organized distributions of food packages containing essential groceries to struggling families, and the giving of gifts to spread seasonal cheer.

Organizers emphasize that the enlarged scope of the outreach is a direct reflection of Sonia Benjamin’s lifelong dedication to uplifting others. The public is being encouraged to support the endeavor, ensuring its impact resonates with the same spirit of service that defined her life.

A major statutory corporation in Antigua and Barbuda faces internal turmoil and widespread concern as reports emerge regarding the potential reinstatement of a supervisor terminated nearly two years ago following multiple substantiated allegations of sexual harassment. This development surfaces ironically during the nation’s observance of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, drawing sharp criticism from female employees who view the move as a severe regression in workplace safety and gender equality.

According to internal sources, the initial dismissal followed written complaints from five to six women who detailed a pattern of predatory behavior. The allegations included making unsolicited sexual advances, explicitly soliciting sexual favors in exchange for confirming employment contracts, and exploiting performance review meetings to coerce subordinates. Employees who resisted his advances reported subsequent retaliation through deliberately poor performance evaluations. Further complaints alleged he routinely consumed pornographic material on corporate devices during work hours.

Following his dismissal, the former supervisor escalated the matter to the Industrial Court, where the case remains pending and unresolved. However, recent negotiations involving government officials have reportedly included discussions about his return to the organization. This possibility has ignited fears among staff, particularly women, who argue that reinstatement would fundamentally undermine the corporation’s integrity and its commitment to protecting employees.

The situation is further exacerbated by the corporation’s demographic reality: its senior management team remains exclusively male. Employees note that this lack of gender diversity has historically made it difficult for complaints from women to receive adequate attention and action. A staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, condemned the potential reinstatement as “a demoralizing step backward” that would signal tolerance for misconduct and erode trust in internal protection mechanisms. The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges in combating workplace harassment and ensuring accountable governance within public institutions.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – A coordinated police response led to the rapid apprehension of two suspects involved in a daylight larceny at Valley Church Beach on Tuesday afternoon. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda confirmed the arrest and charging of Damien Henry, 24, of Bathlodge, and Terry Williams, 20, of Nut Grove.

The incident unfolded at approximately 1:30 p.m. on December 2, when security personnel stationed at the popular tourist beach contacted the Bolans Police Station. They reported that two visitors had fallen victim to theft while swimming, with their bag stolen by an individual who subsequently fled the scene in a distinctive orange Honda Fit.

Utilizing inter-station coordination, officers from the Bolans and Johnson’s Point Police Stations executed a strategic interception of the vehicle in the Johnson’s Point area. Both suspects were apprehended while inside the car, and police successfully recovered the stolen bag with all its contents intact.

The suspects were taken into custody and have been formally charged with larceny. They are set to be arraigned before a magistrate to answer the charges.

In an official statement, the Police Administration praised the responding officers for their effective and prompt action, which prevented the suspects from escaping and ensured the return of the stolen property. The force also issued a reminder to both residents and tourists to maintain vigilance and secure their personal belongings when frequenting beaches and other public spaces.

A significant power disruption affected multiple northern communities in Antigua during the early hours of Wednesday morning following a vehicular incident that damaged critical electrical infrastructure. The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) confirmed the outage originated along the Cassada Gardens #3 Feeder at approximately 2:19 AM local time after a vehicle struck utility equipment in the Cedar Valley and Friars Hill Road corridor.

APUA’s Electricity Business Unit responded promptly by isolating the compromised section of the network to prevent further system damage. Repair crews were immediately dispatched to the scene to address the damaged infrastructure, which required replacement of a utility pole and extensive electrical repairs. The authority acknowledged the inconvenience caused to residents and commercial establishments while emphasizing their commitment to restoring normal operations.

The widespread outage impacted numerous residential areas including Utility Drive, New Winthropes, Cedar Valley Gardens, Cedar Valley Springs, Barnes Hill, Powells, Hodges Bay, Cedar Grove, Cassada Gardens #7, Longfords and Mount Pleasant North. Engineering teams continued restoration efforts throughout the morning hours as affected communities remained without electricity.

APUA issued a formal apology to customers experiencing service interruptions and expressed appreciation for the public’s patience during the emergency repair process. The utility provider assured residents that crews were working with maximum efficiency to complete repairs and restore full power to all affected districts.

In a historic display of diplomatic camaraderie and cultural celebration, New York City Hall’s Mayor’s Office orchestrated the inaugural flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green Park in Manhattan on December 1, 2025, commemorating the 44th independence anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda. The event symbolized the strengthening of international relations and honored the significant Caribbean nation’s sovereignty.

The ceremony, meticulously organized through the collaborative efforts of multiple mayoral agencies, was conceived by NYC Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, Mrs. Lynelle Maginley-Liddle, an Antiguan native. Operational execution was led by US Diaspora Liaison Dr. Dave Ray alongside the Consulate Affairs team, with Mrs. Joy Wehner serving as the event’s host.

Reverend Elouise Hill-Challenger commenced proceedings with a solemn invocation, establishing a reflective yet celebratory atmosphere. Dignitaries delivering addresses included Arthur Piccolo, Chairman of the Bowling Green Association; John Matthews, Financial Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Progressive Society; and The Hon. Marsha D. Michael, NYC Appellate Court Associate Judge also of Antiguan heritage.

Deputy Commissioner Dilipkumar Chauhan from the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs and Dr. Ray from the Consul General Office of Antigua and Barbuda provided additional remarks. The New York State Assembly delegation, represented by Mrs. Sandra Reid, presented an official citation to Dr. Ray in recognition of his diplomatic contributions.

UN Ambassador The Hon. Dr. Walton Aubrey Webson delivered a historically significant address, tracing bilateral relations between New York and Antigua and Barbuda to the 16th century. He highlighted the islands’ former status as one of the Caribbean’s wealthiest territories under Dutch control, supplying sugar and indigo to New York prior to American independence.

The ceremony featured vibrant musical performances by Barbudan trumpeter Trevaughn Thomas and his ensemble. Color Guards and Honor Guards from Corrections Law Enforcement provided formal honors, while the national flag of Antigua and Barbuda will remain displayed at the park for one to two weeks.

The event attracted substantial attendance from the Antiguan and Barbudan diaspora community and members of the CARICOM Consular Corps, including representatives from Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada. This gathering fostered a powerful sense of Caribbean unity and shared heritage, with organizers confirming intentions to establish the ceremony as an annual tradition.