The Honourable Minister responsible for Utilities recently updated the Cabinet on the significant progress of water infrastructure improvements across Antigua, spearheaded by the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA). These initiatives aim to enhance water distribution and storage capacity, addressing the island’s growing demands. Key developments include the reactivation of the Lower Buckleys Reservoir, which had been offline for six years. With a storage capacity of approximately 600,000 gallons, this reservoir will now support water distribution to Swetes, Follys, and Liberta. Additionally, expansion works at the Pigeon Point and Pattersons Plants are set to double their production capacity to 500,000 gallons per day, catering to the burgeoning yachting sector in the region. Plans are also underway to integrate the Pattersons Reservoir into the transmission and distribution system for St. Paul. Retail distribution piping works in the Montuella area will commence following the completion of re-piping projects in Cedar Valley. Furthermore, the hydraulic improvement programme on the northern side of the island includes the construction of two new concrete reservoirs at Wink-Eye Hill, New Winthropes. The Minister also highlighted ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Works on road repair and redevelopment projects, with assessments underway on major roadways, including All Saints Road from the Townhouse Junction to English Harbour. A definitive timeline for APUA’s re-piping works on All Saints Road is expected to be presented before the next Cabinet meeting.
分类： society
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Delay doesn’t mean no charges in school violence cases – Bailey
In a series of troubling incidents involving student-on-student violence, charges remain pending in two separate stabbing cases that occurred at or near schools, leaving victims with severe injuries. Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor “Buju” Bailey, responsible for crime fighting, revealed that the approach to prosecuting alleged juvenile perpetrators has shifted significantly.
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Flash Flood Watch for Antigua and Barbuda Extended
The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch effective from 6 a.m. to 12 noon today, with the potential for an extension. This advisory spans Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, as a frontal trough continues to unleash heavy showers and thunderstorms across the northeastern Caribbean. Reports indicate that some regions have already experienced up to two inches of rainfall, with an additional two inches or more expected within the next 12 hours. Authorities are warning of moderate to major flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas. Residents are strongly advised to remain vigilant, avoid flooded roads, and prepare to relocate to higher ground if conditions deteriorate or if a Flash Flood Warning is issued. The public is encouraged to stay informed through local media and official updates from the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service. This situation underscores the importance of preparedness and timely response to natural disasters in the region.
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Relatives paint contrasting pictures of man who killed his grandfather
In a tragic incident that shook the Collins community in 2020, Jareth Jamala John, a 25-year-old man, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the manslaughter of his 94-year-old grandfather, Murrington Alston John. The crime, committed during a psychotic episode, has left the family divided in their perceptions of the defendant. During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Kingstown, Justice Rickie Burnett referenced a social inquiry report that revealed starkly contrasting accounts of Jareth from his mother, Ivy John, and his unnamed brother. Ivy described her son as loving and helpful, emphasizing his close bond with his grandfather. She attributed his violent outburst to mental health issues exacerbated by marijuana use, which began at age 13. In contrast, Jareth’s brother painted a darker picture, alleging that the defendant had a history of violent behavior that instilled fear in the household. The brother claimed he had repeatedly urged their mother to seek mental health evaluations for Jareth, but she refused. The court also noted that Ivy had pre-existing mental health challenges. Jareth’s mental health reports indicated that his marijuana addiction, which he vowed never to quit, played a significant role in triggering his psychotic episodes. Despite his guilty plea and a reduced sentence due to diminished responsibility, the case highlights the devastating consequences of untreated mental illness and substance abuse.
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VIDEO: PM Agrees St. Mary’s South Viewing Stand Taking Too Long
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has acknowledged the slow progress in the construction of the St. Mary’s South playing field viewing stand, agreeing with St. Mary’s South MP Kelvin Simon that the project is significantly behind schedule. During a recent session of the House of Representatives, Simon raised concerns about the delays, emphasizing that with only two months remaining in the year, the completion of the facility seems unlikely. Browne expressed his shared frustration, stating, “The viewing stand should have been completed by now.” He pledged to personally intervene to ensure the project is finished “within the shortest possible time.” The Prime Minister also mentioned that he would instruct the Minister for Rural East to investigate the contractor responsible for the delays. Browne clarified that there are no known issues with payments, suggesting that the contractor’s inefficiency is the primary cause of the holdup. While acknowledging that adverse weather conditions, such as rainfall, may have contributed to the delays, Browne emphasized that the construction of a viewing stand is not a complex task. He vowed to monitor the situation closely to ensure swift progress. The project, which includes both a viewing stand and an upgraded playing field, is designed to support local athletes and provide a recreational space for the St. Mary’s South community. The Prime Minister’s commitment to expediting the project reflects the government’s focus on addressing community needs and improving public infrastructure.
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Pedro Vaca warns press freedom is under pressure across the Americas
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Pedro Vaca Villarreal, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating state of press freedom across the Americas. Speaking at the 81st General Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), Vaca lamented the scarcity of positive examples of journalistic liberty in the region. He highlighted alarming developments in Guatemala, El Salvador, and the United States, where journalists face increasing obstacles. In Guatemala, reporters are being imprisoned for merely performing their duties, while El Salvador has imposed severe restrictions on access to public information, making confidentiality the norm. In the United States, new Pentagon regulations have been criticized for impeding journalistic work. Vaca also expressed concern over a broader regional trend of ‘tolerance for abuse,’ exacerbated by irresponsible and discriminatory rhetoric from political leaders, which undermines public trust. Panelists Andrés Mompotes, director of El Tiempo (Colombia), and Daniel Dessen, president of La Gaceta (Argentina), echoed these sentiments, noting the erosion of democratic values and ongoing efforts to delegitimize the press. Despite these challenges, Dessen pointed to failed censorship attempts in Argentina as a sign that ‘there are still reasons for optimism.’
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Fire Service equips stations to tackle electric vehicle, battery fires
The Barbados Fire Service (BFS) has intensified its preparations to tackle the unique fire hazards posed by electric vehicles (EVs), equipping fire stations across the island with specialized tools and chemical additives. Fire Chief Errol Maynard disclosed that every station now has fire blankets designed to smother EV fires, along with F-500, a chemical additive that enhances water’s effectiveness in cooling and suppressing lithium-ion battery blazes.
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National Plant Festival opens at Botanical Garden
Santo Domingo’s Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso National Botanical Garden (JBN) has launched the 19th edition of its National Plant and Flower Festival, a vibrant celebration of the Dominican Republic’s botanical heritage and a platform for environmental education. The event, which runs until Saturday, October 19, has attracted 106 exhibitors, including international participants from Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and Canada, showcasing a wide array of ornamental plants. Visitors arrived early to explore the displays, with orchids emerging as a crowd favorite.
At the opening ceremony, JBN Director General Pedro Suárez underscored the festival’s 19-year legacy, emphasizing its dual role in promoting plant care expertise and raising environmental awareness. Suárez expressed optimism about surpassing last year’s attendance record of 15,000 visitors. The festival offers a packed schedule of activities from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., catering to diverse interests. Highlights include workshops on Kokedama techniques, urban and educational gardening, bonsai art, and floral arrangement. Additionally, children can engage in crafts using natural materials, while free talks and workshops delve into critical topics such as environmental conservation, the protection of native and endemic flora, ornamental plant production, and pest and disease management.
This year’s festival not only celebrates the beauty of plants but also serves as a hub for fostering a deeper connection between the community and nature, reinforcing the importance of sustainable practices and biodiversity preservation.
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Insecurity : September 2025, bad results (report)
A recently released report by the Defenders Plus Collective has shed light on the deteriorating human rights situation in Haiti during September 2025. The document, which serves as a monthly assessment, reveals a harrowing escalation of violence and rights violations across multiple regions, leaving the population in a state of despair and displacement. The report underscores a surge in assassinations, sexual violence, kidnappings, forced displacements, and armed attacks, which have collectively inflicted immense suffering on thousands of families. The West, Artibonite, Center, and Northwest regions have been particularly hard-hit, with local communities enduring unprecedented levels of violence. Women and children, often the most vulnerable, have borne the brunt of these atrocities, either as direct victims or as survivors struggling to cope with the dire conditions of displacement. The Defenders Plus Collective has sounded the alarm, urging immediate attention to the escalating crisis. For a comprehensive understanding of the situation, the full report, available in French, can be accessed via the provided link.
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PSV owners renew push for duty-free concessions
Public service vehicle (PSV) operators in Barbados are intensifying their appeals for the government to restart negotiations on long-awaited duty-free concessions. Roy Raphael, Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), emphasized on Thursday that the prolonged delay in providing financial relief is exacerbating safety risks for commuters and escalating maintenance costs for operators. Raphael highlighted that a significant portion of the vehicles currently in service are outdated, with some exceeding 40 years in age and 80% being over five years old. This aging fleet is leading to frequent mechanical failures and operational downtime, further straining the industry.