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  • Air Peace Chairman Says He Has Not Been Served Any Papers in Reported Tax Lawsuit

    Air Peace Chairman Says He Has Not Been Served Any Papers in Reported Tax Lawsuit

    Air Peace management has issued a formal response to circulating media reports alleging that its Chairman/CEO, Dr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema, and Vice Chairman, Mrs. Alice Ojochide Onyema, face tax litigation from the Lagos State Government.

    The airline categorically states that neither the executives nor the corporation has received any official court summons or formal notification regarding the alleged legal proceedings. The organization expressed astonishment at claims that such proceedings have been ongoing since February without proper service or communication.

    In a statement released on March 23, 2026, Air Peace emphasized its commitment to full tax compliance, asserting that all personal and corporate tax obligations have been consistently met in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements. The company nevertheless expressed willingness to engage with Lagos State authorities should any computational discrepancies exist, pledging to review and reconcile any potential shortfalls in the spirit of transparency and due process.

    The statement highlighted the Onyemas’ and Air Peace’s longstanding dedication to advancing Nigeria’s aviation sector, citing their demonstrated integrity, resilience, and patriotic commitment. The management reaffirmed its focus on maintaining the highest professional standards while continuing to serve the flying public without distraction.

  • Family mourns St Lucy shooting victim, calls for end to gun violence

    Family mourns St Lucy shooting victim, calls for end to gun violence

    A wave of grief has swept through the Checker Hall community in St Lucy following a fatal shooting incident that claimed the life of 28-year-old Romario Archer. The tragedy unfolded late Sunday evening when unidentified assailants opened fire from a dark-colored vehicle outside a local bar, leaving multiple casualties in what authorities are treating as a targeted attack.

    According to eyewitness accounts, the violence erupted approximately at 10:50 p.m. during a karaoke social gathering at Fryers Well establishment. The shooting resulted in nine individuals sustaining various injuries, all of whom were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities for emergency treatment. Despite receiving urgent care at Sandy Crest Medical Centre, Archer succumbed to his wounds, marking the incident’s sole fatality.

    In an emotional interview with Barbados TODAY, Sherwood Archer remembered his son as a devoted family man known for his compassionate nature and strong work ethic. ‘Romario was the embodiment of joy and kindness—a young man who cherished his relationships and approached life with unwavering enthusiasm,’ the grieving father stated, vehemently denying any involvement in criminal activities by his son.

    The bereaved family has issued a heartfelt plea to Barbados’ youth, urging them to reject firearm violence and embrace peaceful conflict resolution methods. This appeal coincides with growing concerns about escalating violence across the island nation.

    Political representatives have responded with calls for immediate action. Peter Phillips, Member of Parliament for St Lucy, visited the Archer family residence in Broomfield to offer condolences while emphasizing the necessity for strengthened legal measures. Phillips advocated for the reinstatement of capital punishment as a deterrent against what he termed ‘lawless acts threatening community safety.’

    Democratic Labour Party representative Ian Griffith joined the mourning family, offering support and solidarity during their time of loss. Archer, who resided in Pie Corner with his partner, is remembered by community members as a vibrant individual whose potential was tragically cut short by senseless violence.

  • OPINION: Your Vote Is Not a Waste: Why Young People Must Show Up Even When Politics Feels Repetitive

    OPINION: Your Vote Is Not a Waste: Why Young People Must Show Up Even When Politics Feels Repetitive

    A concerning trend is emerging among younger demographics nationwide: the disillusioned belief that political participation holds negligible value due to perceived similarities between major parties. This sentiment, while understandable given cyclical election patterns and delayed policy implementations, threatens to undermine the very democratic mechanisms that empower generational change.

    Electoral participation transcends mere party selection—it represents a fundamental tool for directing national development trajectories and ensuring youth concerns remain central to policy agendas. Within polling stations, democracy manifests its most equalizing power: a first-time voter wields identical influence to established politicians, corporate leaders, and veteran constituents. This rare parity deserves recognition rather than dismissal.

    While political parties may share superficial similarities in messaging, profound differences emerge in leadership approaches, policy implementation methodologies, and developmental priorities. Public engagement directly shapes governmental responsiveness—when youth constituencies actively participate, they create imperative pressures that demand earned representation rather than assumed support.

    Governance constitutes an evolutionary process rather than a static institution. Administrations operate within constraints including economic limitations and global pressures, yet voter engagement directly influences how leadership navigates these challenges. Youth visibility at polls encourages more adaptive and forward-thinking governance models.

    Beyond policy considerations, voting embodies collective ownership of national futures. Each ballot represents an active declaration that societal direction belongs equally to younger generations rather than remaining exclusively within established political elites. This participatory ownership fosters societal connectivity and investment in long-term outcomes.

    Democratic progress often manifests incrementally rather than through immediate transformation. Consistent electoral pressure across multiple cycles gradually shifts priorities, elevates new leaders, and redefines governmental expectations. Even skeptical voters should recognize participation not as endorsement of perfection, but as foundational engagement within an imperfect system.

    The fundamental reality remains unambiguous: absent youth participation, future-shaping decisions will proceed without generational representation. Leadership evolution continues regardless—the critical variable remains whether young voices will help direct that evolution through active involvement rather than passive observation.

  • IICA supports preservation of Andean blueberry, promotes agrobiodiversity in Ecuador via the Sacha Ñawi initiative

    IICA supports preservation of Andean blueberry, promotes agrobiodiversity in Ecuador via the Sacha Ñawi initiative

    Ecuador’s páramo ecosystem, a fragile high-altitude environment, hosts the indigenous Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum), known locally as agraz. This culturally significant wild fruit, related to North American blueberries, now symbolizes the ecological pressures facing this unique habitat due to agricultural expansion and commercial harvesting.

    In response to these threats, the Sacha Ñawi initiative has emerged as a comprehensive conservation effort. Spearheaded by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in partnership with Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment and Energy and the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIAP), this program addresses the delicate balance between preservation and sustainable use.

    The project operates under the broader framework ‘Conservation and sustainable use of crop wild relatives and edible wild species,’ funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by FAO Ecuador with support from local universities and community organizations. Its primary objective involves strengthening institutional frameworks to protect wild species while incorporating them into national planning strategies.

    The Andean blueberry holds particular cultural importance as the key ingredient in colada morada, a traditional beverage consumed during Day of the Dead celebrations. Unlike commercially cultivated fruits, this species remains predominantly wild-harvested during September and October, with minimal domestication efforts.

    Recent increased demand for blueberry-based products—including wines, jams, and traditional drinks—has intensified harvesting pressure, threatening the species’ sustainability. The Sacha Ñawi project has initiated focused conservation work in Cotacachi canton (Imbabura province), collaborating with research institutions to map genetic diversity and identify priority conservation areas.

    Beyond research, the initiative develops sustainable harvesting regulations that protect both ecosystems and local livelihoods. Simultaneously, it works to strengthen the berry’s value chain through market access improvements, producer organization, and conservation incentives.

    The project extends to additional cantons including Archidona, Tena, and Arosemena Tola in Napo province—regions within ecologically significant Andean and Amazonian biomes containing numerous protected areas. Here, biodiversity and cultural traditions remain deeply interconnected, presenting the fundamental challenge of preserving species without disrupting the essential relationships between ecosystems and the communities that depend on them for both sustenance and cultural identity.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Dental Association World Oral Health Day Parade a Resounding Success

    Antigua and Barbuda Dental Association World Oral Health Day Parade a Resounding Success

    The Antigua and Barbuda Dental Association has orchestrated a remarkably successful parade in observance of World Oral Health Day, marking a significant milestone in national public health advocacy. The event, characterized by its vibrant procession and widespread community engagement, served as a powerful platform to amplify crucial messages about dental hygiene and preventive care.

    Hundreds of participants, including dental professionals, school children, public health advocates, and community members, marched through the streets in a colorful display of unity for oral health. The parade featured educational placards, live demonstrations of proper brushing techniques, and distribution of oral care kits to onlookers, transforming the capital into an open-air classroom for dental education.

    This initiative forms part of a broader global campaign led by the FDI World Dental Federation, which designates March 20th annually to highlight the importance of oral health in maintaining overall wellbeing. The Antiguan celebration distinguished itself through its exceptional turnout and creative approach to delivering serious health messages in an accessible, festive manner.

    Local dental authorities emphasized that beyond the festivities, the event successfully addressed critical gaps in public knowledge regarding oral cancer prevention, sugar consumption impacts, and the vital connection between oral health and systemic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The association reported unprecedented levels of public interaction, suggesting a growing public receptiveness to dental health initiatives.

    The resounding success of this event establishes a new benchmark for community-led health advocacy in the Caribbean region and demonstrates how professional dental associations can effectively collaborate with civil society to advance public health objectives.

  • Island Tribe unveils carnival presentation: Chess, Not Checkers!

    Island Tribe unveils carnival presentation: Chess, Not Checkers!

    Island Tribe Carnival has officially revealed its ambitious 2026 presentation titled ‘Chess, Not Checkers,’ positioning the theme as a sophisticated celebration of strategic brilliance and artistic mastery for Saint Lucia’s premier carnival celebration. The band promises an immersive experience where each movement carries deliberate purpose and every section conveys a distinctive narrative.

    The production will feature six meticulously designed sections that will dominate the carnival route: Witches of the Ninth, Grandmasters, Draconir, Halo Legion, Serpentis, and Oceana. Notably, the Oceana section represents a special collaborative effort with Canada’s Allure Carnival, marking a significant international partnership.

    According to creative directors, these sections collectively embody calculated brilliance, merging elements of fantasy, power, and aesthetic beauty to create a spectacular visual experience tailored for contemporary carnival enthusiasts. The thematic approach draws inspiration from the strategic complexity of chess, translating it into vibrant carnival artistry.

    Beyond the artistic presentation, Island Tribe continues its strategic mission to establish Saint Lucia as an essential destination on the global carnival circuit. The organization emphasizes delivering an authentic Lucian carnival experience enhanced with elements of local luxury and cultural sophistication.

    For the 2026 edition, Island Tribe is actively developing regional partnerships aimed at attracting international carnival enthusiasts to the island while strengthening cultural ties throughout the Caribbean diaspora and beyond. This approach recognizes carnival’s growing importance as both cultural expression and tourism driver.

    Registration for participation in Island Tribe Carnival 2026 is currently available, inviting revelers to secure their place in this strategically crafted celebration of Caribbean culture and artistic innovation.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Advances Waste Reform Plan with Regional Support

    Antigua and Barbuda Advances Waste Reform Plan with Regional Support

    Antigua and Barbuda has positioned itself at the forefront of environmental reform through its participation in the regional ‘Zero Waste in the Caribbean Project: New Ways, New Waves.’ The Caribbean nation’s delegation, led by National Solid Waste Management Authority General Manager Indira James Henry, recently participated in the 8th Meeting of the Regional Programme Steering Committee to advance collaborative waste management strategies.

    The high-level gathering served as a platform for solid waste management professionals across the Caribbean to evaluate progress, establish strategic priorities, and outline concrete steps toward the program’s culmination in July 2026. Participants reviewed significant developments scheduled for March 16–20, 2026, while confirming timelines for the final committee meeting in June 2026 preceding the project’s official closure.

    Following intensive deliberations, Antigua and Barbuda established five critical priority areas to guide its national waste management transformation. These comprehensive objectives encompass: developing an updated waste policy framework; remediating existing dumpsites while establishing new or enhanced disposal facilities; procuring essential equipment for collection, disposal, and materials recovery; implementing measures to reduce illegal dumping; and designing sustainable financing mechanisms for long-term viability.

    In parallel with these efforts, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has sought financing from the Caribbean Development Bank to launch the Integrated Solid Waste Management Preparation Project. This strategic initiative will fund comprehensive consultancy services to conduct feasibility studies, develop detailed engineering designs, and create a tailored integrated waste management strategy.

    The technical assistance program will evaluate diverse waste management solutions including advanced collection systems, recycling infrastructure, composting facilities, treatment alternatives, and sanitary landfilling operations. Particular attention will be given to managing hazardous and special waste streams while incorporating climate resilience and disaster risk mitigation considerations.

    The project will yield detailed engineering blueprints, precise cost estimations, and bidding documentation for modernized waste management infrastructure. This includes plans for expanding or developing new sanitary landfill sites alongside comprehensive closure and remediation strategies for existing disposal locations.

    General Manager Henry emphasized the invaluable role of regional collaboration, noting that shared experiences create environments conducive to awareness-building, problem-solving, and best practice exchange. This cooperative approach provides exposure to supply chains that can significantly enhance waste management solutions throughout the Caribbean region.

  • UPP Drops Wayne Marsh as St Paul Candidate Over Citizenship Requirement

    UPP Drops Wayne Marsh as St Paul Candidate Over Citizenship Requirement

    In a significant electoral development, the United Progressive Party (UPP) of Antigua and Barbuda has been compelled to withdraw its designated candidate for the St. Paul constituency ahead of the forthcoming general elections. Party leader Jamale Pringle officially confirmed that attorney Wayne Benjamin Marsh will not be contesting the seat on the UPP’s ticket.

    The decision stems from a constitutional mandate that prohibits individuals with allegiance to a foreign state from serving in the nation’s Parliament. Marsh, who had functioned as the party’s caretaker representative in St. Paul for several years, is reportedly unwilling to formally renounce his United States citizenship, thereby rendering him ineligible for candidacy.

    This development delivers a substantial setback to the opposition party’s electoral strategy. Marsh had been widely perceived as the primary challenger capable of unseating the incumbent Member of Parliament, E.P. Chet Greene of the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP). His extensive groundwork and cultivation of local support in the constituency are now assets the UPP must transfer to a new, eligible candidate.

    The UPP leadership has indicated that an announcement naming a replacement candidate is imminent. This incident has reignited discourse surrounding the constitutional provisions governing electoral eligibility and their impact on the political landscape of Antigua and Barbuda, particularly concerning the diaspora community.

  • 2 killed, dozens injured after Air Canada flight hits fire truck on runway at LaGuardia Airport

    2 killed, dozens injured after Air Canada flight hits fire truck on runway at LaGuardia Airport

    A catastrophic runway incident at New York’s LaGuardia Airport resulted in multiple casualties and significant operational disruptions Sunday night when an Air Canada Express aircraft collided with an emergency response vehicle during landing procedures. The impact proved fatal for both the captain and first officer of Jazz Aviation Flight 8646, which was operating on behalf of Air Canada, while injuring numerous others and prompting an immediate closure of the aviation facility.

    According to official statements from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the collision occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. when the CRJ900 aircraft, arriving from Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport, struck a Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle that had been dispatched to address a separate emergency situation. Preliminary investigations indicate the fire truck had received proper clearance to cross the active runway while responding to a United Airlines flight that had reported cabin odor and aborted its takeoff.

    Flight data from FlightRadar24 reveals the aircraft was traveling at approximately 130 miles per hour moments before impact, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft’s nose section. The incident triggered comprehensive emergency protocols with multiple agencies responding to the scene.

    Transportation officials confirmed the aircraft carried 72 passengers and 4 crew members. Initial reports documented 41 passengers and crew transported to area hospitals, with 32 subsequently released following medical evaluation. Both fire truck occupants were hospitalized and reported in stable condition. Among those onboard was one unaccompanied minor, subsequently reunited with family members at the airline’s ticket counter.

    The Federal Aviation Administration implemented an immediate ground stop following the collision, with airport authorities announcing an extended closure until at least 2:00 p.m. Monday to facilitate investigation and cleanup operations. The disruption caused cancellation of over 500 flights, exacerbating existing travel complications across the U.S. aviation system already experiencing staffing challenges due to ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding issues.

    National Transportation Safety Board investigators were deployed to conduct a comprehensive examination of the incident. Air traffic control recordings captured the moments preceding the collision, including urgent instructions to the emergency vehicle to halt movement seconds before impact occurred.

    The incident represents one of the most significant ground collision emergencies at a major U.S. airport in recent years, raising questions about runway safety protocols and emergency response coordination during multiple simultaneous incidents.

  • Art and the City Expands for 2026

    Art and the City Expands for 2026

    The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) has revealed ambitious plans for Art and the City 2026, signaling a significant expansion of Saint Lucia’s premier arts celebration. The revitalized program promises to honor the island’s rich artistic heritage while championing innovative creative expressions across multiple disciplines.

    Strategic enhancements for the 2026 edition focus on deepening community involvement and elevating the arts component of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. In a groundbreaking shift, programming will extend beyond traditional venues in Castries and Rodney Bay to embrace the communities of Vieux Fort and Anse La Raye—a deliberate move to democratize arts access across the island nation.

    The festival calendar will commence earlier than previous editions, launching on April 17 to provide dedicated spotlight to theater, film, visual arts, spoken word, and culinary experiences before the mainstage concerts dominate the festival agenda.

    Vieux Fort will host the opening events at the New Market Complex with Art in the Street commencing at 10:00 a.m., followed by Readings & Rhythms at 7:00 p.m., establishing an immediate tone of creative community celebration.

    Notable program highlights include the Cultural Icon Series Gala Dinner at Sandals Grande on April 24-25, honoring Saint Lucian culinary pioneer Edward “Chef Harry” Joseph through an immersive tribute combining gastronomy, music, and performance. Theater enthusiasts can anticipate Travis Weekes’ acclaimed production “Don’t Call Me Baby Doll” at Warehouse 11 on April 26-27, while cinephiles will appreciate curated screenings from The Jumpstart Film Project at Caribbean Cinemas.

    The visual arts program gains prominence with “Life in Colour,” a major exhibition running April 27 through May 16 featuring works by distinguished artists including Alwyn St. Omer, Shallon Fadlien, Nancy Cole, John Phulchere, and Cecil Fevrier. Musical theater takes the stage on April 29 with “Ten to One,” the Mighty Sparrow musical produced by Rawle Gibbons and directed by Louis McWilliams.

    Storytelling traditions will animate Anse La Raye’s famous Fish Friday on May 1, featuring George “Fish” Alphonse and Kiedel Sonny. The program continues with Kendel Hippolyte’s “Triptych” at Warehouse 11 on May 2-3, followed by the spoken-word showcase “Voices of the Underground” on May 4 at the National Cultural Centre, headlined by internationally renowned dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson and CARIFESTA Poetry Slam Champion Shyne Savory.

    In a innovative programming twist, the traditional Jazz on the Square will be replaced by Artscape Pop-Up Concerts from May 5-7, transforming everyday spaces into dynamic stages for dance, theater, and musical performances. The festival concludes with Ti Tak Sent Lisi, the Craft and Souvenir Market on the Rodney Bay Strip on May 7-8, showcasing exquisite handcrafted works by Saint Lucian artisans.

    Through its expanded geographical footprint and reimagined programming, Art and the City 2026 demonstrates CDF’s unwavering commitment to celebrating Saint Lucia’s creative vitality while supporting the sustainable growth of the island’s cultural economy.