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  • ABWU Women’s Council Ignites Creativity with Successful Candle-Making Workshop

    ABWU Women’s Council Ignites Creativity with Successful Candle-Making Workshop

    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.

  • Dominica Senior Women’s National Team focused on preparation for Guyana match

    Dominica Senior Women’s National Team focused on preparation for Guyana match

    The Dominica Senior Women’s National Team is entering final preparations for their pivotal CONCACAF qualifier against Guyana this Friday, marking their second appearance in the tournament. Under the guidance of Head Coach Ronnie Gustave, the squad is focusing intensely on tactical discipline and defensive cohesion to overcome previous performance challenges.

    Coach Gustave emphasized the critical need for maintaining structural integrity on the pitch, noting that in their previous match, the team struggled with defensive compactness and organization. “We’re concentrating on preserving our shape and ensuring solidity, particularly in the central areas,” Gustave stated. “The mental preparedness of our players is strong, but we’re continuously working to enhance their understanding of mutual support and coverage responsibilities.”

    The integration of six overseas-based players has substantially strengthened the team’s dynamic, creating a seamless blend of local and international talent. Striker and winger Ronia Pierre Louis, among the overseas contingent, expressed profound pride in representing her nation. “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the program’s evolution and my personal growth since earning my first cap at 22,” Pierre Louis shared. “The camaraderie within the team is exceptional, and the younger players are responding positively to leadership and experience.”

    Despite some injury-related absences, the squad’s depth and collective spirit remain high. Coach Gustave highlighted the importance of expanding the player pool to mitigate future challenges, emphasizing that team development requires patience and long-term vision.

    As the match approaches, Gustave called on national supporters to rally behind the team, reminding fans that all successful programs undergo building phases. The encounter against Guyana, scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m., represents a significant opportunity for Dominica to progress in the CONCACAF qualifiers and showcase their evolving football prowess.

  • Leslie Land fire sparks call for owners to secure derelict properties

    Leslie Land fire sparks call for owners to secure derelict properties

    Fire authorities in Saint Lucia are issuing urgent calls for property owners to secure derelict buildings following a devastating Tuesday night fire that originated in an abandoned structure and rapidly spread through a Castries neighborhood. The conflagration, which began in a squatter-occupied building in Leslie Land, ultimately damaged seven structures and destroyed a utility pole before firefighters contained the flames.

    The Saint Lucia Fire Service reported that three structures—two residential homes and one business—were completely destroyed, while four adjacent properties sustained varying degrees of damage. Miraculously, no fatalities or injuries were reported despite the rapid spread of the fire through the densely populated community.

    Fire Prevention and Safety Officer Owen Cazaubon revealed that initial suppression efforts were severely hampered by inadequate water pressure from the nearest hydrant. “Fire officers, in attempting to refill their trucks, could not obtain sufficient pressure to effectively combat the flames,” Cazaubon explained. “This necessitated sourcing water from a distant hydrant, during which time the fire intensified and spread to neighboring buildings.”

    Despite these challenges, firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, preventing further destruction and saving four additional structures that were imminently threatened. While the official cause remains under investigation, preliminary findings indicate the abandoned building served as the ignition point.

    The incident has prompted renewed warnings from fire officials about the dangers posed by neglected properties in urban areas. “These abandoned structures create significant hazards,” Cazaubon emphasized. “As we witnessed, a fire originating in one such property can quickly spread to neighboring structures, resulting in devastating damage and displacement. We currently have residents who have been rendered homeless due to this preventable tragedy.”

    The Fire Service is now urging owners of derelict properties in densely populated communities to take immediate responsibility for securing their buildings to prevent similar incidents in the future.

  • UWI Five Islands Postgraduate Debate Team Makes Historic 2nd Place Finish in First-Ever Inter-Campus Appearance

    UWI Five Islands Postgraduate Debate Team Makes Historic 2nd Place Finish in First-Ever Inter-Campus Appearance

    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.

  • Cabinet backs 2026 Cannabis Festival as national development initiative

    Cabinet backs 2026 Cannabis Festival as national development initiative

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has formally endorsed the third iteration of its national Cannabis Festival, scheduled for April 17-20, 2026, across multiple venues in St. John’s and throughout the twin-island nation. The Cabinet’s approval signals continued governmental backing for the regulated expansion of the country’s medicinal cannabis sector.

    During the post-Cabinet media briefing, Communications Director General Maurice Merchant characterized the decision as a strategic move to advance the nation’s position within the global medicinal cannabis marketplace. The festival, operating under the thematic banner “Connect. Celebrate. Rejuvenate,” will feature an integrated program combining educational, commercial, and cultural components.

    The curated agenda includes an academic conference and trade exhibition at the American University of Antigua, designed to attract international investors and research specialists. Additional programming will incorporate a Rastafari spiritual assembly in Liberta, St. Paul’s, alongside wellness-oriented activities and a sunset cruise experience.

    Government officials perceive the event as a multifaceted initiative to drive foreign investment, establish robust regulatory frameworks, and disseminate scientifically-grounded information regarding cannabis applications. The festival aims to transform Antigua and Barbuda into a specialized hub for medicinal cannabis within the Caribbean region while simultaneously celebrating the plant’s cultural significance.

  • Rotary Club of Grenada celebrates milestone Learn to Swim achievement

    Rotary Club of Grenada celebrates milestone Learn to Swim achievement

    In a groundbreaking achievement for inclusive education, students from Grenada School for Special Education (GSSE) have successfully completed an intensive eight-week swimming program under the Rotary Club of Grenada’s Learn to Swim initiative. The program concluded with an emotional graduation ceremony that highlighted the participants’ extraordinary perseverance and personal triumphs.

    The celebratory event radiated with palpable joy and accomplishment as students demonstrated their newly acquired aquatic skills. Beyond the technical mastery of swimming, the program represented a profound journey toward self-empowerment and social inclusion for children with special needs. Participants exhibited remarkable confidence and pride in their achievements, marking a transformative milestone in their personal development.

    Julia Lawrence, President of the Rotary Club of Grenada, emphasized the program’s deeper significance: ‘This initiative represents Rotary in action. We believe every child deserves opportunity, inclusion, and the chance to build confidence in a safe environment. Witnessing these students progress and celebrate reinforces why we serve.’

    The initiative extends far beyond recreational activity, providing essential water safety skills that could potentially save lives while simultaneously fostering greater independence and self-assurance. The program’s comprehensive approach included the donation of specialized swimwear to ensure all participants could engage with dignity and full participation.

    Critical to the program’s success was the expertise of Deb Eastwood from Get Grenada Swimming, whose dedicated instruction and patient methodology guided students through their aquatic journey. The initiative reflects Rotary’s core values of Service Above Self, Fellowship, and Inclusion, demonstrating how community organizations can create meaningful social impact.

    This swimming program forms part of the Rotary Club’s broader commitment to youth development and community transformation in Grenada, representing a sustainable model for empowering vulnerable populations through practical skill development and social inclusion.

  • Antiguan Baden Prince receives honouary literary recognition

    Antiguan Baden Prince receives honouary literary recognition

    Baden Sebastian Prince Jr., an Antiguan-born UK-based storyteller and poet with over three decades of experience, has received distinguished recognition for his artistic excellence. The University of East Anglia graduate was selected as headline performer for the prestigious Bardic Trials in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire—an honor reflecting his mastery of narrative arts.\n\nThe Bardic Council chair personally invited Prince for the culminating performance slot, describing him as \”a shining example of the Bardic Arts.\” His thirty-minute storytelling presentation, featuring traditional Caribbean folk tales and narratives of comeuppance, captivated the live audience and judges alike.\n\nEvent organizers praised Prince’s performance as demonstrating why he remains \”one of the most popular storytellers on the circuit,\\” noting his ability to enthrall listeners and provide a perfect conclusion to the evening’s entertainment. The council chair further commended his \”truly masterly telling\” in a personal congratulatory message.\n\nThe Bardic Trials, now in their fifteenth year, represent a unique competition where poets, storytellers, dramatists, and singer-songwriters compete for the civic title of Bard of Stony Stratford—an official position recognized by the Town Council and supported by the Lord Mayor’s office. The winner assumes responsibility for creating eight original works celebrating the town’s customs and achievements throughout their one-year tenure.\n\nThis year’s competition culminated with spoken word artist Abracadazra (Darren Paul) claiming the title after a closely contested final round against two accomplished poets. The event maintains tradition by featuring guest artists like Prince between competitive rounds.\n\nPrince’s credentials include extensive publication history spanning poetry chapbooks (\”The Shadow Dancer\”), short stories, literary magazine features, and Caribbean folk tales published in collaboration with Bloomsbury Press. His educational background includes Antigua Grammar School and honors degree in English and American Studies from the University of East Anglia.

  • Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister says country is ‘vested’ in CARICOM

    Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister says country is ‘vested’ in CARICOM

    At the landmark 50th Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivered a powerful reaffirmation of her nation’s foundational role and enduring commitment to the regional bloc. The summit, convened in St. Kitts and Nevis on February 24, 2025, served as a platform for the Prime Minister to articulate a vision of steadfast partnership and regional solidarity.

    Addressing the assembled leaders, Persad-Bissessar emphatically stated, “We will work with CARICOM; we are vested in CARICOM, we’ve been there from day one, and we are going to be there.” She further underscored the critical importance of the organization by declaring, “CARICOM is very vital,” positioning it as an indispensable institution for regional cooperation and development.

    Beyond rhetorical support, the Prime Minister outlined concrete diplomatic priorities, notably reiterating Trinidad and Tobago’s dedication to supporting stabilization and peace efforts in Haiti. This commitment aligns with broader CARICOM initiatives aimed at addressing the political and humanitarian challenges within the member territory. Her address emphasized that Port of Spain’s foreign policy is intrinsically linked to the strength and collective action of the Caribbean Community, highlighting a deep-seated investment in the bloc’s success from its inception to its future trajectory.

  • APUA Responds to Increasing Reports of Ruptured Water Lines

    APUA Responds to Increasing Reports of Ruptured Water Lines

    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.

  • Windies’ winning streak ends despite Holder, Shepherd heroics

    Windies’ winning streak ends despite Holder, Shepherd heroics

    In a pivotal Super Eight clash at the ICC T20 World Cup, South Africa delivered a stunning blow to the West Indies, handing the co-hosts their first tournament defeat by a convincing nine-wicket margin. The encounter, held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on February 26th, featured the tournament’s last two undefeated sides in a high-stakes battle for semifinal positioning.

    Electing to field first after winning the toss, South Africa’s bowling attack immediately exploited the West Indies’ batting vulnerabilities. The Caribbean side’s powerplay yielded a respectable 52 runs but at the devastating cost of four crucial wickets—Brandon King, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, and Roston Chase all fell to aggressive yet ill-advised shot selection against the Proteas’ disciplined attack.

    The collapse intensified as the innings progressed, with the West Indies crumbling to 83/7 by the 11th over, facing the prospect of a subpar total. From this precipice of disaster emerged an extraordinary rescue mission from all-rounders Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. The duo orchestrated a record-shattering eighth-wicket partnership of 89 runs—the highest ever recorded for that wicket in T20 International history. Holder’s powerful 49 runs from 28 deliveries was complemented by Shepherd’s maiden T20I half-century, his 52 coming from just 33 balls, miraculously elevating the final total to 176/8.

    South Africa’s response was nothing short of dominant. Openers Quinton de Kock and captain Aiden Markram launched an explosive assault on the West Indian bowling, accumulating 69 runs without loss during the powerplay. De Kock eventually departed for a blistering 47 off 24 balls at 95/1, but Markram continued his masterclass uninterrupted. The skipper remained unbeaten on 82 from just 46 deliveries, featuring six fours and four maximums, as South Africa chased down the target with 19 balls to spare. This comprehensive victory virtually assures the Proteas a place in the tournament’s semifinal stage.

    The defeat leaves the West Indies in a precarious position, facing a must-win encounter against tournament favorites India on Sunday at 9:30 PM local time to keep their semifinal hopes alive.