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  • Speed humps to be installed in Coulibistrie and Tarreau

    Speed humps to be installed in Coulibistrie and Tarreau

    Road safety improvements are on the horizon for two residential communities in Dominica, as the Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and Digital Economy has revealed a targeted infrastructure project to install three new speed humps across the neighborhoods of Coulibistrie and Tarreau.

    Scheduled to run from August 31 through September 5, 2026, this traffic-calming initiative forms part of the government’s ongoing push to cut down on traffic accidents and create safer travel conditions for both people driving through the areas and pedestrians walking along local roads. Under the project layout, two of the three speed humps will be placed at high-traffic or high-risk locations in Coulibistrie, while the third will be constructed in Tarreau.

    To prepare road users for upcoming changes and minimize safety risks during construction, ministry officials confirmed that clear advance warning signage will be posted at all entry points to the work zones well before construction gets underway.

    Motorists are being advised to adjust their travel plans ahead of the project, as temporary traffic disruptions including lane shifts and brief delays are expected throughout the construction window. Authorities urge all drivers to reduce their speed when passing through the affected areas, remain attentive to the new traffic-calming infrastructure once completed, and strictly follow all posted traffic signs and directions from on-site construction personnel.

    In a statement, the ministry acknowledged that even temporary construction activity can disrupt daily travel routines for local residents and passing motorists. Officials issued an advance apology for any inconvenience the installation works may cause, and expressed sincere gratitude to the traveling public for their understanding, patience and cooperation as the government carries out this critical road safety upgrade.

  • BFA president Harris lauds Benfica football camp in Barbados

    BFA president Harris lauds Benfica football camp in Barbados

    A groundbreaking new collaboration between one of Europe’s most iconic football clubs and The University of the West Indies (UWI) is set to transform youth football development across the Caribbean, starting with a successful inaugural training camp in Barbados. The six-day residential camp, hosted at the Barbados Football Association (BFA) Technical Centre in Wildey, marked the first major initiative launched after UWI’s Faculty of Sport formalized a strategic partnership with Portugal’s SL Benfica earlier this year.

    Randy Harris, president of the BFA, celebrated the joint initiative as a critical step forward for nurturing young homegrown talent in Barbados. “Our organization is thrilled to facilitate a program aligned so closely with our long-term vision for growing young footballers across the country,” Harris shared during the camp. “It’s incredible to see dozens of boys and girls alike enjoying their time on the pitch while mastering the core fundamentals of the sport. Right now in Barbados, too much focus goes to winning matches at youth levels, when the priority should always be building a strong foundation and understanding of the game first.”

    The project received key public sector backing from the Government of Barbados, which covered full registration fees for 50 talented young players between the ages of 7 and 17. The government support was coordinated across multiple agencies: the Division of Youth and Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Sport and Community Empowerment, and Future Sport, a specialized division of national development group Future Barbados. All government-sponsored participants were selected through two existing national frameworks: the BFA’s FIFA Talent Development Scheme and the Barbados Secondary Schools Football League, ensuring the opportunity reached the most promising emerging talent across the island.

    Under the terms of the broader strategic agreement between UWI and SL Benfica, the partnership aims to expand access to high-quality football development, formal coaching education, and international career pathways for young athletes and coaches across the entire Caribbean region. The program will roll out first across UWI’s three main campuses – Cave Hill in Barbados, Mona in Jamaica, and St Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago – with plans for broader regional expansion as the initiative matures.

    Amanda Reifer, Deputy Dean for International Partnerships and Business Development at UWI’s Faculty of Sport, framed the collaboration as a transformative investment in Caribbean youth. “This partnership is about building real, sustainable pathways for our young people and coaching staff, not just talking about development,” Reifer explained. “By combining UWI’s extensive regional reach and deep local connections with SL Benfica’s globally respected expertise in elite football development, we can open doors to world-class training, academic education, and international opportunities that most Caribbean talent would never otherwise access.”

    Reifer also emphasized the importance of public sector collaboration to the initiative’s early success, thanking both the government of Barbados and the BFA for their on-the-ground support. “We are incredibly grateful for the commitment from both the Barbados government and the BFA. Sponsoring 50 young players to attend is a tangible, meaningful investment in the future of Barbadian football, and the BFA’s provision of facilities, equipment and logistical coordination has been absolutely invaluable. This project stands as a clear example of what is possible when government, domestic sport governing bodies, academic institutions and international partners align to create opportunities for the next generation.”

  • Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op helps students gear up for new term

    Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op helps students gear up for new term

    After a multi-year pause triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, a key Barbadian transport cooperative has revived its signature community giving program, rolling out targeted back-to-school support for hundreds of vulnerable primary school students across two parishes.

    The Bridgetown Port Taxi Co-op Society Ltd officially extended its assistance to three institutions this week: St Lawrence Primary in Christ Church, St Mark’s Primary, and St Stephen’s Primary in St Michael. School leaders, including principals and senior teaching staff, accepted the donations on Tuesday on behalf of low-income families preparing for the new academic year. While the organization opted not to release the exact monetary value of the support, co-op president Adrian “Smiley” Bailey framed the initiative as a core expression of the group’s longstanding commitment to lifting local communities.

    Bailey explained that this outreach effort has been a staple of the co-op’s community work for nearly three years, but pandemic-related disruptions forced the group to suspend the program. When planning this year’s restart, the co-op’s board selected the three participating schools, but delegated all decisions about which students would receive aid to school administrators. Bailey noted that school leaders in Barbados have an unmatched understanding of student needs, especially given the scope of the national primary education system: the island counts 64 primary schools serving more than 15,000 young students, leaving no shortage of families struggling to cover back-to-school costs.

    Pointing to the particularly heavy burden placed on households with multiple school-aged children, Bailey called on other private and community organizations across Barbados to step up with similar support. He also pushed back against implicit criticism of parents who took time to enjoy the island’s iconic Crop Over festival in the weeks leading up to the new school term.

    “A year consists of 52 weeks,” Bailey argued. “If some of these parents have parented these children for 52 weeks of the year and they take a chance and enjoy Crop Over when school is around the corner just for two weeks, we have to understand that these are parents who are looking after children for 52 weeks of the year and they need to enjoy themselves at some time.”

    Looking ahead, the co-op plans to continue and expand the program in 2025, with a goal of increasing the number of participating schools from three to as many as ten. Bailey also publicly thanked key partners that made this year’s initiative possible, including the Bridgetown Port authority, local businessman Eddy Abed, and Copacabana. He added that the co-op’s current outreach is also a gesture of gratitude for the critical support the government provided to taxi operators during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when global travel shutdowns decimated the island’s taxi industry.

    “If today, on the 25th of August, we can be given back something to assist children in Barbados, this gesture, I hope it can go a very long way,” Bailey said.

    The official donation presentations were attended by St Lawrence Primary Principal Lorraine Gittens, acting St Mark’s Primary Principal Tamara Whittaker-Massiah, and St Stephen’s Primary senior teacher Wendy Archer, who accepted the contributions on behalf of their respective schools. Two elected representatives also participated in the events: Neil Rowe, Member of Parliament for St Michael North West, and Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, MP for Christ Church South and Barbados’ Minister of Agriculture. Both politicians praised the co-op’s work, with Munro-Knight highlighting the special importance of this support in the lead-up to every new school year.

    “We all know that there are certain vulnerable families within our society and therefore again this assistance, I believe, will go a long way in helping them,” she said. Munro-Knight also commended the co-op for choosing to direct its resources toward supporting children, noting that the organization’s current outreach serves as a thoughtful reflection of the government’s pandemic support for taxi operators.

    “You could have done several things with the resources that you are giving back, but the fact that you’ve chosen to do this is important as well, and that you acknowledge the fact that government would have during that COVID period, also provided some assistance, and therefore doing this is just a little bit of that recognition as well,” she added.

  • Robbery Reports Fall From 115 to 94, Police Figures Show

    Robbery Reports Fall From 115 to 94, Police Figures Show

    Against the backdrop of ongoing public safety conversations in Antigua and Barbuda, newly released official crime statistics reveal a mixed picture of law enforcement outcomes for the first seven months of 2026. While overall reported offenses and robbery cases have declined compared to recent years, the nation is confronting a disturbing uptick in severe violent crimes that has prompted urgent police action.

    Assistant Commissioner Lisbon Michael, the senior official leading the country’s Criminal Investigations Department, shared the latest data in an exclusive interview with ABS’ *Antigua Barbuda Today* program. During the discussion, he broke down key trends in criminal activity and outlined the police service’s evolving strategy to address a recent wave of gun-related violence.

    According to Michael, law enforcement agencies logged 94 reported robbery incidents between January and July 2026. That marks a notable 18 percent drop from the 115 robberies recorded in the same seven-month window in 2025, a reduction of 21 total offenses. This fall in robberies is not an isolated trend: it aligns with a broader downward shift in overall reported crime across the country.

    In total, police counted 1,756 criminal offenses from January to July 2026, down from 1,887 in the matching period of 2025. The decline is even more stark when compared to 2024, when 2,227 crimes were reported in the first seven months of that year.

    But this encouraging overall trend masks a worrying rise in some of the most harmful categories of violent crime. Homicides, for example, climbed from nine cases in the first seven months of 2025 to 11 cases in the same period of 2026. Shooting incidents also saw a significant jump, increasing from 18 incidents last year to 24 this year. Non-violent breaking-and-entering offenses also moved higher, rising from 85 incidents in early 2025 to 97 in 2026.

    In response to growing public concern over the surge in gun-related violence, the Antigua and Barbuda Police Service has ramped up targeted operational activities. A new initiative dubbed Operation Restore Confidence launched on August 15 to curb violent crime and reassure communities, as authorities work to reverse the recent uptick in deadly offenses.

  • Police Await Results of Additional Tests in Chantel Crump Investigation

    Police Await Results of Additional Tests in Chantel Crump Investigation

    The ongoing law enforcement probe into the Chantel Crump case has hit a temporary holding pattern, as senior police officials confirm that new forensic testing has been dispatched but cannot yet share conclusive results on the analysis. Assistant Commissioner Michael Lisbon, the top leader of Antigua Barbuda’s Criminal Investigations Department, shared the latest status update during a public interview on ABS’ flagship current affairs program *Antigua Barbuda Today*. During the discussion, reporters pressed Lisbon for clarity on two key points: the overall progress of the high-profile investigation and the status of the additional testing that had been previously announced for the case. “I cannot give you a definitive answer on what the results will show, but I can confirm that a new round of testing has been sent out for analysis,” Lisbon stated in the interview. Despite confirming the testing itself, the senior police official acknowledged he was unable to confirm how far the analysis has progressed at the time of the conversation. Lisbon declined to share any further key details about the process, including what specific type of forensic or evidence testing is being conducted, which facility is conducting the analysis off-island or in-house, and what timeline investigators are working with to receive the finalized results. The senior CID leader kept his comments narrow, opting not to expand on any other elements of the ongoing Chantel Crump investigation or share next steps that the investigative team will take once the testing results are returned. This incremental update comes as Lisbon outlined the current workload for the Criminal Investigations Department, which is currently juggling a number of high-stakes major cases across the country, including multiple recent shooting incidents and active murder probes.

  • Former MP Simon Distributes More Than 400 Bookbags and School Supplies in St. Mary’s South

    Former MP Simon Distributes More Than 400 Bookbags and School Supplies in St. Mary’s South

    As the new academic year approaches, communities across St. Mary’s South have benefited from a long-standing annual outreach effort aimed at easing the financial burden of back-to-school preparation for local families. This year, politician and community advocate Kelvin “Shugy” Simon and his dedicated team led the third iteration of their popular Book Bag and School Supplies Giveaway, held this week at Urlings Primary School.

    The event welcomed children of all age groups from every neighborhood across the St. Mary’s South constituency, and in total, distributed more than 400 fully stocked bookbags alongside essential school supplies to participating young attendees. Simon has maintained a multi-year collaborative partnership for the initiative with Dr. Shedia Christopher Laguer and the International Awareness and Involvement Committee of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., NJGCAC, expanding the reach and impact of the giveaway each year.

    Beyond distributing critical learning materials, the day was designed as a community gathering: children took part in a range of interactive games and recreational activities, bringing together families from across the constituency to connect ahead of the new school term. Organizers note that the initiative serves two key goals: ensuring every child has the tools they need to start the academic year successfully, and creating a shared, positive experience for local households.

    None of this work would have been possible without the widespread support of the broader community, organizers emphasized. Volunteers gave their time to coordinate the event, local and regional donors contributed funding, educators provided guidance on what supplies students need most, and community partners lent space and resources to make the day run smoothly.

    For Simon, this annual event is far more than a one-off outreach effort — it reflects his core approach to public service. In remarks after the distribution, he emphasized that his commitment to serving the residents of St. Mary’s South, particularly children and elderly residents, does not depend on his formal political position. “Community service is a responsibility that doesn’t shift with political changes,” Simon explained, expressing his sincere gratitude to every person and group that contributed to the 2024 giveaway.

    Looking ahead, the event is set to remain a staple annual initiative in St. Mary’s South, part of a broader, ongoing push to invest in youth development and remove barriers to educational access for local children. Organizers plan to continue growing the event in coming years to reach even more families in need across the constituency.

  • Young Antiguans Step Into Diplomacy Ahead of CHOGM 2026

    Young Antiguans Step Into Diplomacy Ahead of CHOGM 2026

    Ten recent graduates of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) from Antigua have been granted an unparalleled hands-on introduction to global diplomacy via a custom shadowing initiative hosted by senior government official E.P Chet Greene. Greene serves as Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, as well as chair of the National Taskforce organizing the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which the dual-island nation will host from 1 to 4 November 2026. This youth-focused programme forms a core part of national pre-event outreach activities, designed to close the gap between young people and the worlds of diplomatic work and public service ahead of the high-profile global gathering.

    Over the course of the immersive day, the participants shadowed Minister Greene directly, gaining exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the groundwork being laid to welcome hundreds of Commonwealth leaders and delegates from across 56 member nations. The students explored every dimension of the minister’s daily responsibilities, walking away with a grounded understanding of foreign policy development, cross-border cooperation, government operations, and what it means to represent Antigua and Barbuda on the global stage.

    The schedule also included a series of interactive sessions connecting the cohort with working diplomats and senior public officials. Open discussions encouraged students to map out their long-term career aspirations and outline concrete steps to turn those goals into impactful public or diplomatic careers. In one standout activity, language educator Ninette Benta-Lares from Fluent ED led a hands-on introductory Mandarin lesson, highlighting the critical role that language proficiency and cross-cultural literacy play in successful diplomatic engagement. The session combined practical learning with fun, reinforcing how cultural exchange underpins effective global cooperation.

    Beyond observing and learning, the students stepped into active roles as outreach ambassadors for the 2026 summit. They traveled to Antigua and Barbuda’s Directorate of Gender Affairs, where they delivered their own public presentations on CHOGM 2026. The students explained the summit’s purpose, its unique economic and diplomatic significance for their home country, and why broad national participation is key to the event’s success. This task transformed the young participants from passive learners into active contributors to the national awareness campaign, letting them practice their communication and public speaking skills while educating peers and officials on the upcoming gathering.

    In remarks following the programme, Minister Greene emphasized that the 2026 CHOGM belongs to all Antiguans and Barbudans, not just the leaders and officials who will attend the formal sessions. “This event is about our people, and especially our young people, who are the future of this nation and the entire Commonwealth,” Greene noted. “I wanted these students to see diplomacy and public service in action, to understand that there are countless paths for them to contribute meaningfully to our country’s growth and global standing.”

    Briana Anthony, Public Relations Officer and Outreach Lead for the 2026 CHOGM National Taskforce, added that the programme was intentionally designed to create a personal, memorable experience for youth, rather than relying on passive, lecture-based learning. “We didn’t want students to just hear about CHOGM from a slideshow,” Anthony explained. “We wanted them to live it, to see what diplomatic work actually looks like day to day, which this shadowing programme made possible.”

    As preparations for the November 2026 summit continue, the National Taskforce plans to roll out a wide range of additional engagement initiatives across Antigua and Barbuda. Upcoming activities will target schools, government agencies, local businesses, community groups, and other key stakeholders, with the goal of building broad national awareness, encouraging wide-scale public participation, and ensuring that communities across the country understand the long-term benefits of hosting the Commonwealth’s top leadership gathering.

  • Christ the King High School Congratulates Top Three CSEC Students for 2026

    Christ the King High School Congratulates Top Three CSEC Students for 2026

    A regional secondary education institution is celebrating the exceptional academic achievements of three standout graduates from its 2026 cohort, who have secured the top three positions in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

    Jenai Emanuel, Daniella Saiegh and Sarah Saiegh have been recognized by Christ the King High School for their outstanding performance, with Emanuel leading the group of high achievers by completing examinations across 12 distinct CSEC subjects. The two other honorees, sisters Daniella and Sarah Saiegh, matched each other’s success by each sitting and passing 10 CSEC subjects, cementing their places among the school’s top performing students this year.

    In an official statement released following the announcement of CSEC results, school officials extended warm congratulations to the three students, encouraging them to continue pursuing their academic and professional goals. “Keep reaching high! Your journey is only beginning, and we look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish,” the institution shared in its public message of celebration, highlighting that the students’ hard work over the course of their secondary education has laid a strong foundation for future success in higher education and their chosen careers.

  • Direct Relief Representatives Visit Antigua and Barbuda to Advance Health Partnership

    Direct Relief Representatives Visit Antigua and Barbuda to Advance Health Partnership

    A years-long public health collaboration between U.S.-based humanitarian organization Direct Relief and the government of Antigua and Barbuda, implemented through a regional partnership with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), has reached a critical turning point, with stakeholders gathering recently to assess completed work and outline priorities for future cooperation.

    Since the initiative launched, Direct Relief has poured targeted investments into strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s public health infrastructure across multiple high-priority domains. Key investments have upgraded the country’s epidemiological and entomological surveillance capabilities, rolled out the widely used District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) to streamline health data management, expanded frontline workforce skills and capacity, and improved access to critical transportation, digital tools and specialized equipment for on-the-ground field operations.

    These targeted interventions have already delivered measurable improvements to the country’s public health system. They have streamlined the full lifecycle of surveillance data, from initial collection and validation through in-depth analysis and actionable use. By boosting the efficiency of field operations, the investments have also helped create stronger, more consistent connections between real-time health data and evidence-based public health action — enabling earlier detection of emerging health threats and more precise, targeted prevention and response efforts that reduce population risk.

    The recent progress review meeting brought together senior leadership and technical experts from Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Health, including Acting Permanent Secretary for Primary Health Care Marvo Newton-Richards, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Teri-Ann Joseph, Deputy Chief Health Inspector Daryl Spencer, and a cross-functional team of technical officers from across the ministry. During the visit, the government team held in-depth discussions with Direct Relief’s technical team to conduct a full review of the initiative’s first two implementation phases, unpack key lessons learned from on-the-ground execution, and align on priority focus areas for the next phase of support.

    Speaking at the meeting, Direct Relief representative Ms. Bitter noted that the partnership has arrived at a pivotal juncture as both organizations work to map a shared path forward. “The partnership between Direct Relief and the Ministry of Health Antigua is at a pivotal point to identify solutions for the enhancement of patient care services,” she said. “We are committed to supporting the public health sector through material resources, strengthening preparedness initiatives and addressing regional issues including climate effects and resilience.”

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Health Minister, Minister Joseph, emphasized that all ongoing collaboration must ultimately deliver tangible, meaningful improvements to the daily lives and health outcomes of the country’s population. “Our responsibility is to ensure that every investment in health translates into stronger services and better outcomes for the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” he explained. He noted that the existing partnership has already meaningfully strengthened core pillars of the country’s public health system, particularly disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and the use of real-time health data to guide policy and action.

    “This visit allows us to build on those gains and, importantly, to look ahead,” Minister Joseph added. “We are identifying where the next phase of collaboration can have the greatest impact – strengthening patient care, expanding prevention and early intervention, and continuing to build a health system that is proactive, responsive and resilient, with the needs of our people at its centre.”

    In a statement following the meeting, the Ministry of Health expressed openness to continued engagement with Direct Relief, noting that the organization’s longstanding support has already delivered meaningful gains to the country’s public health system. Future discussions between the two parties will focus on mutually agreed priority areas designed to deliver sustainable, people-centered benefits for all residents of Antigua and Barbuda.

  • DNA wil opheldering over cyanidevangst en illegale invoer chemicaliën

    DNA wil opheldering over cyanidevangst en illegale invoer chemicaliën

    A recent interception of two trucks carrying suspected illegal cyanide at the Burnside checkpoint has triggered widespread concern and rigorous questioning among members of Suriname’s National Assembly, with lawmakers pressing the government for clarity on cross-border smuggling controls, safe storage protocols and unregulated hazardous chemical use in the country’s gold mining sector. The incident, which unfolded earlier this week, has reignited long-simmering tensions over environmental risks, including unresolved questions about a recent mass fish die-off in the Saramacca River that has been linked to toxic runoff from small-scale and illegal gold extraction.

    Mahinder Jogi, a legislator from the VHP party, opened the debate by flagging gaps in government handling of seized hazardous materials, pointing to a high-profile prior case where a cache of confiscated mercury stored at a local police station went missing without explanation. Jogi demanded the government confirm whether all legally required protocols have been followed for the newly seized cyanide shipment, including details on how the toxic substance is being secured, what safety protections are in place to prevent accidental leaks or theft, and what violations prompted the seizure of the two trucks in the first place.

    Rabin Parmessar, parliamentary leader of the opposition NDP, focused his questioning on systemic failures in border control, noting the shipment entered Suriname from neighboring Guyana through the country’s western border region. While Parmessar praised law enforcement for successfully intercepting the cargo at the Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, he questioned why the unauthorised shipment was not detected earlier along its route through the country. He warned that cyanide is unlikely to be the only hazardous substance being smuggled across the border, noting illegal mercury and other toxic chemicals used in unregulated gold mining also regularly enter Suriname from Guyana, and called on the government to explain how it is policing these illicit flows. Parmessar also reminded the government that the National Assembly has been waiting weeks, if not months, for a full official report on the Saramacca River fish kill, stressing that parliament has not dropped the issue and will continue to hold authorities accountable.

    Asis Gajadien, VHP parliamentary faction leader, centered his remarks on the growing prevalence of unregulated cyanide use in Suriname’s interior gold mining sector. He told the assembly that over the past several months, a large number of new mining pits using cyanide for ore extraction have been established in remote interior regions, creating major risks for groundwater and river ecosystems. Gajadien called on the government to ramp up oversight of the sector, placing responsibility for stronger enforcement on the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment and the National Environment Authority. He also proposed that modern monitoring tools, including satellite imagery, should be deployed to track unauthorised expansion of mining activity across sensitive interior landscapes.

    Lawmakers across party lines extended praise to Surinamese law enforcement for successfully intercepting the two trucks, but united in calling on the government to prioritize secure, compliant storage for the seized cyanide to prevent environmental or public health disasters. The government has confirmed it will respond to all parliamentary questions during an official sitting scheduled for Thursday.