标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua’s national body representing taxi operators, the Antigua National Taxi Association (ANTA), has formally confirmed Gregory Shoy “Driftwood” Athill’s return to the presidency after the organization’s biennial general election held on August 5.

Leading his campaign under the “Dedicated to Excellence” banner, Athill earned a clear, decisive win against competing candidates, locking in a second consecutive term to lead the industry group. He first took office in 2024, when he ran on a platform focused on organizational restructure and cross-member unity. Over his first two-year tenure, Athill prioritized two core goals: shoring up ANTA’s financial standing and strengthening its internal governance structure.

Early results from these efforts have been striking: association data confirms ANTA’s total assets have tripled since Athill took office, alongside notable improvements to both member-facing services and long-term financial stability. Beyond operational and financial reforms, Athill’s administration rolled out ongoing hospitality and customer service training programs for all licensed taxi operators, a initiative designed to elevate the experience of international visitors to Antigua and Barbuda, a key driver of the nation’s economy.

In his post-election acceptance speech, Athill opened by extending gratitude to his executive leadership team and the association’s full membership for the trust they placed in his leadership. He framed the election outcome as more than a personal victory, calling it “a victory for unity, professionalism, and the continued advancement of the Association.”

Athill also singled out the Antiguan government and Prime Minister Gaston Browne for recognition, highlighting the administration’s commitment to allocate land to ANTA through the Ministry of Agriculture— a step he described as a historic milestone for the association that will support its long-term growth. He additionally acknowledged Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority for their consistent collaborative partnership with ANTA on industry and tourism development efforts.

For any teacher diagnosed with a life-threatening illness like cancer, the struggle is not confined to hospital wards and treatment rooms. Beyond fighting for their health, they must also navigate overwhelming pressures to protect their dignity, retain financial stability, and cling to hope for the future. Tragically, hundreds of dedicated educators across the country are being forced to take on a second, entirely unnecessary battle: against unfair government policies that slash their salaries while they pursue life-saving medical care.

What makes this situation even more alarming is that policymakers have long been aware of a critical gap in local healthcare: many specialized cancer treatments are simply not available within the country’s borders. As a result, sick teachers are often required to travel abroad to access urgent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, specialized surgery, or consultations with leading oncology specialists. These trips are not unplanned leisure travel or discretionary choices—they are matters of life and death, taken only out of absolute necessity.

Even with this well-documented reality in mind, educators who have spent years, and often decades, nurturing the nation’s children continue to see their incomes cut mid-treatment. The impact of this policy stretches far beyond simple financial inconvenience: for many families, it is catastrophic, leaving them uncertain how they will cover mortgage payments, put food on the table, or pay for the costly international travel required for care. Morally, this policy is indefensible: no one fighting for their life should have to shoulder the extra burden of financial ruin on top of their illness.

Teachers have long poured their energy and resources into the country’s future, going far beyond their formal job descriptions to support students. They comfort distressed children, work unpaid overtime after the school bell rings, frequently buy basic classroom supplies with their own money, and stay committed to their work even amid low pay and constant systemic challenges. When illness strikes, these public servants deserve to know their government will stand with them—not add to their suffering.

Public institutions are meant to embody core values of fairness, compassion, and basic humanity. Current policies that penalize teachers with salary cuts for seeking medically necessary care for catastrophic illnesses demand immediate review and revision. A responsible, compassionate government does not punish its employees for falling seriously ill. Instead, it guarantees they have the stability and support they need to focus on recovery, without the added weight of financial insecurity hanging over them.

This issue extends far beyond the individual teachers currently affected. It is a test of our society’s values: how do we treat people who have dedicated their entire working lives to serving our communities? If we fail to support teachers during the darkest period of their lives, what message does that send to every public servant who shows up to work faithfully every day? It is also not limited to cancer patients: educators battling all forms of life-threatening illness are currently impacted by these unfair cuts.

The relevant government ministry now has a clear opportunity to correct this injustice. Leaders should open dialogue with teacher union representatives, conduct a full top-to-bottom review of harmful existing policies, and implement new protections that shield educators facing catastrophic illness. Compassion is not a sign of weakness—it is the defining mark of responsible, ethical leadership.

Our teachers have spent their careers caring for our children. Now it is time for leaders in power to show up for these educators when they need support most. No educator fighting for their life against cancer or any other serious illness should also have to fight to keep the full salary they earned through decades of dedicated public service.

A violent street robbery targeting a pre-teen has prompted a desperate public appeal for information from the victim’s mother, who is putting up a $500 cash bounty for tips that unmask the perpetrator. The incident, which unfolded in the residential neighborhood of Golden Grove Extension, left 12-year-old Yalissa Love physically hurt and emotionally shaken, according to her mother, who has been identified publicly only as Love.

Love detailed the assault to media, stating the unidentified attacker forced her young daughter up against a neighborhood fence before stealing her most cherished piece of jewelry: an 18-karat gold double-plated necklace engraved with Yalissa’s name on a custom nameplate. The physical confrontation left visible injuries to the 12-year-old’s neck, and the sudden, frightening encounter has caused lasting psychological trauma for the child, Love added.

Local law enforcement has already been notified of the robbery and assault, investigators are currently moving forward with the next steps of the case, which includes reviewing hours of surveillance footage collected from nearby residential properties. This footage is seen as a key lead in helping detectives track down and identify the accused attacker.

Beyond offering the cash reward, Love is issuing a urgent warning to the local community: she is asking any person who may be offered the engraved necklace for sale to refuse to purchase it, and instead reach out to authorities with information about who is trying to sell it. She is also calling on all local residents with any knowledge of the June incident, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward to help hold the attacker accountable and bring peace of mind to her family.

A pressing, time-sensitive call to action has been put out to the general public, asking eligible individuals to step forward and donate blood to support two patients, Jahlanie Barzey and Josh Thomas. Organizers behind the appeal note that every blood type is currently in high demand to meet the critical care needs of the two recipients, removing common eligibility restrictions around specific type matches to broaden the pool of potential donors.

Community members who are able to give are encouraged to travel to the closest blood donation center or hospital to make their contribution. Upon arrival, donors simply need to inform frontline medical and administrative staff that their donation is specifically designated for Barzey and Thomas to ensure the blood is routed correctly to the pair.

Those leading the appeal have reiterated that even small donations make a meaningful difference, leaning on the message that “every drop counts” when meeting ongoing transfusion needs. With the medical situation of the two patients described as urgent, organizers have stressed that timing is of the essence, pushing for qualifying donors to schedule and complete their donations at the earliest possible opportunity to help save lives.

Investing in the next generation of community leaders has taken a tangible step forward, as the Halo Foundation has once again reinforced its long-standing dedication to youth advancement through new philanthropic support. The non-profit organization has committed financial assistance to back a three-day Youth Leadership Camp, an initiative delivered in formal partnership with The Salvation Army.

Beyond covering sponsorship for the gathering, the Halo Foundation’s donation specifically covered meal costs for the 30 young attendees who took part in the recently concluded event. Organizers centered the camp around the motivating and empowering theme: “Lead Yourself. Lead Others.” a framing that reflects the core purpose of the entire program.

Unlike casual youth gatherings, this leadership camp was intentionally crafted to build up young people with the practical knowledge, interpersonal skills, and personal confidence required to grow into impactful, effective leaders within their local neighborhoods and community groups. Over the course of the three-day structured agenda, participants dove into a curated range of critical topics that cover both personal growth and team-focused leadership. These key learning areas included core leadership development frameworks, emotional intelligence for navigating interpersonal dynamics, constructive conflict management strategies, building healthy self-esteem, cultivating personal resilience in the face of challenges, and clarifying long-term personal purpose.

In remarks following the camp, Cuthbert Forbes, Public Relations Officer for the Halo Foundation, underlined why consistent investment in a nation’s young population remains a top organizational priority. He noted that equipping young people with both strong foundational values and hands-on leadership abilities is not just beneficial for individual growth—it is a non-negotiable requirement for building more connected, resilient communities and laying the groundwork for a brighter collective future.