标签： Antigua and Barbuda

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – A coordinated police response led to the rapid apprehension of two suspects involved in a daylight larceny at Valley Church Beach on Tuesday afternoon. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda confirmed the arrest and charging of Damien Henry, 24, of Bathlodge, and Terry Williams, 20, of Nut Grove.

The incident unfolded at approximately 1:30 p.m. on December 2, when security personnel stationed at the popular tourist beach contacted the Bolans Police Station. They reported that two visitors had fallen victim to theft while swimming, with their bag stolen by an individual who subsequently fled the scene in a distinctive orange Honda Fit.

Utilizing inter-station coordination, officers from the Bolans and Johnson’s Point Police Stations executed a strategic interception of the vehicle in the Johnson’s Point area. Both suspects were apprehended while inside the car, and police successfully recovered the stolen bag with all its contents intact.

The suspects were taken into custody and have been formally charged with larceny. They are set to be arraigned before a magistrate to answer the charges.

In an official statement, the Police Administration praised the responding officers for their effective and prompt action, which prevented the suspects from escaping and ensured the return of the stolen property. The force also issued a reminder to both residents and tourists to maintain vigilance and secure their personal belongings when frequenting beaches and other public spaces.

A significant power disruption affected multiple northern communities in Antigua during the early hours of Wednesday morning following a vehicular incident that damaged critical electrical infrastructure. The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) confirmed the outage originated along the Cassada Gardens #3 Feeder at approximately 2:19 AM local time after a vehicle struck utility equipment in the Cedar Valley and Friars Hill Road corridor.

APUA’s Electricity Business Unit responded promptly by isolating the compromised section of the network to prevent further system damage. Repair crews were immediately dispatched to the scene to address the damaged infrastructure, which required replacement of a utility pole and extensive electrical repairs. The authority acknowledged the inconvenience caused to residents and commercial establishments while emphasizing their commitment to restoring normal operations.

The widespread outage impacted numerous residential areas including Utility Drive, New Winthropes, Cedar Valley Gardens, Cedar Valley Springs, Barnes Hill, Powells, Hodges Bay, Cedar Grove, Cassada Gardens #7, Longfords and Mount Pleasant North. Engineering teams continued restoration efforts throughout the morning hours as affected communities remained without electricity.

APUA issued a formal apology to customers experiencing service interruptions and expressed appreciation for the public’s patience during the emergency repair process. The utility provider assured residents that crews were working with maximum efficiency to complete repairs and restore full power to all affected districts.

In a historic display of diplomatic camaraderie and cultural celebration, New York City Hall’s Mayor’s Office orchestrated the inaugural flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green Park in Manhattan on December 1, 2025, commemorating the 44th independence anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda. The event symbolized the strengthening of international relations and honored the significant Caribbean nation’s sovereignty.

The ceremony, meticulously organized through the collaborative efforts of multiple mayoral agencies, was conceived by NYC Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, Mrs. Lynelle Maginley-Liddle, an Antiguan native. Operational execution was led by US Diaspora Liaison Dr. Dave Ray alongside the Consulate Affairs team, with Mrs. Joy Wehner serving as the event’s host.

Reverend Elouise Hill-Challenger commenced proceedings with a solemn invocation, establishing a reflective yet celebratory atmosphere. Dignitaries delivering addresses included Arthur Piccolo, Chairman of the Bowling Green Association; John Matthews, Financial Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Progressive Society; and The Hon. Marsha D. Michael, NYC Appellate Court Associate Judge also of Antiguan heritage.

Deputy Commissioner Dilipkumar Chauhan from the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs and Dr. Ray from the Consul General Office of Antigua and Barbuda provided additional remarks. The New York State Assembly delegation, represented by Mrs. Sandra Reid, presented an official citation to Dr. Ray in recognition of his diplomatic contributions.

UN Ambassador The Hon. Dr. Walton Aubrey Webson delivered a historically significant address, tracing bilateral relations between New York and Antigua and Barbuda to the 16th century. He highlighted the islands’ former status as one of the Caribbean’s wealthiest territories under Dutch control, supplying sugar and indigo to New York prior to American independence.

The ceremony featured vibrant musical performances by Barbudan trumpeter Trevaughn Thomas and his ensemble. Color Guards and Honor Guards from Corrections Law Enforcement provided formal honors, while the national flag of Antigua and Barbuda will remain displayed at the park for one to two weeks.

The event attracted substantial attendance from the Antiguan and Barbudan diaspora community and members of the CARICOM Consular Corps, including representatives from Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Grenada. This gathering fostered a powerful sense of Caribbean unity and shared heritage, with organizers confirming intentions to establish the ceremony as an annual tradition.

Antigua and Barbuda marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a nationwide call to action, emphasizing that genuine social progress hinges on dismantling barriers and fostering inclusive environments. The observance, aligned with the United Nations theme “Fostering Disability-Inclusive Society for Advancing Social Progress,” served as a powerful reminder that national development is intrinsically linked to equality and accessibility.

Bernard Warner, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Persons Living with Disabilities, articulated a crucial perspective, stating that legislative measures and good intentions are insufficient alone. “A disability-inclusive society is not created by law alone nor by good intention,” Warner asserted. “It is built through active participation among governments, communities, families, and individuals working together to remove barriers and secure equal rights.”

Warner outlined fundamental pillars for inclusion, stressing that full access to education, healthcare, employment, technology, and transportation is paramount for strengthening the entire nation. He issued a compelling appeal for citizens to collectively envision a transformed society where accessibility is the norm and understanding replaces stigma.

The commemorative activities commenced with a church service on November 30th, followed by a series of workshops on December 1st and 2nd. These events provided secure and supportive forums for meaningful dialogue and personal development. The week’s events culminated in a symbolic march through St. John’s, commencing at 4 p.m. from Bend Down on Market Street.

Warner framed this march as a poignant reminder to the nation that “the work has not ended,” highlighting the persistent and significant daily challenges confronting many individuals with disabilities. While expressing gratitude to caregivers, advocates, and policymakers for their ongoing support, Warner delivered a clear caution that “the work is not over.” The core message of the day reaffirmed that inclusion is not optional but essential, and that constructing a society where every citizen can participate fully is critical to the nation’s overarching progress.

A profound wave of community support is emerging for Leandra Prevost, a 34-year-old educator and mother from Antigua, as she confronts an aggressive stage 4 metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Initially identified in March 2024, the disease had already progressed to her lymphatic system, pulmonary tissues, and skeletal structure at the time of discovery.

Her medical journey has included an intensive series of interventions: ten chemotherapy sessions, a mastectomy, hormonal treatments, and immunotherapy. While initial chemotherapy achieved some success by reducing pulmonary tumors, subsequent therapeutic measures proved unsuccessful. This setback was compounded by recent diagnostic imaging that revealed new cancerous growths on her liver, leading her oncology team to discontinue the current treatment protocol.

Medical specialists have proposed a new palliative treatment strategy involving a sophisticated drug combination of pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and docetaxel. This approach will commence with eight treatment cycles with potential indefinite continuation based on her physiological response.

Beyond her health struggles, Prevost is recognized as a dedicated mother to her two young sons, Hezekiah (9) and Gianni (2), and a respected primary school teacher known for her baking talents and community involvement. Her family emphasizes that spiritual faith has been her foundational support throughout this challenging period.

With mounting medical expenses, Prevost’s support network has initiated a public outreach campaign requesting both spiritual support and financial assistance through a dedicated GoFundMe initiative to sustain her ongoing medical care and support her family during this crisis.

In a heartening display of community support, Jamaican taxi operator Kimroy Williams has successfully returned to his homeland following critical medical and financial assistance provided by the Calvin Ayre Foundation. The philanthropic organization, established by cryptocurrency entrepreneur and Bodog brand founder Calvin Ayre, intervened after Williams faced severe health complications that left him stranded abroad without means to cover medical expenses or repatriation costs.

The foundation’s intervention represents a significant case study in targeted humanitarian aid, addressing both immediate healthcare needs and logistical challenges of international repatriation. Williams, who had been operating his taxi service between Jamaica and the cruise ship terminal in Falmouth, encountered unexpected medical emergencies that escalated into a dire financial situation preventing his return.

This successful repatriation highlights the growing role of private foundations in filling social welfare gaps, particularly in Caribbean nations where tourism industry workers frequently face occupational vulnerabilities. The foundation’s assistance package reportedly covered medical bills, travel arrangements, and transitional support to ensure Williams’ smooth reintegration into his community.

Calvin Ayre Foundation representatives emphasized their ongoing commitment to supporting Caribbean communities, particularly individuals working in tourism-adjacent industries who often lack comprehensive safety nets. The organization has developed specialized protocols for handling similar cases involving stranded nationals requiring emergency assistance abroad.

A severe preservation crisis is unfolding at the A & B National Archives, where critical historical documents face irreversible damage due to prolonged institutional neglect. Despite advanced warnings about the facility’s deteriorating condition, authorities failed to implement contingency plans for safeguarding the nation’s cultural heritage.

The archives house invaluable historical collections, including the prestigious Codrington papers, which require specialized climate-controlled environments for preservation. Instead, these irreplaceable documents remain trapped in mold-infested structures or improperly stored in containers, accelerating their degradation.

Academic researchers and historians report complete inability to access vital historical records, severely impacting ongoing research projects and historical scholarship. The situation has reached critical levels as documents risk permanent destruction.

Containers intended for temporary document storage during renovations have sat untouched for over nine months, representing a staggering administrative failure. This inaction contradicts previous restoration commitments and demonstrates a troubling disregard for cultural preservation.

Cultural heritage advocates are demanding immediate government intervention to prevent the complete loss of historical assets. The crisis highlights systemic failures in heritage management and underscores the urgent need for professional archival stewardship to protect national history for future generations.