标签： Antigua and Barbuda

Authorities in Antigua and Barbuda have made a significant breakthrough in a violent robbery case following the arrest of a male suspect. The Royal Police Force confirmed the detention on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, connecting the individual to an aggravated robbery that transpired approximately 24 hours earlier.

The incident unfolded at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Monday in the Gunthorpes district. According to official reports, two unidentified males allegedly stormed a local business establishment. The perpetrators brandished a knife, threatening the proprietor before seizing a knapsack containing an undisclosed sum of cash alongside various personal documents.

Following the confrontation, the suspects reportedly fled the scene promptly. However, investigative efforts led to the subsequent recovery of the stolen bag, though specific details regarding its contents or recovery location remain undisclosed to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

In a decisive escalation of their response, police units executed multiple search warrants across several locations in St. John’s on Tuesday. This coordinated operation formed a critical component of the strategic investigative process, ultimately culminating in the apprehension of one individual. The suspect is currently in custody, being questioned on allegations of aggravated robbery.

The Royal Police Force has emphasized that their investigation remains active and ongoing, suggesting further developments and potential additional arrests may follow as officers continue to pursue all leads related to this serious criminal offense.

The innovative Plant2Plate Backyard Gardening Competition is extending its reach to the island of Barbuda, marking a significant expansion of Antigua and Barbuda’s national food security initiative. Organized through the Agricultural Extension Division, this government-backed program will host its inaugural registration and seedling distribution event on Barbuda on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM local time.

Barbudan residents are encouraged to participate as backyard gardeners and receive complimentary seedlings featuring seven diverse vegetable varieties: watermelon, cucumber, tomato, lettuce, eggplant, sweet pepper, and Chinese cabbage. This strategic selection offers both nutritional diversity and growing versatility for household gardens.

The expansion represents a critical step in the broader Plant2Plate initiative’s mission to strengthen domestic food production capabilities across the twin-island nation. By empowering citizens to cultivate their own produce, the program directly addresses food import dependency while building resilient local food systems.

This grassroots approach to food security emphasizes practical, household-level solutions that collectively contribute to national self-sufficiency goals. The competition framework adds an engaging element that encourages sustained participation and knowledge sharing among community members.

Interested participants can obtain additional information by contacting 722-2942 or visiting the official government agriculture portal at agriculture.gov.ag for comprehensive program details and ongoing updates.

In a compelling address on The Morning Point programme, Senator Lamin Newton of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party has issued a urgent call for citizens to revive backyard farming practices, citing critical vulnerabilities in food security exposed by recent global crises.

The ABLP caretaker for All Saints East and St. Luke articulated how the COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark revelation of how rapidly international supply chains could disintegrate, particularly endangering small island nations. “The pandemic provided a profoundly damning lesson,” Newton stated. “None could have conceived in their wildest imagination that global operations would grind to a complete halt. Yet we witnessed it firsthand.”

Newton emphasized that while many residents initially embraced home gardening during the health crisis, most abandoned these efforts once normality resumed. “During COVID, everyone sought backyard gardens,” he observed. “That enthusiasm has since dissipated as we returned to comfort zones.”

The senator highlighted current geopolitical tensions as additional justification for maintaining local food production capabilities. “Given the unpredictable global landscape, we must position ourselves to be sustained by local produce for at least one to two months during emergencies,” Newton advised.

He specifically encouraged utilizing any available land, however limited, for cultivation. “Acquire even a small plot in your backyard and grow something,” he urged, framing food security not as a matter of convenience but as fundamental to survival. “Sustenance remains the primary requirement for human existence—without it, neither survival nor existence is possible.”

Residents of the constituency are witnessing tangible progress in local infrastructure as construction teams actively execute road improvement operations along Westerly Street. This project represents a critical phase within a broader, coordinated initiative aimed at modernizing the area’s transportation network. The ongoing upgrades focus on enhancing road durability, improving traffic flow efficiency, and elevating overall safety standards for both motorists and pedestrians. Local authorities have coordinated the construction schedule to minimize disruption while ensuring timely completion. The Westerly Street improvements specifically address long-standing maintenance requirements that have accumulated over previous years. These infrastructure investments form part of the constituency’s comprehensive strategy to bolster public works systems and stimulate community development through enhanced urban facilities. Construction managers report that the project remains on schedule despite weather-related challenges encountered during early implementation phases. The initiative has generated positive feedback from community members who have long advocated for infrastructure attention in this corridor.

A full year has elapsed since Orden was last seen, marking a somber anniversary for family members and community advocates who persist in their quest for closure. Despite the passage of time, investigative efforts remain actively underway, with both law enforcement and civil society organizations amplifying their appeals for public cooperation.

The Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality has reaffirmed its commitment to the case, characterizing the search as ongoing and urgent. The organization emphasizes that even seemingly insignificant details could prove crucial to the investigation and is imploring individuals with any relevant information to step forward immediately.

This milestone has evoked complex emotions among supporters, serving simultaneously as a painful reminder of the prolonged uncertainty and as a catalyst for renewed determination. The collective resolve has strengthened rather than diminished, transforming grief into persistent advocacy.

Authorities have reiterated their request for the public to share only verified information through official channels to ensure the integrity of the investigation. The collaboration between advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies demonstrates a multifaceted approach to resolving missing persons cases, highlighting the critical role community engagement plays in such investigations.