标签： Antigua and Barbuda

A residential property on Jonas Road fell victim to a calculated burglary in the predawn hours of Saturday, January 10th, marking the second such incident at the same address. Law enforcement authorities from the All Saints Police Department have launched a comprehensive investigation into the break-in, which transpired between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM.

Initial reports indicate the involvement of two male suspects who executed a methodical approach. Demonstrating significant premeditation, the individuals first disabled externally mounted security cameras—equipment that had been installed by the homeowner following a prior burglary where three smart televisions were stolen. Subsequently, the perpetrators cut through protective burglar bars on a bedroom window to facilitate entry into the dwelling.

Once inside, the suspects took deliberate steps to obscure their activities by cutting power at the home’s main junction box. They then proceeded to ransack the property, resulting in the theft of multiple household items, including various kitchen appliances and personal belongings. This modus operandi suggests a targeted operation rather than an opportunistic crime.

The recurrence of criminal activity at this location has raised serious concerns among local residents regarding neighborhood security. Police are actively pursuing all leads and have issued a public appeal for information. Investigators are particularly interested in identifying a suspect described as wearing all-black attire during the incident. The All Saints Police Department urges anyone with potentially relevant information to come forward to aid their ongoing investigative efforts.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken a definitive stand against toxic online behavior, issuing a formal plea for respectful digital discourse across its official platforms. The regional governing body for cricket explicitly stated that cyberbullying, targeted harassment, and personal abuse directed at players, staff, or their families will be met with immediate account restrictions.

In a public statement directed at its global fanbase, CWI recognized the intense passion and fervent opinions that characterize West Indies cricket culture. While affirming that healthy debate and constructive criticism are welcome components of fan engagement, the organization underscored that mutual respect is the non-negotiable foundation for all interactions.

The statement delivered a poignant reminder of the human element behind the sport, highlighting that athletes and their relatives are vulnerable to the ‘serious and lasting effects’ of abusive online commentary. This is particularly true for younger team members who are in critical stages of personal and professional development.

Emphasizing its duty of care, CWI announced proactive measures to identify and sanction accounts that instigate or participate in abusive behavior, effectively barring them from engaging with its social media pages and digital properties. The body concluded by calling on all stakeholders—fans, supporters, and partners—to unite behind the teams with a spirit of pride, unity, and respect that reflects the core values of the Caribbean region.

The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has successfully concluded its annual Christmas promotion, delivering critical water storage infrastructure to fortunate winners across the nation. This initiative, designed to bolster water security and promote conservation, provided households with state-of-the-art water tanks and high-efficiency pumping systems.

The distribution ceremony, attended by APUA officials and community representatives, highlighted the utility’s commitment to supporting sustainable water management practices. The awarded equipment enables recipients to better harness rainwater and improve their resilience during periods of water scarcity or scheduled utility maintenance.

This corporate social responsibility program aligns with broader national efforts to enhance water conservation awareness. By providing tangible infrastructure solutions, APUA empowers communities to take a more active role in resource management while alleviating pressure on the public water system during peak demand periods.

The promotion’s timing during the festive season underscores APUA’s dedication to giving back to the community while addressing practical infrastructure needs. Winners expressed appreciation for both the equipment and the educational components accompanying the installation, which provided guidance on optimal water storage and conservation techniques.

The St. Paul’s and Nelson’s Dockyard National Park communities are preparing for hands-on environmental action this Sunday, January 25th, 2026, with a targeted cleanup operation at Crab Hole Wetland scheduled from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. This civic engagement effort forms a crucial component of the broader EbA Caribbean Project, a multinational climate resilience initiative currently active across Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

Organizers emphasize that the cleanup serves dual purposes: directly maintaining the health of a critical local ecosystem while simultaneously fostering community solidarity around climate adaptation strategies. Participants are instructed to gather at Crab Hole Liquors’ parking lot and are advised to wear appropriate attire for potentially muddy conditions following recent precipitation.

The wetland cleanup represents just one element of an extensive four-day program of environmental activities spanning January 24th-27th. The comprehensive schedule includes specialized training sessions in advanced wetland monitoring techniques, covering drone mapping applications, water quality assessment protocols, and biodiversity surveillance methods. These technical workshops, occurring throughout Saturday and Sunday, are being conducted under the guidance of marine ecologist Dr. Craig Dahlgren, the designated Wetlands and Coastal Consultant for the EbA Caribbean Project in Antigua and Barbuda.

Additional planned activities include marine species monitoring along the Falmouth Harbour periphery of Crab Hole Wetland during Monday morning, involving technical specialists and project teams. The series concludes Tuesday evening with a community focus group and stakeholder meet-and-greet session at Wadadli Spaces from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, providing residents opportunities to query project representatives and discuss broader implications.

The event has attracted international participation, with Dr. Dahlgren and project delegates from the Dominican Republic traveling specifically for these activities. While Dr. Dahlgren leads technical components, the Dominican contingent will share cross-regional experiences and gather operational insights during their Antigua visit.

The EbA Caribbean Project employs ecosystem-based adaptation methodologies to enhance climate change resilience, formally titled ‘Strengthening regional climate resilience and supporting green economic recovery through ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and sustainable livelihoods.’ The initiative receives funding from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund with co-financing from Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) through KfW Development Bank. Implementation involves a consortium including UN Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Oracabessa Marine Trust, Integrated Health Outreach Inc., Consorcio Ambiental Dominicano, and Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo.

The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has simultaneously released its official 2026 public holiday calendar and initiated nationwide consultations on groundbreaking workplace safety legislation. The dual announcements from the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour signal significant developments in both national scheduling and worker protections.

According to the Office of the Labour Commissioner, the 2026 public holidays have been formally established under the Public Holidays (Amendment) Act 2005. The comprehensive schedule includes New Year’s Day (January 1), Good Friday (April 3), Easter Monday (April 6), and Labour Day (May 4). The calendar further features Whit Monday (May 25), Carnival celebrations (August 3-4), National Day of Prayer (September 17), and Independence Day observance (November 2). The year concludes with V.C. Bird Day (December 9), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26).

Concurrently, the government has unveiled the Workplace Violence and Harassment (Prevention) Draft Bill, legislation designed to transform occupational safety standards. Developed in alignment with international labor conventions, the proposed bill aims to establish a robust legal framework for preventing workplace violence and fostering respectful, secure working environments.

The Ministry has organized an extensive consultation tour to ensure the legislation incorporates diverse stakeholder perspectives. Scheduled sessions include: January 28 at the Multipurpose Centre, February 5 at Villa Community Centre, February 11 at J.T. Ambrose Primary School, and February 18 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. All consultations will commence at 5:30 PM, providing accessible opportunities for public participation.

Government officials emphasize the importance of citizen engagement in both initiatives, encouraging workers, employers, unions, and community organizations to contribute to the legislative process while noting the officially published holiday schedule for planning purposes.

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has initiated a comprehensive strategy to revolutionize the nation’s forensic and analytical laboratory capabilities. During a pivotal session, Cabinet members received detailed briefings from two leading scientific authorities on urgent modernization requirements for the country’s diagnostic infrastructure.

Forensic Director Michael Murrell, Head of Antigua and Barbuda Forensic Services, presented a multi-faceted plan addressing critical gaps in national laboratory services. His presentation emphasized three fundamental pillars: infrastructure modernization, expanded testing capacities, and developing sustainable funding mechanisms. Specific facility upgrades were highlighted, including essential renovations at Point Wharf to optimize operational functionality and create adequate workspaces for technical staff. Similar improvements were proposed for the Dunbar’s facility to enhance sample processing capabilities.

Murrell particularly stressed the growing national need for advanced compliance testing methodologies, especially for cannabis-infused products entering regulated markets. Additionally, he identified pesticide residue testing as a crucial public health priority requiring immediate capability enhancements to safeguard food safety standards.

Dr. Linroy Christian, Director of the Department of Analytical Services, provided complementary insights regarding the nation’s primary testing laboratory for food, water, and environmental samples. Both experts underscored the strategic importance of robust laboratory services for national development across multiple sectors.

The Cabinet has formally requested both officials to return with concrete recommendations for potentially consolidating all government laboratory operations under a unified framework. This includes developing a sustainable financing model that would ensure continuous reinvestment in advanced equipment, specialized staffing, and ongoing operational improvements.

Antigua’s Department of Environment has initiated a formal public consultation period regarding a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study for a proposed Engineered Water Management System at North Beach, Jolly Harbour. This procedural step represents a critical component of the nation’s environmental governance framework, emphasizing transparency and community engagement in developmental planning.

The governmental body has explicitly characterized public participation as an indispensable element within the environmental assessment protocol. Officials emphasize that gathering diverse stakeholder perspectives is fundamental to achieving a holistic evaluation, ensuring that ecological considerations, social implications, and coastal dynamics receive thorough scrutiny prior to any definitive project approvals.

The extensive study documentation, now accessible for public examination, provides a detailed analysis of the project’s potential environmental consequences. It further delineates a series of scientifically-grounded mitigation strategies specifically designed to address and responsibly manage identified risks to the local coastline and broader ecosystem. The initiative underscores a commitment to balancing infrastructural development with stringent environmental stewardship.