标签： Antigua and Barbuda

The Central Board of Health (CBH) of The Bahamas has unveiled a comprehensive restructuring of burial service fees, scheduled to take effect on January 5, 2026. This updated pricing framework introduces a tiered system based on age demographics for single grave excavations, marking a significant shift in public health service charges.

Under the new regulations, interment costs will vary substantially depending on the deceased’s age. The most modest fee of $100 applies to stillborn infants and children under three years of age. For juveniles aged three to under fifteen, the grave digging charge increases to $250. Adults aged fifteen and above will incur a service fee of $500 for single grave preparations.

Additionally, the CBH has established new rates for ongoing grave maintenance. Annual care and preservation of individual burial sites will now cost $150, covering a full twelve-month period or any portion thereof. For private family plots containing multiple graves, the pricing structure follows a different model: the initial grave space carries a $300 fee, with subsequent plots within the same compound priced at $50 each.

The Board has specified that all transactions must be processed exclusively at their Upper Church Street administrative office. This centralized payment system aims to streamline financial operations and maintain consistent record-keeping across all burial service arrangements. The announced changes represent the first major fee adjustment for Bahamian burial services in recent years, reflecting updated operational costs and service delivery standards within the public health infrastructure.

In an extraordinary display of academic prowess, Khalique Harris from St. Joseph’s Academy in Antigua and Barbuda has been crowned the Caribbean Examinations Council’s Most Outstanding CSEC Candidate in Technical and Vocational Studies for 2025. The prestigious recognition was formally bestowed during the CXC Regional Awards Ceremony in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on December 11, 2025.

Harris’s path to regional distinction was paved with exceptional academic achievement, having successfully completed 22 CSEC subjects with an impressive 17 Grade One passes. His award specifically acknowledges his supreme mastery across multiple technical disciplines, including perfect scores in Information Technology, Food Nutrition and Health, Family and Resource Management, Technical Drawing, and three specialized Industrial Technology fields covering Electrical, Mechanical and Building applications.

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries publicly celebrated Harris’s accomplishment, highlighting his remarkable discipline and dedication across diverse technical and vocational fields. Ministry officials emphasized that his achievement not only reflects individual excellence but also demonstrates the strength and quality of Antigua and Barbuda’s educational framework.

In recognizing the broader support system, the Ministry extended commendations to the administrative and teaching staff at St. Joseph’s Academy, along with Harris’s parents, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to fostering academic success. This landmark achievement stands as both an inspiration to students throughout the nation and a validation of the government’s ongoing investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs as crucial components of national development strategy.

Authorities at Camp Blizzard Military Base have launched a comprehensive investigation following a sophisticated theft of substantial copper wiring from a secured electrical storage facility. The incident, which has raised significant security concerns, involved perpetrators who executed the operation with notable precision.

Investigative reports indicate that despite the absence of overt forced entry evidence, security personnel suspect access was achieved through a compromised glass window. The methodology employed suggests a calculated approach, with forensic evidence pointing to the use of specialized equipment—specifically a hydraulic rolling jack—to extract the valuable materials. This technical aspect implies prior knowledge of both the facility’s layout and security protocols.

Law enforcement agencies have conducted extensive ground searches throughout the adjacent areas, yet these efforts have yielded no recovery of the stolen copper components. The ongoing investigation combines traditional detective work with advanced forensic analysis to identify potential suspects and understand the full scope of this security breach.

The theft highlights vulnerabilities in military-adjacent infrastructure and underscores the growing market for stolen industrial materials. Base commanders have initiated a full security review while coordinating with regional law enforcement to prevent similar incidents.

Commuters utilizing the Sir Sydney Walling Highway are currently encountering modified traffic conditions as a significant road rehabilitation project advances. Transportation authorities have issued a formal advisory, confirming the implementation of single-lane traffic patterns along certain segments of this crucial thoroughfare. This infrastructural initiative is a continuation of a broader maintenance strategy aimed at enhancing road safety, durability, and overall driving conditions for the public.

The nature of the work necessitates temporary traffic management systems, which are now actively in place. While crews are diligently working to minimize disruption, the reduced lane capacity inherently creates a potential for congestion, particularly during peak travel hours. Officials are strongly urging all motorists to incorporate additional travel time into their schedules and to remain vigilant for posted signage and instructions from traffic controllers on site.

This type of proactive infrastructure upkeep is critical for the long-term integrity of the transportation network. The temporary inconvenience of lane restrictions and possible delays is weighed against the substantial long-term benefits, which include smoother road surfaces, improved drainage, and increased safety for all road users. The project underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and upgrading essential public infrastructure. Motorists are encouraged to stay updated on the project’s progress through official transportation channels for any changes to the traffic management plan.

Authorities in Liberta have launched a criminal investigation into a violent assault that left a man severely wounded in a local bushland area. The incident came to light when a concerned resident alerted police after hearing distinct cries for assistance emanating from nearby vegetation.

Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement personnel discovered an adult male victim suffering from significant head trauma, including deep lacerations and active bleeding. Preliminary reports indicate the victim remained conscious and communicated with responding officers, describing how the assault occurred during a physical confrontation that involved both a sharp-edged weapon and a stone used as a blunt force object.

Emergency medical services promptly transported the injured individual to Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where physicians admitted him for comprehensive observation and treatment. Medical staff are monitoring his condition closely due to the nature of head injuries, though current reports suggest he is in stable condition.

The Liberta Police Department has cordoned off the area for forensic examination and is pursuing multiple investigative leads. Police spokesperson Inspector Joanna Reid stated, ‘We are following all available evidence and encourage anyone with information about this incident to come forward immediately. Such violence against members of our community will be investigated thoroughly.’

This assault has raised concerns among Liberta residents about safety in peripheral areas, with many calling for increased police patrols in less populated zones surrounding the community. Local officials have promised to review security measures while the investigation continues.

The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) will formally inaugurate its 2026 judicial calendar on Monday, January 12th, through traditional ceremonial proceedings centered on the theme “The ECSC: Justice that Endures – Anchored in Independence, Strengthened through Trust.

The Commonwealth of Dominica serves as this year’s host member state, where the Court of Appeal will conduct its first scheduled sitting of the new legal year. In Antigua and Barbuda, the day’s events will commence with an 8:00 AM church service at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, followed by a ceremonial procession to the High Court of Judiciary and Attorneys.

A highlight of the proceedings will be the inspection of the Guard of Honour, after which a Special Sitting of the High Court will convene at 10:00 AM. Her Ladyship the Hon. Mde. Margaret Price Findlay, Acting Chief Justice, will deliver the featured address via live broadcast from the Dominica-based court.

The ECSC extends invitations for public participation either through physical attendance at the church service or Special Sitting, or via remote viewing on various media platforms.

Established in 1967 through the West Indies Associated States Supreme Court Order, the ECSC functions as a superior court of record for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Its jurisdiction encompasses six independent nations—Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines—along with three British Overseas Territories: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, and Montserrat. The court maintains unlimited jurisdiction across all member states.

A troubling incident involving theft and digital extortion has emerged, highlighting the vulnerabilities individuals face with lost personal technology. According to police reports, a woman recently filed a complaint regarding a missing premium smartphone valued at approximately EC$1,800 (Eastern Caribbean dollars). The device is believed to have fallen from her possession during a nighttime excursion.

The situation took a sinister turn several days post-incident when the victim received an unsolicited communication through a messaging application. An unidentified individual, purportedly in possession of the missing device, contacted the woman and made explicit demands for financial compensation in exchange for its return. This attempt to leverage the lost property for monetary gain has transformed a simple case of lost property into a potential criminal extortion scheme.

Law enforcement authorities have confirmed they are actively investigating the matter as suspected theft followed by attempted extortion. Police officials have provided appropriate guidance to the complainant regarding safety protocols and legal recourse in such circumstances. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify the individual behind the extortion attempt and recover the stolen property. This case serves as a cautionary reminder about the importance of securing personal belongings and the potential digital risks associated with lost mobile devices containing sensitive personal information.

The Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) has announced the imminent launch of a pioneering agricultural education institution at the former Glanvilles Secondary School campus, with operations scheduled to commence as early as next month. This transformative educational initiative represents a strategic repurposing of educational infrastructure to address national priorities.

Under the leadership of ABCAS President Dr. E. Jonah Greene, the institution is developing a specialized curriculum through collaborative efforts with both local and regional agricultural experts. The inaugural academic offering will feature two intensive short courses focused on crop production and poultry farming, scheduled for deployment between January and February.

This educational repurposing follows the Cabinet-approved consolidation of Glanvilles and Pares Secondary Schools, a measure implemented to optimize resources amid declining enrollment figures. At the time of merger, Glanvilles recorded 163 students while Pares had 178 enrolled. The transition involved transferring current Glanvilles students to Pares Secondary School, with teaching staff either reassigned to other institutions or retained within the Ministry of Education’s administrative framework.

The newly designated agricultural campus will leverage Glanvilles’ existing infrastructure, including a fully-equipped science laboratory, home economics department, hydroponic cultivation unit, animal pens, and multiple farm plots. This comprehensive facility repurposing aligns with the government’s heightened emphasis on achieving national food security objectives and advancing specialized agricultural education to strengthen the country’s resilience and self-sufficiency in food production.