标签： Antigua and Barbuda

A 35-year-old man from Cassada Gardens, Josh Matthias, has been granted bail in a high-profile bigamy case. Matthias appeared before Magistrate Andrew Mighty earlier this week, where he was released on a $5,000 bail with no cash deposit required. The court imposed strict conditions for his release, including the provision of two sureties, the surrender of all travel documents, and a prohibition on contacting the alleged victim. Authorities claim that Matthias participated in a wedding ceremony with another woman at Fort James on April 9, 2025, despite still being legally married to his first wife. Following a thorough investigation, he was arrested and formally charged with bigamy. The case has been adjourned and is set to resume on December 17, 2025, as the legal proceedings continue.

Authorities are intensifying their probe into the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Kahleel Simon, who tragically lost his life on his birthday, August 27. Acting Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers informed state media that law enforcement officials are meticulously collecting evidence and witness testimonies. A comprehensive file is being prepared for submission to the Magistrate, preceding a coroner’s inquest. Jeffers also confirmed that an autopsy on Simon’s body has been completed. The incident has ignited widespread community protests, with Simon’s relatives and local residents vehemently claiming that excessive force was employed and that he was not afforded an opportunity to comply before being shot. The case has raised significant concerns about police conduct and the use of force, prompting calls for transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigation.

Mrs. Soraya A. J. Warner-Gustave, the Rotary District Governor of District 7030, which encompasses the Southern Caribbean and South America, recently made an official visit to Antigua and Barbuda. During her trip, she paid a courtesy call to His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, and Her Excellency Lady Sandra Williams, the Governor General’s Goodwill Emissary. The visit underscored the longstanding relationship between Rotary International and the twin-island nation. Sir Rodney warmly welcomed Mrs. Warner-Gustave and commended the Rotary Clubs for their impactful contributions, particularly in youth development, their support for the Sir Lester Bird Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, and their unwavering commitment to humanitarian service and peacebuilding. The District Governor also spotlighted the upcoming Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), set to take place in Antigua and Barbuda this weekend. The event will bring together over 150 regional participants and approximately 100 local Interact members for a three-day youth development workshop. Lady Sandra Williams, President of the Halo Foundation, extended an invitation to the Rotary team to continue their collaborative efforts, referencing past joint initiatives such as the ‘Meals on Wheels’ program. The Rotary Club of Antigua has enjoyed the patronage of Their Excellencies since 2014. Mrs. Warner-Gustave was accompanied by Assistant Governor Jonah Ormond, along with representatives from the Rotary Club of Antigua, including President Elisa Graham, and President Nicole Stevens of the Rotary Club of Antigua (Sundown).

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled plans to establish an agro-industrial park aimed at enhancing food security and expanding local agricultural production. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced that two potential sites—Old Road and Christian Valley—are under consideration for the project. The development will feature agro-processing facilities, a feed mill, and model homes constructed using sustainable materials. Merchant emphasized that the park will play a pivotal role in reducing the nation’s dependence on imported animal feed while promoting value-added processing in the farming sector. Speaking at a post-briefing session on Thursday, he highlighted the project as a cornerstone of the administration’s strategy to foster a self-sufficient and resilient agricultural economy. The initiative underscores the government’s dedication to food sustainability and rural development, marking a significant step toward long-term economic and environmental resilience.

An Antigua resort, Mill Reef Club, has been mandated by the Industrial Court to compensate a former receptionist, Andre Thomas, with over EC$29,000 for his wrongful dismissal nearly three decades ago. The court found that the 1998 termination, prompted by Thomas’s refusal to change his hairstyle, violated his constitutional rights and breached principles of good industrial relations. Thomas, who had been employed at the resort for six years, was suspended and subsequently fired after a new European manager insisted on altering his appearance. Notably, the court highlighted that there were no prior complaints about Thomas’s hairstyle and that the resort lacked a formal grooming policy. The judges deemed the dismissal “frivolous and extreme,” criticizing the resort for denying union representation and failing to investigate the matter adequately. Additionally, the destruction of employment records by the club undermined its defense during the proceedings, which commenced in 2011. Thomas was awarded EC$29,325.60, covering lost income, damages, and legal costs, with the payment deadline set for 17 November 2025.

The much-anticipated rehabilitation of All Saints Road is progressing steadily, with preliminary testing and groundwork now in motion, as confirmed by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant. Speaking during Thursday’s post-Cabinet briefing, Merchant revealed that the project was a key topic of discussion in this week’s Cabinet meeting. A joint venture between a Canadian engineering firm and a local partner has already initiated testing activities on the road.

Merchant elaborated, ‘They have commenced preliminary work, including testing and surveys. In certain sections of All Saints Road, teams are conducting ground surveys and cutting out patches for testing purposes.’ The comprehensive reconstruction plan will not only address the road surface but also modernize underground infrastructure by removing outdated APUA pipelines and installing new ones.

The project will cover a significant stretch of approximately 11 to 12 miles, extending from the VC Bird bust in St. John’s to English Harbour. To ensure minimal disruption to traffic, the team is preparing strategic traffic diversions. Merchant emphasized, ‘Mobilization will begin shortly, and the transformation of All Saints Road will soon be evident.’ He also assured that the Cabinet would provide further updates next week as additional project details are finalized.

The government’s second Seven Seas desalination plant is poised to commence operations this weekend, significantly enhancing the national water supply by adding approximately two million gallons of water daily. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, announced the imminent launch during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, emphasizing the facility’s role in improving water accessibility across the island. The plant’s initial production phase will include rigorous testing and system adjustments, meaning immediate improvements may not be apparent to residents. Communities in the northern regions, including Hodges Bay, Coolidge, New Winthorpes, Barnes Hill, Blue Waters, and Cedar Valley, are expected to benefit from the increased water output. This initiative is a critical component of the government’s comprehensive strategy to bolster water reliability, particularly in drought-affected areas, and is part of broader infrastructure upgrades overseen by the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).