标签： Antigua and Barbuda

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.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA – The nation came together this week to honor the extraordinary legacy of the revered educator known affectionately as ‘Teacher Gen,’ whose funeral service became a powerful testament to a life lived in service of others. The ceremony, attended by citizens from across the dual-island nation, served as a profound reflection on her enduring contributions to education and community development.

Prominent political figures joined family members in paying heartfelt tributes. Senator Michael Freeland delivered a poignant eulogy, characterizing the departed as a foundational pillar of society. ‘We gather today to celebrate a true matriarch,’ Senator Freeland stated, ‘whose wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment to our children and community will never be forgotten.’

Her daughter, The Reverend Denise Smith-Lewis, offered a personal perspective on her mother’s lifelong mission. She shared that Teacher Gen ‘stood firmly for family and community, and clearly understood her life’s assignment,’ framing her work as a divine calling rather than merely a profession.

Further illuminating her profound personal impact, Hon. Anthony Smith Jr. eulogized his grandmother as ‘a remarkable life, a beacon of love, faith, and inspiration to all.’ He provided intimate details of her home, which he described as having long served as ‘a sanctuary for the abandoned… a place where unconditional love, structure, and discipline transformed lives.’

The widespread attendance and unified outpouring of respect highlighted the deep and lasting imprint of Teacher Gen’s decades of dedication, cementing her status as a national figure whose influence transcended the classroom and shaped the very fabric of Antiguan and Barbudan society.