标签： Antigua and Barbuda

In a touching display of seasonal generosity, Dr. Raymond Mansoor and his spouse reaffirmed their dedication to community welfare through their annual Christmas visit to the hospital’s Paediatric Unit. The couple personally delivered carefully selected gifts to young patients confined to medical care during the holiday period, creating pockets of joy for children separated from their families.

Medical professionals at the facility expressed profound appreciation for the initiative, highlighting how these compassionate visits significantly elevate morale among both patients and staff. The tradition has evolved into an anticipated event that temporarily displaces clinical environments with festive warmth, providing psychological relief to children undergoing treatment.

Beyond mere gift-giving, the Mansoors’ longstanding commitment represents a deeper investment in supporting vulnerable youth during challenging times. Family members observing the interactions noted measurable improvements in their children’s emotional states, describing how the surprise deliveries transformed the hospital atmosphere from sterile to celebratory.

The continuity of this humanitarian practice demonstrates how individual acts of kindness can systematically combat holiday loneliness in healthcare settings. Hospital administrators confirmed such community engagements substantially contribute to holistic treatment approaches, merging clinical excellence with emotional support during emotionally vulnerable periods.

Authorities and family members in All Saints have initiated a coordinated search operation for Clement Pommels, whose unexplained disappearance has triggered community-wide concern. According to official reports, Pommels hasn’t been sighted or made contact with relatives for multiple consecutive days, prompting formal missing person protocols with local law enforcement.

Sherine, Pommels’ niece who is spearheading the family’s response efforts, confirmed that police have been actively investigating all potential leads. The family expresses particular alarm due to the uncharacteristic nature of his absence, noting this behavior contradicts his established communication patterns.

Community residents are being urged to maintain heightened awareness and report any potential sightings or relevant information to assist investigation efforts. Law enforcement emphasizes that even seemingly insignificant details could prove crucial to locating the missing individual.

Those with information regarding Pommels’ whereabouts are encouraged to immediately contact Sherine at 778-5809. The family has appealed for widespread community cooperation to ensure his safe return, while police continue to pursue all investigative avenues.

Residential security concerns have escalated in York following a coordinated series of break-ins targeting multiple neighborhoods within a concentrated 24-hour timeframe. Law enforcement authorities are actively investigating incidents reported across George Street, Yorks, Gray’s Hill, and Potters Village, where perpetrators employed forceful entry methods against secured properties.

Criminal investigations reveal that homeowners had properly secured their residences before departing, only to discover forced entry through compromised windows or doors upon return. The intruders conducted systematic searches of bedrooms and kitchens, selectively removing electronic devices, jewelry, cash, and various household valuables. Crime scene analysis indicates consistent modus operandi across multiple incidents, including precise removal of glass louvres and sophisticated prying techniques applied to wooden door frames.

Despite comprehensive neighborhood canvassing and evidence collection efforts, investigators have not yet identified potential suspects. The police department has issued formal advisories urging residents to enhance security measures during this period of increased criminal activity. In response to the crime wave, law enforcement officials have announced heightened patrol deployments throughout affected areas and surrounding urban districts, with particular emphasis on evening and nighttime surveillance operations.

Community safety protocols recommend additional protective measures such as upgraded locking mechanisms, external lighting enhancements, and neighborhood watch coordination. Authorities encourage immediate reporting of any suspicious activities through dedicated emergency channels.

In a significant law enforcement achievement, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has confiscated 52 illegal firearms and over 770 rounds of ammunition through targeted operations conducted throughout 2025. The seizure notably surpassed the results obtained during the April National Gun Amnesty period, demonstrating the effectiveness of specialized enforcement approaches.

Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers revealed these statistics during his year-end address to officers, highlighting the substantial progress made in combating illicit weapons trafficking. The operations employed strategic coordination between specialized units including the Narcotics Department and K-9 Unit, enhanced by inter-agency collaboration mechanisms.

Commissioner Jeffers emphasized that these seizures form a critical component of the force’s comprehensive strategy to disrupt criminal networks and reduce firearm-related violence. The targeted operations were specifically designed to address illegal weapons circulation through intelligence-driven interventions rather than voluntary surrender initiatives.

Additionally, Commissioner Jeffers referenced Police Week 2025 activities, noting their success in strengthening community-police relations and acknowledging sponsors for their support. The firearms recovery program aligns with broader preparations for heightened security requirements in 2026, when the police force will assume increased responsibilities for safeguarding major national and international events.

In a significant move to enhance national security capabilities, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has strategically expanded its K-9 Unit with four additional trained dogs. This development forms a crucial component of the Force’s comprehensive modernization initiative aimed at addressing evolving criminal threats through advanced policing methods.

Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers formally announced this tactical enhancement during his year-end address to personnel, detailing the Force’s progressive developments throughout 2025. The expansion specifically addresses growing concerns regarding sophisticated criminal operations, including illicit firearm distribution, narcotics trafficking, and cross-border criminal activities.

The newly augmented K-9 Unit has already demonstrated operational effectiveness through coordinated missions with the Narcotics Department and allied law enforcement agencies. These collaborative efforts have yielded substantial seizures of controlled substances, illegal weapons, and ammunition throughout the current year.

This strategic investment aligns with the Force’s commitment to intelligence-led policing methodologies that prioritize preventive measures and data-driven decision making. The enhanced capabilities are expected to improve operational response efficiency, increase crime detection rates, and strengthen overall public security infrastructure.

Commissioner Jeffers emphasized that these specialized upgrades ensure officers possess the necessary resources to confront escalating security challenges, particularly as the nation prepares for increased security demands anticipated in 2026. The K-9 Unit expansion represents a proactive approach to maintaining law enforcement readiness in the face of complex contemporary security threats.

The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has celebrated the successful completion of its innovative ‘END IT HOW’ Summer Camp, with over 50 young participants graduating from the program designed to divert youth from criminal pathways. This initiative, orchestrated by the Force’s Youth Intervention Unit in collaboration with community partners, represents a strategic shift toward proactive crime prevention.

Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers formally recognized the achievement during his year-end address to officers, highlighting the program’s conclusion in September. The camp’s methodology centered on engagement, mentorship, and structured activities, providing adolescents with positive alternatives and life skills. Jeffers commended the collaborative effort between law enforcement and community stakeholders, which was instrumental in the program’s execution.

Law enforcement officials characterize the summer camp as a vital preventative instrument within their broader crime-fighting arsenal. This approach supplements traditional enforcement by emphasizing early intervention and fostering community partnerships. The initiative is a manifestation of the Force’s deepening commitment to community-oriented policing strategies aimed at sustainable crime reduction.

The graduation ceremony coincided with a year of reported progress in public safety, with authorities noting a decline in overall crime rates and improved community cooperation. Nonetheless, police administration acknowledges the persistent challenge posed by at-risk youth and the necessity for continued targeted interventions. Looking ahead to 2026, Commissioner Jeffers affirmed the administration’s dedication to expanding such programs that equip young people with guidance and viable alternatives to criminal behavior.

A section of Dominica’s boardwalk experienced a structural failure on Thursday after being overwhelmed by an excessive concentration of visitors, according to Port Manager Darwin Telemaque. The incident occurred when a critical number of individuals gathered in a single area, exceeding the structure’s load capacity and resulting in a fractured tile that subsequently collapsed.

Mr. Telemaque confirmed that despite this localized infrastructure failure, all cruise ship operations continue uninterrupted at the port. Emergency repair crews have been dispatched to the damaged section, with full restoration anticipated within the next 48-72 hours.

In a proactive safety measure, water taxi services have been temporarily relocated to the Montserrat Ferry Terminal. This strategic relocation aims to distribute passenger traffic more evenly and prevent potential overcrowding scenarios while repairs are underway. Port authorities emphasize that these precautions are strictly preventive and reflect their commitment to visitor safety rather than indicating broader structural concerns.

The incident has prompted port management to review crowd management protocols and structural load assessments for high-traffic waterfront areas. Officials confirm that no injuries were reported in the partial collapse, and all tourist activities continue normally with minimal disruption to visitor experiences.

Meteorological services have escalated alert levels across multiple Caribbean territories with the issuance of an urgent High Surf Warning for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands. The advisory, formally released at 9:25 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24, highlights dangerously elevated surf conditions and potentially lethal rip currents predominantly affecting northern and north-exposed coastal areas.

Forecaster Letitia Humphreys indicated that the hazardous marine conditions stem from intensifying long-period northerly swells that began developing Wednesday evening. The warning period extends through Thursday morning or early dawn, with temporal variations expected across different island groups.

Oceanographic measurements project significant sea heights ranging from 2.4 to 3.1 meters (8-10 feet), with occasional surges approaching 3.7 meters (12 feet). Breaking waves are anticipated to surpass 2.1 meters (7 feet), accompanied by substantial north swells measuring 8-9 feet.

The convergence of these meteorological factors creates multiple threats including powerful battering waves, exceptionally strong rip currents, coastal flooding incidents, and accelerated beach erosion. These conditions present substantial risks to human safety, coastal infrastructure, and maritime operations.

Emergency management officials strongly advise against entering ocean waters along affected coastlines. Additional precautions include avoiding rocky coastal areas, jetties, and exposed marine structures. While west-facing beaches may offer marginally safer conditions, extreme vigilance remains necessary.

Safety protocols recommend that individuals caught in rip currents maintain calm, conserve energy by floating, and refrain from swimming directly against the current. Instead, swimming parallel to the shoreline provides the most effective escape strategy until free from the current’s pull.

In a display of workplace camaraderie, the Honourable H. Charles “Max” Fernandez, Parliamentary Representative and Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, was greeted with an unexpected birthday celebration organized by his ministry staff earlier today. The surprise event, meticulously coordinated by the Ministry’s Staff Social Club under the leadership of Ms. Onesha Elvin, transformed the minister’s office into a festive venue adorned with balloons and accompanied by cheerful renditions of the birthday song.

The heartfelt gesture included carefully selected gifts that reflected Minister Fernandez’s personal interests, demonstrating the staff’s thoughtful consideration. Visibly moved by the surprise, Minister Fernandez expressed profound appreciation for the effort, emphasizing that the personalized attention to gift selection particularly resonated with him.

In his response, Minister Fernandez highlighted the significance of such moments in fostering organizational unity, stating: “I am truly grateful for this gesture. What touched me most was not just the gifts, but the thought and effort that went into choosing something you knew I would genuinely enjoy. It speaks volumes about the camaraderie and spirit of this team.”

The minister further acknowledged the staff’s dedication and commitment to their ministerial duties, noting that such celebrations strengthen morale and reinforce familial bonds within the government department. Ministry staff concluded the celebration by extending their warmest wishes for the minister’s continued health, strength, and success in his leadership role serving Antigua and Barbuda.