标签： Antigua and Barbuda

A Liberta family that lost their home in a devastating Father’s Day fire two years ago will celebrate Christmas in a newly constructed four-bedroom residence, thanks to the collaborative Home Advancement Programme for the Indigent (HAPI). The official handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for both the program and the family’s journey toward stability.

This project represents the first four-bedroom dwelling completed under the HAPI initiative, with its expanded design specifically tailored to accommodate the family’s size and made possible through substantial community support. The construction timeline was dramatically accelerated following a successful radio telethon that generated numerous local pledges, enabling organizers to expand the home’s scope beyond initial plans.

E. P. Chet Greene, Member of Parliament for St Paul, emphasized the project’s demonstration of effective partnership between government resources and community contributions in addressing urgent social needs. HAPI organizers highlighted the achievement as evidence of how collective action can effectively combat housing insecurity among vulnerable populations.

The timing proves particularly meaningful as family members return home for the holiday season, providing a permanent gathering place for reunification and the opportunity to rebuild their lives with renewed security and hope.

Antigua and Barbuda commemorated National Farmers Day on December 23rd with profound appreciation for the agricultural workforce that sustains the nation’s food security and economic stability. The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and The Blue Economy led tributes to farmers and agro-processors, recognizing their dual role as economic contributors and environmental stewards.

The agricultural sector demonstrates remarkable resilience despite confronting multiple challenges including climatic volatility, praedial larceny, financial constraints, and market fluctuations. Producers have increasingly adopted technological solutions and sustainable methodologies to enhance productivity while maintaining environmental balance.

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a critical stress test for local food systems, during which domestic producers maintained consistent supply chains despite global disruptions. This performance highlighted the strategic importance of localized food production and the sector’s adaptive capabilities.

Government initiatives now focus on synergistic development combining technological innovation with traditional knowledge. Investment priorities include training programs, infrastructure modernization, and sustainable practices that promote biodiversity while increasing yields.

Consumer participation remains vital to agricultural viability. Public support through conscious purchasing of local produce directly contributes to sectoral growth and national food sovereignty. Each agricultural purchase represents an investment in community resilience and economic circulation.

The ministry’s acknowledgment extended beyond economic contributions, recognizing farmers as innovators, environmental custodians, and foundational pillars of national identity. Their continuous efforts ensure both present nourishment and future sustainability for Antigua and Barbuda.

The parents of nine-year-old Chantel Crump continue to endure an agonizing wait for answers regarding their daughter’s mysterious death, as international forensic testing extends the investigation into its ninth month. Despite the child’s burial in June, definitive conclusions remain elusive, creating a painful limbo for the grieving family.

Authorities have confirmed that results from a second autopsy are currently in police possession but will remain confidential until the next court hearing, anticipated in February. The family’s repeated requests for early access to these findings have been formally denied, exacerbating their distress and prolonging the search for closure.

Initial post-mortem examinations conducted by local pathologists proved inconclusive, failing to establish a definitive cause of death. This uncertainty prompted investigators to dispatch critical biological samples and toxicology evidence abroad for specialized analysis. Subsequent testing conducted weeks later similarly revealed no clear indications of strangulation, drowning, sexual assault, or visible traumatic injuries.

Chantel, a Grade Four student at Five Islands Primary School, was reportedly taken from near her Grace Farm residence on March 12, 2025. Her remains were discovered over 48 hours later in wooded terrain at Weather Hills. The judicial process has advanced with Angela Mejia, a 20-year-old woman, facing murder charges and having made two court appearances to date.

The extended forensic investigation highlights both the complexities of modern criminal pathology and the emotional toll on families awaiting resolution. As the community continues to seek answers, this case underscores the challenges inherent in resolving criminological mysteries that require international scientific collaboration.

A critical segment of the waterfront boardwalk connecting Redcliffe Quay and Heritage Quay in St. John’s, Antigua, suffered a structural failure during a high-traffic cruise day, plunging sections of the walkway into the water. The incident occurred amid an estimated influx of 12,000 visitors, creating immediate alarm throughout the downtown tourism district.

Initial eyewitness accounts suggest at least two tourists fell into the water following the collapse, with reports confirming they sustained only minor injuries. The breach happened along one of the city’s most frequented pedestrian corridors, raising urgent questions about public infrastructure integrity in high-density tourist zones.

Contrary to initial assumptions, the compromised section is not under the jurisdiction of Antigua Cruise Port but is maintained by government authorities. This distinction has redirected public scrutiny toward municipal infrastructure management practices. Local officials have cordoned off the area and announced an immediate structural assessment of the remaining boardwalk sections to prevent further incidents.

The collapse has triggered widespread concern among waterfront businesses and residents, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced maintenance protocols in aging tourist infrastructure. The timing proved particularly damaging, occurring during peak tourism season when pedestrian traffic reaches maximum capacity. Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation into the root cause of the structural failure.

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation following a security breach at Darkwood Beach Bar and Restaurant, where two unidentified individuals infiltrated the premises during predawn hours on Tuesday. According to law enforcement officials, the incident occurred between approximately 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM, with surveillance systems capturing clear footage of the suspects navigating through the property.

The visual evidence reveals distinctive characteristics of both intruders: one individual appeared shirtless wearing a light-colored ski mask and cargo shorts, while their accomplice sported a dark hooded sweatshirt. The establishment’s owner, Shelmore George, expressed profound distress regarding the violation, characterizing the event as both a personal and professional security breach that compromised the sanctity of the business.

Investigators have maintained discretion regarding potential stolen items, noting that the inventory assessment remains ongoing. As of the latest update, no suspects have been apprehended in connection with the case. The police department has publicly appealed for information, urging community members with relevant knowledge to come forward by contacting specialized lines at 462-3913 or 462-3914 to aid investigative efforts.