分类： Society

A taxi driver crashed into a house on Upper Newgate Street on Thursday after his minivan was struck by another vehicle, in an incident that left both the motorist and a nearby resident startled but unhurt.

Veteran taxi operator Agnelos George said he was driving westbound when a Toyota Vitz emerged unexpectedly from an alley and hit his black Honda minivan, causing him to lose control.

“Then when he hit me, I went out of control and hit the whole house,” George told ABS News. “I was frightened because the car would not stop at all and it was heading to the house. It’s a good thing the house was there.”

George said the other driver briefly approached him after the crash, saying: _“We can fix that up.”_ But when George insisted on calling the police, the man returned to his car and fled the scene.

The occupant of the house, Zavier Ford, was in another room at the time of the crash. He told ABS News he initially mistook the sound for part of a video game he was playing.

“There were already gunshots going on [in the game], so I was like, wait, this game car so loud,” Ford recalled. “I get up to come outside and see the car coming straight to the house.”

No injuries were reported. However, police say the driver of the Toyota Vitz could face multiple charges as investigations continue.

The National Youth Parliament Association has confronted the growing issue of substance abuse among young people, sparking calls for urgent government action.

During a recent session, participants aged between 13 and 18 highlighted what they described as an alarming increase in drug misuse following the decriminalisation of cannabis in 2018.

Kashan Jarvis, the 17-year-old Prime Minister in the Youth Parliament representing St. John’s Royal South, led a resolution urging amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act. His proposals include holding parents accountable when cannabis is found in their homes, establishing a national youth rehabilitation initiative, and launching comprehensive public education campaigns.

“Let us be serious to ourselves and acknowledge that this is a dangerous loophole affecting our society today,” Mr Jarvis told the assembly. “An idle mind is a devil’s playground. We will invest in sports, arts, mentorships, skills training and safe spaces for our youth to grow in mind, body, and purpose.”

His 10-point action plan also includes organising a drug-free bike ride in the coming weeks to raise awareness and engage young people directly.

However, the resolution was met with cautious support from Opposition Leader Crystal Pal, who questioned whether decriminalisation had unintentionally led to increased drug misuse among youths.

“We must ask, has decriminalisation opened the floodgates for youth misuse? And if so, is it time to revisit the law?” Ms Pal said. “Are we crafting policies based on perception or on evidence? Without fully understanding the extent of the problem, how can we hope to solve it?”

The Youth Parliament’s resolution will now be formally submitted to the government, urging policymakers to consider these youth-driven recommendations to better protect minors from substance abuse.

There is no end in sight for embattled American rapper, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal troubles with indications that he is being sued for $10-million by a Dominican dancer, according to multiple reports.

The matter was first reported by Variety Magazine who identified the Dominican as Edmond Laurent, who was described as a former model, actor, and exotic dancer, who moonlighted under the name “Islander.”

The magazine reported that the lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, July 1 in a Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging sexual abuse, drugging, and intentional transmission of a sexually transmitted disease.

In the 32-page lawsuit, Laurent also mentioned several unnamed individuals accusing them of assault, battery, sexual battery, civil conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and aiding and abetting.

According to Variety, the complaint alleged that the abuse began in the 2000s when Laurent, who is heterosexual, was invited to perform at a private event at a Los Angeles hotel. Upon arrival, he found a man and a woman wearing masks who wanted a private dance.

“Seeing nothing wrong with the request, Plaintiff proceeded to perform. After the performance, he was paid and left,” the Variety report reads. The man Laurent allegedly encountered was Combs, the complaint said, according to the magazine.

The report continued, “A few days later, he received another call from the woman, and he returned. After performing his dance for the couple, the woman propositioned Laurent for sexual intercourse,” the Variety reports continued. “According to the complaint, Combs noted ‘how much pleasure he derived from watching another man ‘f*&$’ his girl.’ Laurent agreed, put on a condom, and proceeded to have sex with the woman. He was paid an additional $1,000 for the act.”

The lawsuit went on to allege that Laurent was drugged and raped by Combs and the mystery woman, who on purpose punctured a condom with her nails and exposed him to a sexually transmitted disease.

It also mentioned multiple encounters where Laurent was allegedly manipulated into spiked drinks and forced into non-consensual sexual acts, including one incident where he lost consciousness after drinking orange juice that was reportedly laced with Rohypnol and ketamine.

“When Plaintiff regained consciousness, he was lying naked on the bed, slathered in baby oil, and felt immense pressure and pain in his rectum,” the complaint states, according to Variety.

The magazine quoted one of Laurent’s attorneys, Rodney Diggs, who said the lawsuit is all about holding “powerful individuals accountable.”

“This lawsuit is not just about seeking justice for one man — it is about holding powerful individuals accountable when they use their influence to exploit, degrade, and destroy lives behind closed doors,” he said. “For years, Mr. Laurent suffered in silence — his career, body, and spirit irreparably damaged by the trauma he endured. Today, that silence ends. No amount of fame, fortune, or intimidation should shield anyone from being held responsible for their actions.”

On Wednesday, July 2, Combs was found guilty on two charges related to prostitution and was acquitted of the serious allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering in a trial that has captivated many observers.

The online database, IMDb, that provides information about movies, TV shows, video games, and streaming content, states that Laurent was born in Dominica and speaks French. He is now living in Beverly Hills.

Click link below to read the entire story from Variety Magazine.

A fresh surge of Saharan dust is affecting air quality in Antigua and Barbuda, with conditions expected to persist through Sunday.

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service has issued an Alert Level II advisory, noting that air quality has dropped to moderate levels. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecast to range from 51 to 80.

Meteorologist Dale Destin confirmed it is the tenth dust event recorded in 2025.

While the general public faces minimal health risk, vulnerable groups—including the elderly, children, and people with heart or respiratory conditions—are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exposure.

Moderate air quality may cause mild symptoms in sensitive individuals, particularly those with asthma or other respiratory issues.

The dust, carried by trade winds from the Sahara Desert, is part of a wider regional pattern this year.

Residents are urged to monitor updates via the Meteorological Service’s website and social media platforms.

The National Soca Fraternity wishes to formally address a matter of grave concern regarding the recently concluded Soca Monarch Quarterfinals preliminaries.

On the final night of the Quarterfinals, it was publicly announced from the stage by the MC that a decision had been made by the Festivals Commission to have two artists privately judged in an enclosed and undisclosed location, in front of a private panel of judges and a private audience.

This decision was taken prior to the official judging of both Groovy and Jumpy Quarterfinals categories.

We are aware that in past years, requests from several artists to be adjudicated earlier — due to travel arrangements and other unavoidable circumstances — were declined on multiple occasions, ultimately resulting in those artists being unable to participate in their intended categories.

It is critical to note that performing in an enclosed, empty space is vastly different from performing on an open stage before a live audience, with the full technical setup including stage equipment, speakers, monitors, and crowd interaction.

These differences directly impact the sound, energy, and overall performance experience, putting the artists who followed the established protocol at a significant and unfair disadvantage.

The National Soca Fraternity, along with other participating artists, was not notified or consulted about this decision prior to the private judging.

Such a decision undermines the integrity of the competition, which is intended to provide a fair and level playing field for all contestants.

It must be emphasized that other artists who arrived late or were unable to perform on the scheduled dates were disqualified, in strict adherence to the rules.

Prior to the competition, a number-picking process was conducted, and all artists were made aware of their designated performance dates. Any previous miscommunications regarding dates were addressed and resolved well in advance.

Both artists in question were already aware of their unavailability for the scheduled dates but were still offered the opportunity to perform ahead of the preliminaries.

Following the announcement on July 2nd, the National Soca Fraternity immediately engaged the Festivals Commission and was redirected to the Judges Committee.

Both bodies indicated that the decision was taken to account for prior miscommunication.

Despite numerous efforts made between the evening of July 2nd and throughout July 3rd to express the deep concerns of the artist community, these efforts were dismissed. The response given was that, should the Fraternity not accept the decision, the results will remain unchanged.

The National Soca Fraternity made every effort to resolve this matter amicably and in good faith. However, this decision fails to respect and honor the artists who participated under the established rules and those who, in fairness, did not progress to the semifinals.

It is important to emphasize that this statement is in no way a personal attack on the two artists involved. We hold the highest respect for their talent, dedication, and contributions to the art form. Our concern lies solely with the manner in which this decision was made and executed and not the artists themselves.

We stand firmly against this unprecedented and unjust decision and call for immediate corrective action to uphold the fairness, integrity, and spirit of the Soca Monarch competition.

We remain committed to supporting and protecting the interests of all soca artists and will continue to advocate for a transparent and equitable process in all future events.

~National Soca Fraternity of Antigua & Barbuda

With the constant increase in food prices against the backdrop of the importance of healthy eating, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is encouraging citizens and residents of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to engage in some form of farming to assist with food security and sustainability.

Speaking on this week’s episode of ECCB Connects, Owner and Manager of Nevis Hydro Gardens and veteran farmer, Daniel Arthurton, says the concept of farm-to-table, is one which our ancestors practised for hundreds of years, and is about knowing what you are growing and knowing what you are eating. He speaks of the holistic approach in his sustainable farm model where he uses solar energy for electricity and rainwater for irrigation.

Arthurton showcases the diverse range of crops grown on his farm, including herbs, seasonings, fruits, and root crops. He emphasises the importance of farmers having multiple income streams throughout the year. Additionally, he believes that engaging the younger generation in farming should involve incorporating technology, such as Apps and coding, to make the fields more appealing. Arthurton also reiterates that the farm-to-table approach plays a vital role in improving food security and enhancing the nutritional quality of the food people consume.

For more information about the topic, view this week’s episode of ECCB Connects on the ECCB’s social media platforms.

APUA water division workers on the job/APUA Photo

Farmers, agro-processors, government officials, and fruit lovers gathered at Judgment Square this morning for the official launch of Piango Fest 2025. The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., was filled with vibrant displays, local produce, and optimism for the future of Antigua and Barbuda’s Agriculture. Delivering the feature address, Hon. Minister of Agriculture Lands Fisheries and the Blue Economy,Anthony Smith Jr. acknowledged the farmers and stakeholders present, calling them “defenders of our food security.” He extended a warm welcome to all and expressed his joy at launching what he described as a vital event in the island’s agricultural calendar.

“This marks a significant step in our journey to keeping the sector alive,” the Minister said. “Our theme this year—Plant, Peel, Process—reflects a collective commitment to ensuring that agriculture not only survives but thrives.”Formerly known as Mango Fest, the event was rebranded in 2019 to “Piango Fest” to reflect the dual focus on mangoes and pineapples—especially the Antigua’s iconic Black Pineapple. “This hybrid celebration gives us a chance to showcase the full value of what we grow, from the tree to the table,” the Minister explained.

Despite setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, this marks the second Piango Fest since the event’s post-pandemic revival, and organizers are keen to make it a permanent fixture once again. This year’s festival, set for August 17 at Cades Bay Agricultural Station, will highlight local ingenuity with a range of value-added products derived from mangoes and pineapples: jams, jellies, sauces, pastries, wines, juices, and more. “Our local varieties are a testament to the richness of our land—the growing sweetness of our mangoes, and the world-renowned Antigua Black pineapple,” Minister Smith said.

He also credited the government, the Ministry of Agriculture, and partner organization IICA for their support in revitalizing the Antigua Black pineapple industry, particularly through ongoing work at Cades Bay.

Minister Smith shared a remarkable update on the pineapple multiplication program: “We started with just 25 samples from local farmers, which we sent to St. Vincent for tissue culture. Those 25 became 15,000, and with planting and replanting, that number will keep multiplying.”

The launch was a celebration of resilience, collaboration, and renewed agricultural pride. With Piango Fest 2025 just weeks away, all eyes now turn to Cades Bay—where the sweetness of the land and the spirit of the people will be on full display.

Political activist George Wehner has been summoned to appear before the St. John’s Magistrate’s Court on charges of trespassing.

The court document alleges that on June 9, 2025, Wehner unlawfully entered the premises of Cinnamint Hill Estate in Willikies, located in St. Phillip Parish.

The matter falls under Section 51(a) of the Small Charges Act, Chapter 405 of the Revised Laws of Antigua and Barbuda.

Wehner is expected to appear in District ‘A’ Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. to answer the charge.

The summons was issued and dated June 19, 2025, by a District Magistrate.

**ABS-** A 13-year-old from Barbuda has been sworn in as the youngest ever member of the National Youth Parliament Association of Antigua and Barbuda. Khadalia Joseph, representing Barbuda as an Independent member, was selected by her peers during the Barbuda Youth Council sitting in May. She took her oath on Thursday, alongside five other new youth parliamentarians.

Youth Parliament Speaker Jessica Zouetr noted Joseph’s performance during today’s session, which focused on substance abuse among minors.

“We want to especially recognize Khadalia Joseph, who is a 13-year-old who joined us from Barbuda… she was selected among her members to represent Barbuda, and I think that she did an amazing job here this morning.”