分类： Society

Emergency crews were called to the Point area on Saturday morning after a lamppost toppled onto a delivery truck.

The incident occurred along a residential stretch of road, where the vehicle was reportedly making its rounds when the pole suddenly gave way and crashed onto its roof. No serious injuries have been reported, but the truck sustained visible damage.

Motorists were temporarily diverted as crews cleared the debris.

Authorities are investigating. APUA said in a statement that the truck pulled down secondary utility lines.

PENSIONERS SHOULD BE TOTALLY TAX EXEMPT

They Already Paid Their Dues

**………by Audley Phillip**

Some months ago, I had a cordial and friendly discussion with a Government Senator. I raised what I considered to be a a genuine concern that all pensioners should be exempt of any taxes.

Our pensioners have already paid their dues and it is almost double whammy to ask them to pay Antigua & Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) on food and other consumer items.

Once a pensioner shows his/her pension card at the time of making purchase, all taxes should be exempted and removed.

Pensioners are required to live and survive on a pension cheque which is by no means substantial.

Old age comes with its share of ailments and sickness and very often the pension cheque is not even able to cover a fraction of their medical costs.

I am therefore calling on the government to move quickly in order to address this anomaly and bring some much needed relief to pensioners.

Celebrating Eight Years of Commitment to Youth Empowerment and Technological Advancement

St. John’s, Antigua — Antigua Computer Technology (ACT) and AllMart proudly sponsored the Nolan Hue Foundation’s annual Youth Empowerment Retreat (YER) 2025, held from July 18–20 at the picturesque Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua. Celebrating the eighth consecutive year of this meaningful collaboration, ACT and AllMart reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to nurturing local talent and empowering Antigua’s youth.

A Transformative Weekend for Antigua’s Young Adults

This year’s retreat brought together over 30 young adults aged 18–25 from across Antigua & Barbuda. Participants experienced an immersive weekend filled with engaging workshops, inspiring activities, and holistic wellness sessions designed to foster leadership skills, career readiness, personal growth, and self-awareness. Attendees described the retreat as profoundly life-changing, insightful, and thought-provoking, equipping them with valuable perspectives and essential skills for their futures.

Insightful Workshop by Andrew Doumith on AI in Education and Careers

Andrew Doumith, CEO of AllMart and Director of Business Development at ACT, delivered an impactful and engaging workshop titled “AI in Schools and the Workplace.” Doumith’s dynamic presentation provided practical strategies for young Antiguans to leverage advanced artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, OpenAI’s Sora, Google’s Veo3, and more. He demonstrated how these powerful resources could significantly enhance career opportunities, amplify creativity, and help fulfill personal aspirations.

Doumith also shared real-world examples illustrating how ACT and AllMart integrate AI technologies into their daily operations. These include sophisticated customer service chatbots for enhanced communication efficiency, AI-powered sentiment analysis tools to optimise customer interactions, and innovative AutoDispatch software automating delivery assignments for maximum efficiency. He highlighted the significant benefits AI brings to marketing through automated content creation and streamlined operational processes via AI-driven meeting transcription tools.

Empowering Employees through Continued Learning

Six ACT and AllMart employees actively participated in YER 2025, directly experiencing the transformative nature of the retreat. These team members returned inspired, energized, and eager to incorporate their new insights and enhanced skills into their professional roles and community initiatives. Their enthusiastic involvement underscores ACT and AllMart’s commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

“Our mission at ACT is clear: to bring our community into the future through technology,” stated Andrew Doumith. “Today, technology is synonymous with empowerment—it’s an essential resource that ensures our community is fully prepared to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Supporting initiatives like YER goes beyond traditional sponsorship; it symbolises our heartfelt dedication to uplifting Antigua’s youth and investing significantly in the bright future of our nation.”

A Vision for Antigua’s Future

The ongoing collaboration between ACT, AllMart, and the Nolan Hue Foundation continues to reinforce their shared vision that empowering Antigua’s young leaders is critical to cultivating a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable future for all citizens.

For more information about ACT, AllMart, and their extensive community initiatives, please visit www.actantigua.com or Follow their Pages on social media: @allmartantigua and @act.radioshack.

Get ready, Antigua—it’s Carnival time, and the high-energy T-Shirt Mas parade is taking over the streets of St. John’s today, Saturday July 26, from 3 PM to 9 PM with vibrant costumes, pulsating music, and non-stop revelry!

The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has released the official parade route and program, giving revelers and spectators a preview of what promises to be a spectacular afternoon of colour and culture.

Parade Route: The revelry kicks off on Old Parham Road near the T.N. Kirnon School. The procession will move:

• Up Old Parham Rd.
• RIGHT onto Simon Bolivar Dr.
• RIGHT onto Factory Rd.
• LEFT onto Parliament Dr.
• RIGHT onto Queen Elizabeth Hwy
• RIGHT onto Independence Ave.
• LEFT onto Redcliffe St.
• RIGHT onto Thames St.
• RIGHT onto High St.
• LEFT onto Independence Ave.
• RIGHT back onto Old Parham Rd.

🎀 Special Note: An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place as the parade reaches Queen Elizabeth Highway, next to the Old House of Culture.

WHO’S ON THE ROAD? Expect a dazzling mix of cultural performers and T-shirt mas bands, including:

🎭 Cultural Parade Participants:

• LIAT 2020 Stilt Walkers
• National Cheerleaders
• Tribute Float
• Cultural Characters
• Point & Urlins Iron Bands
• RT Dancers
• Dancing Ladies
• Agriculture Float

🎉 T-Shirt Mas Bands:

• Insane – “Psyops” (2500 strong)
• Myst – “Temptation” (1500)
• Barefoot Promotions – “The Garden of Time” (1500)
• Xclusive – “Denim” (1000)
• Chattabox – “Colours of the Flag” (1000)
• DumzTree Carnival – “Tribute to our Brother” (600–700)
• GTM Movement – “Royal” (500)
• Rebel Nation – “Road Rage” (300)
• RHN – “Vampire Blud” (300–500)
• Warriors – “Carnival Iz We” (100–500)
• CIBC Caribbean – “Jam for the Cure” (300)
• Massai – “African” (400)
• Roadhouse – “Eruption; Feeling Hot! Hot! Hot!” (100)
• Queens Court Kiddies – “Irie Mas” (150)

🎊 Public Reminder:

• Please support the bands safely from sidewalks and designated viewing areas.
• Encourage safe and responsible behavior—stay hydrated, be courteous, and look out for one another.
• Let’s all do our part to ensure an incident-free Carnival.

📣 The streets are calling, the vibes are real—SEE YOU ON THE ROAD TODAY!

July 26, 2025