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  • Single-Lane Traffic Continues on Major Roads Amid Ongoing Repairs

    Single-Lane Traffic Continues on Major Roads Amid Ongoing Repairs

    The Ministry of Works’ Project Implementation Management Unit (PIMU) is advising the general public that single-lane traffic continues to be in effect to facilitate ongoing infrastructure repairs to major roads.

    On Sir Sydney Walling Highway, asphalt repairs, road markings, concrete swales and bus lay-bys installation will continue this week, from Willikies westwards, starting daily at approximately 8:00 a.m.

    On Old Parham Road, single-lane traffic will continue to facilitate guardrail adjustments.

    On Valley Road North, single-lane traffic will be implemented to allow for asphalt repairs.

    Flag persons will be employed, and motorists are encouraged to follow all instructions to ensure a cautious and safe passageway, as heavy-duty equipment will be operating near the works.

    C.O. Williams Ltd. sincerely regrets the inconvenience. The road work is a part of the Second Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project being carried out by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

    Stakeholders are asked to adjust their travel plans to allow for delays.

    Telephone queries can be made by calling the C.O. Williams Project office at 562-9573.

  • Elderly woman robbed at gunpoint

    Elderly woman robbed at gunpoint

    **SOURCE: ANTIGUA OBSERVER-** An 81-year-old woman was reportedly the victim of an armed robbery which was perpetrated in her home on Friday night.

    The incident allegedly occurred some time after 11 pm on July 25th.

    According to reports, the elderly victim had secured her home for the evening and was lying in bed listening to the radio when three armed men forced their way inside the dwelling.

    The suspects, all approximately 5 feet tall, were dressed in dark clothing with ski masks covering their faces, allegedly entered her bedroom and brandished firearms while demanding money.

    “She became fearful for her life,” sources indicate, leading the woman to hand over her purse containing an undisclosed sum of money.

    The armed intruders then allegedly ransacked the bedroom and stole four gold chains, four gold bracelets, and one iPhone before fleeing the property.

    Initial investigations revealed that the perpetrators reportedly gained entry by forcing open the kitchen door on the west side of the residence. A search was conducted for both the suspects and stolen items; however, the men were not located and none of the jewelry was recovered.

    The total value of the stolen articles has not yet been determined.

    This incident highlights growing concerns about crimes targeting elderly residents who live alone. Authorities are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information about this alleged robbery to contact police immediately.

  • VIDEO: Concrete Upgrade Underway on Cooks Landfill Road

    VIDEO: Concrete Upgrade Underway on Cooks Landfill Road

    No more dodging potholes — the road leading to 📍Cooks Landfill is getting a much-needed concrete makeover. Daily commuters can soon expect smoother, safer travel. 👷🏽‍♂️🚧

  • Caribbean Family Travels Across 22 U.S. States in 8 Days to Inspire Love, Literacy, and Legacy

    Caribbean Family Travels Across 22 U.S. States in 8 Days to Inspire Love, Literacy, and Legacy

    _July 2025 – United States / Caribbean_ – In a powerful journey rooted in love, purpose, and promise, Caribbean couple Engel and Amanda Jones, along with their three sons (ages 16, 11, and 5), completed an unforgettable **road trip across 21 U.S. states in just 6 days**, later adding **Alabama as a bonus stop on Day 8**—bringing their total to **22 states**.

    The trip was more than sightseeing—it was a mission in motion:

    **“To invest in what matters most—our children—by creating a journey that blends books, new places, and possibilities, through acts of love that speak louder than words.”

    Narrated by Amanda and documented daily, this adventure weaves visits to **iconic libraries, literary landmarks, museums, and meaningful family reflections**, using their _Family Faith In Action_ journal.

    Their path included stops at the **Savannah Public Library (GA)**, **Library of Congress (Washington, D.C.)**, and the **North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences**, among many others—each destination chosen to inspire curiosity and celebrate stories.

    This family trip echoes a promise made in 2018 when Engel and Amanda traveled across **48 U.S. states and both sides of Canada**, conducting **349 face-to-face interviews** for Engel’s global podcast, _#12minconvos_. Their children weren’t part of that original journey—but they are now, front and center.

    Now, with **22 states behind them**,

    **The Jones family is already planning to complete the next 28 states—and of course, making sure _you_ are part of the journey. They want you to know: your dreams are possible.**

    Stay tuned as they release **12-minute documentary-style videos** capturing each day’s highlights on their YouTube channel, **Family Faith In Action**, alongside interviews, reflections, and a heartfelt narration by Amanda Jones.

  • The Revival of Community: Modern Solutions for a Generation in Crisis

    The Revival of Community: Modern Solutions for a Generation in Crisis

    The tragic death of a 16-year-old just days before a brilliant Carnival performance was more than coincidence—it was a wake-up call. It revealed the two Antiguas we’re living in: one where youth soar with talent, and one where they fall through the cracks.

    Carnival, with its color and culture, is often a joyous time. But joy must coexist with purpose. While we dance in the streets, we must also walk alongside our youth. And when I sat in the audience at the Teen Splash event, I knew we were watching something sacred—young people expressing their truth through art.

    That truth included a call to action: bring back the village.

    Not the village of yesterday, but a reimagined one. Today, the pillars of our community include tech-savvy nonprofits, schools, private companies, and grassroots leaders. And through Good Humans 268’s Student Community Service Program, we’re mobilizing these forces for good.

    Our Student Community Service Program is creating a new framework of civic responsibility. Children as young as five are getting involved. Teens are learning about the environment, discipline, and empathy. It’s volunteerism redefined—modern, measurable, meaningful.

    We’re not guessing our way through youth development anymore. We’re building systems. The app in development will transform how service hours are matched, tracked, and rewarded. It will connect students with opportunities, and institutions with talent. In the process, we will raise a generation that feels a sense of purpose and pride.

    But more than anything, this work is about love. The kind of love that sees a troubled boy and offers mentorship instead of judgment. The kind of love that teaches soft skills like emotional intelligence, communication, and time management—skills that break cycles and build futures.

    It’s not too late. We’re not too far gone. The Carnival lights will fade, but what we do next will determine whether the memories were fleeting or foundational. Let us build a culture where every 16-year-old knows their life matters. Where community doesn’t just happen—it is cultivated.

    Let’s bring the village back. Let’s bring Antigua and Barbuda forward.

  • Browne: INTERPOL Alert on Keith Rowley Did Not Originate from Antigua

    Browne: INTERPOL Alert on Keith Rowley Did Not Originate from Antigua

    Prime Minister Gaston Browne has clarified that the alert which prompted immigration checks on former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley during a stopover in Antigua did not originate from local authorities.

    Speaking to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) during the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Grenada, Browne said immigration officers acted professionally and treated Rowley with full respect.

    Dr. Rowley, who stepped away from active politics in April 2023, was flagged on July 14 at VC Bird International Airport while en route to Montserrat’s 30th anniversary observance of the Soufrière Hills Volcano eruption. The alert was reportedly based on information from INTERPOL.

    “It was not a detention,” Browne said, explaining that the action taken was routine given the data in the immigration portal. “The information prompting the inquiries did not emanate from Antigua and Barbuda.”

    The Prime Minister also confirmed that the matter has since been resolved. “The information has since been removed from the system, and there is no such notation,” he told CMC. “I will not speculate where it originated, but I can assure you it did not come from Antigua and Barbuda.”

    Dr. Rowley has called for answers from his country’s leadership, questioning why his name appeared on an international watch list and urging explanations from Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar and Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro.

  • African Dress Day Declared a Grand Success

    African Dress Day Declared a Grand Success

    The Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission (ABRSC) is proud to declare African Dress Day 2025 a resounding success. Across the nation, scores of Antiguans and Barbudans stepped out in vibrant African prints and garments, answering the national call to honour our African ancestry and proudly showcase our shared heritage.

    This visible tribute to our roots was more than a fashion statement it was a bold affirmation of identity, unity, and reverence for the Ancestors who paved the path to freedom. The ABRSC commends the growing national consciousness and deepening appreciation of our African heritage, calling the day “a powerful act of remembrance and pride.”

    “African Dress Day is not just about wearing the clothes,” the Commission emphasized. “It’s about embracing and sustaining our heritage… visually, spiritually, and culturally.”

    As part of this year’s wider Emancipation observance under the theme _“A Call to Consciousness and Pride”_ , celebrations continue with the 17th Annual Watchnight Gathering, taking place Thursday, July 31st at 8:00 p.m. in the Botanical Gardens.

    Watchnight is a sacred tradition rooted in hope and resistance. For enslaved Africans, it was a night spent waiting with bated breath for the dawn of freedom. Today, it remains a cornerstone of cultural and spiritual remembrance. The evening will feature drumming, libations, iron band performances, spoken word, and messages of hope. This year’s gathering will be especially poignant with Dr. Julius Garvey, son of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, delivering the keynote address, a powerful moment in connecting past and present liberation struggles.

    The Emancipation season will culminate on August 1st, Emancipation Day, with the Emancipation Village at V.C. Bird Bust in the heart of St. John’s from 10am. The Village will transform the Market place into a lively cultural hub filled with traditional foods, local crafts, live performances, story telling and historical displays. It will serve as a space for families, artists, historians, and community members to gather in celebration and reflection.

    “The Emancipation Village is more than an event; it is an immersive journey through our heritage. A moment to honour the sacrifices of those who came before us, while celebrating the beauty, resilience, and creativity of our people,” said the Commission.

    As Antigua and Barbuda marks 191 years of Emancipation, the ABRSC reminds all that emancipation is not just a moment — it is a movement

  • All Saints Road Works to Begin Late 2025, Says Minister

    All Saints Road Works to Begin Late 2025, Says Minister

    Antigua and Barbuda’s All Saints Road is set for major rehabilitation later this year, according to newly appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Works, Senator Clement Antonio.

    Speaking at a press conference following his swearing-in, Senator Antonio said discussions with contractors are ongoing, and designs have been refined to address longstanding issues.

    Work is expected to begin in the final quarter of 2025. The Minister urged patience, noting that durable engineering is key to the road’s long-term resilience.

    He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the project, calling it a top infrastructure priority.

  • SLBMC Reaffirms Commitment to Hepatitis B Elimination with Strong Birth Dose Vaccination Efforts

    SLBMC Reaffirms Commitment to Hepatitis B Elimination with Strong Birth Dose Vaccination Efforts

    St. John’s, Antigua — In recognition of World Hepatitis B Day (July 28), the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) is reaffirming its commitment to the elimination of hepatitis B through its proactive birth dose vaccination program—a key pillar in Antigua and Barbuda’s public health efforts.

    Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can lead to chronic disease, liver failure, and liver cancer. One of the most effective ways to prevent HBV transmission is by administering the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth—a critical window for protecting newborns, especially those at risk of mother-to-child transmission.

    “At SLBMC, we routinely offer the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine to all newborns as part of our standard neonatal care,” said Dr. Saleem Hughes, Chair of SLBMC’s Paediatric Department. “This simple yet powerful intervention can protect children from a lifetime of chronic illness.”

    From January to June 2025, 70% of babies born at SLBMC received the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth—a strong indicator of the hospital’s commitment to giving every child a healthy start in life.

    SLBMC’s vaccination programme aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations and supports global and regional strategies for the elimination of viral hepatitis. By integrating the hepatitis B birth dose into routine care, SLBMC is helping to:

    ▪️Prevent lifelong chronic hepatitis B infections

    ▪️Protect future generations from liver disease

    ▪️Strengthen national and global hepatitis elimination efforts

    As the country’s only tertiary care hospital, SLBMC encourages all parents and caregivers to speak with their healthcare providers about the importance of early vaccination and routine immunization.

    Together, we can eliminate hepatitis—one birth, one vaccine, one healthy future at a time.