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Antigua Today, Saint John's (2025)

04/08/2025

𝗣𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 '𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆'; 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱

03/08/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, Sunday, 3 August 2025

The police have arrested and charged 30-year-old Daquan George, 27-year-old Tanesha Martin, and 19-year-old Taliek Aska, all of Sutherlands for Unlawful Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition.

On Wednesday, 31 July 2025, officers attached to the Gang and Guns Suppression Unit (GAGSU) executed a search warrant at a property in Sutherlands, and during the search, the officers seized a cache of ammunition and firearm-related items, which include:

▪︎ Eleven (11) 12-gauge shotgun rounds

▪︎ Seven (7) 9mm rounds

▪︎ Thirty-six (36) 7.62mm rounds

▪︎ Twenty (20) .22 rounds

▪︎ Twenty-three (23) .45 rounds

▪︎ Eighteen (18) .44 rounds

▪︎ Seventeen (17) .25 rounds

▪︎ Nine (9) .38 rounds

▪︎ Two (2) Smith & Wesson magazines

▪︎ One (1) G***k 9mm magazine

▪︎ One (1) Smith & Wesson .40 caliber magazine

▪︎ One (1) Sig Sauer 9mm magazine

▪︎ One (1) “Patent Pending” 9mm/.40SW speed loader, and

▪︎ One (1) flat-back Chinese AK-47 magazine

Following the discovery, the trio was taken into custody and subsequently charged for the offences. They are expected to appear before the court on Wednesday, 6 August 2025.

– END –

03/08/2025

𝗖𝗔𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗦 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗩𝗘

Residents of Golden Grove were shaken just after midday on Sunday, August 3rd, when a vehicle suddenly exploded near a residential area around 12:30 p.m. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud blast followed by thick smoke billowing into the sky, prompting an immediate response from emergency services. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze, and police are investigating the cause of the explosion.

03/08/2025

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗢𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟴𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿

The CUB Hellsgate Steel Orchestra family continues their 80th anniversary celebrations in style, securing yet another Panorama title — their sixth consecutive victory.

Performing King Onyan’s Crazy Man, arranged by Khan Cordice, Hellsgate outplayed seven other bands to maintain a winning streak that began in 2017.

Results:
• Winner: CUB Hellsgate Steel Orchestra
• 1st Runner-up: Pandemonium Steel Orchestra
• 2nd Runner-up: Halcyon Steel Orchestra

03/08/2025

𝗜𝘀 𝗚𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽?

Letter to the Editor

Is Prime Minister Gaston Browne quietly positioning his wife, Hon. Maria Browne, to be his successor? It is a question that is becoming harder to ignore with each passing day and each new Facebook post.

One only needs to glance at the Prime Minister’s far-reaching social media presence to spot a trend: relentless promotion of his wife’s ministry and her public appearances. Whether it is roadworks, building repairs, or community engagements, her efforts are shared like clockwork, often with glowing captions and sometimes even multiple posts in a single day. But what about the rest of his Cabinet?

Where are the highlights of the Ministry of Agriculture’s achievements? What of the Ministry of Tourism, Education,Utilities or Health? Are they not equally deserving of recognition? Or are their accomplishments less politically useful?

If the Prime Minister commands such a large digital audience, an audience that likely includes a significant portion of the voting public, should he not be using that platform to uplift and showcase the collective work of his entire government? The omission seems deliberate.

Of course, no one denies that Hon. Maria Browne has been active in her role. But the level of focus and exposure she receives solely from the Prime Minister himself raises a legitimate question: is this governance or grooming?

Are we witnessing a strategic move to manufacture consent, to build name recognition, and to lay the foundation for Antigua and Barbuda’s first political husband and wife handover? Is this democracy at work or dynasty in progress?

For now, the public can only speculate and laugh at the spectacle. But behind the smiles and photo ops, a very serious question lingers: is Gaston Browne's legacy project not a national development plan but a familial succession plan?

03/08/2025

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 $𝟭𝟰 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – 3rd August……In a significant reaffirmation of the longstanding diplomatic relationship, the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda and the People’s Republic of China on Friday formalized two major agreements—cementing financial and technical support for national development and sustainable economic growth.
The agreements, signed and exchanged in a formal ceremony attended by Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne and Her Excellency Madame Zhan Yanling, Chinese Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, include:
• A $14 million USD grant for socioeconomic and infrastructure development, and
• A technical cooperation agreement to conduct a feasibility study on Antigua and Barbuda’s Blue Economy potential.
In his address, Prime Minister Browne praised China as one of Antigua and Barbuda’s “most reliable and generous development partners,” noting that this latest grant brings the total value of Chinese-supported development assistance close to $1 billion USD over several decades.
“China has been there for us—quietly, respectfully, and consistently,” PM Browne stated. “From climate resilience and renewable energy to education, infrastructure, and healthcare—China has played a central role in building our capacity and lifting our people.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that the newly signed $14 million grant will directly support critical projects including the replacement of aging water pipes, an area of urgent national priority due to frequent disruptions. Other ongoing collaborations mentioned include housing developments in B***y Alley and Jennings, agricultural initiatives, and solar energy infrastructure.
Ambassador Zhan Yanling highlighted the broader vision of China’s engagement with Antigua and Barbuda, characterizing the partnership as a model of mutual respect, equality, and shared benefit.

“This agreement is more than symbolic—it marks the beginning of a new phase of implementation,” she said. “Our cooperation is aligned with the outcomes of the recent China–CELAC Ministerial Forum, and contributes to our shared aspirations for peace, connectivity, and sustainable development.”
She noted that the agreements are tangible outcomes of high-level discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Browne, and reflect China’s commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in their pursuit of resilience and economic diversification.
One of the signed agreements will initiate a feasibility study on Antigua and Barbuda’s Blue Economy, with the support of Chinese technical experts. The initiative seeks to identify pathways for economic growth through the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources—positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a regional leader in marine-based development.
Prime Minister Browne welcomed this, stating:
“This study will help us unlock the untapped value of our marine ecosystems and create new opportunities in aquaculture, eco-tourism, and marine research—areas that are vital for our long-term sustainability.”
Prime Minister Browne also spoke candidly about China’s unique position on the global stage and praised its role in providing development financing that surpasses even multilateral institutions like the World Bank.
“Unlike others, China doesn’t ask us to take sides in geopolitical conflicts,” Browne said. “They respect our sovereignty and support our development based on solidarity, not strings.”
He reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to China as a “reliable and principled partner”, adding that his government is willing to serve as an honest broker in global diplomacy to foster peace, particularly amid rising tensions between global powers.
“Geopolitical conflicts don’t create value—they destroy it,” he said. “We suffer the consequences disproportionately, which is why we advocate for peace and prosperity for all.”
The ceremony concluded with a strong message of unity and optimism, as both leaders committed to nurturing their countries’ bilateral relationship.
“Our philosophy is one of resilient prosperity,” PM Browne said. “With China’s help, we continue to expand our socio-economic infrastructure and improve the lives of our people.”
Ambassador Zhan affirmed China’s commitment to building a “shared future” with Antigua and Barbuda and reiterated her confidence that the cooperation will yield transformational outcomes in the years ahead. (ENDS)

01/08/2025

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗝𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗦: 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚—𝗔 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬

Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Everton Jeffers, has issued a powerful warning to the nation as youth violence continues to escalate at an alarming rate. Labeling the situation a national emergency, Commissioner Jeffers is calling on all sectors of society to take urgent and united action.
Speaking with clear urgency, Commissioner Jeffers highlighted two recent tragic incidents involving teenagers. “In just one week, we’ve seen two heartbreaking cases involving teenagers. An 18-year-old has been charged with murder, and a 16-year-old is now in custody for the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old from Liberta,” he revealed. “These are not acts of youth mischief; they are serious crimes. And the people involved are children. This is not normal.”
According to Jeffers, the recent cases are only part of a troubling trend that includes a rise in robberies, gang activity, gun and drug use, and youth-involved homicides. He stressed that these are no longer isolated incidents or simple law enforcement issues—they point to systemic breakdowns in families, schools, and communities.
“We must stop pretending these are isolated events. They’re not. They are happening too often, too close to home,” said the Commissioner.
Jeffers appealed directly to parents, educators, religious leaders, coaches, and mentors to play a more proactive role in shaping the lives of young people. “We must teach values like respect, empathy, and conflict resolution, and that must begin at home and be reinforced everywhere else.”
In response, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has begun expanding its community policing efforts, mentorship programmes, and outreach to at-risk youth. Still, Commissioner Jeffers emphasized that policing alone is not enough.
“Parents, know where your children are and who they’re with. Teachers, spot the warning signs. Community leaders, help us reach these kids before the damage is irreversible,” he urged.
His final message was clear and sobering: “If we don’t fix this, we’re sentencing our youth and our nation to a future of crime, fear, and wasted potential. The time to act is not next month or next year—it’s now!”

27/07/2025

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻,

A 32-year-old man from Five Islands was shot at the West Bus Station on Saturday night. He is currently recovering, and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The incident comes amid a troubling rise in gun-related violence across Antigua and Barbuda.

26/07/2025

𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗲𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀

St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, Friday, 25 July 2025

The Police Administration has confirmed that based on forensic analysis, the decomposed body discovered in Swetes in March of this year has been positively identified as that of 37-year-old Keon Richards of Yorks.

Richards was first reported missing in early March after he was last seen on or around February 26. His mother recalled speaking with him approximately one week prior to his disappearance. Following the report, several search operations were conducted by the police, with the assistance of members of the public; however, those efforts proved unsuccessful.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. on March 11, the decomposed body of a male was discovered in the backyard of an unoccupied property in Swetes. Forensic samples were collected and subsequently sent overseas for DNA analysis. The results have since confirmed the identity of the deceased as Keon Richards.

Acting Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers, along with other senior officers, recently met with members of Richards’ family and provided them with an update on the investigation.
During that meeting, Acting Commissioner Jeffers assured the family of the police’s commitment to bringing justice in this matter and stated that the case is now being treated as a homicide investigation.

The police are appealing to anyone who may have information surrounding the disappearance and subsequent death of Keon Richards to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline at 800-TIPS (8477).

– _End_ -

22/07/2025

𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 — 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗡𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝘂𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝘅

Politics is not for the faint of heart. It is a brutal often unforgiving arena where praise is rare and criticism is plentiful. And rightly so — the stakes are high. Decisions made in Cabinet rooms and Parliament chambers affect people’s lives daily. So if you step into that ring man or woman prepare to take licks.

Yet lately there’s a growing subtle pushback whenever a female politician comes under heavy public scrutiny. Suddenly fair political criticism is branded as misogyny. Banter is labeled bullying. Harsh commentary is condemned not for being untrue but because the target is a woman. That right there is a dangerous road to travel.

Let’s be clear no one is above criticism. Not the seasoned male minister who’s grown arrogant in office not the fresh-faced female senator who’s yet to find her footing. The idea that women in politics should be treated with kid gloves while men get roasted daily on call-in shows and social media is not equality it’s condescension. Worse it suggests that women can’t handle the same blows they ask to be trusted to deliver.

The truth is when a woman holds office she takes an oath to serve the people not to be shielded from them. And yes the banter can be brutal just ask any politician who’s been dragged for poor performance caught in scandal or simply fallen out of favour with the public. But that banter that fire is often a measure of engagement. The people talk rough when they care.

And women have proven they can take it. We’ve seen female leaders across the world stand firm in storms of criticism clap back with confidence and make tough decisions under pressure. They are not fragile. They are not porcelain dolls to be admired and protected. They are leaders and that means when they drop the ball the same crowd that lifted them up will be the first to pelt them with words.

That’s politics. That’s democracy. And that’s fair.
So let’s stop pretending that bashing a woman in politics is somehow inherently wrong. If she’s failing the people have every right to say so loudly harshly and in the same tone they use for men. Equal rights must come with equal licks.

Because if the public can’t criticize you then they can’t hold you accountable. And if they can’t hold you accountable then who are you really serving?
All politician fi get blows whether yuh name Margaret or Marcus. That’s the job. Don’t take the power if you can’t take the pressure.

22/07/2025

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱

A young woman, Huneka Benjamin, tragically lost her life in a collision involving a Toyota Vitz near the CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank on Old Parham Road.
Preliminary information indicates that a Lexus was allegedly speeding westward when the victim was exiting the bank’s parking lot. The force of the impact reportedly sent the Lexus into the adjacent lot next to the bank.
Police are continuing investigations into the incident.

22/07/2025

𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐚 — 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 🍷

𝐊𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 || 𝐓𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 & 𝐈𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜

🔥 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬.

📍 𝐍𝐨𝐯 𝟐𝐧𝐝 | 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 🇦🇬
𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝.

#𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐚 #𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 #𝐊𝐞𝐬𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 #𝐓𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 #𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
#𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 #𝐊𝐞𝐬𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐓𝐢𝐚𝐧 #𝐅𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞 #𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭

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