Antigua and Barbuda

By Orville Williams

orville.williams@antiguaobserver.com

Having a miscarriage is one of the most feared experiences for women hopeful of becoming mothers, but one survivor is hoping to lessen the burden on those suffering and their loved ones by telling her story.

Jihan Williams – a national of St Kitts and Nevis, an attorney, a social/development advocate and now an author – experienced a miscarriage herself, losing her son when she was six months pregnant.

By Carlena Knight

Carlena.knight@antiguaobserver.com

Discussions are underway with major cruise lines to begin homeporting from Antigua and Barbuda.

That means the twin island nation could see some of the world’s largest passenger ships operating from here as their main base.

Tourism Minister Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez made the revelation during an exclusive interview with Observer.

By Makeida Antonio

makeida.antonio@antiguaobserver.com

Cabinet has come under fire for its attempt to address pervasive acts of sexual violence against minors.

Bus drivers were singled out in this week’s Cabinet notes for repeatedly breaching the Sexual Offences Act (2015), which stipulates that children under the age of 16 cannot consent to engaging in sexual activity.

Addison Browne, a bus driver, was convicted on Wednesday for tying up a minor and raping her after he was given the responsibility for taking her home in his private vehicle.

By Orville Williams

orville.williams@antiguaobserver.com

Staff at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital have become increasingly disgruntled with the perceived lack of action from the Ministry of Health to resolve several issues affecting them.

This discontent is certainly not new, considering many of the workers only recently returned to work after protesting the situation for more than four weeks.

The Central Marketing Corporation (CMC) has presented a cheque for EC$5,500 towards medical expenses for national cyclist, Andre Simon.

In making the donation to Andre’s sister, Beatrice Simon, the Chairman of the Central Marketing Corporation Board, Ambassador Clarence Pilgrim, said, “I would like to take this opportunity to offer our well wishes for a full recovery and ask that the family accept a token of our support in the form of a cheque, contributing to the medical expenses that are due”.

By Kadeem Joseph

Kadeem.joseph@antiguaobserver.com

Cabinet is reaffirming its support to the family of Andre Simon who is in “dire” need of specialised medical attention abroad following a recent near fatal accident.

Minister of Information Melford Nicholas said Minister of Health Molwyn Joseph had highlighted the need to assist the national cyclist during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.

By Latrishka Thomas

Latrishka.thomas7@gmail.com

Two young men are currently on trial in the High Court for raping a 15-year-old girl when they were just a year older than the alleged victim.

It is believed that in 2019 the complainant was at home with her three younger sisters when one of the defendants – a friend of hers who frequented her home – called and indicated that he was coming by.

The girl reportedly heard the voice of the second accused through the phone and immediately told her friend not to bring him to her house.

By Carlena Knight

Carlena.knight@antiguaobserver.com

Unvaccinated people travelling to Antigua and Barbuda will continue to have to present a negative Covid-19 test result upon entry.

Information Minister Melford Nicholas reiterated the Cabinet’s stance on Thursday in response to a question at the post-Cabinet press briefing regarding whether government intended to follow the lead of the UK and US who have both removed Covid entry tests.

By Kadeem Joseph

Kadeem.joseph@antiguaobserver.com

A human rights group is warning of “disastrous” consequences if there is a departure from the centuries-old system of communal land ownership on Barbuda, despite a recent Privy Council ruling paving the way for such.

By Neto Baptiste

Antigua and Barbuda’s lone professional women’s cricketer, Shawnisha Hector, has been drafted by the Trinbago Knight Riders in the inaugural Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) later this year.

The all-rounder is part of an 11-member squad that will take part in the three-team competition that will be played during the men’s event inside the 2022 Hero CPL tournament window which will run from August 30 to September 30.