Politics
1478 articles
IMF Urges Antigua and Barbuda to Reform Financial Sector, Boost Connectivity
The IMF has called on Antigua and Barbuda to reform its financial sector, improve connectivity and address skills shortages as part of a broader push to strengthen the country's long-term economic resilience. The Fund estimates real GDP growth of 3 percent in 2025, supported primarily by construction activity.
Letter: Civil Servants Call for Fairness and Due Process in Complaint Handling
An anonymous letter published by Antigua.news raises serious concerns about fairness, bias, and due process in how complaints are handled within Antigua and Barbuda's civil service. The writer calls for stronger accountability measures, impartial investigations, and renewed commitment to the principles of natural justice.
Antigua Port Authority Staff Pay Tribute to Trailblazing Former Chairman Mary-Clare Hurst
Staff at the Antigua Port Authority held a tribute ceremony in St. John's for former chairman and Government Senator Mary-Clare Hurst, who died suddenly. Hurst was a trailblazing figure in Antigua and Barbuda's public life, serving as one of the first female chairpersons of the Port Authority Board and the first female General Secretary of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.
Port Authority Holds Emotional Tribute for Former Chairman Mary-Clare Hurst
The Antigua Port Authority held an emotional tribute this morning for former chairman and Government Senator Mary-Clare Hurst following news of her sudden death. Port Manager Darwin Telemaque led the ceremony, reflecting on her pioneering legacy and transformational contributions to the institution and the nation.
WHO Confirms Five Hantavirus Cases Linked to Cruise Ship as Passengers Disperse Globally
The World Health Organization has confirmed five hantavirus infections linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, with three people dead, as health authorities across dozens of countries work to trace and monitor exposed passengers. As reported by Antigua News Room, 146 passengers from 23 nations remain aboard under strict precautionary measures, with the vessel expected to dock in Tenerife, Spain, this weekend.
Antigua and Barbuda Records One of CARICOM's Lowest Maternal Mortality Rates
New UN estimates rank Antigua and Barbuda among CARICOM's safest nations for maternal health, with a lifetime pregnancy-related mortality risk of just 1 in 2,108. While most Caribbean countries have made progress since 2000, the pace of improvement has slowed across the region.
PM Browne Signals Uncertainty Over Leading ABLP Into Fifth Election
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said there is "no guarantee" he will lead the ABLP into a fifth consecutive general election, calling on the party to develop its next generation of leadership. The comments came days after the party's landslide April 30 election win.
PM Browne Signals He May Not Lead ABLP Into a Fifth Election
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has publicly stated for the first time that there is "no guarantee" he will lead the ABLP into a fifth general election, signalling that succession planning is becoming a priority within the governing party. The remarks come shortly after the ABLP's sweeping April 30 election victory, in which the party won 15 of 17 parliamentary seats.
Twelve ABLP Representatives Sworn In as Browne Calls for Unity and National Renewal
Twelve newly elected ABLP representatives were sworn into office on Tuesday, with three taking oaths as Ministers of State following the party's decisive win in the 2026 General Elections. Prime Minister Gaston Browne called on the new administration to pursue excellence, unity, and national renewal.
Four Young Antiguans Named Official Social Media Correspondents for CHOGM 2026
The CHOGM 2026 Secretariat has appointed four young Antiguans and Barbudans — Janet Simon, Gabrielle Hamlet, Lutrell John and Joshua Edwards — as official Social Media Correspondents for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, set to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in November 2026.
Antigua and Barbuda Joins Regional Drive to Eliminate Mercury from Skin-Lightening Products
Antigua and Barbuda participated in the launch of a new WHO behavioural insights toolkit in Panama City on 25 February 2026, joining a regional effort to eliminate mercury-containing skin-lightening products. The toolkit helps countries identify and address the drivers behind harmful skin-lightening practices, which pose serious health and environmental risks.
Proposed US Visa Changes Could Create Hurdles for Antiguan and Barbudan Students
Antiguan and Barbudan students planning to study in the United States could face new hurdles under a proposed overhaul of the US international student visa system, which would replace open-ended status periods with fixed admission windows of up to four years. The changes, if approved, could take effect before the Fall 2026 academic intake and may also affect post-graduation work opportunities.
Singapore Confirms Teachers May Cane Students as Young as 9 Under New Discipline Framework
Singapore's Education Minister Desmond Lee has confirmed that teachers are authorised to cane students, including boys as young as nine, under a new disciplinary framework set to be implemented across the country's schools from 2027. The announcement has drawn scrutiny amid growing global opposition to corporal punishment in schools.
Antigua and Barbuda Swears In New Cabinet With Oath Dropping Loyalty to British Monarch
Antigua and Barbuda has sworn in a new Cabinet under Prime Minister Gaston Browne, with officials taking an oath of allegiance to the nation rather than the British monarch for the first time in the country's post-independence history. The historic change follows a constitutional amendment approved by Parliament in December 2025.
New Minister Kiz Johnson Sets Sights on Housing, Youth and Women's Empowerment
Newly elected St Philip South MP Kiz Johnson has outlined her priorities as Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, including housing for the homeless, a refuge for runaway teens, and expansion of the HAPI programme. She and Maria Browne are currently the only two women serving in the House of Representatives.
Nine Buildings Destroyed in Roseau Fire; Opposition Leader's Office Among Losses
A major fire tore through Roseau, Dominica, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, destroying nine buildings including the office of United Workers Party Leader Joshua Francis. The cause remains unknown as authorities continue their investigation.
New Tourism Minister of State Freeland Eyes Infrastructure Projects in Ministry Role
Newly appointed Minister of State Michael Freeland says his tenure as Deputy Chairman of the National Festivals Commission has prepared him for his new role in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Investments and Transportation, where he plans to focus on key infrastructure projects.
UWI Scholar: Caribbean Must Choose Justice Over False Peace
UWI Five Islands Campus Principal Professor C. Justin Robinson invokes Peter Tosh, Pope Leo XIV, and the legacy of Caribbean economic vulnerability to argue that the region must demand justice — not merely peace — in response to global conflicts including the U.S.–Israel confrontation with Iran and the ongoing war in Gaza.
New Health Minister Joseph Pledges Data-Driven Approach, Sets 100-Day Priorities
Newly appointed Health Minister Michael Joseph says data and community engagement will guide his policy decisions, with his first 100 days focused on cutting ER wait times, reopening closed clinics, and improving civil service processing.
PM Browne Sworn In for Fourth Term as All 15 ABLP MPs Take Office
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has been sworn in for a fourth consecutive term alongside all 15 elected ABLP members, with a Cabinet reshuffle signalled for as early as January 2027. The ceremony followed the party's strong general election performance, securing 15 of 17 parliamentary seats.