Local News
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Freeman's Village Street to Bear Name of Centenarian Trade Unionist Christopher Browne
Cabinet has approved the naming of a Freeman's Village street after the late Christopher Neville Browne, a centenarian trade unionist and lifelong advocate for workers' rights. The street will be officially designated "Christopher Neville Browne Road."
WIOC Marks 11 Years of Public Ownership with EC$230M in Profits
Antigua and Barbuda's Cabinet has marked eleven years of public ownership of the West Indies Oil Company, which has generated more than EC$230 million in profits and invested approximately EC$270 million in infrastructure since the 2015 transfer. WIOC, now publicly listed on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, is expanding regionally and positioning itself to enter the renewable energy sector.
UWI Five Islands Campus, Agricultural Health Council Formalise Landmark Partnership
The Coordinating Council on Agricultural Health and Food Safety for Antigua and Barbuda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UWI Five Islands Campus, formalising a partnership to advance the nation's agricultural health, food safety policy, and student engagement in food systems.
Antigua and Barbuda Exceeds Global Average Cost for Healthy Diet, CARICOM Data Reveals
New FAO data shows the average daily cost of a healthy diet across 13 CARICOM nations reached PPP $5.81 per person in 2024 — 30% above the global average — with Antigua and Barbuda among the countries exceeding the global benchmark. Both agricultural producers and food importers appear at opposite ends of the regional cost range, pointing to complex structural factors beyond domestic food production.
Lovell: All Saints West Voters Threaten to Withhold Votes Over Roads, Water Crisis
UPP candidate Harold Lovell says All Saints West residents are fed up with deteriorating roads and poor drainage, with one constituent threatening to withhold her vote unless basic infrastructure issues are addressed. Lovell is calling for a long-term road construction programme, accusing the government of rushing projects before elections and abandoning them after.
Parliament Dissolved, Elections Imminent as Cabinet Approves Sweeping Relief Measures
Parliament has been formally dissolved ahead of general elections, as Cabinet also approved a sweeping package of measures including utility arrears waivers, land releases, building material duty exemptions, and the continuation of retroactive pay for public servants.
Jumby Bay Removes Seaweed from Mangrove Areas After Parham Residents Raise Alarm
Jumby Bay resort has confirmed that its contractor removed seaweed deposited near mangrove areas in Parham following public complaints, as reported by Antigua.news. The company maintains the original removal activity was authorized, but says immediate steps were taken to address environmental concerns.
Woman Ordered to Pay $9,000 After Meat Cleaver Attack on Sleeping Retired Teacher
Veyella Peters has been convicted and ordered to pay $9,000 in compensation after attacking a retired man with a meat cleaver as he slept. The court rejected her self-defence claim, finding the late-night assault deliberate.
Gov't Opens 50 Acres in All Saints for Purchase Under Land Empowerment Programme
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has made 50 acres of land in the All Saints area available for purchase under its Land Empowerment Programme, with monthly payments starting as low as $175. Long-standing occupants of 15 of those acres will be offered the land at a special concessional rate of $1 per square foot.
Police Warn Against Drunk Driving, Alcohol Sales Ban in Easter Safety Advisory
The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has issued an Easter safety advisory warning against drunk driving and reminding business operators that alcohol sales are prohibited on Good Friday. Officers will conduct increased patrols throughout the holiday weekend.
ABEC Meets Returning Officers in Preparation for 2026 General Elections
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission has held a preparatory meeting with Returning Officers from all 17 constituencies ahead of the General Elections set for April 1, 2026. The 17 officers were subsequently sworn in by Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on April 2.
NASA's Artemis II Launches on Historic Moon Mission With Crew of Four
NASA's Artemis II rocket launched on April 1 from Kennedy Space Center, sending four astronauts on a historic mission to circle the far side of the Moon and surpass the distance record set by Apollo 13. The crew is expected to complete a lunar flyby on April 6 and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 11.
Antigua and Barbuda Pledges US$200,000 in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
Antigua and Barbuda has pledged US$200,000 in humanitarian aid to Cuba as part of a CARICOM-led regional response to the island's ongoing economic and supply difficulties. Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant made the announcement at Thursday's post-Cabinet briefing.
Antigua and Barbuda Backs CARICOM Chief as Reappointment Row Divides Region
Antigua and Barbuda has voiced strong support for CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett amid a regional dispute over the legitimacy of her reappointment, with Trinidad and Tobago challenging the process and threatening to cut its financial contributions to the bloc.
Antigua Backs CARICOM Chief Amid Growing Row Over Reappointment Process
Antigua and Barbuda has expressed full Cabinet confidence in CARICOM Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett, as a regional dispute intensifies over the procedural legitimacy of her reappointment to a second five-year term. Trinidad and Tobago has formally rejected the reappointment and threatened to cut its financial contributions to the regional body.
Cabinet Approves $50,000 Monthly Subsidy to Lower Antigua–Barbuda Airfares
Antigua and Barbuda's Cabinet has approved a $50,000 monthly subsidy to reduce airfare costs between the two islands, following concerns raised by newly appointed Barbuda caretaker Kendra Beazer about rising ticket prices and limited travel options.
Treasury Begins Final Phase of Retroactive Pay Disbursements for Public Servants
The Treasury Department has begun the final phase of retroactive pay disbursements to public servants covering January 2018 to December 2023, with total payments across the first two phases exceeding $4.6 million. Outstanding teacher upgrade payments are expected to be issued by the end of Thursday.
ABWU Warns Cabinet's Phased Minimum Wage Plan Will Harm Vulnerable Workers
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers' Union has accepted the Government's minimum wage increase to $11.50 per hour but warns that the Cabinet's extended three-phase rollout to $13.01 will prolong hardship for vulnerable workers. The union is also questioning whether the timing of the announcement is politically motivated.
Government to Complete Teacher Upgrade Payments by Week's End Amid Retroactive Pay Rollout
The government aims to complete long-outstanding upgrade payments to teachers by Thursday, as retroactive pay disbursements covering January to December 2023 continue across public service departments. More than EC$4.6 million has already been distributed, with additional payments pending final verification.
Government Launches Subsidised Cement Block Sales to Boost Affordable Housing
The Antiguan government has begun producing subsidised cement blocks at a state-backed facility, with plans to sell them to the public as part of a broader affordable housing initiative. Housing Minister Rawdon Turner is expected to announce distribution details in the coming days.