Politics
1942 articles
Former Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh Joins Immigration Dept. After Disciplinary Convictions
Former Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh, found guilty on fifteen disciplinary charges in 2023, has quietly returned to government service as a General Consultant at the Department of Immigration, according to Antigua.news. The appointment has not been publicly announced by the government.
Labour Advocate Malaka Parker Sworn In as Senator at Government House
Malaka Parker, a former President of the Antigua and Barbuda Workers' Union, was officially sworn in as a Senator on Monday in a ceremony held at Government House. Her appointment brings a long record of labour advocacy into the national legislature.
AG Questioned Over Remarks on Opposition MPs' Absences at Parliamentary Opening
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin cast doubt on the opposition's absences at the opening parliamentary sitting, despite a statement issued the day before confirming that UPP Leader Jamale Pringle had accompanied his daughter abroad for medical care and MP Trevor Walker was attending to family matters. Both MPs had formally notified Parliament in advance.
PM Browne Warns New MPs: Parliamentary Attendance Is Not Optional
Prime Minister Gaston Browne used Monday's parliamentary swearing-in ceremony to warn newly elected MPs that attendance in the House of Representatives is not optional, citing illness or official travel as the only acceptable grounds for absence. He also reminded lawmakers that their April 30th electoral victory is a mandate for faithful public service, not complacency.
Autism Retreat Draws 100+ Caregivers, Spotlights Mental Health and Resource Gaps
More than 100 caregivers gathered at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre on Sunday for a free autism retreat that combined clinical education with emotional support and a frank look at the lack of local autism data and resources. The event, reported by Antigua.news, was organised by the ABHC, the Directorate of Gender Affairs, and the Center for the Holistic Advancement of Therapeutic Services, with funding from the Mill Reef Fund.
Novo Banco Ruling Raises Questions Over Speed and Scrutiny in €2bn Bond Case
Portugal's Supreme Administrative Court dismissed a €2 billion bondholder appeal against Banco de Portugal's 2015 decision to retransfer senior Novo Banco bonds in just 23 days, raising questions about the depth of judicial scrutiny applied in one of Europe's most complex post-crisis banking cases. According to Antigua.news, which reviewed the full case record, the ruling's speed and reasoning are drawing concern among investors and legal observers.
PM Browne Eyes Geothermal Power from Nevis Ahead of OECS Chairmanship
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda is in advanced talks with St Kitts-Nevis and the EU on a geothermal energy deal that could deliver power to Antigua via an undersea cable from Nevis. The announcement comes ahead of Browne's assumption of the OECS chairmanship next month.
Apostle Andrews Credits Divine Protection for Antigua's Resilience at ABLP Thanksgiving Service
Apostle Dr. Stephen Andrews used an ABLP Thanksgiving Service on Sunday to call on Antiguans and Barbudans to recognise divine protection in the nation's ability to sustain economic growth despite chronic exposure to hurricanes, earthquakes and droughts. Prime Minister Gaston Browne and senior government officials were among the hundreds in attendance.
Pringle and Walker Apologise for Absence from First Post-Election Parliamentary Sitting
Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle and Barbuda MP Trevor Walker have apologised for their absence from Monday's first post-election sitting of Parliament, citing overseas family and medical commitments. Both men are expected to take their Oath of Allegiance at the next ordinary sitting of the Lower House.
Junior Tourism Minister to Represent PM Browne at London Development Forum
Junior Tourism Minister Senator Michael Freeland will travel to London to represent Prime Minister Gaston Browne at the Global Partnerships Conference, a high-level international development forum scheduled for May 19–20, 2026. The event will bring together world leaders and stakeholders to tackle global challenges including climate change, economic instability, and humanitarian crises.
PM Browne Defends Spanish as Antigua and Barbuda's Official Second Language
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended Cabinet's decision to make Spanish Antigua and Barbuda's official second language, citing economic, diplomatic and social benefits. The policy, approved May 14, will make Spanish a compulsory subject from pre-school through secondary level.
Browne Leads ABLP Thanksgiving Service, Calls for National Unity After Election Win
Prime Minister Gaston Browne led the ABLP in a post-election Thanksgiving service, crediting divine guidance for the party's victory and calling on all Antiguans and Barbudans to unite behind a shared vision of national development. Browne urged citizens to move beyond partisan divisions and work together toward what he described as a national Renaissance.
Rayne, Strann-Peters Sworn In as Parliament Reaches Historic Female Representation
Senator Joel Anderson Rayne was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, while Tiffany Anthea Lauren Strann-Peters took the oath as senator, bringing the number of women in Antigua and Barbuda's Parliament to eight — a historic high.
PM Browne Denies $6M Superyacht Kickback Claims, Threatens Defamation Suit
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has flatly denied allegations published by OffshoreAlert that he negotiated a US$6 million kickback tied to the sale of the seized superyacht Alfa Nero, calling the claims false and politically motivated. Browne is now threatening defamation legal action against publisher David Marchant.
Spanish-Speaking Community Hails Spanish as Antigua and Barbuda's Second Official Language
Antigua and Barbuda's Spanish-speaking community is welcoming the Government's decision to make Spanish the country's second official language, with the Ministry of Education directed to introduce Spanish as a core subject at all school levels. Community representative Alex Martinez praised Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Cabinet ministers for the landmark policy initiative.
Cabinet Reminds Essential Workers of Holiday Duty Obligations, Clears ONDCP Building
Cabinet has reminded essential service workers of their obligation to report for duty on public holidays under the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Code, while also clearing the ONDCP building as structurally safe for continued occupancy.
Cabinet Mourns Okeen Lightfoot, Sounds Alarm on Reckless Driving Threatening Roadside Workers
Cabinet has mourned the on-duty death of NSWMA worker Okeen Lightfoot and raised urgent concerns about reckless driving following a second roadside incident involving a colleague. Ministers are calling on motorists to exercise greater caution near roadside workers and have pledged to pursue stronger road safety measures.
Cabinet Approves New Equipment and Experts to Boost National Road Rehabilitation
Cabinet has approved two new pieces of specialised road construction equipment and additional technical experts to strengthen the national road rehabilitation programme, with a growing focus on rural communities and hard-to-reach areas.
Antigua and Barbuda Launches US$12.3 Million Early Warning System Initiative
Antigua and Barbuda has officially launched a US$12.3 million, five-year disaster preparedness initiative funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented with UNDP support. The "Early Warnings for All" project aims to modernise early warning systems and ensure all residents — including those in remote communities — receive timely information before disasters strike.
Tiffany Strann-Peters Sworn In as Senator, Raising Female Parliamentary Representation to Eight
Tiffany Anthea Lauren Strann-Peters was sworn in as a Government Senator on Wednesday, bringing the total number of female senators to six and overall female parliamentary representation to eight within Antigua and Barbuda's 34-member Parliament.