Local News
3991 articles
PM Browne Flags Work Ethic Crisis Amid Near Full Employment in Antigua
Prime Minister Gaston Browne warned in Parliament Tuesday that Antigua and Barbuda faces a growing work ethic problem, with employers struggling to fill vacancies across multiple sectors despite the country operating at near full employment. Browne cited rising work permit applications, absenteeism and workers refusing available jobs as key concerns.
Opinion: The Weight of the Office — Assessing Gaston Browne's Legacy in Antigua and Barbuda
A new opinion piece published by Antigua.news examines the political career and legacy of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, now serving his fourth term, assessing key achievements in education, tourism, housing, and international diplomacy against the broader demands of Caribbean leadership.
Golden Grove Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder in 2023 Carlisle Bay Resort Shooting
Frederick Henry, a Golden Grove man, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and related firearms charges stemming from a 2023 shooting that injured two Carlisle Bay Resort employees. Sentencing is set for July 21 in the High Court.
Man Remanded After 59.5 Pounds of Cannabis Found at VC Bird Airport
A man described as both a barber and a pastor has been remanded in custody after 60 packages of suspected cannabis, weighing roughly 59.5 pounds, were found in his luggage at VC Bird International Airport on 13 June. Dean Robert Gould, 54, faces charges including drug trafficking and importation of cannabis, with a court date set for 29 June.
PM Browne Claims Near-Full Employment, Admits Labour Data Is Outdated
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has declared Antigua and Barbuda is at near-full employment, while admitting the government's most recent labour market survey dates back to 2016 or 2017 and that updated data is needed. Browne also raised concerns about a growing reluctance among some locals to fill available jobs in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and security.
Barber Remanded After 59.5lbs of Cannabis Found in Airport Luggage
Dean Robert Gould, 54, has been remanded into custody after 59.5 pounds of suspected cannabis valued at EC$357,000 were discovered in his luggage upon arrival at VC Bird International Airport on June 13. The barber and pastor, who holds a US passport, was deemed a flight risk and is due back in court on June 29.
Information Commissioner's Office to Be Ready Within Six Months, PM Browne Tells Parliament
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has told Parliament that the Office of the Information Commissioner is expected to be ready for occupancy within six months, even as work on the facility continues at its current High Street location.
PM Browne: Public Works Recruits Quit Voluntarily, Government Won't Abandon Programme
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has rejected suggestions that the government is laying off Public Works Department recruits, telling Parliament that many of the 700 to 800 workers hired under the programme have simply stopped reporting to work. Browne vowed the government would continue providing opportunities for vulnerable young people despite the attendance challenges.
PM Browne: Stadium-Area Land Allocations Do Not Constitute Industrial Park
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has clarified in Parliament that land near the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is not a designated industrial park, but rather a series of individual land allocations made to private investors. The distinction comes as commercial construction activity in the area has drawn public attention.
PM Browne: Full Road Rehabilitation Across Antigua Will Take Years
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says road rehabilitation across Antigua and Barbuda will take years to complete, while highlighting cost-effective progress being made by the Public Works Department on key corridors including All Saints Road and the Sir Sydney Walling Highway.
PM Browne: $100M Road Project Loan Yet to Be Drawn Down
Prime Minister Gaston Browne told Parliament this week that the government has yet to draw any funds from a $100 million loan facility earmarked for the National Road Project, but expects to begin accessing it later this month.
PM Browne: Many Back Pay Complainants Are Simply Not Eligible
Prime Minister Gaston Browne told Parliament on Tuesday that many complaints about unpaid government back pay are coming from individuals who do not qualify for the payments, citing former public servants, new hires, and contract workers among ineligible claimants. He maintained that the vast majority of eligible workers have already been paid in full.
Pringle and Walker Complete Parliamentary Swearing-In Process
Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle and Barbuda MP Trevor Walker were sworn into the House of Representatives on Tuesday, completing the parliamentary swearing-in process for all elected members following the April 30 General Election.
Jamale Pringle Sworn In as Opposition Leader
Jamale Pringle has been officially sworn in as Opposition Leader in Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua News Room captured the ceremony on video.
Jamal Pringle and Trevor Walker Sworn In as Opposition Leader and MP
Jamal Pringle has been officially sworn in as Opposition Leader, while Trevor Walker was sworn in as a Member of Parliament, marking a significant moment in Antigua and Barbuda's political landscape.
Antiguan Chef Maurine Bowers Achieves Dual Culinary Certifications from American Culinary Federation
Chef Maurine Bowers, Executive Chef at Moon Gate Antigua, has earned the Certified Executive Chef designation from the American Culinary Federation, adding to her existing Certified Executive Pastry Chef credential. The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association has celebrated the achievement as a landmark moment for the nation's culinary community.
EAG Names Monifa Thomas Executive Director, Joshel Wilson Marine Conservation Coordinator
The Environmental Awareness Group has appointed Monifa Thomas as Executive Director and Joshel Wilson as Antigua Marine Conservation Programme Coordinator, as the organisation reinforces its conservation leadership. Both appointees are internal promotions, with Thomas transitioning from Accountant and Wilson from Wildlife Officer.
Missing Caribbean Aircraft Located; No Fatalities Confirmed, Investigation Ongoing
A Dominican Republic-registered Beechcraft Baron that disappeared over the Caribbean Sea on June 12 while flying from St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Tobago has been located, with officials confirming no fatalities. Investigations into the circumstances of the flight are ongoing, as reported by Antigua.news.
MCA: Pares Village Cannabis Operation Had No Legal Authorization
The Medicinal Cannabis Authority has confirmed that an entity raided in a Pares Village law enforcement operation held no cannabis licence or sacramental authorization of any kind, and has clarified that authorized cultivation rights cannot be shared or transferred to unaffiliated individuals.
Opinion: Personal Responsibility Cannot Solve a Public Health Crisis Built by Policy Failures
A public health opinion piece, as reported by Antigua News Room, argues that the Caribbean's childhood obesity crisis — with 42% of Barbadian children living with overweight or obesity — cannot be solved by placing the burden of responsibility on parents and children alone. The piece calls on governments to regulate unhealthy food marketing in schools rather than deferring to industry-favoured narratives centred on personal responsibility.