Local News
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Randy Baltimore Sworn In as St Philip North MP, Elected Deputy Speaker
Randy Baltimore was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for St Philip North on Friday and was subsequently elected Deputy Speaker of the House, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Sir Robin Yearwood.
Paperclips Ltd. Funds 100 Free Animal Sterilisations Through Monthly Clinic Partnership
Paperclips Ltd. has reached a milestone of 100 funded animal sterilisations through its monthly partnership with the Antigua Spay and Neuter Clinic. The clinic's president is now calling on other local businesses to make similar contributions to tackle pet overpopulation.
Randy Baltimore Elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly
Randy Baltimore has been elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly following his swearing-in as a Member of Parliament. Prime Minister Browne nominated Baltimore for the role, which became vacant after the resignation of Sir Robin Yearwood.
PM Browne Announces Parliament Will Be Prorogued During Tribute Sitting
Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced that Parliament will be prorogued, making the surprise declaration during a House of Representatives sitting devoted to ceremonial tributes. The move signals a suspension of the current legislative session, with a formal statement from the Prime Minister expected shortly.
PM Browne Announces Parliament to Be Prorogued
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that parliament will be prorogued, with a formal statement expected shortly. The announcement came during a sitting that featured tributes to a late MP and remarks marking a change in parliamentary membership.
Randy Baltimore Sworn In as MP for St. Philip's North After Landslide By-Election Win
Randy Baltimore has been sworn in as the new Member of Parliament for St. Philip's North after capturing nearly 70 per cent of the vote in the March 16 by-election. He succeeds Sir Robin Yearwood, who served in parliament for 50 years before retiring at age 80.
Ministry Opens Applications for 2026 OAS Academic Scholarships
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Creative Industries is inviting applications for the 2026 OAS Academic Scholarship Program, with a deadline of Friday, 2nd April, 2026. The scholarships target students enrolled in the last two years of a Bachelor's Degree programme.
Antigua and Barbuda to Get First National Cardiology Center by Year's End
Antigua and Barbuda's Cabinet has approved the establishment of the country's first National Cardiology Center, set to be operational by year's end through a partnership with Hangzhou Normal University. The facility aims to eliminate the need for patients to travel abroad for critical cardiac procedures.
Man Charged Over $232,000 Cannabis Haul Granted Bail With Strict Conditions
Shawn Richards, charged with cultivating 377 cannabis plants valued at $232,000, has been granted $250,000 bail with strict reporting and residency conditions. The case has been adjourned to 27 May for committal.
Old Road Man Granted Bail on Cannabis Cultivation Charges Worth $232,000
Old Road resident Shawn Richards has been granted bail of $250,000 after being charged with cultivating, possessing, and supplying 377 cannabis plants with a combined street value of $232,000. His release comes with strict conditions, including daily police reporting and a travel ban.
Opinion: UPP Faces Questions Over Leadership, Unity, and Electoral Relevance
A pointed political commentary, as reported by Antigua News Room, argues that the United Progressive Party remains mired in leadership disputes, electoral underperformance, and strategic inconsistency, raising serious questions about its readiness to govern.
St. Philip's North MP Holds Contractor Meeting Ahead of Constituency Road Works
St. Philip's North MP Randy Baltimore has met with local contractors to discuss upcoming road improvement works and infrastructure projects, with a stated focus on creating economic opportunities for young people and small businesses in the constituency.
Antigua and Barbuda Inflation Falls 0.8% as Food Prices Ease
Inflation in Antigua and Barbuda fell by 0.8 percent in February, with declining fruit, vegetable, and meat prices driving relief for household budgets, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Fish and seafood prices, however, bucked the trend, rising 12.3 percent over the year.
Rental Costs Drop Nearly 4% as Housing Prices Continue to Fall
Rental costs in Antigua and Barbuda fell 3.9 percent year-on-year and 1.6 percent month-on-month in February 2026, according to the latest Consumer Price Index data. The decline offers some relief to tenants, though broader affordability concerns persist.
Cabinet Moves to Fix Public Smoking Law After Arrest-Only Policy Sparks Backlash
Cabinet has agreed to amend the country's public smoking law and restore a ticketing system for violations, after an arrest-only enforcement policy drew widespread criticism. Director General for Communications Maurice Merchant said Parliament must clarify the legislation to prevent courts from being overwhelmed by minor smoking offences.
UPP Presses On With Election Petition as Court Sets April Hearing for Baltimore Case
The High Court has denied a UPP injunction seeking to block the swearing-in of St. Philip's North MP Randy Baltimore, while scheduling a full hearing on the party's election petition for April 13. The UPP maintains that Baltimore was still a public officer at the time of his nomination and has vowed to press the legal challenge to its conclusion.
Opinion: Why All Saints West Voters Should Reject Harold Lovell at the Polls
An opinion piece published by Antigua News Room argues that All Saints West voters should reject Harold Lovell, citing his electoral record, age, opposition status, and ministerial performance as reasons he would not effectively serve the constituency.
Ambassador Sanders: OAS Risks Irrelevance Through Silence on Hemisphere's Pressing Issues
Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the OAS, warns that the organization risks irrelevance by avoiding difficult political issues and facing deepening financial constraints. He calls on member states to engage substantively, fund the institution adequately, and embrace multilateral diplomacy rather than managed silence.
Letter: Are Antigua's Cultural Ambassadors Delivering Real Impact?
A letter published by Antigua News Room questions whether the country's Cultural Ambassadors are delivering measurable results, calling for a shift from ceremonial recognition to structured, youth-focused cultural development strategies.
PM Browne Visits Scene After Two Teenagers Fatally Shot in Villa
Prime Minister Gaston Browne visited the Villa Area following the fatal shooting of two teenagers, expressing shock and urging residents to reject violence as police work to determine the circumstances of the deaths.