Local News
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Foreign Affairs Minister Calls for Full Commonwealth Participation at CHOGM 2026
Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene has called on Commonwealth member states to fully participate in CHOGM 2026, set for November 1–4 in Antigua and Barbuda. The appeal was made during a welcome reception for an advance diplomatic delegation visiting the island this week.
ABEC Chairman Demands Order and Valid ID as Antigua and Barbuda Heads to the Polls
ABEC Chairman Arthur G.B. Thomas has issued a firm pre-election directive requiring valid voter ID at all polling stations and calling for order, neutrality, and mutual respect throughout election day. As reported by Antigua News Room, Thomas stressed that compliance with electoral rules is essential to the credibility of the outcome.
US to Deny Visas to Applicants Who Admit Fearing Persecution at Home
The Trump administration is requiring nonimmigrant visa applicants to verbally confirm they do not fear persecution at home, with any admission of fear resulting in visa denial. The policy, detailed in a diplomatic cable to all US embassies and consulates, marks a further tightening of US immigration restrictions.
Antigua and Barbuda Heads to the Polls Tomorrow as 37 Candidates Vie for 17 Seats
Antigua and Barbuda heads to the polls tomorrow, with 37 candidates contesting 17 seats in a general election that will determine the country's next government. The outcome will shape the nation's leadership for the next five years.
ABEC Briefs Local and International Observers Ahead of April 30 General Elections
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission held a final pre-election briefing with local, regional, and international observers on Tuesday, outlining preparations for the General Elections set for April 30, 2026. Commission officials emphasized transparency, operational readiness, and adherence to international electoral standards.
ABEC Extends Hours to 10PM to Process Voter ID Cards Before Thursday's Election
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission has extended its operating hours to 10 p.m. on Wednesday to process a surge in voter ID card applications, though replacement and renewal requests will no longer be accepted after 7 p.m.
ABEC Extends Voter ID Collection Hours to 10PM Before Election Day
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission has extended registration unit hours to 10 p.m. to allow electors more time to collect voter ID cards, though the renewal process closes at 7 p.m. A valid voter ID card is required to cast a ballot.
Antigua Ambassador Proposes China-Backed Surveillance Network in Diplomatic Meeting
Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador Dr. Dario Item met with China's Ambassador Jiang Wei on Wednesday, proposing Chinese support for a nationwide surveillance network as part of broader discussions on security and bilateral cooperation. According to Antigua.news, both sides agreed to continue talks on the initiative and other areas of joint development.
Grays Farm Man Charged With Shooting With Intent to Murder After Highway Incident
A 32-year-old Grays Farm man has been charged with Shooting with Intent to Murder and three other firearm-related offences following an incident along Queen Elizabeth Highway in the early hours of Sunday, April 26.
Pioneering Surgeon Dr. Ramamurthi Bekal Dead at 94
Retired General Surgeon Dr. Ramamurthi Bekal, a towering figure in Antigua and Barbuda's medical community who served at Holberton Hospital for over 35 years, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2026, at the age of 94. The Medical Association of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a formal statement honouring his legacy and extending condolences to his family.
OPINION: Greene Makes Case for ABLP Ahead of General Election
Cabinet Minister Hon. E. P. Chet Greene has penned an opinion piece calling on Antiguans and Barbudans to return the ABLP to power ahead of this week's general election, sharply criticising opposition leader Jamale Pringle as unfit for office and championing Prime Minister Gaston Browne's Renaissance Agenda as the only credible path forward.
Man Ordered to Pay $20,000 Compensation After Neighbour Suffers Fractured Arm
A New Winthropes man has been ordered to pay $20,000 in compensation after pleading guilty in the High Court to attacking his neighbour with a piece of wood in 2022, leaving the victim with a fractured arm requiring surgery.
Former Store Clerk Ordered to Repay $6,000 for Unauthorised Online Shopping Spree
A High Court has ordered former store clerk Jamila Edwards to repay $6,000 after she pleaded guilty to fraud for using her employer's debit card to make unauthorised purchases on Shein. Edwards must pay $3,000 immediately, with the balance covered in $500 monthly instalments.
High Court Orders Man to Pay $20,000 After Breaking Neighbour's Arm in 2022 Attack
A New Winthropes man has been ordered by the High Court to pay $20,000 in compensation after admitting to causing grievous bodily harm to his neighbour in a 2022 attack that left the victim with a fractured arm requiring surgery.
ABEC Outlines Special ID Card Process for Voters Ahead of General Elections 2026
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission has outlined procedures for voters needing replacement identification cards ahead of General Elections 2026, with special arrangements available on Election Day, April 30. Separate processes apply for expired cards and those that have been lost or stolen.
Special ID Cards Available on Election Day for Voters with Expired Credentials
Voters with expired, lost, or stolen Voter's ID Cards can obtain a Special Identification Card on Election Day, April 30, 2026, at designated Registration Units and the Electoral Commission's headquarters. Applicants must bring a valid government-issued ID and a passport-size photograph.
ABLP Accuses UPP of Misleading Voters in Three Constituencies
The ABLP has accused the UPP of deliberately providing false polling station information to voters in three constituencies, calling the alleged actions a direct attack on democratic rights. The party is urging affected electors to verify their voting information through official channels.
ABLP Accuses UPP of Giving Voters False Polling Station Information
The ABLP has accused the UPP of calling voters in three constituencies and providing false information about where to cast their ballots. The party is urging affected electors to verify their polling station through official channels only.
ECLAC Projects 4% Economic Growth for Antigua and Barbuda in 2026
ECLAC projects Antigua and Barbuda's economy will grow by 4.0% in 2026, well above the regional average of 2.2%, following an estimated 5.0% expansion in 2025. The forecast underscores the twin-island nation's continued resilience despite mounting global economic pressures.
Latin America and Caribbean Economy Forecast to Grow 2.2% in 2026
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has revised its 2026 regional growth forecast slightly downward to 2.2%, citing geopolitical tensions, restrictive financial conditions, and rising global inflation. Growth is expected to decelerate in 24 of the region's 33 countries, extending a four-year pattern of persistently low economic expansion.