Local News
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Cricket Legend Sir Garfield Sobers Dies at 89
Sir Garfield Sobers, widely considered the greatest cricketer of all time and a National Hero of Barbados, has died at the age of 89 following a period of illness. The West Indies legend scored 8,032 Test runs and held the world record for the highest individual Test score for more than 36 years.
JetBlue to Discontinue Antigua Flights from October 31, 2026
JetBlue Airways will end all flights to Antigua and Barbuda on October 31, 2026, as the airline reshapes its network under its JetForward strategy to concentrate resources at its Fort Lauderdale hub. The move reduces U.S. carrier competition on the Antigua route, which JetBlue has served since 2015.
Antigua and Barbuda Signs Seven Healthcare Deals with Chinese University
Antigua and Barbuda has signed seven healthcare cooperation agreements with Hangzhou Normal University during Health Minister Michael Joseph's official visit to China. The deals cover telemedicine, specialist care, medical education and research, with the goal of expanding and modernising the country's healthcare services.
Antiguan Entrepreneur Speaks Out Against Government Policies in Impassioned Op-Ed
Antiguan entrepreneur and long-time civic advocate Yves R. Ephraim has penned a sweeping opinion piece outlining his deepening disillusionment with government policy, citing concerns ranging from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to property rights, crime, telecommunications, and immigration. As reported by Antigua News Room, Ephraim traces his journey from a committed young patriot at independence to a citizen who says he can no longer stay silent.
Antigua Signs Seven Healthcare Agreements with Chinese University During Minister's China Visit
Antigua and Barbuda has signed seven healthcare cooperation agreements with Hangzhou Normal University during Health Minister Michael Joseph's official visit to China, covering telemedicine, specialist care, medical education and joint research. The deals include a five-year strategic framework and a cross-border telemedicine platform designed to reduce the need for patients to seek medical care overseas.
Opinion: How Anti-Black Racism Was Built — And Why the Caribbean Must Lead the Reckoning
In an opinion piece reported by Antigua News Room, UWI Five Islands Campus Principal Professor C. Justin Robinson traces the historical construction of anti-Black racism from Iberian blood-purity laws to the 1661 Barbados slave code, arguing that the Caribbean — as both laboratory of racial domination and crucible of resistance — has both a unique obligation and unique tools to lead the global reckoning.
Antigua Explores Eye Care Partnership with Chinese Medical Institution
Health Minister Michael Joseph has visited China's HE Vision Group to explore a partnership that could bring ophthalmic scholarships, modern equipment and expanded eye care services to Antigua and Barbuda. The initiative supports the Ministry of Health's long-term ambition to establish a regional eye hospital serving the wider Caribbean.
Twelve Finalists Named for Antigua Carnival 2026 Calypso Monarch Competition
The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has named 12 finalists for the 2026 Cavalier Rum Calypso Monarch competition, a signature event of Antigua Carnival. The finalists will compete for the coveted national title in what the Commission describes as a highly anticipated evening of performances.
Wallings Forest Reserve in Freefall as Bureaucratic Neglect Takes Its Toll
A recent summer camp visit to the Wallings Forest Area on July 16 has exposed the site's alarming deterioration, with visitors finding no restrooms, signage, or organised management in place. The letter writer calls on the Ministry of Agriculture to urgently reinstate structured oversight of what was once considered a model conservation reserve.
NHC Monitoring Atlantic Tropical Wave With Low Development Odds
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave near the Cabo Verde Islands, but forecasters say environmental conditions are expected to become increasingly unfavorable, placing development odds at just 10%. A second disturbance in the northeastern Gulf of America is also being tracked.
Benjamin Pledges Continued Investment in Police Technology and Training
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin used the Royal Police Force's 50th Recruit Training Course graduation to reaffirm the government's commitment to modernizing law enforcement through technology, specialized training and regional partnerships. His remarks highlighted recent acquisitions including the IBIS ballistic identification system, an expanded canine unit and an improved drone team.
Ministry of Health Cracks Down on Unauthorised Construction in Public Cemeteries
The Ministry of Health has warned the public that unauthorised construction at St. John's Public Cemetery and other public cemeteries will be halted and removed, with offenders potentially facing prosecution under the Public Health Act. Written approval from the Chief Health Inspector is required before any cemetery construction or alteration can begin.
Police Commissioner Launches New Recruitment Drive, Calls for Dedicated Public Servants
Commissioner of Police Everton Jeffers has announced a new recruitment drive for the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, following the graduation of 43 officers from the 50th Recruit Training Course with a 95.6 percent pass rate. Jeffers urged applicants to view policing as a sacred public trust rather than a routine job.
AG Benjamin: Integrity Must Come From Within, Not Government Mandates
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin urged graduates of the Royal Police Force's 50th Recruit Training Course to uphold personal integrity, stating that governments can fund equipment and infrastructure but cannot manufacture the ethical character needed to earn public trust.
Attorney General Calls on Public to Report Crime at Police Graduation Ceremony
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin has called on residents to adopt a "see something, say something" approach to crime, urging citizens to work alongside law enforcement. He made the appeal at the Royal Police Force's 50th Recruit Training Course graduation ceremony on Thursday.
Antigua and Barbuda Pushes Back on EU Call to Scrap Citizenship by Investment Programme
Antigua and Barbuda's government is defending its Citizenship by Investment Programme against EU pressure to phase out such schemes, calling its screening process one of the most rigorous in the world. Officials say they will engage the EU directly and work with OECS partners on a coordinated regional response.
U.S. Tightens Visa Rules for Students and Exchange Visitors, Impacting Antiguans
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is replacing the longstanding "duration of status" system with fixed admission periods for F, J and I visa holders, a move that could affect Antiguans and Barbudans studying or participating in exchange programmes in the United States. The changes, set to take effect 60 days after official publication, will increase administrative requirements for students, exchange visitors and the institutions that host them.
Antigua Government Eyes CCTV-Based Traffic Enforcement, But Hurdles Remain
The Antigua and Barbuda government is considering using its national CCTV network to automatically issue traffic tickets, but officials say legislative changes and new technology infrastructure must first be put in place. The matter was raised during Thursday's post-Cabinet briefing, as reported by Antigua News Room.
Trump Administration to Replace Open-Ended Student and Exchange Visa System with Fixed Time Limits
The Trump administration is replacing the open-ended "duration of status" visa system with fixed time limits for international students, exchange visitors and foreign journalists, a change that could significantly affect Antiguans and Barbudans studying or working in the United States. Those who exceed their authorised stay without obtaining an extension risk falling out of legal immigration status, with consequences for future U.S. travel.
Cassada Gardens Racing Proposal Still Active Amid US$100M International Bid
The Antiguan government says discussions with Cassada Gardens horse racing developers are ongoing, even as Cabinet reviews a competing US$100 million proposal from an international equine industry consortium. The two projects are being treated as separate, non-exclusive proposals.