Local News
3991 articles
Minister Johnson Pledges Full Support for Disaster Preparedness in Meeting with GSD Officials
Minister of State Hon. Kiz Johnson met with senior officials from humanitarian nonprofit Global Support and Development (GSD) to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda's disaster preparedness efforts and reaffirm a long-term partnership with the National Office of Disaster Services. The discussions covered public awareness, community resilience, and the country's role as a sub-regional disaster response hub within the OECS.
Team Antigua Island Girls Pledges EC$350,000 for Girls' Safe Haven
Team Antigua Island Girls has pledged EC$350,000 toward the construction of a multipurpose safe haven for girls, with Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Hon. Rawdon Turner confirming that construction will begin this summer. A Memorandum of Understanding between the team and the Ministry is expected to be finalised next week.
ABIA Warns Public About Investment Scam Using Authority's Name and Logo
The Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority has issued an urgent warning after scammers were found impersonating the agency on Facebook to solicit funds from the public. ABIA has confirmed it does not offer investment opportunities or request payments through any social media platform.
Parliament Passes Electronic Crimes Amendment, Hitting Telcos with Stiff Non-Compliance Fines
Parliament has passed amendments to the Electronic Crimes Act that compel telecommunications companies to hand over digital evidence to law enforcement, with fines of up to $100,000 and daily penalties for non-compliance. The bill, approved with bipartisan support, also extends coverage to cloud-stored data and grants the ONDCP explicit authority to request information under the legislation.
Attorney General Pushes for On-the-Spot Licence Suspensions as Fatal Accidents Bill Passes
Antigua and Barbuda's Fatal Accidents Bill 2026 passed in the Lower House on Tuesday, with Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin calling for immediate roadside licence suspensions for reckless drivers and an increase to the proposed $5,000 bereavement award. The legislation replaces laws largely unchanged since 1924 and extends liability to employers and site operators whose negligence results in death.
Parliament Passes Expanded Search-Warrant Powers Amid Rights Concerns
Parliament has passed the Magistrate's Court Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2026, expanding police search-warrant powers, after Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle raised concerns about potential infringements on individual rights. Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin defended the reforms as necessary to modernise the country's criminal justice system.
Tropical Storm Arthur Opens 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season with Flooding Threat
Tropical Storm Arthur formed Wednesday off the Texas Gulf Coast, becoming the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season's first named storm. The National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening flooding, storm surge, and dangerous winds from Houston to Atlanta.
UWI Principal Calls for Broader Education Fund Built on Accountability
UWI Five Islands Principal Professor C. Justin Robinson has urged Prime Minister Gaston Browne's proposed education windfall tax to fund the entire education pipeline — from infant schools to universities — backed by public accountability measures and mandatory community service. Robinson, as reported by Antigua.news, argued that investing only in tertiary education while neglecting earlier stages simply perpetuates the gaps institutions are later forced to address.
Senator Parker Denies Criminal Links, Accuses PM Browne of Political Opportunism
Opposition Senator Malaka Parker has firmly denied any connection to a criminal investigation involving a close associate, and has accused Prime Minister Gaston Browne of using the matter to attack her reputation for political purposes. Parker also alleged that senior police officers may be acting under political direction to fabricate links between her and the case.
Parliament Passes Fatal Accidents Bill, Expanding Compensation Rights for Bereaved Families
Parliament has passed the Fatal Accidents Bill 2026, modernizing legislation that dates to 1924 and introducing bereavement damages of up to $20,000 for families who lose loved ones due to another person's actions. Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle supported the bill while successfully advocating for amendments that expanded compensation eligibility to include children.
Parliament Passes Fatal Accidents Bill, Awarding Families Up to $20,000 for Bereavement
Parliament has passed the Fatal Accidents Bill 2026, allowing families of accident victims to claim up to $20,000 in bereavement compensation — replacing a law more than a century old. Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin described the reform as a critical step in protecting the dependents of those killed due to another person's actions.
Barbuda MP Walker Hints Parliamentary Career May Be Nearing Its End
Barbuda MP Trevor Walker stunned the House of Representatives on Tuesday by declaring that his time in Parliament is "coming to an end," though he offered no details on when he plans to step down. The veteran legislator, one of Antigua and Barbuda's longest-serving elected officials, pledged nonetheless to serve Barbuda with "more vigor and more determination" during the current term.
Opposition Leader Pringle Apologizes to Speaker, Vows Respectful Conduct in New Parliamentary Term
Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle apologized to Speaker Osbert Frederick for any past disrespect during his first address of the new parliamentary term, pledging a more respectful and constructive approach in the House of Representatives. Pringle also called for timely sharing of legislation with opposition members and greater balance in parliamentary proceedings.
House Speaker Pushes Back on Bias Claims During New Parliamentary Session
Speaker of the House Osbert Frederick rejected claims of bias during Tuesday's sitting of the House of Representatives, responding directly to newly sworn-in Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, who called for a more impartial approach to managing parliamentary debate.
Hopeful Hearts Foundation Launches Summer Impact Series 2026 for Youth
The Hopeful Hearts Foundation has launched its Summer Impact Series 2026, a four-week community service programme for youth aged 11 to 18, beginning July 25, 2026. Founded by National Youth Ambassador Kristine Louisa, the initiative aims to develop young leaders and foster community engagement across Antigua and Barbuda.
Parents Demand Answers Over Irene B. Williams Secondary School Graduation Controversy
A group of parents and guardians of Irene B. Williams Secondary School graduates has published an open letter demanding financial transparency and accountability from school authorities over what they describe as a poorly managed and controversial graduation ceremony. The parents are calling for a full breakdown of funds collected, clarification on sponsorship arrangements, and a fair review of the event's refund policy.
Antiguan Fintech ClicCash Takes Centre Stage at London Tech Week 2026
Antiguan fintech company ClicCash represented Antigua and Barbuda at London Tech Week 2026, with founder Brandon Derrick presenting to officials at the Government of Québec's UK delegation, joining a roundtable at the Canadian High Commission, and meeting the Governor-General at a Commonwealth charity gala.
St. Nicholas Primary Claims Top Honour at National Spellbound Championship
St. Nicholas Primary School has taken first place at the 2026 National Spellbound Championship, with Tayzhoni Murrain crowned individual champion at an awards ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
SLBMC Awards Scholarships to Five Staff Members for Professional Development
The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre has awarded short-course scholarships to five employees across nursing, finance, and human resources disciplines as part of its 2026 Summer staff development programme. The initiative, administered through the hospital's Learning and Development Unit, aims to advance professional growth and service excellence.
SIRF Fund AC Units Fully Allocated, Department of Environment Confirms
The Department of Environment has confirmed that all air conditioning units under the SIRF Fund have been fully allocated, with no timeline given for when new units will be available. Polycarbonate Sheets remain available for purchase through the programme.