US$60M Flagged for Possible 'OECS Air' as Antigua-Barbados Talks Advance Regional Integration

US$60M Flagged for Possible 'OECS Air' as Antigua-Barbados Talks Advance Regional Integration

Talks between the prime ministers of Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados have produced proposals for a new regional airline backed by US$60 million and a sustainability-focused tourism accreditation system, signaling renewed momentum for OECS integration.

March 09, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Directorate of Gender Affairs Celebrates Four Women in 'Give to Gain' Spotlight Series

Directorate of Gender Affairs Celebrates Four Women in 'Give to Gain' Spotlight Series

The Directorate of Gender Affairs held a special ceremony on March 6th to honour four women through its 'Give to Gain' Spotlight Series, celebrating selfless community service. The event highlighted women whose compassion and dedication have made a meaningful impact in Antigua and Barbuda.

March 09, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Antiguan Youth Ambassador Begins Second UN Term With Push for Caribbean Unity

Antiguan Youth Ambassador Begins Second UN Term With Push for Caribbean Unity

Antiguan Youth Ambassador Shaquan O'Neil has begun a second term on the UN Youth Advisory Group, calling on Caribbean nations to abandon siloed approaches and embrace regional unity in international advocacy. According to Antigua Observer, O'Neil argues that individualism is hampering the region's collective progress.

March 09, 2026 · Antigua Observer
NSWMA Disputes UPP Claims of Weeks-Long Garbage Backlog in Seatons and Glanvilles

NSWMA Disputes UPP Claims of Weeks-Long Garbage Backlog in Seatons and Glanvilles

The NSWMA has formally denied UPP caretaker George Wehner's claims that garbage went uncollected for weeks in the Seatons and Glanvilles communities, saying the areas experienced delays rather than prolonged service failure. The authority's Board of Directors issued a statement addressing the allegations directly.

March 07, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Minimum Wage Hike Expected After Advisory Committee Submits Report to Cabinet

Minimum Wage Hike Expected After Advisory Committee Submits Report to Cabinet

Antigua and Barbuda's National Minimum Wage Advisory Committee has submitted its recommendations to Cabinet, paving the way for a potential increase to the current nine-dollar-per-hour minimum wage. The committee held its first meeting in November 2025 before completing its deliberations.

March 07, 2026 · Antigua Observer
ABHTA Briefs Cabinet on Hotel Readiness Ahead of CHOGM 2026

ABHTA Briefs Cabinet on Hotel Readiness Ahead of CHOGM 2026

The ABHTA appeared before Cabinet on Wednesday to present a strategic update on Antigua and Barbuda's accommodation readiness for CHOGM 2026. The delegation was led by ABHTA Chairman Craig Marshall and Executive Director Patrice Christian-Simon.

March 07, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Cabinet Approves Official State Funeral for Former Minister Eustace 'Teco' Lake

Cabinet Approves Official State Funeral for Former Minister Eustace 'Teco' Lake

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved an official funeral for former minister Eustace "Teco" Lake, recognising his distinguished service to the nation. The decision was confirmed by the Director General of Communications following this week's Cabinet briefing.

March 07, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Cabinet Approves Land Exchange Programme to Expand Affordable Housing

Cabinet Approves Land Exchange Programme to Expand Affordable Housing

The Antiguan Cabinet has approved a land exchange programme aimed at boosting the supply of affordable housing, with $500,000 immediately set aside to get the initiative underway. The proposal was brought forward by Minister of Works and Housing Maria Browne.

March 06, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Three-Month Immigration Amnesty Programme Launches April 2

Three-Month Immigration Amnesty Programme Launches April 2

Antigua and Barbuda's government has announced a three-month immigration amnesty programme beginning April 2nd, open to undocumented residents who have lived in the country for four or more years. The initiative was confirmed following this week's Cabinet meeting.

March 06, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Local Arts Directors Demand Professional Recognition Ahead of CHOGM 2026

Local Arts Directors Demand Professional Recognition Ahead of CHOGM 2026

Creative directors Zahra Airall and Tavia Hunte are calling for greater professional respect for the arts in national planning as Antigua and Barbuda prepares to host CHOGM 2026. The appeal followed a joint showcase by their companies, Honeybee Theatre and Shiva's School of Dance.

March 05, 2026 · Antigua Observer
UN Youth Delegate Williams Unveils 'Village to Global' Vision for Antigua and Barbuda

UN Youth Delegate Williams Unveils 'Village to Global' Vision for Antigua and Barbuda

Newly appointed UN Youth Delegate Amelia Williams has outlined her 'Village to Global' vision, pledging to bring the grassroots realities of Antigua and Barbuda to the international development stage. Williams, a member of the YWiL 2026 cohort, describes her appointment as a responsibility to amplify local voices in global policy.

March 05, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Minister Greene Touts CHOGM 2026 as Gateway to Global Opportunity for Local Creatives

Minister Greene Touts CHOGM 2026 as Gateway to Global Opportunity for Local Creatives

Minister of Foreign Affairs E.P. Chet Greene has declared CHOGM 2026 a transformative opportunity for Antigua and Barbuda's creative sector, promising a "new dispensation" of global investment and professional growth for local artists.

March 05, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Emergency Repairs Underway at ABS After Staff Walk Out Over Safety Concerns

Emergency Repairs Underway at ABS After Staff Walk Out Over Safety Concerns

Emergency repairs are underway at the Antigua Broadcasting Service after staff withdrew over hazardous working conditions. Public Works Department personnel began surface repairs Monday night, targeting structural and sanitation issues.

March 05, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Archivist Warns National Archives Closure Puts Antigua's Sovereignty at Risk

Archivist Warns National Archives Closure Puts Antigua's Sovereignty at Risk

A leading Caribbean archivist is warning that the prolonged closure of Antigua and Barbuda's National Archives threatens the country's sovereignty, legal identity, and its role as keeper of the Eastern Caribbean's shared historical record.

March 05, 2026 · Antigua Observer
People's Forum Lead Vows to Make Commonwealth Quilt a Full Twin-Island History

People's Forum Lead Vows to Make Commonwealth Quilt a Full Twin-Island History

National Lead Samantha Marshall has committed to transforming the Commonwealth Quilt project into a twin-island record of Antigua and Barbuda's cultural heritage, acting on a direct mandate from Minister E.P. Chet Greene.

March 05, 2026 · Antigua Observer
ABEC Switches to Transparent Ballot Boxes to Boost Electoral Integrity

ABEC Switches to Transparent Ballot Boxes to Boost Electoral Integrity

The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission has announced a switch from opaque to transparent ballot boxes for all future electoral processes, citing a commitment to greater transparency and public confidence in democracy.

March 05, 2026 · Antigua Observer
MP Lewis Demands Action as Knuckle Block Community Centre Remains Closed

MP Lewis Demands Action as Knuckle Block Community Centre Remains Closed

The Knuckle Block Community Centre and basketball complex remain closed to youth due to structural problems and a delayed handover. St John's Rural West MP Richard Lewis is calling on the government to intervene and resolve the prolonged stall.

March 04, 2026 · Antigua Observer
St Philip's North Candidate Browne Vows to Break 50 Years of Stagnation

St Philip's North Candidate Browne Vows to Break 50 Years of Stagnation

St Philip's North candidate Alex Browne is challenging voters to break from what he calls 50 years of ineffective representation, promising skilled development and prosperity as part of a new legacy for the constituency.

March 04, 2026 · Antigua Observer
Journalist Accuses Two Ministries and Information Commissioner of Year-Long FOI Breach

Journalist Accuses Two Ministries and Information Commissioner of Year-Long FOI Breach

Investigative journalist William "ZiZi" Thomas has accused two government ministries and the Office of the Information Commissioner of ignoring formal Freedom of Information requests he hand-delivered over a year ago. He describes the prolonged silence as a clear breach of Antigua and Barbuda's FOI obligations.

March 04, 2026 · Antigua Observer
PM Browne Announces $25M Performing Arts Center on Former Deluxe Cinema Site

PM Browne Announces $25M Performing Arts Center on Former Deluxe Cinema Site

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced a $25 million investment to convert the former Deluxe Cinema property into a national Performing Arts Center, expected to open later this year. The announcement came alongside pledges of new government protections for Antigua and Barbuda's creative sector.

March 04, 2026 · Antigua Observer