Local News
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PM Browne Calls for OECS Latin America Push as Antigua Takes Authority Chair
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to forge stronger trade ties with Latin America as Antigua assumes the OECS Authority chairmanship. Speaking at the 78th meeting of the Authority, Browne outlined a broad agenda including a proposed OECS airline, geothermal energy investment, and a blue economy portfolio.
PM Browne Seeks $100M Bond to Build 5,000 Homes Over Next Decade
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the government is in discussions with FCIB to secure a $100 million housing bond, with the goal of constructing up to 5,000 homes over the next decade to meet demand from approximately 7,500 applicants currently on file.
PM Browne Eyes $100M Housing Bond to Deliver 500 Homes a Year
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced the government is seeking a $100 million housing bond through discussions with FCIB, with the aim of constructing up to 500 homes annually over the next decade. The initiative is intended to address a backlog of approximately 7,500 housing applications across Antigua and Barbuda.
PM Browne Open to Capping Free CSEC Subjects, Backs Repayment for Failed UWI Courses
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has signalled that the government may cap the number of CSEC subjects it funds per student, and has backed a proposal requiring UWI Five Islands Campus students to pay for any courses they fail and repeat.
PM Browne Endorses Mandatory Community Service for Students in Education Reform Push
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has endorsed a proposal by UWI Five Islands Campus Principal Professor Justin Robinson to incorporate mandatory community service into student life, arguing it fosters responsibility and contributes to national development. Browne suggested students could receive small stipends for maintaining public facilities and assisting with school upkeep during summer breaks.
Expert Outlines Key Success Factors for Antiguan Students Entering Tertiary Education
Business executive and former UWI lecturer Garfield Joseph has outlined a framework of key success factors drawn from the corporate world to help Antiguan and Barbudan students navigate the demands of tertiary education. Writing for Antigua News Room, Joseph argues that clarity of purpose, time management, consistency, and well-being are as essential in the lecture hall as they are in the boardroom.
Ambassador Marshall Calls Free Tertiary Education a Strategic Investment, Not a Political Promise
Former minister and attorney Samantha Marshall has defended the Government's free tertiary education policy, calling it a strategic investment in national development. Writing in an opinion piece, as reported by Antigua News Room, Marshall argued that removing financial barriers to higher education will strengthen Antigua and Barbuda's human capital for generations to come.
Salvation Army's Major Pierre Honoured for 25 Years of Caribbean Service
Major Jean Raymoncil Pierre, the Salvation Army's District Officer for Antigua and Barbuda, has been honoured for 25 years of dedicated service to the organisation at a special ceremony in Jamaica. The event also celebrated the graduation and commissioning of the newly trained "Keepers of the Covenant" Session of Salvation Army officers.
National Cyclist Tahjé Browne Cleared of Fractures After Training Accident
National cyclist Tahjé Browne has been cleared of broken bones and fractures following a training accident on Saturday, with the Antigua and Barbuda Cycling Federation describing the medical findings as encouraging. Browne, who sustained cuts, bruises, and a significant foot laceration, remains under observation as he begins his recovery.
Commentary: The Mental Health Conversations We Cannot Afford to Avoid
Community advocate Jermaine N. Edwards has issued a heartfelt commentary, as reported by Antigua News Room, calling for greater compassion and open dialogue around mental health in the wake of the reported death of 19-year-old Zoe Tomlinson. Edwards urges families, communities, schools, and government agencies to build spaces where young people feel safe to seek help without fear of judgment.
Antigua and Barbuda Formalises Diplomatic Ties with Honduras
Antigua and Barbuda and Honduras have formally established diplomatic relations through the signing of a Joint Communiqué in Panama City, with both nations committing to closer cooperation on climate change, economic development, and regional issues.
Fourteen Students Named for 2026 ECAB Mr. & Miss Teenage Pageant
The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has introduced fourteen secondary school students as contestants in the 2026 ECAB Mr. & Miss Teenage Pageant, with the event set for July 18 at Carnival City. Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank returns as title sponsor for the third consecutive year.
ONDCP, Police Join ECCB Webinar to Combat Rising Cyber Fraud Threat
Antigua and Barbuda's ONDCP and Royal Police Force joined regional counterparts in an ECCB-led webinar addressing the growing threat of cyber-enabled fraud and financial crime. The initiative brought together law enforcement, regulators, and financial institutions from across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.
Conservative Outsider Wins Colombia Presidency in Tight Runoff Vote
Right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia's presidential runoff election, defeating left-wing senator Iván Cepeda by roughly 250,000 votes. The Trump admirer and political newcomer is set to take office on August 7, signalling a shift back to conservative leadership after four years of left-wing rule.
PM Browne Calls for Sweeping OECS Commission Reforms as New Authority Chairman
Prime Minister Gaston Browne, in his first address as OECS Authority chairman, has publicly called on Director General Didacus Jules to develop a reform plan that makes the OECS Commission leaner, more cost-effective and better equipped to serve member states. Browne framed the push for reform against a backdrop of global instability, emphasising that regional unity is essential for small island nations to remain resilient.
PM Browne Rejects US Deportee Proposal, Caps Arrivals at 10 Per Year
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has rejected a US proposal to send large numbers of deportees to Antigua and Barbuda, submitting a counterproposal capping annual arrivals at 10. Browne made the announcement during his first address as chairman of the OECS Authority, warning that accepting 120 individuals was "totally unacceptable."
Authorities Seek Family of Unresponsive Bendals Woman Identified as Kerrianne Eubanks
Authorities are appealing for public assistance in locating the family of Kerrianne Eubanks, a woman believed to be from Bendals who was found unresponsive on Saturday. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre or the nearest police station.
WISH Mourns Death of 19-Year-Old Zowie Tomlinson, Calls for Urgent Focus on Youth Mental Health
Mental health organisation WISH is mourning the death of 19-year-old Zowie Tomlinson of Parham, whose body was recovered from Devil's Bridge on June 21, 2026. The organisation is calling on the nation to prioritise youth mental health and urging the public to handle the tragedy with sensitivity.
UWI Five Islands Law Programme May Face Enrollment Cap After 137 Applications Received
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says UWI Five Islands Campus may need to cap enrollment in its new law degree programme after receiving 137 applications, surpassing available space. The government has committed to covering approximately half of tuition costs for students entering the programme.
Fort James Renaissance Park to Break Ground by September, PM Browne Announces
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that groundbreaking on the Fort James Renaissance Park is expected by September, with $5 million drawn from a Sandals Resorts tax settlement allocated to kick off the project. Plans include beach enhancements, restaurants, recreational facilities and an artificial reef attraction ahead of Antigua and Barbuda's hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.