Politics
2399 articles
PM Browne: Many Back Pay Complainants Are Simply Not Eligible
Prime Minister Gaston Browne told Parliament on Tuesday that many complaints about unpaid government back pay are coming from individuals who do not qualify for the payments, citing former public servants, new hires, and contract workers among ineligible claimants. He maintained that the vast majority of eligible workers have already been paid in full.
Pringle and Walker Complete Parliamentary Swearing-In Process
Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle and Barbuda MP Trevor Walker were sworn into the House of Representatives on Tuesday, completing the parliamentary swearing-in process for all elected members following the April 30 General Election.
Jamale Pringle Sworn In as Opposition Leader
Jamale Pringle has been officially sworn in as Opposition Leader in Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua News Room captured the ceremony on video.
Jamal Pringle and Trevor Walker Sworn In as Opposition Leader and MP
Jamal Pringle has been officially sworn in as Opposition Leader, while Trevor Walker was sworn in as a Member of Parliament, marking a significant moment in Antigua and Barbuda's political landscape.
Antigua and China Eye Deeper Tourism and Cultural Ties After Diplomatic Meeting
Minister of State for Tourism Hon. Michael Freeland met with newly appointed Chinese Ambassador Her Excellency Jiang Wei to discuss expanding tourism, cultural cooperation, and travel connectivity between Antigua and Barbuda and China. Key topics included boosting Antigua and Barbuda's visibility in the Chinese market and leveraging an upcoming UAE direct air route as a gateway for Asian travelers.
Opinion: Personal Responsibility Cannot Solve a Public Health Crisis Built by Policy Failures
A public health opinion piece, as reported by Antigua News Room, argues that the Caribbean's childhood obesity crisis — with 42% of Barbadian children living with overweight or obesity — cannot be solved by placing the burden of responsibility on parents and children alone. The piece calls on governments to regulate unhealthy food marketing in schools rather than deferring to industry-favoured narratives centred on personal responsibility.
Antigua Swears In Two Ambassadors-At-Large to Deepen Latin American Ties
Antigua and Barbuda has sworn in two new Ambassadors-at-Large, Ms. Samantha Nicole Marshall and Ms. Joanne Maureen Massiah, with officials calling on them to advance the Government's push to deepen ties with the Spanish-speaking world. The ceremony underscored the administration's goal of establishing Spanish as the country's second official language.
Marshall Sworn In as Ambassador-at-Large, Pledges Continued Service to Antigua and Barbuda
Samantha Marshall was sworn in as Ambassador-at-Large on Monday, pledging to bring the same commitment she demonstrated in elected office to her new diplomatic role. Marshall and fellow appointee Joanne Massiah were sworn in before Governor General's Deputy Sir Clare Roberts at Government House.
Massiah Sworn In as Ambassador-at-Large, Vows Excellence and Integrity
Joanne Massiah was sworn in as Ambassador-at-Large at Government House on Monday, pledging to represent Antigua and Barbuda with excellence and integrity. Her first assignment will see her join the country's delegation at OAS and ACS meetings in Panama.
Ambassadors Marshall and Massiah Sworn In, Immediately Dispatched on First Foreign Assignments
Newly sworn-in Ambassadors-at-Large Samantha Marshall and Joanne Massiah were immediately assigned to international diplomatic duties following their investiture ceremony at Government House on Monday. Marshall will attend the EU-CARIFORUM summit in the Dominican Republic, while Massiah joins the Antigua and Barbuda delegation at OAS and ACS conferences in Panama.
Marshall, Massiah Sworn In as Ambassadors-at-Large, Immediately Assigned to International Forums
Samantha Marshall and Joanne Massiah have been sworn in as Antigua and Barbuda's newest ambassadors-at-large and have already been assigned to represent the country at separate international forums later this month. Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene said the appointments reflect the government's commitment to merit-based national service that crosses political lines.
Marshall and Messiah Sworn In as Ambassadors-at-Large, Assigned Diplomatic Duties
Former government ministers Samantha Marshall and Joanne Messiah were sworn in as Ambassadors-at-Large on Monday at Government House, with both immediately assigned to represent Antigua and Barbuda at upcoming international meetings.
Gov't Spends $700K Demolishing Derelict Properties in Point and Villa; Owners to Be Billed
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the government has spent around $700,000 demolishing 45 derelict properties in Point and Villa, and owners will be billed through charges attached to their land.
PM Browne Escalates Attack on UPP Senator Parker Over Partner's Drug Arrest
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has intensified his criticism of UPP Senator Malaka Parker, questioning her judgment and personal choices in a Facebook post, hours after the opposition party condemned his earlier remarks as an attempt to taint her character following her partner's drug-related arrest.
PM Browne Demands Urgent MVI Integration to End Financing Inequity for Island States
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called for the immediate integration of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index into global financing frameworks, warning that continued delays are leaving Small Island Developing States exposed to economic shocks without adequate support. Speaking at a UN high-level retreat, Browne argued that GDP-based classifications fail to capture the true vulnerabilities of nations like Antigua and Barbuda.
NYPAAB Elects New Executive Committee and Youth MPs for Upcoming Term
The National Youth Parliament Association of Antigua and Barbuda has elected a new Executive Committee and Youth Members of Parliament to serve during the upcoming term. The new leadership will focus on civic engagement, leadership development, and expanding youth participation in national affairs.
Skerrit Deflects Questions on Nassief U.S. Visa Denial, Cites Consular Authority
Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has declined to comment on the reported denial of U.S. visa renewals to prominent businessman and Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association President Gregoire Nassief and his wife, saying such decisions are the sole purview of American consular authorities. Skerrit also revealed that ongoing U.S.-Dominica discussions over Dominica's travel-scrutiny status are expected to produce a review this month.
PM Browne Vows Crackdown on Foreign Contractors Over Tax, Labour Concerns
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has alleged that some foreign construction companies operating in Antigua and Barbuda are underpaying imported workers, displacing locals, and evading taxes, and has vowed forensic audits and back-tax action where necessary.
Browne: Back Pay Delays Stem from Missing Ministry Documents, Not Funding Shortfall
Prime Minister Gaston Browne says more than $30 million in back pay has been disbursed to over 90 percent of eligible public servants, with remaining delays caused by ministries failing to submit required documentation to the Treasury — not a lack of funds.
Commentary: Antigua's Ambassador Pilgrim on the Moon Race Reshaping Humanity's Future
Antiguan Ambassador Dr. Clarence E. Pilgrim examines the two competing lunar programmes — the US-led Artemis Program and China-Russia's International Lunar Research Station — arguing that broad international participation, including from small island states like Antigua, is essential to ensuring space exploration becomes a truly global endeavour.