The twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda has ruled out local transmission of malaria following the detection of two imported cases, one of which ended in a fatality, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed. In an address to local radio station Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne shared that public health teams have concluded all mandatory contact tracing and routine monitoring protocols for the two cases, and no evidence of secondary community spread has been identified.\n\n”We recorded two malaria cases, both of which were imported into the country, and tragically one patient did not survive the infection,” Browne stated during the interview. He went on to clarify that after exhaustive contact tracing and public health follow-ups, there is no data to suggest the pathogen has spread beyond the initial imported cases.\n\nThe prime minister emphasized that the overall risk of sustained local transmission remains extremely low, noting that the primary mosquito species responsible for carrying and spreading malaria is not widely established across Antigua and Barbuda. “We do not have large populations of that vector here, which makes widespread transmission via mosquitoes or other carriers highly unlikely,” he explained.\n\nThe announcement comes as the Antigua and Barbuda government moves to strengthen national public health surveillance systems, prompted by growing global concern over ongoing Ebola outbreaks in multiple regions of Central and East Africa. As part of updated precautionary measures to mitigate risks from incoming international travelers, the country has reactivated its specialized Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) – a facility first established during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nBrowne explained that the reactivated IDC will serve as a dedicated hub for isolating any travelers who develop symptoms of a contagious infectious disease while in the country, with pre-planned protocols in place to immediately launch contact tracing and containment efforts. The prime minister also pushed back against past criticism of the facility, which opponents once labeled an unnecessary public expense.\n\n”Epidemics and pandemics are an ongoing recurring risk that all countries face,” Browne noted. “Maintaining a dedicated infectious disease center to manage these kinds of transmittable illnesses is a critical asset, and a core component of our national health infrastructure.”\n\nIn addition to reactivating the IDC, national public health authorities have also restored enhanced entry screening protocols at the country’s international airports. These measures include the reintroduction of infrared thermal scanners to screen arriving passengers for fever, a common early symptom of many infectious diseases, as public health teams continue to monitor the evolving global outbreak situation closely.
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PM Says Antigua Taking ‘Conservative Position’ by not allowing Air Peace to land
Against a backdrop of growing Ebola transmission alerts across parts of Central and East Africa, the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has enacted a highly cautious approach to incoming air travel from Nigeria, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed. In an interview with local outlet Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne outlined that the government has opted not to accept the first planned Air Peace flight originating from Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city. Instead, the aircraft will reroute directly to neighboring Barbados, where passengers bound for Antigua and Barbuda will complete their journey on regional carrier LIAT.
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UN Resolution Reinforces Legal Protections for Antigua and Other Climate-Vulnerable Nations
In a watershed moment for global climate action, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark climate resolution spearheaded by Vanuatu and championed by the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS), codifying key climate obligations set out by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) into a global political mandate. Wednesday’s final vote, which secured backing from 141 nations, capped off a years-long movement rooted in grassroots youth advocacy from Pacific communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
For decades, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) — low-lying and atoll nations disproportionately threatened by rising sea levels despite contributing very little to global greenhouse gas emissions — have pushed for greater accountability from major emitters. This resolution stands as the most significant victory to date for their fight for climate justice.
The text of the resolution formalizes the ICJ’s landmark advisory opinion on state climate obligations, requiring all nations to adhere to three core principles: first, that countries hold a clear legal responsibility to address human-caused climate change; second, that the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is a legally binding global goal; and third, that all countries must update their national climate action plans, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to reflect the highest possible ambition, align with the 1.5°C target, and phase out harmful fossil fuel use.
One of the most impactful provisions for SIDS is the explicit affirmation that statehood and the legal status of national maritime zones remain permanent, even as sea levels rise erode island territories. For atoll nations already facing gradual submersion, this principle protects their sovereign rights and standing under international law from being erased by the climate crisis — a protection that advocates call non-negotiable for the future of island populations.
“This resolution transforms the Court’s advisory opinion into a political mandate backed by an overwhelming majority of the international community,” explained Ambassador Ilana Seid, current Chair of AOSIS. “For our members, the affirmation that our statehood and maritime rights endure is not a technical legal detail — it is the very foundation of our people’s future. We call on all States to act on these obligations now.”
Seid emphasized that the victory extends far beyond vulnerable island nations, noting that the entire global community benefits from clearer climate accountability. “This is a win not just for the most vulnerable, but for our entire world,” she said. “The science is unambiguous and the law is clear: delaying climate action is not an option. This ruling is an important lever in our work to prevent big emitters from continuing to endanger our people and our planet. We are exceptionally proud of Vanuatu and all small islands whose commitment to climate accountability have demonstrated the might and moral authority of Small Island Developing States.”
Founded in 1990, AOSIS represents 39 small island and low-lying coastal developing states in international climate and sustainable development negotiations. Despite the small geographic and economic size of its member states, the bloc has consistently punched far above its weight in global climate talks, securing multiple historic commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions over the past three decades. Beyond amplifying the voices of marginalized climate-vulnerable nations, the organization’s core mandate is to advance the legal and policy interests of its members in a changing climate.
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PM Browne Says Barbudans Free to Accept or Reject Land Titles for $1
In a recent public address, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has made clear that residents of Barbuda hold full autonomy to decide whether to accept or decline the government’s controversial proposal to formalize individual land ownership for a nominal fee of just $1 per title. The proposal, which has been the subject of intense public debate across the twin-island nation, marks a major shift from Barbuda’s centuries-long tradition of collective land ownership, a system that has defined the island’s social and economic structure since the era of post-emancipation self-governance.
Prime Minister Browne emphasized that the administration has no intention of forcing any resident to participate in the land titling program, pushing back against growing criticism from opposition groups and local activists who have claimed the policy would open the door to large-scale foreign development and displace long-standing Barbudan communities. “This is entirely a matter of personal choice for every eligible Barbudan land holder,” Browne stated during the press briefing. “We are not here to take anyone’s land, nor are we here to push people into a decision they are not comfortable making. The program is designed to give Barbudans the option to secure formal individual title to their property, which can open up access to mortgage financing, home improvement loans, and greater economic opportunity for those who choose it.”
The push for individual land titling on Barbuda gained new momentum after the 2017 destruction of Hurricane Irma, which leveled much of the island’s built infrastructure. The Browne administration has argued that formal individual ownership will speed up reconstruction and encourage sustainable investment that benefits local residents, rather than leaving the island reliant on collective land management structures that can slow down development and approval processes. Critics, however, counter that the tradition of collective ownership is a core part of Barbuda’s cultural identity, and that opening up individual titling will lead to rapid gentrification, as wealthy foreign investors purchase large tracts of land for resort and residential development, pushing native Barbudans off the island they have called home for generations.
With the government now reaffirming the voluntary nature of the program, the ball is firmly in the court of Barbudan residents, who will ultimately determine the future of land ownership on their island through their individual decisions. The policy remains one of the most divisive issues in Antigua and Barbuda’s recent political history, with implications for the country’s social structure, economic development, and cultural preservation for decades to come.
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Daughter of Calypsonian Singing Althea Says “Mama Rose” Robbed of Gold Chain Outside Home
A beloved veteran Trinidadian calypsonian, widely known by her stage name Singing Althea and affectionately called ‘Mama Rose’, has become the victim of a violent street robbery just steps away from her own residence. The shocking attack unfolded early Friday morning, when the perpetrator assaulted the elderly entertainer to steal her gold chain.
The incident was first brought to public attention by Rose’s daughter, Michelle Williams, who took to social media to share her anger and grief over the attack. In a scathing public post, Williams directly called out the attackers, labeling them greedy ‘vampires’ who showed no regard for her mother’s safety. She detailed that the robbers violently slammed Singing Althea into a concrete wall before yanking the gold chain off her neck and fleeing the scene.
Williams’ post was paired with footage that appears to be pulled from nearby home surveillance cameras, which quickly spread across local social media platforms. Within hours, the news drew widespread reactions from community members, fellow calypso artists, and residents across the region. Many flood the comment sections with messages of sympathy and support for the 80-something entertainer, while others expressed sharp outrage at the brazen nature of the attack, which occurred in broad daylight right outside a family home.
As of the latest updates, law enforcement officials have not released any formal public statement regarding the incident. It also remains unclear whether investigators have identified any persons of interest or made any arrests in connection with the robbery.
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Shooting incident at White House; suspect killed after opening fire on Secret Service
A violent incident near the heart of U.S. government power ended with a suspect dead Saturday evening, after the 21-year-old gunman opened fire at a White House security checkpoint, according to a recent report from CBS News.
Law enforcement and intelligence sources confirmed the attacker has been identified as Nasire Best, a young man already on the Secret Service’s radar prior to the shooting. Officials familiar with the case have confirmed Best had a documented record of mental health challenges, a detail that adds context to the pre-existing awareness of the suspect among federal security agents assigned to protect the presidential complex.
Following the confrontation, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly commended the responding Secret Service officers for their rapid, disciplined response to the threat. In a public statement posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump noted that the suspect carried a history of violent behavior and what he described as a possible obsession with the White House, one of the most iconic and heavily protected buildings in the United States.
This latest security breach attempt comes exactly one month after another armed incident near the White House, when a separate gunman opened fire in the vicinity of the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an event that draws hundreds of high-profile journalists, political figures, and celebrities to Washington D.C. each year. The back-to-back security incidents near the presidential residence have renewed conversations about the vulnerabilities of perimeter security around the White House complex, even as federal security officials highlight the training and quick response that prevented broader loss of life in both cases. As of this reporting, no additional details about possible motives for Best’s attack have been released to the public, and an investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
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Antigua and Barbuda Strengthens Ebola Preparedness and Border Surveillance Measures
In response to the World Health Organization’s recent classification of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has launched proactive monitoring and preparation efforts to guard against the spread of the virus, which is currently impacting multiple regions of Central and East Africa. The announcement was made public by the nation’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs.
As of the latest update, no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) have been detected within Antigua and Barbuda’s borders. Despite the current low risk profile, the Ministry has moved quickly to strengthen national surveillance and readiness frameworks, aligning all actions with established global public health standards and international guidance.
Key enhanced measures already underway include stepped-up screening protocols at all ports of entry, tighter infection prevention and control rules across the country’s health care facilities, and sustained cross-agency coordination with regional and global public health bodies. Ministry officials are also conducting a comprehensive review and update of the nation’s original Ebola preparedness protocols, first drafted in response to the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak. This overhaul covers critical operational areas including case tracking, infection control protocols, clinical case management, and safe protocols for handling human remains.
Parallel preparations are also being carried out to ensure the nation’s Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) is fully operational and ready to accommodate isolation or specialized treatment if any cases are confirmed.
To further reduce entry risk, the Ministry plans to present a set of temporary travel restrictions to the national Cabinet for approval. If approved, the new rules will bar entry to any traveler who has visited designated Ebola outbreak areas within the 45 days prior to their scheduled arrival in Antigua and Barbuda.
As part of expanded airport screening efforts, authorities are also working to reinstall infrared thermal camera systems at V.C. Bird International Airport, a core tool for detecting potential symptomatic travelers. Looking ahead to the scheduled launch of new additional international flights from Nigeria starting May 25, 2026, the Ministry is also boosting permanent Port Health staffing and expanding public health screening capacity at the airport. These upgrades include more robust traveler health assessments and closer coordinated workflows with immigration, customs, airport management, and commercial airline teams.
In a public statement, the Ministry emphasized that the current overall risk of an Ebola introduction to Antigua and Barbuda remains low. Even so, officials stressed that sustained vigilance and advanced preparedness are non-negotiable to protect public health. The public is advised to maintain consistent good hand hygiene practices, and to seek immediate medical care if they develop fever or other unexplained illness, especially within weeks after international travel.
The Ministry confirmed it will continue real-time monitoring of the outbreak situation across Africa, and will issue timely public updates should any adjustments to preparedness measures be needed.
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UWI Statement on the Passing of Sir Aziz HadeedKCMG,CBE
On Saturday, May 23, 2026, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda released an official statement announcing the passing of Sir Aziz Hadeed, CBE, the institution’s beloved Campus Council Chairman. The entire campus community has joined the people of Antigua and Barbuda and Caribbean communities across the region in grieving the loss of this iconic leader, whose decades of public service and unwavering commitment to higher education left an indelible mark on the regional education landscape.
A towering figure in Caribbean public life, Sir Aziz built a decades-long career marked by distinction across multiple sectors: he was a revered business leader, a former Independent Senator, a past Cabinet Minister, and former Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. When he joined UWI, he brought the same sharp vision and steady, measured judgment that defined every stage of his lifelong service to the Antigua and Barbuda nation.
Sir Aziz made history as the inaugural Chairman of the Five Islands Campus Council, appointed to the role when the campus first launched in August 2019, and reappointed for a second term in 2024. Over his nearly seven years of stewardship, he guided the young campus through its most formative and challenging early chapters: the successful 2019 launch, the unprecedented disruption of global higher education by the COVID-19 pandemic, the landmark $80 million development partnership with the Saudi Fund for Development secured in 2023, and the campus’s extraordinary expansion from just 173 inaugural students to a current enrollment of more than 1,400. Even in his final months in the role, he led campus governance with a calm, commanding authority, most recently presiding over the March 2026 Council meeting centered on the forward-looking theme “Building Beyond Borders.”
At the core of Sir Aziz’s leadership was a deep, unshakable belief that education is the foundational pillar of sustained development across the Caribbean. He turned this conviction into tangible action, prioritizing expanded access to higher education for marginalized students. Through funding personal scholarships, he removed financial barriers that would have prevented low-income, high-achieving students from pursuing university degrees. The countless lives transformed by his quiet, unpublicized generosity stand as one of his most enduring and far-reaching legacies.
“Sir Aziz was far more than a Chairman to this campus — he was a true partner in our core mission,” said Professor C. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of UWI Five Islands. “His close collaboration with our team grew from a genuine conviction that accessible higher education is the bedrock of a just, prosperous society. He contributed not just his public standing and financial support, but his time, his unmatched wisdom, and his whole heart to the work of bringing UWI’s excellence to the people of Antigua and Barbuda and the entire Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).”
Robinson added that Sir Aziz’s thoughtful leadership leaves the Five Islands Campus far stronger, more confident, and more deeply rooted in its regional mission than it was when he first took office. On behalf of the campus executive leadership, faculty, staff, and student body, the campus extended its deepest condolences to Lady Hadeed, the entire Hadeed family, and all those mourning the loss of this extraordinary leader. The statement closed with a note of prayer: May his soul rest in peace.
As context, the UWI Five Islands Campus is one of five physical campuses that make up the historic University of the West Indies system, which has driven inclusive development across the Caribbean for more than 75 years. Founded in 1948 as a small medical college affiliated with the University of London in Jamaica, UWI has grown from an institution of just 33 students into a globally respected comprehensive university serving nearly 50,000 learners across the region. In addition to the Five Islands Campus, it operates flagship campuses at Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, and a distributed Global Campus, alongside international research and education centers partnered with leading institutions across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Since opening in 2019, the Five Islands Campus has expanded to offer more than 45 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs across four specialized schools: Business and Management, Health and Behavioural Sciences, Humanities and Education, and Science, Computing and Artificial Intelligence. As part of the Caribbean’s leading higher education system, it is focused on addressing the most pressing social and economic challenges facing the OECS, the broader Caribbean region, and the global community.
UWI has been recognized for its global academic excellence through inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, holding its place as one of the world’s top universities and the only English-speaking Caribbean institution featured across four of THE’s most prestigious ranking lists. THE’s World University Rankings evaluates more than 2,000 leading research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlights leading institutions founded between 50 and 80 years ago. THE’s Latin America Rankings focuses specifically on institutional performance across Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Impact Rankings assesses universities based on their progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This global recognition supported the launch of UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school designed to train the next generation of leaders in sustainable development practice. A long-standing leader in advancing the SDG framework, UWI is consistently ranked among the top global universities for its work on sustainable development.
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Antigua and Barbuda confirms two imported malaria cases; one traveller dies
The twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is on high public health alert after health authorities confirmed two imported cases of malaria, one of which has ended in the death of an international traveler. In an official public statement released Friday, the country’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs moved quickly to reassure residents that no evidence of local malaria transmission has been detected to date, keeping overall population risk at a low level.
According to ministry documentation, the first confirmed case involved an adult male traveler coming from a country where malaria is considered endemic. The man sought medical care almost immediately after his arrival in Antigua and Barbuda, and was promptly hospitalized to start malaria treatment. Health officials report that he responded well to clinical interventions, and departed the country roughly five days after his initial arrival.
The second case, which resulted in the fatality, involved another adult male traveler who also journeyed to the islands from a malaria-endemic region. This traveler became ill shortly after crossing into Antigua and Barbuda, and was admitted to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre in critical condition. Despite aggressive medical intervention and round-the-clock supportive care, the patient could not be saved.
Public health officials confirmed that both travelers either displayed active malaria symptoms upon arrival or developed symptoms within just a few hours of entering the country. A full review of their travel history and the timeline of symptom onset has led investigators to classify both infections as clearly imported, meaning they were contracted outside of Antigua and Barbuda’s borders.
Immediately after the cases were identified, national public health surveillance and response protocols were activated. Epidemiological teams have launched full investigations into the cases, conducted widespread vector surveillance to track local mosquito populations, completed contact tracing for any individuals who may have had exposure, and implemented ongoing monitoring to catch any potential secondary spread early.
For context, malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which is primarily spread through bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Common symptomatic presentations include high fever, chills, severe headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and general muscular weakness.
While local entomological surveys have confirmed that Anopheles mosquitoes do exist in Antigua and Barbuda, ongoing surveillance shows that the species remains limited in range and is only present in very small populations across the islands. As part of the targeted public health response, authorities have ramped up mosquito control operations in all areas linked to the two confirmed cases. Current measures include comprehensive environmental inspections, source reduction efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, targeted larvicide treatment, focused fogging in high-risk areas, and continuous monitoring of local mosquito population levels.
Beyond direct control operations, the Ministry of Health is issuing a public advisory urging all local residents to take proactive steps to reduce mosquito breeding sites around their homes and places of business. Recommended actions include draining all standing water from containers, covering all stored water vessels, cleaning clogged drains on a regular schedule, and seeking immediate medical care if anyone develops fever or flu-like symptoms, particularly after returning from international travel.
Officials emphasized that the evolving situation is under constant close monitoring, and reassured the public that the country’s established public health infrastructure remains fully activated and prepared to address any further developments.
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Restoring vision and hope
A recent four-day humanitarian cataract surgery mission in Trinidad and Tobago has thrown a sharp spotlight on a growing public health crisis: thousands of elderly citizens across the twin-island nation are living with preventable blindness, trapped by financial barriers and limited access to timely care. Leading the mission organized by disaster and medical humanitarian group HANDS International at the Community Hospital of Seventh-day Adventists in Cocorite, Trinidad-born US-based physician Dr. Reynold Agard detailed the scale of unmet need that his team encountered during their work.
According to Agard, the vast majority of patients affected are elderly people living with age-related cataracts, a condition whose progression is significantly accelerated by common regional health issues including high diabetes rates, poor dietary habits, and chronic overexposure to strong Caribbean sunlight. Cataracts develop when the eye’s natural lens becomes clouded, essentially leaving sufferers to view the world through frosted glass, and surgery is the only effective treatment to restore vision. Across the entire Caribbean, Agard noted, cataracts have emerged as a leading cause of preventable blindness, driven by overlapping demographic and public health trends: populations across the region are aging, rates of lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are rising rapidly, and many low-income patients cannot access or afford the care they need.
When the mission launched, organizers initially set a goal of completing 3,000 free or subsidized cataract surgeries. But the overwhelming flood of demand pushed the team to raise their target to 4,000 procedures. Despite this adjustment, multiple logistical and financial barriers prevented the team from hitting the expanded goal. Pre-surgery screenings and lens measurements, required to prepare for successful procedures, normally cost patients between TT$300 and TT$500 — a sum that was out of reach for most patients seeking care through the mission. As a result, the surgical team had to divert significant time and resources away from procedures to conduct these essential screenings on-site for free. Additional delays came from supply chain holdups and broken air conditioning at the hospital, further slowing the pace of work.
Agard emphasized that the issue is not a lack of local medical skill: Trinidad already has highly trained surgeons capable of performing cataract procedures. To address the gap in access, Agard and his team, which included world-renowned high-volume cataract surgeon Dr. Jacobs — one of the pioneers of the four-minute rapid cataract procedure — have offered to train local clinicians in this efficient, high-throughput surgical technique that allows more patients to be treated in less time.
For the patients who did receive surgery, the results have been life-changing. Agard shared moving accounts of the emotional reactions many had when their bandages were removed and vision was restored. One elderly woman, who had only been able to see the faint shadows of her grandchildren for three years, trembled and cried when she was able to view clear photos of her family on her mobile phone for the first time. “Everyone cries when they realize blue is really blue again, and they can finally see red clearly,” Agard said.
For Agard, the mission was far more than a humanitarian project — it was a personal homecoming. A graduate of Roxborough Secondary School and the Polytechnic Institute, Agard migrated to the US, where he completed medical training at Penn State College of Medicine, now runs a private practice in Delaware, and teaches at hospitals across the Philadelphia-Delaware region. He has been part of HANDS International since the organization was founded 18 years ago, in the wake of devastating hurricanes that struck the eastern Caribbean. Since its launch, the group has deployed to respond to humanitarian crises and medical needs across the globe, including disaster response in Haiti, Dominica, Nepal, Ukraine, and multiple African nations, as well as post-hurricane relief in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Louisiana, and New York after Hurricane Sandy.
Preliminary discussions are already underway for HANDS International to return to Trinidad next year, with plans to expand services to Tobago and South Trinidad, with the goal of making these cataract mission an annual event. Agard praised the support the mission received from the Trinidadian government, Minister of Health Dr. Lackram Bodoe, and the South Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which was instrumental in hosting the project. All medications used during the mission were provided free of charge, with only one unregistered drug held up at customs — an issue organizers are working to resolve ahead of the next trip. The team is also encouraging all patients who received surgery to complete their required follow-up care at the host hospital.
Beyond the immediate surgical work, the mission highlights broader public health priorities for the region. Agard emphasized that simple lifestyle adjustments can significantly slow the progression of cataracts and reduce risk, especially for people with diabetes. He encouraged Caribbean residents to adopt a diet centered on whole, plant-based foods, rich in vitamins A, C, and E, limit consumption of red meat and ultra-processed foods, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption — two major modifiable risk factors for early cataract development.
“Some people literally go to their graves blind with a procedure that could have given them sight and improved their quality of life,” Agard said. For thousands of underserved Trinbagonians, this mission has already changed that outcome — and future trips hope to bring clear vision to thousands more.