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  • WATCH: Fuel Prices in Antigua and Barbuda May Have to Increase, PM Browne Warns

    WATCH: Fuel Prices in Antigua and Barbuda May Have to Increase, PM Browne Warns

    The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, has issued a stark public warning that domestic fuel prices will almost certainly need to rise in the near future, as the national government can no longer sustain the massive financial burden of shielding consumers from skyrocketing international petroleum costs. Since the beginning of the current price stabilization policy six months ago, Browne confirmed, the government has foregone more than 30 million Eastern Caribbean dollars in revenue, all to keep retail fuel rates frozen despite volatile shifts in the global energy market.

    During an appearance Saturday on the local public affairs program *Browne and Browne Show*, Browne added that the policy has also left the government with a large unpaid obligation to the West Indies Oil Company, the regional energy provider that supplies fuel to the twin-island nation. To keep retail prices fixed at their current levels—14.25 Eastern Caribbean dollars per liter for diesel and 14.50 Eastern Caribbean dollars per liter for gasoline—the government has accumulated an estimated 10 million Eastern Caribbean dollars in outstanding debt to the firm, Browne explained.

    When combined with the foregone revenue, the total financial hit to the public purse totals around 40 million Eastern Caribbean dollars, a sum Browne described as significant enough to threaten long-term fiscal sustainability. He noted that even with the ongoing government subsidies, Antigua and Barbuda already boasts one of the lowest retail fuel price regimes in the entire Caribbean region, outranked only by major oil-producing neighbors Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Even so, the prime minister emphasized, the government cannot maintain this subsidization strategy indefinitely.

    “I have to admit, I don’t know how much longer we can sustain that,” Browne told listeners. “We’re going to have to have a conversation at some point, and we may just have to increase the price.”

    Browne traced the root of the current pressure to two interconnected global factors: persistently high crude prices on the international market, and the ongoing armed conflict in Iran that has disrupted global energy supply chains. Several months ago, he recalled, a tentative agreement between conflict parties raised widespread hopes that the fighting would wind down quickly, easing pressure on global energy markets. But the situation remains unresolved more than six months later, and the uncertainty continues to drive up costs for energy-importing small island nations like Antigua and Barbuda.

    Despite the current strain, Browne said the government still holds out hope that the Iranian conflict will reach a negotiated resolution by the end of 2024, which would bring international oil prices back down and eliminate the need for a steep domestic fuel price increase. As of Saturday, the prime minister stopped short of announcing a specific timeline for any potential price adjustment, nor did he share details on how large any increase would be if implemented.

  • Pelican Court, Formerly Booby Alley, Could Have Police Outpost and On-Site Property Managers

    Pelican Court, Formerly Booby Alley, Could Have Police Outpost and On-Site Property Managers

    As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda prepares to open the gates of its new 150-unit Pelican Court housing complex to incoming residents, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has laid out an ambitious framework of security, management, and behavioral rules designed to keep the development safe and well-maintained for decades to come. The plan, announced during the Prime Minister’s recent appearance on the *Browne and Browne Show*, puts tackling illicit drug activity at the forefront of residential regulations, with permanent expulsion on the table for tenants found trafficking narcotics from their units.

    Initial security discussions centered on assigning two full-time police officers to live on the property to monitor activity and respond quickly to safety concerns. However, Browne revealed that policymakers have revised this proposal after feedback, and are now evaluating the feasibility of opening a dedicated permanent police outpost within the development. If the outpost moves forward, it will be staffed by two rotating officers at any given time, bringing consistent, visible law enforcement presence directly to the complex.

    Beyond security, the government has put in place plans for full-time on-site property management to oversee daily operations. Two resident property managers will be hired to handle maintenance, resident concerns, and operational coordination, with one of the 150 units converted into a dedicated administrative office for their work. To set clear expectations from day one, the administration is developing a formal orientation program that all new residents will complete before moving in, where they will review all community rules, the required behavioral standards for residents, and the penalties that accompany violations.

    The strictest penalty is reserved for those involved in the illegal drug trade. As Browne emphasized, any renter found selling narcotics within the Pelican Court development will face immediate expulsion and removal from their unit. “We’re going to have strict rules,” the Prime Minister stated, adding that the regulations cover more than just criminal activity: routine property maintenance, proper garbage disposal, and other neighborhood standards are also codified in the new rulebook, with the long-term goal of preventing the complex from falling into disrepair after occupancy begins.

    Landscaping and final beautification works are set to kick off imminently, with the government tasking the National Housing authority to develop design plans to enhance the development’s green spaces and curb appeal. The first cohort of residents to move into Pelican Court will be former homeowners who previously lived on the site, who will receive replacement units through a prearranged land swap agreement. The remaining available units will be primarily made available to eligible buyers through mortgage financing arrangements, expanding access to quality regulated housing across the country.

  • Shadab Powers Falcons Past Knight Riders and to Top of CPL Table

    Shadab Powers Falcons Past Knight Riders and to Top of CPL Table

    In a dramatic, high-stakes Caribbean Premier League clash held in North Sound, Antigua on Saturday night, Pakistani spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan delivered a career-defining knock that propelled the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Trinbago Knight Riders, catapulting the side straight to the summit of the 2026 tournament standings.

    When Shadab Khan walked onto the pitch, the Falcons were facing a seemingly insurmountable crisis. Chasing a target of 166 runs to win, the side had slumped to 92 for five wickets, with still 74 runs required from just 41 deliveries to seal the win. The left-handed Sri Lankan opener Kusal Perera was already holding the innings together at the crease, and the pair forged an unbroken match-winning stand of 76 runs from only 33 deliveries that turned the tide of the game entirely.

    By the time the contest reached the final three overs, the Trinbago Knight Riders still held a strong position, needing to defend just 37 runs to hang on to victory. That advantage evaporated in a devastating 18th over from fast bowler Nathan Edward, as Shadab launched three towering sixes during a single over that leaked 27 runs to the Falcons. The finish came soon after: facing fast bowler Terrance Hinds, Shadab smashed two more maximums to cross the winning line with nine full deliveries still to spare, ending the innings on an unbeaten 52 runs from just 20 balls. Perera remained undefeated on 34, and Shadab was rightfully named Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.

    The Falcons’ chase got off to a promising early start, with star all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall hammering 14 runs from the very first over of the innings. However, Cornwall’s quick start came to an abrupt end when he was run out off the first delivery of the second over. Top order batter Evin Lewis only managed 10 runs, while Hasan Nawaz was out for a single, leaving the middle order to repair the damage. Amir Jangoo stepped up with a useful 31 runs from 36 balls to lay early groundwork for Shadab’s late finish.

    Earlier in the day, the Trinbago Knight Riders had opted to bat first after winning the toss, posting a competitive total of 165 runs for the loss of six wickets. New Zealand opening batter Colin Munro anchored the Knight Riders’ innings with a solid 46 runs from 33 deliveries, while destructive West Indian wicket-keeper batter Nicholas Pooran blasted a quickfire 43 runs from only 17 deliveries to accelerate the side’s total late in the innings. For the Falcons, Cornwall was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of two wickets for just 17 runs, while young quick Joshua James claimed two wickets for 23 runs. Lower-order batters Sunil Narine and Terrance Hinds added useful late runs, finishing not out on 19 and 14 respectively after putting on a 34-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Plans to Reintroduce Hard Labour for Prisoners

    Antigua and Barbuda Plans to Reintroduce Hard Labour for Prisoners

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is moving forward with a controversial plan to overhaul its criminal justice system, with one of the most notable proposals being the reintroduction of court-ordered hard labor for physically fit incarcerated people. Prime Minister Gaston Browne first shared this policy initiative during a public appearance on the *Browne and Browne Show* this past Saturday, framing the change as a key correction to what he calls a flawed existing sentencing framework.

    Brown made clear that formal amendments to the country’s current legislation will need to be passed before the government can roll out the new program. Once the legal adjustments are complete, he said, any physically capable person admitted to prison will be required to serve their sentence with mandatory hard labor as a core condition of their confinement.

    Under the outlined proposal, inmates assigned to the program will wear standardized prison uniforms and be tasked with a range of public-facing community projects. Prime Minister Browne specifically highlighted street cleaning and neighborhood beautification initiatives as key assignments that would allow prisoners to contribute directly to the country’s public spaces.

    Browne emphasized that the policy is designed to move away from the current model, which he argues allows incarcerated people to serve their terms without contributing meaningfully to the communities they are part of. He pushed back against the perception that prison in Antigua and Barbuda has become a low-accountability space, comparing current idle sentencing to a relaxed holiday stay. “There is no free lunch in life, and that rule does not stop at the prison gates,” Browne stated. “Every prisoner capable of work must earn their keep while serving their sentence.”

    As of the prime minister’s announcement, key details about the proposal remain undisclosed. Browne has not shared a formal timeline for when the legislative amendments will be introduced to parliament, nor has he released specific information about the full scope of work assignments that will be available beyond community beautification projects. Additionally, the government has not yet outlined what regulatory safeguards will be put in place to prevent abuse of the program, or what formal medical criteria will be used to assess which inmates are physically able to complete required work.

    This hard labor plan is just one component of a broader package of criminal justice reforms being advanced by the current administration. Other proposed changes include establishing mandatory minimum sentences for individuals convicted of serious firearms offenses and sexual violence, as well as adjusting the country’s current prison remission policies that allow for early release for good behavior.

  • Sports Minister Meets Owners of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons

    Sports Minister Meets Owners of Antigua and Barbuda Falcons

    In a pivotal meeting held Saturday morning at The Hut in Little Jumby, newly appointed Minister of Sports and Creative Industries Dwayne George received an official introduction to senior leadership from SAMAA, the parent company that owns the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. The gathering was personally facilitated by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, highlighting the national government’s strong commitment to advancing the sports sector across the twin-island nation.

    During the closed-door talks, attendees focused their conversations on two key priority areas: the long-term trajectory of the Caribbean Premier League, one of the region’s most high-profile professional Twenty20 cricket competitions, and the broader strategic development of sports at the national level. A central theme of these discussions was the growth of cricket, the region’s most beloved and culturally significant sport. The meeting marks George’s first major official engagement with key cricket stakeholders since taking office, setting the stage for future collaborative efforts between the national government and private cricket franchise owners to boost the sport’s profile and competitiveness both locally and across the Caribbean.

  • Government Considers New Traffic Court but Rules Out Dedicated Gun Court for Now

    Government Considers New Traffic Court but Rules Out Dedicated Gun Court for Now

    Antigua and Barbuda’s top leadership is advancing plans to reform the country’s overburdened judicial system, with a specialized traffic court emerging as a serious proposal – but a separate court dedicated exclusively to firearm-related offenses has been ruled out for the foreseeable future. Prime Minister Gaston Browne shared these updates during an appearance on the local Browne and Browne Show Saturday, where he outlined the administration’s ongoing deliberations over justice system strengthening. When pressed for details about whether a standalone traffic court was in the works, Browne confirmed that the government is actively evaluating multiple pathways to implement the new judicial body. The core goal of creating a separate traffic court, he explained, is to siphon routine traffic-related cases out of the already stretched general court system, easing the backlog and operational pressure that has hampered judicial efficiency across the country. The idea of adding a specialized gun court to handle firearm offenses has been raised by some stakeholders, Browne noted, but the proposal does not pass a practical test based on current crime data. “Some would suggest that we should have a gun court as well, but I don’t think we have the prevalence of firearm offences to have a specific gun court,” he told listeners. Instead of creating a new standalone court for gun crimes, Browne said the government will push for faster processing of these cases within the existing judicial framework. He acknowledged that the judiciary currently operates with limited structural and personnel capacity, but the administration is hopeful that pending firearm cases can still be expedited to deliver quicker justice. At this stage, the prime minister did not share a formal timeline for when the traffic court might be established, nor did he release specific details about its operational location or staffing structure. The deliberations mark a key step in the government’s broader push to improve judicial access and efficiency for residents across the twin-island nation.

  • Teacher killed as parked vehicle rolls backwards

    Teacher killed as parked vehicle rolls backwards

    A devastating accidental death has rocked the educational community of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after a 34-year-old college lecturer lost her life on Saturday night when a rolling vehicle pinned her between its door and the vehicle itself. The victim has been formally identified as Sherefa Clouden Gonsalves, a resident of Richmond Hill who held a lecturer position at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College.

    Preliminary details obtained by iWitness News through reliable sources paint a picture of the unforeseen tragedy that unfolded. Clouden Gonsalves was returning home alongside a close family member when the pair travelled together in the relative’s vehicle. After arriving at their destination, the relative parked the Toyota Hilux on a sloped, inclined street, and both individuals exited the vehicle, unaware of what was to come moments later.

    It was only after leaving the vehicle that Clouden Gonsalves realized she had left a personal item behind inside the car, and she made the decision to turn back to retrieve it. As she was accessing the vehicle, the parked truck unexpectedly began to roll backward down the incline. The movement trapped Clouden Gonsalves between the open vehicle door and the main body of the truck, resulting in fatal injuries.

    The runaway vehicle did not come to a halt until it collided with a nearby building, stopping its backward roll. As of the latest updates, law enforcement officials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have not yet issued any official statement or further details regarding the circumstances of the incident. The tragic loss of the early-career educator has left the local community and her academic institution mourning the unexpected passing.

  • Home owner appeals for help to identify burglar

    Home owner appeals for help to identify burglar

    A residential property owner has issued a public call for assistance from local community members to track down and identify an individual who broke into their home. The appeal comes in the wake of an undisclosed break-in incident that prompted the homeowner to reach out beyond traditional law enforcement channels, turning to members of the public for tips that could lead to a positive identification of the perpetrator.

    Few details about the timing of the burglary, the location of the property, or the value of items taken during the incident have been released at this stage, but the homeowner confirmed that they have already filed an official report with local police. By launching a public appeal, the homeowner is hoping that someone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area around the time of the break-in, or who has information about the individual responsible, will come forward to share what they know.

    Local security experts note that public appeals for identifying burglary suspects have become increasingly common in residential communities, as neighbors and local residents often hold small pieces of information that can help law enforcement quickly close cases. Community members who have any relevant details are being encouraged to contact the homeowner through their designated contact channel or reach out directly to local law enforcement to provide information anonymously if needed.

  • Antigua’s Abigail Piper Places Second Runner-Up, Captures Multiple Awards at Regional Pageant

    Antigua’s Abigail Piper Places Second Runner-Up, Captures Multiple Awards at Regional Pageant

    The annual Caribbean regional beauty pageant, which draws talented contestants from 15 island nations across the region, wrapped up its five-day competition over the weekend with a stunning finale that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Among the standout competitors, Antigua’s own Abigail Piper delivered a series of standout performances that earned her widespread acclaim from judges and fans alike, ultimately taking home the title of second runner-up and securing multiple individual awards across competitive categories.

    Piper, a 22-year-old graduate of the University of the West Indies with a degree in environmental sustainability, impressed pageant panels in preliminary rounds long before the grand finale. She took home top honors in the talent competition for her moving spoken-word performance focused on Antigua and Barbuda’s coastal conservation efforts, and also claimed the award for best evening wear, where she showcased a hand-designed gown crafted by a local Antiguan designer that incorporated traditional Caribbean textile patterns. In the popular fan vote component of the competition, Piper placed third, adding another accolade to her growing collection from the event.

    Pageant organizers noted that this year’s competition placed a renewed focus on contestants’ community engagement and advocacy work, aligning with a global shift in modern pageantry away from a sole focus on appearance and toward celebrating purpose-driven young leaders. Piper’s ongoing work with local Antiguan nonprofits focused on marine conservation, including leading monthly beach cleanups and educational programs for local primary school students, resonated strongly with judges during the question-and-answer portion of the finale, where she outlined her vision for expanding youth-led climate action across the Caribbean.

    In a statement posted to her social media following the competition, Piper expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent her home country on a regional stage. “This experience has been more than I ever could have imagined,” she wrote. “Getting to share Antigua’s beauty, our culture, and our work to protect our natural home with the entire region is a gift I will always cherish. I could not have done this without the endless support of my community back home, and I am so proud to bring these awards home to Antigua.”

    Local government officials in Antigua have also extended their congratulations to Piper, with the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture issuing a statement praising her for elevating Antigua’s profile regionally and highlighting her work as an example of young Antiguan leadership. Planning is already underway for a public reception to welcome Piper back to the island next week, where community members will gather to celebrate her historic performance at the regional competition.

  • People’s Place Considered as Teaching Venue for UWI Law Students

    People’s Place Considered as Teaching Venue for UWI Law Students

    The University of the West Indies has announced that People’s Place will officially serve as a dedicated teaching and practical training venue for its law students, marking a key step in bridging academic legal education and real-world community legal practice. This initiative is designed to give emerging legal professionals hands-on experience working directly with community members who lack reliable access to affordable legal support. Unlike traditional classroom settings that focus heavily on theoretical frameworks and case study analysis, the new venue will allow students to engage with live client cases, assist with legal document preparation, and observe community-focused mediation and dispute resolution processes under the supervision of licensed practicing attorneys and UWI faculty members.

    Local legal advocacy groups have welcomed the partnership, noting that it addresses a long-standing gap in regional legal education: the disconnect between what law students learn in lecture halls and the actual needs of underserved communities across the West Indies. For People’s Place, which already operates as a community hub offering social support and public resources, the new partnership expands its mission to increase access to justice for low-income and marginalized populations. The program is scheduled to welcome its first cohort of UWI law students starting in the upcoming academic semester, with plans to expand student participation and service offerings over the next three years as the program is evaluated for long-term sustainability.

    UWI’s faculty of law has emphasized that the venue will not replace core coursework, but will complement traditional learning by giving students first-hand insight into the social and economic barriers that many clients face when seeking legal redress. Students will be able to earn elective credits for their time at the venue, with structured reflection assignments designed to help them connect their on-the-ground experiences to their academic studies. This model of community-engaged legal education is already being studied by other regional law schools, which are considering similar partnerships to expand practical training opportunities while increasing access to legal services for under-served communities.