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.
标签： Antigua and Barbuda
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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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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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Suspect accused of opening fire toward the White House killed by Secret Service
A violent incident unfolded near the White House Saturday afternoon, when an unidentified armed man opened fire on a U.S. Secret Service checkpoint before being killed by return fire from agents, a service spokesperson has confirmed to Fox News. The confrontation began at the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, a heavily secured area just blocks from the executive residence. According to official accounts, the suspect approached the checkpoint, pulled a firearm from his personal bag, and immediately began shooting at the officers stationed at the post. Secret Service agents responded quickly, returning fire and striking the suspect. He was rushed to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. One unintended casualty occurred during the chaos: a civilian bystander was hit by gunfire. As of the latest update, the extent of the bystander’s injuries and their current condition remain undisclosed. Investigators have not yet determined whether the bullet that struck the bystander came from the suspect’s initial attack or the subsequent exchange of gunfire between the suspect and law enforcement. Preliminary background checks have revealed that the suspect had a previously documented history of mental health challenges. Importantly, no Secret Service personnel were hurt in the shooting. Former President Donald Trump was present on the White House grounds at the time of the incident, but the spokesperson confirmed that he was never in danger and experienced no disruption to his activities as a result of the confrontation.
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PM Extends Condolences Following Death of Sir Aziz Hadeed
The passing of Sir Aziz Hadeed, a renowned businessman, dedicated philanthropist and former senior government official in Antigua and Barbuda, has prompted an outpouring of condolences from across the nation, with Prime Minister Gaston Browne remembering him as a close friend and political comrade.
Speaking during an interview with local radio outlet Pointe FM this Saturday, Browne revealed that news of Sir Aziz’s death caught the country completely off guard. “On behalf of the entire leadership and rank-and-file membership of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party, I want to extend our deepest, most sincere condolences to the entire Hadeed family at this painful time,” the prime minister stated, adding that the party would stand in full solidarity with the family through their period of grief.
Widely regarded as one of the most impactful business leaders in Antigua and Barbuda’s modern history, Sir Aziz leaves behind a decades-long legacy of entrepreneurial growth and national development. He began his career with the family-owned Hadeed Group of Companies in 1965, stepping into the role of chairman in 1980. Under his strategic leadership, the small family firm evolved into one of the Eastern Caribbean’s most prominent corporate entities, growing into a multi-million-dollar conglomerate with diverse operations spanning critical sectors including aviation and energy.
Beyond his private sector achievements, Sir Aziz left an indelible mark on regional and national public infrastructure. He served as chairman of the board for regional airline LIAT (1974) Limited between 1995 and 1998, and was a key founding figure behind the Antigua Power Company, which continues to power economic activity across the islands today.
In his public service career, Sir Aziz first accepted an appointment as an Independent Senator in 1994, going on to serve two full terms in the upper parliamentary chamber. He later joined the national Cabinet between 2004 and 2006, bringing his decades of business expertise to bear on national policy making.
In the final chapter of his public life, Sir Aziz committed himself to expanding educational opportunity for Antiguans and Barbudans. He worked closely with the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, serving as chairman of the campus council. In that role, he guided ambitious campus expansion projects and championed new scholarship programs to open higher education access to more local students.
Just last year, Sir Aziz received one of the nation’s highest honors when he was knighted by Prince William at Windsor Castle, in recognition of his decades of contributions to national development and charitable giving across Antigua and Barbuda.
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Home Burgled in Crosbies; SUV Stolen
A residential burglary in the Crosbies area has triggered an active investigation by local law enforcement, after intruders broke into a private residence while the homeowner was asleep inside the property.
According to initial law enforcement accounts, the thieves did not only gain unlawful access to the home, but also made off with multiple personal items belonging to the resident, in addition to a silver Hyundai Santa Fe SUV that was taken from the location.
Local police have issued a public appeal for community assistance, asking any residents or passersby who spot the stolen vehicle, or who hold any tips that could help advance the investigation, to contact the department at the dedicated line 562-5730.
Preliminary reports confirm that the sleeping homeowner was not physically harmed during the break-in. As of the latest update, additional details about the incident, including potential clues about the suspects or the full list of stolen property, have not been released to the public pending ongoing investigative work.