ANTIGUA BARBUDA TODAY (Thursday August 22nd 2024)

Concerns and criticisms are growing, following the failure of the Antigua and Barbuda Athletics Association to register the qualified athletes for the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru. Sports Max Commentator Ricardo Chambers has joined the calls for the resignation of President of the ABAA, Everton Cornelius.

Antigua and Barbuda's reigning Queen of Carnival, Desrie Markham is calling for collective societal action, in response to an uptick in violent crimes. Markham says the scourge has grossly and inordinately affected women and girls.

The nation’s focus continues to be arrested by incidents of violent crime, with the Government vowing to fight criminal elements “fire with fire, steel with steel, until they are defeated.” Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne has also given his administration’s commitment to an “all of society approach” to the scourge of violence. ABS News gauged the views of members of the public on the question of the role that every citizen, family and community can play in the fight against crime.

Information Minister, and Member of Parliament for St John’s City East, Hon. Melford Nicholas is urging parents to embrace their crucial role in rearing responsible, law-abiding citizens. He was speaking on his weekly programme, ‘Taking Stock’ on Pointe FM Tuesday evening, amidst nationwide concern over the recent spate of violent crimes.

ANTIGUA BARBUDA TODAY (Wednesday August 21st 2024)

The Government is to spend millions of dollars immediately to boost resources for the security forces. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Hon. Gaston Browne during a national address Tuesday evening. Parliament is also to enact laws to tighten bail conditions for gun crimes and the judiciary is to be urged to impose tougher sentences on violence producers. Garfield Burford reports.

Parents who are yet to apply to the Government's School Uniform Grant Programme, are being urged to act now, as time is running out. This year's programme ends August 30, and administrators are urging parents to avoid the last-minute rush. Patrice Martin reports.

The Social Protection Board is making it easier for several children from vulnerable families to prepare for the new academic year. The Board distributed crucial school supplies at Rising Sun Grounds on Tuesday. Briana Anthony reports.

A top member of the Rastafari community wants a return to villages raising children, as he responds to a spate of violent crimes affecting the country. Ambassador of the Ethiopian Africa Black International Congress Church of Salvation, Priest Isaac, commented on the issue on Monday. Andrena Athill-Dasouza reports.

Only 34% of students around the region who sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in May and June this year, attained passing grades in Mathematics. This is the lowest pass rate the Caribbean Examinations Council has seen since 2021, and is a 7% drop from last year's pass rate. Raghib Apparicio reports.

PRIME MINISTER HON. GASTON A. BROWNE ADDRESS TO THE NATION (TUESDAY 20th AUGUST 2024)

Hon. Senator Dr. Joyelle Clarke