标签： Antigua and Barbuda

In a display of formidable oratory skill, Antigua and Barbuda have clinched their second consecutive championship at the 54th Annual Leeward Islands Debating Competition. The grand finale, hosted Sunday evening in Nevis, culminated in a decisive victory for the defending champions over their hosts.

The Antiguan team, composed of debaters Leanna Browne and Janica Adams, amassed an impressive 694 points, significantly outpacing the Nevisian team’s total of 639 points. The competition reached its climax with a rigorous debate on a pivotal regional issue: ‘Caribbean governments should provide free tertiary education to citizens up to the undergraduate degree level.’ This moot challenged both teams to dissect complex socio-economic policies and their implications for Caribbean development.

Adding individual glory to the team’s success, Janica Adams was distinguished as the tournament’s Best Speaker, a testament to her persuasive arguments and commanding delivery. The event, a cornerstone of youth intellectual engagement in the sub-region, annually convenes top student debaters from across the Leeward Islands. It serves as a critical platform for discourse on pressing public policy and social matters, fostering a new generation of articulate and informed Caribbean leaders.

This back-to-back triumph not only solidifies Antigua and Barbuda’s debating prowess but also continues a legacy of excellence in this longstanding academic tradition, highlighting the importance of structured dialogue in addressing the region’s future challenges.

The constituency of St. Mary’s South witnessed its second major bulk waste removal operation on Saturday, marking another milestone in community-led environmental efforts. Spearheaded by Senator Dwayne George, the initiative saw collaborative action between the National Solid Waste Management Authority and the Bolans Beautification Team.

Operating under the community campaign theme ‘Clean Where You Live,’ the program focused on removing large discarded items while simultaneously promoting responsible waste disposal practices among residents. Volunteers and community members mobilized across multiple neighborhoods to collect bulky waste that typically falls outside regular garbage collection services.

Senator George emphasized the initiative’s significance in preserving both the aesthetic appeal and sanitary conditions of communities within his constituency. He characterized the event as notably successful, attributing its achievements to the remarkable cooperation between residents and volunteer participants.

The senator particularly highlighted the demonstrated sense of unity and collective community pride displayed throughout the clean-up effort. He noted the encouraging sight of community members working collaboratively toward a common environmental goal. According to George, such initiatives powerfully demonstrate how coordinated community action can effectively contribute to creating cleaner, healthier living environments for all residents.

The event represents an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and community improvement, building on previous successes while establishing a framework for future clean-up operations throughout the constituency.

In a significant development for Caribbean arts education, Their Excellencies Sir Rodney and Lady Williams, the Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda and the President of the Holy Foundation, have concluded strategic talks with London’s prestigious Royal Drawing School (RDS). The high-level meeting, held in the British capital, has resulted in a major expansion of the school’s teaching residency program.

Traditionally limited to primary, secondary, and tertiary students, the residency will now be opened to a broader demographic, encompassing all citizens with a demonstrated interest and involvement in the visual arts. This policy shift aims to foster a more inclusive and widespread engagement with artistic practices across Antigua and Barbuda.

The discussions, which included RDS Director Harry Parker and Partnerships Consultant Fiona Fox, also advanced planning for potential public exhibitions to be staged during the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). These exhibitions are envisioned to showcase both local Antiguan and Barbudan talent and the fruits of the expanded residency program on a global stage. Furthermore, the parties outlined a series of collaborative initiatives targeting both short and medium-term implementation, signaling a sustained commitment to strengthening cultural ties and arts education in the region.

The engagement underscores a growing recognition of the arts as a vital component of societal development and international diplomacy.

The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has issued a formal alert regarding a fraudulent disconnection notice circulating within specific communities of St. John’s. In a March 14th announcement, the utility provider explicitly denounced the malicious communication, confirming it did not originate from any official company channel.

APUA clarified the context of its legitimate communications, explaining it had recently distributed standard monthly reminders to customers with accounts overdue by more than 30 days. The authentic reminder, the authority stressed, was a general notification and did not single out or target any specific geographic communities or neighborhoods for disconnection.

The circulating fraudulent notice specifically identified areas that, according to APUA, are entirely absent from any official disconnection listing. The company expressed strong condemnation for the creation and dissemination of such false information, highlighting its potential to generate unnecessary panic and concern among its customer base.

APUA issued a direct appeal to those responsible for producing and distributing the misleading message, urging an immediate cessation of these activities. Reaffirming its commitment to transparent and honest communication with the public, the utility provider concluded its statement by thanking its customers for their ongoing vigilance and cooperation.