Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda has announced his intention to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, commencing his studies in January. During his weekly radio program on Saturday, Browne revealed plans to formally apply to the University of the West Indies (UWI) starting Monday. While the specific field of study remains undisclosed, the Prime Minister framed this decision as a testament to his dedication to lifelong learning and academic excellence. Browne, who already holds a master’s degree, has been a vocal advocate for higher education, consistently encouraging his colleagues and the public to seize educational opportunities. He has particularly emphasized the importance of the UWI Five Islands Campus, where several parliamentarians, including Senator Lamin Newton, Colin O’Neal, and Opposition MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, are currently enrolled. Browne’s announcement underscores his belief in the transformative power of education, both for personal growth and national development. This move also aligns with his broader efforts to inspire a culture of continuous learning among Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership and citizens.
分类： society
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Family, MP Renew Calls for Justice for Kahleel Simon
A somber yet determined crowd gathered outside Police Headquarters on American Road this Friday, united in their call for justice in the tragic death of Kahleel Simon. Family members, friends, and supporters of the late teenager stood together, holding placards and chanting “Justice for Kahleel,” as they demanded accountability in the ongoing investigation. Among the protesters was St. Mary’s South MP Kelvin “Shugy” Simon, who has been a vocal advocate for transparency and justice in the case. The MP emphasized that his presence was not politically motivated but a personal stand in solidarity with the grieving family. “An innocent young man, full of promise, cut down in the prime of his life by those sworn to protect and serve,” Simon stated. “We will not be silent. We will not allow this injustice to be buried beneath bureaucracy and lies.” The protest, marked by its peaceful nature, is part of the family’s relentless campaign for answers and justice. They are urging authorities to suspend the officer involved in the fatal shooting pending the outcome of the investigation. Simon reiterated the family’s resolve, saying, “This is about justice—plain and simple. We will not stop until Kahleel’s family gets the answers they deserve.” The community’s unwavering support highlights the broader call for accountability and reform in law enforcement practices.
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As rent prices rise, locals question if housing is within reach
The escalating cost of rent in Saint Lucia has become an undeniable reality for residents, evident in everyday conversations and online rental listings. A quick scroll through popular Facebook rental groups reveals stark contrasts: furnished two-bedroom apartments in the north priced at $2,500, unfurnished ones at $2,100, and even studios demanding $2,100. Meanwhile, hopeful renters post requests for one-bedroom units at $1,000 or less, reflecting budgets that once seemed reasonable but now feel increasingly out of reach. This disparity highlights a deepening housing crisis in the country.
A 2017 study by the Ministry of Finance’s Research and Policy Unit identified a significant housing deficit in Saint Lucia, attributing the high costs to an informal construction sector and low wages. Many residents aspire to own concrete homes, seen as more durable and respectable than timber structures, but the financial barriers remain insurmountable for most. With the minimum wage at $1,131 per month, even modest rental prices consume nearly all of a worker’s income.
The situation has been exacerbated by the rise of Airbnb, as property owners prioritize short-term tourist rentals over long-term tenants. Real estate agent Ronald Raoul explains that landlords can earn in a week from tourists what they would make in a month from locals, leading to fewer available rentals and higher prices. Additionally, foreign buyers have driven up property values, creating a ripple effect that keeps rents high even when the market cools.
In response, the government has suspended VAT on construction materials until 2025, aiming to reduce building costs and encourage development. However, this measure alone is unlikely to resolve the crisis. Homeownership remains a distant dream for many, with the 2022 census showing that 65.7% of households own their homes, leaving a significant portion of the population struggling in a tightening market.
The government’s “Year of Infrastructure” initiative, funded by the Citizenship by Investment Programme, promises affordable housing projects in areas like Rock Hall and Dennery. Yet, official reports acknowledge that increasing supply alone will not solve the problem unless incomes rise or housing costs decrease.
For now, Saint Lucians face difficult choices: downsizing, relocating to less central areas, or delaying independence altogether. As rental listings continue to highlight modern finishes and quiet neighborhoods, the underlying question remains: Is housing truly within reach for the average citizen?
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Michael Alexander Garcia, 23, Dies After Falling Through Roof on Dam Road Farm
A devastating incident has shaken the community of Antigua as 23-year-old Michael Alexander Garcia, a Dominican Republic national and father of a three-year-old, tragically lost his life on Saturday. Garcia reportedly fell through a roof while working on a farm in the Blackout area along Dam Road, sustaining severe head injuries. The accident occurred around 4:30 p.m., leaving the local Hispanic community in profound grief.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel arrived swiftly to find Garcia lying in a pool of blood. Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians Marina Walker and Mekile Tonkinson made valiant efforts to resuscitate him, but despite their attempts and subsequent medical intervention at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, Garcia was pronounced dead.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of sorrow, with many members of the Hispanic community gathering at the hospital to mourn his passing. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, raising questions about workplace safety standards and the conditions faced by farm workers.
This heartbreaking event underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in agricultural workplaces to prevent such tragedies in the future. The loss of a young father has left a void in the community, prompting calls for accountability and improved protections for vulnerable workers.
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The “miracle” of La Puya de Arroyo Hondo: the neighborhood where even criminals collaborate
La Puya, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Arroyo Hondo, has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a place once feared for its high crime rates to a community now celebrated for its tranquility. Located near the National Zoological Park and the Cristo Rey neighborhood, La Puya stands as a testament to the power of community organization and resident determination in fostering peaceful coexistence. Residents report a staggering 75% to 95% reduction in crime, a stark contrast to the violent clashes and drug-related gang wars that plagued the area in 2022. Basilio Lorenzo, president of the La Puya Neighborhood Association, recalled the neighborhood’s dark past, describing it as ‘unbearable’ and likening the crime surge to a ‘pandemic.’ Today, however, the community enjoys a newfound sense of safety, with residents proudly declaring, ‘There’s no stealing here.’ Despite these improvements, challenges remain, including persistent garbage issues in areas like La Gallera and El Aguacate, and limited access to drinking water. A project in collaboration with the Santo Domingo Water and Sewer Corporation (CAASD) is underway to address the water shortage. Additionally, the community seeks greater support for sports activities, particularly for the local court currently under repair. The government has also noted a nationwide decline in crime, with Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful highlighting a significant drop in homicide rates and theft reports. La Puya, established in the 1960s as a low-income settlement, has long been a ‘popular enclave’ within a privileged sector. Despite its history of poverty and disorganized growth, the neighborhood has reinvented itself through the efforts of its residents, neighborhood associations, and sports clubs, proving that even the most troubled communities can achieve lasting change.
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Police officers who killed five people in Santiago even took cell phones from witnesses “to destroy evidence,” according to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
In a shocking turn of events, 11 police officers have been accused of voluntary homicide and obstructing justice in the La Barranquita case in Santiago province. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the officers allegedly confiscated security camera footage from local businesses and the premises where the incident occurred on September 10, 2025. Additionally, they seized the cell phones of civilians who had recorded the events, further complicating the investigation. The accused officers, including Yohandy Encarnación, Geyser Francisco Álvarez Rodríguez, Adrián Miguel Villalona Pineda, and Alvaro Paredes Panlagua, are members of the Department of Investigation of Organized Crime and Complex Cases of the National Police in Santo Domingo. They were reportedly in Santiago to conduct an operation related to alleged arms trafficking. Upon arrival, they coordinated with other officers, including Hansel Michel Cuevas Carrasco and Socrates Fidel Feliz Feliz, at the Regional Investigation Subdirectorate. Witnesses were told the operation targeted a gang planning a robbery. The prosecutor’s request highlights the officers’ attempts to cover up the incident, with some reportedly remarking, ‘What a save,’ after the event.
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24-year-old farm worker dies after falling through roof
A devastating workplace accident has claimed the life of a 24-year-old man from the Dominican Republic, who fell through a roof while working on a farm in Antigua on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. at a property known as ‘Blackout’ along Dam Road, where the man was reportedly engaged in construction work. Witnesses stated that he suffered severe head injuries from the fall. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel arrived at the scene to find him lying in a pool of blood. Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians Marina Walker and Mekile Tonkinson were lauded for their immediate efforts to resuscitate him. Despite their valiant attempts and subsequent lifesaving measures at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, the young man was pronounced dead. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local Hispanic community, with many gathering at the hospital to mourn his untimely passing. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the accident.
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VIDEO: Car Crashes Into Utility Pole on Factory Road; Driver Hospitalized
A driver was rushed to the hospital following a collision with a utility pole on Factory Road, just past Jack Idle, on Saturday evening. The incident occurred while the vehicle was traveling eastbound. Emergency services swiftly arrived at the scene, ensuring the damaged vehicle was promptly removed from the roadway to prevent further disruptions. Although the extent of the driver’s injuries remains unclear, bystanders expressed optimism that the injuries are not severe. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, which has raised concerns about road safety in the area. The community is hopeful for the driver’s swift recovery as the investigation continues.
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Indomet warns of dangerous waves on the Atlantic Coast
The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (INDOMET) issued a weather update yesterday morning, indicating that significant rainfall was not anticipated across most of the Dominican Republic. Saturday began with predominantly sunny skies, but conditions shifted in the afternoon. A trough connected to a frontal system, combined with local atmospheric effects and warm southeasterly winds, led to increased cloud cover. This resulted in moderate to heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across several provinces, including Sánchez Ramírez, San Cristóbal, Hermanas Mirabal, and others. Precipitation subsided significantly after midnight. For today, morning showers are expected in specific Atlantic coastal areas due to dissipating cloudiness from the frontal system. In the afternoon, a trough and local effects will bring varying intensities of rainfall, isolated thunderstorms, and gusty winds, particularly in the southeast, north, and border regions. Cyclonic activity in the Atlantic basin, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico remains under observation. A low-pressure area near the northwestern Bahamas has a 10% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next seven days, while a tropical wave off the western coast of Africa has a 50% probability. High temperatures, driven by warm southeasterly winds, are expected to persist. Residents are advised to stay hydrated, wear light clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure, especially between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. In the National District, skies will be mostly sunny with occasional afternoon clouds, local showers, and possible thunderstorms. Santo Domingo Norte, East, and Oeste will experience partly cloudy conditions with localized showers and gusty winds in the afternoon.
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One dead, one missing, and five survivors leave a migrant journey to Puerto Rico.
A tragic maritime accident occurred off the northwest coast of Puerto Rico this Saturday, resulting in one fatality, one person missing, and five survivors. The incident took place near Survival Beach in Aguadilla, where a boat carrying seven individuals capsized during what is suspected to be a migratory journey. The Aguadilla Department of Public Safety (DSP) confirmed the details via their Facebook account, stating they received an emergency call early in the morning. At 7:23 a.m. local time (11:23 GMT), authorities responded to a 9-1-1 alert about a drifting vessel. Rescue operations involved multiple agencies, including the Municipal Emergency Management Office, Municipal Police, United Rapid Response Forces, Border Patrol, and Coast Guard. While two individuals were rescued, three managed to reach shore, one woman remains unaccounted for, and another tragically lost their life. The nationalities of the migrants, the type of boat, and the cause of the capsizing remain unclear. Search efforts by the Maritime Unit are ongoing, with more details expected later. The accident coincides with hazardous sea conditions, as waves on Puerto Rico’s north coast are forecasted to exceed 12 feet (4 meters), prompting the National Weather Service to issue warnings of high waves, strong currents, and coastal erosion across the region.