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  • Teen starts snack business to fund his accounting dream

    Teen starts snack business to fund his accounting dream

    Beneath the dappled shade of the Massy Stores building in Rodney Heights, 19-year-old Dwight Regobert stands steady, holding an open cardboard box at chest height. For passersby stopping to browse, the box reveals an assortment of granola bars, rice crispy treats, and other grab-and-go snacks – the core of his self-started small business.

    For five months, this driven teen has operated his informal venture across the route between Rodney Bay and Castries, and his quiet, unwavering commitment has not gone unnoticed by repeat customers and community members who have encountered him. Just two days after agreeing to share his journey, Regobert stepped away from his usual post outside the supermarket to sit down for an exclusive interview with St Lucia Times.

    A soft-spoken young man of few words, Regobert speaks openly about the planning that went into launching his business and the community support that has kept it running. “I wanted to start a business, and I figured people would like these,” he explained candidly, gesturing to the colorful red, orange, and blue-wrapped snacks stacked inside his box. Though the venture has no official name, it serves a clear, purpose-driven goal that keeps Regobert showing up every day.

    Years ago, while a student at Castries Comprehensive Secondary School, Regobert found he not only enjoyed accounting classes but also possessed a natural aptitude for the subject. After leaving school, he still resides with his mother in the Georgeville neighborhood of Castries, and his choice to launch a snack sales business comes directly from his determination to earn professional accounting qualifications independently. Every dollar of profit from his snack sales goes toward covering tuition and exam fees for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programme, a globally recognized credential for accounting professionals.

    To date, Regobert has already passed two ACCA exams: the first, which he paid for in December, and a second he covered with business revenue this past March. Four more exams stand between him and full ACCA certification, with his next exam scheduled for June, carrying a $750 price tag that he plans to fund entirely through his snack sales.

    Regobert admits his professional goals command almost all of his focus; he struggles to name other hobbies that fill his free time. But his expression brightens when he talks about his long-term plans after completing the ACCA programme, which include further specialized education in accounting. “I would like to do a Master’s at the University of London,” he shared, his gaze set on the institution’s MSc Professional Accountancy programme. “It’s so I could have enough qualifications” to build his dream career, he added.

    Regobert’s story of self-reliance and determined ambition has resonated deeply with everyone who has crossed paths with him. He remains open to additional support from community members who want to help him reach his goal, and welcomes anyone interested in reaching out to contact him via phone or text at 1 (758) 384-1969, or via email at caleb.wilson316@gmail.com.

  • Monorath: Elektrische voertuigen moeten eindelijk wettelijk geregeld worden

    Monorath: Elektrische voertuigen moeten eindelijk wettelijk geregeld worden

    On Tuesday, Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath mounted a robust defense of proposed amendments to the country’s 1971 Road Act during a sitting of the National Assembly, framing the legal updates as a critical step to close long-standing regulatory gaps for the fast-growing electric vehicle segment.

    Monorath told lawmakers that Suriname currently lacks a clear, modern legal framework to govern e-bikes, electric mopeds, and other light electric vehicles, a gap that has undermined law enforcement efforts and put public road safety at risk. Outdated existing legislation, he emphasized, has not kept pace with rapid technological innovation in the transportation sector, leaving ambiguity around which traffic rules apply to electric vehicle operators and how violations should be addressed through the judicial system.

    Under the proposed changes, all electric vehicles will be formally brought under the scope of the Road Act and the Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Act. This adjustment will not only allow criminal prosecution for traffic violations committed by electric vehicle operators but will also formalize mandatory insurance requirements for all EV owners.

    The revised regulatory framework will introduce clear, separate definitions for key EV categories, Monorath confirmed. Pedal-assisted e-bikes will be capped at a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour, while electric mopeds will be allowed to reach top speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour.

    The minister acknowledged that the Surinamese government currently does not have a complete count of e-bikes operating in the country, as many are imported in disassembled parts to avoid registration requirements. To address this, the government is developing a dedicated license plate system for e-bikes that will allow officials to clearly distinguish these vehicles from other road users.

    Monorath also outlined ongoing preparations to implement the new rules, noting that law enforcement currently lacks the specialized equipment needed to conduct technical inspections of electric vehicles. Required testing equipment, including dynamometers and speed measurement tools, has already been ordered, and additional training will be provided to police officers and other implementing agencies to build capacity for enforcement.

    Once the amended act enters into force, existing electric vehicle owners will receive a 12-month grace period to complete required inspections and secure mandatory insurance, Monorath announced. Public education campaigns will also be rolled out in three languages – Dutch, Sranantongo, and Spanish – to ensure all road users understand the new regulatory requirements.

    During the National Assembly debate, lawmakers raised significant concerns about enforcement capacity, pointing out that existing traffic inspections are already under-resourced and inconsistent. Monorath acknowledged that consistent enforcement will remain a long-term challenge, but stated that stepped-up patrols, new equipment, and additional resourcing for the Suriname Police Force will collectively improve overall road safety outcomes.

    The minister also flagged an additional unaddressed risk: the Suriname Fire Department currently lacks specialized equipment to safely extinguish electric vehicle battery fires. Additional specialized resources will need to be allocated for this purpose in coming years, he added.

    Following the first round of debate, the sitting was adjourned until next Tuesday, to allow the committee of rapporteurs led by ABOP lawmaker Stanley Betterson and assembly members to conduct a second round of deliberations on the proposed amendments.

  • US Asking Antigua and Barbuda to Accept More Refugees and Deportees

    US Asking Antigua and Barbuda to Accept More Refugees and Deportees

    As diplomatic talks between Washington and the small Caribbean twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda continue, the country’s top envoy to the United States has issued a clear, firm statement: Antigua and Barbuda cannot yield to growing pressure from the U.S. to accept a higher number of third-country migrants than its initial, limited offer.

    Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the U.S., explained that the nation’s original commitment to take in a capped number of migrants was always intended as a goodwill gesture to support its ally. The country has every intention of honoring that promise to help ease the migration burden currently facing the United States, but it will not go beyond the agreed-upon limit, he stressed.

    The core barrier to expanding the acceptance quota lies in the nation’s inherent social and economic constraints. Sir Ronald outlined that most of the third-country nationals in question have no pre-existing established ties to Antigua and Barbuda, creating a host of unresolvable challenges for the small island state. Key concerns include widespread language barriers: many of the prospective migrants do not speak English, the primary working language of Antigua and Barbuda, which would complicate integration. Additionally, most do not hold professional qualifications or skills that are recognized by local industries and labor markets, leaving few pathways for them to contribute to the national economy or achieve self-sufficiency.

    Beyond employment and integration hurdles, Sir Ronald raised urgent questions about basic social infrastructure. A small island nation with limited public services and housing stock, Antigua and Barbuda simply does not have the capacity to house, care for, and support a sudden influx of large numbers of new arrivals. Taking more migrants than the country can handle would also put unsustainable strain on already limited public resources, from healthcare and education to public transportation and water access, eroding the quality of services that Antigua and Barbuda’s own citizens rely on.

    The envoy also warned that a large, sudden influx of migrants would reshape the nation’s demographic makeup in a way that would likely face broad opposition from the country’s local population. “The Prime Minister’s offered a certain number that he would be prepared to absorb,” Sanders said, emphasizing that the Antiguan and Barbudan government cannot make policy choices that threaten the welfare of its own people. “We can not make decisions that would put strain on our resources to the point where our own people would say, ‘No, no, no, we’re not doing that.’” While negotiations between the two countries remain ongoing, the nation’s position on staying within its capacity remains unchanged.

  • From DCash to FPS, the ECCB’s quiet financial reset

    From DCash to FPS, the ECCB’s quiet financial reset

    For years, regional leaders and financial experts framed DCash, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB)’s ambitious retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) project, as the inevitable future of finance across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). Unveiled to the public in 2021, the digital wallet pilot rolled out across four founding nations — Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia — promising to revolutionize everyday transactions, from purchasing local produce at neighborhood markets to settling informal debts between friends. Touted as a cutting-edge leap forward for the region’s financial system, DCash was meant to position the ECCU as a global pioneer in central bank digital currency innovation.

    But a quiet, transformative policy shift revealed in the ECCB Monetary Council’s 112th Meeting Communique, published on May 4, 2026, has brought the DCash 2.0 development project to an official end. What appears on the surface to be a major failure of regional digital ambition, however, is actually a pragmatic course correction that could lay stronger groundwork for long-term financial integration and growth across the Caribbean.

    The decision to suspend DCash 2.0 is a quiet acknowledgment of a core reality that many fintech innovators overlook in small island economies: consumers prioritize stability and familiarity over technological novelty. Most people do not demand an entirely new currency to manage their daily finances; they simply want their existing money to move more quickly, cheaply, and reliably across accounts and borders. For populations that have long relied on established traditional banking systems to hold their salaries, savings, and essential living funds, trust in familiar infrastructure outweighs the appeal of untested new tools. Even after years of outreach and rollout, DCash never achieved the mass adoption the ECCB had hoped for, in large part because it required users to join a completely separate digital ecosystem disconnected from their existing bank accounts. The friction of learning a new system and splitting financial activity between two separate platforms proved an insurmountable barrier for most everyday users.

    Rather than abandoning digital financial innovation entirely, the ECCB has shifted its focus from high-profile retail CBDC experimentation to far more practical, behind-the-scenes infrastructure upgrades. The new top priority is the Fast Payment System (FPS), a framework that improves rather than replaces the region’s existing banking structure. Unlike DCash, the FPS does not require users to adopt a new currency or a standalone digital wallet. Instead, it modernizes the core processing backbone of current banks, enabling instant, 24/7 transfers of existing Eastern Caribbean dollars between any users across the region, using nothing more than a phone number or QR code. No longer will customers have to wait multiple business days for transfers to clear just because they use different banks — a payment from a customer at Republic Bank to a merchant at Grenada Co-operative Bank will settle in seconds, not days.

    This shift aligns with broader Open Banking principles designed to boost interoperability between disparate financial institutions across the Eastern Caribbean. Even more consequential for regional trade is the ECCB’s new commitment to the pilot program for the Caricom Payments and Settlement System (CAPSS), a project that aims to resolve one of the most longstanding pain points for Caribbean businesses: the exorbitant cost and friction of cross-border transactions. For decades, regional businesses that pay suppliers in other Caricom nations have been forced to convert their local currency to U.S. dollars first, paying steep conversion fees and high wire transfer charges that eat into already thin profit margins for small island enterprises. CAPSS will create a unified regional settlement layer that allows businesses to pay cross-border suppliers directly in local currency, with participating central banks handling all settlement behind the scenes, eliminating the need for costly intermediate conversions.

    ECCB Governor Timothy Antoine has long articulated the goal of “The Big Push,” an ambitious plan to double the size of the ECCU’s total economy by 2035. Viewed through that lens, the pause in DCash 2.0 is no retreat from innovation — it is a strategic refocus that prioritizes tangible utility over flashy, hype-driven fintech optics. The central bank is stepping back from the crypto-adjacent excitement around standalone digital tokens and redirecting resources to the unglamorous but critical work of fixing the region’s fragmented, inefficient cross-border and inter-bank infrastructure.

    In the global finance space, the most impactful, lasting changes are rarely the flashy consumer-facing apps that draw headlines. The most transformative improvements are the upgrades to the hidden “plumbing” of the financial system that make every transaction faster, cheaper, and more reliable for businesses and consumers alike. For the Eastern Caribbean, that hidden plumbing just got a much-needed overhaul.

  • Trio wanted for murder of Cuban

    Trio wanted for murder of Cuban

    Georgetown, Guyana – Local authorities have launched a manhunt for three men connected to the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old Cuban janitor that took place at a Queenstown entertainment venue this past Sunday, according to an official update released Wednesday morning by local law enforcement. The victim, identified as Dainier Vegas Infante, was shot and killed while on the clock at the club located on Forshaw Street. Investigators have now issued official wanted bulletins for three suspects: 25-year-old Baraka Garnett, 26-year-old Mikhail Joseph, and Nicholas David, whose age has not yet been released to the public.

    In a formal statement released to media, Guyanese police outlined the sequence of events that led up to the shooting. Witness accounts indicate that one of the armed suspects first approached two men who were seated just outside the club entrance, initiating a conversation with the pair. When Vegas Infante stepped out of the establishment to approach the interacting group, the armed suspect fired a single shot directly at the janitor, striking him and causing him to collapse immediately on site.

    Following the shooting, the gunman fled the scene in a motor vehicle, traveling along Forshaw Street, while the other three involved suspects also escaped in separate vehicles, police confirmed. One woman has already been taken into custody in connection with the killing, after the national closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance network tracked a vehicle registered to her to the area of the crime. However, authorities have so far declined to share any additional details on her status, including any potential charges or whether she is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

    The update was last published at 9:30 a.m. local time on May 13, 2026, by Demerara Waves Online News correspondent Denis Chabrol.

  • Dominica police officers complete advanced drill and ceremonial training in Barbados

    Dominica police officers complete advanced drill and ceremonial training in Barbados

    Two officers from the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) have marked a major professional milestone after wrapping up a rigorous seven-week specialized training program on the neighboring island of Barbados, bringing home distinguished awards and a rare opportunity for further advancement.

    Sergeant Sherwin Mitchel and Acting Corporal Tyron Sandy were among 43 trainees selected to take part in the All Arms Advanced Drill and Ceremonial Drill Instructors Course, a regional training initiative that brought together uniformed personnel from across 10 different Caribbean nations and territories. The participating groups spanned a wide range of public safety and national security institutions, including the Barbados Defence Force Regiment, Barbados Coast Guard, Barbados Police Service, Barbados Fire Service, Barbados Prison Service, Barbados Youth Advance Corps, as well as police and defense forces from Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada alongside the CDPF contingent.

    The curriculum of the course follows the long-established British Drill System, a framework widely adopted by uniformed services across Commonwealth nations. When the program concluded with a graduation assessment, both Mitchel and Sandy stood out among their peers to earn the Distinguished Drill Instructors Medal, one of the highest recognitions available to graduates of the system.

    Beyond the individual awards for the two officers, Sergeant Mitchel earned an additional distinction: course organizers formally recommended him to return to Barbados to serve as a Senior Drill Instructor for future iterations of the All Arms Advanced and Ceremonial Drill Courses. If he takes up the posting, the role will put him on a path to qualify for two further prestigious honors: the Senior Drill Instructors Medal and membership in the elite White Cap Band.

    In an official statement released following the graduation, leadership of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force extended formal congratulations to both officers on their standout performance. The CDPF emphasized that the achievements of Mitchel and Sandy are a direct reflection of the force’s ongoing institutional commitment to continuous professional development and high-quality training for all personnel, boosting standards of service across the organization.

  • Families Seek More Autism Resources and Support, Survey Finds Ahead of Retreat

    Families Seek More Autism Resources and Support, Survey Finds Ahead of Retreat

    A groundbreaking community survey focused on families supporting autistic individuals in Antigua and Barbuda has uncovered widespread, unmet demand for expanded autism resources, specialized parenting training, accessible mental health care, and age-inclusive developmental education, according to data published this week by local health advocacy groups. The research, released in advance of a free community retreat taking place May 17 at the island nation’s Multipurpose Cultural Centre, is a joint effort between the Antigua and Barbuda Holistic Coalition Inc., the Center for the Holistic Advancement of Therapeutic Services (CHATS), the Directorate of Gender Affairs, and the Mill Reef Fund.

    The survey gathered responses from 100 parents and primary caregivers of autistic people across the country, producing stark data on the gap between existing services and community needs. Ninety-three percent of respondents confirmed they were actively seeking more information about available autism support resources, while 88 percent reported a desire for hands-on, practical parenting skills tailored to raising an autistic child. Mental health support for caregivers and autistic individuals emerged as a top priority, with 62 percent of participants identifying this service area as a critical unmet need.

    Additional requests from respondents included more accessible, targeted information about gender-specific autism presentation, standardized diagnostic testing pathways, and early recognition of autism signs and symptoms. Beyond service gaps, the survey data also underscored the broad range of life stages that autism caregiving spans in Antigua and Barbuda. Caregivers who participated in the study reported supporting autistic people from early infancy through adolescence, as well as autistic adults navigating adulthood. The majority of respondents were parents of autistic children, with the remainder consisting of formal and informal caregivers supporting autistic children and adults across the islands.

    In an official statement accompanying the release of the survey findings, event and research organizers emphasized that the responses point to a rapidly growing need for expanded community support and national awareness around autism in Antigua and Barbuda. “Autism impacts families across all life stages — from infancy to adulthood — and caregivers are seeking community, education, and support now more than ever,” the statement read. Organizers frame the upcoming May 17 retreat as a critical first step to address these documented needs, designed to foster stronger cross-sector collaboration between autistic families, clinical professionals, educators, service providers, and government policymakers.

    The free public event will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 17. While pre-registration for the retreat has officially closed, organizers confirmed that remaining limited seating will be open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis for community members who wish to attend.

  • UN pushes regional crime action plan

    UN pushes regional crime action plan

    Across multiple Caribbean island states, surging violent crime has emerged as a pressing cross-border systemic threat, and a joint United Nations and regional bloc initiative is now moving forward to address the crisis, a senior United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) official has confirmed.

    Speaking at this week’s official launch of the UN Eastern Caribbean 2025 Annual Results Report in Bridgetown, Barbados, Stephanie Ziebell, Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, outlined that regional heads of government will gather later this month in St. Kitts, hosted by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, for a high-level UN-CARICOM dialogue to finalize next steps and set core priorities for the new anti-crime framework.

    This collaborative effort builds on high-level strategic talks held earlier in 2025, and marks the first evidence-based, region-wide assessment of transnational crime and violence in the Caribbean, framing the issue as a shared systemic challenge rather than an isolated national problem. Currently, two core products are in development: a joint diagnostic report that maps the scope of the crisis, and a formal CARICOM-UN Action Plan to guide coordinated response.

    Ziebell explained that the diagnostic phase is focused on unpacking the deep-rooted drivers of crime, identifying structural weaknesses in regional and national security and justice systems, and pinpointing the most urgent reforms needed to reverse upward violence trends. The subsequent action plan will translate these findings into a unified regional framework, outlining clear practical priorities, shared accountability standards, and defined roles for CARICOM institutions, individual member states, and UN implementing partners.

    The broader UN strategy for advancing peace, public safety and access to justice across the Eastern Caribbean centers on two foundational pillars: strengthening institutional capacity and building more resilient, safer communities. Ziebell emphasized that all work is rooted in data-driven analysis, cross-stakeholder partnership, and a deliberate commitment to conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive policy design. “Justice and safety must be accessible for everyone, especially women and girls, persons with disabilities, and people at the margins, so that no one is left behind,” she said.

    Beyond addressing violent crime broadly, the UN has already been active in supporting regional efforts to counter gender-based violence, shore up human rights protections, and improve cross-border law enforcement coordination. Ziebell outlined that the UN has helped national governments strengthen prevention and response frameworks for gender-based violence, reinforce national human rights institutions, advance regional agreements targeting domestic abuse and transnational organized crime, upgrade border management protocols, build forensic science capacity, and deepen cooperative work between national law enforcement agencies.

    She also highlighted the Canada-funded PACE Justice Programme, a multi-country initiative currently being rolled out across eight Caribbean nations including Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis. The program is focused on modernizing outdated criminal justice systems and cutting crippling case backlogs that erode public confidence. To date, support provided through PACE Justice has included new court equipment, technical assistance for digital case management systems, specialized training for crime scene investigators, capacity-building workshops for justice sector personnel, tools to expand restorative justice practices, coordination support for national attorneys general, work to harmonize standard operating procedures across jurisdictions, planning for AI integration in justice systems, and facilitated dialogues focused on reducing case backlogs.

    These targeted reforms are designed to improve the quality of criminal investigations, uphold consistent due process standards, and rebuild public trust in national justice systems. Ziebell added that robust, functional institutions are a critical buffer for Caribbean societies, which face overlapping threats from climate disasters, economic volatility, and growing insecurity. “These systems help societies withstand shocks, whether those shocks come from disasters, economic stress, or rising forms of violence and insecurity,” she noted.

    Closing her remarks at the report launch, Ziebell reaffirmed the UNDP and United Nations’ long-term commitment to partnering with Caribbean national governments, civil society organizations, and global development partners to expand evidence-based crime prevention and expand equitable access to justice for all people across the region.

  • PM Skerrit commiserates with families affected by recent disasters

    PM Skerrit commiserates with families affected by recent disasters

    Early on the morning of May 6, 2026, a large overnight fire broke out in the capital city of Roseau, Dominica, leaving a trail of widespread destruction across multiple city structures. The blaze has displaced dozens of local families and erased the primary livelihoods of small business owners in the affected area, marking the second major fire to hit the city in just a few months – a pattern that senior government officials have labeled deeply alarming. In a press briefing shortly after the incident, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has publicly reaffirmed the Dominican government’s unwavering solidarity with all those impacted by the disaster. “To the families and businesses affected, the government of Dominica stands firmly with you. We understand the trauma and uncertainty that come with such devastating loss,” Skerrit stated. He confirmed that all relevant government social support agencies have already been mobilized to deliver immediate emergency aid to impacted households, ensuring no affected person goes without critical assistance during this challenging period. Addressing growing public concern over the repeated fire incidents, Skerrit emphasized that the emerging dangerous trend cannot be overlooked by his administration. “This is the second significant fire in the city within a very short span of time. That is not something any responsible government can ignore or dismiss. It is a matter that demands urgent and serious attention and investigation,” he added. While initial on-site investigations have already launched, the Prime Minister announced his government will mandate a full, independent and comprehensive inquiry into both recent fires, covering root causes, surrounding circumstances, and all contributing factors that may have allowed the incidents to occur. “We owe that to the affected families, the business community, and every citizen who calls Roseau home,” Skerrit said. Beyond the investigation, the Prime Minister outlined plans to overhaul the capital’s fire safety framework, including strengthening existing regulations, ramping up enforcement of fire codes, and implementing new preventive measures to better protect residents’ lives and property moving forward. He also offered public praise for the Dominican Fire and Ambulance Services, which quickly launched a public outreach campaign to educate residents and business owners on fire prevention, best safety practices, and emergency response preparedness in the wake of the blaze. “The government remains committed to the safety, security, and well-being of every citizen and resident of this country. And I assure all of you that we will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves,” Skerrit asserted. Alongside updates on the Roseau fire response, the Prime Minister also provided a progress report on recovery efforts for communities in eastern and northeastern Dominica impacted by a recent trough-driven weather system that triggered flooding and landslides across the island starting April 27. Skerrit reaffirmed that the government would stand with all affected families and communities until full recovery is completed, and extended thanks to emergency personnel, community volunteers, and public workers for their round-the-clock response efforts. Official impact assessments have confirmed severe damage to communities across Atkinson, Antrizle, Salybia, Sineku, Bataka, Crayfish River, St Cyr, Gullet River, Mahaut River, Concord, Marigot, Wesley, Dipax, Tranto, San Sauveur, Petite Soufriere, and Morpo. On infrastructure recovery, Skerrit reported that work crews have already cleared all blocked roadways from landslide debris, restoring primary access to cut-off communities. Priority work has focused on repairing the Calixte Bridge and key road links connecting Castle Bruce, San Sauveur, and the Kalinago Territory, which were among the hardest hit areas. For households damaged by the weather event, Skerrit stated that damage assessments for compromised properties in the Atkinson area are nearly complete, and coordination is underway through local government bodies to deliver temporary housing support and construction materials for rebuilding. Utility provider DOMLEC and water authority DOWASCO have also made significant progress restoring critical services, with power and water access already restored to nearly all affected areas, with only small isolated locations still undergoing active repairs. Skerrit commended the two agencies for their extraordinarily fast response to the outages. Agricultural ministry teams are currently conducting on-the-ground surveys to document crop and livestock losses across impacted farming communities, data that will be used to design targeted relief packages for affected agricultural producers. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister announced that the Dominican Cabinet will soon review updated recovery assessments and approve additional budget allocations to speed up rebuilding work. The government’s core priorities remain unchanged: restoring safe travel access across impacted areas, supporting families displaced by both disasters, and rebuilding infrastructure to be more resilient against future extreme weather and fire risks. Skerrit also urged residents living in affected regions to remain vigilant around flood-prone waterways and unstable slopes that remain at risk of landslides as recovery work continues.

  • Villa Resident Found Dead at Home Amid Health Struggles

    Villa Resident Found Dead at Home Amid Health Struggles

    A quiet residential neighborhood in Villa was shaken this Tuesday by a grim discovery that has left local residents reeling: the remains of Henry Waterman, a long-time community member, were found inside his private home after days of growing concern from neighbors.

    Waterman, originally from Barbados, built a decades-long career as an educator at Antigua and Barbuda’s Mary E. Pigott Primary School, and had resided in the country for multiple years before his passing. According to accounts from people living nearby, the retired educator had been navigating a series of debilitating health and personal struggles in recent years, which gradually pushed him to withdraw from regular social interactions within the community.

    The chain of events that led to the discovery began on Monday, when a close relative left a delivery of food at Waterman’s door. When the untouched package was still in place the next afternoon, neighbors’ vague worry shifted to urgent alarm. Compounding their concern was a putrid, unusual odor that began wafting from the property, paired with a sudden, abnormal surge in flies swarming around the home’s exterior.

    Local residents organized a welfare check of the residence soon after these red flags emerged. Inside the home, searchers found Waterman’s body, which had already reached an advanced state of decomposition. Emergency responders and investigating officers were dispatched to the scene immediately: a team from the local police force and the district’s medical official arrived to process the site, where Waterman was officially pronounced dead. Authorities have since opened a formal investigation to determine the exact cause and circumstances of his death, leaving the Villa community processing the shock of losing one of their long-time members.