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The Rotary Club of Portsmouth (RCP) hosted its annual investiture ceremony, welcoming the new Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 Rotary year, under the theme, ‘The Magic of Rotary’. The event was held at the Soursop Bar and Grill in Portsmouth on Saturday evening, June 30th, 2024. The 2023-2024 RCP President of the who is also the incoming president, Mc Marara Joseph, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the attendance of all despite the impending effect of Hurricane Beryl. He started by sharing the inspiring backstory of how the theme for the new rotary year was born as told by the 2024-2025 Rotary International President-elect Stephanie. In the reflection on the past year, President McMararahighlighted the successful projects undertaken by the Club which included the Tree Planting Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture - providing over 300 hundred citrus trees to farmers in the North Agriculture region and the Playground Project - with plans to commence the construction of a pilot playground at the Savanne Paille Primary School. A noteworthy highlight was that the Club raised EC$50,000, through grant writing, despite having a membership of under 20 members. In looking forward to the new Rotary year, President McMarara shared delightfully of the recent acquisition of funds for the continuation of the Playground Project and the visit of Medical Ministry International who plans to serve 75 patients in need of cataract surgery to restore their vision. Furthermore, he is hopeful for an increased membership and growing partnerships with Rotarians and friends of Rotarians to enhance the impact of Rotary within communities. Moreover, he encouraged how involvement in Rotary is impacting the world in a positive way by influencing those looking on to make the world a better place. The keynote speaker, Charter Member and Past President Rotarian Steward Paris address was filled with encouragement and salient points that gave the attendees tasty food for thought. He shared that nothing is impossible when one has the will, knowing that the purpose of life is to give it away. Additionally, he highlighted that following the Rotary four-way test, which emphasises truthfulness, fairness, building relationships, and relevance, is indeed the greatest asset to life. The Board of Directors for the Rotary year 2024-2025 are: President - McMarara Joseph Vice-President – Lizra Fabien Secretary – Sari Rolle Treasurer – Marianne Wijnands Membership Chair – Matilda Carty Public Relations Chair – Kalisha Aaron Project Chair - Lizra Fabien Foundation Chair - Anne Winn Overall, the evening was a joyous occasion, which highlighted the successes of the past year and the forecast for an exciting year ahead.

Today, Caribbean Elite Groupunveils the night's highest honors for the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards. These honors are given based on a rigorous selection process that considers the artists' impact on the Caribbean music scene, their profound cultural contributions, and their overall career achievements. This year, women have taken all three honors!!  The esteemed Marcia Griffiths will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, Alison Hinds will be honored with the Elite Icon Award, and Cedella Marleywill receive the Legacy Award. "The recognition of women in this year’s awards underscores the importance of their contributions to our culture and heritage. Their voices are vital to the vibrancy of Caribbean music." – Caribbean Elite Group The legendary Marica Griffiths has a decade-spanning career that continues to flourish to new heights. She is recognized for her critically acclaimed songs "I Shall Sing," "All My Life," holds the record for highest-selling single by a female reggae singer of all time with her rendition of "Electric Boogie," and is widely known as a vocalist for the I-Threes collective who supported Bob Marley with backing vocals. Alison Hinds, known as the "Queen of Soca" for her impact on the genre, has become synonymous with Caribbean culture for her breakout hit singles "Fuluma," "Roll It Gyal," and more. Her musical contributions have since become embedded within the D.N.A. of Caribbean carnivals worldwide. 3x Grammy-winner, philanthropist, and more, Cedella Marley continues to persevere and enrich the heritage of Caribbean culture through music and social responsibility to fashion, arts, and beyond. The prestigious honors to each of the world-renowned, highly acclaimed artists will recognize the robust achievements of each artist unequivocally, with more honors set to be announced within the coming weeks. Since its inception last year, the "Caribbean Music Awards'' has been a platform to celebrate the rich musical heritage of the Caribbean and honor the artists who have contributed to its evolution. For the inaugural 2023 event last year, Buju Banton received the first honors of the night with a Humanitarian Award, which highlighted the invaluable efforts of his philanthropic foundation, the 'Buju Banton Foundation.' Kesdelivered a heartwarming speech honoring Trinidadian artist David Rudder with an Elite Calypso Music Award honor. Carel Pedre saluted and honored the late Mikaben with a Kompa Music Award honor. Morgan Heritage welcomed a special tribute to Beres Hammond, which included performances by Dexta Daps, Kranium, Toni-Ann Singh, and Romain Virgo. Hammond was officially honored with the Elite Icon Award by the president of V.P. Records, Chris Chin. Furthermore, DJ Stephen and Doug E. Fresh welcomed an honor to Machel Montano with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Dexta Daps leads the Caribbean Music Awards 2024 nominations with eight outstanding nods. Click HERE for the complete "Caribbean Music Awards" 2024 nominees list. The celebration of the nominees will peak at a star-studded event on Thursday, August 29, at King Theatre, where music enthusiasts and industry insiders alike will come together to honor the extraordinary talents and tracks that have graced this prestigious list. For the latest updates and information about the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards, visit CaribMusicAwards.com and follow the platform on I.G. @CaribMusicAwards @CaribbeanEliteMagazine. We encourage you to join the conversation, share your thoughts, and stay updated with the latest news about the event on our social media platforms. About the Caribbean Music Awards The Caribbean Music Awards celebrates the exceptional talent, creativity, and impact of Caribbean music. It recognizes outstanding artists, producers, and industry professionals who have significantly contributed to the Caribbean music landscape. About the Caribbean Elite Group Caribbean Elite Group aims to amplify the people, stories, and talent that, for generations, has fueled the rich culture of the Caribbean.   As part of the portfolio, Caribbean Elite Group produces Caribbean Elite Magazine - a print and digital publication highlighting Caribbean entertainers, artists, producers, promoters, cuisine, travel, fashion, entrepreneurs, and more while engaging in various topics of special interest to the community.

In response to the impact of Hurricane Beryl the Dominica Red Cross Society conducted a rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (DANA) in the community of Baytown/Pottersville- a coastal-low-income community, which is made up mainly of fisherfolk and construction workers. Many of the residents are in need of shelter after being forced to relocate. A small number of these displaced people are taking up residence with their relatives or in official government shelters. The Dominica Red Cross Society today (Wednesday) distributed relief supplies to the affected residents of the Baytown Area. Hurricane Beryl has caused significant damage and hardship for many of our residents, and our priority is to ensure that those in need receive the necessary support during this challenging time. The relief supplies included Kitchen sets, Mattresses, Shelter Toolkits, Stoves, Cleaning & Hygiene Kits, Mosquito nets and Blankets, which are essential for addressing immediate needs and providing comfort to those affected by the hurricane. We are working in close collaboration with local authorities and community organizations to ensure a swift and efficient distribution process. Our volunteers and staff members are committed to reaching every affected household and to offer assistance base on needs of those affected. As we continue our relief efforts, we encourage residents who have been impacted by Hurricane Beryl to reach out to the Dominica Red Cross Society for support. The Dominica Red Cross Society reminds the public that we are in the hurricane season; residents are encouraged to pay attention to the warnings and information being provided by the Office of Disaster Management. -End -

The Dominica State College will confer degrees on over 300 graduates when it stages its 22nd Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday July 10th, 2024 at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium. Prior to this, a special Honors Ceremony will be held onMonday July 8th, 2024 at the Goodwill Parish Hall. Students will graduate in various disciplines from the Faculty of Applied Arts & Technology (FAAT), the Faculty of Arts & Sciences (FAS), the Faculty of Education (FOE), the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) and the Faculty of General Studies(FGS). The Featured Speaker is Miss Jeanelle Brisbane- Wildlife Ecologist/Conservationist. This will be the first Commencement Ceremony under the stewardship of Miss Trudy Christian, since assuming her position as Officer-In-Charge of the Dominica State College. The ceremony will be hosted by DSC Lecturers, Mrs. Julie Frampton from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Mr. Abishai Massicotte from the Faculty of Arts and Science. The ceremony is expected to commence at 2:30pm. DSC remains grateful to the many sponsors who have come on board to celebrate the achievements of our students. The Dominica State College invites the media to cover this prestigious event. END

A temporary drying of the atmosphere is expected during the day today as hurricane  Beryl approaches the area. As a result, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with some scattered showers are possible. Thereafter, by tonight showers and winds asscoiated to the passage of hurricane Beryl are projected to begin affecting area. The presence of dust haze is expected to be maintained over the next few days. People with respiratory sensitivities are advised to take the necessary precautions to avoid complications. Moderate to rough seas can be expected in open water with waves peaking near 10ft today. Beryl continues to show signs of intensification. At 500 AM, the center of Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 10.7 North, longitude 53.1 West about 643 miles east southeast of Dominica. Beryl is moving toward the west near 21 mph . A continued quick westward to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next few days. Estimates indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Rapid strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, and Beryl is expected to become an extremely dangerous hurricane before it reaches the Windward Islands. Interests in Dominica and the Lesser Antilles should closely monitor the progress of Beryl.

The Wesley Reunion Committee is excited to announce the official unveiling of the 2024 Wesley Reunion. This event will take place on Sunday, June 30th at 5:00 pm at the Wesley Village platform. The highly anticipated reunion is scheduled to run from December 20th to December 29th, 2024. The launch event on Sunday will feature the official unveiling of the Reunion Billboard, along with addresses, courtesy messages, performances, and more, marking the beginning of the journey towards the main event. This gathering will set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable reunion in December. Committee President Revelyn St John and the entire reunion committee extend a warm invitation to the general public to join us for this special activity. Your presence and support will contribute to the success of this unveiling as we commence our journey towards reconnecting and celebrating our community. For updates and more information, follow us on social media at the handle @Wesleyreunionda. Event Details: ● Date: Sunday, June 30, 2024 ● Time: 5:00 pm ● Location: Wesley Village Platform The Wesley Reunion Committee looks forward to your participation and support as we kick off the countdown to the 2024 Wesley Reunion .

A high pressure system is expected to continue to be the dominant feature across the area during today. However, Low-level clouds moving with the wind flow are expected to result in occasional cloudy skies with some brief scattered showers before the approach of a tropical wave by tonight into tomorrow. The presence of dust haze is expected to be maintained over the next few days. People with respiratory sensitivities are advised to take the necessary precautions to avoid complications. Moderate seas can be expected in open water with waves peaking near 7ft. Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring two tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The first wave has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression or tropical  wave by the weekend and is expected to pass across the Lesser Antilles by Monday. The second wave presently has a low chance of development and is expected by Wednesday. Interest in Dominica and the Lesser Antilles should continue to monitor the progress of these systems and to be prepared. Credit the DOM Met Office

Bill Cobbs is a seasoned American actor known for his extensive work in film, television, and theater. Born on June 16, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, Cobbs has had a long and varied career, often playing wise and authoritative characters. ### Early Life and Career Before becoming an actor, Cobbs served in the United States Air Force as a radar technician for eight years. He also worked as a salesman, office clerk, and truck driver. His acting career began later in life, with Cobbs moving to New York City in 1970 to pursue his passion for the arts. ### Acting Career Cobbs made his film debut in 1974 with a role in "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three." Over the years, he has appeared in numerous films, including "Trading Places" (1983), "The Color of Money" (1986), "Demolition Man" (1993), "That Thing You Do!" (1996), and "Night at the Museum" (2006). His television credits are equally impressive, with guest roles on shows like "The Sopranos," "The Drew Carey Show," and "Walker, Texas Ranger." ### Notable Roles One of Cobbs' most memorable roles was as Lewis Coleman in the critically acclaimed film "The Bodyguard" (1992), starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. He also garnered attention for his portrayal of Mr. Mose Harrison in the television series "I'll Fly Away" (1991-1993), earning a nomination for an NAACP Image Award. ### Legacy and Influence Bill Cobbs is admired for his versatility and longevity in the entertainment industry. His ability to bring depth and authenticity to his characters has made him a respected figure among peers and audiences alike. Even in his 80s, Cobbs continues to work in the industry, contributing to both film and television projects. Cobbs' career serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that it's never too late to pursue one's dreams and achieve success. His body of work stands as a testament to his talent and dedication to the craft of acting. May he rest in peace.

Every year on June 26th, the world unites to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This significant day, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society and to mobilize efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit drug trade. ### The Global Impact of Drug Abuse Drug abuse and illicit trafficking are issues that transcend borders, affecting countries worldwide. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), nearly 275 million people used drugs globally in the past year, and over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders. These staggering numbers highlight the urgent need for international cooperation and comprehensive strategies to address the crisis. ### Health Consequences Drug abuse poses severe health risks, including infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, mental health disorders, and overdose deaths. Substance abuse disrupts the lives of individuals, families, and communities, often leading to social isolation, economic hardship, and violence. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these issues, with reports indicating increased drug use and decreased access to treatment and support services. ### Illicit Trafficking: A Global Challenge Illicit drug trafficking fuels organized crime, corruption, and violence, undermining the rule of law and stability in many regions. The illegal drug trade is a lucrative business, generating billions of dollars annually. This immense profit often funds other criminal activities, including human trafficking, terrorism, and arms smuggling, posing significant threats to global security. ### United Nations' Role and Efforts The UNODC plays a crucial role in leading international efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Through its various programs and initiatives, the UNODC works with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to implement evidence-based strategies, promote drug prevention, and improve access to treatment and rehabilitation services. The annual World Drug Report, published by the UNODC, provides comprehensive data and analysis on the global drug situation, helping to inform policy and action. ### Theme for 2024: "The evidence is clear: invest in prevention." Each year, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking focuses on a specific theme to draw attention to particular aspects of the drug problem.

To reduce the financial strain on families, the St Kitts Cabinet of Ministers has approved a temporary tax exemption for school supplies and air-cooling devices. From July 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, eligible school supplies and air-cooling devices will be tax-free. The Cabinet has also designated special VAT relief days to further assist consumers: - **Back to School VAT Days**: August 16 and 17 (excluding vehicles) - **Christmas VAT Days**: December 13 and 21 (including vehicles) These measures aim to support families in preparing for the new school year and purchasing essential items during the holiday season.

Coach & Advisor of the Dominica State College Literary and Debating Society, Trudy Christian gives an update on the second annual debate competition and exchange with the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. The debaters debated the topics: "A circular economy approach is the most sustainable path to a just and inclusive society" and "Constitutional challenges to law which criminalize consensual, private sexual acts between persons above the age of consent, is the best way to reduce the marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community." The DSC debating team was successful in round 1 of the competition.