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ROSEAU, DOMINICA (April 25, 2024): The United Workers Party (UWP) and the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) have officially launched a Dominica Economic Revival Summit 2024, under the theme ‘Planning for Sustainable Growth and Development.’ Scheduled to take place on June 4-6, 2024, at the Jungle Bay Resort and Spa, the summit will bring together key stakeholders, government officials, business leaders, and experts in various fields to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration. Addressing the event’s press launch on Thursday, April 25, UWP’s Political Leader, Dr. Thomson Fontaine said he expects participation from all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation. “Dominica’s economy and by extension its people have suffered due to a lack of proper economic planning over the years. Failure to plan for sustainable development while focusing exclusively on revenues from the CBI program have resulted in an overall lack of development, failure to create jobs and the general poor state of the economy that we see in Dominica.” Dr. Fontaine stated. The two-day sessions will focus on agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and construction, knowledge and economy and renewable energy. “We believe that this is the way forward for Dominica; all of us working together; all of us planning together and all of us succeeding together,” Dr. Fontaine added. Member of the ERC, Severin Mckenzie said the summit would help develop strategies to advance the country’s economic prosperity. “The main objective of the summit is to begin the process of a masterplan which will serve as a roadmap for Dominica’s future development. As we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, there is no doubt that Dominicans are disappointed with the present state of the economy. For those who are curious about what the link between electoral reform and an economic revival summit is; we in the ERC are very conscious of the fact that beyond electoral reform comes economic reform,” Mckenzie noted. The Dominica Economic Revival Summit starts with an opening ceremony and awards dinner on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Jungle Bay Resort & Spa. The sessions follow on Wednesday, June 5 and Thursday, June 6. This is open and free to stakeholders, who are committed to driving positive change and economic progress in Dominica. Registration information and a detailed agenda will be available in the coming weeks.

Roseau, Dominica - April 25th, 2024 - VetivertContemporary Fine Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of Creolité, carded for Tuesday, 30th April 2024, from 4:15 to 6:30 pm at Lacou. Creolité marks the beginning of a thought-provoking visual discourse over the next 12 months, with a total of three exhibitions planned. This first exhibition aims to ignite conversations around the concept of Antillean peoples as Creole and the dynamic interplay and tensions between the literary terms and theses on Creolization and Hybridization of our collective identity. Five of our represented artists will offer paintings and other works that delve into a visual discourse on our collective consciousness and views on who and how they identify or form a sense of belonging within the multifaceted nature of Creole culture. Through their artwork, they invite viewers to join the exploration of the complexities of identity formation and the influences that shape who we are. "We look forward to presenting this Creolité 1.0 as the inaugural exhibition in our series of visual discourses," says Carla Armour, Curator of Vetivert Contemporary. "This exhibition serves as a platform for our artists to engage with pressing societal questions and contribute to meaningful conversations about identity and culture." As a small independent gallery, Vetivert Contemporary relies on the support of its community to fulfill its mission of providing mentorship, curation, and international exposure to Dominican artists. Every interaction, support, sale and contribution is instrumental in achieving our vision of positioning Dominican art alongside the best in the world. We invite members of the press to join us for the opening reception of Creolité at 4:15 pm on Tuesday, April 30th, at Lacou as they will have the opportunity to engage with the artists and explore the thought-provoking artwork on display.

ROSEAU, Dominica, (April 25, 2024)—The President's Charities Foundation Inc., in collaboration with the Bethesda Methodist Congregation, is proud to announce a captivating evening of music and fellowship: the Jazz Vesper event. This gathering will unfold at the State House grounds on April 27, 2024, starting at 7:00 p.m. Proceeds from ticket sales will be vital in supporting the President's Charities Foundation Inc.'s mission to improve the lives of vulnerable groups within Dominica. "As President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, it is my privilege to invite you to the Jazz Vesper event at the StateHouse grounds in support of the President's Charities Foundation Inc. This cause is very close to my heart, aiming to uplift the vulnerable members of our society. Through your support for this event, we will be able to expand our efforts and make a significant difference in many lives. I am deeply grateful to the Bethesda Methodist Congregation for their partnership in this noble initiative. Together, we can contribute to this meaningful cause and embody the change we wish to see in Dominica. I cordially invite everyone to join us on April 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., for a captivating evening of Jazz and spoken word performances. Tickets are priced at $125 each. For ticket purchases or more information, please call 767-266-3333 or reach out to the members of the President's Charities Foundation Inc. May God continue to bless you all and your loved ones," expressed Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Jazz Vespers features an impressive lineup of acclaimed artistsknown for their soulful performances. Artists include Michele Henderson, Ophelia Marie, Marie Pascal Affana, Julien Martin, Tasha P, Jeremy Vanterpool (Jazz Saxophonist from the British Virgin Islands), Joy Stoute, Fr. Nigel Karam, Jermaina Didier, Rev. Dr. Keith Lewis, Krishna Robin, Monelle Alexis, Amika Cognette, and Bethesda Methodist Choir. They will take the stage to deliver a range of mesmerizing Jazz and spoken word pieces. Tickets for this exclusive event are available now. To purchase, contact members of the President's Charities Foundation Inc. or call 767-266-3333 or 767-275-3024 for further details. With limited seating available, guests are advised to buy their tickets early to ensure attendance at this not-to-be-missed evening.

Ischikelle Corbin from Antigua and Barbuda clinched the title of 2024 Miss St Maarten Carnival Caribbean Queen during the inaugural pageant at the Joceyln Arndell Festival Village. Alongside her victory, Corbin also excelled in various categories including Best Interview, Best Swimwear, Best Evening Wear, and Best Identical Question. With prior accolades such as the 2023 Miss Jaycees Queen and Miss Antigua Queen of Carnival, Corbin, 27, advocates for mental health and wellness, personal development, content creation, and volunteerism. Claire Marissa Smartt secured the second runner-up position, earning the title of Miss Photogenic, while D’Shnay York claimed the third runner-up spot alongside the title of Miss Popularity.

The highest court in New York has overturned the rape conviction of movie producer Harvey Weinstein. In a 4-3 decision, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the trial judge made an error by allowing testimony about uncharged sexual acts involving other individuals, which unfairly prejudiced the case against Weinstein. The court stated that this testimony served no relevant purpose and portrayed Weinstein in a biased light. Weinstein, aged 72, was a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, and prosecutors accused him of using his power to exploit aspiring female actors for sexual purposes. They argued that Weinstein offered career opportunities in exchange for sexual favors, a practice they claimed was common knowledge within the film industry. While prosecutors contended that testimony from additional women reflected Weinstein's intent to use forceful coercion, the court's majority opinion criticized this as undermining the principle of excluding evidence based solely on propensity. Despite the overturning of his conviction, Weinstein remains incarcerated, with the possibility of facing a retrial by the Manhattan district attorney's office. Additionally, he has been convicted of sex offenses in Los Angeles and is serving a 16-year sentence there. Pic credit :People

As the academic year 2023-2024 progresses, the National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD) recognizes the increasing pressure students face as they prepare for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). In response, the NYCD is proud to announce the launch of the Virtual Exam Readiness Series under the theme, "Beyond the Books: Crafting a Blueprint for Exam Triumph”. This comprehensive initiative is designed to equip students with the tools and support needed to excel in their exams. This 2-day virtual series will be held via ZOOM on Tuesday 30th April and Thursday 2nd May from 5:30 pm each day. The Exam Readiness Series aims to promote educational youth activities and programs in Dominica while addressing the critical issue of exam anxiety and stress. Through Zoom, the series will offer study strategies and mental health support to enhance students' preparation for these pivotal assessments. President of the National Youth Council, Phael Lander says "The launch of the Exam Readiness Series underscores the NYCD's commitment to supporting the holistic development of young people in Dominica". The series will feature presentations from distinguished speakers, including education experts, counsellors, and high-performing student representatives. Topics will include crafting study schedules, adopting efficient study techniques, managing exam-related stress, avoiding procrastination and smartphone distractions and leveraging technology for enhanced learning. NYCD’s 2nd Vice-President, Wendy Wallace stated, "We recognize the challenges students face as they prepare for high-stakes examinations like CSEC and CAPE, through the Exam Readiness Series, we aim to provide comprehensive support to students, not only academically but also in terms of their mental well-being, to ensure they can approach their exams with the confidence needed to excel ." The NYCD encourages all students who will sit the CSEC and CAPE examinations this year to participate in the Virtual Exam Readiness Series. – END --

TikTok intends to legally challenge a law deemed unconstitutional, threatening its potential sale or ban in the US. This law, recently signed by President Biden, mandates TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest the app within nine months or face US blockage due to concerns over data sharing with the Chinese government, claims TikTok has consistently refuted. TikTok's CEO vows to fight for users' rights in court, emphasizing their commitment to data security and freedom of expression. While the bill garnered significant support in Congress, legal experts anticipate a lengthy legal battle, possibly reaching the Supreme Court. Despite regulatory hurdles and the app's popularity among young Americans, questions remain about the feasibility and implications of a potential sale, given the substantial regulatory scrutiny and limited pool of potential buyers.

Roseau, Dominica - April 24 2024: The Stem Girls Club will be officially launched during a ceremony at the Mahaut Primary School on April 25, 2024 at 4:30p.m.  April 25, 2024 is recognized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as Girls in ICT Day. This year’s theme for the Girls in ICT Day celebrations is “Leadership”, to underscore the critical need for strong female role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The Stem Girls Club was established in the Mahaut Constituency in 2023 to create and foster an ecosystem that nourishes the interest, talent and intellectual capital of girls and women in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The Club provides an opportunity for girls to explore STEM careers and to identify education and training opportunities to address the structural barriers and gaps that have been identified in various research studies on gender equality and ICTs. Parliamentary Representative for the Mahaut Constituency, Honourable Cassanni Laville, Dr. Jermaine Jewel Jean-Pierre, Ms. Mellisa Graham and Mrs. Nicole Laville are leading the initiative which targets girls ages 8 – 16 years.  Several STEM related activities have been held since August 2023 including a field trip to the Oxygen Plant at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, learning session on the Properties of Cement and Concrete with Civil Engineer, Honourable Cassanni Laville, and creating building structures from marshmallows and spaghetti, among others. Honourable Cassanni Laville, the Minister for Health, Wellness and Social Services, Honourable Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite, Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and the Digital Economy will address the function.  The feature address will be delivered by Mrs. Jessica Ricketts-Esprit, CEO of Triage Health. -Ends-

Roseau, Dominica-April 23, 2024: Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Frankie ‘Krazy Tee’ Bellot, the Proprietor of Kairi FM. He died on April 23, 2024, after a period of illness. Mr. Bellot was a pioneering figure in the media industry and a staunch proponent of frank political discourse in Dominica. As the proprietor of Kairi FM, established in 1994, he championed the growth of broadcast media and provided a platform for the promotion of Dominica’s arts and culture. Mr. Bellot made a lasting contribution to Dominica’s economy, providing employment for several Dominicans through his various business enterprises. A stalwart supporter of the Dominica Labour Party, Mr. Bellot was known for his vigorous engagement with political and governmental matters, and for his readiness to support community initiatives. The Party is grateful for his years of generous patronage; particularly the collaboration with Kairi FM to disseminate information and engage regularly with the Dominican public. The Cabinet of Ministers and the Dominica Labour Party extend heartfelt condolences to Mr. Bellot's wife, Catia, his children, mother and the Kairi FM family. We stand in solidarity with them and wish them God’s comfort in this time of bereavement. -Ends-

The President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, has resigned from his position, effective immediately. His decision comes after being placed on administrative leave in January and feeling that he won't be treated fairly by the institution. His lawyers, based in St. Lucia, conveyed this in a letter to the bank, expressing concerns about the violations of its charter, policies, rules, and regulations. They've given the bank until May 4 to negotiate a separation agreement and warned of potential legal action if necessary. This development follows an ongoing administrative process since January, during which Dr. Leon was on leave until April.

The Dominica Hospitals Authority acknowledges the heightened public interest surrounding the recent passing of one of our nurses, who was both a valued member of our team and a patient of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. We take this opportunity to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, as well as to our staff and colleagues of the deceased nurse. It is indeed a difficult time for everyone and our prayers and best wishes are with all those who have been impacted in any way. On Saturday, April 20th, 2024, the Honourable Minister for Health, Wellness and Social Services and Senior Management of the Hospital were present at the hospital to support our team members, the bereaved family and other associates of our late colleague. We acknowledge the numerous comments and concerns raised in the public domain and wish to make it fundamentally clear that many of the comments provide an inaccurate account of the events. Notwithstanding, the Board of Directors of the Dominica Hospitals Authority will appoint an external team of professionals to immediately conduct a thorough and impartial fact-finding review of the circumstances surrounding the nurse's care at our facility. We take all reports, whether official or unofficial, seriously and remain committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in all matters concerning the functions and operations of the Hospital. Our priority is to uphold the highest standards of care and integrity within our hospitals.