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  • Abandoned vehicles removed during coordinated initiative

    Abandoned vehicles removed during coordinated initiative

    In a targeted multi-agency effort to address longstanding public health and safety risks across the island, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) partnered with three local government and service entities to carry out a coordinated derelict vehicle removal operation between June 3 and 4, 2026.

    The operation focused on four residential and high-traffic communities: Bath Estate, Goodwill, River Street, and Loubiere, where abandoned vehicles had been reported as a growing nuisance by local residents. Joining the CDPF in the initiative were the National Authorising Office (NAO), the Dominica Solid Waste Management Corporation (DSWMC), and Rapid Response Recovery, a local service group specializing in waste and debris clearance.

    In an official public statement released following the sweep, the CDPF emphasized that this removal drive is not a one-off intervention, but part of a sustained, island-wide initiative. The core goal of the program is to eliminate abandoned and derelict vehicles from public streets and communal spaces, where they have been linked to a range of threats to community well-being.

    The statement outlined the multiple hazards posed by unremoved derelict vehicles. Beyond cluttering public areas and dragging down the visual appeal of neighborhoods, these abandoned cars and trucks often collect standing rainwater, creating ideal breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. They also attract rodent populations, block emergency and regular traffic lanes, and in some cases have been used as hiding spots for illegal goods and criminal activity.

    As part of its public advisory, the CDPF issued a clear reminder to vehicle owners across Dominica: any unused, derelict vehicle parked on public roads or communal land must be removed immediately by its registered owner. The force confirmed that systematic sweeps to identify and clear abandoned vehicles will continue across every district of the island, as part of a broader collective goal to build cleaner, more secure, and more inviting communities for all residents.

    Closing the statement, the CDPF expressed its sincere gratitude to all participating partner agencies for their coordinated logistical support, as well as to local community members who shared reports of abandoned vehicles and cooperated with the operation team throughout the two-day sweep.

  • Grankreek eist duidelijkheid over onderzoek naar zandafgravingen

    Grankreek eist duidelijkheid over onderzoek naar zandafgravingen

    Residents of the small indigenous village of Grankreek, located in Suriname’s Saramacca district, have issued a formal ultimatum to the country’s Ministry of Land and Forest Management (GBB), demanding written clarification on the results of a promised investigation into unauthorized sand excavation activities within and around the community’s traditional territorial lands within 14 days. Village head Angelique Palmtak confirmed that if no substantive official response is received by the deadline, the Grankreek community is prepared to escalate the matter through national legal channels and even pursue international advocacy to defend its territorial and environmental rights.

    The ultimatum, delivered in an official letter dated June 8 and addressed to GBB Minister Stanley Soeropawiro and Bronto Somohardjo, chair of the GBB parliamentary commission, comes after months of growing uncertainty and unmet promises from national authorities. The conflict stretches back to a March 5, 2026, official visit by Soeropawiro and Somohardjo to Grankreek, where village leaders and residents first raised a cascade of urgent concerns about ongoing unregulated sand mining operations near the community. Among the grievances presented were the siting of a large sand extraction pit dangerously close to residential areas, repeated violations of existing permit conditions, unaddressed public health and ecosystem risks, the complete lack of prior consultation with the indigenous community, and the absence of a mandatory environmental impact assessment before operations began.

    During that March visit, village representatives state that GBB officials publicly committed to completing a full investigation into the allegations within two weeks, with a full written report to be shared directly with the Grankreek community. Three months later, the village has yet to receive any formal written documentation or official policy decision related to the probe. An informal oral update was provided via Saramacca District Commissioner Aniel Ramautar and National Assembly member Jayant Lalbiharie of the NDP party on May 2, during which community representatives were told the GBB investigation had concluded and the full case file had been forwarded to Suriname President Jennifer Simons for review. No written confirmation of this update, or any formal official position on the investigation’s findings, has ever been shared with Grankreek’s governing body.

    Palmtak emphasized that the Grankreek community cannot continue to navigate this crisis based on unconfirmed rumors and informal secondhand updates. “Our community deserves clear answers, full transparency, and basic respect for our rights as indigenous residents of this land,” Palmtak stated in an interview following the letter’s delivery. “Our residents live with the daily impacts of these sand excavations on their living environment and personal safety right now.” Without formal communication from the ministry, village leaders cannot properly protect the community’s legal rights or keep residents fully informed of developments, she added.

    In addition to the letter sent to GBB, the Grankreek village council has sent a separate formal communication to Minister David Abiamofo of the Ministry of Natural Resources (NH), expressing deep concern over the ministry’s complete silence on prior correspondence about the same sand extraction issue. Village leaders argue that the ministry’s ongoing lack of response is administratively unacceptable, given the severity of the reported environmental damage, the tangible safety threats to the community, and the fact that the excavation permits in question were issued directly by the NH, with direct, life-altering impacts on the indigenous community.

    “The constant silence from authorities sends a clear message that our community’s concerns are being ignored,” Palmtak said. “This not only erodes public trust in the national government, but it also amplifies uncertainty and increases the risk of further escalation of this conflict.” The Grankreek village council reaffirmed that transparency, timely communication, and full respect for the territorial and human rights of indigenous communities are non-negotiable foundations of responsible governance and sustainable, equitable decision-making in Suriname.

  • Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership in Eye Health showcased at Global Summit in Kenya

    Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership in Eye Health showcased at Global Summit in Kenya

    NAIROBI, KENYA – June 8, 2026 – Antigua and Barbuda’s years-long push to center equitable eye health and accessible vision care on the global public health agenda is earning growing international acclaim, as the small island nation showcased its ambitious domestic and advocacy work at the 2030 In Sight Live Conference hosted in Nairobi this week.

    Senior diplomat Claxton Duberry represented Antigua and Barbuda at the three-day gathering organized by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), held from June 4 to 6, where he laid out the country’s progress to an audience of senior government officials, global health leaders, international development partners, private sector stakeholders and civil society advocates. At the core of his remarks was Antigua and Barbuda’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to high-quality eye care services for every citizen and resident, regardless of income or location.

    Duberry spoke during the plenary session “Positioning Eye Health as a National Priority: From Strategy to Systems,” a forum focused on supporting countries to turn broad global public health commitments into actionable, long-lasting national policies and infrastructure. His address was met with broad positive reception from conference delegates, who highlighted the nation’s consistent, on-the-ground work to reframe eye health from a niche global advocacy issue to a core national development priority.

    Speaking on behalf of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Duberry credited the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Sir Walton Webson for elevating the nation’s profile as a leading global voice for universal eye health. The centerpiece of the country’s domestic work, Duberry explained, is the Prime Minister’s groundbreaking “Vision Project,” a transformative national initiative structured around three interconnected core pillars.

    The first pillar focuses on expanding access to corrective eyewear, with a major national initiative already underway to distribute thousands of reading glasses to eligible citizens and residents across the country. The second pillar invests in building long-term sustainable eye health capacity, through expanded training programs for local care providers, investment in workforce development, and targeted upgrades to national eye care infrastructure and systems. The third and most ambitious pillar is the Blindness Free Zone Initiative, a comprehensive community-centered model designed to eliminate preventable blindness and vision impairment through systemic early detection programs, expanded access to affordable treatment and surgery, and fully integrated local eye care services.

    “The Blindness Free Zone is far more than a standalone public health program,” Duberry told attendees. “It is a replicable development model that proves how intentional political commitment, strategic cross-sector partnerships, and deep community engagement can work together to improve individual quality of life while strengthening core national health and development systems.”

    Duberry also used the Nairobi conference to spotlight the upcoming Global Eye Health Summit, which Antigua and Barbuda will host on the margins of the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The upcoming summit will bring together heads of government, leaders from international development agencies, private sector executives, philanthropic organizations and civil society groups to mobilize new commitments, strengthen global accountability for eye health targets, and speed up progress toward the 2030 global vision care goals.

    On the sidelines of the Nairobi conference, Duberry held a series of closed-door strategic meetings with senior leaders from across the global eye health ecosystem. Talks centered on expanding international financial and technical support for Antigua and Barbuda’s Blindness Free Zone Initiative, strengthening cross-national partnerships for workforce capacity building and service delivery, and advancing logistical and policy preparations for the upcoming Global Eye Health Summit.

    These bilateral and multilateral engagements have further cemented Antigua and Barbuda’s growing reputation as a leading global advocate for universal vision care, underscoring the nation’s ongoing commitment to keeping eye health firmly embedded in global development, public health, and social inclusion agendas for years to come.

  • Health ministry releases latest Health-Climatic Bulletin for June to August 2026

    Health ministry releases latest Health-Climatic Bulletin for June to August 2026

    Ahead of the 2026 June to August wet and warm season, two government agencies in Dominica — the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, and the Dominica Meteorological Service — have jointly launched the second edition of the nation’s specialized Health-Climatic Bulletin. This innovative cross-agency publication integrates meteorological data with public health analysis, delivering a comprehensive breakdown of recent climate trends, three-month seasonal forecasts, and actionable guidance to help communities mitigate weather-related health threats.

    The core goal of the bulletin is to demystify the connections between shifting climate conditions and public wellness, boost public awareness of avoidable climate-linked health hazards, and empower residents and local organizations to take proactive preparedness steps before risks emerge. One of the bulletin’s key projections is that Dominica will see above-average temperatures through the June to August window, with a marked rise in the number of consecutive extreme hot days across the island.

    Even though the National Meteorological Service forecasts that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season will be less active than the historical average, the bulletin still flags flash flooding as one of the most pressing weather-related hazards for the coming months. Health authorities warn that excess rainfall and subsequent flooding create ideal conditions for the spread of two broad categories of illnesses: waterborne diseases spread through contaminated water, and vector-borne diseases carried by insects that breed in standing water. Common conditions expected to see increased transmission include gastroenteritis, leptospirosis, and mosquito-borne viral infections such as dengue fever.

    The bulletin also addresses two underdiscussed climate-related health threats: Saharan dust intrusions and fluctuating weather patterns. These atmospheric conditions can act as triggers for acute respiratory episodes, and worsen pre-existing chronic breathing conditions such as asthma, leading to higher rates of hospital visits and health complications for vulnerable populations.

    Beyond physical health risks, the publication breaks new ground by highlighting the often-overlooked impact of extreme weather on population mental health. Prolonged heat exposure, disruptive flooding, and unanticipated severe weather events place significant cumulative stress on both individuals and entire communities, which can worsen existing mental health conditions and reduce overall quality of life for residents.

    In closing, the Ministry of Health has issued a formal call for all Dominicans to stay updated on real-time weather forecasts through official channels, and to implement evidence-based precautionary measures throughout the June to August period to protect both their physical and mental well-being. The full bulletin is available for public download as a 1.38MB PDF document via the official news portal.

  • Minister Michael Joseph Hosts Bush Tea and Breakfast Meet-and-Greet with Ministry Staff

    Minister Michael Joseph Hosts Bush Tea and Breakfast Meet-and-Greet with Ministry Staff

    In a move that breaks down traditional bureaucratic barriers between senior leadership and frontline public servants, Minister Michael Joseph has opened the doors of his ministry for a casual, community-inspired bush tea and breakfast meet-and-greet, bringing together staff from every department and seniority level to converse openly.

    Unlike formal, scripted departmental gatherings that often restrict open dialogue, this event was designed to center on unfiltered conversation and relationship-building. Bush tea, a traditional, locally rooted beverage that has long served as a centerpiece for community gathering in many regional contexts, was chosen intentionally to foster a relaxed, approachable atmosphere that puts all attendees on equal footing.

    Members of the ministry, from entry-level administrative support teams to senior policy advisors, took the opportunity to share on-the-ground insights into daily operational challenges, highlight ongoing project successes, and offer grassroots suggestions for improving workplace culture and service delivery. Minister Joseph actively participated in every conversation, listening attentively to staff concerns without the formal hierarchies that typically shape interactions between political leaders and public service employees.

    According to senior ministry insiders, the gathering is part of a broader push by the new minister to prioritize transparent communication and employee engagement. Many staff members noted that the informal format made it far easier to raise concerns that often go unaddressed in rigid, top-down departmental meetings. The event has also sparked conversations across the ministry about making open, casual leadership-staff engagement a regular practice, rather than a one-off occasion.

    This shift toward accessible leadership comes as public sector organizations globally are increasingly recognizing that engaged, heard employees deliver more effective public services to communities. By opting for a low-key, culturally rooted gathering instead of a formal keynote or town hall, Minister Joseph has signaled a commitment to meeting staff where they are, valuing their input, and building a more collaborative ministry culture.

  • A 7.8 magnitude quake in the Philippines kills at least 32, collapses buildings and sparks tsunami

    A 7.8 magnitude quake in the Philippines kills at least 32, collapses buildings and sparks tsunami

    On Monday morning, a powerful magnitude 7.8 offshore earthquake struck the southern region of the Philippines, leaving a grim trail of death, destruction and displacement across coastal Mindanao. As of initial official updates, the disaster has claimed at least 32 lives, left more than 200 people injured, and triggered a 1-meter tsunami that swept across nearby shorelines. Most casualties were reported in structures that crumbled or suffered severe damage during the shaking.

    The epicenter of the quake, recorded at 7:37 a.m. local time, was located in the sea off Mindanao, with General Santos, a major port city and regional tuna export hub home to over 700,000 residents, bearing the brunt of the damage. Multiple low-rise buildings across the city, including a public supermarket, a warehouse and a local grade school, collapsed or sustained catastrophic structural damage, leaving at least 12 people unaccounted for. Search and rescue teams have been deployed in urgent operations to locate potential survivors trapped beneath rubble.

    Further north, in the municipality of Glan within Sarangani province, the shaking triggered a destructive landslide that killed 13 local villagers. Provincial disaster mitigation official Rene Punzalan confirmed to Philippines’ DZBB radio network that an additional four residents also died in quake-related incidents across Sarangani. The disaster also disrupted the first day of classes at a rural grade school in Malita, Davao Occidental, where more than 100 uniformed students and a dozen teachers had gathered for a traditional flag-raising ceremony ahead of lessons, on their first day back after a two-month summer break. What was meant to be an exciting day of new beginnings quickly devolved into chaos, as the ground beneath the coconut-fringed school compound shook violently. “Their excitement on the first day of school turned to trauma,” school principal Rosavel Cachuela told the Associated Press. Fortunately, the children remained mostly calm and stayed in their seats during the shaking, avoiding any casualties, though a nearby storage shed collapsed and damaged a parked motorcycle.

    Witnesses described sudden, intense shaking that sent residents fleeing for open ground. Rod Sosmeña, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, who was traveling through General Santos when the quake hit, said his pickup truck jerked so violently he initially thought he had suffered a flat tire. “The shaking was very strong and people dashed out of houses into the streets,” Sosmeña recalled.

    Beyond the Philippines, smaller tsunami waves were recorded as far afield as Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan, while minor tsunami damage was documented in at least one southern Philippine coastal village. Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, confirmed that the 7.8-magnitude event is the most powerful earthquake to hit the archipelago nation this year. He has issued urgent warnings urging residents to seek official guidance before returning to damaged structures, as powerful aftershocks could trigger further collapses of already weakened buildings.

    The international community has quickly moved to offer support to Philippine emergency response efforts. The United States, a long-standing treaty ally of the Philippines, announced it was already coordinating with Manila and stood ready to deploy assistance. France and New Zealand have also issued statements of solidarity and offered support to the disaster response.

  • Windies Women fine‑tune ahead of T20 World Cup

    Windies Women fine‑tune ahead of T20 World Cup

    As the countdown to the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup hosted in England enters its final stretch, the West Indies Women’s national team has intensified their on-ground preparations, kicking off their warm-up schedule with a 26-run defeat against India at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on Monday.

    India got off to a electrifying start thanks to captain Smriti Mandhana, who produced a devastating batting display that saw her rack up 39 runs from only 13 deliveries, dotted with eight crisp boundaries. Middle-order batter Bharti Fulmali steered the innings with a steady 56 runs off 40 balls, while wicket-keeper batter Yastika Bhatia chipped in with a valuable 36 runs. The trio combined power the Indian side to a formidable total of 179 for 8 at the end of their 20 overs. For the West Indies, spinner Afy Fletcher turned in an exceptional performance with the ball, claiming four wickets while conceding just 23 runs. All-rounders Aaliyah Alleyne and Deandra Dottin also contributed one wicket each to the bowling effort.

    Chasing a target of 180, the West Indies struggled to build consistent momentum, finishing their allotted overs on 153 all out. Dottin emerged as the hosts’ top run-getter with 49 runs from 44 deliveries, and her opening partner Shemaine Campbelle retired hurt on 25 after a solid start. Beyond the top order, the West Indies batting line-up collapsed against India’s spin attack. Spinners Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav dominated the contest, sharing seven wickets between them: Patil finished with 4 wickets for 36 runs, while Yadav took 3 wickets for just 25 runs.

    Despite the opening warm-up loss, the result has done little to dampen the West Indies’ confidence ahead of the main tournament. The side, nicknamed the Maroon Warriors, recently claimed the 2026 Evara International Tri-Series title in Dublin after commanding wins against Ireland and Pakistan, a performance that head coach Shane Deitz says has left the squad well-placed for the World Cup. “We’re in a good place going into the World Cup,” Deitz noted of the team’s preparation following their tri-series triumph.

    The West Indies will look to iron out kinks in their batting line-up and secure a confidence-boosting win when they face Australia in their second and final warm-up fixture at the same Cardiff venue on Wednesday, with the match kicking off at 10 a.m. Eastern Caribbean time. After the warm-up phase, the Maroon Warriors will open their group stage campaign against New Zealand on June 13.

    Going into the tournament, the West Indies will rely on the experience and consistent leadership of star captain Hayley Matthews, former skipper Stafanie Taylor, and powerhouse all-rounder Deandra Dottin to challenge for the title. The side will also be counting on the youthful energy of emerging talents including Zaida James and Qiana Joseph to complement the leadership of their veteran core, as they chase a second ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy.

  • Rastafarian Group Calls for End to Jail Time for Minor Cannabis Offences

    Rastafarian Group Calls for End to Jail Time for Minor Cannabis Offences

    On a recent Saturday, a wave of demands for cannabis policy change swept through the capital of Antigua and Barbuda, as dozens of members of the nation’s Rastafarian community gathered in peaceful demonstration outside St. John’s Police Station. The protest targeted the ongoing practice of jailing individuals convicted of non-violent, minor marijuana-related offenses, a policy that community leaders say has long violated both civil liberties and their group’s core religious and cultural traditions.

    Dressed uniformly in white and bearing the distinctive red, gold, and green flags of the Rastafarian faith, demonstrators made their case to government and law enforcement officials, calling for an urgent shift in how authorities approach low-level cannabis violations. They emphasized that the current punitive legal framework is increasingly out of touch with the growing regional momentum toward decriminalization that has been building across the Caribbean in recent years.

    According to statements from protest organizers, dozens of people remain behind bars in Antigua and Barbuda on cannabis charges, even as neighboring nations have relaxed their drug laws and moved away from mass incarceration for minor marijuana offenses. Beyond broader drug policy reform, the Rastafarian community is also pushing for formal legal recognition of cannabis’ central role in their religious practices, a status that has already been granted in several other Caribbean countries.

    The core demand of the demonstration was a full legislative review of the nation’s existing cannabis laws, with protesters arguing that custodial sentences should never be the default response to minor marijuana-related incidents. Organizers made clear that Saturday’s gathering is just one step in a sustained, nationwide campaign to overhaul outdated drug legislation and secure full equal rights for Rastafarian residents across Antigua and Barbuda.

  • Damar Stapleton Sentenced Over $246,000 Cannabis Seizure

    Damar Stapleton Sentenced Over $246,000 Cannabis Seizure

    A resident of Bendals Village has received a 30-month prison sentence following a guilty plea to drug trafficking charges connected to a major cannabis seizure at Deep Water Harbour. Damar Stapleton’s sentencing was handed down Friday in the High Court by Justice John Spencer, after the defendant entered his guilty plea to cannabis trafficking charges on May 12.

    The conviction traces back to a coordinated law enforcement operation conducted jointly by local police and Customs officials on March 8, 2024. During the targeted operation at the port, authorities discovered 41 pounds of cannabis hidden inside two unmarked shipping boxes. Investigators estimate the seized narcotics have a street value of roughly $246,000.

    Stapleton remains before the courts on a separate set of drug charges tied to an alleged second smuggling attempt at Deep Water Harbour just five days after the first seizure. The March 13, 2024 incident sees the defendant accused of importing an additional 20 pounds of cannabis, with pending charges including possession of cannabis, possession with intent to transfer the controlled substance, and taking part in the illegal supply of the drug. A trial or further hearings for these outstanding charges are expected to be scheduled in coming months.

  • Hof van Justitie ontbeert in begroting ruim SRD 300 miljoen

    Hof van Justitie ontbeert in begroting ruim SRD 300 miljoen

    Suriname’s judicial branch has issued a stark warning that deep underfunding from the national government threatens its ability to function properly and advance long-term institutional development, according to its 2026 annual budget documents. The judiciary calculates that it needs a total budget of SRD 563.5 million to adequately fulfill all its core mandates this service year, but the government has only allocated SRD 267.5 million, leaving a gap of more than SRD 296 million that officials say is unmanageable. The Hof van Justitie (High Court of Justice) laid out the gap by comparing the government’s approved allocation against its actual operational and developmental needs in its formal budget submission.