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  • Dominica part of major cross-border operation against organized crime

    Dominica part of major cross-border operation against organized crime

    In what organizers are calling the largest coordinated anti-organized crime operation between Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe to date, a massive international law enforcement initiative dubbed Operation ATLAS NEXUS has taken down dozens of transnational criminal networks and resulted in more than 490 arrests across 35 participating nations, including the Caribbean island nation of Dominica.

    The joint initiative, led by the Belgian Federal Police, brought together thousands of law enforcement officers, customs agents, and judicial officials from three continents to crack down on five of the most harmful illegal markets that fuel cross-border criminal activity: drug trafficking, human trafficking, document fraud, firearms trafficking, and environmental crime. Operational coordination was carried out through EMPACT Operational Action 6.1, which prioritizes targeting the world’s most dangerous criminal networks and individuals, with additional coordination from FRONTEX and CARICOM IMPACS. The operation received core funding and support from EL PACCTO 2.0, the European Union’s dedicated security and justice cooperation program for the Latin America and Caribbean region. A broad coalition of global security bodies also backed the initiative, including AMERIPOL, EUROPOL, INTERPOL, MAOC(N), the Regional Security System, CRIMARIO II, SEACOP VI, and the Italian-funded Interpol I-CAN initiative.

    Over the course of coordinated enforcement actions, authorities carried out 595 formal search warrants and monitored more than 110 aircraft, 28 commercial vessels, 415 ground vehicles, and 271 shipping containers across 28 pre-designated checkpoints. More than 8,680 on-the-ground personnel took part in national enforcement phases of the operation.

    Seizures from the operation reached a combined total of more than 156.9 tonnes of illicit material, alongside a wide range of other illegal contraband and assets. Among the most significant seizures were 37.6 tonnes of cocaine and 118.6 tonnes of cannabis. Additional contraband recovered included 201 unregistered firearms, 3,131 rounds of ammunition and explosive materials, 803 illegally trafficked wild animals and livestock, $135,000 in untraced cash and cryptocurrency, 0.83 kilograms of illegally mined gold, 468 counterfeit and fraudulent identity documents, 464 pieces of stolen jewellery, 169 illegally acquired properties, and one vehicle linked to criminal activity. Law enforcement also successfully rescued and provided support to 18 human trafficking victims freed from criminal networks during the operation.

    The operation yielded several high-impact breakthroughs beyond routine seizures and arrests: investigators uncovered Ireland’s first ever detected cocaine processing laboratory, and identified two previously unknown illegal gold mining operations in French Guiana. Authorities also submitted 37 official INTERPOL notices, including 17 high-priority red notices for the arrest of fugitive criminals still at large. Australia made an outsize contribution to the drug seizure total, playing a central role in the interception of more than 5.6 tonnes of cocaine bound for criminal networks across the globe.

    A full list of the 35 nations that took part in the operation includes: Germany, Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, the United States, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, the Dominican Republic, Romania, the United Kingdom, St Lucia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

  • Kia Kirwan to Represent Antigua and Barbuda at Miss Afrikana International 2027

    Kia Kirwan to Represent Antigua and Barbuda at Miss Afrikana International 2027

    Antigua and Barbuda’s 2025 Carnival Queen Kia Kirwan has earned the opportunity to represent her home country at the first-ever Miss Afrikana International pageant, scheduled to launch in November 2027.

    Kirwan comes into this new competition with a proven track record of success across regional pageantry. Over the course of her current reign as Carnival Queen, she has already represented Antigua and Barbuda at four major regional competitions, claiming a top placement in three of those events. Her most notable achievement to date is securing first runner-up at the 2026 Miss OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) Pageant hosted in Dominica, where she also took home two individual segment awards for standout performances.

    Miss Afrikana International is the brainchild of Abena Akuaba Appiah, a Ghanaian beauty queen, successful entrepreneur, and social advocate who claimed the Miss Grand International title in 2020. Unlike many mainstream global pageants, this new competition was crafted specifically to celebrate women of African descent from across the globe – including those based on the African continent, throughout the Caribbean, and across the wider African diaspora.

    Organizers have outlined that the competition will center on six core pillars: beauty, culture, intelligence, leadership, African heritage, and community service. Contestants will be evaluated across a range of competition segments, including cultural presentation, evening gown, talent or creative expression, one-on-one interview, public speaking, and a pre-competition community impact project that showcases each contestant’s commitment to service.

    While the inaugural event is locked in for November 11, 2027, organizers have not yet revealed the host city or official venue for the pageant. Kirwan’s selection as Antigua and Barbuda’s representative has been officially confirmed by the Miss Afrikana International organization, and further updates on the competition are available through the pageant’s official online channels.

  • Did You See the Paratroopers? Two Nations Mark Belize @45

    Did You See the Paratroopers? Two Nations Mark Belize @45

    On September 21, 2026, Belize capped off a weekend of nationwide 45th Independence anniversary celebrations with a breathtaking aerial display that highlighted the close ties between the Central American nation and its Caribbean partner Guyana. Four experienced paratroopers from the Belize Defence Force launched themselves from a BDF-owned Cessna 208B Grand Caravan at an altitude of approximately 6,000 feet above the capital city of Belmopan, kicking off the day’s centerpiece military spectacle.

    The aircraft was operated by a skilled two-person crew, led by command pilot Major Elder Correa, with Major Pierce Colemane supporting him in the copilot seat. After exiting the plane, the four paratroopers held a controlled freefall for nearly 2,000 feet before expertly deploying their parachutes, then glided steadily toward the pre-marked landing zone to complete the jump.

    This joint commemorative initiative actually began two days prior, on Sunday, when a team of paratroopers from the Guyana Defence Force carried out an identical demonstration, touching down in the open field directly in front of Belmopan’s Curl Thompson Building. Both jumps were carefully integrated into the official calendar of anniversary events, designed to add a layer of military precision, thrilling spectacle, and diplomatic symbolism to a weekend already brimming with community and national celebrations across every district of Belize.

    When the Belizean paratroopers reached the landing zone on Saturday, both the national flag of Belize and the flag of Guyana were prominently displayed. This intentional gesture was far more than ceremonial: it served as a public testament to the longstanding collaborative partnership and shared regional ties between the two sovereign nations, all while honoring the milestone of four decades of Belizean independence.

  • School unites in prayer for students hurt in Cas En Bas crash

    School unites in prayer for students hurt in Cas En Bas crash

    On a crisp Monday morning at Entrepôt Secondary School, the entire school community set aside their usual routine to come together for an extraordinary gathering: a multi-faith prayer service held to uplift two of their own, who are fighting to recover from severe, life-altering injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle road collision last week.

    The crash, which unfolded in the Cas En Bas neighborhood at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Friday, September 18, left three pedestrians injured, among them 5th-form student Tatiyanna Innocent and first-year student Jeanquan Jn Pierre. According to Saint Lucia Police authorities, the collision began when a white Toyota Hilux and a black Mitsubishi Lancer, traveling in opposite directions, crashed head-on. The out-of-control vehicles then struck two parked construction vehicles before hitting the group of walking pedestrians. In the aftermath of the crash, Jeanquan underwent an emergency amputation of one foot due to the severity of his injuries. Both young students were rushed to a local hospital with critical wounds, and have since been transferred out of the intensive care unit into a general inpatient ward, a small but hopeful update shared by the school’s principal, Arthur Scott.

    News of the crash and the students’ injuries has hit the Entrepôt Secondary campus hard. Many classmates have struggled to process the tragedy, with Scott noting that the incident has sparked deep introspection across the student body: “Our students are impacted by that. Some of them are really in reflection mode. It could have been them.” To support students navigating the grief and anxiety of this event, mental health counsellors from across the island have been brought in to provide one-on-one and group support to help the school community cope.

    At present, visits to the injured students remain restricted, as their open wounds leave them vulnerable to infection. Scott emphasized that despite the limited access, the entire school stands in solidarity with Tatiyanna, Jeanquan, and their families through this grueling ordeal. “They know that we are there with them, and we are trying our best to make sure that they get the necessary support that is needed at this time,” he said.

    In a public appeal, Scott has called on community members across Saint Lucia to contribute any support they can to ease the significant burden the students’ families are facing as they begin what will be a long road to recovery. Even small acts of kindness, from messages of well-wish to material support, can make a profound difference for the young survivors, he noted. Already, alumni of the school and other community members have stepped forward to offer assistance, donating bottled water and nutritional drinks to support the students’ recovery. Moving forward, the school plans to launch an online fundraising campaign to cover the pair’s mounting medical costs and ongoing recovery expenses. “The children truly need a lot of help in getting back on their feet and living normal lives,” Scott added.

    Beyond the appeal for support for the two students, Scott used the moment to urge all road users in Saint Lucia to exercise greater caution when driving, and called for systemic changes to improve safety for students traveling to and from school. “We have to be looking out for each other,” he said. “We need to be a more caring society.”

  • Super 50 quarterfinalists settled after weekend games

    Super 50 quarterfinalists settled after weekend games

    The final weekend of group-stage play in the Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Men’s Super 50 Tournament delivered high-octane batting drama, headlined by two blistering individual centuries and dominant victories that finalized the knockout stage lineup. Across three competitive groups, teams fought for their place in the upcoming quarterfinals, with Gros Islet, Micoud, and Mon Repos notching lopsided wins to seal their positions, while Central Castries claimed an automatic group lead via forfeit.

    On Saturday at the Francis Baba Lastic Grounds, Group B’s decider between Gros Islet and Vieux Fort North looked poised for a low-scoring affair early, when Gros Islet slumped to 92 runs with seven wickets down. But a stunning counterattack from lower-order batters Jard Goodman and Tyrel Chicot turned the tide completely, as the pair forged a match-defining 183-run eighth-wicket partnership that propelled their side to a mammoth total.

    Goodman turned in one of the tournament’s standout performances, notching his second century of the competition and finishing unbeaten on 123 runs off just 64 deliveries. His innings included four boundaries and a staggering 13 maximums, while Chicot contributed an equally aggressive 87 runs from 45 balls, with seven fours and seven sixes of his own. By the end of their 26 overs, Gros Islet had posted 323 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

    Vieux Fort North never came close to chasing the daunting target, folding to 133 runs for nine wickets in their allotted overs. Merkenry St Luce top-scored for the side with 27 runs, while Kalvin Williams added 25. Bowler Tarrique Edward claimed two wickets for 32 runs, and Isaiah Jones took two wickets for just six runs to lock in the 190-run victory. The win left the two-time defending champions Gros Islet as the only undefeated side in Group B, with three wins from three matches, while Vieux Fort North ended the preliminary round winless with three losses.

    Across at the Wenn Playing Field in Group A, Micoud delivered an equally dominant performance to secure their quarterfinal spot, beating Dennery by a 234-run margin. Opener Mervin Wells led the charge with a rapid-fire century of his own, scoring 115 runs off only 55 balls for a strike rate of 209, smashing 13 fours and seven sixes along the way. Wells and opening partner Tristan Norbal, who contributed 55 runs from 46 balls, built a 138-run first-wicket stand in less than 12 overs to set the tone for the innings.

    Micoud closed their 24 overs at 288 runs for five wickets, before their bowlers skittled Dennery for just 54 runs in 9.2 overs. Avalinus Callender top-scored for Dennery with 35 runs, but Ted Jonas took three wickets for 23 runs and Mcwayne Vidal claimed two for 28 to seal the win. The result pushed Micoud into second place in Group A with two wins and one loss, behind group leaders and unbeaten Babonneau. Dennery, who previously forfeited a match to Choiseul, finished the preliminary round without a single win.

    Group C’s final matches concluded on Sunday at the Wenn Playing Field, where Mon Repos locked in second place with a 102-run win over Mabouya Valley. Batting first, Mon Repos reached 229 runs for six wickets in 32 overs, powered by half-centuries from Micah Naitram (58), Cody Fontenelle (54 not out), and Shawnil Edward, who hit an unbeaten 60 runs from 33 deliveries including five fours and four sixes.

    Mabouya Valley was bowled out for 127 runs in 16.4 overs in reply: Rick Smith notched 41 runs and Chad Polius added 40, but a devastating spell of bowling from Liam Joseph, who claimed four wickets for just 15 runs, combined with three wickets each from Edward and Fontenelle, secured the win for Mon Repos. Mon Repos ended the group stage with two wins and one loss, while Mabouya Valley finished with one win and two losses. Central Castries claimed the Group C title with three wins, including a walkover victory after Desruisseaux forfeited their Saturday match.

    All three group winners — Babonneau from Group A, Gros Islet from Group B, and Central Castries from Group C — enter the knockout quarterfinal round next weekend with perfect undefeated records from the preliminary stage, positioning them as early favorites to claim the tournament title.

  • Small Business Unit expands Creole exhibition with shopping, culture and entertainment

    Small Business Unit expands Creole exhibition with shopping, culture and entertainment

    Dominica’s Small Business Support Unit is opening new doors for local micro-entrepreneurs and artisans this fall, expanding its annual Creole product exhibition to connect small-scale makers directly with a wider base of local and visiting shoppers. The popular community commerce event will take place across three consecutive Fridays – September 25, October 2, and October 9 – running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the ground floor of the island’s Government Headquarters.

  • 587 Kilograms of Cocaine Seized in Caribbean Counter-Drug Operation

    587 Kilograms of Cocaine Seized in Caribbean Counter-Drug Operation

    A coordinated multinational counter-narcotics initiative spanning the Caribbean region has delivered a major blow to transnational maritime drug trafficking, with authorities confiscating 587 kilograms of cocaine and taking three suspects into custody. The successful operation brought together three key stakeholders: the United States Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South), law enforcement and security agencies from the Dominican Republic, and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.

    The entire mission traces its origins to a routine aerial patrol conducted by a U.S. Coast Guard maritime surveillance aircraft, which first spotted a suspicious high-speed ‘go-fast’ vessel acting in a manner that raised red flags for drug smuggling. Once the vessel was identified, U.S. operational teams launched a sustained tracking effort, drawing on integrated support from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and additional patrol aircraft to maintain constant visibility of the target. As planning for the interception moved forward, both the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands contributed their own air assets to extend and reinforce the surveillance cordon around the suspect vessel, ensuring it could not slip away into international waters.

    In the operation’s final stage, Dominican Republic security forces led the interception, successfully boarding and taking control of the go-fast vessel. A search of the craft uncovered 24 compressed bales of cocaine, which collectively weighed in at 587 kilograms. All three people found on board were taken into detention to face legal processing. According to official operational briefings, maritime patrol aircraft from all participating nations logged roughly 21 hours of combined flight time to support the mission, highlighting the intensity of the coordinated effort.

    JIATF South officials noted that this interception marks a notable milestone for Dominican Republic counter-narcotics authorities: it stands as one of the farthest offshore drug seizures the country has successfully carried out in recent years. The operation serves as a tangible demonstration of how cross-border collaboration, targeted intelligence sharing, persistent aerial surveillance, and integrated command coordination can dismantle drug trafficking operations that exploit the vast, unpatrolled waters of the Caribbean. Authorities emphasized that the success of this mission reinforces the value of ongoing multilateral partnerships to combat organized drug trafficking networks operating in the region.

  • The Dominica State House is lit purple to commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day

    The Dominica State House is lit purple to commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day

    A new collaborative initiative between the Dominica Dementia Foundation and the Office of the President of Dominica is shining a symbolic light of support for individuals and families navigating life with dementia. To mark this year’s World Alzheimer’s Day, which falls on September 21, the iconic State House building will be bathed in purple light from dawn until dusk across four consecutive days, running from September 18 to September 21.

    Purple has long been the internationally recognized color representing dementia awareness, and this visual display is far more than just a decorative gesture. It is a core part of a global movement that seeks to destigmatize Alzheimer’s disease and all other forms of dementia, while bringing critical public attention to the challenges faced by affected communities worldwide.

    Organizers behind the initiative emphasize that the glowing purple facade of State House serves as a constant reminder: no individual has to face the impact of dementia in isolation. The call to action is clear: communities everywhere must come together to offer compassionate, practical support to people living with dementia and their care networks, lighting a path toward a more inclusive and understanding future for all affected by the condition.

  • Kennedy’s Hardware Workers Take Industrial Action Over Union Dispute

    Kennedy’s Hardware Workers Take Industrial Action Over Union Dispute

    A labor dispute has erupted at two major Kennedy’s Hardware locations in the region, after frontline employees launched formal industrial action to push for management recognition of their chosen union and address a raft of unaddressed workplace grievances. The walkout involves staff at both the All Saints Road store and the Newgate Lane outlet, marking a escalation of months of quiet frustration over working terms at the retail hardware chain. The majority of the workers participating in the action are women, who have raised repeated concerns over unfair working conditions, vague and inconsistent job descriptions, unmanageable workloads, and other ongoing issues that disrupt their daily job performance and work-life balance. After months of unaddressed internal complaints, employees collectively voted to designate the People’s Union as their official bargaining agent, with the goal of sitting down for structured, good-faith negotiations with company leadership to resolve their grievances. According to statements from the striking workers, however, company management has stonewalled their efforts at dialogue, flatly refusing to schedule any meeting or engage in formal talks with elected representatives of the People’s Union. With no path to negotiation remaining, workers say they had no choice but to launch industrial action to pressure the company to both acknowledge their core workplace concerns and formally recognize their right to be represented by the union of their choosing in all future bargaining discussions. As of Monday morning, company leadership has not released any detailed public response to the workers’ specific allegations. A spokesperson for Kennedy’s Hardware noted that the company is still reviewing the situation and intends to publish a full formal statement on the dispute later in the day.

  • STATEMENT: Dominica Dementia Foundation in observance of World Alzheimer’s Day

    STATEMENT: Dominica Dementia Foundation in observance of World Alzheimer’s Day

    September 22, 2026

    Global public health data paints a stark picture of the growing dementia crisis gripping communities across every corner of the globe: according to new figures released by Alzheimer’s Disease International, a new case of dementia is diagnosed somewhere in the world every three seconds. Right now, more than 55 million people worldwide live with this neurodegenerative condition, and projections indicate that this total will surge to three times its current size by 2050 if no large-scale intervention is implemented.

    But for Veronne Nicholas, president of the Dominica Dementia Foundation (DDF), the human weight of this crisis does not rely on global statistics to be felt on the ground in Dominica. In every local neighborhood, every school and every workplace, residents already see the quiet toll the disease takes on families across the island. “We each know someone, or a family, impacted by a loved one with dementia,” Nicholas emphasized in a recent public address.

    Many people misread the subtle signs of dementia’s impact on daily community life, Nicholas explained. A chronically late high school student, or a coworker who consistently struggles to meet deadlines, is often unfairly labeled as unmotivated or lacking work ethic. In many cases, however, these challenges stem from the unspoken burden of caring for a family member living with dementia. As the condition progresses, this responsibility only grows heavier, pushing caregivers to balance work, education and family life with increasingly intense care demands.

    To turn the tide on this growing public health challenge, Nicholas is calling for widespread public adoption of evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies. Early detection of dementia, she stresses, is one of the most powerful tools to improve long-term health outcomes for patients. Additionally, public health research confirms that consistent physical activity, ongoing social engagement, and regular mental stimulation can all significantly reduce an individual’s risk of developing the condition. Prioritizing heart health — including managing blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels — also delivers meaningful protective benefits for long-term brain health.

    Above all, Nicholas is pushing for greater recognition and support for the millions of unpaid family caregivers who bear the majority of care responsibilities for dementia patients worldwide. “They matter just as much as the patients they care for,” she said, urging local communities, governments and global health organizations to step up and provide the resources, respite and recognition that caregivers need to sustain their critical work.